The Nation July 06, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

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TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

VOL. 7, NO. 2178 FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (middle) with the winners of the Lagos State School Traffic Safety Advocacy Programme at Alausa, Ikeja…yesterday

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From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

ministries, departments and agencies.

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts made the startling discovery when the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and a Director in the CBN appeared before the committee to explain the usage of the fund from 2002 to date.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja and Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

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ATIONAL Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki yesterday begged Emirs and influential leaders in the North to assist the government in reaching out to Boko Haram contacts for dialogue.

He visited the Emir of Daura, Katsina State, home town of former presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the last general election, Gen Muhammadu Buhari.

The NSA, it was gathered, held talks with stakeholders in Katsina on Wednesday before going to Kano yesterday.

The NSA met with Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema; the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumin Kabir Usman and the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk.

The chairman of the committee, Senator Ahmed Lawan, said that the committee was investigating three Federal Government accounts Natural Resources Development Account, Ecological Fund and Stabilisation Account.

Lawan (Yobe North) said that the Natural Resources Development Account was Continued on page 4

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Boko Haram: NSA begs Emirs

Ministry, CBN give out N701.5b non-oil funds as loans MULTI-BILLION naira fund set up to fight the battle for the economy’s diversification may have been diverted to other uses, it emerged yesterday.

The Senate discovered how the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) disbursed over N701.5 billion Natural Resource Funds as loans to

N150.00

Continued on page 4

•Col. Dasuki

Jonathan asks panel to probe N2.19tr subsidy claims Indicted firms to face trial, says Attorney-General

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•Jonathan

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday set up a committee to verify and reconcile the findings of the Technical Committee which reviewed subsidy claims and payment in 2011.

The 15-man committee is headed by Access Bank Managing Director Mr.

From Vincent Ikuomola and Kamarudeen Ogundele Abuja

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, who also headed the Technical Committee, which the Federal Ministry of Finance set up.

Aig-Imoukhuede last month submitted the Technical Committee’s re-

port, which is to be reviewed.

The Federal Government paid N2.19trillion to subsidise the petrol consumed by Nigerians last year.

Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, who is also the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, said the government paid the money in two tranch-

es.

She told the Senator Magnus Abe-led Joint Committee of the Senate on Monday that the government paid oil marketers N1.7trillion as at December, last year. This is in addition to paying N451 billion in arrears this year.

Continued on page 4

•AFE BABALOLA VARSITY LICENCE INTACT P5 •CUSTOMS SEIZES PISTOLS P5

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

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NEWS NATIONAL SECURITY

We’ll contain • ASUU to Fed Govt: solve insecurity • Nigeria not ripe for state police, says IGP

T •From left: Dangote Group of Companies President Aliko Dangote, Forte Oil Managing Director Femi Otedola and a participant, Alain De Cot, at the meeting of the International Honarary Investors Council in Abuja...yesterday PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (left), Senate President David Mark (middle) and the President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Goodie Ibru during a dinner organised by the LCCI in honour of the Senate President PHOTO: NAN at the Sky Restaurant, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos... on Wednesday.

HE Federal Government yesterday said it has taken measures to contain the excesses of Boko Haram.

Minister of Interior Abba Moro spoke with reporters at the maiden Peace Summit of Wives of Civil Defence Officers.

He said: “It is convenient to actually be saying that the issue of insecurity is alarming but let me say that the government is determined; it is taking proactive steps to be ahead of the situation.

“Efforts are being made to contain the excesses of this group. But let me also say that it is in this determination that government has put all options on the table in enforcing law and order. The option of dialogue is still there.”

He described as mischievous recent reports of jail break in Nasarawa and Yobe states, saying what happened were attacks on the prisons by external elements.

He said: “Let me use this opportunity to differentiate between jail breaks and attacks on our prisons.

There were attempts in the past at jail breaks. In Koton Karfe, a crop of hoodlums attacked the prison to free inmates. In Damaturu of recent, a crop of sectarian members attacked the prison ostensibly to free inmates there. These certainly will not amount to jail breaks.

“In Nasarawa, there was an attempt at jail break but it was foiled by a combined team of prison officials, the police and army. We are taking every step to secure the prisons at all times.”

Wife of the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mrs. Aderonke Abolurin, advocated more inclusion of women in peace building and national development.

She said: “The incessant attacks on the security of the nation have become a special concern to the women.

This is not only because the peace of the society is being threatened but because women as well as their children are most unfortunately the victims of these circumstances that have become a wild fire spreading gently and threatening the peace of our nation.”

The Academic Staff Union of Uni-

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja and Tony Akowe, Kaduna

versities (ASUU) yesterday urged the Federal Government to address security challenges in the country.

It said the country’s unity is at stake if the state of insecurity persists.

The union’s President, Dr Nasir Fagge, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that every citizen had the right to stay anywhere in the country, in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He said it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to ensure security in the country, adding that although there had always been crisis in the nation, it should not be allowed to get to the level where it could disrupt peace and unity among the citizenry.

Reacting to the posting of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to some “volatile” states, Fagge said it should only be done if the security of the corps members was guaranteed.

He reiterated that the scheme was designed to enhance national unity and warned that it would not do the country any good if the programme was allowed to be destroyed by some security challenges.

He said: “We have always experienced crises in the country. What we are seeing today is actually not new, but it is assuming a ridiculous dimension. The most important thing now is for government to ensure that the issue of security is properly addressed.

“It is the responsibility of government to ensure that all citizens are guaranteed the right to life, security and property, anywhere in the country, in accordance with the constitution.

“We should not allow any issue to pose a threat to the NYSC scheme.”

Acting Inspector General of Police Mohammed Dikko Abubakar yesterday said the agitation for state police was misplaced.

Abubakar, who spoke in Kaduna, said the country was not ripe for such a police.

He also identified the increasing poverty level as one of the major contributors to insecurity.

Abubakar told reporters after an interactive session with some community and religious leaders at the head-

Three victims of bomb blast buried

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•Kaduna State Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa (left) presenting a gift to the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar, when the IGP visited the governor...yesterday PHOTO: NAN

•Mr. Segun Odegbami (left), Executive Director, Public Sector, South, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. UK Eke, FirstBank's Brand Ambassador to London 2012 Olympics, Blessing Okagbare and Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Mrs. Folake PHOTO: NAN Ani-Mumuney at a media parley on the Bank's 2012 Olympics activities in Lagos... on Wednesday.

HREE remaining casualties of the June 17 explosions that rocked two churches in Zaria, Kaduna State, were buried yesterday in Zaria after a requiem mass at St. Enda’s Parish, Basawa, Zaria.

Addressing journalists shortly after the interment, the Catholic Bishop of Zaria, the Most Rev. George Dodo, said 16 people died in the incidents.

He said six persons were members of the Christ the King Church, Zaria, adding that three others had earlier been buried.

The bishop said 10 Muslims, who lived or worked opposite the church, were also killed. This figure does not include the suicide bombers, he said.

“Many of our parishioners sustained injuries from the shattered glasses, falling ceiling and the stampede as people tried to look for escape route,” the bishop said, adding that three had earlier been buried.

Dodo appealed to Northern elders, religious leaders, politicians and traditional rulers to check the rising violent activities of the Boko Haram sect and the reprisal attacks.

“We should realise that the economy of the North and education of our children are being brought backward because of attacks.

“I call on members of the Boko Haram, who claimed responsibility of most of these attacks, to put an end to them and seek redress through dialogue and/ or through legal means.

“I call on government to use all available human and material resources to put an end to this untold grief and sorrow brought to bear on people’s lives.

“I call on government to create more jobs and more youth empowerment centres to provide them with skills which will make them more useful and productive to themselves and the society.

“I call on religious leaders to, as a matter of urgency and moral obligation, impact correct teachings of the tenets of our faiths and focus also on the things that unite rather than divide us,” Dogo pleaded.

The bishop charged politicians to play politics with the spirit of sportsmanship to pave way for national growth and development.

y ys IGP

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

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NEWS NATIONAL SECURITY

Boko Haram excesses soon, says minister quarters of the Kaduna State Police Command that state police would not be ideal for the country.

He said: "The position of the police before now on the issue of state police has not changed. Nigeria is not ripe enough for a State Police. Period!

Look at what is happening in Kaduna State now. If this magnitude of crisis were left to a State Police, how would it be able to curtail it?"

Speaking at the office of Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, the IGP lamented the poverty level in the country.

He said: "We are aware of the contributory factors responsible for crime and criminality in this country. There is high level of poverty. There is high level of unemployment and there is a wide gap between those who have and those who do not have and this gap keeps on widening every day.

"The poor are getting poorer, the rich are getting richer and the implication of that is that when the rich are getting richer and the toiling masses of Nigeria cannot get shelter and cannot get food, the rich cannot sleep in their houses and they cannot ride their best of cars.

"This is the situation we are in. We must pay attention to youth unemployment at the federal state and local government levels so that we can be able to control our youth to be useful to society.

"We are aware that parents have abandoned their responsibilities of mentoring these youth and our social problems are there and the only thing we can do is good governance.

"On our part, we know we cannot have a good police force without the people. We are aware of the fact that there is a serious disconnect between the police and the people and we are working very hard to ensure that we reconnect back to the people because it is the people we serve.

"You cannot police somebody you do not know. You cannot police a community you do not know.

"Therefore, the concept of community policing is very important and it is key in our transformation agenda of making the police to serve as servants of the people and not masters.

"The era of harassment and molestation of people is over, the era of bribery and corruption is over. No matter who is involved will be sanctioned. The era of extra-judicial killing is over and that is why we want to work with the people.

•Motorcyclists passing through a military check-point in Suleja, Niger State...yesterday

•Arms recovered from Boko Haram displayed by IGP Abubakar in Kaduna…yesterday

"We do not want to run away from the fact that we have some bad elements in the service and where

they are traced and found, committing crimes and criminality, unethical conducts, they will be sanc-

Army trains 435 personnel for counter terrorism •Rep cautions on reportage of security issues

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HE Army Base Camp, Kachia, in Kaduna State yesterday began the training of 435 security personnel on Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency (CTCOIN) for batch 5/4, to address the nation’s security challenges.

The personnel included 379 soldiers and 60 Armed Squad personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who would undergo a fourweek training.

CTCOIN Director, Brig-Gen. Tijjani Golau, said the training was aimed at tackling the upsurge and attack on security agencies and structures.

He said: “The most recent of the security challenge has been upsurge in the activities of gunmen and faceless people as evidenced in the spate of bombings and armed attacks on security operatives and innocent Nigerians.

“It is apparent that these contemporary security challenges have highlighted grey areas in our doctrine on internal security and counter insurgency, which need to be addressed to enhance operational efficiency of the nation.”

Golau said the trainees would be actively engaged in internal security duties at the expiration of the programme and advised them to take all instructions seriously. “ This is because they may prove invaluable to you

at one point or another in your future assignment.“ The Director said the objective of the programme was to produce crack, combat ready troops capable of operating in “Build Up Area“.

Golau said the course would cover physical training, mental alertness, weapon handling, road block and fighting in close quarter battles as well as VIP protection. “ Others will include guarding of KPs and VPs, attacking terrorist hideout, airport duties, air craft and bus rescue, among others.“ Meanwhile, the Commander of NSCDC, Zone B, Mr. Bartholomew Eziegbo, said that the training would foster synergy and operational standard for the security agencies to meet current challenges.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Safety and National Security, Bello Mutawalle, has urged the media to exercise restrain in reporting security issues.

Mutawalle (PDP-Zamfara), in a statement, said that “in times like this”, the media should take the path of caution.

He said government was working toward restoring peace and harmony in the country.

Mutawalle said: “Both the National Assembly and the executive are working hard to restore peace in the country and their effort should be complimented by the media.’’

PHOTO: NAN

PHOTOS: TONY AKOWE

tioned and where they deserve to be prosecuted, they will be prosecuted because we are governed by

two laws, the police regulation and the civil law.

"And, these two laws will be applied to anybody who does what he is not supposed to do. Under my leadership, there will not be recklessness in the service. You will see a police force that you deserve to see, a police force that will respect and honour you, so that Nigerians can be proud of it.

"But we cannot have a good police force without the needed equipment to fight crime and criminality."

He said the police was ready to combat terrorism. He appealed to the community and religious leaders to assist the police with information by exposing those who are engaged in act of terrorism.

He noted that "without peace and security, there cannot be development. Therefore, ensuring peace should be a collective effort of all.

Even if the entire police and soldiers are drafted to Kaduna State, without the collaboration and partnership from the community, nothing can be achieved".

The state Chairman of Jamatul Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Ja'afaru Makarfi, attributed the insecurity to the lack of justice and corruption, pointing out that until the issues are properly addressed, "we will be chasing shadows".

Nigeria needs 20 years stability to be among five greatest nations, says Belgore

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FORMER Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Alfa Belgore, yesterday said if the country can remain stable for 20 years, it will be amongst the five greatest nations of the world.

Justice Belgore spoke in Asaba at a book presentation to commemorate the 65th birthday anniversary of the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Prof.

Amos Utuama.

He said if the report of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) had been implemented since 1994, the nation would have long achieved 42,000 mega watts of electricity generation by now.

He said many industries, especially in iron and steel, would have been operational in the country, expressing regrets that the NADECO drawing was presently nowhere to be found.

The former CJN said that the NADECO drawings had been

stolen from the archive where it was kept so that its recommendations could not be implemented.

He urged the people of Delta to believe that Nigeria would be a great country to all as it would remain united forever.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan advised political appointees, especially commissioners, to deemphasise financial gains in their headship of ministries.

Uduaghan said this had become imperative because most political appointees were only interested in the financial spoils of the ministries they head.

He said since 1999, he had been working with his deputy as a cocommissioner in the then Chief James Ibori administration, he had never found him interested in the financials gains of his office.

He described Utuama as an “ever ready battery’’, who was dedicated to his job.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

NEWS Boko Haram: NSA begs Emirs Continued from page 1

•From left: University of Lagos (UNILAG), acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ade Bello; guest lecturer, United States Amb. Terrence McCulley and Head of Architecture Department, Dr Mike Adebamowo, inspecting an exhibition to mark the university’s 50th anniversary in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

A source at the sessions said: “The NSA was in Daura to underscore his commitment to building bridges to restore peace to the North.

“He is just after rapprochement; he wants to carry everybody along at all cost. After finishing late in Katsina Wednesday, the NSA proceeded yesterday morning to Kano where he met with a cross section of stakeholders, including Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, members of his executive council, lawmakers, including Honourables Mannir Babba Danagundi, Nasiru Baballe, Aminu Suleiman, Nasiru Ali Ahmed, Mohammed Bashir Galadanchi and Bashir Baballe.

“Others the NSA met include commandants of Army,

How Finance Ministry, CBN diverted N701.5b non oil funds Continued from page 1

meant to diversify the economy in the non-oil sector, especially solid minerals.

Specifically, the committee wants to know how much has accrued to the Natural Resources Development Account from 2002 to 2012. Besides, the committee is interested in knowing the level of disbursement from the account and for what purpose.

The committee is shocked to discover that over N701.5 billion from the account was given away as loans to MDAs. For instance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is said to have obtained from the account loans of N4.25 billion in 2004 and 2005 to buy a chancery in Tokyo from the account.

The Ministry of Steel Devel-

opment was also said to have obtained a loan of N2.5billion from the account in 2004 to pay staff severance allowances.

The ministry of Interior got N2 billion loan allegedly for the production of identification cards.

Foreign construction firm Gitto was advanced N2 billion loan in 2005 against the 2006 budget. Gitto is the Italina builder of the church in Otuoke, the Bayelsa home of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Ministry of Water Resources also got N8.47 billion loan between 2004 and 2006, allegedly to complete work on the Gurara Dam. Another foreign firm, Siemens, and the Ministry Works took loans to complete the Geregu electricity project, the

Abuja-Lokoja road and the controversial East-West road in the Niger Delta.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Danladi Kifasi, gave a breakdown of the amount that accrued into the account.

Kifasi said N873,400,023,789.90 accrued to the account in 12 years.

He said total payment from the account amounted to N701,489,494,960.61, leaving a balance of, as at June 30th 2012, N171,910,528,829.29.

But, CBN Deputy Director (Finance) Mr. Tahir Suleiman gave the balance in the account, as at May 31st 2012, as N168,948, 203,200.00.

Lawan noted that there is N44 billion discrepancy between the figures given by Kifasi and Suleiman.

The chairman, who described the discrepancy as “massive”, asked the officials to account for it.

But a director in the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, (AGF), Alhaji Babayo Shehu, said the figure presented by Kifasi represented the ledger balance of the account.

Shehu said the office of the AGF usually reconciles the balances at the end of every month and promised to make the records available to the committee.

But members of the committee frowned at the explanation, insisting that the conflicting figures should have been reconciled before being presented to the committee.

Lawan specifically said “the discrepancy is something we

cannot understand.”

“There are discrepancies and we are not convinced,” he added.

A member of the Committee, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Ekiti North), noted that the position of the two government agencies was “not good enough”.

Adetunmbi said: “I just want to make an observation.

We were told that this is a special intervention fund to open up the economy in the non-oil sector.

“But in 2004 alone, N62.8 billion was used to finance deficit budget. No single project was done towards the objective of the fund.”

Adetunmbi noted that in 2005, N2.46 billion was also spent outside the purpose of the fund.

Prison, Immigration, Civil Defence as well as police commissioner in the state and major traditional rulers.

“The NSA restated the Federal Government’s preparedness to work with the state governments and other stakeholders to surmount the problem of insecurity in some parts of the country.

“He emphasised the need for leaders at the meetings to prevail on their wards to abstain from acts that could put the nation’s peace and security at risk.

“He specifically urged them to reach out to all known contacts of the Boko Haram Islamist sect and make them embrace the latest dialogue initiative.

“Let us all come together to ensure dialogue between the sect and the government. We need dialogue to restore peace to trouble spots,” he was quoted as saying.

Dasuki held a similar meeting with stakeholders in Kaduna .

Dasuki cautioned journalists against sensational reporting, stating that ‘’my experience with the press so far has not been a very good one’’.

“I would like to caution you to please be very careful with what you report because all the places we visited now; the media has been our problem.

Everybody wants to put a story that’s not necessary because it makes a very good headline.

So, please be very cautious about that and be very mindful of your responsibility.”

He said: “Everybody is trying to translate what I said and somehow in the process of translation, the meaning is lost and some of the things I say is not reflected and those that I didn’t say are somehow presented as having been said. It’s all sensational journalism.”

Jonathan asks panel to probe N2.19tr subsidy claims Continued from page 1

She said she did not know exactly how much will be paid as subsidy this year, adding that it is the responsibility of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

The Committee, which has one week to do its job, was set up to ensure that no organisation found culpable, is spared, according to presidential spokesman Reuben Abati, in a statement yesterday.

The statement reads: “In a further move towards the fulfillment of his pledge to Nigerians that no person or organisation guilty of fuel subsidy fraud or corruption will escape justice, President Goodluck Jonathan today (yesterday) established a Committee to verify and reconcile the findings of the Technical Committee set up by the Federal Ministry of Finance to conduct a detailed review of all subsidy claims and payments made in 2011.

“President Jonathan has directed the 15-member committee headed by Mr. Aigboje AigImoukhuede to begin work immediately and conclude its assignment by 1700 hours on Friday, July 13, 2012 as a prelude to immediate action on all identified cases of fraud.

“On receiving the Verification and Reconciliation Committee’s report, President Jonathan will order whatever action he deems necessary to

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What the Technical Committee said

HE report of the Technical Committee reportedly showed that despite the payment of N451 billion as 2011 subsidy arrears from the N888 billion earmarked for subsidy payments in the 2012 budget, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and private oil marketers still have outstanding claims of N384,450,487,333.99 to be paid by the Federal Government.

Independent oil marketing companies fingered in the report include Capital Oil & Gas, NIPCO Plc, SPOG Petrochemical Limited, Sahara Energy Limited, Masters Energy, Honeywell Oil & Gas, Rahamaniyya Oil & Gas, Atieo Energy Resources Limited, Eterna Plc, Obat Oil & Petrol Limited and Folawensure justice and the full recovery of all fuel subsidy funds that may have been illegally paid.”

The committee is to: • further verify and reconcile all claims made in the report of the Technical Committee on Fuel Subsidy Payments; • properly identify all cases of overpayment and/or irregular payment; •accurately identify all likely fraudulent cases for criminal investigation; and • review any other pertinent issues that may arise from its work and make appropriate recommendations.

Other members of the committee are: Dr. Abraham Nwankwo (DG Debt Management Office (DMO), Mr. Ber-

iyo Oil Limited, among others.

The report showed that the oil marketers committed a wide range of infractions ranging from lack of evidence of sales proceeds in commercial banks, to the non-payment of a N20 million reengagement fee for non-performance in the area of petrol importation, which should have been surcharged by the Petroleum Products Price Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

For instance, of 857 transactions reviewed by the committee, 112 transactions were discovered as not having evidence of sales proceeds based on banks’ available records at the date of verification.

The total subsidy claims in respect of

nard Otti (GED Finance & Accounts, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mrs. Oyinye Ahuchogu Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs. Sola David-Borha (MD Stanbic/IBTC, representing the banking community), Mr. Mike Osatuyi (National Secretary, IPMAN), Mr. Obafemi Olawore, Mr. Jonah Otunla (Accountant-General of the Federation), Mr. Bright Okogwu (DG, Budget Office), Mr. Reginald Stanley (Executive Secretary, PPPRA), Mrs. Aisha Waziri-Umar and Mr. Jalal Arabi.The Attorney-General of the Federation, the InspectorGeneral of Police and the Director-General of the State Security Service will also be represented on the Committee.

these transactions was N157,549,854,482.55.

Similarly, 88 companies were discovered to have collected subsidies amounting to N121,897,757,962.56 without the signatures of external auditors and independent inspectors on shore tank certificates.

Marketers, which were identified by the committee to have commited infractions, will have the over-payments ascribed to them deducted from their outstanding subsidy claims, presidency sources revealed.

The report also showed that the total outstanding arrears owed the private marketers from 2011 amounted to N67,298,074,641.03.

Also yesterday, Attorney General of the Federation Mohammed Adoke said indicted fuel marketers be prosecuted.

He spoke in Abuja through his counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN). The minister said the report of the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy is useful and the government will act on it.

He, however, explained that the government can only do so after relevant agencies have considered the facts contained in the report.

Awomolo explained that the office of the AGF will still work on the report before prosecuting anybody indicted, adding that “the House Committee is just a fact-finding one”.

“The fundamental rule of law is that a report of any factfinding committee is not conclusive of the commission of a crime; hence, the honourable attorney general in his counter affidavit dated 3rd of July, 2012, deposed to by Ayotunde Ogunleye of counsel, stated clearly that: *The 3rd respondent (AGF) was not part of the exercise of the legislative powers but as the chief law officer to the government of the federation and in response to public reactions to the publication of the report and resolution of the 1st and

2nd respondents made a public statement.

• The public statement is to the effect that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who is the chief executive officer of the federation and the commander- in-chief of the armed forces of the federation will consider the report and resolution and will take appropriate action within the law •The report of the committee, which is a fact-finding committee, will be studied and given to relevant agencies of government but will not prosecute or take legal action against person or persons indicted by the report.”

Awomolo added: “The Attorney General stands by the principle of rule of law, which is a strong pillar upon which this government operates and that means that where parties have turned their case to a court of law, parties will not take laws into their hands but stay action till the final determination of the case by the court.

“The order of the court in the case of Integrated Oil and Gas Limited against the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 5 ors, binds parties to the suit only and not general marketers as erroneously reported in the newspapers,” he said.

CORRECTION The reviewer of the book entitled: Fearless: The Emergence of a Fearless Opposition Leader, is Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, and not Prof. Chidi Mokalu as reported on Page 26 today.

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

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NEWS

Afe Babalola Varsity’s licence ‘intact’ •Dons hail NUC over suspension of licences to private universities

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FE Babalola University, AdoEkiti’s (ABUAD’s) licence is intact, the institution said yesterday.

In a statement, it said all the programmes and courses approved by the National University Commission (NUC) in the institution remains valid.

“For avoidance of any doubt, please take notice that Afe Babalola University, AdoEkiti (ABUAD) is not among the affected universities.

“The semblance in the word Babalola notwithstanding, Afe Babalola University, AdoEkiti (ABUAD) is totally different and distinct from Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU).

“The approval granted by NUC to Afe Babalola University in respect of all the programmes and courses remains intact and valid,” the statement said.

By Precious Igbonwelundu

ABUAD said the clarification was imperative following numerous inquiries by concerned parents and members of the public as a result of the similarity in the name of both institutions.

The school said post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, (UTME), examination for admission into all programmes in the university’s 2012/2013 academic session will hold tomorrow, as scheduled.

Two dons have praised the NUC for suspending the licensces of seven private universities, over insufficient facilities and academic programmes.

The dons, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria

(NAN) on telephone in Lagos yesterday, observed, however, that the licences should have been withdrawn permanently.

The NUC spokesman, Mallam Ibrahim Yakassai, announced the suspension of the licenses to the affected universities on Wednesday.

The affected universities include Madonna University Okija, Anambra State; Caritas University Enugu and Achiever University Owo, Ondo State.

Others are Lead City University Ibadan, Oyo State; Obong University, Obong; Tansian University, Umunya and Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State.

According to the NUC, the licences were suspended because of the institutions’ non-compliance with NUC-

stipulated regulations guiding the operations of universities.

Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye, Head, Mass Communications Department, University of Lagos, said the NUC action was to ensure quality control in private universities.

Akinfeleye noted that it was disheartening that some universities were established without adequate facilities and lecturers because of selfish interests.

He said some state government-owned universities were also guilty of running such institutions below set standards, and called for sanctions.

“I commend the NUC for the suspension of the seven universities but I will recommend that their licences be withdrawn permanently if they fail to meet standards.

“People cannot be floating universities as if they are establishing petrol stations.

Before you can run a university, you must have experienced teachers and infrastructures on ground.

Akinfeleye, however, urged the NUC to allow students currently in the affected institutions to finish their studies, while disallowing fresh intakes.

Prof. Toba Elegbeleye, Head of Department of Psychology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, told NAN that the NUC action was in order.

He said NUC was responsible for moderating the activities of universities and if it felt that the seven universities were operating below standards, they should face the music.

Osun may use electoral college to name HOS From Adesoji Adeniyi,

Osogbo HE Osun State Government may adopt electoral college system to appoint a new Head of Service (HOS).

The incumbent HOS Elder Segun Akinwusi will start his terminal leave on July 28.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere, said the Rauf Aregbesola administration would soon introduce the innovation to appoint principal officers in the state civil service.

He said civil servants would use the electoral college to determine who becomes the HOS. Addressing a ministerial media briefing yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital, Akere said civil servants used to write examinations before they were appointed Permanent Secretaries.

He said Aregbesola would not approve any civil service appointment that is based on political affiliation.

The commissioner said the present government would sanitise the civil service, adding that those who want to become Permanent Secretaries would have to signify their intention first before they are made to sit for the examination.

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•Divisional Head, Products and Channels, Unity Bank, Felix Ezeh (left); Executive Director, Information and Technology Ahmed Yusuf and Executive Director, Central, Ibrahim Mohammed at the bank’s “Aim and Win” Promo in Abuja PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

Ajimobi rescues accident victims in Lagos YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday rescued some accident victims on the Third Mainland Bridge in Ebute-Metta, Lagos Mainland.

A truck conveying meat rammed into two other vehicles. The truck driver and other passengers were injured.

Ajimobi was on his way to the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) on Victoria Island for the launch of Vanguard columnist, Chief Kola Animasaun’s autobiography and a collection of his articles when his convoy ran into the accident.

The governor stopped his convoy and attended to the vic-

O

tims.

He asked the Oyo State Government House ambulance in the convoy to make a detour and convey the injured to the hospital.

Ajimobi went round the scene to ensure that none of the victims sustained serious injury.

The governor spoke with them, ensuring that they regained their composure.

One of the relations of the victims expressed appreciation to Ajimobi for his intervention.

He noted that this is the approach Nigerian leaders must adopt to assist helpless people.

Alleged N16.4m scam: EFCC arraigns nine suspects in court

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it has arraigned nine suspects at a Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere, Lagos on a two-count charge bordering on intent to defraud, conspiracy and stealing N16, 467,000.000.

The said N16.4million is the property of Mr. Aiyeola Matthew of Golden Treasures Investment Limited, EFCC said.

The accused, five individuals and four companies are: Ebun Ashiyanbi; Kunle Alli, Oluwatoyin Afolabi; Zakariya Adamu (at large)

From Yusuf Alli,

Abuja and one Salisu (still at large).

Others are Dunnex Concept Bureau De Change Limited, Whittis Bureau De Change Limited, Beauty Sky Bureau De Change and Glabund Nigeria Limited.

The suspects were arraigned before Justice Oyekan Abdulahi According to a statement by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity Wilson Uwujaren, the money was given to them to purchase $155,000.00.

The statement said: “When the two charges were read to them, they all pleaded not guilty.

“The prosecution counsel, Ezekiel Upah, prayed the court to expunge the seventh accused, Whittis Bureau De Change from the charge sheet but the Judge demanded a written application to that effect.

“The prosecution counsel also prayed the court to fix a date for their trial and demanded that accused be remanded in prison custody.

However, the defence counsel, F. Folorunsho prayed the court to grant his clients bail “He particularly drew the attention of the court to the third accused who was brought to the court from the hospital.

“The prosecutor, in his response, prayed the court to verify the medical report and claim by the third accused before granting her bail.

“The judge, granted the nine accused bail, including the three individuals in court in the sum of N10million.

“Besides, they were asked to provide two sureties each in like sum, with an evidence of tax compliance.

“The sureties must own landed properties in Lagos and the properties should be verified by the Alausa Registry and the EFCC to be sure they are authentic.

“The judge also ruled that the third accused who is indisposed be taken to the

•EFCC chair Ibrahim Lamorde

hospital, while the remaining two accused were asked to be remanded in the EFCC custody.”

Hearing continues today.

Crime control: Police give out 110,000 GSM lines to officers

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HE Nigeria Police said yesterday that they would roll out 110, 000 Globacom mobile phone lines to their personnel nationwide to enhance the capacity in fighting crime.

The acting Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, who disclosed this at the inauguration of the project in Abuja, said that the lines were secured as an in-house means of communication among officers.

Abubakar said that the provision of the mobile phone lines was an initiative of the Police Cooperative Multi-Purpose Society Ltd., and the lines would later be increased to one million to cover all personnel of the force.

The IG, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Mr Emmanuel Udeoji said, “fundamentally, the lines will enhance the capacity of the policeman to fight crime at reduced cost.’’

The Executive Secretary of the police cooperative, acting Commissioner of Police Agboola Glover, said that the lines would be given to the personnel under the cooperative’s communication project known as “ C o o p e r a t i v e C o m m u n i c a t i o n (COOPCOM)’’.

Glover said that Globacom company would provide them under the Close User Group (CUG) at a reduced cost, adding that each officer was required to pay N600 monthly rental charge to make use of the line.

He said that the Globacom was selected by the cooperative because “it is an indigenous company with national geographical spread.’’

Globacom’s Head of Public Sector, Mr Tunde Amunikoro, said that the lines would assist the officers in crime detection and fighting.

Nigerian in America’s got talents seeks support

By Sunday Oguntola,

A

NIGERIAN, Mayowa Sobamowo, is in the semi finals of the popular America’s got talent show.

Sobamowo, through her MYOA band, has been dazzling millions of viewers of the show.

Her songs such as Use somebody and Stand by me have captured attention and elicited wide applause.

Already in the top 20, the band needs massive votes to proceed to the finals of the multi-million show.

In an email yesterday from her base in America, Sobamowo called on Nigerians to support their own.

The votes, she explained, can be cast online at www.youtube.com/AGT. The voting closes tomorrow. ‘’The more votes, the better chances we have of making it to the live show,’’ she appealed.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

NEWS Farmer, son abducted in Ogun community

By Kunle Akinrinade

SUSPECTED hoodlums have abducted a 65-year-old farmer, Adisa Yusuf-Arubielu, and his son, Taofeek, in Arubielu village, Ado-Odo, Ogun State.

The victims were said to ridden a motorcycle to their farm to harvest some produce when they were abducted.

Efforts to trace their whereabouts have proved abortive. The incident was reported at Ado-Odo Police Station. One of the victims’ family members, Chief Wasiu Yusuf-Arubielu, said there has been an ownership tussle over the farmland.

He said: “Although my brother has been receiving threats from suspected hoodlums over his farm land, but we never knew it could get to this...

“When policemen from Ado-Odo Police Station visited the farm, their dresses and the crops they had harvested were found.

But they were nowhere to be found. Their motorcycle is also missing. From what we gathered, they might have been kidnapped by some hoodlums who have been terrorising land owners in the village lately. I am, therefore, calling on Ogun State Government to intervene in this matter so that my brother can be set free by his abductors.”

Police spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi said the matter is that of a missing person.

N ADO-EKITI Chief Magistrate C.O. Adegoke has ordered that a 48-year-old man, Olapade Omotoso, be remanded in the town’s prison custody till August 8 for allegedly raping a housewife to death in a hotel in Ikere-Ekiti.

Prosecuting police Corporal Ebenezer Ewuola told the court that Omotoso allegedly committed the offence on June 24 at 8.20pm.

He allegedly slept with Mrs. Feyisayo Ologunki, 50, at Samphe Guest House, Araromi Street, Ikere-Ekiti.

The woman reportedly began to gasp and soon died before help could get to her.

Ewuola alleged that Omotoso caused Mrs Ologunki’s death and that the woman was staying with her husband until the time of the incident.

He said the man thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 77, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990.

Police arrest three for defiling14-year-old pupil

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HE Ekiti State Police Command yesterday arrested three men belonging to a gang of five who allegedly gang-raped a 14-year-old school girl in the town.

The men were also said to be notorious armed robbers.

It was learnt that the hoodlums invaded a house on Samson Street in Odo Ado, AdoEkiti, at 10pm last Thursday.

They allegedly abducted the 14-year-old girl and gang-raped her in turns at a primary school.

The hoodlums reportedly dispossessed the residents of valuables, including money and other property.

The police gave the names of those arrested as Oladipupo Kayode, 24; a 17-yearold and Jimoh Olorunsola.

It was learnt that the suspects have confessed.

The 17-year-old said he is a motor mechanic from Okene in Kogi State, while Kayode and Jimoh said they hail from Omuo Ekiti in Ekiti State and are motorcyclist and musician/bricklayer.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

The defence counsel, Mr. Bola Aruleba, prayed the

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

Addressing reporters in Ado-Ekiti after parading the suspects, Police Commissioner Sotonnye Wakama said the command was on the trail of the gang’s leader, identified simply as Seye, and the fifth suspect.

The police chief hailed the public for giving the command the tip that led to their arrest.

He said two cutlasses, a knife and a DVD player were recovered from the hoodlums during a search on their apartment in Ado-Ekiti.

Wakama said: “This command considered the offence extremely grievous. Therefore, we spread our dragnet for the bandits and trailed them to their hideout through the information provided by the public.”

The police commissioner said the suspects left the girl bleeding.

He said the police found her in the pool of her blood and writhing in pains.

“We immediately took her to the hospital where her condition was stabilised. I assure the public that the arrested hoodlums would be prosecuted without delay to enable others learn lessons,” Wakama said.

court to give the matter speedy hearing.

The prosecutor argued that the case file has to be

forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice and preparation.

•Globacom’s Acting Head of Marketing, Niyi Olukoya (third left); Assistant Director, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) Obi Iregbu (fourth right) with Glo Ambassadors: Odunlade Adekola (left), Uche Jombo (second left), Monalisa Chinda (middle), Ini Edo (second right), Sammy Okposo (right) and Bros & Jegbans, at the launch of Season Three of the Glo text4millions promo in Lagos...yesterday.

•Yusuf-Arubielu

A

Man remanded for ‘raping A housewife to death’

Ondo professionals, youths back Akeredolu

GROUP of young professionals in Ondo State, the Coalition of Professionals and Youths (COPY), yesterday supported former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), as the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) flag bearer for the October 20 election in the state.

The group said the state deserves the best candidate for the poll.

It noted that Akeredolu is a leader of repute, having served as the state’s Attorney-General and the NBA President.

In a statement after its emergency meeting in Akure, the state capital, by its President, Henry Adegbemile; Secretary, Feyi Akinmola; and Public Relations Officer (PRO) Kayode Lawal, said the national leadership of ACN made the right choice in Akeredolu.

The statement reads: “That despite the assailable fact of the credibility of each of the ACN aspirants, it is a

ACN in UK, party elders endorse candidate

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HE Ondo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe yesterday backed the party’s governorship candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

Besides, the party Elders’ Forum in the state hailed ACN national leadership for the procedure it adopted in picking Akeredolu as the flag bearer.

A statement by the party’s UK Leader, Bolaji Odidi, urged former aspirants to work with Akeredolu to enable ACN win the October 20 election.

It said Ondo State residents and indigenes abroad are awaiting the formation of an ACN government next year.

The statement reads: “We, the entire members of ACN in Diaspora, reiterate, confirm and affirm our support and unanimously endorse Akeredolu as our governorship candidate and, by the special grace of God, he will be the next governor of the state.

“We chose him because of his past antecedents, including honesty. He is not a poFrom Damisi Ojo, Akure

reality that only one of the aspirants can be the candidate of the party.

“To this end, such candidate will require the sup-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

litical liability but someone who never soiled his hands in any form of political oil, whether at local, state or national level.

“He has the capacity to win the election on October 20 and bring accelerated development in all spheres of life to the state. Let us unite for the sake of our beloved Sunshine State.”

Also, in a communique, the Chairman of ACN Elders’ Forum Chief Wunmi Adegbonmire (aka Omo Ekun) said leaders of the party in Ondo State have reviewed the procedures and the action taken by ACN national leadership in selecting Akeredolu.

He said the procedure is in conformity with the party’s constitution.

Adegbonmire said the forum has endorsed Akeredolu as the party’s flag bearer for the election.

He added that the elders have promised to meet with other aspirants to make them abide by the decision and work for the success of ACN at the poll.

port of all other aspirants and the unity of the party in order to provide a credible alternative to the present government and ensure the success of ACN at the elec-

tions.

It urged all ACN Aspirants to place the interest of the party and the primary goal of working towards its success over and above

instinctive and primordial sentiments.

The group pleaded that they should eschew political bitterness, rancour and tendencies likely to cause disaffection within the party.

“Akeredolu possesses the experience, charisma and exposure that the exalted office of the governor in the state demands.

“He has at all times displayed unalloyed commitment to the ACN and its ideals both in his personal and professional life, thus exemplifying the spirit of “party above self” which is a spirit necessary to attain success at the poll” the group stressed.

It hailed the National leaders of ACN on their wisdom in the choice of a candidate and consequent consultative process with other aspirants.

The coalition urged all ACN members both within the state and the country at large to eschew discord and support Akeredolu to facilitate victory for the party during the election.

Oyo NURTW chair urges Tokyo, others to re-register •Bad leadership, corruption cause union’s crises’ From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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HE Caretaker Chairman of the Oyo State branch of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde, has urged embattled chairmen of the union, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (aka Tokyo), Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi (aka Auxiliary) and others members to renew their membership of the union.

He advised the former union leaders to pick up forms from the party’s secretariat in Ibadan and fill them out to validate their membership.

Oyerinde said this is in accordance with the directive from the union’s head office in Abuja, to identify its members and to fish out illegal ones.

The caretaker chairman added that nobody is above the law of the land.

Oyerinde spoke yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, on a television programme of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS): BCOS Chapel Guest Forum.

According to him, the union is planning a biodata identification card for all its members to enable it instill discipline among drivers.

He explained that since he assumed office, there has not been any dispute among the drivers or leadership tussle at the motor parks, unlike in the past.

Oyerinde said: “We are directing all the leaders and members of the NURTW to go and register their names and pick up their registration forms at the union’s secretariat in Ibadan. Nobody is above the law. Anybody who doesn’t register is not a member of our union and may face the wrath of the law.

“Since we resumed office, there has not been any conflict among our members and some illegal members have been arrested.”

The union leader, who assumed office a month ago, attributed the past crises in the union to bad leadership and corruption.

He noted that the union cannot progress if its leaders are used as hoodlums by politicians to achieve their selfish end.

Oyerinde said: “Continuity in governance is another challenge the NURTW has been facing. Everybody wants to remain in power because of greed. Politicians have used the union to cause chaos and crises in the state and we will not allow any of our members to be used again.”

He said the union has reduced the dues payable by the drivers to N150 per day, adding that illegal motor parks have been discovered and cancelled.

Oyerinde advised drivers to shun consumption of alcohol when they drive and ensure the safety of their passengers at all times.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

7

NEWS

Insecurity, corruption rob Nigeria of investment, says US envoy McCulley

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NITED States Ambassador to Nigeria Terence McCulley yesterday said Nigeria will become more attractive to both domestic and foreign investors by improving security, the rule of law, respecting the sanctity of contracts, ensuring transparency and accountability and curbing corruption.

McCulley, in an address on America’s Independence Day in Abuja, said America plans to improve trade relations with Nigeria.

He said Nigerians deserve effective and accountable security forces to counter violent extremism as well as a coordinated campaign to deliver economic development.

McCulley said: “Our first president, George Washington, said: ‘A people who are possessed of the spirit of commerce, who see and who will pursue their advantages, may achieve almost anything.’

“I think this applies to Nigeria, as

•Urges respect for rule of law, sanctity of contracts, transparency

By Olukorede Yishau

well. Nigerians possess a spirit and a history of commerce. In the north, Kano was a major hub on the transSaharan trade routes for centuries, along with Borno and Katsina.

People from all over the world came here to buy and sell fabrics, feathers, kola nuts and jewelry. In the south, the empires of Benin and Oyo traded precious metals and ivory with the Portuguese in the 17th century.

Nigeria’s fertile lands and vast rivers made for a thriving agricultural industry, producing food to support millions of people, and today, Nigeria’s largest city, Lagos, is one of the major business capitals in the world.

“I think it is only fitting, then, that the theme of our event this evening is: ‘The U.S. and Nigeria: Building

Business Together.’ Both Nigerians and Americans more than understand the importance of commerce, and our nations have established a strong and far-reaching trade partnership that confers advantages to both nations. Nigeria is America’s largest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa, exporting more goods to the United States than any other country. For our part, the United States wants to increase its exports to Nigeria. Through President Obama’s National Export Initiative, we hope to double overall exports to here by 2015. Our strengthened trade ties have been beneficial for both nations: total U.S.-Nigeria trade rose 467 per cent between 2001 and 2011.”

He said the expected increase in trade relations with the country depends on the right environment being provided.

The ambassador said: “We all know that there is more to be done to improve the climate for trade and investment in Nigeria. President Obama has said that ‘development depends on good governance,’ and Nigeria will become more attractive to both domestic and foreign investors by improving the rule of law. By respecting the sanctity of contracts, and ensuring transparency and accountability, Nigerian and international firms can compete on a level playing field, and all of Nigeria will benefit.”

He added: “Corruption is another impediment to investment, but I am confident the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other authorities will be effective in identifying and prosecuting cases of fraud, thus increasing investor confidence in business opportuni-

•McCulley

ties in Nigeria. An active civil society is also absolutely essential in combating corruption, serving as the conscience of the nation and holding elected officials accountable.”

Activists: non-trial of ‘oil thieves’ could cause violence

By Wale Ajetunmobi

THE Human Rights' Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, to ensure that those indicted by the fuel subsidy probe are prosecuted.

The group said any attempt to sweep the House of Representatives' report under the carpet could cause violence.

In a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and National Director of Media Affairs, Miss. Zainab Yusuf, the group said the Federal Government should not send the wrong signal.

It said: "The action of the Federal Government in giving confusng signals on whether these subsidy thieves would be prosecuted and the allegedly stolen public fund refunded to the public treasury is a clear indication that the fight against corruption and economic crimes has systematically ended. This new corruptionfriendly posture could precipitate civil unrest and violence of unprecedented scale from members of the public who are currently impoverished and severely afflicted by economic poverty.

"We are shocked that the Federal Government could play this hideand-seek game with the critical issue of fighting the hydra-headed monster of corruption and economic crimes that have crippled Nigeria and rendered a majority of our people economically deprived and are now in absolute want. Government must take transparent and immediate measures legally, to bring all the indicted fuel subsidy thieves before the competent courts of law so that the public funds diverted into private pockets can be retrieved with multiple interest back to the public treasury. Government should be told that social violence on a larger scale could be generated by the failure of the Federal Government to bring the indicted fuel subsidy thieves to justice."

HURIWA stated that the probe revealed the biggest heist of public fund.

It said: "Government officials at the highest level as collaborators and coconpirators in this biggest heist of public fund, then more people could embrace violent crime as acceptable survival mode and the innocent members of the society would be endangered. We therefore call on President Jonathan to rescue the rapidly dying anti-corruption battle before Nigeria implodes with violent social revolts by members of the public."

•From left: Assistant Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr. Vincent Brown, Chief Commercial Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Wael Ammar, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr. Umar Manko; Director of Security, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Muhammad Abubakar and Director, Government Relations, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Dikko during a visit to Etisalat Corporate Head office in Banana Island...on Tuesday

Customs impounds two pistols, other from passenger

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HE Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command of the Customs yesterday announced the seizure of two air Barretta pistols, 10 peices of bullet proof vests, five pieces of jacket knives and three pieces of military camouflage attires from a passenger.

The passenger arrived the country aboard a South African Airways flight on July 1.

The Customs Area Controller of the MMIA command, Mr Eporwei

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

Charles Edeke, gave the passenger’s name as Bashir Alli.

He said Alli tried to bribe Customs officers with $ 400 when he was approached to surrender his bags on the trolley for routine search.

The Customs boss said it is becoming worrisome that prohibited weapons are being flown into the country through South Africa.

He said : “ On Sunday July, 1, 2012

one Bashir Alli, flew into Nigeria aboard a South African Airways flight that landed at the MMIA. He had five bags and proceeded to the green channel of the terminal. While Customs officials stopped him to examine his luggage, he started fidgetting. When they pressed further for him to surrender his luggage for search, he quickly offered a bribe of $400 to the officers on duty, which they rejected.

“After hours of trying to convince the officers on duty , which failed, he

gave approval for his bags to be searched. The items were found.

“He probably thought that flying into the country at a peak period where about three airlines are on the ground after arrival, the system could be porous; that was where he missed the point.

“At the moment, he is in our custody. After the interrogation, we will hand him over to the police for prosecution, so that the relevant law of the land that he has contravened will take its course.”

Lawyers set agenda for incoming CJN Muktar

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AWYERS have urged the incoming Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Aolma Muktar, to focus on policies that will restore integrity for which the nation’s Judiciary was once associated.

They described her as a highly principled individual, not easily swayed by extraneous sentiments when called upon to dispense justice.

They expressed hope that her reign will reverse the current unenviable reputation of the Judiciary and eradicate identified ills in the system, particularly corruption.

Chief Fredrick Fagbohungbe, Dr. Joseph Nwobike, Sebastine Hon and Norrison Quakers (all Senior Advocates) expressed confidence in her ability.

By Eric Ikhilae

Fagbohungbe said: “You know, she does not come like these usual judges. She is highly principled, highly disciplined.

“Justice Muktar does not bend the rule nor pander to unnecessary extraneous sentiment like we have with some judges. She is not unnecessarily sentimental on issues of that promote justice and due process.

“I believe her tenure in office will help promote social justice and due process, among others.”

To Nwobike, “She is a liberal judge, and very reserved. She possesses the attributes of what a modern judge should be. I have appeared before her on several occasions, particularly when she was on the Court of Appeal bench in the Ibadan, Oyo

State division.

“Justice Muktar believes in every thing that helps to serve the course of social justice. She is not the type that is disposed to grandstanding. From my experience, she believes in the application of law to uplift societal justice.

“I believe she will make a good impact on the system as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.”

Hon said: “Justice Muktar is a well focused and hard working Justice.

Reading through her judgments from the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court, one will say a good degree of industry and intellectualism are displayed in her decisions.

“I will advise her to engage in a total overhaul of the Supreme Court Rules. The court’s rules for regular

appeals are outdated. She should set up a committee to update the rules because they are currently antiquated.”

For Quakers, “She is a fantastic woman. A highly destabilised personality, whose experience cuts across the country. She has been in the system for a long time and understands the level of decay. She is not a woman that can easily be influenced or swayed.

“She posses a motherly figure and I see her as an astute administrator.

I see her doing well. Her reign will usher in integrity in the Judiciary. I believe her reign will promote in development in the legal system, it will promote the reign of rule of law, impartiality and erase corruption from the system.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

8

CITYBEATS

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

Residents plead with govt to abate flood

Friends fight over girl

By Precious Igbonwelundu

A MAGISTRATE'S court in Lagos heard yesterday that six young accused of disturbing the peace, were fighting over a woman.

Afeez Muritala 21, Haruna Eruobodo 21, Kabiru Muyili 23, Ibrahim Olarewaju 21, Ahmed Agunbiade 21, and Raji Afeez 22 were arrested by the Police last Tuesday, following a crisis at Dakobiri Street, Mushin, Lagos.

The crisis was sparked by a fight between Muritala and Eruobodo over a petty trader whose name was simply given as Aina.

It was learnt that the duo also fought over two weeks ago along Olufunmilayo street, when the Muritala went to Eruobodo's house to ask for his phone and money from Aina, who is now at large. Learning that Aina whom he brought to Mushin and gave money to start a petty trade has left him for Eruobodo, Muritala went to the former's house to verify. Eruobodo who plays traditional music for masqueraders was said to have mobilised his friends to attack Muritala, but for the intervention of onlookers.

Eruobodo and his friends said to be members of the Oodua People Congress (OPC) were said to have later regrouped to beat up Muritala last Tuesday.

Muritala, a conductor, was said to have been beaten with charms and he could not stand on his feet.

His friends were said to have taken him to a traditional doctor who treated him. It took the intervention of the Police to restore calm.

Muritala told the court that he does not have a house but sleeps on the street. He claimed that he brought Aina to Mushin and got a place for her to keep her bag.

Prosecuting, Inspector Ezekiel Ayorinde said the accused and others at large engaged in street fight over a girl, thereby causing breach of public peace.

The accused pleaded not guilty Muritala and Eruobodo told Magistrate D.T. Olatokun that they were the ones fighting over a woman, adding that the others are their friends.

Mrs. Olatokun granted Muritala and Eruobodo N50, 000 with one surety each in the like sum. The others granted N20, 000 with one surety each in the like sum.

NURTW protests encroachment

By Oziegbe Okoeki

THE National Union of Road Transport Workers of Nigeria (NURTW), Ojokoro Local Government Area unit has called on Lagos state government to prevail on the owner of Just Rite Shopping Mall at Abule-Egba to vacate the piece of land given to the Union for Motor Park by the government. NURTW made the call at a press conference addressed by its chairman, Comrade Abiodun Ogunlade at its Secretariat at New Oko-Oba, Abule-Egba yesterday.

The Union said the individual who encroached on the land has erected a shopping mall on it and has ignored all entreaties to cede what belongs to the Union. "We do not intend to take laws into our hands hence we are calling on the appropriate authorities to prevail on the encroacher to vacate the premises".

According to Ogunlade, "the park given to us since 1984 was taken over recently by this administration for its beautification propgramme, the new space provided by the government at Abule-Egba is currently being occupied by a developer who has erected a shopping mall there (Just Rite), in a deliberate attempt to frustrate erection of a motor park."

By Segun Balogun

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•Mr. Igho Okor, MD/CEO, Iso-Black Concepts Ltd being sworn in for another term as member Secretary of the Lagos Country Club by one of the Club’s Truestees, Alhaji Sikiru Jimoh PHOTO: SEGUN BALOGUN

SFU to invite two ex-ministers over FAAN alleged fraud

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WO former Ministers of Aviation are to appear before the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Millverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos to answer questions in the ongoing investigation into financial recklessness and mismanagement of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria by its former Managing director, Richard Aisuebeogun.

The former ministers, one of them an ambassador, were allegedly mentioned to have played a role or the other in the said financial misappropriation and mismanagement of funds in the agency while in office. Their invitation, it was gathered, is to help investigators in their work.

The Commissioner of Police incharge of the SFU, Tunde Ogunsakin, said this yesterday at an interactive session with the press.

According to him, investigation has got to an advanced stage and the attention of the two ministers would be needed to clear the air on certain roles played by the suspects already arrested for the said fraud.

He noted that one of the main players in the case, a contractor, is in their custody.

Ogunsakin said it was this contractor who purchased and sup-

By Jude Isiguzo

plied 26 vehicles to the agency at N10million each, adding that according to records made available to investigators; the said vehicles were not more than N6million each.

Aisuebeogun was arrested last month by SFU operatives over alleged diversion of public funds, award of contract without due process and inflation of contracts.

Investigations revealed that Aiseebeogun allegedly awarded a contract for the renovation of the toilets at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, without the approval of the board, for N397million He was also alleged that he diverted about 840 000 US Dollars, meant for training of one hundred and forty members of staff of FAAN, to some accounts in the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

A source at SFU stated that the former MD had allegedly approved a phone training for the FANN staff in South Africa and ensured that 840 000 US dollars was paid to a South African Account.

The training reportedly did not

hold as a result of the bilateral disagreement between Nigeria and South Africa at that time, but the former FAAN boss allegedly diverted the money meant for the training to two foreign accounts.

Aiseebeogun was alleged to have collected 6 000 US Dollar each, on all the 140 participants, billed to attend the training, but failed to remit the money into the agency's account when the training could not hold.

It was also gathered that the former FAAN chief was detained by the men of the SFU following allegations of inflating the cost of operational vehicles acquired during his tenure.

"He was alleged to have bought Toyota Camry advertised for N5.9 million at N10.2million each while he also claimed to have bought other cars, which should not be sold for more than N4 million at the rate of N6.4 million each, "a policeman, who pleaded anonymity, said.

Aiseebeogun was alleged to have refurbished three generators at Abuja Airport at the rate of N228 million, while an engineering firm had submitted a quotation of N50 million each for new of such generators with the same capacity.

ESIDENTS of Akin Olugbade area of Idimu-Isheri Area of Egbe-Idimu Local Council Area of Lagos, many of who have been forced to leave their homes as a result of the massive flooding of the area, have sent a Save-Our-Soul message to Governor Babatunde Fashola, to save them from the massive flooding of their homes.

Speaking under the aegis of Ifelodun Community Development Association, Zone H, with a group of journalists who monitored the flooding of the area on Monday, the Chairman Mr James Olafaju and Secretary of the Association, Mr. Bamidele Oluwafemi, said only the urgent intervention of the government can save them and members of their families from being rendered homeless by the yearly flooding that is not their own making.

Oluwafemi, who spoke on behalf of the association said: "We need the intervention of Governor Fashola and his Environment Commissioner, Mr. Tunji Bello, to urgently come and save us and our children from the impending doom. We are begging the state government in the name of the Almighty God." Oluwafemi who said he moved into the area in 1990 said he never experienced such flood until five years ago when the contractors that worked on the tarring of Jemi Alade, Olowokere , Odogbolu Streets diverted the flood water from the drains on those streets right into Akin Olugbade. Since then, we know no peace during the rainy season anymore."

Another landlord, who pleaded anonymity also added that "Another reason for the unfortunate situation is that several land owners in the area have been erecting structures indiscriminately in the area, thus worsening the flood problem."

A landlord in the area, Mr. Rotimi Adebayo, incumbent Chief Press Secretary to the Honourable Speaker of Lagos State and former Deputy Chief Press Secretary to Former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu said: "My brother, since I moved over to this place in 2009, the flooding have been getting worse each year. We fervently believe that the State Goverment being a pro-people and development oriented one will bail us out of the impending doom."

Alleged N503m fraud: Speaker, aide lose bid to stop trial

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PEAKER of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji yesterday, lost a bid to stop his trial before a Federal High Court, Lagos as the court dismissed his application for lack of merit.

Ikuforiji and his aide, Oyebode Atoyebi are standing trial before the Federal High Court, Lagos on a 20-count charge of money laundering brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC, in the charge alleged that Ikuforiji and Atoyebi, sometime between April 2010 and July 2011, accepted various cash payments amounting to N503m from the House without going through a financial institution in contravention of the Money Laundering Act. Justice Okechukwu Okeke in a ruling held that the speaker's contention that his trial amounted to subjecting the state government to trial was wrong.

The judge held that, in couching the charge, the prosecuting agen-

By Eric Ikhilae

cy (EFCC) successfully distinguished between the Speaker, his aide and the National Assembly.

He held that by the tenor of the charge, it was the Speaker and his aide that were being tried in respect of official conducts and not the House of Assembly that was on trial.

Justice Okeke held that although the accused were right in challenging the court's jurisdiction even having pleaded to the charge, there were right to have queried the court's powers to try them.

The judge however held that it was immature at the current stage in the case to decide other issues raised in the two motions on notice raised by the accused and fixed trial for October 24. The judge also dismissed the prosecution's objection to the motions on the ground that it was misconceived.

Ikuforiji had argued that his office as the Speaker of the House of Assembly is part of the state government, and that he only exer-

cised governmental power by transacting business on behalf of government.

He further argued that the alleged offence for which they were being tried arose from the transactions executed on behalf of the House of Assembly in their official capacities.

Ikuforiji contended that as the Speaker, he was part of the government because the action which informed the charge was carried out on behalf of the Lagos State House of Assembly, a tier of Lagos State Government.

He argued that an attempt to prosecute part of a government amounts to constitutional impossibility of prosecuting the government itself. He contended that Section 251(1) and Section 252 of the Constitution, which described the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, do not empower the court to prosecute a qua-government.

EFCC's lawyer, Godwin Obla had while arguing the commission's objection faulted the timing of the objection raised by the ac-

cused persons against the charge, noting that they ought to have done that at the point of plea in accordance with the provision of Section 167 of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA).

He argued that their failure to do so was fatal to their case. On claim by Ikuforiji that his trial will amount to trying the state government, Obla said: "I cannot see any government being prosecuted here. I can only see two accused persons here. Lagos State Government is not on trial.

"People should not cry more that bereaved. It is the government that is being prosecuted, why are the counsel from the state Ministry of Justice not represented here? We must not allow the name of our courts to be brought to disrepute.

"The same thing happened in the case of a person freed by our court on technical ground, who is now languishing in jail in England. I urge your lordship to discountenance their arguments and dismiss the application for quashing of the charge."

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

9

NEWS Ekiti begins Operation Renovate All Schools •Fayemi inaugurates new hostel

•Governor Fayemi (middle); Dr Ajayi (second right); Regent of Ayede-Ekiti, Princess Anthonia Ademode George (beside the govenor) with pupils of Government Science College, Ayede-Ekiti, after the inauguration of the hostel…yesterday

INEC promises free, fair poll in Ondo From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

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HE National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday said it would conduct a free and fair governorship election on October 20 in Ondo State.

Addressing a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, the state capital, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Akin Orebiyi said INEC would remain an objective, impartial and unbiased umpire.

He said each party would be given equal space to operate and ventilate its programmes and plans to the electorate.

The REC said the electoral body has released its timetable for the poll, adding that political activities would begin on July 21.

Orebiyi said previous governorship elections conducted by INEC had proved that the results were adjudged as the general reflection of the wishes of the voters.

He said: “We plan to improve upon this at the Edo State governorship election next week and even much better in October here in Ondo State.

“Ondo State, the Sunshine State, has always occupied a strategic place in democratic governance in this country.

One of the major parties in the First Republic had its birth at a meeting here in Owo in April 1951 at the home of the late Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin. That is the Action Group (AG).

“Since then, political parties of diverse shades and colours have ruled this state. In the 60 years of politics in this land, the sad incident between August and October 1983 stands out as an indelible and a strong pointer to the nature of the people of Ondo State.

“The proud people of Ondo State cherish their history and culture and love truth and justice and will go a long way to protect what they love and cherish.”

Orebiyi urged politicians, political parties and their supporters to exhibit decency and maturity in their conduct during the election.

On the Muslims’ agitation for a shift of the election date because of Ramadan (the Islamic fasting month), he said the complaint would be sent to INEC headquarters for deliberations.

PDP denies deal with Mimiko on Ondo poll

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HE national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday denied any collaboration with the ruling Labour Party (LP) in Ondo State and Governor Olusegun Mimiko for the October 20 governorship election.

There have been speculations that the Ondo PDP and the LP would work together for Mimiko’s second term bid.

In a statement by the PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Binta Garba, the party dismissed the report as a baseless and complete fabrication.

“The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has been drawn to a report on page 44 of The Nation of Wednesday, July 4, to the effect that the Presidency and the PDP are in a deal with Governor Mimiko of the Labour Party for him to retain his position in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State.

“The PDP wishes to state, in no uncertain terms, that the report is completely untrue and a complete fabrication of the reporter (and it is) calculated to deflate the rising profile and prospects of the PDP and our candidate in the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State.

“The PDP, therefore, calls on all its members and supporters to not only disregard

Youths in Ondo North protest against PDP candidate

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OME youths in Ondo North Senatorial District have opposed the adoption of Olushola Oke as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the October 20 election.

They are unhappy that the party has been picking its governorship candidates from the Ondo South Senatorial District in the past 13 years.

The youths said the arrangement has been to the disadvantage of other senatorial districts.

They recalled that in 1999, the PDP candidate, Dr Olusegun Agagu, was from the South Senatorial district. In 2003, he was again presented as the candidate.

In 2007, the party picked its candidate from the same senatorial district and has continually done so.

The youths, mainly from Akoko, protested the trend. They said this is to prevent a repeat of the past.

Their agitation is that Oke should not be fielded as the party’s candidate. They urged the party to search for a qualified candidate from another district.

The youths noted that PDP’s incessant choice of candidate from the same district over the years is partial and unlawful.

They said: “Since 1999, the (PDP) governorship candidate has been from Ondo South Senatorial District! Is this rotation as entrenched in PDP’s constitution? Is this fairness and equity as entrenched in PDP’s constitution? Are other senatorial districts not parts of Ondo PDP? Ondo PDP, beware! Where is the fear of God in all this?”

•Oke emerges party’s candidate From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

the report but (also) intensify efforts in the ongoing campaigns to ensure our victory at the polls for the good of all Ondo people.”

A former Legal Adviser to

the PDP, Chief Olusola Oke, is the party’s governorship candidate for the October 20 election in Ondo State.

He was the only candidate to return his nomination form as at 4pm yesterday. Nomination closed 12am today.

Oke said his emergence has made all the difference.

He noted that his joining the race ended the speculation that Mimiko would contest under the PDP. Oke said: “My coming on stage in Ondo State has made all the difference. As at today, the game has changed and the equation has altered. Al those who deserted the PDP sometime ago are moving back because the party today is different from the PDP of a few months ago.

“The truth is that those spreading the impression that the incumbent governor may want to come to PDP are not in the know. PDP has a candidate. As at today, I am the only candidate of the party. The issue of the PDP working with other parties no longer obtains.

“As at April, this year, it was on record that Ondo State had received from the Federation Account, internally generated revenue, capital market and inherited resources of over half a trillion naira.

“But when you go round the state, you cannot find projects that would justify, in any manner, these huge resources. We shall run a transparent, accountable, focused and visionary government for the people of Ondo State who will be the central point of my administration.”

Ogun: PDP appeals Justice Achibong’s order

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OLLOWING Wednesday’s controversial judgment of the Federal High Court in Lagos, in which Justice Charles Efanga Archibong ordered three members of the Ogun State Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) jailed for six months, the national secretariat of the party has filed a Notice of Appeal to the Appeal Court, Lagos.

It also filed a Motion for a Stay of Execution pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.

PDP lawyers, Kunle Kalejaiye (SAN) has written the Acting Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar to order his men and officers to await the outcome of the appeal and the application for a Stay of Execution before carrying out the orders, subject of the appeal.

The July 5 letter was signed

by Otunba Kunle Kalejaye (SAN), Sola Oludipe and Gboyega Oyewole.

It reads: “We are solicitors to the Peoples Democratic Party

•Party writes Inspector-General From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

(PDP) and, by extension, the above-mentioned, who are prominent members of our client.

“On July 4, Justice C. E. Archibong of the Federal High Court, Lagos, sitting on suit numbers FHC/L/CS/347/12 between Chief Bayo Dayo, Alhaji Semi Sodipo V. the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Bode Mustapha, made an order committing our clients to six months imprisonment for contempt of his order in the course of proceedings, in absentia.

“We wish to inform your good office, sir, that we have filed a Notice of Appeal at the Court of Appeal, Lagos, and a Motion for Stay of the Execution of the order, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal. Copies of the Notice of the Appeal and the application for a Stay of the Execution are attached herewith for

your kind attention.

“We wish to reiterate the settled position of the law, which has been emphasised by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in several decided cases similar in substance to the instant case.

And it is that where an application for a Stay of Execution of a court order is filed and pending, none of the parties to the action or parties connected to therewith is to take any step in enforcement of the order, which will have the effect of overreaching the pending appeal and application for a Stay of Execution. See Ojukwu vs Governor of Lagos State (1985) 2 NWLR (Pt. 10) 806.”

The PDP lawyers added: “It is in the light of the above that we commend the pending appeal and the application for a Stay of Execution to your attention.

“It is our expectation that in compliance with the settled position of the law, you will

give necessary directive to your men and officers to await the outcome of the pending appeal and application for a Stay of Execution before giving effect to the orders, subject of the appeal.”

One of the affected party chieftains and former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye, has vowed to “personally” take on Justice Archibong.

Oladunjoye was General Tunji Olurin’s running mate in the May 2011 governorship election in the state.

In a statement, he said: “This obvious abuse of judicial powers will not go unremedied, as I have instructed my counsel to prepare to take on Justice Archibong personally, as in ‘convicting’ me without being served, without summons, without a hearing, in absentia, and against all known principles of fairness. Justice Archibong has lost his judicial immunity.”

EKITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has begun the renovation and furnishing of school buildings.

The renovation and retooling of public schools across the state is part of the recommendations of the state-wide Education Summit held in May last year. The programme will beimplemented under the administration’s Operation Renovate All Schools in Ekiti (ORASE) to ensure a conducive learning environment.

The governor, who spoke when he inagurated a new block of hostels for pupils of Government Science College, AyedeEkiti, said the project would entail the completion of all abandoned schools, renovation of dilapidated structures and supply of furniture in all secondary schools.

He said the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) would also undertake a similar exercise in primary schools across the state.

Fayemi said: “The learning environment was clearly identified at the last Education Summit as a critical factor in determining the success of our children in schools. This government is irrevocably committed to improving the quality of the learning environment in Ekiti schools. Let me seize this opportunity to inform all and sundry particularly staff and pupils that Operation Renovate All Schools in Ekiti would commence comprehensively by the end of July, immediately pupil proceed on vacation.”

He restated the commitment of his administration to repositioning the state as the Fountain of Knowledge.

The governor said his pact with Ekiti people is total transformation of the education sector.

Fayemi added that he is not ready to compromise this pact to play opportunistic politics with the future of the school children.

He added that Education remains the key to unlocking the great potentials in this State and concerted efforts must be geared towards making sure that Ekiti becomes the prime destination of choice for those in search of excellent education in Nigeria and beyond.

The governor called for collaboration between the people and the government to address the challenges facing the education sector.

He said the government alone cannot revamp the sector, adding that wellmeaning residents would be encouraged to adopt schools and assist with the development of schools.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

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NEWS KOLA ANIMASAUN’S BOOK LAUNCH

Tinubu to media: join progressives to fight tyranny •ACN leader, Ajimobi, Osoba, Sultan, others hail Animasaun at 73

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•Chief launcher and representative of Asiwaju Tinubu, Chief Akinyelure presenting the books...yesterday

•Ajimobi (right), Ambassador Ahmadu and author Animasaun...yesterday

•Hadj Odunewu (left), Alhaji Mohammed and Chief Adebanjo

•Chiefs Akande (left), Aremo Osoba and Mr. Amuka-Pemu

CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday urged the media to join forces with progressives to fight democratic tyranny.

Speaking in Lagos at the launch of two books to mark the 73rd birthday of former Editorial Board Chairman of Vanguard, Alhaji Kola Animasaun, Tinubu said the media must not be passive while the economy ‘falters and stumbles.’

One of the books entitled: Voice of Reason II is a collection of Animasaun’s writings in his column in the Vanguard. One Thousand Nine Hundred and Thirty-Nine, is his autobiography.

The former Lagos State Governor, who chaired the event, said the country is at a point where the fight for a better society must not be left for progressives alone.

According to him, Animasaun as a journalist “stood up” and played his role by taking sides with the progressives when others “ran away”.

Tinubu, represented by Chief Pius Akinyelure, said: “The import of the celebration of your life and works reminds and encourages us not to stand passively and idly as our political economy appears to be faltering, stumbling from crisis to crisis, yet resolving nothing.

“When at its best, media remains a bulwark against the abuse of public office, leading to the creeping dictatorship and undermining of the Constitution we now experience. Tyranny wrapped in the cloak of democratic formalism is no less tyranny than a goat adorned in a tuxedo.

“Nigeria is presently in the grip of power marauders and half patriots who enjoy all manner of finery while millions of our people drown in the murk of poverty and lack.

“The trajectory of our history is laced with how the media forged an alliance with the progressive elements of the political class to fight reactionary elite and their antipeople policies. We are at such a historical juncture.

“The battleground has shifted from military to civilian government but the essence of the fight remains the same; elite favour versus public fairness.

“In celebrating this venerable journalist, we also register a call on all media professionals to place the country above self as they report the epochal

•Omatseye...yesterday

By Joseph Jibueze

developments unfolding.”

Tinubu said Animasaun, through his excellent private and public traits, must have mentored one or two generations of journalists who would carry on from where he left off. “ Animasaun played his role and stood up when others ran away. As for me, I can only say ‘thank you’. Thank you for leaving authentic works for the benefit of generations yet to come.

“The Great Zik of Africa often said in the mast-head of his newspaper, West African Pilot: ‘Show the light and the people will find their way’. By this twin-work, Alhaji Animasaun has shown the light; Nigeria will find the way.”

Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi said Animasaun, who he called his mentor, epitomises simplicity, Godliness and excellence.

According to him, Animasaun never hid the side he belonged: the progressives, adding that the septuagenarian affected his life “socioculturally and globally.”

Ajimobi said he also drew from Animasaun’s “fountain of morality.” “I can attest to his sterling character and virtue,” he said.

The governor added that he also learned fearlessness and Godliness from the author. He joked that Animasaun succeeded in one and is succeeding in the other.

“I consider myself fearless.”

Regarding Godliness, he said: “You are succeeding. I can tell you that instead of not praying at all, I now pray three times a day rather than five times.”

Former Ogun State Governor Chief Segun Osoba called Animasaun “a man of honour

and a journalist of repute who you can always trust.”

He recalled that as governor, he invited him to head a Local Government. Dissatisfied with political intrigues in government, Animasaun tendered his resignation, which was rejected.

Vanguard publisher Sam Amuka Pemu, said while in active service, Animasaun, who he said was his close friend, rarely took ill.

He said it was columnists such as Animasaun, who made Vanguard what it is. “It is because of his likes that we have survived and are thriving.

“He is a man of integrity who never loses his cool. But you cannot shake him if he believes in anything,” he said.

The Nation’s Editorial Board Chairman Sam Omatseye reviewed the 303page collection, while National Mirror’s Managing Director Steve Ayorinde reviewed the 205-page autobiography.

Guests included the Sultan of Sokoto, represented by the Wali of Sokoto, Ambassador Hamza Ahmadu; former World Court judge Bola Ajibola (SAN); Hadj Alade Odunenwu, and Ondo State Governor, represented by Commissioner for Information Kayode Akinmade.

Others are ACN National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande and National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Maj. Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju; Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who was represented; Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Thisday Managing Director Eniola Bello and former Concord Managing Director Segun Babatope.

Also present were Senator Ganiyu Solomon and Alhaji Lekan Abiola.

191 illegal aliens arrested in Lagos

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•Rasheed Sarumi (left), his wife Atinuke and Brig. Gen. Olanrewaju PHOTOS: SOLOMON ADEOLA

O fewer than 191 illegal aliens have been arrested in Lagos and handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) as security agencies step up the hunt for criminals and other miscreants in the State.

They are part of the hundreds of loafers and people of questionable character so far rounded up in the on-going raid across

the state by security agencies to make it safe for lawabiding citizens and visitors.

Commissioner of Police, Umar Abubakar Manko, said the illegal aliens were fished out from the hundreds of suspected criminals so far arrested by security agents in the on-going raid.

“We had so many people arrested and we are still profiling them. Already, we have been able to identify

about 191 illegal aliens that have been handed over to Immigration Service”.

He urged all Lagosians to be vigilant and report any strange faces or objects in their neighbourhood to the security agencies, pointing out that it is important for every Lagosian to know his or her neighbours in their community in order to be able to identify those who are strangers.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

There are things that can happen outside our control that can make banks have problem. For instance, if the oil price goes to $40 per barrel, everybody will have a problem at hand.

- Mustapha Chike-Obi, AMCON, MD

Pencom to revoke licenses of PFAs From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

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HE National Pension Commission would revoke the licenses of Pension Fund Administrations (PFAs) that have not complied with N1 billion minimum capital requirement , it was learnt yesterday.

The Director-General of the commission, Muhammad Ahmad, made the disclosure at the interactive session with members of the House of Representatives in Abuja.

Meanwhile, the Head, Communications Unit, Emeka Onuora yesterday explained in a statement that the deadline for the recapitalisation, expired May 3, 2012.

He said PenCom has commenced its verification exercise to determine those PFAs that have met the conditions, stating that the outcome of the exercise would be made public within four weeks.

He disclosed that Crib Pension Fund Managers Limited and Evergreen Pension Limited are in the process of being acquired by another PFA, stressing that Amana Capital Pensions Limited had since been acquired by Sigma Pensions Limited.

Ahmad said: “We will ensure that illegal funds will not find their ways into legitimate business in this country. And on the basis of that we confirmed that they have complied and those who have not complied obviously, their licenses will be revoked,” he declared, stressing that any of the pension firm that fails to comply with any aspect of the Pension Reform Act will certainly face legal action.

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

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

-

FOREX

0.2958 206.9 245 156.4 1.9179 241 40.472

• From left: Director, Prince Ademola Adetona; Deputy Company Secretary, Ms Bola Adebisi; Executive Chairman, Chief Joseph Babatunde Oke; Group Managing Director, Mr Arthur Bourekas and Executive Director, Mr Charalambos Katsaras, during the Annual General Meeting of A.G. Leventis (Nig) Plc held at the Mainland Hotel, Oyingbo, Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

Customs Why we fund MDAs selectively, MMIA earns N3.05b

by Minister T T HE Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, has given reasons for the selective funding of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

She said: “We do not have the resources that we had before and that is why we have also said that it will be very wise and prudent for this country to build buffers, because even though our performance in terms of growth is not that bad, we’ve gone from 7.3 per cent last year to about 6.17 percent in the first quarter of this year.

“But we are vulnerable, we need to build the buffer for this economy, meaning that we need to allow the excess crude account grow larger than it has, and I’d suggested to Mr President and the Governors that excess crude should be allowed to build up to at least $10billion.

“It’s presently at $5.8b, which is good, its building up from about $4billion a few months ago, and we need to let it build to $10billion so that we can have three months of expenditures, just to cover the whole country in case anything happens.

T

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

“By the same token, we need to let the reserves grow.

It has grown to $37 billion early this year and gone back again on the back of global development and uncertainties, but we need to let our reserve be managed in a fiscally prudent manner, such that we don’t unleash too much liquidity.

“So those will be the parameters that we should be watching during this year as we implement the budget and the parameters we need to watch as we develop the 2012 budget”.

The Minister who spoke when she appeared before the House Committee on Appropriation, in Abuja, yesterday was accompanied by the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Jonah Otunla and the Director General of the Budget Office, Bright Okogwu.

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, John Enoh, wanted to know the rational behind the selective release of funds to the MDAs.

He said: “I can tell you that for instance, Ministry of Water Resources got an allocation of N70 billion, but got just about N10billion, likewise the Ministry of Lands and Housing, out of N42billion allocated to it, only N6billion was released.

“On the other hand, Ministry of Niger Delta, got 50 per cent of its allocation, as well as other ones, but the question is, what can be responsible for that? he asked.

Enoh said he is worried because reports have indicated that so many on-gong projects lack funds to execute them.

Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, agreed that funding of projects was selective.

“Yes there was selective release in the second quarter of this year but, it was not like that in the first quarter.

We released funds to all MDAs without any condition so that they can meet their expenses, but we found out that it was not totally right to have done so.

“I don’t want to name Ministries, but going by the instances you cited, the Minis-

try of Water Resources was able to record 12.7 per cent performance with its first quarter release.

“Likewise Ministry of Housing that was given its full allocation for the first quarter, it can only record a little performance, unlike the Niger Delta Ministry that recorded more than 80 per cent”.

“This is not to say that the Ministers were not working but we have to look at the performance ratio and if it is limited, we encourage them to use it quickly so that we can top up their funds.

“If we don’t do that, the funds would just be sitting there. When we see that there were so many certificates to be cleared, we have to encourage them to clear them quickly so that the contractors don’t leave the sites, like in the case of the Niger Delta Ministry.

“So, our deviousness to be selective was based on reality not just for other reasons,” she said.

However, the Minister who had to rush to another meeting with the Senate could not immediately provide detailed account of the country’s debt profile for the year.

Bill on consumer protection coming, says Jonathan

HE Federal Govern ment has commenced work on a new bill to improve business environment in the country. The bill, titled, ‘Competition, Antitrust and Consumer Protection,’ which is being put together by the National Council on Privatisation (NPC), is part of efforts by government to enhance the process of doing business in Nigeria.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who stated this yesterday at the 12th meeting of the Honorary International Investor Council (HIIC) at the Banquet Hall of the Presiden-

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

tial Villa, Abuja, said the document is in its final process of submission to the Federal Executive Council (FEC),adding that the Federal Government has approved the setting up of the Nigerian National Competitiveness Council in line with the recommendation of the World Economic Forum.

He said government is aware that, in recent years, the country has been rated very poorly in the reports by the

‘Doing Business Segment of the World Bank Group and the Global Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum and the World Investment Report of the United Nations Commission for Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

He further submitted that what these challenging economic reports call for, is concerted action by all stakeholders. The essence of having all stakeholders on the same page, is to ensure the transformation of the country’s huge potential into devel-

opmental realities.

The President disclosed that the focus of his administration “is on removing known bottlenecks in the business environment and making it more investorfriendly,” saying that the federal government has “engaged the services of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for the development and application of the Nigerian Policy Framework for Investments. We also have in place an AfterCare Committee to handle complaints from investors, he stated.

By Kelvin Osa- Okunbor

HE Murtala Muhammed Interna tional Airport ( MMIA), Command of Nigeria Customs Service said it has raked in over N3.05 billion in revenues between June 2011 and June 2012.

The increase in revenue for June 2012 according to the Area Customs Controller, Eporwei Charles Edeke, is the result of measures put in place by the Controller-General of Customs.

Speaking yesterday at a briefing at the services airport office, Eporwe, i explained that its officers have been working according to the directive of its boss to ensure that the service is ahead of its mandate.

Govt plans N200-N280b five-10 year bonds

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IGERIA plans to raise between N200 bil lion and N280 billion ($1.23 billion - $1.72 billion) in sovereign bonds ranging between five and 10 years in the third quarter of the year, the Debt Management Office (DMO) said yesterday, less than its second quarter debt issuance.

The debt office said it would sell between N25-N35 billion each in five, seven and 10-year paper in July and August, while it would sell N25-N35 billion each in five-year and seven-year bonds in September. The office said all were re-openings of bonds previously issued.

Nigeria issues sovereign bonds monthly to support the local bond market, create a benchmark for corporate issuance and fund its budget deficit. It has so far issued a total of N593.37 billion worth in sovereign debt this year.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

12

BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule

House to probe Joint Venture pacts

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

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crued to Joint Venture partners in the past seven years and the amount remitted to the Federation Account, has been ordered Sponsor of the motion, Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta), said the NNPC and the oil companies are expected to fund the joint venture operations and share the oil produced and other associated benefits or revenues in line with their interest holdings as contained in the Joint Operating Agreements He said: “One is aware that the government’s contribution to the funding of he Joint Ventures are raised in the Appropriation Acts, and released by the NNPC through a calendarised system of monthly cash calls, which frees the govern-

ment from any other cost obligation.

“Furthermore, besides the lifting of oil in agreed sharing ratio, there are associated income of miscellaneous revenue accruable to the Jount Venture for which government is entitled to a good share in accordance with the agreement.

Taking note of Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it is required that all revenues accruing to the federal government be paid into the federation account, he added.

However, Ossai expressed concerns that income from such sources as sale of assets, marine transportation, ullage or pipeline transportation, among others which form part of the JV operations, are unaccounted for and not paid into the

distributable pool by the oil companies who are the operators of the Joint Ventures.

“It is even more worrisome when these sources of the Jojnt Venture income, amounts to billions of naira or millions of dollars, particularly ullage or pipeline transportation as the case may be,” he added.

Besides, the lawmaker regretted that the operators of the JV, nets off those income against expenses already settled with the collusion of NNPC to avoid their remmitance to the Federation Account.

“It is so disturbing that the Joint Operating Agreements largely favor the operators’-companies to the detriment of the non-operatorNNPC and by extension, the Federal government,” he stated.

‘Nigeria to save N42.6b from pensioners’ e-Smart card’

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From Dele Anofi, Abuja

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

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

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HE House of Representatives yesterday accused the Nige rian National Petroleum Coporation (NNPC) of conniving with some multi national oil companies under the Joint Ventures operations, leading to loss of revenue to the government.

The lawmakers alleged that the country has been denied funds that could have accrued to it from some benefits in the Joint Ventures operations.

Consequently, the Committee on Petrouleum (Upstream) has been mandated to investigate the operations of Joint Venture Agreements (JVA) in respect of revenue leakages.

In addition, a forensic review of the JVC records to establish the amount of income tax that has ac-

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• From left: Brand Manager - Star, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Omotunde Adenusi; female artiste Tiwa Savage and , Media and Public Affairs Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Edem Vindah at a Star Trek concert, in Lagos.

PHOTO: ISAAC AYODELE JIMOH

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$620,000 bribe: Rep flays closed door session

HE House of Representatives yesterday tactically repri manded its Committee on Ethics and Privileges over the handling of the on-going investigation on the bribery scandal involving Farouk Lawan and oil marketer, Femi Otedola.

The event unfolded when Simon Arabo (PDP, Kaduna), under point of order on privileges, condemned the decision of the Committee to conduct its hearings behind closed doors.

While he pointed out that there was nowhere in the House rules that stipulated that hearings must be held in-camera, Arabo, also frowned at the negative statements credited to the Chairman of the Committee, Gambo Dan-Musa and

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

directed at Otedola, saying he has been inaundated with calls from his constituents since the story about the closed doors session broke.

“The modus operandi and hot exchange and other misdemeanor which transpired between the members and Otedola during the investigative panel, are capable of rubbishing the credibility of the assignment aimed at ascertaining the veracity of the claims made by Otedola “My privilege as a lawmaker of the hallowed chamber has been violated by this act. In carrying out an assignment of such magnitude,

you do not make such comments.

He said the parliament as an institution, or the Committee itself “does not stand to lose anything if the testimony of Otedola is taken in the open,” he lamented.

The Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha who presided, however cautioned his colleagues to exercise restraint on the matter, saying the Committed should be allowed to carry out its work just like any other, mandated to carry out a duty.

“It behoves on us to allow them to do their work,” he added.

He nonetheless mandated the Chief Whip of the Chamber, Ishiaka Bawa, to liaise with the Committee on the matter and report back to the House.

Telecom masts, towers have no health HE Nigerian Communica were usually installed on hazards - NCC cilities tions Commission (NCC) top of high-rise buildings as a way

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has said citing of telecom equipment, like masts and towers near residential areas does not constitute any health hazards.

Disclosing this in Enugu yesterday, it said researches conducted by the World Health Organization(WHO) and other organisations were yet to show any risk to human life as a result of radiation from the equipment.

Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management and former Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Okechukwu Itanyi, stated this in his opening remarks at the 68th Edition of Telecoms Consumer Parliament held in Enugu.

Itanyi assured that NCC as a responsible regulator would always abide by international standards.

From Chris Oji, Enugu

“All telecom equipment coming to the country are being typed-approved by the Commission to ensure compliance with international standards on health and safety. Research conducted by the World health Organisation and other organisations has not shown any risk to human life as a result of radiation emanating from telecom equipment like mast and towers.

He said NCC introduced infrastructure sharing and collocation of telecom facilities to reduce the number of “these facilities”, adding that some operators had been licensed to provide collocation sites across the nation.

Itanyi said in most developed countries , some of the telecoms fa-

to control “their indiscriminate installation within the public or residential areas”.

He, however, expressed regrets that because of the challenges in the power sector which he said necessitated the use of generating sets and inadequate number of highrise buildings, “this option has not been fully utilized in the country”.

The NCC commissioner explained that the programme was initiated by the commission “for the purpose of bringing together telecoms consumers, service providers, the regulator and other stake holders under one platform to discuss and proffer solutions to topical issues that are of great importance to the development of telecommunications industry in Nigeria”.

HE Chairman, Pension’s Re form Task Force Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, yesterday revealed that the country could save about N42.6 billion, from the new e-Smart card registration for pensioners.

Maina, made the revelation in Abuja , during the commissioning of the new pension e-Smart card for Para-Military pensioners.

He said: “The smart card is the apex of the restructuring of the pension administration. The task force has reached 95per cent because all the information gotten from the biometrics is contained in a chip in that card. With this, it is now easier for the pensioners to do verification exercise, as they only have to travel to their Senatorial districts after six months with the card to verify claim on the side of the government, the system will save N42.6b annually from the verification. It is a very development for this country.”

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, said that the new smart card for paramilitary officers has come to replace the anachronistic era where pensioners were subjected to rigorous hardship.

‘Tribunal has jurisdiction over N15.6m tax case’ From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

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HE Lagos division of the Tax Appeal Tribunal (TAT) has ruled that it has powers to determine the appeal brought by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) against a Lagos telecommunications company: General Telecoms.

FIRS in 2002, took General Telecoms Plc to TAT (then Body of Appeal Commissioners) over the latter’s refusal to pay taxes worth N15.6 million.

Director, Communications & Liaison Department, Emmanuel Obeta who made the disclosure in a statement yesterday, recalled that General Telecoms Plc filed a preliminary objection claiming that TAT does not have the jurisdiction to determine the case on taxation involving FIRS on grounds that the Service “cannot be a judge in it’s own case’’.

However, the Chairman of TAT, Chief Kayode Sofola (SAN), ruled that the tribunal has powers under the nation’s constitution to determine the case.

13

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

AGRO-BUSINESS

Sanction food fraudsters, say experts E

XPERTS have suggested that fraudsters in food production should be dealt with.

Food fraud encompasses the deliberate substitution, addition, tampering or misrepresentation of food, ingredients or packaging, or false or misleading statements made about a product for economic gain.

Food fraud has been discovered in fruit juice, olive oil, spices, vinegar, wine, spirits and maple syrup, and poses a significant problem in the industry.

Speaking with The Nation,a food safety specialist,Prof Stephen Fapohunda, said food fraud and economically moti-

Stories by Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

vated adulteration have not received the attention given their potential danger.

Fapohunda, who is of the Department of Bio-Sciences and BioTechnology,Babock University, Ogun State,said the government must take steps to develop and ensure standards to help ensure the identity, quality and purity of food ingredients, dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals.

He said there should be penalties for those who recklessly endanger lives through tampering, hoaxes, or deceptive practices.

He said some honey makers dilute their honey with sugar beets

or corn syrup and still market it as pure.

Fapohunda advised the regulatory agencies to began a campaign for eradication of fake and unwholesome food products.

He stressed the need to promote basic food safety education among producers.

He said the two-tiered food safety system, which include imported and local food should be subject to scrutiny . The food expert said the agencies must emphasise food quality and purity of ingredients and their location.

Apart from the Plant Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) and the National Agency

for Food and Drug Administration(NAFDAC), the Head of Department, Food Service and Tourism, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (UNAAB), Dr. Olusegun Atanda, said state and local government agencies should be given substantial powers to impose hefty fines for violators. He said state agencies should prosecute firms for misleading or deceptive statements or misrepresentations.

Atanda said councils enforce-

ment officers should visit food companies to see what is going on. He said councils should work with businesses to ensure consumers are not ripped off.

There are going concerns that the food establishment – including the food industry and its marketers, major ‘health’ organisations, government and even the medical bureaucracy – has pushed advice and questionable theories on the public on which foods are healthful and those that are not.

Ogun warns against tree felling

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HE Ogun Government has warned against illegal felling of trees from its forest reserves.

The Commissioner for Forestry, Mr Falilu Sabitu gave the warning in Abeokuta while inspecting a truck loaded with illegally felled trees.

He said the truck was intercepted at the Ogbere toll point of Ijebu East Local Government Area of the state. Sabitu explained that the truck, with registration number KJA 749 XA, was caught carting away numerous logs of billets from Area J6.He said the vehicle was intercepted by forest guards on patrol in the area, adding that the culprits had resisted arrest.The Commissioner said the guards had to call for a reinforcement of the “Quick Response Squad” (QRS) and Police Officers at the Ogbere

Police Division to effect the arrest.”The QRS and the police rescued our officers from being lynched by the hoodlums who were armed with cutlasses and guns.’’

He also advised drivers and owners of trucks used for loading of trees from the reserves to always demand for relevant papers to avoid contravention of the law.

Sabitu said the driver of the arrested truck claimed ignorance of the source of the logs. He said the driver had been instructed to produce his boss, adding that the police had commenced investigation into the matter.”I can assure you that the culprits in this case will be punished according to the law.”

Sabitu said that necessary machinery had been put in place in all the nine forest reserves in the state to stop perpetrators of illegal tree felling.

Adamawa trains 110,000 farmers •From left:Permanent Secretary,Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives,Dr. Olajide Basorun, Special Adviser to the Governor on Parastatal Monitoring, Mr. Kayode Salvador-Adebayo and the representative of Oniba of Iba, Chief Mukaila Aro during the 2012 farmers field day and inputs distribution held at Iyana-Iba vegetable production farm.

Enugu gives grants to cooperative societies

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HE Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof.

Martin Anikwe, has said 84 cooperative farmers have been given grants by the government and the World Bank.

Speaking on the activities of the ministry in the first half of the year in Enugu, he said the grants would boost commercial agriculture and food sufficiency in the state.

The commissioner, who did not mention the amount given to the farmers, however, explained that each co-operative association received the grants according to its farm size, animal husbandry, fishery, and arable cropping.

“To ensure food sufficiency in Enugu State, World Bank-assisted agric projects are based on cooperative, especially in FADAMA 111 and commercial agric.

“We give money to the cooperative to clear land and for post-

harvest production while the government develops general infrastructure like transformers, roads and storage facilities where we have cluster farms.

“Under commercial agriculture, we improved on six existing rural roads in 2011 while nine others have been identified for rehabilitation this year,’’ he said.

Anikwe said a minimum of 2.5 hectares of land would be cultivated by each group while 17 Local Government Areas would provide two cooperative societies for maize production.

He said the state government and a foreign firm would employ 10,000 youths in joint venture in agriculture, especially in rice production.

He said cold rooms were built at Akwuke, a pineapple processing centre at Awgu, cashew processing centre at Oghe, and other agricultural processing facilities at Iwollo

and Ehamufu.

The commissioner lamented that the land tenure system was one of the problems affecting efficient agriculture in the state.

He appealed to communities with vast arable land to donate same for agriculture as it would not only boost their economy but create employment for their youths.

The commissioner explained that when such land was acquired, it would be shared to individuals or groups interested in farming for cultivation.

Anikwe said the government was encouraging public-private partnership in agriculture to ensure food sufficiency both for local consumption and for export.

On the menace of cattle destroying farms in the state, he said the ministry was registering cattle rearers in the state to know where they were located for easy identification whenever a dispute arose.

IFDC introduces new fertiliser in Taraba

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HE first fertiliser blend for roots and tuber crops in the country has been launched in Taraba State, the International Centre for Soil Fertility and Agricultural Development (IFDC) said in Abuja.

In a statement,the organisation said the fertiliser blend was launched in the Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba.

The IFDC Country Representative, Mr Scott Wallace, said the blend included a higher ratio of potassium, which is good for water retention, as root and tuber crops contained about 70 per cent of water.

“The root and tuber blend (nitro-

gen, phosphorous, potassium, sulphur) will go a long way in assisting cassava and yam farmers to increase their yields and maintain adequate soil fertility for future years.”

Wallace said the interventions launched would allow the state’s cassava farmers to take advantage of the Dutch Agricultural Development & Trading Company (DADTCO) guaranteed market.

He said that the farmers would at the same time increase yield per unit area through use of affordable high quality inputs.

Additional interventions during the event included the Farm Doctor Pro-

gramme for crop spraying.

The programme, which is a partnership between IFDC, CropLife Nigeria, Biostadt-Syngenta, Harvestfield and local agro-dealers would provide professional cropspraying teams in Taraba for smallholder farmers. A cassava stem distribution programme was also launched, which would provide up to 60 trucks of improved planting materials for Taraba’s cassava farmers with subsidised transportation cost.

The statement said the cost would be subsidised by the Taraba Government and the Cassava+ Project

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DAMAWAState governor Murtala Nyako said his administration has trained 110,000 farmers in modern methods of farming in the last two years.

He disclosed this while answering questions from State House correspondents in Abuja.

He said the measure was designed to raise the quality of lives of the people of the state.

Giving a breakdown of the training , Nyako said 38,000 farmers were trained in 2010, 42,000 in 2011 while 30,000 benefitted from the programme this year.

He said the yields of the affected farmers had jumped from an average of 1.1 metric tonnes per hectare to five tonnes.

“We are able to train 38,000 farmers on modern method of production. That is, to increase their yields by at least 400 per cent.

“Last year, we were able to train 42,000 farmers. This year we have covered 30,000 farmers whose yields have jumped from about 1.1 tonnes of maize per hectare national average to over five tonnes.

“So, the farmers are very happy; in fact to the extent that they really don’t require any subsidised fertiliser from me.”

On last week’s fire incident at Yola Prisons, Nyako commended the efforts of security agencies for putting off the fire as well as ensuring the safety of the inmates.

He said that the Police had apprehended those allegedly involved in the bank robbery incident at Madagari, where three people lost their lives.

Nyako assured that his administration would continue to support and assist the security agencies in addressing the problem of insecurity in the state.

FAO to assess environmental impact on livestock industry

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HE Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) said it was perfecting plans to ensure environmental impacts on the livestock industry was measured and assessed.

In a press statement in Lagos, the organisation said the assessment had became necessary to improve the sustainability of the food production sector.

It said livestock-raising and the consumption of animal products were crucial factors to the economic and nutritional well-being of millions of people around the world, particularly the developing countries.

The organisation said that the global consumption of meat, dairy products had continued to rise, adding that this had drawn increasing attention to the livestock sector.

It said t governments agreed at a recent sustainable development conference on the necessity of making

agricultural production more sustainable.

According to FAO, the conference stressed the need to shift to more sustainable livestock production systems.

It said that the many different methods of measuring and assessing the environmental impacts of animal husbandry had made it difficult to compare results and set priorities.

A Senior FAO livestock policy officer, Mr Pierre Gerber, was quoted in the statement as saying that the stakeholders must establish a shared understanding of how to assess the environmental performance of the livestock sector. ``The goal is to improve the performance and create more sustainable forms of production that will continue to provide food and income. ``To do that, we need reliable quantitative information on key environmental parameters along livestock supply chains as an evidence base from which to drive improvements,’’ Gerber said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

14

AGRO-BUSINESS STATE FOCUS

Boosting food production in Kano

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World Bank Task Team Leader; Dr. Lucas Akapa; Head Project Financial Management Unit (PFMU) Mrs Arionola Odulana; State Project Coordinator Cross-River Commercial Agriculture Development Programme( CADP), PM(LSADA) Kayode Ashafa; SPC Lagos CADP Mr. Bolaji Balogun during an event in Lagos.

Growth support scheme key to agric transformation P

PERMANENT Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Ezekiel Oyemomi, saidthe Growth Enhancement Support scheme is key to the success of the country’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda.

Oyemomi spoke at Sakpenwa in Tai Local Government of Rivers at the flagoff ceremony of the scheme for famers.

He said the scheme was a turning point in the implementation of the Federal Government’s agricultural transformation agenda.

He said the scheme was an initiative of the Federal Government to address the challenges of past systems of input distribution and subsidy administration in the agricultural sector.

He said federal and state governments would subsidise input supplied to farmers by 50 per cent.

“Under the scheme, the

government provides support directly to registered small scale farmers through the provision of subsidised seeds and fertiliser via mobile phone and vouchers.

“The input supplied to the farmers are subsidized at 50 per cent by the federal and state governments where both contribute 25 per cent each while the farmer pays the remaining 50 per cent.’’

He said 20 million small holder farmers would be registered in the scheme in the next three years and that so far, 4.3 million of them had been registered.

Oyemomi said the Agriculture ministry had conducted successful field trials of the scheme in some states.

“The Ministry of Agriculture has conducted field trials of the scheme in states with remarkable success.

“From the results, the

scheme will certainly enhance access to agro-inputs, reduce governments cost of procuring and distributing inputs as well as ensure that the support gets to the intended beneficiaries.

“Overall, the scheme is expected to bring about increase in productivity and house-hold income, thereby reducing poverty in our rural communities where majority of the resource constraint farmers reside.’’

He warned farmers not to eat the seeds given to them because they had been processed with chemicals.

On his part, the Rivers Governor, Mr Chibuike Amaechi, said the state would be part of the growth enhancement support scheme for farmers in the state.

Amaechi, represented by

his deputy, Mr Tele Ikuru, said the state government had introduced a new policy to tackle crime with jobs provision.

“The government has decided that we are going to change direction from henceforth.

“We are no longer going to fight crime with arms. We are no longer going to fight crime with guns,”he added.

“We intend to fight crime from now to the end of our administration, we intend to fight crime with jobs.”That simply means, we provide job for you and we believe that 80 per cent of the people who find themselves in the creek, who are criminals, if they have opportunity to do something, certainly, they will not be where they are.’’A farmer, Mr Nelson Barinem, said he would ensure that his farmers cooperative group would key into the new growth enhancement support scheme.

‘Seed Libraries can boost rural agric’

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ECENTRALISED seed libraries acan boost rural agricultural growth, an expert has said. Seed libraries are institutions that lend or share seeds. They preserve agricultural biodiversity by focusing on rare and local seed varieties.

Speaking with The Nation, an Associate Professor in the Department of Crop Protection,University of Maiduguri,Dr Daniel Gwary, said the transition from rural farming to industrial agriculture has led to fewer people growing food and not interacting with original seeds.

According to him,local seed saving has become very important because of the advent of genetically engineered seeds, which diminish plant diversity, reducing the natural resilience of crops. In just a few generations, he said original seeds will be nearing extinction with the advent of hybrids. For this reason, he said more communities need seed libraries to share seeds to farmers.

According to him,the establishment of seed

libraries would preserve local seed sovereignty by saving local seeds and sharing them.

He said establishing seed libraries will boost regional biodiversity and resiliency by encouraging the cultivation of new crop varieties adapted to local growing conditions. With climate change, he said, a robust

network of community food sheds to complement the effort of industrial farmers has become an imperative for rural farming to grow.

According to him, local farmers can choose from a list of vegetable seeds available in the seed libraries, borrow them and plant their seeds.

After they’ve harvested their crops, they

save the seeds from the heartiest and healthiest of their harvest and return the seeds to the same branch.

Over time, each the seed library will include a wide selection of seeds best suited to each microclimate because they have grown to full fruition, responding to the local soil, climate, and plant and animal diversity.

Govt urged to restore school farms

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CAMPAIGN to promote agriculture and gardens should be restored in schools, an expert has said.

Speaking with The Nation, the Deputy Director, Grant Administration, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Dr Kola Adebayo, said school gardens can become a seed ground for preparing future farmers.

School gardens, he added, have a long history of supplying food and improving children’s nutrition and eating habits.

He recalled, their role in farming in the past; though the promotion of good diet, nutrition education, and develop-

ment of livelihood skills.

With increasing food supply challenges, Adebayo said the perception of the role of school gardens should change in response to greater food security, more secure livelihoods and better nutrition.

The government, he maintained, should support primary and secondary schools to start food gardens. Given the urgent need for increased food security, Adebayo said the federal and state governments should show more interest in supporting school gardens.

Such projects, he said, should receive financial, technical or policy support from the government.

He said the government

should provide appropriate resources, including input, tools and seeds to schools to establish food gardens.

He said funding the projects would enable teachers to purchase fruit, vegetable and herb plants, seeds and gardening equipment.

Adebayo also said the government can encourage the garden movement by taking the lead in changing attitudes and enabling inter sectoral collaboration.

According to him, the programme, should be based on research evidence that school gardens are able to improve children’shealth, eating habits and academic performance.

GRICULTURE is important to Kano State economy.

Major roles of agriculture in the state include: food production to feed the teeming population, provision of employment, supply of industrial raw materials.

This has, over the years, influenced the establishment of many agro-industries,such as tanneries, oil mills, textile mills, ginnery among others. There are different soil formations types found in the state, which affect the potential for agric production. The state is a showcase in agriculture self-reliance and resource management. Before its creation, there were over 120 earth dams in the state, majority of which are located in Kano. Today, the dams, which include Challawa Gorge and Tiga Dam, two of the irrigation projects in West Africa, ensured all year round farming.

Kano is known as the most irrigated state in the country with more than three million hectares of cultivable land.

Development of the small scale irrigation scheme and Fadama irrigation has strengthened the economic role of agriculture. Several types of crops are grown under rainfed season, the dominant ones include,sorghum, millet, maize, rice,groundnut, cowpea, soybean,tomatoes, peppers, onion,wheat,maize,cowpea, peppers.Kano State has a large livestock population. Thousands of cattle, sheep and goats.

Livestock production is predominantly pastoral.

Kano has experienced a huge demand for food to feed its burgeoning population. The state government said it is domesticating agricultural transformation agenda of the Federal Government to solve agricultural problems at the grassroots.The state commissioner for Agriculture, Hajiya Baraka Sani, said the state received about 15,800 metric tonnes of fertiliser that will be sold to farmers at affordable price.

She, however, called on youths not to see agriculture as a job for the uneducated and retirees, but a very lucrative sector, adding that measures are being put place to provide financial supports to make youths agricultural entrepreneurs. There are massive advocacy campaigns to mobilise women to participate in poultry production and other members of the society to engage in horticulture, fishery, plantation and storage projects, through the introduction of new and affordable techniques. The government is determined to improving the capacity of the farmers through efficient and continuous extension services. To build farmer’s capacities, the government is encouraging them to form co-operative groups so that they could benefit from credit facilities. In addition, more sites shall be brought every year under Fadama Scheme to expand employment opportunities for teeming youths.

Much has been done to improve the performance of Kano Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA) and Kano State Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO) .

Agribusiness opportunities are being identified, analysedfor viability, pursued, and public and private investors are invited to take a second look at these opportunities that could lead to high returns. A unique aspect of the situation in Kano is the relatively strong domestic consumptive base.While in need of improvement, Kano State possesses an existing network of roads and railroads that can provide a platform for expansion and further investment.

In the value added area,the state has the potential of expanding its food processing industry. There opportunities in the agricultural processing industries.With a strong production base in feed grains and protein meal, it might be possible to consider expanded production of beef and poultry. Because of the far-reaching impact that Kano has on agriculture and food, a broad range of companies which will be relevant include:traders and merchants,processors, feed manufacturers,technology firms,transportation providers,fertiliser and chemical firms, banks and financial institutions, livestock companies, seed and genetics firms and infrastructure and • G o v e r n o r M o h a m m e d Kwankwaso engineering firms

Yobe launches fertiliser sales

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HE Yobe Government has said 17,500 tonnes of fertilisers worth N1.5billion would be sold to farmers in the state at 60 per cent subsidy to boost agriculture.

Governor Ibrahim Gaidam stated this during the launch of fertiliser sale for the cropping season in Damaturu.

He directed that a bag of Urea brand should be sold at N1,900 while the NPK brand should be sold at N2,000 to encourage farmers to embrace agri-

cultural production for food security.

Gaidam noted that the government would provide 80 per cent subsidy by next year for improved agriculture.

The governor lamented the low capital base and crude implements used by subsistence farmers in the state.

He assured that the government would provide farmers in the 178 wards of the state with implements under the animal traction agricultural scheme.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

AWARD Anglican Diocese honours Uduaghan, Obi Enugu

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PROJECT

FACILITY

Okorocha to boost agric

Indigent students get Rotary scholarship Lagos

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Imo

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Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Ajimobi inspires growth in Oyo council

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•Ajimobi

NFRASTRUCTURAL upgrade has lifted the spirits of residents of Saki West Local Government of Oyo State.

Roads are being repaired. New facilities are built, while rundown schools are wearing a new look. The people have the chairman of the council, Mr Dapo Popoola, to thank for that, but the council chief himself attributes it all to inspiration from the chief executive of the state, Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

Popoola gave kudos to Ajimobi, thanking him for his support, without which the accomplishments at the council would have been impossible.

Speaking at the annual Administrative Department Week, Popoola said his administration has completed the asphalting of three major roads, namely Okere Palace to Basapa Road, Baptist Hospital Road and Oladosun-

Okere Grammar School Road.

The projects also include completed six modern roundabouts, installation of traffic lights, the first of its kind in the area, construction of 12 blocks of three classrooms with offices and stores in 12 public primary schools.

He added that poverty alleviation programme is not left out from the efforts of his administration aimed at making life comfortable for residents.

He urged his constituents to be

optimistic and expectant of better things ahead because, according to him, his administration is committed to the uplift of the people.

At the ceremony he enjoined the council staff to shun gossip, indolence and backbiting, emphasising that such vices are capable of negating developmental efforts.

Popoola also advised the workers to continue giving the government their maximum support and remain loyal.

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HE days of neglect are over for farmers in Anambra State, ushering in hope for food sufficiency.

Agricultural schemes, for which the state was once known, are being revived. Farmers are meeting regularly with the state governor Peter Obi. At one of those meetings with the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), which included rice growers and members of the FADAMA Group in the state, Obi announced the release of N1b agric loan to help them improve their inputs and yield.

The state is also in partnership with various organisations to boost food production. Such collaborations with the National Programme for Food Security have, for instance, added five tractors and a modern fish farm to the state’s agric sector. The governor inaugurated them at an event tagged Growth Enhancement Support.

There are other gains from the partnership. Medical equipment worth several millions of naira has been supplied to a hospital in Omasi community. A borehole has also been sunk there. Forty-six motorcycles were equally procured for the community’s youths in addition to an ICT centre set up in the community.

Obi has always maintained that his administration will ensure that the state does not lack food. To actualise this, farmers are encouraged with various facilities, including cash and other inputs. But while the state prioritises the agric sector, the Obi administration says it must not lose sight of other sectors as well, which is why it is building roads in rural areas as well as enhancing life generally in the state.

A representative of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr Akinwumi Adesina was on hand as Obi inaugurated the facilities. The minister thanked the governor for his interest and support for the development of agriculture in Nigeria.

He explained that the Growth Enhancement Support pro-

•Obi inaugurates a modern fish pond

Anambra steps up agric scheme Inaugurates N1.5b equipment Farmers get N1b loan From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

gramme, being an initiative of the Federal Government, was conceived to address the challenges encountered in the distribution of agricultural inputs as well as subsidy administration. He said the programme was designed to facilitate timely and easy access to seeds and fertilisers at affordable prices.

Governor Obi said agriculture remained the key to development and called on the people of Anambra State to take it seriously. He assured them of his administration’s support.

He said it was in recognition of the imperatives of enhancing farming that his administration strategically built over 60 per cent of the state’s roads in the rural areas to

open up agricultural communities to markets and other distribution locations. He added that his administration is also committed to all counterpart obligations in all its partnership programmes.

The Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Andy Umeobi said that the Growth Enhancement Support would ensure that his ministry would ensure fertilizers got to the

farmers for whom they are meant.

Speaking at the governor’s meeting with farmers, the President of AFAN in the state, Chief Mekoh Nnamdi said with the support farmers are getting, the state would witness phenomenal growth in agriculture this year.

Governor Obi who said he was •Continued on Page 45

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Imo to boost agriculture MO State government has concluded plans to plant 10 million palm seedlings under the newly launched agricultural revolutionary programme known as ‘back to land.’

Governor Okorocha disclosed this during a visit by leaders of Owerri West Local Government Area as part of the ongoing interactive sessions with leaders across the state.

He explained that the Community Government Council otherwise known as fourth-tier government in the state is largely aimed at unlocking the agricultural potential in the rural communities, even as he said every adult would be mandated to plant at least a palm seedling to promote the programme.

Speaking on the programme, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Chinedu Offor stated that while the programme was designed to unlock the agricultural potential, about 1,000 hectares of land in each of the 27 local government areas would

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•Governor Okorocha

Motorists advised on safety

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ORRIED by the high rate of accidents on Nigerian roads, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has reminded residents of Anambra State of the need to have a change of attitude towards safety matters.

As a result of the high spate of accidents on both the highways and rural roads in the state, the commission has begun sensitisation exercises to churches, markets and other public places.

Addressing members of Saint Faith Cathedral in Awka recently, the Deputy Sector Commander in Awka, Mrs. Chinelo Ezekwesili said many lives have been lost as a result of not obeying the rules.

She warned against people driving without fastening their seat belts and having headsets on their ears, adding that these attitudes

Anambra From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

had claimed the lives of many people not only in the state but also in Nigeria.

Ezekwesili said the trend informed the commission’s visit to the churches, schools and markets places to educate the masses on the need to obey FRSC’s rules and regulations.

She maintained that the commission would not stop the campaign until the people change there attitudes towards safety issues.

“Our main concern is the way people use their phones while driving as if it is compulsory that you must hold your phone on the ear while driving.

Council donates free GCE forms to students T

HE Iba Local Council Development Area has restated its commitment to youth development through quality education. The Council chairman Princess Ramota Adeyeri-Oseni disclosed this during the presentation of 120 General Certificate on Examination (GCE) forms to brilliant but indigent students and distributions of school uniforms to pupils in primary schools in the council area.

The council chief stated that the gesture was to enable the students who could not pass the school certificate examination at first attempt and whose parents are not financially buoyant to pay for the GCE forms to have the opportunity to re-write the examination.

She added that education is a veritable tool for societal development and important machinery for eradication of poverty in our society.

“It is a fact that some of these students do not have the opportunity to complete their secondary school education due to inability of their parents to register them for the General Certificate on Education.

“In view of this, we have concluded plans

to work seriously to help the gifted students whose parents and guardians are financially handicapped to see them through the next level, which is higher institution,” she said.

The council had also organised free tutorial classes to prepare the students for the examination.

The council chief therefore urged the beneficiaries to be dedicated in their studies and see the opportunity as a way of realising their dream and academic pursuit. Miss Yetunde Oyeniyi, who thanked the council chief on behalf of other beneficiaries, said Hon. Ramota has given them the opportunity to make their way to greatness.

“So many of us have lost the hope of rewriting the GCE but the council has bailed us out. We promise not to let the council down,” she said.

There event was attended by top government functionaries, traditional rulers and members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

Experts blame immorality on teachers

` • New Rivers Permanent Secretaries, Mrs Nmebe Tam (Left), and Mr Nuka Nwikpasi taking their Oath of Office in Port Harcourt

Obi hailed on development THE President of Anambra State Association in America (ASA USA), Dr. Allison Anadi has praised the caliber of experienced and reputable professionals appointed by Governor Obi in the new executive council.

Dr. Anadi, who is in the state in preparation for the 2012 Medical Mission of the Association to Anambra, said they were impressed with high level of development recorded by Governor Obi’s administration, even as he assured that the organisation would sustain collaboration with government to keep the state ahead of others in healthcare delivery.

Recalling how the organisation inspected the projects executed by Governor Obi’s administration, he stated that they were satisfied with him for his commitment to the development of Anambra State.

He expressed happiness at the accreditation of Anambra State Teaching Hospital and College of Medicine.

R. Bimbo Owolabi has urged members of the Boko Haram sect to lay down their arms and embrace peace, even as he said that unemployment is the bane of terrorism in the North.

A budding politician, Owolabi, a pharmacist, said members of the Islamic sect should willingly lay down their arms.

He said: “Federal Government should not enter into dialogue with the Boko Haram sect as it has done with the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND). If it does, it will be setting another bad precedent. It will be sending a wrong signal because another group will emerge in future, terrorise Nigerians and eventually force the government into negotiation. Entering into dialogue with the Boko Haram is dangerous.

“The long-term solution to the Boko Haram insurgency is to educate the youth in the North and give them employment. They are being manipulated by their sponsors because they are not educated and jobless. The fastest way to create employment is through agriculture.

“Farm settlements should be established where the idle youths roaming the streets in

FRSC gives ultimatum on right-hand vehicles

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DO State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has issued a 30-day ultimatum to operators of right-hand steering wheel vehicles to convert them to left-hand or face prosecution.

It said the importation of right-hand steering vehicles into the country was alarming

Edo From Osagie Otabor, Benin-City

despite the ban on such vehicles 40 years ago.

A statement by the Sector Commander,

D

ISTURBED by the high rate of moral decadence in the society, experts have blamed teachers for being responsible for the situation. This, they said resulted from their inability to combine moral instruction and religion in the course of teaching their students.

Prof Theresa N. Kanno of the Faculty of Education, Abia State University and Dr Chukwuka Eyibo of the Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze disclosed this at a one-day workshop at the institution.

Professor Kanno, who is the guest speaker delivered a lecture entitled “The Image of an Effective Teacher in the Contemporary Nigerian Society.”

Dr Eyibo regretted that “some teachers do not obey one of the 10 commandments of God that says “thou shall not steal,” adding that extortion by some teachers has been one of the major setbacks in getting effective teachers.

He said that religion was the harbingar of education, adding that for teachers to function well in the education sector, they should be doers of the Word of God. Delivering her lecture, Professor Kanno defined an effective teacher as one who has good initiatives and ability to give and take constructive and destructive criticisms as well as one who can effectively transmit the acquired skills to the learners.

Briefly

•From left: Mr Rajako, IT Director Samsung Electronics West, Mr Bennett Nwogu, Project Manager Printer/Display Solitions Samsung Electronics West African, Mr Haidar Said, Managing Director, Channel IT Nigeria Limited, atthe launching of the Samgung ML2160W Printer in Lagos.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

‘Unemployment is cause of terrorism in the North’ M

Imo also be provided by the council Chairmen to drive the programme.

“The state government would provide the improved specie of the seedlings that would yield in three years. They would be distributed to all the local government areas. Palm oil, as we all know, is yielding huge revenue for some countries,” Offor said.

He added that government has resolved to take the initiative of joining other countries like Malaysia that have outstanding record of creating wealth through palm oil.

“It is interesting to note that this has much to do with the potential of recording huge revenue generation for the state and that obviously informed Governor Okorocha’s encouragement to the people to embrace this programme which, in the other hand, will create job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the state,” he added.

Offor made reference to the N3.5b government generated from the Imo Palm Plantation in addition to job opportunities it created for the people of Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area in particular and Imo State in general. He emphasised that such venture in the 27 local government areas would ultimately place Imo as the richest state in the country.

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Kenneth Nwaegbe said the National Road Traffic Regulation (2004) Section 71 states that no vehicle with apparatus fitted on the right hand side shall be registered or driven on public roads.

The statement further said the use of such vehicles constitutes hazards to the user and other road users.

He said: “Nigeria banned the use of right-hand steering vehicles as a result of the change from right hand to left hand drive on the country’s roads in 1972.

“A Right-hand Steering Drive Change Over Act of 1972 was enacted to make it an offence for anyone to import or use right-hand steering vehicles in the country.

“At a time the country is losing an average of three persons daily to accidents, which is an impediment to state and national development, this therefore cannot be acceptable,” he said.

By Tokunbo Ogunsami

the North should be employed. An idle hand is the devil’s workshop.”

Owolabi said although he is a pharmacist, he maintained that he is going into politics to make a difference in the lives of the people.

His words: “I’m in politics because politicians are not doing it right. If they are doing it right, our country will not be in a mess it is right now.

I’m in politics to make a name. I am comfortable. I have investments that can sustain me and my family. But I’m in politics to right the wrongs in the society.

“I am in politics to better the society and make a name for myself. I want my name to be written in gold as a young man who has changed the face of Nigerian politics. I want to leave a good name for posterity,” he said.

The pharmacist-turned-politician, who has worked as a pharmacist in the United Kingdom

•Owolabi (UK) and the United States of America (USA) before establishing Vital Medic Inc. in 1995 in New York, USA, said although he is a capitalist, he is aware of his social responsibilities.

Group donates to the needy

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HIBOY Foundation, an Abakaliki-based non-governmental organisation has donated gift items worth millions of Naira to the inmates of the Abakaliki Prison, the Motherless Babies’ Home Nsugbe Street. They also donated to the Ebonyi State Old People’s and Destitute Home.

It also donated a motorcycle to one Christopher Ogbonnaya, a disabled person from Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state, even as it handed over a three-bedroom bungalow constructed by the foundation to one Esther Ugo whose house was raised down during the political crisis that engulfed Abakaliki Local Government Area during the 2011 general elections.

The founder and Chief Executive Officer of the organisation Comrade Chinedu Ogah directed that the cost of re-roofing the dilapidated D ward of the Abakaliki Prison be estimated and sent to his office for immediate re-roofing.

Comrade Ogah noted that the gesture was in line with his organisation’s determination to uplift the living standard of the less-privileged people in the society. He regretted that most of the prison inmates are incarcerated for a crime they never committed.

He said: “If they are abandoned and uncared for, they would see themselves as those rejected

Ebonyi From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

by the society. The condition they found themselves today was never of their own making or as a result of the crime they committed.

These children should be given all the neededcare and assistance so that they won’t grow up and become a problem to the society.”

Comrade Ogah, who expressed worry over the level of dilapidation at the Abakaliki Prisons and the number of inmates in the prison called on the Federal Government, organisations and other public-spirited individuals to assist in the renovation and equipping of the prison.

In his remark, the Deputy Controller, Abakaliki Prison, Mr. Malachi Ohakosim regretted the number of inmates currently housed at the prison, adding that the number of inmates in the prison has doubled.

He called on other well-meaning individuals to come to the aid of the prison. He pointed out that infrastructural development of the country and the state should not be left only in the hands of government.

Club gets new executive

T • From left: Wife of Lagos State governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola, the Chairperson, Ikeja Local Govt, Mrs Sade Odunlami, and the Executive Chairman,Ikeja local govt, Hon. Wale Odunlami, watching a thing of interest, during an intensive Environmental Sanitation Exercise,

Foundation empowers 105 unemployed

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N continuation of its empowerment programme, the Bolomope Empowerment Foundation, in conjunction with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has held a training workshop for 105 people.

The workshop, held at the old Social Democratic Party (SDP) secretariat, Gbagi, Ibadan, involved 25 employable graduates under the Graduate Attachment Scheme, 40 men and women under the Agricultural Empowerment Scheme and 40 women under the Women Empowerment Scheme.

The initiator of the foundation, Hon Ibrahim Bolomope, representing Egbeda Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly said after the training, the 25 graduates will be posted to industries, firms, and government parastatals through the NDE where their services are needed.

Those under the Agricultural Empowerment Scheme, he said, would undergo a 30-day theoretical training after which they would be posted to notable farms for two months practical training.

“After the training, they will be assisted in form of land, seeds and money to enable them to be on their own,” he added.

According to him, the 40 women under the

Women Empowerment Scheme would undergo a month training during which they would be taught how to produce several items, even as he added that they would be encouraged to form a co-operative society to facilitate easily approval of loans.

Bolomope said development of human capital should be the major avenue for the people to have the taste of dividends of democracy, hence his resolve to invest substantially on the improvement of lives, to bring hope to people, and to develop people to the level of fending for themselves.

He thus appealed to individuals, groups, organisations, government agencies and industries that believe in assisting the lessprivileged people to join hands with the Bolomope Empowerment Foundation in order to reduce unemployment in the country.

Recently, the Bolomope Empowerment Foundation organised a free health programme for 274 aged people, some of who are benefiting from a follow-up arrangement for regular medical treatment at the state Jericho Nursing Home.

Also, last year, the foundation gave money and food items to 1,468 widows to ameliorate the pains of losing their loved ones.

THE Lagos Lawn Tennis Club has elected new president. He is Mr. Sam Egbuchunam, a lawyer.

The election, which was keenly contested between Architect Gbolahan Oki and Sam Egbuchunam, was adjudged to be free and fair. Egbuchunam emerged winner having polled 146 votes of the total vote cast to beat his opponent who polled 95 votes.

By virtue of his election, Egbuchunam has become the 26th president of the club.

In his post-election address, Mr. Egbuchunam urged the members and other elected officers to work assiduously towards taking it to greater heights.

He also sought their cooperation for the success of the club.

Other officers elected were Prince Lafor

By Amidu Arije

Olateru-Olagbegi as the Vice-President. He scored 146 of the total votes cast to emerge winner. His opponent Soyebo got 94 votes.

Other elected officers of the club included Barrister Kolade Olutekunbi as General Secretary,; Barrister Obasi Don Nwabueze was elected as Assistant General Secretary and Mr Kunle Sewoniku emerged as Bar and Catering Services Secretary.

Other elected officers are A Y Laja as Publicity Secretary; Adeniyi Akanni as Treasurer, Oladapo Aboaba as Tennis Captain,; Assistant Tennis Captain is Peter Osagie; Macdonald Ola Tubi was elected as Squash Captain while Yakubu Aromashodu emerged as the club’s Table Tennis Captain.

•Mr. Egbuchunam

Church sets up committee

•The Captain of the Holy Trinity Boys Damilola Lawal presenting the 2nd placed Trophy to the Chairman, Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun Sanni, with him (from left) Mrs Titilayo Adeniyi, Lamidi Ige the coach, Mr. Agboola Ganiu and Mr. Akinlade Kayode during the primary schools football competition organized by Channels Television.

THE Venerable Feyi Ojelabi, Vicar of the All Saints’ Ang. Church Yaba, and Archdeacon of the Yaba Archdeaconry in the Diocese of Lagos Mainland (Ang. Comm.) will, on Sunday, host his congregation, friends and wellwishers to the launch of this year’s Harvest tagged “Harvest of Great Door of Blessings”.

According to Mr. Sore Osibodu, Chairman of the Harvest/Stewardship Committee, this launch will mark the official commencement of a series of the year 2012 harvest activities which have been lined up as follows: The Harvest will be rounded off at a grand celebration with: an ‘Old School Day’, All-States’ Carnival, all Foreigners’ thanksgiving and retirement of the harvest banner.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

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EDITORIAL/OPINION Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

NYSC nightmare •Nigeria’s corps members should not be put at unnecessary risk

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F there are any doubts as to the extent of the havoc caused by the worrying security situation upon the nation’s social fabric, they must have been dispelled by the passionate refusal of members of the batch “B” of the current National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) service year to accept their postings to several states racked by persistent violence.

But it is soul-lifting that the NYSC has decided to review the postings of some of the corps members.

The states, which include Bauchi, Borno, Kano, Kaduna, Yobe and Sokoto, have been rejected by a substantial number of the new corps members because they felt that accepting them would be tantamount to a death sentence, given the persistence of gun and bomb attacks by Boko Haram, the fundamentalist Islamic sect. Concerned groups like the National Assembly, the Lagos State House of Assembly and the Enugu Diocese, Synod of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) have stated their determination to formally protest the postings.

They all have good reason to be fearful.

The high visibility of members of the NYSC has made them especially vulnerable to attacks and acts of mass violence, and their predicament is worsened by the fact that most of them are operating outside their states of residence. Their helplessness was tragically demonstrated in April 2011, when several of them were callously murdered in post-election violence in the aftermath of the 2011 general elections. Most of those who died were trapped in crisis-prone areas without recourse to any assistance or protection; those who survived were stranded for days until proactive responses from their home states enabled them to leave.

It is surprising that the NYSC would actually post corps members to states that have suffered from substantial breakdowns in law and order, given the sad experiences of 2011. If adequate security guarantees had been obtained from the states concerned, why were these not adequately publicised for the awareness of corps members? The postings were apparently made without any effort to show the current intake precisely what security measures and precautions had been taken to ensure that the killings were not repeated.

Such inaction is particularly galling because of its adverse effects on the philosophy behind the NYSC programme.

Set up in 1974 to promote inter-ethnic unity and understanding, its raison d’être has been severely damaged by the avoidable deaths of dozens of corps members whose only offence was accepting to serve the country of their birth. The NYSC’s short-sightedness has now made it possible for even the most patriotic corps member to justifiably refuse to accept a posting to particular parts of the country, thereby undermining the noble goal of national cohesion which it was supposed to strengthen.

However, reports that the NYSC has directed corps members posted to five of the states - Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Kano and Kaduna states- but who are yet to report at their orientation camps should report at the NYSC Directorate Headquarters, Abuja, for redeployment, are heartwarming. The same applies to those posted to those states who have collected their call-up letters but are yet to report in camp.

The Directorate also made adjustments to some of its other arrangements concern-

ing corps members posted to Yobe and Borno states. For those posted to Yobe, they will now hold their orientation course at the Nasarawa State NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Keffi, while those posted to Borno will undertake theirs at the Benue State NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Wanume.

We want to add however, that the reviews should apply not only to these categories of corps members but to every corps member who wants to be reposted due to security concerns, even if within the same region.

Ultimately, however, the lasting solution to the rejection of postings by NYSC members is the restoration of security across the country. The upsurge in terrorist violence weakens the ties that bind Nigeria together, and must be comprehensively addressed if the country is to achieve its objective of remaining a strong, united and indivisible entity.

‘We want to add however, that the reviews should apply not only to these categories of corps members but to every corps member who wants to be reposted due to security concerns, even if within the same region. Ultimately, however, the lasting solution to the rejection of postings by NYSC members is the restoration of security across the country’

Culture’s ambassador •Chief Segun Olusola’s departure creates a huge vacuum in Nigeria’s arts scene

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HE death of Chief Segun Olusola, one of Nigeria’s foremost culture icons, on July 21 is a great loss to the nation’s burgeoning arts and culture scene.

As one of the few individuals who brought complete commitment to bear upon anything he was involved in, he represented a model of patriotism and achievement in a country that is in sore need of positive role models.

Born in Iperu-Remo in 1935, Chief Olusola’s life is an impressive history of record-breaking accomplishments spanning the disparate worlds of arts and culture, diplomacy and refugee issues. He attended primary school at Wesley School, Iperu-Remo, after which he went to Remo Secondary School. In 1948, he proceeded

‘As a private citizen, he was always to be found at cultural events, ever-prepared to offer suggestions on how the country’s art scene could facilitate social, political and economic development. His great personal charm attracted legions of admirers; nobody was too insignificant for him to relate to; no cultural event was too small to be graced by his presence. The worth of his contributions to the arts, to diplomacy and to improving the lot of Africa’s refugees can never be forgotten. May his soul rest in perfect peace’

to the United States where he was at the Universities of Syracuse and Pittsburg.

Upon his return to Nigeria in 1961, he took up the reins of his broadcasting career at WNBC/WNTV, Africa’s first television station, which he joined in 1955 as a pioneer member of staff. Although he was involved in the production of documentaries and general-interest programmes, it was here that he truly came into his own as a tireless promoter of the arts.

Under his painstaking watch as Executive Producer, WNBC/WNTV became Nigeria’s major platform for the transmission of drama, musical festivals and other art-related programmes. Chief Olusola ensured that dramatists and playwrights like Chief Duro Ladipo, Wole Soyinka and others became known to a wider audience, thereby inspiring others and creating greater awareness of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.

Chief Olusola left Ibadan for Lagos where he joined Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) as Controller of Programmes in 1965. Three years later, he created The Village Headmaster, one of Nigeria’s best-loved and longest-running television series. The programme ran until 1987, and was the launch pad for the acting careers of several of the country’s most distinguished actors, including the late Joe Layode, Wole Amele and Funso Adeolu, as well as Jab Adu, Justus Esiri and Chief Olusola’s own wife, the late Elsie Olusola.

Chief Olusola’s professional involvement in the arts was heavily complemented by a personal commitment which dated back to his founding of the drama troupes Players of Dawn in 1953 and The-

atre Express in 1963. Those who worked with him unanimously testify to his high standards, attention to detail and deep attachment to Nigerian culture. A similar dedication to arts and culture was seen in his private art gallery, the Ajibulu-Moniya Gallery, a major outlet for contemporary Nigerian art.

Upon retiring from the Nigeria Television Authority, Chief Olusola was appointed Nigeria’s ambassador to Ethiopia in 1987. He brought his habitual thoroughness and dedication to his diplomatic assignment, and sought to ensure that cultural and other ties between the two countries rose to new heights.

His diplomatic experiences prepared him for the next phase of his life: the amelioration of the woeful conditions of Africa’s multitude of refugees. Chief Olusola set up the African Refugees Foundation (AREF), in 1993. Under the aegis of AREF, he significantly increased national awareness of the refugee problem in Nigeria and was instrumental in the country’s efforts to assist those who had been displaced in the Liberian civil war.

As a private citizen, he was always to be found at cultural events, ever-prepared to offer suggestions on how the country’s art scene could facilitate social, political and economic development. His great personal charm attracted legions of admirers; nobody was too insignificant for him to relate to; no cultural event was too small to be graced by his presence.

The worth of his contributions to the arts, to diplomacy and to improving the lot of Africa’s refugees can never be forgotten.

May his soul rest in perfect peace.

A Fourth of July debate: How much power to the people?

F

OR more than 200 years, Americans have debated how much power government should have over their lives.

Delegates to the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence 236 years ago today, accusing King George III of trying to establish “an absolute Tyranny over these States.” The republic they went on to establish, however, continues to struggle with the tension between individual liberty and shared responsibility, and between the freedom of the governed and the obligations imposed by the government. This tension ebbs and flows over time as the prevailing political winds shift, administrations come and go, and the makeup of the judiciary changes. Nevertheless, concern about the reach and scope of the federal government is likely to be a central issue in this year’s elections, in part because of the Supreme Court ruling on President Obama’s healthcare law that, oddly enough, placed new limits on Congress’ power.

The framers themselves were split, with urban Federalists such as Alexander Hamilton favoring a strong central government, and their rural opponents, most notably Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, arguing that power should reside closer to the people. The compromise they struck in the Constitution was a federal government limited to specific “enumerated” powers, with the rest reserved for state and local governments and the people. Within those enumerated areas, the Constitution granted Congress broad authority to enact whatever laws were “necessary and proper,” and it set a relatively low bar — a simple majority vote of both chambers — for lawmakers to send a bill to the president.

Efforts to limit federal power were also reflected in the multiple checks and balances put in place by the framers and by the early Supreme Court. Nevertheless, the boundaries that the Constitution laid out aren’t entirely clear, nor are they rigid. Washington has long used its power to tax and spend to subsidize public schools, homeowners, police departments and a variety of other local interests. And the shift from an agricultural economy to an industrial one transformed commerce from a predominantly local activity to one characterized by national and global markets, exposing more businesses to the purview of federal regulators.

The spiritual descendants of Hamilton and Jefferson have squared off every few decades over the government’s reach, both in the courts and at the ballot box.

Reconstruction, the Progressive Era crackdown on monopolies and robber barons, and the New Deal response to the Depression were all characterized by significant expansions of federal power, yet all were resisted to some degree by a skeptical Supreme Court.

Led by “tea party”adherents, today’s critics of governmental power have many complaints, but the most bitter concern the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. We have long supported the measure as an important step toward better quality, improved access and more affordability in healthcare, and we strongly disagree with critics who characterize it as a government takeover that ran roughshod over the Constitution. But even as the Supreme Court upheld much of the act last week, its five conservative justices called the law an overreach. They also laid out two never-before-seen limits on congressional authority.

The decision won’t be the judiciary’s last word on the healthcare law; a group of Roman Catholic institutions has sued over the administration’s mandate to include contraception coverage in group policies, arguing that it violates their 1st Amendment right to religious freedom.

But as Roberts’ opinion noted, the ultimate check on the power of Congress is at the ballot box. If enough Americans want to repeal the Affordable Care Act, they can do so by putting the law’s opponents in charge of Congress and the White House in November. Throwing out an incumbent for exerting too much power, after all, is the ultimate exercise in liberty.

– Los Angeles Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

S

IR: There is no doubt that the Boko Haram phenomenon has redefined the concept of the so-called monolithic North – the creation of the late sage, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna Sokoto of blessed memory. The geographical expression generally called the North is an amalgam of hundreds of tribes yoked together by the major religions, Islam and Christianity, with Hausa being spoken across the spectrum as the unofficial lingua franca.

In the days of yore, the desire by majority of the people to see themselves as one propelled the North to see itself as a region with common destiny.

The Sardauna promoted this concept to high heavens and earned the admiration of many. The North under his charge prospered and was devoid of ethnic and religious acrimonies.

In the latter days however, those who laid claim to his inheritance as the shining light of the North apparently abandoned this glorious path of honour and instead be-

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On David Mark and the Boko Haram came political millipedes, masquerading as the true champions of the North.

In over 40 years, since the demise of the great leader, the political, economic and social structures, the late Sardauna laboriously erected have been plundered and the mass of the people have been pauperized, dehumanised and abandoned to their fate. A legacy betrayed, one might say.

Religion became a ready tool in the hands of these modern day political jobbers bent on maintaining hegemony over majority of deprived citizens of the North, hence the emergence of Boko Haram.

The Senate President, David Mark spoke the minds of majority

of people in the region who are bearing the brunt of Boko Haram insurgency.

The abrupt change in tactics by the insurgent group initially said to be at war with law enforcement agencies, to systematic bombing of churches in the North was a confirmation of the veiled threats by some northern political players that they would make the Jonathan reign ungovernable, should he emerge as the President. Yes, Senator David Mark is from the north; but by no means a member of the cabal that have used the power that they had all these years for their selfish end and in the process destroyed the economy and the social fabric of the north.

terest. It has more negative consequences than positive ones.

A name change at 50 is unparalled in history. Names that are changed along this line are cursed and meaningless names; names that bring bad or ill-luck; names that are changed in order to alter circumstances positively or to attract positive spiritual aura for the bearers (like in the scriptures), not a name that rings a bell, open doors and that is associated with successes, inspiration and prosperity, like UNILAG – a name that expresses self assertion, hope social worth, better life and living.

There is a lot in the name – it is more than just a label or identity.

Names according to Africans are: a). A reflection of essences; b).Abstractions of reality from particular attributes or traits of things so named; c). Thoughtful contemplations with emotional attachments; d). What can make and unmake

someone; e). Are highly symbolic and philosophical; having deep and remote meanings which make them more compelling, challenging and appealing; f). are used to store their cultures, learning, knowledge, science, philosophy and indeed their entire civilization.

The name UNILAG has established international collaboration and partnership with world universities. A name-change will deter further collaboration and further partnership and cancel the existing ones.

The name change violates the 2003/2004 University Autonomy Bill. Autonomy characterizes university system worldwide. It is the freedom from external interference in and politicization of, the nation’s universities. It is the right to self governance.

A name-change of the iconic University of Lagos will ruin its his-

What the Senate President said in clear terms was that the terrorist sect members are not ghost but live within the communities and as such should be identified and sanctioned or made to toe the path of dialogue in order to avert further catastrophe in the region and country at large.

The Senate President did not call for the disintegration of the nation.

He only warned that as human beings, there may be a limit to a people’s patience, especially given the escalation of the attacks against Christians.

I sympathise with the likes of Anthony Sani, spokesperson of Arewa Consultative Forum, the Yakasais and the Ango Abdullahis’

Twelve reasons against UNILAG name-change

S

IR: The University of Lagos, UNILAG was established in 1962 and enacted into law by an act of parliament promulgated in 1967. UNILAG has since built a strong name in its 50 years of existence, which it cannot afford to lose.

UNILAG has a brand name that has earned it: ‘the university of First Choice and the nation’s pride’.

UNILAG is well established and renowned; it is the tertiary institution to beat in the sub-Saharan Africa.

The name change is sudden, arbitrary, shocking, provocative, unlawful, ultravires, unconstitutional, beyond legal authority, a nullity, fundamentally inconsiderate and undemocratic.

The cost effect of the name change is monumentally huge, misplaced, unnecessary, time consuming and wasteful.

The UNILAGname change has triggered a protest from all stake holders – it is not in the public in-

toric legacy and result in loss of identity, unnecessary litigations, social and psychological consequences and endless vendetta.

Abiola is a national hero, and as a national hero, honor is due to him at the national level. If so, why confine a man who presumably won a national election to his own region only – western region? Why bestow on him a sectorial recognition? This is precisely why the UNILAGname-change is cheap, escapist, opportunist and ridiculous!

The name-change unwittingly harms the memory and legacy of Chief MKO Abiola.How does a change in UNILAG’s name advance the course for democracy in Nigeria, which MKO Abiola stood for?

This shows that the name-change is purposeless, vexatious, mentally violent and agonizing.

• Godwin Azenabor Ph.D, Professor of Philosophy, University of Lagos.

of this world. Apart from feeble condemnation of the sect’s atrocities whenever they strike, what other concrete steps have they taken to address the drift while the nation moves towards the precipice?

Northern elites must speak more forcefully about this grave situation that is engulfing the region and its wide implication for the stability and progress of the nation.

Mark’s remarks and intervention shows a deep concern for the region and Nigeria as a whole, rather than any attempt at aggravating the problem. He just warned as concerned stakeholder, that we should be more proactive and bolder in tackling a problem that poses extreme threat to our nation’s corporate existence.

Those who have access to these merchants of death should unmask them or cajole them to a round table dialogue for peaceful resolution of the crisis instead of dissipating energy in searching of a scapegoat to hang.

• Stevin A. Adikwu, Abuja

Zenith Registrars and Guiness 2011 dividends

S

IR: May I draw the attention of the regulatory authorities to the sordid activities of Zenith Registrars.

When Union Bank was the registrar for Guinness, our dividends were received as at when due but since the transfer to Zenith Registrars, we have had to wait endlessly.

The dividends warrants were supposed to be posted on November 7, 2011, and I personally took the E-dividend payment mandate of my wife to Zenith Registrars before the date.

Eight months after, we are still waiting to be paid. This delay does not encourage investment.

• A.Onanuga Lagos

6, 2012

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012 16

21

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Reality Bites I

Like locusts at harvest time (2) • (Of desperate youth leaders and advocacy gurus)

Olatunji Ololade

T’S amazing to relieve riotous vitriol from “concerned youth” who claimed to consider in bad taste, the first part of this essay.

With girlish petulance, a certain self-acclaimed “youth leader” and maestro of “advocacy and service journalism” expressed his dissatisfaction with the piece hauling violent vitriol and dead rhetoric to bolster his ignorance of life and unconscionable duplicity. His equally two-faced colleagues might consider him a wonderful “youth leader” and “advocate” but I will continue to see him for what he is: a pathetic conman and marketer of misfortune.

According to the cheat, the dynamics of our age demands that the Nigerian youth invents ingenuous means to make ends meet. “We are doing nobody any harm; we offer inspiration and invaluable coaching to anyone motivated enough to

‘However much he may prosper by the inordinate lust for and admiration of his oratory, the career ‘youth leader,’ ‘philanthropist’and ‘advocate’ shall eventually dim into total obscurity like a firmament with its stars eternally eclipsed behind the clouds. That is an immutable reality of life’

T

succeed. You are simply jealous that while you sweat to make your own (sic) money, we have found an easier way to prosperity…”so said the fresh journalism graduate.

One need not the gift of clairvoyance to know that like his peers across Law, Teaching, Architecture, Engineering and so on, who have established NGOs and engages in career ‘philanthropy’ and ‘advocacy,’ he is doomed from the start.

He may acquire a fortune in the course of his duplicitous enterprise but like the fences the termites had eaten, every bit of his ill-acquired fortune shall deplete to the force of the mildest storm. That is because among other inanities, he has assembled his mansion instead of building it, on a canyon full of fast sand. Among other vices, he commits the impiety of self-deceit; adroitly slashing his soul and defecating on the altar of his hope like a murderous and suicidal drunk. He deprives himself of the enjoyable fruits of honest labour.

No matter the degree of his wealth and amount of his savings, poverty and disease shall afflict his soul and his fortune in his twilight, fast depleting it. And all the wealth he desperately and so ‘smartly’ acquires in his youth will never be enough to appease the incurable injuries to his soul and maladies of his heart, in his twilight.

As it was in Hoffer’s lifetime, so it is in our time. The malady of our age is that, the young are too busy teaching the world that they have no time left to learn. “Times are fast changing; the earlier we arrive in money, the better equipped we are

HESE days, talks in the local places such as bars, village meetings and even circumstantial meetings in automobiles bearing commuters tend to suggest that incidents of thuggery, ballot box snatching, violence could feature in the July 14 governoship election in Edo State. These kind of talks on the surface could be described as gossip and rumours to be treated with levity. But my training and professional experience necessitate that I treat gossip the way a man would his bride. Any public information manager worth his onions will not trivialise talks in the local places. If anything, such conversations provide seed information which could give shape and rhythm to the most respected brand of journalisminvestigative journalism.

Currently, all around town, such comments as “the governorship election will be tough”. “Only Governor Adams Oshiomhole who is the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria is visibly applying the time-tested strategy of electioneering campaign to the process”.

“The People Democratic Party (PDP) opposition in the state may resort to rigging and engineer disruptive violence”.

Conscientious Nigerians and the international community would readily attest to the fact that PDP has been arrogantly muzzling opposition mainly by rigging or attempting to rig since 1999.

This is a despicable precedent which shouldn’t come to play in the Edo State July 14, governorship elections. I’d like to counsel President Goodluck Jonathan not to allow himself to be hoodwinked into abetting the muzzling of the election process through rigging or thuggery. It will be tantamount to committing a tactical blunder which the President will find extremely costly.

The Boko Haram imbroglio should be enough challenge for the President and he cannot afford to play politics with the

for the future,” they reason.

Thus their mad quest to strip insentient game birds of feathers and sumptuous flesh, to the bones. All they feast on are carrion meat, but they do not know that. Blinded by greed and inordinate lust for the good life, many of them have chosen to improve in taste beyond carrion meat, they have chosen to feast on the vulture, like vultures. Eventually, they shall lie as burnt offerings at the crossroads where the sacrilegious burns fused to his violated visions and appetites.

However much he may prosper by the inordinate lust for and admiration of his oratory, the career ‘youth leader,’ ‘philanthropist’and ‘advocate’ shall eventually dim into total obscurity like a firmament with its stars eternally eclipsed behind the clouds. That is an immutable reality of life.

I grieve for the thousands of poor, directionless youths desperately seeking direction and succor by the words and deeds of Nigeria’s selfacclaimed role-models, advocacy gurus and motivational speakers.

Like the latter, they are as sneaky, corrupt and ignorant as social parasites and fortune bandits evolve.

They have such low opinions of themselves that they have come to believe that honest labour begets no reward and ‘slow and steady’ wins no race. In their world, practical and beneficial truisms are hardly put to work. That is why they desperately seek the shortest cuts to their eternities of bliss and wanton realities, every second.

Easy money, consequence-free fraudulence, duplicity, violence, sex, drugs, among other things constitutes what is celebrated as values and manifestations of selfactualisation. And they seek to achieve all these by the mercies and omnipotence of their highly ‘under-

standing’ and ‘gracious God.’ Like their favourite ‘youth leaders,’ and ‘advocacy’ gurus, they seek to defraud the universe and evolve our Creator into a decadent “God.” Honesty is the only investment and ‘smart’ strategy that never fails.

Even as we grow indifferent to candor and honest labour, the laws of the universe do not. Eventually, you get what you deserve. That is why the actress who sleeps her way to stardom as the musician who sings gibberish for applause always evolves into negligible flashes in the pan just when they are due to command the stage.

Our‘youth leaders’ and ‘advocacy’ gurus are fraudsters – particularly the child-adults pretending to be wise adults. No amount of roleplaying and pretension to insight shall imbue them with wisdom of the sages.

True wisdom is felt and earned through experience. It is never attained by cramming anecdotes, plagiarism or ‘smart strategizing.’ It’s the lazy, fraudulent type that would establish an NGO and make a career of ‘advocacy’ and ‘philanthropy.’It’s the scheming, greedy kind that does that; which brings me back to the disgruntled‘youth leader’ and ‘advocacy guru’ I mentioned at the beginning of this piece.

The poor, desperate chap is a Journalism graduate. Today, he counsels the youth on the benefits of ‘advocacy and service journalism’ although he has never written a feature story in his life or reported an event without the benefit of a ‘brown envelope.’ As an intern, he served on the youth and advocacy desk – as if such a desk ever truly exists. Oftentimes he freelanced for politics and business desks because “that is where the money is.”

It’s about time he justified his con-

testable education; it’s about time recipients and victims of his ‘advocacy’ and ‘service journalism’ identified him as the fraud he truly is.

Perhaps he would attain invaluable insight by the citizenship of Toyosi Ogunseye. Ogunseye started journalism as an undergraduate.

At a period when many of today’s youth are busy establishing NGOs and cloaking themselves in oversized designations, she started freelancing from the trenches. Nobody paid her to do what she did; she simply struggled to become a journalist, reporting crime and other human interest stories.

Taken by her drive and inexorable passion for the calling, The Sun Newspapers for which she freelanced eventually employed her. Whatever stipend she earned, she applied to improve her worth and develop her practice thus her postgraduate degree from the PanAfrican University. As an undergraduate she never engaged in dubious advocacy to make money. As a youth corps participant, she never squandered her allowance to build toilets for a school in pursuit of undeserved fame and ‘advocacy’points. That towering passion saw her through impressive spells at Newsstar newspapers and now, The Punch. It has won her a string of local and international merit awards. And she is yet to attain full bloom. Whatever height she is today, she has attained by dint of honesty and hard work.

She is more of a human than most of our self-acclaimed ‘youth leaders’ and ‘advocacy’gurus and her works remain the best form of ‘advocacy’ and ‘service journalism;’little wonder she is celebrated at home and abroad.

SMS only 08038551123 (tunji_ololade@yahoo.co.uk)

Countdown to Edo 2012

By Bala Ashiafi sensibilities of the Edo people who have found a Messiah in Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and are asking him to return to the Government House for a second term. Aso Villa must be advised that electoral malpractices are tantamount to coup plotting and that any attempt to obstruct the peoples will in Edo State on July 14 will terribly blur the image of Nigeria as a self-styled giant of Africa whose only claim to the sobriquet is numerical strength. All such extraneous practices as voters card buying, ballot box snatching; thuggery, killings and the like must not be permitted in the coming elections.

Already, investigations have revealed that destruction of campaign materials such as billboards and posters are going on in some areas in the state. According to former Delta State Commissioner of Police and a leader of the Edo State ACN, Jacob Oshiomogho, electoral malpractices are often the by-product of desperation and fear of the implications of failing an election. He advised the major opposition party, PDP not to use violence to subvert the peoples will.

In Ogbona, several campaign posters and bill boards have been destroyed including the one mounted in front of the house of this writer. It would interest readers to know that Ogbona is the home town of Chief Dan Obih, the Chairman of the Edo State Chapter of the PDP. This is babaric. Its is also PDP’s way of heating up the system, cause violence so as to obstruct elections since they know they will fail if the excercise takes place.

A PDP leader who pleaded anonymity insisted that it was thugs that started it by bringing down a billboard bearing the picture of the PDP candidate, Major

General Charles Airiavbere (rtd). When this writer visited the location of this board, it was found out to be in front of the house of a PDP Chieftain, Mr Osimeigha Ogah and made of hard metal which much have taken some good time to cut and bring down.

This discovery lends credence to the view of many in Ogbona that PDP may have destroyed its own campaign instrument as an excuse for destroying those of the Action Congress of Nigeria and cause unrest. A PDP leader who asked not to be named however insist that the thugs could not have been sent by the party – saying that “PDP has been reorganised and does not rig elections any more”.

Obviously, the opposition is worried about the implication of the PDP loosing in its chairman, Obih’s home.

We can only admonish that the people’s will would be allowed to prevail on July 14. Frustration and fury must yield the space just as the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan which Governor Adams Oshiomhole is exemplifying in Edo State must be allowed to continue. Oshiomhole is working. Edo is working again.

• Oshiafi, a Labour Journalist writes from Iyuku-Uzairue, Edo State.

‘Conscientious Nigerians and the international community would readily attest to the fact that PDP has been arrogantly muzzling opposition mainly by rigging or attempting to rig since 1999’

• Oshiomhole

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

I

HAVE been an avid reader of Mobolaji Sanusi’s column from his days at the Vanguard newspaper. His intervention in contemporary issues of our society has always been as dispassionate and authorial as possible, providing insights into issues like no other.

His piece entitled: ‘Are Ondo people ready for change?’ of June 22 in the Nation newspaper was no less refreshing. It bore the imprimatur of the author as a concerned ombudsman who is bothered about the slide of affairs in society.

Vintage Sanusi, it exposed the hypocrisy and lies of the palace jesters in Ondo State who consistently deify rot and half-baked governance in the Sunshine State and place the head of this rot as the Messiah of our time.

When, a few weeks after, a seeming rejoinder, brimming with bile, hatred and absolutely magisterial beatification of Olusegun Rahman Mimiko appeared in some national dailies, it occurred to me that haters of truth and hired opinion assassins were on the prowl again.

In this piece, I want to dwell seldom on the absolute falsehoods that are contained neither in the said rejoinder, nor on the spruced-up and falsified supposed sterling qualities of the governor of Ondo State in his four years in office. I am bothered that ignorance and naivety have combined to place Mimiko on a pedestal that he does not deserve over the years that have blinded us from seeing a Judas Iscariot that is sprouting like fern in an open field.

Let us begin from the fundaments that some Nigerians cannot unveil as is on display in the Mimiko issue. Let us begin from the political pedigree of the self-touted Iroko. Mimiko is a quintessential traitor that Yoruba, from time immemorial, abhor. The political firmament is replete with such duplicity in high places and societal recompense for same. His most recent political family member was Chief S. L. Akintola and we all know what happened to him politically. Akintola was a great man.

As Premier of the Western region, some of the massive infrastructures that we erroneously ascribe to Chief Obafemi Awolowo today have the unsung imprints of S.L. In terms of governmental performance, he was second to only his nemesis, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. But, politically, he was a traitor and our fathers and fore fathers dealt with him as one. Traitors, no matter their facade to behave as part of the normal crowd, are singled out and destroyed. Mimiko’s

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HE clock keeps ticking… inexorably, sometimes jarringly, it just ticks so cruelly on even when all else is quiet. And so life ticks away, a second at a time. So very slowly, in fact, have you noticed that the clock moves in slow motion yet it is relentlessly moving? So it is that 52 weeks have ticked by since that debut piece on the 1st of July a year ago, titled: “Gov. Ajimobi: I dey laugh o!”

Upon joining The Nation’s Editorial Board after a rather traumatic outing as a political appointee and pseudo-politician, I thought I had seen it all and done it all too. Having run the gamut of working as a reporter, editor, banker, political appointee and politician, all one wanted to do was to be an aloof observer, untrammeled and unexcited by the tide and flow of national affairs. This thinking advised the column’s title, EXPRESSO, derived from Espresso coffee: something hot, upbeat, mature in taste but sassy when need be. Yes, EXPRESSO is a well brewed hot cup of coffee taken just at the right time.

But how mistaken I was. The fun and lightheartedness of it was sooner shone of it by the weird turn of events in the polity in the last one year: a presidency and an administration that went wonky. Our environment became so febrile that we dare to speak of the ‘good old days’ of Abacha and Obasanjo.

How can any sane man make jokes and sip coffee when his house is on fire and his world is crumbling around him? This is the grim story of EXPRESSO at one. Take this sampler, just as this piece was in the mill, the story streamed in that Nigeria contributes 90% of the polio burden in Africa and more than 50% of this year’s cases worldwide. Gush! Take just any sample from any sphere of life and what you get is sad, sad story about our country.

So the original idea of EXPRESSO got derailed. For 52 weeks (but one) it was mainly politics, Jonathan, Boko Haram, the pestilence of corruption and the fuel subsidy miasma.

In all, 40 pieces devoted to Nigeria’s grand dysfunction while only nine discussed developmental issues like population, health and human interest matters.

I acknowledge my numerous readers and express my profound gratitude to some special people I have known through this space in this past year. Though most I have not met, we communicate almost every week; they

Sanusi and the Ananias, Saphira of our time

By Temmy Oluwatobiloba

•Mimiko political history and pedigree bear the imprimatur of S.L. Check his political history. It is replete with stabbing his benefactors in the back. Though I don’t have details of any Judastic thing he did to Bamidele Olumilua as a commissioner under the short-lived governor of Ondo State, but historians should begin the check from Baba Adebayo Adefarati. Mimiko was one of the young Turks that the old man leaned on.

In his blind pursuit of an acrid ambition to be governor, Mimiko willingly played Judas on the late former school Principal. The visceral ploy to manufacture the scandal of Plot 90 had Mimiko working in cahoots with Adefarati’s

enemies. Baba never recovered from this till his death.

Leap-frog to Olusegun Agagu, the man trusted Iroko so much that he made him his Secretary to the State Government. Till today, the great Geologist hasn’t recovered from Mimiko’s deadly stab, all in his blind bid to be governor of Ondo State. Even Agunloye, his emergency friend and sudden ally, had a taste of Mimiko’s treachery, erroneously presented as politics. Go straight to Olusegun Obasanjo, the former president of Nigeria.

Being a statesman, Obasanjo may not be able to verbalize in public details of Rahman’s Ananias and Saphira stab on him after a gentleman’s agreement. The snippet of this you would get was Obasanjo’s trenchant disavowal of his governorship and public denigration of his character. This is why the PDP at the federal level and President Goodluck Jonathan, that are reportedly considering an alliance with him, as Iroko prostrates and begs for one, must be wary of this modern-day fashion of the worst of us.

This may sound intangible, but it is a character trait that psychologists use to come to judgment about persons: Check the moustache of Olusegun Rahman Mimiko -it is exactly like Hitler’s! People like that are often vile and treacherous. The most recent casualty in the list of Mimiko’s betrayal is

EXPRESSO STEVE OSUJI

SMS O8181624757, email:steve_osuji@yahoo.com

The story of EXPRESSO at one

proffer suggestions and avail me their deep insight. I truly appreciate. Henceforth, I will deliberately try to veer away from the distraction that governance has become in Nigeria and touch more on some things that affect our lives. Things like matrimony, business, books and quality living in spite of government.

The poser on this page last week seems to affirm my desire to make this shift. The responses from it are far more than I have got on any single piece. I will reproduce a few below as space will permit but expect more posers in the days ahead. Let’s do it better this year.

RE: POSER TO THE READER: who is the chief culprit in a failed marriage: husband or wife?

It’s the husband. I did not know all these things until I became a husband. A wife becomes whatever her husband makes of her.

She is the image and glory of the man but the man is the one god gave the mandate to control the home. The wife is only there to help and be honoured. – Matthew Ezema, Makurdi, 07067031713.

Could be the husband or wife. No human being is a saint. The unrepentant man or woman is the culprit. – Emem J. Bassey, 07035370291 The main culprit is the husband. The reason is that women are divinely classified as weaker vessel and they exhibit this by silly mistakes! Besides the wedding vow is a bond made before God and must be upheld before death do them part – Engr. Jonah A. Ipadeola, Ibadan, 08033714075 More often than not, we husbands are the

culprits. This is due to sexual incontinence and inadequate laws to curb men’s excesses.

Call it male chauvinism – Tim Adegbite, Kosofe, Lagos, 08062206600 I am highly delighted to read your comment on Rev. Chris Okotie’s matrimonial hiccups. It’s like in this new age, Satan has made up his mind to pound Christian homes hard and make couples walk against God’s will. In most failed marriages today, both husband and wife often lock out tolerance.

But realistically, husbands are the main culprits. An average Nigerian man egoistic and romantically oppressive – Rev. Olumide Aluko, 08073954380.

Steve in our society? Definitely husbands.

Why? Because there are lesser or no financial consequencies in divorces. In the advances societies, there is a saying that, “ it is cheaper to keep her” considering the financial burden to be incurred in enforced court divorce orders e.g, child support, alimony, division of assets, etc especially from two ex-Mrs Okoties. – Prince many Adako Sr. 08088161850 Who else’s the culprit in a failed marriage if not the wife! The husband may jump to another woman while the wife may be unable to do so because of the children. Women are born to feel the pain! – Vincent Anyip, Kafanchan, Kaduna,08099013991 The husband is to blame. Most of us men are liars. Who joined Rev Chris Okotie and his former wife? Is it the same Jesus who will join him and his new wife? Rev. Okotie you are not a good example of a minister of God. Pastor Sam Obisesan, 08024435206 It takes two to tango. Both are responsible.

The lack of respect for the institution of mar-

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. At a time when Mimiko was in political bad weather, indeed Siberia, when his political enemies were on his jugular, this great politician bailed him out. He rallied round progressives to ensure that Mimiko achieved his dream of governing Ondo State. He helped this man in all ways possible and those who knew said he was a regular face at Tinubu’s Bourdillon residence, pretending to be brother of Angel Gabriel and carting away money like a demented sailor drowns bottles of hard liquor.

It is imprudent and perfidious for Mimiko to have used Asiwaju’s goodwill during his electoral travails only to turn around now to denigrate the man. Yoruba free born do not pee on the faces of our benefactors.

Also, it is pertinent to note that Ondo State is the richest in the South West. But for Internally Generated Revenue, Ondo is richer than Lagos!

Mimiko should thence be appraised like his colleagues in Delta and Akwa Ibom and not hapless Osun, Ekiti and Oyo states! He collects money due to oil-producing states and should be juxtaposed with great and performing governors of those hitherto mentioned states.

Buying 200 buses, building markets which is a local government function and building water fountain are too tokenistic and indeed a fraction of the wealth of these great people of Ondo State. Are we aware, for instance, that Ondo, since Mimiko became governor, has never held any LG election and thus, the state manages LG funds? If he used LG funds to build motor-parks, shouldn’t we ask what he has done so far with state funds? Why is he jinxed that he hasn’t finished many of the roads he embarked upon in the last four years? What is the level of fraud perpetrated in Ondo in the last four years? How much has the state collected so far and how much has been spent?

We should not allow the pseudo-comradeship of a governor who plays down on his sartorial acquisition by wearing low quality adire all the time while billions of our money are being siphoned out in the process to veil our eyes.

If Mimiko wins this re-election, our forefathers’ belief that no wicked shall prosper and whosoever diggeth a pith shall be buried in it will be rubbished. We should not be siring traitors like Mimiko through votes so as not to be telling upcoming youth that treachery is the template of leadership in Yorubaland.

• Ms. Oluwatobiloba writes from No 5, Eru Oba Street, Akure, Ondo State.

riage, lack of patience and no fear of God are responsible. 08028326717 in failed marriages women are the culprits because they go into marriage with pretence and extra high hope instead of love. Lizzy, Benin City, 0802332742 Steve, the woman is in charge of the house to make or mar it depends on her. Ayo ogunfowora, 08070581841 Of course the wife because God enjoined every wife to submit absolutely to the whims, cprices and pleasures and delights of the man.

08077571244 To the monogamist, marriage is a life union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. Putting it differently, polygamy is predicated on more than one. But to me, marriage is what you make of it. Blame and accolade, success or failure will come to you.

Jackson Inyang, 08036285020 The man is the leader in the partnership and a lot depend on his ability to lead. The Naija man knows that he can just go out there and grab another wife unlike the woman. So that makes him let go easily. Nathaniel Umar, Jos, 08054736100 God bless you for speaking, no woman goes into a marriage and prays for it to fail. A man destroys his marriage and turns around to blame it on the poor woman who must have endured to breaking point. As for Rev. Chris, he is the architect of his broken marriage.

How can a knowledgeable person like him be carried away by beauty and elegance? He doesn’t have my sympathy, it will teach other men who think with their penis to stat thinking with their head. Thank you. Mrs Taiwo Gbadamosi 08074421263.

It is men. 90% of divorce cases are usually caused by men due to excessive ego exhibited by them. Taiwo Osunsanya, Lagos.

‘I acknowledge my numerous readers and express my profound gratitude to some special people I have known through this space in this past year’

Friday, July 6, 2012

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

25

PEOPLE THE NATION

AN EIGHT-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

It was a gathering of political titans in Lagos when Minority Leader of the House of Representatives Hon Femi Gbajabiamila turned 50. His biography, Fearless: The Emergence of a Virile Opposition Leader, was presented on the occasion. MIRIAM NDIKANWU and PAUL OLUWAKOYA report.

•From right: ‘Birthday boy’ Hon Gbajabiamila; Hon Tambuwal; Chief Okunnu (SAN); Asiwaju Tinubu and Hon Ikuforiji

PHOTOS: OMOSEHIN MOSES

A ‘fearless’ legislator at 50 E

VEN the downpour could not stop them. They found their way to City Hall, Lagos, to honour a man worthy of honour. The traffic gridlock caused by the rain posed no obstruction. June 27 was a day Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, turned 50. His biography, Fearless: The Emergency of a Virile and Formidable Opposition Leader, written by Dr Wale Okediran, was also presented.

Gbajabiamila is known for his boldness on the floor of the House.

In a black suit, white shirt, Brazilian tie and a pair of eye-glasses, (he always wears it) a smiling Gbajabiamila sat with his wife, Salamat, on his right amid other dignitaries on the high table.

Guests took turns to shower encomiums on him.

The fleet of exotic cars and the tasteful decoration of the outer part caught passerby’s attention. In not time, itinerant drummers and singers trooped to the place, singing the praise of dignitaries as they arrived on after the other.

The celebrator’s mother, Madam Latifat Gbajabiamila, was the happiest person on the occasion. She moved round the hall, thanking guests for honouring her son. Decked in a beautiful green/lemon attire, she was full of gratitude to God. “Allah is the greatest. It’s not by my power or might. My joy today is double.

I am alive and my son is also alive. We all belong to God. I am just privileged to be his mother. And only Him has been protecting Femi. Being a parent doesn’t say you have power over your child’s

longevity. I thank everybody for making me proud of my son,” she said.

Chairman of the event Alhaji Femi Okunnu (SAN) described Gbajabiamila as a dedicated lawmaker.

“Femi,” the former Federal Commissioner for Works said, “never let anyone down. He is consistent, dedicated and a committed lawyer who has been serving the nation in good faith. Gbajabiamila rejected the 2011 Presidential Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) award as a true Nigerian who is still in service.”

The National Leader, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu described Gbajabiamila as a “dedicated and loyal young man with a sound mind.”

Tinubu said the celebrator has continued to make the country proud.

Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal, said he was attracted to the celebrator because they share the same core values, despite their diverse political backgrounds.

•From left: Governor Fashola; Governor Amosun and Chief Akande

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola hailed the celebrator’s contributions to national development.

He said the lawmaker has been following the path of great and intelligent leaders.

He described him as a “fearless” man who pursues his goals well, without minding whose ox is gored.

As the testimonies poured in amid standing ovations and hugs for the celebrator, nobody remembered the chilly weather as the mood spread warmth to the gathering.

‘Femi never let anyone down. He is consistent, dedicated and a committed lawyer who has been serving the nation in good faith.

Gbajabiamila rejected the 2011 Presidential Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) award as a true Nigerian who is still in service’

Also present were ACN National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande; Ogun and Ekiti State Governors Ibikunle Amosun and Kayode Fayemi; Osun State Deputy Governor Titi Laoye-Tomori; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji; Special Adviser to the President on Inter-party Affairs, Chief Ben Obi; former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Mallam Nasir el-Rufai; Senator Ganiyu Solomon; Senator Muniru Muse; ACN Presidential running mate Mr Fola Adeola; Ambassador Musiliu Obanikoro; Chief Ayo Adebanjo; ACN National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Muhammed; Members, House of Reps.: Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Hon Jumoke Okya-Thomas; Hon Toyin Suarau; Hon Yakabu Balogun; Hon Lanre Odubote and Hon Olalekan Solomon.

Also at the event were ACN Lagos State Chairman Otunba Henry Ajomale; former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) chief Mr Timi Alaibe; ACN National Legal Officer Dr Muiz Banire; Cardinal Omolaja Odumbaku; Chairman, Vintage Press Limited Mr Wale Edun; Hon Wale Oshun and notable lawyer Mr Fred Agbaje.

•More pictures on page 26

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

26

SOCIETY •Continued from page 25

•Mr Adeola and Alhaja Gbajabiamila

•Wife of the Gbajabiamila

celebrator

Mrs

Salmontu

•Governor Fayemi flanked by Chief Adebanjo (left) and Senator Solomon

•Book Reviewer, Prof Chidi Mokalu

•Aliyu Gebi

•Hon Jerry Alagbaoso (left) and Senator Obi

•Mrs Anjel Aneke (left) and Otunba Laoye-Tomori

•Otunba Ajomale (left) and Dr Banire

•From left: Kemi Ogunyemi; Mallam El-Rufai and Mrs Dupe Adelaja

•Mr Wale Osun and Hon Temi Harriman

•Dr Segun Oshin (left) and Mr Agbaje

PHOTOS: OMOSEHIN MOSES

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

27

SOCIETY A ‘FEARLESS’ LEGISLATOR AT 50

•Ambassador Obanikoro (left) and Alhaji Muhammed

•From left: Hon Abiodun Balogun; Hon Dabiri-Erewa and Mr Edun

Remains of Chief Clara Fasuan, first wife of Chief Deji Fasuan, was at the weekend interred in Afao-Ekiti, Ekiti State. country home of Chief Fasuan, amid encomiums by the clergy and her family, writes SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN

Farewell to ‘a virtuous woman’

T

•From left: Chief Fasuan; Chief Babalola and Chief Makanjuola Esan (SAN)

•Deceased children (from right) Mrs Ojo; Oladunni; Leke; Bosun; Gbonju and Mrs Folake Babalola

From left: Captain Yusuf; Mr Adaramodu and other guests

HE funeral of Chief Clara Fasuan in Afao-Ekiti last weekend might not be held as a joyful occasion but the fact that the deceased, had all her children alive to celebrate her passage somewhat lent providential grace enough to redeem what ordinarily should pass as a carpeting sad moment for the Fasuan family.

She was the first wife of Chief Deji Fasuan, a retired Permanent Secretary in the old Ondo State and one of the champions of the creation of Ekiti State.

Mrs Fasaun died on May 23 after a brief illness. She was 70.

Her remains now lie quietly at the cemetery of St. David’s Anglican Church, Afao-Ekiti.

All her six children - Olabisi, Folake, Gbonjubola, Olatunbosun, Olaleke and Oladunni, alongside family and friends, filed out in outfits for the church service held at St. David’s Anglican Church, Afao-Ekiti.

Sonorous songs came now and again from the church choir.

Encomiums flowed from family members, associates and church members of the deceased who saw in her a “devout Christian and a faithful mother.”

At the church service were Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Yemi Adaramodu), the Deputy Governor, Mrs Funmi Olayinka (represented by Mrs Kehinde Daramola); Aare Afe Babalola, the legal giant and proprietor of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) and wife; Chief Makanjuola Esan; Chief Dele Falegan and wife; and Chief Ojo Falegan and wife.

Others are former Military Administrator, Ekiti State, Navy Capt. Atanda Yusuf; Chief Festus Famuagun; Chief Festus Daramola; Elder Wale Fasuan (younger sibling of Chief Fasuan); and former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Bade Gboyega. Dr. Kayode Obembe (President, Christ’s School Old Students Association); Mr. Sunday Omolayo and Chief Deji Adegbite were also there.

In his sermon at the church service, the presiding pastor, Revd C.T. Omotunde, extolled the virtues of the deceased who, he noted, applied all he had to serve God. Noting her extreme devotedness and special contribution to the growth of the church, Revd Omotunde said the late Mrs Fasuan was “faithful to the Lord till the end of her life.”

The Bishop of Ekiti Diocese said parents should live a life which their children can emulate, adding that the kind of life the deceased lived would have robbed off desirably on her children.

Expressing worries at the collapse of bonds of kinship and family values, the cleric, said Mrs Fasuan lived the life of a true believer having allowed God to take entire control of her earthly pursuits.

“She was a committed Christian.

Her religious activities were so apparent, especially at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ado-Ekiti where she was a patron of the choir.

“She played other prominent roles and made regular contributions. At home here in Afao-Ekiti, she was the Iyalaje, an important chieftain in the hierarchy of women chiefs in the church. She loved her religious activities and accepted Christian responsibilities easily and happily”, he said.

Adaramodu said, although he did not have personal interaction with the late Mrs Fasuan, the fact that her passage could attract this crop of dignitaries across all walks of life offered testimonials that she lived a worthy life.

He said as commonly believed that behind every successful man is a woman and vice versa, the fact that Chief Fasuan is today “regarded as a pillar in and, indeed, one of the founders of Ekiti State attests to the fact that the deceased was a pillar behind the success of Chief Fasuan.

On the list of those who joined in pouring encomiums on the late Mrs Clara was the Deputy Governor of the State, Mrs Funmilayo Olayinka, who described her as “a testimony and an example of a virtuous woman”

‘She was a committed Christian. Her religious activities were so apparent, especially at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ado-Ekiti where she was a patron of the choir. She played other prominent roles and made regular contributions’

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

28

SOCIETY

Preserving the Oyekan dynasty Scion of the late Oba Adeyinka Oyekan, Oba Mobadenle Obalade Oyekan, has been installed the traditional ruler of Ilado and Inogbe Islands of Lagos. ABIKE ADEGBULEHIN writes.

I

T was a new dawn for the residents of Ilado and Inogbe Islands of Lagos last Saturday as their monarch, Oba Mobadenle Obalade Oyekan was presented with certificate and staff of office.

It would be recalled that the approval for Oba Mobadenle Oyekan’s appointment was published in the Government Gazette No. 30 Vol. 28, August 28, 1995. The Esimikan family proceeded to the Lagos State Standing Tribunal on Chieftaincy matters in 1995 to request for the restoration of their Obaship status and upgrading it to a first-class monarch. The request was granted and this led to the publication of the second Gazette No. 22 Vol. 29 of August 1, 1996. However, the instrument of appointment and staff of office could not be presented due to the protracted law suit which was only determined early last month.

It was not surprising that joy and conviviality were in the air when the government team, led by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Ademorin Kuye, stormed the area for the coronation.

Oba Oyekan is the son of the late immediate past Lagos paramount ruler, Oba Adeyinka Oyekan.

The event was not completed without the usual traditional rites carried out earlier in the day by the chiefs.

Itinerant drummers, local musicians and some other entertainers ensured it was not a dull outing.

Stepping out in his simple royal regalia, comprising butter Agbada and green crown, an elated Oba Oyekan could not hide his

•Kuye (second left) assisted by Elegushi of Ikateland Oba Saheed Ademola (right) and Olori Bukunola Oyekan to present staff of office to Oba Oyekan

joy.

He waved to the crowd intermittently acknowledging cheers.

No doubt, he was the cynosure of all eyes.

He brandished the horse tail as the crowd yelled Kaaabiyeesi o!

Speaking shortly before installing the traditional ruler and presenting the monarch with the staff office and instrument of appointment, Kuye, who represented Governor Babatunde Fashola, congratulated Oba Oyekan.

He noted that while the two Islands were richly endowed, the potential have been largely untapped as a result of the absence of peace and unity.

He enjoined the monarch to quickly establish peace and unity to bring about the much- needed growth and development in the areas.

Earlier, the council Chairman of AmuwoOdofin Local Government, Area of Lagos State Comrade Adewale Ayodele, urged Oba Oyekan to use his position to catalyse

and speed up development in Ilado and Inogbe Islands.

Adewale disclosed that his government had been in discussion with some Brazilian investors to attract investments worth over $1 billion to the two Islands. He regretted that the discussions were stalled as a result of lack of peace in the area as well as the 17year dispute over the rulership and ownership of the two Islands.

He expressed the hope that with the two issues resolved, growth and development will come to Ilado and Inogbe islands.

Oba Oyekan thanked the governor and people of Lagos State for their understanding, co-operation, and support over the years, promising to do everything possible to ensure that their trust was not misplaced.

The monarch stated that a cardinal aspect of his programme is the promotion of peace and unity on the two Islands.

He promised to work with relevant agencies of the state and Federal Government to instill discipline and maintain law and order necessary for the attraction of growth and development.

Many came from far and near to witness the wedding between Oluyemisi and Oyewo Omololu at the Lagos residence of Hon Benjamin Olabinjo. The wedding attracted the crème de la crème, reports AHMED BOULOR

Union of lovebirds E

VERYTHING about the wedding was classy. And Hon Benjamin Olabinjo, the bride’s father, exuded joy as gave out his daughter in marriage at his Iju Remo, a Lagos suburb residence.

The bride, Oluyemisi, was dressed in a white flowing gown, while Oyewo wore a nice black suit with a matching pair of shoes. The bride maids wore light green attires while the groomsmen wore all-white satin regalia which added glamour to the occasion, making it look colourful and attractive.

The event was filled with fanfare as guests were treated to choice foods and drinks.

The well-attended wedding saw the turn-out of friends, family members and well wishers who thronged the venue in their numbers. They were overcome with happiness for the newly wed.

Clad in a brown colour attire, Olabinjo, who smiled all through, expressed joy at giving out his daughter in marriage. He said: “Today is a great day; I am happy that my daughter is getting married and I wish her all the best as

she gets hooked to her heartthrob. I can’t but wish her the very best, though I am going to miss her a lot.”

The wedding was anchored by a popular Yoruba comedian, Baba Ijesha.

The bride, who could not hide her feelings, expressed happiness for the day; she described it as her happiest.

“I am most excited and joyful for the success of the day; today is my happiest,” she said.

In attendance were Lagos State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice Ade Ipaye; Lagos State ACN leader Cardinal James Odumbaku; Commissioner for Local Government Service Commission Mrs Obas; Hon Ademorin Kuye; Permanent Secretary Local Government Service Commission, Dr Samuel Adejare, Hon Safari Adebanjo, Chairman Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, Hon Oloruntoba Oke; Chairman Odi- Olowo Local Council Development Area, Hon Yemi Ali and Alhaji Ganiyu Badmus.

Others were Alagbado of Agbado; Oba Adedayo Adeshina, Oba Alaye of Ode Remo and Oba Elerin ile of Erin Ile, among others.

•The couple Omololu and Yemisi

•Adewale

29 FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

Vol 4. No. 1758

Amstel Malta leverages with Showtime W

HEN Amstel Malta hit the market, observers never gave it a chance. To them, it would be akin to that medical tragic case: Dead on Arrival (DOA).

It was a matter of time before the brand would either make its exit or at best, joined the growing list of fringe malt drinks, they thought. Surprisingly, 18 years after, Amstel Malta continues to wax stronger with its phenomenal growth.

Today, Amstel Malta is one of the fastest growing Malt drink in the country. It is also the undisputed leader in the low-sugar malt category. Add to the fact that Amstel Malta comes from the stables of Nigerian Breweries Plc, the biggest brewery concern in the country, and then you probably understand why other malt brands are taking the Amstel Malta challenge seriously.

The brand’s growth is no mean achievement.

The malt category remains one of the most vibrant in the beverage markets in the country. According to a recent research conducted by a foremost investment banking group BGL, “The lager beer and malt drinks are the largest segments in the beer market. Jointly, these two segments have a market share of about 85 per cent.”

Thus, having the potential to dominate the malt beverage category is truly a big deal for a brand like Amstel Malta.

So what is behind Amstel Malta’s growing popularity? For one, its low-sugar composition sets it apart from other competing brands.

This distinctive feature has remained the staying power of the brand since its inception.

Interestingly, Amstel Malta was not the first malt brand to ride on the wave of the unique health value the drink offers to consumers.

Indeed, the other competing malt brands in the country also employed the same route offering increased enhanced vitamins and other nutritional benefits. Though Amstel

When it entered the market in 1994, few people gave the premium low-sugar malt drink, Amstel Malta, a chance. Then, the market was highly competitive. But it not only survived, it is making an impact, writes JIMI DAVID. Malta is neither the first nor the only malt drink to pursue that line in its marketing thrust, it seems to hold the aces with its lowsugar composition.

The reason is not far-fetched. Over the years, the debate over sugar consumption and its harmful effects is one that has dominated headlines. And the issue shows no sign of abating. Ask the average Nigerian and you are likely to come up with a truck-load of reasons high sugar intake is dangerous to health. Thus, Amstel Malta’s entry into the fray was not only a breath of fresh air, but also a much-needed relief for the health conscious among malt drinkers.

The brand was a hit the moment it entered the market. Though positioned as a premium brand for the upwardly mobile youth, Amstel Malta somehow found its way into the hearts of other segments of the market because of its low sugar proposition. Everybody seems to have caught the sugar-free bug.

Indeed, it is undeniable that the brand enjoys a high Top Of Mind Awareness in the market on its low-sugar value proposition.

Then, came the marketing explosion era.

The period where brands started seeking other avenues to reach out to their target markets. The brand activation era was born.

Enter Amstel Malta Showtime. The unique activation is only in its second year and it is

gathering fans daily. Lately, it is becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate brand activations. With the proliferation of brand activations in the country, what we get mostly are copied versions of successful activations.

Yet, again, Amstel Malta has succeeded in standing out with Amstel Malta Showtime.

The activation is not just your regular runof-the-mill event where super stars perform.

It also features exciting displays from an array of young talents from different tertiary institutions, going head-to-head-against one another in the singing, dancing and comedy categories. Winners in each category of the competition get exciting prizes. They also get the opportunity to perform with the superstars on parade that night.

Therein lays the uniqueness of Amstel Malta Showtime. The event not only provides a platform for the wannabes to showcase their talent, it also gives them the once-in-a-life time experience of being the best they can be with the best - the much more established stars.

Plus, it is one of the few activations to be designed exclusively for students of tertiary institutions.

Last year, Amstel Malta Showtime moved across four cities namely, Owerri, Enugu, Abuja and Lagos, creating fun and excitement in its wake. The event paraded some of the biggest music and comedy acts in the

country, including P Square, M.I, Jesse Jagz, Wiz Kid, Banky W, Jesse Jagz, comedian Buchi and others.

The fun and excitement continues again this year. The very first leg of Amstel Malta Showtime was held in Port Harcourt with ace artistes, P Square as well as highlife crooner, Flavour, thrilling the audience with their exciting performances. The dancing, singing and comedy contests were no less exciting as the various contestants sought to outdo each other.

They were judged by the vociferous audience whose voice votes sealed the fates of the contestants. At the end of the competition, Obialor Chijioke and Iyeh Kachi, from the Federal University of Technology, and Nonso Osimkpa from the University of Port Harcourt, were adjudged winners in the singing, dancing and comedy categories. For their efforts, they got N500,000 each, a brand new iPad and a sponsored weekend for two in a high brow hotel in Lagos. The first and second runners-up were not left out as they also got N250,000 and N100,000.

Speaking after the Port Harcourt leg of the show, Mrs. Doyin Owotomo, the Brand Manager, Amstel Malta, Nigerian Breweries Plc, said its Malta Showtime was conceived to continue the Amstel Malta tradition of giving youths a platform to be their best.

She said: “It goes without saying that Amstel Malta is a premium brand and what we have done is to give these youngstars a premium experience that they will not forget. Whether it is the exciting prizes, or the experience of sharing the stage with the star of your dreams, everybody is leaving here with something memorable.”

Up next is Benin, where the Amstel Malta Showtime is set to storm the capital of Edo State on July 27. The line up of stars expecting to grace the event are Naeto C and Davido, while ace comedian Buchi will also be on stage.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

30

Brandnews

Maltina Dance All Season Six opens • N7.5m up for grabs

M

ALTINA is set to kickstart its popular family reality television show Maltina Dance All (MDA), which is in its sixth season.

This is coming after it held its National Consumer Promotion tagged: “Maltina sharing happiness promo”, where five Nigerians won tastely-furnished threebedroom homes in Lekki, Lagos, As it was last year, Nigerian Breweries Plc, the owner of Maltina brand, has announced an upward review of the prize.

According to it, the winning family will get N6 million and a brand new car, while the first and second runners-up will take home N1 million and N500, 000.

The show is the consumer engagement and experiential marketing platform that the brand deploys to link up with its consumers and the society.

Speaking at a briefing at the firm’s headquarters, Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries PLC, Mr Ageni Yusuf, said Maltina is renowned for promoting togetherness with friends and loved ones.

He recalled the history of the unique consumer engagement platform. “In 2007, Maltina Dance All, the foremost experiential and sponsorship platform of the brand was introduced. The family TV show has, no doubt, remained Nigeria’s first and only family dance TV show featuring families from various regions in the country.

“From the 2007 edition, which produced the Onye family as winners, Maltina Dance All has gone through five successful seasons. In 2008, it was the Opuwari family that carted away the star prize; in 2009, the Ibiams were voted the nation’s best dance family.

“The Adejoh’s were champions in 2010 while in 2011, the Ekubos

were crowned the best dance family with the unforgettable swinging moves of Ebi Ekubo and his younger sister.”

Yusuf stressed that the new season would for enjoying home grown entertainment, twists and thrills and learn some winning dance steps.

He said: “It would be about emotions, the excitement, fun and the unbreakable bond that 10 families will showcase when they challenge themselves by learning and performing various dance styles in the famous Maltina Dance All academy.”

On what is at stake in Season Six, the Corporate Affairs Adviser said: it “promises to be the most spectacular Maltina Dance All ever, as the winning family will go home with the grand prize of N6million never given away on Maltina Dance All. As usual, the winning family will also drive home in a brand new car. The first and second runners-up will also get N1million and N500, 000.”

Yusuf urged consumers to participate in the event by registering at the regional auditioning centres in Port Harcourt, Benin, Enugu, Ibadan, Lagos and Abuja between July 20 and August 4, this year or by registering online at http:// www.maltinadanceall.tv.

A breakdown of the regional auditioning dates show that Benin and Port Harcourt auditions would take place on July 20 and 21 at Best Western Hotel and The Atrium Event Centre.

Lagos audition would hold at the National Theatre from July 26-28. Enugu audition would take place at Dannic Hotel on July 27 and 28, while Abuja and Ibadan auditions would take place concurrently on August 3 and 4 at the Nicon Luxury Hotel and Jogor Centre.

Firm unveils Nobel carpets, rugs

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UCKY Fibres Plc, makers of the premium Nobel Carpets and Rugs, has introduced a new range of high quality high traffic carpets into the market.

They are designed for places with constant human traffic, such as offices, lobbies and receptions.

Made with special quality yarn that endowed them with the strength to withstand the rigours of the daily and constant use, the high traffic carpets are able to retain their colour and design despite the intense pressure being mounted on them by the regular flow of persons.

According to the General Manager of Lucky Fibres Plc, Mr Neeraj Kalaskar, the carpets and rugs are in line with the philosophy of the firm to continue to invent and reinvent products to meet specific need of our customs.

“At Nobel Carpets and Rugs, we believe that every place has a unique requirement and the kind of flooring needed depends on the

place. This is why we have introduced our dynamic new range of high traffic carpets to meet the special needs of our corporate customers to cover places such as offices as well as the Lobby and Reception areas of hotels and other large organisations. We pride ourselves on providing the right sort of floor covering for whatever job at hand and we are confident that our high traffic range would be a big hit in the market,” he said.

Kalaskar said the indication of this success was received at the Architects’ Colloquium organised by the Architects’ Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), where the products were showcased to wide acclaim from some architects and senior members of ARCON. Kalaskar described the new products as an affirmation that its carpets are of quality and durability.

The applause that greeted the carpets was a justification of the research and technology that were invested in their production.

• Mr Olugbodi (3rd left) and some senior staff of the Verdant Zeal Group at the event.

Ekwueme, Nwabueze, others bag awards F

ORMER Vice-President Alex Ekwuemehas received the Distinguished Political Icon Award organised by the African Leadership Magazine Heroes of Nigeria Development Awards.

Also honoured were Prof. Ben Nwabueze, who got the Distinguished Legal Icon Award and Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who received the Outstanding Democrat Award.

A firm Verdant Zeal Marketing Communication received the Star Award in Innovative Excellence at the event. It is in recognition of the innovation it has introduced into branding and advertising.

Editor-in-Chief/Chief Executive Officer, African Leadership Magazine, Ken Giami, said the event, which it organised with the African Business Roundtable (ABR) and the Centre for Economic and Leadership Development, was for the celebration and recognition of individuals andgroups,who played critical roles in their growth and development of the countries.

He said: “Business activities in West Africa have grown significantly in the last decade owing to the contributions of some strategic players in the various sectors of the economy. Through world class service delivery in tandem with best global practices, some key industry players have continued to position Africa as the ultimate investment destination.

“Despite apparent challenges, they have, indeed, risen to become

‘Despite apparent challenges, they have, indeed, risen to become global players in their chosen endeavours and should, therefore, be commended and celebrated’

global players in their chosen endeavours and should, therefore, be commended and celebrated,” he added.

Other awardees are Katsina Governor, Alhaji Shehu Ibrahim Shema, who received the award for Best Governor in Infrastructural Development, NorthEast;Director-General (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii, is the Best Industry Regulator of the Year; Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, Best Governor on Health and Human Services and Director-General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Alhaji Muhammad Nadada Umar got the Most Outstanding Industrial Developer Award.

Managing Director, Verdant Zeal, Mr Tunji Olugbodi, said the awards were handled by the firm’s staff who ensured that each of them was treated with utmost respect and secrecy.

LG’s AC for north market

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G Electronics has unveiled its new Multi V III Solo air conditioner in the north.

The event, meant to ensure penetration of this commercial air conditioner into a section of the country with a growing need for air conditioners that can perform higher, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The move came as the firm emphasises its businesses in the country, where the demand for energysaving technology is growing.

The launch of the product is an evidence of the electronic giant’s drive to be ahead of competition in innovation by ensuring that consumers’ satisfaction and comfort is a key concern when manufacturing products.

Combining this innovation with higher efficiency, the Multi V III Solo delivers fast response cooling and space-saving smaller

footprint. Expectedly, this cutting-edge attribute would make it gain significant market share in Nigeria and Africa.

The Multi V III Solo has three unique benefits, which the consumer stands to enjoy. These are the higher energy efficiency, ecofriendly and longer piping design. The AC unit’s increased energy efficiency, which is boosted

by LG’s unique DC inverter compressor technology, delivers a COP level (coefficient of performance) of 3.5.

With a total piping length up to 150 m and a level difference of 50 m between ODU (Out door unit) and IDU (In door unit), the Multi V III Solo provides optimum solution for small/medium-sized building. Multi V III Solo could be connected to over 25 indoor units in any building.

“As a company with a great fo-

cus on producing energy-saving and efficient products, we are happy to introduce the Multi V III Solo into the Nigerian market,” said Mr Johnny Jeong, General Manager, Air conditioning and Energy Solution Division, LG Electronics West Africa Operations. “With this product in the market, we are in a better position to work with our dealers and business partners to keep LG in the lead as the No. 1 provider of smart and efficient HVAC solutions,” he added.

The Managing Director, Tecnicool Nig. Ltd, a strategic partner to LG Electronics, Mr Niyi Kolawole, said: “There is no better time than this to introduce to the market an AC with fast-cooling response, energy saving technology and space-saving footprint. This is a great need that the LG Multi V III Solo has come to fulfill in Nigeria.”

SHOPPING

31

THE NATION

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

e-mail: janicenkoli@yahoo.com 08033349992 sms only

email:- shopping@thenationonlineng.net

•Mannequins for best display

Mannequin: The age-old ‘sales rep’ It is a dummy cut in human shape. If you don’t look carefully, you can confuse it for a person. Most shops have these dummies on display. They are used to model male and female clothes to attract customers. The mannequin has come a long way as a modelling tool, writes JANICE NKOLI IFEME. •STORY ON PAGE 30

Beware of those leather goods - Page 32

How smart is your camera?

- Page 33

Curtains that show class - Page 34

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

32

SHOPPING

•Mannequins

Mannequin: The age-old ‘sales rep’ I N many instances, they attract a second look. They usually fool the window-shopper who is looking for a nice outfit to buy. They are dressed up dolls used to model male and female clothes. These mannequins are on display in shops and they tend to give buyers an impression of how the clothes will look on them.

The range of mannequins in the market is enormous. It includes the traditional tailor’s measuring bust to ultra-modern mannequins made in unusual colours and shades.The choice of which to use depends on the image the store is trying to project. The sort of clothing being sold will also determine the most appropriate choice of display. So, a high fashion retailer will go for a very modern design of mannequin and a sports retailer will prefer one with a more athletic look.

Mannequins should be light enough to be be moved with ease around the store. This will also allow staff to update the look in the store by regularly changing what the mannequin wears and encouraging more custom-

ers to come in. This is especially important on the window of a fashion retailer who is keen to keep up with latest trends and reflect those in the display. Mannequins should also be sturdy enough to stand up to knocks when being moved around the store and when their clothing is being changed. Choose mannequins in a variety of sizes and skin tones to reflect the different sizes of clothing sold in the store and the varying needs of your customers.

Shoppers often rely on mannequins to get inspiration for outfit ideas; and having a mannequin is always an excellent sales point for any retail outlet. Lots of people also use mannequins as unique additions to their bedroom furnishings or living space.

They are made in male and female images.They are used for all sorts of things.

Many of them display clothings in department stores, some work as hair models and still others manage to get incorporated into art projects.

Marketing apparels with mannequins has

been going on for centuries, but never with the force that it has today. These ‘silent salespeople’ allow your customers to envision themselves in the clothing displayed on the mannequins - and that visual sells clothing.

Whether you want a display mannequin for your departmental store, boutique or museum, you can find suitable ones for men, women and children.

Mannequins are used in various ways, including museum displays, store window displays, haunted house props and as stand-ins for TV and film shoots.

The first fashion mannequins, made of papier-mâché, were made in France in the mid-19th century. They were later made of wax to produce a more lifelike appearance.

In the 1920s, wax was supplanted by a more durable composite made with plaster. Some modern mannequins are made of molded plastic. They are used extensively for the display of clothing in stores and in shop windows, and as decoration.

Mannequins are effective advertising tools.

Leather dates back to ancient times when people created armours from it to protect themselves during wars. Since then, its functions have diversified. Now, household wares, office and personal items are made from them. But buyers must open their eyes wide not to buy fake leather. OMOLARA MOFESOLA OMONIYI reports.

Beware of those leather products

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EATHER is a durable and flexible material created by tanning animal hide and skin. It can be produced in cottage industry and larger industry. Due to the strong nature and durability of the leather material, it serves many purposes. It is used to create chairs, tables, rugs, beds and many other house-hold items, not excluding the kitchen items.

Personal items that could be created from leather materials are shoes, slippers, bags, wallets and book binding among others. The guarantee is its durability. You can be sure that for a few years, the product will

still serve you.

When shopping for diversified leather products, it is advisable to take extra precaution, because fake products are very many. According to a seller of leather materials, Mr Olusola Olaseni, “people are too careless when buying leather materials.

It is possible for them to be in a hurry to purchase the products because of its beauty, but they do not take time to study it before paying for it. I do not sell fake products anyway, people who know me can testify to that.”

The products are reasonably expensive, but with a swift bar-

gain, you could bring down the price by 50 per cent, especially this rainy season. It is wise to check the product about to be purchased to be sure it has not been affected by the rains in the store of the seller.

They could be purchased anywhere products are sold. Shopping for it could also be interesting.You may need to touch the product by either pinching or pressing it to be sure it is in good condition.

Exposure to a long period of humidity can cause it to break over time. It will cause it to become desiccated, irreversibly changing its fibrous structure.

•Leather goods

Research shows that display mannequins pay for themselves by increasing clothing sales.

If you sell apparels (anything from swimwear to outerwear), the better it is displayed, the better it will sell.

A shopper, Mr Tom Jakova, said: “Every time I go to the mall, I deliberately visit the clothing stores to have a good look at the mannequins. I love looking at them. I am fascinated with them and enjoy gazing at their almost perfect face and body structure. They bring out the beauty of clothes.”

Miss Constance Ibeh said: “It’s like every clothe that the mannequins wear looks good, but when we wear it, it doesn’t look as good as it looks on the mannequin. When I was a child, I was somewhat afraid of mannequins, especially the faceless and headless ones. I think the first mannequin I saw in the mall was faceless. It frightened me a lot”.

But Ms Maria Azubuike has a different opinion. “I have never really liked things that look like people, but are not. I am not really sure why. I work at the mall in a big clothing store; so I see them all the time. Sometimes, out of the corner of my eye I mistake them for a real person. Ha ha, stupid mannequins”, she laughed.

My favourite aspect of the shopping season is the store decorations. Mrs Felicia Nwodo: “They are the most beautiful thing in the world to me. It is literally amazing to behold. I’m not even sure why I’m stuck on only the mannequins.”

The advent of the department store with its large show windows, behind which mannequins bearing the latest fashions could be admired by the crowds, encouraged window trimmers to be artistic as well as practical.

Mannequins slowly developed from being just a simple prop to display the merchandise towards a more realistic form. Mannequins with glass eyes, real hair and facial expressions began to appear.

The depression and the Second World War brought about shortages and shop windows became rather sombre with the mannequins of the day looking slightly melancholy. However, it all changed when the war was over and by the late 1940s mannequins looked happy and prosperous, some of them even wore a radiant smile. Male mannequins in particular looked relaxed and some even had holes drilled between their lips for inserting pipes.

Advances in technology have continued so that mannequin artists can manufacture any conceivable design and are bound only by the limits of their creativity.

Some mannequins serve as hair models for students in hair-styling schools. Mannequins are helpful tools for clothing design. Instead of taking body measurements, cloth can be draped over the mannequin to design clothing.

A mannequin (also called a dummy, lay figure or dress form) is an often articulated doll used by artists, tailors, dressmakers, and others, especially to display or fit clothing. The term is also used for life-sized dolls with simulated airways used in the teaching of first aid, CPR, and advanced airway management skills, such as tracheal intubation and for human figures used in computer simulation to model the behaviour of the human body. During the 1950s, mannequins were used in nuclear tests to help illustrate the effects of nuclear weapons on human beings.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

33

SHOPPING Technology has made things easy in all areas of life. Unlike in the past, there are now portable smart cameras that produce superior picture-quality. They also ensure Wi-Fi connectivity, making picture taking simpler, smarter and more sociable. JANICE NKOLI IFEME writes.

Shopping Right with

From my mail box

How smart is your camera? D

EAR reader, Thanks for your comment and response to The Nation Shopping.

As always, we are poised to serve you more and give you every valuable piece of information on our finger tips.

As we do first Friday of every month, here are some of your comments as space would enable us. Please bear with us if your comment is not published in this edition.

Thanks a million. Janice.

JANICE NKOLI IFEME

As a retailer, I must confess that your articles have helped me a lot in understanding and knowing how to satisfy my customers. The one you wrote on connecting with customers was an eye opener. From experience, I can say that training my sales people have helped to improve sales. I think every retailer should key into that. If you let them know what you want and how you want them to do it, you will be saving yourself some hazard. Thanks.

• Mathew Ugwu, Yenoagoa Thanks for enlightening us on the right approach to shopping. I realise that shopping is an important aspect of life and also has its own approach. I think presenting Shopping as a separate entity by The Nation is a good idea. I also think you are doing it right. Please ride on.

•Olamide Olojede, Badagry.

Janice one thing you guys do which I like so much is that you do not only tell us to shop till we drop but you also tell us how to shop responsibly. It shows that The Nation is also a prudent newspaper. I am doing an article on wise shopping. I realise that a lot of people usually get confused when they set out to shop, which is why many, especially women, spend so long a time roaming around the malls in the name of shopping. I will send it to you when it is ready, God willing. Thanks for being there.

•Johnson Akanni, Abuja.

I think the coming of malls is reshaping the way Nigerians shop. I for one, I love shopping in a nice environment. I don’t think there is anyone who likes it otherwise.

That is why stores like Shoprite are a great delight. I want to commend them for affecting our lives so much. However, let’s forget all the razzmatazz. They actually came to Nigeria to make money and they are sure successful at it.

•Moses Okanlawon, Ilorin.

•Samsung smart camera

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ONE are the days when only manual cameras were available.

Then, only professional photographers handled the camera. To view the photos after taking the shots, one would need to go to the photo studio to develop and print them. This took a long time.

The introduction of the digital camera changed the trend, making it simpler and better. The digital camera makes it easier to print photos, which you could easily do in the comfort of your home or office, if you have a suitable printer.

Advancement in phone technology further hyped the digital photo experience, as people could afford to take photos with their phones and even video events. The introduction of smart phones further enhanced the entire digital experience.

With the iPhone 4S as the top camera on the flicker photography site, Samsung Electronics, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies is betting on the fact that most non-iPhone owners are not happy with their camera but like the ability to share pictures through their phone. That is why it introduced smart cameras that can take excellent photos and share them over Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi enabled technology and features have been developed for photographers of all levels to ensure their photography experience is simpler, smarter and more sociable. Besides, it is easy to operate. It is part of the company’s commitment to world-class innovation.

One may ask: Why bother with a Wi-Fi point-and-shoot when your smart phone can do the same thing? Since the camera has wireless connectivity, it all comes down to picture quality. Smartphone cameras traditionally offer digital zooms, which do not provide as clear an image than a camera with an optical zoom lens.

Aside from uploading images and videos, this camera offers other benefits that some smart phones do not yet offer such as dual image stabilisation, wireless sharing to HDTVs, full manual control of photo settings, on-device editing and panoramic shots.

As cameras in smart phones have improved, many have opted not to carry a single-purpose camera, mainly because of the connectivity found in a handset. But

with integrated Wi-Fi, Samsung may find an audience of people who do not mind carrying a dedicated camera in addition to their smart phone. Actually, the phone could be a mobile broadband hotspot for the Wi-Fi camera, eliminating the need to find a hotspot for picture uploads.

Look to be traditional point-and-shoot cameras. But the little Wi-Fi logo on it gives away its secret feature: the ability to connect to a wireless hotspot for photo uploads. Both can also shoot and share 720p video at 30 frames per second.

As a leading innovator in the digital imaging industry, the Korean company is responding to growing consumer demand for integrated Wi-Fi enabled technology.

The company’s pioneering smart camera range has been engineered to offer superior picture capturing, while maximising simplicity throughout the photographic experience and ensuring that users are just one click away from seamless connectivity.

With more than half of the estimated 2.5 billion digital camera owners in the world sharing their photos via online and social networking sites, and over 100,000 Wi-Fi hot spots in more than 75 countries, the benefits of Wi-Fi have never been more important or accessible. They ensure that photographers of all levels, from teenagers to grandparents, can take full advantage of the wireless world - anytime and anywhere. It is regarded by many as the industry’s most-connected range to date.

Mr Myoung Sup Han, Senior Vice-President and Head of the Digital Imaging Business, Samsung Electronics said: “The ability to instantly share, securely save and automatically back-up images on the go make our line-up of smart cameras musthaves for a range of photographers. This introduction of Wi-Fi functionality across our 2012 line-up demonstrates Samsung’s continuing commitment to ensuring our customers are provided with a simpler, smarter and more enjoyable camera experience, whatever their skill level. We will continue to create and bring to market innovative products that open up completely new photographic possibilities to our customers”.

The smart cameras are available in Samsung dealer centres and other major electronic stores in the country.

I want to comment on the car park crisis at Ikeja City mall. They should have anticipated that so many people would want to park their cars there for long hours. Was that not the original intent- to provide adequate car park for shoppers? The truth is many who park their cars always end up buying something, whatever it is. That is not to say that I am encouraging excessive parking of cars at the mall, but they should consider the fact that the numerous cars driving into the place makes it the hub that it is. I would suggest that if they want to place a bill on parking of cars, it should be a fixed amount after the first one hour. The issue of paying additional fees depending on the number of hours is not welcome. After all, the essence of such a mall is for people to create ample time to move around. So why restrict them?

•Kudus Akosile, Kwara State.

One thing baffles me Janice. When they want to set up these malls, they tell us that they are helping to develop our towns. But they always choose the choice areas where they know that people can easily go to. Why don’t they go to the remote parts and develop them? I am surprised that the government who is supposed to encourage development of our remote areas rather assist them with acres of land in already booming areas, instead of taking them to areas that are not yet developed. Don’t you think they are truly more concerned about making their money than developing our economy?

•Jude Asuquo, Lagos.

Your piece on securing our homes this rainy season is apt, given the fact that it has been raining cats and dogs these days. I even heard that people living on low land areas should vacate their abode. That is a big problem. Where will they go? Well, I commend your efforts at trying to help people improve the upkeep of their homes. I have actually found myself coming out whenever it is raining heavily to ascertain any possibility of erosion and also to see if there are any fixtures I need to do. You actually alerted me to it. I hope many others will take a cue from that.

•Mr Mike, Ikorodu, Lagos.

In your article, entitled: ‘clothing yourself appropriately’, you highlighted so many things to consider while shopping for clothes and how to buy, mix and match them.

You even went ahead to tell us how to dress. Well, not bad at all. I think I would like to go shopping with you- on your bill of course.

•Tim, University of Calabar.

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

34

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

SHOPPING

Curtains that show class Curtains are essential in the home, but when choosing them, you have to be sure of the design to ensure they align with other house decorations. OMOWUNMI OGUNTUASE writes.

S

TYLISH contemporary curtains co-ordinate with other home interior items, such as wall decor and matching pillows to create a complete look for your home. Many modern curtains are offered in several colours and are available at designated centres.

Before buying curtains, there is need to know what is involved.

Adequate measurement should be taken to get the right sizes.You can purchase yours from various malls across the city, such as The Palms, Mega Plaza and The Arena or even stores in your neighbourhood.

There are also specialised markets for curtains. Example is the Awolowo Ultra-modern market, Ojota. There are also sections for curtains at Yaba, Oshodi, Balogun, Aswani and several markets around the metropolis. In many cases, there are also tailors to make them as soon as they are purchased. On the other hand, one could also engage the services of an interior decorator.

The most common usage of curtains is on windows and doors.

They may be used to block incoming sunlight. In other words, it enables an individual to regulate the amount of sun that comes in through the window.The other reason is for aesthetic purposes.

Many design their curtains in line with other furnishings to give it a classy appeal.

They are also used as a divider or partition between rooms within the home. This option is mainly maximised by tenants, as most landlords do not allow any alteration of their property.

Different types of curtains may be used to serve as partition. When deciding on a particular type of

curtain one should get the one which is most aesthetically pleasing and also suitable for the need it is going to meet.

Another modern use that curtains serve is that of a shower curtain. A shower curtain wedges the water that is reflected and dispersed when an individual takes a shower. Ultimately, a shower curtain saves people the stress of having to clean up the water that otherwise would have ended up on the floor. Just as with any other curtain, one needs to get proper measurement and choose one that is aesthetically pleasing when purchasing a shower curtain.

In some instances, a curtain may be used in musical and theater productions. These types of curtains are bigger than regular ones as they serve to cover up the entire stage in between acts. Essentially, these curtains enable performers to change settings and costumes in between acts to hide the distraction from the audience.

A stage performance producer, Mr Olatunji Gbesan, noted: “stage curtains serve good purposes, especially for the ladies while changing; it gives them the privacy they want and helps in keeping some imperfections away from the audience too”.

A curtain may also be used as a door. If one wants to be creative, rather than using a regular old wooden door, they may hang a curtain from the door frame. This is also a valid option for an individual who cannot afford to purchase a wooden or metal door. Essentially, this serves much in the same manner as stage curtain, in so far as it provides privacy, blocking what is going on from one room to the next.

•Flora curtain

Traders at Odun-ade market on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, known for building materials and industrial fittings, are praying for one thing–that the proposed expansion of the road will enhance their profit. JANICE NKOLI IFEME reports.

T

HE Agric Market, popularly called Odun-ade, at Odun-ade bus-stop, Coker, on the Badagry Expressway, Lagos, is waxing stronger, as it aligns with the Lagos mega city project.

It is an international market that deals mainly on general building materials and industrial fittings, tiles, sanitary wares, cubicles, bathroom accessories, jacuzzi, swimming pool equipment, security doors, bullet proof doors, white cement, glass basin, shower enclosure, hand dryers, tissue holder and mirror, among others. Among the shoppers found in the market are contractors for oil firms and other business establishments, building contractors and individuals who want to get the latest building materials and equipments for their building projects.

The Lagos-Badagry Expressway, on which the market is located, has been under expansion and reconstruction, as part of measures to rid it of traffic congestion and to put it in line with the Lagos mega city project. To actualise this, some obstructing shops and houses that could undermine the project were demolished. Shop owners who had adequate documents were compensated.

Though affected traders de-

Traders anticipate greater benefits

•Rugs on display at the market

cried the setback it brought to their businesses, they have adjusted to the situation, expressing optimism that completion of the project would bring ad-

vancement to the market.

A shop owner, Mr Anthony Ede, said: “It was tough but we have adjusted. In fact, many of us whose shops were demol-

ished have forged ahead. Already, we can see the benefits with some parts of the work already completed. It is now more organised and some big execu-

tives who could not come before because of the congestion now come around, so I think it can only be better.”

A shopper at the market, Mr Kingsley Ibe, noted that the market is now more conducive than before. “I used to be reluctant about coming here,s but I no longer have a problem with that. I was surprised that I even got a place to park on arrival.

May be it is the Fashola magic or something, but I think it is now more organised. It is easy to find whatever you are looking for, unlike before when you had to keep moving from one place to the other without really finding what you wanted, even though it would be available”, he said.

On entering the market, you will see cars parked in order, food vendors, hawkers and call centers.There are so many shops where goods are stocked in different lines, depending on the product. All the shops in a particular line sell a particular type of product.

The Nation Shopping gathered that the market was founded by a man known as Abula, who died years ago. It is like every other market where people come and buy general building materials, especially those who have the need for such goods.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

35

Brandnews Group hosts competition July 13 A GROUP In’Genius Youth will hold a dinner on Friday, July 13 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. At the event, it will showcase the best 10 shortlisted solutions by youths to some problems in the nation.

The youth will have a chance to win fabulous prizes.

Speaking at a briefing, its Director & Head, Project, Oreoluwa Ogundipe, expressed satisfaction with the level of participation by youths.

He said it would be a tough job to select the ideas from over 60 qualified entries received for the competition as at June 20 when entries closed.

He said the entries covered alternative power supply, transportation, communication, agriculture, tax management and tourism.

This inagural edition of the competition is being hosted by the University of Lagos Engineering Society with the competition billed for the Main Auditiorium of the University of Lagos.

During a courtesy visit to the vice-chancellor in April by In’Genius Youth executives, the institution management promised to support the initiative and competition.

“With this competition In’Genius Youth has raised the bar in youth initiative by inspiring innovation in youths. It has carved a unique vision for the competition to bridge the gap between developed and developing nations. The competition seeks to provide support in various forms to ideas that can positively impact the economy of Nigeria and her standards of living,” he said.

Director, Sponsorship, Mr Emmanuel Adeolu-Olaiya, disclosed that the first three ideas would be rewarded at the dinner with their prizes. He announced that the first prize winner would get N2.5 million, the second N1.5 million and the third N750, 000.

FirstBank sponsors new series on CNN • Mr Sobanjo (middle) receiving a congratulatory letter from Mr Nwakanma. With them are Managing Director, Quadrant Company, Bolaji Okusaga(left); PRCAN Executive Secretary, Dolapo Adeyemi, and Assistant General Secretary, Muyiwa Akintunde.

Sobanjo urges professional bodies to emulate PRCAN

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ARKETING communications guru, Mr Biodun Sobanjo, has praised the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) for its commitment to professional upliftment of its members.

Sobanjo, who is Chairman, Troyka Group, urged other associations to emulate what he described as a “fantastic gesture” by PRCAN. He spoke when the group visited The Quadrant Company, a member of the Troyka Group, following its declaration as the “African Consultancy of the Year”, courtesy of industry tracker The Holmes Report.

A PRCAN member-firm,The Quadrant Company, is Nigeria’s oldest public relations consultancy firm. It won in a competi-

tion that involved distinguished agencies such as Arcay, Gina Din, Hill & Knowlton and Porter Novelli.

Sobanjo acknowledged the zeal and commitment of PRCAN leaders, especially the President, Dr Phil Osagie, who is the pioneer chief executive of The Quadrant Company and the immediate past President, Mr Nn’emeka Maduegbuna, Chairman of C&F Porter Novelli.

He said with the passion for the profession demonstrated by the PRCAN executive committee members and other memberfirms, the future of the public relations practice in Nigeria is, indeed, bright.

PRCAN Vice President, Mr Chido Nwakanma,who led the three-member delegation to the

Troyka Group, said the top ranking of The Quadrant Company represents an endorsement of the standard of public relations practice in Nigeria.

He said: “The Quadrant Company set the tone for the emergence of full service public relations agencies in modern business communication in Nigeria, and it is fitting that TQC is getting this recognition in its 20th year.

“TQC has come of age as has public relations consulting in Nigeria. Your award validates the claim we make in PRCAN that public relations practice in Nigeria ranks with the best and is available under the umbrella of PRCAN member agencies. We, at PRCAN, congratulate you on this achievement.”

Fake products: Fidson canvasses support for NAFDAC

A

LEADING manufacturer, Fidson Healthcare Plc., has called on pharmaceutical firms to support the campaign against fake drug syndicates by the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Fidson’s Director of Operations, Mr Abiola Adebayo, spoke against the backdrop of the on-going campaign by NAFDAC to rid Nigeria of fake drugs.

Drug counterfeiting is a bane that is affecting the pharmaceutical industry and the country’s economy.

To eradicate it, NAFDAC embarked on campaigns against fake drugs syndicates. The agency mounted public enlightenment campaigns and enforcement with other security agencies and government bodies.

Adebayo maintained that the campaign could only be successful if stakeholders, including pharma-

ceutical companies support the agency in the fight against drug counterfeiters.

He said: “It is very imperative to see the on-going campaign beyond just one of NAFDAC activities. The problem of fake drugs is neither a NAFDAC problem nor that of the pharmaceutical industry. It is a serious national issue because it has to do with human lives. Hence everybody, including pharmaceutical firms must join hands with NAFDAC in this fight.”

He said Fidson Healthcare PLC is making efforts on this. Last year, the firm launched its Cyprotab Softlet, made from a unique patented technology, in which the tablet is enrobed in a gelatine film.

“We embarked on this move to frustrate the efforts of counterfeiters when it became impossible for them to imitate the new product package. This is, ultimately, in the interest of Nigerians, because we

value their lives and we must make effort to protect them from fake drugs, he stated.”

Also, NAFDAC’s partnership with security agencies to rid the country of fake and adulterated drugs received a boost as eight suspects and products worth millions of naira were transferred to the agency by the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Enugu.

FirstBank is sponsoring From Passion to Portfolio, a new series of shortform films on CNN International that will focus on individuals whose hobbies have evolved into profitable investments.

The series, which will appear in commercial airtime on CNN International, follows various people from across the globe, examining how their commitment and drive in doing what they truly love have helped them achieve success. Every month, CNN will examine the backgrounds of these individuals and discover what drove them to turn their hobbies into business ventures. Using first hand accounts, the series will also explore how their lifestyles have impacted on their professional lives.

Jennifer Cheug, a Harvard graduate who left the 100 hour working week of an investment banker to open a dessert shop and runs a successful chain of shops across Hong Kong, features in the first programme.

Reme Al-Saiegh, Vice-President at CNN International, said: “From Passion to Portfolio will be a fast-paced look at intriguing businesses and the passionate, entrepreneurial people behind them. We’re delighted that FirstBank has chosen CNN and the Passion to Portfolio series to connect to an international audience.”

Folake Ani-Mumuney, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, added: “The series aptly captures how everyday people can produce business solutions that transcend borders through sheer enterprise and passion for what they love doing. FirstBank aims to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship across the globe and we are delighted to be associated with CNN International’s From Passion to Portfolio series.”

FirstBank will sponsor the entire series with a rotator campaign across EMEA & Asia on CNN International. Online, the bank will have banners and video on CNN.com’s international edition, as well as on CNNMoney.com.

Nokia introduces Asha phones NOKIA has announced that the Mail for Exchange, which enables push email, calendar and contact data synchronisation between compatible Microsoft Exchange email servers, is available for free in the Nokia Store for Nokia Asha 302 and Asha 303*.

By bringing Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync® protocol-based app to the sub-100 euro mobile device market, Nokia is bringing the business opportunity to entrepreneurs and businesses in high growth economies.

In a statement, the the firm said:“Nokia Asha phones blur the lines between feature phones and smartphones, and Mail for Exchange on the Asha 302 and Asha 303 represents a significant step forward in connecting the next billion people to more critical information around them,” said Dieter May, Senior Vice-President, Mobile Phones Services.

“Businesses in high growth economies want to stay competitive by keeping their operating expenditures low, and increasing employee productivity. Mail for Exchange on Asha 302 and Asha 303 helps to reduce costs by eliminating the need for expensive middleware, speeds up processes and enables business users to respond quickly to customer needs or communicate on the go, giving businesses more opportunity to succeed in today’s fast-paced world.”

Mail for Exchange on the Asha 302 and 303 supports Microsoft Exchange 2003, 2007 and 2010 Servers, and Microsoft Office 365 Mobility online service. In addition to the encrypted email storage, a variety of Exchange ActiveSync security policies are supported, including alphanumeric password, minimum length for password and remote or local wipe after maximum password attempts, fulfilling companies’ hygiene device security needs.

Brooklyn Brothers wins Gold Lion at Cannes

B

ROOKLYN Brothers and Ogilvy & Mather are the only winning UK agencies at the Cannes PR Awards, which saw Puerto Rico win its first-ever Grand Prix.

The top prize in the PR category, which is in its fourth year at Cannes, went to JWT San Juan for its Banco Popular de Puerto Rico work, ‘the most popular song’.

Brooklyn Brothers won a Gold Lion for the Promote Iceland campaign ‘inspired by Iceland’ in which the agency sought to re-brand the country following the ash cloud prompted by volcanic activity there last year.

Ogilvy & Mather received a Silver Lion for the Dove ‘Dove ad mak-eover’work.

Banco Popular de Puerto Rico’s

Grand Prix winning campaign saw a well-known song there, which celebrates not having a job, re-written by the agency and the band behind it, to espouse the merits of gainful employment. The song went on to become the most popular in the country.

Gail Heimann, the PR Lions jury president, described the Grand Prix winner as ‘singularly spectacular’.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

36

The mobile banking platform

OYSAA: New dawn for outdoor media

S

IX years ago, the Lagos State government declared war against indiscriminate erection of billboards and wanton display of posters in the then aspiring megacity state.

Operating under a newly established parastatal, the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), the government not only removed substandard and poorly erected billboards in Lagos, it also ensured that globally accepted standards are adhered to by practitioners in the Out of Home Media and allied corporate bodies in the sector.

Although this move was initially resisted by the practitioners, the government stuck to its gun and today both are the better for it. Billboards are now better designed, and well-sited in a beautiful ambience that is fascinating and edifying. The practitioners have improved in their standards of practice, while the government is smiling to the bank as LASAA has become a money spinner for it.

Following the success of LASAA, more states including Ondo, Kano and Cross River have joined the new out-of-home media game plan.

However, the latest state to embrace the new media template is Oyo. Its Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, believes the enduring beauty of an environment and neatness are a necessity to attract investment. Ajimobi and his officials established the state signage agency. Known as Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA), its objective is to transform the state outdoor space in such a way that it will attract investors, especially advertisers; also, it will help in promoting economic activities to create a win-win situation for the government and other relevant stakeholders.

Apalled by the state of its environment, the government recruited an indigene, Yinka Adepoju, with over 26 years experience in outdoor practice, as the directorgeneral of the Oyo State Signage Advertising Agency (OYSAA) for a clean up and remodelled the out-of-home media space into a beauty to behold.

As in Lagos, the job of creating the aesthetics and removing bad billboards is not a tea party, especially when it is an innovation and improvement to the people.

In the state acknowledged as a pacesetter in arts and culture, the state of outdoor advertisement is deplorable. The billboards are not only clustered, some display torn posters, some are dilapidated, while posters are wantonly displayed, thereby creating an eyesore to observers.

From April, this year, when OYSAA was established, the new agency has been putting structures in place, including recruiting and training of staff, mapping out the state for job execution and sensitisation of the stakeholders, some of whom may have resisted the change.

Enamoured with the plan put in place by OYSAA, stakeholders in the state, at a forum organised by the OYSAA last week, endorsed the creation and responsibility of the agency and commended the governor for the initiative. Those who spoke at the forum blamed previous governments in the state for the problem in the outdoor business.

According to them, the establishment of the agency was long overdue. They called on fellow indigenes and business people to align with the agency in its responsibilities. Doing so, they said the state would look better and everybody would be proud of it.

Addressing the stakeholders, who included professional associations and stakeholders in advertising, the governor said it was a refreshing moment in the annals of governance. He said: ”Apart from your weighty credentials as major contributors to the economy of the state through the practice of your profession, you provide aesthetic contribution to the well-being of the environment.

“What your contribution has demonstrated is that you as stakeholders and the government are on the same page in the efforts at turning around the outdoor environment in the state for the benefit of all,” adding that the task of restoring the glory of state must be achieved and standards would not be compromised.

Ajimobi assured that OYSAA would continue to receive support from the government for thorough sanitisation and changing the deplorable landscape of the state.

As the OYSAA continues in its assignment, the governor noted that there would be some discomfort to people but enjoined them to see it as a sacrifice towards an improved state.

He mandated the stakeholders not to allow their interface to be a one-off affair and to target at addressing periodic issues in the industry.

In his remarks, Adepoju said it was a new dawn, adding that the outdoor space would be re-planned and re-engineered for mutual profitability. He urged the stakeholders to provide harmony to realise the ideal international standards and world-class outof-home advertising.

He assured that though the erection of billboard in the state in the past had little or no consideration for order or public safety and beauty, the OYSAA assignment was structured to sanitise the industry.

This will include the removal of fallen, badly positioned and dilapidated billboards.

Adepoju said the next step would be the enumeration of billboards and signs, which would form the data base for the agency for bill collections as many practitioners are indebted for over two years.

• Mr Adepoju (right) inspecting poorly installed billboards in Ibadan.

By Bolaji Ogeyingbo

M

OBILE payment as part of e-banking should be leveraged to deliver maximum value to the customer. I believe the ability to get funds at the instance of need combined with the security of your fund and safe transfer is not enough. Other business methodologies will boost Nigerian economy in many ways.

In addition, I have thought of innovative ways of employing basic mobile technology (SMS and imaging) to deliver mobile payment services. Beginning with the business methodology of adding more financial services, I thought it wise to provide secure and risk free credit and investment services based on each customer’s contribution.

To start with, assuming customer A comes with a worst-case scenario. I am trying to fault the five C’s of credit here. So, the customer said he has turned a new leaf and wants to start his credit history all over again. Should he be shunned (banished for life) or given an opportunity?

This is where my business model starts to build from, anyone that demands credit for any purpose should first sow a seed and wait for it to mature into the credit he crave for.

What I mean is a very small deposit; say N500 or less should be deposited and managed in a hierarchical unit management system.

Growth in any business depends on the volume of business done or the number of customers serviced. E-payment has both, and e-banking should realign their business strategies along this line to experience such monumental growth, which in this case can be better managed through an autonomic software system with the policies configured in it, servicing such high number of people without manual interference or manual policy management.

Also, all banking products should be available for all and traditionally risk involved products like credit should be based on contribution and the length of the customers’ relationship with the financial institution, and not based on status as is the case in the Nigerian banking industry.

Otherwise it will just be banking for

aristocrats or a few selected people, which is the current practice. That is why most banks are being liquidated and some are facing financial crisis.

The more the number of people involved in having access to the entire banking product based on contribution and length of relationship, the less the risk and loss that the financial institution will be exposed too - a simple probability theory prove this.

It is quite unfair, very unfair to collect deposit from a large number of people and restrict the people from having access to other banking products such as credit and investment. Banking in Nigeria, because of the way it is being practiced is disconnect with other financial services have polarized the Nigerian economy in such a way that only some sectors of the economy are growing so fast while the others are not supported.

For example, more people in real estate, agriculture, hospitality and petroleum derived products nowadays while other very promising sector such as high-tech (software, automation, manufacturing and medical are not being supported by the financial industry.

This high-tech industries however, though high risk, brings the highest turnover and revenue in the Western world. These products are imported and take away most of our income regularly.

The second part, which deals with service delivery, is where mobile payment comes in.

All banking products should be available through electronic or mobile channels. The days of brick and mortar business has long passed and electronic channels have huge capacity of delivery service to millions of people at very low cost.

Therefore, I believe, either from the web, mobile phone or ATM, customers should be able to access all banking products through these three channels and not only to pay a third party or withdraw cash.

E-banking makes business transactions safe, convenient and secure. In totality, banking should be open to all, else the cycle of fund liquidation in financial institution and support will continue forever.

• Mr Adewunmi Okubote, Regional Controller, Central Business Unit, Nigerian Breweries PLC (left), Mr Sunday Niklas, winner of a generator in the on-going Legend Real Deal Promo (2nd right); and others, during its prize presentation.

*Editor - Wale Alabi *Consulting Editors - Rarzack Olaegbe, Sola Fanawopo * Correspondent-Jimi David * Business Development - Kenny Hussain * Legal Adviser - Olasupo Osewa & Co Brandweek is powered by Brandz Republic Consulting and published every Friday in THE NATION newspaper.

All correspondence to the editor - 0808.247.7806, 0805.618.0040, e-mail: korede2000@gmail.com © All rights reserved.

37

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

SOCIETY

When Demuren said final bye to mum

•Prof Utuama (right) and Mr Omotoba

•Demuren (left) and Sir Arumemi-Ikhide

The Director-General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren, drew eminent personalities to Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State for the funeral of his mother Olori Felicia Demuren on Saturday,June 2.TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO was there.

T

HE large number of exotic cars that zoomed into the ancient town of IjebuOde in Ogun State as early as 9am on June 2, gave the inhabitants of the town and commuters on the Benin-Ore road an inkling that a big event was in offing.

As large as the Mobalufon Town Hall, it was not enough to accomodate the numerous eminent personalities who stayed in the town from morning till evening on that day.

To further bring home the status of the event, the funeral service was conducted by the National Headquarters of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S).

The leadership of church, popularly known as C and S, came all the way from Surulere, Lagos.

It was all for the late Olori Felicia Tinuade Demuren, mother of the Director-General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren, whose remains were interred on that Saturday.

Clad in their usual white sutana dress, they marched into the hall. This caught the attention of guests who were already seated.

The church’s choir enlivened the service with various spiritual hymns.

The service featured confession, songs, grace, funeral oration and hymns.

Shortly before the funeral, the deceased’s body was placed in central place for the last viewing. Solemnly, the congregation walked round the expensive coffin in which she was placed.

After this the coffin was taken into a bus by six undertakers.

In a procession, choice cars streamed slowly behind hearse to the Christian Cemetery at Irewon where the interment took place.

The deceased’s son, Dr Demuren, was calm as the dust-to-dust rites were performed.

He wore a beautiful dress and a befitting cap.

He later joined the guests at the Dipo Dina International Stadium, formerly Ijebu-Ode Stadium, for the reception.

A giant canopy was erected opposite the stadium’s main pitch. It was large enough to accommodate all the guests.

A live band was on hand. It dished out melodious tunes as the guests relished mouthwatering local and foreign cuisine.

Demuren and his wife, Osaretin, who changed to red flowing aso-oke, moved from one table to another to exchange

pleasantries with the guests.

They were former Ministers of Aviation Prof Babalola Aborisade and Mr Babatunde Omotoba; former Mines and Power Minister Alhaji Sharafadeen Ishola; Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama; Group Capt. John Obakpol; Arik Air Limited, Sir Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide; wife of Awujale of Ijebuland Olori Kemi Adetona; her friend Mrs Shade Alatishe; Dr Felix Shuaib; Mr Shakiru Oyefeso; Americanbased Jamiu Kassim; Mr Lucky Mayor; Chief Felix Orogun; Otunba Segun Fowora; Mr Tunde Fagbemi; Oba Femi Ogunleye; Mr Olu Owolabi; Captain Adebayo Araba; Mr Clement Buari from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Patrick Ekunwen; Delta State Commissioner for Information Chike Ogeah; Mrs Yomi Adewoye; Fortune Idu; Taiwo Adenekan; John Adebanjo; Mrs Kehinde Opaleye; Mrs Iyabo Adekoya; Mr Adeleke Okeowo and Mr Sam Adurogboye.

In his tribute, the Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, described the deceased as a known disciplinarian and a Godfearing community leader, who extended motherly care and love to all who came across her.

“Without doubt, Mama who has her roots in Delta State will be greatly missed by all, especially those who had the opportunity to relate with her during her sojourn on earth. At this period of grief, know that we, in Delta State, share your grief. The loss, however, will be more for you and your siblings who, by the transition, would have lost a loved one and a strong pillar of support who saw you through your early life up to your present position in society.

“While you mourn, I wish to exalt you to take solace in the fact that your late mother lived full and fruitful life during which she succeeded in leaving indelible marks in the sands of time,” Uduaghan wrote.

Likewise the paramount ruler of Ijebuland Oba Sikiru Adetona commiserated with the Demuren’s family.

Oba Adetona said the loss was irreparable.

“We, however, thank God for a good life which Mama lived,” he said.

At the reception, a visibly busy Demuren could not grant The Nation’s request for a interview because he was attending to his numerous guests. However, his wife Osaretin did. She thanked God for Mama’s life.

“I will miss the trust and love we shared.

Thank God she finished well,” she said.

•From left: Mr Adebanjo; Group Captain Obakpolo and Alhaji Ishola

•Prof Aborisade

•Captain Araba

•Olori Adetona (right) and Mrs Alatishe

•Mr Kassim (left) and Mr Oyefeso

PHOTOS: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

38

SOCIETY

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012 THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2012

70TH BIRTHDAY OF CHIEF VICTORIA AYORINDE, MOTHER OF MANAGING DIRECTOR/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, NATIONAL MIRROR, MR STEVE AYORINDE AT D’ ROVANS HOTEL, IBADAN, OYO STATE

•From left: Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, National Mirror, Mr Steve Ayorinde; his mother and the celebrator, Chief Victoria Olunike Ayorinde; wife of the Group Managing Director of Global Fleet Group, Mrs Modupe Ibrahim and the Baale of Ekotedo, Chief Taiye Ayorinde

•Publisher, City People, Mr Seye Kehinde

•Chief Press Secretary to Ekiti State Governor Mr Yinka Oyebode (left) and Commissioner for Information, Mr Gbeminiyi Afuye

•From left: Special Assistant to Ogun State Governor on Media, Ms Ronke Raji; Commissioner for Information and Strategy Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu; his wife, Aishat and Special Assistant to Ogun State Governor on Information Mr Yemisi Fadairo.

•Ovation Publisher Chief Dele Momodu (left) and President, Nigerian Guild of Editors Mr Gbenga Adefaye

•Mrs Tope Ayorinde (left) and Kemi Akinyemi

•Chief Gabriel Adeyemo (left) and Chief Bisi Adesina

•Tayo Adebisi (left) and Chief Executive Officer E-24/7 Magazine Mr Biodun Kupoluyi

•Mrs Janet Olawoyin (left) and Yewande Ojemuyiwa

•Film producer, Mr Kunle Afolayan and Special Adviser to the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs Kehinde Daramola

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

39

SOCIETY The Lagos residence of Bashorun Babatunde Odetola, a chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ekiti State, was filled when his daughter, Temitope, an analyst, tied the nuptial knot with her beau, Olawale, son of Editor, University of Lagos Radio, Prince Jonathan Takuro, penultimate Saturday. ABIKE ADEGBULEHIN reports.

F

AMILY members and friends of Bashorun Babatunde Odetola gathered at his residence for his first daughter, Temitope’s engagement and wedding.

Guests sat under the huge canopies decorated in blue and gold.

The groom, Olawale Joshua Takuro, a graduate of Bi-Lingua Secretarial Administration from the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), who dazzled in a black suit, black tie and matching pair of shoes was led in by members of his family.

After exchanging pleasantries and ideas on how the event would go, the wedding began with a prayer.

The officiating minister, Pastor Emmanuel Babalola, supervised the solemnisation.

After the exchange of marital vows, Pastor Babalola, a Senior Special Apostle of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, declared the lovebirds husband and wife.

The cleric congratulated the couple and their parents. He prayed God to protect them.

Pastor Babalola enjoined the unmarried on the occasion to take a cue from the couple’s life, noting that it is not good to be alone; that is not the will of God for man.

He urged the couple to build their home on Christ and use Him as their foundation.

“There would be challenges but know that these challenges would make both of you champions. Temitope, no matter what you possess, your husband is your head, always be submissive to him. Olawale, as the husband, make sure you treat her well,” he said.

He also prayed God to give the couple the wisdom to sustain their marriage.

After the solemnisation, the couple accompanied by their parents in ash-colour lace

•From left: Groom’s father Mr Takuro; bride’s Mother, Mrs Omotayo Odetola; the courple Wale and Temitope; bride’s dad Bashorun Odetola and groom’s mother Mrs Kemi Takuro

‘He is loving, caring, wonderful’ material cut the three-step cake.

With the cutting of the cake ceremony over, the couple went in and changed into their native attires for the engagement.

The Takuro’s family members were beautiful to behold. They danced into the arena to perform the rite of entry for the engagement.

It was followed by the arrival of the bride in purple lace, gold head gear and veil. She was accompanied by her siblings and friends.

She moved around to show appreciation to her parents and her in-laws.

When it was time for who the cap fits segment of the ceremony, Temitope took the cap from the Emcee and put it on the head of her lover, sealing it with a kiss.

An elated bride’s father, Bashorun Odetola, a chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ekiti State, congratulated the couple.

Speaking with The Nation, he thanked God. “I thank God for giving me the opportunity to witness this occasion. My advice for them is to make God their foundation; and they would never fail in life because when God says yes, nobody can say no.”

The groom’s father, Prince Takuro, urged the couple to always pray together.

“Though there were challenges I thank God that we picked today, and here we are. I have known my daughter-in-law for a year and

she has been a nice and obedient girl. She takes instruction even from me and I know she will make a good wife for my son,” he said.

“It is a good thing that I am getting married,” the groom told The Nation.

“I feel good. We met in 2010 and dated for a year. I am happy she is the one because she is a very nice person; she is a very wonderful person,” Olawale said.

The bride, a Computer Science graduate from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, who wore a long cream gown and a pair of shoes, described her husband as “loving, caring and wonderful.”

CONJUGAL BLISS

AWARD

•Former Miss Tolu Adeoba and her beau Olukunle Odugbesan during their wedding at Living Faith Church, Ogba, Lagos

•Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Compliance Hon Moruf Akinderu-Fatai (left) exchanging pleasantries with a don of the Lagos State University Prof Ishaq Akintola during the Merit Awards of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Oshodi branch at Ikeja Grammar School, Bolade, Oshodi, Lagos

40

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

SOCIETY Ahead of the Ajagunla Day, an annual event of their calendar, indignes of Ila Orangun in Osun State have held a special dinner in Lagos to prepare for the ceremony.NNEKA NWANERI writes.

For the love of their roots

I

LA Orangun, a rustic town in Osun State, will, on November 3, hold its Ajagunla Day. An annual event, the day is set out by the town to celebrate its culture with pomp.

Towards a successful hosting of the event, IlaOrangun indigenes in Lagos held a dinner in Osun Hall of Airport Hotel, Lagos.

Aimed at raising funds for their N1 billion project (a hall large enough to sit 2000 people comfortably, and renovation of Orangun Palace), the dinner drew people from all walks of life.

Though held on a work day, the indigenes, their friends and colleagues came in traditional attires. There was no uniform in particular, but all tried to appear as fashionable and stylish as they could.

The docoration of Osun Hall, venue of the event, was simple.

Everyone who spoke, first greeted the gathering in the native dialect: Ekun o. They responded: Ooooo. Indeed, all through the event, Yoruba was spoken.

The Chairman of the Ajagunla Day Committee, Elder Paul Ogunrinade, in an address, stated that the dinner was to mobilise indigenes to celebrate the day in style in November. The three-day event will climax on November 3.

Ila-Orangun is a community of 78,000 people.

“This fundraising is to organise funds to ensure that the celebration goes well. Our target is to make the Oragun Palace a tandard one. It needs to be rearranged. We have a number of

•Chief Akande flanked by Rear Admiral Adeyemi Afolahan (right) and Elder Ogunrinade

projects to complete — the palace and a town hall.

“The governor has promised to ensure that the dream is fulfilled. I am using this medium to call on the people of Ila to come out en masse to make the day a success.”

Ogunrinade said it was compulsory for every son and daughter to bring their friends and neighbours home for the celebration.

He said many indigenes didn’t turn up, because they travelled.

There was entertainment by the Elewe crew, who did the lion traditional dance.

The National Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Bisi Akande and former Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun attended the event.

Balogun implored the indigenes to cooperate on the good cause. He encouraged the indigenes across the country to be involved in the activities of the town no matter where they are.

“I doff my hat for the members of the committee for this laudable project because the activities are to move the town forward,” he said.

•Balogun (right) and Chief Layoonu Odetoyinbo

‘We were brother and sister in the Lord’ Last Saturday, former Miss Elizabeth Onyenoro, a student of the Lagos State Poly, married her beau, Joseph Alozie, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos, reports. NNEKA NWANERI.

I

T was a dream come true for Joseph Alozie last Saturday, when he took his love, Elizabeth Onyenoro to the altar. The venue, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Aguda, Lagos was symbolic, as it was the meeting point for the couple, four years ago, during their religious activities duties.

For the bride Elizabeth, she had every reason to thank God as she relived her joy. Beautifully dressed in her white ball wedding gown, she was the cynosure of all eyes as she stepped out of the wine jeep that brought her to the church.

She said: “We were members of the Legion of Mary and we see every Sunday as brother and sister. I never knew he wanted to take our relationship home to our parents, till one Sunday evening, he asked that we ‘hang out’ and while we were talking, he asked that I be the mother of his children.”

She added: “I was short of words because I wasn’t expecting what he said. I asked that he give me time to think and pray and here we are today.”

In describing her husband, the proud bride said how her beau’s closeness to God has endeared her to him.

“He is very religious, loving and caring to the extreme. Though he is too inquisitive, he’s quite romantic,” she said.

With the recessional hymn Praise to the Lord, the nuptial Mass began. It was officiated by the duo of the Assistant Parish Priest of Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Revd Fr Damian Alozie and Rev Peter Obiefuna, who took the Gospel from John 15:9-12, where Jesus commanded his disciples to love one another as He loved them.

In the homily, Revd Obiefuna encouraged

the couple and all those married to have the ingredient of humility to have a successful marriage.

The cleric advised the couple against the word ‘I’, which is selfish, urging the couple that the garment of humility never goes out of fashion.

Looking dapper in his black suit and pink bowtie, the groom Joseph complemented the colours of the day - green and ash. As he stepped out of the church with his wife, he acknowledged greetings and congratulatory messages from his friends and family members, who took turns to pose for photographs with them.

The Accounting graduate of the University of Lagos said of his wife: “Because Christmas is a season of love, I deemed it fit to express my love for her by proposing to her on Christmas day. I dare say how humble and spiritual she is.”

Describing his wife’s acceptance of his proposed as the best thing that happened to him, he promised to love her till the end.

The reception was held at Unubi Hall, Surulere. Decorated in the colours of the day, the hall could hardly contain the guests who came to celebrate with the couple.

Stepping into the hall and unto the podium, the twosome danced to P Square’s Chop my Money and Onyinye. They looked beautiful in uniformed Aso ebi of pink and ash. Together with the bridal train, they added glamour to the event as they danced to the delight of guests, each trying hard to outdance the other.

The couples’ mothers, Mrs Philomina Alozie and Mrs Roseline Onyenoro, stole the show as they danced uncontrollably the traditionally to their seats on the high table.

•The couple Joseph and Elizabeth

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FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

43

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

At a point, Abia State was seen as home for kidnappers and rapists. Now, the state governor claims the darkness in the land has been lifted. Correspondent UGOCHUKWU UGORJI-EKE reports the strategies and tactics that made the feat possible. He also reports new plans to secure lives and property in the state.

Abia: Orji unfolds plans to end insecurity

W

HEN in 2007 the incumbent governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji, assumed office, the state was peaceful. There were few major security challenges. Then, he did not need to spend so much on security.

But the serene atmosphere changed r few months into his first tenure. And it happened in a very dramatic way.

His convoy was attacked on its way to Port Harcourt airport to pick him and his wife, Mercy. The manner of the attack was so violent and spontaneous that one of the governor’s back up SUV was snatched, though later abandoned somewhere near Obigbo in Rivers State.

Some of the cars on that convoy were riddled with bullet holes, while others were vandalized beyond repair. That attack could be said to mark the beginning of violent crimes in the state. It did not just begin in a big fashion; it literally went into overdrive. At the time, violent crime in the state was not just restricted to armed robbery; kidnapping became a regular occurrence, dwarfing armed robbery. Besides, there was a penchant for raping female victims of any age as a signature and encore of the crime.

Expectedly, this became a source of worry and sleepless nights for Orji. It was learnt that he spent nights upon nights trying to find solutions to the problem, which became overwhelming, causing the state to lie almost prostrate.

At its height, the ‘exploit and audacity’ of the kidnappers cut global attention when 15 innocent pupils of a private and secondary schools of Abayi, Aba, were kidnapped while going to school and kept for about four days though later released when the security agents closed in on the hoodlums.

Governor Orji, however, consulted wide and finally asked the President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan to assist the state by allowing soldiers to come into the state and help other security agents to fight the kidnapping and armed robbery menace.

Jonathan consented and directed almost with dispatch the Chief of Army Staff to move into the state, restore order and save the state from total collapse.

Since the army, navy, SSS, police and other security agencies moved into the state, Governor Orji has not relented in donating patrol vans to them to aid them in the performance of their duties. As at the last count the governor has given out about 500 vans to all the security agencies and still ready to do more.

Analysts say but for the doggedness of the governor in tackling head on the security issue in the state, it would have been difficult to hold the 2011 general election in the state. They also believe that had it been in the days of the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, Abia would have been the first South East state to record an emergency rule.

They also say that Orji’s moves, contacting the necessary authorities secretly and without making much noise have changed the face of the state politically by ensuring that the security menace was tackled headlong.

In one of the occasions when the governor donated patrol vans to the police, the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar called on gover-

nors in the country to emulate Orji by partnering with security agencies to fight crimes in the various states and by extension the country.

Speaking in Umuahia while receiving 30 patrol vans fully equipped with modern gadgets donated by the state government to the police, Abubakar said that Governor Orji has shown the light for others to follow and assured that the police will reciprocate by securing the state.

Abubakar said by the constant donation of patrol vans by the governor, he has shown that he cares for his people and ready to give logistic support to the security agencies operating in the state to secure the lives and property of the people.

The acting IGP assured the people of the state and Nigerians in general that the present police administration is determined to fulfill its constitutional obligation of protecting the people of the country irrespective of religion or ethnic inclination.

He said, “The police we have now is the one that will respect the law, assist the children when in difficulty and others without any room for corruption, while all suspects should be given their right except when convicted by a law court”.

Abubakar, however, charged officers and men of the police that will handle the vans to remember that they are not for their private use. “You are expected to use these patrol vans for purely operational duties and not to carry your wives and children”.

The acting IGP urged the people of the state to help him monitor the police when they start using the patrol vans, “if any of them uses the vans recklessly please do not hesitate to inform us and any police officer caught flouting this directive will have himself to blame”.

He assured the governor that the activities of the ragtag team of dissidents who have been forced to leave kidnapping and armed robbery to go into the breaking of oil pipeline and stealing of oil to start illegal refinery are over.

Earlier in his speech while handing over the patrol vans, Governor Orji said that his administration will never stop partnering with all security agencies to sustain the security of the state which was not obtained on a platter of gold. Orji said “Last week we gave out 25 vans to the military, later 5 to the SSS and now the IGP is here to receive 30 for the police as it is his constituency”.

The governor said that any responsible government should not toy with the issue of security of its people, “that is why we are doing what we are doing which is to equip the security agencies in the state to help us secure our state.

“Governors and their aides cannot fight kidnappers and armed robbers, but the security agencies are comfortable in that area, as they are trained to fight crimes. Our job, therefore, will be to help them with logistics so that they will do their work well”.

He told the IGP that what is happening in the country should be a chal-

• Orji

• IG Abubakar

‘Governors and their aides cannot fight kidnappers and armed robbers, but the security agencies are comfortable in that area, as they are trained to fight crimes. Our job, therefore, will be to help them with logistics so that they will do their work well’ lenge to his office, adding that he should face the challenges headlong, “be it armed robbery, kidnapping or Boko-Haram, the policed should face them squarely without fear”.

The governor urged the IGP to help the state combat the issue of pipeline vandalism, stressing that they have tarnished the image of the state and also reduce the monthly allocation of the state from the federation account.

The governor did not just stop with the Police, he also donated 25 patrol vans fully equipped with security and communication gadgets to the 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ohafia, to help them in checking all forms of criminal activities in the state.

Speaking in Umuahia while giving out the vans to the Commander of the 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, General Jubrin Tanko Abubakar, Orji said that giving patrol vans to the security agencies in the state has become an annual event for the state government and that he has no regrets doing that.

He said that the patrol vans will help them secure the state, stressing that the state has advanced in security network and that, “it is now time to sustain the peace and security has been going on in the state”.

He urged the military to ensure that armed robbery and kidnapping which have been practically eradicated in the state, do not come back. He added that all the security lapses noticed by them should be addressed so that criminal activities do not return to the state.

“It is in the bid to put a stop to the activities of criminals in the state that prompted my administration to donate the patrol vans to the military, since we know that you people need it for effective operation, including other logistics.

“Most of the kidnappers and armed robbers who have been dislodged in

the state have become oil pipeline vandals and turned our state into a haven for illegal refineries and they are giving us a bad image and helping to reduce our financial allocation from federal government”.

Receiving the vans, General Abubakar said that the army under 82 Division is ever happy with the state government, and assured the governor and the people of the state that there will be zero tolerance for all forms of criminal activities in the state.

“Though criminal activities in the state and their likes have been flushed out in Aba, who has turned their attention towards pipeline vandalism, I want to tell them that their time of operations in the state is over”.

He, however, appealed to the people of the state to compliment the efforts of the governor, by giving them information. “When we are given information, we will go extra mile to do our job, as we cannot operate in isolation”.

Earlier in the year, other security agencies like SSS, NSCDC and the Navy were also given 18 Ford Ranger four wheel drive double cabin vans.

The aim was to ensure that the security agencies operate at optimum level.

Speaking in Umuahia, Orji said that the vehicles were for the Navy, State Security Services (SSS) and the Civil Defence Corps and meant to compliment their efforts at ridding the state of criminals.

Orji said that the security agencies in the state were wonderful when the criminals and kidnappers nearly overwhelmed the state government operatives, stressing that his administration cannot afford to go back to that era, “which is why we are donating these vehicles to them for their operations”.

He said that the security agencies in •Continued on page 44

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

44

POLITICS The Supreme Court is set to state who is the legitimate representative of the people of Eket Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State between Eseme Eyiboh and Dan Abia. KAMARUDEEN OGUNDELE presents the arguments by both parties.

Eyiboh vs Dan Abia: Supreme Court set to deliver judgment

• Musdapher... outgoing CJN

T

HE Supreme Court will today put to rest the speculation and uncertainty surrounding the authentic representative of the people of Eket Federal Constituency.

The apex court would be delivering judgment in an appeal by former House of Representatives spokesman, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

He is challenging the verdict of the court which declared Dan Bassey Abia as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for and the member representing the Eket Federal Constituency.

The court in a unanimous decision read by Justice Eko had ordered Eyibo to vacate the seat as, according him, he sneaked into the House of Representatives illegally.

The decision was a clear departure from the Judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered by Justice Abdul Kafarati.

The bone of contention is who is the authentic candidate of the PDP at the election since two primaries allegedly took place at different places?

In the lower court, the issue for determination was which of the two primaries conducted on January 28 and 29 in Uyo Township Stadium and Eket was authentic before the eyes of the law? Which of the two primaries satisfied the PDP guidelines and the Electoral Act 2010?

For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP guideline on Page 23 B1 stipulates that: “In the conduct of primaries for the party’s candidate for the House of Representatives, the primary shall be held at the headquarters of the Federal Constituency” Justice Kafarati had in his judgment delivered on June 1, 2011, set aside the party’s primaries held in Uyo, the state’s capital on January 28 which returned Mr. Bassey Dan- Abia as the winner.

He upheld the argument of Eyiboh’s counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) that it was conducted in violation of the party’s guideline which mandated such election to be conducted in Eket, the Headquarters of the Constituency.

The judge also pointed out that the PDP did not controvert Eyiboh’s claim that the over 90 percent of the party’s delegates at the Eket Township stadium, the original venue for the primaries unanimously adopted him as the consensus candidate.

Consequently, Justice Kafarati declared that “The primaries held on January 28, at which the Third Defendant (Dan-Abia) was elected as the PDP candidate for the 2011 election is hereby set aside”.

He ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is the first defendant in the suit to recognise Eyiboh as the candidate of the party and the duly elected House of Representative member, PDP having won the April 9, election.

Olanipekun had urged the Court to rule in favour of his client because the party machinery agreed in their defense to have conducted the rerun election in Uyo. “The Electoral Act has said that it is mandatory to conduct party primaries to select candidates to contest National Assembly seat in the headquarters of Federal Constituencies.

“My Lord, base on this reckless violation of the Electoral Act, my client is automatically qualify by the provision of the law to assume that seat in the House of Representatives,”he added.

Olanipekun submitted that the defence and counter affidavit of the counsel to Dan-Abia, Mr Goddy Uche was inconsequential, as according to him, Dan-Abia was not the person that violated the Electoral Act to conduct the primaries in a different location.

Dissatisfied with the judgment of the court, DanAbia approached the Court of Appeal which upturned the decision.

In the unanimous judgment, Justice Eko said “the primary of the PDP held on the January 7 and 8 through which Dan Bassey Abia emerged as the party’s candidate for the April elections is hereby upheld as it was the primary that was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and annexed in the suit.

“The trial judge erred by saying that the name of Abia be removed and replaced with that of Eyibo. The party primary is the exclusive right of a political party as the party determines who

‘Osun PDP is dead’

‘But counsel to Eyibo, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) in his submissions maintained that primaries of a political party for a Federal Constituency must hold in the constituency headquarter and not outside the headquarters which is outside the old PDP guidelines which clearly state that such primaries must hold at the headquarters of the constituency’

events from the beginning to the end and three things stand out. The first is that there was a primary election and that he won when the idea was muted for a second primary he protested even the second primary he also won and the 1st respondent has not been able to show anywhere that with the panel set up by the party that he won the primary” he declared.

Fagbemi maintained that the appellant was issued with a certificate of victory while Eyibo had nothing to prove that his affirmation was upheld by the party adding “but the learned trial judge entered judgment in his favour that he should be sworn-in. There is no nexus between this case and that of Rotimi Amaechi as contended by the 1st respondent as in Amaechi’s case there was a primary conducted by the party and he won. The decision of the court below must fail in all its roots and branches”.

But counsel to Eyibo, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) in his submissions maintained that primaries of a political party for a Federal Constituency must hold in the constituency headquarter and not outside the headquarters which is outside the old PDP guidelines which clearly state that such primaries must hold at the headquarters of the constituency.

According to him “the PDP constitution clearly states that the delegates’ congress shall hold at the constituency headquarters but against the statutory provisions the primary was held at Uyo. Olanipekun also challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the appeal on the grounds that the court was not vested with the jurisdiction to entertain the appeal.

In the originating summons brought pursuant to Section 87 (9) of the Electoral Act of 2010 as amended, Eyioh had prayed for an order of injunction restraining INEC, its agents, servants, officers as well as privies from accepting DanAbia as the candidate of the PDP. He also asked the Court to compel INEC to accept his name (Eyiboh) as the rightful PDP candidate for the seat.

He averred that over 90 per cent of the Delegates were misled, arguing that they did not vote in the primaries.

“I am confident that if the delegates who waited with me at Eket Township Stadium had participated in the primaries, I would have won by an overwhelming majority.

“It is in the interest of justice to set aside the purported sponsorship of the third defendants,’’ he said.

Orji moves to secure Abia •Continued from page 43

the state fought a serious battle to liberate the state from the hands of criminals.

“It is a situation we cannot afford to go back to and we want to assure our people coming

T

HE ruling Action Congress in Osun State has declared the local Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dead, saying the defection of its stalwarts and members to the ACN is proof that the opposition party is gone.

Chairman, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi, in statement signed by the party’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr Kunle Oyatomi, said the recent defection of PDP members in both Olaoluwa and Boripe Local Government Areas was enough to announce the death of the PDP. “Less than a week after an array of PDP members in Olorunda Local Government Area of the state defected to the ruling ACN, hundreds of PDP members in both Boripe and Olaoluwa Local Government Areas have again defected massively to the ACN. “The development was a proof of the acceptability of the ACN government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. The defection of the PDP members in the three council areas have also shown that the PDP has lost its grip in the state,” the chairman said.

Hailing the determination of the defectors to join the progressive train Adebiyi stressed that the ACN-led government would not relent in its efforts at making life meaningful for the people through progressive and

its candidate in an election should be. The said primary through which Eyibo purportedly emerged there was nothing before the court to show that it was either monitored by the party or INEC” he added.

Justice Eko pointed out “it amounts to one imposing himself on the party and having sneaked into the National Assembly it is hereby ordered that he vacates the seat and that Abia be swornin immediately.

In his submission before the court, Dan-Abia’s counsel, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) had argued that only a political party can determine or conduct a primary to determine who its candidate in an election would be.

“The 1st respondent (Eyibo) had in his affidavit before the court below admitted that the appellant won the primaries of January 7th 2011 and that on protest it was cancelled which necessitated the conduct of the primary of January 28 and 29 he also admitted in paragraphs 17 to 19 that the panel appointed by the party to conduct the primaries of January 28 and 29 never came he went on to say that after waiting for the panel the delegates went on to affirm him as the candidate of the party even without the officials of the party” he added.

Fagbemi pointed out that “no matter how eminent those who affirmed him were they can never take the position of the officials of the party.

I submit that there was no primary conducted by the PDP upon which the 1st respondent could anchor or savour any victory. There was no paper submitted by the 1st respondent to show that after the said affirmation the party sanctioned the said primary.

“At the court below the appellant presented clear evidence that he won the primaries and that his name was sent to the INEC as the candidate of the party for the elections; he catalogued

back for Christmas that the state is safe for them now and after.

“This is the first phase of the donation of vans to security agencies in the state and it will be a continuous exercise, as we have noticed that the vehicles

they have are not enough for their effective operations in the state”.

The question many people have been asking is where would Abia State have been if Orji had not taken the bull by the horns to confront frontally the issue of insecurity in the state?

• Aregbesola From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

developmental programmes.

He said: “We have again been vindicated on our belief that the state of Osun is a progressive state. The PDP members who recently defected to the progressive fold have proved us right that the ACN is the only political party that is committed to the course of good governance, democracy and egalitarianism in this country.”

The ACN boss, who assured the defectors of equal treatment in the party, however, urged them to work diligently for the progress of the party in the state and their areas in particular.

Adebiyi also urged the people to support the Aregbesola admintration in its determination to bring about unprecedented development to the state, even as he advised those in the opposition party to retrace their steps to the ACN.

• L – R: The leader of the agriculture experts from California State University, Dr Muyiwa Omololu; Dean, Jordan College of Agricultural Science and Technology, Dr Charles Boyer; Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Ayo Olubori; Special Adviser on Agriculture, Mrs. Tinuola Sopeju; and another member of the team from USA, Dr Bruce Roberts during a visit to the Governor’s Office in Abeokuta yesterday.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

•A Tractor •Continued from Page 17 prepared to support farmers in all ramifications, though he warned that only genuine farmers and young people determined to go into production will get loans, and not those he referred to as “emergency or political farmers”.

The chairman of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria in the state, Chief Paul Mgbechi commended the governor for the meeting, saying Obi has shown profound interest in the welfare of farmers and in the growth

S

LOWLY but surely, the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) is making progress.

Against speculations that it will never amount to much by a broad spectrum of Nigerians in a mass protest early this year, the Dr. Christopher Kolade-led committee on re-investment of funds from fuel removal is proving cynics wrong.

Though he is seldom seen, there is no question that Dr. Kolade has brought his wealth of experience to bear on the management of SUREP, in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration that funds generated from the subsidy be properly reinvested to impact positively on the lives of Nigerians.

In that regard, a high profile del-

•Mrs Obi immunising a child

Anambra steps up agric scheme of agriculture in the state.

The leader of FADAMA, Mr. Chukwudi Mojekwu said Obi’s support for the all-year farming scheme, has made it one of the best in the country. The World Bank and the National Fadama Coordination Office also have very warm impressions of the programme in the state.

In Awka, the state capital, the World

Bank Team Leader, Dr. Abimbola Adubi said the global bank is interested in working with the Obi administration since it is evident that the governor is focused on tackling poverty.

Adubi also announced that Anambra has been chosen as one of two states in the country marked for piloting a new programme of the Bank while ICT centres will be sited

there to help the farmers.

At the event, Obi distributed cheques totalling about N60m to FADAMA community associations.

Mojekwu, the state coordinator of the scheme, urged beneficiaries to work hard and ensure financial discipline, noting that the project is known for openness and transparency.

The Community Development Officer (CDO), Fadama Project, Mrs. Rosaria Ohaeri, called on the delegates from the 20 FADAMA participating local governments in the state to elect credible and dedicated persons to the state executive in their interest and that of the state.

In his post inauguration speech, the Chairman, Prince Onyii Igboamazu, promised to run an open and all-inclusive administration, pledging to be part of the success story of the state Fadama III Project.

Subsidy re-investment to revive rail transport

By Mike Jimoh

egation of SURE-P, the Federal Ministry of Transport and Nigeria Railway Corporation embarked on an inspection tour of Lagos/ Kano line recently.

The purpose of the inspection is to ensure that the rail is open all through from its austral terminal in Lagos to its northern extreme in Kano.

Under the astute guidance of exdiplomat, ex-managing director of multi-national companies and a Nigerian with credible credentials, Dr. Kolade deployed a number of

his exco members to inspect ongoing projects and also advise the committee on areas it will lend its support.

Led by two board members of SURE-P, Alhaji Kiri Mohammed and Mr. Chike Okogwu, the chairman of Special Project Implementation Unit of the Federal Ministry of Transport, Mr Eric Onyeiwu, an engineer, the delegation started their inspection tour from Ebute Metta terminal through Ibadan, Ilorin, Minna and Kaduna. Also on the tour were the Director of Civil Engineering Department of the NRC, Alhaji Lazeez Ahmadu, Project Coordinator of Rail and

•Okogwu (in wheelchair) and officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation in Zungeru

Mass Transit at SURE-P secretariat, Mr. Muazu Magaji, and scores of engineers from SURE-P, FMOT and NRC. “We want to get the Nigeria Railway Corporation back on track,” Okogwu said in the course of the tour. “Through the intervention of SURE-P, we want to restore the Nigeria Railway Corporation to what it was in the good old days.”

In the halcyon days of NRC, there were at least three trains departing Lagos for three different destinations in the country in one day.

Haulage of goods and passengers was mainly by rail. But today, transportation of people and produce is largely dependent on road. The many rail tracks that once crisscrossed the country have since corroded. Most of the coaches are decrepit and antiquated while the lines have dwindled considerably in number.

The essence of the tour therefore, Alhaji Mohammed said, is rehabilitation of the the entire railway network in Nigeria. A week before, the same team went on an inspection tour of Idu/ Kaduna line for the same purpose. The May Day inspection is working in accordance with the deadline given by the Presidency that the three operational

lines in the country be fully functional by July.

The team that left Lagos were constantly briefed by Engr. Ahmadu as they journeyed to Kaduna via train, stopping over sometimes in places that need to be rehabilitated. According to him, 80 percent of work had been completed by the construction company rehabilitating the rails and bridges. Of particular importance is Akeri bridge near Wushishi in Niger state. The only link between Lagos and Kano line, a flash flood swept the bridge away two years ago thus effectively cutting off rail transportation between two crucial points. It is almost completed with new tracks laid for the trains to begin operation in the next few weeks.

On the work done so far, the team expressed their satisfaction not only with the quality and execution of the project but also the determination of NRC staff.

“The tour is a celebration of what can be, the can-do spirit of the Nigerian system,” a representative of Dr. Kolade said, adding that it is “a positive development from subsidy withdrawal and proper investment of the subsidy funds into things that will impact on the lives of Nigerians.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

46

•Governor Uduaghan (third left), Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma of the All Saints Anglican Cathedral, Enugu Dioceses, his wife, Dr Joyce, Governor Obi (third right) and his wife, Margaret and guests at the event OVERNORS Emmanuel Uduaghan and Peter Obi of Delta and Anambra states respectively have been honoured by the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, for their resourcefulness and management style.

Uduaghan was awarded the ‘Most Dynamic and Constructive Governor’ by the Enugu Diocese of the church at the All Saints Anglican Cathedral, Enugu.

Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi got the award of a ‘Very Good Financial Planner and Manager’ from the church.

The awards were given during the thanksgiving service to mark the commencement of the 15th Synod of the Diocese.

Presenting the award, Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma of the Enugu Anglican Diocese said the

G

Anglican Diocese honours Uduaghan, Obi From Shola O’Neil

church was appreciative of the developmental efforts of the Uduaghan administration.

The clergyman hailed Obi for his prudent management of the lean resources of Anambra State.

In his remarks, Governor Uduaghan said the award which was most unexpected would spur the entire team of Delta State Government to do more in the development of the state.

Attesting to the philanthropic profile of Bishop Chukwuma, the governor promised to contribute to

The church appreciated the developmental efforts of the Uduaghan administration and Obi’s prudent management of the lean resources of Anambra State

Free GCE forms for 200 students

H

ELP has come for 200 secondary school pupils seeking admission into higher institution, as the administration of Somolu Local Government Area, Lagos, has provided them with free General certificate Examination (GCE) forms.

The beneficiaries, selected from various wards in the council and across the genders, were full of smiles as they received the forms which came in CDs. It was the initiative of the Chairman of the council, Hon. Gbolahan Bagostow, conceived to help the needy in the area.

At the Somolu Banquet Hall where the event was held, Bagostowe who was represented by the Vice-Chairman Hon. Abiodun Orekoya, in his address, said: “The initiative was conceived to empower the students who do not have the privilege to pursue their secondary education; students whose parents and guardians could not afford to register them after failing to make their result at first sitting of the West African School Certificate (WASC).

“In view of this reason, all we intend to do is to ensure that the students who are leaders of tomorrow are well prepared for the future.’’

He advised the students to work hard and have a positive attitude towards their studies. This, he said, is the only way they can achieve

•Somolu Local Government Vice Chairman, Orekoya to a beneficiary

By Emmanuel Udodinma

their dreams and academic desires.

“We are poised to continue investing massively in your future and pray with you so that your

dream can be translated into reality,” he told the beneficiaries.

One of the recipients of the CD form, Master Ibrahim Taiwo thanked the chairman for his kind heart.

the growth of the Anglican Diocese of Enugu even as he expressed sincere gratitude for the honour done him.

In a sermon at the synod on ‘Christian Contentment’, Bishop Israel Amao of New Bussa Diocese of the Anglican Communion, urged the church not to take God for granted in any way.

The clergyman insisted that development of Christian Contentment stemmed from appreciating God as the source of man’s blessing and generosity.

He tasked political leaders particularly those in government, to beware of dream-killers who would stop at nothing in truncating their developmental efforts.

Ogun partners American varsity on agric

T

HE Ogun State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the California State University, Fresno, USA, on agriculture.

The bilateral agreement is to facilitate a realistic and sustainable roadmap for agricultural development in the state in line with the Ibikunle Amosun administration’s cardinal programme.

Towards this end, three agricultural experts from the university will be visit the state this month.

The team, to be led by Dr. Charles Boyer, will meet with Governor Amosun as well as members of the state executive council.

The agricultural experts will also visit farm settlements across the three senatorial districts of the state including Odeda Farm Institute, Apoje farm Settlement and the College of Agriculture of the Olabisi Onabanjo University in Aiyetoro.

Recently, the state government distributed cheques under the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS) to farmers in the state. The occasion also witnessed the Official Roll-out of the Growth Enhancement Support (GES).

The CACS is a partnership between the state government and

•Governor Amosun From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

Central Bank of Nigeria to boost food production in Ogun State while GES is a collaboration between the state and Federal Government designed to lift resourcepoor farmers out of subsistence to self-sufficiency.

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FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

I am grateful to God for this opportunity that Rotary gave me. It has always been my desire to be a cardiothoracic surgeon so that I can help the sick

E

LEVEN indigent students in tertiary institutions in Lagos and Ogun states have received N100, 000 scholarships each from Rotary District 9110 Nigeria.

Former Health Minister and past District Governor of Rotary, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi described the gesture as necessary in order to help the students to complete their education so that they can become better citizens.

Adelusi-Adeluyi, who spoke at the District 9110 Educational and Welfare Endowment Fund (DEWEF), said the objective was to award scholarship to needy students in tertiary institutions.

“Also, it is to support the District’s intervention efforts on disasters and on any other projects as recommended by the District-Governor (DG),” he added.

Adelusi-Adeluyi, who was also the chairman DEWEF Board of Trustees, said the fund was established in 1991 to react to national emergencies and provide scholarship to needy students in tertiary institutions but added that it took effect only three years ago.

He said the board future plans include sourcing for fund to the tune of N100 million and scholarship awarded to deserving students.

He said: “Donors will be duly recognised. A volunteer disaster relief corps will be established for the district. Account of the fund will be published yearly and there will be fund raising events which Rotarians and non-Rotarians will be encouraged to contribute to.”

Special Adviser to Lagos State Government on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga reiterated the state government’s commitment to helping poor students.

Olukoga, who was the guest of honour, said the Lagos State government will key into the programme to bring succour to needy students.

He said the state has given 2,400 scholarships over the years, adding that scholarship fund was increased to N1.7billion. “Before, students got from N35, 000 to about N100, 000 for bursary while those going abroad got N1.5. The scholarship fund has been increased to accommodate more students. There are lots of good students who can’t afford to pay for their studies,” he added.

The District 9110 Governor, Kennedy Ejakpomowhe, urged the students to make judicious use of the funds.

He said four students got the schol-

•The students

Indigent students get Rotary scholarship

By Wale Adepoju

arship three years ago and five last year, followed by four this year.

Ejakpomowhe said there challenges in sourcing for students, stressing it can be surmounted. “Those who are hearing of DEWEF for the first time should tell others. We want them to be instruments for marketing the programme.

On the criteria, he said, students’ applications are invited and screened, but added that the number received is discouraging, urging clubs to go out to get brilliant but needy students. He said the committee had sent letters out to the 80 clubs which makes the District but stressed that most of them did not respond.

He said there are many indigent students in both states that need help, adding that clubs have been sent circular to enjoin the to scout and send list of their students to the district on time.

One of the awardees, a 400-level medical student at College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Mr Abdul-hakeem Ojeyinka said he was highly delighted to be found worthy of the award.

“I am grateful to God for this opportunity that Rotary gave me. It has always been my desire to be a cardiothoracic surgeon so that I can help the sick.

“When I was much younger, I have a cousin living with congenital heart problem and he wasn’t growing. His

height was just like that of a two-year old even though he was much older than two. He was flown to Israel where they performed surgery on him. Upon his return to the country, he started growing. It was amazing seeing my cousin who was so short like a dwarf growing so big, so since then I said to myself that I will one day become a doctor so that I can be helpful to people. I want to put smile on people’s faces,” Ojeyinka said.

He said the award is the third he will get from DEWEF. Advising the youth, he said, they should face their studies so that they make sure they become the best and get rewarded someday.

Miss Damilola Adeniji, who also received the award, said she feel great and privileged to be considered for

the prize.

“This is my third time of receiving the fund and its going to help me as I am presently writing my project,” Adeniji said.

Elated, Habibat Idris, who also received an award, said: “I am a 400 level student of Mass Communication at olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State. I feel blessed that I could receive this largesse. I promise to study hard.”

Idris, who major in Public Relations at school, said she would love to have a second degree in international relations.

Other recipients are Odejayi Adetayo, Alade Jelil, Suliat Adebayo, Olaposi Dairo, Joy Nagudia, Aziz Ajani, Olalekan Bello and Damola Adebosipo.

Lawmaker trains youths

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•Chairman, Ikoyi Local Council Development Area, Hon Wale Adeniji (right) addressing the newly inaugurated Community Development Co-ordinating committee

HE lawmaker representing Ojo Federal Constituency, Lagos at the House of Representatives, Hon. Suarau Oluwatoyin, has put is constituents in a good mood after facilitating the training of thousands of their youths in job skills.

At a forum which held at Ojo multi-purpose hall, attended by dignitaries including the Lagos State Commissioner for Rural Development, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, traditional rulers, party chieftains and the beneficiaries, Oluwatoyin said the gesture was to thank the people for their support during and after the election.

He said: “The burning passion in me to serve the people creditably well led to the establishment of these programme.”

He urged the youth to make good use of the opportunity which will help them create wealth and employ others.

He said a total of one hundred and fifty GCE forms will be distributed to deserving students while 400 constituents will be supported with monthly stipends.

By Miriam Ndikanwu

“During my campaign at the last election, I promise to initiate different programmes to alleviate poverty through youth empowerment, job opportunities for our women and graduates, acquisition of fishing nets for fisher men among others.

“My motive to achieve all these is not farfetched considering the economic situation in our land where an average man cannot afford three square meal, many artisans do not have the financial power to buy their tools as youths roam the streets aimlessly.”

He said it was in view of this that the empowerment programme became necessary, urging participants to make better use of the opportunity to contribute their quota to national development.

Ojelabi in his contribution commended the programme facilitators, saying that skill development remains one cardinal principle towards the revitalisation of the country’s economic situation.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

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55TH KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING Today Wednesday 4th July, 2012 (15TH Sha’aban, 1433 AH) the Kano State Executive Council held its Fifty-Fifth (55th) sitting in continuation with sequence of previous sittings during which important policy issues and programs that positively impact on the quality of lives of our citizenry were deliberated upon.

Authentic, indelible and easily retrievable records show that since inception of its second tenure, the current administration pursues tangible projects spanning all sectors putting emphasis on its commitment to fulfilling campaign promises driven by the general resolve to providing good governance characterized by exemplary leadership in which utilization/deployment of resources, though conspicuous, is guided by prudence and transparency.

It is encouraging to note the reawakening of the hopes and fulfillment of the aspirations of the people of Kano State as depicted in the glaring progress achieved in the improvement of the quality and quantity of services provided

by Government across all sectors – especially water supply, agricultural production, education, healthcare delivery, environmental sanitation and refuse disposal, repairs of street and traffic lights, beautification of urban Kano, provision of security, provision of skill acquisition and employment opportunities etc.

Notably, in fifty four (54) sittings the present administration approved a capital expenditure of over N90 billion at a rate yet unsurpassed than during its most recent 54th sitting at which the sum of N17,584,270,477.90 covering 25 projects was approved for the execution of twenty six (26) projects by the Council as follows; N1,815,000.00 as funds to facilitate for operational and sitting allowance for the Standing Committee on Solid Minerals. N51,722,080.00 as funds for the implementation of Kano State Medical Mission. N29,322,176.00 as funds for the completion/renovation works (phase II) to accommodate the new State Agency for Control of AIDS (SACA) at former Bee-Zee Hotel. N78,378,877.00 as funds for the rehabilitation of the Kano Dental Centre. N16,203,626,212.80 for the execution of the second batch Local Government Five kilometer Roads Projects. N1,000,000.00 as funds to facilitate for publicity program in respect of PHIRU. N20,000,000.00 for the construction of perimeter wall around the New 150MLD Tamburawa Water Treatment Plant. N85,602,234.00 for the purchase of three (3) pay loaders. N2,000,000.00 as funds to facilitate payment for re-unit courses for 104 Kano State Students at Kano Informatics Institute.

N19,045,768.47 for the execution of additional works at G.S.S Kwankwaso.

N35,796,082.00 for the execution of additional works at the newly established Governor’s College. N99,606,297.23 for the construction of commercial blocks of flats at Enugu Road Sabon Gari. N136,555,492.00 for the installation of street lights at Kofar Kabuga and Kofar Waika. N17,582,968.00 for the installation of street lights at Nitel Training Centre Round About.

N26,121,600.00 for the construction of perimeter wall fence at three (3) primary schools. N22,692,000.00 as funds to facilitate for he settlement of allowances in respect of 62 sumpernumecy officers. N10,000,000.00 to facilitate for the production of Gum Arabic at Dawan Adam in Gabasawa LGCA. N16,450,000.00 for the procurement of a 16-seater bus for use by the Kano State Water Board. N36,179,500.00 as funds to facilitate for the training of 440 youth on chalk making. N11,250,000.00 as funds to facilitate for the payment of tuition in respect of 15 Kano State Indigenous students at the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria. N26,932,243.85 as fund to facilitate for the expansion and completion of a School building at Unguwar Gini. N84,897,614.41 for the execution of projects to establish a Boarding Primary School in Minjibir LGCA. N17,970,434.60 for the construction of a wall fence and administrative block at GJSS Janbulo. N84,259,784.39 for the rehabilitation/reconstruction of GSS Kafin Maiyaki. N7,302,812.18 for the construction of a wall fence around GGSS Unguwa Uku. As, usual, today’s Council sitting was presided over by the Governor Engr.

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso during which 25 memoranda were submitted by 11 MDA’S for deliberation by the Council. An expenditure of N4,715,553,666.00 covering 14 projects was approved for execution by the Council. Thus; MINISTRY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION Three (3) memoranda were submitted by the Ministry for Higher Education for deliberation by the Council as follows: Request for funds to facilitate for the conduct of the 2012 Re-Accreditation/ Interim Accreditation and Verification Exercise for Kano State Polytechnic:The responsive Council was fully informed of the outcome of the accreditation visitation by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to the Kano State Polytechnic during which certain pre-requisite requirements were presented to the school pending accreditation for it’s various courses – thus:i. Procurement of books ii. Initial accreditation fee for school of rural Technology and Entrepreneur Development iii. Accreditation of programs in school of Tech. & Management Studies.

TOTAL:

- N8,000,000.00

3. MINISTRY OF HEALTH Two (2) memoranda were submitted by this Ministry for deliberation by the Council: Request for funds to settle outstanding balance of payment for diesel supplied to State Government Hospitals in August/September 2011:The attentive Council was notified of the stated issue by contents of this memorandum. Details presented were that Council approved for the release of the sum of N39,600,000.00 while only N27,000,000.00 was released for the same purpose to the Hospital Management Board leaving an outstanding sum of N12,600,000.00 whose relevant invoice, store receipt vouchers and HSMB allocation slips were presented for Councils consideration. Council noted, considered and approved for the release of N12,600,000.00 to the Ministry of Health so as to enable the HSMB facilitate for the stated purpose in order to ensure the regular supply of Diesel to the Government owned Hospitals so as to power their stand-by electricity generating plants in view of he incessant power outages from PHCN. African Leadership Magazine Award: Council noted with deep appreciation the award honored to His Excellency the Executive Governor by a renowned African Leadership Magazine Award in the Northwest zone of the nation for his contribution towards health and human services provision particularly in Kano State.

4. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT. Five (5) memoranda were submitted by the office of the Secretary to the State Government for consideration by the Council as follows: Request for funds for the execution of some environmental related projects as recommended by the Sustainable Kano Project (SKP):Contents of this communication notified the Council of the request for the joint execution of five (5) environmentally – related projects in which collaborative effort between community based organization and Government are put together whereby the former provides labour while the latter provides the working materials. Council noted, considered and approved for the release of the requested sum of N7,837,761.90 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for onward payment to the Office of the Sustainable Kano Project (SKP) to facilitate for the stated projects.

Request for the provision of operational vehicles to the college of Arts, Science and Remedial Studies from the Honourable Commissioner Ministry for Higher Education: Council noted, considered and approved for the office of the Secretary to the State Government to step into the issue and allocated the request number of vehicle in view of their significance to the college thus; One (1) 55-Seater Buses.

One (1) Toyota Hilux Pick-ups.

Request for assistance by allocating a commuter bus to the Student Union Government of Aminu Kano College of Islamic Legal Studies; This request was presented to the Council as endorsed by the office of the Honourable Commissioner Ministry for Higher Education. Council approved and directed the office of the Secretary to the State Government to take up the matter so as to ensure compliance with the request.

Request for the allocation of six(6) Toyota Hilux Double Cabin Pick-up vehicles to the Road Traffic Department of Works, Housing and Transport: The statutory functions of the referred Department Compelled the Ministry of works to request for the allocation of the stated number of vehicles while Council approved the allocation of one vehicle and directed the office of the Secretary to the Government to step into the matter in order to ensure provision of one vehicle.

Request for operational vehicles from the Ministry of Women Affairs: This ministry requested for allocation of operational vehicles to enable it deliver services much more effectively. The request is thus; Two (2) 18-seater busses.

One (1) Toyota Hilux Double Cabin Pick-up.

- N15,346,100.77 - N58,741,662.50 = N82,087,7630.27

As such, the Ministry requested the Council for approval of the release of N82,087,763.27 to facilitate for the stated purpose. Council approved for the release of the requested sum of money to the Ministry to enable the Kano State Polytechnic facilitate for the stated purpose.

Submission of an Information memorandum on the Accreditation of the Department of Accountancy at Kano State Polytechnic:Council was gladdened by the information contained in this memorandum as they entailed details on the accreditation certificate granted to the stated department by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). So, Council noted, considered and blessed the Institution wishing it well and good tidings in all its performances. Confirmation of 8No. Kano State Indigenous citizens to the rank of Professors by the Bayero University, Kano.

Council noted with delight the confirmation of eight (8) indigenous citizens of Kano State to the rank of Professor (s) by the Authorities of Bayero University, Kano wishing them the best in their future endeavors. The affected professor(s) are as follows:Prof. Hafiz Abubakar Prof. Yusuf Adamu Prof. Muktari A. Yusuf (Banana) Prof. Habu Mohammed Prof. Muhammad Dalhatu Galadanchi Prof. Aminu Kabir Prof. Muhammad I Yakasai Prof. Ahmad Manga

satisfied prior to direct affiliation of Kano Informatics Institute with the Singapore Academy. Meanwhile, the committee recommends that the Kano state Government should continue with the program through the Jigawa state Institute in view of the potential benefits of the program. However, the Ministry for Science and Technology should vigorously pursue the issue of sub-franchise status in order to be independent of the Jigawa State Institute. Again, the committee recommends for the introduction of relevant commercial courses through which government subvention will be augmented and other training opportunities provided to the people in the State. Council noted, considered and approved for the State Government to pay for the admission fees of the newly admitted students so as for them to continue with the program while at the same time directed the Ministry for Science and Technology to vigorously follow up the request for subfranchise status with the Jigawa State Institute in order to speed up the process.

Biochemistry Medical Geography Linguistics Political Science Economics Law Education Agriculture

2. MINISTRY OF PROJECT MONITORING AND EVALUATION:Submission of a report from the Ad-Hoc Executive Committee formed on the Kano Informatics Institute:Contents of this memorandum adequately informed the Council of details on findings by the three (3) member Executive Ad-hoc committee formed on the issue at hand. Essentially the report presented two conditions that need to be

Council approved the allocation of item (II) and directed the office of the Secretary to the Government to step into the matter in order to ensure compliance to the request.

5.

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, CO-OPERATIVES, TOURISM AND CULTURE. Three (3) memoranda were submitted by this ministry for deliberation by the council as follows; (a) Notification of the conduct of second edition of Ramadan Fair by Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA): Contents of this memorandum essentially notified the council of the officially scheduled date to begin the referred fair ( i.e Thursday 12th july,2012 to Sunday 5th August,2012). The fair conducted in its maiden (previous) year was a huge success that deserves an encore as it proved capable of attracting various manufacturers and traders of various commodities such as food stuff, utensils, fruits, e.t.c. All the 44 LGCA’S will participate at the fair along with private organizations and individuals. As such, the Ministry of Commerce requested the council for the release of N5,000.000.00k as logistics and general requirement to facilitate for the fair and a donation of N100,000.00k to the chamber to smoothen conduct of the fair. Council approved release of the sum of N1,000,000.00k to the ministry of commerce to enable the KACCIMA conduct the Ramadan fair. (b) Notification of the Induction of Kano State as a member of Nigeria/Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (NNCC): Contents of this memorandum notified the council of the induction of Kano State as the fourth public sector member among Ekiti, Osun and Nassarawa states in Nigeria where eleven (11) companies are members from the private sector. This induction is important for Kano State as the commercial hub of Nigeria while the Netherlands remain the biggest trading partner accounting for about 20% volume of trade with the entire European Union. The chamber, as inducted, will create a platform for increased co-operation amongst peoples and institutions in the two countries.

Whereby areas such as trade and investment, water resources and waste management, power generation and agriculture can be explored. Council noted and appreciated the remark presented by the Kano state representative at the induction event on Friday 29th june,2021 in Lagos at the metropolitan club Victoria Island.

(c) Request for funds for the Completion and Commissioning of Kura Export Production Village (EPV) Project: This memorandum amply acquainted the responsive Council of the genesis and need for the EPV at kura in which the export promotion commission, NEXIM and UNIDO are keen to work with. The committee on the issue visited Niger republic in January 2012 in order to establish an identical case. The Ministry of commerce in conjunction with the implementation committee is proprosing Thursday 12th july, 2012 for His Excellency the executive Governor Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso FNSE to perform the commissioning ceremony for the project.

Essentially, about sixteen(16) issues with financial implications to the tune of Rabi’u Musa Kwankawaso N19,997,076.11 need to be addressed pending full achievement of the set objectives. So, Council approved release of the sum of N7,590,000.00 to the ministry of commerce to enable the implementation committee actualize the proposal of setting up an Export Promotion Village at kura town, where a cottage industry to process tomatoes and peppers into sachets and sacks will be established.

6. MINISTRY OF JUSTICE. Response to PFIZER Inc. proposal made by Kano State Government at the donors meeting of 26th April, 2012; Council noted contents of the referred memorandum and approved for the firm of Dikko and Mahmoud to step into the matter on behalf of the State Government in order to ensure that the victims get as much as possible compensation from PFIZER since they have already replied PFIZER’s letter of 22nd May,2012.

7. MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT. Three (3) memoranda were submitted by this ministry for deliberation by the council as follows; Request for funds for the construction of pedestrian bridge at Bompai Police Barracks Kano: The council noted and considered the referred request as in tune with the policy of the present administration on the provision of qualitative required services that have direct positive impact on the lives of the citizenry. So, Council approved the release of the requested sum of N18,100,653.72k to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to carry out the stated project.

Request for funds to carry out emergency renovation works at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) permanent orientation camp at Kusalla in Karaye LGCA: N15,447,806.30 was approved for release by the Council to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to expedite action on the referred project so as to address the state of general disrepair at the NYSC orientation camp regarding its significance.

Submission of Recommendation on the Development of Mass Housing at LokoGoma Abuja: Contents of this memorandum reminded Council on issues connected to the reallocated Loko-Goma land back to the state Government. Council acknowledged the report and approved for the development as proposed.

8. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES Three (3) memoranda were presented by this Ministry for deliberation by the council as follows: Submission of a memorandum on procurement of seeds for implementation of Growth Enhancement Services (GES): Council noted, considered contents of this memorandum and approved the release of the sum of N153,487,500.00 to the Ministry of Agriculture & Natural Resources to enable it pay for the cost of 2,110 tones of rice seeds and 696 tones of maize seeds from the Federal allocation to the State. Again, Council approved that each of the 44 LGCAs to serve as a redemption centre for farmers to collect seeds.

Request for funds on procurement of some additional fertilizer to accelerate timely provision to farmers: Council approved the release of N1,190,280,000.00 for the procurement of additional fertilizer as an alternative due to some logistic problem related to supply of raw materials from Lagos to save the situation that poses potential threat to 2012 crop production in the State.

Request for funds for the Construction of some facilities at Bagauda Livestock institution: Council noted, considered contents of this memorandum and approved the release of the aggregate sum of N17,917,750.68 to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to enable it facilitate for the following at the referred institution. Thus, i. Construction of Toilets/Bathrooms -N12,382,620.88 ii. Kitchen/Cafeteria -N4,147,489.80 iii. Laying of Interlock tiles -N1,387,640.00 TOTAL -N17,917,750.68 9. MINISTRY OF LAND AND PHYSICAL PLANNING Two (2) memoranda were presented by this Ministry for deliberation by the council as follows: Request for the re-validation of Road Contracts for Inherited road projects: The Council considered contents of this memorandum and approved the revalidation of the stated contracts along with the release of the sum of N2,714,890,134.23 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to re-award the contracts to the concerned companies accordingly. b. Request for funds for the payment of Compensation for Land, Trees and Structures at Dawanau (Northern Terminus): Council approved the release sum of N420,373,546.00 for the payment of compensation for Land, Trees and Structures at Dawanau as the kind gesture is in concert with the policy of the present administration to compensate for any land acquired for developmental purposes.

10. MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES Request for funds for the commencement of laying of 1000mm ductile iron pipes from Challawa Water Treatment plant to Goron Dutse: Council was notified of the arrival of the referred pipes to Kano by contents of this memorandum and the Ministry of Water Resources is requesting for N67,416,750.00 to commence the work of burying the pipes for a distance of 15 kilometers. Council approved release of the requested sum of money to the Ministry of Water Resources to enable the execution of the stated work which will enhance water supply to Kano metropolis.

11. DEPUTY GOVERNOR/MINISTRY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT Request for funds on the proposed second phase of Marriage of 250 Divorces/ Widows (Zarawara) and Spinsters: Council approved the release of N10,050,000.00 to facilitate the implementation of the second phase of Zawarawa marriage program conducted under the Kano State Hisbah Board.

Signed: Hon. Commissioner, Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports & Culture, Kano State

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

54

EQUITIES

Indicators sustain uptrend

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 5-7-12

T

RANSACTIONS on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) retained bullish outlook as discerning investors sustained acquisition interest on income stocks in readiness of half year earnings’ seasons.

The fact that some of these income stocks pays interim dividend has helped to firm up optimism in the market arena. Sustained interest heightened on the following stocks; GT Bank (1.13 per cent), Nestle (5 per cent), Access Bank (4.48 per cent) and UAC Nigeria (2.41 per cent). The value gains were instrumental to market return.

The likes of First Bank (1.36 per cent), UBA (1.50 per cent), Stanbic-IBTC (3.23 per cent) and Cadbury (1.99 per cent) returned to winning ways and equally impacted on yesterday’s return.

All-Share Index hit and crossed over the 22,000 psychological points last seen on the June 1st, 2012.

In summary, the market gained 118.40 absolute points, representing 0.54 per cent appreciation to close higher at 22,049.30 points.

Similarly, the Market Capitalisation of all listed equities gained N38 billion also representing 0.54 per cent

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

appreciation, to close higher at N7.04 trillion.

According to market operators, the rally on Dangote Flour continued yesterday as demand for the stock racked up during proceedings; a hold back on offers culminated in a 4.9 per cent mark-up for the stock.

The demand for Nestle during the session also firmed up its price with a crossed deal at the top price of the day, leading to a 5.0 per cent mark-up; closing sentiments for both companies could lead to further appreciation tomorrow.

Zenith Bank’s loss 3.7 per cent was the only decline in the banking sector as it caved to supply pressure during the session. However, current bullish sentiments in the sector could make this short-lived with selling pressure on the stock possibly abating today (Friday June 6).

On the flip side, Access Bank and Stanbic IBTC consolidated on Wednesday’s gains with gains in excess of 4.0 per cent apiece; while Fidelity Bank and Sterling Bank rallied with gains of 4.8per cent and 4.2 per cent respectively.

By the close of trading yesterday, 28 equities added value, compared with 15 that shed weight. Nestle Nigeria Plc, which had led the bulls the previous day, maintained the lead, chalking up N22.58 to close at N474.33 per share.

PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc trailed with a gain of N1.04 to close at N27.69 per share while UAC of Nigeria Plc garnered N0.79 to close at N33.55 per share.

Operators said investors were reacting to the deal UACN signed with Livestock Feeds Plc that would lead to potential synergies between the two companies in the animal feeds industry.

The deal, according to UACN, is a strategy that involves the building of a portfolio and partnerships that deliver long-term growth and value to the company and its stakeholders.

Presco Plc went up by N0.30 to close at N15.50, while Cadbury Nigeria Plc and Dangote Flour Mills Plc added N0.29 apiece.

On the other hand, Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc led the price losers with N2.11 to close at N40.12, trailed by MRS Oil Nigeria Plc with N1.69 to close at N32.29 per share.

Investors traded 159.157 million shares worth N1.504 billion in 3,448 deals, led by the financial services sector with 122.271 million shares valued at N1.006 billion traded in 2,040 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 5-7-12

THE

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

55

MONEY LINK

RenCap places ‘buy’ on FirstBank, Access Bank

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HARES of FirstBank of Nigeria Plc, Access Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank have been placed on the ‘buy’ list by Renaissance Capital (RenCap), an investment and research firm.

The firm said in a statement that it has upgraded its forecasts for all the big five banks, with First and Access banks seeing the most sig-

nificant increases.

“We see sufficient upside potential to warrant ‘buy’ ratings on all five stocks; hence we upgrade Access and FirstBank to ‘buy’. We retain our buy ratings on GTB, UBA and Zenith,” it said.

The firm assessed the banks’ year 2011 and first quarter 2012 results.

“We focus solely on these

• Upgrades ‘big five’ Tier 1 Nigerian banks, which we have defined by asset size and market share,” it said.

RenCap said that the implementation of International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) in the banks’ financial results has impacted their credit impairment line.

As a result, FirstBank and

UBA have seen significant upward revisions to their 2011 reported earnings under IFRS. It said a combination of factors, including a more subdued economic environment, pricing pressure at the top end and attractive yields on treasuries have resulted in less

‘Citiserve committed to success of cash-less’

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HE Chief Executive Officer, Citiserve, a subsidiary of Vigeo Holdings Limited, Lola Ogunbambi has reiterated her firm’s commitment to ensuring that Point of Sale (PoS) terminals installed at merchant shops work effectively for success of the cashless initiative.

Speaking yesterday at Citiserve Merchant Congress organised by the firm to educate PoS merchants on the functionality of the equipment and ways of addressing usage problems, she explained that the Cen-

Stories by Collins Nweze

tral Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and banks have invested heavily to ensure that the cash-less banking initiative succeeds.

She said as the cost of printing, moving and securing cash continued to rise, there is urgent need to reduce them. The Citiserve CEO said that implementers of the initiative will continue to encourage merchants and card users to use alternative banking channels such as PoS, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), web transfer and other e-payment

platforms to consummate their transactions.

The Citiserve boss said that complaints by merchants that the transaction fee is high are not enough reasons for them not to encourage card users to use their PoS for payments.

Ogunbambi said that with continued education and enlightenment of card users and merchants, they will come to terms with the charges and recognise that the economy and their businesses are still better off embracing the epayment tools.

“I think many of the merchants are not properly in-

formed about the charges. It was 37 per cent before the charges were reviewed downwards to 1.5 per cent. It simply means that in a transaction of N5, 000, a merchant is expected to pay N62. 50 kobo, which I think is affordable,” she said.

Ogunbambi said apart from issues relating to pricing, Citiserve is equally looking at other complaints by merchants such as poor network, delayed credit to merchants’ accounts by banks, battery failure, and poor infrastructure with the objective of resolving them.

CBN sets two-day deadline for WDAS funds

T

HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) has di rected authorised dealers to return unutilised funds sourced from the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) to it within two working days or be sanctioned.

In a circular signed by its Director, Trade and Ex-

change Department, Batari Musa, the banking watchdog said the policy is to ensure transparency and efficiency in the use of WDAS funds. He said that any unutilised funds after two working days effective July 9, 2012 must be returned to the CBN. “Any unutilised funds after the two working days from

the date of settlement shall be refunded to the CBN for repurchase at the prevailing rate or the rate funds were purchased, whichever is lower,” he said.

He said authorised dealers are required to ensure compliance failing which sanctions shall apply. The apex bank said that defaulters will

be meant to refund the cash to the CBN with interest at London Inter-bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus five per cent. The defaulters, the regulator said, are to pay monetary fine in accordance with provisions of Bank and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 1991 and any other appropriate penalty.

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 5-7-12 SYMBOL

O/PRICE

NESTLE FIDELITYBK DANGFLOUR MAYBAKER CCNN JAPAULOIL FCMB ACCESS LIVESTOCK STERLNBNK

451.75 1.23 5.95 1.85 5.76 0.66 3.34 7.14 1.13 1.17

C/PRICE

474.33 1.29 6.24 1.94 6.04 0.69 3.49 7.46 1.18 1.22

C/PRICE 40.12 14.30 32.29 2.54 2.00 3.30 2.72 1.27 1.12 0.71

By Akinola Ajibade

customers and subsequently facilitate the growth of micro businesses.

According to CBN, there must be a considerable level of micro financing among the rural dwellers to foster financial inclusion in the system.

Speaking on the issue, the Chairman, National Association of Microfinance Banks, Lagos State Chapter, Mr Olufemi Babajide, said the association has been preempting events in the subsector in order to address their problems.

Babajide said the banks have just set up an interbank placement through which the banks secure lending and pay at a short maturity date of 30 days.

He said a zoning formula has been introduced through, which banks that are are geographically situated would be able to access market for their operations,

CHANGE 2.11 0.75 1.69 0.13 0.10 0.16 0.13 0.06 0.05 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

22.58 0.06 0.29 0.09 0.28 0.03 0.15 0.32 0.05 0.05

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12

LOSERS AS AT 5-7-12

SYMBOL O/PRICE 7UP 42.23 OANDO 15.05 MRS 33.98 AVONCROWN 2.67 RTBRISCOE 2.10 VITAFOAM 3.46 ETERNA 2.85 AIRSERVICE 1.33 IKEJAHOTEL 1.17 AGLEVENT 0.74

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed microfinance banks to put in place an inter-bank mechanism to engender growth.

CBN, in a statement, said the inter-bank platform will afford the banks the opportunity to lend to one another and reduce illiquidity.

It called on the banks to enhance linkage programmers such as Rural Finance Institutions Building Programme (RUFIN) to all the 36 states to share ideas and further one another’s efforts.

RUFIN is an idea introduced

by CBN to strengthen the growth of the micro-finance banking sub-sector. It said inter-bank system would enable the banks to access funds for development.

The banking watchdog said there must be incentives for microfinance banking operating in the rural areas, it added that it is the only way by which MfBs can meet the transactional needs of their

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

Currency OBB Rate Call Rate

Apex bank to MfBs: provide interbank platform

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

According to the firm, cost will increasingly be the key differentiator post-2012 results. It hinted that banks with little cost discipline will not be able to sustain returns north of 20 per cent once the benefits of low impairment charges are spent.

“We see Zenith as having the highest potential to improve cost management among the big five,” it added.

DATA BANK

Tenor

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

credit being extended to borrowers. “We were looking for 25 to 30 per cent loan growth for year 2012, but we have now reduced our expectations to 15 to 20 per cent,” it said.

The research firm projected that impairment costs are likely to be subdued even as it asserted that there is scope for the banks to beat our forecasts in some cases, helped by recoveries and write-backs.

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 FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

NEWS

Appeal Court reinstates sacked council chairmen in Imo T

T was sweet victory yesterday for 27 sacked local government chairmen in Imo State. They were reinstated by the Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri.

The councils’ helmsmen were asked to go home by Governor Rochas Okorocha immediately he assumed office last year.

Justice Uwani Abbaji, who presided over the case, also nullified the appointment of the transition committee chairmen by the governor to replace the former officials.

Okorocha, in his maiden broadcast in June 2011, announced the sacking of the elected council chiefs and later appointed transitional committee chairmen to man

A

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

the 27 council areas in the state.

But the council chairmen challenged their removal from office before an Owerri High Court, arguing that the governor had no constitutional power to do so.

The court, presided over by the State Chief Judge, Justice Benjamin Njemanze, held that the governor lacked the powers to remove the chairmen.

It further held that the chairmen failed to prove that they were sacked from office as they claimed, resulting in the filing of the appeal.

Delivering the judgment yesterday, Abbaji observed that all the submissions and arguments of the appellants and respondents were reviewed.

She noted that the High Court in its earlier judgment confirmed that the governor, axiomatically had no power to sack the democratically elected chairmen.

The judge noted that the local government system was a constitutional matter and any action on the system should follow constitutional provisions.

The court held that the governor had no right to

remove democratically elected chairmen from office. It ordered that they be reinstated.

In an unanimous decision, Abbaji further restrained the governor or any of his proxies from interfering in the administration of the local government system in the state.

Reacting to the ruling, the Attorney-General of the State and Commissioner for Justice, Soronadi Njoku, said the government would judiciously look at the judgment. According to him, this would properly guide government’s comment on the judgment.

Also reacting, the counsel to the chairmen, Ngozi Olehi hailed the court for finally ruling in his client’s favour, saying “the just shall live by faith.”

Court nullifies Anambra PDP congresses

FEDERAL Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja, has nullified the ward, local government and state congresses, held in Anambra State by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), purportedly loyal to the Uba brothers - Andy and Chris.

Justice U.P. Kekemeke said the congress that produced the Chief Oguebego Ejike-led Executive Committee “is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void” as it was contrary to the party’s constitution and in defiance of a court order.

In its place, the judge ordered the PDP to liaise with the plaintiff, Emma Mbamalu and his committee to organise and conduct fresh con-

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

gresses from the ward to the state level.

The court took the decision after dismissing the objections raised by the party, challenging its jurisdiction and competence to entertain the suit.

It had earlier declined an application by the purported chairman of the party in the state, Kenneth Emekayi, to be joined in the suit on the ground that he was not a necessary party to the action.

Kekemeke pointed out that the suit centered on the breach of party guidelines and constitution regarding the conduct of congresses.

The judge said: “The admin-

istration of a political party is guided by its constitution and if a political party derails from its constitution, it has opened its doorway for the court to come in.

“So, the argument of the party that the matter is a domestic affair does not hold water. So, a breach of the party’s constitution and guidelines is no longer a matter within the domestic affairs of the party.

“From the facts of this case, the complaint of the plaintiff is the failure of the party which has its headquarters in Abuja to conduct congresses in Anambra state as stipulated by its constitution.

“The non-conduct of the congresses in the state is a

breach of the party’s constitution and guidelines. From the affidavit evidence before me, it is clear that no congress was conducted in the state on March, 3, 16 or 17, 2012.”

Recalling that he had earlier granted a restraining order in the suit, Kekemeke said the purported congresses were a nullity as the court had not vacated its order which was also not set aside by an appellate court.

He said: “There was an order restraining the defendants from conducting congresses in the state and there is no record before this court that that order has been vacated or set aside. An order of court subsists until it is vacated or set aside by a superior court.”

Cleric’s wife kidnapped in Ebonyi

T

HERE seems to be no end to the spate of abductions in Ebonyi State as the wife of the Archdiocesan Lay President of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Lady Rose Okorie was reportedly kidnapped yesterday.

Lady Okorie was allegedly abducted by suspected gunmen, numbering six at Ngbo, in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state.

Her abduction came barely one week after the ChiefExecutive Officer of Godal Pharmacy, Mr. Godwin

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

Nwosu, was kidnapped by unknown gunmen, who eventually killed him.

The Nation learnt that Lady Okorie, a nurse and employee of Ohaukwu Local Government Area was abducted at her private clinic, Little Seeds Clinic in Ngbo.

Family sources said Lady Okorie was kidnapped at about 8am on Wednesday.

The sources claimed that the gunmen, who invaded the clinic in their get-away car, forced the woman into the vehicle and sped off.

Jumbo pay for PDP chiefs From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

•Bamanga Tukur

M

EMBERS of the National Working

Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will now earn monthly salaries for the first time since the formation of the party in 1998.

In the salary structure already approved, National Chairman Bamanga Tukur will take home a monthly salary of N2 million. National Secretary Olagunsoye Oyinlola will be paid N1.5 million monthly.

Other 10 elected members of the NWC have been placed on N1 million salary each per month.

It was gathered yesterday that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party has approved the salary structure.

In addition, the NWC

members will continue to receive the stipulated N50, 000 weekly sitting allowance.

Hitherto, the N50, 000 weekly sitting allowance was the only entitlement of the NWC members.

Approval has also been given to all the party functionaries for housing, furniture and vehicle allowances.

A source at the PDP secretariat, who confirmed the salary structure yesterday said the leadership decided to approve the payment to empower the party officials.

This, according to him, is to discourage the trend whereby elected party officials at the national level chase after governors for financial assistance, thereby compromising their positions.

In the latest salary structure for elected and appointed Federal Executive Council members released by the Revenue Mobilsation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), President Goodluck Jonathan earns N1.7 million. Vice President Namadi Sambo earns N1.1 million monthly.

Other elected and appointed public officials in the two other arms of government earn lower than the President and the Vice President.

Viju introduces smaller drink

T

HE producer of the popular Viju brand of milk drinks has introduced a new package into the market.

The company, Viju Industries Nigeria Limited, said the package which is smaller version of the well-known 500ml milk drink, comes in 210ml. It is known as the BB Star.

The company said in a statement that the decision to introduce a smaller package

was to reduce level of waste being experienced when the available 500ml and 550ml are bought for children.

“The 210ml BB Star is fortified with nine nutritional ingredients, among which include calcium (for stronger teeth and healthy bones) is purposely made for children,” it said.

It advised parents to learn to distinguish the new package from other similar products in the market.

Masqueraders, police trade blames over Ibadan clash

C

USTODIANS of Ibadan, Oyo State popular masquerade, Oloolu, and the police have been trading accusations and counter-accusations following two days of clashes between followers of the masquerade and others.

Traditionalists in the ancient city and the police as well as the state’s joint military anticrime outfit, Operation Burst, have been trading blames over the violence that followed this year’s celebration.

Many people were injured in violent clashes between Oloolu followers and some locals in Popoyemoja, Idi Arere and Beere on Tuesday and an alleged reprisal attack by the masquerade’s followers on Wednesday.

The police and Operation Burst waded into the clash on Tuesday and arrested several followers of the masquerade.

Recounting their ordeal in the hands of the security agencies yesterday, the

The traditionalists said they neither fomented trouble nor engaged in any violent act.

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

Chairman of the Committee on Oloolu, Mr Wasiu Aje, and the head of masquerades in Ibadan, Chief Ojetunde Akinleye Asoleke, alleged that the police and Operation Burst officers arrested several leaders, followers and the Oloolu.

The traditionalists said they neither fomented trouble nor engaged in any violent act. They decried the arrest, describing it as unprecedented and abnormal.

The leaders and members of

the Oloolu family, who stormed the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, yesterday called for the release of their members.

They urged the monarch to warn the police against further arrest of their members.

But the police command insisted that the celebrants went against their promise that they would not breach the peace.

Police spokeswoman Olabisi Ilobanafor, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said six persons were arrested from the two camps that clashed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

She said the suspects were violent, adding that they would be charged to court today.

Mrs Ilobanafor said four of them were apprehended on Tuesday while the others were arrested during a reprisal attack on Wednesday.

The latter, she said, are believed to be members of the Oloolu camp.

The spokeswoman dismissed the call for their release, saying they committed an offence and would face the law.

She warned the masquerade and its supporters to eschew violence in their future outings, saying anyone caught breaching the peace would be treated as a criminal.

Though the traditionalists said they sought police approval before their outing, it was learnt that they only applied for two days.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said the command gave the traditionalists police protection on the first day and expected that they would only come out four days later.

The source added that the4 masquerades broke the terms of the approval, which led to the violence.

The police spokeswoman said dangerous weapons, such as guns and cutlasses, were recovered from the suspects.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

57

NEWS

Student remanded for alleged possession of ‘firearms’ A N Ilorin Magistrate’s Court yesterday ordered that a 300-level student of the University of Ado-Ekiti (UNAD), Ekiti State be remanded for allegedly possessing firearms without having a licence.

The accused, Toyin Ayinde, 37, a resident of Centre Igboro, Ilorin was arraigned on a onecount charge of illegal possession of firearms contrary to Section 3(1) of the Firearms (special provision) ACT CAP

From Samson Ademola, Ilorin

R11 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

He was said to have been arrested by a police surveillance patrol team while walking towards the Texaco filling station at Oja-Oba, carrying a black polythene bag containing a dismantled single barrel gun. When he was appre-

hended, he could not give a satisfactory reason for possessing the gun.

The suspect told the court that he picked the gun from the ground.

According to the charge sheet, “investigation conducted at the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) office has revealed that the gun recovered from the suspect is his

own. It requires licence, but he does not have it. Thus, he unlawfully possesses a gun, which contravenes the Firearms Act.” Police prosecutor Alhassan Jubril urged the court to remand the accused in prison because the offence is not bailable.

Magistrate Ibijoke Olawoyin ordered that the accused be remanded at the Federal Prison, Mondalla, Ilorin.

The case was adjourned till July 18.

•Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu cutting a tape to inaugurate the executive lodges in Sokoto yesterday. With him are Sokoto State Deputy Governor Mukhtar Shagari (left) and Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko.

FCTA demolishes 500 shanties From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

T

HE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished over 500 shanties and makeshift shops to pave the way for the completion of the Gwagwalada Modern Market lock-up shops under construction.

The Development Control Department of the FCTA, which demolished the illegal structures within and around the modern market, said the occupants were served quit notices since November last year.

Spokesperson for the department, Mrs. Josie Mudasiru, told reporters that the department began a partial removal of the temporary structures in February.

According to her, the action became necessary as the notices served on the occupants were ignored.

“Notices were served in November last year. The department began partial removal and later gave them five months grace to quit, which was not complied with,” she said.

Mrs. Mudasiru said the removal of the shanties would continue until the last structure was removed, to enable the modern market occupy its place of pride in the development of the territory.

She said the Federal Capital Territory Development Control Department does not concern itself with the development of the Federal Capital City alone, as its operation covers the entire territory. Therefore, any irregularity in the master plan will be removed.

2011 IBADAN FLOOD DISASTER VICTIMS ASSOCIATION Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above named Association has applied to the corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1. Dr. Bello Akingbade JP 2. Mrs. Omolara Funmilayo Bello 3. Mrs. Ayoade Adeola 4. Mrs. Adedoyin Bosede Akinola 5. Mr. Akingbade Moshood Bello 6. Mr. Olugbade Adefioye 7. Mr. Adewale Olowoniyi AIMS AND OBJECTIVE 1. To help one another in reducing suffering of members.

2. To seek assistance from individuals/Government in alleviating the suffering of members.

3. To seek legal means of fighting for the rights and entitlements of members.

Any objections to the above registration should be forwarded to the registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES.

Kogi Assembly swears in ‘rejected’ lawmaker

K

OGI State House of Assembly yesterday sworn in Yunusa Olofu as the member representing Olamaboro Constituency.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja had ruled that Olofu be sworn in since he was the winner of the first Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election held in Olamaboro Local Government.

But on Wednesday, the lawmaker was turned back by the assembly security personnel because he was said not to have possessed a certificate of return.

The assembly made a U-turn yesterday by swearing in Olofu, though he did not present a certificate of return.

From Mohammed Bashir Lokoja

A source told The Nation that there was a delay before the assembly began proceedings yesterday, as the leadership and members held a close meeting before Olotu was sworn in.

The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Akawu Salihu, in a telephone interview told our reporter that the assembly delayed the commencement of its proceedings because of the swearing in.

He said: “The delay was deliberate because we had to exhaust legal means before we embarked on such an action. We contacted our legal department and they assured us that we could go ahead with the swear-

ing in since there were no injunctions for a stay of action.

“We did not act in isolation because already there was an order from a court that Olofu should be sworn in immediately. We have to obey the court order to avoid committing contempt of court.”

The leading counsel to Olofu’s opponent, Damian Abdul Adejo, Emmanuel Haruna, in a telephone interview described the action of the assembly as an embarrassment.

He said his client had filed a motion for appeal and the Speaker was duly served.

His words: “I’m shocked and embarrassed that the House could throw away its honour and decency by engaging in such a shameful act. Have you

heard where a court passes a judgment in favour of a plaintiff and such a person is sworn in when the legal options have not been exhausted, especially as it has to do with a pre-election matter?”

When asked if the defendant had sought for a stay of execution, Haruna said: “Yes, a notice for appeal was granted and the Speaker was duly served.”

He decried the role played by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the matter.

“If INEC which issued a certificate of return to my client can now turn the other way, then you must appreciate the fact that there is a serious problem in the Nigerian political system,” Haruna said.

IBB, Tinubu, Sultan, others for Yakasai’s book presentation

T

HE launch and public presentation of the autobiography of a veteran politician and former aide to ex-President Shehu Shagari in the Second Republic, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, will hold at the International Conference Centre, Abuja next Tuesday.

Vice-President Namadi Sambo is expected to be the special guest of honour.

The book, entitled: “Story

T

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

of a humble life”, first published in 2004, contains a graphic account of the elder statesman’s life from childhood to date.

Also, the autobiography chronicles major political events in the political development of Nigeria from 1951 when Yakasai began his political career.

Prominent among those

to attend the event is former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida who will be the chairman of the occasion, while former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will be the chief presenter.

Ex-Senate president Dr. Ken Nnamani will be the guest speaker, while Dr. Asikpo J. Essien Ibok, former Director of Information and Public Affairs during the late Abubakar

Rimi administration will review the book.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar (111), Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero and Gara Dong, Chief Stephen Danjuma Bayanga Garbosa (111), are the royal fathers.

Yakasai said: “I have now completed work on the second volume of my autobiography and the revision of the Volume 1, which was first published in 2004.”

Army confirms explosion on Kaduna-Zaria Road

HE Nigerian Army has confirmed an explosion caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on the Kaduna-Zaria Road.

The explosion, which occurred between Dankande village and Marrarabar, Jos, was

K

caused by an IED planted by unknown persons.

The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Division, Kaduna, Col. Sani Usman, who confirmed the incident, said the IED exploded about 5:30pm, adding that one

person was injured.

He said the army had deployed experts to provide security.

Usman appealed to the residents not to panic as the security agents were on top of the situation.

Kaduna urges residents to shun rumours

ADUNA State Government yesterday urged residents to shun rumour mongering and go about their businesses peacefully.

The Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Saidu Adamu, made this known in a statement in Kaduna.

He said the rumour of an im-

pending crisis was unfounded, adding that security operatives were capable of keeping the peace.

“The government is calling on the people to disregard the current rumour being circulated alleging the eruption of crisis in Kaduna. The state is calm and people should go about their businesses,” Adamu

added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Police Public Relations Officer Aminu Lawan had earlier debunked the rumours of an impending crisis.

“The rumour is unfounded, untrue, baseless, mischievous and should be ignored by the indigenes of Kaduna State,” he said.

He urged them to assist the security personnel with useful information and to be vigilant and report strange movements to the appropriate authority.

PUBLIC NOTICE CHANGE OF NAME WELI I formerly known and addressed as MISS. WINIFRED NYEMACHI WELI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. WINIFRED NYEMACHI ABIYOU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MEMEKA I formerly known and addressed as MISS. MEMEKA PEACE JOY U. now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. PEACE IBIFUBARA NENGIA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, Kwara State and general please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE BUENA VISTA LANDLORDS & RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION LAFIAJI TOWN, ETI-OSA, LAGOS. This is to inform the general public that the above named organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) AGIAYE JOHN (2) ENUKORA CHETE (3) OSUJI COLLINS (4) OGUNNUSI HENRY (5) ODEPE TIMOTHY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1) To seek the welfare of the landlords, residents and other people in the Estate 2) To promote peace, good orderliness and good neighbourliness in the Estate 3) to promote and improve social status of the people in the Estate as well as promote security of lives and properties in the Estate.

Any objection thereto should be directed to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: SEGUN ADEPOJU & COMPANY 9, ODUYEMI STREET, ANIFOWOSHE, IKEJA, LAGOS.

Reps THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

58

NEWS Akpabio advises council chairmen From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

AKWA IBOM State Governor Godswill Akpabio yesterday advised newly elected local government chairmen and councillors to shun politics of bitterness.

Akpabio urged them to make performance their watchword by taking development to the grassroots.

The governor spoke at the opening of a two-day workshop under the theme, “Setting the Pace for Effective Local Government Administration in Akwa Ibom State”, for the 31 elected chairmen and 329 councillors.

He said although there may be some political differences in their areas, the elected officers are to deliver on their campaign promises.

Represented by his deputy, Nsima Ekere, Akpabio warned the chairmen against dissipating energies on infighting,.

Cross River to repair roads

‘Boundary Commission compromising national security’ T

HE House of Representatives has declared as unconstitutional, the action of the National Boundary Commission (NBC) in ceding parts of the country’s territorial waters away.

The lawmakers warned that NBC’s action has created a threat to the Nigerian maritime boundary.

The House has subsequently urged President Goodluck Jonathan to convene a security meeting to review the status of Nigeria’s maritime boundary.

It also demanded a review of the country’s maritime boundaries as defined by the judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the latest boundary delineation by the NBC. Deputy House Leader Leo Ogor, who raised the motion under matters of urgent national importance, said the implication of the Commission’s action would re-

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

duce the nation’s territorial waters and its economic opportunities.

He said: “The movement or adjustment of the baseline inward for the demarcation of internal waters from the territorial sea as canvassed by the NBC is in contravention of the ICJ judgment that ceded Bakassi to Cameroon with the implication that internal waters of Nigeria will now become part of the territorial sea.”

On the implication of the NBC action, Ogor said the territorial integrity of the country has been compromised with grave implication as other countries will now have navigational rights over Nigeria’s territorial waters.

“The issue of convergence point of the maritime boundaries of Nigeria with

‘The movement or adjustment of the baseline inward for the demarcation of internal waters from the territorial sea as canvassed by the NBC is in contravention of the ICJ judgment that ceded Bakassi to Cameroon’ Cameroon, Equitorial Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe is yet to be resolved, the inward shift of the baseline as the NBC has done compromises and weakens Nigeria’s position as it is bound to lose vital oil territories to these countries,” he added.

The motion was approved by the lawmakers.

The session was presided over by Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha.

Samson Osagie, Jerry Manwe, Akbert SamTsokwa and Kamil Akinlabi argued in favour of the motion.

The lawmakers noted that with the adjustment, the commission has displayed total disregard for the National Assembly which created it.

The only dissenting voice against the motion, Ini Udoka said debating the issue would prejudice the case as it was before the Supreme Court which would rule on the matter on July 10.

Standing committees on Marine, Foreign Affairs and Special Duties were mandated to investigate and reconcile observed inconsistencies between the country’s maritime boundaries as defined by the judgment of the ICJ and the latest boundary delineation by the NBC.

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

THE Cross River State Government has said it would spend about N3.4billion to repair three federal roads in the state.

The roads, according to the Deputy Director, Civil Engineering in the Ministry of Works, Robert Etu, are the Ikom-Obudu Federal Highway, Ugep-Ikom-Ogoja Federal Highway and the Calabar-Itu Highway.

He said the Ikom-Obudu road covering 106 kilometres, was awarded to a Chinese Construction Company at the cost of N450 million, the Ugep-IkomOgoja road covering 180 kilometres awarded at N947 million while the CalabarItu road project cost N2billion.

Etu said the government decided to repair the roads because of public outcry.

He explained that arrangements would be worked out between the state and the Federal Government on the financial implication.

Bayelsa to ban okada From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

THE Bayelsa State Government has announced plans to ban motorcycles, popularly known as okada .

The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Sylvanus Abila, said the government would provide vehicles to be used as taxis within Yenagoa.

Abila said this when he presented a paper at the Area B Conference of the Junior Chamber International (JCI), entitled: “Securing Nigeria for the future: The role of the youth”.

He said the development would form the review of the transport policy of the state.

“The proposed ban on the use of okada for commercial purposes in the state would come into effect when the government has upgraded the road networks and acquired buses and cars,” Abila said.

•Policemen queuing to buy kerosine at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Mega Filling Station, PHOTO:ABAYOMI FAYESE Abuja...yesterday

Plane overshoots runway at Benin Airport

A

N aircraft belonging to the Presidential Committee on Maritime (PICOMMS) yesterday overshot the runway of the Benin Airport.

The incident was said to have occurred at about 10:31am.

The plane, a Diamond DA 2 MPP aircraft, with registration number 5N-BKS, had two

From Osagie Otabor and Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

pilots on board and disrupted flight schedule.

The Accident Investigation Bureau(AIB)spokesman,Tunji Oketunbi, said : “ A Diamond DA 2 MPP aircraft marked with 5N-BKS , belonging to PICOMMS, yesterday was involved in a se-

rious incident by belly-landing at Benin Airport. No casualties recorded.”

An eyewitness said: “ The plane landed on the surface of the runway with the tires locked in, an indication that the tire may have refused to shoot out. I think it is only the pilot who can really explain what happened.”

The airport manager,

Segun Ayodele, said he was not at the airport when the incident occurred.

After the incident, emergency service personnel were said to have cleared the aircraft from the runway.

The aircraft has been towed to the hangar belonging to Okada Air, near the Nigeria Air Force facility at the airport.

Review justice system, says Belgore Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

F

ORMER Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Alfa Belgore has advocated a review of the nation’s criminal justice system.

Belgore spoke yesterday in Asaba, Delta State capital, at a ceremony to mark the 65th birthday celebration of the Deputy Governor, Prof.

Amos Utuama.

He said the nation’s legal system is antiquated.

The ex-CJN challenged lawmakers to amend the constitution to look into the criminal legal procedures.

His words: “Today, we have the laws inherited from the colonial master, which has led to a lot of indiscipline in our society.

“It is better for those who are going to amend the constitution to tell the president to set up a panel to look to look into all our laws and procedures which are outdated.

“This is because it’s causing a lot of delay in court, to make amendments, if these can be done, things can be better.”

Senate Majority Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) said Utuama was his classmate at the University of Lagos.

“I have known Prof Utuama since 1974, when we gained admission into UNILAG and we were classmates and I know he was going to be a professor because he was very argumentative.”

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan said he has no regrets in choosing Utuama as his deputy because of his integrity, ability and loyalty.

Uduaghan said it was these virtues that made him nominate Utuama in 2006 without lobby from anyone.

“Till today, I have no regret in nominating him as my deputy. He is a shining example of dedication, integrity and loyalty. He is an ever-ready battery.

“Above all these, he is a spiritual man. A very committed Christian. He is a teacher of many lawyers.”

Utuama thanked the governor for the confidence he reposed in him, noting that he too had no regret working under the governor because it was a call to service.

Two of Utuama’s books, Commentaries on Contemporary Legal Issues and Prof.

Amos Utuama- A Legacy of Service, were presented at the occasion.

FOREIGN Pilots, faulty equipment caused 2009 Air France crash

T

ECHNICAL failure and human error led to the loss of an Air France flight over the Atlantic in June 2009 and the deaths of 228 people, according to the final report into the crash.

The report by France’s aviation authority, the BEA, says the crew did not react correctly after the Airbus A330 had technical failures, the BBC reported.

It blames the Airbus A330’s ergonomics as well as inappropriate pilot action.

The jet disappeared from

radars while en route to Paris from Rio de Janeiro.

It took nearly two years for the flight recorders to be found.

The report makes 25 new safety recommendations on top of the 25 called for in a preliminary report released last year by the BEA. That report also said the pilots did not follow the proper procedures after the aircraft’s speed sensors – called Pitot tubes – failed after the plane encountered turbulence two hours after take-off.

The plane stalled and lost

altitude and the captain did not retake control of the plane after taking a rest.

One of the mistakes of the crew was to point the nose of the aircraft upwards after it stalled, instead of down.

Investigators have found fault with both Airbus and Air France, sparking a row between the two firms over their accountability for the crash.

Both companies are under investigation by French magistrates for alleged manslaughter.

A separate judicial report

will be released next week.

This is also expected to echo yesterday’s report by the BEA, the French news agency AFP says.

Since the crash, Air France has replaced the speed sensors on its fleet of Airbus jets – made by the French firm Thales – with a newer model.

The wreckage of the plane was discovered after a long search of 10,000 sq km (3,860 sq miles) of sea floor.

After 23 months of searching, robot submarines finally found the flight “black box” recorders last year.

Libyan electoral materials burnt

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FIRE has destroyed election materials in Libya, days ahead of the first elections since Col Muammar Gaddafi was toppled as leader last year.

Libyan officials said the fire had destroyed ballot boxes and papers at a depot in the eastern city of Ajdabiya.

A security source said the fire is being investigated as a suspected arson attack, according to Reuters.

It comes less than a week after the ransacking of electoral commission offices in Benghazi, north of Ajdabiya.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

60

NEWS THE BATTLE FOR EDO Enahoro’s group backs ACN CHIEF Anthony Enahoro’s political group, the Movement for National Reformation (MNR), has supported Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s re-election bid.

It urged the people to return the governor to the Osadebey Avenue Government House next Saturday.

The pro-democracy group, in a communiqué at the end of its meeting in Benin City, said: “Considering the dynamic performance of Governor Oshiomhole in four years, MNR wishes he is returned to the Government House to complete the good work which he started’’.

The movement urged “all his followers and all people of goodwill to vote for him as a reward for hardwork and competence’’.

The communiqué, signed by its Acting Administration Secretary, Omonefe Okosun, said the meeting “reviewed the state of the nation and concluded that governance was poor all over the country.

“Regarding the state of insecurity caused by acts of terrorism, robbery and kidnappings, the solution lies in the return to true federalism where the units will develop at their own pace.”

‘We’re being marginalised’ From Osagie Otabor, Benin

A GROUP, the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), has threatened to protest its exclusion from the monitoring of next week’s election.

The group said it was dismayed that no Civil Society Organisation (CSO) in the state was among the over 28 CSOs accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as domestic observers.

ANEEJ’s Executive Director David Ugolor, at a briefing in Benin City, alleged that INEC secretly accredited some CSOs based outside the state without publicising the accredited list on its website.

Ugolor described INEC’s decision as absurd, irrational and undemocratic, saying it was designed as a cover up to manipulate the outcome of the election.

He said the accredited CSOs are relying on the state-based CSOs to do the job because they understand the terrain better.

Ugolor urged INEC to accredit Edo CSOs to avoid “setting a dangerous precedence for the future, which is capable of mocking Nigeria’s democracy”

•Members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) praying for Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole (middle)at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, benin...yesterday

Fireworks as Oshiomhole, Airhiavbere slug it out at debate ERBAL missiles were fired yesterday at the Best Western Hotel, Benin, the Edo State capital, venue of the debate organised by the Nigerian Elections Debate Group for governorship candidates.

The verbal warfare was especially fierce between Governor Adams Oshiomhole of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Charles Arhiavbere of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP candidate fired the first salvo when he hinted at the alleged nonimplementation of due process in the award of contracts, to which Oshiomhole reminded him that due proc-

V

Stories from Osagie Otabor, Benin

ess was not followed in the award of Army contracts, especially Army hospitals, when the PDP candidate was the Director of Army Finance and Administration.

The governor also took the fight to his PDP counterpart accusing him of evading two questions.

The first on adminstration of state and local governments joint account and secondly on how he would ensure that he does not run local governments with transition committees.

Oshiomhole also reminded the PDP candidate that the law

which the state applied in running the local governments through transition committees was enacted by a PDP Assembly and signed into law by a PDP governor.

Oshiomhole corrected Airhiavbere when he said the judiciary is one of the three tiers of government in Edo State.

According to Oshiomhole, “we don’t have three tiers of government in Edo State.

“The judiciary is not a tier of government, it’s an arm of government. We have three arms of government.

On the ‘new PDP’ which Airhiavbere constantly referred to, Oshiomhole said: “We are happy that you are

not proud of your past. PDP keeps referring to itself as new PDP, what is new in the PDP when all the old men are still there.

“We are proud of our past, that is why we are ACN, not new ACN.” The moderator, Ms Jire Kola-Kuforiji, cautioned the PDP candidate against evading questions.

Other panellists at the debate were Ide Eguabor, Nancy Iloh and Tony Abolo.

Only Oshiomhole, Airhiavbere and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) candidate Solomon Edebiri were invited for the second and final round of the debate.

Governor faults N2.2b Amendokhan road flag-off

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DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has described the flag-off of the N2.22 Billion Ada-OkereUkoni Amendokhian road in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area by the Federal Ministry of Works as a gimmick to hoodwink unsuspecting voters , a few days to the election.

The governor spoke at a campaign at Amendokhian, Esan North East Local Government.

He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should stop deceiving the people with projects that will not last.

“For the first time they told the truth that the road contract was awarded since 2009 and it was in that year’s budget.

“But the people should ask why they are flagging off the construction of the road so close to the election and during the rainy season,” he noted.

According to him, “the Minister of Works agreed the road was in the 2009 budget, but close to the election they decided to flag off the construction.

“PDP, when will you stop deceiving the people?”

The governor said the min-

ister has been unfair to the people because he knows roads are not built during rainy season.

“They must build the road and the people should compare the quality to the roads being constructed by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).”

Oshiomhole said if the ACN did not challenge the PDP, it would not have realised that it has to build the road.

“We will continue to build more roads, schools, provide water, not because election is approaching.

“We have built more than 10 primary and secondary

schools, constructed two roads with one of them near completion,” he noted At Ewoyi, the governor told the crowd at the Apostolic Primary School ground that they should not be deceived by politicians, who will give them money to vote for them.

“We brought light to this community, built two schools which will be furnished with modern furniture for one pupil one desk and my next commitment is to bring water,” he added.

Oshiomhole also inaugurated three classroom blocks at the Ukoni primary school.

INEC gets electoral materials

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HE Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Edo State, Kassim Gaidam, said yesterday that INEC had received election materials for the July 14 governorship election.

The commissioner spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin.

Gaidam told NAN that the commission on Wednesday got some sensitive materials with the leadership of the seven parties contesting

•’Commission prepared’ the election present at the time.

The REC said the materials were taken to the state branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for safe keeping.

He gave the assurance that the commission would comply with the electoral laws in conducting the election.

Gaidam warned all INEC and ad hoc staff against cir-

cumventing the electoral process as anyone caught would be prosecuted.

INEC Chairman Prof.

Attahiru Jega will meet with stakeholders on the election tomorrow, the commission’s Public Affairs Officer, Mrs Priscilla Imodu-Sule, said.

Mrs. Imodu-Sule said the meeting would deliberate on some grey areas about the poll

The Council of Civil Society Organisations of Nigeria (CCSON) has hailed INEC’s preparedness.

It urged the commission to remain committed and focused in ensuring a transparent, free and fair election.

Spokesman for the group Gabriel Fubara said they carried out security and political study of 13 local governments to ascertain the facts in the claims and accusations levied by parties involved in the election.

‘We’re not supporting Airhiavbere’

By Eric Ikhilae

GROUP, the Association of Edo Professionals (otherwise

A

known as Edo Professionals) has disowned media reports claiming that it is supporting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Charles Airhiavbere.

The group denied any link between it and Monday Okpebholo, who allegedly signed a statement that it was supporting Airhiavbere.

Edo Professionals said, in a statement by Clifford O. Enobun, it was a nonpartisan, socio-political organisation only interested in the socio-political and economic development of Edo State.

The group listed its officials as Solomon Iyobosa Edebiri, Momodu Kassim Momodu, Clifford Enobun, Victor Osarenren, Joseph Gregory Akpeokhai and Collins Edebiri.

It decried the level of insecurity in the state and urged stakeholders to ensure a peaceful electoral process.

“We, therefore, call on stakeholders to be security conscious and vigilant while calling on all security agencies to take joint urgent and necessary actions to deal with this unacceptable situation.”

•Airhiavbere

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

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SPORT EXTRA

Mikel: We can't underrate Liberia S UPER EAGLES stars led

by Mikel Obi have said Liberia must not be taken lightly in a final qualifier for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Thursday’s draw in Johannesburg, South Africa, will see Nigeria take on the Lone Star of Liberia for a place in the AFCON finals that will also be hosted by South Africa.

The first leg of the qualifiers will be played between September 7-9 in Liberia, while the return leg will be staged in Calabar between October 12-14.

Chelsea star Mikel told MTNFootball.com Nigeria could not have asked for an easier draw, but at the same time the Eagles must take the game seriously as there are no longer minnows in the world of soccer.

“The draw was a good one for us, we couldn’t have asked for an easier opponent than that. I am not underrating Liberia,” Mikel said.

“I see us beating them, but we have to be careful and take them seriously because there are no minnows in football, we have to give our best in the game.”

CSKA Moscow winger Ahmed Musa told MTNFootball.com Liberia cannot stop Nigeria from South Africa, predicting the Eagles will win both home and away convincingly.

“It is good draw for us. Liberia can’t stop us. They have a good team too, but we will beat them.

I am looking forward to scoring goals in both games,” he said.

“I don’t think it will be so easy, they will come at us because they know we are better.”

Locomotiv Moscow winger Obinna Nsofor, who is in Austria

preparing for next season, told MTNFootball.com that the draw favours Nigeria.

He said, “We are favoured, Liberia can’t stop us. They should try their luck for 2015 edition because they will be beaten home and away.”

Efe Ambrose added: “This is a very good draw for us. We will take the game with all the seriousness as anything short of this could back fire.”

Assistant coach of the Super Eagles Sylvanus Okpala also warned that the team cannot afford to underrate the Lone Star.

"You know the last time we met it was a friendly. And we won 2-0. But this is a competition and we must not underrate them," stated Okpala.

"I know people will be quick to say the Liberians would be a walk-over, but I want to warn that for them to be in this stage means they have improved a lot from the last time we met.

“Also remember there are no minnows in African football. So, it’s up to us to prepare very well and hope to get the needed result to qualify our country for the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa.”

Dike, Chukwu tip Eagles to qualify

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X-INTERNATIONALS Alphonsus Dike and Christian Chukwu have both labelled the draw which pitted the Super Eagles of Nigeria against the Lone Stars of Liberia in the final round of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier as a good one and a straight forward victory for the country.

Both speaking with NationSport shortly after the

•Cautions against complacency From Tunde Liadi,Owerri draw was concluded in Johannesburg,South Africa, asserted that despite the recent trends where the underdogs appellation is fast becoming misnomer, Nigeria should be able to record decent results in both matches to get to the

SPACE FOR SALE

next year's Afcon without much stress.

According to Dike:" We have a good draw and it is a straight forward win for Nigeria if we know what we are doing. Liberia should not prove too difficult to us despite the no more minnows syndrome.

2013 AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS FINAL DRAW

No celebration yet for Eagles—NFF

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IGERIA Football F e d e r a t i o n President, Aminu Maigari has refused to celbrate what seems to be a favourable Africa Nations Cup draws for the -Super a Eagles after the draws in South Africa yesterday pitched Nigeria against lowly rated Liberia.

"I don't think there is need for celebration over playing our last phase Nations Cup qualifier against Liberia because there are no moreminnows in Africa or world football. Experience has thought us a bitter lessons that we shouldn't underrate any team and that there are no more small teams in football.

"Just last week the Central Africa Republic eliminated ‘all mighty’ Egypt from the” AFCON 2013 and nobody woulf have thought of that in the first place.

"So all I am saying is that we should not rest on oars and believe that we have

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja qualified for the finals of the Nations Cup since we are playing against Liberia.

"We need to work very hard and prepare well and pray that God bless our efforts and book the 2013 Nations Cup ticket at the end of the day", Maigari told NationSport in Abuja yesterday.

Nigeria has the privilege of playing the second leg at home after the Eagles might have played the first match away to Liberia between September 7th-9th, 2012.

The General Secretary of the NFF, Barrister Musa Amadu, however, told NationSport that the Football Federation was satisfied with the draws.

"We are satisfied,it could have been tougher,but we cannot be complacent simply on that,and must prepare as if it was Senegal,Congo DR or CAR"

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

63

SPORT EXTRA 2013 AFCON FINAL QUALIFERS

Eagles face Lone Stars hurdle N

IGERIA's Super Eagles will play Lone Stars of Liberia in the final round of the 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifiers to book a place in the tournament which will hold in South Africa in January next year.

This was revealed after a draw in Johannesburg last night.

The Super Eagles, who failed to qualify for the last edition, will travel to Monrovia on September 7-9 for the first leg fixture, while the second leg encounter would be played on October 12-14 in Nigeria. A win for Nigeria in the two legged encounter will determine their chances among the 16 finalists, who will then be drawn into the AfCON groups on October 26.

Nigeria knocked out Rwanda in the first round of the qualifiers.

The draws will be good news for many Nigerian football fans, who had waited with bated breath to see what the draws hold for the national team.

A Super Eagles team made up of home based stars handed out a 2-0 defeat to Liberia in a friendly game played in Monrovia earlier this year.

As host nation, South Africa qualifies automatically, leaving 15 spots open for the remaining national teams, as they play their opponents

By Taofeek Babalola over two legs to decide the victor and qualifier for the 2013 AFCON. The 30 teams were divided into two pots ahead of the draw. Pot A contained all the seeded teams based on their performances at the last three AFCON editions. This included Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Sudan, Tunisia and Zambia.

Pot B contained the likes of Botswana, Cape Verde

Islands, Central Africa Republic, Ethiopia, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, DR Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

The biggest gasp of the night was reserved for the moment when Senegal and Cote d'Ivoire were paired as opponents in the final round of qualifying, setting up a classic of African football.

Other interesting clashes include Ghana against Malawi and an all north African battle between Algeria and Libya.

2013 AFCON FINAL QUALIFYING ROUND DRAW Mali v Botswana Guinea v Niger Zimbabwe v Angola Sudan v Ethiopia Ghana v Malawi Libya v Algeria Liberia v Nigeria Cote d'Ivoire v Senegal Zambia v Uganda DR Congo v Equatorial G. Cape Verde v Cameroon Gabon v Togo Mozambique v Morocco C/Africa v Burkina Faso Sierra Leone v Tunisia

Arsenal shelves preseason game in Nigeria

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RSENAL Football Club has announced it is reluctantly postponing its proposed trip to Nigeria this summer.

The Club has taken the decision as a result of complexities linked to the planned game against Nigeria on Saturday, August 5 in Abuja.

Arsenal marketing director Angus Kinnear said: "Bringing a top-level club to an international market is always complicated and logistically challenging.

With the proposed match in Nigeria planned for early August, we could not get comfortable on everything

needed to satisfy our requirements, so we have reluctantly taken the decision to postpone the team’s visit.

Kinnear continued: “We have a huge and loyal following in Africa, and we are sorry that the team will not be visiting this summer.

However, we have a longterm commitment to Nigeria and we are already making plans for a visit next summer.

"In addition, we also have some exciting forthcoming activities planned with our commercial partners in Nigeria - Emirates, Airtel and Malta Guinness, which will kick off in the next few weeks.”

Kalu lifts Enyimba, as Heartland cries foul Lanlehin mourns Ojebode,

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UPER EAGLES’ striker Uche Kalu was the match winner for hosts Enyimba Thursday even though Heartland insist they were robbed.

The home win has pushed the six-time champions back to third place on the Nigeria Premier League table on 52 points from 33 matches.

Kalu struck in the 86th minute to secure a 1-0 victory over Heartland in Aba. Heartland, who played with 10 men right from the first half when midfielder Ikechukwu Ibenegbu was handed a red card for a second booking, blamed the referee and his assistants for the loss.

Speaking with MTNFootball.com after the match, Chinedu Efugh said that was the worst officiating he has ever witnessed, while tasking the NPL to sanction such

referees as they are spoiling the game.

“I have never seen this kind of officiating in my life, it was a clear robbery,” accused Efugh.

“Kabiru Umar scored a beautiful goal from a rebound and the referee ruled it as no goal.

To make things worse, he gave Ibenegbu red card in the first half after a series of yellow cards to us.

“The referee was a kill joy. I don’t complain about referees but this was too obvious.”

Enyimba skipper Josiah Maduabuchi admitted that the ‘Oriental Derby’ was tough.

“It was a tough game as was expected, but we are happy that we won the game at the end,” he told MTNFootball.com In another NPL fixture, Wikki Tourists climbed up the ladder after they beat Jigawa Golden

Stars 2-0.

Wikki now have 45 points from 33 matches to move to 12th position on the table.

The Bauchi club settled the game with first half goals from the club top scorer Alaba Johnson in the 28th minute and Shaibu Ahmed in 45th minute.

Alaba Johnson told MTNFootball.com that he is happy that he is back to scoring ways and said his team won't be relegated.

•Kalu

ex-IICC skipper

A

S the football community mourns the death of the former Green Eagles’ and IICC Shooting Stars’ captain, Samuel Ojebode, the Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin has described the death of the footballer as very sad and painful.

Ojebode was reported to have succumbed to the cold hands of death on Wednesday at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, during a protracted battle with lung cancer.

Lanlehin while reacting to

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan Ojebode's death through a statement made available to The Nation by his media aide, Olawale Sadare, said that the late footballer left behind a legacy which would remain indelible in the anals of history of football game in Nigeria.

"Sam Ojebode was a devoted and disciplined patriots whose virtues earned many record achievements within and outside the soccer industry. " He shall remain a shining example for younger generations of Nigerians irrespective of their callings even in death.

www.thenationonlineng.net

FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 7,

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

NYSC and national malaise ‘Rather than send our young ones to a battle ground that they are not wellprepared for, the Federal Government is better advised to confront the evil that is threatening the unity and progress of the country’ •NYSC logo

safety almost paralysed me. This was when the hope of General Gowon in establishing the scheme got realised in my experience.

I came off the bus from the orientation camp to the school only to find no one on the school campus. Umuobasi-Amavo is a little village close to Aba. An elementary school was also located in the village across the road from the college. I went across the road to see if anyone could direct me to the principal and that was when a young Nigerian teacher of the elementary school came out and introduced himself. Sylvester Osuagwu took me in and took care of me for the night and I ended up staying with him in his one bedroom apartment, sleeping in his bed and feeding on his food for almost three months until a place was prepared for me in the college compound. We developed a bond. We saw ourselves as fellow human

RIPPLES LAWAN: OTEDOLA GAVE ME $250,000 IN HOTEL ROOM

...CASE CLOSED

NO. 2,178

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

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HE NYSC scheme was birthed in controversy, has thrived through decades of controversy, and will most probably continue to reflect the malaise that the nation’s leadership indulges and is too inept to confront. The posting of innocent young graduates to terror-infested spots that the leaders themselves fear to tread is a case in point.

It is ironic that the scheme was established as a way of inculcating the spirit of service and national consciousness in the country’s youthful population with the hope that as they take up the mantle of leadership, they will see beyond their immediate local, state or ethnic origins and religious persuasion.

As the original Decree 24 of 1973 put it, the fundamental objective of the scheme was to inspire “the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and the promotion of national unity.” Twenty years later, Decree 51 of 1993 echoed the same theme, adding that the scheme was intended to “remove prejudices, eliminate ignorance and confirm at first hand the many similarities among Nigerians of all ethnic groups.” While there have been gains in terms of the “development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria”, we are a nation in denial if we refuse to acknowledge the failure of the scheme in the very important task of promoting national unity. Surely, this failure is not due to any anomaly internal to the scheme, which cannot operate in isolation, and must reflect the distress that assails the larger society.

I just observed that the scheme was birthed in controversy. In 1973, a super majority of those of us that it was going to send to unknown territories were justifiably fearful of the intention and of the unpredictable outcome. Of course, there was also a bit of self-centeredness. Those were days when your first job as a graduate was waiting for you with the guarantee of a car and decent housing. With the introduction of the scheme, all that had to be suspended while you served the country outside your comfort zone. While no one now doubts the laudable goal of the scheme, there was widespread suspicion of intent and purpose at its inception.

To the credit of the Gowon administration, it took seriously the safety of the pioneer corps members and this sense of mission took the sting out of the unease of subsequent groups and their parents. Even then, as a member of the second batch in 1974, I agonised helplessly over my posting to the then East Central State. And after the orientation camp, and I was posted to a teacher training college which was just being reopened after the civil war, I found myself as the only soul on the compound, fear for my

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘‘However much he may prosper by the inordinate lust for and admiration of his oratory, the career ‘youth leader,’ ‘philanthropist’and ‘advocate’ shall eventually dim into total obscurity like a firmament with its stars eternally eclipsed behind the clouds. That is an immutable reality of life’.’

OLATUNJI OLOLADE

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OW that the leadership of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has bowed to pressure, and agreed to redeploy prospective corps members earlier posted to violence-prone states in the North, there would be the temptation to ‘move on.’ To do so would be a mistake as public officials never seem to learn from these episodes.

In April 2011, after post-election violence consumed 10 innocent corps members in Bauchi and surrounding states, the authorities vowed not to post these young Nigerians to volatile areas. We have barely crossed the first anniversary of those tragic deaths, and the NYSC finds itself embroiled in controversy for doing the very opposite.

The nation was traumatised over the killing of 10 young people. Between then and now Boko Haram insurgents have slaughtered over 1,000 people across northern Nigeria. Nothing that the political mobs did last year can be compared to what has happened in the last 12 months. And yet the NYSC authorities never paused for once to reconsider before hauling thousands of our young people into the cauldron.

What on earth were they thinking? What

beings. He had fought in the civil war and had tales of horror to tell. He became a brother to me.

Despite my initial apprehension, I had a good service year. Of course, bureaucratic indifference and unconcern has always loomed large in the administration of the scheme. I had a run with the administrators of the scheme in the state because I had decided to go back home in December when the school compound was deserted. I was issued a query which I answered diligently. I told the administrator that I was called to serve my country as a civilian and not to pay the supreme sacrifice. I never heard back from him.

The foregoing narrative is to set the stage for my take on the current state of the NYSC and the controversy that it has generated over its insistence on posting corps members to volatile areas of the country. Placed

in the context of recent events, it does not make sense. Just two weeks ago, the Director of Public Relations of the NYSC was quoted as saying that “any corps member who feels his safety was threatened had the right to apply for redeployment.” Many prospective corps members justifiably see the ongoing terror-induced crisis in Yobe, Borno, Kaduna, and Kano as a threat to their safety and have asked for redeployment.

Why has the scheme refused to honour their request for redeployment?

That there is serious threat to safety is acknowledged by the NYSC authorities when it decided to relocate the orientation activities for Yobe and Borno to Adamawa. What other evidence is needed? Assume that the orientation goes well without incident and corps members are subsequently deployed to their service locations throughout Yobe and Borno, who is there to guarantee their safety? What steps have been taken by the administrators? Indeed, what steps could they take in light of the desperation of Boko Haram agents of death?

There is a more national twist to this. Going back to the major objective of promoting national unity through the NYSC scheme, it is clear that this objective is being undermined when we send young people to serve in areas where they are consciously but avoidably exposed to those who have no regard for human lives. We now know that it is not a fantasy; it is not a baseless fear; it has been the sad experience of many.

Deaths of youth Corps members had been recorded. They have been maimed. Do we really want to sacrifice more innocent lives?

And to what purpose? We are not thereby promoting unity simply because those young ones with tales of woe from their service year will come back more disillusioned about their country.

Rather than send our young ones to a battle ground that they are not well-prepared for, the Federal Government is better advised to confront the evil that is threatening the unity and progress of the country. There is a reason that even the United Nations does not send peace keepers trained in the art of war to war zones until a ceasefire has been achieved. We cannot afford to send our development and unity agents to terror-infested areas. The outrage that patriotic citizens have expressed over the indefensible posting of young graduates to these areas must be taken seriously by the administrators of the NYSC scheme. It is better to err on the side of caution than to have to express avoidable sorrow or sympathy with parents and loved ones. The lives of our youths are too precious to be toyed with.

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HARDBALL

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

On the NYSC posting row

temporary solution, but what happens when people go their separate ways to places of primary assignment?

Even worse, we suspect that for many of these young people the tank would be more a reminder of the pervading insecurity than a comforting presence. Today’s reality is that some parts of the North have become too unstable - causing many residents to flee the violence.

Obviously, states like Yobe, Borno and others which are on the receiving end as corps members hitherto destined to serve them are now being distributed to other states, would be less than pleased by the development. But if positions were reversed, they too would appreciate the fears of these young graduates who are petrified at the prospect of having their futures brutally terminated in a conflict in which they have no stake.

For now, no postings should be made to any of these states until there is significant and verifiable decline in levels of violence.

This is a more reasonable and honest option than exposing people to possible death only to make long speeches at their graveside, and donate N5 million to their parents when the avoidable happens.

superior intelligence influenced the blasé decision to hurl the corps members into the lions’ den? Surely, it could not have been on account of assurances of protection from the federal authorities.

People have forgotten that those who are entrusted with the responsibility of protecting others in these areas cannot even save themselves. For instance, many of the NYSC members who died in the postelection mayhem last year were killed in the police station where they had run for refuge. That certainly cannot inspire confidence in the state.

Federal Government assurances of protection just ring hollow. How does the administration intend to protect thousands of corps members? Will each of them get an armed, personal minder who will be on duty 24 hours a day?

One report spoke of government positioning an armored tank at one of the orientation camps. That may be a

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