The Nation July 04, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Airlines owe Page 11 AMCON N135b, says Chike Obi NEWS

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•Panic in Wuse II

Eagles star Page 24 Emenike snubs Chelsea, Liverpool SPOR TS SPORTS

•‘They should wait’

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VOL. 7, NO. 2176 WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

OTEDOLA AT ETHICS COMMITTEE HEARING

•ALL SMILES: Otedola...yesterday

•PRAYER TIME: Otedola...yesterday

•FRESHING UP: Otedola...yesterday PHOTOS: ABAYOMI FAYESE

Keep it secret, Lawan tells Otedola in $3m bribe tape Lawan: my voice animated Panel, Otedola trade insults From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

T

HERE were more revelations yesterday in the $620,000 bribe-for-clearance scandal involving Representative Farouk Lawan and businessman Femi Otedola.

A Lagos television station, which aired on Monday what it described as a purported conversation between the duo, followed up with another yesterday.

The audio tape aired by Channels indicated that the former chair of the House Committee on subsidy management was seeking to collect $2.5 million bribe to get Otedola’s Zenon Oil off the list of companies which got foreign exchange but imported no petrol. But Lawan dismissed the tape as “infantile’’, sayContinued on page 4

THE CONVERSATION AIRED ON TV

Lawan: When I saw your text; it makes me feel bad. I said… You know the effort I am making?

Otedola: I know, I know Lawan: No, no, no, no. When you said I’m… That didn’t.

Please, this thing we are doing. Keep it to yourself. Otherwise, you will make things difficult for us.

Otedola: Ok. I am, now.

Lawan: You will make it difficult for us because somebody called me now and said that we said we are going to address it.

Otedola: Address what?

Lawan: It is already out that we are going to do something. But when we do it people will think we are doing it because we have promised. If my colleagues get to hear about it, I won’t be able to convince such.

So, keep it to yourself. Let it be a top secret. Let it not be like anybody is aware of what is happening.

If anybody asks you… Somebody is saying that… They said you know from your record…, they have all your record and you have made a case to the committee.

Otedola: God bless you; God bless you.

Lawan: It is left for the committee to decide what to do. Please keep it that way. But the moment it goes out, when we are going to correct it…

Otedola: Ok, ok.

Lawan: Whether it seems we have already a… So, let it be. I want to spring a surprise on the floor and that is the only credible way to do it. You know your sector is hot so much.

Otedola: God bless you, God bless you, my brother. I’ve been trying…. Anytime I hear your voice….

Lawan: You know your sector is a hot one. You are even hot enough and people are even saying… They said… Somebody just called and said what happened, that Femi has gotten his way round. He has already…. No, no. I am saying it because this is what I hear.

Otedola: But let me tell you one thing. You know me as a person.

Lawan: I know. Don’t make things difficult. Whoever asks, say no. I didn’t do this. I am trying to clear myself from the committee. But I have sent a letter to set the record right. That’s all; yah.

Otedola: Ok, brother. Thank you. Alright.

•Time of Recording 1005 hours – 1012 hours •Date of Recording24th April, 2012

CBN operates secret account, says NNPC From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

T

HE Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday disowned the controversial secret account at J.P. Morgan.

NNPC Group Executive Director (Finance) Mr. Bernard Otti told the joint Senate Committees on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Appropriation and Finance investigating the management of the fuel subsidy scheme that J. P. Morgan Account was opened by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on its behalf in 2002.

The CBN had earlier told Continued on page 61

•AIR NIGERIA DIDN’T DIVERT AVIATION CASH, SAYS BOI MD P6

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

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NEWS

‘I’ll never allow The outrage over the postings of graduates to volatile states by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) continued yesterday, with the House of Representatives, Lagos lawmakers, students of the Lagos State University and prominent Nigerians kicking against the move, report OZIEGBE OKOEKI, DELE ANOFI and BUKOLA AMUSAN, Abuja •Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu at the opening session of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa region in Guateng, South Africa... yesterday PHOTO: NAN

•Reps support protesters •NYSC: no cause for alarm

I

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (left) and his deputy, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo (right) unveiling the official logo of the state at the Executive Chamber in Ibadan...on Monday. Story on page 8

S the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) not concerned about the safety of graduates posted to trouble spots for the mandatory one-year service? This was the concern of many Nigerians yesterday as the commission insisted the Corps members posted to the North are safe.

The NYSC, in a statement by its media manager, Mrs. Abosede Aderibigbe, said necessary security measures have been put in place.

Mrs. Abosede said: “This is to inform all 2012 Batch ‘B’ Corps Members and the general public that state governments and the NYSC operators have put in place measures to guarantee the security to lives and properties of corps members deployed to camps for the on-going orientation course.

“Prospective Corps members should therefore proceed to their respective camps for induction into the noble scheme.

“However, those who have genuine reasons to seek for relocation out of their states of posting, should register first in their states of deployment and then submit application there for consideration.

“The two grounds for consideration remain marital (for those who are married) and health (for those with extreme medical ailments).”

The statement informend that the

coordinators have been empowered to attend to relocation requests.

The House of Representatives said it was wrong of NYSC to insist graduates must serve in trouble spots.

The decision of the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion by Peter Edeh (ANPP, Ebonyi) , who said the NYSC should be directed against deploying Corps members to the crisisridden states.

Eden said: "It would be callous to allow innocent children to be posted to places where they don't know what to do in times of trouble.

"Let us do what is practical. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) says security and welfare should be the primary concern of government.

"Local extremist Islamic sect, Boko Haram has been largely responsible for sustained terror campaigns in many parts of Northern Nigeria, including the country's capital, Abuja."

Bitrus Kaze (PDP, Plateau) noted that 2011 post election violence in some parts of the North led to loss of lives of scores of Corps members that were drafted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as ad-hoc staff to man polling centres.

The Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila (ACN, Lagos), said the government might not be able to stand the traffic of litigations, if it decided to pursue NYSC postings to violence

Jonathan: we’re keen on ending insecurity

P •Okiro(left), IGP Abubakar, former Inspectors-General of Police Aliyu Atta and Musiliu Smith at Okiro’s book presentation in Abuja... yesterday PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

•Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc and Chairman of Council of the Nigeria Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Reginald Ihejiahi, Nigeria's Ambassador to Netherlands, Dr. (Mrs.) Nimota Akanbi, Netherlands Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Hans de Brabander and Managing Director of WAMCO (Friesland Foods Campina) Plc and Vice-Chairman of the Council of Nigeria Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Bob Steetskamp at the induction dinner for new members of the Chamber in Lagos... at the weekend

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said his administration is committed to resolving the security challenges in the country.

Jonathan spoke at the presentation of a book written by the former Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro in Abuja.

The book is entitled: ‘Overcoming Security Challenges.’

Jonathan said: “No responsible government disregards sound advice on security, particularly when such counsel comes from former security chief.

It is in this regard that this book will be studied, reviewed to complement government’s effort in ensuring that the country is secure.

“Overcoming Security Challenges documented security issues and practical steps of tackling the challenge for the benefit of generality of Nigerians.

I have no doubt that the book will be of benefit to readers and tackling some of the insecurity challenges in the country.”

The President, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Prof. Sylvester Monye, said government is committed to ensuring the safety of Nigerians and the foreigners.

He said: “I assure you that the government will not rest until the nega-

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

tive elements are defeated. Nevertheless, concerted effort must be made by all to reestablish peaceful coexistence and harmonious community, ethnic and religious relations between the various segments of our society.

“The issue of insecurity is put at the front burner so government has stepped up security to ensure safety of Nigerians and foreigners in our country. Apart from the new measure put in place to overcome the terrorism pressure in our country, we are also cooperating with international community to put an end to the mindless recourse and violence embarked upon by a misguided few determined to cause chaos.”

Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar said the knowledge from the book will improve the efforts to address security challenges.

Abubakar said: “It will improve our in-depth knowledge on policy and security management in view of the present challenges of insecurity in this country.”

Okiro said many fall victims to criminals because of ignorance.

He said:”Most people fall prey to criminals because they don’t know what to do. So, I had to employ my experience and use it to educate the people on how to live a secured live.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

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my children serve in trouble spots’ ‘

If I was a young graduate, I will do the same. As a parent, I will never allow my children to serve in such areas where it is obvious that the security of the Corps members cannot be guaranteed

•2012 Batch 'B' Corps members returning from parade rehearsal at the FCT Orientation Camp, Kubwa, Abuja ....yesterday

prone states.

He said: "If some states are temporarily left out in view of their security challenges, it does not affect the objectives of the NYSC Act." Those who argued against the motion said it would set a negative precedence for future postings.

It was agreed that Corps members willing to serve in troubled states should be allowed.

Constitutional lawyer, Mr Fred Agbaje and Chief Maxi Okwu yesterday urged the Federal Government to intervene in the deployment of NYSC members to troubled states.

Agbaje told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that he was in support of Corps members refusing their postings to the trouble spots.

He said: “If I was a young graduate, I will do the same. As a parent, I will never allow my children to serve in such areas where it is obvious that the security of the Corps members cannot be guaranteed.

“In America, the citizens are ready to die for their country because America can go to any length to make the re-

quired sacrifice to protect one of its own.’’

He said families of Corps members that were victims of the insecurity in North during the political crisis of 2011 were yet to be adequately compensated.

According to him, the protesting Corps members should be re-deployed to other parts of the country where there is relative peace, rather than be forced to areas that had claimed so many lives.

Okwu, who is also the national coordinator of the Patriotic Alliance of Nigeria (PAN), said the NYSC decision could not be final.

He said: “The Federal Government should direct the Minister of Education to overrule the NYSC on the matter. It is heartless and insensitive to insist that these innocent youths go and serve in trouble spots in disregard of the current continued killings in those states.”

The KOWA Party has called on the Federal Government to stop the deployment of the Corps members to the troubled states, pending when the

security situation in those areas improved.

Its national public relations officer, Prof. Oluremi Sonaiya, said the lives of Corps members could not be guaranteed in the midst of the atrocities of the Boko Haram Sect in some Northern states.

She said: “The Federal Government should post these corps members to other states in the federation where there is peace, or let them stay back in their respective home statesstates.’’

The Lagos State House of Assembly also protested the posting of Corps members from the South to the North. It has written a letter to NYSC management to rescind the decision.

The lawmakers, in a resolution at the plenary on Monday, condemned the posting.

The House urged the NYSC management “to post all graduates meant for the NYSC scheme out of the troublesome states in Nigeria where there is violence and threat to life.”

The House yesterday hosted graduates of Lagos State University

PHOTO: NAN

(LASU) who staged a peaceful protest over their posting to the North.

One of the students posted to Taraba State, Lai Adebayo, said it is unfortunate that NYSC management could post students from Southwest to crisis-prone areas, considering large number of Corps members that were killed recently.

He said: "We are the future of tomorrow. So, we don't want to die before our time and that is why we protested to the Assembly. Members of the House and Governor Babatunde Fashola should as a matter of urgency intervene for us to be redeployed back to our state."

Adebayo said many lives were lost in Taraba State, where he is posted to.

Chairman of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), LASU chapter, Comrade Sessi Funmi who accompanied the students, appealed to members of the House not to allow youths from the Southwest to be posted to the North.

She said: "Most of them are not familiar with that area and in the pro-

‘

cess they can get into trouble with Boko Haram crisis. Our youths must not be sacrificed and that is why we reject the posting. Let them post the students to Abuja or other areas that are free from crisis."

She presented a letter of protest to the chairman, House Committee on Education, Hon. Alawiye King representing Lagos Island 2.

Responding, Alawiye-King assured them that the House would ensure they were not forced to serve in the North.

One of the parents, Isaiah Odiurho, appealed to the Lagos State government to assist them.

He said: "My son was posted to Taraba and I don't want him to die now, so government should assist us. We are not saying they should not serve but we don't want them sent to crisis prone areas."

The protesters carried placards with different inscriptions, such as: "Do we look like soldiers? Many graduates were killed" and "LASU says no posting to Northern states among others."

Will Boko Haram add fuel to Jos fires?

The city of Jos has become synonymous with the bloody violence which occasionally breaks out between Christian and Muslim communities. The BBC’s WILL ROSS asks whether bombings by the Islamist group Boko Haram will further inflame tensions

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OOKING at the rubble of what was once “God’s Chosen Church” it is staggering that only two people died; one member of the congregation and the suicide bomber who drove the car up to the building in this largely Christian part of Jos city.

Lying on a hospital bed, 11-year-old Sharon Shade writhes in pain from the deep cut on her leg.

She was with her mother and brother in the church on the morning of 10 June.

“The pastor wanted to preach about unity and when he started explaining I heard ‘boom’.

“Then I saw blood pouring from my leg and the next thing I knew I found myself in hospital,” said Sharon before tearfully asking: “Why did this have to happen to me?”

The Islamist group popularly known as Boko Haram later said it was behind the attack.

What happened immediately after the blast is deeply worrying for Nigeria.

An angry mob of young men took over the street and set upon people they believed to be Muslim.

An emergency worker said that be-

cause of the violence it had been impossible to get his vehicle close to the church and when he walked the last few hundred metres he saw several dead bodies on the road.

The arrival of the military and police prevented the retaliatory violence from escalating to the level recently witnessed in Kaduna City where up to 100 lives were lost.

“You only need to study the reprisals in Jos and Kaduna and you’ll see that the young people are getting out of control,” says the Archbishop of Jos, Benjamin Kwashi.

There is no Bible and no Koran that says one should kill somebody” “The young people are learning that if Boko Haram is getting away with evil, with crime and criminality, then why shouldn’t they?

“After all what have they got to lose? They are jobless, they are unemployable, they are hungry, they are angry and it may spiral into anything.

“The way the politicians are approaching these life and death issues gives me no reason to be optimistic.”

‘Terrifying’ In Jos and tin other parts of the state, the bombings threaten to reignite a long-running conflict that has left thousands dead in recent decades.

Different ethnic groups are in dispute over who are the rightful inhabitants of this part of the country, and that ethnic fault line happens to pit Christians against Muslims on the other.

Some areas of the city are completely off limits if you are perceived to be from the “wrong” religion.

It seems likely that the spate of Boko Haram bomb attacks is intended to fuel inter-religious violence, possibly in an effort to make the country ungovernable.

President Goodluck Jonathan recently warned that Boko Haram could also start targeting mosques in order to instigate attacks by Muslim youths on Christians.

On Fridays ahead of Muslim prayers and for the Sunday church services, roads are blocked off, checkpoints are increased and the tension in Jos is palpable.

Boko Haram has been so active

across northern Nigeria people are not asking if there will be an attack, they are wondering where the bombers will strike next.

“The situation is terrifying. In a society where people’s security is not guaranteed it is terrible,” said Mohammed Tanku, standing in a long line outside the central mosque, waiting to be frisked.

“From the government we need social justice. We need practical steps to bring an end to this,” he said as a military helicopter circled above the city.

‘Reprisal attacks’ In a large hall in the mosque several hundred Muslim women came together for hours of special peace prayers.

“Both the Christians and the Muslims, we are praying to Almighty God that whoever is planting the bombs - may God make them to be known and may God disgrace them,” said one of the organisers of the event, Zainab Mustapha, who condemned all the violence.

“If they stop and they repent, God should forgive them.

“If they do not, may God make them regret their lives because there is no Bible and no Koran that says one should kill somebody,” she said.

Following Friday prayers, the commander of the Special Task Force (STF) for Jos arrived for a peacebuilding meeting, accompanied by masked soldiers.

“We are meeting with all sides of the divide here to ensure the youths are kept in check... to ensure they don’t jump on the bandwagon of any kind of reprisal attacks,” said Major General Henry Ayoola.

“We should pretty soon be seeing the end of the whole matter.”

But that faith in the system is not shared by everyone in the region.

“Unless the politicians change, the violence will continue,” said Salihu Onnana Mohammed, who mends watches.

“They are the ones fuelling the conflict in order to enrich themselves.

“If there is no crisis, they can’t steal as much,” he said pointing out that vast security budgets are allocated but no-one knows how the money is spent.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

NEWS OTEDOLA AT ETHICS COMMITTEE HEARING

Lawan accepts Otedola’s offer of public probe of bribe scandal

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HE suspended Chairman of the House Committee on Fuel Subsidy Management, Mr. Farouk Lawan, picked up the gauntlet yesterday, saying he accepts an open public inquiry into the $620,000 bribe saga between him and businessman Femi Otedola.

He said he has more than 50 questions to ask Otedola in public, if the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges throws its sitting open.

But the spokesman for the House of Representatives, Mr. Zakary Mohammed, said the sitting would not be open to

Stories from Yusuf Alli, Abuja

the public.

The House said Otedola is not on trial and he should cooperate with the committee.

Lawan, who reacted to Otedola’s demand of a public inquiry, said he has nothing to hide.

Reacting through his counsel Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Lawan said he had been looking forward to a faceto-face confrontation with Otedola.

Ozekhome, who spoke after a closed-door session with his client, said: “Our reaction is that it is a very good develop-

ment for Farouk Lawan so that the chicken will come home to roost finally.

“For too long, Farouk Lawan has called for a face-toface confrontation with Mr. Femi Otedola to enable him ask pertinent questions in the full glare of the public “Lawan is not afraid; he has been wanting it; he has nothing to hide. It is only those who bring maggot-infested pieces of firewood into the house that would be afraid of an invasion by lizards and ants.

“Lawan has informed me that he has more than 50 questions to ask Otedola before the

Audio tape animated, says Lawan

M •Lawan

full glare of the cameras. The encounter will be the mother and father of all political and integrity wars ever fought on the face of modern earth.

“He would want to ask why it was Otedola who first called Lawan (who never had his number) and made himself the unofficial consultant to the committee giving the committee, secret details about his fellow oil marketers and very sensitive audit reports which were not available to Lawan and the committee.

“He will want to ask him why he suddenly metamorphosed from being a voluntary friend to the committee to a foe who allegedly gave bribe money.

“He would want to ask Otedola why in spite of the alleged bribe money, his two companies were still indicted.

“He will also challenge him Continued on page 61

•Chairman, House of Representatives committee on Ethics and Privileges Gambo Dan-Musa (right) and his deputy Tobi Okechukwu during the committee’s meeting with Otedola in Abuja…yesterday PHOTO: NAN

ALLAM Farouk Lawan last night said the second part of the audio tape on the alleged $620,000 bribe against him

by Mr. Femi Otedola was animated.

He said the tape is laden with questionable pedigree.

He raised nine posers for Otedola on the audio tape.

Lawan, spoke through one of his counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) queried why the tape was not backed with visual.

In a statement through his counsel, Lawan demanded the audio-visual of the alleged bribery deal between him and Otedola.

The statement said: “Farouk Lawan has instructed us to vehemently denounce the so-called part two of the alleged conversation between Mr. Femi Otedola and Mallam Farouk Lawan played on Channels TV. “It reminds one of Baba Sala’s “Alawada Keri Keri” histrionics and comedy. It is even more obfuscating and labyrinthine. In William Shakespeare’s immortal words, “it is nothing but a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing”.

“Lawan is portrayed in the said conversation as an unyielding, talkative, bellicose

It was very stupid of him and we are not happy because we cannot have a respected standing Committee of this nature and someone will come and tell us that he is a businessman and not hungry like ourselves. —Dan-Musa

and eager person who was hurriedly urging Otedola not to tell anyone that the names of his companies will be removed from the indicted list, because if he went about telling people that, in an Oil Sector that is a small world where everyone knows the other, it would be difficult to remove his companies from the list of indicted ones.

“Lawan is also said to have uttered that it is left to the Committee to know what to do as he will spring it as a surprise on the floor of the House!

“Recall that in the so-called part one of the alleged conversation between the duo aired on Monday on Channels TV, Lawan was portrayed as an incoherent, stammering, unsure and sluggish speaker, who could hardly get out his carefully weighed words.

“This second part has more than ever before confirmed Lawan’s worst fears that the entire audio play back is a doctored, edited piece of animated voice that does not belong to him and which only forensic evidence can unravel.”

“He believes that the motives behind the audio are invidious, insidious and that Continued on page 61

It is, therefore, surprising and curious that this Committee has made a u-turn to hold its investigative sittings in camera...the intrest of the public will not be best served if the investigation is held in camera. —Otedola

$620,000 bribe-for-clearance: Reps, Otedola meeting ends in deadlock

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USINESSMAN Femi Otedola appeared yesterday before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Ethics and Privileges probing the controversial fallout of the fuel subsidy probe, protesting the investigation.

Specifically, the Zenon Oil chief wanted media coverage of the event, but the committee insisted that it must be held in camera.

Otedola refused to answer all questions posed at him.

He protested the exclusion of reporters from the meeting, saying holding it behind closed door was contrary to the Committee’s initial promise.

But, he asserted that Farouk Lawan, former chairman of the House Panel that probed the fuel subsidy fraud, lied four times concerning the allegations against him.

After the meeting that lasted for almost one and half hours, the Committee could neither pry any documented or oral evidence from several questions directed at Otedola.

Committee Chairman Gambo Dan-Musa described Otedola as “stupid” for laughing at the lawmakers after every question asked.

Otedola was also said to have told the lawmakers he was not a hungry man like them and that he is a business man.

Keep it secret, Lawan tells Otedola in $3m bribe tape Continued from page 1

ing his voice was “doctored”.

In yesterday’s tape, Lawan’s purported voice was heard demanding secrecy in the agreement. Besides, he told Otedola of the strategy to be adopted by the committee to exclude the businessman’s company from the list of indicted companies.

He said he learnt that Otedola had told somebody that he (the Zeon Oil boss) had found a way round the probe problem.

He purportedly pledged to “spring a surprise on the floor” of the House of Representatives.

The businessman kept saying “God bless you” in response to the statement made by the lawmaker in the conversation.

Below is the text of the said conversation as aired on television: Lawan: When I saw your text; it makes me feel bad. I said… You know the effort I am making?

Otedola: I know, I know Lawan: No, no, no, no. When you said I’m… That didn’t. Please, this thing we are From Dele Anofi, Abuja

Dan-Musa alleged that the lawmakers were insulted throughout the session by Otedola, despite being open and warm towards him.

The Zenon Oil boss arrived at the meeting at about 2.05pm in his trade mark white kaftan and sandals to match. With him were his lawyer and three top officials of his company.

In his opening remarks, Dan-Musa praised the oil

doing. Keep it to yourself. Otherwise, you will make things difficult for us.

Otedola: Ok. I am, now.

Lawan: You will make it difficult for us because somebody called me now and said that we said we are going to address it.

Otedola: Address what?

Lawan: It is already out that we are going to do something. But when we do it people will think we are doing it because we have promised. If my colleagues get to hear about it, I won’t be able to convince such. So, keep it to yourself. Let it be a top secret. Let it not be like anybody is aware of what is happening. If anybody asks you… Somebody is saying that… They said you know from your record…, they have all your record and you have made a case to the committee.

Otedola:God bless you; God bless you.

Lawan: It is left for the committee to decide what to do. Please keep it that way.

But the moment it goes out, when we are going to correct it…

Otedola: Ok, ok.

Lawan: Whether it seems we have al-

magnate for honouring the invitation and assured him that the committee would be just.

He maintained that holding the meeting without media presence was because it was conducted behind closed doors.

The Chairman assured Otedola that the committee would be fair to all the parties concerned “and meet the expectations of all Nigerians”.

ready a… So, let it be. I want to spring a surprise on the floor and that is the only credible way to do it. You know your sector is hot so much.

Otedola: God bless you, God bless you, my brother. I’ve been trying…. Anytime I hear your voice….

Lawan: You know your sector is a hot one. You are even hot enough and people are even saying… They said… Somebody just called and said what happened, that Femi has gotten his way round. He has already…. No, no. I am saying it because this is what I hear.

Otedola:But let me tell you one thing. You know me as a person.

Lawan: I know. Don’t make things difficult. Whoever asks, say no. I didn’t do this.

I am trying to clear myself from the committee. But I have sent a letter to set the record right. That’s all; yah.

Otedola: Ok, brother. Thank you. Alright.

Time of Recording 1005 hours – 1012 hours Date of Recording24th April, 2012

“We can’t conclude without hearing from both sides; it is only fair that we invite you too as your evidence will assist the committee in carrying out this job,” Dan-Musa told the businessman.

But the meeting ended in a deadlock.

Dan-Musa told reporters after the meeting that the Committee had done its best by inviting Otedola, who spilled the beans when he said Lawan collected

$620,000 from him to remove his company’s name from the list of firms which got foreign exchange but imported no fuel. He said the cash was marked by security agents.

Lawan, after initial denial, accepted collecting the cash.

But said he did so to prove that Otedola forced him to take a bribe.

The committee’s chairman said holding such meetings in camera was constitutional and in consonance with

House rules. “The convention of this Committee is to hold its meetings in camera,” DanMusa said, adding: “Unfortunately, Otedola was misguided either by his lawyers or people advising him because it is one thing to come and another to refuse to talk. We did all we could by explaining to him our powers under the Constitution and our rules and, of course, the conventions.

“We further explained to him that nobody would dictate how we are going to conduct our meeting, yet Otedola refused to answer questions and he said he could only do so when we do it in public.

“We did not find it funny and we are not happy. He went further to insult us one way or the other but we continued to exercise patience because as far as we are concerned, we have been given a mandate to investigate.

“We believe that we can do it by being just and fair to all the parties. You cannot make an allegation and when you are being asked to substantiate, you refuse. What are you hiding?

“He told us that we are hiding something and that is why we are not doing it in public. We told him that he was, instead, the one hiding something by refusing to talk and to substantiate his alleContinued on page 61

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

5

NEWS

Why Fed Govt is investing in girl-child education, by Wike

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INISTER of State for Education Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has said the Federal Govenment is investing in girls-child education because it is the most effective way of reducing poverty and advancing national development.

Wike spoke yesterday at the launching the National Framework on Girls and Women Education in Abuja.

He said education ensures that women are empowered with the ability to secure themselves, enhance their fundamental rights and health.

The minister said that the framework is aimed at creating the atmosphere for closing of gender disparity in the education sector.

He urged education stakeholders to assist the Federal Government in-

crease the enrolment of the girl- child in schools, especially by overcoming religious and cultural challenges.

He said: “I want to assure all of us that Mr. President is seriously concerned about this ugly trend and had since directed the Federal Ministry of Education to adopt necessary measures to ensure that gender inequality in our education system is reversed.”

Wike said the Ministry of Education is combating the menace with appropriate policies.

In a remark on behalf of the Education Commissioners, Taraba State Commissioner for Education, Yakubu Agbaizo, stated that the states would partner with the Federal Government to develop girlchild education.

•From left: Wike (second right), Dr. Ibe (right), Director, Federal Scholarship Board, Hindatu Abdulahi and the Executive Secretary, National Commission of Colleges (NCCE), Prof. Mohammed Junaid (left) at the launch of the framework in Abuja...yesterday

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr Ben Ibe, urged technocrats in the ministry to diligently

implement the new framework for success to be attained.

The launch attracted stakeholders

Barclays MD Diamond quits

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ARCLAYS Chief Executive Bob Diamond yesterday quit his job, the latest scalp in a financial markets scandal that has also seen the bank’s chairman announce his intention to resign and sown the seeds for another investigation into Britain’s banking sector.

Diamond’s resignation, which has taken effect immediately, comes a day after Chairman Marcus Agius fell on his sword too. However, Agius will lead the search for a new chief executive and will leave the company only after a new chairman is found.

Barclays’ management has come under fire since the bank was fined $453 million last week by U.S. and

British regulators for submitting false reports on interbank borrowing rates between 2005 and 2009.

Much of that activity originated from traders in Barclays Capital, the investment banking division which Diamond headed at the time.

“The external pressure placed on Barclays has reached a level that risks damaging the franchise — I cannot let that happen,” Diamond said Tuesday in the statement accompanying his resignation. “I am deeply disappointed that the impression created by the events announced last week about what Barclays and its people stand for could not be further from the truth.”

Britain’s Serious Fraud Office said

Monday that it would decide within a month whether to pursue criminal charges in the case. The government, which has come under pressure to initiate a judge-led inquiry into the sector, also announced a parliamentary committee to investigate what went on and report by the end of the year.

Barclays’ share price was up 3.5 percent at 175 pence in midmorning London trading as investors hoped some of the heat will have been taken out of the scandal.

“Although Diamond’s resignation should take some of the ferocity out of the intense criticism heaped on Barclays there is little doubt that the risk of holding the stock has risen

Rotimi Babatunde wins Caine Prize

•Diamond

substantially in recent days,” said Nic Clarke, an analyst at Charles Stanley.

“A cloud is likely to hang over the stock until a suitable successor is chosen.”

Dana: we’ve paid $30,000 each to nine families

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ANA Air yesterday said it has issued a $30,000 cheque each to nine families of the June 3 crash victims.

The airline also issued cheques of N1.9 million to six families whose houses were affected by the crash.

The presentation of the cheques was done by its Director of Flight Operations, Mr. Oskar Wilson, at the Ipaja relief camp, where some of the victims reside.

But while some families collected the N200, 000 and N100,000 presented to them at the Ayobo Relief Camp, others rejected the money.

General Manager of the State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Femi OkeOsanyintolu, said the cheques distributed to them were not compensation but money given to cushion the effect of their losses.

He said the money would assist the internally displaced persons (IDPs) to rent houses to stay while waiting for the real compensation.

Mr. Daniel Omowunmi, who rejected the N500, 000 the airline offered him, described the amount as ridiculous compared with the damage wreaked on his investment.

Omowunmi explained that he lost about N500 million to the crash, stat-

•Gives N1.9 million to six displaced persons

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor and Miriam Ndikanwu

ing that the crash culminated in the destruction of his warehouse, furniture factory, duplex apartment and equipment.

He said: "The money is not defined.

I do not know what the money is meant for. The money is not enough to cater for my family and myself. I was living in a duplex before the Dana plane crashed into it.

"I lost over N500 million to the incident. Why can the Dana management offer N500, 000 given all I have lost? It is ridiculous and demeaning.

I lost a warehouse. I lost heavy-duty equipment. I also lost an Extra Nissan Jeep and duplex where I was living before the plane crash happened."

Head of Dana Corporate Communication, Mr. Tony Usidamen explained that what the airline offered the displaced persons was not compensation, but an interim measure to assist them.

He said: "It is not compensation. It is a temporary measure to cushion the impact of the crash on those who have lost their homes and properties.

What we are doing today is just a

step. As a responsible management, we have onus to cater for everyone affected by the crash."

Usidamen said as at yesterday, the airline had received completed insurance forms for 64 of the victims, four of which are our staff members.

He said: “We are aware that most of the next of kins or legal representatives who submitted documents are yet to visit the Crisis Management Centre (CMC) for documentations.

“We believe the families are still observing the customary mourning period; insurance funds are already in place.’’

He said members of the families who had submitted relevant documents to the CMC in Lagos and Abuja had been contacted.

Usidamen advised victims’ families to visit the Chambers of Dana Air Solicitors in Nigeria for documentation and next of kin status, to allow for conclusion of advance payment formalities.

“Dana Air appreciates that the statutory payments cannot compensate for any of the precious lives lost in the accident, but we hope that it will lessen the pains of the families.’

from across the states and non governmental organisations.

" Dana Air shares in the pains of the affected families and continues to offer every form of assistance required by the hospital management and overseas laboratory to ensure that the process is completed as soon as possible, so that the families can lay their loved ones to rest. As per update from the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH on Monday, July 2, 2012, more DNA samples have been collected and will be sent to the United Kingdom for testing shortly.

"Investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing and Dana Air continues to co-operate fully with and offer all support to the investigating authorities."

He reiterated the company’s readiness to pay the benefits due to the families of the crash victims in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority regulations.

He said the airline had deployed three dedicated toll-free lines to facilitate the payment process.

The airline is mandated to pay interim compensation within 30 days of the crash in accordance with the Civil Aviation regulations.

AN IBADAN, Oyo State-based writer Rotimi Babatunde has emerged winner of this year’s prestigious Caine Prize for African Writing.

The £10,000 ($15,700) prize was given for his story Bombay’s Republic, which is about Nigerian soldiers who fought in the Burma campaign during World War II. “It is about liberation and how a character can have his world widened,” Babatunde told the BBC. He was among five writers short-listed for the prize, regarded as Africa’s leading literary award.

The chair of judges, Bernardine Evaristo, presented the award at a dinner held at the Bodleian Library in Oxford on Monday evening.

“It is ambitious, darkly humorous and in soaring, scorching prose exposes the exploitative nature of the colonial project and the psychology of independence,” she said about the winning short story.

Babatunde told the BBC’s Network Africa he felt happy to have his story recognised and privileged to have been on such a strong and diverse shortlist.

He said: “The story is about African soldiers who go to Burma and came back with a sense of new realities and new possibilities.”

The boundaries that the main character, Bombay, witnessed in Nigeria fell away during the heat of the campaign, he explained.

Babatunde added: “He lost his reverence for the colonial officers.”

Babatunde will be given the opportunity to go to Georgetown University in the U.S. as a writerin-residence for a month at the Lannan Centre for Poetics and Social Practice.

He said he was working on a novel about migration, choice and love.

Fed Govt to give new date for repair of Third Mainland Bridge

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HE Federal Government plans to announce a new date for the repair of the 22-yearold Lagos Third Mainland Bridge.

The Federal Comptroller of Works in Lagos, Mr. Ejike Mgbemena, told reporters yesterday that “we are not suspending anything. You will be informed when the project will commence between today and Tuesday. We will hold a press conference on Friday where the Minister of Works will brief you.

“The minister will be coming to Lagos on Thursday to meet with the Lagos State governor on the project before addressing a world press conference on Friday.”

He blamed the anxiety created about the project on what he termed the “stupidity of the contractor handling the job”, explaining that “what we were considering was first week of July not a specific day in July.”

The Lagos State government said

though the project belongs to the Federal Government, it has a duty to ensure that its people did not suffer the brunt.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, said the state government had effectively managed such issue of partial road closure through the joint efforts of the traffic control agencies before now, urging the residents not to panic whenever the repair on the bridge commences.

He said: ”There is no need to fear, it’s all about management, The government has done this before.

And when we did it, we all remained calm, there were some traffic holdups, but we are better off now than we were then.

“What the government did was to divert traffic to Western Avenue, Funsho Williams, Ikorodu Road and also through MM way, through Carter Bridge Lagos Island and out.”

•Babatunde

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

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NEWS

MTN asks Court of Appeal to dismiss Oyinlola’s, PDP’s case on Salami’s call logs

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OBILE giant, MTN Nigeria, has asked the Court of Appeal, Abuja, to upturn the verdict of an Abuja Federal High Court which struck out a suit filed by former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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 plans by the NJC to reinstate Justice Salami, who presided over the two different panels that sacked both Oyinlola and former “Ekiti Governor”, Segun Oni. Justice Bilikisu Aliyu struck out the suit following the

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

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.

In the Notice of Appeal jointly signed by the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim (SAN), Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN) and Mrs. Olabisi Soyebo (SAN), the Appellant is challenging the whole decision of the court.

It is contending “that the court erred in law when it merely struck out the suit

without dismissing it and/or imposing terms as would stop the said respondents from bringing a subsequent action on the same cause of action as the one it had struck out and thereby occasioned a miscarriage of justice.

“Pleadings had been concluded and issues joined or deemed joined by the parties mo than 14 days before the first to third Respondents filed their Notice of Discontinuance in this suit”.

“The mere striking out of the suit is prejudicial to the appellant and is not in the interest of justice”.

MTN is contending that the court misapplied and/or misconstrued the provisions of Order 50’Rule 4 of the Federal High Ourt (Civil Proedure) Rules 2009 when it preceded to strike out the suit...

It posited that “Order 50 Rule 4 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009 does not in any way limit a Court in the orders it can make when a plaintiff seeks to discontinue an action before it after issues have been joined in the case.

“The Honorable trial court erred in law when it failed to follow the decisions in Omo v. Amantu (1993) 3 NWLR (pt. 280) 187 and Dalfan Nigeria Ltd v. Okapi International Limited (2001) 15 NWLR (pt. 735) 203 amongst others....” “ If the Honourable court had applied the principles laid down in the said cases, it would have dismissed the case of the first to third Respondents.

Oyinlola has said he will write a protest letter to the Nigeria Communication

Ngige faults candidates’ endorsement for NBA president

By Joseph Jibueze

A •Justice Salami

Commission (NCC) on his allegations of unethical conduct against the communication company, MTN. The former governor said in a statement that, although he had directed his counsel to give a notice of discontinuation in respect of the suit filed against MTN and Justice Ayo Salami over disputed call logs, he resorted to lodging a written complaint in accordance with the NCC Act.

Man injured Air Nigeria didn’t divert Aviation Intervention Fund, says loan, UBA would be held HE Managing Director in Abuja responsible.” of Bank of Industry BoI MD UBA Group Managing (BoI), Ms Evelyn the fund are duly honouring exceed the approved ceiling of explosion Director Phillip Oduoza said Oputu, yesterday shed more their obligations as at when seven per cent.

Air Nigeria is one of the

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A

man was injured after an explosion last night at Barex Plaza in Wuse II in Abuja around 9.15 pm.

The Improvised Explosive Devise (IED), our correspondent gathered, was hidden in a vehicle parked close to Park and Shop Mall in the vicinity. It went off injuring a passerby.

Immediately after the explosion, most of the shops were locked and people were seen running for safety as a combined team of security men cordoned off the area.

When our correspondent drove through the area, a part of the road was barricaded while motorists were directed to drive through the other side.

Spokesman of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Yushua Shuaibu said: “There was an explosion but nobody died.

Security agencies are on top of the situation”. There was an explosion on the same road last week in front of a popular night club.

light on the controversial N300billion Aviation Intervention Fund.

The Federal Government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), created the fund in 2007 to ensure financial stability in the power and aviation sectors Ms. Oputu spoke before the Joint National Assembly Committee on Aviation, which is investigating the June 3 Dana Airline crash in which 153 people died in Lagos.

She told the committee that the aviation intervention fund was being strictly used for the purpose it was meant, adding that its beneficiaries are using it to refinance their existing bank loans.

The BoI chief noted that the facility was intended to assist airlines to stretch out the tenure of the loans of benefiting companies to 15 years with a single digit interest rate pegged at seven per cent.

On recurring allegation of diversion of the fund by Air Nigeria because of the inability of BoI to appropriately monitor the application of the fund, Ms Oputu said: “The case of diversion did not arise at all because the beneficiaries of

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

due.”

She also said the BoI has been diligently monitoring the utilisation of the facility.

According to her, the N35.5 billion loan facility obtained

by United Bank for Africa (UBA) was for Air Nigeria.

She added that at no time did UBA inform the BoI that the loan was meant for other uses.

The bank chief said the African Finance Corporation (AFC), which serves as technical consultants to BoI, always undertakes due diligence of airlines’ debt profiles before such airlines could be considered for the loan.

Ms Oputu noted that in the case of Air Nigeria, “UBA showed BoI the evidence that the amount existed in their books” while UBA furnished BoI with evidence that the N35.5billion loan was for the restructuring of Air Nigeria.

On why BoI did not query the two per cent interest rate the bank charged Air Nigeria on the N35.5billion loan, she said though the guideline setting up the fund mandated banks to charge a maximum interest rate of seven per cent, banks are at liberty to charge any rate they so desired as long as the rate does not

She said: “Banks are at liberty to lend money at any rate. We do not have to impose any interest rate on any bank so long as the rate does not exceed the ceiling set in the guideline.”

The Co-chairman of the committee, Mrs. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha, wanted to know how the BoI ensured that the intervention fund was used for what it was meant.

She also wanted to know if BoI showed concern to establish that the loan was not granted by banks for personal business.

Ms. Onyejiocha said the Air Nigeria chairman, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, told the committee that he did not need the N35.5 billion loan.

She directed BoI should furnish the committee with documents to show that Air Nigeria used the N35.5 billion loan for the purpose it was granted.

Ms. Oputu said that BoI relied on the technical advice of African Finance Corporation (AFC) before the loan was granted to UBA. She noted that there was no reason for the BoI to doubt the report of AFC. The BoI chief said: “If anything goes wrong with the

bank’s most valued customers whose relationship dates back to 2005.

He said the N35.5billion aviation intervention fund, which the airline accessed, was fully collaterised.

The bank chief said the loan is being serviced as at when due, adding that the loan was part of the bank’s effort to support the aviation intervention fund that made UBA to grant Air Nigeria two per cent interest rate on the N35.5 billion facility.

Oduoza also said the airline did not divert the N35.5 billion intervention fund.

He said: “There was no question of the diversion of the fund. Not a single kobo was taken away by anybody.”

Oduoze noted that since the loan was taken in 2011, Air Nigeria has been honouring its repayment obligations He added that Air Nigeria has repaid N1.8 billion, leaving an outstanding N33.2 billion balance.

Oduoza said UBA approved a two per cent interest rate as part of the bank’s commitment to ensuring that the laudable objectives of the Federal Government and the CBN in setting up the fund was achieved.

Terrorism: I didn’t investigate Ndume’s statement, Besides, Justice Kolawole dismissed the claim that the witness tells court present charge constituted an From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

•Ndume

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HE trial of Senator Ali Ndume over alleged terrorism charge began yesterday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, with a prosecution witness denying investigating his written statement.

Ndume is accused of

hoarding information on planned terror attacks and providing logistics to the convicted spokesman of the Boko Haram sect, Ali Sanda Umar Konduga (alias Usman AI- Zawahiri).

He is also charged with allegedly giving telephone numbers of certain public officers to Boko Haram for the purpose of communicating terrorist messages.

The alleged offences are contrary to and punishable under Sections 3(b), 4(1) (a) and 7(1) (b) of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011.

The Prosecution Witness (PW1), Abdulkareem Farouk Daudu, told the court that he did not investigate the

authenticity or otherwise of the four statements extracted from the accused because he was not given the mandate to do so.

Under cross-examination by counsel, to the accused Rickey Tarfa (SAN), the Senior Officer with the State Security Service (SSS) told the court Ndume reported at the office of the SSS on November 21, 2012 for investigation, having been indicted by the convicted Boko Haram spokesman.

He said Ndume made three statements on the said date and later made the fourth statement on November 24, 2011 which were all admitted as exhibits by the court, pointing out that a special

investigation panel was set up for the purpose of handling Ndume’s matter.

Having listened to the witness, Justice Gabriel Kolawole adjourned the matter till July 10, for trial.

The court had at the last sitting dismissed the motion for preliminary objection, raised by Ndume.

Justice Kolawole said it was still early to determine the culpability or not of the accused as he can only prove his innocence during trial proper and not at the pre-trial stage.

The Judge maintained that the charge has established link between the accused and some of the members of the Boko Haram group.

abuse of court process because the accused had earlier been arraigned at a Magistrate’s court.

According to him, it was his arraignment at the Magistrate’s court that could be said to be an abuse of court process because it is the Federal High Court that has the exclusive power to try terrorism case.

The Judge said the Attorney General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Muhammad Adoke (SAN) who signed the charge should not be expected to be neutral in a criminal charge.

“I have found no merit in the motion on notice, it is hereby dismissed”’ the Judge added.

CANDIDATE in the forthcoming election of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) has expressed “deep concern and disappointment” over the endorsement of some candidates by the Eastern Bar Forum (EBF).

In a statement, he said the conduct of the forum’s leadership, including endorsing his opponent, was “highly worrisome” and undemocratic.

According to him, EBF claimed those endorsed made the request, notwithstanding that the NBA Election Guidelines specifically barred endorsement of candidates by regional fora.

“It was in obedience to the said guidelines that I specifically asked the Forum to withhold any endorsement of my candidacy, subject of course to any amendment of the guidelines.

“However, I duly and categorically informed them about my interest in the NBA Presidency. It is instructive that it was not until 24th May, 2012 – five clear days after the purported endorsement – that the ban on endorsements was lifted.”

According to Ngige, the proper thing for EBF’s leadership to do following the lifting of the ban was to call for fresh expressions of interest in endorsement.

“It is my view that it behoves on us as lawyers to abide by the rules of the game. Where is the justice of the case if one person is punished for obeying the rules while another benefits by infringing the same rules?

“We are a society governed by rules, otherwise thuggery and anarchy will reign,” Ngige said, adding that EBF’s conduct “left much to be desired.”

How to win war against terrorism, by Tambuwal

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IGERIA and other countries faced with the scourge of terrorism can defeat the menace if they network and share knowledge and experiences of their successes and challenges, House Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said.

Addressing reporters yesterday at the opening of the 43rd conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region in Gauteng, South Africa, Tambuwal said good governance and active citizens participation in how they are led will also play significant part in reducing acts of terror on the continent.

He said in Nigeria, the convening of town hall meetings and active participation of the citizens in legislative processes through public hearings have gone a long way in helping the parliament achieve its set goals.

The Speaker said the CPA and national parliaments should provide enough funds in their budgets to the security sector, and at the same time follow up to ensure that the funds budgeted are properly utilised for the purpose they were meant for.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

7

CITYBEATS Third Mainland Bridge: Lawmakers T want explanation

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

HE House of Assembly has invited Julius Berger and the Federal Controller of Works for Lagos State to explain why the proposed repair of Third Mainland Bridge was postponed.

Julius Berger, which built the bridge, is to explain its current state, the controller is to explain why its rehabilitation was postponed indefinitely. They are expected to appear before the House next Monday.

The invitation followed a motion moved by the Chief Whip,

By Oziegbe Okoeki

Hon. Razaq Balogun, under matter of urgent public importance. He wondered why the repair of the bridge, which is in obvious bad state, was postponed.

Recalling that the bridge was built in 1990 when the population of the state was barely five million, Balogun said the about 12-kilometre bridge is long due for com-

prehensive repair.

“Many times when I ply that bridge, I’m afraid because I don’t even know what section of the bridge is safe. I did a research recently on bridges and what I read was very worrisome,” Balogun said.

“I know when they proposed this maintenance, there

was a lot of cry about the huge traffic situation that would follow, but I’m worried that like too many things in our country, we would not take action until disaster happens.

“If you stand on that bridge, you would see how much it vibrates and you would be scared that this is the bridge we all pass,” Balogun declared.

The House Committee Chairman on Works, Rotimi Olowo, said the bridge has deteriorated to the extent that one could now see the water through the holes on it.

Lagos gets Service Charter OVERNOR Babatunde Fashola yesterday launched the Lagos Service Charter, which is aimed at changing the face of the governance in the state.

Launching the Charter at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, Fashola assured residents of his administration’s commitment to reposition the civil service to surpass service delivery in the private sector.

He said the Charter was conceived about three years ago when “I and other members of government started asking questions on why we cannot compete with the private sector, why our public schools are not better than the private schools, why public hospitals cannot compare with the private ones and why our offices are not better than what we see in the private sector.

“Incidentally, we get the biggest share of revenue than any individual company, yet, we find it difficult to get our messages out. Why do private companies take the front pages to launch their brands while our own messages are buried inside the newspapers?

“Do they have more resources than us or they have more commitment than we have? That was

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By Oziegbe Okoeki •Governor Fashola (middle), flanked from left by Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, Acting Head of Service (HOS), Mrs Oluseyi Williams, Mr Otusanya and Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Yewande Adesina at the event...yesterday.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

By Miriam Ndikanwu

where we started from and I asked myself why somebody should come here in pursuit of service and there is nobody at the front desk to receive him? Why should he go and look for file? Why should he come 20 times when he can do that on the first visit to sign the document?”

He said effective service would

reduce travel time and put money in the pockets of those in search of government services, while also reducing the stress of getting things done in public offices.

The state, Fashola said, would chart a new course in public service delivery and governance, adding that the government consulted widely

•Court hears appeal Oct 18

By Joseph Jibueze

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HE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has described as “excessive,” the N25million awarded popular actor Babatunde Omidina (alias Baba Suwe) by Justice Yetunde Idowu of the Lagos State High Court.

In its Notice of Appeal filed at the Court of Appeal, Lagos, the agency said the award was “arbitrary.” It

By Tumininu Owolabi

TWO unemployed men, Wale Ogunmolu (33) and Samuel Kayode (45), were yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court, for alleged stealing and impersonation. They were accused of impersonating policeman.

The men, according to Prosecuting Inspector Samson Ekikere were arrested on June 28, while parading as policemen on patrol at the Shoprite car park at Ikeja, Lagos.

Ekikere said the men are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and impersonating members of the police, contrary to Section 77 Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

Ekikere said Ogunmolu and Kayode had on the aforesaid date at 8:30p.m stolen a Boxer motorcycle with registration no QT 814 FST worth N100,000 belonging to one Mr Kale Kalali.

He said the offence was contrary to Sections 77, 258 and 409 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

Ogunmolu and Kayode pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate Mrs T. Akanni ordered that they be remanded in prison custody pending advice from the Office of the Director of Prosecution.

The matter was adjourned to July 25.

Bill on wealth creation coming

with those who have done that before and engaged private organisations to achieve its objectives.

Earlier, Director-General of Office of Transformation Mr. Toba Otusanya said the introduction of the Charter was a bold step in demystifying the process involved in accessing service windows offered by government agencies.

N25m awarded Baba Suwe excessive, says NDLEA

•Mr Omidina

Two men arraigned for impersonation

said its detention of Omidina on suspicion of the drug ingestion was within the ambit of law.

“The award of N25 million as compensation is excessive in the circumstances of this case. There was reasonable ground for the detention of the applicant (Omidina), as well as documentary evidence placed before the court to justify the period of detention.

“The applicant did not make out a case in the claim to justify the award of N25 million by the judge.”

The appellate court yesterday fixed October 18 for the hearing.

NDLEA is challenging the decision of Justice Idowu, delivered on November 24, last year, in which she held that the agency’s detention of Omidina and inducing him to excrete suspected banned substances violated his rights.

The appellate court, presided over by Justice Helen Ogunwunmiju, directed that rather than hear the application for stay of execution of the judgment filed by the NDLEA, it would grant accelerated hearing.

The court also granted an application filed by counsel to the comedian for

extension of time within which to file his response.

The justice ordered the appellant, represented by its Director of Legal Services Mr Femi Olotuntoba, to file its reply on points of law within 14 days.

NDLEA appealed “the whole decision” of Justice Idowu, saying she erred in law in several respects.

The agency said the judge was wrong to hold that it was not justified to detain Omidina from the day of his arrest on October 12 to October 21 on the orders of a Federal High Court.

NDLEA said it has the statutory power to detain a person suspected of having committed a drug-related offence or suspected of drug ingestion for purpose of investigation.

It said the judge did not reject or discountenance the scans which showed that there were banned substances in Omidina’s body.

The agency added that the judge “misdirected herself on the

facts” when she held that the acts of NDLEA in keeping Omidina for nine days were a flagrant abuse and infringement of his fundamental rights.

“The award was arbitrary as the principle upon which it was made was not reflected in the judgment.

The principles relating to aggravated and exemplary damages adumbrated by the trial judge were not applied to the facts of the case,” the agency said.

NDLEA said the order to publish an apology in two national dailies was based on false findings which occasioned “a miscarriage of justice.”

It said: “The learned trial judge, being a judge of the High Court of a state, erred in law when she assumed jurisdiction and determined the fundamental human rights proceedings against the appellant.

“The respondent was arrested on suspicion of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs.

“Drugs and poisons are items under the Executive Legislative List in the 1999 Constitution and also subject to exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court by virtue of Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution.

“The judicial powers of the High Court of a state do not extend to the subject-matter of litigation.”

A MEMBER of the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Amuwo-Odofin 1 Constituency, Hon. Sultan Adeniji-Adele has said he will sponsor a private member bill on wealth creation to address the economic wellbeing of the people.

Adeniji-Adele spoke at a programme to mark his one year in office held in AmuwoOdofin.

According to him, the bill if passed into law will compel the state government to focus more on the economic wellbeing of the people.

“The bill is meant to enhance entrepreneurship as well as provide opportunities for self-determination leading to economic self advancement,” he said.

“I’ve worked assiduously and closely with other fellow members to ensure that the government runs smoothly and rancor free,” he said.

The lawmaker distributed 80 different items to his constituents, saying that the objective of the gesture was to encourage the creation of wealth and not alleviation of poverty.

Items provided include sewing machines, grinding machines, hair dryers, barbing kits among others.

He said arrangements had been concluded with the Lagos State Ministry of Health to provide free eye tests and 2,500 free eye glasses to those who needed them in the area.

Speaking on security, Adeniji-Adele said: “Lagos State is a very peaceful and united state, we do not want bomb in Lagos, Mr. President should ensure that adequate protection are in place of its citizenry.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 04, 2012

8

NEWS Aregbesola begins review of govt policies

‘Don’t install stranger as our monarch’

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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HE Obasunloye Ruling House of Idoani, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, yesterday urged Governor Olusegun Mimiko not to install “an alien” as the monarch of the community.

It said only an indigene from the ruling house should be the monarch.

The ruling house was reacting to a protest allegedly organised by one of the contestants to the stool of Alani of Idoani, Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Olutoye (rtd), who urged the state government to install the new king for the community.

But the retired soldier has said he is a direct son of the Obasunloye Ruling House and not a stranger to the town.

Gen. Olutoye backed his claim with an explanation that the other two royal houses that have reigned after the demise of Oba Obasunloye have dominated the throne for over 100 years.

He accused the other royal houses of attempting to frustrate his chances at becoming the monarch.

In a letter from the Obasunloye Ruling House by Chief Aladetoun, the Ologbosere of Idoani, to the governor said that Olutoye is not a member of the royal family.

The statement reads: “The attention of Idoani royal family has been drawn to the illegal protest by Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Olutoye (rtd) to the Office of the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, and that of the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ose Local Government, on June 26, on his desperate bid to smuggle himself into the royal stool of Idoani through the back door.

“It was also learnt from an impeccable source that the former ‘warlord’ was accompanied by some youths, who are on his pay roll in the last three years, to unleash terror on innocent people perceived to be his opponents.

“Your Excellency, we sincerely want to appeal to you to refuse any temptation by any group or individual to drag your good office into the chieftaincy dispute, especially at this critical period, when history is about to be made in our Sunshine State.

Group appeals to Tinubu over UNILAG From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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NON-PARTISAN group, Southwest Youth Leaders Association, has urged former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to prevail on students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and their management to accept the renaming of the institution after the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Abiola.

In a statement in Akure, the Ondo State capital, by its Secretary-General, Segun Awoyinfa, the group said the late Abiola’s contribution to national development should be applauded without sentiment.

It noted that Asiwaju Tinubu, being a respected leader of the Yoruba, should work in tandem with other national leaders to ensure that a befitting honour is accorded the late Abiola.

•Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (middle) flanked by construction workers and aides during his inspection of ongoing reconstruction of Ojumose Junction, Okeyinmi, in Ado-Ekiti...yesterday.

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Four communities benefit from Osun’s N3.3b road contract

HE Osun State Government has awarded a N3.3 billion contract for the construction and rehabilitation of selected roads in four communities.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Transport, Oladepo Amudah, said the contract is for the IwoEjigbo Road (35.20kilometres), Ede-Ara Ejigbo Road (30.7 kilometres), and Ejigbo-AyeOguro Road (Alaase village), which shares boundary with Oyo State.

Addressing reporters in Osogbo, the state capital, Amudah said the contract was awarded to Perfect Structure Nigeria Limited. He assured that work would soon start on the roads.

He noted that the rehabilitation and construction works are expected to be completed within 18 months.

The Special Adviser said the roads would promote socioeconomic development of the state and enable farmers to convey their produce to the cities without stress.

The government has approved N100,000 as bursary for each indigene studying Law at the Nigerian Law School.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Akinrogun Sunday Akere, said the payment takes immediate effect.

Akere, who spoke yesterday

•N100,000 bursary for Law students Local contractors to benefit from O-RENEWAL

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HAIRMAN of the Osun State Urban Renewal Committee Prof Babatunde Agbola has assured local contractors that the government would give them contracts in the state’s urban renewal project (O-RENEWAL).

The committee chairman noted that this would enable the contractors to provide jobs for the residents and empower them economically.

He addressed reporters in Osogbo, the state capital, after a function at the state Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC).

The academic allayed the fears of those who urged him to consider local contractors in the project.

He said: “I wish to assure our people in Osun State that we shall patronise local contractors in the urban renewal project that the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola embarks on.”

Prof Agbola said construction on the renewal of nine urban towns would also provide jobs From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected executives of National Association of Osun State Students (NAOSS), added that the state government has introduced early computer training into academic curriculum in public schools.

The commissioner said the reduction of tuition fees, building of mega schools, payment

for residents who would participate in the project and that this would further empower them.

He appealed to the people to support the Aregbesola administration so that it would deliver the dividends of democracy and ensure a better life for all.

The don hailed the governor’s initiative, assuring that the current government’s development agenda would uplift the people.

Prof Agbola said the physical structure of the renewal programme would be seen in all urban cities in the next three months.

He said this would contribute to the people’s well-being and boost their healthy living because the environment would have major facilities, including recreation centres.

He said the nine urban cities are Osogbo, Ilesa, Ile-Ife, Ejigbo, Iwo, Ila-Orangun, Ede, Ikirun and Ikire.

of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees, cancellation of mandatory 20 per cent funds generated by the state tertiary institutions to augment their salary and the N7 million monthly government subvention to tertiary institutions to cushion the effect of the tuition reduction by the government, among others, are meant to reposition the education sys-

tem in the state.

He urged the students from the state to support the Rauf Aregbesola administration to actualise its Six-Point Integral Action Plan to make life easier for the residents.

NAOSS President Comrade Adebayo Sheriff Opeyemi promised to promote sociocultural integration and the academic well-being of the students.

Ekiti Fed Poly’s unions call for Rector’s sack

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HE three major unions at The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, yesterday called for the sack of the Rector, Mrs Theresa Akande, and top officials of the school.

They vowed to continue the boycott of official duties and stay off work because of what they described as the intransigence of the Rector on unpaid backlog of their Hazard, Peculiar and Field Trip allowances.

The Administrative Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) said the Rector has been withholding their allowances, despite appeals by the Federal Government.

They said Mrs Akande should be relieved of her job to enable the institution “move forward in the way of progress and peace”.

The unions alleged that au-

•Allegations baseless, says Deputy Rector From Sulaiman salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

thorities of the polytechnic have “decided to adopt divideand-rule tactics by paying a select category of their (unions’) members the 35 months’ arrears of their Field Trip Allowance after weeks of meetings and frustrating wait.

They blocked the main entrance to the institution, preventing free movement into and out of the school.

The chairmen of two of the unions, Prince Ade Adeniyi (NASU) and Dr. Ayeni Oluwole (ASUP), said they would resist what they called the school management’s plan to repress them on non-payment of the allowances.

Adeniyi alleged that the management has spent over N100 million on unimportant journeys instead of paying the workers’ allowances.

He urged the Minister of

Education, Prof Ruqqayatu Rufa’I, to intervene on the matter and resolve the ill-treatment being meted out to the workers.

Adeniyi said: “It is very sad that …Mrs Akande is applying divide-and-rule to weaken the unions and cause confusion, so that she can get away with the allowances.

“We want to make it clear that we are resolute to confront the management on the matter and we are making it clear that we are fighting a just course. But it is unfortunate that the management is proving to be anti-workers by the way it handles the matter.”

The Deputy Rector, Academic, Dr Nnamdi Aboloma, yesterday denied the allegations against the Rector.

He explained that the institution adopted piecemeal payment of the allowances.

He said the workers are in

various categories, depending on whether or not they have submitted their 10-digit NUBAN accounts - in line with the polytechnic’s banks’ directive.

Aboloma said: “Despite the explanations, some of the workers still gave their old account numbers, which the banks have refused.”

He said the unions have not responded to the authority’s appeal to them to allow a few of their members join the bursar to process the payments.

The Deputy Rector added that “no one came to join the bursar, thus making the work rather difficult for him”.

“Even those who should not join in the strike at all, having joined the institution after 2007, equally joined. This is not justifiable,” Aboloma said.

He advised the workers to embrace the olive branch from the authority, adding that the development has grounded academics.

HE Rauf Aregbesola administration in Osun State has begun the review and assessment of its policy performance and service delivery in the last 18 months.

The Director of Bureau of Social Services, Mr Femi Faturoti, yesterday addressed reporters at an event tagged: Three-Day Mid-Term Review of Policy and Service Delivery.

He said the review has given the state government the opportunity to monitor activities of its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Faturoti said the bureau has gathered divergent views on the people’s understanding of government policies and service delivery.

He said their report, after the assessment, would enable policy formulators to make some adjustments, where necessary.

According to him, this is the first time a government in Nigeria would embark on an objective self-reappraisal.

He said the bureau would, for instance, urge the government to review some of the subjects and courses in its public schools and make them relevant to the demands of employers in the job market.

Faturoti noted that being a friendly government, the Aregbesola administration has made it possible for the “people to talk to power”.

He added: “Fundamentally, what we are doing in Osun State is to set a standard for other states to copy. We are collecting raw materials through the review and assessment to process and design well articulated and friendly policies and programmes in the best interest of the people of the state.”

Ajimobi unveils Oyo logo

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has unveiled a new official logo for the state.

The logo becomes a part of the official identity of the state.

It includes a shield, which represents the corporate armour for law enforcement and protection of the state; the Cocoa House and the University of Ibadan (UI), which symbolise the state’s many firsts and landmarks of intellectualism and development.

The logo also includes a talking drum and beaded gourd which, the governor said, celebrate the deep traditional root and rich cultural heritage of the state.

Ajimobi said the galaxy of stars on the logo symbolises the 33 local governments of the state; the green fields stands for a harvest of agricultural produce; and the last symbol represents the arable land mass of the state.

Unveiling the logo at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office, after the weekly state Executive Council (Exco) meeting, the governor said it is a reflection of the cultural heritage of the state.

According to him, the logo epitomises the restoration, transformation and repositioning agenda of his administration, which will take the state to greater heights.

Ajimobi added that the logo represents a new identity through which the uniqueness of Oyo State would be appreciated.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

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NEWS

I’ll work with Akeredolu to unseat Mimiko, says Boroffice Ex-LP chieftain, supporters join ACN

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•Boroffice

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NE of the leading governorship aspirants of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, yesterday said he and his supporters are ready to work with the party’s flag bearer, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), to defeat Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

This ends the rumour that the senator and his supporters would leave the party, if the ticket was given to Akeredolu.

Boroffice, who is the Asiwaju of Akokoland and the senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District, said: “I am ready to work with the presumed candidate of the party, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), to unseat Governor Mimiko.”

At an enlarged meeting held at his campaign office, Champion Area, in Akure, the state capital, the lawmaker pleaded with his aggrieved supporters to remain in ACN. He said: “I know many of you (supporters) are not happy over the report that another governorship aspirant, Mr. Akeredolu, has been picked as the party’s candidate. But as a committed man, who is imbued with party discipline, I implore all of you to go back to your units, wards and local governments and start working for ACN and Akeredolu.

FORMER Labour Party (LP) chieftain in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Adamson Orowole Akinwale, has led hundreds of members of the party to the Action Congress Of Nigeria (ACN).

He said his group would ensure that the ACN wins the October 20 election.

The politician said he was attracted to the ACN because of the presence of credible politicians like Chief Adewale Omojuwa.

Akinwale urged the leadership of the party to give the former Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) chief the deputy governorship ticket.

According to him, whoever fails to join the ACN is not a progressive indigene of Ondo State.

He noted that all the progressives in the state are now in the ACN. Akinwale said: “Today, I am joining the ACN. It is a home-coming, and I am happy and proud to return to my house. I want to encourage the party to march forward because victory is real.”

The politician said he could not have remained in the LP because it is undemocratic.

Orowole said: “At a time, I and members of From Ojo Damisi, Akure

“Though the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is not a politician, but with the new development, all of us in the ACN will make him a politician.”

Boroffice said he and his supporters would not return to the Labour Party (LP) because they are hopeful that the Mimiko administration would be terminated on February 13, 2013.

He said: “It is not myself or Akeredolu that will do the magic. It is you, our foot soldiers from across the state. This project is for all of us, and after our victory at the poll, we will share its dividends.

“Nobody knows tomorrow. It is possible that with the ongoing merging of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), ACN, All Nigeria

By Dare Odufowokan

my group realised that the best party to join is ACN because we have discovered that the party is doing well in the other states around us. My main aim in the party is to work day and night for it to produce the next governor.”

He said he would not mind what some people would say on his defection to the progressive party.

According to him, ACN leaders in and outside Ondo State are politicians of repute who must be emulated by any politician aspiring for success.

He noted that the party’s governors in the Southwest have surpassed previous administrations in the region.

ACN chieftain, Chief Adewale Omojowa, who influenced Orowale’s and other LP members’ defection, urged the residents to change the current government in Ondo State.

He advised the people not to allow any politician or government to use them to destabilise the Sunshine State because of the October 20 governorship election.

Peoples Party (ANPP) and others, our party may form the government at the centre in 2015.

“Akeredolu cannot do it all alone; we must collaborate and consolidate ourselves to send Mimiko’s government packing.”

The senator urged ACN members, aspirants and supporters to respect the voice of the party’s national leaders, saying all of them are co-owners of the progressive party.

An ACN member from Ilaje, Nimbe Tawose, said the party will be victorious at the poll on October 20.

He advised members to remain steadfast and work with Akeredolu and party leaders to ensure the party’s success.

According to him, there is no gain for politicians who jump from one party to the

other.

The politician assured that an ACN government would bring dividends of democracy to the state.

Tawose urged Akeredolu to relate well with other aspirants and incorporate them into his programmes to ease the party’s victory.

He decried the pathetic situation in the oil rich Ilaje area, saying the residents are suffering, although they provide the resources on which the state is sustained.

Among ACN leaders at the meeting are: Kunle Oyegoke, Mrs Olajide, Tawose, Owoka, Chief Olofinoko and wife of former Ondo State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Kemi Iyatan.

Five ACN members from each ward in the 18 local governments were also at the meeting.

Ondo NBA to support Akeredolu

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HE Vice-Chairman of Okitipupa branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Segun Lema, yesterday said the likely emergence of former NBA President, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, as the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) party flag bearer in the October 20 governorship election is a good omen.

He urged members of the association to ensure the success of the frontline lawyer at the poll.

Lema told reporters in Akure, the state capital, that the ACN national leadership made the right choice in the former NBA President.

He noted that his selection is a plus for the association.

From Ojo Damisi, Akure

The lawyer said Akeredolu left behind unprecedented legacies when he led NBA. Lema assured that the national and state levels of the association would soon endorse Akeredolu’s candidature.

He said: “Some concerned lawyers in Nigeria, who believe strongly in Akeredolu’s leadership qualities, have embarked on the sensitisation of members on the need for them to work assiduously for his victory in the election, irrespective of their political affiliations.

“The concerned lawyers were drafted from various branches of the association

in the country and are mainly indigenes of the state. It is the joy of the association to see its members at the helm of affairs, particularly in political offices, to render qualitative and selfless services to humanity and commoners.

“Akeredolu is a man of integrity and honour. He is a lawyer without blemish.

Some prominent members of NBA, particularly in Ondo State, have vowed to work for him and ensure that he becomes the next governor.

“It is the pride and glory of NBA to have somebody of Akeredolu’s stature as a governor in this state. Though few members of the association are of different political interests, we are working on

•Akeredolu

them to see reasons why they and their entire household must support Akeredolu.”

Lema urged politicians in the state to avoid do-or-die politics and abide by the law.

‘Give Ilaje deputy governorship slot’

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POLITICAL group, the Ondo South Peoples Voice (OSPV), yesterday hailed the national and state leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for zoning the deputy governorship slot to the South Senatorial District for October 20 election.

Rising from its emergency meeting in Ore, Odigbo Local Government, the group, in a communique by its General Secretary, Odusola Paul, reiterated the call for further zoning of the position to Ilaje Local Government.

The communiqué reads: “Our reason for asking for

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

this slot is based on the voting strength of Ilaje Local Government, which is the highest in the entire state, after Akure South.

“Ilaje is also the economic hub of the state. It has the necessary manpower, competence and credible people to drive the state to an economic boom.”

The group noted that the success of the party in the election is sealed and delivered since the present Labour Party (LP) government has failed the people of Ondo South and the entire state.

It said: “This is especially on the alleged mismanagement of the state’s Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).

“We believe that it is only a man of honour and integrity, who is humble, accountable and accessible, that should occupy the position of deputy governor from Ilaje area.”

The group hailed an ACN governorship aspirant, Felix Rawa, for his “divine escape from the political trap” allegedly set by the state government.

It urged the well-meaning

residents and the leadership of ACN to support his nomination as the deputy governorship candidate in the October poll because of his popularity in Ilaje.

The group said Rawa possess the requisite virtues, experience and credibility to be nominated for the position.

“Rawa is a competent aborigine and pillar of the party in the state. It will be appropriate, if he is considered for nomination for the position, being the only one that can deliver the votes for ACN in Ilaje,” the communique added.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

10

NEWS THE BATTLE FOR EDO

•Governor Adams Oshiomhole addressing voters at Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Area...yesterday

More policemen deployed

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HREE hundred and twenty five policemen have been deployed to the state to strengthen security ahead of next week’s governorship election.

Commissioner of Police Olayinka Balogun said more security personnel, including intelligence officers, would be deployed to the state before the election.

He spoke while addressing members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) during his visit to Ogida and Evbuotubu divisions in Benin City.

The state police boss enlightened the PCRC members on the security detail before and after the election, saying their cooperation would enhance the desire for a free and fair election.

He also reminded them that the ban on the use of siren by unauthorised persons was still in force.

Balogun said any unauthorised persons found using siren would be arrested, prosecuted and the vehicles impounded.

People using my name to buy voters card, says Oshiomhole A CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate Governor Adams Oshiomhole has said some people are using his name to buy voters cards.

Oshiomhole, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, said the activities of the politicians are frustrating the one-man-one-vote principle.

The governor urged voters to ignore the antics of the politicians as voting is

Stories from Osagie Otabor, Benin

part of their civic responsibilities.

He said security agencies have been instructed to arrest anyone breaching the peace.

“Information reaching us show that despite repeated calls on residents not to sell their voters cards, some

desperate politicians have intensified their devious plot by inducing the people with cash and in some cases invoking the name of the governor as their sponsor.

“This is clearly to deceive the people and thereby frustrate the oneman-one-vote principle.

“While we note that it is both a criminal and elec-

toral offence to buy or sell the voters card, we are equally concerned that these cards may be used for other criminal purposes, thus putting the original owners in trouble.

“We insist that the July 14 election will be based on the time-tested democratic principle of oneman-one-vote and the people are ready to resist unscrupulous politicians, who believe they are for sale.”

ACN denies pact with CPC

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has not signed any pact with the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the Commissioner for Information, Louis Odion, has said.

In a statement, Odion said the rumour about a pact with the CPC is false.

His words: “Our attention has been drawn to a lead story in the July 2 edition of ThisDay insinuating an alli-

ance between ACN and CPC for the July 14 election.

“The newspaper added that the CPC national leader, Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), was being expected to join ACN national leaders at a grand rally in Benin City on Saturday.

“We wish to debunk this report. It is a figment of the writer’s imagination. Neither has any invitation been sent to the CPC leader nor is

he being expected at the rally.

“Much as we are not averse to collaboration as true democrats, the truth is no such has been entered into here.

“It is our humble belief that Edo voters are appreciative of Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s sterling performance in the last 44 months and are more than willing to vote for him again.”

Edo CAN mobilises for governor

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HE Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Edo State, Bishop Peter Imasuen, has told Christian leaders to mobilise their congregration for the re-election of Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

Imasuen said: “We can now boast that we are Edolites because of the development everywhere.

“During Ogbemudia’s time, we were proud to say we were Bendelites and it started from the time of Midwest. But everything was left to rot until Oshiomhole came.

“This is the man God is using today. He is not asking us to bring money; what he desires from us is encouragement.

“When fathers say ‘go, it is well’, then it is well. We must back him up spiritually; he is going on campaign physically, so we must back him up with prayers.

“Prayer without works is dead, so we must mobilise our people to vote.”

The CAN Chairman told the clergy to mount the pulpit this Sunday and sensitise the peo-

ple on the need to return the governor.

“Mount the pulpits and preach. I will get the feedback.

Sensitise our people for the election, tell them we don’t want to go back to Egypt, we want to remain in the prom-

ised land.

“I want almost 99 per cent, if not 100 per cent votes for him, especially from Edo South which we control.

Whether or not you have done your work, I will know when the result is out.”

Community backs Airhiavbere

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ESIDENTS of Ekiadolor Community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State have backed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Major-General Charles Airhiavbere.

The village head, Thomas Iyekowa, who spoke at a rally in the locality, urged the people to support and vote for the PDP candidate.

Iyekowa said: “I have known Airhiavbere since he was a boy. I can vouch for him. He will take the state to the next level. Here in Ekiadolor, it’s sure for PDP. We’ll mobilise our wives, children who are eligible to vote our son as the next governor.”

Also, some Edo chiefs, under the auspices of the League of Like-minded Traditional Chiefs and Enigie of Edo State, led

by Chief Douglas Usoh have declared support for Airhiavbere.

The chiefs said they came to inform him that they believe in him.

Usoh, who spoke on their behalf, said: “Going by all the credentials that you have, we strongly believe that you are going to perform well. We strongly believe in your course and ambition to rule. We’ll make sure we mobilise our people to give you their votes.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

As far as local content is concerned, the ICT industry is uncompetitive because it is cheaper to import a base station than to fabricate one in Nigeria. It is cheaper to import a chip card than to make and personalise in Nigeria.

- Mrs Omobola Johnson, Minister of Communications Technology

Pension recovery agents begin operation this month

Oteh, suspended SEC boss, attends Economic Team’s meeting From Vincent Ikuomola,

By Chuks Udo Okonta

Abuja

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T was a drama yesterday at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as the suspended Director-General (DG) of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms. Arunma Oteh, made a surprise appearance at the Economic Management Team (EMT) meeting.

Oteh was a member of the EMT by virtue of her former position as the SEC boss.

With her suspension, it is expected that she would cease to be a member and give way to the acting DG, Ibrahim Bello, to take over. Bello was, however, not at the meeting.

Oteh came to the meeting about 1.30pm and went straight for the seat reserved for SEC DG, and while still settling down on the seat, a female protocol official approached her and after some discussions, Oteh, who was holding her two handbags, left the Council chambers with the official.

They headed for the President’s Office and after about five minutes, the protocol official returned alone.

But Oteh came back, consulted with the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, and attended the meeting.

Shortly afterwards, President Goodluck Jonathan arrived the venue and the meeting took off.

But Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala defended Oteh’s participation at the meeting.

She said the suspended SEC boss was only asked to take her leave, adding that there was nothing wrong with her participation.

She explained that this was to allow for fairness in the investigation and that it didn’t stop her from participating at meetings affecting the economy.

“I think we should allow the report of the investigation to be concluded and it will be out soon. She has not been indicted and so it does not stop her from attending meetings,” she said.

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

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FOREX

0.2958 206.9 245 156.4 1.9179 241 40.472

• Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, Union Bank of Nigeria PLC, Mrs. Funke Osibodu (right) with the founder of New FACES, New Voices and wife of former South African President, Nelson Mandela, Mrs. Graca Machel, during her visit to Nigeria.

Distressed airlines owe AMCON N135b, says Chike-Obi T HE Managing Direc tor, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria , Mustapha Chike-Obi, yesterday said distressed airlines owe the corporation N135 billion.

He said the airlines incurred the debt because the corportaion took over their non-performing loans.

He spoke at the resumed National Assembly investigation into the crash of Dana Airline plane on June 3 in Lagos.

He told the committee that eight airlines’ non-performing loans have been taken over by the corporation, adding that two of them are among those that accessed the controversial N300 billion Aviation Intervention Fund.

The AMCON boss refused to release the list of the airlines the corporation took over their debts, though he promised to give the list to the Chairman and co-chairman of the probe panel, Senator Hope Uzodinma and Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha on the condition

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Asst.

Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

that the list would not be made public.

Asked whether Air Nigeria is among the airlines AMCON took over its debt, Chike-Obi said no.

He identified high cost of aviation fuel as the main headache of domestic airlines, saying that 40 per cent of their operational cost is on aviation fuel.

He added that if the government wanted to assist the aviation sector, there was the need to reduce the price of aviation fuel.

He said there was the need to assist airlines in the country, because running an airline is a complicated business.

He argued that the government should ensure that airlines were well-funded, saying that the challenge before

regulators is how to ensure that funds made available to operators are applied accordingly.

He said the government should devise a monitoring mechanism to ensure that operators use funds made available to them to improve their operations.

Asked where AMCON got the N2 trillion it used to buy over non-performing loans, Chike-Obi said the corporation is not spending government’s money.

He noted that the only government’s money they used is N10 billion appropriated for the corporation by the National Assembly.

He said AMCON has recovered 115 per cent of the bad loans it took over.

Co-Chairman/Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Nkeiruka Onyejiocha noted that the problem of the sec-

tor is not whether the government wanted to assist in improving the sector.

She said the major problem was that operators in the sector have other agenda than using the funds made available to them to upgrade their fleet.

He urged AMCON to carry out its statutory function properly, especially the monitoring of funds advanced to airline operators.

She said: “You cannot do the same thing over and over again and expect to get a different result. Statutory institutions must do their duty to the country.

“We must get the aviation sector right in the interest of all of us even if it means scrapping airlines that failed to do the right thing. Things must be done the right way. The aviation sector is so important to be left the way it is.”

Reps fault NIMASA’s revenue sharing formula

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HE House of Repre sentatives has ex pressed shock over the sharing formula on generated revenue in a deal between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and a private security firm.

This is coming at a time the Joint House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Upstream and Navy directed NIMASA to ascertain the content of an illegal bunkering ship seized last Saturday.

The contract between NIMASA and the firm started in April. It stipulates a 50/50 sharing formula after the firm has exceeded its target.

The target was N2.5billion, but as at last month, the company has

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

made about N6billion, the Director-General of the agency, Ziakede Akpobolokemi said.

He spoke yesterday during the public hearing on the upsurge in illegal oil bunkering organised by the Joint House Committee on Petroleum Upstream and Navy.

Akpobolokemi, who said the agency could eliminate illegal bunkering, however, pointed out that more military personnel and ammunition should be provided before this could be achieved.

He provoked Committee members when he said the firm uses a boat fit with a software manned by security personnel.

Chairman of the Committee, Muraina Ajibola, faulted him, saying: “This sounds like pass-

ing a vote of no confidence on the security system of the country. A situation where a private firm provides a boat fitted with a software and manned by the company personnel for our security outfit to do their jobs is unfortunate.

“Government business is the best business. This money you are making could well be made for Nigeria. It could be handled in manner that the government would have everything. To say NIMASA is not putting any money is unfortunate because NIMASA can generate funds for half of the country’s budget, if it is managed appropriately.

“How much is the boat or the software that the NIMASA or the country can not afford to procure? Don’t you think, Mr DG, that you can make more money for the country by undertaking

this venture by yourself since our military is there to provide the security?”

Akpobolokemi explained that the private security firm was not involved in security aspect of his agency.

“All the company does was to provide the logistics in terms of the platform and the software to capture our revenue generation, the boat is manned by Navy and our officials”.

On the sharing formula, Akpobolokemi said the contract was consummated in April as approved, but the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and that the sharing formula was determined by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

GENTS engaged by the National Pension C o m m i s s i o n (PENCOM) to recover unpaid contributions by employers will begin work this month, Chairman of Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PENOP), Dave Uduanu, has said.

Uduanu, who spoke at a press conference in Lagos, said the contribution to be recovered by the agents would help increase the fund of the industry. He noted that the industry has been growing at about 35 per cent per annum.

He said the move to review the industry Act would help widen the pension operations, adding that over time Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) would have more products in their kitty to meet market demands.

He said the stakeholders in the industry are working hard to ensure that the transfer window policy which will enable contributors change their PFAs. He said: “I believe the transfer window is important, for there are people complaining of their PFAs. We are working hard to ensure that the window is open.”

Uduanu called for closer ties among pension operators, stressing that the industry needs stronger firms to enable provide more improved services.

PenCom has said 50 per cent of the interest penalty from outstanding contributions recovered through the efforts of agents would be given to employees with Retirement Savings Account, while the balance 50 per cent would be use to settle the agents.

Abia, Bayelsa okay new eletricity tariff

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HE Multi-Year Tarrif Order has received the endorsement of key stakeholders in the electricity sector.

Abia State Governor Theodore Orji and the Commissioner for Power in Bayelsa State Isaac Ekiyo have pledged support for the new cost regime.

In a statement, Chief Press Secretary to the DirectorGeneral, National Orientation Agency’s (NOA’s) Paul Odeniyi, said they gave their endorsements when this boss, Mr Mike Omeri met with stakeholders at the Community Dialogue Fora organised by the agency to explain the new policy to Nigerians.

In Umuahia, the Abia State capital, Governor Orji spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Nkpa Agu Nkpa, who said the state would partner with the Federal Government as long as it wouldguarantee steady power supply as well as provide fair and efficient billing.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

12

BUSINESS NEWS

NCC, NLRC move against fraudulent lottery shows

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HE Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) and the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) yesterday inaugurated a joint committee to enforce new guidelines and stop frivolous lottery shows.

There has been public outcry questioning the authenticity of most lottery shows run by telecoms services providers in the country.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Joint Implementation Committee, NCC Executive Vice-Chairman, Eugene Juwah, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Okechukwu Itanyi, said the committee is being inaugurated after stakeholders’ approval.

The committee, he said, would assist to harmonise the policy framework on lottery in the telecoms industry, stressing that the co-operation between the two agencies is to protect consumers.

He said: “As competition becomes stiffer in the telecoms industry, service providers consistently device new ways of attracting new customers and retaining old ones within their networks. We have observed that promotions and lotteries have become prominent tools used by service providers to delight their teeming subscribers. In a bid to ensure sanity in the industry, NCC has published specific guidelines on advertisement and promotions of lottery activities.

“Part of the strategy for the co-operation by the two agencies is to form a synergy as well as guidelines that

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

will ensure that consumers are never short changed while participating.”

NLRC Director-General, Peter Igho, who was represented by NLRC Acting Director of Regulations and Monitoring, Emmanuel Jeminiwa, said it has become expedient to ensure that lottery in Nigeria is done creditably given the number of complaints trailing most lottery shows.

He pointed out that allowing lottery business to function without proper checks could jeopardise the credibility of telecoms operators and lottery business itself. “The committee is, therefore, compelled to do what is needful,” he stated.

• From right: Unity Bank’s Executive Director (Central), I. T. Mohammed, inspecting the N2billion Abuja Inner Southern Expressway FCDA project financed by the bank and being executed by Salini Nig. Ltd. With him are Salini’s Technical Engineer, Anthonio Sarini (2nd right), Salini’s Administration Manager, Claudio Gaetani (centre), Unity Bank’s Garki Regional Manager, Ahmed Umar and the bank’s Jabi Branch Manager, Yahaya Usman (left).

Brass LNG’s Final Investment Decision set for Q1, 2013

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HE Board of Brass Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Limited yesterday disclosed that the firm would still fulfill its plans to take a Final Investment Decision (FID) on the two-train, 10 million metric tonne per (mmt/y) Brass LNG project in the first quarter of 2013, despite that one of the project’s promoters, ConocoPhillips had signalled its intention to sell its Nigerian assets.

Chairman, Brass LNG Limited, Dr. Jackson Gaius-Obaseki, who gave this assurance at the Eighth Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the firm in Abuja, said the contractual agreement for the supply of gas to Brass

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

LNG would not be flaunted by suppliers on the project’s completion.

He restated that the project is expected to see its FID taken in the first quarter (Q1) of 2013.

He said: “In recent times, there have been speculations about the future of the project as induced by news in several media channels that ConocoPhillips (COP), which is one of our shareholders, plans to divest from Nigeria and in effect, from Brass LNG Limited.

“In June 2010, there was a similar report. I, in company of the other stakeholders, took COP to task and they

assured that they would remain and be part of decisions to move the project forward. Following this assurance, the Invitation to Tender (ITT) was launched and this led to our choice of preferred tenderers.

“Again, when the news of their exit from Nigeria came on air, I, in company of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), nominated directors, met with COP executive management on April 27, 2012. Again, COP was palms up confirming their intention of a possible exit from Nigeria, while committing to the realisation of that project through supporting it to FID.” He said the Board was working for

the completion of the project.

Gaius Obaseki, who was the former Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), also confirmed that COP has lived up to its commitment to the project as it approved a budget that would lead the project to the final stage.

“I am happy that by the end of the first quarter of 2012, management presented to the Board their Overall Integrated Master Schedule (OIMS) and estimated that with full commitment and unwavering efforts by all, the FID is possible in the first quarter of 2013, with possible mitigation efforts bringing it earlier.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

13

NEWS Lagos ACN assures Lagosians on flooding

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HE Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has assured Lagosians that the Lagos State government would do its best to mitigate severe flooding in Lagos.

It said the huge investment on de-flooding by Governor Babatunde Fashola has reduced the effects of the persistent rainfall in Lagos.

The party said the government would ensure that Lagos achieves the kind of transformation to make it less prone to floods.

In a statement in Lagos, signed by the state Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, the party informed Lagosians that the present weather change is a global phenomenon, which does not need the partisan meaning some politicians are trying to reading into it.

It advised politicians to seek ways to contribute to the government’s effort to rid the state of flooding instead of seeking to make capital out of natural mishaps.

“We must commend the efforts of the Fashola government in its massive

investment in environmental upgrading for the purpose of solving the recurring flood problem in Lagos. ‘’We must commend the massive opening of drainages, construction of new ones, channelling water routes to the lagoons and clearing of water ways. ‘’We note that the government has invested heavily on the environment since last year’s devastating flood and we believe that this has worked to stem the effect of the heavy rainfall that has hit Lagos since last week.

“While we appeal to Lagosians and commend them for their understanding,

we wish to remind them that the world today is practically engulfed in unprecedented flooding...’’ ‘’We are aware that the Lagos State government has been very proactive in issuing weather advisory to Lagosians on impending weather state and have followed up to with effective monitoring to ensure that we do not have any deadly flood in Lagos.

“Lagos ACN is not surprised that some political parties are now on a vocation of lying in wait for the annual rains and the temporary discomfort it brings to show their nonexistent potency and launch

‘Nigeria operates 1960 outdated road worthiness laws’

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•Joe Igbokwe uninformed salvos on a responsible government for ulterior reasons. ‘’We see this as the height of insensitivity, and we warn Lagosians to be wary of these political profiteers.”

HE Director-General, National Automotive Council, Aminu Jalal said yesterday that Nigeria still operates the 1960 outdated road worthiness laws.

The DG spoke during a conference on Motor Vehicle Roadworthiness Inspection in Abuja.

He said the system of vehicle road worthiness, which dates back to the 1960s, is outdated and no longer functional in many countries.

“The National Automotive Council has as one of its mandates to ensure that vehicles conform to technical

South African firm loses in N309m tax suit

A

South African firm doing business with Chevron Nigeria Limited, Southern Gas, has lost a legal battle on the controversial N309 million tax liability owed the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue.

Southern Gas sued DBIR at a High Court sitting in Asaba.

From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt

It sought to prevent the board from collecting the debt.

The company asked for an injunction restraining DBIR from recovering the debt.

It also sought a declaration that only the Federal Board of

Internal Revenue is authorised to demand the tax.

Justice M. Buba, however, dismissed the suit.

He said the court cannot be used by tax defaulters to prevent the state government from collecting the tax due it.

Reacting, a legal aide to the Executive Chairman, Mr.

Clark Ekpebe, referred to the action of the company as “preemptive efforts in order to thwart the efforts of the Board in recovering its tax liability.”

He hailed the court , saying: the court made a clear pronouncement that it cannot be used as an umbrella to shield tax defaulters.

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

and environmental standards.

“To achieve this mandate, the council has been collaborating with other stakeholders, such as the FRSC, SON, DRTS (VIO) NPF, NESREA, etc. to ensure that vehicles assembled or imported into the country meet the required standard.

“In this light, the council met with other stakeholders to restore the present roadworthiness situation and decided to hold the conference .

“We intend that the resolutions of this conference should be implemented to instal a sound motor vehicle roadworthiness inspection system in Nigeria,” he said.

Jalal noted that the intention is to make a change in the motor vehicle examination regime.

Lt Col Waheed Alade (rtd), a participant, stressed the need to ensure that vehicles are properly inspected and certified before registration or renewal of vehicle particulars.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

14

MONEY

CBN tightens noose on money launderers M

ORE stringent measures await money launderers and terrorist financiers, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said.

In its Economic Report released for April 2012 , the CBN said the country is fashioning out plans of strengthening Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combat Financial Terrorism (CFT) practices.

The apex bank said Nigeria is undertaking actions including the development of national antimoney laundering strategies to tackle the malaise. It said a national counter terrorism strategy (NACTEST) is also being developed to check the spate of violence, and further encourage growth.

According to CBN, the strategies are being developed to implement anti-money laundering laws in a more coordinated manner and further ensure they are in line with the best international standards.

Nigeria is also undertaking other actions, including the development of National AML/ CFT Strategy and a National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) to implement AML/ CFT measures of acceptable international standards in a more coordinated manner.

Part of the strategies include

• To set up Microfinance Development Fund • Discount houses’ investment falls by N53b

By Akinola Ajibade and Collins Nweze

making banks to block all loopholes through which money laundering activities are carried out, ensuring that corporate organisations and individuals do not exceed the N10 million and N1 million threshold lodgement, ensuing that relevant agencies such as National Financial Intelligence Unit (NFUI), among others implement anti-money laundering rules, among others.

The banking watchdog said it has developed anti-money laundering/combating financial terrorism Risk-Based Supervision (RBS), as well as amended their regulations in 2009 to check the practices.

In a related development, CBN is considering the establishment of a Microfinance Development Fund (MDF) to deepen the financial market.

In a statement entitled: The Nigerian Financial System: Regulatory Trends, Opportunities and Challenges, it said the apex bank is working on deepening the financial markets through the introduc-

tion of new products and appropriate control structures.

The MDF, when established, will assist in addressing challenges of underfunding for microfinance institutions. It will also complement past and current efforts aimed at strengthening the microfinance sub-sector of the financial system, improve financial inclusion and by implication, improve the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rate significantly, the statement said.

It said efforts are being made to consolidate on the achievements recorded in the development of micro finance banks, by strengthening the regulatory frameworks and other guidelines. This also includes formation of the National Microfinance Development Strategy with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the signing of a major agreement with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

A provisional data released recently by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has indicated that discount houses’ investment in Federal Government securities

dropped to N53.5 billion in May .

By regulations, discount houses are required to invest in Treasury Bills (TBs) and bonds, among other fixed-income securities issued by the Federal Government, to sustain their operations.

According to CBN, the N53.5 billion accounted for 25.3 per cent of the total deposit liabilities of the five discount houses. The apex bank said the investment in gov-

ernment securities was 34.7 percentage points below the prescribed level of 60.0 per cent.

“At that level, discount houses’ investment on NTBs declined by 34.8 per cent below the level at the end of the preceding month” CBN has said.

It said the total borrowing by the discount houses was N20.0 billion, while their capital and reserves amounted to N41.8 billion. This, CBN, said has resulted in a gearing ratio of 1.8:1, compared with the stipulated maximum target of 50:1 for the fiscal year 2012.

Group calls for enforcement of monetisation policy THE Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has called for enforce-ment of the monetisation programme in public service.

CSJ Director Eze Onyekpere said monetisation is backed by law and should be strictly enforced. “A situation where officers and agencies that have some services monetised and directly paid to them go through the back door to enjoy official vehicles and other perks which they have already been paid is outrageous and should not be allowed to continue,” he said.

Speaking during a fiscal responsibility forum in Lagos, Onyekpere said there is need to abolish or drastically avoid wasteful expenditure in almost all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). According to him, it is also possible to consider a moratorium on new capital projects (except they are justifiable under very strict conditions) and concentrate on completion of the thousands of ongoing and abandoned projects.

He said the group was committed to raising and resolving budgetary and fiscal posers. He said there would be the need to look at whether the mode of implementation of the budget should be sustained, or better still, to adopt a new approach.

According to him, there is the need to understand why government at all levels are not meeting the time bound targets under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) or why the country has a huge recurrent expenditure profile in budgets. Nigeria’s commitment to the time bound MDGs has also made it imperative for the budget to reflect the priorities that will enhance the standard of living of the people.

World Bank evaluates Nigeria’s $4.8b projects

• From left: Chairman, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Lagos Branch, Mr Bayo Olugbemi; Business Executive, Corporate Banking, Sterling Bank Plc & Chairperson, 2012 Lagos Bankers’ Nite organising Committee, Mrs. Mojisola Bakare-Asieru and Secretary, CIBN Lagos Branch Mr Kola Abdul during a press briefing on the 2012 Bankers’ Nite in Lagos.

Gray areas in IFRS unveiled M ANAGING Director, IFRS Strategic Consultants Nigeria Limited, David Raggay, has revealed key areas that will pose challenges to banks in implementing the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS).

Already, many quoted companies, particularly banks, have reported their financials in IFRS as evidenced in their 2012 first-quarter financials submitted at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

While more results are expected, there are things investors and analysts should look out for.

He said accounting for financial instruments is one of the more challenging areas of IFRS. Banks are likely to also encounter problems in areas such as income taxes, employee benefits, business combinations and sharebased payments.

Raggay said for financial instruments, the difficulties arise as a

result of mixed-measurement model promulgated under the relevant standards. For instance, there are four standards in issue by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), which relate to financial instruments.

They are: IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation; IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement; IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures; and IFRS 9 Financial Instruments.

Former chairman of IASB, Sir David Tweedie, said IFRS 7 will lead to greater transparency about the risks that entities run from the use of financial instruments. This, combined with the new requirements in IAS 1, will provide better information for investors and other users of financial statements to make informed judgements about risk and return”.

The key objective of IFRS 7 is to

provide disclosure requirements that enable users of financial statements to evaluate: the significance of financial instruments for the entity’s financial position and performance; the nature and extent of risks to which the entity is exposed; and how the entity manages financial risks.

The IFRS 9 is a replacement for IAS 39. It is not mandatory until 2015 although early application is permitted. The standards encompass most transactions and events relating to financial instruments which are not the subject of other specific standards.

“This list is not exhaustive and the standards also cover certain types of transactions pertaining to contracts, which are not financial instruments. As such, a contract to purchase or sell natural gas, for example, will under certain circumstances be accounted for as a financial instrument,” he said.

THE World Bank has reviewed its $4.84 billion projects in Nigeria. The portfolios are: Human Development - $ 1.130 billion (25 per cent); Sustainable Development - $2.452 billion (53 per cent); Financial and Private Sector - $275 million (six per cent); and Governance and Economic Reforms - $735 million (16 per cent).

The Nigerian portfolio has an average project age of 3.7 years. Only 34 per cent of the committed amount has so far been disbursed. The World Bank said its total value of assisted projects represented five per cent of Nigeria’s budget.

A statement by the bank’s Communications Associate in the Nigerian Country Office, Bamidele Oladokun, at the end of the 2012 half year performance, said the Nigerian Project Teams had committed themselves to achieving faster results of the World Bank-funded projects in the country.

The statement noted: “The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly told project staff to work as a strong team to deliver results on ground. She said to achieve greater results, there was a need for coordinated action and involvement of all stakeholders to enhance project quality and disbursement.

“Marie-Nolly stressed the need to be clear on our common purpose, namely, to make a difference for the people of Nigeria through our programmes. To this end, faster and more efficient project implementation is a step in the right direction and accelerating disbursement is an indication of progress in that direction. She observed that the current disbursement ratio was low for some projects, adding that five projects had not disbursed at all in the past three months.”

MfBs target loan recovery OPERATORS of microfinance banks have embarked on aggressive loan recovery to stay afloat. The development, follows the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC’s) examination of the banks and the subsequent discovery that many of the banks were having huge toxic assets.

According to the operators, loan recovery is inevitable if the banks want to record growth. Managing Director, Glory Microfinance Bank Limited Mr Moses Ajao said it is becoming necessary to recover their loans to survive the bad economy. Ajao said failure of customers to repay loans made the banks to introduce soft collaterals to guide against risk exposure.

He said anybody requesting for a loan above N100,000 from the bank is expected to present a property worth such facility.

Managing Director, Berachah Microfinance Bank Mr Ologun Olumide said the illiquidity in most MFBs is attributed to high toxic assets, arising from poor loan recovery “When you extend credit to a customer and he refuse to pay after the maturity period expires, the probability of recovering that loan is very low. And if you don’t recover it, the affected bank is at a loss, which will in the long run affect its liquidity position. All the 103 MfBs that had their licences withdrawn by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2010 had issues with loan recovery, as this continues to eat into their capital base, thus, illiquid to carry out businesses as expected,” he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

15

Taxation

Tax Administration in Nigeria

3.2 Legislative Arm The legislative arm of Government encompasses the organs of Government at the Federal and State level which are empowered to make laws. We have set out below their roles and responsibilities”

and all other stakeholders in the tax system to ensure effective and efficient tax administration in Nigeria. Other than their formal compliance roles, they shall act in an informal supervisory role, as they have the right to demand for transparency and accountability in the collection, allocation, disbursement and expenditure of tax revenue.

3.2.1 National Assembly The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria vests the powers to make or amend laws on the taxation of income or profits in the National Assembly. Some State Governments and indeed the Federal Government have used the omnibus clause in section 4 of the Constitution to address gaps identified in the taxation system. Section 4 clearly gives the State Government the ability to enact laws in the interest of peace and good governance, but also the Federal Government through the national assembly the same powers to enact laws in the interest of peace and good governance, with the proviso that where there is a conflict, the laws enacted by the Federal Government prevail.

Taxpayers shall assist tax authorities in the discharge of their functions by providing necessary information and such other assistance as may be required by the tax authorities. There shall be effective linkages and co-operation between taxpayers and other stakeholders in the tax system to enhance the overall quality of the Nigerian tax system. Tax payers are entitled to submit disputes with tax authorities to the Judiciary for adjudication when necessary in order to aid the development of Nigerian tax jurisprudence. They are also entitled to make necessary input to proposed tax legislation and suggest changes to existing tax legislation. In this regard, there should be frequent interaction between tax payers, tax authorities and other stakeholders in the tax system, in a forum where ideas may be freely exchanged and suggestions made for the improvement of tax practice and administration in Nigeria.

It is therefore the constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly to make tax laws or amend existing laws as provided in the Second Schedule to the Constitution, and as may be required under section 4 of the Constitution, after obtaining recommendations from the Federal Ministry of Finance and other relevant Government agencies or from the citizenry.

The National Assembly shall work closely with the Federal Executive Council on tax and revenue matters, as any legislation passed in this respect would be enforced by the FEC or its organs. The National Assembly would be required to translate policy recommendations into laws, where required and also identify lacunae in our laws, which should be addressed for effective administration of taxes and revenue generation in the country. It shall also be responsible for obtaining input from the general public and providing feedback to the Nigerian people on relevant legislation in their roles as the elected representatives of the Nigerian people.

In the exercise of its powers, the National Assembly shall ensure compliance with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, which provides the powers of the National Assembly in relation to tax legislation.

3.2.2 State House of Assembly The Nigerian Constitution also provides the powers of the State Houses of Assembly in relation to imposition of Federal, State and Local Government taxes. With regard to Federal Taxes specifically covered in Section 0, Part II of the Nigerian Constitution, the powers of the State Houses of Assembly are restricted to collection and administration of certain taxes subject to authorisation by the National Assembly. In the exercise of any such powers granted by the National Assembly, the State Houses of Assembly shall work closely with the State Executive Council and its organs that would be responsible for the collection and administration of the taxes. The State Houses of Assembly shall also liaise with the National Assembly, where required to facilitate changes in relevant legislation that will assist the State House of Assembly effectively discharge its duties.

The various State Houses of Assembly shall also be responsible for legislation that will enable the local governments in the State effectively discharge their duties with respect to the collection of rates, fees and levies which are within their jurisdiction. In this regard, and in order to harmonise rates, fees levies. fines, tolls and charges collectible by the Local government Authorities, the Joint Tax Board shall advise on the proposed changes for enactment by the State Houses of Assembly.

3.3 Judiciary The Judiciary is the body empowered to interpret tax laws and adjudicate on tax matters. It is therefore expected that all tax disputes which cannot be resolved in any other legal manner, shall be referred to the judiciary for adjudication. In this regard, it is expected that the Judiciary would play a central role in the resolution of fiscal disputes between the different arms and tiers of Government. The Judiciary would be expected to maintain an independent and neutral role in the discharge of its functions. However, when necessary, it shall seek the co-operation and assistance of the other arms of Government or their organs for the purpose of the effective charge of its duties. In this regard, the Judiciary may partner with the tax authorities in the training of its personnel on tax issues and other such technical matters. In addition it shall be the responsibility of the Judiciary to ensure that its personnel are up to date with developments the Nigerian tax system so they can adjudicate on technical matters submitted for their consideration.

I other arms and levels of Government, Tax/Revenue authorities, the tax-paying public and other stakeholders shall ensure strict compliance with the decisions of the judiciary in other to guarantee the integrity of the judicial system and aid the development of tax jurisprudence in Nigeria, thereby creating a stable tax system in which all stakeholders have confidence.

3.4 Tax Authorities The tax authorities as represented by the FIRS and the States Board of Internal Revenue are responsible for the administration of tax laws and are also entrusted with the responsibility for advising government on all tax related matters. Tax authorities have a responsibility for ensuring that tax administration at all levels of Government is carried out in a transparent manner and in accordance with statutory provisions, so as to safeguard the integrity of the tax system. In the discharge of their functions, tax authorities should obtain necessary approvals from the Ministry of Finance in respect of policy and relevant operational matters. However this should be done in a manner, which would not prejudice the independence and autonomy of the tax authorities.

With respect to the Legislature, tax authorities are required to provide assistance and necessary insight in respect of new tax legislation or the review of existing legislation being considered by the Legislature. They should provide technical input and know-how to aid the legislature in the discharge of its functions. Tax authorities should also ensure a cordial relationship with and provide necessary information to the Legislature in the discharge of its oversight functions on tax authorities.

Tax authorities should also partner with the Judiciary in relation to training and provision of technical assistance to the Judiciary on tax matters.

Tax authorities are expected to maintain a cordial relationship with all other stakeholders in the tax system and be responsible for the provision of timely and up-to-date information on developments in the tax

Overall taxpayers shall see themselves as part and parcel of the Nigerian tax system and not outsiders and shall therefore carry out their Constitutional and civic roles as their contribution to National development and growth.

• ALHAJI KABIR MOHAMMED MASHI, AG. EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, FIRS

The CITN shall partner with other relevant bodies and associations to ensure that all stakeholders in the tax systems are carried along in the discharge of its functions. It shall also strive to act as bridge between the tax authorities, taxpayers and tax practitioners at all times. system. They shall also, along with the Ministry of Finance and other relevant Government organs, provide information to tax payers on the allocation, disbursement, expenditure and utilisation of tax revenue.

It shall be the’ responsibility of tax authorities to carry out proper tax payer education and public enlightenment along with other Government agencies such as the Ministry of Education and Information. Tax authorities shall publicise proposed changes to tax laws and new legislation to taxpayers. They shall also provide guidance to the public on all aspects of tax compliance and other issues relating to the tax system in the form of information circulars, bulletins, handbills, media adverts or newsletters. In creating a sustainable tax culture in Nigeria, tax authorities shall partner with educational institutions and the Ministry of Education to create a workable framework for the introduction of taxation in the, curricula of all levels of educational institutions in Nigeria.

Generally, tax authorities shall ensure that their functions are discharged in an efficient and effective manner. Ancillary to this, tax authorities shall ensure that core tax functions (such as assessment and collection of taxes) are only carried out by career tax administrators, who are Public Servants, and not by ad-hoc consultants or agents. In this regard, only self assessments or assessments duly issued by tax officials shall be recognised by tax authorities in Nigeria. In addition, the tax authorities should create a conducive tax atmosphere and environment which will engender tax payer confidence at all levels of tax administration. In this regard, tax payers, shall be provided adequate time and space to review, challenge and appeal every tax assessment or demand made by the tax authorities and every claim, objection, appeal, representation or the like made by any taxpayer must be sufficiently considered.

Where the tax authorities diligently carry out their functions as set out above, it will ensure taxpayer confidence in the tax administration and create a workable and sustainable tax system to benefit all stakeholders.

3.5 Joint Tax Board The Joint Tax Board (JTB) is the body created by the Personal Income Tax Act to regulate the relationship between tax authorities at the State and Federal level and is expected to act as an effective supervisory and advisory body on shared activities of ’ State and Federal tax authorities. In this regard, it shall work towards the harmonisation of tax processes and administration in Nigeria and in the discharge of its functions, provide technical assistance and support to tax authorities on all relevant matters and work towards the creation of standard processes and procedures for the activities of tax authorities. This will make compliance easier for tax payers and also lead to higher compliance rates for the tax authorities.

In particular, the JTB shall co-ordinate the country-wide introduction of the Unique Taxpayer Identification Number nationwide (which is a more effective and technologically enabled system of tax-payer registration that would lead to a nationwide database to which all Federal, State and Local Government authorities shall subscribe) and other initiatives which may be introduced from time to time.

3.6 Taxpayers Taxpayers are the single most important group of stakeholders in the tax system. They are the bedrock of the tax system and the source of all revenue generated by tax authorities. Taxpayers are the primary focus of all tax authorities, due to the significant role, which they play in the tax system.

Following from the above, taxpayers shall be required to discharge their roles, by ensuring strict compliance with tax laws at all times.

They are required to ensure voluntary registration with tax authorities and make timely, correct and complete tax returns and payments as required under the law. Taxpayers shall co-operate with tax authorities

3.7 Professional Bodies, Tax Consultants and Practitioners Nigerian Law provides a statutory role for professional bodies in the tax system. In this regard, the Chartered Institute of Taxation Act provides powers to the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CITN) to amongst other things determine standards of knowledge and skill to be attained by tax practitioners, the establishment and maintenance of a register of its members and the regulation and control of tax practice.

It is therefore expected that the CITN shall exercise its powers to enhance tax practice in Nigeria and for the overall benefit of the tax system. The CITN shall partner with other relevant bodies and associations to ensure that all stakeholders in the tax systems are carried along in the discharge of its functions. It shall also strive to act as bridge between the tax authorities, taxpayers and tax practitioners at all times. The role of the CITN is however, without prejudice to the roles of other stakeholders and professional bodies existing within the tax system.

Tax consultants and practitioners are also key stakeholders in the tax system, who are expected to use their skill and expertise to simplify the tax compliance process, properly advice taxpayers on compliance requirements and also provide necessary insight and assistance to tax authorities. It is expected that tax practitioners and consultants shall discharge their duties with integrity and patriotism at all times and shall not be party to wilful or negligent non- compliance with tax laws.

They are also expected to partner with tax authorities and other stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the tax system and ensure that they open and maintain effective communication lines with tax authorities at all times.

3.8 Relationship between Stakeholders The Tax Policy does not intend to set out a rigid set of guidelines regulating the relationship between Stakeholders. However it is recognised that in order to have a workable and sustainable Tax System, there should be frequent interaction and engagement between the various Stakeholders along the following lines: · The Executive and Legislature shall co-operate on fiscal issues and all fiscal matters shall be accorded priority and given the necessary attention by each arm of Government. · There should be regular fora for discussing tax policy and legislation and disputes which arise between the two arms of Government shall be resolved amicably. Where necessary, disputes shall be referred to the judiciary for adjudication. In this regard, the Judiciary shall be the final arbiter of all disputes and its decisions shall be binding on all parties.

In addition, all tiers of Government as well as the tax authorities are expected to provide guidance and information to the taxpaying public, which should elicit higher compliance and co-operation from the taxpayers. A more structured information-sharing arrangement should also be established between the tax authorities and relevant Government agencies in order to properly identify and engage taxpayers to ensure full compliance with tax laws. · The Federal and State Ministries of Finance shall be responsible for all tax policy matters, including initiating proposals for amendments to tax laws by the National Assembly and providing direction and approval for policy issues when necessary; · Federal and State tax authorities shall have a harmonious and cooperative relationship amongst themselves and with the relevant Federal and State Ministries or agencies of government as may be determined. · The Tax System should provide a foundation for healthy competition amongst States towards the improvement of investment activities in the States and enhancing the internally generated revenue in the States.

The relationship between the Tax authorities should be coordinated by the Joint Tax Board (JTB). In this regard, the JTB should effectively discharge its advisory role to the Government and the tax authorities and ensure harmonisation of tax administration and the standardisation of tax processes and administration in Nigeria. · Overtime, tax authorities should be expected to also function as tax law enforcement agencies. However, they are expected to establish formal cooperation with relevant law enforcement agencies to assist them acquire skills and competencies in investigation and enforcement matters. · The tax-paying public, corporate organisations, organised private sector and trade unions shall work closely with and co-operate with tax authorities and other stakeholders to ensure seamless administration of taxes. These groups of stakeholders shall be treated as customers by the tax authorities and be accorded the necessary attention and assistance.

There should be proper tax payer education and regular forums for engagement of the tax-paying public by tax authorities and relevant government agencies involved in tax administration. · Oversight over the tax system shall be multi-pronged and be driven ultimately by the National and State assemblies. · Alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as the use of appeal tribunals and other formal and structured mechanisms shall be encouraged. · The tax-paying public shall have the right and duty to make necessary contributions for the development of our tax system. Professional bodies, tax consultants and practitioners shall also contribute to the overall development of the tax systems and work to establish necessary linkages with other stakeholders.

• To

be cotinued

16

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

17

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

THE NATION

INVESTORS SECOND QUARTER REVIEW Nbn

Bonds

Equities

Equities, bonds record N1.5tr turnover F

OR every N1 million staked on equities in the second quarter, investors staked almost N8 million on bonds as the securities market contended with double-digit inflation, high interest rate and a slumbering primary capital market that have left several companies in tight financial positions.

The Nation’s second quarter review showed that average weekly turnover on the Over-the-Counter (OTC) bond market, where the Federal Government’s sovereign bonds are traded, stood at N105.5 billion for 116.9 million units in 710 deals as against average weekly turnover of N13.25 billion for 2.04 billion shares for 18,311 deals on the equity market.

Equities, however, showed better prospects in the second quarter with a benchmark return of 4.59 per cent compared with a negative return of 0.38 per cent in the first quarter. The modest recovery in the second quarter impacted positively on the overall performance of the equity market for the first half, leaving investors with modest average return of 4.19 per cent.

Turnover on the OTC bond market during the three-month period totaled 1.52 billion units worth N1.37 trillion in 9,236 deals. The market traded with a low and high range of 62.32 million units and 185.36 million units with transactions largely above weekly average. The lowest turnover was in the second week of the quarter with 62.32 million units valued at N51.93 billion

•NSE returns 4.19% gain

By Taofik Salako

in 472 deals.

Demand for sovereign bonds peaked in the last week of the quarter as investors traded 185.36 million units for N171.54 billion in 496 deals.

In the equity market, total turnover for the three-month ended June 30, 2012 stood at 26.49 billion shares worth N172.24 billion in 238,043 deals.

The market traded within a low and high range of 931 million shares and 5.4 billion shares as demand for equities recovered from a low of 930.68 million shares valued at N6.33 billion in 17,744 deals in the 12th week to peak at 5.38 billion shares worth N22.47 billion in 17,019 deals.

Also, market turnover fared better in the second quarter compared with the first quarter when about 19.64 billion shares worth N145.08 billion were traded. From N31.76 billion in January, transaction value had increased to N44.95 billion and N68.37 billion in February and March 2012 respectively.

Aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted equities gained N345 billion or 5.27 per cent to close second quarter at N6.895 trillion as against its closing value of N6.550 trillion for the first quarter. The All Share Index (ASI) - the benchmark index at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), which tracks price changes in all equities, closed the second quarter at 21,599.57 points compared with its index on board of 20,652.47 points for the quarter.

With the second quarter performance, average return at the NSE for the first half stood at 4.19 per cent, driven largely by the gains in the second quarter. Aggregate market value of all equities had opened this year at N6.533 trillion while the ASI opened the year at 20,730.63 points.

With average inflation rate of 12.8 per cent during the second quarter, Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) of 12 per cent and prime lending rate of 16.98 per cent, the modest positive return at the equity market turned negative as investors were tempted to lock more funds into securities with better pros-

pects for positive real return.

Market analysts said in spite of marginal decline in inflation rate from 12.9 per cent in April to 12.7 per cent in May, concerns that doubledigit inflation rate may persist through the year have been moderating investors’ appetite for equities.

Average inflation rate for the first five months of 2012 stands at 12.44 per cent, with a low and high range of 11.9 per cent and 12.9 per cent. Inflation rate now stands at 12.7 per cent.

President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Alhaji Ariyo Olushekun, noted that the current high interest rates regime encouraged stronger inflow into bonds.

Managing director, Cowry Asset Management Limited, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, pointed out that given average yield of 16 per cent on some fixed-income securities as against the most optimistic projected average return of 13 per cent on equities, investors would prefer to lock in more funds into fixed income instruments.

‘Aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted equities gained N345 billion or 5.27 per cent to close second quarter at N6.895 trillion as against its closing value of N6.550 trillion for the first quarter’

Economist and investment adviser, Sterling Capital Markets, Sewa Wusu, said sovereign bonds have become increasingly attractive as hedging instruments against the downtrend at the stock market and also because of the attractive yields on the bonds.

He noted that the upward push in turnover was due to increasing foreign appetite for Nigerian government bonds, adding that fund managers were rebalancing their portfolios in favour of bonds to preserve their capital while ensuring continuous scheduled flow of incomes to manage the downtrend at the equity market.

However, analysts at FSDH Securities Limited, a subsidiary of FSDH, remained optimistic of the prospects of the equities.

“We expect discerning investors to take advantage of the undervaluation of fundamentally strong stocks, currently in the market to take strategic positions. Also, we expect the market to trend-up as the second quarter results of quoted companies begin to trickle into the market,” analysts stated.

They said investors should hold a medium to long term view of their investment strategies in order to ensure the safety of their investments.

While the first quarter posted a negative return, analysts at FSDH had reiterated they believed that the benchmark return index at NSE could achieve a full-year return of 13.3 per cent in 2012.

Forecasts Q3 Sept 2012 Total Nigeria Turnover N54.466b Profit after tax N1.804b Red Star Express Turnover N2.888b Profit after tax N200.557m Cadbury Nig Turnover N9.873b Profit after tax N735m Okomu Oil Turnover N2.176b Profit after tax N667.068m Continental Re Turnover N10.028b Profit after tax N1.207b Livestock Feeds Turnover N1.379b Profit after tax N51.654m IEI Gross Premium N4.250b

Profit after tax N533.898m Cornerstone Ins Premium Revenue N919.418m Profit after tax N41.002m Skye Bank Gross earnings N99.710b Profit after tax N13.933b CCNN Turnover N3.683b Profit after Tax N402.165m Custodian & Allied Gross Premium N8.540b Profit after tax N1.345b UPDC Turnover N10.274b Profit after tax N1.002b Nestle Nig Turnover N28.850b Profit after tax N4.014b UACN Turnover N48.313b

Profit after tax N4.611b Julius Berger Turnover N125.541b Profit after tax N3.993b Diamond Bank Gross earnings N27.315b Profit after tax N3.107b Oando Turnover N123.207b Profit after tax N2.967b Presco Turnover N2.400b Profit after tax N613.760m Berger Paints Turnover N976.303m Profit after tax N88.258m Oasis Ins Turnover N450m Profit after tax N63.894m Access Bank

Gross earnings N54.782b Profit after tax N11.907b Resort Savings & Loans Gross earnings N960.736m Profit after tax N165.540m Trans-Nationwide Exp Gross earnings N170.342m Profit after tax N40.568m GT Assure Gross premium N9.525b Profit after tax N1.241b Pharma-Deko Turnover N454m Profit before tax N10m Eterna Turnover N56.413b Profit after tax N859.734m Consolidated Hallmark Ins Gross premium N4.110b Profit after tax N511.564m

MRS Oil Nig Turnover N76.804b Profit after tax N1.068b Transcorp Total income N2.658b Profit after tax N1.507b Evans Medicals Revenue N1.619b Profit after tax N64.656m AIICO Ins Gross premium N2.561b Profit after tax N344.406m GSK Nig Turnover N6.756b Profit after taxation N580.824m Abbey Building Society Gross earnings N1.300b Profit after tax N217.537m Regency Alliance Gross premium N1.300b Profit after tax N303.777m

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

18

THE NATION INVESTORS Brokers seek new council for NSE

S

TOCKBROKING firms under the aegis of the Association of Stockbroking Houses Association of Nigeria (ASHON) has said the impending changes in the national council of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) should restore the Exchange to its status as an independent self regulatory organisation.

Chairman, Association of Stockbroking Houses Association of Nigeria (ASHON), Mr Emeka Madubuike, said the new council of the NSE should reflect the provisions of the Exchange’s Memorandum and Articles of Association (Memart).

Madubuike, who spoke at the general meeting of the association, said compliance with the Memart of the Exchange would put it in a position to drive policies that would engender confidence in its activities.

The board of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had recently consented to removal of eight members it appointed unto the council of the Exchange. SEC’s appointees unto the council also included the interim national president, Mallam Ballama Manu, Mr Emmanuel Ikazoboh, Mrs. Yemisi Ayeni, Mr. Abimbola

Stories by Taofik Salako

Ogunbanjo, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, and Mrs. Dorothy Ufot, SAN. Stockbrokers had championed a massive campaign against what they described as “micro-management of NSE” through the continued presence of SEC’s appointees. Stockbrokers, who own the NSE, have been complaining of being sidelined since August 2010 after SEC sacked the management of NSE and appointed interim management and council to run its affairs.

The council of the NSE had subsequently at a meeting considered the disengagement process and decided that its president, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, should consult with stakeholders of the Exchange in order to assist council to come to an informed decision on timing and manner of the disengagement, as well as reconstitution of the council.

Madubuike noted that recent developments both at SEC and the council of NSE have given them a lot of hope that normalcy was beginning to return to the Exchange.

He said stockbrokers were plan-

•From left: Company Secretary, R.T. Briscoe (Nigeria) Plc,Olukayode Adeoluwa; Chairman, Clement Olowokande and Managing Director, Oluseyi Onajide,at the company’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos.

FACTS

TO

FACTS

CCNN vs Ash akacem: The Northern contest

C

EMENT Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) Plc and Ashaka Cement (Ashakacem) Plc are the two main cement producing companies in the Northern Nigeria. They are also, by available measurable indices, the flagship companies from the region.

CCNN, the older company, was incorporated in 1962 and has its cement work and headquarters in the historic city of Sokoto, Sokoto State. Located in Gombe, Gombe State, Ashakacem was established in 1974.

Ashakacem was, however, listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in early 1990 while CCNN followed in 1993. Both collectively represent the Northern manufacturing being two of the three main surviving Northernbased publicly quoted manufacturing companies.

While both started with significant foreign interests, they have travelled different roads over the years. CCNN is now a wholly-owned Nigerian company with more than 36,000 shareholders. Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu’s BUA International Limited-through its wholly-owned subsidiary-Damnaz Cement Company, holds the majority equity stake in CCNN. Ashakacem is a subsidiary of Lafarge; world’s largest building materials company.

In terms of size, Ashakacem is the largest cement producer in Northern Nigeria. Ashakacem’s total balance sheet more than doubles the size of CCNN. In fact, Ashakacem’s equity funds exceed the total assets of CCNN. These also reflected on the turnover, where Ashakacem is leading by twoquarter. Both companies follow the normal Gregorian calendar year as their business year, making peer analysis and comparison more illustrative and reliable.

The latest audited reports and accounts of both companies for the year ended December 31, 2011 showed CCNN was far ahead of the competition. From sales to profit and returns, CCNN outperformed Ashakacem and consolidated its lead as the best-return company over the years.

While Ashakacem witnessed a slowdown, CCNN showed strong recovery and covered up previous deficits to match-up with its peer on the countdowns for the best-performing stock over a two-year period.

Sales Generation In the immediate past year, CCNN was at the centre of the marketplace with 25 per cent growth in sales compared with 8.5 per cent increase recorded by Ashakacem. While

CCNN’s top-line performance was an impressive recovery from a decline of 5.8 per cent in 2010, Ashakacem’s 2011 performance was a decline from 11.4 per cent growth recorded in 2010.

However, consistent profit growth put Ashakacem ahead of its peer with average turnover growth of 9.95 per cent as against 9.35 per cent indicated

by CCNN.

Profitability There appeared to be exchange of trends between the companies.

CCNN took the lead as the most profitable company in 2011 outpacing Ashakacem in both outward and underlying profitability measures.

Ashakacem’s gross profit rose by 9.24 per cent in 2011. This further narrowed down to 8.5 per cent increase in profit before tax. After taxes, net profit rose by 18.9 per cent. On the other hand, CCNN grew gross profit by about 53 per cent while more efficient midline cost management magnified this into 88 per cent increase in profit before tax. After taxes, net profit jumped by 82 per cent in 2011.

FACTS TO FACTS

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

Beyond the outward figures, CCNN also showed stronger intrinsic profitmaking capacity with gross profit margin and pre-tax profit margin of 45.2 per cent and 23.7 per cent respectively compared with 38 per cent and 22.9 per cent recorded by Ashakacem.

Actual returns CCNN is a more efficient user of resources, both in the general sense and in specific relation to shareholders’ funds.

It maintains the lead in both the size and progression of returns. Return on total assets improved from 11.8 per cent in 2010 to 18.3 per cent in 2011. Return on equity also improved from 26.2 per cent to 32.9 per cent.

Comparatively, Ashakacem’s return on total assets inched up from 10 per cent in 2010 to 10.4 per cent in 2011. Return on equity also increased marginally from 18.6 per cent to 18.8 per cent.

On the average, CCNN posted average annual return on total assets of 15.05 per cent between 2010 and 2011 compared with 10.2 per cent recorded

by Ashakacem over the two-year period. CCNN’s average return on equity stood at about 30 per cent as

Ashakacem 2011 2010 % % 8.5 11.4 9.24 8.5 85.5 38 37.8 22.9 22.9 18.9 218.2 10.4 10 18.8 18.6

Average % 9.95 4.62 47 37.9 22.9 118.55 10.2 18.7

Pre-tax profit margin (Ashakacem)

against 19 per cent posted by Ashakacem.

The Bottom-line The Nigerian cement industry is categorised as a growth industry with immense market opportunity and headroom for domestic and regional expansion by operators. However, the outlook for the cement industry is also clouded by equally daunting infrastructural challenges. While the wide supply-demand gap and Nigeria’s emerging economy status present ready market for cement manufacturers, their performances are moderated by epileptic public power supply and poor transportation. In some instances, weather presents natural challenge and determines to some extent the quantum of production, supply and demand.

Cement manufacturers have generally worked around these challenges by investing in multi-option self-generating power supply including gas, coal and low pour fuel oil (LPFO) and in transportation through large fleet of heavy-duty trucks. These however carved the market into North and

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

% 24.5 52.8 88 45.2 23.7 81.6 18.3 32.9

South. While the South-based cement producers have access to more efficient and less costly gas, their Northern counterparts are far off from such access and make do with alternatives such as coal and biogas. But distance and the absence of a well-functioning railway system also played to the advantage of the North-based producers, putting them in control of the vast northern market as transportation cost would make South-produced cement less competitive in the North.

Notwithstanding, both CCNN and Ashakacem, like their Southern counterparts, have made significant investments in capacity utilisation and system efficiency in recent years. While the core investors in the two companies undoubtedly have adequate capitalisation to drive their performances, the difference, overall, will be long-term commitment and management of resources. CCNN has particularly benefitted from a steady capacity optimisation and renewal programme as well as a stable management under a value-driven chief executive. This is why it shines farther than any Northern star.

CCNN 2011 % -5.8 -20.3 -24.4 36.8 15.7 -30 11.8 26.2

2010 % 9.35 16.25 31.8 41 19.7 25.8 15.05 29.55

Pre-tax profit margin (CCNN)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY,JULY 4, 2012

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

Court order on lawmakers’ salary •Legislators have no grounds, in law and morality, to hide their earnings from the public UST maybe, the National Assembly may soon be forced to obey the provisions of the constitution on matters of their members’ emoluments. Our hope is rekindled by the order of Justice Bilikisu Bello Aliyu of the Federal High Court ordering the Clerk of the National Assembly to disclose details of the salaries, emoluments and allowances collected by members of the Senate and House of Representatives between 2007 and last year. The court order was sequel to an application by an advocacy group, Legal Defense and Assistance Project (LEPAD), relying on the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

We are surprised that the Clerk of the National Assembly waited for a court order to make available what is clearly a public document. The salary and other emoluments of any public officer paid from public coffers should be known and made accessible to the public. The clerk, ordinarily, should have no prerogative as to whether or not to release such information. As a matter of fact, such data should be on the legislators’ web site. Indeed, a certified true copy should be available on payment of a token amount, and unless there is a cover-up, every interested person should easily obtain that information from the office of the clerk or any other designated administrative officer.

Many Nigerians are shocked at the morality of keeping such information away from the public, as if to equate the act of governance to the business of a secret society. The Clerk of the National Assembly should not waste public funds to appeal that decision of the court, and we re-

J

quest Nigerians to speak up to deprecate any such attempt. If the information has not been released by now following the court order, the leadership of the National Assembly should order the clerk to immediately do so.

It is our hope that if there is a disclosure of the huge sums of money that members of the National Assembly have appropriated to themselves, pressure could be mounted on them to obey the provisions of the constitution. According to section 32(d) of the Third Schedule to the 1999 constitution, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) shall have powers to determine the remuneration appropriate for political office holders, including the legislators. Unfortunately, the suit filed by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to determine the lawfulness of the remuneration enjoyed by the legislators has been struck out by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, on the grounds that the NBA lacked the locus standi to bring the action.

As we have always argued, members of the National Assembly must, as the people’s representatives, come to terms with this constitutional provision. They should understand the wisdom in such a provision, which is internationally made to derogate from their general power over the nation’s fiscal appropriation. As seen from that provision, there is a conscious effort by the constitution to ensure that there is even no collaboration by officials of the three arms of government to conspire amongst themselves to share the hefty parts of the resources of the country as remuneration amongst their members.

The constitution clearly ensured that such powers are not in the hands of the politicians.

So, with the legislators defying the constitution, and the courts refusing to grant right of action to private persons and organisations to question the legitimacy of the legislative conduct, let us hope an exposure will cause enough public pressure to restore sanity.

We commend LEPAD, and hope that there will be more resort to the Freedom of Information Act to extract information from public institutions and, where necessary, expose corruption and mismanagement in the interest of our common well-being. We hope the courts will be more proactive and less rigid in determining the locus standi of persons or organisations seeking to right wrongs affecting the general public.

‘Many Nigerians are shocked at the morality of keeping such information away from the public, as if to equate the act of governance to the business of a secret society. The Clerk of the National Assembly should not waste public funds to appeal that decision of the court, and we request Nigerians to speak up to deprecate any such attempt.’

The new NSA •The new NSA should avoid the pitfalls of his predecessor RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has replaced his National Security Adviser (NSA), General Andrew Azazi with retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki, a prince of the Sokoto Caliphate and onetime Aide de Camp (ADC) of former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida. The belated change came at a time when the nation is battling serious security challenges arising from the Boko Haram insurgency. The revolt that commenced in 2009 with some budding religious rascals has metamorphosed into a raging rebellion that has attracted international attention. Boko Haram, the way it is going, may earn the country the appellation of a terrorist haven.

The realisation of this must have compelled President Jonathan to change se-

P

‘Dasuki is seemingly taking the right steps by visiting the trouble spots in the north to have a first-hand feel of the problems. He should visit more states where the heat of the sect’s activities is intense ... Public expectation is high on Dasuki. We can only hope that he will be bold enough to handle the situation while at the same time avoiding his predecessor’s pitfalls’

curity tactics in combating the intractable sect that has become the most dreaded threat to the country’s corporate existence.

At no time in the nearly 52 years existence of the country has its internal cohesion been threatened as it is today. Over time, foreign countries, including the U.S. have admonished their nationals to stay off potential targets of Boko Haram members, and such observations have proved right at times and almost clairvoyant at other times. The suicide bombings continue unabated while the government seems more helpless in confronting the situation.

With the assumption of office of Dasuki as NSA, we hope that the precarious security situation, especially in the northern part of the nation, will improve. Both Azazi, from the south-south, that previously held the position, and the fresh entrant, Dasuki, are former military top shots, but it is expedient to quickly add that the Boko Haram problem is more political than military.

Due to the fact that the problem is more persistent and peculiar to the north, we hope that Dasuki will rise up to the occasion by earnestly getting to the roots of the problem. He should be bold to speak the language understood by the insurgents to them, notwithstanding the fact that they seem to be anti-royalty. Dasuki should endeavour to talk down the ladder because of the sect’s theocratic mindset.

The new NSA should be clear in his mind that the target is President Jonathan and the destructive, but well-thought-out political gambit of Boko Haram, seems to be working out, regrettably, as diabolically

planned. His coming into office should show a striking difference, otherwise, he would be sending a bad signal to Nigerians that nothing has actually changed.

The President ought to have removed the former NSA a long time ago and this trend, sadly, has become a regular pattern in the President’s administration.

The same route he took before he finally sacked Hafiz Ringim, the former Inspector-General of Police, who left the force in a bad shape. If many of our public servants were men and women of honour, then, General Azazi and the likes of Ringim ought to have tendered their resignation letters long before they were sacked, especially as the Boko Haram problems seemed to have defied their comprehension. Sadly, they waited, like most Nigerians in power, until they were shoved aside.

Dasuki is seemingly taking the right steps by visiting the trouble spots in the north to have a first-hand feel of the problems. He should visit more states where the heat of the sect’s activities is intense.

He was in Borno and Yobe states and has reportedly met with military, political and religious leaders in those states to listen to the facts-in-issue so as to be able to fashion out workable solutions that will end the Boko Haram quagmire in good time.

Public expectation is high on Dasuki.

We can only hope that he will be bold enough to handle the situation while at the same time avoiding his predecessor’s pitfalls.

Global warming in our backyard

T

HE reality of climate change is hitting home. It’s time to plan for hotter days and rising sea levels.

It’s not just about the polar bears anymore.

There was a time when the conversation about global warming was dominated by news about the Arctic, where its effects are the most easily visible to the lay public. The narrative involved shrinking glaciers and the ferocious white bears that live part of their lives on drifting ice floes that now are melting.

But polar bears are far away and ice is just, well, ice. So it would be a good idea for the public — and especially Southern Californians — to pay rapt attention to several reports published within the last couple of weeks that bring the reality of climate change from the polar ice caps to our backyard.

A climate change study at UCLA predicted big increases in the number of very hot days in the inland areas of Los Angeles County. Starting in about three decades, the report said, the number of days with temperatures above 95 is likely to quadruple in the San Fernando Valley, for example. The result will be more allergies among residents, bigger populations of some insect pests and worsening wildfires.

But don’t get smug if you live along the coast. The UCLA study was followed a few days later by a National Research Council report predicting that rises in the sea level will be more dramatic along the California coast than the global average, with a rise of up to a foot in 20 years and possibly more than 5 feet by the end of the century. That’s even worse than the scenario described the same week in a U.S. Geological Survey report that found sea levels already are rising more quickly along the East Coast from Massachusetts to North Carolina than they are globally.

This sets the stage for catastrophic flooding, destruction of valuable buildings, costly damage to ports and even some airports, inundation of low-lying towns unless adequate sea walls are built, and erosion of coastal cliffs and beaches.

Climate skeptics typically respond to such studies by saying these predictions are just designed to scare the populace. But global warming predictions should be carrying more serious weight in the public’s mind now than they did even five years ago because of emerging patterns that closely fit earlier forecasts.

Of course, it’s impossible to say that any single event — a day of record heat, or even an especially hot summer, or a dry year or a particular wildfire — is caused solely by the warming of the planet. But one of the key predictions a decade ago foresaw increasingly serious wildfires in the Western and Southwestern United States. Last year, New Mexico experienced its worst wildfire in history, covering more than 150,000 acres. This spring, an even worse wildfire in the state blackened more than 170,000 acres. Colorado is having its worst fire season ever, and the Waldo Canyon wildfire raging there has consumed hundreds of houses. A combination of fires last year in Texas burned more than 380,000 acres within a week. And a 2006 study by Scripps Institution of Oceanography scientists implicated rising seasonal temperatures and the earlier arrival of spring conditions in worsening fire conditions in the West, starting in the late 1980s.

Other predictions made five to 10 years ago also look more like reality these days. The hottest days are now hotter. New record high temperatures in the United States have outpaced new record lows 2 to 1 over the last decade; so far this year, the ratio is more than 9 to 1. As predicted, wet areas of the country are getting wetter. In both wet and dry areas, the heaviest storms are getting heavier. And the intensity of Atlantic storms has increased in recent years.

Looking ahead, the biggest variability in climate predictions, scientists say, comes not from uncertainty about emerging patterns but from uncertainty about what humans will do — or not do — to combat global warming.

The world can’t stop climate change altogether, but policies to reduce carbon emissions would have a major impact on whether sea levels rise by 3 feet toward the end of the century or more than 5.

Policies designed to mitigate the effects, after the fact, of global warming have been only slightly more effective than those designed to stop it from happening in the first place. Some coastal towns are shoring up their sea walls.

In Massachusetts, developers that build in flood-prone coastal areas must meet certain requirements for the height of the lowest floor. But the nation’s fleet of heavyduty firefighting tankers has been allowed to diminish in number to a shadow of its former strength. The times call for reacting to climate predictions with concern, but also with solid planning.

– Los Angeles Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile •Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon •Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Group Political Editor Bolade Omonijo

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

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IR: The Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria assures Lagosians that the Lagos State government will continue to do its best to mitigate the effects of the weather change that have led to severe flooding all over the country, especially in Lagos.

The huge investment the Fashola government has made on de-flooding Lagos is the reason why the adverse effects of the persistent rainfall in Lagos has been very minimal and the government would continue to work to ensure that Lagos achieves the kind of transformation that will make it less prone to ravaging floods.

What is happening now is a global phenomenon that has even withstood many advanced countries of the world and it does not need the present partisan meaning some politicians are desperately

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Lagos ACN assures Lagosians on flooding trying to read to it. Politicians should seek for ways to contribute to the present Lagos State effort to rid the state of the menace of flooding instead of seeking to make political capital out of natural mishaps that negatively affect the people.

We must commend the efforts of the Fashola government in its massive investment in environmental upgrading for the purpose of solving the flood problem that have been occurring in Lagos in recent

years. We commend the massive opening of drainages, construction of new ones, channeling water routes to the lagoons and clearing water ways all over Lagos. We note that the government has invested heavily on the environment, especially since last year’s devastating flood incident in Lagos and we believe that thus far, this has worked to stem the negative effects of the unceasing heavy rainfall that has hit Lagos since last week.

While we appeal to Lagosians and

commend them for their understanding, we wish to remind them that the world today is practically engulfed in unprecedented flooding and this fact was pictorially recorded by the last Sunday edition of The Punch where pictures of deadly floods in such countries like the United States, United Kingdom and India to show the global nature of flooding as we have it today. We are aware that the Lagos State government has been very proactive in issuing weather advi-

What is good for Charles Taylor should be good for Bush, Blair

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IR: Former Liberia President Charles Taylor was sentenced to 50 years in prison by an International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherland for war crimes charges.

Taylor on Wednesday May 30 became the first former head of state to be convicted of war crimes since World War ll. He was charged of aiding and abetting rebels in Sierra Leone during the 1991-2002 Civil war where thousands were killed, many were amputated, thousands ladies were raped and millions were displaced.

But if Taylor can be charged for his crimes, I think it is high time Tony Blair, former UK Prime Minister and George Bush, former US President be charged for their crimes against humanity both In Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bush with the support of Blair ordered US troops to invade Iraq during Saddam Hussein’s era in the name of looking for Weapon of Mass Destruction. But before and after capturing Saddam on December 14, 2003, many civilians were killed and millions of Iraqis were displaced and at last no weapon was found in Iraq.

Also since September 11 attack in US, US-led NATO troops have in-

vaded Afghanistan and committed many crimes in Afghanistan. Many Afghans civilians have been killed and millions displaced but unfortunately Bush and Blair are still walking free.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) must not shy away from declaring both Bush and Blair wanted for their crimes against humanity in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Nobody should be above international law.

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin

Netanyahu is another leader that is presently committing crime against humanity in Palestine. Israeli troops have killed many Palestinians on their land, some Palestinians are in Israeli prisons and thousands have been rendered homeless by Israeli soldiers contrary to United Nations resolutions.

Netanyahu may be enjoying immunity now as a sitting Prime Minister but ICC must issue an arrest warrant for him so that he can be arrested and charged as soon as he

finishes his tenure as PM or any time he travels outside Israel, the same way arrest warrant was put on Omar Al Bashir of Sudan.

Charles Taylor’s case should be an eternal lesson for our leaders that are maltreating their people or causing/sponsoring crisis in other lands. I would have preferred that Taylor served his sentence in Liberia or Sierra Leone’s prison where he committed the crime.

• Ajiboye John Tosin, Osogbo Osun State

sory to Lagosians on impending weather state and have followed up to with effective monitoring to ensure that we do not have any deadly flood in Lagos since after last year’s experience.

Lagos ACN is not surprised that some never-do-well political parties who have a redoubtable history of incompetence are now on a vocation of lying in wait for the annual rains and the temporary discomfort it brings to show their nonexistent potency and launch uninformed salvos on a responsible government for ulterior reasons.

We see this as the height of insensitivity and when it comes from an irresponsible party that has completely wrecked the country with incompetent and corrupt governance; we have every reason to warn Lagosians to be wary of these political profiteers.

We want to assure Lagosians that the Lagos State government is equal to the challenges thrown by the floods and want Lagosians to adhere to environmental codes to help prevent the adverse effects of flooding in Lagos. We want Lagosians to adhere strictly to the weather advisories that flow from the state government and ensure that the waterways and their immediate environments are kept clean to avoid the debilitating effects of flooding in Lagos.

• Joe Igbokwe.

Publicity Secretary, Lagos ACN.

The Lawan/Otedola macabre dance

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IR: The current macabre dance that has continued to trail the Lawan/Otedola bribery scandal is nothing but a national shame. For weeks running now, these two powerful Nigerians have continued to insult the sensibilities of all Nigerians, resorting to all manners of gymnastics to further dent their already dented image. The matter has since assumed such a disturbing height that whatever is left of an already worn out confidence in the leadership of this country is lost, while the media has continued to have a feast. Farouk Lawan was reported

at a time to have shunned the invitation of the Nigeria Police, before perfunctorily turning himself in.

Femi Otedola is now reported as calling the bluff of the House of Representatives that invited him to appear before them. Now it’s a clip of a purported telephone conversation that has become the new song in the unfolding drama, with news report that the supposed sting video would soon be shown on National TV. This is sad for our country and our leaders should just bow their heads in shame, for disgracing their fatherland. And in what Nigerians ordinarily would only expect to see

in the movies, these two powerful Nigerians have in the totality of their acts continued to desecrate national institutions, reducing them to the status of mere dogs that can only bark, but not bite.

Once again, leadership in this country has been put on a scale, and as usual their performance has been totally woeful. So sad is it that the entire Lawan/Otedola drama makes it seem as if Nigeria has no leader and the citizens should only go and fend for themselves, while the powerful continue to display their might. Truth be said, if it was to be a common Nigerian that was

alleged to have given bribe, our hotblooded Police would have detained him and in their characteristic attitude to show that they are working, he would have been arraigned in court. But where powerful Nigerians are involved, the Police suddenly become toothless. So what is the federal government advertising to foreign investors, who they keep begging everyday to come and invest? Is the federal government not the worst example of its own product?

• Olusola Adegbite, Esq. Town Planning Way, Ile-Ife, Osun-State.

21

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Lagos maternal mortality; Mr V Dasilva; Potholes are nuclear physics; Ibadan touts destroy Oyo economy

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APPY July 4 America! Have you noticed that on the QWERTY keyboard, 4 and $ are the same key? Therefore July $th can be written by Tony mistake as July $th! Very Marinho Freudian, abi?

Remember that ‘Delivery Is The Most Dangerous Day In The Life Of A Woman’. Delivery is actually doing national service by regenerating the nation. The maternal mortality study by Lagos State shows a serious and calculated attempt to assess the problem and plan the reduction of maternal death rates. Generally the maternal mortality rate in Nigeria is around 800/ 100,000. This is largely due to the 30 years of systematic, institutionalised, politically-driven poor medical funding, poor health services, poor public outreach on preventive health messages and poor doctor and nurse ratio to number of patients.

This generalised neglect has manifest in the abysmal care of women during labour in and outside government hospitals.

In ‘sophisticated’ Lagos, the maternal mortality at 555/100,000, is still too high a sacrifice. But it is a commendable start. What is better is the compulsory registration and examination of deaths including maternal deaths in and outside hospitals – maternal mortality-nationwide. The fear of such interrogation by medical and non-medical especially so-called mission ‘health’ services will save our mothers-to be.

I first met Mr Victor Olatunde Dasilva, distinguished laboratory scientist as an easy going, softly spoken, quietly strong friend and close confidant of my late father Dr Abayomi Marinho in the early 60s. He it was who bled me for tests he needed to conduct when some fainting thing was wrong with me. The experience had nothing to do with my choice of medicine but I remember the meticulously cleaned metal dishes, the glass syringe and long needle filling with my blood.

But something must have stuck in my subconscious as today

I always use three spirit swabs to clean the skin before inflicting a needle on patients and have never had a patient with an injection abscess. Later his son Roland and myself as 13 year olds preferred the window to the door to leave Uncle Victor’s first floor flat opposite Ikoyi Club. Uncle Victor was naturally very upset. We learnt the lesson to always use the door in future!

As patriarch his later life revolved around the numerous successes of his family, Aunty Alice and the children and their own growing families. He was always proud to talk about them. For me his most endearing remark was a softly spoken and encouraging ‘you know’ in all statements when you and he both knew that you did not know. I attended his funeral in spirit but not in body as I was stuck bodily, with millions of commuters, for three+ hours between Berger and Alausa, 9.30-1.30pm, trying to come in from Ibadan before turning back in frustration – total time in the car seven hours.

Result = Zero. May he Rest In Perfect Peace. Amen.

Having failed in our ‘Mission to Ikoyi Cemetery’ on return to Ibadan we found another evil. The vultures who thrived three years ago as protected ‘highwaymen’ are again on the Ibadan Challenge-Expressway link road between Ayefele Event Centre and Challenge Roundabout. They operate under Any Government In Power, AGIP. There were six touts, not in any uniform targeting cars. They jump in front of vehicles, wave an ID card of questionable value, and stop fellow Nigerians, suspected foreigners and out-of-town citizens.

Masquerading as bona fide LGA workers, these miscreants are armed robbers and terrorists acting with LGA protection and with impunity and perhaps police connivance. In broad daylight, they extort for fictitious fees from victims. What are the police, the SSS, the media action on this? Surely they get local security reports? They do nothing. This is a disgraceful embarrassment which may explode in violence.

Well I did something about it. I shouted for them to get away from my car. I called them thieves and robbers. I insisted that the road is a federal or federal/state road and LGA thugs had no authority to stop as even the police can no longer set

up road blocks. Amid my extreme shouting we drove forward.

They jumped, bewildered. We were actually applauded by the onlookers. But it was a Pyrrhic, unsatisfactory, victory as they are still there to rob others!

This horrible experience is inflicted on business persons and social visitors to Ibadan. Targeting business persons and foreigners gives Oyo State a bad name and helps ruin Oyo State’s economic drive. Potential investors will relocate their business to more friendly states. The LGA caretaker chairman and governor must have SSS reports on this menace to state security. Add the extortion ‘attacks’ of criminal touts along the Mapo-Bere road who overwhelm passing cars, day and night, until money passes. Other touts are ‘filling’ potholes around Ibadan and demanding money for safe passage. Who dug the potholes in the first place? Governments, SSS and police need to protect the citizen!

On the expressway itself the tow trucks vultures strategically park 50 metres after large old or newly created potholes. But nobody fills the holes! Who creates those murderous 6-12inch deep potholes? Why cannot potholes be filled during the rainy season? Why does Ogere still remain defiant of a ‘Keep two lanes open’ traffic solution? In Nigeria, pothole filling and Ogere traffic control are actually more difficult than nuclear physics. Nigeria should get ‘Rainy Season Pothole Filling’ right and on the agenda.

‘This horrible experience is inflicted on business persons and social visitors to Ibadan. Targeting business persons and foreigners gives Oyo State a bad name and helps ruin Oyo State’s economic drive. Potential investors will relocate their business to more friendly states’

Time to close ranks (2)

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AST week, this column dwelt on the recent visit by some elders from the North to the President and subsequent developments. During their visit, the elders in an address delivered by Yusuf Maitama Sule, the Danmasanin Kano, on behalf of the group, observed that there was a resurgence of inciting sectional, ethnic and religious rhetoric by persons, some of whom are holding high positions in the society, condemning or disparaging whole groups or sections, especially from the North. This, according to the group, creates ill-feeling and disharmony, capable of injuring and eroding the unity of the country.

They said that if our destiny as a people to live as one nation was to be guaranteed, then provocative utterances would not serve our interest either as individuals or as constituent parts. They warned that sowing discord amongst us must be discouraged.

The group also noted that corruption in the public and private sectors of the economy was the bane of Nigeria’s socio-economic development. They said it was imperative for the government to be seen to be committed to tackling the monster head on.

Arbitrary and indiscriminate retirement of senior officers in the Nigerian Armed Forces, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) also caught the attention of the group. It also spoke on the suspicious relocation from and creation of military installations

and services in some parts of the country. It pointed out the disparity in appointments into the federal Public Service. According to the group, the present share of the North in the service now stands at only about 18 per cent.

Gross disparity in the siting of federal capital projects as evidenced by the 2012 federal budget was another contentious issue the group brought to the notice of the President.

They described the break-up of the dialogue between the government and the Boko Haram group as unfortunate. The elders called for the resumption of the talks as soon as possible. They further appealed that hostilities be ceased for a certain period by both sides, if necessary, unilaterally by the Federal Government to facilitate the resumption of talks. “Contact removes conflict.

What the tongue can undo let the sword not be used. Jaw jaw, as Churchill said, is better than war, war,” Maitama Sule said.

The Northern leaders’ visit came on the heels of a recent call by Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, to religious and political leaders from the area to close ranks.

While addressing the Central Council of the Jana’atu Nasril Islam in Kaduna, the Sultan advised them to resolutely declare to end the orgy of bloodletting which had claimed thousands of lives. According to the Sultan, “We must come back to our senses and say firmly and resolutely that enough is enough. The bloodshed must stop. Each and everyone of us must come to appreciate that

“Government must carefully study the positions canvassed by the Northern elders so as to address the issues raised. There is merit in their observation, and we must act fast to douse the acrimonious atmosphere brewing in the country”

we cannot continue on this destructive path.”

Most, if not all the issues the Northern Elders put before the President are just what anybody can see. I do not see any self-serving interest in what the group has done.

Their castigation by the Dr. Junaid Muhammed group shows that there are some elements in the North who are comfortable with the present rancorous atmosphere prevailing in the country particularly in the north.

The dislocation, displacement and bloodletting in that part of the country have gone on for far too long that any concerted effort to end the orgy of violence by any sincere group should be welcome by all and sundry.

The issues canvassed by the Maitama Sule’s group, namely ethno-religious crises, Boko Haram and other forms of militancy, the threat to national unity, corruption, lopsidedness in national appointments must be addressed and urgently too. It is regrettable that we have allowed our polity to be polarized along ethnic and religious lines in such a manner that has made the events leading to the 1967 crisis a mere child’s play.

If after 52 years of independence our country is still grappling with ethno-religious and tribal issues, for how long more will it take us to achieve the much-vaunted unity in diversity? If we look at all the sections of the country today, there exists one form of militant group or another which have been foisted on the nation by the recklessness of our politicians who have reduced our national politics to a ‘cash and carry’ affair. Most of the youths who have now taken up arms against constituted authorities in several parts of the country have been emboldened by politicians who recruit and armed them to rig elections, after which they are dumped.

Now, armed with sophisticated weapons, they turn their guns on

the society in a last-ditch survival strategy. The militancy in the Niger Delta started this way. It was the same use-and-dump strategy that brought about the Boko Haram phenomenon that has almost reduced the entire northern part of the country into rubbles.

Generally, all the identified symptoms of conflict in Nigeria are prevalent in all parts of the country. Is it mass poverty, rampant crime, drug abuse, armed banditry or unemployment? They exist in whatever form all over the country. Perhaps, what has added a fillip to the problem of the North are sectarian killings and religious intolerance which are hardly noticeable in the rest of the country.

In the case of the Boko Haram insurgency, it may well appear that the northern elites and the federal government are not sincere in their approach to extirpate the menace.

Schools are being destroyed, market places are set on fire, innocent people are callously mowed down and everything despicable is being perpetrated. Let nobody be under any illusion that it is the North and only the North that is affected. The whole country is affected. In the first instance, if you go out of Nigeria today, what you are confronted with is the insecurity situation in the country. Foreigners don’t know the difference between the North and the rest of the country. All they know is that Nigeria is in turmoil.

Similarly, the ruins in the economy of the North have drastically affected the economy of other parts of the country. If you doubt this, take a trip to the market and find out what the prices of foodstuff and other items are now and what they were, say this time last year?

Just like it is only a few northerners that can venture out of the enclave the whole of the North have been turned into, only a few courageous people from the rest of the country now risk going to the North to do

Dele Agekameh business.

At the risk of sounding blasphemous, it appears religion has now been turned into a tool to spread poverty in the country. For suicide bombers who are daily detonating their lethal wares all over the North, the promise of Eldorado in the hereafter is a mere illusion. Even if there is life after life, as most religions are wont to preach, it is not the type of life terrorist groups are preaching to their converts. Illiteracy, unemployment and poverty are the bedrock of the ongoing senseless ‘war’ in the North. We must gird our loins firmly and declare a decisive war on these symptoms.

Above all, government must carefully study the positions canvassed by the Northern elders so as to address the issues raised. There is merit in their observation, and we must act fast to douse the acrimonious atmosphere brewing in the country. Let all lovers of peace close ranks and find a lasting solution to the myriads of problems bedeviling our nation today.

• Concluded

Send reactions to: 08058354382 (SMS only)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION ‘Tunji, I said it that Jonathan cannot continue the transformation agenda of Yar’Adua when he was sworn in as President.

Yar’Adua declared his assets publicly when he was at the helm of affairs; now, Jonathan has plenty of shoes, he can’t give a damn for not declaring his assets publicly.

From Alhaji Adeboye Lawal’

• Otedola

For Segun Gbadegesin I must commend your article for the effort of Mr President, despite the well known fact that your news corporation, as a matter of policy, does not recognize the good works of a PDP government. I also agree with you that throwing books at schools is not really a solution and we must encourage the Federal Government to focus on the fundamental.

From Tony Keyamo.

Thank you for advocating for the future of our children. Anonymous Your president is questioning Gods wisdom by condemning God s order that we procreate and have dominium over the earth Were Jonathan and his cohorts should understand that to have dominion over the earth is to evolve strategies for managing Gods directive on pro creation after all even being up there has not offered Jonathan any undue advantage at procreation which, of course, is the exclusive preserve of God Almighty.

From Okonkwo Kenneth Re: It’s still about education. Education, it is said makes people easy to lead but difficult to ride, easy to govern but difficult to enslave.

I believe that the nation stands to benefit tremendously from an educated populace. If the masses are educated through capacity building, they will take possession of the nation as their own and see the nation not from the viewpoint of belonging to a selected few. There is also the need to work on ensuring that you don’t necessarily need to have a male child in your family before you can be fulfilled when it comes to the issue of raising a family. That will go a long way in addressing oversized families among the poor. From Olumide Soyemi from Bariga.

There is something ridiculously fishy about this Lawan investigation. How can the SSS refuse to give the police the video evidence critical for them to build a case, yet they expect the police to retrieve their dollars from Lawan? Or maybe since the dollars are now exhibit, the SSS does not require it anymore.

Now, the assurances we have from the highest levels are that water-tight cases should be built before high profile cases are taken to court, so as not to have the cases thrown out. It appears the new strategy is to deliberately stop cases going to trial in the first place. Instead of shoddy prosecution we are used to, it will now be shoddy investigations that cannot build a case due to missing exhibits. My word against yours is all that will be left. Anonymous.

Re-IT’S STILL ABOUT EDUCATION. On birth control usmore military-like than persuasion which looks more democratic.

The indices of wealth, education and income may not fully account for good birth control as individual family history, culture, same gender birth, religious considerations may fault the popular indices. However, I opt for ENLIGHTENMENT/SENSITIZATION as the best index that will ensure an effective birth control in Nigeria. As a last resort, where force oftentimes calls for compliance in Nigeria, LEGISLATING Birth control may not be totally out of place. From Lanre For Gbenga Omotoso Very interesting piece. That’s exactly the

case. I entirely agree with your submission From Barr. Onyemaechi, PHC. Please, we want to know how this case will be decided.

I think it is a well made point that ‘if Lawan intended to use the money he collected as exhibit, why did he sit on it for long?’ But, also, the point is that if Otedola meant the bribe to be a trap, why wait for over one month (more than enough time to dissipate the ‘marked’ money) to ‘spring’ it? The answer to all these is in the earlier report by this paper: that the SSS eavesdropped on the iniquitous transaction between Lawan and Otedola and, merely, latched on to it.

Obviously, the SSS had a less than altruistic motive. How I wish they deploy the same level of ‘ efficiency’ in the Boko Haram affair.

Nigerians are no fools: let Otedola and ‘Mr. Integrity’ Lawan be charged with giving and taking bribe. Let the federal government not shield Otedola by treating him as Agent Provocateur. He is not! From Omessah Gabriel I quite agree with your write up. It is thought provoking. I wonder why Lawan was not arrested at the point of collection of the money. This matter is going to be a test case for our security agents as well as for d Judiciary. What does d law say about giving bribe? Was Otedola implicated in the oil subsidy saga? If yes, the company should be made to refund the money. Justice must be done. Well done, God bless you. Anonymous I perceive that the bribe money that Lawan claimed to be keeping as ‘evidence’ is not there, it has long been shared by his team.

They’re buying time to raise it back and if marked by the Police they will resort to our porous court to create a deadlock. From J A Solomon, Kaduna Do you know that you can be a good movie director? I guess your church ‘ll find you very useful whenever they are doing their fathers’ day. You are good; keep it up and we’ll follow you till the end of this drama. Anonymous.

Your piece on the Otedola/ Lawan was indeed stunning as it exposes the sorry state of our judicial system. I only pray this particular case-in- point do not go ‘the way of the others’. Nigerians are watching.

Anonymous Yes I think Lawan and his lawyer is very right because if it is true that Otedola gave the money to Lawan as a bribe ad true there is a video as evidence, why the video why don’t the security hold him there. I will say that it’s not true court should let Lawan to go because he have no case. From Maxwell, Abuja!

Evidence without exhibit. If you watch the film do you see the marked dollar or you saw a bag given to Lawan Farouk. If it is a bag how do we confirm if it is money? The SSS should provide us with the details of the marked money. There will be no case if the dollar cannot be found. From Arome Abuja.

Otedola vs Lawan: The battle ahead This is a very interesting court session. On my seat, I laughed, laughed and laughed until tears started gushing out. What you wrote is like when a seer is talking. What will happen may not likely differ from this because, that is the type of judiciary system we have in Nigeria today. But, please pass more laughter across by telling us the rest of the proceedings on February 10, 2013. From Tayo Ogunkuade, Abuja.

Kudos to your clear and instructive write up titled O/L..the battle ahead. Lawan should stop living the life of hypocrisy. Mr. White on the outside and Mr. Dirty inside. Lawan proved the thief he is by going to Otedola (ungodly hour) to receive the dollars. It’s a pity that Lawan’s character cannot recognise his integrity personality in the open. Naija

the greatest loser in the whole show of shame. From Olo I Olodi.

Ogbeni Gbenga, Thank you so much for your narrative supposed court proceeding of Odetola vs Lawan. A veritable script for a movie outing. From Edem Ndem, Uyo Dear Mr. Omotoso. I agree with you that in the end of this “Bribe for delete” saga, Farouk will walk back the House more honorable and the Oil thieves will continue the destruction of the economy. Does this surprise you? A nation where corruption is an institution is doomed. My consolation is this: All will kip a date with divinity. Nigeria is balkanized already. The implosion will follow and none up there will survive it. God bless you. From Pastor Kennedy Ugorji.

The adjournment must continue, that is Naija for me and you but if I were the person who stole a chicken in d market and SSS arrested me, walahi ,that week,..I may get sentenced and on the way to prison. Aso rock knows better in Farouk-Otedola saga, remember, all animals are not equal before the law in Nigeria. Anonymous For Olatunji Dare Kindly air my views on this issues. It revolts my natural inclination anytime I come across this words in d dailies i. e. SACK, SUSPENSION, PROBE, RESIGN, RETIREMENT,COMMITEES. etc. Are the problems of Nigeria or are they greater than the “MONSTER” called poverty, Hunger, starvation, frustration, deprivation, rigging, bribing, malpractices, maltreatment, and so many others that is troubling Nigerians both home and abroad. I think d presidency should focus more on this issues than to end dir six years without nothing tangible to show. In other words tick tick says d time from second to ages if not cautioned he might end up his 6yrs wit nothing pleasant in stock and both d born and unborn generation will not forgive him. Finally d idea 2 sack Azazi, Waziri, bello or to suspend salami and probe others is a jamboree that the PDP is using to distract the nation and to continue with dir dubious acts.

From Sunny Igiri P/H. I read your column today ..’icons’.. I want to say that who made the first contact isn’t important here because when you are on a fact finding mission, any strategy including ‘pretence’ can be adopted. Whoever set trap to catch Rt. Hon. Criminal like Farouk should be promoted. God bless you. From Emma Delax, Lagos ‘Lawangate’ is the eventual exposure of acts of our so-called representatives in the hallowed chamber in Abuja, the nation’s capital. They are there at their own behest, doing nothing for the benefits of their people who purportedly sent there but working assiduously to better themselves material wise. From Afolabi Ayantayo, Lagos Nigeria.

I simply admire your writings despite its coming out in the nation newspapers, a paper that has become the lord of bias and twisted reporting specially on political issues. Sir, you are still the best. I say this again reading thru your today’s piece. From Meshack Idehen.

Prof, people are hailing Otedola young dynamic billionaire, we now where the billions are coming from. Milking of subsidy say it all. From E.0. Majekodunmi “THE BAKASI”:Sir Reflections on d 2 writeups, coalition to save Bakasi people, and Wari Study Group Pg60, Nation Newspaper 25/6/ 12; it contrast with how he, with a Direct Title Deed (treaty), where he pitches his tent, he

• Lawan could lose to him that had NONE, but only on the rights of another third party. It is a shame. Anonymous On Lawan the Otedola. He agreed that he collected it. Why he didn’t deposit it with CBN like Ribadu. Thanks for remember us Give us part 2 of this article. Anonymous When d media fails to separate a role model from an image of possibility this is what you get. The likes of Otedola and Farouk are simply image of possibility, there’s nothing iconic about them. Anonymous Goodday sir, please how far with the Farouk Lawan issue? Has d $620k been given 2 d police? From, Samson Oladipupo - Mushin Lagos.

For Tunji Adegboyega Tunji, I am highly disappointed with your write-up in The Nation of Sunday, July 1 titled “Great Presidents don’t give a damn”. I don’t expect an intellectual like you to even mention people like Tompolo, Ateke Tom,Boyloaf and the likes of all the militants in the creeks, equating them to National Security Adviser’s office. That’s an insult to the intelligence community in the country.

This proves your ignorance of the sensitive nature of the office. Secondly, you tell me if Azazi is not his (the President’s) kinsman. Is he Hausa or Yoruba? Anonymous.

Mr Adegboyega, I just read your “Great Presidents don’t give a damn”. Sincerely, I am at a loss as regards your motive and literary style. What message are you trying to convey in that piece? However, let’s not in our bid to ridicule and pooh the President permanently diminish that office for future occupants. Anonymous.

My question to the President through your column is: are the Yorubas part of this government? The year 2015 is around the corner. From Bode Peters, Ikotun, Lagos.

Are you looking for ministerial job? As bad as Jonathan is, you can still praise him. Is Jonathan the first President to face the nation on media chat? What about Obasanjo and Yar’Adua? Something must be wrong with you. From Bala, Akure.

May God bless you for the message to Nigerians in today’s (Sunday’s) The Nation, ’Great Presidents don’t give a damn”. Thanks.

From Engineer Isuku, Apapa, Lagos.

Tunji, I said it that Jonathan cannot continue the transformation agenda of Yar’Adua when he was sworn in as President. Yar’Adua declared his assets publicly when he was at the helm of affairs; now, Jonathan has plenty of shoes, he can’t give a damn for not declaring his assets publicly. From Alhaji Adeboye Lawal.

Great writer you are; keep up the good work. Anonymous.

Your comments in “Great Presidents don’t give a damn” are fine and embellished with copious examples of the President’s failures.

As a public affairs analyst, what do you think is our President’s problem because, to the best of my knowledge, I don’t think he is competent, to say the least. Anonymous.

HEALTH

PLEA

SERVICE

Time to join the polio-free

Aliyu calls for initiative on blood donation

Lawmaker gives back to constituency

Borno

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Niger

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

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Lagos

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Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Kebbi battles sleeping sickness

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•Governor Dakingari

NON-GOVERNMENTAL organisation, Apurimac Onlus, has ensured that no fewer than 5,178 youths in Plateau State will lead independent and productive lives as well as helping to achieve peace in the state.

It was just as well. The state, once known for peace and its scenic allure, has since become a theatre of bloodshed, with youths often used to perpetrate violence. So why not train them to be economically independent and also to help enthrone peace?

And that was exactly what Apurimac did, training 5,178 young people in various vocations, with a view to taking their minds away from violent crimes and civil disturbances.

Apurimac Onlus, which is run with the assistance of a Catholic Church in Italy and the Augustinian Society, graduated the sixth set of the trainees in Jos, the state capital.

There were 178 participants in the latest batch of graduates who majored in hair-dressing, tailoring, computer training as well as catering.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Country Representative of Apurimac Onlus, Mr. Godwin Okoko disclosed that the youths were not only trained in vocations but also took courses in peace-building to make them agents of change who would impact their immediate communities to foster peace in the state.

Okoko added that the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development would partner his organisation to ensure the training the youths received is not wasted.

In his speech, the state Deputy-Governor, Mr. Ignatius Longjan represented by Mr. Timothy Kumtong, appreciated the efforts of the NGO and other stakeholders who have comple-

HERE is a high number of trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness cases in the southern part of Bargu area of Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State, necessitating urgent remedial action.

The Zonal Director of Northwest of Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research, Dr. Abdulkadri Abubakari revealed this, calling on the state government to act fast.

The disease attacks the immune system of humans and animals, sometimes manifesting in sleeping disorders, hence the name. It also kills.

In addition to trypanosomiasis, there is also a high case of river blindness in the same area, al-

From Khadijat Saidu, Birnin-Kebbi

though Abubakar said his institute lacked the statistics to show whether the diseases were also an issue in other parts of the state.

But the institute zonal director urged the state governor Alhaji Saidu Dakingari to respond quickly in order to contain the disease.

He made the call while addressing Fulani and community leaders on the danger of the diseases at Brinin Kebbi Local Government Area of the state.

He added that the institute has started an awareness campaign in the state.

“We are in Birnin Kebbi Local Government with my team to interact with the Fulani and community leaders of the local government on advocacy visit on the activities of my office towards a campaign against Tryponasomiasis disease,” he said.

“We want to let people know, especially the Fulani of group Miyatti Allah, that we have a zonal office here in Birnin Kebbi for Northwest for the surveillance and control of Trypanosomiasis and River Blindness in case of any outbreak, “My office does not have full statistics of the disease in Kebbi State yet but the disease is not preva-

lent in the state, only in southern part of Bargu area in Bagudo Local Government of Kebbi State for now and is high.”

He said Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) is a disease caused by protozoan parasites which are transmitted by tse-tse flies.

He further pointed out that World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that more than 60 million people are at risk of becoming infected with sleeping sickness in Africa, 500,000 already infected while 25,000 die every year. The disease is endemic in Nigeria.

Abubakar said the disease could be cured in its early stages with appropriate drugs, adding that it can be prevented by getting rid of the vector.

A

•Some of the catering graduates

Jobs for Plateau youths From Marie-Therese Nanlong, Jos

mented government efforts in addressing issues of unemployment and the return of permanent peace in the state.

Longjan was particularly pleased because the training helps to popularise skills leading to self-employment rather than over-dependence on univer-

NGO trains 5,178 sity education without vocational background.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Apurimac, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Kangyep noted that the NGO cannot always rely on foreign help, and appealed to the government and other stakeholders to support it in its quest to pro-

vide jobs for the teeming youths in the state.

Fr. Kangyep urged residents to embrace the training because apart from the opportunity to employ oneself, the trainee will also employ others.

A participant, Rahab Dung said she was happy. “At last, I

can have something to do and get some money,” she said.

“Before now, I was always confused, not knowing what to do with my life but after I got in contact with Apurimac, I can now plait hair and get as much as N3,000, something I never dreamt of”.

She encouraged other youths who are idle not to waste their lives but visit the centre and get a new life.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

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‘Why electoral fraud persists’ P ARTICIPANTS at a lecture in Lagos have explained why elections in the country are fraught with irregularities.

At the third anniversary lecture organised by a nongovernmental organisation (NGO), the New Hope Network, the Acting Head, Political Science Department, Lagos State University, Dr Surajudeen Mudasiru blamed electoral fraud on the do-or-die attitude of politicians.

Mudasiru also said the letter and spirit of the constitution hardly mean anything to most Nigerians.

He spoke on the topic: Electoral fraud and its Legal Solution: The Aregbesola experience.

Mudasiru said most Nigerians do not believe in the Constitution, adding that those who know there is a constitution do not have access to it, while those who have access to it cannot read it.

Those who can read the constitution, he said, cannot interpret it, while those who can interpret it give different interpretations to it.

In the second lecture, the Legal Officer, Olorunda Local Council Development Area, Mr S. A. Agunsoye said convicted

By Emmanuel Udodinma

election riggers should be jailed, while declared winners should not take oath office until court cases challenging their victory are disposed of.

Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government Service Commission, Dr Adeleke Ipaye, said Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is the only party that strives to uphold the ideals of Chief M.K.O Abiola, winner of 1993 presidential election.

It was in recognition of Abiola’s role that most ACN states declared June 12 as a public holiday.

The Council Chairman, Olorunda Local Council Deveplment Area, Hon Amida Abudu in his address said that on June 12, 1993 all Nigerians of different walks of life regardless of their region, religion, tribe or political affiliation, trouped out to participate and vote in a general election that is said to be the freest and fairest in the nation’s history.

•Chairman, Olorunda Local Council Development Area, Hon Amida Abudu (right) with members of the New Hope Network

Abudu urged the group to have hope because a better democracy has come to stay, the hope for fiscal federation is near, the progressive side at the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is turning the table.

“The ACN has shown a prototype of good governance through the dividends of democracy witnessed in Lagos , Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Edo and Ekiti states, even in Olorunda LCDA,” he said.

The president of the organisation, Prince Wale Adesina thanked the guests for coming.

Vice Chairman, Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area, Hon. Olufemi Musa, also attended the event.

Nasarawa council employees protest dissolution of executive

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HE National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Nasarawa State Chapter), has described the dissolution of its executive council by the national leadership as unconstitutional and an attempt to cause confusion and disaffection in the state.

The national president of NULGE, Ibrahim Khalid, during an an unsceduled visit to Lafia, dissolved the two NULGE factions in the state, and set up a committee of seven members to run the affairs of the union and conduct a fresh election within three months.

But the state President, Comrade Saline Eladoga during a press briefing at their secretariat in Lafia, the state capital, said that Khalid has no constitutional

From Johnny Danjuma, Lafia

backing to dissolve an elected executive council whose mandate has not yet expired.

He further explained that a substantive suit on the leadership tussle in the state was pending before a court in Abuja.

Nasarawa State NULGE has

been enmeshed in a leadership tussle for about two years now after Eladoga rated the administration of former governor Aliyu Akwe Doma 15 per cent. The rating reportedly angered Doma.

The incident allegedly led to the deposition of Eladogo and his relocation to Keana in Keana Local Government Area of the state away from the capital?

We hereby inform the state government, security agents and other stakeholders that the purported plan to hold any election in the state branch of the union [is] unconstitutional, null and void

•From left: The Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Obateru Akinruntan; Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Odugade Odulana; members of the committe, Olotu Ashaye and Dr. Fredrick Faseun, at a meeting of Yoruba Conflicts Resolution Committee meeting with Olubadan of Ibadan on Yoruba unity at Olubadan’s palace

The event eventually threw up the Samaila Konga-led faction which was allegedly being sponsored by the then government of Doma.

Eladoga has explained that the present state executive of the union was elected in April 2010 in a ballot that was witnessed by national officers of the union.

He added that a group of aggrieved members in connivance with the former governor Aliyu Doma, announced a caretaker committee of the union led by Samaila Konga to challenge the election at the national delegates conference of the union and later proceeded to the National Industrial Court in Abuja.

He said: ”The Konga group could not wait for the determination of the case by the Industrial Court, which has the jurisdiction, but took the matter before the state Assembly. Unfortunately the House was constrained by its standing order which restrained it from legislating on any matter before a court of law.”

While all this politics was playing out, Eladoga said that the National president had never invited the two groups in the state for any reconciliatory meeting but only took decisions that contradicted the constitution of the union.

The sudden setting up of the caretaker committee to conduct election into the state council within three months therefre was a calculated plan to further cause confusion and disaffection capable of breach-

ing the prevailing peace in the union and the state, he said.

He said already, the NULGE executive is in receipt of a letter of notice of discountenance of the case filed by the Konga-led group before the National Industrial Court and was awaiting a pronouncement on it which renders any other actions towards dissolution and the conduct of a fresh election null and void.

Eladoga who was accommpanied by chairmen and secretaries of local government branches in the state at the press briefing, said that his executive was recognised by the national delegate conference that elected the national president into office He said the elected state administrative council, the executive council, and the entire members of the union therefore “inform the state government, security agents and other stakeholders that the purported plan to hold any election in the state branch of the union [is] unconstitutional, null and void,” NULGE, according to him, is a statutory body registered as a trade union under the federal Ministry of Labour and whose conduct and operations are guided by an approved constitution.

He therefore explained that the tenure of the election that brought his executive into office is yet to elapsed, and so “the purported plan to hold any election in the state branch of the union is unconstitutional, null and void”.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

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Borno: time to join the polio-free

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T is bout time Borno kicked polio out of the state. Nigeria still ranks among the four polio ravaged or endemic nations in the world today. Other nations are Pakistain, Afghanistan and Chad. According to Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), “Nigeria has this year (2012) 17 cases with 11 type 1 (WPVI) and six type 2 (WPV2), Pakistain with 15 cases, Afghanistan six and Chad three”.

The GPEI added: “the most recent case had onset of paralysis from Borno State“.

In a related development, Sokoto and Borno states have been rated as the first and second states respectively with the highest number of polio cases in the federation. This is contained in the medical statistics presented by the International Partner Agencies (IPA). The Sokoto State Governor Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko announced this at the recent State Executive Council meeting in Sokoto.

This is indeed a disturbing trend.

However I shall confine my comments to Borno State as far as practicable for obvious reasons. For Borno, this is certainly not cheery news. This uneviable status of the state pricks and prods sane minds. This is more so when one considers the colossal sums of money, efforts and other resources deployed for decades by international bodies, federal, state and local government councils, all aimed at saving our children from the monstrous polio, one of the most dreaded of the six killer diseases. Others are Tuberculosis (TB) Diptheria, Perhisis (whooping cough) Tetanus and Mea-

•Shettima

By Victor Izekor

sles.

The present predicament of Borno becomes sour to taste when observed against the background that some states hitherto classified along with Borno as highly volatile with regards the afflicting polio have since shelved the toga. They have now got a clean bill of health. Besides, it is even more discouraging when viewed against the multi-dimensional approach and efforts of the present state government, all geared to enhancing both preventive and curative aspects of the medical care in the state.

How did Borno get to this sorry state or what are the factors facilitating the habitation of this monster that is becoming cancerous? This is a story told and re-told. For decades and in spite of the enlightenment programmes or campaigns on the dangers of polio scourge, some parents and even stakeholders out of sentiment or ignorance just refuse to listen to the voice of reason.

The Federal Government of Nigeria 135 page publication titled “National Programme on Immunisation (NPD)– Basic Guide for Routine Immunisation Services Providers” clearly indicate that our failure in this exercise will be in “ourselves and not our stars” (emphasis mine).

This is because the publication deals exhaustively on causes, course remedies, the dos and don’ts of the killer diseases including polio.

Unfortunately, mischief, veiled propaganda, religious sentiment politicisation, falsehood and abysmal ignorance have, to a large extent, impacted negatively on the laudable efforts of the authorities in curbing the menace of the polio virus.

For example, some parents have become victims of the mischievous indoctrination that children who take the polio vaccine will in the future become barren if female or impotent if male. Investigation further revealed that even some medical personal (though few), who should know better, have fallen victim of the indoctrination, only to make a u-turn when the modicum of sense overruns sentiments and their children allowed polio vaccine.

The porous borders between Borno and the neighbouring countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroon republics coupled with unrestricted movement of their citizens (both legal and illegal) into Borno most of the time compound the success of the immu-

•A drop of vaccine will take care of the disease

How did Borno get to this sorry state or what are the factors facilitating the habitation of this monster that is becoming cancerous? This is a story told and re-told. For decades and in spite of the enlightenment programmes or campaigns on the dangers of polio scourge, some parents and even stakeholders out of sentiment or ignorance just refuse to listen to the voice of reason nisation exercise especially when most concerned are parents carrying along their children. In some cases, field workers have been deployed to their places of choice regardless of their knowledge of the environment,

language and acceptability. In such circumstances, they are regarded as “suspects” in the areas so designated and no meaningful result should be expected.

Unsuspecting or innocent parents

from the opposition political party or parties in the state are ill-advised not to immunise their children since the government n power does not belong to their party. This is mostly observed during the political era and a significant fraction of the field workers attested to this. Lack of free flow of information across the system and between the system and stakeholders and beyond in addition to inadequate monitoring system does not help matters as they hinder progress and planning ahead.

Some of the field workers complained that they were not well remunerated as expected and as such dedication was out of place. Whether the vaccine given to field workers actually got to the expected consumers is an issue that cannot be hundred per cent ascertained as they were allegation that though the containers •Continued on Page 36

Accountants provide land for Plateau police The Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) has donated plots of land to the Nigerian police to enable them build a post for the security of people of the community.

ANAN’s training arm, Nigerian College of Accountancy, is located in the community; its permanent site is in Kwoll, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

While presenting the architec-

•From left: Chairman, Lagos Island Local Government, Hon Wasiu Eshilokun with the HOD Education, Mrs Ibidapo Usman and Vice Chairman/Supervisor for Education, Hon Toyese Olusi during the stakeholders forum at Elegbata Junior High School, Lagos

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

tural design of the proposed police post to the state command of the Nigeria Police, President of ANAN, Hajiya Mariam Lami brahim said, “The association decided to donate the plots of land for the purpose of establishment of a police post for the community so as to bring security closer to the community where our collage is located.

ANAN has a very huge investment in this community in terms of projects and we are still investing more. We are also mindful of the fact that we are bringing thousands of students and trainees to our college here and we are sensitive to their safety” As a professional body we also feel that it is our social responsibility to do something for our host community and the most important project that came to our mind is provision of security.

Which is why we decided to take part of our landed property and give to the police for the purpose

of building a police post which will serve this community including our college.

The Plateau state police command has said collaboration and cooperation with stakeholders in the society will only makes their job better and successful.

State Police commissioner Emmanuel Oladipo Ayeni stated this in Kwoll, Bassa local government area, Jos yesterday in a remark over a pieces of land donated to the command by Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) The Plateau state police boss represented on the occasion by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Jibrin Yakubu said, “We are highly motivated and encouraged by the plot donated to us.

“This gesture is a good example of community policing we are advocating for because we can’t succeed without the collaboration and cooperation of the society” The police assure ANAN that security of the Kwall community will be enhanced as soon as the police post is constructed.

THE NATION WEDNEDSAY, JULY 4, 2012

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Fed Govt re-assures Taraba on agriculture P

Aliyu seeks fresh initiatives on blood donation

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•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

House committee to tour media houses

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N a bid to reposition the Niger Stateowned media houses and take steps in making them among the best in the country, the Niger State House of Assembly Committee on Information will soon commence a media tour to all the state-owned media houses.

The chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon Bello Ahmad, who disclosed this at the inauguration of the committee in Minna, stated that the media tour will give the committee an insight into the challenges facing of the media houses on their daily activities.

According to him, he has been briefed about the numerous problems militating against the smooth running of media houses in the state.

He said he wants the committee to interact with the staff and management of these media houses and find out what the problems are.

Niger State has three media houses which are the Niger State Broadcasting Corporation comprising the Niger State Television (NSTV) and Radio Niger and the Print media, Newsline newspaper which is published weekly.

Ahmad further said that the committee, which is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring

Minna From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

IGER State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu has called for more initiatives to encourage individuals to donate blood at hospitals.

Leading by example, he donated blood for the needy.

According to him, the phobia that is being associated with blood donation will be eliminated if people are encouraged to donate blood through the introduction of initiatives.

Being the first governor in the country to donate blood for the needy, he called for incentives to be introduced to encourage people to donate blood at hospitals.

At the flag-off of the Very Important Personality (VIP) blood donation campaign at the Minna General Hospital, Governor Aliyu said the campaign should also be made more regular and carried to all the nook and cranny of the state.

“At this age and time, we should not be distinguishing between VIP and ordinary donors. We should have outgrown this to keep our blood banks healthy,” Aliyu said.

He further said that health institutions

From Jide Orintunsin

effective and efficient reportage of the House activities, will strive to establish a sustainable link with media outfits and the state Ministry of Information in order to provide a good platform for reaching out to the people of the state.

Expressing his dissatisfaction over the media coverage of the state activities, the Committee Chairman said: “The reportage of activities of the House on both print and electronic media is not to the best satisfaction of this House as we need to do more to promote and publicise what the Assembly is doing towards improving the living standard of the people.”

Inaugurating the committee, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly Honorable Usman Adamu praised its decision to embark on a tour of state-owned media houses.

He emphasised the role of information in public service, adding that it helps to showcase the activities of the House so that people can assess if they are working or not.

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ited to social justice and equity, gender and diversity, autonomy, accountability, collective action and responsibility, unity in diversity, self-sufficient, transparency, and youth participation. “It also aims at providing a platform for building partnership among all non-political segments in our community to ensure that all stakeholders act in unison for the general progress and development of all who are indigenous to Ekiti state both home and in the Diaspora.

The keynote speaker at the event Mr. Bunmi Awotiku urged youths to embrace farming as it is a veritable tool to tackle unemployment in Nigeria and a way of making Ekiti State the food basket of the country. Participants also gave suggestions, asked questions and made contributions on how to make the state progress. They further emphasised the need for the youth to actively participate in the forum’s activities by logging on to facebook/ ekitiyouthembassadorfourm or on twitter@ TeamEYAF.

•From left: Special Apostle James Akinadewo; Superintendent G. F. Akinadewo; Rev Akpata; Most Senior Apostle Victor Adelalure and Senior Apostle Odusoga at the Founders’ anniversary of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide, Oke-Ira Parish, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos

•Aliyu

Agency issues hawkers temporary permits A S part of efforts to intensify and improve security in the state, the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA) has started issuing temporary permit to hawkers around public institutions.

It warned that any hawker that defaults in acquiring the permit will be made to vacate the area within 24 hours.

The agency’s Permanent Secretary, Waziri Yahaya Jalam disclosed this to journalists while briefing them on the activities of the agency at the state secretariat Bauchi.

He said the agency, in its efforts to ensure strict compliance to environmental laws and regulations, has set up a mobile court to handle cases relating to environment under Chief Magistrate of the state Magistrate’s Court.

He said: “The court, so far, has treated 10,310 cases, while 290 cases are pending. The enforcement team of the agency also carries out the clearing of items displayed illegally along major streets and unauthorised locations. In connection to this development, the state government has revived the monthly environmental sanitation exercise which is observed at the end of the month.”

He noted that with the purchase of additional four new waste compressor trucks, coupled

•President Guild of Saint Anthony of St. Dominic's Church Yaba, Lagos, Sister Gina Nwoko with the chairman of the occassion, Chief Anthony Nneji (left) presenting the certificate of membership and merit of St. Anthony of Padua to Brother Charles Nwosu at the occasion of the event.

Ondo youths root for ACN

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HE Coalition of Professionals and Youth in Ondo State (COPY) has called for the intensification of efforts to oust the current government in Ondo State in order to bring meaningful development to the state.

The president of the group, Henry Adegbemile said the current Labour Party administration had mounted a campaign of deceit on its achievements in order to mislead the people that it was working.

“The government has been moving about that it has built infrastructure and developed all the nook and cranny of Ondo State.

But these are merely on paper. What it claims to be doing are not there and we are not happy about the situation.”

Adegbemile called on the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to unite its forces to defeat the Labour Party at the polls in order to give Ondo people some air of freshness and relief.

“As a group, we are committed to the development of our state so that it can compete favourably with other developed states in the country. Our major goal is to give people the benefit of democracy and not what we currently have in the state,” he said.

The group maintained that the people of Ondo deserve empowerment which should cut across all the segments. This, it believes, the ACN is capable of doing because of the examples manifested in states that it controls.

“Ondo State is supposed to be one of the

By Musa Odoshimokhe

richest in the Southwest but what we get is a far cry from the people’s expectation. So, COPY is going to put all the resources at its disposal to support the ACN candidate in order to triumph at the polls.”

COPY equally called for support for its adopted ACN candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, who it described as a forthright man and who is capable of re-engineering the state for meaningful progress.

“Despite the unassailable fact of credibility of each of the aspirants under the platform of CAN, the reality is that only one of the aspirants can be the candidate of the party at the forthcoming election and such will require the support of other aspirants.”

The president said it would move round the local governments in the state to support the growing calls and campaigns to bring about an ACN ledgovernment in the state.

•Adegbemile

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ONCERNED about the suffering of women in the society, the National Council of Women Society (NCWS) has empowered five women by giving them sowing machines.

Briefly

Students urged on academic excellence

By Abike Adegbulehin

THE Amir (President) of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit, Alhaji Qasim Badrudeen and a lecturer in the Department of Business Administration and Management Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) Mr Mas’ud Bello, have enjoined Muslim students in the commercial field to aspire towards reaching the peak of their academic careers.

The duo gave the advice during the Grand Finale of the bi-annual Young Managers’ Quiz Competition of the society held at the Yusuf Grillo Hall of the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.

Badrudeen said it was only through focus and commitment to academic excellence that the students could achieve their goals.

Speaking on the theme “Rewarding Excellence,” the MSSN leader said the choice was a conscious effort on the part of the leadership of the society to awaken and remind students’ of the need to strive towards excellence in their chosen fields.

Bello, who was the guest speaker, urged participants to be ambitious, disciplined, dedicated and be willing to learn in order for them to be successful in their chosen careers.

Delivering a paper on “Gains in Career Building,” the lecturer noted that identified talent, academic background, immediate environment and mentorship as some of the factors that influence career choices by any student.

Taraba

To the wide applause of the mammoth crowd of farmers that witnessed the event, the minister announced that all improved seeds for rice, maize, cotton, cocoa and palm oil would be distributed to farmers all over the country free.

Taraba, according to the minister, will also benefit from the industrial agriculture drive of the Federal Government, as President Jonathan has approved the citing of two rice mills in Taraba State. The mills, he said, will produce 72, 000 metric tones of cassava when completed.

Responding, Governor Danbaba Suntai commended President Jonathan for making up his mind “to do the right thing at the right time and at the right place.” Coming after the $40m Dominion Rice Project facilitated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Governor Suntai praised Dr Adesina for his passion for agriculture and

•Governor Suntai love for Nigerian farmers.

He said: “We are proud to be associated with you because, through your efforts, Taraba State is now coming to limelight in agriculture.”

Bauchi

From Austine Tsenzughul Bauchi

with the intervention of public-private partnership (PPP) and the engagement of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW), the state government has generated waste disposal capacity of 492,750 metric tonnes per annum.

Yahaya also explained that the agency, in collaboration with the Nigerian Environmental Standard Regulation and Enforcement Agency, (NESREA), under the Federal Ministry of Environment, has put in place all the necessary machinery towards establishing a waste disposal plant that will produce methane gas for energy and at the same time recycle most of the wastes into products such as polythene bags in a bid to ensure a waste-free environment.

He further stated that the directorate of the agency organises training programmes for its staff with a view to providing consultancy services to the public on the importance of a healthy environment.

Group provides sewing machines for women

Ekiti youth ambassadors meet KITI Youths Ambassadors Forum has held its inaugural meeting in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. The meeting was attended by many youths from all the 16 local government areas of the state. They deliberated on issues that will help in the over-all development of the state.

Disclosing this to journalists, one of the coordinators of the forum Mr Adeyanju Adewale said that some of the coordinators of the forum came from abroad for participation. Some of them Comrade Femi Akinola and Comrade Sola Olofin urged the youth to come together and form a common bond to put government at all levels on their toes to use state funds for the common good of the people. They also advised them to monitor government programmes, activities and policies to help achieve the best in the current democratic dispensation in the state.

The group’s state representative, Comrade Sola Olofin shed more light on the general core values and mission statement of the Ekiti Youth Ambassadors’ Forum which are, but not lim-

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has assured the Taraba State government of his administration’s support for the full implementation of the agricultural transformation plans of the state.

The Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, made the pledge in Taraba State recently during the launch of the Taraba State-Cassava AgroInput Initiative and the roll-out of the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme by the Federal Government.

Adesina reiterated the irrevocable commitment of President Jonathan to return agriculture to its glorious state of foreign exchange earner through food exports. He remarked that government will not only provide improved seedlings to farmers and facilitate access to finance, it will also encourage the youth to engage in modern largescale mechanised farming.

Niger in the country should have targets of the quantity of blood to be needed over a period of time and work towards achieving the goals.

Stressing on the importance of blood donation in any community, Aliyu said that it helps to save the lives of those in need.

The Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Health Dr Ibrahim Tiffin disclosed that most of the state hospitals are in short supply of blood due to the unwillingness of the people to donate blood to the blood banks.

According to him, death associated with child birth and accidents are often on the rise because of lack of blood to transfuse into the patients.

Head, Donor Care branch of the National Blood Transfusion Service, Mrs. Helen Goyo hailed Governor Aliyu for becoming the first governor to voluntarily donate blood after former President Olusegun Obasanjo and onetime Minister of Health Professor Eyitayo Lambo did sometime ago

37

By Amidu Arije

NCWS President Mrs Iyabo Osifeso said the gesture was borne out of the desire to ameliorate the sufferings of women.

Women, Mrs Osifeso said, have been faced with various life challenges, ranging from raping to discrimination. She said five of the women have been empowered to make life easy for them based on their field of endavours.

“The NCWS is a non-profit making and non-ethnic organisation. It is for the development, economic empowerment, and education of women. We also support women in politics because we want our women to be part of decision-making body.

“So, instead of giving out money, we decided to give them sewing machines. They have already been trained but they don’t have the capital to buy the machines. So, we have now decided to help them,” she said.

Mrs Osifeso stated that her association also carries out humanitarian services on health issues, even as it also helps the needy.

“On health issues, we talk about the reproductive health organs of women. This we do in order to reduce child and mother mortality rates. We need to educate women on how to take care of themselves, their pregnancy and how to take care of themselves during pregnancy and the children after birth,” she said.

She appealed to young Nigerians to be law-abiding and serious with their education, saying the sky is the limit for them if they can be focused in life.

“Our youths should be law-abiding and heed to wise counsels from their parents.

This is because their parents will never mislead them. They should not keep bad companies, they should shun all vices that will bring problem to them and their families, keep to friends that add value to their lives and be serious with their studies. They can go beyond the sky if they are serious with their studies,” she said.

•President, Ifedapo-Ijegun Co-operative Thrift and Credit Society Limited, Mr Ayo Odetola (middle) receiving an award from the co-ordinator, Mr Kazeem Isiaka (left) and secretarygeneral, Mr Shola Kunuade (right) during its recent AGM held in Ijegun-Ikotun

R

Firm proffers solution to corpse identification

ESULTING from the confusion experienced in identifying bodies of victims in last month’s Dana Air crash in which many people died, Eldon Biological Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Eldon Biologicals of Denmark, has identified how the problem can be solved.

In a statement issued in Port Harcourt by Mr Donald Maika, the President/Chief Executive Officer of Eldon Biologicals Nigeria Limited, he lamented the loss of many lives in the Dana plane crash and the consequent pains and time families of victims had to go through to identify the bodies of their relatives.

To avoid this kind of messy situation, Maika said that Eldon card, which is manufactured in Denmark could be “used by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) during pre-boarding checks by laboratory scientists at a designated point in the airport and the card kept by airline operators in their offices for future references.”

Maika also explained that “the card easily helps

Rivers From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

in tracing the victim because the agglutinated blood in the card could be sent for DNA analysis where the real victim can be identified.”

Apart from the airline operators, the boss of Eldon also advised that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) could use this card prior to issuance of driver’s license as physical capture, to eliminate the current practice where the corps issues out licenses to people by mere oral information obtained from the recipient of the license on his blood group.

“This is wrong because about 90 per cent of Nigerians do not know their blood groups,” Maika declared.

•From left: Member, Federal House of Representatives, Oshodi Isolo Constituecy, Hon Muniru Abiodun Hakeem (left) and Chairman, Isolo Local Council Development Area, Hon Shamsideen Olaleye at a townhall meeting by Hon Hakeem Muniru in Lagos.

PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

Life

29

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Text only: 08023058761 Remembering

an

Icon

A sojourner’s memoir – Page 31

Farewell feast for culture icon Olusola – Page 32 • The late Igbokwe

‘She wasn’t an artiste... she was a spiritualist’ ‘Don’t stigmatise children’ – Page 35

She was well known for her singing and acting skills.

Mrs Christy Essien-Igbokwe was a consummate artiste who knew her onions. But there was another side not known to her teeming fans. That is the side held on to by her husband, Edwin, who described her as a spiritualist during the one-year remembrance service held for her in Lagos... SEE PAGE 30 - SEE PAGE 31

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She was Nigeria’s ‘Lady of Songs’ with a golden voice. She sang with an arresting voice, which no listener could ignore, but the music stopped too soon. One year after the death of Christy EssienIgbokwe, her memory still lingers on in the hearts of many, especially her family. A memorial service was held for her in Lagos last Sunday. EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

‘She wasn’t an artiste... she was a spiritualist’

O

NE year after, they are yet to recover from the blow of her death. The Christy Essien-Igbokwe family is still mourning the death of the consummate artiste. But the family shed its mourning toga last Sunday to thank God for her eventful life.

Mrs. Essien-Igbokwe, who died on June 30, last year, literarily stole the hearts of Nigerians when she was alive with her classics, such as Freedom, Time Waits For No One, One Understanding, Give Me A Chance, Ever Liked My Person and Hear The Call, among others. Her songs hit the airwaves in 1976 when she released the album: Freedom. Her charm transcended her family. She touched many lives, including the underprivileged. Her accomplishments earned her several local and international awards and recognitions.

So, despite the downpour, family, friends and fans of the late “Lady of Songs” thronged the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral in Ikeja GRA, Lagos, last Sunday, for the memorial thanksgiving service held for her.

It was attended by several dignitaries, including Apostle Hayford Alile; Chief Bisi Olatilo; former Managing Director of Champion Newspaper Mr Emma Agu; and members of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), among others.

It was a solemn event, which brought tears to many. The service was presided over by the Dean of the Cathedral, the Venerable James Odedeji. Her classic Hallelujah, Chim leeee…/ Jehovah jaire imela by the church’s choir ushered the family and well-wishers to the altar for the thanksgiving.

Ven. Odedeji lauded the family for praising God, despite their loss.

“Thank you, Brother Edwin, for coming; and may the Lord take care of the children for you. I know you came here with a heavy heart; may God give you and your children strength beyond your imagination and stand by you always. In spite of the demise, you came to thank God. We pray that God would give you the inner strength to cope,” he said.

In his sermon, he urged all to be cautious of their actions while on earth, saying it is better to lay up treasures in heaven by living right with God. “Our qualification for making heaven is neither determined by our wealth nor poverty in this world. It is forever standing on what we do with Christ Jesus, the Son of God who died for us,” he said.

The service highlighted the qualities of the deceased. She meant several things to many. Mrs. Essien-Igbokwe was an ace actress-cum singer, peace ambassador, activist, philanthropist and more. But, for her husband, Chief Edwin Igbokwe, she was everything.

“Apart from God, she meant so many things to me,” he said, recounting his loss. “People don’t know the half of what she was. She belonged to an extrovert profession but she was an introvert. She was my friend, sister, guardian and spiritual protector. She wasn’t a musician or actress: she was a spiritualist. She was very spiritual and takes quality time to pray for the family; and tell what is going to happen next. She knew the exact time she was going to die, plus other predictions that concerned national and international affairs. So, you can imagine the dilemma I am in now. I miss her so much. I have lost a lot. But God is in control,” he said.

According to him, the occasion was not a time for merrymaking. He said: “We live with the full realisation of her physical separation from our family as we feel the vacuum created by her absence in our everyday lives. But it is for me her husband and our four sons, not a time for celebration. It is rather for us a sober moment to reunite with her in faith and spirit as our family always did while she was here with us; and a time to glorify God who had admitted her into His place of Eternal Peace in Heaven. That is the path that has inspired Christy’s (biological) four sons and I on the commemoration of her one year of transition to glory.”

To keep her memory alive, he said the family would inaugurate a foundation and present her 11th album on her birthday, on November 11.

“We hope to accomplish her dream of setting up a

•From left: Chief Igbokwe and his sons, Lucky and Solomon during the thanksgiving service of the late Essien-Igbokwe

•From left: Mrs Onyegbula, Obiora Igbokwe and wife, Onyinye

MEMORIAL Foundation to cater for the homeless, the abandoned, the physically and mentally challenged. It will be known as Christy Essien-Igbokwe Memorial Foundation. She was a philanthropist and known for humanitarian duties and caring for children. She saw every child as hers. It would be fully inaugurated by November 11, her birthday. And her 11th album will also be presented under her music label, Soultrain

‘We live with the full realisation of her physical separation from our family as we feel the vacuum created by her absence in our everyday lives.

But it is for me her husband and our four sons, not a time for celebration.

It is rather for us a sober moment to reunite with her in faith ‘ • Continued on page 31

•Ven. Odedeji

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A sojourner’s memoir Dr. Kenneth Madiebo is a chip off the old block. Sired by a soldier and an author, he has also written a book on his South African sojourn. The Kwerekwere Testament: The Complete Chronicles relives the killing of Nigerians, among others. EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

“I

HAD my feel of South Africa. I can visit the place but not to stay. I have become allergic to the place,” says Dr. Kenneth Madiebo” A 13-year journey of struggle, crime and corruption began with the ‘Going South’. And in trying to understand the jungle, there was the orientation and the reawakening in the sour streets of South Africa… welcome The Kwerekwere Testament: The Complete Chronicles.

Madiebo's book entitled: The Kwerekwere Testament: The Complete Chronicles, which was presented last Saturday at the National Museum, Lagos, takes its readers into the shocking realities of experiences that Nigerians living in South Africa go through. For aspiring migrants, Kenneth, as he is fondly called, says: "think about it, deeply."

According to Madiebo, "Nothing they teach you in a school can equal the real experience." The book is a product of 13 years of research on the socio-economic, mental and physical effects of force migration on black Africans. Though a work of fiction, the book is a chronicle of real-life experiences, which highlights the themes of corruption and crime, among others. It specially highlights 'man's inhumanity to man'. Hence, three-time CNN Journalist of the Year, Declan Okpaleke, who was enraptured by the book as a manuscript 10 years ago when in Johannesburg, said: "Its themes pertain to the harsh realities of the world we live in today…a world that we would rather sweep under the carpet."

His father, Maj-Gen Alexandra Madiebo (rtd), first Nigerian Artillery Commander and Biafran Army Commander, author of The Nigerian Revolution and the Biafra War, was a fighter and a strong advocate against the maltreatment of the Igbo people by the polity.

"Like father, who fought against injustice, Dr. Madiebo, is advocating against the ill-treatment of Nigerians in South Africa in his book.

"My father hates oppression. And like my father, I don't like people oppressed," he said The book reviewer, Uzor Maxim Uzoatu, said the book "is autobiography-disguised-as-fiction." It is about Orakwe, who flies into Swaziland in 1994 to sell Nigerian traditional attires. And so, began what became the 13 years journey.

Although a research and data analyst, Kenneth, who is skilled in various fields, was a veterinary doctor before leaving Nigeria. However, he said, the clammed nature of the South African society hampered his practice. He explained that "Kwerekwere" is a derogatory word used to refer to an unwanted black-skinned foreigner, especially Nigerians in South Africa. The derogatory, he observed, goes beyond mere saying to inhuman treatment and restriction of black-skinned foreigners.

“People are not told the truth about the harsh realities out there. I lived in there for 13 years. As a veterinary doctor, a Blackman, one is not allowed to touch a Whiteman’s dog, so

•Kenneth autographing his book at the event

‘People are not told the truth about the harsh realities out there. I lived in there for 13 years. As a veterinary doctor, a Blackman, one is not allowed to touch a Whiteman’s dog, so I never practised in South Africa; rather I went into other fields like photography, research and data analysis. I want to sensitise Nigerians through my book on the harsh realities...’

I never practised in South Africa; rather I went into other fields such as photography, research and data analysis. I want to sensitise Nigerians through my book on some of the harsh realities living in a place like South Africa. It also highlights why people out there go into crime," he said.

He urged the government to look into the reasons many Nigerians are still bent in migrating abroad in spite of such ill treatment. "The Nigerian government needs to look at the issue of Nigerians travelling abroad in spite of the harsh treatment they receive. 25 million Nigerians are out and two million are in South Africa."

Recounting his experience, he said: "We got to South Africa when it had just come out of apartheid. The society and people were unfriendly and we learnt a new term 'xenophobia'. . I witnessed the xenophobia' and its effect on black immigrants, especially from Nigeria. The system is clammed against those without ID. It is designed not to allow foreigners to thrive without an ID. Without it you cannot work, or, even rent an apartment in 95 per cent of the areas in South Africa. Once you get there they put you in a restricted camp called 'Hebrew and Barrier'. And so, you can't really blame Nigerians who were forced into doing drugs and more. People would rather do crime than come back. About 2,000 Nigerians have died and 2,000 have disappeared."

Kenneth's testament was greeted with mixed emotions in

•Mrs Madiebo

the hearts of many. For his father, Kwerekwere's experience is more dangerous than the battle frontline. "I just realised that it could be more dangerous to be a Nigerian Kwerekwere in South Africa, in particular, than to be in the front lines of a battlefield. All potential Nigerian Kwerekwere must prepare well before they go beyond borders," he noted.

On the part of his mother, Mrs Regina Madiebo, the harrowing accounts in the book kept her awake. She said: "For days I could not help imagining things because he is my first son. I don't know how he escaped all the challenges - it was a miracle indeed. But I believed that if not for the Grace of God and his religious background, he would not have been able to escape. I put them through God's way from youth and I feel it helped him to overcome everything that happened."

On the part of Mr Mike Chukwu, who chaired the presentation, "bad condition of living is not an excuse for crime."

However, he noted: "The work should motivate the government to work on improving the condition of living of its citizenry. It is a must read for decision makers and scholars as a socio-political piece."

Ebigbo Joseph, who has lived in South Africa for 18 years, said Nigerians are the cause of the maltreatments meted to them. "The South Africans did not know about black foreigners until 1997. Our people are loud, overbearing and talk carelessly and successful. And those are what they don't like. The whites are not used to it. 'Kwerekwere' was initially used to refer to the Mozambiques because of how they spoke, and, later became the term for describing a black foreigner."

The book, ace movie director and actor Fred Amata, said, would not only make "a good read, but a good film". "I knew him when he left Nigeria for South Africa. Hearing people talk about the book and the experiences he passed through, I would love to read it."

The notable Nollywood movie chief praised the author's effort, saying: It is instructive as it is timely." He said: "Ken captures the forbidden, and, indeed, in a magnificent manner. It provokes deep and reveals compelling realisations, assuming even wider implications, exposing intrinsic weakness of our great nation's focus. The question is: “Is it the Kwerekwere's fault to seek pastures, not even greener in life's adventure?"

Journalists get training on MDGs

T

HE Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Mrs Hamzat Abiola-Costello, has called on journalists to be

proactive.

She spoke at a capacity development training on reporting of the MDGs at Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The programme attracted about 30 journalists, civil society groups, scholars and media officers from the Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDA) to the state.

According to her, the realisation of MDGs can be strengthened through consistent reportage of development issues and agenda in developing countries.

She identified colonial legacy, corruption, zero level of savings and investment, limited flow of foreign capital, failing prices as factors undermining growth and development in Africa. She noted that the problem faced by Nigerians is that ‘we are not working hard for development in every stratum of our national life, which leaves the rural poor in

•From left: Dr. Abigail Ogwezzy Indisika, , Mrs. Abiola-Costello and Prof. Lai Oso, at the training

By Adeola Ogunlade

MEDIA perpetual.’

She said: “In 2012, the focus of the state government on MDGs is on Goals One, which involves poverty alleviation and health, agriculture, education, women and youth

empowerment and we are preparing adequately for the realisation of these goals in the interest of the people”.

Mrs Abiola-Costello noted that the media have to drive change and understanding of MDGs by investigating, monitoring, evaluating and publicising evidence based policy-making and implementation across the country.

“Journalists must drive change from people seeing public service as means to get rich quick to the delivering of services to the people and from a system where only people within corridors of power only know what is going to where the public count through transparency and accountability in public office,” she said.

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OLUSEGUN OLUSOLA: 1935 -2012

Segun Olusola: His art, humour

‘He was an ambassador of humanity, whose traditional format of behaviour was a lesson we must all learn to practise and preserve for the enhancement of peace and unity among us Nigerians. His tenure on earth is a testimony of living a full life’

“C

HIEF Segun Olusola was not my boss.

He never behaved like one. He was my adopted father and adored life guide.

He was an astute administrator. In my days as Curator/Artist-in-residence for Ajibulu-Moniya Gallery (1997-2004), he was open to comprehensive discussion on any given idea. In most cases, it was at the end of each session that one got to realise his depth and understanding of virtually all areas of the arts. He didn’t like to instruct. Rather, he subjected us all to debate sessions through which superior argument held sway. One could never get tired of working with him because he had appropriate use of the words, ‘thank you’. No good deeds or exemplary action went without his gratitude.

Olusola was a highly committed family man. A father of so many children (biological, adopted and affiliated), he was a master of attentiveness. He was a fantastic listener, and no problem ever looked insurmountable to him. When someone who wasn’t articulate enough brought a case to him, Olusola was never bored. He gave the guy the floor to express himself to the best of his ability. Even where the discussant was incoherent, Olusola helped him to re-align his thoughts and articulation. In his dictionary existed nothing like ‘NO’. He was available to all ideas and issues; and graced all events to which he was invited, even to the detriment of his health. He was available to embrace new ideas and to flesh up a scanty one from anybody irrespective of the person’s age, background or status.

In whatever he did, art was paramount. He employed the functionalities and instrumentalities of arts to drive his other endeavours. In 1999, when his African Refugees Foundation embarked on a special project called ‘Democracy-inPeace Initiative’ to herald the new democracy into the Nigerian polity, it was a week-long activity that delved into human development and preparedness for an emerging political dispensation. Held in Ibadan, many scholarly papers were discussed at the workshop that attracted participants from across Nigeria, but the most striking feature of the workshop was the performance of Segun Sofowote’s The Arbiter. The dance drama captured the totality of the discourses and right there, art was employed to drive a point of intellectualism.

Earlier in 1992, while Olusola was still Ambassador of Nigerian to Ethiopia, he had completed the new embassy structure now called the Nigerian House. The opening ceremony was graced by many ambassadors and dignitaries including the then military Vice President, Augustus Aikhomu, who officially opened the house.

Among other activities of the night, a total drama presentation powerfully delivered by members of the International Centre for the Arts, Lagos (ICAL) stole everybody’s heart. The event became much livelier than envisaged and that actually correlated with Olusola’s belief in the use of art to drive issues and activities.

A

We all thought he was going to chide her, but no; instead, he said: “Slim woman. Where will I get the tummy to carry your baby when it comes?” Our laughter sent Elizabeth back into liveliness.

Olusola’s sense of humour and readiness to say ‘thank you’ for any swift, creative, dutiful and positive move endeared him to all of us. When he was out at an event, we all looked forward to have him back in the house. He took his time to correct any erring staff in such a diplomatic way that made the person happy that he had been appropriately corrected. He was a father to all of us. Whether you liked it or not, he was interested in your matters. Whatever you considered private and problematic, he was willing to help by offering such advice that rendered the problem boneless. Most people may not know that Chief Olusola was never comfortable with a dragged courtship between couple. He could not withstand any form of heartbreak from one lover to the other. He believed in short courtship of not more than two years. His argument was that even if a courtship lasted ten years, the real relationship actually began from the moment a marriage was solemnized.”

...Abudah mourns

•The late Olusola

By Mufu Onifade

TRIBUTE In the Surulere office, every staff needed extra strength to catch up with Olusola’s pace. We were all always on our toes, but interestingly, his sense of humour relieved us of work pressure. He came down from his study one day into my office. In his company was Chike Ofili, his biographer who mistakenly pressed the light switch and the electricity went off. Of course, he quickly switched it back on and apologised. Chief Olusola looked at him and sarcastically asked: “Why is it that everywhere you go, things get upset?” Our general laughter was the answer to the rhetorical question.

Elizabeth was one of the young girls working in the office with us sometime in 2000. She was a very slim girl; so slim that we always teased her that she had no flesh, but tiny bones. She was to serve Chief Olusola his drink but slipped it. He looked at her while total silence reigned.

Founder/Director, Centre for Afenmai Heritage and Cultural Studies, Auchi, Edo State, Mr Usman Abudah, said Ambassador Chief Segun Olusola’s passage is a chapter embellished with an outstanding level of a disciple of the creative industry. He mixed freely with the high and low. “I had invited him, just for the records, to the inauguration of the Centre for Afenmai Heritage and Cultural Studies at Auchi, but he surprised me by flying into Benin City and found his way to Auchi.

The ceremony had ended when he arrived and he requested that he would want to see any place of artistry around Auchi. He was thrilled to see the studio of Mr Michael Ogiebo, a self-trained sculptor, whose gigantic sculptures, impressed the all-round artistic disciple and he noted…” in a Muslim community like Auchi, one would still find a devoted and embellished artist with such a collection of themes cutting across religious borders. Usman, I must say that I didn’t miss anything…” he had said.

Abudah recalled that the late Chief Olusola had called him on hearing of the assassination of the Principal Private Secretary to Governor Oshiomhole that he wouldn’t go against medical advice, restricting him from travelling, otherwise he would have come to Benin City to condole His Excellency and requested me to help pass his message and described the late Olaitan Oyerinde as “a friend of everybody”.

“He was an ambassador of humanity, whose traditional format of behaviour was a lesson we must all learn to practise and preserve for the enhancement of peace and unity among us Nigerians. His tenure on earth is a testimony of living a full life,” Abudah said.

Farewell feast for culture icon Olusola

S part of activities marking the exit of the late patriarch of Nigerian culture, Chief Segun Olusola, a befitting cultural fiesta involving arts, culture and the media will hold on Monday,

July 16, at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. The ace broadcaster and creator of the popular Television drama, The Village Headmaster passed on penultimate Thursday at 77.

According to a statement by the Chairman, SubCommittee on Art, Culture and Media, the Late Chief Segun Olusola Burial Activities, Mr Mufu Onifade, a carnival featuring over 2,000 artistes and members of the creative industry in different types of costumes will flag off from the residence of Chief Segun Olusola at House 49, Babs Animashaun Street, Surulere, Lagos by 9am. Also, on procession are masqueraders such as Igunnuko, Eyo, Zangbeto, Agere and Ekpe, who will be joined by various dance and theatre troupes from Surulere to National Theatre. A craft exhibition showcasing variety of crafts and affordable art items will hold within the corridor leading to the Banquet Hall, National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos by noon.

By 2pm, there will be an open-air musical jamboree by the Entrance D of the National Theatre and will feature cultural performances by masqueraders and theatre troupes and popular musicians of genres such as Fuji, Juju, hip hop, highlife.

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts) This will be followed by a plethora of performances by associations, guilds, and selected groups and individuals featuring drama, dance, music, comedy, literature and media. Venue is Banquet Hall, National Theatre, Iganmu,

Lagos from3.00pm till 8.00pm.

A film show by Tunde Kelani’s Mainframe Productions takes place on the Open Field by the Entrance C of the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. It will feature one of Nigerian classics in dedication to the late Olusola. It will run from 7.30pm to 9.00pm

•Tunde Kelani

•Dancers on stage

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POETRY

EYO CULTURAL FESTIVAL

Aircraft, how triumphant are you!

Seye Aluko

Aircraft Massive!

And victorious!

In mid-air Over Lagos, Hovering!

On final approach to Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

Aircraft, how triumphant are you!

Aircraft, how you triumph over gravity.

Over distance.

Over storm.

How you triumph over the foul and fatal night!

Aircraft, You hovering condominium, You floating hotel.

How triumphant are you!

Your battery of wheels, Extended for landing, your left rear wheel trails in the air, triumphant, your right rear wheel trails in the air triumphant, your nose-wheel leads in the air, triumphant.

•Eyo masquaraders dancing on the streets of Lagos

Your associated paraphernalia sails through the air,

85-year-old painting sells for $38.9m

A

DRAMATIC bidding battle at Sotheby’s London salesroom, a new benchmark was set when Joan Miró’s 1927 modern masterpiece Peinture (Étoile Bleue) sold for £23,561,250 / $36,946,396 / •29,260,764, exceeding the pre-sale estimate of £15-20 million / $ 23.7 - 31.6 million / • 18.4 -24.5 million and shattering the previous record for the artist at auction.

Last Tuesday, the hammer fell after a tense stand-off among four bidders, with offers jumping in large increments before the work was, finally, won by a telephone buyer.

The sum paid was the highest price for a work of art sold in London thus far this year. Miró’s painting was the top lot in a sale, which realised £75,046,850 / $117,680,965 / •

93,200,835 (est. £73- £102.6million / $114.4 -160.9 million / • 90.5-127.3milion). This brings the combined total for Sotheby’s Impressionist and Modern Art sales worldwide this year to £435million / $692.6 million / •504.2, an increase of 12.4 per cent on the same period last year.

Helena Newman, Chairman of Sotheby’s Impressionist and Modern Art Department, Europe, said: “We are thrilled to have been able to offer Miró’s Peinture (Étoile Bleue) in tonight’s auction. At a time of unprecedented demand for the best examples of 20th-Century art, this masterpiece by Miró not only shattered the previous record for the artist (set only four months ago at £16.8 million), but also made more than three times the price it achieved five years ago.”

and all is triumphant!

You dangling battery of wheels, Still, yet soon to race!

You wheels are capable of yet further take-offs and landings, Of landings, after landings, after landings Battery of wheels, like the hawk, clutch the underbelly of earth!

Or, like the legs of a crab, On landing, move the aircraft forwards, backwards, and sideways!

Restless engines!

On the pods of wings inserted, Booming engines, echoing with the deep throated roar of Thunder! or trumpeting like the startled elephant herd, how trimphant are you!, Engines, land, and then scream to a halt Protesting at having been made to stop!

Instead of further perambulating in the firmament!

The audacity of man to confront the sky, and engage the clouds. to pass and by-pass, (and even trespass) into the hallowed hallways of air.

•Joan Miro's painting at Sotheby’s.

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•Eye of the Storm life

New Modern…mirroring emerging culture of terrorism

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N July 14, an exhibition of provocative and experimental art will open at the Watersworth Gallery in Lagos. The exhibition, entitled: The New Modern, offers art lovers an opportunity to interrogate an emergent trend in contemporary art in Nigeria.

Since the first suicide bombing on June 16, 2011, Nigeria has moved into a new cultural era. All the trappings of Nigeria’s post-independent culture, and all the artistic expressions with which that old culture was associated, now look irrelevant. After the first Boko Harram bomb exploded, the usual security order of stability is no longer working. The established meanings feel jaded. Nigeria now belongs within the insecure space of a new time, in an era thrust upon us by the birth of mindless terrorism, and the experience of new technologies, and novel possibilities before now unforeseen. It is an emergent world in which “tradition” is losing the vantages of firmness and continuity.

We are caught in the vortex of a new modern, and nowhere is this era better clearly experienced and expressed than in the visual arts. The new modern emerges from a volatile, distressed and unsettling terrain, with its slippery slopes and hanging cliffs, within a sublime landscape overshadowed by fear, intimidation and trepidation.

The stable and the continuous are challenged in a postBoko Harram Nigerian aesthetic climate. No longer can we think of today and tomorrow with the same sureness that yesterday presented. Change, the only thing that is regarded as certain, is now unpredictable and disconnected from all primal precedence. Life does not translate into fixed and reassuring notions anymore: who for a second thought that suicide bombers could be fashioned out of the Nigerian stock?

But now, Nigerians know better. The Boko Haram angle is a new dimension invisibly embedded in the conscious and subconscious of the New Modern in Nigerian art and culture. Art cannot remain the same in this landscape of instability and discontinuity. Humanity in Nigeria has experienced tremendous stress and distress in the new culture of terrorism that has emerged with the new technologies associated with the cyberspace.

This, therefore, is the crux of contradictions subsumed in the Boko Haram politic: that a fundamentalist sect that abhors western education employs western technology, especially the cyberspace, for the dissemination of its doctrines, and the recruitment of its radicals. It is now customary for Boko Haram leaderships to produce video propagandas and make them available for internet dissemination.

The new modern in Nigerian art therefore employs an aesthetic of contradictions as a practicing principle. The contradiction transforms into opposite and reversals: dying begets life-after-death from suicide missions; creativity breeds destruction in the building of bombs and other explosive devices; God becomes identified with

By Moyo Okediji

VISUAL ART underground figures who assassinate innocent people; and a few bandits and outlaws hold millions of citizens helplessly captive and living in fear.

In aesthetic terms the contradictions of new modern are identifiable in terms of the choice of mediums, methods of execution, and meaning of work. The mediums of the new modern are fragmented into experimentation with trash and trivial to produce treasures and trophies.

The methods of the new modern involve the transformation of indigenous crafts and artifacts to produce high art and museum quality collectibles. The meaning of the work comes from the unclear dialect of an abstract visual language. It is a language of incoherence, disruption, disasters, corruption and collapse. The idiom of choice is the pidgin vernacular, in which grammar is slaughtered and improvised at the altar of mass expressiveness, and popular view.

The mediums of collage, installation and performance take the center stage in the new modern. What immediately comes to mind are the new site specific works of Victor Ekpuk, Victor Ehikhamenor; the collages of Didi Kama Emefiele and Kolade Oshinowo; the installations of Victorian Udondian, Osaretin Ighile and Peju Alatise; the collaborative works of Nike Davies Okundaye and Tola Wewe; the photography of George Oshodi and Unoma Giese; and the performance works of Rashidi Akinniyi Akirash and Jelili Atiku.

In a recent performance, Victor Ekpuk balances the contradiction between the permanent and the fleeting, in an analogy that extrapolates the tension between life and art. With absolute concentration that also demonstrates a mastery of lines and total command of his chosen medium and style, Ekpuk produces an elegant and elaborate lineal drawing. His spontaneous style is biomorphic, and draws on psychic automatism, in which he freely moves his hands on a limited wall space. The product is cryptic and calligraphic, with maze-like movements that permanently script the spontaneous hand gestures that Ekpuk made. Just as quickly as he produced the drawing, Ekpuk erases it, denying the gaze any permanent access to the work. But this frustration is alleviated because Ekpuk videos the entire process. Although the actual work is gone, the image is virtually permanent in the video recording. The play on the fleeting nature of life is counterbalanced by the genetic infinite of humanity.

Peju Alatise’s installations and collages frontally confront patriarchy and privileged aesthetics. Using various materials including fabrics, metals, wood, plastic, clay and almost anything she can lay her hands on, Alatise produces images that benefit from indigenous African and western aesthetic references. Her work may therefore refer to the hybrid culture that characterizes the conflicts of interest in

the Boko Haram narratives of cultural pollution. She does not fully resolve all her images with , but plays upon the pidgin visuality emanating from Fela Anikulapo’s “Postgentleman” compositions I no be gentleman at all o! Fela repeats the lines thrice, with different phrasings and modulations to emphasise the import of his message. It is a confrontation of elitist values within a system of mass exploitation and systemic bureaucratic corruption.

Equally powerful is Victorian Udondian’s market women aesthetic of fabric display, which operates within an aesthetic of indigenous fabric trading, and the international market. Udondian, who recently returned from South Africa and London where she displayed her work, uses found objects that she mostly gathers from the environment in which she is exhibiting.

The performance aspects may be glimpsed in the works of Jelili Atiku and Akirash’s activism. Atiku’s activism became most visible recently, during the oil subsidy protests of January, this year. He constructed costumes that mimicked the attired of the spirit world, known as the Egungun among Yoruba people. To these costumes, he tied several placards that protest the removal of the oil-subsidy by itemising the consequence of the removal, as well as the calamitous impact it would have on the common people.

Atiku’s performance was one of the artistic highlights during the massive month-long confrontation of the government by the poor citizens of Nigeria.

Akirash’s work tackles social issues including the residual effects of slavery and colonisation on the mentality of Africans, and its repercussions on contemporary culture.

He has performed in several parts of Africa, Europe and the United States. His recent performance in South Africa examines the problems of blood transfusion and plasma banks in a continent that faces sickle cell anemia and numerous surgical procedures resulting from road accidents, clinical conditions, and caesarian operations.

The collaborative painting between Tola Wewe and Nike Davies Okundaye interrogates a joint genre performance art, in which matters of gender equality receive aesthetic attention. In patriarchal Nigeria, the Boko Haram contradiction of rewarding suicide bombers with many virgins operates on the platform of polygamous inequity in which the woman’s body becomes a commodity of gratification and payment. Wewe and Nike highlight the equality between the genders. Wewe often begins the composition, and after working on it up to a point, transfers it to Nike who completes the work, signs It and returns it to Wewe for his own signature, before she displays it in her gallery for public consumption. The work plays on the techniques of dialogue and the jazz aesthetics of jamming and improvisation.

There are many more artists who anticipated the new era, and whose works actually predated the bombing, while playing around, within and beyond the event. With new works titled Eye of the Storm, and Point of No Return, I use the principle of trash to treasure as part of my contribution to the dialogue of the New Modern. On July 14, the Watersworth Gallery will become a venue to further develop the dialogue around the advent of the new modern in Nigerian artistry. Artists, curators, students, historians, and collectors are welcome to contribute to this dialogue, which begins at 4 pm, on Unity Road, off Africa Lane, Lakki Phase One, Lagos.

•Okediji is of the University of Texas in Austin, USA

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‘Don’t stigmatise children’

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HE labelling and stigmatisation of children, especially those with disability is wrong, champions of child rights have said. Common ailments and deformities owing to sickness caused by nonaccessibility to quality care, they observed, are being associated with witchcraft. Such callous act, they noted, would not allow for development They spoke at the celebration of Day of African Child. The theme was Disability not the rights of children with disabilities: The duty to protect, respect, promote and fulfill, has again brought the spotlight on the plights of children labelled witches.

The activists, under the aegis of Stepping Stones Nigeria (SSN) and Stepping Stones Nigeria Child Empowerment Foundation, urged the government to take action to demystify the common ailments and negative behaviours that are associated with witchcraft and prevent the labelling of children with disabilities as ‘witches’.

Acting Director, Stepping Stones Nigeria Child Empowerment Foundation, Utibe Ikot, lamented the trend, saying it has reduced the potential of many children.

He said: “It is sad to report that we have seen many cases where a child with a disability, for example autism, epilepsy, or Down’s syndrome is automatically considered to be a witch due to their condition. The behaviour traits that children with disabilities may have, such as stubbornness and poor school performance, or simply looking different to other children, mean that people looking for an explanation often label them as witches.

Instead of the child getting the support and care they so richly deserve, they are often hidden from view, prevented from attending school, or in the worst cases beaten, tortured and abandoned to survive on the streets.

It is vital that the belief that physical or mental disability is a sign of witchcraft is challenged now so that no more children suffer these abuses. Around the world, thousands of people are still celebrating the Day of the African Child, which was last month, calling attention to the plights and rights of children with disabilities.”

SSN Advocacy Officer, Dr Emilie Secker, called for an ur-

•Members of Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria

By Evelyn Osagie

ADVOCACY gent action by the government, the health sector, agencies charged with caring for children and other key-players to raise awareness on the nature of physical and mental disabilities and to combat the belief that these are evidence of witchcraft in children.

She said: “There is a huge lack of understanding of disability and as a result disabled children do not get the understanding and support that they need. It is vital that the Nigerian government acts now to educate the public about the nature of disability and to make sure that people understand it properly.

“The government should set up public awareness campaigns across the country and should also train police and

social welfare teams to look out for cases of abuse involving disabled children who have been accused of witchcraft. As a party to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Nigeria has a legal and moral responsibility to uphold the rights of children with disabilities and to protect them from harm.”

Also, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said: “Disability is not an Excuse” for any child not to reach his/her full potential. With mind of inspiring children with disabilities in reaching their full potential, UNICEF Lagos Office with its partners, including Child-to-child, organised an exhibition tagged: The Sky is the Limit…Disability is not an Excuse. Art works of children with disabilities were exhibited at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Press Centre, National Arts Theater, Lagos.

The event was attended by UNICEF Assistant Country Representative and Chief of Lagos Field Office, Mrs Sara Beysolow Nyanti among others.

The Gods Are Not To Blame ‘inspired me’

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IXTEEN- year-old budding author, Demilade Mikayla, Omoyeni was full of joy when she launched two of her first publications, Lucky Number 27, a collection of poems and a play, I Will Do Anything for Kike.

Venue was the Glover Court, in Ikoyi, Lagos. The setting was homely as family, friends and members of old schools-Atlantic Hall, Corona School, Caleb International College, Dansor School and Grange School gathered to celebrate her effort.

Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Kola Adeyina, congratulated the author on her new feat and advised everyone to use her as an example of doing greater things. “Demilade has been a daughter I knew when she was three or four and as an elder you would always know what a child would become. At a very tender age, she loves reading and she would always want to read to me. I know you have done a great thing; I pray you would continue to do greater things In Jesus Name, Amen,” he said.

Demilade recalled that Ola Rotimi’s The Gods Are Not To Blame inspired her to write the two books. She enjoined her friends to be true to themselves and not try to be someone else. She said if they study hard, choose their friends, and put God first in all that they do, they will succeed. She noted that the book was written with the mindset of expressing herself and putting her feelings down.

“I feel very good and happy that the book I have been working for some time now has been brought to reality. And I hope this book will get to as many people as possible. I actually started writing since primary school and I usually write to put my feelings down that was how I came about this story and poem,” she said.

She added: “My advice to upcoming authors is that writing might seem hard even to the extent of you losing your motivation but keep your focus, express yourself and make sure you have fun”.

The reviewer of the book, Mrs. Funke Osae-Brown, “the title Lucky Number 27 may not come easily as a collection of poems but looking through the pages one is amazed by the author’s profound line of thoughts. Quite instructive is the poem Who are mine really? In the poem, Demilade speaks of most adolescent and their search for identity. In their quest for perfection, they seek to please everyone without knowing that such is an effort in futility.”

She described Don’t tell mummy as a poem that depicts vividly the tragedy that affects modern day young people just as she captures her views on parental neglect and child abuse. “With a theme of joy, pain, sadness, she highlights issues that concerns today’s young people. Lucky Number 27 is a collection of reality in one’s imagination. Demilade‘s language is simple and her images are vivid and very poetic,” she said.

•Dr. Adeyina, Demilade, Prince Olateru-Olagbegi and Mr. Omoyemi

By Mercy Michael and Abike Adegbulehin

LITERATURE The father of the celebrant Adebisi Omoyeni, who is proud of his daughter and saw a need to encourage her, said: “I am so proud of my daughter and myself because God brought her to this world through us. Though publishing this book was delayed because of my busy schedule but I thank God that it has been accomplished now. I saw the quality of what she had put down, and I was encouraged and I am happy that her dream has come true”.

Commending Demilade’s effort, the Vice Principal of Atlantic Hall, Mrs DeborahAkinpelu, said the hint about Demilade’s tal-

ent was made known to her by the English teacher. “When the mum saw me last weekend and invited me to this book launch, I wasn’t surprised, but I was elated that what her teacher noticed in her has been brought to the limelight. Demilade is on the quiet side and well behaved. There is something she said about identifying your talent. I’m glad she has identified hers and is already walking the path. I congratulate you. And I say this is just the beginning”.

The mother of the author, Mrs. Ayoade Omoyeni also expressed her feelings. “Naturally, I am excited and I give all the glory to God because for her dream to become a reality today is a thing of joy. I would encourage more people to write in order not to kill our reading culture in the country and this is why writers’ role will always be essential in our country”.

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Orphans call for peace

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LIFE LINE

Unlicensed opens at Omenka

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SOLO art exhibition, Unlicensed by Gerry Nnubia opens on Saturday, July 7 at the Omenka Gallery on 24, Ikoyi Crescent, Ikoyi, Lagos by 4pm. The show will feature 10-year documentation of the artist’s acrylic flow that explores the tension between form and formlessness vital to the tenets of modernism. It will run till July 22.

ORRIED by the bombings in some parts of the country, some orphans are seeking divine intervention to heal the

land.

Under the auspices of Save the Child of Destiny Foundation, the orphans has recorded a peace album, aptly entitled: Heal our land.

Aged between eight and 12 years, the orphans, known as Wonderful Destinies, aim at inspiring peace in Nigerians. The project was inspired by the founder of Save the Child of Destiny Foundation, Dr. Precious Onwuzuruike.

According to Onwuzurike, who is the creative and guidance of the initiator cum promoter of the album, the recent subsequent killings inspired the album.

“There has been so much killing across the country. Peace is what we need at this time. This message is timely and we hope to take the peace massage across the country, to our leaders,” she said.

The five-track soul stirring album has tracks, such as Nigeria is our own, Nigeria must survive; God has blessed Nigeria; May you be blessed and the album title of Heal our land. The emotional and highly inspiring, patriotic lyrics are written and produced by Onwuzurike, who is also an evangelist by calling, after receiving instruction from God. The video of the album, which will soon hit the screens of viewers, she said, is guaranteed to touch the strongest of hearts. She said: “I don’t believe anybody will watch these little ones weeping for the nation and interceding to God without

Grillo celebrates David Dale

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HE yearly Grillo Pavilion Visual Art Festival will hold a mid-year soiree in honour of a renowned muralist, graphic artist and stained-glass maker, David Dale, on July 8 at 13, Biaduo Street, Ikoyi,Lagos, by 4pm. The celebration will showcase 21 new works of the artist comprising original engraving, foil works, beads, stained glass and 30 other works from the private collections of Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, Mr Sam Olagbaju and Sehinde Odimayo.

Grillo Pavilion is a dedicated space for the celebration of excellence in visual art practice. It also houses the private collections of Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi.

Earlier in the year, the festival hosted one of the Zarianists, Prof. Uche Okeke.

•Wonderful Destiny troupe in a performance

By Evelyn Osagie

MUSIC being touched. God is the one who inspired us to do these songs and I know it is for a purpose.”

The album, she said, will be presented to the public in some weeks time. She said: “We will do a public

presentation of the album with the hope that it will get to all the right people and God will touch their heart and make them do the right thing. Nigeria is our land and we strongly believe in the country.”

Save the Child of Destiny Foundation is a non-governmental care group focused on providing succour for orphans, widows and the less-privileged in the society.

•Dale

‘She wasn’t an artiste... she was a spiritualist’ • Continued on page 31 Entertainment Limited, on that day. The son, Kaka, a music producer and musician, is working on that. She has over 1,000 unrecorded songs. Because there is a lot of demand for her past works, we would remix her classics and add one or two new ones. I can’t say how many tracks that would be there now, but we would inform the public before then,” he said.

While thanking Nigerians for their support, he urged that they should keep faith with her, saying: “She would forever be with them, especially as they will soon be able to buy and hear some of her old classics which will keep the memories of her alive in them.”

“We thank all who identified with us during our moment of grief when my darling wife and mother departed us. We believe that even Christy is pleased and remains happy with you all,” he said.

For her son, Obiora, the late Lady of Song’s demise has left an irreplaceable vacuum. “We have been finding it hard to cope, but we are trying. It has not been easy because my mum meant a lot of things to us. Certain things we were used to are no longer there. But when reality dawned on us was when we laid her to rest. It hit us that it was over and she was not coming back. The public knew her as an exceptional singer and actress, but she was more than that to us. She did a lot to keep the family together – not only the immediate but also the extended family. I miss her care and guidance: anytime you wake up and there is always someone there to care for you,” he said.

The thanksgiving service was also to thank God for his protecting her son, Kaka, who was attacked by armed robbers in

April. The producer and rapper said her cooking is what he misses most aside her guidance.

“She was the best cook in the world. I miss her cooking. She loved and did everything to see you happy. It has not been easy. As a musician, she was an inspiration and a guardian. Since I started, every step of the way I asked directions from her. And now there is no one to ask for direction; I have to do everything myself. Also, she believed in service. It was not about your position or number of titles. It was all about what you are willing to give, for you have been lifted up to serve,” he said.

Her long-time friend and sister, Mrs. Amazing Grace Onyegbule also recounted her loss, saying she has lost her “best friend and sister.” She said: “She was a woman of depth and great wisdom. I miss her counselling and our interactions. She was an epitome of peace and encouragement to all: a true model for womanhood. She was a woman who never quarrelled with her husband; talked like an old woman – very tolerant.”

•From left: M’Millian Obika, Kaka Igbokwe and wife, Chioma

•

‘She was a woman of depth and great wisdom. I miss her counselling and our interactions. She was an epitome of peace and encouragement to all: a true model for womanhood. She was a woman who never quarrelled with her husband; talked like an old woman – very tolerant’

•From left:Ify Izagbo,Florence, Dr Austin Izagbo and Oby Izagbo. PHOTOS:OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL

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North needs viable projects to grow, says Kwankwaso

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OR the North to grow, its governors must initiate and sustain viable projects in their respective states.

That was the message Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso sent to Northern governors in Sokoto.

The governor said Kano State was spearheading the establishment of a Northwest University to further open up the educational frontiers of the region.

“This will foster unity and create opportunities for Northerners to excel and launch the region on the path of acquiring western and islamic education for use at home and abroad,” he said.

Speaking in Sokoto at the commissioning of part of over N7 billion rural and metropolitan road projects executed by the Aliyu Wamakko administration across the state, Kwankwaso said northern governors have to work hard by encouraging revolutionary transformation of the region for the benefit and survival of people in the north.

“It is time we fight the high level of idleness among our people," he said.

According to him, leadership is all about foresight and ability to sustain visions and missions in the interest of the people, pointing out that responsibilities of governors were beyond state levels, He added: “We also have to go out to network and partner with others at different levels for the benefit of our people.

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

“We need politics of ideology and vision to move the region forward.”

The Kano State governor commended his Sokoto counterpart for his resilience and foresight and transformational projects.

Kwankwaso said: “You have through these peopleoriented projects put the state on the map of devel•Kwankwaso (third right) cuts the inauguration tape, assisted by Mukhtari Shagari (second opment and exother guests cellence for the numerous in“We want to ensure that more ing gestures to universities in the communities are accessible because sub-region's catchments such as frastructure in place. a numberr of communities had no Uthman Dan Fodio University, “I have seen roads and the ongoroads or in a state of dilapidation Sokoto...by building hostels to acing state university projects and I am which captured the attention of this commodate and ease our students.” impressed.” government in view of the imporGovernor Aliyu Wamakko said He said his government was built tance transportation for smooth the projects were part of his adminon a visionary foundation to sacrisocio-economic activities of our peoistration's modest effort to serve fice, support and empower the poor ple." various communities within availacross Kano state and beyond.

According to Wamako, the roads able resources.

“We are in partnership of extend-

left), Wamakko (second right) and were constructed to stand the test of time while commending the contractors for timely and quality job.

Some of the projects commissioned by the Kano State governor included Fanare-Lokobi-Yarume, Kalambaina-Wamakko-GumbiArkilla rural roads and metropolitan Kaduna,Wurno,Kontagora and Clapperton roads.

JUTH to build 2,500 bungalows for staff From Marie-Therese Nanlong, Jos

•JUTH CMD, Ishaya Pam TAFF of the Jos Teaching Hospital (JUTH) can look forward to the future with hope. Why? The management of the tertiary hospital is set to provide them with a housing estate to end their accommodation nightmare.

No fewer than 2,500 houses will be built over 10 years, with 250 built each year.

It is common knowledge that in the country today, many citizens with regular means of income do not have decent accommodation. JUTH workers are no exception.

To address the housing problems of the civil servants, the administration of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida in 1992 established the National Housing Fund backed by Decree 3 requiring every civil servant to compulsorily contribute 2.5% of his/her basic salary for the provision of a decent home.

Access to the fund was difficult due to stringent conditions and the absence of any supporting framework.

As the result, no staff of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) had been able to access the fund, forcing them to embark on a campaign to stop the compulsory reduction which they saw as a waste of resources.

At the resumption of office of the present Chief Medical Director

S

(CMD) of the hospital, the staff intensified their efforts to stop the reduction but the CMD had a hard task pacifying the staff who reluctantly accepted the promise that they would soon move into their own houses.

The realisation of this dream came week when the JUTH management laid the foundation of 250, three-bedroom bungalow housing scheme to ease accommodation problems confronting the staff of the hospital.

Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony of the estate named, “Shere Hills Estate” at Rizek village in Jos East Local Government Area of the State, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital Dr. Ishaya Pam said the project would not only assist the staff to meet the basic human need for shelter but would also improve the quality of healthcare service delivery the hospital renders to the people as the closer the staff are to the hospital the efficient the services rendered to the people.

According to Dr. Pam, JUTH has 2, 500 workers and the estate will accommodate 250 housing units built annually over a decade to provide comfortable accommodation for its workforce.

He is optimistic that the management would succeed in executing the project but appealed to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and Water Board to assist by providing electricity and water for smooth completion of the project.

The CMD disclosed that the 3-bedroom flats would cost N5.5m to be paid by benefiting staff in the period of 25 years, adding that the partners in the project are Socus Concepts Nig. Ltd (real estate developers), Suntrust Nig. Ltd (primary mortgage institution), Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (funds administrators), the Federal Housing and Urban Development (supervisors), various Cooperative Societies in

JUTH and the Federal Ministry of Health under the leadership of the Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu.

Meanwhile Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang who laid the foundation decried housing difficulties in the nation, saying the residential homes ownership in Nigeria is less than 25% compared with the 75% international benchmark.

The governor advocated for consistency and proper implementation of the national housing policy in order for the country to fit into the reality of the present challenges, saying creating the enabling environment for Nigerians to afford houses could be achieved if the mortgage institutions could cut down their high interest rates.

JUTH CMD is optimistic that the management would succeed in executing the project but appealed to the PHCN and Water Board to assist by providing electricity and water for smooth completion of the project

He said: “On our part as a government we have set the machinery in motion for a public partnership mass housing scheme for civil servants.

We have identified five sites in Jos and the memorandum of understanding will soon be signed.

“Sixty per cent of Nigerians are without adequate shelter but my administration has realised that one of the challenges to providing affordable housing is lack of primary infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity hence the priority in opening up more roads and the getting of loan facility of N8bn to rehabilitate water works and execute reticulation to cut down cost of housing development”.

Though the beneficiaries are not yet made public but some of the staff who spoke anonymously said they were happy that that the project has kick-started, “an indication of greater things ahead”.

Borno: time to join the polio-free •Continued from Page 15 of vaccines were usually returned for record purposes, but the content never got to the consumers as this is thrown away by some wicked field workers.

Related to this is the potency of the vaccines. As a result of hostile climatic condition of Borno especially, the northern part with the attendant high temperature, vaccine easily loses potency due to lack of effective storage system. Even the state government cold rooms or storage facilities where these vaccines are stored sometimes lack electricity to operate effectively. It is observed that the immunisation schedules are not strictly adhered to, thus making progress monitoring difficult.

Notwithstanding, the avalanche of challenges, with determination and political will, Borno should put this menance behind it as soon as possi-

ble. Governor Kashim Shettima must give what it takes to make Borno henceforth a no-go area for the six killer diseases especially polio scourge.

There is need for total reappraisal of the prevailing situation and thereafter chart a road map for total onslaught on the polio virus in the state.

There is also the need for total involvement of all the stakeholders from the state level down to the hamlet.

The state commissioner, advisers, civil servants, community, political, religious and other opinion leaders and women of influence at all levels of the state must be involved in the crusade. There is need for the establishment of a Task Force Committee at the state and local government levels to deal specifically on polio total eradication compliance with a set deadline.

There is also the need for statewide

sensitisation and enlightenment campaign on the dangers inherent in the prevalence of polio. This campaign must be deliberate, sustained and maintained in the local languages as opposed to the present uncoordinated situation.

There is need for Governor Shettima to initiate on his own an informal independent monitoring system. This will afford him the opportunity of having undiluted view or the true perception of things and provide a basis for comparison of notes.

To Governor Shettima I say, “Shine your Eyes” (apology to NAFDAC) and join the club of polio free states.

This is because it is dishonorable and embarrassing for the state to be a recurring reference point as a habitat of the deadly polio virus.

•Victor Izekor writes from Maiduguri

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

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Imo community writes Okorocha over kingship tussle

By Chinaka Okoro

•Mr Osuji

T

HE people of Amaimo Autonomous Community in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State have written to Governor Rochas Okorocha urging him to recognise the Eze or king of the community Godwin Ehirim Nwebo as recommended by the Eze Muruako-led Panel on Identification and Selection of Traditional Ruler candidates.

Nwebo was elected Eze in 1993 but

was prevented from reigning by a series of court cases instituted by Mr Marcellinus Alaribe, a claimant to the throne. Alaribe’s prayers in the court have all been struck out.

In a letter to the governor entitled “Amaimo Autonomous Community Ezeship Tussle: The Irrefutable Truth and Facts,” a copy of which was made available to Newsextra, the people maintained that Alaribe who is the son of the late traditional ruler of Amaimo has no right to lay claim to the royal stool because the constitution of Amaimo stipulates that the kingship is rotational.

They disclosed to Newsextra that on May 30, 2012, a certificate of identification and recommendation was issued to the Eze-elect Godwin Ehirim Nwebo by the Panel.

This, they said, didn’t go down well with Mr Marcellinus Alaribe and his Umueze people who are laying claim to the Ezeship stool of Amaimo, hence the allegation in The Trumpeter, a local newspaper, that there was financial inducement that informed its selection of Godwin Ehirim Nwebo.

In the letter, the people expressed sadness over what they called barefaced lies being peddled by Alaribe and his cohorts who want to change the provision of the people’s constitution with regard to the process of selecting their Eze. They also refuted the claim by the petitioners to the effect that “Amaimo is torn apart, that Eze-elect Godwin Ehirim Nwebo is unpopular and does not command the respect of Amaimo people.” They added that Amaimo is calm and peaceful.

The letter, signed by 21 prominent Amaimo indigenes maintained that the identification, selection and recommendation of Eze-elect Godwin Ehirim Nwebo to Governor Okorocha for recognition as the traditional ruler of Amaimo Community was the outcome of a painstaking process based on facts and figures before the Muruako Panel.

Those who signed the letter to the governor are Hon. Vitalis C. Osuji, a lawyer and the President-General of Amaimo Autonomous Community, Chief J.A. Duru (KSM), Mr Ntiasagwa Patrick, Chief John Onyeagwara, Sir V.C. Anyanwu (KSJ), Chief John Ahanonu

(Chimereze), Sir T.N.T. Agwaraonye, Chief Ezeji C.O. (President-General Amachara Village), Mr Sabinus Iheatu, Chief (Dr) Joseph Ugwulebo (President-General Egbelu Village), and Uche Dominic Anyanwu, among others.

They averred that “we are aware of the bold claims by Marcellinus Alaribe and his Umueze people, that they are being aided in their unholy claim to the Ezeship stool of Amaimo by a legislator in the Imo State House of Assembly who, they boast, has been mounting and pilling pressure on the leadership of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers to over-turn the recommendation of the Eze Muruako-led Panel…”

Citing various documents on the Ezeship issue in Amaimo since 1979, the people disclosed that the custom guiding the identification, selection and installation of Eze in Amaimo is contained in the guidelines drawn for that purpose which form part of the constitution of Amaimo Autonomous Community.

The letter reads inter alia: “We are delighted to inform you that Godwin Ehirim Nwebo was identified and selected on 18/11/93 by a panel set up by the people of

Amaimo Autonomous Community…He was installed on December7, 1993 as DURUIMO 11 of Amaimo…

“Please, note item xviii of the guidelines which stipulates that the stool is rotational. Note also item “C” page 9 of memo on chieftaincy which states that after Jude Alaribe, the next Eze should be Godwin Ehirim Nwebo of Egbelu. Again, note item 13 of memo of Chief Alaribe which confirms that the stool is rotational…”

The letter to Governor Okorocha also stated that “the Panel headed

by Eze Muruako subjected us to public hearing, looked at our memorandum and that of the President-General of Amaimo Improvement Union…This task the panel diligently carried out and confirmed that the Eze-elect Godwin Ehirim Nwebo properly emerged as the duly identified, selected, and installed Ezeelect of Amaimo. Hence he was issued with a certificate of identification, recommending him to Your Excellency for recognition. A formal application to this effect has already been made to Your Excellency through the chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers.”

W

IDOWS have been given sound advice to help them overcome the agony of losing their beloved husbands and also take good care of their children, if any.

An educationist, Mrs. Ruth Abayomi, who is also a widow, told the women in Lagos that they must be strong and independent-minded, not giving in to men’s advances, and focusing on raising their children.

She did not dismiss the pangs of widowhood, though. Losing her husband of 22 years was too much of a shock and the only thing on her mind when it happened in August 2004 was to join him.

But at the 2012 International Woman’s Day Celebration organised by a Widow’s Support Group, Woman of Substance in partnership with IkosiIsheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos, the story was different as she narrated her experience to inspire other young widows to live beyond widowhood.

Although she was working and already had her Masters degree in English Literature from the University of Lagos, Ruth said for more than a year, the thought of losing her husband was traumatising.

“I did’nt know how to continue living without the man who over pampers me, the one who follows me to the market for shopping during weekends, the one who drives me round the city for leisure, the one who locks my necklace and whom whenever he tells me I look beautiful, nobody in this world can make me feel otherwise,” she narrated.

Ruth noted that it was indeed difficult to face life without her husband, but she resolved to stay alive and give their children the life they both planned for them.

According to the educationist, “I decided to engage myself with other widows; while my husband was alive, we used to carter for widows and children, so I took it upon myself to be more dedicated about the affairs of widows. I use my salary even till today to organise parties for them

•Some of the widows at the event

‘How to overcome widowhood challenges’

By Precious Igbonwelundu

every first of December, to my children and I, it is a way to fill the loneliness we felt with his absence. Presently, I have about 300 widows I have empowered and it gives me joy to put a smile on their faces’.

While urging them to avoid sexual relationship with men as it would affect their relationship with their children and also earn them bad

I lost my husband at a time three of my kids were about to enter the university, none of my husband’s relatives assisted us and I didn’t go to any of them either, but today God has seen us through and two of them have graduated from the university

names, Ruth told them that she vowed never to give in to another man after the death of her darling husband, adding that God has been very faithful in helping her keep the vow.

“I had advances and harassment from men, even from my husband’s political associates and also in my estate, but God helped me to overcome them all. I know that some of you especially the younger women will have sexual urge; that is perhaps the greatest challenge in widowhood but I advice you to keep to yourself. If you think you cannot control yourself, then you can remarry but know that your children will not like it because your attention will focus on your new husband.

“Moreover, there is no guarantee that the man you marry will take care of them. At that point, you will lose your children’s love. You can make it, yes you can. You do not need to run from pillar to post; most of the men will want to have sex with you or even take advantage of your fe-

male children, so please do not send your children to them or enslave your children,” she stressed.

On how to ensure financial independence, she urged the widows to start up something no matter how small even as she maintained that their lives do not end with the death of their partner.

She encouraged those who are not learned to secure menial jobs like catering, cleaning, or even petty trade and save the proceeds from whatever they do to take care of their children, urging them to hold on to God and trust only in him.

“I lost my husband at a time three of my kids were about to enter the university, none of my husband’s relatives assisted us and I didn’t go to any of them either, but today God has seen us through and two of them have graduated from the university.

“Also, the land my husband had around Ikorodu, we have been able to develop it up to roofing level and I will tell you it is God who saw us through and raised help because I have never gone to complain or beg

anyone for financial assistance, but God keeps sending people to assist us,” she said.

She admonished them to be prayerful, learn to forgive and also reach out to others even as she admonished them not to allow depression weigh them down.

Among the widows who shared their experiences with Newsextra included Mrs. Yemisi Adenuga, Mrs. Comfort Alaine and Mrs. Uyoyo Inoma. They all shed tears as they narrated the incident that led to the death of their husbands and explained the treatment they received from their inlaws.

For Uyoyo, losing her husband in 1999 at the age of 28, less than six years of marriage, was very excruciating and frustrating. She said she initially thought of running away but did not even know where to run to.

The mother of three narrated how her inlaws wanted to take her children and send her away on the grounds that she was too young and would remarry.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

I am in the House to serve them and humanity; being in government is not to lord it over the people but to serve those who entrusted me with this position because that is only what will make them happy and be willing to give us their votes again

I

T was a rare season of joy for the people of Epe 2 constituency in Lagos State as their representative at the state House of Assembly, Hon. Segun Olulade extended the dividends of democracy to them to mark his first year as a lawmaker.

Olulade commissioned 11 boreholes in different communities in the constituency with generators to power them and also gave out five personalised exercise books each to all the students in the 32 Senior and Junior Secondary Schools in his constituency.

Olulade said there was need for him to give back to the society especially after making promises to his people during the campaigns and also to erase the notion that politicians don’t do what they say.

“I am in the House to serve them and humanity; being in government is not to lord it over the people but to serve those who entrusted me with this position because that is only what will make them happy and be willing to give us their votes again”, he said.

He promised to involve his people in whatever he does as a lawmaker.

The communities where he commissioned the boreholes are: Ado Ikosi; Odo Onosa; Ajebo; Ketu; Temu; Mojoda market; Ibowon; Igboye; Noforija and Jegbende.

Olulade said he was fulfilling part of the promises he made to his constituents during his campaign for election to the House and as a way of saying thank you to them. I also want to impact positively on the lives of our people out of my statutory income as a member of Lagos Assembly”.

He said he had gone round to find out from the different communities what their needs were and those who requested for borehole were the ones that got them. ”This is also to impact positively on the lives of our people out of my statutory income as a member of Lagos Assembly,” he said.

The free exercise books were distributed at four different points which are: Agbowa Model Senior School; Lofi Ogunmude Senior School (the lawmaker’s Alma meter); Okemagba Senior School, Mojoda and Pobuna Senior School, Poka.

•Olulade and the benefitting pupils

Lagos lawmaker gives back to constituency

By Oziegbe Okoeki

“My main objective of distributing the books is to contribute my quota to educational enhancement of our students. The notebook serves two purposes- both for writing and learning- because at the back of the notebook we put the roles of the legislator to educate them”, Olulade said.

The lawmaker who is the chairman, Committee on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity, said Epe has been neglected for too long “but with the kind of representation we have at Epe now at the state House of Assembly, we are putting in efforts to ensure that our people enjoy the dividends of democracy.

“And whatever area we feel we are backward we put our resources together to ensure that it is taken care of and that has helped us a lot.

Epe has been at the background of

development and we feel it shouldn’t be, it has been neglected for too long and of course we know that Epe is the future of Lagos because every movement now is towards Epe”, Olulade said.

While decrying the level of poverty in the area, the lawmaker called on other representatives and well to do individuals from the constituency “to come together to ensure that poverty is alleviated if not totally eradicated in our area.”

To this end Olulade promised that in another year he is going to empower the youths, market women and assist the farmers in his constituency.”I don’t want to give the youths Okada, instead I want to enlighten them, educate and give them information that will change their perception and life and with that they can empower themselves”, he said.

While commending the lawmaker for the gesture, former Lagos state Commissioner for Education and Health and an indigene of

•From left: Maj-Gen Obasa (rtd), Mrs Bola Famoriyo, Mr Tola Mobolurin, Mr Oyeniyi Famoriyo and Mr. Gabrael Akinyemi at the turning of the sod of Grandeur Resorts Project on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

the constituency, Dr. Leke Pitan advised the students to make good use of the books. According to him, Olulade has brought in a paradigm shift in legislative delivery especially in the political history of the whole Epe division through his generous contribution to the upliftment of the educational system in his constituency with his meager personal income, he urged other public office holders to take a cue from Olulade’s shining example.

Pitan added that the sterling performance of Olulade is an eloquent

testimony to his high sense of responsibility as well as his commitment to the lofty programmes of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He therefore urged the people to continue to vote for ACN in subsequent elections, which would afford them the opportunity to access dividends of democracy at all times.

An Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leader in the constituency, Akanni Seriki expressed surprise at the lawmaker’s gesture, saying they have never had it so good in the constituency.

Plateau security outfit trains 130 women

T

HE internal security outfit in Plateau State codenamed Operation Rainbow has trained 130 women in skill acquisition as part of its social responsibility.

It has also liaised with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to curb the intake of illicit drugs among youths in the state with the aim of curbing youth restiveness and reducing the tendency of violence in the state.

The outfit however decried the state’s inability to achieve permanent peace despite all efforts deployed to ensure tranquility, saying the persistent killings of innocent people do not augur well for the development of the state.

Speaking with Newsextra in his office in Jos, the Coordinator of the outfit, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Bala Danbaba (rtd) appealed to the citizens of the state to cooperate with security agencies to ensure permanent peace is restored in the state for the good of every citizen.

AVM Danbaba disclosed that the state government is not giving up on the quest for peace as government has equipped and trained operatives in information gathering as well as purchased bomb detection equipment to combat the current trend of bombings in the state.

From Marie-Therese Nanlong, Jos

His words: “It is very challenging to note that we have not been able to restore peace despite every effort; killing of innocent people still persists. We are not giving up as the state government has trained 30 counter-terrorism operatives in Israel; we are liaising with the UNDP to install early warning system to detect problems and government has trained and equipped operatives in vital information gathering as well as purchase bomb detection equipment to improve on the security in the state”.

He maintained that 4,000 youths have been trained in the 17 local government areas of the state on neighbourhood watch operation and are vetted by the officials of the State Security Service (SSS) to ensure they do not have criminal records so that they would assist in maintaining peace in the rural areas.

Danbaba appealed to the trained youths especially from the rural areas who have not yet been given appointment letters to exercise some patience as the head office is working zone by zone to ensure that every vetted operative’s information is documented in the organisation’s data base for proper account and coordination.

"As far as I am aware nobody has made any offer for him and he is away so we are not in any dialogue at all. We're not in the remotest bit interested in selling him."

OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...

Arsenal chairman, Phillip Hill-Wood insisting Gunners will not sell Robin van Persie.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Tottenham gets AVB

•Villas-Boas

F

ORMER Chelsea manager Andre VillasBoas has made a swift return to the Premier League after being appointed new boss of the Blues ' London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on a three-year deal.

The 34-year-old Portuguese joined the Stamford Bridge outfit last summer having won the treble with FC Porto, but was dismissed in March after a 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion left their hopes of securing a top-four finish in serious jeopardy.

Nasri to face the music with others •Nasri

•Mata

Arsenal chairman : Van Persie not in the market

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

43

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

COUNTDOWN TO EDO 2012 With just nine days to the governorship election in Edo State, Correspondent OSAGIE OTABOR writes that political parties and their candidates taking part in the election have taken their campaigns to feverish pitch.

Candidates intensify campaigns J

ULY 14 is a date that means much more to the people of Edo State than these in other states of the federation. The electorate is expected to return a verdict on the suitability of Governor Adams Oshiomhole for a second term.

Although there are six other candidates, the contest is mainly betweenthe incumbent governor flying Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) flag, and General Charles Airhivbere of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The election will take place in 5,519 voting and in 2,627 polling units across the state.

Comrade Oshiomhole is asking for another term as provided for in the Constitution. His challengers are a professional welder, Solomon Edebiri of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), a retired Commander, Nigerian Army Corps of Finance, Major-General Charles Airhiavbere of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Frank Ukonga of the Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP), Roland Izevbuwa of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Andrew Igwemoh of the Labour Party(LP) and Paul Orumwense of the National Conscience Party (NCP).

At press time yesterday, sources indicated that candidates of the SDMP, CPC, LP and NCP were on the verge of collapsing their campaigns in support of Governor Oshiomhole. Edebiri is not seen as a major challenger in the polls as his campaign trains are not as visible as those of Airhiavbere and Oshiomhole.

Beside, Oshiomhole also appears not to regard Edebiri as a strong contender because in many of his campaigns, he seldom referred to Edebiri or the ANPP. In fact many analysts have come to see the election as strictly a two horse race.

This may explain why Oshiomhole and Airhiavbere have been engaged in campaigns that have been described as unprecedented in the state since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

In the run up to the election, candidates have intensified their campaigns as they go round the 18 local councils trying to convince the electorate why they should be elected.

For Oshiomhole, the message has been “Let the progress continue” and “One good tenure deserves another”. On his part, Airhiavbere has continued to harp on “the man you can trust.”

More also, the PDP in the state, aware of its image in respect of its performance while in office, has tagged itself the “new and reformed PDP”. And, as if to justify this claim, it has said at one of its campaigns that the schools built and renovated by the ACN-led administration were partly funded by the Federal Government.

Oshiomhole in one of his campaigns described the PDP as a political party without a history of performance. He urged the electorate to reject the PDP at the polls using their most effective weapon - the voter’s card.

Oshiomhole campaigns started in phases from senatorial to local governments and then to ward level and on to the streets. In every local government, Oshiomhole told the electorates to choose between his achievements and the legacies of the PDP. According to him, “If they tell you what they will do in the future, they must tell you what they did in the past. What we have to live for is to ensure that Nigeria must make progress and any invasion from Abuja to rig the election in Edo State must be resisted. As future leaders you have a duty to refuse to be intimidated.”

Oshiomhole in all the campaigns listed projects already executed in each local councils cutting across education, rural electrification, water and road construction.

From left: Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole and six other candidates for the July 14 governorship election during the debate organised by the National Election Debate Group (NEDG).

‘With our bare hands, they couldn’t rig us out in 2007. We will remain focused on issues of development. You must wait till the results are announced and let us see how they change the results. For us to ask for a new mandate to continue, we must justify what we have done in our first time’ - Oshiomhole According to him, “We must keep them out with the power of the truth. Look at the schools built by us and look at the PDP legacies. On election day, the choice is yours whether to vote for the past pig houses called schools left by the PDP or our new revolution in education.

“I urge you to stand by us. Give us your votes and we will shock you with more programmes and development. As the Adolor of Esanland, I am bound to bring development to Esanland. We have been delivering on roads, schools and electricity. We are redefining politics to bring the greatest good to the greatest number of people.”

“With our bare hands, they couldn’t rig us out in 2007. We will remain focused on issues of development. You must wait till the results are announced and let us see how they change the results. For us to ask for a new mandate to continue, we must justify what we have done in our first time.

“Our work speaks louder than our voice.

You have your choice to vote between evil and what is good. We will do our best for these communities. Our second term is the chance to carry on with the second phase of lifting the state. We are operating a democracy that work for the people and not one that work money for the pocket of the godfather.”

Airhiavbere in his campaigns at Edo North said his administration would initiate new projects and complete on-going ones in the localities as well as conduct local government elections few months after being elected into office.

He said the failure of the incumbent governor to conduct local government elections in the state contributed immensely to poverty rate in Edo State and which in turn has rersulted in very slow pace of development in our rural areas.

He said: “Rural transformation is the bedrock of development in a state. When we come on board, we’re declaring emergency on security, health and education which we

‘But it pains me that in the 21st century, you are still being promised electrification of your area, provision of potable water, construction of health centres, schools and creation of employment opportunities especially for teachers and for our youths when these should have been provided you a long time ago as your rights and benefits from government’ - Airhivbere

will make sure also trickle down to our rural communities. But it pains me that in the 21st century, you are still being promised electrification of your area, provision of potable water, construction of health centres, schools and creation of employment opportunities especially for teachers and for our youths when these should have been provided you a long time ago as your rights and benefits from government”.

The PDP candidate told his supporters that Edo State was 7th among states with the highest federal allocation as an oil-producing state but was now ranked 9th in the list of poorest states due to fund mismanagement, poor project priority listing, executive laziness and carelessness, insensitivity and inability of previous governments to recognise doing-business-indicators that Edo state was endowed with.

Airhiavbere also promised to reduce fees payable at all the state-owned tertiary institutions as well as upgrade infrastructure at the institutions to enhance qualitative learning including training and re-training of teachers.

In his words, “from the desperation we are now seeing on the part of the ACN government it is clear that the PDP is winning this election. It has now suddenly dawned on the ACN that they cannot offer any formidable contest anymore. The recent reduction in taxes was effected by the PDP federal government. The renovation of schools as is done by the present administration is also funded 60% by the federal government under the UBEC scheme. ‘Adams Oshiomhole must go’ seems to be the popular slogan as the elections approach.

“Edo State is practically without industry, those established years ago have been allowed to rot away by successive administrations of the state. The state has no means of employment for its teeming youths, what would you expect?

“Governance is all about the people, so if the youths who would take charge of affairs tomorrow are not being considered in deci-

sion making and other activities that affect them positively, you are pushing them to the wall. It could lead them to all sorts of criminalities. That’s led us to the state of insecurity in this state today. All these have to change in our time. Our programmes are channelled towards youth’s development,” he said.

At the political debate organised by National Election Debate Group (NEDG) tagged “Edo Decides”, six out of the seven candidates contesting the July 14 election stated why they should be voted into power.

Those present at the debate were candidates of the ACN, NCP, LP, SDMP, PDP and CPC while that of the LP was absent.

Questions from the three-man panel covered sectors such as education, health, economy, corruption and power.

Governor Oshiomhole said his admininstration has laid a solid foundation in critical infrastructure, urban renewal, erosion and flooding control and re-invention of the educational sector.

He explained that he wants to consolidate on the achievements recorded, adding that three years was not enough to fix the problems he met in the state. Governor Oshiomhole stated that the Federal Government is confused on policy on power generation and distribution, pointing out that “until the Federal Government gets its policy right and decentralised the power sector, there is nothing any state government can do about adequate power supply”.

He stated that his administration has embarked on the building of power plant in collaboration with private sector including the distribution of transformers to rural communities.

Oshiomhole stated that he had delivered on his promise to provide 10,000 jobs and that over 20,000 jobs would be created through private companies that have indicated interest to invest in the state.

According to him, “We have rebuilt health centres in every local councils and we are building a new general hospital in Benin City •Continued on page 46

44

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

POLITICS

Ondo 2012: Mimiko in deal with Presidency, PDP to retain power

I

N what appears a desperate move for political survival, in cumbent Governor of Ondo State Segun Mimiko may have gone into an electoral “understanding” with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It was learnt that the tripatrite deal will involve the Presidency and the PDP. Mimiko, it was learnt, is expected to sign a document that will see him dump the Labour Party (LP) for the PDP in exchange for support to help him win the October 20 governorship election.

A top PDP source who was present at a meeting in Abuja confirmed that Mimiko already had a secret pact with President Goodluck Jonathan, the Presidency and the entire PDP on how the President help him win the gubernatorial election.

The source said: “The Presidency scrutinized Mimiko on his former political romance with the National Leader of Action Congress of Nigeria-Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his last electioneering campaign and during his election tribunal era between him and Agagu and expressed reservations about cutting a deal with Mimiko in view of the way he fell out with

• Jonathan

Tinubu after he won”.

The Presidency was said to have queried Mimiko on what led to his falling apart with Tinubu and wanted a rock solid assurance from Mimiko that he will not turn around and dump them or give then the Tinubu treatment after using the Presidency and PDP influence to win the October election. Mimiko was said to have repeatedly pleaded with the Presidency with profuse promises that he

will not renege on the agreement to defect to the PDP.” Mimiko is said to have explained that although Tinubu helped him during his election and during his legal battle, he has paid back in more than five folds during Governor Kayode Fayemi’s election in Ekiti State.

The source said Mimiko later signed a secret memorandum of understanding with President Jonathan and leaders of the PDP, stating that after they might have helped him win the election in October, based on the agreement, he, Mimiko and his team from the Labour Party, would defect to the PDP not later than December 31, 2012.

“They know that without the help of the Presidency, Mimiko and his group will not win the election,” the highly placed PDP source said.

This latest move by Mimiko confirms all the talks and outreach to Abuja and individuals deep in the PDP hierarchy for support. With the ACN enjoying a great followership in Ondo, the Mimiko government has gone into overdrive, trying to stop the increasingly growing influence of the ACN.

Candidates go for broke, intensify campaigns •Continued from page 45

that will be equipped with state of the art facilities found anywhere in the world.

“We have demonstrated that it is possible to re-engineer our resources to deliver for the people.

We are already providing what others are offering to do”.

He said his administration has implemented the budget to the latter by restoring integrity and elimination of wastages.

Candidate of the PDP, Major-General Charles Airhiavbere said he was seeking office to salvage the people from the problem of poor leadership. Airhiavbere stated that Edo people were not enjoying the dividends of democracy adding that there was high level of insecurity proportionate to high unemployment.

He promised to generate power from waste and exploit other areas of power to add to the national grid.

The PDP candidate said all moribund companies in the state would be revived. He promised to establish skill acquisition centres in the state and make loans available for women.

His words, “We will strengthen our central hospital, build health centres and pay medical workers to

curb rural urban drift for medical services.

“It is not acceptable to start new companies without reviving old ones. We will diversify the economy and revitalised farm settlements. Our universities could become research centres. Edo will become food security of the south south.” Airhiavbere said his administration will have a human face.

The SDMP candidate, Frank Ukonga promised to bring a 12 point agenda when elected as governor which he said includes free education at all levels, free lunch, agricultural revolution and creation of two million jobs.

Ukonga said his administration would partner with the Federal Government to build nuclear power which he explained was cheaper. He promised to continue the free medical services introduced by Governor Oshiomhole as well as assist the Federal Government in oil exploration.

“We will implement our budget according to what we have. We will use macro economics to generate revenue.”

Candidate of NCP, Paul Orumwense said he would give his heart to provide shelter, electricity, food and things that would make life easy for Edo people. He prom-

ised to bring in foreign partners for power generation and that his emphasis would be on the rural areas.

Orumwense stated that youths would be enagaged througn mechanised farming adding that he would invite the Americans to help boost agriculture.

For the CPC candidate, Roland Izevbuwa, eradication of corruption and meeting of peoples need would be his focus and promised to generate power from Oben gas reserved and Gelegele river.

He said large scale farming would be done to engage the youths and that farm implements would be distributed free.

Candidate of the ANPP, Solomon Edebiri said the missing link in the state was human capital development which promised to provide.

Edebiri promised to generate power through hydro and windmill including buildimg of schools equipped with modern laboratories.

“We will introduce a law that will give power to the people to know the running of government.”

The electorate in Edo is sure to be told more things in the remaining one week before the curtain falls on campaigns.

• From right: Vice President Namadi Sambo,with other Heads of States during Burundi 50th Independence Anniversary Celebration in Bujumbura.

‘APGA must embrace internal democracy’

By Musa Odoshimokhe

S

PECIAL Assistant on Contact and Mobilisation to the National Chair man of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Ugwunze Campbell, has attributed the inability of Anambra State governor Peter Obi to conduct election into the local governments as one of the challenges facing the party.

He said the governor had refused to heed calls to conduct election into the councils in order to manipulate the state for personal agenda. This according him, would make the party an easy prey to the oppositions.

He said “We told Peter Obi please help us conduct election into the local governments so that the party can remain relevant to win elections now that our leader is no more, Odumegwu Ojukwu but he refused rather he keeps flouting one rule or the other.”

Campbell told The Nation that part of the problems facing the party is the Anambra State, governor wanted to impose a candidate on Anambra people in the 2015 election which they have resisted and had told him there must be a primaries.

He stated that the governor who had undermined APGA severally, went into alliance to adopt President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2011 elections without due agreement with the party machinery and wanted APGA to tow the lines of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) all the times.

“In the 2011 elections there was no agreement, no understanding, and our senatorial candidates had been chosen before he went and bring PDP candidates like Prof Dora Akunyile, Joy Emordi and Chuma Nzeribe who was refused by PDP. We had to drop our own APGA candidates for these people in order to prevent division.”

He noted that the same scenario is already brewing, where he wants to impose candidate that is not likely to make impact in the next election. “You will recall that he was the only sitting governor in Nigeria that could not win a single senatorial district.”

The Special Adviser stated that the Umeh-led APGA remains the authentic chairman of the party, following his emergence at the congress held in Awka which was endorsed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

His word: “The INEC chairman said the commission does not recognise twoman party chairman and if APGA wanted to change its leadership they should call for a congress and invite INEC to monitor them.”

“They are aware that there was a congress that was held at Awka which produced Umeh and his group which INEC endorsed. Therefore, these groups that are saying one thing or the other are ignorant of the law and should comply with the rule.”

The former APGA governorship candidate for Lagos State, explained that the party which was bugged down by the infraction, has returned to it former position because more people were now interested in the party. “You can imagine Governor Obi who does not even liaise with his state chairman is fighting the national chairman, in fact the governor has no electoral value, he is either in Abuja dancing with the president or causing one or two problem at home.”

He maintained that any party that wanted to live on past glories is doing itself the greatest disservice because parties are revolutionising to meet with democratic trends that obey the rules of the game. Stressing that if APGA allowed people without electoral values manipulate it them it should be prepare to face the consequence.

Campbell urged all aggrieved parties to abide by the rules which brought the current chairman support him in order to take the party • Campbell to better heights.

Okorie seeks registration of UPP

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FORMER National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie, has applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the registration of a new political party. Okorie who recently resigned from APGA said the new political association, the United Peoples Party (UPP) has submitted a request to the INEC for registation as a political party.

The protem National Secretary of the association, Chief Dike Ogbuehi, said in a statement yesterday in Abuja that the association would replace the United Progressives Grand Alliance (UPGA) which was denied registration by INEC. “ We did not want to press the issue further because we have lost confidence in the judiciary, even though the reasons they gave for not registering UPGA was not genuine. “ We believe what is important in the registration of political parties are the manifestoes and the character of those founding it and not the name, the logo or the acronym,” it said.

The statement said the association was optimistic of being registered as a political party in the next few weeks.

“We are so careful in choosing the Tiger Head as our symbol because we did not want to go near anything Africa for now, Tiger Head is an Asian symbol, as going for Lion may generate controversy so that INEC can register the association.

“We are sure of our clout and strength to be registered as one of the national political parties”, it added.

It assured Nigerians of making a difference in the political space, saying once registered it would unveil • Jega its programmes to the nation.

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ANAMBRA STATE UNIVERSITY P. M. B 02 ULI

OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR Date: 2nd July, 2012

Ref: ANSU/R/ADM/02

SECOND BATCH POST-UTME SCREENING FOR 2012/2013 ADMISSION The Anambra State University shall conduct the Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (PUTME) Screening Tests for the following candidates: (a) Candidates who made ANSU their first choice but could not register for the first choice PostUTME Screening Test. (b) Candidates who made ANSU their second choice in the 2012 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). (c) Other candidates who scored 180 and above in the 2012 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), and who did not make Anambra State University their choice.

The Screening Tests shall be held at both the Uli and Igbariam Campuses of the University on Tuesday 31st July, 2012 and Wednesday 1st August, 2012 respectively. Only candidates who scored 180 and above in the UTME qualify and shall be allowed to take screening tests. Other relevant details are as follows: A. ULI CAMPUS: Tuesday 31st July, 2012 Morning (8.00am – 12.00 noon) 1a. Faculty of Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Elect/Elect Engineering

- Civil Engineering - Mechanical Engineering

1b. Faculty of Science - Geology - Mathematics

- Industrial Physics - Pure and Industrial Chemistry

Tuesday 31st July, 2012 Afternoon (12.00 noon – 2.00pm) 2a. Faculty of Environmental Sciences - Architecture - Environmental Management

- Urban and Regional Planning

2b. Faculty of Education - Science Education

- Education Foundation

- Technology Education

B. ULI CAMPUS: Wednesday 1st August, 2012 (Morning 8.00am – 12.00 noon) 1a. Faculty of Science - Statistics - Biochemistry - Biological Science - Computer Science - Microbiology 1b. Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences - Anatomy - Medicine and Surgery

- Physiology

A. IGBARIAM CAMPUS: Tuesday 31st July, 2012 Morning (8.00am – 12.00 noon) 1a. Faculty of Agriculture - Agriculture Economics and Extension - Soil Science

- Crop Science and Horticulture - Animal Science

1b. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences - Economics - Public Administration - Igbo Language - Mass Communication

- English

Tuesday 31st July Afternoon (12.00 noon – 2.00pm) 2a. Faculty of Law 2b. Faculty of Management Sciences - Accountancy - Marketing

- Entrepreneurship

B. IGBARIAM CAMPUS: Wednesday 1st August, 2012 (Morning 8.00am – 12.00 noon) 1a. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences - Political Science - Religion - Philosophy - Psychology - Sociology - Music 1b. Faculty of Management Sciences - Business Administration - Banking and Finance

- Capital Stock Market

Candidates who entered for courses not included in those listed above are advised to choose courses related to the ones they entered for, provided that such courses have the same UTME subject combination.

Method of Registration: Candidates are required to register on-line and are to pay as follows in any branch of the underlisted banks: Screening test fee N1,000 Processing fee and Bank charges N2,000 = N4,200 Accessing of result N1,200 Recommended Banks Eco Bank Plc -

Fidelity Bank Plc

-

Zenith Bank Plc

Access Pin Codes for authorized login into the University website (www.ansu-edu.net) will be issued to candidates following payment at the branches of any of the banks listed above. Candidates are to upload their recent passport photograph while registering on-line. Candidates will also be able to check their results on the website.

N/B i.

Candidates whose photographs are not scanned on their registration form may not be allowed to take screening tests. ii. On-line registration for the P-UTME screening tests ends at midnight on 25th of July, 2012 Requirements for Post UTME Screening Tests Candidates are required to bring along their 2012 UTME results slip, three (3) copies of scanned PostUTME Screening Registration Slip, Passport Photograph, HB pencil and eraser.

Handsets and Calculators are not allowed and shall be seized from any candidate found with any such item.

Please contact any of the following telephone numbers: 07033865888, 08024564004 and 07030072425 or email: info@tenece.com. If you encounter any problem related to the exercise.

S. E. Ofoegbu Registrar

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INSURANCE

Underwriters reject terrorism risks

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OES it make business sense to underwrite terrorism risks? This poser remains thorny as underwriters are rejecting terrorism risks because they are hazardous, The Nation has learnt.

A broker, who pleaded anoynimity, said some underwriters were wary of the high risks associated with terrorism.

To arrest the situation, President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) Mrs Laide Osijo said brokers are partnering with foreign underwriters to find a cover for them.

She said: “Terrorism is alien to Nigeria. It is something we are not used to, but it is underwritten abroad. Some brokers are working on policies to enable us place the risk abroad with underwriters who cover terrorism risks. The risk is very hazardous. If some underwriters are willing to offer the cover, we will partner with them.

“But most brokers are discussing it and if there is any insured who wants to take it the brokers are prepared to provide the necessary cover. Most brokers have arrangement with partners abroad, but for us to provide this cover with our partners abroad the right of attestation must be attained from the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

“Some underwriters are rejecting the risk because of its hazardous nature, but that notwithstanding, local underwriters can still take part of the share of the risk while some are placed abroad. It is a hazardous risk no doubt, but we are making it.”

Managing Director, Delight Insurance Brokers Limited, Tai Adediji, said the industry was in a dilemma

By Chuks Udo Okonta

about terrorism, adding that every body believes risks, such as terrorism, should be treated as underwriting, but the capacity of underwriters is inadequate.

He urged operators to pull resources together to provide some element of protection where it is required, stressing that insurers as risks managers must be proactive in handling risks “It is true that where you have this kind of challenge, where no body can predict where it takes place, the government plays a major role to boost security. Insures still have a lot to do as risks managers.

“As it is the role of insurers to insure against the unexpected and what is happening is unexpected. There is need for insurance companies to be proactive. Insurers should begin to engage in seminars, workshops and conference to find ways to provide insurance succour for the risk. The concern here is that we do not know the risks that will come up tomorrow. This should spur stakeholders to begin to think of how to manage risk appropriately.

“Brokers should rally among themselves to see how they can put up policies, which should be presented to underwriters to mitigate this risk. The brokers should use their experience, by virtue of the fact that they are close to the consumers to package a policy that would appeal to the underwriters to management this risk,” he said.

He noted that terrorism risks are sellable as insurance is not limited to Nigerian market. He said the risk, should not be left to be handled by Nigerian underwriters alone; that it has to be thrown abroad for other renowned underwriters to participate in it.

Life insurers engage in unethical practice, says NIA

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O woo customers, life insurers are undermining one an other, the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) has said.

NIA noted that the insurers have resorted to rate cutting and unhealthy competition to have an edge.

In a report, Chairman, Life Office Committee, NIA, Mrs Yetunde Ilori, said the reduction of rates to secure business is inimical to the development of the industry.

She called on underwriters to adhere to the rules in their quest to secure businesses, especially now that the industry is trying to find its feet after the crash of the capital market where most operators incurred huge losses.

Life insurers, she said, were still facing the challenge of getting firms to patronise the group life scheme made compulsory for employers under the Pension reform Act of 2004, adding that the annuity scheme prescribed by the same Act is yet to be understood and embraced by the public.

Mrs IIori said: “The industry is try-

By Chuks Udo Okonta

ing to find its feet after the successful 2011 elections, which gave a ray of hope for a stable economy in the next four years. The industry looks forward to benefit from the expected recovery of the stock market, which crashed in the middle of 2008. Firms have incurred huge investment losses as a result of this, but it is expected that the economy would pick and recovery would be steady.

“Another issue of concern is the widespread of rate cutting and unhealthy competition among the companies on the group life assurance business. The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has directed commissions on group life should not exceed eight per cent of the annual premium. This is an attempt by them to checkmate unhealthy practice of excessive acquisition cost by life offices.”

The commission said most operators have thrown caution to the wind to secure businesses, especially government accounts, adding that misdeeds perpetuated by operators have

reduced public confidence in the industry.

“At the time of budding prosperity, I am dismayed to hear us being called disparaging names – these people who share money – at the highest levels of government.

“These unprofessional actions are most prevalent in government accounts and if the NIA and NCRIB are not willing to call their members to other, the commission will.

“With respect to market conduct, there is an urgent need to address the challenges posed by improper conduct.

Unarguably, our products are underpriced and serious undercutting by operators that reached its climax.

“The cost of these misbehaviours to us is enormous – loss of business, diminished goodwill and confidence of the insuring public,” it said.

It expressed misgiving about the market agreement reached by insurance firms, adding that before the ink with which the agreement was written had dried, a portfolio that a group of firms had underwritten and the cover running was purportedly poached by another company, without just cause.

PenCom flays exemption of public sector from pension scheme

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HE National Pension Commission (PENCOM) has condemned the exemption of public sector institutions from the Compulsory Pension Scheme (CPS).

Such an exemption approved by the Federal Government will send wrong signals and have adverse effects on the sector, PENCOM Director-GeneralMohammad Ahmad, has said.

“It is highly important to look at issues being raised by agitators for exemption in a holistic manner as opposed to a piece-meal approach to improve on the workings of the Contributory Pension Scheme for the benefit of all,” he said He expressed misgivings over the slow legislation processes by some states with attendant delays in the passage of the relevant bills on the pension scheme.

Ahmad noted that the scheme is not considered as a priority by some states while others see it as a

burden.

“The lack of commitment by some states that have enacted their pension laws, has led to failure to remit the monthly pension contributions or only effect partial remittance of the contributions to the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) of their employees. This resulted in the accumulation of arrears of unremitted contributions.

“In fact, the accumulation of arrears also affects the Defined Benefits Scheme in the states,” he added.

He listed the benefits of the scheme to include the establishment of a sustainable and fully funded pension scheme; prompt payment of retirement benefits; elimination of accumulation of pension arrears; facilitation of transfer of service between the states and Federal Service and enhancement of corporate governance in managing pensions through structured administration.

• From left: Immediate past Chairman, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mr Olusola Ladipo-Ajayi; Chairman, Mr Remi Olowude and Director-General, Mr Olorundare Thomas, at the 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) and handing over to the new chairman, in Lagos.

NAICOM seeks improved skills in oil, gas

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O underwrite oil and gas risks, insurers must make effort to train their personnel, the Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel, has said.

He told The Nation that many underwriters are showing enthusiasm in leveraging on the opportunities provided by the Nigerian Content Act to underwrite oil and gas risks, adding that the Act stated that 70 per cent of businesses under the oil and gas must be domiciled with indigenous insurers.

He noted that insurers have risen to the occasion as they are seizing the opportunity to write more business in oil and gas.

He said operators, financial ca-

Expert canvasses need for actuarial dept

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XECUTIVE Director, Universal Risk Management and Actuarial Services (URMAAS), Ade Fasola, has called for the inclusion of actuarial science as a department in indemnity firms to strengthen the sector.

Fasola, who spoke at a workshop in Lagos, said the absence of actuarial departments in institutions was caused by the lack of skills and aptitude required for actuary services, adding that it has caused a major setback for the sector.

He said: “The supply of professionals is needed. Not a single fully qualified actuary is jobless, but students who are partially qualified are huge in number and are, therefore, jobless. The skills required for this profession are more important than merely passing

By Paul Oluwakoya

the papers. A trend witnessed is that students tend to confine themselves to studying materials provided by the institute and manage to pass the papers. This trend is not healthy. Actuarial aspirants must possess a good knowledge of information technology, reasoning ability and logical aptitude.”

Fashola urged insurers to be esteemed professionals to salvage the much-needed service in the sector. He said actuary was in high demand in Nigeria and that acquiring training/ skills would avail them of job relevance in insurance, banks, stock broking investment firms and securities in the country and abroad.

He noted that Nigeria Pension

Scheme is being run by non-professionals because it lacks both basic and post basic intakes for pension schemes.

“One of the requirements should be what is going to be the pension valuation at the end of the year and what the pension auditing preparation for the scheme is. Imagine a situation when one person has N2billion of the pension scheme in his freezer. You can imagine the scores in his calibre.

So, the service of an actuarial is needed there in this country,” he said He said actuarial exams are considered very difficult to pass and the pass rates generally vary from 20 to 40 per cent, but not more, adding that most exam takers are also working fulltime, so managing the workload and simultaneously passing the exams can pose a real challenge.

pacity, did not translate into technical capacity, which requires some time to develop.

He said: “People because they suddenly find themselves with capital of N6billion or N7billion, does not mean that every one knows about oil and gas. The operators really need deliberate effort to train personnel to understand oil and gas, otherwise, they will go and state risk which they lack the required knowledge. That will become a blind date which could crash and it will be inimical to the organisation and the industry. People are eagerly building capacity and we are making good progress.

“Five years ago, you can point at number of Nigerian companies that are doing something in oil and gas, but today, we have good number of them that are really striving to build capacity so that they can take advantage of the Nigerian Content Act as it relates to insurance.

“The Nigerian Content Act stipulates that we should insure 70 per cent of any thing under oil and gas.

But some of these businesses come in billions of dollars. So, we are looking at 70 per cent on case-bycase basis. And if you look at it at case-by-case basis, there are situations where as a regulator we say to the oil industry, no, this is not a case of 70 per cent. 70 per cent is a prescribed minimum.”

Daniel noted that operators can underwrite oil and gas risks up to 100 per cent. “There are situations where we can do 100 per cent ab-

solutely, which means, there is no need to cede anything abroad.

There are situations we can take 90 per cent. Then there would be situation naturally, where because of the quantum of the value’s risks, 70 per cent would not be retainable in the country. It must be noted that in spite of the law, insurance is about spread of risks,” he said.

He noted that where it become expedient for insurers to take less than 70 per cent as a result of the large volume of risks; they take it to avoid problems. He said operators were selective because they are wary of not taking a value that would choke the industry.

“We must not accept a sum insured in a way that where there is a claim, we begin to give excuses. Insurance is moving forward and it is about making promise, but redeeming that promise is very important. So, we take objective view of each case as they come. As I have said, it is not about 70 per cent for there are several situations where we were able to take 100 per cent,” he said.

Managing Director of LASACO Assurance Plc Mr Olusola Ladipo-Ajayi said, despite the local content policy, oil and gas insurance rate is still being dictated by the London market.

He said the rates applied in oil and gas businesses are determined by insurers in the London market who control larger chunk of the business.

He noted that local insurers cover small proportion of risk in the oil and gas sector, adding that it is the standard insurance practice for those who take the larger proportion of a risk to dictate the terms of any business.

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SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

• Mrs Odutola

-Adebola Orolugbagbe

‘How I found opportunities in life coaching’

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HIEF Executive, Power Edge Resources, Japhter Akaehie’s success story is a lesson to all.

After his secondary school, a few years ago, he embarked on the journey of personal discovery. He found he had attributes to make him a life coach.

He began to acquire skills in human relations, communication and motivation.

He wasn’t a graduate. As a result, he suffered rejections. His plan to publish a book hit the rocks; he couldn’t raise funds for the project. But he did not give up.

He said: ‘’It was not easy I had to borrow money from my younger brother to add to my savings to enable me to publish my first book, entitled:

Stories by Daniel Essiet

Life’s inevitable dangers: Solutions to unhealthy sexual life.’’ He said the book sold more than 1,000 copies at an event.

According to him, the book brought him to the limelight. It attracted several speaking engagements in various secondary schools to him.

Later, he began to mentor and train young people on positive living. He has found life coaching rewarding and challenging.

Akaehie said he is a strong believer that things will always get better provided people don’t give up on their dreams.

He has written his second book entitled: The Power To Change Now: Smarter Ways To Reach Your Destiny,

Women entrepreneurship conference for Ghana HE World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (WASME) is organising its 18th International Conference on SMEs (ICSME), from July 25 to 29, at Mensvic Grand Hotel, East Legon, Ghana.

Entitled: “Empowering women through entrepreneurship: Opportunities, issues and approaches,” the conference is aimed at promoting entrepreneurship skills among women,

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which he claimed has also sold over 1,000 copies in less than three months in Nigeria, Ghana and the United States, among others.

He said he aim is to train young people from disadvantaged communities to stop them from ‘dropping out’ of the education system. He educates them on transforming into “street smarts”.

He teaches them entrepreneurship.

He said his vision is to change as many lives as possible; to empower people to stop depending on the government, corporations, formal education, or even their parents.

He claimed he has spoken to an audience of about 11,000 in United States; trained several hotels and business owners and hosted youth conferences to name a few. All these, he said, he achieved

without a degree.

Akaechie supports individuals to live lifestyles that would help them earn an income and create wealth.

His strong point is getting clients to learn how to motivate themselves to tackle obstacles on their way to success.

He said: “The truth is that, you too can achieve all you want to achieve only if you persist and never give up and you will be well on your way to your land of glory. I am passionate about what I do and this has established me as an authority in my career.”

He has worked with many life coaching clients outside the state. He said life coaching has opened opportunities for him.

He claims he is highly sought-after by firms and groups in and outside Nigeria.

• Akaehie

share technical know-how, providing opportunities for building linkages, considering and discussing genderspecific constraints faced by women entrepreneurs, mooting measures to improve the reach of credit to women entrepreneurs through a comprehensive programme, building capacity of women entrepreneurs for increased competitiveness, technology absorbing capacities and women’s control over asset management.

NGO holds career talk July 10 non-profit leadership and capacity development foundation, The Bridge Leadership Foundation (TBLF), is holding career/ founder’s day to teach young people how to identify their special talents and solve problems in their communities. It will hold on Wednesday, July 11, at the Cultural Centre, Calabar, Cross River State.

Entitled: Talent, Leadership & Entrepreneurship (TBLF), it is in partnership with Northwest Petro-

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leum and Gas Limited, Diamond Bank and UNICEM. The Programmes Officer, Esther Eshiet, said the career day seeks to inspire and empower young people in choosing the right career paths and making informed decisions. ‘’We are excited about all the young people we are bringing for the Career Day event. We are gathering some of the best and brightest young minds in Africa to share their personal and professional experiences with their peers.’’

Kaduna empowers 250 widows

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HE Kaduna State Government has empowered 250 widows to set up small businesses.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Youth Development, Mrs Maria Dogo, said in Kaduna that the state government had distributed various items to the beneficiaries in the 23 Local Government Areas.

He said the items were 130 gas burners, 70 deep freezers, 50 fridges and grinding machines,

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hair-dressing and knitting machines. She said the assistance was aimed at discouraging the beneficiaries from engaging in begging as most of the widows were handicapped and unable to sponsor their children to school.

“The support will make them to be self-reliant and also responsible mothers,’’Dogo said. She urged the beneficiaries to remain steadfast in their occupation and contribute to the development of society.

Entrepreneurship key to economic growth

FELLOW of the Lagos Business School, Mr Kayode Omorogie, said the nation’s economic growth depends on improving entrepreneurship.

Omoregie, who spoke at the induction of the Association of Accounting Technicians in Lagos, said there are potential for entrepreneurs to explore with economy.

Speaking on the topic, “Entrepreneurial opportunties and financing strategies in a developing economy,’’ the financial expert said there are opportunities which

young Nigerians could explore and receive skills support as well as seed financing to start their own businesses.

As young professionals, Omoregie said accounting technicians need to develop business and management skills so they can launch promising start-up businesses, and bring their innovative ideas to the market.

He stressed the need of promoting entrepreneurship among the youth for mastering dynamics of business world as the job market was not expanding at required speed to absorb the flood of new entrants.

• Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Rahman Bello, congratulating a recipient of Ecobank promo and student of the institution, Miss Ruth Aiyegbusi, and Manager, Ecobank, UNILAG branch, Mr Tunji Jayeola, at the presentation of prizes to winners at UNILAG.

Production of cosmetics OSMETICS are among ointments applied on the body to beautify, preserve, or alter the appearance for cleansing, colouring, conditioning, or protecting the skin, hair, nails, lips, eyes or teeth. Some of these products are of great antiquity, while others are of recent development.

The use of cosmetics goes back to early times. They probably originated in the East, where they reached their greatest development. Almost 6,000 years ago, various kind of cosmetics were already being used in Egypt.

The earliest cosmetics known to archaeologist were in use in Egypt in the fourth millennium BC, as evident by the remains of artefacts probably used for eye make-up and for the application of scented unguents. By the beginning of the Christian era, cosmetics were in wide use in the countries of the Mediterranean and in the Middle East.

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Olympus appoints Astra Instruments distributor

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LYMPUS Europa Holdings GmbH, Hamburg, Germany has appointed Astra Instruments Limited as a distributor for its Micro-Imaging Solutions division.

Olympus Europa Holdings GmbH is responsible for the Olympus business in Europe, Africa and

Middle East. As a result, Astra Instrument, an analytical solutions provider based in Lagos, will sell, install and support the Olympus Life Science and Material Science Microscope range.

According to its Managing Director, Uchenna Okpara, for many years, Astra Instruments has supported the industrial,

environment, education, health, and oil and gas sectors with high quality and innovative laboratory equipment and scientific instruments, offering solutions for water analysis, flue gas/emission monitoring, advanced laboratory and industrial weighing systems, viscometry, rheometry, powder and texture analysis.

By Edwin Agbaike (Projects, Financial and Management Consultant)

In Rome’Nero, cosmetics and perfumes were used. Some of them are: white lead and chalk to whiten the skin; paint for the eye lids and lashes; a rough for the cheeks and lips, barely flour and butter as a cure for blemishes and pumice stone for whitening the teeth.

They also had a kind of soap for bleaching the hair.

The range of a medium size plant/machinery for cosmetic production is about N12 million. Raw materials for production of hair care products, skin and body creams are mainly petrochemicals in nature and could be sourced locally from Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), firms importing from abroad and also from the open market.

The technology of cosmetics goes through certain stages, which include appropriate measure of the different raw materials with a scale, mixing with either oil or water, or both, and, thereafter, some undergo heating and/or mixing to form the required cosmetics.

Produced cosmetics go through the filling machinery into jars. The jars are then coded, sealed and arranged in cartons, then moved to warehouses for distribution and sales.

Produced cosmetic products are packaged in different sizes ranging from big, medium, small and semi-small or solo jars. The packaging materials are 100 per ecnt locally produced or sourced.

The total raw material inputs utilised determines the output levels. Installed capacity of the plant under consideration is capable of utilising raw material input of N56.5 million that will produce 13,335 cartons per annum. The open market price ranges to about N7,500 per carton. At 50 per cent first year capacity utilisation, turnover is expected at N50 million and a profit of N21.75 million.

This project stands a good chance of attracting finance from the banks. A well-packaged feasibility report is a prerequisite to securing finance for the project.

For details on how to implement this project or any other, please contact us. We are willing to assist potential investors on any aspect of the project. Prospective investors may get in touch with us at the address stated hereunder.

Kris-Ed Brilliant Limited [Brilliant Consulting]. 395, Borno Way, Harbert Macualy Road, Sabo-Yaba, Lagos State. Tel. Nos. 08098525122; 08023381900.

E-mail: krisedbrilliant@ yahoo.com

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PLATEAU STATE GOVERNMENT THE POSITION OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF PLATEAU STATE ON THE AMENDMENT OF SOME SECTIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION.

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he Plateau State Government salutes the wisdom of the Distinguished Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to set the machinery in motion for the amendment of the Constitution in certain areas identified by the Senate. The Plateau State Government through the Ministry of Justice received memoranda from the public and conducted a public hearing which involved stakeholders from Plateau State. Thereafter, the Executive Council of the State considered the memoranda and the summary of the suggestions for amendment and, after exhaustive deliberations came out with the following position on all the areas the Senate will be considering for amendment.

1.

DEVOLUTION OF POWERS. The devolution of powers is in line with universally accepted principles of Federalism. It is trite that Nigeria is presently practising a distorted form of Federalism with over-concentration of powers in the Central Government to the detriment of the other tiers of Government.

In the light of this, a holistic assessment of the legislative lists needs to be done to remove many items from the exclusive list to take them to the Concurrent Legislative List. Our suggestions are contained in appendix “A”.

Many Federal Enactments need to be amended to reflect the devolution of powers, for example the Revenue Allocation Formula of the Country. In view of the Devolution of Powers and the additional responsibilities of the States and Local Governments the Federal Government should have lesser share of the Federation Account than the Federating Units. We recommend that the Federal Government take 30%, States 40%, Local Governments 27% and Special Interests 3%.

2.

CREATION OF MORE STATES. We acknowledge that the present 36 States structure is unfair. But this was a creation of the Military for Parochial and arbitrary reasons. However, the salient issue of the lack of viability of the present States should be considered. Time has come for the country to de-emphasize primordial politics but to promote the economic well being of the people. We therefore do not support the creation of more States at this time out of Plateau moreso that there are thinly-veiled vested interests who are interested in Dismembering the State. Those championing the cause of Creation of States in Plateau State should abide by the constitutional procedures.

3. RECOGNITION OF SIX GEOPOLITICAL ZONES IN THE CONSTITUTION. A. Plateau State Government supports a constitutional recognition of the zones, but there should be no formal structure to underpin it.

B.

However, if zones must be created they should be Eight with Plateau grouped with Nassarawa, Benue and Taraba to form the Middle Belt zone.

4. ROLE OF TRADITIONAL RULERS. Plateau State Government has the highest respect for Traditional Rulers as custodians of our culture but we do not support any constitutional Role for them as this will even undermine their revered status and politicize the institution. Nigeria is not a monarchy but a Republic. Republicanism and monarchy do not go together. If we must give monarchs a Constitutional Role, then we should remove “Republic” from the way the country is described in the Constitution. The question needs to be asked, what are our Royal Fathers lacking now that will be corrected by Constitutional Recognition? And given the cultural heterogeneity of the country will that not pose Legal and Constitutional problems? For instance, in many States even without Constitutional Recognition, the crisis over Chairmanship of State Council of Chiefs is still seething?

5. LOCAL GOVERNMENT. Plateau State Government has two alternative positions: A. The first is that the status quo be retained but to remove any power given to the Federal Government or National Assembly over Local Government as it is supposed to be strictly a state affair. Again, the way the Federal Government has been given some Roles pertaining to Local Government distorts our Federalism. All the names of Local Government Councils should be removed from the Constitution and left to the States to determine the way they want and the number of Local Governments should not be a yardstick in Revenue sharing or other economic indices.

B.

The other option which is preferred is given the constant tinkering with the structure of Local Governments, to the extent that we now have more adhoc contraptions manning that tier of Government in the country, is to remove Local Government administration from the constitution, by expunging section 7 and other consequential provisions. Indeed, this will make for proper Local Government administration as the word “local” itself has been bastardized by its uniform application or constitutional recognition. What is local to Sokoto, for example may not be applicable to Plateau or Anambra or any other State.

In fact, States like Imo who are proposing a 4th tier of Government will be free to do so. Thus, it is the culture or local peculiarities of a State that will determine a local Government structure. This may even take care of the demand for constitutional recognition for Traditional Rulers. For example, some Northern States may decide to introduce a form of the old Native Authority under the Emirate system in place of Local Government with more powers given to the Emirs, while Imo can decide to have village level Governments in line with Ibo culture of “Town Union Democracy”. Local Governments will be subvented on the basis of equality of states and Local Government will cease to be a basis for sharing Revenue.

6. TAKING THE FOLLOWING OUT FROM THE CONSTITUTION. A. LAND USE ACT: Plateau State Government supports the retention of the Land Use Act in the constitution. It was the widespread abuse of the old land tenure laws and the need to regulate land speculation that led to the promulgation of the Land Use Decree and its subsequent inclusion in the constitution. The reasons that led to the promulgation of the Land Use Decree are still valid today.

B. N.Y.S.C.: Plateau State Government supports its retention as it is meant to foster national unity. As a matter of fact, our youths on National Service should be given at least 1 year Military Training/Service to make them more disciplined, patriotic and security-conscious in this era of security challenges.

C. CODE OF CONDUCT: Plateau State Government supports its retention in the present form in the constitution, and advises the National Assembly to rise up to its responsibility of making the necessary laws to make it more effective.

EFCC and ICPC should be incorporated into the constitution, to under-score our seriousness in tackling corruption . The two agencies should however be merged for more effectiveness. If the Code of Conduct were not in the constitution probably many Public Officers would not declare their assets.

7. FISCAL FEDERALISM. Plateau State Government restates its position that Nigeria’s Federalism should be aligned with that of other advanced countries. Our Federalism can only have meaning if the Fiscal principles reflect it.

Therefore the Revenue Allocation should be reviewed in favour of the federating units. Again we recommend that the legislative lists should be reviewed in this regard. The taxation policies should be reviewed to give the States more powers to Tax. For instance, VAT should not be a federal tax.

Minimum wage should be on the Concurrent List and not on the Exclusive list to allow States the latitude to negotiate with their workers. This will take care of the economic inequalities in the country.

8.

AMENDMENT OF PROVISIONS RELATING TO AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION, STATE CREATION AND BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT TO REMOVE AMBIGUITIES. Plateau State Government supports an amendment in all the above areas to further strengthen Democracy by introducing Referendum as a requirement to conclude all the above and some other areas of the constitution. The persistent demand by Nigerians for National Conference is symptomatic of a widespread and deep desire by Nigerians for a say on crucial national issues. Most modern democracies have provisions for Referendum and the lack of it is an anomaly that we should rectify by enshrining it in our constitution. Specifically, section 9 should be amended to include Referendum, as a sine qua non before the constitution is amended in any respect. This will give citizens a say on crucial issues.

Some federal legislations should also be backed by Referendum before they are amended or become law e.g. The Electoral Act. 9.

IMMUNITY CLAUSE. Plateau State Government supports the retention of the Immunity Clause the way it is currently provided for. We acknowledge the concern of Nigerians over the abuse of that clause by some previous Executive Office holders but urge the country to consider that the clause is meant to protect the offices and not necessarily the office holders who in any case hold the offices temporarily. Since there is no statute of limitation against crimes, they can be tried when they leave office so that the office holders are not distracted from discharging the functions of their offices.

10. NIGERIAN POLICE. Plateau State Government is in favour of establishment of a State Police side by side a lean Federal Police like the FBI in the USA. This is not only in tandem with universal principles and practices of federalism but will help contain the current security challenges which are threatening to overwhelm the nation.

There is need for decentralized security management for more effectiveness. The fear of abuse is misplaced given the existing constitutional safeguards like fundamental human rights provisions which give aggrieved citizens right of access to courts for Justice. State Courts have been giving judgements against State Governments, so they will continue to ensure that all have access to justice.

The funding concerns will be taken care of by the devolution of powers, i.e the share of funding of the Federal Police will be reduced and given to the States.

11. JUDICIARY. Plateau State Government would want a fundamental amendment of the constitution to make the Judiciary to be Federal as obtainable in other federal jurisdictions like the USA. Thus, the National Judicial Councils powers should be restricted to Federal Courts while the States’ Judicial Councils should have full powers of appointment, promotion and discipline of Judicial Officers of State Courts. Also, there should be a Supreme Court for all States however called but on State matters as there should be finality of appeals at that level. It is only on disputes between States or States and the Federal Government, or Federal Government agencies or bodies that appeals should lie to the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court. This would radically decongest our Courts. Also, law enforcement agencies must be given some quasi-judicial powers with right of appeal to the courts by aggrieved persons. For instance, offenders against traffic and environmental laws can be given tickets or tried summarily as obtains in advanced countries.

12. EXECUTIVE. The constitution should be amended so that a Vice President or Deputy Governor who changes the party on whose platform he was elected with his principal should vacate the office. This will make for more harmonious relationship in the executive. Also, a Vice President or Deputy Governor should move with his principal, if the principal defects. It should be noted that the legislature already has almost similar constitutional provisions.

13. ROTATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICES. Plateau State Government does not support the Rotation of Executive Offices as it is undemocratic and does not foster unity. It also sacrifices merit which is sorely needed at this time of our National Development when we ought to fast track development by having the best individuals running the Government at all levels. Futhermore, our democracy and nationalism will never mature if we enshrine zoning of offices in our constitution. This should be left to the political parties who may wish to use it as a campaign strategy. In any case, given the over 250 ethnic groups in the country and our other differences including Religion, how do we equitably zone without marginalizing other groups, and which group starts enjoying the benefit etc, are questions that may create fresh crisis capable of defeating the zoning arrangement.

14. GENDER AND SPECIAL GROUPS. Plateau State Government supports the retention of the status quo as there are provisions for the protection of gender and other groups in the Fundamental Rights provisions of the constitution.

15. MAYORAL STATUS FOR THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY ADMINISTRATION. Plateau State Government supports the existing constitutional provisions for the Federal Capital Territory and does not see the need for a mayoral status for the Federal Capital Territory as state capitals do not have mayors.

16. RESIDENCY AND INDIGENE PROVISIONS. Plateau State Government supports the status quo. Government strongly favours the retention of the status quo because we cannot run away from our roots. Everyone comes from somewhere and therefore one can only be an indigene of one place. The constitution itself in section 25(1) (a) provides that for you to be a citizen, you must belong to a community indigenous to Nigeria. By section 27(2) d, for those applying to naturalize, the Governor must be satisfied that he is acceptable to the local community.

Section 147(3) is meant to ensure not only Federal Character but a sense of belonging to all ethnic groups in the country to discourage double or multiple indigeneship. Again, by Dictionary definition citizenship is conferred by a country while indigeneship is conferred by a local community. How then do you define indigene in a constitution? It is acquired by birth, which cannot be legislated upon. It is culturally impossible to have dual or multiple indigeneship but it is possible to have dual or multiple citizenship. The present provisions in the constitution protect traditional rights which can be bastardized if amended.

The constitution has sufficiently taken care of citizen rights in the Fundamental Rights provisions. It is only if Nigeria is ready to abolish traditional rulers that we can now do away with indigene rights. For instance, there are many areas that allow any male adult indigenes to contest for their traditional stools.

What will be the fate of such traditional stools if all residents are allowed to contest those stools?

People should learn and be proud of their history. Elders should tell their children where they come from. Afterall, American Presidents and Presidential candidates always trace their roots. Obama traced his roots to Kenya and Mitt Romney has now traced his roots to Britain.

In the final analysis, many commentators confuse residency rights which all citizens have and are well protected by the constitution with indigenes rights which are more applicable to traditional rights.

EDWARD G. PWAJOK (ESQ) Hon. Attorney-General, Plateau State.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 3-7-12

T

NSE ASI returns northwards with 0.55%

RADING on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) resumed activities yesterday, with the market’s benchmark indicator- the AllShare index returning to green with an increase of 0.55 per cent to close at 21,690.54 points. This compared with Monday’s 0.13 per cent drop, just as equities capitalisation went appreciated by N38 billion to close at N6.924 trillion.

The gain resulted from the collective appreciation recorded by some highly and mid capitalised stocks such as Nigerian Breweries, First Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Dangote Sugar, Oando, Ecobank Transnational Incorporation (ETI) and Access Bank.

On the gainers’ table, Paint Company led the list of 27 stocks with price appreciation of N0.10 to close at N2.10 followed by Seven-Up with price gain of N1.91 to close at N40.22. Also on the list were Livestock, UBA, Longman, Airservices, Cutix, NASCON, Evans Medical and Fidelity Bank.

However, on the losers’ table, Eterna Oil and Gas led 20 other losers with a drop of N0.15 to close at N2.85 followed by Avon crown

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

with a drop of N0.14 to close at N2.67. Also on the table were Transcorp, Honeywell Flour, WAPIC Insurance, Japaul Oil, UBN, Fidson, Continental Insurance and AG Leventis.

In all, investors traded in a total of 205.957 million shares, valued at N1.600 billion in 3,792 transactions.

The financial services sector accounted for a total of 141.712 million shares ex-

changed for N875.064 million in 2,196 deals, boosted by the 24.602 million shares of Diamond Bank, followed

by First Bank, GT Bank and ETI with 21.853 million shares, 13.529 million shares and 11.419 million shares.

Other actively traded sectors were ICT, Industrial Goods, Conglomerates, Consumer Goods, Oil & Gas, Services and Healthcare with 18.481 million shares, 10.599 million shares, 10.345 million shares, 9.649 million shares, 5.776 million shares, 3.874 million shares and 3.185 million shares respectively.

First Bank MD for Pearl Awards lecture

T

HE PEARL Awards Nigeria has concluded arrangements to hold the 8th Annual PEARL Public Lecture for Capital Market Development.

The theme for this year’s lecture is “Rejuvenating the Nigerian Capital Market for Sustainable Growth & Global Competitiveness: Issues, Challenges & Options”. The lecture to be delivered by Mr. Bisi Onasanya,

GMD/CEO, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, promises to be highly educative, informative and timely, in view of the low level of activities still besetting the Nigerian Capital Market and the need for stakeholders to channel a new course towards speedy market recovery and sustainable development.

According to a statement the organisers, the Annual Lecture was instituted in 2005, to provide a forum for seasoned experts and technocrats from the public and private sectors to brainstorm on germane, contemporary and emergent issues in Capital Market development.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 3-7-12

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

55

MONEY LINK

CBN probes customer complaints in banks

C

ENTRAL Bank of Nigeria (CBN) examiners have commenced routine checks on banks to ascertain their level of compliance with customers’ transaction agreements. This became exigent following increasing numbers of customers’ complaints brought to the attention of the apex bank.

CBN Director, Consumer and Financial Protection Department (CFPD), Shehu Umar said such complaints mainly arose because of poor customer service, high

Stories by Collins Nweze

bank tariffs, frauds and forgeries as well as bank distress could threaten confidence in the banking system.

Banks had in the past two years, refunded a total of N5.03 billion to customers over breaches of transaction agreements. The fund covered 3,571 petitions lodged at CFPD. Speaking at a CBN conference with consumers in Lagos, he disclosed that where any of the cases is proved, the affected bank

customer service for the industry and ensuring that customers are treated fairly in all their dealings with the industry.

“Hitherto, some consumer protection responsibilities were carried out by the Banking Supervision Department. The Bankers’ Committee also created the Sub-Committee on Ethics and Professionalism meant to address disputes between consumers and providers of financial services,” he said.

He observed that these

will be required to make necessary amends. The measures are aimed at encouraging good banking habits and promoting efficiency in the delivery of financial services as well as boosting public confidence in the system.

Umar, who was represented by Ifeanyi Nwoha, of the CFPD, said the apex is committed to ensuring that banks’ customers receive appropriate protection, with the apex bank acting as consumers’ advocate, setting standards of

Accion Microfinance disburses N12b loans CCION Micro-finance Bank has disbursed loans worth N12 billion to over 75,000 customers since inception.

In a statement, the lender said it has total assets in excess of N2.2 billion, gross loan portfolio of over N1.6 billion and 12

A

branches and headquarters.

The Chairman, Accion Microfinance Bank, Patrick Akinwuntan said that one of the key successes of the bank is the quality of its board and management.

He said the bank’s management team comprises of individuals with proven track record of profession-

alism and high ethical standards.

He said the bank’s board of directors is made up of industry leaders. “The board is supported by an experienced management team. This ensures strong corporate governance to deliver the company’s vision and mission,” it said.

According to the state-

ment, Olusegun Aina, President, Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers’ of Nigeria (CIBN) is also a director of the bank.

Managing Director, CEO Accion Microfinance Bank, Bunmi Lawson described Aina as a valuable member of the bank’s board.

MasterCard restructures

M

ASTERCARD has announced a new structure for the

Middle East and Africa (MEA) business. This development stemmed from continuous economic development, steady population growth, stable outlook and large pool of young consumers entering the

workplace each year.

The firm said in a statement that MEA business will comprise three divisions, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Sub Sahara Africa and South Africa, clustering 69 markets stretching from Afghanistan to South Africa and from Morocco to Pakistan.

MasterCard Worldwide, Michael Miebach.

“Our new organisational structure and appointments are part of a strategic decision to invest in expertise, resources and know-how in this part of the world, which continues to register strong economic growth,” he said.

This change, it hinted, will enable it get closer to its customer banks, merchants and consumers in the region. Also, a new team has been established to support the MEA business.

The MEA team will be reporting to President, Middle East and Africa,

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

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

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

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

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 3-7-12 SYMBOL

PAINTCOM 7UP LIVESTOCK UBA LONGMAN AIRSERVICE CUTIX NASCON EVANSMED FIDELITYBK

O/PRICE

2.00 38.31 1.03 3.71 2.30 1.33 1.33 4.28 0.70 1.19

C/PRICE

2.10 40.22 1.08 3.89 2.41 1.39 1.39 4.47 0.73 1.24

C/PRICE 2.85 2.67 0.98 2.00 0.80 0.63 3.74 0.90 0.73 0.75

AFFERTY Group, the London based research and advisory house has enlisted First City Monument Bank Plc’s (FCMB) Executive Director, Retail Banking Division, Nabeel Malik, among the World’s Top 120 Retail Banking Leaders.

Nabeel Malik’s nomination was contained in the recently published Lafferty Group Management Report – Retail Banking Leaders.

Lafferty’s Retail Banking Leaders identifies the leading executives making critical decisions about retail banking in the

L

world’s largest banks.

A statement of the nomination signed by Michael Lafferty, Chairman, Lafferty Group said “Your nomination recognises your extensive leadership, experience and stature within the retail banking profession.” The statement further stated: “While some are trendsetting innovators, some are cautious and conservative practitioners”.

Nabeel was also recently honoured with the Honorary Certified International Retail Banker Award of the International Academy of Retail Banking (IARB).

CHANGE 0.15 0.14 0.05 0.10 0.04 0.03 0.17 0.04 0.03 0.03

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

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

0.10 1.91 0.05 0.18 0.11 0.06 0.06 0.19 0.03 0.05

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12

LOSERS AS AT 3-7-12

SYMBOL O/PRICE ETERNA 3.00 AVONCROWN 2.81 TRANSCORP 1.03 HONYFLOUR 2.10 WAPIC 0.84 JAPAULOIL 0.66 UBN 3.91 FIDSON 0.94 CONTINSURE 0.76 AGLEVENT 0.78

FCMB chief enlisted among top bankers

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

Currency OBB Rate Call Rate

Sanusi

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

•CBN Governor, Lamido

DATA BANK

Tenor

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

structures, aside their inability to properly address the rising complaints from the consumer, did not focus on other important aspects of consumer protection, consumer complaint-index and policy formulation.

According to him, going forward, the CFPD will be working on increasing the awareness of consumers of financial services and products about features and characteristics of products to enable them make informed decision concerning their financial dealings with banks.

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 124.54 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 102.88 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.74 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.09 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.95 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,738.10 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 1.00 124.43 101.96 0.72 1.09 0.93 1,728.70 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

56

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

57

NEWS Federal University Lokoja to take off soon, says Minister

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•Gov Ibrahim Gaidam (first left), his deputy, Abubakar D. Ali (middle) and the state ANPP Chairman, Sani Inuwa Nguru, holding a bag of fertiliser during the launch of the subsidised sale of fertiliser to farmers for the 2012 farming season, in Damaturu... yesterday

Robbers attack Aondokaa’s Makurdi home A RMED robbers yesterday morning attacked the Makurdi home of the former AttorneyGeneral of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Chief Mike Aondokaa.

He was not at home during the attack.

Police shot dead one of the robbers and arrested the other.

They recovered an E-class

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

Mercedes Benz car stolen from his home.

Speaking in a telephone interview with The Nation, a relation of Chief Aondokaa, Ordoo Aondokaa, said the robbers, who were two, scaled the fence of the house located at the Judges Quarters, Makurdi about 3:30am.

•One shot dead

He said they manhandled the son of Chief Aondokaa who had just graduated from a university and stole his phones, Ipad and laptops.

Ordoo Aondokaa said the robbers also made away with

an E-class Mercedes Benz car. The police were alerted and they intercepted them on the Makurdi-Gboko Road, killed one and arrested the other with the stolen car.

The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer (DPPRO) Ejike Alaribe confirmed the incident.

Kaduna relaxes curfew again

K

ADUNA State Government yesterday rose from its weekly security council meeting with a resolution to further relax the curfew imposed on the state, following the violence that erupted after three churches in Zaria and Kaduna were bombed by suspected suicide bombers.

Residents of four local governments, namely Kaduna

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

North, Kaduna South, Chikun and Igabi will now be free to move about between 6am and 7pm, while residents of the remaining 19 local governments are to go about their businesses between 6am and 8pm.

According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Reuben Buhari, the review takes immediate effect.

The statement reads: “In view of the improved peaceful coexistence witnessed in Kaduna State, the security council has further relaxed the curfew.

“The hours of free movement for Kaduna South, Kaduna North, Chikun and Igabi local governments is 6am to 7pm, while for the remaining 19 councils it is 6am to 8pm.

“Government hails the

indigenes over the return of normalcy and urges them to continue to be law abiding. This notice takes effect today (yesterday).”

Some residents had appealed to the government to further relax the curfew to enable them finish their daily businesses.

Many residents had been caught at the checkpoints due to the short time and the traffic jams in the city.

Man arraigned for ‘stealing phone’ at church programme

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man has been arraigned before an Ilorin Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing a phone during a church programme.

The suspect, Chukwudi Chichi, 20, a resident of Oba Close, Surulere, Ilorin appeared before the court on a one-count charge of theft

From Samson Ademola, Ilorin

contrary to Section 285 of the Penal Code.

According to the charge sheet, the accused went for a programme, tagged: “Prophetic Night” at Asa Dam in Ilorin and stole a Nokia 2600 phone valued at N5,500.00 with one extra

battery and an Etisalat SIM card from Akintade Femi.

The accused was said to have been arrested during another church programme (deliverance night) at the Kwara State Stadium complex. When he was confronted over the theft of a phone, he begged for forgiveness.

Police prosecutor Matthew Ologbonsaye urged the court to remand him in prison custody pending investigation.

Magistrate Saidat Sambo admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N5,000 and two sureties in like sum.

The case was adjourned till July 16.

‘Why vending of pre-paid card is difficult in Kubwa’

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HE Kubwa Unit of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) yesterday explained why it is difficult to vend the prepaid meter recharge cards to consumers.

According to the Business Manager of the unit, Usman M. Usman, it has two sales outlets, one at PW and the other at Byazhin, but the PW unit ran out of the ribbon for the vending machine on Monday.

The explanations came on the heels of the complaints by

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

customers who could not buy the recharge cards from the units in the last three days.

They also alleged that the PHCN officials denied them the purchase in order to thwart the pre-paid metering process and sustain the perennial estimated billing.

One of the customers at the Byazhin sales unit said: “This is not network problem. It is an outright plan to frustrate

customers from getting the prepaid meters to enable the PHCN continue the estimated billing system.”

When our reporter was at the Byazhin sales outlet, there was a lengthy queue of customers from the Kubwa unit waiting for the attention of the cashiers.

They claimed that there was no network, adding that the machine at PW was faulty.

Our correspondent’s investigations at the Customer Care Unit of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company in Wuse,

Police officer’s son, nine others remanded for ‘murder’

A

Chief Magistrate’s Court in Makurdi, Benue State, yesterday ordered that 10 persons including the son of a police officer be remanded in prison for allegedly killing two people.

The suspects were said to have allegedly killed Oluckukwu Atama and John Dakpokpo during a robbery.

Police Prosecutor Sgt. Michael Ewoh said Festus Okenwa reported the case at the ‘B’

Division Police Station, Makurdi.

The complainant reportedly told the police that a group of persons, numbering about 15, armed with guns, axes and cutlasses, attacked and shot the victims who died on the spot.

According to the prosecutor, the accused also shot Emmanuel Okoro in his right shoulder and he sustained injuries.

The prosecutor said the accused were arrested in

connection with the offence and it was discovered that one of them is a police officer’s son.

He said the rest are at large.

The prosecutor said the offences are contrary to sections 97 and 221 of the Penal Code of Benue State 2004.

When the case was called, pleas were not taken for want of jurisdiction.

The prosecutor said investigation is on.

Chief Magistrate Dan Ogo adjourned the case till July 11.

Zone 4 revealed that network failure can affect vending of the pre-paid cards just as it affects cashing money from banks.

But some customers argued that the bank’s network problem never exceeds a day as in the case of the pre-paid meter vending.

The Principal Public Affairs Manager of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company of the PHCN, Mr. Debo Adegoke, directed our reporter to the Business Manager of Kubwa unit, Mr. Usman M. Usman, who said he was not aware of any problem at the Byazhin sales outlet, but agreed that there was shortage of ribbon at PW. So the consumers in the unit were directed to the Byazhin unit.

But when our correspondent insisted that it was learnt that the Byazhin sales outlet was not vending due to a network problem, Usman contacted the Byazhin unit and he was told on the phone that “we were not vending because we did not recharge the N1,500 MTN recharge card for the Internet. But we began vending since one hour ago.”

HE Minister of Education, Prof.

Ruqqayat Rufai, has said the Federal University, Lokoja would begin operation before the end of the year.

The minister spoke yesterday during an inspection tour of the temporary site of the university in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.

She said the library, male and female hostels are still under construction.

According to her, one of the lecture rooms would be converted to a library pending the completion of the library.

Prof. Rufai said the Federal Government will ensure that the new nine federal universities are of international standard.

She said: “We want to establish a university that will meet international standard.

Government is ready to put in place the necessary infrastructure to meet this standard.”

The minister, who said her team is embarking on an assessment tour of the newly established federal universities, hailed the quality of work done so far.

She visited Governor Idris Wada and urged him to resettle the private developers and owners of worship centres who still have property on the university premises.

Prof. Rufai enjoined the governor to encourage

From Mohammed Bashir, Lokoja

private developers to build houses in the area in order to accommodate some of the students.

Governor Wada assured the minister that his administration would support the new university.

He said government had concluded the process of resettling private builders on the university premises.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdulmumini Hassan Rafin Dadi, said the institution in the 2011/2012 academic session admitted 300 students into the faculties of science and arts.

PUBLIC NOTICE NELSON

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. MABEL EDISEMI NELSON, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MABEL EMEKA KENNETH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE ADIAT

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adiat Oluwadamilola Ayobami, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Daramola Oluwadamilola Ayobami. All former documents remain valid.

Covenant University and general public should please take note.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

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NEWS

•Amaechi (middle) with the aspirants at the Government House, Port Harcourt...yesterday

You’ve done well, governorship candidates tell Amaechi ANDIDATES who contested last year’s governorship election in Rivers State have hailed Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s performance.

The Chairman of the Coalition of Rivers 2011 Governorship Candidates, Uchechukwu Ichenwo, said they are impressed with Amaechi’s achievements.

He said: “We salute your sincere purposeful leadership in Rivers State. We appreciate the enormous investment the government has made in the power sector, especially in the area of power generation. So far, you have done well with your primary health care system.

“In the same vein, you have done very well in the

C

educational sector. We wish to particularly congratulate you on the recent N400 million Universal Basic Education Award which you decided to re-invest in the construction of more model primary schools.”

On road, the Coalition hailed Governor Amaechi for rehabilitating and constructing new roads.

“Your sense of rehabilitation of existing road network in Rivers State is unparalleled,” it said.

“As a coalition, we make bold to say that we are willing and ready to partner with you”.

Amaechi thanked them for the visit, saying he was humbled by their presence and kind words.

He also said their warm commendation for his progressive work would even inspire him to do more.

Members who visited are Uchechuwku Ichenwo (AD), Harry Sillis D. T. (NSDP), Roberts Go-Oba (PRP), Worlu Joshua (SDMP), Godwin David (NNPP), Joffrey M. M. Anugwo (PPP).

Others are Dave Banijo (ALP), Chijoke Amadi (UNDP), Tamuno Roberts (ADC), Fred N. Nwibeke (CAP), Young Luke Lot (NTP), Nelson Douglas (PPA), Doopue Nnaa (ACD), Justus Cyrus Green (CPS), Samuel O. Ibiama (DFPF), Asiemia E. Dumo (NCP), Samuel Urang (JP) and Vince C. Orgwu (ACPN).

‘We’ve been vindicated’

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Rivers State has said it has been vindicated by the government’s admission that its monorail project is fraught with fraud, irregularities and lack of due process.

The Executive Director, State Bureau of Private-

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Partnerships, Mrs. Anita LazNwokeafor, said on a live radio programme that the monorail project did not follow due process and was fraught with irregularities.

The party, through its spokesman, Jerry Needam, yesterday, decried the

controversy surrounding the project, insisting that an ACN-led government would have performed better.

ACN said the monorail showed the government’s insincerity in its handling of public interest and its penchant for flouting laid down rules and regulations.

Ijaw leaders congratulate Sylva

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GROUP, the Ijaw Development Movement (IJDM), has congratulated former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva on his 48th birthday.

The group, in a statement by its coordinator, Ibifuro Thompson Tatua, described Sylva as a special breed from God. “He is a blessing to Bayelsa State. He brought his maturity,fairness and commitment to service to bear in steering the ship of state.

“Also, through his pragmatic and proactive

approach, he sustained peace in the state. “ IJDM dismissed the performance of Sylva’s predecessors, saying no former governor can match his place in Bayelsa’s history.

According to the group, Sylva acquitted himself in the discharge of his mandate through the execution of people-oriented programmes and policies. It advised him not to bear any grudge against those who manipulated the system to show him the way out of the Government House and also stopped his second term bid.

Cross River to build water channel

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HE Cross River State Government is building a 1.45km underground water channel in Calabar, the state capital, which will empty into the Calabar River to tackle perennial flooding problem in the city.

An Assistant Director in the Ministry of Works,

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

Robert Etu, said the channel would drain water from residential areas, including Parliamentary Village, Ikot Ishie, State Housing and Old Odukpani Road.

Etu said the channel was being constructed at the cost of N2 billion and that the

design was in segments to allow for regular entry of engineers to the channels to clean debris that would accumulate in the channel.

He said the depth of the channel was 3.6 metres and the width 3.6 metres making it deep and wide enough to drain water for several decades.

Navy holds security seminar

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From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa HE Navy, in collaboration with other security agencies, is brainstorming on In his lecture entitled: “Current threats to ways to strengthen security in the Niger national security: the way forward”, Lt.Col. Delta.

Emmanuel Akpuluma suggested true At a one-day seminar organised by the Central confederation as the solution to the situation.

Naval Command in Yenagoa, papers were He said: “The best logical option to end this is presented by resource persons from the Army to bow to the yearning for a truly fiscally and the Police. confederated Nigeria where every region will Besides sensitising security agencies on ways exercise its deserved autonomy. to tackle insecurity, the lecturers advised the “The country’s porous borders are also Federal Government and the National Security responsible for the security breach we have Adviser on the need for a legal frame work on today. The other approach is to unite the people.” security issues.

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NEWS

Robbers kill two in raid of Abia store

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OBBERS stuck on Monday night in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, killing two people after a raid on a pharmacy.

They also escaped with an unspecified amount of money from their victims.

The raid put to test the security arrangement put in place by Governor Theodore Orji two years ago.

The four-member gang attacked a popular pharmacy, police spokesmen Onyeke

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

Ezekiel, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed.

He told reporters that the gang members stormed the store at about 8pm on Monday night in a red Toyota Camry car. They shot the two persons.

According to Ezekied, one of those confirmed dead after the incident was identified as Obinna Nwogu, who reportedly died on the spot.

The other victim, who was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), died yesterday.

•Escape with cash

Onyeke said no arrest has been made, even as policemen are on the trail of the fleeing robbers.

He urged the public to always give information on the activities of those who have no known means of livelihood, stressing that the security agencies need information to work.

The raided store was a ghost of itself when The Nation visited the place yesterday.

A resident of the area said

they heard gunshots around 8pm, “and people started running helter-skelter.”

“Some initially wondered if it was a gunshot or something else before we realised it was something serious.”

The resident commended the government for curtailing criminal activities but advised that the dark days of kidnapping, armed robbery and raping should not be allowed to return.

because of the menace of the men of the underworld who have been using them to perpetrate their crimes. “As a responsive and responsible government, we have enacted this law in the best interest of all of us.”

The governor urged the people to embrace other available means of transportation in the city.

He said: “In the past few years, Government injected over seven hundred taxis in the metropolis in addition

to tens of hundreds by the private sector as well as the Coal City Shuttle and other buses.

“We regret any inconveniences this ban may cause the commuters but it has to be taken in the best interest of all of us.

“So, we plead with our people to obey the law as we also urge the law enforcement agents to, please, ensure strict enforcement of the law in our overall interest.”

Chime signs law banning Okada

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NUGU State G O V E R N O R Sullivan Chime yesterday signed the law banning commercial motorcycles (also known as Okada) from operating within the Enugu metropolis.

House Speaker Eugene Odo, Leader S.K.E. Udo Okoye and other top government officials, witnessed the signing.

Chime noted that the law will curb criminal activities and ultimately protect lives and property in the capital city.

The law prescribes one year imprisonment without any option of fine for violators.

Chime said: “The House of Assembly today (yesterday) passed the bill and we’ve enacted the law whose primary goal is the protection of lives and property of our people. This exercise, effectively, bans the use of motorcycles, otherwise known as Okada within the Enugu

•Chime signing the law... yesterday From Chris Oji, Enugu

metropolis.

“As a government, we made efforts to streamline the operations of the genuine operators but these efforts, unfortunately, had not been fruitful because crime rate rose and most of the crimes were facilitated by the use of motorcycles by other evil-minded persons.

“It got so bad that the law enforcement agents officially requested the ban of motorcycles

Ogun council poll: Obasanjo’s men allege plot to shut them out T HE national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said it has uncovered moves by the Adebayo Dayo faction of the party in Ogun State to use the judiciary to shut out candidates loyal to former President Olusegun Obasanjo from participating in the July 21 local government election in the state.

It said the Dayo-led faction, allegedly being sponsored by a hotelier, Prince Buruji Kashamu, plans to cause Justice Charles Archibong of Lagos Federal High Court to issue “far-reaching orders” against the party, its candidates and the state Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC).

Addressing reporters yes-

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•OGSIEC assures parties of credible elecFrom Ernest Nwokolo, tion According to him, it was Abeokuta

terday in Abeokuta, the state capital, the Chairman of the state PDP Caretaker Committee, Chief Ireti Oniyide, said Justice Archibong might sit on matters concerning his faction and that of Dayo today, despite a “stay of proceedings or execution of judgment” order on same by an Appeal Court in Lagos.

Oniyide said today’s planned sitting by Justice Archibong on matters after an Appeal Court has issued a stay of proceedings, is to enable Dayo’s faction to obtain “injurious” order against his group and OGSIEC. He noted that the party is not taking the matter lightly.

for this reason the PDP national secretariat yesterday petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, against Justice Archibong on today’s planned sitting agaisnt an Appeal Court ruling.

The petition by the PDP National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, reads: “We learnt from impeccable sources that Justice Archibong has vowed to proceed with the case (PDP matters) on July 4, 2012.

“And (he) has assured his close friend, who is the main sponsor of the Adebayo Dayo faction, self-styled

Prince Buruji Kashamu, that he will make far-reaching orders against OGSIEC and our party in a way that will be blatantly biased and injurious to our interest, public interest and balancing of the scale of justice.”

Oyinlola said the petition sought the Chief Judge’s intervention to “prevent further ridicule of the Judiciary”.

But OGSIEC said it is determined to proceed with planned poll unperturbed.

The electoral body assured that it would conduct a free, fair and credible poll on July 21.

OGSIEC Chairman, Alhaja Risika Iyabo Ogunfemi told reporters yesterday at the conclusion of “capacity-building training” for 20 electoral commissioners ahead of the polls, that the body deals with political parties only and not fac-

Ekiti, PHCN workers quarrel over N15m ‘unpaid bills’ •‘We’ve cleared N158m debt of previous govts’ •Police: commissioner has brokered peace

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HE Ekiti State Government is at loggerheads with workers of the Power Holdings Company of Nigeria (PHCN) over a backlog of N15 million bills the government is said to owe the company.

There have been allegations and counter-allegations on government officials’ manhandling of PHCN officials in their attempts to disconnect power supply to government offices.

PHCN officials in the AdoEkiti Business Unit told reporters yesterday that they would go on strike to get justice on the alleged ill-treatment from some government officials.

They said their Marketing Manager, Mr. Julius Ige, and the Public Relations Manager, Mr. Ilori Kayode Brown, were manhandled by the governor’s aides.

The workers alleged that Ige and Brown “were forcibly taken from their homes on Friday evening and kept at the Government House until about 1.15am on Saturday for disconnecting power supply to the Government House”.

They explained that before the power source to the Governor’s Office was disconnected, the PHCN Ado-Ekiti office had written the Police Commissioner and the state Director of the State Security Service (SSS), on the plan.

“This was after serving a notice of disconnection at the Government House and following that up with a reminder,” the electricity workers said.

They said the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state was also informed.

The Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye, denied the allegation.

•PDP chair BamangaTukur

tions or individuals.

The training had officials of International Foundation for Electoral System, Abuja office, as resource persons.

According to her, it is the PDP, and not its factions, that would determine who would be approved to participate in the council poll.

•‘Nigeria’ll work with global court to check impunity’

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

Nigeria would work with the global court to check impunity in Nigeria.

Mrs Bensouda is in Nigeria on the invitation of the Federal Government to discuss cooperation and the court’s work in Nigeria in the past five years.

The ICC chief addressed State House correspondents at the end of her meeting with the President.

She said Nigeria was not under any investigation because the government has the responsibility to probe and prosecute any crime.

Mrs Bensouda expressed appreciation that this was already being done.

The ICC Chief Prosecutor also said the court was not targeting Africa but all cases in the continent.

She said apart from Kenya, all other cases that originated from Africa would be dealt with, adding that this is to enable the victims of such crimes get justice.

The investigation, which is coming on the heels of recent United States of America’s classification of three leaders of Boko Haram as terrorists, may compel the ICC to brand the bombings of innocent citizens as “crime against humanity”.

He said none of the governor’s aides was involved in such act of brigandage.

The commissioner noted that disconnecting power supply to the Government House would compromise security of the governor and that it was the reason it was not allowed.

There could not have been such a development.

Afuye said: “We are a product of the rule of law and will not engage in any act of lawlessness in any form. We are not incurable debtors.

“We are not hoodlums.

When we came into office, we cleared a backlog of N158 million owed PHCN by previous administrations and, if we could do that, why should we now refuse to pay N15 million that we owe?

“We have bought many transformers for use in our rural electrification project, more than any government has ever done in the history of the state.”

Police spokesman Victor Babayemi confirmed the development.

He told reporters on phone the Police Commissioner Sotonye Wakama was aware of the development and has brokered peace between the two sides.

Fayemi meets Ekiti monarch, Afe Babalola

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has met with the Ewi of AdoEkiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe (CON) and the founder, Afe Babalola University(ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) on the need to foster peace and development in the state.

Both men played prominent roles in the creation of the state and its development.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olayinka Oyebode, the governor appealed to the two leaders to work with him to foster peace in Ado-Ekiti and the entire state.

Although, Dr Fayemi declined comments on the meeting, which held behind closed doors, he told reporters that he was happy that the two leaders promised to work with the government for the development of the state capital and the entire state.

The governor also restated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that the state continues to live up to its rating as one of the most peaceful in Nigeria.

He added that this would enable the government to implement its developmental goals.

Nigeria gets candidate for UN convention’s seat

ICC probes Boko Haram activities

HE International Criminal Court (ICC) has instituted a preliminary investigation into the activities of the Boko Haram sect.

The ICC Chief Prosecutor Mrs. Fatou Bensouda said the court was not interceding because the Federal Government is already working on the matter.

President Goodluck Jonathan assured that

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

A

Nigerian, Ms Oby Nwankwo, has been elected to represent Nigerian women on the United Nation (UN) seat of the Convention on the Elimination on all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina, yesterday presented Nwankwo in Abuja.

She said Nigeria contested alongside 24 member-nations for 11 seats.

The minister said Ms Nwankwo would sit on the CEDAW committee with 22 other experts on women’s issues from different state to the convention on its oversight function.

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61

NEWS Lawan accepts Otedola’s offer

$620,000 bribe-for-clearance: Reps, Otedola meeting ends in deadlock Continued from page 4

gations.

“We told him the consequences of his action, but he was not ready to cooperate with us. He told us very briefly that all he wants to say is that Farouk had lied four times on four occasions.”

Dan-Musa went on: “He also said he heard that documents constituting evidence have been submitted to us, but that he wanted to tell us that all that was submitted to us were not genuine, as if he saw what was submitted to us.

“We felt that was not correct and not in order. We let him know that refusal to substantiate allegations has consequences. We asked questions but he refused to answer our questions.

“We even asked him to produce what he said he submitted to the SSS and the police, letting him know that if he does that we will consider it as his evidence; he refused.

“When he refused to answer questions, how do we investigate the matter, particularly when someone said he gave out something to someone else and when he was called to substantiate it, he refused to talk? How do we solve that problem?

“We even told him that he was not an accused before us but a witness and that we are

only interested in the conduct of our member who allegedly did something in contravention of our rules.

“To find out the truth and by the principle of law and provisions of the Constitution on fair hearing, we have to call the relevant parties.

That was why we called him.

“In addition to refusing to answer our questions, he insulted us and was just laughing at us.

“It was very stupid of him and we are not happy because we cannot have a respected standing Committee of this nature and someone will come and tell us that he is a businessman and not hungry like ourselves.

“Do we look like hungry men, ladies and gentlemen?

“Because of the degree of demonstration that we had of our patience and fairness towards him, he even expressed it and thanked us for being fair to him and refusing to get annoyed.

“We only want to express our feelings that we are not happy with what transpired.

We thought we could help the nation to arrive at a just decision, but it is important to know our position.

“We have invited him; he has refused to answer questions. We will continue to invite other relevant parties; we will continue with our job

and our commitment to do justice to this exercise should not be in doubt.”

After the meeting, Otedola said: “Anything done in secret will come to light.”

His lawyer Mr. Babajide Koku, who maintained the earlier position of the oil marketer on the proceeding of the meeting, said Lawan had been inconsistent.

Koku said: “Otedola’s position is simple, that Lawan’s statements have been inconsistent. First, he denied accepting the money and later turned around to admit that he collected the money.

“He said he gave Jagaba the money; Jagaba denied receiving the money. He said he had discussed the issue with the EFCC Chairman; the EFCC Chairman has denied.

“He said he collected $250,000 at Protea; that is not the position. But Mr. Otedola’s position today is that this is a matter that he does not feel should be dealt with in camera.

“He will deal with it in public and he feels that any discussion on this matter must be held in public. That was his position before the Ethics Committee which, of course, they were not happy with and did not accept.

“He is a law abiding citizen; he has nothing to fear”.

In a statement shortly be-

Continued from page 4

•Lawan

fore the session, Otedola said: “This is a matter that has generated a lot of public interest.

“The House Committee on the Management of fuel subsidy headed by Hon. Farouk Lawan held all its sittings in public. When this issue arose, the House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Privileges publicly stated that its investigation will be held in public.

“It is, therefore, surprising and curious that this Committee has made a u-turn to hold its investigative sittings in camera, particularly in the light of unfolding events.

“I strongly believe that the intrest of the public will not be best served if the investigation is held in camera.

“I have nothing to hide and will only speak on this issue when this investigation is conducted in a very transparent manner and the press as well as the general public are allowed to be present at the sittings of this Committee from the beginning to its conclusion.”

•From left Mrs Francisca Osiki; Lagos State First Lady, Mrs Abimbola Fashola and Mrs Felicia Odugbesan, during the Woman In Technical Education and Employment, National Co- ordinating Committee meeting in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN

Audio tape animated, says Lawan Continued from page 4

the entire audio playback of Monday and Tuesday is of dubious and questionable pedigree.”

He raised nine posers for Otedola on the audio tape.

The statement added: “The questions that agitate an unbiased mind from this unfolding piece of poorly scripted home comedy are: •Why is this audio recording being played in bits and pieces, rather than enbloc and wholly?

•How come that an audio recording which ought to be played on Radio for a listening public is being aired on television for a viewing public, when no visual is involved howsoever?

•Where is the visual recording of the alleged bribe?

•How come a supposed part of the same conversation portray Lawan as a talkative, belligerent and unyielding character who barely allowed Mr Otedola to utter one word, while the first part supposedly shows him as a sluggish, tentative, stammering, and measured speaker, speaking only when prompted on by the same Otedola?

•If Lawan says it was left for the Committee to know what to do to help out, why will Otedola pay bribe to influence an issue Lawan had already concluded that his committee would know what to do about?

•If Lawan did actually warn Otedola not to tell other Oil Marketers so that the impression is not given that his Committee has been

compromised as the audio tend to show, does this not in fact show, assuming the story were correct, that Lawan was actually saying to Otedola, “you know we have not been compromised”?

•Why has it taken Mr Otedola this long to make public his so, called “sting operation” well over two months after Lawan had notified the Police when he interacted with them in May, 2012?

•How come that neither Mr Lawan nor Mr Emenalo was arrested or swooped upon in a so called “sting operation” where money allegedly changed hands on four different occasions?

•What is the source of this audio tape that is being

played installmentally and which ought ordinarily to emanate from Security Agencies, if indeed it was a “sting operation” by the SSS? •Who is fooling whom?

The lawmaker said his friends and associates could not identify the voice in the audio as his.

He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, Lawan categorically denies, disowns and denounces in its entirety, the audio voice as he insists that same is not his God-given voice.

“He maintains that even his friends and associates could not identify it as his voice when they listened to the play back. He warns, finally, that those who live in glass houses should stop throwing stones.”

to show the video where he (Lawan) put some dollars in his pocket and the balance under his cap.

More importantly, he will challenge Otedola to show the reconciliation between his assertion that he was to give Lawan $2.5million and his earlier assertion that he had already paid Lawan and the Secretary of the committee, Boniface Emenalo, $620,000.

“If you add $2.5million and the $620,000 that will become $3,120,000 contrary to the $3million which Otedola told the world that Lawan demanded from him as bribe.

“He will also ask Otedola to show if he used the State Security Service (SSS) in a socalled sting operation and how he (Lawan) and Boniface Emenalo collected money on four occasions without being arrested by security agents. And why it took Otedola nearly two months before he told the world about the so-called sting operation more than one month after Lawan (the complainant) had already interact-

ed with the Special Task Force (STF) of the Nigeria Police, which is headed by CP Ali Amodu.”

The Chairman of the House Committee on Media, Alhaji Zakary Mohammed, told our correspondent: “The Ethics and Privileges Committee has not been sitting in public. I think this will not be an exception.

“The committee’s sitting is like our own Orderly Room Trial or Court Martial. We hope that people will not get sentimental about it.

“The committee is looking into the conduct of a member of the House. It is like the case with the Military and the Police. These institutions do not throw open their disciplinary procedures.

“Otedola is not on trial; he was invited just as a mere witness to the allegation against a member of the House. All what the House is demanding is, give us evidence on the basis on which we will try our member.

“So, we cannot try Otedola, he is not our member.”

CBN operates secret account, says NNPC Continued from page 1

the committee that the secret account was opened and solely managed by the NNPC. But Otti told the committee that the CBN is the sole signatory to the account.

Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Monday said distanced her ministry had no hand in the account.

Though Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala told the committee that she is aware of the account, she denied knowledge of its details, including the number.

NNPC Group Managing Director Andrew Yakubu told the committee that the CBN owns the account.

Committee chair Senator Magnus Abe compelled Otti to appear before the committee to clarify the status of the account.

Otti claimed that the CBN operates the account on behalf of NNPC “right from the outset when the account was opened in the United States”.

He said: “The NNPC has no direct contact with the J.P. Morgan account. The account was opened by the CBN on behalf of the NNPC. It was

opened in the last quarter of 2002 by the CBN for NNPC. “The account is operated by NNPC in the CBN. CBN has its correspondent banks to which NNPC isn’t a party.

NNPC doesn’t operate that account; NNPC operates domiciliary account with CBN.” Asked to be definite if the NNPC or the CBN operates the account and whose money is paid into it, Otti said: “The money paid into the account is crude (oil) money of Nigeria . We are not party to that transaction. Our relationship with the CBN accounts begins and terminates with that account.”

Otti said the CBN is the only signatory, such that the NNPC is not even on the account mandate.

He insisted: “The CBN is the signatory to that account.

We have no relationship with J. P. Morgan whatsoever. We are not in the mandate.”

The committee vowed to ensure that accounts not known to the Constitution are closed and all monies paid directly into the Federation Account.

Govt to fight sub-standard goods From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

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HE Federal Government has promised to eradicate substandard goods .

The decision was reached yesterday at the Economic Management Team (EMT) meeting after briefing by the three agencies saddled with the responsibility of product standard regulation.

The concerned agencies were; the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) After the meeting which went into record as the longest EMT meeting ever, the Minister of Finance and co-ordinating minister, Dr.Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said.

Federal Government directed the three regulatory agencies to work in synergy in addressing the menace of sub-standard products.

The meeting was presided by President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House.

According to her, sub-standard products whether manufactured locally or imported could both be detrimental to consumers.

“We agreed that we must support the three agencies to better link their activities together so that they are working in concert.

We also agreed to make sure they have the resources they need to execute the job, to support them to have stonger enforcement powers,’’ she said.

CORRECTION The dates for a two-day seminar on a new amendments to pension income tax in an advert on Page 53 of July 3, 2012 edition are July 18 and 19, 2012 and not April 18 and 19, 2012 as erroneously published. The error is regretted.

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SPORT EXTRA

President Jonathan to handover Team Nigeria to NOC

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RESIDENT Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will tomorrow perform the traditional handing over of Team Nigerian athletes to the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, at a grand reception billed for Sheraton Hotels, Lagos.

Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi will lead other disgnitaries in Nigerian Sports in presenting Team Nigeria to the President, who in turn will handover the team to the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee,Engr Sani M. Ndanusa.

NOC Scribe, Honourable Tunde Popoola confirmed yesterday that the stage was set for Team Nigeria to be officially handed over to the Olympic body before their departure to Surrey Camp in London on Sunday, where they are expected to put finishing touches to their preparations before storming the Olympic Village.

“Invitations have been given out and we expect a grand send-forth and handing over of Team Nigeria to the Nigeria Olympic Committee. We

Abdullahi wants Abuja stadium ready before August

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HE Minister of Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission (NSC) Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has issued the management of the Abuja National stadium a standing order to ensure that the multi billion naira edifice is ready on or before the end of July.

According to our source, the Minister was irked by reports last week quoting the stadium management that the repairs going on at the stadium pitch can only be ready for the September matches of the Super Eagles and not for the pre-season friendly match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Arsenal FC on August 5. “I want to tell you that that match will be played at the Abuja National Stadium, and there is no going back on that. Work is seriously in progress at the Stadium, and we have the assurance that the pitch would be ready by that time. The grasses have been re-planted, and serious watering is going on, coupled with the rains that are falling now. The grass that is in use should be able to mature in the next two or three weeks. The Arsenal grounds men were here, and

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja had talks with the management of the stadium, before they agreed on it.

Moreover, the Minister has ordered that efforts should be put in place to ensure that the stadium pitch is ready before that day”. When NationSport visited the Stadium on Tuesday, the former grasses have been excavated, and new one planted.

Watering is seriously in progress.

have enjoyed a siamese relelationship with the National Sports Commission and we expect this relationship to translate into good medals at the Olympics”, Popoola said.

Director General of the NSC, Dr Patrick Ekeji who will serve as Chef de Mission of Team Nigeria with his deputy chef de Mission, Yakumut Alhassan, would add colour to the event. Presidents of Sports Federations,Acting British High Commissioner, Mike Purves, Political and Press Secretary Hooman Nouruzi and Communication Manager, Wale Adebajo would be there to wish Team Nigeria well.

Chief Solomon Ogba who led Team Nigeria to win the African Athletic championships in Porto Novo would also add colour to the event.

Engr. Ndanusa said that the compact nature of Team Nigeria would send shock waves as Government has done so much more to place them in the front burner for the Olympics. “We're going to compete with other countries. We are not going to participate. And with God, all things will be well”, he said.

•L-R: Manager, Treasury Department, Sterling Bank Plc, Fatai Adeoluyi, Baale of Makoko Chief Raymond Adekunle Olaiya Akinsemoyin E, Team Captain, Makoko FC, Oseni Ahmed, Manager, Project Management Office, Olawale Yinusa and Chief Coach Makoko FC, Shola Onasanya at the presentation of Football kit and Boat Sails by the Bank to the Makoko Community in Lagos last Thursday.

Women’s Football League crisis deepens …Iyorhe, spiff, Nuhu want urgent change …Protests in FCT queens, Onyedinma confused

T

HE crisis rocking the leadership of the Nigeria Women’s League took a dive for the worse on Tuesday with three more members of the league body calling for a meeting to once and for all end the sordid state of affairs, while FCT Queens went gaga in Abuja, asking for the head of Chairperson, Dilichukwu Onyedinma.

Comrade Grace Iyorhe, from Benue state, who at various times played, referred and was a match commissioner of several years stading, said she was saddened by the manner Onyedinma, has led the body and can longer wait for change to be effected. “As I speak with you, I have withdrawn from activities of the women’s league body, because of lack of direction and I have told those who care to listen that we must be prepared to rescue the game from those who are only interested in positions but not working for the

position attained.

On the way forward, Iyorhe put in succintly: “simply put round pegs in round holes, because that is not what we have at the moment”.

On his part, one of the pioneer founders of women football in the country and current manager of Bayelsa Queens, Epiphany DietteSpiff, said the die is cast and there is no going back on urgent changes in the management of women’s football in the country.

“As I speak with you I was recalled by the Bayelsa state government to help rebuild Bayelsa Queens, because they know things have gone wrong, why can’t we do the same with the women’s league body, if we know that we have the wrong people in position. “I’m sorry to say we have found ourselves in a very bad situation and we must act quickly to save the league body from going into extinction.

Ask Uche Eucharia, who was a player,

ask Princess Bola Jegede, this is not the women’s league of our dreams after 38years in football management. We can no longer fold our arms and watch things go from bad to worse”, he said.

Nasarawa Queens Audu Nuhu, who was one of those that started the move for an urgent congress to address the drift said he has been making wide consultation in the matter and he believes that now is the time for change.

Hear him: “I have reached out far and wide and what I’m getting is not quite encouraging. I’m not against anybody or Onyedinma per se but I want the best for the women’s league and that was why when I spoke to her and she offered to step down, I asked her for an urgent meeting to address issues not personalities”, he concluded.

Matters got to a head for Onyedinma on Tuesday when FCT Queens players openly protested against her continued leadership of the league body, calling for her to step down as manager of the club.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘Government must carefully study the positions canvassed by the Northern elders so as to address the issues raised. There is merit in their observation, and we must act fast to douse the acrimonious atmosphere brewing in the country’ VOL.7 NO.2176

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

F

OR most Nigerians, I suspect, the penultimate weekend’s sack of General Andrew Owoye Azazi as President Goodluck Jonathan’s National Security Adviser (NSA) came like a bolt of lightning.

For me, it certainly was.

The reason for the sack, the President has said, is the failure of Azazi’s strategy of scorched earth strategy for destroying, or at least pacifying, the Boko Haram sect, a strategy whose seemingly guaranteed success must have given the President the confidence to issue his clearly ill-considered pledge several months ago that the country would see the back of the sect by June; the month has come and gone, but the insecurity has only worsened. Even then, most Nigerians probably believe there’s more to the sack than the President’s explanation.

Perhaps the recent spate of attacks on churches in Kaduna and Zaria and on other targets elsewhere, and the subsequent revenge attacks along what has since turned into a “corridor of deaths” for Muslim travellers between Abuja and Kaduna at Gonin Gora on the southern outskirts of Kaduna, was the last straw. But then Azazi had survived worse spates of attacks and counterattacks.

More tellingly he’d even survived openly contradicting his principal on more than one occasion over how to end the insurgency, focusing as he did on the use of force as against the President’s apparent preference for the use of more carrots than sticks; as recently as January, the man, in an article in the extreme right wing and Islamophobic Washington Times (January 4, 2012), was making a spirited pitch to the Americans to help Nigeria destroy Boko Haram in every which way, short of sending in the Marines.

“We can,” he said in the article, “destroy Boko Haram in its early stages, before it goes truly international. We don’t want or need American troops. But we would benefit greatly from American know-how and other forms of support as we develop our new counterterrorism strategy.”

It is therefore an irony that Azazi would get the boot - along with the defence minister, Dr Bello Haliru - only after he seemed to have reversed himself from his hard stance against the sect; only a few weeks ago, the two jointly but separately issued statements pleading with the Americans not to declare Boko Haram a global terrorist organisation on the grounds that such a declaration would make it harder, if not impossible, to negotiate an end to the sect’s insurrection.

No less surprising than Azazi’s sack was his replacement by Colonel (Rtd) Muhammad Sambo Dasuki, a friend and course mate of Azazi’s at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, and eldest son of the exiled Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki. A one time Aide de Camp of military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, his promising military career came a cropper when, like virtually all the officers who were involved in the coup which brought General Sani Abacha to power in 1993 - notably senior officers like Generals Aliyu Mohammed and David Mark - he became es-

RIPPLES CASH SCANDAL: My voice was doctored, says Lawan

•••we don’t need any EXPLANATION; PROVE IT

People and Politics By MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

A (Shaba Ward) lesson for the new NSA

•Dasuki

tranged from the then new head of state.

However, for close observers of the country’s upper echelon cloak and dagger politics, replacing Azazi with Dasuki may perhaps not have been so surprising; sometimes last year, the President reportedly toyed seriously with the idea of giving him the job.

At any rate even though Dasuki comes to his new job with little experience as a former intelligence officer, those who know him say what he lacks in this respect, he more than makes up by his personal intelligence, integrity and a vast network of friends and associates that cut across the ethnic, sectarian, political and social divides in the country - and abroad.

It may not be idle to speculate, as many pundits have done, on why the President did what most Nigerians had thought he

couldn’t. However, it is more useful to talk about how the change can bring the country back from the brink of disaster on which it has been perched since the Boko Haram insurrection broke out three years ago in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Obviously, the most important lesson of the President’s shot from the blues was the failure of Azazi’s erstwhile scorched earth policy against the sect. This simply means Abuja should renew in earnest the negotiations it had started with it through the good offices of Dr Datti Ahmed, Chairman of the non-governmental Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria, the only person both the sect and the government have so far expressed confidence in as an honest broker.

The sect called off the negotiations when the authorities violated the agreement that it should not be leaked to the press. Since then it has indicated it is willing to return to the negotiation table.

It will be a mistake for the authorities to think this is a sign that the sect is already smelling defeat, given how it has shown it is capable of turning its murderous machine on and off at will. And as Azazi said in the Washington Times article in reference, regardless of what some leading Christian clerics say, Christians are not the only targets of this machine. “Churches,” he said in the article, “are not the group’s only targets. Boko Haram claims to be Islamic, but targets the Muslim faithful. Boko Haram is an enemy of all decent people.”

Decent people like those of the overwhelmingly Muslim working class neighbourhood of Shaba Ward in Kaduna North, one of the oldest wards in the city, where I partly grew up as a young man and where my extended family house is located. On the day the killing of Muslims took place at Gonin Gora in revenge for the June 17 fatal bombing of a church in Kaduna

HARDBALL

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has again been defending his record in office. This time he wants the world to believe that rather than being soft on corruption, he has done all there is to do to stamp out this national malaise.

But instead of putting the matter to rest, the statement by presidential spokesman Dr. Reuben Abati only exposes Jonathan’s mindset in the face of unrelenting criticism of his performance.

After listing a string of actions he had taken in furtherance of his promise to have “zero tolerance for corruption”, the statement caps things in now accustomed fashion by labelling the critics “those who seek to heat up the polity by politicising the issue of corruption in the pursuit of their selfish personal and sectional agenda.”

These days every criticism of the President’s actions and policies – no matter how well-meaning - is dismissed as “politically motivated.” Rather than appreciate the perspective of those who felt he had been insensitive by travelling to the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit on the back of a string of national tragedies, he stuck to his guns, convinced the flak he received was “politically motivated.”

Not long ago, in a moment of exasperation, he declared that Nigeria’s problems

DELE AGEKAMEH

South, the return of some bloodied residents to the neighbourhood (Shaba) from the Kaduna South suburb with tales of how they escaped deaths from the hands of some marauding youths, almost shattered the decades-old harmony that had existed among Muslims and Christians living or trading there.

No sooner did the victims of the revenge attacks tell their stories of lucky escape than some of the youths in the neighbourhood mobilised to attack the hundreds of Igbo traders who owned many of the shops in the well-known Shaba market. What saved the day was the courage of the Sarkin Kasuwa (the leader of the market), Mohammed Abdul Danjuma, who, along with several of the community elders, physically stood between the armed youths and the Igbo traders, and thus preserved the peace and harmony among its residents that has made Shaba Ward one of the most secure and peaceful neighbourhoods in Kaduna.

The ward may have escaped the violence that engulfed many parts of Kaduna between June 17 and 19 due to the courage of its community leaders, but it should be pretty obvious to anyone with even half an eye that such courage alone would not have saved the day if its residents had been victims of the kind of brutalisation many Nigerians have suffered from the security forces in the name of fighting Boko Haram.

Those who think negotiating with the sect would amount to submitting to blackmail by those who dislike where President Jonathan comes from and what Deity he believes in may look like they have a point, especially if the new NSA eventually succeeds where Azazi has clearly failed. They would also seem right to argue that Dasuki’s success, as a northerner, is likely to send the wrong signal that violence pays. Right or wrong, however, succeed he must because his failure may only lead our country to a Somalia-type failed state – or worse, given the size and complexity of Nigeria.

In any case, the blackmail argument misses the fundamental issue that for most ordinary Nigerians, as it was for the brave Shaba elders, the problem with their country is not any more the faith or the places of origin of its leaders than it is the faith and places of origin of their subjects. Rather it is, more than anything else, the problem of the venality and bad faith of their leaders, and at times, their crass incompetence.

Dasuki comes to his new job free of these terrible baggages. Of course, this is no guarantee that he will succeed. But it is enough to hope that he will.

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•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Jonathan’s persecution complex didn’t start with him or his administration.

That was stating the obvious. But what the President fails to understand is Nigerians don’t expect him to solve all their problems.

They want him to do what he can and get off the stage, and not spend valuable time whining about the hard knocks he’s been getting.

Nigerians are not interested in grand promises of deliverance and transformation: they want to see tangible results. Under the President’s watch, nothing has happened to give the impression that he’s more committed to fighting corruption than his two predecessors.

People are not interested in how many Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) bosses he has appointed, or in the number of prosecutions the ICPC has initiated in his time in office. How many of those have resulted in convictions?

Appointments such as the recent game of musical chairs at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) have not impressed many – especially when they come across as mere recycling of insiders which will not root out the entrenched culture in the corporation.

If people are suspicious of the government’s

handling of the House of Representativesinitiated fuel subsidy payment probe, they have good reason to be. One press statement will not alter their cynicism. Attitudes and perceptions will only change when the President makes good on his promise to punish all who are found culpable.

Those who insist the administration’s fight against graft is heavily qualified would be crowing “we told you so” after reading this line in Abati’s statement: “In the prosecution of the war against corruption, President Jonathan believes that the interests of national peace, stability, progress and development override all other considerations and are, therefore, beyond any compromise. The President continues to uphold this belief in all his private and official actions.”

Does this suggest Aso Rock will forgo prosecution in established cases where it makes the subjective call that “national peace and stability” would be threatened if a crook is put on trial? Another press release from the Villa would help clear things up.

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