The Nation July 03, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Fed Govt pays N2.19tr subsidy

Court strikes out PDP’s, Oyinlola’s suit

NEWS

NEWS

Page 4

Page 5

•‘No case against MTN on Salami’s calls’

•NNPC’s account queried

www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 2175 TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

THE $620,000 CASH-FOR-CLEARANCE SCANDAL

Audio tape relays Otedola, Lawan $2.5m bribe deal My voice doctored, says Rep Police demand to quiz Jagaba

A

TWIST emerged yesterday in the $620,000 cash-forclearance scandal involving a lawmaker, Farouk Lawan, and businessman Femi Otedola.

A Lagos television station aired what it described as a purported conversation between the former chairman of the House of Representatives ad hoc committee, which probed the fuel subsidy fraud, and Femi Otedola, chairman of diesel retail giant Zenon Oil. The businessman said the lawmaker demanded $3million from him to facilitate the removal of his company’s name from the

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

list of the firms indicted in the misappropriation of subsidy cash.

He said he paid the $620,000 in three tranches in a sting operation involving the State Security Service (SSS). The dollar bills given to Lawan, he said, were marked.

Lawan confessed to collecting the cash, saying he did so to prove that Otedola pressurised him.

He also said he informed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) informally that he deposited the cash with the chairman of the House Committee on Narcotics, Drugs and financial crimes, Hon. Adam

Jagaba, who said the money is not with him.

In the 81-second audio, two men are heard discussing how some money will change hands between them.

One appears to be on an aircraft, about to travel to a destination he reveals as China. Their conversation centres on how the “balance of $2.5 million” will be passed from one person to the other.

The other gives the phone number of an aide (08036513355) he named as “TJ” to the first, asking him to give the said money to the intermediary.

He said he would be “busy in the chambers” by the time Continued on Page 4

THE CONVERSATION AIRED ON TV

•Lawan

•Otedola

Lawan: Oh, you would take it to your house?

Otedola: No. I don’t want to bring it to my house. It is a lot of money Lawan: Ha… so where? Because I’m hastening to the… you are at the airport now?

Otedola: Yes… at the airport; in the aircraft Lawan: Well I can’t come over now and before they can come over now unless I send somebody to the airport but I can’t leave by the time they come. I should be in the chambers. I have a lot of things to do myself Otedola: Is there anybody you think I can give it to or maybe I should just…or maybe I should postpone my China trip till tomorrow?

Lawan: No, no it’s ok. I will arrange it with someone. Let me give you his number Otedola: Ok Lawan: Yeah. The number is 080…

Otedola: hold on hold on hold on. 080…

Lawan: 08036513355 (Otedola repeats after Lawan) Otedola: What’s the name?

Lawan: Yeah…TJ Otedola: Sorry?

Lawan: ah… TJ Otedola: Ateezay?

Lawan: No… TJ! Otedola: Teezay?

Lawan: TJ…T…J Otedola: Okay. So I will give him the balance; that is em… 2.5 million dollars, yea?

Lawan: That’s right. Hold on. Just hold on, just hold on. I’m calling him to be sure his phone is on…

Otedola: Where will I meet him?

Lawan: Just hold on... hold on. Don’t quick send.

•President Jonathan disembarking from the newly inaugurated Armoured Personnel Carrier, “Igirigi APC” manufactured by Nigerian Army Engineering Corps, after test driving in Jaji, Kaduna State…yesterday

Behold ‘Field Marshal’ Goodluck Jonathan

H

E has said he is neither a General nor a Pharaoh. But yesterday, he looked every inch a Field Marshal, a rank no living or dead Nigerian leader has ever attained.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, at the inauguration of a production line for arms and ammunition by the Army, frowned like a soldier as he took the salute.

Not that he did not smile intermittently, but his countenance, for most of the time he gracefully wore his Field Marshal rank, was

By Olukorede Yishau

soldierly. He shook hands and smiled excitedly when a sharp, brisk salute would have been just okay. But Dr. Jonathan looked good in his customised army camouflage/ combat uniform.

The President feels at home anywhere he goes. When in the Southeast, he becomes an Igbo man decking the traditional dress with a red cap.

The last time he visited Ibadan, Oyo State, Continued on Page 4

•NINE KILLED IN BORNO MOSQUE P57 •FALANA, 70 OTHERS FOR SAN P7

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

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NEWS

'How on children to

President Goodluck Jonathan cutting the tape to inaugurate the DICON-MAROM NIiegria Limited Corporation for the production of arms and ammunition for Armed Forces in Kaduna... yesterday. With him are: Kaduna State Governor Ibrahim Yakowa (left), Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Oluseyi Petinrin and Minister of State for Defence Erelu Olusola Obada (right) PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN

The posting of youth Corps members to volatile states in the North brings back the memories of those slain in the past by extremists, report JOSEPH JIBUEZE and BUKOLA AMUSAN, ABUJA

•NANS, activists kick •NYSC: no going back

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•Vice-President Namadi Sambo being welcomed by the representative of the manager , Royal Palace Hotel, Burundi , Mr Pikiri Eptihas on his visit to Burundi for the 50th Independence anniversay celebration of the country ...yesterday. With them is the Secretary-General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Col. Musa Shehu (rtd).

PHOTO: NAN

•From left: Chairman, Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, Lagos, Oloruntoba Oke, former Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Muiz Banire and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademorin Kuye at the inanguration of blocks of classrooms at Fred Williams Priamry School, Fagba to mark Oke’s 250 days in office...yesterday PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

•Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Compliance, Maruf Akinderu-Fatai (middle), Missioner, Ansar Ud Deen Society, Osodi branch, Musodiq Quadri and Prof. Ishaq Akintola during the society’s merit awards in Lagos...on Sunday PHOTO: GBENGA KUTELU

HE National Youth Service Corps Scheme (NYSC) headquarters in Abuja had some unwanted guests yesterday. They were Corps members protesting their posting to states renowned for violence in the North.

After the last presidential election won by Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, violence broke out in the North and daimed the lives of some Corps members in Bauchi State.

Tomisin Teide was one of them.

The 24-year-old was posted to Giade Local Government Area of Bauchi for his primary assignment after the orientation at Wailo Camp.

An indigene of Osun State, he was among the 200 other corps members recruited as electoral officers by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cover the 20 local government areas in the state.

Teide and others ran to the police station in Giade to seek refuge as their lodge in Giade was attacked. The rioters attacked the station and overpowered the policemen on duty before setting the station on fire. They brought out Tomisin, a graduate of Computer Science from the University of Ilorin and about six other Corps members and killed them.

Also killed was Seun Adewumi, who completed his degree in Political Science at the Olabisi Onabanjo University , Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

He was posted to Bauchi for the one-year mandatory service. Life was snuffed out of the 27-year-old graduate in the post-election violence in Giade.

Born in Lagos , Adewumi, a native of Imojo-Ekiti, in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State, was the only graduate out of his mother’s six children.

Seun, said a source, was butchered to death by rioters.

A fellow Corps member, who escaped, said: “It was a war situation and all of us were just running at different directions. They were inflicting machete cuts on us. They hit me on the head, on the shoulder and back but I kept on running.

But thank God, two men on Okada just emerged from nowhere and confronted my attackers. They pleaded with them to leave us alone but when they discovered that they were desperate to kill all of us, one of them just carried me and put me on the motorcycle and sped off. I was taken to a village far from the war zone.’’

Ukeoma Ikechukwu also died in the hands of the rioters. So did Obinna Okpokiri. The 27-year-old was butchered and burnt. He reportedly run to the Corpers’ Lodge as the rampaging rioters targeted the Corps members. Okpokiri could have been in the United Kingdom (UK), where he earned his degree. He only re-

Slain in the North •Teidi Tosin Olawale •Nkwazema Anslem •Okpokiri Obinna Michael •Adowei Elliot •Adewunmi Seun Paul •Adeniji Kehinde Jehleel •Gbenjo Ebenezer Ayotunde •Ukeoma Ikechukwu Chibuzor •Akonyi Ibrahim Sule turned home to do the mandatory service.

It was the fear of falling victims of violence that made Corps members to besiege the headquarters of the NYSC in Maitama District, Abuja yesterday.

The 2012 Batch B Corps members posted to Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Plateau, Katsina, Bauchi, Yobe blocked the NYSC main gate around noon.

Some parents, whose children were affected by the deployments, joined in the protest.

A mother of one of the affected Corps members, Mrs. Charity Omenai, said: "How on earth will they send our children to die in the name of service? When even the Federal Government has failed in protecting lives and properties of those living there they want to send our children there to die. I won't accept that and they must change the posting or we won't leave here."

One of the Corps members, a graduate of the University of Port Harcourt who pleaded for anonymity, said: "I am married with an eight month-old-baby.

I applied with my marriage documents, yet I was posted to Taraba State and we are many from my school with similar issue. We have demonstrated and registered our anger in our school and we were asked to come here and complain.

We have complained but they are yet to attend to us."

The prevented cars from going in and out of the building in protest against being posted to areas they said were volatile.

Also yesterday, an Igbo cultural organisation, the Oganiru Ndigbo Foundation (Igboville) and the Human Rights Writers' Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) condemned the postings.

Igboville urged those posted there to reject it, saying it would hold the government accountable for any Igbo life lost. HURIWA said the government's action was "unwise".

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the National Youth Council (NYC), at a news conference yesterday, urged govrenment to stop the deployment of Corps members to volatile states.

The Corps members, who converged on NYSC's office as early as 8am, be-

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

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NEWS

earth will they send our die in the name of service?'

•The protesting youth corps members at the NYSC headquarters, Abuja...yesterday President, National Youth Council (NYC), Ajani Olawale James(middle), President, National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS) Comrade Dauda Mohammed(left) and Vice-President, NYC, Tijani Kabiru during a news briefing on the need to stop the deployment of youth corpers to the North... yesterday PHOTOS: ABAYOMI FAYESE

came angry when the NYSC DirectorGeneral, Brig-Gen. Nnamdi Okore Affia arrived the office around 11am and drove in without addressing them.

It took the combined efforts of the private security outfit at the premises and policemen to pacify the protesting NYSC members.

The protesters accused the government of being insensitive to their plights.

According to them, with the high rate of bombing in the North, it is unthinkable that the government would still post them to such areas.

But the management of the NYSC said that there is no going back on the postings.

NYSC's Deputy Director, Publication, Mr Peter Atilola said all the affected Corps members had been directed to report at the orientation camps of the states they were posted to for the registration process.

Atilola added that adequate security had been provided in the various orientation camps in the country.

He said: "They are just wasting their time; there is nothing that we can do from here now. They still have to report at their various places of posting. It is after their registration that they can seek for redeployment. They cannot change their posting now."

The NYSC Deputy Director,

Mobilisation, Emmanuel Adewuyi, also urged the youths to first report at their orientation camps and apply formally for redeployment and promised that the matter would be attended to.

In Gombe, the NYSC said security has been beefed up at the camp, as some of the more than 2,050 Batch 'B' corps members begin to report in camp.

Mr Manesah Igyuse, the Gombe State Coordinator of the NYSC, yesterday said the state government was doing everything possible to ensure that those posted to the state for the orientation were secured.

"The military have been moved into the camp with their armoured tank and are combat ready. So, nobody will even attempt to come and attack it.

"More soldiers and policemen have also been drafted to boost security in the camp," he said.

Tthe Batch 'B' Corps members started arriving in the camp for orientation on Monday.

Igyuse assured them of adequate security, saying that as far as the state is concerned, they have no problem with their safety.

About 1,007 corps members participated in the Batch 'B' orientation.

In Enugu, Igboville urged Igbo

Corps members to reject the postings to the North.

Addressing reporters, its leader, Emeka Maduewesi and legal adviser/secretary, Dr. Gaius Ndukwe Onu, accused the Federal Government and the NYSC of being insensitive to the plight of the youths.

The group advised all Igbo Corps members posted to the North to forward their posting details to it through igbo.ville@yahoo.com.

It insisted that it was heartless for the authorities of the NYSC to mobilise youths and other Southern christians for primary assignments in the North.

Maduewesi said: "We will hold the President and NYSC D-G responsible for any of them that loses his/her life to Boko Haram and religious extremists. The government must immediately re-deploy them to safer areas of the country or suspend the entire NYSC scheme.

"We are still mourning 11 Corps members killed in April (2011) as a result of the post-election crisis in Northern Nigeria as well as others who have lost their lives to the current upheaval in Yobe, Kaduna, Kano, Jos, Maiduguri, Gombe and other Northern states.

"Thus we ask, how many more lives of our children must we sacri-

fice for the oneness of Nigeria? Sending more of our youths into the same dungeon is not only callous but highly insensitive to the esteemed value we place on our children many of whom have already been sacrificed to the Nigerian debacle.

"We hereby put the Federal Government and NYSC on notice that we will not hesitate to use every resource available to us to bring them to account if any Igbo graduate is harmed in the North.

"Igbo graduates who boycott their posting to the North must be issued exemption letter by the NYSC on or before 10th of July 2012," the group demanded.

Reminding President Goodluck Jonathan of the enormous sacrifices, in blood, that Igbos made to bring about and sustain his presidency, the group said that their reward would not be for him to conspire with those wishing to wipe off the Southerners' educational advantage.

"We will view the President's silence in this matter as an act of hostility against Ndigbo. We are by a copy of this letter to relevant international agencies putting them on notice about this new dimension of Igbo cleansing in Nigeria," the group said.

HURIWA said following the glar-

ing inability of the Federal Government to restore normalcy, law and order in the crises-prone Northeastern, it was wrong to send corps members there.

In a statement, its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Officer, Miss. Zainab Yusuf, said the inability of the Federal Government to arrest, prosecute and punish the armed hoodlums in parts of Bauchi, Yobe and Borno states who last year killed more than a dozen participants of the NYSC scheme makes it a crime against humanity for the government to deploy another set of graduates to the volatile states to be exposed to even more deadly violence following the escalation of terror in those areas.

HURIWA called on the government to either disband the NYSC scheme or to convert it to compulsory one year non-combat military service whereby the participants would only be restricted to work in military formations spread across the country.

It urged the Federal government to stop forthwith the deployment of young Nigerian university graduates for NYSC scheme to these troubled states in the North to save their lives from unwarranted attacks and bloody violence.

HURIWA asked the National Assembly's Joint Constitution Review Committee to overhaul the legal framework establishing the NYSC to reflect current realities.

It wants a stop to what it said amounted to exposing the youth to unnecessary violence and terrorism.

It would rather that the one year service scheme be turned into compulsory military scheme in fulfillment of section 220 (1) and (2) of the constitution as amended.

The section provides: “The Federation shall establish and maintain adequate facilities for carrying into effect any Act of the National Assembly providing for compulsory military training or military service for citizens of Nigeria."

Section 220 (2) provides: "Until an Act of the National Assembly is made in that behalf, the President may maintain adequate facilities in any secondary or post-secondary educational institution in Nigeria for giving military training in any such institution which desires to have the training.

HURIWA added: "While we note that in recent years, some young graduates from the South who were deployed to the North for the compulsory one-year national service have lost their lives to the activities of political hoodlums and armed insurgents, the Federal Government has sadly failed to bring these perpetrators to face the consequences of their dastardly crime in the competent courts of law.

"We are even more shocked that the same government that has failed to restore law and order in the volatile Northern states, has also decided to deploy thousands of young graduates mainly from the South to serve in these violence-prone states such as Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Kano, and Plateau.

"We reject this unwise action by the Federal Government in its totality and we appeal to leaders of conscience in all segments of the society to publicly denounce this move to send out young, innocent, unarmed youth to be slaughtered by armed hoodlums."

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

NEWS $620,000: Police write Speaker, demand release of Jagaba

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HE Police have written the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, demanding the release of the Chairman of the House Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Adam Jagaba, for interrogation over the $620,000 bribe collected by the suspended Chairman of the House Committee on Fuel Subsidy Management, Mallam Farouk Lawan.

Besides, there are indications that the bribe giver, Mr. Femi Otedola, may not appear before the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges because his appearance will be subjudice to a N250billion suit he had instituted.

But the House Committee on Ethics may demand the video tape of the sting operation of the bribery saga from Otedola.

Lawan had alleged that Jagaba is in possession of the bribe sum making it necessary for the police to question Jagaba.

But Jagaba has told the Police, through the Office of the Speaker, that the cash is not with him.

The police wrote the Speaker last Tuesday.

But it was gathered that the Office of the Speaker did not get the letter till until when Tambuwal travelled to South Africa on an official assignment.

A high-ranking police officer at the Force Headquarters, who spoke in confidence, said: “The letter of invitation of Jagaba was routed through the Office of the Speaker. This has been the practice since the investigation into the bribery allegation started.

“The letter was signed by the Coordinator of the Special Task Force, CP Ali Amodu, and it was duly acknowledged by the Office of the Speaker. This is contrary to the statement credited to the spokesman of the House that the Police have not officially communicated the House.

“We only asked the Speaker to use his good offices to please allow Jagaba to interact with the

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Fed Govt pays N2.19tr subsidy cash

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

STF on what he knew about the bribery.

“The police have been awaiting the response from the Speaker and Jagaba on this formal invitation.”

On the alleged directive to the police to quit the investigation of the bribery for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the officer said: “We have not been told to stop investigation or hand over to any sister agency.

“What may play out is that after investigation, the ICPC may handle the prosecution of the suspects.”

Otedola, who gave the $620,000 bribe to Lawan, may not appear before the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, which summoned him last week.

A source said: “The House Committee has not received any letter of commitment from Otedola that he will appear before it. But the House is aware that the businessman has gone to court.

“We learnt that Otedola is saying that his appearance before the committee may be subjudice to the N250billion suit he has instituted.

“We will not prejudge Otedola; we will wait till Tuesday to see whether he will honour the House or not.”

A member of the committee, however, said if Otedola fails to show up, the panel might invoke Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution.

He said: “We have the right to demand the video tape from Otedola on what transpired between him and Lawan. We are really interested in the tape at the committee level.

“We are empowered by this Section 89 of the constitution.”

The section says: “For the purposes of any investigation under Section 88 of this Constitution and subject to the provisions thereof, the Senate or the Continued on Page 62

•Senate queries NNPC’s secret account From Onyedi Ojiabor, and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

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•Mr. Dominic Barton, Global Managing Director of McKinsey & Company (left) during his visit to Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman Heirs Holdings in Lagos...at the weekend

Behold Field Marshal Jonathan Continued from Page 1

he adorned buba and sokoto, with the abeti aja cap to complement it. When in the North, the babariga sits pretty on him as though he were one of them.

He has felt at ease in Tiv attires, just like Idoma clothes have seen in him a perfect frame.

On Saturday, when he was in

Benin to campaign for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he became a Bini man, with red beads dangling on his neck.

He has also been momentarily Navy and Air Force officer. But his outing yesterday caused more than a stir in some circles. The President wearing a Field Marshal rank— perhaps the first to do so in recent times— sure takes the icing.

HOULD the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) keep a secret crude oil foreign account?

This was the knot the Senate laboured to untie yesterday as Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the Federal Government paid N2.19 trillion fuel subsidy last year.

Okonjo-Iweala, spoke at the resumed probe of the management of fuel subsidy by the Senate Joint Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Appropriation and Finance.

The breakdown of the subsidy payment, according to the minister, includes N1.7trillion paid as at last December and N451billion arrears paid this year.

On the expected total subsidy the country is likely to pay this year, the Minister said she did not have the figure.

The Minister however said there was the need for the government to work out a formula whereby the Ministry of Finance would know exactly the amount of subsidy to be paid at any particular time.

On the controversial crude oil sales foreign account maintained by the NNPC, the panel’s chairman, Senator Magnus Abe, asked Dr. Okonjo-Iweala if she is aware of any NNPC foreign account with the name “J.P. Morgan Account”.

She noted that there is an account known as “J. P. Morgan” into which all the revenues of crude oil sales are paid into by the NNPC. The Minister added that she is aware that NNPC runs a foreign account since it transacts business outside Nigeria.

Asked whether she has the number of the account and how the account is operated, she said she does not have the account number.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala also said she does not know how NNPC operates the account.

Abe reminded her that the Constitution stipulates that all revenues accruable to the Federation must be paid into the Federation Account domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He described as an act of illegality and fragrant abuse of the Constitution the operation of a foreign account by the NNPC. Abe wanted to know from Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala as Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy whether she had ever bothered to find out if NNPC pays all crude oil sales revenue into the J. P. Morgan Account.

The minister said she believed that “NNPC does, but I have never been privy to the number of the account”.

She noted that NNPC is the agent of the FedContinued on Page 62

My voice in audio tape doctored, says Farouk Lawan

HE suspended Chairman of the House Committee on Fuel Subsidy Management yesterday described the audio tape of the $620,000 bribe transaction between him and a businessman Femi Otedola as doctored.

He said that it would require forensic evidence to prove this to be true.

He demanded the airing of the entire audio-visual and the complete video for Nigerians to watch.

Lawan made his opinion known in a statement last night through one of his counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome(SAN).

The statement said: “We are counsel to Farouk Lawan. He has drawn our attention to an audio visual piece of news aired on Channels Television which purported to be a conversation between Femi Otedola and our client, Mr Farouk Lawan.

“We have listened to and watched the audio with our client, Mr Farouk Lawan. On his instructions, we hereby state that the audio is infertile, vague, puerile and inadmissible in evidence by any

Tape relays Otedola, Lawan $2.5m bribe deal Continued from Page 1

the other person’s messengers arrive with the money.

The conversation appears to be cut midway when the person at one end mentions the amount and the other says: “Just hold on, just hold on.”

Here are the details of the conversation, as aired by Channels, which disclosed no source of the tape: Lawan: Oh, you would take it to your house?

Otedola: No. I don’t want to bring it to my house. It is a lot of money Lawan: Ha… so where? Because I’m hastening to the… you are at the airport now?

Otedola: Yes… at the airport; in the From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

Court Of Law or Tribunal.

“Professionally, Channels did make the vital point that the audio was “purported to be their voices”. One simple question here: where is the visual of the audio?

“Recall that Otedola had told the whole world that he used the SSS to carry out a so called “Sting Operation”, which showed Farouk Lawan

aircraft Lawan: Well I can’t come over now and before they can come over now unless I send somebody to the airport but I can’t leave by the time they come. I should be in the chambers. I have a lot of things to do myself Otedola: Is there anybody you think I can give it to or maybe I should just…or maybe I should postpone my China trip till tomorrow?

Lawan: No, no it’s ok. I will arrange it with someone. Let me give you his number Otedola: Ok Lawan: Yeah. The number is 080…

Otedola: hold on hold on hold on.

080…

not only pocketing the sum of $500,000, but also putting some under his cap, in Otedola’s Lagos home.

“On Farouk’s instructions, we debunked this allegation and challenged Otedola or the Police and the SSS to produce this complete audio video, unedited and undoctored.

“Otedola had the opportunity of doing this through Channels TV. But he did not.

Rather, he brought highly

Lawan: 08036513355 (Otedola repeats after Lawan) Otedola: What’s the name?

Lawan: Yeah…TJ Otedola: Sorry?

Lawan: ah… TJ Otedola: Ateezay?

Lawan: No… TJ! Otedola: Teezay?

Lawan: TJ…T…J Otedola: Okay. So I will give him the balance; that is em… 2.5 million dollars, yea?

Lawan: That’s right. Hold on. Just hold on, just hold on. I’m calling him to be sure his phone is on…

Otedola: Where will I meet him?

Lawan: Just hold on... hold on. Don’t quick send.

doctored, manipulated and incomprehensible voices purported to be his and Lawan’s.

“He will certainly require forensic evidence to prove this to be true in this highly technologised world of manipulative evidence that can easily turn a man into a woman. Certainly, the audio was a sorry anti-climax to what Nigerians had been expecting.

“Even at that, let us take

the audio ‘evidence’ itself for whatever it is worth. The conversation started somewhere in the middle, not from the beginning and ended abruptly.

“Our client hereby still challenges Otedola to air the entire audio visual and also the complete video for Nigerians to see the setting and environment in which the alleged bribe took place, who said what, to whom and for

what.

“Secondly, our client believes that the entire footage is devilish, satanic, luciferous, mischievous and completely taken out of context.

Even then the audio shows that it is Otedola offering to pay the balance of the alleged bribe of $2.5million, not Farouk Lawan.

The lawmaker said the audio tape has raised many questions than answers.

He added: “Even from what was said, there was no mention of the purpose of the alleged balance of $2.5 million or any mention of Mr Otedola’s indicted companies, Zenon Oil and AP Petroleum, whose desired removal from the Committee’s indicted companies list allegedly formed the fulcrum of the bribe itself. If it was actually a “sting operation”, why is it Mr Otedola and not the SSS officially releasing it on Channels TV? The audio has raised more questions and doubts than answers. Farouk Lawan says it is a doctored anti-climax.”

Channels did not say it got the audio recording from Otedola.

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

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

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Ex-Police chiefs meet Acting IG Abubakar

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ORRIED over the spate of insecurity in the country, former Inspectors- General of Police yesterday held a three-hour meeting with Acting Police chief Mohammed Abubakar.

Although details of their deliberation were not made available to reporters, the meeting was said to have discussed how the retired police chiefs could assist Abubakar

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said there are many unpatriotic Nigerians holding high offices in the country.

The President spoke in Kaduna when he inaugurated bulletproof vests for the Armed Forces and other paramilitary agencies.

He said the nation would henceforth begin to look inward for the supply of its military wares.

Dr Jonathan said it is only the items that cannot be produced locally that would be

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

in tackling the spate of bombings in the North.

One of them, Alhaji Gambo Jimeta, admitted that they didn’t witness acts of terrorism during their tenure.

He said there were other areas in which the group could assist, morally and otherwise.

“We discussed a wide range of issues affecting the

police, particularly the misunderstood personality of the policemen. We came to assure the IGP of our total support”, Jimeta said.

Mr. Sunday Adewusi expressed apprehension over bombings in the country, saying that he and many of his colleagues did not experience terrorism during their time.

“We did not have terrorism in our days, but terrorism is spreading all over the

world which has necessitated a change in methods of policing. That is why we came to rub minds with the present IGP”, Adewusi said.

He noted that problems like over population, unemployment and sophistication in crime have put pressure on the police.

Alhaji Aliyu Attah and Ibrahim Coomasie said the group advised the IGP to write to the Federal Govern-

Jonathan: many unpatriotic Nigerians hold high offices •President inaugurates Armed Forces’ bulletproof vests From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

sourced outside the country.

The President said local content does not mean what is produced by Nigerians but what is produced in Nigeria.

He said: “We have a number of Nigerians that are unpatriotic, even people holding high offices. They have no choice, except Defence Industry Company of Nigeria (DICON) cannot produce them.

“I must be convinced beyond reasonable doubts that DICON cannot produce something before any Federal Government agency would be allowed to buy it. That is not produced here. The management of DICON deserves commendation for its foresight and the work it has done.

The venture is a joint agreement with DICON and MAROM Nigeria Limited.

“DICON has been making strenuous efforts to partner willing local and foreign companies to enhance its capabilities and the diversification of its product range.

“Today’s event also signals that our nation’s military establishment effectively key into our administration’s local content policy, which is aimed at building indigenous capacity in the petroleum and other sectors to boost our national economy.

“DICON’s initiatives and the equally commendable efforts of the Nigerian Navy, which singly designed and constructed civil defence boat, which I commissioned about a month ago, is the beginning of the end of our total reliance on foreign supplies for our national security needs. I have been informed that today I will also commission armoured personal carriers (APCs) built by the Nigerian Army Engineering Corps.

“During the Nigerian Air

Force (NAF) Day, I was quite pleased by the achievements of the NAF for the modifications they did on aircraft. That couldn’t have been possible without their ingenuity. I believe they will even go further than that. If people fail to buy what DICON is producing, it is the sign of being unpatriotic. I think it is beyond being unpatriotic…

“Just like the oil industry, for you to bring a fabricated platform, the local content must certify that we cannot produce this in the country. “That is the only way we can move forward as a nation and I believe with what we have witnessed within this period from the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air force and the Nigerian Army, this development also marks the beginning of a vibrant defence industry in Nigeria.

“I plead with investors, it is not necessary that you will cite

Court strikes out Oyinlola’s, PDP’s suit against MTN on Salami’s call logs

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FEDERAL High Court sitting in Abuja has struck out a suit filed by former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against mobile giant, MTN Nigeria.

The duo accused the MTN of not releasing the full Call Data Records (CDRs) of the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, to the National Judicial Council (NJC).

The suit was filed to frustrate the NJC’s plan to reinstate Justice Salami, who presided over the two panels that sacked both Oyinlola and former Ekiti State “Gov-

ment for special funds for the police, adding that they would also take up the initiative with the Federal Government.

The retired IGPs who attended the meeting were: Jimeta, Attah, Coomasie, Mohammed Dikko Yusufu, Adewusi, Musiliu Smith, Tafa Balogun, Sunday Ehindero and Mike Okiro.

Mr. Ogbonna Onovo and Hafiz Ringim were absent.

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

ernor” Segun Oni. But MTN, in its statement of defence, claimed it does not have the capacity to store and release CDRs beyond three months.

Justice Bilikisu Aliyu struck out the suit following the notice for discontinuance filed by the Plaintiffs without tendering any reason.

Although MTN asked the court to dismiss the suit since parties have joined issues, Justice Aliyu only struck out the suit.

Citing Order 50 Rule 4 of the Federal High Court, Justice Aliyu said the court was

prohibited from dismissing the case.

Justice Peter Affen of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court had dismissed a suit filed by Oni against Justice Salami for not disclosing reasonable cause of action.

In a witness statement on oath filed in court by MTN’s Senior Manager, Commercial Legal, Mr. Rotimi Odusola, he averred: “I know as a fact due to capacity and storage constraint, the 1st defendant (MTN) can only release CDRs for periods not exceeding three months from the date of receipt of a legitimate request for the release for the CDRs.

“I know as a fact the 1st defendant’s standard requirement with respect to its post-paid subscription are consequent on its policy upon which it has absolute prerogative.

“I know that the 1st defendant released Adeolu Oyinlola’s CDR to him in compliance with its obligations to its subscribers.”

Replying paragraphs 22 to 23 of the statement of claims, the MTN states that it always cooperates with security agencies and accedes to their legitimate requests while adhering to its rigid procedures to ensure its customers confidentiality regime is not compromised or preju-

your factories here, you can cite it anywhere, but let us know because it is a security matter.

“We will encourage investors. We will only buy what we produce here. I have been telling Nigerians and Non Nigerians that the concept of local content is not what is produced by Nigerians, but what is produce in Nigeria.

“Foreign investors should come in directly or partner with local investors, DICON or other businessmen to produce our industrial needs because we are gradually getting to a point where Nigeria will cease to be a country where people can come and dump whatever they like. We will encourage people to produce our needs locally.

“Let me assure you that this administration is resolutely committed to creating the requisite enabling environment for local manufacturing industries to grow.”

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diced and also within the confines of its capacity and storage constraints. It was consequent to this that the 1st defendant upon request for call data records from Nigerian Police Force Area G command Headquarters Ogba, forwarded the CDRs to the command.”

Minister: No pact with US on assets declaration by Jonathan From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

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HE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, yesterday said the nation has no agreement with the United States on public declaration of asset by either President Goodluck Jonathan or any public officer.

He said the President has not violated any agreement between Nigeria and the US by opting not to declare his assets publicly.

Ashiru, who made the clarification in a statement said: “The attention of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, has been drawn to a news story suggesting that comments by President Goodluck Jonathan on asset declaration during his media chat of last week was in part a “violation of an agreement between Nigeria and the United States of America.”

“It is important for the general public to understand that the President’s comment did not violate any agreement because there is no agreement between Nigeria and the United States on public declaration of assets.

“The news story correctly referred to aspects of a joint communiqué issued by Nigeria and the United States at the end of the US-Nigeria Bi-National Commission held in Washington DC from 4-5 June 2012 which reaffirmed Nigeria ’s commitments to budgetary transparency and accountability, including assets declaration by senior public officials.

“These were commitments freely made by Nigeria , and not part of an agreement between it and the US Government. Unless the motive is to disparage the Federal Government, the author of the news story who is based in the US and routinely covers the United Nations should know that there is a world of difference between a communiqué, a mere summary of issues discussed in a meeting, and an agreement, which is a legal and binding document that defines obligations on the part of those covered by it.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there is no agreement between Nigeria and the United States on public assets declaration.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 03, 2012

6

NEWS

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, middle) with the news Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone 2, Mr Mamman Ibrahim Tsafe (fourth left), during his visit to the Governor's Office...yesterday. With them are: Police Commissioner Umar Manko (fourth right); Agriculture and Cooperatives Commissioner Gbolahan Lawal (third right); Attorney-General and Justice Commissioner Ade Ipaye (second right); Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Oluranti Adebule (third left) and others.

Aregbesola warns against sole dependence on oil

Sultan, Tinubu, Dangote others for journalist’s book launch

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

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HE launch and public presentation of Voice of Reason 2 and One Thousand Nine Hundred and Thirty Nine, two books written by veteran journalist, Chief Kola Animasaun, will hold at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday.

The programme will be co-hosted by Oyo and Lagos State Governors Abiola Ajimobi and Babatunde Fashola (SAN) while his Osun, Ogun and Ekiti states’ counterparts, Rauf Aregbesola, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Dr Kayode Fayemi, will be the special guests of honour and co-launchers.

Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, will chair the event and President of Dangote Group of Industries, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, will be the chief launcher.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar, will be the royal father of the day.

Other dignitaries expected at the book launch include the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomole; Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao; former Ogun State governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; Alhaji Munir Ja’afar; a former Minister for Justice, Prince Abdul-Jabaar Bola Ajibola (SAN); the Uthokpo Na Eze Achalla, Igwe Ezeoba Alex Nwokedi (OON); the Group Managing Director of Global Fleet, Mr Jimoh Ibrahim; the Chairman of Vanguard Media Limited, Mr Sam Amuka-Pemu; Senators Ganiyu Solomon, Gbenga Asafa, Gbenga Kaka, Adegboyega Obadara, Oluremi Tinubu, Femi Ojudu and Maj.-Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju (rtd), among others.

The Chairman of the Coordinating Committee and Editor-InChief of Vanguard Mr Gbenga Adefaye said the books would be reviewed by two reputable journalists. They are: the Chairman of the Editorial Board of The Nation, Mr Sam Omatseye and the Managing Director of National Mirror, Mr Steve Ayorinde.

As he did in the first volume of Voice of Reason, the author packs a lot of humour, wit, insight and candour into the second volume to display his incisive style of writing.

Faction shuns Ekiti PDP reconciliation parley From Oseheye Okwufu, Ibadan

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NE of the factions of the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday shunned a reconciliation meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The meeting was held at the Ibadan home of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala. It was said to be in line with last week’s caucus meeting of the party in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, where the party said all warring camps in the Southwest should reconcile.

The factions, it was learnt, were led by the party’s chairmanship candidates, Akin Omole and Makanjuola Ogundipe.

Leaders of the party in Ekiti State include Police Affairs Minister Caleb Olubolade and former Ekiti State Governor Segun Oni, who is the party’s Southwest National Vice-Chairman.

Alao-Akala was asked to ensure that peace is restored to the party in Ekiti State.

The caucus appointed a Lagos State chieftain of the party, Chief Dapo Sarumi, to midwife peace in its Oyo State branch.

The meeting will also hold outside Oyo State.

Nine members from the Akin Omole-led faction attended yesterday’s meeting. The Zonal Publicity Secretary, Kayode Babade, was the observer.

Makanjuola Ogundipe and his members stayed away.

Also present were: Chief Abiodun Olujimi, a former Deputy Governor in Ekiti; Akin Omole, Abiodun Aluko, Ambassador Dare Bejide, Bisi Kolawole, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, Chief Abiodun Osunde, Kayode Alufa, and Funmi Bamisile.

Contacted, Ogundipe said: “I am not aware of any meeting held in Ibadan at Chief Alao-Akala’s home. In actual fact, we have just finished our Monday executive meeting. As the chairman of the PDP in Ekiti State, as I am speaking with you now, I am in Ekiti State and not in Ibadan. If such a meeting would take place, I should know. I am not aware of any crisis in the Ekiti PDP.”

•Union leader: governor doing well despite bad economy

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday warned of a possible crash of the nation’s economy, if nothing is done to reverse its sole dependence on oil.

The governor spoke in Osogbo, the state capital, yesterday when he hosted the executive of the National Association of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (NUBIFE), who were holding their second quarterly meeting in the state.

Aregbesola described the Nigerian economy as a rent system.

He noted that unless “we return to agriculture and sustainable production chain, hopes of an economic prosperity remains remote”.

The governor called for the diversification of the nation’s

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

economy from the present reliance on oil.

Aregbesola said: “We are a consuming nation. We live on rents and commissions. Until we develop our local production and produce what we consume locally, our economy will not only be dependent but also weak.”

He told the NUBIFE executives that the increase in unemployment and further job threats are the direct corollaries of the vulnerable world economy.

The governor recalled that during the 2008 global economic meltdown, some pundits said Nigeria was said to be insulated against it.

Aregbesola noted that when it dawned on those theorising that Nigeria was not insulated,

the meltdown had claimed its first casualty, the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), leading to the loss of huge resources.

He said: “we were all aware that what we were stoking was just a pipedream. Yet, we went into it. The point now is: how do we ensure that coming out of the current financial crisis, we will not be taken for a ride in Nigeria again? And the body that can guarantee that is your association.

“The challenge is beyond the welfare of your members. You, as a body, must be involved in developing ideas that would lead us out of the present financial chaos. At every forum you organise, let those who are versed in the dynamics of the nation’s economy diagnose how we can move away from oil by getting involved in the production process. As it is now,

Nigeria’s economy is subject to the vagaries of world oil market and its attendant price fluctuations. We need to use our today’s advantages to safeguard our tomorrow.”

NUBIFE President Comrade Sunday Olusoji Salako said his team came to Osun State to learn how things are working, despite the nationwide economic crisis and increasing job losses in government and corporate organisations.

He said: “We are here to visit you as a mark of respect as well as to learn how things are working in this state. Our banks are now being threatened through job cuts. We have lost over 5,000 of our members to job cuts in the last one year.

Your formula for job creation should be revealed to other governors so that they can also replicate it in their states.”

Why ACN should rule Ondo, by Southwest party chief

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HE Southwest Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Leader, Senator James Kolawole, has said the party is determined to instal the next government in Ondo State after the October 20 governorship election in the state.

He told reporters in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, that Ondo State residents are anxious to return to the progressive fold after nine years of maladministration by conservative political actors.

The ACN leader noted that the party’s victory in Ondo State is crucial to the realisation of the Regional Integration Agenda of the progressives in the geo-political zone.

Kolawole, who is the National Vice-Chairman of the party, described the October 20 poll in the Sunshine State as a priority.

He said ACN governments are proving their mettle in Ekiti and Osun states, adding that it is an encouragement that the party would perform creditably in Ondo State.

Kolawole said: “It is not too early to start self-assessment of the performance of our governments. By this, we mean the governments of the ACN-

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

controlled states. In Ekiti and Osun states, the ACN governments are on their second year, meaning they are approaching mid-term or half time, if we view it from the angle of a football match.

“In Ogun and Oyo states, we have clocked one year already.

In Lagos State, we have witnessed an unbroken chain of governance as the present administration, which is an offshoot of the previous one, is approaching the second half of its second term.

“If I may start from Lagos State, apart from the accolades from Lagosians, who are benefiting directly from good governance, the economies of many other states are heaving a sigh of relief as more governors from other geo-political zones are going to Lagos to learn, thus reducing the expenditure on foreign trips.”

The ACN zonal chairman spoke on the impact of the ballot box in the Southwest, adding that the six states are now enjoying the dividends of democracy, particularly the employment of youths.

He added: “Even the oppo-

sition and our worst critics are acknowledging that there is a quantum leap in service delivery in governance in the four states of Ekiti, Ogun, Osun and Oyo. In infrastructural development, the era of decay and wishywashy, half-hearted constructions, which were only used as conduit pipes for siphoning public funds, is gone for good.

“In education, the policy, whereby the public institutions will, once again, begin to set the standard for private ones, is returning. Ongoing civil service reforms and improved health care service are already re-positioning these states.

“With the party’s manifesto of mass gainful employment being implemented to the letter in the ACN states, there is no other government at any level in Nigeria that is either employing or creating an enabling environment for the creation of employment opportunities at the rate it is being done in these states. No other party is doing this nationwide, and we stand to be corrected on this.”

Kolawole, who congratulated the Southwest governors

for the Regional Integration Agenda, advised them to consider agricultural development networking in the zone.

He noted that this will lead to sustainable food security, employment generation, poverty reduction and internally generated revenue (IGR) that can make the zone self-reliant.

The ACN zonal chairman said the Ondo State governorship election is a priority. He urged party members to ensure the party’s success.

Kolawole said the Southwest zonal caucus of the party has endorsed the process and procedure the national leadership adopted for the choice of the ACN governorship candidate.

He said: “The Southwest Caucus, therefore, appeals to all our teeming members to embrace the due process as enunciated by the national leadership of the party. Finally, we, at this level, express our confidence in the process to make the party win in Ondo State.”

Kolawole urged ACN governorship aspirants to close ranks and promote unity, saying the other stakeholders should abide by the outcome of the process.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

7

NEWS

Falana, Agbaje, 69 others shortlisted for SAN

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HE Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) has invited 71 applicants to an interview for Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

The list includes human rights activists Femi Falana and Fred Agbaje; Ogun State Education Commissioner Olusegun Odubela and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Legal Adviser Olusola Oke. Chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Dahiru Musdapher, the LPPC is the body charged with the responsibility of selecting lawyers that are eligible for SAN. The rank gives a lawyer the privilege to sit in the first row in courts and to wear a silk gown.

The lawyer’s case will also be called first in courts, except when

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

there is a judgment or ruling.

In a statement, the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mr. Sunday Olorundahunsi, who doubles as the secretary of the LPPC, said: “The General Public is hereby notified that the under listed applicants have been found worthy to attend the interview preparatory to the award of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

“The interview date shall be communicated to applicants. The general public is at liberty to comment on the integrity and competence of any of the candidates.

“Such comments, if any, shall reach the undersigned on or before 11th July, 2012.

The shortlist •Fred Agbaje •Adebayo Lawal •Abeni Mohammed •Aduroja Oluwamuyiwa •Femi Falana •Adele Eberechi •Blessing Ukiri •Henry Ogbodu •MBA Ekpezu Ukweni •Gerald Ezeuko Jnr. •Anthony Anaenugwu •Nwufo Kevin Chukwudi •Nwankwo Sopulu •Oluwakemi Mufutau Balogun •Adeyinka OlumideFusika •Afolabi Hakeem Olatunde •Adesina Okungbowa •Etiaba Benson •Paul Ananaba •Adejuyigbe Olatunde •Akinlolu Osinbajo •Chieonu Okpoko, Francis Agbu •Olumide Sofowora •Sylvanus Ogwemoh.

•Ahmed Raji •Omokayode Adebayo Dada •Ogwu James Onoja •Mahmud Abubakar Magaji •Adewunmi Adedeji Ogunsanya •Ayoola Olufemi Ajayi •Selekeoeei Larry •Aliyu Umar •Joe Adojo Abrahams •Folarin Abiola

Williams •Illo Katu de Sanusi •Rotimi Oguneso •Akinlaja Dayo Moses •Lana Michael Folorunsho •Oluseye Samuel Opansanya •Oke Olusola Alex •Dr. Olukayode J. Olatoke •Biriyai Aidambo •Johnson Olakekan Ojo •Kehinde Eleja •Olalekan Yusuf •Akinlola Akintoye •Oluseun Akinbiyi •Garba Tetengi •Okpoko Peter •Olumide Ayeni •ChukwumaMachukwu Ume. •John Olusegun Odubela •Akinlolu Kehinde •Gboyega Sanmi •Charles Obishai •Samuel Aina •Mrs. Connie-Jean Aremu •Adedokun Makinde •Ndukwe Nwawuchi •Adekunle Oyesanya •John Ifebunandu •Emmanuel Aremo •Chief Chukuka Olujinmi •Adekola Olawoye •Kayode Olatunji •Peterson Ulegede •Olusola Ojutalayo •Rotimi Jacobs •Olayinka Abiose and •Luke Chukwudi Ilogu.

SON to close markets with substandard products THE Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr Joseph Odumodu, has said fake goods will be cleared off Nigerian markets from July 16.

Odumodu spoke at news conference in Lagos yesterday.

The DG said SON will close down any market where enforcement is resisted.

He said there are plans to introduce a very stringent regime for the importation of goods over the next three months and prosecute defaulters before the end of 2012.

Odumodu confirmed that a bill that will set standards for manufacturing of goods, importation and marketing has already passed second reading at the National Assembly and it is expected to become law in a few months.

Police arrest man with marked N5m in Nnewi From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

•Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru and Executive Chairman/ CEO, BG Premium Still Water and Flavoured Drinks, Mr. Adebisi Oderinde during the inauguration of Bengrace factory in Arepo , Ogun State... at the weekend.

I smoked marijuana as a teenager, says Nigerian tipped to be Labour leader

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ABOUR’s rising star Chuka Umunna has confessed to smoking marijuana when he was a teenager.

The Shadow Business Secretary admitted he was ‘not proud’ of trying the class B illegal drug while working in the music industry.

Mr Umunna, 33, insisted that he had not taken any harder drugs and claimed that the public were no longer bothered if politicians have taken the drug.

In an interview with the Sunday Times, the Labour MP said he did think it was ‘news’ any more that some political figures had used marijuana.

Some high profile MPs, including David Cameron, have refused to say whether they have experimented with drugs for fear of attracting public criticism.

The Prime Minister has famously refused to answer questions about his own drug use following reports that he was almost expelled from Eton for smoking cannabis.

Labour leader Ed Miliband has said he never tried drugs himself at university because he was a ‘bit square’.

Tory Louise Mensch last year

issued a statement saying allegations that she had used drugs at a nightclub in Birmingham were ‘highly probable’ and ‘not the only incident of the kind.’

Mr Umunna, who is tipped by many as a future Labour leader, said that he used to want to be a DJ and briefly ran a night club in Brixton, south London.

He admitted that during this time he ‘smoked soft drugs’. But he said: “That (the music) industry is rife with it. That was a (part) of the industry I found unattractive.

“It’s not something I’m proud of and I don’t think it’s news any more, to be honest.”

He also spoke in the interview about his father, who arrived in Britain from Nigeria “with a suitcase and no money”, before building up a company from scratch.

Mr Umunna revealed he had to “grow up very quickly” at the age of 13 when his father died in a car crash in Nigeria after trying to run for political office in his home state.

The MP, who is chairman of the London Gangs Forum, is currently fighting for more young gang criminals to start businesses because he saw how his father “managed to

‘

The music industry is rife with it. That was a part of the industry I found unattractive.It’s not something I’m proud of and I don’t think it’s news any more, to be honest

‘

go from no money to being very successful”.

He wants their “entrepreneurial zeal” to be channeled into business rather than criminal gangs.

•Culled from www.dailymail.co.uk

•Labour Shadow Secretary Umunna

IT was a day of reckoning for a yet-to-be identified man, who was arrested while trying to deposit N5 million in a bank at Nnewi yesterday.

A police source told The Nation that the man was arrested because the management of the bank had been alerted to be on the lookout for any customer with marked money.

The alert was informed by the marked money given to some kidnappers as ransom for the release of their victims.

The Police Public Relations (PPRO) Emeka Chukwuemeka could not be reached for reaction, as somebody who picked his telephone asked our correspondent to call back in thirty minutes time.

Obi hires youths as neigbourhood watchers ANAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi has concluded plans to hire 40 youths from each community into the neighborhood watch outfit and road maintenance committees.

The move is to better secure the communities and enhance road network.

The development came as Ngodo Nise, a community in Awka South Local Government Area has been thrown into mourning over the alleged killing of its illustrious son, Mr Okoye.

Okoye was allegedly murdered by kidnappers who collected a N2 million ransom.

The deceased, who was a businessman, was kidnapped by people who allegedly told the gate keeper that they were his associates.

Okoye, who was kidnapped from his residence in Abakaliki, was later found dead in Nsukka.

His remains have been deposited in a mortuary.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

8

CITYBEATS

08033054340, 08034699757 E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

House stops pay

By Oziegbe Okoeki

THE Lagos State House of Assembly has directed the Commissioner for Finance to stop further payments in respect of Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), except the payment of salaries of pensionable and non-pensionable staff.

This decision was taken at plenary yesterday, sequel to a motion moved by the Leader of the House; Ajibayo Adeyeye, entitled "Non Compliance with the Provisions of the Lagos State Joint Account Allocation Committee Law, 2003". The motion was co-sponsored by 18 other lawmakers.

According to Adeyeye who noted that Section 162 (8) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended states that "the amount to the credit of Local Government Councils of a state shall be distributed among Local Government Councils of the state on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly of the state".

Adeyeye further noted that Section 4(b) of the Lagos State Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) Law, 2003, states that "the Committee shall consider the resolutions of the House of Assembly in respect of the allocation formula for the account".

He added that Section 9 of the same law stipulates that "not later than 30th June of a subsequent year, the Accountant-General shall submit to the House of Assembly of the state a report in respect of payments made to each Local Government Council in the state for the preceding year ending 31st December.”

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UPILS of Anwar-Ul-Islam Primary School, Apongbon, Lagos Island, were yesterday forced to vacate their classrooms following a flood.

They were moved to a yetto-be inaugurated building in a junior secondary school within the same premises, which is scheduled to take-off in September.

The rain, which started on Sunday night, flooded the classrooms.

Teachers and pupils abandoned the flooded weak fiveclassroom block.

A section of the block was submerged in the flood; cracks were noticed on the walls. The Assistant Headmaster, Mr Saka Lasisi, said the school was usually flooded because of its location.

"The school is usually flooded anytime it rains as water from parts of the community flows into the premises.

"The block is already sinking with cracks on the walls and that is why we were forced to relocate to a new block in the junior secondary school within the premises," the official said.

Lasisi said apart from the flooding which forced them to abandon their building, the school's toilet is also now home to reptiles and dangerous animals.

He called for the assistance of the authorities to enable the school resume normal academic work.

Mr Oluwole Ogunleke, Chairman, Olowogbowo Community Development Association, said the problem of flooding in the Apogbon area was being addressed.

He said the drain had been cleared and illegal structures demolished to ensure free

PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

Flood sacks school, community

By Segun Balogun

flow of water.

Ogunleke said the perennial flooding in the school was caused by lack of drain.

He urged the government to come to the school's aid.

Also, Landlord Associations, in Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State have sought the assistance of Governor Babatunde Fashola to address flooding in the area.

Speaking at a rally organised by youth associations, they said they had not known peace since the completion of the IsheriLASU-Iba Bridge.

They accused the contractor of blocking the free flow of water during the construction of the road. While appreciating the government's efforts on the road constructions in the area, they said many of the problems would be solved if the Eleshin-Nla culvert at

Pako Bus Stop is converted to a bridge. They said the culvert is too small for the heavy flood water passing through the area.

They called on the Ministries of the Environment, Physical Planning and Rural Development and Infrastructure, to visit the town and rectify the problem.

The people said Ipaye culvert, at lpaye Bus Stop should also be expanded.

Their spokesman Mr

Benson Adewale called on the member representing Ojo constituency at the House of Representatives Hon. Toyin Suarau, his counterpart at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Lanre Ogunyemi, and the Chairman, Iba LCDA, Alhaja Oseni Adeyeri, to ensure that Iba bridge is dredged.

Other badly affected areas in Iba Town, according to him are; Iba new site, Obadore, Ishashi, Ijedodo and Ijagemo.

Court frees Deji Abiola of N35.5m theft charge

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Five docked for alleged theft of N16m fish

By Precious Igbonwelundu

FIVE clearing agents have been arraigned before an Ebute-Meta Chief Magistrate's Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing 1,400 cartons of fish worth N16 million.

Uawuchola Friday (36), Joshua Mairinga (48), Nwabueze Ogbonna (28), Anslem Ikeokwu (39) and Eze Humphrey (40), were said to have committed the offence on March 14, at Apapa Wharf.

They pleaded not guilty to a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and receiving stolen property which contravenes Sections 409, 285 and 326 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

They were said to have diverted a 40-foot container of fish belonging to Mr Femi Olawoore.

Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police Anthony Effiong said the cargo was diverted to Humphrey, who collected them, knowing that the fish was stolen.

Magistrate Adesola Ikpatt granted the accused N1 million bail each and two sureties in the like sum.

The matter was adjourned till August 1.

•Iba residents deploying a canoe to take them home... yesterday

• Deji Abiola

LAGOS High Court sitting in Ikeja yesterday freed Deji, son of the late business mogul, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, of the one count-charge of stealing N35.5 million from a businessman, Mr Hamzat Jose.

Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo freed him following a notice of withdrawal filed by the prosecutor, Omeiza Adebola, on behalf of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Abiola had been standing trial for allegedly swindling Jose of the cash under the pre-

Court refuses to jail police chief for alleged contempt

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FEDERAL High Court, Lagos, yesterday refused the plea of a widow, Mrs Perpetua Nwufo, to commit Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, to prison for allegedly disobeying a court.

On March 27, Justice Charles Archibong ordered the Customs to "settle by cheque, or electronic payment, other damages and cost ordered in the judgment of this court within 30 days of this order."

The judge ordered that the offices remain sealed, until an officer not below a Deputy Director appears before him to explain why the court's order has not been obeyed. The Board was also ordered to pay the applicant N1 million in costs. On May 31, Justice Archibong di-

By Joseph Jibueze

rected the FCT Commissioner of Police to delegate sufficient number of officers to accompany the Sheriff to seal off the office.

Following the police inability to carry out the order, Mrs Nwufo, through her lawyer, Chief Theodore Ezeobi (SAN), yesterday moved the motion to commit the commissioner to prison. But the judge said he could not entertain the application.

Ezeobi protested, saying the court would "aid" the commissioner in subverting justice if it did not jail him.

The judge however, insisted that said it will be difficult to execute such an order. He said there was always a chance that the Commissioner would one day come to also seek the court's

By Adebisi Onanuga

text of helping him to import a printing machine from Switzerland.

Yesterday, Adebola argued that the court could only discharge but not acquit Abiola of the charges preferred against him.

He argued that in accordance with Section 73 of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, the judge could only discharge and not acquit Abiola.

This he argued, was because the prosecution had opened help. "Eventually, it will come round," he said.

Justice Archibong ordered Ezeobi to serve the Attorney-General of the Federation with the court papers so that he can advise the respondents on the case.Counsel to the police Mr Simon Lough said the police were not served with the processes.

He said: "The Commissioner of Police FCT operates an open door policy. As such, the applicant's counsel would have seen him if he had made any effort to see the Commissioner. None of the respondents refused to enforce the order of this court because they were not served with same.

"The respondents have been providing policemen to enforce the judgment of various courts and would not do anything to frustrate the judgment or order of this court."

Justice Archibong adjourned till October 10.

its case while the defence was yet to do same.

But Justice Onigbanjo overuled the prosecutor, pointing out that the same law provided him with the discretion of acquitting and discharging the accused.

The Judge held that since the defence counsel had provided him with fresh information indicating that parties in the matter had settled the conflict, there was no reason to continue to hold the accused.

"In respect of the fresh information supplied by the

defence counsel, the defendant is therefore discharged and acquitted," Justice Onigbanjo ruled.

During the last hearing, Abiola's counsel, Jimoh Lasisi, told the court that Jose and his client had come to an agreement.

He said what remained was for Jose to inform the EFCC of the development so that the matter could be withdrawn.

Justice Onigbanjo called Jose, who confirmed that they had come to an agreement but that they were in the last stage of finalising it.

Fashola proffers solutions to trans-border crime

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AGOS State Governor, Babatunde Fashola has urged the Police to collaborate with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to stop trans-border crime.

He spoke yesterday while receiving the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police Zone 2, Mamman Ibrahim Tsafe, in his office.

Fashola said recorded cases of car thefts showed that there is a thriving trans-border market for stolen vehicles that must be crushed if by police.

"Some of the vehicles recovered recently came with blood stains, which show that they were stolen from Lagos or neighbouring states through violent means. That shows that there is need for us to intensify our effort in fighting crime in the state," Fashola said.

The governor said there

By Miriam Ndikanwu

was need for the police to check the profile of visitors coming into the country, adding that this could be achieved by effective collaboration with immigration officers who will be involved in data collection.

"I think that policing our environment will be more effective, when we check the movement into the country through the borders and working with the immigration in a collaborative manner are some of the things the security agencies in the country especially the Nigerian Police must consider.

"There is need for the police to begin to get intelligence reports from all the borders including the airports and pay more attention to the traffic that is coming into the country.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

9

NEWS THE BATTLE FOR EDO

Students deny attack on Oshiomhole’s convoy S TUDENTS of the State Institute of Technology and Management have urged the State Police Command to find those who attacked Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s convoy last week.

They refuted the reports by the police that they were responsible for the attack.

The governor’s convoy was attacked after a campaign rally at Usen when persons

Stories by Osagie Otabor, Benin

suspected to be students barricaded the road.

The institution’s Registrar was beaten up while the police station in the locality was vandalised.

The students, in a statement by executives of the Students Union, said they discovered that the attack was a “grand design by the perpetrators, to use students to further their

political interest”.

They said they were indebted to the governor for constructing a borehole in the institution and releasing funds for accreditation of courses.

The statement reads: “On the day of the attack, we were waiting for the governor to come to our campus to

inaugurate the water project, when we heard gunshots 500 metres away from our school.

“We strongly believe that those responsible for the attack were planted at that junction to implicate us.”

The school management has appealed to the police to arrest the perpetrators.

The institution’s spokesman, Richard Elawure, said students were not involved in the attack.

Hoodlums defraud politicians, candidates

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HE electoral battle in Edo is taking a new turn as fraudsters have started fleecing desperate politicians ahead of next week’s election by posing as the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Kassim Gaidam.

Part of their moves was sending text messages to politicians and candidates asking for huge funds to be deposited at a designated bank.

It is not yet confirmed how many have been swindled.

Gaidam said the fraudsters are using his name and other

staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to defraud candidates and politicians.

He said the hoodlums sent text messages using his name to seek financial assistance from politicians.

The message reads: “Andrew, please I am in Sokoto State for REC’s workshop, and I am coming back to Edo tomorrow.

“Some of my staff are at Obudu Cattle Ranch for a retreat, please help me and send N300,000 to them, see me by Thursday at Benin.

Benin monarch advises politicians

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ENIN monarch Oba Erediauwa has advised politicians to avoid violence in next week’s governorship election.

Oba Erediauwa said political office occupation should not be seen as a do-or-die-affair.

The monarch, who spoke in a statement by Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, prayed God and

•Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole receiving some campaign shirts from the Esogban of Benin, David Edebiri, at the Government House, Benin

the ancestors to remove death and violence from the state during the election.

He, however, said he did not shun President Goodluck Jonathan and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members who were in Benin City at the weekend for a rally.

The statement said the Oba saw the President in a private chamber.

Cleric predicts victory for Oshiomhole

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Violence: We’ve been vindicated, says PDP

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said the party has been vindicated by police investigation and reports on the ownership of the lorry that crashed into the convoy of Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole on April 28, killing three reporters.

Investigations linked ownership of the lorry to an Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain in the state, a development which the PDP

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

described as a clear vindication of the position of the party that “desperation is driving the ACN and its candidate into the abyss of the dastardly in quest for electoral victory” A statement by the national publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh, reads: “We recall that Governor Oshiomhole has blamed the PDP for this trag-

edy.

“We also recall that we stated unambiguously that the PDP does not need the blood of innocent Nigerians to win elections anywhere in Nigeria let alone in Edo State.

“We urged the security agencies to look beyond the crocodile tears and the loud alarm of lion-in- the -neighbourhood raised by the ACN. We are today vindicated.

“Violence does not win elections. Superior ideas and

track records of performance do. We, therefore, urge our members to remain peaceful and convince the Edo electorate with superior ideas in their campaigns.

“We are sure of victory in the election. All that the PDP is asking for is free and fair election. We are asking for the cessation of intimidation and the regime of violence by the ACN, so that the people will vote their choice without inhibition.”

‘PDP arm-twisting INEC on use of corps members’

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HE Adams Oshiomhole C a m p a i g n Organisation has criticised what it called the “armtwisting tactics” of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over whether or not to use Corps members for the election.

The group’s Director of Media and Publicity, Kassim Afegbua, in a statement, said the PDP was deliberately heating up the polity to attract attention to itself.

“We find it very ridiculous that the PDP is crying wolf

where there is none simply because it realises that all its plans are coming to naught.

“Having realised that Oshiomhole is coasting home to victory by virtue of the people’s verdict, the PDP has suddenly become avuncular and livid with anger for no just reason.

“Why must the PDP be afraid of using Corps members when that has been the tradition all over the country?

“Why are they demanding a shift of the electoral goal post mid-way into the game? I think, talking very seriously, somebody must call them to

order,” Afegbua said.

According to him, INEC has the powers to decide who would serve as electoral officers and Corps members are better off, but it should not be at the behest of the PDP to decide what goes for all.

“The PDP cannot dictate to INEC what it desires before, during and after the election.

“It cannot assume the role of INEC because the provisions of the law are very clear.

“When it was convenient for them, they supported the use of Corps members in Kogi, Adamawa and Kebbi elections. Now that it is their turn

to play opposition here, they are frowning at the law.

“That is the height of hypocrisy and self-righteous indignation, call it double standard if you like.

“The PDP is lazy about campaigns. It is relying on the use of imported thugs and touts.

“We will enforce the rules according to the dictates of the law and encourage INEC to be respectful and mindful of what the law says.

“Any attempt to circumvent the process would be met with very stiff resistance and opposition,”Afegbua submitted.

INEC trains 10,000 corps members for election

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HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun a two-day training of over 10,000 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to be used as ad-hoc workers in next

week’s election.

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC)Kassim Gaidam, who visited the training centres, warned the Corps members to resist the temptation of manipulating the electoral process.

OUR ERROR The photograph of ex-National Security Adviser, Alhaji Aliyu Gusau, used on the back page yesterday had the wrong caption: Dasuki. The correct photograph should have been that of the new National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

The error is regretted.

–– Editor

Gaidam urged them to see themselves as being lucky to have been chosen for the national assignment.

He told them not to fear as according to him, “Mr. President as the Commander–in– Chief has given his word that your security while on the national assignment would be guaranteed.”

“You should therefore endeavour to resist any attempt or bait to derail the electoral process.

“What you have agreed to do on election day is a patriotic and selfless, which no money can compensate for.

“But I want to plead with you to demonstrate that you can be relied on as the future leaders of out country.

“And for your own safety and bright future, do not circumvent the electoral laws for any thing,’’ he said.

Gaidam said selected students of the University of Benin and Auchi Polytechnic would be trained as Assistant Presiding Officers.

He said the election would take place in 5,519 voting points and in 2627 polling units across the 18 local governments areas.

HE Presiding Bishop of the Mercy for Souls Outreach International Ministry, Dr. Samson Eleyinmi, said he has received divine revelation that Governor Adams Oshiomhole will win the July 14 governorship election.

Eleyinmi said he saw an old man called out the governor in the midst of confusion after casting of votes and placed a beautiful crown on his head.

He noted that despite the distractions, fears that are making many in Edo uncom-

fortable about the election, God has crowned a king in the person of Oshiomhole.

The bishop said God told Oshiomhole that He has brought him out of the minority to rule the majority and would want him to avoid abusing his office and power as done in the past.

The cleric said God would judge all traditional rulers who in their self-interest want to jeopardise and thwart the wishes of the majority as his wrath will be visited on them as he dealt with King Nebuchadnezzar.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

10

NEWS Rain sacks Ekiti community

Fed Govt to sanction sellers of govt textbooks

•Residents urged to vacate affected areas

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From Sulaiman Salalwudeen, Ado-Ekiti

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downpour on Sunday evening has sacked the residents of some parts of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

The torrential rain led to a hurried evacuation of property and soaked belongings of the residents.

The affected buildings are mostly those opposite the Ayemi motor park, including Crownbiz Hotel, on AdoIworoko Road, and the homes around Pathfinder Hotel.

The heavy rain spread to Akinsola Street, behind the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) state command’s office.

The buildings in the area were reportedly submerged.

The rain started around 4pm and continued all night.

The Nation learnt that about 10 affected families had to seek temporary accommodation with other residents in the area.

When our correspondent visited the area yesterday, some of the residents were seen still mopping up their home. Others were replacing their soaked belongings.

Two landlord, Mr. Gbadebo and Pastor Ajijola, said it was the first time the rain was affecting the area.

Gbadebo said: “This is my sixth year in this area. I have never been hit like this before. I think it is the new bridge, which has just been constructed on the road beside Crownbiz Hotel.”

The Chairman of Akinsola Residents’ Association, Mr Akinola Kolawole Samuel, said the problem is the bridge linking the end of Adebayo Road to Iworoko.

According to him, the bridge has constrained the water that passes through the channel, forcing it to overflow its path.

Akinsola urged the government to treat the situation as an emergency and solve the problem without delay.

He said: “The bridge is too small to serve the purpose intended here. The government would have to send an assessment team to see what we are saying. The bridge has to be bigger and the flood path has to be dredged as well. You can see that even the houses that are not close to the area are affected. It is because the bridge is too small.

“We also consider it strange that anytime it rains, even when it does not rain in this area, the flood gathers and returns to our houses. Why should we be receivers of flood from elsewhere?”

The Commissioner for Housing and Environment, Mr. Paul Omotoso, yesterday said the government has approved the dredging of water channels in the affected areas, including Jimoh Aliu, Mountain of Fire and Crownbiz Hotel.

The commissioner noted that the rain has just started and that heavy rains should be expected.

He appealed to the residents to vacate their homes during the season for their safety.

HE Minister of State for Education, Mr Nyesom Wike, yesterday ordered the State Security Service (SSS), the police and other security operatives to arrest those selling government books.

The minister spoke in Akure, the Ondo State capital, at the Southwest zonal flag-off of the distribution of instructional materials for primary schools.

He urged parents who cannot get the textbooks after the formal launch, to ask for them from the schools’ heads.

• Mimiko flags off zonal distribution of instructional aids From Gbenga Omokhunu, Akure

Wike advised parents to report any school head who refuses to the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC), for appropriate action.

Teachers and learners, the minister said, should use the textbooks and library materials to improve the quality of teaching, learning and academic pursuit in public schools.

This year, 14 million copies of primary school text-

books and about five million library resource materials have been procured for distribution nationwide.

Of these, the minister said 2,306,416 Primary One and Two textbooks in English Language, Mathematics, Social Studies, Basic Science as well as “Technology and 672,600 assorted library resource materials for Junior Secondary Schools have been delivered for distribution in the Southwest geopolitical zone. This is more than adequate to ensure a

pupil per book ratio of 1:1 for learners in the core subject areas”.

The minister advised UBEC to monitor and ensure an effective distribution and utilisation of the textbooks and library resource materials.

Wike said: “On no account must these textbooks find their ways to the markets and bookstores. I implore the security agencies to arrest any person selling these books or hoarding them in strange places. Parents,

whose children are without these textbooks after today’s launch, should not hesitate to demand them from the heads of schools and, upon refusal, contact the UBEC for appropriate action.”

Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko expressed appreciation to President Goodluck Jonathan for the development of the education sector.

He said the new nine years’ basic curriculum has been reviewed to accommodate more subjects with indepth knowledge of theory and practicals.

Armed robbery suspects remanded in Ondo From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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•Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu (right) donating blood at the Minna General Hospital, as part of the blood donation drive in the state...yesterday

ACN group denies monetary inducement from Mimiko

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POLITICAL group within the Ondo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Sunshine Liberation Forum (SLF), yesterday denied srumours that Governor Olusegun Mimiko has released an unspecified amount of money to “purchase” some of its members.

This, the rumour peddlers alleged, would be used to woo its members to work for the governor’s second term bid to retain his seat in February 2013.

A statement by the group’s Director of Media and Publicity, Segun Odidi, said: “The allegation is capital No! …Mimiko invited us for a meeting and we talked as politicians.

“Nobody, however, took a penny from him or anybody else at all. So, it is arrant nonsense what those rumour peddlers are saying.

“Our position remains that our members are still in ACN, contrary to the rumours mak-

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We have no deal with Mimiko, says Ondo CNPP

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HE Ondo State chapter of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has said the rumour on its alleged alliance with Governor Olusegun Mimiko is untrue.

At a news briefing in Akure, the state capital, its Acting Chairman Prince Femi Ajibola said there is no truth in the alleged alliance with the Labour Party (LP) government.

He said: “As at now, we have not concluded plans to fuse with anybody, not until a directive is given by the national leadership of the party.

“We are still looking at all the parties’ candidates. Our screening teams are working on credible candidates that will be endorsed by us. Until then, we are still neutral in the race to the Ondo State governorship seat.

“If the LP brings its governorship candidate, From Damisi Ojo, Akure

ing the round that the group has left the party for the ruling Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”

The group noted that consultation and meetings are

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

we will look at his credibility and ability; also ACN and other political parties.”

The CNPP warned desperate politicians in the state to desist from causing disunity among its members.

It said: “Some governorship aspirants have been meeting some suspended members of our parties, giving them money to claim that the CNPP has endorsed them.

“We are yet to endorse any aspirant or candidate. Those acting on our behalf have been suspended; they are not our members again due to their dubious behaviour.

“If you look at our previous activities in other states, we only endorsed credible candidates that can bring the dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of the poor masses.”

necessary in politics, saying it is still consulting and appraising the political situation in the state.

The statement added: “We will soon come out with our decision. We are still in ACN and we have not left the party

for any other one for now. Our major goal is to reposition the state for good.”

The group said its main focus is to ensure that Ondo State people enjoy good governance, adding that its members are committed to this.

N Akure Chief Magistrate’s Court has ordered seven men to be remanded in prison custody for alleged armed robbery.

They are: Shittu Jemilu, 18; Muyideen Oyesoro, 28; Olabode Solomon, 28; Adebayo Sola, 25; Rasheed Ahmed, 35; Ayo Abayomi, 22; and Kehinde Omotunmise, 35.

The accused allegedly robbed some people, using guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons, between June 8 and 9 at Oba Akoko in Ondo State.

One of their victims, Chief Sule Olusa, was reportedly robbed of his Nokia handset valued at N8,000 and N20,000 cash.

Another victim, Mr Agunloye Ayodele, was said to have been robbed of a Nokia handset valued at N8,000 and N2,000 cash.

Other victims are: Samuel Obasanmi, who lost a handset, valued at N6,000 and N13,000 cash; Mrs Adegoke Deborah, whose six handsets, valued at N70,000; a flash drive, valued at N1,000; a rechargeable torchlight, valued at N2,000; and N3,000 cash.

The prosecution alleged that the offence is contrary to and punishable under Sections 6(a) and (b), 1(2) (a&b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act, Cap. R11, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

Prosecuting police counsel Inspector Sakiru Odunjo applied for their remand in prison custody and prayed the court for permission to transfer the duplicate of the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

The Magistrate, Mrs Charity Adeyanju, ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody till September 28, pending the outcome of legal advice.

Oyo demolishes 300 shops over market electrocution

HE Oyo State Government has demolished about 300 shops at the Apata Market in Ibadan South West Local Government Area.

This followed the electrocution of five persons, including an expectant mother, at the market last Monday.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi ordered the demolition of all structures under high tension cables on the Apata-Bembow Road in Ibadan.

The governor had said trading under high tension cables constituted great danger to the traders and their customers in

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

the market.

He urged the traders to vacate the area to avoid a recurrence.

Ajimobi also directed the chairman of the local government, Mr. Taoheed Adeleke, to find another location for the market.

The demolition, which began on Friday, peaked on Saturday, with all the shops under high tension cables being removed by officials of the Ministry of Environment and

those of the local government.

Mostly affected were traders on the Apata-Bembo Road and the Ibadan-Abeokuta Expressway, whose shops fell under high tension cables.

Some of the traders criticised the government for not giving them enough time to relocate.

One of the traders, Alhaji Ajibade Gbadamosi, said: “Don’t get me wrong, please.

We, traders, are not saying what the governor is doing is wrong. We know it is to save lives. But the governor should consider our situation that this is our only source of livelihood,

where our families and others depend.

“Before embarking on the demolition, the government should have given us enough time to relocate or given a suitable place for us to stay.

As I am talking to you, we are left to suffer without anywhere to find our daily bread.

It is unfair.”

A top government official, who spoke with our correspondent on phone yesterday, defended the government’s action.

He said the matter was an emergency because it in-

volved the lives of the residents.

He said: “What the governor has done is to show that he is a caring leader, by evacuating the people first. Later, he will provide a place for the displaced traders. Already, the governor has directed the Ibadan South West Local Government to provide a place for the affected traders.

“This government cannot fold its arms and allow people’s lives to be wasted.

This is a government that is passionate about the lives of the residents.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

Collaboration between customs administration is critical, especially within the context of regional and multilateral cooperation.

This is important for addressing national and regional security issues.

- Dr Goodluck Jonathan

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Naira eases against dollar

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HE naira eased against the dollar on the interbank market, but was stable at the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) foreign exchange auction yesterday, as demand for the greenback by importers and foreign firms remitting dividends outweighed dollar sales by oil companies.

Traders said the naira closed at N163.10 to the dollar, weaker than the N162.85 per dollar it stood at on Friday.

A resurgence of demand from some companies remitting dividends to their home countries and importers' dollar requests outside the official window, drained dollar liquidity in the market, they said.

"We expect the CBN to intervene in the market to support the naira in the coming days, otherwise the naira would depreciate further," one dealer said.

Traders said France's Total, sold $5 million to some lenders on Monday, but it was too little to lift the naira.

The naira has fallen from a level around N159 to the dollar three months ago to consistently weaker than N160, in the last two months, driven partly by the exit of offshore investors from the local debt market.

Attempts by the CBN to provide support for the naira through regular direct dollar sales to the interbank market have eaten into the country's foreign exchange reserves, which declined by 2.17 per cent month-month to $36.8 billion by June 27, compared with $37.64 billion a month earlier.

Sales of about $900 million by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to some lenders within the last two weeks temporarily provided the naira some relief, but dollar liquidity has since started to dry up.

Fed Govt, firm to build six refineries

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HE Federal Govern ment yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an American and Nigerian Joint Venture Group, Vulcan Petroleum Resources Limited and Petroleum Refining and Strategic Reserve Limited, for the construction of six modular refineries with combined capacity of 180,000 barrels daily.

The project is estimated to cost N697.5billion ($4.5billion), while two of the refineries are expected to be completed in the next one year.

The refineries are to be located in areas where there are crude oil pipelines in collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Each refinery, when completed, will refine up to 30, 000 barrels of crude oil daily, and produce up to five million litres of petrol, diesel, kerosene and LPFO. The Minister of Trade and Investment,Olusegun Aganga, signed on behalf of the Federal Government, while Vice-President, Director, Vulcan Petroluem Re-

• Work to cost N697.5b • Two ready in 12 months From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

sources Limited,Jim Mansfield and the Chairman, Petroleum Refining and Strategic Reserve Limited, Chief Edozie Njoku, signed on behalf of their companies.

Aganga said the event represented a milestone and paradigm shift in President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration’s plan towards industrial revolution, job creation and wealth generation.

He said: “This is a historic moment and a big step for us as a country. Apart from power, one of the critical areas which President Goodluck Jonathan has made a priority, is to have functional refineries. My understanding is that by the time the project is completed, the cost is estimated at $4.5 billion.

“This is the beginning of changing our old paradigm from exporting just raw ma-

terials and exporting jobs to the western countries.This is something that we have done as a country for so long a time, he said, adding that there is no nation that has moved from being a poor nation to a rich one by exporting raw materials without having a vibrant industrial base.”

He assured that the Ministry of Trade and Investment would work with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the NNPC to ensure the actualisation of the projects.

“The Nigerian Industrialisation Revolution Plan is based on areas where we have comparative and competitive advantage as a country. The signing of the MoU is the beginning of the process,” he stated.

He said the Ministry of Trade and Investment has not done this alone. “We are working with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the NNPC. We are working as a

team to ensure that in 12 months, we will witness the commissioning of the refineries.

“What we have done is to carry out due diligence on the prospective investors before we even start having discussions with them. We try to find out where they are coming from and their antecedents; whether they have done what they are planning in other parts of the world and also, if they have the money to invest,” he stressed.

Also speaking, Mansfield said the investment is a testimony that Nigeria is a good place to do business.

He said the funding for the project is coming from investors, who firmly believe that Nigeria is a good place to do business.We also believe that Nigeria is open for business.

The Chairman, Petroleum Refining and Strategic Reserve Limited, Mr Chief Edozie Njoku, said the firm would work with its foreign technical partner and the regulatory authorities to ensure the successful completion of the project in the timeframe.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil - $123.6/barrel Cocoa - $2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold - $1,800/troy ounce Rubber - ¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -12.6% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -14.18% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $34.6b CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

-

FOREX

0.2958 206.9 245 156.4 1.9179 241 40.472

• Lagos State Governor Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) (2nd right) in handshake with Mrs Adeyanju Olomola, Head, Public Affairs and Communication, Nigeria Bottling Company Plc (left); Managing Director, Mr Segun Ogunsanya (2nd left) during his courtesy call on the governor at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos ... yesterday. With them is Head, Legal Services, NBC Plc, Mr Ore Olajide.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Reps to subpoena Okonjo-Iweala, Aganga, others 187,198,580.37; Federal HE House of over N16b overspending NCapital Territory, N Representatives said it

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would subpoena the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Communications, Omobola Mobolaji-Johnson, Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, Minster of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga as well as the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Edem Duke to explain why they overshot their budget by N16.7 billion in 2006.

The affected Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) have been invited by

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

the House Committee on Public Accounts as well as the Office of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation (OAGF) on three occasions, but they failed to honour the invitation.

The initial list of MDAs that over spent their expenditure in 2006 as contained in the 2006 Auditor General’s report, contained 22 names, but nine had appeared before the committee leaving 18.

Ministry of Finance over spent by N356,382,433.60;

Industry, N819, 779, 118.77; C o m m u n i c a t i o s , N747,356,291.59; Culture and Tourism, N1,084,885,003.56; National Planning C o m m i s s i o n , N152,101,349.65; Nigeria Agriculture and Cooperative Bank, N700,000,000; Women Affairs, N163, 612,405.19; Police Affairs and Police Force, N6,049,128,835.86 and Justice, N285, 810,083.75.

Others are Supreme Court, N49,180,544.47; Federal High Court, N253,986,135.19; Federal Capital Territory Judicial Service Commission,

1,961,406,158.40; Ministry of Information and National Orientation, N 1,469,692,118.93; National Salaries and Wages Commission, N 5,514,805.00; Federal Civil Service Commission, N1,531,554.00 and Federal Character C o m m i s s i o n , N1,082,381,868.81.

Chairman of the Committed, Solomon Adeola yesterday at the continuation of the investigation said the Committee would subpoena the affected MDAs should all entreaties fail.

Banks’assets, liabilities hit N19.8tr

By Akinola Ajibade

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HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) said the total assets and liabilities of banks have increased by 0.2 per cent to N19, 886.7billion as at April this year.

The CBN, in its monthly economic report, said the increase was recorded between March and April. Giving a breakdown, the apex bank said the Federal Government deposits amounted to N131.3billion; deposit mobilisation N128billion and unclassified liabilities, N125.2billion.

Others are build-up of foreign assets N114.2billion; and purchase of Federal Government securities N83.7billion.

It said the deposit money banks (DMBs) credit fell by 0.2 per cent to N12, 259.5billion from March to April.

“The breakdown, on a month-on-month basis, showed that while credit to the private sector rose by 0.3 per cent, credit to the government fell by 2.1 per cent relative to the level in the preceding month,” it added.

According to the report, the CBN’s credit to the DMBs rose by 6.3 per cent to N291.5 billion at end-April 2012, while specified liquid assets of the banks stood at N5, 958.4 billion, representing 47.3 per cent of their total liabilities.

The apex bank further said aggregate standing lending facility (SLF) granted during the period under review was N2, 173.0 billion, compared with N1,664.9 billion at the end of March, this year, showing an increase of 30.5 per cent.

The aggregate standing deposit facility (SDF) stood at N258.1 billion with daily average of N13.6 billion in April, this year, compared with N305.8 billion with daily average of N14.6 billion in the preceding month.

The development reflected the liquidity in the market during the review period.

An investment analyst with Antoria Securities and Investment Limited, Dr Olusola Dada, said the growth in banks deposit is expected in view of the problems in the stock market.

9,648 vehicles for Lagos ports

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TOTAl of 9,648 new and second-hand vehicles are expected at the Lagos ports this week, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said.

According to a statement yesterday, in Lagos, the ports authority said the vehicles are part of goods being conveyed to the ports by 17 ships. It said two of the ships were expected yesterday, five today, three tomorrow, two on Thursday, while two others are expected on Friday and three on Saturday.

It stated that some of the ships also contained 123,450 and 25,050 tonnes of steel products and bulk wheat.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

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BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule

Govt to sanction contractors over failed water projects

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

2.

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7.

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

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3.

4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1.

2.

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4.

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

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

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

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

2.

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

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

1.

2.

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Arik Aero Arik Aero

LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

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

08.50 09.45 ------14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 1. IRS 11.15 13.15 2. Arik 15.50 18.00 LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

08.00 18.00

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

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

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• From left: Representative of Secretary to the Federal Government, Dr Ferdinand Agu presenting the star award for innovative excellence to Group Managing Director, Verdant Zeal Marketing Communication Limited, Mr Tunji Olugbodi at the Heroes of Nigeria Development Awards in Abuja ... at the weekend.

Recapitalisation: 21 PFAs scale hurdle T WENTY-ONE Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs)have recapitalised their businesses, the National Pension Commission (PenCom) has disclosed.

PenCom had in June last year, ordered the PFAs to raise their minimum capital from N150 million to N1billion by June 30, this year, if they must remain in business.

In a statement, PenCOM Head, Communications Unit, Emeka Onuora, said the PFAs met the minimum capital requirement and the commission has started the verification of their claims, adding that it would in four weeks release their names.

He said Crib Pension Fund Managers Limited and Evergreen Pensions Limited are being acquired, adding that Amana Capital Pensions Limited has been acquired by Sigma Pensions Limited.

“The prescription of the N1 bil-

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By Chuks Udo Okonta

lion under the circular is to improve the business and service delivery of the PFAs. Furthermore, it is envisaged that the new minimum capital requirement would encourage healthy mergers which would promote stability in the pension industry.”

Pencom’sDirector-General, Mohammad Ahmad, said through its oversight function, the commission observed that the paid up share capital of N150 million was inadequate to meet the expenses of PFAs, adding that the increase in their capital requirement would also encourage healthy mergers and acquisitions and promote stability in the industry.

Ahmad said: “It is expected that the improved financial conditions

of the PFAs after the implementation of the reviewed capital requirement would lead to improved service delivery and product development, improved capacity building and employment of qualified personnel and development of adequate information technology infrastructure for improved business process.”

Ahmad said to strengthen the industry, the commission would also push for the amendment of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004 to institute protection of contributors’ fund.

He said Section 69 of PRA 2004 may be amended to provide for the establishment of a “Pension Protection Fund”, adding that the fund would, among others provisions, guarantee minimum pension to retirees, as well as take care of retirees with low balances in their Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) at retirement.

World Bank spends $53b on poverty eradication

HE World Bank committed $52.6 billion in loans, grants, equity investments and guarantees to help promote economic growth, overcome poverty, and promote economic enterprise in developing countries during the fiscal year , which ended on June 30.

The World Bank institutions involved are: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), which provides financing, risk management products, and other financial services to members; the International Development Association (IDA), which provides interest-free loans and grants to the poorest countries; the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which

From Nduka Chiejina Assistant Editor

makes equity investments, and provides loans, guarantees and advisory services to private-sector business in developing countries; and the Bank Group’s political risk insurance agency, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).

Financial commitments provided by the World Bank Group to the countries of sub-Saharan Africa, a major priority for the institution, increased by $2.8 billion in the financial 2012 to $12.2 billion, and included $7.4 billion in IDA credits, grants and guarantees to sub-Saha-

ran Africa, up from $7 billion from the previous year; $4 billion from IFC for private sector development projects; $147 million in IBRD lending; and $637 million in MIGA guarantees for projects in the region.

A statement from the World Bank office in Abuja said the “World Bank recently lowered its growth forecast for 2012 to 5.4 percent for developing countries, down from its June estimates of 6.2 percent, and noted that developing country budgets and central banks are not as well placed as they were in 2008/ 09 to address slowing economies Their ability to respond may be constrained if international finance dries up and global conditions deteriorate sharply.”

Firm rejects Aig-Imoukhuede committee’s report

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FIRM Integrated Oil and Gas Limited has rejected the re port of Technical Committee on Payment of Fuel Subsidies, set up by the Minister of Finance and chaired by Mr Aigboje AigImoukhuede, to verify the 2011 fuel subsidy payments to oil marketers.

The report indicted 88 firms for commission of one or more of these offences, which include allegedly collecting subsidies without auditors’signature, collecting subsidies without evidence of Bill of Lading documents, subsidies paid without evidence of bank sales and subsidies paid but transaction disclaimed by banks.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos yesterday, Chairman of Integrated Oil and Gas Limited, Cap-

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

tain Emmanuel Ihenacho, saidthe faults the committee credited to his company, were untrue. In the report, under the category of marketers that were paid subsidies without auditors’signature, Integrated Oil and Gas was listed to have carried out three transactions valued N1,738, 340,070.86; N1,734,920,131.20; and N1,672,668,269.04.

Of the three deals, Ihenacho agreed that his firm did receive N1,738,340,070.86 and N1,672,668,269.04 but said the N1,734,920,131.20 deal is credited to Integrated Oil in error, adding that due processes were followed in the other two deals. He showed evidence of the required

documentations to reporters, date of arrival of the mother vessel, the daughter vessel and shuttle vessel.

He said: “Having carefully reviewed the details of our petroleum import transactions on the Petroleum Subsidy Fund (PSF) scheme, particularly on the details and account of gasoline cargoes imported by the company within the period referred to in the technical committee’s report, we wish to state categorically that we have not received any PSF overpayments of the sort alleged in the technical committee’s report nor have we found any other evidence or basis, upon which the very serious but totally incorrect allegations of subsidy overpayment to Integrated Oil may be anchored.

HE Federal Government has threatened to deal with contractors who executed projects poorly or found to have embezzled funds.

The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Serah Ochekpe, gave the warning at the mid-year retreat on service delivery and projects implementation, for project officers and contactors.

He called for a paradigm for peer review in the water sector through information sharing and cross fertilisation of ideas.

She said: “I will, therefore, like to emphasise at this stage that directorate officer of the ministry, its parastatals and the project implementation officers will, henceforth, be held fully responsible for poorly supervised and badly implemented projects. We will not tolerate projects that are poorly designed and conceptualised.

“Furthermore, in realisation that development of the water infrastructure is highly capital intensive and with dwindling funding from the line budgetary allocation, there is the urgent need for the wise utilisation of the available resources. Any misappropriation of funds for projects will attract sanctions accordingly.

“It is, therefore, in the spirit of ensuring and facilitating effective service delivery and projects implementation of our water resources projects nationwide, that the ministry is putting in place this three-day ministerial workshop as a forum of consultative and interactive discussion sessions.

“Water resources management will only be successful if there is an enabling forum to encourage dialogue and consultations, not only amongst the personnel on federal institutional level, but in all relevant organisations and agencies and stakeholders at all levels,” she stressed.

Miners urged to comply with laws

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INERS in Ogun State have been urged to fulfill the re quirements of the state and Federal Government to carry out their activities.

The state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, stated this in Abeokuta while addressing stakeholders in the sector at a meeting organised by the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO).

Ashiru, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Kosi Efunwape, noted that the on-going verification by the Committee was necessitated by the activities of illegal miners which have resulted in environmental degradation.

“The ongoing inspection being undertaken by MIREMCO was not meant to harass the miners, but rather to ensure that they have relevant documents and work within stipulated guidelines,” he said.

He said a situation where a miner would obtain licence in an area only to use it to operate at several illegal sites is unacceptable.

He warned that the government would not hesitate to sanction any illegal miner, adding that it is committed to their safety.

The Commissioner explained that employment generation is an integral part of the five-point agenda of the state government, urging that the miners should make their contributions to make life for the citizens.

Messrs Gbenga Lijadu, Balogun Moshood and Jinadu Osho, who spoke on behalf of the miners expressed their readiness to comply with mining guidelines and co-operate with government in its effort to sanitise the sector.

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NATIONSPORT TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

BESIKTAS regret Eneramo miss B ESIKTAS BOSS, Samet Aybaba has showered encomiums on Michael Eneramo, asserting that the Nigeria striker will be successful wherever he

•Olayinka Olaniyi

PLATEAU BOMB-BLAST player resumes training

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L AT E A U U N I T E D m i d f i e l d e r Olayinka Olaniyi has returned to training almost two years after he was almost killed in a bomb blast in Jos. Olayinka was badly injured by a bomb blast that exploded around Angwa Rukuba area of Jos in December 2010.

He was operated on his left leg twice at ECWA Evangel Hospital, Jankwanu, Jos The former Gombe United playmaker told MTNFootball.com that he has been training for about three weeks now with a team in Jos and will join any interested team next season.

"I thank God for my life; it was hell while the horrible experience of the bomb blast lasted. It is over now as I am back to myself. I have been training intensively and playing with a local team in Jos,” he announced.

“I am fit again to return to professional football next season."

goes.

Speaking with fanatik.com, Aybaba said he has been monitoring the development of the bulky forward the past five years and that he is a player Besiktas never had.

He said: "Eneramo a very special player. We have been watching his development for five years. In fact, his transfer from Esperance of Tunisia was interesting.

“We wanted him then but we could not bear the cost of acquiring him because of his heavy transfer fee.

“But he became cheaper during the civil war in Tunisia when Eneramo had a difficult time. We had shown interest in his services, but were short-circuited by his agents.

“The truth is that Eneramo has however adapted very quickly and was very efficient in the colours of Sivasspor last season.

“His physical capacity is high and has made major contributions to Sivasspor's upsurge as a tough player.

“His contract is over at Sivasspor and didn’t renew it because he was not happy with the climatic conditions and social life in Sivas. He did not intend to disrespect Sivasspor by refusing to stay.

“He will be successful even more wherever he goes if he puts his feet on the ground, I think.”

2013 AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS FINAL QUALIFIERS

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S THE Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) gets set to name the athletes that will represent Nigeria, at the London 2012 Olympics, former Olympic medalists, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi and Falilat Ogunkoya have said that the 44 athletes that represented Nigeria at the just-concluded 18th African Senior Athletics Championship in Benin can make the country proud at the London Games beginning this month.

Both athletes urged that there shouldn’t be any addition or subtraction from the list of the athletes as the AFN is expected to name the Team Nigeria that will make the London 2012 Olympics.

"Unlike two years ago in Nairobi when the host country edged Nigeria to win, the relay quartet of Isah Saliu, Abiola Onakoya, Amaechi Morton and Saul Weigopwa ran the race of their lives in the final 4x400m event to claim the gold t h a t made the

tag to N3.7bn T

HE controversy over the bid for Nigerian striker, Victor Moses, has refused to die down, as Wigan have warned Chelsea and Tottenham that it will cost at least £12 million (about N3.7bn) to prise him from the DW Stadium.

Moses, 21, was the subject of a £4m bid from Chelsea earlier this month, which was turned down.

New Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is also ready to launch a bid

for the exciting young forward.

Latics boss Roberto Martinez wants to keep hold of his man but Moses’ contract runs out next year and the player has expressed his desire to leave this summer.

With former club Crystal Palace due 20 per cent of any transfer fee, Wigan chairman Dave Whelan is playing hardball with Chelsea and Liverpool, according to The Mirror.

Whelan is arguing that Moses’

potential and youth make him a more valuable asset than Charles N’Zogbia, who Wigan sold to Aston Villa last summer for £9.5m.

T h e N i g e r i a n international netted six times for Wigan last season and is comfortable playing on either flank as well as off the main striker.

Bullish Dedevbo fears no foe

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•Issa Hayatou

WIGAN UP MOSES’

Falilat,Onyali tip Nigeria for Olympic glory

FIFA U-17 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP DRAW

CAF reveals modalities HE Confederation of African Football (CAF) have announced how Thursday’s final qualifiers draw for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations will be done.

According to CAF, the 15 seeded teams represented by 15 balls will be in Pot A, while 15 other teams will be in Pot B. A third Pot C will contain a total of 30 balls representing teams from both Pots A and B. If ball A is drawn first from Pot C, it means that the team drawn from Pot A will play their first match at home and the team drawn from Pot B will play their second match at home.

If ball B is drawn first from Pot C, it means that the team drawn from Pot B will play their first match at home and the team drawn from Pot A will play their second match at home.

The seeded teams are Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Equatorial, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Sudan, Tunisia and Zambia.

The teams not seeded are Botswana, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Ethiopia, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, DR Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

The winners of these third round qualifiers will be played between September and October with the winners decided on a knockout basis.

Thursday’s draw will be staged in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Next year’s AFCON will kick off in South Africa on January 19.

AFRICAN SENIOR ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP FALLOUT

•Eneramo

ETER DEDEVBO, coach of Nigeria's women Under-17 team heads to Friday's World Cup draws in Azerbaijan insisting that he is untroubled by his potential opposition. Dedevbo heads to Azerbaijan on Wednesday with the objective of making the quarterfinals irrespective of who his team are drawn agaunst “I do not want to bother myself with the teams who will be in our group, I look forward to playing any team but above all I want to improve on our last outing,” he said.

To qualify for the World Cup, the Flamingoes beat Kenya and Zambia, scoring 12 goals and

conceding just one.

At New Zealand 2008, Nigeria were eliminated after the group matches. In Trinidad & Tobago two years later, the team were eliminated at the quarter final stage by eventual winners Korea Republic.

Teams will be drawn into four groups and matches will be played in two cities of Baku and Lankaran from 22 September to 13 October 2012.

Africa will be represented by three West African countries; Gambia, Ghana and Nigeria.

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2013 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS QUALIFIER

Keshi: victory not Eagles’ birthright

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IGERIA coach Stephen Keshi says the Super Eagles will have to sweat out victory irrespective of who they are drawn against in the final round of Nations Cup 2013 qualifiers. Seven-time winners Egypt were eliminated on Friday by the Central African Republic, meaning Morocco moved to Pot 1 and leaving Senegal as the strongest opposition the Super Eagles are likely to face on the road to South Africa.

But Keshi refuses to agree that the situation has improved, however marginally.

"It is not our birthright to beat any team. We have to work hard for every victory. We can’t just show up and expect to win.

"Look at Egypt, who would have believed that they would lose to Central African Republic? But they have.

"So we have to work hard no matter who our opponents are. Now, every country in Africa believes that anybody can be beaten, including Nigeria; so we have to sit up and plan and treat everybody with respect.”

the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

About 30 persons in all composed of administrators from the 20 Nigeria Premier League clubs and top management of the Nigeria Football Federation are taking part in the programme that is principally financed by world footballgoverning body, FIFA. Also expected at today’s opening ceremony are DirectorGeneral of the National Sports Commission, Patrick Ekeji, President of NFF, Aminu Maigari, Chairman of the NFF Technical Sub-Committee, Chris Green, other NFF Executive Committee members, NFF General Secretary Musa Amadu and other Management staff.

The opening ceremony, which begins at 11am, will take place at the Ekiti Hall of the NICON Luxury Hotel, which is also hosting the classroom sessions of the programme. The practical sessions are being held at the FIFA Technical Centre, National Stadium, Abuja.

World governing-body FIFA has sent two of its best Instructors in Administration and Management, Irishman Brendon Menton and Mauritian Jacques Malie, to handle the course. It is being coordinated by NFF’s Head of International Competitions and Education Officer, Mr. Bola Oyeyode.

Boxing Show

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BLACKBURN replace Yak with Best N

EWCASTLE UNITED and Republic of Ireland international striker Leon Best completed a medical at Ewood Park on Monday and is expected to sign for Blackburn Rovers within 24 hours.

Best joined the Toon Army from Coventry City during the winter transfer window in 2010 and he has scored 10 goals in 46 appearances for the north east club.

He missed the final three months of last season with a knee injury however. The injury also forced him to be ruled out of a possible trip to Poland with the Republic of Ireland for Euro 2012

with the 25 year-old having won seven caps and was, at the time of his injury, on the fringes of the international squad.

With Papiss Cisse having impressed on Tyneside since his January arrival, Best’s chances of regular first-team football at Newcastle next term looked slim.

Manager Alan Pardew has now allowed Best to discuss a transfer and he is closing in on a switch to relegated Blackburn.

If Best completes a move to Ewood Park, he will help to fill the void created by Yakubu’s departure to China last week.

difference between Team Nigeria and the East Africans. So I think if the feat is improved on in London, Olympic glory will be the fate of the green and white colour."

Onyeali said "There is need for some check and balances and inclusion of some psychologists in all the athletic teams. As they have impressed and returned to winning ways in continental track and field, the 22 athletes need no addition or subtraction. The coaches need to work on the observed weaknesses. The track and field athletes need regular training and professional coaching. I will like us to be very realistic about our chances at the Olympics. There is still much to be done."

Falilat said This is the first time in 12 years that Team Nigeria will be winning African Championships, after the likes of Falilat Ogunkoya, Mary Onyali etc topped the edition Senegal hosted in Dakar in 1998.

Joseph quits Portugal for Cyprus Ex-Nigeria U20 star Samson Joseph has quit Portugal to sign a year’s deal with Cypriot top flight team Olimpiakos Nicosia.

The Jos-born left winger said he has played his entire professional career outside Nigeria in Portugal and needed a change of environment for a fresh challenge.

“I have played my entire career as a professional in Europe in Portugal till now, I need a change of environment and to face new challenges, so when the Olimpiakos deal came, I grabbed the opportunity with both hands,” Joseph told MTNFootball.com “I hope to be on top of my game when the league starts so I will be able to help my team achieve their targets as well as mine.” At Olympiakos, he will team up with another Nigerian, Chidi Onyemah, who also played for several years in Portugal.

Samson Joseph has thus far featured for Chaves, Rio Aves, Gondomar SC and Sporting Covilha, all in Portugal.

AMBROSE thrills fans at LBHF

Minister to declare FIFA WIAWA Course open HE Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission, Bolaji Abdullahi will today in Abuja formally declare open a six-day Win-In-Africa-WithAfrica Administration and Management Course organised by

By Paul Oluwakoya

•Victor Moses

TWAS a case of saving the best for last at the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) Monthly Saturday Boxing Show, as Godwin Ambrose of Brightness Boxing Club thrilled fans with excellent boxing jibs at the indoor hall of the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre (Rowe Park) in Lagos.

The boxing show, which remains a talking point among stakeholders, witnessed bouts from various boxers of different categories, but the last bout between Godwin Ambrose and Rasheed Abdulahi of D&G Boxing Club caught the attention of the teeming fans.

“I know him very well because we always train together. So I was not bothered because I know how to handle him. People were surprised at the way everything turned out, but that is something I saw coming; Rasheed doesn’t pose any threat to me any day because I know how to handle him,” said an elated Ambrose.

The bout was however put on hold at the second round due to Rasheed’s unprofessional jib, and Ambrose was declared eventual winner of the highly entertaining bout. Meanwhile, all the winning boxers of individual categories received cash prizes, gift items and trophies for their efforts.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

17

AVIATION

How to turn aviation sector around, by NASI

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HAIRMAN, Nigerian Aviation Safety Initiative (NASI) Captain Dung Pam, has called on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), to focus its attention on the economic viability of the airlines for the impact of the sector to be felt.

Pam said the scale of economic regulation by the NCAA is below the bar, adding that most of the existing carriers cannot meet their financial obligations.

He said the parlous financial state of the sector could have adverse effects on safety.

He described as laughable, the decision of the Federal Government to set up a committee to investigate the DANA Air crash, saying the action was a gross violation of the statutory requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Pam said the financial situation of the existing carriers was miserable,

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

warning that if no drastic step is taken, the carriers would collapse between the next three to five years.

He advocated the consolidation of the domestic carriers so they could form a formidable group that could offer premium services to passengers.

Pam said : “ Given the opportunity, I will give 90 days to the 16 airlines and ask them to confer and merge into three to five airlines. They must have clear business plans, defined business models and robust quality management systems in place.

“After they have achieved this, the government should then do everything possible to support them, including tax breaks, duty free on consumables, zero interest loans and loan guarantees with aircraft manufacturers to facilitate procurement of new equipment and realistic lease/maintenance con-

tracts.

He said the government can support aviation development without throwing money at the airlines .

“Giving them money, I believe will just encourage fiddling and bribing to continue unabated,” he said. “ On the Nigerian scene, the local airlines are under the illusion that if they can undermine each other, they will eliminate competition, increase market share and control the local market.

But unfortunately, this will only weaken the entire group and make it easier for the real competition coming soon to fizzle out without encountering any real resistance, he argued’ Pam said NCAA has been deluded into thinking that by providing weak economic regulation, “it is giving the airlines some respite and maybe, a lifeline.

Sadly, it is unwittingly delivering them to the hangman’s noose. News of

•Pam

•Oduah

•Demuren

their poor credit history and lack of financial discipline tolerated by the NCAA spreads beyond national borders and jeopardises the reputation of the whole country in international circles, he argued.

“This becomes a real hindrance in taking advantage of the Cape Town convention and securing favourable lease and insurance conditions. It breeds complacency among the operators and leaves them

operating without robust business plans or financial discipline. The result is the obvious low-life expectancy and high failure rates of airlines in the country.”

Pam said the major threat would present itself in the guise of a private-publicpartnership (PPP), where the funds and technical partner will originate from foreign entities.

This is backed by the usual excuse that it is a requirement to help Africa’s carriers secure favourable

insurance premiums, maintenance contracts and unquestionable training standards. If the management control and Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) are not scrupulously checked against violating bi-laterals, cabotage or both, these new regional entrants will consummate strong commercial agreements with European and/ or Middle East carriers who have nearly 70 per cent share of the international traffic to provide feeder-traffic, he said.

The gains, pains of MMA2 @ five

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S you drive into the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) from either Ikeja or NAHCO, the sprawling edifices on both sides of the road separating the terminal building from the multi-storey car park, with the capacity for 800 vehicles at once, are wonders to behold. However, they did not just spring up there. They are products of good thinking.

Being the first successful Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Nigeria, MMA2, as it is popularly called, is a dream come through. In fact, five years on, it has neither diminished in provision of facilities, nor in beauty. This is due to the painstakingness of the operators – Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL).

As Nigerians would often say, “it is not easy”. Yes, this is a statement of fact in all facets of our life. Were it to be that

By Steve Omolale-Ajulo

easy, one or more replicas of MMA2 would have sprung up in other airports in the country. This is because very few companies could muster the kind of courage and the financial wherewithal with which to erect structures as solid and enduring as the terminal and its twin car parks.

Five years after it was inaugurated by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo, MMA2 still remains the best and the first in terms of facilities and convenience for passengers and airlines. This is the beauty of private participation in public enterprise.

It is necessary to look back in the last five years to be able to plan and strategise for the future, when we can beat our chest and say in a decade after, that Bi-Courtney has completely changed the face of flight operations in Nigeria.

After spending over N12

billion since its inception up until 2009 to subsidise the operations of MMA2, it is instructive to say pointedly that we will continue to spend more, if only to make the flying public and all our clients comfortable.

For now, plans have reached advanced stage to upgrade and buy new generators in a deliberate effort to enhance power supply to the terminal, which has, however, remained stable in the last five years to the pleasant surprise of many.

Although it is like magic, but we cannot afford to do less.

Whereas power outages have been more constant in some major airports in the country, becoming a national embarrassment to all, MMA2 has excelled in this regard.

Also, a part of the sprawling terminal designated for flight operations to the West Coast still has all its facilities intact.

Five years on, these facilities have not diminished in value.

This makes MMA2 different from the shed that the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) is. In fact, developing GAT and making it a world-class terminus is part of Bi-Courtney’s agreement with the Federal Government.

However, because of the facilities on ground at MMA2 and all our relentless efforts to add more, more airlines, more businesses and more general patronage are coming to the terminal.

While our state-of-the-art Conference Centre and FiveStar Hotel projects are ongoing, MMA2 has another conference centre on the ground floor of the multi-storey car park, which we have always made available to the airlines and other stakeholders in the aviation sector to use.

•Omolale-Ajulo is the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of BiCourtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL).

Association seeks age limit for aircraft

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HE N a t i o n a l C a b i n Crew Association of Nigeria ( NACCAN) has called on the Federal Government to put an age limit of 10 years for aircraft .

The age limit, according to the spokesman of the association, Mr Austyn Njoku, comes on the heels of the questionable status of aircraft flying in the Nigerian skies which has become clear on account of the circumstances sorrounding the

I

DANA Air crash on June 3, 2012 .

Njoku also called on the Federal Government to come to the assistance of domestic carriers by ensuring facilities to enable them acquire new aicraft.

He said: “With all the resources available to us, as a country, we can afford and government can afford to make sure that no old aircraft beyond 10 years flies in our airspace.

“We have the resources but the political will is not there. We have the

man-power and the resources, but why can’t we make this happen?”

“The government of UAE at a point used the oil resources they had to barter for very new aircraft from Boeing Airbus for Emirates so that at all times passen-gers are flying very healthy aircraft.

“With all the resources we have, it baffles us that we have to be losing Nigerians and others in very questionable aircraft; whether they were really airworthy nobody

can say now because the blame game has begun .

“Where does the buck stop? As far as I am concerned, it stops at the President’s desk.

Through the Minister of Aviation they can enact laws that make it very difficult for aircraft that is questionably airworthy to operate.”

OAN called on DANA Air to ensure that the $150,000 due the four cabin flight attendants are paid to their families.

ICAO, ACI collaborate on safety

NTERNATIONAL Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and Airports Council International (ACI) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to provide a framework to jointly pursue the highest possible levels of safety at airports worldwide.

The MoC was signed by ICAO Council President, Mr Roberto Kobeh González and

ACI Director General, Ms. Angela Gittens during a ceremony at ICAO Headquarters in Montréal last week.

It will allow both organisations to join forces to improve aviation safety.

Objectives of the MoC are supporting the development of the ACI Airport Excellence (APEX) in Safety Programme,is designed to help airports world-

wide to identify and address safety vulnerabilities.

The regular exchange of safety-relevant information and data and by providing mutual access to databases; Exchanging experts and providing training; and Promoting regional cooperation.

“ICAO and ACI have a long

history of cooperation. The MoC we are signing will provide a framework for enhanced cooperation between our two organisations and reflects ICAO’s continuing efforts to take a more action-oriented approach to promoting safety,” said Mr. Roberto Kobeh González, President of the Council of ICAO.

NCAT to train female engineers

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HE Lagos State Chapter of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) is to partner with the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria for the training of some female students in its Aeronautical Telecommunication Engineering School.

This is aimed at increasing the female workforce in the industry in the near future.

The Lagos State President of APWEN, Mrs. Felicia Agubata, disclosed this at the 2012 Career talk show

with the theme Encouraging the girl child towards Science and Engineering, organised for some female students in various schools across Lagos and Ogun states.

Mrs. Agubata said more female aeronautical engineers will be produced as soon as the partnership with NCAT starts yielding result, adding that the Rector of NCAT Capt. Chinyere Kalu, is interested in the training being the first female pilot in the country.

The APWEN boss said it is important to catch the female students young as the course is aimed at solving problems.

18

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

MARITIME

National Assembly to review N Cabotage Act INE years after the Cabotage Act came into being, the National Assembly is set to review it to meet the exigencies of the time, it was learnt at the weekend.

The law is the product of a bill initiated by maritime lawyer and former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Mr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN). The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) later bought into the bill.

Sources at the Assembly told The Nation that the proposed amendments are to remove impediments to the law’s effective implementation since it was enacted.

The Act, parterned after the Jones Act in the United States (US), is hinged on three pillars that vessels involved in Cabotage in shipyards in Nigeria, must be owned and built by Nigerians.

Though the Act provided for waivers, these have been abused over the years with some foreign-owned ships getting spurious waivers to engage in coastal and inland shipping to the detriment of indigenous ship owners.

The review, which would be spearheaded by the House of Representatives Committees on Marine Transport and Justice, will kick off soon.

A source said operators, stakeholders, civil society groups and the public have been invited to participate in the public hearing.

The Nation was informed

• DG NIMASA Akpobolokemi Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

that the proposed amendments of the Act would enable the National Assembly to effect necessary changes that have hindered effective implementation of the Act over the years.

Stakeholders have been enjoined to submit memoranda on the proposed amendments to the Cabotage Act in hard and soft copies to the secretariat of the committee.

The Indigenous Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (ISAN) said it is happy over the proposed review of the Act because local ship owners are not being involved in the lifting of crude oil and gas by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Speaking with The Nation in Lagos, Secretary General ISAN Chief Niyi Labinjo condemned foreign domination of the oil and gas industry and urged NNPC to involve local ship owners.

Labinjo said there was an allegation that some forces within the NNPC are teaming up with their foreign partners to sideline the local shipping operators.

But the Cabotage Act, the ISAN scribe said, stipulates that ships engaging in such businesses should be owned, and crewed by Nigerians, flagged and probably built in Nigeria.

The National carrier, Labinjo said, has exclusive right to carry goods of Federal and state governments.

He therefore, condemned the idea of engaging foreign shipping companies by NNPC to lift 100 per cent crude oil and gas without involving Nigerian companies.

He said local ship owners with their vessels must start lifting oil, gas, rice and other goods in the interest of the industry and the country at large.

Also, the Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi has promised to see to the quick disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund to the real business people in the

maritime industry.

Speaking with The Nation in his office, Akpobolokemi said the loan would be given to beneficiaries provided all those that were concerned are ready to meet the guidelines stipulated by government.

Prudence, he said, was one of the greatest challenges he is facing when it comes to issues in NIMASA. He, however, promised that there would be transparency in the disbursement of the money and assured that no defaulter would be allowed to benefit from the loan.

The director-general explained that the Cabotage fund has increased, but he lamented that based on the non implementation of the Cabotage Act, foreign ships are carrying out most of the jobs that are supposed to be done by local ship owners.

He said arrangements have also been concluded for indigenous ship operators to access the fund for the development of the local shipping industry.

The impact of the Cabotage Act is yet to be felt by the local shipping operators, as investigation has shown that there are over 2,000 vessels operating in the nation’s coastal water, and that less than 20 per cent of them are owned by Nigerians.

The country’s coastal trade is still being dominated by foreign shipping companies, leaving local operators at their mercy, prompting many to support the review of the Act.

Minister charges on port development

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INISTER of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, has suggested ways of making the ports efficient in West and Central Africa.

Speaking at an international roundtable organised by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), for the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), Umar, represented by Suleiman Dagogo said the Federal Government, is seeking solutions to the problems facing the ports. He urged other countries in the sub-region to come to terms with the needs of customer as a basis for any successful business venture.

In Nigeria, the minister said, the private sector remains the engine for growth and led to the need for governments to limit its role to policy and the creation of enabling environment, which has led to the port reform and the adoption of the landlord model of port management in 2005.

The effort, he said, has led to consistent improvement in cargo throughput from 46, 150, 518 metric tonnes in 2006 to 82 million metric tonnes in 2011.

Container traffic, he said, has similarly witnessed 12.15 per cent annual growth.

To support and enhance these growth potential, the Federal Government has embarked on the following: • Capital and Maintenance dredging to deepen and expand the channels; • Dredging the Niger River for inland water transportation; •Wreck removal;

Customs clamps down on importers

By Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

TO check smuggling, the Customs has clamped down on motor dealers in Lekki, Lagos, it has been learnt.

During a raid, the Customs took inventory of vehicles found in the dealers’ mart and demanded their import papers.

Many of the dealers, it was gathered, could not provide those documents, leading to their firms being shut.

Those affected promised to provide evidence of payment this week, sources said.

Some officials of the firms visited the Ikeja office of the Federal Operation Unit (FOU) in a bid to resolve the matter.

FOU’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Uche Egesieme, however, said the clamp down was routine.

The move, he said, was necessary to block revenue leakages.

An official with one of the importers said the move was part of efforts to meet the N1 trillion revenue target given to the Customs Service this year by the Federal Government.

She, however, said it was normal for the Customs Service to visit car dealers to ask for information on import transactions.

Also, Customs Area Controller, Ogun-State Command, Comptroller Bamidele Akande said on Sunday that his officers and men were in the Oke-Odon area of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area to curb arms and car smuggling.

“Before we took the action against them, we have given them time so that we can inspect those vehicles in case they are carrying any arms we have seen them displayed and the need for them to pay Customs duty on those smuggled vehicles they brought into the country illegally,” Akande said.

Although the Area Controller did not give the number of security personnel in the town, he admitted that other security agents are working with Customs.

Several seizure, he said, has been made by the command from those that imported vehicles into the country illegally.

Customs officials and border patrol team, he said, have collaborated to curb smuggling around the border area.

Govt urged to develop rail THE Federal Government has been advised to develop other means of transportation, especially the rail system, to bring about efficient delivery of goods in the maritime sector.

An expert in marine transport, Dr Wale Adetigba, a Principal Partner at Multi-system Consult, said the interconnectivity of the rail system to water ways is very important.

“Marine transport is a component part of transportation system in the world and from my own professional training and experience, the marine transport can not operate in isolation from other modes of transportation, especially with rail system,” he said.

Maritime lawyer and a don, Mr Dipo Alaka, said if the link is right, the cost of goods in the market will be reduced.

“When goods come into the country, the only means of distribution to the country is by road. Unfortunately, the roads are bad and the network of roads is poor.

“My position is that we need to revisit the rail transport that is missing in our transport system. As long as the rail system is absent, it will be difficult to have problem-free port operation. The cost of port operation will continue to be high,” he stressed.

Poultry products seized

• From left: Nene and Suleiman at the event.

• Rehabilitation of the moles in the Lagos area; • Improve Maritime Security and provide comfort for shipping; and • Massive investment in rail rehabilitation across the country which is still on-going.

Government is also keen to expand port capacity in line with the growth potential of the economy with the private sector taking the lead.

To this and private sector initiative was encouraged to develop the Onne FLT and FOT which support the oil and gas sectors of our economy and serve as the hub for the oil and gas sector in the sub-retion. Other additional efforts include development of deep sea ports at Lekki, Badagry, Olokola and Ibakka, Akwa Ibom State.

In his remark, the Managing Director, NPA, Omar

Suleiman said the challenges from port concession needed to be well tackled.

He listed these as the PublicPrivate-Partnership (PPP), clash of interest between the public and the private sectors, conflict resolution among operators, stakeholders and government agencies at the ports.

The conference, which had several delegates from other African countries and Nigeria, was held at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos. It had as theme: Impact of port concession on the socio-economic development of our countries.

The conference was declared open by the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, who was represented by the Director, Maritime Services.

At the end of the conference, stakeholders recommended that the tempo of PPP at the ports in the sub-region should

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

be sustained, adding that there should be a robust legal framework to attract foreign funds for port development.

The port managers canvassed the need to sustain the platform for exchange of information, among the ports in the sub-region, to facilitate growth.

The group also recommended the establishment of commercial regulators that will have the power to intervene in operational conflicts.

The conference sought for the establishment of a maritime bank to provide financial support to investors.

The Director, Commercial, Port Autonome De Lome, Mr Kwame Wili Nene, described the recommendations as good, adding that governments should implement them to boost efficiency.

THE Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized over 2,590 cartons of assorted poultry products with a duty paid value (DPV) of over N15 million.

Its Controller, Mr Dan Ugo, disclosed this while conducting reporters and representatives of NAFDAC round the destruction site near the Customs workshop in Lagos.

According to him, the latest operational method adopted by him provided the platform for the seizure.

He said the urgent need to protect local farmers and to create jobs informed the latest onslaught by his officers and men against what he described as the unpatriotic attitude of the smugglers.

He said: “The unit is determined more than ever to enforce full compliance with the headquarters’directive on zero tolerance for the importation of poultry products.”

He advised those behind the illegal act to stop it or face the wrath of the law.

Govt to reposition academy

By Uyoatta Eshiet

THE Federal Government is set to audit the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State.

It is part of efforts to standardise the institution and make its products acceptable globally.

Deputy Director, Maritime Capacity Building, NIMASA, Mallam Ibrahim Jibril, dropped the hint last week in Lagos at a forum organised by the Maritime Reporters’Association of Nigeria (MARAN) to celebrate this year’s United Nations (UN) Day of Seafarer.

Jibril said: “We have entered into discussion; in fact, I am championing that cause with MAN, Oron. We are trying to make them establish a maritime education and training management system that is standardised and acceptable across the world.”

He added: “We are trying to get classification societies, such as ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) to come and help us with a firm audit of the faculty, the workshop, the equipment and the facilities that they have. Once this is done, we intend to get the European Union to come and inspect what we have in MAN, Oron; so as to recognise the training in MAN, Oron”.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

Preserving Diezani •Petroleum minister ought to have gone with NNPC boss, others

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan finally bowed to the clamour for a shake-up of the oil industry in the aftermath of the subsidy probe when on Tuesday last week, he sacked the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Austin Oniwon.

Also affected in the long-expected shake-up were Messrs Michael Arokodare, the Group Executive Director (GED) in charge of Finance and Accounts, his counterparts in Refineries and Petrochemicals, Phillip Chukwu and Billy Agha, Engineering and Technology.

The President named Andrew Yakubu as new GMD- NNPC. Also in the new executive management team of the corporation are Bernard Otti, GED, (Finance and Accounts), Abiye Membere, GED (Exploration and Production), Peter Nmadu, GED (Corporate Services), Anthony Ogbuigwe, GED (Refineries and Petrochemicals), Attahir Yusuf, GED (Commercial and Investments) and David Ige, GED (Gas and Power).

The statement from presidential spokesman Reuben Abati said that the corporation’s executive management team was re-composed to strengthen the on-going reforms and the transformation of the petroleum sector, and also in furtherance of the efforts “to achieve greater transparency and accountability in government”.

If it seems any instructive, the erstwhile GMD-NNPC ought to have retired April last year but for the recommendation of tenure extension by Petroleum Resources minister, Diezani Alison-

Madueke. The duo of Agha and Chukwu were also said to be close to their retirement dates – a case of the President merely fast-tracking their disengagement dates.

Yet again, the President appears to have missed in a fundamental sense, the changes that Nigerians have been insistent upon, and the kind that NNPC needs, particularly in the aftermath of the House of Representatives probe of the fuel subsidy.

Clearly, the House report on the subsidy scam stands apart as an embarrassing revelation of the criminal collusion and negligence of the corporation in the mindless looting of the fuel subsidy money by industry operators. This was why we expected the President to have swung into action upon the adoption of the probe report by the House, by baring his fangs on the officials of the petroleum ministry, if only to give practical expression to his stated quest for “greater transparency and accountability in government”.

That is what makes the sacking of the executive management of the corporation under whose watch those established abuses took place, overdue. But then, that the President would leave out the minister superintending the petroleum ministry – Minister Diezani AlisonMadueke, makes the exercise not only troubling but disappointing.

How does the administration rationalise the double standards? What signal is the President sending out by firing the NNPC top guns while leaving out the minister who also doubles as the

chair of the corporation’s board? The minister is untouchable – or indispensable, or what?

Of course, the issue of corruption in the oil corporation runs deep – deeper than is often acknowledged – and bigger than the sacking of the top personnel could solve. The House probe has confirmed how the NNPC has lost its rationale as a national oil corporation to become an outfit competing with slush funds, all in the name of subsidy payout. The time has come for the Federal Government to embark on a swift, massive overhaul of the corporation, to reposition it, in line with what obtains in other national oil corporations.

Considering the extensive rot perpetrated under her watch, Alison-Madueke does not fit, in our view, into her self-assigned role of reformer of the petroleum industry. Nigerians would gladly have her yield the space for a clean burst of fresh air to blow across the industry.

‘That is what makes the sacking of the executive management of the corporation under whose watch those established abuses took place, overdue. But then, that the President would leave out the minister superintending the petroleum ministry – Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, makes the exercise not only troubling but disappointing’

Unhealthy tourism •Spending N81bn annually on foreign medical trips is unacceptable

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ERHAPS the most striking feature of the inaugural private health sector summit, which opened in Lagos on June 25, was the revelation by the Minister of State for Health, Mohammed Ali Pate, that the country loses $500 million or N81 billion annually to what is rather cynically referred to as ‘medical tourism’ by Nigerians forced to seek healthcare abroad.

We consider the term ‘medical tourism’ to be abhorrent and in bad taste. Tourism is normally associated with leisure, relaxation, fun and pleasure. Those who engage in tourism are usually those who have met basic existential needs and can afford the luxury of travel and adventure.

A significant percentage of Nigerians who seek solutions to their medical challenges abroad are certainly not doing so for fun or pleasure. They cannot in any meaningful sense be described as tourists.

‘A significant percentage of Nigerians who seek solutions to their medical challenges abroad are certainly not doing so for fun or pleasure. They cannot in any meaningful sense be described as tourists.

Rather, they are, in most cases, desperate for qualitative medical care that can make the difference between life and death for them’

Rather, they are, in most cases, desperate for qualitative medical care that can make the difference between life and death for them. What this sad situation reveals however is that the virtual collapse of the country’s health sector, which is a source of pain, discomfort and even untimely death for millions of our citizens, creates wealth, jobs and joy for others with efficient health care systems. They are therefore not to blame for perceiving our healthcare travails from the perspective of tourism revenues beneficial to their economies.

Those who can even afford the cost of foreign medical care should count themselves lucky as millions of Nigerians lack the means to enjoy what is clearly a luxury in our circumstances.

Indeed, most of those who can hop on the next plane for medical care in the best foreign facilities belong to the same social class who, through crass corruption, have ruined the health and other vital sectors of our economy. The huge expenditure on foreign health care is incurred by a minuscule proportion of the population.

Most Nigerians have no alternative to the truly pathetic healthcare situation in the country. Public health facilities are inadequate, ill-equipped and inefficiently manned by poorly motivated staff. Where they are of the requisite quality, private health facilities are unaffordable to the poor. And in most cases, when affordable, such facilities are sub-standard and constitute grave dangers to health.

We commend the initiative of the private sector health summit and appreciate the key role the private sector has to play in efficient and effective health care delivery. But the more urgent challenge is to revitalise the country’s public health care delivery system at all levels for the benefit of the vast majority of Nigerians. Surely, the problem is not lack of manpower. Nigeria is reputed to have thousands of highly qualified medical personnel forced by the unfavourable internal climate to practice abroad.

Again, given our resource endowment, there is no justifiable reason for the lack of modern, well equipped health facilities even in the remotest part of the country.

Furthermore, effective private sector health care will itself be dependent on the provision by government of basic infrastructure, including power, safe and efficient transportation, clean water and security.

It is possible that many of those with the means for foreign medical care may be totally indifferent to the deplorable state of Nigeria’s health care system.

They are grossly mistaken. For, medicine everywhere is practised within a social and cultural context. In the final analysis, better value for money is obtained when people are treated by health practitioners acquainted with the peculiarities of their local social and physical environment.

With focus, vision and discipline, we can stem the current huge outflow of foreign exchange in healthcare and transform the sector into a major revenue earner.

Immigrants and small business

I

MMIGRANTS are known as entrepreneurial people, for obvious reasons: those with the ambition and energy to uproot themselves and build new lives in a distant land are well equipped to build businesses and the economy, too. That is the common wisdom, anyway, which a new study from the Fiscal Policy Institute strikingly confirms. The study, based on census data, looks at owners of small businesses across the country and paints a broad and detailed picture of immigrant entrepreneurship. The study found that there were 900,000 immigrants among small-business owners in the United States, about 18 percent of the total. This percentage is higher than the immigrant share of the overall population, which is 13 percent, and the immigrant share of the labor force, at 16 percent. Small businesses in which half or more of the owners were immigrants employed 4.7 million people in 2007, the latest year for which data were available, generating $776 billion in receipts. They accounted for 30 percent of the growth in small businesses — those with fewer than 100 employees — between 1990 and 2010.

Immigrant entrepreneurs are concentrated in professional and business services, retail, construction, educational and social services, and leisure and hospitality. They own restaurants, doctor’s offices, real-estate firms, groceries and truck-transportation services.

More of them come from Mexico than any other country, followed by Indians, Koreans, Cubans, Chinese and Vietnamese. California has the highest percentage of immigrants among smallbusiness owners at 33 percent, followed by New York (29 percent), New Jersey (28 percent), Florida (26 percent) and Hawaii (23 percent).

The study did not look at immigrants’ legal status, but because it covered only incorporated firms, not off-the-books operations, it presumably included few, if any, business owners without papers.

By rousingly affirming the centrality of immigration in the American economy, the study exposes a fault line running through the Republican Party, which mythologizes smallbusiness owners while treating immigrants with hostility bordering on fury. There is no shortage of conservative business owners who celebrate the immigrant contribution to America — Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Rupert Murdoch are two — but Republican leaders, including the party standard-bearer, Mitt Romney, have allied themselves with extremist efforts to limit immigration and hound and harass millions of unauthorized immigrants out of the country.

In G.O.P. strongholds like Arizona — and Alabama, home to sleepy small towns where Latino-owned bodegas and laundries are among the only signs of economic life downtown — anti-immigrant policies are threating to strangle economic growth. If Republicans started believing their own rhetoric about small-business owners, they would see immigration not as a sea of troubles but as a deep well of capitalist energy, waiting to be fully tapped.

– New York Times

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THE NATION TUESDAY,JULY 3, 2012

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

S

IR: Except for an incurable optimist, there is no gainsaying the fact that Nigeria is currently at its wits end in every expectation of governance deliverables. In all spheres of our national life, dashed expectations of governance deliverable litter, no thanks to the monster called corruption.

It does not call for any intellectual effort to know that of all the ills besetting this country and which manifest themselves in the current systemic breakdown and nation failure staring the country in the face, corruption is the bedrock upon which every ill stands. It is the reason for the high carnage on our roads, the unequalled high infant and maternal mortality rate in our health institutions; the only reason for the show of shame in our legislative institution where the one who was called to probe the thief turned out to be the thief himself; the high level of mediocrity in our public institution is traceable to it.

The crime of corruption has dealt such a very terrible blow on even the workings of our minds, both individually and collectively that our social control mechanisms of justice delivery, the judiciary and law enforcement agencies, are themselves in a cesspool of corruption. The attempts by the few men of goodwill in these institutions at redeeming them have all been thwarted. The reason is not far-fetched. The level of sophistication attained by corruption in this country has made it practically impossible, if not delusional, to continue to apply the extant adversarial system of justice administration and expect to achieve justice in all its ramifications. There is therefore, a need for a paradigm shift in the standard of proof from the extant adversarial system to inquisitorial system in the prosecution of economic and financial crimes that constitute the bulk, if not all, of the crime of corruption in Nigeria.

Adversarial system is a system of justice administration whereby the initial responsibility to prove an allegation, subject matter of a

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Time for paradigm shift in economic crime cases dispute at the tribunal, rests with the party alleging it, failing which the party against whom the allegation is made is absolved of liability. Inquisitorial system, on the other hand, assumes a person against whom an allegation is made, liable of the allegation except the he leads evidence to absolve himself of the allegation. Nigeria currently practices the adversarial system which presumes an alleged criminal innocent until the contrary is proved.

Now, preceding from the above, it bears repeating to state that given the level of sophistication in which

economic and financial crimes are committed in this country and elsewhere in the world and the complexities associated in leading evidence to establish the allegations, the doctrine of presuming an alleged criminal in this regard innocent from the outset until the country is proved becomes of doubtful significance to the reality of the current state of affairs in this country, as far as economic and financial crimes are concerned, .

Take, for instance, a public servant who joined the public service soon after he left the

university about 25 years ago but can boast of over 42 Billion Naira in his bank account, 25 Million US Dollars in his offshore account and assets worth several billions of Naira scattered all over the world, still enjoys the presumption of innocence that the adversarial system guarantees. Should the prosecution make any mistake of not tying the acquisition of any of the property mentioned above to the illegal act he is being charged, as it is often the case, our public servant then goes scot-free to enjoy the loot!

Pray, will it not make for more

efficiency in the fight against graft by adopting inquisitorial system whereby the job of the prosecutors of economic and financial crimes is limited in principle, to merely linking properties, money, assets and criminal conduct to an alleged criminal and establish his guilt on that sole basis, leaving the accused to prove his innocence, failing which the allegations will be confirmed and the approved punishment meted out?

Given the abnormal state of affairs in Nigeria, we cannot continue to play the Ostrich game in the name of subscribing to universal standard while the flood of corruption submerges us all.

Other countries of the world have adopted various strategies as they suit their peculiarities in the fight against graft. The time to act is now.

Amend our constitution to adopt inquisitorial system in proof of economic and financial crimes.

• Chris Edache Agbiti, Esq., Abuja.

Education is the antidote to the current violence

S

IR: For over a decade now, Nigeria has witnessed series of devastating violence ranging from militancy, kidnappings, religious riots, students uprisings, armed robbery attacks, and recently the Boko Haram insurgency.

All these have caused unforgettable pains in the lives of many Nigerians and foreigners as many families have been wiped out completely while some others have been disabled for life. There are others who have lost their social status due to the destructions of their means of lively hood.

Consequent upon these, various administrations have voted billions of naira as intervention fund for tackling security challenges in the country, but the more effort the government makes, the more the situations seems to deteriorate as the level of crime increasingly becomes sophisticated on daily basis.

To say the least, the advancement in terrorism in our country is worrisome. More worrisome also is the inability of the Nigerian security apparatus to contain the spate

of insecurity in the country.

Every right thinking Nigerian wants to know how we got to where we are presently. Why has the Government failed woefully to tackle these problems headlong? And why have the terrorists chosen to be used by the “devils on human skin” to die untimely in an evil cause?

The answers are not farfetched, it is because they are walking in the dark, having been brainwashed through ungodly teachings and believes.

This worrisome trend stems from governments failure to properly educate the citizens in the country irrespective of their social status.

The failure to make education free and compulsory for all Nigerians by the previous governments is now yielding the bitter fruits that are equally bitter to the government of the day.

It is very easy to lure an illiterate into doing something that is harmful to the society and his survival than doing same to a well educated citizen. And for political reasons, some politicians have indirectly

supported illiteracy in Nigeria so that their selfish political ambitions could be achieved by using the teaming illiterates to threaten their opponents, knowing fully well that they cannot compete successfully in a society where everybody is educated. Through the use of propaganda they are able to deceive the youths to remain stagnant educationally while their children are pushed to have best education in the country and abroad. This in turn helps to maintain their strangle hold on power.

In 1955, Chief Obafemi Awolowo introduced free education in the Western Region. He did that because he knew that an educated society would be orderly and peaceful as well as progressive. But the set of leaders we have in the country have dashed the legacy of this great past hero.

The solution to curbing the seed and attitude of killings and destruction of lives and property in Nigeria is for the federal government to re-introduce free education at all levels in Nigeria as well as

making it compulsory. In contemporary Nigeria, the exorbitant school fees charged as a pre-requisite for having education in Nigeria has constantly denied so many Nigeria citizens particularly the youths, access to qualitative education.

Insufficient learning facilities and unqualified teachers in our school systems are not helping matters. To drastically combat and minimise crime and violence in Nigeria, government at all levels should urgently increase the knowledge base of all her citizens. This could only be achieved when enough schools are built, equipped, and made free and compulsory for all and sundry.

There should be true repentance by the pilots of national politics to tackle and eliminate corruption in to restore sanity into public service.

If corruption is defeated, poverty would be conquered and with this, a new Nigeria free of violence would be born.

• Enoch Daniel, Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

21

EDITORIAL/OPINION

R

ADDY, I have a list!” proud of that? And if I had bent “What list?” her dad the rules, would you have queried turned out the brilliant and con“Well, my NYSC things, dad,” fident young lady you have she responded still full of zeal. “I have become today and I, your mom to buy white shorts, white tops, good and your siblings are so proud quality canvass shoes, and even toiletof?” ries.”

“Yes, daddy, but ...”

“And who are those giving you these “There is no but! What is killOlakunle lists?” her dad wanted to know. ing our country is expediency.

“It is circulating on campus. All of lordbeek@yahoo.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola I have brought you up, in the my friends, who are also serving have ‘old school’ as your generation the list. I even know someone I can often say, with the hope that you will at least lead the buy the materials from. Good stuff!” charge to make a difference. Who knows? Our country “I see”, returned her dad. “But you can still be saved from this generation of vipers who call still have not answered where that list originated from.” themselves rulers.”

“How do you mean, daddy?” flying degree!”

“Still daddy, I want to serve. And it doesn’t matter where – if “Just that I don’t think the NYSC would give you such a “Daddy, you know that is not true. But I’ll let that pass. Are you won’t influence it, that is!” list. If the government is pulling you from the comfort you now saying I would not serve?”

“Okay then, go ahead. Won ngbediye lowo iku, oni won o je zone of your homes and loved ones, they would give you “O yes, you will – if they post you no farther than Kwara! kohun lo aatan lo je [You try to save the hen from sure death, yet all those items on your list. I know that as a matter of fact.

Anywhere farther than that, I’m sorry. With those lunatics it complains of being kept from the dump where the hawk Remember, I once too was a youth corps member – or a lobbing bombs at the slightest excuse all over the North, I swoops]. But let me make it clear: you’re absolutely on your ‘youth corper’ as they call it?” her dad returned with a condewon’t fold my arms and watch you thrown into the killing own. After all, there is no effective law against suicide! And scending gait. fields by an incompetent government. And the last time I this, I can tell you, is wilful suicide!”

“Daddy, you’re right. But I hear what the NYSC gives is checked, innocent NYSC members were slaughtered in the “Daddy!” inferior material. And at times, the stuff does not even go northern killing fields. But the real tragedy is that there is “Don’t daddy, me! And you youth of these days! You think round. I just want to be comfortable. I don’t want to take absolutely no guarantee such slaughter would not happen again.

I would stand up and argue with my own father like this? Ha, any chances.”

And some misguided fellow just sits at the NYSC secretariat, I would have earned a thunderous slap!”

“Well, in that case, I can’t help you. You are governbehind a big desk, and just posts highly educated youths just “Daddy, but that was then. Besides, you sent me to school, so ment’s property now. If they can’t take care of their esanywhere! That would not happen to you under my watch! “ that I could reason and not take everything hook, line and teemed property – isn’t that what youth corps members “But daddy, you cannot do that!” sinker! All I asked, dad, is a little help to influence my postare, government’s ambassadors? – well, that is just too bad.

“I just did! Better pray and fast that you’re not posted to any ing.”

I’m not going to subsidise any inefficient and incompetent place beyond Kwara. Otherwise, you’re not serving. No gov“And what makes you think I have such powers? And even government. But wait a minute!” ernment will play god with the life of my daughter.” if I did, I would never try such a thing. What of youths whose “What, daddy?”

“But daddy, you keep on threatening that I would not serve. parents can’t press any buttons?”

“Who even tells you, you are serving?”

Yet, you have not taken any steps to influence my posting.”

“Daddy ...”

“But daddy, why not?” she shot back. “Besides, it’s man“Influence your posting? Why would I want to do that?”

“Stop this nonsense this instant! I have told you, anywhere datory by law.”

“Because that is what everybody does, daddy!” beyond Kwara, forget it. If government won’t give you a job “Mandatory, my foot! And with all these security wor“Ah! And you want me to follow the crowd, even if they are as a result, they can keep their job. You’ll get by.” ries? And don’t you tell me about any law! A government all rushing to their destruction? Was that the way I brought “Excuse me dad,” she said, as a call came through from her that cannot secure its citizens, in every part of its territory, you up? Did I influence your admission into university – were phone. “So, Laide, the posting is out? Where am I posted to? lacks both the moral and legal basis to grandstand on any other people not doing it? And didn’t u enjoy the rare pleasure Sokoto?!!” she exclaimed, with both eyes popping out. law. It’s all there in the Social Contract.” of entering by merit and proving your worth – and are you not “What was that?” her daddy wanted to know. “ Social Contract? Is that not too idealistic?”

“Daddy, Laide just told me I have been posted to Sokoto; and “I’m happy you know of the Social Contract – and no, it is she was posted to Zamfara!” not too idealistic. In fact, it’s not idealistic at all! Why do “O, how sweet! Hajiya Sakauto!” you think we feed and fete the Jonathan incompetents en“It’s not funny, dad. Sokoto!” sconced in Aso Rock Villa? To wine and dine and tell us “But why not? You wanted to serve at all cost. Now you tales by the moonlight why they cannot do their jobs, and have the opportunity. But you would have been better off yet refuse to let go of the public lollies? I live by the Social though at Zamfara. I hear Yerima wants a new wife!”

Contract: I lay my whole being in your hands. In return, “Daddy!” you guarantee my safety, welfare and security. That is what “Hajiya Sakauto! Now, I know you will really need a new set government is all about. If you don’t know that, then you of kits!” don’t know your right. Perhaps all my investment in you to go to university has not borne any fruit, despite your

“D

epublican ipples

Hajiya Sakauto!

‘The last time I checked, innocent NYSC members were slaughtered in the northern killing fields. But the real tragedy is that there is absolutely no guarantee such slaughter would not happen again’

N

O one should be surprised at the spate of angry denunciations that trailed the statement credited to Senate President David Mark on the Boko Haram menace at the Senate retreat in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital last week. It seems the inevitable part of the drama of our existence as a nation – the ritual of denial of inconvenient truths in which leaders of different parts of the country have played star casts at different times.

To start with, what did Senator Mark say that have since drawn so much ire? That he dared to finger Boko Haram as Nigeria’s major problem? That he dared to highlight the paradox of the much touted quest for development at a time of the region’s increasing surrender to “few cabals and collaborators parading as terrorists”?

That he came hard on the extant rationalisations by the apologists of the Boko Harm that the sect was sired by poverty, poor education and unemployment, while insisting that those indices would not alone explain the Boko Haram?

How about his singling out of the ideology and religious fundamentalism propagated by warped preachers who indoctrinate their followers to be suicide bombers as the cause of the present nightmare? Or the dire warning that the nation may not be lucky next time as the target victims of the Boko Haram rage may no longer be amenable to the gospel of “turning the other cheek”?

What’s new in the suggestion that the leaders of the North should accept the responsibility for the Boko Haram?

Those were supposed to be Senator Mark’s sin for which some self-assigned jurors would rather fry him on a hot plate.

Yes – I almost forgot to add his pedigree as a Christian

‘The myth unwittingly bandied, that the vast region of the north has fallen to the iron rule of the insurgency, plus the other lie about the impotence of the traditional authorities, merely feed the propaganda machinery of the terrorists. It is self-indicting. I do not think that anyone should swallow that. Not least the once proud North’

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

David Mark, the North and Boko Haram minority northerner pointing fingers at the Muslim North!

For this, it has been torrents of angry denunciations from quarters that one would ordinarily have expected some measure of sobriety. Not for them the central plank of the senator’s contribution – which I consider an affirmation of truth –that the present crisis in the north is a product of the collective failure of leaders in the region in particular – for which they, more than any other group bear a primary responsibility to resolve.

Now, I get amused at suggestions that the federal government ought to have been on top of the Boko Haram situation. No doubt, I believe that the federal government should lead the charge. Only last week, I argued on this page that nothing short of bringing the Boko Haram on its knees would bring the sect to the dialogue table. Even then, I harbour no illusions about the fact that the on-going operations are severely constrained by the limited intelligence available to the field commanders.

Has anyone in this part of the world figured out a method of squeezing out vital intelligence from communities which have become so embedded with terrorists? Or is it a question of rolling more tanks out – by the same army routinely accused of being an army of occupation?

That to me is the dilemma of the federal government in the increasingly intractable, unwinnable war against the Boko Haram.

This is where the exasperation of the likes of David Mark comes in.

Just by the level of socio-economic dislocation and the systematic regression into the Hobbesian state of chaos caused by the Boko Haram, the North is without question,

its worst victim. The sect of course makes no pretence of its contempt for the existing moral and political order in the region; the latter it tolerates apparently because their Utopian theocracy is still in the wombs, waiting to be born. As for the latter, the sect has shown readiness to dislodge it by the worst instruments of terror conceivable.

That is what the nation – and the North is up against.

Now, those who parrot the view that the Boko Haram is a national problem ignore this factor of its abode. It is based in the north; and claims to be fighting a holy war – jihad.

The arguments that the leaders of the Boko Haram are faceless or that the various cells of the group are not known to the local authorities are insupportable by their open defiance of the authorities. Of course, their wives and children mingle with other children in the neighbourhoods. They buy from the local markets. They have their assembly points – the religious houses where they meet with the faithful.

Is anyone suggesting that the objects of their reign of terror do not know them?

My colleague, Festus Eriye made the point beautifully in his back page comment in last Sunday’s edition of this newspaper, where he noted that the Boko Haram elements would remain as ghosts only for as long as the communities are willing to provide cover and accommodation for them to operate underground. As it was in the Niger Delta so it is in the North. No amount of denial can change this inconvenient truth!

Has anyone dared to accuse northern leaders of criminal complicity in the Boko Haram? Not that I am aware of. This is where the lapse to defensiveness is unwarranted; certainly unhelpful. Leaders at various levels in the north, no doubt have a direct responsibility to counter the toxic gospel of the Boko Haram. Theirs is the primary burden to weed out the evil that they represent in their communities and to assist local authorities in maintaining peace in their domains. The myth unwittingly bandied, that the vast region of the north has fallen to the iron rule of the insurgency, plus the other lie about the impotence of the traditional authorities, merely feed the propaganda machinery of the terrorists. It is self-indicting. I do not think that anyone should swallow that. Not least the once proud North.

‘Leaders at various levels in the north, no doubt have a direct responsibility to counter the toxic gospel of the Boko Haram’

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

D

AMATURU, the capital of Yobe State in north eastern Nigeria is a typical town in the heart of the desert. Dusty and rusty, this emerging city, home to warm and hospitable people is fast turning to a ghost town, no thanks to the Boko Haram terrorists.

Further north is Maiduguri, the hub of the north east and the heartbeat of the old Kanem/Borno Empire. It is also the capital of Borno State.

Regrettably, Maiduguri the home of the great El-Kanemi, has also come under attack

by Boko Haram terrorists who appear bent on destroying northern Nigeria as the commercial city of Kano in the north west, Kaduna and a host of towns cities in the north have been subjected to systematic destruction, especially in terms of human lives. What have we done or left undone to deserve this?

In human terms, so many lives have been lost while economically the region which traditionally lags behind the south has further been pushed down with the society the main loser. As for the overall economic impact of this crime against Nigerians, on the country, statistics show that over N1trillion has been lost in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) alone. Much more must have been lost in funds being invested (embezzled?) on security matters, which ordinarily should have gone to the more productive sectors of the economy.

In the face of all this, all we hear from our leaders especially President Goodluck Jonathan is that his government will deal with the situation which, unfortunately escalates every time he made this kind of promise.

In spite of the combined efforts of the security agencies and help from Nigeria’s friends abroad, it appears the Federal Government is not winning the war hence the call in certain quarters, even within government, for a change of tactic/approach. Some are beginning to openly call for dialogue and engagement with the terrorists. And this, among other things, might have informed the decision of President Jonathan to fire his former National Security Adviser, General Andrew Azazi, seen as a hardliner, and a ‘son of the soil’, so to speak, Colonel Sambo Dasuki

P

ENULTIMATE week, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Namadi Sambo flagged off the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign for July 14 governorship election in the company of its national Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, a former Board of Trustees chairman of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the erstwhile Minister of Defence Bello Haliru, the Chief of Staff to the President and former deputy governor of the state, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, its state chairman, Chief Dan Osi Orbih among others.

Most worrisome in what seemed more of a campaign charade and travesty, the supposed campaign was devoid of the necessary issues that could jolt the ordinary voter to cast his or her vote in their favour.

I watched endlessly, in expectation to hear new areas and frontiers the PDP national leaders and their candidate would want to impact on the socio-economic situation of the state, if voted into office, I was disappointed.

Throughout the length and breadth of that sham called campaign, they failed to articulate what policy (ies) they would implement, if peradventure, Edo people were blindfolded to vote a party that is not known for performance.

I thought it was a period for the PDP to provide complete information in which their party’s ideologies, if any, would be encapsulated but, they failed woefully. Speaker after speaker, disappointed the hired crowd and a spoon-full of followers who prefer to remain in the PDP because, to them, the fewer the merrier and the more the money they get.

The hired crowd, including those from Kogi, Delta, Ondo, Kaduna, Bayelsa, among others, freely discussed with one another at the Dr. Sam Ogbemudia Stadium over the thoughtlessness of the PDP on the voyage they had embarked upon while expressing confidence that it was impossible for the PDP to clinch electoral victory in a free and fair polls.

It was that poor outing of the PDP that necessitated me, to immediately analyze an equilibrium that voters’ strategies involve a credible threat to punish candidates who renege on their campaign promises and in which all campaign promises are believed

What can Dasuki do? (retd) named in his place. Though not a ‘softie’ the new NSA’s approach to solving the Boko Haram problem seems to be dialogue. Talk to them; engage them; seek out their supporters and sympathisers and appeal to their sense of patriotism to see reason why the destructive actions of Boko Haram must be stopped.

This new approach was laid out in Damaturu and later Maiduguri by Dasuki when he paid an unscheduled visit to the two states to commiserate with them over recent attack by the Boko Haram sect. He even reportedly told his host that the president is desirous of a quick end to the crisis as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan draws nearer. He reportedly said the Commander-in-Chief does not want the Umma to observe Ramadan under this crisis. Good talk? Another target?

Though a spokesman for the NSA has denied Dasuki ever setting any target, the fact remains that the reporters couldn’t have fabricated the story. There is nothing wrong in target setting as it helps in achieving stated objective, but the problem here is that we have had too many targets to end the Boko Haram crisis set by the Federal Government but none met. So, instead of raising our hopes Dasuki should just go about his work without any noise and let the result tell us whether the end is near for Boko Haram or not.

There is also nothing wrong with his recourse to dialogue as one of the strategies to end the crisis as long as this is not the main strategy. It is only when we begin to offer amnesty to these terrorists, as some are suggesting, that government would be deemed to be rewarding terrorism. In dialoguing with Boko Haram, there must be a ceasefire first.

And to achieve a lasting ceasefire, there must be honest brokers, trusted by both sides, who would ensure that each side kept its words.

And who is better placed to do this than the traditional rulers and opinion leaders in these respective communities. I am yet to be convinced that these leaders don’t know who the Boko Haram operatives are as they live in their midst. So it is a good thing that Dasuki has identified these leaders and has started talking to them. He should not stop there.

Religious leaders in these communities should also be contacted as they would certainly know some of these so-called Islamists.

Confidence and trust are very important here. Though not a very good reason for appointing him NSA, Dasuki being of a royal blood should be able to gain the confidence of the traditional institution in the north and draw them closer in this fight against terror.

They are very crucial. Being a northerner could also be of help to him in his assignment as being a son of the soil could be an asset, although this could also be dangerous especially if he begins to see things from the northern point of view.

In addition to all these, Dasuki could also draw from his connection with some powerful individuals in the north to crack this Boko Haram menace. Nobody should doubt the influence of the former military rulers of northern extraction in the affairs of northern Nigeria. Leaders like General Ibrahim Babangida could pull a few strings here and there to help not just Dasuki but Nigeria. And having served briefly as ADC to Babangida, Colonel Dasuki should have no problem

here. This is the time to harness all resources.

This should not be seen as probably pandering to an individual, but if it will help us, so be it. This is not also saying Babangida, Buhari or any other ex Head of State knows anything about the activities of Boko Haram, far from it, but with their experience and influence they could help in the fight.

Enough of the carrot, what about the stick?

As Dasuki embarks on his dialogue, the strong arm of the law should be there, ever ready to be used on the terrorists if they refuse to toe the path of dialogue. Some of them take delight in the bombing campaigns and would see no reason why they should stop. These are the hardliners and they should be dealt with ruthlessly. Even among the terrorists some could still be persuaded to embrace peace. Dasuki should seek out such people and isolate the hardliners.

To reassure the rest of us, especially the Christian community that has been most hit by this act of terror, that the government is prepared and probably able to protect all its citizens, special programme should be designed to make Christian and Muslim places of worship safe at all times, while vulnerable communities should be given security protection.

Trials of some of these terrorists already in court should be dealt with quickly, fairly, in accordance with the law, while those in detention should be taken to court without delay. There should be no extra judicial killing as this in the first instance we are told was responsible for the violence Boko Haram has been inflicting on us. Following the killing of their late leader Mohammed Yusuf in the hands of the Police while in their custody, the terrorists set out to avenge his death and later took on other issues. There is also the need to strengthen the anti-terrorism law to make recruitment and indoctrination offences that are heavily punished.

Above all we need to remain together as a people and a nation to fight these terrorists.

It will not do any good some of the inflammatory statements coming from some of our religious leaders . The situation is already bad. We should not make it worse. We wish Dasuki Goodluck.

That PDP campaign jamboree in Edo

By Alhaji Dada Akpeji by voters and honored by candidates but neither their leaders nor their candidate, Airhiavbere told Edo people, what they intend to achieve in form of vision and mission. Meanwhile, the maximal credible campaign promises and the degree to which promises are credible in equilibrium is an increasing function of the value of a candidate’s reputation in this case, the retired general and his party are acutely in short of this.

Generally, politicians seeking office make promises. This is presumably done in the belief that such promises will alter voters’ beliefs about the policies the politician will implement if elected and about the capabilities of the politician. The flip side of the coin is that these promises may later come back to haunt an office holder seeking re-election, so candidates must temper their promises in anticipation of future elections and this is Oshiomhole’s stronghold and selling point.

He has simply delivered on his campaign promises but the PDP has not been able to show that it can present an alternative.

For the avoidance of doubt, these were the issues that dominated the PDP charade called campaign; they chanted, “go, Oshiomhole, go”! They also expressed resolve to unseat Oshiomhole whom they accused of lacking the ability to steer the ship of the state for meaningful development and the provision of the dividends of democracy to the people of the state. Unfortunately, the ordinary man on the streets of Edo knows more than them.

The PDP said that there was the need for it to return Edo to the comity of states in the South-south geopolitical zone being controlled by the PDP at the national level. This is also not a campaign issue. Again, they added, that the state had remained a missing link in the South-south zone and could no longer continue to maintain such an unholy status but would join others in the July 14 governorship election in the state. Just imagine; is this their plan for Edo state? Is this the yearning of the generality of Edo people?

What is important in politics is development

and not what is being canvassed by these failed politicians.

Hear the Vice President, “the election would be free, fair and peaceful”. Good talk but what are your campaign issues and why do you deserve the votes of the people? These are the questions begging for answers and not the comity of states in the south-south region.

Though, I have my fear: when you see a party like the PDP urging the people not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to foment trouble and bring chaos during the election, one should immediately suspect a game is being played somewhere.

For Chief Anenih who commended the duo of Dr. Ogbemudia and Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, who were present at the event said, “their presence had completed the circle in the quest for the unity among the PDP faithful. The evidence of the mammoth crowd showed clearly that PDP is on the ground in Edo State and does not run its activities on the pages of newspapers”.

Continuing, he pleaded for the commitment of the party’s leaders and members towards the actualization of the July 14 mission which according to him is inevitable because “you know my mind, you know my focus and you know my causes.” He hasn’t said anything meaning and capable of swaying votes; empty electoral wordings.

Another speaker, Chief of Staff to the President and former deputy governor of the state, Chief Oghiadomhe urged the people of the state not to be frightened by the alarm that some elements were raising arms and recruiting thugs for the election. He said, “What I have seen here today is a great assembly of party faithful who will carry the party flag to Osadebay Avenue. I have the confidence that victory is ours.”

He warned that “any attempt by anybody to snatch ballot boxes during the polls will not be tolerated. You must be determined to march one way, cast your votes for the PDP to be sure that the party will rule the state again. The party has come with a clear message of a collective resolve for victory; you have my support.” Can somebody advise the

PDP leaders to dwell on electoral promises and previous scorecard to earn the votes of the people?

For me, campaign promises provide a mechanism for voters to select among multiple equilibria, in a repeated game, much like a focal point. In this sense, the PDP has failed to make credible promises capable of solving problems that arises naturally in the context of multi-party state like Nigeria.

Oshiomhole has triumphed over PDP on this aspect. They are ignorant of the fact that campaign promises affect voters’ expectations about what policies will be chosen by an elected official, and they provide a benchmark for voters to link policy decisions with future re-election. They are unaware and completely ignorant about this.

The PDP forgot that in the absence of such public announcement, it is easy for voters to suspect a scam hence Airhiavbere shouldn’t earn a vote from sensible and right thinking electorates. However, the difficulties with the argument that campaign statements are a mere act of promising, or pledging to carry out a particular policy is that they are cheap talk because, the same PDP had dashed our hopes since 1999 till November 2008, when Oshiomhole came into the saddle. I am happy they failed to make any promise because they would in their characteristic manner, dash our expectations.

Trust Oshiomhole. He would never miss it.

He is quick to showcase his numerous achievements while reeling out future expectations. Oshiomhole made promises about the policy he would implement in 2007 electioneering campaigns and he has delivered on them unlike the PDP candidate whose campaign message was devoid of promises and party scorecard. No doubt, each voter would vote for the candidate who maximizes the voter’s expectation, which depends on the policy that he believes will be implemented after the election and that is where the Oshiometer comes in: tracking the numerous promises that Governor Oshiomhole has delivered; the giant strides.

• Akpeji a political scientist, writes from Benin City.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

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PROPERTY

Tuesday, JULY 3, 2012

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes * Real Estate

email:- property@thenationonlineng.net

It used to be an exciting market. Houses are rented before they are completed. But now, the Abuja property market is facing hard times. There are houses, beautiful ones at that, but there are no tenants. Reason:cash crunch and insecurity. The market was hitherto valued at N20 billion yearly. Now, nobody can say if it is still worth that much, OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE reports

Abuja property market at low ebb

•???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

•Katampe Housing Estate, Phase II, Abuja.

•CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

•‘Facility managers must raise the bar in practice’ - PAGE 26

•Flooding: Lagos urges residents •Journalist’s estate to host Tambuwal, Wamako, others to relocate for two weeks - PAGE 40

- PAGE 40

26

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

‘Facility managers must raise the bar in practice’

T

HE Managing Director, Alpha Mead Facilities and Management Services, Mr. Femi Akintunde, has charged facility managersto adopt global best practices in service delivery to satisfy clients and grow the fledgling industry.

Speaking at a Facility Management Roundtable, organised by Alpha Mead Facilities, to celebrate this year’s World Facility Management Day in Lagos, Akintunde said the sophistication of clients and their demands, have led to practitioners improving on their skills to meet expectations.

He said: “Though the industry is relatively new in Nigeria, we as facility management practitioners, must as a matter of necessity improve the quality of services we deliver to our clients. There is nothing like Nigerian standard of service anymore. Global best practices should be our watchword in whatever we do.

“The expectations of our clients in terms of service delivery are very high and I believe this should challenge us to also improve our processes and procedures. It is only when we match their expectations that the facility management industry can grow in the country.”

The World Facility Management Day provided a forum for professionals and other stakeholders to deliberate on the various aspects of the business, including government regulations, legal framework, prop-

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

erty development financing and security, among others.

Speaking on regulation and legal framework, the Director-General, Lagos State Public Private Partnership (PPP), Ayo Gbeleyi, said the government has instituted various regulatory procedures to encourage facility management and investment in the sector.

Aside government agencies, such as the PPP and Public Works Bureau (PWB), which have the mandate for infrastructure maintenance, Gbeleyi, who was represented by an official of the Lagos StatePublic PrivatePartnership (PPP) office, Ms. Shola Shasore, said government has also provided the enabling environment for prospective investors through relevant legislations.

Gbeleyi, represented by Ms Sola Sasoye, said that all ministries and agencies have been mandated to set up a facility management unit to show the seriousness that the government attaches to infrastructure maintenance.

The PPP boss noted that when reviewing proposals for private partnership in infrastructural development, proposals that do not have a provision for facility management are never considered.

Managing Director, UACN Property Development Company Plc, Hakeem Ogunniran, said aside funding problems, other major challenges facing developers include

•From left: Mr. Wale Olaoye, Managing Director, Halogen Security Limited, Akintunde, Ms. Sasore and Mr Nwasike, Chairman, AlphaMead Facilities at the event.

land titling and the cumbersome approval processes.

Despite the various enabling laws, Ogunniran said developers still found it difficult to obtain legal titles that confer ownership.

On the approval processes, he regretted that the multiple approving authorities stipulated by government made life difficult for investors as the process slows down progress of work.

Chief Executive Officer, CA Consultants, Charles Akindayomi, who spoke on the evolving trend of “Green Building”, said though the revolutionary building concept is

still very new in the country, the concept represents the future, given the inherent benefits which guarantee environmental safety and sustainability.

He said while the concept may appear expensive initially, it has a low maintenance cost due to the environmental-friendly materials used. He urged industry professionals to move with the new thinking, adding that Nigeria could not afford to be left behind in a globalised world.

Funding for infrastructural and property development, identified as a great challenge to developers, was addressed by Head, Property Fi-

nance (West Africa), Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Adeniyi Adeleye. He defended banks and their unwillingness to finance projects, particularly medium-term ones, decrying the fact that most developers do not present water-tight proposals that will sway decisions in their favour.

Caroline Properties boss Pastor Olukayode Pitan, who spoke on alternative funding for the industry, urged investors and developers to take advantage of the Real Estate Investment Trust ( REIT), a real-estate focused mutual fund, which he said offers the best solution to the funding problem in the sector.

Abuja property market at low ebb •CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

P

ROPERTIES are like hot cakes in Abuja where housing is a problem.

With fewer houses and a large number of clientele, the property market is a money-spinning business.

But things appear to be changing.

The market is no longer moving. It is in a lull.

There is large number of vacant houses, especially in the upscale market, while prospective tenants are battling with cash crunch. Another problem is that of insecurity.

An Abuja-based realtor, Mallam Ismail Yakubu, said the Abuja property market is facing a lot of challenges, leading to price reduction of about 30 per cent as investors react to the worsening security situation in the capital city, and in most parts of the north.

He said studies have revealed that some investors are keeping their cash, waiting to see if the insurgency can be contained before releasing such fund for long-term investment purposes.

But the immediate past president of the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors & Valuers (NIESV), Bode Adediji, disagreed with those holding the view that there is a lull in Abula property market.

He said the property sector is specialised and segmented and requires some skills and dexterity to pull through.

“Properties in the super luxury grade is not experiencing any lull at all, because people who operate here can take care of themselves as far as the purchase price of such properties are concerned and they do so whenever the need arises,” he said.

Adediji, however, agreed that it may not be the same with the lower market segment, as the movement of some from the upper segment has put some kind of pressure on them forcing rental prices of such houses to go up with supply failing to be in tandem with demand.

•A highbrow Estate in Abuja.

Principal Partner, Nelson Thorpe Alonge & Co, a firm of estate surveyors & valuers, Adekunle Alonge, said the perceived lull in the Abuja property market is as a result of liquidity squeeze in the system with no cash back-up for investments.

He hinted that the lull in the market is a function of demand and supply and a reflection of the state of the economy.

Alonge said the withdrawal of cash in circulation by the Central Banking of Nigeria (CBN), and the reluctance of banks to lend to the real estate and mortgage sector, have heightened the perceived lull in property transactions in Abuja.

He said: “Before now, banks asked for 40 per cent equity from players

in the industry. But, now, they hardly give anything and when they do, the interest is very high that it makes it unattractive for property development,” Alonge added.

He said the proposed taxation laws, rent control and the recovery of premises law proposed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, awaiting passage at the National Assembly, are factors that may have heightened the lull.

He said the lull may not affect high-end properties in Maitama, Asokoro and Wuse, as people who play in this market have the cash and hardly ask for loans as they have credit lines with select banks.

But middle level properties in areas, such as Jabi and the central areas, he said, are underpriced so much that, in some cases, it may result in as much as 50 per cent price reduction, though tastefully furnished just like the ones in the upscale areas.

The lull is, however, not as pronounced in the lower to medium market segment. Though many middle cadre workers live outside the city centre, where they can afford the rent in mostly unplanned settlements with limited infrastructure. At present, squatter settlements and towns are on the rise spread within and outside the city.

In Karu, a settlement outside the city centre, a one-room apartment

with convenience, goes for as much as N150,000 to N250,000 per annum, while in the university town of Gwagwalada, a standard two-bedroom apartment, is let out for between N300,000 and N450,000 per annum.

In the highbrow areas of Maitama, Asokoro and parts of Wuse, a threebedroom detached duplex, with boys’ quarters, has a market value of between N70 and N80 million. A fivebedroom duplex with similar facilities in the same areas, costs between N120 and N150 million per annum.

Some properties, according to some operators who spoke with The Nation, are yet to be disposed, even when some of them have been discounted, unlike before when houses were sold or rented even before they were completed.

TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

27

‘

I still believe in the wig and gown. But I think if our courts are more functional and you put air conditioners in them, nobody will be complaining. It is still being used in some countries ... It is very embarrassing when you see our judges and lawyers sweating because there is no light.

If there is light and air conditions are installed, there won’t be clamour for a change of gown. When you see a lawyer in wig and gown, it gives us a lot of good aura and respect. I won’t change it for anything

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

’

• SEE PAGE 34

• Prof Popoola

‘NJC should have recalled Salami’ Prof Demola Popoola is the Dean, Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, which is marking its 50th anniversary this year. The Faculty of Law, which is one of the foundation faculties, is organising a national conference as part of this golden jubilee celebration. In this interview with Legal Editor JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU, Popoola speaks on the essence of the conference within the context of the economic transformation agenda, the university in the last 50 years, reform of the judiciary, corruption and non-reinstatement of Justice Isa Ayo Salami as President of the Court of Appeal, among others.

•STORY ON PAGE 28

Inside: Court declares ex-banker’s detention illegal - P.29

Wanted: Minimum wage for lawyers - P.34

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

28

LAW COVER CONT’D

‘NJC should have recalled Salami’ C

HIEF Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Dahiru Mudapher will soon retire. How would you assess his tenure?

Justice Dahiru Mustapher has provided iconic leadership. His tenure, though very short, is eventful. He came in facing a lot of challenges with regard to our system of justice administration, which all of us are familiar with.Even though he had a short tenure, he did not allow that to distract him from pursuing in a focused manner, justice sector reforms. Though the results of the reforms may not be seen immediately, because some of them require the amendment of our constitution amendment of our laws, he has also set that in motion. From the reports in the national dailies, he has submitted to the senate committee on the amendment of the constitution a set of proposals for the amendment of our constitution as it relates to the Judiciary.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) had recommended for the reinstatement of suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Salami, but the President has not implemented this recommendation. What is your reaction to this?

The NJC has done a great job.

You remember that it was the NJC that suspended him; the same NJC is now saying that he should be recalled. This is a mark of greatness.

How do you mean?

It shows that where a mistake had been made, that body has the integrity and the honesty to admit and correct the mistake. Now strictly speaking, I think they should simply have recalled Justice Salami from the suspension because the aspect that was forwarded to the President was the question of his retirement, not strictly speaking the suspension.

Having suspended him, what the President did was to appoint an acting President of the Court of Appeal. NJC should have recalled him since it is the same act that formed the basis of the suspension that has also formed the recommendation for his removal.

Do you blame the NJC rather than the President?

We need to commend the NJC for what it has done in this matter.

However, they simply should have gone ahead to recall him from the suspension.

• Prof Popoola

What are your expectations from the incoming Chief Justice of Nigeria?

The incoming CJN, who is also a senior member of the Supreme Court, has been part of the current revolution in the apex court and since the immediate challenge would be to pursue to logical conclusion those reform package which have been submitted to the National Assembly and those that can be pursued without tampering with our laws, the advantage the incoming CJN has is that she does not need to reinvent the wheel. The foundation has been laid by the outgoing CJN. It is a package of reforms that seem to command the support and the respect of the legal profession. The committee that did the work had legal practitioners, retired judges; members of the academia were there. That means that the committee cuts across the spectrum of the legal profession and NBA was represented by its President. There was a former NBA president there. The recommendations should not be difficult to pursue and implement by the incoming CJN. Recently, we had a case of bribery allegation against a member of the House of Representatives.

What is your reaction to this?

Corruption remains a challenge to our nation’s development. It is, indeed, a serious challenge to the national development. It goes back into the past. What we are witnessing now as worrisome as they are, you will find out that we need to go into the historical root of the problem in attempting proper solutions to them.

How do we use the law to combat this ugly monster?

Law is very good in combating social problems, such as corruption, but law alone can never solve the problem. Corruption is a phenomenon that has its roots in many factors including cultural factors, historical factors, inadequacy of the law, and inadequacy of the enforcement machinery.The point that I am making is that, yes, the context in which the unfolding drama in the National Assembly developed is worrisome, in the sense that the committee itself was supposed to look into the issue of corruption, inefficiency and waste in a specific area. Now, in what is appearing to become a pattern in the National Assembly, the hunter is now being hunted and that is why we are worried, that is the condition in

which we are.

Should that affect the report?

A committee has investigated an illegal scam, now allegations that the committee members collected bribe form one of the principal characters that is to appear before them is worrisome. That is not the first time this is happening in the House. Remember the House had problems when it wanted to probe the affairs of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). That also brought about this kind of backlashing to the extent that now, two members of that committee are standing trial. We don’t know what will happen in the present situation. Nevertheless, in these two situations, they still remain allegations and as lawyers we know that they still innocent until proved guilty and the onus proof is on the prosecution.

Are we losing the fight against graft?

Well, the very idea that this occurred at all should bother all of us. Even though our rating by Transparency International is improving in terms of the perception index, but the reality on ground tends to suggest that the situation is getting worse. Our leaders in different positions do not appear to be bothered that previous exposures had caused a great deal to those who were alleged to be involved. One would have thought that with the spate of prosecution, even though we are yet to get conviction in many cases, that any self respecting public officer would be mindful of his or her conduct knowing full well the backlash. But what we have seen since the beginning of the year has been a rash of exposure of scams in Pension Administration Funds probe, the operation of SEC, Oil subsidy and so on. It is sad.

Your faculty is holding a threeday national conference as part of the activities marking the 50th anniversary of the University. What is the objective?

The objective of the conference is to provide a platform for multidisciplinary engagement on the theme of Law and Economic Transformation in Nigeria by way of introspection, retrospection and critical interrogation of the issues of law and the economy. Presentations will be made by academics, policy-makers, regulators, judges, practitioners, and industry stakeholders drawn from the country and the diaspora. The conference is broken down into subthemes: the theoretical issues, the historical context, the cultural context, the political context and constitutional context.

What necessitated the topics?

We did it because we need to situate our economic transformation efforts between these contexts.

Greater proportion of attention will be focused on sectoral reforms, aviation sector reforms, maritime sector reforms, financial sector reforms, communications sector reforms including telecommunications, the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in transforming the economy, access to knowledge in the knowledge-based economy, environmental sustainability, agricultural transformation, water resource management, rural development, and the issues of gender which is very important when you are talking of economic development.

Are there others?

Human rights and governance issues in economic development will also receive very serious attention. The approach is multi-disciplinary, so it is not going to be a conference of lawyers only and that is why we have assembled a team of experts from different disciplines to make contributions.

Why a multi-disciplinary confer-

• Prof Popoola

ence for the faculty at this point in time?

We prefer that because the issue of the economy is too important to be left for lawyers alone, that is why we are bringing in professors of Economics and other stakeholders in the industry. We are bringing people in the industry, we are bringing in professors of Political Science because we are also focusing on Nigeria’s foreign relations and the challenges of economic transformation.

Any input from the diaspora?

We shall also be looking at the imperatives of regional integration in Nigeria. For this we are bringing in experts in International relations. Of course, we also have issues with the problem of corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, and consumer protection and so on. So, the resource persons have been drawn from across the country. It cuts across the strata of academia, law, legal practitioners, and corporate executives.

Regulators are also coming in. In fact, a commissioner in the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) will be making a presentation on the power sector reforms, so that at the end of the day, we hope we will be able to package conclusions and recommendations that policy makers will find very useful against the background that law alone cannot do it, but we cannot do it without law.

What do you mean by this?

There is no social problem that will be solved by law alone, but there is hardly any social problem that can be solved without the law.

That is why we chose this conference to provide a multi-disciplinary engagement on the issues of law, public offices and our economy in the context of our economic transformation programme and agenda.

Moving away from the Faculty

of Law, how would you appraise the performance of the university in the last 50 years?

Well, we are talking of a journey of 50 years. From a modest beginning in 1962, then at Ibadan from where we took off, we have a sprawling estate that has been adjudged the most beautiful campus in Africa, which is still being maintained in that light. You judge the performance of a university by academic excellence and I strongly believe that Ife is noted for academic excellence in all its programmes. Now the pioneer programmes namely: law, agriculture, science, the humanities and the social sciences remain torchbearers of academic excellence.

What do you have to say about the performance of your Law Faculty in the last 50 years?

Well, if you talk about the Law Faculty, the artillery of our alumni and alumnae could be earth-shaking. They are recurring decimals in all spheres of life. Remember that the newly elected Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Fatou Bensouda is a product of the university, the faculty has produced an Attorney-General of the Federation, Supreme Court Judges and Justices, a lot of Court of Appeal Justices, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, professors and others, who have held positions of responsibility in this country and beyond.

How do you students today compare with their counterparts abroad?

Our students are holding the forth, they have participated in international competitions outside of this country, in the Netherlands and won laurels. In South Africa, for the second year running, our students have represented Nigeria in the moot court competition on Space law and won the fourth position.

They did that last year; they did so this year, they have also gone to other countries like Tanzania and so on.

‘Now strictly speaking, I think they should simply have recalled Justice Salami from the suspension because the aspect that was forwarded to the president was the question of his retirement, not strictly speaking the suspension. Having suspended him, what the President did was to appoint an acting President of the Court of Appeal’

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

29

LEGAL OPINION

Implication of Justice Bello’s judgment in suit A against INEC, others (2)

DECLARATION that by virtue of Sections 1, 2 and 6 (2) of the Patent and Designs Act, the Certificate of Registration of Patent Rights No. RP 16571 and Registration of Industrial Designs Rights No. RD 13610 issued by the 1st Defendant to the 2nd Defendant in and over the purported invention named, Envopak Ballot Boxes on August 31, 2006 was done contrary to the provisions of 6 (2) of the Patent and Designs Act, in view of the fact that the terms of the claims and the description of the literature of the Patent under ‘claims’ together with the description, diagrams, specifications, and drawings also attached as the design, both relate to a security seal (ENVOSEAL) while the 1st Defendant erroneously issued a Patent and Design Rights in and over Envopak Ballot Boxes, to the 2nd Defendant which is obviously and radically different from what is claimed by the 2nd Defendant in its patent and/or Design and is therefore Null and Void.

6. A declaration that by virtue of reliefs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 above and Sections 1, 2, 3 and 6 (2) of the Patent and Designs Act, any action or actions whatsoever and howsoever taken or purported to have been taken by the Defendants relating to the said products without the prior and express license, consent, authority and/or approval of the Plaintiff is unconstitutional, illegal, unlawful and is therefore Null and Void.

7. A perpetual injunction restraining the 1st Defendant either by itself, agents, privies, surrogates or any other persons(s) whosoever from registering, issuing, approving the issuance and/or reissuance of the Plaintiff’s valid and subsisting patents and/or designs or any obvious derivative and/ or imitation of the said Patents and/or Designs in and over the Transparent Ballot Boxes and/or Electronic Collapsible Transparent Ballot Boxes to the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Defendants and/or any other person or persons whosoever or otherwise dealing with the said patented products of the Plaintiff EXCEPT with the express and prior consent, license and authority of the Plaintiff to that effect.

The parties duly exchanged pleadings and final written addresses were adopted. On Tuesday, June 5, 2012 the court Coram Hon. Justice Adamu Bello,a Judge, delivered judgment and granted the reliefs of the Plaintiff- Bedding Holdings Limited.

The effect of the judgment on past and future elections From the content of the said judgment, it is clear that it has a seeming connotation and effect of nullifying all the elections conducted in 2011 and even future elections, including but not limited to the Edo State General Election slated for July, 2012 or thereabout.

By the said judgment, Bedding Holdings Limited has been adjudged the bona fide patentee of the said Transparent Ballot Boxes illegally used by INEC for the conduct of the 2011 general elections and other subsequent elections.

This is because; the judgment has made it abundantly clear that INEC, which is supposed to be a transparent and impeccable electoral umpire, has conducted foundationally fraudulent elections with Stolen Transparent Ballot Boxes. This is absolutely illegal.

The law is trite that anything founded on illegality cannot stand. On the authority of the celebrated case of U.A.C. V. McFOY the courts have constantly and consistently held that you cannot put something on nothing and

By John Okoriko

expect it to stand. Thus all the elections conducted with the Transparent Ballot Boxes belonging to Bedding Holdings Limited, without INEC first seeking and obtaining the prior consent of Bedding Holdings Limited, are founded on illegality and as such they cannot be allowed to stand.

This certainly accords with the contents of relief 6 as granted by the court in the said judgment, which provides as follows: ‘‘6. A declaration that by virtue of reliefs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 above and Sections 1, 2, 3 and 6 (2) of the Patent and Designs Act, any action or actions whatsoever and howsoever taken or purported to have been taken by the Defendants relating to the said products without the prior and express license, consent, authority and/or approval of the Plaintiff is unconstitutional, illegal, unlawful and is therefore Null and Void.’’

With regard to future elections, the tenor of the judgment is such that INEC cannot use the said Transparent Ballot Boxes for the conduct of the elections without first seeking and obtaining the prior consent, approval, authority and license of Bedding Holdings Limited. This is because Bedding Holdings Limited has been adjudged and established to be the exclusive and sole bona fide owner of the said patented products viz: Transparent Ballot Box (TBB) and Electronic Collapsible Transparent Ballot Box (ECTBB).

It is therefore obvious that all contrived and competing patents as stated above have been nullified and rendered illegal, void and of no effect whatsoever.

Again, this is borne out of the contents of relief 7 in the Originating Summons as granted by the court in the said judgment; which provides as follows: ‘‘7. A perpetual injunction restraining the 1st Defendant either by itself, agents, privies, surrogates or any other persons(s) whosoever from registering, issuing, approving the issuance and/or re-issuance of the Plaintiff’s valid and subsisting patents and/ or designs or any obvious derivative and/or imitation of the said Patents and/or Designs in and over the Transparent Ballot Boxes and/or Electronic Collapsible Transparent Ballot Boxes to the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Defendants and/ or any other person or persons whosoever or otherwise dealing with the said patented products of the Plaintiff EXCEPT with the express and prior consent, license and authority of the Plaintiff to that effect.’’

However, no matter how devastating the judgment of the court may appear to be on the democratic foundation of Nigeria, the situation can still be salvaged, remedied and regularised. INEC can do this by applying to Bedding Holdings Limited seeking for and obtaining the consent, authority and approval of Bedding Holdings Limited before using the said Transparent Ballot Boxes and/or Electronic Collapsible Transparent Ballot Boxes as it did in 2003.

As a patriotic Nigerian company, Bedding Holdings Limited will certainly be inclined to grant INEC the license to use the said patented Transparent Ballot Boxes and/or Electronic Collapsible Transparent Ballot Boxes. In 2003, Bedding Holdings Limited issued its license to INEC for the procurement and use of the Transparent Ballot Boxes, which were used for the conduct of the 2003 general elections.

Once the license of Bedding Holdings Limited in and over the Transparent Ballot Boxes and/or Electronic Collapsible Transparent Ballot Boxes is sought and obtained by INEC, the entire elec-

tioneering process is deemed regularised.

On the possibility of the defendants going on appeal.

Although the defendants to this case have their Constitutional right of appeal, but the law is also trite on the point that a judgment of a court of a competent jurisdiction is valid and subsisting until it is set-aside on appeal. This therefore means that in the unlikely event that the Defendants will like to exercise their Constitutional right of appeal, this judgment will remain valid, binding and subsisting against all the parties involved, including, but not limited to INEC. Furthermore, the reliefs sought by the Plaintiff are all declaratory reliefs.

The law is also settled on the point that a declaratory judgment cannot be stayed both at the court of first instance and the appellate court. This means that while the appeal lasts, INEC cannot use the said patented Transparent Ballot Boxes for any other election in Nigeria while the elections previously conducted with the Stolen Transparent Ballot Boxes remain a nullity.

It should be noted that the 1st, 5th, 6th and 7th Defendants were served personally with all the court processes filed in this suit. However, the 2nd 3rd and 4th Defendants could not be served personally because their purported corporate addresses were found to be fake and non-existent as established by the bailiff of court. Consequently, the court made an order of substituted service of all the court processes on them through publication in National dailies and by posting the said court processes on the notice boards of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Minna; which are the Judicial Divisions of the Courts located within the address

of the corporate offices of the said Defendants.

In spite of the fact that the Defendants were duly served with all the necessary documents relating to this case by the Plaintiff, the Defendants, who obviously had no defence to the said action, did not put up any defence in this action. The reason for this is not far-fetched. This is because of the fraudulent nature of the patents presented by EMCHAI LIMITED and the other two companies among other damaging documents, which form part of the documents before the court; coupled with the sinister maneuverings, which have now been voided by the Judgment of the Honourable Court under reference.

Besides, the chances of the success of the appeal in this case, if any, is very slim. This is because; the case was strictly fought on a bundle of documentary evidence.

Conclusion: The criminal tendencies exhibited

by Emchai Limited and other persons involved, dded to the fraudulent nature of the patent presented

by EMCHAI and the other companies, the plaintiff had raised an alleged criminal antecedent of EMCHAI in collaboration with INEC in the procurement of 300,000 units of ballot boxes used for the 2007 general elections.

As against the contractual unit price of N13, 000 per ballot box awarded in 2010 for 150,000 units, which contract sum amounted to N1.950billion, INEC during Prof. Maurice Iwu awarded the contract of same item to EMCHAI for N18, 400 per unit in 2006.

The 300, 000 units of the boxes procured for 2007 poll at the unit price of N18, 400 was awarded at the total cost of over N5.520 bil-

lion. The plaintiff alleged that the actual cost for which EMCHAI procured the boxes from the Far East, was at the unit price of 7.98 Pounds which translated to N1, 850 per unit with the 2006 exchange rate of N230 to a pound.

Furthermore, it was alleged by the plaintiff that the monumental fraud in the contract was perpetrated by EMCHAI LIMITED in breach of the procurement Act. It was also alleged that despite the over inflated price of the ballot boxes, INEC and EMCHAI also connived to get Presidential approval for waiver of import duties, taxes and pre-shipment inspections in respect of the exported boxes.

This fundamental fraudulent misrepresentation of facts and information to the President caused the President to approve in error billions of Naira waiver/refund of revenue due to the Federal Government. Apart from benefitting from the aforementioned multiple waivers, EMCHAI LIMITED, using this approval collected back N552 million being deduction of 5 per cent tax and five per cent VAT, with the backing of INEC. Everything as alleged here was backed up with documentary evidence, which formed part of the case, which resulted in this historic judgment.

It will be fair to Nigeria and Nigerians if the culprits are brought to book ASAP and the money fraudulently taken from the coffers of the nation are retrieved for the good of Nigeria.

For the records, it is pertinent to mention at this juncture that the Inspector-General of Police has had the privilege of investigating the criminal aspect of this case sometime in 2010 and came up with a final police report dated July 12, 2010 with Ref. No: CR: 3000/ IGP.SEC/SIU/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.7/ 819 wherein he advised and came to the conclusion at paragraph 4 (v), inter alia: ‘‘the matter can be settled out of court if carefully managed by the present INEC leadership.’’

•Concluded

• From left: Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN); Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi; House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal; Chairman, National Association of Female Judges (NAFJ) Justice Binta Nyako; Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha and other guests at a conference on violence against women, organised by the association and NIALS in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Court declares ex-banker’s detention illegal

A

Federal High Court, Lagos, has declared illegal the ar rest and detention of former Chief Financial Officer of Bank PHB Plc (now Keystone Bank) Mr Ugo Anyanwu by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Mohammed Idris awarded N100,000 damages in Anyanwu’s favour.

The former banker was arrested by officers of the commission when he reported voluntarily at its Ikoyi, Lagos office on May 16, last year.

He was detained from May 16 till June 8, last year without any charge preferred against him.

By John Austin Unachukwu

Anyanwu’s lawyer, Mr Sylva Ogwemoh of the Marine Partners law firm, said EFCC did not disclose any reasons for its action.

Consequently, Anyanwu started an action at the Federal High Court on May 23, last year.

In an originating motion filed on his behalf by Ogwemoh, Anyanwu challenged what he said was his wrongful and unlawful detention.

He argued during the hearing that his client’s arrest and detention without being brought to court in two days was illegal.

He said it was contrary to Section 35 (5) (b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

But the EFCC, through its lawyers Kemi Pinhero (SAN) and Dele Adesina (SAN), filed a preliminary objection challenging Anyanwu’s suit, saying the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain it.

The commission argued, among others, that an action cannot be legally started against the chairman of the EFCC. In his verdict, Justice Idris said Anyanwu’s arrest was unlawful.

He dismissed EFCC’s objection and upheld Ogwemoh’s arguments.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

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FROM THE COURT LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

Vote for public interest litigation

F

• From left: Pedro,Davies, Oyebode, Justice Phillips and Daudu at the event

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Forum stresses professionalism among lawyers

N a globalised world, with its challenges of shrinking borders and increasing competition, professionals without appropriate skills will be confined to playing on the periphery and limited to eating crumbs, experts have said.

They spoke at the Sixth Annual Business Law Conference in Lagos by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)-Section on Business Law (SBL) last week.

The three-day event, which attracted the cream of the nation’s commercial and business law practitioners, had as its theme: Globalised legal regime: prospects and challenges, and a sub-theme: Trends in global legal practice.

Speakers, including President, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Daudu (SAN); Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Phillips; Chair, NBA-SBL, Gbenga Oyebode and Partner, Linklaters LP, Simon Davies, stressed the need for lawyers to be abreast of modern global trends.

Daudu, who stressed the need for professionalism in law practice, said the country’s Bar is left with the option of professionalising or perishing. He noted that the liberalisation of law practice was inevitable in a globalised world, the

By Eric Ikhilae

country must make haste slowly in the liberalisation of legal services.

The task of professionalising the Bar, he said, must be spearheaded by the SBL, which has exhibited the ability to champion this cause. He praised the section’s resolve to work with the Section on Legal Practice (SLP) to provide free legal services to victims of the last Dana Air plane disaster.

Fashola, represented by the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), tasked lawyers to seek to improve law practice and also be involved in the country’s leadership. This, he said, was imperative because lawyers could only practice their trade when the country is at peace.

Acknowledging the contribution of technological advancement to legal practice, Justice Phillips said today’s lawyers must be grounded in the application of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

She said the Lagos State’s Judiciary will improve on what have been achieved in the deployment

of technology to judicial operations. She urged lawyers to embrace modern ideas in global law practice.

Keynote speaker, Davies said the task of transforming and the extent to which lawyers could transform is dependent on their efforts and willingness.

He stressed the need for lawyers to be abreast of trends and developments in their environments. He said it was important for legal practitioners to always be in tune with developments around them so that they can provide better expert advice to their clients.

Davies, while identifying attributes that today’s lawyers must possess, said they must be flexible and adaptable to change; build mutually beneficial relationships with their partners, communities and clients.

He observed that globalisation has provided lawyers and other professionals with the opportunity for global collaboration to create a better world for future generation.

Oyebode said the conference was intended to acquaint participants with trends in global law practice to enable them effectively compete. He advocated collaborations between local and foreign law firms to ensure growth and exchange of ideas.

Lagos okays N20m for Ikeja Bar Centre

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HE Lagos State Government has approvedN20 million for the development of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA), Ikeja Branch Bar Centre, its outgoing chairman, Mr Adebamigbe Omole, has said.

Speaking while presenting the report of his two-year stewardship, he said his efforts in his administration’s last days yielded fruits as the governor approved the donation.

He listed his achievements as maintenance and promotion of honour, integrity and independence of the bar, adding that the branch, which is among the 97 in the NBA, “stands tall above her peers”.

He said: “We have been able to match action with words as a result of which our activities have singled the branch out and have put Ikeja branch in the heart of every Nigerian and the map of the world”.

He said a Continuing Legal Education committee was set up to organise a summit on the challenges of the High court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2004, adding: “The resolutions of the summit were forwarded to the committee on the review of the 2004 High Court of Lagos Rules set up by the judiciary for consideration. We do believe that our resolution received favourable consideration and forms part of the new High Court Civil Procedure Rule re-

By Adebisi Onanuga

cently signed by the immediate past Chief Judge of Lagos State”.

Omole said the Human Rights Committee of the branch, described as synonymous with the Public Complaints Commission, received complaints from theh public, adding that through the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), many of the cases were resolved.

He said his administration created a Justice Administration Bureau to enhance effective legal practice and delivery, saying that when he received reports from his colleagues on their difficulties, he ensured that appropriate steps were taken to solve the problems.

Omole praised Prince Tunji Adejare, who he said, sent an S.O. S. to the branch about the activities of a judicial officer (name withheld) who ordered his arrest for failing to bribe him.

“The 1st Vice Chairman and Secretary were detailed to ensure the release of Mr Adejare, who later wrote a petition against the magistrate, who was summoned to appear before the disciplinary committee of the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission. The Secretary, Mr Adesina Ogunlana, appeared before the committee to give evidence. The big axe later fell on the magistrate as he was weeded out of the judiciary,” he said.

Omole listed other areas of the

successes of his administration to include welfare of its members; the hosting of its annual law week, annual Gani Fawehinmi and Alao Aka-Bashorun lectures, co-operative society, insurance and on national issues.

Omole said: “If we have stepped on toes in the last two years, kindly pardon us for it was not deliberate. We have never seen ourselves as a repository of knowledge and infallible. And whatever shortcomings or inadequacies you have noticed, I take responsibility as the servant leader.”

Omole also expressed appreciation to all those who contributed physically, morally and financially to the success of his administration saying, “to all the committee members, both standing and ad-hoc committees, I thank you profusely. You labored with us to have this success story of today, you spared your time, spent your money atimes you received insults but eschewed same in the interest of our collective goals.

“To all those who have supported this administration financially to see to it that the programmes of the branch did not fail, the law of sowing and reaping is a constant law that does not change, having gone out of your way to sow and give, you shall reap and receive in thousands folds”, he prayed.

OR our relatively nascent democracy to endure, our judiciary must rise up to the demands of building a modern society. They must be in the vanguard of social justice as a means for social reengineering. Some call it judicial activism, while for others it is radicalism. So, I was shocked to read that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court has struck out the suit filled by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) challenging the right of the National Assembly to fix by themselves salaries, emoluments and allowances for their members.

The suit was brought for a judicial interpretation of section 32(d) of the Third schedule to the 1999 constitution, granting the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) the extant powers to determine the remuneration appropriate for political office holders including the Legislators. As an amalgam of lawyers in the country, the NBA is without any iota of doubt, the foremost interest group for the protection of the rule of law and constitutionalism. Indeed as officers in the temple of justice, the society looks up to lawyers individually and collectively as guardian angels of the constitutional order. Yet, despite this fundamental imperative, the Chief Judge according to reports held that the NBA has no locus standi to institute a court action to determine the lawfulness of an act that in their view has impugned the constitution of the country.

Conversely, in the Indian case of Peoples Union for Democratic Rights vs Ministry of Home Affairs, Kirpal J. said: “The phrase ‘Public Interest Litigation’ means nothing more than what it states, namely it is a litigation in the interest of the public. In a changing society, the courts cannot remain static. In the interest of administration of justice, some of the old and well-established procedural rules and practices have been altered. Public interest litigation can now be initiated not only by filling formal petitions in court, but even by writing letters and telegrams. Entertaining letters, telegrams and articles in newspapers as petitions by the High Court may have been unthinkable a decade ago, but this procedure has come to stay in cases involving public interest litigation.”

Collaborating this essential view of the importance of ‘Public Interest Litigation’, the former Chief Justice of India, Justice P. N. Bhagwati also wrote: “Public Interest Litigation, as we conceive it, is essentially a co-operative and collaborative effort on the part of the petitioner, the state or public authority and the court to secure observance of the constitutional or legal rights, benefits and privileges conferred upon the vulnerable sections of the community and to reach social justice to them.…

The state or public authority which is arraigned as a respondent in public interest litigation should in fact, welcome it, as it would give it an opportunity to right a wrong or redress an injustice done to the poor and the weaker sections of the community

whose welfare is and must be the concern of the state or the public authority.”

Furthering this erudite argument, the learned CJ of India, in conclusion said: “There is a misconception in the minds of some lawyers, journalists and men in public life that public interest litigation is unnecessarily cluttering up the files of the courts and adding to the already staggering arrears of cases which are pending for long years and it should not therefore be encouraged by the courts. This is to our mind, totally perverse view smacking of elitist and status quo approach.”

In the book, The Nigerian Constitutional Law, learned author, Ese Malami, argued in support of legal aid in modern society, which serves potentially the needs of a public interest litigation. Writing copiously on this subject, he quoted Justice P. N. Bhagwatti, where he said: “… the majority of people who are living in almost subhuman existence in conditions of abject poverty and for whom life is one long unbroken story of want and destitution, notions of individual freedom and liberty, though representing some of the most cherished values of a free society would sound as empty words bandied about in the drawing room of the rich and well-todo, and the only solution for making these rights meaningful to them is to remake the material conditions and usher in a new social order where socio-economic justice will inform all institutions of public life so that the preconditions of fundamental liberties of all may be secured.”

Within our shores, he quoted Dr. Akinola Aguda, an eminent jurist who wrote: “ … most of the rights entrenched in our constitution are nothing more than empty words to millions of our people who are or whose children are suffering and in some cases dying of malnutrition and other preventable disease associated with the poor.”

Again the eminent jurist, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa of the Supreme Court said: “what is the value of say, fair hearing to the poor man who cannot pay summons fees let alone afford the services of a counsel?”

With utmost respect, I believe the learned CJ of the Federal High Court allowed a fantastic opportunity to advance the cause of public interest litigation slip by.

His apparent preference for the Supreme Court’s restrictive interpretation of locus standi in Abraham Adesanya vs President of the F.R.N., instead of the more progressive determination by the same court in Fawheimi vs Akilu is to mind unhelpful to the advancement of social justice in Nigeria. I have the humble view that the advancement of our society can only be realised when we appreciate that fundamentally the provisions of the constitution on fundamental human rights for instance, can only be meaningful if tied by the courts to the provisions of the constitution on fundamental objectives and directive principles of state.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

NATIONAL BAR

Race for NBA General Secretary: Candidates on parade

By John Austin Unachukwu, Legal Editor

• Haruna

I

N the forthcoming Nigeria Bar (NBA) election in Abuja, the fol lowing are vying for the post of General Secretary.

Emmanuel Akowe Haruna Emmanuel Akowe Haruna was born on March 11, 1958 in Odolu, Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area, Kogi State. He had his education at the L.G.E.A Primary School, Odolu/Egume/Oforachi (1967-1972); Abdul-Aziz Attah Memorial College (Former G.S.S.), Okene (1973-1977); Murtala College of Arts, Science & Technology (Now Defunct), Makurdi (1978-1979), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1979-1982), Nigerian Law School, Lagos (1982-1983). He was called to the Nigerian Bar in July, 1983.

Positions Held NYSC Legal Aid Counsel, Imo State (Aug. 1983-Aug.1984); Pupil Counsel, Dr. S. S. Ameh & Co., Jos (Aug.-Sept,1984); State Counsel II, Benue State Ministry of Justice (Oct.1984-Sept.1986); State Counsel I, Benue State Ministry of justice (Oct.1986-Dec.1987).

He was Secretary/Legal Adviser, Benue Printing & Publishing Corp.

Makurdi (On Secondment) (Aug. 1987- June 1988); Senior State Counsel II, Benue State Ministry of Justice (Jan.1988-June 1989); and is the Head of Chambers, E. A. Haruna & Co. (Nov. 1989 till date).

Haruna was Member, Kogi State Local Govt. Election Tribunal Isanlu Zone (Dec. 1991-March, 1992); Leading Counsel, Abinsi Judicial Commission of Inquiry (Nov. 1995March 1996) and Member, Okene Judicial Commission of Inquiry (Jan. – June 2000) Main NBA Responsibilities Inaugural Chairman, Idah Branch, NBA (Oct. 2001-Sept. 2004); Member, NBA NEC (Nov. 2001 till date); Member, NBA Welfare Committee (March, 2003 – Aug. 2004); Member, Committee on Inclusion; Member, NBA Legislative Advocacy Working group (2010 till date)

• Obegolu

Emeka Jude Phillipe Obegolu Emeka Jude Phillipe Obegolu is an Arbitrator and Mediator, a consummate and committed Bar Man and a reformer by choice.

Born on September 21, 1973 to the family of Chief Charles E. N. Obegolu and Chief Mary I. Obegolu (both legal practitioners), he attended Ekulu Primary School, Enugu, the

College of Immaculate Conception, Enugu, and before proceeding to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in Anambra State where he obtained his Bachelors in Law. Having a desire to be a full-fledged practitioner, he proceeded to the Nigerian Law School and was called to the bar on September 28, 1999.

He had his early practice with the firm of Adetokunbo Kayode & Co from 1999 and resigned in 2002 to set up Greenfield Chambers in partnership with a colleague, Agada John Elachi. The Chambers remains the first indigenous Legal Practice Partnership in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and became a source of inspiration and encouragement to latter day law partnerships in and around the FCT. Not known to rest on his academic and professional oars, Emeka attended the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (United Kingdom), Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (Nigeria) and University of Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom.

He has enrolled for Ph.d at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.

His professional qualifications include: Bachelor of Law (LLB) 19911997; Barrister-at-Law (BL) 1998-1999; Associate, Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria 2002; and Chartered Mediator and Conciliator (CHMC) 2004.

He is a member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK); Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC); International Bar Association (IBA); Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria and Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN).

He was Member, Governing Council, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators; Member, Governing Council of Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABUCCIMA); Member, Nigerian Communications Commission ADR Panel of Neutrals (2006date); and Notary Public, Federal Republic of Nigeria (2007). e was Publicity Secretary, NBA Abuja branch (20042006); Secretary, Nigeria Bar Association, Abuja Branch (20062008); Member, Training Faculty of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliaton; Adjunct Lecturer, Nigerian Law School (2009); Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) FCT Police Forum (2004-2006).

Obegolu was a Member, Election Working Group of the Nigerian Bar Association (2007-2011); National Publicity Secretary, NBA (2010-date); Vice-President, Legal, Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mine and Agriculture (ABUCCIMA); Member, NCC Technical working Group of the National Child Online Protection (NCOP); Member, Nigeria Council of Legal Education; Member, National Organising Committee of the Nuclear Law Conference; Member, NCC Industry Consumer Advisory Forum (ICAF).

His bar achievements Full of ideas, creativity, transformation and innovation, he brought all these to bear on NBA as a man who always leaves a place better than he meets it as the following achievements will testify: As Publicity Secretary, NBA Abuja Branch, he introduced the use of SMS/ Text Message to disseminate information; collaborated with African Independent Television (AIT) to use the programme Legalscope to propagate the ideas of the Bar. As Secretary, NBA Abuja Branch, he published the Abuja Branch Directory free to the Branch after many years; introduced the circulation of Minutes of Meetings by e-mail at least two weeks before the meeting.

As Publicity Secretary NBA, he introduced Electronic Newsletter; live coverage of opening ceremony of Annual General Conference; bulk SMS of news real time; photo cover-

H

age and reportage of branch activities; Facebook and Twitter social discussion platform for NBA and NBA Helplines.

• Olowokure

Olumuyiwa Olatokunbo Olowokure Born in London in 1963 to Theophilus Olatunji and Florence Bamidele Olowokure, young O.O. attended Henry Maynard Primary School, Walthamstow, London (1969 - 1974) and proceeded to Warwick Boys Junior High School, Walthamstow, London (1974-1977). He came to Nigeria in 1977 and completed his secondary education at the Federal Government College, Maiduguri in 1980.

He enrolled at the University of Maiduguri. It was the same citadel of learning that his parents, Prof.

Theophilus Olatunji and Florence Bamidele Olowokure later would serve as Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Manager of the University Guest Houses.

Olowokure gained admission to study Law from 1981-1985 at the Faculty of Law, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). He attended the Nigerian Law School in 1985-1986 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1986. He served his country in the National Youth Service Corps from 1986-1987 in Kaduna State.

He cut his teeth in Law practice at Paul Usoro and Co, where he did his NYSC primary assignment. Paul Usoro now a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a prominent telecoms lawyer, was attracted to Olowokure’s sterling qualities and potential and so retained him.

Benefiting from the suave, meticulous and articulate approach to practice of his Principal, Olowokure felt equipped to muddy the waters in 1990 when he established O.O. Olowokure & Co. (Haske Chambers) in Kaduna City.

Raising the bar and bracing the odds As a testimony of his ability to uphold the highest professional standards, the law office of O.O. Olowokure &Co. has a large clientele, which includes major international players in the development sector. O.O. Olowokure & Co. is also well known for its prominence in election peti-

tions, pre-election matters, tax matters, criminal matters (usually, probono), and Alternative Dispute Resolution.

He is a prolific and highly-sought after paper presenter and has presented a many papers on the legal profession and other areas in several parts of the country.

Olowokure’s writing talent was acknowledged by NBA when he was invited to contribute to the NBA ‘Bar Perspectives’ Journal published in August 2011. He wrote an insightful and excellent article entitled: The NBA Branch as a constituent part of the whole; practice and procedure.

Recognised as a high potential lawyer, his depth of experience and learning took a leap when he was enrolled for the ‘Governing for Non-Profit Excellence’ course at the prestigious Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States in 2000, which provided insight into the good governance techniques for administering not –for –profit institutions. He was fortunate while at Harvard to be taught by some of the most accomplished Business School professors in the world.

A life of service Olowokure has repeatedly proved his ability to lead through diverse and challenging situations. He showed early promise when was elected social secretary of the Faculty of Law, University of Ife (OAU)Law Society in 1983. Since his call to the Nigerian Bar in1986, he has been a diligent Barman, supporting his branch (NBA Kaduna Branch) in various ways. He has served in various committees of the branch at different times. He has been the Chairman, Finance Committee Chairman, Sports Committee and was returned unopposed as the Chairman of Kaduna Branch (the most vibrant Bar in the North) from 20092011.

In attestation of Olumuyiwa’s qualities, one of his most significant achievements was superintending the successful bidding for and hosting of the 2010 Annual General Conference in Kaduna 22 years after it last hosted it. The 2010 conference has been acclaimed to be the most successfully organised in Northern Nigeria and one of the most successful in the annals of NBA history.

He took a leadership role by working tirelessly and harmoniously with the Branch’s Local Organising Committee and the National Conference Planning Committee to ensure the success. In particular, Olokure mandated and motivated the LOC to implement a never before attempted revolutionary long distance electronic hotel booking system free to members.

The LOC also set up an enviable transport system, which catered for seniors and juniors alike. A fool-

proof traffic flow system with adequate and no stress-parking facilities.

Also, a fully equipped,professionally manned functional First Aid Centre was established by the LOC at the conference venue.

A Friendship Centre was erected by the LOC, successful tours around Kaduna were organised by the LOC and an LOC collaboration with FirstBank Plc and Peugeot Automobile of Nigeria (PAN) empowered lawyers to purchase cars by affordable instalments and at reasonable prices as well as ensuring a vehicle was obtained for NBA through a raffle- draw (since won by a colleague from Ilorin Branch). Facilities to ease the observation of religious obligations including the breaking of fast

by Muslim colleagues were secured while successful golf and football tournaments were held. hese bold innovations/im provements and the harmoni ous co-operation with the National Conference Planning Committee to ensure such a successful conference and a never-before seen impact by an Olowokure inspired LOC in supporting the core conference are still talked about in NBA circles.

In recognition of his knowledge and competence relating to conference planning and organisation, Olowokure was co-opted to serve as a member of the National Technical Committee on Conference Planning for the last year’s Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt. He was subsequently appointed the Chairman, Sub-Committee on Registration to assist in reducing problems associated with Registration at the conference, which he did creditably.

In 2010- 2011, he further showed his capacity and capability by serving as the Kaduna State Coordinator for ‘Project Swift Count’, an Election Observation Project funded by USAID and involving members of NBA, FOMWAN, JDPC and TMG as well as the National Democratic Institute U.S.A (as technical partners).

This voluntary service entailed Olowokure co-ordinating an operation that involved three deputy state co-ordinators drawn from FOMWAN, JDPC and TMG, 23 local government co-ordinators and over 100 election observers drawn from NBA and the other organisations mentioned above. His documented leadership track record lends credence to his dexterity at painting shades of opinions on a unified canvass and the ability to roll up his sleeves for maximum attainment. He is the out-going chairman of Obafemi Awolowo University Alumni, Kaduna Branch.

His influence on anything he touches and his uncanny ability to bring about lasting positive innovations and change made it clear that his a resource that the NBA needs to use to the fullest.

T

LEGAL DIARY OAU Law Faculty holds conference The Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile –Ife, Osun State, will hold a three day national conference as part of the activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the university.

Theme: Law and Economic transformation in Nigeria by introspection, retrospection and critical interrogation of the issues of law and the economy.

Presentations will be made by academics, policy makers regulators,judges, practitioners, and industry Stakeholders drawn from the country and the diaspora.

Theme: Law and Economic Transformation in Nigeria Date: July 11-13, 2012.

Venue: Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife

NBA holds delegates conference The Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA ) will hold her delegates conference and election of new officers in Abuja.

Date: July 16-17, 2012 Venue: Yet to be determined

Group elects officers The Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN) at the end of its Sixth Annual National Conference in Ilorin, Kwara State, elected the following to run the affairs of the association in the next two years.

They are President, Abdul-Ghaniyu Muhammed Bello; First-Vice President, Tajudeen AbdulGaniyu; Second-Vice President, Dr. Kamal Daud; Secretary-General, AGF Salahuddeen, First Asst. Secretary, Danlami Hassan Garba, Second Asst. Secretary, Muhammad Ahmad Lamin, Treasurer Wazeer Hibaullah Salako; Financial Secretary, Tasleem Awwal; Asst. Fin. Sec. Tijani Sanda, Publicity Secretary, Abdul-Wasiu Amao and Auditor, Mohammed Amin Haruna

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

LAW & SOCIETY LAW, SECURITY AND COUNTER-TERRORISM TRAINING BY THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED LEGAL STUDIES (NIALS) IN LAGOS

•Director-General Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN) and the institute’s Librarian Mrs Ufoma Lamikanra

•Prof Bolaji Owasanoye

• Vivian Madu and Prof Lanre Fagbohun

• Prof Animi Awah and Mrs Uwem Eteng

• Dr Nkoli Aniekwu and Sholla Aikhoje.

• Okay Agu and Uchechukwu Ngwaba

• Mrs Onyimba Chiamaka and Suzzie Ofuani

• Uzor Opara and Dr Chinyere Ani

• Emem Ebitu and Mrs Senapon Jerry-Imahiagbe

• Olatuya Babasuyi and Adu Sylvester

• Dr Francesca Nlerum

PHOTOS: JOSEPH JIBUEZE

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

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LAW & SOCIETY

• Wali (SAN)

• Chairman, Yoruba Lawyers Forum, Bandele Aiku (SAN)

• Wodu

• Chairman, Arewa Lawyers Forum, Hajiya Fatima Kwaku

• Igwenyi

Eastern Bar okays adopted candidates for bar elections

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HE General Assembly of the Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) at the weekend in Umuahia, Abia State ratified the adoption of candidates by its leadership for the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) delegates conference and election in Abuja inAugust.

The Governing Council of the association and its elders had at a meeting at Ahoda, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on May 19 adopted candidates for the forthcoming election.

They are Okey- Wali (SAN) for president; Joyce Odua for national treasurer; U. F.O. Nnaemeka, second assistant secretary; Afam Obi for publicity ssecretary; Kelvin Ejeleonu for welfare secretary and John Echezona Unachukwu for assistant National publicity secretary.

The meeting, which was presided over by the EBF chairman and former legal Advisor of the NBA, Kemasuode Wodu, allowed aspirants who are non- members of the association to address them and canvass votes.

Those who addressed the meeting were E.A. Haruna, Emeka Obegolu and O.O. Olowokure, general secretary aspirants; and Mr. O.J. Erhabor, a candidate for first vice-president.

The Arewa Lawyers Forum delegation addressed the meeting and presented their letter to the Forum.

Thereafter, non-members were

• Receives Arewa delegation

By John Austin Unachukwu

asked to leave.

The Chairman of the Eastern Bar Forum Kemasuode Wodu said: ‘’The meeting went on very well. We paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji, who received us very well and we had very fruitful discussions.

“Thereafter, we came back to the meeting venue and discussed relevant issues concerning the association, including the forthcoming NBA general elections.The decisions of the elders’ council, which was, of course, based on the directives of the general meeting were affirmed thereby endorsing Wali (SAN) as the presidential candidate of the NBA from the Forum with other members contesting various positions in the forthcoming elections.”

On whether the association intends to sanction anybody who refuses to respect the resolution of the Forum and continues to campaign without being adopted by the Forum, Wodu said: ‘’Previously, there had been instances where some members were sanctioned by the body, but each case will be dealt with on its merit. When we face such issues, the general meeting will decide what to do’’.

The Secretary, Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) Mr O. O. Igwenyi, said: ‘’The meeting was, indeed, a very successful outing. Everthing went on smoothly; no disturbances. There was an agreement on every issue raised.

On the position of the adoption of candidates for the EBF on the forthcoming Bar elections, Igwenyi said: ‘’Well, on May 19, this year, the EBF adopted candidates for this election.

Wali was adopted as our president in the forthcoming election and at our general meeting, he was ratified by the general assembly.”

On his message for other aspirants from the Forum who were not adopted, he said: “There is always another day.

Those who were not adopted should take it in good faith and wait for their own turn. Some other day, it may well be their turn”.

On whether the Forum

Lawyers sue Reps over insurance firms’ A lawyer, Mr Chijioke The lawyer said the overinvitation sight Ndubuisi, has the sued the powers of the National House of Representatives at the Federal High Court, Lagos, over the invitation of insurance companies to appear before an investigative panel.

The plaintiff, in his originating summons, stated that he is “trading under the style as Cogatla Group of Lawyers.”

He joined the Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Dr Abdulmuni Jibrin and the Attorney-General of the Federation Mohammed Adoke (SAN) as defendants.

The House committee had in a publication in a national newspaper on June 7 called for memoranda and extended invitations to an investigative hearing on ‘Need to Investigate Insurance of Government Assets and Property.’

Among those invited are Commissioner for Insurance, Insurance Companies, insurance brokerage firms, insurance consultants and other insurance stakeholders.

The lawyer sought a declaration that the invitation of the insurance companies,

By Emmanuel Udodinma

their chief executives, directors and owners are unlawful and illegal.

He sought a declaration that the National Assembly is not empowered to usurp the function of the National Insurance Commission on insurance of government property and assets without revoking or amending the National Insurance Commission decree 1997 and Insurance Act of 2003.

The plaintiff sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, their agents servants and privies from carrying out another inquiry or investigation into the activities of privately owned insurance companies without any complaint made against such companies and/or without reference to regulatory body of the companies.

In an affidavit in support of the originating summons, Ndubuisi stated that some time ago, about 71 insurance companies were verified and certified to conduct insurance business in Nigeria.

Assembly “has nothing to do with privately-owned insurance companies.”

The plaintiff urged the court to determine whether, having regard to Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution and other laws governing the activities of the House, and other relevant laws on Insurance business, the proposed inquiry is not beyond the House’ constitutionally guaranteed powers and therefore ultra vires and null and void.

He asked whether the investigation does not amount to invasion of privacy of owners and directors and shareholders of the insurance companies and therefore constitutes infringement to their personal liberty and privacy.

Among others, he wants the court to determine whether or not legislative directives and invitations can override the provisions of a statute which is extant.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit, even as the House is expected to respond.

would sanction members who refuse to respect the adoption, he said: ‘’If you refuse to obey our resolution, you will pay the price because it means that we cannot trust you to handle our brief. You’re not somebody who plays by the rules, but if you respect our verdict, it means that next time you show up, we will be able to look in your direction.” ‘’The Arewa Lawyers Forum sent a high-powered delegation to our meeting. A big team of northern branches chairmen and secretaries came here to tell us that they accepted our adopted candidates, especially Wali as the president and that they are going to work with us.”

On whether there is any commit-

ment to the Arewa in on their candidates, Igwenyi said: ‘’We are still going to sit down together with the leadership of the various fora, where we are going to harmonise the issues so that the branches will have something after the election and in that particular situation, it will be a give and take issue.”

On when and where the meeting is likely to hold, he said: ‘’ The meeting is likely to hold in Abuja where the leaders will be gathered and that will be shortly before the election.’’

He added: ‘’We have written to all of them, the Mid-west, the Arewa, the West, Egbe Amofin. Arewa has responded through a letter they submitted to us, but we are yet to hear from the others.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

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LAW PERSONALTY Mr Monday Onyekachi Ubani, an alumnus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, was the ‘Chief Judge’ of its Nsukka and Enugu campuses in 1988. He graduated with second class upper in 1989 and obtained a first class in the Nigerian Law School the following year. He obtained a Masters in Law from the University of Lagos in 1994. Ubani, the new Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, in this interview with ADEBISI ONANUGA, speaks on the politics in the bar, the crisis that trailed his election, minimum wage for lawyers, and his programme.

Wanted: Minimum wage for lawyers

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ONGRATULATIONS on your election as the new chairman of the NBA, Ikeja branch.

How do you feel?

I feel very elated and I give glory to God who has made all these possible. In other words, there was a little bit of problem but with maturity, the problem was resolved. For this, we owe gratitude to God and to the elders of the branch. They have played a key role in the resolution of this crisis, including the membership.

They are all very keen in having this matter resolved to avoid embarrassment because this branch has become a voice for the voiceless.

They have always spoken up when it matters on behalf of the masses and the down trodden.

To think that that branch that is supposed to do that is divided, it will not augur well for the branch. They were concerned and they were relieved when they got the news that the matter has been resolved.

In a situation like this, it is not always easy to get matters, such as this resolved. What is cost of the reconciliation?

There is not much to say other than to say that both parties shifted grounds and accommodated one another. You know in things such as this, if you stick to your gun, you cannot get matters resolved, but when you make room and you have the branch as your overriding interest, rather than any sectional interest, you won’t have problem.The two parties were ready to make concessions in order for the branch to move forward. It was in the interest of the branch that all of us decided to sheath our sword in order to move this branch forward.

It appears you are a lone ranger in the executive committee. How do you intend to cope?

I don’t know what you mean by that. I am a member of the branch. I am a stakeholder. I contested an election and it was the branch members who voted for me. I couldn’t have won by my vote alone. As I said earlier, I am not aware of any sectional interest, election is over and whoever won election, won as a member of the branch. So, there is no question of somebody being alone. As the chairman of the bar, I can say we are together and everyone will bury all caucuses, all sectional interest for the overall interest of the branch. I don’t subscribe to the idea of being alone. I am with all the executive members. We were all elected by the members and the members expect us to work as a team. So, what I am going to do is to foster the spirit of teamship and make sure that we work hand-in-hand to ensure that we achieve the goals of the branch. All of us are together for one cause, the interest of the branch.

One of the reasons for the crisis you had was because some people were disfranchised no thanks to the new laws introduced into the election by- laws. What is your take on these new laws? How will these affect future elections?

Part of the terms we entered into is that if there is any ambiguity or clarity in the by-law, it will be amended to reflect the situation of the branch. And to people who were disenfranchised, if we begin to argue it again, that would be very bad and against the spirit of reconciliation. Besides, the matter is still before the electoral committee because that committee will decide whether people were actually disenfranchised. But, let me just say this for the records.

The by-laws give the electoral committee the powers to make guidelines guiding any election. They came up with this particular guideline that if you want to contest or participate in voting, you must have paid your practising fee as at when due and that is as at March 31, 2012.

So, if you paid after that date, you are not qualified to vote. A lot of my supporters were not allowed to vote as a result of that condition. So, the issue of disenfranchisement does not come in. Again, if you don’t meet the requirement of the electoral guidelines, that person cannot talk of disenfranchisement.

What it means is that you are unable to vote because of the qualification that you are unable to meet. So, the word disenfranchisement cannot come in because it means you meet all the qualification and you are not allowed to vote. The point is that if you are able to vote as a result of that condition, then you must have paid your practicsing fee as at when due. A lot of people were not able to meet the condition for voting as laid down by the electoral committee and that is why they were not allowed to vote and that led to the crisis, which has been resolved and we are moving forward.

What is your programme?

Whatever I am going to do will be in conjunction with the executive. I have my programme when I campaigned. But I had cause to meet with the executive and we all looked into all the programmes and came up with a “road map” for the branch and when we reach consensus, we will roll it out for the branch. But suffice it to say that one of the primary things we are going to do is to make sure that the welfare of members is well taken care of, reduce bottleneck encountered during legal practice. Those who are into litigation, those who are into corporate practice, there are institutions that they interface with in their jobs. We want to make sure that those institutions do not add to their burden or create bottlenecks in the discharge of their functions.

And if there is any problem, we would make provisions for the timely intervention of the branch because that is what will make them happy. That the branch is there to protect them is very critical. So, we must ensure that their practice is taking care of. If you belong to this branch, and you are a financial member, if anything, we owe you responsibility of making sure that you are taken care of as the last hope. The issue of welfare is going to be critical. And then there is the issue of the junior lawyers. We must also make sure that those who are looking employment -we are going to create a website, a porter where they can access and post their CV, so that they can be engaged. We want to make sure that the welfare of the lawyers, which is very our primary concern, is taken care of by the administration.

Aside from welfare, what other programmes do you have for them?

We have the issue of continuous legal education. We have the issue of national and international conferences that lawyers will be attending; the problems that lawyers encounter in the courts during their practice; even our Bar Centre, we need to do something by adding another floor to what we have. There are so many issues to be tackled within the limited time that we have. But immediately we settled down, action starts. The only thing that is topmost on our mind is the national conference coming up in Abuja in August. We are setting up a committee that will start working towards mobilising our members for the conference on accommodation, transportation, and all that to make sure that people are well taken care of when in Abuja. So, that is very primary to us. There is also the delegates conference coming up in July where the national officers will be elected. So, we are also planning towards that.

So, what other things are you going to engage the EXCO members with?

There are so many things we have to plan for at our meeting. Soon, we will call a meeting of the executive where we draw up our programme for the year. Of course, we have planning committees, we set them up and they start working immediately. We also have programme that we do every year. There is the Gani Fawehinmi Lecture that comes up in January; there is also the Alao Aka-Bashorun Annual Lecture. So, the committees must start to work and there are so many things that must be done, do these things timely and with perfection.

The most important thing is finance because we need it to do all these and that is where the branch members come in. We need their financial support. We need them to pay all their dues and then we need the support of those who are well to do and lawyers who are rich and are willing to help us in ensuring that most of our programmes are carried out. We need donations from our senior members of the branch to help us and we approach institutions and corporate bodies to implement some of our programmes. With the goodwill and God on our side, we know we would accom-

plish all that. So, work has stated and we will begin to unfold our plan as we go on.

On the delegates’ conference and national conference holding in July and August, there are those calling for constitutional amendment on some issues. What is your take on this and areas you think should be amended?

There are many sections that require amendments: electoral processes; the guidelines for the election at the national level has to be looked into. Some of the things we also have to look into is the payment of fees for conferences. There is almost 500 per cent increase for people to make payments before attending conferences. That would restrict members from attending them. If you impose so much money for attendance at conferences, you will restrict the members. If you impose additional burden, they will not be there. We must make sure that we reduce that burden on lawyers to make sure that they attend conferences. That is one of the key areas that we must look into.

Also, we want lawmakers to begin to legislate on minimum wage for lawyers as they have for doctors. I want a situation where it would be made a law that once you employ a lawyer in any law firm anywhere, the minimum you can pay maybe, is N60,000 or N70,000 per month. That is a way of enhancing the quality and value lawyers. We need to make a law that will take care of minimum wage for lawyers as we have in the medical profession. So, I will advocate it when we meet at the national level.

As an amendment in the NBA constitution or the constitution of Nigeria?

Not just as an amendment in the constitution of the NBA, but even as a national legislation because it will take the attorney-general working with the bar to formulate the laws that to pass through the National Assembly. So, this issue of basic minimum wage for lawyers is uppermost in my mind. There is also the issue of continuous legal education. We must make it mandatory for lawyers to undergo training at least once in a year before they renew their licences.

That’s what qualifies them to be lawyers so that you don’t become a dullard in whatever you have learnt three to four or five years ago and the law is moving, the law is making progress. So, you must begin to embark on continuous legal education. We must make it compulsory as part of the requirements you need to have your licence renewed before you can practice as a lawyer. These are issues because we need to be modern and updated in our thinking and in our practice, especially in the way we handle our clients. We must enhance our practice and make sure that we give the best of services to them and that means that we must be reading every now and then. So, you must update your knowledge.

On the continuous education of lawyers, there have been calls for the review of legal education in Nigeria, to check poor standards.

The standard of education has dwindled, not just in the legal profession even in the medical profession; even everywhere the standard of education is going down as a result of government not paying adequate attention to education. Governments don’t fund any public school any longer. It is private people that are establishing all these nursery, primary and secondary schools, even universities and they make so much money from the hapless Nigerians who do not have alternatives. So, if you want really to enhance education, you must make sure that the quality of people, the quality of the class rooms and the institution, the quality teachers, the welfare of the teachers must all be well enhanced so that they can give out the best because you cannot give what you don’t have. What I am saying is that the quality of education in Nigeria has fallen. It is not only that of the legal profession, but that of other professions. So, we must begin to advocate consciously that government must give priority attention to education.

‘We want lawmakers to begin to legislate on minimum wage for lawyers as they have for doctors. I want a situation where it would be made a law that once you employ a lawyer in any law firm anywhere, the minimum you can pay maybe, is N60,000 or N70,000 per month. That is a way of enhancing the quality and value lawyers’

• Ubani

Given this scenario, would you agree to what some senior lawyers said that law should be pursued as a second degree programme?

It is okay as a first degree. But the most important thing is that you must make education qualitative. It does not have to be that it is only when you have the first degree that you can be a better lawyer. I don’t believe that we should restrict some people who may not have the money to go for first degree and come and do second degree. They may not have the money and that would restrict them. So, I want a situation where this issue of second degree will not be too much emphasised to the detriment of the poor people of this nation. I am interested in what happens to the poor. So, leave it the way, it is to enhance the quality of both the teachers and infrastructure.

It has been said the wig and gown is a reflection of colonial past, that we should look for a more indigenous dress for lawyers as is being done in other countries. What is your take on this?

I still believe in the wig and gown. But I think if our courts are more functional and you put air conditioners in them, nobody will be complaining. It is still being used in some countries. It is not a reflection of any colonial past.

For me, make our court system to be very functional. It is very embarrassing when you see our judges and lawyers sweating because there is no light. If there is light and air conditions are installed, there won’t be clamour for a change of gown. When you see a lawyer in wig and gown, it gives us a lot of good aura and a lot of respect. I won’t change it for anything.

How about the appointment of judges?

It is very good that lawyers have to write exam before they are appointed as a judge. They don’t just pick you from the Ministry of Justice and make you a judge. You must have done some serious practising before you become a judge as this would enhance the kind of judgment you get from the bench. The quality of the bench is a reflection of their appointment.

If you appoint people, who have no experience, it would affect the bench. We should be very serious about the appointment of judges and and who we appoint as judges. We need to be sure that those occupying the bench are high quality people.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) in his proposal to the National Assembly recommended a 25-year post call experience for judges.

Twenty-five years will be too high. If somebody has practised law for 15 years, I think it is enough for him to be on the bench. And if it is for the Supreme Court, 20 years minimum is okay because of the enourmity of the decisions that would be taken at that level.

Comment on the CJN’s proposal for a reduction in the number of justices of the apex court?

I don’t agree to reduction because there is so much to be done there. So many cases last up to five to six years before they are determined.

That has been as a result of the number of justices at that level of our judiciary system. If anything, there should be an increase in the number of justices to be appointed to the Supreme Court.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

37

ENERGY THE NATION

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

The oil and gas industry stakeholders have said the removal of Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke as the Minister of Petroleum Resources will not be the solution to the oil and gas industry problems. They said Nigerians should focus on industry issues, find solutions to them and chart ways of moving the industry forward, EMEKA UGWUANYI reports

Will removal of Petroleum Minister solve industry woes?

•Mrs Alison-Madueke

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HERE have been renewed calls for the removal of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke since the Federal Government carried out a shake-up in the management and board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The first clamour for her removal was during the Adhoc House Committee that probed thefuel subsidy regime, which was headed by Hon. Farouk Lawan.

The probe unveiled the rot in the subsidy programme and ever since the industry has known no peace.

Will the removal or resignation of Alison-Madueke solve the oil and gas industry problems?

Industry stakeholders who reacted to the issue noted that the call for her removal is diversionary.

They said call is like chasing the chaff instead of the substance. The root of the problems in the industry is corruption they said adding that the sustainable solution to it, is deregulation or liberalization of the industry, which the foundation has been laid in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). Why has not the bill passed into law all these years?

They noted that until effective legal and policy framework that govern operations of the industry, is implemented, whoever sits as the minister doesn’t matter much.

They told our correspondent that the reason operators have been kicking against the level of taxes as provided in the PIB, has been as a result of corruption. They said that in implementation, those in charge will not stick to what is contained in the Act, they will ask for some extra percentages ( as kickbacks), making the business uncompetitive when compared to other countries with higher taxes but stick strictly to rules.

They said Alison-Madueke has shown a measure of transparency and commitment to the development of the industry but she is hindered by the system. She should be allowed to implement the policies and projects she has initiated.

They said within two years in office, she has been able to achieve some milestones, which should be commended, which Nigerians should prod her to improve upon.

The issue of fuel scarcity, which currently doesn’t occur as before due to massive importation and increased domestic refining by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), is a testimony of her good intentions for the economy. Although the fuel import system and the policy of subsidy had been mired in corruption, which totally is not her fault, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources

has been able to hold under control undue and frequent scarcity of fuel since Alison-Madueke assumed office.

She also fought for the speedy passage of the Nigerian Content Bill into law when she was barely two months in office as minister.

Currently, Nigerian firms that play in the oil and gas industry, are growing and indigenous participation in the exploration and production and services are being substantially deepened as result of empowerment and environment created by the Act. With the establishment of the Nigerian Content Act, the multinational oil companies have begun to use made-in-Nigeria materials, for example, ExxonMobil used locally manufactured pipes at its Edop-Idoho offshore field, laying of over 100 kilometres of pipeline

by SCC in Abuja as well as the development of Nigerian Oil And Gas Employment and Training Strategy, which has resulted in the absorption of over 5,000 engineers, geologists and welders into the industry. Recently, Nigerdock built two platforms for ExxonMobil’s satellite fields at its yard in Snake Island in Lagos.

To improve power supply, which inadequate supply of gas was often fingered as the cause of the inability to generate substantial electricity, Alison-Madueke, launched the gas-to-power policy, which mandated gas producers to strictly meet their supply obligations. Currently, additional efforts to this, is the ongoing construction of gas pipelines to some of the power stations. The link up of these power stations to sources of gas supply is considered more sustainable and cheaper.

To deepen local consumption of gas as well as establish gas-based industry for job creation and incountry skills and technology development, Alison-Madueke launched the Gas Revolution aimed at enhancing utilisation of the enormous gas resources. Besides the existing few firms that are gas based such as the Brass Fertiliser Plant in Bayelsa State and the Indorama Fertiliser and Methanol Plant at Eleme, Rivers State, the minister has made effort to attract investors such as Xenel of Saudi Arabia and Nagajuna of India to invest in a petrochemical plant to be sited in Koko, Delta State.

On refinery turnaround, the minister has planned to stop the continuous fleecing of public funds by bringing the original firms that built the refineries to carryout thorough maintenance on them.

Over the years, the country has been losing princely sum on turnaround maintenance of the refineries with no results. She said with the original companies that built the plants, there would be no need for major maintenance in near future.

To also stop importation, there is plan underway for the construction of three Greenfield refineries, which when completed would refine enough products for domestic consumption. Feasibility studies of the refineries have been carried out

but the projects are stuck for unknown reasons.

On the security of operations and facilities in the industry, the minister had always shown concerns and commitment to finding solutions. Recently, she had a meeting with all the service chiefs of the Nigerian armed forces, the police and the State Security Service, among others as well as the chief executive officers of oil companies, where they brainstormed to find ways to stopping the menace of oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other issues in the industry. She expressed worry that oil theft was assuming an alarming dimension adding that the country loses $7 billion annually to the crime and

another $5 billion for repair of vandalized pipelines.

Addressing reporters after the meeting, she said: “We had a very fruitful meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff and his service chiefs concerning security in terms of our critical assets in the oil and gas sector especially crude and products as well. I think for the first time along with multinationals and indigenous Nigerian operators. We have discussed the extent of impact of crude theft in terms of the economic loss and environmental impact to this nation, which is also tremendous and we have spoken very openly about the issues and what can be done about it.

“One of the major outcome is that

an immediate task force, a very robust and aggressive one, would be set up with the representatives of all parties, the multinationals, NNPC, and the service chiefs are to begin to address the problem in a very robust and immediate manner.”

She said apart from the ongoing issues that we have, there has been an escalation in crude theft over the last six months and we have seen particularly foreign crude thieves coming into our waters as well more recently to take our crude, so we said that it is critical that we stem these abuses at this time with the involvement of all stakeholders.

•Continued on page 16

•Oil and gas equipment exhibited at offshore technology conference in USA

Subsidy: Oando faults technical committee’s report

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ANDO Plc has faulted a report by the Federal Government Technical Committee on Payment of Fuel Subsidies, set up by the Minister of Finance and chaired by Mr Aigboje AigImoukhuede to verify the 2011 fuel subsidy payments to oil marketers of which Oando Supply and Trading Limited were included.

A statement by the company’s Head, Corporate Communications Meka Olowola, said the committee did not take reasonable steps in ensuring the fulfilment of its mandate, giving rise to misinformation and confusion in the industry.

The committee, according to the company, should have verified all unclear areas by inviting the marketers to clarify issues before going to press. Part of the committee’s report was published last week in the national dailies.

Oando said: “We state without equivocation that on the allegation of subsidies paid without auditor’s signature on shore tank receipt documents (10 transactions listed against Oando) - Upon arrival of vessels, government agencies including Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) auditors and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), verify quantity on board as well as shore tank volumes prior to the commencement of receipt. As such it is virtually impossible for vessels to discharge without due sign offs by the authorities.

We have documents duly witnessed by all government agencies including PPPRA, DPR and independent inspectors for all discharges including the stated transactions.

“On the allegation of subsidies paid without evidence of Bill of Lading documents (2 transactions listed

against Oando) - Oando has never claimed subsidy without evidence of Bill of Lading. Indeed, it is obvious that a company cannot import without a Bill of Lading. All Bills of Lading and shipment documents are available for inspection as we had earlier provided them to other authorities upon request.

“On the allegation of subsidies paid without evidence of bank sales proceeds (29 transactions listed against Oando) - We have evidence of all bank sales proceeds and trucking reports regarding the said transactions and are prepared to make same available to the committee.

“On the allegation of subsidies paid but transaction disclaimed by Banks (1 transaction listed against Oando) - The letter from the bank confirming the said transaction is available for inspection. “ •Continued on page 38

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

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ENERGY

‘Corruption may impede Host Community L Fund objectives’

ARGE scale corruption is likely to impede the effectiveness of the proposed Petroleum Host Community Fund (PHCF) billed to take care of the environmental challenges in the Niger Delta, the Managing Director, Subsurface Consulting, Mr Jasper Nwachukwu has disclosed.

The PHCF as contained in the revised Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is a pool where upstream companies are expected to remit 10 per cent of the net profits from their onshore and offshore operations for the development of the oil producing communities in the Niger

Stories by Bidemi Bakare

Delta.

Nwachukwu said unless corruption is rooted out, whatever effort made towards ameliorating the devastation caused by oil operations in the Niger Delta would amount to naught.

He noted that as good as the PHCF is, there will always be an issue over who controls the fund as many would want to have a go

at it for self aggrandisement.

He said it is even most likely that other zones especially the north would want to protect their interests by not supporting such idea. He said the upstream companies too may find it difficult to accede to such proposal as they may consider it too stifling for business operations.

“It is important we realise that most upstream companies are in

‘PHCN’s N200b privatisation target, misplaced F the target set by the Federal sideration when the sector is seen to priority’ Government through the Bureau have stabilised.

I

of Public Enterprise (BPE) is only to realise N200 billion from the privatisation of the successor companies of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), commercialisation may not be in the best interest of the government and the power sector reform, Prof Wole Adegbenro has said.

Adegbenro, director, National Centre for Energy Efficiency and Conservation, stated this during in an interview with The Nation in Lagos.

He was reacting to the statement of the Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr Sam Amadi on government’s projected income from the PHCN’s privatsation exercise. Adegbenro said rather than putting the issue of monetary benefits of the privatisation of PHCN on the front burner, it would be better for the government to consider more paramount the issue of feasibility of the exercise.

He said: “If the issue of making money from the sale of PHCN assets is the primary focus, then one can never begrudge the government for making projections. If that is so, it would have to do it in such a way that it can realise that objective. But beyond that, I think the government should be more concerned about divesting its interest on power and putting the sector on a sound footing so that interested investors can take up and operate power assets for Nigerians to have quality and better improved power supply situation in the country. I believe this is quite

reasonable.

“Whereas if the issue is about the money, an investor who gets an asset could likely abandon, sell it off again and go elsewhere if he sees that the environment is not conducive enough. We must understand that any investor that comes here believes it is doing the country a favour by investing in the economy and so thinks his investment must be well protected.

“So prior to arrival, the investor considers what can put its business operations cum investments on a sound footing. It is most likely the investor may not be keen on going ahead with the investment if he discovers that the government wants to make money at the expense of his funds.”

He noted that it would not be surprising if most of these companies after evaluating the conditions of operations would start giving us their own terms in tandem with what obtains in other countries.

As for the propriety or otherwise of the N200 billion valuation worth of the assets, Adegbenro said it might be difficult to ascertain whether the amount is too big or small due to many factors among, which might be his superficial knowledge of economics and costing.

He enjoined the government to consider critically the issue of technical competence and capabilities of bidders as a precursor to the award of the assets, adding that indigenous participation should be given con-

Will removal of Petroleum Minister solve industry woes?

•Continued from page 37

“We lose approximately 180,000 barrels of oil equivalent daily at this time. Of course to the nation, if you look at the international cost of a barrel, it is estimated at approximately $7 billion yearly.

These are the issues the taskforce will be employing and be looking into with immediate action,” she added She noted that crude theft is based on the attractiveness of the project to various foreign off-takers and they are quite a few adding that the reason an aggressive and robust taskforce is being set up is to ensure that the arraignment and prosecution of these thieves are properly documented and in fact published as well.

However, nothing has been heard of the meeting and some arrests had been made where a ship was alleged said to be caught with some million barrels of stolen crude, which the navy said was untrue.

On the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the minister in the last two years had made efforts to see the bill passed into law. At some times,

she was emphatic on the periods the lawmakers might likely pass the bill. However, the efforts were fruitless as the sixth assembly legislators were unable to pass it.

To address a couple of issues believed to have caused the non passage of the bill into law, which include multiple versions of the bill by different groups, and some contentious provisions in the bill, which didn’t appeal to the operators, especially the aspects of fiscal regimes and acreage lease agreement, she set up ministerial committees to evaluate the bill, make it more acceptable to all relevant industry stakeholders.

The minister and other ministry officials just last week submitted the bill to the President for consideration and presentation to the National Assembly for consideration and subsequent passage into law.

Therefore, stakeholders are of the view that it would do the industry no good to remove her now but encourage her to considerably implement these policies and projects and most importantly make efforts to see the passage of PIB into law.

He said that there is still much to be done in the area of energy management, efficiency and conservation if the dream and aspiration of industrializing the country through power generation is to be realized.

business to make profits. As a result, if the 10 per cent remittance will erode their profit margins, there is always a possibility that they may reconsider their investments in the country. They might opt for divestments to other countries where they feel their profit

margins can be enhanced. This I think is one thing the country would not want to happen at this time,” he said.

Nwachukwu suggested that the 10 per cent remittance be expunged from the PIB as the provision may be part of the reason why the bill has not become law.

He said what the host communities need for development is accountability and transparency in the utilisation of monies realised in the industry from oil operations and not the 10 per cent remittance, which would likely end up in private pockets.

He said unless this can be guaranteed the agitation from the Niger Delta would continue till it assumes a dimension that would be too difficult to con-

trol. The rate of corruption in the upstream sector of the industry, according to him, is alarming that what is currently being witnessed in the downstream sector can best be described as a child’s play, he added.

“A lot has been said about the corruption in the downstream sector of the oil industry, especially as regards the subsidy on petroleum importation. But the truth of the matter is that the corruption in this arm of the sector cannot be compared with what is obtained in the upstream sector. The kind of corruption we have in the upstream sector is mind boggling. In the award of leases for instance, there is massive corrupti on and

lack of transparency during the bid rounds. Due processes are not followed as approvals are granted in controversial circumstances. How do we expect to get result if we prefer to sacrifice technical competence on the altar of favouritism and corruption,” he asked.

•Winners in the Conoil’s Quatro engine oil special promo, Mr. Ibrahim Nse (right) and Nosa Khare (second right) with Company’s Director, Sales, Mr. Jacobus Reiner (second left) and Princess Christy Suinner, Ajay Pandey, in Lagos ... at the weekend.

Demand for Nigeria oil, gas won’t decline’

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ONTRARY to reports that demand for Nigeria’s oil and gas will soon decline, the Managing Director of NRG Drilling Nigeria Limited, MrCharles Nwankwo Charles, said country’s oil and gas are still in high demand and would continue to be so in reasonable future.

Speaking with The Nation during the just concluded Nigeria Oil and Gas Technology Exhibition in Lagos, Nwankwo said Nigeria could utilise all its gas reserves to power the industries, create employment and build plants that would enhance the standard of living of Nigerians He said that the country’s gas reserves have the capacity to serve the entire world even in decades to come.

There have been reports that following recent discoveries of oil and gas in some parts of the world including the West and East African countries as well as unconventional fuels developed through advanced technologies, demand for the Nigeria’s oil and gas may be on the decline in the nearest future.

Nobody says that the power available in one’s country must be sold, it could be utilised by the lo-

By Ambrose Nnaji

cal economy as a catalyst for growth and future development planning.

He said: “Our hydrocarbon reserves are infinite. In the next decade or two, we will still have hydrocarbons very much in place. If we invent an alternative now even if all countries decide to start drilling deeper wells or whatever, it takes to take to get more gas, they are still not going to get there within a decade. There will still be need for us to export to some countries some of the hydrocarbon reserves.”

He noted that the more we get to participate in the industry, the better for us.

He said the real key question yet to be answered is the utilisation of the derivatives from the country’s hydrocarbon. Besides, he said that politics of interest and administrative issues have taken the place of sound economic growth and development, which supposed to accrue from Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources.

Nwankwo lauded the Local Content Law, which he said has acted as a catalyst to encouraging indigenous participation in the

Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

He said though there is still a long way to go in terms of harnessing the full potential in the industry but however, noted that this year’s participation by local companies is a litmus test that the local content initiative had come to stay.

He therefore charged all industry players, small and medium enterprises to wake up to the challenges of tapping the benefits in the industry.

On the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), he agreed that quick passage of the bill would create more enabling environment, encourage more foreign investments into the industry but noted that it would be more important to ensure the passage of a well thought out Bill that would actually define industry operations.

He said: “One has to be mindful of the version of the bill that comes into play because that will choose our partners as we go forward. Any delay is dangerous, if you delay a bill, which a lot of people are anticipating, it will in turn delay foreign investments, which has negative impact on the economy. However, the long term impact of a well articulated, negotiated bill cannot be quantified.”

39

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

ENERGY

A

Kaztec Engineering to acquire three vessels

N indigenous oil and gas service company, Kaztec Engineering Limited has concluded plans to acquire additional three new vessels, which are expected to sail into the country before year end, it has said.

The new acquisition, according to a statement, will bring to seven the number of vessels under the company’s fleet, thus making it the

By Emeka Ugwuanyi Assistant Editor

single largest indigenous fleet owner in the country.

The firm, a member of the Chrome Group, recently procured two new anchor vessels for onshore, offshore and deep water oil and gas services. The anchor vessels are reputed to be among the best in the

industry.

The Executive Chairman of the Chrome Group, Sir Emeka Offor, said the three new vessels are expected to cover the entire spectrum of marine services in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

With these investments, kaztec Engineering, can now fully operate in Category 2 marine services, which boasts of only a few indigenous op-

•From left: Charles Gallagher, Contract and Procurement Manager; Gene Williams, Manager, Calabar Offshore, Dr. Njideka Kelley, Consultant and Chuma Emenike, Senior Cost Analyst, all of Kaztec Engineering Limited at the Offshore Technology Conference in the United States.

erators.

To encourage more participation in the maritime sector, particularly in vessel ownership, the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board, (NCDMB), has constantly urged indigenous operators to invest more in marine services, especially vessel acquisition to stem huge capital flight from the economy estimated in excess of $1.8billion annually.

The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr Ernest Nwapa, had in February, disclosed that International Oil Companies (IOCs), operating in Nigeria will in June, hire 40 indigenous owned vessels to replace contracted foreign owned vessels, thereby retaining $1.8bn in the Nigerian economy.

Nwapa had noted that the marine vessels and rig ownership strategies adopted by the Board were yielding positive results, adding that the IOCs were committed to replacing the foreign vessels, which the Board had defined as Category 2 Vessels.

Before the pronouncement, Kaztec Engineering had already purchased some vessels, including Anchor Handling Tugs (AHT), Dynamic Positioning Platform Supply Vessels (DP PSV), and Line Handling Tugs (LHT), to serve various marine purposes.

Offor explained that the anchor vessels, christened Ekulo Explorer and Ekulo Spirit, “are utility vessels used for numerous purposes

and can be used to store materials, pipes and other drilling materials for both onshore and offshore services.”

He said the Explorer has a capacity of 6,000 horsepower, while the Spirit is about 4,4000HP, adding that these vessels can transport barges as well as other materials such as pipes, run anchors and move vessels around the fields.

The Safety Manager for Kaztec, Mr Kingsley Eke, maintained that “Kaztec Engineering is the only indigenous company with such a capacity in the country,” also explained that “the two anchor tugs have a boiler capacity of about 60,000, which enables them to pull heavy weight items, and carry barges of up to 800,000 tonnes. He further added that the vessels are multi-purpose vessels that can work in shallow water of below five meters and deep water of up to 40 meters.”

To consolidate on the new investments, Offor said that Kaztec has also acquired a base and a warehouse for the parking of the vessels in Calabar, Cross River State, for the maintenance of vessels, which is manned by well-trained Nigerian technicians.

Acknowledging the efforts of the NCDMB, the chairman noted that foreign owned vessels and rig operators had hitherto, dominated the sector, leading to capital flight in excess of $3billion before the Nigerian Content Act came into force.

The operators of the petroleum industry have argued that some provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (NOGICDA) have some grey areas that need to be addressed. In this article EFURU OBUA, a petroleum law and policy expert, examines the Act

Analysis of Nigerian Content Act

I

SSUES: The focus of these provisions is manpower development and skill acquisition as well as job creation which would reduce unemployment and create wealth in the economy.

It will also check the restiveness in the Niger Delta area of the country as youths become engaged in productive capacities.

Compliance by Operators (Nigerianisation) Part 1, Section 35 stipulates that all operators and companies operating in Nigerian oil and gas industry shall employ only Nigerians in their junior and intermediate cadre or any other corresponding grades designated by the operator or company.

Issues: This provision presents another avenue for developing local manpower since operators must of necessity ensure that these posts are filled by only Nigerians as required under the Act. The schedule to the Act provides for 100 percent man hours and does not provide for recourse to expatriate staff. The conclusion is that operators must begin an aggressive training of Nigerians to fill these positions.

Submission and content of research and development plan (R&D): Part 1, Sections 37 and 38 require an operator to carry out a research and development programme in relation to its work programme for every project and submit to the Board an update every six months.

Issues: The emphasis on R&D can identify with the success story of Norway, which is attributable to a national focus on R&D and transfer of technology in its oil and gas industry. The operator’s commitment and strategies for technology transfers were made a crucial and determining factor in the award of contracts. It is noted that the Act links compliance with this provision to the award of contracts which is considered a key incentive to operators to begin the process of technological development of Nigerians.

Regulations for further growth of indigenous capacity: Part 1, Section 41 (1) states that the

Minister shall make regulations setting out targets to ensure full utilization and steady growth of indigenous companies engaged in exploration; seismic data processing; engineering design; reservoir studies; manufacturing and fabrication of equipment and other facilities as well as the provisions of other support services for the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

Issues: This provision whilst aimed at boosting local capacity, deals with these specialized areas, which are core to the industry in upstream activities. Section 41 (2) requires international or multinational companies working through their Nigerians subsidiaries to demonstrate that a minimum of 50 percent of the equipment deployed for execution of work are owned by the Nigerian subsidiaries. The financial capacity of the indigenous companies will play a major role in determining whether or not they can meet this requirement.

Submission of technology transfer plan: Part 1, Sections 43-46 imposes an obligation on the operator to develop an acceptable programme for the promotion of technology transfer and submit an annual plan for effective transfer of technologies from the operator and alliance partners to Nigerian individuals and companies.

Insurance and reinsurance business: Part 1 Section 49 (1) and (2) mandate operators to utilize local insurance services in their project implementation while Section 50 prohibits operators from placing insurance risk offshore without the written approval of the National Insurance Commission, which shall ensure that Nigerian local capacity has been fully exhausted.

Issues: This is a significant milestone for insurance companies in Nigeria given that for decades, the multinational oil companies preferred to place insurance risks with foreign insurance companies at the expense of indigenous companies.

Legal services: Part 1, Section 51 mandates operators requiring legal services to retain only the services of a Nigerian legal practitioner or a firm of Nigerian legal practitioners whose office is located in any part of Nigeria.

Issues: Again, this is a major victory for Nigerian lawyers who hitherto were marginalised in award of briefs or instructions in the industry. It is a well known fact that NNPC and indeed most government agencies preferred to instruct foreign firms under the guise of lack of capacity of Nigerian lawyers yet there was no attempt to create the enabling environment for them to compete or develop local capacity.

Financial services: Part 1, Section 52, sets out the same obligation for financial services with a further requirement that all operators shall maintain a bank account in Nigeria in which it shall retain a minimum of 10 percent of its total revenue accruing from its Nigerian operations.

Issues: The effect of this provision would be to check capital flight and ensure a level of liquidity in the banking sector thereby adding value to the economy as a whole.

Prohibition of importation of welded products: The Act in Section 53 bans the importation of welded products.

Issues: This is a positive development given that it will not only boost skill development but will rapidly lead to the growth and expansion of small and medium companies who now have the incentive and opportunity to acquire the expertise needed to develop their capacities in the areas of welded products in the engineering sub sector. However, it may be that the outright ban on welded products is premature given that the indigenous companies may not yet have the full capacity to produce. A phased ban with a timeline for indigenous companies to acquire capacity would have been more appropriate. It is likely that the current ban

will lead to scarcity of the products in the market thereby disrupting operations and the result is that government may be forced to lift the ban in the meantime.

Small and Medium Enterprises: Indigenous companies are the focus of the Act especially in the service and supply sectors and have an enormous opportunity for rapid growth and development. A Nigerian company is defined under the Act as a company registered in accordance with the Companies and Allied Matters Act and having not less than 50 percent Nigerian shareholding. SMEs which are indigenous companies qualify under this definition and constitute a major proportion of indigenous businesses driving provision of products and services, job creation, enhancement of better living standards and contribution to the GDP of the nation. They are recognised as the back- bone, engine room and catalyst of economic growth and development in several countries.

Under the Act, they qualify for exclusive consideration for service contracts subject to capacity conditions. The Act promotes skill development in core competencies such as petroleum engineering and engineering support services, engineering designs, fabrication, manufacturing, installation, seismic data processing, drilling and exploration services, maintenance services, health, safety and environment. Capacity in these areas will boost employment opportunities; reduce dependence on foreign technical expertise and consequent capital flight.

They stand to benefit enormously from the Act given that they are a key target of the Nigerian content policy and the provisions relating to them will ensure a steady growth of local capacity and participation in the industry as well as enhance industry knowledge and expertise thereby adding value to overall economic development of the country.

This position was restated in Ni-

•Efuru

geria by Nwapa when he indicated that at least 10 percent of all heavy equipment for use in the Nigeria oil and gas industry must be manufactured locally. He added that the Board will enforce this provision strictly because the manufacture and supply chain of the industry ware have the greatest potential for job creation in the sector.

The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) The Local Content Act cannot be discussed without the PIB as it is a somewhat super structure on which the Act rests. The PIB and the Local Content Act are therefore, mutually inclusive and coterminous. The PIB in supporting the Act confers the same benefits as the Local Content Act and provides for those categories of contracts which now fall within the domain of Nigerian indigenous companies and also for the training and compulsory participation of Nigerians in all aspects of the oil and gas industry. It obliges companies holding petroleum mining leases to ensure that not less than 95 percent of managerial grades are filled by Nigerians.

The Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010 is poised to be the catalyst that will deliver Nigeria’s economic and technological advancement and should be embraced by all stake holders and Nigerians as a whole.

• Obua, a solicitor in the United Kingdom and Nigeria holds a Masters in Petroleum Law and Policy from the University of Dundee, Scotland.

•Concluded

40

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT ‘Climate Change mitigation must include children’

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NVIRONMENTAL experts have advocated the need to develop strategic plans which emphasise the importance, not only of recognising children as key stakeholders in the policy-making process, but also of promoting environmental education for sustainable development as a means of enabling future leaders to find innovative solutions to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change and environmental degradation in their lives and communities.

The call was made at an interactive session between the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and Nigerian Bottling Company(NB) in Lagos where the involvement of children in environmental issues was canvassed.

Chairman of NCF Council, Ambassador Hamzat Ahmadu called for the practical involvement of children in efforts aimed at tackling environmental challenges in Nigeria.

“It is imperative that policy makers acknowledge the increasingly urgent call to take action with and for children. Efforts to engage and empower the world’s 2.2 billion citizens under the age of 18, who comprise nearly a third of all humanity, in our environmental agenda are essential

and overdue.”

Amzat, who was represented by Mr Desmond Majekodunmi, spoke on Green Economy: Does it include you, drew attention to the fact that we must do everything possible to improve human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.

As the United Nations(UN) puts it, a green economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.”

“The NCF/NBC interactive session saw about 250 children from various schools in Lagos dressed in various costumes to depict the theme of the year’s World Environment Day Green Economy: Does it include you. It was dedicated to Prof Emmanuel Obot, who died in the ill-fated Dana Air crash, said Mrs. Adeyombo Oyesola, the Director of Finance and Administration of the foundation.

NCF Director of Technical Programmes Alade Adeleke said the environment plays a major role in every sector of the economy, hence, the need for everyone to be involved and contribute to its improvement.

“It is, therefore, a challenge for all of us to see if the business we are doing is having negative or otherwise on the environment.”

Lagos to explore huge earnings through waste management

L

AGOS State government is set to earn funds in excess of hundreds of millions in dollars in carbon credit through a high skilled management of waste in the various dumpsites in the state.

The state had before now embarked on numerous ecological safety and intervention programmes to achieve a healthy environment by carrying out Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to reduce carbon footprints.

This is sequel to the establishment of a waste to compost facility and nylon recycling plant in Ikorodu and Igando geared towards earning carbon credit from the international market.

At a two-day workshop organised by Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) with the United States Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) under its Global Methane Initiative, tagged Developing successful integrated waste management systems in Africa.

Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Tunji Bello said the goal of the workshop is to manage the various waste stream in the most effective, cost effective, environmentally safe and beneficial manner.

According to him the principles of sustainable development include integrating the environment into the decision making process while re-orientating technology.

He praised the state for exhibiting a unique perspective in maintaining the environment to sustain the present and the future as it has become apparent that no single waste management option can

handle a community or nation’s waste.

Managing Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr Ola Oresanya said the authority’s activity involves the production of high quality compost from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) using advanced composting technology.

He said the solid waste management sector has suffered neglect with the common practice of just dumping waste in landfills, noting that mitigation of methane as a potent greenhouse from landfill sites is a major focus of global efforts in fighting the current climate change problem.

Oresanya said the effort is geared towards the production of high quality compost for sale to local farmers by providing them an environment friendly and cost effective alternative to chemical fertilizers to aid the global efforts in fighting the current climate change problem.

•Oresanya

Association laments kidnapping EDERATION of Construcof workers tion Industry(FOCI) has

F

called on the Federal Government to evolve reliable strategy at curtailing the continued kidnapping, unjust detainment and killing of technical workers in the construction industry.

The call was made against the background of recent kidnapping and killing of some expatriates in the hands of their captors due to failed rescue attempts by security agents.

President of the Federation

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

Solomon Ogunbusola made this known after his investiture as the new president to pilot the affairs of the federation in the next five years.

He said the expatriates in the industry play a key role in the sector given their unequalled expertise. He described the spate of attacks on the expatriate technical workers as retrogressive.

•Model of Journalists Estate Community Centre

Flooding: Lagos urges residents to relocate for two weeks

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AGOSIANS residing in low line areas, particularly along lagoons, drainage channels, river courses and wetlands, have been advised to vacate their residence and relocate upland within the next two weeks, which is the peak period of this year’s rainy season to avoid discomfort, loss of lives and property.

Commissioner for the Environment, Tunji Bello disclosed this during a chat with journalists at the weekend.

He said the advice became necessary for residents living along low line areas, such as Owode, Badiya, Aboru, Iwaya, Arowojobe in Maryland, Ajegunle Elede and some parts of Eti-Osa in view of the fact that the state is yet to witness intense rainfall within the next two weeks.

He said: "The reality of today is that we are now in the season of unusual rains globally, with simi-

Stories by Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

lar experiences happening in the United Kingdom, US, Japan and Bangladesh.

“The idea of relocation is a global practice peculiar in developed nations of the world, in anticipation of expected natural disasters such as hurricanes, typhoons, heavy rains and the like. They are expected to go back to their homes after the natural occurrences subside.

“In line with this global practice, Lagosians who reside along low line areas are, therefore, advised to relocate to upland to avoid further discomfort. This is in consonance with our earlier warning in the year”, he said.

It would be recalled that Bello earlier in the year, had spoken about the expected intensity of rainfall and how long it would last, which has become a reality with the onset of

the rains and flooding.

He, however, asked residents not to panic as the government has intensified its mid-rain cleaning and will continue to put in place measures that will reduce flooding in the state.

He said Lagos has recorded several rainfalls since the beginning of the year without any severe consequences, but explained that in cases of severe and intense rainfall of over 10 hours, the likelihood of discomfort is very high as the lagoon would have risen, therefore, making it impossible for the discharge of storm water, thus leading to a back-flow which may result to flooding.

Bello assured that while the government will not shirk its social responsibility to the people, it will, however, not tolerate unsanitary habits of certain people, especially those who drop their refuse into drainages or build on drainage channels.

Journalist’s estate to host Tambuwal, Wamako, others HE Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Lagos Council and the Journalists’ Estate Residents Development Association (JERDA) are to host the Speaker, House of Representatives, Waziri Aminu Tambuwal; Governor of Sokoto State Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamako and others at the foundation laying ceremony of a community centre in the estate on July 14.

JERDA Chairman Mr Gboyega Shomuyiwa,in a statement, said Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun will be the chief host while the former Governor of Ogun State and Chairman of JERDA Board of Trustees, Chief Olusegun Osoba is the Father of the day.

HRM Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, Ukukenu IV, the Alake of Egba, is the royal father of the day.

On the proposed community centre, he said it will have a library, ICT centre, squash court, lawn tennis court, clinic, football field and shops.

According to him, the lawn tennis court, which is almost completed, will boost community spirit among residents and encourage members to engage in physical exercises for healthy living.

T

Engineers bag awards from American university

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RESIDENT of the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NIStructE) Busola Awojobi and his Deputy, Samuel Ilugbekhal, were among the recepients of honourary Doctorate Degrees conferred on some notable individuals by Bradley University, USA at the University of Lagos, now Moshood Abiola University at the weekend in Lagos.

The duo, while expressing their gratitude for the honour, promised to be good ambassadors and use all that is within their ability to contribute to the development of the institution.

In his presidential address delivered at the ceremony, Oba Jegede, said lives of great men who reached great heights, which they were able to attain, were not attained by sudden jumps.

According to him, such attainment means that

while their companions slept, they toiled even in the night to work very hard.

He said there are people who labour very hard but die unrewarded except they are sure of their rewards in heaven.

41

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

ENERGY

U

‘How advanced technology can aid oil refining’

LTRASONIC system, a fault-detecting technology has be found to have the capacity to prevent sudden breakdown of equipment in the oil and gas refining activities.

The Technical Sales Executive, Felpet Nigeria, Gaius Usoh, who disclosed this said the equipment is an advanced technology in diagnosing bad bearings, bulbs, valves, tin traps, and gear boxes among others, especially in refineries.

He said the technology would exploit the hidden benefits of condition monitoring analysis and leak detection using the right ultrasonic inspection technology on pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical and electrical systems found in many industries including the oil and gas.

According to him, with the software and technology, it would be possible to predict rather than the deterministic methods that were applicable in the industry in the past.

Experts said mechanical and fit-

By Ambrose Nnaji

ting equipment if properly diagnosed in a predictive way would result in less trouble especially in periods of unplanned or sudden equipment breakdown including oil and gas industry. “The non implementation of cutting edge technology in maintenance of facilities had imposed a great challenge to industries..

“Technological innovation had advanced in ultrasonic condition monitoring and leak detection to meet the challenges of plant reliability and efficiency thus improving facilities performance and enhanced service delivery toward meeting global energy demand,” the experts added.

Usoh said the ultrasonic system innovation is an on-site, non-invasive diagnostics for predictive maintenance that would make detection of defects instantaneous.

“Ultrasonic monitoring systems would present conditions or status of facilities in a benchmarking scale compared with audio and vi-

sual results so that early warning signs of wear and tear could be clearly detected thereby preventing sudden production downtime as well as improving plant efficiency, quality control and safety,” he explained.

He said many companies had failed to achieve the desired benefits of new technology because of lack of initial understanding. Un-

like vibration, infrared analysis and vapour testing or soap bubbles procedure of leak detection, the right ultrasonic technology with proper software could be more than just a leak detector.

He said sudden equipment breakdown could lead to economic and safety disasters. He however, said that most machines provide early signs of functional

defects before their final breakdown.

“Incidentally, plant failures occur in some cases where predictive maintenance technologies such as visual techniques, vibration analysis, infrared analysis and oil analysis exist. Some of these technologies are more useful in deterministic rather than predictive situations,” he added.

Electricity tariff will reflect social equity, says NERC

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HE Chairman Nigerian Electricity Regulatory commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, has said electricity tariff has been designed in such a way that every electricity distribution company will charge its customers in a manner that maximises revenue and social equity.

Amadi disclosed this during a dialogue by the Nigerian Economic Summit (NESG) Group’s policy and the private sector held in Lagos.

Speaking on “Appropriate pricing and the future of Nigeria’s electricity supply industry”, he said a lifeline tariff has been provided for poor consumers who consume not more than 50 megawatt/hour (mw/h) per month.

He said: “They will pay a flat and universal N4/mw/h, they will not pay fixed charges. Residential con-

Subsidy: Oando faults technical committee’s report •Continued from page 15

“We look forward to the opportunity to present these documents to the committee so that they can appropriately conclude their report.”

The company said that irrespective of the multiplicity of probes initiated by the various tiers of government since the start of the year, Oando has always been ready, willing and able to provide all relevant documents supporting claims made, both past and present, against the Petroleum Subsidy Fund (PSF) and to demonstrate the culture of integrity that the company stands for.

Oando is a law abiding body and as a key industry stakeholder remains committed to supporting the Federal Government in ensuring petroleum products are made available nationwide, the company added.

The statement said that terms of reference of the Technical Committee on Payment of Fuel Subsidies were stated as follows: authenticate the backlog of outstanding payments of subsidy payments to marketers in 2011; Verify the legitimacy of backlog of claims already submitted by marketers for 2011; and Review any other pertinent issues that may arise from the exercise.

By Aminat Adesina and Abike Adegbulehin

sumers, who use single or threephase meters, will also benefit a bit of subsidy to avoid huge rate shock.

“Medium and small enterprises under commercial class are also subsidised by government and cross-subsidised by the bigger commercial and industrial consumers.”

The NERC chief also said that the commission has adopted the efficient supply model and right to access model to regulate electricity in the country in order to ensure reliability, stability, adequacy and affordability of electricity in Nigeria.

The Director-General of NESG Group, Mr Frank Nweke, stressed the need for customers to be treated as king in the new policy the commission would introduce.

Amadi lamented the financial viability of the policy, which he noted was one of the keen challenges of electricity reform in the country.

He said: “Until the sector is financially viable, it will not attract the sort of capital required to improve and sustain the sector, good tariff structure should optimise revenue to ensure financial viability”.

Many of the proposed improvements for the sector will not happen except we are able to improve the financial viability of the sector,’’ he said.

•Oil platform

OPEC output falls in June as Iran exports drop

O

RGANISATION of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC’s) oil output has fallen in June as Western sanctions have pushed Iran’s supply to its lowest level in more than two decades, relegating the country to OPEC’s thirdlargest producer behind Iraq, a Reuters’ survey found.

Production from the OPEC has remained close to its highest since 2008 as extra oil from Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Libya has compensated for the drop in Iranian output.

The survey adds to evidence that Saudi Arabia is showing no sign of changing its policy of high oil output to support the world economy, despite a fall in crude prices in June below $90 a barrel from near $130 in March.

“I don’t see Saudi Arabia cutting production by very much until the Iranian embargo situation is clarified and because of concern about global economic growth,” said Paul Tossetti, senior energy adviser at PFC Energy.

Supply from the 12-member OPEC

has averaged 31.63 million barrels per day (bpd) as the end of the month approaches, down from a revised 31.70 million bpd in May, the survey of sources at oil companies, OPEC officials and analysts found.

Production is down only slightly from its highest in four years. OPEC pumped 31.75 million bpd in April, the highest since September 2008, based on Reuters surveys.

OPEC is pumping 1.63 million bpd more than its official ceiling of 30 million barrels per day (bpd), despite agreeing to stick to that target at a June 14 meeting. With Iranian output falling, other members are seen as unlikely to implement large cutbacks.

“Ultimately, as demand seasonally rises in the summer and increasing volumes of Iranian oil come under embargo, the likelihood is that OPEC will only need to marginally adjust production lower,” said Harry Tchilinguirian, head of commodity markets strategy at BNP Paribas in London.

Oil was up more than $4 a barrel at

$95.41 on Friday after European leaders took steps seen as easing the region’s debt crisis.

The biggest drop in supplies came from Iran, whose crude is subject to a European Union embargo starting on July 1 that also bars EU insurance firms from covering Iran’s exports.

Iran’s supply slipped by 180,000 bpd to 2.95 million bpd in June, according to the survey. That would be its lowest output since it produced 2.81 million bpd in 1989, according to figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Earlier this week, Iran acknowledged for the first time that exports had fallen significantly.According to sources outside Iran, its exports posted the first sizeable decline in March in response to the looming EU embargo.

Europe and the United States are trying to squeeze the revenues Iran makes from its oil exports to force it to halt a nuclear program they fear will be used to make weapons, but which Tehran says is for power generation.

Energy prices

Domestic prices of petroleum products

Energy & Oil Prices OIL ($/bbl)

Companies

PMS

AGO

DPK

Conoil

97.00

160.00

140.00

AP

97.00

160.00

140.00

Total

97.00

160.00

140.00

Oando

97.00

160.00

140.00

Mobil

97.00

160.00

140.00

Texaco

97.00

160.00

140.00

PRICE* CHANGE % CHANGE TIME Nymex Crude Future Dated Brent Spot WTI Cushing Spot OIL (¢/gal)

84. 96 97. 00 84 96

Energy

97.00

160.00

140.00

Fagbems

97.00

160.00

140.00

Nipco

97.00

160.00

140.00

9. 36% 6. 12% 9. 36%

06/29 06/29 06/29

PRICE* CHANGE % CHANGE TIME Nymex Heating Oil Future 270.99 Nymex RBOB Gasoline Future 263.18 NATURAL GAS ($/MMBtu)

16.27 15.45

6. 39% 6. 24%

06/29 06/29

PRICE* CHANGE % CHANGE TIME Nymex Henry Hub Future 2.82 Henry Hub Spot 2.74 New York City Gate Spot 2.96 ELECTRICITY ($/megawatt hour)

INDIGENOUS

7.27 5.59 7.27

PRICE*

0.10 -0.08 -0.13

3.75% -2.84% -4.21%

06/29 06/29 06/29

CHANGE % CHANGE TIME

Mid-Columbia, firm on-peak, spot 19.76 5.90 42.57% 06/29 Palo Verde, firm on-peak, spot 36.06 4.56 14.48% 06/29 BLOOMBERG, FIRM ON-PEAK, DAY AHEAD SPOT/ERCOT HOUSTON 32.80 8.05 32..52% 06/29 • Bloomberg Oil Buyers Guide

42

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

43

TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Security is probably the greatest challenge of the time. In apparent response, Senators gathered last week in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, to deliberate on the way forward. Also there were leaders of other legislative houses and the executive arm of the government. Assistant Editor ONYEDI OJIABOR, who covered the retreat, reports the submissions and the controversies.

National security resonates at Senate retreat T

HE 2012 Senate retreat ended on a high note in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital last Thursday. Although initially designed as an intensive all senators affair, it turned out a pan-Nigeria event where eminent Nigerians joined the senior lawmakers in critically reviewing the security situation in the country.

Those who joined the senators include President Goodluck Jonathan, Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and his Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) counterpart, Chief Bisi Akande, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Abubakar Saad, Governor of Akwa Ibom State Godswill Akpabio, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa and the embattled Borno State governor Ibrahim Shettima. Diplomats also turned up to monitor developments and gauge the thinking of national leaders.

Five papers were delivered by resource persons and discussed by a select team of Nigerian leaders from various fields of endeavour. To set the tone for discussion on security, the Director General of the State Security Service, Mr. Ekpenyong Ita gave a peep into the internal defence architecture; the cerebral Sokoto Catholic Bishop Matthew Kuka presented a paper on Religion, Politics and National Security, while former Speaker House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’Abba gave an insight into Parliamentary Oversight and Imperatives of Good Governance.

The necessary regulatory, policy and technical framework for enhancement of Nigeria’s environmental security formed the focus of the presentation by Professor Hillary Inyang and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, .Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi brought in the international dimension as he spoke on the Role of Parliaments in Regional and International Security.

The Senators and other Nigerians at the retreat were in agreement that the corporate existence of the country is in grave danger due to the unrelenting activities of Boko Haram fundamentalist.

The lawmakers’ anxiety over the precarious security situation was captured in a 14-point resolution read by the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Abdul Ningi.

But the retreat did not end without some controversy as the Senate President David Mark was criticised for his frank but measured remark that Northern leaders who claim to know leaders of Boko Haram sect should stop pretending.

Mark insisted that those who criticised him missed the point. And notwithstanding the flood of criticisms over his unambiguous and articulate remarks on northern leaders and the dreaded sect, Mark must have been twelve feet taller after the retreat.

The criticism resonated in Uyo, prompting Mark to declare that the only way to heal a fractured right leg is not to offer the doctor the left leg.

Some observers, however, described the criticisms against Mark as a matter of conjecture, especially, when he did not exclude himself as part of northern leaders who must come clean of their knowledge or otherwise of the Boko Haram sect.

The theme of the retreat, “The National Assembly and National Security: Securing the Future for Development” clearly underscored how agitated the Senate has been over the security challenge in the country.

Though other issues like the crippling environmental degradation in both Southern and Northern Nigeria were raised at the forum, the question of national security, especially, the Boko Haram menace, took the shine.

To underline the seriousness of the security challenge facing the country, Ita and Kukas’ papers which bother on national security were delivered behind closed doors. This may have been done to engender open and honest discourse and to remove the discussion from the prying eyes of the press.

However, Mark, in his opening address, was categorical that in a democracy, citizens must be provided with the ability to hold decision-makers to account for the power that have been delegated to them while the decision-makers have the obligation to reveal, explain and justify their policies and actions in the act of government.

He said, “First of all, by nature, there is a clash between security agencies and the individual freedom and civil liberties that are the essence of a democracy. Military, police and intelligence agencies are a body separate from the larger society; they enjoy an autonomous professionalism and a strong espirit de corps, based on hierarchy and discipline.

“Possessing the legal monopoly of force in a state, security forces accumulate a huge power; they have special

• President Jonathan (second right), Senate President Mark, Deputy Senate President Ekweremadu (left) and Akwa Ibom State Governor Akpabio.

powers that might limit human rights and liberties. They naturally develop a strong resistance to outside control and to reforms.

“That is why ensuring a real separation of powers and a smooth system of checks and balances in security issues is even more important and delicate.”

Urging frank and honest discussion, Mark declared that “the problem we have in this country today and we must say it loud and clear is the Boko Haram. Whatever name we might want to give to it is just saving the issue. People have given reasons for the causes for the Boko Haram sect, they say it is poverty; to me the reason is very tenuous.

“If every poor man in this country decides to be a suicide bomber, Nigeria strictly will not exist. Secondly, people have said it is lack of education, I agree that that will be an issue but we cannot overcome that overnight, somebody who is not educated cannot wake up overnight and become educated.

“There is a long process to it. And I think government has taken the right step by educating the almajiris in the north. For a long time nobody in the north wanted to talk about it.

“Because if you did all the religious teachers and clerics will take you on but thank God we have gone past all that now. Now we have all agreed that the people and almajiris have to be properly educated.

“Then they talk about unemployment, again if everybody who is unemployed in this country turns out to be a suicide bomber, who is going to remain.

“I don’t think there is any country in the world where everybody is employed but government must create a conducive environment where most people should be employed.

“I think the issue is ideological and religious fundamentalism and we must address these issues.

“I am not in any way a religious scholar, but just out of curiosity, I read a book the other day, on the stand of Islam on the issue of suicide bombing and it is the same as the Christian stand.

“If you commit suicide, for the Christians, you are destined to hell and Islam has the same position.

“So who are these preachers who are telling them that as a

‘The problem we have in this country today and we must say it loud and clear is the Boko Haram. Whatever name we might want to give to it is just saving the issue. People have given reasons for the causes for the Boko Haram sect, they say it is poverty; to me the reason is very tenuous. “If every poor man in this country decides to be a suicide bomber, Nigeria strictly will not exist’

suicide bomber, you will go to heaven and you will meet 77 virgins; it is an uphill task to go and sleep with 77 virgins at the same time.

“I think that there is something fundamentally wrong with all these teachings.

“We must do something serious to make sure that that kind of teaching does not gain ground.

“There is also the issue of lack of national values in our system today,” Mark said.

The consequences of the Boko Haram activities, he lamented, are too numerous to be counted, especially, as there is already a lot of mass movement on regional basis.

On the much touted under-development of the North, Mark said that the phenomenon had become obvious. According to him, “already the hue and cry is that the North is not developed. “With the activities of Boko Haram, will that solve the problem of development in the North?

“The answer is no. So we are shooting ourselves in the feet.

“Nobody is going to wait for the North. Godswill Akpabio, Governor of Akwa Ibom is not going to wait for the North to develop, the man in Rivers State is not going to wait for the North to develop.

“So the same people who are crying that under-development is in the North are at the same moment responsible for the subsequent under-development that is occurring in the North.

“No investor is going to bring his money and invest in Kaduna , Kano or Jigawa when his life is in danger. The investor that comes to Nigeria will know that the safe areas are the Southern states. “The northern states have to think properly before we allow what Boko Haram is doing now to bring the North to its knees. A few selected cabal on their own want to bring the North on their knees and we must do something positively about it.”

Mark may have hit the nail on the head when he warned that,“if things are allowed to go on like this, it will encourage disunity and religious war because there is a limit to patient.

“Christian preachers and organisers have been appealing, and I have been almost at the forefront of appealing to Christians that they should not go for vengeance.

“But how long will the people continue to listen to us? If a bishop is consistently preaching to his congregation that God says vengeance is mine, yes we all hear that, but if we have no church anymore to reach out to, if he wakes up in the morning, where will he preach? So there is a limit to the patience that preachers will have to tell their people.”

Mark ended his speech on the need for dialogue with Boko Haram leaders. Government, he said, must open an avenue for dialogue with the sect but on one condition; that the sect must make their leaders known. I am a great supporter of dialogue. The sect must make their leaders known, because we cannot dialogue with nobody. “You can’t dialogue without knowing who is the leader of the sect. Like I keep saying, if they have genuine grievances, there is no reason their leaders will not come out.

“The mere fact that they are hiding behind the scene and doing what they are doing shows that they know that what they are doing is evil otherwise, if you are leaders of men •Continued on page 44

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

44

POLITICS

Kaduna mayhem : Where are the political parties?

C

AN Nigeria buy its way out of the present roadblock? This was how the BBC posed the question in a recent radio documentary. That was about the same time that General T.Y Danjuma spoke on the commencement of Nigeria’s descent into Somalia. Since both the BBC and General Danjuma are, in every way, referential, something more concrete should have been done before the situation they feared became real in Kaduna on June 17, 2012. The fact that June 17 still happened in Kaduna shows that the early warning meant little or nothing. What a pity!

Failure to prevent June 17 in Kaduna is also an evidence that the problem is not only that we have a crisis on our hands but that we are substantially still clueless about what precisely the crisis is. When I say we are clueless, I do not mean that students of conflicts and certain professional security experts do not have an analysis of the country’s current security challenge. I am simply referring to the fact that the whole country has not been led in any critical analysis of the problem, much less conscientized and mobilised to function proactively under emergency. That missing discourse dimension of the crisis explains why the Kaduna type situation occurred. Majority of the populace are confused and are open to manipulation.

Ideally, it is the Nigerian state that should lead the debate on that. Unfortunately, neither government of the day nor the legislature nor the security agencies which are the backbone of any modern state are sufficiently forthcoming. Their intellectuals are not putting out any theories.

It is not only the different arena of the state that are failing in the discourse dimension of handling the crisis, the civil society is no less guilty of ‘silence’. The intellectuals are disturbingly quiet. It is unimaginable that there will be Boko Haram and Nigeria would not have heard from a scholar like Bala Usman or the Zaria Group or the Ife Collective in those days gone by.

Today, it is total silence. The situation is no less hopeless from the religious bodies. Neither the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) nor the Jam’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) is forthcoming with any thesis beyond their politics of checkmating each other. So, clarity about our cri-

By Adagbo Onoja

sis is lacking and missing from the politics of the security challenge so far. As Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed noted in a different manner in one of his columns recently, the authoritative doctrinal confrontation and clarification that should have preceded the actual engagement of the crisis has not taken place so far neither within the Christian community nor in Islam and certainly not between Islam and Christianity. Without such clarifications and conscientisation, the flocks are bound to mistake the trees for the forest.

But the most disappointing in all of these must be the political parties.

They have had absolutely no referential intervention. The point about that gap is this. There are a thousand and one ways of responding to the challenge. A minister of Defence and a National Security Adviser have just been fired from their positions and new ones brought in. That is one way. Some people put emphasis on dealing with a precipitating factor like poverty. And so on and so forth.

But there are even cheaper and more lasting options too. One of these is conscientisation and mobilisation of the populace across popular democratic aspirations as opposed to ethno-religious and regional jingoism, a job for which the political parties are the most suited. The situation where a PDP state like Kaduna will witness the kind of violence on June 17 and similar ones in the past is evidence that neither the PDP nor the opposition parties are on the ground. How come is it that a party government has no functional youth wing that will await instructions for action along party line? Granted the element of spontaneity in the reprisal attack, what of the second day or what of previous ones?

It might sound like overstretching the logic to expect even the best organised youth or women’s wing to automatically follow a party line even where the party line is very clear and well established. It is still a puzzle that there is never a time this has happened, even for once in contemporary Nigeria. It also never happens that any of the parties would call on all its cadres to retrace their steps immediately from violence and they would do so. It has never happened in recent Nigerian history.

Whenever and wherever violence breaks out, it goes on and on until a JTF steps in. It suggests very strongly

that we have but pseudo political parties Nigeria.

Of course, everyone knows about the impossibility of democratic politics in a rentier state like Nigeria. Democracy is impossible in such states because the debate that nourishes democratic culture is not obtainable in a rentier state. It is not obtainable because there is only one source of revenue - oil and everyone is busy devising strategies on how to develop access to that circuit. In that circumstance, debate and contestations are luxuries because, to insist on debates is to exclude oneself from the benefits of transactions and deals that dominate expenditure in a rentier state.

But even then, it is not too much to expect even the shallowest politician in Nigeria to know and be mindful of that thing called the Nigerian exceptionalism, the idea that Nigeria is not just any country but the spokes country for the Black world. And that praxis in all respects must take that into consideration so that the giant does not keep on embarrassing itself from within. Stories of killing of each other in sectarian clashes, communal violence, ethno-regional skirmishes every now and then provides evidence of incompetent self-management, the biggest dent on the hub of Black power in the contemporary world.

Why? Why? This is also why it is still the political parties we expect to, for example, by now be mobilizing local and foreign trauma management experts into Kaduna and other recent centres of violence. It is simply about time Nigeria responds to the long history of bloodshed and the accumulation of bitterness and animosity therefrom. Kaduna today is a perfect theatre for party politics to test their ability to mobilise and intervene in popular misery and acquire legitimacy among the people. It is from what they do in very difficult times like this that we would know which of them are Welfarists/Social Democrats, Populists, Islamic Brotherhood, Christian Democrats, Socialists, neo-cons and Communists, (if we still have them).

Onoja, a former Media Adviser to Governor Sule Lamido, wrote in from Abuja

National security resonates at Senate retreat •Continued from page 43

who have good intensions, there is no reason to fear in coming out,” he emphasised .

Mark also said that government should direct its searchlight on how the terrorists are being funded and trained as well as consider licence for preachers.

“If an Imam is preaching that if you do this, you will go to heaven and we know that that preaching is wrong, we must find a way to stop such preachers. Where are the good Islamic scholars? Where are the good Islamic teachers? We need to see them and they need to come out. Because Boko Haram cannot kill everybody who is opposed to Boko Haram unless we summon the courage to speak up.

“If we don’t speak up, it is just as bad as funding them. It is as bad as training them, it is as bad as funding them. So the good people must now begin to speak up. It is time government considers issuing licenses to preachers.

The elders in the North, I ask, can they really stop this menace and if they cannot, let them say so.

“Because the impression at the moment is that there are some groups of elders in the North, who can stop it; there are groups of elders who know what is happening.

“My candid opinion is that they cannot stop it and they don’t know what is happening.

“If they were involved at all at some time, they are now completely out of control right now as we speak but if they are, I think it is proper that they come out because Nigerian has to be one for northern Nigeria to exist.

“The way the exercise is going at the moment, if Boko Haram is not halted, it may result to the breakup of this country and God forbid, because people will not take it for too long. I call on the elders that they should come out frankly and they should assist if they are in the position. But if they don’t, they will also break.”

Nigerians, are no doubt, waiting to see how the resolution which seek creation of special courts for terrorism crimes, intensification of war on corruption, more support for Borno and other affected states,

and enactment of a law to monitor and regulate religious preaching, would be implemented.

Edo ANPP candidate seeks credible election

By Musa Odoshimokhe

T

HE All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) governorship candidate in the July 14, election in Edo State, Mr. Solomon Edebiri has said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct free and fair election if the people are determined.

He made the remarks at a fund raising dinner in support of his governorship campaign at the Eko Hotel, Lagos. The ANPP candidate stated that INEC was capable of giving Edo State free and fair election but the people must be willing.

His words: “I believe that INEC will conduct a free and fair election if the people help them to conduct it. In most cases INEC is not really the problem, it is the people, the people corrupt INEC and at the end of the day INEC have no option than to compromise.”

Edebiri noted that the people must shun acts capable of influencing INEC to compromise and guide their votes jealously. According to him, they should be able to help INEC to do a good job by resisting all forms of rigging.

The ANPP candidate who maintained that he would effect changes in Edo State through his transformational agenda, explained that previous administrations had alienated the people from the benefit of good governance which his administration would restore.

“The people of Edo State know that we have the message that is new and that is why they want us to take over the rein of government. They know we are raw, fresh and completely unadulterated. We have the pre-requisite experience in the business world which will galvanise the state to greater height.”

“I have hope that the small and medium scale enterprises will get the attention of government which it had not over the years rather those who on their own try to put something together are being discourage.”

Edebiri said that because of his resolve to serve the people he refused mouth watering offers to step down but rather forge ahead because Edo and its people desired changes which the ANPP administration will put in place.

• Edebiri

Ndokwa group accuses govt of marginalisation

By Kehinde Falode

T

HE Ndokwa National Union (NNU), the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Ndokwa people in Delta State, has condemned the maginalisation of its people by the state and federal governments. The group frowned at the non-invitation of its youths for the one-day summit on investment and business development organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Addressing journalists at the Lagos Airport Hotel in Ikeja , Paul Enebeli, President of the Union said that their attention had been drawn to a publication by a national newspaper which advertised the summit were not carried along by NDDC. Mr Enebeli noted that only one Ndokwa indigene among the communities of of Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West and Ukwuani local government areas was invited for the summit.

He added that the group had not benefited from the resources deployed in their land for the use of the country and called for justice. He cited an instance of the independent power project commissioned in 2005 in their land supplying 480mw of electricity to the national grid and despite this, the land is still in darkness.

“We are here to voice our concern as a group against the ill treatment meted to our people. We are being marginalized as a group and the non-invitation of our youths to the NDDC one-day summit is just an indication of this. For the records, our restive youths were not involved in the amnesty program and we had to plead with them not to forment trouble because they were grieved at this ill-treatment. We see this not just as marginalization but near annihillation as we do not have any federal presence in all the senatorial districts”, he said.

• Second from left, Speaker House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, (left) Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Uwais at the retreat.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

45

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

‘How to treat jaundice’ D

ESPITE medical information on jaundice, many mothers do not know how to treat the disease in their children.

Mrs Onyekachi Okafor is one of them. When she had her baby, it was discovered that she was infected with jaundice. She soaked unripe pawpaw in sterilised water and administered on the child. Her mother in-law and sister also suggested to her, the use of alum, ampiclox, glucose and the baby’s exposure to sunlight.

But, according to medical authorities, these are wrong ways of managing jaundice. They said if detected early, the disease can be treated without complications.

Members of the Nigerian Society of Neonatal Medicine said: "Jaundice occurs because of a normal increase in red blood cell breakdown and the fact that their immature livers are not efficient at removing bilirubin from the bloodstream.Jaundice in newborns most commonly occurs because their livers are not mature enough to remove bilirubin from the blood. Jaundice may also be caused by other medical conditions."

Neonatals are babies from age one day to 28 days (or one month). And their deaths account for 42 per cent of the 60 per cent of child mortality rate in the country.

According to the President of the society, Angela Okolo, a Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UNIBEN), "there are sundry reasons neonatals die, among which are: complications of

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

pregnancy (such as preeclampsia, a pregnancy-related form of high blood pressure); complications involving the placenta, umbilical cord and membranes (bag of waters); infections and Asphyxia (lack of oxygen before or during birth). Prematurity (before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy) is another most common cause of neonatal death.

"Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) because many babies develop this breathing problem each year. Babies with RDS have immature lungs that lack a protein called surfactant that keeps small air sacs in the lungs from collapsing. Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), for premature babies sometimes develop bleeding in the brain. While mild brain bleeds usually resolve themselves with no or few lasting problems, severe bleeds often result in brain damage or even death.

"Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC): Some premature babies may develop this intestinal problem, a serious inflammation of the bowel. And infections as premature babies have immature immune systems and sometimes develop serious infections, such as pneumonia (lung infection), sepsis (blood infection) and meningitis (infection of membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord). But the leading cause is jaundice."

On how the disease occurs, she said: "In newborn babies a degree of jaundice is normal. It is due to the breakdown of red blood cells (which re-

• The baby after treatment

• Baby with jaundice

lease bilirubin into the blood) and to the immaturity of the newborn's liver (which cannot effectively metabolise the bilirubin and prepare it for excretion into the urine). Normal neonatal jaundice appears between the second and fifth days of life and clears with time. Neonatal jaundice is also referred to as neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and physiologic jaundice of the newborn."

Lamenting how cases are mishandled, Dr Imoh Ukpong of the Primary Health and Child Development Agency (PHCDA), said there is undue delay in bringing inffected babies to health care facilities. Also, some mothers erroneously believe that exposing babies with jaundice to early morning sunlight, giving glucose in water or ampiclox is an effective treatment. The use of cam-

phor on the clothes and mentholatum on the head worsens jaundice.

The Secretary of the society, Dr Sylvester Alikah, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State said when a baby dies in the first 28 days of life, it is called neonatal death. And the psychosocial impact among mothers with perinatal loss is huge.

"Hence, the Nigerian Society of Neonatal Medicine is the coming together of doctors who look after children, particularly, newborn babies.

And our objectives are to improve standard of newborn care with focus on community level activities. In other words, help children healthy children remain so, treat sick children and protect the interest of children.

"Jaundice is common among babies. A survey involving 42 health institutions by our society found

that it occurs in one out of every five babies admitted in hospitals. It causes death in one of every 10 babies who have it and brain damage result in one of every 20 babies who have it."

Prof Vinod Bhutani, Newborn Medicine (Neonatology) of the Stanford University, United States said there is no need to wait for see yellow in the schlera to confirm the presence of jaundice in babies, adding: "Early detection is vital.

"The yellow in any of these areas is an emergency that should be promptly reported. If delayed, it can become more severe, and babies will not be able to suck and may even convulse. The consequences of poorly managed jaundice can be disastrous and can result in brain damage or death," he warned.

Anambra Varsity produces first set of doctors

F

OR seven years, 50 medical students of Anambra State University, Uli, could not graduate because of the non-accreditation of a teaching hospital for their school.

When Governor Peter Obi assumed office, he was faced with the predicament of the students who have been admitted even during Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju’s and Dr Chris Ngige’s tenures to study Medicine without a teaching hospital.

Immediately machinery to actualise the accreditation at the Amaku General Hospital to turn it into a teaching hospital was put in place.

Contracts were awarded for the construction of various structures as demanded by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

And on Tuesday, June 23, this year, there was jubilation in Anambra State University Teaching Hospital, Awka, when it received 13 medical students, being its first batch of trainees for clinical training from the Anambra State University’s Faculty of Medicine in Uli. They were the lucky chaps out of the 50 who sat for the qualifying exam.

The induction of the students was sequel to the accreditation of the newly constructed teaching hospital by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The duo okayed the University Teaching Hospital to start clinical training of medical doctors as well as run a medical school after inspection of its facilities.

The students, who were 13 in were said to be those who scaled their

• Mr Obi. From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

second MB examination out of about 86 who started with the university’s faculty of Medicine. Their induction started a three-year journey that will see them through their third, fourth and fifth MB examinations to qualify as medical doctors.

The institution’s Provost College of Medicine, Prof Frank Akpuaka, admonished the students to ensure that they comply with laid down rules. He commended them for their steadfastness.

•Education Minister Ruqquayatu Ahmed Rufa'i

Prof

Akpuaka, who announced to the students that they would be coming to lectures from Holy Family village, Amansea, where they would be camped, explained that the measure was to keep the students in a quiet environment where they could concentrate on their studies as their practice would deal with lives on graduation and required hard work.

Prof Amobi Ilika, immediate past commissioner for Health in Anambra State, told reporters that the induction was significant in the state as it marked the beginning of

•Health Minister Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu

the manifestations of some of the achievements of the Mr Peter Obiled government.

Leader of the students, Mr Onyebuchi Izumba said they arwere grateful to the governor for completing the teaching Hospital for their training unlike past students who have had to be sent to facilities in other states.

The students were frustrated for choosing the university because its medical school had not been accredited. The students would still write their third, fourth and fifth MB’s be-

fore graduation.The students would reside at the Holy Family Hostel Awka and from there attend their lectures in the main campus.

Ilika said: ‘’It was quite a pity that the students were at a time frustrated but we are happy that they are writing their Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery second MB, which is most critical and most definitive of examination of the medical students.

“The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, which is the regulatory body for the medical schools approved the first batch to be trained, the 50 medical students and 24 House Officers. And at the University Teaching Hospital, Governor Obi approved the employment of 65 specialists and 80 medical officers.

He said: “We have state-of-the art equipment in these hospitals and our accreditation came faster than other states in the Southeast like the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, which had their accreditation 11 years ago. We have accredited the General Hospital, Onitsha for training of house officers and this problem of out of stock syndrome is no more in our hospitals.’’

He lamented that the greatest challenge the Obi’s administration had in the health sector was the attitude of the health professionals, who he charged to have more human face in their dealings for greater efficiency.

The required structures and aesthetic measures are almost completed while the recommended additional structures as are being looked into.

46

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

47

48

50

U

EFA has announced that Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta has been named the best player of Euro 2012.

The 28-year-old started in each of Spain's six matches at the Euros and playing a leading role in La Roja's campaign in Poland and Ukraine - which culminated in a 4-0 thrashing of Italy in the final.

Iniesta, who was chosen by the 11-man technical team of UEFA, grabbed one assist in the 551 minute he was on the pitch at the Euros.

He is also part of UEFA's 23-man Team of the Tournament, which contains 10 players from Spain and four from Italy.

Golden Boot winner Fernando Torres did not make the cut, most likely because he played only 189 minutes, with Mario Balotelli, Cesc Fabregas,

Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Silva the five attackers chosen.

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Iker Casillas (Spain), Manuel Neuer (Germany) Defenders: Gerard Pique (Spain), Fabio Coentrao (Portugal), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Pepe (Portugal), Sergio Ramos (Spain), Jordi Alba (Spain) Midfielders: Daniele De Rossi (Italy), Steven Gerrard (England), Xavi (Spain), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Sami Khedira (Germany), Sergio Busquets (Spain), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Xabi Alonso (Spain) Attackers: Mario Balotelli (Italy), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), David Silva (Spain).

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

51

NEWS

PTA accuses headteacher of alleged sexual abuse

T

HE Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of the Federal Government College, OtobiOtukpo in Otukpo Local Government, has accused the school’s headteacher, Mr. Dennis Okengwu, of alleged sexual abuse.

The PTA has written to the Minister of Education, alleging that Okengwu put a female pupil in SS1B, in the family way.

It said the headteacher later asked her to terminate the pregnancy by giving her a local brew to drink.

In a four-page petition by the school’s PTA, signed by its Chairman, Mr John Agada, and 10 others, it said the headteacher has allegedly abused many female

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

pupils in the school.

The association alleged that on June 22, 2012, Agaga received a complaint from the Senior Boarding Master Mr. T. Avue, that two female pupils informed him that a female pupil in SS1, was allegedly pregnant and that Okengwu was responsible.

Following Agada’s investigation, the victim admitted that Okengwu always orders her to meet him in hotels in Otukpo where he had unprotected sex with her on two occasions.

According to the PTA chair, the victim said Okengwu induced her with N10,000.

She further alleged that

her relationship with the headteacher started when Okengwu led the school to the National All Federal Unity College Games in Ilorin in February.

The PTA said the headteacher has allegedly fled to Abuja under the guise of going to sit for a promotional examination.

It said Okengwu has not returned.

The incident has generated tension among parents in Otobi community.

Okengwu could not be reached for his comments.

One of his assistants in charge of Special Duties, Mrs. Ejikeme, refused to speak with The Nation.

The Permanent Secretary, and the

123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 123456789012345 •Mrs. Ruqayyatu Rufai, Minister of Education

directors of Human Resources as well as Basic and Secondary Education in the Federal Ministry of Education were copied in the petition.

Ibadan chief urges review of revenue sharing formula

A

N Ibadan Chief, Adeolu Akande, has called for a review of the revenue allocation formula to speed development in the country.

Chief Akande, lawyer and the Proprietor of Splash FM, Ibadan, urged Nigerians to demand the decentralisation of governance to ensure peace and progress.

Speaking at a news conference to herald the fifth anniversary and annual lecture of Splash FM, the state’s first private radio station, Chief Akande said a situation where the centre gets 49 per cent is unacceptable.

He said government’s failure to fight corruption and underdevelopment is as a result of what he called over-centralisation of

From seheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

power.

Akande said: “We have been championing good governance and integrity as a media organisation.

Unless we champion the crusade of accountability and transparency the nation cannot move forward.

“We have to leave the society better than we met it.

We should continue to educate the citizens on the need to restructure this country.

Unless we do that the nation may not work.

“While I am against secession I want to put on record the fact that power must be decentralised. Presently, the Federal Government is handling too many things.

“How do you explain a situation where the Federal

Government will take 49per cent of the revenue?

Why should the Federal Government be in charge of all major roads? Why should the Federal Government be in charge of water? When I came around in 1963/64 as a young lawyer the region used to retain 50 per cent of the Internally Generated Revenue with the remaining 50 per cent remitted to the Federal Government.

The situation has changed. ‘’The states are asked to remit tax to the centre, thereby crippling development in the states. This leads to high level of corruption at the centre because it has so much surplus, he said.”

He added that improper implementation of laws was also responsible for the

high rate of corruption in the land. According to him, the Nigerian laws were compromised and not properly effected. This, he said, gave room for corruption to thrive.

He said: “In China if you steal government’s funds it is economic sabotage which carries the death penalty.

How can you imagine a public servant or a politician stealing public funds? About 56 per cent of cases in court in Lagos were on possession (property).

When Governor Babatunde Fashola of Oyo State came on board he ensured that the trend changed by ensuring that cases are heard within the shortest possible time. The rules must change. If the rules of court are changed you will see the change in the society.”

MTN inaugurates ‘New Dawn’ centre in Onitsha •Residents hail initiative

T

ELECOMMUNICATIONS giant, MTN, has inaugurated a new business outlet, known as the ‘New Dawn’ centre, in Onitsha, Anamba State.

Senior manager, Southsouth/Southeast, Mr. Innocent Entonu, said the Centre would give MTN subscribers in Onitsha the same MTN services available across the country.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Entonu said the initiative was to assist MTN partners to expand their businesses.

He said the ‘New Dawn’ initiative, which will soon be taken to other states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the next six months, would create about 1200 jobs for youths.

“The new FranchisePartnership centre, which we call ‘’The New Dawn’’ shops,

From Okodili Ndidi, Onitsha

is to reward those faithful dealers or partners, who have remained constant over the years. ‘’They have shown proven interity, commitment, our shared-vision, values and had grown persistantly in the business,” he said.

Entonu added that the centres would also facilitate the cashless economy programme and the newly introduced mobile money, which will help in reducing crime in the society.

A beneficiary and Director of Vicyntel Entreprises Ltd, Mr Vincent Okpara, hailed MTN for expanding and boosting his shop as well as credit facilities.

“I am happy for MTN finding my business worthy of this rare expansion and putting me ahead of others”.

ALSCON gives scholarships to 51 indigenous students From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

A

N Aluminium Manufacturing Company, RUSALALSCON, yesterday gave scholarships to 51 indigenous students in its host communities.

ALSCON’s Managing Director Anatoly Polovov said the objective of the scholarship scheme is to support indigenous students of Ikot Abasi Local Government, and the neighbouring Mkpat Enin, Eastern Obolo, Oruk Anam, in Akwa Ibom State.

Other communities, which benefited from the scheme, according to Polovov, are Opobo/Nkoro and Andoni in Rivers State.

He explained that over 180 students had benefited from the scheme since its inauguration in 2009.

Polovov said the beneficiaries are selected after a rigorous screening by an eight-man team of senior management staff drawn from six directorates of the company.

The Managing Director said ALSCON would continue to add value to the lives of its local communities through investment in education.

Polovov said ALSCON’s assistance in education includes monthly financial support to schools, adding that it also assists in health care, sports and electric power.

52

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

53

THE LAGOS STATE DEBT ISSUANCE PROGRAMME SERIES I

NOTICE OF MEETING Notice is hereby given that the 3rd Annual General Meeting of the Lagos State N50.00 Billion Fixed Rate Bond (Series 1) 2009/2014 will be held at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos on Tuesday 10th July, 2012 at 10.00 am to transact the following business: Ordinary Business: 1. To present the Statement of Affairs of the Bond Issue.

2. Any Other Business.

Dated this 7th day of June 2012.

BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES First Trustees Nigeria Limited UBA Trustees Limited

Skye Trustees Limited Union Trustees Limited

Notes: 1.

A Bondholder entitled to attend and vote may appoint a proxy to attend and vote instead of himself/herself/itself. A proxy need not be a Bondholder.

2.

All proxy forms must be duly stamped to the value of N50.00k as duty thereon and same should be deposited at First Registrars Nigeria Limited, Plot 2 Abebe Village Road, Iganmu, Lagos not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for the meeting.

* Please note that this is a REMINDER to the initial Notice published on Thursday, June 7, 2012. Kindly note the Day, Time and Venue of the Meeting as advised above

THE LAGOS STATE DEBT ISSUANCE PROGRAMME SERIES II

NOTICE OF MEETING Notice is hereby given that the 2nd Annual General Meeting of the Lagos State N57.50 Billion Fixed Rate Bond (Series 11) 2010/2017 will be held at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos on Tuesday 10th July, 2012 at 11.00 am to transact the following business: Ordinary Business: 1. To present the Statement of Affairs of the Bond Issue.

2. Any Other Business.

Dated this 7th day of June 2012.

BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES First Trustees Nigeria Limited UBA Trustees Limited

Skye Trustees Limited Union Trustees Limited

Notes: 1.

A Bondholder entitled to attend and vote may appoint a proxy to attend and vote instead of himself/herself/itself. A proxy need not be a Bondholder.

2.

All proxy forms must be duly stamped to the value of N50.00k as duty thereon and same should be deposited at First Registrars Nigeria Limited, Plot 2 Abebe Village Road, Iganmu, Lagos not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for the meeting.

* Please note that this is a REMINDER to the initial Notice published on Thursday, June 7, 2012. Kindly note the Day, Time and Venue of the Meeting as advised above

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 2-7-12

UACN buys into Livestock Feeds

U

AC of Nigeria Plc (UACN) would be buying significant equity stake in Livestock Feeds Plc (LSF) as part of the ongoing business development plan of the food-focused conglomerate.

Both companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the equity investment and have already formally notified the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) of the impending deal.

The equity investment was driven by potential synergies between the two companies in the animal feeds industry and fell into UACN’s strategy of building portfolios and partnerships that deliver long-term growth and value to the company and its stakeholders.

In a formal notification to the NSE, UAC stated that the proposed transaction would lead to significant development of the agro-allied business industry, a key pivot of Nigeria’s drive for enhanced agricultural sector contribution to the national economy.

UACN stated that the equity deal would provide new catalyst by leveraging on LSF’s manufacturing platform to penetrate new market geographies as well as deepening presence in existing markets, enhance and consolidate market power, achieve scope and scale economies in procurement, production and optimise manufacturing configuration that mitigates concentration risks.

Besides, LSF would have the opportunity to realise its full potential under a good

•Second half starts on negative

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

corporate parent and aggressive manager of performance.

LSF will leverage UACN’s superior technical capabilities and complementary resources to deliver value.

The notification to the NSE implied that shareholders should exercise caution when dealing in the companies’ shares until the conclusion of the deal, which is still subject to regulatory approvals.

Meanwhile, expectation that The Nigerian Equity Market will kick start second half of 2012 on the positive side was dashed yesterday as Dangote Cement, the sole stock that controls over 20 per cent of entire market capitalisation shed weight.

It dropped N2.00, representing 1.82 per cent of its current value to drag the market southward.

Regardless of this temporal slow down, the market holds positive outlook considering the fact that bullish investors has continued to impact on trade log meaningfully in recent time. Their contributions to yesterday’s total transaction in terms of deals, volume and money votes stand at; 58.8 per cent, 37 per cent and 35 per cent respectively.

However, operators said the market is expected to draw support from ongoing audited earnings and dividend declarations from companies with March 31st financial year end; with an equally anticipated pop-up support from expected second quarter earnings seasons.

At the close of the day, lead indicator, All-Share Index, shed 27.90 absolute points, representing 0.13 per cent depreciation, to close lower at 21,571.67 points. Similarly, the Market Capitalisation of all listed equities shed N9 billion, also representing 0.13 per cent depreciation, to close lower at N6.886 trillion.

In all, investors traded 209.812 million shares worth N1.634 billion in 3,497 deals.

The Financial services sector known for its muscle, contributed the largest chuck of volume with 153.037 million shares worth N885.619 million in 2,226 deals.

This was followed by the consumer goods sector with 20.247 million shares worth N505.508 million in 541 deals.

Others with relatively significant volume were Conglomerates, Healthcare, Industrial Goods and Services with 20.031 million shares, 5.104 million shares, 4.082 million shares and 3.163 million shares respectively.

On the price movement tables, 37 equities recorded price change, with 22 appreciating while the remaining 15 reduced in value. Oando led the top gainers with a price gain of N0.67 to close at N14.11 followed by UBN with a gain of N0.18 to close at N3.91. Also on the table were RT Briscoe, Paint Company, Honeywel, Flourmills, Evans Medical, Fidelity Bank, Livestock, Dangote Flour and Niger Insurance.

On the losers’ table, besides the drop recorded by Dangote Cement, AG Leventis led the losers’ table with a drop of N0.04 to close at N0.78 followed by IPWA paint with a dip of N0.04 to close at N0.79.

Still on the table were Transcorp, Port Paint, NASCON, Japaul Oil, Air services, Gold insurance, Dangote Sugar and Cadbury among others.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 2-7-12

THE

55

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

MONEY LINK

CBN receives applications for new banking licences

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has received applications for new banking licences. CBN Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Kingsley Moghalu disclosed this during the Nigeria Development Finance Forum (NDFF) held in London.

He said the industry should expect new banks as the apex bank has received applications

By Collins Nweze

for new licences. This became exigent after the CBN created new models as part of the ongoing banking sector reforms, and its commitment to financial inclusion.

Moghalu said some applications are being currently processed by the regulator and cuts across the range — commercial,

Deloitte tax survey shows variation across EMEA countries

D

ELOITTE has released the results of the first EMEA (Europe Middle East and Africa), edition of, “Tax Certainty”, a survey about the relationship between companies and the tax authorities in 24 countries in the region.

The survey shows a wide variation in tax certainty across various EMEA countries, including Nigeria. The objective of the survey is to provide a picture of the relationship that companies have with the tax authorities in their own country as well as with foreign tax authorities within EMEA. The survey also aimed to identify the factors that influence the relationships between companies and tax authorities.

The results of the survey show that while most countries have a good relationship with their local tax authorities, the overall tax uncertainty is a concern with one out of two respondents feeling that the tax uncertainty in their country impacts or even damages their business operations.

The survey also investigated the extent to which tax authori-

ties are implementing digital information in their operations, how respondents in the different countries look at disagreements with tax authorities and how they evaluate their local ruling practices.

In Nigeria, the survey found that results show that more than 15 per cent of the respondents consider their relationship with their local tax authorities to be bad or very bad.

This compares with the overall average of the survey that showed companies or organisations have a good relationship with their local tax authorities, with 65 per cent of the respondents describing this relationship as good and 27 percent rating it as being very good.

The main reason for uncertainty in Nigeria is the frequently changing legislation, which was indicated by almost one third of respondents.

Next in line is the excessive length of tax disputes at 12.4 percent followed by the weaknesses and reversals in the tax authorities’ doctrine and in publicly available guidance at 12.1 per cent.

merchant and others.

“There will be new banks.

We have received applications for new licences. This is because we have created new models as part of the reforms. There are several aspects of the economy that remain under-banked and if people want to create specialised banks to address these, we will support them. We have received new applications, which we are processing,” he said.

He said there are possibilities of further consolidation in the sector, but insisted that it will be a voluntary process between the parties because the CBN has not legislated on the specific number of banks in the coun-

try.

“It is possible for more banks to come together but that is voluntary process. We have not legislated on specific number of banks for Nigeria. If two banks decide in their mutual interest, to come together, we will examine the application and approve if circumstances permit.

It is possible but I am not aware that there is any deliberate policy on further consolidation in the industry,” he said.

On why foreign investors have not come for any of the nationalised banks, he said Nigeria is different from other African markets. “It is a market where indigenes have the resources and the human capacity

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

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

KITI State Government has started discussions with Wema Bank aimed at reviving the farmers cooperative initiative.

The partnership is geared toward expanding the scope of the state’s agricultural business and reposition the food basket of the South West.

Under the proposed scheme the bank will provide funding to

E

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

farmers in order to help them expand their businesses and also meet the target of the current administration in the state.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Friday while receiving the Managing Director of Wema Bank, Mr Segun Oloketuyi, the State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi said the state is passionate about ex-

T

HE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has launched the Institute for Capacity Development to assist its enhanced strategy for capacity-building services for its member countries.

These capacity-development efforts are aimed at helping member countries develop their skills base and build more

robust economic and financial institutions.

In a statement, the Fund said the Institute, a new department incorporating the former IMF Institute and Office of Technical Assistance Management, will enable stronger synergies and better coordination between its technical assistance, training, and other elements of

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 150m 150m 138m 138m 113m 113m

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 2-7-12 SYMBOL

OANDO UBN RTBRISCOE PAINTCOM HONYFLOUR EVANSMED FIDELITYBK LIVESTOCK DANGSUGAR NIGERINS

O/PRICE

13.44 3.73 2.11 1.91 2.01 0.67 1.14 0.99 5.45 0.51

C/PRICE

14.11 3.91 2.21 2.00 2.10 0.70 1.19 1.03 5.67 0.53

O/PRICE 0.82 0.83 1.08 2.38 4.48 0.69 1.39 0.54 4.18 14.98

C/PRICE 0.78 0.79 1.03 2.27 4.28 0.66 1.33 0.52 4.04 14.50

CHANGE 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.11 0.20 0.03 0.06 0.02 0.14 0.48

Exchange Rate (N) 155.8 155.8 155.7

Date 29-2-12 27-2-12 22-2-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

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

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Dec ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

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

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 12.6%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

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

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

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

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

CHANGE

0.67 0.18 0.10 0.09 0.09 0.03 0.05 0.04 0.22 0.02

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12

LOSERS AS AT 2-7-12

SYMBOL AGLEVENT IPWA TRANSCORP PORTPAINT NASCON JAPAULOIL AIRSERVICE GOLDINSURE DANGSUGAR CADBURY

capacity development.

It will also assist to better adapt to member countries’ priorities and needs, and facilitate fund raising.

“Technical assistance and training are a core mandate of the Fund, along with surveillance and lending,” IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde stated.

trial drive of the state, as it needs financial support for the on-going resuscitation of some moribund industries, including the Ire Burnt Brick Industry at Ire Ekiti.

While stating that the State needed more than the account holding partnership, the Governor commended the Bank for buying into the Bond raised by the state government.

He said the bulk of the bond is already being committed to infrastructure and has restored the hope of the citizenry.

Earlier the Managing Director of the Bank, Mr Segun Oloketuyi had expressed the readiness of the bank to embark on agric funding initiatives that would help farmers expand their businesses to meet the target of the Fayemiled administration to commercialise agriculture in the state.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

Currency

Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

ploiting the potentials in the sector.

This, the governor said informed the decision to seek partnership with relevant institutions that have genuine interest in agric business.

Noting that industrial development is also hinged on agricultural development, the governor said a partnership with Wema Bank would enhance the indus-

IMF unveils institute for capacity devt

MANAGED FUNDS

OBB Rate Call Rate

the CBN has nurtured the banking sector to sustainable growth and it is expected that banks’ balance sheets get bigger.

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

•Moghalu

Ekiti, Wema partner on agric, infrastructure

FGN BONDS

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

to create value. What they need is the right environment to do so.

While we welcome foreign investors, it will not, in anyway, determine the strength of the industry,” he said.

According to him, there was a level-playing field for both local and foreign investors to participate in the mergers and acquisitions of the banks that were distressed.

On possibility of further consolidation, Renaissance Capital (RenCap) had projected that banks will consolidate in the next 24 months.

The biggest driver of this is growth, it said, was not necessarily about being bigger. It said

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 124.54 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 101.91 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.74 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.09 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.95 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,735.58 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 8.95 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 7,485.29 THE DISCOVERY FUND 193.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

9.08 1.00 124.43 101.03 0.72 1.09 0.93 1,725.57 8.51 1.33 1.80 7,289.38 191.08 1.62

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2011

Current 07, Aug, 2011

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

56

NEWS OGSIEC’s illegality won’t stand, says Ogun PDP HE Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it would not be distracted by what it described as the antics of some “small minds who specialise in writing frivolous petitions”.

The party said it is committed to “dismantling the house built on the quicksand of illegality by the State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) and some estranged members of the party”.

The PDP said it has taken its case to the Supreme Court to get “an order staying the execution/operation of the order the Court of Appeal made on the strength of which some of these characters are said to be representing the state PDP.” In a statement by its Director of Organisation, Mr. Segun Showunmi, the party said it does not know of any Caretaker Committee in the state.

It said: “Even if one existed in their small minds, it is a clear contempt of even the Court of Appeal order of a stay of execution - which they flaunt with so much gusto - and three other judgments of the State High Court and the Federal High Court.

At the appropriate time and forum, this will be sufficiently addressed.”

The party described Prince Buruji Kashamu, the subject of the June 27 petition to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), as “a man of peace who towers above the petitioners in conduct and character”.

The statement added: “It is public knowledge that Prince Kashamu prosecutes his battles in the court of public opinion and the court of law.”

T

Construction firms chide Fed Govt

Orji to NBA: rein in your men •Governor accuses lawyers of bias E MBITTERED that his administration has been under attack by members of the Aba chapter of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Abia State Governor Theodore Orji yesterday called on the Eastern Forum of the association (NBA) to rein in its men.

Orji’s complaint was made to the forum of the association, while hosting its delegation.

The governor alleged that rather than criticise constructively, the NBA allowed itself to be politicised, a development he described as unhealthy, if unchecked.

He said lawyers should lead the way for others to follow, accusing the NBA of engaging in unwarranted and ceaseless criticism of his administration.

The situation, according to Orji, is worrisome,

T

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke,

Umuahia especially coming from a reputable organisation such on the NBA. Pointing out that his government is not aversed to criticism, the governor said: “Rather, what I had expected from the Aba NBA is to point the way forward and not unnecessary criticism.”

He said his administration has shown understanding in the face of such criticisms which depicts maturity and called on the association to be guided by reason on such matters.

He blamed the Aba branch of the NBA for his administration’s inability to appoint a substantive chief judge, lamenting that the association has taken the government to court over

the matter and engaged in picketing over issues such as fuel subsidy removal and other matters for which other professional organisations have remained silent.

Highlighting his achievements in the judiciary sector, including the harmonisation of the salaries of law officers, providing comfortable working environment, Orji told his guests that his administration had provided vehicles to judges and magistrates, as well as employed more than 50 members of the NBA to handle mobile courts across the state, among others.

Orji called on the forum to look into the activities of its members in Aba and call them to order, stressing that their behaviour is not

HE Federal Government has been chided for failing to pay contractors. A group of concerned construction workers bemoaned government’s failure to live up to promises.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Mr Kande Agada, warned that mass sack looms in construction companies yet to get payment from government.

Agada, whose company was not identify for fear of being persecuted, said the lack of payment for work done at the various levels for the Federal and some state governments was already affecting the firms’ obligations to their employees.

The Federal Ministry of Works, he said, has been foot-dragging on the contractors’ payment for close to one year.

My life under threat, Tokyo cries out

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ACN appoints caretaker committee for Enugu THREE-MAN committee has been appointed by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Enugu State to run its affairs.

The committee, chaired by Barth Ugwuoke, was named by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party to reposition the party in the state and enhance its future electoral fortunes.

The other members are: George Okonkwo and Lolo Queen Nwankwo.

Inaugurating the committee at the weekend, the party’s National Vice Chairman in the Southeast, Dr. Chudi Nwike, said the NEC opted for the committee calm tempers.

According to him, the committee will restore peace and unity in the party.

He urged the committee to organise a congress acceptable to the party faithful.

He told the committee work tirelessly for the NEC to return to Enugu for the inauguration of an ACN governor.

According to him, the time has come for Enugu to take its place as the former capital of Eastern region, a feat he said only the ACN government can attain.

He stated that the victory of the ACN in Enugu would spread to other states in the zone because what affects Enugu would have a bandwagon effect on other states in the zone.

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Southeast GDP computation begins in Awka •Minister, governors hail Obi From Nwanosike Onu, Awka CONOMIC Planning Minister Dr Shamshudeen Usman and governors of the Southeast states yesterday hailed Governor Peter Obi of Anambra for hosting the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) computation for the zone.

At the event, which took place at the Women Development Center in Awka, the state capital, were: Governors Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi), Theodore Orji (Abia) and Rochas Okorocha (Imo) as well as the Statistician-General of Nigeria, Dr. Yemi Kale.

The governors were represented by their deputies. Usman said the federal and state governments would contribute the N1.044 billion GDP computation project in the country.

He gave the sharing ratio among the federal, state and development partners as 30:50:20.

According to Usman, the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are contributing N522 million or N14.1 million each.

The minister put the Federal Governments’ share at N313.3 million and N208.9 million for the development partner.

He said: “As part of the efforts to ensure the transparency and accountability of the process, a dedicated account was opened for the project. It is reassuring to note that the Development Partners, in particular, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), have made tremendous contributions to the project.

E

putting them in good light in the state and even beyond.

NBA chairman Mr Kamsuodo Wodu, said the forum, consisting all the nine states in the defunct Eastern Region, was formed to realise the ideals of the association as it affects the region and to encourage their members to participate in national affairs.

Wodu said the lawyers are in the state for their quarterly meeting. He informed the governor that the forum will be presenting Okechuku Emmanuel Nwali as a candidate for the presidency of the NBA during its election billed for next month.

The NBA chair expressed concern about the rising wave of insecurity and called for the establishment of state police.

•Gov. Peter Obi( middle), flanked by the Minister for Planning’ Shamsudeen Usman(right) and Anambra’s Deputy Governor, Emeka Sibeudu(left) at the flag- off of the Gross Domestic Product for the South-East at the Women Development Centre, Awka, Yesterday

Southeast students protest killings of colleagues in the North

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EMBERS of the N a t i o n a l Association of Southeast Students Nigerian Students (NASENS) have condemned the incessant killings of Ndigbo and their colleagues by religious extremists in the North.

Rising from a one-day meeting attended by more than 5000 students at the Enugu Campus of the University of Nigeria (UNN), the association also frowned at reprisals from resident-settlers under any guise.

In a communiqué issued in Enugu yesterday, they pushed for an advocacy on religious tolerance, using the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) as the take off point.

The communiqué, signed

by NASENS’ national President Kingsley Chidozie Lawrence and Secretary Gloria Okolikeotti, warned: “We totally condemn the bombing and killing of Christians in the North by Boko Haram sect as any other such attack will not

From Chris Oji, Enugu

be condoned by Southeast Nigeria students.”

While condemning the attack by members of the Boko Haram sect on Bayero University, Kano, that claimed innocent lives the students called on the Federal Government to fortify security within and around the campuses to forestall further killing of students.

They urged the Southeast governments to put the interest of students at heart as “most other governments do not want to partner with Southeast to

stall some social vices in the zone.”

On the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, the students said the scheme should be reinforced “because it is the only remaining point of converge between the rich and poor, North and South.”

Urging their Northern counterparts to ensure that “our people in their jurisdiction are no longer harassed and killed”, they expressed their readiness to partner with the students’ body in the North to ensure that there is peace and harmony in the country.”

12 French students get scholarship

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HE Nigeria French Langauge Village (NFLV) at Ajara, Badagry, Lagos State, has offered scholarship to 12 best performing students of the school for the 2012 academic session.

Its Director-General, Prof Samuel Aje, said this at the inauguration of the village’s servicom unit and sensitisation workshop.

He said the awards are for two categories of students.

“The first category is for those who have Overall Best Performance in their French Language Studies, while the second category is for the Highest Scores Per Subjects,” he said.

Overall Best Performance students include: Suleiman Hammed of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.

HE embattled Chairman of the Oyo State branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (aka Tokyo), has urged the Police Commissioner to “save my life”.

In a statement in Ibadan, the state capital, Tokyo said he has been receiving anonymous phone calls and seeing strange faces patrolling his home.

This, he alleged, is part of plans to eleiminate him.

“This assassination bid is being sponsored by some powerful people at the corridor of power in the state, just to see that their own persons control the state’s NURTW,” he said.

The union leader decried the state government attitude for ignoring court judgments and installing a caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of union.

He said: “Even before the expiration of my tenure, I have gone to court to challenge my sack, as a civilised person who believes in the rule of law.

But this does not go down well with them. So, in their own wisdom, they have concluded arrangements on how to assassinate me. They too should know that they do not have monopoly of violence.

“I am now seizing this opportunity to appeal to the Ibadan Bar Association to protect the judiciary by seeing that judicial pronouncements are complied with. I believe in the rule of law and that is why I always fall back on the judiciary to seek redress. If they have anything against my triumph at the courts, they should go and challenge it, instead of planning to assassinate me.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

57

NEWS Jang seeks indigenes’ support

Senator dies in car crash •Mark, Yobe PDP chair mourn Albishir

From Marie-therese Nanlong, Jos

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Duku Joel, Damaturu

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FORMER senator representing Yobe North Senatorial District and the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last year’s general election, Senator Usman Albishir, died yesterday in a car crash on the ZariaAbuja Road.

He was said to be returning to Abuja from Kano. He died immediately, while two other occupants, including his driver, are receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

Senate President David Mark wept yesterday when he heard the news of Albishir’s death.

He noted that the deceased was a patriotic Nigerian who stood to be counted when it mattered, especially when it concerned the well-being of Nigerians.

The Senate President noted that the late Albishir was a philanthropist who touched the lives of many Nigerians irrespective of ethnic or religious leaning.

He urged the government and people of Yobe State, especially the bereaved family, to take solace in the fact that he lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation.

Yobe State Chairman of the PDP Alhaji Lawan Gana Karasuwa described his death as “a great loss not just to Yobe State but the entire country.”

He prayed that Allah should grant him a place in paradise.

Albishir was buried in Kano about 5pm yesterday according to Islamic rites.

‘71 bomb blast victims receive treatment’

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ANO State Commissioner for Health Dr. Abubakar Labran has said 71 victims of the multiple bomb blasts which occurred on January 20 in Kano are receiving treatment in hospitals in the city.

The commissioner spoke with reporters in Kano after the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, visited some of the victims at the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital.

He said: “We received 75 injured persons. Four have died while the remaining 71 are receiving treatment in our hospital.”

He said the government had treated the victims free with assistance from the First Aid and a medical charity group, the Medicine Sans Frontiers.

Bayero was accompanied by the Emirs of Kazaure and Dutse, Alhaji Najib Adamu and Alhaji Nuhu Sunusi.

The Emirs, who were accompanied to the hospital by the Commissioner for Health and other top officials of the ministry, prayed for the quick recovery of the victims.

•Gov. Musa Kwankwaso assisted by Sokoto State Gov. Aliyu Wamakko at the inauguration of road projects in Sokoto. To his right is Mukhtari Shagari, at the extreme right is a representative of the Sultan, the Magajin Rafin Sokoto, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleiman.

Nine workers killed in Borno

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INE construction workers at the Central Mosque near the Shehu of Borno palace were yesterday killed by suspected terrorists.

Also yesterday, Borno State elders, led by Alhaji Shettima Ali Monguno, appealed to members of the Boko Haram sect to lay down their arms and give peace a chance.

No group has claimed responsibility for yesterday’s killing. Members of the Joint Task Force (JTF) found the throats of some of the dead slit.

From Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri

The workers were murdered at their home at the Bolori ward in the metropolis by the suspected terrorists about 1.45a.m.

The JTF said in a statement that the incident was reported about 6.05am, following which it despatched its men to the scene where the bodies were recovered and deposited at the Borno State Specialist Hospital.

The JTF said no arrest has been made.

Monguno, an elder statesman and former Minister of

Petroleum said yesterday’s incident was barbaric. He appealed to the Boko Haram members to lay down their arms and enter into dialogue with the government in the interest of peace.

He said: “On behalf of the Borno Elders Forum (BEF), I appeal to members of the Boko Haram sect to consider the hardship people are going through as a result of the ongoing insurgency. They should lay down their arms and allow peace to reign.

“God has ordained us to live together as Nigerians.

Those trying to divide the

country are doing so to achieve their selfish interest. We should be patriotic and work towards restoring peace.”

Members of the forum are Alhaji Shettima Ali Monguno, Gaji Galtimare, Alhaji Kyari Sandabe, Brig. Abba Kyari, Amb. Yusufari, Amb. Hamza Yerima, Alhaji Abubakar Ghide, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, Alhaji Modu Rijiya, Alhaji Bukar Gana and Alhaji Bulama Mali Gubio.

Others are Aisha Wakil, Ibrahim Abba Gubio, Sheik Goni Gapchiya and Imam Lessu.

‘Boko Haram sponsors want to wipe us out’

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GROUP, the Middle Belt Youth Forum, yesterday alleged that sponsors of the Boko Haram sect want to wipe out the minorities in the North for voting President Goodluck Jonathan into power.

The forum said the comments by some northern leaders criticising the Senate President for blaming northern leaders is an endorsement of the activities of the Boko Haram to undermine the nation’s sovereignty and truncate the Jonathan presidency.

In a statement by the National Youth Leader of the forum and former member of the House of Representatives, Jonathan Asake, the forum said many northern leaders have continued to pretend while the sect continues its bombing especially of church-

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

es.

It said rather than throw their weight behind the Senate President, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai and others have allowed sentiments to becloud their sense of reasoning.

The statement reads: “The Middle Belt Youth Forum wishes to note with great concern, certain unfortunate, unjustified and disrespectful comments against the person and office of the Senate President, Senator David Mark.

“In separate press statements, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, Prof. Ango Abdullahi and Comrade Shehu Sani exhibited their intolerance, lack of respect and disregard for the person and office of the Senate President to the extent that Yakasai lost his sense of decorum, referring to the Senate

President as ‘a fool’.

“This is unacceptable for the likes of Yakasai. Instead of taking time to ponder and reflect on the dispassionate, patriotic and courageous remarks made by the Senate President, which found national approval and commendation, they prefer to let sentiments and emotions eclipse their sense of reasoning.

“We take exception to these insults on a national figure such as the Senate President and align with the observations and comments made by the Senate President during the retreat in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

“There is no doubt that many of the northern leaders have continued to pretend and play the proverbial ostrich while the bombings by the Boko Haram with impunity,

Kwara Assembly poll: ACN to challenge results in court

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CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Kwara State has rejected the result of last Saturday’s rerun election into the House of Assembly.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), AbdulFatah Babakini, as the winner of the poll in Alanamu and Oloje wards of Ilorin West/North Constituency.

An Appeal Court sitting in Ilorin ordered a rerun in the two wards, noting that the 2011 House of Assembly election in the wards was marred by irregularities.

The ACN called for the cancellation of the election, saying “a proper poll should be

•Election peaceful, says PDP From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

conducted in the wards.”

The party’s candidate, Aiyelabegan Kayode Abdul, told reporters yesterday that “we are challenging the concocted results in the court since voting was truncated and collation was purely a PDP affair.”

He continued: “As a result of the violence unleashed on our supporters and voters last Saturday at Alanamu and Oloje wards in Ilorin West Local Government of Kwara State, we call for the cancellation of the election.

“The PDP thugs took control of the polling units and collation centres by brandish-

ing guns and firing shots. We demand that the poll be cancelled and proper election conducted.”

But the PDP said the election was peaceful and devoid of violence and thuggery.

The Publicity Director of the party, Alhaji Masu’d Adebimpe, said to “the best of my knowledge, the poll was peaceful. Kwarans have spoken.”

He said: “ACN should stop giving the impression that Kwara State is prone to violence. Everybody knows that the state is peaceful. If ACN decides to head for the court to challenge the outcome of the election, we shall meet them there.”

of innocent and defenceless people, especially Christians in churches, have continued.

“The harsh comment coming from the likes of Yakasai is a pointer to the complicity either directly or indirectly, or at least an endorsement of the subversive activities of the Islamic group to undermine the sovereignty of Nigeria and truncate the Jonathan presidency.

“The forum therefore wishes to call on President Jonathan to tackle the issue of Boko Haram attacks, as their sponsors are determined to wipe out the minorities in the North who gave him the northern votes.”

GOVERNOR Jonah Jang of Plateau State has urged the indigenes to support him in developing the state, instead of sowing the seeds of discord.

The governor, who spoke at Rizek village in Jos East Local Government where he laid the foundation of a 250 housing scheme for the workers of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), alleged that some elders in the local government are holding meetings with youths in order to use them to destabilise the state.

His words: “I’ve received reports that some elders in this local government have been holding meetings with youths. They said they are the minority in Plateau North Senatorial Zone and are being cheated by the majority.

Bauchi to build cardiac centre BAUCHI State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Islamic Relief Organisation (IIR0SA) based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to build a world-class cardiac centre, which will be the first in Sub-Saharan Africa.

CHANGE OF NAME ALFED

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Alfred Olawunmi Mary, now wish to be known as Mrs. Olugbemi Olawunmi Mary. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

ONYEOGAZIRI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Mercy Chidiebere Onyeogaziri now wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs Mercy Chidiebere Alexander.

All former documents remain valid.

General public, take note.

ENITAN I, formally known and addressed as Miss ENITAN OLUWAFUNKE now wish to be known and adresss Mrs THEODORE OLUWAFUNKE ENITAN.all formal document remain valid. Lagos NYSC and general public take note.

IDRIS I,formerly known, called and addressed as Miss Idris Tinuolaji Mariam, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Gbadegesin Mariam Tinuolaji. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ELECTION!!! ELECTION!!! ELECTION!!!

RUFUS GIWA POLYTECHNIC, ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, OWO

Election into various position of the National Executive council of the above named Association shall hold as follows: DATE : VENUE: TIME: NOTE:

Saturday 28th, July 2012 Adekunle Ajasin Auditorium, RUGIPO 10:00am to 2:00pm Only Akure chapter is given a concessional extension as follows:

Wed 4th-Frid 6th July, 2012 - Obtaining of Nomination Form and Registration of Voters Sat 7th July, 2012: Screening of Aspirants and Verification of Voters SIGNED: YEMI OLAGBUJI Chairman Electoral Committee.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

58

NEWS Oshiomhole swears in judge

Amaechi, others hail NDDC

EDO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has said there can be no vibrant democracy without a strong judiciary.

He spoke yesterday at the swearing-in of Justice Peter Isibor as the President of the Customary Court of Appeal.

The governor said Isibor’s appointment is based on merit.

According to him, “to keep Edo united, we must, at every opportunity, pay recognition to merit.”

He urged Justice Isibor to build on the traditions of the judiciary, noting that “Edo judiciary has been outstanding and has not attracted any negative report.”

Oshiomhole urged the Customary Court President to build on the legacies of his predecessors.

According to him, the executive, judiciary and legislature are three arms of the same government, pledging that “the executive under my watch will do whatever it can to make your job easier.”

HE Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has been hailed for its peace and developmental initiative in the region.

Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor Nsima Ekere, Chairman, NDDC Governing Board Dr. Tarilah Tebepah and Senator Victor Odili described the Managing Director, Dr. Christian Oboh, as humble, dedicated, and pragmatic with solutions to the problems that have bedevilled the commission in the past.

They spoke at a reception in honour of Oboh and Amaechi by the people of Obrikom and Orashi in Rivers State.

Represented by his deputy, Tele Ikuru, Amaechi remarked thatOboh’s actions shows that he understands the intricacies of his assignment and was prepared to confront them.

REC advises INEC staff From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

WORKERS of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Cross River State have been urged to see themselves as agents of change.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mike Igini, gave the advice during a tour of the offices of the commission in the 18 local government offices.

He said as the foremost electoral umpire, INEC plays a highly significant role in shaping the nation’s destiny and ensuring a better society.

Igini said the commission would soon begin training/capacity building for its workers ahead of the 2015 elections.

Couple held for alleged trafficking From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

THE police in Rivers State have arrested a couple, who allegedly specialises in trafficking newborn babies. Three expectant women were rescued.

The arrest and rescue were made possible through credible intelligence.

Chigozie John and his wife, Akwaramars, were picked up by policemen at their residence in AkpajoEleme, Eleme Local Government Area.

Police spokesman Ben Ugwuegbulam, who confirmed the incident, said the couple confessed to the crime.

Ugwuegbulam said the couple also admitted that the three expectant women found in their house were to deliver babies that would be sold.

The police spokesman added that investigationinto the crime would continue.

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From left: Former Minister of Information Prof. Jerry Gana; Chief Executive Officer, Princess Gloria Iweka Foundation, Gloria Iweka; President, Guardians of the Nation International (GOTNI), Linus Okorie and the Chief Executive Officer, Zuma Energy, Innocent Ezeuma, during the GOTNI leadership clinic workshop in Abuja... yesterday

Youths kill fleeing robber

Cross River’s loss of littoral status dangerous, says don T A

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

HE Head of the Department of International Law and Jurisprudence and Chairman, Office of International Relations and Partnership, University of Lagos, Prof Akin Oyebode, has warned of the implications to Nigeria if Cross River State loses its littoral status.

He said besides the loss of the territory of Bakassi to Cameroon, Nigeria will lose much more once Cross River loses its littoral status.

Oyebode said the development will have severe security implications for Nigeria.

Speaking in his office, the don said once a state within a federation loses its littoral status, the security burden is no longer that of the

‘Appeal ICJ judgment’ From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

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OME Cross River State indigenes have appealed to the Federal Government to appeal against the judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which ceded Bakassi to Cameroon, as the 10- year period allowed for appeal draws near.

The judgement was given on October 10, 2002.

Speaking to reporters yesterday in Calabar, the state capital, a group, Odukpani/Calabar Stakeholders Forum, said it was unfair that after the area was ceded to Cameroon, 76 oil wells were taken away from the place, contrary to the promise by the Federal Government that they would lose nothing.

The Coordinator, Victor Efiom-Ekpo, said the displaced people of Bakassi had been abandoned by the international community and the Federal Government which promised to resettle them.

federating state but that of the federation.

According to him, “the right of Egress and Ingress

by the Navy into the international waters would have been curtailed.

“In other words, Nigeria would need to seek clearance from Cameroon for its naval ships to patrol the coastal waters formerly in the territory of Cross River State.”

He hinted that “with the issue of the Green Tree Agreement yet to be fully resolved, the loss of the state’s littoral status would have serious security consequences for Nigeria should Cameroon decide to play god over the coastal territory ceded to it by the International Court of Justice.”

Oil firm’s operation disrupted

FOREIGN

Libya releases ICC workers

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OUR staff members from the International Criminal Court (ICC) held in Libya for four weeks on suspicion of spying have been released.

The announcement came during a visit to Libya by ICC president Sang-Hyun Song.

The team had been ac-

cused of spying while visiting Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of the deposed Libyan leader, in the town of Zintan.

A senior member of the Libyan attorney-general’s office confirmed to the BBC that the four would be leaving Libya.

“They are due to face the courts here in Tripoli for the

final ruling” on 23 July, the source said.

“We expect them to come back for the hearing but if they don’t, a ruling will be made in absentia,” the source added.

Song offered an apology to the Libyan authorities for the “difficulties” caused by the mission.

In a news conference organised in Zintan, Song also thanked the Libyan authorities for arranging the “release of the four ICC staff to be re-united with their families”.

Song also “expressed his relief that the ICC staff members were well treated during their detention”.

Cameron orders full banks inquiry

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NITED Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron has announced a full parliamentary inquiry of the banking sector ,following the Barclays rate-rigging furore.

He told the House of Commons the manipulation of the Libor interest rates had been a “scandal”.

The review will run alongside a narrower inquiry specifically into the Libor market, also announced yesterday.

The comments follow news the Serious Fraud Office is considering whether

MEMBER of a fiveman robbery gang, identified as Iziegbe, has been beaten to death by youths in Ova community near Benin City, Edo State.

The suspect was caught after he fell into a pit while being pursued by the youths.

A cut-to-size English double barrel gun marked 0911141, one expended and two live cartridges, cutlass and telephone handset, were allegedly recovered from him.

The suspect was lynched because he and his gang allegedly hacked a security man to death for raising the alarm about their operation.

The body was later taken to the Ogida Police Division.

Police spokesman Anthony Airhuoyo said the body has been taken to an undisclosed hospital.

to bring criminal charges.

In addition, Barclays will conduct its own “root and branch review” after receiving a fine of £290million ($450million) over the Libor affair.

Cameron said the full parliamentary committee of inquiry would be headed by the chairman of the Treasury Committee, Andrew Tyrie.

“This committee will be able to take evidence under oath, it will have full access to papers and officials and ministers including ministers and special advisers from the last government,” he said.

Cameron said the review

should ensure the UK had the “toughest and most transparent rules of any major financial sector”.

He added: “Bankers who have acted improperly should be punished,” and it was important to learn the lessons of the affair.

But Labour leader Ed Miliband said the review did not go far enough, calling instead for an inquiry which was independent of bankers and politicians.

“I’m not convinced by his way forward because I do not believe it measures up to the scale of what is re-

quired,” he said.

Tyrie, who will chair the parliamentary inquiry, said this would be a “ringfenced job” and was not about “trying to work out how to reform the whole banking industry”.

Instead he said it would be looking specifically at one question.

“What does the Libor scandal, what does this scandal in the market, where people have made money by rigging the market, say about the standards and the corporate culture of banks?,” he said.

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

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ESIDENTS of OvadeOghara Community yesterday stormed Pan Ocean Multinational Oil Company in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State to protest the sack of their youths.

They barricadedthe company, preventing vehicular movement which crippled the oil company’s operations.

Men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) could not pacify the placard-carrying protesters who danced with fresh leaves in their hands singing war songs Trouble started after the expiration of a week ultimatum issued to the company by the people President-General of the community Eyegho Friday said the protest was predicated on the refusal of the firm to reinstate their sacked youths.

The people who defied the early morning rains insisted that the protest would not stop until the sacked persons were reinstated.

Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Relations Oseita Clement, who visited the flow station, admonished the protesters to maintain the peace and not to foment any trouble.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

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NEWS

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Presidency draws battle line against House over Jonathan’s invitation

HE Federal Government may go to court if the House of Representatives insists that President Goodluck Jonathan must appear before it over the Boko Haram menace in Yobe, Borno, Kano, Kaduna and other parts of the North.

The President has received legal advice not to honour the invitation of the House - in line with the separation of powers doctrine.

The legal advice also indicated that the summon could whittle down the executive powers of the President.

The House on June 19 summoned the President to appear before it, following renewed insurgency in the Northeast.

It was gathered that the President has been advised against accepting the summon of the House in line with Section 67 of the 1999 Constitution.

It was learnt that the legal advice indicated that it is “discretionary” for the President to address any of the chambers of the National Assembly on any matter.

A top government official, who spoke in confidence, said: “The President will not honour the invitation of the House of Representatives.

The government has done its best to reach out to the leadership of the House on why the President will not meet with the Representatives over the matter in question.

“But if the House is adamant, we will certainly take

Lawmakers can invite President, says Gbajabiamila

H

OUSE Minority leader Femi Gbajabiamila, said yesterday that the House has the power to invite the President, who must respond to such invitation.

In a statement entitled: “Legislature’s power to summon the President,” he said: “The controversy, unfortunately, suggests in a way that the President or the Presidency as an arm of government is not only above the law, but also superior to the legislative arm of government.

This is far from the truth and is the reason why our democracy continues to suffer and develop at snail’s speed, if at all. The truth of the matter is that in a presidential system of government, the three arms of government are separate but co equal and one is not superior to any other. Indeed some may argue that the legislative arm, which has the power to remove a president, is the more superior arm.

“History is replete with presidents that have been invited or summoned by the legislature. From Nixon to Gerald Ford to Bill Clinton or prime ministers, such as David Cameroon of the UK who From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

legal action. We will go to court because it is not constitutionally binding for the President to brief the House on such issues raised by the Representatives.

“The government will be glad that this issue of summoning of the President is addressed once and for all by the court. There is need to

just recently had to appear before the David Livingston Parliamentary Committee.

“Now, let us examine some constitutional provisions that touch on and are relevant to this uneccesary debate. Section 4(2) provides : “The National Assembly shall have power to make laws for the PEACE (emphasis mine), order and good governance of the Federation or any part thereof with respect to any matter included in the Exclusive Legislative list………….”

Now item 38 of the Exclusive List talks of “Military(Army, Navy and Air Force), including any other branch of the armed forces of the federation. Item 52 of the same lists talks of “Public Relations of the Federation”.

“The above sections are relevant because some have rightly tried to limit the provisions of sections 88 and 89 where the power of summons of the legislature is derived. They have said such powers can only relate to areas where it has powers to make laws and to expose corruption.

Section 88 provides: “subject to the provisions of this Con-

put the matter to rest.

“We have our legal team on standby if the House does not change its position. We have made some options available; it is left to the Representatives.

“In a parliamentary system, the Prime Minister, who is also a member of the parliament, can appear before the House. That is why you

stitution, each House of the National Assembly shall have power by resolution………to direct or cause to be directed an investigation into (a)any matter or thing with respect to which it has power to make laws.

Section 88 (2) goes on to provide that “The powers conferred on the National Assembly under the provisions of this section are exercisable only for the purpose of enabling it to(a)make laws with respect to any matter within its legislative competence and correct any defects in existing laws; and (b) expose corruption, INEFFICIENCY or WASTE (emphasis mine) in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement of funds appropriated by it.

Furthermore, section 89 then provides: “For the purpose of any investigation under section 88 of this Constitution……..the Senate or the House of Representatives or a committee appointed in accordance with section 62 of this Constitution shall have power to, (c) summon ANY PERSON (empha-

will see the Prime Minister of Britain testifying during any enquiry by the House of Commons.

“Even at that, have you ever heard the House of Commons summoning the Queen of England who is the Head of Government in Britain ?

“In a presidential system, the Doctrine of Separation of

Continued on Page 62

Powers makes each arm of government independent.

“If there is need for the President to brief the National Assembly, the constitution says it is at his discretion.

The senior government official, who quoted Section 67, added: “The constitution says the President may” appear before any of the chambers.

•Gbajabiamila

Section 67 reads: “The President may attend any joint meeting of the National Assembly or any meeting of either House of the National Assembly, either to deliver an address on national affairs, including fiscal measures, or to make such statement on the policy of government as he considers to be of national importance.”

Responding to a question, the source said the House “cannot compel the President to appear at all.”

“If the President refuses, the House can issue a warrant of arrest and going by Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution, he has immunity from being arrested or prosecuted.

“The government hopes that it will not get to this end but if the House does, we will meet in court. We will draw battle line as may be appropriate.”

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NEWS Committee promises fair hearing as Otedola faces House

Z

ENON chair Femi Otedola is to appear before the House of Representatives ad hoc Committee probing the management of fuel subsidy regime today.

Otedola has accused the erstwhile Chairman of the Committee, Farouk Lawan of demanding and collecting $620,000 from him to expunge the names of his companies from the list of indicted firms from the committee’s damning report.

The Committee last Friday questioned Lawan over the bribery allegations.

A member of the Committee who spoke with The Nation on condition of anonymity, the committee would be fair and just as it interrogates the oil magnate.

•From left: Chairman, Gombe State Universal Basic Education, Prof. Mohammed Gurama; Vice Chancellor, Kashere Federal University Gombe, Prof. Mohammed Faruk, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth at the presentation of 30 tricycles to physicallychallenged pupils by Doma Education Development Foundation in Gombe…yesterday

Lawmakers can invite President, says Gbajabiamila Continued from Page 59

sis mine) in Nigeria to give evidence at ANY PLACE (emphasis mine)………..”

A careful perusal of all the above provisions make it abundantly clear that 1.The House is empowered under the constitution and has the capacity to investigate any matter under its legislative competence.

2. The Legislative competence of the House includes the armed forces and public relations of the federation as found in items 38 and 52 of the Exclusive List and that the issue of security and terrorism touch on both matters.

3. That the invitation of Mr President can be said to be part of an investigation of the House in a bid to make laws on security issue or to correct

any existing defect.

4. That the investigation could also assist the House in exposing inefficiency and waste as provided in Section 88 (2). It should be noted that over 900 billion Naira was provided for in the federal budget for security matters and therefore the interaction of the House with Mr President may help in discovering areas of wastage or inefficien-

cy.

5. That in pursuance of its investigation, Section 89 has empowered the House to summon any person in Nigeria and that without exception. Had the framers of the constitution intended to exclude Mr President from the long arm of section 89 or of the legislature, they would have expressly provided so.

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

He said: “We are expecting him (Otedola) but I want him and Nigerians to know that we are on a fact-finding mission because we believe that it is incumbent on him to prove his innocence. It is a case of he who asserts must prove.

“He has made an allegation against a member of the House and in some of the reports, it was insinuated that some other members might be involved.

These are issues we want him to clarify if he has proof.

“We are not a law court, we are not passing criminal judgement, ours is to find the facts for the purposes of maintaining the ethics and privileges of the House.”

$620,000: Police write Speaker, demand release of Jagaba Continued from Page 4

House of Representatives or a committee appointed in accordance with Section 62 of this constitution shall have power to: “Summon any person in Nigeria to give evidence at any place or produce any document or other thing in his possession or under his control, and examine him as a witness and require him to produce any document or other thing in his possession or under his control, subject to all just exceptions; and “Issue a warrant to compel the attendance of any person who, after having been summoned to attend, fails, refuses, or neglects to do so and does not excuse such failure, refusal or neglect to the satisfaction of the House or Committee in question, and order him to pay all costs which may have been occasioned in compelling his attendance or by reason of his failure, refusal or neglect to obey the summons, and also to impose such fine as may be prescribed for any such failure, refusal or neglect; and any fine so imposed shall be recoverable in the same manner as a fine imposed by a court of law.”

Federal Government pays N2.19 trillion subsidy cash Continued from Page 4

eral Government that collects all revenues from crude oil sales.

The Minister said her ministry is aware of the estimate of the mount of revenue the NNPC should remit to the Federation Account at any given time.

She noted that since she is not a signatory to NNPC’s J. P. Morgan Account, it is difficult for her to check what is in the account.

She added that the NNPC

maintains an account in the CBN that enables her ministry to monitor and cross-check what is paid by the oil giant.

She noted that the foreign account might have become necessary because NNPC runs a commercial venture.

According to the minister, what should be important is that the Federal Government receives what is due it from the NNPC at all times.

But Abe said that the issue of commercial transaction does not arise since there is no amount of commercial trans-

action the CBN could not handle.

NNPC Group Managing Director Andrew Yakubu also said he was aware of the foreign account into which the company pays all crude oil revenues.

Asked who manages the account, the NNPC boss said it is the CBN. Abe reminded him that the CBN had earlier told the committee that the J. P. Morgan Account is managed by the NNPC. Yakubu insisted that the

CBN is a signatory to the account and not the NNPC. Because of the sharp disagreement over who manages the account, the committee Chairman mandated Yakubu to appear before the committee in the company of the Executive Director of Finance (old and new) of NNPC today.

Though Abe insisted that the NNPC has no power to keep and maintain a foreign account, Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala noted that she is not disputing that all Federal Govern-

ment revenues should be paid into the Federation Account.

She added that it should be recognised that the NNPC transacts its business outside the country.

The Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Jonah Otunla, who also appeared before the committee, acknowledged the existence of the J. P. Morgan Account.

Otunla, however, said he was not aware of the details of the account.

He noted that NNPC renders its statement of account

to the CBN, which CBN forwards it to his office.

On the activities of pirates on Nigerian waters which drive away fuel importers to Lome and Cotonou, OkonjoIweala said government was addressing the problem.

Three former Executive Secretaries of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), including Dr. Oluwole Oluloye and Abiodun Ibikunle, appeared before the committee to give account of their stewardship.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012

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TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

TODAY IN THE NATION

‘In dialoguing with Boko Haram, there must be a ceasefire first. And to achieve a lasting ceasefire, there must be honest brokers, trusted by both sides, who would ensure that each side kept its words. ’ VOL. 7

NO.2,175

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

F

EW developments excite the attentive audience in Nigeria like appointments to, and dismissals from, public office.

To a great many, the appointment is a sign that the individual’s time to eat has finally arrived, and with it the time to dispense favours. The new appointee is swamped with congratulatory messages from long-lost friends and relations as well as total strangers, with résumés not-so- discreetly attached.

If it is a dismissal, reactions can range from indifference to exultation, with “hasn’t he eaten enough?’ – for it is usually a man – and “is the position his family’s preserve?” in between, especially if the fellow has been the disobliging type.

And it follows, as a matter of course, that the congratulatory messages that usually poured in on his birthday and wedding anniversary and the 47th anniversary of his grand uncle’s holy baptism dry up. So do the unsolicited gifts, and the fawning. He is yesterday’s man.

My own fascination is with the language of the appointment and dis-appointment, to borrow the felicitous term coined by Onwuchekwa (OJ) Jemie, my Rutam House colleague and former columnist for The Guardian. Whether we are dealing with the one or the other, the language employed is usually designed to mask, not enlighten.

Take, for example, the standard preface to the announcement of federal appointments: “President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of . . .” If Jonathan merely approved the appointment, who made it in the first instance? Who, really, is the appointing authority? Why the false modesty, the pretence to being nothing more than a rubberstamp?

Okay, a rubberstamp is no mean factor in the scheme of things. You need it to take the matter to next stage, to seal the deal as it were. Still, a rubberstamp is a rubberstamp.

It does only what it is asked to do, no more and no less. It has no autonomy, no will.

Dr Jonathan will be the first person to tell you that he is no rubberstamp. He is fully seized of the enormous powers vested in him by the Nigerian Constitution and he is not loath to employ them as he sees fit.

Which rubberstamp ever declared, as he did sensationally the other day when pressed to declare his assets in keeping with the law, “I don’t give a damn?”

Why should he give a damn when he can hop into his executive jet with a retinue larger than the membership of Nigeria’s Senate and head to Brazil for a talkfest while a swathe of the country was being convulsed by murderous violence that took one right back to Somalia’s darkest days?

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

Appointments and dismissals

•Azazi

•Bello

He could easily have added that he doesn’t give a damn about the parlous state of the infrastructure, the thieving in high places, and the general misery, if only to make the point that that he is his own man, not a rubberstamp.

His essential modesty and decency must have supervened.

Under Nigeria’s system of government, the president can on his own authority and without reference to any official or institution appoint hundreds of individuals to high office.

Then there are some offices to which he can only nominate candidates, who are then confirmed or denied confirmation by the National Assembly.

Even in such cases of the latter kind, the division of power is clear. Unless the president nominates a candidate, the National Assembly cannot act on the matter. But unless the National Assembly approves it, the nomina-

RIPPLES NIGERIA IS STILL SAFE FOR INVESTMENT, SAYS JANG

Yes for COFFIN MAKERS

tion is dead.

In a formal sense, therefore, the National Assembly is no rubberstamp. But this is only on paper. It is the president who usually calls the shots. He can leverage the powers of his office and the enormous patronage at his disposal to get his nominee confirmed. By no stretch of imagination can he be called a rubberstamp.

So, why this contrived formula that has the president merely approving and rarely making appointments?

Is it to insulate him from criticism and shield him from liability, legal and non-legal? Is it to arm the president with deniability, in case the whole thing goes frightfully awry? Now that he has made it clear that he doesn’t give a damn, why erect so many protections around him? Why do his aides continually cast him as a mere rubberstamp when it is clear that he is no such object?

If they are still in doubt, they should ask General Owoye Azazi, most recently National Security Officer, and Dr Haliru Bello, former Defence Minister and, before that, acting national chairman of the ruling PDP, in which capacity he played a major part in Dr Jonathan’s presidential election campaign.

To return to matters lexical: Unlike the language employed in announcing the hiring of officials, the one employed in announcing their dismissals is usually more revealing, though in an implicit rather than explicit sense.

When it is said, for example, that the new appointee has been tasked with re-organising the establishment, they are saying in effect that the old chap had left the place in a shambles. When they say that the appointment is designed to “inject new blood” into the place, that is a not-so-oblique way of saying that the old dodderer’s time is up.

When former President Olusegun Obasanjo sent his finance minister Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala to replace Ambassador Olu Adeniji as

HARDBALL

P

ICTURES don’t lie. That is an age-old saying but in this new age when we know that pictures can be manipulated to create almost any effect we want, let us modify that a little to say that some pictures don’t lie if only because there is no need to. What are we getting at? We are referring to the photographs emanating from last Sunday’s deadly attacks on two churches in Kenya. The tragedy photos which have been published online and in some Nigerian national newspapers will surely arrest the attention of discerning Nigerians if only for a brief while.

Two particular photographs show two scenes of the tragic gun and grenade attacks on two nearby churches in the border town of Garissa near Somalia. One of the pictures show the frontage of one of the church already cordoned off limits with a red tape and an armed Kenyan soldier is visibly on guard. Only a few men with gloved hands can be seen at the scene. The other photo shows well kitted rescue operatives ferrying an apparently critically wounded patient into an air ambulance. The helicopter is labeled ‘Flying Doctors’ while the men and women on duty look so comforting in their well-fitting and well-labelled professional gears. Even the carrier used in ferrying the patient and the covering and all the colours at play, look like recommended standards for emergency and rescue operations. This

Two pictures: of Nigeria and Kenya was a tragedy that happened in a Kenyan hinterland.

Now come home to Nigeria and cast your mind to the recent Dana Air crash in the heart of Lagos last month. The pictures from the scene of that accident which was exposed to the world must have left many Nigerians shame-faced. At the scene was sheer bedlam which bordered on madness. Often, in an emergency situation in Nigeria, the first to show up is a crowd of loafers and jobless people who swam the place to loot, to pilfer and generally pose a nuisance to the rescue efforts. The Dana crash scene was particularly pathetic. A thick crowd of ‘sight seers’ massed up the entire place, some even perched on adjoining rooftops and in trees making movement and rescue efforts nigh impossible.

Security operatives who are supposed to respond quickly and protect such scenes from interlopers, are usually nowhere to be found until it is almost too late. Our emergency rescue operation has remained primitive, refusing to live up to modern day disaster alerts.

WAHEED ODUSILE

foreign minister, they said it was to inject “virility,” of all things, to that establishment.

It seemed rather odd that the good lady was deemed to possess greater virility than the man, and even more odd that a foreign minister should be required to pass the virility test. But who can fathom the ways of the Nigerian Establishment?

The innuendo was transparent, and I was secretly hoping that the cerebral career diplomat and international public servant would consult his attorneys with a view to filing a lawsuit for compensation for willful disparagement, defamation, and false-light invasion of privacy.

I was reminded of that development the other week when President Jonathan’s spokesman announced that the president had “approved the re-composition” of the executive management team of the NNPC. The announcement heralded, in effect, the dismissal, with immediate effect, of a slew of top officials from the forever-reorganising but perennially dysfunctional NNPC, in furtherance, the spokesman said, of efforts to “achieve greater transparency and accountability” in government Hmmm.

No prizes for apprehending what the statement means at bottom, namely, that there had not been sufficient transparency and accountability in NNPC’s operations under their watch, or, to put the matter baldly, that the officials in question had . . . Here I must leave you to fill in the gaps – at your own peril.

While graciously thanking the defenestrated officials for their services to the nation, the president, per his spokesman, pointedly tasked the new team to be “fully committed to rapidly implementing the critical interventions needed to positively transform” the petroleum sector.

Again, no prize for figuring out that the ousted officials had been remiss in their commitment to the transformation or, to use another fancied term, the “re-positioning,” of the corporation. Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, untouchable as ever, was spared the withering innuendos.

President Jonathan, we are led to believe, played no part in all this beyond “approving” the “re-composition” of the NNPC’s executive board. In short, he was a mere rubberstamp in the matter.

This newspaper cut through the subterfuge and restored him to the pulpit of authority with the headline “Jonathan sacks NNPC, GMD, board.”

Like the man himself, it didn’t give a damn.

•For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above In the confusion which often ensues at the scene of disaster in Nigeria, one hardly notices professional rescue operators who are properly kitted and deploying the right tools of trade. Everybody sooner becomes a rescue personnel using bare hands and throwing in tins, pans and rags in the rescue efforts.

There is an urgent need for a total revamp and reorientation of our disaster and emergency management. We must adopt new ways of doing this delicate job; the way it is done in other parts of the world. It is perhaps, the most serious task man has to do in the modern world. Tragedies, disasters (natural and man-made) are bound to happen almost on a daily basis. The ability to manage these occurrences and get quick succor, if not relief, to the grieving and afflicted is the most important pointer to any country’s claim to modernity and civilisation. We must educate Nigerians to resist the temptation to see the scene of accident, building collapse and disaster as ‘tourist site’ or a circus show.

It is instructive that in all the Boko Haram bombings and shootings in the North, even in the cities of Kano and Kaduna, we have never sighted any air ambulance being put to work. Surely, we are not any less endowed than Kenya, we are only less serious. Can we take it from that Kenyan picture?

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