The Nation July 01, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

•Zakari is Acting INEC chairman as Jega bows out •Wike raises Rivers loan profile to N30b in a month •Son seeks justice for murdered former FUTA VC •Hoodlums attack witnesses at Ekiti election tribunal •Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3262 WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

P6 P9 P8 P7

Osun begins payment Page 8 of salary •Appointees’ pay cut by 50%

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TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

•INSIDE: OIL WORKERS URGE NLNG TO COMPLETE TRAIN 7 P53NSE GOES TOUGH ON BROKERS P25 Okonjo-Iweala defends $2.0b ECA spending

Oando sells 60% downstream to HVI for $276m

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

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By Emeka Ugwuanyi

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ANDO Plc has entered into an agreement with HV Investments II B.V. (HVI) to acquire its downstream businesses for about US$276 million — subject to regulatory approvals and customary purchase price adjustments, including working capital.

Oando’s Head, Corporate Communications, Ainoije ‘Alex’ Irune, said HV Investments is a joint venture owned by a fund advised by Helios Investment Partners and the Vitol Group.

For local content reasons, the voting rights structure is that HVI and Oando will each have 49 per cent while a Nigerian Continued on page 4

•Chairman/Managing Director, ExxonMobil Nigeria, Nolan O’Neal presenting a document to President Muhammadu Buhari when he led a delegation from the oil giant to the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday. With them are: General Manager, Public & Government Affairs, Paul Arinze (left) and Vice Chairman and General Counsel, Emmanuel Kachikwu.

ORMER Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has denied spending $2.1 billion Excess Crude Account cash “without authorisation” and has offered to face any enquiry over the allegation.

The National Economic Council (NEC) made the allegation on Monday after its meeting in Abuja. Paul Nwabuikwu, Media Adviser to Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, said ”the allegation by some governors is false, Continued on page 4

APC: Buhari on course ‘President has tackled insecurity, corruption’

BANK VERIFICATION NUMBER CHAOS

By Emmanuel Oladesu Group Political Editor

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HE ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday reviewed the first one month of the Buhari Administration, saying the President is on course.

The party noted that President Muhammadu Buhari was tackling insecurity and corruption, adding that efforts were being made to restore Nigeria’s respect in the international community.

APC National Publicity Secretary Lai Mohammed, who spoke with reporters in Lagos, urged Nigerians to support the administration in its bid to chart a new path for the country.

He faulted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s assessment of the administration, pointing out that it was subjective.

Mohammed said: “It’s been about one month now since President Buhari assumed office and I can tell you that there has been motion, and there has been movement, contrary to what is being peddled in some quarters.”

The Publicity Secretary noted that Nigerians had high expectations about the APC government, owing to the promise made

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WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS EVER RETURN?

by the party to halt insecurity, stamp out corruption, revive the troubled economy, provide jobs and restore hope.

He said: “Justifiably, the expectations are high and urgent, and the Buhari administration has Continued on page 4

•Customers at a bank’s branch waiting to register for the Bank Verification Number (BVN) registration in Abuja...yesterday.

CBN extends BVN deadline till Oct. 31 P.5

•LIFE P15 •SPORTS P23 •MONEY P26 •INVESTORS P28 •POLITICS P45 •FOREIGN P58

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

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NEWS

What next for Last week’s dissolution of the Board of Directors of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was longoverdue. There were allegations of corruption and calls for its overhaul. But will the Board’s sack will lead to the creation of an incorruptible and efficient national oil company? Assistant Editor EMEKA UGWUANYI reports.

•President Muhammadu Buhari (right); Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Joseph Dawha (left); Managing Director, Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, Mr. Babs Omotowa (second left) and General Manager,External Relations (NLNG), Kudo Eresia-Eke after the President's meeting with the NLNG PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN. Board of Directors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday.

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O stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, last week’s dissolution of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Board was belated.

They argue that the Petroleum Act stipulates that the tenure of the board expires the day the government that constituted it leaves office. Leaving the board a month longer is enough grace in view of corruption allegations, sharp practices, such as oil swap, offshore processing agreement, violation of regulations, illegal deductions and non-remittance of funds as well as the failure to account for the several billions of naira that should have accrued to the Federation Account.

The National Economic Council (NEC), which was constituted on Monday by President Muhammadu Buhari, alleged that the NNPC shortchanged the Federal Government by withholding N3.8 trillion from the N8.1 trillion it generated in the past three years.

At the end of its maiden meeting, •Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (middle); his Ogun State counterpart Ibikunle Amosun (left); outgoing United Vice President Yemi Oshiomhole, States (U.S.) Consul-General to Nigeria, Mr. Jeffery Hawkins (right); his wife, Annie and Director, Sahara Group, Mr. who doubles as the Council chair, mandated Governors Adams Tony Cole at the valedictory dinner organised for the envoy in Lagos...on Monday.

Oshiomhole (Edo), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna) and Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) to look at the accruals and what happened to the Excess Crude Account (ECA).

The committee of four is to bring its findings to Council at its next meeting on July 23.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), a firm hired by the former administration to forensically audit the NNPC and look into the allegations of unremitted funds into the Federation Account by the corporation, said in its report that the NNPC has a lot of questions to answer. According to the consultant, the NNPC operation was shrouded in secrecy. Messrs PwC alleged that the corporation did not allow it full access to the accounts and records of its exploration and production arm – Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

According to PwC, in the NNPC’s analysis made available to it, all costs •Chief Financial Officer, MainOne, Babatunde Dada (left); Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Funke Opeke (middle) and and activities of its loss-making subGeneral Manager, Corporate Services/Development, Lynda Madu after a news conference on the company's anniversary sidiaries were provided but, those in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: ADEOLA SOLOMON profit-making subsidiaries and the dividends received were excluded from the analysis.

The firm recommended that the NNPC Act be reviewed as the content contradicts the requirement for the corporation to be run as a commercially viable entity.

PwC wrote in the report: “It appears the Act has given the corporation a ‘blank cheque’ to spend money without limit or control. This is untenable and unsustainable. It must be addressed immediately.

“The corporation should be required to create value and meet its expenses entirely from the value created. Proceeds from the Federal Government’s crude oil sales should be remitted entirely to the federation accounts.”

•From left: Director, Laboratory Services Department, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Adetola The NNPC problem goes beyond Onisarotu; Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc., Kufre Ekanem; General Manager, LASEPA, Adebola board dissolution. The corporation Shabi and Corporate Media/Brand Public Relations Manager, Edem Vindah at the inauguration of Waste Water Laboratory requires a total overhaul and the retrofitted by (NB Plc.) at the LASEPA Office, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN

reorientation of its workforce, including the management team.

As presently constituted, the NNPC is only a rent collector and a gatekeeper to which every successive government run to for cash.

Stakeholders are asking the President to also come up with a vision for the incoming NNPC board. The board, they insist, must ensure the actualisation of that vision, enthrone good corporate governance, accountability, adherence to regulations and standard processes without which it will still be business as usual.

But, all these abnormal practices may soon become a thing of the past.

An official of the NNPC told The Nation that after going through the handover note from the immediate administration, Prof. Osinbajo invited tNNPC’s Group Managing Director Dr. Joseph Dawha to update him on the operations of the corporation.

Dawha was guest to the vice president last Tuesday, three days before the dissolution of the 10-member board.

The source, who predicted more surprises in the near future, could, however, not say when the axe will begin to fall and on who. “The changes that will be made, nobody knows for now,” the source added.

According to the source, some of the allegations levelled against the NNPC are unverified because the critics do not know the workings of the corporation.

The official insisted that the NNPC remits revenue into two accounts – the Federation Account and the Federal Government Consolidated Account - but the one the public knows and hears about is the Federation Account.

Because the NNPC holds in trust all government’s business involvement in the oil and gas sector, whatever revenue is due to the three tiers of government is paid into the Federation Account but, dividends from its stakes in the joint venture projects are paid into the Consolidated Account, to which only the Federal Government has access.

Some of the expenditures made by the corporation are not known to the public.

The source alleged: “For instance, as we speak, the refineries are 98 per cent ready and anytime in July, production will commence full blast. The problem we have is the Kaduna refinery.

“The pipeline to the refinery from Abaji to Kaduna has become vandals’ haven. Whenever we go out there to carry out a repair, the vandals will be on the flank to strike. So, it is not every project that we undertake that we announce for security reasons.”

Agenda for the incoming board The board acts as a bridge between the NNPC and the presidency. By the Act establishing the corporation, the board should be made up of nine members, consisting of a representative from each of the six geopolitical zones, the group managing director of the NNPC and the permanent sec-

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

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r NNPC after board dissolution? ‘ •Oronsaye

•Efebo

•Mrs. Alison-Diezani

•Oguine

retary of the ministry of Finance. The ninth member and chairman of board must be the Petroleum Resources minister.

Where the president is the substantive minister as it was the case under the former administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the president either nominates an alternate chairman, or relates directly with the NNPC’s group managing director for regular updates.

At the end of every meeting between, the board chair meets with the president to brief him and for the ratification of any decision taken.

But, not every Nigerians knows that most decisions and actions taken

by NNPC are ratified by the president.

The presidential approval also extends to employment.

For instance, employment of senior-cadre officers from the rank of a general manager and above must be approved by the president. But, where a management staff, apart from the group managing director, is a nominee from a geopolitical zone, the person stands for the two positions.

In the dissolved board, the Group Executive Director, Finance and Accounts, Mr. Bernard Otti, doubled as a management staff and the representative of the Southeast.

Stakeholders’ view Dr. Austin Nweze, a lecturer at the Pan Atlantic University, Lagos, said the board dissolution may not change much because its members do not do the work. They only influences governance, he said, adding that the expected change can only be effected with a clear-cut vision for the corporation and the oil and gas industry by the president. Such vision will be a mandate for the incoming board to pursue and achieve.

Nweze said: “The board members are not the ones doing the job. I don’t think the dissolution of the board will change much but a little in governance if the incoming board members have the will power. NNPC’s problem goes beyond board dissolution.

“The corporation needs process reengineering in the sense that it should get things done right, block the loopholes through which funds are siphoned. Sacking the board is one

•Dawha

•Wadzani

•Otti

•Kifasi

MEMBERS OF THE DISSOLVED BOARD •Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke •Mr. Bernard Otti, GED, F&A •Ikechukwu Oguine, CLSS •Mr. Danladi Wadzani •Mr. Danladi Kifasi thing, bringing in credible people is another thing because many people are on the wings waiting to grab their own ‘national cake.’

“The calibre of members of the incoming board will be critical to whatever the NNPC will be in future. To me, the appointment of new board members shouldn’t be based on political patronage.

“But, if political patronage is inevitable, the membership should be a mix of technocrats who understand the oil industry and politicians. The board will look at the entire NNPC structure, the processes and undertake a reorientation of the management and staff with a view to letting them know that it will no longer be business as usual.

“The management team should work hard to entrench good governance in the corporation. Let the board strengthen and reinforce the management, even it entails bringing on board those who will create the change.

“The NNPC needs to be repositioned to be able to take risks as other national oil companies. It should invest in the country and outside the shores of the land. It shouldn’t remain as a government tool, or be compelled to operate under thestranglehold of government.

“It’s the government that is holding the NNPC down from taking such risks. The corporation should be encouraged to invest in Africa and other countries of the world and go beyond lifting and selling crude.

“The board should act as an inclusive institution that stimulates the growth of the economy, redefine the role of NNPC and ensure that corporate governance is fully imbibed and entrenched.

“It (NNPC) can expand its operation by ensuring that petrochemical

•Dr. Joseph Dahwa, GMD •Dr. Dan Efebor, GED, CS •Alhaji Abdulahi Bukar •Prof Olusegun Okunnu •Mr. Steven Oronsaye companies are sited across the country, find alternative sources of generating revenues through corporate strategy. This will boost job creation.

“Such strategy will help in restructuring the NNPC to grow and deepen the oil industry; develop local capacity and new products through research and development.

“It is unthinkable that despite the strategic role the corporation is expected to play in the economy, considering the fact that it sits on such an important sector that contributes 80-90 per cent of revenue receipts of the government, it employs less than 20,000 people and contributes less than 20 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“Malaysia, Singapore and United Arab Emirates (UAE) have policies that compel multinationals to build local capacity. When Shell went to Malaysia, it was given a 10-year ultimatum to build local capacity, otherwise let it go.

“In less than 10 years, Shell achieved that objective. Today, Shell has Malaysians as its expatriate staff all over the world. Malaysia exports its manpower for foreign exchange.

“That is what the new NNPC board should strive to achieve. It is unhealthy to leave control of such a critical sector in the hands of foreigners.

“Foreigners have roles to play in the industry but, not to control and to dictate the direction the sector goes.

NNPC should expand the sector to employ more people and don’t lean on foreigners because it lacks the requisite skills. Foreign control of the industry is not favourable to the country.

“The President must have a vision for the new board, the corporation and the industry and encourage the board to support his vision and achieve it. He should assemble com-

The corporation needs process reengineering in the sense that it should get things done right, block the loopholes through which funds are corruptibly siphoned. Sacking the board is one thing, bringing credible people on board is another thing because many people are on the wings waiting to grab their own ‘national cake.

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mitted like-minds who will help him achieve the desired objective if he wants to be a hero because certainly, he must make sacrifices.

“He must work with people, governors and other relevant stakeholders to be in alignment with his vision so that nobody jeopardises his plans for the sector. The NNPC should not be a conduit for people, politicians and political parties, and also the consumption mentality it has today should be discarded.

“Let it be a productive entity like its contemporaries in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and other parts of the world. The passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is one part of achieving this objective. Without a vision, there will be no strategy. And if there is no strategy, there will be no action.”

An analyst and Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Eze Onyepkere said: “The dissolution of the board is a step in the right direction as NNPC is associated with fraud and allegations of non-remittance of revenues into the federation account.

If the government wants to probe the activities of the corporation, there is no need to leave the board members because they will cover up some activities and thus make the probe ineffective.

“We expect transparency in the NNPC because there is so much money there but with little supervision. The NNPC structure doesn’t allow for some level of transparency.

“Even if angels are taken to the corporation, without substantial supervision, they will be compromised and when they steal N10, 000 today and nobody asks questions, or mete out punishment, tomorrow they will be emboldened to steal trillions because there is no sanction.

“The dissolution of the board is just an interim measure taken to sanitise the NNPC. However, if the Seventh Assembly of the National Assembly did their job by passing the PIB, all these issues could have been history because the corporation would have been unbundled. There would have been processes and agencies in place to effectively monitor the industry including the NNPC. But the Presi-

dent can reduce corruption in the corporation if he supervises it directly while he makes effort for a speedy passage of the PIB.” The former Executive Secretary, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), who doubles as the immediate past Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Dr. Oluwole Oluleye, said President Buhari has been in the industry and knows what to do to reposition the NNPC. Oluwole said: “I think President Buhari has his job cut out for him.

Mr. President is not a green horn in the industry. A lot of the infrastructures you see today, were provided during his time. So, he is pretty well versed within the industry for him to make contributions.

“What is required more in the industry, which he is also preaching is transparency, honesty and accountability. Once he is able to enforce that by virtue of personnel he brings on board, although people are complaining he is slow but he is not slow.

“He is a military man and he is taking his time because the team that he forms will give a signal to Nigerians on where he is actually going. He understands the industry very well.

The President is not alien to the pipelines, refineries and depots.”

Inside the NNPC The NNPC is the national oil company, through which the Federal Government regulates and participates in the country’s petroleum industry.

An Act to dissolve the former Nigerian National Oil Corporation and to establish the NNPC was created in 1977. The NNPC was established on April 1, 1977, as a merger of the Nigerian National Oil Corporation and the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel.

By law, the NNPC manages the joint venture between the Federal Government and some foreign multinational corporations including Shell, Agip, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Total. Through collaboration with these companies, the Federal Government conducts petroleum exploration and production.

For lack of supervision, the NNPC degenerated to a rent-collector for the government with less attention to transparency and accountability.

Between 2007 and 2009, auditors found that the corporation over-deducted funds in subsidy claims to the tune of N28.5 billion and has not been able to account for the money.

In 2008, Willbros Group Inc of United States (U.S.) admitted making ‘suspicious’ payments of over $6.3 million to officials of the corporation and its subsidiary - the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) for assistance in obtaining and retaining contracts at the Eastern Gas Gathering System (EGGS).

In 2004, ABB Vetco Gray, a U.S. company and its UK subsidiary ABB Vetco Gray UK Limited - admitted paying over $1 million in bribes to NAPIMS’ officials, in exchange for obtaining confidential bid information and favourable recommendations from government agencies.

After the publication of a report In November 2013 by Swiss, a non-governmental advocacy organisation Erklärung von Bern - allegations of fraud surfaced, placing the NNPC under suspicion of siphoning $6.8 billion of crude oil revenues.

From 2013, the NNPC has been battling with the allegation of nonremittance of $20 billion into the Federation Account.

These allegations, among others are responsible for the continued calls for the sanitisation and repositioning of the corporation.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

NEWS Gowon condemns Amnesty International’s report on military

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•Former Presidents: Olusegun Obasanjo (right); John Kufuor (Ghana); Cote D'Ivoire President and Co-Chair of the Africa Energy Leaders Group (AELG) Alassane Ouattara; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (right) and Chairman of Heirs Holdings and Co-Chair of the AELG Tony O. Elumelu during its inaugural meeting to discuss regional solutions to the electricity deficit in Africa held in Abidjan...yesterday

Okonjo-Iweala defends $2.0b spending Continued from page 1

malicious and totally without foundation.”

Nwabuikwu, in a statement yesterday, said there was “no unauthorised expenditure from the ECA made under Okonjo-Iweala’s watch in the Finance Ministry. Decisions on such expenditure were discussed at meetings of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) attended by Finance commissioners from the 36 states.”

Against this background, Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala maintained that the idea that she “spent $2.1 billion ‘without authorisation’ is simply not

credible given that details of government receipts and expenditure are public knowledge”.

The former minister asked how “some governors who fought Federal Government’s efforts to leave robust savings in the ECA and even took the Federal Government to court over the matter turned around to make such unfounded allegations?”

The statement said: “It is curious that in their desperation to use the esteemed National Economic Council for political and personal vendetta, the persons behind these allegations acted as if the constitutionally- recognised FAAC, a potent expres-

sion of Nigeria’s fiscal federalism, does not exist. Nigerians know that collective revenues, allocations and expenditures of the three tiers of government are the concern of the monthly FAAC meetings.”

Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said she acknowledged “the efforts of governors who are working hard to overcome the current revenue challenges facing their states without resorting to character assassination and blame games”.

However, the former minister said she “is ready and willing to respond to legitimate enquiries about issues under her purview as Finance Minister. But it is clear

that this is the latest chapter of a political witch-hunt by elements who are attempting to use the respected National Economic Council for ignoble purposes having failed abysmally in their previous attempts to the Okonjo-Iweala name.”

Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala and her team lamented that “one of such attempts took place in May when some of these governors, hiding under the auspices of the Nigerian Governors Forum asked OkonjoIweala to explain $20 billion alleged to be missing from the same ECA”.

The Finance ministry, she Continued on page 59

President to support terror victims

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday commended steps being taken by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other agencies of government to rehabilitate victims of terrorism and violent extremism in Nigeria.

He spoke in Abuja after receiving a briefing on the work of the Countering

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

Violent Extremism (CVE) Department of ONSA. Buhari, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said the Federal Government will continue to do its best to ensure that victims of Boko Haram’s atrocities receive necessary sup-

port, and that it will strive to rid the country of terrorism and insurgency in the shortest possible time.

One of the objectives of the CVE is to reform terrorists and prevent others from joining terrorist organisations and violent sects.

Head of the CVE Dr Fatima Akilu, told President Buhari at a meeting also attended by

National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki, that its non-military approach was running concurrently with the armed onslaught against insurgents in the country.

She said so far, the CVE had rehabilitated no fewer than 305 victims of terrorism rescued from the Sambisa ForContinued on page 59

UBLIC support for the Nigerian military’s ongoing counter-insurgency efforts is crucial towards achieving peace and security in Nigeria, two former military leaders, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar have said.

They spoke at the public presentation of two books written by Defence spokesperson, Maj. General Chris Olukolade in Abuja on yesterday.

The duo, along with former Minister of Information, Prof.

Jerry Gana emphasised the role of the mass media towards ensuring popular support through increased public awareness.

Maj. Gen. Olukolade’s two books titled: “Issues in the mobilization of public support for military operations in Nigeria” and “The Voice and battles of the Nigerian military” were unveiled during a well-attended ceremony at the Nigerian Air Force Conference centre and Suites Abuja In the goodwill message read on his behalf by Evangelist Austin Kemie, Gen. Go-

From Jide Babalola, Abuja

won condemned the Amnesty International report which accused the Nigerian security forces of inhumane acts, stressing that the report is grossly misleading.

The former Head of State and other dignitaries also praised Maj. Gen. Olukolade for the manner in which he has been carrying out his responsibilities as the Nigerian military’s spokesman.

“Your response to the recent Amnesty International report on the Nigerian military and security forces’ alleged human rights abuse was most commendable as well.

“Their report was most unfair and misleading; they were alluding to the Nigerian military what the Boko Haram was doing against the Nigerian public – military and civilians alike.

“It is Boko Haram that has been committing atrocities and horrendous, mindless killings of innocent citizens and security personnel. It is Boko Haram that must be condemned, not the Nigerian Continued on page 59

Oando sells 60% downstream to HVI for $276m Continued from page 1

Helios Affiliate will two per cent voting rights.

Oando downstream businesses consist of Oando Marketing Plc (OMP), a petroleum product retailing and distribution company with over 400 retail outlets and strategically located terminals in Nigeria, Ghana and Togo. OMP distributes premium motor spirit, automotive gas oil, dual-purpose kerosene, aviation turbine kerosene, low pour fuel oil, lubricating oils, greases, bitumen and liquefied petroleum gas. Key OMP subsidiaries that are part of the acquisition include Oando Ghana Limited, Oando Togo SA and Clean Cooking Fuel Investments Limited.

Other downstream busi-

nesses include Oando Supply & Trading Limited, an indigenous trader of petroleum products in the sub-Saharan region, supplying and trading crude oil and refined petroleum products, Oando Trading Limited (Bermuda), an entity involved in the trading of crude oil and refined petroleum products in international markets, Apapa SPM Limited, the marina jetty and subsea pipeline system capable of berthing large vessels that will increase the delivery capacity and offloading efficiency of petroleum products into major petroleum marketers’ storage facilities at Apapa, Lagos and Ebony Oil & Gas Limited, the Ghanaian supply and trading entity with a provisional bulk Continued on page 59

Buhari has tackled insecurity, corruption, says APC Continued from page 1

started addressing them, despite the enormous challenges that it faces, including an empty treasury and an economy that has virtually collapsed.

“The Buhari administration got the handover notes from the former government just four days before the inauguration, hampering its efforts to have a clear understanding of the situation on the ground before taking the necessary measures to address it. If any disease is not appropriately diagnosed, it cannot be effec-

tively treated. Any government that is truly desirous of bringing about real change will not act hastily and without the necessary understanding of what is on ground.

Coupled with the delay in getting the much-needed information, that takes time.

“Secondly, Nigeria has never before witnessed this kind of transition. What the country has been accustomed to is transition from one government to another under the same ruling party, not from the ruling party to the opposition as we have now. The

implication is that this is a new learning curve, with its attendant hiccups.

“Thirdly, never before has the ship of Nigerian state been steered aground as we have it now. Never before have Nigerians been this expectant from any leader or any government. These are all the more reasons to get things right, once and for all.

So, we won’t need to continue with the vicious cycle of hopes raised and dashed.”

Mohammed said Buhari had started to tackle terrorism by galvanising neighbouring countries, including Chad, Cameron and Benin Republic, to combat the Boko Haram sect.

He added: “The result is the decision to deploy the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), with headquarters in N’Djamena, Chad, on July 30th to pep up the fight against Boko Haram! This is the same force that the past administration could not get off the ground in six years.

“President Buhari has also rallied the Economic Community of West African States

(ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) to work with Nigeria in battling the Boko Haram insurgency.

“Outside our sub-region, the President travelled to Germany to meet with G7 leaders to present to them a wish list that included getting their support for the battle against Boko Haram. The leaders of the countries affected by the Boko Haram insurgency have compiled their requirements which are being forwarded to the G7 for appropriate action.

“While waiting for that, the US has announced a five-million-dollar assistance for the fight against the terrorists who have been ravaging our country and our sub-region.

Added to the relocation by the Nigerian military of the command centre to Maiduguri, these are no mean achievements.”

Noting that the war against corruption is on course, Mohammed said: “Some Western nations have assured the Buhari Administration of assistance in its efforts to recov-

er the billions of Naira that was spirited away from the public till by public officers, who abused their office during the immediate past administration.

“The President has ordered revenue-generating agencies, including the NNPC, FIRS, Customs and NPA, to close all ‘Illegal Revenue Accounts’ and to also remit all funds generated to the Federation Account. This is a momentous step, considering that those illegal accounts are being used to siphon public funds.”

The Publicity Secretary said owing to the President’s efforts, it has been revealed that, of the N8.1 trillion generated by the NNPC in three years, N3.8 trillion was not remitted to the Federation Account.

He said that Nigerians were also aware that the cash in the Excess Crude Account had been depleted by two billion dollars without explanation, adding that a panel of four governors has been set up to investigate the lack of remittance and what happened to

the money that was not remitted to the Federation Account.

Mohammed explained that Nigeria had bounced back in the comity of nations, following President Buhari’s inauguration.

He said world leaders who in the past shunned Nigeria had been inviting, in droves, the President to visit their countries. “The latest is US President Barack Obama, who will play host to our President at the White House on July 20,” he added.

Mohammed pointed out that the election of former Minister of Agriculture Akinwumi Adesina as the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB)had attested to Nigeria’s stature in the international community.

He said: “ The mere fact that President Buhari, a man of impeccable pedigree, an incorruptible personality, has Continued on page 59

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NEWS Bank opens defence in Braithwaite’s N10b suit

By Adebisi Onanuga

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•Last-minute rush for BVN registration in Ikorodu, Lagos ... yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

CBN extends BVN deadline till October 31

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has extended the deadline for the Bank Verification Number (BVN) till October 31.

A statement from the CBN said the decision was due to “the passionate appeals from the public for the extension of the deadline for the Bank Verification Number (BVN) for the biometric registration exercise” after the expiration of the earlier deadline yesterday.

The CBN said it “noticed with satisfaction the level of compliance among the banking public and also acknowledged the difficulties which the people have gone through in the last few days in the quest to beat the registration timeline. More so, arrangements are being made to enroll bank customers in Diaspora in the next few days”.

To this end, the CBN said it “considered it necessary to grant extension for the exercise to enable all bank customers to enroll in the BVN

•Pro-democracy group threatens class action From Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor, Abuja and Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

and to facilitate hitch free completion”.

However, before the CBN announced the extension, a pro-Democracy Non-governmental organisation - Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) “condemned the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria to subject Nigerian account holders to untold hardship because of the deadline unilaterally imposed on the so called Banks Verification Number.”

Customers also invaded the banks to try to meet the deadline.

HURIWA called for “the registration to be permanent and seamless rather than being undertaken in a military fashion”.

HURIWA urged the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin

Emiefiele “to either make the BVN registration a continuous exercise or be prepared to face avalanches of class law suits and other Civil disobedience strategies to be worked out by like minded human rights activists all across Nigeria.”

Many in Asaba, the Delta State capital yesterday visited their banks to beat the bank verification exercise.

Traders in Onitsha and its environs also thronged branches of commercial banks to meet the deadline.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who visited most banks in Onitsha metropolis on Tuesday, observed a large number of customers queuing for registration.

NAN reports that the number of customers undergoing the process was more in old generation banks compared to their new generation counterparts.

Some of the customers on

the queue complained that the process was to slow due to internet connectivity problems; they, therefore, appealed to the CBN to extend the registration period.

Mr Nnamdi Okoro, a businessman, told NAN in one of the old generation banks, that most of the customers had arrived the bank as early as 8 a.m., but only a few had completed the exercise at about noon.

“All other process of the exercise had been smooth except the actual biometric and fingerprint capturing as well as confirmation from the system,” Okoro said.

Chief Donatus Ezike, the Secretary, Plastics and Allied Products Market, Onitsha, appealed to the CBN to see the need to extend the exercise in order to accommodate millions of people not captured before the deadline.

“I must commend the bank staff for their wisdom to communicate their difficulties to

us, the customers; but it is clear with this difficulties that the CBN should see the need to extend the date,” Ezike, who banks with an old generation bank, said.

Mr Tony Chukwurah, a staff of one of the new generation banks, said that customers had been given more than enough time to do the exercise as most banks had put out advertisements to reach their customers.

Chukwurah, however, expressed the hope that the CBN would extend the date to accommodate those who had genuine excuse for not participating in the exercise before now.

“This would be an eye opener for Nigerians to take civic and public exercises serious as it ought to be,” he said.

NAN reports that the CBN introduced the BVN registration to check banking fraud associated with multiple account operation by an individual with different names, addresses and other identities.

P

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

ment by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said the Federal Government would ensure that victims of Boko Haram’s atrocities receive support, and that it would rid the country of terrorism and insurgency soon.

One of the objectives of the CVE is to reform terrorists and prevent others from joining terrorist organisations

and violent sects.

Head of the CVE, Dr Fatima Akilu told President Buhari that its non-military approach was running concurrently with the armed onslaught against insurgents in the country.

She said so far, the CVE had rehabilitated 305 victims of terrorism rescued from the Sambisa Forest by the military.

Dr Akilu also told the President that a National

Security Corridor Programme has been created to provide a safe route for those who wish to leave Boko Haram voluntarily, and that 47 erstwhile members of the group have embraced the programme.

Dr. Akilu said 22 women and girls, recruited as suicide bombers by Boko haram were undergoing rehabilitation by the CVE after voluntarily embracing its deradicalisation programme.

•Buhari

‘El-Rufai’s moves in Kaduna encouraging’

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GROUP, Initiative for Entrepreneurship and Talent Advancement (IEATA) has described Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as a “consummate administrator whose words and actions in the last few weeks” have rekindled hope in the people.

In a statement, the group’s Vice President and Northern Coordinator, Aminu Garuba Mohammed, stated that the governor has raised the bar in public administration.

The statement reads: “Most of us in Kaduna State are aware of the divine connection to El-Rufai’s victory

‘

El-Rufai has also commenced the identification and staff auditing of civil servants, using latest technology to seek out ghost workers and their sponsors.

in the April 11 governorship election. We are indeed grateful to the Almighty for choosing the right leader for us at this critical moment in our nation’s history.

“Today, our people are beginning to re-invent themselves because of this change in leadership. This is in addition to the fact that conditions are also changing for the better. We are therefore proud of our governor be-

cause we are already seeing signs of a greater Kaduna State that will in a short time, take its rightful place.

‘Even at the risk of sounding repetitive, let me state again that we are happy with the governor’s renewed vigour and purpose in the business of governance. No leader, no matter how fairminded, can provide purposeful leadership without adequate preparation and

’

demonstrable experience.

“I therefore wish to use this medium to commend our amiable governor for his populist programmes and also for returning Kaduna on course. Today, he is offering free education, blocking leakages and seriously addressing the burdensome issue of the cost of governance.

We are also happy that he is running his government with 13 commissioners as

Pre-trial closed in petition against Sunmonu From Bisi Oladele and Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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Buhari pledges support to terror victims R E S I D E N T Muhammadu Buhari yesterday commended steps by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other agencies to rehabilitate victims of terrorism and violent extremism in Nigeria.

He spoke in Abuja after receiving a briefing on the work of the Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Department of ONSA. Buhari, according to a state-

LDER statesman Dr. Tunji Braithwate told a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja yesterday that the 14-storey head office building built by Standard Chartered Bank on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island did not comply with the approval given the bank by the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and the final report on Enviromental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act 2004.

Dr. Braithwaite spoke while cross examining one of the defence witnesses , Adeboye Fowora, a Senior Project Manager with the bank at the resumed hearing of the N10 billion suit instituted against the bank.

Standard Chartered Bank opened its defence yesterday.

When the bank’s counsel, A.A. Adegbonmire, opened defence for the bank, the first witness, Susan Oluwole who once worked in the bank’s Corporate Real Estate Services Department, while under cross examination by Dr. Braithwaite, also stated that the head office building has reached completion stage.

Ms Oluwole claimed that she was only aware “to a little extent” of the July 15, 2007 judgment delivered by Justice Okoro which Braithwaite claimed stopped the bank from going further ahead with the construction of the building at the second level.

Adegbonmire objected to further cross examination of the witness. Justice Doris Okuwobi adjourned the matter till tomorrow for continuation of hearing.

against 24 by the previous administration.

“El-Rufai has also commenced the identification and staff auditing of civil servants, using latest technology to seek out ghost workers and their sponsors.

As a group, we are very pleased with his empowerment programmes which will go a long way in engaging youths and anybody willing to work.”

Mohammed urged the governor to continue to work in the overall interest of the people who came out en mass to support him on April 11.

HE pre-trial in the hearing of the petition against the election of the Oyo Central senator, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu, was concluded yesterday.

Accord candidate Bisi Ilaka is challenging the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.

At the resumed hearing, the petitioner’s counsel, Olawale Omoloye, said he was ready for the trial.

Sunmonu’s lead counsel Tola Oshobi urged the court to hasten the trial process.

Justice J. G. Abundaga, who heads the three-man panel, asked the counsel to straighten out details as to how many days are needed before trial begins, number of witnesses, time frame for each witness as well as other administrative requirements.

He added that a counsel would lead his witness in evidence for 10 minutes; cross examination will be 20 minutes while re-examination will last for only five minutes.

He explained that discretion would be used in situations where a witness is very important and will be tendering a lot of documents.

Justice Abundaga said the court would issue a report to all the parties on the trial’s continuation and the trial date.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

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NEWS

•Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin (third left) and other senior officers when the governor visited Jibrin at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja ... on Monday.

Money-laundering: Fani-Kayode knows fate today

Buhari appoints Zakari as INEC boss

By Joseph Jibueze

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

J

UDGMENT will be delivered today in the trial of a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.

The former Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign is accused of money laundering.

Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia decided not to deliver the verdict on June 18 because the prosecution counsel, Mr. Festus Keyamo, was absent.

Fani-Kayode, while serving as minister of Culture and Tourism, was accused of making a transaction exceeding N500,000 on September 20, 2006, which was not done through a financial institution.

He was accused of accepting N2.1 million in cash, which was paid into his personal bank account by his aide, Supo Agbaje.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the alleged offence, which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said contravened the Money Laundering Act. The judge had, last November 17, directed Fani-Kayode to defend two of the 40-count charges.

The judge held that the commission did not prove the other counts sufficiently and partially upheld Fani-Kayode’s no-case submission.

She discharged and acquitted him of the rest of the 38 counts on the grounds that the prosecution failed to prove “elements” of the allegations.

Fani-Kayode, therefore, defended counts 25 and 26.

IGP: roadblock removal ‘ll restore police mandate •SARS operatives to have dress code

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From Faith Yahaya, Abuja

OLICE chief Solomon Arase has said the removal of military checkpoints will restore the mandate of internal security to the police.

Following concerns by people after the withdrawal order, the police chief gave assurance that the spaces vacated would be safe, adding that there was no need for fear.

The police boss added that the police management had concluded arrangements on the dress code for the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the police.

He said: “The withdrawal of the military should not create any fear in the minds of Nigerians. We have done it before and we are going to do it again. We have about 555 vehicles on the highway nationwide. Each state has about 15 vehicles to man the safer highway. Besides that, prior to this time, most of the states had about 20 vehicles each. They are not sufficient, but what we have now should do to ensure that we are able to secure the highway space.

“Other security agents have the constitutional responsibility to also complement the efforts of the NPF. Asking us to take over the responsibility of the roadblocks, which originally was supposed to be our turf, will not create any vacuum,” he assured.

“Nigerians, I believe, will not want to listen to excuses from us and we have opportunity now to take over our mandate of securing the internal security space.”

On SARS and their means of identification, the IG said: “We have discussed it extensively in management and we have agreed that there should be a dress code for all our SARS so that they would be identified with it. We are trying to get some designs which the DIG in charge of logistics is trying to bring up to management for approval. Once that is done, we will unveil it and everybody will know the dress code for the SARS operatives nationwide.”

•Jega

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari last night appointed Mrs. Amina Bala Zakari as acting chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

She replaced Prof. Attahiru Jega, who bowed out of office yesterday after serving his five-year term.

Although Jega handed over to one of the national commissioners, Mohammed Wali, a statement by Head of Service of the Federation Danladi Kifasi announced Mrs. Zakari’s

appointment.

Mrs. Zakari is from Jigawa State, representing the Northwest as national commissioner.

She is due to retire from INEC this month.

Appointed in 2010, Jega conducted two elections - 2011 and 2015 polls.

He handed over to Wali, who will also be bowing out on August 11.

Jega was not the only one who left the commission yesterday. Six national commissioners, whose tenure have expired, also bowed out with him.

The commissioners affected are: Col. M.K. Hammanga (rtd), Adamawa State (Northeast); Dr. Ishmael Jikiri Igbani, Rivers State (Southsouth); Prof. Lai Olurode, Osun State, (Southwest); Dame Gladys Nne Nwafor, Abia State (Southeast); Mrs. Thelma

•Jega bows out Amata Iremiren, Delta State (Southsouth); and Dr. Nuru A. Yakubu, Yobe State (Northeast).

But, four other national commissioners are to leave the commission this month and in August.

They are: Dr. Abdulkadir S. Oniyangi, Kwara State (Northcentral) on July 21; Mrs. Zakari, on July 21 and Dr. Chris O. Iyimoga, Nasarawa State (Northcentral) on August 11.

At the end of a close door handing over ceremony, Jega said the future of the country and commission was bright.

He was full of appreciation to God and the country for the opportunity accorded him to serve.

He said: “We feel great; we

thank God Almighty for the opportunity to serve the country.

“The future is bright for the commission and the country.”

The commission’s secretary, Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu, confirmed to reporters that Jega at the indoor ceremony handed-over to Wali, pending the appointment of a new chairman by Buhari.

She added: “We believe we will soon hear what will happen next from the president,’’ she said.

Ogakwu said Jega encouraged the commission to keep the flag flying.

“Jega said in whatever we have achieved, we should keep it up and do more, adding that there are still a lot to be done,’’ she said.

National Assembly crisis part of democracy, says French envoy

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RENCH Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. Denys Gaver yesterday described the leadership tussle at the National Assembly as part of democratic process.

Gaver, who spoke when he visited Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki in his office in Abuja, said there should be cooperation between the Legislature and the Executive arms of government.

He said the international community expected much from Nigeria, calling for cooperation between the nation’s private sector and France’s.

“Nigeria is now the first trade partner of France in Africa and we are really willing to continue with the level of relations we established a long time ago.”

On security, the French envoy said Boko Haram was a real threat to Nigeria and neighbouring countries “Those neighbouring countries happen to be Francophone countries, which we have very close and traditional relations with. That is why France en-

•Saraki promises quick clearance of ministerial nominees From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

gaged very strongly in the fight against Boko Haram last year.

“We organised the regional summit in Paris, with the presence of the Nigerian president and the presidents of all the neighbouring countries to encourage a better cooperation and collaboration of those countries and to put their means together to fight the spread of Boko Haram.

“Since then, the preparation has developed quite positively and terrorist organisations have not been eliminated, but have been pushed back. We have to continue to make sure the work is finished and we are encouraging neighbouring countries to cooperate with Nigeria in fighting this battle and we are also cooperating with the Armed Forces of Nigeria in providing intelligence,” Gaver said.

The envoy added that

France had invited President Muhammadu Buhari to visit Paris as soon as possible for discussions on further cooperation.

The two countries, according to him, could cooperate in future on parliamentary levels because “we have Senate in France and, as such, we will be very happy to develop the relationship on both sides.”

Saraki noted that though the Senate was on break, “we are working and we are ready to reconvene any time to attend to any national assignment, including the confirmation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial nominees.”.

The Senate President pledged the cooperation of the National Assembly with the Executive in accomplishing the programmes of the administration.

Saraki said the Bills from the Executive would be treated with despatch, as part of efforts to support the President

to actualise the positive change expected from his administration by Nigerians.

He told the French envoy that the Senate had already begun work with the inauguration of an 18-man ad hoc committee to formulate a realistic and progressive Legislative Agenda.

The agenda, he said, would address issues, such as poverty alleviation, law enforcement, national security, commercial disputes, eradication of corruption and investments in the petroleum sector.

Saraki noted that the National Assembly would partner with the French National Assembly on capacity building for legislators, strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries and ensuring that more French investments flow into Nigeria.

He solicited for the co-operation of the French government in tackling the security problems in the Northeast

Court adjourns Tinubu’s suit against AIT till September 30

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LAGOS High Court sitting in Ikeja has adjourned hearing in the N150 billion libel suit by former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu against African Independent Television (AIT) till September 30.

Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe adjourned the matter yesterday for further direction on the court processes served by coun-

By Adebisi Onanuga

sel to both parties in the suit.

Tinubu instituted the suit against Daar Communications Plc, owners of AIT, for airing a documentary titled: “The Lion of Bourdillon”.

He alleged that the documentary was libellous and aimed at tarnishing his image.

Tinubu’s counsel Mr. Ademola Adesiyun, in a mo-

tion dated June 26, 2015, asked the court for extension of time to file a reply to AIT’s statement of defence and counter-claim.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, AIT counsel Mr. Jeffery Kadiri told the court that he had filed pleadings in the matter.

In the counter-claim, AIT listed its chairman emeritus, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, and seven others as witnesses to tes-

tify against Tinubu.

Others listed to testify are Namure Edoimioya, Chief Medan Tenke, Ajibola Adewusi, Olumide Idowu, Chief Stanley Odidi, Nwabueze, an engineer, and Dr Stanley Bassey.

Dokpesi, in his statement on oath, averred that Tinubu’s claim was founded on a nonexistent ground because the

said documentary was not titled: “The Lion of Bourdillon”, but “Unmasking the Real Tinubu”.

He averred that the documentary, in his honest opinion, was not false and was not aired out of malice to the person of the claimant.

Dokpesi said AIT, as a member of the fourth estate of the realm, was empowered by Sec-

tion 22 of the Constitution to at all times hold those in government accountable and responsible to the people.

He claimed that the content of the documentary were facts, which had been in the public domain for over two decades.

According to him, these were published independently prior to the broadcast and had remained unchallenged till date.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

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NEWS

Hoodlums attack APC witnesses at Ekiti Tribunal

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HE Ekiti State High Court complex in AdoEkiti, the state capital, was in chaos yesterday as suspected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hoodlums beat up witnesses, who testified before the Election Petitions Tribunal.

The three-man panel was hearing a petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate in Ekiti Central, Gbenga Olofin, who is challenging the return

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

of Senator Fatimat Rasaki of the PDP. Also beaten up were Olofin’s supporters who were in court to witness the proceedings.

Olofin closed his case after calling eight witnesses.

Mrs. Rasaki opened her defence by testifying.

A lengthy argument ensued between lawyers of both

parties on the admissibility of the voter register used for the election.

Counsel to the petitioner Yemi George argued in favour of the admissibility of the voter register but the respondent’s counsel, Jude Ogodi, opposed the motion on the grounds that it was not initially listed as an evidence.

The Tribunal Chairman, Justice A. N. Erabor, admitted the voter register as evi-

dence.

But suspected hoodlums, who are mostly women, believed to be loyal to the respondent, attacked the petitioner’s witnesses and supporters.

The suspected thugs laid ambush at the gate of the complex looking for APC members.

Sticks, planks, horse whips, stones, broken bottles and other missiles were used

by the hoodlums.

The thugs also attacked APC loyalists outside the court.

The tribunal judges invited Mrs. Rasaki into their chambers, where they expressed disappointment with the violence within the temple of justice.

Justice Erabor also expressed the dismay of the panel with the violence, warning parties that the tribunal

would no longer tolerate such.

He urged parties to caution their members to always conduct themselves properly.

Olofin expressed happiness on the admissibility of the voter register and other documents.

The admissibility, according to him, would serve the course of justice for the two parties.

He condemned the attack on his supporters.

Ajimobi seeks to reduce ministries From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

O

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has requested for an approval of the House of Assembly for the reduction of the number of ministries.

The governor made the request in a letter read by the Speaker, Michael Adeyemo.

Adeyemo said Ajimobi was seeking the approval of the House for the establishment of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology law 2015, Ministry of Trade Industry, Investment and Cooperatives law 2015 and Ministry of Finance and Economic Development law 2015.

Others are a law to repeal some existing laws and other matters therein 2015 and the Ministry of Environment, Physical Planning and Urban Development law 2015.

Ajimobi’s request, when acceded to, would give legal backing to the reduction of the existing 23 ministries to 13.

The House adopted a motion urging the governor to constitute the governing councils of the Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa and Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki.

•Members of Association of Resident Doctors, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), during a free health screening for the police at Area ‘F’ in Ikeja...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

‘Lead by example’

By Ibrahim Adam

Fayose abandoning legacy projects, says APC

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has criticised Governor Ayodele Fayose for abandoning his predecessor’s “legacy projects”.

A statement by the APC Publicity Secretary , Taiwo Olatunbosun, yesterday described the abandonment of the projects executed by the Kayode Fayemi administration as a “disservice to the people because Fayose wants to rubbish the achievements of his predecessor”.

Olatubosun wondered why a development-oriented governor would abandon an edifice, such as the Oba Adejugbe Hospital, which was completed by the Fayemi administration, such that weeds now adorn the once beautiful edifice.

He said: “Oba Adejugbe Hospital was completed and inaugurated by the Fayemi administration while contract for equipping the hospital was already awarded but Fayose on assumption of office cancelled the contract and has abandoned the hospital to be overgrown with weeds.

‘It will be unfortunate and sheer waste of resources if Oba Adejugbe Hospital is left

PDP: it’s not true From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the APC allegation as “barbaric falsehood against the person and office of Fayose”.

In a statement yesterday by its PDP Publicity Secretary, Jackson Adebayo, the ruling party said the APC resorted to lies, falsehood and blackmail having realised that it had been rejected by Ekiti people.

The PDP said the latest allegation amounted to “manufacturing of lies against the governor to slow the pace of development”.

It said the promotion of falsehood in the name of politics of opposition was a “manifestation of the party’s destructive tendencies”.

Adebayo said: “The way they concoct lies upon lies everyday against our governor only portends that the APC doesn’t believe in peace and development of Ekiti state and its people. It is also a manifestation of the destructive tendencies inherent in the party,” Adebayo said.

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

to rot away because of this thought by Fayose that the project belonged to Fayemi instead of Ekiti people.”

Olatubosun regretted that Fayose had also abandoned the Funmi Olayinka Civic Centre, which was 70 percent completed before Fayemi left office.

The Civic Centre, according to him, comprises an

event centre, e-library, art gallery, cinema, archives and research centre.

He noted that the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion which ought to have been generating income into the purse of the state government as another project Fayose deliberately abandoned.

“We wonder why the governor cannot complete this project instead of starting another building in the nearby Heroes Park

where the late Deputy Governor Funmi Olayinka was buried thus disfiguring the park.

“This is sheer pettiness and unwarranted insult to the memory of the dead,” Olatunbosun stated.

He also chided the governor for allegedly leaving Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort in ruins.

‘It is unfortunate that while Fayose laments daily over paucity of funds, he has deliberately left many projects that could fetch the state money to rot away simply because they were projects of his predecessor,” he said, He added that it was double-standard and hypocritical for the governor to distance himself from Ire Burnt Bricks Industry because it was revived by Fayemi, “but he is now proud to associate with the success because the company has started production”.

“We hope he will allow the company to run professionally. Fayose should take a cue from his predecessor, Fayemi who completed projects he inherited from his predecessor, Segun Oni.”

S

OCIAL interaction and learning have been described as key factors affecting personal development.

Deputy Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Ports, Ms Nike Oladunni , said this yesterday at the Mentoring Timeout organised by Bountiful Foundation in Agege, Lagos.

Ms Oladunni, who spoke on personal leadership, said lots of Nigerians have been destroyed by dual personality. “ Change starts from you and me. We know we can’t get to the National Assembly but with this kind of interaction, we can help build a better Nigeria. Leaders are meant to lead by good character, attitude and their action.

“As a good leader, you must be receptive to corrections and be determined to succeed because if you don’t lead yourself, how do you intend leading a nation? Education in this country is down and it is affecting our personal leadership,” she said.

The organiser, Taiwo Adelanwa, said the programme was to build leaders in the grassroots.

She said: “It is not compulsory you contest, it is not compulsory you lead, if you don’t have the qualities why not step aside but, if you find yourself there; try to build your integrity. I implore the youth not to go elsewhere but look inwards, discover themselves, actualise and maximise the potentials in them.”

Lagos to partner Navy on security

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AGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has called on the Navy to assist the state in the fight against crime.

He spoke when he visited the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Usman Oyibe Jibrin, at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

Ambode decried the spate of robberies in Lagos State, which informed his visit to the Chief of Naval Staff.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, the governor said Lagos being the foremost commercial hub of the country cannot be a breeding ground for criminals.

He said his administration has resolved to evolve strategies that will frontally confront insecurity through collaborative efforts of the government, private sector and security agencies.

Vice-Admiral Jibrin thanked the government for the harmonious working relationship with the Navy and promised that the service would assist the government in any capacity.

Resident doctors’ three-day warning strike ends today

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HE National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD)’s three day warning strike enters its final day today.

The medics embarked on the strike to press home their demand for the payment of their outstanding salaries and allowances as well as skipping of grade levels.

At the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba; Federal Medical

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha and Wale Adepoju

Centre, Ebute-Metta; Orthopeadic Hospital, Igbobi; Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja and Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, consultants as well as other health and allied health professionals were attending to patients, especially at the Accident and Emergency (A and E) units.

The private wings of LUTH

and LASUTH with their Critical Care and Intensive Care Units (CIU) are functioning maximally, without any interruption. The consultants are reporting at their duty posts.

Kitchens, laboratories, nursing units and the pharmacies are rendering full functional services in most of these hospitals.

But human traffic is slow compared to when the doctors were not on strike.

President ARD LUTH Dr

Ramon Moronkola said the hospital management had initiated action to resolve the strike but the process is slow.

He said doctors embarked on the strike as a last option, adding that it could have been prevented if the management had listened to their demands.

Moronkola urged the management to expedite action on doctors’ demands to resolve the crisis.

At FMC Ebute-Metta, patients due for surgeries are be-

ing rescheduled.

An out-patient, who pleaded not to be named, said: “I have been using this hospital in preparation for fibroid surgery.

“I came here for my appointment, which was to get note for the next diagnoses and other prescriptions, but the nurses said there was no doctor to attend to me, until after the strike.

“Tomorrow is my next appointment. Hopefully, I

will see the doctor because the nurses said the striking doctors would have called off their strike by then.”

Though the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has described the strike as unwarranted, just as the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has equally kicked against the strike, yet NARD has vowed to embark on a full strike, today, if its demands are not met.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

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NEWS

I want justice for my dad, says ex-FUTA VC’s son •Mimiko: killers will be punished From Damisi Ojo, Akure

•Adeseni

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HE youngest son of the murdered ex-Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Prof. Albert Ilemobade, Adeseni, is seeking justice for his dad.

The don was murdered by his domestic workers, who strangled him and left his body in the store of his Akure home.

They escaped with his vehicle which they attempted to sell.

Appeal Court reinstates Ondo Poly workers

Adeseni said justice must be served to his killers without delay.

Daniel Ita, a guard, and Olayemi Bamitale, a former driver of the late professor, strangled him to death and fled with his Red Toyota RAV 4.

Adeseni, the youngest child of the 78-year-old professor of Veterinary Medicine, called for retribution on behalf of the family.

According to him, the way his father was brutally killed showed that his assailants acted a prepared script The younger Ilemobade recounted how Bamitale had previously stolen his father’s vehicle and driven it away.

Bamitale, a 36-year-old indigene of Ekiti State, was a primary school dropout before he became the late

professor’s driver.

He could not sell the vehicle because it had been tracked by the police. llemobade said: “They did something similar during Easter. He took my father to church and disappeared with the vehicle. He was nowhere to be found with the vehicle.”

“Imagine, this time around, he came down to murder my father,” llemobade expressed solemnly.

Some observers, associates, family and church members noted that it took the police seven days to discover that the professor was not kidnapped.

They said: “The police told us that they were in the house and combed everywhere in the compound and even interrogated his wife and other domestic workers, including the housemaid who was later arrested.

“We have a failed security system in this country.

This can’t happen in other countries where security of lives and properties is made a priority. We need more intelligence gathering.”

The police said the suspected killers would be charged and they would see to it that they are brought to justice.”

Governor Olusegun Mimiko yesterday vowed that the perpetrators would not go unpunished.

Mimiko spoke when he visited the family at Ijapo Estate in Akure.

According to him, the government would take every lawful means to make sure justice is served.

The governor, who led a delegation, described the late Ilemobade as a man, who devoted his life to the service of humanity.

He, however, decried the manner of death, adding that every mortal has an exit

date.

The governor praised the security agents for getting to the root of the incident.

The governor who later visited the store where the body was kept by the culprits enjoined people to always carry out background checks of their domestic workers.

Responding on behalf of the family, Prof Adesola Ilemobade, who is the first son of the deceased, thanked Mimiko and his team for the visit.

He described his father as a great man.

The senator representing Ondo North,Prof Ajayi Boroffice yesterday commisserated with the family.

Boroffice described the don’s death as painful and shocking.

The lawmaker condemned the suspects for their inhumanity and wickedness.

He prayed for the repose of the late Ilemobade's soul.

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

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N Appeal Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, yesterday upheld the judgment of the Industrial Court, which reinstated 15 of the 32 sacked workers of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo. The workers were relieved of their jobs in January 2013, following what the management called “reconstruction of the polytechnic”.

The embattled workers, comprising 22 non-teaching and 10 teaching staff, approached the industrial court to seek redress, through their lawyer, Femi Falana.

The lower court, which was presided over by Justice Anthonia Ubaka, returned 15 of them on July 2014, on the grounds that they were able to provide the court with necessary documents which showed they were senior workers.

On the remaining 17, Justice Ubaka said she could not return them, because they were unable to convince the court of their status in the school.

But the management, through its lawyer, Olumide Ayeni, approached the Appeal Court.

But Justice J.S Abiriyi struck out the application for lacking merit.

The judge also said he was not expecting the case to be appealed since there was no violation of human rights.

He said the 15 workers were wrongfully sacked, thereby ordering the management to pay their outstanding salaries and allowances.

The reinstated workers are: Abodunrin Moses, Adeoni Olusegun, Agbi Nelson, Arijeniwa Adedotun, Ayodeji Akinsanmi, Mrs. V.O Ayodele, S.B Bolaji, Ekundayo Gbenga and A.M Elegbede.

Others are: Olubamiji Kumuyi, Ogunbode Benson, T.L Olemija, Olugbamila Omotayo, Omotola Alaba Olumayowa and S.O Oniyelu.

Oyo APC to punish erring lawmakers From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has said it will sanction any member found to have worked against the consensus candidates for the principal offices in the National Assembly.

In a statement by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, the party said: “As patriotic citizens and committed change agents, the leadership and members of the APC in Oyo State are embarrassed by the situation in the National Assembly.

“And as a responsible and loyal chapter which appreciates party supremacy as fundamental, we identify with the position of the national headquarters of our great party which revolves around decency, discipline and national interest.

“We are very much aware of the inglorious roles played by some of our members who conspired with some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elements to truncate the painstaking efforts of the APC to guide the majority members on the choice of leadership that could work with Mr. President to deliver on his promises and move the country.”

Youths chase out BEDC workers in Ondo From Damisi Ojo, Akure

I •The protesters...yesterday.

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Osun begins payment of salary arrears

HE Osun State government has begun the payment of eightmonth salary arrears to civil servants and pensioners.

Media aide to Governor Rauf Aregbesola Semiu Okanlawon confirmed this to reporters in Osogbo, the state capital.

He said the government paid the balance of November salary to workers on Grade Level 15 and above as well as full salary for December to all workers.

The government announced a 50 per cent cut in salaries and allowances of political office holders.

“Since the inception of this government, we have treated the resources under our control with utmost respect and disbursed them diligently for the benefit of our people.

“Our mandate had always been to use our God-given wealth to bridge the gap between the downtrodden and the government.

“It is very unfortunate that we find ourselves unable to pay our workers for several months when, in the past, we stood for paying on or before 25th of each month. We thank the ever gracious and understanding workers of our state for their patience as we go through this most trying

•Workers dissatisfied with one month pay •Pay cut for political office holders From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

time.

“However, we are glad to announce that we have commenced the process of paying for the balance of November and full December salary arrears for all workers across the state and the process should be concluded

by Friday.

“We are able to do this because our partners and creditors have faith in us and we have proven to be responsible and trustworthy.

“We hereby announce a 50 per cent cut in the salaries and allowances of political office holders and appointees.

“This is one of the many steps we are taking to ensure our sustenance.

“We are also calling on the people to join us and do their part in carrying the weight of change.

“Austerity stares us in the face. We must embrace it. We are going to intensify our efforts at prudence and frugality. We will practise self-denial in every way possible.

“As we proceed on this journey of self-discovery, we hope to put more and more

‘Austerity stares us in the face.

We must embrace it. We are going to intensify our efforts at prudence and frugality. We will practise self-denial in every way possible’ of our people to work by attracting productive investments to our state.”

The workers yesterday expressed dissatisfaction with the payment, which many of them described as a disappointment.

They vowed to continue their industrial action, which has entered the fourth week.

The workers said they won’t return to work until

they get at least five months of the eight months they are owed.

Speaking with reporters in Osogbo after a meeting with government officials, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Jacob Adekomi, maintained that the workers would not yield to government’s plea, unless their demands are met.

According to him, the strike was due to government’s inability to meet their demand for at least five months’ salaries.

Adekomi, accompanied by other state labour leaders, said it was disheartening that the government insisted on paying only one month (December 2014), stating that most of the workers had incurred debts.

He said the government intended to balance the 30 per cent of salary owed civil servants on Grade Level 15 and above for November, plus one month net salary to all workers across board for December.

Adekomi, who appreciated the governor’s efforts also appealed to workers to remain calm and steadfast, insisting that the NLC would continue negotiation with the government, until workers get their full salaries.

RATE youths in Ondo town yesterday chased out officials of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) from their office at the Ondo Business District (OBD) on Brigadier Ademulegun Road.

Hundreds of youths stormed the office at 7am to protest the three-month power outage in some parts of the community.

They pulled down part of the fence of the building and chased out the workers, including the Business Manager, Auta Yohanna.

The protesters sent back customers who came to transact business. They carried fresh leaves and sang solidarity songs.

The protesters disrupted traffic. A detachment of policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Enuowa, Adekunle Omisakin, and officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were invited to maintain peace.

They threatened a sit-out at the BEDC office, until power is restored in the affected areas.

Their leader, Lawrence Omolayo, said the situation had brought untold hardship to the people.

According to him, several meetings had been held with BEDC officials to solve the problem.

Omisakin praised the people for their peaceful conduct.

He advised them to be patient.

Auta blamed the problem on faulty transformers in some parts of the town, promising that the organisation would always do its best to satisfy customers.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

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NEWS Ondo begins implementation of smart cards

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HE Ondo State government has said the implementation of its residency card, otherwise known as Kaadi Igbeayo, will take off with four key sectors.

Commissioner for Information Kayode Akinmade said the utilisation of the smart card will begin with the health, education, agric and the micro-credit areas of the economy.

The commissioner said from tomorrow pupils who enjoy government’s school shuttle scheme would have to present their parent’s smart card to access the facility.

He also mentioned that those who want to benefit from the government’s subsidised agricultural input as well as those who want to draw from government’s micro- finance scheme would need to present their smart card before their application could be considered.

He added that though the smart card has been operational in the health sector, especially with patrons of the Mother and Child hospitals, the commissioner informed that its utilisation would now be extended to those who will be seeking to use the government facilities at the medical village and other government health facilities.

Akwa Ibom Assembly clears commissioners, SAs

From left: Former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Alhaji Ismaila Aliyu; former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd.); Director, Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade and his wife, Abosade, at the presentation of Olukolade’s books, titled: Issues in The Mobilisation of Public Support for Military Operation in Nigeria and The Battles and Voices of the Nigerian Military in Abuja...yesterday PHOTO: NAN

Assembly okays N20b loan for Wike

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HE Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday approved Governor Nyesom Wike’s request to borrow N20 billion from Access Bank Plc. It is the second time he would be approving loans for the governor since he assumed office on May 29.

On June 11, the Assembly gave Wike the nod to collect a N10 billion loan from Zenith Bank Plc, which the governor then told the lawmakers would be used to fund major projects.

Wike said the new loan

From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

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HE Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has cleared all the governor’s nominees for commissioners and Special Assistants (SAs).

Governor Udom Emmanuel sent the names to the Assembly about two weeks ago, it was learnt yesterday.

Speaker Aniekan Uko announced the dissolution of two committees earlier set up and constituted 26 new ones.

The Committees on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights and Public Petitions presented their reports yesterday to the Assembly.

The new committees and their leaders are: Economic Planning and Development – Udo Kerian and Onofiok Luke; Advisory Committee on Parliamentary Matters – Aniekan Uko and Asuquo Archibong; Commerce and Industry - Nse Essien and Idongesit Ituen; Appropriation and Finance – Usoro Akpanusoh and Idongesit Ituen; Judiciary, Justice and Human Rights – Otobong Ndem and Bassey Okon and Works and Transport Committee – Idongesit Ituen and Udo Kerian.

The Committee on Environment is headed by David Lawrence and Mark Eset; Lands, Housing and Urban Renewal has Emmanuel Ekpenyong and Samuel Ufuo as leaders.

Others are: Health - Mfon Ekong and Nse Ntuen; Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) - Monday Eyo and Nse Essien; Agriculture – Mark Eset and Monday Eyo; Public Account – Uduak Udoudo; Special Project Monitoring/Implementation – Otobong Akpan and David Lawrence; Education – Onofiok Luke and Emmanuel Ekpenyong; House Services Aniekan Bassey and Idongesit Ituen; Rules, Business, Ethics and Privileges – Aniefiok Denis and Victor Udofia.

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

would be used to finance road projects, such as Rumuepirikom-Iwofe Road; Abuloma-Woji road, among others.

The governor said his administration would also build new road with the loan.

The road are: Elelenwo-Akpajo Road; Oroigwe-Igwuruta Road; fencing of Government Girls’ Secondary at Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt and Igwuruta-Chokocho Road.

Wike did not explain the

interest rate the loan would attract or the duration of its repayment.

He said: “While this money is not enough, it would enable the contractors to be mobilised to site and to achieve milestones.”

Wike noted that since his administration did not have sufficient funds, “it approached Access Bank, which graciously agreed to advance N20 billion to the government”.

“We shall use the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to service this loan.”

When the Assembly debated the loan, the lawmaker representing Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni II, Nathaniel Uwajie, hailed Wike for agreeing to execute projects that have direct bearing on the people.

The lawmaker urged the governor to include the roads in his constituency.

Uwajie said the revenues accruing to the state were from his oil-rich locality.

According to him, the roads had worsened, giving room for kidnappers to have a field day.

Ekiti monarch begins reconciliatory moves

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HE Olu of Iyemero in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Oba Ebenezer Agboola Ogungbemi, has initiated peace moves with his subjects, who are calling for his removal from the throne.

At a briefing in Ado Ekiti yesterday, Oba Ogungbemi denied all allegations levelled against him by some aggrieved indigenes of the community, describing the accusations as “spurious, unfounded and baseless.”

The monarch said the allegations were concocted to tarnish his reputation and turn his subjects against him.

He described himself as a “lover of peace who loves his

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

subjects and has contributed immensely to the economic and social development of the community”.

Oba Ogungbemi denied sale of community land, felling of economic trees, harassment and detention of chiefs and youth leaders and refusal to pay chiefs’ allowances.

A peace meeting brokered by the Attah of Ayede, Oba Mumini Adebayo Orisagbemi, ended in fiasco on Saturday when scores of placard-carrying Iyemero indigenes sang abusive songs and protested round the community.

Oba Ogungbemi revealed

that he had commenced the implementation of the resolutions reached at the Saturday’s meeting to ensure the return of peace to the beleaguered community while a another peace meeting has been scheduled for Thursday.

The traditional ruler accused some senior officials of Iyemero Progressive Union (IPU) of turning the subjects against him saying the protest that rocked the community last Saturday was a culmination of the “gangup and conspiracy” against him.

The Oba denied selling the community land illegally clarifying that he released a parcel

of arable land to the state government for cultivation and production of cassava in commercial quantity after due consultation with the council of chiefs.

He added that the compensation on the economic trees on the acquired land was shared among the traditional owners of the said land, the Ilisa family at Iyemero and Ayede.

While denying the arrest of and detention of his subjects, Oba Ogungbemi disclosed that some hoodlums and thugs who invaded the community about five years ago with the intent of causing him grievous bodily harm were arrested by the Police.

Gunmen abduct ex-Bayelsa acting governor’s wife

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IVE gunmen in army uniform have kidnapped Mrs. Martha Binabo, the wife of former Bayelsa State Acting Governor Nestor Binabo.

She was snatched on Monday at her warehouse, located between Azikoro Village and Agbura.

Binabo, a former House of Assembly Speaker, was inaugurated acting governor in 2011, following a court judgment that sacked the Timipre Sylva administration.

The bandits were said to have stormed Mrs. Binabo’s warehouse at 11:30am.

The woman, a major distributor of Guinness products, was reportedly driven away to an unknown place in a Toyota vehicle.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said the hoodlums arrived the expansive warehouse when their target was plaiting her hair.

The source added: “Two of the gunmen alighted from the vehicle and accosted the woman. They told her that they were sent by the Commander of the

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

Joint Task Force (JTF), codenamed Operation Pulo Shield, to bring her to their headquarters.

“The woman’s workers did not raise any alarm as the bandits forced the woman into their vehicle and zoomed off. They fired no bullet before taking her away.”

There were insinuations that the kidnapping was politically motivated.

Binabo is among leading members of a group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) opposing Governor Seriake Dickson’s second term in 2016.

His camp believes the kidnapping was carried out to intimidate and cow Binabo, who is said to be an obstacle to the governor in Bayelsa West Senatorial District.

A source in the camp, who spoke in confidence, said: “Ahead of the election, there is a group of gunmen dressed in army uniform, parading the state and kidnapping people.

We don’t know who is behind the gang.

“We are aware that members of the have been trailing prominent members of this camp. We are appealing to the police and other security agencies to live up to their responsibilities.”

The Azikoro home of the Binabos was a beehive of activities yesterday.

Politicians have been trooping to the place to sympathise with the family.

Binabo, who confirmed the incident, urged the abductors to release his wife.

Also, police spokesman Asinim Butswat, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the gunmen wore military camouflage.

The police spokesman said Mrs. Binabo, 48, was abducted on the premises of her business, Seleyibo Multi-Global Company Limited.

He identified the assailants’ vehicle as a Toyota Camry with chassis number JTDBE32K62010530 and an unidentified registration number.

Butswat said the abductors took their victim to Otuokpoti sand dump in Ogbia Local Gov-

ernment Area, set the car ablaze and ferried Mrs. Binabo on a speedboat to an unknown destination.

He said: “At 11:30 hours, five gunmen in military camouflage went to the premises of Seleyibo Multi-Global Company Limited at Agbura, in Yenagoa Local Government Area. They called the director of the company, Madam Martha Nestor Binabor, 48, outside the company’s gate for a talk.

“Consequently, they forced her into an ash-coloured Toyota Camry car with unknown registration number and chasis number JTDBE32K620105302.

They drove to Otuokpoti Sand Dump in Ogbia Local Government Area.

“They set the Toyota Camry car ablaze, took the victim into a waiting speedboat and sped off to an unknown destination.

“The Marine Police, JTF and Anti-Kidnapping Unit have been alerted. A massive manhunt has been launched to rescue the victim and arrest the abductors. Investigation is ongoing.”

Ogun Council adopts Odusile for NUJ President From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

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GUN State Council of the Nigeria Union of J o u r n a l i s t s (NUJ) yesterday adopted Mr Abdulwaheed Odusile as its candidate for the forthcoming NUJ national Presidential election.

Odusile, who hails from Ogun State, the cradle of the nation’s journalism, and practice in Lagos, was adopted a unanimous candidate of the state Council during its monthly congress yesterday in a voice vote.

The adoption followed a motion moved to that effect by Mr Johnson Onifade of First Weekly Magaxine and was seconded by Mrs Sobukola Modupe of the Radio Nigeria (Paramount FM) Abeokuta.

And to demonstrate the high premium placed on Odusile’s candicacy, the state Council Chairman, Comrade Wole Shokunbi, boosted his campaign, by appointing Mr Kehinde Akinyemi of the Daily Trust newspapers to join Odusile Campaign Organisation.

Odusile who was overwhelmed by the quantum of support and goodwill garnered in his home state, said the endorsement has emboldened him the more to know that nothing can stop him from winning the race.

Fielding questions from members of the state Council after formally addressing them regarding his participation in the election and programmes if elected, said he would address quakery in the journalism profession, salary challenges through pushing for promulgation of enabling laws to protect journalists.

APC accuses INEC of ‘massive’ thumb-printing From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

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HE Akwa Ibom State All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of engaging in “massive” thumb-printing of ballot papers.

The party said this was against the order of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which directed the commission to move all polling documents used in the April 11 governorship poll from Uyo, the state capital, to Abuja, within 10 days.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

10

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Court discharges murder suspect for ‘showing remorse’

‘I was set up for attack by Customs’

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PUBLISHER, who was brutalised by smugglers in Seme last week, has ac-

cused the Customs Area Command (CAC) of setting him up for the attack.

Otunba Yomi Olomofe, Executive Director and Editorial Board Chairman of Badagry Prime Magazine, accused the command of working with one Alhaji Momoh popularly known as Basket to unleash terror on him.

According to him, Basket boys attacked him.

He said the no fewer than 15 attackers waylaid him as he stepped out of the command’s office.

“I was invited by an Assistant Comptroller Ibrahim Turaki with a correspondent of Tide Newspaper who has been running stories on illicit activities of the smugglers. I had no premonition of the planned attack because the tone of the invitation was friendly. Immediately I stepped out of the man’s office after the meeting, five ruffians appeared, descended on me and I landed on the sideway hitting my head on a stone. I became unconscious. I was beaten to coma. Fortunately for the Tide correspondent, he was a bit closer to the man’s office, so he quickly ran back. Before they could come out, the thugs had dealt with me. I was later revived,” he said.

•Olomofe at the hospital

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

“I wonder how anybody could have been waiting for me there.

How did they know that I will be there? As they were beating me, they were threatening to kill any journalist that writes any story about them.

“The most annoying part was that it happened within the Customs premises and I don’t know what they might do again. These hoodlums are not unknown. They are known to everybody, but they are above the law. They even told me that they have killed many people and nothing happened,” Olomofe added.

He expressed disappointment

•Olomofe after the incident

over the Badagry Area Commander’s inability to see him when he visited his office.

“My going to the police station went awfully, very bad. Before now, I knew it wasn’t going to be of much use because they said the people had him in their palms, so order has to come from higher level, maybe the Assistant Inspector-General of Police or Inspector-General of Police himself before any meaningful action could be taken against the smugglers,” he said.

Olomofe said the Badagry Area Commander directed him to report at the station in Seme.

“Can you imagine that, going back to where I was beaten to a

coma so that they can finish what they started? I would rather go to the Commissioner of Police. If he too says he cannot wade in, I would then call on Nigerians to come to my rescue,” he said.

Olomofe pledged to pursue the case “with the very last breathe in me. It is unfortunate that life can be so meaningless in our society. I intend to see this to its logical conclusion; I will not relent until justice is done and these criminals are brought to book. These people see themselves as above the law and always publicly announce severally that they need to kill a fellow human being to serve as a lesson to other journalists,” he said.

Civil Defence promotes 152

•Some of the promoted officers

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O fewer than 152 Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officials have been promoted.

The officers were yesterday in Lagos also honoured for their dedication to duty, punctuality and discipline.

The event held at the Lagos Command in Ikeja, is the first in the corps history. Speaking on the occasion, NSCDC Commandant Gabriel Abafi said: “Hard work pays and it is more

By Basirat Braimah

beneficial when one does it without being monitored or rewarded financially. I can feel the joy in them and with this spirit, they will make sure they defend the defenceless just like our motto.”

He said 128 officials were promoted in the command, 14 and 10 from the liaison and zonal offices.

Assistant Commandant-General in charge of Zone A Lugard Osemwegie said officials who had

worked for three to five years took the promotion examination and were honoured immediately the results reached the command.

“I am overwhelmed. Not that those promoted were too good but they deserve it and I urge them to continue the good work. Also, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, we intend to send 250 men for training. Since crime is dynamic, crime fighters have to be dynamic too,”Osemwegie said.

Mrs G.R.A Akinsemoyin-Apata, Director Special Duties, Governor’s Office, who represented the governor, said the officials deserved to be rewarded since they are diligent.

“I thank God for everything and also knowing I have been ranked Chief Superintendent gladdens my heart,” said Chika Chukwurah, one of the promoted officials.

Another official James Omoniyi said he was overwhelmed by his promotion.

N Ijede Magistrate’s Court near Ikorodu, Lagos yesterday discharged a man, Kazeem Ajiga, who allegedly lynched another man for stealing his aluminium roofing sheets.

Ajiga was arraigned for taking laws into his hands by executing jungle justice on a suspect, Raheem Omoyele, whom he accused of stealing his property.

Omoyele was on Monday brought before Magistrate Jumoke OlagbegiAdelabu on a charge of stealing 25 aluminium roofing sheets belonging to Ajiga.

Olagbegi-Adelabu ruled :“Since Ajiga has shown remorse, caution and did not waste this court’s time by pleading guilty, I hereby discharge him and strike out the case.

“I ordered the arrest and subsequent arraignment of Ajiga and his accomplices still at large for almost blinding a suspect they arrested and for obstructing the police from doing their job.

“This court is not against citizens arresting criminals in support of the course of justice, but will not tolerate the use of excessive force, beating up and violence on them.

“Many Nigerians have been killed in such acts which clearly is anti-social, barbaric and against human rights and contrary to being sane in this 21st century.

“No sane mind should justify transferred aggression on an apprehended petty thief because of a perceived loss or theft.

“This message I hope will sink into the minds of the Oke-Eletu people and Nigerians that jungle justice, lynching and harm to arrested suspects by them is criminal and unacceptable by law.”

Earlier, Prosecuting Sergeant Friday Ekunday had apologised on behalf of the accused, Ajiga, on the grounds that he did not know the implications of his action.

“He was the complainant in the case that led to this charge against him and acted out of ignorance for not knowing that a crime was being committed by beating up the person who stole from him.

“Ajiga has leant his lesson after sleeping at the police cell for the night, and I beg this court to temper justice with mercy,” he said.

He said the accused violated Section 166(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011 when he committed the offence on June 26 at Oke-Eletu area of Ikorodu.

Before the ruling, the accused had pleaded guilty to the charge of breaching public peace by executing jungle justice on Omoyele.

In an interview with NAN, a lawyer, Mr Victor Nwadike, attributed the lynching of criminals to ignorance and the high rate of illiteracy in the country. “‘Mob action and jungle justice are a reflection of the level of education that Nigerians have about basic issues of their rights and about what is legal and permissible.

“The need for more enlightenment cannot be understated and for an overhaul of our educational system, its philosophy and its approach to transform the people.

“Even many so-called educated people cannot understand simple legal documents, many cannot interpret our constitution and cannot explain a contractual agreement.

“Our backwardness even in the administration of justice is largely because of the pervasive ignorance and illiteracy in this nation.

“We need to ensure every person gets educated up to secondary school and review our curricula at all levels to imbue critical thinking as an essential ingredient of our education system,” he said.

Nwadike urged government at all levels to step up their enlightenment programmes on such issues.

11

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

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Council chief pledges better administration

Shops’ roofs removed at Ladipo market

By Idayat Bello

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AGOS State Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JNC) chairman Comrade Obafemi Oyenubi has pledged to run a better regulated council and tie up loose ends.

This, he said, will ensure a more committed executive and give proper direction.

Oyenubi was re-elected as chairman, last Friday, to run the affairs of the JNC for another two years.

Also re-elected along with him was M. A. Subair as the Vice-Chairman, while other officials in his executive were all returned to their former positions unopposed.

Before the election, however, a candidate contesting the vice chairmanship position, Comrade A. Y. Sulaimon, wanted the election put on hold for reasons of clarification on the council’s constitution and electoral guidelines, saying he was not aware that there was an election committee in place.

He was, however, overruled by the committee, which later accepted his withdrawal from the contest and abstinence from the election, after a heated debate and arguments that lasted for over one hour.

Student arraigned for ‘entering’ girls’ hostel

•Traders trying to fix their shops’ roofs...yesterday

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RADERS at the Ladipo and parts market yesterday protested the locking of their shops and the removal of the roofs.

They accused Mushin Local Government of being behind the action.

Their allegation was based on a notice at the gate, stating that the market would undergo redevelopment.

The police and Operation Mesa (OP-MESA) team were deployed to forestall violence.

Ladipo Central Executive Auto Dealers Association (LACEC) Task Force Chairman Emmanuel Osakwe told The Nation that the union is meeting with the council on the way out.

Some of the traders said they met the market gate

By Ebele Boniface

locked when they arrived at 6.30am.

“No trader was allowed to go into the market because the gate was locked. Many of us stood outside the market waiting to hear from our executive members who had gone to dialogue with the local government,” said Chukwuma, a trader.

Those who pleaded not to be named said they were worried because of the money they left in their lockers.

“Some of us usually keep our money in the lockers for convenience and hoodlums may take advantage to loot goods and steal our money.

Enough notice was not given to us, even our executive members did not notify of

their coming. We did not prepare for this horrible experience,” a trader said.

Another trader who simply gave his name as Innocent said: “I was surprised to see the gate locked, I could not go inside. When I enquired, they said it was local government.

I can’t give you my full name because I do not know why they locked the market. Our executive members did not inform us that local government will lock the market. My worry now is that my money is inside. I can’t go now because I must take money from there to go home. Tell them to come and open the market.”

Another trader blamed the executive for not notifying them before the action.

“The problem is with the ex-

ecutive members. There is no way a local government will do such thing without giving notice to the traders. Our leaders are not representing us well rather they are representing their selfish interest.”

Theodore, another trader alleged that chisel and hammer were used to remove the roof and stalls.

“They did not touch inside but we have not entered to know what happened. We are not going anywhere until they open the gate. Our goods and money are not safe. They should have given us enough notice. We are not against redevelopment of the market rather they should do the correct thing,” he said.

The council’s Information Officer Segun Akinyemi, said he was unaware of the incident.

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21-YEAR-OLD student, Francis Onitiri, was yesterday charged before a Somolu Magistrate’s Court in Lagos, for allegedly breaking into a girls’ hostel at night with intent to steal.

Onitiri, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of assault and conspiracy.

He denied the charges.

Prosecuting Inspector Nurudeen Thomas told the court that the accused committed the offences with others still at large on June 22 at about 11.58 p.m. at Classic Girls’ Hostel, Morounfolu Street, Akoka, Lagos.

He said Onitiri and his accomplices scaled the fence of the hostel with the intent of stealing, but the security guard on duty raised an alarm.

“While others took to their heels, Onitiri was not lucky and was immediately apprehended by the guard.

“The accused, who started struggling to free himself from the guard, brought out a knife and stabbed the guard in the face and chest.

“The security guard immediately alerted the girls in the hostel who helped to overpower the accused and was later taken to the police station,’’ Thomas said.

The offences, Thomas noted, contravened Sections 170 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Ruling on the bail application, Chief Magistrate B.O. Osunsanmi, granted him N50, 000 bail with a surety in the like sum.

He adjourned the case to August12.

Hoteliers lament multiple taxations

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•From right: President, Lagos Local Governments Co-operative Multi-Purpose Society Limited Mr Olanrewaju Shobule; Lagos State Director of Co-operative Mrs Zulikha Ibrahim; Ministry of Co-operative Area Officer Mr Olakunle Adedeko and Justice Sunday Ishola during Annual General Meeting of the society at Ikotun, Lagos...yesterday

Lagosians lament police harassment, extortion

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OME residents in Lagos, particularly young men, yesterday complained of police harassment in some parts of the metropolis, under the guise of “stemming crime and criminality,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

They said the policemen go about in commercial buses with Lagos State colours, stopping them and frisking their bodies and checking their belongings.

The complainants identified the areas where the officers carried out the acts to

include: Costain roundabout, Amukoko, Ojuelegba, Adeniran Ogunsanya, Mushin, Ikeja and Okota roundabout.

Such activities have also been reported at Ogba, Idimu roundabout, IyanaIpaja under bridge, Tinubu Square, Idumota, Adeniji Adele top of Bridge, Mile 2, Oshodi, CMS and Ojota bus stop, amongst others.

One of the complainants, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said some officers from ‘Area C’, stopped him at Pako area of Aguda,

on his way from the bank and arrested him for allegedly being in possession of some money.

“I went to the bank on February 15, to collect N50, 000 which my father sent to me from abroad, while returning home, some policemen in a patrol vehicle belonging to Area ‘C’ stopped me for a search.

“They asked what I was doing for a living; I told them I am a student and I presented my school Identity Card to affirm that I was indeed a student.

“They asked me where I got the money in my pocket from and I told them my father sent it to me and I showed them the papers I used to collect the money.

“After checking my handset and the e-mails, they collected N30, 000 out of the money and asked me to go.

“I had to allow it because they were armed and I could not challenge them,’’ the victim said.

Mr Mike Ogunsanya, a trader, recalled that on February 9, when he was going to Lagos Island for a visa interview, he was stopped

THE Hotel and Personal Services Employers’ Association of Nigeria (HOPESEA) yesterday urged the Lagos State Government (LASG) to reduce the multiple taxation it usually levied operators in the hospitality sector.

Its secretary Adeniyi Olokun said this would enhance improved service delivery in hotels.

Olokun said subjecting hoteliers to multiple taxations had hindered them from improving the quality of their services.

He alleged that some agencies of governmental were fond of initiating bills every month which could be streamlined and made convenient for hoteliers to pay.

The scribe said government agencies were revenueminded like the hotels, adding that both should, therefore, operate to enhance the survival of one another.

Olokun said: “These hotels need to upgrade their facilities and services on a constant basis to stay relevant in business. They equally must break-even before thinking of upgrading their facilities and services. Hotel business is labour and capital intensive, they should be considered for tax relief by the government.”

Man docked for ‘killing’

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22-year-old man, B e n e d i c t Ogheneorvo, who allegedly stabbed one Emmanuel Jacob to death with an iron from an umbrella, yesterday appeared before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos.

The accused is facing a charge of murder.

Prosecuting Sergeant Maria Dauda, told the court that the offence was committed on May 18 along Deji Oworu Street, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos.

Dauda said that the ac-

cused stabbed the deceased on the neck to death with an iron from an umbrella.

She said that the offence contravened Section 221 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos The plea of the accused was not taken by the court.

Chief Magistrate K.O. Ariyo ordered the accused to be remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons pending the receipt of legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPPs).

The case was adjourned till July 31.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

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NEWS

RAMADAN KAREEM

Ramadan 14, 1436AH

Everyday should be Ramadan, says Beggars

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EGGARS in Kano state have resorted to going out at night to solicit for alms to avoid arrest by officials of Kano State Hizba Board.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government had placed total ban on street begging but the trade has continued.

A check by NAN around the metropolis revealed that most of the beggars disappear from major roads during the day time, only to resurface at night around eateries and mosques begging for alms.

Some of them said it was a strategy to conform with the Ramadan period.

A beggar, Malam Inusa Adamu, described the Ramadan period as the best, saying that begging was fun due to high returns.

“Night begging is fun because we don’t have to be running around under the sun and go home with nothing. Now we enjoy free meals almost everywhere and people give us money at night, so to me I wish every day will always be Ramadan,” Adamu said.

•Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Adebule (second left); former Lagos State Governor Mr Babatunde Fashola (second right); Elegushi of Ikate Land Oba Saheed Elegushi and wife of the late Justice Muri Okunola, Alhaja Ramdat Okunola during the 11th Justice Muri Okunola Memorial Ramadan Lecture at Eko FM Open Ground, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.

APC chieftain to Buhari: appoint credible people as ministers N

ATIONAL Legal Adviser of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Dr Muiz Banire has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint Nigerians of impeccable character to work with him to enable the party to deliver on its electoral promises.

RAMADAN GUIDE WITH FEMI ABBAS e-mail: femabbas@yahoo.com Tel: 08122697498

Travelling in Ramadan

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N Islam, travelling is not just a part of education. It is actually a form of education. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) realized this early in his prophet hood years and emphasized it. He said: “Seek knowledge even if you will have to travel to China “. At that time, the world map, as it is today, had not been crafted out. China was considered the farthest place from Arabia where the Prophet was domiciled.

It is in accentuation of his instruction that a renowned Arab poet came up with a famous poem which translates thus: “There is no permanent, resting place for a sensible, learned person. Therefore, move from city to city and adapt to any new environment in which you may find yourself.

Travel and meet new contemporaries similar to those you may have parted with and left behind.

Interact with diverse people because human comfort and prosperity are only attainable with interaction…”

The respect which Islam has for travellers is such that they are described as wayfarers in the Qur’an. And by virtue of their journey, Muslim travellers are not only permitted to reduce their four rakats of (Dhur, ‘Asr and ‘Ishai) to two each.

They are also excused from fasting while on journey (although they will make up for the missed fasts after Ramadan). Not only that, they are also listed as one of the groups qualified to receive Zakat; the proviso, however, is that such a journey must be justifiable and legitimate.

Judging by the proviso above it becomes understandable that a Muslim journey in Ramadan must be one of necessity and not of mere pleasure.

As a month of worship, repentance, forgiveness, blessing, hope and fulfilment, Ramadan is supposed to cement families, friends and relations in a pleasurable atmosphere.

And that cannot be achieved on a journey.

Despite the Qur’anic injunction on wayfaring, a Muslim may choose to fast and complete his prayers while on journey. This is possible if the means of travelling makes the journey comfortable and not rigorous.

The rule is that if the journey is beyond 54 kilometres, a travelling Muslim may break his fast and shorten his Salat.

But that rule was formulated at the time when donkeys and camels were the means of travelling.

Today, when it is possible to travel from Lagos to Kano within one hour in a comfortable aircraft or from Ibadan to Lagos in a fully air -conditioned car, within the same period, it will rather be unnecessarily to indulge in breaking fast and reducing Salat just because of journey especially when the traveller knows that he must make up for the fast broken after Ramadan.

However, there is hardly any rule without exception. The modern exceptions to the rule of travelling in Ramadan have transcended those of the donkey age.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Banire, who also expressed optimism that the current crisis rocking the party leadership, especially in the National Assembly would soon be over, said that the party has learnt its lesson from the unfolding developments.

Speaking at an Iftar (Breaking of Fast) session with journalists at Protea Hotel GRA, Ikeja, Lagos , Banire said only people with lawful means of survival would bring about the desired change that Nigerians are yearning for.

He described the National Assembly crisis as unfortunate and regrettable.

He said: “I believe we are still a single family and such challenges do often come but I believe that we can overcome it. There is always a way out of every lock jam. May we never had enough preparation because if we have we

have had enough preparation, such possibly would not have happened. So, next time we will start early. I am sure we have learnt our lesson. I do not foresee such happening again for the rest of the tenure.”

The APC National Legal Adviser attributed the political and leadership crisis in the country to lack of fear of God, saying if all politicians could reason that life is ephemeral, they would not have been so desperate to attain any positions.

“They should have the fear of God which is the most important thing. Honestly, once you can cultivate that, you won’t have problem again because the inordinate ambition for wealth, the insatiable desire for position for posts and

power and the whole things will go because you are not even sure that you will wake up the next morning. So, what are you are desperate about?

And that brings me to the fundamental issue which is still lacking. We must start addressing the religious education of our children from school so as to stop breeding of all nuisance and miscreants all over the place. “ APC, he said, cannot afford to fail Nigerians, saying the messages on the social media showed that Nigerians are watchful and ready to put the government on its toes.

Banire, however, described as irresponsible, the statement accredited to the Peoples Democratic Party’s Publicity Secretary, Olisah Metuh that

‘Nigerians must be part of change’

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HE Chief Imam of Lagos State House of Assembly, Dr AbdulHakeem Abdul Lateef has urged Nigerians to rise up and embrace change because President Muhammadu Buhari alone cannot change things.

He made the call at the eighth edition of Ramadan lecture organised by the Chief Whip of the assembly, Hon Rotimi Abiru at Somolu.

Dr AbdulLateef, in the lecture titled: The wind of change: Islamic perspective, regretted that despite Nigerians vote for change “some people who won election on the platform of change have decided to

By Oziegbe Okoeki

make that change impossible, because of their selfish and personal interest, by fraternizing with those who are against change and were rejected at the poll by the people”.

He said: “If we are looking for true change, more responsible people should go into politics and government, because unless we do that, bad and irresponsible people will get in there, make bad policies and laws, and spoil things for everybody and the whole country.”

He urged Muslims to be more active in politics.

“You cannot sit down

One day we shall call together all human beings with their (respective) Imams those who are given their record in their right hand will read it (with pleasure), and they will not be dealt with unjustly in the least.

Qu’ran 17 vs 71 Sponsored by ALHAJI KHAMIS TUNDE BADMUS Asiwaju Musulumi of the Yorubaland

and allow bad leaders to destroy the country; you must get involved in politics actively,” he said.

He condemned the 7th National Assembly describing it as “the most corrupt legislature the nation ever witnessed, saying “they refused to accord Lagos a special status and they sat down and passed 46 bills into law in just 10 minutes without looking at the bills or scrutinising them which has never happened in any legislature anywhere”.

The former Lagos lawmaker said the country does not need constitutional amendment rather the people should rise and insist on the implementation of Chapter 2 of the 1999 constitution which guarantees welfare of citizens, employment, unemployment benefits, free education, old age benefit among others.

Likewise, he said, Nigerians should also insist on the removal of Chapter 6 of the same constitution which says Chapter 2 is not justifiable.

Abiru said the importance and impact of change in the greatness or development of any nation or society cannot be over emphasised.

the APC is inexperience to govern Nigeria, saying” APC has quality of the people who are tested and experienced in all ramifications.”

According to him, “the change that Nigerians desire is realistic as far as I am concern, somehow Nigerians are virtually working up to the realities that they have to hold their destiny into their hands.

So, right now, they will not be relenting. I am not an active participant in the social media but I know a lot is being sent daily to put the government on its toes. To that extent, I believe the change is realistic.

Nobody wants to fail, nobody wants to end up in the way the last administration ended up. I am sure that our people too will continue to be on our toes.”

Cleric urges Muslims on forgiveness

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Kaduna-based Islamic Scholar, Malam Muhammad Nafi’u, yesterday advised Muslims to imbibe the culture of forgiveness and spirit of love.

Nafi’u, the Chief Imam of Nupe Central Mosque, Kaduna, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said: “Allah that created us forgives our sins.

Therefore, mankind should also have the spirit of love and forgiveness. Forgiveness breeds mutual respect and in turn, leads to development, peace and stability in the society.

“On the other hand, hatred, which is against the true teaching of Islam, leads to destruction, and set back to the society. ‘‘So, it is obligatory on Muslims to have the spirit of forgiveness to earn Allah’s blessings and rewards.’’

Nafi’u urged the Muslim to pray for the restoration of the nation, noting that with prayers Allah will turn “our situation around’’.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

Life

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Text only: 08023058761 and 08112662687

Soyinka returns to the forest – PAGE 17

A thought for Makoko less-privileged – PAGE 18

•Mrs Obi-Obasi

Obaseki on Muson stage – PAGE 48

‘I poured my frustration as banker into writing’ E SE

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

After 13 years in the financial sector, Chinyere Vivian Obi-Obasi walked away from it all. Motivated by her passion, Mrs Obi-Obasi, a lawyer, anchored her career on the shoreline of creative writing. This 2011 Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Literature Prize finalist has co-founded Grower Literature, a publishing outfit. She is advocating parents-driven involvement in promoting reading. With EVELYN OSAGIE, she shares her thoughts and motivation.

My journey into creative writing

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RITING is a gift. It has been fun writing books and stories and being appreciated by those who read them. My mother introduced me early into the world of creative writing. In promoting my creativity, she spent a lot of money buying novels for me. My mother used to buy us as much as 10 books; and they were relatively cheap. She would give us money to buy books ourselves and exchange with friends when we were done with reading. She also encouraged my writing then. All these helped me to become the writer I am today.

I have always been writing. I started writing bit by bit from secondary school. Up till while I was studying English, and later Law, I kept on writing. After my second degree, I sent a complete manuscript to a publishing company: they neither acknowledged nor published it. I finished law school and concentrated on my law practice. And it was not until 2001 when I got into the bank that I picked up writing again to fill up those nights that I used to prepare my submissions.

The high point of my writing career, which gave me a lot of joy, was in 2011 when I got to the finals of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Literature Prize competition. I have published three children’s books, The Brave Driver, The Faithful Dog and The Great Ponds, while my short stories have been featured in newspapers/anthologies (Camouflage) and (Eko O nibaje). My book, The Great Ponds, was shortlisted for 2011 NLNG Literature Prize. That same year my book, The Change, won the ANA/Lantern Prize. I am the current National Financial Secretary for the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).

My voyage into banking It was a very difficult situation. I spent about 13 years working in the banking sector. I worked in the bank up till last year August when I resigned to concentrate and go into writing full-time and on my writing other allied professions, such as public speaking and script-writing.

Banking job is not something most people just wake up and want to do. Sometimes, it is the Nigerian situation that forces them into it. Banking job is attractive and so you come with your talents and gifts; but when you get there you find out that this is not what I am supposed to do. But what do you do, you have family responsibilities and friends depending on you. In fact, bankers don’t spend most of the money they make; it goes to the public because you don’t even have time to go to the market or enjoy or relax. And I intend to do a book that I call Banking Exposed.

Another terrible thing about banking job is that it is not like most careers. For example, a teacher can leave teaching profession, chances are that he/she would open a school or set up a centre or something related to it. A journalist can you leave journalism and establish his/her own paper or run an online paper; and it is same with a medical doctor.

But it is not so with banking. To set up even a community bank is not a tea party. So you would see a banker who, after leaving, goes into an entirely different career that has nothing to do with banking. So it doesn’t matter if you’ve spent 20 years. Yes, there are things I know about how the bank works that the ordinary person doesn’t, but what else.

Mixing banking and writing While in banking, I already had a good writing culture, so I wrote every night. Just like I did during my school days, I wrote every night from 2am till early hours of the morning without fail, including Saturdays and Sundays. While I was working in the bank, then, there were lots of frustration: long working hours and all that. When I came back home, I’d pour that frustration into my writing. Writing was like an escape for me and a lovely experience.

I would have left banking a long time ago but I didn’t have a clear vision of what I was going to do. I knew I’d leave there and write someday; but I wasn’t sure about what I wanted to do to put food on my table. I wanted to own a bookshop but there was the danger of not running the bookshop by myself. So, I left last August when I got a clear vision of what I was going to do. I have no regrets. With Kenechi Uzor, we have floated a publishing house for children, Grower Literature. We currently have three books on our label. This is beside the other things I now do, such as public speaking, stand-up comedy and acting.

Eking out a living off my creative works I don’t because sadly, your books must be sold first and not so many get sold except when I get bulk purchases like when Julius Berger took me on a tour in certain cities and bought hundreds of my titles or when schools purchase the books in bulk. Writing is something that would yield after some years. Right now, My Great Ponds, published by Hybun that made 2011 NLNG Prize for Literature final list, is on the curriculum of five states; and some of my children books may get into the school’s curriculum soon. Despite being on the curriculum, my book is still faced with the challenges

•Mrs Obi-Obasi and family

‘I poured my frustration as banker into writing’ INTERVIEW confronting the industry, such as distribution and agent problems. Some people would pick the book without remitting the money.

In this part of the world, to make money from your books, you have to personally go into marketing and since you cannot catch two birds (writing and marketing) at once, something will give way. I look forward to a time when genuine marketers will handle the marketing side so the writers can concentrate on writing and producing good quality books. One of my goal is to own a bookshop which will take only 10 per cent for running cost because the author who gives me his/her books to put in my store is doing me a favour. If half of the books you find in bookshops are paid for in cash, shop owners would not be able to pay for them all. But what gain is there if the author gives his book to shops and the shop owners take 40 per cent. Let’s say the book costs N500, 40 per cent of that amount is forfeited by the authors to bookshop owners. Meanwhile, the take-home price is not up to the cost of production. So the next thing to do is to increase the price so that you can make profit. But

‘I spent about 13 years working in the banking sector. I worked in the bank up till last year August when I resigned to concentrate and go into writing full-time and on my writing...While I was working in the bank, then, there were lots of frustration: long working hours and all that’

writers should make money from the proceeds of their works. This brings us back to the exuberant cost of books. In a way, it is not entirely the authors or publishers fault. There is need for government interventions. Let the writers get involved and establish bookshops that would begin to charge lesser percentage.

My growing up My upbringing inspired the woman I became. I was born into the family of eight children (six girls and two boys). My parents, Mr and Mrs Iwual, were industrious business people, who were very caring. They embraced their God-given assignments with joy and complemented each other well. Whereas my father will not beat you, my mother will beat you but, all in all, while growing up, we were closely knit and happy. My father was very democratic that my mother believes he was, sometimes, too lenient with us. I used to jokingly tell my children that I cannot match my parents’ level of care. My mother made me into the woman I am today; and I mirror her life in all ways. In those days, we had talks every day on the facts of life; she told me many important things that I am planning to put into a book.

My mother, who died in 2010, taught me that raising children is not a time to be involved with excessive socialising but a task that requires deep concentration. Before she died in 2010, she was a consummate businesswoman who tried her hand on diverse legitimate businesses.

My parents loved education and encouraged us. Five out of us attended Federal Government Colleges; I attended Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC), Benin-City. I read English Language/Literature in Abia State University; Law from University of Uyo before proceeding to Law School such that by 27, I was done with all these.

I have also copied their legacy of education in raising my kids. Two of my children finished from Queens Col•Continued on Page 17

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E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Soyinka’s birthday bash returns to the forest

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NLIKE previous editions in which activities were held in Lagos, Ogun and Osun states, events for this year’s Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) project will hold exclusively in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where the Nobel laureate resides.

Also, the organisers disclosed that it would concentrate all activities in Ijegba Forest Residence of Prof Wole Soyinka, and the Ogun State Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta The yearly project initiated in 2010 and debuted on the 76th birthday anniversary of the Nobel laureate will hold from July 12 till 14. It is to celebrate Soyinka as the quintessential artist and symbol of our humanity, according to the promoters of the project, Nigeria-based ZMirage Multimedia Company and US-based GlobalNewHaven.

The theme for the year is Justice and freedom: Essential conditions for humanity, which are two fundamental concerns of the Nobel laureate in his career of promoting better humanity not only in his literary writings but also in his intervention in local and global socio-cultural and political discourses.

WSICE is the core project of the The Open Door Series promoted by Alhaji TejuKareem-led Zmirage and Prof Segun Ojewuyi-led Global New Haven, and it has been staged every year since 2010 when Soyinka turned 76. Last year witnessed the grand fifth edition, which marked the 80th birthday anniversary of Prof. Soyinka.

While the 2014 fifth anniversary edition was a grand parade of drama, poetry, music, painting exhibition and variety youth programmes in honour of Soyinka’s 80th birthday, this year’s has been redesigned in terms of performance features. The 2015 project will focus on storytelling – ‘as a resourceful art form that is an integral part of the socialisation process of an average African personality’, according to the Executive Producer, Teju Kareem.

“Our theme is Storytelling & youth development and this is designed to address our observations that in an era when the society continues to drastically lose its moral values, due to vagary of factors including improper and inadequate child upbringing and chaotic educational system, we believe that a full exploration and exploitation of the power of Storytelling in parental upbringing and as well as school activities could help to inculcate moral values in our young ones”.

Continuing, he said: “We also reckon that Wole Soyinka is essentially a storyteller as will be seen in his poetry, drama, songs and even public commentary through which he has grossly affected our lives and those of other peoples around the world in past six decades and more.

“To realise the objective of the core International Cultural Exchange dimension of the project, we have identified two international reputable experts who engage storytelling to teach and mentor young ones, and have made tremendous impacts on the socialisation process in their respective stations. From the Diaspora is the Caribbean leading storytelling performer, Theodora Ulerie aka Anty Thea (Trinidad and Tobago) and from Nigeria, Mrs. Noma Sodipo,

•Prof Soyinka

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

CELEBRATION founder and anchor of the popular children TV programme, Story Time with Auntie Noma.

These two tested and core professionals will help us realise the objectives; they will run workshops and mentorship sessions with junior secondary schools drawn from Ogun State, and 81 senior secondary school students from across the country. The 81 from across the country represent the finalists in the annual essay competition, which will focus on the theme of the celebration “Justice & Freedom: Essential Conditions for Humanity”.

A core aspect of the yearly project is the student mentorship programme during which the First Lady of Ogun State, Her Excellency, Mrs Olufunsho Amosun yearly counsels the gathering of hundreds of students drawn from Ogun State and rest of the country on the importance of education and

•Antie Thea

imbibing moral lessons of patriotism and discipline.

In the past three editions she has mentored over 10000 students in Nigeria and also in London, where she was a Guest of Honour in 2013. Two editions ago the First lady of Osun, Her Excellency, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola and the Deputy Governor, of the State, Otunba Grace Titi-Laoye also mentored over 1000 students drawn from Osun, and the 79 finalists in the year’s essay competition.

Stressing on the objective of the ICE, Kareem stated: “We in ZMirage and GlobalNewHaven — believing firmly in the educative as well as entertaining functions of theatre and literary arts — have resolved to consistently commit time, energy and huge financial resources to this project so that the Arts, especially Theatre, can once again take pride of place in Nigeria and the world. The primary focus for us is the cultural exchange value of the project, which enables us reach out to the world, giving

and receiving artistic contents that can change and enrich lives.

The Executive Producer disclosed that much of the activities will be held in the 850-seater site-specific Amphitheatre installed last year to host the presentation of Soyinka’s epic, Dance of the Forests as directed by Tunde Awosanmi, head of department of Theatre Arts, University of Ibadan.

There will be performances by Ogun State Cultural Troupe; Jimi Solanke; and Yinka Ola-Williams at the AmphiTheatre in Ijegba Forest.

The idea of staging much of the events in the forest theatre, Kareem said, is to stress the educational and touristic virtues of the project. “We want the children to start identifying with the importance of such touristic facilities and as well to have a feel of the grand model that Soyinka is by paying visit to his residential enclave”.

This year’s WSICE will be produced by Ms Haneefat Ikharo. She took over from the pioneer producer, Lillian Amah, a writer, actress and producer.

‘I poured my frustration as banker into writing’ •Continued from Page 16

lege and I used to visit them once a term.

I used to jokingly tell my children that I cannot match my parents’ level of care.

They hardly missed any visiting day; and took me home during mid-term breaks that were not up to a week.

Managing the worlds of spouse, motherhood, banker and lawyer I work within the time God has allotted me; do not complain. I have a good attitude towards whatever I do. I owe it as a duty to the society, to be a role model ‘wife’ in assisting my husband in everything; to bring up children who are industrious and ready to add value wherever they find themselves. And finally, I owe it as a duty to myself and my Maker to be fulfilled and discover, utilise and

maximise every given talent in me. As a parent, your life is a mirror to your children. If you tell lies you cannot tell your children not to. If you don’t read, you can’t raise children who read. They see the positive results of my hardwork and that I have not died, they find it very easy to do the same.

My third daughter Ugochi Obi-Obasi is a brilliant writer. Sometimes when I read what she writes I marvel. She has won a number of awards and I know in future she will be one of the writers that will be well spoken about in Nigeria. She is currently the head girl of her school. I am very proud of her writing skill.

My son Chukwuemeka Obi-Obasi is a performance poet who was only last year at the age of 10 awarded a scholarship on account of his brilliant performance.

He performs poetry like a grown up not

a child in the best professional manner.

These poems were not necessarily written by him. He is also ever willing to learn.

Igniting reading culture in kids

In our days, we had Pacesetters, Hints and others publications to read; but all the publishing houses soon folded up. If we are saying we are bringing back the book, it means that something happened to the book at some point. What happened to it?

Parents have a role to play reviving the dwindling reading culture, especially in children. I also adopted her policy on my children. My house is full of books….cartoons of books. I buy new and second-hand ones. Sometimes with N5000, I can buy so many. My children watch TV and they read. They watch and when they get an uninteresting segment, they’d read two pages.

•Mrs Obi-Obasi

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The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

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t was a cold Saturday morning. Hundreds of children and some aged at the Makoko slum in Lagos were almost hopeless over their situation. They wore long faces. But, shortly before sunrise, White House Group, a team of volunteers, led by its president, Mr. Austin Eroutour, visited the community with packs of foods. And that changed, albeit, temporarily, the mood of the people. The people mostly children were excited and smiled as they filed out to receive their gift.

The gesture of the society is driven by passion and quest to grow people and better the society.

As they struggled to take turns, falling over one another, you could feel and see the innocence in them – the strong will to live, striving to add value to the larger human community.

They were joyously exhibiting the ‘child’s innocence’ bringing to the fore their innate abilities to live their full potentials if given the opportunity by giving them education, while guiding and guarding them on the right paths, imbibing in them universally acceptable norms and values.

Though there are education facilities in this community but many of the children were out of school for various flimsy reasons ranging from their parents inability to pay one levy or buy a book that the cost is not enough to buy meat pie in a fast food spot. Among these children are future doctors, accountants, lawyers, teachers, journalists, architects, administrators, writers, painters and engineers.

Some of the children spoken to commended Whitehouse and other NGOs that had visited them and provided food and other items including medicine for their efforts. According to the children, they prefer being given scholarship that is real not on the pages of newspapers.

Mr. Vincent Utere a PR trainer and a member of the team said that ‘the future development and unity of Nigeria lies in the hands of these children. Among them are would be great leaders in diverse fields. Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to help them discover and develop themselves. To realise this, we must all be involved irrespective of creed or tongue.’

Mrs. Olanike Eruotor, who counselled some of the children stated that ‘our coming here is to see what we can do in our own little individual way to help make these wonderful children better than us. This is indirectly protecting ourselves as well as securing the lives of our children, building a peaceful and united Nigeria.’

President Lagos Penya Club, Mr. Leslie Oghomienor, said ‘a time has come for us as individual to allow our consciousness to be above our strength to make progress for the benefits of these little ones – our future. This place will never change. We have to change it.

Our person-to-person little effort will make a great different. Do something for someone around you. It might be your lifeguard’.

‘Why I sang Ibi Giga’ From Sola Balogun

MUSIC

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ER voice reverberated loudly inside the capacity-full Restoration Chapel in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state capital, where she sang a number from her seven-track musical debut. Singer, evangelist and music teacher Tofunmi Ayodele thrilled the guests to other scintillating tunes from her album, entitled Ibi Giga (High Places) recently to herald her maiden musical work in praise singing and evangelism.

Ayodele’s music, which soon attracted regular airplay on radio stations across Southwestern states, was presented at the headquarters of Restoration Prayer Ministry in Adebayo area of Ado Ekiti. It was graced by hundreds of worshippers, clerics and music lovers in and outside the Ekiti State capital. The album has seven tracks of great messages rendered rhythmically to the delight of the audience. The musical work essentially comprises songs of praise and exaltation to the Almighty aside rendering prayers and admonishing Christians to always put their trust in their maker and shun frivolities.

When asked about how she composes her songs, the pretty mother of three children disclosed that Ibi Giga came to her as a revelation which reminded her of a people who were held in captivity and locked up with giant iron gates. The people engage in perpetual struggle to regain freedom but only those who can

• Mr Austine Eruotor and others attending to the elderly

A thought for Makoko less-privileged HUMAN The team went on to attend to the elderly many of whom were women who apart from their inability to pay their rents or feed well, were having health issues due to the environment they line in - swampy and water logged.

The team could not do much in terms of medicals since there were no qualified health personnel in the group. fast and pray fervently eventually got released. According to her, Ibi Giga which was produced by Judah Associates was inspired the Holy Spirit, as she received special messages from God to man. Her words’ As a singer and minister, I usually receive special messages in my closet. And when God speaks • Ayodele to me, His words come with great revelations. The revelations are what I turn to my songs and the Holy Spirit always teaches me the lyrics’.

Ayodele, who studied Music privately after her university education, first and second degrees in Biochemistry- hinted that she also chants Ewi (Yoruba poetry) in churches and at wedding ceremonies. ‘ I enjoy singing and chanting for God in appreciation of His mercy and love for me and my people. My husband too has been a great source of support and encouragement to me. Both of us are ministers.

He is popular for playing musical instruments while people know me as a singer. He plays the organ while I sing and we also train choristers aside teaching songs and instrumentation’, explained Ayodele who added she is overwhelmed by the way the audience received her first musical work. She disclosed that the success of Ibi Giga has spurred her into working on the next album, noting that she would never disappoint her teeming lovers and admirers.

From Whitehouse effort and that of other organisations and individuals, it is observed that change will only be made possible by those whose spirits are far bigger and stronger than their present circumstances.

Eruotor noted that to strive to rise above the situation and hope for the better for no one was born with wealth or education. “You have the ability to be whatever you want for your own good and for the best of the society.

Be strong do your best and God will surely do

the rest,” he added.

As the convoy of six trucks rolled off roaring towards the main road a few of the people chorus, ‘Please you people should come again… Apart from Makoko, over one billion people go to bed hungry each night and there are millions of children without clean potable water not to talk of food. There are women dying in bid to get the fruit of the womb while others are busy aborting pregnancies.

Foundation holds skill acquisition seminar for youths

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O fewer than 200 youths gathered at the National Women Development Centre, Central Business District, Abuja for the third edition of Career Exposition Seminar, organised by AfriGrowth Foundation.

The seminar was a capacity-building project targeted at engaging the youth in a process of value reorientation, character development and skill acquisition for better performance in business, career and life in general. Mentoring and Entrepreneurial Development are the two key elements in the programme, being the major tools for the achievement of the programme’s ideals.

Among those in attendance were AfriGrowth Foundation Executive Director Mrs Oly Sanni, Director-General, BRACED Commission and AfriGrowth Foundation Chairman Ambassador Joe Keshi, former Governor of Ekiti state represented by Mr Oluwashahun Odewale, Director Corporate Communication, Federal Inland Revenue Service; Mr Emmanuel Obeta, Director-General National Council of Art and Culture; Mrs Dayo Keshi, Deputy Director Guidance and Councilor Secondary Education Board Mrs Mowete N. Margaret, Managing Director Rosebud Hotel, Abuja Tomi Akingbogun, and FCT State Co-ordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) represented by Mrs Aisha Y Telta.

Ambassador Keshi said the world is becoming a global village and technology is becoming the order of the day and all youths should be thinking of becoming

DEVELOPMENT innovators and technology driven entrepreneurs.

Obeta noted that the greatest investment anybody can achieve is not in the amount of wealth you acquire, but the investment ‘you make in life.’To stand out, you need to shine out as a light does, because light despite darkness brings out its rays,” he said.

The seminar also attracted National Youth Service Corps members, youths from the six geo-polical zones and the founder of Youth Development for Prosperity Ghana, students from Government Secondary School Garki, Wuse, Jikowyi and Model Secondary School Maitama.

Participants appealed to government and private organisations to support AfriGrowth Foundation in order to host more seminars as a tool to further educate youths and provide opportunities for further enlightenment and entrepreneurial interests.

In the last nine years, AfriGrowth Foundation has empowered over 2000 youths in Abuja and other states of the federation with the sole objective of making them take charge of their future. The seminar is a way of building the capacity of the Nigerian youth and equipping them with requisite skills that will sharpen their competitive edge in various areas of expertise, that will make them more employable and self reliant.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Another container accident • Justice must be done so that OOU students killed in the crash would not die in vain T was bad enough that the truck involved in the tragic accident that claimed the lives of 12 undergraduates of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, on June 26 was carrying a container allegedly not strapped and potentially dangerous to other road users. It was worse that the driver of the truck was driving against the traffic when it collided with the Toyota Hiace bus in which the students were travelling to Lagos. The 20feet container fell off the truck, crushing the bus and the passengers.

Regrettably, in an understandable emotional reaction, hundreds of incensed students of the university took the law into their own hands and vandalised a plastic factory on the Lagos-Ore Expressway said to be linked with the truck. Products and trucks on the factory’s premises were targeted by the protesters who demanded that the policemen and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Ogun State Traffic Agency (TRACE) on duty when the accident happened be prosecuted for negligence and dereliction of duty. The students also reportedly threatened to carry out a repeat action if the relevant authorities failed to bring the implicated truck driver to justice within one week.

It is alarming that accidents involving fallen containers continue to happen with such frequency on the roads, often resulting in avoidable deaths. It is instructive to note that a study by the Association of Maritime Truck Owners

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(AMATO) identified th e causes of container accidents, including rickety trucks, overloading, bad roads, absence of weigh bridges at loading points and declaration of false weight. But the group pointed out that the chief factor is the absence of regulations; and where there are regulations, the absence of enforcement.

From all indications, there are serious problems concerning the enforcement of the regulation that containers should be properly strapped to trucks, and it doesn’t require a prophet of doom to foresee a continuation of tragedies like this one if nothing is done to make truck drivers and their employers respect and obey the law.

In this case, it is reassuring that the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, led a government delegation to sympathise with the OOU Governing Council and also visited the only survivor of the accident, Miss Akinbo Laughter Ibukunoluwa, at the Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan Remo. More importantly, the deputy governor warned that the government would not tolerate reckless driving and would not hesitate to sanction wrong-way motorists. It is hoped that the tough talk was not just circumstantial.

To give teeth to the talk, the government should get to the bottom of this particular accident and punish the culpable to serve as a deterrent to others. In addition, the government should look into the demand by the students that compensation should

be paid to the victims’ families. As Onanuga observed, “It is sad that the students died in their prime, at a time the country needs the younger generation to contribute their knowledge towards the growth of the society.” It is necessary to appeal to the angry students to sheathe their swords and allow the law to take its course; and it is equally important that justice should be seen to be done in the matter.

More fundamentally, there is an urgent need for the agencies established for road traffic purposes to wake up and be alive to their responsibilities. It is counterproductive and unacceptable to treat such accidents as ac ts of God when the tragedies can be traced to individuals who failed to play their official roles.

‘It is necessary to appeal to the angry students to sheathe their swords and allow the law to take its course; and it is equally important that justice should be seen to be done in the matter. More fundamentally, there is an urgent need for the agencies established for road traffic purposes to wake up and be alive to their responsibilities’

Garlands all the way •Four young Nigerians, scientists obtain international recognition

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T a time when the news that come through the international news channels are negative and the local reward system perverted, something gladdening came last week as four young Nigerians were honoured by the Queen for contributing greatly to global development. They were part of young persons, aged between 18 and 29, credited with being innovative and thus contributing to development across the world. Nigeria was the only country that had four awards; others, including Canada and Britain had only three awardees each.

It was one of such occasions that brought back memories of those days when Nigerians were proud of their nationality and heritage. It was a time Nigerians in other countries could declare that their country is not in the news at all times for the negative reasons. We identify with the

‘We hope that these young Nigerians would see the recognition as the beginning of greater things to expect. They should not rest on their oars, but realise that there is still much more that could be achieved on the domestic scene. The task of building a new Nigeria rests squarely on educated, creative, patriotic and committed young Nigerians’

four Nigerians- Isaiah Owolabi, Kelvin Ogholi, Nkechukwu Azinge and Oladipupo Ajiroba. They are, indeed, heroes. This is a convenient point to advocate restoration of integrity to local awards. This would help to feed the international community with potential winners of awards such as the Queen’s Young Leaders Award.

We hope that these young Nigerians would see the recognition as the beginning of greater things to expect. They should not rest on their oars, but realise that there is still much more that could be achieved on the domestic scene. The task of building a new Nigeria rests squarely on educated, creative, patriotic and committed young Nigerians. In the 1940s, young Nigerians, through the instrumentality of the Zikist Youth Movement were at the vanguard of the anti-colonial struggle. Unfortunately, today, many young Nigerians have fallen prey to the prevailing quest for material wealth at all cost. This has perverted national values and ethos.

It is equally heartwarming that in the field of science and technology, Nigeria is making waves at the global stage. Dr. Samuel Achilefu, a Professor of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering has recorded a breakthrough in the treatment of cancer. He was thus honoured with the St. Louis Award in the United States of America. As in the case of the young award winners, it is interesting that his too is not a local award whose integrity could be doubted. He led a team of painstaking researchers into a field where not much progress has been made for decades. The imaging technology that the

team has pioneered is believed to be very useful to oncology surgeons. However, we are concerned that talents are not being encouraged locally to take the lead in researches. Our academic institutions are all run down and can hardly afford to pay salaries. There are many Achilefus in Nigerian universities who are unable to contribute to the advancement of mankind and the environment.

The Nigerian National Merit Award has become more of a scheme to acknowledge the contribution of retired or tired academics that encourage breakthrough.

This must be reordered. If the French had not funded Dr. Achilefu and America had not provided a conducive environment, he would not be the cynosure that he is today.

The Nina Ndubuisi, a United Kingdombased woman in developing a lifestyle programme to enhance management of obesity in women and children cannot be glossed over, either. The Slim with Ease Scheme that she developed has been acknowledged by the World Health Organisation. Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General praised Ndubuisi’s contribution to knowledge, while contending that it has become a veritable health concern globally. Chan said much of the cases arise from non-alcoholic beverages that are the toast of children. He told a gathering in Hong Kong that the number of obese children increased from four to nine million between 1990 and 2013. Globally, the number stands at 42 million today, with attendant risks.

It is not enough for Nigerians to shine abroad, the local environment must improve to allow creativity and scholarship.

Weep not, Mr. President

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IR: I could see your tears dripping down your cheek. I could see the redness of your once milky- white eye-balls. I could see the bleeding in your heart. I could hear the beating of your heart. I could see your mind roving for an answer to a burning and dear question whose answer seems elusive. I could see your pen romancing the plain white paper before you for the past weeks now, yet no name readily comes to mind. I could see the various questions streaming through your mind right now – who has bewitched my beloved country?; ‘where can I find the men to entrust this onerous responsibilities of savaging this country, and giving hope back to my people?’

‘With whom will I fulfill the great promises made in good faith to my beloved countrymen?

These are the predicaments you are faced with right now.

Sir, your worries and fears are not different from ours as we watch the show of shame going on among the so called honourables, who are on the verge of rubbishing the goodwill and trust the international community has expressed for your government, and the subsequent support such trust could garner for our dear country, who are on the brink of making the masses lose all the trust they had in your person. , We could understand your worries and uneasiness because some political analysts have already stated to blame you for the impasse in the National Assembly.

Sir, it is now dawned on us why you have been unable to appoint your cabinet members three weeks after inauguration. Where are the men who have the interest of our beloved nation above theirs? Where can one still find among the young today, those ‘colonial values’ of our fore fathers? Or should so much be expected of the political crossbreeds flocking around, and fighting shamelessly over who becomes what in the National Assembly?

Sir, my advice is simple. Do just as King David did in the Holy Scriptures when he was at a cross- road because King Saul dearly wanted him dead. He raised an army of soldiers among the nonentities in Israel, those that were not reckoned with, the non- soldiers, the commoners. He gathered them, and gave them the necessary military trainings. And they turned out to be the most valiant armies in the history of Israel.

Sir, I know you will be kind enough to admit that the greatest political flaw you have made was not to have taken time over the years to tutor like minds that would share and appreciate your values. However it is of no use crying over spilled milk. Time is of essence here. Take the bull by the horn. Do the unimaginable. Get the ground running.

Look beyond political affiliations. Get the work started. The masses are with you. Wish you well.

• Ohimai Daniel, Lagos.

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •General Manager (Abuja Press) Kehinde Olowu •AGM (PH Press) Tunde Olasogba

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness •Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) •Press Manager Yomi Odunuga Udensi Chikaodi •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Legal Counsel John Unachukwu •Group Business Editor Simeon Ebulu • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye •Group Sports Editor Ade Ojeikere •Acting Manager (sales) •Editorial Page Editor Olaribigbe Bello Sanya Oni

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: Like it is with most cosmopolitan cities across the world, it is, perhaps, not strange that Lagos experiences continuous queues of vehicles which block an entire network of intersecting streets, bringing traffic in all directions to a complete standstill. Popularly referred to in local parlance as ‘go slow’, traffic gridlock has become one of the sour identities of Lagos which succeeding governments in the State have been trying to do away with. In an attempt to tackle the traffic problem, the state government, in the last 16 years, has rehabilitated and reconstructed major roads such as LASU-Iba road, Lawanson-Itire road, Oregun road, Okota-Itire road, Nurudeen Olowopopo road, among others.

This is particularly instructive since it is believed that the poor state of our roads is partly responsible for the daily chaos being experienced on most roads in the state. Also, many agencies such as LASTMA, LASDRI, LAMATA, etc were created mainly to deal with the traffic situation. The BRT initiative is also an integral part of the arrangement to ease traffic congestion in the State. Indeed, the Lagos Traffic Radio was mainly conceived as part of the Lagos State government’s plan to resolve traffic challenges in the State. The idea behind the Traffic Radio is to enable motorists and commuters have first hand information on transportation and traffic news, traffic alerts and di-

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Tackling Lagos traffic gridlock versions, while they drive or before leaving their homes.

In as much as all these plans and actions of the state government essentially indicate genuine concerns to address the perennial traffic problem, it is, however, important to stress that they have not been sufficient enough to entirely redress the situation. One of the reasons for this is human factor. In Lagos State, it is not uncommon to see vehicles illegally parked on either side of the road.

Some even drive in such careless fashions that make nonsense of traffic laws while others drive on or across the road median. Other human activities that complicate the traffic hassles in the state include driving against traffic, making illegal U turn, using reverse drive to cover long distance in order to beat traffic jam and disobeying traffic lights and other traffic instructions.

Also, traffic congestion is often particularly noticeable in places where many commuters try to cross from one side of the road to the other. In a

recent on the spot assessment of the traffic gridlock in the State, the State Governor, Akin Ambode and his team observed that the gridlock at places such as Iyana –Ipaja, Ojo, Ojodu-Berger, Abule Egba, etc is essentially a product of lack of foot bridges. It is, hence, expected that with the provision of pedestrian bridges, the volume of traffic congestion in such axis would wane remarkably.

As a way forward, the state government has approved the construction of pedestrian bridges across key locations in the state. It should, however, be emphasised that, ultimately, an integrated approach to public transportation, that entails the simultaneous use of road, rail and water, is key to effectively addressing traffic gridlock in the state. With over five million cars and 200,000 commercial vehicles on the roads, Lagos daily records an average of 327 vehicles per every kilometre of roads.

This scenario makes it imperative for the government to vigorously pur-

sue alternative mode of transportation such as rail and water for mass transits.

By the time the Lagos light rail project becomes effective and expanded, coupled with renewed efforts to improve water transportation in addition to on-going plans to reduce traffic congestion, it is expected that Lagosians would begin to have a pleasant motoring experience. But then, all of us must join hands together with the government to make this dream a reality. We must not damage the roads. We must comply with all traffic rules.

LASTMA officials are our brothers.

We must respect them. They have chosen to work in the sun and in the rain to guarantee our free movement.

We must not ridicule them. LASTMA officials should in turn be civil in their dealings and conducts with members of the public.

• Tayo Ogunbiyi Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa-Ikeja.

Okorocha and burden of expectations

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IR: When Governor Rochas Okorocha won the hard fought governorship election in 2011, he knew the task ahead was gargantuan but he never gave a thought to the burden of expectations he would be confronting. By the time he became governor, he became his own man, he belonged to no one but everybody.

The decision to belong to all Imolites was what made the difference between him and his predecessors. During his first term, there was no area or sector one would say didn’t feel the impact of Rochas’ administration.

He started by fulfilling one of his core campaign promises that many said was impossible – Free education from primary school to tertiary institutions in Imo State.

Apart from the free education, the health sector is also having a facelift across the 27 Local Government Areas in the state. The beautification of the state capital, the roundabouts, city gates, pedestrian bridges, street lights etc. The road sector is also not left out, there have been tremendous improvements in the construction of quality and durable roads across the state in the past four years. Opposition may have lied to the world during the last campaigns that there are no motorable roads in Imo State, but we know the truth.

Even with the achievements recorded so far, the burden of expectations here is so high that every project done goes almost unnoticed. There’s so much to do but with little resources.

You won’t blame Imolites. Imolites have not really enjoyed dividends of

democracy since its inception in 1999.

What we have had in the past is a government for the interest of a few.

The coming of Gov. Rochas, for a fact upped the political consciousness of Imolites. the fact he was delivering awakened the political consciousness of Imolites and I had no fear he would win his re-election.

The second tenure has commenced in earnest and the governor is wasting no time in keeping to his campaign promises especially now that Imo state has connected with the ruling party at the centre and the peoples governor has reiterated he would continue with his inclusive government and would ensure all the zones in Imo state are represented in his government including politicians that defected from other political parties.

Let me use this opportunity to remind the peoples governor of one of his main campaign promises: industries to absorb the teeming unemployed youths. We voted for you not only because you have been tested and trusted but because we can’t afford to lose a performing governor to conceited politicians whose manifestos were just to criticize a performing governor without telling us what they would do differently.

The challenges ahead may seem insurmountable considering the burden of expectations from Imolites, but its not an impossible a task. The desire to succeed far outweighs the fears. Imo must be better and with Rochas we know, it will remain a promise kept.

• Joseph Chimezie, Oweri, Imo State.

Pensioners’ plea to Mimiko IR: I write to plead on behalf of the elderly who make the

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highest percentage of pensioners in Ondo State. For three months now, they haven’t received their pensions and this is taking its toll on their health and families. This is not farfetched since they remain benefactors to some of their children who are still dependent on them due to the high rate of youth unemployment in the country.

Sir, the stipend they get may seem intangible to you, but it helps alleviate the cost of feeding their families and also pay associated bills for their welfare and survival. Moreover, some of them are widows with no other tangible source of income for survival having spent several years in the service of the Ondo State government. They may be old and retired but these set of people are very precious in God’s sight. Indeed, the Holy book gives a warning concerning subjecting them to any form of oppression and denial.

It is inevitable you would cease to be governor one day; you do not want the children of these pensioners to remember you as a governor who did not pay pensions, and who allowed their parents to develop complications from high blood pressure and related medical conditions as a result of being denied their rights of getting their pensions at the appropriate time. This can be prevented by paying their pensions NOW. Please be reminded that as governor, you are responsible to the citizenry. Don’t abdicate this responsibility so posterity will account for you in good light. Please pay Ondo State pensioners their entitlement!

Elections are now over; let us live in the world of reality. Do not dim the sun in the sunshine state. Let us all keep it shining by doing what is right and pleasing to God. • Dami Adeoye, Lagos

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUL Y 1, 2015

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COMMENTS

Our Girls; Beyond politics- EducareTrust @ 21 begs YOU to start a ‘Youth Inspiration Centre’ in your ward

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UR Girls are still missing since April 15 th 2014 and Boko Haram is more vicious.

EducareTrust@21, is a miracle, often broke, interspersed with life-savTony ing donations. When a Marinho child visits EducareTrust (ET), she puts down her head-tray of groundnuts, enters ET, uses a computer, book and keyboard, meets others and after we have bought her groundnuts and leaves with a smile. Donor agencies ask ‘How do you measure ET success?’ and hate my answer ‘The Smile’.

Be warned. The NGO road is ‘t-rough’, tough and rough, especially for a youth NGO which cannot charge fees. Not all NGOs have access to CSR corporate Nigeria which centralises CSR activities in HQ, neglecting young customers at local level.

Nigeria is full of unsung heroes. Educare Trust survives because of the good in people like you. We have had support from the Zard Group and thousands including donor agencies.

Their positive effect is immortalised in the smiles of the youth and on our Honour Boards and photographs in ‘Educare Trust Heroes Gallery’. Appreciation to Alhaji Wahab Musa, Mr. Simeon Ekanem for the early days and staff members: Manager Solomon Iguanre, Taiwo Ogundimu, Faith Christopher, Martha Olumekor and many others up to Chinedu Osadebe, Comfort Olorunmota, Mrs. Akpeji and Raphael Afeyodion today.

Some provide professional services free like Mr Tony Aneni and Baker Tilly Nigeria, Funso Ogunleye Esq, Funsho Adegbola, Arc Okorafor, Arc Onadeko. Many professionals and pensioners give guidance like Dr. Tunde Oni and late Aunty Beatrice Ajayi. Some give expertise or a skeleton, Insectaria, computers, Newsletter publishing and Aquarium building like Prof Oyediran, Prof Fawole, Mr Adepeju, Prof Aken’Ova, Mr Dax Kumapaye, Dr Kayode Sogo. Some give funds, newspapers or antivirus CDs like Dr Pat Alabi and Dr Toks Abiose. Some a book from bookshops at home or abroad or wall posters like Dr Kehinde Ayeni, Mr. Mosuro, Prof & Mrs Ekpere and Chief

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IGERIA is presently passing through a critical stage in the history of its existence as a nation. It is a country that is besieged by all manner of vices and above all, rapacious and debilitating corruption in all facets of national life. Now, the country’s new President, Muhammadu Buhari, has made it unequivocally clear that his mandate will primarily be focused on ridding the country of this great monster that has undoubtedly eaten deep into its fabric.

This has obviously rekindled hope and inspired great expectations in Nigerians that the war against corruption would now be waged with renewed ferocity. Indeed, dating back to the country’s independence in 1960, corruption has remained a festering sore that has systematically developed into a gangrene. You can smell the rot.

You can feel it. In fact, it walks on all fours all over the place so much so that whenever there is a discussion or commentary on Nigeria, the issue of corruption becomes a dominant topic in both local and foreign media. In short, at this crucial period of our socioeconomic life, it is most appropriate to chart a way forward in order to save what is left of our misrably inglorious nation.

Considering the fact that since its establishment in 2003, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has strived, against all odds, to distinguish itself among other law enforcement agencies in the history of fighting corruption in Nigeria, the organisation is key in the war against corruption. In 2014, the anti-graft agency secured 126

Berkhout. Some represented us like Mrs Funsho Adegbola, Mr Moshood-current administrator, Mr Kunle Marinho, Ms Sade Young, Mrs Yemisi Marinho, Ms Bisi and Nike Osuntokun.

Some give regular funds like Chief Lekan Are, Chief Oshobi, Dr Agbaje, Folake Ojo, Mrs Tolani Akinkoye. Some sent funds or material in memory of loved ones, like for late Engr. Sina Ojo and Prof M O Odejide. Some give life-changing contributions like Dr Raymond Zard, Mr Wazdi Zard, Mr Ogie Alakija, Dr John Abebe, Mr Okunola, Alhaji L Fagbemi SAN, Prof Mrs Olurin, Chief Kola Daisi and Chief Adebayo Akande. Some have given us space to guarantee our existence like Engr. Niran Fafowora, Toyin Marinho, Fr. Richard Omolade and Yanju Adegbite and so many others. Thank you.

At a dinner meeting with the PZ Board under PZ Chairman Professor Edozien, I spoke of Nigerians requiring and providing a Youth Centre in every ward, as permanent community ‘value added’ and better than multi-billion HQ ‘T-shirt’ transient CSR. One year later Educare Trust received a ‘change’ miracle- a Youth Centre by PZ-Cussons Foundation with Mrs Yomi Ifaturoti as Secretary. A delegation kindly led by Chief SPA Ajibade and ET Past Chairman Mr Ogie Alakija in 2010, led to a visit by Chairman Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo and myself to Governor Adebayo Alao Akala who ‘donated’ land

by Oyo State Government as PPP. After visits to four sites, a plot on Concorde Lane, Old Ibadan Airport, Samonda GRA Ibadan was allocated ‘free’ with Educare Trust paying N3.5m in normal levies. PZ-Cussons Foundation built the Youth Centre ground floor as CSR. It is a template for copying. It took a difficult nine months, and 400+ visits to the secretariat by Daniel Henshaw and visits by Educare Trust members Arc. Okorafor and Arc Onadeko, who supervised the project, Dr Akin Sodipo, Funso Adegbola, Yanju Adegbite. Thanks to all and Ministry officials.

In contrast many fellow landlords were hostile to having a Youth Centre. ET suffered a smear campaign.

It has been a bitter-sweet five years - the backbiting and the building. Anyway the Educare Trust/PZ Youth Inspiration Centre was commissioned on May 10, 2012 by the Chairman of PZ-Cussons Foundation, Professor Edozien with Mrs Ifaturoti and others including BOT Chairman, Justice Babalakin, Prof Akinkugbe, Prof Oyediran, Prof Mrs Olurin, Chief Kola

Daisi.

ET members then built the first floor. We are grateful to former Chairman Mr. Ogie Alakija, Dr Zard-Life Patron, both major donors and Yomi Salami. Arc. Okorafor, Financial secretary, and Arc Onadeko, our member and Dr Okediran, our Treasurer must be recognised because of their 21 year commitment of professional skills pro bono towards the project and completion of “UPSTAIRS”, The ‘A-Z Hall’, named for Mr Alakija and Dr Zard and because the Hall will take care of ‘everything’ and opened on 20th June 2015 by Alhaji Olalekan Alli, former SSG, representing Governor Ajimobi.

This ET story must stimulate you to struggle financially, physically to create ‘youth space’ in every community/ward, VIP or poor. Please visit Educare Trust, behind Ventura, Inside Samonda GRA, Sango-UI, Ibadan. Nigeria’s youth will only become crime and violence free if we all support ‘change’Beyond politics start ‘A National/State/LGA PPP Policy Of One Youth Centre/Ward’-each named after the area.

Nigeria needs 10,000,000 individuals each donating N5001000 -5,000 each/month to Red Cross/Boy Scouts/Educare Trust/ Youth Centre - A little from a lot.

ET and Youth centres are multi-person adventures. Since 1994, ET has reached millions. If you benefited from ET, please give back ‘cash or kind’. At 21, Generation Next must take over ET. Your Educare Trust needs YOU!

‘This ET story must stimulate you to struggle financially, physically to create ‘youth space’ in every community/ward, VIP or poor. Please visit Educare Trust, behind Ventura, Inside Samonda GRA, Sango-UI, Ibadan. Nigeria’s youth will only become crime and violence free if we all support ‘change’- Beyond politics start ‘A National/ State/LGA PPP Policy Of One Youth Centre/Ward’-each named after the area’

The EFCC we need convictions, a remarkable leap from 117 which it secured in 2013.

Between 2011 and 2014, it secured 397 convictions, witnessing a steady rise from 2011 when it recorded 67 convictions and the 87 secured in 2012.

This notwithstanding, there are those who believe that only petty thieves and criminals have tasted the wrath of the anti-graft agency while the big criminals who are mostly top government officials and politicians are having a field day without the EFCC raising a finger against them. The reason for this is simple.

Under succesive administrations in the country, there was this half-hearted approach to fighting corruption.

While many of them actually paid mere lip-service to the war against corruption, serious attempts were also made to scuttle the operations of the commission. In many cases, the EFCC’s management had to correctly read the body language of those in authority before moving against any corrupt government official. In some other instances too, their stooges in private businesses who obviously act as fronts or launder money for these highly placed government officials, are often shielded from the long arms of the law. It is believed that with the coming of Buhari, things may take a new shape.

What is pertinent to note is the role the administration of Buhari will play to make the EFCC’s bite more potent than it has so far been.

Change has come, no doubt, and this

‘We must all realise that neither EFCC nor ICPC or the Code of Conduct Bureau, or even the Nigeria Police, etc, can fight the rampaging corruption holding our nation by the jugular alone, without the active support of the populace’

must particularly reflect in the political will to ensure that the EFCC continues to play its primary and pivotal role in the war against corruption. One thing that must be noted, however, is that fighting corruption is not cheap. The corrupt individuals understandably have so much money to throw about, as they have been found to secure the services of notable lawyers and are adept at exploiting legal loopholes to their advantage and that of their counsels.

I have read about cuts in the budgets of the anti-graft agency. To me, such acts only suggest a deliberate lack of political will and a calculated attempt to ensure that the anti-graft agency is not fully able to discharge its functions. Indeed, the need to amend the EFCC Act to put it on first-line charge funding is long overdue. That the EFCC needs financial independence is a fact that cannot be disputed. Financial independence is paramount for the EFCC that we need to effectively combat corruption without any hindrance to its financing.

The last budget presentation to the 7th National Assembly by Ibrahim Lamorde, the anti-graft agency’s boss, turned out to be more of a revelation of the financial hiccups that have (and which, if unchecked) continued to hamper the war on corruption. The 2015 budget was a marked decline from N12, 245,369,169 which was appropriated in 2014. Again, change has come and there must be an urgent change in the financial running of the agency.

Puting the agency on first-line charge funding, will unarguably be the best model to ensure an independent agency. Tragically, a number of corrupt individuals being prosecuted by the anti-graft agency are alleged to have stolen money in excess of the agency’s appropriated budget and they are willing to spend a huge part of it to draw legal rings around the

commission. What a sorry case!

Therefore, the EFCC we need in this change dispensation must be financially independent and, by extension, politically independent, if the war on corruption must be strengthened, fought with renewed vigour and won. It is heart-warming though, that there are strong indications that a legislation derived from the EFCC Establishment Act 2004, which makes it tacitly dependent on the orders of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, may soon be dropped.

Indeed, Section 43 of the Act mandates that “The Attorney General of the Federation may make rules of regulations with respect to the exercise of any of the duties, functions or powers of the commission under this Act.” By implication, that section makes the AGF and Minister of Justice, the decider in cases the anti-graft agency prosecutes, equally mandating it to report the outcome of its investigations on “serious or complex” cases to the AGF, even before commencing prosecution. In simple terms, it cannot be overemphasised that if the new dispensation must give teeth to the war against corruption, it must ensure an independent anti-graft agency. More importantly, it is an undisputed fact that the EFCC the country needs at the moment is one that is financially and politically independent in the discharge of its duties. Buhari cannot afford to continue with the lethargic status quo. A situation where the EFCC, beholden to the executive and legislative demi-gods, has to go yearly, cap in hand, to get approval to do anything or for funds to ensure the adequate running of its day-today activities, does not augur well for the war against graft.

It is expected also, that President Buhari will equally look into the Nigerian Constitution itself with

Dele Agekameh the aim of getting rid of various tactical obstacles that may impede the independence of the agency.

For instance, the constitution should be amended to outlaw dilatory tactics by defence counsels who deliberately stall prosecution of persons accused of grand corruption with all manners of frivolous interlocutory applications. It should be such that once a case is brought by the EFCC to court, it must be heard and concluded within a defined period of time.

Everyone is concerned about the damaging effects of corruption, which touch us all, not just collectively but individually. We must all realise that neither the EFCC nor the ICPC or the Code of Conduct Bureau, or even the Nigeria Police, etc, can fight the rampaging corruption holding our nation by the jugular alone without the active support of the populace.

Therefore, we should take ownership of the war; we should be ready to volunteer information to EFCC or ICPC where and when necessary and be ready to constantly keep them on their toes with constructive (not destructive) criticism. The EFCC we need is one that has the total support of Nigerians.

For comments Text (only) to : 08058354382

22

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

COMMENTS ‘I feel very sad each time I hear the lawmakers are fighting in the hallowed chambers simply because of their pockets. The lawmakers should understand Nigerians did not vote for individuals rather, they voted for the party. If the interest of the country and those who voted for them cannot be protected, I see no reason why they should be called lawmakers or honourables. They should also remember that Nigerians will not take it lightly with them if the system collapses. The lawmakers should realise that the enemies are watching with keen interest and waiting to reap where they did not sow from the crisis. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa, Lagos’ •Buhari For Olatunji Dare lt will be ethically wrong for the emolument of Nigerian workers to be tampered with, because it is the corrupt political class and Oil glut that caused the fiscal doldrums. But they killed the economy through bad economics and thievery. They should reduce their jumbo pay and return their loot and approve death penalty for corruption. From Chief Bobson Gbinije ,Mandate Against Poverty( MAP), Warri.

I think it is wrong to attack Buhari for saying something about the age at which he was asked to lead the nation. The age problem with him was there for all to see but you guys at The Nation newspaper pretended not to see it because you saw nothing good in Jonathan and wanted him to leave at all cost. I had repeatedly said that not every leader could be as lucky and physically fit to become the president of his country at the age of 72 as was Mandela, due to the stress that usually goes with the office. But even so, Buhari has so far been consistent and can’t be said to have faltered simply because he had refused to impose a senate president on the nation. We still believe with him as the president the country’s tomorrow is bright, except if APC wants us to now understand that the change Buhari assured Nigerians was only to be possible if the party’s leadership had equally produced the senate president of its choice for the country. From Emmanuel Egwu.

Sir, you have it. You are born to write, and so well you did it. One of a kind you are; you simply load it and power it. I have read so many of your write-ups, they simply enthrall.

By your skill I am reminded of another Dare, but that is his first name, I mean Babarinsa of the then Newswatch magazine. And the master himself; Chinua Achebe. Keep it up!

A

MULTINATIONAL corporation is a large firm that has operations in more than one country. MNCs have been the main source of a debate which has been waged since the early 1960s. There are two clear sides to the debate. The first suggests that the only social responsibility of business is to increase profits. The second sees businesses as an instrument to create social value. Regardless of the status of the debate, multinational corporations are finding themselves under pressure from both internal and external groups to participate in non-profit roles in order to benefit society.

The most avid supporter of the argument against businesses and multinational corporations having nonprofit roles in society is Milton Friedman, who claims that the only social responsibility of a business is to increase its profits. A good example of MNCs which appears to have adopted the view of Friedman is Dangote Cement, Obajana, Kogi State.

For many Nigerians, Alhaji Aliko Dangote symbolises the promise of Nigeria.He has built a conglomerate which is today standing on the world stage. No matter how one tries, it is difficult not to use a Dangote product directly or indirectly. Whether it is noodles, salt, industrial sugar, rice or the biggest of them all, cement, the Dangote imprint is every where. It is not possible for anyone who has done this not to be the richest man in Africa.

And going by the speed with which he opens cement factories across Af-

Anonymous.

Re- Tortuous road to public disclosure. The Legislators seem to be the Culprits. They should legislate on asset - declaration for the Executives, the Legislators and the Judiciary.

All civil servants must be included.

Punishments on proofs to seize must be laid bare if disclosure is to be taken seriously, in Nigeria. Corruption will be minimised. From Lanre Oseni.

It is a wonderful write up, let keep watching.

From Gordon Chika Nnorom,Umukabia,Abia state Thank you for the humour in “the tortuous road”, but all this fuss about assets declaration makes sense only if it is a before and after exercise. Do you know any public officer who completed the circle? From O. Lolomari.

For Gbenga Omotoso My anger in all these is Saraki’s coup against the people the desired change, Saraki is PDP. Anonymous Yes- if there is a revolution, even at my age I will join to chase the bastards away.

Otherwise they will chase us away.

Anonymous My governor, good evening. What part of Western Region is Mid-Western (Edo & Delta) now South-South. Are they situated after Niger Bridge? They are now part of Ibo Region. Why? Prof. Obiyemi.This was earlier sent to Gov. Aregbesola. Anonymous President Buhari should not leave any stone unturned not to probe past government because looting was intentional to frustrate the government of Buhari and APC. We must recover all that was siphoned for the betterment of Nigerians and also lesson to other appointees who had intent to loot. From Gordon Chika Nnorom You’ve obviously never heard of the Bell Curve Theory. Anonymous Your article is most educating and thought

provoking. The Economist, to call you’ young man’ might have retired as Super chef from the Villa and is tired awaiting his pension and gratuity! Ogogoro saga-the Chronic liver, heart and persona deaths it causes among young people all thruugh Middle Belt compares only to other substance abuse in ‘sharia ‘areas! Yes, we should ban gluttony, hunger, and obesity by equity, ban also too many cars and jeeps in convoys! Re-distribute professionals to areas of need! From Dr Sulai Danjuma Thanks for the article on austerity of June 26, however If I may ask, can I plan with you and “The Nation” for a national seminar and work shop for alternative revenue for the states and the FG. From Barrister Godwin Okorafor, Abia State For Tunji Adegboyega Ahmed Tinubu fiercely led the battle in all ramifications to secure victory for the APC in the elections. He is tree that grows by the spring, and there is nothing any mortal can do about it. Mr. President should beware of a few but powerful ‘spoil joys’ and sycophants that may be telling him some unpalatable moonlight tales. Surely, Nigerians will soon see better days in a miraculous way under the Buhari administration. Those who have ears, let them hear. From Ch. Soji Oloketuyi, 18, Ijabo Street, Igbemo-Ekiti.

What happened in the House of Representatives over leadership positions is indication that the lawmakers are there for themselves and not the people they claim to be representing. There are pressing issues that they need to iron out in the interest of Nigerians but they abandoned them. It is shameful and an embarrassment even to the international community. Where do we go from here? Nigerians would not tolerate this

• Saraki kind of thing again, or else, they may be forced to march on the National Assembly. From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State.

A good number of those in the National Assembly today have corruption cases hanging on their necks. The president should realise that corruption is already fighting back even before he (president) starts the war. Indeed, corruption has taken the fight to his doorstep.

Mr. President, remember we voted for change and not a continuation of business as usual.

Every corrupt individual or group must account for their sins. From Alhaji Adeboye Lawal.

Dear Mr. Adegboyega, I appreciate and congratulate you on your comment on page 13 of The Nation of June 21, 2015 about the selfcentredness of Senator Bukola Saraki and those backing him who think they can take Nigerians for a ride. I can’t really blame them much; it is principally the fault of the APC who accommodated these PDP people. Where is the vociferous APC national publicity secretary, Mr. Lai Mohammed who had variously been active during the era of the disgraced PDP? I sincerely appeal to the founding fathers / leaders of the APC to stop Saraki and Co. before they exterminate the party. From Prince Adedoyin Adeniyi Emanuel, Oro, Kwara State.

Those who limit the happenings in the National Assembly to intra-party affair have completely missed the point. It is about individual ambitions that harbour no inhibitions to set the nation ablaze. Dogara will do well to keep his sermonising to himself; if he meant it, his name would not be this prominent on the list of those giving this administration a bad start. As for Bukola Saraki, he would only be too willing to do anything to realise his ambition. But did it ever occur to him that the minority opposition will preside over the majority in his absence? From Simon Oladapo, Ogbomoso.

Obajana: When suffering is unnecessary

By Johnson Agada rica - the latest being in Ethiopia Dangote may soon become the world’s largest individual producer of cement if he has not achieved that yet.

Dangote’s Obajana Cement factory is the largest cement factory in subSaharan Africa. Though it was incorporated in 1992, it was in 2012 that it was commissioned by former President Goodluck Jonathan. Obajana has 13.25mt of capacity across four lines, the newest of which was commissioned in late 2014. Obajana uses gas for its kilns and power plants and until late 2014, relied on low-pour fuel oil as a back-up fuel for its kilns. In November 2014 the company commissioned a coal mill to serve Line 3 and it is currently installing coal mills to serve Lines 1, 2 and 4.

To ensure that power does not hinder the company’s operations, Dangote Cement generates 1,000mw of electricity. This is well in excess of what the company requires to run operations.

From the foregoing, Obajana should be the envy of all other communities. The people should count themselves lucky that they have limestone in abundance, their own solid gold.

But it doesn’t appear that the people are willing to relive the experience

if given a choice. It is an experience that has left a sour taste in their mouths.

The people of Obajana have been keeping quiet hoping that the various meetings they have been holding with management of the company would yield fruit. But it appears their patience is running out. As far back as April 1, 2012, indigenes of Obajana resident in Abuja held a meeting and urged the government and the management of Obajana Cement Factory to provide basic amenities for inhabitants of the community.

The convener of the meeting, Alhaji Tajudeen Bisimilahi, was reported to have said the meeting was convened to address challenges being faced by the people of Obajana.

A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting read: “Dangote Cement Company should respect the term of agreement signed with the state government, which entails the dualisation of the Lokoja—Obajana and Kabba Road. The company should make provision for houses, electricity, water, roads, health facilities for the people of Obajana and also pay adequate compensation and relocate those living close to the production site, to avoid undue health hazards posed by chemical emission and pollution during cement production…We ask that meaningful measure be urgently implored to

avert uproar of youth restiveness in the area.”

It is important to quote a report

by Business World newspaper of June 15: “A visit to the community revealed that contrary to what most people outside the community have been made to believe, the company’s corporate social responsibility initiative has failed to address the basic needs and key demands of the people of Obajana. According to the youth leader of Obajana community, Comrade Bamidele Adeyanju, it is painful that after about nine years of operation, the community is still languishing in poverty.

He went on: ‘As far as I know, if any company is investing in any community, it is duty bound to at least provide the basic social amenities that are lacking in such a community. These amenities include good roads, potable water, electricity, hospitals, schools, youth and women empowerment etc. The nonprovision of these basic amenities has caused as so much pain and distress to us. We have suffered so much deprivation and environmental degradation since this factory was established in our community. We are extremely sad with the turnout of events in Obajana, our community especially the way the management of Dangote Cement Factory is treating our case.’”

It is important for the Dangote

Group to realise that CSR is not just the business of the future but the business of today. A socially irresponsible company will soon find out that when the bubble bursts, it will begin to spend huge sums of money trying to buy or achieve peace and tranquillity necessary for it to be in business. That may be costlier than the token required to give a host community electricity, education for their children, water, jobs, etc.

It is not for nothing that the owner of the Dangote Group is today the richest person in Africa. It is important, in fact imperative that his corporation embraces the concept of non-profit role in some form or the other. Whether the aim is to improve the standards of living, fight hunger, cure diseases or even just to increase long-run profits through company image, the benefits of corporate social responsibility vastly outweigh the negative impacts of being exposed as socially irresponsible like oil producing companies that are routinely at loggerheads with their host communities in the Niger Delta. Whenever he decides that his company becomes socially responsible, Obajana, where he makes the most money is where to begin.

• Agada is a business development executive based in Abuja

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Commercial banks are not manufacturing-friendly as their interest rates are usually very high; therefore, commercial banks remain a major challenge to the sector. Even the Bank of Industry’s (BoI) framework, which pegs interest rate at nine per cent, only finances machinery acquisition; it does not cater for working capital.

-MAN President, Dr Frank Jacobs

NSE tightens noose on insider trading

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MIDST worries that corporate executives and capital market operators might be taking undue advantage of pricesensitive information, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is seeking to block potential loopholes and widen the scope of enforcement against insider trading in the Nigerian capital market.

Corporate executives, capital market operators and other professional parties will not only be held liable for using price-sensitive information to buy or sell stocks, they will, going forward, be held liable for changing orders and sundry share price manipulation.

Insider trading occurs when a person or group of persons who being in possession of some confidential and price sensitive information

Oil price may rise to $100/bbl next year

By Taofik Salako

not generally available to the public, utilises such information to buy or sell securities for the benefit of himself, itself or any person.

An insider can be any individual who is or has been, in a period no longer than six months, a director, officer or an employee of a company such that he holds or has access to material, price sensitive and non-public information of the company; or has been involved with a company in a professional or business relationship, including auditors, accountants, printing contractors, lawyers, and regulatory personnel. Such a person must hold or have access to material, price sensitive and nonpublic information.

Under a new code of conduct for capital market executives and officials, non-action may be considered insider trading, if that non-action is as a result of the

knowledge of information, hitherto unknown, obtained by or from an insider and has led to a decision to change a prior course of action, not selling or buying securities of a company.

Besides, stockbrokers are under obligation to report substantial orders from clients in companies in which such clients are directors or employees of the firm, or have business relationship with the firm, including auditors, reporting accountants and lawyers.

According to the code, which is currently undergoing rule-making process, all orders which are out of tune with established trading pattern should be investigated.

“Approved persons are strictly prohibited from participating in or causing another person to participate in insider dealing,” the code stated.

Directors, officers, and employees are also prohibited

from disclosing non-public price-sensitive information to a third party for the purpose of trading while no directors, officers, and employees must trade in restricted list of securities during the closed period.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had earlier amended its rules on insider trading as a major step to tighten the noose on insiders’ trading and exploitation of sensitive share price information by directors, management and their relatives.

The apex regulator had blocked insider trading through nominee accounts, described by the Commission as a discreet way directors of companies and their relatives and other insiders could bypass regulatory rules that require them to declare transactions on their accounts.

Insider trading through nominee account is now expected to be reported to the Commission

within 48 hours by the director and the fund manager of the account.

According to the amendment, “where the purchase of shares on behalf of a nominee is related to an insider, it should be disclosed to the Commission within 48 hours by the director so involved and the nominee account manager”.

Some insiders were bypassing reporting requirements through the usage of nominees’ share accounts to trade on their shares, thus circumventing the effective ability of the apex capital market regulator to monitor and determine inappropriate exploitation of price-sensitive information.

Before the new amendment, SEC had suspected that several transactions that took place on behalf of nominees that are for insiders were usually not reported as such as specific names that could have alerted the Commission to the insider dealings were not mentioned with the disguise of the transactions under the nominee accounts.

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ONTRARY to reports, oil will reach as high as $100 per barrel (bbl) in the second half of next year as demand strengthens and supply falls short of forecasts, a fund manager at Investec Asset Management in London, Charles Whall has said.

According to Bloomberg, Whall who has worked in the oil industry for more than three decades, and manages about $1 billion of assets in energy equity funds, said demand will exceed supply by about 1 million barrels a day by the end of this year and a shortfall will persist into 2016, adding that oil probably will reach a range of $90 to $100 in the second half of next year.

Saudi Arabia, the biggest oil exporter, is leading Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in a strategy of defending market share rather than prices and is pumping the most crude in about three decades. While Citigroup Inc. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. say the nation will keep raising output, Whall says the limit may already have been hit.

“The general picture could be quite wrong,” said Whall, whose funds have an “overweight” position on exploration and production companies, particularly in North America. “This looks like a much tighter market next year than people are anticipating.”

Brent crude, a global benchmark, rallied 40 percent to $63 a barrel since reaching a sixyear low on January 13. Prices could reach $80 by the end of the year, Whall said. They will average $85 next year, according to Investec’s base case.

Saudi Arabia has been supplanted by Russia as the top supplier to China and that in

•Last minute rush for BVN registration in abuja

CBN laments ‘poor’ mobile money growth HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has admitted that its mobile money expectations have not been met.

CBN Director, Banking Payment Department, and Chairman, Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF), ‘Dipo Fatokun, who made this known at NeFF meeting in Lagos, said although progress has been made, the target remains has not been met.

In his words: “It is not correct that we have not made progress in mobile money. It is right that our expectations on mobile money has not fully been met and probably because we were very ambi-

T

DMO may issue N240b bonds in September - P 26

By Collins Nweze

tious in setting the target”.

He regretted that most of the mobile money transactions are for subscription payment, and remittances, like mobile wallet sending money to account in the bank, or account in the bank sending money to mobile wallet.

Fatokun said the mobile money space started in Nigeria about two years ago, adding that about 21 Mobile Money Operators have already been licensed. “What we have discovered is that the slow growth is a result of lack of agency, adding that for mobile money to be success-

ful, you must have agents.

“The CBN did report setting up some conditions on agency banking which the mobile money operators are keying into,” he said.

“We have also released a guideline on super agent structure. We expect that some of the telcos, if not all, will serve as super agents. Two of the telcos already have our approval in principle, to make their agents available for mobile money”.

Speaking on the NeFF 2014 annual report with the theme: e-Fraud: Fighting the battle, winning the war, which was also launched at the event, Fatokun said Nigeria needs to

NSE to readmit Lafarge Africa into high-priced stocks’ list - P28

put necessary controls in place to avoid fraud in the epayment space.

“We have articles there to open the eyes of the public on how to stop electronic fraud.

It will help you on what you need to avoid if you want your account to be safe,” he stated.

He said the assessment of the e-payment industry is that the value and volume of electronic transactions in e-payment has been on the increase, stating however that the value and volume of fraud, though globally is on the increase, is on the decline in Nigeria because of so many controls in place.

Buhari urged to repeal Land Use Act

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HE Managing Director, Green Pastures Interbiz Projects Ltd, Estates, Ezenne Solomon Sunday, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the National Assembly to repeal the Land Use Act which he described as obnoxious and inhibiting the growth of the property industry in the country.

He said before the Land Use Act was enacted, the nation was practising the free-holds land system, adding that immediately the Land Use Act was enacted, the whole thing changed and the country switched to lease-hold. “With free-hold, lands belong to the families or community but under former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his first coming, he enacted the Land Use Act and willed that all properties belong to the government.

“A lot needs to be done to this old law because land in Lagos is like oil in the Niger-Delta. The Federal Government needs to change the Land Use Act because that lease-hold is a problem because those who don’t know the legal frame work of property business are easily dispossessed of their land.

“Government needs to negotiate with families and properly compensate them before taking their lands instead of using executive power because what that does is to make these families go back to the lands they’ve already sold and try to get it back or be paid more which in-turn causes problems for us,” he said.

Sunday whose firm owns and manages Green Pastures, said Lagos State is an excellent place to do business because the community does not discriminate against any tribe.

He explained that properties still belong to the families and government can only take over the land in cases of overriding public interest maybe to build schools, hospitals, or other things beneficial to the community. “Some families use their lands for farming and don’t need the government to give permits before they could do that. Every property you buy is a lease from government for 99 years although it ought to be 100, that’s what the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) gives you.

“If I have acquired a property and I have a C of O for it and wants to sell after 30 years – what you will buy from me is the remainder of the 100 years.

For example, if my father spent 30years and I use 20 it is the other 50 years you will buy from me but if you buy a land that is free from any project that government has in mind and the property is free, all you have to do is get a fresh C of O for yourself. So you are the one that will start the 100 years on the land.

This is a major reason why clients need a property lawyer,” he said.

Bank manager dumps job for kids events - P39

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

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BUSINESS MONEY

e-mail: money@thenationonlineng.net

DMO may issue N240b bonds in September T

HE Debt Management Office (DMO) may issue Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) bonds worth between N180 billion and N240 billion in September, analysts at FBN Capital, an investment and research firm, have predicted.

Head, Markets, at FBN Capital, Olubunmi Ashaolu, said the forecast was based on DMO’s provisional issuance calendar for the third quarter which ends in September.

Quoting a report, titled: “A challenging issuance calendar for the DMO,” released on Monday, he said the debt office was selling the existing five-year and 20-year benchmarks at 15.54 per cent, adding that it has the unenviable task of issuing the calendar amid fiscal uncertainty.

“The 2015 budget was finally signed off by the last President. To an extent, the market was bought into the idea that the new administration will bring greater fiscal discipline. We expect that it will deliver, but not in time to make a marked impact in the third quar-

Stories by Collins Nweze

ter,” he said.

Ashaolu said there could be a supplementary budget ahead of the full exercise for next year, adding that the idea broadly is to meet spending pledges by the plugging of leakages. He causioned against over-expectation, saying that as “the leakages were not created overnight, so they cannot be immediately stemmed”.

Ashaolu said the DMO has a new challenge in the form of apparent investor fatigue, stating that after a healthy recovery in demand in both April and May 2015, the total bid in June dipped again to N131 billion. He said the delayed FAAC distribution was also to blame.

But the Director-General, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), Prof Akpan Ekpo, has urged the DMO on the need to slow down, or temporary halt debt issuance given Nigeria’s rising debt profile.

The WAIFEM regularly provides technical support for Nigeria’s Debt Sustainability Analysis conducted annually by the DMO. Data

obtained from DMO shows that Nigeria’s domestic and external debt stocks currently stand at N12.06 trillion as at March 31.

Prof. Ekpo told The Nation that the debt office needs to be much more innovative in issuing bonds, adding that states should also slow down on debt issuance. He said the practice where most of the commercial banks buy the issued bonds, make their margins and declare huge profit does not benefit the economy. Ekpo also added that the current practice where government borrows to pay salaries is not only worrisome, but dangerous for the economy.

“There should be a temporary halt for debt issuance. We also need to monitor our external borrowings,” he said.

The DMO regularly issues bond instruments which creates more debts for the economy.

Ekpo explained that in 2004, Nigeria’s debt stock amounted to about $46.6 billion, which comprised of $35.9 billion of external debt and $10.7 billion of domestic debt. He said that high debt service costs on

Nigeria’s $30.4 billion Paris Club debt had tremendously strained government public finances, crowding out space, for other necessary social expenditure and investments in public infrastructure.

However, he said that as part of the successful debt negotiation process with the Paris Club, Nigeria paid its creditors outstanding arrears of $6.4 billion, received debt write – off of $16 billion on the remaining debt stock (under Naples terms), and purchased its outstanding $8 billion debt under a buy back agreement at 25 per cent discount for $6 billion.

The entire debt relief package totaled $18 billion, or a 60 per cent write-off in return for $12.4 billion payment of arrears and buyback.

He said the exercise involving the buyback was unprecedented and represented an “unnatural” solution under the Paris Club protocol for a low-income country; it was the second largest - debt relief operation in the Club’s 50 – year history. Such was the debt exit deal that succeeded in eliminating Nigeria’s external

AfDB okays new strategy

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• From left: Executive Director, Ivory Banking, Heritage Banking Company Limited, Mrs. Mary Akpobome; Director, Community Development Service and Special Project, National Youth Service Corps, Mrs. Victoria Bose Okakwu; Managing Director, Heritage Banking Company Limited, Mr. Ifie Sekibo and Director-General, National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Johnson Olawunmi, during a courtesy visit by the NYSC Management team to the bank’s head-office in Lagos.

Oil yields high tax revenue, says PwC

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IGERIA’S tax structure is skewed towards oil rev enue, accounting giant PriceWaterHouseCoopers (PwC), has said.

PwC Nigeria Head of Tax & Regulatory Service Taiwo Oyedele said petroleum profit tax (PPT) contributed N2.46 trillion, about 53 per cent of the Federal Government’s tax revenue last year.

Oyedele, who spoke during the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) yearly tax conference in Abuja, said Nigeria became the largest economy in Africa last year after the rebasing of its economy to reflect a more accurate and up-to-date information about different sectors.

He said the value of the 2013 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was revised from an initial N42 trillion to N81 trillion, adding that the remarkable difference is due to changes in the number of economic activities considered in calculating the GDP. “The new figure took 46 industries and sectors into account rather

than 33 which had been used previously. Some of the new industries which made a significant impact on the GDP figures include professional services, manufacturing, entertainment, water, electricity, real estate and telecommunications,” he said.

Oyedele said Nigeria’s tax to prerebased GDP ratio was 12 per cent while post-rebased ratio is eight per cent about five per cent from oil and three per cent from nonoil. The ratio, he said, is one of the lowest in the world compared to 23 per cent in Ghana, 25 per cent in South Africa and 39 per cent in Brazil to mention a few.

“Another interesting benchmark though not commonly cited is the tax revenue per capita. This is about N38,000 for Nigeria compared to over N450,000 for South Africa; N200,000 for Ghana and N1.8 million in the United States,” he said.

He said the low level of tax revenue can be attributed to a number of factors including the cumbersome and inefficient tax administration system, high level of tax

evasion, ambiguities in the tax laws and insufficient utilisation of tax revenue for social services and visible development.

“Some of the key challenges facing the realisation of a truly diversified economy capable of generating revenue beyond oil is the difficulty in collecting taxes from the informal sector, which makes up about 76 per cent of the Nigerian Economy. For this reason, the tax authorities seem to focus a lot of their energy on taxing a small number of visible companies and individuals.

“Another issue is multiplicity of taxes and unclear fiscal federalism.

The Second Schedule of the Nigerian constitution 1999 grants the Federal and State governments the power to legislate on tax matters based on the concept of federalism and the devolution of fiscal powers,” he explained.

Oyedele said both the Federal and State government have been assigned specific areas of tax in which they can legislate, but they have some common areas as well.

debt overhang syndrome.

The DMO was established on October 4, 2000 to centrally coordinate the management of Nigeria’s debt, which was hitherto being done by a myriad of establishments in an uncoordinated fashion. This diffused debt management strategy led to inefficiencies.

It was expected that the coming of DMO would lead to good debt management practices that make positive impact on economic growth and national development, particularly in reducing debt stock and cost of public debt servicing in a manner that saves resources for investment in poverty reduction programmes.

The body is also expected to prudently raise financing to fund government deficits at affordable costs and manageable risks in the medium- and long-term; achieve positive impact on overall macroeconomic management, including monetary and fiscal policies; avoid debt crisis and achieving an orderly growth and development of the national economy.

HE Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved the institution’s Knowledge Management Strategy (KMS) for 2015 to 2020.

The KMS vision is for the AfDB to become the premier knowledge institution in Africa in the areas of its mandate. This is a long-term goal and an aspiration, where the journey is as important as the destination.

The board said knowledge and innovation have emerged as crucial features of development strategies in many parts of the world. With its ability to combine knowledge with funding, the bank is uniquely positioned to lead the development of innovative solutions for the complex challenges facing Africa. To play this role, the Bank is increasingly complementing its financing with knowledge products and services, including analytical, advisory and policy work.

It said the strategic objective of the KMS is to raise its development effectiveness through providing and exchanging innovative knowledge solutions for Africa’s transformation with African countries.

Effectiveness, quality and impact will require focus on critical knowledge areas.

The priorities are aligned with those of the Bank’s Ten Year Strategy (TYS) for 2013-2022: infrastructure development, private sector development, regional economic integration, skills and technology, governance and accountability as well as the areas of special emphasis – gender, fragile states, and agriculture and food security.

The KMS has two pillars reflecting the role of knowledge in enhancing the effectiveness of Bank operations to address Africa’s pressing development needs; and strengthening the quality of the institution’s policy dialogue, advisory services, and involvement in the development debate.

The implementation of the KMS, the board explained, will build on the Bank’s established knowledge assets, such as its flagship publications, policy dialogues, capacitybuilding programs and knowledge management and learning ICT platform.

The KMS is expected to strengthen existing strategic partnerships and establish new ones. It will be important for the Bank to choose its knowledge management activities strategically, based on demand, consensus among key actors, and targeted interventions, with measurable outcomes.

Heritage promotes youth empowerment

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HE Management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has praised Heritage Bank for its commitment to youth empowerment, especially in the area of promotion of entrepreneurial culture among youths in the country.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the NYSC top management team to the Heritage Bank headquarters in Lagos, the scheme’s Director General, Brigadier–General Johnson Bamidele Olawunmi said that youth empowerment is vital to the development of any country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to him, to tackle the rate of unemployment and enhance the economic growth of any country, the youth population segment must be encouraged and supported to develop entrepreneurial skills and self-reliance.

This, he said, led to the establishment of the Skill Acquisition and

Entrepreneur Development (SAED) by the Scheme as a way of channeling more concerted efforts to youth empowerment to achieve the desired results.

Brigadier-General Olawunmi praised the bank’s management for recently offering employment to 30 ex-corps members in addition to granting of loan facilities to many others to start their businesses under its SME Loan Scheme.

Managing Director of Heritage Bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo praised the NYSC for having the foresight and humanitarian spirit to set up the Hope Alive Initiative.

He said Heritage Bank’s gesture of supporting the scheme was informed by its belief that the future wellbeing of the country would be better guaranteed if all well meaning Nigerians and other stakeholders team up with the Federal Government to empower the youths to create wealth.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

27

MONEY The Bank Verification Number (BVN) is aimed at protecting customers and strengthening the financial institution. The deadline for registration ended yesterday, with many customers not captured.

Will the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) extend the exercise? reports COLLINS NWEZE.

Will CBN extend BVN registration deadline?

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HE rising fraud cases in the financial sector and the need to protect customers’ transactions got the Bankers’ Committee thinking of a way out. So, it was not surprising that the Committee collaborated with the CBN, deposit money banks, Nigeria Interbank-Settlement System (NIBSS) to inaugurate a centralised biometric identification system tagged Bank Verification Number (BVN).

The enrolment deadline which ended yesterday means that over 16 million customers may be shut out of the banking system unless the deadline is extended.

NIBSS, which guides the operational modalities of the project, says it will act if the CBN decides to extend the deadline for customers to register.

But before yesterday’s deadline, stakeholders, including banks, urged their customers to come and register. The Consumer Right Awareness Advancement and Advocacy (CRAAAI) urged Nigerians to go and register for their BVN. Registration deadline was yesterday.

The Chairman of the CRAAAI, Mr. Moses Igbrude, who spoke at a stakeholders’ forum on identity management in the economy, organised to enlighten Nigeria, said identity management is a broad administrative area that deals with identifying individuals in a particular system.

He listed the system to include a country, a network, or an enterprise and controlling their access to resources within that system by associating, user rights and restrictions with the established identity.

He added that the role of technology in modernising the banking sector has witnessed a paradigm shift from the traditional methods of banking to digital channels which involve enormous levels of electronic data capture (EDC) of customer’s information. “Everybody needs security; if people are identified before they commit any crime, the person will be identified easily.

Many of the bank customers who spoke with The Nation said they wanted to deadline extend by at least six months. Moses Abiola, a customer of one of the new generation bank said all bank customers should be allowed to register. He said customers should not be punished because there are many challenges that made it difficult for them to register. “I visited my bank several times to register but they complained of poor network. I know that many other customers had similar experience,” he said.

Maurice Okafor, a business woman base in Lagos also said there were no nearby registration centre for her to register. She said bank should increase the number of registration centre to capture more customers. “I think the places where people can register are very few. Maybe, if there more registration centre, more people will register,” she said.

Another customer, James Chukwu said he filed to register because the process was too tedious. “What of all the data I provided in the course of registration. Why can’t the bank rely on those details? He asked. He said the bank should make things easier for their customers by asking only relevant documents that have not been supplied earlier.

The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele explained that the biometric technology involves the process of recording a person’s unique physical traits such as fingerprints and facial features. This record, he said, can then be used to correctly identify the person afterwards.

He said the BVN became exigent following the increasing incidents of compromise on conventional security systems like password and Personal Identification Number (PIN) of bank customers which has led to loss of funds. There is therefore, a high demand for greater security for access to sensitive or personal information in the banking system.

Also, once a person’s biometrics has been properly captured, the person is given a BVN which protects bank customers, reduce fraud and further strengthen the banking system.

He explained that fraud is reduced because no two people have the same biometric information. “Banks will therefore be able to

Dermalog and Charms Plc. However, not until May ending last year, did banks commence issuing BVNs to their customers mainly at their headquarters.

Managing Director of NIBSS, Mr. Ade Shonubi said that to ensure an efficient implementation, a phased rollout approach was adopted beginning in Lagos.

The NIBSS provides the infrastructure for automated processing, settlement of payments and fund transfer instructions between Banks, Discount Houses and Card Companies in Nigeria. The firm is owned equally by all licensed banks in Nigeria, and the CBN. Discount Houses operating in Nigeria also hold substantial shares.

Shonubi explained that the BVN enables each individual to have a single identification within the financial system and gives each customer maximum protection and security of transactions. “In many advanced countries, biometric technologies have been used to analyze human characteristics as an enhanced form of authentication for realtime security processes. Biometrics refers to identifying an individual based on physiological or behavioral attributes – fingerprint, signature among others. The customers unique BVN is accepted as a means of identification across all banks,” he said.

Benefits to customers

• A customer (left) trying to resgister during the launch of BVN in Lagos

check the features of a person doing a transaction against the record which the bank has captured thereby correctly identifying the owner of an account,” he said.

A statement from the Bankers’ Committee insists that all bank customers in Nigeria are required to register or enroll for a BVN

by June. However, to enroll, they must visit a branch of their bank, but the BVN given to a person by one lender will apply to that same person for any bank in the country.

The committee explained that since the BVN captures physical features, it is also very helpful for people who cannot read and write, thereby making sure that everyone is included in the financial system.

“It is expected to help the banking system identify customers who have been blacklisted by one bank and who move to other banks. There is also need to inspire confidence in the BVN registration process and use of information collected as well as helps public to distinguish between genuine BVN communication and requirements and the activities of fraudsters,” it said.

Why BVN? Biometric security identification is a secure method of identification that eliminates issues with identity theft and fraud. Since it is unique to an individual, biometrics provides a strong link between the individual and the claimed identity.

“The process of enrollment is simple. Customers are to visit any branch of their bank; fill out and submit the BVN enrolment form; biometric information such as fingerprints and facial imagery is recorded; acknowledgment slip with transaction Identity is issued; BVN is created and customer is alerted to arrange for pick-up,” it said.

The committee said the project protect customer bank accounts from authorized access, as biometric information is not easily manipulated. It strengthens the financial system by reducing the risk of unauthorised access to customer bank accounts. It also increases the efficiency of the banking industry as it reduces incidence of fraudulent/ duplicate bank accounts, and easily highlights blacklisted customers.

“Besides, full integration of BVN provides standardized efficiency of banking operation. This means that all banking operations will be verified using the same method, reducing cases of human error or inconsistency. Implementation of BVN means transaction authentication without the use of cards, but instead using only biometrics and a Personal Identification Number (PIN),” it added.

Dermalog/Charms Plc For the CBN, the exercise is a continuation of the $50 million biometrics project it instituted with the Bankers’ Committee,

‘The BVN became exigent following the increasing incidents of compromise on conventional security systems like password and Personal Identification Number (PIN) of bank customers which has led to loss of funds. There is therefore, a high demand for greater security for access to sensitive or personal information in the banking system’

Biometric Project Manager at NIBSS, Oluseyi Adenmosun said that BVN gives a unique identity that can be verified across the banking industry making it easier for customers’ bank accounts to be protected from unauthorised access. It is expected to address issues of identity theft, and reduce exposure to fraud in the banking sector.

The manager added that the purpose of the project is to use biometric information as a means of first identifying and verifying all individuals that have account (s) in any Nigerian bank and consequently, as a means of authenticating customer’s identity at point of transactions.

Adenmosun said the BVN would also provide a uniform industrially-accepted unique identity for customers and authenticate transactions without the use of cards, using only biometric features and PIN.

Enrolment process Collaborating Bankers’ Committee position, Adenmosun said “the enrolment process is simple and easy”. He explained those banks customers are expected to walk into any branch of you’re their bank, fill and submit the BVN Enrolment form and also do data capturing (such as fingerprint, facial image among others.

He said an acknowledgment slip with the transaction identity is issued to the customer.

Within 24 hours, the system confirms the application, the BVN is generated, and SMS is sent to the customer for pickup.

He said a customer can only enroll once, while his BVN will be linked to all his bank accounts across Nigeria banks. “The BVN solution is to ensure accountability, protect bank customers’ account from unauthorised access, reduce exposure to fraud, check identity theft, enhance credit advancement to Bank customers, and also encourage financial inclusion,” he said.

He said the initiative addresses issues of identity theft and ensures that your bank accounts is protected from unauthorised access, thus reducing your exposure to fraud.

It will also promote a safe and sound financial system in the country, especially as it will keep records of suspected fraudulent individuals in the banking system.

“It will make life and banking operations easy for bank customers as BVN is accepted as a means of identification across all banks in Nigeria. This will improve speed of service and reduce queues in banking halls.

At the point of enrolment individuals shall be required to submit an acceptable means of identification, and update their information at the bank branch physically. Customers of banks will be required to enroll within a fixed period after which they shall no longer be able to operate their bank accounts,” he said.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

THE NATION INVESTORS

NSE to readmit Lafarge Africa into high-priced stocks’ list T

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) will readmit Lafarge Africa Plc into the top-ranking “highpriced stocks” list following the steady appreciation in the share price of the cement company.

Lafarge Africa’s share price recently regained the decisive N100 price per share. It rose by 1.0 per cent to N101 on Monday.

An official of the NSE said the Exchange is monitoring the share price of the cement company and will readmit the company into the exclusive list once it sustains the price benchmark within the required timeline.

The NSE had in March 2015 downgraded Lafarge Africa from the top-ranking “high-priced stocks” list following the depre-

Seven-Up to pay N1.76b dividend to shareholders

By Taofik Salako

Capital Market Editor

ciation of share price of the cement company. It had added Lafarge Africa to the list in April 2014.

The “high-priced stocks”, according to the NSE categorisation, are stocks with share prices of N100 and above and regular and pre-determined level of activities. In 2012, the NSE had alongside the introduction of market making introduced a pilot programme under which stockbrokers could move prices of “high priced stocks” with 10,000 shares as against the general operating rule of 50,000 shares for the movement of share prices of other stocks.

In downgrading the stock, the NSE had noted that Lafarge Af-

rica had traded below N100 for the past four months within the past six months’ timeframe.

There are now 12 stocks categorised as “high-priced stocks”.

These included Dangote Cement Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mobil Nigeria Plc, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Breweries Plc, SIM Capital Fund, Skye Shelter Fund, Nigerian Energy Sector Fund (NESF), Total Nigeria Plc, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Forte Oil Plc and Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc. While setting out the criteria for the “high-priced stocks”, head, market surveillance, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Abimbola Babalola had out-

lined that the benchmark price of N100 and liquidity are the two considerations for inclusion within the category.

Lafarge Africa recently distributed N15.86 billion as cash dividend to shareholders, representing a dividend per share of N3.60, 9.1 per cent above N3.30 distributed for the 2013 business year. The dividend recommendation showed continuous growth in the company’s payout as it had distributed dividend per share of N3.30 and N1.20 for 2013 and 2012 respectively.

Key extracts of the audited report and accounts for the year ended December 31, 2014 with an operational profit after tax of N37 billion, eight per cent higher than prior year, after ad-

justing for one-offs. Cash of N49 billion was generated from the operations. Consolidated revenues were flat at N206 billion when compared to 2013.

The Nigerian operations showed a growth of eight per cent cushioning the short-term market challenges in South Africa. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) was relatively stable at N55.3 billion in 2014 compared to N55.7 billion in 2013, with Nigeria growing by 16 per cent. For the first quarter ended March 31, 2015, Lafarge reported a revenue of N57 billion in the first quarter, 15 per cent higher than comparable period of 2014. Profit after tax was N8.6 billion and N14.6 billion of cash was generated from operations.

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HE board of directors of Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc has recommended distribution of N1.76 billion as cash dividends to shareholders of the soft drink company.

A breakdown of the dividend recommendation shows that shareholders would receive a dividend per share of N2.75. The dividend recommendation highlighted the improvement in the performance of he company in the immediate past year.

Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of Seven-Up for the year ended March 31, 2015 showed that turnover rose from N77.89 billion in 2014 to N82.45 billion in 2014. Gross profit also increased from N28.47 billion to N30.48 billion. Profit before tax rose from N7.62 billion to N8.75 billion while profit after tax improved to N7.13 billion in 2015 as against N6.43 billion in 2014.

Shareholders of the company are expected to meet in September to consider the annual report and the dividend recommendation.

Seven-Up has witnessed steady growth in recent years, with the resultant positive sentiments driving its share price above N100. The stock was subsequently admitted into the exclusive list of stocks with N100 share price and above. The share prices of these exclusive stocks are allowed to move with 10,000 volume as against general rule of 50,000 shares.

Audited report and accounts of the soft-drink company for the year ended March 31, 2013 showed that sales increased by 7.1 per cent but higher margins pushed profit before tax up by 27.5 per cent. Profit after tax rose by 70.3 per cent, underlining the increase in basic earnings per share from N2.62 in 2012 to N4.46 in 2013.The improved bottom-line performance enabled the company to increase cash payout by 10 per cent just as its net assets value rose by 22 per cent.

The audited report showed that group turnover rose by 7.1 per cent from N59.86 billion to N64.09 billion. Cost of sales moderated at N41.12 billion as against N38.54 billion. Gross profit rose by 7.3 per cent from N21.333 billion to N22.89 billion. Total operating expenses stood at N17.41 billion, 5.0 per cent above N16.58 billion recorded in the previous year. While non-core business income rose by about 25 per cent from N57 million to N72 million, interest expense was almost flat at N2.29 billion in 2013 as against N2.25 billion in 2012.

With these, profit before tax increased by 27.5 per cent from N2.56 billion to N3.26 billion. With

From left: Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Haruna Jalo-Waziri; Senior Oil Industry Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence, Phillipp Chladek; Group Executive Director, Oando Plc, Mobolaji Osunsanya; Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Oscar Onyema; Head, Market Structure Strategy, Middle East Africa, Bloomberg L.P., Shelloua Chakri; Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Austin Avuru and Managing Director, Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc, Adetunji Oyebanji at the NSE-Bloomberg CEOs Roundtable for Banking & Oil Industries at the NSE in Lagos

Computer Warehouse Group eyes better returns on new business model

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HAREHOLDERS of Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) Plc can expect better returns in the years ahead as the company's subscription business begins to gather momentum.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) Plc, Mr. Austin Okere, said the company's subscription business model, which was conceived five years ago to re-invent and transit the company into predictable revenue and profit growth pattern has started yielding fruits.

From a small startup some 23 years ago with seed capital of barely N160,000, CWG has grown to become one of Africa's largest system integrators with revenues of more than $100 million, 650 members of staff and operations across Nigeria and three other African countries.

Okere noted that the opportunities that CWG has successfully pursued under her subscription business include providing a cloud solution for micro finance institutions in partnership with MTN (a solution dubbed MTN XaaS), building a cloud based solution for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to manage their businesses, partnering with openshopen.com to build an ecommerce platform for increased visibility and sales.

According to him, CWG's investment in building technology that addresses power theft, which is a major concern of most Power Distribution Companies, has gained significant traction with the first commercial or-

der, and four other proof of concepts completing and progressing into commercial sales. The company has also partnered with SES Astra to operate a digital satellite television teleport service.

He noted that being certified by the CBN as a payment terminal service provider (PTSP) will enable the company to deepen her offering in the Point of Sale and Payment systems.

Recognising the need for automation and effective management of internally generated revenue, CWG has recently launched technology solutions that help state governments to increase their internally generated revenue in the area of third party Insurance management system.

"Not unexpectedly, this has been a slow and difficult journey into innovative and uncharted territory that is beginning to show green shoots in sales, that will be consolidated in the second half of 2015. For instance, adapting the FinEdge technology platform to power the backend of the Diamond Yello Account product, has generated platform subscriber base exceeding expectation to 4 million in less than a year after launch, and with potential to grow to 10 million by the end of 2015. Also, the first order for the power theft detection and prevention system has been secured with one of the electricity distributors opening the way for a foray into a market with estimated potential in excess of $200m within the next two years," Okere said.

He further highlighted that the company's SMERP business management platform has been ex-

tended to various verticals including medical, retail and manufacturing and is fast winning deals, including one with a major retail chain about to build out more than 20 outlets in Nigeria within the next two years. The CWG-SES teleport infrastructure has also begun re-broadcasting digital television signals for more than eight broadcasters.

"CWG's Mobile Financial Services partnership with CIT Vericash is set to power the mobile financial services of one of the largest banks in Nigeria with plans for full scale Africa-wide deployment in the coming months. Most significantly, CWG and her consortium partners have started their first phase of the deployment of a unique third party insurance management system for one of the largest states in Nigeria. This system is projected to help the state generate significant revenue while ensuring that the public gets benefit for their mandatory third party insurance on their vehicles," Okere said.

He noted that while not yet Africa's number one technology platform provider, the increasing pace of roll out of platform solutions and growth in subscriber numbers are clear pointers that CWG would reach that ambitious goal sooner than later.

The company re-iterated her commitment to continue her focus in developing new lines of businesses, under the CWG2.0 model, which are better positioned to withstand

macroeconomic shocks, especially those relating to foreign exchange movements. The new products include the flagship CWG-SMERP, the cloud based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) product for SMEs, the award-winning Openshopen.ng, her ecommerce technology platform and CWG-SES Teleport Services. Being intellectual property locally developed, implemented and supported by CWG, the business growth and profitability are immune from the shocks of foreign exchange fluctuation.

Addressing the shareholders, the company's Acting Chairman, Mr. Abiodun Fawunmi, remarked that "CWG Plc made significant progress in her key business objective for 2014 which was to Scale out the Subscription business in order to be the Number one Technology Platform provider in Africa by 2015, a business model that would provide predictability, as well as ensure annuity revenues The annual general meeting in Lagos also witnessed the election of Mr. Kunle Ayodeji as an executive member of the board in charge of Finance and Operations. Mr. Ayodeji is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in the fields of banking, financial consulting and private equity. He has held executive positions in numerous organisations including KPMG and Abraaj Capital.

In the same vein, three other shareholders were also elected as members of the audit committee, while Ernst and Young was reappointed the company's auditor for another year.

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHWEST STATES

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

PAGE 29

Fayose distorts masterplan for ex- deputy governor’s graveside

•Work on the construction of Women Development Centre at the burial site of the late former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka...onMonday.

PHOTOS: ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA.

“The governor has no sentiment about the project, the late Mrs. Olayinka belonged to a different party but the governor who is from another party is using the project to immortalise her. “And he is carrying out this project and financing it at a time when there is paucity of funds, I think he should be commended”

INSIDE

Succour for rainstorm victims

Lagos warns against public smoking, noise pollution

•The late (Mrs) Olayinka

Artistes seek enforcement of piracy law

PAGES 32-33

PAGES 34-35

PAGE 34

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

30

SOUTHWEST REPORT ‘Why Ondo deserves NDDC’s top position’ From Damisi Ojo, Akure

A

S agitation for executive positions in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) heightens, a group, Ilaje Coastal Frontiers (ICF) has given reasons it is demanding that the Managing Director slot should be reserved for Ondo State.

The nine states that constitute the Niger Delta region are Akwa-Ibom, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Ondo, Imo, Abia, Edo and Cross River.

The NDDC was established through an act of the National Assembly by the Federal Government in 2000 which replaced the Oil MineralProducing Areas Development (OMPADEC) established in 1992.

The Executive positions in the Commission include Chairman, Managing Director (MD), Executive Director, Finance and Administration (EDF&A).

Rising from its meeting in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, ICF said the NDDC act provides for equity and justice in the appointment and distribution of personnel.

A statement signed by its Coordinator, Nelson Mafo noted that even though Section 4 of the NDDC Act stressed that the office of the Chairman shall rotate among member states of the commission in alphabetical order; it has never benefited Ondo State.

Man, 34, bags nine months jail From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

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34-year-old man, Ebenezer Olusola, is to spend the next nine months in prison for selling Indian hemp.

Olusola was convicted by a Federal High Court sitting in AdoEkiti, the Ekiti State capital after he confessed to selling the hard drug to interested consumers.

Delivering judgment, the presiding judge, Justice Isaq Sani, who read the “confessional statement” of the convict to the open court, ordered that Olusola was found guilty of the charge against him.

“I have gone through all the evidences before this court as presented by the prosecution, which included the statement of the convict in writing.

“In the said statement, you, (Ebenezer Olusola) admitted that you started selling Indian hemp to the public since January, 2015 to earn N1,000 daily.

“Olusola also agreed to this court that he was guilty of the offence by pleading guilty. These and many other evidences have proven you guilty of the offence and you are hereby convicted thereof,” Justice Sani ordered.

He, therefore, sentenced the convict to nine months in prison without option of fine, commencing from February 25 this year which was his date of arrest.

Earlier, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) prosecutor, Mr Charles Ugwuja told the court that the convict, on February 25 at Odo-Ori, Igede-Ekiti, in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State dealt in 200 grammes of carnabis sativa otherwise known as Indian hemp.

Journalist raises the alarm over threat to life

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HE Executive Director and Chairman, Editorial Board of Badagry Prime, a news magazine, Otunba Yomi Olomofe has appealed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to help secure his life and those of members of his family. Olomofe spoke while narrating his ordeal in the hands of smugglers around the Seme Border of Badagry.

Olomofe, who is also the immediate past President of the Rotary Club of Ajara, spoke on his hospital bed in Lagos where he is recuperating.

He explained that the incident happened on Thursday, last week in the presence of Customs officers of Seme Command.

Narrating how he narrowly escaped death, Olomofe said he was in the company of a colleague journalist on a visit to the command, saying some smugglers, who claimed journalists have been writing negative stories about them, pounced on him and beat him to stupor.

He noted that he suspected a set-up because he was at the Seme Command on the invitation of the authority of the Service.

“I wonder how anybody could have been waiting for me there.

How do they know that I will be there?

“They were beating me and they were threatening to kill any journalist that writes any story about them.

“I was there with the correspondent of Tide Newspaper. I was lucky that a friend from Rotary Club came to take me away; I would have been dead; because I was left there almost lifeless.

“This happened within the premises of the Nigerian Customs Service and I don’t know what they might do again. My life is not safe and that is why I am appealing to the police to come to my rescue.

“I am fully resident in Badagry, my family lives with me. I have my parents, wife and children in Badagry.

“These hoodlums are not unknown. They are known to everybody, but they are above the law. They even told me that they have killed many people and nothing happened,” Olomofe lamented.

Group drums up support for Buhari

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HE Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF) has appealed to chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to urgently end the ongoing leadership crisis in the National Assembly in order to give the electorate the confidence to believe in the ability of the party to move Nigeria forward.

The group made the call at a meeting held at its Efunyela Hall secretariat, Ikenne Ogun State. The meeting also called for support for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, especially in its efforts to fix the country.

The group also resolved to host the Vice-President, Prof. Oluyemi Osinbajo to a grand reception at Ikenne, his home town.

The forum, which is an umbrella body of all groups and societies that make up the Yoruba race, is a non-political socio-cultural group.

Furthermore, the Executive Council also nominated some members into the planning committee to execute the 100 year birthday celebrations of Chief H.I.D Awolowo, which is expected to hold at Ikenne, Remo, Ogun State, on November 25, this year when she will be 100 years old.

•Managing Director, Submar West Africa Limited, Mr. Valentine Obidi (right) receiving the award from Chief Executive Officer, Jumbo Sports, Mrs Nmula David Mbamalu

Why we should avoid dirty S

ICKNESS including, cancer, typhoid, cholera and malaria are caused by dirty environment, the General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Hon. Shabi Adebola, has said.

Adebola, who spoke at Oriental Hotel during a programme organised

by Ecologistics Integrated Services Limited on the environment, said that negligence to our environment makes it dirty and results in sickness.

The slogan of the propgramme was: ‘Sustainable consumption and production’, while the theme was: ‘Seven billion dreams, one planet, consume with care’.

By Olatunde Odebiyi

Hon Adebola said: “You see little children of four or 10 years having cancer today and many Nigerians believe it is spiritual attack, it is not. It is your own negligence and my own negligence to the environment. We need to protect the environment to avoid all these things and for us to be in good health.”

He stressed that the environment must be clean and free of pollution.

“When you change the oil from your power generating set, don’t throw it in the public place, call or text LASEPA on 08036667049 and we

would send our driver to come and pick all these things from you. We have a plant where we recycle things; it’s not that you just throw dirt in the lagoon or in the public place. When you throw in the public place, it will wash into some of these lagoons and it will affect the aquatic lives in our lagoons. All these things are sources of cancer to human beings,” he said.

He encouraged residents of Lagos to patronise the refuse collectors that are available in the state.

“When there are heaps of garbage on your street, there will definitely be an epidemic; different types of epidemic and diseases including malar-

The forgotten Oda Cocoa Farm Estate in The idea was to Ondo State has come back to life. Assistant employ graduates Editor SINA FADARE, who recently visit- who will be later ined the farm, reports that the estate may gen- tegrated in the activierate more funds for state as well as create ty of cocoa producjobs for the unemployed. tion in the estate. The

T

HE late Chief Obafemi Awolowo could best be described as a man who saw tomorrow. As one of the patriotic Nigerians, his love for his country was indescribable. He had the vision to develop the Southwest Region in particular and Nigeria in general.

To ensure the overall development of Nigeria and the Southwest Region, he carried out ventures, especially those that had direct impact on the lives of the people. Agriculture was the bedrock of all the projects he established. The projects aimed at ensuring the well-being of his people. Focusing on agriculture as the main driving force for his economic blueprint, he ensured that cocoa, among others, became the single most important agricultural produce the region had an edge over other regions.

With the revenue that accrued from cocoa, he was able to establish such monuments as Cocoa House in Ibadan, WEMABOD Estate, Liberty Stadium, Wema Bank, Oda Farm and a host of others in the old Western Region. But after what seemed a lull in the fortunes of agriculture, especially with cocoa production in the region, there is a new wind of change as the produce is being turned to another economic hub for Ondo State that inherited the Oda Farm.

Currently, the old Oda Farm which has been abandoned for many years by successive administrations since the creation of the state in 1976 has come alive once more. The reason for its resuscitation was to reenact the old cocoa revolution in a bid to increase its output so that the state will be one of the leading producers of cocoa in Africa.

Against this backdrop, Southwest Report toured the 1,774 hectares of

cocoa farm located at Oda village at the outskirts of Akure, the Ondo State capital. It was a massive thick forest dotted with old cocoa trees that were planted more than four decades ago.

In a chat with Southwest Report, the project chairman, Dr Samuel Jibayo Oyebade said that the objective of the project was to revamp the cocoa industry so as to regain its glory; make it a catalyst in employment generation and source of revenue for the state.

“Several shylock practices were introduced in cocoa production and marketing in 1986 when the country’s cocoa Marketing Board was scrapped. There was sharp decline both in the quantity and quality of cocoa production; with the resultant abandonment of farms due to poor pricing, ageing of farmers and high cost of production inputs, among others,” he said.

While taking Southwest Report round the project, this reporter noticed the key activities going on in the estate which include revamping and rehabilitation of existing old farms and plantations, establishment of new and modern cocoa farms with early maturity and high yielding cocoa varieties, pruning of the old cocoa trees, training of farmers on better processing techniques for the production of premium and maintenance of cocoa seed gardens with the production of hybrid cocoa pods for nursery establishment and direct planting. The activities in the estate are compartmentalised in order to achieve maximum cocoa production.

THE PRUNERS These are young graduates trained on the technique of prun-

revolution purely aims at employment generation. We want to plant 100 hectares of cocoa and we need labour. We are in our first year of operation and I have about 350 such workers; apart from the allottees…If the country wants a breakthrough in revenue through agriculture, the Federal Government should follow the Ondo State template and make cocoa production a source of employment generation for the country’s teeming population ing the weedy cocoa trees and how to establish and maintain a nursery which would be transferred to the field for planting.

Explaining to Southwest Report this process, Dr Oyebade said the idea was to employ graduates who will be later integrated in the activity of cocoa production in the estate.

He said: “The revolution purely aims at employment generation. We

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

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•From right: Director, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Mr Kola Falase; General Manager, Hon Shabi Adebola (with the award); President, Ecologistics Integrated Services Limited, Dr Paul Abolo and his Vice President, Mrs Seyi Abolo

environment, by expert ia, typhoid and cholera. The state government has put in place the waste collectors. When we patronise them, we are not going to see garbage and there will be no disease.

Hon Adebola appealed to people to show love, conserve and preserve the environment for the future generation, saying the environment belongs to us all and not to the government.

“The rich ones are the ones destroying the environment. Those in Mushin pay their rates; but those in Victoria Island, who feel they can speak grammar, would ask what government is doing for them as excuse not to pay.

Government policies in the state are

initiated to make life easy for everyone. When Lagosians complain of government policies, they do so not remembering that such policies are in tandem with what is obtainable globally,” he said.

The programme also featured awards given to Hon Adebola and the Executive Chairman Submar West Africa Limited, Uche Obidi who was represented by his son, Managing Director, Submar West Africa Limited, Mr. Valentine Obidi. They were awarded for outstanding leadership and innovations in environmental sustainability management. The event also featured the presentation of an envi-

ronmental management review Journal entitled Pristine Dimensions – Sustainable Consumption and Production.

The President Ecologistics Integrated Services Limited, Dr Paul Abolo said the launch of the journal was a deliberate and planned effort at creating a forum for environmental management communication and interaction which is geared towards increasing avenues for global environmental awareness and knowledge.

Talking about the journal, Dr Abolo said Pristine, means pure, original, fresh and new, adding: “It is a reminder to connect back to the purity offered by nature through environment to

When there are heaps of garbage on your street, there will definitely be an epidemic; different types of epidemic and diseases including malaria, typhoid and cholera. The state government has put in place the waste collectors.

When we patronise them, we are not going to see garbage and there will be no disease. humanity.” He added that ‘Dimensions’ indicate the actionable policies, practices and culture that connect humanity back to the purity offered by the environment.

Pristine Dimensions, he said, is a sustainable medium that provides information for making the connection back to the purity of nature offered by the environment through environmental management research, discussions, opinion and reporting.

He said the journal aims at breaking traditional disciplinary boundaries by connecting practices from different backgrounds to the environment, thereby attracting contributions

from business, banking, government, research establishments, and public interest groups to provide a rich spectrum of perspectives and approaches to environmental sustainability.

“It is also a forum for environmental sustainability reporting, sharing, encouraging, facilitating and monitoring. The journal is for those that are determined to make the connection between life, its practices and the environment. It is for that person that seeks to understand basic and trending perspectives of modern environmental management and is determined to support the development of environmental assets,” he said.

Dr Abolo said the objective of celebrating world environment day was to raise global awareness for positive environmental actionable initiatives to protect nature and the planet, adding that environmental sustainability movement recognises the link between celebration of important environmental initiative landmarks and current environmental awareness initiatives.

“It also serves as a day of reminder to the world to prioritise the environment and give back to it through individual and collective actions that sustain the environment. It is a day to draw attention in solidarity between individuals and organisations; and within communities and local governments thereby raising a voice in support of sustaining the environment.

“Environmental sustainability is a defining issue of our time; presenting a cocktail of challenges: climate change, global warming, erosion, sustainable energy, flood and deforestation, among others.

Inside Oda Cocoa Estate

Dr Oyebade

want to plant 100 hectares of cocoa and we need labour. We are in our first year of operation and I have about 350 such workers; apart from the allottees.”

He lamented that the fortune of cocoa started nose-diving because of the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantities, adding: “The powers that be then eradicated marketing board and the idea of ‘see and

buy’ came up. It became an all comers’ affair.

The scraping of cocoa board which regulates the actions of organised farmers and controlled cocoa business and or prices in the market was the beginning of crisis in the cocoa industry.

Pruners maintain the cocoa seed garden with the production of hybrid cocoa pods for nursery estab-

lishment. They also fertilise the cocoa tree on the plantation. There was line planting of cocoa in order to ensure optimum plant population per hectare.

FERMENTATION CENTRE Immediately cocoa is harvested, the various farmers on the plantation must bring them to the fermentation centre. Its weight will be taken and the result recorded against

each farmer’s name before processing which will last for a week before it is transferred to the drying shed.

The methodology is simple. The cocoa beans are overturned daily inside the wooden cabinet where fermentation will take place. This process, according to Oyebade, would give best aroma and premium beans can be derived at the end

of the fermentation exercise.

DRYING SHED This is where the cocoa beans are sun-dried before taking them to the sieving section where all the pebble and stones that might have accompanied the beans from the local dryer will be separated.

GRADING AND BAGGING •Continued on page 35

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Lagos warns against public smoking, noise pollution

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OPULARISATION of science and technology has been described as the bedrock of sustainable development of Nigerian economy, hence, the need to popularise it.

Professor Kolade Odekunle of the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Reseach (NISER),

,

I

N its resolve to end public smoking and noise pollution, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), has strengthened its public sensitisation/awareness campaign to Computer Village in Ikeja, the capital city of the state.

The campaign entitled “Sensitisation Programme on what the Law says on Public Smoking and Noise Pollution in Lagos”, attracted many people who were eager to be educated on issues of environment.

Speaking at the event, the General Manager of the agency, Mr. Rasheed Shabi, said the awareness had become necessary as it had been discovered that thousands of people have contracted several hazardous and l i f e - t h r e a t n e n i n g diseases through smoking, noise pollution and fumes from power generating sets.

According to Mr Shabi, environment is polluted when there are different types and levels of unwanted noise as a result of human activities or natural occurrences.

This, he said, easily damages psychological health, causing hypertension, high stress levels, hearing loss, sleep disturbances and other harmful effects.

According to the LASEPA chief, noise comes from vehicles, aircraft, power generating sets, loudspeakers of churches and mosques, music vendors (record sellers), commercial noise from clubs, bars, houses, construction noise, neighbourhood noise and parties, fireworks, crusades, promotional adverts (vendors of telephone, computer and accessories, among others.

According to him, they have different degrees of impact on the environment. Such impact can be evaluated based on the degree of disturbance and effect on ear drums of individuals within the environment.

Mr Shabi said the acceptable limit of noise in residential area is 55dB during the day and 45dB at night. Unfortunately, noise level reaches as high as 90dB and beyond in residential quarters.

This value is not only unbearable but kills.

According to him, noise pollution is common among the religious houses, namely churches, mosques and other worship centres, garages, markets, record sellers, telephone and computer vendors. The implication of which is high level of noise em-

Religious bodies that are expected to address their congregation only, equally place speakers outside to call the attention of neighbouring residents and passers-by.”

,,

anating from loud speakers and other activities.

He said: “The permissible noise limit within the mixed dwelling area such as the computer village should not ordinarily exceed 65dB during the day, but this has, in recent times, been recorded to be as high as 100dB and above, which has already above the permissible noise limit for that environment.

“Religious bodies that are expected to address their congregation only, equally place speakers outside to call the attention of neighbouring residents and passers-by.”

The awareness/enlightenment campaign, according to the LASEPA chief, aimed at educating telephone vendors, computer products and accessories dealers on the need to avoid public disturbances while carrying out their businesses.

He also said the religious houses both within and outside the Computer Village are guided by these regulations put together by the state government and the stakeholders; that no externally placed horn speakers should be mounted on buildings and these include churches and mosques.

He advised that noise generating activities and worship centres should be constructed with acoustic materials to shield noise and ensure its control. These activities should not be held under shanties, canopies and uncompleted buildings to curtail noise, he added.

He reeled off some effects of noise pollutions to include stress-

related illnesses, speech interference, hearing loss, sleep disruption or disorder, reduced productivity, high blood pressure and sudden death.

Health effect of noise, as he said, include anxiety and stress reaction and in extreme cases fright. The psychological manifestations are headaches, irritability and nervousness, feeling of fatigue and decrease in work efficiency.

Mr Shabi warned telephones vendors, computers and accessories dealers to ensure that noise generated within the Computer Village is within the acceptable limits of the state government, adding that openly displayed loud speakers, blaring noise are not permitted.

Occasional open shows/display by manufacturers or vendors to promote new products is not allowed without the necessary permits and must be done under control/regulations stipulated by the agency to ensure that noise generated is within the permissible noise limit.

He urged traders at the Computer Village to zone and buy a bigger generating plant, even gas plant and have agreement when and how to be on and off.

He further warned the religious leaders to stop using residential and uncompleted buildings as worship centres. Makeshift structures, shops, garages, flats, corridors and passages within tenements also are not to be used as worship centres.

Mr Shabi noted that open air crusades by religious organisations are not allowed without the necessary noise permit from the state government. External speakers are not allowed. All speakers are expected to be placed inside the churches or mosques to generate minimal noise that can address only the congregation.

The LASEPA boss said it has been bound by the law of the Lagos State that all monthly night vigils and weekly services that exceeded 7:00 p.m. shall be held without the use of musical instrument if the church is not fully enclosed.

The chairman of Computer Village Community Development Association (CDA), Mr Adeniyi Olasoji thanked the agency for the sensitisation and awareness.

He pledged the community’s support for the agency to ensure that noise pollution and the misuse of louds peakers within the community is eradicated.

Mr Adeniyi promised to constantly monitor noise pollution within the community and report unyielding company to the agency for further action.

Oyo, NGO partner on disaster management

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•From left: Director, Laboratory Services, Mrs Adetola Onisarotu, Engr Shabi, President Phone and Allied Products, Mr Iyke Nwosu and Officer in-charge of Computer Village, Mr Adagba Johnson at the event.

I

N recognition of his immense contributions to the development of the state in particular and humanity in general, Straight Times, a community newspaper has honoured former Oyo State Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Housing, Hon. Ajiboye Omodewu with the icon of grassroots politics award.

He received the award at the launch of the newspaper at the Press Centre of the Oyo State chapter of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Iyaganku Ibadan.

Receiving the award, Omodewu said inadequate finance was the main challenge of a community-based newspaper as it is more or less sustained through personal effort. He assured that he would continueý to identify with any cause that would empower the community.

According to him, the newspaper came at a time our communities have been divided. He expressed his happiness that big newspapers such as The Nation, The Punch and Nigerian Tribune had modest beginnings; they have become forces to reckon with in terms of credible news items.

•A Street in Computer Village, Ikeja

Ibadan made this known in a lecture he delivered. It was at the opening ceremony of this year’s annual Faculty of Science, The Polytechnic, Ibadan national conference themed: Science, Technology and Enterpreneurship for Suatainable Development, held at the Assembly Hall, North Campus of the

next minute. We are grateful that since then, through the collaborative efforts of NGOs such as WANEP, such disaster has not occurred againý. Though we cannot eradicate disaster in its entirety, let’s minimise it,” he said.

Continuing, he said: “Since 2006, WANEP has been active in its collaborative efforts to help minimise disasters. Some NGOs will access funds from government under the guise of helping the needy; they end up helping themselves with the fund.

WANEP is not such organisation. We have trust in them and we will continue to assist them. I cannot but pray God to imbue them with the strength to continue in their humanitarian gesture.”

Promising to read and apply all the necessary recommendations in order to make the state disaster-freeý, Otunba Adeyemo advised Nigerians to ýpray fervently for the country to survive the current financial crisis it is experiencing.

He revealed that Nigeria is in such financial crisis which, he said; financial experts should help in rescuing

her. He assured that Nigeria will surmount most of her problems with the Buhari-led administration.

While presenting the documentý, WANEP’s Head of Programme, Mrs Bukola AdemolaAdelehin revealed that the NGO had done chain of assessments in order to reduce disasters in the state, saying that those ravaged by disaster have been assisted.

She revealed that the group would partner other NGOs to reduce disaster, adding that the document was formally presented for the adoption of the state government.

The group’s State Coordinator, Mr. Kola Hamzat said WANEP is an organisation ýof over 200 NGOs, adding that following the assessment of the damage done during the August, 2011 flood in Ibadan, they rendered assistance to the victims, even as he stated that the Oyo State chapter, with its over 50 collaborating NGOs, is committed to reducing disasters.

“We have seen newspapers like this in the past but they vanished immediately when they couldn’t cope with the financial implication. Also, the ethics of journalism must not be compromised if a community newspaper is to succeed. It must be compliant with the ideals of a community newspaper,” he said.

He, however, challenged the editorial team of the newspaper to ensure that it publishes stories that would engender peace in the community.

In his paper, Dr. Muyiwa Popoola, a Mass Communication lecturer at the Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, said journalism is a determinant factor of achievement in any development-oriented community, saying “that is why we see journalism as the Fourth Estate of the Realm. Life would have been meaningless but for journalism. Can you imagine a community without news? Though it can exist, who has not listened to radio and read newspapers and others? In every society, the press is important.”

Popoola said there could not be any development without rural develop-

ment. “We cannot achieve national development if our rural areas are underdeveloped. If national development is to take place, people at the grassroots must be told of what is happening; and for this to be achieved, we need a community newspaper. How can community newspapers provide information? It is the commitment of the publisher and determination of the team. They need to be alive to their responsibility. The major role of a community newspaper is the same as expected of a community-oriented medium,” he said.

Contributing, the Grand Patron of the newspaper, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke appreciated the publisher for delving into publishing, urging him on sustainability.

He advised wealthy individuals to contribute to the sustenance of the medium to enable the publisher to go the extra mile, saying the publisher needs aggressive marketing strategies. He also urged them not to lose their integrity in their bid to make money.

Ajimobi lauded on transformational programmes

O

•Some of the working generating sets

intitution.

Prof. Odekunle, noted that the overriding concern should be to infuse into all programmes elements that can generate popular desire for creativity and technological innovation in every segment of the society.

He said:”These programmes should aim at inculcating in Nigeri-

From Sikiru Akinola, Ibadan

Honour for ex-Oyo commissioner

Don advocates popularisation of Science and Technology From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

O reduce the rate at which disasters occur as well as help ameliorate the suffering of victims of various forms of disaster, the West African Network for Peace Building (WANEP), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has presented a document on risk management to the Oyo State Government.

Receiving the document entitled “Multi-sector Oyo State Camp Coordination Contingency Plan” in his office, the Deputy Governor, who is also the chairman of the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA), Otunba Moses Adeyemo ýassured the organisation of government’s support, urging well-meaning individuals to assist those affected by any form of disaster.

Recalling how the August 26, 2011 flood which ravaged most parts of the state, almost gave the administration a bad ýname few months after it was sworn in, he said only God knows the number of people that died and the number of properties destroyed.

“Some people said we brought disaster but I must tell you that only God knows what will happen in the

ans an ?analytical, scientific mind to enable them confront problems encountered in everyday life, rather than engage outmoded theories and indulge practices rooted in superstition”.

The don further held that:”One of the most urgent tasks which Nigeria must undertake is the preparation of science and technology

plans as components of national development plans.

He said:”Officials concerned with making ultimate decisions on choice of technologies, suppliers, sources of finance should be familiar with complex elements of the technology transformation process. It is therefore profitable for government

policy advisers to understand the issues involved in managing technology for socio-economic development”.

Odekunle, posited that the formulation and implementation of informed technology policy will stimulate the creation of selection environment required by private sector

to effectively capture the benefits of investing in technological innovation, adoption and adaptation.

He said this can be ?achieved through accelerated human capital development programme in technology policy and its management.

YO State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi has been described as a man with a vision, who within a short period of his first term brought dividends of democracy to the people of Oyo State.

The Baale of Ido. Chief Tajudeen Adelani Akinosun Agura who said this yesterday in Ibadan, posited that Governor Ajimobi’s re-election is a confirmation of his relentless efforts towards the development of the state.

Agura described the governor as the best governor Oyo State has ever had in its political history.

He maintained that Governor Abiola’s achievements in the last four years convinced the masses to renew his mandate for another four years.

The community leader gave kudos to the state governor for committing himself to the well being of the citizens of the state despite all odds.

He explained that dualization of road projects in major cities in the state, construction of Total Gardens, urban renewal, respect to the traditional rulers, prompt payment of workers salaries among others, were the unbeatable feat recorded by the Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

“Governor Ajimobi is a sound leader with adequate administrative strategies. His coming for second term is a blessing to the entire citizens of Oyo State. I know that the governor would use the opportunity of his second term in office to take the state a greater heights in a ramification, he maintained” he said Agura said Governor Ajimobi’s persistence on people-centred policies had endeared him to the hearts of everyone.

•Ajimobi

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Succour for rainstorm victims In this season, it R is the duty of all our •Some musicians. Omosebi (left); Alhaji Ahmed Alawiye, Mr Biyi Samuel, Alhaja Rukayat Alawiye, Olayinka Babs at the event.

Artistes seek enforcement of piracy law

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HE Nigeria music performers and producers are appealing to government to help them enforce the law against film or music counterfeiting and piracy.

Speaking at the zone’s World Music Day Anniversary in Lagos, the chairman of Alimosho zone of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Mr. Omosebi Abiodun (aka Omoba), said piracy, apart from engendering financial incapacity on the members, is the

biggest threat to the music and film industry and their practitioners.

According to Omosebi, many music practitioners and producers have run into huge debt after they had produced music/film with millions of Naira. The worst, he said, is that these works are pirated before even they are released from the studio. This, he said, has caused severe loss of revenue, not only for the creative artistes, but also for the government which loses revenue in form of tax.

Omosebi, appealed to govern-

ment to assist the association by enforcing the law on piracy.

He also urged government to encourage professional musicians both morally and financially. This, he added, will be a boost for the up-andcoming artistes.

He urged government to empower the youth who are into music and film. This, he said, could be through granting them soft loans and building studios where they can produce their albums with minimum charges.

Cleric advises Buhari

A

N Islamic cleric, Prof. Sabitu Ariyo Olagoke has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to emulate the virtues of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

The cleric made the call during an interactive session with reporters at this year’s Odua news personality programme in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

According to him, the late Yar’Adua was the first governor and President to declare his assets publicly, noting that the action won him

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

so much credibility.

The cleric, a senior lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro advised President Buhari to declare his assets publicly in order to sustain his admirers’ belief in him.

He added that President Buhari should also respect the rule of law as Yar’Adua did when he did not influence the judiciary from removing five governors that were from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as commitment in the area of economic man-

agement by reducing fuel pump price from N70 to N65 during which the economy did not collapse.

Olagoke also urged President Buhari not to politicise professionalism as a way to promote speedy development and as well listen to pieces of advice from the media, make anti-graft body independent and respect rule of law.

He also enjoined Nigerians to support the present administration with prayers it to succeed in tackling various challenges before it.

ELIEF came the way of victims of rainstorm disaster in Oko in Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State as the member representing Surulere/ Ogo-Oluwa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives; Hon. Segun Odebunmi donated some relief materials to them penultimate week.

The rainstorm, which occurred on February10, this year, wreaked havoc as it destroyed houses, farm lands, shops, businesses and killed animals. It also rendered many homeless.

Through the assistance of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), relief materials worth millions of Naira were presented to the victims.

Odebunmi had earlier distributed money to the victims few weeks after the incident, apart from paying the medical bills of those who sustained varying degrees of injury during the rainstorm.

At the event which took place at the Oko Town Hall, 200 bundles of iron roofing sheets, 200 bags of cement, 300 ceiling boards , 75 bags of nail,75 packets of zinc nail, 500 pieces of blankets , 150 pieces of children’s wears, 300 pieces of mosquito nets, 400 pieces of guinea brocade, 400 pieces of ankara wax print, 300 pieces of mattress, 150 bags of rice,100 kegs of vegetable oil, 86 cartons of milo, 50 cartons of milk, 50 cartons of noodles,100 cartons of tea, 50 cartons of detergents, 50 cartons of toilet soap and 50 bags of sugar were donated to the victims.

While addressing the beneficiaries, the South-West Assistant Chief Planning Officer of NEMA, Mr. Afolayan Olusegun explained that the agency was committed to making life easier for the people

clerics not only to lead the faithful on the path of righteousness but also to expose promoters of sects that distort and corrupt the teachings of the Holy Prophet for nefarious ends.

From Sikiru Akinola, Ibadan

by offering adequate and prompt assistance to the people and community affected by any form of disaster in the country, adding that ”NEMA engages in direct distribution of relief materials because of the lackadaisical attitude of some state governments who either abandon the materials at a store or distribute it to politicians who are not affected.”

Speaking with reporters, Odebunmi said the gesture was part of his efforts at ensuring that members of his constituency are cared for as fulfilment of his electioneering campaign promises when he sought reelection.

Odebumi, who equally used the event to urge Muslims to use the Ramadan period to pray for peace and progress of Nigeria as a nation said: ”The month of Ramadan is a time

Council urges residents on environment D

ETERMINED to ensure the health of its residents, the Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State has carried out environmental sensitisation programme which will guarantee environmental cleanliness in the area, which, in turn, will engender good health for the citizens.

During the programme, the Executive Secretary of the council, Mr. Adekunle DallyAdeokun called on the residents to co-operate with the council in its efforts to rid the area of waste, so as to promote healthy environment.

He spoke during the environmental sanitation exercise held at the council headquarter recently, even as he said he would work towards ensuring that residents of various communities have attitudinal change on the environment.

Represented by his wife, Layide, he expressed the council’s discontent over the nonchalant attitudes of some of the residents who have formed the habit of dumping domestic wastes indiscriminately.

Mrs Layide Dally-Adeokun (middle); Prince Olufon (left) and the Council Manager Mr. Samson Ogabi (right).

With them is representative of Ikeja Community Development Committee (CDC).

By Emmanuel Udodinma

Stressing that unfriendly habit towards the environment could cause serious health hazards to the people, Mr Dally-Adeokun said such unhealthy trend could hamper the people’s productivity, which invariably could affect the well-being of their families and the entire community.

“A time has come in history when we must shape our actions with a more prudent care for the

environment. Through ignorance or indifference, we can do massive and irreversible harm to the earthly environment on which our lives and well-being depend. Conversely, through fuller knowledge and wiser actions, we can achieve for ourselves and our posterity a better life in keeping with human needs and hopes,” Mr. DallyAdeokun said.

He revealed that the council plans to enlighten the residents of

communities within the council area on the importance of clean environment through radio and television jingles.

The Deputy Executive Secretary, Prince Oluranti Olufon and other officials of the council participated in the exercise.

Sanitation tools such as shovels, brooms, rakes and waste disposal nylons were distributed to some residents to encourage them to keep their environments clean.

Mr Dally-Adeokun advised residents to dispose of their domestic wastes properly, even as he warned against blocking drainage channels by dumping garbage in them. This, he said, triggers health problems as well as flooding.

Linking poverty with the environment, Dally-Adeokun said “environmental pundits have raised an alarm that our environment is constantly under threats and evidences show that it equally has numerous prob-

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SOUTHWEST REPORT ‘Allegation against ex-Oyo council boss false’ From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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GROUP, Ile Titun/Oke-Odo Progressive Forum in Ibadan Southeast Local Government Area has debunked a rumour being peddled around by a dissident group with the All Progressives Congress (APC), against the immediate past chairman of Ibadan Southeast Local Government Area, Mr Abass Najeemdeen.

In a statement issued by the chairman of the group, Comrade Wasiu Adeyemo and its Secretary, Comrade Isiaka Salaudeen, the group said the allegation levelled against the former council chief aimed at discrediting his personality and intergrity in the eyes of the people and the Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led government.

The group, which described Mr Najeemdeen as a grassroots mobiliser, crusader, and human rights activist whose contributions to the socio-political development of his local government and the state cannot be written off.

The group stressed that the group consists mainly of dissident members in the area who worked for the opposition in order to cause the downfall of Governor Ajimobi during the last election.

“This dissident members needed to be reminded that since assumption of office on August 8, 2011, Alhaji Najeemdeen has been applying his intellect, experience and expertise to the reformation, repositioning and restructuring agenda of Governor Ajimobi-led administration and through his effort, he has revived and redeemed the lost glory of the council,” they said.

They group warned them to desist from all attempts capable of causing disaffection and disunity in the council area and from distracting Governor Ajimobi from delivering on his electioneering promises to the people.

•Hon. Odebunmi doing the symbolic presentation

Inside Oda Cocoa Estate Continued from pages 30-31

This is the final stage where the beans are graded and bagged. The final product can either be sold directly to the buyers or sent to the warehouse where it will be exported.

The Oda Cocoa Estate that spans through 1,774 hectares is the only government-owned estate in the West African sub-region. This has put it in a position to turn the fortunes of the state around if well managed.

Dr Oyebade revealed that the discovery of oil was not the main reason for the crisis in the cocoa industry.

“The fortune of cocoa nosedived because of the scrapping of the old cocoa board. The powers that be then scrapped the marketing board •Hon. Odebunmi, first from right, with traditional rulers

of sacrifice; a time when Muslims abstain from the physical pleasures of life and seek blessings from the Almighty Allah through the study of the Holy Quran and the teachings of the Holy Prophet. In this season, it behoves on all our clerics not only to lead the faithful on the path of righteousness but also to expose promoters of sects that distort and corrupt the

teachings of the Holy Prophet for nefarious ends.”

Continuing, he said: “This month should also be a period when all Nigerians must embrace love, peace and unity, sacrifice for the overall growth and development of the country and co-operate with government for the attainment of our national goals. I pray the Almighty Allah hears and yields

Continued on page 36

to our petitions in this holy month.”

Meanwhile, members of his constituency have expressed their gratitude to the lawmaker for the gesture. Theý Oloko of Oko land, Oba Elijah Adaramola appreciated the lawmaker’s timely intervention, saying that the gesture would, no doubt, go a long way in ameliorating the people’s suffering.

A time has come in history when we must shape our actions with a more prudent care for the environment.

Through ignorance or indifference, we can do massive and irreversible harm to the earthly environment on which our lives and well-being depend. Conversely, through fuller knowledge and wiser actions, we can achieve for ourselves and our posterity a better life in keeping with human needs and hopes lems affecting it. They reeled off these problems to include pollution, acid rain, global warning, destruction of rainforests and other wild habitats, the decline and extinction of thousands of species of animals and plants. This, invariably will lead to poverty and hunger since some of these animals and plants are sources of livelihood for people. If their assertion is unquestionable, then there is a strong link between poverty and environment.”

Also speaking, Prince Olufon said the council was worried by some residents’ non-compliance to proper waste disposal system, even as he expressed the council’s concern over indiscriminate dumping of garbage in water channels by some residents which could have devastating effects on the residents.

He therefore urged members of various communities to ensure clean environment, saying dirty environment poses threat to the

health of the citizens.

The Head of Environmental Services and Waste Management Unit, Mr. Kolawale Ajanaku said the people are always enlightened on what are expected of them in terms of keeping the environment clean.

Meanwhile, the council officials inspected some streets such as Obafemi Awolowo, Seriki Aro, Alariogun ,Shanu and Oluwole Philips Avenue, among others to during the exercise.

•Workers at fermentation shed

•Farmers depositing their pemium beans for processing

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SOUTHWEST REPORT

Fayose distorts masterplan for ex- deputy governor’s graveside Continued on page 29 WORK is going on in earnest on the building of a Women Development Centre at the graveside of the late former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Funmilayo Adunni Olayinka.

Governor Ayo Fayose had late last year promised to carry out the project in memory of the late Mrs. Olayinka in appreciation of her contribution to the development of the state and commitment to the cause of women in her lifetime.

The late Mrs. Olayinka, who died of cancer on April 6, 2013, was buried at a site designated as

Heroes Park by the Dr. Kayode Fayemi administration on April 26, 2013.

The site, which was located at Fajuyi area in the heart of Ado Ekiti, was marked out by the Fayemi administration for burial of distinguished Ekiti sons and daughters who had made their marks and performed heroic feats while alive.

At the site of the uncompleted Civic Centre across the road stands a statue of the late Mrs. Olayinka which was erected by the Fayemi administration.

No work has been carried out on the Civic Centre by the Fayose administration since it came to power

on October 16 last year.

A visit to the site on Monday by our reporter revealed a busy day for workmen and women who were working on the decking of the structure which had already been overlaid with iron rods.

Contract for the project was awarded to a company known as GRIDS ASSOCIATES which started work on the site on April 1 but had a break before moving back to the site on May 1.

Project engineer, Segun Balogun, who spoke with Southwest Report revealed that the speed of work was being accelerated to meet up with Fayose’s first anniversary in office.

Balogun explained that Fayose, whom he said, was very passionate about the project, hopes to open it for public use in October to celebrate the first year in office.

The engineer stated that funding would not be a problem to the work as funds that would see the project to its completion have been provided.

According to him, Fayose should be praised for the project for rising above partisan consideration since he (Fayose) and the late Mrs. Olayinka belong to different political parties.

Balogun said: “The governor has been giving us tremendous support on this Women Development Cen-

Inside Oda Cocoa Estate Continued on page 35

and the idea of ‘see and buy’ became the routine.

“To prove that the farmers were doing well under the marketing board, a sum of 350 pounds was gathered and put under Agbomagbe Co-operative Society by the board in the 50s.

When Chief Awolowo learnt about it, he gave them I million pounds in addition to what they had. That was the genesis of Agbomagbe Bank which metamorphosed into the contemporary Wema Bank.

“A commodities board should replace the old marketing board in order to link the farmers to the world. Produce and Allied Matters Law of 2006 is the legal instrument that backs the cocoa revolution in Ondo State. It will

give us the opportunity to produce, market, process and export cocoa. It is a costly venture but highly yielding at the long run,” Dr Oyebade said.

He further said that “the only panacea to this lingering unemployment situation in the country is agriculture through irrigation. The type of irrigation l am talking about does not require big dams such as Kanji and Owena, but requires stepping down our rivers and make dams out of them.

“We have demonstrated that in Oda Farm. Our cocoa revolution project is a high capacity tractorwater-pump-driven which collects water from the river and small streams that will be close to the farmers’ farms. Irrigation will change the face of agriculture.

He assured that in years to come,

•Dr Oyebade inside the local dryer

the state will not depend solely on the monthly allocation from the Federation Account.

“In a matter of few years, Ondo State shall be richer than Lagos State.

The cocoa revolution will enhance the revenue profile of the state and

the monthly allocation from the Federation Account will be mere peanut. While planting our 100 hectares of cocoa, we planted about 200,000 stands of plantain as a shield; that also will generate funds later.

Oyebade noted that if the coun-

tre under construction and he wants to immortalise the late deputy governor who was buried here.

“When we finish work on the structure, the roadwork that will lead to the tomb is a good design.

“The governor has no sentiment about the project, the late Mrs. Olayinka belonged to a different party but the governor who is from another party is using the project to immortalise her.

“And he is carrying out this project and financing it at a time when there is paucity of funds, I think he should be commended”. try wants a breakthrough in revenue through agriculture, the Federal Government should follow the Ondo State template and make cocoa production a source of employment generation for the country’s teeming population.

He noted that with one year into the project, it has recorded tremendous achievements which include sensitising the youth to embrace cocoa farming and production.

This aims at replacing the aged population of cocoa farmers, establishment of modern cocoa farms with early maturity period and high yielding cocoa varieties, rehabilitation of 80 hectares of cocoa farm at the Oda Cocoa Farm Estate, designed, fabricated and put to use a Tractor PTO shaft-driven, high-powered water pump for irrigation and provided employment for over 300 youths and women.

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THE NATION INVESTORS

Tantalizers seeks new funds as net loss rises to N784m

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ANTALIZERS Plc is seeking to raise new equity funds to address acute liquidity and capital inadequacy as the quick service restaurant struggles to wriggle out of a losing circle that saw net loss rising by 39 per cent to N784.3 million in 2014.

Chairman, Tantalizers Plc, Dr. Jaiye Oyedotun, told shareholders in Lagos that the company needs to urgently address its working capital inadequacy, which has been hampering its growth. Tantalizers' revenue reserves contained a deficit of N1.89 billion as a result of accumulated losses over the years. The company's shareholders' funds dropped from N2.67 billion in 2013 to N1.79 billion in 2014. Current liabilities stood at N2.25 billion in 2014 as against current assets of N493.94 million.

International Finance Corporation (IFC) holds the fourth largest equity stake of 8.15 per cent in Tantalizers Plc. Oyedotun said the company plans to raise the new equity funds through private placement.

Tantalizers' share price has been

stagnant at nominal value of 50 kobo per share.

"Pending when equity investors can be brought into the company, or other financing options achieved, we will continue to augment working capital requirement through proceeds from retro-franchising, and disposal of unused assets," Oyedotun said.

He blamed the poor performance of the company on socio-economic challenges and working capital inadequacy noting that efforts by the board and management of the company to execute an asset sale and lease back option to augment working capital did not yield result.

He pointed out that the benefit of a commendable effort by the directors to curtail administrative costs was lost in the mix of several other challenges.

According to him, the capital shortage also frustrated plans by the company to open new stores and invest in a modern central kitchen.

"It is, however, critical that the company invests in a modern central kitchen to adequately position us to satisfy our franchises' needs,

and transform gradually the supply chain side of the business," Oyedotun said.

He noted that the franchising efforts of the company have started yielding positive results, which will significantly improve incomes from royalties and materials sales through supply chain.

He said the company plans to open six new franchise stores this year as part of aggressive push for new franchise outlets, especially in new territories.

He added that the expected net proceeds from the equity private placement would be used partly to finance the central kitchen project and adequate work-in-progress materials that would ensure consistent product quality for the customers.

He expressed optimism that with the advent of a new government, major changes needed to address macroeconomic and infrastructural challenges would be effected, some of which are critical to the business of the quick service restaurant.

Audited report and accounts of Tantalizers Plc for the year ended December 31, 2014 showed that

•From Left: Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Haruna Jalo-Waziri; Senior Oil Industry Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence, Phillipp Chladek; Group Executive Director, Oando Plc, Mobolaji Osunsanya; Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Oscar Onyema; Head, Market Structure Strategy, Middle East Africa, Bloomberg L.P., Shelloua Chakri; Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Austin Avuru and Managing Director, Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc, Adetunji Oyebanji at the NSE-Bloomberg CEOs Roundtable for Banking & Oil Industries at the NSE in Lagos

‘Nigeria’s stock market has a bright future’ A UNITED States-based stockbroker, Mr Tayo Shebanjo, has said Nigerian stock market has a bright prospect and there are no immediate factors that could cause reoccurrence of the 2008-2009 depression.

Shebanjo had traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) before migrating to the United States where he obtained certification and continued operation as a stockbroker. He spoke as a guest speaker at an interactive session organised by the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) and Capital Bancorp Plc. He said current outlook for the Nigerian stock market is bright, noting that there is no immediate potential ‘time bomb’ that could cause a major dislocation in the market.

He however, urged capital market authorities and operators to exercise due process and caution in the creation and handling of derivatives.

He emphasised the need for continuous professional education, pointing out that in the US, a broker has to start the certification process all over if he is out of the market for two years.

He outlined that as part of the strong deterrent measures put in place to safeguard the US market, a broker and his supervisor as well as the stockbroking firm will be held liable if the broker gives wrong advice to his client.

Drawing a parallel between the one-size fit all capital requirement in Nigeria and the practice in the US, Shebanjo said that in the US, minimum share capital is imposed on each firm in accordance with its operations and when a firm is appointed as market maker it has an obligation to mop up every available unit of the stock on offer.

He outlined that a stockbroker must invest in knowledge, stay in touch with the market, ensure value proposition for clients, operate at the highest level of integrity and be personally organised in order to succeed in the competitive global market.

Shebanjo has the distinction of being an active Stockbroker both in Nigeria and the USA. In Nigeria, he qualified in 1992 and traded for several years, rising to the position of chief executive of top-ranked firms like MBC Securities and Oasis Capital (now Primera Africa). Thereafter, he relocated to the United States

of America where he earned further requisite qualifications and has so far had a very successful stockbroking career, working for big companies like JP Morgan Chase and his current firm, Nationwide Investment Services Corp.

Commenting on the efforts of the CIS to ensure standard, one of the institute’s senior staff, Mr Chukwudi Nga said the CIS has been making serious efforts to attract young people into the securities and investment profession. He mentioned that the institute has introduced a Professional Diploma in Securities and Investment for secondary school leavers and the successful acquisition of this diploma qualifies the holder to write the final part of the institute’s professional examination.

According to Nga, CIS, is a member of the Association of Certified International Investment Analysts (ACIIA), and CIS graduates are qualified to write the final examination of the globally recognised institute.

Mr. Nga said the CIS has also introduced a recertification examination for the institute’s graduates who have not converted to Associate status three years after graduation.

turnover dropped from N3.48 billion in 2013 to N2.92 billion in 2014.

Gross profit slipped from N1.56 billion to N1.27 billion. Loss before tax rose from N598.45 million in 2013 to N771.65 million in 2014 while net loss after tax rose from N564.82 million to N784.3 million. Loss per share stood at 24 kobo in 2014 as against 18 kobo in 2013.

Tantalizers had in 2013 received $2.5 million, about N400 million, from a protracted $7 million loan facility from the IFC. The disbursement of the loan, which was approved in 2010, started in April 2013. The drawdown was report-

edly delayed by the difficulties encountered by Tantalizers in the perfection of collateral for the loan.

Audited report and accounts of Tantalizers for the year ended December 31, 2013 showed that the company's turnover dropped from N41.20 billion in 2012 to N3.48 billion in 2013. Gross profit declined from N1.9 billion to N1.56 billion while operating loss worsened from N243.4 million to N395.54 million.

Loss before tax doubled from N263.18 million to N598.45 million while loss after tax rose from N303.47 million to N564.82 million.

Capital market regulation and the Judiciary

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N an increasingly competitive global financial system in which countries try to out-compete one another for investment inflows, governments across the world are launching reforms to strengthen their regulatory regimes. Because investors consider the strength and independence of the regulator, amongst other factors before making an investment decision, many emerging markets are empowering their financial system regulatory agencies to give investors adequate comfort and protection.

Nigeria is actually one of those countries that have strengthened regulators of the financial system by reviewing the relevant laws. The NDIC Act, CBN Act, Pensions Reform Act and the Investments and Securities Act have all been reviewed over the last decade to enhance the powers and functions of the regulatory agencies in charge of the various sectors in our financial system.

There are, however, signs of a worrying trend in which the regulatory authority of empowered government agencies are gradually being undermined by certain elements within the nation's judiciary. While the judiciary has played a key role in the development of the financial system, some latest developments are sending disturbing signals to stakeholders in the financial system and are capable of not only discouraging renewed zeal of regulators but also encourage malpractices in our markets. A case in point is the well publicized saga between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the apex regulator of Nigeria's capital market and BGL Group, one of Nigeria's largest brokerage and investment banking firms.

SEC was said to have received over 40 complaints from various investors against BGL Group and its subsidiaries between 2012 and date. The total amount involved in these complaints against BGL Group is in excess of N5.8 billion, according to statements released by the regulator.

As is the normal practice, SEC is empowered and mandated by its enabling laws and Rules to investigate investors' complaints and facilitate a smooth resolution of disputes within the Nigerian capital market.

Based on the above, SEC initiated target inspections of BGL Group and its subsidiaries to ascertain the veracity of investors' complaints. Subsequently, several all parties meetings were arranged by SEC in which BGL agreed to indemnify affected investors. However, according to the SEC, "BGL continued flouting such arrangements and reneging on promises to restitute investors". Apparently, the cases against BGL had dragged on for almost three years without any firm action from the regulator. However, things took an interesting turn when the current Director General of the Commission, Mr. Mounir Gwarzo, took over leadership of the regulatory body in early 2015. He promised to sanitize the market and maintain a posture of

By Fidelis Okonkwo

zero tolerance for market infractions.

True to his words, the SEC obtained a court order from the Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST), the recognised court of law with exclusive jurisdiction to capital market matters, allowing it to set up an Interim Management Team for BGL Group. The team was led by Mr. Oladipo Aina and started work at BGL premises on Friday April 17, 2015. To complement their work, the IMT appointed a forensic auditor to look at the books of BGL and determine its true financial health.

Shortly after the IMT's operations began, BGL approached the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to stop the work being carried out by the IMT and forensic auditors. The Federal High Court thus issued an order on April 30, 2015 asking the IMT and forensic auditors to vacate BGL premises.

Most observers must have been befuddled by this unwarranted interference since the SEC was acting based on an existing IST ruling permitting it to intervene in order to protect investors. Although SEC recognised the fact that such an order cannot vacate the existing order from IST decided to obey that court order by pulling out the IMT and forensic auditors even though they had a legal case to make that the IST, which enjoys coordinate jurisdiction with a Federal High Court, had given them an order which normally should not be overturned by a coordinate court of law.

Before pulling out, the forensic auditors had produced a preliminary report confirming the SEC's suspicion about the dire financial state of the BGL Group. Among the findings are consistent losses over a period of five years totaling more than N48 billion which was eroding shareholders' funds; billions of Naira in questionable investments in illiquid securities of unlisted companies (including a company that has even been declared bankrupt); liquidity challenges that make BGL unable to pay investors an outstanding N11 billion in matured funds among others.

In essence, BGL represented a serious risk to investors, to clients and to the market as a whole. The SEC management therefore decided to suspend BGL Group, its subsidiaries and sponsored individuals and invited them to appear before the Administrative Proceedings Committee (APC) which affords them fair hearing to defend themselves against the allegations.

Once again, BGL decided to milk the justice system to avoid answering these questions. They obtained yet another interim court injunction on June 9th 2015, mandating SEC to reverse the afore-mentioned suspensions and other related decisions. This was a strange ruling by all standards, firstly, the issue of deference to the appropriate court (IST) was ignored, and the ruling was made exparte, without putting the other party (SEC) on notice.

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THE NATION

BUSINESS PENSION

Tackling touts, fraudsters in pension management Following complaints received by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and Pension Transitional Arrangements Directorate (PTAD) about fraudsters who disguise as staff demanding money to help retirees hasten the gratuity and pension collection, stakeholders have urged retirees to be wary of fraudsters, OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO reports.

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ACK of awareness, impatience, and unwillingness to follow due process, have resulted in some retirees being fleeced by fraudsters who claim to be assisting retirees.

Despite being educated and forwarned, the retirees still patronise agents or touts to help them secure their pension benefits, rather than read and follow the stipulated guidelines and the due process.They are oblivious of the fact that they don’t have to pay anybody to access their retirement benefits This is happening against the preretirement workshops and seminars organised by the pension regulator and managers for prospective retirees both in the public service and private sector. Workshops and seminars are to broaden the knowledge of the workers under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) in order to prepare them for retirement and access their retirement benefits.

They’ve been warned to be wary of the antics of fraudsters who may want to defraud them of their pensions. Notwithstanding these efforts, some still become victims of fraudsters.

It is noteworthy to state that the National Pension commission (PenCom) is the regulatory body of pension matters in the country. PenCom has under it, the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) charged with the management of the old pension scheme, the Defined Benefits Schemes (DBS). There is also the Pension Fund Administrators(PFAs) which manages pension funds.

Pension fraud, a global phenomenon Fraud targeting pensioners is not a new phenomenon, it has been an age long crime, even in civilised societies.

This prompted several researches by different groups into this type of crime.

One of such, was conducted by Citizens Advice, which alerted those approaching retirement age that criminals are ever seeking new ways to defraud pensioners.

The group reviewed 150 cases of fraud involving pensioners and identified various kinds of such scams, including those encouraging pensioners to move their savings into a purported new pension, fake investment opportunities and those offering apparently free advice and support which actually costs money.

The organisation observed that in some cases, pensioners were charged a fee for a service that is not necessary, while in some other cases, pensioners were encouraged to send personal information and bank details, either by e-mail or phone. It therefore advised pensioners and those about to retire to be wary of the rising incidence of pension scams.

In Nigeria, many retirees are victims of pension fraud, particularly those that retired under the Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS). Many have parted with various amounts of money to induce some non-existing pension officers to approve their gratuity and pension.

Some others have received calls, telephone messages and electronic mails, demanding for money to speed up the processing of their pension and gratuities only to be duped by fraudsters.

Fraudsters often succeeded in duping pensioners because many workers close to retirement the age, are usu-

•Retirees at a sensitisation event. ally confused about how to access their retirement benefits. Dependants of missing and deceased workers and retirees also fall victims to fraudsters.

A pensioner, who pleaded anonymity, narrated his encounter with fraudsters. According to him, he got a call from someone who introduced himself as working in the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) and was willing to help him to process his gratuity and pension very fast.

He said after series of discussions, he sent his employment details to enable the man process his pension and after some days, the person called back to demand a token of N50,000 so that he will use the money to grease the palms of the people who will endorse his file.

The pensioner said he got excited and was ready to part with the money demanded since it was a very small compared to what he was expecting as gratuity and pension. The retiree volunteered to take the cash to the imposter who rather gave him an account number to pay in the money.

He said he told the man he was willing to bring the cash himself or pay with a bank draft but the imposter turned down the offer.

He then became suspicious and cut off from him and that he has not called him again, knowing his game was up.

The case of another retiree was not too different from the one above.

His caller identified himself as a staff of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and offered a similar assistance in return for some money to grease the palms of the officers who

will approve the payment. He said he got suspicious and rushed to PenCom’s office for further enquiries only to find out that the caller was a fraudster.

Many retirees, particularly those under the Defined Benefits Scheme have had similar encounters with fraudsters at different times. While some were lucky as the pensioners above, having realised in time that the people calling them were imposters, others were not so lucky. They were duped and their financial predicaments worsened before they knew what was happening.

Stakeholders in the pension industry, including regulator, retirement savings managers, and pension experts have all warned retirees and workers nearing retirement age to be wary of the activities of pension fraudsters.

Meanwhile, PenCom, PTAD as well as other pension operators and stakeholders have reminded retirees that pension is their right and they do not need to pay anybody to influence the verification and collection process on their behalf. Patronising imposters disguising as sympathisers for this purpose would amount to self-destruction and making oneself vulnerable to fraudsters.

PenCom Director-General, Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, reminded retirees that pension is their right and they do not need to pay anybody to influence the verification and collection process on their behalf.

Chief Executive, Citizens Advice, Gillian Gup, observed that scammers see pensioners as prime targets, saying “there are many people looking

to benefit from the new pension rules, including scammers”.

He said fraudsters can ruin people’s retirement plans by taking a portion or all of a victim’s pension pots.

“You are not required to pay money to anybody to be able to access your pensions and those demanding tokens to help you process your gratuity and pension are fraudsters. Be warned,” he stressed.

Documentation under Defined Benefits Scheme On PTAD’s part, itintroduced a biometric data capturing programme to provide a reliable and comprehensive database of pensioners under the scheme in the country.

PTAD’s Director in charge of the Pension Support Department, Mrs. Roz Benokagbue, said eligible pensioners under this Scheme are expected to participate in a biometric verification exercise conducted by the agency for the different organisations under its purview.

She said: “Showing up personally and presenting all relevant employment and retirement details during the exercise and follow-up ones is the only thing a retiree under the Scheme is expected to do to get his pension monthly.

“Nobody can influence this process so anybody asking a retiree to pay money to do so on his behalf is a fraudster.”

Benokagbue added that the agency makes sure that the exercise is seamless and that participating retirees enjoy a level of comfort during the exer-

‘Many retirees, particularly those under the Defined Benefits Scheme have had similar encounters with fraudsters at different times. While some were lucky as the pensioners above, having realised in time that the people calling them were imposters, others were not so lucky. They were duped and their financial predicaments worsened before they knew what was happening’

cise.

“In the future, we will just have a mild verification every six months, which will only require their fingerprint. This is just to show that they are still alive.

We now have their full details and information,” she said.

Documentation workings of the CPS

and

Under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), a worker who retired mandatorily on attaining 60 years of age or 35 years in service or retired voluntarily on attainment of 50 years of age, is expected to present an official notice of retirement or exit from last employer, his last pay slip not less than three months from the date of retirement stamped and signed by employer or any evidence of last annual remuneration and a certified true copy of the Retirement Bond certificate if he is retiring from the public sector.

If he is retiring from the private sector or self-funding ministries, department and agencies (MDAs), he will provide evidence of any accrued pension entitlements not remitted into his RSA and a confirmation of any contributions owed by his employer as well as an evidence of the terms and conditions of employment for those retiring from the private sector

About PenCom

PenCom established by the Pension Reform Act 2014 to administer, supervise and regulate all pension matters in Nigeria. Its objectives are to ensure that every person who worked in either the Public Service of the Federation, Federal Capital Territory or Private Sector receives his retirement benefits as and when due; The Commission is to assist individuals by ensuring that they save to cater for their livelihood during old age and thereby reducing old age poverty, to ensure that pensioners are not subjected to untold suffering due to inefficient and cumbersome process of pension payment

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

39

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Essiet_daniel@yahoo.com 08180714151

One year after voluntarily resigning from a leading first generation bank, Madina Sanusi made a foray into kids’ events management. She shares the story of her transition from the financial sector to catering for kids with Assistant Editor DADA ALADELOKUN.

Bank manager dumps job for kids’events F

OR over 12 years, Madina Sanusi remained an exemplary treasure to First Bank of Nigeria Plc. In the various branches where she handled banking and finance, especially in Lagos, she distinguished herself as a quintessence of hard work, industry and goal-getting.

Joining the frontline bank as a graduate trainee after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Masters in the same field (specialising in Marketing) at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Madina rose through the ranks to become an Assistant Manager, a post she held between 2010 and 2014.

Sources from the bank’s branches where she served disclosed that she was a rare breed of a workaholic as she remained implacably committed to her duties. At a point, she got a letter of commendation from the bank’s Group Managing Director, Mr Stephen Onasanya. Not a few, it was gathered, thought she had her eyes on the topmost position in the bank as a career staff. But they were dead wrong!

While she donned the toga of a Trojan horse in the process of earning her pay, she jealously harboured a burning passion in her mind: To actualise a long-nursed dream of breaking new grounds to take her destiny into her hands!

However, who is that adventurous person

•Sanusi

that would dump a lucrative job and take a risky plunge into an uncertain terrain – thick darkness of sorts? This poser remained a dagger in the heart of Madina until she summoned the courage to say final bye to the job that put sumptuous meals on her table for

over 12 years!

Her colleagues’ jaws dropped in utter shock when in May 2014, she did the unbelievable. She dropped her resignation letter and walked away. Wasting no time, she joined the world of event management by establishing what is known today as Sanus Kiddies, a flourishing event entertaining outfit for kids, based in Ilupeju, Lagos.

Explaining her transition into the private venture, Madina, who is in her early 40s, told The Nation: “My belief is that whatever you vividly imagine, sincerely believe in and enthusiastically act upon must inevitably come to pass. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong and there are always difficulties which tempt you to want to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage. My longing for greater challenges and the zeal to follow my heart/ passion caused me to resign from the banking world where I excelled.”

When asked if it was an easy decision, Madina drew a guttural breath and said: “I had wanted to leave but the fear of the unknown held me down. But one day, I just took the leap of faith and resigned; today it is history with no regrets!”

But how rosy has it been in your new business world? “I encountered roadblocks being a newcomer into the event management

world without any training, but the passion I had for the job kept me going. Today, I thank God for following my heart and daring to hop from the world of the known to the unknown,” she explained.

She reflected further: “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. One must always remember that one has within him the strength, patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. I chose to be hardworking, determined and focused on delivering results. Since my days in First Bank, expertise and competence are non-negotiable ingredients for success in this highly competitive world. I was a change agent and brand champion for the bank. These are parts of what prepared me for my today. And I believe that when you have a dream that you can’t let go, trust your instincts and pursue it. But always remember that real dreams demands work, patience and sometimes, they require you to dig very deep. Be sure you are willing to do that. These constitute my driving force.

Are you among those that are still in the grip of indecision regarding your passion or interest, Madina, mother of a practising lawyer son has this for you: “Resist your fear; fear will never lead to you a positive end. Go for your faith and what you believe in. I am a goal-getter who never believes in the word “impossible.” To me, it is an anathema.”

Not despising the days of small beginnings Tolulope Aladesuyi-Amusan’s story may well serve as a roadmap for aspiring entreprenuers. It gives an insight into the requirements for building a successful business, such as having a clear understanding of what success means and being confident to achieve success. It is a story of not despising days of small beginnings, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

T

OLULOPE AladesuyiAmusan is a young Nigerian whose tale will inspire you to aspire for greatness. A graduate of Crop, Soil and Pest Management from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, AladesuyiAmusan is an energetic young lady, action-oriented and a lover of God and fashion.

She runs a costume-jewelry outfit called EsoAra (Body Treasure) and runs the Make-A-Future project, an initiative for teenagers.

Aladesuyi-Amusan, started her costume jewelry business with N15,000 in 2011 during her national youth service. “ I started with a seed capital of fifteen thousand naira {#15,000} which was given to me by my mentor and I will never forget the remarkable way in which my first sales turned out. I made back my business capital in 4hours 30minutes on my very first outing with a total sales of #15,750. It was so encouraging for me because this was a time I knew practically nothing about how to do business plus my knowledge as related to my line of business was also little. That capital has multiplied in tremendous folds today by God’s grace.”I started out in 2011 in my final year days at the university. However, I registered the business and started out with a sense of seriousness in 2012.” She was inspired to start up the business as a result of her independent, creative spirit and love for jewellery, which is unique and showcases quality workmanship plus its greatly priced.

She had passion for beautiful accessories and an inbuilt creativity that was looking for an outlet. The result is a jewellery business that is well positioned in the market.

Today, she has built her costume jewelry business into a sought-after enterprise in South West Nigeria. “ I have a team of three people who work with me,” she began.

Her Eso-Ara brand is associated

with excellence and has carved a unique niche in the beauty industry in Nigeria in the sales of fashion accessories and costumejewellery and has a growing chain of distributors who deal in the same products. Beyond sales, she ensures the business delivers unmatched customer service.

“The creative industry is where my passion and strength lies. And it’s quite interesting that the creative industry is a huge one now and it is really adding to the GDP of our nation. It is an industry where anyone who can properly position himself will thrive, it is really an interesting industry.

More so, anything fashion comes alive to me naturally (chuckles).”

In terms of her entrepreneurial background, her parents set a really great example for her as business people.

“While growing up, I watched my mum venture into business of all sorts. She was my first role model. As I advanced in age, she went into sales of men clothing and

Creating a future for girls

I was really involved in it back then in Amuwo-odofin, Lagos. I assisted her with sales after school hours while I was in senior secondary schools. Though my parents were hardworking, it was obvious that their little income could only take care of little of the family needs. I decided to take up the challenge of not over-burdening them with my personal needs and this made me venture into business quite early. I sold eggs in the hostel in my 100 level days at the university even though students were not allowed to sell in the hostel.

During the break, I sold cold water starch’ and also did ushering jobs.

I finally started the jewelry business in my final year in 2011 and it has been worth it.”

As an entrepreneur, she naturally identifies problems and needs and provide products and services to meet these needs in a creative and profitable manner. “I will also call myself an entrepreneur because of the innovative way I have been running my business.

At EsoAra, we have created a system that empowers other young people who want to start their own jewelry line through our distributorship plan. We also have an ALIST artist who is one of our brand ambassadors. We are not just selling jewelries, we are gradually carving a niche for ourselves in the beauty industry.

Aladesuyi-Amusan is also a valuable sounding board when brainstorming new jewellery designs, or identifying and researching markets or events to attend in Nigeria .

She faced some challenges when she started.She spoke about how she was able to overcome this “ Basically it is access to funds and breaking new markets. I believe one of the reasons why our customers stick with us is our ability to bring latest and unique products to them firsthand at affordable prices. The major challenge was accessing funding resource to expand and travel to shop in new international destinations and source

•Aladesuyi-Amusan

for outstanding items for our customers.

Apart from the Eso Ara brand, she also run the MAKE-A-FUTURE (MAF) ,an initiative targeted at building visionary teenagers to think positively about becoming entrepreneurs. “The Eso Ara brand also powers the MAKE-A-FUTURE (MAF) initiative. Our vision at MAF is delivered through skill acquisition, peer mentoring and experience sharing.We also have a new commerce platform where customers who are not within our reach can get to buy our unique collection of products.”

MAF assist youths through skill acquisition, peer mentoring and experience sharing. So far, the programme has taught over 200 teenagers in skills like cake making to snacks making and Ankara accessories training.

Her source of inspiration comes from God and passion for change.

She believes women can help to make a difference by first discovering themselves and developing such potential to help the economy.

Her immediate plans are to grow a loyal customer base, and be best positioned to offer women the most authentic, beautiful and affordable jewellery range.

“I have big dreams, we are building a very strong and enviable franchise model thus empowering more entrepreneurs, maintaining high service standards and contributing significantly to the Nigerian Economy,” she submitted.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

BUSINESS AFRICA

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SON seals warehouse with N2b sub-standard products

HE Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has sealed a warehouse with over N2 billion sub-standard automobile products in Lagos.

Its Head of Inspection and Compliance, Mr Bede Obayi, said the level of sub-standard products in the country is 45 per cent, adding that SON’ ‘operation flush substandard products from the country’ is working.

Obayi, who led the team to the

By Toba Agboola and Ajose Sehindemi

warehouse in Orile, said the products were imported from China and were repackaged and branded with a known manufacturer’s brand, to confuse consumers.

He said SON gathered that the importer brought in the goods between June, last year and this

June, adding that the 194 containers had 82 inferior motorcycle spare parts.

An Indian man was arrested and handed over to the police, Obayi added.

“From our investigations, the importer imports empty packs and re-packages them with the inferior products, which is adulteration and economic sabotage,” Obayi added.

He said: “No documents show that the importer got clearance, and as monitored from the Nigerian trade hub, Ade Ori Nigeria Ltd, with address of 118 Willoughby Street, Ebute Metta is the importer of the products with no trace of registration of its products with SON.” Obayi alleged that Okwuson, a registered company under Chukan multi-ventures, rebranded the spare parts jacket.

“Daylong and Okwuson are brand names adulterated and the inferior spare parts re-packaged inside the jackets are probably from Onitsha or Nnewi, as investigation reveals,”, Obayi added.

He said there was no evidence of SONCAP certificates for the spare parts, tyres and tubes.

He advised consumers to demand the country of origin from the products they want to buy.

•From left: Head, Training, CISCON/Guest Lecturer, Dr. Olimma Ufuoma Alison; Director of Engineering, Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Dr. K. I. Idehen; Registrar, Mrs. A. S. Ewere; , Ag. Principal/Chief Executive, Mr. Avuakporeta J. Orukele; Representative of Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. O. A. Adeleke; Director, Human Resources, NLNG, Dr. Ahmed Acidah; Director of Science, PTI, Mrs. G. I. Oraka; and Director of Services, Dr. C. K. Oghene, at the Learning Managers' workshop at PTI, Effurun, Delta State.

Babcock University deploys wireless technology to connect students, teachers

UNEP gets kudos

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ORTY-THREE years after its first celebration, the United NationsEnvironmental Programme (UNEP) has received kudos for its achievements on its core mandate.

An environmentalist Opone Valentine said the introduction of June 5 yearly by UNEP as the World Environment Day, more attention have been drawn to the importance of the environment to man, adding that there had been calls and mobilisation for actions for humanity to sustain the environment.

Opone, who is an Eco Ambassador and chartered member of the National Registry of Environmental Professionals (NREP), United States, said: “ You will recall that man depends heavily on the environment for any of his actions either on survival race or developmental quest.The theme for this year’s environment day, therefore, dwelt more on responsible management of the planet’s natural resources. As it is becoming clear that people are consuming far more natural resources than what the planet can sustainably replenish or provide.

“Studies are showing that many of the eco system are nearing critical tipping points of depletion and or irreversible change.This phenomenon is occasioned by high population growth indices and massive economic development. In furtherance to this position there is also a projection that if consumption and production patterns remain the same, we will need three planets to sustain our way of life by 2050.”

He continued: Humanity must therefore avoid this as living well has been ordained to man within these planetary boundaries as the most efficient strategy that ensures a more healthy future.

He recalled that the celebration of the World Environment Day took its root from Rachel Carson famous book titled: Silent Spring. Published 1962.’ ”The book essentially demonstrated how chemical pesticides were harming birds. It was the firstever detailed account on how human actions were hurting the environment and, subsequently, more other publications and newspaper publications and crusades followed.

“Following the awareness created

by Rachel Carson publication (Silent Spring) and subsequent cru-

B •Opone

By Joseph Eshanokpe

sades, world leaders converged on June 5, 1972 to chart a course and think seriously about our planet’s future. This was first of the kind. The conference met and agreed on plans to reverse some of the damages. And top on the agenda were the issues of global warming and green house gas emission (CFC,CO,NOX) after which United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was established. ‘’ He noted that UNEP has recorded some achievements among them is the Montreal Protocol, which banned chloroform-carbon and help stop ozone depletion. Other protocol and treaties are the Bamako (Africa) and Bassel (global) convention on control of trans-boundaries movement of hazardous substances; the Koyoto protocol (1997) deals with the global climatic changes and solution. Nigeria is also signatory to those protocols and treaties as United Nations member-country.

He added:”The convergence of world leaders of 1972 is, therefore, celebrated yearly as World Environment Day. The UNEP pilots this yearly ritual with each year having a different theme.

“This year’s World Environment Day built its maxim on the need to consume with care; in planning and consumption, the sustainability of the environment must first come to mind. At the moment, the planet hosts over seven billion people.

“Finally, the only way to keep a sustainable environment is to have a re-use attitude, recycle waste, planting of trees and, ultimately, to see wealth in every waste generated for further recovery.”

ABCOCK University, Ilesan Remo, Ogun State has em braced the Total Classroom Revolution (TCR) that will wirelessly connect all undergraduates, post-graduates and certificate students, lecturers, school administrators to classrooms, chapel, halls of residence, library, and cafeteria in a campus-wide platform.

On completion, the project will help to accelerate students learning, research and social collaboration using a combination of the latest and best- in- class advanced education technologies that can only be found among top universities in Europe, Asia and America.

Its Vice Chancellor, Prof Kayode Makinde, said the technologies will connect lecturers and students in real-time collaboration, learning and problem solving, ensure through the use of a special tool for content creation, authoring and publishing capacities for lecturers. Besides, parents are integrated into the world of real- live education development of their wards.

Makinde said the institution was working with a consortium of six firms from Canada, Israel, Germany, United States, France and

India backed by two topmost Nigerian banks to deploy 12,000 customised Babcock Learning Tablets (BLT) for students with 32 Gigabit android powered 10.1 inch tablets.

The BLT each comes with solar charger that serves as keyboard designed to double the life span of the battery’ compresses bandwidth to ensure students have free access to basic internet facilities meant for education purposes only built by a Canadian company with 18 patents for its peerless education learning tablets.

Prof Makinde said the total classroom revolution is evidence of the school’s management unwavering commitment towards the continuous achievement of academic excellence that Babcock is known for since its inception “This new project will further consolidate the leadership position of Babcock as a pacesetter and the best in the league of private universities in Nigeria.”

He said the package integrates inmotion- identification biometrics (IMID), the latest and most advanced biometrics in the world today that allows for identification and authentication of students while in motion from a distance without the usual delay and health challenges that are associated with legacy biometrics

technologies.

The IMID identifies up to eight students per second using behavioral, voice and facial characteristics. It will be deployed at the halls of residence, cafeteria, and chapels in the first phase. The TCR also includes a robust school app, anti-theft software for the BLTs, push communication, Firmware-over-the-Air (FOTA), Student Management System (SMS) technologies, and others.

According to the IVETEC WiniGroup Project Manager, Mr. Akin Akintayo, the company coordinating the six consortium of companies, also to be implemented is Advanced Learning Management System (ALMS) allowing seamless recording of video and audio lectures delivered by lecturers and archiving of same to make it easier for students to review.

He said lecturers would benefit immensely from its content creation and authoring tool that puts that will help them convert their content to books and lecture notes at the speed of light to drive both students and lecturers productivity. Furthermore, Babcock will have access to over 20 features on ALMS such as student attendance and participation in classroom, social jam, etc.

Micro Station to unveil customer loyalty scheme

A

N indigenous telecoms firm, Micro Station, is planning to roll out a unique customer loyalty scheme for its existing and potential customers.

Tagged: “Great Value, Happy Customer”, the scheme is aimed at sustaining the behaviour of customers as well as acquiring new customers, who would associate with the brand, which has built the right partnerships around the world to deliver quality products to Nigerians.

The scheme, being run on the Interswitch’s electronic solution platform, would be kicked off at Micro Station, in Ikeja and will last for a year after which it will be renewed.

Its Managing Director, Mrs. Tinuola Coutroupis, said the solution was built into the conventional

Point of Sales (PoS) terminals through its trusted technical partners and a leading e-payment company, Interswitch Limited.

She said: “Unlike conventional loyalty programmes that use barcodes on card or payment and non-payment cards being used on PoS terminals, we have implemented a phone number programme as the customer identifier, as customers will just insert their phone numbers in the terminals to earn and spend their reward.

“When customers buy products up to N25, 000, they get instant one per cent discount from the PoS. We have also factored in those who are regular customers but who do not spend up to N25, 000. So, on every visit, you earn points, which you can redeem with great practical items in exchange.”

She, however, said in the promo, customers don’t have local accounts.

“What they have is their phone num-

bers. The customer’s phone numbers will work at any of Micro Station branch nationwide on the PoS terminals run on network. So, what you earned in any branch in Lagos can be used in our store in Ogun and Ibadan stores, for instance,’’ he added.

“This means that, if a customer visits up to 15 times within the year and spends N4, 000 and above on each visit, he or she gets 2.5 per cent discount profile for life at Micro Station on every purchase above N4, 000. No other brand in Nigeria offers that today and this is what makes the scheme unique,” she added.

She said having played major role in the telecoms retailing space for the last 10 years, rendering superior products and service quality in all aspects, Micro Station, through the promo, is driving the process of customer ownership, without winking.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

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1ST KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL INAUGURAL MEETING 24th JUNE, 2015 (7TH RAMADAN, 1436AH) PREPARED BY COUNCIL AFFAIRS DIRECTORATE, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, KANO.

C

omplete successful transition between the seventh (7th) and eighth (8th) Republics was attained as heralded and celebrated by the newly appointed Members of the Kano State Executive Council under the Chairmanship of Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR popularly elected to collect the baton/mantle of leadership from his “team mate” Senator (Former Governor), Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE and guide Kano State along the same positive developmental lines envisaged for the betterment of the lives of the citizenry in the State.

In this regard, Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR reiterated the following six (6) issues at the first (1st) Meeting of the Kano State Executive Council under his incumbency. Viz; a) Agenda for running/accomplishing of intentions of the present administration presented/enumerated to Council Members. b) The need for funds in relation to enormous demand from the electorate highlighted to Council Members along with the necessity to evolve strategies for achieving the envisaged objectives of Government. c) Council Members implored to conduct the activities of their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in line with the present administration’s (APC’s) Philosophy of fighting corruption, insecurity and youth unemployment. d) Cooperation/understanding of Council Members in the discharge of these activities was sought. e) Members implored to abide by the provisions in Council’s administrative guidelines. f) Hitch free commencement of activities of the present administration by respective MDAs was declared.

Essentially, the main policy thrust of the present administration in Kano State under the incumbency of Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, O.F.R is to continue with three (3) of the cardinal policies which include; • Transparency • Prudence • Accountability On this note, all the inherited commendable projects will be completed to 100% level while new ones are pursued concurrently as Government curtails its expenditure by reducing the number of its Ministries to fourteen (14) from the former (18) which brings down the total number Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to twenty one (21) as follows;

His Excellency DR.ABDULLAHI UMAR GANDUJE

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

Accountability, Responsibilities and Capability (SPARC) proposal pertaining to mandates, structure, functions, vision and mission statements as contained in its report for implementation by the SERVICOM Directorate.

Council noted, considered the further details presented and approved as requested.

2. THE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT/MAINTENANCE SECTOR Provision of useful qualitative infrastructure and ensuring its effective/serviceable utilization by the citizenry across all sectors was upheld by the Kano State Executive Council at its inaugural sitting during which approval was granted for the execution of three (3) memoranda under the infrastructural development/maintenance sector. a) Presentation on and Request for Funds to Enable Purchase and Distribution of Assorted Fertilizers(NPK,UREA) to Farmers for the 2015 Rainy Season:This presentation/request from the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources was presented to Council for consideration.

Council was tacitly reminded, through contents of this memorandum of a scheme initiated in the year 2012 called Gross Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS). The scheme involves purchase and distribution of assorted fertilizers (Urea and NPK) under a subsidy arrangement. Details were presented.

Cognizant of the advance in the 2015 rainy season, the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources forwarded the following five (5) prayers to Council for consideration. i.

Council to consider and approve the procurement of 50,000 metric tonnes (1,000,000 bags of 50Kg) of assorted fertilizers (urea and NPK) for the 2015 Wet Season at the cost of N5,500.00 per bag or N5,500,000,000.00 per 1,000,000 bags of 50Kg. ii.

Council to consider and approve the recommended Companies for the project. iii.

Council to consider and approve grant of the subsidy of N2,000.00 per bag to the farmers to be shouldered by the State and Local Governments on equal basis.

Therefore, Government subsidizes N2,000.00 of the N5,500.00 price per bag meaning N2,000,000,000.00 of the N5,500,000,000.00 price for 1,000,000 bags. iv.

Council to consider and approve the release of the sum of N20,092,500.00 as administrative charges for use of flat form to reach the farmers across the State via SMS. v.

Council to consider and approve signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the suppliers for the supply of the assorted fertilizers on terms and conditions agreed upon by both parties. vi.

That the payment of the N2,000,000,000.00 subsidy as the Contract sum to be paid by Government shall be made through a staggered payment in a minimum period of ten (10) months that is to be covered by the first (1st) Instrumentality of an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) or any other acceptable Guarantee.

Council noted, considered and approved as follows; • Procurement of 50,000 metric tonnes of assorted fertilizers at N5,500.00 per bag for distribution to farmers.

• Dealing with the recommended Companies.

• Release of the aggregate sum of N2,000,000,000.00 as subsidy for the cost of 50,000 metric tonnes (1,000,000 bags) at the rate of N2,000.00 per bag to be shared at 50% equal basis between the State and Local Government Councils (i.e. N1,000,000,000.00/ State N1,000,000,000.00 Local Government Councils.

• Beneficiary farmers to pay N3,500.00 per bag of the assorted fertilizers or N3,500,000,000.00 for the 50,000 metric tonnes (1,000,000 bags).

• Release of the sum of N20,092,500.00 as administrative charges for use of flat form to reach the farmers across the State via SMS. As such, Council approved the release of the sum of N2,020,092,500.00 for the procurement and distribution of 50,000 metric tonnes or 1,000,000 bags of assorted fertilizer (Urea and NPK) for the 2015 rainy season under the GESS Scheme.

Concerted and set to work, Council tabled seven (7) memoranda from four (4) MDAs of which approval was granted for the execution of four (4) cutting across three (3) sectors at its maiden/inaugural sitting with an expenditure of Two Billion, One Hundred Million, Two Hundred and Fifty One Thousand, One Hundred Naira (N2,100,251,100.00) covering two (2) project while the remaining two (2) are on policy issues as follows; 1. THE ADMINISTRATION SECTOR Administration is the main essence of and synonymous to governance which makes the sector prominent and carried along in every deliberation by Government cognizant to which one (1) cardinal memorandum was approved for execution under the Administration Sector at the Inaugural Sitting of the Kano State Executive Council.

Thus; Presentation of Request on the Establishment of SERVICOM Office in Kano State:The Chairman (Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR) to the sitting submitted this presentation for consideration by Council.

Genesis and ample reasons that instigated the presentation were summarized to five (5) notations which led to the forwarding of one (1) cardinal prayer on the cited issue as follows; - That Council to consider and approve the adoption of the State Partnership for

b) Presentation on the Enacting of an Executive Council Committee on Fertilizer Procurement, Distribution and Management:This presentation from the Office of the Deputy Governor/Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology was submitted to Council for consideration.

The entire exercise of agricultural production efforts and general practice is ripe and ongoing. As such the usual policy implementation regarding the cited exercise will soon be underway. Accordingly, a proposed eight (8) – Member Executive Council Committee was presented to Council for consideration as follows; i.

The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources – Chairman ii.

The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Finance – Member iii.

The Attorney General/Commissioner, Ministry of Justice – Member iv.

The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry for Local Governments – Member v.

The Representative of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) – Member vi.

The Director General Special Services Directorate – Member vii. The Representative Kano Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO) – Member viii. The Representative of Kano Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA) – Member Importantly, the Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor’s Office will serve as Secretary to the Committee while the Secretary to the State Government issues out notification for the Committee to commence work immediately. c) Request for Funds to Enable Furnishing of the newly Constructed/Renovated Office Complex for the Principal Officers and Other Honourable Members, Kano State House of Assembly:This request from the Office of the Honourable Speaker channeled through the State Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport and presented to Council for consideration.

Details on the genesis and plausible reasons that instigated submission of the request were presented along with the request for the release of the sum of N80,159,100.00 to enable immediate execution of the important project cited.

Council acknowledged the request and approved as requested so as to ensure provision of befitting working environment for the incoming Honourable Members Kano State House of Assembly for the eighth (8th) Republic.

Signed:

The Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports & Culture

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

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SHOWBIZ

NE-YO to perform at MAMA

Bimbo Akintola, Danny Glover tango in new movie

N

O

RGANISERS of the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) have announced Grammy Award-winning R&B singer, NE-YO, as one of the performers at the show, taking place at the Durban International Convention Centre on Saturday, July 18.

It would be Ne-Yo’s first time to perform in the South African city, and he is obviously excited.

“I can’t wait for you to see what I have in store Durban!

I hope you’re ready, because I am!” he said.

Since smashing onto the top spot of the Billboard Hot 200 Chart back in 2006 with his sophomore single “So Sick”, NE-YO has spent the last nine years churning out hit after hit, not only as a performer, but as a songwriter for his megastar peers Beyoncé, Rihannaand the late Michael Jackson to name but a few.

Multiple platinum singles, four hit albums and three Grammy Awards later, the hit-maker is ready to share his latest work, and songs from his sixth studio album ‘Non Fiction’ with the world. ”We are thrilled to have NE-YO join us in Durban.

• Emma Nyra

• NE-YO

He’s an incredible artist who will elevate the MAMA to new highs,” says Bruce Gillmer, EVP, Music, Talent Programming and Events, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN).

According to Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, “We are very excited to welcome NE-YO to MAMA 2015 for his first ever appearance in Durban. As a sensational live performer and truly accomplished R&B star, NE-YO’s an all-round class act who will greatly complement the African performers on the show.”

MAMA celebrates the evolution of African musicians

by recognising contemporary artists and trailblazers across a range of music and lifestyle categories.

Organisers say the MTV Africa Music Awards KwaZulu-Natal 2015 will broadcast live across Africa on MTV Base (DStv channel 322), MTV (DStv channel 130) and BET (DStv channel 129) on Saturday 18 July at 21:00 CAT. The show will also be transmitted worldwide on partner stations and content platforms including BET International from 18 July. In addition, a special MAMAthemed edition of MTV’s acclaimed World Stage franchise will air globally on MTV channels around the world on 27 August 2015.

OLLYWOOD actress Bimbo Akintola will, according to recent reports, lead the cast of a biopic in honour of the late Dr Stella Adadevoh.

Sources said American actor Danny Glover is part of the cast.

The biopic is a project that has given birth to a partnership between Terra Kulture boss, Bolanle Austen Peters, filmmaker Steve Gukas and Dotun Olakunrin.

The movie centres on the Ebola crisis that hit Nigeria and other countries several months back, and the brave effort of the late Adadevoh, who died after coming in con-

• Bimbo

tact with Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian, who was responsible for the spread of Ebola in Nigeria.

Details on the movie are still sketchy, but it was gathered that its producers are looking at a 2016 premiere for the movie. Talks are on with thespians that have been penned down for the production.

BET has no respect for African artistes, says Fuse ODG •As Wizkid, Yemi Alade loses to Ghana’s Stonebwoy

By Adewoyin Adeniyi

T

HE 2015 BET Awards have come and gone, leaving in its trail, a lot of reactions.

BET is one of the many awards most African artistes dream to win, but winners from Africa are given their awards back stage and don’t have a chance to receive their award live or give a live thank you message, which are usually pre-recorded.

However, some have even defended BET, claiming that they didn’t receive their award backstage even when it was clear they did.

One artiste who is not happy about this practice is Azonto crooner, Fuse ODG. The artiste took to his social media page to express his disappointment about the award saying; “Dear @BET the reason why I didn’t come is that you give our awards backstage, you have no respect for our hard work and achievements.”

Fuse ODG is a Ghanaian singer who was born in London and has hits such as Antenna, featuring American singer Wyclef Jean, and Azonto among others.

Meanwhile, Ghana’s Dancehall star Stonebwoy defeated Nigeria’s Wizkid and Yemi Alade in the Best International Act: Africa category at Sunday’s star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles.

Stonebwoy beat Aka (South Africa), Fally Ipupa (Dr Congo), Sarkodie (Ghana), Sauti Sol (Kenya), The Soil (South Africa), Wizkid (Nigeria) and Yemi Alade (Nigeria) to take home the prestigious prize.

Emma Nyra salutes females on Canadian tour

By Joe Agbro Jr

J

UDGING from her social media posts, Americanborn Nigerian singer, Emma Chukwugoziam Obi, popularly known as Emma Nyra is definitely rocking her ongoing Canadian tour.

The Health Administration graduate of the Texas Southern University showed appreciation to all the females supporting her during the tour.

Posting an appreciation including a ten-second video session, on her Twitter page on Sunday, Nyra wrote, ‘Thank you for the love Canada. My females that showed me love and came out to support me. I do this for you.’

The artiste had announced she will be performing on June 26 at the Envy Lounge in Calgary, Canada. This, she revealed, is in addition to several other venues.

‘Canada tour is so amazing! Blessings to all the women I met who helped and supported me! That’s how we will all win together,’ Nyra who sang Kolo Eh and Burn Dem, had posted in an earlier tweet.

The tour is being put together by WakaWaka and Elite Entertainment.

In recent times, Nyra was the topic of gossip when she left Made Men Music Group amidst controversies about her working relationship with her former boss, Ubi Franklin.

By Ovwe Medeme

Nigerian cartoon goes on TV soon

N

IGERIAN kids are set for an exciting time as a new, proudly Nigerian cartoon, Adventures of Turtle Taido, hits the screens in August.

The series is about a turtle that travels to different Nigerian cities in search of knowledge and adventure. In the process, he learns about the different people, cultures and places of interest in the country.

According to a press release from the producers, there has been a gradual erosion of our culture in the way Nigerian children are being raised, with most of them in the urban areas unable to connect with cultural values.

‘Turtle Taido teaches our cultural practices and values in an educative, engaging and entertaining way. The series has been developed for children aged 3 to 11years. It will also be enjoyed by people of all ages, because there is so much to learn.’

The series employs 2D animated cartoon, which will effectively connect with the kids. A global team of more than 50 people drawn from Nigeria, Europe and America is working on the series, which is being produced in 4K resolution, the highest standard available in the world today.

Senior Prefect is Bull Fuji Talent Hunt winner

A

FTER weeks of traversing the South West, Intercontinental Distillers Ltd, under the aegis of its talent hunt show, Bull Fuji Talent Hunt, has discovered yet another budding star. The finale of the third season of the show, which took place on Sunday, June 14 was held at Jogor Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The event saw 26-year-old Muftau Alabi Bakare, aka Senior Prefect emerging the overall winner, beating 12 other contestants from Ibadan, IjebuOde, Abeokuta, Osogbo, Akure and Ilorin zone to the race.

Jimoh Azeez from Osogbo zone came 2nd place, while Seun Ayinde from Ijebu-Ode zone came 3rd at the competition. On ground to add colour to the event were Taye Cur-

By Ovwe Medeme

rency, Bukola Apeke (Yeye Oganla) and comedian Mukaila Senwele among other entertainers.

For emerging winner, Senior Prefect received prizes ranging from cash reward, musical instruments and a recording contract. He was also automatically named Bull Brands ambassador for next year.

Jimoh Azeez also got a Digital Yahama keyboard, N200,000 and Bull Brands drinks while Seun Ayinde, went home with N100,000, a saxophone and other prizes.

Present at the occasion were members of the Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria (FUMAN) including its Na-

tional President, Moroof Ayinde Shado.

Addressing guests at the event, Shado described the Bull brands and Fuji music partnership as one that works.

“When IDL started this project some years back, we were delightful and since then, the company has been fulfilling all its promises. We trust they will keep doing the good work,” he stated.

Bull Fuji Talent Hunt is a platform that seeks to explore the untapped Fuji music potentials for upcoming artistes. The event is Packaged by Kingsize Entertainment and has in the past produced two winners; Nurudeen Atanda, aka Antenna and Idriss Akanbi, aka Aloma in both Season 1 and 2 respectively.

• From Left: Mr. Kunle Seriki (som west 2), Mr. Zekeri Dokpesi (bull brand manager), Muftau Alabi, Fuman president Alhaji Moroof Shodo and head of marketing (IDL) Mobolaji Alalade

45

WEDNESDAY JULY 1, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

EKITI POLITICS

Things have not been the same for the Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) since the party was defeated at the governorship poll last year. In the recent general elections, the party could not bounce back. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA examines the crises in the fold.

•Fayemi

•Ojudu

•Bamidele

Ekiti APC...A divided house R

EVERSAL of fortunes has been the lot of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State. Since the party lost last year’s governorship election, it has been battling with protracted crises.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Ayo Fayose, defeated former Governor Kayode Fayemi in controversial circumstances.

Although Fayemi conceded defeat, APC challenged the result of the poll at the Election Petitions Tribunal.

But, the tribunal presided over by Justice Mohammed Sirajo dismissed the petition.

The party also lost at the Court of Appeal as a five-man jury, led by Justice Abdu Aboki upheld the decision of the Lower Tribunal.

Also, the Supreme Court, in a judgment delivered by Justice John Fabiyi on April 14, not only placed a judicial seal on Fayose’s victory, but also declared his purported impeachment as illegal.

As legal fireworks were going on, the wound inflicted on the APC at the 2014 governorship election was still festering and it triggered a blame game among chieftains.

The APC failed to put its house in order as last year’s general elections gathered momentum.

Although the party succeeded in organising primaries that produced its National Assembly and House Assembly elections, it was obvious that achieving success at the polls would prove a Herculean task.

Many party members were disturbed that leaders who supposed to provide leadership for them deserted the party.

They claimed that the party’s candidates were like “sheep without shepherd” during the campaign, unlike the PDP candidates who were supported by Fayose.

Some leaders blamed by party members included the three former governors, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Chief Olusegun Oni (now APC Deputy National Chairman-South), Dr. Fayemi, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Senator Anthony Adeniyi, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, House of Representatives members, the APC Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe

Action Group caucus predicated its formation on the need to “bail the party out of the doldrums and lift the morale of party faithful, which has been at an all time low since the June 21, 2014 governorship election to an all time high and some state EXCO members.

According to party members, Adebayo, Oni, Fayemi and Ojudu were more interested in the election of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as the president.

They said the leaders failed to back the party with their resources, a situation which placed the party at a disadvantage against the PDP that had a huge warchest for the election.

Awe was not available for the campaign. The Fayose administration is pursuing a murder case against him at the High Court.

The complaints against these leaders reached a crescendo during the violent attacks on many APC candidates and members by suspected agents of the PDP. Many APC candidates, especially the immediate past House of Assembly members who were seeking re-election, were run out of town by suspected agents of government who made it impossible for them to campaign.

During the 2011 general elections, the party won the three Senate seats, the six House of Representatives seats and 24 out of 26 House of Assembly seats.

During the recent election it lost the three Senate seats, the six House of Representatives seat and the 26 State Assembly seats to the PDP. The most painful was the State Assembly results.

Some of the factions existing in the party include the mainstream APC led by Awe, which is loyal to Dr. Fayemi, the Action Group led

by Ojudu, which has many aggrieved officials and party leaders who served during the immediate past administration, the Restoration Group formed by the immediate past House of Representatives members, the Justice Forum led by Chief Adeniyi and the Bibiire Coalition led by Opeyemi Bamidele.

The Bibiire Coalition began a working alliance with the Action Group, shortly before the presidential poll when Bamidele appeared at the party’s presidential rally in Ado Ekiti.

Although Bamidele made it clear that he was still in the Labour Party (LP) at the time, he and his supporters would work for Buhari at the presidential poll and support the LP candidates at other elections after which he would join the APC after the election.

Bamidele has since defected to the APC with his supporters. But, some ward executives in his native Iyin Ekiti are kicking against his return to the party. This is a sign that the acrimony of the past is far from over.

The Action Group is the most vocal and active of the factions in the Ekiti APC. The group, which is led by Ojudu, has other officials of the Fayemi administration, including former Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Ganiyu Owolabi, former Commissioners, Funminiyi Afuye, Mrs. Ronke Okusanya, Mrs. Bunmi Dipo Salami; former Special Adviser, Biodun Akin-Fasae and other aggrieved members.

The Action Group caucus predicated its formation on the need to “bail the party out of doldrums and lifting the morale of party faithful, which has been at an all time low since the June 21, 2014 governorship election to an all time high”.

It’s spokesperson, Segun Dipe, said the group came to re-awaken the low spirit of members of the party.

Dipe recalled how the party lost the governorship election, despite the advantages at its disposal, how the loss disunited the members, how the party leadership failed to summon a post election review meeting to know what

went wrong and how the members who were in disarray could not be rallied together.

“The opposite of action is inaction. Progressivism and activism are what APC should be known for and these are what our group stands for.

“We saw the party in a precarious state immediately after the election. We called on our leaders to take action by reviewing the election, returning to the drawing table, calling members, telling them what went wrong and restoring them to a state of equanimity in anticipation of future elections, but no satisfactory response came from them.

“What happened next was that the APC lost the two subsequent elections to the amazement of the people”.

Dipe added: “We have woken up our party from the sleepy mode it went into after the illfated June 21 2014, we have re-awakened the spirit of progressivism within our party members, we have aligned with other groups to expand the APC frontier in the state.

Bamidele’s Ekiti Bibiire Coalition is another faction.

Bamidele said he consulted widely with his followers and the national leadership of the party before refusing to the party.

He said: “Our coming together with those that were there before will further strengthen the party”.

He praised the national leaders of the party including Gen. Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and his predecessor, Chief Adebisi Akande, for their roles.

He said that, with his entry into APC, the party would not be “the same APC the electorate rejected three times at the last general elections”.

Bamidele reflected on why he left the ACN for the LP. He said: “My decision to contest for the governorship of Ekiti State was borne out of my innate conviction and that of many like-minds of mine, most of whom are illustrious sons and • Continued from page 46

THE NATION WEDNESDAY JULY 1, 2015

46

Let us learn from the mistakes of the past, go back to the drawing board and ‘fashion out a winning formula. The doors of the party should not be shut against anyone that is willing to join as long as they subscribe to the ideology of the party

’

POLITICS • Continued from page 45 daughters of this great State, that though the ACN-led administration then was doing its best, however, its best was not enough for our much expectant but highly disillusioned people .

“Invariably, I would have loved to stand in for the gubernatorial race on the platform of the ACN as a vision-driven progressive party under the leadership of an equally dynamic leader, benefactor and mentor of mine, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“But when it became apparent that party primaries for candidate selection was not likely to hold in the Ekiti Chapter of the ACN/APC, I had no choice at some point in the course of expressing my intent to offer our people a better leadership, than to move to another suitable party where I could be offered the ticket to contest in the ensuing governorship election.

“All of us the candidates contested on different platforms for the number of seat in the State. But as we all know in any contest, someone must emerge the winner.“ But, some party leaders in Bamidele’s hometown of Iyin Ekiti are not comfortable with his return to the progressives fold accusing him of contributing to its failure at the last governorship election.

APC leaders in Iyin listed conditions for his re-admission.

In a joint communique signed by the APC Chairmen in Iyin Ward A, Ope Ogundele, and Iyin Ward B, Folorunso Adeuyi, the party leaders said they are not happy with the way Bamidele defected to the Labour Party (LP) in 2013.

The communique read in part: “Two years after his election, he dumped the party to join the Labour Party as a sole financier and as soon as he joined the Labour Party on the excuse that APC formation was alien to his belief, he became a torn in the flesh of APC. “He and his cohorts decided to pull down the structure of our party using all means and machinery at his disposal while also dissipating energy and resources to sponsor Labour Party candidates against APC candidates at all levels, thereby jettisoning his campaign promises”.

While admitting that though the Nigerian constitution allows freedom of association and exit from that association, they expected Bamidele to conduct consultations within the grassroots party structure? before organizing defection ceremony to join APC. “The leadership was shocked on learning of his defection through the media. Bamidele neither came to his ward nor was he received by any party leader in accordance with the rules and regulations of our party.

“We want to state unequivocally that we are unaware that he has defected to APC. “We are saying emphatically that Bamidele shall be welcomed to the party whenever he is ready to come down from his high horse and abide by the laid down rules and regulations of our party guiding defectors.”

Bamidele is believed to be enjoying the confidence of the national leaders who see him as a mobilizer and a rallying point.

The Action Group and Bibiire Coalition worked together during the presidential election.

The Restoration Group was formed by five former House of Representatives members.

They are: Bimbo Daramola (Oye/Ikole), Robinson Ajiboye (Ido Osi/Moba/Ilejemeje), Bamidele Faparusi (Gbonyin/Emure/Ekiti East), Dr. Ife Arowosoge (Ekiti Southwest/ Ikere/Ise Orun) and Oyetunde Ojo (Ekiti

Ekiti APC...A divided house This party has potentials to bounce back, if we get our acts right and there should be no room for selfaggrandizement, blame game and division because 2018 is just around the corner West/Efon/Ijero).

The Restoration Group says it has commenced mobilisation ahead of the next governorship election in 2018.

It is believed that one of the five former Reps is being positioned for the party’s ticket.

Much has not been heard from the Justice Group, which is led by Prince Ola Adeniyi, a chieftain of the party from Ikole.

The Justice Group is pushing for what it called “indigenous candidates” for various elective and appointive positions.

The group believes that majority of those who had held governorship seat and other positions are not based in Ekiti hence they cannot understand the feelings and yearnings of the people.

Can Ekiti APC put its house in order?

Observers believe that for the APC in Ekiti State to play its role as the leading opposition party, there must be genuine and sincere reconciliation.

Many party leaders, who have one grouse or the other as a result of their unfulfilled expectations during the Fayemi administration, must be appeased and their grievances looked into.

The reconciliation, the observers believe, must reach all the 177 wards. How the recon-

ciliation will be carried out remains to be seen.

Well-meaning party members are also calling for the dissolution of the party executives at the ward and state levels to reposition the party for future challenges.

Some party members believe that the party leadership, as presently constituted, is skewed in favour of one of the caucuses and cannot lead the party to victory in future elections.

An APC leader in Efon Local Government, Chief Joseph Alake, is one of the advocates of re-organisation of the party.

Alake, who spoke with our reporter while he led members of the party to celebrate the inauguration of Buhari on May 29 in Efon Alaaye, said the dissolution of the party executives at all levels is what is presently needed to launch the party back into reckoning.

The Efon chief said: “This party needs to be reorganised, there is need to dissolve all the present excos at the unit, ward, local government, senatorial and state levels to allow a breath of fresh air in the party.

“We need to tell ourselves the truth, although God has given our party power at the eternal level for the first time since the nation returned to democracy in 1999, the chapter in Ekiti needs repositioning.

“It is obvious that the same set of people leading the party cannot continue to remain in office. Our party is currently facing serious challenges, there are some issues that need to be addressed in good time.

“We urge the national leadership to, as a matter of urgency assist the party in Ekiti to be back on its feet and challenge the excesses of the PDP government.”

Another chieftain, Gabriel Olaofe, expressed optimism that despite the challenges facing the APC in Ekiti State, the future is bright.

Olaofe who is the former APC Secretary in the defunct Ifedara Local Council Development Area, urged all feuding party members to sink their differences and come together to make the party an election-winning platform.

“This is not the time to be apportioning blames, we should put the defeat of last year

behind us and forge a united front to tackle the misrule and dictatorship prowling the Ekiti political landscape.

“This is the time to carry out a thorough and genuine reconciliation process and lay the foundation ahead of the future elections most especially as the 2018 governorship election is fast approaching.

“Let us learn from the mistakes of the past, go back to the drawing board and fashion out a winning formula. The doors of the party should not be shut against anyone that is willing to join as long as they subscribe to the ideology of the party.

“All shades of opinion should be accommodated in the party leadership to make it a party that’s ready to win back power within a very short period of time.”

A chieftain in Ijan Ward in Gbonyin Local Government Area, Taiwo Olawuyi, urged those who would be privileged to be appointed to positions in the APC-led Federal Government to be closer to the local chapter of the party.

Olawuyi said: “I want to charge our party members that will be appointed to key positions at federal level to give back to the party at their wards, local governments of origin and the state levels.

“This is not the time to remain perpetually in Abuja and abandon their home base. The party in Ekiti needs serious financial, material and moral support at time the party is no longer in power in the state.

“There should be an aggressive and continuous membership drive because Ekiti people have seen what the PDP has to offer in terms of illegality, constitutional breaches, violence, dashed hopes and expectations of civil servants, among others.

“This party has potentials to bounce back, if we get our acts right and there should be no room for self-aggrandizement, blame game and division because 2018 is just around the corner”.

The people of Ekiti State are watching whether the APC would be back to the winning ways in no distant time or allow itself to be ruined by avoidable self-inflicted crisis.

•President Muhammadu Buhari (standing), with Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa (on Buhari’s right), and some Permanent Secretaries, during the Breaking of Ramadan fast at the Presidential Villa, Abuja ...yesterday PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN.

‘Implement confab recommendation on revenue sharing formula’ A

•Oyintiloye

MEMBER of the Osun State House of Assembly representing Obokun Constituency, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has called for the implementation of the 2014 National Conference Report, especially the allocation sharing formula, to bail the states out of its economic crisis.

Oyintiloye, who on spoke the states’ inability to pay their workers’ salary, said the implementation of the formula was necessary to give the states and local governments more funds to stabilise the economy.

According to him, the existing sharing formula, whereby the Federal Government takes 52.68 per cent, leaving the 36 states with 26.72 per cent and 774 local governments with 20.60 per cent, is detrimental

By Sina Fadare

to the economy of the states.

He explained that the situation requires that more money should be given to states and local governments. Oyintiloye said the recommendations that 42.5 per cent, 35 per cent and 22.5 per cent should go to the federal, states and local governments respectively are laudable.

The lawmaker, who lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to refund the money expended on federal projects executed by states, said the gesture would only provide immediate succor to states.

“Presently, Nigeria is in eco-

nomic crisis, and that is why states find it difficult to pay salaries for months and we must explore long term and sustainable means to resolve the crisis.

“The truth is that states and local governments need more fund to be made available to them and in my view, we must ensure the systemic implementation of 2014 national conference report on the revenue allocation formula to achieve this “The President can exercise his discretion to implement this portion, as a matter of urgent national importance aimed at solving the economic problem”, he said.

While describing the outcome of the National Conference, its recom-

mendations and documents as national property, Oyintiloye noted that investment of the Federal Government on the conference should not be allowed to go down the drain, adding that the baby should not be thrown away with the bath water.

He also applauded the commitment of the Buhari Administration to block leakages and ensure the recovery of funds stolen by government officials, who had abused their offices.

The legislator said the decision to halt the misuse committed with the Excess Crude Account since 2011 and the stoppage of payment of national revenue into any account other than the Federation Account, would assist the government put the economy back on track.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

47

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

A team of United Kingdom-based Nigerians were in a Lagos community for charity works during their yearly vacation last week, reports SUNDAY OGUNTOLA

• GAMP officials handing over a goody bag to a beneficiary

R

EMI Badozi, an immigration officer in the United Kingdom, works long and hard. So, workoffs and vacations mean so much to her. This year, her plan was to be at the exotic beaches in Spain for a welldeserved rest. Everything appeared set until she realised the Grace and Mercy Programme (GAMP) of a group she belongs to was scheduled for June.

She dropped all her engagements and family ties, headed for Lagos for the GAMP in company of no fewer than eight team members from the UK. “I had no hesitation in cancelling all previous arrangements to be here,” she said, adding. “There is no way on earth I would miss a charity work for anything.”

The team ran an eight-day empowerment scheme for residents of Isawo Community in Lagos, which ended last week. No fewer than 1,000 members of the community benefited from the charity activities of the group. Food items, clothing, shoes and medical check-ups were offered freely to residents.

Badozi said there was no greater feeling than giving back to her native country. “I feel refreshed and fulfilling seeing the joy on the faces of people. There is something helping others does to one’s humanity. I feel great with myself and perfectly at peace,” she explained.

She said spending her vacation for a charitable cause was exhilarating. “Yes, I could have been in Spain, at a remote beach enjoying myself and relaxing. But this is the perfect way of vacationing for me. It feels great to spend time helping others cope with economic and social pressure. It is something I would

O

SAZUWA Osagie’s name and paintings are not new to most arts collectors in Nigeria. What perhaps are not too common of the former cartoonist at the defunct National Concord and recently The Nation on Sunday are his paintings done in acrylic. Churning out paintings in acrylic is one decision he took recently to correct the erroneous belief that acrylic as a medium is ‘inferior’ or less popular to oil.

In his solo art exhibition entitled My Journey in acrylic, opening at the Quintessence Gallery, Admiralty Way, Lekki, Lagos on Saturday, Osagie is presenting about 25 paintings in acrylic focusing on landscape, seascape, life and more importantly issues bothering on child abuses. Despite the seeming low popularity of the medium Osagie is believed strongly that his exhibits at the show will turn many heads. However, he noted that he is exhibiting primarily to make statement about his new forms as well as to promote the acrylic as a medium.

“To me, exhibition is not primarily about sales, but to keep your name in the minds of

From UK with charity CHARITY never trade off for anything,” she said.

Chima Ihenacho is into shipping business back in the UK. He also runs a digital and mobile solutions firm across the UK where he has resided in the last 12 years. But for some weeks in June and July, he is putting business considerations in the back foot to participate in the charity works.

“I look forward to my annual vacation because this is how best I love to spend it. It is refreshing to be able to draw smiles from people and help them out of the woods. When people smile at you while helping out, a glow comes into your heart. There is nothing that can replace that feeling,” he said.

Ihenacho, said: “Of course, we spend a lot of money to come on our own. You don’t even want to talk about it but that is nothing compared to helping people smile in a place where there isn’t much to smile about.”

He is delighted he has imbibed the culture of giving back, especially to his fellow Nigerians. “I just feel that life is not just about grabbing and grabbing. There comes a time in one’s life that you realise the greatest happiest is in helping others overcome challenges of living.

“Some of us have travelled to Europe and imbibed their values. So, what we are doing is bringing them back home. UK is an aidgiving nation and we want to replicate that too in our own little way. We are creating a chain of change and it is so reinvigorating,”

he added.

A sweat dropped from his chin as he packed the charity items into what the team called the goodies bag. Reminded that he shouldn’t be working this hard at a time he should be on vacation, Ihenacho let out a big smile. “It’s fun actually. It may be a little stressful physically but it is mentally fulfilling. You get to rest your bones after a few hours, you know, “he reasoned.

Mrs. Tina Adewemimo has been nurse in the UK for almost nine years. She first participated in GAMP last year. “The experience was touching for me. It was a great privilege that we could give back and the people were so friendly and grateful.” This year, she almost didn’t make it. But she considered it a miracle she was granted her annual leave she applied for it.

“It is summer time in the UK and this is when everybody wants to be on leave. I asked for it and was granted. I’m happy because a part of me would have been sad if I couldn’t make it,” she stated. Adewemimo, who was part of the medical team, said working while on vacation was a great idea.

“I am enjoying myself. This is the best way to rest. I tell you what when you help others, you don’t get tired. You can always draw from your inner strength and a part of you is fulfilled. So, I have no complaints. I’m having the time of my life and will keep coming for as long as there are people to help.”

Mrs. Lola Oseni runs a travel agency based in the UK. But making money will have to wait

for some weeks because she is in Lagos for the charity works. “This is what I love to do. I’m just bouncing in my heart. I feel great; I feel good. I feel elated,” she stated as she worked on the goodies bag.

“For me, there is no rest when there are needs to meet. You cannot rest when there are people suffering. You get overwhelmed looking at the level of poverty here. But it also makes you want to stop at nothing to help. So, this is it for me. This is where to be. I don’t feel out of place at all,” Oseni shared.

Beyond giving out food and clothing to meet immediate needs, the team also empowered four graduates of its Grace Fashion Institute with sewing machines. Each of the graduates received N30, 000 for take-off. “The plan is to teach them how to fish as against just handing them fish every year,” Pastor Atinuke Adesanya, the team’s leader said.

Adesanya, senior pastor Grace to Grace International Church, said: “We are in Isawo to make a difference. We want to completely transform the community. We have started already and we hope to do much more. We believe that lifting people is the way to go.”

She stated that the team had concluded plans to construct a free purpose-built walk-in hospital for the community where residents can receive free medications and treatment. “In the next one year, the clinic will be functional. There would be a doctor and nurses from the start that can attend to people. We believe health is wealth. A healthy community will make prosperity easier,” she added.

Despite the inconveniences and costs during the trip, the team said they would be here in 2017.

‘My journey in acrylic’

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

VISUAL ART collectors and enthusiasts. In fact, any versatile artist must not rely on sales from exhibition to survive. This is because there are lots of other avenues through which an artist can make money.

Above all, this show is to affirm that acrylic is not inferior to oil, which many collectors appreciate much more than acrylic,” he said at a sneak preview of his works. Osagie said most of his oil paintings are in large size canvasses unlike those in acrylic, which are done spontaneously and smaller in size for easier pick.

Asked of his cartooning strips, he said he is missing that part of his art, which he has done

for so long. But, because of his experiences at the defunct National Concord newspaper where he couldn’t retrieve his old cartoons, he now takes proper care of preserving his new cartoons.

Little wonder, some bonded copies of his cartoons at The Nation on Sunday occupy prime place on the book shelves in his studio. To him, the copies are also a testimony that I have done newspaper cartooning successfully apart from being a studio artist.

The Auchi Polytechnic trained fine artist is equally at home with sculpting, which he said, is his next assignment. “Sculpting is part of me way back from school. I sculpt but do more of commissioned job. I hope to hold a solo show featuring sculptural pieces and paintings,” he said.

My journey in acrylic will run for a month at Quintessence Gallery, Lekki, Lagos.

•Ikorodu by Osagie

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Obaseki on Muson stage

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T was a rare moment for young thespians as pupils of Childville Schools, Ogudu, Lagos presented Agho Obaseki, a part of Don Pedro Obaseki’s play - Ovonramwen Nogbaisi at the fifth edition of her yearly stage play presentation.

The performance, which ran for two hours, was presented at the MUSON Centre, Lagos penultimate Friday. It was witnessed by pupils from the school and other schools, such as the Grange College, Ikeja. It didn’t exempt the presence of parents who jointly applauded and commended the performance.

The play centres on the travails of the then Oba of Benin, Oba Ovonramwen •A scene from the performance Nogbaisi, and his people. In 1897, the BritBy Francis Abidoye ish launched a punitive expedition, sacked Benin City, sent the Oba on exile DRAMA to Calabar and took over the area to establish a British colony to further its comRotimi, Things Fall Apart by Chinua mercial interest.

Oba Ovonramwen later died in exile Achebe and Oba Ovonramwen that rein 1914. After the exile of the Oba to vealed those traditions, we want them to Calabar, the British used Obaseki to ter- be able to learn how to speak in public rorise the Benin people to gain access to like our fathers did in the past as they their culture, and Obaseki used the op- spoke out for their rights since they were portunity in a wrong way by misbehav- actively involved in situations around ing. But the position of the Oba was taken them, and we want them to be able to use the stage which are life skills that we back by his son.

According to Mrs. Ettah Ezinwanne want to them to be exposed to.”

She noted that the schools management the Head of Secondary, the yearly stage has carefully and specifically selected play presentation was aimed at making the pupils knowledgeable of historical drama as a genre of art in bringing the events of our country. She said a lot of mission to reality because drama as a learning can be extracted from it and genre of art is more encompassing; enrichmake them develop the artistic side pos- ing and more beneficial to the pupils since it constitute music and poetry. sessed by every child.

Ettah urged other schools to venture “We want our pupils to know and understand some of the things that hap- into likely strategy that Childville has put pened before now, we also want them to in place by using the little that is within know some traditional things that shape their power for presentation and engagour future as we have done plays like ing in class drama to assist their pupils.

Moremi, The gods are not to blame by Ola She said the school is looking forward to

making the annual presentation opened for all to witness that the benefits embedded in it may get across to all and sundry.

The director of the play, Gboyega Jerome a seasoned thespian who had worked with gurus of theatre like Ben Tomoloju, Bayo Oduneye, and late Chief Hubert Ogunde said that with what the pupils are manifesting on stage, there won’t be deviation from what they are being taught on the profession because the Nollywood stars today are more financially capable than some bank officials. He added that drama would be taken by the young stars as a means of living or a hobby. He said the pupil can do better in future if they are well trained starting from now and made to see the right approach to a bright future from now.

“When we talk about Richard Mofe Damijo and other big Nollywood stars, they started from somewhere so we are to start with the kids from now.”

Jerome noted that the stage play that featured seventy one casts is of high relevance to the society as it connotes that every individual should stick to whatever belong to

African Story berths at Thought Pyramid

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NEW chapter was opened in the compendium of art with the introduction of a new platform in a grand style to the arts community in Abuja.

Called Ferrum, it is a formidable initiative of the young Ugochukwu Ikpeazu who flew in from Geneva, Switzerland, to see to effective take-off of the platform.

Venue was the now upgraded, cozy Thought Pyramid Art Centre. There was a heavy presence of rich art and art-loving distinguished individuals. It was a twinevent - the launch of the Ferrum platform and the opening of a one-day exhibition titled An African Story, a 10-man, 20-work exhibition curated by Mufu Onifade.

The scene was electric with excitement and pure enthusiasm as a new art platform was born. “In all that we have given”, explained Ugochukwu Ikpeazu, founder of Ferrum, “I feel we have failed to export one of our defining pillars: our cultural heritage” He stated further, “Our voice has been drowned out by globalisation when it should have joined the choir, singing praise to human creativity”.

He was motivated by the richness of Africa as a continent, especially as exemplified by glaring evidence of human and natural resources. By its underlining handout, Ferrum is, therefore, established to become an international art house and a formidable platform “to promote art and culture as avant-garde agents of development, pushing for progressive and objective change through social integration”. The platform was publicly and officially launched by the Acting High Commissioner of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Rtd. General Claudus Nelson Williams. With this artistic ritual duly performed by a diplomat, Ferrum looks set to take off on a high note.

An African Story, the chosen theme of the commemorative exhibition designed to

‘Support people living with disabilities’

From Mufu Onifade

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VISUAL ART berth the Ferrum platform paraded bright flickers of young vibrant Nigerian artists whose quality not only dazzled the audience, but also rose to the occasion of standard, which Ferrum firmly represents. The show presented 20 outstanding works by 10 young vibrant Nigerian artists whose age bracket is capped at 35. They are Stephen Osuchukwu (Market Agenda and Strength), Abigail Nnaji (Sisi and Tranquility), Balogun Waziri (Untitled and Untitled), Lucky Isaiah (Playmates and Commerce) and Millicent Osumuo (Sister I and Sisters II). Others are Suraj Adekola (Hustle & Bustle and The Call), Godwin Adesoye (First Born and Lady’s World), Stella-nitta Cornelius (Entangled and Redemption I), Obiora Ekeanozie (Dali (Footprints of a Legend) and The Way We Look) and Tyna Adebowale (Identity Series and Nontitled).

An African Story, which appropriately ignited the evening to redefine the epoch-making event, showed pure class and freshness of creativity, which the young exhibiting artists possess in abundance. All the works, in their collective objectives, expressed Africanness which the curator described revealing “our inner feelings - our pains and joys – arising from struggles and strives, economic activities, social interactions, political permutations, educational orientation and ambivalent cultural expressions”.

Deputy High Commissioner, South African High Commission, Mr. K. Pedro, who declared the exhibition open could not withhold his awe even as he commended the founder of Ferrum, Ugochukwu Ikpeazu for exploring the positive virtues of youthfulness while unleashing his dream to African art development. This was the path toed by

them by trying to be contended with it because cheating is nothing good.

Ini-inyang explained that he never expected to get to play the role of Oba Ago Sinwi because he was auditioned since he never had the idea of acting hence he used every opportunity that appeared before him. He noted that the production took three months to undergo the rehearsal stage and it was seldom frustrating as they came during mid-term break and had to wait for extra hours after school so as to attain perfection.

“Kudos to my director- Mr. Jerome for the professional work; sometimes he might be very strict but he knows what he is doing at the end of the day” He said.

Ayo Adejuwon a primary six pupil who acted as the main character revealed that he is only doing drama as a hobby for now because he would like to be an engineer.

He however said that every pupil should be committed in whatever they do and never loss faith due to the fact that the performance has really assisted in the building of his confidence in doing better things since he performed Ago Obaseki’s role.

•Ikpeazu

other commentators who believed that in this age of excessive negative influences on the global youth population, a dream that gave life to art and its producers was, indeed, a unique proactive force that positively engaged and redeveloped the African youth.

The view was shared by master artist and former President of the Guild of Professional Fine Artists of Nigeria, Edosa Ogiugo who travelled from Lagos to witness the twin event in Abuja. He praised the quality of artists and their works, which he believed could “compete with outstanding works from any part of the globe”. On Ferrum, he said, “I am delighted at the procreation of a platform for young African Artists. We do not have enough of this kind of platform that deliberately takes care of the interest of young artists, especially in Nigeria. I commend Ugochukwu for this initiative”

ANAGER Corporate Communications, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Ms Ebi Akpeti, has called for an inclusive society that will benefit people living with disabilities.

She spoke at a three-day International Conference on disabilities held at the Civic Centre in Lagos.

She said disabled people have not been encouraged to see themselves as having valuable role in society and it was time that society created a system that include people that are disabled.

She said her firm had had a passion for people with disability specifically noting that the company had over the years supported such causes such as the parasoccer tournament, an annual sporting event for the disabled in Nigeria.

The conference with theme Improving access and building capacity with special focus on health, education, social welfare and employment was organised by The International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to bring to the forefront some of the challenges people with disability in Nigeria face, such as inadequate health care, negative attitude of teachers, and discriminations against workers with disabilities and also to provide a better understanding to members of the public on issues and programmes relating to people with special needs.

The conference brought together policy makers, decision makers and stakeholders to infuse private sector experience to support people with disability, as well as foster endearing relationships with the business community through dissemination of information and awareness interventions.

The conference featured shows such as art exhibitions, business breakfast and celebrity red carpet studded gala night.

THE

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Babalakin at 55: From vilification to vindication

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S he turns 55 today, he must have a special reason to be grateful to his Maker, the Almighty Allah. After almost two years of intense vilification in the hands of people of power, Dr. Bolanle Olawale Babalakin, SAN must be looking forward to heave a sigh of relief this year, hopefully, from the mountainous hurdles deliberately hurled in his way.

His story looks like the typical case of how Nigeria does not often like to appreciate exceptional breeds that are succeeding in their chosen fields. But for Babalakin, who cut his legal teeth under the great ‘Timi the Law’ (late Chief Rotimi Williams) this may be about to change as fresh facts emerge and the truth is being established in the matter in which he is being tried in court.

Not a few people know that Babalakin’s name is associated with the legal profession and ingenious business enterprise.

As a lawyer with a very high intellectual acumen, he is one name that young lawyers flock to in cutting their teeth in the profession. I am aware that his firm, Babalakin & Co has more than 60 lawyers who are among the best paid in the profession and some of whom have risen to the highest echelon of legal practice through Babalakin’s active support. For several years, his chamber has published an annual Law Report. For this Cambridge-trained legal colossus, there must always be a trace of scholarship and intellect in whatever he touches.

The second terminal of the Muritala Muhammed Airport (MMA2), built and operated by Babalakin’s Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd, is not just an example of how private initiatives can rescue government from difficult and capital-intensive projects but is also a unique example of how to run a business with respect for best global practices. In its eight year, MMA2 remains the only private airport terminal in the whole of Africa; is described as the cleanest public space in the whole of Lagos and more importantly is adjudged as the only airport in Nigeria that has met global standard.

In recent years, if he was not attending to legal services or nurturing enduring business projects, Babalakin would be found attending to the needy, be they individuals or even government. To many stakeholders in the ivory tower, he was the Pillar of Education in Nigeria, on account of his undisguised passion and commitment to excellence in that crucial sector. As the Chairman of Committee of Pro-Chancellors between 2009 and 2013, during which period he was also the pro-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri as well as the Chairman of the Implementation Monitoring Committee of the 2009 Agreements between the Federal Government and university-based unions, Nigeria did not witness any industrial action.

So impressed with his achievements and record of selfless service as the pro-Chancellor of UNIMAID that the authorities of the institution once said that Dr. Babalakin “built more

•Dr Babalakin From Umar Alli

TRIBUTE structures in the university during his four-year tenure than was achieved since the establishment of the university 38 years ago.” He was saluted for leading from the front by denying himself all the allowances due to him. He did not collect a kobo from the university as he repeatedly said that Nigerians needed to sacrifice in order to reposition the education sector.

You would not need to be so close to him to appreciate how Law, business and humanitarian services pre-occupied this proud alumnus of Government College, Ibadan until his vilification became a sinister project for a few greedy and desperate lots who apparently used authority, and perhaps state resources, to arm-twist genuine businessmen and investors.

Babalakin’s vilification of course is largely over issues surrounding MMA2, the purported revocation of the concession agreement that Bi-Courtney Ltd had on Lagos-Ibadan expressway and the alleged charges of money laundering against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

All the three issues appear related if one chooses to interrogate them closely. A clear case of witch-hunt and abuse of power will almost certainly be detected. One would see an ingenious businessman being vilified just for succeeding in ventures that mere opportunists won’t dare to discover or explore. But in each case, the Law, Babalakin’s dependable recourse, has always proven worthy as the last hope of the ordinary man. It did in September last year when the Court saved MMA2 from the pangs of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) which wanted to appoint a Receiver/Manager on the airport terminal on account of contentious debts. It was as logical as it was commonsensical that a government agent cannot be alleging a N50bn debt let alone take over the facilities of an investor that is being owed

a sum of N132bn by the same government that caused the private investor to lose huge revenue resulting in ability to fulfill its loan obligations.

The court came to the rescue because an individual had the courage to confront a bully.

Yet, a more glaring vindication came his way in February this year when a Lagos High Court discharged the case by EFCC against Babalakin for lack of merit. One would think that the adversaries would relent. Nay! They chose not to appeal the judgment instead and curiously too, re-filed the same case before another judge, pushing desperately to try Babalakin all over again… over allegations of assisting former Delta State governor James Ibori to launder money; the same case that a court of competent jurisdiction had found no merit in.

Why are they seeking to destroy Babalakin? Why are they desperate to destroy a man of intellect, vision and courage whose contribution to national development is felt daily by millions of people?

However, the truth has a way of imposing itself. Could it, therefore, be the way of truth and vindication that made the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to receive a wise counsel from within its own fold, cautioning that instituting a fresh trial of Dr. Babalakin on the same money laundering allegation would amount to an abuse of court process and that the case, if it had been filed at all, ought to be withdrawn without delay?

As if to finally vindicate this great man of industry with a large heart, it was reported that the London Metropolitan Police, which was erroneously thought to be looking for him in London, has indeed sent the report of its investigation on the Ibori saga to the Minister of Justice and nowhere in the report did either Babalakin’s name or any of his companies appear among those suspected to be involved in the alleged money laundering. How else can a man be so blessed and vindicated? What else do they want from this man? But the traducers think they can continue with the impunity of old at a time when the country now breathes fresh air, with the hope that the perfidious past will soon be history? A close interrogation of Babalakin’s travails will reveal a link between the untidy manner in which Bi-Courtney was robbed of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway concession and the trumped-up charges of money laundering by EFCC. It may well turn out that those behind these travails overrated their ability to cheat, manipulate the system and perpetrate their relevance.

Day of reckoning for the wicked might just be near. And this is why it has become imperative to urge Babalakin not to be deterred and broken. He is a shining example of how an investor can make a great impact in the life of a nation. He deserves encouragement.

He has never stopped being a cheerful giver, anyway. In March, more than 10,000 people benefitted from his free eye check-up and treatment in Zaria. That was reminiscent of a similar philanthropic gesture he did in Osun and Ondo States a few years ago.

Many more are silent beneficiary of his humanitarian causes, particularly in matters of education and health. Such great men of honour should not be allowed to fall victim of a few despicable men foisting impunity on the system.

Dr. Babalakin is lucky to often have his birthday celebrated during the holy month of Ramadan. The hand of the Almighty is unmistakable in his matter. He should persevere and stay on the path of honour. Days of perfidy might just be over, almost.

•Dr. Alli, a Public Affairs analyst, lives in Abuja

Buhari: What the acronym implies From Wellington Imaralu

• From left: Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs Sally Mbanefo; President, ARSO/ Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Dr Joseph Odumodu, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Abdulkadir Musa, at the opening ceremony of the Chief Executive Officers of National Standards Bodies’ (CEOs) Forum, held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, recently.

B- Bind U- Us H- Heterogeneously A- And R- Remove IInjustice Now as the president of all Nigerians he shall remove injustices and inequalities from our national life. Buhari is set to remove injustice/ inequality from our national life by putting an end to men betrothing their 9 years old daughter in marriage while their 18 years and above male child is left to remain unmarried thus displaying inequality between male and female; To end the inequality even between women themselves- when women themselves carry out the shaving of widows and perpetrate such by making them drink the bath water; To put an end to the criminal injustice/ inequality when a man is jailed for 5years for stealing a bicycle while another man who stole millions of pension money is not jailed but to pay just ¦ 7,500.00 as fine; End the inequality when the head of a ministry can buy an official car BMW for over ¦ 50,000,000.00 (fifty million naira only) while the clerk in the same ministry cannot afford his bus fare home. End the inequality when the head of a ministry enjoys a tastefully furnished official flat while the clerk is struggling to pay rent from his meagre salary; Put an end to overseas medical treatment by government officials while the masses make do in our local clinics without drugs; Bottled (C-way) water are supplied to Government officials while the masses buy water sachets in the cities, and the rural dwellers drink unsafe water from rivers/streams; Stop injustice/inequality when generators and the fuelling and maintenance of it in official quarters are provided by government while the masses buy and fuel their own generators from their meagre salaries; The list of injustices/inequalities is endless and Buhari as the name implies is set to rid the nation of all injustices.

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK

SHOW OF STRENGTH OR SURVIVAL?

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

Abeokuta…Beyond the rocks for launch

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VER been to Abeokuta the Ogun State capital? If you have, you would not miss the imposing rocky hill of Olumo, one of the famous tourist sites in the country. But, there’s more to the ancient city of rusty-brown rooftops and hilly terrain.

It occupies a prime position in the nation’s socio-political development for its many firsts.

Abeokuta boasts of the first newspaper-Iwe Irohin, first church, first hospital and first psychiatric hospital in the country and many more ancient sites that define the city.

But, these historical firsts are unknown to many visitors and tourists to the country. Unfortunately, the state government, which ought to derive maximum benefits from promoting these tourism potentials the city possesses, has done little or nothing to push the sector. The result has been a wasting tourism corridor, with just a little light shed on the Olumo Rock, when the Gbenga Daniel-led administration gave the rock a face-lift by developing it and building an elevator that rides to its top from where the city’s breathtaking view can be assessed with stunning effect.

Determined to record history and put everything about the ancient city in a book format, Hakeem Adenekan has published a new stand-

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

BOOK ard coffee table book entitled Abeokuta… Beyond the Rocks. The book, which is laced with a vast pictorial layout that puts the city in proper perspective, will be launched on July 4 at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta. The launch is a deel between Ogun State Government and Nigeria’s foremost culture centre, Terra Kulture Lagos.

Adenekan took up the project because he felt saddened that there was no literature to capture the rich cultural attractions of Abeokuta to outsiders who might wish to visit and help boost the local economy.

In a chat in Lagos, Adenekan said he is happy that through the book he has been able to keep some aspects of Abeokuta history as many old building have given way to renewed urbanization. He noted that apathy among Nigerians towards record keeping is one great disservice.

“Unfortunately, Nigerians don’t have their own history. In order to complete the book, I had to travel UK to get some of the history,” he said.

Adenekan wondered, like most ordinary Nigerians, what the country’s leaders usually

bring back as real value from their numerous and wasteful trips abroad when they can’t execute a mere coffee table book to showcase the different attractions in their states, if only for its ego-trip. Having gone abroad for study and other sundry trips and seen firsthand how small things like a coffee table book about cities help boost cities of little consequence, he felt compelled to produce one, as a wakeup call on those whose statutory duty it is to do so back home.

“Like I usually ask people, especially those in government, why don’t you bring something new back to Nigeria among the many good things you see abroad to enrich the stock of what we have here?

“We talk about tourism and all that. What we do in Nigeria is scratch the surface. To realise this book, we went into the archives. The title is from a small survey we did in Lagos on what people want to see if they were to go to Abeokuta as tourism destination. People said they wanted to come to Abeokuta to see Olumo Rock. But there’s more to the city than Olumo Rock. We had to create this compendium that is internationally acceptable.

“The idea came to me while in the United Kingdom studying. We just want to document and keep our history. It’s better for us to start

•Adenekan

our own documentation and not allow it to be done for us by foreigners. It took five and a half years to put this together. We took aerial photographs of Abeokuta landmarks using a helicopter.”

Adenekan said the challenges he faced while producing the book ranged from Nigeria’s perennial apathy about record-keeping, which is near zero to ‘area boys’ wanting their own share and weather conditions so the photographing could be right. He lamented Nigeria’s poor archiving, adding that on occasion, he had to resort to the British Museum to get certain facts about his own country. Abeokuta… Beyond the rocks will be useful for the general public and those who believe in history.

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BUSINESS EXTRA Rising cost of education has made it difficult for government to single handedly fund the sector. Mrs. Elizerbeth Nkanta, an educationist, speaks on the role of the private sector, especially banks, in building sustainable and vibrant educational sector. This, she says, can be achieved through improved funding, logistic support and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) backed financial literacy scheme. She also commended steps taken by Sterling Bank Plc in funding education. COLLINS NWEZE reports.

‘Govt alone can’t fund education’ E

DUCATION remains the backbone of every society.

But for the sector to thrive and deliver on its promises, there must be sufficient funding and institutional support.

For an educationist and Principal of Methodist Girls High School, Port Harcourt, Mrs. Elizerbeth Nkanta, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) steps in promoting financial literacy is plausible and has been emulated by some lenders, including Sterling Bank Plc which is in the forefront, supporting the scheme.

She re-emphasised that government alone cannot fund education but needs the backing of other stakeholders to get the sector up and running.

Nkanta believes that financial literacy opens the eyes of students to issues around financial management and helps them become conversant with financial matters at an early age. “If you catch them young, you will have responsible adults in the future. It will also encourage students to take subjects like Mathematics and Accounting more seriously,” she said.

Financial literacy and CBN’s role Speaking on steps taken by stakeholders to promote the educational sector, she said efforts by the CBN to promote financial literacy are commendable and should be emulated by more institutions in the country. “We commend the CBN for the financial literacy day it introduced, which is also a global event. It is a very good decision that should have been taken long ago considering what abounds in the developed countries of the world. Be that as it may, the CBN still deserves to be commended for this initiative. It will open the eyes of our students to issues around financial management and help them to become conversant with financial matters at an early age,” she said.

The educationist said: “If you catch them young, you will have responsible adults in the future. It will also encourage students to take subjects like Mathematics and Accounting more seriously. If you look at the examination records, a lot of students prefer taking Arts subjects and avoid courses with elements of mathematics. However, with this programme, a lot of students are most likely going to challenge themselves by going for courses that are mathematics inclined.

“Sterling Bank must also be commended for complementing the efforts of the CBN by bringing their staff to share their experience and knowledge with the students.

To the students, Sterling Bank staff will remain their role models and this will inspire them to greatness.

It was so interesting for the students having bankers teach them.

They really had fun and will never forget that in a hurry. Again, the distribution of books on financial literacy published by Sterling Bank will further consolidate the gains of the Financial Literacy Week as the students will have books to reference anytime”.

The Mathematics factor Nkanta said students fail Mathematics because of the fear instilled in them by people who have not done well in the subject in the past.

She believes that some parents don’t even help with the way they talk about the subject. Again, peer group influence is also an issue. So, if an influential member of a group does not like any particular subject, others are not likely to like it.

So, it is basically fear, a thing of the mind, and influence from peer group.

But she insisted that Sterling Bank is already stepping in to address this by publishing and distributing books on financial literacy to pupils and students adding that students needed to be encouraged to fall in love with anything that has to do with calculation, finance at the early stage.

“The bank must be commended for this because l see this as an investment in the future of our children. Again, parents must encourage their children at home to see Mathematics the same way they see subjects. They should also organise after school lessons for their children to complement what they have been taught in school. Schools must also ensure that they employ qualified mathematics teachers because that is also very key. You cannot give what you don’t have,” she said.

Computer-based scheme On any possible challenges with the recently introduced computerbased examination by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Nkanta said every new thing comes with its own challenges.

“Although it is a right step in the right direction, some students may have challenges coping with it being the first time. I am optimistic that with time, they will adjust. The question is how many students have access to computer systems in their schools, maybe very few.

Though some schools are already seeing the need to provide computers to ensure that the students are well tutored on the use of the system, the challenges are still there as funds allocated to schools, especially the public schools are not adequate to buy computers in significant quantity.

“What l will say is that this will compel schools to put in place, robust computer room equipped with adequate systems to ensure that the students have access to the systems.

I also see a situation where computer education becomes a

• Mrs. Nkanta

compulsory subject in the school curriculum.

This, am convinced will compel the management of schools to invest in information technology as this becomes key factor for parents when deciding on the school they will enroll their children”.

Continuing, she said: “In our school, we have a computer room where we teach our students how to use the system. Sterling Bank has established itself in the area of education and we are aware of what it is doing in other educational institutions nationwide. This is one of the areas we would like the bank to intervene. If Sterling Bank could set up world class E-Libraries for tertiary institutions, then you can imagine what it is capable of doing for secondary school like ours.

We are yet to engage the bank on this but am optimistic that it will oblige us when we do”.

Private schools vs public schools Nkanta believes the influx of privately owned schools in the country has come with benefits even as public schools have also, their own advantages, all working together to promote common good.

“I will not say that public schools have failed and the establishment of private schools in the country is not a problem either. What we need is to ensure that necessary structures are put in place to ensure that we maintain very high standards in the country. At least,

there must be a minimum level of control to ensuring that those coming into the sector are not only interested in the financial gains,” she said.

“They must put in place adequate infrastructure to ensure that the students get quality education and value for the money spent by parents. So government must set standards and ensure that any school that falls short of standards set is not allowed to operate”.

“The ministry of education at the federal and state levels has so much to do in this regard by ensuring constant monitoring of schools so that they comply with the set rules.

They must come up with very clear rules for would be operators. For instance, the environment must be right for learning, the right infrastructure must be in place and they must have quality teachers who can deliver among others”.

School background Speaking about her school, Nkanta said Methodist Girls High School was founded by the Missionary as a Mission school.

She said it was later taken over by the state government and returned to the Mission in 2008.

“Since then, we have been running the school and I am proud to say that the school remains one of the best in Port Harcourt and it is reputed for quality education and discipline. At Methodist Girls, our watchword is discipline and excellence in education. That is why our students have been doing excel-

‘We commend the CBN for the financial literacy day it introduced, which is also a global event. It is a very good decision that should have been taken long ago considering what abounds in the developed countries of the world. Be that as it may, the CBN still deserves to be commended for this initiative. It will open the eyes of our students to issues around financial management and help them to become conversant with financial matters at an early age’

lently well in both internal and external examinations and we are proud of them,” she said.

Continuing, she expressed delight on the quality of teachers the school has today. “I am proud to say that we have some of the best teachers in this school. We have teachers who are versed in their areas of specialisation; teachers who are very intelligent, dedicated and are always going the extra mile to ensure that the students are well taught. The management has also been very fantastic because running the school requires people with experience, people who are passionate about what they do and provide the means to attain the best,” she said.

The school, she added, tries as much as possible to ensure that the school environment is conducive for learning even as it avoids anything that could distract the students.

“So, academically, we are doing very well. This is because we devote additional time to prepare our students when external examinations approach to ensure that they have excellent results. One thing that our students know and which the parents also know is that we don’t encourage our students to pass through the back door. With the support of the private sector operators, the sky is the beginning for the school. We will continue to engage friendly institution especially those committed to the development of the sector such as Sterling Bank for support,” she said.

On the strategy for running both the private and public school system she said: “I don’t really want to draw a line of comparison between the two because they both bring value to the system. What is important is that for both periods, the owners provided the much needed support to ensure that the school was well managed and the students got the best from the system”.

“The Mission had their reasons for establishing the school and there was also a reason why government took over the school and later returned it to the Mission. In my own estimation, they have both done very well,” she said.

On her career choice, she said: “I came into education about 15 years ago and it’s something that I’ve always loved doing. I am a trained educationist. I studied education in the university so I did not crash into it. My interest started in my early years. I was always thrilled when l saw how the teachers dressed. If you can remember way back, the only group of people you would look at and admire were the pastors and the teachers,” she said.

“I grew up in a complete rural setting and those we saw as role models were those that were educated. I took a great interest in teaching because to me it is what one can do with ease. Even though my parents tried pushing me to the medical line, the fear of blood discouraged me. I actually took the decision to study biology and in the process became a biology teacher”.

According to Nkanta, her children have freewill to choice any career of their choice. “For now l have a daughter in the university studying biochemistry. I would want to say that in a way, she is following my line. Others have said they would love to study law and acting. I wouldn’t dictate to them what to study but whatever they want to become in future, they will get my support,” she said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

53

BUSINESS EXTRA Firm raises 500m euros for Calabar Sea Port

A

CONSORTIUM, Broad Spectrum Industrial Services, has raised 500million Euros for the financing of the proposed Calabar Deep Seaport in Cross River State.

The Managing Director/ CEO of the Consortium, Michael Havre, who stated this in Calabar, said the move is a demonstration of the commitment of the Group to the signature projects of the state government under Governor Ben Ayade.

He said the figure neither represent a loan nor a grant, but purely a commitment to the project financing, adding that the project which would be executed on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, requires only a 25 per cent bank guarantee from the state government.

Havre said a leading Nigerian bank has already agreed to look into the possibility of issuing the guarantee on behalf of Cross River.

He said: “I have spoken this morning (yesterday) to one of the banks, and it has agreed to issue a guarantee on your behalf. And from the details of what we have analyzed, your involvement is going to be very minimal.

“I don’t need your money, what I just need you to do is get to your bank and give us a bank guarantee and we are good to go and that is why we are here. We are here to work with you to bring progress to Cross River.”

Ayade confirmed that the 500million euros was not a loan, stressing that Cross River State would not incur any debts arising from the funding of the signature projects.

Other signature projects which attracted the interest of the Consortium, include the dual carriage super highway, modular refinery, cement factory and agriculture, among others.

He said the state has concluded plans to set up a hydropower plants that will generate about 90 megawatt (Mw) of electricity.

The governor who spoke when he received some investors from China in his office in Calabar, hinted that the Kwa Falls was projected to generate 30Mw, Agbokim 30Mw while the canalisation and channelisation from either Ikom, Calabar and Itigidi Rivers will generate 30Mw, bringing the total output to 90Mw. He said: “We are happy because we understand the power generation mechanics and how it works. A lot of states that invested in gas turbines today have their hands burnt because it is always very difficult to sustain the turbines. The huge gas supply per day at high running cost makes turbines more expensive to operate.

NERC mulls ultimatum for Discos on meters

T

HE Nigerian Electric ity Regulatory Com mission ( NERC) yesterday said it intends to give the Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) a 16-month ultimatum to meter all customers.

Its Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, who spoke to reporters in Abuja, said at the expiration of the period, the unmetered customers would not be charged any bills.

He also insisted that Discos must install meters for customers that have paid their money in the Credit Advance Programme for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) within four months.

Should they fail to install the meters within four months, the affected customers will be exempted from paying bills until the Discos install their meters.

The proposal, said

•Commission urges patronage of locally made meters From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

Amadi, is to aggressively drive the Discos to address the metering gap in the electricity market.

He said the commission has chosen to issue an order setting up the cap with an effective implementation date after a moratorium of four months to allow the Discos to appropriately adjust their metering program.

The chairman added that all estimates being imposed by Discos within the moratorium period shall be strictly based on the Commission Billing Estimation Methodology.

As soon as the capping regulation commences, he said the extant regulation on estimation methodology will be vacated.

He said: “The Discos have, we are proposing, up till the next four months before this cap starts. And when the cap starts, the Discos have additional 12 months, making it a total of 16months within which to meter every customer.

“If after that 12 months, the customer is not metered, that customers will be excluded from paying bills at all.

“And customers who have paid their money on CAPMI 45 days delivery of meters that have not delivered, within these four months, the Discos should make sure they completely install meters to all those customers that have paid money for meters.

“Within that four months, if any CAPMI customer has not been metered, such

CAPMI customer after the four months will not be charged any bill until they are metered. “ He said the commission received petition from some local meter manufacturers alleging that some Discos have violated local content obligation by installing imported meters when there are locally manufactured meters.

NERC, according to him, has started investigation of the allegation. He urged the Discos to note that the commission will mete out severe sanctions to any operator who violates the regulations on metering and local content.

Amadi said in the last two weeks, there has been agitation by local manufacturers of meter on low patronage by the Discos.

From left: Commercial Manager, Nestle Food Plc Mr Temidayo Esagbe, Regional Consumer Services Manager, Imabong Martins and Commercial Manager, Richmond Mejico, during Nido Milk Star Raffle draw held at Nestle Waters Office, Nestle Ilepeju, Lagos.

PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

Oil workers urge NLNG to complete Train 7

O

IL workers, acting under the aegis of Pe troleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), have urged shareholders and Board of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), to approve the completion of Train 7 project to make the company more competitive in the global gas market.

It said the completion would enable the country to end gas flaring by harnessing the flared gas for domestic use and for export as well.

Speaking at the 4th Triennial Delegates Conference of PENGASSAN Branch of the

By Akinola Ajibade

NLNG in Bonny, Rivers State, its President, Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson, said that Train 7 project was established to further exploit the emerging global market demand for LNG and to remain competitive, adding that in 2017, there is expected to be a potential drop in global LNG price due to competition as there is likelihood of increase in the number of suppliers.

He said: “We expect that in the face of a drop in crude oil price and glut in global crude oil market, LNG would have become another

veritable source of revenue and foreign reserve for the government and the company.

“Train 7 completion will definitely increase the company’s share of global market, enhance flare reduction or total flare out, and attract $10 billion Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) with zero cash out from the government.

“Other benefits Train 7 will bring on completion are job creation through the construction of the plant in Bonny and construction of gas pipelines in other communities; increase capacity to meet domestic market de-

mand, and maximisation of the Nigeria Content Development Act through local capacity building.”

Johnson urged the government to give priority to domestic gas utilisation over export, enhance gas utilisation with full reappraisal of the Gas Master Plan, and adequately fund the NLNG’s operations.

He also urged the government to extract commitment on gas flare-down to a nearest predictable timeline from the oil and gas companies operating in the country and find lasting solution to incessant vandalism of gas pipelines.

The manufacturers, said Amadi, have claimed that foreign meter manufacturers are being patronised at their detriment. He however called on NERC to protect local industry.

Amadi said: “ It is important to make it clear that the Nigerian electricity industry is designed to be efficient and competitive so that customers have access to adequate and reliable electricity at affordable prices. It is not designed to restrain free trade. Rather, it is designed to contribute maximally to the growth of the Nigerian economy.”

He said the leadership of the commission is strongly committed to promoting local content because it wants the growth in the electricity sector to contribute to improvement in job creation and household income.

The chairman explained that it was for this reason that the NERC in 2012 made the regulation on local content obligating every operator in the electricity market to continuously localise employment, services and technology.

Amadi said in order to overcome meter cloning and other forms of frauds against electricity market, many Discos are resorting to smart meters.

He promised that NERC’s regulation will provide a supporting framework for smart metering in the Nigerian electricity market.

The chairman however warned “customers to stop engaging in criminal acts of stealing power. It is this sort of sabotage at the retail level that increases the commercial losses that increase the tariff that consumers pay.

“So, it is in the interest of consumers to report their neighbours who engage in such criminal activities to the Discos and the security forces. By protecting electrical installations, we reduce the cost of electricity generation, transmission and distribution. We benefit in terms of improved power supply and low tariff.”

The chairman NERC has authorised the Discos to take severest actions possible to prevent, detect and prosecute customers who by-pass or clone meters, tamper with electrical installation, or in any way defraud them of approved revenue.

“We call on the police authorities to step up prevention and prosecution of criminal activities in the electricity market,”he said.

ARCO vs NAOC: Court fixes October 26 for hearing

J

USTICE Lambo Akambi of a Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has adjourned till October 26, this year for hearing, the motion on jurisdiction in a case between Arco Group Plc and Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) Limited.

Justice Akambi yesterday assumed jurisdiction to entertain the motion on jurisdiction

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

by the defense parties.

ARCO, an indigenous engineering company, in suit number FH/PH/CS/02/2015 filed before the court against NAOC, an Italian multinational company is seeking explanations from AGIP (NAOC) for violating the provisions of

Nigeria Local Content Law. The plaintiff in the affidavit attached to the originating summons to the suit outlined the various ways the oil and gas giant has continuously and deliberately ignored, failed to reorganise the provision of the law in the award of contracts and purchase of equipment and parts, thereby short changing the government and indig-

enous companies in areas of its economy, capital flights, transfer of technology as well as unemployment.

At the last sitting early June, the defence counsel, Charles Ajuya, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), raised a motion to challenge the Jurisdiction of the court in the matter, insisting that the motion(on jurisdiction), be determined before

the case could continue.

But Wole Olanipekun (SAN) submitted that the defense counsel did not file a memorandum of appearance to enable him appear properly to challenge the court’s jurisdiction.

The court struck out the defence application on jurisdiction with an order to the defendant to appear properly before him so that his application

could be heard.

The court urged Ajuya, to serve process to parties before yesterday’s adjourned date to enable him hear the application.

However, the plaintiff was served with the memorandum of appearance during the court sitting. Olanipekun applied for time to study the document before making his arguments.

54

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 30-06-15

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 30-06-15

Skye Bank concludes Mainstreet Bank’s integration SKYE Bank Plc, one of Nigeria’s strategically important banks (SIBs), has finally concluded the integration of Mainstreet Bank Limited six months after it took over the bank, which it acquired late last year.

Group managing director, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, yesterday stated that the two banks have achieved seamless harmonisation and integration of their processes, procedures, structures, operations, human capital and all the other scheduled tasks.

He highlighted that with the conclusion of the integration, the enlarged Skye Bank now has total branch network of 469 branches and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) network of 815 across the country. The bank’s asset base stood at N1.5 trillion.

He said the enlarged Skye Bank was set to unleash the full potentials of the combined strengths of the two institutions for better customer service, customer experience and value creation for all its stakeholders.

“We are committed to pushing the frontiers of technology and innovation to enhance stakeholder value at optimized cost, and offer delightful customer experience. We will

•Guinness Nigeria appoints new CEO

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

therefore continue to make the required investments in people, process and technology to meet this commitment, “ Oguntayo said.

He said the rebranding and remodeling of the newly integrated branches into the Skye Bank family has commenced, in addition to upgrading of the facilities in the branches to make customer banking experience a delight.

“Without doubt, the consolidated bank heralds a new dawn in our long-term vision of playing a leadership role in Nigeria’s financial services industry,” Oguntayo stated.

In another development, Guinness Nigeria Plc, one of Nigeria’s oldest and foremost listed companies, has appointed Mr Peter Ndegwa, currently the managing director of Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited, as its managing director. The appointment takes effect today.

Erstwhile Guinness Nigeria’s managing director, Mr. John O’Keeffe, will also

resume in his new role as President, Diageo Africa with effect from today. The company stated that Mr. Soren Lauridsen, who was previously announced as O’Keeffe’s replacement, had decided to leave his position due to personal, family related reasons effective June 30.

Ndegwa holds an MBA from the London Business School and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nairobi and is also a qualified accountant.

He joined Diageo in 2004 in East Africa as Strategy Director for East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL), a Diageo’s subsidiary. He was then appointed Sales Director in 2006 and Group Finance Director in 2008.

He was appointed Managing Director of Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited in 2011 and was credited with a complete reframe of the business despite some very tough external operating conditions, including substantial currency devaluation, slowing GDP growth and high cost of doing business.

Guinness Nigeria faces similar challenges and the new managing director is expected to halt the slide in turnover and profit.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 30-06-15

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

55

MONEYLINK CBN to sanction dealers violating forex rule

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has warned all Authorized Dealer not to use funds from the interbank, exports proceeds and bureau de change sources to finance items classified as “Not Valid for Forex”.

Any Authorized Dealer that violates this directive the CBN said “shall be sanctioned appropriately.” A circular issued by the CBN and signed by Olakami

By Nduka Chiejina

Gbadamosi, Director Trade and Exchange Department of CBN reiterated that those items which have already been classified as “Not Valid for Forex” cannot be funded at the interbank, from proceeds of exports and Bureaux de Change sources.

That is found to have used funds from the interbank, exports pro-

ceeds and bureau de change sources to consummate these items classified as “Not Valid for Forex” shall be sanctioned appropriately.

Exactly a week ago the CBN had issued a circular informing Authorized Dealers and the general public that some items had been declared “Not Valid for Forex” with a veiled threat that more items may be added onto the list as the CBN deems appropriate.

Legacy Equity Fund pays dividend

S

HAREHOLDERS of Legacy Equity Fund yesterday approved N0.87 dividend per unit to unit holders of the Fund during the fourth Annual General Meeting of the company.

The meeting considered the report and financial statements of the Fund, which is being managed

by First City Asset Management Limited (a subsidiary of CSL Stockbrokers Ltd, a member of FCMB Group, Plc), for the year ended June 30, 2014.

Legacy Equity Fund recorded a gross income of N115.20 million and a net profit of N92.81 million during the period.

To benefit, the holders’ names must have appeared in the Register at the close of business on June 19, with effective dividend payment date of July 7.

Managing Director of CSL Stockbrokers Limited, Mr. Olugboyega Balogun, said the dividend is 8.75 per cent higher than the N0.08 that was paid in the previous Fund year. Given that the average inflation rate in the Fund year was eight per cent the dividend represents a real return of 0.75 per cent to investors.

“The Legacy Equity Fund continues to create real value for all unitholders. This is a reflection of our

Stories by Collins Nweze

commitment to delivering “bestin-class” performance to investors, who have entrusted us with their savings,” he said.

The Chief Executive Officer of First City Asset Management Limited, Mr James Ilori, stated that the recent approval granted by the Securities & Exchange Commission

WAUTI elects Somorin as first woman president

•Dr Somorin

for the revised Fund Strategy, should positively impact Fund performance.

“We aim to outperform the benchmark, the Nigerian Stock Exchange All-share index, on an ongoing basis, at relatively lower volatility of returns. At First City Asset Management Ltd, we continue to emphasise talent, teamwork, innovation, integrity and consistency,” he said.

T

HE West African Union of Tax Institutes (WAUTI) has elected Dr. Olateju Somorin as its first female president since the formation of the group in 2011. The WAUTI is an association of national tax professionals within the ECOWAS sub-region.

She is the fourth WAUTI President as well as the current president of the Chartered Institute of Taxation

LBSAA promotes social entrepreneurship

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HE Lagos Business School Alumni Association (LBSAA) has reiterated its commitment to promote social entrepreneurship and offer opportunity for continuous learning.

Speaking at the LBSAA annual President’s Dinner held in Lagos, its President, Wole Oshin said the impact of the event, which had in attendance distinguished alumni of the school and notable captains of industries will continue to add value to the country’s economic development.

Oshin stated that the association would continue to offer opportunity for continuous learning and trends in the business environment. He noted that “through our various summits and topics we have attempted

to impact Government policies in the past in different ways’ Mr. Oshin added that “this year’s focus to encourage social entrepreneurship has led to the setting up of the Lagos Business School’s Alumni Association’s President’s Impact Entrepreneurship awards, which would commence in the third quarter of this year. “It is open to Lagos Business School Students and its aim is for them to identify projects that would impact on their environment,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, the Dean, Lagos Business School, Dr Enase Okonedo, said the institution has grown to become one of the best Business Schools in West Africa.

She noted that “from 11 Customs Executive Education to organizations

in 2009, we have now developed and offered 39 customs executive education to organizations in 2014. The Lagos Business School is now ranked amongst the top 70 business schools in the world offering customs executive education” Honoured at the event with the distinguished Alumni award was Mrs Omobola Johnson, who served as the immediate past Minister for Communication and Technology. She was recognised based on her invaluable contributions to the areas of Information and Communication Technology during her time of service, Present at the ceremony were dignitaries including past presidents of the Association, former Government officials and renowned industrialists.

of Nigeria (CITN). Dr. Somorin, who will be in the saddle till February 2017, is a retired Acting Coordinating Director of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), where she had a distinguished public career for 34 years.

In a statement, WAUTI described her as an amazon in tax matters.

“She is the author of TejuTax Reference Book on the Nigeria Tax System and a tax columnist with BusinessDay newspaper,” it said.

Teju is a recipient of Doctor of Letters degree in Nigeria Tax System (2002) from St. Clements University, Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies. This, she obtained on presentation of dissertation on Operation of VAT in Nigeria. She also holds an honorary Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in taxation.

She has attended many international and local tax conferences as a speaker. While in FIRS, she was the secretary of the Study Group on Nigeria Tax System in 1991.

She has promised to foster the vision of WAUTI through the harmonisation of taxation practice in West Africa and its mission to promote the highest professional standards of competence and integrity among practitioners in member states.

Dr. Somorin, a life patron of the Society of Women in Taxation (SWIT), will drive WAUTI to greater heights in collaboration with WAUTI partners such as ECOWAS, FIRS, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Ghana Revenue Authority, and the revenue authorities of the Francophone countries, among others.

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

126.04 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1.39 1,744.73 1,104.77 112.34 121.16 1.67 1.1978 1.3117 0.7319 1.1349

125.82 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,744.73 1,104.00 111.75 120.30 1.62 1.1912 0.7203 0.7203 1.1349

FIDSON MAYBANKER CCNN UPI LIVESTOCK UBN NAIICO DIAMONDBNK PRESCO NEM ABCTRANS

O/PRICE 3.30 1.49 10.20 5.61 2.06 9.35 4.77 4.20 33.50 0.72 0.50

C/PRICE 3.57 1.57 10.71 5.89 2.16 9.79 4.99 4.39 35.00 0.75 0.52

CHANGE 0.27 0.08 0.51 0.28 0.10 0.44 0.22 0.19 1.50 0.03 0.02

LOSERS AS AT 30-06-15

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

TRANSCOHOT 9.63 CUTIX 1.65 PZ 32.00 COSTAIN 0.84 EVANSMED 1.27 MANSARD 2.96 VONO 1.41 CADBURY 36.50 NESTLE 889.20 TRANSCORP 2.80 ZENITHBANK 19.70

C/PRICE 8.70 1.57 30.45 0.80 1.21 2.83 1.09 35.03 857.00 2.71 19.25

Inflation:April

8.5%

Monetary Policy Rate

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

$28.2b

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$67.91

CHANGE -0.93 -0.08 -1.55 -0.04 -0.06 -0.13 -0.05 -1.47 -32.20 -0.09 -0.45

FOREX RATES (NairaVs Dollar) May 28, 2015 Interbank ($/N)

199.00

$1

Black Market ($/N)

215.00

$1

London Inter-bank Offered Rates (LIBOR)

Money Supply (M2)

GAINERS AS AT 30-06-15

SYMBOL

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

16.5%

Tenor 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months

May 27

May 28

Rate)%

Rate (%)

0.1735 0.2147 0.2615 0.3841 0.6709

0.1715 0.2108 0.2626 0.3857 0.6744

Nigerian Stock Market Indices

Tenor

12-02-15 Rate (%) Rate (%) 13-02-15

Overnight (O/N)

14.683

76.583

1M

15.033

15.977

3M

15.809

17.177

6M

16.493

17.908

Transaction Dates 03/02/2015 3/12/2014 1/12/2014

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

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

Statistics All Share Index Mkt Cap (NGN’bn) Deals Volume (mn) Value (NGN’mn)

27 May 34,649.3 11.8 3,385 564,28 6,087.80

5 May 29,383.93 9,804.36 3,714 377,75 6,568.66

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Feb. 13, 2015

Rates

T-bills - 91

12.44

T-bills - 182

13.85

T-bills - 364

13.92

Bond - 3yrs

15.92

Bond - 5yrs

17.22

Bond - 7yrs

16.59

56

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

57

NEWS Bauchi revokes certificates of occupancy

A

COMMITTEE set up by the Bauchi State government to recover government property illegally allocated to individuals has said it has revoked the allocation of 97 plots.

The committee Chairman, Air Cdr Ahmed Tijjani-Baba (rtd), who spoke yesterday in Bauchi in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the plots belonged to the state government, but were allocated to individuals by the former administration.

He said 89 of the plots belonged to the Bauchi State College of Arts and Science (BACAS), but were allocated to individuals in the name of “curve outs.”

Tijjani-Baba said eight plots were curved out on the premises of Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (BSADP) and allocated to individuals.

He said the plots were meant for the building of senior and junior staff quarters, staff school, police post, football field and recreational facilities meant for workers and children.

Tijjani-Baba said documents, including allocation letters and certificates of occupancy, were initiated, approved and issued to the beneficiaries on May 28.

He said the committee had taken possession of the affected plots, while the beneficiaries had been directed to surrender the documents to the Ministry of Lands and Survey.

Alhaji Garba Noma, one of the beneficiaries, claimed that a plot situated at BACAS was allocated to him two years ago.

He said he requested the exGovernor Isa Yuguda administration to allocate the plot to him for the building of social amenities, and he was obliged.

Noma said he had received the revocation notice and halted construction on the site.

NAWOJ hails El-Rufai From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

F

IFTEEN people have died of cholera in Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The disease has affected Kantam and Filam villages.

The news of the outbreak was broken by the lawmaker representing Langtang North in the House of Assembly, Godfrey Lamdip.

He raised it as an issue of urgent importance.

Lamdip said: “Cholera was noticed on Monday in the local government. It

•Scores hospitalised From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

has killed at least 15 people. Others have been hospitalised at Langtang General Hospital.

“I have to bring the issue before the House so that action can be taken to save lives.”

The Assembly resolved

that the Health Committee should liaise with the Ministry of Health to curtail the spread of the disease.

Most members agreed that unless the disease is curtailed, neighbouring councils are not safe.

The Chairman of Langtang North Local Government, Dan Dul, has visited the two villages to sympa-

thise with the residents.

The medical director of the hospital, Dr. Adenyika Mathew, said: “The patients are responding to treatment. We are doing our best to save lives. But there is need for an awareness campaign on the way to prevent the spread of the disease.”

Dul advised the people to adhere to sanitary instructions and maintain a clean environment.

Three in court for ‘demanding N5m ransom’

T

HE police yesterday arraigned three men at a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrate’s Court in Abuja, for allegedly threatening a man to pay N5million ransom.

The three accused- Usman Abubakar, Ismaila Uthman and Aliyu Moha-

madu, of Lambata, Abuja, were arraigned on a twocount charge of joint act and criminal intimidation.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Monday Akor, told the court that Ibrahim Mohammed of Zuru, Lambata, wrote a petition, dated June 20 to the AIG Zone 7

Headquarter, Abuja.

He said the accused in the letter warned the complainant that if he failed to pay the N5 million, his family would be eliminated.

Akor said the offences contravened sections 79 and 397 of the Penal Code.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations.

The Magistrate, Aminu Eri, granted them bail in the sum of N50, 000 each, with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case till July 13 for hearing.

Elders deny endorsing Wada ELDERS in Kogi State have denied endorsing Governor Idris Wada for a second term.

There were reports that members of the Kogi Elders Council have endorsed the governor for re-election.

The reports said Senator Tunde Ogbeha, ex-Governor Ibrahim Idris and others at a meeting in an undisclosed location endorsed Wada.

But some of the elders have denied endorsing Wada. They described the endorsement story as untrue.

A source close to Senator Ogbeha, a former lawmaker, said he was shocked to hear that his name was mentioned.

Former Governor Idris also denied endorsing Wada.

An elder, who preferred anonymity, said: “Why are they dropping names just to sell a bad product? Our people cannot and will not be coerced into following and adopting a non-performing candidate. A popular and more acceptable candidate, who will put the state back on track, is key and this we must do.”

Majority leader withdraws case From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

•From left: President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Olumide Akintayo; Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Amia Mohammed Bello Shamaki; Secretary-General, West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists, Prof. Wilson Erhun; President, West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists, Dr. Wiltshire Johnson and former Minister of Health, Prince Adelusi Julius Adeluyi, during the college’s 27 th Annual General Meeting and Symposium, held at Welcome Hotel, Ikeja...yesterday.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

T

HE Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Kaduna State chapter, has hailed Governor Nasir El-Rufai for appointing Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman as his Chief of Staff (CoS).

She is the first woman to be so honoured in the state.

The commendation was contained in a statement by the NAWOJ Chairperson, Mrs. Juliet Oyoyo.

She said the appointment of Hajia Hadiza and Mrs. Saude Amina Mohammed as the chief of staff and personal secretary showed that the governor was determined to carry women along in his administration.

The statement reads: “The appointment of these women is commendable, as they are persons of integrity, who have proved their mettle in their fields of endeavour.

“NAWOJ urges the appointees to mentor and carry along other women.”

Mrs. Oyoyo enjoined governors to emulate El-Rufai by including women in their administration.

Cholera kills 15 in Plateau

Kogi Central, West vow to end marginalisation

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TAKEHOLDERS from Kogi Central and Kogi West senatorial districts have vowed to end the neglect being experienced by the people in the zones.

They also promised to stop the mismanagement of Kogi State’s resources by politicians from Kogi East.

The stakeholders, who met in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Monday under the aegis of the Kogi Central and Kogi West Forum for Equity and Justice, said in a communiqué that the two zones will ensure that they field a candidate for next year’s governorship election.

The communiqué signed by Dr. Tom Adaba, as the chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee, said the forum has set up a machinery to en-

By Raymond Mordi

sure that a visionary, competent and dynamic candidate representing the two zones emerges in one of the major political parties.

It lamented that while Kogi Central and Kogi West account for 55 per cent of the population and about 85 per cent of the internally-generated revenue (IGR), political and public service appointments and recruitments, as well as resources allocation have been monopolised by the people of the third senatorial zone.

According to the communiqué, the meeting, which was attended by over 100 representatives of the 12 local governments of the two districts, reviewed the current social, economic and political situation in the

state since its creation 24 years ago and came to the conclusion that it has not lived up to the expectation of its founding fathers.

“Kogi State has been starved of economic and political development, following unconscionable level of marginalisation and oppression of the people of Central and West districts,” it noted.

The forum noted that since its creation in 1991, Kogi had been grossly and willfully mismanaged by successive governments with absolutely nothing to show for the trillions of naira that had accrued to the state from the federal allocation and IGR. The stakeholders vowed that any person from the two districts, who accepts a deputy governorship position from Kogi East, will be treated as a traitor.

The forum resolved to

pursue the project by setting up the following committees- strategy, finance, contact and mobilisation, media and publicity, and primaries. These committees, the communiqué said, would begin work immediately.

The meeting, which was co-chaired by Prof.

Eyitayo Lambo, Prof.

Yusuf Aliyu and Alhaji Idris Yusuf Tawari, was attended by Senator Dino Melaye, Senator Salihu Ohize, Kabir Ajanah, Dr. Tom Adaba, Olatunde Ayeni, Dr. Abdulrahaman Adeiza and Prof. Olu Akerejola Others include Amb. S. A. Lawal, Amb. P. B. Fadumiyo, Gen. J. O. S. Oshanupin, Chief Tunde Ayeni, Prof.

Angela Okatahi, Chief J. O. Omuya, Prof. I. Abdulsalam, Dr. Adinoyi Ojo Onukaba, Alhaji Isiaq Ajibola and Chief Tunde Olusunle.

THE Majority Leader of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Adanyi Benjamin, has withdrawn his suit, which seeks to stop the government from appointing first-class chiefs, his counsel, Prof. Aondoakaa Ijohor (SAN), has said.

The matter was struck out yesterday, following an application.

Ijohor said there was no reason to continue in court.

He added that the decision to withdraw the case was in agreement with the Governor Samuel Ortom administration, noting that the task of governance was big and “we don’t want to task them.”

Asked on the possibility of further litigation by the affected first-class chiefs, the lawyer said: “The doors of the court are open for those who are aggrieved. We can’t stop them from going to court. That is the beauty of democracy.”

Free eye screening From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

THE Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA), has concluded plans to offer free eye screening to 500 residents of Gishiri, a community in Abuja, tomorrow.

The programme, which is part of the activities to begin the 29th Annual General Meeting of the association, will offer free drugs and reading glasses to the beneficiaries.

The National President of NOA, Damian Echendu, who addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja, said the meeting would attract international delegates and speakers, who would add value to the economy.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS Athens seeks new deal on Greece debt

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HE Greek government has requested a new bailout deal from the eurozone, just hours before it must repay •1.6bn (£1.1bn) to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Greece is asking for a new two-year •29.1bn aid deal from a bailout mechanism for eurozone countries.

Eurozone finance ministers will discuss the Greek offer in a teleconference on Tuesday evening.

If it fails to make the IMF payment, Greece could risk leaving the euro.

The European Commission, which is one of Greece’s creditors, wants Athens to raise taxes and cut welfare spending.

No advanced economy has ever missed a payment on an IMF loan.

Amid fears of a Greek default on its huge public debt of •323bn - and a possible exit from the euro long queues of people are continuing to snake from many cash machines in Greece, where withdrawals are capped at just •60 a day.

Scores dead in Indonesia plane crash

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ORE than 100 people are feared dead after a military transport plane crashed in a residential area of the Indonesian city of Medan.

The Hercules C-130 plane hit two houses and a hotel before bursting into flames, creating a huge fireball.

Air Force head Agus Supriatna visited the crash site and told reporters he believed there were no survivors among the 113 people on board.

At least 66 bodies have been recovered so far.

A major rescue operation is under way at the site which was covered in flames and thick black smoke.

The BBC’s Alice Budisatrijo in Jakarta says that only the tail of the aircraft is still recognisable; the rest has been reduced to debris.

Our correspondent says that there are reports that people are trapped inside wrecked buildings and the nearest hospital is continuing to receive bodies arriving from the crash site.

Many of the passengers are thought to have been relatives of servicemen and women.

It is too early to know exactly how many people were killed in the disaster, or what caused it, our correspondent says.

Large crowds watched the emergency services search the flaming wreckage.

The plane had just taken off when it ran into trouble.

“It passed overhead a few times, really low,” a witness told the Reuters news agency.

“There was fire and black smoke. The third time it came by it crashed into the roof of the hotel and exploded straight away.”

Mr Supriatna said that the

‘Plane crashed while it was turning right to return to the airport’ pilot had asked to return to base because of technical difficulties.

“The plane crashed while it was turning right to return to the airport,’’ he said.

The Hercules transport plane was manufactured in 1964, but a military spokesman said he was convinced that it was in good condition.

Correspondents say that it

is the second time in 10 years that a plane has crashed in Medan.

In September 2005, a Boeing 737 came down in a crowded residential area shortly after take-off from Medan’s Polonia airport, killing 143 people including 30 on the ground.

• The tail of the huge Hercules army plane sits amid the rubble of residential Medan, in Indonesia's North Sumatra...yesterday

New Ebola case confirmed in Liberia

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IBERIA’s authorities have quarantined the area where a 17-yearold boy died of Ebola.

This is the first reported case of Ebola in Liberia since it was declared free of the disease seven weeks ago.

Deputy health minister Tolbert Nyenswah said tests confirmed that the teenager from Nedowein village, near the international airport, had died of the disease on 28 June.

Officials are investigating how he contracted Ebola, Mr Nyenswah said.

More than 11,000 people have died of the disease since December 2013, the vast majority of them in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

• Rescuers remove one of the aircraft's wheels as hundreds of others attempt to retrieve bodies from the crash site...yesterday

Islamic State ‘linked to France factory here are links between the suspect’s van. He was beheading’ into Islamic State and the knocked unconscious and

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man suspected of beheading his boss and trying to blow up a gas plant in south-east France, prosecutors say.

Yassin Salhi was arrested on Friday at the Air Products factory in Saint-QuentinFallavier where he worked.

He had cited a workplace dispute.

But prosecutor Francois Molins said the evidence indicated a terrorist motive, albeit influenced by personal reasons.

Herve Cornara’s head was found with Islamist flags nearby.

Mr Molins said Mr Cornara had been tricked into getting

then strangled.

He had a long-bladed knife and a gun, the prosecutor said.

About 500m (1,640ft) before he reached the plant, he decapitated his victim, and sent two photos of the remains to a friend in Syria. One was a selfie, and the other included an image of the severed head placed carefully on the torso.

Tunisia attack: Sousse killer Rezgui EIFEDDINE Rezgui, ‘trained in Libya’ the Tunisian man

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who killed 38 people at the beach resort of Sousse, is thought to have been trained in Libya, security sources say.

A senior official at the Tunisian interior ministry told the Associated Press that Rezgui had been in Libya in January, the same time as two men who attacked a Tunisian museum in March.

Most of the dead in Sousse were foreign tourists, including 30 Britons.

The Islamic State group

(IS) has claimed the attack as its own.

“The attacker trained in Libya with weapons at the same period as the Bardo [museum] attackers,” Rafik Chelli from the interior ministry told AP. IS also said it was behind the Bardo museum attack in Tunis that left 22 people dead.

Mr Chelli said that Rezgui had travelled to the Libyan town of Sabratha at the same

time as the Bardo attackers.

“He crossed the borders secretly,” Mr Chielli told AP. IS has a significant presence in Libya and is thought to control the major towns of Derna and Sirte.

The Tunisian authorities have released photos of two suspects. The men, Bin Abdallah and Rafkhe Talari, are friends of Rezgui that the police have yet to locate.

Rezgui, 23, was radicalised while studying engineering.

Russia examines 1991 recognition of Baltic independence

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HE Russian chief prosecutor’s office is to examine whether the Soviet Union acted legally when it recognised the Baltic states’ independence in 1991.

The investigation was described as an “absurd provocation” by Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were occupied by Soviet communist forces in 1940. The USSR broke up in 1991.

Last week Russia’s chief prosecutor declared illegal the transfer of Crimea from Russia to Ukraine in 1954.

At the time Russia and Ukraine were republics of the USSR, under communist leader Nikita Khrushchev.

Russia’s annexation of Crimea in March 2014 was condemned internationally. Ethnic Russians there voted to rejoin Russia, in a highly controversial referendum.

There are large ethnic Russian minorities in Estonia and Latvia, while Lithuania has a smaller ethnic Russian minority.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

NEWS APC: Buhari on course Continued from page 4

taken over the mantle of leadership has spurred Nigerians to dream again, put public servants on their toes, forced many looters to start disgorging some of their loot even without prompting, and fired the zeal of many public enterprises to deliver better services.”

“We in the APC assure our

compatriots, who have expressed their concerns in recent times, that there is no cause for alarm. The Buhari Administration is willing, determined and able to effect the change that Nigerians voted for, despite the initial challenges. No one, not even the reactionary forces that are rampaging now, can sabotage our party’s change mantra.”

President to support terror victims Continued from page 4

•Cross River State GovernorBenedict Ayade (second right) flanked by Secretary to State Government, Barr. Tina Agbor (right), CEO, Brand Spectrum Industrial Services Mr. Michael Le Havre (left) and MD/CEO, DNL Engineering LTD Mr. Lorenzo Santangelo in a meeting to brainstorm on the Calabar Seaport and the dual Carriage Super Highway. Calabar...yesterday.

Okonjo-Iweala defends $2.0b spending Continued from page 4

said, subsequently issued a news release and published an advertorial in national newspapers on May 25, 2015, giving details of what the Federal Government and states received from the ECA in the last four years. It also provided details of the use of the funds for payment of petrol subsidies for the Nigerian public and SURE-P allocations to the three tiers for development purposes.

Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said she “pioneered the practice of publishing monthly updates of all allocations to different tiers of government in

order to empower Nigerians with information and knowledge of government revenues and expenditure. This enabled the Nigerian public to ask questions about the utilisation of these resources. Of course, many elected and appointed public officials were not happy with this development.”

She said she continued this practice when she returned in 2011 and even added periodic updates on the Excess Crude Account, subsidy payments for verified claims by oil marketers for fuel imports as well as SURE-P payments to the three tiers of govern-

ment.

In the advertorial published in some newspapers on May 25, Dr. Okonjo Iweala explained that between 2011 and 2014, the Federal Government collected N3.29 trillion from the ECA while the states shared N2.92 trillion.

She said subsidy and SURE-P payments were also made from the ECA. The ex-minister said in the advertorial: “The figures show that they received N966.6 billion in 2011, N816.3 billion in 2012, N859.4 billion in 2013 and N282.8 in 2014. The low figure for 2014 reflects the steep

Oando sells 60% downstream to HVI for $276m Continued from page 4

distribution company licence supplying white products.

The total consideration of US$461.3 million will be funded by a US$276.8 million cash contribution from HVI and US$184.5 million in preference shares issued to Oando Plc. At closing, HVI will own 60 per cent of the special purpose vehicle. Oando will hold a 40 per cent stake.

Commenting on the deal, Group Chief Executive Officer, Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu, stated: “This transaction is an exciting development in downstream West Africa. By working with Vitol, a global energy and commodities company, and the largest independent trader of energy products, and Helios, a premier Africa-focused private investment firm, we have repositioned Oando Downstream for a new era of investment growth, profitability, and this venture holds unprecedented opportunities for the business. Importantly, this divestment also en-

ables us to increase our focus on our upstream and midstream businesses. Even as proceeds of the sale will be applied almost entirely to reducing Oando’s leverage, we underscore the portfolio rationalisation achieved alongside the balance sheet optimisation.”

During a mid-year teleconference with investors and analysts in July 2014 to announce the conclusion of Oando’s game-changing $1.56 million acquisition of ConocoPhillips Nigerian assets, Mr. Tinubu had hinted at the probability of a shift in Oando’s strategy to focus on the implementation of a three-pronged approach to reduce debt, diversify into the higher margin upstream, and an increase growth margin value for shareholders through an augmented production portfolio and cash flow.

Analysts indicate that Oando Plc had decided against an outright sale of its downstream subsidiary, but entered into an agreement with

HV Investments due to the strategic partnership, accelerated expansion and increased investment on offer. “This partial equity agreement presents a unique opportunity for a significant growth in the size and scale of our operations, while substantially strengthening our position in the downstream sector.

Though we employ a multifaceted approach across the energy value chain, we have immense pride in our origins as a predominantly downstream company, and we had no reason to sell, as our brand deeply resonates with many in Africa and globally,” Tinubu said.

The Oando group has primarily focused on the growth of its Nigerian-based assets portfolio in the last year, including viable opportunities that optimise its operations, delivery and upstream footprint, such as the ramp up of its production from 5,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) pre-acquisition of ConocoPhillips Nigeria to its present output of 53,100 boe/d.

Gowon condemns Amnesty International’s report Continued from page 4

armed forces.

“I therefore congratulate you on the publication of these two books which tells the Nigerian public and the world at large, the truth about the Nigerian military,” Dr. Gowon stated.

In Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar’s speech delivered by former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman, he noted the role of the mass media as a “force multiplier”, adding that the popular support it mobilizes can make a very crucial difference towards achiev-

ing military victory.

In another speech by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Alhaji Ismaila Aliyu, he noted that the mass media is a force to reckon with in the process of carrying out any military campaign, adding that a professional like Gen. Olukolade knows what it takes to mobilise public awareness while sustaining military morale.

While Professor Jerry Gana spoke of the importance of constitutional democracy, good leadership and strategic thinking, he emphasized that the

media can significantly influence citizens’ psychological disposition towards the country’s armed forces.

All the speakers eulogized Olukola’s intellectual contribution and the manner with which he has been carrying out his duties as an interface between the Nigerian military and the mass media.

While a representative of the Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko began a spate of launching with undisclosed amounts of money, millions of Naira were realized at the event.

decline in revenues due to the impact of the crash in global oil prices which began in the middle of the year.

“The summary of the inflows and outflows from the Account shows that the opening balance was $4.56billion in 2011 and reached a peak the following year at $8.7 billion before declining to $2.3billion in 2013. The balance as at May 2015 is $2.07 billion.

“Subsidy and SURE-P payments are also made from the Excess Crude Account.

“FG’s share from the ECA during the period was N3.29 trillion.”

est by the Nigerian military.

She also told the President that a National Security Corridor Programme has been created to provide a safe route for those who wish to leave Boko Haram voluntarily, and that 47 erstwhile

members of the group have embraced the programe.

Dr. Akilu also said that no fewer than 22 women and girls, recruited as suicide bombers by Boko Haram are now undergoing rehabilitation by the CVE after voluntarily embracing its de-radicalisation programme.

Baraje: I didn’t host meeting to undermine APC

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CHIEFTAIN of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Kawu Baraje, has denied hosting a meeting to undermine the party.

He also criticised a former Interim National chairman of the party Chief Bisi Akand for his statement on the National Assembly crisis.

Baraje, in a statement in Abuja, said he was disappointed that Akande, who led the party and was a governor authored a statement which appeared to be divisive.

Baraje said: “I have known Chief Akande to be an honest man. I got the shock of my life when he alleged that I had a

meeting in my house with ‘some old and new PDP members with a view to hijacking the National Assembly’ through the aspiration of Dr. Bukola Saraki as the Senate President.

“I have been quiet as a leader so as to not to be seen as taking sides because of my closeness to Dr. Saraki, else people will read meaning into it.

“I am also appealing to Chief Akande to demonstrate more commitment to our party by exposing the President to the truth that would assist him in taking good decisions.

I hope that this appeal will be heeded.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

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NEWS

Alleged N72.660m theft: ICPC arraigns two NACV workers

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HE Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned two men, Akinyemi Badejogun and Olanrewaju Bakare, before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja for alleged theft of N72.660 million belonging to National Anti-Corruption Volunteer Corps (NAVC).

Badejogun and Bakare were arraigned yesterday before Justice Lateef LawalAkapo on a 36-count amended charges, bordering on conspiracy to commit felony, stealing, fraudulent conversion, and making of false statement with intent to mislead ICPC officer.

The defendants, who are coordinator and treasurer of the NACV, Lagos State Chapter, were alleged to have committed the alleged criminal offences at Ketu, Lagos within Ikeja Judicial Division

By Adebisi Onanuga

between December 2010 and November 28, 2011.

In the first count, the defendants between December 2010 and September 2011, allegedly conspired to transfer N55 million from NAVC account number 4110013083 in Fidelity Bank Plc to another NAVC account number4110013076 in the same bank for the purpose of conferring corrupt advantage on themselves and converted the money to personal use.

He said the offence was contrary to section 26(1) (c) and punishable under section 19 of the ICPC Act 2000.

In the second count, the defendants were alleged to have within the same period and location transferred N55 million from NAVC Trustees account number 4110013086 in Fidelity Bank to account 4110013076 and subsequently converted

the money to personal use.

They were alleged to have used their positions to confer corrupt advantage on themselves, contrary to and punishable under section 19 of the ICPC Act 2000.

In the third count, the defendants were alleged to have on or about December 30, 2010 conspired and stole N800,000, property of NAVC, Lagos State Chapter, from its trustees account in Fidelity Bank, contrary to Sections 516 and 390(8)(b) and punishable under 390(9) of the Criminal Code Act Cap 38, Vol. 4 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Other charges showed that the defendants conspired and stole N700,000 from the NAVC Trustee account with Fidelity Bank on December 31, 2010. Another N500,000 was allegedly stolen on December 31, 2010; N2 million on February 8, 2011; N1.5 mil-

lion on February 23, 2011; N2 million on February 28, 2011; and N3 million on March 17, 2011.

Others include N1.5 million on March 29, 2011; N2 million on April 18, 2011; N1 million on May 4, 2011; N1 million on June 21, 2011; N1 million on July 4, 2011; N500,000.00 on August 12, 2011; N1 million on September 16, 2011 and N50,000.00 on September 22, 2011, all which are property of Trustees the state NAVC Chapter.

The offences were said to be contrary to Sections 516 and 390(8)(b) and punishable under 390(9) of the Criminal Code Act Cap 38, Vol. 4 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The ICPC added that Badejogbin and Bakare, being signatories to the trustees account, allegedly stated that he spent N55 million on No-

vember 28, 2011 on NAVC projects, a statement said to be false. The commission claimed that the money was “transferred from NAVC Trustees account to another account”.

The defendants were also alleged to have knowingly made false statement in respect of money entrusted in their care, contrary to and punishable under Section 16 of the ICPC Act 2000.

They were alleged to have knowingly made a statement, which is false or intended to mislead an officer of the ICPC contrary to Section

25 (1) (a) and punishable under section 25 (1)(b) of the ICPC Act 2000.

Badejogbin was said to have informed officers of the ICPC on November 28, 2011 at Abuja that he signed and transferred money from NACV account to Lagos East Senatorial account, which was said to be false.

Bakare on the other hand was alleged to have informed officers of the ICPC on November 28, 2011 at Abuja that he signed and transferred money from NACV Trustee account to NAVC Senatorial account, a statement said to be false.

Firm restates commitment to customer satisfaction

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O offer value that will enhance business development and growth, Mantrac Nigeria, the authorised Caterpillar dealer in Nigeria, has restated its commitment to satisfy and support customers and business partners across Nigeria.

The company made this known by offering customers the opportunity to purchase and rent a widerange of high quality used Caterpillar Certified equipment at very

affordable prices with special discounts. The equipment comes with a six month warranty.

The equipment include, Backhoe Loader 428E, Backhoe Loader 428EII, Dump Truck 740, Dump Truck 730, Wheel Loader 980G, Track Loader 953C, Track Loader 963B, Motor Grader 140H, Motor Grader 140H, Paver AP-655D, Skid Steer Loader 226B, Skid Steer Loader 277B, Integrated Tool Carrier 1T14G and others.

NASS crisis: Dogara, FCC sued

A •Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alferd Achebe; Vice Chancellor Emeritus, Enugu State University Of Science And Technology (ESUT), Prof. Ikechukwu Chidobem; the Awardee, Prof. Ben Nwabueze and Chairman, Convention For Intellectual Co-operation Of Nigeria (Coficon), Prof. Chiweyite Ejike during the conferment of Distinguished Academic Leadership Award on Nwabueze by Coficon in Enugu...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

CBN, ALGON, others begin negotiation over $3.2b judgment against Fed Govt

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said it had commenced settlement talks with beneficiaries of two judgment of $3,188,079,505.96 against the Federal Government by a Federal High Court in Abuja in favour of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), its consultant, Linas International Limited and others.

The other beneficiaries of the judgments are: Phil-Tech Nigeria Limited, Riok Nigeria Limited, XI Nigeria Limited, Snecou Group of Companies Limited, Wells Procurement Services Limited, Systematic Engineering Limited, Prince Orji Nwafor–Orizu and Bello Olaitan Busayo.

The companies were allegedly awarded contracts by ALGON to provide health care and security services in all local governments.

An investigation commissioned by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) raised doubt about the legitimacy of both judgments.

The report doubted the conduct of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Minister of Finance and Accountant General of the Federation, who were defendants in the case.

It showed how the AGF, the

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

Minister of Finance and Accountant General of the Federation failed to defend both suits, which sought to deprive the country huge sums of money, raising questions about the actual motive behind the suits.

ALGON and Linas challenged the alleged Federal Government’s unilateral withdrawal of funds from the Federation Account, to fund the London Club debt buyback of 1992 and London Club debt exit payment of 2006.

They argued that government’s deployment of the funds for the payment of foreign debt without the consent of the other tiers of government contravened sections 162(1), (3), and (5) of the Constitution.

The plaintiffs urged the court to order the refund of $3,188,079,505.96 to them; order the defendants to pay 20 per cent of the money to Linas through its lawyers as consultancy fees; and that the court should order the defendants to pay 15 per cent of all amount due to the Local Governments ‘for utilisation on security and health care delivery all over the Federal Republic of Nigeria’.

Defendants in the suit were the Federal Government, the AGF, the Minister of Finance and Accountant General of the

Federation.

Linas, however, filed a separate suit against the AGF, the Minister of Finance and Accountant General of the Federation, ALGON and 180 local governments (who were part of the plaintiffs in the initial case).

The company claimed it was entitled to N1 million per local government and another 20 per cent of the $3,188,079,505.96 being claimed by the plaintiffs in the case over the foreign debt deduction, as its consultancy fees.

Since the defendants did not defend the case, Justice Adeniyi Ademola granted the plaintiffs’ prayers in both cases in the judgments given on December 3, 2013. The defendants also failed to appeal, prompting the plaintiffs to commence garnishee proceedings against the Federal Government. So far, the court has granted four garnishee orders against it.

At the resumption of hearing in the garnishee proceedings, yesterday, prosecuted by Linas’s counsel, Joe Agi (SAN), CBN’s lawyer Ms. Ozeigbe Omo-Egharevba told the court that representatives of the CBN, the Accountant-General of the Federation and the judgment creditors met on Monday.

“Representatives of the CBN and the Accountant-General of

the Federation met with the representatives of the plaintiff yesterday (Monday) to see how we can explore an out of court settlement of the case,” Omo-Egharevba said.

Lawyer to the judgments’ beneficiaries Chief A. Akunebu said he could neither confirm nor deny what the CBN’s lawyer said.

He said the plaintiffs’ lead lawyer, Joe Agi (SAN), who could confirm whether or not such settlement effort was ongoing, was not yet in court.

Justice Ademola shifted proceedings till later in the day when Agi was available to confirm the development.

Further hearing in the case has been fixed for July 6.

CULTURAL group, Igbo Youth Democrats has sued the Federal C haracter Commission (FCC) and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara for disregard of the FCC principle on House leadership.

Group President Okere Kingdom in a statement yesterday said people from the Southeast were not slaves and should be recognised in driving the country’s affairs.

Kingdom sought to know the interpretative jurisdiction of the Federal High Court on equitable zoning of political offices.

The plaintiffs, Kingdom and Comrade Eze Chigbu, on behalf of the group contended: • Whether or not zoning of elective political or appointive offices is constitutional and should be strictly followed in the appointment, election, selection, nomination or endorsement of principal officers of the House and other political offices in Nigeria, in view of Section 14 (3) and (4) and Paragraphs 7 and 8 of Part One of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Sections 5 and 6 of the Federal Character Commission (Establishment ETC) Act. • Whether or not the FCC

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

Act and the establishment of the FCC was to ensure fairness, equality and justice in the distribution of political offices and in the composition of the government at all levels and the need to avoid domination of one ethnic group over the other(s).

• Whether or not it complies with the FCC for one geo-political zone to produce two principal officers of the House when other zones have produced nothing.

• Whether or not the programmes, activities, as well as aims and objectives of political parties, especially in the nomination, selection, election and endorsement of candidates for the principal positions of the NASS and other political offices at the State and Federal levels must comply with section 14 (3) and (4) of the 1999 constitution as mandated in sections 223 (1) (b) and 224 of the 1999 constitution.

He noted that the combined effects of the sections of the constitution are zoning, and the Igbo should not be zoned out of the principal positions in the House of Representatives.

“That is why we are in court, as the last hope of the oppressed,” he added.

Terrorism: Court grants Ndume leave to travel for Hajj

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FEDERAL High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday granted an application by Senator Ali Ndume, who is charged with terrorism, to enable him travel to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj.

Ndume was arraigned after he was implicated by a suspected member of the Boko Haram sect, Ali Konduga, who has since been convicted and sentenced for the offence.ý Delivering a short ruling on the Senator’s application, the trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, ordered the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR) Litigation, to release Ndume’s passport and other travel

documents to him.

Justice Kolawole also ordered Ndume to return the travel documents to the DCR within 72 hours of his return to the country.

Ndume’s application, which was dated June 23, 2015, and moved by his counsel, Miss Rose Okotie-Eboh, was not opposed to by the prosecution counsel, Mr Muslim Hassan.

The Senator, who had been granted such applications in the past, will embark on the trip to Mecca on July 3.

He had deposited his passport and other travel documents with the court registry in fulfilment of the bail conditions given him by the court since his arraigned on Dec. 3, 2013.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

SPORT EXTRA

Ogba, Nesiama, Worphil vie for IAAF seats • Ogba

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RESIDENT of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Solomon Ogba is in contention for one of the nine individual IAAF Council member seats when elections come up on the first day of the 50th IAAF Congress scheduled to be held in Beijing, China on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 August 2015.

Ogba's name was among the 39 listed by the IAAF in its official newsletter released Tuesday in Monaco as contestants in the elections.

The former Delta state Sports Commission boss, however, has a tough battle to ahead as he

faces such credible,famous Olympians as Namibia's Frankie Fredericks (double sprints silver medallists at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta; Nawal El Moutawakel of Morocco who won the 400m hurdles gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics,Bahama's Pauline DavisThompson,Abby Hoffman of Canada, Alberto Juantorena Danger of Portugal, Kenya's Isaiah Kiplagat, Momar Mbaye and Theophile Montcho of Senegal and Benin Republic respectively as well as Irena Szewinska of Poland amongst other heavyweights former

track and field internationals.

Also in the running for a seat in the IAAF Technical Committee is Navy Officer Omatseye Nesiama,the technical committee head of the AFN. Omatseye,a newcomer into athletics administration who never participated in the sport as an athlete or a coach is surprisingly proposed as a candidate, while knowledgeable exinternationals like Yusuf Ali (arguably Nigeria's greatest long jumper of all time),Tony Osheku (arguably the most successful coach Nigeria has ever produced), Falilat Ogunkoya (one of Nigeria's greatest athletes of all time),Rotimi Obajimi (unarguably Nigeria's Mr Athletics) and Innocent Egbunike,the reigning Nigeria 400m record holder were not considered by the AFN as possible candidates.

Former General Secretary of the AFN,Maria Worphil is also in the race to become the chairperson of the IAAF Women's Committee.

Worphil,adjudged one of the most successful accounting officers the AFN has ever had is currently a member of the committee. She is also vying for a return as a member if she fails to clinch the ultimate ticket in Beijing.

Aminu Umar dreams big with Dream Team VI

G

OOD things, they say, come in small packages.

That seems to be the best way to describe the petite but nimble-footed Umar Aminu.

At first glance, your picture of this 20 year old is that of a harmless innocent kid from the neighborhood, but on the field of play, this look will turn to that of a terrorizing predator, for that is what Umar is.

Siasia's U-23 squad has seen players come and go, but one player that has stood out in terms of discipline and dedication is

Umar Aminu, who had to cut short is vacation after a hectic season which saw him help his Turkish club Osmanlispor from the second division to the Turkish top flight in only one season with them.

Speaking after the Dream Team's 6-1 bashing of an Abujaselected All-Stars team led by Super Eagles' Juwon Oshaniwa, Umar, who played a commanding role in the demolition exercise said with the promotion of his club to the top flight in Turkey, he is now more than ready

Scotland a good move - Oshaniwa

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IGERIA international Juwon Oshaniwa will complete his move to Scotland Premier League side Heart of Midlothian FC after he was granted a Scottish Premier League work permit, AfricanFootball.com can exclusively report.

The ex-Sharks’ star is expected to hit Scotland to sign a threeyear contract with Hearts in the next few days.

The FC Ashdod of Israel left back told AfricanFootball.com that he is happy with the move

which will be a stepping stone for bigger things in his career.

"I am very happy with the development. Going to play in Scotland is a good move for me,” Oshaniwa said.

“The profession is about movement and I am looking forward to join the team do well and move to bigger level. It's a sign of better days ahead for me."

Hearts have been champions of Scotland four times and are back in the top flight after they won the Scottish second-tier league this past season.

to do the nation proud by honoring national invitations any time he is wanted by national team selectors, as playing in one of the top leagues in Europe will not only give him the much needed experience, but also the confidence.

"It's not easy for a foreigner to be so appreciated and valued in a top league like Turkey, but with the exploits of Emmanuel Emenike and others, I am respected and have been able to adapt well to the league. Don't forget that it was in Turkey that I made my name while playing for Nigeria in the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup. I scored two goals at the championship. Before then, I had emerged the highest goal scorer at the African Youth Championship held in Algeria with four goals."

While commending Coach Siasia for inviting him to the Dream Team, Umar said it is his dream to not only excel at the All-Africa Games in Congo in September but also at next year's Olympics, after he must have helped the team qualify for and win the African U-23 Championship in Senegal in December.

I 've not resigned, says Manu Garba

F

LYING Eagles' coach, Manu Garba has described as untrue, reports that he resigned as the head coach of the U20 team. He is seeking spiritual guidance from God on his next professional move.

Media reports have indicated that the FIFA U17 World Cupwinning coach resigned as the

Today’s Matches Shooting Stars vs Sharks El-Kanemi vs Dolphins Heartland vs Ifeanyi Ubah Rangers Int' vs Kano Pillars Wikki Tourists vs Giwa FC Nasarawa vs FC Taraba Kwara United vs Enyimba Abia Warriors vs Bayelsa Warri Wolves vs Lobi Stars Sunshine vs Akwa United

• Coach seeks divine guidance From Tunde Liadi,Owerri head coach of the Flying Eagles after the team fell short of expectation in New Zealand where they crashed out in the second round to Germany.

Garba told NationSport that he never granted any interview where he said he had resigned and that he had been reflecting on the FIFA U20 World Cup held in New Zealand, asking God for divine guidance on his next move.

"I am looking unto God for his guidance on what to do next. I have not told anybody that I would resign. This is the work of mischief makers and they won't get anything from me. At

the right time God will guide on what to do next," Manu told NationSport.

• Garba

62

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

63

TODAY IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.10 NO.3262

‘This ET story must stimulate you to struggle financially, physically to create ‘youth space’ in every community/ward, VIP or poor. Please visit Educare Trust, behind Ventura, Inside Samonda GRA, Sango-UI, Ibadan.

Nigeria’s youth will only become crime and violence free if we all support ‘change’- Beyond politics start ‘A National/State/LGA PPP Policy Of One Youth Centre/Ward’-each named after the area’

TONY MARINHO

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

People and Politics

L

AST week I promised to publish more of the responses to my column of June 17 on the controversy that has trailed Dr. Bukola Saraki election as Senate president, a controversy that does not seem about to go away or even subside so soon. Accordingly I have devoted about a third of today’s column to some of those responses.

Before then, however, some words about President Muhammadu Buhari’s seeming slow speed of decision making and his orders to the country’s service chiefs on June 12 to dismantle the military checkpoints that had riddled our highways and towns.

First, the military checkpoints. In the last four years, travelling on our highways and commuting within our towns had become a nightmare, especially in the North where the checkpoints had been more prevalent.

They had, on average, nearly doubled travel time within and between towns, had become avenues for extortion of travellers and had occasionally led to the harassment, maiming and even killing of those who dared resist such extortions.

The trade off was supposed to be at least the curtailment of the movement of Boko Haram personnel and their arsenal. Their abduction of Chibok girls two years ago and their frequent bombings of soft targets – schools, churches, mosques, markets and the like – clearly exposed the ineffectiveness of these checkpoints. Indeed, far from securing society from such attacks, the checkpoints constituted potential killing fields; it was a miracle that it apparently never crossed the twisted minds of the insurgents to explode bombs in the massive traffic go-slows and hold-ups caused by the checkpoints. One shudders to imagine the level of human and material destruction that would’ve resulted therefrom.

However, for some inexplicable reasons, former President Goodluck Jonathan rejected all entreaties, including those from some ex-military heads of state who obviously knew a thing or two about national security, physical or otherwise, to dismantle the checkpoints. It was as if someone somewhere was intent on inflicting suffering and pain on Nigerians under the guise of keeping them safe from Boko Haram.

Some people have argued that without the military checkpoints things could’ve been much worse. This is not impossible but the argument is more speculative than factual, given the limited military capacity of Boko Haram, even compared with our hitherto seemingly out-gunned army.

President Buhari may have seemed slow in decision making, but on this issue of military checkpoints, his orders to dismantle them within a month of being sworn in could hardly have been prompter – and more right; if nothing else, it is bound to drastically reduce the cost doing business in the areas affected and lift the terrible trauma of siege mentality the checkpoints

By

MOHAMMED H ARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Why PMB is right to hasten slowly had inflicted on people.

All of which takes me back to the first issue of the president’s seemingly slow speed in decision making. Nothing captures this better than a caption story in The Guardian last Sunday. In what is potentially an award winning piece of photo journalism, the newspaper devoted half of its front page to a beautiful picture of a lone tortoise crawling across the huge, but at the time apparently empty, forecourt of the Aso Villa with the bold caption “Slow And Steady Wins The Race.”

Few readers would miss the newspaper’s sarcastic but subtle dig at the president. And as if to agree with it, on the same day, the Daily Trust on Sunday, whose stable no one can accuse of being an enemy of the presi-

AND NOW TO THE SARAKI CONTROVERSY Sir, Much as I share some aspects of your analysis on Saraki in The Nation of June 17, the last paragraph was off the track. In eight years, Saraki transformed Kwara in the areas of urban facelift, education, agriculture and roads.

Olatunde Ayodabo, +2348033604983.

Sir, You got it right when you said “Saraki served himself more than he served society.” You only forgot to add that he ruined Societe Generale Bank and the bank’s customers’ businesses. He has ruined so many things in Kwara. Now, who will deliver the 8th Senate from being ruined by him? Only time will tell.

Leke Adeyemo Ilorin. +2348134616449.

Sir, I don’t think it is fair to blame President Muhammadu Buhari on the recent election of Saraki and Dogara as President of the Senate and Speaker House of Representatives on the wrong assumption that he is the leader of the party. There is nowhere in the APC Constitution which says that the elected president or

RIPPLES I HID IN THE CAR PARK TO AVOID ABDUCTION ON INAUGURATION DAY–SARAKI

Hmm, this is ‘TALES BY MOONLIGHT’

dent, published an editorial which clearly suggested it is unhappy with the speed of his governance.

“We urge President Muhammadu Buhari,” the newspaper said in concluding its editorial, “to immediately appoint an SGF (Secretary to the Federal Government), appoint a full complement of personal staff and nominate ministers without further delay.”

I agree with Trust that he should appoint the SGF and his full complement of personal staff without further delay. Indeed he should’ve done so from day one, especially as he has had close aides who possess the requisite skills, integrity and loyalty for the jobs and have done similar jobs for him long before he entered politics in 2003.

However, I disagree with the newspaper and those who share its sentiments that he ought to nominate members of his cabinet immediately. By implication, the president does need a cabinet to deliver on his promises. But nothing in the constitution says there is a deadline for constituting it. Of course, doing so should not take forever. At most it shouldn’t take more than his first hundred days in office.

In that case the man still has about two more months to go. If his current pace looks too slow to meet his 100-day covenant with Nigerians, I think it is because, as Nigerians, we seem too much given to drama. It is also because we underestimate the depth and scope of the mess which the hitherto ruling PDP had made of Nigeria in the last 16 years.

In the lead editorial of its June 20th edition, The Economist of London said Buhari’s coming to power is an opportunity for Nigeria as “Africa’s most important failure (to) at last come right.” In that same edition, the newsmagazine carried a 16-page special report with the president’s picture on its cover captioned “Opportunity knocks” on how to get it right this time.

Opportunities like this come only once in a long while in the life of a nation. It is therefore better and safer for the president to err on the side of caution than rush into judgement and risk getting it all wrong. One hundred, even 30 days may be too long to pick one’s closest aides, but it is certainly not too long to put together a team competent and sincerely committed enough to do the heavy lifting that should turn this country around from the mess it is in.

governor from the party shall be leaders of the party at national and state levels respectively. The constitution only says the president shall be a member of the National Executive committee and governors, members of state executive committee. Party chairmen are leaders of their party at all levels.

Secondly, APC senators and House members must learn to cooperate with PDP senators and House members for the smooth passage of their bills since they lack two third majorities in both chambers.

Hussaini Dangaladima, Dan’iyan Zazzau Suleja +2348163422383 Sir, I read your piece of Wednesday, June 17, 2015 titled “Saraki as President of the 8th Senate.” President Muhammadu Buhari at 72 cannot be wrong when he said he was not interested in whoever emerged as the principal officers in the two legislative houses. He said and did the right thing and should have been fully backed and supported by the party.

Instead, the party chieftains decided to act in their own wisdom but with what result?

DISGRACE! They have since learnt the hard

HARDBALL

I

T took the controversially-elected Senate President Bukola Saraki 18 days to reconstruct the story of his emergence from his own point of view. And when on June 27 he personally narrated to journalists how the whole thing happened on June 9, his tale stretched the imagination.

He said: “I can tell you today that I was in the National Assembly Complex as early as 6:00 in the morning and I stayed in a car in the park from 6:00 in the morning till quarter to 10:00am…All I was monitoring was how people were arriving at the complex. It was at quarter to 10:00 that I got information that the Clerk to the National Assembly had entered the Chamber.”

Saraki continued: “So I got out of the small car I was inside, stretched myself and put on my babariga because I didn’t have it on before then. I walked from the car park into the chamber.”

His moment-by-moment narration conveniently left out interesting details. For instance, just out of curiosity: how small was “the small car”? Saraki sounded like he hoped

way and have been crying over spilt milk.

They forgot the Yoruba adage which says that “Oroagba bi o se laaro, a se lale,” which means “The saying of an old man, if it does not come to pass in the morning, will surely do in the evening”.

The strong man of Lagos politics should be told in plain language that this is politics at the national level and not at state or regional level. APC should wake up. PDP is prowling around and roaring like a hungry lion looking for whom to devour. Let them put the episode behind, reflect on the lesson learnt and bounce back stronger.

Ologun B. Freeman, Utako, Abuja. ologfreemania@hotmail.com Sir, There should be no soft landing for Bukola Saraki. The best option for him is to resign. The decisions of the party hierarchies remain sacrosanct. He must be told in clear terms that Nigeria Federation is not Kwara State that his family members see as their patrimonial estate. +2348073344775.

•For comments, send SMS to 08059100107

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Saraki the innocent to make a point by introducing the adjective “small.” It sounded like a case of “hypocritical humility.”

The highpoint of his pointlessness came when he said: “Before I knew it, my election had come and gone.” In other words, it all happened in a flash - did he mean like flash fiction? But, evidently and evidentially, not as quickly and suddenly as to suggest that Saraki was unprepared, or that the direction of the drama was unanticipated, or even that the event was unplotted.

The eventual cementing of a strange and strangulating leadership combination at the helm of the country’s upper legislative house is a source of wonder, just as Saraki’s postevent crocodile tears are unbelievable. He was quoted as saying: “It is unfortunate that we have a PDP man as Deputy Senate President. It is painful. It is painful for any APC member because we went through the struggle. That was not what we signed for.”

Saraki added: “But it has happened; but it is unfortunate and it is not fair to put the blame on one side because it is a combination of errors and miscalculations that led us to have what we have.”

His developing denial of party supremacy, manifested in his own defiant pursuit of position and his subsequent downgrading of the party’s choices, may well be at the heart of the self-identified “errors and miscalculations.” But Saraki seems too self-absorbed to appreciate the fundamental nature of his own miscalculation error.

It would appear that Saraki’s meet-themedia session had a redeeming feature, though. Perhaps unwittingly, he said: “I want my action to speak more than what I say.” Saraki must be familiar with the idiom “Actions speak louder than words.” So far, his actions have said so much about the worthlessness of his words.

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