July 06, 2015 by The Nation

Newspaper of the Year

Four Ikorodu bank robbery suspects held

APC chiefs allege attacks in Ekiti, Ondo

NEWS

Page 57

Page 7

•Lagos police to parade ‘bandits’ today

•Chairmen urge Buhari to intervene

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3267 MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

SEC gives firms July 31 deadline for mergers, acquisitions

•SEC DG Mr.-Mounir-Gwarzo

HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has given all capital market operators planning mergers and acquisitions or any reclassification of their functions a July 31 deadline to formalise such arrangement. The July 4 directive also applies to capital market operators seeking to downsize

By Taofik Salako

from stockbroker to sub-broker, broker-dealer to either broker or dealer and from multiple functions to a single function, among others. The directive, according to a source at the Commission, is part of the compliance and enforcement process as the apex capital market regulator

prepares to enforce the September 31 deadline for the new minimum capital requirements for capital market operators. Some capital market operators have been considering mergers and acquisitions to stave off liquidation. Market sources said there had been intense discussions around consolidation, a refer-

ence to mergers and acquisitions, in recent months as the new management of the apex capital market regulator insisted it would not rescind earlier decisions on the new minimum capital base. Sources said while some stockbrokers and other operators were considering raising funds through special placements, most deficient

operators have started preliminary discussions on mergers and acquisitions. The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) also recently released guidelines on the operations of sub-brokers. SEC in 2013 announced major increases in minimum capital requirements for capital market functions Continued on page 4

•INSIDE: GREEK VOTERS REJECT EUROPE BAILOUT P59 50 FEARED DEAD IN JOS BLAST P4

•Women and children flee from homes burnt by Boko Haram Islamists at Zabarmari, a fishing and farming village near Maiduguri...at the weekend. PHOTOS: AFP

Gunmen, Boko Haram kill 36 in Zamfara, Yobe •PAGE 4

•Soldiers speak to people standing away from houses burnt by Boko Haram •Houses burnt by Boko Haram fighters at Zabarmari..at the weekend. Islamists at Zabarmari...at the weekend.

Police probe Ekweremadu for Senate rules ‘forgery’

WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS EVER RETURN?

PDP kicks as IG invites Deputy Senate President APC: no hand in it

ETECTIVES are probing the “unilateral” alteration of the Senate rules on the election of the Senate President and his deputy. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu has been invited for questioning - an action that has drawn

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

the ire of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase asked Ekweremadu to report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, today to answer questions on a petition said to have been filed against him by a

group of senators detailing how he unilaterally tinkered with certain provisions of the Senate Standing Rules. The petitioners were said to have alleged that Ekweremadu had taken undue advantage of the rules to become the Deputy Senate President in the June 9 election of principal officers of

the National Assembly. The election was to have been by voice vote, The Nation learnt. But ballot was used —against the rules, which Ekweremadu said had been adjusted. Opponents of his election claim that there was no sitting to ammend the Continued on page 4

•CBN TO PROBE TRAVELLERS WITH OVER $10,000 P7 SUCCOUR FOR TWINS MUM P56

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

NEWS

Excess Crude Account...and the controversy lingers It was created to save funds for the rainy day. But, the Excess Crude Account (ECA) has been a conduit pipe to siphon cash by ECA’s managers, writes Assistant Editor NDUKA CHIEJINA. •Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade (left) inaugurating Fynefield Petroleum FZE's 40-million capacity Tank Farm in Calabar, Cross River State...at the weekend. With him are: Ayade’s Delta State counterpart Ifeanyi Okowa (second left); Managing Director, Fynefield Petroleum FZE, Mr. Gabriel Ogbechie and Executive Director of the company, Mrs. Godrey Ogbechie.

•From left: Publicity Secretary, Aviation Roundtable, Mrs. Adeola Yesufu; ex- Officio, Mr. Andrew Okunuga; former President, Captain Dele Ore and President, Mr. Gbenga Olowo, at a news conference on the state of aviation industry in Lagos...at the weekend. PHOTO: KELVIN OSA-OKUNBOR

•Public Affairs Manager, East & Central, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Ekuma Eze presenting catering items to Nwaonuma Onyiye, a beneficiary of the Youth Empowerment Programme of the company.

•From left: Assistant Director, Compliance Monitoring & Enforcement, Nigerian Shipping Council, Mrs. Celine Amaka Ifeora; Executive Director, Administrator, Sifax, Dr. Phil Nonyeh Ofulue; MV Angela Captain, Capt. Rohan Catalin and General Manager, Sifax Shipping Company Ltd., Mr. Henry Ajoh after the shipping line’s maiden voyage to Mauritania, Nigeria and Morocco on arrival at the Apapa Port, Lagos...at the weekend. PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

HOSE who created the Excess Crude Account (ECA) in 2004 meant well. It was opened during the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo presidency to save oil revenues above the established benchmark at the beginning of every fiscal year. The primary objective is to shield budget estimates against shortfalls that may arise from volatility in crude oil prices at the international market. By separating government expenditures from oil revenues, the ECA was designed “to insulate the economy from external shocks”, a modern threat known to many countries in the 30s and 40s. In four years after its creation, savings in the ECA had risen almost fourfold. It rose from $5.1 billion in 2005 to more than $20 billion in November 2008. The surging crude oil prices accounted for the rise. The savings at the ECA as at 2008, accounted for onethird of the country’s external reserves. But, by June 2010, the account had been depleted to below $4 billion due to budget deficits at all levels of government and the steep drop in oil prices. Before the turn of 2010, the National Economic Council (NEC), comprising of state governors, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, and headed by the vice president, had approved the creation of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) Account. The long-term plan was to erase the ECA and strengthen the SWF Account, which was established principally to create wealth for the common good. At the expiration of the Chief Obasanjo administration on May 29, 2007, the country’s gross reserves stood at $43.13 billion, comprising the CBN’s external reserves of $31.5 billion, $9.43 billion of which was in the ECA and $2.18 billion in the Federal Government’s savings. These figures were contained in the CBN records. Not a few Nigerians believe that the country’s reserves should remain unchanged, or maintain a steady increase. But, since May 2007, the reality is that the reserves have fluctuated in reaction to developments in the international oil market, rising from $43.13 billion at that time and peaking at $62 billion in September 2008, during the Yar’Adua/Jonathan administration when a barrel of oil peaked at $147 before it subsequently fell to an all time low of $31.7 billion in September 2011. The fall in reserves was due to the volatilities of the global economy and oil market which caused the CBN to intervene, using some of the reserves to defend the naira value. The ECA savings, a component of the reserves, was used to cushion the economy at the height of the global financial crisis of 2008-2009. It is on record that Nigeria was one of the few countries that did not seek assistance from international financial institutions for the period the global financial meltdown lasted. The NEC approved the withdrawal of funds from the ECA as fiscal stimulus to shore up the economy by the threetiers of government. Besides, the savings in the ECA were also used to pay for fuel subsidies for the nation and the sharing continued after the crisis. Following allegations of mismanagement of funds in the account, any money drawn from the ECA has been

published since 2012. Some governors, who felt the ECA was unknown to the constitution kicked against the continuous building up of the ECA when Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was in the saddle.They were always pushing that monies be shared from the account to the three tiers of government. It got to a point that the 36 states’ governors dragged the Federal Government to court on the matter. The case has not been decided by the Supreme Court till date. The Federal Government and the state governors reached a consensus in 2009 to withdraw about $5.5 billion from the ECA. The withdrawal was invested in Independent Power Projects with the states as shareholders. They (state governments) have share certificates as proofs of their stake in the projects. The reserves are also used to settle both public and private sector foreign currency obligations, including the importation of goods and equipment for the power sector. In January last year, the erstwhile Financial Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the economy was under threat. She expressed concern over the continuous depletion of savings in the ECA. The minister, who spoke on the sideline of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, warned that the depletion of the ECA to about $2.5 billion had made the country more vulnerable than it was in the past, thereby putting the economy at great risk. As a cushion against the depletion, she said: “We have tried to set the country’s main parameters in a very modest way. We have made our budget at a very reasonable benchmark price for oil. This is to shield us and to ensure we are not subjected to any volatility that may be in the oil markets.” The ECA was depleted from $8.65 billion at the end of 2012 to $2.5 billion, while external reserves dropped 11 per cent from the previous year’s peak of $48.85 billion. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the CBN, had after its bimonthly meeting, expressed concerns over the depletion of the ECA, saying that “the absence of such fiscal buffers increases our reliance on portfolio flows thus, constituting the principal risk to exchange rate stability, especially with uncertainties around capital flows and oil prices.” Also, the former CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, decried the continuous fall in oil revenue despite stable price and production in 2013. He added that although the MPC acknowledged output losses due to theft and vandalism, that could not wholly explain the magnitude of the shortfall in revenue. Sanusi said: “As a consequence, accretion to external reserves remained low while much of the previous savings have been depleted, thereby undermining the ability of the apex bank to sustain exchange rate stability.” The CBN, therefore, urged the fiscal authorities to block revenue leakages and rebuild fiscal savings needed to sustain confidence and preserve the value of the naira. In December 2014, the Federal Government withdrew $1 billion from the ECA to cushion the effect of the cash crunch occasioned by the acute short-

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

NEWS

•President Buhari

•Dr. Jonathan

age of funds due to declining global oil prices. The ECA, which previously had $4.1 billion, was drawn down to $3.1 billion.

Most politicised account Prof Tam David-West, a former petroleum minister, told a Lagos-based national newspaper in a May 2013 that “they (stakeholders) have been talking about ECA, but there is nothing like ECA. What we have is extra crude account. “There is a difference between excess and extra. When you talk about excess crude account, that means you have done everything and there is still more money. If you based your budget on $40 for example, and if later on, oil price went up to $50 per barrel, the $10 difference is not excess. It is extra. There is nothing called excess crude account. “It’s a lie. It is intellectually fraudulent. And they would say our foreign reserves have gone to several billions, I’m not impressed. What do we want to do with that? Have you taken care of the country? It’s like somebody saying he has N10 million in his bank account and that person is not able to feed himself and his children.”

$5 billion missing In November 2013, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi alleged that $5 billion had disappeared from the ECA. He demanded for explanations from relevant government agencies. He spoke in his capacity as the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) at a retreat organised by the governors’ umbrella body in Sokoto. Amaechi urged Nigerians to rise up and ask questions on how the nation’s resources were being managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). According to him, such explanation would prevent the Federal Government from shortchanging the other tiers in the sharing of national resources. Amaechi said it was shocking to discover that the ECA, which had a balance of $9 billion in January of that year, had inexplicably dwindled to $4 billion without explanation by the Federal Government. Hec said: “The ECA in January was N9 billion. That account belongs to the federal, states and local governments. Today, it is N4 billion. We don’t know who took the N5 billion. Nigerians need to ask where the money has gone and why their money is being used as private funds.” Amaechi also condemned the finance minister’s refusal to sign a loan agreement with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to free $200 million for the provision of water in Rivers State because of the alleged disagreement between him and the the former president. Also at the same event, the breaka-

•Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala

way faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, challenged the Federal Government to account for the $5 billion, which allegedly disappeared from the ECA. The National Publicity Secretary of the Baraje faction, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, said in a statement that they “consider the development too weighty to be swept under the carpet in view of the stature of the person making the allegation and the realities on ground. For all intents and purposes, Governor Amaechi is not a frivolous person and he is not known for making frivolous claims.” Reacting to the controversial $5 billion purportedly missing from the ECA, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said: “the $5 billion which Governor Amaechi referred to in his statement had been shared to the three tiers of government to make up for the revenue shortfalls during the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting. “Part of this fund also went for the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P) payments and the balance for subsidy payments to oil marketers.”

$1 billion missing At the budget breakdown on December 18, 2014, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, said no money was missing from the ECA as reported in some national dailies. According to her, “$1 billion from the ECA has been used to pay oil marketers and we published this on December 2, showing that we put N154.6 billion to pay oil marketers. “This is why you now have about $3.1 billion in the ECA and I will implore that if people need information on what is happening, we are available to answer their questions.”

$30 billion disappears A few days later, Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole alleged that the inability of the Federal Government to share money from the ECA in the last 18 months has distorted the developmental plans of state governments. He raised the alarm over massive stealing of public funds. Speaking when the Association of Enigies from Edo South visited him at the Government House, Benin, Oshiomhole said: “Over the past 18 months, we have not shared money from the ECA and yet, the account is empty. Sometimes, we are told they have taken money from it to fund subsidies, including subsidy on kerosene. But, your royal highnesses, there is nowhere in your various domains where kerosene is sold for N50. So, in the name of subsidy, large sums of money are being stolen.” He explained that the country ought to be saving $36 per barrel and 2.3 million barrel a day over the past three years, which would have amounted to over $30 billion, yet, the country could barely save $3 billion in the ECA. In her response, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala dismissed Oshiomhole’s claim on the

•Ex-NGF chair Ameachi

missing $30 billion. Her defence: “The widely published comment by Governor Adams Oshiomhole alleging that $30 billion is missing from the ECA is shocking and totally untrue. The comments reflect, once again, the unfortunate tendency of some political players to politicise the management of the economy on the basis of half-truths and sundry distortions. This is not good for the country. “ Oshiomhole’s comments made it look as if the Federal Government gives out whatever it wished to the states from the Federation Account. Anyone who is familiar with the FAAC process would know that it does not work that way. “The meetings are held every month and commissioners of finance and other officials represent their states and agreements are reached on issues including the distribution of proceeds from the account. “There is no $30 billion missing from the ECA as alleged by Governor Oshiomhole,’’ she said.

$20 billion grows wings Dr. Okonjo-Iweala was once again put to task when another allegation that $20 billion was missing from the ECA was made. An exasperated Okonjo-Iweala said it was strange for the NGF to allege that $20 billion was missing from the ECA. She said there was no basis for the forum to demand that she should account for such money from June 2013 to April 2015. Her words: “The statement by the governors is totally strange because FAAC meets every month and the ECA is discussed at every session with all the state commissioners of finance present. “So, governors who want any information about the ECA should ask for details from their commissioners, who should have the records of what was discussed and agreed upon.” According to her, details of the ECA were also published every month along with the allocations to the three tiers of government. It added that the reference to June 2013 was immaterial as FAAC meetings during which the ECA and similar issues were discussed held every month. She said Amaechi, who was reported to have read the communique on behalf of the governors, made a similar unsubstantiated allegation in November 2013. “He alleged in November 2013 that $5 billion was missing from the ECA. We subsequently showed with facts that not only was the amount not missing, Rivers received N257.6 billion from the Federation Account between January and October 2013,”Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said. She assured that the Finance ministry, would, in a couple of days and in the interest of transparency and accountability, publish the details of the ECA for the last four years. The finance ministry later released details of how it shared N6.21 trillion

Over the past 18 months, we have not shared money from the ECA and yet, the account is empty

‘

from the ECA to the three tiers of government between 2011 and 2014. She gave the breakdown in response to a demand by the NGF that she should explain how the over $20 billion in the ECA between June 2013 and April 2015 was managed. The minister said she needed to make public the details in order to “clarify issues thrown up by recent claims made by Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State on behalf of some governors”. According to the details as published by the former minister, the Federal Government got N3.29 trillion and the 36 states shared N2.92 trillion from the ECA between 2011 and last year. It showed that the 36 states received N966.6 billion in 2011; N816.3 billion in 2012; N859.4 billion in 2013 and N282.8 billion in 2014. The low figure shared in 2014 was attributed to a sharp drop in revenues due to the impact of the crash in global oil prices, which began by mid last year. A further breakdown indicated that Akwa Ibom State received the highest allocation of N265 billion from the ECA. Rivers and Delta states trailed with N230.4 billion and N216.7 billion respectively. Allocations to other states were Bayelsa (N176.3 billion); Kano (N106.5 billion); Lagos (N82.9 billion) and Kwara (N52.8 billion). The six states that got the least allocations were: Enugu (N51.6 billion); Gombe (N47.7 billion); Nasarawa (N46.9 billion); Ekiti (N46.8 billion) and Ebonyi (N44.3 billion).

$2.1 billion spent without authorisation The former minister denied the latest allegation that she unilaterally withdrew and spent $2.1 billion from the ECA “without authorisation”. The allegation was made last Monday after the reconstitution of the NEC by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s spokesman, Paul Nwabuikwu, stated that “the allegation by some governors that her former principal, spent $2.1 billion from the ECA without authorisation is false, malicious and totally without foundation.” In a statement, Nwabuikwu said there was “no time unauthorised expenditure was made from the ECA under Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala’s watch in the finance ministry. Decisions on such expenditure were discussed at FAAC meetings and such meetings are attended by finance commissioners from the 36 states. Against this background, Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala maintained that the idea that she “spent $2.1 billion ‘without authorisation’ is simply not credible given that details of government receipts and expenditure are public knowledge.” The former minister wondered how “some governors, who fought the Federal Government’s efforts to leave robust savings in the ECA and even took the Federal Government to court over the matter, could turn around to make such unfounded allegations?” The statement described as “curious that in their desperation to use the esteemed NEC for political and personal vendetta, the persons behind these allegations acted as if the constitutionally recognised FAAC, a potent expression of the country’s fiscal federalism, does not exist. “Nigerians know that collective revenues, allocations and expenditures of the three tiers of government are the concern of the monthly FAAC meetings.” In the statement, Nwabuikwu said Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala acknowledged “the efforts of governors who are working hard to overcome the current revenue challenges facing their states without resorting to character assassination and blame games. “The former minister is ready and willing to respond to legitimate enquiries about issues under her purview as finance minister. But it is clear that this

is the latest chapter of a political witchhunt by elements who are attempting to use the respected NEC for ignoble purposes, having failed abysmally in their previous attempts to tar OkonjoIweala’s name.” Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala also lamented in the statement that “one of such attempts took place in May, when some of these governors, hiding under the auspices of the NGF asked the former minister to explain $20 billion alleged to be missing from the same ECA.” The finance ministry, she said, subsequently issued a statement and published an advertorial in national newspapers on May 25, 2015, in which it gave details of what the Federal Government and states received from the ECA in the last four years. It also provided details of the use of the funds for payment of petrol subsidies and SURE-P allocations to all tiers of government for development purposes. Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala recounted how she “pioneered the practice of publishing monthly updates of all allocations to different tiers of government in order to empower Nigerians with information and knowledge of government revenues and expenditure. “This enabled the public to ask questions about the utilisation of these resources. Of course, many elected and appointed public officials were not happy with this development.” She claimed to have continued the practice when she returned in 2011 and even added periodic updates on the ECA, subsidy payments for verified claims by oil marketers for fuel imports as well as SURE-P payments.

Buck passing In the heat of electioneering campaigns in November last year, the former minister spoke of a plan to draw about $2 billion from the balance of $4 billion in the ECA. She, however, did not say what the money would be used for and none of the governors raised an eyebrow on the missing $2 billion until President Buhari cried out that he met a virtually empty treasury. The state governments in November 2014 also proposed to the former President that $2 billion be shared from the foreign Excess Crude Account (ECA) to complete on-going projects and to the March 28 and April 11 general elections. Erstwhile chairman of the Commissioners of Finance Forum, Timothy Odaah, from Ebonyi State, noted that security matters and the approaching elections required enormous resources to execute and that the state governments were optimistic that Dr Jonathan, being an understanding president, would favourably consider the proposal. Since 2011, both warring parties over the ECA have failed to convince the ordinary Nigerian evne as they engaged in trading blames. Both camps have been giving watereddown excuses. The governor’s who are the most vociferous on the claim of missing funds from the ECA have never come out with documents to substantiate their claims. Mrs. OkonjoIweala had always stuck to her gun by insisting that the decision to draw from the ECA was done with the knowledge of the governors through their finance commissioners. The fact that cannot be denied is that it would have been better if there was enough savings in the ECA as conceived by those who established it, especially at a time like this, when the country’s earnings from crude oil export have declined by 50 per cent and against the backdrop of President Muhammadu’s claim that his administration inherited a treasury that is virtually empty. Three options are open to the incumbent administration. It can go after those who squandered the fortunes of the ECA and recover misappropriated funds, or devise creative ways of boosting the ECA. The third is a combination of the first two options.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

NEWS 50 feared dead in Jos explosions

O fewer than 50 people were feared dead last night from explosions in a mosque and a restaurant in Jos, the Plateau State capital. There were explosions at a mosque on Dilimi Street and at

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

a restaurant close to a motor park all happened along Bauchi Road in Jos North Local Government area. Details of the casualties could not be officially confirmed at press time, last night.

SEC gives firms July 31 deadline Continued from page 1

under a new minimum capital structure that was initially scheduled to take off by January 1, 2015. It however extended the deadline to September 30, 2015. Minimum capital base for broker and dealer was increased by 329 per cent from the existing N70 million to N300 million. The broker, which currently operates with capital base of N40 million, will now be required to have

Jonathan seeks support for Buhari on Boko Haram

•Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife Dolapo (right), arriving for a vigil at the Redemption Camp in Lagos…on Friday night. PHOTO: NAN

Gunmen, Boko Haram kill 36 in Zamfara, Yobe

T was a bloody weekend in some parts of the country as 38 people were killed in various violent circumstances in Yobe, Zamfara and Kogi states. In Zamfara, gunmen invaded two villages, killed about 30 people and carted away property. In Yobe State’s commercial capital, Potiskum, a Boko Haram suicide bomber detonated his bomb at a church, killing himself and six others. Three people died in a communal clash in Kogi State. Many houses were also razed. Among those killed in the suicide bombing are a wom-

•Suicide bombers hit church From Duku Joel, Damaturu

an and her baby strapped onto her back at a church in Jigawa on the outskirts of Potiskum, witnesses said. According to the eyewitness, a tricycle rider dropped off the bomber at the church premises where he disguised as a worshipper before carrying out his devilish mission. A rescue worker said: “We picked up one woman with a baby on her back.” A source at the Potiskum General Hospital told our correspondent that five people

were brought in dead. One person was injured. But the injured later died in the hospital. “We have received five bodies plus the suicide bomber. Only one person is injured,” the source said. The attack occurred at one outreach station of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). Police spokesman Toyin Gbadegesin said: “A male suicide bomber detonated a bomb at Redeemed Church at Jigawa area of Potiskum, killing five on the spot.

“A female member of the church who sustained injuries also died while receiving treatment in the hospital.’’ He said the injured were in various health facilities in the area. Potiskum last suffered a twin suicide attack on June 15 when 10 people were killed and several others injured. No fewer than 30 persons have been reported dead following fresh attacks by gunmen in Birnin-Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara, the NAN reports. Local Government Chairman Muhammad Gusami told Continued on page 60

Military: over 600 insurgents killed in one month

S the military intensifies the battle against Boko Haram, there were indications yesterday that over 600 insurgents have been killed in one month. It was also claimed that since the emergence of new administration of President Muhammadu Buhari no single territory in Nigeria is being occupied or proclaimed. But a major challenge being

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

faced by the military is that of suicide bombers who might be operating with insiders within some communities. PRNigeria, a military covert media channel for the war against Boko Haram in an update said. “Even as there is little information flowing from the military about their ongoing oper-

ations against terrorism in the North-Eastern parts of the country, several sources have confirmed to PRNigeria that over 600 terrorists must have been killed in the last one month while other insurgents are finding life extremely difficult. “A top security officer said while the terrorists have engaged in guerrilla tactics of

using vulnerable girls and young men for suicide attacks on soft targets, we ensure that their fighters do not escape as they continue to meet their waterloo in the hands of the troops.” The military also gave insights into why the insurgents have become more desperate in the past few weeks in attackContinued on page 60

N200 million, representing an increase of 400 per cent. Minimum capital base for the dealer increased by 233 per cent from N30 million to N100 million. Also, issuing houses, which facilitate new issues in the primary market, will now be required to have minimum capital base of N200 million as against the current capital base of N150 million. The capital requirement for underwriter also doubled from N100 million to N200 million.

ORMER President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday appealed to Nigerians to support the current administration in its drive to contain extremist sect Boko Haram. Jonathan who was reacting to the reported killings of some Nigerians by the terrorist group, noted that the war on terror must be collective. In a message posted on his Facebook account, Jonathan said: “The death of any Nigerian at the hands of terrorists

By Precious Igbonwelundu

is a sad reminder that the war on terror is a task for all Nigerians not just the armed forces. “I urge all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace in Nigeria and to support the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as the government does its best to bring an end to these acts of terror and secure all Nigerians. May God bless Nigeria.”

Boko Haram kills nine, burns 32 churches in Borno •Buhari condemns attack on churches

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari last night condemned attacks on churches by Bok Haram as it was learnt that nine people were killed and 32 churches burnt in attacks by the fundamentalist group on Borno towns at the weekend. Boko Haram insurgents invaded and unleashed terror on innocent villagers in the southern part of Borno state on Friday night. A vigilante member said the insurgents went to Mussa a remote village in Askira/Uba

From Duku Joel, Maiduguri and Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

Local Government, killing nine people. He said three insurgents were killed by some local vigilante. “About 32 churches in Mussa district and over 300 houses were burnt,” the source said. Chairman of vigilante group in Mussa District Stephen Apaagu told reporters on the telephone that their district was attacked by the insurgents with devastating damage. Continued on page 60

Police probe Ekweremadu for Senate rules ‘forgery’ Continued from page 1

rules throughout the four years of the last Senate. In Abuja yesterday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh said the said amendment to the rule was effected by the bureaucracy of the National Assembly headed by the Clerk, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa. Metuh said the invitation from the IGP was a build-up to phantom charges with a view to arresting and incarcer-

APC: nothing to do with Ekweremadu's police invitation

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has nothing to do with the reported police invitation of Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu,the party said yesterday. It described a statement issued by Ekweremadu’s party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as “an outlandish statement containing all sorts of imaginary claims.”

ating Ekweremadu and pave the way for the imposition of a preferred APC senator to take his position.

In a statement by APC National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said it neither wrote a petition to the police nor is it aware that any petition was written against the Deputy Senate President. ''However, if, as the PDP claims, the petition concerns alleged altering of the Senate's Standing Rules on the process of electing Presiding Officers, that is a clear case of forg-

The party accused certain unnamed All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders of instigating the police action against Ekweremadu, adding that the party had uncovered threats to the life of the Deputy Senate President and other key PDP leaders. “Since President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement that Senator Ekweremadu’s election was ‘unacceptable’ to his party, the Deputy Senate President, who can only be removed by the Senate, has come under threats and intense pressure from APC leaders to resign and allow a senator from the ruling party to take his po-

ery which the police have a duty to investigate. Questioning the right of the police to carry out their duties in this regard amounts to intimidating the security agency. ''Forgery is a crime that is being regularly investigated by the police, and it beggars belief that such investigation will now be interpreted to mean that Nigeria is descend-

sition. “However, having failed to get him to resign, the APC has now engaged in heinous plots to force him out of office, a design which totally negates the independence of the legislature and the spirit and letters of the constitution of Nigeria. “Apparently to ensure that the agenda is given an official stamp, the Inspector General of Police, acting on instructions, has invited the Deputy Senate President with a view to arresting him over phantom charges as a build-up to incarcerate him, create a vacuum in the Senate and pave the way for the imposition of APC pre-

Continued on page 60

ferred senator to take over his position. “We are aware that some APC senators opposed to the emergence of Senators Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu as Senate President and Deputy Senate President, met last week and concocted a petition accusing the Deputy Senate President of altering the Senate Rules on the process of election of the Presiding Officers, upon which the police, via a letter dated July 1, 2015 and signed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of criminal investigation at the Force Headquarters has invited him to appear on Monday,

July 6, 2015 where he will be detained and put under pressure. “Apart from the fact that the Nigerian Constitution clearly guarantees the two chambers of the National Assembly the powers to regulate their proceedings without external interferences, we note that the petition by this group of senators who enjoy the sympathy of some APC leaders, lacks merit as Senator Ekweremadu or any other senator-elect prior to the inauguration of the Senate and the election of presiding officers, could not have been involved in the process of producing the 2015 Standing Rules of the Senate which was strictly done by the bureaucracy under the Clerk to the National Assembly. “Furthermore, Senator Ekweremadu was not in any way Continued on page 60

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

NEWS

HE Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) has dismissed 79 corrupt employees in the last two years, it was learnt. FCSC Chairman Deaconess Joan Ayo said the commission would rid the service of bad eggs. She said the commission had treated 208 cases of indiscipline. Also, she said 29 senior officers were retired while four were demoted. The chairman told reporters that the commission was on a mission to restore the glory of the service. She blamed military incursions in government for the rot in the service. Deaconess Ayo said: “Let me say this, we have lost the core values of the civil or public service and these core values are what we want to reenact or re-enforce. When

FCSC: we dismissed 79 corrupt workers in two years From Vincent Ikuomola and Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

you see a soldier, you know who a soldier is; he greets you good morning even if it’s 2pm. That is part of their unwritten tradition. The civil service has its unwritten tradition also and it has its own formal tradition and we imbibed this core values on the job. Nobody ever came to teach, yes, you may have your own natural tendency to be polite to have been brought up in some good families but then the moment you come into the civil service, the core values mould you to the extent that you now comport yourself as a

civil servant and who is a civil servant? That polite civil person who recognises himself as a servant of the public and why are you a servant? Because you are paid from the tax payer fund and you are serving your country in that capacity. You will ask, what are these core values? “Meritocracy, this is the first one, our founding fathers when they negotiated our independence during the constitutional conferences between 1952 and 1960 adopted meritocracy and political neutrality as the first basic core values to mould what we call the public service. Then it was called the

Nigerian Public Service; against that background, the public civil service commission was established first April 1954 and these core values translated into ensuring that we recruited patriotic, highly cultured and disciplined officers to work in the public service. Other core values are integrity, political neutrality, discipline, professionalism, patriotism and humility. The civil servant is only seen not heard, impartiality, regardless of your tribe, your race, your ethnic background, your religion. Once you are on this job, you must be impartial; so, impartiality, accountability and

•Primate of All Nigeria, Anglican Communion, ArchBishop Nicholas Okoh receiving a plaque from the Ex-National President, Anglican Students' Fellowship, Olusakin Iseoluwa with them are other members of the Church during the dedication of the new National Executive of the ASF at the Cathedral Church of The Advent, Life Camp in Abuja. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

transparency. “On assumption of duty here as chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission in 2012, I brought out five objectives, which have been my guiding principles. This was adopted by my colleagues because a tree does not make a forest. The first one is that at the recruitment level, you will ensure standard, merit, quality control, because if we do not ensure standard and merit, then of course, we will not have the same quality of people that will man the service. “I also said transfers, recruitment, all these will be done strictly on qualification and rules and regulation. I said I would ensure collaboration with the Office of Head of Service because before I got here, there used to be friction between these two offices. You will only get friction if you have territorial ambition. “We have our own mandate; they have their own mandate, as clearly defined in the 1999 Constitution and then of course I went on to say we want to be globally competitive and as such we will try as much as possible to make ICT base in the civil service which is what everybody does the world over. “And finally, this I said nearly everywhere, we will have zero tolerance for corruption. Of course, you know clearly that the constitution as per Section 153 of that constitution states out clearly our functions, appointment and promotion of civil servants discipline and dismissal.”

Gay marriage is Satan’s agenda, says Bishop

HE verdict of the Supreme Court of the United States of America on same-sex marriage came under attack from the Bishop of Minna Anglican Diocese, the Rt. Revd. Daniel Yisa yesterday. He said the decision was Satan’s agenda for the end time. He spoke in Minna, Niger State after the 100 centenary thanksgiving service of the St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral Church, Minna. The clergy said: “Gay is not a Biblical or an African practice and if God hates it, we all

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

must hate it.” Yisa admonished Nigerians not to be carried away by the perverse culture but should strive to hold on to the truth. He said: “We must know the basic truth of the Bible. As far as we are concerned as Nigerians, same sex-marriage is not our portion. Whoever wants to do that in his country can do that in his free volition but should not necessarily say that the Bible says so. “The issue is that, as a na-

tion, we keep calling on God without meeting God’s conditions. There are certain things we are not supposed to do and there are also those we are supposed to do if we have to remain His people. “We, as Christians and members of the Anglican family, God has remained faithful to us and we as humans should do our best to maintain that relationship with God. We cannot continue to wallow in sin and immorality and then claim that He is our God. “He is a righteous God, if

Nigeria will not succumb to terrorism, says Dogara

OUSE of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara has described as barbaric, inhuman and wicked yesterday‘s bomb attack on worshippers at a church in Potiskum, Yobe State. He said the attacks were meant to instil fears in Nigerians. The Speaker urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the capacity of the government and security agencies to subdue the insurgents and bring the violence to an end. Dogara, in a statement, urged the security agencies not to cave in to pressure in their efforts to curb insurgency, adding that on resumption from recess, the

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

House would table a motion aimed at rebuilding the Northeast. The statement reads: “Nigerians should not lose hope in the capacity of the Nigerian State and its security apparatus to subdue the insurgents and bring the violence to end. “I want to use this medium to call on men and women of faith, Christians and Muslims to intensify their prayers to God as Nigeria is in dire need of divine intervention from God to overcome. “With God on our side, there is no challenge that is insurmountable. I have strong conviction in my heart

that this too, shall pass away. “The National Assembly, especially the House of Representatives, will continue to give all the necessary support and cooperation to President Muhammadu Buhari to help equip the military with advance military hardware needed to combat terrorism and other internal aggression. “While the war is being fought, it is also time to begin to implement programmes and policies that will rebuild, rehabilitate and reconstruct the Northeast”. The Speaker hailed VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo for visiting Borno and Adamawa states.

we must serve Him, we must try to keep ourselves righteous as He is so that we can maintain that cordial relationship that He has established from the beginning. We should not claim privileges without responsibilities”. The Bishop urged leaders to be firm on moral resolutions, adding that same sex mar-

riage would destroy whoever practises it. “We should be faithful to God, our families and our nation if we want God to heal our land,” he added. He said the essence of his message, tagged ‘Ebenezer’ was to establish that God “is our helper because He is sustaining us as a nation and has not forsaken us”.

Saraki to Boko Haram: stop wasting lives

ENATE President Bukola Saraki has urged members of the Boko Haram to stop wasting lives. Saraki, in a statement condemning yesterday’s bomb attack on worshippers at a church in Potiskum , Yobe State, said: “My heart is with individuals and families who were directly or indirectly affected by this ungodly, sadistic and evil act.” Saraki added: “Sending Nigerians to untimely grave can never be the solution to any religious, political or economic grievances. “Besides, the Federal Government has demonstrated enough political will to engage any group in dialogue aimed at bringing these vicious and sad attacks to a final stop.

“The recent position of the Federal Government that it would not oppose negotiation with the insurgents if the Boko Haram terrorist group opts for it’ ought to be seen as an olive branch extended to the sect by the present administration. And I urge them to take advantage of that opportunity to drop their weapons. “I urge Nigerians not to give in to fear or be discouraged as a result of these renewed attacks as the Senate and the National Assembly under my leadership will maximally support President Muhammadu Buhari in his determination to retool and motivate the Armed Forces to decisively prosecute the war against terrorism.” He hailed the military for

‘Make youths ministers’ From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

GROUP, Ray of Hope Empowerment Foundation (ROHEF), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that a young Nigerian becomes the minister of Youth Development. ROHEF, a non-governmental non-profit organisation, said such a young person should be able to feel and understand the difficulties that other young Nigerians are going through daily. The NGO also urged the Buhari government to give 30 per cent allocation of appointments into various positions in his administration to youths. In a statement at the weekend by the Executive Director of ROHEF, Christybelle Sylva-John, the group said: “Of the estimated 170 million people in the country, over 40 per cent are youths and this makes a compelling argument for a young minister of Youth Development who would be in tune with their yearnings and desires, challenges as well as aspirations. “Also, for a strong youth base of 43 percent in Nigeria, it is not farfetched to reserve 30 percent of positions in appointments for youths in the country. “Every one of us is unique and each person lives life differently. Everyone has resources, skills, personality and experience that deserve to be discovered and nurtured. She said: “Youths are change agents. They play a crucial role in solving the most persistent development problems facing the world. By investing in economic potential through education, empowerment programmes and security, issues such as the Boko Haram menace, violence, kidnapping, HIV/AIDS and other problems our country is facing will be resolved and the cycle of poverty can be broken.”

‘

I urge Nigerians not to give in to fear or be discouraged as a result of these renewed attacks as the Senate and the National Assembly under my leadership will maximally support President Muhammadu Buhari in his determination to retool and motivate the Armed Forces to decisively prosecute the war against terrorism

’

its timely response and urged it to prevent dastardly attacks in future. Saraki urged Nigerians, especially the Muslim faithful, to use the holy month of Ramadan to seek God’s intervention on ways and means to end insecurity.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

NEWS Presidency disowns Twitter comments ascribed to Zahra Buhari

HE Presidency yesterday disowned the Twitter comments allegedly posted by Zahra Buhari, one of the daughters of President Muhammadu Buhari. A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the tweets were from an account falsely linked to Zahra Buhari. According to him, the Twitter account was abandoned a long time ago by Zahra when it was compromised by hackers The statement reads: “The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to unauthorised and unexpected tweets by an account falsely linked to Zahra Buhari, one of the daughters of President Muhammadu Buhari. “Following enquiries by a few foreign missions on the raging online controversy about unsavoury comments against some foreign leaders purportedly made by her, we wish to state categorically that Zahra is indeed on Twitter but the offending handle @Zahra_Buhari has stopped

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

being her own for a long time since it was compromised by hackers. “Tweets by this handle are therefore not her own and should be disregarded and considered as the work of hackers seeking to cause mischief between this country and other friendly states. “Zahra’s authentic handle is @ZmBuhari and any handle other than this on Twitter should be considered as fake and therefore fraudulent. “It is also pertinent to state at this point that neither the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari nor the other children are presently on Twitter, Facebook or the various other platforms. “As they explore the possibilities on this new territory, we request the public to ignore the many accounts on various platforms in their names that currently exist. Such accounts, beside the authentic one cited above in the name of Zahra are unauthorised and therefore fake.”

‘Curb piracy on waterways’

TAKEHOLDERS in the maritime sector yesterday decried the worsening spate of piracy on Nigerian waters, with offenders allegedly operating without fear of being arrest and punished. A cross-section of the stakeholders, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), called for the establishment of a “Coast Guard” in the country and a push on the Piracy Bill at the National Assembly. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique to the United States military branches with jurisdiction on both domestic and international waters. However, some stakeholders believed that the formation of a coast guard and the new legislation would drastically address the problem of piracy and sea robbery on Nigerian waters. Some of the stakeholders alleged that the Navy was objecting to the formation of a coast guard, saying the naval force was seeing the guard as a rival. Mr Iguwo Ukwu, a lawyer and an expert on piracy, told NAN that attack Nigeria did not have a coast guard, the country has the largest number of naval vessels in the Gulf of Guinea. He said some stakeholders alleged that the Navy at a time had low operational capacity, adding that only 28 per cent of its ships were actually believed to be operational. Ukwu, therefore, stressed the need for government to set up a coast guard in view of the multi-faceted nature of security challenges in Nigerian waters cutting across economic, military and civilian factors. According to him, the Navy had also considered the formation a coast guard as “capital intensive which require skilled manpower, specialised equipment and duplication of its functions as well’’. Ukwu said the Navy had in the same forum admitted that

“security agencies lacked the power to confront pirates because the existing law does not permit use of force or effective prosecution of suspects’’. He added that the Navy then called for the amendment of the enabling laws, in order to give more impetus and power to the force to make arrests and prosecution of pirates possible and easy. Ukwu said maritime experts were also of the view that there was need to review inadequate municipal laws and set up special courts or tribunals to ensure efficient prosecution of suspected pirates. Similarly, Mr Giti Ogunye, Lawyer and Public Affairs Analyst, argued that there were no gaps or loopholes in the corpus of criminal law that facilitates the escape of criminals on Nigerian waterways from justice.

•Chairman, NUJ Enugu State Council, Chief Louis Dilibe (left) with Crown Mayor of Nike Clan of Enugu State, Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu, during an advocacy visit To the Igwe at Ibagwa Nike, Enugu State ... at the weekend. PHOTO: NAN

Wike’s, Peterside’s supporters anxious as tribunal resumes today

UPPORTERS of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, are anxious as the Elections Petition Tribunal will today hear the application by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate on the inspection of materials used for the election. The APC and Peterside are before the Justice Muazu Pindiga-led tribunal, challenging the outcome of the election, which they claimed was marred by irregularity. They had applied for permission to inspect materials used for the election, as required under the Electoral Act, which the court granted on June 11. Dissatisfied with the permission grated APC and Peterside, Wike and the PDP asked the tribunal to set aside the ex parte order for the inspection of the electoral materials, particularly the voters register and Card Reader machines. They argued, in a motion dated June 16, that allowing

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

APC and Peterside the opportunity to examine Card Reader machines and voters register in a manner that would allow them make copies and store their contents electronically could compromise the secrecy of the ballot. They added that it could pose security concerns because the materials they (APC and Peterside) seek to inspect contain “highly sensitive security information containing the biometric data of all registered voters in Nigeria”. State’s PDP Legal Adviser Benjamin Eke stated in a supporting affidavit, that the order entered by the tribunal on June 11, 2015 “is couched in broad general terms which may extend to: ”Enabling the petitioners to pass the original ballot papers, voters register and other polling documents through their electronic devices for the purpose of capturing the data on them by computer scanning, copying and computer imaging for storage in retrieval systems which will

then be taken away by the petitioners. “Enabling the petitioners to maintain a private electronic data base of sensitive electoral records including fingerprints of registered voters and thereby compromise public security as well as the confidentiality of the voters.” “The information on the voters register and the 1st respondent respondent’s (INEC’s) data base including the card reader machines are highly sensitive security information containing the biometric data of all registered voters in Nigeria. “That these polling documents, taken together with the voters’ accreditation register and ballot papers used at the election will compromise the secrecy of the ballot and expose the identity of individual voters and the candidates they voted for at the governors.”” Wike and his party argued that the permission granted APC and Peterside on June 11 was unknown to ”the Electoral Act and First Schedule thereto.” Wike said he was not put on notice or afforded

any opportunity of being heard before the order of inspection was made.. He also added that the ex parte order was invalid as the application was filed while Wike’s application challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal to hear the petition was still pending before the court. Wike asked the court to set aside the ex parte order given on June 11 granting leave to the petitioners to, among others, personally and or through their agents, including their solicitor and forensic experts, to inspect, copy, photocopy and obtain certified true copies of all electoral materials related to the conduct of the Rivers State governorship election held on April 11 and 12, 2015.” Alternatively, he urged the tribunal to vary the order by removing aspects of it that allowed the petitioners to copy or photocopy the electoral materials. Wike asked the tribunal to stay the execution of the order or that he or his lawyer and forensic experts be allowed to witness the inspection allowed the petitioners.

Kogi PDP crisis: Wada plots to reverse cancellation of Ward Congress •Local Govt chairmen under pressure to mobilise protesters to Abuja

•Wada

OLLOWING the cancellation of the June 27 Ward Congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State, Governor Idris Wada has initiated moves to prevail on the National Working Committee of the party to reverse its decision. The NWC had last week nullified the party’s Ward Congress poll because of alleged irregularities. It has fixed July 14 for a fresh Ward Congress across the state ahead of the governorship poll in September or October. But the governor, who is seeking a ticket for a second

term, was said to be jittery that the cancellation of the Ward Congress might affect his chances. It was learnt that the local government chairmen were under pressure last night to mobilise protesters to march on PDP National Headquarters today in Abuja against the cancellation of the results of the congress. Investigation showed that the governor was uncomfortable by the decision of the PDP NWC to conduct a fresh Ward Congress. A top source said: “There is a Cold War between Wada and the NWC over the outcome of the Ward Congress. The NWC has canceled the results of the congress but the governor said the decision was unacceptable to him. “The governor and his deputy were at the National Secretariat of the PDP last week to have audience with the NWC members but the session

was deadlocked as the party insisted on a fresh congress. “The bone of the contention was the use of a Local Organising Committee which the National Secretariat of PDP described as alien to the constitution of the party. It was however gathered that the governor has reached out to stakeholders and opinion leaders in the PDP on why he should be given automatic ticket. A source said: “We don’t understand what the National Working Committee is talking about ‘the era of impunity being over’. “This is how we have been doing this thing and nobody complained. Why should Governor Wada’s case be different? Is he the only Governor that lost his state to the opposition in the last election?” It was also gathered that a secret meeting was held on Saturday where pressure was mounted on caretaker coun-

cil chairmen in the 21 LGAs in the state to mobilise protesters to Abuja today against NWC’s decision. “A meeting was held by some forces in the state PDP at a hotel along Agbeji Road in Dekina Local Government Area of the state at 10 am on Saturday. “The agenda of the meeting was to compel Caretaker council chairmen in the 21 Local Government Areas in Kogi State to storm the Wadata House headquarters of the PDP to declare support for the governor and his re-election bid. “The governor was really livid at the decision of the NWC of the PDP to cancel the Ward Congress that would have made his re-election bid an easy ride. “And as such other ways must be embraced to prevail on the NWC to the realisation of his re-election bid”. The PDP nullified the Ward Congress held on June 27th 2015 because of the hijack of

the process by a Local Organising Committee which the PDP described as alien to its constitution. The National Publicity Secretry of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh in a statement on why the Ward Congress was cancelled said “the participation of a “Local Organising Committee” was unknown to constitution of the party and the guidelines marred the congresses” A group, Stakeholders and Concerned PDP members in Kogi State, in a petition alleged that the Ward Congress was a “predetermined exercise” with the use of a Local Organising Committee. The group said: “This we consider as a distortion of democratic ethos which encourages impunity and imposition of candidates; two major issues that have always threatened to disintegrate our party and diminish delegates’ ability to freely elect party officials of their choice.”

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

NEWS

APC chairmen urge Buhari to intervene over ‘impunity’ in Ekiti, others •Ask President to back efforts to resolve National Assembly crisis

LL Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to stop impunity and harassment of their members in Ekiti, Rivers, Ondo, Taraba and Bayelsa states. They alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP)-controlled administrations in the affected states have been attacking APC members. The party chairmen added that some commissioners of Police have been conniving with the affected state governments to terrorise APC members. But they asked the president to support efforts to resolve the crisis in the National Assembly. They alleged that many APC leaders and members have been forced to flee from Ekiti State. The chairmen, The Nation learnt, raised the issues with Buhari at a closed door session when they visited the Presidential Villa. Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, had quoted him on Saturday as saying that it would not be business as usual on matters of political harassment and intimidation of any Nigerian henceforth. Adesina said the president spoke when the state chair-

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

men of APC visited him and promised to probe political assassinations But a top source, who told The Nation what transpired at the meeting, said: “Immediately after the opening courtesies, the chairmen went into a private session, where the president asked them to lay their complaints. “The chairmen complained about harassment, intimidation, attack and killing of some APC leaders in Ekiti, Rivers, Ondo, Taraba and Bayelsa states. “They said in Ekiti, virtually all APC leaders and key stakeholders have relocated to other states because of the intimidation by the state government. They expressed concerns that some APC witnesses were attacked in the state at an election tribunal. “They also kicked against arbitrary detention of APC members in Ondo State at the behest of the state government. The same harassment is the order of the day in Taraba State, where APC is challenging the outcome of the governorship election. “The chairmen demanded the probe of killing of APC members during the general election in Rivers State. They alleged that the PDP administration had been witchhunting and sacking APC members in Rivers State. “The APC leaders ex-

pressed regrets that some Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) workers have been compromised in Rivers State as they have prevented APC from inspecting electoral materials. “As regards Bayelsa State, the APC chairmen accused PDP of bankrolling the formation of a parallel APC in the state to create crisis ahead of the state’s forthcoming governorship election. “They said they were disturbed that security agencies have continued to recognise the parallel APC in spite of the fact that APC National Secretariat was explicit that the party in Bayelsa State was not factionalised.” Responding to a question, the source added: “President Buhari simply promised to look into all the allegations and open discussion with the affected state governments.” The Chairman of the APC Chairmen’s Forum, Mallam Umar Haruna Mohammed, said the group wanted Buhari to support efforts to resolve the crisis in the National Assembly. He added that as the rallying point for APC, the President has the responsibility of ensuring that all stakeholders accept, respect and uphold party’s supremacy Mohammed said: “We are here as state chairmen of our great party to congratulate our member, our rallying point.

“Secondly, we are here to pledge our unflinching support, loyalty to you and your government and our total cooperation on the enormous task of meeting the yearnings and the expectations of Nigerians and the world. “These expectations could only be realised, if every state is carried along and also if APC as a party works as a family. “Let me at this juncture appreciate you Mr. President for observing and upholding party supremacy. Thank you sir. “As mentioned earlier, as a leader and the rallying point of APC, you have the responsibility of ensuring that all stakeholders accept, respect and uphold party supremacy as enshrined in the party’s constitution. “It is a known fact to all of us that many people made a lot of sacrifice, some even made the supreme sacrifice, to ensure that APC and you in particular emerged victorious in the last election.” He added: “For this, it is necessary for all of us to appeal to you again to support the ongoing efforts being made to resolve the National Assembly crisis so that the anxiety currently being entertained by Nigerians will be effectively diffused for our party to focus on the more relevant and enormous challenges of rebuilding from the misrule of the past 16 years.”

Encourage joint airline ownership, aviation group urges Fed Govt •Canvasses merger of existing carriers to form flag carriers By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

N aviation industry think tank, Aviation Round Table (ART), has urged the Federal Government to institute a policy that will encourage joint ownership of domestic airlines by Nigerians and foreigners. Its president, Mr. Gbenga Olowo, said such ownership would bring about “flow of income for troubled carriers”. He lamented that some carriers were “constantly going cap in hand for intervention funds” from government through the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON). Olowo, who spoke at the weekend in Lagos, said the call was imperative to discourage the current ownership structure of domestic airlines, which are mainly one man businesses. He canvassed the merger of existing domestic carriers into two or three strong carriers that could be designated as flag carriers to compete with foreign carriers. Olowo said attempt to rescue the domestic air transport market from foreign carriers might remain a mirage until the existing carriers were strengthened. He said AMCON and the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) could collaborate to put in place a template for strong flag carriers, which would have proper management structure and corporate governance processes. Such flag carriers, he added, must advance a roadmap to develop air transport and set timelines for safety. He said government should put a sound policy in place through legislation as enshrined in the Privatisation and Commercialisation Act of 1999 to block avenues for wastage.

Glo introduces 20K per second international calls

ELECOMMUNICATIONS giant Globacom has slashed tariffs on international calls to 20k per second, as it enhanced its 200 per cent Bonus Airtime offer to its subscribers. The tariff slash, the company said in a statement, was in line with its philosophy to give subscribers “More 4 Less”. It said the new offer would avail its customers the opportunity to make calls to the United States (U.S.), the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, China and India at 20k per second. The company said the reduction is to enhance the communication experience of subscribers on the Glo network, adding that subscribers are required to dial *101*6*1# to enjoy the package. “We are mindful of the fact that Nigerians have relations and friends in and also do business in these countries and, it is our desire to make their calling experiences as exciting and affordable as possible,” the network said. It added that it was effected because the affected routes are those most called by Nigerians. The offer empowers subscribers to make calls to all networks within Nigeria at 11k per second while N5 daily charge applies only on the first call of the day. Globacom recently introduced three offers, including 200 per cent Bonus Airtime and Data, Glo Bounce and Data Bundles on Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and Samsung Galaxy S6 Flat smart phones.

Northern chiefs in Southeast, Southsouth back Ekweremadu From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuhia

•From left: South African singer and United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Envoy for Africa Yvonne Chaka Chaka; a participant, Amina Doherty; President, African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) Erelu Bisi Fayemi and the Queen of Buganda Kingdom, Uganda HRH Sylvia Nagginda, at a panel on African Women and Philanthropy at the African Grantmakers Network Conference, Arusha, Tanzania…on Friday.

ORTHERN Traditional Rulers Council, SoutheastSouthsouth geopolitical zones has backed Senator Ike Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President. The council described as unnecessary and divisive, the calls in some quarters for the resignation of Ekweremadu, saying that it did not show political maturity. Its Chairman, Sarki Yaro Danladi, who spoke with journalists in Umuahia, said Ekweremadu should be allowed to hold on to his position. He said: “Ekweremadu is the only lawmaker from the Southeast occupying principal position in the National Assembly. Removing him does not make sense as that will make his people to lose confidence in the government in power.” The monarch noted that many citizens, especially those living outside their regions, were yet to recover from the shocks and effects of previous ethnic clashes. He said Nigerians were tired of crisis and appealed to politicians not to overheat the already tensed political atmosphere in the country and avoid going back to the dark days of ethnic killing.

Central Bank to probe travellers with over $10,000 at borders

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said it would investigate travellers breaching the rule by moving more than $10,000 in cash or negotiable instruments across the nation’s borders. CBN Director, Corporate Communications Ibrahim Mu’azu said in a statement that henceforth, the transportation of cash or negotiable instruments in excess of $10,000 or its equivalent by

By Collins Nweze

individuals in or out of the country shall not be allowed unless such funds are declared at the borders. Mu’azu said those that go contrary to the law would have to forfeit the undeclared funds or negotiable instrument or would be imprisoned for a term not less than two years or both. He expressed CBN’s concerns on the increasing traf-

ficking of large amounts of foreign currency across the borders. The CBN director said the practice was against Section 2 (subsection 3 to 5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended). The law, he said, stipulates that transportation of cash or negotiable instruments in excess of $10,000.00 or its equivalent by individuals in or out of the country shall be declared to the Nigerian Cus-

toms Service (NCS). The apex bank’s spokesman added that the NCS shall report any declaration made pursuant to subsection (3) of this section to the Central Bank of Nigeria. “Any person who falsely declares or fails to make a declaration to the Nigerian Customs Service pursuant to section 12 of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, F34, LFN, 2004 is guilty of an

offence and shall be liable on conviction to forfeit the undeclared funds or negotiable instrument or to imprisonments to a term of not less than two years or both,” he stated. Mu’azu said on receipt of any notice of declaration from the NCS, the CBN would investigate the source of fund and seek justification for the possession of such volume of cash to ensure that no money laundering activity was in-

volved. “Those affected will also be expected to provide evidence of payment of taxes and duties related to the cash transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, the general public is hereby notified that the CBN (in collaboration with other relevant regulatory and security agencies) will promptly apply appropriate sanctions and penalties for contravention of the provisions of this Act,” he said.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

NEWS Ogun ‘won’t stop projects’

HE Ogun State government has said it has not stopped work on any of its road projects and assured residents that it remained committed to completing all projects in record time. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Kayode Ademolake, said the government will continue to rehabilitate existing failed roads. He said: “I have not seen a single time that the ministry or its contractors leave the site. The truth is just this. We have a stop gap in between all these roads and these are the ones that we are trying to link together. “ Ademolake said the government had embarked on drainage delisting within Abeokuta and Ijebu –Ode. He advised residents who dump refuse in drainages to desist. The Permanent Secretary said his ministry would continue to carry out routine maintenance on roads.

Ekiti PDP against Awe at talks From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has criticised President Muhammadu Buhari for allegedly hosting the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Chairman, Olajide Awe, to a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The party in a statement yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Jackson Adebayo, said it was wrong for the President to have hosted Awe whom it said was wanted for alleged murder. Awe was accused of complicity in the killing of two PDP members, Ayo Jeje and Mrs. Juliana Adewumi in Erijiyan in 2013. But the APC chair was cleared of murder when a nolle prosequi was entered for him by the Ministry of Justice during the Kayode Fayemi administration but the Ayo Fayose administration has filed a fresh murder charge against him.

Church programme

OUNDER, Christ Apostolic Church, Canaan Land, Prophet Hezekiah Oladeji, has urged security agencies to expedite action and tame robbery in the nation. Prophet Oladeji spoke at a briefing on the annual week long programme tagged: “Power as of old. Agbara Biti ‘Gbani 2015", which begins today. He said the programme which would feature prayers for the Buhari administration would attract over one million people to the Federal Capital Territory On the corruption and fraud by fake men of God, Oladeji assured that days of reckoning await those involving in such shady deals.

•Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode (second right), his wife, Bolanle (right), the Chairman, Brownsville College, Hameed Kasumu (second left), his wife, Alaba, at the official opening of Brownsville College, Park View Estate, Ikoyi...at the weekend.

Fayose to name Ikere monarch in 14 days

KITI State Governor Ayo Fayose has warned those planning to foment trouble over the vacant Ogoga royal stool in IkereEkiti to shelve their plan or risk arrest. The governor, who spoke at a meeting with stakeholders, declared that any attempt by anyone to cause trouble will be resisted by security operatives. The new Ogoga is expected to be unveiled by the state government within the next 14 days with fingers pointing in the direction of Adejimi Adu as the favorite to clinch the throne. Adu’s main opponent is prominent broadcast journalist Gbenga Aruleba, who hosts a popular current

•Governor conducts election in Govt House From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

affairs programme on the Africa Independent Television (AIT), Focus Nigeria. But the princes and princesses in Ikere Kingdom, known as the Omo Owas, are opposed to Adu’s candidacy, claiming that he does not belong to any royal family. Public protests have been staged in the town in the last two months by some indigenes opposed to the choice of Adu by a section of the kingmakers. The throne became vacant on August 22, last year, following the demise of Oba Samuel Adegoke Adegboye,

who reigned for 43 years. Fayose said he had no interest in who becomes the monarch, noting that he was in a hurry to lay the controversy surrounding the vacant stool to rest. The governor recalled that a community leader, Chief Olusola Bayode and the Chief Whip of the House of Assembly, who represents Ikere 2, Sunday Akinniyi, had advised him to reverse Adu’s selection. The duo’s advice was premised on the claim that all the kingmakers had moved to Aruleba’s camp, following massive protests against Adu with the protesters ac-

cusing the kingmakers of being bribed. There was drama at the meeting when Fayose, in a bid to find out the truth, called for another round of election in his presence with 10 of the 13 kingmakers voting in Adu’s favour; the remaining three voted in favour of the opposing camp. While seeming to have smelt complicity on the side of the opposing camp, he asked Bayode to produce the kingmakers who he said had withdrawn their support for the oba-elect. But Bayode accused Chief Bobade Shittu of allegedly

Ondo APC condemns Mimiko’s residency card

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has accused the government of exploiting unpaid civil servants and the masses of N2,000 to obtain residency card, ‘Kaadi Igbe Ayo’. In a statement in Akure by its Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya, the APC said: “The over-hyped Kaadi Igbe Ayo project is another conduit pipe deliberately built to siphon public funds by the Olusegun Mimiko-led administration in Ondo State since 2009. “Over N5billion of tax payers’ money has been reportedly spent on the project without corresponding benefits for the good people of Ondo State, yet civil servants and the poor masses are being forced to pay additional N2,000 to obtain the valueless and unlawful card. “The Ondo State APC wishes to draw the attention of the public, especially the people, to the anti-people and wick-

•Govt defends card’s benefit From Damisi Ojo, Akure

ed policies of the Mimiko-led administration, which have assumed a dangerous trend. “Governor Mimiko is now forcing the civil servants to pay N2,000 each, to obtain ‘Kaadi Igbe Ayo’. The Ondo APC sees the action as unlawful and a mere duplication of biometric records. This card is valueless, ineffective, and a misplace priority. “It is another wicked act of Mimiko to extort money from the same civil servants who he has been denying salaries and other entitlements for months. “This card is a duplication of effort and a waste of resources as the card carries almost the same information as the National Identity Card and the National Driver’s Licence. “Governor Mimiko should know that, what the people desire is better life, good road network, job opportu-

nities, revamping our moribund industries, accountability, urbanisation of our towns and villages, potable water, affordable and accessible health care services, prompt payment of salaries and entitlements of workers and pensioners.” The party said the development was a clear act of betrayal, adding that” when the governor started the project, he promised to make the card free. Why the compulsory fee now? Is the government broke, and wants to raise money at all cost? “These acts of wickedness and exploitation show the PDP-led administration as an anti-people government. “ Mimiko and his team should realise that in countries where residency card is operational, it is the benefit attached to the card that really matters, not the card itself. “ The Mimiko administra-

tion has subjected workers to poverty, sack, retrenchment, non-payment or delay of salaries since 2009. The governor must account for the over N5 billion spent on this project. “We empathise with our civil servants and the people in this period of hardship that the administration has hatefully subjected them to. “Ondo State civil servants and the people should find relief in the fact that, soonest, the APC-led system will present them the opportunity to vote out this bad government and its allies.” But the government claimed that the card has shown that over 70 per cent beneficiaries of the state health care system are nonresidents. Commissioner for Health Dayo Adeyanju and the Chairman, Civic Data Centre, Tunde Yadeka, said this at the weekend when they toured health facilities in Akure.

Two suspects arrested in bank customer’s robbery

HE police in Ondo State have arrested two suspects for allegedly trailing and robbing bank customers. They were apprehended by a patrol team attached to “A” Division in Akure, the state capital, shortly after robbing Henry Aguguom of N50,000. Ndubusi Chinakaa and Davidson Nnorom from Akwa Ibom State usually put an object under their victims’ car.

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

Police spokesman Wole Ogodo said the duo use an unregistered motorcycle for their operations. Ogodo said they were arrested after trailing Aguguom to where he parked his car after completing his transaction at the bank. He said the suspects called the victim’s attention to a fault under his car, adding that when Aguguom was

checking his car, they stole his money. “Sensing the danger, Aguguom raised the alarm which attracted our officers and they arrested the suspects,” Ogodo said. The police spokesman said the suspects had robbed another victim of N105,000 at the same spot. He said: “The items recovered from them are N50,000, master key, sharp objects and a motorcycle. The case is under investigation”

misleading him. After the drama, Fayose declared that he would announce the next Ogoga in 14 days after due consultation based on the information at his disposal. He said: “l will announce the next Ogoga within the next 14 days and any attempt to cause trouble by anyone will be resisted by security operatives in the state.” One of the supporters of the camp opposed to the Ogoga-elect, Ezekiel Ayoola, urged Adejimi to bring warring factions together, if he is announced as the new oba. Ayoola said he was opposed to the Ogoga-elect because his mother was from Okekere.

Ekiti APC group backs Akande From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

HE Action Group of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the attacks on the former Interim Chairman, Chief Adebisi Akande, following his comments on the leadership crisis rocking the National Assembly. In a statement yesterday by its spokesperson, Segun Dipe, the group advised parties to heed Akande’s warning, which was to restore sanity in the party. The APC Action Group maintained that Akande’s utterances were those of a sincere leader. It said: “Here is the man who steered the ship of our party through turbulent waters from conception to birth. “He did so with sincerity of purpose and great sacrifice that even President Muhammadu Buhari confessed that he respected Akande’s patriotism. “Party Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun also admitted that he saw in Chief Akande trustworthiness and sincerity. “Is it such a person who would now wish that the smooth-sailing ship of the party capsize?”

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

NEWS Abiola memorial public lecture

PUBLIC forum will be held tomorrow in remembrance of the life of the late Moshood Abiola, winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. Abiola died on July 7, 1998. The programme is expected to be attended by statesmen, leaders of thought, government officials and political leaders, activists as well as scholars, among others.

The theme of the maiden annual public interaction, according to a statement by Aliyu Abiola, is “ MKO: Bravery and sacrifice in the struggle for democracy”. The event will hold at the Oramiyan Hall , Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, by 11am. Speakers are Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Dr. Dele Seteolu, Femi Falana (SAN) , Prof. Ishaq Lakin Akintola and Mrs. Ganiat Fawehinmi.

Ikuforiji hails Ambode’s victory By Oziegbe Okoeki

ORMER Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Adeyemi Ikuforiji has described the victory of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the Governorship Election Tribunal in Ikeja as “a vindication of the absolute trust reposed in his capability and resourcefulness”. The former speaker said these qualities would make the governor surpass the “marvellous achievements of former governors Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Babatunde Raji Fashola’’. Ikuforiji said: “This profound judicial victory is indeed a clear vindication of not just the trust placed in Ambode as a tested and trusted technocrat who will deliver on his campaign promises, considering his rich antecedents, but also in the reliability of the leadership of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). “This very timely judicial victory coming at this auspicious time, is indeed a testimony to the fact that Lagosians will always reject the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has literally plundered our national economy since it came to power in 1999.”

•The Executive Secretary, Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area, Moshood Mustapha Abiola, (third right) presenting free GCE form to Master Alabede Faruk (second right). With them are Wahab Akerele (fourth right) and other students with their forms.

Save King’s College, parents plead

ARENTS are pushing for the Federal Government’s intervention in their row with King’s College management. The Concerned Parents are protesting the “highhandedness of the school management, poor facilities and alleged mismanagement of funds by the head-teacher, Otunba Oladele Olapeju, and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) executives”.

By Jane Chijioke

They are also complaining of the irregularity of PTA meetings, PTA hostel scam, admission scam, unhealthy boarding facilities, commercialisation of the school premises, imposed raffle ticket levy. The parents said efforts to meet with Olapeju and the PTA Chairman, Emmanuel Oriakhi, were rebuffed.

At a briefing at the Eagle Park Hotel, Ikeja, a parent, Obisike Nwosu, said: “The current leadership of the school through its head-teacher, Otunba Oladele Olapeju, has bastardised the cordial relationship between the school and the parents.” Nwosu said the problem began four years ago, leading to a petition on November 29, 2011 sent to the then minister of state on Education and the Ministry of Education, which detailed their dissatisfaction with the attitude of the headteacher. His words:” We want to state here that the situation is still the same and the crisis far from over. After several efforts to ensure that Olapeju is called to order and things are put in place, we believe it is high time the issue was made public before it degenerates. “We want the Federal Government to come to our aid in ensuring a better condition of learning for our sons. “The PTA meeting has been held only once this 2014/2015 academic year and we are in the third term. The association leadership has chosen in its own interest not to call for meeting as at when due and it has remained adamant in resisting every opportunity to have such. “This has militated against fair running of the association and made the crisis more persistent and irresolvable. “The school is in a sorry state. There has been consistent bedbug bite, filthy toilets and lack of water. This is apparently the major cause of the incessant hospitalisation of

our sons. “The school compound is being used as a motor park. You will see people walking in and out of the premises. There are five companies parking their vehicles and they pay monthly. “The school facilities are also being used for holiday camping activities. It is alarming to note that the same bed where the children sleep is where these campers also sleep.” Another parent, Dr Okereke Okezika, said the sick bay has no electricity generating set and the group recently donated items, such as refrigerator, generating set and others. He said the sickbay, which serves 1,500 pupils, should be adequately furnished. Tony Ikenwa said he lost his job while trying to meet with the school management. The parents also called on the Federal Government to take responsibility for Unity Schools. They alleged that the schools are run with the PTA fund. On June 28, some parents marched on the school premises. Oriakhi and Olapeju decsribed the protest as a coup. Olapeju said the protesters did not have the backing of majority of the parents, who have also denounced the protest. He promised that the school would be prepared against future attempts to disturb its peace and ensure the actions were not repeated.

12 battle for UI VC

WELVE professors are in the battle to become the University of Ibadan (UI) vice-chancellor, as the five-year tenure of Prof Isaac Folorunso Adewole winds down. Adewole, whose leaves in November, has been adjudged to have run a generally peaceful terms. Of the candidates, only Prof A. Adedeji is not a member of the UI community. Others are Profs O.O Layiwola (Institute of African Studies), O.O Akinyinka (Paediatrics), F.O Egbokhare (Linguistics and African Languages), Arinola O. Sanya (Physiotherapy ), B.O Fagbemi (Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology), L. Popoola (Forest Resources Management), A.I Olayinka (Geology), A.I Oluleye (Industrial and Production Engineering), O.D Olaleye (Virology), A.E Falaye

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

(Aquaculture and Fisheries Management) and A.A. Agbaje (Political Science). It was gathered that two other persons ‘joined’ the list, despite not applying for the position. Chairman of the University of Ibadan Community Forum 2015 Prof Nelson Fashina said the Forum was put together by the unions. He said the Forum would host a platform during which the candidates would interact with the university community. Prof Fashina said: “The Forum does not have power as to who becomes the next vice chancellor. The interactive platform will enable the community listen to candidates and keep records of their plans or manifestoes and be able to hold him/her accountable.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

NEWS NLC hails Oshiomhole’s directive to councils’ chairmen

Five die in multiple accidents

IVE persons died on Saturday evening in a multiple road accident on the Benin-AuchiAbuja Expressway. Two trucks, two Audi cars, one Honda and a Mercedes Benz car were involved in the accident, which occurred at Okhuo village,

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

near a dangerous spot called “Aso Rock”. Eyewitnesses said a truck and a car collided, adding that a third truck, which apparently had a break failure, ran into two other cars. The five occupants died.

The bodies of the victims were taken away before reporters arrived at the scene. Edo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Familoni Oluwasusi, confirmed the incident. The FRSC commander said he had not been briefed about the accident.

SPDC begins grassroots campaign against crude oil theft in Ogoni •‘Initiative

is pillar of UNEP report implementation’

HE Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has begun the second phase of its grassroots campaign against crude oil theft and illegal oil refining in Ogoni land. The first phase of the campaign in 2014 reached over 7,000 residents of Eleme, Gokana, Khana and Tai local government areas. “The 2015 campaign is targeted at Ogoni youths for whom we have designed some alternative empowerment programmes, such as the Ogoni LIVEwire which, in January, trained 105 Ogoni youths in various skills and offered them start-up funds and support,” said SPDC’s Managing Director and Country chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor. “We are, therefore, focusing on raising awareness among youths on the environmental, socio-economic and health risks associated with crude oil theft and sabotage of pipelines,” he added. According to him, the initiative was in collaboration with the Rivers State government and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA). At the launch in Biara community, the Director of Inspectorate and Enforcement in the Ministry of Environment, Charles George, hailed the people for their efforts in reducing pipeline vandalism. Okunbor noted that meaningful development could only take place in Ogoni land, if crude oil theft activities end. The SPDC chief assured

that government was working with relevant stakeholders to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report. “Crude oil theft and artisanal refining are criminal acts that are not only against the law but are also capable of mortgaging the future of the community,” said Melvin Ododo, a Principal environmental scientist, who represented the NOSDRA’s state Zonal Director at the event. An Ogoni monarch, King Barnabas B. Paago Bagia, said the campaign had the blessings of the council of elders. King Paago Bagia, who was represented by Chief Pegior Raphael, said the elders were doing all they could to educate youths against crude theft that were causing the communities untold hardship. SPDC’s Ogoni Restoration Project Manager Augustine Igbuku said the campaign was a key pillar of the implementation of the UNEP’s report, which recommended, among others, that Ogoni communities take actions that would stop further environmental pollution resulting from crude oil theft and illegal oil refining. He said: “The response to the first phase, last year, has been very encouraging. We hope the people will seize the opportunity to join the crusade against crude oil theft and artisanal refining in Ogoni land.” The campaign against crude oil theft in Ogoni land will run for six months and will be delivered in 12 openair sessions by Ogoni professionals and government agencies to reach various community stakeholders.

NDLEA arrests 351 drug suspects in Akwa Ibom

HE Akwa Ibom State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 351 suspects for drug-related offences. The state’s Commander Shedow Gaura said 351 suspects, comprising 296 men and 55 women, were arrested. Gaura, who spoke yesterday with our reporter in Uyo, the state capital, decried the increase in the use of banned substances among the residents. The NDLEA commander said the command, in the last one year, seized 217.65 kilogrammes of marijuana from suspects. He said the command also seized 0.027 kilogrammes of cocaine, 0.41 kilogrammes of heroin, 8.75 kilogrammes of psychotropic substances and

From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

169.25 litres of combined substances, comprising the local gin (ogogoro), marijuana and cocaine, locally called Monkey Tail. Gaura said 29 suspects were convicted to various jail terms. The commander said during the command’s awareness campaign last week, 86 persons with substance disorders were counselled and rehabilitated. He said: “The awareness campaign and sensitisation, therefore, became important because of the dangers hard drugs constitute to humans and because drug trafficking is an organised and transnational crime, which hampers the development of the individual, nation and the global community.

The messages are aimed at motivating the communities to take a more active action against individuals who break into pipelines to steal crude oil. Creating more awareness would also foster an enabling environment in which the government and other stakeholders can effectively play their roles in the environmental restoration and socioeconomic development of Ogoni land.

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

•Oshiomhole

HE Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the weekend hailed Governor Adams Oshiomhole for giving a directive they said will save the local government administration from collapse. State’s NLC chairman Comrade Emmanuel Ademokun said organised Labour was happy with the governor’s directive to local government chairmen that they should pay workers before paying themselves. Ademokun said: “We want to appreciate the Comrade Governor, Adams Oshiomhole. We are very impressed by the manner he handled the local government issue. “The governor came out to

defend the cause of the workers. It was rumoured that Governor Oshiomhole was milking the councils in Edo State. But with this (his directive), it is clear that the governor has nothing to do with councils’ funds. “It is for the council chairmen to choose their priority to pay contractors and get kickbacks; collect security votes and pay themselves salaries and allowances. “There is no iota of truth in the rumour that the governor tempered with the councils’ funds. With our findings, Oshiomhole has been vindicated. “Can you imagine that the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) also allocate money to itself? After teachers’ deductions, ALGON also deducts some money it spends extravagantly. “Meanwhile, the local governments are owing their workers three to sev-

en months. These council chairmen are mean; they are there to grab and go. Some council chairmen are in their second tenure. They failed the first time, they are failing again. There are about four of them who are not owing. They can be trusted with public positions.” The NLC chief urged the House of Assembly to scrutinise the accounts of the local government chairmen. According to him, shocking discoveries would be made, if such scrutiny was carried out on the accounts of local government areas. Ademokun said: “When they came into office in 2013, the governor saved a lot of money for them. Some got N500 million, others got between N300 million and N400 million. They lavished that money without proper planning. Local governments chairmen that cannot pay their workers are a disgrace to Edo State.”

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

NEWS

RAMADAN KAREEM

Ramadan 19, 1436AH

•From right: Kwara State Governor Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed; Corp Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi and Progressive Governors Forum Director-General Alhaji Salih Mohammed Lukman after observing Ramadan Iftar at Kwara State Government Lodge, Ilorin...yesterday.

•From right: Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Asiwaju Khamis Olatunde Badmus, Senator Bayo Salami and immediate past Group Managing Director, Oodua Investment, Alhaji Bayo Jimoh at a Ramadan lecture in Osogbo Central Mosque...yesterday.

Shehu urges more prayers against Boko Haram

HE Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai, yesterday urged

Muslims to intensify prayers towards seeking divine intervention against Boko Haram

This Qur’an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah, on the centrary it is a confirmation of (revelation) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the book –– wherein there is no doubt – – from the Lord of world. Qur’an 10 vs 37 Sponsored by ALHAJI KHAMIS TUNDE BADMUS Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland

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

Indebtedness (2)

S stated in this column yesterday, the intention of rectifying material indebtedness by proxy must be in the name of the debtor and the source of funding it must be pure. As for moral indebtedness, it may come in form of promise or reciprocation of good deed. In Islam, promise, especially a voluntary one is a debt, which must be paid. For instance, a deferred dowry in marriage is a debt that must be paid no matter how long it takes. Ditto an orphan’s property under one’s custody which must be returned. Both must be paid as at when due based on fear of Allah. There are many other forms of promises. All these types of debts are between man and Allah. They need no witnesses except where evidence is required. The one, which requires witnesses, is contained in chapter 2:282 of the Qur’an. It is about money and other material matters. This verse (the longest in the Qur’an) deals extensively with the issue of indebtedness and emphasizes the documentation of such a debt between the creditor and the debtor in the presence of witnesses who must append their signatures to the document. It does not matter whether the debt in question is between a husband and his wife or between a mother and her daughter. The intention is to create a peaceful co-existence, within the Muslim community, which no debt should interrupt. It is better not to make promise than to change one’s mind after making a promise without informing the person to whom promise is made. Another form of debt is the boycott of sexual intercourse either by the husband or wife for an untenable reason. From the day a marriage is consummated a knot of legitimate sexual indebtedness has been tied. And except for a very cogent reason which must be understandable to both parties, no one of them should boycott intercourse deliberately. Ramadan fasting, therefore, or any religious activities in the sacred month should not be used as an excuse for refraining from intercourse without getting the consent of the other party. Whoever does that has deviated from the fulfilment of a major promise.

insurgency in the country. Garbai made the call while receiving members of the Indimi Mosque Management Committee, Maiduguri, who paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Maiduguri. He lamented that the state had witnessed tremendous setbacks due to the prevailing insurgency, and expressed optimism in the power of prayers to end the problem. Garbai commended the committee for its numerous efforts in spreading Islamic knowledge in the country. He also commended the mosque for organising yearly Qur’anic tafsir (preaching) during Ramadan fast to educate Muslims on the religion. Earlier speaking, Dr Muhammad Abubakar, the Chief Imam of the Mosque who led the delegation, said they were in the palace to pay a yearly visit to the monarch as part of the activities of the committee during Ramadan fast.

Cleric condemns killing of innocent Nigerians

N Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Kabiru Gombe, has described as “senseless” the killings going on in some parts of the country, particularly in the North east. Gombe said this at Tafsir session in Sokoto. He called on Muslims to desist from any act that would lead to the killing of innocent souls. He said the Islamic religion forbade the killing of fellow human beings as there were divine consequences for doing so. The cleric called on the Muslim Ummah to shun all kinds of provocations that could lead to loss of lives. He also called for more sensitisation of the Muslim faithful to the dangers involved in killings of innocent souls. Gombe said that such sensitisation would prevent the nation from being embroiled in crises. He tasked Nigerian politicians, especially those seeking elective positions to refrain from political violence and thuggery.

Politicians are not likely to make heaven, says cleric By Oziegbe Okoeki

•Bello

prominent cleric, Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello has declared that Nigerian politicians don’t think of heaven and they are not likely to make heaven. Sheikh Bello said this in a lecture entitled, The use of position and power at the 7th Ramadan lecture organised by a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Lagos Mainland II constituency, Hon Moshood Oshun. Reminding politicians that power belong to God, the cleric said, “those who were in government before now will gather themselves in a place and start shouting power forgetting that power belongs to God”. According to Sheikh Bello, it was God who decided to bring about change in government despite the huge sums of money used by the previous administration to induce voters.

“It was God who brought the change. After the third time Buhari contested and lost, he cried, but God told him to return to his village and relax and that they will come back for him and it manifested,” he said. He denounced the fracas among lawmakers at the National Assembly saying, “those we sent to represent us in Abuja are not after our interest. They got there, under few days and they have started fighting. They are not fighting for our interest; we should recall them and replace them. “We should not misuse our position and power. This new government should not make the citizens to go through hardship. If they do that, their generations yet unborn will suffer. Those that have retired must get all their benefits. The citizens are the ones who elected you; therefore whatever you do, must be in their interest. No position is permanent in politics, when you get there do well, perform well because you will leave the position one day.” Speaking with the press, organiser of the programme, Oshun said the topic of the lecture was chosen because the

nation is going through a very drastic change. “We want to know how this power should be used, we want people to understand that you can’t put yourself in any position of power, it must be given to you by Almighty Allah”, Oshun said. He added that the message of the lecture is not only for politicians but for everybody because every human being is in one position or the other and exercising one form of power or the other at different levels. “So we need someone to talk to us, especially in Ramadan period like this, we want people to understand that it is not all about abstaining from food, we need to listen to the word of God, we need to be closer to God,” Oshun said. “No matter where you find yourself, make sure everything you do is legitimate; make sure you do everything within the ambit of the law, make sure everything you do has a human face. If you are representing people, make sure you interface with them, that you are available and accessible to them and once you are able to do all this, I am sure you will represent them well,” the lawmaker said.

No food, no corruption war, says don

LECTURER at the department of Religions and Peace Studies, Lagos State University (LASU), Imam Mustapha Adebayo-Bello has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to address shortage of food production, poverty and high rate of youth unemployment for his war against corruption to be successful. Imam Adebayo-Bello said this during the 15th Annual Ramadan Lecture of NasrulLahi-L-Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) Akure Branch at Obaile in Akure North local government area of Ondo State. In a lecture entitled: “National Reconstruction: Fighting Corruption in a Morally Cha-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

otic Society”, Imam AdebayoBello pointed out that it would be difficult for the masses to chastise corrupt leaders in an environment where poverty and hunger were the order of the day. He alleged that the political class are taking the advantage of high population of poor citizens to embezzle public funds. The don advocated robust economic and educational policies that would empower Nigerians to practically kick against any corrupt leader, saying no poor man could challenge rich but corrupt leaders successfully. He condemned the last ad-

ministration for its failure to punish those culpable in the mismanagement of pension funds and botched 2014 recruitment of the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) where some graduates lost their lives. This, he described, as height of corruption that Buhari’s administration must prevent its re-occurrence. He called for massive investment in agriculture to ensure food security as “genuine stomach infrastructure.” Imam Adebayo-Bello urged government and wealthy individuals especially Muslims to devise social welfare that would take care of widows, aged, orphans, displaced persons and other less privileged.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

NEWS

Education crisis: Mark seeks curriculum review

COMPREHENSIVE review of the nation’s education curriculum has become imperative more than ever before, former Senate President David Mark said at the weekend. The review, according to him, has become more compelling to enable the country to meet the needs of challenging times as well as to provide solutions to problems. A statement by Mark’s Media Assistant Paul Mumeh, said that the former Senate President canvassed the need to shift education from the traditional theoretical approach to practical solutions to problems in tandem with the global trend of qualitative and func-

‘This proposal would adequately equip and empower students with knowledge, discipline and independence with potential to become great leaders in Nigeria tomorrow’ From Onyedi Ojiabor, Abuja

tional education. Mark spoke at the 2015 graduation of El-Amin International School, Minna, Niger State . He believed that such a review would equip students with the basic critical thinking skills to enable them make sense of the world around them. “This proposal would adequately equip and empower students with knowledge, discipline and independence with

potential to become great leaders in Nigeria tomorrow”, the statement stated. Mark reminded the graduands that their journeys into adulthood had begun. “You will have to work exceedingly hard to be successful in your future career. You will have to strive hard to reach the standards of your role models and even surpass them. “The journey to adulthood is not always smooth but you should

correctly define your paths to success, believe in yourself and dream big.” Mark told the graduating students. He also told them to always reflect on good attributes and think of positive things that brings peace, unity and progress of Nigeria at all times. It said that former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar told the graduates that the future of Nigeria rests with youths and advised them to follow the path of hon-

esty, honour and integrity in the pursuit of their career in the years ahead. The Executive Director of the School, Dr. Mohammed Babangida, was quoted to have said that the school provides total education that offers students opportunity to discover their talents. Babangida added that the school moulds students as future leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs needed to build a better nation. It said that the ceremo-

•Mark

ny was the 16th graduation ceremony of the college founded by former First Lady, late Mrs . Mariam Babangida over 22 years ago.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

MONDAY JULY 6, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CRISIS

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senate caucus is engrossed in a bitter struggle for Minority Leader. In the race are Senators Godswill Akpabio, James Manager, George Sekibo, and James Enoh. So far, the contestants have shunned the party’s advice to close ranks and give peace a chance. Assistant Editor GBADE OGUNWALE reports.

•Ekweremadu

•Mark

•Akpabio

Battle for Minority Leader tears PDP senators apart P

EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) senators have drawn out their swords. They are battling themselves over the choice of principal officers. Lobbying by the zonal caucuses started barely 24 hours after the party’s national leadership announced the sharing of the positions, based on the six geo-political zones. The PDP leadership, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, zoned the Senate Minority Leader to the Southsouth. According to the party, the Deputy Minority Leader should come from the Northeast zone. The party zoned the Minority Whip to the Northcentral. The Southwest will produce Deputy Minority Whip. The battle for the Majority Leader is fierce. Four senators from the Southsouth are in the race. The contenders are James Manager (Delta South); George Sekibo (Rivers East); John Enoh (Cross River Central); and Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom Northwest). If the Senate standing rule is to take precedence, the contest should be narrowed down to Manager and Sekibo. The two senators are serving their third term. Enoh and Akpabio are first timers. However, Enoh has served three terms in the House of Representatives, which, according to the Senate rule, gives him an edge over Akpabio. But, there were indications at the weekend that the balance may be tilting in favour of Akpabio, who, according to the

Senate rule, is the most junior of the four contestants. A Senate source said that many of senators from the Southsouth had thrown their weight behind the former Akwa Ibom State governor. According to the source, who pleaded for anonymity, the PDP leadership has indicated its preference for Akpabio through its body language. “That is the main reason some the senators appear to be backing him,” the source said. When our correspondent sought to confirm the party’s position on the matter, Metuh said the party had left the decision for the caucus. Metuh, however, added that, if the senators eventually pick Akpabio, the party would respect their decision. “If the senators decide to choose Akpabio, the party will respect their decision and accept his nomination. But, we are not imposing him on them because we are not autocratic like other parties,” he added.

The scramble for the job has attracted the attention of former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, on the one hand, and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike on the other. A Senate source said while the Jonathans are rooting for Sekibo, who is from Rivers State as the former First Lady, Ekweremadu and Wike are favourably disposed to Manager’s aspiration. Wike’s preference for Manager over Sekibo may be a pre-emptive move to stave off possible rivalry in the Rivers State PDP. According to sources, Wike is trying to avoid a clash with Sekibo over who becomes the party leader, if the senator becomes a principal officer. On the other hand, Ekweremadu is said to have put in a word for Manager on grounds that he is the most experienced in the chamber among the contestants. A meeting of the four contestants called by Ekweremadu at his residence over the

The contenders are James Manager (Delta South); George Sekibo (Rivers East); John Enoh (Cross River Central); and Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom Northwest). If the Senate standing rule is to take precedence, the contest should be narrowed down to Manager and Sekibo. The two senators are serving their third term. Enoh and Akpabio are first timers

last week failed to resolve the matter. None of the contenders was ready to step down. Akpabio, sources said, argued at the meeting that the PDP Southsouth caucus in the House of Representatives had already settled for Hon. Leo Ogor as Minority Leader. “Akpbabio said since Ogor is from Delta State, it would not serve the interest of the party to pick Manager, who is also from Delta, as Minority Leader in the Senate”, added the source. The battle for other principal offices zoned to other regions is not fierce. The contestants, according to party sources, have agreed to sort things out amicably. The PDP leadership did not pick candidates for any of the positions. Rather, the party threw the race open to senators in the zones to sort things out among themselves. The party, however, reminded the senators to take into consideration the Senate standing rule on ranking, which confers seniority on senators according to the number of terms they have spent in the Senate. The party also advised that gender and religious factors should be considered. Going by the party’s directive, the senators have up to Wednesday to conclude the process and communicate their nominations for the offices to the party. At the time of filing this report, the contestants were still intensifying their lobby for the positions as none has agreed to step down.

THE NATION MONDAY JULY 6, 2015

‘

No one should be too anxious to become a minister. The country should be patient, until things are properly sorted out. It will be in the interest of all of us. The constitution prescribes the number of ministers but it does not prescribe the specific time of commencement of their

’

POLITICS All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye reflects on the National Assembly crisis and suggests the way forward. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN met him in Lagos.

Lawmaker seeks women participation in politics

‘Ekweremadu should step down’ A

HAT is the way out of the log-jam in the National Assembly? I think the way out is to recognise that there are some powerful elements who do not want the programme of change designed by the APC to succeed. So, we should look at the bigger picture and the tremendous goodwill the APC and government are enjoying nationally and internationally not to allow the temptations fanned by the opponents of progress and change to lure us into a crisis that may shift our attention from our laudable goal. As a person, I have always stood for disciplined behaviour and I believe that party directives should be followed, unless there is a justifiable and exceptional reason to do otherwise. In the circumstances in which we are, it may be wiser to apply the Latin phrase ‘festina lente’ (make haste slowly), so that opponents may not ridicule our inability to handle our brilliant success. For any strong hammer, or firm insistence on our right may be counter-productive in the long run. In the circumstance, it may be advisable to close our eyes to certain aspects of indiscretion or disobedience so that our line of progress may not be obstructed nor our focus shifted by irritating distraction. This is a personal opinion, subject to the majority view of the party. What should be done? The sum total of all I have said is that we should work out a formula that will not lead to any extreme either way. Suppose for example, the party leaders and elders decide to caution the Senate President, but allow him to retain his position while we insist on all true lovers of progress for Nigeria to persuade the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, to voluntarily resign his position while retaining his seat as an ordinary member of the Senate? His former boss Senator David Mark, has shown some leadership in this direction by not angling for any position. Talking from experience, you don’t have to hold any principal office in the Senate to make an impact and significant contribution to nation building. For, come to think of it, it is the APC that majority of Nigerians voted for three months ago. Neither the APC nor the PDP asked the electorate for a national government or a coalition government. How then do we justify the absurdity of sharing the two topmost positions in the Senate between the two parties? It is uncalled for. It is unjustifiable. It is unacceptable. For the 16 years the PDP was in power, they never allowed power-sharing with the opposition. As for the other four leadership positions, both in the Senate and the House of Representatives, the wish of the party should be respected and should prevail. Mr. President has already inherited tremendous amount of problems from the immediate past government that he needs the cooperation of all concerned to enable him to carry out the reforms he has set out to effect. The minimum any

patriotic citizen can do is to ensure that there is no distraction from his determined march toward building a better Nigeria. What do you think is the cause of all these distractions? We cannot rule out human frailties, ambition and petty jealousies. Is it true that the crises are targeted against certain national leaders of APC? I have heard that before and it does not surprise me. My appeal to those who are criticised for whatever reasons, despite their apparent contributions to the success we all share, is that they should take solace in the lessons of history. For example, after Sir Leonard Spencer Winston Churchill performed so brilliantly in contributing majorly to the victory of the Allied forces during the Second World War, he was defeated at the very first election after the war. The Labour Party of Britain won with the slogan “Churchill of war is no Churchill of Peace”! That the Labour Party was the only outfit that could provide employments for the hundreds of thousands of discharged soldiers. So, Mr. Clement Attlee won. But, the Labour Party didn’t perform and Churchill bounced back at the next election in 1951. A similar thing happened to another great man, “the man who was France” (L’Estat se moir II) – Gen. Charles de Gaulle, who was the symbol of French resistance and honour against the onslaught of Nazi Germany. He too was defeated more than once in elections after the 2second World War. He then voluntarily retired into his country home – (the village of two Churches), saying defiantly “France will send for me when she needs me”. When the American Time Magazine, some 12yrs later asked him whether he was still expecting France to send for him; he expressed doubt as he was already approaching 70. But, he insisted that it was France that would send for him, if she needed him. Surprisingly, through the Algerian uprising headed by Jaques Sustaile, France sent for De Gaulle only five months after the Time Magazine interview. The Treaty of Rome of 1970 and moves for formation of the European Union (EU) are some of the achievements of the great leader. So, some of these Nigerian leaders you referred to are 15 – 20 years younger than I in age. They still have ample opportunities to be appreciated and eulogised. For now, let sleeping dogs lie and let’s work to effect the change which the country and the whole world are eagerly expecting us to achieve. What is the way out? I think the leadership of our party, including the Board of Trustees which is yet to meet, should meet separately or collectively and agree on the speedy resolution of the problems so that it will not become a festering wound or a clog in the wheel of progress. What is your opinion on the perceived slowness of the Buhari’s administration? Is it slowness or thoroughness? I

Mr. President has already inherited tremendous amount of problems from the immediate past government that he needs the cooperation of all concerned to enable him to carry out the reforms he has set out to effect

•Durojaiye

think it is thoroughness. If you think otherwise then, remember the popular saying that “slow and steady wins the race”. It may be part of the PDP propaganda. That party is anxious to come back to power to start its boasted 60 years uninterrupted rule, which God will forbid. Let’s again look at a more recent historic event. When the military took over under the dynamic leadership of Gen. Murtala Muhammed in 1975, everyone was hailing the government for the speed of its reforms. But, events have shown that some of the actions taken at the time, especially the mass purge of top civil servants, left some adverse effects on the Nigerian economy. The public service was known for its efficiency, transparency and anonymity. After that event, as people seem to see the psychological effect where civil servants appeared to rhetorically raise the question, “when shall I prepare for my own home?” (Gen. 30:30). Some started to cut corners as insurance against possible recurrence of summary dismissal; hence, the extension of corrupt practices to that strategic section of the society. No one should be too anxious to become a minister. The country should be patient, until things are properly sorted out. It will be in the interest of all of us. The constitution prescribes the number of ministers but it does not prescribe the specific time of commencement of their tenure, whether a day or a month after the inauguration of Mr. President.

MEMBER of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Funmi Tejuoso, said has enjoined Nigerians to give women the opportunities to occupy positions of responsibility. The former Deputy Speaker said the task of preparing the girl-child for the responsibilities ahead is for families to encourage their female children to believe in themselves. Tejuoso, who spoke during an interactive session in Lagos for women lawmakers organised by the Lagos State Gender Advocacy Team (LASGAT), said the first step is to arm the girl-child with sound education. She said the number of women occupying positions of authorities is not commensurate with the proportion of women in the society and their capacity. She said: “In the House of Representatives, there are not enough women; in the Senate, the situation is the same. We are not really saying that we should be given a chance to occupy elective positions because we are women. No! We are saying; give those positions because we are just as qualified as our men folk and we can do the work. Tejuoso noted that the girl-child has the right to go to school and excel in their different fields of endeavour, adding that they must not be seen as people who are meant to stay in the kitchen. She added: “We are not saying that our female children should not learn how to cook, clean and stuff like that. No, a woman can handle all these tasks and at the same time, take up responsible roles in society; women are used to multitasking, they are the ones that are pregnant and still go to work, they are the ones that take care of their children and still go to work.” The Southwest Regional Officer of the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID), Margaret Fagboyo, said it is sad that there are only four female legislators in the Eighth Lagos State House of Assembly. Fagboyo said women make up 49 per cent of the population in the country, which is almost half. She added: “If half of your body is not functioning well, that is paralysis. If women are not involved in taking decisions on issues that affect the society, then, we cannot have a better society. It is the United States’ President Barack Obama that said that, if you want to evaluate the level of a society, go and check how they treat women. Go and check, all the countries where the human capital index is high are treating their women well.” Fagboyo enjoined the four female members of the House of Assembly

•Tejuoso

was a time ‘There in Nigeria that women could not vote; now we can vote and be voted for. She said gender issues are all about rights and the need to exercise such rights

’

By Raymond MordI

to be more active, by championing issues that would fast track the achievement of the MDGs targets. Fagboyo said gender is one of the millennium development goals (MDGs). “There was a time in Nigeria that women could not vote; now we can vote and be voted for. She said gender issues are all about rights and the need to exercise such rights,” she noted. The Regional Officer said the next course of action is for the DFID to put the machinery in motion to encourage women to go into politics. A civil society activist, Mrs. Olabisi Oghogho, said women legislators should mentor other aspiring female politicians. She bemoaned the gap between the people and their representatives. Oghogho is the State Programme Officer of State Accountability and Voice Initiative (SAVI). The four legislators were on hand to interact with civil society activists. Aside from Tejuoso, the others are: Hon. Omotayo Oduntan, Alimosho II, Hon. Mojisola Lawal, Apapa I and Hon. Mosunmola SangodaraRotimi, Surulere II.

•From left: Mr. Nzeribe Nzordinma, Mr. Ibechukwu Charles, Princess Oby Onu, Mr. Monday Ubani and Prof. Chris Nwaokobia at a briefing by The Igbo Conscience to drum support for a united Nigeria in Lagos.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Unbanned items

• FG must come up with measures to stimulate local production

HE fears in the local textile and furniture industries over the delisting of textile and furniture from the Import Prohibition List are expected even if we must quickly add that the decision is inevitable, in view of tthe circumstances under which it was done. The idea for removal of the two items from the list was mooted in the twilight of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, effective April 11, 2015. Expectedly, the recent resolve of the Nigeria Customs Service to implement the directive, as confirmed by Abdullahi Dikko, ComptrollerGeneral of Customs, is heightening anxiety in the local textile and furniture sectors. The delisting was done under the Import Adjustment Tax (IAT) of the new Economic Community of West African States – Common External Tariff (ECOWAS-CET) regime involving about 15 countries in the ECOWAS sub-region. The CET policy that is subject to review every five years will enable Nigeria Customs Service ensure that by 2020, none of the currently banned items would be on its Import Prohibition List. The silence of the current administration has amplified fretfulness among the local manufacturers of these products, especially against the background of the recent directive from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to deny access to foreign exchange by some sectors, including furniture and textiles. We are not oblivious of the negative implications of this directive, more so on the sustainability of the capacity

utilisation of local industrial plants that currently stands, sadly, at a vastly discouraging 30 per cent in an economy that yearns for employment generation to accommodate the millions of unemployed graduates in the land. We doubt whether there was deep thinking before the Federal Government came up with its N50 billion intervention fund for the textile sector. The repayment terms of the facility will definitely be imperilled by this latest delisting since that sector and the furniture industry will now be exposed to influx of cheap imported commodities. Already, the textile market is saturated with over 85 percent imported printed fabrics most of which are sub-standard fabrics from Asian and neighbouring African countries. Unfortunately, apart from the government’s intervention fund, the Bank of Industry’s (BoI) ongoing 44 financed projects under its Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) intervention fund with a loan profile of N46.89 billion, and five projects under wood and leather sector intervention fund that had gulped N1.93 billion are under imminent threat. Will all these huge credit facilities be wasted because of policy approbation and reprobation by the government? The way things stand, and in view of the globalisation treaty to which Nigeria is a party, it might be difficult for her to arbitrarily repudiate the treaties/ protocols because of likely sanctions, no matter how inconsequential. We will therefore not encourage any infraction of treaties voluntarily signed by the country. At the same time, the self-first instinct,

despite the globalisation policy, dictates that the nation should not imperil her economy. This is why the government should forthwith throw up incentives that will mainly cater to the interests of local industries to avail them the opportunity of competing favourably with their foreign counterparts. Power supply, among others, is important here. The Nigeria Customs Service should realise the need to be strict and effective in applying the correct levies and duties on these unbanned items to earn desired revenue for the government that is in dire need of money. This will stem the influx of just any textile or furniture items into the country. Our stand is that this or any other policies of government should not be allowed to endanger our furniture and textile industries.

‘We will therefore not encourage any infraction of treaties voluntarily signed by the country. At the same time, the self-first instinct, despite the globalisation policy, dictates that the nation should not imperil her economy. This is why the government should forthwith throw up incentives that will mainly cater to the interests of local industries to avail them the opportunity of competing favourably with their foreign counterparts’

Fashion and fellowships •Nigerian tertiary institutions must get the reorientation of their students right

HE decision of the Delta State University (DELSU) to proscribe the wearing of mini-skirts and reduce the number of fellowships on its three campuses raises vital questions concerning scholarship and self-discipline on the one hand, and freedom of expression and association on the other. On the face of it, there appears to be little controversy regarding the directive. University degrees are awarded for achievements in character as much as learning; it is difficult to see how wearing short skirts can contribute meaningfully to the attainment of either. Nor does the uncontrolled proliferation of religious fellowships help to advance learning or improve character. Universities are not meant to function primarily as places of worship; indeed, their accepted status as places of learning, research and community service often come into con-

‘DELSU and other tertiary institutions must seek to balance academic freedom with social responsibility. They can do this by engaging in dialogue with their students, as opposed to dictating to them. It is essential that the students understand why these measures are being taken; if they feel that they are just an attempt to intimidate and harass them, they will resist with a stubbornness and creativity that will ultimately frustrate such measures’

flict with the default conservatism of established religion. DELSU’s clampdown is similar to others which have appeared in other tertiary institutions in Nigeria in the recent past. Higher education has been beset by rising levels of illicit behaviour, ubiquitous licentiousness, and growing religious bigotry and fanaticism. Cult-related criminal activity is a fact of life on several campuses. Many students undertake “runs,” namely the oftenillegal and immoral activities through which they make money, facilitate the acquisition of good grades, and generally enhance their social status on campus. The consequences have been devastating. Once a production-line for Nigeria’s best and brightest, Nigeria’s tertiary institutions are rapidly becoming a cesspool where hardened criminals, unrepentant cultists, and corrupt youth are incubated. They are routinely absent from global and continental league tables of top-performing schools. Their graduates are often regarded with widespread suspicion and consequently compelled to endure multiple testing and screening procedures before they can be considered fit for employment. The country’s educational inadequacies have enriched the tertiary institutions of other nations which regularly descend on Nigeria with expensive offers of qualitative education. It is in response to this multifaceted crisis that many tertiary institutions have promulgated stricter regulations governing what students can wear, where they can go, and how they are to participate in extra-curricular activities. The thinking appears to be that if students are constantly reminded that self-discipline is the foundation of academic excellence, they will be less likely to

engage in the sort of behaviour that has cost the nation so dear. However, it must be remembered that tertiary institutions, by their very nature, grant students increased freedom of thought and action as young adults. Dictating what they can and cannot wear, and determining where they may worship would seem to circumscribe those freedoms. As a state-owned university, DELSU should not be in the business of determining skirt lengths, or giving preference to one denomination of Christianity over another. That would amount to propagating notions of intolerance that completely contradict ideals tertiary institutions are supposed to stand for. The restriction of Christian worship to four denominations, for instance, would be difficult to justify. What determined the choice of one religious group over the others? Would the obvious bias inherent in such a decision not generate the very friction that it was designed to prevent? DELSU and other tertiary institutions must seek to balance academic freedom with social responsibility. They can do this by engaging in dialogue with their students, as opposed to dictating to them. It is essential that the students understand why these measures are being taken; if they feel that they are just an attempt to intimidate and harass them, they will resist with a stubbornness and creativity that will ultimately frustrate such measures. Students should be made to understand that the enhanced freedoms that they enjoy are not a licence to indulge in criminal behaviour, religious bigotry, or fashion choices that are clearly not in consonance with their primary role as students.

PMB: Bring back Omobola Johnson?

IR: If it is in your power to keep Omobola Johnson in her position as the information and technology minister, please retain her. She has shown that she understands the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) trade and she could do what is expected of her. The attention given the sector as a viable sector in Nigeria’s burgeoning market has never been quite enormous as it had been in the last four years, and the gains accrued from technology-related initiatives within the period could only be better explained by well-meaning experts as foundational but essential. My task since 2008 has been to monitor, analyse and report on ICT-related development across West Africa; from an end-users’ perspective. It is the latter part of my task that makes Ms. Johnson’s role at the ministry somewhat different from previous handlers of the position. She blended easily with the flow in the changing technological trends in the world, and users (Nigerians) –rather than providers -have benefited more from the IT sector in the last few years. This is largely due to the conducive environment her ministry was able to create to enable the creativity and the untapped business acumen of several talented Nigerians to be put to proper use. I agree that she could have done better, especially in taming the telcos, which have been trampling on everyone’s rights so as not to reduce cost for the benefit of final consumers but I think she can fix it. In fact, if she is to handle just that aspect for the next four years, it would be worth it. We all know that the Nigerian telecom service providers could be made to offer more to consumers. We all know they can do better. I believe she could better address such issues head-on with another opportunity. Aside that she is in tune with developing trends, her sense of responsibility to service and her ability to connect with the public are, to me, commendable. These are key elements that I believe, as a public sector student myself, are potent when you are saddled with the responsibility to deliver with efficiency and effectiveness as a custodian of the people’s trust in a particular MDA. Furthermore sir, if you agree that introducing an initiative on paper and implementing it require two different phases, please note that there is a greater general focus on the ICT sector today to accommodate empty promises to Nigerians in that regard. However, if my petition would not be considered on certain grounds, kindly ensure that you appoint someone truly capable of doing better than Johnson. Nigeria does not have an excuse to be playing catch up in Africa as far as ICT development is concerned. • Olusegun I. Ogundeji, Sierra-Leone

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: This is a dirge for the soul of the United States of America. It died on June 26, when the US Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage. The judges’ slim 5-4 verdict severed the country from the hallowed grounds of the conjugal institution established by God, Creator of Heaven and Earth along with all their inhabitants. His inviolable decree on marriage says it must be between two consenting opposite sexes, not among like gender. His law has worked for His plan for the perpetuation of the human race. In other words, the marital relationship involving the male and his opposite number gives life, supports life, sustains life and satisfies life. Its breach on the other hand brings death, breeds destruction and begets disaster and sexual bedlam. How would same sex reproduce life, if its promoters, votaries and practitioners were to have their way? It is death for those taking that road. President Barack Obama and the US are proving to be successors of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, luring millions to their graves with effete gay music. The American leader joined several others in rhapsodic celebration to

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In lust we trust? hail the Court’s ruling. He topped it by interrupting a live TV program as he phoned a gay fellow who was on set, felicitating with him on the occasion of the judicial decision. Tragically, the US government seems to be taking most of the citizens along this broad path of perdition. The American media reported that some 60% of the public newspapers interviewed moments after the ruling applauded the verdict. And then days after, Obama’s approval rating hit a two-year high. According to a joint poll involving the Cable News Network (CNN), “50% of American’s approve of the way Obama is handling his presidency-which is up five points over the most recent survey and his highest approval rating since May 2013.” One of the issues the respon-

dents took note of was the Supreme Court judgement that “affirmed” that Obama had been right all along in his fight for gay marriage recognition. The worry now is that emboldened by this victory Washington and its allies are not going to limit their revolt against God and His marriage covenant to the shores of the US. They are poised for the mother and father of all wars to coerce the rest of the sane world to follow them the same way the evil Pied Piper did it centuries ago to destroy scores of innocent children in 13th century Germany. The stick and carrot strategy used in such struggles abound in the armoury of the Americans. I have been upset by the repeated use of the word marriage by the American judges and the circle of gay adherents. It is not their

Ikpeazu brings hope IR: The victory of Dr Victor Ikpeazu in Abia governorship election is a clear vindication of the policy of rotation enunciated in Abia politics which availed voters the opportunity to vote their conscience. It demonstrates that money would no longer play a leading role in the polity of the state which is to say that the people now had the final say in who governs them. Time is past when people would jump in at the last minute to the position of a gov-

ernor. The coalition for new PDP has fully endorsed the choice of Abians in the sense that no section of the Abia electorate can be short-changed in future since the emergence of any candidate can be predetermined. The excitement that flows in Abia since his emergence is a further testimony that rotation has come to stay more especially that his personality cuts across all segments of the society as it has become the much sought bridge between the old and new breed pol-

iticians. His decision to temporarily reside in Aba and the huge commitment to road work has already endeared him to the generality of Abia people particularly the supporters of his former opponents. It is therefore the hope of everybody that the peace that prevails currently can be sustained for much-needed acceleration of the development of the state. • Ben Onyechere, Umuahia

coinage; nor is it their invention. It was instituted by God the Creator. I don’t accept that you can appropriate what isn’t yours and maul it as the gay people and their sponsors are doing. Let them not refer to a so-termed union between male and male and female and female as marriage. Matrimony as decreed from creation is an exclusively holy idea from a Holy God which some puny, happy-go-lucky, hedonistic bunch of people can’t arrogantly claim for perverse use. It is tragic that the US that has the iconic Statue of Liberty in New York beckoning humanity’s wretched to come for warmth, comfort and hope is at once the same society waving warrants of death that come in the form of morally hollow licenses leading man back in time to the loose age of Sodom and Gomorrah. When the mighty US dollar proclaims In God We Trust as its message to the world, does it sync with the notion of faith in the One whose institution you are thrashing, whose pact with man on the matter of procreation you are rejecting, whose idea of sex as a noble and regenerative activity you are rebelling against? Would that God so contemned, so condemned, so cancelled out of your life accept that He is the One being trusted? What do you trust Him for? You would trust Him to supply you with enormous resources that have transformed you into the sole superpower of the age… But alas you spend the mammoth strength, energy and prosperity to satisfy destructive lust! • BanjiOjewale Ota, Ogun State.

Open letter to PMB IR: I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the sorry and sad drama which is currently the lot of university pensioners. These pensioners have always received their monthly pensions through organs like: the Budget Office, the Accountant General’s Office, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and finally their respective universities. But a fledgling body like the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate,(PTAD) has since assumed responsibility for paying university pensioners. The up-shot of the immediate foregoing is that, as we write and till date, PTAD is yet to pay the pensioners. This cannot but be so in view of the fact that a new body like PTAD has about 378 Federal Government agencies under its purview. But PTAD according to credible sources, is under-resourced and moreover it does not even have in its possession, the records of these pensioners. It is against this background that I am urging and urgently too that for now, at least, pensioners should receive their pensions through the former route until PTAD is fully ready. As it is, PTAD cannot cope. This appeal has been specifically directed to President Muhammadu Buhari, if only because, in the course of his campaigns, he was about the only presidential candidate who promised to look into the plight of pensioners. Please PMB, do the needful and bail out the university pensioners from their current plight. Here is thanking the President for his prompt attention to this critical issue.

• Kayode Soremekun University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

COMMENTS

OES superiority necessarily mean the same thing as supremacy? This is the thought-provoking question prompted by President Muhammadu Buhari’s word choice when he addressed members of the National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on July 3. Buhari was quoted as saying: “Let APC work; let the system work and let us have a government that will earn the respect of our constituencies. Please accept the superiority of the party.” On reflection, there is a sense in which superiority does not denote dominance, control and unchallengeability. There is a sense in which supremacy means these things. This is why Buhari’s word choice is problematic. A functional interpretation of party supremacy must be informed by the logic of supremacy. Supremacy is supreme. Such subtleties of meaning suggested by Buhari’s preferred word will only help to fuel the party’s crisis of individualism. Certainly, supremacy cannot mean infallibility. So the party can err. It does not guarantee fairness. So the party can be unfair. The essence of party supremacy is its conclusive collective voice. From this perspective, the self-serving arguments being circulated on behalf of anti-party manoeuvres by Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara of the APC betray a fundamental trivialisation of party supremacy. Only a distressingly dysfunctional decoding of the concept could have created the circumstances that brought the two men to power in the National Assembly, in defiance of their party’s desire and decision. It is revealing that the same warped twist has resulted in the queer cohabitation at the helm of the Senate with Saraki and Deputy Senate President Ike Enweremadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) belonging to opposing parties. However, it is not only Buhari who has complicated party supremacy by his initial liberalism to the detriment of the collective expression, and subsequently by his indistinct word usage. Although it is open to speculation whether a timely intervention by Buhari could have foiled the rebellion that enthroned Saraki and Dogara, it is possible that the president’s non-involvement undermined party supremacy; just as it is possible that the president’s word choice downplayed party supremacy. What about the visit to Saraki by the State Chairmen of the APC from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory on the same day Buhari spoke about “the superiority of the party”? This was definitely not a reflection of party supremacy because it reflected the “Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principals which direct them” -Napoleon Bonaparte HE crisis brewing at the National Assembly and within the ruling party, APC, if not well managed can push Nigerian state to that precipice Chief Olusegun Obasanjo had warned and wished that Nigeria would not have to slide to, because we may not be lucky to survive another slide. While nobody can confidently predict how the crisis at would be resolved, but one thing is assured, the belated decision of the national leader of APC, President Muhammadu Buhari to directly get involved in the resolution moves as initiated (if properly handled) could ensure that the APC and its members come out more cohesive, focused, disciplined, against the “end time predictions of the party” of not a few commentaries. The question is, could the President have carried on, and not directly be involved in the resolution of this crisis, but for the national outcry and demand for his intervention? Can the President simply on the basis of the principles of separation of powers, really not to be interested and involved in the process that leads to the election of the Presiding and Principal Officers of the National Assembly? Why it is conceded that, the combined provisions of Sections 4–6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), specifically identified the separate powers of the three arms of government; the totality of all the provisions of the constitution, its spirit and intendment, as captured in the preamble to the constitution, demands for an efficient symbiotic relationship of the three arms of government, their constitutions, functions and obligations, that will ultimately ensure good governance and good welfare of all persons. What happened at the National Assembly and within APC can be considered for the inherent positive relevance it brings, that is, a timely awakening to the President and the leaders of APC that governing Nigeria and politicking is not a tea party, there will always be reactionary forces within and without seeking to control and influence governance and politics. The President should not and must not repeat the same mistakes of the old, when as military leader, reactionary forces moved against him. Even though Buhari did not then, seek for people’s mandate, and indeed couldn’t have by the nature of how he got into power, but he assumed power with the solemn promise to guide Nigeria from the path of economic and moral decadence by giving true and good leadership. With that solemn promise to the people, it should have been incumbent on him to have ensured that, the promise then of providing good leadership was not so easily truncated. It is curious that the crisis at the National Assembly was allowed to fester all in the name that the President is not sup-

Supremacy is supreme accommodation of a figure that emerged outside party supremacy. It is incongruous and ironic that Saraki reportedly said to the visitors: “I want to assure you that all of us APC Senators, we are committed to ensure that the APC is successful so that we can win elections years and years and years and years after because of the foundation we are laying.” If Saraki’s words show an appreciation of the party platform for the purpose of political pursuits, his role in the humiliation of party supremacy is not worthy of appreciation. Does he think that the party is a ladder to reach political heights, but not a voice that must be obeyed? It is clarifying to note what Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole told the media after 16 APC governors held a meeting with Buhari on June 24 in an effort to emphasise the supremacy of the party, and get Saraki and Dogara to accept its choices for specific leadership positions in the National Assembly. Oshiomhole said: “Basically, what we are saying is that the senators should adopt the position of the party. We were all elected on the platform of the party. We are not just a collection of individuals. We are a political party and when a political party has spoken, we must listen.” The question is: How can the party reassert itself and its supremacy in the circumstances? It is clear that Saraki wants his controversial election to be treated as a fait accompli, and he is not prepared to stop at that, which is why he subsequently rubbished the party’s list for leadership posts. Dogara is staging a similar play

in the House of Representatives. Beyond these early signs of disruptive behaviour, there is a dangerous probability that these characters will be encouraged to perform even more daring stunts to disgrace party supremacy if they are allowed to get away with the initial misbehaviour. Furthermore, others may be inspired and emboldened by their example. APC supremos must save party supremacy, and they must find their own way of doing so. The rebels must have built various scenarios in trying to anticipate the consequences of their rebellion, and the party must be prepared to explore multiple possibilities to checkmate them. In particular, the defensive claim that the rebellious lawmakers are motivated by a perceived democratic duty to restrain alleged domineering tendencies by certain powerful interests in the party flies in the face of the internal logic of party supremacy. The point is that internal politicking in a political party may give an advantage to certain interests such that they enjoy leadership influence, but this is no reason for the disadvantaged to bellyache to the point of belligerence and centrifugal conduct. The conflict over party supremacy in APC is nothing short of a domestic war of sorts. It is not for the fainthearted. On both sides, it will require a capacity to endure a war of attrition. The ultimate casualty will likely be the people because the hostilities will constitute an unproductive distraction from the serious business of good governance. The mess amounts to a colossal shame for a party that attracted impressive public support and won convincingly at the history-making polls only a few months ago especially because it wore a badge of decency. That badge seems to have been torn to shreds by the party members themselves. What this means for the party and the polity will unfold as time progresses. The path to follow is to restore party supremacy erected on party discipline, party cohesion and party integrity; and that path must be followed wherever it may lead.

‘The conflict over party supremacy in APC is nothing short of a domestic war of sorts. It is not for the faint-hearted. On both sides, it will require a capacity to endure a war of attrition. The ultimate casualty will likely be the people because the hostilities will constitute an unproductive distraction from the serious business of good governance.’

Still on the NASS crisis By Dimeji Olaleye posed to be involved in the process of election of Presiding Officers of both the Senate and House. The President should know that, this time around he cannot afford not to be affirmative in ensuring that the party’s position is allowed to reign supreme, because his name was used to invite the loyal APC Senators away from the chambers, thereby creating a conducive election environment for Senator Saraki and his acolytes. While Section 50(a&b) of the Nigerian Constitution provides for the election of the four Presiding Officers at the National Assembly, Section 60 gives both the House of Representatives and Senate the power to regulate their procedure. It should be noted that the Senate Standing Order, which provide for the procedure for the nomination for election of Senators for the offices of the Presiding and Principal officers, is made pursuant to the powers as stated in Section 60 of the Constitution. Unfortunately, the response of the Senate President, (who ostensibly possesses the legal authority to preside) to the allegation of a clandestine amendment of Standing Order 2011 (as Amended) by Senator Marafa has put a big question mark on the moral authority of the Senate President. There is the compelling need for an explanation as to when the Standing Order was amended when the important role of a party in determining the nomination and election of members as officers was removed. Was the alleged amendment done after the National Election in March? Who moved the Motion for the amendment? If indeed the amendment was done immediately after the said elections, then one wonder if there are other such amendments or Bills passed into law by the past administration, having lost its majority presence in the National Assembly. Beyond all these, it should be noted that, the intrigues in this unnecessary crisis, is not so much about the settlement of the individual ambition of the dramatis personae in both houses, or the touted “cutting to size” of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s rising political influence, but about the eternal desire of the “powersthat-be”, to always determine who rules this country, by hijacking that electoral power of the masses. Tinubu has made his mark; he is now a major factor that cannot be shoved aside in the charting of political direction in Nigeria. He is one formidable Knight we have in the Nigeria’s politics. It should be noted that, Late M.K.O Abiola was not really denied access to power because of the various concocted rea-

sons, but because it became glaringly clear that June 12 election symbolized that power to determine who rules the nation should actually be with the people, the power already constitutionally guaranteed. The unexpected result of June 12 election only made Late MKO Abiola to instantly become the “common enemy” to the forces that pulls the strings in Nigerian politics. The then President Jonathan, also became a common enemy to the politically entrenched gladiators and the business moguls, as it became easy for them to turn their backs on him because of self-preservation. Fortunately for them, his obvious deficiencies in political sagacity and his attempt to provide good governance emerged as a monumental disaster, which made the sentiment of the people to weigh heavily against him; and having failed them, the people voted for President Buhari. Having voted Jonathan out, President Buhari should not think that his only business in Aso Rock is to just provide good governance for the people, he can only do that if his government is allowed to stabilize and perform. He should not be mistaken; he is the common enemy now. They will try everything from heckling to blackmail that, he must be a democrat, he must allow rule of law, principles of separation of powers and all to prevail, the same ideals the hecklers have been unabashedly guilty of in the past years. We saw people who could not adhere to the simple democratic principle of majority of 19 being more than 16 votes who were the same people challenging the democratic credentials of President Buhari before the elections, were the same faces in the red Chambers openly rejoicing at the success of their plan. Ironically this same people thereafter acknowledged the democratic credentials of the President for not interfering in the election. Our President needs to stay focused, assertive, proactive, meticulous, fearless and most importantly, ensure that the trust and faith of the people is not broken. Nigerians did not expect the President to perform magic, because he never said he is a magician, nor did they regard him as a messiah, as he neither presented himself as such and Nigerians did not vote for a messiah, but for a person who they sincerely believed possesses integrity above his peers. Nigerians have decided not to be manipulated by the politicians’ messianic promises, they are ready to be patient and give the President time and space to deliver on his electoral promises to them. • Olaleye is an Attorney practicing in Lagos.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

COMMENTS

HEN residents in major cities of Anambra State protested against alleged plans to relocate some Boko Haram detainees to prisons there, many were tempted to dismiss the protests with a wave of the hand. This was more so when prison authorities rose to vehemently deny such a plan was in the offing. They hinged their denial on the grounds that most of the Boko Haram detainees were still awaiting trial and it would be inconceivable to relocate them to areas far flung from their trial venues. Since Anambra State is hundreds of kilometres away from the North-east, the epicentre of the insurgency, many were led to believe the rationalization of the prison authorities. The shrouding of the trials, conviction and issues relating to the insurgency in utmost secrecy, left one with little choice than to buy the argument of the prison authorities. This was followed in quick succession by a statement from the Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) accusing the state government of masterminding the demonstrations for political reasons. The party was so emphatic that it described the rumours as baseless even as it had no basis dabbling into the controversy. But things took a different turn a few days later when another round of demonstrations erupted in the sleepy city of Ekwulobia in the Aguata Local Government Area. This time, the demonstrators were very certain that about 49 Boko Haram convicts had been relocated to the Ekwulobia prisons. They had as evidence, the arrival of truck loads of soldiers with mattresses and mats. As if these were not enough, the sight of soldiers who cordoned off the prison fenced with wire gauze, stopping and searching people including villagers left no one in doubt that Boko Haram prisoners were indeed at the facility. Even then, the leadership of the traders’ association which has been anchoring the dem-

‘The protests may not be enough to compel the government to reverse its decision to relocate the detainees there. But they have drawn serious attention to the fragile peace in the area as a result of the presence of those detainees’

Emeka OMEIHE 08112662675 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Boko Haram protests onstrations, quoting prison sources, said Boko Haram prisoners numbering 49 were actually brought to the facility on Sunday, June 28 under very tight security. It would seem from the above that the protests were after all not a fluke as we were made to believe. The protesters appeared to have gotten their facts right before kicking against the relocation. And what is their grouse? Their fears can be gleaned from some of the placards which among others read “please save our state from Boko Haram insurgents” “Why Ekwulobia of all the towns. Why Anambra State”. Their worry is that housing the insurgents in the area would attract all manner of visitors especially sympathizers of the convicts with the frightening prospects for unleashing attacks on the people. There is also the possibility of jail break with serious security implications for the people. Ordinarily, the prison authorities should be within their call of duty to deploy prison inmates to any facility of their choice in any state they consider safe enough for that purpose. So they may not have contravened any law of the land in the instant case. By relocating those 49 insurgents to the Ekwulobia prisons, it should be expected that the facilities there are well protected, well equipped and adequately safeguarded against the volatility and dangerous machinations of such high risk inmates. If that was the rationale, there may be no serious ground for the seeming paranoia against the housing of the insurgents in such facilities. But this optimism pales into insignificance in the face of the decrepit state of our prisons. Not only are our prisons not well kept and maintained, their security has left much to be desired. Overcrowding has left in its wake, recurring incidents of jail break. When this is juxta-

T was with the best of intentions that President Olusegun Obasanjo ordered the fourth retreat for ministers and permanent secretaries at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos between February 23 and 25, 2001. The retreat was co-ordinated by Chief Ufot Ekaette (CFR) who was then Secretary to the Government of the Federation. An erudite scholar. The following ministers were present, Chief Bola Ige (SAN), Alhaji Musa Elayo Abdullahi, Alhaji Adamu Bello, Chief Chris Agbobu, Dr. (Mrs.) Kema Chikwe, Engr. Mustapha Bello, Alhaji Muhammad Arzika, Alhaji L. Ade Haruna-Elewi, Ms. Boma Bromillow Jack, Mallam L. Tukur Batagarawa, Mrs. Modupe Adelaja, Engr. Dan Chuke, Prof. A.B. Borishade, Alhaji Bello Usman, Alhaji Muhammad Kabir Said, Dr. Imeh T. Okopido, Engr. Mohammed Abba-Gana, Mr. Solomon S.A. Ewuga, Mallam Adamu Ciroma, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye, Chief Dubem Onyia, Prof. A.B.C. Nwosu, Dr.(Mrs.) Aminat Ndalolo. The rest were Chief Kolawole B. Jamodu, Chief Lawrence Nwuruku, Prof. Jerry Gana, Chief S.M. Afolabi, (JP), Dr. Mohammed Shata, Alhaji Musa Gwadabe, Mr. Steven Ibn Akiga, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, Alhaji Danjuma Goje, Prof. Turner T. Isoun, Mrs. Pauline K-Tallen, Mr. Kanu G. Agabi, (SAN), Mr. Ishaya Mark Aku, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, Mr. Isa Yuguda, Col. Mohammed B. Kaliel (rtd), Chief Precious Ngelale (JP), Hajia Aishatu M.S. Ismail, Chief Tony Anenih, Mr. Garba Madaki Ali, Chief Bimbola Ogunkelu, Mr.Yomi Edu, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Kida and Chief Phillip C. Asiodu. The then Head of Service, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed (CFR) led the team of permanent secretaries to the retreat. They include Alhaji Guda A. Abdullahi, Alhaji Umar M. Abubakar, Mr. O.O.O. Ogunkua, Engr. D.B. Usman, Mr. G.O. Enukora, Dr. K.Nkumah,Dr. Aboki Zhawa, Mr. M.O. Onoja, Mr. Garba Buwaijmni, Dr. R.O Mowoe, Amb.T.D. Hart, Dr. M. Babangida Aliyu, Mr. A.E. Ogbuehi, Dr. B.K. Kaigama, Alhaji H.Z. Akwanga, Dr. O.M. Ojo, Rev. P.O. Okunromade, Mr. John P. Hirse, Dr. C.J.G. Orjioke, Alhaji Bello U. Maitambari and Mr. T.D. Oyelade. Other permanent secretaries present were Dr. S.I. Muhammad, Ammuna Lawrence-Ali, Alhaji N.B. Dambatta, Alhaji Ibrahim Talba, Mr. O.O. Oyelakin, Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, Mr. L.N. Asugha, David O. Oyegun, Amb. G.B. Preware,Mr. A.O. Okafor, Dr. Abdullahi Aliyu, Mrs. A.M. Rufai, Ms. T.O. Akerele, Mrs. G.I. Archibong,Ms. A.I. Pepple, Dr. R.O. Adewoye, Alhaji Tukur Mani, Dr. B.A. Akinola, James Kayode Naiyeju and P.N. Akubueze. Other top government officials at the retreat include the then Governor of Plateau State, Chief Joshua Dariye, Amb. Remi Esan, Amb. E.A Azikiwe, Bisi Ogunniyi, Major-Gen J.N. Garba (rtd.), Dr. Stanley Macebuh, Tunji Oseni, Mr. Ad’obe, Dr. Goke Adegoroye, Mrs. T.O. Iroche, Mrs. S.A. Adeyeye, Dr. J.N.

posed against the recurring attempts by Boko Haram detainees and their accomplices to free their detained members through very violent means, the fears of the Anambra people can be better understood. Those who may be inclined to dismiss these fears have the cases of Kogi and Ekiti states where gunmen believed to be linked to the insurgents bombed two prisons and aided the escape of inmates. If these instances are still not enough, the jail break at the SSS Headquarters in Abuja during which the insurgents disarmed the SSS agents guarding them resulting in heavy shooting that sent the seat of the federal government shaking, drives home the mortal danger in hosting the insurgents. There were similar instances of Boko Haram attempts to free their colleagues in military facilities even in Maiduguri. So when traders and residents in Anambra State especially Ekwulobia fear that mortal harm may come their way through the presence of the insurgent religious extremists in the decrepit and poorly protected prisons, they are standing on very solid grounds. And as has been noted, the prisons where the insurgents are now being housed have only wire gauze as fence. That is why those passing there come into contact with soldiers guarding the facility. It is for the same reason that the arrival of high profile inmates cannot be hidden from the prying eyes of the public. Thus, the prison cannot be considered safe for the keeping of very dangerous and potentially explosive criminals for whom life means nothing. One had thought that the standard practice is to keep such dangerous criminals in maximum security prisons. Those who know Ekwulobia well would be amazed at the logic for the transfer of the in-

surgents there. Despite its status as a local government headquarters, Ekwulobia is still largely a rural community located at the very heart of Igbo land. A Boko Haram attack there is very unlikely to go down well with the people of that geo-political zone. It is likely to be viewed as a deliberate act of exporting Boko Haram to a zone that is battling with a surfeit of its own challenges. Perhaps, the inability to come to terms with what the situation would portend should Boko Haram insurgency be added to their litany of challenges is at the root of these protests. More fundamentally, a lot of people from that region suffered serious casualties in lives and property in the hands of the insurgents. Many of them have had to flee the northern parts of the country in the wake of incessant attacks and threats from the murderous group ordering them to leave or face annihilation. Before Boko Haram changed strategy, much of their targets were Christian places of worship even as their hatred for other religions has never been in doubt. So if the people of the zone grow paranoid on the mention of Boko Haram on their soil, they have genuine cause to complain. They are within their rights to draw copious attention to the unmitigated danger which the arrival of the dreaded criminals on their soil portends. That right can neither be abridged nor circumscribed especially in the democratic dispensation we now find ourselves. It is one thing for the government to reserve the rights to deploy prisoners anywhere and a different ball game for such rights to invade the sensibilities of the people without whom governments have no meaning. The protests may not be enough to compel the government to reverse its decision to relocate the detainees there. But they have drawn serious attention to the fragile peace in the area as a result of the presence of those detainees. They have sensitized the authorities to the dangers in keeping such violent groups in rural prisons lacking in serious security architecture. They have called attention to the new challenges in that community consequent upon of the arrival of the insurgents. These are the points that have most poignantly been driven home. The federal government has the option to shut its eyes to the genuine concerns of the people of the community. It is also at liberty to ignore the issues raised about the inappropriateness in hosting sophisticated criminals in ill-maintained and ill-equipped prisons. But it stands to take liability for acts of omission or commission should the simulated scenarios eventually play themselves out.

Behold the Kuru Declaration By Eric Teniola Obiegbu, Mr. F.O. Osobukola, Alhaji Ibrahim Jega, Dr. G.A. Gundu, Mr. O.S. Ogedengbe, Mr. Wuese Al, Mr. F.F. Ogunshaki, Mr. J. Okpo, Mr. K.J. Wudil, Mr. E.I. Onuoha, Mr. A. Mohammed and Mr O.I. Adisa. I was present at the retreat. Those who presented papers at the retreat include Professor Akin Mabogunje, Justice M. Akanbi, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), Dr, Hakeem Baba Ahmed, Major General Joseph Garba (rtd.) ,Mr. Howard Whitton and N. Linton both of Transparency International. At the end of the retreat, a 12-point declaration was adopted. Those present declared among other things that: “(1) We subscribe to the New National Ideology, which is, to build a truly great African democratic country, politically united, integrated and stable, economically prosperous, socially organised, with equal opportunity for all, and responsibility from all, to become the catalyst of Black Renaissance, and making adequate all-embracing contributions, sub-regionally, regionally, and globally. (2) We adopt the New Orientation as an agenda for: dealing with immediate and future issues of governance of Nigeria; Removing impediments to efficiency and effective implementation and execution of programmes initiated by the Federal Government; and expeditious actualisation of government objectives and vision of national renewal and re-construction. (3) We rededicate ourselves and those who serve under us to the values of patriotism, honesty, hard work and diligence, merit and excellence, trustworthiness, personal discipline, tolerance and mutual respect, justice and fairness, love, care and compassion. (4) We pledge to eschew corruption, slothfulness, nepotism, indiscipline, bitterness, prejudice and other manifestoes of ant-social behaviour. (5) We shall undertake a critical review of practices and procedures in every department of government, so as to rapidly increase their productivity and service delivery to the public; (6) We shall foster a culture of efficiency in the management of funds and other resources; maintaining high standards of resource management; and reducing waste at all times. (7) We shall efficiently supervise all government departments and agencies, ensuring timely returns and reports, and undertaking regular spot-checks; (8) We shall abide by the terms of the Code of Conduct which we all have signed, as expression of our commitment to the crusade against corruption, and working closely with all relevant agencies such as the Independent Corruption Practices and other Related Offences Commission, the Code of Conduct Bureau and the Public Complaints Com-

mission; (9) We undertake to strengthen the partnership in working with the private sector, since this partnership translates to a better appreciation of the wealth-creating capacity of this sector, and the need for government, through its various ministries and legislative processes, create an enabling environment for the sector to function efficiently as the major driver of the economy. (10) We shall strive to strengthen and inculcate the culture of working closely and in consultation with the leadership of labour and Civil society organisations. (11) We shall mobilise, involve and promote the interest of all stakeholders, namely, the society in general; since, in the ultimate, all decisions and actions of government are aimed at the promotion of public welfare, there is also the need for a new attitude that has that welfare permanently in focus, as the only goal, and the economic well-being of all citizens, under unfettered freedom, is of cardinal importance; and we shall design strategies and techniques of implementation for the New Orientation so as to ensure that the values being inculcated permeate all levels of management and staff”. I am told that the think-tank currently advising President Muhammadu Buhari is recommending among other things for a similar retreat for the incoming ministers, special advisers, special assistants and other incoming government officials, on the ethics of good governance. The think-tank made up of seasoned public servants and old public service managers is contemplating a workshop, seminar or retreat. No doubt the think-tank is doing a good job by helping him to clear the mess left by the past government. I think another seminar/workshop/retreat may be a waste of time. All that should be done now is to marry the Kuru declaration with the objectives of the War Against Indiscipline which was in vogue during the era of Major General Muhammadu Buhari between 1984 and 1985. Such marriage if adopted will push the country forward. The British magazine, THE ECONOMIST, in its recent edition on Nigeria is worried on Nigeria’s chance on “how Africa’s most important country can live up to its potential”. In a 10 page survey the magazine concluded that” Nigeria matters because it is biggest country in the continent that has huge potential for catch-up growth. If it fails, it could bring down half a dozen neighbouring states with it. If Mr. Buhari turns it around, it could be both the engine room of Africa and an inspiration for people everywhere who are tired of predatory government and long to clip its claws”. The onus is on us and we dare not fail. • Teniola, a former director at the presidency, stays in Lagos.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

BUSINESS THE NATION

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ISSUES

‘How to prevent capital flight with financial reporting’ - P. 37

How agric sector can leverage ICT tools - P. 29

News Brief Cashless policy to drive e-commerce revenue to N2.5tr THE electronic commerce sector is expected to expand further to as much as $13 billion (N2.5 trillion) in value, Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (LCCI) Mr Muda Yusuf has said. –Page 26

TUC gives Rivers police chief 14-day ultimatum on insecurity THE Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), River State chapter, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Mr. Chris O. Ezike, to improve the security of lives and property. –Page 26

‘90% of motor insurance certificates fake’ ABOUT 90 per cent of motor insurance certificates in the country are fake, the Division Police Officer, Sabo Police Station, SP Mary Ubangba, has said. –Page 28

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Coffee

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Cotton

¢95.17pound

Gold

$1,396.9/troy

Sugar

$163/lb

Forex: CBN mulls reopening of RDAS window T HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) is expected to reopen the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) official window it shut last February as battle to save the naira and foreign exchange reserves intensifies. Chief Economist, Africa Global Research at Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan, hinted at the weekend, that the apex bank was under pressure to re-open the two-way interbank forex trading. In a report: “When perception is not reality” obtained by The Nation, the analyst explained that given the current perceived market shortage of dollar, a re-opening of the market is likely to see dollarnaira trade higher. She said the ‘negative watch’ period for the continued inclu-

By Collins Nweze

sion of Nigerian bonds in the widely tracked GBI-EM index was extended in June, to allow the new government the time to formulate policy. “Unless interbank determination of the forex rate is reintroduced, with a resulting improvement in forex liquidity, Nigeria risks being excluded from the GBI-EM index. Failure to re-open the FX market may deter direct investment as well. Few foreign investors are ready to commit new investment to Nigeria ahead of an forex adjustment that they believe to be imminent,” she said. Khan said Nigeria’s chang-

ing economic fundamentals call for a rethink of forex policy, in order to better absorb external shocks. “We see Nigeria’s current account surplus moving to a deficit, both in 2015 and in the years ahead. The pace of accumulation of new forex reserves will not easily support a fixed exchange rate system. With a fixed exchange rate, forex reserves rather than the naira bear the brunt of any external shock, hurting Nigeria’s creditworthiness, and potentially raising the cost of any external borrowing,” she predicted. The economist said the risk is that the longer it takes to re-

open the forex market, the greater the likelihood of forex overshooting when conditions do eventually normalise. She said the debate over forex policy would continue to take centre-stage in this quarter, culminating in a reopening of the interbank forex market, and a likely move higher in the dollar-naira exchange rate. “The authorities, mindful of other reform priorities and the need to limit inflation, are unlikely to favour naira depreciation for its own sake. These reform priorities include a probable doubling of the rate of Value Added Tax to 10 per cent in order to boost state government revenue, as well as some form of fuel subsidy adjustment,” she said.

•Divisional Head, Service Management, Keystone Bank Limited, Nduka Mba-Uzoukwu and ManagingDirector, Diamond Bank Plc Uzoma Dozie at the Card Expo Awards in Lagos.

RATES Inflation

8.4%

Treasury Bills 10.58%(91d) Maximum lending 30% Prime lending

15.87%

Savings rate

91-day NTB

15%

Time Deposit

5.49%

MPR

13%

Foreign Reserve

$34.5b

Expert urges continued search for oil in Chad Basin

ORMER Lagos State Commissioner for En ergy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Taofiq Tijani, has urged the Federal Government to continue its search for oil in the Chad Basin in spite of fruitless efforts that have gone into the exercise in the past. He told The Nation that there is possibility that oil would be found on the Nigeria’s side of the Chad Basin as oil is being produced on Chad’s side of the basin. He was optimistic that there might be oil reserves in the Basin, adding that with the increasing advanced technology, the reserves could be unlocked one day. He said: “I support the Federal Government to go back

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

to the Basin because I believe that whatever they must have done there in the past is not exhaustive. If they have found oil on the other side of Chad, there is possibility that we will find oil in our own side too. The technology of exploration has improved. There are better technologies now to search for oil and if we can apply those new technologies, we might be lucky to find oil in our side of Chad. I support that they should go ahead and search for oil there.” Tijani also said if the Federal Government wants the oil and gas industry to be taken to the next level, it should make efforts to pass

the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). The passage will enable investors to bring in their money into the industry. The lack of exploration for new oil fields over the years has been as a result of absence of encouraging legislation. He said: “The Federal Government should quickly look at PB that is on the table and possibly examine the areas that are in contention, see whether it can extract those areas and get Bill passed. This is important because what the PIB will do is to rejuvenate the oil industry and encourage people to invest there. “There are some areas of the PIB that are in contention and that is why it has not been passed. If they can just leave that out and debate that later,

it will help the industry. They can take those areas that are easy and not in contention, and pass it so that we can get investors to come and operate in the oil and gas industry. “There are also areas in the legislation, which the new government needs not go back to the National Assembly that they can do on the executive level to encourage participants, investors and people to put in money in that industry. Unless they put in money and invest and bring the entire industry back alive, I think we will just be losing ground. The exploration activities that have not increased is because they (the government) have not put the right legislation in place.”

NLNG clarifies role in dry dock project By Emeka Ugwuanyi

HE Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) has said it is only a facilitator of the $1.5 billion dockyard proposed to be built in the country and not an investor in the project as earlier reported in some media. According to the Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Tony Okonedo, the clarification was made by the General Manager, External Relations, Dr Kudo Eresia-Eke when the President Rivers Entrepreneurs and Investors Forum, Mr. Ibifiri Bob-Manuel, and his team paid him a courtesy call at his office. EresiaEke said NLNG was only involved as a promoter of Nigerian Content. He said the company insisted on three elements as part of the Nigerian Content for the ship building acquisition by one of its subsidiaries, Bonny Gas Transport Limited. One of these elements was that the shipbuilders explore possibilities of creating a dry dock facility in Nigeria, training of at least 600 Nigerians in ship maintenance, and the purchase from Nigeria of local Nigerian products for the ship building project in South Korea. Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) are constructing six new LNG carriers for NLNG subsidiary, Bonny Gas Transport Limited. Eresia-Eke stated that it was up to the investors to decide how and where to invest their money. He also highlighted that new investors are welcome to develop other dry docks anywhere in the country. The President of the forum, Mr. Ibifiri Bob-Manuel thanked Eresia-Eke for clearing the air. Nigeria LNG Limited is the most significant arrow-head of the Federal Government’s continuing efforts to eliminate gas flaring and derive value from the country’s 187 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves. Official statistics indicate that Nigeria’s gas flaring profile, previously one of the highest in the world has further reduced from 25 to 11 per cent. NLNG is owned by four shareholders, namely, the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) (49 per cent), Shell Gas BV, SGBV, (25.6 per cent), Total LNG Nigeria Limited (15 per cent), and Eni International (N.A,) N. V. S. a. r. l (10.4 per cent).

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

BUSINESS NEWS ‘Our expectations from Buhari’

‘Why farmers need low-tech micro-insurance’

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

HE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Indus try (LCCI) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari on the need to get the economy running. Its President, Mr Remi Bello, said the new political dispensation offers a great opportunity to bring about the desired change in all facets of our national life, including the economy, social sector, quality of life, value orientation and governance quality. He asked the president to take advantage of its goodwill to immediately commence the charting of a new course for the nation and the economy. Bello said the private sector was awaiting President Buhari’s economic blueprint that would define the policy directions of his administration. “This is important for policy clarity, strategic planning, investment decisions and investors’ confidence. Major business decisions have been put on hold over the past six months because of the political risk associated with a transition regime. The first half of the year was characterised by profound uncertainty which slowed down the momentum of economic activities in the country,” he said. On what the private sector is expecting, he said they would like to see an unveiling of economic blueprint of the administration. This according to him will include planned reform in oil and gas, intervention in the power sector, regime of investment incentives, monetary policy thrust focussing on exchange rate management, inflation and interest rate. Others are the tightening of monetary policy, automotive policy and its sustainability, trade policy covering tariffs, import prohibitions, waivers and others. The LCCI boss also stressed the need to have a clear and sustainable tax policy, debt management including the direction of this year’s Federal Government budget and the privatisation of development finance institutions. “Common External Tariff (CET) recently adopted by ECOWAS; sectoral policies to drive growth and economic diversification. Key initiatives to reduce the cost of doing business; the status of legacy debts and contractual obligations, contractor arrears, outstanding subsidy payments, salary arrears, legacy projects, port reforms,” he said. He advised that the momentum of economic activities needs to be rebuilt in earnest with better expenditure quality, constructive spending priorities and transparency in the governance process. Others are enhanced security of life and property, investment friendly policies, promotion of democratic ideals and the primacy of rule of law.

By Daniel Essiet

•From left: Head, Premier Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Korede Demola-Adeniyi; Executive Director, Kingsley Umadia; Executive Vice President, Business Development, MoneyGram, Alexander Hoofmann and Regional Manager, Anglophone, West Africa, Kemi Okusanya, at the commencement of “MoneyGram Send” Services in Ecobank branches, in Lagos.

Cashless policy to drive e-commerce revenue to N2.5tr T HE electronic com merce sector is ex pected to expand further to as much as $13 billion (N2.5 trillion) in value, Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (LCCI) Mr Muda Yusuf has said. He said this was expected as more Nigerians patronise online retail platforms following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) cashlite policy and the Federal Government’s National Broadband Policy (NBP) 2013-2018. Yusuf said the increasing trend according to the NBP, stated that 80 per cent of the population is projected to enjoy mobile broadband access and 20 per cent fixed line access. He attributed the growth to the country’s population

By Toba Agboola

and the growth of internet and smartphone penetration. He noted that the country’s economic development will also have an impact on the growth of e-commerce, adding that more and more people, including retailers, branding partners and delivery companies, are attracted by online trade. He said: “The e-commerce sector would reduce the cost of banking services (including cost of credit) and drive financial inclusion by providing more efficient transaction options and greater reach. “The electronic commerce sector would improve the effectiveness of monetary policy in managing inflation and driving economic

growth as it boosted by an efficient and modern payment system, which is positively correlated with economic development, and is a key enabler for economic growth”. On the rising debt profile of the country, Yusuf said Nigeria is gradually walking back to the debt trap, adding that, adding that this is a very bad situation for the country. “The implications are very ominous because what this means is that a huge proportion of the nation’s resources will be used in servicing debt, which is a major cause for concern. “Even if you look at the structure of Nigeria’s annual budget, you will be shocked to see the proportion of the budget that is used for debt servicing.

“In the budget, which is a little above N4 trillion, over N900 billion is earmarked for debt payment. It means that almost 25 per cent of the budget is being set aside to service debt. You know what N900 billion can do for the growth of the nation. He said it would have been a different thing if the debt had been incurred for particular projects such as power, rail lines, road networks and so on, which will ultimately help to cushion the effects of its repayment. He said: “The productivity gains that will arise from such projects at the macro level will put the country’s economy in a position that will enable it to take care of the debts. But the truth is that there is nothing to show for the debts that have mortgaged the economy.”

Make pharmaceuticals more attractive, urges Emzor chief

HE Group Managing Director of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Stella Okoli, has called for a better positioning of the pharmaceutical industry, She said the sector has been involved in mainly manufacturing drugs known as ‘generics’, as most of the local pharmaceutical firms are not research-based. Although she admitted that not all firms could go into pharmaceutical research, to be viable, operators have had to upgrade to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Geneva standard, which has become the benchmark for

By Muyiwa Lucas

manufacturers in the sector, especially when trying to access the global fund. She said the WHO Standard as ‘neither here nor there’ considering that the local industry has been certified by the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). However, for pharmaceutical firms to enter the global scene, and access global funds, the international community introduced the WHO Geneva Standard, so that only those so certified can participate. “Nigeria is part of this global fund, but no Nige-

rian company can access the fund which runs into millions of dollars. To access the fund, our local pharmaceutical firms must build factories that are compliant with WHO Geneva standard. Unfortunately, we do not have anything close to that in Nigeria. All the fittings and equipment in the WHO Geneva standard are imported because they are not available locally,” she said. But all hope for a vibrant local pharmaceutical firms are not lost. Operators, as well as stakeholders, are striving to get the WHO Geneva certification which is the key to greater success.

There is also a clamour for the Federal Government to fight for its course by agitating that the global funds tender should go to local players. That, she said, was done in South Africa, and that is what other countries do and I belief that is what is called patriotism. in the long run, Mrs Okoli is convinced that this effort will help in improving the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). She also frowned at the neglect of the manufacturing sector, which she blames on the toga of ‘lower hanging fruits’ categorisation especially since the oil discovery era.

N international devel opment expert, Dr. David Atte, has called for a low-tech micro-insurance scheme to free farmers from extreme weather risk. Atte, a consultant on participatory rural appraisal (PRA), said freeing farmers from the worry of crop failure could have far-reaching positive impacts. He said a low-tech microinsurance programme designed with farmers cooperatives as guarantors would change smallholders’ planting behaviour, encourage more investment in farming. He explained that since agriculture is a main source of income for rural communities, it is very important to protect the livelihood of rural farmers by designing a micro insurance scheme to enable them tackle constraints limiting their economic potential, especially impact of uncertain weather conditions which affect harvests. With rains, he said farmers will be exposed to natural calamities. The sad thing, according to him, is that banks not assist them as they still consider farming too risky to invest in. He said farmers in disaster-prone regions don’t have access to credit facilities to help them plan recovery in the event of challenges. As farmers may be dealing with the worsening impacts of climate change, he said smallscale crop insurance can be a lifesaver. He said micro-insurance will be designed in such as way that low income farmers can participate, adding that the structure of the nation scheme may make it difficult for some farmers to pay the current premium. He said farmers could pay for their premiums through their cooperatives. He stressed the need to fashion out insurance premiums and compensation in such a manner that the government would be able to get the benefits of insurance to more farmers. He said insurance firms should work to get insurance in the hands of smallholder farmers and educate them about the products and what they can expect. He wants insurance companies to work with cooperatives explain how crop insurance works, adding there is a need to ensure that the system is effective and is sustainably expanded across the country.

TUC gives Rivers police chief 14-day ultimatum on insecurity

HE Trade Union Con gress of Nigeria (TUC), River State chapter, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the new Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Mr. Chris O. Ezike, to improve the security of lives and property in the state or have its members withdrawn from work in self-defence. In a letter to the Police Commissioner signed by the state Chairman and Secretary, Comrades Hyginus Chika Onuegbu and Jonas Okere, TUC noted that the spate of

By Chikodi Okereocha

criminal activities namely, kidnapping, armed robbery, oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and wanton destruction of lives and property has reached an unprecedented level in the state. TUC in the letter dated Friday, July 3, this year and made available to The Nation, said many workers and residents of the state have been kidnapped, killed, attacked and maimed with impunity in recent times without any effec-

tive action by the security agents to curb the ugly trend. Describing it as ‘unfortunate’, particularly for Rivers State, which is the treasure base of the nation and the centre of oil and gas operation in Nigeria, TUC said: “The situation is so bad that many of our members live in fear and are actively seeking for transfers out of Rivers State. Also worrisome is the unwarranted attacks on the secretariat and leadership of labour unions in Rivers State.” The Congress, said: “We

hereby notify you that if by 14 days from the date of this letter, we do not see any significant reduction in the aforementioned criminal activities in Rivers State, we shall call an emergency State Council meeting and where the Council so approves, withdraw our members from work in self defence, pending when we consider it safe for them to go/return back to work. “It is our fervent prayer that you give serious attention to our pleadings in this letter in

the interest of the people and workers of Rivers State who depend on your State Command for the protection of their lives and property as they go about their lawful businesses.” While congratulating Ezike on his assumption of duties as Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, TUC assured him of the readiness of its state council and, indeed, all workers in the state to collaborate with him towards improving the security of lives and property in Rivers State.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

BUSINESS NEWS

BoI, firms partner to provide alternative power

HE Bank of Industry (BOI) has partnered with two indigenous firms in the country to provide alternative source of power supply through renewable energy that will open up the industrial space for more entrepreneurs. The bank presented two cheques worth N 75 million to two off-grid solar home system providers, GVE Projects limited and Arnergy Solar limited, under the BOI/UNDP Solar energy programme, to kick start the pilot scheme in six states across Nigeria. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, BOI, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, at the presentation over the weekend, said the initiative is to alleviate poverty in the country by tackling the menace of inefficient power supply killing businesses in the country. The six states are Kaduna, Osun, Delta, Gombe, Niger and Anambra and according to Olaoluwa “It will be tailored along the Pay As You Go (PAYG) module used successfully by the telecommunication companies in the country and other states

By Toba Agboola and Ajose Sehindemi

will be added in the course of the programme”. Olaoluwa said: “The less than 4,000MW total electricity supply on our national grid relative to the conservatively estimated 40,000MW electricity demand, for a leading African economy like Nigeria, with a population of 170 million people, is grossly inadequate”. He said the partnership is essentially a programme aimed at poverty alleviation and rural economic development with the focus on remote communities that are not on the national grid. Tracing the history of power generation in Nigeria, the managing director said; “The first power plant in Nigeria was installed in Lagos in 1898 by the then colonial government and by the end of the last century, it was clear that central power plants had lost their economies of scale and could no longer deliver competitively cheap and reliable electricity to more remote customers through

the national grid. He said renewable energy sources such as hydro (16 per cent), wind (three per cent) and solar (one per cent) are growing in relevance and commercial adoption on a global scale and the recent G7 meeting in June had agreed to de-carbonise the global economy by phasing out the use of fossil fuel by the end of this century, over the next 85 years, hence the need to embrace other source of

energy. He said the medium term vision is to have 100,000 homes installed with solar systems in the next five years through a combination of micro-grid and stand-alone solar home systems On the partnership benefits, the Divisional head, Large Enterprises, BOI, Mr Joseph Babatunde rather than wait in vain for the national electricity grid, there is a golden op-

portunity for our rural communities to be empowered with affordable off-grid solar home systems that are operated on a PAYG basis. At the presentation were government delegates from Gombe, Kaduna, Osun and Niger states with the head of Arnergy Solar limited, Mr Femi Adeyemo asserting that the project will run for 25 years and will be effectively done so that Nigerians can benefit from it.

Defective cars: CPC demands status report from Toyota, others

HE Consumer Protection Council (CPC), as part of its efforts at safeguarding the interest of consumers, has requested franchise holders of four top world’s car brands in Nigeria to within seven days provide information on the status of their vehicles in relation to the faulty front passenger airbag inflators, which have prompted the recall of the brands’ implicated models from the market worldwide. The council, determined to ensure Nigerian consumers, who purchased these implicated models from the franchise holders are not left out of the recall policy, had communicated its position to Toyota Nigeria Limited, Nissan Nigeria Limited, Honda Automobile West

HE Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, has ordered parties to maintain status quo in the suit filed by Arco Group Plc, against the Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited and others. Justice Lambo Akanbi said nobody should take any action that could foist a state of helplessness on the court while the case is pending. He had adjourned till October 26 when he will determine his jurisdiction over the case. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Conoco Philips Petroleum Nigeria Limited and the Nigeria Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) are the other defendants in the suit. The plaintiff wants the court to determine whether, in view of the provision of section 3 (2) and (3) of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010, having demonstrated ownership of equipment, personnel and capacity to execute the task of performing the contract for the maintenance of equipment at Agip's gas plants at OBOB, Ebocha and Kwale, it is entitled, being a Nigerian company, to the exclusive right to be considered and granted such contract, including any extension of its duration. Justice Akanbi had adjourned hearing on the application following a motion for extension of time by Agip's lead counsel Chief Charles Ajuya (SAN), who is challenging court's jurisdiction. Lead Counsel to Arco, former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN),

Africa Limited and CFAO motors Nigeria, the franchise holders for Mitsubishi vehicles in Nigeria. CPC’s action came on the heels of the global recall of certain models of the brands from the market due to their front passenger airbag inflators’ defects. Toyota is reportedly recalling 2.86 million vehicles, equipped with certain front passenger airbag inflators in addition to a total of 12.66 million units already recalled. Honda had recalled 19 million, Nissan is to recall 198,000, while Mitsubishi is to also recall 120,000. More compelling for its intervention, the council disclosed that it has begun to receive complaints regarding burst airbag, which has a corre-

• From left: Mr. Richard Morgan, Managing Director, YTGO Limited; Mrs. Abigael Oyewobi, Managing Director, Pinnacle Project Managers; Mr. Dipo Akinyemi, Branch Manager, John Street, Sterling Bank Plc and Dr. Akanimo Odon, Africa Strategy Adviser, Lancaster University at a workshop supported by the bank in Lagos.

lation with the reason for the ongoing recall of vehicles across the world. The government’s agency, in its letter to each of the brands’ franchise holders in Nigeria and signed by its Director General, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, demanded a brief on the issue of the faulty passenger airbag inflators, efforts at sensitising the affected customers and the measures at recalling the faulty vehicles. The council’s letter requested each of the franchise holders to within seven days of the receipt of the let-

ter, furnish the council with information on the status of their vehicles in Nigeria “in relation to concerns on the faulty front passenger airbag inflators and measures being taken to sensitise affected consumers and facilitate a quick recall of such vehicles in Nigeria, if any”. The council hinted that it has initiated the action in order to ensure that consumers, who purchase these vehicles, are not left out of the benefits of the global recall policy of the auto makers and the compensation fund that may be set up glo-

bally for affected consumers because “Nigeria is a very big market, where thousands of consumers purchase and currently possess” these brands of vehicles, which are put to personal and other uses. The recall of the different models of vehicle brands worldwide was sparked off by announcement from the airbag maker, Takata, that millions of vehicles recalled could have been equipped with airbags that shoot shrapnel into drivers and front-seat passengers upon deployment.

High Court orders status quo in Arco, Agip dispute By Joseph Jibueze

reminded the court that it gave two rulings on June 2, one of which was that the first defendant's counsel had not filed a memorandum of appearance before the court. He argued that the issue of appearance was critical and should be resolved first. When Ajuya said he had filed a motion asking for extension of time to file the memorandum of appearance, Olanipekun, who led Beluolisa Nwofor (SAN) and Albert Akpomuje for the plaintiff, insisted the condition must be fulfilled first. "There is a condition precedent that must be fulfilled before the issue of jurisdiction can be raised either by the court or the defendant. I am only saying the defendant can't be heard. We have not been served his memorandum of appearance. I want an even ground. I am not saying they should be shut out," he said. The judge had asked both parties to maintain status quo until the determination of the matter. Explaining the directive to journalists, Olanipekun said: "The implication is that we should respect the processes that are before the court in the sense that when a court of law is seized of a matter, no party is expected to make an effort or any attempt at all to do anything that will negate what order the court will eventually make, or nobody should do anything at removing the res (subject matter of the suit) or touching the res; the res should remain intact until the court finally decides.

"The res relates to the Nigerian Content Act, an indigenous content act, an act that is made to protect Nigerians. It is about preserving Nigerians who are protected by that Act." Olanipekun told the court that the Agip had not served his team a copy of the motion seeking an extension of time to enable them to file memorandum of appearance. The judge, however, described Ajuya's application as safe, saying: "It is a harmless oral application from the bar that all parties should remain where they are. I don't see why all parties should not concede to this harmless appeal. "Counsels in this matter are accordingly advised to advise their clients to maintain status quo. Since nobody is doing anything to frustrate the matter, parties are advised to maintain status quo while the case is adjourned till October 26, 2015." Arco is challenging Agip's authority not to carry out NNPC's directives that a stop-gap contract should be awarded to Arco for the maintenance of the OBOB, Kwale and Ebocha gas plants. NNPC, the majority shareholder of the NNPC/NAOC joint venture, had directed that the contract to Arco should subsist pending the conclusion of the processes leading to an award of a replacement "four plus one-year" contract for the maintenance of the gas plants. The plaintiff, a leading indigenous engineering maintenance and services company, is challenging Agip's decision to award the contract to a company with alleged Ital-

ian roots and antecedents. It said the company had no demonstrable technical capacity or track record to execute the task, and had not shown that it owned the requisite equipment and Nigerian personnel for the purpose, contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian Local Content law. Earlier on June 2, the judge had struck out a preliminary objection by Agip . The Justice held: "It is true that from the record of the court, the first defendant did not file a Memorandum of Appearance before filing the notice of preliminary objection. The consequence is that they took that step in violation of the provisions of order 29 rules (1) and (2) of the Court Rules. "That is a defect which, in my respective view, is fundamental to the defendant filing their notice of preliminary objection. The end result is to strike out the preliminary objection for being incompetent." Having struck out Agip's objection, the judge invited the parties to address him on whether or not the court had jurisdiction to entertain the suit. He ordered written addresses and adjourned the case to June 30. Olanipekun had expressed surprised that that Agip's counsel was yet to file the Memorandum of Appearance despite the ruling. He stated that one month had elapsed since the ruling, but no memorandum of appearance had been filed and served on Arco. The senior advocate said one month was enough to file a memorandum of appearance, adding that

it would be an irregular procedure to allow Ajuya to address the court. Ajuya had informed the court that the business of the day was argument on the issue of jurisdiction and he was prepared to commence the proceedings. But Olanipekun insisted that entry of appearance was a fundamental issue which was not to be trivialised, and was a foundation of Agip case. After listening to both counsel, the judge ruled that compliance with the requirements of the court's rules for filling a memorandum of appearance was a condition precedent for entertaining the address on the issue of jurisdiction, or indeed any other steps Agip's counsel intended to take in the matter. Olanipekun then prayed the court to impress it on the parties that the status quo must be maintained. Ajuya urged the court to reject the prayer on the grounds that it amounted to a motion that had not been properly brought before the court and the fact that Olanipekun had also not brought any complaints against his client before the court on the issue. It was then the judge warned that he would not allow a situation in which any of the parties to the suit would take any steps, or carry out any acts capable of undermining the status of the case whilst a determination of the issue of jurisdiction was still pending. He, therefore, ruled that all the parties to suit must maintain status quo.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS INSURANCE

‘90 % of motor insurance certificates fake’ A

BOUT 90 per cent of motor insurance certificates in the country are fake, the Division Police Officer, Sabo Police Station, SP Mary Ubangha, has said. She made this known during last month’s Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Brokers Evening sponsored by Old Mutual Nigeria in Lagos. Speaking on theme: “Police concern on insurance fraud”, she described the situation as bad, saying that the situation shows the rot in the industry.

•NCRIB vows to protect members on code of corporate governance She urged insurers to be more visible, noting that most vehicle users were faced with no choice than to purchase the fake insurance policies issued by licensing offices. She said: “Vehicle owners ply the Nigerian roads with fake policies and that is why when accident occur they find it difficult to settle. The only time when these fake policies are discovered is when accident occurs.

“The Nigerian Police are burdened about the rot going on in the industry. It is time insurers and brokers begin to think out of the box and devise means to sanitise the industry so that people can have confidence in insurance and the industry. This will reduce the huge insurance loss to fake insurance businesses in the country. NCRIB President, President Ayodapo Shoderu assured members that the group would

defend and protect the interests of its members to ensure that they are not emasculated by the proposed Code of Corporate Governance which draft issued by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM). He noted that the code has been generating some ripples, adding that the proposed 10year tenure for managing directors in the code is inimical to broking. He said the NCRIB was quite

IEI-Anchor PFA removes chairman

HE Board of Directors of IEIAnchor Pension Managers Limited has removed its chairman, Senator Jonathan Zwingina, following a vote of no confidence passed on him by the directors. Zwingina, who has been the chairman since the firm’s incorporation in November 2004, was removed due to allegations of interference with the management of the company. The PFA is believed to have had five managing directors in its 10 years of existence under the Chair-

manship of Senator Zwingina, a development, analysts say, does not augur well for the organisation. Stakeholders are hopeful that with this development, the management and the Board would focus on building value for the stakeholders and remain competitive in the industry. A source in PenCom, while confirming the development, said: “We were notified of the action by the management of the organisation. It is within the confines of the organisation to do what it feels

right for its smooth operation.” On measures put in place to ensure that the problrm does not happen again, the source said: “This is why we have the fit and proper requirement for appointments into any organisation and we shall continue to enforce and monitor it.” A former Managing Director of the PFA, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, described the removal of Senator Zwingina as long overdue, adding that his tenure did not reflect much on the fortune of the company.

Book on engineering insurance launched

• Zwingina

He blamed the senator for the setbacks the PFA has suffered on his overbearing influence on the management.

•A cross section of the agents.

ARIAN, NAICOM train 300 agents

HE Association of Registered Insurance Agents of Nigeria (ARIAN) and the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) have trained over 300 insurance agents. ARIAN President, Gbadebo Olamerun, who made this known in Lagos, said the training was

sponsored by NAICOM to increase insurance penetration and it is the first of its kind in the industry. According to him, the Commission realise that it is better to train the foot soldiers - insurance agents. He said the agents trained represents agent managers, regional

managers, unit managers and agency controllers from over 15 firms. He noted that the agents would further drive the agenda of the Commission on the Market Development Restructuring Initiative (MDRI) He stressed that the Commission

expected them to increase penetration, demystify the urban transactions common in the industry to urban rural. The training will help the agents to reach the nooks and crannies of the country. “There is no way we can achieve the goals without adequate knowledge,” he added.

SA Insurance employs eight management staff

HE management of Standard Alliance (SA) InsurancE Plc has engaged some experts to drive key areas of its underwriting, Group Managing Director, Bode Akinboye has said. In a statement, Akinboye said the move was part of the company’s plans to take its practices to an higher level internationally.

To achieve this, he said they had carefully engaged experts from other companies, noting that they were sure of meeting the board’s mandate to push the company to the topmost part of the performance and quality service delivery in the sector. He said among those engaged by the company between January and early May were

Thompson Akhigbe, from AIICO Insurance Plc to head the Internal Control Division; Olukolajo Ezekiel from Old Mutual Nigeria to head the Technical Division and Jegede Biodun, Divisional Head, Brokers/Multi-Clients Marketing, who joined the company from Associated Insurance Brokers. The company also amployed,

proactive on the matter and would ensure that the interest of its members were not emasculated by the code, stressing that as part of steps, the council has sent a representation at the Public Hearing held by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) in Lagos. He called on the government to partner the industry to enforce all the compulsory insurances and inculcate the culture of insurance in every citizen as a tool to managing risks.

Mrs. Bosede Akintomide and Blessing Ana from FBN Insurance to head its brokers’ unit and financial institutions; Alo Olusola who heads the Energy and Special Risk Unit from Guinea Insurance Plc and Messrs. Akeem Obembe and Temidayo Akerele from Equity Assurance Plc were also employed.

BOOK on engineering insurance has been launched in Lagos. The book titled, ‘Essentials of Engineering Insurance’ was written by a former Managing Director of ACEN Insurance Company Limited, Mr Emmanuel Oyetoyan. According to Oyetoyan, the book is borne out of his desire to further give back to the insurance profession by enriching the knowledge of the industry in technical areas where he had made a mark in the last 35 years of service to the industry. He said the industry has continued to witness a down turn due to dearth of knowledge and adherence to sound underwriting principles. Managing Director, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc, Eddie Efekoha, who was the book reviewer, said the book will bridge the capacity gap in the industry. He said this was the first time one of them has written a book on engineering insurance, noting that books have been written on life, motor insurance, among other topics in the industry. He stressed that the book is good for underwriters, brokers and the public for better understanding on engineering insurance. Chief launcher and Chief Executive Officer of Associated Vantage Services Ltd. Sammy Sotomi called on Commissioner for Insurance and other professionals to encourage and commission their members in the special endeavours of publishing technical books to further enrich the practice of insurance. Sotomi, who is a loss adjuster both in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, said the loss adjusters institute in the UK commission members to write or revise many of its technical books and insurance loss adjusting topics which are now reference books of loss adjusting in the UK and the world.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

ISSUES Things are gradually looking up for the agric sector. The agric transformation agenda is changing the fortunes of farmers, as most of them now have access to improved crop varieties as well as trainings to become better managers. Some of them are also moving into larger acreages, leading to improved food production. To sustain the tempo, experts say there is need to embrace Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools, otherwise known as e-agriculture. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

• e-agriculture

How agric sector can leverage ICT tools A

S an expert and key stakeholder in the agric sector, President, National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), Mr. Tola Faseru, has been pushing for the deployment of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to promote agricultural development. He tells whoever cares to listen that the use of ICT in agric, otherwise called e-agriculture, remains a strategic and ambitious way of modernising the agric sector by pushing possibilities into the hands of farmers and ultimately, achieving food sufficiency. Faseru told The Nation that with widespread connectivity to global markets and networks, using the Internet and related technologies, there was need for Nigeria to establish a comprehensive ICT infrastructure for the agric sector. He noted that through formal institutionalization of e-agriculture, which is a global practice where people exchange information, ideas, and resources related to the use of ICT for sustainable agriculture and rural development, Nigeria stands a better chance of using the agric sector to achieve sustainable economic growth and development. Faseru is not only in this growing strategic approach of using ICT to drive agriculture. Worldwide, e-agriculture has emerged as a strategic tool, drawing private capital and large-scale investment to projects that benefit small farmers and boost food security. The strength of the approach, according to Faseru and other experts, is its integration of

investments, policy frameworks and local institutions and ability to bolster connectivity to improve the functioning of markets, improve agricultural opportunities, create jobs and catalyze improved governance along the value chain. All of these are ingredients needed to spur inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The consensus of experts is that Nigeria will advance the agricultural sector through integration with other industries such as processing, storage, logistics, and e-commerce. This is so considering that transactions now thrive mostly online between nations and the international markets, as companies are now deploying money and resources into ecommerce platforms to fuel their growth. This has expanded into many different industries, including agriculture and transportation. Already, an increasing number of sellers and buyers are emerging to improve online agro produce transactions through overseas

‘

destinations ordered through e-commerce platforms. However, while there are indications that ecommerce in agriculture is emerging as a lucrative area in the online shopping sector, the development of e-commerce in the agricultural sector still lags far behind other sectors, especially in Nigeria. This has prompted agitations by agric experts most of who say there is need to shift focus from the traditional factors of production to the use of modern technologies, market-driven innovation and knowledge, which are growth drivers. In addition to ensuring food security and safety, such paradigm shift would modernise the sub-sector to provide employment opportunities, generate higher income and ensure sustainable development through better agronomic practices, quality inputs, modern farming technologies and improved infrastructure.

The consensus of experts is that Nigeria will advance the agricultural sector through integration with other industries such as processing, storage, logistics, and e-commerce. This is so considering that transactions now thrive mostly online between nations and the international markets

’

With current efforts at making farming a business and encouraging young people who are interested in modernised agriculture, Faseru emphasised that e-agriculture will improve access to information services and training on how to use them. He however, wants government to adopt a participatory approach to the development of an eagricultural strategy by involving a wide range of stakeholders. The expert added that the government should seek advice from experts and various agricultural educational and research institutes and other professional organisations in the agric sector. For start, he recommends that major agricultural institutions be equipped with relevant ICT hardware with Internet access, while their staff be trained to use and maintain the equipment. Besides, experts are calling for data centres and community multimedia centres as part of the infrastructure package. The thinking is that such systems would provide rural development extension services to farmers in rural areas. Chief Executive Officer, Anjorin & Atanda Nigeria Investment Limited, Mr. Sunday Anjorin, is one of those excited by the prospects of changing the fortunes of farmers and the agric sector generally by developing and embracing the e-agriculture strategy. The goal of the strategy, he noted, should be • Continued on page 30

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

ISSUES

‘

• Dr Akinwunmi Adeshina

• Country Manager, Harvest Plus Paul Ilona

•Continued from page 29

geared towards building the competitive advantages of the agriculture sector so that the untapped growth potential can be maximised. According to him, continued increase in globalisation and integration of food markets has intensified competition in the agric sector and also brought unique opportunities. He told The Nation that e-agriculture strategy would have stronger impact as it would help to deepen potential market opportunities for exports and assist young entrepreneurs explore openings in the international markets. As Director, Africa Region, Cassava Adding Value for Africa (CAVA), Prof Kola Adebayo pointed out, several types of activities related to e-agriculture applications are widely recognised today. Some of them, he said, involve delivering services such as market prices, extension services, technology, policies, programmes and projects using the Internet and related technologies. On the whole, he said eagriculture provide end-to-end services to the agricultural value chain, bringing together farmers, input producers, transport providers, and banks/financiers. Adebayo expressed optimism that with e-agriculture working well, the industry will record more achievement than from conventional agricultural extension and farmer outreach programmes. This, he said, is because information given to farmers will be quick and timely. Besides, the outreach will be tailored to meet the needs of individual farmers. It is also cost effective. He added that with the social media and the key role youths are playing in agriculture, more opportunities for young agro entrepreneurs would be created.

HarvestPlus electronic (e-market) portal HarvestPlus, which leads a global effort to improve nutrition by developing and deploying food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals, is riding on its electronic (emarket) platform to attract investors and create markets for vitamin A cassava products. Located within the precinct of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Oyo State, HarvestPlus Country Manager, Dr. Paul Ilona, said the organisation has linked major players and investors along the vitamin A cassava value chain to its e-market portal. He said through the use of the portal, HarvestPlus has been able to identify ulking agents, cassava stem traders, and investors who were then linked with farmers and cassava processors to create market for vitamin A cassava products. According to him, this strategy would do the magic of attracting investors to the business.

SlimTrader SlimTrader, an e-commerce firm headquartered in Seattle, Washington, has partnered agro-chemical producer, Notore to streamline fertiliser delivery and collections. The firm also developed a mobile commerce platform called 'MoBiashara' (mo' business in Swahili), specifically designed to serve fastmoving consumer goods companies. It is a mobile platform that enables people to purchase goods and services directly via their phone using Short Message Service (SMS), interactive voice response (IVR), or mobile web. It allows consumers to search for products from multiple providers and make purchases on their mobile phone using local payment providers. SlimTrader partners with trusted brands, whose distributors and retailers can upload their inventory onto MoBiashara, which also helps consumers to be certain that they are buying the genuine product. It brings the convenience of price comparison to basic

The web portal introduces investors and other stakeholders to food and agriculture as regards finance, farming, agroindustry, distribution and logistics, as well as food security, nutrition, and consumption

• Tola Faseru

How agric sector can leverage ICT tools feature phone users who lack reliable access to the Internet. When MoBiashara was initially launched, Notore was using it to enable farmers to shop for and purchase fertilisers from its accredited retailers. Retailers use the same platform to update their inventories via SMS in real time. Technologies used include mobile phones, SMS, IVR, and mobile web. SlimTrader charges a small percentage of the transaction value, which is charged to the merchant. MoBiashara is currently being piloted in Nigeria and the pilot is currently reaching several thousand users. Its greatest advantage is that everyone in the supply chain benefits. The main distributor incurs a significantly reduced supply chain credit risk and the retailer has reduced storage costs. These reductions in supply chain costs can benefit farmers with lower prices for fertilizer as well as a more efficient supply chain for them as end-users. Experts believe e-agriculture has the potential to increase profitability in agricultural markets by increasing sales and decreasing search and transaction costs. The creation of electronic markets that are expected to be more transparent and competitive than physical markets may attract more consumers. E-agriculture offers an alternative venue of promoting and marketing agricultural products that has a benefit of reaching extensive geographical populations and providing detailed product information at a relatively low cost.

Fed Govt's electronic wallet initiative The immediate past Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, sometime ago disclosed said Nigerian farmers now access fertiliser procured by the Federal Government via mobile phones or e-wallet. Government claimed that in 2012 alone, the e- wallet initiative saved the agric sector over N29.7 billion (US$188 million). At that time, Cellulant Nigeria Limited, the company running the e-wallet scheme, said the figure represents the amount that would have been lost by federal and state governments during the distribution of subsidised fertilisers, seedlings and other services. Its Chief Executive, Goke Akinboro described the initiative as a landmark success. "We are indeed, satisfied that we have helped start a revolution in the agric sector by bringing in seemingly simple and practical technology solutions, which have helped address age-long problems in the sector. We believe that this is the beginning of great things to come and we can only improve in years ahead," he said, noting that the e-wallet scheme allowed government to effectively target its resources while providing an efficient accounting tool. According to Akinboro, the e-wallet initiative handled disbursement of subsidies valued at $294 million for federal and state governments into the wallets of farmers. The farmers used

‘

$52 million of the subsidy deposits and agrodealers got US$50 million as matching funds from farmers, leaving about $192 million of unused funds, which would have been lost to corruption under the old scheme. The unused fund, he said, was returned to government's purse. Akinboro added that in addition to saving money for the government, the e-wallet scheme's greatest achievement was the fact that Nigerian farmers truly and directly benefited from government's subsidy. However, with the departure of Adesina, there are fears that the e- wallet initiative would be short-lived. Perhaps, to prempt possible discontinuation of the scheme, a World Bank consultant, Prof Abel Ogunwale said if e-agriculture is adequately supported, farmers will access updated information to cope with challenges affecting production. He said the sector needs to improve delivery of quality information on farming techniques and practices, agricultural inputs and technology, agricultural markets/market information, science and research, data/ statistics, environment, climatic changes and training and capacity building. Ogunwale also said research institutes need veritable e-agriculture platforms to enable agricultural experts and community members exchange opinions, experiences, good practices and resources. According to him, farming community members and other stakeholders need to interact with each other through regular forums and community networking to contribute to a range of resources to the platform, including case studies, success stories, lessons learnt, documents, links, learning resources, news and announcements. One of the areas farmers need to be connected is in soil testing. Soil testing, experts say, is important for any farmer to know what minerals their soil is deficient in and what type of fertiliser or other inputs may be used to increase soil health and fertility, yields, and resistance to pests and diseases. There is need for a soil testing service that provides results via SMS.

Challenges As exciting as the new approach is, there are challenges. Faseru says, for instance, that he is concerned over how farmers and organisations will pay for obtaining and providing technical and market information through the use of ICT tools. Tariffs for ICT are still considered high. Besides, nationwide, there is serious limitation for ICT use, particularly in the rural areas despite the worldwide ICT revolution. The other issue is that government is not making serious investment in ICT. According to experts, the nation still suffer from poorly developed ICT infrastructural facilities including poor and limited number of telephone lines, most of which are still in the analogue mode.

Bright prospects ahead

We are, indeed, satisfied that we have helped start a revolution in the agric sector by bringing in seemingly simple and practical technology solutions, which have helped address age-long problems in the sector. We believe that this is the beginning of great things to come and we can only improve in years ahead

’

Experts say that many factors would drive the use of ICT in agriculture in the next few years such as improved connectivity to mobile phones, Internet, and other wireless devices. Already, Nigerians are witnessing increased broadband Internet reach. Besides, affordability is improving dramatically. There is a National E-Agriculture Web Portal, which is a strategic initiative of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), to showcase the essential features and key aspects of the food and agriculture industry in Nigeria. The portal also highlights the strategic and operational components of the agricultural value chain in Nigeria, particularly as it relates to the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of the Federal Government, as developed and implemented by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The web portal introduces investors and other stakeholders to food and agriculture as regards finance, farming, agro-industry, distribution and logistics, as well as food security, nutrition, and consumption. Some of the most vital information required is locally developed and adapted to meet the requirements of the average user. It is presented to enable planning, research, development projects, investments and policymaking. There are also links to relevant sites from related industry partners and stakeholders - for updated resources; news and information on various aspects are regularly updated. The National E-Agriculture Web Portal is relevant for the comprehensive and integrated Nigerian food and agricultural value chain; from farm to fork. Interactive mechanisms for audience contributions and stakeholder feedback are available via forms, discussion forums, and an agric-centric social network. The portal is accessible on various devices and platforms - Web and Mobile (Android, BlackBerry, iOS, Windows 7, and Java-enabled phones such as Symbian OS).

To sustain the tempo

On the whole, experts want the government's e-agriculture initiative to create a multistakeholder, people-centred, cross-sectored platform that will bring together stakeholders representing relevant constituencies in the industry. They also want the government and agricultural support institutions to develop ICT initiatives to support a National Market Information System. Farmers and investors need functional services - from daily commodity prices, to virtual shopping cart and mobile applications - along with an extensive archive of market information from previous years. Experts also want government to explore the possibilities of an e-agriculture strategy, which will synergise agriculture and ICT in a more structured manner. The strategy should recognise the real and current challenges leading to low ICT uptake in the agric sector and seek to address these challenges to the benefit of all stakeholders. In pushing these recommendations, the belief is that agricultural activities are categorised under crop cultivation, water management, fertiliser application, pest management, harvesting, post harvest handling, transporting of products, packaging, preservation, processing/value addition, quality management, safety, storage and marketing. What this means is that stakeholders need information and knowledge about these phases to manage them efficiently.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

MONEYLINK

Interbank rates fall on N260b T-Bills’ refund

HE interbank lending rate, last week, dropped to an average of 4.5 per cent from six per cent, as the impact of the N260 billion refunds in matured Treasury Bills hit the market. The cash high flow in the market was also boosted by net credit in Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) cash reserves of about N45 billion which was ploughed back into the banking into the system based on the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) policy. The interbank rate is the lowest since the CBN raised its benchmark interest rate to 13 per cent last December. “Beside the mopping up of about N172.8 billion by the central bank through open market operation bills, the injection of large matured Treasury bills helped counter the impact of the mop up, boost liquidity in the market and forced down the cost of borrowing in the inter-

•Bonds sell-off likely

Stories by Collins Nweze

bank,” one dealer said. Traders said many banks were not taking money from the interbank market because most commercial lenders have cash to support their transactions. The banks’ credit balance with the central bank rose to N390 billion from N324 billion balance last week, traders said. “We see lending rates inching up gradually next week as liquidity thins out because of the likely effect of primary Treasury bills auction on Wednesday and outflows to other transactions,” another dealer said. Meanwhile, more investors could exit Nigeria’s bond market on concerns that new foreign exchange policy would hinder capital repatriation. The CBN restricted access to forex

by importers in its bid to protect its reserves, but dealers say the measure is threatening the future of Nigeria’s bonds on JP Morgan government Bond Index. The rules curb access to forex to fund purchase of foreign shares and bonds, among others. Yields rose across maturities last week, spurred by the sell-off by some offshore investors cutting their risk in emerging markets and lack of interest from local pensions. “We have seen a number of offshore investors exiting their positions in the debt market in reaction to the new central bank foreign exchange measures and this trend will continue until we have a clear policy direction from the new government,” one dealer said. Traders said some banks are also exiting their positions in the long tenor debt market and switching to short-dated paper because of the fore control measures by the central bank.

JP Morgan has threatened to eject Nigeria from its Government Bond Index (GBI-EM) by the end of the year unless it restores liquidity to currency markets in a way that allows foreign investors tracking the benchmark to conduct transactions with minimal hurdles. The yield on the benchmark debt maturing in 2024 rose to 14.87 per cent on Friday from 14.28 per cent a week ago. The 2022 paper yield rose to 14.82 per cent against 14.48 per cent, while the 2016 debt advanced to 14.61 per cent from 14.39 per cent last week. Subscription rates for Kenyan Treasury bills are expected to slip next week as banks put their money into more lucrative short-term paper, including term auction deposits (TADs). The Central Bank will sell Treasury bills of all maturities worth a total of 8 billion shillings at two separate auctions on Wednesday and Thursday.

Sterling Bank, FSD sign pact on human capital development

TERLING Bank Plc has signed a partnership agreement with Field of Skills and Dreams (FSD), a vocational training institution to provide training programmes for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The pact, the bank said, is part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) drive towards supporting skill acquisition among youths to prepare them for self-employment. Under the agreement, the bank will sponsor the training of NYSC corps members in various vocations during the course of their service year in alignment with its expressed purpose of enriching lives. The lender has so far funded the training of about 100 NYSC members in various vocations during

the pilot stage through the NYSCSAED (Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development. It has also equipped a 20-seat ICT laboratory of the FSD which will provide all participants with rotational access to free ICT training. Sterling Bank in a statement ex-

plained that the need to support the development of skills among the youth has become inevitable given the growing rate of unemployment in the country. “We believe that the steps we have taken so far would help in ameliorating the problem of unemployment in the country

and support other initiatives such as the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) and the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YOU-WIN) introduced by the government to checkmate the relatively high rate of unemployment in the country”.

FCMB deepens brand with new campaign

IRST City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited has continued to transform and position itself as a leading retail bank in Nigeria with the launch of a new thematic campaign tagged, “A World of Opportunity”. This follows the recent unveiling of the bank’s refreshed corporate identity, which has led to a replacement of its former colours of black and gold with a vibrant com-

bination of purple and yellow that speaks to a wider audience. The thematic campaign, tied to the refreshed corporate identity of the bank, tells compelling stories of life and business aspirations of diverse Nigerians and how FCMB supports them to bring such dreams and aspirations to reality. The campaign tells the story of the very diverse base of the customers that FCMB serves.

The campaign comes in two television and two radio commercial versions conveying FCMB’s delivery of great customer experience and service on its channels and electronic banking platform and how it enables its customers through those services to fulfil their life aspirations. It also showcases the new warm, friendly, approachable and energetic brand identity of FCMB and its values as a simple, reliable and helpful bank.

PayPal eyes $890m acquisition deal

AYPAL has unveiled its plans to buy money-transfer company Xoom, keeping up PayPal’s effort to control the digital payments world. The deal, with an enterprise value of $890 million, will expand PayPal’s global money-transfer services. It will likely give PayPal’s 165 million worldwide active consumers more options to send and receive money across international borders using Xoom’s services on their smartphones and personal computers. The Xoom is expected to help PayPal speed its expansion into the 37 countries Xoom already operates, especially the important markets of Mexico, India, the Philippines, China and Brazil, PayPal’s incoming CEO Dan Schulman said in a statement. The Xoom is a competitor to money-transfer firms including Western Union and Moneygram, allowing people to pay bills or send money overseas for about $3 to $10 per transfer. The Xoom helped customers send about $7 billion to friends and family around the world during the 12 months ended March 31. “Making international remittances simpler, safer and more affordable is something PayPal is excited to do for our customers,” Schulman said in a statement. The Xoom’s shares jumped about 22 percent in after-hours trading to $25.27, above PayPal’s cash offer price of $25 a share.

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FIDELITY NIG FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

134.87 35,155.95 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.68 1.39 1,815.83 1,076.36 108.99 121.16 1.1978 1.3117 0.7319 1.1349

134.78 35,155.95 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.67 1.33 1,815.83 1,076.70 108.43 120.30 1.1912 0.7203 0.7203 1.1349

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

TRANSEXPR PORTPAINT UACN CCNN ACADEMY VONO LIVESTOCK 7UP VITAFOAM LINKASSURE ACCESS

1.27 4.67 42.50 11.00 0.91 1.14 2.30 183.00 5.55 0.50 5.29

1.34 4.90 44.49 11.50 0.95 1.19 2.39 190.00 5.75 0.51 5.36

5.51 4.93 4.68 4.55 4.40 4.39 3.91 3.83 3.60 2.00 1.32

LOSERS AS AT 01-07-15

CHAMPION DANGFLOUR EVANSMED UBCAP UBA DIAMONBBK ABCTRANS STERLNBNK WAPCO CUSTODYINS DANGCEM

O/PRICE 5.94 3.80 1.10 1.41 4.77 4.19 0.51 2.05 103.00 4.07 172.50

C/PRICE 5.65 3.62 1.05 1.37 4.66 4.10 0.50 2.01 101.00 4.00 170.00

Inflation:April

8.5%

Monetary Policy Rate

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

CHANGE -4.88 -4.74 -4.55 -2.84 -2.31 -2.15 -1.96 -1.95 -1.94 -1.72 -1.45

FOREX RATES (NairaVs Dollar) May 28, 2015 Interbank ($/N)

199.00

Black Market ($/N)

215.00

$28.2b

London Inter-bank Offered Rates (LIBOR) Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$67.91

Money Supply (M2)

GAINERS AS AT 01-07-15

SYMBOL

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

Tenor

16.5%

12-02-15 Rate (%) Rate (%) 13-02-15

Overnight (O/N)

14.683

76.583

15.033

15.977

15.809

17.177

16.493

17.908

Tenor 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months

May 27

May 28

Rate)%

Rate (%)

0.1735 0.2147 0.2615 0.3841 0.6709

0.1715 0.2108 0.2626 0.3857 0.6744

Nigerian Stock Market Indices 27 May Statistics 5 May All Share Index 34,649.3 29,383.93 Mkt Cap (NGN’bn) 11.8 9,804.36 Deals 3,385 3,714 Volume (mn) 564,28 377,75 Value (NGN’mn) 6,087.80 6,568.66 GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Transaction Dates 03/02/2015 3/12/2014 1/12/2014

Amount Offered in ($) 500m 400m 350m

Amount Sold in ($) 499.93m 399.97m 349.96m

Tenor

Feb. 13, 2015

Rates

T-bills - 91

12.44

T-bills - 182

13.85

T-bills - 364

13.92

Bond - 3yrs

15.92

Bond - 5yrs

17.22

Bond - 7yrs

16.59

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

Eurozone economic growth speeds up

UROZONE business activity rose at its fastest pace in four years in June, boosted by higher spending by consumers and businesses, a survey has indicated. The final Markit composite eurozone Purchasing Manages' Index (PMI), which combines manufacturing and services activity, rose to 54.2, its highest reading since May 2011. Any reading above 50 indicates growth, while below 50 points to contraction. Markit said the data pointed to second-quarter economic growth of 0.4%. It comes despite concerns over the possibility of a messy Greek exit from the euro. Speculation that Athens would miss a •1.6bn repayment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) held back manufacturing activity in the month, Markit said. But the European Central Bank's (ECB) massive •1 trillion bond-buying programme announced in March was beginning to help the service sector, with activity running at its fastest rate since mid-2011. Markit said the ECB stimulus

programme - combined with low inflation - had boosted spending and investment across the eurozone, as consumers and businesses splurged their cash in an attempt to beat expected price rises. "Despite the escalation of the Greek crisis in the second half of the month, the final PMI for June came in slightly above the 'flash' estimate, suggesting the turmoil has so far had little discernible impact on the real economy," said Markit's chief economist, Chris Williamson. But he noted companies continued to cut prices to help boost sales, as they have since early 2012. The composite price index was 49.4, below May's reading of 49.5, suggesting prices are still falling and that the ECB's battle with low inflation across the currency bloc has some way to go yet, despite official estimates suggesting a slight increase in inflation. Price discounting helped drive up the PMI covering the service industry, which makes up the bulk of the eurozone economy. It rose to 54.4 from May's 53.8.

•Airbus

‘Why Intel Corp shares slumped’

HARES of chip giant Intel tumbled 11.7 per cent in June, according to S&P Capital IQ data, driven by a number of analyst downgrades, the announcement of the largest acquisition in the

Shell Arctic oil drilling to begin soon

IL and gas giant Shell is expected to begin drilling for oil in the Arctic within the next two weeks. Thirty ships left Dutch Harbour in Alaska last week for the Arctic to support two initial exploratory wells. The company has already committed about $7bn (£4.5bn) to the controversial project, and is confident it will find huge quantities of oil in the region. But if the initial wells do not find oil, Shell will contemplate walking away from the region entirely. The US Department of the Interior gave the green light to Shell to be-

“T

HE CBN would facilitate the creation of an ecosystem that will identify and link various local producers and processors with major importers of selected products. With the expected increase in local production, identified major importers would be encouraged to act as offtakers to local producers.” These were the words of the Central Bank of Nigeria's Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, while unveiling his 10-point agenda during his maiden world press briefing after assuming office on June 5, 2014. He had promised that under his leadership, the apex bank will dissipate its energies on building a resilient financial system that can serve the growth and development needs of our beloved nation, Nigeria. The bank, a few days past, announced that 40 items of goods that Nigerians have capacity to produce and in which we have the human and natural resources have been removed from the forex window. This decision gave bite to the mission statement of the CBN "to be the Model Central Bank delivering price and financial system stability and which will promote a sustainable economic development". The import of the decision by the bank to officially stop the sale of dollars and other foreign currencies to importers of rice, cement, palm kernel/palm oil/vegetable oil products and steel sheets, among others, should not be lost on us. Essentially, it is to galvanise the economy, boost local production and grow the economy. This, indeed, is a warming signal to make Mr. Emefiele's vision not only a reality, but the determination of the CBN as a development institution to grow the economy, as well as enhance the capacity of local entrepreneurs to create employ-

gin Arctic oil exploration in May this year, and the Anglo-Dutch group clearly believes it will get the remaining necessary permits in the next week or two. The initial two wells will be in relatively shallow water of about 40 to 50m deep, off the coast of Alaska, and they will use conventional drilling techniques. The company should know whether these wells find sufficient quantities of oil to justify further exploration by the end of 2016. By this time, it will have spent another $1.4bn on the project. Experts believe that more than 20 percent of the world's undiscovered oil and gas resources can be found in

the Arctic. Environmentalists argue vehemently that the oil should be left well alone, as the risks of damaging this pristine environment are too great. Shell believes that despite the environmental risks, oil can be extracted safely - oil that it argues will be needed to meet burgeoning demand for energy across the world over the coming decades. Given the recent slump in the price of oil, which has fallen by almost half in the last year to $65 a barrel, many believe Arctic oil exploration is no longer economically viable. Some experts say the break-even point for Arctic oil is closer to $100.

company's history, and continued weakness in the PC market. On June 1, Intel confirmed it would pay $54 per share, or about $16.7 billion, to acquire FPGA designer Altera. This deal will increase Intel's debt load, which has grown by more than a factor of six over the past five years. A BMO analyst was pessimistic regarding the acquisition, citing its high cost, aggressive growth assumptions on the part of Intel, and the increase in debt. BMO cut its price target for the stock from $40 per share to $33 per share. On the PC market, May sales from Taiwanese PC contract manufacturers came in weaker than expected last month, and Micron, a leading manufacturer of DRAM, provided soft guidance when it reported its fiscal thirdquarter earnings. This all came after Intel provided weak guidance of its own in April when it reported lackluster second-

In defence of CBN forex policy Ademola Bakare, a staff of the CBN wrote from Abuja

ment and wealth, thereby reducing pressure on the naira and protect the nation's foreign reserves. He further said that whosoever is desirous of importing such goods, should use his own money to do so. Aside depleting the national reserves and easing the pressure on the naira as some of the reasons for the action, empowering local entrepreneurs and creating jobs is what Nigeria needs now, as her growing unemployment rate is alarming. Secondly is the resuscitation of local industries. Recent developments in the world’s oil market is another reason one could adduce for the CBN’s action which made imperative the clamour for diversifying the economy away from dependence on oil. It is baffling to note thatNigerian businessmen have been creating jobs and wealth in other nations, while theirs wallow in poverty when these imported goods can be produced in Nigeria. But unfortunately, they have contributed in killing the local industries. Many factories are in comatose or have shutdown with attendant job loss. In the case of rice, Nigeria has greater and better capacity to meet local demand. The immediate past Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina recently put Nigeria’s importation bill of four items at about N1.6 trillion yearly. This should be worrisome to a nation with over 170 million people, not to mention her numerous natural resources that if harnessed, can feed not only Nigeria, but Africa. Emefiele while addressing the me-

dia on this latest development, looked visibly angry that Nigeria in the 21stcentury, imports toothpick. This indeed is a shame. Preference for foreign products is the reason why many of our industries are not doing well, or are shut. According to him, the pressure on the naira and gluttonous demand by Nigerians for foreign goods, is one of the reasons why the naira has to be devalued late last year. Sharp practices, mindless speculation and rent seeking in the foreign exchange market were responsible for the closure of the RDAS/ WDAS foreign exchange window by the CBN, so was the bank's action on dollarisation of the economy in which it cautioned those who take pleasure in using dollars as medium of payment for goods and services. Nigerians should therefore see the decision by the CBN as clearly restating Mr. Emefiele's vision which he drew from the bank's mandate to pursue both price and financial system stability, as well as provide complementary developmental functions by creating favourable environment for Nigerians to live better and be more fulfilled in life. Benchmarking this paradigm shift against other policies ever taken by the bank, it was a surprise to read in the media various criticism of the exemption, particularly the one from Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries (LCCI), an organisation that had in the past praised the CBN under Emefiele. Agreed that the latest action may bring a temporary dislocation and disruption in the system as we all know, the long run effect and impact on the economy, and what Nigerians and the economy will benefit,

should be paramount. LCCI was quoted to have said that many of the products on the list are intermediate goods and critical inputs for the manufacturers, and other major sectors of the economy. It also argued that the Bureaux de Change sub-sector which ought to serve as alternative source of foreign exchange window for businesses, is not deep enough to meet the demand of the essential intermediate products on the exclusion list. Its chairman, Alhaji Remi Bello, was quoted to have concluded that the action by the CBN amounted to import prohibition which will create hic-up in the economy. On this, I beg to disagree. The CBN is ready and willing to support the real sector of the economy, but not the toothpick, tooth paste and tomato sauce importers. Our local capacities to produce and meet our needs are available, and massive, if only Nigerians can appreciate and be patriotic enough to patronise home-made goods. The preference and crave for imported goods is killing or have killed many industries. This action may look painful in the interim, however, it will give vent to many intervention support of the bank to grow the economy, particularly, in agriculture, power, health, oil and gas, among others. Locally made goods have been tested and confirmed to be better in quality than their foreign counterparts, if only we will appreciate ourselves. The CBN's new order therefore will help check the drain on the national reserves and reduce the undue pressure on the naira, thus making it strong. Nigeria and most importantly, in this critical time needs

quarter earnings. These signs of weakness led analysts at Deutsche Bank and other institutions to cut their earnings targets for Intel. Goldman Sachs slapped a pessimistic $23 price target on the shares. Most analysts expect the PC situation to improve later this year with the launch of Windows 10 and Intel's Skylake. Intel is still heavily dependent on the PC market, despite the strong growth of its data centre business and its aggressive entry into the mobile market, so any weakness in personal computers certainly warrants concern. IDC expects global PC shipments to decline by 6.2 percent in 2015; while it does expect growth to eventually pick back up, it predicts a compound annual growth rate of just 0.4percent over the next five years. Intel anticipates flat revenue this year, with data centre growth counteracting weakness in the PC market. to look inward. Ghana, Nigeria's neighbour has also expressed her intension to announce some items to be removed from her forex window. These are reality times. Every nation is on soul-searching, wondering on how they got to where they are today, and Nigeria should not be an exception. We should by now be feeding ourselves. We have the capacity and the resources. Thus, Nigerian investors and business men should embrace this patriotic move of the CBN and partner with the CBN. The end result of this development is employment, wealthcreation, self-sufficiency and boost in Nigeria's gross domestic product. We need to grow our productive capacity, and encourage particularly, the rice producers who have shown great capacity not to only feed Nigeria but Africa at large. The steel sector - Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mills, Oshogbo Steel Rolling and Aladja Mills can be revived to meet the nation's steel requirements. The Dangotes in cement production, the furniture makers need to be supported and encouraged, so are the local fish farmers. Youth commercial agricultural scheme established to draw energeticand enterprising youths to farming should be made more attaractive to achieve set goals, not the portfolio carrying investors disguising as businessmen, but engage in rent seeking and round tripping, veiling their criminal activities by importing toothpicks, toothpastes or tomato pastes and destroying our localproduction potential and economy. The CBN is commended for this, the management is however enjoined to match its word with action by ensuring that infractions of this directive is severely punished and not pander to the pretentious critics who meant no well for this country.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

BUSINESS

MOTORING

•The L200

CFAO unveils Mitsubishi L200 Pickup truck CFAO Motors Nigeria Ltd, the leading distributor of Mitsubishi Motors in Nigeria, last Thursday unveiled the all-new Mitsubishi L200, a one-ton pickup truck at Abuja Sheraton Hotel, Abuja. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO was there

HE all New Mitsubishi L200 Pickup Truck has stylish look and is good at soaking up potholes. The Mitsubishi is now in its fifth generation, and this model adds car-like sophistication, driving dynamics and running costs to its predecessor’s long list of standard kit and attractive prices. It looks more upmarket, too, with flowing lines, distinctive LED running lights and a bold chrome grille. Inside, you get a slickly designed and robustly constructed cabin that comfortably takes five adults. And with dual-zone climate control, touchscreen infotainment, lane-departure warning and powered, leather seats, it’s as cosseting as a posh SUV. Under the bonnet is an innovative, all-aluminium 2.4-litre diesel that pumps out 178bhp and a muscular 430Nm of torque. Paired with a surprisingly slick six-speed manual gearbox, the new unit delivers strong performance and refinement. Head off the beaten track and the fourwheel-drive transmission can be engaged with a twist of a rotary control, while a lowrange function allows the L200 to explore parts other trucks can’t reach. Stick to the tarmac and one will discover quick, direct steering, limited body roll and

a composed ride. And with claimed economy of 43.0mpg and CO2 emissions of 169g/km, the Mitsubishi is easy on the bottom line, too, while a combined carrying and towing capacity of 4.1 tonnes is the best for any pickup. No doubt, the all-new L200 has been developed to be the “Ultimate Sport Utility Truck”, combining the comfortable interior of a passenger car with the functionality and reliability of a pickup. Muscular, sleek and dynamic styling which evokes the form of a wellhoned athlete; the all-new L200 also provides generous interior space, ample payload capacity, and class-leading handling. The allnew L200 achieves high levels of safety performance through its durable and sturdy chassis and frame structures along with MMC’s own RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) impact safety body. It delivers quietness and ride comfort on a par with a passenger car, thanks to a new engine, optimisation of the suspension, the strategic placement of sound insulation, absorption and vibration damping materials. The L200 is available in single cab and double cab variants, with a three-engine line up. A new 2.4-liter MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing electronic control sys-

tem) turbo diesel which provides environmental and motive performance among the best in its class joins improved versions of the well-proven 2.5-liter turbo diesel and 2.4liter petrol engines. The L200 accommodates the varying needs and requirements of consumers, everything from commercial to private use. The muscular New L200 is built tough to handle all kinds of terrain. Streamlined styling also contributes to class-leading aerodynamics and a smooth, quite ride. According to Managing Director of CFAO Motors, Mr Thomas Pelletier, the L200 is one of Mitsubishi’s long-time global best-sellers. Pelletier told Motoring Correspondents that the L200 gets its full redesign in nine years. Mitsubishi Motors, he said, has been producing pickups for 36 years since 1978, selling over four million units worldwide. The previous L200 was launched in August of 2005 and has sold a total of 1,260,000 units worldwide as of last September. The L200 is one of the most important products in the Mitsubishi Line up, he said. CFAO Motors General Manager, Navin Changer said the launch of the new L200 is part of CFAO Motors commitment to pro-

viding customers with a sales and service experience of international standard, saying CFAO Motors is happy to introduce the all new L200 to the Nigerian market. Changer said CFAO as a group has been operational in Nigeria since 1902 and is one of the leading automotive distributors in the country. “Listed on the Paris Stock exchange, CFAO group has operations in 33 countries predominantly in Africa. With its diversified geographic and social profile, the group is particularly well-equipped to serve the African market, allowing it to enjoy lasting, sustained growth. The all new L200 is now available to the Nigerian customers with 2.4L petrol and 2.5L diesel engine. Representative of Mitsubishi, Taiki Murai Mitsubishi has retained the J-Line design for this new model. Murai, the General Manager, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Nairobi Liaison Office, said the L200 is a new evolution in the pickup segment, vowed that it would be leader. Produced in Thailand like its peers with more space and legroom, he said, the difference between the L200 old models and new is tremendous.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

EQUITIES

Equities lose N108b in third quarter poor start N IGERIAN equities lost about N108 billion last week as sustained decline in the early days of the third quarter overshadowed latter-day rally that closed the first half. Dividend recommendations by many stocks failed to assuage investors’ risk appetite, leaving the market with long-drawn selling pressure. The All Share Index (ASI), which opened the week at 32,853.49 points, closed weekend at 32,538.34 points, representing a week-onweek depreciation of 0.96 per cent. Aggregate market value of all quoted equities also dropped from its week’s opening value of

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

N11.215 trillion to close at N11.107 trillion, indicating a loss of N108 billion. The downtrend last week further worsened the negative overall market situation. Average-year-todate return at the stock market was further depressed to -6.11 per cent, more than a loss of 15 per cent when adjusted for current inflation. While the spread between the gainers and losers was narrow, the market was overwhelmed by relatively higher losses sustained by several stocks, especially the highly capitalised stocks, which

determined the market direction. There were 33 gainers against 36 losers last week with 124 stocks stagnant at their prices. Level of activities also dropped markedly during the week. Aggregate turnover last week stood at 1.27 billion shares worth N17.57 billion in 18,933 deals as against a total of 1.44 billion shares valued at N26.406 billion traded in 18,110 deals. The banking subsector-led financial services sector remained the dominant sector at the stock market, accounting for more than three-quarters of turnover last week. Financial services sector led

the activity chart with a turnover of 981.65 million shares valued at N8.87 billion traded in 11,303 deals; representing 77.36 per cent and 50.46 per cent of the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The oil and gas sector followed with a turnover of 121.164 million shares worth N1.989 billion in 1,768 deals while the consumer goods sector placed third with a turnover of 79.97 million shares worth N5.265 billion in 2,914 deals. The trio of Access Bank Plc, Zenith International Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc were the most active stocks with joint turn-

over of 523.85 million shares worth N5.55 billion in 3,383 deals, representing 41.3 per cent and 31.6 per cent of the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The week also witnessed modest trading in non-equity securities. A total of 9,630 units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N734,568 were traded in 22 deals, higher than a total of 1,945 units valued at N533,746 traded in 23 deals two weeks ago. Also, a total of 1,692 units of Federal Government Bonds valued at N1.753 million were traded in three deals compared to last week when there was no trade on bonds.

•From left: Group Managing Director, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi; winner management category, Mafikoya Adeyemi; non-management category, Ojo Olatubosun; supervisory category Olusola Abdul, Chairman, Dr.Dele Makanjuola and Group Executive Director Corporate Services, Mr. Olatunji Anjorin at Vitafoam Nigeria 2015 chairman’s merit award in Lagos

Delay in govt appointments affecting the market, say shareholders

HE continuing delay in the announcement of cabinet positions of the new government of President Muhammadu Buhari is adversely affecting the performance of the capital market, a group of shareholders has said. Shareholders under the aegis of Proactive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PROSAN) said the continuous delay on the appointment of ministers would continue to affect the capital market as investors need to know the policy direction of the economy. National coordinator, Proactive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PROSAN), Mr. Oderinde Taiwo, said both foreign and lo-

cal investors will only invest in a market if they know the policy direction. “You can see that immediately the new President of Nigeria emerged after the 2015 election, the stock market moved up and now the market has been going down because of the uncertainty caused by continued delay in the appointment of ministers and policies pronouncement,” Taiwo said. He urged shareholders to show active interest in the affairs of their companies, berating the low attendance of shareholders at annual general meetings. He canvassed for a rule by the Securities and Exchange Commis-

sion (SEC), which will make it mandatory for companies to provide online audio and video of the general meeting’s proceedings. According to him, one of the demands of sustainable good corporate governance is the disclosure of vital information to their shareholders which are always discussed among other matters on the floors of the annual general meeting. As such, if there is any way such proceedings can be assessed by shareholders after such meeting, it will be a move towards positive direction. Taiwo urged SEC to continue to think on ways of further developing the Nigerian market to meet global standards.

ForexTime launches new live trading competition with $100,000 prize

NTERNATIONAL forex broker ForexTime (FXTM), has announced the launch of ‘Game of Pips’- a new live trading competition with a $100,000 prize pool for traders. ‘Game of Pips’ calls on traders to compete with the aim of earning the highest profit ratio, with the best performers winning cash prizes which they can withdraw or transfer to a real trading account. There are 10 top places to be won, with a first prize of $50,000, a second prize of $20,000 and a third prize of $10,000.

Head of Dealing, ForexTime Ltd, Charis Mountis said the latest live trading contest enables clients to pit themselves against other traders around the world to prove their trading skills. “With some great prizes to be won, there is plenty to play for in ‘Game of Pips’. By balancing sound strategies and careful risk management there are many opportunities for the sharp traders to boost their profit percentage,” Mountis said. Mountis explained that to join the competition, competitor will

have to register as an existing or new client, depositing $300 or more to a live account and starting trading forex, metals or CFDs. The contest closes on 15 July, 2015. The winners will also have the opportunity to become managers in the new investment programme which was recently launched by FXTM. “Through this new programme any skilful trader can become a manager and connect with other traders who are willing to invest in their trading strategies for a fee of their choosing,” Mountis said.

Stock Exchange introduces pension index HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has introduced a pension index as part of efforts to deepen the market and encourage more participation by the pension fund operators. The NSE Pension Index includes the top 40 companies in terms of market capitalisation and liquidity. Adjusted market capitalisation of a listed company is the number of its listed shares, multiplied by the closing price of that company, multiplied by a capping factor.. The index values, which would be available as from January 2, 2013 was exposed to the investing public at the weekend. The index has a base of 1000 as at December 31, 2012. According to the NSE, the creation of the NSE Pension Index will encourage the development of other products such as Exchange Traded Products (ETP’s) and Index Futures. The Index also provides a tracking mechanism for pension fund administrators (PFAs), custodian to the PFAs (CPFA) and others that follow the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) guidelines. The index is also expected to serve as a benchmark for measuring performance and reporting performance to RSA Holders. The stocks that formed the index were picked based on their market capitalization from the most liquid sectors in line with the pension reform guideline. Also companies to be included in the index must have free float factor of at least five per cent, making the index the first index on the NSE that gave consideration to free float. Also, companies that formed the

index must have paid dividend or bonus at least once in the last five years. The NSE Pension Index is designed as a total return index so that it can accurately measure equity portfolio performances, which capture returns from dividends, price changes and realized gain. However, as a total return index, the pension index will only be available at the end of day as there would be no intra-day values. It should be recalled that the NSE and the MSCI Inc, a global provider of investment-decision support tools, had in March reached a strategic co-operation agreement to develop and market a co-branded family of indexes for the Nigerian equity markets. Under the terms of the agreement, existing and future indexes will be co-branded as the MSCI/NSE indexes. These indexes will include the existing NSE 30 Index and NSE 50 Index, which will become the MSCI/ NSE 30 Index and the MSCI/NSE 50 Index respectively. Also, additional indexes will also be jointly developed and launched in the future based on client demand and market development. The indexes will be used as performance benchmarks and as the basis for index-linked products for investors seeking exposure to the Nigerian capital markets. The MSCI/NSE Indexes will be calculated and disseminated by MSCI, based on the same ind ustry leading standards that apply to the MSCI indexes. MSCI will commercialize the indexes outside of Nigeria while the NSE will continue to serve clients in Nigeria.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS JOBS

•A marquee hosting an event.

Managing events, making money Events management is on the rise. With parties here and there, event managers are required to ensure things go well. The job potential in this social segment is huge, writes OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE.

VENTS’ management has assumed a new dimension. Unlike before, weddings, birthdays, political gatherings, funerals, conferences and anniversaries, among others, are now handled by experts. People often talk about how some events were so professionally handled that they become the talk of the town. Such flawless, exciting parties are normally handled by those who have been trained and garnered experience. Oftentimes people never get to see them because they work behind the scene, coordinating and ensuring that nothing is missed out, not even the minutest of details. The event management professionals also give advice to the celebrants, especially on matching budgets with invitees, on whether the numbers should be increased or reduced. Event management involves all cadres of professionals with varied educational backgrounds such as engineers, caterers, artisans and lawyers, among others depending on the event. For instance in conferences and exhibitions, the event managers design and build

the exhibition stands and lightings, put all the necessary electrical, mechanical and information technologies in place. The event managers have regular and ad hoc members workers. The ad hoc staffers are hired for specific events and their jobs terminate after the event. Some schools run professional courses on event management but some acquire the knowledge by hands-on training. An event manager can be paid between N1 million and N10 million and more depending on the events and the personalities involved. Event managers are needed in almost any kind of business - entertainment, finance, government, retail, fashion, sport, music, among others, so their day to day job can be filled with a huge range of exciting challenges and unique situations. Events usually require many different teams to come together. It often includes several external suppliers. Successful events depend on the team with every member doing his/her job to standard with flexibility and commitment to good cross-team communication. If you love being part of a team and working with people to create something unique, events

could well be the path for you.

Creative thinking The event industry is all about exceeding the expectations of all parties involved in the events, and design is one of the key ways to impress. Event managers need to be real outside-the-box thinkers who have a dynamic approach to problem-solving. Design is essential to an event’s success, whether you have the creative spark that can give event guests a memorable experience, or the perfectionist’s streak that crafts brand awareness right down to the colour of name badges.

Strong leadership An event management team needs strong leadership to be at its best - negotiations between clients, suppliers, company or venue staff requires flexibility, quick thinking, buckets of initiative and exceptional decision making. A particular ability to spot good compromises and know what is essential to the success of the event marks out an excellent event team leader. It takes a good event manager and leader

to take on the challenge of directing a complicated event whilst managing the expectations of several different stakeholders.

Opportunities Some event management companies have the trappings of royalty and take care of event from the conception period to actual delivery. In this business your efficiency is the perfect way to get an introduction to the industry and give you a head start in beginning a career. Event management is a fast-paced, varied, and highly employable field. Even in times of economic recession, events remain invaluable to companies as a sure way to build brand reputation, drive consumer confidence and give people experiences to remember. Managing Director of Pink and Blossom, Mrs. Nkechi Iheanacho, an Industrial Chemistry graduate, said she has always loved to organise things and started when her elder sister was about to get married. “My business actually •Continued on page 36

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

JOBS •Continued from page 35

took off as an off-shoot of my sister’s wedding. I not only took care of the catering of the traditional wedding but also the decorations and ancillary services including the white wedding. After the wedding people started making inquiries about the organiser of the event, it took quite a while to convince some of them that handled it. Those who believed encouraged me with jobs such as birthdays for their kids and spouses and end-off year parties.” I didn’t look for start-up capital because my initial clients paid upfront, so l can say that l started with zero capital. My drive and love for putting things together kept me going. At the initial stage, I had no steady staff. I only used ad hoc staff but now as a fullfledged event management company l have at least 15 permanent staff. I engage ad hoc staff if l get several jobs at the same time or a very big job because sometimes I have as much as 30 people working on a project, she added. I have never had any problem paying my staff, from nothing we have grown to picking up jobs of over a million naira and our balance sheet is good. When we get jobs that require for instance a marquee we outsource some of the engineering, electrical, plumbing jobs and concentrate on our core competence which is food and decoration she added. On the skills needed she said there is a place for everybody. “This is one business that accommodates the graduates and highly skilled artisans who are barely literate. Everybody have a place but the most important thing is for each cadre to know its onions and stick to it. If everybody is a Ph.D holder, who will do the cleaning, decorations and other menial jobs involved? If for instance, you are handling a cross cultural wedding, you will need to spice it up with engaging somebody that can code-switch in the two languages. Event management is about innovation and competitiveness; you must try to please your clients against your competitors. The interesting part of this business is that it involves a lot of coordinates, a great employer of labour at short notice and pays the bills,” she said. The Managing Director of Event

Managing events, making money

• MD Majestic Events, Faizat Somide

• MD Elizabeth R., Ibudun ItuaIghodalo

• MD Zapphire Events, Funke Bucknor

Plus, Mrs. Evelyn George who studied Law but fell in love with event management, had a stint with an event management company for two years and left after acquiring some skills. “Though l took additional correspondence courses, it was only for effects to be a step higher in terms of the newest skill and technology. We have handled some high octane jobs running into millions of naira with great panache. I started the business with about N200,000, which I used to buy some special chairs and distinctive table wares for weddings and other colorful events, otherwise one can start it even with zero capital. The highest value in this business is your network of friends and associates and your core-competence. Sometimes a contract can be sub-contracted to you if your colleagues note what area you are good at, integrity is also key,” she said. On her workforce, she said there are 10 core members of staff but

makes use of ad hoc staff depending on the volume of job and skill needed for the job. She also confirmed that it is a business for everybody, stressing that no skill is wasted in the innovative business. Rose and Pink Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Peter Eton said event management is an all season business that does not go out of fashion. He started his company some three years ago with his wife and they have not looked back ever since. He said they divided their business into segments and hired the best hands to coordinate it. While he takes care of doing the master of ceremony and decorations his wife takes care of food and drinks where she displays her natural culinary abilities in cooking food as she read hotel and catering management from the Polytechnic. He said they are able to take-up jobs from any part of the country as she is capable of cooking almost all the major food and delicacies of the major lin-

guistic groups in the country. “When l lost my job as a result of rationalisation where l had worked for over nine years, we came to the conclusion that the only way out for both of us was to run a business which did not require a fortune to start. We started with less than N100,000 from our savings, organising end of year parties for schools and birthdays for some children of the rich, chieftaincy programmes, promotions and even political campaign programmes, from there we built our clientele. “Our events have colour to it because we have traditional dancers that we trained to sing and dance according to the dictates of the event. With benefits of hindsight there is no business we would have done with so much ease in addition to being financially rewarding.” On whether a practitioner needs a professional qualification in events management to be success-

‘Our events have colour to it because we have traditional dancers that we trained to sing and dance according to the dictates of the event. With benefits of hindsight there is no business we would have done with so much ease in addition to being financially rewarding’

ful, he said no, adding that the first demand is interest, ability to organise programmes successfully, dexterity in organisation and ability to deliver within a short period. Eton said they bought their first van after doing their first five major jobs. He noted that one gets to a point in the business that he cannot do without heavy vehicles that can move equipment around and even a warehouse. “Another important thing is to exhibit the highest level of integrity with your clients. When somebody entrust huge cash to you with the belief that you will deliver; you will have no choice but to deliver. Before you grow big enough to have your marquee or build your own event centre where you hold your events, you must be at home with good event places in your location. Sometimes your client can live you with the choice of finding a suitable place for a particular event,” he added. Event management has gone beyond cooking but now depending on the level of the engagement, you go beyond that to meet up with the expectations of your client. On the number of staff, he said he has 12 permanent staff but makes use of casual staff a lot in such areas as ushers, service hands, electricians and plumbers to ensure that no service is disrupted. We are never in lack of good hands; this is one business that when people see you setting up a stand you will readily have hundreds of applicants trying to get an opportunity to be part of it. One other good thing about this business is that it can accommodate as many event mangers as possible. Nigerians celebrate just about anything and if you have a good record and deliver on your promises you will never be in short supply of jobs, he said. On how much somebody needs to start the business, he said depending on the entry point, one can start with any amount or even zero capital if clients trust you enough to give jobs and mobilisation fee. On the stream of income, Eton said he is happy he chose the line of business as he can’t complain especially in the face of the harsh economic condition in the country.

EMPOWERMENT CLINIC

Taming team conflict for organisational and national devt By Goke Ilesanmi

•Ilesanmi

DECIDED to address this topic this week, given the ravaging effects of the conflict currently engulfing our political landscape on personal empowerment and organisational and national development. The need to address the crisis becomes imperative following the trademark of “slow motion” that the current government is now accorded just within one month of being in charge. The current All Progressives Congress (APC) and National Assembly crisis has heightened our impatience and created impression of national standstill as

opposed to the immediate change acceleration expected. The fact is that team conflict is inevitable when people interact and it is important that we know how to handle it. Azriel Winnett, a relationship management expert says, “But when handled properly, conflict need not drive the parties further apart. On the contrary, it could bring them closer together.” This means the APC can still come out of the current crisis stronger if it handles its affairs properly.

Disappointment It is a truism that only very few situations are as disheartening as belonging to a team experiencing conflict. This is because conflict disrupts productivity and leads to frustration just as being experienced currently in our national life. It is instructive that there are no quick fixes for this. There are typically many reasons for team conflict. The desire to make one’s feelings known is the first step towards solutions. In conflict, each person has his or her story and people tend to see themselves as either the innocent victim or perhaps the right-

eous hero.

First step, action teams and membership Irrespective of the level of the conflict, the first step in conflict management is simply to deal with it. There are two key concepts here: sensitivity and willingness to resolve the situation. Those who have their eyes, ears, and minds open will see what others do not. Having a good sense of your surroundings and associates is the best way to recognise when and how conflict arises. The willingness to act intelligently and decisively is equally important. While many are contented to watch, wait and wonder, effective professionals get involved and solve problems rather than let them simmer. When teams or organisations first encounter a problem that they need to solve it in order to grow, they have to find out how to get the right information on the problem, how to come up with solution options and how to implement the selected solution. Action teams can perform this task because they are wellstructured groups meant to address management problems. If you truly

want positive change in your team or organisation, then adopt the action-team concept. The team will normally meet for four to six weeks, concentrating on just a single problem. Meetings should be held once a week and limited to one hour. At the end of each meeting, if needed, assignments are given to team members to complete before the next meeting. This keeps everyone actively involved in solving the problem. The action team normally consists of four to six people, and each member should have some stake in the assigned problem, but it can be peripheral. If the problem happens to deal with inventory in an organisation for instance, you may have people from shipping, manufacturing, inventory management, purchasing and accounting since they each deal with inventory in one way or the other. What you do not want is a team made up entirely of the responsible department, in this case, inventory management. Team members should come from a variety of levels, not just from management. During team activities, all team members should be considered to be on the same level, rather than on their level in the organisation outside the team. In

an action team, each member is equal—there is no rank in the team.

Leadership When it comes to the roles that people will hold in the team, the first one to fill is that of the team leader. This is the person who must keep the meetings moving forward and ensure that all members are involved. We will continue next week. PS: For those making inquiries about our Public Speaking, Business Presentation and Professional Writing Skills programme, please visit the website indicated on this page for details. •GOKE ILESANMI, Managing Consultant/CEO of Gokmar Communication Consulting, is an International Platinum Columnist, Professional Public Speaker/MC, Communication Specialist, Motivational Speaker and Career Management Coach. He is also a Book Reviewer, Biographer and Editorial Consultant. Tel: 08055068773; 08187499425 Email: gokeiles2010@gmail.com Website: www.gokeilesanmi.com

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

THE CEO The Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) last week organised a public hearing on the Draft National Code of Corporate Governance to promote transparency and accountability in financial reporting. In this interview with Senior Correspondent COLLINS NWEZE, FRC’s Chief Executive Officer Jim Obazee explains steps being taken by the council to ensure that companies follow best practices in their reports.

HY is the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria pushing for the National Code on Corporate Gov-

ernance? When the World Bank carried its enquiry in 2004 on Nigeria reports on observers of standards and codes, it said Nigeria was using persuasive code and there are different ones in the country. They are actually sectoral and are not backed by law. You have the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) running one for the banks. We have the one that the National Insurance Commission is running for the insurance companies. We have the one run by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which is called SEC Codes. We have the one that is used by Pencom for pensions, then very recently, the Nigeria Communications Commission issued one, though they said, it is effective in 2017. The moment they identified that our codes are persuasive; they also found out that it is imperative for Nigeria to have the Financial Reporting Council Act, where the Council will be in charge of corporate governance since they have been dealing with financial reporting. In the wisdom of the sixth National Assembly, they introduced section in the FRC Act which says there should be a Directorate, and inside the Directorate there should be one called corporate governance. Then, they introduced Section 50 of the FRC Act, where they gave us the duty to develop principles of corporate governance and promote public awareness about corporate governance principles and practices. They also introduced a section, where the Council shall have power to enforce compliance. It then means that issuance of National Code on Corporate Governance is statutory, no longer persuasive.

• Obazee

‘How to prevent capital flight with financial reporting’ There is also need for unification of codes, and sectorial guidelines should not be in conflict with the national code. Government also ensured that it must be private-sector led and that other government agencies should also participate. Why are some people working against the code? I want to believe that working against the code is rather mischievous. The code is not an issue. What is in the issue is a draft that is calling for public comment. So, if you have

anything against it, come and say it. If you said three quarters of the code should not be issued at all, come to the public hearing and say so. But to say that Nigerians should not be given an opportunity to speak about the Code is rather unfortunate. The persons that are working against it said they are shareholders of entities. But the shareholders association has given us a written comment that is supposed to be discussed. It is not that the codes have been issued; it is a draft document that has been

put on the table. The question is partially answered. But I need you to clarify, if there are specific provisions in the proposed code that are frightening some people? From what we received so far, some interest groups that have written, especially the big firms, are saying why do you want joint audit? This is because the draft code is saying, if your turnover is not less than N10 •Continued on page 38

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

THE CEO

‘How to prevent capital flight with financial reporting’ •Continued from page 37

billion, or your market capitalisation is not less than N5 billion, you should have joint auditors. For the auditors, if one of them is an international firm, where one is an alien, the other one must be a Nigerian firm. And we said, the Nigerian firm must not have a partner that is an alien. Our agenda is not only to generate employment for Nigerians, but to also ensure that Nigerians are trained. Every government agency must pursue an agenda that says that Nigerians being trained are gainfully employed. They should have technical support. Are there other complaints? Some have also complained that no two family members should be on the board of a company. Yes, we have said so, but it could be argued. What if two of them have significant interest? If so, they should be affiliate directors, because if two of them are part of management there are chances they could be working together. Remember that corporate governance can be broken down into bank-based or insider system. There is also the outsider system, or wide dispersal system. What the later means is that funds are raised from debts or equity market. In the former, the funds are raised from the banks or insurance companies. The characteristic we see here is that, those who provide the funds will also be part of management. That is why you see companies put people on the board after they have brought the money. In this case, major owners are also part of management. The quarrel here is always between the majority and minority shareholders. The market does not serve as disciplinary measure. But there is the dispersal system. Here, the money is brought

in by different people and the market is supposed to act as disciplinary measure. They can sack management by voting with their shares. But in Nigeria we have a mismatch. Funds are raised from the capital market, but it is manifesting the characteristics of a bankbased model. Corporate governance has to correct this. That means, if you are raising fund from the capital market, then shareholders should be able to discipline. And then, major shareholders should not be part of management. In which sector is the practice most rampant? Do you see it in the banking sector? It plays out in all sectors of the economy. It’s a mismatch, and needs to be corrected. You have to use corporate governance code to correct it. Investors will not be interested in your environment if they put money in your country and they are not able to discipline management. Despite the fight against fraud and internal malpractices, these practices are still prevalent in the sector. Could it be because of poor corporate governance? The malpractices that you see are not just resting on one leg, but we want corporate governance code to correct those things. Don’t forget that we are dealing with financial reporting. If a country does not have capability for strong corporate governance practices, capital will flow elsewhere. If investors are not confident in the level of financial disclosures, capital will flow elsewhere. If a country flouts accounting rules, capital will flow elsewhere. The important thing is that all enterprises in that country, will suffer the consequence even if there are companies getting it right. It is

‘From what we received so far, some interest groups that have written, especially the big firms, are saying why do you want joint audit? This is because the draft code is saying, if your turnover is not less than N10 billion, or your market capitalisation is not less than N5 billion, you should have joint auditors’

• Obazee

a multiplicity of issues. We deal with financial reporting issues, and also deal with corporate governance issues. Don’t forget that some people work on corruption economics. We are also fighting that as well. You are looking at financial statements of banks to see how they comply with the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) and FRC Act. Are you still reviewing those accounts? We are looking at their compliance level, but the National Code, took our sail. We never had a National Code for not-for-profit entities. We never had a National Code for public entities like Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government and state-owned enterprises. It was the private sector codes that we had persuasive code. Don’t forget that we are also looking at accounts of Federal Government entities. We are looking at accounts of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government and government accounting is broken down into two. We have what we call Ministerial Funds, which are accounts maintained by Ministries, and they are largely cash accounts. And we have asked them to move in to International Public Sector Accounting Standards Accounts. The second one is proprietor funds, which is government business entities, whose financial reporting and operations are supposed to be similar to private sectors. Those ones are to prepare their accounts using International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). What of CBN, is it part of MDAs? Have you received CBN’s accounts? Well, CBN is not something that is not new to the press. The CBN and FRC issue. You know the 2012 account of the CBN is what has held us in court. What are you going to do, if the MDAs do not comply with the IFRS account standard? You know the options for penalising government institutions that are to provide accounts are even stiffer because government will take decisions on them. Such decisions include removing the Chief Executive Officers or Chief Finance Officer or Finance Director because government will see it that either they are misreporting, or there is fraudulent financial reporting. But for us, we are helping them to comply. As when they come to us, and tell us areas where they have challenges, we will listen to them and guide them. Our interest is that they should comply. Which MDAs’ accounts are you reviewing? It is their 2013 accounts. What is really taking people aback is the role of audit committees. You know 2014 is still passing through audit. You know if the audit committees have not cleared your accounts, the external auditors will not work. What are you likely to be looking out for in MDAs’ accounts? Are they the same thing you look out for in private companies? If you are reporting under IFRS and you are a fiduciary interest of government, or a proprietary interest of government we check the same thing as private entity because proprietary interest of government means that you are running the business of that entity like private sector entity. A fiduciary interest means that you are an agent of government holding money in trust. But in a Ministerial form, which is ministries, you definitely will be reviewed using the International Public Sector Accounting Standards, which has slight variations to IFRS. If you are a state-owned entity,

• Obazee

‘If a country does not have capability for strong corporate governance practices, capital will flow elsewhere. If investors are not confident in the level of financial disclosures, capital will flow elsewhere. If a country flouts accounting rules, capital will flow elsewhere’ we will also be looking at it differently. In Lagos State, we met with the Accountant-General, then we held a brief discussion with him, and we said that it was important that the governor would have to register with FRC. We looked at those who signed the account and we discovered that it is the Auditor-General and the AccountantGeneral. Now that of the AuditorGeneral is appropriate in the sense that we see the Auditor-General as the external auditor. That of the Accountant-General is important because we see him as the CFO. But who is Chief Accounting Officer of the state, it is the governor. He takes responsibility, so he is supposed to sign the accounts as well. But I must commend Lagos State. They were the one that even invited us to discuss the issue of registration and all that. All of these things are because of our activities. The CBN has been conducting stress tests on the banking sector, and the result is consistently showing weaknesses. Have you looked at the sector to find out the soundness or otherwise of it? The CBN need models to find out what is happening. But as far as we are concerned, we look at financial statements. It is from the financial statements that the weakness or otherwise will be found out. But not until we finish analysing their financial statements, we cannot speak with all sense of finality. And when we finish doing that, we will definitely speak on the subject matter. At that time, we will be speaking from our own perspective which is wider. That of the Central Bank is narrower because they are looking at regulatory compliance. We are looking at general purpose financial statements. We have also seen banks earnings

dropping perhaps because of tougher regulation. What is your view on this? I don’t think it is so much regulation. What I think is that the financial reporting is now robust because of IFRS adoption in Nigeria. If there are disclosures, you must state how you arrive at your judgment and estimates. You have to disclose that. All your policies must be such that we must be able to trace them to the financial statements. A lot of malpractices have been cut down because of full disclosures. If you are disclosing fully, there will be no room for too many maneuvers. And IFRS closed that gap. If you are building your financial statement using high quality financial stands, there will be a lot of disclosures. That is why you see, their financial statements are bigger. So, whatever estimates you make, you must benchmark it, and explain the standard and tell us what would have happened, had it been prepared the other way round. With all of these disclosures, and strict financial reporting rules, banks no longer book in profits that never existed. Then, their definition of assets has changed as there must be economic benefits flowing into the company. So, you will not book what you don’t have. So, a number of things are now being done properly, because you have to report correctly. So, if that is the position, you cannot book a profit that did not exist. Nobody can be deceived today. Everything has to be put on the table. You can lie about everything, but cannot lie about your cash. That is why the first thing we start, in reviewing your account is the statement of your cash flows. Its cash inflow, and cash outflows, there is no room for accruals.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

Taxation

...e-Tax Pay: the easy way to pay your tax

HE tax system since medieval times has undergone reforms. These reforms, focused on taxpayers, are meant to increase service delivery and customer satisfaction. The FIRS has not been left behind as, for some time, reforms are ongoing to make its operations friendlier, convenient and conform to global best practices. In order to simplify payment methods, FIRS has designed a new payment platform called e-tax Pay.

What is e-tax Pay? E-tax Pay is an online self-service tax payment system whereby the taxpayers are given an opportunity to pay their taxes through their banks’ online payment portal. It is an initiative put in place by FIRS in collaboration with Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) and approved collecting banks. This is to assist taxpayers to pay their taxes with maximum ease. Taxpayers can do it themselves using the electronic service channels provided by their bankers. (These service channels will include the banks internet banking, ATM and other mobile banking platforms.)

Conditions to meet before using the e-tax Pay platform •You must have registered and obtained Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). •You must have an account with the bank. •You must have sufficient funds in the account to cover the tax liability/transaction.

Steps to take to make payment through e-tax Pay platform Having satisfied the condition of having a registered TIN, an existing account and sufficient funds, then; •Select the service (e-tax Pay) from the list of services displayed on the bank selfservice channel or request for this service from the bank branch. •Provide all the required information including the taxpayer‘s TIN. •Select the tax type (e.g. Company Income Tax, Pre-operation Levy, Value Added Tax, etc). •Enter the amount to be debited from the account provided. •Confirm that all the information provided are correct and valid.

•Submit the request. When this process is completed the platform will notify FIRS online in real-time. Also, FIRS has online access to the tax portal to view transactions real time to know taxpayers that have made tax payments.

Taxes that can be paid using the e-tax Pay channel You can use the e-tax Pay channel to pay all taxes/levies collected by the FIRS. They include: •Petroleum Profit Tax •Education Tax •Companies Income Tax •VAT •Personal Income Tax/PAYE (Resi dents of FCT and non-Residents) •Withholding Tax •National Information Technology Levy •Capital Gains Tax •Pre-operation Levy •Late filing penalty •Stamp duties, etc.

Documentation required when you want to pay tax •Prepare the relevant tax returns •Compute tax payable or prepare remittance schedule (CIT/PAYE/WHT/VAT) •Fill the relevant self-assessment forms.

Benefits of using e-tax Pay ·•Promotes transparency and boosts the taxpayer’s confidence and trust in the tax system. •Promotes voluntary compliance. •It is convenient, saves time and compliance costs as taxpayers can do it themselves within the confine of their offices

‘

E-tax Pay is an online self-service tax payment system whereby the taxpayers are given an opportunity to pay their taxes through their banks’ online payment portal. It is an initiative put in place by FIRS in collaboration with Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) and approved collecting banks.

‘

• Acting Executive Chairman, FIRS, Samuel Ogungbesan

without going to the banking hall. •E-tax Pay solution streamlines the process flow in tax remittance, with all banks collecting for FIRS using their various channels. •Banks integration to the NIBSS e-tax Pay is a veritable avenue for enabling all forms of tax payments/collections particularly from the bank accounts of taxpayers to the designated bank accounts of FIRS. •This solution harmonizes online tax assessment with the e-tax Pay platform; which gives convenience of assessment and remittance. •NIBSS collection platform has been integrated to the system(s) of FIRS for data acquisition and online real-time notification of transactions. •The security of payment is intact as the platform leverages the robust security infrastructure of banks. •It makes account reconciliation easy for FIRS. •It enhances effective budgeting and forecasting due to the availability of adequate information on details of tax revenue realised over a period of time.

Security of the e-tax Pay platform The e-tax Pay service is safe and secure. The platform leverages on the security measures provided by the service channels of the banks. The system through NIBSS validates taxpayers’ information against FIRS records and automatically notifies FIRS. … fast track your tax payment, use the e-tax Pay. •Source: FIRS

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

NEWS

Legitimacy of Political Science as a discipline in Nigeria (II) (Continued from last Friday)

TEM is faulty because it is not hemmed by a competent social research that addresses sociocultural issues of knowledge application touching on social values, individual accountability, cultural implications that could turn an otherwise good knowledge into something terrible for human coexistence. Thus, if human well-being is the end of all knowledge, what role can political science play specifically in calibrating that well-being in Nigeria? The idea of political science What makes our discipline significant? The answer to that question is already contained in the defining characteristic of the discipline. Political science studies politics, political processes, political institutions and political behaviour. Or, to put it another way, political scientists are concerned with power and power relations. They are interested in answering the question of who gets what, when and how, from as small a component as the family, down to a somewhat larger component as the local government council then on to the national level of Nigeria’s political economy and even to a global power relation between the developed and the developing countries of the world. And they are equally interested in achieving a scientifically objective analysis that eschews bias and sentiment in an attempt to come to methodologically sound conclusions that can aid governance policies and paradigms. Thus, for instance, a political scientist would want to know how income distribution within the Nigerian society, within the last fifteen years for instance, has generated a huge poverty level. Or, s/he may be interested in the question of how the electoral processes constitute a veritable factor in the measurement of democratisation in Nigeria. As a political scientist, I have also been concerned with how the reform of the Nigerian civil service system can contribute immensely to the good governance project of the Nigerian government. In an attempt at determining the question of who gets who, what and how, political scientists are further dragged into the labyrinth of social and political theorising about sociopolitical institutions, the values underlying them, the political economy of a state in relationship with other states, the administrative framework within which a state operates in relation with its citizens, the analysis of the interests that public policies serve, and so on. We can safely assume that when political scientists study power and power relations, they are striking at the very heart of the human condition, and are therefore involved fundamentally in redefining one of the most fundamental means by which human well-being can be facilitated. This is because all political acts, as a commentator puts it, have distributional consequences and social significance. This immediately reveals that the study of politics is directly the study of the policy implications of power that can extend human interests. In ‘Politics as Vocation,’ Max Weber considers politics as leadership in action. And this idea of leadership is not restricted to the select leaders of political association, culminating in the ultimate political association—the state. On the contrary, it also involves those who have made politics a vocation either by living for politics or by living off politics. This distinction has a deep implication for the way we see, say, the political scientist and the politicians. There is a sense in which both of them live for and off politics. The sense is that since both are concerned with politics in different ways, the political space need to provide the income that would sustain that inter-

est. But then, living for politics is essentially what gives the political scientists the spiritual essence of pursuing the study of politics as a significant cause that yields immense rewards. This is what gives political science its maturity as a discipline. Encountering the Nigerian State From our definitional charter therefore, it seems superfluous to ask why political science is significant to the quest for social order, good governance or democratisation of the Nigerian political space. Nigeria, in all her plural complexities, constitutes a real theatre for political analysis. With religious fundamentalism and terrorism, unequal distribution of wealth, child abuse and trafficking, elite insensitivity, infrastructural decay, social disorder, economic disequilibrium, and even foreign policy listlessness, Nigerian political scientists are in for an interesting time. The question however is why political science or even the larger social science community is fighting for its life with regard to what it can contribute to the development crisis in Nigeria. The Nigerian government recognises only the sciences as being significantly critical to the resolution of Nigeria’s development impasse. And so her major funding goes to what she considers important in 60:40 ratio. That 40% is to be shared between the humanities and the social sciences. Nigeria isn’t alone in this myopic educational policy. All over the globe, the STEM field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics are taking the shine off the humanities and the social sciences. And where does that leave us? The answer to this question must be found if we look inward. What is required for legitimacy isn’t the profusion of our methodologies. First question to as one another: Haven’t we become too academic? Have we not really intellectualised Nigeria’s problem to the point of being too pedantic? What really is the point of functionalism, institutionalism, the prisoner’s dilemma, curvilinear disparity, constructivism, Big Man theory, democratic theory, and other highsounding theories if they cannot enable a better appreciation of our predicament or furnish us with alternative thinking and models? The title I have chosen for this section is the title of a recent book edited by Professors Wale Adebanwi and Ebenezer Obadare. In the Introduction to the volume, the editors identified their objective: We are primarily interested in the question(s) of how various agents/ agencies within the Nigerian (African) society encounter the state, ranging from the most routine form of contact to the… spectacular. If the state is constituted as the ultimate power in society, how…do we understand the processes by which this power itself also constitutes, or forms, its subjects, providing the very conditions of the existence of the subjects and the trajectories of their desires and aspirations? If the state as the ultimate power forms its subjects, then the state is not merely what is opposed by elements, say in civil or political society, but strongly what they also depend on to authorize and actualize their existence. Within this objective, we have a straightforward understanding of, at least, one of the most fundamental responsibilities of political scientists in the understanding of the Nigerian state and its plural constituents. If I am asked, I will strongly identify systemic malformation and institutional crisis as the bane of the Nigerian state. And this arises for me from the neglect of the theoretical foundation of institutions formation and the values underlying them. When institutions malfunction, what results is social dislocation and entrenched anomie. Unfortunately, we are more

concerned, as it were, with importing paradigms, theories, practices and models but we end up distorting their incorporation into the Nigerian situation. In most cases, we dismiss attempts at single-mindedly unravelling the complexities in our daily lives and political predicament. We neglect theories in our attempts at making practical progress in understanding our predicament as a nation. I have been in the Nigerian Civil Service long enough to see this kind of anti-intellectualism manifesting. One of the telling symptoms of dysfunction in the civil service system is that its efficiency is compounded by the contradictions involved in operating simultaneously two distinct models of government business that are working at cross-purposes—the Weberian bureaucratic model and managerialism. The system is therefore denied the opportunity of evolving a genuinely entrepreneurial and technocratic culture that derives from a sincere theoretical understanding of the two models. As such, the state capacity to generate sufficient momentum to drive the national economy, and hence national transformation, is compromised. Indeed, in the public service, action and policy research has been reduced to seminars, workshops and conferences that often fail to yield any solid implication for the institutionalised synergy between policy and research nurtured by an active community of practice and service. What gets implemented most of the time are the summaries of half-thought through papers and opinions which represent ‘expert’ positions which are invariably never commissioned to be rigorously rooted in policy research. In most cases, we negotiate our ways through common sense while other countries spend years to think through major assumptions lurking behind their policy decisions. Federal Executive Council memos are usually not subjected to deep policy analysis that our complex predicament demands, and even our policy analysis hubs— say, Planning Research and Statistics Departments—are not manned by professional policy analysts and trained research officers. This is just a significant dimension of the totality that constitutes the Nigerian predicament. The question is: What is the role of the political scientists in mediating this distance between policy and research? In what ways can political science assists in our inevitable encounter with the Nigerian state? Dr Jibrin Ibrahim ascribed the role of an intellectual diagnostician to the political scientist in Nigeria. This is because, for him, the Nigerian state is fundamentally sick. And the sickness is multi-pronged: The state of the Nigerian State is serious and each day we appear to be sinking deeper into the abyss. There is mounting evidence that we are not being governed and the traditional task of running the State is not a priority concern for the ruling class. Indeed, strictly speaking, the usage of the term ruling class is questionable because although we have occupants of the offices that embody State power, the tenants of such offices are not engaged in running the State. The principal work they engage in is mega looting. Essentially Dr. Jibrin is suggesting that the ruling elite in Nigeria have abdicated the original tasks of the state - taxation, provision of public goods and security and good governance. He recommended that the community of political scientists in Nigeria has the responsibility of working on a cure before the state consumes us all. What is not clear is whether the community of political scientists will heed this call. I am not even sure, from our earlier x-raying of NPSA, whether we can actually agree that there is a ‘community of political scientists’ in Nigeria.

Dr. Olaopa

Legitimising political science? What does it therefore mean to ‘legitimise political science scholarship in Nigeria’? I am not sure ‘legitimising’ is the right thing to focus here. To legitimise is to attempt to confer respectability or significance on something. Political science scholarship in Nigeria has gone far beyond that. My thinking is this: We really do not need to play the game of relevance or irrelevance. We do not need to legitimise the discipline; our works and responsibilities are cut out for us. What we rather need is to operationalize what is already legitimate. We just need to get out on the discourse field and prove the worth of social science analysis. The legitimacy of political science as a discipline rests on the simple fact that, according to Aristotle, man is essentially a political animal. And by implication, everything about man and his society is political. Even the urgent need to make progress via science and technology must necessarily be mediated politically. Thus, the choice of what development path to take is itself a political decision. The analysis of the underlying basis of such decisions becomes the significant contribution that political science makes to national development. Political science is legitimised by its study of specific policy issues and government’s responses to these issues—crime, pollution, infrastructure, education, roads, healthcare, welfare. All these are specific areas that require political research and analysis. We are essentially tasked with the urgency of reconceptualising critical democratic institutions and processes like elections, federalism, constitutionalism and constitutional order, the rule of law and its maintenance, institutionalism, and so on. Unfortunately, public policy is often seen as a sub-field of political science. Within the Nigerian context, public policy ought to be considered as part of the definitional dynamics of what political scientists do. In other words, our modus operandi is not limited to the analysis of power but also how power and the institutions of government facilitate the governance process. And this takes me to the last issue of concern for operationalizing the legitimacy of political science: Pedagogy. The question is that to push political science to the forefront of individual and national reckoning requires active teaching and learning. This implies that the political science curriculum must be brought up to speed in terms of what we study and the methodologies for doing so. Students cannot be motivated if they cannot connect to the topic and what it tells them about their contexts. For instance, problem-based learning ensures that students actively connect to their environment and its complexities. It is therefore the function of the teacher to facilitate a rigorous interaction between theory and practice in the analysis of the Nigerian predicament. In this case, small level tutorials turn out to have large level implications as the students are given specific issues to confront in theory and practice. There is also the critical role of town and gown synergy that enables political science students to regu-

larly confront active participants in the governance and political processes in Nigeria. Political science pedagogy in Nigeria also critically requires the infusion of what has been called ‘signature pedagogy.’ This has to do with teaching that is organised in such a way as to educate future practitioners about their profession. Enter NPSA again! If political science is no longer appealing to students, how do we ensure that the profession endures? Part of the responsibility of the professional body is to coordinate pedagogical issues, especially as it has to do with the training of future political scientists. NPSA is also very critical to defining the research trajectory of political scientists with regular fellowships, grants and conferences that are directed towards examining specific and time-bound issues. This ought to be an easy task because political science itself possesses a cross-disciplinary capacity that straddles the entire social science. The study of government and power relations permeates economics, sociology, geography, and so on. Political science research is an attempt at political diagnosis and prognosis. And that is what any sick entity requires if it is not to die untimely. My recommendations, going forward: A recap These ideas and recommendations could be debated, reworked and generally assessed as possible future direction for a proactive attempt at revamping the discipline. I am counting on the immense social capital and goodwill gathered in this room today to activate these ideas. My starting point, of course, is the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA). We cannot underestimate the significance of this association as the umbrella professional body for political science activities and visibility in Nigeria. As it is, the association is almost comatose. Its regularly conferences where ideas can be disseminated is far between. Its flagship journal, Studies in Politics and Society, is dead, to all intents and purposes. The starting point of any attempt at moving political science beyond its present circumstance must commence with several ideas about NPSA, in conjunction with its executives and other stakeholders. The NPSA can be the custodian of the curricula requirements to train future political scientists, grants and fellowship for further studies, conferences, research modalities and other disciplinary collaborations. There is the urgent need to reconnect political science back to the context of social policy. This will afford the practitioners the opportunity to always perceive the policy dimensions of their theories and methodologies. One good way to do this is to reinstate the town & gown tradition of a deep symbiotic relationship between the university and the state. The essence of the university, and of each discipline, goes beyond the crunching of ideas for its own sake. Every idea has policy implications. It should be one of the responsibilities of the political scientists to tease out these implications. A corollary to the town & gown synergy is the idea of think tanks or research institute that could serve as the focal point for policy recommendations and advocacy. Such a think tank will become a regular forum for political scientists and policy analysts and policy makers to brainstorm on the intersection between theories and practice. I will be glad, for instance, to see the Nigerian Civil Service as the focus of rigorous attention at the level of theories and advocacy. I have earlier posed the question: Why would the Centre for Democratic Studies (CDS); National Council for Inter-Governmental Relations (NCIR) – dedicated to research into our peculiar brand of federalism etc, - not have resurrected sixteen years into democratic governance, if indeed they died through suffocation in the heat of militarism? (Continued on page 59)

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

SHOWBIZ

Mo Abudu extols all as EbonyLife TV turns 2

AST year, when EbonyLife TV clocked one, the company took guests through a live Pop-Up activation titled “The Studio Experience”, not only by showcasing the making of some of its favourite programmes in an interactive, captivating and entertaining way, but giving clear indications of better things to come. Having completed another cycle, Chief Executive Officer of the Africa’s Global Black Entertainment network, located in Tinapa, Calabar, Cross River State has been sharing stories of accomplishment, while projecting into the future. The company turned two on July 1, 2015. While acknowledging the challenges and hurdles it had crossed with its pan-African appeal in the last two years, Abudu expressed gratitude to viewers across the 49 African countries it covers, including the UK, Canada, and its app subscribers in the Diaspora. She said: “It has been two years of the absolute grace of God! We have had our ups and downs but God proved faithful through it all. We thank all our sponsors and partners; our unrelenting directors and dependable talents, all our world-class presenters and producers; our unstoppable production crew; our tireless social media teams; our drivers, accountants, technical Staff, cleaners, resilient cameramen, our MCR team, admin staff, IT, editors, sales, marketing, PR, management staff, the staff who work in the background unseen and seemingly unappreciated and everyone else who makes us proud to be

By Victor Akande

Africa’s channel of choice, I congratulate you and I say thank you. As we continue this journey for the coming year we pray that EbonyLife TV will, by God’s grace grow from glory to glory.” EbonyLife TV was launched on July 1, 2013, to a pan-African audience, by a license agreement with Multichoice (DStv Africa), Africa’s largest Pay TV platform. Abudu assures that the Channel will continue to take its place as Africa’s media and entertainment powerhouse, adding that she and her team look forward to the opportunity of producing more premium content, creating more channels, seeking more international carriage and syndication deals with pay TV providers globally. The station, on January 1, 2014, commenced broadcast of its 100% homegrown entertainment programming, heralding a new viewing experience loaded with the best of homegrown African content of non-stop and refreshing drama series; enthralling comedy, engaging talk shows, compelling reality shows and many more. In November 2014, EbonyLife TV was launched in Southern Africa to include South Africa, and in the UK, it got on two different platforms: TalkTalk and Lebara Play, with a concluded agreement to distribute to Canada via Ethnic Channels Group Limited. Abudu says “There are also ongoing distribution discussions with Virgin Media in the UK as

U.S. Congress recognises Fela Kuti

well as other platforms in the UAE, the Caribbean and the U.S.” Apart from launching its multi-screen VOD platform, the Channel, in partnership with the Walt Disney Company the channel produced Desperate Housewives Africa, based on the multiple award winning ABC Television drama hit series, Desperate Housewives. Buoyed by the huge success and widespread acclaim of this adaptive production, the channel prepared to raise the bar further through the production of well-loved fairy tale and legendary titles to include Cinderella, Robin Hood, Romeo and Juliet and Little Red Riding Hood; with biblical stories like The Prodigal Son, David and Goliath, The Good Samaritan, Samson and Delilah, among others. Recently, the channel launched Moments, from one of it’s flagship shows, Moments with Mo, in Ghana, South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria. Some of the company’s future plans, according to Abudu, will emerge from its Filmproduction spin-off, the EbonyLife Films. Its first movie titled FIFTY will start showing in theatres across Nigeria and internationally from December 2015. In acknowledgement of EbonyLife TV’s relevance in the continent’s media and entertainment space, the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awarded the channel the rights to host the Semi-Final round of judging of the Emmy Awards, with coordination by the Academy, as an integral part of the International Emmy Awards judg-

•Mo Abudu

ing process which culminates in the final announcement of programme nominees at MIPCOM in Cannes, France, on October 5, 2015.

Road to MAMA: Dbanj, Iyanya, Patoranking, Yemi Alade, others light up Lagos • Yemi Alade

• Iyanya

By Joe Agbro Jr.

• Fela

HE United States Congress has recognised the late Nigerian Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Fela’s son, Seun, who is currently in North America on an European and American tour, posted a photo of the certificate on his Facebook page. The photo shows a ‘Certificate of Congressional Recognition’ which recognised the late musician, popularly called Abami Eda among other aliases, as a ‘musical legend’ and ‘pioneer of Afrobeat Music Genre.’ The certificate which was presented to the

Kuti family was signed by Sheila Jackson Lee, a member of Congress and dated July 1, 2015 confers a state recognition on Fela. The certificate offers a short citation of how Fela, who was born on October 15, 1938 in Abeokuta, Ogun State led his school choir as a child, playing drums and piano, and how he studied Classical Music at Trinity College of Music, instead of studying Medicine. ‘Beginning in the 1960s, Kuti pioneered his own unique style of music called ‘Afrobeat’, rebelling against oppressive regimes through his music which came at a heavy cost. The late Kuti was arrested 200 times and endured numerous beatings, but continued to write political lyrics, producing 50 albums before he died on August 2, 1997, in Lagos.’ ‘Now, therefore be it resolved that on behalf of the constituents of the Eighteenth Congressional District of Texas, I take great pride in special recognising Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti who was known to most as Fela Kuti for his musical gift which has been an outlet for many. Fela Kuti was the pioneer of the Afrobeat music genre, paving the way for those to come after him. I salute you for your commitment to musical excellence. Indeed, you are deserving of the respect, admiration and commendation of the United States Congress,” the certificate reads. Though, the late Afrobeat King’s surname was ‘Ransome-Kuti’, he replaced the ‘Ransome’ to Anikulapo (which in Yoruba means ‘he that has death in his pouch’) as a form of rebelling against colonialism.

HEAD of July 18, when this year’s edition of the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) will hold in Durban, South Africa, Lagos, enjoyed a

Waje cancels East Africa Tour By Joe Agbro Jr.

• Waje

ARLIER slated to be on an East African tour of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania between 2nd and 12th of July, sensational singer, Iruobe Waje, popularly known as Waje, has cancelled the tour due to the death of her grandmother. Waje on July 1, had posted a picture of her late grandmother on Instagram account, announcing her passing. A day earlier on June 30, she had also posted that her mum was 64 years old. Waje, who was already in Kenya on the first leg of the tour took to her social media to announce the cancellation. According to her Facebook account, she apologised to her Tanzanian and Ugandan fans, stating she had to call off the tour to be there for her mum but promised to be back at a later date. ‘It breaks my heart to announce to you all that we will have to cancel the rest of the tour,’ she wrote, addressing her Tanzanian and Ugandan fans. ‘My deepest apologies to you because this was all put in place because of you guys. But this isn’t over. We will do this. ‘As my grandma just passed away while my tour kicked off, I’m forced to cancel to be there for my mum. ‘I am very sorry to cancel the Tanzanian and Ugandan shows. I hope you darlings bear with me and keep the love alive. I promise to schedule a better time to come be with you in Tanzania and Uganda. Stay blessed. Asante sana.’

pre-event experience last Friday, when several nominees treated fans to exciting all-night concert. Hosted by MTV VJs, Ehiz and Stephanie, the event, at the Marquee, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, kicked off with a press conference where some of the nominees fielded questions from the media. “For me, being a nominee is as good as winning the category and I am very grateful for the opportunity” said Yemi Alade. She later gave an exciting performance at the party, which also had some of Nigeria’s biggest music acts like Iyanya, Phyno, Korede Bello, Reekado Banks, Phyno and Lil Kesh. Guests also enjoyed a surprise performance from MI who joined Patoranking on stage to perform their hit track, Enemies. The night of music and dance also had legendary DJ Jimmy JATT, DJ Xclusive, DJ Caise and MAVIN Records DJ Big N with top celebrities including Tanzanian artiste, Vanessa MDee, Cobhams, Sound Sultan, Timi Dakolo, D’banj, Jesse Jagz, Falz The BahdGuy, BlackMagic, OC Ukeje, among many others in attendance.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

NEWS Ebonyi Labour Party sacks chairman •’It is unlawful ‘ From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

BONYI State Labour Party (LP) has suspended its chairman, Sebastine Obyia for alleged anti-party activities, gross misconduct and incompetence. Mr. Odoh Fidelis and Augustine Uguru were appointed acting chairman and secretary. A resolution signed by members of the State Executive Council (SEC) said members had lost confidence in Obyia’s leadership. They accused him of unlawfully suspending the financial and organising secretaries, Emmanuel Ibe and Augustine Nwankwo. They also said Obyia joined ranks with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to frustrate the party’s petitions at the tribunal. But Obyia denied the allegations. He said he did not work with the PDP. The embattled chairman said those saying was suspended were not party members but those recruited by the party’s governorship candidate in the April 11 election, Chief Edward Nkwegu. He described the purported suspension as unlawful, saying only the National Secretariat can suspend him.

Ariaria market for upgrade From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

BIA State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu said the Ariaria International Market, Aba will be upgraded to meet international standards. In a statement, Ikpeazu, through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Godwin Adindu, promised that the market would be upgraded with amenities and facilities to enhance business according to international best practices. The statement reads: “Upgrading of the Ariaria market is part of the government’s large-scale plan of a comprehensive infrastructural renewal of the commercial city of Aba which has begun with massive road construction and the desilting of drainages, gutters, storm water systems and flood channels”. Traders in the market have hailed Ikpeazu’s dream for the market. Meanwhile, the committee on Review and Revalidation of the market, led by Mr. Chigozie Osuala has been dissolved. The committee was directed to hand over documents, assets and property of government and of the market to the permanent secretary, Ministry of Environment. Ongoing projects and those yet to begin were also invalidated.

•Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere cutting his 51st birthday cake at Heroes Square while the first lady and representative of Governor Okorocha, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha, chairman of the organising committee, Barr. Kingsley Onunuju, and other dignitaries look on... yesterday.

Chibok girls’ parents alert public P to fraudsters

ARENTS of the abducted pupils of Government Secondary School (GSS), Chibok, Borno State, yesterday alerted the public on the activities of fraudsters using their names to defraud Nigerians and corporate bodies. More than 200 students of the school were abducted by suspected insurgents on April 14 last year while writing their final examination. Mr. Yakubu Maina, the chairman of the Association

of Parents of Abducted Girls, raised the alert at a news conference in Maiduguri. He said: “We wish to alert Nigerians and corporate organisations on the existence of some individuals and organisations masquerading as parents of Chibok girls to defraud them of their money.

“The call became necessary because this group has turned the agitation for the release of our daughters into a scam.” Maina, supported by the secretary of the association, Mr. Lawan Zanna, lamented that the group often deceived parents of the girls into attending their functions, only to be duped.

“We have realised that the whole thing has been turned into business by individuals, who pretend to be fighting our cause. “Some real parents have been lured to attending meetings with highlyplaced individuals in Abuja and beyond, only to discover that they have been shortchanged,” Maina said. He said 14 parents of the abducted girls have died, following heart-related diseases.

Ekweremadu awards N23m scholarships to indigent students T HE Ikeoha Foundation, founded by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu has given out N23.5 million in bursary awards and scholarships to indigent students. The students were drawn from the five local government areas of Enugu West, Enugu North and Igboeze North. Ekweremadu made the donation at the weekend at the Ikeoha Foundation Adult Literacy Day and 2014/2015 Scholarship and Bursary Award Ceremony at Government Field, Awgu, Enugu State. Ekweremadu said 50 students from Awgu, Aninri,

From Chris Oji, Enugu

Ezeagu, Udi, and Oji River councils, as well as 25 others from Igboeze North and Enugu North received N40,000 each, 19 got N400,000 each for a fouryear University education. The Senate deputy president said though the foundation ran other programmes, the educational programme was dearest to him because ‘education is the key’. “I am happy because for the first time in 16 years, we have true and genuine peace in Enu-

gu under the leadership of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. People can attend functions without fear of molestation, losing their jobs or losing influence. “I am also happy because about a year or two ago, nobody was certain IKEOHA Foundation and its programmes would survive because there were fears that I would not return to the Senate; it is by God’s grace and prayers of the beneficiaries and potential beneficiaries that I went back to the National Assembly,” he said. Ekweremadu reminded the

beneficiaries that they were being supported to support others. “The idea is for us to help you so that you can help others. The government cannot do everything and that is why we call on individuals to work for unity. “The little help you give to people can make the difference. Whatever your status in life, what will remain when you are gone is the support you gave to the society; the assistance you gave to others and those who can say ‘without you, it could have been worse for me’. “Everything will pass away but what we do as human beings with the opportunity we have will never pass away,” Ekweremadu said.

Three killed in Kogi communal clash, houses razed

O FEWER than three people were reportedly killed and property running into millions of naira destroyed when rampaging youths from Bakume and Abejukolo descended on Ogba village in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State. The violence was reportedly fuelled by the Fulani herdsmen - Agatu/Igala crises in Bagana, which some youths latched onto to attack the Ogba, Nupe community over its alleged support for the Fulani herdsmen. Speaking with reporters at the weekend in Lokoja, Alhaji Hassan Abubakar, who claimed to have lost two of his relations, six houses and two cars in the mayhem, said the youths attacked the community without any provocation.

From James Azania, Lokoja

According to him, the youths were merely hiding under the Fulani/Agatu crisis to attack his community because they perceived Nupes as settlers who are prospering in business and cattle rearing. Abubakar said: “All what the youths are doing is that they are acting the scripts of some powerful individuals who have vowed to wipe us out (the Nupes) and drive us away from Omala because they say we are strangers, forgetting that we have been living here for more than 200 years without any problem. “I am the PDP chairman in Omala Local Government and the chairman of NURTW in the local government; these positions are being rotated among all the ethnic groups in the

town, but some people now feel we the settlers must not be given any sensitive position again, whereas we power the economy of the area. “The other day, the youths attacked the Fulanis and killed 47 of their cows; it was the quick intervention of the traditional ruler, the Ojogba of Ife, that saved the situation from degenerating further, but the Bakume youths now turned against me as the leader of the Nupes and set ablaze all my six houses, my two cars and destroyed all I have laboured for in life. “As I speak with you, we don’t know where our wives and children are, they are all scattered in the bush. It is over two weeks since the attack took place and nothing has been heard from the state or local government, while our

people are starving and dying. He alleged that some unnamed persons were feeding the governor with falsehood and called for a board of inquiry to determine those behind the attack. Abubakar called on the Federal Government to prevail on the security outfits to stop what he called the ethnic cleansing against the Nupes in Omala, saying his people now live in fear. Two soldiers from the military contingent stationed in the area were killed early last month in a clash between Fulani herdsmen and Agatu militias. The police could, however, not confirm the latest round of fracas that claimed the three lives and property estimated at about N30 million was lost.

Umahi sacks auditor-general, others From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

EBONYI State Governor Dave Umahi has sacked the Auditor-General of Local Government Areas, Dr. Ambrose Edeh, treasurers and heads of personnel management (HPMs). This followed their indictment by the House of Assembly for allegedly embezzling N1.8 billion. The House accused the caretaker committee chairmen of financial misappropriation amounting to over N1 billion. It also accused the HPMs and council treasurers of conniving with the chairmen to loot the treasuries.

‘Don’t steal public money’ From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

ABIA State Governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has warned local government chairmen to resist the temptation of diverting council funds even as he vowed to cut frivolous expenses and block revenue leakages. The governor spoke when chairmen of the transition committee, under the aegis of the All Local Government Conference of Nigeria (ALGON) visited him. He said he would confront individuals who impede progress at local and state levels, advising Abians to do away with things that could sabotage the state. Ikpeazu said he would pay dutiful workers, saying the era of workers getting paid without work was over. ALGON chairman Chief Ukwu Rocks Emma said they would assist the governor in his quest for speedy development.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

NEWS

Insurgency: 1,385,298 displaced in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba

O fewer than 1,385,298 persons have been displaced, following insurgency and communal clashes in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba states. This is based on the June Displacement Tracking Matrix report released by the International Organisation for Migration, in conjunction with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The agency’s Director of

From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

Press Affairs, Mr. Sani Datti, said the report showed that Borno had the highest number of internally-displaced persons (IDPs), with 1,002,688, followed by Yobe, 125,484 and Adamawa, 113,437. He said Bauchi had 76,504, Gombe, 16,984 and Taraba, 20,501. The report indicated that there was a slight decrease in

the number of IDPs compared to the last report released in April, due to the movements of return observed on the ground, most especially in Adamawa State where the IDPs population had decreased. In Borno State, the IDPs population has increased since April, reaching over a million. Datti said 92 per cent of the IDPs lived with host communities and eight per cent lived in camps or camplike sites.

The survey shows that 52 per cent of the IDP population are women and 48 per cent, men. Children of less than 18 constitute 56 per cent of the IDP population and more than half of them are five years old or younger. The NEMA director of press affairs said the report highlighted that 95 per cent of the displacement was due to insurgency. Five per cent were forced to leave their place of origin because of communal clashes.

IGAWA State Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar has revoked a N10billion road project awarded by his predecessor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, for alleged incompetence and delay by the contractors. A statement issued in Dutse by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Bello Muhammed Zaki, said: “The action was not meant to stall the projects initiated by the last administration, but to ensure the fulfilment of the contractual agreement.” The statement said the government revoked the contract, following advice by the supervising ministry’s officials, who accused the contractors of violating the agreement. The governor said the contractors failed to meet the standard and the completion period after collecting more than N1 billion. He said the 29.75-kilometre Gagarawa-Bosuwa Road was awarded on December 16, last year at N3.7billion, with an 18-month completion period. Abubakar said the 42-kil-

Jigawa governor revokes N10b road project From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

ometre Budinga-RambazauTsangarwa-Maruta-Zandam Nagogo Road was awarded last December 16 at N5billion. He said the first phase covering Budinga-Tsangarwa had a completion period of 12 months and both contracts were awarded to one company. According to him, the company collected over N1billion as mobilisation fee for the two projects. The governor said: “To date, only 18 kilometres of site clearing and 6.3 kilometres of filling have been carried out on Gagarawa-Bosuwa Road, more than six months after mobilisation. “On Kila-Tsangarwa Road, only five kilometres of site clearing and five kilometres of filling have been achieved, when the contractor should have reached 50 per cent completion, having been on site for six of the 12 months completion period.”

Kwara Speaker hails Buhari on Hajj Commission

•Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin being assisted to cut her birthday cake by (from left) Pastor Tunde Bakare, his wife, Layide and Mr. Yinka Odumakin, her husband in Lagos...yesterday.

Supreme Court upholds INEC’s excision of Otukpa Constituency T

HE Supreme Court at the weekend affirmed the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to excise Otukpa Constituency of Benue State in 1996. INEC had under its statutory power to delineate constituencies, excised and suppressed Otukpa Constituency, which ceased to exist since then. Justice Suleiman Galadima, who led the seven-man panel, nullified the concurrent decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court, which upturned INEC’s decision. He held that the 14 Otukpa constituents, who initiated the action in October 2011, slept on their right by wait-

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

ing for 15 years before seeking redress. He also held that the suit was filed in flagrant breach of Section 2 (a) of the Public Officers Protection Act, which provides that the statutory period for an aggrieved person to seek redress to a wrongdoing is three months. According to Justice Galadima, the suit is “statute-barred, incompetent and unmeritorious, lacking in locus standi and jurisdiction and is hereby struck out forthwith, without delving into its merits.” He added: “The respond-

ents’ suit is statute-barred, having been filed outside the three months stipulated by law in Section 2 (a) of the Public Officers Protection Act. “The essence or effect of the Public Officers Protection Act herein is to extinguish the cause of action if it is commenced after the stipulated period, which is three months. “In the light of the foregoing, I resolve this issue in favour of the appellant, set aside the findings of the two lower courts and accordingly strike out the suit. “The appeal is meritorious and, hereby, allowed as all the issues are resolved in favour of the appellant, and the

Businessman kidnapped in Makurdi

HE owner of the biggest shopping mall in Makurdi, David Onuigbo, popularly known by his business name, Dubbiac Supermarket, has been kidnapped by gunmen. The incident occurred last Friday on Iyorchia Ayu Road, opposite the state library at Wurukum, about 9 pm. Initially, people mistook the incident to be a robbery, as the gunmen shot in the air and drove off with Onuigbo, escaping through Wurukum

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

Roundabout. But the next day, it was discovered that they were kidnappers when Onuigbo’s family called his phone and his abductors answered, warning them not to inform the police. The kidnappers reportedly said they would demand a ransom later. But two days after his abduction, no demand has been made. Relations said Onuigbo is

hypertensive. They begged the kidnappers to release him on compassionate ground, to enable him attend to his health. The Nation learnt that the victim had just relocated to his new two-storey building opposite the library, near Wurukum Roundabout and the kidnappers may have thought he is rich. Police spokesman Austine Ezeani confirmed the incident. He said: “We are on top of the situation.”

respondents’ suit is set aside.” Fourteen constituents on October 25, 2011 sued INEC over its decision to excise the constituency. They argued that without the suppressed constituency, the House of Assembly was not properly constituted as constitutionally-stipulated. INEC, they contended, acted unfairly in refusing to include Otukpa Constituency among other suppressed constituencies, which the commission forwarded to the National Assembly for approval for restoration. The commission, in a preliminary objection, filed an objection to the suit on the grounds that it was filed out of the three-month provision of Section 2 (a) of the Public Officers Protection Act. Delivering ruling on June 26, 2012, the Federal High Court, Makurdi dismissed INEC’s objection. The commission, unsatisfied, appealed to the Court of Appeal, Makurdi Division, which, on February 13, last year affirmed the trial court’s ruling and dismissed its appeal. INEC approached the Supreme Court for the final determination of the case.

HE Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad, has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari on his directives to the National Hajj Commission and other agencies to stop the corruption associated with Hajj operations. The Assembly, in its maiden sitting, urged the Federal Government to beam its searchlight on the issuance of free Saudi Arabia visa by travel agencies. The Speaker, in a statement, said the President’s directive reinforced the House of

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Assembly’s earlier call to the commission to stem the tide of corruption associated with the performance of Hajj and Umrah operations by the pilgrims. Ahmad said innocent pilgrims had been exploited and made to pay for the services not rendered by the commission and other related agencies. This, according to him, retarded the success of Hajj operations by pilgrims, thereby portraying the country in bad light.

Fed Govt reopens Maiduguri Airport

WO years after it was closed to commercial flights, the Maiduguri International Airport in Borno State was reopened yesterday. It was closed on December 2, 2013 when Boko Haram insurgents destroyed equipment in its vicinity. The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Saleh Dunoma, said the facilities and equipment of the authority were fixed when the airport was shut down. He said the government was putting in place measures to ensure safe flight operations despite the security challenges. Dunoma urged the airport’s workers to remain committed to their duties. He enjoined them to make

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

safety, security and passengers’ comfort their priority—in line with the authority’s mandate. The FAAN managing director assured them of the management’s support as they operate amid security challenges, advising them to support the Federal Government, especially the armed agencies using their facilities. The airport Manager, Mr. Saidu Nazeef, appreciated Dunoma’s support and interest, noting that workers had been reinvigorated to excel in their duties. On June 13, a commercial aircraft carrying Borno State Deputy Governor Zanna Umar Mustapha landed at the airport.

Civil Defence officials arrested for ‘torturing man to death’

IX officials of the Sokoto State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been arrested for allegedly torturing a 38-year-old man, Jamilu Abdullahi, to death. Addressing a news conference in Sokoto at the week-

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

end, the corps’ commandant, Mr. Bello Musa, said any of the officials found guilty would be arraigned. Those detained include the divisional officer, cell guard and four others.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

NEWS Akwa Ibom elders urge Emmanuel to tackle cultism

GROUP, Akwa Ibom State Consultative Forum, has urged Governor Udom Emmanuel to eradicate cultism from schools and politics. Arising yesterday from a meeting, which was presided over by former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Chief Nduese Essien, the group advised Emmanuel to encourage local contractors without dispensing with their foreign counterparts. By encouraging local contractors, the group said, there would be internal circulation of democracy dividends in the state. The forum said: “Much as

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

the governor has the overall power in the appointment of members of his State Exceutive Council (Exco), there is need to consult the elders of the local government areas concerned. “The local government areas should be made to submit recommendations to be considered for Exco members and other political appointments. “Local contractors should be encouraged, but not necessarily dispensing totally with foreign contractors, to enhance internal circulation of democracy dividends.”

Wike assures pensioners of regular pay

IVERS State Governor Nyesom Wike has ordered the Accountant-General to pay pensioners the three months’ arrears the state is owing them. This is coming on the heels of the payment of two months’ salary arrears owed workers two weeks ago. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media And Publicity, Opunabo Inko-Tariah, the governor promised to ensure the regular pay-

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

ment of pensioners’ entitlements. The statement reads: “The governor, who gave the directive on Thursday, said it was callous and insensitive to owe pensioners, who have served the state creditably.” Wike regretted that some of the pensioners, who protested non-payment of their dues, even died in penury out of frustration.

Gunmen free ex-Bayelsa acting governor’s wife

BDUCTORS of Mrs. Martha Binabo, the wife of Bayelsa State former Acting Governor Nestor Binabo, has released her. She was kidnapped from her warehouse, located between Azikoro Village and Agbura, on June 29 by gunmen in military camouflage. Her husband, a former Speaker of the House of Assembly, was sworn in as acting governor in 2011, following a court judgment that sacked the Timipre Sylva administration. The five hoodlums stormed Mrs. Binabo’s warehouse at 11:30am. The gunmen seized and drove Mrs Binabo, a major distributor of Guinness products, to an unknown place in a Toyota vehicle. A source said the hoodlums arrived at the expansive warehouse when their target was plaiting her hair. It was gathered that the gunmen contacted the husband of their victim a day after the incident and demand-

•Sylva, APC leaders pay solidarity visit From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

ed N80 million ransom. Binabo was said to have negotiated a reduction in the ransom and later paid an undisclosed amount before the kidnappers released his wife. A family source said the abductors called Binabo at 11pm on Saturday and asked him to take his wife home. The source, who pleaded anonymity, said: “The gunmen called the husband and asked him to pick his wife. He went to Abua waterside in Rivers State where the woman was released to him.” Friends and sympathisers trooped to the Binabos’ home at Azikoro Village, Yenagoa, to congratulate the family and thank God for the woman’s freedom. Different women groups

were also seen singing and dancing in the compound to celebrate Mrs Binabo’s freedom. They described her as an amiable and kind woman. Though she was not disposed to narrating her experience at the kidnappers’ den, Mrs. Binabo said the gunmen did not mistreat her. He husband, a leading Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, is among those planning against Governor Seriake Dickson’s second term bid in 2016. Members of his camp, who are finalising plans to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), believed that the kidnapping was politically-motivated to intimidate Binabo, who is said to be an obstacle to the governor in the Bayelsa West Sena-

torial District. A few hours before Martha was released, the state’s APC leader and former Governor Timipre Sylva, led a delegation of the party’s leaders to Binabo’s home for a solidarity visit. Binabo told the delegation not to be intimidated by anybody. He promised to work with APC to ensure that the party wins the governorship election. Sylva, who was also delighted that Binabo was resolute, despite the abduction, urged the former acting governor to prepare for a change in the governance of the state. The former governor said he was back to participate in the politics of the state, adding that he had ignored Dickson because he (Sylva) was working for APC’s victory at the national level. He said: “Now that the objective has been realised, I can face government in the state.”

Sylva is leader we know, say ex-militants

HE National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, (NCNDE-A) has backed the leadership of the former Bayelsa State Governor Timipreye Sylva. The coalition’s National President Israel Akpodoro announced the group’s support for Sylva when he spoke with our correspondent in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. According to him, the group’s support for Sylva stemmed from the role he played in the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari. Akpodoro said the former governor also maintained a cordial relationship with the former warlords without discrimination and “negative anti-human sentiments” expressed by other “leaders” in the region. The former militants’ leader noted that Sylva supported the then All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate ýfrom the beginning till he won the election. He added that Sylva alone got the followers from the league of the ex-militant leaders for the President. This, Akpodoro said, accounted for the popularity President Buhari enjoyed in the region. It was not easy, he said,

for Sylva and his allies, including General Africa, to get such support for the President. The former militant leader said they were subjected to incessant threats and harassment by the loyalists of the former administration, who benefitted from its impunity. Akpodoro urged President Buhari not to let the region and its people down, especially those who stuck out their necks for him in what he called the just ended “civil war” between the heroes of change and the forces of retrogression. He said Sylva is a man of integrity who fulfils his promises, adding that he should be honoured with a commensurate position in the Buhari administration to enable him serve humanity. ý”Were it not for the likes of Chief Sylva and general Africa, the Bayelsa axis of the Niger Delta wouldn’t have been privileged to participate in the 2015 general elections, even though the then power that be senselessly rigged the presidential election in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But then, we were able to assert the APC strongly and that earned the party its place of pride today,” Akpodoro said.

•Scene of an accident opposite the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office on Enugu/Onitsha Expressway in Awka, Anambra State...yesterday PHOTO:NAN

OML 42: Stakeholders urge NPDC to withdraw multi-billion-dollar contract

TAKEHOLDERS in the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 42, located at Diebiri-Batan, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, have urged the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) to withdraw its multibillion dollars dredging and sweeping contracts in the oilfield. The stakeholders, comprising leaders and contractors from the host community, also advised NPDC to pay out-

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

standing oil spill compensation and clean up the area, in line with the Federal Government’s directive and international environmental best practice. They urged indigenous oil company to halt all activities on the field, pending the resolution of contentious issues. The stakeholders noted that revoking the contracts would enable both parties to

Siasia’s brother joins Bayelsa governorship race

OSES Siasia, an international businessman and younger brother to former Super Eagles’ National Coach Samson Siasia, has expressed interest in the 2016 governorship race in Bayelsa State. Siasia, who declared his interest at the weekend at a media briefing in Yenagoa, the state capital, regretted that the unemployed rate in the state was over 85 per cent.

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

He said the people had been malnourished by generations of broken promises since 1996. The politician said there was nothing to show for the large chunk of revenue the state got from the Federal Government in the last 10 years. Siasia insisted that there was an urgent need for a paradigm shift from old gener-

ation to young generation of politicians. The 35-year-old businessman hoped that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would give him a platform to actualise his dreams. Siasia, who hails from Sagbama, the same local government area with Governor Seriake Dickson, said the state needed a productive mindset to solve its the socio-economic problems. He said: “There is a huge cry of unemployment. We

have over 85 per cent of Bayelsa youths who are unemployed. How do we create employment for our teeming youths who have been impoverished by successive governments and have become disillusioned? “We need to create a robust industrial and education revolution in Bayelsa. Today, I have spoken with some of my partners, who will be attracted as soon as we get the mandate to create jobs in the state.

have a peaceful agreement that would ensure a smooth oil production. In a petition addressed to NPDC’s Managing Director, the stakeholders accused the company of marginalising the community three years after it entered into a pact with it to clean up spills, pay compensations, develop the community and carry out its operations in accordance with international best practice. The petition, which was also sent to other relevant agencies, was signed by Chief Samson Amakubukro, Deacon Wellington Igetei, Albert Amakubukro, Pastor Ako Samuel, Eric Numa, Prince Emmanuel Orugbene, Henry Suoware and Moses Douglas. According to them, the chairmen from the host communities were coaxed into granting them and Neconde Group, its major contractor, the Freedom To Operate (FTOs), when the community’s vendors, who participated in the bid, were not well briefed about the contracts. They said this denied them

the opportunity to participate in it. The development, they noted, was against the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which both parties signed in 2012 when the firm took over the field after the divestment by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). The petition said: “It is pertinent to remind you that since you took over operations of OML 42 in 2012 till date ...you have not embarked on one development project in our community, despite all MoUs signed or entered into with your organisation. This demonstrates the height of violation and highest provocation that indigenous people experience under your operation as an organisation.” The stakeholders urged the firm to implement the agreement with Diebiri-Batan community, especially on contract awards in the current 13 well dredging contracts. They said a similar action was taken with other communities hosting the field.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

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Come out of hiding, Lagos tells twins father

•Our plans for the family, says Deputy Governor

AGOS State Government yesterday appealed to Mr Emeka Benjamin Uche who abandoned his three pairs of twins and their mother, to come out of hiding and face his responsibility. Deputy Governor Idiat Adebule told The Nation yesterday that the government would rehabilitate the family. Uche, a Lagos factory worker, 39, fled home when he learnt that his expectant wife was carrying a set of twins – the family’s third. In 2009 when Mrs Ruth Uche first conceived, she was delivered of two girls – Goodness and Godnews. The second conception, two years later, produced another two – a boy and a girl, named John and Joyce. The third set of twins arrived last month. They were named Daniel and Daniella. Mrs Uche, 34 said she could no longer cope with the widening needs for food, clothes, drugs and school fees. Her meagre earnings as a teacher in a private school in Lagos can no longer meet their needs. Mrs Uche explained that her husband has since refused to pick her calls. She learnt that he stays in Ikorodu. “Since I gave birth to the children, I have tried calling my husband but he would not pick once he knows that it is me. I contacted his mother and other relatives to tell them that he has run away. They promised that they will call back. Since then, none of them has called me. It is not easy for me at all. “I don’t want to leave the children and run away. This is why I want government to help us,” she said. Dr Adebule enjoined Uche to come out of hiding, saying the children are blessings from God. “It is even an emotional stress for the mother, an emotional stress to the children and entire family,” she said. On the plans to assist Mrs Uche, Dr Adebule promised to visit the

•Obasa with the Uches

...Lagos speaker lifts family

AGOS State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa has donated food items, beverages and cash to Mrs Ruth Uche whose husband Emeka Benjamin Uche disappeared from home on learning they were expecting their third set of twins. Describing children as gifts from God, Obasa told Mrs Uche to always give thanks to God in whatever situation she found herself. Obasa said: “We came to congratulate you on the successful delivery of these beautiful gifts from God and to assure you that you will not suffer in bringing up these children. We must continue to thank God for everything. It was through the mercy of God that you delivered these twins through normal delivery after going through Caesarian routes in your previous deliveries. “Apart from being the Speaker, I am also your representative in the Assembly as this area falls within the jurisdiction of my constituency so this visit is part of my duty as your representative in the Assembly.” The speaker urged Mrs Uche and others to always make use of the health facilities provided by the state as they were built for them. “The state government spent huge sums of money to put in place these By Tajudeen Adebanjo

nursing mother today. “We have contacted her, I have spoken to her and a delegation from the government has gone to see her; they inquired about the health of the children and the gen-

eral welfarism. I hope to see her by the grace of God tomorrow (today). Lagos State is working to rehabilitate her and assist the family to fend for themselves. “We intend to give her monthly allowance to take care of the children. We are imploring him (Mr

facilities and they are free, so make use of them. For people like you (Mrs Uche), there are enough experts and professionals to advise you on family planning and other health issues,” he said. Mrs Uche thanked the Speaker, saying: “I’m overwhelmed with joy at this visit and I pray to God to always be with you and continue to bless you.” Also yesterday, former Itire Ikare Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Hakeem Bamgbola hailed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for directing his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, to take over the welfare of Mrs Uche and her children. Bamgbola said Ambode’s gesture was in fulfilment of the All Progressives Congress (APC) manifestoes. APC, he said, is out to cater for the welfare of the citizenry irrespective of their ethnic, religious or political affiliations. “I am particularly happy that Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Hon Mudashiru Obasa has visited the Mrs Uche and her kids. It is a step in the right direction. That is why Lagos has continued to be the state of example for others to emulate,” he said. Uche) to come home to meet his family and take up his responsibility,” she said. Mrs Adebule enjoined other men in similar situation not to run away, but to seek help. “They should not run away from their responsibilities; they

actually bring these children to this world. They should be responsible for them. Running away is not the solution; they should rather stay, seek for help and be prayerful. They should not add salt to the injury by running away,” she said.

urge the government to intervene because they have been claiming

they are relations of the governor so we have no point,” Mama said.

Residents seek demolition of their homes

OW safe is House 11 on Ademuyiwa Street in Oyingbo, Lagos Mainland? Residents of the street believe the three-storey building is uninhabitable. They have urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to order its demolition “for safety reason”. Part of the building owned by the Gbajabiamilas collapsed last Wednesday around 11.15am. The resdients expressed concern over the dilapidated structure which houses 44 flats. Labourers were seen patching the collapsed part of the building at the weekend. According to the residents, the agent allegedly handled four other projects that collapsed in some parts of the state recently. Speaking with The Nation Ganiyu Bulugbe, who once lived in the house, said he didn’t enjoyed his stay, adding that he paid for five years before he knew he made a wrong choice. “I learnt that it was a month after they vacated some tenants on the pretext of demolishing it that I rented the apartment. Having spent almost three years, I was given quit notice that the building was marked for demolition again. I remember when I tried to hang my kitchen shelf, the wall cracked and

•It’s not safe’ By Basirat Braimah

I brought out an empty cement sack from the wall. When we unscrewed anything, sand came out. It is that bad,” Bulugbe said. A family member denied the report, saying the family only renovated the affected part of the building. He said: “Our house was never marked for demolition. The building is over 10 years and it is strong. It was during yesterday’s renovation that part of the building collapsed. We are only expanding the rooms and afterwards we will place it on rent.” A woman, simply called Mama, who witnessed the incident, said she was glad there was no casualty. “My husband and I were in the sitting room when we heard a huge sound. We fell on each other thinking the building had finally collapsed. Immediately, I thought of my son who just stepped out of the house. As I speak, they have three tenants living there. What if they were at home, would they have died? How can one build a structure and erect a pillar afterwards? It is not done. I was surprised to see they have placed

•The building

vacancies on the building today (Thursday) after what happened. I

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

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Police arrest four suspected Ikorodu bank robbery

HE Police have made a breakthrough in their investigation of the June 24 Ikorodu bank robbery. They have arrested four of the perpetrators. The arrest of one of them in Ondo was said to have led to the arrest of others in Ikorodu on Saturday. The suspects are Promise, who was arrested in Ondo, Baba Ibeji, Bright and Monday. Soldiers were said to have arrested Promise, who sources described as “prime suspect”, while on his way to his okitipupa home town in Ondo State, during a stop-

•Suspects to be paraded today By Ebele Boniface

and-search. The soldiers reportedly found bundles of new N1000 notes with bank seals in his bag. The soldiers transferred him to the Lagos Command following the request of former state Commissioner of Police Kayode Aderanti. Initially, the lone suspect denied knowledge of the robbery, but he later confessed. He told the Special Anti

Robbery Squad (SARS) how they carried out the operation. His confession led to the arrest of his accomplices by a crack team of SARS operatives. Former officer-in-charge (O-I-C) of SARS, Abba Kyari, a Superintendent of Police (SP), who has been transferred to Abuja, is coordinating the investigation. He is being assisted by James Okeke, a Deputy Superintendent of Police

(DSP), who until his transfer to Area F Division, was a SARS operative. Okeke led the team, which arrested the three other suspects in Ikorodu. The suspects have confessed, saying they spent their loot on exotic cars and landed properties. The three vehicles-two Lexus SUV and a Nissan SUV have since been recovered by the police. The command spokesman, Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said details of the arrest would soon be made public.

N7m properties lost in Oshodi market inferno

Boat mishaps: Senator to provide 500 life jackets

HE senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District Solomon Adeola has promised to provide 500 life jackets for waterways users. He spoke against the background of recurrent boat mishaps in his senatorial district, the most recent being at Ojo where six teenagers died. Adeola commiserated with the bereaved families, noting that such losses are more painful because the parents were investing in the lives and future of their offspring for the good of the society. “While the unforeseen can sometimes occur in accidents like this, it is our duty to ensure that losses and fatalities are minimised to the barest minimum through precautionary and safety measures that are strictly enforced by regulatory authorities. But this can only take place when safety gadgets like life jackets and helmets are available for people to use and their use strictly enforced,” he said. The senator said his donation is to complement similar efforts of the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA in providing life jackets for boat operators to ensure safety on our waterways, adding that he is sure that the Lagos State House of Assembly will look at the regulatory laws for the waterways in their ongoing investigations of the latest accident. Adeola said Lagos as a riverine state with serious road traffic congestion, must develop and utilise its marine transport system, adding that what is required is enforcement of regulatory laws to ensure standard and safety for public transport on Lagos waterways.

NURTW seeks review of Okada restriction in Lagos

•The burnt market

FIJALO market in Oshodi, Lagos went up in flames last Wednesday six months after a similar incident in which properties worth N5 million were destroyed. Twelve shops were razed in the fire which began around midnight after a deadly power surge. According to the Iyaloja of Afijalo, Mrs Bolanle Oseni, who lives close to the market, the surge also affected electrical appliances in her house. She said: “Recently, the

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

light has been toyed with in our area. I went to ease myself when I saw smoke from my toilet. I told my brother to ask the viligante in our neighbourhood what the problem was. Immediately, I informed neighbours who could assist us in putting out the fire. It took us three hours to put out the fire. Even when the fire service men arrived, their engine malfunctioned. It is a painful incident. They lost properties worth N7million to the fire. It is a pathetic incident.”

Mrs Oseni called on the local government to come to the trders’ aid. The market’s secretary Gabriel Okonkwo, said if not for residents, it would have been worst. “Knowing the same section has burnt again saddens my heart because it is their means of livelihood. They need assistance. I advise people to always put off electrical appliances after their daily activities to avoid situations like this,” he said. He said there was no ca-

sualty. Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Executive Secretary Adeola Olajobi, who visited the scene with other members of the transition committee and the Council Manager, expressed concern on the incessant fire at the market. Olajobi sympathised with shop owners whose goods were burnt. He promised to assist them. Olajobi called for a meeting of the market executives where crucial matters would be discussed.

AGOS State chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Tajudeen Agbede has appealed to the government to review the restriction of commercial motorcyclists (Okada) on some roads. He said the state council has done everything within its power through public enlightenment to ensure Okada riders complied with the directive. He warned that the Okada riders wing of the NURTW will not hesitate to disown anybody found flouting the restriction on the expressway and highway. “At our level, we have embarked on public education to educate them on the dangers of riding Okada on the highways and expressway and from our findings; they (Okada riders) have been complying with the instruction. In fact any commercial motorcyclist found on the expressway and major highway will be arrested and handed over to the police. The NURTW boss however urged government to lift the restriction on roads not risky for Okada riders For instance, Agbede, said government should lift the restriction on some link roads because they in the state. These link roads, he said are not risky for Okada riders. Agbede said the Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos State (MOALS), an affiliate of NURTW, has done a comprehensive report on those link roads, adding that the report on those link roads to be exempted from the restriction have been compiled and forwarded to the government. “I would like to appeal to state government to lift the restriction on some of these routes to make life easy for both the Okada riders and the residents of those areas who depend on okada as a means of transportation. Some of the people riding these Okadas are graduates from various universities who took to riding Okada due to the acute unemployment in the country,” he said.

Two charged with N1.9m theft

•Olajobi (middle) and other council officials on the road

ESIDENTS, motorists and others have hailed Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Executive Secretary Adeola Dawood Olajobi for the construction of Fasasi Ayinde road in Mafoluku. The road, which was hitherto in deplorable condition, has caused users untold hardship.

Motorists hail council chief While inspecting the road, Olajobi said it was constructed in fulfilment of one of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s cardinal programmes. According to him, Ambode enjoined the council bosses to construct at

least one road monthly. Some motorists hailed the council boss, saying they are now relieved plying the road. A motorist, Mrs Yemi Agbolade urged Olajobi to continue the good job. The council has also

desilted some blocked drainage to avert flood in the area. The desilted drainage included Alimi Oke link road, Owoseni Street, Ayo Ni garage in Mafoluku, St. Paul Street, Airport road by 7 and 8 junction lanes.

WO employees of a drug firm, Emmaunel Okelike and Stephen Ukpal, have been arraigned before an Oshodi Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing goods worth N1.9 million. Okelike, 35, of Peter Oduntan Street, AbuleEgba and Ukpal, 46, of Chidi Orjiede Street, Alagbado, Lagos, are being tried for fraud and stealing, according to the prosecution. Police prosecutor Kehinde Olatunde told the court that the accused committed the offence between 2013 and 2014 at Town Planning Way, Ilupeju, Lagos. He said the accused fraudulently obtained goods worth N1.9 million belonging to Orange Drugs Company, with the pretext of selling the goods and remitting the money into the company’s account as sales representatives. Olatunde, a corporal, said

the duo were employed in 2013 as sales representatives, adding that after six months of employment; they ran away with the company’s money to unknown destination. Okelike was accused of stealing N978, 650 and Ukpal N874, 939. He said efforts to locate or recover the stolen money proved unsuccessful until they were arrested last month. “They relocated from their places of residence and their phone numbers were not reachable until they were apprehended,” the prosecutor told the court. The offence, Olatunde said, contravened the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011 and attracted a 15-year jail term. The accused were granted N100, 000 bail with one surety each in the like sum. Magistrate Akeem Fashola adjourned the case to July 13.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS

Princess Charlotte is christened

RINCESS Charlotte has been christened at a church in Sandringham after the Cambridges made their first public outing as a family of four. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pushed the princess in a pram the Queen used for two of her own children. Several thousand well wishers greeted the royals, while Prince George delighted the crowds on foot. The royal couple announced they had chosen five godparents for the princess ahead of the christening. Charlotte could be heard crying as the family reached the doors of the church Nineweek-old Charlotte is fourth in line to the throne The christening was held at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, and attended by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. Other guests included the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, Catherine’s parents Michael and Carole and two

siblings, Pippa and James Middleton. The baptism, conducted by Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Reverend Justin Welby, was held in private. The Queen and Prince Philip were among a select guest list The Cambridges were met outside the church by the Archbishop of Canterbury who conducted the christening Prince George wore an outfit strikingly similar to that worn by his father when he first met brother Harry in hospital The Duchess of Cornwall and her husband Prince Charles also attended Royal enthusiasts, including 80year-old Terry Hutt, gathered outside the chapel to catch a glimpse of the princess Princess Charlotte has two fewer godparents than her brother George, and none from within royal circles. The five include Catherine’s cousin Adam Middleton, William’s cousin Lady Laura Fellowes and Thomas van Straubenzee, a friend of the duke’s.

Curious Prince George peaked inside his baby sister’s pram to get a peek at the nine-week old as the family left the church after Princess Charlotte’s Christening at Sandringham yesterday. PHOTO: AP

The final two are the duke’s friend James Meade - who read the lesson during the service and the duchess’s friend Soph-

ie Carter. Mr van Straubenzee, whom William met at Ludgrove Prep School, and Mr Meade, a friend

Fidel Castro in rare public appearance

ORMER Cuban leader Fidel Castro has appeared in public for the first time in more than a month. State television showed images of Mr Castro at a meeting with cheese experts near the capital, Havana. Fidel Castro, 88, handed power to his younger brother Raul in 2006 after struggling to recover from illness. His appearance comes days after Cuba and the United States announced they were reopening embassies in each other’s capitals on 20

July. Mr Castro is rarely seen in public, and secrecy about his health means his public appearances are scrutinised by the media. Fidel Castro spoke for more than four hours to the cheese masters who were giving a training course The historic thaw between the old Cold War enemies was announced on 17 December, in joint media conferences by Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro. There was no immediate comment from Fidel Castro,

and analysts said the rapprochement would not have happened if he was still in power. Just over a month later, he broke his silence in a letter published on the Cuban Communist Party newspaper, Granma. “I don’t trust the policy of the United States… but this does not mean I reject a pacific solution to the conflicts,” he wrote. Relations had been frozen since the early 1960s when the US broke links and imposed a trade embargo on Cuba.

territory held by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine when it was hit. Separatist leaders have denied accusations they used an anti-aircraft missile to shoot down the plane. A multinational investigation led by the Netherlands has been looking into the crash New Zealand’s UN ambas-

sador Gerard van Bohemen, president of the UN Security Council for July, said Malaysia had “briefed the council members this morning of their intention to present a resolution in relation to MH17”. “They are seeking to find a mechanism to deal with criminal accountability in relation to the downing of the

•Castrol

aircraft.” He added that the move was a joint proposal by Malaysia, Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium and Ukraine. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov has called the plan “not timely and counterproductive,” according to AFP news agency.

Hillary Clinton accuses China of hacking U.S.

ILLARY Clinton said that China had stolen “huge amounts” of government information US Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton has accused China of stealing commercial secrets and government information. She accused China of “trying to hack into everything that doesn’t move in America”, and urged vigilance. US officials had named China as the chief suspect in the massive hack of the records of a US government agency earlier this year. China had denied any involvement, and called US claims “irresponsible”. Speaking at a campaign event in New Hampshire, Ms Clinton said that China was

stealing secrets from defence contractors and had taken “huge amounts of government information, all looking for an advantage.” She added that she wanted to see China’s peaceful rise but that the US needed to stay “fully vigilant”. “China’s military is growing very quickly, they’re establishing military installations that again threaten countries we have treaties with, like the Philippines because they are building on contested property,” she said. The hacking of federal government computers may have compromised the records of four million people US officials have blamed China for a major data breach

of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that was revealed in June. The hacking of federal government computers could have compromised the records of four million employees. US intelligence chief James Clapper called China a “leading suspect” after the incident. But China dismissed the accusation, saying that it was “irresponsible and unscientific”. China has previously argued that it is also the victim of hacking attacks. Republican presidential candidates have used the recent OPM cyber hack to attack President Obama’s administration, accusing it of “incompetence”.

Lady Laura Fellowes is the daughter of Baroness Jane Fellowes - a sister of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Iran deal worse than N.Korea, says Netanyahu

Malaysia pushes for MH17 tribunal ALAYSIA has said that it wants to set up an international tribunal to prosecute those suspected of having shot down flight MH17. The Malaysia Airlines passenger plane crashed in July 2014, with the loss of all 298 people on board. It had been flying over

from Eton, were both ushers at the duke and duchess’s wedding and gave speeches at the reception.

•Clinton

Marco Rubio and Rick Perry have called for the US to threaten sanctions against organisations linked to hacking, while Mike Huckabee has argued that the US should “hack China back”.

SRAEL's prime minister says each day that passes brings greater Western concessions toward Iran in talks over its nuclear program - and that the emerging deal could be worse than one that led to North Korea gaining an arsenal of nuclear weapons. Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday the progressing talks in Vienna do not represent a "breakthrough but rather a breakdown." Western diplomats are trying to reach a deal before an extended July 7 target date. Any deal would result in an end to longstanding sanctions against Iran. Israel has been a vocal opponent of loosening sanctions in return for curbs on Iran's nuclear program, saying this would just lead to a bomb and

•Netanyahu

aid the Islamic Republic in expanding its network of global terrorism. Netanyahu assailed the preliminary deal reached earlier this year. He tweeted his opposition to the unfolding final deal yesterday:

China criticised over Ramadan restrictions

OME schools and local government agencies in China's restive Xinjiang province have adopted policies that critics, including the Turkish government, say prevent residents from fasting during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The fast -- traditionally observed from dawn until dusk -- is a central tenet of Islam, the religion practiced by many of the ethnic Uyghurs native to China's western province of Xinjiang. The Turkish Foreign Ministry published a statement this week saying that reports of Uyghurs being "banned from fasting and fulfilling other acts of worship have been received with sadness by the Turkish public opinion." The ministry said it had conveyed Turkey's "deep concern" to the Chinese ambassador in Ankara. Turkey, a majority Muslim country, has close ethnic, religious and linguistic ties to China's Uyghur minority. In Malaysia, another

country with a large Muslim population, the Chinese Embassy said in a statement on its website that "reports from foreign media regarding the banning of fasting during Ramadan are complete nonsense." A Chinese Muslim man prays on the first day of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, at a mosque in Beijing on June 18, 2015. "The Chinese communist government is being two-faced, trying to fool the international community," said Seyit Tumturk, a Turkey-based leader of the World Uyghur Congress, a Munich-based group of Chinese Uyghur exiles. "What they do to test you is, if you're a student or teach or government worker, they give you water or food during lunch, and if you don't accept it, they start a process against you," he said in a phone interview with CNN. "It can be fines or jail time depending on your past and how old you are and what you do," Tumturk added.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS Syria mosque blast ‘kills 25 rebels’

Greece : Polls close close in bailout bailout referendum

ILLIONS of Greeks have voted in a crucial referendum on whether to accept the terms of an international bailout. Opinion polls released as voting ended suggested a slight lead for the “No” vote. No exit polls were published. The first official results are expected in the coming hours. The government had urged people to vote “No”, while the “Yes” campaign warned that this could see Greece ejected from the eurozone. The governing radical-left Syriza party has criticised the bailout terms as humiliating. Its leading figures say rejecting the terms could give them more leverage in talks over the country’s massive debt. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Sunday that a “No” would show Greece’s determination “not only to stay in Europe but to live with dignity in Europe”.

•Greece-referendum-demonstrations

However, international creditors have warned that a “No” vote could choke off vital funding for Greek banks and lead to “Grexit” - a chaotic departure from the common European currency. The “Yes” campaign has framed the vote as a referendum on Greek membership of the eurozone. Voting has ended and a na-

tion is holding its breath. The rest of the eurozone is watching just as closely - can a government from the radical left buck the European trend? Much will depend on how the numbers come in over the next few hours. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’s tone throughout the past week has been defiant suggesting that a “No” vote

would allow him to return to negotiations with a stronger hand. But there are many people in Greece who fear that he could be gambling with their future. It looks like the vote will be close, and that might suggest the nation is divided. But a clear majority of Greeks say they want to stay in the eurozone. The risk is that the tumultuous

Pope Francis starts Latin American visit in Ecuador

OPE Francis is travelling to Ecuador for the start of a seven-day tour of South America, his second visit to the region since becoming pontiff in 2013. His trip will focus on the issue of poverty, the Vatican said. The pontiff will also travel to Bolivia and Paraguay, but not his home country of Argentina. The Vatican said the decision not to visit the continent’s larger nations reflected the Pope’s interest in the “peripheries”. Pope Francis is the first leader of the Roman Catholic Church to come from South America.

In 2007, before becoming Pope, he told a gathering of Latin American bishops that they were living in the most unequal part of the world. Pope Francis, seen here at Rome airport, is travelling to South America for the second time as Pope During his previous visit to Latin America in 2013, he addressed millions on Brazil’s Copacabana Beach as part of a Catholic youth festival. Ecuador’s left-wing President Rafael Correa called the visit “an honour”. The Pope has requested to chew coca leaves while in Bolivia, according to Bolivian Culture Minister Marko Machicao.

Legitimacy of Political Science as a discipline in Nigeria (II) (Continued from page 51)

•Pope Francis seen here at Rome Airport on his way to Ecuador PHOTO: Reuters

Coca, the raw ingredient for cocaine, has been used in the Andes for thousands of years to combat altitude sickness and as a mild stimulant. The Pope will focus on poverty and inequality during his

America celebrates the Fourth of July

MERICANS marched in star-spangled parades, ran relay races, gathered for fireworks shows and crowned a new world hot dog eating champion as they celebrated Independence Day in traditional style over the weekend. Possible security threats, wildfires in the West and rainy weather on the East Coast apparently did little to dampen the spirits of celebrants decked out in red, white and blue from their headbands to their shoelaces. Crowds at Boston’s Old State House erupted in applause and cannons shot out tri-color confetti after the annual July Fourth reading of the Declaration of Independence. Later, thousands flocked to the Charles River Esplanade for the annual Boston Pops concert and fireworks. Krystle O’Brien, 27, wore an American flag cowboy hat and passed out glowsticks. “It’s a good day for Boston,”

she said. “There’s so much history here, we can celebrate this freedom.” In Maplewood, New Jersey, Meskie Hyman, 11, exuded patriot pride in a star-spangled shirt and a hairband with two American flags that fluttered under cloudy skies. “I love that it’s a free country and we have the right to speak. It lets us see everyone’s potential and find our heroes,” she said. The crowd in Washington, D.C. watched a parade of brass bands, law enforcement motorcycle units, high school drum majorettes, antique cars and police and military detachments. The National Mall, an open area west of the Capitol and site of a fireworks display expected to draw hundreds of thousands, was soggy from steady rain that had stopped by the time the parade started. Kearston Andrews, 26, travelled with her family from near Gainesville, Florida, un-

events of the past few weeks have made that much more difficult. Banks have been shut and capital controls in place since the start of the week, after the European Central Bank declined to give Greece more emergency funding. Withdrawals at cash machines have been limited to •60 per day.

T least 25 members of Syria’s al-Qaeda affiliate, al-Nusra Front, including a leader, have been killed in a blast at a mosque in north-western Idlib province, activists say. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that dozens more were injured in the city of Ariha. People had been gathering at the mosque to break their Ramadan fast at the time, the group said. The cause of the explosion is not yet known. An unnamed senior nonSyrian member of al-Nusra was reportedly killed in the explosion at Salem mosque, according to the Observatory. Ariha was one of the last government strongholds in Idlib when it was captured by rebels in May. An Islamist coalition called the Jaish al-Fateh (Conquest Army), took control of the city after a rapid offensive, activists said. Rebels had earlier claimed a number of cities in the province, including Idlib and Jisr al-Shughour. The fall of the Ariha left most of Idlib province, bordering Turkey, in rebel hands. Al-Nusra is among 13 Islamist groups that came together on Thursday to launch a massive assault on the northern city of Aleppo.

worried about security. The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation issued an alert this week asking local authorities and the public to remain vigilant for possible threats following recent calls for violence by leaders of radical Islamist group Islamic State. In New York City, the nation’s biggest police force assigned about 7,000 officers and nearly all its counterterrorism personnel to handle security around Independence Day events. No incidents were reported as of late Saturday, but tens of thousands of spectators crowded onto the banks of Manhattan’s East River to watch fireworks shot from barges. Even after promising an increased presence at weekend events, Massachusetts State Police maintained a holiday spirit, tweeting with a colloquial Boston phrase early Saturday “Have a wicked safe 4th of July!”

week-long visit In September the Pope will travel to Cuba ahead of a trip to the US. The pontiff is credited with helping bring about last December’s diplomatic thaw between the two countries.

Russian craft delivers long-awaited cargo to space station

N unmanned Russian cargo ship has docked successfully at the International Space Station, where it was anxiously awaited by the U.S.-Russian crew after the successive failures of two previous supply missions. The Progress M-28M ship, which is carrying 2.5 metric tons of fuel, oxygen, water, food and other supplies, was launched into orbit on Friday from the Baikonur launch pad in Kazakhstan. Russian Mission Control said it docked successfully Sunday in the automated mode at the orbiting space station.The previous Progress launch in April had ended in failure and a week ago a U.S. supply mission failed when SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket broke apart shortly after liftoff.

I think it would be great investments into the future of our democratic unfolding if, while government winds up agencies that have either outlived their usefulness or are superfluous in the dynamics of the inevitable rationalisation of public sector institutions, it could consider reviving these two critical agencies with redefined and strengthened mandates. These and any other think tanks will provide intellectual space for political nay social scientists to keep research and debates on issues at the heart of our national question under sustained interrogation thus fostering sustained alignment between their theoretical, best practices and practical manifestations on a day-to-day basis. Above all, there is also the constant need to facilitate pedagogical creativity in adapting the curriculum to issues and ideas that critical and relevant to the national context. This will involve, first, that our curriculum review procedures in the university must be made flexible; and, second, that the curriculum must be updated with regards to national and global happenings. The political science curriculum must thus be oriented to active learning that will enable the students to experience Nigeria and the world in the various methodologies and theories that we teach. The vision I propose here is the reorientation of political science as a discipline that has a deep stake in the present predicament and future possibility of Nigeria. As far as I am concerned, Nigeria is an ongoing challenge to our political theorising and methodological understanding. I sincerely hope that our collective concern here today will go a long way towards ensuring a rethinking of the discipline we all need. Conclusion Political science scholarship, like the rest of the humanities and the social sciences, is significant to the realisation of the goal of the Nigerian state which is the protection of the lives of Nigerians and the pursuit of their welfare. In doing that, we require an urgent recalibration of what is to be done. The starting point, and urgently too, is the reconstitution of a serious and proactive community of political scientists mediated by newly branded Nigerian Political Science Association that is really alive to its responsibility in jumpstarting critical encounter with the Nigerian state. We cannot encounter such a state and its anomalies in our present fragmented condition. Tribute to the Emeriti On a final note, allow me to pay a glowing tribute to these two political science icons. Let me first appreciate the role they have played in my intellectual development. I am not sure then that they would ever have noticed the small boy struggling to make sense of Weber or Durkheim or Robert Dahl. How many more of me have these intellectual giants parented? But their diligence in teaching and research, as well as their commitment to the development of political science went a very long way. They are truly political diagnosticians who deployed the best of political methodologies to the understanding of the Nigerian malaise. They have successfully passed the baton to us. The serious question is whether we have successfully received it. What will happen to the discipline on our watch? What giant strides can political science make while they watch us from the side-line?

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

NEWS Gunmen, Boko Haram kill Continued from page 4

•Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (middle) Deputy Governor Cecelia Ezeillo (right) and the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekwremadu (left) during a media chat at the Government House, Enugu…at the weekend.

Southeast governors reject relocation of Boko Haram suspects

OVERNORS from the Southeast zone yesterday condemned the relocation of Boko Haram suspects to Ekwulobia Prisons in Anambra state. They noted that the presence of the terror suspects in the region was creating tension and fear and urged the federal government to relocate them to Abuja “where there is security” The governors might have been referring to the series of protests in Anambra state by traders and some community leaders over the relocation of the prisoners to the state. The governors met yesterday in Owerri, the Imo State capital. Apart from host Goveror Rochas Okorocha. In attendance were Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia). Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi was represented by Deputy Governor Kelechi Igwe. Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano was “unavoidably absent” according to Oko-

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

rocha. The Imo State governor told reporters after the meeting that lasted for about two and a half hours deliberated on the possible consequences of the relocation of the Boko Haram suspects and concluded that it was not in the best interest of the zone. He said though the decision was purely a security matter, it has far-reaching effect on the psyche of the people in the zone. “We are appealing to the Federal Government to have a rethink on the relocation of the Boko Haram suspects. If there is any place they should be relocated to it should be Abuja where they have enough security. The issue is already creating security concern in the zone”. He however ruled out any plan by the governors to recall Igbo in the troubled North, stressing that, “we are all part of the entity called Nigeria and we share in the plight of our brothers in the North East, so it is not the issue of recalling the Igbo in any part of the country

but to make sure that they are secured anywhere they find themselves”. The Forum according to him, also deliberated on the fate of the Igbo displaced in the North as a result of the insurgency and appealed to the Federal Government to adequately compensate them. Other decisions by the governors are that Enugu State should remain the capital of the Southeast and the meeting point of the Southeast Governors’ Forum. According to him: “We have met today and agreed to work together as governors from the Southeast zone to combat security challenges confronting the zone, especially kidnapping, armed robbery and baby factory. We are going to write the Federal Government to adequately equip security operatives in the zone to ensure adequate security in the zone”. He said the Forum had agreed to build an economic hub in the zone to boost trade, which he said is the main occupation of the people: “We have looked at the current economic situation

in the country and how it affects our people who are majorly traders and we have decided to build an economic hub in the zone and a committee was set up for that and it is headed by the Abia state governor”. He said that the South East governors have come to realize the need for them to come together and work in the overall interest of the people of the zone since the period of politics had come and gone and what is now left is service delivery to the people of the area. The governors disowned Radio Biafra and said the Radio in question does not have the endorsement of the SouthEast governors. And that the security agencies would do their job. Okorocha also said the South East governors have resolved to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to catalogue what the administration will do for the people of South East zone The Forum also agreed to create an economic hub. A committee to work on it will be chaired by the Abia State governor.

Boko Haram kills 9, burns 32 churches in Borno Continued from page 4

"They killed nine persons and three Boko Haram men were killed but all 32 churches in Mussa District were burnt along with over 300 homes completely wiped out. We recovered two riffles from the militants,” Apaagu said. He added: ''Our people are been camped in Gombio village but there is no foods and water . the security in the area is a serious concern for us. We are in a helpless situation, someone should help us,” Apaagu

pleaded . Some fleeing residents said though they informed security operatives of the threats, no immediate action was taken to forestall any attack Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina in a statement expressed Buhari’s regret on the unfortunate loss of lives in the attack and his commiseration with all those who lost loved ones in the incident which also caused injuries to others and damage to church buildings. According to the statement, Buhari wholly condemned the

resumption of attacks by terrorists on places of worship which are highly revered places of prayer and communion with God for most Nigerians. Noting that Nigerians are a very religious people, Buhari said terrorists who wantonly attack places of worship have willfully declared war on all that Nigerians value. "The President reaffirms his administration’s total commitment to doing everything possible to eradicate Boko Haram, terrorism and mindless extremism from Nigeria in the short-

est possible time," the statement said Buhari also assured all Nigerians that terrorism will ultimately be defeated and full security restored in all parts of the country for people to safely practice their respective faiths with liberty wherever they may reside in the nation. "The Constitution gives all Nigerians that right and the present Administration will deploy all required force and resources to protect citizens’ right to freedom of worship." It added.

Go after Boko Haram, ACF tells security

HE Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has described the Boko Haram group as mere cultists and not Muslim Jihadists as they make Nigerians believe. It called on the military to translate President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts so far made to end insurgency into action by going after the terrorists. ACF in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim in Kaduna yesterday said, Boko Haram’s renewed direct attack on the people in the Monguno, Kukawa, Maiduguri and many villages in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states is cruel, barbaric and condemnable especially in the holy month of Ramadan. According to the statement, “This clearly shows that the

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

Boko Haram insurgents are cultist in form, character and operation as their claim to be Muslims is untenable. Islam enjoined Muslims not to fight during the month of Ramadan no matter the provocation, talk less of attacking and killing innocent people for no just cause. “ACF therefore condemns in strong terms these unwarranted killings of people in Monguno, Kukawa and Maiduguri by Boko Haram terrorists and the recent attack on a mosque in Maiduguri on Friday and a church in Potiskum today Sunday by female suicide bombers. “Equally disturbing is the attack and killing of innocent people in a village of Birnin Magaji LGA of Zamfara state by some unknown gunmen. This is a serious challenge to our military

and other security agencies as the spate of attacks is getting vicious and unacceptable. “We and indeed Nigerians are worried and disturbed with the recent and frequent attacks on villages and even states capital of Borno and Yobe by the Boko Haram insurgents leading to the death of hundreds of innocent people.” The forum said. ýWhile noting that, the establishment of the Multinational Military Joint Task Force, relocation of Nigerian military operational command base from Abuja to Maiduguri, Presidential visits to Niger and Chad Republics, wooing foreign leaders for support at the G7 and AU Summit meetings were steps taken by President Muhammadu Buhari to combat the terrorists activities in the Northeast region, the ACF said, efforts of President Buhari needed to be translated into action by Nige-

ria’s frontline soldiers and other security agencies to put an end to the daily colossal loss of innocent lives.

NAN yesterday that the attacks took place in Kokeya and Chigama villages. Gusami said the gunmen invaded Kokeya village with motorcycles and killed two persons, set some houses ablaze and carted away animals, mostly cows. He said the “unfortunate incident’’ had been reported to the Divisional Police Officer of Birnin-Magaji as well as soldiers on surveillance the zone. According to him, the attackers, the next day invaded the neighbouring village of Chigama. “The gunmen killed more than 30 persons whose bodies were still being recovered from the bush,’’ he said. The chairman said the bodies had been taken to Birninmagaji General Hospital. He said the Chigama attack took place shortly after three police trucks left the area when they noticed that peace had returned to the area. He added that the armed bandits also set many houses on fire in Chigama village. An eyewitness, Malam Ibrahim Sani,said the gunmen who invaded Kokeya came while the villagers were closing from their prayers. “The attackers shot sporadically in the air, which prompted the people of Chigama to

intervene. “That may have provoked the gunmen to come back so as to punish Chigama people for trying to prevent the attack the previous day. “While three persons were killed from Kokeya and Chigama on the first day in Kokeya, more than 30 were killed on the second day in Chigama while several houses were burnt,’’ said Sani. Police spokesman Sanusi Amiru, who confirmed the attack, said the police and the military moved to the area and normalcy had been restored. The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai, yesterday urged Muslims to intensify prayers for divine intervention against the Boko Haram insurgency. The emir spoke when he received members of the Indimi Mosque Management Committee at his palace in Maiduguri. He lamented that the state had witnessed tremendous setbacks due to the insurgency, and expressed optimism in the power of prayers to end the problem. Garbai prayed the committee for its numerous efforts in spreading Islamic knowledge. He also commended the mosque for organising yearly Qur’anic tafsir (preaching) during Ramadan fast to educate Muslims on the religion.

Over 600 insurgents killed in one month Continued from page 4

ing remote villages. It also said a major challenge being faced by troops was the increasing number of suicide bombers, most of who are from some of the targeted communities. The update added: “In their desperation to create fear among the citizens, the terrorists are now deliberately targeting remote villages where their former members who had renounced the sect membership are taking refuge. ”On the guerrilla tactics employed by the terrorists, the security source said “the major challenges we face is that of suicide bombers who might be operating with insiders within the communities”. “There is no way we can identify potential terrorists or suicide bombers from their faces or movements. Some of them look as innocent as new born babies.” The officer, therefore, urged residents to muster the courage by exposing suspects, strange objects or movements to the authorities. The source added that since the emergence of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, no single territory in Nigeria has been occupied or proclaimed by the terrorists as

their “Caliphate” “even as their leaders are either being killed, captured or on the run.” PRNigeria claimed that both the Army and the Air Force troops have intensified counter-insurgency attacks on Boko Haram. ”One particular senior military source disclosed that both the Army and Air Force personnel are not relenting in the battle to rid the region of terrorism and are daily dealing ruthlessly with the enemies by killing them and destroying their vehicles, especially in recent operations, “ the update said. The PRNigeria, however, said the relentless campaign against the Nigerian military by Amnesty International (AI) was dampening troops’ morale. It said: “Nonetheless, very senior officers and military psychologists have revved up their efforts in assuring combatants that AI reports were meant exactly to achieve that same negative objective of dampening morale and so, they must never allow the enemies of Nigeria to win. “ The Nigerian Air Force continues to conduct their regular missions while soldiers conduct raids on suspected terrorists’ hideouts.”

APC: nothing to do with Ekweremadu's police invitation Continued from page 4

ing into dictatorship or that democracy and the enjoyment of personal freedoms are now endangered. These claims by the scaremongering PDP are farfetched and preposterous,'' it said. The APC said if indeed there

is a petition against Senator Ekweremadu, he should gladly heed the invitation by the police so he can clear his name, adding that no one is above the law. ''President Muhammadu Buhari has repeatedly said that at every point, the law must be supreme and everyone must re-

spect the law, if the nation's democratic system is to survive. Extrapolating a police invitation of anyone, no matter his status, to mean the onset of dictatorship is itself an invitation to lawlessness and anarchy, which permeated the long but ineffective rule of the PDP,'' the party said.

Police probe Ekweremadu over forgery allegation Continued from page 4

involved in the process other than being nominated for the position of the Deputy Senate President and could not have been privy to the secret ballot procedure adopted by the National Assembly bureaucracy,

which has been widely adjudged as transparent and credible”. The PDP also alleged that besides using security apparatus against the Deputy Senate President, the party had information that there were instructions to certain officials at the Indepen-

dent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to alter some electoral documents and records in order to create the impression that Ekweremadu failed to file proper documents for the general elections to eventually pave way for his removal.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

NEWS Bauchi State Governor Muhammed Abubakar (left) cutting the tape to inaugurate Jifatu Shopping Mall in Bauchi... yesterday. With him is Chairman of the mall, Alhaji Sabitu Mohammed •Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Gbolahan Yishawu, cutting the tape inaugurate a borehole donated by Nuruden Olokowo at Obalende, Lagos. With him are: Head, Ebute Metta, Iganmu, Chief Aliu Ojora (second left); Mr. Shebi Thompson, an engineer (left) and Olokowo.

•Parish priest of Christ The King Church, Toto, Lafia Diocese, Very Revd Fr. Christopher Edebianga (left) blessing members of Catholic Knights of Saint Mulumba, Gwagwalada Subcouncil, during a thanksgiving mass by the third and fourth degree members of the order at Saint Paul Catholic Church, Gwagwalada in Abuja...yesterday

From left: Aare Musulumi of Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Alhaji Yunus Abioye; Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Jimoh Oladipo and the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye, at a Ramadan lecture in Omu-Aran...yesterday.

•Executive Secretary, Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Moshood Mustapha Abiola (third right) presenting free G. C. E form to one of the beneficiaries, Master Alabede Faruk, at the local government in Maryland, Lagos. With them are: Wahab Akerele (fourth right) and other students.

Supreme Court okays life sentence for man, friend over ex-employer's death

HE Supreme Court has confirmed the life sentence passed on a man, Kingsley Omoregie and his friend, Shina Oketaolegun for their complicity in the death of Omoregie's former employer, Samuel Fakoya, an engineer. Fakoya was found dead in his Ikoto-Ijebu, Ogun State home on August 27, 2002 shortly after Omoregie and Oketaolegun visited the house. At their trial before the Ogun State High Court for conspiracy and murder, a prosecution witness, Aina Ibukunola Babatunde, a school teacher and the deceased’s neighbour, told the court that Fakoya was found dead in a sitting posture with his hands tied to the railing of the stair case in his home,

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

blood on his head and three stab wounds discovered on his chest. The incident was said to have happened shortly after Omoregie and his friend visited. The witness said few weeks before Fakoya was killed, Omoregie escaped from the custody of members of the vigilante group, O’odua Peoples Congress, who had arrested him for stealing Fakoya’s bus. Babatunde said he was surprised when at about 3.30 pm on August 27, 2002 he sighted Omoregie, accompanied by Oketaolegun, entering Fakoya's compound The witness said he promptly ran to alert members

of the OPC on sighting Omoregie and his friend, but that on returning to the house, he met the main entrance door locked, with Omoregie trying to leave the house from one of the windows. He said although Omoregie escaped from the house, he was later arrested outside the compound by members of the OPC. In its judgment on March 7, 2005, the trial court convicted them and sentenced both of them to death by hanging for conspiracy and murder. They appealed the decision at the Court of Appeal in Ibadan, which in a judgment on April 14, 2008, commuted the appellants' offences to conspiracy and attempted murder.

The appellate court also changed their death sentence to life imprisonment. The Court of Appeal, Ibadan was of the opinion that the medical report tendered by the prosecution identified the cause of death to be “acute cardiac pulmonary failure due to diabetic and hypertensive condition” and that Fakoya did not die from stab wounds. Still unsatisfied, Omoregie appealed to the Supreme Court, which upheld the Court of Appeal's decision in its judgment last Friday. Justice Ibrahim Galadima, who read the lead judgment of a five-man bench's unanimous decision, agreed with the Court of Appeal that the two men could not be convicted for

murder in view of the medical report, which attributed the cause of death to deceased's medical condition. Justice Galadima, who observed that the prosecution tendered two knives and marine robe retrieved from the scene of the crime, noted that the infliction of grievous bodily harm on the deceased using a knife to stab him showed that the convicts attempted to murder him. The apex court held that although no one saw the convicts stab the deceased, the testimonies of the accused and Babatunde, (who was the first prosecution witness) constituted cogent circumstantial evidence pinning them to the commission of

the crime. “The court below (the Court of Appeal) correctly reviewed the evidence led by both the prosecution and the defence, particularly the testimonies of PW1, DW1 and DW2 and rightly concluded that sections 320 and 325 of the Criminal Code respectively apply to circumstances of this case, which warrant an interference with the verdict of the trial court. "I agree that the appellant was appropriately found guilty of attempted murder or manslaughter. In the circumstance, the appeal is hereby dismissed. The judgment of the court below is hereby affirmed," Justice Galadima said.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

BUSINESS EXTRA

China hunts for ‘manipulators’ as stocks tumble

HINESE stocks tumbled again, taking the week’s losses to more than 10 per cent, as the securities regulator said it was investigating suspected market manipulation and announced a slew of measures aimed at heading off a fullblown crash. After a slump of nearly 30 per cent in Chinese stocks since mid-June, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) has set up a team to look at “clues of illegal manipulation across markets”. After the market closed, a CSRC spokesman said China would cut initial public offerings and capital raisings and support long-term investors entering the market to help stabilise prices.

It also said China’s official margin lender for brokerages, which makes loans available for stock market investment, would boost its capital base to 100 billion yuan from 24 billion yuan to expand its business. A flurry of policy moves over the past week, including an interest rate cut and a relaxation of margin lending rules, had failed to arrest the selloff. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) also rolled over 250 billion yuan of medium-term loans to banks late on Friday to ensure adequate liquidity in the system. “The government must rescue the market, not with empty words, but with real silver and gold,” said Fu

Xuejun, strategist at Huarong Securities Co, before the CSRC and PBOC announcements, adding that a market crash would hurt banks, consumption, companies and even trigger social instability. “It’s a disaster. If it’s not, what is it?” The CSI300 index of the largest listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen dropped 5.4 per cent to close at 3,885.92, while the Shanghai Composite Index shed 5.8 percent to 3,686.92 points. For the week, the CSI300 lost 10.4 per cent and the SSEC fell 12.1 per cent. The Shanghai benchmark fell below 4,000 points on Thursday for the first time since April - a key support level that analysts had expected

Beijing to defend. Hong Kong shares also ended lower, with the Hang Seng index falling 0.8 per cent to 26,064.11. The rout in China’s highly leveraged stock market has become a major worry for global investors, who fear a meltdown could destabilise the world’s second-largest economy at a time when growth is already slowing. Chinese stocks had more than doubled between November and mid-June, fuelled in large part by retail investors using borrowed money to bet on shares. “This is happening against an (economic) growth backdrop that continues to look soft, as illustrated by the flat manufacturing survey this

week,” noted analysts at Barclays. “With growth data still soft, China remains a key uncertainty for the global outlook.” The China Daily newspaper said on Friday that the CSRC was probing investors who used stock index futures to “short” the market - or bet on prices falling. Sources with direct knowledge later told Reuters that the China Financial Futures Exchange (CFFEX) had suspended 19 accounts from short-selling for a month. Much of the selling of Chinese stocks has been driven by “margin calls”, when a brokerage that has extended credit to an investor to buy stocks demands more cash or collateral because prices have fallen.

‘Toshiba’s accounting errors may be over $1-billion’

OSHIBA Corp. may need to mark down past earnings by over ¥150-billion, nearly triple an earlier estimate, after an ongoing investigation into past accounting practices found more irregularities, a report said on Saturday. The Nikkei business daily, citing unspecified sources, said the newly discovered errors were related to computer parts procurement. Company officials were not immediately available for comment. The industrial conglomerate previously said inappropriate bookkeeping in areas such as highway electronic toll collection systems,

power meters and semiconductors likely led to profits being overstated by nearly ¥55-billion in recent years. Toshiba has not been able to close its books for the year that ended in March while a third-party committee probes its bookkeeping practices. It has also skipped its yearend dividend to shareholders. The investigation is expected to conclude in mid-July. Previous accounting investigations in Japan have included camera and medical equipment maker Olympus Corp.’s 13-year cover-up of $1.7-billion in losses.

Loblaw union delays strike after receiving new offer • Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, center, speaks with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, left, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels. Courtesy: AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert

Oil heads for biggest weekly drop since March as rig count rise

IL headed for the biggest weekly decline since March as a rebound in U.S. drilling added to signs that producers will keep pumping into an oversupplied market. Futures in New York fell for a third day, extending this week’s decline to 5.4 per cent. The number of active rigs seeking oil climbed by 12 to 640, the first gain since December, according to data from Baker Hughes Inc. Iran said it recognizes the right of United Nations monitors to seek visits to sensitive sites, as diplomats work on a nuclear agreement that could restore the OPEC member’s crude exports. Oil’s recovery from a six-year low in March has faltered amid speculation that rising prices will spur production and prolong a surplus. OPEC’s output expanded last month to the highest level since August 2012 as Iraq pumps at a record pace, a Bloomberg survey showed this week. “The rig count just confirms our view that U.S. shale producers are more resilient than many thought

a few months back,” Giovanni Staunovo, an analyst at UBS Group AG in Zurich, said by e-mail. “U.S. drillers still benefit from efficiency gains and falling costs.” West Texas Intermediate for August delivery lost as much as 68 cents, or 1.2 per cent, to $56.25 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the lowest price since April 28. Total volume was about 80 percent below the 100- day average for the time of day. Prices have advanced 6 per cent this year. There will be no floor trading Friday because of the Fourth of July holiday in the U.S., and transactions will be booked Monday for settlement purposes. Brent for August settlement slid as much as 69 cents, or 1.1 per cent, to $61.38 a barrel on the Londonbased ICE Futures Europe exchange. Futures have dropped 2.9 per cent this week. The European benchmark crude traded at a premium of $5.02 to WTI, compared with $3.63 on June 26. Drillers in the U.S., the world’s biggest oil consumer, have idled

more than half the nation’s rigs since December, said Baker Hughes. Production remains near record levels in weekly Energy Information Administration records dating back January 1983. Crude inventories climbed to 465.4 million barrels in the week ended June 26, data from the Energy Department’s statistical arm showed. That’s more than 90 million above the five-year average for this time of the year. The U.S. and five other global powers are seeking an agreement with Iran to curtail its nuclear program in exchange for removing sanctions that have squeezed its oil trade and economy. The negotiations, now in their 21st month, have been extended to July 7 from June 30. There is “total commitment of all participants to end this process in the next few days,” Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister and top negotiator, told reporters in Vienna late Thursday. The sanctions imposed in 2012 have curbed Iran’s oil exports by about 50 percent.

Canada manufacturing activity high

GAUGE of business conditions for Canada’s manufacturing sector moved into positive territory in June for the first time since January, although Alberta and B.C. continued to lag other regions. The RBC Canadian manufacturing index rose to 51.3 last month, indicating the sector’s purchasing managers were generally optimis-

tic about growth prospects. RBC says the Alberta-British Columbia index remained negative at 44.7 — mainly because of the impact of the drop in oil prices since last year — but the other three regional indexes were above the 50.0 mark that indicates expansion. Ontario’s regional index hit a seven-month high of 57.0, up from

55.5 in May. “The province was likely a main beneficiary of rising exports with lower oil prices both supporting U.S. growth and weakening the Canadian dollar,” Royal Bank said in its analysis Thursday. The Quebec index rose to 52.0 from 50.1 in May and the “Rest of Canada” index rose to 57.5 from 55.9 in May.

OBLAW and the union representing 26,000 of its employees have reached a breakthrough in the impasse that prompted a strike at nine stores and imposed a deadline for a strike at another 60. After two days of negotiations, the United Food and Commercial Workers union said Friday evening that it appeared to reach an agreement for Loblaw to amend the June 2 offer and has changed the strike deadline for 60 stores in the Greater Toronto Area to 12:01 a.m. July 11 from 12:01 a.m. July 5. “Your union believes it’s important for our members to have the opportunity to examine and vote on the amended offer,” the union said on its website. “Should this amended offer be rejected, the strike will commence on Saturday, July 11 at 12:01 a.m. at all 60 Loblaws Great Food and Superstore locations across the province.” The union added that ratification votes are scheduled across the province from July 5 to July 8. The Ministry of Labour is involved in the discussions and has ordered a media blackout on the parties. Sixty-one per cent of the membership voted to reject the offer by Loblaw.

Employees at nine stores representing 1,600 workers from Locals 175 and 633 in the Windsor area are currently on strike as of Thursday morning after the deadline for that deadlock passed without an agreement. Strike action will continue at the nine stores in the meantime. Local 1000A represents 12,000 of the employees and Locals 175 and 633 represent 14,000. The union has been divided on the agreements as a portion of the membership representing 50 stores operating as Zehrs, Loblaws, Great Food and Real Canadian Superstores in central and north central Ontario agreed to the sixyear deal. The union has said that wages, schedules, benefits and limits on third-party providers are at issue. Part-time clerks working the lowest number of hours would receive minimum wage (currently $11) for the life of the proposed contract. “Our senior members are telling us that they made sacrifices for the company, when they needed it most, to help the business grow,” read a July 1 statement on the Local 1000A website. “Now, the business is doing well, they expect more and a fair share of those profits

China rolls out emergency measures to prevent stock market crash

HINA’S stock markets may be facing a make-or-break week after officials rolled out an unprecedented series of steps at the weekend to prevent a fullblown stock market crash that could threaten the world’s secondlargest economy. The government is anxiously awaiting the market opening on Monday to see if the new measures will halt a 30 per cent plunge in the last three weeks, or if panicky investors who borrowed heavily to speculate on stocks will continue to sell. An online survey by fund distributor eastmoney.com over the weekend, which polled over 100,000 individuals, said investors believed

stock indexes would rise more than 5 per cent. But the same poll showed investors don’t think the bounce would last long. “You’re going to need the central bank to open the floodgates to take us back to 4,500 points in Shanghai,” said an investment manager in Shanghai, who spoke on condition of anonymity. China’s top brokerages pledged on Saturday they would collectively buy at least 120-billion yuan ($19.3billion) of shares to help stabilise the market, and would not sell their holdings as long as the market was below 4,500, a level last seen on June 25.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

SPORT EXTRA Court summons Ahmedu

2016 OLYMPICS QUALIFIER

Awoniyi: Congo must fall T

AIWO Awoniyi has vowed to play the match of his life against visiting Congo U-23 national team to ensure the Nigerian team beats the visitors to brighten their chances of qualifying for the next stage of the 2016 Olympics Football Tournament slated for Port Harcourt on July 19, this year. Awoniyi said the Dream Team V1 has resolved to beat Congo with a heavy score line that will make the return leg in Congo a mere formality. "We dont know how the Congolese play but we are determined to play our normal game and get a good result in Port

Why Iheanacho, Alampasu were dropped — Siasia From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja REAM Team VI handler Samson Siasia has told NationSport that the inability of Manchester City midfielder Keslechi Iheanacho and goalkeeper Dele Alampasu to meet up with the deadline given to all the players invited for the camping exercise for the team’s all-important 2016 Olympics qualifying match against Congo made him to drop the players from the team. The coach bluntly disclosed that discipline must be maintained if the team is to achieve the much desired successes people crave for. He also disclosed that the affected players are still very much part of the team and would be invited after the team’s match against Congo in Port Harcourt. “I don’t think we need Kelechi Iheanacho in that disposition now. As soon as we qualify we will invite him to the team. It’s the people you know that can play to your instructions on how you want to play are the ones that are here now. ‘It will be too difficult for him come in now and fit in into that pattern. When we qualify he is going to be a part of us. There is no way you can rule out a talented player like Kelechi, no you can rule him out of this team. It’s just that he can’t fit in if he comes now to join the team. “Kelechi had the chance to make this team but did not show up. When they had the break from their clubs, some players like Kayode Olanrewaju who plays in Israel came all the way to join this team; Musa Yahaya who also plays in England like Kelechi came to show their faces. I have also seen and spoken with others too but Kelechi did not show up. But he is still a part of this team anyway.”

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja Harcourt and go and finish the business in Congo. For them to get to this stage, they must be a good side that we must take seriously. "For me, i dont predict matches but i will as usual put in my best and if the goal scoring opportunity comes, I will take it, but my

‘We ‘ve Congo's video tape’

REAM Team VI coach Samson Siasia confirmed being in possession of the video tape of the match between the Black Meteors of Ghana and Congo. NationSport had asked last week Monday if the Coach had any idea about Congo that surprised all to beat Ghana to get to this stage of the 2016 Olympics Football Tournament's qualifier, but Siasia said he was making frantic efforts to get the video then. He was, however visibly happy to tell SportingLife after his team beat 36 Lions FC 3-1 with Saviour Moses scoring the hattrick in the match decided at

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja the mainbowl of the Abuja National Stadium on Saturday that he has finally gotten the tapes. "Yes we have finally gotten the video tapes and we and the players will starrt watching it and make assessment to know what plans we will adopt to beat Congo convincingly here to make the return leg a mere formality", Siasia disclosed. SportingLife also scooped that second assistant coach Monday Odigie also watched the Ghana versus Congo match live and also have useful tips on the Congolese team.

• Awoniyi (right)

• Siasia

Musa back in team after apology—Siasia

HE Chief Coach of the Dream Team VI Samson Siasia has disclosed that former Flying Eagles’ Captain Musa Muhammed who unceremoniously left the team for trials in Germany the other time has come back to apologise and has returned to the U- 23 national team. Muhammed, who recently signed for a Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir FK, has made the list of players that would battle against Congo in Port Harcourt for the ticket of the 2016 Olympic qualifying tournament. Siasia said he forgave him based on his resolve

• Muhammed

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja to humble himself and asked for forgiveness. “God Almighty forgives so who Am I not to do so. Musa Mohammed believed he was wrong the way he left the team when he was invited and came back to apologize. He said coach forgive me I got carried away. I know told him come back. Musa is a useful player from the national U- 17 to U-20. We have invited him before even if he had not played for us. So he is back and everybody is happy. It is one big family. He is part of this team and he came to tell me that he was going to sign for a club in Turkey. I said that was nice go and come back to join the team. He actually beat thwe deadline so he is part of us. The player’s manager Adam Abah Muhammed also told SportingLife in Abuja at the weekend that he and the player came to see the Coach and everything was resolved. “Yes we came to see the Chief Coach Samson Siasia at the team’s hotel and I explained all

Saviour’s hat-trick lifts Dream Team VI

ODWIN Saviour scored a hat-trick for Nigeria Olympic team against 36 Lion of Lagos in a test match played

RESULTS GLOBACOM Enyimba 2-2 Abia Warriors Bayelsa 2-0 Warri Wolves Giwa FC 2-1 Heartland Pillars 1-0 El-Kanemi Akwa United 2-0 Rangers IfeanyiUbah 1-0 Shooting Taraba 0-0 Kwara United Dolphins 1-1 Wikki Tourists Sharks 0-0 Nasarawa Lobi Stars 1-1 Sunshine COPA AMERICA Peru 2 - 0 Paraguay Chile 5 - 4 Argentina (pen)

concern is for the team to win well. It those not matter who scored so long as we get a very good result" he stated Awoniyi has settled down in the Dream Team VI having helped the team to get to this stage. He has also improved as a striker having participated with the Flying Eagles in the last U-20 World Cup held in New Zealand.

• Saviour

in Abuja on Saturday. The Flying Eagles forward gave Samson Siasia’s team a first-half lead with a spectacular overhead kick. He then scored two more goals after the interval in a game he played on both wings as well as top striker. Dream Team VI won 4-1 as they step up preparations for a crucial 2016 Olympics qualifier at home against Congo later this month. Saviour scored twice and provided an assist as Nigeria reached the knockout stage of the recent FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand. The exciting 18-year-old forward is under the radar of several Belgian clubs including champions Gent and Genk.

what happened and we resolved the matter. Coach Siasia told me he has been watchin g Musa and believe he is a good boy and he invited him back to the team. So all is well now”, he told NationSport.

FEDERAL High Court in Abuja has served a subpoena on Col Sam Ahmedu (Rtd), President, FIBA Africa Zone 3, to appear and give evidence in a National Federation's Elections Matter which is on going before it. The suit relates to the Election conducted into the Board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) by the National Sports Commission in 2013. Some dissatisfied basketball stakeholders led by Ahmedu had filed the suit under reference, jointly and severally, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the entire process of the election by the NSC onto the NBBF Board and also sought consequential orders from the Court, in 2013. Based on entreaties from some stakeholders in Nigeria and around the globe, Ahmedu has since withdrawn himself from the case, particularly after his election as President of FIBA Africa Zone 3 in July, 2014. However, some of the co- plaintiffs resolved to continue with the case which is coming up on the resume hearing date of 9th July, 2015. Confirming the court order, Ahmedu in a press statement to basketball Stakeholders in Nigeria, stated, “I have been subpoenaed by the Federal High Court, Abuja, to appear before it and give evidence in the case of Osita Nwachukwu & 4 Ors Vs the Attorney General of the Federation & 5 Orders (Suit No.FHC/ABJ/CS/464/2013). This case relates to matters arising from the elections conducted onto the Board of the NBBF by the National Sports Commission during the last National Federations Elections held in Abuja, in 2013.

• Ahmedu “It will be recalled that due to non compliance with the Election Guidelines of the 2013 National Federation Elections by the National Sports Commission and the injustice arising to my person and others during the electoral process, during which my reputation was also dragged into the mud, some stakeholders and I jointly and severally filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja after exhausting all avenues opened to us to enforce our rights within the Sports Justice System.” "After the commencement of the case at the Federal High Court, I was persuaded by well meaning individuals both at home and abroad to withdraw the suit in the interest of the game which I did through my lawyers in 2014 and have since been "functus officio" in the matter . However, some of the other stakeholders who filed the same suit with me insisted on continuing with the matter. I have just received a Subpoena Testificadum in the name of the President and Commander-in -Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, from the Federal High Court, Abuja, to testify before the court in the matter rescheduled for hearing in a few days time.”

TODAY IN THE NATION

MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL 10 NO 3267

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

E lived for 106 years, but his claim to immortality happened for only six months. Even those six months he tucked away in the silence of a selfless memory. It is a lesson in humanity for the Nigerian elite. It happened in 1939 when Adolf Hitler loomed with his Nazi nightmare. With its death showers, starvation, rapes, torture, etc, the concentration camp beckoned all Jews. The world was numb with ignorance. The camps – in Auschwitz, Sobribor, etc – were not before then and had not since then ever installed human butchery and barbarism of that scale. Jews, whether father, mother or child, were rolled rudely into chambers and incinerated or burned to ashes through what was known as showers of death. Nicholas Winton, who just died at 106, did not then know about the concentration camps the way we know it today or the way the world came to understand it towards the end of the Second World War in 1945. He acted swiftly when he heard that Hitler’s army under the cover of its deafly air force known as Luftwaffe, would soon mow down Czechoslovakia. He called off his luxury pastime of skiing, and moved to the east European country for a mission of charity. He planned to save as many as 900 children by shipping them away from the underbelly of horror in Czechoslovakia. But he succeeded only with 669. Although of Jewish origin, all his family lived in Britain. He had no family ties in that country. He just knew children were in danger of falling into the jaws of tyranny. He did not have time. Hitler could plunge into the country any time, and so he materialised in the refugee camps in the country, and took down names and photos of the children. So, he made several trips in early 1939 between London and Prague. Aided by his mother, he set up the British Committee for Refugees from Czechoslovakia, raised money, called for volunteers who could host the children. He raised some money but not enough. He made the difference from his own purse. It was a dark time, and he could not transport the children without bribing the Nazi officials. Never a moral purist, he bribed the Nazi police chief known as criminal rat because of his rank known in Germany as Kriminalrat. He cooperated and the bribes reached down to the train operators and officials in Customs and Immigration. The bribes greased the trains through barriers. He planned and paid for eight trains to take the kids from the country through Cologne, Nuremburg and other ramparts of Nazism through Holland. They were

RIPPLES

MAN POSES AS IMPORTER, DEFRAUDS TRADERS OF N10MILLION–News

JJC!

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

intouchnation@gmail.com 08054501081(sms only) Twitter: @samomatseye

•Winner, Informed Commentary (DAME)

A good man ferried to Essex, from there they took a train to London where British families received them, who took them on as children. It started in March and ended in August. Seven trains had eluded the Nazi monster. The last and eighth train had 250 children, but before it left, September 1 had dawned savagely when Hitler ordered every border shut down. The children the last train bore were never seen again, and it was assumed that they descended into the oblivion of the concentration camps. Within six months, he had written himself into the annals of charity and into the front rank of human love. For the rest of his 106 years on earth, nothing so spectacularly was associated with him. “One crowded hour in a glorious life,” penned the poet Thomas Mordaunt, “is worth an age without a name.”

Yet everyone, in Britain and everywhere else, forgot Winton’s act. Not even the beneficiary children sought the man. He hid the scrapbook containing entries of the names of the kids and letters, etc of those months in his attic. He never even told his wife of his heroics. He was a disinterested hero. His wife saw them and probed him for answers. Even at that, he did not think it was any significant what he did. She thought differently, and made the information available to the media, and that was how the world woke up to a good interred in Winton’s bones. Most of the beneficiaries did not see their parents after the war. Hitler’s Nazi bears had lapped them up. Some of the parents tearfully parted with their children on train platforms and some of the children yowled not to part with their parents. Today, they call themselves

“Winton’s children.” Some of them have soared to do good to their world. One of them, Renata Laxova, discovered a congenital abnormality named after her. Hugo Marom was a founder of the Israeli Air Force. Joe Schlesinger is a wellknown Canadian broadcast correspondent. Karel Riesz is a filmmaker and director, among others, of “The French lieutenant’s Woman.” Winton operated in a time so perilous that the poet W.H. Auden described it as when “the clever hopes expire/ of a low dishonest decade,” when “the unmentionable odour of death offends the September night.” What has happened to our elite? How many of us have done so much good and cut ourselves out of our comfort zone for the weak and vulnerable among us? The irony is that we pride ourselves as weaned on the communal ethos. This column has called for the rich to adopt wards in hospital, students in indigent schools, chaperon the wild and wayward orphan, etc. It is taken for granted in the West where the individual is king. Yet here the rich stash their loot, their mansions and skyscrapers defy heaven, while their posh cars splash rainwater on the lolling poor. Too many are poor, but where is the balm from the well-heeled? Boko Haram victims teem everyday among us, but we moan in the retreats of our cosy homes and wait only for the government. The rich make money mainly from the government, perhaps that explains why they do not think they owe anybody, after they grease back the palm that first oiled them. We should imitate Winton. It is good men like him that make a good society.

AMBODE AND THE UCHE HOUSEHOLD

ERS seems to be a failure of fertility. Ruth Uche stalked Lagos Government House for help. She has six children and all of them are twins. In a Yoruba household, it means you would have three Taiwos and three Kehindes, a glorious confusion. But Ruth is not celebrating. Her maternal joys often multiply in toils and tears. The father of the kids, one Benjamin Uche, has fled the home to dubious shelter in Ikorodu. In the United States, he will be called a deadbeat dad. She cannot fend for the children. A native of Abia State, the woman says her husband delights in the glories of copulation and not the rigours of fatherhood. He loves the biological rush of fathering, but lacks the impulse of

fatherhood. Ruth even confessed to abortion. Dazzled by abundance, Ruth has too little. Abundance – of children - took away her pride, gave her pain, hunger and she pines for help. Even her in-laws have not afforded warmth of food or nearness. An angel of mercy came in the form of Nigeria’s alpha governor, Akinwunmi Ambode. He swiftly issued a directive to his erudite deputy, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, to give her welfare. It’s a bower of love such as this that chimes in with the spirit of Nicholas Winton. But it is a story of a failure of men in the Nigerian society. It is cowardly to leave your kids, no matter how poor you are. Even if you have nothing, it does not excuse delinquency. In the United States, the husband would be forced to answer to the law. •Governor Ambode

HARDBALL

CCORDING to a certain African folklore, mother tick, the wizened matriarch of the blood-sucking specie of mites is said to have told her little ones to always stay calm and take cover each time humans begin to act up and begin to switch on the heat. “Stay quiet and lie low my children,” mother tick would admonish her fledgling parasites in hushed tone, “whatever is heated up would eventually grow cold.” Could this be the unfolding scenario in Nigeria today? Is the new All Progressives Congress (APC) government losing the momentum that brought it to office or is it actually planning diligently to unleash the real transformation? Apart from the fact that 30 days after inauguration, the President’s core backroom team (chief of staff and all the secretaries) is not yet in place and running, people fear there may be some disorientation when they eventually come on board. The civil servants may just get used to reporting directly to number one to the detriment of the appointees. This will mean that there may be so much bad blood that crucial tasks requiring urgent action may be jeopardised.

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

NNPC probe: What mother tick told its children One notable example is the ongoing attempt to probe the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). After the inauguration of the National Economic Council (NEC) last Monday, President Muhammadu Buhari set up a four-member committee to probe an alleged misappropriation of about N3.5 trillion by the NNPC and another N2 trillion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA). The panel comprises the governors of Edo (Adam Oshiomhole), Gombe (Ibrahim Dankwanbo), Kaduna (Nasir el-Rufai) and Akwa-Ibom, (Emmanuel Udom). NEC is a conclave of all the governors of the land and the president; it meets every month to deliberate on broad national issues. Now the matter of NNPC is crucial being Nigeria’s most strategic asset and again, being at the core of the unbridled corruption that ravaged the country in the last few years. Flashing a searchlight on this body is neither an ad-hoc affair nor a matter

for busy governors. NNPC is Nigeria’s putrid honey pot. It requires a truly forensic audit of its affairs in the last five to 10 years. There is need to ascertain the true picture and completely revamp and upgrade its processes. There is need for even a forensic review of an earlier forensic audit by a certain accounting firm. NNPC is the heart and soul of the nation; it is an elaborate enigma, a jigsaw puzzle that would solve most of Nigeria’s problems if handled right. This is why Hardball is worried that after 30 days of the CHANGE administration and after all we know about this bastion of corruption, we can only come up with this kind of committee. If we mismanage the NNPC affair, it means that we are not gonna get much else right. With this excited crowd of panelists to probe NNPC, the bloodsuckers, like mother tick, would take one look and chuckle to themselves: “We thought these fellows were serious!”

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