The Nation July 13, 2012

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VOL. 7, NO. 2185 FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

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PETROL TANKER FIRE IN RIVERS

the accident, the driver came out of the ‘After tanker and told the villagers and other people around not to move near the tanker, to avoid a disaster, and he immediately escaped

’

•The scene of the petrol tanker accident at Okogbe, in Ahoada East Local Government Area, on East-West Road PHOTO: NAN in Rivers State…yesterday

Horror:

95 die in Rivers petrol tanker fire

SEE PAGES 4&5 •A victim of the fire being treated at the Ahoada General Hospital, Ahoada by the Chief Medical Director Dr. E. G. Kiri (in green dress and black overall) and nurses...yesterday PHOTO: BISI OLANIYI

•FALANA, JACOBS, 23 OTHERS GET SAN P7 •AIB’S DANA AIR CRASH REPORT P2

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

2

NEWS COUNCIL OF STATE

June 3 crash not • Widow and children of the late Inusa Ahmed-Abba ...yesterday

After the June 3 Dana Air plane crash, there were insinuations that the tragedy may have been caused by contaminated fuel.

But, the preliminary report of the accident released yesterday by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) said this was not the case. Below is the report signed by the bureau’s Chief Executive Officer, Capt M.S. Usman:

O •From Left: President Goodluck Jonathan welcoming former President Shehu Sagari to the Council of State meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday. Watching is former Head of Interim National Government Chief Ernest Shonekan

•From left: Former Head Of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Mohammed Uwais and Justice Alfa Belgore at the meeting...yesterday

N 3rd June 2012 about 1545 hours, 5N-RAM, a Boeing MD-83, a domestic scheduled commercial flight, operated by Dana Airlines Limited as flight 992 (DAN 992), crashed into a densely populated area during a forced landing following a total loss of power in both engines while on approach to Muhammed Murtala Airport (LOS), Lagos, Nigeria. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and the airplane was on an instrument flight plan. All of the 153 persons aboard the airplane, including the 6 crew members were fatally injured. There were 10 confirmed ground fatalities. The airplane was destroyed. There was post impact fire. The flight originated at Abuja (ABV) and the destination was LOS. The airplane was on the fourth flight segment of the day, consisting of two round-trips between Lagos and Abuja. The accident occurred during the return leg of the second trip. DAN 992 was on final approach for runway 18R at LOS when the crew reported the total loss of power.

According to interviews, the flight arrived in ABV as Dana Air flight 993 about 1350. According to Dana Air ground personnel, routine turnaround activities occurred, including refueling of the airplane. DAN 992 initiated engine startup at 1436, taxied to the runway and was later airborne at 1458 after the flight had reported that it had a fuel endurance of 3.5 hours. Shortly after takeoff, DAN 992 reported 1545 as the estimated time of arrival at LOS as the

flight climbed to a cruise altitude of 26,000 ft. DAN0992 made contact with Lagos Area Control Center at 1518 hours.

The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) retained about 31 minutes of the flight and starts about 1515 at which time the captain and first officer were in a discussion of a non-normal condition regarding the correlation between the engine throttle setting and an engine power indication.

However, they did not voice concerns then that the condition would affect the continuation of the flight. The flight crew continued to monitor the condition and became increasingly concerned as the flight transition through the initial descent from cruise altitude at 1522 and the subsequent approach phase.

DAN 992 reported passing through 18,100 and 7,700 ft, respectively, at 1530 and 1540 hours. After receiving a series of heading and altitude assignments from the controller, DAN 992 was issued the final heading to intercept the final approach course for runway 18R. During the period of 1537 and 15:41 the flight crew engaged in pre-landing tasks including deployment of the slats, and extension of the flaps and landing gear. At 15:41:16 the first officer (FO) inquired, “both engines coming up?” and the captain (Capt) replied “negative.” The flight crew subsequently discussed and agreed to declare an emergency. At 1542:10, DANA 992 radioed an emergency distress call indicating “dual engine failure . . . negative response from throttle.”

At 1542:35, the flight crew lowered the flaps further and continued with the

Dana shouldn’t remain grounded, says Aviation Round Table

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

• From left: Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Almakura, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and Kwara State Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed at the meeting...yesterday

•From left: Governors Liyel Imoke of Cross River, Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta and Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State at the meeting...yesterday PHOTOS: AKIN OLADOKUN and NAN

A

GROUP of aviation experts, Aviation Round Table (ART), has said Dana Air should not remain grounded for long.

ART’s President Captain Dele Ore spoke yesterday at a conference

in Lagos.

He said: “I believe that an airline such as Dana should not be left on ground perpetually; otherwise, we are hurting ourselves the more by doing that.”

The group acknowledged that there would be public outcry if Dana Air was allowed to resume flight operations immediately. But, it argued that internationally and for airlines with various types of aircraft, a primary investigation is quickly conducted and if the management is exonerated, only the type of aircraft involved in the accident would be examined thoroughly while the rest of the fleet continues to fly unhindered.

But in Dana’s case with only one type of aircraft, the airline must not be grounded perpetually, the group said.

ART urged the Ministry of Aviation to release the departure time of the ill-fated plane.

“It can, for instance, prove that the aircraft might have run out of fuel,” it said.

The group argued that under Section 38 of the Constitution, the National Assembly can investigate some aspects of Dana Air, adding that setting up another administrative panel to probe another aspect of Dana Air is “an aberration and illegality”.

ART also argued that the Senate’s recommendation to President Goodluck Jonathan for the Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, to step aside is against all international norms.

ART said while the Senate is empowered by the constitution to investigate all agencies and organisations in Nigeria, the responsibility to investigate aircraft accident does not rest on the Senate but the Accident Investigation Bureau. The analysts also described as wrong the coroner inquest conducted by the Lagos State Government, saying that it should be when the cause of death is suspicious or unusual.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

3

NEWS DANA AIR CRASH

caused by contaminated fuel, says AIB Nigeria to host international conference on aviation safety

‘

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IGERIA will from July 16 to July 20 host an international conference on aviation safety in Africa.

The Special Assistant to the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, Mr Joe Obi, disclosed this in a press statement in Abuja yesterday.

The statement said the conference would be declared open by President Goodluck Jonathan.

It said the conference would be hosted by the Federal Ministry of Aviation (FMA) in conjunction with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC).

He said: ``The meeting will focus mainly on Safety Performance in Africa. The ministerial session of the conference will be preceded by the meeting of Directors-General of Civil Aviation Authorities and other Aviation Safety Experts.''

The statement said the conference would be attended by the ministers responsible for Civil Aviation in Africa; Directors-General of Civil Aviation in Africa and representatives of Regional Aviation bodies.

Other stakeholders expected at the conference are Aviation Safety Experts; regulatory agencies; International Aviation Organisations; International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), USA. Also expected at the conference are representatives of the International Air Transport Association (IATA); Airport Council International (ACI); Flight Safety Foundation and Civil Air Navigation Service Organisation (CANSO), among others.

The statement said that a joint declaration and implementation mechanisms for safety imperatives in Africa would be adopted at the end of •Minister Of Aviation Ms. Stella Oduah the Conference. approach and discussed landing alternatively on runway 18L. At 1542:45, the Capt reported the runway in sight and instructed the FO to raise the flaps up and 4 seconds later to raise the landing gear.

At 1543:27 hours, the Capt informed the FO “we just lost everything, we lost an engine. I lost both engines”. During the next 25 seconds until the end of the CVR recording, the flight crew was attempting to restart the engines.

The airplane crashed in a residential area about 5.8 miles north of LOS. The airplane wreckage was on approximately the extended centerline of runway 18R. During the impact sequence, the airplane struck an incomplete building, two trees and three buildings. The wreckage was confined, with the separated tail section and engines located at the beginning of the debris field.

The airplane was mostly consumed by post crash fire. The tail section, both engines and portions of both wings,

representing only about 15% of the airplane were recovered from the accident site for further examination.

The two flight recorders, the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and the flight data recorder (FDR) were analysed at the facilities of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Washington, D.C., USA. The solid state based memory in the CVR was in good condition and retained 31 minutes of audio information. The digital tape based memory in the FDR succumbed to the post crash fire and melted, consequently no data could be recovered.

The captain, age 55, held an airline transport pilot license with type ratings in the A-320, DC-9, FK-28[5], and SF-340[6]. He had over 18,116 hours of total time, including 16,416 hours of pilot-in-command time (PIC). The captain had 7,461 hours in the accident model airplane all of which was as PIC. He was em-

ployed with Dana Air on 14 March 2012. He began flying line operations for the company in late May 2012 and had since accrued over 120 hours of flight time. The captain had acquired about 3, 78, and 116 flight hours, respectively, in the preceding 24 hours, 30 and 90 days.

The first officer, age 34, held a commercial pilot license he was type rated in MD-83. He had 1,143 hours of total time, including about 200 hours as pilot-in-command. The first officer had 808 hours in the accident model airplane all of which was second-in-command. He had been previously employed with Dana Air as the Director of Cabin Service before he was hired as a pilot about January 2011. The first officer had accrued about 3, 42, and 154 flight hours, respectively, during the preceding 24 hours, 30 and 90 days.

The airplane was manufactured in

Fueling records indicated the airplane was uplifted with 8000 lbs of fuel before departure from ABV. The flight crew reported to ATC they had 26,000 lbs of total fuel. Preliminary analysis of fuel samples from the refueling truck and the supply tank at ABV were negative for contamination

‘

1990 and according to maintenance records it had accumulated 60,846 hours (35,219 cycles) of total time.

The left and right engines respectively had 54,322 (30,933 cycles) and 26,025 (12,466 cycles) hours of total time since new. A review of the aircraft technical logs did not reveal of the previous 30 days did not indicate a condition. The airplane had last undergone maintenance on 1st June 2012, and after a return to service flight on 2nd June 2012, it was operated on four revenue flights (two round trips between LOS and ABV) and another four flights on 3rd June 2012.

Fueling records indicated the airplane was uplifted with 8000 lbs of fuel before departure from ABV. The flight crew reported to ATC they had 26,000 lbs of total fuel. Preliminary analysis of fuel samples from the refueling truck and the supply tank at ABV were negative for contamina-

tion.

The investigative activities have included, in part, visual examination of the aircraft wreckage, review of maintenance records and other historical information of the aircraft, documentation of the training and experience of the flight crew, determination the chronology of the flight, review of recorded data, reconstructing the aircraft refueling, and collection of related fuel samples, and interviews of relevant personnel.

Future investigative activities will include, but is not limited to, the detailed examination of the engines, further testing of fuel samples, continued factual gathering of relevant historical, operational, maintenance and performance information of the accident airplane in addition to other similar airplane models, further development of the background of the flight crew, further analysis of the CVR audio recording and review of pertinent issues associated with regulatory oversight.

As the State of Occurrence, the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has instituted an investigation in accordance with the standards and recommendations specified in the provisions of Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organization. As the State of manufacture of the airplane and engine, a US Accredited Representative has been appointed and assisted by US technical advisors from the NTSB, US Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing Airplane Company, and Pratt & Whitney Engines.

In accordance with Annex 13, “the sole objective of the investigation of an accident or incident shall be the prevention of accidents and incidents. It is not for the purpose of this activity to apportion blame or liability.”

Accordingly, the AIB with the participation of the parties, including the NCAA, will seek to identify any areas of safety concerns during the investigation and implement the appropriate actions for correction or improvement.

The content of this report is based on preliminary information. The Bureau will continue to conduct the investigation in a meticulous and methodical manner and release facts as they become validated.

Airline, Akpabio 'shun crash inquest'

A

KWA Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio and the management of Dana Air were yesterday absent at an inquest into the June 3 plane crash in which 153 passengers died.

A Lagos State Coroner, Mr Oyetade Komolafe, expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of representatives of DANA Air at the inquest.

Komolafe spoke at the venue of the inquest being held at the Magistrate's Court 5, sitting in Oke-Odo, Alimosho Local Government.

Akpabio was summoned by the inquest because he said he warned the management of the airline before the crash.

Komolafe noted that Dana Air did not send any legal or official representative to the inquest, stressing that the airline could not claim ignorance of the proceedings.

He said: "I don't think Dana Air is here. The sheriff has been to its office severally, trying to serve the company but without success. If you are summoned and you are not here, you can be arrested. They cannot claim that they are not aware because there was a publication in a national newspaper about it.''

The coroner explained that the inquest was a fact-finding inquiry to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the crash in order to forestall a future occurrence.

By Bisi Onanuga

Komolafe said: ``It is a fact that there was a plane crash and that some persons are responsible for the crash. One of the interested party said that the aircraft was not air worthy and yet it was allowed to fly, which led to the death of the passengers and some persons on the ground. ``The inquest is going to take the opinion of experts on what led to the crash and we are going to look at these holistically and come up with something concrete. Nigerians should come forward and testify.

They shouldn't hold anything back so that we can have a safer airspace.

It has happened to some people and we don't want it to happen again.''

The coroner said that the inquest would take oral evidence from all eye witnesses and officials who were willing to come before the court to testify.

He also advised the lawyers who wanted to make written depositions from their witnesses to serve them on all parties before the next adjournment date fixed for July 16.

The inquest is at the instance of a Lagos-based law firm, Falana and Falana Chambers, which petitioned the Lagos State Chief Coroner, Justice Lateefat Okunnu, for an inquiry into the crash.

Addressing the court, Mrs. Funmi

Falana appealed to the Lagos State Judiciary to publicise the inquest in order to create awareness for more people to testify.

Most of the interested parties and those summoned had their counsel and representatives in court.

Among those represented by their counsel were the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, National Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Police.

It also included Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) and the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr. Ade Ipaye.

Others were the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Cleanserve Oil, Sahara Oil, MRS Oil and counsel to the families of victims of the crash.

At yesterday's sitting, counsels expressed divergent views as regard the modalities and target on how the coroner should handle the inquest.

After exhaustive discussions, it was later agreed that counsel to each of the interested parties should forward written disposition while those that wanted to give oral evidence would also be welcomed.

The coroner urged members of the public and those at the scene of the

•Akpabio

incident to come forward to give useful information that would unravel the circumstances leading to the crash.

Two members of the public, Capt.

Tito Omawumi and Mr. Dafe Sama, announced their appearances at the inquest.

They said that they came to assist the coroner in unraveling the circumstances surrounding the incident and “incessant crashes” in the country.

•Dana MD Jacky Hathiramani

Omawumi said he had 25 years flight experience while Sama introduced himself as a former staff of Nigerian Airways, who missed the crashed Dana flight by an hour.

Sama said that he lost a cousin and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Awani, in the tragic flight.

He attributed the death of most of the passengers to suffocation, blaming the Search and Rescue team for the casualty figure.

4

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

NEWS PETROL TANKER FIRE IN RIVERS

•A victim on the bed with two relatives attending to him

•One of the affected vehicles...yesterday

PHOTOS: BISI OLANIYI

Horror: 95 die scooping petrol in Rivers tanker fire

I

T was like a scene from hell – piles of burnt bodies, smouldering vehicles and all-green plants darkened by fire.

A crowd of sympathiser watching helplessly; some holding their heads in their hands and others simply standing by, crying over the calamity that befell Okogbe, a village in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.

No fewer than 95 persons died in a petrol tanker fire while scooping fuel. In hospital, over 100 are in critical conditions.

The incident happened at 6:30 am, beside Oando filling station at Okogbe, between Ahoada and Mbiama on the ever-busy East-West Road, which is being dualised by the Federal Government. A terrible traffic seized the road yesterday.

A tanker with registration number: Delta: XA 340 TDU, laden with petrol, crashed with three other vehicles: a Toyota Corolla saloon car, with registration number: Lagos: RQ 218 AAA; a Toyota Hiace Hummer bus (XZ613AGL) and a Mazda bus. Also burnt were 34 motorcycles.

All the victims were given mass burial at the scene.

A senior official of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who declined to give his name, said the fire was caused by one of the victims, who telephoned others to come and scoop fuel.

Many victims were still in the bush, he said.

Jonathan orders relief for survivors as 89 get mass burial

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday expressed sadness over the loss of lives in the Ahoada tanker fire.

He has also directed federal relief and health agencies to do everything possible to ensure that all those who survived the explosion with burns and injuries receive prompt and effective medical attention.

A statement by presidential spokesman Dr. Reuben Abati said: “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is deeply saddened by the loss of many lives caused by an explosion resulting from the leakage of fuel from a fallen tanker at Okogbe, Rivers State today.

“President Jonathan is particularly distraught by the fact that once again, so many Nigerian lives have been lost in an avoidable fuel fire disaster.

“The President has directed federal relief and health agencies to do everything possible to ensure that all those who surFrom Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

The NSCDC official said many of the victims were being treated locally, adding that some of the bodies had been removed by relatives.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who cancelled all his engagements in Abuja and rushed to the scene, was devastated.

There was inadequate bed space at the Ahoada General Hospital, Ahoada in Ahoada East Local Government Area, where most of the badly burnt victims were rushed to. Some of them laid on bare floor.

Many were moved to hospitals in Port Harcourt, the state capital

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja vived the explosion with burns and injuries receive prompt and effective medical attention.

“He conveys his sincerest condolences to the families of the victims, and the government and people of Rivers State.”

Commenting on the tragedy at Rivers State yesterday, Anambra State Governor Peter Obi said it was another case involving loss of lives in such a magnitude and circumstance that was heart- rendering and pathetic.

On behalf of the Government and people of Anambra State, he condoled with the Government and people of Rivers State, describing the disaser as very depressing and touching.

He said: “In this your troubling time, I assure you that we share in your grief and pray to God Almighty to grant you, especially the Governor and all those directly affected by the incidence the fortitude to

One of the badly burnt victims on bare floor, Mr. Victor Ezekiel, an indigene of Okogbe in Rivers State, who was writhing in pains at 1:39 pm, said: “Please doctor, save me.

My stomach is paining me.”

Two of the victims rushed to Ahoada General Hospital died. Victims’ apprehensive relatives, in their hundreds, storm the hospital premises, making crowd control very difficult.

Health Commissioner Dr. Sampson Parker, who was at the scene and later at the Ahoada General Hospital, described the incident as cremation, a national disaster and the worst since the Civil War.

bear it, always trusting that the will of God is supreme at all times.”

The FRSC said that 89 of the 95 persons who died in the petrol tanker explosion were given mass burial at Okobe village in the Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers.

Dr Kayode Olagunju, the Sector Commander in a text message to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the 89 bodies were burnt beyond recognition and were all given mass burial at the scene.

Olagunju added that six of the victims who died were identified and released to their families.

He said in all, 95 persons died in the incident with 18 others injured.

The commander said that the accident occurred around 6.30 am and involved four vehicles, including the tanker which caught fire.

“Thirty-four motorcycles were also burnt at the scene,” Olagunju said.

Parker, who cried at the hospital, said: “I think this is the worst single disaster that has happened in Nigeria. The corpses I counted there (at the scene) alone, in fact, 200 and they have not finished counting. It is cremation. The corpses were burnt to ashes. So, how many can you count? It is a sad situation. Quite a pity!

“Most of the victims have over 70 per cent burns. Bad cases. In best centres, it will be difficult to save them. If they did not go to scoop the fuel, the situation would have been saved. We heard that over 50 victims were taken to hospitals. Fire fighters’ response should not be blamed.

A

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

drive from Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Ahoada West and East are part of the 23 local government areas of Rivers State. Ahoada West council shares boundary at Mbiama with Bayelsa State.

Ahoada East has its boundary with Ogba/Egebma/Ndoni Local Government Area, where a former Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, hails from.

Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Ogba/Egema/Ndoni , as well as neighbouring councils are agitating for the creation of a state, with the capital at Omoku, the present headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni council.

Ahoada (correctly spelt Ahuda) is an administrative subdivision of Rivers State, located Northwest

Continued on Page 5

A diary of disasters

The town Okogbe HOADA is divided into two local government Areas: Ahoada East, with its headquarters in Ahoada Town, and Ahoada West, with its headquarters in Akinima. The people are predominantly farmers and fishermen.

Okogbe on the East-West Road, in Ahoada West Local Government Area, where yesterday’s fuel tanker fire occured, is one of the crude oil and gas-rich communities in the Niger Delta, with the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and other oil companies operating in the area.

The Ahoada General Hospital, where the victims were rushed to, is at Ahoada in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state.

Ahoada is densely populated and it is about 55 minutes

“Those running in the bush were affected by the fire. People should be disaster conscious. A tanker with fuel is a bomb waiting to explode. Our people should understand the danger they are exposed to.”

Before the commissioner could speak with reporters at the hospital, he excused himself for five minutes to regian his composure. His eyes red with tears, Parker said the fire was worse than the Sosoliso plane crash of 2005 at the Port Harcourt International Airport.

Commissioner for Special Duties Emeka Nwogu, who was also at the Ahoada General Hospital, described the

incident as “very sad and quite unfortunate”.

Nwogu said: “What level of poverty will make people to scoop fuel from a tanker carrying 33,000 litres of petrol?

Our people will never learn.

This is not the first time, but the magnitude is very high.

Our people are not safety and security conscious. They play with their lives.

“During the recent Igwuruta tanker fire in Port Harcourt (in Ikwerre Local Governement Area of Rivers State, on the dualised road to Port Harcourt International Airport), six persons died, with many people injured; houses and other valuable property were burnt in the morning, but I got calls in the evening of the same day that some people still went into the burnt tanker to scoop fuel.

“Vehicle owners, especially tanker owners, should start using educated drivers. Most of the tanker drivers are stark illiterates, who take drugs, alcohol and sleep in brothels, but will still drive in the morning.

“Educated drivers, who are well paid, will know the implications of taking drugs, alcohol and sleeping in brothels and will know traffic signs. If the road is bad, can’t they slow down? It is a pity that Rivers State lost many people. I sympathise with their families.”

An okada rider, Mr. Godbless Shadrack, who hails from Ubramo in Ahoada Weat Local Government Area and was at the scene when the fire started, said the petrol tanker, with

•Map of Rivers State

of Port Harcourt.

The Ekpeye are the indigenous people of Ahoada, where the Ekpeye dialect is spoken.

The city of Ahoada has offices for several of the state and fed-

eral departments, with a post office and a telegraphy and telephone exchange. There is an all-weather road to the Port Harcourt International Airport.

•July 10, 2000 - A pipeline explosion killed 250 villagers in Jesse, Delta State.

•July 16, 2000 - At least 100 villagers died when a ruptured pipeline explodes in Warri.

•November 30, 2000 - A leaking oil products pipeline catches fire at a beachhead in Ebute near Lagos, killing at least 60 people.

•June 19, 2003 - An oil pipeline punctured by thieves explodes north of Abia state capital Umuahia, killing 125 villagers.

•September 17, 2004 - Dozens of people are killed in a pipeline explosion in Lagos after thieves tried to siphon petrol belonging to NNPC. •May 12, 2006 - A pipeline explosion at Inagbe Beach on the outskirts of Lagos kills more than 250 people.

•December 26, 2006 - Several hundred people are burned alive when fuel from a vandalized pipeline explodes in the Abule Egba district of Lagos. Nigerian Red Cross says 269 bodies retrieved.

•December 26, 2007 - At least 45 people burned to death on the outskirts of Lagos when fuel they are siphoning from a buried pipeline catches fire.

•May 15, 2008 - At least 100 people killed and scores injured when fuel from a pipeline ruptured by an earthmover explodes in a village near Lagos, the Red Cross says.

Source: Reuters

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

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

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NEWS PETROL TANKER FIRE IN RIVERS Horror: 95 die in Rivers petrol tanker fire Continued on Page 4

registration number: Delta: XA 340 TDU, was moving the petrol from Port Harcourt to Warri.

Shadrack said a Toyota Corolla saloon car, with registration number Lagos: RQ 218 AAA that was heading for Port Harcourt, had a head-on collision with a Mazda bus moving towards Warri in Delta State. The registration number of the bus had either been removed or badly burnt, as at time The Nation got to the scene.

The witness noted that the Toyota Corolla was moving towards the tanker, after colliding with the bus, with the tanker driver attempting to avoid it, to reduce the fatality, thereby falling on its side, just beside the filling station.

A business man, Mr. Segun Oluwatuyi, who lives in Ahoada, rushed to the scene of the accident. He said the tanker was still steaming, as at the time of the fire.

Oluwatuyi said: “After the accident, the driver came out of the tanker and told the villagers and other people around not to move near the tanker, to avoid a disaster, and he immediately escaped.”

It was also gathered that after about 30 minutes, the villagers, comprising women, children, youths and elderly persons, came out and began to scoop the fuel, but within 10 minutes of scooping the petrol, fire started and burnt most of them. One of the dead was Fatai, who was selling phones at Okogbe.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Rivers State, Dr. Kayode Olagunju, who confirmed the incident, described it as very sad.

Olagunju, between 11:08 am and 2:38 pm, said: “There is a major fatal crash at Okogbe, about 11 kilometres from Ahoada-Mbiama, on EastWest Road in Rivers State. The accident occurred around 06.30 hours.

“A tanker laden with petrol crashed with three other vehicles: a Toyota Corolla, Hummer Toyota bus and a Mitsibushi bus. 34 motorcycles also got burnt. People were scooping fuel from the tanker when it exploded.

“FRSC, police, Fire Service, Joint Task Force (JTF) opertaives are at the scene. Final casualty figures on the Okogbe tanker crash incident: 93

•Sympathisers at the scene

‘I think this is the worst single disaster that has happened in Nigeria. The corpses I counted there (at the scene) alone, in fact, 200 and they have not finished counting. It is cremation. The corpses were burnt to ashes. So, how many can you count? It is a sad situation. Quite a pity!’ died on the spot (burnt), two died in hospital. 18 persons were injured.

“Rivers Health commissioner is not correct. The bodies are still at the scene. They were jointly counted by all the agencies, FRSC, NEMA, JTF, Police, Civil Defence and others involved in the rescue.

“Rivers Health commissioner was not there when the counting was being done. He only got to the scene and said they (corpses) could be up to 200 and he left. He did not wait for physical counting that we did.”

At 7:02 pm, the Rivers commander of FRSC, said: “Eighty seven corpses burnt beyond recognition, as a result of the crash involving a tanker and 3 other vehicles, were given mass burial at the scene of the crash at Okogbe along Ahoada-Mbiama on the East-West Road in Rivers State.

“Six of the bodies of the victims that died on the spot had earlier been identified and released to the families. Two of the 20 injured taken to the hos-

pitals also died. A total of 95 persons died in the crash, with 18 others injured.”

Amaechi’s spokesman, David Iyofor, said: “The governor is utterly devastated and shattered by the tragic incident and the unfortunate loss of lives.

Governor Amaechi had to cancel his official engagements in Abuja, to rush down to the scene of the incident.

“As we speak, the governor is waiting to board a flight to Port Harcout, so that he can visit the scene of this very tragic accident and console the families of the victims.”

Fire fighters from Port Harcourt arrived the scene at 12:02 pm, in an unmarked Mercedes Benz truck, with Ateco 1325 inscribed on it. They put out the fire.

Ahoada West Local Government Chairman Awori Miller, who rushed from a function in Port Harcourt, described the accident as “sad”, adding that lessons must be learnt from it.

The Chief Medical Director of Ahoada General Hospital, Dr. E. G. Kiri, was busy treat-

•One of the affected vehicles...yesterday

ing the victims.The Chief Nursing Officer, Mrs. E. Ebeku, said the first batch of 11 persons brought to the hospital had 100 degree burns, but were given first aid and moved to an undisclosed hospital in Port Harcourt.

The second batch of eight victims were also given first aid and moved to Port Harcourt. The third batch of 16 victims were being treated as at press time. They may be moved to Port Harcourt because of space constraint. In all, there were 35 persons, but more victims were being

brought in. Two of the victims at the hospital died.

Personnel from neighbouring government hospitals were mobilised to Ahoada hospital to join the battle to save as many lives as possible.

The traditional ruler of Igbuya in Ekpeye Kingdom, near the scene of the accident, King Joshua Eziba, noted that if Fire Service men had arrived earlier, the casualty figure would have been less. Besides, he said, if the road had been fully dualised, the accident would not have happened.

The Councillor representing

PHOTOS: BISI OLANIYI

Ward 5 in Ahoada West Legislative Arm, Mr. Thompson Otobo, at the scene, said fire service stations should be located in all the Local Government Areas or senatorial districts.

Otobo said the people were not happy with the Federal Government over the slow pace of the dualisation of the East-West Road. The bad and narrow road caused the accident, according to him.

Another witness, Mr. Ede Christmas, an indigene of Okogbe, also said the bad road caused the accident.

Council of State meets on security as governors raise committee

T

HE precarious security situation in the country engaged the attention of the Council of Sate yesterday during a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Governors also set up a Security Intervention Committee after a Wednesday night meeting of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) in Abuja.

The Plateau situation according to sources dominated discussion at the Council of State, a body of ex-leaders, Governors, leadership of the National Assembly and former chief justices of Nigeria.

It is the highest advisory organ of government, chaired by the President.

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and former military President Ibrahim Babangida were absent.

But Second Republic President Shehu Shagari, ex-Interim President Ernest Shonekan and former Head of State Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar attended.

Also in attendance were Justice Mohammed Uwais, Justice Alfa Belgore, Senate President David Mark and Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal.

There was no official statement on the outcome of the meeting, which lasted for

about three hours, it was learnt that major security issues especially the situation in Plateau State was discussed.

National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki it was gathered, briefed the Council on “National Security, especially the situation on the Plateau and the situation in Mali and its implications on National Security”.

The recent coup d’etat in Mali plunged the country into crisis with armed groups seizing the vast north. Thereby posing security threat to West Africa.

Former Chief Justice Belgore who was the chairman of the Presidential Committee on the Review of outstanding

constitutional issues, also briefed the Council on the report submitted by his committee to the President on Tuesday, it was learnt.

The council also received a briefing on the 2013 National Honours List.

The NGF set up a committee on economic and security intervention.

The communique of the meeting was read by Rivers State Governor Rotimi Ameachi.

It said: “The forum delibrated extensively on the continuing illegal deductions from the federation account towards offsetting oil subsidy payments, Excess Crude Account and other unconditional withdrawals by the

Federal Government and unanimously resolved to go to court to seek legal redress.

“On the recurring insecurity in the country, forum sympertised with the government and the people of Plateau state on the recent loss of lives and property and appealed to the federal government to urgently commence the recruitment, intensive equipping and proper deployment of security agents across the country. Forum also called on the Custom and Immigration Services to tighten security at the nation’s borders.

“The forum resolved to constitute an economic and security intervention committee, with membership

from Rivers, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Abia, Plateau, Adamawa and Zamfara states to meet with Mr. President on an emergency economic intervention plan focusing initially on agriculture and other economic regeneration programmes for employment generation in the Northern states.”

The Governors of Katsina, Kaduna, Borno, Zamfara, Kebbi, Taraba, Jigawa, Kogi, Enugu, Delta, Lagos, Ekiti, Ondo, Ebonyi states attended the meeting.

The rest are those of Abia, Plateau, Rivers, Bayelsa, Anambra, Gombe, Adamawa.

Deputy Governors at the meeting came from Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Kwara, Ogun and Yobe.

6

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

NEWS Absence of defence witnesses stalls Akingbola’s trial

By Adebisi Onanuga

A

LAGOS High Court sitting in Ikeja was yesterday forced to adjourn the trial of former Managing Director of defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc (now Access Bank Plc), Dr. Erastus Akingbola till September 10, 2012.

The adjournment was caused by the absence of defence witnesses.

Justice Habeeb Abiru had vacated July 18 and 19 earlier scheduled for the defence to assemble their witnesses.

At the resumption of trial, the defence team, represented

by Michael Sunbola, urged the court to vacate the dates and asked for an adjournment following their inability to produce any of their witnesses in court.

The request was, however, opposed by the prosecution counsel, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN).

Ukala, in his submission, described reasons given by the defence for an adjournment as “callous”.

“The story of the defence’s inability to get the witnesses is so callous. From the story, it appears that they are determined as they have demonstrated in the past, not to take the case serious”, he said.

Ukala said there was no justification in granting the application to vacate the dates and urged the court to call the two defendants, Akingbola and Bayo Dada, to testify if their witnesses are not available.

He urged the court to, in the alternative, order a close of the defence.

Justice Abiru frowned at the attitude of the defence and warned them he would no longer tolerate any request for adjournment.

The judge adjourned further hearing till September 10.

Senate lifts suspension of new number plates T HE Senate yesterday lifted the suspension on issuance of new number plates and driver’s licence by the Federal Road Safety Commission(FRSC).

It also slashed by 30 per cent the fee paid by motorists to obtain new number plates.

This followed the adoption of the recommendations of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and InterGovernmental Affairs.

The Senate extended the deadline for motorists to renew their licence and number plates from August 2012 to February 2013.

The lawmakers directed the Police to “suspend the introduction of Bio-metric Central Motor Registry (BCMR) and the N3, 500 that goes with it as this is an additional bur-

A

would not be sitting because Justice Bello had been deployed to Cross River Election Tribunal in Calabar.

The clerk had informed counsel of the September 20 date.

Among counsel to the accused are Ricky Tarfa (SAN), for Danjuma(1st accused), for Zacharia (third accused), Mr Mohammed Tola, for Baba (fourth accused), Anthony Agbolahan, for Acheneje and Salami (fifth and sixth accused).

On Tuesday, June 5, the prosecution counsel, Uche, had asked for an adjournment to enable him produce two forensic pathologists as witnesses.

Uche told the court that the pathologists, who were supposed to fly into Abuja from the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital, could not make it following the June 3 DANA plane crash in Lagos.

He said the specialists were to determine the cause of death by examining the six bodies.

Ahmed, group hail CJN, IGP

By Eric Ikhilae

I

T was praises yesterday as scholars, students and artists in Lagos examined the life and works of Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, who turns 78 years today.

They regretted that despite his struggle for the nation’s liberation from agents of oppression and misrule, the country has continually retrogressed.

While some blamed the nation’s woes on a myopic and greedy leadership, others contended that the nation’s docile and collaborative followers and its faulty political structure accounted for its underdevelopment.

They suggested attitudinal change on the part of leaders and followers, restructuring of the nation’s political structure and the enthronement of conscientious leadership.

Speakers include Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Yusuf Olaniyonu), Profs Robert Fox and Segun Ojewumi (of the

T

HE Kwara State Governor Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has said the emergence of Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar as the first woman Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) would deepen the dignity of womanhood.

He also said the confirmation of Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar as the Inspector-General is a positive step aimed at promoting the security of life and property.

The governor, in a congratulatory message, said the emergence of Justice Mukhtar as the first woman CJN would imbue the “can do” spirit in the Nigerian woman.

Ahmed, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji AbdulWahab Oba, described the new IGP, who had served in Kwara State as a Commissioner of Police, as a disciplined police officer who can tackle the security challenges facing the country.

The governor advised Justice Mukhtar and IGP Abubakar to be a rallying point for the promotion of the rule of law.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar yesterday urged Justice Muktar to ensure that the judiciary defends victims of injustice.

In a congratulatory message, Atiku noted that constitutional provisions alone are not enough safeguard for the independence of the Judiciary unless the judges demonstrate the courage to do their job according to their conscience and the law.

Atiku also hailed the newly confirmed IGP, Abubakar, whose confirmation was announced by the Police Service Commission yesterday.

The Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA) has hailed Justice Mariam Mukhtar on her appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). It said this is another ‘’first to be recorded by your Lordship’’, adding that appointment has further demonstrated that the era of perception that relegated women to the background has gone.

den and unnecessary duplication of the on-going scheme by the FRSC on the vehicle owner which is capable of translating into hike in transport fare for commuters.”

Chairman of the Committee Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta, who presented the report of the committee, noted that said the FRSC must embark on an enlightenment

campaign to explain the advantages and other security details of the new scheme.

The FRSC and one of his officers, Bukar Mai, have been sued by a business man, Okon Samson Inyang, for issuing him a fake number plate.

In the suit before Justice Bilikisu Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the plaintiff claimed that Mai issued him a number plate: GWA79AE, for his Honda CRV after paying N40,000.

According to him, on March 7, he was arrested by a Vehi-

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, United States and Delta State’s Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof Hope Eghagha.

The event was an advocacy lecture, with the theme: “From tigritude to transcendence: The conscience and conscientiousness of Wole Soyinka”, as part of activities m a r k i n g •Fox...yesterday Soyinka’s birthday. on federal monthly allocaWhile reacting to a questions to meet their needs, tion on why the nation’s leadand governors not de facto ers have been unable to efheads of their states, was unfect meaningful develophealthy. ment, Eghagha and The lecturer, Prof Fox, Olaniyonu argued that the noted that Soyinka has problems were with the evolved from a creative country’s faulty federal playwright, poet and novelstructure and the collaboraist to a combative rights’ active nature of the followers. tivist who seeks a just and They contended that the egalitarian society. practice where states depend

PHOTO:RAHMAN SANUSI

He described Soyinka as a peace-loving person, driven by the urge to liberate Africa from colonialism and underdevelopment.

Prof Fox said with the way Soyinka celebrates African culture and tradition, particularly the Yoruba in his work, qualifies him as a great cultural ambassador of the continent.

Many states bankrupt, says Senate Report

•Atiku to Mukhtar: defend injustice From Gbade Ogunwale Abuja and Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

From Kamarudeen Ogundele and Onyedi Ojiabor, Abuja

Scholars, others celebrate Soyinka at 78

Apo Six trial adjourned till Sept N Abuja High Court yesterday adjourned till September 20 the trial of six policemen accused of killing five spare parts dealers and their female companion in Abuja in 2005.

Those on trial are DCP Danjuma Ibrahim, ASP Othman Abdulsalami (at large), Constables Nicholas Zacharia, Emmanuel Baba, Emmanuel Acheneje and Sadiq Salami.

The Office of the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation accused the policemen of killing Ifeanyi Ozo, Chinedu Meniru, Isaac Ekene, Paulinus Ogbonna, Anthony Nwokike and Tina Arebun.

The deceased, between 21 and 25 years, were returning from a night party in 2005 when they were allegedly killed.

Justice Ishaq Bello had, on June 5, adjourned hearing till July 11.

Court Clerk Salisu Idachaba told the prosecution counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN) that the court

•Orders suspension of Biometric Registry •FRSC, official sued over fake number

cle Inspection Officer (VIO) for using a registration number issued to someone else.

He said at the VIO Office in Mabushi, Abuja, it was discovered that the number plate had been issued to someone else, whose address was given as Lugbe FCTAbuja.

Inyang said he was handed over to the police on an allegation of forgery and detained. The plaintiff said he was, however, released on bail.

He is asking the court to order the FRSC to pay him N100,000 as general damages and publish an unreserved apology in three national newspapers.

Justice Aliyu adjourned till October 2 for hearing.

•Urges review of revenue formula •Accuses governors of mismanagement

T

HE Senate said many states are bankrupt.

Yesterday, it adopted the report of the Ad Hoc Committee on National Planning, Economic Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Appropriation, Finance and States and Local Government on “the looming danger of bankruptcy in States: The need for fiscal evaluation.”

At a plenary session on October 27, 2011, the Senate debated a motion by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Ekiti North) on the looming bankruptcy in states.

The report of the joint committee was presented by

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

Chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning, Senator Barnabas Gemade.

Deputy Senate President Senator Ike Ekweremadu said the 18-page report “observed that most states in the country are bankrupt because they cannot meet their obligations.”

Ekweremadu said the poor state of affairs in the states is due to mismanagement of resources.

The report said the over dependency on oil revenue at the expense of Internally Generated Review (IGR) by states

is responsible for their continued call on the Federal Government to share the proceeds of the excess crude account to meet the growing cost of governance in states.

The committee also found that “due to huge debts profile, there are huge deductions from the allocations of most of the states of the federation for the settling of their external and domestic debts and bonds, which are indications that most of the state governments have collateralised their share of the monthly federation account receipts to service such debts.”

It said that it was worrisome that some states spend as high as 81 per cent of their federal allocations on debt payments.

Most of these loans, it said, are tied to irrevocable standing payment orders (ISPOs) issued to the Accountant General of the Federation to deduct directly from their monthly statutory allocations.

It said the existing Revenue Allocation Formula is long overdue for review in accordance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) Paragraph 32(6), under the functions of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAF).

Reps to Jonathan: Reappraise your security mechanism

T

HE House of Representatives has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to reappraise security challenges facing the country and Plateau State.

Following recurring violent attacks in Plateau State,

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

the lawmakers told the President to grant more powers to the governor, and provide aditional resources to the state to address the situation.

The lawmakers said

they would send a factfinding team to the state to seek a solution to the challenges.

Their decision followed the adoption of a motion

by Simon Nwadkon (PDP, Plateau), who was with the late Senator Gyan Dantong

when he was killed during an attack on mourners last Sunday in Plateau State.

Nwadkon said about 400 men attacked and burnt over 10 villages, which resulted in the deaths of over 170 persons.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

7

NEWS

Falana, 24 others are Senior Advocates •Fayemi hails former WABA President

T

SANS ALL

HE Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee yes-

terday approved the appointment of Lagos lawyer Mr. Femi Falana and 24 others as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).

The Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mr Sunday Olurundahunsi, who presented the names of successful candidates to reporters, said the selection was done in accordance with the provisions of the Legal Practitioners’ Act 2004.

Olurundahunsi, who is also the Secretary of the Committee, said Prof. Yemi AkinseyeGeorge, Prof. Clement JamesDakas, Mrs joy Adesina, Mrs Connie-Jean Aremu, Mahmud Magaji, Ogwu Onoja and Garuba Tetengi also made the list.

He said the swearing-in of the senior advocates would be after the court’s return from its annual break in September.

The Secretary said the application of stringent selection criteria accounted for the low number of applications received.

In all, 125 applied to be SAN; 71 were shortlisted.

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has hailed the emergence of the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Dayo Akinlaja and Falana as SANs. Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, said the induction of Akinlaja and Falana into the Inner Bar bears eloquent testimony to the fact that Ekiti is synonymous with excellence.

The governor noted that the recognition of two Ekiti indigenes who have risen to the pinnacle of their chosen career as SANs is worth celebrating as it has secured a pride of place for the state in the annals of the le-

•Falana

•Akinlaja

•Francis Chuka Agbu

•Ilogu

From Kamaldeen Ogudele, Abuja

gal profession.

He described the two new SANs as men of honour who have reached the peak of the legal profession through diligence, hard work, dedication, advocacy and commitment to a better society.

The governor noted that the duo has used the law profession as an instrument of social change

•Prof-Akinseye-George

•Femi Falana •Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George •Prof. Clement James-Dakas •Mrs Joy Adesina •Mrs Connie Jean Aremu •Mahmud Magaji •Ogwu Onoja •Garuba Tetengi •Selekeowei Larry •Abenny Mohammed •Charles Obisishai •Luke Illogu •Francis Agbu •Paul Ananaba •Akinlaja Moses •Ahmed Raji •Adekunle Oyesanya •Rotimi Oguneso •Oluseye Opasanya •Aduroja Olumuyiwa •Aliyu Umar •Ilo Sanusi •Rotimi Jacobs •Ndukwe Nnnawuchi •Henry Ogbodu

•Oguneso

and to defend the defenceless, a development which he said is widely acknowledged within and outside the country.

While noting that Falana is long due for the SAN, Fayemi expressed satisfaction that the renowned human rights activist has been recognised at last.

“There is no doubt that Mr Falana has been consistent in challenging bad governance, abuse of power and defending

the rights of the oppressed in the country. He has used the legal profession to work for a better society. It is a honour well deserved.

“Akinlaja’s emergence is a reward for hard work and commitment to the rule of law in the Land Honour,” the governor added.

Fayemi charged his chief law officer to see his new status as an

How reading can help development, by Jonathan

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has explaained why his administration is promoti ng enhanced reading culture among Nigerians.

He said it is aimed at advancing the process of development in the country.

Jonathan spoke yesterday at the launch of the Bring Back the Book Initiative in Bayelsa State at the Yenagoa Cultural Centre.

He said with better reding culture, Nigerians would be better equippeed to aid development.

The president, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, said: “Let us collectively ignite the flame of reading in our communities, so that we can forge a greater, more enlightened and developed nationhood, together.”

He said his involvement in the Bring Back the Book initiative is borne out of the desire to encourage young Nigerians to imbibe the culture of reading.

Jonathan said: “The initiative was conceived as a citizen’s framework after much consultation. It was in response to lingering concerns over flagging reading culture in our country and general apathy to books, especially among the youth, who represent our collective

•Wike (left) and the Special Adviser to the President on Research and Documentation, Oronto Douglas...yesterday

future.”

He said with necessary encour-

agement, children would be readers and productive all through

their lives.

The President noted that the Bring Back the Book Initiative has been accorded the status of a Federal Government programme facilitated by the Ministry of Education, with a view to making inroads into schools.

He commended Rotimi Babatunde, who won the 2012 Caine Prize for African Writing, pointing out that, “there is a flowering of talent and creative expression, which can only inspire young ones”.

Jonathan expressed happiness that Port Harcourt, the River State capital has been declared the UNESCO World Books Capital for 2014.

Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson represented by the Secretrary to Bayelsa State Governmenrt, Prof Allison Oguru, said improving the reading culture of Nigerians would empower them to contribute to development programmes.

Special Guest and widow of the late Ken Saro-Wiwa, Maria , commended Jonathan for his commitment to reading.

The launch attracted schools and non governmental organisations.

Nollywood actors and musicians also read books to encourage the culture of reading.

opportunity to add value to governance and the administration of justice in the state.

He urged the two SANs to continue to be good ambassadors of the state.

The SAN gives a lawyer the privilege to sit in the first row in courts and to wear a silk gown. The lawyer's case will also be called first in courts, except when there is a judgment or ruling.

ASO Savings to meet N5b capitalisation ASO Savings and Loans Plc has said it is working on raising more capital to shore up its shareholders’ funds of N3.1 billion to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) N5 billion benchmark for mortgage banks.

In a statement, the bank said raising capital has become necessary to enable it consolidate its leadership position in the sector and create more value for its shareholders.

The statement said the bank raised its assets to N86.2 billion for the financial year ended March 31, 2012 as against N76.9 billion recorded during same period last year.

It also declared a profit of N300 million this year, while the balance sheet grew from N33 billion in 2011 to N41 billion, representing 12 per cent increase. The bank’s deposit liabilities grew by five per cent closing at N68 billion from N65 billion recorded in 2011.

The bank has also increased its investment portfolio, partnering with the Federal Government and state governors to invest in the housing projects.

The bank said this is in line with its corporate objective of creating platforms for Nigerians to own affordable homes.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

8

CITYBEATS

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

Assembly votes for domestic gas

By Oziegbe Okoeki

THE Lagos State House of Assembly has backed the campaign to gradually replace the use of kerosene for cooking with domestic gas.

Chairman of the committee on Energy, Mineral Resources and Water Joint Infrastructure Hon Laure Ogunyemi said they would mobilize their constituents to back the initiative.

He spoke when a delegation from Oando visited the Assembly to introduce the use of gas for domestic cooking.

Oando's Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Yomi Olubokun, who led the delegation, described smoke from pollution as a cause of death of many Nigerians yearly. He solicited for enabling laws to back up the initiative by banning the use of firewood and kerosene in schools and hospitals.

Members of the committee, Hon. Segun Olulade and Hon. Bisi Yusuff said more public enlightenment should be carried out to allay the people's phobia over gas use.

Hon. Suuru Avoseh and Hon. Ibrahim Layode expressed delight over the multipurpose use of the 3kg cylinder for lamp, barbecue and other cooking services, but noted that the initial cost of N6,800 for the cylinder stove and gas content is too high for some of their constituents.

Two arraigned for impersonating police officer

By Tumininu Owolabi

TWO middle-aged men, Ajewole Femi (54) and Fadolamu Julius (48) were yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate's Court in Lagos for allegedly impersonating a police officer.

The accused were docked on a six-count charge of conspiracy, false pretence and impersonation before Magistrate Olufemi Isaac. prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Barth Nwaokeye, said Femi and Julius were on May 20 and June 22, seen wearing uniforms of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).

Nwaokeye told the court that Ajewole on June 22 extorted N30,000 from one Tope Adebayo under false pretence of being a DSP. The prosecutor claimed that Ajewole created the impression of using his position to help Adebayo get a job at the Nigeria Customs Service.

Nwaokeye said Julius also fraudulently presented himself as a DSP at the Lagos State Vehicle Licence office, Alausa, Ikeja.

The prosecutor said the accused could however, not give satisfactory account of how they came about police identity card.

Nwaokeye added that Femi and Julius used police uniforms and badges in a manner that was misleading to the public.

He said their offences contravened Sections 77(b), 79(1) (a), 278(1)(a)(b), 312(1) and 409 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2011. The accused pleaded not guilty.

Ajewole who claims to be a teacher, resides at 9, Akinrinsola street, Igando, Lagos.

Julius described himself as a spy police, living at 19, Akinwumi Street, Oko-oba, Agege, Lagos.

Isaac granted the accused N20,000 bail with two sureties in like the sum.

He adjourned the matter to August 15.

Police assault pharmacist

A

PHARMACIST, Fred Oduwole, who was assaulted by men of the Afonka, Akowonjo Divison of the Nigerian Police Force last week has petitioned the Commissioner of Police Mr Umar Manko.

He was injured in the head by one of the policemen in the station who he said hit him with stainless steel plate.

The pharmacist, who is the chairman of the Akowonjo branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) alleged he was assaulted by the police when he went to mediate a misunderstanding over the purchase of a drug by one unidentified police officer from one of the pharmacists around, who later returned the drug for lack of expiring date inscription on the pack.

According to Oduwole, he was called to the police station by the Managing Director, Clich Pharmacy Limited, Mrs Chinwe Emenike who owns the shop where the drug was purchased.

Oduwole stated that when he got to the police station, he demanded to know why the woman and her staff members were arrested, he was told that a police officer went to the shop to purchase drugs but one of the drugs expiry date was not written on it.

Oduwole said there was exchange of argument along the line.

"Initially, the policewoman had pushed Mrs Emenike's lawyer, and when I moved in between them, she hit me, and before I knew what was happening, she seized a stainless steel plate and hit me hard on the head, leaving me with a deep gash on the head. Blood started gushing out of my head.

Incidentally, the Divisional Police

•Oduwole

By Amidu Arije

Officer (DPO), was standing there, watching the scene, without making any step to caution her from beating me. I was surprised when he asked me why I didn't defend myself when she was assaulting me," he said.

He said the issue would have not degenerated to that extent, but the police demanded N10, 000 for the release of the arrested woman, but they insisted they were not going to pay any money for their bail.

"It would not have degenerated if the police have not demand N10, 000, they didn't even apologise for

detaining the woman and her staff for more than seven hours," he said.

He noted that the police do not have any business with arrest of pharmacist incase of any reported fake drug.

"It is very clear that the police does not have any business harassing any registered pharmacist operating legitimately, even if there is a formal report that such is dealing in fake drug, the police are to consult the appropriate agencies like the NDLEA and NAFDAC, the police are not to arrest any pharmacist we have a law, that is not their responsibility,

the pharmaceutical practice is regulated by federal law and there is a federal agency - Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN), and NAFDAC, so if police sees anything fishy, they should consult the NAFDAC or the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria," he said.

He said he had gone to the police station to know the truth of the matter if the drug was truly expired, so as to know what to do as the chairman of the community pharmacists and to give report on the issue, but things turned out other ways round. Oduwole opined that the act displayed by the police is an assault and intimidation on the pharmacists.

Narrating how it happened, Mrs Chinwe Emenike said a customer came to her shop on Monday night around 9pm, she bought Leonart tablet and 7 Keys Mixture drugs but returned on Tuesday morning to return the 7 keys mixture drug claiming it has expired and has no expiry date on it, but the sales representatives told her that the drug has not yet expired and that the expiry date is written at the bottom of the drug.

They demanded for the drug, but the customer who happens to be a police officer with the Afonka Division of the Police said they have confiscated the drug. She threatened the staff of the company of arrest.

"My staff called me that the woman has returned the drug and threaten to arrest them because she is a police officer, that is even what got me annoyed that why will she be threaten her, I have even said the drug should be changed "I told them to wait I was coming, I told them they don't have any right to enter my shop that is what the law says, I was on my way when I got the call that they have come to arrest two of my staff," "I called a police officer with me to the station; I took the 7 Key Mixtures with me to show her where the expiration date was written, it was written on the bottom of the drug that it will expire in 2014. But they said I have gone to buy another product that has expire date, I told them no, that it is not the only one I have in my shop," she said.

Ladipo Police post relocates

By Miriam Ndikanwu

T

•From left: Unit Commander R.S. 2 III, Isolo, Mr. Abayomi Adegbesan, Unit Commander R.S. 2 19 Oshodi, Mr. Samuel Ogundaya and the Lagos Sector Commander of FRSC, Mr. Akpabio during the visit... yesterday PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID

348, 842 held for traffic offences, says FRSC Chief O VER 348, 842 motorists in Lagos State were arrested for traffic offences within a year, Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Nseobong Akpabio said yesterday.

Of this number, speed violation is the highest, he said.

He spoke yesterday during a visit to the Matori, Lagos Mainland Corporate office of Vintage Press Ltd., publishers The Nation yesterday.

Akpabio urged Nigerians to plan their journey well and leave home early to avoid over speeding.

According to him, avoidable accidents occurred on the highways

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

due to unnecessary speed.

"People want to fly from Lagos to Ibadan in 30 minutes. It does not make sense and there is no way such people will not be involved in accidents considering the nature of our roads," he said.

He urged commuters to avoid travelling at night, because it is risky.

Imploring media houses to help the commission educate the masses on road usage, he said, no fewer

than 1,800 people of diverse professions designated as Special Marshalls are helping the commission to ensure accident-free travels.

The commission, he added, has established Road Safety Clubs in 1,000 schools in the state, hailing government for the management of traffic and prompt response to traffic challenges.

Gone are the days, when any individual can get drivers license by proxy in the state.

"We now have a world class system that is difficult to hack into," he said.

HE Lagos State Government has moved the police post at Kalesanwo Street, Ladipo, which is to be demolished to pave the way for a road.

Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Dr. Kadri Hamzat, while handing over the new post to the police, reiterated the government's commitment to provide an effective road network for the people's use.

Attributing its early completion to partnership between the government and the citizenry, he said: "when corporate entities support government to realise its goals and objectives, especially, in the overall greater interest of the community then we are able to forge ahead faster."

Hamzat asked for the residents' cooperation, saying it is important for owners of properties impeding construction to sheathe their swords and cooperate with the government to ensure quick delivery of projects.

He lauded Union Bank Plc for donating land to the government for public use. Hamzat also praised the Police for their commitment to the people's security, saying the government will continue to support them in their quest to rid the society of criminals.

Lagos State Police Commissioner Umar Manko, represented by the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Administration, Mr. Isaac Eke, said the Police would continue to respond to security challenges to the best of their ability.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

9

NEWS

Youths kill woman, 70, in Ekiti community A

70-year-old woman, Mrs Rebecca Adewumi, has been reported killed by a gang of youths in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti East Local Government Area of the Ekiti State. She was accused of having a hand in the protracted ailment of her 33year-old stepson, Ola. A daughter of the slain woman, Mrs. Grace Smith, said she left Lagos to attend to her mother when Ola took ill.

She said the man was taken to a church in Omuo-Oke for spiritual healing.

Mrs Smith explained that she saw Ola on May 9 at the church and gave him some money and prayed for his quick recovery.

The woman said she had not left the church when Ola’s mother accused Madam Rebecca of causing Ola’s illness.

Ola’s mother allegedly said her last child, Feranmi, dreamt about the late woman’s complicity in Ola’s illness.

Mrs Smith said she refuted the allegation immediately.

According to her, the matter was taken to the palace of the Olomuo of Omuo-Ekiti, Oba Noah Omonigbehin, where some residents had assembled to watch what they perceived to be the exposure of “a witch” who wanted to kill her stepson.

She said that Ola’s younger sister accused Madam Rebecca of being “a member of their coven and urged the society to kill Ola. Ola’s sister also allegedly told the monarch and his chiefs that

Alleged N25b fraud: Court reserves ruling on Alao-Akala’s application From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

•Family petitions police

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

whenever he dreamt, he always saw the old woman threatening to kill him.

Mrs Smith listed the elders at the palace on the fateful day as: the Ojomu, Mr. Folorunso Idiowo; the Elekoju, Mr Oyedokun Adeyemo; the Ojumu, Mr. Adeyeye Ogunjobi; the Olisa, Mr. Olatunbosun Orojo; and the Sagbale, Mr. Adewale Olowoyo.

She said: “My mother was given eepo obo (a type of tree back given to suspected witches to make them confess) and kept within the palace for hours at the end of which my mother did not confess anything.

“I remember a young boy, Ilesanmi Fasiku (alias Arime) kicked my mother in the stomach, sending her reeling on the floor. She was writhed in pains.

“While my mother was under watch in the palace, I returned to get another dress for her.

When I returned, I met her personal effects scattered outside the house and her door broken.

I managed to take another dress for her. We returned home about 8.30pm as she confessed nothing.

“Despite this, we were warned not to leave the town.

Some people said my mother would die after seven days. But

she was when I returned to Lagos nine days.

“Exactly after three weeks I left Omuo, precisely on June 26, I received a call that the youths had brought her out of her room, removed every item of clothing on her and started beating her with canes.”

Mrs Smith’s younger sister, Mrs. Eunise Orojo, said the old woman was forced her to drink “poison” and forced into the rain where she was tortured.

Madam Rebecca was allegedly carried on a motorcycle to the palace of Olomuo, brought back few moments later and laid on her beds where she died on June 30.

The Adewumi family, through their lawyer, Dele Omotoso, has petitioned Police Commissioner Sotonye Wakama on the matter.

•Alao-Akala in court...yesterday

N Ibadan High Court yesterday reserved ruling till October 9 on an application by former Oyo State Governor Adebayo AlaoAkala, asking the court to quash charges of alleged corruption against him and two others.

The former governor, his Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Senator Hosea Agboola, and a contractor, Mr Femi Babalola, are being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly misappropriating N25

A

billion during his administration.

Lead counsel to the accused, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), told the court that the prosecution did not link his clients with the alleged fraud.

On the defence team were Mohammad Usman (SAN), Nathaniel Oke (SAN), Dr. J. Nwoboke (SAN), Oguntade (SAN) and 14 other lawyers.

Arguing that the EFCC has failed to prove the charges against his clients, Fagbemi explained that the practice in law is that whenever a charge is filed in court, essential ingredients of the offence must be stated in the evidence.

He added that where the evidence did not meet the required evidence with essential ingredients to prove the offence committed, it is not necessary for the court to hear such a case.

The lawyer argued that the prosecutor did not link the accused to charges number two,

three and four. He said since there were no contract papers linking them with the contract, they could not be said to have committed the offence.

Fagbemi argued that the EFCC could not establish that his clients implemented the state’s annual budget, neither could the commission establish that they were involved in the purchase of the houses bought

by Magdalene Akala and Adara Akala in England.

But lead counsel to EFCC, Chief Godwin Obla (SAN), averred that it was too late for the accused to ask the court to decline jurisdiction in hearing the matter.

He said the plea of the accused had been taken, adding that they have filed the necessary court papers in their defence and they have submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of the court.

Justice Akintunde Boade reserved ruling on the application till October 9.

Ekiti ACN urges Jonathan to resign

I

F the Ekii State Chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has its way, President Goodlluck Jonathan will resign with immediate effect.

Calling for the President’s resignation, the party said it “is logical and deserved consequence of the entire inability of the president to ensure security of lives and property which is first responsibility of

By Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

government.”

Addressing reporters in AdoEkiti, capital of the state, party chair Chief Jide Awe, noted that “the most honourable decision for the president to take with the litany of failures that have assailed the nation recently is for him to return to his house and admit failure.”

He said: “Nigeria is fast drift-

ing into a failed nation and as at now, we are facing the challenges of corruption, insecurity and unemployment. So , it will be a disservice to this nation and President Jonathan, if people are allowed to perpetrate rigging in the coming election in Edo. “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and President Jonathan have failed the nation. They have failed to provide security

and jobs for our youths and I know the people of Edo State will march up these evil doers with action by resisting their intentions to rig the election.

Awe, who conndemned recent killings in Jos, particularly that of Senator Gyang Dantong and Gyang Fulani by unknown gunmen, traced the killing to “years of disconnect between the people and the ruling class, especially in the North.”

Jagaba: Lawan speechless when I confonted him

A

DAMS Jagaba, the lawmaker whose colleague Farouk Lawan said he handed the $620,000 bribe, has launched a battle for his integrity.

The chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes yesterday threatened to take Lawan to court if the erstwhile Chairman of the ad hoc Committee on the management of the fuel subsidy regime insist that the cash is with him.

Lawan said he collected the money from businessman Femi Otedola to prove that he was put under pressure to influence the committee’s report.

Jagaba recalled that as the then Chairman, Committee on Anti-corruption in 2001, he tabled a N4.5m bribe on the floor of the chamber.

“I cannot and shall never be involved in an individualistic act that runs unethical to national interest,” he told reporters.

Jagaba said he saw the letter purportedly written by Lawan, first on the pages of a newspaper then at the Police Headquarters. He analysed the letter and pointed out the errors contained in it.

He said it was an attempt to smear his name.

He said: “Farouk Lawan alleged that he wrote a letter to me attaching $500,000.

That is callously untrue and, in fact, calculated to smear my hard-earned reputation, a reputation I painstakingly built since 1999. “ I never received any letter or money or any other

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

exhibit from Farouk Lawan.

“I saw, for the first time, the purported letter on a page of the Leadership Newspaper, page 6 of 14th June, 2012; and the closest copy which I saw and touched was the copy he presented to the Police Special Task Force (STF) investigating the bribery scandal, when I went there on 10th July, 2012.

“I was invited by the Police STF while in South Africa attending the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Africa Region) Summit. When I returned to Nigeria, I went to the Police Force Headquarters on the 10th July 2012 at about 11:00 am to give my own side of the story on the bribery scandal investigation and I spent precisely two hours with them.”

Jagaba said based on his position on the whereabouts of the money, the Police STF on July 11, arranged a meeting between him and Lawan between 3pm and 4 pm.

According to him, at the meeting, Lawan repeated his earlier disposition that he (Lawan) reported the matter to him, being the Chairman, House Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes and not because Jgaba was involved in the bribery.

Jagaba said: “He also told the Police that he involved me in the matter because he thinks that would enhance his case in court. We faced each other before the Police STF.

“I then put the question: Hon. Farouk, did you give me $500,000 or any money for that matter? This was a question the outspoken Lawan could not answer. He kept mum till I left.”

Besides, Jagaba said he told the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges that invited him over the issue that he was neither in possession of the money nor any knowledge of such transactions. “And I am not in custody of any money or any other exhibit given to me by Farouk or any other person,” he added.

He also gave details of the letter written to him by Lawan, saying: “It was dated 24/4/2012 and has a time of 03:47am on it. Question: Is it the normal practice to indicate time on an official letter?

“The same time of 03:47am on the top-right of the letter (indicating that he started writing at that time) also appeared on the bottom-right of the letter (indicating that he ended his letter at 03:47am). Is it humanly possible to write a twopage letter within or in less than one-second?

“The purported letter was addressed thus: The Chairman, House Committee on Financial Crimes, House of Representatives. Observation: Hon. Farouk Lawan, as a 4th-termer in the House of Representatives should have been more familiar with the appropriate name of my committee.

“On the second paragraph of the purported letter, Farouk Lawan stated that ‘attached is the sum of Five

Hundred Thousand Dollars only...’

“Question: Is it practically possible to attach money of that quantity to a sheet of paper? Except if there exists a “five hundred dollar-bill!

“Still, on the second paragraph, that “...with another promise of Two Hundred Million, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars”. Observation: The total amount of bribe allegedly demanded is only $3 Million; but here is a Farouk quoting a balance of a whooping $200.5m (Two hundred million, five hundred thousand dollars) after collecting $500,000.

The mathematics just did not add-up here!

“The purported letter was written on a clean sheet of paper. Observation: An official letter written about an issue of this magnitude should have, in my opinion, appeared on the official letter-headed paper of the ad hoc Committee on Petroleum Subsidy Investigation or at least, Hon. Farouk Lawan’s letter headed paper, “There was no acknowledgement of receipt of the letter purportedly written to my office. Observation: Forget that the letter was handwritten (because it was), but it should have carried the stamp and/or signature of receipt and date received.

“But there was no where on the entire letter, both the copy presented to the Police STF and the copy published on page 6 of the Leadership newspaper of 14th June 2012 that acknowledgement of receipt of the letter appeared.

“I saw the purported let-

ter for the first time on the page 6 of the Leadership newspaper of 14th June 2012. The said letter was never delivered to my office and hence was never received by my office neither here in the National Assembly nor in my constituency office or delivered to me, Hon. Jagaba Adams Jagaba, hand-to-hand.”

To sum up the reason for the letter option by Lawan, Jagaba posited that the embattled lawmaker was rather rattied by the revelation of the bribery scandal.

“Hence, in his confused and highly tensed state, picked up his pen and paper at an un-godly hour of 03:47am, wrote a letter (or so he claimed), as an after¬thought, to the effect that he forgot to deliver the letter to the intended recipient, but rather chose to give it to a newspaper reporter and the Police Special Task Force (STF).

“Again, it will be recalled that Hon. Farouk Lawal initially denied ever demanding and collecting any bribe, but later owned up that he actually took the bribe money as an “exhibit”.

While maintaining his position that he was never in possession of the money or any other exhibits in his personal or official capacity, Jagaba.

“Until and unless Hon. Farouk Lawan produces an authentic acknowledged copy of his letter, he should

•Jagaba...yesterday

stop placating my name and dragging it in the mud.

“It will be recalled that I displayed the sum of N4,500,000 bribe money on the floor of the House in 2001 when I was the Committee Chairman on AntiCorruption. I did that as an act of patriotism, an act that truly laid the foundation for the War Against Corruption in Nigeria.

“I cannot and shall never be involved in an individualistic act that runs antithetical to national interest.

“Farouk Lawan should stop this blackmail forthwith or else, I will have no option than take the appropriate legal action against him and to seek compensation befitting my status.

Enough is enough.”

CORRECTION

Dr. Kamoru Omotosho is Governor of Rotary International District 9110 and not Dr. Kolawole Omotosho as reported on page 25 today

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

10

NEWS Osun, Oyo set up panel to restructure Iwo-Ibadan road From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

OYO and Osun states have set up a joint committee to decongest and restructure the Iwo-Ibadan road.

Osun State Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Mr Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, spoke in Osogbo, the state capital, during a ministerial media briefing.

He said the Department of Regional Integration of the ministry is representing Osun State on the committee.

The commissioner said 13 bills by the state government are awaiting passage into law before the House of Assembly.

Basiru said the bills were processed by the State Executive Council (Exco) in conjunction with the Department of Legal and Judicial Reform.

The commissioner said the bills were approved before they were forwarded to the House of Assembly, adding that the Department of Policy Coordination, Political and Legislative Power of the Ministry of Regional Integration and Special Duties advises the governor on legislative and judicial matters.

According to him, the bills are: the Black Culture and International Understanding 2012; the Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012; the Signage, Hoarding and Advertisement Bill 2012; the Street Trading and Illegal Markets (Prohibition) Bill 2012; and the Security Trust Fund Bill 2012.

Oyo acquires 66 patrol vans for security outfit THE Oyo State Government has bought 66 new patrol vans for its security outfit, codenamed Operation Burst, to further strengthen its operation.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi spoke in Oyo at a Town Hall meeting.

He said arrangements have been concluded for the launch of the state’s Security Trust Fund on July 19.

The governor explained that the state would create a pool of funds to enhance the security of life and property.

According to him, the patrol vans, which have been equipped with modern communication gadgets, will be handed over to the security outfit.

Ajimobi said some of the 20,000 youths engaged by the state government under its Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES-O) have been offered permanent employment.

He assured that other cadets would soon be employed as vacancies exist.

Though he admitted that the scheme was marred by some initial challenges, the governor added that the challenges have been surmounted as the cadets have been deployed in various sectors.

Ajimobi said about 199 roads have been rehabilitated and/or reconstructed in the last one year, adding that the Owode-Aafin Road in Oyo, undergoing reconstruction, would soon be dualised.

Akinyemi advocates effective leadership, Judiciary

F

ORMER Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, yesterday said the weakness of the Nigerian judicial system compels judges to stand down cases. He said this has led to widespread corruption in the country.

The former minister noted that despite efforts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to fight the menace, judges and lawyers become the major challenge whenever they step down cases among public office holders.

He said: “When you also cast your minds back on how the Judiciary treated those charged to court when Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was in charge of EFCC and how they are now being treated, you will realise how far removed we have gone in the anti-corruption struggle.”

Prof Akinyemi urged Nigerian judges to learn from the United States, whose Judiciary recently upheld President Barrack Obama’s Health Care programme.

The former minister was the guest speaker at the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) Distinguished Management Lecture in Lagos entitled: Effective Leadership: A Panacea for the Strategic Transformation of the Nigerian Nation.

He said: “This brings to question the role of the Nigerian Supreme Court. In only two cases - the EFCC case and the Rotimi Amaechi case. I doff my hat for the Nigerian Supreme Court, for rising to the occasion in the decisions handed down. In the EFCC case, however, despite the fact that the Supreme Court had held that all its provisions are constitutional, including the provision which says there would be no interlocutory appeal in EFCC cases, the courts, including the Supreme Court itself, had continued to allow such interlocutory appeals.

Prof Akinyemi (left), Dr Olawale-Cole and Managing Director, The Guardian, Mr Emeka Izeze, PHOTO: NNEKA NWANERI at the lecture...yesterday

By Nneka Nwaneri

This makes the fight against corruption an uphill task.”

The former advocated effective leadership to tackle the nation’s myriad challenges.

Prof Akinyemi said: “Irrespective of whether a nation is developing or not, irrespective of the stage of development, where there are strong internal fissures threatening the very existence of the state, where there is an absence of a grand consensus among the elite, where that grand consensus is based on the greatest good for the greatest number, or where the existing social contract is under severe threat, a strong leadership is called for.

“That leadership for the grand vision and grand initiative can only be located in the Executive. This is not to deny the need for strong leadership at the head of the Legislative and Judicial branches. But it is only the President that has a national constituency and national agencies of mobilisation at its beck and call.

“On leadership, Nigeria is scored weak; on military, Nigeria is scored weak; on police, Nigeria is scored weak;

on the Judiciary, Nigeria is scored poor. On the civil service, Nigeria is scored weak; on civil society, Nigeria is scored moderate; on media, Nigeria is scored weak.

“Another set of parameters scores Nigeria as the second worst performer in terms of group grievance; second worst performer in the category of uneven economic development; and second worst performer in the category of factionalised elite.

“I will like to emphasise the role of the individual rather than the institution.

“Most, if not all, of these issues can be addressed if there was a consensus among the elite, which provides the leadership.

“The relationship between the Executive and the Legislature at the federal level can best be described as a permanent state of a cold war. Budgets submitted by the Executive are mangled out of shape by the Legislature. Bills submitted by the Executive have no certainty of being acted upon and legislation approved by the Legislature languish on the table of the President unsigned. The Judiciary has earned itself an unsavoury reputation from not

only national but also international sources in handling corruption and electoral cases.”

The former minister noted that corruption has remained unchecked because of the absence of effective leadership, especially at the centre.

He said: “Corruption thrives in Nigeria because there is really no one occupying a leadership position in Nigeria who actually believes that Nigeria will survive. Therefore, a leadership position in Nigeria has become just an avenue for crude accumulation of wealth. We need not dwell on this issue of corruption as the blind can see it and the deaf can hear it.

Such is its magnitude.’

Prof Akinyemi proposed a collective direction for the nation through focused leadership.

He said: “A divided leadership is no leadership. We must arrive at a grand consensus that will allow us to pull in the same direction.

The present system is an imposition by sectional elite that exploited its temporary occupation of the levers of power to seek an arrangement that would be an advantage to it.

‘I don’t know source of N29m in Daniel’s company’s account’ A N Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, Omolola Abiodun Akiode, yesterday told an Ogun State High Court in Abeokuta that she did not know the source of N29million lodged in the account of a company belonging to former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, Masterline Investment and Property Limited, at FinBank Plc. The former governor is the sole signatory to the account.

Mrs Akiode, who works with the Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos branch of the bank, said she is the Marketing Officer in charge of the account.

According to her, the money was lodged into the account in three tranches – N10million on September 9, 2005; N10million on February 10, 2006; and N9million on April 26, 2006.

Two of the deposits were reportedly done by Adenike Ogundipe.

The witness said she “only knows or sees transactions” of customers and “not the sources” of their money.

Mrs Akiode was cross-examined by counsel to Daniel, Mrs Titilola Akinlanwon (SAN).

The lawyer asked the wit-

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

ness to explain which transactions from the statement of account of the Masterline Investment and Property Limited represented the payment by or for Ogun State Government.

The banker spent eight minutes examining the statement of account, which showed the entries of the transactions by the company between 2005 and 2006.

Mrs Akiode said she did know if the transactions were “suspicious” to warrant reporting same to the EFCC. According to her, when a transaction by a corporate entity exceeds N5million, the bank forwards a report to the regulatory agency.

She explained that it is the Operations Unit of the bank that reports “suspicious transactions” by a customer and transmits such to the regulatory agency.

Mrs Akiode said: “I’m not responsible for reporting suspicious transactions; it is the Operations Unit that does that.

Marketers are not responsible for making reports about sus-

picious accounts. The Operations Unit does that without recourse to the Marketing Unit.

“I would not also know if the regulatory agency has any issue with the account and, if it does, it won’t tell marketing officers. I was not in the (Allen Avenue) branch at the time the transactions were carried out.

“I work with records. If an account is suspicious, it won’t be brought to my knowledge.

I only manage customers’ accounts.”

Justice Olanrewaju Mabekoje noted that the witness had said she would want the court “to believe that the Operations Unit” of the FinBank Plc “should have done the report of any suspicion” about Masterline Investment’s account and submitted same to appropriate quarters.

The judge has ordered for tight security at the court premises at the next sitting to check the “noisy” behaviour among Daniel’s supporters during proceedings.

This followed oral complaints by counsel to the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs,

who sought the court’s intervention on the attitude of Daniel’s supporters.

The lawyer said the supporters were shouting Daniel’s name and hailing him too much whenever EFCC’s witnesses gave evidence they found favourable to the defence.

Justice Mabekoje said additional three policemen would be deployed in the court to prevent any unruly behaviour during hearings on Daniel’s matter.

The judge granted the former governor leave to travel to the United Kingdom (UK) to “seek urgent medical treatment”.

Daniel’s lead counsel, Prof.

Taiwo Osipitan, file an application for the request. It was granted without an objection from the EFCC. Justice Mabekoje ordered the anti-graft agency to release Daniel’s passport to enable him travel abroad.

The former governor is expected to return the passport to the EFCC within three days of his return from the overseas treatment not later than September 30.

The matter was adjourned till October 16, 25 and 26 for continuation of trial.

It is obvious to all that the centre can no longer hold. The longer we pretend that all is well and that all the system needs is a bit of panel-beating, the more we would creep up on the Failed State index, until we become a thoroughly failed state.”

NIM President and Chairman in Council, Dr Michael Olawale-Cole said ineffective leadership has been the bane of the nation’s development since independence.

Failure, due to wide spread corruption and other social vices, hamper Nigeria’s attempt at effective leadership, he said.

According to him, Nigeria needs urgent solutions to its leadership challenges to save the nation’s corporate existence.

He urged President Goodluck Jonathan to convene a meeting of the Council of States, which accommodates former heads of government and other top government officials, to address major national issues.

He advised corporate organisations and individuals to join the battle to rescue Nigeria from the jaws of leadership inactivity.

The lecture was moderated by the Managing Director of The Guardian, Mr Emeka Izeze.

Other dignitaries at the event included former Lagos State Governor Lateef Jakande and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Lithuania, Mr Goodie Ibru.

Educationist warns against delayed national confab

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

OREMOST educationist and journalist, Chief Areoye Oyebola, yesterday called for the convocation of a national conference and warned that delay could be dangerous.

The leader of the Movement for Nigeria’s total Transformation (MNTT) said the nation may be plunged into a big religious and tribal war unless representatives of Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities discuss the basis for peaceful co-existence.

Oyebola, a former Commissioner for Information in the defunct Western State, said: “If our smaller neighbour, Benin Republic, successfully convoked a Sovereign National Conference a few years ago, why should our country fail in doing so?

“The conference must be sovereign, with people endorsing its conclusions in a referendum. MNTT suggests the restructuring of Nigeria, based on our great autonomy for the federating units.

This should be the present six souls of the country.”

The educationist warned that Nigeria may disintegrate, if the opportunity for a national discourse is denied.

Oyebola added: “Delay is dangerous on this matter because countries like the former Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR), Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia, with their several years of central governments, ideological cohesion, monolithic systems and strong leaders, broke up under the pressure of their nationalities.”

F

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

‘A number of palliative measures have been taken to revitalise domestic airline operations. Among these is the setting up of a committee to review customs duty on importation of aircraft and maintenance spare parts.’

- Princess Stella Oduah, Minister of Aviation

Russia urges action on ALSCON

House uncovers N2b fraud in Ecological Fund

R

USSIA’s Foreign Min istry warned Nigeria yesterday of potential damage to bilateral relations and urged action against a court decision that stripped the world’s largest aluminium producer, Russia’s Rusal, of its core African asset.

The Supreme court ordered last week that Rusal, which owns 85 per cent of the formerly state-run Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), should cede its ownership, because the assets should have gone to another bidder, U.S. based BFI Group, when ALSCON was privatised five years ago.

Rusal said the ruling was against Nigeria’s Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), which handled the privatisation and gave Rusal the green light to acquire the stake for $205 million in 2007. The decision would thus not affect its ownership of ALSCON, the company said.

Fed Govt to auction N75b bonds

N

IGERIA plans to raise N75 billion ($466.30 million) through sovereign bonds ranging between five and 10 years at its regular auction on July 18, the Debt Management Office (DMO) said yesterday.

The debt office said it would sell N25 billion each in the five-seven and 10-year paper with term-to-maturity of four years and eight months, six years and 10 months, and nine years and five months respectively.

The bonds are re-openings of previous issues.

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

-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -12.6% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -14.18% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $34.6b FOREX CFA 0.2958 EUR 206.9 £ 245 $ 156.4 ¥ 1.9179 SDR 241 RIYAL 40.472

• Summons Aviation Minister From Dele Anofi, Abuja

H

• Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, (right) presenting a plague to the Team Leader and Member of Energy Expert Committee, (Russia), Stanislav Kopelchuk, during a working visit to the Governor in Ado Ekiti... on Wednesday. With them are the Technical Director, Energofinstroy, Mr. Alekseev Nickolay; Assistant Technical Director, Energofinstroy, Matiushenko Polina; Director, Evictech Ag, Alina Kopelchuk.

Reps fault NNPC insurance claims

T

HE House of Repre sentatives yesterday chided the management of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over incompetence displayed on $329million insurance premium paid to some local insurance underwriters between 2007 to 2011, including its underwriter De-Will Re-Insurance Company.

The NNPC appeared before the investigative public hearing on insurance of government assets and property

by House Committee on Finance but failed to justify the rationale behind the alleged inflated premium.

Chairman of the Committee, Abdulmumin Jubrin, expressed disappointments

T

From: Dele Anofi, Abuja

over what he described as” outright discrepancies” between NNPC’s figures and that of the insurance companies.

He said: “There are discrepancies in the documents they (NNPC) submitted, which they have not proven and we told them that they gave us the copies and the differences are there.

“It’s obvious that they couldn’t strike a balance between the outstanding claims and the premium paid based on the documents given.”

While the Committee expressed reservations over the ownership of De-Will Re-insurance Company through which

premiums were paid, the nonpayment of over $12million claim as against over $317million premium paid to the underwriter within 2007 to 2011 also became an issue of concern to the Committee.

In addition, the Committee discovered from documents at its disposal that while NNPC account showed payment of $1.19million as premium paid in 2011, the insurance companies quoted $16million as premium paid for the same year.

In his response, the Group Manager Finance (Insurance), Bernard Azubike, who said that the assets of the Corporation increased drastically, explained that the Corporation

has 14 classes of insurance including aircraft, marine and oil facilities.

He said the premiums were paid directly to the appointed underwriter instead of using the broker.

Azubike further disclosed that the action of the corporation was informed by directives from former President, Olusegun Obasanjo.

On the processing of claims, Azubike explained that it takes about three to five years while the processing of non-oil assets takes about two weeks.

Besides, he disclosed that the $3.3million owed by NICON Insurance is under litigation and that N1.5billion under retail outlets on the Ikoyi office that was gutted is also pending.

Microfinance Banks to face stress test before accessing funds

HE Federal Govern ment will assess Mi cro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Micro Finance Banks to determine their viability, before they would be eligible to access funds from the MSMEs development funds and the N200 billion Small and Medium Enterprise Credit Guarantee Scheme (SMECGS), the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Lawan Ngama, has said.

Ngana, who spoke at the Annual Lecture of Microfinance banks in Abuja, yesterday, said the

From Nduka Chiejina, Asst.

Editor and Adeola Adeyoye

development funds and the N200 billion SMECGS, were established for the sub sector and they are available to eligible institutions.

Despite the September 2010 mass liquidation of 103 microfinance banks, the minister lamented that the challenges are still noticeable.

The minister who was

represented by the Executive Director, Operations, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Prince Erediuwa, said, “drawing rights for both funds will be based on viability of the applying institution.”

He said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other relevant agencies of the government, will come out with a clear policy/framework for eligibility.

In his presentation, the

CBN governor Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi represented by Mr. A. A. Sowunmi, Deputy Director in charge of microfinance issues, said the apex bank has proposed the establishment of the MSME Development Fund to provide liquidity support for MFBs. The fund he said will cover refinancing, guarantee and wholesale facilities through various windows to support the MFBs to lend to entrepreneurs adding that arrangements to establish the Fund is at an advanced stage.

Okonjo-Iweala seeks diversification of economy

C

OORDINATING Min ister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala yesterday advocated diversification of the Nigerian economy as a buffer against financial crisis sweeping across Europe, America and part of Asia.

Speaking at the 2012 Isaac

By Collins Nweze

Moghalu Foundation Leadership Lecture, she said that there was need to protect the economy in these uncertain times, to achieve a longterm sustainable growth.

“We need to pursue an active programme of economic diversification that

focuses on sectors like agriculture, housing and construction, mining, which have formed part of the government’s transformation agenda,” she said.

According to her, it is only through quality education that Nigeria can achieve economic transformation.

The Minster, who spoke on the theme: ‘Education and Development: Paradigm Shift’ , said there is urgent need to reform Nigeria’s educational system as education attainment, both in terms of years of schooling and cognitive skills is positively linked to earnings and productivity.

OUSE of Representa tives has uncovered over N2.06 billion fraud in payments to 38 contractors and 14 consultants involved in the developing of tree nurseries and raising of seedling.

The contract was awarded in 2010 through the Ecological Fund Office in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment.

The discovery was disclosed yesterday during at an investigative public hearing on the application of ecological funds by the House Committee on Environment.

Chairman of the Committee, Uche Ekwenife, said the application of Ecological Funds for the development of tree nurseries and seedlings in the 36 states showed that out of the N3.190,489,782.60 approved by the Presidency in 2010, N 2,060,739,861.60 was released to the contractors and consultants.

He said the Committee was shocked by the high number of abandoned and uncompleted projects, with most below 15 per cent implementation. He said: “Nigerians are interested in knowing why these projects are abandoned or uncompleted even though money has been paid.

Also, the Aviation Minister Stella Oduah has been invited by the House of Representatives to shed more light the on-going upgrade of 11 airports across the country.

The lawmakers’ decision followed the adoption of a motion by Jumoke OkoyaThomas (ACN, Lagos), who alleged that the minister flagrantly disregarded constitutional provisions and the Public Procument Act, 2007 in the implementation of the projects.

The lawmaker noted the Odua and her ministry were officially written twice since the beginning of the year to brief the House Committee on Public Procurement on the projects, but spurned the invitations on both ocassions.

According to her, the ministry’s response to the invitation and its disregard for the provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2007 accounted for the shoddy implementation of the projects at the airports.

The motion was unanimously adopted by the lawmakers after it was put to voice vote by the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha.

In a related motion, the lawmakers also mandated the Committee on Aviation to liaise with the management of the airports to direct the owners of scrapped aircraft, especially those at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, to remove them within three weeks.

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NATIONSPORT FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

PASTORE

welcomes Lavezzi

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ARIS SAINT-GERMAIN playmaker Javier Pastore cannot wait to line up with fellow Argentine Ezequiel Lavezzi at club level next season.

Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Javier Pastore cannot wait to line up with fellow Argentine Ezequiel Lavezzi at club level next season.

Former Napoli forward Lavezzi moved to Parc des Princes for a fee believed to be in the region of 30 million euros, following in the footsteps of his compatriot, who took the well-trodden path from Serie A to the French capital 12 months earlier.

And Pastore, who arrived from Palermo, is delighted that his club have signed such a high-profile player, and is excited to play alongside the former Estudiantes forward.

"I'm very happy with his arrival because he is a friend of mine," he told the club's website.

"I got to know him in the national team, and his coming here has made me very happy. It's certain that he will bring us a lot going forward, and that is decisive for us.

"We know that he has great potential and that he will be an added asset to us."

Paris Saint-Germain finished second in Ligue 1 last season, just three points behind surprise winners Montpellier.

•Ibrahimovic

PSG REVIVE interest in Ibra,Thiago

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Russia lines up Guardiola, others as Advocaat's replacement

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HE Russian FA has confirmed that former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, Rafa Benitez and Fabio Capello are all candidates to replace Dick Advocaat as head coach of the national team.

Guardiola stepped down from his post at the Catalan club following the conclusion of the 2011-12 season, citing exhaustion as a major factor in his decision.

The former Spain international will take a one-year sabbatical from football but that has not stopped the Russian FA from making him a candidate for the job.

Other names on the shortlist include ex-Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp and Zenit St Petersburg coach Luciano Spalletti, who recently revealed he would be honoured to take the job.

Russia failed to reach the knockout stages of Euro 2012, finishing third in Group A behind Czech Republic and Greece.

•Guardiola

•Thiago

A R I S S A I N TGERMAIN have not given up hope of signing AC Milan duo Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic this summer, and are still aiming to secure their signatures in a €60 million double deal, according to L'Equipe.

The Ligue 1 runners-up were widely linked with both players earlier this summer, but when it looked as though a deal for the Brazilian was imminent, Rossoneri president Silvio Berlusconi intervened, and the player subsquently signed a new contract at San Siro.

Meanwhile, Ibrahimovic has been vocal in his criticism of the running of the Italian club in recent months, but it has been repeatedly asserted that the Swede will be staying put.

However, the Lombardy outfit could well be tempted to cash in

on two of their key assets due to their well-publicised financial problems.

"Milan have left the door open," an anonymous source told L'Equipe. "However, no negotiations have begun, and PSG have not positioned themselves yet."

Thiago Silva's lucrative new contract lasts until June 2017, while Ibrahimovic is tied to Milan for another two seasons, but both players are believed to be interested in moving to the city of Paris.

Milan CEO Adriano Galliani admitted that both men could yet leave San Siro before the end of the transfer window on August 31.

PSG have already brought in Napoli forward Ezequiel Lavezzi this summer in a deal believed to be in the region of €30m.

Seydoux: 'Kalou can shine at Lille'

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ILLE PRESIDENT Michel Seydoux has said that the signing of Salomon Kalou from Chelsea reflects the growing status and lofty ambitions of the northeastern club, who are set to inaugurate their new Grand Stade when season 2012-13 kicks off.

Lille came to the attention of many football fans around the world when they swashbuckled their way to the 2010-11 title, but in fact the club's development and rise to the top level of French football has been under way for several years.

President Michel Seydoux has been the architect of the clubs ascendance - and notably the development of the new state-ofthe-art Grand Stade - and he believes that Les Dogues' progress on the pitch will continue to reflect the club's growing status.

"Since we won the title, and maybe even before that, this club took things to the next level," he explained.

"Having a beautiful stadium is all well and good, but you also need a good team. Our style of football and our plans for the future are attractive things and without them I don't think players like Salomon Kalou and Marvin Martin would have been interested."

The capture of France international playmaker Marvin Martin from Sochaux has been a coup for the club as they look to fill the gap in their squad left by the departure of the dazzlingly talented Eden Hazard, but Seydoux feels that the arrival of Champions League winner Kalou from Chelsea will hold the club in excellent stead.

"I said I would try to recruit two quality players to replace Eden, and with Marvin and

Salomon, we've got them," he declared. "Salomon is the kind of player that [coach] Rudi Garcia loves, and I think he can really shine here at Lille."

Not only does Seydoux expect Côte d'Ivoire international Kalou and Martin to make an impact on the pitch, but he believes that the arrival of two such talents will leave no-one underestimating the north-eastern club.

•Kalou

•Jovetic

Juve eyes Jovetic deal

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UVENTUS are preparing to make a bid for Fiorentina forward Stevan Jovetic as they look to bolster their forward options ahead of the upcoming season.

The Bianconeri have long been linked with a move for a new striker after failing to impress in front of goal during their unbeaten Serie A-winning campaign last season.

The Turin side have already brought Sebastian Giovinco back to the club after a season at Parma, and have been widely linked with a move for Arsenal captain Robin van Persie.

Having been priced out of a move for Napoli's Edinson Cavani, however, they are also exploring the possibility of a bid for Jovetic, who netted 14 times in 27 Serie A games last season. the Montenegrin to Juventus Stadium this summer.

Although it is unclear whether the reported €30 million release clause in the 22-year-old's contract only applies to foreign clubs, it is believed that La Viola would be tempted to sell the player for an offer of a similar amount.

However, the Old Lady would be unwilling to spend any more than €13m on the former Partizan Belgrade man.

APPEAL

Lawmaker urges public officers to help constituents Enugu

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SERVICE

PROGRAMME

NDDC donates equipment

Obi strengthens health services

Rivers

FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

Anambra

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Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Ekiti cracks down on exam cheats

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•Governor Fayemi

ENCEFORTH, parents and guardians caught in Ekiti State aiding their wards to compromise educational standards will be prosecuted. Also, schools operating the so-called exam miracle centres, where candidates seem to enjoy the collaboration of authorities to cheat, have been told to change their ways or be deregistered.

Those are some of the measures the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi is taking in a new campaign to return the state to its glorious days of academic excellence. The effort is

By Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

spearheaded by the state Ministry of Information and Civic Orientation.

The campaign has been taken to Ekiti North, Ekiti Central and Ekiti South senatorial districts. There, the campaigners addressed government officials, school administrators, youth groups, teachers, parents and guardians.

The governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi

Fayemi, is playing a great role in the campaign. So are the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, his Education counterpart, Dr. (Mrs.) Eniola Ajayi and chairman of the state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. (Mrs.) Modupe Adelabu.

With them on the campaign were Permanent Secretaries, traditional rulers and youth mentors.

At Aramoko District Commercial Secondary School, Aramoko-Ekiti, the position of the state government

was clear and consequences of complicity spelt out: “the law will now be made to work.

Mrs. Fayemi, who spoke on behalf of the governor, warned parents, guardians and teachers against offering unscrupulous aid to their children and wards to compromise ethical standards. She said anyone caught indulging in the act will be dealt with by the law.

She said the Fayemi administration has no room for ethical compromise, let alone in education.

•Continued on Page 46

Jobs boost in Oyo communities T

HERE is a huge relief in several Oyo State communities but it started on a predictable note before turning out to be one of the unforgettable experiences the residents ever had.

A member of the House of Representatives representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/ Iwajowa Federal Constituency, Hon Prince Julius Oyekola Olabiyi came home to render account of his one year in office, but it was more than reading out what he has done. The lawmaker distributed assorted job tools to his appreciative people.

Olabiyi came with one major goal in mind: to start the process of getting his constituents out of the misery of joblessness and poverty.

It all happened in Okaka, an Oke-Ogun community in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of the state, attracting a galaxy of top government officials, traditional rulers and seasoned politicians.

Rather than read out a prepared speech detailing what he had done or would like to do, Olabiyi handed out power generating sets, referigerators, hairdressing equipment, sewing machines, motorcycles, barbers’ clippers, spraying machines and a host of other job tools.

Rather than settle for speech, he acted. Instead of making new promises, he fulfilled the ones earlier made.

The gesture filled the people with happiness. They hailed him, knowing such a gesture was rare.

They prayed for him because those equipment would give

•Some of the items distributed

Lawmaker provides tools for residents From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

them jobs and help fight poverty.

Lack and underdevelopment are the two major problems confronting residents of Oke-Ogun area.

They have been neglected by people who should helped them.

Rather than improve the peoples’ lives, previous lawmakers and political office holders preferred to look after themselves. The major roads linking the constituency, which include Iseyin, Okaka, Iseyin, Okeho, Iganna, and IwereIle are not only impassable, but have since become death traps.

Hon Olabiyi represents a fresh beginning.

Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leader in Oke-Ogun area Chief Adeniyi Koleoso, former deputy governor, Barrister Iyiola Oladokun, Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Omodiewu Ajiboye, and former Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State, Dr. Yekeen Adewusi, amongst others, described the federal lawmaker’s gestures as unprecedented.

They also commended his commitment and passion for the downtrodden.

Olabiyi said he had a covenant with his people to be a worthy ambassador, and a reliable torchbearer of the whole Oke-Ogun, re-

versing the ugly order of the past.

“The constitution provides ample opportunity for us as a people to pursue our long-desired but politically expedient request for the creation of Oke-Ogun State.

This aspiration is founded not only on legality but supported by historical antecedents of the state. Another issue is the delineation of our constituency. The current delineation is not politically justifiable; I wish to be supported in my efforts to achieve the division of the constituency into two, namely: Iseyin/Itesiwaju federal constituency, and Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency. This delineation will •Continued on Page 45

•Hon Olabiyi

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

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Cross River seeks collaboration on development C

•Governor Peter Obi (left) andMinister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen (right) who was in Anambra State recently

Fire guts bank building HE United Bank for Africa (UBA) building by Douglas Road Owerri, the Imo State capital has been razed by fire. The blaze destroyed properties, shops, cash and valuable documents.

The destruction also affected both the part of the commercial outfit and some structures in Nworie Lane Market which were completely burnt.

About 1, 200 shops packed with goods and valuable materials worth millions of Naira at the market were also destroyed.

The disaster, which began at about 10:30 p.m. lasted till early morning the next before men of the Fire Service arrived the scene and put out the fire.

The incident, which many have described as unfortunate has rendered thousands of people, mostly traders, devastated as they said they have no other means of livelihood.

A banker Mr. John Peter said that he was informed about the incident around 10:30 p.m. when the building was on fire, even as he said that before he could arrive at the scene,

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Imo

ROSS River State government has said it would work with religious organisations in the state to enhance its all-inclusive development agenda.

Special Adviser to Governor Liyel Imoke on Religious Affairs, Mr. Eyo Okpo-Ene disclosed this during a courtesy visit on the Sole Spiritual Head of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS), Olumba Olumba Obu at their headquarters in Calabar.

The governor’s aide said the collaboration was in appreciation of the enormous contributions of some faith-based organisations to the state’s socio-economic transformation.

Okpo-Ene noted that the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star in particular has been outstanding in its contributions to the socioeconomic development of the state over the years. This, he said manifests in its ability to attract into the state at least 400,000 people from all parts of the world through its events and quarterly conventions thereby boosting the tourism disposition of the state government.

He also commended Obu for the promotion of scholarship by not only opening schools in the state but also awarding scholarship to thousands of indigent people.

He also praised the organisation’s tremendous investments in human capital development, agriculture, real estate, charity and the building of orphanages, old people’s homes, among others for the good of hu-

Cross River

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

manity.

He said: “We cannot overlook the contributions of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star to the socio-economic development of Cross River State.

The contributions are, indeed, numerous and tremendous.

“I am aware, from unconfirmed records that the Brotherhood brings into the state over 400,000 visitors annually and that add a lot to the tourism development of the state.

“I am also aware that the Brotherhood has made a lot of investments in real estate, agriculture, human capital development by building schools, awarding scholarship to indigent people in the state including the building of orphanages and old people’s homes.

“We know that outside what I have mentioned, this organisation has made enormous contributions in many other sectors. So, the governor feels we should come in and express his administration’s appreciation to the leadership of the Brotherhood for all her contributions to the socio-economic development of the state and also dialogue with the organisation on the possible areas we can partner and the areas we can interact,” Okpo-Ene stated.

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

the whole building and properties inside the bank had been gutted by fire.

He stressed that as at the time he arrived at the scene of the incident, men of the fire service had gone back to refill their tank as water in their tank had finished.

He expressed shock over the incident, adding that he could not quantify the actual amount and valuable documents that were lost in the incident.

Stating his predicament, one of the shop owners Mrs. Ugomma Chidi said that she lost goods worth millions of Naira.

Another victim Chief John Oduh who sells electronics in the market said that he lost all that he has been labouring for in the past 10 years.

The cause of the fire incident could not be ascertained.

NGO hosts families of DANA crash victims

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EEKS after the crash of a Dana Air Flight 992 aircraft in the Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos State, the families of the victims will be hosted tomorrow by the Nigerian Leadership Initiative (NLI) at the MUSON Centre in Lagos.

The gathering, which will come in form of an information forum is being organised to assist the families and dependents of victims, with their problems and concerns during the grieving process as well as disseminate information on their options and rights resulting from the tragedy.

Set to contribute at the forum are NLI Senior Fellow Oba Nsugbe QC, SAN, Dr. Femi Olugbile (Psychiatrist), Captain Dayo Awobokun (Pilot and flight safety expert), and Jim Morris (Boeing Pilot and Aviation Specialist) from the UK. According to Mr. Yinka Oyinlola, the CEO

of NLI, this information forum is “valuable for victims’ families to be aware of the resources and recourse during this period of sorrow.

“Moreover, we hope that, through this effort, there will be enhanced awareness that will make Nigerians demand more in terms of air safety,” he said.

Mr. Jim Morris said: “I commend NLI for organising this event. I bring the solidarity and sympathies of our firm, Irwin Mitchell, to the families and dependents of the victims. It is my hope that the forum will lead to a sustainable support for the families; our hearts go out to them. Even while awaiting the publication of the Interim and Final Accident Reports, the families may get a respite with information on some credible theories and opinions on what might have occurred on Flight 992.”

•From left: Mrs Susan Uko-Abasi, Project Co-ordinator Truth for Change Initiative, Mother Edith N. Daniel, President Mothers of Nations International Organisation, Dr Mrs Bunmi Ogundimu, project co-ordinator/founder Colostrum International and Peter Ayo Dahunsi, Secretary Colostrum International during a press briefing on breastfeeding to mark 2012 world breeastfeeding week and the 10th anniversary of the colostrium held at Akoka Lagos PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAM

•The chairman, Ikeja Local Government, (right) receiving the New Guideline Booklet of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) from Adelani Durojaiye Deputy Director of the commission

Minister praises public analysts

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INISTER of Health, Prof Christian Onyebuchi Chukwu has praised public analysts for their role towards the attainment of an effective public health system.

He said their contribution is crucial to the attainment of the National Strategic Health Development Plan (NSHDP) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Onyebuchi spoke while declaring open the 15th mandatory training workshop on environment, laboratory and standards organised by the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN) in Abuja. He also launched the institute’s Analytical Science Journal.

Chukwu said: “The focus on environment by this workshop is a clear demonstration of sensibilities of the institute to global contemporary issues, taking into consideration the present-day environmental challenges being experienced by humanity.

“Taking into cognizance the important role healthcare professionals play in the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, the National Strategic Health Development Plan and ultimately our vision 20-20-20, the need for this training programme cannot be over-emphasised.

“Bearing in mind the mandate of the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria, it is therefore obvious that the role and function of the public analyst is very crucial to the attainment of the objective and deliverables of the NSHDP and MDGs by the target dates “As God ordained leaders of healthcare delivery system of our great country, it is therefore mandatory for us to identify with the objectives and mission of the institute.

“It is imperative for me to pledge the

By Fisayo Ige

ministry’s full cooperation and assistance that will ensure the achievement of our common aspirations of good healthcare delivery to our population.

“I believe when IPAN and the Public Analyst function to their full potential, Nigeria will be the better for it.”

President of IPAN, Mr. Ganiyu Sanni said the IPAN is vested with the responsibilities of training, registration and regulation of the practice of public analysts.

According to him, these mandates have placed a very onerous responsibility of ensuring good quality of food, drugs and water that “are safe and meet appropriate national and international regulatory standards.”

Kebbi promises successful hajj

K

EBBI State Governor Saidu Dakingari has assured intending pilgrims for this year’s pilgrimage of successful exercise.

He gave the assurance while receiving the 2011 Hajji Committee report. He added that he has given orders to the committee to start negotiation with two airlines in order to make smooth and successful lifting of the pilgrims in the state.

Dakingari promised that the report would be studied and implemented.

“I think Kebbi State has the best accommodation for 2011 hajji exercise and I will still do my best to ensure success in this year’s exercise,” he said.

Speaking while submitting the report, the chairman of the committee who is also the Waziri Gwando Abdulahi Umar said that last year’s hajj exercise was the best in the country, adding that Kebbi State government has provided the necessary logistics that will ensure the success of the exercise.

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•Governor Liyel Imoke

EADERS of Yaba and Mainland local government areas of Lagos State have renewed the agitation for special status for Lagos the former Federal Capital, stressing that its neglect by the Federal Government is worrisome.

The community leaders, who are also members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) rejected the lopsided federal arrangement, pointing out that a situation whereby the Federal Government receives 56 per cent of national revenue and 774 local governments and 37 local council development areas share the remaining 44 per cent is unacceptable.

The chairman of Yaba LCDA, Mr. Olajide Jimoh, who spoke on their behalf at the launch of free ambulance services and distribution of medical equipment to schools and special persons, also blamed the Federal Government for toying with the ecological fund meant for the states.

At the ceremony were former Mainland

Bike operators protest in Anambra

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OME commercial motorcycle operators in Okpoko area of Anambra State numbering about 300 have protested what they called illegal imposition of levy on them.

This time, the protest was against another group who allegedly want to foist them selves on the union and force them to pay N2, 500 levy.

The operators marched peacefully from Upper Iweka side of Obodo-ukwu to Atani Road and Anumudu Area in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

According to their spokesmen Matthew Ude, they don’t want people to shortchange them using government as a subterfuge.

They alleged that one Charles Okongwu and others who are non-members of the union wanted to come through the back door in the guise of working for government to impose N2, 500 motorcycle painting levy on their members.

They further said that they are comfortable with the leadership of MTUN/AOWAN, warning that any attempt by any group or group of persons to impose themselves on them will be resisted.

The Onitsha Zonal Co-ordinator and Secretary of MTUN/AOWAN in Anambra State Hon. Linus Ufo called on government and security agents not to back any impostor that wants to hijack the leadership of the union in the state. He also stated that they are comfortable with the leadership of chairman of Board of Trustees, Dr. Jimmy Okonkwo.

Anambra From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

He also urged government, security agents and national leadership of MTUN/ AOWAN to come to their rescue by arresting these hoodlums and bring them to justice to avoid mayhem and bloodbath in the state.

T

Briefly

Church marks anniversary WEEK-long activities lined up for the 3rd year anniversary and first-timer recognition services of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Jesus Court (aka Citadel of Wisdom) Lagos Province 36, Isolo Area 4 have begun.

The event which began on Monday, July 9, 2012 will come to a close on Sunday July 15 with thanksgiving ceremony and songs ministration by RCCG Jesus House Mass Choir, RCCG Jesus Court Levites, Arike Oluwa Praise Band, and CPM Mass Choir, among others. The event will hold at 9, Cobhams Street, Ajao Estate Lagos.

As prelude to the closing date, there was fasting prayer/deliverance on Wednesday while there will be drama presentation today. There will be praise concert at 4:00 p.m. tomorrow. This year’s ceremony has “Unbeatable Wisdom” as its theme.

Mr. Felix Otobo who is the Pastor-incharge of the Parish as well as the host said: “We are officially three years old on July 12, 2012. Our anniversary coincided with RCCG worldwide Calendar for recognition of the first timers. The parish used to be Jesus Court. Today, it is also Citadel of Wisdom.

Council chairmen; Chief Tayo Oyemade and Chief Babatunde Ogunsanya; leader of the Community Development Association (CDA) Apostle John Ojo, former member of Lagos State House of Assembly, Adelabu Onibiyo, Leader of Legislative Council, Mrs. Bola John, Chief Tayo Soyode, Baale of Iwaya, Chief Muritala Oloko, Chief Imam of Yaba, Alhaji Salis Hauwa, Iyaloja of Yaba, Mrs. Monsurat Alao, and council Education Secretary Bisi Adetona.

The LCDA chairman said Lagos State deserved special allocation and status because it shoulders enormous national and continental responsibilities in education, health, social infrastructure and housing sectors.

T

HE Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has donated a mammography machine for breast cancer detection, ambulance and electronic fetal heart detector to the Rivers State government.

Other items donated were industrial washing machine/dryer and installation, operating table, 2d ultra-sound machine with single probe, neonatal infant resuscitate, stethoscopes and a 30KVA electric generating set.

Presenting the items, Managing Director, NDDC Dr. Christian Oboh explained that the gesture was in keeping with its mandate to intervene in the health needs of the people.

“We are looking forward to being a part of quality health service in this state, just as we plan to do in other Niger Delta states,” Dr. Oboh declared.

Receiving the items, Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker thanked the NDDC for the donation.

By Duro Babayemi

Oboye and Orole. The programme took place at The Salvation Church of the Lord International Jakande Estate, Ejigbo.

Rev. Fabusoro explained that the new executive councils were inaugurated to rebrand and expand CAN within the community.

In order to achieve this, a four-man committee was set up to look into the possibility of creating more zones out of the existing three without anyone overlapping the other.

He enjoined the leaders and the executive of the six zones to swing into action by working diligently in implementing CAN’s vision, goals and programmes in their various zones.

“Our plan to spread the gospel to all the nook and cranny of Ejigbo community must be actualised in order to promote love and unity among the people. We have successfully organised a day of prayer with the Ejigbo council, organised 2012 Easter rally which was the first of its kind in the community and organised a 3-day prayer for the country which no LCDA CAN has achieved in Lagos State,” he said.

He further disclosed that some of the objectives set up are to cater for the widows in our community and donate to SOS Children’s Village, to connect our unemployed youths with the people that matter in order to secure employment for them, to help and encourage smaller churches to grow.

Continuing he said: “To provide security and protection for all members against aggression, harassment, intimidation and provide welfare, care for all committed members of CAN in the community.”

Quoting copiously from Psalm 133:1, he urged that all Christians in Ejigbo to unite irrespective of their denominations.

Jimoh added: “Federal Government has abandoned the Herbert Macaulay Road, which is a Federal Government road. It has been taken over by the state and local government. Federal Government has lesser functions.”

The two ambulance buses, which were procured by the LCDA at N8m, and other medical facilities donated by a non-governmental body, ‘Walterprinz Foundation, were inaugurated by the Commissioner for Special Duties Dr. Wale Ahmed, who advised the LCDA to register them with the state emergency centre.

Schools in Yaba received 30 first aid boxes at the ceremony. Physically challenged people received wheel chairs and crutches.

Group challenges lawmakers on Southeast roads M

EMBERS Of the National Assembly from the Southeast geo-political zone have been urged to look into the continued delay in executing contracts on federal roads in the area.

The Federal Government-owned roads in the area have become death traps especially the Enugu-Onitsha, Port-Harcourt- Enugu Expressways, and Oba-Arochukwu-Okigwe Road, among others.

The roads have continued to claim more lives on daily basis while the contracts purportedly

NDDC donates equipment to Rivers

CAN inaugurates new executive

HE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ejigbo Local Council Development Area chapter, under the chairmanship of Rt. Rev. Dr. P. O. Fabusoro has inaugurated executive councils for the six zones in the area.

The six zones are Ilamose/Oke-Afa, Jakande/ Bungalow, Bucknor/Ailegun, Caroline,

Stakeholders want special status for Lagos

Rivers “This is the kind of partnership we need. For once I see NDDC delivering to us what we actually need in the health sector,” the commissioner said.

Meanwhile, the Niger Delta Development Commission has announced plans to build an orthopaedic and a cardiovascular hospital in the region.

The hospital to be built in Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom state as a pilot scheme would be in partnership with the governments of the states.

Dr. Oboh disclosed this in a chat with journalists shortly after presenting medical equipment to the Rivers State government.

He said: “It is a pilot scheme which we shall replicate in other states if we achieve 90 per cent success with the experiment.”

K

EBBI State Governor Saidu Dakingari has said that 47,000 of assorted grains would be distributed free to farmers across the state for this year’s fasting period.

He stated this at the launch of 2012 wet season fertiliser sales to the farmers held at the state Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KARDA).

He also said the gesture was to assist the public during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

However, Governor Dakingari has flagged off the dry season fertiliser sales to farmers at the official rate of N1, 700 per bag; even as he assured that more of the commodity would be procured and distributed across the 21 local government areas of the state.

He, however, warned that government would not tolerate any form of diversion of the fertilisers, adding that such action would

Anambra

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

awarded by the Federal Government for the past three years have been abandoned by the contractors.

In a communiqué issued in Awka by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra chapter which was signed by its chairman Tochukwu Omelu and Assistant Secretary Ify Anumba described the situation of the roads as terrible.

Those who own vehicles, especially workers, park their vehicles for a movement from either Awka to Onitsha or Onitsha to Awka, even to Enugu because of the condition of the road.

Also, those travelling to Imo or Abia states or vice versa enter public transports because of the condition of Oba-Okigwe Road for which contract was awarded about 10 years ago.

Motorists now ply the long way of Mbano in Imo State to get to the different destinations in either Imo or Abia states.

Similarly, the union expressed worry over the poor response by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in disaster situations in Anambra.

The union cited the recent disaster situations especially the building collapse at Ifitte Awka and the flood disaster at Omor in Ayamelum Local Government Area, adding that SEMA has been redundant in the state.

Cross River

Kebbi to distribute 47,000 bags of grain From Khadijat Saidu, Brinin Kebbi

Kebbi be stopped. He further disclosed that the state and Federal Government contributed 25 per cent each to subsidise the fertiliser while farmers are to pay 50 per cent of the amount.

Speaking earlier, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Elder Sani D. Kanya urged benefiting farmers to make use of the opportunity provided to them by the state government to improve on their farm productivity.

•UNIZIK Junction, one of the several death traps along Enugu-Onitsha expressway

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

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EDITORIAL/OPINION Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Resistance to antibiotics is becoming a crisis

Edo polls •Voters must ensure that every vote counts

I

T is all too tempting to be fixated on the violent and tragic occurrences as well as the sometimes combustible political verbal exchanges between contending parties in the run-up to tomorrow’s governorship election in Edo State. For instance, on April 28, Governor Adams Oshiomhole narrowly escaped death when his convoy was hit by a stray vehicle on Auchi/Warrake Road while returning from a campaign rally in Etsako West Local Government, resulting in the deaths of three journalists.

The mysterious and inexplicable incident is yet to be satisfactorily explained.

Barely 24 hours later, some unidentified gunmen attacked the residence of the Commissioner for Information, Mr Louis Odion, who, luckily, was not at home at the time. Oshiomhole’s private secretary was not that lucky as he was assassinated in cold blood barely six days later at his residence in Benin. These violent acts raised the political temperature of the state, with allegations and counter-allegations of plans to perpetrate violence and electoral malpractices exchanged by contending political parties.

But in the countdown to the elections, sanity prevailed and the situation was reasonably normalised. For instance, commendable politicall maturity prevailed when Governor Oshiomhole of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) personally received President Goodluck Jonathan at the airport when he visited Benin to campaign for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Major-General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd). President Jonathan himself, on that occasion,

pledged his commitment to free and fair elections in which votes would count. The major parties and candidates have campaigned intensively across the state to woo voters. Series of political debates were organised by civil society groups to enable the electorate further assess the candidates seeking their support. From all indications, the vast majority of the people are committed to ensure the triumph of the popular mandate in peaceful and credible elections tomorrow.

Against this background, we consider it unfortunate that the country’s military authorities have decided on a massive deployment of 3,500 troops in Edo State for the election. This creates the unfortunate impression that a purely civil exercise is akin to war that is beyond the capacity of the Nigeria Police to handle. It is shocking that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has thrown its weight behind this misguided ‘show of force’ when the commission should be at the forefront of demonstrating to the world that elections in Nigeria conform to the international standard of a normal, routine and civilised exercise.

The perception that this unwarranted intervention of the military, which is becoming a key feature of elections in Nigeria, is a deliberate attempt to create a climate of fear and intimidation conducive to the manipulation of polls by those in control of these military agencies cannot be dismissed lightly. We urge the highly enlightened and politically sophisticated people of Edo State to defy these scare tactics by turning out massively tomorrow to exercise their constitutional

right of voting. They must realise that the military forces are maintained by tax-payers’ funds and are thus the servants rather than the masters of the people.

It would also be wise for the deployed soldiers to realise that the present democratic dispensation provides ample room for requisite legal sanction against constitutional infractions that violate human rights and dignity. The people of Edo State must stoutly defend their votes tomorrow, as the outcome of the election in the state will be a pointer to the prospects of democratic sustainability in Nigeria. It is another opportunity for the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, to prove that his moral and intellectual integrity remain uncompromised.

‘It would also be wise for the deployed soldiers to realise that the present democratic dispensation provides ample room for requisite legal sanction against constitutional infractions that violate human rights and dignity. The people of Edo State must stoutly defend their votes tomorrow, as the outcome of the election in the state will be a pointer to the prospects of democratic sustainability in Nigeria’

Baffling deaths •Questions about the passing of a whole family haunt the living

“W

E have never witnessed this kind of tragedy in our village.

I am 90 years of age. This type of calamity has not happened before and something serious must be done to appease the gods.” This was the reaction of an elderly man from Umuakuru village in Emekuku, Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, following the baffling death of a familsy of eight and a friend whose bodies were discovered in their rooms in the community in the early hours of Sunday.

The family had buried their 98-year-old mother, Mrs Felicia Njoku on July 7, and retired to bed late in the night, but none of them woke up from their sleep. The dead included Mr. Pascal Njoku, his wife Juliana and their five children, four

‘On their part, in-laws of the late Mr. Njoku from Umuonyima village in Owerri Municipal Council believe that the people were killed and they went on the rampage in protest. It is not clear how they arrived at the conclusion that this was a case of murder. But their action compounded the confusion of the villagers and scared away sympathizers ...

The government’s investigation should clear the puzzle’

daughters and a son, namely, Ebere, Ifuananya, Jackline, Uchechi and Chibueze. Others who also died with the Njokus were Mr Njoku’s sister, Christiana Uba, and her friend, Catherine, who accompanied her to the burial.

The sudden deaths were so shocking that some residents of the community fled from their homes and are yet to return to the village for fear of “spiritual attack.” Also, the villagers are now afraid to step into the compound of the Njokus.

This metaphysical dimension, prompted by narrative gaps, is in line with the reaction of the village elder who suggested that the gods should be pacified. It is also in sync with reports that someone had earlier threatened the late Njoku over a lingering family issue. It may be unrealistic to dismiss this “spiritual” angle as superstitious because the local culture actually accommodates it. Were the dead victims of some malevolent “spiritual” force? So much for metaphysics!

Suspicion that the deaths may have been caused by deadly fumes from an electricity generating set has been dismissed by eyewitnesses who said the family had none. The scale of the tragedy has attracted the attention of the state government which has set up a five-man committee to unravel the mystery. According to Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Obi- Njoku, who visited the community, it is necessary to clear the rumours surrounding the incident. The committee, headed by the drector of public health in the state ministry of health, is

expected to work with the police and pathologists at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri.

Press pictures of the bodies showed some of them foaming at the mouth, raising speculations about food poisoning. Did they have a meal together before going to bed after returning from the burial? What could have happened? Were their deaths caused by natural or unnatural causes? On their part, in-laws of the late Mr. Njoku from Umuonyima village in Owerri Municipal Council believe that the people were killed and they went on the rampage in protest. It is not clear how they arrived at the conclusion that this was a case of murder. But their action compounded the confusion of the villagers and scared away sympathizers. Again, their violent reaction raised the possibility that they believed the deaths were “supernatural.”

The government’s investigation should clear the puzzle. It is a case that requires prompt clarification for the benefit of puzzled members of the public. Clearing the air would also help to restore order and heal the community which has never witnessed such a bizarre incident.

The strange deaths are particularly shocking because the family wasn’t wiped out by an epidemic or a natural disaster or war, and the tragedy happened after the burial of one of their own. The script is not only heartrending, it is mind-boggling. It is a story of the tragic condition of man.

O

NE OF THE great medical advances of the last century, the invention of antibiotics, is at risk of being lost. Increasingly, microbes are becoming untreatable.

Margaret Chan, director general of the World Health Organization, warned in March of a dystopian future without these drugs. “A postantibiotic era means, in effect, an end to modern medicine as we know it,” she said. “Things as common as strep throat or a child’s scratched knee could once again kill.”

Since the 1940s, antibiotics have greatly reduced the amount of human illness and death and transformed modern medicine, making possible such sophisticated interventions as hip replacements, organ transplants, cancer chemotherapy and care of premature infants. But evidence is mounting that antibiotics are losing efficacy. Through the relentless process of evolution, pathogens are evading the drugs, a problem known broadly as antimicrobial resistance.

Some bacteria, such as those causing tuberculosis and gonorrhea, have become resistant to multiple antibiotics. In the past few years, researchers discovered a new enzyme known as NDM-1 that can confer resistance to antibiotics on bacteria and can easily jump among different species. As the first-line antibiotics are lost, the replacement treatments are often more expensive, and more toxic.

Meanwhile, the pipeline of new antibiotics is drying up. Major pharmaceutical companies have pulled out of the market, unwilling to make the sizable investments in research and development required for new drugs. Since antibiotics are usually taken for a brief period and then stopped, they aren’t as profitable as drugs for chronic disease. The number of new antibiotics approved by the Food and Drug Administration has steadily declined.

For years, antimicrobial resistance has been a secondary issue in public policy. Now Congress has taken a promising step with provisions in legislation President Obama signed Monday. As an incentive to develop new antibiotics, the FDA Safety and Innovation Act gives pharmaceutical companies an extra five years of exclusivity to the data behind their product, on top of the existing five years. The intent is to keep competitors, including generics, at bay for longer. It is not clear whether this incentive alone will be sufficient to bring new antibiotics to market, but it is a recognition of the problem.

Far more ambitious action will be needed.

Europe has launched a $741 million, sevenyear, public-private collaborative research effort to accelerate drug development. For new and existing drugs, it is essential that patients and doctors avoid the irresponsible overuse of antibiotics that occurred in the past. For the most serious infections, where few alternatives exist, the FDA should create streamlined regulatory pathways for approval of new antibiotics.

Alarm bells have been ringing for a long time about the march of the microbes. It is time to pay attention.

– Washington Post

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

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IR: It is disturbing that the Federal Government decided to overrule the directive by the authorities of the National Youth Service Corps’ to halt the posting of youth corps members to the troubled northern states in the country.

Minister of Youth Development, Inuwa Abdulkadir said corps members would still be posted to Borno, Yobe and other troubled states, contrary to an earlier concession granted to the affected corps members by the DirectorGeneral of the NYSC, Brig.-General Nnamdi Okore-Affia.

Earlier, the NYSC boss had asked corps members, posted to Yobe State, to proceed to Nasarawa State, while those billed to have their orientation in Borno State were directed to go to Benue State.

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FG should reconsider stand on NYSC posting In the latest directive, the minister had insisted that the issue of corps members’ posting, to states other than their states of origin was lawful and enshrined in the extant laws, establishing the scheme. He said any other form of concessional posting of corps members, which is at variance with health and marriage grounds, would require constitutional amendment and so will

no longer be implemented.

The House of Representatives had joined in the call for the NYSC to see reason and cancel the posting of corps members sent to the northern states with prolonged insecurity, by redeploying them to relatively safe places until the security challenges in the affected states improved considerably.

Rather than feign ignorance or ex-

ude irresponsibility, concerted efforts should have been made and seen to have been made by government to convince the people, including the corps members that it is safe for them to serve in those hot spots.

The insistence by the minister to enforce the existing law is insensitive, dictatorial and inhuman. He should remember that the law is made for the

The suspension of JABU varsity licence by NUC

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IR: I was not happy when I learnt that Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), a private university owned by the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) was among the private universities whose licence was suspended by National Universities C omission (NUC) for falling short of standards.

In an interview granted the CAC Magazine last year, the new Vice Chancellor of the school Prof Fajana gave the church (CAC) the impression that all was well with the school. He said and I quote “We thank God that we are not lagging behind in terms of structures, most of the basic buildings for accommodation of students, lecture rooms, academic areas have been built up and I think we have a very solid curriculum. We have tremendous goodwill of respect from our stakeholders, the NUC, JAMB and we have not fallen foul of any regulation of the government. Rather the government agencies have continued to speak very well of us”.

When he was asked about the courses the institution is having interim accreditation he said, “The NUC is coming later this year to confirm them. We are sure we won’t have any problem, we have since increased our capacity in

terms of academic staff and in terms of facilities and we are sure that by the time the accreditors come they would not be disappointed. For instance, the one for entrepreneurship is going to be visited by NUC in the middle of September. I really appreciated the efforts of the church in giving us the building for entrepreneurship centre: three solid blocks completed, donated and designated specifically for entrepreneurship. The NUC is very happy about this and we are very happy

too and I give glory to God”.

I was therefore very disappointed and sad when I heard that JABU licence has been suspended despite all the efforts of the church have put in JABU. I hereby call on the authorities of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), under the able leadership of Pastor Abraham Akinosun to meet with management of JABU as matter of urgency so as to regain institution’s licence.

An external auditor must be in-

vited to audit the account of JABU to know how they have been spending the huge amount of money the church is always pumping into the school.

An institution established by the church should be a pace setter for other institutions owned by government or individuals; this should be the portion of JABU and not the other way round.

• Ajiboye John Tosin Osogbo, Osun State

good of man, and not the other way round.

The House, had, in a resolution said the NYSC should halt the posting of corps members to the volatile states.

The minister’s statement is tantamount to saying that the legislators’ position runs contrary to constitutional provisions.

The laughable point raised by Abdullahi is that many ‘Nigerians died during the civil war’. So, corps members should be made to die?

The position of the minister in overruling the NYSC Directorate’s decision is counter-productive. This misguided decision will further elicit the agitation for the abrogation of the well-intended programme.

Section 9(5) of the NYSC Act states that ‘in the discharge of its functions under this section (deployment or posting of corps members), the Directorate shall not be compelled in any manner whatsoever to deploy a member of the service to any particular undertaking or project’.

Section 1(4) (b) of the Act equally provides that: ‘as far as possible, Nigerian youths are assigned to jobs in states other than their states of origin’.

Is posting of corps members to death zones part of that requirement? That’s a one million question that may be difficult to answer. For now and as a matter of urgency, the Federal Government should rescind its decision.

• Adewale Kupoluyi, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Buhari is man for the season IR: A panoramic investigation of the cause of the myriad of problems hobbling our nation today reveals that greed, be it in the private or public sector, is the bane of our national development. Give it a holistic confrontation and one would have succeeded in reducing our problems to the barest minimum. But who will tackle this cancerous challenge?

Corruption is the unofficial anthem of the country. It is so entrenched in the very fabric that holds the nation together that a primary two pupil knows what it means to steal public funds and still receive commendation for being

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smart and intelligent! To be intelligent in this context means to be crooked and cunning.

Our dream of becoming a great nation in deed will remain a mere dream as long as corruption, official and unofficial, tops the list of our national priorities. It is no curse.

It is the stark reality staring us in the face while we look the other way helplessly. Compounding this confounding reality is the divisive ability of our leaders to permanently keep us divided on the need to fight corruption.

It is only in Nigeria that a whole community will rise in defence of their son facing corruption allegations. It is only in Nigeria that a

suspended public official will still attend an important meeting in an official capacity. In fact, the litany is endless.

What can we then do to rescue our beloved country from these mercantile dealers parading themselves as our political saviours? Of all those who have shown interest in leading the country, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari ranks first as the man who can tackle corruption sincerely and send the Nigerian Madoffs of this world to jail. The corrupt tremble when they hear his name. His political adversaries fear him for his high octane moral standing.

Buhari represents the real face of

moral leadership that can guarantee the country some political redemption. 2015 is around the corner and another golden opportunity will resurface again. We must act right this time. The PDP cannot offer us much considering its considerable permissiveness to corruption. Buhari may not give us the economic freedom we seek, but he surely will set our path to the recovery we seriously need by solving our most fundamental problem – corruption. Let us forget our misgivings about this man and support him.

• Akinboyo Temidayo, Igbotako, Ondo State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012 16

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

Reality Bites I

We are very bad people (1)

Olatunji Ololade

F I should hesitate to say these things, it will not be because they are untrue but because I cannot speak of them without betraying my imperfection: Nigerians are the last people on earth who should have children; because we are very, very bad people. Having children is akin to nurturing more hyenas at home and breeding a nest of sorrows. Whether rich or poor, aged or young, the poverty of our souls and our hatred for humaneness leaves us unworthy of such worthy enterprise as procreation.

A cursory look at our families excites the creepiest form of marvel. The Nigerian family unit today parades the worst form of savagery. Mothers are mightily pleased to see a child hurt an annoying neighbour’s dog or cat; and such wise fathers we have now, who consider it a notable mark of

‘One degeneracy gravitates into the other and we have for ourselves, a nation of finely bred idiots living to the death, as foetal adults, pitifully programmed to self-destruct’

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martial spirit when they see their son domineer his weaker peer.

And there are those whose parents raise righteously, breeding them in their images, to conform to, and perpetuate the worst forms of religious bigotry and inhumanity; according to the holy tenets.

Ultimately, our parents look upon it as a sign of great wit and astuteness to see us cheat and oppress our peer by some malicious treachery and deceit. It gladdens their hearts to see us evolve into ‘lovable’ brutes at a tender age; they claim it’s a worthy demeanor for the very tough world out there.

Thus from adolescence through adulthood, they greet every dishonesty we perpetrate with cheer, as long as it translates to stupendous wealth, higher status and the comfort of knowing that their children are “smart” and inured in the ways of the world. These are the true seeds and roots of cruelty, tyranny and treason; our parents nurture them in us and we perpetuate them in attitude, learning from their misconduct, till we start procreating and perpetuating within our lineage, grosser forms of shamefulness and bestiality.

It starts from the very little things; like nurturing us to be brutes at childhood and grooming us to be fraudulent through adolescence. Hence the multitude of “peaceful, hardworking and Godfearing” families engaged in desperate pursuits to enroll their wards and university hopefuls in

HRISTCHURCH, New Zealand was the location. (Yes, the same Christchurch hit by a devastating earthquake in February 2011 in which over 180 people were killed.) From here you can peer and almost touch the International Date Line so to say. It was a very cold Wednesday evening in June. There we were at the meeting of the Nigerian Association in Canterbury, huddled around the table, trying to keep warm, seeping coffee, thousands of miles away from home where, unlike here, the sun is always shining.

As High Commissioner to New Zealand, I had gone to present my letter of Credence at the capital Wellington. Of course after the event I muttered to myself, I will overfly earthquake-prone Christchurch and head for Auckland the next location with a sizeable Nigerian population and where the ground is firmer! But on proper reflection I thought, if I dare scurry out of town for fear of earth tremors, I would be shirking my responsibility. After all, after the last earthquake, I had called to make sure all was well with the Nigerian community. How then can I be within shouting distance of Christchurch and not see my brothers and sisters at the very end of the earth? The president of the association, Oluwaseun Fasheun, made a passionate plea that I come to Christchurch. So off we went to Christchurch.

Truly, here is the end of the world. It takes you almost 23 hours to fly from Nigeria to Sydney, Australia and another three hours to hop across to New Zealand. Yet here I was with fellow Nigerians. Most of the men came along with our in-laws, “Niger wives” and lovely toddlers in tow.

A thousand questions raced through my mind as we engaged ourselves. Facing the president of the association my first question was “What on earth are you people doing in this place where the earth is always shaking every minute and threatening to swallow everything in sight? Why on earth did you choose to come to this place, a place where reportedly there has since been about 10,000 earth tremors since the last fatal earthquake? Taiwo Afisi a PhD student from LASU shrugged his shoulder and said High Commissioner “Ah we are used to it o! What can we do”? We are here to study for our doctorate degrees and the conditions are good so why not”.

“special coaching schools” while they purchase for them, seats at “special centres,” as they write the S.S.C.E and JAMB exams.

Such wards, dutifully trained to circumvent the straight, moral path to progress and self-actualization, eventually mature into foetal adults. All through their lives, they navigate the depths and shoals of challenging realities with the courage of a weevil and the wit of a hyena; if I may insult the poor animals by such comparisons to them.

Eventually, the seeds of indolence and monstrosity sown in them grow to prodigious bulk, cultivated by society and custom; and at the end, we have brutes and foetal adults running our lives and determining our future. At this juncture, I guess, many would dispute, claiming such shameful lot constitute just a minor fraction of the country’s 150 million-strong families or thereabouts.

I whole-heartedly disagree; but if they insist, I could make good to say that,”Such wonderful families we have now that blesses us with the current ruling class. Such wonderful families we have now that blesses us with thieving bank chiefs and corrupt law enforcers.

Such wonderful families we have that blesses us with slothful civil servants, light-fingered bank clerks, desperate, treacherous journalists and lawyers. Such wonderful families we have that blesses us with prostitutes, armed robbers, Yahoo boys, and currency-activated clerics to mention a few. One degeneracy gravitates into the other and we have for ourselves, a nation of finely bred idiots living to the death, as foetal adults, pitifully programmed to self-destruct.

I do not apologize for my seemingly abrasive choice of words;

were it acceptable, I would depict the average Nigerian with more colourful choice of words. We are very, very bad people. Driven by greed, selfishness, indolence and appalling inclinations to play “God,” we embark on a never-ending quest to ruin Nigeria…righteously. The argument that it’s the lack of good leadership that forces us to be corrupt does not hold much substance anymore; let each one of us be accountable for his actions.

How many leaders do we have?

If we count the number of politicians and every hoodlum plaguing our politics and occupying our seats of power, will they add up to a million? There are 150 million Nigerians; of this lot, should a paltry million lead about 149 million astray? Is the fault not with the 149 million?

Our nation perishes by our gluttony and lust for fleeting vanities.

It was greed and a disgraceful strain of cowardliness that drove our touted “men of God” to endorse the current presidency claiming its emergence was sanctified by their”God.” It was gluttony, cowardice and an unconquerable strain of idiocy that drove millions of Nigerians to troop to the polls to endorse the worst form of the ruling class, last April.

Stupidity, like blood, seems to run perpetually amongst our ruling class. And it is not that the working class is any wiser. Age is of no value within our clans; likewise experience. Our old have no very important advice to give to our young; their experiences have been so partial and fraught with fraudulence that at the end, they pass off as miserable failures.

It is good to be bad and bad to be good in contemporary Nigeria. Let

us consider for a moment the caliber of leadership we have; the Nigerian ruling class tirelessly appropriates for itself what is meant for the benefit of all. Likewise, the poorest constituent of the breadlines is capable of meaner grotesqueness were he opportune to play with money and power. As it is with the rich, so it is with the poor. Poverty and affluence brings out the worst in us.

Every Nigerian is a law breaker.

The rich believe they are above the law and the poor believe they could sneak under it and through it, away from its grasp. I would like to believe that the worst of our kind constitutes just a minor fraction of 150 million of us but as you read; our ruling class is busy pilfering our coffers even as it plays Russian roulette with our lives; the rich still connives with the ruling class to impoverish us further; the poor still curses the ruling class and curse the times even as they die daily to serve the whims of the ruling class.

As you read, parents are purchasing seats and liberties to cheat for their wards at JAMB and SSCE “special centres;” our bankers are pilfering our accounts 50 kobo, N1 to N100 by the second; motorists are hastening off their normal lanes to face oncoming vehicles on the wrong lanes; public administrators are stealing pension funds meant for elderly retirees; journalists are receiving money to doctor stories according to the whims of desperate politicians and criminal masterminds; doctors are forgetting surgical knives in helpless patients; lawyers are twisting the law to serve the whims of the worst creatures ever and you are reading SMS only 08038551123 (tunji_ololade@yahoo.co.uk)

Nigerians at the very end of the earth Ayo Olukanni Danladi Umar from Gombe State University also undergoing his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences with special focus on Biodiversity of the Mambilla Plateau echoed the same sentiments. Ditto Ralph Adewoye, another postgraduate student. I learnt my lessons that natural disasters cannot be an excuse for not pursuing personal development.

Let me digress a bit. In far-away Christchurch, I was reminded of another wellknown fact: the inestimable value of Nigerian forest and its bio-diversity in local and global ecological context. Apparently, the University of Canterbury whose researchers had followed up findings on Nigeria’s North East Montane flora had developed Nigerian Montane Forest Project. The university is working closely with Gombe State University to strengthen its Department of Biological Sciences in the field of biodiversity, environmental science and ecology. This was through appropriate postgraduate training of GSU lecturers/students. I visited the university and met Dr Hazel Chapman in the Department of Biological Sciences. In the footsteps of her father, she is engaged in research work in close cooperation with the Taraba State government and Gombe State University. She shuttles between Christchurch and the Mambilla Plateau to promote national and international commitment to the conservation of Nigeria’s Montane forest by inspiring excellence in research by postgraduate students and empowering local communities through employment, development of small businesses and working with schools to develop conservation awareness.

For me the collaboration between the universities, thousands of miles apart, was a powerful symbol of the importance of bilateral diplomatic ties and that academic research need not necessarily be a mere esoteric adventure. It can truly be rewarding.

This time here is a project which holds a lot of potentials for commercialisation of research findings of inestimable value and our forest; a veritable forest resources waiting to be tapped for development of pharmaceuti-

cal drugs and employment for the local communities. I was grateful to Danladi Umar, Ralph Adewoye and Taiwo Afis – all PhD students of Canterbury University for dragging me to the university to hear more about a project which deserve more support of our environment ministry.

To the meeting with the Nigerian community. I discovered that so many Nigerians in New Zealand just like Australia are skilled migrants: Doctors, nurses, IT consultants, university lecturers: all are here contributing to the growth and development of Christchurch. Sheun Fasheun, the President of the Nigerian Association of Canterbury, a Social worker himself married to a NewZealander confirmed that Nigerians are indeed a respectable group within Christchurch and adjoining areas. In rebuilding Christchurch, which was evident from the construction work going all around, they have not been found wanting. They have been there for the city and the people.

Auckland, the commercial capital of New Zealand, of course has a larger population of Nigerians. They responded to our call for a Town Meeting, through their Association, the Nigerian Association in New Zealand Inc headed by Dr Evans Nwaomah. When you face Nigerian professionals as a principal representative of your country, you must be prepared for hard questions. We had however been proactive with a draft programme of cooperation with the Nigerian community across Australia and New Zealand – our Roadmap for engagement with our people.

Elements of the roadmap include issues such as Migration and Development and the role of Nigerian Professionals in development at home; Economic Diplomacy; Cultural Diplomacy to harness our rich cultural heritage and tackling the problem of negative stereotyping of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Trust us Nigerians, ever animated and passionate about our country. We quickly converted the meeting hall to a mini National Assembly to dissect and discuss the problems of our dear country. As usual my Diaspora brothers and sisters heaped the blame on “those at home”; the catchphrase is always “Why can’t they do things right”?

When you ask them to explain, they glibly retort “I mean let there be light, water, roads security; Let everything work like here!”.

When you probe further and ask them to give specific policy recommendations they usually respond by saying…” but they know what to do!

In our meetings with the Nigerian Community we always stress that Lenin’s famous question “what is to be done?” must be answered clearly. “Give us your specific and clear recommendations.” Options should also include returning home to participate in the political process! We have thus learnt to challenge the loudest among the critics at these meetings that it is not enough to criticise, it was important to proffer solutions which must be written and encapsulated in a document. The objective is to engage the community through an Outcome Document which can serve as reference point to galvanise them into action in all areas such as community development activities at home to rebuild that old primary or secondary school, support for their former universities, primary health care clinic in their local government back home, donation of used books and magazines to public libraries in their towns etc. That was what we did in Christchurch and Auckland respectively and ended up with the “Christchurch Declaration and Programme of Action”and “Auckland Declaration and Programme of Action” respectively which included agreement for the establishment of a NIDO Chapter since there are none at these locations.

As our aircraft taxied down the runway and finally took to the air, I peered out from my window seat. The crystal clear aquamarine waters of the Tasmania seas which sweeps Auckland was visible below. My thoughts went back to Christchurch and that cold meeting hall in Auckland. I thought oh yes the Nigerian Diaspora has truly multiplied and populated the earth doing great deeds. Behold our people “at home, away from home”, this time around, at the very end of the earth!.

• Ambassador Olukanni is the High Commissioner of Nigeria to Australia and New Zealand.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION ‘All the ills of democracy can be cured by more democracy.’ ——Al Smith (1873 - 1944) U.S. politician in an Albany, New York speech.

LATO, the Greek Philosopher once opined that: ‘Democracy passes into despotism.’ This aphorism aptly depicts the incorrigible abyss that Nigeria’s democracy is sliding into. Too unfortunate to note that palpable rigging by democratic despots have become synonymous with election conduct in the country since over 13 years ago. The empirical statement

by Plato could not be tenuous since it reflects a corollary habitual pattern that has in the past, denied Nigerian voters’ and their preferred candidates, a clear passage to power.

On paper, sovereignty is said to belong to the people but in reality, it truly resides with these democratic despots. This is the aberration in most developing democracies. As much as Nigerians try to install their candidates of choice through the ballot, the more difficult it becomes because the average election rigger/party in the country gets more daring and electorally profound, albeit negatively, by every passing election. That again is the dilemma of the Nigerian people in the hands of political elites that have turned them into a pawn in their political chess board.

The ruling party in the country since 1999, as a matter of routine, curiously wins the Presidency, controls a large chunk of State Governments, National Assembly membership and also wins most of court ordered re-run and by-elections.

This is without prejudice to the fact that two thirds of the people loathe such ruling party and democratic despots as a result of their unbridled profligacy and under performance.

Consequent upon the skewed federal structure in the country, the ruling party at the centre is usually above the law because it controls public funds and other instruments of coercion of the state. Such party and its directing minds ensure, at any given time, that votes of electorate no longer count in Nigeria. Where necessary, the party, deploys soldiers and kill- and- go policemen, to ensure that its rigging plans scale through without inhibition. The use of thugs and violence are very high on the score card in the nation’s politics.

In this era of information technology, the riggers of elections, mostly those controlling state’s instrument of coercion, have moved a bit further by embracing digital alteration of election results from the ward to the state levels. The riggers allocate conjured figures to themselves in such a way that would not tinker with the total number of accredited voters in targeted areas.

P

‘

M

AY the kingdom not collapse in my time; may I never be recorded as the king who supervised the fall of our empire.’ This is the prayer of wise kings, rulers and leaders. Would this be the prayer of President Goodluck Jonathan when he kneels before his maker daily? Well, if it isn’t, he may have to start by chanting it because as we say in Igboland, the snake has crawled into the thatch. Most Nigerians who had any voice have spoken out loud on the manner the country’s crises are being managed but proper actions are not being taken and our sorrows keep escalating.

Following the wild fury exhibited in Plateau State by the enemies of the state last Sunday which consumed a sitting Senator of the Federal Republic along with over 150 other Nigerians, another strident call comes from another quarter. An international ChristianMuslim delegation has warned that Nigeria is in danger of an imminent religious war.

The group in its recent report on the Nigerian situation said the clashes between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria have led to the death of hundreds of people this year alone noting that the level of violence is the worst the world has experienced “between members of the two faiths since the Bosnia war of 1992 to 1995”. According to the world body, the root causes of Nigeria’s looming implosion are, “corruption, mismanagement, land disputes and lack of aid for victims or punishment for troublemakers…”

As if this was not a damning enough verdict, at a hearing on Nigeria by the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee ( Sub- Committee on Africa) last Tuesday, it came out that the sole motive of the Boko Haram (BH) terrorists is to disgrace, discredit and embarrass and the Nigerian government. This is the opinion of Ambassador Johnnie Carson who is US’s Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. Decoded, Carson is saying that Boko Haram seeks to chase Jonathan out of Aso Rock or tear Nigeria apart, whichever comes first, or even both.

To underscore the helplessness of Nigeria’s (read Jonathan’s) situation, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) who was at the US House hearing was all but on his fours begging the US to come help solve the problem

Will people’s votes count tomorrow? cials from the polling station to the period when final results will be compiled, analysed and declared. More importantly, records of election results at each polling station should be disseminated simultaneously to a central collating centre at the party level. All border towns leading to Edo state must be closed during election period of tomorrow to forestall ECOWAS voting- a method whereby politicians infiltrate a voting state with people from neighbouring areas to vote where they do not reside, through what in political parlance is called mobilisation. More importantly too, these neighbouring areas must be put under scrutiny so that satellite ballot papers, thumb printed in hidden and private dwellings

Her Imperial Majesty, Patience Jonathan

•Attahiru Jega Since an election is coming up tomorrow in Edo state, the time frame might be too short to determine the extent to which prospective riggers have tinkered with existing voters register.

There must be electoral vigilance tomorrow to ensure that adulterated electoral materials do not replace original ones through ballot stuffing in connivance with some compromised and unscrupulous electoral officers including security men.

The people of Edo that are progressive minded must keep an eye on activities at the polling centres to prevent multiple voting and the use of underage voters.

The political parties participating in tomorrow’s election must through their agents monitor diligently, the process and actions of electoral offi-

Dame Patience Jonathan, the undisputed First Lady of Nigeria has broken another ground by becoming the only first lady in history to be made a permanent secretary, while serving in her unconstitutional position. This is courtesy of the Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson led administration’s immoral benevolence to the wife of his benefactor.

The dwindling civil service culture of discipline is now further condoned by President Goodluck Jonathan through his home state’s governor. Apart from being morally reprehensible and being an odium to public sensibility, it is sad that any state’s head of service, that is expected to be well groomed in civil service rules, will allow herself to be used to promote as permanent secretary, a woman that is obviously an absentee civil servant. Is there anything like Per-

EXPRESSO STEVE OSUJI

SMS O8181624757, email:steve_osuji@yahoo.com

Jonathan country and allied stories in Nigeria and to urgently declare the BH group a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO); a move that will make the fight against BH that of the US. “My people are dying every single,” cried Oritsejafor to the US government and people. Recall that the CAN President had used every trick in the book to get President Jonathan to take a reasoned and decisive action against the rampaging terrorists without success.

There are a few important notes to take from Oritsejafor’s SOS mission to the US House. One, it came out that BH has grown stronger and increasingly more sophisticated over the past three years so defeating the sect will require a sophisticated and comprehensive domestic response. Two, that a coordinated effort by the Jonathan government to provide responsible and accountable governance to all Nigerians will diminish the political space in which the BH sect operates.

And third, it needs to be clearly understood in unmistakable terms that the unprovoked attacks on Christians and other innocent people by the BH terrorists are unconscionable thus firm actions must be taken against this manner of terrorism.

There is nothing more to add than that President Jonathan may well be presiding over a failed state if he does not act fast to quench the BH uprising. If he doubted the potency of this murderous gang, last Sunday’s blood fest in Plateau State should be convincing enough.

From all the accounts, BH is now a rampag-

are not smuggled in to the state tomorrow It is not over until it is over tomorrow. By this, the fact that tomorrow’s elections went smoothly at the polling stage should not make the popular candidate and his supporters drop their guard.

The riggers and their agents might be patiently waiting at the collation centres before unleashing their joker that would see the actual voting figures abandoned for their conjured ones in tandem with unscrupulous electoral officers and security personnel. This is called the goal keeper’s method, which through collective vigilance, can be forestalled tomorrow.

The party and candidate that give the people of Edo the best of democratic dividends since 1999 will win tomorrow’s election no matter what the ruling party at the centre does to over heat the system in that state. Tomorrow’s election in Edo will go a long way in determining whether Edolites and by extension, Nigerians, are ready to become a democratic nation of persons that together, will voluntarily and collectively, work for the determination of our individual chances for happiness and electoral justice. The people of Edo state should go out tomorrow and set the pace and tune for the Ondo state governorship election coming up in October.

Vladimir Ilyich Lenin (1870 - 1924), the Russian revolutionary leader once described democracy as ‘a state which recognizes subjection of the minority to the majority.’ The teeming democratic majority in Edo should go out en masse tomorrow just to ensure the subjugation of the minority democratic despots, that feel that ruling or determining who should rule that state, is their birth right. The true votes cast by the majority, with utmost vigilance, must count tomorrow, and in subsequent elections in Nigeria.

ing enemy army seeking to overwhelm the Federal Republic of Nigeria. His security agencies, I believe, must have more unsettling details than the news media reported.

We are of the opinion that if the immediate past National Security Adviser was a calamity, the new one is certainly a mistake made without rigorous intelligent rumination. The man Nigeria needs at the helm of her security ladder now is a highly intelligent, discipline and tough intelligence officer with quality track record who can sniff out and clean out this rampaging army of petty terrorists and not a pampered prince who would rather beg the enemy and collect their call cards.

As it stands now, Nigeria’s flag seems to be flying permanently at half mast. In fact, the country is at half mast. Fortunately, President Jonathan still has a country to run today; he either runs it or he doesn’t, the choice is his. But one point is sure: if Nigeria fails under his watch, he is the first casualty.

Okonjo-Iweala: of secret foreign account and phantom economy It is indeed discomfiting if not scary at occasions when we get a peek at how the country is being run. The J.P. Morgan account saga is one such moment and the oil subsidy madness being another. As the now well know story goes, the Senate Committee looking into the oil Subsidy scam (phew!) had unearthed an illegal foreign account in the US through which Nigeria’s petro-dollars is con-

manent Secretary-at-large in the Civil Service Rules?

More damning was the claim that the first lady had a ‘Bachelor of Education degree in Biology and Psychology from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State’. The lie is that there is no university offering Biology and Psychology as combined course in Nigeria. As also claimed by the Bayelsa government, Nigerians will like to know the school, bank and sport section that the first lady taught and worked respectively.

Perhaps, there is the need to verify through a comprehensive audit whether Mrs Jonathan has been drawing salary from Bayelsa civil service since her husband became president. If so, the EFCC and the Code of Conduct Bureau should quickly wade into this matter. Where is the corruption war heading?

duced. For an account opened in 2002, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told Nigerians she does not know the details of it? Fair enough. Now she said emphatically that it was opened by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for oil sales receipts before the monies are channeled to the Federation Account. Great. But how come CBN sent out a formal release a few days later to deny the account, stating clearly that the account is solely a racket of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC)? Our bastion of corruption, NNPC on its part, had denied the account to high heavens. But stealing and lying are NNPC’s first calls through these years so we are not surprised.

Where does all this leave Nigeria? In a void of course. And for Dr Okonjo-Iweala, this cannot be any way to run an economy. The same way she told us she did not know anything about the crazy petrol ‘subsidy’ payouts done right under her watch as the Finance Minister and the Coordinator-General of the Economy. If she does not know the most important things then there really is a problem.

Or is this a phantom economy?

More alarm for Alams

Alams trended again recently. You remember Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the former governor of Bayelsa State who was a selfstyled the governor-general? Alams who is now a shadow of his old self under the shadow of his former boy now President of Nigeria, bobbed up in the news a few days back when a court in the US ruled to confiscate the sum N60 million Alams was adjudged to have stolen and stashed in the States. If you think that is small change, another N90 million worth of his property (read Bayelsa people’s property) is about to be taken by the US government too. No big deal, have you heard anyone complain? It is Nigeria after all where nobody is sure of tomorrow.

One for Dora Akunyili: Prof. Dora Akunyili will be 58 tomorrow. Former DG of NAFDAC and Minister of Communications and Information, this is a thumb up for one who made a difference in public service defying an overwhelming environment of odds and rot.

Please take a bow wherever you may be and may the good Lord preserve and grant you more quality years ahead.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

23

NEWS

Police Council confirms Abubakar as substantive IG From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

•Abubakar...yesterday

T

HE Nigeria Police Council has confirmed Mohammed Dikko Abubakar as the substantive Inspector- General of Police following his confirmed by the Senate.

The Council consists of the President, Vice-President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 36 governors.

Abubakar was appointed on an acting capacity, following the sack of the former Inspector General, Hafiz Ringim, and the police management team in January.

The IG confirmed his sta-

tus to State House reporters shortly after the council meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said: “And today after my confirmation, I want to reassure Nigerians that I will work to ensure their safety.

“I’ll ensure that justice and fairplay take place. I promise all officers and men that I will give the right leadership that they expect to get without fear or favour.”

On what to expect from him, he said: “The first question is about crime and criminality, the issue we have to checkmate crime and criminality.

“We were aware of the situation before we came on board, when we came on board you are aware that police stations were being attacked, policemen were being killed, banks were being attacked and money stolen without any action taken.

“Today, the situation is different and you will see more action, vigour, more effi-

Group faults confirmation From Damisi Ojo, Akure

A

NON-PARTISAN group, South West Youth Leaders’ Association (SWYLA), has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a state of emergency in some states in the North.

The group faulted the confirmation of Mohammed Abubakar as the substantive Inspector-General of Police by the National Police Council.

In a statement by its General Secretary,Segun Awoyinfa, the group urged the President to declare a state of emergency in Plateau State.

Awoyinfa said since killing of innocent people have continued unabated in the state, it will not be out of place for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency without further delay.

The statement reads: We feel it is wrong for the National Police Commission to confirm Muhammed Abubakar as the substantive Inspector-General of Police when he has failed to find a solution to the crisis that has engulfed the North.

“It is wrong to confirm somebody who has done nothing to address the various security challenges facing the country”. ciency and effectiveness in police service and performance.”

On the handling of the $620,000 bribery scandal, Abubakar said: “We have taken over the investigation.

“We initiated the case be-

cause I did say in all my pronouncements, that we shall fight bribery and corruption not only within the police service but in the country because we have a responsibility to fight bribery and corruption and we shall do that.

“ It’s an ongoing case and we have made progress. Witnesses are on ground because you know for you to prosecute a case of that nature, you need collaboration.”

On the security situation in tomorrow’s governorship election in Edo State, Abubakar said: “We believe that the election must be free, fair and credible and we must provide security for voters.

“This was why I was in Edo to reassure the public that we shall do that.

“We have moved men and material to the state to provide the security that is needed there.

“I will not tell you what we have done because we cannot disclose our strategies and methodology for fighting crime.”

On state police, he said: “I have always spoken about state police. We are not ripe for it now. The process will be abused.”

On how he intend to handle police welfare, the police boss said: “Honestly, even when I took over as Acting IG, I did mention that the welfare of officers and men is very para-

mount to me and that is why I made it a duty to go round .

“And efforts are on to improve their welfare. As I am talking to you, even at the police council they are looking at so many issues -welfare, remuneration, barracks accommodation, office accommodation, transportation, everything you can think of.

“So, this is a top agenda for me because I know particularly members of the rank and file, who suffer daily, under harsh conditions.

“I’m very particular about them and we are doing everything to look at this issue.

And that is why you can see the issue of uniform has come in.

“We are not just changing uniform because the issue of image is key and critical particularly in an organisation like the police.

The police is the symbol of government and the people of a country and that is what we want to replicate in this country.

“To build a people-friendly force that will protect the people and the country, which Nigerians will be proud of.”

24

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

25

PEOPLE THE NATION

AN SEVEN-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

The four-way test is Rotary’s credo. It emphasises service to community. Little wonder the emphasis was on service last Saturday when Dr Kolawole Omotosho was installed as Governor of Rotary International District 9110 in Lagos. AMIDU ARIJE was there.

•Dr Omotosho assisted by his wife Susan (middle) and (from left) Chairman, International Inner Wheel District 911; Mrs Modupe Adisa; Dr Adeshina and Dr Okello to cut the cake

Rotary gets District Governor E

VER heard of the four-way test? If you have, then you must be familiar with the Rotary Club. It is the club that believes in service to humanity and each year, it chooses a theme under which it renders such service globally.

For Rotary International District 9110, like its counterparts across the world, the theme is a task that must be accomplished. But first things first. Last Saturday the District Governor, Dr Kamoru Omotosho, was installed at the Shell Hall of MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Clad in eye poping attires, the Rotarians gathered inside the hall in large numbers.

Members of Rotary Club of Ikoyi were the hosts. Some of them wore black suits, others were dressed in lace. They had red mufflers round their necks, which stood them out in the crowd.

Omotosho’s investiture was done by his predecessor, Mr Kennedy Ejakpomewhe.

In his address, Ejakpomewhe, thanked members for their support during his tenure.

He congratulated his successor on his election.

He urged members to give the incoming District Governor the same support extended to him. Handing over the mantle of leadership

after a procession of past governors on the podium, Ejakpomewhe removed the symbol of office from his neck and placed it on Omotosho’s amid cheers from the audience.

In his inaugural speech, Omotosho thanked all, promising that with members’support, he would uplift the club.

He said Rotary is aimed at achieving peace globally through service to humanity.

Omotosho said the club would achieve this by dealing with serious problems.

“We will do it by addressing and dealing with real serious and immediate problems that disrupt people’s abilities to live normal peaceful lives - whether these problems are: lack of water and sanitation, lack of safe affordable housing, shortage of education and shortage of health care or whether it is a need to build productive and positive connection between communities. Whatever the needs, Rotary Clubs are there to help meet them and, ultimately, to help communities and individuals meet their own needs themselves,” he said, quoting the club’s president.

“Given our theme: ‘Peace through Service’ this Rotary year, our business will be peace and our reward will not be monetary, but happiness and satisfaction in seeing a

better and more peaceful world,” he said.

Omotosho appealed to members to contribute their quota for peace to reign in the world.

His wife, Susan, children and in-laws were there to make the day memorable.

The event was well attended.

In attendance were Senator Ganiyu Solomon; representative of the Lagos State Governor; Dr. Yewande Adesina; World Health Organisation Country Representative Dr David Okello was the guest lecturer.

In his lecture, Okello urged the club to tackle the renewed polio surge in some states to avoid its spread He hailed the government for tackling the disease.

“The eradication of polio in the world remains the primary objective of any serious government.

"I must emphasise, polio will only be eradicated when all eligible children are fully vaccinated," he said.

Lauding the federal and state government, he lamented that the local governments have not taken the fight against polio seriously.

"While there is a strong political will at national and state levels for polio eradication, unfortunately, there is still inadequate

commitment in some local governemnt areas," he said.

Urging Rotarians not to relent in their efforts at helping the government achieve a polio free society, Okello said 'failure is not an option' to the Rotarians.

He said: "To fail is to invite polio resurgence that would condemn millions of children to lifelong paralysis in the years ahead. The bottom line is this: as long as polio threatens even one child anywhere in the world, all children- wherever they live- remain at risk.

"I urge you not to relent in your advocacy, fund raising and to support other areas.

“If we all have the determination to see this effort through to the end, then we will eradicate polio.”

Senator Solomon said the government would continue to work relentlessly to eradicate the polio scourge.

He congratulated Omotosho and wished him success in his new task.

The occasion, jointly anchored by the duo of Seyi Martins and Yemi Shodimu, kicked off with the rendition of the national Anthem.

The masters of ceremony ensured that there was no dull moment throughout the event.

•More pictures on page 26

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

SOCIETY •Continued from page 25

•Chief Richard Giwa-Osagie and Mrs Tutu Obadan

•Senator Solomon (left) and Lagos Commissioner for Transportation Comrade Kayode Opeifa

From left: Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; his wife Julia and Dr Deinde Shoaga

•President of Ekiti Parapo Lagos Chapter Chief Kola Akomolede (left) and Dr Ebun Sonaiya

•Chief Victor Ayolu (left) and Chief Gbenga Adekoya

From left: Adebayo Adegoke; Bolaji Ogunlari and Kehinde Amoo

•Chief and Mrs Tafa Zibiri-Aliu

From left: Mr Felix Obadan; Mr Busuyi Onabolu and Dr Okello

PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

27

SOCIETY

It was a glorious outing for the Anglican Communion of the Church of Nigeria in Ekiti when the Rt. Revd. Christopher Temitayo Omotunde was enthroned the fifth Bishop of Ekiti Diocese at the Church of Emmanuel Cathedral, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Glorious enthronement of Ekiti's new Bishop F OR Rt. Revd. Christopher Temitayo Omotunde, June 23 was a day with destiny. It was also a day of joy and merriment as he was installed the fifth Bishop of the Ekiti Diocese of the Anglican Communion.

The church auditorium was filled with dignitaries and members of the church.

As the celebrator, Rt. Revd.

Omotunde stepped into the church, he became the centre of attraction, with his amiable wife Bisi, to hundreds of guests present.

Rt. Revd Omotunde dazzled in butter-coloured bishopric robe while and Madam Bisi looked radiant in a cream jacket over a flowered gown, spectacles and a red hat.

“We do welcome you most gladly in the name of the Lord,” said the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Most Revd Ephraim Ademowo, who stood in for the Primate, Most Revd Nicholas Okoh at the entry of Bishop Omotunde to the Cathedral.

“It shall be our joyful care to pray continually for you, beseeching God for His mercy, to grant you in the government of Christ’s Church and the oversight of His flock, not a spirit of fearfulness, but of power, love and discipline.

“We have come together on this special day as members of the city and Diocese of Ekiti to inaugurate your ministry as our new Father-inGod; to welcome you as you begin his solemn responsibilities of spiritual and pastoral leadership; and to surround you and your family with love and our prayers, as we ask on your behalf for God’s grace, and help of the Holy Spirit for the task which lies ahead,” Most Revd Ademowo stated.

After Most Revd Ademowo read the mandate of the Most Revd Okoh, there was the Dean’s declaration of fidelity to the statues and observances of the customs of the church.

Bishop Omotunde promised “to respect, maintain and defend the rights, privileges and the liberty of this church and Diocese and to rule therein with truth, justice and charity, not lording it over God’s heritage, but showing myself in all things an example to the flock.

I will pay due Canonical obedience to the Primate and Metropolitan of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion and his successors in office in all things lawful and honest.”

Therafter, there was the Oath of the Laity, with the Bishop standing before the Holy table, his Chaplain, standing on his right holding the Episcopal Staff. In accordance with the custom, he called on the Lay Members of the Greater Chapter and Standing Committee of the Cathedral to step forward and make profession of their obedience due to him.

The members’ response: “We promise you our loyal obedience, and receive you as our Bishop and pray God to bless your ministry.”

After this, there was the Oath of the Clergy, when the Provost and theArchdeacons also stepped forward to make the customary profession of Canonical obedience. They swore that they will “pay true, loyal, and Canonical obedience to him as

•Revd Ademowo (second left) enthroning Bishop Omotunde (second right). With them are Omotunde’s wife Bisi and an official of the church

•Governor Fayemi and his wife Bisi

•Mrs Olayinka

•Oba Fasiku and his wife

•Oba Adeyemi and his wife

the Bishop of Ekiti Diocese in all things lawful and honest.”

The Bishop was conducted to the throne by the Provost where he was enthroned by the Dean, saying: “By virtue of the mandate of the Primate, you are elected, installed, enthroned, confirmed and consecrated “into the real actual and corporal possession of the Bishopric of Ekiti with all the singular, the right, honours, privileges and all its appurtenances of service, and I place you in the Episcopal seat of this Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.”

He then prayed, and after a short period of silence, the Bishop was presented to the congregation by the Diocesean Chancellor, former Chief Judge Oba Ademola Ajakaiye, the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti.

The congregation bid the enthroned Bishop Omotunde welcome and received him with fanfare, acclamation and applause.

Given the encouraging turn-out, the fifth Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Church of Emmanuel Cathedral,

Ado-Ekiti, Rt. Reverend Omotunde declared that he was indeed sent by God to reap the harvest of the good labour of those who headed the Diocese ahead of him.

The pioneer Bishop of Ekiti Diocese is Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye, the retired Primate of the Anglican Church. Bishop Omotunde replaced Most Rev. Samuel Abe, who just retired as the Archbishop of Ondo.

Rt. Revd Omotunde took the theme of his message from John 4:34-39.

According to him, “the harvest is plenteous” because some people have laboured in the past. He said before harvest time, there must have been the clearing of the land, after which there was the sowing before it has now come to reaping period.

“This is why God is saying: ‘Look, lift up your eyes, the field is white’, ready for harvesting.”

At the closing, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi who attended the event with his wife, Erelu Bisi addressed the congregation, expressing his happiness to be part of

the ceremony.

Fayemi said although he was born in the Catholic denomination, as a student in Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, he grew up in the Anglican Church.

To him, God has His purpose for bringing Bishop Omotunde at this time.

“We pray that your episcopacy will bring bountiful blessings to us all.”

Among the Archbishops present were Most Rev. George Lashebikan of Ondo, Most Rev. Michael Akinyemi of Kwara and Most Rev. Emmanuel Egbunu of Lokoja. No fewer than 40 bishops also attended.

They included Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma of Enugu Diocese; Rt. Rev. Jeremiah Kolo (Bida Diocese); Rt. Rev. James Popoola (Osun Diocese) and Rt. Rev. Michael Ipinmoye (Akure Diocese).

The Deputy Governor, Mrs Funmi Olayinka, led other government officials.

Also present were the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin; the former Head

•Mr Olu Adewunmi

of Service, Mr Olufemi Adewunmi; Chief Judge of the state Justice Simeon Daramola; and former Chief Judge Oba Ademola Ajakaiye, the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti who is also the Diocesean Chancellor.

There were traditional rulers including Oba Olu Adeyemi, the Alara of Aramoko Kingdom; Oba James Fasiku, the Elekole of Ikole-Ekiti; Oba Adegboye Akaiyejo, the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti; Oba Victor Kiladejo, the Osemawe of Ondo and his wife, Olori Olayinka and Oba Emmanuel Adebayo, the Elemure of EmureEkiti.

Other dignitaries included Brother Gbile Akanni, a pentecostal leader from Gboko, Benue State; Chief Alex Ajayi, a retired university administrator; Prof. Sola Fajana, Vice Chancellor, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Prof. Adeyemi Idowu, Provost, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo; Mr Babatunde Omotunde, Mr. Olubunmi Omotunde, head of the Omotunde family and Mr and Mrs Afolabi Odunawo.

28

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

SOCIETY GLORIOUS ENTHRONEMENT OF EKITI'S NEW BISHOP

WHAT AND WHERE? Dinner

T

OMORROW, the Eagle Toastmasters Club 2012 President’s Nite will hold at the Grand Ballroom of the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Lecture

T •Dr Omirin and his wife

ODAY, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism will hold the 4th edition of the Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture series.

This year edition has the theme ‘’media and civil liberties when the clouds of fear gather’’.

It will be delivered by the Executive Chairman Tawada Media Limited and a political analyst Mallam Mohammed Haruna. It will hold at the main hall of NECA House, Agidingbi, Ikeja Lagos.

•Mrs Eunice Odama (left) and Mrs Lilian Omotunde PHOTOS: TOLULOPE OMOTUNDE

PRESENTATION OF FILM, PENCIL NI KADARA PRODUCED BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MEDIA ILUMINATA ADEOLA AGORO AT NNAMDI AZIKWE HALL, NICON LUXURY, ABUJA •Prof Soyinka

Obsequies

T

ODAY, the lying-in-state for the late Mrs Rebecca Ifeola Olorunsola will hold at her family house, Igbaruku-Okeri, Kogi State.

A farewell service will follow at Christ Apostolic Church Igbaruku, Okeri.

Her remains will later be interred at her residence Igbaruku-Okeri.

Afterwards, guests will be entertained at Model Primary School Igbaruku-Okeri, Kogi State.

A Thanksgiving celebration will hold on Sunday at Christ Apostolic Church Igbaruku-Okeri.

Foundation laying

T

•Speaker, House of Representatives Hon Aminu Tambuwal receiving the DVD from the producer, Hajia Adeola Agoro. With them are Mr. Ade Shinaba, Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (left) and a guest.

HE Board of Trustees of the Journalists’ Estate Resident Development Association (JERDA) will tomorrow hold the foundation laying ceremony of JERDA Centre at the Journalist’s Estate, Phase1, Arepo, Ogun State.

Guests expected on the occasion include the Speaker House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal; Governor of Sokoto State Dr Aliyu Wamako; the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; Former Governor of Ogun State and Chairman JERDA Board of Trustees, Chief Olusegun Osoba and •Hon Tambuwal the Olu of Arepo, Oba Solomon Afanda Oyebi.

Senator Ibikunle Amosun is The Ogun State Governor the Chief Host.

Wedding

T •From left: Hajia Hauwa; Hon Halima Tukur; Hon. Panta and a guest.

OMORROW, the wedding ceremony between the Personal Assistant to the Chairman Lagos State Action Congress of Nigeria, Comrade Akinyemi David and Esei Peace Ojubi will take place at the Assemblies of God Church, Oriade, Lagos.

The reception will take place at the Golden Tulip

Hotel, FESTAC, Lagos.

Guests expected on the occasion included the Chairman Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Chief Henry Ajomale-led party chieftains.

Yesterday, the engagement ceremony was held at the Kirikiri Prison Training College Hall, Kirikiri Town, Lagos.

Funeral

T

ODAY, the funeral service of Prince Isaac A d e g b o y e g a Ogunnoiki will hold at St. Jame’s Anglican Church, Sewolu Street, Iperu-Remo, Ogun State. The reception follows immediately at Christ Apostolic Grammar School, Ode road, IperuRemo.

The Wake Keep for the late Prince Ogunnoiki was held yesterday at Oba Ogunfowora Street, IperuRemo, Ogun State while the Service of Song took place on Wednesday.

•Minister of Women Affairs Hajia Zainab Maina

•The late Ogunoiki •Dr Danladi Bako (left) and Senator Umaru Dahiru

•Compiled by Abike Adegbulehin, Damilola Bamidele and Aminat Adeshina

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

29

DISCOURSE

Role of public institutions in engendering positive value reorientation in Nigeria Keynote address by Professor Wale Omole, former vice chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, at the Annual General Conference of the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria in Osogbo

T

HERE are several public in stitutions in the nation, rang ing from the primary schools to the prisons; each serving one purpose or the other. The most important institution of all these however, is the educational institution, where everyone receives appropriate training needed to walk through life.

Education is power.

Proprietors and governments in the under developed world unfortunately do not see the need to put a huge proportion of their budget into education. They do not see education as an economically and socially productive investment. The standard argument against huge investment in education is the competing demands from other sectors like health, water, transportation and other areas of services to the economy. The bottom line is that everyone must receive good education in knowledge and conduct to be useful to the nation. This is the reason the public schools must continue to receive a lot of attention from our leaders.

It is vital for us all to appreciate the economic efficiency of education, if only from the point of its positive spill over at preparing the human beings that run the affairs of man. An educated person confers great benefits which derive from improvement in the character of society and the quality of the social economic and political decisions.

This is essentially “education as merit good” contributing crucially in the building of a good society.

Education promotes literacy and comprehension among the populace. It also encourages more favourable attitude to growth, innovation and risk taking.

Education in general serves two masters; it serves the individual and it serves the society.

Plato in his book, ‘The Republic’, endeavoured to establish a just and better organized society through education. Plato believed education as sine-qua-nonof the good, just,

harmonious, organic and virtuous society. He emphasised that education must be coherent and systematic. It should integrate cultural, metaphysical, sociological, pedagogical and political elements. It must do more than imparting information and cultivating skills.

Western formal education started in Nigeria in 1842. The earlier attempts by the Portugese in Benin and Lagos in 1472 and 1515 were not sustained. The first church/school was built in Badagry in 1842, some 170 years ago. What have we got so far and since then?

Indeed we got knowledge, but we lack understanding. We also got some skill from education, but we lack ability. This is why our education never produced a society that enjoys good infrastructure; that produces jobs for the people; that provides food on the table, that creates an egalitarian society, inspite of the abundant God given resources. We lack the reward of good education in our national development. We generally rank very low in virtue.

One of our greatest problems is absence of integrity. We indeed do not seem to know what integrity means. Do we have a full understanding of how integrity an essential value, is central to both personal and societal progress?

To appreciate the value of integrity we must first ask ourselves.

Where is our culture? Where is the family? We also have schools, right from kindergarten to Universities.

The academic quality may be poor, but what happen to our character?

There are various training outfits quite alright, but why are these outfits existing and quality leadership is diminishing? Why is integrity nose-diving as Integrity and Leadership outfits increase? Why is corruption increasing while religious centres geographically and geometrically multiply? Why are the business houses, the banks, economic ventures breaking down when their managers brandish cer-

•Prof Omole

tificates from top Management and Business School Worldwide? How are their Chief Executive Officers (CEO) individually so financially wealthy, while the majority of their investors and stake-holders are concomitantly impoverished? Why are the so well ‘trained’ professional gurus and decision makers unable to sense the implications of future disaster realities? Why are the resources of our country so abundant and our people so famished?

Do we understand the essential elements of man, to be able to integrate them as one whole, to achieve integrity? It is most difficult to teach or impart what we neither understand nor possess. Our educational institutions must produce leaders whose watch word must be integrity.

Another important virtue is freedom. Freedom is not just autonomy or liberty. It is not just licence or indulgence. It is not just latitude or prerogative. It is more than all of these combined. It is the ability a leader needs to exercise complete control over his or her mental, emotional and physical faculties, such that he is not a slave to money, gender, food, drink, materials or any substance. He must be free in the true sense of freedom to acquire the strength of character and do what is right in each situation. He will then be freely vision casting.

He can implement projects without impediment and will take quality decisions without encumbrances.

Another important virtue is the

realisation that the greatest enemy to conquer is oneself. This is the biggest battle to fight, but once won, all other virtues will be attainable.

Ego is probably the virulent leadership destroyer. Leaders with ego burden become self-important, allwise, all-knowing, all-doing, allapproving with limitless authority.

Ego destroys team work, arrogates all achievements to self, and blames others for its mistakes. Ego is the commonest disease and the quickest route to the death of quality leadership.

In a land where yesterday is always better than today; where institutions get weaker by the day; where religious centres are mostly trading centres; where traders sell fake to the people; where ability can be a liability; where mediocres are celebrated as achievers; where the peopleare denied the minimum little; where the dubious freely plays the role of the genius; and where corruption expands in proportion to position; that land will definitely destroy the real vision, it will hound the real and potential leaders, it will convert teachers to beggars and treat people of virtue as unwise.

Such a land is travelling on a fast track to the abyss. It will eventually lose its spirit, its soul and body.

That sort of land is our beloved country, Nigeria. But we must not give up. We must intervene in any way we can, to arrest the trend of self-destruction. Nigeria needs a rescue.

We need to prepare and package for our country a rescue mission that will at the end of the day produce for us men and women of vision, courage, persistence, conscience, integrity, creativity, enthusiasm, character and virtue. These are those who will display the extraordinary ability to ignore the chaos, confusion, troubles and the difficulties that surround them and will remain focused on whatever task is at hand. They are the ones equipped with inspiring and profound ability to pierce through time into the future and envision how they wish, think or believe the future should be. They are able to share their vision and muster support from others for that vision; they are the great communicators in word and deeds. Their mere presence energizes and inspires people.

Against all barriers, doubts and criticisms, they are able to trust, follow, nurture and share the goodness within them.

Concluding recommendation and action strategy Ethics: A compulsory course Ethics was a course thought at home by the parents and family. It was given daily, just as food. Failure to succeed in the course attracted severe punishment and may even send children to remand homes to be disciplined. That was then. Now, many homes are splintered. The parents are disconnected from their childrenand are not even present in the life of the family. A large number of adults now engage in unethical practices as a way of life. They even consider themselves smart to loot the common treasury without being caught. Things are falling apart and the centres at various levels cannot hold.

We will need to modify our curriculum at levels from Kindergarten, for at least the first nine years of school to JSS3 to teach ethics to our children.

Ethics must be broken down to simple terms and taught in both indigenous and English languages.

The offering should include: social values, conduct, morals, honesty, norms, obligations, imperatives, accountability, care, needs, wants, primitive accumulation, happiness, melancholy, mind, reputation, disposition, temperament, personage, singularity, corruption and its implications amongst others.

But we lack adequate teachers for ethics.

Following appropriate use of Information and Communications Technology, powered by solar panels in most Schools and deploying audio-visual techniques; teaching all aspects of Ethics in words, songs, playlets, drama and music to our children will be so much fun and more value. This way we may be able to get our youth off a huge amount of socially and culturally dangerous materials on the internet.

With good grounding in all the above, we stand a great chance of producing authentic leaders, credible followers and a progressive nation.

NEWS

•From left: District Head of Azare Alhaji Waziri Mustapha; Commissioner for Special Duties Alhaji Bappah Azare, and Turakin Katagum, Alhaji Mohammed Gadauji, during the distribution of environmental clearing materials at Azare Local Government in Bauchi State ... on Tuesday

• A long queue of consumers waiting to buy kerosene at the inauguration of NNPC/Capital oil kero-direct scheme in Lafia ... on Tuesday.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13 2012

30

COMMENTARY

FEMI ABBAS ON

I

N a few days time, a season will descend on the earth like the rays of the sun to give a new life to its inhabitants through photosynthesis. That season is called Ramadan. Ordinarily, Ramadan is one of the twelve Islamic months.

But spiritually and psychologically, it has transcended the status of a month. From all indications it has assumed the posture and characteristics of a season. What are the characteristics of seasons?

Seasons are like the tides of an ocean.

They roll out spirally in quick succession and reshape the world’s environment from time to time. They come in multiple of months as no one measures a season in the absence of months. There can be no seasons without months.

Europeans have so much respect for seasons that when they have an important guest they call him an ‘August visitor’.

August is the peak of summer season and the most comfortable month of the year for the Caucasian race of Europe to display hospitality hence the term. In Islam, the most venerable guest is Ramadan.

Ramadan’s visiting time is not restricted to any particular season or Gregorian month. Its arrival in the world may happen in any season. It is therefore a guest of all seasons. With Ramadan as a guest, not only the Muslims but the entire humanity is consciously or unconsciously engaged in hospitable activities. Those who cannot fast in the month do take advantage of its presence to sell or buy some relevant needs and wants. Farmers, manufacturers and service providers, all prepare their products for the arrival of the month thereby confirming that there can be no indifference to the awful presence of Ramadan in any part of the world. Perhaps nothing else is as captivating as this seasons’ guest.

Once every year, Ramadan creeps into the world like the early morning light and moves kaleidoscopically into an arena where the centre becomes its stool. It lifts its veil in the days and beams a focus on the world with an arresting attention. It envelops the nights in a shroud of covenant linking the dream of man with the fulfillment his Creator. No one knows its port of embarkation. No one knows its destination. All we know of it is that of a guest that is so vividly present in our world and yet so invisible. ‘RAMADAN’!

That is the name by which it is divinely christened. Its coming is often heralded by a retinue of envoys. The months of ‘Rajab’ and ‘Sha’ban’ are the immediate escorts that alert us of its imminent arrival.

Like the sun in the midst of stars, Ramadan ascends the throne in full regalia and all other months, (lunar and solar) quickly take their bow.

If you call it the king where other months are mere chiefs you will be quite right. If you call it the doctor in a world of sick people you will not be wrong. If you call it the compass in the wilderness of straying humanity you will be speaking the absolute truth. If you call it the reformer of human soul; the sterilizer of human spirit and the purifier of human body you will not be disputed. In its entourage are also invisible ministers like piety, knowledge, truth, justice and peace all of which usher it into the world with splendour.

Having taken its name from a natural healing phenomenon, this ninth lunar month is truly baking in effect. The word: Ramadan is derived from the Arabic word ramd (to burn). The name came from the time before the Islamic calendar, when the month of Ramadan fell in summer. It was a baking summer that immediately followed a freezing winter. Its mission then and even now is to firm up all loose ends in the life of man. And it does that with a touch of perfection. The entire month is spent fasting from dawn to dusk.

Such fasting is not only abstinence from foods and drinks alone. It is also about self restraint from all sinful acts. It is about repackaging one’s destiny through a new but sincere resolution.

Fasting during this month is believed to figuratively burn away all sins. It was in this glorious month that the revelation of the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) first began. In this month, all gates of paradise, according to the Prophet, are open while those of hell are closed. The first ten days in it are blessings galore for those of the Muslim Ummah who need blessings and seek for them. The next ten days personify forgiveness for those who

Femabbas@yahoo.com 08122697498

The season called Ramadan

•The crescent

realise the gravity of their sinful acts, repent on them and resolve never to return to such acts again. The last ten days are meant for the liberation of mankind from the manacles of Satan. Whoever is so liberated automatically becomes like a new born baby arriving in a new world with a tabula rasa (clean slate).

In these last ten days is a particular night called Laylatul Qadr in which the secret of human destiny is encapsulated. It is otherwise known as the ‘Night of power’.

Meeting that night consciously and spiritually is like securing the key to one’s own apartment in Paradise. But one needs to remain awake throughout those nights to be fortunate to meet the night. Allah did not disclose even to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), which particular night it is. But by asking the Muslims to look for it in the odd nights of the last ten days, the Prophet has helped us tremendously. However, who can be so sure of the odd nights when the issue of sighting the crescent before starting Ramadan remains controversial?

That is why during the last ten days of Ramadan, some willing Muslims, in accordance with the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), go for Umrah in Makkah or take to I’tikaf (spiritual seclusion) locally, to reaffirm their total submission to the will of Allah. Following this is a session of charity made compulsory for all Muslims irrespective of age, gender and status, to give to the poor and the needy. This is called Zakatul Fitr or Sadaqatul Fitr. It is given out in the very early morning of Ramadan Festival Day or the night before it to enable the poor and the needy celebrate the festival with the Ummah in a festive mood. Yet, Ramadan never perches on the earth without raising certain vital questions such as the question of sighting a crescent before commencing the fast in it; the question of how to prepare for it socially, physically and spiritually; the question of what to do and what not to do in it; the question of who should fast and who may not fast in it; the question of how to spend its days and nights; the question of what to benefit from Tafsir and how to observe Tarawih; The question of I’tikaf (seclusion) in it; the question of Laylatul Qadr in it that is more beneficial to genuine Muslims than 1000 months; the question of Zakatul Fitr, Eidul Fitr and the features that characterise them as well as many other questions including marriage, divorce and sexual intercourse in this sacred month.

Most of these questions will be answered in the next 30 or 29 days ahead In sha’a Llah.

This may serve either as a guide for those who are seeking Allah’s guidance in

Ramadan or as a rejuvenator of piety for those who are already guided but need rejuvenation.

For the teeming Muslim readers of ‘THE MESSAGE’ and others who may wish to know something about Ramadan, the next one month will be quite interesting. A daily ‘RAMADAN GUIDE’ column is a unique initiative which could have come only through The Nation. This column looks at Ramadan from all conceivable angles. It answers as much as possible, any questions which may arise on Ramadan.

It guides, educates and admonishes all interested Muslims and non-Muslims alike who are hungry seekers of knowledge. Where else can a guest like Ramadan be found? Where else can one meet a guest that hosts his host and heals him of ignorance and diseases? It was probably more to Ramadan than to man that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) referred when he said: “whoever believes in Allah and the ‘Last Day’ should venerate his guest” That guest is Ramadan. That is why Muslims often say in this unique month: ‘RAMADAN KARIM’ which means ‘Venerable Month’.

From its name alone, Ramadan can be called the key with which to open the door to paradise. It is the solid ground upon which the formidable edifice of Islam is built. It is the month in which Islam was born. Without the revelation of the Qur’an which started in the month of Ramadan, perhaps the world would not be talking of the five pillars of Islam today. Not only that, Ramadan is Allah’s great light which wakes the sleeping humanity from their deep sleep and illuminates the dark world of man. It is the incomparable yardstick of discipline which inculcates in us the culture of waking in the nights to observe Nafilats and take breakfast at dawn. It is only through such discipline that over 1.5 billion people around the world can abstain from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse throughout the days of the sacred month. With Ramadan, the hardest heart is softened and the wildest animal instinct in man is tamed. No other pillar of Islam preaches patience, sympathy and social welfare as effectively as Ramadan, the month that levels the ground under the feet of the rich and the poor alike.

Ramadan is the only month that comes into the world with heavy pregnancy.

Inside that pregnancy is the mystery called the Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr) which turns every true believer into a new, innocent person. If for the ‘Night of Power’ (Lailatul Qadr) alone, Ramadan is worth the divine splendour with which it is characterized. Everything about Ramadan is suspense. There is a time to start fasting, a time to break it and a time to observe Tarawih. There is also a time to observe Nawafil, a time to go into ‘Itikaf and a time to watch out for Laylatul Qadr. There is as well a time to pay Zakatul Fitr and a time to observe ‘Idul Fitr. In all these is a delightful suspense which brings joy to a believer at every stage. In short, Ramadan is one wonderful story that can never be fully told. To start or end fasting in Ramadan, sighting of the crescent is just symbolic. The indices of recognizing the time to start or end the month are naturally vivid to those who care.

It is not for fun that Ramadan is preceded by two glorious lunar months of Rajab and Sha’ban. The number of days in those two months is to enable any serious Muslim know the time of arrival of

Ramadan and prepare for it. No lunar month exceeds 30 days and none is less than 29 days.

The confusion often created by the disparity in sighting the crescent and deliberately amplified by the southern Nigeria media is avoidable. If Rajab is 30 or 29 days, no one looks for the crescent before starting Sha’ban. As soon as Rajab ends, Sha’ban starts.

Islam is a dynamic religion and nothing should be rigid about the sighting of the crescent before starting Ramadan.

Sighting the crescent is not the only condition for starting the great month.

After all, the new crescent is not necessarily visible to all eyes at any given time in any locality. That is why a few who may be privileged to sight it are implored to invite some others to witness it and then inform the recognized authorities who will in turn, announce the arrival of Ramadan to the Muslim community in the locality or region.

Besides Iman (Faith) and Hajj (which are the first and last pillars of Islam), nothing else is really globally uniform in practical terms with regards to timing in Islam. The variation in geography has legitimized the variation of time in the observance of Salat, Sawm and Zakat. Iman is global because it resides permanently in the minds of the Muslims irrespective of their localities. Hajj is equally global because it is performed in only one place at a particular time. In a situation where a gap of about nine to eleven hours exists between one part of the world and another, talking of global uniformity in starting Ramadan can only amount to sheer ignorance. That Ramadan fasting is prescribed as a universal obligation for all Muslims in a particular month is deliberate. Allah who did the prescription is not oblivious of the geographical variations in the world. Neither is He unaware of the possible invisibility of a new crescent to most eyes. The design is to allow for the reverberation of the effect of Ramadan across the world. And variation of time in worship or celebration of festivals is not peculiar to Islam. No other major religion in the world today can sincerely claim to be celebrating its festival globally in one day. And, there is no media noise about that.

What is global about Ramadan fasting is the month and not the time. Dawn and dusk vary from locality to locality. It is therefore possible for the Muslims in one part of the world to be breaking their daily fast at a time when their brethren in another part are commencing theirs. The genuineness or otherwise of Ramadan fasting is not to be judged by man. That is why Allah is reported by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as saying in a sacred Hadith (Hadith ul Qudsi) thus: “Fasting is mine and I am the One to grant rewards on it.”

By the time we meet again in this column next Friday, in sha’ALlah, Ramadan would have started fully. Welcome to the coast of Ramadan . This sacred ‘ship’ must not leave the coast without you on board.

Ramadan is like an institution of learning.

A good Muslim must not just pass through it he must also allow it to pass through him as well. Who knows when the last time to see this non-such month will be?

RAMADAN KARIM!

Ramadan Guide

I

N less than one week, the great month of Ramadan will be here with its natural splendour and glamour in sha’ Allah. And as usual, ‘THE MESSAGE’ will serve you with most of what you should know about that blessed month and Islam generally on a DAILY basis. The 2 x 3 inch column will however require sponsorship.

Readers are hereby invited to singularly or jointly sponsor it either as gratitude to Allah for sparing your life to witness another Ramadan month or as a way of seeking Allah’s forgiveness for the dear ones lost to death or even as a tacit contribution to human knowledge.

Sponsorship may also be done in respect of this column during Ramadan as a form of advertisement for a legitimate business as the sponsor’s name or trademark will be published in the column. Trust ‘THE MESSAGE’. Justice will be done in sha’ Allah. Please contact this columnist with the usual telephone number if you are interested.

SHOPPING

31

THE NATION

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

e-mail: janicenkoli@yahoo.com 08033349992 sms only

email:- shopping@thenationonlineng.net

•Makola market, Ghana

From ‘Ghana must go’ to ‘Nigeria must go’

Nigerian traders living in Ghana have expressed discontent over a law restricting them from having equal trading rights with Ghanaians. Some shops, including those of Nigerians, were locked up by the Ghanaian government in its bid to enforce the law. The stores have been reopened as Nigerians in Ghana called on Nigerian government to intervene.

JANICE NKOLI IFEME reports.

•STORY ON PAGE 32

Contact lens for beauty, convenience

A successful shopping day

Rain accessories for you

- Page 32

- Page 33

- Page 34

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

32

SHOPPING

From ‘Ghana must go’ to ‘Nigeria must go’ N IGERIANS are known to be enterprising and industrious wherever they find themselves. They are easily noticed anywhere they are trading because they could literally turn a dry land into a huge market. For instance, the naming of one of Ghana’s major markets, Makola was influenced by Nigerian traders.

Ghana’s Minister for Information Hon. Fritz Baffour disclosed: “You know the word Makola is a Yoruba word for market. The first petty traders who brought in pepper were Nigerians.

That is why we call Nigerians the Alata people.”

Giving the proximity of, and colonial similarity between, the two countries, they find it easier to intermingle. As such you find many Nigerians living in Ghana and vice versa. Besides, it is believed that partnership between the two countries would help the region. Nigerians are among the highest investors in Ghana.

However, the age-long unity is being threatened with a law passed by the Ghanaian government restricting foreigners from having equal trading rights with Ghanaians.

While explaining the implication of the law, Mohammed Abdumawa of the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana said: “There are identified market areas reserved for their people. Nigerians can do business in a commercial place.

In a commercial area, you cannot do retail. Foreigners cannot participate in retailing outside a designated area.”

Nigerian traders under the aegis of Nigerian Union of Traders Association, Ghana (NUTAG) have decried the action, stressing that they should not be regarded as foreigners in Ghana. Members of the union are engaged in buying and selling of various products, such as clothing, computer accessories and spare parts, among others.

The President of the association, Deacon John Igwe Okala said: “The real genesis of the matter is competition in business. When you are staying in the same place with a Ghanaian, they will like to make much profit; so when you buy at the rate of one cedi, they will like to sell at one cedi 50 pesewas while we would rather sell at one cedi, 20 pesewas. With that we sell very quickly and make a lot of money quicker. But they do not seem to understand that. That is why they say that we are spoiling their market.

It is all about competition”.

He continued: “The only misunderstanding that we are having is that most of the people who fall under traders are not members of NUTAG. They have not come to register with us. Before we accept you as a member, we have to scrutinise you very well and advise you to be law abiding. This is my 41 years in Ghana and I have never faced any challenge in that aspect. I have never been to court or police. I only face my business and make sure that our members are law abiding. So when this issue arose, we asked our Nigerian government which way forward because we should not be called aliens in a place like Ghana. We do not want Ghana government to term us foreigners. It is very painful

when we are being called foreigners. So, we do not want that situation. Before you register your business at the Registrar General, the location of your business is there; you fill it and it is accepted. So when they come back and say that this is their market, we cannot understand. We are now confused”.

Corroborating, the Deputy Secretary General of NUTAG, Mr Victor Lemechi Amaefule said: “Under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocol, there is an article which gives every ECOWAS citizen the right to enter, reside and establish. We are making our argument based on that platform. We have met the necessary requirement which is the stamping of passport on entry which lasts for 90 days though they have reduced it to 60 days. Secondly, you have to regularise your business by registering with the Registrar General, after which they give you a Certificate of Commerce, to trade. Most of our members have got to that stage.

“Our problem right now is the GIPC Law, 1994, Article 478 which stipulates that foreigners willing to do business in Ghana must register their business with the sum of $300, 000 or its equivalent. What it simply means is that if you do not have it, you would have goods worth the said amount. This gives you the opportunity to register and do business and also get resident and working permit.

“It is not possible for the ECOWAS sub region because we know its poverty level. For instance, some of us came to Ghana because we were not comfortable with the living condition back home. So for us to make a living here, there was an identified opportunity so we decided to reside here. ECOWAS has given us that right but our Ghanaian counterparts are saying that you also have to abide by their local laws. The right is granted by the country you are living in.”

He pointed out that some gaps in the ECOWAS Protocol need to be filled, saying: “for instance, the issue of the $300,000 was not defined by the ECOWAS protocol. How much should a given ECOWAS citizen have as capital base in order to reside in any given ECOWAS country? That also needs to be defined by the ECOWAS protocol.”

Besides, the ECOWAS Treaty did not refer to ECOWAS members as foreigners. We do not support the idea of calling ECOWAS members foreigners.

“Furthermore, the issue of markets as defined

by Ghanaians is that the traditional market is reserved for them. So, they say we should go

•Okala

•Amaefule

elsewhere, which is called commercial areas.

That means, along the streets or elsewhere”.

He named markets like Timber market, Okainshi, Agbogboleshi, Medina and Nema markets as some of the traditional markets. Their definition of market is anywhere people gather to do business. If such a position was given to their people in Nigeria, I do not know what will happen to them.

“Besides, some of those markets were developed by Nigerians. Example is the used clothing sector in the centre of Makola market. Our worry is that even if they ask us to go to the commercial centres, given the strength and methodology used by Nigerians to do their business, there will be a time when these places they are calling commercial areas will become a market and we would be forced to move out from there.

“Most of us here cannot afford such amount of money. Here, we are talking about N47million.

If one has that amount, what would one be doing in another man’s country? As ECOWAS members, we are not supposed to be given such conditions. We are appealing that they should allow us to do business freely like our Ghanaian counterparts.”

In reaction, Baffour said: “Formerly, all the ECOWAS nations were supposed to have an ECOWAS Protocol for the free movement of the people. But, unfortunately, we have different financial and economic challenges. Ghana was founded by Kwameh Nkruma and is meant to be a beacon of Africa. It is supposed to be the Black Star of Africa. That means it is supposed to be a Mecca for Africa. And therefore we should not make it difficult for Africans to stay here.

“Over the years, there have been differences.

In 1969, one of the governments decided that all people who were not of Ghanaian origin should leave because they could not regularise their stay. It was a very sad chapter in the history of Ghana. Nigeria retaliated sometime in 1982 or 83 and sent us back. But these things happen because of wrong political judgments.

“Naturally, people get worried when they feel that they are being threatened by people who are not from within their locality. There are many rich Nigerians who are coming into Ghana and buying up property. Over all, the relationship is very cordial except for the little frictions.

“We have very strict laws about what foreigners can do in terms of employment. We do not allow foreigners in any of our markets-any market area, we do not allow foreigners-any form of petty trading. There are certain occasions and jobs that are only for Ghanaians. Part and parcel of our law, there are minimum investments that you can put into Ghana. So you have to fulfill that. Some say we are the same colour and speak the same language so they do not regularise their nationality. The Togolese and Beninous are here but they speak French and it is easy to identify them. But Nigerians and Ghanaians are the same. The list is there. I am just giving you an idea.”

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on the Diaspora, Hon. Abike DabiriErewa, said with the intervention of the Diaspora Committee, the ECOWAS Parliament told the Ghanaian governmet to rescind actions for four months during which the differences should be resolved.

She said: “We visited the ECOWAS Parliament. They have been closing other shops such as those of the Chinese. So far, we intervened; we are satisfied with the steps taken by the ECOWAS Parliament. We commend them for respecting the ECOWAS Parliament. Very soon, we are going to have a currency. We commend the Diaspora Committee for coming in at the right time. We appeal to Nigerians to be good citizens wherever they are.”

‘We do not want Ghana government to term us foreigners. It is very painful when we are being called foreigners. So we do not want that situation. Before you register your business at the Registrar General, the location of your business is there; you fill it and it was accepted. So when they come back and say that this is their market, we cannot understand. We are now confused’

Contact lens for beauty, convenience For those who understand the contact lens, it is a highly fashionable accessory which also protects the eyes. It possesses all the functions which the glasses can offer you. But, unlike the glasses, it is more convenient and flashy; that is if you use it carefully. OMOLARA MOFESOLA OMONIYI writes.

•Contact lens

I

F you do not like the cumbersome glasses you carry about, then the contact lens is meant for you. But you must adhere strictly to the advice of the physician in order not to spoil your eye sight.

With modern technology, people

are now choosing contact lenses as an alternative or backup to eye surgery or spectacles. Just like the recommended glasses, recommended eye contact lenses is basically for better eye sight and correction. This is because they are being improved

daily, making it safer to use them.

They also cost less than they used to, thereby creating room for better patronage even by the people with less income.

They do not cover the eyes completely, but cover only the retina leaving the remaining part of the eyes exposed thereby giving room for the access of 100 per cent oxygen into the eyes, without which the eye may go blind.

Just like the glasses, some use the contact lens on recommendation while others simply use it for fashion. The recommended ones must be specified by a physician, to perform the same function as the recommended glasses. They come in different colours such as brown, pink, blue, purple and green. You may choose any colour that is beautiful and suites your taste. Beauty is the watchword. Coloured contact- lenses

can enhance the colour of the eyes from its natural colour to any colour of your choice. These days, even fashion stores stock them because many users always like to march it with their outfits.

An optician, Dr Timothy Ekong said: “I give them to my patients, especially those who do not like the discomfort of glasses. But many people use it just for fashion. My wife is one. She has all the colours but she does not have any eye defect. A lot of people love it because it is convenient and fashionable. The non-recommended ones are cheaper”. All you need do is select the colour you want and it is yours but for the recommended one, you would go through eye tests to ascertain the right lens for you”.

Some people think the contact lenses are not comfortable to have on, but this is not true. It may be un-

comfortable when you are a new user but as time goes on, it surely becomes comfortable as you will not even notice you have anything on.

According to Mr Pwavenu Ageh, ‘I have been using contact lenses for the past 12 years and now, when I have it on, I do not even remember unless I am reminded. Contact lenses are very good and advisable, due care must be ensured anyway”.

It is impossible for the lenses to get stuck in the eyes as they are made to float on the eyes. But due care should still be maintained when wearing and removing them as accidents are likely to happen if proper care is not taken.

It has no age restrictions; it is both for the young and old. They are not to be shared because it could lead to serious eye infection which may even cost more than buying a new one for the person you shared it with.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

33

SHOPPING

A successful shopping day

Shopping Right with

Many people do not know that buying things whenever you like does not mean you are shopping. When you pick a day and prepare to purchase most things you need, that is when you are going shopping. OMOWUMI OGUNTUASE writes on how to have a successful day of shopping.

Grocery shopping, a must

T

F

HERE are certain steps you have to take while planning your shopping day. Before you venture into any shopping centre, make a list into two categories; things you want and things you need. This will help set your priorities straight and you should also make a promise to yourself that you will not buy what you want at the expense of what you need.

You need to be in a good mood while going for shopping. The attendants will be encouraged to help you better when you are pleasant to them and of course you will also be in a better frame of mind to shop better. No one wants to be yelled at by a stranger while they are doing their best to do a good job. So do yourself and them a favour by being in your best mood on your shopping day.

You also need to do some pilot enquiries before going shopping. Find out the approximate price for the desired items i to make sure you are getting a good deal.

Also, locate where they are being sold and you can do this by surfing the internet and checking some websites like nigeriagalleria.com, virtualtourist.com and bringitbay.com, among others, or just check on Facebook and by the right hand side of your screen, you will see some advertisements. Make notes of the lowest price next to the items on a piece of paper. By doing that, you will have more options and not spend more than your budget.

Your budget is very important. You need to decide how much money you want to spend. In order to keep to your budget, it is advisable to leave your credit cards at home and withdraw enough cash so as not to be tempted because it is harder to go over your budget when you are dealing with cash. However, you can hold just one in case of emergency but make sure it is just that-‘emergency’.

Endeavour to pack your shopping bag or purse the night before and put your list, some emergency cash, an ATM card and any other things you might need. You should be prepared so that you will not find yourself forgetting anything. Also make sure that the important items are in a purse if you are carrying a bag just to prevent theft.

Wear sensible shoes and comfortable clothing to ensure a good experience. For the ladies, you do not need your highheels while shopping; it will only hinder your movements.

Figure out a course of action and stick to the plan. If you are purchasing wears, you need to decide if you will start from the clothes store or the shoe store and if you are purchasing foodstuffs. Also de-

cide if you will start from the soup ingredients or the foodstuff itself. This will help you to be organised and not look lost in the market.

Make sure you try everything on before leaving the store. It is better to spend more time than to be unsatisfied with your purchases and have to return later. Fully inspect all items before you take them home and you should inspect the wears before trying them on for sanitary reasons.

At most malls, there are lockers where you can drop your luggage and go on to purchase another without having to log them around. You should inquire about the locker room in the malls for safety purposes.

Save your receipts. This is something most people neglect to do. They can help you manage your money and also help in case of any returns.

Guard your personal belongings well so as not to fall victim to theft. It happens everywhere; even at the upmost malls so you need to be careful.

Stay away from areas with low visibility or unsafe areas.

Do not use your car as a locker room. It is not as secure as you think as anyone can easily break in while you are about and there are experts who will not even set off the alarm. So, store your items somewhere else and when you are ready to go, take them to your car. If you are going to use your car, put your goods in the trunk or somewhere that is not visible. Then move your car and go to a new mall, do not leave it parked in the same place even if you have not finished shopping; you can easily switch sides. This may seem stressful but it sure is better than having your car broken into.

If you are under 18, it is better to shop in groups, either with your parents or older friends and family in order to be safe.

After your day, reward yourself with a cold beverage for your efforts and take some rest.

•Shopping bags

OOD, along with the rent, car and gas is one of the biggest expenses people make.

Many homes allocate a chunk of their budget to groceries. The reason is simple. They do not want to run short of food. Besides, cooking one’s food is less expensive than eating out.

And as I figure that most of my readers, whether they have big families or not, go grocery shopping now and then, so it is as well I JANICE NKOLI IFEME passed across some tips.

So pick and choose from among these tips, which I hope will be of use to you and your to prepare your stew and soup to last you for a family: Always go with a list. This cannot be considerable period of time, when you have the overemphasised. If you go without a list, you time, then freeze. With that you would always may as well just throw your money away. Bet- have ready meals, even when there are visitors.

Cut back on your “one-item” trips. They waste ter yet, donate it to me. I probably need it more than you. Seriously, though, you need to pre- gas, and almost inevitably, you buy more than pare a list of everything you need. Make sure that one item. If you plan ahead, make a weekly you are not forgetting anything. Now stick to menu, and shop with a list, this should drastically reduce the number of trips you make for a that list.

Plan out a weekly menu. This is the best way small number of items. But if you still find yourto ensure that your list is complete, and that you self running out for a few items, analyse the have enough to serve your family for the week. reason- are you not making a good list, are you Do not go when you are hungry. As trivial as forgetting some items from your list? Stock up on the things you freit sounds, do not ignore quently go out for. this tip. When you are When there is a sale, hungry, you want to buy ‘Cut back on your stock up. Sale items can all kinds of junk and “one-item” trips. They be a great deal. If it is an would end up spending item you normally use, a lot more. Eat a good waste gas, and almost buy a bunch of them. meal first, and you will Try comparison shopbe more likely to stick to inevitably, you buy ping. Look at the differyour list. more than that one ent brands for a certain Have a budget. When I type of product, includgo to the store, I know item.

If you plan ing store brands. Someexactly how much I can times there will be a sigspend. Then I try my best ahead, make a weekly nificant difference. to stick within that limit. menu, and shop with a Do not buy junk food If you do not know how (or buy as little as posmuch you can spend, you list, this should drastisible). Junk food not will certainly spend too only costs a lot of money much. cally reduce the numfor about zero nutriWhen you run out of ber of trips you make tion, but it makes you something, do not leave and your family fat and it to your memory. Jot it for a small number kills you. Talk about a down immediately, and bad deal! Opt for fruits you will never have to of items’ and veggies instead. run back to the store beGo for whole foods. cause you do not have The processed kind is eggs. Keep a list on your fridge if you have to. When you are running lacking in nutrition and will make you fat. Look low, write it down. Do not wait until you run for things in their least processed form - whole out. When you see there is only three toilet pa- grain instead of white or wheat bread, fresh per rolls left, put it on your list. Because when fruit instead of canned or juice, whole grain cereal or oatmeal instead of all other kinds of ceyou run out, it will be too late.

Keep things stocked for quick and easy meals. real. You get the idea.

Know when the store stocks its fresh fruits Easy meals might be spaghetti or a quick stirfry. The ingredients are always on hand, so you and veggies. Fruits and veggies can go bad can whip something up fast when you are feel- quickly, so it would do you a lot of good to go at the right time ing lazy.

Plan one big trip a month for bulk staples.

Buy in bulk when it makes sense. If you can save money, over the course of a month or two, You can get fresh items at another store on other by buying in bulk, plan to do so. But be sure that weeks, but doing a big bulk trip will cut back on you are going to use all of it before it gets bad. It the expense and amount you have to carry for is not cheaper to buy in bulk if you do not use it. the other three weeks. Avoid buying on imMake a pantry checklist. Make a checklist of pulse at the bulk store too — just because they everything you normally stock in your pantry. sell a lot of it does not mean you are saving, if This makes it much easier when it comes time you were not planning on buying it in the first place. to make your list.

Use everything possible. Got a bunch of leftPack your own lunch snacks. Buying pre-made snacks is convenient, but a big waste of money. over ingredients (half an onion, a bit of tomato, Buy little baggies and buy the snacks in bulk, some pasta, a few other veggies?) combine them then it will take just a few minutes to pack some for a quick meal, so that these do not go to waste before your next grocery trip. The more you snacks for lunch each day.

Make leftovers for lunch. Plan to cook a bit can stretch the food, and the less you waste, the extra for each dinner, so that you will have left- less you will spend in the long run.

Do not waste leftovers. Have a list on your overs for your lunch and for the kids too. Pack it right away, after dinner, so you do not have to fridge of what leftovers are in there, so you do not forget about them. Plan a leftover night or worry about it in the morning.

Cook a lot, then freeze. It is always advisable two, so you are sure to eat them all.

Write to us, express your views, observations and experiences. Let’s have your comments about shopping. Your comments, questions and answers will be published first Friday of every month. With your full name and occupation, send e-mail to: janicenkoli@yahoo.com •Shopping at the mall

34

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

SHOPPING TONIA ‘DIYAN offers tips on essential rain accessories that will help you to tackle challenges of the rainy season.

Rain accessories for you O NE way of preventing being drenched by the rain is to carry an umbrella. Some are portable; they are between six and eight inches long and can be collapsed in such a way that they can be kept in hand bags. Probably, this is why women use them more. They are easy to store or carry about.

Obviously, the most important thing about an umbrella is its function. However, it does not mean that it cannot be stylish too, therefore, consider buying a colourful type.

Some break or turn inside out at the wrong moment under heavy rain, therefore, it is advisable to buy the more durable ones regardless of the price. The range is between N1, 500 and N2, 000.

They are not day-to-day needs, but are necessary as everyone is forced to own one.

They are of different types. The wind resistant umbrella as the name implies is a type of umbrella that can withstand the wind.

Wind vented umbrella and wind proof umbrella have similar qualities with the wind resistant umbrella.

Great travel umbrella is suitable for travelling while auto open/close umbrella opens and closes automatically. It opens when you touch and closes when you drop it.

The grip two umbrella has two handles, one at the upper part and the other at the lower part.

Wood shaft umbrella has wooden handle, fashion umbrella is actually not meant for the rain. Most times it is used for fashion parade by models, usually when they showcase casual and beach wears.

The shed rain curved wood umbrella is made of wood apart from its fabrics.

Compact umbrella is small and fits in purses or coat pockets, kids umbrella is suitable only for children because of its light features, it makes carrying it about easy for the kids. Bottle umbrella has a transparent handle. Royal umbrella represents royalty; three fold professional umbrella can be folded three times for easy carriage.

Beach umbrella is mainly used in the beach, outdoor umbrellas are for outdoor usage; garden umbrella is usually placed in the garden to serve as shade from the sun, sun umbrella is used to protect against rays from the sun, folding umbrella can be folded into two while straight umbrella cannot be folded; therefore it cannot be kept in a bag and most times it is difficult to carry about. There are variety of styles, colour and brands.

Many people do not think it is necessary

to get a water proof wallet, but some think it is good to have a wallet for every occasion. A water proof wallet prevents those documents and cash from getting wet and torn by the rain.

Water proof wallets are forged out of colourful and flexible materials and are perfect for the rain when you do not want to risk damaging your leather wallet. They come in different types, shapes, colour and designs. They are the cheapest rain accessories available and can be gotten mainly from bus stops. They look like they are not important but are vital for the rain always.

They are sold for between N100 and N200 The rain boot has been imitated yet never surpassed. Whether you are caught in the rain, or just want to keep your feet as dry as possible even in the deepest street floods, rain boots are durable and will always do their job. While there may be other types of fancy rain boots that are more suitable for occasions this season, owning a pair of rain boots is highly recommended. There are lots of bright colours available for adults and children for N1000 and N1,500.

Rain accessories can be gotten from Iyase street, Kosofe, Ketu and Idushagbe Street, Idumota Lagos Island.

The duvet is known for its usefulness as an insulator, especially during the rainy season. To buy a duvet suitable for your bed, first know its size, so you would not end up going home with a king size duvet for a medium size. It is advisable to pick a dark colour that would absorb dirt and would not need dry cleaning often. While considering the colour to pick, remember it has to be colourful and fanciful. Their prices range from N10, 000 to N15,000, depending on their sizes.

Some are more expensive. They can be found in stores and big supermarkets in your neighbouhood. Duvets are also sold in the traffic.

A duvet cover is ideal for children during this season, because of their tender and fragile nature and there are a wide range of them for bunk beds, which can be picked from with options of colours and designs. Children’s duvet covers catch their attention from all age groups, they are more affordable and simple to maintain. They cost between N6,000 and N8,000.

They play a key role in how your kids’ room will look as they come in different cartoon designs to also entertain the children before they sleep.

To buy one for your child, get him or her involved, because they know exactly what they want and how they want it.

•Unisex trousers for the rain

•Women rain boot

•Green coat for boys

•Compact umbrella

•Flat rubber shoes

Best shoes for the season Do you still wear leather shoes in the rain? Aside getting your feet wet, those beautiful shoes could also get damaged, writes TONIA ‘DIYAN.

P

ERHAPS you did not have an idea it would rain and got drenched while wearing a pair of leather shoes; lay the shoes on their sides so they could get dry and for air to circulate freely. The major thing that spoils leather shoes is water. It soaks the natural oil out of the leather leaving the shoe shapeless, soft and worn out.

Wet leather definitely damage easily. It is much easier to split the top from the sole when it is soaked with water. Rubber half shoes and sandals are available in the market, especially for ladies. They are the best alternative for your expensive

•Rossini brown leather shoes could easily get damaged in the rain

leather shoes. These rubber shoes, sandals and slippers cost as low as N200, N500, N1000 and N, 500. They are just as comfortable as the leather shoes, of course not as expensive.

When they cut on one side, they can be fixed by cobblers or better still new ones can be bought and replaced because of their affordability

and availability.

A physiotherapist, Mr Sukanmi Jolaosho, said: “I was wearing my Gucci shoes and I wasn’t driving. I saw it was raining, and I am sick and tired of walking in the rain with my nice leather shoes and seeing them get destroyed. So, I took off my shoes, put them in my bag,

•Black Zara leather shoes, too

and bought bathroom slippers for N150 instead of N120. As a result of the constant rain, the sellers of these items tend to inflate their prices and exploit people when they find them in desperate rain situations.”

Mr Polycarp Aghuocha, an electronics importer, said: “I hate wear-

ing my Paul Smith leather shoes specifically to avoid them being damaged by water this season.

Doing so will make my designer shoes last forever. They are very expensive because they are designers. I actually think my palm slippers are much more stylish for this weather”.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

35

AGRO-BUSINESS HALF-YEAR REVIEW For the government, the half-year report appears good in nearly every respect -early planting, heavy rains, warm temperature and early harvest with little drying required. But stakeholders believe there are still challenges. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

So far, so good T

O boost food production, the Federal Government early in the year removed import duty on agricultural equipment and reduced interest rate on loans for purchase of fertiliser and input.

The gesture, the government said, would also help to generate employment and reduce youth restiveness in the country.

World Bank boosts ATA with $300 million The World Bank boosted the Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) with $300 million. The World Bank-assisted Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP) Task Team Leader, Dr. Lucas Akapa, dropped the hint at the Sixth Joint Federal Government of Nigeria/World Bank Mission in Lagos.

Akapa disclosed that in response to the new Federal Government’s ATA, being coordinated by the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, the World Bank has decided to put additional $150 million into the CADP and another $150 million into the Fadama Development Project (FDP).

Dominion plans $40million rice project

As part of the on-going presidential ‘Agricultural Transformation Agenda’, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has signed of a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) with Taraba State government and Dominion Rice Integrated Farms Limited, Kenya on a proposed 30, 000 hectares rice project to be sited in the state.

The rice project is capable of producing 2.4 crop cycles yearly, about 300, 000 tonnes of rice will thus be provide yearly for the market, which imports approximately two million tonnes of rice yearly.

Fed Govt spends N30billion on seeds, agro-industries

The Federal Government spent N30billion on seeds and agro-industries as part of the measures to boost agriculture.This includes giving free and quality seeds worth N2.7billion to about five million farmers.The seeds were normal ones.

Cassava bread The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,Dr Akinwumi Adesina has inaugurated UTC Plc High Quality Cassavabased bread in Lagos. He said the use of cassava in bread-making would reduce the quantity of wheat being imported yearly.

The Managing Director, UTC Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Folunsho Olaniyan, said the company had encountered several setbacks.

However, she said after 92 trials and other challenges, the company was able to achieve the commercial production of the cassavabased bread in February. Olaniyan also said UTC had replaced wheat flour not just in bread, but in doughnuts, cakes and other pastries.

CBN approves NIRSAL’s take-off

N75billion

for

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved N75 billion for the take-off of Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing in Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL). The apex bank has also guaranteed 75 per cent loans provided by Deposit Money Banks to farmers across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory as part of concerted efforts to transform the agricultural sector. The guarantee would be issued by the NIRSAL to the farmers in the states and Federal Capital Territory(FCT) through commercial banks and other financial institutions. NIRSAL mobilises financing for Nigerian agribusiness by using credit guarantees to address the risk of default.

IITA develops Vitamin A – enriched cassava

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has developed provitamin A cassava varieties.The provitamin A cassava varieties which are the first ever biofortified crops in Nigeria, were developed by IITA with funding from HarvestPlus. The National Root Crops Research Institute was a local partner.The varieties offer consumers more nutritious food recipes, especially gari - a form of processed cassava grated and roasted into granules. Vitamin A deficiency afflicts about 20 per cent of pregnant women and 30 per cent of children under five. Most of those afflicted live in the rural areas where poverty is relatively higher. Development of gari being produced from these varieties will have a higher shelf life. The yellow root colour of the vitamin A-rich varieties are products of over 20 years of breeding efforts for improved nutritional quality using traditional breeding methods involving hybridisation and selection of cassava seedlings followed by clonal propagation of the selected desirable plants.

Farmers who participated in the trials of the varieties across Nigeria loved the varieties for their high-yielding ability and resistance to major diseases and pests.

Cassava export to China Plans are under way to export one million tonnes of cassava chips valued at $136 million to China. Nigeria will earn $136 million just this year as a result of the exportation.

Silos

The Federal Government announced that it has looked into the immense wastage of food in the country and explore solutions by way of building silos for storage of foodgrains in the country. To tackle the situation, the government work out an average annual storage level for the country, based on the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

•Adesina

•Ayinla

Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing in Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) restated its resolve to guarantee 75 per cent loans provided by Deposit Money Banks to farmers in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of efforts to transform the agricultural sector.

The loan guarantee is being packaged under the Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing in Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) – a public private established by the CBN, the Bankers’ Committee and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Growth Scheme

Enhancement

Support

The Federal Government launched the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) on fertiliser and seeds in many states of the federation.

Under the scheme, farmer planting rice or maize are given 50 kg bags of certified rice seeds and 40 kg bag of certified maize seed free .

Adesina said the programme aimed at benefitting poor farmers. He said five million farmers are targeted for GES over five years.

Kwara projects At the state level, the Kwara State Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with investors from Spain to develop rice cultivation, processing and packaging. The deal is ‘worth N70 billion.

The state government is providing 30 per cent of the total cost, including 20, 000 hectares of land. The Spanish investors are to provide the remaining 70 per cent of the total cost of the investment for the period of four years. The Spanish company and the representatives of Kwara State government agreed that the investment would be in stages. The company is to invest 70 million euro annually for four years, making a total investment of 280 million euro. Based on the agreement, the state government will allocate 5,000 hectares of land for the process for each stage. It is expected that each stage of 5,000 hectares of land is expected to yield 40,000 tonnes of rice annually.

•Bashorun

The state is working on an agric master plan to develop a large number of micro and small enterprises and open up huge opportunities for investors at the various agro-processing zones.

Reactions The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives, Dr Olajide Bashorun, said things couldn’t have been better for producers in the state.

He said things were a lot better for farmers.

He said the half year was good in nearly every areas - early planting, timely and abundant rains, warm temperatures and early harvest. They had plenty to sell at good prices.

The Executive Director , The Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Dr Jide Ayinda, said the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) of the Federal Government would assist farmers. There was no enough money to lend to farmers at very favourable rates.

Interest rates on loans are still high.

The Managing Director,Talon Group Dr Lanre Talabi said the system requires a stringent review so that innovative strategies are put in place.

Fashola, Minister call for revolution in agricultural sector

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AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, have called for a revolution in the agricultural sector.

They made the call at the inauguration of the Lagos State Co-operative College and some agriculture enhancement projects.

They said it was important for the country to develop its agriculture sector to grow the economy, noting that the country spends about $10 billion on food importation yearly.

Fashola explained that the partnership between the state and the Federal Government would benefit the public and boost agricultural development, adding that the college, expected to handle 12,000 co-

• ‘Nigeria spends $10b on food import ‘

By Mariam Ndikanwu

operative societies with over two million members is being financed by Fidelity Bank Plc. He said the state is determined to achieve self-sufficiency in food production, saying: “Brazil has left us behind because Brazil can feed itself. Our country can never be great until we go back to agriculture.”

Adesina said the Federal Government was determined to reduce dependency on food importation, expand foreign exchange earnings and create jobs in the sector.

“We must turn Nigeria away from being a dumping ground for cheap imports. The culture of buying and selling, bringing in everything from wheat and rice and other food items have destroyed Nigeria’s agriculture.

“Nigeria spends a whopping $10 billion or over N1.3 trillion per year, importing wheat, rice and sugar. As we do, we export jobs to other countries, while we destroy our agriculture, dashing the hope of millions of Nigerian farmers,” he stated.

He said emphasis was on how to grow local and eat locally produced food stuffs, say-

ing the government’s goal is to add the 20 million MT of food to the domestic food supply and create 3.5 million jobs by 2015.

He said the Federal Government has ended the age-long corruption in the fertiliser distribution system, where government procures the product and distributes, saying the Federal Government leveraged on N30 billion from commercial banks to help the farmers to get access to seeds and fertiliser at a reduced rate.

He said the Federal Government plans to site two rice mills in the state to produce 60,000 metric tons of rice per day, assuring that the Federal Government would partner Lagos in agricultural development.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

36

AGRO-BUSINESS

‘How to revamp extension services’ S

TRONGER measures are needed to revamp agricultural extension services, President, Agricultural Policy Research Network (APRnet), Prof Eric Eboh. has said.

In a statement, he said extension services would bounce back if the Federal Government could assist state and local governments with needed resources.

He said these include institutional measures, finance and appropriate public investments.

Eboh said the government should also provide more public policy support for building the critical services in value chains, which lack business and market linkage services providers because of low capacity.

He added that steps should be taken to develop a crop of dynamic service providers to play various roles in the value chain, including facilitation and brokerage, financial inter-

Stories by Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

mediation, market exploration, business development and input supply.

APRNet is a stakeholders’ organisation devoted to promoting agricultural prosperity, economic growth and poverty reduction in Nigeria by using research and evidence to inform and stimulate good and effective agricultural and rural development policies and programmes.

Its goal is to make research work for end-users, including policymakers, farmers, investors and practitioners.

Eboh said APRNet would work with agricultural sector stakeholders to provide regular feedback on the implementation of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, saying this would be done through the researchbased monitoring and feedback system called the

‘State of Nigerian Agriculture Reports’ (SoNAR), which would be produced yearly to give independent assessment of the agricultural sector of the economy.

He said SoNAR would contain analyses and findings about the performance of the nation’s agricultural sector.

Topics to be covered are agricultural production, productivity, incomes, input supply and use, agricultural market and trade, agricultural investments, budget implementation, agricultural loans, projects implementation and economic linkages, among others.

It would mirror the agricultural sector on an annual basis and serve as reference material for government, investors and farmers Eboh, a don with the Agricultural Economics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), said the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) has potential to trigger a market-

oriented, private sector-led and business-oriented agricultural investment and growth in the country. He ‘added that the component features and design of the scheme are good for solving the bottlenecks against private investments in agriculture, agribusiness and agricultural productivity.

“The fertiliser subsidy reforms are addressing the lingering weaknesses and bottlenecks in the fertiliser supply chain. It provides the opportunities to improve efficiency, outreach and impact of the fertiliser subsidy programme.

“The reforms of the commodity marketing system and the proposed marketing corporations are a welcome development. For long, there has been absence of organised marketing for commodities, and it has impacted negatively on agricultural incomes and productivity”

From left: Director-General, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Dr. Nteranya Sanginga; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Idowu Olayinka and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Adewole, during Sanginga’s visit to the university.

Our plan for agric, by governor

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WARA State Government, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the implementation of its Agriculture Master Plan with America’s Cornell University, because it wants to boost the sector, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has said.

He spoke at an investment forum sponsored by the Kwara State Association of Nigeria (KSANG), North America.

He said: “The five-year master plan maps out a phased implementation of a dynamic, highly productive and sustainable agriculture sector in the state with particular emphasis on the need for exponential increase in agricultural output and linkages among all agricultural support and manufacturing sector”.

He explained that the plan

highlights the role of commercial agriculture in driving productivity and profit for large, medium and small scale farmers.

He said the plan is also aimed at developing human and institutional capacity to sustain improvement in economy and food security.

“In helping to realise the vision of Kwara State as the quintessential agricultural hub of the West Africa sub region”, he said, adding that “the plan will catalyse a wide range of innovations”.

The governor said the plan would improve infrastructure, such as integrated storage, packaging and processing facilities, distribution and shipping to the African and global markets and create an enabling business environment that would attract investors.

Ahmed said Nigerians would learn how to create

wealth from agriculture when they looked subsistence farming. He said: “This actually means practising agriculture in commercial quantity for the local usage and exportation for foreign trade.

“This, therefore, demands a long term planning of not less than 10 years to get the desirable outcome, which in the long run, will better the lives of the people.This, among other factors was responsible for the synergy between Kwara State government and Cornell University. “ According to him, more than 80 per cent of Nigeria’s agricultural production was dominated by poor and small-scale producers in the rural areas, noting that the group lacked access to capital to acquire the needed inputs to increase output and income.

Ahmed also described the state as the first in the world to sign an MoU with Cornell University, New York.

The governor commended the efforts of his predecessor, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki for laying a solid foundation for the agricultural transformation of the state, especially for encouraging Zimbabwean farmers to the state.

“The opportunity of continuity in governance in the state had made it possible for me to build on the foundation laid by the former governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki”, he said.

Earlier, the National President of Kwara Association in U S, Chief Lateef Amolegbe, praised the governor for uplifting the state and sustaining the culture of continuity, he said is lacking in some African countries.

STATE FOCUS

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GRICULTURE is the mainstay of Katsina State’s economy.

About 75per cent of its people are farmers. The state is blessed with abundant arable land and a wide range of crops are grown. These include guinea corn, millet, maize, cow pea, cotton and groundnut, to mention but a few. Seedlings, pesticide sprays, subsidised chemical fertiliser and extension services are provided to farmers.

The state has many livestock, made up of mainly cattle, goats, sheep and poultry. Apart from providing food and meat for consumption,these agrolivestock products have the potential for providing raw materials that could serve many industries including food processing, animal and poultry food, textile,pharmaceutical, building and construction, as well as hides and skin industries.

The government encourages livestock production by providing extension services and veterinary services to contain both plant and animal diseases and promote abundant agro in livestock production.

Public and private forestry abound. These include: plantations, orchards, woodlots, shelter belts and trees on farmlands.

Supported by the European Community (EC) and the Federal Government, trees, such Acacia species, Eucalyptus and Azadirachta Indica (Neem) are planted.

Runka forest reserve in the northwest part of the state is the largest. People use the forest as sources of fuel wood, wild, fruits/vegetables, pasture for livestock, herbs for treatment of diseases and for hunting. To boost more forest reserve, four million seedlings were raised between 2007 and 2009.74 hectares of fuel wood plantations were developed with 340 hectares of woodlots and 6km of shelterbelt.1.5 million tree seedings were planted across the state in 2008,while 25 private nurseries were supported by government to raise 75,000 Arabic Gum seedlings.

Six hectares of gum Arabic trial plots were established in Malumfashi, Katsina and Baure local government areas,while the capacity of Katsina Neem factory was raised from 250metric tonnes of organic fertiliser to 10,000metric tonnes.Six hectares Jatropha trial plots were established in Sandamu, Rimi and Funtua.

However, the population boom, cost of commercialisation and advancements in modern agriculture have resulted to the need for increased government financial and technical support. In order to address these issues, the state government swiftly revived farm settlement centres around the state to provide various educational and technical capacity support in crop production, livestock rearing, fisheries and bee keeping, among others.

It is against the above background that the state government is reviving the

Enhancing agro business in Katsina agricultural economy by providing fertiliser, grains and irrigation. More than 50, 000 metric tonnes of fertiliser have been provided. An average of more than 10,000 metric tonnes are distributed to the local governments yearly.

In line with its goal to address youth unemployment and revive year-round farming and irrigation systems, the state government established four fertiliser blending plants around the state.

Each of the plants has a capacity of 10,000 metric tonnes per year.

The state government rehabilitated the Katsina Grains Silo and spent over N300 million to purchase over 6,000 tonnes of grains,s which was stored and subsequently sold to the public at subsidised rates.

To develop enough irrigable land, the state government sought and was granted permission to conduct rehabilitation works of the Jibia Federal Dam. Since the construction of the Dam 20 years ago, only an estimated 100 hectares was being cultivated. However, with the intervention of the administration, 1500Ha is being cultivated yearly and efforts this year is to achieve 2000Ha. An estimated total of 11,000 hectares is now being cultivated in different locations around the state.

The state government also plans to rehabilitate and upgrade other dams. For instance, the Ruwan Sanyi dam was rehabilitated to restore 30Ha of irrigable land.

Over N150 million was expended in the purchase of irrigation pumps, repairs and renovations of Kusa and Kusada dam.The state government’s objective is to harness an average of 10,000Ha-20,000Ha of irrigable hand by the 2015.

Katsina has joined several states that have keyed into the Songhai farm initiative with more than N3.4 billion committed to ensure the successful transfer and implementation of the programme.

Referred to as the SonghaiKatsina Initiative (SKTI), it is aimed at developing the agriculture sector by building interest in commercial farming, creating employment opportunities, and the diversifying the state’s economy.

•Governor Shema

37

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

SOCIETY Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Compliance Hon Maruf Akinderu-Fatai and others were honoured during the Fourth Merit Award of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADS) in Lagos, reports TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

•Hon Akinderu-Fatai (left) receiving a plaque from Alhaji Okunleye

•Prof Akintola exchanging pleasantries with Alhaji Musediq Quadri

•Wife of Osolo of Isolo Olori Riskat Agbabiaka (left) and wife of Chief Executive Officer Sodnuss Nigeria Limited Alhaja Muibat Shobowale

•Mr Jamiu Badru

S

AVE for the foresight of the organisers, who changed the venue from Owoseni Primary School to Ikeja Grammar School, Bolade, Lagos, the event would have been disrupted by the downpour.

Guests applauded the organisers' foresightedness for changing the venue to a school with a large auditorium.

And despite the rain, the turnout was impressive.

It was the Fourth Merit Award of the Ansar-UdDeen Society of Nigeria (ADS) which took place penultimate Sunday at the expansive hall of Ikeja Grammar School, Bolade, Lagos.

The hall shone in white and green ribbon.

It blended with the waers of most of the special guests and members of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society.

Even the brochure where citations of the awardees were and the programme were not left out. They were printed in green and white.

After prayer was said by the society's Mission Board Secretary, Alhaji Taofeek Nasirudeen, the event took off.

Shortly after recitation from the Holy Quran by Ustadh Jamiu Adebayo, the emcee reeled out long list of the recipients.

•Alhaji Sulaiman Olajobi PHOTOS: GBENGA KUTELU

Honour for the faithful This was done in a celebration-like way. With a live band, majority of the awardees accompanied by their relatives and well-wishers dance towards the seats reserved for them.

Among the awardees are Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Compliance Hon Maruf Akinderu-Fatai; Federal Ministry of Housing former Chief Mechanical Suprintendent the late Alhaji Mikail Badru and CICA CFAO Nigeria Limited former Assistant General Manager Alhaji AbdulFatai Ibraheem.

It was a colourful occasion. The band made it livelier.

Other features of the day include keynote addresses, goodwill messages, lecture, citation, presentation of plaques and special donation towards the society's university, Summit University, Offa, in Kwara State.

The arrival of the guest speaker, Prof Is-haq Lakin Akintola of the Lagos State University (LASU) was like an icing on the cake at the ceremony.

Akintola decked in simple green Ankara fabrics

CONJUGAL BLISS

with his self-style turban, eye glasses and silver wrist watch.

Many had thought Akintola, who was recently conferred with a world-class Professor of Islamic Studies by LASU Appointments and Promotions Committee would not turned up due to the heavy rain.

But the Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) did not only prove them wrong, he delivered a soul-inspiring lecture.

Everyone was glued to his seat, with rapt attention as Prof Akintola, who is also the society's missioner in Ile-Ife, Osun State, spoke on the topic which centred on Peaceful Co-existence in a multireligious Environment.

By the time he concluded, the hall yelled in admiration of a great scholar. He got a long ovation for the thought-provoking lecture Earlier in his welcome address, ADS Branch Chairman, Alhaji Mufutaudeen Olorunsola thanked Allah for making the day a reality.

"I'm delighted because this memorable event is

occurring during my tenure as the Chairman of foremost Islamic organisation in the country, Oshodi Branch," he said.

Olorunsola also said the recipients have contributed immensely to the development and progress of the society in particular and Nigeria as a whole.

He congratulated the awardees for making the list.

"It is often said that honour should be given to whom it's due. You are people of honour and integrity and I still implore you not to relent on your effort but work harder for there are many more challenges ahead," Olorunsola said.

ADS State Council Chairman, Alhaji Nurudeen Okunleye equally applauded the awardees contribution to humanity.

"This is to appreciate your unflinching support to the society. We hope to see you receive more laurels at the state and national levels," Okunleye said.

He singled out Hon Akinderu-Fatai for being truly peoples' representatives at the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

An elated MAF as Akinderu-Fatai is fondly called thanked the society for the honour.

He promised to continue doing his best for his constituency, Lagos and Nigeria as a whole.

AWARD

•Former Miss Rukayat Ajayi and her beau Yusuf Odebisi during their wedding at Isolo, Lagos PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID

•Chairman, Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide (left) receiving certificate from the New President, Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Prof. Ayodele Ogunye after his Induction as a fellow during the Nigerian Academy of Engineering's Investiture of the New President held at UNILAG Akoka, Lagos. PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

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SOCIETY The daughter of Lagos businessman Kole Jegede, Tolani got married to Niyi Atanda businessman on July 5 at the Ikeja Local Government Registry. A reception followed at the Martinos Hotel in Alausa. Here are some of the guests at the colourful ceremony

•Groom’s parents Mr and Mrs Atanda

•The couple Niyi and Tolani

•Bride’s father Mr Kole Jegede, flanked by his wife Bose and Senator Babafemi Ojudu

•Mr Kola Oluwatuyi (left) and Mr Sola Obadare

•Mr Yemi Dada of the Federal University of Akure (FUTA) and Port Harcout businessman (left) and Mr Olu Ogunboyo

•Pastor Tokunbo Fabusola (left) and Mr Segun Ajise •Mr and Mrs Ajakaye Olusola

•Lagos Estate surveyor Yemi Balogun (left) and Mr Dayo Bamidele

•Mr Kayode Afolabi and his wife Titilayo

PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

39

SOCIETY

•From left: Mr Amana; Mr Patel and Mr Ndukwe

•Prince Adeluyi-Adelusi and Mrs Amana

The Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE) had a get together at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. At the “President’s Dinner/Technology Evening”, technology as a vehicle of national development was the focus, writes DAMILOLA BAMIDELE

A night of black suits I T was a night of black suits. The organisers and most of the guests wore black suits with either bow or long ties. A few turned out in white flowing Agbada.

The hall shimmered with soft light and decorations.

For 15 years, the Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE) has been in the forefront of propagating the gospel of Information Communication Technology (ICT) as catalyst for national development.

Its members converged on the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Ikeja, Lagos for what they tagged: President’s Dinner/Technology Evening. The event subsequently paved the way for brainstorming on how ICT can further be used to enhance development.

The night featured a cocktail, keynote addresses, lecture and light entertainment.

Welcoming the guests, the President, Edet Amana, congratulated members on the successful hosting of the dinner.

Amana said the role of technology in shaping the society cannot be over-emphasised.

According to him, in many societies, technology has helped develop economies with great impact on human wellbeing. The same technological processes, he noted, have produced unwanted by-products which pollute and deplete the environment.

“The internet which has turned the world into a global village with great beneficial effect on the world economy has also expanded the scope for global criminal activity. There is no doubt that for the third world countries like Nigeria to compete favourably with her developed countries all over the globe, she needs to pay attention

to its infrastructural development, which in the long run will boost her economic growth. “As it is known that economic development addresses the economic and social well-being of the people, economic growth is a phenomenon of market productivity and rise in GDP. “The economy of our country has often been described as one which has seen some growth but little development. The growth is driven by oil production and sale sustained by foreign technologies. The development is low because of the near absence of local indigenous technologies. The only way to grow our development is to grow out technology.

“Let me not bore you with more speeches and allow you to relish in delicious cuisine at your disposal,” said he.

In a paper entitled Telecommunications technology and nfrastructure: The pivot of national economic advancement, the guest speaker, Mr Bashir Patel, looked at the global drivers of ICT, African perspective, Nigerian ICT today and its obstacles and challenges.

Patel, who has over 35 years experience in the hi-tech industry including aerospace and telecoms, said ICT, no doubt, has changed the way humans think, relate and do business globally.

“In the past 10 years, ICT has helped structural changes in telecoms markets through increased competition and market deregulations,” he said.

Among guests were Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Mr Ernest Ndukwe; Mr Vincent Maduka; Prof. Oye IbidapoObe, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; Dr. Erepamo Osaisai; Mr. Bola Akingbade among others.

WEDDING Chief Executive Officer DeWhitefoot Concepts, Mr Abiodun Shobiye and former Miss Ayo Asa, a Pharmacist at Lagos State Health Service Commission during their wedding at the Agape Event Place, Gbagada, Lagos

•Prof Ibidapo-Obe (left) and Prof Ogunye

•From left: Dr and Mrs Emopae Osaisai and Mr Akingbade

BIRTHDAY

•A founder of Splash FM and celebrator Chief Adebayo Akande (left) and Chief Bamidele Aiku (SAN) during the fifth annual lecture of Splash FM and 73rd birthday of Chief Akande at Trenched Hall, University of Ibadan, Oyo State PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

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MOTORING

Elizade to reward customers with four Avensis

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IGERIA’s leading auto dealer and Toyota Nigeria Limited’s number one dealer, Elizade Nigeria Limited has concluded plans to reward its customers with four brand new Toyota Avensis cars during her 40+1 anniversary celebrations.

This was revealed at a media Parlay to announce the anniversary details.

Managing Director Mr Demola Ade-Ojo, said the 40+1 anniversary celebration offers the company a chance to appreciate customer loyalty, re-focus and look ahead to a greater tomorrow.

“One can count the Nigerian firms that have survived for over two decades, not to talk of four.

Really, in this tough business terrain with its peculiar instability and uncertainties, the chances of a business outliving a decade is as slim as the chances of finding a penguin in the tropics. But here we are exactly, 41 years after my parents founded this business, we are

•From left: Ade-Ojo; Tikolo and General Manager, After Sales Mr Sayo Oluwaniyi

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

still strong, viable and very alive.

This is not just a result of our acclaimed good works neither is it about our excellent offerings. This definitely goes beyond the entrepreneurial sagacity of the founder and the Board. This is simply, with

all sense of gratitude, all about grace,” Ade-Ojo said.

To commemorate Elizade Nigeria Limited’s 41 years of doing business in Nigeria, the company will between July and September, give out a brand new Toyota Avensis car to her top volume buy-

Skoda Yeti flaunts SUV attributes

Assembly summons contractor over link bridge

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R

EGARDED as its first attempt at the SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle), Skoda Yeti strikes a perfect balance between on road performance, family orientated practicality and rugged 4x4 styling.

Its choice of two or four-wheel drive and flexible Varioflex rear seating system with sizeable boot space and higher ride height makes it an ideal car for life in towns and cities.

At the mere push of the off-road button, Yeti turns into a highly capable off-road vehicle that is adapt at climbing slippery slopes, descending steep hills and maintaining control on difficult terrain, using the very latest in 4x4 systems.

The car equipped with new engines and new technical solutions, such as the off-road regime that adapts the settings of the electronic systems to rough terrain.

It also has an electrically-controlled two-part panoramic sunroof with horizontal slats and movable hooks in the luggage space.

Skoda World Brand Manager Mr Snajay Rupani, said enthusiasts would also discover the radically improved characteristics that dis-

ers each month. That makes three brand new Toyota Avensis cars for the duration of the promo. Also, instant gifts would go with every vehicle purchased over the same period.

Elizade’s Marketing Director Mr Olu Tikolo said the promo “is all

about the Elizade’s customers and loyalists.”

Tikolo said a customer appreciation night would be held later in the year to appreciate and reward loyal customers over the past six years. At the event Elizade’s top 41 customers over the past six years would be appreciated with various mouth-watering gifts. The highest volume buyer over the past six years, being the last time the company celebrated its anniversary, would also go home with a brand new Toyota Avensis. This makes four brand new Toyota Avensis cars, in addition to several goodies, the premier auto-dealer would be giving out during the period.

The company started business as an automobile marketing company in 1971. Over the years, it has consistently been marketing, selling and servicing Toyota vehicles in Nigeria. Today, they are ranked the number one Toyota dealer in Nigeria and are the only surviving auto dealer from among its contemporaries.

•Skoda Yeti

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

tinguish the Yeti from contemporary SUVs. The combination of unique design; safety, factory fitted security; functionality and comfort are rare features that are expected to make Yeti one of the favourites of the young-at-heart,” Rupani said.

Coupled with these is Yeti’s inviting interior designed to meet exacting standards with dramatically spacious, airy and flexible cabin.

On safety, Rupani said Skoda is a safety conscious automaker that takes safety very seriously.

“This is why all the trims have driver and passenger airbags as well as front, side and curtain airbags as standard – thanks to the Volkswagen design philosophy, owners of the brand,” he said.

Equipped with a tried-and-tested 1.8 TSI/118 kW engine, Yeti comes with a six-speed manual gearbox that is gratifying to precise and fast gear changes.

What’s more, the compact dimensions of the Škoda Yeti guarantees easy controllability and manoeuvrability in the city driving while the car’s uniquely robust SUV appearance is enhanced by wide mudguards and silver under-body protection strips.

Yeti, no doubt evokes an atmosphere of cordiality evidence in the higher position of the seats that provide an excellent view from the car as well as easier access.

The electronically-controlled dual-zone Climatronic air conditioning allows the Yeti to automatically switch to internal circulation if the quality of air sucked-in falls below set values.

HE Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned Messrs Moreno Marinas Lagoon Plc, the contractor handling the bridge that will link Tedi and Ira-Muwo communities with Lagos-Badagry Expressway for its failure to finish the project on schedule.

The bridge (Ariyo-Ira-MuwoTedi-Abule Oshun Bridge) in Ojo Local Government Area is meant to link the sprawling communities to the Lagos-Badagry expressway.

The contractor was summoned by the House committee on Works and Infrastructure when it paid a working visit to the site.

Chairman of the committee Hon Rotimi Olowo, who led the delegation accompanied by officials of the state Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, expressed dissatisfaction with the way the job was carried out, condemning the contractor for being insensitive to the plight of commuters residing in the area.

Olowo said:“You have collected a large sum of money from the state to execute this project, and this job has been for over four years, and you have not delivered up to 75 per cent of the work. I see no reason why the contract should not be revoked and why it should not be awarded to another. I learnt that you have a bad record as a company with the state”.

By Oziegbe Okoeki

“Some of your jobs with the state have been revoked; I see no reason why we should not revoke this one also. Tell me when last did you work on this site and what are you doing to deliver the project this year,” he queried the contractor.

He, thereafter, ordered representatives of the ministry to invite the company to appear before the committee and warned that if the committee is not satisfied with their submissions during cross examination, the organisation would be highly penalised and the contract revoked.

According to a resident who identified herself as Iya Ariyo, the residents are experiencing untold hardship as well as man hour loss because of the inability of the company to complete the project as scheduled.

While conducting the lawmakers round the project, officials of the Office of Infrastructure said the contract was awarded in March 2008 and work commenced on November 16, 2008 while the contract duration was 15 months.

When the bridge is completed, the bridge would further accelerate wholesome development to the area with the resultant opportunity for increased socio-economic activities of the residents.

FRSC marshal arraigned for assaulting LASTMA official

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41-year old man, Dafe Attuah of 33 Lekki Epe Express Way, Olokola Ajah was last Thursday arraigned on a 10 count charges at Magistrate Court 11, Tinubu, Lagos Island for assaulting a LASTMA official and a police officer at Ajah.

Attuah, who claimed to be a Federal Road Safety Special (FRSC) Marshal, at about 6:30am drove a Toyota Camry saloon car with registration number RH 435 AAA in a direction prohibited by law (one way) from Abraham Adesanya junction to Ajah U-turn, and when stopped by LASTMA officials for contravening road traffic law, he became violent and resisted arrest.

According to a release by Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Attuah subsequently mobilised area boys numbering about 15 on

motorbikes to the scene and unleashed mayhem on LASTMA official, Gbenga Elewuro and a police officer, Seyi Adeniran.

Elewuro was flogged with objects suspected to be charms and had cuts on his hand and leg.

A lady suspected to be Attuah’s wife drove off with the vehicle with the support of the area boys.

Attuah was later arrested by men of Nigeria Police and taken to Ajuwe Police Station.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusamo granted him bail with condition of providing two sureties who must be Senior civil servants on Grade Level 12 and N100, 000 on each count charge and also ordered that the vehicle be produced in Court within two days.

•Traffic jam along Lekki-Epe Expressway, Victoria Island, Lagos.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

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AVIATION SECOND QUARTER REVIEW As the aviation industry grapples to keep afloat in the last six months, amid the DANA Air crash on June 3, things have fallen apart as the existing carriers struggle to get passengers in an industry where confidence in air travel is fast eroding. KELVIN OSA- OKUNBOR reports

Struggling to restore confidence T HE DANA Air crash, which occurred on June 3, 2012, killing all the 153 passengers aboard the McDonnell Douglas aircraft, no doubt has taken the shine off all the strides that have been recorded in the sector.

Operators have continued to count their losses as a fall out of the crash.

Despite the crash, which has altered the tempo of activities in the sector, a few strides have been recorded, which is not limited to the on going renovation of 11 airports across the country by the Ministry of Aviation.

Minister of Aviation Princess Stella Oduah said there is no going back in remodelling the airports because of the serious decay and neglect that the airport terminals have suffered.

Among the airports where remodelling is on-going is the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, where a new domestic terminal is under way as well as face lift being given to the international terminal.

Part of the activities that have shaped the industry is the construction of the power house to address the incessant power outage at the Lagos Airport.

In the period under review, the Federal Government has also carried out the construction of a new domestic wing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, expansion work at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, and Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, in Owerri.

Other airports in the period under review where the Federal Government is remodelling include Benin Airport, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, as well as Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar.

Apart from the remodelling of airports, major activities, three airports were also designated as cargo/agro airports. They include Ilorin, Asaba, Owerri and Makurdi airports.

The essence of the new designation is to use these airports as special centres to develop the export of agricultural products, thereby reducing the pressure at the Lagos Airport.

Some major policy issues came to the front burner, including the new concept of aerotropolis, which is expected to give birth to airport cities and cargo terminals across the country.

This, according to Mrs Oduah, is to develop the sector as another major foreign exchange earner for the gov-

Stories by Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

ernment, such that in the next few years there may be no need for budgetary allocation for the sector.

Concession revocation What may not be easily erased from the minds of industry watchers is the revocation of the concession agreement between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and Maevis Limited, the firm that provided the automated operations management system at the Lagos and Abuja Airports.

Managing Director ,FAAN Mr George Uriesi, who announced the revocation of the Maevis Limited concession said the deal was not in the best interest of government, insisting that rather than improve the revenue of the airport authority, the firm could nor deliver.

But, the firm according to its executive director, Mrs Tokunbo Fagbemi, has since challenged its ouster out of the international wing of the Lagos Airport at the a Federal High Court, which she affirmed will deliver justice, as the arbitrary revocation of its agreement with FAAN will send wrong signals to other investors in the sector.

Related air service pact The aviation industry also experienced fireworks when the issue of bilateral air services agreement with other countries and foreign airlines again came to the front burner.

This was sequel to the face-off between British Airways and the Minister of Aviation , Princess Stella Oduah, over the reduction of flight frequency to British Airways from seven to three out of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

The face-off also brought to the fore the lopsidedness in the bilateral air services agreement between Nigeria and many countries of the world, as their carriers enjoy multiple entry points into Nigeria without adequate

•The remodeled Kano Airport

approval of traffic rights to the Nigerian carriers designated to fly into such countries.

Stakeholders in the aviation sector also voiced out their positions on the roadmap unveiled for the aviation sector by the minister of aviation, which they affirmed was not inclusive of their inputs. They said it does not seem to reflect the challenges of the industry.

Among the stakeholders that examined the roadmap are : Captain Dele Ore, who is president of Aviation Round-table, Mr Sam Akerele, a retired air traffic controller.

They reasoned that if any serious roadmap must be designed for the sector, it should be subjected to the appraisal of stakeholders for input.

The Federal Government also has set up a review panel to investigate the operations of airlines, with a view to ascertaining their safety records and viability in response to issues brought to fore after the DANA Air crash.

The panel chaired by Group Captain John Obakpolor , a retired Air Force officer, has been given six months to complete the onerous task.

The responsibility of the panel according to some industry players including the chairman and secretary general of the Airline Operators of

T

Cape Town Convention The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA), in the last few years have

‘How the aviation industry will recover from its current challenges only lies on how government wants to turn around the industry’

SAHCOL provides services for Etihad Airways HE Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) is the preferred Ground Handler for the Etihad Airways Lagos Operations.

SAHCOL, which made this known in a statement said: “We shall be providing total Ground Handling Services to Etihad Airways’ six times a week flight operations from/to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirate (UAE).”

Besides, the company will be supplying Ground Handling Services to all Etihad Airways Operations (passenger and Cargo Aircrafts) in/out bound Lagos, Nigeria.

“Since the takeover of SAHCOL by the SIFAX Group in December 2009, SAHCOL has invested in personnel development and state-of-the-art equipment, fleet replacement, and

Nigeria ( AON), Dr Steve Manhonwu and Captain Mohammed Joji respectively is usurpation of the job of the regulatory authority, NCAA. The issue of the relationship between the age of an aircraft and its safety record also assumed prominence.

The Federal Government banned the MD 83 aircraft type used by DANA Air after the June 3, 2012 crash.

As experts expressed views over the irrationality and otherwise of the ban , chairman of the Airline Operators of Nigeria ( AON), Dr Steve Manhonwu, explained that such panic decision by the government could threaten over N200 billion investnment by domestic operators in an industry where the government has allegedly displayed gross insensitivity to the operational plight of operators.

While some experts insist that it is cheaper and safer to fly newer airplanes because of the its latest technology, others have stuck to their guns saying what is key is adherence to the maintenance schedule of the airline with the aircraft in its fleet.

massive infrastructural development. Which has helped tailored the company to meet the needs and expectations of its growing list of clientele, the firm said.

With its new Private Sector Management composition and orientation, it has kicked off the development SAHCOL Business models geared towards ensuring efficient and speedy delivery of Aviation Ground Handling Services to all its customers, making it the reference point where efficiency of a successful flight is born.

The activities of SAHCOL includes Passenger Handling, Ramp Handling, Cargo Handling/Warehousing, Aviation Security, Baggage reconciliation, Executive Lounge, and other related Ground Handling Services, while ensuring that Ground Handling assignment is carried out

in an efficient, speedy and safe manner, by deploying the right tools and expertise.

SAHCOL also provides Ground Handling Services to Arik Air, The United /Continental Airline, Air France Cargo, Egypt Air, Middle East Airlines (MEA), Air Nigeria, Allied Air, Aero Contractors Airline, Dana Air, Sudan Air, African Open Sky Airlines, Med-view Airlines.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ibrahim Awalu, said the coming of Etihad Airways into the Nigerian aviation market should galvanise the Federal Government to establish a national carrier.

Awalu said this at the inaugural flight of Etihad airways into the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

encouraged Nigerian carriers to take advantage of the domestication of the Cape Town Convention to use the aircraft as collateral to acquire newer airplanes in its fleet renewal strategy for the industry.

But, only a few carriers in Nigeria . have brand new airplanes in their fleet, as others still make use of aircraft that have either been banned in other parts of the world, or phased out by other operators because of high cost of maintenance.

Also, the need to quickly set up a national carrier to correct the imbalance in the bilateral air services agreement between Government and other countries also came to the fore.

It may not be out of place to affirm that the last six months had had its fair share of prospects and challenges for the aviation sector.

Air Nigeria Domestic carriers have also been in the news in the last six months, as Air Nigeria which pilots and engineers went to strike over sundry issues have been suspended.

How the aviation industry will recover from its current challenges only lies on how government wants to turn around the industry. The catch phrase on the lips of many industry players is the possibility of mergers and consolidation for the current operators.

Some experts including Captain Dung Pam, chairman of Nigerian Aviation Safety Initiative (NASI), said the only carriers that can compete with the foreign operators are stronger airlines.

NCAA to pilots: Adhere to weather information

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HE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has urged pilots to exercise restraint when adverse weather is observed or forecast and be patient enough to wait and allow it subdue or pass over the airfield before commencing flight.

The aviation regulatory body also urged pilots, airlines to ensure that they strictly comply with the laid down regulations.

The Director-General of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren in a circular issued to pilots said it became necessary in view of the continuous down pour in Lagos State in the past one week.

According to him: “We are in the mid-stream of rainy season which is usually characterised by severe thunderstorm and line squall and its attendant turbulence, microbusts, light-

ning and low-level wind shear. Suffice it to say that such weather conditions can be deadly to aircraft on approach or departure from an airport and have been responsible for a number of fatal accidents in the world and in our country, Nigeria.

“It is, therefore, mandatory for pilots to obtain weather briefing from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) including departure, enroute and destination weather information prior to flight operations.”

Experts say weather continues to play a significant role in a number of aviation accidents and incidents.

While the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports often find human error to be the direct cause of accidents, weather is a primary contributing factor in 23 per cent of all aviation accidents.

FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

43

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

He was the arrowhead of a few lawmakers who declared their readiness to live by example and branded themselves The Integrity Group. His name is Hon. Farouk Lawan, who has been in the House since May 1999. By definition, members are supposed to epitomise integrity and conduct themselves in a manner that make them clearly above board in all dealings. In this piece, VICTOR OLUWASEGUN and DELE ANOFI review the activities of the Integrity Group and asks whether it has not lost the moral ground that supposedly informed its establishment.

‘Right now, to say Farouk is guilty when the matter is still being investigated by the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges and the Police is an assumption that we, as responsible adults, shouldn’t make. At the moment, it remains an allegation.

The right thing to do is wait, if it turns out to be true, it will be very sad because as a member of the Integrity Group, there are certain ideals you have to live by’

Integrity Group: At odd to defend image

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S a founder of the Integrity Group which spearheaded the removal of former Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh over the N628 million house renovation/ upgrading scandal, it is an irony that the group is now battling to protect its integrity. Since the alleged 620,000 bride scandal broke out, member of the group have been the butt of jokes further earned him much scorn.

Apart from Farouk Lawan, the Integrity Group in the sixth House had people like Halims Agoda, Lynda Ikpeazu, Mercy Almona Isei, Igo Aguma, Ikechi Nwogu and Abike Dabiri as active members.

Though majority of the lawmakers are no longer in the House, as they could not make it back to the 7th House, the group cut the image of a group seeking an ideal National Assembly where decorum and integrity reign among members and in which legislators conduct themselves in a responsible, dignified and transparent manner.

Leader of Integrity Group Prior to the scandal that got him removed as both the head of the ad hoc committee on fuel subsidy regime and House Committee on Education, Lawan was the man to court in the House.

Sources said that at the height of the House renovation/upgrading scandal, the former Speaker allegedly knelt down before Lawan at a point, pleading her innocence that he knew she had not stolen any money; and that he should please spare her. But Lawan insisted that Etteh must relinquish her position as Speaker of the House.

One of the leading members of the Integrity Group at the time, Lynda Ikpeazu has said the group remains intact and will not be deterred by what Lawan is going through as a result of the alleged $620,000 bribe-forclearance scandal.

In her words: “Yes, he is going through a difficult situation right now. It is a very sad situation. But you know I am a lawyer, and the matter is before the Ethics and Privileges Committee, investigation is going on and I will not want to comment on it.

“Right now, to say Farouk is guilty when the matter is still being investigated by the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges and the Police is an assumption that we, as responsible adults, shouldn’t make. At the moment, it remains an allegation. The right thing to do is wait, if it turns out to be true, it will be very sad because as a member of the Integrity Group, there are certain ideals you have to live by.”

The former lawmaker, however, debunked the suggestion that the group is moribund and of no relevance, adding that the misdemeanor of a member the group no matter how highly placed does not signify the end of the organisation.

“Integrity still remains Integrity in spite of what may have transpired. Assuming an individual does something bad, which we are not even sure yet because the matter is

still being investigated- it doesn’t affect the group in any way. We’re still together and Integrity Group still remains Integrity Group.”

Ikpeazu, however, said the Executive should ensure that the recommendations of the Fuel Subsidy report is implemented and not hid under the excuse that the report has been tainted by the $620,000 cashfor-clearance scandal.

“I think there’s a mix up in the whole thing. The House has asked the relevant agencies to investigate the people indicted in the report and it is the responsibility of the executive to ensure that this is done. The relevant agencies should act on it. Both Farouk Lawan and Femi Otedola should also be investigated.”

Though the Integrity Group was set up by a group of eight lawmakers in the 6th House, Lawan was seen as the most prominent of the members of the group.

His insistence and success in the removal of the former Speaker, Patricia Etteh over the N628m house upgrading/renovation scandal earned him the nickname “Mr. Integrity.”

Such was the trust in his person that in the early days when the $620,000 cash-forclearance scandal broke, many refused to judge him, hinging their faith on his seemingly incorrigible nature and antecedents.

So, it was not difficult for him for instance, to get the House to remove the name of Otedola’s Zenon Oil off the list of the 15 oil marketing firms initially indicted in his report for collecting Forex from the Federal Government without importing fuel. The House believed that the trust it reposed in the diminutive lawmaker from Shanono/ Bagwai Federal Constituency in Kano State was intact.

Lawan as lawmaker As a lawmaker, Farouk Lawan was not really strong on bills. Records from the House Committee on Rules and Business show that out of 232 bills treated by the House between 3rd March, 2004 to 16th of January 2008, Lawan’s name was not on any of them.

At the close of legislative business for the Fourth session on the 2nd June 2011, 483 bills had been introduced, 154 passed and 43 negatived or withdrawn, 63 concurred with by the Senate, 138 awaited second reading and 51 bills committed to various House committees.

Of these, Farouk Lawan’s name did not feature once.

What then could Lawan have been doing as a lawmaker who has been in the House of Representatives since 1999?

Many are of the opinion that the lawmaker, who became an influential member of the House because of the length of his stay as well as his rapport with lawmakers of Northern extraction who are usually in the majority in the House, was more interested in positions of power within the legislative

• Lawan before the Ethic and Privileges Committee.

context.

As a result, Lawan has always been appeased with choice positions, particularly in committee leadership. He has been chairman of the Committee on Appropriation and committee on Information/Media. He was also the chairman of the Committee on Education until he was removed due to the bribe -for -clearance scandal.

It was said that it was the refusal of the former Speaker, Patricia Etteh to give him the Appropriation committee chairmanship that led to Lawan’s insistence on her removal even when he was sure that she had not embezzled any money during the N628 million house renovation/upgrading scandal.

But happily, the former lecturer who gave his legislative interest as “Economy, Education and International Diplomacy recorded some activity in terms of motions on the floor of the Green Chamber.

A publication by House Committee on Rules and Business committee, showing the status of bills, motions, petitions and other legislative measures for the Fourth Session of the House of Representatives (June 4, 2007 to June 2, 2011) revealed that the lawmaker, made some efforts in terms of motions.

A motion by Lawan on April 10, 2008 centered on his constituency and had to do with a boat mishap in Watari Dam between Bagwai and Badau towns in Bagwai Local Government Area of Kano State.

In the resolution recorded as the 15th for the year 2008, the House condoled the families of the deceased and commiserated with the people of Bagwai Local Government Area as well as the government and people of Kano State over the tragedy.

The House also urged the Federal Government to intervene by assisting in the procurement of well equipped boats or ferries for the transportation of people across the waterway in order to forestall a re-occurrence.

As the chairman of the House Committee on Education he sponsored a motion on May 17, 2011, which resulted in the 14th

House resolution for the year. It was titled: “Continued closure of Kaduna Polytechnic,” and the House resolution “urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to release the White Paper to enable Kaduna Polytechnic to Resume activities.”

He could be said to have shown creativity in the Federal Government/ASUU faceoff when he assiduously worked for the resolution of the crises over the agreement.

Several meetings were called to appeal to the leadership of ASUU on the one hand as well as mediate between the federal government and the ASUU in a bid end the strike which nearly brought the education sector to its kneels.

To this effect, records from the Rules and Business Committee show that Lawan moved a motion on September 28, 2011, titled: “National Strike by the Academic Staff Union of the Universities (ASUU)” After deliberations on what was recorded as the 33rd House resolution for the year 2011, the House resolved to “ (i) call on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to suspend the strike; (ii) urge the ASUU to dialogue with the Federal Government in order to reach amicable settlement; (iii) further urge the Federal Government to adhere to the terms of the 2009 agreement with ASUU.”

The man, his lifestyle On a personal note, Lawan is a jovial person for those who are close to him and is known to assist people from all walks of life when is comes to issues within the jurisdiction of his Committee on Education.

But for those he wants to avoid, he has a ready alibi “am-on-the-phone” ploy whereby he is permanently on the phone supposedly speaking with diverse personalities ad infinitum.

He has also been very dedicated to any assignment given to him by the House and has always done a good job of it, though many are still mystified by the twist of events on the fuel subsidy regime probe which political watchers have said may have smeared his hitherto glittering political resume.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

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POLITICS

How to fight antigraft war, by Bakare

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

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ANY observers contend that the government has become the greatest corrupter of society in Nigeria. The pension scam, fuel subsidy fraud, infection of some House of Representatives Committees by the cankerworm give the impression that government lacks the will and capacity to fight the menace.

However, at a recent state of the nation lecture in Lagos on corruption organised by the Save Nigeria Group(SNG), the convener, Pastor Tunde Bakare, said that hope is not lost. The lecture was entitled: “Why We No Longer Blush - Corruption as Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” It was delivered by the poet, Prof. Niyi Osundare. The lecture by chaired by Prof. Itsey Sagay (SAN).

Bakare observed that, although Nigeria has not been totally corrupt-free from independence, it has now assumed an alarming proportion. He said the January anti-fuel subsidy removal protest organised in Lagos was a demonstration against corruption The activist-cleric said the country would be rid of corruption, if it follows the example of Georgia. He narrated a story relayed by Plamen Monovski, the CIO of Renaissance Asset Managers to buttress the point that hope is lost yet for Nigeria. What the leaders should do is to live by example and resolve to wage war against corruption with vigour, determination and sense of commitment.

Monovski said: “When the prime minister comes to sell you an IPO, you, the investor, take the meeting. When that prime minister turns up with no bodyguards and shows remarkable knowledge of the company he is promoting, you, the investor, take notice. When Nika Gilauri, the premier of Georgia, tells you that the prosperity of his country has been achieved because it has become one of the “least corrupt” countries in the world, you, the investor, take note.

“But it wasn’t always like that. After the demise of the USSR, Georgia was not only one of the most corrupt of the former-Soviet republics, it was one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

Bribe-to-drive was the norm; police stopped cars at least twice an hour to extort a non-trivial sum of money. The then-interior minister infamously quipped: “Give me petrol only. My people will take care of their own salaries.” Being a traffic cop was so lucrative that you had to pay a bribe of between $2,000 and $20,000 to get the job in the first place. Graft was endemic. Georgians passed more envelopes to bent officials than the post office does letters. Meanwhile the economy crumbled and the state was left bankrupt and powerless.

“The election of Mikhail Saakashvili changed everything. A bold reformer, he was swept to power in the “Rose Revolution” at the end of 2003 by the overwhelming desire for radical change. His closely-knit team is unified by a common vision and supported by a compliant parliament and judiciary.

“The new government wasn’t just radical - it shocked and awed.

Ministers, oligarchs and officials were sacked or arrested. Those who resisted were dealt with decisively, sometimes brutally. The state confiscated $1 billio n worth of property. Custom officials bore collective responsibility; an entire shift would be punished if one officer was caught accepting bribes. Corrupt professors were kicked out with a lifetime ban from academia. But the piece de la resistance was Saakashvili’s order to sack the entire 16,000-strong police force on a single day, to replace them with some of the best and brightest university graduates. Today, Georgia ranks alongside Finland as having the least corrupt police force in the world and their standout uniforms are rumoured to have been designed

by Armani.

“The campaign expanded irresistibly. Tax offices were equipped with CCTV; university exam papers were printed in the UK and held in bank vaults until needed; and officials were constantly tested in sting operations. The proactive assault on graft was accompanied by a PR campaign to undermine respect for criminal groups and introduce respect for the law. The campaign then turned to the sectors. First up was the power sector that was widely used as a cash cow for well-connected oligarchs. In less than a year, Georgia went from net importer to exporter of electricity and the sector became the target of long-term foreign investment.

“Tax collection followed. Georgia’s tax base consisted of just 80,000 companies in 2003 and tax collection was a mere 12 per cent of GDP. Saakashvili slashed red tape and introduced flat personal and corporate taxes. Eight years later over 250,000 companies are on the register, and pay the equivalent of 25 per cent of GDP. Georgia now boasts one of the most liberal tax regimes in the world, on par with the Gulf States and Hong Kong.

In the 13 months that Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has been in the saddle, Correspondent BISI OLADELE explains that he has demonstrated the capacity to be a change agent.

Oyo’s tortuous journey to positive change

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ISTORY is being made in Oyo State. So is change forcing itself through the heart of the people.

It is obvious that Ibadan can no longer be categorized as the dirtiest city in Nigeria. It is no longer notorious for violent clashes by commercial drivers and politicians. Ibadan, the state capital, is also beginning to wear the garment of a modern city with the springing up of overhead bridges, beautification of the environment as well as sanity on the roads through the intervention of traffic managers -YES-O traffic officers.

Change is desirable by many but they usually find it hard to embrace, particularly, when it knocks out a profitable status quo. Everywhere in the world, people do not easily accept the reality of the existence of change but man usually finds out that the pressure with which change enthrones itself is irresistible, especially when the change agent is resolute. Hence, change, many times, is usually enthroned through bloodshed arising from senseless resistance.

As usual, Oyo State people desired change for many years and the opportunity to translate their concerns for peace and progress came on April 26, last year. In a keenly contested election, most voters across the state chose Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) through the ballot. They voted for change, they believed.

In a vision and style akin to that of the famous one time President of the United States of America, John F. Kennedy, who asked the nations of the world, in his January 20, 1961 inaugural speech, to come together to fight what he called the “common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself”, Ajimobi, a thorough-bred professional and astute politician, outlaid his plan to “transform, reform and reposition” the state to a tumultuous crowd of well wishers at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan where he was sworn in as the new governor on May 29, last year. He pointed out later that the huge attendance, which was unprecedented in the history of the state, was a symbolism of high expectations of the voters, which he vowed not only to meet but to surpass.

But has he succeeded in matching his promise with ac-

• The new Gwaram Local Government Secretariat commissioned in Jigawa.

• Ajimobi

tion, one year after?

Nothing is more challenging than having to confront huge challenges to fulfilling one’s promises, particularly to millions of people just smarting out of deceit and unfulfilled expectations.

Just as Kennedy found out that a wide gap existed between his optimistic vision and the pressures of managing daily political realities at home and abroad, Governor Ajimobi was confronted by many challenges that were hitherto shadowy. As he noted in his speech during the first anniversary celebration: “When we came on board, there was a lot of decadence.

Oyo State was practically at a standstill. Besides, we also faced some challenges ranging from labour, students, security, flood disaster, House of Assembly to commerce.

“But because this is a government ordained by God Himself, we have been able to weather the storm and we thank God that Oyo State has not been the same again as we have made a lot of difference.”

The PDP and Ladoja factor As expected in a democracy, the defeated Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) began diatribes against the new administration, saying the governor lacked experience and would be unable to deliver on his promises. It also explored loopholes on every important issue to launch verbal attacks on the current administration to drive home its position that this government would not succeed. It often reeled out the achievements of its leader and the de-

feated governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala. But the Ajimobi administration has always dismissed all such achievements as “cosmetic”, saying they were cases without content meant to deceive the good people of the state and siphon public funds. It refers to the many roads rehabilitated by the former administration which are not durable, the content of the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso on which billions of naira was spend but which cannot boast of the exact equipment and quality of construction it was set out to show, among others.

Though the PDP was defeated in the election, the Ajimobi administration had to contend with 12 PDP legislators and seven produced by the Accord Party, sponsored by Senator Rashidi Ladoja, another contestant for the governorship seat in the last year election. The Ajimobi’s ACN produced only 13 of the 32 members in the House. The situation created a common interest between the two opposition parties and they were almost closing a deal when the governor came in to truncate the alliance that was building between the two opposition parties. Ajimobi succeeded because Ladoja, his senior cousin, is another politician finding it tough in the midst of many PDP members that place no premium on core Yoruba values. He looks too decent and less desperate than many actors in the PDP. Though the former governor refused to make an alliance with the ACN as a party, Ajimobi was able to get what he wanted as his cousin lent him the seven legislators produced by his party to be able to produce the Speaker. Hence, he enjoys a stable House and a cordial relationship with the House of Assembly.

With 20 out of 32 legislators in a working relationship, Ajimobi has enjoyed a smooth sail through the Assembly with the additional reason that the Assembly itself is populated with men of better character and vision. The Speaker, Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu, who is the only female member of the House has been a good ally of the governor without necessarily compromising the integrity of the entire assemblymen in running the affairs of the state. Within the year, the opposition parties have lost four members to the side of Ajimobi.

The party is gradually moving

towards having two third of members in the House.

Voters’ fears Early in the life of the Ajimobi administration, residents expressed impatience as they waited and waited for concrete projects to confirm that they were right in their choice at the ballot. But the projects seemed dragging partly due to the many challenges confronting the governor which included the need to patronize several political interests that worked for his success at the polls, the August 26 flood, workers minimum wage crisis and the violent crises that ripped through the heat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state, among others.

Throughout the period, residents adjudged the governor as slow though none ever doubted Ajimobi’s seriousness about enthroning integrity and accountability in public service.

But when the projects started gracing the landscape from late September, the new governor was able to convince voters that transformation requires planning and that planning and execution require time.

One year after, without bloodshed, violence of any type or even legal tussles, Ajimobi is riding on the wings of success even as he leads a team that combines some of the best brains from the three parties – ACN, PDP and Accord- thereby demonstrating that change can still be made possible without fighting, killing or fencing out people simply because of aligning with different political parties.

As expected and emphasized

by J. F. Kennedy, “All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.”

The governor has kicked started the journey to positive change and many are keenly watching every step towards the destination.

Yet residents expect more in view of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s exploits in Lagos by reason of proximity, party affiliation and Ajimobi’s background as a grounded, urbane and experienced administrator.

• From left: Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa and Chairman, Gwaram Local Government Area Alhaji Sule Kila at the commissioning of the Local Government Secretariat in Jigawa.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

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•More of the equipment Olabiyi gave out •Continued from Page 17 afford our people better representation and will fast-track development of Oke-Ogun. We have instances whereby a local government, which is not as large as any of the local governments in our constituency in the state, is delineated as a federal constituency.”

Hon. Olabiyi lamented that the Okeho/Iseyin Road has long been neglected by the Federal Government, while its budgetary allocation is barely enough to complete a kilometer.

On Ikere Gorge Dam, the ACN legislator noted that the project was conceived by the Obasanjo military

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MEMBER of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Ojo 1 constituency, Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi has urged public office holders to use their resources to fight poverty in their constituencies as a way of supporting the state and local councils’ administrations.

Ogunyemi stated this at the 2012 town hall meeting with his constituents to render account of his stewardship in the last one year which took place at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education Oto/Ijanikan, Lagos at the weekend.

He said representation is all about making the people happy so that they may have a feel of what democracy is all about, “because they toiled and laboured endlessly to put you in office, so you must go back to them to show appreciation and plough back to them,” he said.

“And as the people you represent, they deserve the right to know what you are doing because they put you there; that is precisely why I feel this town hall meeting is of crucial importance to them; they have the right to know and they must know and this

Jobs boost in Oyo communities administration, while the Alhaji Shehu Shagari government commenced the project and later to abandon it.

He said: “The project is expected to boost food production in OkeOgun area, nay Southwest through irrigation. It was thought that instead of the region depending on other regions for tomatoes, pepper, groundnuts and other farm produce, the project can be of immense benefit for the Southwest. The project, if completed, would also

ameliorate the suffering of our people in the areas of potable water supply, irrigation farming, electricity generation and tourism development.”

Olabiyi who is a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, disclosed that a committee of the House would soon visit the dam for assessment and necessary recommendations to the Federal Government.

On agriculture and constituency projects, the lawmaker hinted that

a total of 30 borehole projects have been approved for construction in various locations within the constituency, adding that these projects are capable of improving the lives of the people through the provision of potable water.

He said further: “In the last one year, we enrolled 23 people who were selected across the federal constituency for a two-week vocational study in agriculture at the Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan, with the aim of being self-em-

ployed. Plans have also reached advanced stage for the training of more people within the federal constituency on entrepreneurial skills as relates to agriculture in order to encourage self-sustenance.

“The empowerment of our people remains an important milestone; our youths need to be trained to take advantage of the technological achievement of a globalised economy, thereby affording them the opportunity to actively participate in global commerce and other value-adding activities that ICT has midwifed. It is for this reason that the inclusion of the construction of an ICT centre in Okeho in this year’s budget is a source of joy to me.

Lawmaker urges public officers to help constituents

By Oziegbe Okoeki

is the only way they can do that,” Ogunyemi said.

He stressed that, “I have come to my constituency today to say it’s been a year since they gave me their mandate to represent them at the Assembly; what have I done, how far have I gone in the state House of Assembly, what are the laws that have been passed.

“It’s an enlightenment process; what have I been able to bring to bear

in personal social responsibility to my people in the area of personal provision of infrastructure, education, support for widows, the aged and creation of job opportunities”, the lawmaker said.

He used the occasion to graduate 114 constituents whom he had trained in about 15 different vocations which includes; computer training, paint making, driving, catering, bead making, barbing, photo/video coverage, soap making, shoe making, decoration/event planning, poultry, adult education and ice cream

I have come to my constituency to say it’s been a year since they gave me their mandate to represent them at the Assembly; what have I done, how far have I gone in the state House of Assembly, what are the laws that have been passed?

•From left: Banire, Ogunyemi, Deputy Speaker, Taiwo and Mrs. Ogunyemi at the event

production.

Ogunyemi, who is chairman of the House Committee on Energy, Mineral Resources and Waterfront Infrastructure Development, said he has been able to facilitate the provision of transformers to Adoloko, OkeAgbo and Elemijaye communities in his constituency.

Other areas the lawmaker, who is doing his first term in the House, have been able to assist his constituents include; provision of exercise books to all the primary and secondary school students in his constituency as well as two chest deep freezers to the best Junior and Senior secondary school principals. He has provided water boreholes to Eleso Ajalua, Aiyetoro, Ilemba and OkeAgbo communities.

Ogunyemi said has also rendered assistance in cash to widows, the aged, fishermen and petty traders within the period; constructed culvert at Agbeni street; donated and installed concrete electric poles at Oto-Awori community, patched bad roads and facilitated distribution of lifesaver jackets to riverine residents.

“I have also rendered various forms of support and incentives at various occasions and supported various youth groups,” Ogunyemi said, adding that he did all these with his salary and allowances.

Ogunyemi said he was “extremely

elated, fulfilled and happy that conscientiously I have kept fate with the people. When they elected me I made commitments and I am happy I have been able to meet the expectations, yearnings and aspirations of my constituents”, he said. Adding that, he hopes to do more in his second anniversary.

While commending him for his effort, the National Legal Adviser of ACN and former Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Muiz Banire said, “I am satisfied with his performance and the only challenge is to sustain it. Although his duties as a lawmaker do not include empowerment he has been able to do it out of concern for his constituents. We must also commend him for being part and parcel of the progressive laws that is keeping Lagos going”, He also advised the grandaunts to exploit the opportunity given to them and take advantage of the state Micro-finance scheme to establish themselves.

Other dignitaries present at the occasion includes; the Deputy Speaker of Lagos Assembly, Hon. Kolawole Taiwo, Hon. Muhibat Rufai representing Ojo1 at Lagos Assembly, State Vice Chairman of ACN, Cardinal James Odumbaku, Mr. Adekunle Olayinka who represented state Chairman of ACN, Otunba Henry Ajomale, etc.

46

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

Uduaghan’s aide sensitises electorate ahead council poll

T

HE Political Adviser to the Delta State Governor, Hon Fred Majemite has toured the state’s Central Senatorial District to drum up support for the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming local council election.

The tour covered the eight local government areas populated by the Urhobo ethnic group in the state. The towns included Oghara, Jesse, Sapele, Oreropke Abraka, Isiokolo, Uwvie, Udu, Otu-Ughiewven and Ughelli.

Majemite said the tour was to sensitise the people on the achievements of the state government and get feedback on areas where government must improve its services to the people.

He explained to the people the desire of the Udauaghan administration is to complete its second tenure on a strong note with enduring legacies among which is a credible local gov•Continued from Page 17 “There is no short-cut to success except determination and hard work,” Mrs Fayemi said.

She read an earlier letter dated May 14, 2012 written by Governor Kayode Fayemi and addressed to all students in state public schools urging them to honest, “courageous, industrious, knowledgeable, passionate and patriotic, being the values the state is noted for.”

Commissioner for Information, Hon Funminiyi Afuye expressed regrets at the general falling education standards in the country, adding that the current administration “will not tolerate any form of miracle exam centres.

“In time past, the typical Ekiti student was known for hard work, integrity and honour in his or her studies, the result of which produced a

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

ernment election.

He stressed that the economic blueprint to transform the state into an industrial hub was on course, listing some of the projects to include the Delta Independent Power Plant, Oghareki, Asaba International Airport, Asaba, Warri Industrial Zone, Warri, and the Petro-Chemical and Fertilizer Plant billed to take off at the Koko Free Trade Zone (KFTZ) Warri North Local Governmenta Area.

He, however, noted that while the pursuit of industrial growth was desirable, the PDP led government has also designed programmes he termed “low hanging fruits” meant to improve the quality of life of the local people and assuage the suffering experienced by the people at the grass-

roots.

He listed these to include free maternal healthcare programme for pregnant women including pre-natal and ante-natal care, free medical diagnosis and drugs for children under the age of five in state-owned hospital across the state.

Majemite listed other areas to include payment of external examination fees for senior secondary school students across the state and payment of bursary fees to undergraduates in tertiary institutions from students of Delta origin across the nation.

In addition, he said, the state government has continued to support excellence in education by providing scholarship to graduates who bagged first class to doctorate degree levels He noted that agriculture which has been the fulcrum of the present administration’s agenda will be reenergised to align with the federal

government’s agriculture transformation agenda.

According to Majemite, the state has been picked to host a federal government cassava processing plant, urging the people intensively cultivate cassava to take advantage of the cassava mill.

Majemite maintained that the Uduaghan administration is determined to diversify the economy of the state through investments in agriculture, stressing that the vision of “Delta without Oil” is real.

He stressed that the Youth Empowerment through Agriculture Scheme (YETA) embarked upon at the onset of the Udaughan administration was being reassessed and strengthened to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people.

He admonished the various groups to form cooperatives to take advantage of programmes designed by

Ekiti cracks down on exam cheats great number of intellectuals in all fields of endeavour who are today spread all over the world.

“The trend has, however, changed to the exact opposite now that the statistics of good and genuine performance are mind-bending. Is it not re-

grettable that these days, hardly can our university graduates defend the universal nature of their certificates!”

The Commissioner for Education, Eniola Ajayi said anyone caught in breach of the law against exam malpractices will be severely punished.

In time past, the typical Ekiti student was known for hard work, integrity and honour in his or her studies, the result of which produced a great number of intellectuals

“All illegal schools and perceived miracle centres operating in the state have been given three months to either adjust or get deregistered by the Ministry,” she said.

She further disclosed that remedial colleges have been established by the state government in some council areas, where those who fail their public examinations could be tutored for another attempt “rather than to be searching for miracle centres.

Eniola said the menace of “miracle centres arose basically out of the common tendency to put priority more on paper qualification at the expense of actual competence.

The chair of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof.

Adelabu said Ekiti has a duty to dis-

NGO harps on family planning

A

NON-GOVERNMENTAL organisation, Nigeria Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI) has stressed the imperatives of family planning as a way of controlling the country’s exploding population.

Nigerians are reckoned to be over 160m in number, though jobs and productivity indices remain disproportionately low.

That is why the best population control measure is family planning, said NURHI, which was initiated by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

NURHI brings together experts from around the world, including those from the Nigerian Association for Reproductive and Family Health and the Centre for Communication Programmes, Nigeria, to advocate and facilitate the use of family planning services in urban Nigeria in a bid to reduce birth rate in the country.

At this year’s World Population Day, with the theme “Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services”, NUHRU traditionally examined such issues as women’s reproductive health, benefits of family planning, eliminating child marriage and reducing child and maternal mortality.

The NGO also identified religion as a major barrier to effective use of family planning in Nigeria.

According to the Team Leader of NURHI in Oyo State, Mrs. Stella Akinso, about 88 per cent of the country’s population is aware of family planning but acceptance and implementation are a problem. She added that Nigeria has more than 10 per cent of all global under-five deaths and carries a disproportionate burden of childhood mortality.

She said it is important to involve all our traditional rulers in mobilising the people to embrace family planning.

“We have been carrying out massive

•Uduaghan government for their benefit including the Delta Micro-Credit scheme (DMCP). He frowned at the attitude of some beneficiaries of the loan scheme who renege on repayment agreement.

•A family planning personnel addressing people at a clinic in Ibadan From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

sensitisation on family planning and some money has been allocated to family planning for the first time in the budget. We realise that family planning itself will reduce infant and maternal mortality so we thought that if we talk to our people about family planning and they accept it there will be reduction in Nigeria’s population and also in infant and maternal mortality rate,” she said Akinso stressed the need to extend the campaign to the grassroots, add-

ing that the NGO has donated family planning equipment to local councils for distribution to healthcare personnel.

The Team Leader said: “It is important that health care personnel have access to equipment. This is the only way they can administer qualitative services to the people.

“Apart from the training and retraining of health personnel, NURHI has also taken it upon itself to make donations of family planning equipment.

We have also trained health providers to deliver quality reproductive health and family planning services.”

Inset: Mrs Stella Akinso

tinguish itself by being the first to launch a campaign against a virus which has permeated all levels of education in the country.

She added that sound and genuine education is the “veritable tool in the development of any nation.”

One of the youth mentors, Ologuntoye Adenike, a female student of Oye Egbo High School, OyeEkiti, who recently wrote and passed her West African School Certificate Examination in flying colours, spoke persuasively against cheating to pass exams.

Another youth mentor, Nduka Modesta of Government Science Secondary School equally relived how he read his way to significant success in the WASCE.

48

FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

Obi: immunisation is one of the critical components of quality health care delivery as it protects children against dangerous childhood diseases

Anambra strengthens health services

A

NAMBRA State’s health sercices are getting better with the planned introduction of free medical care for expectant women, children and the aged.

Governor Peter Obi said the state would soon cater for mothers, children and senior citizens at no cost to the patients.

Obi revealed this while handing over a brand new ambulance to the Aguata Anglican Diocesan hospital, Umunze to the Archbishop, His Grace Christian Efobi. The van was donated by the state.

Making the presentation, the Governor reiterated the state government’s commitment to assisting the church because it also helps the government in taking care of the people.

Obi said effective healthcare delivery system is critical in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). He told a team from the Department for International Development (DFID) that the state has a clear vision and strategy to achieve the set goals.

He explained that the State health sector has been transformed from public to private-sector driven through enhanced empowerment of health institutions.

The governor commended the DFID for its interventions in various sectors, including the last general elections which, he noted, helped to deepen the nation’s democracy.

The New Human Development Team Leader of the Agency Miss Sara White, said the visit was to see

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Awka

firsthand the challenges and progress the state had made in various sectors, especially initiatives and achievements in the health sector.

Miss white commended the governor for his leaderships qualities and effective way of piloting the affairs of the Governor’s Forum as well as the implementation of malaria programme.

The Technical Malaria Manager of the Support to National Malaria Programme (Sunmap), Mr. Chibuzo Oguoma, said the Agency had supported the state in various ways, including distributing of treated mosquito nets which the governor championed, distribution of drugs, capacity building programme for health workers and media malaria programmes.

Obi assured that Anambra State will remain polio-free and that his administration would continue to lay emphasis on primary health care as one of the conditions of achieving the MDGs by 2015.

The governor presented a cheque of N10m for water project, boreholes and reticulation at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, saying the state government would support the hospital, as well as some selected hospitals owned by the churches, to make them centres of excellence.

A community leader in the state, Chief Anthony Agidigbo

•Mrs Margret Obi administering oral polio vaccine to a child at Anaku, Anambra State Oguejiofor says the approval of the Amaku Teaching hospital, Awka, will rank as one of Obi’s greatest legacies.

•Alhaji Balogun with two beneficiaries of Hajj slots at the event

ACN youth group gives free GCE forms

A

YOUTH group with the Lagos State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Total Loyalty Group, has given free GCE forms to indigent students at a ceremony in Ikeja. The group led by Alhaji Toyin Balogun also gave three hajj slots, food items, and stipends to selected widows as part of its humanitarian activities.

ACN leaders present at the ceremony hailed the philanthropist programme, saying that party

By Emmanuel Oladesu

youths are mirroring the national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who they described as a cheerful giver.

Balogun said the group could not ignore the feelings of the poor who daily thirst for succour, urging well meaning Nigerians and corporate bodies to assist government in fighting poverty in the society.

He added: “This inspiration

came from Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who instructed us to make people the focus of our activities, socially and politically. He has led by example as a private citizen and public figure. He is an advocate of welfare for all. That virtue earned him an award at the recent Conference of Black Mayors in United States”.

Balogun advised the students to study well and pass their examinations so that they can prepare for tertiary institutions.

Chief Oguejiofor described the recent accreditation of health institutions in the state as ‘historic and unprecedented’, as the institutions were distressed at the beginning of the present administration.

It will be recalled that Obi’s administration has commissioned the Dialysis Unit of the State Heart, Kidney and Breast Centre at the Onitsha General Hospital, Onitsha and has attracted a Chest Clinic to Amaku. The dialysis centre was initiated and executed by the Obi administration but was equipped in collaboration with MTN Foundation.

The unit has, among other things, two haemodialysis machines, two electronically powered dialysis beds, water treatment unit, water pre-treatment unit, borehole facilities and power generators.

The same equipment would be extended to Amaku and Ekwulobia General Hospitals, where massive construction work is ongoing.

About 18 General Hospitals undergoing rehabilitation and reconstruction would be equipped and energised for optimal performance by the Obi administration.

Obi constructed the Neuropsychiatry Hospital, Nawfia, which is one of the oldest neuropsychiatry institutions in the country. The hospital presently is a training ground for 16 schools of Nursing and Midwifery including the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital. The Neuropsychiatry hospital shows Obi’s government as determined to tackle emerging issues of neuropsychiatry confronting youths.

Obi has commissioned a Primary Health Centre at Nawfia as one out of the 412 centres built across the state by his administration. Facility renovation and provision of drugs are routine.

The Obi administration has also given 11 General Hospitals in the state grants ranging from N17.5m to N25m meant for the rehabilitation of the ailing hospitals after which the state took delivery of 10

containers of hospital equipment, including dialysis machines, also meant for the hospitals’ use.

The administration has equally prioritised immunisation in order to boost the health of children in the state.

Since the Obi administration, immunisation and other health related issues have been judiciously observed, attracting commendation from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

The Zonal Technical Officer, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mrs. Lami Nebechukwu lauded the Obi administration’s investment in the health sector. She said Anambra has the best health facilities in the country.

Nebechukwu, however, urged development partners to support the state government to enable continue on its pace of improving on the health standard in the state.

The governor is sometimes accompanied on official duties by his wife Margaret. During the immunisation programme, Mrs Obi was quite busy administering the drops.

The governor explained that immunisation is one of the critical components of quality health care delivery as it protects children against dangerous childhood diseases.

The Director, Public Health Care and Disease Control , Dr Chukwudi Okoye called on local government authorities, traditional rulers and religious leaders and stakeholders in Nnewi South, Anambra West and East, Ogbaru, Orumba North and South to strive towards improving healthcare delivery in their areas.

He said the state government is building the capacity of health workers in these areas and appealed for necessary assistance from council management, even as the women whose children were immunised applauded the new Pentavalent vaccine.

NATIONSPORT FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

49

'FRIGHTENING' Haye driven by hatred of Chisora, says trainer Booth

A

Haye's dislike for Chisora is genuine, DAM BOOTH insists David Haye is in frightening condition as he according to his trainer Booth.

'This is personal. This is way more prepares to meet an opponent he personal than the Wladimir Klitschko fight. 'hates'.

Haye faces British rival Dereck Chisora at That was business, but he hates Dereck Upton Park on Saturday night in a Chisora,' Booth said.

'I've used his hatred of Dereck as fuel for heavyweight showdown mired in training to make him do more. He wants it controversy.

The rivals brawled at a press conference more.

'But come fight night he must fight an after Chisora's WBC title loss to Vitali Klitschko in February, the final act of a anonymous man and leave emotion out of it.

'David's got a lot of experience and has series of outrageous incidents involving the had grudge matches before. I know he can 28-year-old. separate the two.

ARMSTRONG

'David knows what's in front of him and he's sparred twice as many rounds for this fight as he has done for any other fight.

'He's in frightening shape and that's testament to the training he's done.'

Haye will be fighting for the first time since losing his WBA title to Wladimir Klitschko in July last year.

Entering the fight as a national hero, his credibility and popularity plummeted after he blamed the defeat on a broken little toe.

Booth, however, believes he deserves more credit for his performance in Hamburg that night.

'It's a shame that the toe was what the

media chose to reflect on. David showed a genuine injury and got slaughtered for it,' Booth said.

'It was a shame because if you watch the first six rounds it was dead even and (US television network) HBO ever had David ahead.

'It was the second half of the fight that Wladimir used to put it away.

'David genuinely does not give a **** what people think about him, but it burns him that in the second half of that fight he didn't do what he was supposed to do.

'When has he ever failed to be aggressive before? Fighters are complex creatures.’

refiles lawsuit

L

ANCE ARMSTRONG has refiled his lawsuit against the United States Anti-Doping Agency as he continued to contest charges he used drugs to help him win his record seven Tour de France titles.

The 40-year-old initially filed a lawsuit in a US federal court on Monday which was dismissed by a judge as being a "lengthy and bitter polemic", designed to attract media attention and public sympathy.

•Armstrong

Armstrong and his lawyers were given 20 days to refile his suit against USADA and the body's chief executive, Travis Tygart, which they have now done.

The suit asks the US District Court in Armstrong's hometown of Austin, Texas to find that USADA "does not have the right to charge and sanction him and strip him of his titles".

USADA has given Armstrong a deadline of Saturday to enter into arbitration to contest the charges, or accept sanctions which include removing his seven Tour titles and imposing a lifetime ban.

That ban would also cover triathlon, the sport in which Armstrong now competes.

If the court grants Armstrong's request that is likely to lead to a lengthy legal battle between the cyclist and USADA. If his request is rejected, Armstrong would instead face an arbitration hearing sometime between now and November.

•Tom Lewis

Last chance for Tom Lewis

T

HERE is one last chance this week for young Tom Lewis to book himself a return to The Open - but he admits it is a tall order.

The 21-year-old needs a top five finish in the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart near Inverness and he has missed five of his last six halfway cuts.

Not only that, but Lewis is up against a line-up that includes world number one Luke Donald, four-major winner Phil Mickelson, three-major winners Padraig Harrington and Ernie Els and two more former Open champions in Paul Lawrie and Louis Oosthuizen.

"It's asking a lot, but we will

see," said the Welwyn Garden golfer, whose recent problems led to him pulling out of the Irish Open and flying instead to Las Vegas to see Mickelson's coach Butch Harmon.

This time last year, of course, Lewis was just about to become the talk of golf.

50

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

52

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

53

NEWS

‘Ex-lawmaker’ sues Kogi Speaker for illegal swearing in

A

N ‘ex-lawmaker’, Damian Abdul Adejo, has sued the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Bello, to a Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged illegal swearing in of Yunusa Olofu as a legislator representing Olamaboro Constituency.

Justice Nkwo Inang of a Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja had earlier nullified the election of Adejoh and issued a definite order that Olofu won the first Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election and should be sworn in.

But despite a notice of appeal obtained by Adejo, the Kogi Assembly was said to have sworn in Olofu.

The Speaker, who is the second defendant in a suit number

T

From Mohammed Bashir, Lokoja

FHC/C5/423/2012, was accused of illegal swearing in.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Olofu are the first and third defendants.

Adejo, through his lead counsel, Emmanuel Haruna, averred that the Speaker is not competent to swear in or administer oath of office to Olofu since he (Olofu) is not qualified to take the oath.

Haruna, in the summons, held that “a declaration that having regard to the clear provisions of Section 75 and 143 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) read together with Section 94 of the 1999 Constitution (as Amended), the second

defendant is not competent to swear in or administer to any person the oath of allegiance and oath of membership prescribed in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution when such person has not been issued any Certificate of Return by the 1st defendant.”

Also in the summons, Haruna prayed that the purported swearing in of Olofu by the House of Assembly on July 5 be declared illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever.

He prayed that his client, Adejo, be declared as the subsisting member of the Kogi State House of Assembly representing Olamaboro Constituency, while the 3rd defendant, Olofu, should be restrained from parading himself.

STF clarifies Dantong’s death

HE Special Task Force (STF) on Plateau crisis code-named “Operation safe haven” has said that contrary to reports by a section of the media, Senator Gyang Dantong did not die on the spot where he and others had gone to bury the people earlier killed by some gunmen.

A spokesman for the task force said: “The attention of the STF has been drawn to the conflicting reports by a section of the media on the unfortunate incident that occurred on Sunday, July 8 in Barkin Ladi and Riyom local governments of Plateau State.

“The STF wishes to use this medium to enlighten the public by informing them that what happened was not an attack on the burial scene as reported by some media. It was a sporadic shooting coming from the hills surrounding the villages, aimed at causing panic, which,

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

unfortunately, the perpetrators achieved.

“Also, the troops did not run on hearing the gunshots as alleged, knowing that they were not under fire. The platoon commander DSP Suleiman Kabiru asked the people to lie down, while along with the military personnel, he tried to assess the situation and calm them down. However, when the late Senator Dantong slumped, it was the STF personnel alongside his brother that rushed him to the hospital in STF’s patrol van.

“It is pertinent to note that the late senator reached the Barkin Ladi Hospital alive and conscious. The people with him at that time confirmed that he even spoke with them. Therefore he did not die at the scene as alleged.

“I would like to use this opportunity to clarify an issue

which most people seemed not to be aware of. STF by composition is made up of personnel from the military, DSS and NSCDC. It is not made up of only soldiers. The DSP and other mobile policemen at the scene are personnel of the STF and were deployed there by the STF. “In view of this, the public is advised to disregard the conflicting reports going around.

The STF and other security agencies are making efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice. Concerted efforts are being made by the STF to achieve this.

“The people of Plateau State are advised to always allow security agencies to take control of the situation when such incident occurs. They are warned not to take the law into their hands as any lawlessness will not be tolerated by the security agencies.”

Strike paralyses Kebbi

S

OCIAL and commercial activities have been disrupted in Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi State, following an indefinite strike embarked upon by the civil servants yesterday.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),

Alhaji Sadiq Kaoje, declared the action on Wednesday following the failure of government to implement the N18,000 minimum wage.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who monitored activities in the Birnin Kebbi me-

tropolis, reported that banks, ministries, high courts and schools were closed.

At the state-owned Sir Yahaya General Hospital, patients were not attended to, forcing some of them to relocate to private hospitals.

‘We won’t allow Christian pilgrims to abscond’

W

OULD-be pilgrims planning to abscond in Israel should forget such plan, the Bauchi State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board warned yesterday.

It urged politicians not to sponsor to the holy land, people whose behaviours do not correspond with the tenets of Christianity.

The Chairman of the board, Rev. Shuaibu Byel, spoke in Bauchi at a press briefing on the activities of the board.

He said: “Before any pilgrim fills his registration form, he has to present to the board a guarantor, who must

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

be a senior clergy. The board introduced this measure to prevent acts that will tarnish the image of the state and Nigeria. As Christians, it does not speak well of us.

“We have decided that a guarantor will testify about the individual’s character so that if anything goes wrong in the holy land, we will hold him responsible.

This is because we have had experience of people absconding while on pilgrimage in Israel and we do not want this situation to contin-

ue.”

Byel said last year, a pilgrim, Peter Azubuike, absconded. He said Nigerian and Israeli security operatives are intensifying efforts to arrest and deport him.

He hailed the Governor Isa Yuguda administration for sponsoring many Christians to the holy land.

He said: “Government sponsorship has contributed to the peaceful co-existence between Muslims and Christians in the state. It has given many Christians the opportunity to fulfil one of the tenets of Christianity.”

CMD decries alleged attack on hospital workers

T

HE Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Dr. Ahmed Ashuku, has decried the alleged attack on its workers by patients’ relatives.

The attackers, who were not allowed access to their relatives, were alleged to

From Johnny Danjuma, Lafia

have become angry and they threw missiles including food flasks and other items at the workers on duty about 9pm.

The CMD said the incident, which occurred at the maternity ward area, resulted in injuries, but the injured have been treated.

Ashuku, in a statement, described the incident as embarrassing. He said those visiting their relations should know that there is a period for visit, which is 4pm to 6pm.

According to him, the visiting period, which is displayed at the entrance of the hospital and other strategic locations, should be adhered to.

Kwankwaso: why we plan to build N31.4b flyover, roads •Amended ram bonus bill signed From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

•Kwankwaso

K

ANO State Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has said his administration allocated N31.4 billion to build flyover and roads because it is determined to give the state a facelift.

He spoke yesterday with reporters at the Government House in Kano.

According to him, his administration will embark on projects before the end of its tenure.

“Prominent among them is the building of five kilometres of roads in 14 local governments at the cost of N23.9 billion,” Governor Kwankwaso added.

He said the companies awarded the contracts would be required to handle some small projects in the Kano metropolis as part of their corporate social responsibility.

Kwankwaso said government has awarded contract for the building of a flyover at Kofar Nassarawa in Kano at the cost of N5.93 billion.

He added that the contract is aimed at reducing traffic jam in the city.

The governor said over N333 million was approved for the building of the Kura Sports Academy in Kano city, while N397 was set aside for the completion of the Kura Informatics Institute.

According to him, the executive council (exco) has ap-

proved the fencing of the Audu Bako Secretariat at the cost of N54 million and provided equipment and furniture at the Infectious Disease Hospital at the cost of N12.9 million.

He said the exco also provided N41 million for the renovation of the office of the Secretary to the State Government and N41 million for the computerisation of the pension office.

His words: “The exco has approved N29 million for the purchase of vehicles for the Pension Fund, approved N51 million for the purchase of buses for the seven technical schools, N15 million for the redevelopment of a shelter belt and N7 million for the renovation of some World Bank offices.”

The governor said N10 million was approved for the training of 400 youths under the government’s skill acquisition programme, while the administration gave N27.7 million as a counterpart fund under the government’s partnership with Globacom for an entrepreneurship programme for youths in Kano.

Kwankwaso has signed into law, the state (revised) Ramadan and Ram Bonuses Bill. This development makes it optional for the government to give bonuses to its workers during the festive periods.

Speaking shortly after signing the bill as amended by the legislature, he said the law has to be amended to give the government the leeway to grant bonuses to its employees within the limits of the available resources.

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Toyota Venza 2008 Model (23,900km 1.7 Million.

Toyota Rav4 2008 Model (68,190km) 1.2 Million.

BMW X5 2007 Model (92,636km) 1.3 Million.

Honda Pilot 2010 Model (45,77km) 2.1 Million.

Toyota Tundra 2008 Model (115,000) 1.3 Million.

For further enquiries: Call:08067814147,08105397030.

Tiv group wants to produce governor From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

A

Tiv group, the MINDA Elders Forum, wants to produce the next governor of Benue State in 2015.

The group said it would not settle for anything less than the governorship and urged political parties to zone the position “to the MINDA zone.”

A source said the group is spread in Gwer, Gwer West, Makurdi and Guma local governments.

The source said since the creation of Benue State from Plateau State more than 36 years ago, the group has not produced a governor.

Addressing a news conference at the NUJ House in Makurdi yesterday, leaders of the group, led by a former permanent secretary, Chief J.K. Ugela, Hemen Gendaga and Chief Moses Anageende said they had resolved to accept nothing less than governor.

PUBLIC NOTICE MARTINS WAOBIKEZE PROSTATE CANCER FOUNDATION This is to inform the general public that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1) MRS. TRACEY IGWE 2) ENGR. OMIETE MILLER AMACHREE 3) HON. ISRAEL UMESI 4) NNEKA DIANA IGWE 5) ANTHONY AZUKA WAOBIKEZE.

-

Chair Person

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1) To create massive public awareness in order to enable early detection of prostate cancer and cure.

2) To reach out to people especially in the rural areas with the aim of reducing the level of ignorance associated with this dreadful disease.

3) To re-orientate the public by fostering the need for regular screening.

4) Through care and compassion we hope to make a difference in our world by establishing a counseling centre as well as help lines for families of patients.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: MRS. TRACEY IGWE Chair Person

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 12-7-12

Stakeholders parley on market recovery

L

AWMAKERS, regulators, capital market operators and other stakeholders in the Nigerian capital market yesterday met to fashion ways to engender sustainable recovery of the market.

The meeting came just as the equities continued their bullish run at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), adding 1.06 per cent yesterday to push average year-to-date return to 8.50 per cent.

The All Share Index (ASI), the benchmark index at NSE, which tracks all quoted equities and thus serves as Nigeria’s country index, rallied to 22,492.96 points from its opening index of 22,253.71 points.

Aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted equities gained N75 billion to close at N7.180 trillion as against its value-on-board of N7.105 trillion.

The capital market committee meeting held yesterday, involved members of the National Assembly, management of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), chief executives of stockbroking firms and issuing houses, registrars and lawyers, among others.

The four-hour meeting deliberated on ways to restore market confidence and to enhance market growth and development. Participants at the meeting expressed satisfaction with the Ibrahim-Bello led leadership of SEC, noting that its open-door approach has started rebuilding confidence in the regulatory system.

Yesterday’s meeting was the first quarterly meeting involving lawmakers from both the Senate and House of Representatives, as part of efforts to engender understanding of

• Equities sustain recovery

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

issues and thereby enhance quality of legislation and oversight activities.

Chairman, House Committee on Capital Market, Hon. Herman Hembe, expressed satisfaction with the meeting, assuring that the lawmakers will give all necessary support to the capital market.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market, Senator Adeseun, who was represented by Sir Sammy Etefia, a Deputy Director and Clerk to the committee, said the meeting would facilitate smooth working relationship necessary for the market development.

Participants at the meeting agreed that the various confidence building strategies recently embarked upon by the new management at the SEC has started yielding positive results, going by the uptrend of indicators of the bourse in recent times.

President, Association of Stock broking Houses Owners of Nigeria (ASHON), Emeka Madubuike, said the meeting was an opportunity for all stakeholders to be involved in the bottom-up approach solution noting that the market sits on a tripod, and when any of the legs is broken, there would be a problem.

“You can see the atmosphere of the meeting. It is very friendly, open, people are freer to express themselves and this will result in positive ways to move the market forward. The Acting Director General is also very positive because he knows where the shoe pinches. The issue of registration in Lagos

is also a big plus for the Acting DG, Ibrahim Bello. This is what we have been advocating for because it is a means of reducing cost of getting more operators into the market and also make us meet some regulatory requirements,” Madubuike said.

According to him, initial steps taken by SEC were good steps that should be sustained as this would impact positively on the prospects of the market going forward.

“The market is for all of us and unless we work together, it may be difficult to sustain improved performance. The more ‘you’ and ‘us’ mentality, the worse we shall be but when we try to build the gaps like he is doing now, the market will grow,” Madubuike said.

In his remarks, Managing Director, Union Registrars, Mr. Tunde Ayeni, described the new management at SEC as a round peg in a round hole noting that “when you take someone who knows the market, you get the type of what we are getting here. This is not academic but practical and we are really impressed and the impact will be glaring very soon”.

Earlier, Director General, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema in his report said the NSE has met with the new leadership at the Commission and has started to enjoy some of the posture of the leadership.

He pointed out that NSE now gets prompt response to its request from SEC and urged the Commission to sustain the inclusive approach to regulation.

Managing Director, Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), Mr. Kyari Abba Bukar, noted that the importance of open-minded inclusive interaction cannot be over emphasized in the efforts to restore market confidence and engender stable recovery.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 12-7-12

THE

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

55

MONEY LINK

Fitch affirms Nigerian banks’ ratings

F

ITCH Ratings, one of the world’s foremost rating agencies, has affirmed ratings of nine banks in the country that elected to be rated.

The banks are GTBank, Zenith Bank, which had the highest Viability Rating (VR) as standalone banks.

Also rated were First Bank, Union Bank and Fidelity Bank, whose ratings were upgraded. Others are Access Bank, Diamond, Stanbic IBTC and United Bank for Africa Plc. Fitch according to the report, upgraded First Bank’s VR to ‘b’ from ‘b-’, while Union Bank moved from ‘c’ to ‘ccc’. Fidelity Bank Long-term National Rating was also upgraded to ‘BBB+(nga)’ from ‘BBB(nga)’ and its National Short-term rating to ‘F2(nga)’ from ‘F3(nga)’.

The VRs of the Fitch-rated banks indicate highly speculative fundamental credit quality, with no VRs above

By Ayodele Aminu, Group Business Editor

the ‘b’ range. This according to Fitch is due to an extremely challenging operating environment, rapid underlying credit growth, concentrated credit risk and weak - albeit improving corporate governance and transparency requirements.

Consequently, Fitch said the upgrade of First Bank’s VR follows the sale of significant loans to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), which has resulted in material improvement in the bank’s asset quality and reduced the concentrated problem loans that were constraining the VR at ‘b-’. Besides, Fitch noted that the VR also reflects First Bank’s dominant domestic franchise and acceptable levels of Fitch Core Capital.

It said the upgrade of Union’s VR acknowledges the restoration of the bank to

solvency through the injection of capital from AMCON and a private equity consortium.

Fidelity’s National Ratings Fitch explained, were upgraded due to the perceived level of support that Fidelity could expect from the authorities if required.

“Strong support was demonstrated across the sector during Nigeria’s banking crisis which Fitch expects would be repeated,” the statement said.

Fitch said that the IDRs and National Ratings of Access Bank, Diamond Bank, Fidelity, First Bank, UBA and Union are derived from its perceived level of support from the authorities if required. “These banks’ ratings are sensitive to a reduction in the level of support Fitch views would be forthcoming from the Nigerian authorities - either through indications of a reduced willingness to support or the ability to do so.

“The latter would be signalled by a downgrade of Nigeria’s ‘BB-’ sovereign rating. In Union’s case, the perceived level of support is enhanced by substantial AMCON ownership,” the rating agency said.

On Stanbic IBTC, Fitch noted that the National Ratings are driven solely by potential support from its majority parent, Standard Bank Group (‘BBB+’/ Negative).

Noting that the ratings of GTBank and Zenith are based on their individual strengths, he said the duo have the highest standalone VRs among the Nigerian banks at ‘b+’. Fitch said: “The VRs on these banks reflect their strong

T

By Miriam Ndikanwu

gos yesterday.

He said Lagos has passed the Debt Sustainability Test.

Abiru said the government uses the Bond Issuance Programme as a financial strategy to complement the State’s internally Generated Revenue.

He added that this has largely reflected in her services and infrastructural development across the state. He reiterated

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has stressed the need for establishment of more middle-sized banks (tier II banks) that will concentrate on lending to Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs).

Speaking yesterday at the 2012 Isaac Moghalu Foundation Leadership Lecture, CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi said that tier II banks are currently competing with tier I banks for accounts of multinationals such as Shell, Chevron and other International Oil Companies (IOCs) which is not supposed to be.

“We don’t have too many middle-sized banks that are

that the funds raised from the bonds had been utilised effectively and that the State is committed to the Infrastructure renewal and Economic growth.

“The Bond has assisted in changing the face of Lagos State and improving the infrastructure terrain of a mega city status like Lagos ,” he said, while appealing to the bondholders to subscribe fully to other ones that are yet to be floated.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 12-7-12 SYMBOL

DANGSUGAR TRANSCORP UAC-PROP GTASSURE UPL UBA UBN AIRSERVICE EVANSMED CUTIX

O/PRICE

4.00 1.00 9.26 1.41 4.28 4.29 4.29 1.33 0.90 1.59

O/PRICE 2.00 0.65 1.98 1.55 1.13 0.68 0.99 7.50 2.61 24.00

expected to target SMEs to boost the productive sector of the economy. Such banks are expected to fund small businesses not multinationals,” he said. He said that SMEs remain the engine of growth for the economy and have to be supported to achieve the level of development needed.

The apex bank had earlier said that Nigeria should expect new banks as it had received applications for new licences. This became exigent after the CBN created new models as part of the ongoing banking sector reforms, and its commitment to finan-

cial inclusion. CBN Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Kingsley Moghalu said some applications are being currently processed by the regulator and cuts across the range — commercial, merchant and others.

“There will be new banks.

We have received applications for new licences. This is because we have created new models as part of the reforms.

There are several aspects of the economy that remain underbanked and if people want to create specialised banks to address these, we will support them. We have received new applications, which we are processing,” he said.

C/PRICE

0.20 0.05 0.46 0.07 0.21 0.21 0.21 0.06 0.04 1.66

C/PRICE 1.90 0.62 1.89 1.48 1.08 0.65 0.95 7.21 2.51 23.14

CHANGE 0.10 0.03 0.09 0.07 0.05 0.03 0.04 0.29 0.10 0.86

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Dec ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 12.6%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

CHANGE

4.20 1.05 9.72 1.48 4.49 4.50 4.50 1.39 0.94

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12

LOSERS AS AT 12-7-12

SYMBOL HONYFLOUR JAPAULOIL BAGCO CUSTODYINS IKEJAHOTEL CONTINSURE FIDSON ROADS ETERNA CAP

By Collins Nweze

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

Currency

Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

fected due to its SRF at ‘B+’.”

Fitch noted that First Bank’s VR at ‘b’ takes account of its improved asset quality and reduced concentrations of problem loans following the sale of loans to AMCON. It also acknowledged the bank’s dominant domestic franchise and acceptable levels of capital.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

OBB Rate Call Rate

Sanusi

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

•CBN Governor, Lamido

CBN makes case for SMEs funding

Lagos N50b bond gets approval HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) has ap proved liquidity status for the first batch of N50 billion fixed rate bond issuance floated in 2009 by the Lagos State Government.

Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Adetokunbo Abiru disclosed this yesterday at the 2nd and 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the state’s fixed rate bond (series 1 and 11) held in La-

domestic franchises, superior asset quality relative to peers and acceptable levels of capital. The ratings also take into account their relatively resilient earnings throughout Nigeria’s banking crisis and GTB’s positive outlier cost/income ratio. Upward potential for these ratings is limited due to Nigeria’s challenging operating environment.

“The VRs could be sensitive to a material weakening of levels of core capitalisation, possibly by loan growth exceeding retained earnings over time. If this were to occur, GTB’s Issuer Default Rating (IDR) could fall to its Support Rating Floor (SRF) of ‘B’ while Zenith’s IDR would not be af-

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 122.23 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 105.188 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.74 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.09 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.95 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,710.85 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 8.95 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 7,355.73 THE DISCOVERY FUND 193.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

9.08 1.00 122.10 1015.15 0.72 1.09 0.93 1,710.53 8.51 1.33 1.80 7,737.53 191.08 1.62

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2011

Current 07, Aug, 2011

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

56

NEWS

Seven shot, 70 buildings damaged as youths strike over land T

HE land dispute between Nkpor and Ogidi communities in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State boiled over yesterday.

Armed youths, suspected to be from Ogidi, allegedly invaded the disputed land and shot about seven people after demolishing several buildings that were under construction.

The seven people were reportedly shot in different locations, while over seventy buildings, belonging to the community and their tenants were demolished by the rampaging youths. The youths have been laying claim to the ownership of the disputed land at Abor Akuzor-Umusiome.

Though no life was lost during the attacks, the youths

From Okodili Ndidi, Onitsha

allegedly invaded the community with dangerous weapons, including pump action guns, axes and machete with which they attacked the indigenes of Abor AkuzorUmusiome village in Nkpor community.

The four persons arrested in connection with the attacks were being quizzed at the Ogidi Divisional Police Station, while the police confirmed that they are on the trail of more suspects.

It was learnt that the dispute over the expanse of land had lingered between the Oramadike Ogidiani-Etiti in Ogidi community and Ire

village in Umuoji, who were the caretakers.

The Chairman of the Abor Akuzor-Umusiome village, Nkpor, Chief Okechukwu Nwaforagu told reporters yesterday that the youths of Oramadike Ogidiani invaded their land and shot seven people after demolishing seventy buildings belonging to the community.

He further disclosed that despite the Supreme Court judgment over the disputed land, the youths of Ogidiani have refused to allow the rule of law take its full course, adding that on several occasions, they invaded the community with dangerous weapons, shooting

sporadically, maiming and harassing his people.

Nwaforagu called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Abubakar to direct a thorough investigation into the illegal activities of the youths to forestall further loss of lives and properties.

Also in his petition to the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Balla Nasarawa, the counsel to Abor Akuzor Umusiome village, Mr. Simon Chukwukelu, said that the land in dispute never belonged to the Ogidi community as being claimed.

He urged the police commissioner to probe the

allegations with the view to ascertaining the perpetrators of the crisis and bringing them to book.

The lawyer noted that the continued attack on his clients portend danger to peace and security.

When contacted, the President-General of Ogidi Town Union, Dr. Ifeanyi Obiakor, said the complaints have not been brought to the general body of the union, adding that the matter was still being handled by the chairman of the affected village.

State police spokesman Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka could not be reached for confirmation. His mobile telephone was switched off.

Pharmacist killed by Kidnappers buried From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

I

T was all tears on Wednesday as the remains of the late Sir Godwin Sunday Nwosu were buried in his Ngodo Village Nise country home in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Nwosu, who was kidnapped, was found dead in Nsukka after his family had paid a N2 million ransom for his release. He was 52.

The late Nwosu was allegedly kidnapped from his No 4, Offor Street, off Uga Street home in Abakaliki.

He was the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Godal Pharmacy in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

Many, who thronged the burial, described the deceased as a philanthropist.

He was a pillar in the community and the Church of God, they said.

Nwosu was survived by his wife, Lady Anuli, six children an aged mother.

In a tribute, Lady Anuli described her late husband as a man of peace, promising to take the race from where he stopped.

A

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (right) welcoming decampees from other parties led by Mr. Meruola Adeyemi Sunday (in a hand shake with the governor) to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), during the campaign rally in Odogbolu Local Government Area... yesterday

Anambra tricycle/Okada unions spoil for war as IGP’s peace parley fails From Okodili Ndidi, Onitsha

M

EMBERS of the tricycle and motorcycle unions in Anambra State are spoiling for a war, following the collapse of a peace talk initiated by the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Abubakar.

The IGP had invited the warring unions to Abuja for a peaceful resolution of the crisis which has degenerated into threat to lives and frequent clashes.

The state chairman of Keke NAPEP Owners and Operators Welfare Association of Anambra State (KNOOWAS), Mr. Donatus Ezeanuna, told reporters in Onitsha, shortly after he returned from the Force Headquarters in Abuja, that the meeting failed to address their grievances.

Ezeanuna said that rather than resolve the dispute, the meeting created another problem by recognising and handing over the affairs of tricycle union to the ‘wrong’ group.

He said: “We as the legitimate and registered tricycle union in Anambra State have refused to be merged with the motorcycle union and that was why we were invited to Abuja, but instead of granting our prayers, the police asked the two unions to be separated and operate as different unions but handed the tricycle union to a member of the motorcycle union and it is unacceptable to us.”

Ezeanuna, in a petition to the IGP and the Commander of the 302 Army Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, Col. J.T Durowaiye, alleged that the Okada union, led by the chairman of its Board of Trustee (BoT), Jimmy Okonkwo, had bought over the police over the merger plan.

Ezeanuna said: “We know that the police was biased because we were not even mentioned despite the fact that our name was in the case file that was carried from the police headquarter in Awka.”

Why APGA crisis lingers, by stakeholders

NEW twist yesterday crept into the lingering crisis tearing the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) apart.

The chairman of party’s National Stakeholders’ Forum in Anambra, Chief Godson Emebo, demanded the refund of the millions of naira paid by aspirants into local government areas in the state.

Emebo also dismissed the reported face-off between Governor Peter Obi and the party’s National Chairman,Chief Victor Umeh.

He said the grouse in the party was between the

•Demands refund of millions collected from aspirants for council poll From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

stakeholders and the Umehled National Executive Committee (NEC).

Warning that the governor should be allowed to concentrate on the business of governance, Emebo assured that the party would come out stronger form the crisis.

In a chat with reporters in Nnewi, Emebo, who was a former local government chairman in Awka North, insisted “the face off in APGA is not between the Anambra governor and the national

chairman of our party but the problem is between us the stakeholders and the national chairman with his executives as they have refused to allow internal party democracy. ‘’We said that the national chairman should not run the party single handedly but in accordance with the laid down rules and regulations. Imagine that there had not been proper conduct of congresses and convention in the party and that brought about all other agitations and accusations. Go to the various wards and see those who have been in charge the office in the last ten years, since 2002 …….’’

On why the stakeholders failed to stop the Umeh-led NEC from being re-elected for another four-year term at the Women Development Center in Awka, Emebo said they decided to keep quiet because they felt the issues would be resolved as brothers after the purported convention.

According to him, they were invited to the convention to adopt the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Goodluck Jonathan, only for us to see

and hear a different resolution.

Emebo, who was the coordinator of Peter Obi campaign Organisation, queried why Umeh should be demanding for a local government election against the incumbent transition committee members.

He urged detractors to leave the governor out of the council poll controversy since he has done the needful by constituting the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC).

Emebo said the electoral body should be allowed to conduct the election when the court cases against it have been resolved

Anambra Speaker loses husband From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

H

USBAND to the Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Chinwe Nwebili, Azubuike is dead, it was announced yesterday.

Mr. Nwebili, according to the speaker’s close allies, died on July 1 at his country home in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

A family source told The Nation yesterday in Awka, that Mr. Nwebili suddenly died without showing any sign of sickness.

The source said the late Nwebili left their residence in Asaba, Delta State, to his Ogbaru home in Anambra in connection with a longstanding land dispute.

According to the source, “after a meeting with his kinsmen on the land dispute during the meeting, he made to enter his car parked inside the compound and the next thing we heard was that he started shouting “Obim, Obim (my heart, my heart) “And before anything could be done, he died and started foaming from the mouth, which means that the death was not a natural one.”

Though, the death of the speaker’s husband, has not been officially announced on the floor of the House, but her deputy has since been presiding over the House.

Obi set to improve revenue generation From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

E

AGER to shore up the revenue profile of his state, Governor Peter Obi yesterday spoke of plans to reorganise and strengthen the revenue collection machinery in Anambra.

Speaking while hosting at the Governor’s Lodge Amawbia, the Change Team of the Unique Taxpayer Identification Number Programme of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), Obi said the revenue office had performed below expectations and promised to reinvigorate it for better results.

According to him, the state has enough potential to generate reasonable revenue if the people showed commitment to make sacrifices in performing their civic responsibility in the remittance of taxes, which he described as a critical component of development in any country and society.

However, the programme manager of the agency, Mr. Chinedu Eke, explained that the Unique Taxpayer Identification Number Programme, was initiated by the JTB to provide effective and innovative solutions to proper tax administration.

He further stated that the programme will, among other things, provide reliable and centralised data base of taxpayers in the country and automate tax registration activities for all levels of government.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

57

NEWS Court asks Ogun electoral body to accept 275 PDP factional candidates From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

A

HEAD of the July 21 local government election in Ogun State, a state High Court sitting in Ilaro has directed the state Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) to accept the list of candidates submitted to it by the Adebayo Dayo-led State Executive Committee (Exco) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the party’s candidates.

The order was given on Wednesday by the Hon. Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu gave the order on Wednesday when she ruled on an ex parte motion filed by Dr. Kola Adedoyin and 274 others who were the chairmanship and councillorship candidates of the party against OGSIEC. The plaintiffs, among others, prayed the court for “an order directing the defendant, its organs, officers and agents to accept and process only the list of candidates consisting of the plaintiffs, submitted to it by the Dayo-led state Executive Committee of the PDP, as the party’s candidates for this year’s local government elections, pending hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice”.

Justice Dipeolu said: “This application succeeds and is accordingly granted. The defendant, the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), it organs, officers, and agents are hereby directed to accept and process the list of the candidates consisting the applicants submitted to it by the Dayo-led state Executive Committee of the PDP as the candidates of the party for the 2012 local government elections, pending the hearing and determination of the pending Motion on Notice.”

ACN youths canvass support for Akeredolu

Y

OUTHS in Lagos State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) have urged Ondo State electorate to vote for the party’s governorship candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), in the October 20 election.

The group, under the aegis of ACN Total Loyalty Group, endorsed the guided primaries of the party that produced Akeredolu.

It noted that the exercise prevented the shadow poll of horror associated with conservative platforms.

Its leader, Alhaji Toyin Balogun, described the choice of Akeredolu as a blessing in disguise.

T

He urged other aspirants to allow the collective interest of the party to thrive above individual interests.

In a statement in Lagos, Balogun said the people of Ondo State place their hope in ACN for a change of leadership, adding that they would be disappointed if the party’s aspirants sell out to the pseudo-conservative ruling party.

The youth leader advised ACN chieftains to trust the judgment of the party’s national leadership.

He noted that Lagos State

Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), who was rejected by a group of aspirants in 2007 in Lagos, has done the party proud as the best governor in Nigeria.

He explained that ACN was careful not to repeat the mistake of 2007, when the Action Congress (AC) candidate betrayed the fold by declaring for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the eve of the governorship election.

Balogun said: “What is important today is to embark on a collective rescue mission in Ondo State and not the individualistic pursuit of ambition. The realisation of an ambition is

meaningful when it translates to the emergence of a competent progressive governor who is capable of fostering development and sacking self-seeking personalities in power in a promising state.”

The youth leader said Ondo State residents cannot afford to be out of the Regional Integration Agenda of the progressive governors under ACN. Balogun said: “It is becoming clearer that Southwest has to take its destiny in its hand. Integration underscores the unity of purpose and passion for development and progress in our zone, which has

been denied and marginalised by the Federal Government. Our governors are seeking approval to plan for a regional railway. More collaborative efforts are on in other spheres to foster growth and development. Ondo State surely cannot be outside these processes. That is why ACN should form the next government in the state.

“I hereby urge the aggrieved aspirants to come together and fight a good cause to liberate their state in the interest of the masses. I urge them to support the candidacy of Rotimi Akeredolu.”

•Senators Oluremi Tinubu and Gbenga Ashafa (middle) with Representative, Council of Yaba College of Technology, led by the Speaker, Adedeji Risqot (sixth right) and Deputy Speaker Olayiwola Olatunde at the National Assembly, Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

Ekiti hails Caine Prize winner HE Ekiti State Government has congratulated the winner of this year’s prestigious Caine Prize for African Writing, Mr Rotimi Babatunde.

The Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr Funminiyi Afuye, in a statement yesterday, hailed the Ado-Ekiti-born award winner for doing the state proud.

The commissioner noted that by winning the award, Babatunde has given the state and the nation a prominent place in the literary world.

He described the award as heart-warming, especially now that cheery news has not been emanating from the country.

Afuye said the award has shown that talented youths abound in the state.

Babatunde was presented with the $15,700 (about N2.5million) at a dinner at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, United Kingdom, last Monday.

Babatunde won the prize for his story about Nigerian soldiers who fought in Burma during the World War II. Afuye described the award winner as an ambassador of the state who exhibited the values Ekiti people are noted for.

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

We’ll ‘sack’ Mimiko, says Ondo PDP

T

HE Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday vowed to unseat the ruling Labour Party (LP) administration in the October 20 governorship election.

It urged the residents to use their votes to remove the Olusegun Mimiko administration from power for allegedly squandering the common patrimony of the people and empowering only few on the “basis of consanguinity”.

Addressing reporters in Akure, the state capital,

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Ondo PDP Chairman, Mr. Ebenezer Alabi said: “The future beckons on us all to preserve our integrity and invest in the future development of the state.”

At the conference were the party’s governorship candidate and its former National Legal Adviser, Chief Olusola Oke; former LP state Chairman, Dr. Olaiya Oni; Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, Dr. Oladunni Odu, Chief Eddy Olafeso, Mr. Aidi Abass, Otunba Omoni-

yi Omodara and two aggrieved Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship aspirants, Saka Lawal and Chief Jamiu Ekungba.

Alabi said: “My pleasure stems from the fact that I am addressing you alongside men of consequence in the affairs and politics of the state, who have decided to shift to ‘Macedonia’ and give the required help for its development.

“The Macedonia here is the PDP in the state and I must confess before you that we are at a time that

Ogun arrests education officers over exam leakage

T

HE Ogun State Government yesterday arrested some of its Zonal Education Officers and handed them over to the police for allegedly “leaking the question papers” for the ongoing unified examinations in public secondary schools in the state.

Speaking through the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Segun Odubela, the government said the ministry has set up an administrative panel of enquiry to determine how the question papers leaked to students.

But the commissioner did not give the number and identities of the affected officials.

He said the Ibikunle Amosun adminis-

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

tration has zero tolerance for examination malpractices and would fight the menace.

Odubela spoke in Abeokuta, the state capital, when he reacted to allegations that the question papers had leaked to students.

He said: “The investigation carried out so far by the ministry has revealed that some officials of the Zonal Education Offices (ZEO) in one of the local government areas are found culpable and have been suspended, arrested and handed over to the police for further investigation.”

He urged officers in charge of examinations in public schools to ensure security of such papers in compliance with the guidelines for the conduct of the examination.

all hands must be on desk to salvage our buccaneers in power with a view to repositioning the economy.”

The PDP chairman said the party was conversant with issues that are germane to politics of the state.

He said the state was declining in infrastructure, poorer healthcare delivery, stunted industrial growth, large scale unemployment and low standard of education.

He said: “The Mimiko administration has remained largely unfocused, profligate, deceitful, selfcentred and shrouded in secrecy...”

The politician noted that the ship of the state, under Mimiko, is not only adrift but also sinking, despite the enormous human and natural resources with potentials to make life more abundant for the residents.

Alabi said because of the sorry state of affair in the state, the party zoned the governorship candidate to Southern Senatorial District for four years.

This, he said, would be followed by the North Senatorial District and Central Senatorial District, in that order.

‘First Lady’s appointment in bad faith’ From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

THE appointment of First Lady Patience Jonathan as a permanent secretary in the Bayelsa State civil service has continued to generate more reactions.

In a statement in Yenagoa, the state capital, leader of the state Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Morris Alagoa, noted that the appointment was done in bad faith.

He said: “Those who are claiming that Mrs. Jonathan has been a civil servant in the state may be right. Most Bayelsans are just hearing this side of her being a civil servant for the very first time.

“Among the questions begging for answers are: was she on secondment or a leave of absence all these years? Has her name been featuring in the payroll of the Bayelsa State Government?

“Has she been part of the several staff audits that have taken place since, including the biometrics conducted during Timipre Sylva’s administration?”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

58

NEWS THE BATTLE FOR EDO Survey puts Oshiomhole ahead From Osagie Otabor, Benin

AN opinion poll conducted

by Pollstar Poll and Survey yesterday said the outcome of tomorrow’s election would be determined by pedigree, party and organisational capability.

The poll said ethnicity would not play any role in the election.

Executive Director of Pollstar Obi Benedict Ekene said Governor Adams Oshiomhole is ahead of other candidates by 35 per cent while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Charles Airhiavbere, scored 23 per cent.

He said Solomon Edebiri of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) came third with 20 per cent.

Another public opinion poll conducted by the Centre for Public Opinion and Media Research placed Oshiomhole ahead of other candidates by 75.8 per cent.

The project consultant, Tony Abolo, said 118 interviewers drawn from the University of Benin, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and Auchi Polytechnic were recruited to carry out the straw poll.

He said 2, 920 respondents, who are registered voters, were sampled in 30 towns and villages.

The straw poll placed Airhiavbere second with 14.1 per cent while the ANPP candidate, came third with 1.2 percent.

Abolo explained that 8.1 percent or 236 of the sampled population were yet to make up their minds.

Analysis of the figure shows that 58.7 per cent of those sampled were males while 40.8 per cent were females.

PDP will win, says Metuh From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

NATIONAL Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Olisa Metuh has said the party would win tomorrow’s governorship election in Edo State.

Metuh urged the people to vote for the PDP candidate, Charles Airhiavbere.

He said: “The people are prepared to change the status quo tomorrow. We appeal to all voters to be peaceful, orderly, vigilant and law abiding.

“We also appeal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to once more showcase its neutrality and ensure that the will of the people prevails.

“We call on all observers and the media to carry out their roles in an unbiased manner to entrench the confidence of the electorate in the electoral process.

“We are convinced beyond any doubt that the PDP will emerge victorious in a free and fair election, come tomorrow.”

ACN calls for peaceful, free, fair election

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has called on stakeholders to ensure that tomorrow’s election is peaceful, free, fair and transparent.

In a statement in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)- controlled Federal Government not to use security forces to thwart the

will of the people.

“Edo people should be allowed to exercise their franchise in a conducive environment devoid of harassment and violence. “ They should be allowed to protect their votes. Once this is done, the results will be agreeable to all and the country’s democracy would be the best for it.

“The PDP, which has already started pre-election manipulation in the name of

a bogus opinion poll, should stop its evil machination and play by the rules, if only for once.

“Rather than relying on the concocted opinion of paid hackers, the PDP should strut its stuff at the polling booths on Saturday and let the people’s opinion count.”

The ACN appealed to the soldiers who have been deployed in the polls not to mortgage their professional ethics to satisfy the whims

of a self-acclaimed fixer.

“We are confident that the soldiers and other security agents will not forget their allegiance to the nation.

“We urge them not to prevent people from exercising their rights, which include staying behind to ensure that their votes count,” the party said.

ACN called on its members and supporters to eschew violence, as they have always done, but to be very

Edo residents leave Anambra to vote

Marine police to be deployed

E

DO State Commissioner of Police in charge of tomorrow’s governorship election, Olufemi Adenaike, has warned political detractors to desist from fomenting trouble during the election.

He said restriction of movement,especially among the politicians and VIPs, would be enforced.

The commissioner, who declined to give the figure of police officers deployed, said the law enforcement agency was set for the election.

Adenaike said the police have mobilised to prevent hoodlums from causing trouble during the poll.

He spoke with reporters at a briefing yesterday.

While blaming politicians’ reckless statements for the tension in the state, the commissioner urged the citizenry not to fear, but to come out and exercise their franchise.

According to him, we have mapped out strategies to ensure a violence-free and credible election in Edo. Adenaike said: “There will

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

be police officers in every polling booth.

“We will also have officers stationed at strategic locations.

Adenaike was redeployed on Wednesday by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar.

The police chief said marine police have been stationed to stop importation of thugs through riverine communities.

He said: “We want to make this election the best and see that it is free and fair.

“This is not a do-or-die affair. Somebody must win and somebody must lose. We are prepared to take on anybody who wants to foment trouble.

“We heard that people are mobilising people from neighbouring states but we are making plans to stop them.

“Though I have been deployed here as commissioner for the purpose of the election, I will say that am not

E

Adenaike...yesterday

new here.

“And since I came on Wednesday, l have been brainstorming with officers

on ground.

“We are going to make this election a one-man-one vote affair.”

Deployment of soldiers unconstitutional, says Falana

L

AGOS lawyer Femi Falana has described the deployment of soldiers for tomorrow’s election by the Federal Government as unconstitutional and unjustifiable.

He urged President Goodluck Jonathan to withdraw the soldiers.

Three thousand, five hundred soldiers were deployed to the state.

Falana said the Chief of Army Staff, Lit-Gen Azubuike Ihejirika, “lacks the power to deploy armed soldiers under the pretext of forestalling the breakdown of law and order.”

The lawyer spoke yester-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

day in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at a public lecture organised by Amicus International Club in collaboration with the Mustapha Akanbi Foundation.

Falana spoke on “The challenges of corruption and indiscipline in modern-day Nigeria.”

He said: “Since the deployment cannot be justified under the constitution, the President should withdraw the soldiers deployed in the election.

“Since 2003, the Federal Government has been deploying armed troops to several parts of the country to participate in the electoral

‘Since the de-

ployment cannot be justified under the constitution, the President should withdraw the soldiers deployed for the election’ processes.”

He described the refusal of President Jonathan to publicly declare his asset as humiliat-

ing and insulting to Nigerians.

His words: “As a way of demonstrating leadership by example, every public officer is required by the constitution to declare his assets and liabilities before assumption of office.

“But in total disregard of his constitutional mandate, President Goodluck Jonathan has stated that he does not give ‘a damn about asset declaration’.

“And in violation of the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the President turned down SERAP’s request for a copy of his asset declaration form.”

NBA to assist INEC with prosecution of electoral offenders

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HE Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) yesterday said it has sent 300 election observers to monitor tomorrow’s election.

The association is part of the Project Swiftcount, sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the UK Department for International Development (DFID), and the National Democratic Institute, Washington, USA. Other partners in the project are the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), the Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Ni-

•Sends 300 observers to Edo From Joseph Jibueze, Benin

geria (FOMWAN) and the JDPC Caritas, a Catholic organisation.

NBA said it has also partnered INEC to prosecute any electoral offender.

The Chairman, Benin Branch, Razak Isenalumhe, told The Nation that the observers would pay attention to how much the election complies with the Electoral Act. He said: “At this branch level, we have trained 300

vigilant.

“If the pre-election boasts, thuggery and manipulative tendencies by the PDP are anything to go by, the party will try to reap where it did not sow, as it has always done.

“We, therefore, call on all our members and supporters to turn out en masse to vote and to also defend every vote. Complacency is not an option tomorrow,” the party said.

observers to participate.

About 100 are working on a joint project with another group, known as Project Swiftcount.

“We have already issued forms and guidelines for those we trained.

“As early as 7.30am, they will be at various polling units so that we can monitor the extent of compliance with the Electoral Act. “We have also engaged in voters’ education.”

On prosecution of offenders, Isenalumhe said: “An

agreement was reached between INEC and NBA on that.

“Briefs have been sent to some lawyers. At the branch level, we have received some for our members.

“So, we also hope that if there are offences arising from this election, the branch will participate actively in prosecuting.

“The idea is to ensure obedience to the rule of law. It is cheaper and better for all of us to do so.

“The rule of law is the major pillar of democracy. If it is absent, there cannot be democracy.”

DO indigenes resident in Anambra State were seen yesterday leaving the state to return home.

Most of the commuters, especially women, were seen with their voter’s cards, while some of them said they left their cards in their villages with their relatives.

Some of them said they were impressed with what Governor Adams Oshiomhole has done.

A middle-aged woman said: “The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) government in Edo State has shown us that something good can come out of Edo. “Before now, our roads were impassable and somebody is now telling the people to leave their messiah for who?

“Anybody who votes for any other person other than Oshiomhole should have his head examined, people are tired of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government of deceit.

“So we are going home in solidarity for our amiable governor.

“If somebody tells you that he has retired, that means he or she has become weak in strength, Edo does not need such people again, we have an energetic man in Oshiomhole.”

A man said: “Oga, this is the first time we are leaving Anambra for Edo to vote, since we came here many years ago, but this election is different from previous ones.

“My father and I visit Edo every month and there is no time you enter the state without seeing a new thing from the Oshiomhole administration, people should not be blind folded, we are talking of reality.”

Govt declares half-working day

T

HE Edo State Government has declared today a half-working day for civil servants.

In a statement, the government said all workers in the civil service are expected to resume work at 8am and close at noon.

“This is to enable the workers prepare for the governorship election tomorrow.

“The government urges the people to come out en masse on election day and be orderly as they exercise their franchise.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

59

NEWS

•Oshiomhole (middle) with the monarchs...yesterday

Oshiomhole gets rulers’ Best Governor Award

THE BATTLE FOR EDO

INEC moves materials from CBN vaults

S

ENSITIVE materials for tomorrow’s governorship election, which were kept at the vaults of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), were yesterday moved to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benin City.

The materials arrived INEC headquarters at about 4pm and were escorted by armed security operatives and two representatives of the parties.

Resident Electoral Commissioner Kassim Gaiddam, who received the materials, said the arrival of the materials signifies that the elec-

•Ad-hoc workers take oath From Osagie Otabor, Benin

tioneering process has commenced.

Gaidam said the materials would be distributed to all the local governments by 6am today.

He said: “All the sensitive materials contains all the related materials needed for the exercise and they are all intact.

“As you can see, the presence of CBN, INEC officials and party agents has shown that the electoral process has begun”.

The commission yesterday administered the oath of neutrality on its ad-hoc workers who would conduct tomorrow's election.

The oath was administered by the Deputy Chief Registrar, Federal High Court, Benin, Mrs Christiana Clement-Ende.

This was in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act and was to ensure that the workers carry out their duties without bias.

Majority of the workers are members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Gaidam urged the election

officials to be dedicated, effective and thorough in their duties.

He said it was a national assignment which must be carried out with diligence and patriotism.

The REC said the assignment would prepare the corps members for their future career challenges.

"There will be punishment for those found wanting and reward for those that excel."

He said adequate security would be provided for the electoral officers during the exercise while their allowances would be paid without delay.

Reps fail to discuss troops’ deployment

T

HE House of Representatives resolved not to discuss the deployment of over 3,500 soldiers to Edo State for tomorrow’s election.

The resolution was not, however, without drama as some opposition members, who were ready for the call for division as ruled by Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, felt short-changed.

On Wednesday, Tambuwal had ruled for call for

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

division yesterday after being reminded of the provision of Order 11 (77) by the Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila.

This became imperative when voice vote for the motion for the troops deployment was unclear.

However, before the division could be taken, the Minority Leader, in a point of order on personal explana-

tion, moved to step down the application of the order.

He said his position was informed by the unity of the House as well as the critical phase the country was going through.

Gbajabiamila said the voice vote should be taken again and let the conclusion swing in favour of the majority.

At this point, voices rose from the opposition camp and it took a while before the

presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, weirded his power by disallowing further debate on the matter.

The aggrieved lawmakers said the Speaker ruled for a call for division but the Deputy Speaker voided the position.

He said since Gbajabiamila has vacated the application, there was no need for it to be debated again.

Anenih’s kinsmen endorse Oshiomhole

K

INSMEN of Chief Tony Anenih in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government of Edo State yesterday supported Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

They said they were supporting Oshiomhole for the good work in the locality to continue.

Announcing their support for Oshiomhole at a well at-

•Anenih

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

tended rally, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leader, Joe Okojie, said they can no longer follow Chief Tony Aneni.

He said they have followed Anenih ‘blindly’ over the years without any development to show for it.

Okojie told the crowd that they enjoyed some dividends

of democracy when they followed their former leader, the late Anthony Enahoro.

He said they have not been enjoying government attention since Anenih became their leader..

Okojie urged Esan people to vote for Oshiomhole without fear and told them not to be intimidated by the large number of security agents on election day.

Edo Line Workers divided on candidates

W

ORKERS of Edo Line Transport Company are divided over who to support between Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Charles Airhiavbere.

Chairman of the Edo Line Workers Union Segun Okosun had on Tuesday led some members of the union to endorse Airhiavbere.

Edo Line was closed down in 2010, following several protests by workers over the

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

appointment of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Amos Osunbor.

Another faction of the union, led by Tony Bamawo, said the faction which endorsed Airhiavbere was bribed.

Bamawo said they were not consulted and did not permit their Chairman to endorse Airhiavbere on their behalf.

His words: “I want to say here that they did not seek our permission, nor did they talk to anyone of us.

“In Edo Line, we are not just few human beings. We don’t know why a group will just go somewhere and make a political statement that is beyond them.

“At least we are government workers and if they are going to say something like that they ought to have consulted us.

“So, we want to say that we are against such statement.

What Okosun and his group said is for them. Those of us present here, we want to say we are not part of it.

“We are government workers and we must be seen to be loyal to the government in power. We want to categorically say that we believe that the comrade governor can revitalise Edo Line.

We have that assurance,” he said.

M

ONARCHS in Edo South have given Governor Adams Oshiomhole an award of the “Best Governor since the creation of Edo State.”

The rulers, who gave the governor and his deputy, Pius Odubu, the award during a visit to the Government House, yesterday said the state has not witnessed such development since the days of former Governor of the defunct Bendel State, Samuel Ogbemudia.

Led by the Vice Chairman of the association, the Enogie of Siluko, Edowonyi Ogiegbai, the monarchs said the governor’s performance in three years has surpassed the expectation of the people .

The Enogie of Ehor congratulated Oshiomhole for the success of his administration and wished him well for the next term.

He said tomorrow’s election is a mere formality going by the governor’s track performance.

The Enogie of Obazuwa reiterated the royal fathers support for the Governor, saying they will not play partisan politics, but will appreciate and encourage what is good for their people.

He said: “In another forty-eight hours, we will be celebrating your victory at the polls.”

He said the Enigies in the state appreciate the governor for all he has done.

Oshiomhole thanked the monarchs for the award, saying he sees it as an incentive to do more for the people .

‘Sylva has nothing to do with Independence Day bombing’

F

ORMER Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva has denied any involvement in the October 1, 2010, bombing at the Eagles Square, Abuja.

A statement by his media adviser, Doefie Ola, said: “For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state that the so-called testimony is completely false, mischievous, and misleading. Sylva knows nothing about the Independence Day bombing. He has nothing to do with it.

“It is public knowledge that the alleged mastermind of the Abuja bombing, Henry Okah, who is currently standing trial in a South African court, has deposed to an affidavit in which he did not mention Sylva as having any links to the blast.

“Sylva, therefore, wonders what the State Security Services (SSS) wants to achieve with the falsehood by the so-called independent witness.

“Besides, the testimony by the unnamed witness smells of obvious desperation to drag Sylva into

what he knows nothing about, perhaps, in continuation of the deliberate political victimisation that has been meted out to him in recent times.

“Sylva dissociates himself completely from the Independence Day bombing issue and advises the security agencies to strive to do their job professionally and not taint it with politics.”

Missing document I, Idowu Oluwasanmi A., hereby notify the general public of the missing of my original copy of Offer of Building/Housing 2 bedroom flats Millenium Housing Scheme Shasha block 2 flat 10 with Ref No. MH/EST/ EI H/SHASHA/03149 dated 19 th April 2007. Public please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT The general public is hereby notify that original copy of certificate of occupancy no 0030066 issued by land registy abeokuta belonging to Alhaji Ibrahim Olawale Kasumu is missing. All effort to trace proved abortive.General public talke note.

TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP I Oluwaseun Seffre of No. 9B Ilesanmi Street Mende Maryland Lagos hereby notify the general public that I have applied to LSDPC for its consent to change ownership of No. 3, Idera Lane Surulere Lagos, which was originally allocated to MR. JOHN OZODE, I have made series of efforts to contact MR. JOHN OZODE the assignor from whom I bought the property but all efforts made to locate him proved abortive.

I hereby indemnify the Corporation against any future claims that may arise if my application is granted and undertake to pay cost of any dispute that may arise on same. LSDPC, MR. JOHN OZODE and general public take note.

60

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

THE POSITION OF MINDA ELDERS FORUM ON THE KEY ISSUE OF THE EXCLUSIVE ZONING OF THE POSITION OF THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF BENUE STATE IN THE YEAR 2015 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS TO MINDA INTERMEDIATE DEVELOPMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE

W

e members of MINDA Elders forum, sitting here in Makurdi on 12 July, 2012, on behalf of the entire people of MASEV, IHYAREV AND NONGOV DEVELOPMENTASSOCIATION (MINDA) issue here below the following communiqué over the above mentioned MINDAkey agenda for the year 2015.

1. That we the entire people of MASEV, IHYAREVAND NONGOV extraction of the Tiv Ethnic Nationality in Benue State of Nigeria have over the years carefully followed, examined and assessed the Political, Socio Economic as well as the cultural developments in our great Nation Nigeria, our State Benue and particularly Tiv Land and have come to the conclusion that, the time is now ripe for the rational analysis of some very sensitive issues affecting MINDA which have continued to dominate the contemporary discourse. Some of the issues include:(A) The concept of MINDAand its position inTiv History and Benue State as a whole.

(B) The history and significance of the office of H.R.M theTorTiv inTiv history.

(C) The Erroneous juxtapositioning of the office of H.R.M the Begha UTiv, TorTiv IVand that of the Executive Governor of Benue State.

A. THECONCEPT OF MINDA AND ITS POSITION IN TIV HISTORY AND BENUE STATE AS A WHOLE Prior to the Nigerian Independence in 1960, the Tiv Nation was ruled by the British colonial masters through their system of Indirect Rule. The colonial masters had subdivided Tiv Nation into five Intermediate Development Areas of MINDA, SADA, JEDA, JEMDA and KWUPO. The Tiv Native Authority was however ruled centrally from Gboko as its Headquarters. The various clans constituting these five Intermediate Development Areas were each ruled by a Tyoor, while the Intermediate Development Areas were each presided over by a senior Tyoor, called Ter as outlined here below: IDA NAME OF TER MINDA(ICHONGO) - Zaki Ulam Agasua (Masev) Ter Ichongo JEMDA - Tyoor Mkovul Jagela (Ipav) Ter Jemngbagh SADA - Tyoor Kukwa Sankera (Ukum) Ter Sankera JEDA Tyoor Ikyaagba Akpeye (Kunav) - Ter Jechila KWUPO Tyoor Sule Agboghor (Ikyov) Ter Kwande After Nigeria’s Independence, Tiv land (i.e Tiv Division) was in 1970, subdivided into three divisions of Makurdi, Gboko and Katsina Ala. The Masev, Ihyarev and Nongov (MINDA) people of Chongo extraction made up Makurdi Division. The existence of MINDA as a political, economical, social and cultural mega group in the history of Tiv, Benue State and Nigeria therefore dates back as far as when Nigeria became an entity as a Nation State.

MINDA like its counterparts such as KWUPO, JEDA, SADA and JEMDA all have equal status and have similar functions and are derivatives of the colonial Intermediate Development Areas in Tiv land created in the early1950s.

The Tiv as a people claim one ancestral background Tiv the son of Takuruku Anyamazenga. That Tiv had two sons, Ichongo and Ipusu. Ichongo the elder son had six (6) children, namely; Turan, Ikyurav, Nongov, Ihyarev, Masev and Ugondo. Other than these six sons of Ichongo, the rest of other Tiv sons are descendants of Ipusu.

As a people of an Intermediate Development Area, on whose land, Benue state capital Makurdi is located, MINDA land is the major link between the south-eastern part of our country and the North, through the only major road linking these two major parts of our great Nation. The Railway line from Port-Harcourt to Maiduguri also passes through the central part of MINDAland. We are the only boundary neighbours with the Idomas, the second largest ethnic group in Benue State. We equally share boundaries with the Igede people, the third largest ethnic group in Benue State.

Of the five Intermediate Development Areas of MINDA, JEMDA, SADA, JEDA and KWUPO, only MINDA is exclusively composed of Ichongo descendants of MASEV, IHYAREV and NONGOV. While JEMDA and JEDA are exclusively descendants of Ipusu, KWUPO and SADA have descendents of both Ipusu and Ichongo.

The origin of MINDA as a Development Association is therefore a unique phenomenon in the socio-political, cultural and economic development of Benue State of Nigeria. The geographical position of MINDA land in Benue State for example is equally of very vital significance. Equally, the second largest River in Nigeria, the River Benue, passes exclusively through the middle of MINDA land. The River Katsina Ala, the third largest River in Nigeria has its confluence with River Benue, at Gbajimba, in the centre of Guma L.G.A in MINDA land. MINDA land exclusively shares boundary with Nasarawa State, the gateway to the Federal capital Abuja as well as linking the far Northern States with Benue State. The basis for the preceding analysis is to elucidate not only on the concept of MINDA, but to also explain its position in Tiv land as well as the significance of its location in Benue State and Nigeria generally.

B. THE HISTORY AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE OFFICEOFHISROYALMAJESTYTHE TORTIV, THE BEGHA U TIV The emergence of the first Tor Tiv, as the paramount Ruler of the Tiv people was resultant from the desire of the ex-servicemen of Tiv ethnic group who had successfully fought alongside the British army during the second world war and had returned to Tiv land at the end of the war to install a Tiv son as the paramount ruler of all Tiv people. These veteran and noble soldiers after very successfully annihilating Audu Afoda-led Hausa Fulani Jihadists within and around Makurdi metropolis and thus averting their planned installation of an Emir in Makurdi metropolis, decided to install aTiv man asTorTiv to be resident in Gboko as headquarters ofTiv Division other than Makurdi metropolis.

H.R.H Orchivirigh Makir Zakpe, also a retired military man, was selected Tor Tiv I on the 19 of September,1946. He was Ipusu from JEDA. When Tor Zakpe passed on in the year 1956, he was succeeded by H.R.H Orchivirigh Gondo Aluor, Tor Tiv II on the 12 of December,1956. He was Ichongo descendant from SADA. When he passed on, H.R.H Orchivirigh Akperan Orshi Kur was selected Tor Tiv III on the 3 of March,1979. He was Ipusu from JEMDA. When H.R.H Orchivirigh Akperan Orshi passed on in 1990, H.R.M Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkula, the incumbent BEGHAUTIV was on the 14 of January,1991 selected Tor Tiv IV. He is Ichongo from MINDA. The position of the Tor Tiv is therefore rotational between the Ipusu and Ichongo lineages. This rotation is however strictly in line with the succession formula of the TORTIVSHIP among the five Intermediate Development Areas in Tiv land.

The first Tor Tiv came from Ipusu (JEDA), the secondTorTiv came from Ichongo (SADA), the thirdTorTiv came from Ipusu (JEMDA). The fourth Tor Tiv is from Ichongo (MINDA).

The point here is that, even though the TORTIVSHIP rotates between Ipusu and Ichongo, the Intermediate Development Area from where the Tor Tiv comes from is most vital. When the third Tor Tiv for example was to be selected from Ipusu, JEDAdid not contest in the selection process as only the Ipusu from JEMDA and KWUPO were eligible. The Ipusu of SADA were also not eligible because the secondTorTiv even though Ichongo son, came from SADA. The significance of the preceding analysis is to lay emphasis on both the historical, cultural and political significance of these Intermediate Development Areas in Tiv land in the allocation of key offices using the sacred principle of “Ya-naAngbian” (chop and give your brother) which is so cherished by theTiv as a people.

C. THE ERRONEOUS JUXTAPOSITIONING OF THE OFFICE OF H.R.M THE TOR TIV WITH THE EXALTED POSITION OF GOVERNOR AS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF BENUE STATE. The Governor of any State in Nigeria is the Chief Executive as well as the Chief Security Officer of the State. The Governor of any State in Nigeria is the Chief Financial Controller of the State without whose approval; funds appropriated by the State Assembly for any project cannot be released.

The Executive Governor of a State can endorse death penalty or cause the pardon of a man condemned to death. The Governor can cause the

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012 release of any prisoner from prison. He can cause the employment or removal of any State public officer from office including all classes of traditional rulers who incidentally are employees of government. The Governor of a State in Nigeria can confiscate any piece of land in his State for public interest. He can cause a whole community to be relocated on any other piece of land or send any deposed traditional ruler on exile. And above all, the chief Executive of a State cannot face prosecution while in office as Governor. The powers of a sitting State Governor in Nigeria are indeed enormous.

On the other very extreme, the position of the Tor Tiv as the Royal Father of the Tiv people, both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora is no doubt great and honorable. This position created in 1946 through the agitation of the noble ex-service Tiv sons who did not want the imposition of an Emir on the Tiv race by the Hausa Fulani jihadists is, however, subject to approval by the Governor of the State who can equally cause his removal from office if he commits an offence. The laws for the selection or removal of all Traditional Rulers in the State are State laws; and these are under the enforcement or otherwise of the Executive Governor of the State.

So far, there has not been any law in Benue State for the provision of a statutory financial status for the office of the Tor Tiv. The office of the Tor Tiv has no provision in the State’s annual budget for payment of his staff, or maintenance of his office (including his security outfit). There is no provision for purchase and maintenance of his official vehicles. There is no financial provision for payment of water and electricity supply in his palace. By implication therefore, the Tor Tiv is simply a ceremonial head custodian of Tiv culture and idol of the Tiv people. He has no powers to enforce any of his directives. The Tiv Traditional Council of which he is head is a traditional outfit whose members, (the Uter, District and Kindred Heads) are Local Government employees of their respective Local Government Councils. The Tor Tiv has no control over their monthly salaries, nor can he summarily discipline any of them unless with the approval of the Chairmen of their respective Local Government Councils or Governor of Benue State. When this very ludicrous as well as hapless position of the Idol of Tiv people is reviewed against the backdrop of his envisaged roles by those very courageous Tiv sons who on returning from World War II, sought to use the position and roles of the Tor Tiv in order to uplift the image of all Tiv, the scenario becomes most disheartening and indeed pathetic.

As a matter of fact, the Nigerian Constitution contains unambiguous and adequate provisions for people seeking elective offices in Nigeria. Both the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act have made no provision for the disqualification of an individual seeking to be elected to office as Governor of a State on the basis of his or her royal back ground. It will therefore be most strange and absurd if credible individuals seeking election for the position of Governor in Benue State should be disqualified simply because they belong to or hail from the same Intermediate Development Area as the incumbent Begha UTiv. It is of course a matter of fact that the Tiv people rotate the TORTIVSHIP among the Ichongo and Ipusu sons strictly within each Intermediate Development Area. The people of MINDA have benefited from this rotation. The Ichongo in SADA have equally benefited. The Tiv people have as of now equally rotated the position of the Executive Governor of Benue State among four (4) Intermediate Development Areas. So far the rotation has been as indicated here below: Governor Aper Aku (Ipusu) KWUPO Governor Moses Adasu (Ipusu) JEDA Governor George Akume (Ipusu) JEMDA Governor Gabriel Suswam (Ipusu) SADA.

61 2. BASIC REASONS IN SUPPORT OF THE CALL FOR THE EXCLUSIVE ZONING OF THE POSITION OF GOVERNOR OF BENUE STATE TO MINDA PEOPLE IN 2015 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS i. Creation of Administrative Units in Tiv Land: An Historical Perspective.

When Tiv Division was split initially into three divisions by the J.D. Gomwalk Administration, MINDA was the only Intermediate Development Area that was not merged with any other Intermediate Development Area but was singularly made Makurdi Local Government Area with Makurdi as its Headquarters. On the other hand, JEMDA and JEDA were merged to form Gboko Local Government Area with Gboko as Headquarters. SADA and KWUPO were equally merged to form Katsina-Ala Local Government Area with its Headquarters at Katsina-Ala. The recognition of MINDAas a single group, as one Local Government Area with its headquarters in Makurdi showed that the group was accorded a special rating over and above the other four groups that were combined into two each to constitute two Local Government Areas.

Again, when Tiv Division was further split into six LGAs, MINDA was divided into two Local Government Areas of Makurdi and Gwer. Katsina Ala (SADA/ KWUPO) was equally divided into Katsina-Ala and Kwande Local Government Areas; and Gboko (JEDA/JEMDA) was split into Gboko and Vandeikya Local Government Areas.

By this development, only MINDA as an Intermediate Development Area had two Local Government Areas. SADA had one Local Government Area, Katsina-Ala and KWUPO had only one Local Government Area, Kwande.

JEMDA had Gboko and JEDA had Vandeikya. This again indicated a special consideration for MINDA as compared to the others.

When later again Tiv land was split into fourteen (14) Local Government Areas, it was only MINDAthat had four Local Government Areas namely: Makurdi,Guma, Gwer and Gwer-west.

JEMDA had three Local Government Areas, namely: Gboko, Buruku and Tarka SADA also had three Local Government Areas namely: Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo.

JEDAhad two Local Government Areas namely: Vandeikya and Konshisha KWUPOhad two Local Government Areas Namely: Kwande and Ushongo.

Again, going by the present dispensation, it is a matter of fact that of all these Intermediate Development Areas, only MINDA has four Local Government Council Areas followed by JEMDA and SADA each with three Local GovernmentAreas, while JEDAandKWUPOeach has two Local GovernmentAreas.

It is therefore most abnormal and indeed, disturbing to note that while the least of these Intermediate Development Areas, (in terms of the number of Local Government Areas) have each produced a Governor for the State, MINDA the largest with four Local Government Areas including the State Capital Makurdi, is yet to do so. It is inconceivable therefore for anyone or group of individuals to mischievously introduce an unconstitutional sharing formula to again exclude MINDAfrom occupying that position which has been wrongly and consistently denied them since Benue State was created in 1976. ii. AsemaYua AperAku Saga:

In addition to the above, Jechira (JEDA) produced two military Governors and an acting Military Governor. These were: 1. General John Mark Inienger served as Military Governor of Bendel State.

2. Col. Joseph Akaagerger served as Military Governor of Katsina State.

3. Col. Richard Asom acted as Military Governor of Sokoto State.

The Jemgbagh family (JEMDA) benefited through our dear Brig. Gen. John Atom Kpera, “the Nom Or U Tiv” who served twice as the Military Governor of Old Anambra and Benue States respectively. In non of the preceding circumstances was MINDAever privileged.

Unlike the rotation of the Tor Tiv, which is a traditional stool exclusively for the Tiv, and which focuses on the two lineages of Ichongo and Ipusu extraction, the rotation of Governor is a political position and embraces the entire State including the Idomas and the Igedes, who indeed have the constitutional right to also aspire for the office. The Intermediate DevelopmentAreas in Tiv land are economic, social, cultural and political entities in Benue State. MINDA as one of such entities contributes immensely to the development of Benue State in all these various environments and as such, the people of MINDA are equally and indeed entitled to vie for any top political office in Benue State and Nigeria generally.

Recently, there has been a diversionary propaganda machinery in order to misinform the unsuspecting good people of Benue State and the general public at large, with the strange juxtapositioning of the two completely unrelated positions of the TORTIVSHIP and the Executive Governorship of Benue State.

Those who have mischievously embarked on this campaign of comparing the traditional office of the Tor Tiv and that of the Governor; (the highest political office in the State) indeed lack the logical arguments for the very false conclusions they draw, since their baseless conclusions are drawn from invalid arguments which are primarily based on false premises.

The advocates of this obnoxious comparison of the offices of the Begha UTiv and the Executive Governor of Benue State advance the false view that Mr. Asema Yua was denied being Tor Tiv because Aper Aku was to be Governor. To the best of our knowledge, the Late Asema Yua was never at any time selected the Tor Tiv. The true story is that when H.R.H Gondo Aluor passed on, the TORTIVSHIP was to be zoned to either JEMDA or KWUPO. MINDA then was not qualified because, Gondo Aluor though from SADA, was Ichongo and MINDA is 100% Ichongo.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

62 While Mr. Asema Yua was a KWUPO candidate, Dr.Akperan Orshi was a candidate from JEMDA. The JEMDA candidate, Dr.Akperan Orshi emerged the winner. The defeat of Mr. Asema Yua was like any other defeat attributable to so many reasons, some of which were political. None of these reasons however, pointed to the claim that Mr. Asema Yua lost because Mr. Aper Aku was to be Governor. The only living and closest associate of J.S Tarka, the “An Mom Mom” UTiv, Rt. Hon Ugba Uye has debunked this argument very categorically when he granted an interview to the National Times Newspaper of 29 May 29 June,2012. In the interview, Rt. Hon. Ugba Uye said that at no time did J.S Tarka refuse Asema Yua from being Tor Tiv as a result of Mr. Aper Aku’s Governorship aspiration.

Rt. Hon. Ugba Uye recalled and we quote: “As far as I am concerned, I was a close friend of JS Tarka but cannot remember when he said no, Kwande people cannot have the executive Governor and paramount traditional ruler of the Tiv nation (Tor Tiv) at the same time. Therefore, Asema Yua cannot be Tor Tiv and he refused Asema Yua from being Tor Tiv”.

and as such cannot coexist in one Intermediate Development Area!

Rt. Hon. Ugba Uye further maintained and correctly too, that, the Chief Executive position of Benue State is not forTiv people alone, it is also for the Idomas as well as the Igede people.

Going by the preceding analysis, it is therefore the belief of the entire MINDA people that the people of Benue State who are God fearing and a democratic people by every standard will truly give us their listening ears and shall be considerate in their assessment of our passionate request and appeal which is that the seat of the Governor of Benue State be Exclusively zoned to MASEV, IHYAREV and NONGOV people for 2015 general elections in the country.

In dismissing this nonexistent paradigm or precedence, the people of MINDA wish to stress the fact that since the Tiv people claim one common ancestry and are descendants of the two Tiv sons, Ichongo and Ipusu, and since the rotation of both political and traditional key offices, such as the TORTIVSHIP Seat, the Mzough U Tiv (MUT) and Tiv Youth Organization (TYO) Offices, as well as the Office of the Executive Governor of Benue State, which rotations take full cognizance of the principle of “Ya Na Angbian” the exclusive zoning of the Seat of Governor of Benue State to MINDA (Ichongo) ought to be regarded as only normal! This is more so when cognizance is taken of the fact that all the four elected Tiv Governors that have so far been produced in Benue State, have come from Ipusu and non-yet from Ichongo even though we have eminently qualified persons.

The only guarantee for an Ichongo Governor now is to give MINDA which is exclusively an Ichongo Intermediate Family the opportunity to have this slot. Besides, the only Tiv Military Governor that was appointed for Benue State at the time when Dr. Akperan Orshi was Tor Tiv III, was Brig. General Atom Kpera, also an Ipusu son, who hailed from the same Intermediate Development Area, JEMDA as Dr. Apkeran Orshi, Tor Tiv III. In arriving at their conclusions, these biased analysts deliberately conceal the fact that Governor Atom Kpera, even as a military Governor who had absolute powers as compared to the limited powers of a civilian Governor, ruled Benue State while Dr. Aperan Orshi, reigned as TorTiv III. Dr. Orshi and Brig. Gen. Atom Kpera are all Jemngbagh in JEMDA Intermediate Development Area.

In their blind, narrow and biased judgment, these same group of people believe that the two offices of Governor and the Tor Tiv are so exclusive

They equally deliberately want to forget the fact that the Ipusu people have as a matter of fact occupied the seat of the Executive Governor of Benue State for five consecutive times since Benue State was created in 1976.

The people of MINDA and indeed the entire Ichongo people, however, not unmindful of the obvious differences in the key roles and positions of the two offices have never raised any eyebrows over these very glaring cases of lopsidedness.

Conclusion: In our final appeal therefore, we wish to reiterate the fact that for any group of persons for any political, chauvinistic or clandestine purposes to tacitly engineer a diversionary propaganda machinery in order to misinform the unsuspecting good people of Benue State and the general public at large, with the strange juxtapositioning of the two completely unrelated offices of the TorTiv and the Executive Governor, gives a very dented stain to the image of our great State, Benue.

That in making this very solemn and unique appeal, our people are certainly not unmindful of the very high moral standards and qualities as expectations by the good people of Benue State of the would-be occupant of that very exalted office.

We however, wish to very categorically assure the people of Benue State that MINDA people can indeed produce the best men and women who are capable of occupying that key office and any other office in Benue State, our great country Nigeria and indeed the world generally.

In the interest of our collective unity and the harmonious co-existence of Tiv Nation, we call on our brothers in the other four Intermediate Houses of KWUPO, JEDA, JEMDA, and SADA who have previously occupied the exalted position of the Chief Executive of the State to co-operate with us to enable us produce the next Governor of Benue State come 2015.

We are assuring our Tiv brothers and the great people of Benue State that we will certainly produce a governorship material that shall serve as a role model for future governorship aspirants in the State as well as other States in the Federation.

Long live Masev, Ihyarev and Nongov Development Association (MINDA), Long live Benue State.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

63

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FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 7,

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

Zero capacity for surprise

•Mrs. Jonathan

your dirty outlook. What has my writing last week to do with your yet to be revealed logic?”

“And why is this uncalled-for emotional outburst of yours not a surprise to me? You are an integral part of the country that cannot surprise me anymore. When I talk about the country, I do not mean the physical boundaries. I mean people, flesh and blood humans like you! It starts from little things. I started to make a point. You won’t let me finish before you interrupted me and came to your own conclusion. It’s typical. It’s a Nigerian thing!

“At any rate, I won’t be distracted. You wrote about and expressed disappointment about the insistence of the directorate of the NYSC to deploy corps members to the troubled areas of the North. The House of Representatives also passed a resolution on the matter. Then the director relented and word came out that those yet to report may have their wish and be redeployed. Everyone thought that reason had prevailed. Then the Minister of Youth came out with the Federal Government position which overruled the NYSC director. Now corps members are to be deployed to the troubled areas where even indigenes are fleeing.

RIPPLES FED GOVT HAS FAILED PLATEAU PEOPLE–Lawmakers

...Only PLATEAU PEOPLE, just ask every NIGERIAN

NO. 2,185

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

“I

HAVE now come to the conclusion, after thoroughly deep reflections, that this country has no capacity to surprise me. I cannot be shocked. I cannot be moved. I just cannot be stunned. For me, it’s a no shaking season.”

“My friend before I can entertain your deeply reflected upon conclusion, I have to examine your premises. Are they also the result of thoroughly deep reflections? Or are they based on shoddy thinking? If I know you well, I can discern that this exciting conclusion of yours is no more than a spur of the moment, a hasty conclusion based on irrelevant evidence.”

“Thank you, Mr. Logician. Your brand only dwells in nonentities, watching the starry heavens while they neglect the flood on earth with a furious capacity to sweep them off their feet. No, friend, I am not joking here. What have I not seen? What have I not heard? What else is there to surprise?”

‘You are repeating yourself, and while that may be good sophistry, it doesn’t replace the need for argument. I asked for your premises, the evidence you have for your position. Indeed, the way you’re going, I am beginning to see how your conclusion about our beloved country applies to you hook, line, and sinker.

Opalaba, you have no capacity to surprise me.

And I can supply my evidence in a sentence.

You have always approached issues in your grumpy old man style, always angry, sometimes reasonable, but never patient. Now this is exactly what I am discerning. See why you cannot surprise me? Now, give me, even if in a sentence the reason for your conclusion that our country cannot surprise you.”

“Fair enough. Anyone who asks for reasons is interested in causal relationships. And since I am not interested in an argument with you, I will give you just a few ideas of where I am coming from. For something to come as a surprise, it follows that it is unexpected. Even you can understand that!”

“Agboye.” That’s what we would refer to as a shocker.

“Good. I know you are a fast learner” “Lord knows, I am trying to be a good student!”

“Now, in all of the events of the past few weeks and days, which is a shocker? Which comes to you like a bolt from the blue? Which do you consider to be so out of field that you are forced to ask yourself: “can this really be true?”

“I cannot answer that question until I know the events you’re talking about.”

“You are playing games with me. You wrote about the “NYSC and national malaise” only last week. Right?”

“I knew it! And this is why my own logic makes better sense. Everything comes back to me. In the inner recesses of your dark mind, you will always find a way to rope me in

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘Perhaps, there is the need to verify through a comprehensive audit whether Mrs Jonathan has been drawing salary from Bayelsa civil service since her husband became president. If so, the EFCC and the Code of Conduct Bureau should quickly wade into this matter.

Where is the corruption war heading?.’

MOBOLAJI SANUSI

T

HERE seems to be no sunshine here anymore. The clouds hang low and cast an eerie pall over the land. Our lead stories are laden with tales of death and destruction. In this mire, even good news, the type that elicits mirth and wellbeing are embedded under even more gruesome reports. Such is it that one of the most heart-warming news happened upon us recently but was caught up in the mindless massacre emanating from Jos. Only keen sports enthusiasts and followers of the forthcoming London Olympic Games would have noticed the historic feat of the Nigerian basketball team, D’Tigers, when it earned a most coveted spot in the London sports fiesta which kicks off July 27.

It is the first time Nigeria’s male basketball team would qualify for the Olympics. It is indeed a feat of historic proportions for Nigeria’s jump ball community and sports lovers across the country.

And for a team that has struggled on the African scene in the past one decade, playing second best to Angola, Tunisia and Senegal, their road to London was a very dramatic and heart-warming one. In the recent qualifiers played in faraway Venezuela, it was such a top-heavy assemblage of basketballing nations that none gave the Nigerian lads any

‘Bayelsa State is a state in a federal system of government with its own rules and procedures for appointment. If it decides in its wisdom to appoint the First Lady as Perm Sec, as my grandson would say, “What’s your own, ah, ah?”’

And what is the Federal Government’s reason? During the civil war, many innocent young ones lost their lives. It’s an analogy that would shock many people.”

“So tell me this, Opalaba, why is that not a surprise? The logic of your entire position is that the country cannot surprise you anymore. From this it follows that even what you just agreed “would shock many people” should not be considered a shock. Why?” “Unless you suffer an elevated level of amnesia, you would find the remark not in any way atypical of highly placed officials.

The governor of a state where scores of NYSC members were slaughtered after the elections last year made a similar remark.

There was no sanction and life goes on. If, God forbid, there is another incident like that in the next month or year, the Minister would simply express government’s sympathy and repeat his words: innocent young people lose their lives all the time.”

“I understand your frustration but disagree completely with your position.” That these indefensible statements are made all the time with no sanctions against the highly placed officials doesn’t mean that it is acceptable or

that our people condone it. And every time we hear such it should shock the hell out of us because it is inhuman.”

“But that is just an example and there are many more—not statement but conduct. You also wrote about insecurity and the inability of government to do anything as innocent people are bombed and gunned down. The latest is the event of last week in Plateau State, the umpteenth time in the last decade. Thousands have been killed and many more rendered homeless.

“In the latest catastrophe that resulted in the death of more than 80 people, including a serving senator and a member of the State Assembly, Boko Haram was also fingered as perpetrator. Indeed, the group had issued a statement confirming that it was responsible, with a clear warning to Christians to accept Islam or find no peace. For reasons best known to them, security agents issued their own statement denying the involvement of Boko Haram. What might be shocking to you but not to me is the logic of their position. As one of the newspapers reported, the police spokesman stated that if Boko Haram terrorists were involved, it must be because the Fulani invaders invited them.”

“Now is that really something that should shock or surprise you? The whole approach to the Boko Haram insurgency has been to deny that it has a religious motivation. Now that the group is declaring its sectarian objectives, the government and its security agents are doubling up their efforts, not necessarily to stop it, but to forestall a religious crisis which may end up doing what the civil war was unable to do and worse. Recall an incident which few papers reported a few weeks ago but with no follow-up investigation of its authenticity.

After a strike by Boko Haram against churches in Kaduna, Zaria, and Yobe, it was reported that a bomb was found in a mosque but that it had not exploded before it was discovered.

What was that about?”

“I have only selected matters that impact human lives. There are other mundane issues that I could reference, all of which confirm my conclusion that this country has zero capacity to surprise me. Why must it be a surprise to me that a state appointed a sitting First Lady as a Permanent Secretary?”

“I knew it! It was going to come to this, you old scum! Anytime I receive a call from you early in the morning, it must have some sinister ring. You have beaten around until you hit your real target, our favourite First Lady. But I warn you, don’t even go there. Bayelsa State is a state in a federal system of government with its own rules and procedures for appointment. If it decides in its wisdom to appoint the First Lady as Perm Sec, as my grandson would say, “What’s your own, ah, ah?”

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HARDBALL

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Something to cheer

Tajudeen Umar, and his members are to be saluted for working silently without fanfare and we hear, without official funding, while doing their job and getting a great result.

We commend other sports federations and associations to this feat. We also hail Coach Ayo Bakare and his crew. But particularly worthy of our laudation are the boys, many of them foreign based, who have shown extraordinary patriotism and pride donning Nigeria’s green colours. Top on the list is Captain Olumide Oyedeji who is not only a denizen of the famous American National Basketball Association (NBA), but had always returned home to Nigeria to organise BB clinics for Nigerian youths in Lagos. Other members of the Olympics-bound team are: Ike Diogu, Al Farouq Aminu, Tony Oludewa Skinn, Derrick Obasohan, Ejike Ugbuaja, Chamberlain Oguche, Koko Achibong and Ekene Ibekwe.

These lads have brought a ray of sunshine in a place where the clouds of despair hung thick. We think this team can go all the way during the Games. For a country that had Akeem Olajuwon and numerous other NBA drafts, this may well be the beginning of our basket ball renaissance. Yes, we can do it in spite of all odds.

chance of making it to London. Not by any stretch of imagination because there were Lithuania and Greece rated among the top five in the world in that make-or-mar playoff. When D’Tigers defeated Lithuania, pundits thought it was a fluke until they took out Greece, probably the best European team in a thrilling encounter that went to the wire at 80 to 79 points. Emboldened, the Nigerians went on to thrash Dominican Republic 88 to 73, apparently to announce their entree into the world stage of basketball for the third qualification.

And as if to test their mettle, they have been listed in what may be considered the group of death in the London Games comprising USA, France, Argentina, Lithuania and Tunisia. Of course, the USA’s Dream Team can be said to be in a class by themselves as far as the game of the hoop goes; while France and Argentina are equally continental giants. But whichever way it goes in London may not matter as our trophy is the qualification ticket, the opportunity to play at the highest level on a glamorous world stage.

The president of the basketball federation,

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