July 13, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

•President orders police to vacate Rivers local govts •Falana to Okonjo-Iweala: apologise for withdrawals •Presidency denies rift between Buhari, Tinubu •146million phone lines are active, says commission •Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3274 MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

P71 P5 P4 P5

Djokovic beats Federer Sport Page 66

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

NNPC targets 20% petrol supply from local refineries

Explosives found in Jos church

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WO Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs) were yesterday discovered at a branch of ECWA Church in Tudunwa, Angwan Yashi, near the Federal Secretariat in Jos, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

•Boko Haram kills four in Nigerien prison

HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) hopes that its domestic refineries can cover 20 per cent of domestice product needs, the head of refining has told Reuters.

Group Executive Director of Refining and Petrochemicals Ian Udoh said he expected to receive six cargoes a month of Nigerian Bonny Light and Escravos crude oil to run 180,000 barrels per day (bpd) or 40 per cent, of Nigeria’s total refinContinued on page 4

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•Udoh

“They were removed and detonated,” spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Ezekiel Manzo said.

According to Manzo, who spoke on the telephone from Abuja, one of the bombs was found in the church’s toilet

The controlled-detonation took place within the church premises, the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) said in a post on its Twitter account.

A witness near the church said the noise from the “massive” explosion was very Continued on page 4

•INSIDE: 31 PAGES OF OGUN STATE HOMEOWNERS CHARTER ADVERT BEGIN ON PAGE 25

$4bn NLNG cash payments ‘missing’ from govt account APC urges Presidency to launch probe

SCENE OF HORROR

By Our Reporter

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HE Presidency yesterday got a request – it should probe the whereabouts of about $4billion taxes and dividends paid by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Ltd. The payments include Income tax, Education tax and dividends.

NLNG Managing Director Babs Omotowa told The Nation last week that the company had paid over $30 billion to its shareholders in the past 10 years.

Into which account were the funds paid?

The All Progressives Congress (APC) urged President Muhammadu Buhari to launch a probe.

Nigeria, with a 49 per cent stake, is the single largest shareholder in the money-spinning company, which contributed $1.6 billion to the Federal Government’s multi-billion package for the states.

Relying on facts and figures, the APC claimed that of the $4,728,136,946 paid as dividends by the NLNG between 2009 and 2014, only $127,851,348.19 made it to the Federal Government’s Independent Account with JP Morgan.

It said the Buhari administration should tell Nigerians the whereabouts of the balance of over $4 billion.

Explaining the NLGN role in the “bailout” cash, Omotowa said the $1.6 billion was the Income Tax and Education Tax the company paid to the Federal Government through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for the 2014 financial year.

WILL THE But the APC, through its

?

CHIBOK GIRLS EVER RETURN?

Continued on page 4

•Sympathisers watching the squeezed...yesterday

•The seven-year-old survivor...yesterday

•SEE PAGE 4

•Four-year-old Tochukwu in the hospital

•One of the nurses carrying the sixmonths old survivor

Three kids survive as trailer crushes dad, wife, son

•OGOGA: ‘FAYOSE BREACHED TRADITIONAL RITES’ P7 EKWEREMADU ‘MUST GO’ P4

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

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Battle to save •Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (third right), President, Coca-Cola International, Mr. Ahmet Bozer (third left), President, Coca-Cola Central East & West Africa, Mr. Kelvin Balogun (second left), Chief of Staff to the Vice-President, Mr. Ade Ipaye (right) and Managing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Mr. Adeola Adetunji (second right) and Director, Public Affairs & Communication, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Mr. Clem Ugorji when the Coca-Cola delegation visited Osinbajo in Abuja.

With the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) foreign exchange (forex) restriction policy on 41 items upheld, large chunk of forex demands have moved to the parallel market. Although ignored by the CBN, quarterly transactions in the parallel market are expected to increase from $20 billion to $60 billion as manufacturers’ continue to rely on it to meet their forex needs. COLLINS NWEZE writes that monetary policy directives alone will have limited impact on the fate of the naira and reserves until there are corresponding fiscal controls from the Federal Government

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•From left: Founder/CEO, Benola Cerebral Plasy, AVM Femi Gbadebo (rtd), President, Yale Club of Nigeria, Dr Haroun Adamu; and one-time Lagos State Commissioner for Finance Olawale Edun during the launching of the Yale Club of Nigeria at the Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, Lagos PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS.

• Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole speaking on the airline’s inaugural flight to the Maiduguri International Aiport, Borno State... at the weekend. Listening are : Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima (middle) and his Deputy, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

•From left: Unit Manager, Business Development, AIICCO Insurance, Ugochukwu Okere; General Manager, Gtext Media and Investment, Mrs. Ijeoma Olatubosun; Chief Executive officer, Common Sense Group, Olumide Emmanuel and Chief Executive Officer, Lifepage Group, Oladipupo Clement at the My Game plan Mega Summit 2015 in Lagos. PHOTO: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL.

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is at war. It is a fight the CBN boss, Godwin Emefiele, more than a year ago, inherited from his predecessor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

But the battle for exchange rate stability and preservation of the foreign exchange (forex) reserves even preceded Sanusi. It is just that with the drop in oil income, which constitutes two-thirds of government’s earnings, it has become fiercer.

Emefiele is moving against forex speculators, promising them hell as he watches the naira and foreign exchange reserves in tatters. The naira, which has lost over 20 per cent of its value this year, had last Friday, exchanged for N240 to the dollar at the parallel market, while the reserves, standing at $31.9 billion, can only provide six-month import cover.

“Nigeria’s foreign reserves remain our common wealth and we must all strive to work together to protect it and prevent speculators and rent seekers from plundering it,” Emefiele said.

Hence, it was expected when last month, the CBN banned importers of 41 items including toothpicks, private jets and rice from using official forex markets to fund their imports. For Emefiele, such controls would help stabilise the naira, replenish reserves and boost manufacturing, amid criticisms that the measures are harming the economy. But the CBN boss insisted that importers desirous of importing the affected items re free to do so using their funds without any recourse to the official forex market.

“The only thing that will reduce pressure on our currency is by producing those things we are importing today. We must diversify the structure of our economy from being import dependent to being an economy that produces what she consumes. We will try as much as possible not to hurt your business, but we need to be able to work together,” he told the Bureaux De Change (BDC) operators and bank chief executive officers at a meeting in Lagos.

Stakeholders have continued to state their positions on the policy which is already defining the scope of the economy and real sector operations in the country.

Head, Currencies Market, Ecobank Nigeria, Olakunle Ezun told The Nation that the financial market is overregulated. He said before the policy shift, forex demand in the parallel market stood at $20 billion quarterly, but after the announcement, it was expected to climb to $60 billion quarterly.

“I think there are some shortcomings on those policies. It has become an everyday thing for the CBN to issue circulars on forex market and we are not seeing the effect. I expect that they conduct a thorough study of the market before making pronouncements and that is why there is panic,” he said.

Ezun said the CBN should have done a research showing what the country is producing and what it is importing on those affected items.

“I do not see the CBN devaluing the naira further. The body language of President Muhammadu Buhari does not support devaluation. He wants to see the economy grow,” he said.

President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, said the CBN was claiming stability in the official forex window, but outside the official window, the naira has been battered.

“The CBN is ignoring what happens at the parallel market. That is not helping them because huge forex volumes are transacted in this market,” he said.

He said that West African countries, such as Ghana, Cameroun, Guinea, Benin Republic, also fund their import consumption from Nigeria, and this was also putting pressure on the reserves.

“Only a common currency will solve this fix. Nigeria is losing to these countries,” he said.

He said fiscal policy makers should come out with statements supporting CBN’s steps at making Nigeria independent of importation.

“Unless there is adequate infrastructure, the efforts being put by the CBN will amount to nothing because investors will not come.

“The CBN should pursue for an Act of the National Assembly for the convertibility of the naira in the West African countries to discourage those countries from accessing forex from Nigeria. The enforcement agencies should strengthen their intelligence on economic and financial crimes while the CBN and government should institute Special Forex Bank to complement funding gap in the market,” he said.

Former Executive Director, Keystone Bank, Richard Obire, said the latest policy was expected to encourage importers to look inwards and begin local production as the prices of the affected items would shoot up in the market because of high cost of buying forex from the black market.

He said in the long run, the benefits of the CBN’s decision, would outweigh whatever temporary pains it may have at the moment.

“Those who decided to produce those goods locally and export them will earn foreign exchange instead of depleting the reserves. In the short-tomedium terms, it will be painful but subsequently, it will improve the overall economy,” he said.

He said even the International Monetary Fund (IMF) believes that the CBN should protect the reserves because of the huge benefits of such decisions on the naira.

“If the CBN keeps funding these items, the demand for the dollar will rise and this will affect its push for infrastructural development needed to boost the real sector,” he said.

He said the policy could be used to achieve developmental objective, adding that using the available capacity to produce locally, would reduce overall forex demand and when the local production was enhanced, more people will find jobs within the economy.

Chartered Institute of Bankers of

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

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e naira, forex reserves intensifies

•Emefiele

•CBN headquarters, Abuja

Nigeria (CIBN) ex-President Mazi Okechukwu Unegbu said the policy was meant to fix the battered foreign reserves. He, however, insisted that the some items in the list have no business being there because they were raw materials.

Unegbu said: “I have nothing against the policy, but the CBN must be cautious not to drive manufacturers to the parallel market. I expect the regulator to be one step ahead of the stakeholders.

“The CBN should always consider the unintended consequences of its actions and must set a band which the naira must not exceed.”

Unegbu said it was not right to formulate policies simply to attract foreign investors, because if the investment climate was conducive, they would come without being persuaded.

The Executive Director, Treasury and International Banking, UBA Plc, Femi Olaloku, called on government to diversify the productive bases and forex earnings of the economy.

This, he said, would enable the economy overcome the challenges brought about by dwindling revenues from crude oil sales.

“Dwindling oil prices around the globe poses serious challenges to a developing economy like Nigeria, hence the need for government to also consider various diversification options,” he said.

Chief Economist, Africa Global Research at Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan, hinted that the CBN may reopen the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) it shut last February as the battle to save the naira and foreign reserves intensifies.

She said that the apex bank is already under intense pressure to reopen two-way interbank forex trading. The economist explained that given the current perceived market shortage of dollar, a re-opening of the market is likely to see dollar-naira trade higher.

“Failure to re-open the forex market may deter direct investment as well. Few foreign investors are ready to commit new investment to Nigeria ahead of forex adjustment that they believe to be imminent,” she said.

CBN Director, Monetary Policy, Moses Tule, said allowing unfettered access to forex will sink the economy because oil price decline has reduced

•Gwadabe

volume of government dollar earnings.

Tule, who spoke at the Private Sector Dialogue with the CBN on forex policy organised by Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Lagos, accused some manufacturers and real sector operators of insincerity in their forex request.

He said some manufacturers obtain forex from the CBN at official rate send the fund abroad without the intension of importing goods. He said such funds were never repatriated.

Also, he faulted practices where some manufacturers make upfront forex demand, sometimes with over two years’ gap.

“Some importers demand for forex for items they want to buy in the next two years,” he said.

Tule said the business of micro-economic management in Nigeria needs the support of all stakeholders for it to achieve the desired success. He said that no economy is run by forex, and that it is the level of economic activities in the country that determines the volume of dollar-earnings in such country. He said that before the fall in oil prices, the apex bank did its best to ensure that everyone that needed forex got it.

However, with the oil price down, and government dollar-earnings declining, it can no longer be business as usual. He said it is not only businesses that need forex, and that government also needs forex to buy key equipment needed for infrastructural development.

Tule said CBN was not bound to disclose the reason behind its policy before unveiling them, insisting that the policy is in the best interest of the private sector and the nation in general.

“No Central Bank brings its micro economic policy for debate before im-

plementation. We acted in the best interest of the nation with no vested interest anywhere as being alleged in some quarters.

“From January to May, we spent $575 million importing wheat. We have land and farmers in abundance.

We should not forget that agriculture contributes about 85 per cent of our Gross Domestic Product. In the same period, we imported fish worth $374 million. Are we saying we cannot produce fish locally? What are we doing with all the fish farms in the country?

“In addition, the nation spent $349 million in the same period importing electrical and electronics; this can only happen here. In other countries they will insist that you set up manufacturing plants in their country, but here we are quick to import. Must we continue to grow other nation’s economies, keeping their factories running to the detriment of ours?”

He insisted that CBN does not have enough forex to encourage people to spend on frivolities, such as tooth picks or even private jets.

However, the LCCI has kicked against the policy, arguing that it has dire consequences for the economy if not reviewed and possibly reversed.

Its President, Remi Bello frowned at the inclusion of what he called ‘intermediate products’ or raw materials on the list. While flaying CBN for not engaging the private sector before introducing the policy, Bello noted that as key stakeholders, the opinion of private sector operators should have been sought.

Managing Director Coleman Industries, makers of Coleman cables and wires, George Onafowokan, said he lost over N800 million due to the policy and the technical devaluation of the naira.

“I lost N800 million as a result of the policy. If we cannot buy our raw ma-

‘

I lost N800 million as a result of the policy. If we cannot buy our raw materials that we believe have been wrongly tagged in the CBN list, the question is how CBN will cushion the effect of this devastating policy

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terials that we believe have been wrongly tagged in the CBN list, the question is how CBN will cushion the effect of this devastating policy?”

However, for exporters, the policy means increased cash flow and higher profit margins. The Managing Director, Dairy International Limited, Peter Anjorin, who exports timber to China and Vietnam, captured the excitement that came with the decision.

“This policy will create more millionaire-exporters than ever before. I was so impressed with the news that I called my associates together to wine and dine with me,” he said.

But he urged the government to build infrastructure and create conducive environment that will help the real sector thrive and boost local production.

“How can Nigerians be importing cement, margarine, palm kernel, vegetable oil, poultry products (chicken, eggs and turkey), Indian incense, tinned fish in sauce (Geisha, Sardines), cold rolled steel sheets, galvanised steel, roofing sheets, wheelbarrows, head pans, metal boxes and containers, and enamelware which can be produced locally. It is a good thing that the CBN is correcting this anomaly,” he said.

But an economic analyst, Biodun James, said while the move may douse some of the demand pressure in the short run, there is a lot of expectation that the CBN will further devalue the local currency. “Market is still expecting a lot from the CBN in terms of forex policy. The apprehension that the CBN will devalue again has not subsided because the reserve is still under pressure,” he said.

Sub-Saharan Africa economist at Renaissance Capital, an investment and research firm, Yvonne Mhango, said: “We see this policy move as confirmation that forex supply remains extremely tight. But more worrying is the fact that it suggests that the CBN remains reluctant to devalue the naira”. She said there was need for Nigeria to seriously rethink its forex policy to spur investment and quicken economic recovery.

The CBN has overtime been churning out diverse forex policies. It has stopped BDCs from funding import transactions in any form whatsoever, either by cash or wire transfer. It also limited BDC’s dollar sales to indi-

•Unegbu

•Ebun

vidual to a maximum of $5000.00 which must be for the Business Travel/Personal Travel Allowance.

The regulator also promises to investigate travelers breaching the rule on $10,000 maximum cash or negotiable instruments across the borders. It said the transportation of cash or negotiable instruments in excess of $10,000 or its equivalent by individuals in or out of the country shall not be allowed unless such funds are declared at the borders.

The regulator expressed concerns on the increasing trafficking of huge sums of foreign currency across the borders in defiance of the extant dictates of Section 2 (Sub-Section 3 to 5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended).

Intervention in the forex markets is not limited to Nigeria alone. The United States (U.S.) monetary authorities occasionally intervene in the forex market to counter disorderly market conditions. The Treasury, in consultation with the Federal Reserve System, has responsibility for setting U.S. exchange rate policy, while the Federal Reserve Bank New York is responsible for executing forex intervention.

The U.S. forex intervention has become less frequent in recent years.

Like Nigeria, China’s exchange rate is being controlled by the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) which manages the value of the Renminbi by fixing the rate on each trading day.

A prime reason for China to keep the value of its currency low versus its trade partners is that it makes its exports cheaper, and more attractive.

China believes such an exchange rate policy is required to sustain a high growth rate. As a result of the managed exchange rate that keeps the Renminbi relatively cheap, China’s growth depends to a large degree on exports.

For Kenya, the shilling had come under renewed pressure due to heightened importer demand mostly in the energy and manufacturing sectors as well as declining forex inflows from key earners such as tourism, coffee and tea. Just like Kenya, Nigeria does not export much, and relies on monetary policy to manipulate exchange rate instead of boosting its productivity to attract forex. But this may change if the new import restriction by the CBN is well-implemented.

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

NEWS Southeast group asks Ekweremadu to resign

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•Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode (right) being welcomed by the Executive Secretary, Epe Local Government, Ahmed Seriki (2nd right) and Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun (2nd left) on the governor’s arrival for the Special Ramadan Lecture organised by League of Imams and Alfas, Epe Division at Epe Local Government…yesterday.

Presidency denies rift between Buhari, Tinubu

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HE Presidency has debunked claims of a bitter rift between President Muhammadu Buhari and the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the leadership crisis in the National Assembly.

Describing as “unfortunate” the emergence of Senator Ike Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President in the Senate with majority APC members, the Presidency said the party’s leaders were working closely with the President to deliver his electoral mandate to Nigerians.

According to the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media, Mallam Garba Shehu, the challenge before the key leaders of the APC transcends the leadership tussle in the National Assembly as they meet regularly to discuss how best to

From Yomi Odunuga, Abuja

meet the expectations of Nigerians.

Shehu, who spoke to our correspondent in an exclusive interview yesterday in Abuja, said the perception by a section of the populace that the President is slow in effecting change is misplaced as he was taking his time to sort out the huge mess left behind by the Jonathan administration.

He said Buhari had been busy working out an action plan that would include “taming the monster of corruption, assets recovery and making the power sector functional”.

On the ‘perceived’ rift between Buhari and Tinubu, Shehu said: “There is absolutely nothing like that. The President maintains excellent relationship with his friends and who are these people?

They include Baba Bisi Akande, one of the most respected individuals that you see around the President; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who, a week or so ago, was in Aso Rock and had a hilarious discussion with the President.

Just two days ago, they were inquiring about former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to attend the Ramadan breakfast. The President keeps his friends.

“Sometimes, the things we read in the press amuse us because, as far as the personal relationships are concerned, nothing has dented the political family that the President keeps. All these persons I have mentioned realise they have a political party to build and they have work to do. They have obtained the mandate and they know they need to fulfil certain obligations to Nigerians.

The expectations are high. So, they are not mistaken about the assignment.”

Shehu, noting that the government’s strategy in the fight against insurgency is reaping positive results despite an increase in the tempo of attacks on soft targets by the sect, said there would not be any sacred cow in the fight against corruption as shown in the arraignment of high-profile personalities in the courts.

“When people say the President is slow in effecting change, I will say it depends on what the people think is more important for the country. Now, those who feel the most important thing that Buharri ought to do is appointment would naturally feel disappointed. There are those who think he has probContinued on page 71

Three kids survive as trailer crushes dad, wife, son

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FAMILY’S jolly ride yesterday ended on a bloody note.

Mr. Okechukwu Odinigwe, his wife and eldest son died when a trailer rammed into their car at Esther Obiakor Junction, Agu Awka on the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway between noon and 1pm.

A six–month-old baby boy, his brother and sister, aged four and seven, were injured.

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

The three children, who survived the accident, are two boys and a girl. They were rushed to Regina Caeli Hospital in Awka by Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officials.

When The Nation visited the hospital yesterday, the survivors were seen at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

where doctors were battling to save their lives.

Sympathisers were wailing at the scene of the crash, cursing the driver of the killertrailer who, they alleged, was reckless.

The driver, according to eyewitnesses, disappeared after the accident, which involved the trailer marked LSR 897XQ and an ash–coloured Toyota Camry in

which the family was ridding. The number plate of the mangled car was not seen.

An eyewitness, who identified himself as Chijiuoke, told The Nation that the truck driver refused to heed the warning of those who flagged him down to reduce his speed.

According to him, the car was heading towards Enugu Continued on page 71

F a Southeast pressure group has its way, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu will quit his position now.

The African League Organisation (ALO), which has asked the Deputy Senate President to resign, said any other senator from the zone should replace Ekweremadu, who it alleged has been passive in the past eight years.

The group’s call came on a day the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed Ekweremadu’s emergence as the Senate’s number two man in the Eighth National Assembly.

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, BOT Secretary Senator Walid Jibrin described Ekweremadu’s emergence as a “good omen for democracy”.

Addressing reporters in

From John Ofikhenua and Blessing Olaifa, Abuja

Abuja, ALO said it had written Ekweremadu to quit.

The letter reads: ”The only noble way forward is that you should immediately step aside for one out of the remaining 14 distinguished senators from the five states that make up our zone to immediately step in to accomplish our Southeast dreams.”

It was signed by Chief Kingsley Okafor of National Progressive Coalition, Mazi Sunny Chijioke of Southeast Professionals in Commerce, Sir Okay Nwaneri of Ibos in Politics, Ike Ikemefuama of Ibos in the Diaspora and Chief Anya Onyeije of African League Organisation.

Copies of the letter were forwarded to the President GenContinued on page 71

Explosives found in Jos church Continued from page 1

loud and that the casualty might be high as worshippers were at the church for the Sunday service.

The IEDs were found one week after a similar explosion at a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCP) in Yobe State, claiming many lives.

Their discoveries also came barely a week after two blasts, believed to have been masterminded by the deadly Boko Haram insurgent, rocked the Tin City, killing scores and leaving several others injured.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Plateau State Command, Emmanuel Abuh, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) said: “Yes there was a blast at an ECWA Church at

Tudun Wada area in Jos North LGA, but it is not as bad as that of last week. So details will come”.

On Saturday, suspected Boko Haram militants launched an attack on a prison in the southern Nigerien town of Diffa military sources said.

The attack was in an apparent bid to free fellow members of the sect being held in the Nigerian neighbouring country.

Three of the assailants and a soldier were killed before the attack was repelled, the sources said.

“When the attack was repelled, the assailants fled, probably back into the town,” one military source said. “We Continued on page 71

NNPC targets 20% petrol supply Continued from page 1

ing capacity. He said he expected to produce 8 million litres a day of petrol, accounting for about 20 per cent of the estimated consumption.

The 125,000 bpd Warri refinery resumed last week after maintenance and it is expected to run at 60,000 bpd. The Port Harcourt complex will start ramping up over the next two weeks but only the newer of the two plants at the site is

functional and at 90,000 bpd versus its 150,000 bpd capacity. The last refinery to restart will be the Kaduna Refinery as it will take about two more weeks to repair the pipeline bringing crude from the oil-rich delta in the Southsouth.

Nigeria has wholly depended on subsidised fuel imports and crude-for-product swap agreements and suffered acute fuel shortages since February.

$4b NLNG cash payments ‘missing’ from govt account Continued from page 1

National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, called on the Federal Government to urgently unravel what happened to the past dividends paid to it.

Mohammed said the probe became necessary following published reports that such remittances were never lodged into the Federation Account as required.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through its spokeman, Olisah Metuh, claimed that the “bailout” cash, which will help states to pay salaries from the savings left behind by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Metuh, who counselled President Buhari to take a cue from his predecessor by saving for the rainy day, also claimed that NLNG’s dividend stood at $5.6 billion, when Dr. Jonathan left office on May 29.

Mohammed accused the

PDP of grandstanding and standing logic on its head.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday, Mohammed described as a glaring example of grandstanding opposition the attempt by the PDP to distort the facts about the source of the $2.1 billion that was approved for sharing by the three tiers of government by the President.

The statement reads: “Whereas the Presidency corrected the initial erroneous report that the shared money was sourced from the Excess Crude Account (ECA), the skittish opposition continued to insist it was from the ECA and that it was part of the ‘savings’ by the Jonathan Administration.

“Well, we can tell Nigerians that the $2.1 billion was sourced from the $1.6 billion Company Income Tax/Education Tax paid to the Federal Government on June 17, 2015, over two weeks after the

Jonathan Administration left office, as well as the $500 million tax paid by Shell.

“We can tell Nigerians that this is the first time the payment of the Income Tax/Education Tax by the NLNG was being disclosed by any government, in addition to paying it into the Federation Account for sharing, hence those who call it their ‘legitimate’ earnings should be asked why they did not demand the sharing of such ‘legitimate’ earnings in the past.

“We can tell Nigerians that apart from the said $1.6 billion NLNG payment for 2015, NLNG also paid $1.4 billion as Income Tax/Education Tax in May 2014, paid $0.3 billion as Education tax to the Federal Government in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and $1.2 billion in VAT and With-holding Tax to the Federal Government since 2009. These payments are just those made in the past six years alone, hence there were

other payments before then.

“In addition, dividend payments totalling $4,728,136,946 were paid to the Federal Government between 2004 and 2009, out of which only $127,851,348.19 was credited to the Federal Government’s Independent Account with JP Morgan, leaving a balance of over $4 billion.

“The questions to ask therefore are why all the past taxes and dividends were neither fully paid into the Federation Account nor shared by the three tiers of government and what happened to the funds.”

The APC said the probe must be carried out in the light of President Buhari’s directive that all funds due to the Federal Government must be paid to the Federation Account as part of ways to plug financial leakages.

The statement went on: “In an effort to restore transparency to the system, it is important to let Nigerians know why

all due funds were not paid into the Federation Account in the past and what happened to such funds.

“The party also said that as part of the investigation, the PDP must be asked where it kept the $5.5 billion which it said was the dividend paid to the Federal Government by the NLNG before the 29 May handover. ‘’Since, according to the PDP, President Goodluck Jonathan asked that the money be ‘left for the incoming administration to manage’, it is important for the party, therefore, to tell Nigerians in which account the money was ‘saved’ because it is definitely not in the Federation Account.”

Insisting that an opposition must not only be factual and truthful but ‘eschew pandering to be credible’, the APC said: “Had the PDP embraced these cardinal principles, it would not have, in the rush to belittle the package that was

approved for the states by President Buhari and to discredit his administration, engaged in outright lies and selective perception.

“While the PDP became fixated on the source of the money shared by the states, it forgot that there were other measures in the package that included a special intervention fund of between N250 billion and N300 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as a soft loan available to states to access for the purposes of paying backlog of salaries.

“The PDP also forgot the debt relief programme designed to assist the states to restructure their commercial loans of N660 billion, with a view to extending the life span of such loans and reducing the Continued on page 71

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NEWS

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AGOS lawyer Femi Falana has urged former Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala to apologise to Nigerians for admitting that the withdrawal of $2 billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) was authorised by President Jonathan and not the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC).

He advised Dr. OkonjoIweala to stop denying her role in the mismanagement of the nation’s economy.

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole had alleged that the ex-minister of Finance unilaterally approved the withdrawal of the $2 billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) “without authorisation”.

But in her reaction, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala claimed that it was “false, malicious and totally without foundation,” asserting that the withdrawal of the fund was “approved”

by FAAC.

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Falana to Okonjo-Iweala: apologise for ‘illegal’ ECA withdrawal

By Adebisi Onanuga

Following denial of her claim by the FAAC , Mrs Okonjo-Iweala recanted.

Falana noted that in denying the mismanagement of the economy, the former coordinating minister of the Economy said the “payments made were used in paying for petroleum subsidies and were approved by Mr. President”.

The Lagos lawyer said: “Assuming without conceding that the release of the $2 billion was approved by the President, is Mrs Okonjo-Iweala saying funds belonging to the three tiers of government could be unilaterally withdrawn from the ECA by the Federal Government? As the

coordinating minister of the Economy, did she draw the attention of President Jonathan to the illegality of withdrawing funds from the ECA without approval of the states and the local governments, the coowners of the fund?”

Falana said despite the alleged payment of $2 billion for fuel subsidy in December 2014, fuel marketers have continued their strike over alleged unpaid N200 billion by the Ministry of Finance under Mrs Okonjo-Iweala’s watch.

He said: “In spite of the alleged payment of $2 billion for fuel subsidy in December 2014, fuel marketers have continued to embark on strike over the alleged nonpayment of N200 billion by

the Ministry of Finance under Mrs Okonjo-Iweala’s watch.

The claims and counterclaims by the former minister and fuel marketers call for investigation of the mismanagement of the fuel subsidy regime by the Buhari administration with a view to exposing the monumental fraud that has characterised the policy.

“In 2011, the National Assembly appropriated N245 billion for fuel subsidy. Without any amendment of the Appropriation Act, 2011, by way of supplementary budget, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala unilaterally paid N2.5 trillion to fuel marketers. Investigations by the House of Representatives and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commis-

sion have confirmed that the bulk of the fund was paid to members of a cabal, who did not supply any fuel. Was it the FAAC or President Jonathan that authorised the World Bank expert to engage in the fraudulent payment of over N2 trillion to fake fuel importers?

“Having admitted that the withdrawal of the $2 billion by her was authorised by President Jonathan and not by FAAC as she had previously claimed, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala ought to apologise to Nigerians. And instead of resorting to shifting blame in the circumstance, the former minister should stop denying her principal role in the gross mismanagement of the neo-colonial economy of the country.”

Kuku to Buhari: appoint right man for Amnesty Office

X-SPECIAL Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Kingsley Kuku has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint the right co-ordinator for the Amnesty Office.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, who also chaired the Presidential Amnesty Programme, said the President must source a credible person acceptable to the riverine people to man the office.

His call came just as a nongovernmental organisation, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), is urging Buhari to investigate the Niger Delta Presidential Amnesty Programme.

Kuku, who spoke on the sideline of the Nigerian Athletic Golden League at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, at the weekend, hailed the 30,000 ex-militants benefiting from the Amnesty Programme for being peaceful despite not receiving their allowances for two months.

He said: “I have appealed to the delegates (the ex-militants), to be patient with the present administration concerning the affairs of the Niger Delta people.

“It was quite an experience

•Activists seek probe of programme

By Bisi Onanuga and Leke Akeredolu, Akure

working in such office. These are groups of people, former agitators, that can turn the nation upside down if their payment is delayed for two days, they can block the Niger Delta highways and do more. But for over two months, they have been disciplined and calm.

“For me that shows the level of discipline I was able to instil in the programme and that is what the present administration is enjoying.

We must not push our luck.

“However, this is a transition period for President Muhammadu Buhari’s government. It is not going to be easy for it to come on board just to announce anybody to run the Amnesty Office. So it will take him sometime. I have definitely left a big shoe in that office. If you just bring in anybody, there will be more crisis.

“So, I think Mr. President is taking his time to look for the appropriate person to replace me so that there won’t be destruction but continuity.

“I think there will be a better time for the programme

but I encourage the 30,000 delegates to continue to endure a little while. I think Mr. President respects and adores the Niger Delta people. That is why in his inaugural address to the people, the Niger Delta was dwelt on.”

SERAP’s Executive Director Adetokunbo Mumuni said government should investigate the agency, adding that it had received petitions from some people, who were denied their monthly payment of N65,000 by the agency.

In a July 10 petition, the organisation explained that it “received a petition from Mr. Sukore O Daniel, Mr. Ekperi Abel, Mr. Enodeh B. Eniyekperi, Mr. Ebaretonbofa J. Keme, Mr. Akperi Tamaraebi and Mr. Godspower A. Desmonds of Patani in Delta State.

“The petitioners alleged that they have gone through the required training under the Amnesty Programme by the Federal Government. Although the Amnesty Office has issued identification cards to the petitioners and the office collected their bank details, the petitioners have not received their monthly

payment of N65, 000 due to them under the programme from November, 2011 to date”.

The organisation added: “We are seriously concerned that the accrued allowances to the petitioners might have been stolen, diverted or mismanaged. We fear that these cases may not just be isolated incidents and that they are likely to be a broader pattern of corruption, and impunity, and are in large part the consequence of the previous government’s failure to address it.”

“We believe that the President can play a leadership role in helping to address the problem and ensure justice and fair play to those affected. Doing so will be entirely consistent with the anticorruption policy of this government.

“Nigeria has an obligation under international anti-corruption treaties, such as the UN Convention against Corruption to which the country is a party, to investigate allegations of corruption and mismanagement, as alleged by the petitioners in this case.

SERAP believes that a thorough investigation to establish the truth will contribute to transparency and accountability, consistent with the policy of your government. It

•From left: Executive Director, ARCO Group, Mr. John Nejoh; Vice President, Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Mrs Olu Maduka; Group Managing Director. ARCO Group, Mr. Alfred Okoigun; President of the Academy, Professor lsola Salawu; a fellow, Mr. Segun Adedeji and Honourable Secretary, Mr. Alex Ogedegbe during the courtesy visit by the delegation of Nigerian Academy of Engineering to the management of Arco Group Plc in Lagos.

•Kuku

will also help to provide justice to those that have been affected.”

“SERAP therefore urges you to use your good offices and leadership to ensure that the allegations are thoroughly and transparently investigated, and to make public the findings of any investigation. We hope you will give this matter the urgent attention it deserves.”

Nigeria’s phone lines hit 146m, says NCC

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HE Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday said the active lines in the nation’s telecommunications industry stood at 146,561,744 in May. The commission spoke in its Monthly Subscriber Data.

Active lines in Nigeria were 145,476,326 for April and increased by 1,085,418 in May, the NCC said.

According to the data, 144,386,841 of the 146,561,744 active numbers subscribe to the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network services.

The GSM operators increased their active customers by 1,329,607 as against the 143,057,234 subscribers in April.

The Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators had 1,993,278 active users in May, showing a decline of 241,024 from the 2,234,302 customers in April.

Also, the monthly subscriber data showed that the Fixed Wired/Wireless networks’ consumers reduced to 181,625 in May, after losing the 3,165 customers recorded from the 184,790 data for April.

The chart showed that the tele-density of the country’s telecommunications industry increased to 104.69 per cent in May, from 103.91 per cent in April.

NAN reports that the teledensity statistics measure the percentage of a country’s population with access to telecommunications services, as determined from the subscriber base.

Nigeria’s tele-density is calculated by the NCC on a population of 140 million.

NAN also reports that there was an increase of 0.78 per cent in the teledensity in May.

Congrat adverts should be on hold for now, says Banire

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ATIONAL Legal Adviser of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr Muiz Banire has appealed to his family, friends and well-wishers, who have started placing congratulatory adverts in the media over his elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to stop in deference to the rules of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC).

Banire, who is in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, in a statement yesterday, said his attention had been drawn to efforts by his friends and well-wishers to place advertisements to congratulate him.

He said: “I want to sincerely express my appreciation to all those who have placed or planning to place congratulatory messages in my honour in the media. At the same time, I want to plead with them to stop such immediately as the rules of LPPC are against such at this stage.

“They can re-channel their resources for other noble and kind-hearted ventures at this time or wait till after the September swearing in of the newly elevated lawyers, in-

‘

They can re-channel their resources for other noble and kindhearted ventures at this time or wait till after the September swearing in of the newly elevated lawyers, including me.

Once again, it’s in the interest of their love for me and our relationship to stop any form of congratulatory advertisements for me now.

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cluding me. Once again, it’s in the interest of their love for me and our relationship to stop any form of congratulatory advertisements for me now.”

Banire is one of the 21 lawyers on the list of new Senior Advocates of Nigeria released by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC, Ahmed Gambo Saleh, last Friday. They are expected to be sworn in at the commencement of the new Legal Year on September 21.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

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NEWS Nigerian, British firms agree on 27 oil, gas deals

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•Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity Mr. Femi Adesina (second left) greeting the General Overseer/Senior Pastor of Foursquare Gospel Church, Rev Felix Meduoye (second right) at a thanksgiving service for Adesina at Foursquare Gospel Headquartres, Yaba, Lagos...at the weekend. With them from left are: The General Overseer’s wife Rev. Bisi Meduoye; Adesina’s wife Nike and former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Tunde Lemo.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

Election cases: Vacationing Court of Appeal justices placed on standby

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OURT of Appeal (PCA) President Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa has directed justices of the court, who are going on vacation to get ready for appeals emanating from election tribunals.

She said any of them might be recalled from vacation, scheduled for between July 13 and September 11 to attend to appeals from the election tribunals.

The PCA, in a letter to justices of the court, urged them not to hesitate to heed such calls. She hailed them for their support and hard work during the receding legal year.

The court’s Chief Registrar, Aliyu Ibrahim, in a statement, quoted Justice Bulkachuwa as saying in her letter to the justices that the court would resume on September 14, but “with a caveat that justices might be recalled back at short notice should any appeal

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

arises from the decisions of the ongoing election tribunals.”

About 74 of such tribunals were established nationwide to hear petitions from both the governorship and legislative elections held earlier this year.

Of all the tribunals, those of states, such as Rivers, AkwaIbom, Yobe, Taraba, Borno and Adamawa sit in Abuja owing to security problem in the states.

But respondents like the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, whose election is being challenged at the state’s governorship tribunal, is querying the tribunal’s decision to sit in Abuja.

Akwa Ibom State Governor Emmanual Udom and his predecessor Godswill Akpabio have raised similar issues before the state’s governorship and legislative tribunals.

Incidentally, none of the tribunals has ruled on the various applications challenging their decision to sit in Abuja.

Instead, they have elected to await the decision of the Court of Appeal in a case pending before it, which queried the legitimacy of the Rivers tribunals and their relocation to Abuja.

The case was filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja on April 24 by a governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Rivers State, Kemka Elenwo.

The plaintiff urged the court to, among others, declare the Rivers tribunals unconstitutional on the grounds that it was constituted by the PCA in disregard to Paragraph 2(3) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

It also queried the decision of the PCA to direct the relocation of the Rivers tribunals to Abuja, arguing that the PCA lacked such powers un-

der Section 285(2) of the Constitution.

The plaintiff relied heavily on the 2005 decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of Ibori vs. Ogboru (2005) 6, 1"3 (pt. 920) C. A. 102, where the appellate court held that a tribunal must sit in the state where an election was held to determine any dispute arising from such election.

On June 24, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, in a ruling, referred the case to the Court of appeal for determination.

Justice Kolawole hinged his decision on the grounds that the circumstances under which the Appeal Court determined the Ibori case in 2005 has changed today.

He noted that the security environment under which the 2005 case was determined is different from what it is now, which informed the relocation of some states’ tribunals, including that of Rivers State to Abuja.

WENTY seven partnerships have been agreed to by Nigerian and British companies under the yearly Nigeria-United Kingdom (UK) engagement programme sponsored by the Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo).

Chairman, Shell Companies in Nigeria and Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) Osagie Okunbor said this when a United Kingdom Trade and Investment (UKTI) delegation, led by its Director of Trade in Nigeria, Chris Maskell, visited him.

He said the partnerships cover a wide range of oil and gas activities, including engineering, maintenance, fabrication and support services.

Okunbor added that they were the outcome of several business summits held in Lagos, Abuja, London and Aberdeen.

SNEPCo, working closely with the UKTI, initiated the business summits in 2009 and created valuable opportunities for Nigerian and British companies to collaborate to

UAE police arrest Nigerians for hacking U.S. accounts

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NITED Arab Emirates (UAE) police have busted a cell of three Nigerian hackers, who targeted United States (U.S.) bank accounts, the interior ministry said yesterday.

The three suspects were arrested following a tip-off from police in California about “cyber-criminal activity based in the UAE”.

They had targeted individuals and institutions in the U.S. by hacking their emails and accounts to steal

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Fashion Design in Lagos.

Mrs. Chukkas-Onaeko said: “The plan is to train two million youths annually and put them to work. Already, we have hit the ground running to ensure that we even do much more. We are also coming up with the youth lounges at all our offices across the nation because we want to better engage the youth.

“If we catch the youth and direct them to focus on productive skills and businesses, we would be doing this country a lot of good.”

This scheme, she said, was in line with the commitment

of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to reduce the country’s unemployment level through job creation.

She added that the fund had also concluded a survey to determine the top 100 businesses of interest to youths in a bid to sharpen their skills in preferred areas as well as help actualise their goals by providing job opportunities to benefit the youth and the nation.

She lauded the complimentary roles played by NECA, which had created more training facilities by using its member-organisations’ train-

ing facilities to train youths.

“What we do is that we reach out to companies that are already contributing to the ITF and have a structured system and a state where they can carry out training programmes within their facilities. We work through NECA, engage them and shortlist them to provide training for our youths,” the director general explained.

The Project Director, ITFNECA Technical Skills Development Project, Mrs. Helen Jemerigbe, said prospects for employment under the skill programme were very high.

private documents and details.

When police raided their hideout in the emirate of Ajman, officers found a list of more than five million electronic bank accounts.

The mastermind of the cell is aged 24, while the other two are both 26. They had all entered the UAE as tourists.

Cybercrimes are punishable by imprisonment and fines of up to two million dirhams ($545 million) in the UAE.

Afe Babalola, Falana for UI’s forum

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EGAL luminary Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) will today chair an interactive session, where 13 vice chancellorship aspirants will speak with the Univer-

ITF begins 2m yearly jobs scheme for youths IGERIAN youths are to benefit from two million jobs yearly through the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) skill acquisition and employment creation programme.

ITF Director-General Mrs. Juliet Chukkas-Onaeko said the agency had finalised the scheme’s structure and that it planned to achieve this by collaborating with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA).

She spoke at the weekend in Lagos at the unveiling of the ITF-NECA Technical Skill Development Project for Ruff ‘n’ Tumble/Betti-O School of

close the technical gaps that exist in the oil and gas industry as a result of the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010.

The collaboration, which has helped to improve local capacity in innovation and technology, has now been replicated in Kazakhstan and Iraq.

“We are pleased with the progress that has been made with the collaboration of UKTI and Shell. We will continue to support the initiative given the benefits and potential to drive growth in the Nigerian economy,” Okunbor told the UKTI delegation visited him.

On the partnership, Maskell said: “The partnerships have significantly increased the scope of operations for both the British and Nigerian companies and can only get better as they explore more areas of co-operation. We are grateful for the continued support of Shell for this initiative.”

A reform of the programme has ensured that Nigerian suppliers take the lead in deciding potential UK companies that they would like to meet and partner for project delivery in areas of key needs.

“The skills being addressed by the project were identified through a survey. The programme is so big that we need so many more Nigerians to participate in it,” she said.

The ITF is in the process of finalising the first National Skill Gap Assessment survey for the country, in partnership with the United Nations Development Organisation (UNIDO).

It is a nationwide skill gap assessment to first uncover what skills are lacking in the labour force, those needed by employers in the market and the skills which will be needed in future.

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

sity of Ibadan’s (UI) community.

The programme is being organised by the staff unions on the campus - Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) - under the chairmanship of Prof. Nelson Fashina.

Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) will moderate at the interactive forum.

As at the close of nominations, 13 professors have indicated interest in the position as the incumbent Prof.

Isaac Adewole ends his tenure this year.

The forum, which is scheduled for Trenchard Hall of the premier university at 10am, will be attended by former vice chancellors of the university.

Judge okays trial of Jonathan’s campaign supporters

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HE Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Ishaq Bello, has granted permission to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) to arraign for the Chairman, Goodluck Support Group, Aminu Abubakar and his assistant, Okechukwu Geoffrey.

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

The ICPC had earlier filed a three-count before the court, accusing them of conspiracy, extortion and blackmail.

They were said to possess documents relating to some officials of Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, with the intent to implicate them by publishing and threaten-

ing them, if they did pay N50 million.

When they were first taking before the court, the duo challenged the competence of the charge and the court’s jurisdiction.

According to a statement yesterday by ICPC’s spokesman Folu Olamiti, the court granted each of the accused persons bail at N15 million and two sureties in the same

amount.

It then took arguments from parties on ICPC’s application for leave to arraign them and the accused applications challenging the competence of the charge.

In a ruling last week, Justice Bello held that there was no basis for the charge to be quashed because the prosecution had diligently linked the accused to the offences committed.

The judge upheld the argument by the prosecuting lawyer, George Lawal, that the application seeking to quash charge be dismissed because the suspects have been linked with the alleged offences.

“The charge clearly shows where the first accused (Abubakar) had a meeting with the officials of the Petroleum Ministry, where he demanded N50 million, went ahead with

threats, and went into a meeting where he collected N5 million, even writing an undertaking”. Therefore, the issue of quashing the charge was not acceptable,” he said.

The judge fixed October 21, for the arraignment of the accused.

They will be arraigned on the three-count charge, brought under the Penal Code, for extortion and conspiracy to extort.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

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NEWS Senator hails Banire

‘APC’ll win Ekiti in 2018’

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HE senator representing Lagos West, Solomon Adeola (Yayi), has congratulated the National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muiz Banire, for his Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) award.

Yayi said the conferment of the SAN status on Banire was in recognition of hard work and dedication in the service of public good in the legal profession in Nigeria.

“Dr. Banire is a people-lawyer fighting the cause of the common man and common good.

“His dedicated service transverses teaching of law in tertiary institutions, a rich private legal practice and meritorious service in the public in government in various capacities.”

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

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ORMER Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker Femi Bamisile has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) will reclaim power in 2018.

Bamisile said the people had realised that a “wrong party is in power”, judging by their experience in the last nine months.

The former Speaker, who declared his intent to vie for the party’s governorship ticket, said: “There is no more hiding place for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which must be kicked out in 2018.”

He spoke when he hosted party leaders and members in the 16 local governments.

The former Speaker challenged them to begin mobilisation of people at the grassroots.

Bamisile, who also opened the “situation office” of his campaign organisation, said Ekiti people were disillusioned with the Ayo Fayose administration which, according to him, has failed to deliver on its promises.

He praised President Muhammadu Buhari for approving funds for states to pay their workers.

The former Speaker said Fayose no longer has excuses not to pay workers’ September salaries, leave bonuses and subventions owed state-owned tertiary institutions.

“We must thank President Buhari because he has done what many people cannot do. His package will help our teachers, civil servants and others get their dues.

“We heard that N2.1 billion has been paid to Ekiti State. Fayose must pay workers,” Bamisile said.

Insurers call for more awareness

By Oziegbe Okoeki

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HE Association of Registered Insurance Agents of Nigeria (ARIAN) has called on the Lagos State House of Assembly to help in creating awareness on insurance.

Speaking during the startoff of an Insurance Awareness Walk at the weekend, the Director-General of the Nigeria Insurance Association, Thomas Olorundare, emphasised the importance of having an insurance policy.

He said:”People would feel secure, when the vehicles they board or drive have compulsory insurance policy that guarantees the safety of all road users.

“We are out this morning to let the world know the importance of insurance.

“Lagos State has done very well on insurance, but it can still do more. You have energised us to go for the walk with the way you have attended to us.

“We will walk to Awolowo Road in Ikeja to let the people know the value of insurance.”

Olorundare thanked the Lagos State government which, he said, has inculcated the act of insurance in the hearts of the people, adding that the state stands out amongst all other states.

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola inspecting a school named after a former military administrator, Antony Udofia Elementary School Osogbo, at the weekend. With him is Senator Bayo Salami.

Ikere kingmaker: no Ogoga has been installed

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ARELY a week after Governor Ayo Fayose installed Adejimi Adu Alagbado as the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, the dust raised by the enthronement is yet to settle as the head of the community’s kingmakers has said tradition was violated.

The Sapetu of Ikere, High Chief Michael Adu Shittu, said there would be “terrible consequences because the necessary traditional rites were not done before the presentation of the staff of office”.

He said failure to perform a traditional rite, Iwoye, before Adu was installed might spell doom for the community.

“The Akapinsa, who is the head of princes and princesses (Omo Owas), was also sidelined in the process.

“Eleven traditional rites must be performed before an Ogoga is installed. Governor Fayose jumped the gun by presenting the staff of office to an oba, who had not undergone any rite.

“I am shocked that Fayose, who gave kingmakers 14 days to complete the selection process, went on air three days later to announce his choice.”

Shittu decried the haste with which Adu was named, presented certificate of appointment and staff of office

•Says Fayose breached traditional rites •Legal battle trails installation From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

within a few hours of each process.

The Sapetu said he had gone to court to challenge his exclusion from voting.

Shittu said: “I don’t know the reason for the rush because what was supposed to come last came first, which is wrong.

“Even if a king has the approval of the government there is a rite called Iwoye but this and others were not done and they spell doom for the community.

“What they don’t know is that sometimes before a king can be enthroned it could take three months even before he receives the staff of office but this was not the case.

“Collecting of staff of office is just a modern development which the government uses in putting the monarch under its control.

“The new Ogoga is not allowed to enter the palace without performing these rites, but if he does he will bear the consequences.

“According to tradition, if you are to do something and you don’t you will bear the consequences.

“I have filed a case in court for being sidelined and all

necessary quarters have been informed. The oba can hide under the guise that he is yet to receive court papers.

“There were 10 people who voted the new king in and others didn’t partake in the voting.

“Suddenly, we just heard on the radio at 9am during the governor’s broadcast that he would be giving the new Ogoga of Ikere the staff of office by 12pm.

“With that, you will know that there is something fishy going on. Also, this is against Yoruba tradition in enthroning a new king.

“To enthrone a king, there are 11 traditional rites that need to be done or put in place.

“The first step is that the secretary to the traditional committee of the local government will write a letter but for them, it was the secretary to the local government who was picked.

“It was a career officer who wrote the letter, this is wrong because he is not supposed to write the letter but if he will write the letter, he will have to write the letter to Akapinsa.

“I will get a copy of the letter as the head of the kingmakers. I will instruct the selected ruling houses to give the

names of their representatives to Akapinsa, who will forward the list to Sao of Ikere, who is the head of Oro Quarters.

“Sao is my deputy. He is to bring together the candidates. I will bring together the Iwarefa Mefa and the Elegbe Mefa, who are called Agbajilowa and the 12 will meet.

“After which we will call the other nine kingmakers because there are 21 king makers.

“But they didn’t bring anybody to us. After the meeting, we will give the candidates a date for an interview.

“During this period, the candidates will go from one chief to the other wooing them just as in a political campaign.

“Also, the communities and top shots will have access to them because in enthroning a new king, public interest is vital.

“During the interview, we will be able to know more about the candidates and to choose the best but in this said enthronement, all these processes were not followed.

“Even those who should have been informed were sidelined.

“I can say it authoritatively that I, Akapinsa and some kingmakers were not informed and we don’t know if a king has been enthroned.”

Accolades for ‘charming’ poet Osundare From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

•Osundare

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MINENT professors and personalities yesterday gathered to honour renowed poet and playw They described him as a charming, humble and deep-rooted thinker, whose voice has remained distinct.

They spoke at a luncheon organised by Dr and Mrs Lalekan Are to celebrate Osundare’s Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) award.

Prof Osundare was the sole recipient of the NNOM award in December.

In his welcome address, Are said people like Osundare, who have distinguished themselves, need to be celebrated.

Are said Osundare’s reputation preceeded him.

A former Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan (UI), Emeritus Prof. Ayo Banjo, who chaired the event, said Osundare had developed a distinctive voice in poetry, which is accessible to Nigerians and the rest of the world.

Prof Banjo said: ”Osundare is a charming personality, who has not let his several honours derail him from his good works.

Emeritus Professor of Linguistics Ayo Bamgbose said Osundare had succeeded in making poetry readable, adding that he is humble and rooted in his culture.

“He is straight forward and courageous to the extent of crit-

icising the same government that gave him the award,” he said.

Amb. Olusola Sanu said Osundare’s poems were readable even to the traders, noting that the honour was well deserved.

Profs Labode Popoola and Festus Adesanoye appreciated Osundare’s humility, saying he writes “clean English”.

Osundare described the programme as a celebration of excellence, urging people to give their best in whatever they do.

Osundare said Nigeria needed to ensure that its citizens get the best of services in the world.

He said he was honoured that most of his teachers, like Banjo, who mentored him through hardwork and dedication, were still alive to see him excel and celebrated.

Osundare said the efforts of Banjo and others had led him to where he is today.

“If I have been able to fly

today, then Prof Banjo and others gave me wings.

“Our universities want that great better times. Our students can still better if well tutored. The students are not bad but the institution cheats them and the standard has collapsed.”

He appreciated Are for the reception, promising to contribute more to poetry, education and the nation.

The toast was taken by a poet, Ropo Ewenla, who described Osundare as a teacher of teachers and a poet with distinction.

The programme was attended by High Chief Eddy Oyewole, the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Adebayo Akande, Chairman, Splash FM, Chief Adegboyega Sodeinde and Chief Joop Berkhout.

Others are Prof. Olutayo Adesina, Femi Aborisade and former Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State, Bashiru Olanrewaju.

‘Review forex policy’

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HE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to review its foreign exchange policy for imported goods.

The LCCI made the call in a statement by its DirectorGeneral, Muda Yusuf.

The chamber disapproved of the apex bank’s policy which restricted 41 imported goods from accessing foreign exchange from the bank.

It said the policy would serve as a disincentive to the manufacturing sector and the economy.

The statement said the restricted items included critical elements of the manufacturing process of many firms, across sectors in the country.

“The policy means that manufacturers who require any of the 41 restricted items as inputs and raw materials for their production may have to simply shut their operations once their existing stock is exhausted.

“The LCCI understands the CBN’s constraints and circumstances, as it drew up this policy.

“It, however, appears as if the formulation of the policy has suffered from the CBN’s limited understanding of the manufacturing process of many of the sectors affected by this policy.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the CBN on June 23 said it was imperative to exclude importers of some goods from accessing foreign exchange.

It added that the directive was aimed at encouraging local production of the items.

The chamber, however, noted that the policy was ambiguous as the restricted items were not well-defined and specific. It stated that the ambiguity had plunged both manufacturers and banks into confusion.

It, therefore, urged the apex bank to amend the policy with full product definition, specification of all restricted items, including their HS Codes and excluding any items, which are non-substitutable industrial raw materials from the list.

The chamber, therefore, called for appropriate time frames for items which required some interval before local substitutes can be created for imported raw materials.

It reminded the CBN and the Federal Government that manufacturers had yet to recover from the losses they suffered due to the recent currency devaluation.

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NEWS Ondo to residents: collect your cards From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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HE Ondo State government has warned residents who have not collected their residency cards to do so as they will not benefit from any of its programmes.

Speaking during an inspection tour of some data registration centres, Commissioner for Information Kayode Akinmade said the government would be strict with the use of the card.

Akinmade lamented that most of the beneficiaries of the government’s programmes are non residents.

He said the residency card was essential for the government to ascertain the beneficiaries of its various programmes.

According to him, “people from neighbouring states often come to Ondo to enjoy what the government executes mainly for the people.”

OPC to picket NNPC

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

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VER 1,000 workers of the New Age Global Security & Surveillance, who were sacked a month ago by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), have said they will picket the company.

Many of the workers drawn from the O’odua Peoples Congress (OPC) have said they are owed three months salaries.

Sources said the workers plan to trek from Lagos to the NNPC Depot at Mosimi, Sagamu, to block the entrance of the depot and prevent lifting of fuel and other products, until their employer is paid the contract sum.

The spokesman of New Age Global Security who doubles as the Vice President of OPC, Alhaji Lateef Lawal, confirmed the planned protest.

“Why should NNPC refuse to pay the contract money of a duly processed and signed contract? They should settle our employer so that our staff who have been deployed to the pipeline since March.”

Lateef said while the surveillance job lasted, the company lost one of its members who was burnt to dead while pursuing pipeline vandals in Sagamu.

APC: Fayose corrupt, not Fayemi

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has taken a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its comments on former Governor Kayode Fayemi.

The PDP had accused the APC leadership of trying to halt the investigation of the former governor.

But the APC’s Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, denied the allegation, saying the party had called on the Federal Government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute Fayemi, if there were evidences.

Olatunbosun said Fayemi had always made himself available for probe if need be.

“Fayemi is in the country.

It is not as if he travelled out of the country. Why is the PDP just waking up with these accusations? It should stop these distractions.”

The APC spokesman, who described the PDP allegation as distraction, said: “The Fayose government is not only fraudulent, but milking Ekiti State and distracting the EFCC. “We have enough evidence to nail Fayose and EFCC is beaming its searchlight on him.

“Governor Fayose cannot account for the monthly allocations to the state in the last eight months.

“He cannot account for the

•Stop shielding ex-governor, says PDP From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

N22 billion by the Federal Government on projects executed by Fayemi administration, he cannot account for the N2billion Ecological Fund and the N2.1 billion bailout for Ekiti.

“The governor is also yet to explain where he got the N2.6 billion wage bill for the state when the wage bill was N2.3 billion under Fayemi with all political appointments and subventions,” Olatunbosun said.

The PDP in a statement yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Jackson Adebayo, alleged that the APC is aware of petitions before anti-corruption agencies against Fayemi, hence its determination to frustrate their investigation and prosecution.

The statement reads: “We are aware that the Special Fraud Unit has reached an advanced stage in its investigation of the financial mismanagement of the Fayemi administration.

“We are also aware that Fayemi has approached a top security chief, who is very close to the president, to intervene.

“We therefore call on President Muhammadu Buhari not to entertain any entreaty

‘So, if there is anybody who should be running from pillar to post, begging to be bailed out of EFCC investigations or trial, it should be Fayose’ from any quarters that can lead to evasion of justice,” the PDP said.

But Fayemi, in a statement by his chief press secretary, Yinka Oyebode, said: “I think the PDP-led government is merely hallucinating.

“This is a pure case of hallucination. You and I know that it is Governor Ayodele Fayose who has a case with the EFCC. “And I am sure you know that his N1.3billion poultry scam case came up at the Ado-Ekiti High Court sometimes last year shortly before the elections.

“The case could not be heard on its adjourned date owing to the closure of courts in Ekiti since last year.

“So, if there is anybody who should be running from pillar to post, begging to be bailed out of EFCC investigations or trial, it should be Fayose.

“Fayemi ran one of the most responsible and corruption- free government not only in Ekiti State but in the country.

“He has been out of office for nine months and has not been invited by any anticorruption agency be it EFCC, SFU or ICPC to answer any query on his government.

“His government was completely above board unlike Ayo Fayose, who apart from his EFCC N1.3b poultry fraud case is also facing an indictment from the Code of Conduct Bureau for lying on oath in his asset declaration form in 2003.

“Why will President Buhari interfere in the investigation or prosecution of any individual? That’s more in the character of PDP government and not APC dedicated to cleaning up their Augean Stable.

“The PDP in Ekiti sure needs help, because it is saddled with the unenviable task of inventing lies on behalf of a government that lacks character, capacity and initiative to perform.”

Ex-militants assure of peace From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

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ORMER militant generals in Niger Delta

states yesterday reassured President Muhammadu Buhari that peace will return to the creeks and pipeline vandalism will no longer occur in the region under his administration.

The ex-militants said the decision was in line with the All Progressives Congress (APC) mantra of “Change” to allow the Buhari administration transform the nation’s diverse sectors and the people’s lives.

They spoke in their different dialects, which were translated into English during a meeting convened by their leader, Commander Bibi Oduku.

The ex-militants said Oduku was the only gateway to relative peace in the region.

•From left: Daughter of the deceased, Miss Minna Afolabi Salami, Widower, Afolabi Salami, and former Lagos State Deputy Governor Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire at a prayer service in honour of the late Mrs. Anneli Kaarina Salami at Foreshore PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA Harbours (Texas Connection Yard), Osborne Estate, Phase 2, Ikoyi Lagos...yesterday.

Osun workers may call off strike tomorrow

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IVIL servants in Osun State may suspend their strike tomor-

row.

It was gathered that the workers will suspend the strike, if the government can pay at least two months of the seven months salary arrears.

Sources said the labour leaders and government officials will reach a temporary agreement on how to make workers return to work.

They said the Chief of Staff to the governor, Gboyega Oyetola, at a meeting last Friday with the workers’ representatives,

•Traditional rulers intervene From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

led by the state chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Jacob Adekomi, appealed to them to call off the strike.

However, the labour leaders were quoted to have told the government that “no alert, no resumption”.

The labour officials were said to have told the government that the only condition for workers to resume was when they receive bank alerts of payment of at least two months today (Monday).

A source at the meeting said: At least, if two months could be paid by the government out of the accumulated seven months salary arrears, the strike will be called off for a while while pressure will be mounted to receive the remaining five months.”

Some traditional rulers waded into the matter when they appealed to workers to consider returning to work in the interest of the state.

Speaking through their spokesperson after a meeting in Osogbo, the state capital, Akirun of Ikirun, Oba

Olawale Olayiwola Adedeji, reminded the workers of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s welfare package, saying “this is the government that has introduced novelty by paying bonus to workers at the end of the year; that is the 13th month salary.”

The monarchs noted that the financial crisis was not peculiar to Osun alone.

They, therefore, warned against politisicing the situation, assuring that the state would soon overcome the crisis.

The monarchs equally appealed to the government to intensify efforts in resolving the problem.

Amosun hails Soyinka at 81

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GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has congratulated Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka on his 81st birthday.

Amosun, in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, described Soyinka as “a quintessential scholar who bestrides the literary world like a Colossus”.

“Soyinka excels in all genres of literature and his prodigious works have continued to be a reference point in academic circles all over the world,” the statement said.

Amosun opined that the first winner of the prestigious Awo prize for Leadership “has continued to be a source of inspiration to youths across the globe on top-notch scholarship, values of industry and public spiritedness.”

He wished him robust health and many more years of meritorious service to the nation.

Police: we’ll arrest Iyaloja’s killers From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

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HE police in Ogun State yesterday gave an insight into why they were yet to arrest suspects in the killing of the Iyaloja of Ijebuland, Alhaja Sadia Elewuju.

The Command said it wants its investigation team to complete its job first before arresting any person or group connected with the killing.

Elewuju was hacked to death last Wednesday by suspected six-man assassin who stormed her ItonrinMolode-Sabo, Ijebu – Ode, house when her male workers went to the market. She was 82.

The Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Alli, at the weekend, visited her home and vowed that her killers would soon be arrested.

He added that the Command would carry out thorough investigation.

Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi yesterday said the command is looking in “many directions and angles” to have a firm grip of what might be both the motive for the killing and insight into likely suspects.

Asked if the police are looking in the direction of any simmering succession struggle as a motive, Adejobi said the investigators would leave no “angle” unexplored in their bid to get to the root of the matter.

Last week, the police spokesman told reporters that people suspected to be “hoodlums” attacked the octogenarian leaving her in a pool of blood.

•The late Alhaja Elewuju

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NEWS

Pipeline explosion: Bayelsa, NOSDRA officials among victims O •Police: 12 burnt beyond recognition, six bodies recovered

FFICIALS of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) have been identified among victims of the explosion that occurred on the Tebidaba Clough Creek pipeline.

The pipeline, operated by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in Azuzuama, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, exploded and killed 18 persons.

Four others were injured and one person declared missing.

The victims were reportedly on a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to repair of ruptured spots of the pipeline when the incident occurred.

It was gathered yesterday that six employees of an indigenous company, M. G. Vogas Nigerian Limited, hired by Agip to maintain the line, were among the dead.

Also, the charred remains of two Agip workers and a soldier were said to have been recovered from the explosion site.

The dead employee of the

•13 deaths recorded, says govt •State mourns victims as probe begins •Oil firm ENI: thieves caused pipeline fire From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State government was said to have hailed from Nembe; the NOSDRA official is from Enugu State.

An indigene of Azuzuama in the JIV team was named among the victims.

The Ministry of Environment, it was learnt, would issue an official statement on the incident after meeting with Governor Seriake Dickson.

In a terse statement in Yenagoa, the state capital, Environment Commissioner Iniruo Wills described the incident as a “tragedy for us all”.

The police command, in a statement by its spokesman confirmed the death of the soldier.

It said: “On July 9, at 1600hours (4pm), a pipeline exploded when Agip work-

Ozoro Poly to start FM station, says Rector

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HE Rector of Ozoro Polytechnic, Ozoro, in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, Dr. J. S. Oboreh, has said the Mass Communication Department will start a Frequency Modulated (FM) radio station in September.

Oboreh was speaking in his office on the interim accreditation granted the institution by the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE).

The Rector told reporters that the five new courses accredited for the institution would boost its learning.

The accredited courses are: National Diploma (ND) in Electronics/ Engineering Technology, Computer Engi-

From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

neering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Mass communication and Marketing.

Oboreh said the Mass Communication and Marketing Department would begin in the next academic session; the other three courses had taken off.

The Rector said the polytechnic’s expansion was boosted by the yearning of the people in various fields of study for the students to have wider opportunities to be self-employed and employer of labour when they graduate.

ers were carrying out a routine maintenance at Gbaraun/ Tebidaba, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

“Twelve persons were burnt beyond recognition, including a soldier on guard; six other bodies were recovered.

“Four persons were rescued alive and are undergoing treatment. Two other persons are still missing. The search for the missing persons is ongoing.”

The Bayelsa State government yesterday confirmed the explosion at the Clough Creek Tebidaba oil pipeline, operated by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC).

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Esueme Kikile, the government said 13 people died in the Thursday incident.

It described the incident as regrettable.

Kikile said: “From available information, the incident occurred during repairs of the pipeline, following an oil spill from it.”

He condoled with the families of the deceased.

The commissioner said

the government sympathised with injured and the affected communities.

He assured them of government’s support.

Kikile said: “The incident resulted in the death of 13 persons, including an Assistant Chief Scientific Officer with the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, who was part of the joint investigation team (JIT) that went to inspect the spill site and to monitor the management of the spill. At least two persons rescued from the scene of the incident are receiving treatment for severe burns.

“The government condoles with the families of the deceased. It also sympathises with the injured and the affected communities. It assures them of adequate support towards the treatment and recovery of the injured.

“The government is working with relevant agencies to ensure a comprehensive investigation and to unravel the cause and circumstances of the explo-

sion. We will also determine and undertake appropriate measures to fully address this tragedy and to prevent future occurrence.

“In the meantime, government wishes to appeal to the affected families and immediate communities in the incident area for their cooperation in the efforts to properly address this disaster and its sad consequences.”

Last Thursday’s fire at a pipeline of oil group, ENI in Nigeria, was caused by oil thieves, the Italian company said in a statement at the weekend.

The company confirmed 13 deaths in the incident.

Last week, it said 12 people were killed in the explosion when maintenance crew were repairing the Tebidaba-Clough Creek pipeline.

ENI said: “It appears likely the fire was triggered by people who previously worked on this pipeline to illegally obtain crude oil.”

The statement followed the first investigation into the explosion.

“Local witnesses have reported seeing saboteurs upon arrival of the intervention team to repair the pipeline,” it added.

ENI said it would continue to work with local authorities to reconstruct the dynamics of the accident and the related responsibilities.

NSCDC seizes 50 drums of adulterated petroleum products From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

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HE Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has seized 50 drums of adulterated petroleum products in a Hausa settlement in Uyo, the state capital.

The Assistant Commandant in charge of Public Relations and Protocol, Mr. Ime White, spoke on the seizure on behalf of the State Commandant, Mr. Emmanuel Oyetunji.

The commandant said the command uncovered the products behind a mosque in the Hausa settlement near Akwa Ibom Transport Company’s motor park (AKTC).

He said: “Following a tip-off, the command confiscated 50 drums of adulterated petroleum products, which could have been supplied to unsuspected company.”

Oyetunji said no suspect had been arrested.

But he assured that the command would soon bring the perpetrators to justice.

He urged the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious character to law enforcement agencies nearest to them.

Storey building collapses in Edo

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STOREY building believed to belong to a daughter of the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, has collapsed.

No life was lost in the incident.

It was learnt that the building, located on Airport Road, via Boundary Road junction, caved in at 5pm after last Friday’s torrential.

The building was still under construction but some property were seen inside.

Two churches still held their Sunday services on the premises where the collapsed building is located.

A source said nobody was inside the building when it

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From Osagie Otabor, Benin

collapsed.

Two women were seen going round the building at the weekend.

One of them, who was identified as the owner, declined comments.

But her companion said she was there to buy scraps from the collapsed house.

It was learnt that the House of Assembly may investigate what led to the collapse.

A source said the Chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development, Osaigbovo Iyoha, and other committee members would visit the area to assess what caused the collapse.

•Dangote Foundation’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mrs. ZoueraYoussoufou (second right) with the Field Operation Manager, Dangote Foundation, Mr. Ahmed Iya, addressing some children of insurgency victims after presenting relief materials at Dawere Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Yola, Adamawa State...at the weekend

Gunmen kill 15 in Rivers market shooting

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HREE gunmen have killed 15 persons and injured several others at a market in Agbonchia, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The gunmen, who rode motorcycles on Saturday night, shot indiscriminately at the people, especially youths at the motorcycles’ washing section of the busy market.

The incident caused a pandemonium in the area.

The residents ran to safety but the 15 were killed in the

•Several others injured •Police arrest suspect From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

melee.

Witnesses told our reporter yesterday that the casualty figure was high because the people at the market thought the gunmen were there to wash their motorcycles.

The people were taken aback when they saw the gunmen shooting at close

range.

It was gathered that after the shooting, the youthful gunmen escaped on their motorcycles.

Police spokesman Muhammad Kidaya Ahmad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the incident.

He said the command had arrested a suspect, adding that he was being interrogated.

The spokesman said inves-

tigation had begun into the incident.

Ahmad said five persons were killed in the shooting, adding that the police preliminary investigation showed that the incident was an attack by a cult group.

The police spokesman assured that the fleeing gunmen would be apprehended and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to other criminally-minded persons.

AIG Ogunsakin, three deputy governors, others lead anti-militancy JTF

HE Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 6, Tunde Ogunsakin, will partner three state governments and other security agencies in the zone.

It is part of plans to end attacks by militants and sea pirates in the zone.

The police chief met with three deputy governors and

security chiefs at the weekend to fine-tune the fight against major crimes in the zone.

The security meeting was at the instance of AIG Ogunsakin.

It was attended by Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor Moses Frank; his Cross Rivers State counterpart, Prof Ivara Esu, and a representative of Rivers State deputy governor, Mrs. Ipalibo Harry-

Banigo.

Also at the meeting were the commissioners of police in the three states, representatives of the Department of State Security (DSS), the Navy and Air Force.

This comes a few weeks after the police foiled an attack by some gunmen on its marine post in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

Ogunsakin, who called for logistics from the police high command, said the meeting was aimed at forming a Zonal Task Force to combat militant attacks on the citizens and government facilities on the waterways.

In a statement by the police zonal spokesman Rogers Elebe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Ogun-

sakin said: “There is need for the establishment of the zonal Joint Task Force (JTF) as a crack squad to effectively combat maritime piracy and other violent crimes associated with the use of waterways.

“The security forces will have to work out the modality of a joint operation room to coordinate the activities of the zonal JTF.

“The police high command provides Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) in states where they are not available, especially in Cross River, as it borders Cameroun.

The police chief assured that the security forces would deploy technologically-driven and actionable intelligence to actualise their common goal.

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NEWS

RAMADAN KAREEM

Ramadan 26, 1436AH

Be your brother’s keeper, cleric tells Muslims

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N Islamic cleric has advised Muslims not to relent in giving alms to the poor, and being their brother’s keeper after the month of Ramadan.

The Chief Tafsir (lecturer) of Dada Adams Central Mosque, Ilo-Awela, Sango-Ota, Ogun State, Khalifah Ghaffar Jamiu gave the advice in his Ramadan lecture at the weekend.

Jamiu quoted from Quran chapter two where believers are admonished to spend in the way of Allah and asked to refrain from discouraging people who are willing to spend in the course of religious propagation.

He said the fear of God with which the Muslims

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observe the Ramadan fast should regulate their daily activities after Ramadan.

According to him, a good Muslim should practice his religion every year round not only in the month of Ramadan. He should pray five times daily, recite the Holy Quran always, abstain from the unlawful things as prescribed in the holy book and gives alms to the poor.

The cleric warned Muslims against underestimating the words of the Quran or misinterpreting them for personal convenience. If you abide with the teachings of Quran, Allah will make your life worth living and reward you with Al-Jannah (Paradise) in the hereafter, he

said.

“The fact that you are a Muslim does not mean that you will not encounter problems in life. Prophet Muhammed faced many problems even from his immediate family who gave him certain conditions before he could be accepted as a prophet.

“The unbelievers will prosper in life and face problems in the heaven. If you have faith you will prosper in life and be rewarded with paradise.

“Whatever we achieved in life, we should pray to Allah to accept it. Prophet Ibrahim prayed for faith and prosperity and still prayed to Allah to accept them.”

•Khalifah Ghaffar (right), speaking at the lecture. With him are: Chief Imam, Sheikh Najimdeen Rauph and Imam Musa Al-Fulaniy.

Buhari Support Group distributes gifts in Borno

HE Borno State Chapter of Buhari Support Organisation (BSO) has distributed food materials to some displaced and needy people in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Secretary and Facility Manager of the Borno State chapter of the BSO, Alhaji Muhammed Shettima Kuburi told reporters in Maiduguri that the association decided to reach out to people who are in need of support during this period of Ramadan.

“We have distributed thousands of bags of rice, spaghetti, vegetable oil, sug-

•Ahmadu Bello Foundation donates relief material to Yobe IDPs From Duku Joel, Maiduguri

ar, Lipton and some token of cash to all beneficiaries”, Kaburi explained.

He praised the contribution of the Northeast Coordinator of the Organization Hajiya Ya’Chillu Baba Jidda, wife of the immediate past Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Engineer Abdullahi Aliyu who is the Director of Fund raising towards achieving the goal.

The distribution of the items was supervised by Dr

Garba Sani, the National Coordinator of the group supported by the Borno State coordinator, Alkali Aji Kolo. He disclosed that the idea of reaching out to Buhari supporters during the Ramadan Fast was a measure of sustaining the solidarity that the new President enjoyed during the elections even as he now steers the affairs of the country.

Items distributed include

hundreds of bags of rice, cartons of sugar, spaghetti and vegetable oil to all members and non-members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) across the 27 local government areas and the IDPs. Also, the Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation has donated food items to IDPs in Damaturu, in Yobe State.

The items were donated by the Foundation’s Man-

‘Boko Haram is satanic’

By Basirat Braimah

•IyanuOlorun

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12-YEAR-OLD Islamic preacher, Sheik Jamiu Iyanu Olohun, has described the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, as satanic.

The teenage preacher, during a Ramadan lecture in

his Ikorodu, Lagos State home, stated that the sect members were instruments being used by the devil to torment the country.

Oloun Iyanu, who became an Islamic preacher at the age of nine, said: “ Members of Boko Haram are not Muslims. They only use Islam and the name of Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W) to cover up their evil acts. But they will soon meet their waterloo.” .

According to him, ‘Whoever kills his fellow brother or sister in Islam unjustly will face the wrath of Allah on the Day of Judgement.

He, therefore, urged Nigerians, irrespective of their faiths, to always pray to God to put an end to the mindboggling attacks on innocent Nigerians by Boko Haram group.”

Behold! thy Lord said to the angels: “I am about to create man, from sounding clay from mud moulded into shape, what I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of my spirit, fall ye down in obeisane unto Him.

Qur’an 15 vs 28-29 Sponsored by ALHAJI KHAMIS OLATUNDE BADMUS Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland

aging Director Dr Shettima Aji-Ali in Damaturu.

The items includes 400 bags and cartons of Semovita and indomie noodles, 400 pieces of wrapper and children’s wear, 100 cartons of cooking oil and baby foods.

Alhaji Musa Idi, Executive secretary of Yobe State

Emergency Management Agency, who received the donation on behalf of Yobe government assured that the materials will be distributed to the victims of insurgency.

He commended the foundation for identifying with the displaced people in the state.

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

Alhmadu Lilah

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OR any good Muslim, coming out of Ramadan is like coming out of Hajj fresh. Both are spiritual cleansers and erasers of sins. Whoever passes through Ramadan or Hajj with genuine intention and abides by their rules scrupulously is sure to become like a new born baby devoid of sins.

If anything should be called a clean slate (Tabularasa), here on earth, it is either Ramadan or Hajj. The one is open to all. The other is limited to a few according to the condition by which it is to be performed. Both Ramadan and Hajj constitute the rarest opportunity for living Muslims to renew their covenant with Allah on an annual basis.

Through Ramadan, we came to know about Tarawih and the reinvigoration it entails; about Sahur and the discipline it instills; about Iftar and the relief it ensures; about I’tikaf and the spirituality it encourages; about Laylatul Qadr and the great hope it brings; about Zakatul Fitr and the spirit of kindness it accentuates as well as about Eidul Fitr and the happiness it disseminates among believers.

Through Hajj, we came to know about the very first house on earth which is called Ka’bah; about the circular nature of the world which Tawaf represents; about the necessity of endurance in life which Sa’y represents; about the great assembly of the Final Day which Arafat represents; about the damnable character of Satan which the throwing of pebbles at the Jamrat represents; about perseverance of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) which the visit of pilgrims to Madinah represents and the everlasting universality of Islam which the meeting of races in the Holy Land confirms.

Yet, without the Qur’an, we would not have known Ramadan and Hajj. Neither would we have known Islam and its three other pillars. This confirms that Qur’an is the main constitution of this life and the life hereafter.

With the last two pillars of Islam so heavily loaded with spiritual well being and jointly forming an estuary of fortune for the other three pillars it may be concluded that the traces of life hereafter are vividly clear in this very life on earth. The details of this will come up in another edition of this column in the near future. In sha’a Llah.

We thank the Almighty Allah for granting us opportunity to sail through another Ramadan without scratch. Some people who had the same opportunity last year are no more this year. Some who started the month with us this year fell by the way side. Some who are alive and would have wished to sail with us in that spiritual ship of life have been precluded by circumstances beyond their control. With life, health and freedom why wouldn’t we be grateful to Allah?

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Corruption bane of Nigeria’s embassies

A timely bailout • State governments, nonetheless, have to toe the path of fiscal discipline

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HE long-sought succour finally came the way of cash-strapped states last week when the Federal Government rolled out some financial packages to assist them clear the backlog of salaries owed their workers. The three-part measures – an adroit blend of pragmatism and sound economics – seek to directly inject N713.7bn into the economy. The first part comes by way of the sharing of $2.1bn (N413.7bn) paid by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) to the Federal Government, made up of $1.6bn dividend and $500m tax; the second, a special Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) intervention fund of between N250bn and N300bn in the form of soft loan to enable the states to pay the backlog of salaries; and the third, a debt relief programme by the Debt Management Office, to help the states restructure their commercial loans currently put at over N660bn.

We commend the Federal Government for coming up with a strategy to address the problem. Given the embarrassing position in which many of the states have found themselves – (many are known to owe 10 months arrears of salaries) – any further delay can only be at the risk of putting the entire political economy in jeopardy. Even without the famed interconnectedness between public spending and the health of the economy, the quantum of outstanding arrears can only further spell trouble for the anaemic economy. We therefore see the measures as sound and pragmatic.

In the same vein, we must also admit that the measures have again thrown up the old, extant issues in our practice of

fiscal federalism – the absence of transparency and due process in the remittances into the federation account. Indeed, only in the context of the old paradigm would the $2.1 billion paid by NLNG come for mention for whatever reasons under the bailout package – a claim which in all fairness could not be attributed to the Buhari administration.

Having said that, we must also state that the NLNG payment has opened a new chapter in transparency; what is left is to push the frontiers to ensure that agencies in similar categories pay what is due to the federation account. Indeed, our expectation is that the development would set a new template for those agencies to follow promptly and scrupulously.

If we may dare to amplify: not only are there too many idle funds in the system that are not captured by relevant bodies for appropriation, we have not seen enough done by anyone to get the agencies obey the relevant statutes and the constitution, concerning their treatment of operating surpluses. The time has come to buck the trend.

How far the bailout measures will go is the million naira question. To the extent that the measures do not provide insurance against the conditions that created the mess, we see them as merely addressing the symptoms. Yes, the cry across state capitals is that the dip in oil prices is what has occasioned the present financial crisis. The point that is often lost is that a significant part of the mess is the product of poor planning, high level of fiscal indiscipline, brazen corruption and warped priorities going on in almost all the state capitals. The bailout must

therefore come with the understanding that it is not to be treated as freebies or as rewards for bad practices. Without stringent conditions attached, the package would turn out an endorsement of bad behaviour.

The other pertinent question is – what happens after? What happens in the unlikely event of oil prices rebounding; will the Federal Government be able to sustain the therapy? And for how long? This is where the states have a lot to do. A good way to start is for them to cut down on wastes and corruption while also realigning their expenditures. This is where the offer of technical assistance by DMO comes in.

Above all, we cannot over-emphasise the need for states to grow their internally generated revenues. While the way to go in the long run is for the states as federating entities to push for constitutional amendment to enable them have greater control on the resources beneath their soil as consistent with fiscal federalism, there is a lot they can do in the short-term to overhaul and expand their traditional sources of revenue.

‘The other pertinent question is – what happens after? What happens in the unlikely event of oil prices rebounding; will the Federal Government be able to sustain the therapy?

And for how long? This is where the states have a lot to do’

Reconsider that decision •FG should rethink relocation of Boko Haram prisoners to the south east

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T is not unusual in a democracy for people to protest against public policies for various reasons. This is the hallmark of the democratic order. However, in our clime, such protests and the response to them are often smeared by sectarian considerations. It is against this background that we see the plan by the federal authorities to move some insurgents serving terms in some Northern prisons to Ekwulobia in Anambra State in the South East, that is being stoutly resisted by the governments, leaders and people of the region.

Last week, governors of the five states in the zone rose from a meeting in Owerri, the Imo State capital, and requested that the Federal Government should restrict Boko Haram prisoners to the federal capital city, Abuja. They reasoned, quite logically, that the South East already has more than its fair share of

‘The Ekwulobia prison is small and thus unsuitable for such use. Jailed terrorists are meant to be kept in maximum security prisons where the security forces are at alert at all times and the facilities adequate to deter attempts at freeing them by force. We call on the Federal Government to upgrade facilities in all the prisons and improve security in and around them’

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security challenges. They also argued that only Abuja, with the concentration of security agencies, devices and personnel, could house such men and women.

But, earlier, the people of Anambra State had protested against the plan on the grounds that Northern prisoners should not be brought to their state. We consider that line of reasoning untenable as all prisons in the country are owned by the Federal Government and the prisoners were tried and sentenced under federal laws.

If the protest along that line is sustained, there would soon come a time when deciding where to locate detainees and prisoners would become a problem.

Prominent political prisoners had been moved in the past from the scene of their alleged crimes. The late Chief Gani Fawehinmi was jailed at the Gashua prison while the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, after the famous treasonable felony trials of the First Republic was moved to the Calabar prison. The people could, applying sentiments, have protested the decisions on political, ethnic or sentimental grounds, or argued, perhaps irrationally, that the decision to move the political prisoners to their areas could generate tension and endanger the lives of their kith and kin in Yoruba land.

We, however, call on the prison authorities to consider the plea because of inadequate security network in the area. It is known that dare-devil attacks had been launched by heavily armed insurgents to free their colleagues. In Koton-Karfe, Kogi State, such an attack was launched and prisoners set free. In Ado Ekiti, too, a jail break last year was said to have been in-

formed by the presence of some Boko Haram insurgents there. When this is considered alongside the blood-chilling operations of the terrorists, it is not surprising that the Anambra State people are worried at the frightening prospect of sending some of them to the state.

In 2011, the suicide bombing of the United Nations House in Abuja and the unprecedented earlier attack on the Police Headquarters at the federal capital city caught the attention of the world.

Since then, the sacking of military and police formations in Bama, Borno State, abduction of more than 200 secondary school girls in Chibok, Borno State, capture of towns in the North East, successes recorded against the Nigerian military and internationalisation of their operations have shown that Boko Haram is a well coordinated and funded group.

The war of words involving Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano and his predecessor, Mr Peter Obi, is uncalledfor. The suggestion that the relocation was approved by the former governor is ridiculous as the Federal Government does not need such endorsement regarding where to keep prisoners.

The Ekwulobia prison is small and thus unsuitable for such use. Jailed terrorists are meant to be kept in maximum security prisons where the security forces are at alert at all times and the facilities adequate to deter attempts at freeing them by force. We call on the Federal Government to upgrade facilities in all the prisons and improve security in and around them.

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IR: Nigeria‘s embassies continue to be riddled with corruption and nepotism despite the change in government over a month ago.

Nigerians mostly in Eastern European countries are subjected to daily extortion and intimidation. The situation is become unbearable, annoying and disgusting and if nothing is done about this ugly trend, the Nigerian communities might have no any other option than to occupy the embassies across Eastern Europe.

The era of impunity is gone; nobody can subdue the voice of the masses anymore. Our decision to hold back most of our planned protest across Eastern Europe was to give room to the new government to understand the terrain and make drastic changes.

Almost every embassy has positions for locally recruited staff. These locally recruited staff consists of receptionists, maintenance staff, drivers, cleaners, and other administrative staff meant to give support services (accounting services etc) to the staff posted from Nigeria.

Nigerian embassies, unlike embassies of other countries do not advertise their vacant posts. The ambassadors and staff based at the various embassies recruit their relatives clandestinely.

This behaviour is shameful and should be exposed. A clear message should be made to these corrupt officials that the Nigerian embassies do not belong to them and their kith and kin. Vacant positions should be advertised for all Nigerians in the Diaspora.

Other nations’ embassies take care of their nationals in the various countries.

A quick scan of any of the embassy websites for other countries gives one a section with information about vacancies. As for Nigerian embassies, their websites are more often than not, dormant. The recruitment of needed staff from locals is done in the homes of top embassy staff.

It is high time that these corrupt Nigerian envoys are made aware that Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians.

• Comrade Ahmed OmeizaLukman, Kiev, Ukraine.

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: It is now 54 years that our colonial masters left us; 16 years since the soldiers went back to their barracks handing over power to politicians or ‘democrats’.

And Nigeria has had almost equal number of years for both military and civilian regimes.

A lot of people are deliberately ignorant of the fact that two of modern history’s most celebrated dictators are products of a democratic process. Benito Mussolini (Italy) and Adolf Hitler (Germany) were elected under the Fascist Party and the National Socialist German Workers’ Party or the Nazi Party respectively in 1922 and 1933 in addition to countless others. We must equally concede that elections have also produced geniuses and near-saints like: Barack Obama, Abraham Lincoln, Margaret Thatcher, Julius Nyerere, Sam Mbakwe, Lateef Jakande, and the likes, just as it has produced rogues and despots: Robert Mugabe, is just a good case.

Also, anyone who has studied US history would know that democracy is just a style of leadership not a system as we may think. Franklin D. Roosevelt is a good example. Many remember him today as perhaps the most loved American president. Few remember the ‘Court Packing’ and

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net

Why Nigeria needs a Stalin attempt to flush out all his opponents from the Congress during the 1938 midterm election using his influence in the Democratic Party. All these he did to force the New Deal through the throat of Americans. Few still remember he is called the lion and the fox: two creatures known for ruthlessness and craftiness.

We have equally been told that democracy is built on institutions, and not men. In fact President Obama made this point clear on his visit to Ghana in 2009: Africa needs strong institutions and not men. If I am on the same page with these people, the word institution is to be taken literarily: an organisation that has a particular purpose. This may mean courts, parliaments, bureaucracy, political parties, or electoral bodies. If that is the meaning of institution, then I submit we have them in fact in excess. To fight corruption alone we have: Economic and Financial Crimes

Commission(EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission(ICPC), Code of Conduct Bureau, NationalAgency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control(NAFDAC), State Security Service(SSS), the Police; the list is endless. Has the existence of these reduced corruptions?

I found another meaning of the word in Oxford Dictionary: a person who is well known because they have been in a job for a long time. In the United States’ Federal Reserve Board we can mention institutions like William M. Martin Jr. who served as chairman between 1951 to 1970 serving under five different administrations, both Democrats and Republicans. Also we have Allan Greenspan who was appointed chairman in 1987 and served four different Presidents, including Bill Clinton,even though he himself was a Republican. These are institutions per excellence. And these we

I cry for Nsukka people IR: By recycling the same people that Chimaroke Nnamani used to ruin the progress of Enugu State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has made a terrible mistake. Are there no better people than these people that he wants to make commissioners? I weep for my state! I weep for Nsukka people!

I weep for another song that will soon be launched by Father Ejike Mbaka against Nsukka people.

This government is a failure. I can see signs of failure in this government.

Why should Ugwuanyi who inherited a debt of over N20billion from the regime of Sullivan Chime refuse to let Enugu people know the true state of affairs?

Ugwuanyi was so scared to announce that he inherited such debt from Chime due to the fear

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that Chime might be angry with him! He doesn’t want to hurt his master Chime even when his master is wrong!

During the last days of past administration, Chime sold all the lands in government reserve areas leaving none for future generation and one had been thinking that once Ugwuanyi takes over, he would revoke all fraudulent sale of Enugu lands. But up till now, he has been silent over it!

I cry for the future of this state under Ugwuanyi. Since assuming office, he has been blowing siren all over the state. Time is going but he is yet to understand that or is he trying to toe the path of Nwodo who was busy singing triangular equilibrium all around the state thereby leaving Nsukka/Opi road abandoned till he was sent out of Lion Building?

Are Nsukka people cursed with bad leaders? Is it that wrong people are chosen on their behalf?

Ugwuanyi, please stop being Sullivan Chime’s errand boy and concentrate in providing democratic dividend to your people. I think that there are better people than the old men appointed as commissioners. We need visionary leaders.

Governor Ugwanyi should note that Nsukka is backwards in the scheme of things. He should construct state of art hospital in Nsukka as there is no good hospital in Nsukka. He should move Park Lane to Nsukka now that ESUT Teaching Hospital has taken over Park Lane Hospital. He should dualise and construct Opi/ Nsukka road. He should generate water from Ajali pipe borne water scheme to compliment the

need!

Irrespective of what the West wants us to believe about Stalin: he was responsible for the deaths of untold number of Soviet’s citizens through starvation and ‘concentration’ camps; murderer of many if not all his opponents and supporters (including the respected Leon Trosky one of the leaders of October 1917 revolution); reigned terror on many through the notorious and dreaded KGB (the Secret Police), we need someone like him to bring discipline back into our lexicon as a nation. For those who do not know, Stalin it was that mechanized Soviet’s agriculture; turned around its education that rural farmers were all sent to school; laid the foundation of Soviet’s industrialization, and development of nuclear power which compelled Americans to treat Russians as equals in international politics; responsible for Soviet’s victory over Adolf Hitler’s

boreholes used in Nsukka. He should bring out the face of Nsukka town by building a befitting local government secretariat. He should conclude the Edem/Uzowani -Aguleri link road so that we can have quick access to Onitsha in Anambra State.

He should declare state of emergency on 9th Mile as the state of roads in the area is bad. He should construct Ehalumona/ Ehandiagu-Mbu/Leke/Ekem road as this is the only road leading to the oil well. He should conclude all the existing projects in the state.

I am not saying he should fight Chime; but he should be a leader and not an errand boy! He cannot afford to fail Nsukka and Enugu people.

• Aroh Uchenna P, Nsukka

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Nazi army. If we remove Stalin’s contribution to Russia’s history what is left? There is always a price to pay for making progress!

As a developing nation, we need leaders to guide and inspire our people into political, social, economic, cultural and spiritual vitality, revival and activities. History is not in want of such leaders: Napoleon Bonaparte (France), Charles De Gaulle (France), Lee Kwan Yew (Singapore), Jossip Bros “Tito”( Yugoslavia), Major-General Park Clung(South Korea), Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (Turkey), Fidel Castro( Cuba) and the likes. These will not be your first choice of ‘democrats’ but the untold development they brought into their domains and jurisdictions cannot be quantified.

• Olalekan Waheed ADIGUN, Lagos.

Ambode, please repair Ilaje-Bariga road IR: There is no doubt that Lagos State government has over time, tried to repair or construct roads and streets in Lagos in-line with its dream of making the state a mega city.

However, I am pained by the state of Ilaje-Bariga road. The road has become unmotorable and impassable by both human and vehicular traffic. The road has become so bad that it robs residents of the area of any joy in living a modern Lagos. A resident who has lived in the area since his childhood, poured his heart out concerning the road, stressing that the road was last tarred during Lateef Jakonde’s regime in the early 1980s and ever since then, nothing has been done about the road. The state of the road has turned the area backward grounding economic activities.

I am using this medium to call on the governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and the Local Government chairman, to urgently come to the rescue of the residents by fixing the bad road.

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• Ikpor Santose Paul, Ilaje Road, Bariga, Lagos

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

COMMENTS

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OR those who insist on the exaggerated idea that the recent pro-homosexuality decision by the United States Supreme Court possibly marks the beginning of the end for mankind, it must be said that the development may just be the beginning of another beginning. The evolutionary clock is still ticking and not about to stop.

It is a wonder that over 20 countries have embraced samesex marriage rights, and in this strange category are developed countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Sweden. It is predictable that the passion will spread because homophobic arguments based mainly on religion, culture and nature are inadequate.

With the sound and fury of anti-gay voices in the background, my mind went to a thought-provoking moment during the 10th Orisa World Congress held in July 2013 at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State. In the course of stimulating discussions on issues of interest in the context of Yoruba religion and culture, the subject of homosexuality came up. Many were curious about the position of the religion on this controversial question. It was a reflection of the times. After a lively debate, it was Prof. Wande Abimbola who had the last word. He said: “We cannot say exactly how Ifa views this. There is no need for us to get involved in this controversy.” In a global village of multiple faiths and definite religious positions on homosexuality, his indefinite comments were confounding.

It was a fascinating intervention particularly because Abimbola, a retired academic who will be 82 this month, is a Yoruba culture exponent and a distinguished Ifa priest.

“Ifa is the heart and soul of the culture and philosophy of the Yoruba people. It is not dead, but parts of it are going into oblivion.” Abimbola said while making a contribution to a discussion during the five-day programme.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2005 listed the IfaDivination system among “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.” Multitudinous gods or orisa make up the Yoruba pantheon, with Ifa as the oracular mouthpiece of Olodumare, the Almighty in Yoruba religion.

The religion is also known as the Orisa tradition.

The variegated gathering at Ile- Ife, which included

‘In a world of expanding freedoms, the homosexual orientation is likely to enjoy increasing accommodation as one of the possibilities of human sexual expression. Of course, there will be consequences.’

W

HEN ex-Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan, decided to postpone the general elections for eight weeks on the premise of illpreparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the nation protested. The country dangled precariously on the precipice until it was rescued after the announcement of Muhammadu Buhari as the winner.

Our protest was borne out of the fact that the postponement of elections was a clear plan by the then ruling party to tighten its belt and perfect their rigging plans. That failed, and history it is now.

But the man who flew the satanic kite at Chatham House, ex-President Jonathan’s National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki, is still maintained in office. Nigerians are nonplussed as to why Dasuki is still in office as NSA – against Section 151 (3) of the Nigerian Constitution.

The stakes are high and hopes rise for the Buhari administration. Looking at the cargo of promises he came into office with, the president was expected to immediately “hit the ground running” – a catch-phrase that is slowly replacing the party’s “change” slogan today.

From promising N5,000 ($23) as monthly social welfare package, to free feeding in basic schools, down to taking the nation’s economy to a utopian state and fight against insurgency, the president seems reluctant to start solving the nation’s hydra-headed problems.

However, the president received widespread praises following his decision to relocate military command centre to the hotbed of terrorism, Maiduguri. But despite the relocation, Boko Haram attacks are escalating as the terrorists so far killed over 450 Nigerians in last five weeks.

Pipeline vandalism is on the rise, the country’s national petroleum company said last week. Cessationist agitation under the banner of Biafra is rising in the South-east.

President Buhari campaigned vigorously, traversing almost all the 36 states of the federation. He was full of life, eager to be elected to kickstart his programmes.

Strangely, the president is procrastinating on issues of governance. Grossly indecisive and terribly unassertive, President Muhammadu Buhari is still searching for who to appoint Private Secretary, Deputy Chief of Staff, Chief of Staff, Special Advisers, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, among others. We are not even talking about ministers, who would be members of the Federal Executive Council.

Without ministers, there is limit to what the president can achieve as his approval limits set by the constitution has a ceiling. Rumors are ripe that President Buhari may

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08054726574

Hello homo participants from the United States of America (USA), Brazil, Cuba, Venezuela and Mexico, demonstrated the appeal of the religion beyond its local provenance and brought instructive international perspectives. An all-male family of four from Cuba, a Chinese couple who live in Venezuela and a densely bearded white American were among the alluring sights.

It is a point to ponder that many religious people in Nigeria base their hostility to homosexuality on faith morality, which is why Abimbola’s ambiguity is complicating from a religious point of view. Interestingly, also in July 2013 Pope Francis, head of the world’s largest Christian church with an estimated 1.2 billion Catholics, at least 19 million of them Nigerians, expressed a nonjudgemental position on homosexuals. The Catholic Herald reported: “Speaking to members of the press during a flight back to Rome from Rio de Janeiro after World Youth Day celebrations, Pope Francis responded to questions about the Vatican’s alleged gay lobby, by saying: “If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge him?” Also relevant: The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, representing the Church of England, in a joint letter addressed to then President Goodluck Jonathan on Nigeria’s anti-gay stance, made it clear that “The victimisation or diminishment of human beings, whose affections happen to be ordered towards people of the same sex, is anathema to us.” They emphasised that homosexual people “are children of God, loved and valued by Him and deserving the best we can give – pastoral care and friendship.”

The complexity of the religious argument against homosexuality can be better appreciated in the context of the information that there are an estimated 4, 200 religions in the world. It would be enlightening to know how many of them have a problem with homosexuality or same-sex relationships. In other words, how many religions regard

homosexuals as ungodly perverts? Is it a contradiction in terms to speak of godly or god-fearing homosexuals?

When homosexuality bashers don’t play religion or don’t play God, they reach for the weapon of culture. When they do so, they conveniently forget that human culture is expandable and always a work in progress. What has been culturally unacceptable may become acceptable and what has been culturally conceded may become inconceivable.

It should be appreciated that today’s triumph of gay rights in the United States, which is the fundamental implication of the majority opinion of the Supreme Court legitimising same-sex marriage anywhere in the country, is not an overnight achievement and resulted from a campaign that dates back to the 1970s. Important milestones leading to the destination include: May 17, 2004, when Massachusetts became “the first U.S. state and the sixth jurisdiction in the world to legalise same-sex marriage”; May 9, 2012, when Barack Obama became “the first sitting U.S. president to publicly declare support for the legalisation of same-sex marriage”. Also, on November 6, 2012, “Maine, Maryland, and Washington became the first states to legalise samesex marriage through popular vote.”

Before the June 26, 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision that revolutionised the gay narrative in the country and made it “the twenty-first and most populous country to legalise same-sex marriage”, a CNN poll on February 19, 2015 “found that 63% of Americans believe gays and lesbians have a constitutional right to marry, up from 49% in August 2010.” It is revealing that CNN polling also found that 59% of Americans felt the U.S Supreme Court’s endorsement of same-sex marriage was “correct”.

It is especially significant that the reportedly popular court ruling “overturned a precedent”, meaning there was a time when a contrary idea prevailed. The court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that “the denial of marriage licenses and recognition to same-sex couples violates the Due Process and the Equal Protection clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.” This information is similarly important: “Gay and lesbian couples already can marry in 36 states and the District of Columbia. The court’s ruling means the remaining 14 states, in the South and Midwest, will have to stop enforcing their bans on same-sex marriage.”

With religious and socio-cultural interpretations of human homosexuality reimagined, the question of naturality may have been subtly answered. Central to the controversy is the nature of homosexual desire in human beings, whether it is biologically driven or socially influenced. It is interesting that there is evidence of homosexual behaviour in certain mammals, birds and fish.

So, it is not an exclusively human phenomenon.

In a world of expanding freedoms, the homosexual orientation is likely to enjoy increasing accommodation as one of the possibilities of human sexual expression. Of course, there will be consequences.

Governance postponed?

By Jaafar Jaafar not likely appoint ministers in the next two months.

On April 15, while unveiling his economic policies at a Lagos Business School breakfast meeting, the then president-elect, who spoke through his director of policy, Kayode Fayemi, said his government would appoint ministers two weeks after inauguration. It is now more than a month after the president’s inauguration on May 29.

Just before the inauguration of the current 8th Assembly, the president sought approval to appoint 15 advisers.

About a month after, President Buhari only appointed one adviser in person of Femi Adesina.

A Nigerian music legend, Alhaji Mamman Shata, once observed that “it is impossible for one man to move a roof as even three people wobble”. It is strange to have a president leading a country with 180 million citizens, a country bedeviled by insurgency, militancy, systemic corruption, poor medicare, power crisis, rising destitution, etc without even a private secretary. One wonders who sets schedule for the President or manages his correspondences. It is obviously impracticable.

His claim is that President Jonathan has left a “huge mess”, which precipitates his delay in making key appointments. Agreed Jonathan left a huge mess, but wouldn’t appointing helping hands hugely help in clearing the “huge mess”? The president thinks otherwise.

Due to absence of communication from the nucleus of the executive arm, Buhari goofed by reversing the decision of the outgoing chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega to handover to the most senior officer in the commission. In the absence of communication from the presidency, Jega rightly handed over to the most senior commissioner. Had there even a private secretary appointed by the president, a notification would’ve been sent from his office to the commission’s outgoing chairman, notifying him on who to handover to. But eight hours after the handover, the president reversed the decision, strangely through the office of the Head of Service. By convention, the directive ought to have come from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). Now the president has come under the charge of nepotism as the new

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chairman, Mrs Zakari, is alleged to be related to the president.

Again, the president set the nation sparking when he appointed his kinsman, Lawal Daura as D-G of DSS. In defence of Buhari, his defence league, mostly on Internet, reeled out a select list of his predecessor’s appointments, showing bias.

But Buhari is causing for himself avoidable image crisis.

He put himself on the defensive at the early stage of his administration. Releasing the list of appointments in piecemeal, favouring a section of the country is not doing good to his image. While I believe Buhari will balance the slant in future, I also believe dishing out a select list of appointees under Jonathan is not a good shield for defence. May I argue that Buhari is not the clannish and parochial Jonathan we voted out. Why, then, do you expect him to be Jonathan? In my opinion, any form of comparison is an insult to Buhari. Comparing Buhari with Jonathan is the worst PR stunt Buhari voltrons would engage in.

Feelers in the presidency say the president is at home with his solo governance, taking advice from a few gerontocrats surrounding him. All Nigerians have a stake in this ‘change’ project, and are not happy to see the change supremo having a wrong start and deferring key policy pronouncements.

The sooner President Buhari bolts into action, the better he placates the nation against protesting the postponement of governance.

• Jaafar, a journalist writes from Kano

‘May I argue that Buhari is not the clannish and parochial Jonathan we voted out. Why, then, do you expect him to be Jonathan? In my opinion, any form of comparison is an insult to Buhari. Comparing Buhari with Jonathan is the worst PR stunt Buhari voltrons would engage in’+

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

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COMMENTS

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HE measures unfolded last week by the Buhari administration to offset backlog of salaries and allowances owed workers in the country call for serious introspection.

Those showering encomiums or indulging in chest-beating for the credit to the new administration which the package represents may miss the salient lessons the development has placed in the vortex of public opinion. Good as the measures are especially given the dire economic situation in many of the states, the message may be lost if the raging euphoria blurs our vision to the monumental dangers in states depending on federal handouts for survival.

That should be the real issue.

Under the measures, $2.1billion dividend paid into the Federation Account by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas company Limited (LNLG) is to be shared among the three tiers of government. Between N250 and N300 billion special intervention funds from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are also available as soft loans to the states while a N600 billion relief package from the Debt Management Office (DMO) to help states restructure their debts with the commercial banks is also on offer.

Much of the reactions from the larger public have come as commendation for the federal government for saving the states from the deleterious economic situation they have found themselves. At the last count, many of the states owe workers between four and 10 month’s salaries. Even with the cheering prospects which the incentives offer, there is a wide gamut of feeling that the new package may be misused by some states, unless firm measures are put in place to monitor strict application.

The lesson in this seeming vote of no confidence on some of the governors can only be lost on us at a great cost. And that is the key

‘Part of the disenchantment with Buhari’s pace is on account of the type of campaign promises the opposition mounted to gain power.

The end may have justified the means. But the general impatience with his speed and subsequent pleas for more time would have been absolutely unnecessary if the enormity of the problems facing the nation were really factored in while making campaign promises’

T

Emeka OMEIHE 08112662675 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Bail-out and sundry issues issue that has been brought to the fore by the foregoing. In it also is the indubitable fact that despite the challenges arising from the fall in oil prices in the international market, the governors are largely to blame for running the economies of their states virtually aground. So the issue goes beyond non- availability of funds.

It has little to do with the drop in revenue accruals from the federation account. That is why even oil bearing states that receive more from the federal till are in many months’ salary arrears while some others that do not enjoy that advantage are faring better. The secret of this can only be located in how effective and efficient they have been in the management of the funds that accrued to them overtime. That is the real issue here. And the way it is handled will chart the direction for the financial prudence, self sufficiency and ultimate survival of the states.

It also brings to question the efforts of state governors to save for the rainy day; efforts to rely more on internally generated revenue given our dependence on a mono cultural economy. It largely hinges on priority-setting and cost-cutting. The governors needed to be measured against these indices for us to determine whether the new intervention funds will not go the way of previous accruals that were misused. So when we avail state governors with more funds without them appreciating what the new direction entails, we stand the risk of coming back to the same situation.

As of now, there is nothing to indicate from the life styles of the governors that it will not be business as usual. The number of their former colleagues currently facing trials for sundry financial misdemeanour do not give comfort of mind that we are about to exit from the mess so soon after. It is also curious why the current

HE recent courtesy call by judges of Enugu State on the governor, the Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, at the Government House, Enugu, was not only significant but also a memorable outing. To many, the encounter was a conventional gesture being extended to new governments under a bureaucratic platform with the aim of creating a systematic chain of effective administrative undertakings that would guarantee cordial relationship amongst the three tiers of government.

But to the jurists, it was basically an administrative forum for them to pay their courtesies, congratulate the governor on his “success at the polls” and to pledge their “fidelity and unremitting desire to work in great complimentarity” with the state government.

The event also gave both tiers of government, namely the executive and judiciary, the opportunity to interact on the best workable approach to end the six months strike embarked upon by members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in the state in order to move the judiciary and the state forward.

The judges of the state judiciary comprising the High Court and the Customary Court of Appeal, led by the Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike, in an ambiance of a holy desire to reposition the legal institution, equally used the forum to drive home their demands as it affects their operations, proficiency and commitment to effective justice delivery in the state.

While enumerating the importance of the judiciary as a “crucial component of constitutional democracy”, the Chief Judge in his appealing remarks expressed the confidence of the state judges in the governor’s commitment to preserve and nurture the ideals of the judiciary in the state, stressing that “every effort ought to be exerted to sustain it for generations yet unborn”.

On the closure of the courts in the state as a result of the industrial action by JUSUN, the judges who expressed concern over what they described as the unimaginable socio-legal damage of the closure of the courts to the society, pleaded with the governor to dialogue with the leadership of the judiciary workers in a “patiently, friendly and brotherly manner”, with a view to explaining to them the financial predicaments of the government to meet up with their demands.

It was at this point that the governor opened the hornet’s nest and let the cat out of the bag. He informed the judges that he had already set machinery in motion to end the strike, assuring them of his absolute commitment to ensure that the workers call off the strike at the end of the on-going dialogue.

According to the governor, “I am aware that for some time now the courts in our state have been closed due to the industrial action of judicial staff. I am understandably saddened to inherit this problem. I am, however, determined to vigorously engage the judicial staff unions to see that we resolve all the outstanding issues preventing an early resumption of the courts.

“It is impossible to run a democratic system under one constitution in which one arm of the government is completely shut

Ooped Monday 13-7-201 5 final ok.pmd

4

debilitating finances of the states were kept under seal in the days following the last electioneering campaigns. Or what role the last elections played in bringing these states to their knees shortly after.

The public may need to know whether the inability of states to pay salaries and allowances has a direct bearing with the huge spending of the political parties during the last elections. If the issue bears positive correlation with the cost of running elections, a more effective and more pragmatic approach would entail fundamental constitutional review to cut down the cost of running elections in this clime. There is also the challenge of the defective federal system of government we currently run. We ought to be certain whether we really need a federation in the strict sense of it or the aberrant form in which it currently operates. There is the need to resolve once and for all whether the component units will exercise a large measure of financial autonomy or continue as an appendage of the central authority. These are the kind of lasting interventions we should be concerned with at this point and not the unnecessary altercations between rival political parties as to who should take credit for the funding of the bail-out package.

The PDP had sought to take some credit for the funds the government intends to disburse contending that savings from the Jonathan regime formed a major chunk of that money.

It further reasoned that the availability of such huge funds puts a lie to the impression which President Buhari gave to the world that the treasury was virtually empty. The party would therefore want the president to correct his earlier statement given the huge amount that is now readily available for sharing.

But the presidency in an apparent move to extricate itself from the accusation, swiftly explained that the money meant for sharing, represented dividends from the NLNG which had just been remitted into the federation account while others came in the form of loans and rescheduling of previous exposure of some states to the commercial banks. It was also very unequivocal in denying that any money was drawn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) that is now a subject of disputation.

Though the presidency did not clearly say so, implicit in that clarification was a veiled attempt to reaffirm its earlier position on the state of finances of the federal government. That was the purport of the argument that the dividends from the NLNG had just been paid in and that the president’s attention to it was drawn during a courtesy visit by the company. Whatever the case, the money still belonged to the federal government. It is immaterial at what point the attention of the authorities were drawn to its existence. And as has been rightly argued in some quarters, government is a continuum.

Perhaps, the president could be excused since he had promised to give the nation full details of the financial standing of the country in due course. Thus, we may not have to be in a hurry to take him to task on how empty the treasury was when he assumed office. By the time he has had a comprehensive picture of the situation; perhaps there will be the need for the kind of demands the opposition is making of him regarding how empty the treasury really was.

The lesson in all this is in the need for caution and moderation in our criticisms and utterances.

It is important that we are constructive and factual in all our presentations otherwise we will be inadvertently creating monsters that will turn round to haunt us. In the wake of the last elections, foul and intemperate language was freely deployed. Facts were also twisted to gain advantage. If these could be excused given the exigencies of winning elections, there should be very little room for them now.

Part of the disenchantment with Buhari’s pace is on account of the type of campaign promises the opposition mounted to gain power. The end may have justified the means. But the general impatience with his speed and subsequent pleas for more time would have been absolutely unnecessary if the enormity of the problems facing the nation were really factored in while making campaign promises. Our nationalists faced the same situation immediately after sending the white man packing. So, we need to reappraise our language of political discourse.

Ugwuanyi and Enugu judiciary workers’ strike

By Louis Amoke down. We do not want to imagine the many criminals who are escaping the full weight of the law due to this state of affairs.

We cannot imagine the volume of business transactions waiting to be consummated because the courts are closed. We cannot imagine the loss of revenue occasioned by fee, duties, fines and taxes lost by the closure of our courts. No sensible government will allow this situation to go on indefinitely.

What, however, puzzles me is how we can run a federation in which the independent federating units are compelled to pay the same wages notwithstanding their revenue differentials.

“Enugu state is among the states from the bottom of the ladder in the amount of revenue collected by the states from the federally distributed revenue. This places us in a very difficult situation in meeting some of the demands from our public servants. I am, nonetheless, conscious of the necessity to ensure that those who work in the judiciary are reasonably well paid and comfortable in order to insulate them from the temptation of compromising their sensitive positions. In this circumstance, I will plead with you to urge your staff to be open-minded in the serious discussions we shall engage them shortly.

“I had earlier agreed to dialogue with the Union to reconcile all the differences so that they will call off the strike. Actually, I invited the chairman of the union today, but I decided to meet with you first before I meet with him.”

The efforts made by the governor in this regard paid off on Wednesday July 8, after he engaged the leadership of the union in four hours of fruitful discussions, at the Government House, Enugu, following which the chairman of the union, Comrade Chinedu Mba, called on all members to resume work on Thursday, July 9.

The chairman, who confirmed that the decision has the endorsement of its national body, equally commended the governor for his listening ear, visionary leadership, and tireless efforts to ensure that the industrial action was called off in the overall interest of the state.

According to the chairman, “the strike action embarked by the Judiciary Staff Union Enugu State is hereby suspended. I am calling on workers to resume work immediately”.

On the appointment of judges in the state, which the Chief Judge disclosed has been denied the state three times in the past due to “the nebulous excuse that the judicial performance of judges of Enugu State was low” and a petition written by a

7/12/2015, 6:24 PM

group known as Human Rights Initiative Based (HRIB), over the alleged lopsidedness in the appointment of judges in Enugu, Governor Ugwuanyi as a man who believes strongly in the principles of justice, equity and fairness, frowned at the development which he insisted flouted section 14 (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

While assuring the delegation of his resolve to intervene in the petition by the human rights group, which Enugu Chief Judge said poses a threat to the state’s recommendation of 10 candidates to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for appointment as judges, the governor nonetheless urged that such an ugly development should not occur in future appointments.

According to him: “My lords, I have studied the recruitments of all cadres of staff in the Enugu State Judiciary and urge that future appointments should comply with section 14 (4) of the Nigerian Constitution.”

The governor also urged members of the judiciary in the state to distinguish themselves creditably in service, as he added: “I am proud and happy that this state boasts a long tradition of judicial erudition and scholarship dating back to the days of Justice C. D. Onyeama, Justice Anthony Aniagolu, Justice Nnaemeka Agu and Justice Augustine Nnamani.

“Quite recently, the late Justice Regina Nwodo (RIP) and Hon. Justice C. C. Nweze, JSC were promoted to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court respectively on account of their production and scholarship, outpacing their contemporaries in their upward mobility.

“I see many of you with the potential to outperform these judges. I, therefore, urge you to redouble your efforts to distinguish Enugu State Judiciary as the one place that you can access true and speedy justice.”

From the above scenario, it becomes clear that Governor Ugwuanyi who had assured the judiciary of a genuine partnership of non-interference in its exclusive responsibilities so long as they are line with the law, is poised to maintain a track record of an all embracing leadership that will engender rapid growth and development in all strata of government under an atmosphere of peace and harmony.

With his positive intervention, which has ended the six months strike by the judiciary workers in the state, it is worthy of note that he has kept faith with his promise to support the reform of the justice sector.

• Amoke, is Senior Special Assistant to the Enugu State Governor on Media

21

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

THE NLC CEO leader: Fuel

Interbank rate doubles as CBN mops up cash

subsidy is a scam

- P. 57 News Brief Nigeria loses 40% of generated electricity to theft, says expert MANAGING Director, Frontier Oil and Gas Limited, Thomas Dada, has said 40 per cent of generated electricity in the country is lost to theft and that a lot of people who use electricity do not pay for it.

–Page 22

‘Why domestic airlines are not doing well’

FORMER Rector, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Captain Adebayo Araba, has attributed the under-performance of many domestic airlines to their faulty foundations. –Page 22

NIID records 3,281 genuine marine certificates

- P. 58

N2b facility pits Unity Bank against Sterling Bank

T

WO lenders, Sterling Bank Plc and Unity Bank Plc, are at loggerheads over N2 billion facility, despite of the intervention of the Bankers’ Committee.

At the end of last month’s meeting of the committee in Abuja, both banks were accused of not showing sincerity in the way they have handled the matter.

The investigating panel that listened to the lenders, directed both banks to “go back and discuss amongst themselves as they had not shown sincerity on the matter.”

The Nation gathered that at the last June meeting of its Ethics and Professionalism sub-Committee, the Bankers’ Committee went also ruled that Unity Bank was under ob-

From Nduka Chiejina Assistant Editor, Abuja

ligation to honour its Advanced Payment Guarantee (APG) to Sterling Bank and that Unity Bank should provide certificate of work done during the life of the APG by its customers to be able to ascertain the amount outstanding on the APG which could be legitimately claimed within the validity period of the APG. The banks’ customers were admonished by the Investigating Panel “to act in an ethical manner” and frowned at one of the customers Loh & Or Construction for failing “to do what was expected of it and also failed to honour the invitation of the arbitrators that were appointed in line with the contract.”

While aligning with the decision of the panel on the case, the Sub-Committee on Ethics and Professionalism of the Bankers’ Committee wondered why Unity Bank “would refuse to honour its guarantee, as guarantees are payable on demand.” The sub-committee also concurred with the investigating panel that the case in court had nothing to do with the APG. The sub-Committee also ruled that “the amount covered by the Guarantee shall, however, be progressively decreased in terms of the value of work executed by the contractor within the life of the Guarantee” implying that the claims made by Sterling Bank needed to be reviewed.

Sterling Bank Plc had petitioned Unity Bank Plc for the failure of Unity Bank Plc to

settle obligations arising from Guarantee Nos UB/ APG/338/Makurdi/6978/ 06/2013 and UB/PB/338/ Makurdi/6977106/2013 issued in favour of Quintec Ltd/ Sterling Bank Plc on behalf of LOH & OR (NIG) LTD. Both guarantees were each for the sum of N1,038,463, 521.66.

Sterling bank had told the Investigating Panel that “Quintec Ltd (contractor), a customer of Sterling Bank Plc was awarded a contract by the Central a Bank of Nigeria for the development of a Branch building at Lafia, Nasarawa State with the original completion date of 25 April, 2014 was later extended to 27 March, 2015 by the CBN vide letter dated 31 March, 2014.”

Sterling bank stated that a major portion of the project was sub-contacted by the con-

A TOTAL of 3,281 marine policies have been uploaded on the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID) by 19 member-companies as at last May, Chairman, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Godwin Wiggle, has said. –Page 24

Insurgency takes toll on manufacturing

By Chikodi Okereochaa

B

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil Cocoa

$54/barrel $2,686.35/metric ton

Coffee

¢132.70/pound

Cotton

¢95.17pound

Gold

$1,396.9/troy

Sugar

$163/lb RATES

Inflation

8.4%

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

15.87%

Savings rate

3%

91-day NTB

15%

Time Deposit

5.49%

MPR

13%

Foreign Reserve

$34.5b

tractor to Messrs LOH & OR Construction (Nig) Ltd, a customer of Unity Bank Plc and as “per the work schedule, the sub-contractor was expected to have completed procurement and installation of the materials by January 2014, a time line which was not achieved”.

Due to the delay and the threat by the CBN in its letter dated April 22, last year to enforce contractual sanctions culminating in the determination of Quintec’s services, the contractor was constrained to request a call on the Guarantees and on May 5, 2014, Sterling Bank issued a Notice of Default to Unity Bank advising a seven day period for LOH & OR Construction to remedy the breach failing which the guarantees would be called in.

•From Left: Executive Director, Finance and Strategy, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman; Lead Consultant, Spreadout Media Nigeria Limited, Mr. Nwagwu Churchill; Executive Director, Corporate & Institutional Banking, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Kayode Lawal and Managing Director/CEO, Minds Share Media Nigeria, Mr. Chudi Obiora, at the presentation of the Best Poster Award in the financial services sector by the representatives of Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) to the bank in Lagos.

Poverty level rises to 72%, says NLC

T

HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said over the last decade, the economy has grown impressively, lamenting that the economic statistics have never been in tune with reality as unemployment and poverty remain at between 23.9 per cent and 72 per cent.

Its factional President, Comrade Joe Ajero said it is clear that the economy has grown without benefitting the people.

To end the paradox of growth, joblessness and incidence of growing poverty, he urged the government to focus on expanding the frontier for job creation through valueadded activities in agriculture,

By Toba Agboola

mining, mineral processing and industrial manufacturing.

Ajaero pointed out that the growth and development of the real sector and increased value added in manufacturing are quite critical for creation of mass decent jobs, poverty elimination and for building a virile and sustainable economy anticipated by revered person during the campaigns.

He advised President Muhammadu Buhari to develop framework and strategies to deal decisively with the challenge of smuggling, electricity failure, faking and counterfeiting of Made-in-Ni-

geria goods.

“We demand a macro-economic policy regime that will address stability in the currency exchange regime, progressive tax administration and the management of customs and excise duties in the manners that will promote local production of goods and services. We must say bye to the destructive regime of duty waivers,” Ajaero said.

He enjoined the government to use the momentous opportunity to establish sound foundation for a virile, strong and united Nigeria where everyone, including foreigners will live in comfort, peace, prosperity and absolute security.

He urged President Buhari

to resolve the lingering crisis in the energy sector, adding the crisis has led to factory closures and impoverishment of homes.

He expressed concern over the frequent emergence of long queues at petrol filling stations in major cities as a result of insufficient supply of petroleum products across the country.

This, according to him, is further compounded with the recent release of the audit report into the account of NNPC which just revealed a tip of the iceberg of the deep-rooted m i s m a n a g e m e n t , maladministration, wastages and corruption in the petroleum industry.

OKO Haram insur gency has crippled the economy of many of the northern states with the real sector, especially manufacturing, hardest hit, chief executive officer, Forenovate Technologies Ltd, Mr. Don Okereke, has said.

Okereke, who is a UKtrained security expert, said many manufacturing outfits in the north generally and the Northeast in particular, have closed shops.

“The manufacturing sector seems to be the hardest hit because electricity supply, telecommunication services and other amenities have been crippled in those areas.

Even the requisite manpower that the industries need is not there any longer for obvious reasons,” he said.

Citing the ‘Global Peace Index’ rankings for last year, which rated Nigeria as the second most deadly country for terrorism after Iraq, experiencing 140 per cent increase in deaths to about 4,392, Okereke said the consequence of this is that economic activities in the affected states in the north are being crippled daily.

According to him, no organisation or individual can thrive in an atmosphere of uncertainty and wanton killings; every business, big and small, even individuals need some level of stability and certainty to plan and execute their projects. He said because of the closure of many manufacturing firms, inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country has declined.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

22

BUSINESS NEWS AGIP accused of defying court order

Afrigem partners Geometric on Aba Power project

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

By Joseph Jibueze

A

T

HE Chairman, Petro leum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Arco Group Plc Branch, Mr. Amadike Clinton, has accused the Nigeria Agip oil company of ordering Arco staff to hand over to a firm, Plantgeria, following a dispute.

He said the oil firm allegedly denied them access to the process area of the gas plants where they work.

The union leader lodged a complaint at the Port Harcourt branches of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and PENGASSAN, warning that Arco’s workers faced further threat of final eviction from the entire plant anytime soon.

According to him, the union is aware of a subsisting court order made on June 30, directing all parties to maintain status quo.

He said it was shocking that Agip, an Italian company, could allegedly disobey the order of a Nigerian court.

Such action, he added, could create a bad precedent if the oil firm is not called to order.

The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, on June 30, ordered parties to maintain status quo in the suit filed by Arco Group against Agip and others.

Justice Lambo Akanbi said nobody should take any action that could foist a state of helplessness on the court while the case is pending.

He had adjourned till October 26 when he will rule on whether he has jurisdiction to determine the suit.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Conoco Philips Petroleum Nigeria Limited and the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) are the other defendants in the suit.

The plaintiff, among others, is praying the court to determine if it was not entitled, being a Nigerian company, to the exclusive right to be considered and granted contract including any extension of its duration.

It wants the court to determine whether, in view of the provision of section 3 (2) and (3) of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010, having demonstrated ownership of equipment, personnel and capacity to execute the task of performing the contract for the maintenance of equipment at Agip’s gas plants at OB/OB, Ebocha and Kwale, it is entitled, being a Nigerian company, to the exclusive right to be considered and granted such contract, including any extension of its duration.

The judge had asked parties to maintain status quo until the determination of the matter.

“Counsel in this matter are accordingly advised to advise their clients to maintain status quo. Since nobody is doing anything to frustrate the matter, parties are advised to maintain status quo while the case is adjourned till October 26, 2015,” Justice Akanbi said.

Agip was said to have, on July 7, ordered Arco’s workers to hand over to Plangeria, which the workers said was against the order of the court.

•From left: CEO, Greenfield Assets Ltd, Paul Obanua; Brand ambassador, Top More health drink, Uju Akpau; CEO, Project Digital Ltd, Izu Obi, and Chairman, EEcon Global Ltd, Nnamdi Nnachukwu, at the launch of the drink in Lagos PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

‘Meeting domestic gas demand difficult’

D

ESPITE having proven environmen tal and cost advantages over other fossil fuels, making gas available to service domestic requirements will be a key challenge in the short term, it was learnt.

The Vice-President and Head, Energy and Natural Resources, FBN Capital, Rolake Akinkugbe, said going by gas outlook for Nigeria, domestic gas requirement will reach about eight billion standard cubic feet per day (bscf/d) by 2020 from the 2.2bscf/d required now.

She said implication challenges were different for producers and consumers.

Offtake security challenges, she noted, makes gas pro-

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

duction less attractive for producers at upstream entry point, while serious deficit in distribution infrastructure poses a major challenge to consumers. Besides, stated that the cost of developing and extracting, transporting and distributing gas is tremendous and the gas regulation and policy don’t adequately encourage investment in the sector.

Price distortions, Akinkugbe said, undermine gas products advantage over oil, particularly in the downstream. Gas producers want competitively priced gas-to-power pricing because consumers naturally

want cheap fuel sources and policy options that favour more informed switch to gas-driven technologies are limited.

She said if the government could get its gas utilisation and monetisation drive right, the nation can still make huge proceeds from gas because Asia’s top three customers, China, India and Japan require 14.4 trillion cubic feet in 2020, which still provides a market for many of Africa’s exporters including Nigeria.

The advantage of Asian consuming countries buying from Nigeria and other producer countries in Africa is boosted by the fact that exporting liquefied natural gas

(LNG) to Asia from United States (U.S) is more expensive than from Africa, Europe and Australia.

She stated that in 2012, the U.S did not import any LNG from Nigeria, though imports resumed in 2013 but noted that on the continental level, gas is unlikely to compete with petrol in the short-to-medium term despite cost and environmental benefits.

Earlier, she said if the infrastructure bottlenecks that limit producers and consumers’ options should be addressed, the Federal Government would encourage the investment of at least $20 billion in the sector to tackle the infrastructure deficit.

Nigeria loses 40% of generated electricity to theft, says expert

M

ANAGING Director, Frontier Oil and Gas Limited, Thomas Dada, has said 40 per cent of generated electricity in the country is lost to theft and that a lot of people who use electricity do not pay for it.

He called for the regional distribution system, saying that part of the problem of the sector is that there is huge amount of power loss due to the centralisation of the grid system as well as transmission.

He said: “If we can address the centralisation of the grid

By Ambrose Nnaji

system, by decentralising the transmission system to be regional rather than central, we should go back to regional distribution system and people can offload to another system if they got excess capacity in their region. Again, we need to stop electricity theft by prosecuting those who steal electricity, those who by-pass meters, and those who use it without paying for it.”

According to him, these energy thieves are not only shortchanging the distribution

companies but also the entire nation. He added that it is affecting everybody that has invested in the power sector Dada accused the workers of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) of complicity in the sabotage, adding that they are responsible for sending out estimated bills and colluding with customers to steal electricity.

He said the DISCOs had inherited a terrible system from the old PHCN which he said had consequently created the enormous problems confront-

ing the power sector.

“When the DISCOs who are at the end of gas to power value chain are not making sufficient income, they are unable to make profit which implies, ultimately, that part of the value chain that is the gas producers who produce the gas that is used by the GENCOs to generate the power that is sold to the people, don’t make enough money,” he said.

He said smart metering will address most of these lapses, adding that it will put in place discipline in the electricity use.

‘Why domestic airlines are not doing well’

F

ORMER Rector, Nige rian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Captain Adebayo Araba, has attributed the under-performance of many domestic airlines to their faulty foundations.

He said many operators went into the business without carrying out due diligence and solid feasibility studies on how to achieve profitability.

Such studies, he said, ought to include choice of aircraft type, route selection, aircraft maintenance schedule, source of capital, and other critical operational considerations.

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

Araba said faulty foundations account for the major reason most of the domestic airline are grappling with challenges on daily basis .

He said money is not a prerequisite to establishing an airline, adding that were Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) effective, most of the problems bedeviling the domestic airlines could have been averted.

Araba said: “Having money does not mean that you can run an airline successfully, it does not make any sense to

me . This is where NCAA should come in to regulate, if NCAA is up and running, majority of these problems that airlines are having, we should not be having them that is the way I look at it and that is my take for now.

“When we talk about domestic airlines, do they really have the good foundation for whatever they are doing. Do they really have what it takes to run an airline?”

He said the government should evaluate the merging agencies in the sector before taking any action.

He said all over the world, an industry regulator, like the

NCAA, in the aviation industry has never been merged with any other operator.

Araba said the government should be careful before taking any step aimed at merging various agencies in the aviation sector.

He noted that if the agencies were merged, stakeholders would not get the best out of such arrangement.

Captain Araba said: ”We really need to look at it critically and we need to define what we are expecting. We should come with a vision, merging a regulator and an operator, we might not get the best out of it.”

FRIGEM Integrated Utilities Limited has entered into agreement with Geometric Power Limited to invest in the Aba Power project to bring it on stream and expand its generation capacity from 141 megawatts (mw) to 341mw by 2018.

Afrigem Utilities is a West African focused development and investment company. It assembled a consortium of technical and financial partners such as General Electric, Tuten Limited and NCL Limited, African Infrastructure Investment Managers, ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investment Limited, among other leading international Institutional Investors with exposure to Nigerian Infrastructure assets to participate in the project. The Afrigem Utilities consortium led by Mallam Samaila Zubairu as Vice Chairman and Mr. Daniel Mueller as Director, has agreed to make an initial investment of N15 billion in the project.

Diamond Bank Plc hosted the signing of the Transaction Implementation Agreement between the sponsors (Geometric Power Limited) and investors (Afrigem Utilities consortium) of the Aba power project.

According to its implementation plan, Afrigem Utilities has articulated a three-year value creation programme and will inaugurate the power plant in November with an output of 141mw and gradually grow it to 341mw by 2018.

The Chairman of Geometric Power Limited, Prof Bart Nnaji signed for the project sponsors while Mallam Samaila Zubairu, Vice Chairman of Afrigem Utilities signed on behalf of the Investors.

The creditors include Diamond Bank Plc, Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) and Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc. In attendance were energy consultants, top bank executives and representatives of the various professional parties, namely Olaniwun Ajayi LP, the transaction counsel, Udo Udoma & BeloOsagie Sponsor’s counsel, Templars, Creditors counsel and Afrinvest as financial advisers to the Sponsors.

Other professional parties to the deal include Sao Capital Limited as financial advisers to Afrigem Utilities, Allen & Overy as legal advisers, KPMG Advisory Services for financial/tax due diligence and PriceWaterhouseCoopers as tax advisers.

Nnaji said: “I would like to applaud everyone who helped to see this day come to pass.

We are very happy that this project is on track and with this new investment we will bring power to the people of Aba and look forward the economic revival that this will bring to Nigeria.”

Zubairu emphasised the bankability of the integrated power project model as the template for growing capacity of reliable power supply which will accelerate Nigeria’s GDP growth, create jobs for youths.

“The integrated utility model with clear line of sight to cash flow and satisfied customers is the foundation for lighting up Nigeria and the rest of the ECOWAS region. Afrigem Utilities appreciates the invitation to be a partner of such a laudable initiative,” he added.

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BUSINESS INSURANCE

NIID records 3,281 genuine marine certificates A TOTAL of 3,281 marine policies have been uploaded on the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID) by 19 member-companies as at last May, Chairman, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Godwin Wiggle, has said.

The NIID is an instrument by the NIA to phase out fake insurance certificates.

The Data base facilitates the easy collation and dissemination of information on all classes of insurance, and also serves as a platform for easy identification of genuine insurances by security agencies and other relevant authorities.

The NIA chair, said the marine module of the NIID had become

Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

functional and member-companies have started uploading their marine certificates.

He said following the observed leakages in marine business, the NIID was extended to curb the fraud of fake marine certificates.

He noted that the association has sustained engagement with the relevant stakeholders such as CIBN, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Nigerian Customs Service and NAICOM to seek their support for the initiative.

He said: “The aim is to plug the leakages in import business resulting in loss of billions of naira premium accruable to the insurance

industry.

“I urge members to support this laudable initiative by uploading their marine certificates in respect of imports. This attests to the general acceptability of this project and the need to support it in the interest of the industry and the national economy.

“I am optimistic that before long, the industry will begin to count the gains of these initiatives by way of increased premium income.”

Speaking on developments of the insurers Energy and Allied Insurance Pool of Nigeria (EAIPN), he said the pool has become operational.

“In furtherance of the association’s desire to curb capital flight, promote

the local content policy, build local capacity in Oil and Gas underwriting and increase retention of oil business locally, the Energy And Allied Insurance Pool of Nigeria promoted by the Association has become fully operational.

“The technical management board has been inaugurated while Africa Re has been appointed as Pool manager.

Nineteen-member companies have so far subscribed to the pool.”

He appealed to members, who are yet to subscribe to the pool to do so as there is strength in large numbers to urge to them to cede to the pool to grow the capacity of the local market.

Wiggle further disclosed that to boost human capital development, the association in 2013 initiated a

scholarship scheme for a Masters in Actuarial Science in any university abroad.

He added that members are encouraged to support this laudable initiative so that it can be sustained in the coming years as the association is desirous of continuing the sponsorship programme to build capacity in the actuarial profession.

The association is also strengthening its collaboration with GIZ, a German Trust company, to boost micro-insurance underwriting. The organisation has held a workshop on agric insurance underwriting for underwriters. Also, the association is partnering CICA-RE to train underwriters on some aspects of reinsurance.

LASACO chief, others for conference

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•Insurance agents and underwriters during the Insurance Awareness Campaign at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa.

Embrace insurance, Lagosians urged

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AGOSIANS have been urged to embrace insurance. A lawmaker in Lagos State, Hon. Rotimi Olowo, made the call during a visit to the state House of Assembly by some insurance operators.

They later embarked on a road show to promote insurance awareness among the people of the state.

The event organised by the Association of Registered Insurance Agents of Nigeria (ARIAN) featured the officers of the Nigerian Police and that of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), who stopped vehicle owners at Ikeja to check if they had genuine motor insurance policies.

The insurance companies that embarked on the road show were AIICO Insurance Plc, Royal Exchange

• ARIAN, NIA on road show Insurance, Niger Insurance Plc, Leadway Assurance Co.Ltd, Lasaco Assurance Plc, Mutual Benefit Assurance Ltd. Olowo promised to help the operators in legislation to promote the insurance business. He said insurance is a life-saving business hence the need for the public to embrace it.

He advised the firms in the state to do more campaigns on insurance awareness. He also said there was the need for every business in the state to be insured.

He called on police, FRSC and Vehicle Inspection Operation (VIO) officers on the road must ensure that all vehicles have a third party insurance.

He asked the operators to stop unscrupulous elements in the state from selling fake insurance to the people.

ARIAN President, Gbadebo Olamerun, said the event was held to draw attention to the evils of fake insurance policies in the state and how they could be eradicated. He said most vehicle owners do not have genuine motor insurance policies.

Director-General, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Sunday Thomas, praised the state government for embracing insurance in the state.

He pleaded with the government to assist the sector by ensuring that it makes insurance a compulsory practice in the state.

• From right: General Manager, NICON Insurance Limited, Mr. Steve Elue Ajudua; President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr. Ayodapo Shoderu in handshake with Managing Director/CEO, NICON Insurance, Mr. Bayode Samuel, during a courtesy visit by NICON Management Team to NCRIB Secretariat.

HE Group Managing Director, Lasaco Assurance Plc, Olusola Ladipo-Ajayi has been slated as a guest speaker at the maiden conference of the Insurance Industry Consultative Council (IICC), which will hold between July 26-28, in Abuja.

It will feature Frank O’neil, Managing Director, SWISS RE, ME & A; Bismark Rewane, Managing Director, Derivatives Ltd and Demola Aladekomo, Director, Chams Group, as paper presenters.

Sessions’ chairmen include Mr. O.S. Thomas, the Director-General, Nigerian Insurers Association; Alhaji Mohammed Kari, Deputy Commissioner (Technical), National Insurance Commission; Sir M.O. Oyegunle, Managing Director,

Lakeg Nigeria Ltd; Mr. Oye HassanOdukunle, Managing Director, Leadway Assurance Co. Ltd and Mr. E. K. Okunoren, Deputy President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB).

Titled: ‘Developing Insurance business for national growth’, the conference will take critical look at various issues affecting insurance business in Nigeria and how it can support national growth.

Papers will be presented on topics, such as developing insurance business for national growth, regulation and enforcement for insurance growth, information technology as a strategy for market penetration and expansion and growth options for insurance business in Nigeria.

Insurance premium tax rise’ll add £35 a year extra to bills

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HE United Kingdom (UK) insurance sector has reacted with disappointment to the rise in insurance premium tax (IPT) announced by Chancellor George Osborne in the budget Motorists can anticipate a rise in their annual insurance premiums of between £12 and £13.

The industry estimated the increase in the basic rate of IPT from six per cent to 9.5 per cent from November, this year would add between £10 and £12 to the average buildings and contents policy, and £12 to £13 to a yearly motor insurance bill.

Price comparison website moneysupermarket.com said an average two-car household could expect to pay around £35 extra a year for home and car insurance.

AA Insurance said the “outrageous hike” could backfire “by leading to an increase in uninsured drivers”.

Huw Evans, Director-General of the Association of British Insurers, said: “It’s very disappointing to see a more than 50 per cent tax increase being imposed on consumers, especially when the insurance industry and government has worked so hard in recent years to bring down the cost of essential insurance.”

Steve White, chief executive officer, British Insurance Brokers’ Association, said his organisation was extremely disappointed.

“The government has been working with the industry to reduce the cost of insurance for consumers including a summit chaired by the prime minister. It therefore seems counterintuitive to be taking measures which will add to the cost effectively taxing protection. We hope

the government will review this rise and correct it in further budgets,” he said.

Alexis Roberts, partner in the insurance team at law firm Pinsent Masons, said insurers would be concerned on how the change could have a negative effect on sales.

Naomi Saragoussi, health and protection lead at PwC, warned private medical insurance would be the cover worst affected. “This will result in private medical premiums increasing by between 7.5 per cent and 15.5 per cent a year. It will also impact employees’ taxable benefit, as IPT is included in an employee’s overall P11D liability,” she said.

“An increase in premiums due to an increase in IPT may result in some individuals and companies unable to afford private medical cover, increasing pressure on the NHS.” Her colleague Ben Flockton, insurance tax partner, added: “Insurers will also be concerned about whether this represents part of a gradual move towards aligning the IPT rate with the VAT rate, something we have already seen in other EU member states.

“On a more positive note, the announcement of transitional provisions around the rate rise should allow insurers to manage the change with less difficulty than in 2011. Insurers’ concerns around the way that change was implemented have been recognised.”

But Pinsent Masons’ Roberts added that greater regulation of claims management companies, which are perceived to drive up insurers’ costs, would be welcomed by the sector.

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MONEYLINK

Interbank rate doubles as CBN mops up cash

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HE interbank lending rate doubled to 10 per cent at the weekend, as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) mopped up cash to curb speculation in the naira, traders said.

Government had last week injected N163 billion into the banking system to help cash-strapped states offset a funding crisis. The injection drove interbank rates as low as five per cent on last Thursday, before the apex bank moved in.

•Naira trades at N240 to dollar Stories by Collins Nweze

The naira hit fresh lows of N240 against the dollar on the parallel market on Friday, as individuals converted local currency on the black market to dollars, fearing further naira weakness.

Traders said the CBN sold N179 billion in open market operation

(OMO) bills on Thursday to drain liquidity while state-owned oil firm Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) recalled some of its deposit with commercial lenders on Friday.

Lenders’ balance with the central bank reduced to N201 billion in credit as against a credit balance of N390 billion a week ago, traders said.

“The system was initially liquid with rates down to four per cent in the week,” one trader told Reuters.

The secured open buy back (OBB) rate rose to 10 per cent from four per cent last week, three percentage points lower than the central bank’s lending rate of 13 per cent.

Overnight placement rose to 10.5 per cent from five per cent last week.

Traders said rates could go up next week as liquidity thins out before Wednesday’s bond auction.

•CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

CeBIH advocates prompt BVN enrolment by customers

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HE Committee of E-Banking Industry Heads (CeBIH) has called on bank customers to take advantage of the deadline extension and promptly enroll for the Biometric Verification Number (BVN) project.

CeBIH Chairman, Tunde Kuponiyi disclosed this following the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) extension of the deadline for enrolment for the BVN. The apex bank had on June 30 announced a four-month extension till October 31 for bank customers to enroll for the BVN. “We are calling

on customers to visit their banks and promptly enroll for the BVN”, he advised.

Kuponiyi noted that the purpose of the extension is to allow customers enough time to enroll irrespective of where they are based. “The extension presents ample opportunity for bank customers to do their enrolment without the challenge of spending hours on queues as experienced few days to the end of the initial deadline,” he said.

“The four months extension seems a long period, but customers should not delay or postpone their enrol-

ment - it is better to do it now. They should not wait a few days to October 31 to avoid last minute registration rush and avoid spending hours in banking halls. They should also remember that they can enroll for their BVN from any branch of their bank, hence there is no need to wait till when they visit the branch where their accounts are domiciled,” he said.

Listing the benefits of the initiative, Kuponiyi noted that the BVN affords customers the opportunity to register their biometric data against their bank accounts to protect their funds

against fraudulent and unauthorised access.

“The BVN protects customers’ bank accounts from unauthorised access, as biometric information is not easily manipulated. It also increases the efficiency of the banking industry as it reduces incidence of fraudulent/ duplicate bank accounts, and easily highlights blacklisted customers.

Furthermore, full integration of BVN provides standardised efficiency of banking operation. This means that all banking operations will be verified using the same method, reducing cases of human

error or inconsistency. In addition to these, the implementation of BVN means transaction authentication without the use of cards, but instead using only biometrics and a PIN”, he said.

Established July 2009, CeBIH comprises all Heads of e-business/e-channels and cards services of all the 23 banks in Nigeria. The primary objective of the committee is to promote electronic banking services in line with global best practices and serve as a forum for sharing ideas and experiences by the E-banking industry Heads.

Sterling Bank commits N50m to tractor funding

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• From left: Business Manager-Nihilent Nigeria, Samuel Odunaya; Head, IT, Guinea Insurance, Audu Dunni Oladokun; General Manager, Nihilent West Africa, Shohel Noor; Controller, IT Research & Statistics-NIA, Mrs. Bola Omole; Chairman, Nihilent Nigeria, Oti Ikomi; Head, ICT, Niger Insurance, Kunle Kuponiyi; and Vice-President, Nihilent Africa, Ravi Teja, at a workshop for insurance industry operators organised by Nihilent in Lagos.

Stanbic IBTC posts N68b gross revenue in Q2

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TANBIC IBTC Holdings Plc has announced its six months unaudited results for the period ended 30 June 2015, with gross earnings at N68.3 billion, an increase of 11 per cent over the N61.7 billion recorded in the comparable period of last year.

According to the result, which was presented at the Nigerian Stock Exchange in Lagos, profit be-

fore tax during the period stood at N9.5 billion, while profit after tax was N9.6 billion. Total assets went up by nine percent to N1.03 trillion from N944.5 billion in December 2014.

The Group maintained adequate capital to support its business in the first half of the year which is well above the regulatory requirement.

The group’s total capital adequacy

ratio closed the period at 15.3 percent (Bank 13.9 per cent), while the tier 1 capital adequacy ratio stood at 12.6 per cent (Bank 10.6 per cent).

These ratios are well above the 10 percent minimum statutory requirement.

Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mrs. Sola David-Borha, stated that the group is seeking to raise N20.4 billion

Consumer banking viable, says Citigroup

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ITIGROUP Inc. said Nigeria’s efforts to crack down on identity theft are making it more attractive to start a consumer banking business in Africa’s most-populous country.

More banks are rolling out consumer banking in Nigeria because individuals dealing with banks in are increasing “who they say they are,” Akinsowon Dawodu, chief executive officer of Citibank Nigeria Ltd., said. A lack of security around identification has been an impediment to personal banking in the country in the past.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is requiring customers to provide fingerprint identification, a system it started introducing with commercial lenders in February

2014. A deadline for customers to get bank verification numbers has been extended to October 31 so that Nigerians living abroad can enroll.

People who don’t comply will lose access to their accounts, the regulator says on its website.

The system, combined with a growing network of credit bureaus that collect information on customers, “makes the consumer proposition fairly viable,” Dawodu said.

An entry into consumer banking would enable lenders to market products like personal loans and mortgages in Nigeria which has 170 million people, where the New York-based bank provides corporate banking services. The economy in Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil pro-

ducer, is forecast by the government to grow 3.9 per cent this year.

Citi itself doesn’t plan to enter consumer banking in the country, Jeffrey French, a London-based spokesman, told Reuters.

The Central Bank said in June last year that the absence of a unique identifier had curbed growth in credit cards and credit-related products. The bank verification number system is intended to combat cybercrime and identity theft, among other offences, it said.

The credit bureaus were conceived to strengthen risk management at banks after a debt crisis caused by loans to stock speculators and fuel importers threatened the industry with collapse in 2008 and 2009.

in rights issue to support its planned growth opportunities as well as business risks and contingencies.

“Stanbic IBTC’s performance recorded in the first half of 2015 was characterised by steady growth in its balance sheet whilst our strong focus on cost containment helped to mitigate the impact of rising cost of funds and credit impairments on our operating performance,” she stated, adding that “our focus for the rest of 2015 is to reduce cost of funds and continue to resolve impaired risk assets to ensure increased profitability by year end.

We remain optimistic that we can achieve these goals.”

Following the adoption of the holding company structure in 2012, the operating subsidiaries of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc are Stanbic IBTC Bank (including Stanbic Nominees Nigeria Limited), Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited, Stanbic IBTC Trustees Limited, Stanbic IBTC Ventures Limited, Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, Stanbic IBTC Investments Limited, Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, and Stanbic IBTC Investments Limited.

TERLING Bank Plc has financed the purchase of tractors for members of the Tractors Owners and Hiring Facilities Association of Nigeria (TOHFAN).

The lender puts the cost of the financing at N50 million.

The bank noted that its involvement in the agricultural sector was based on the need to reposition the sector as the mainstay of the economy given the dwindling oil revenue.

The bank said it finances the purchase / acquisition of tractors from reputable manufacturers such as Massey Ferguson, Mahindra, New Holland, John Deere and Tak tractors who will also provide basic training on utilisation and offer after sales maintenance services.

The tractors which have been distributed to members of the association following the first disbursement would help in the adoption of mechanised agriculture, leading to additional hectare coverage, higher yields and enhance food security in the country.

“Sterling Bank Plc has continually restated its commitment to the strategic growth of the agricultural sector by providing adequate funding in alignment with the ongoing reforms in the sector aimed at repositioning it as an attractive business proposition, an input provider for the manufacturing sector and a key foreign exchange earner.

“The best bank in Agric Award was conferred on the bank in recognition of its critical role in the dispensing of financial services to actors in the Nigerian agricultural value chain. This we have demonstrated again with the financing of the tractors which will add value to the sector,” it said.

TOHFAN National Treasurer, Abdullahi Lawal, praised the bank for supporting the association and said that it would go a long way in improving the output of the beneficiaries.

“We received a facility of N50 million from Sterling Bank to finance the purchase of 14 tractors which we have distributed to beneficiaries. The facility would be repaid within the next three years. The beneficiaries would be repaying specific amount of money monthly based on the brand of tractor obtained”.

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THE CEO

•Wabba

Though he leads a troubled house, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Comrade Ayuba Wabba does not allow that to affect his vision for the congress. According to him, labour must regain its bite to live up to its billing as workers’ representative. In this interview with TOBA AGBOOLA, the comrade-president speaks on a wide range of issues, including the economy, perennial fuel scarcity, subsidy and restructuring of parastatals.

NLC leader: Fuel subsidy is a scam H

OW is labour contending with the high rate of unemployment and naira devaluation, among other

issues?

First, we are aware of the daunting challenges, especially in our economy and in our social life which have brought a lot of dislocation to our members. We are obviously aware of that and part of our responsibility is to effectively respond to some of these challenges so that our immediate constituency and the larger society would not be at the receiving end of those policies.

It is true that our currency has been devalued over time due to the fallen price of crude oil which is our major source of revenue, and this has also affected the revenue accruing to government. This has invariably affected the provision of social services and developmental processes. We are mindful of this that is why for every challenge in life, there must be an alternative solution.

As I said at an earlier event, we have

constituted a committee of experts that is working on alternatives to some of these challenges; in fact the report is ready.

What is labour’s position on petroleum products pricing and the perennial fuel scarcity?

Yes, incessant increases in the pump price of petrol have been with us for over three or four decades. I am not sure the argument has changed, from what I used to know in the 80s, that has been advanced as reason for shortage or hike in the cost.

Therefore, it is an irony and it should be a concern to all of us that despite the fact that we are one of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that God has blessed enormously with this resource, the issue of managing it has become a problem.

First, our inability to refine petroleum products for our domestic use, 40 years down the line, is an issue of mismanagement.

Recently, I read about a proposition made by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), because they are also part of the problem and they

have said, yes the subsidy issue is false. They have said that clearly and that they are now ready to buy crude products, refine them outside the country and bring them back even at a lower price.

Those are issues and information that would interest all of us.

You’ve just mentioned fuel subsidy. What is your take on it?

It has been established over time that the issue of subsidy in Nigeria is false. Months before the election, those issues came into play. You remember before Yar’Adua came in, this issue came to play because it’s the same money they use to prosecute the agenda of the election.

Now preceding the 2015 elections, the same issue had come to play, it’s for us Nigerians to unite in one force and agree. In fact in my view, the issue of subsidy is even questionable, that we need to first interrogate and agree if there is subsidy or not. That case needs to be established, but in the interim I agree with you, Nigerians should not be allowed to suffer and therefore

the new government must of necessity put up their thinking cap and see how in the short-term, we will get out of this quagmire.

Government must make fuel available at a price that is reasonable, so that Nigerians will not be made to suffer the ills of the system. No doubt this is not about few marketers who have taken all of us for granted. In that recent press release issued

by IPMAN, they claimed that there is no subsidy anywhere and therefore this claim, or request for over N200 billion, doesn’t exist.

Therefore it’s a scam and I think that should be a concern to all of us.

What action are you contemplating in response to the matter?

As organised labour, we will be willing to confront these issues headlong. In fact, we are going to revive our monthly discussion and interaction on major policy issues where we will bring experts to debate and that will allow us to have a firm position on how to respond to these issues, but I think what is •Continued on page 59

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THE CEO •Continued from page 58

playing out is also good for us.

The information clearly will make any government that wants to take any hasty decision to be weary of the fact that the issue of subsidy is a scam and therefore that issue must be addressed first, before you think of either removal of subsidy or not.

In fact, the information we have, goes beyond lamentations, because in some of the instances we were told even the ones we refine locally, what they do is to put them on ship and come back and say they are imported products and therefore you should pay subsidy on them. So what are you talking about subsidy, it’s just about rhetorics. People are using the rhetoric of subsidy to confuse all of us and continue to benefit from a system that is not working.

It’s for all of us to come together and agree and give direction that this issue should not continue, few people should not continue to benefit from the system to the detriment of all of us because its artificial scarcity. Why is it that when you go to the outskirts of town, you find fuel?

So it’s not about unavailability, no, it’s about people also taking us for granted, the fuel is available. A guy that I was interrogating when I saw the government’s response, said they have sufficient strategic reserves. The first statement we asked is whether we have now abandoned the issue of having strategic reserve, they said they have products in abundance; therefore the issue is few marketers holding all of us to ransom.

Government must find the will to address the issue squarely, what may be delaying our engagement is because you need those key principal officers of government to be on board so that you can engage them. You can’t engage ghosts because for now there are no structures in place. So who do you engage?

We don’t also want a situation where our action would also compound the issue and bring more hardship to Nigerians, so the issue of withdrawal of services certainly will not be an option.

The issue is how you confront these challenges headlong to bring about solution; those are the challenges and I am sure we are ready to tackle them.

From the team we have at NLC now, when you talk of experience, various sectors and key unions that are actually solid, not those that are standing on one leg, we have them in good number to galvanise whatever support we require from Nigerian workers to be able to respond to whatever policy that is being churned out.

There are indications that this administration may take drastic measures, such as merger of parastatals, to streamline the civil service. This might result in job losses, how will you handle the challenge when it crops up?

The issue of merger of parastatals, we have made our position very clear because to me that would also be a contradiction to the policy of this present government. They have promised to create three million jobs annually through public works and therefore it will be a contradiction for you to make people to lose their jobs while on the other hand you are trying to create jobs.

Our employment market in Nigeria is saturated because there is no worker today that would not have more than 10 dependants. I as a person, I know I have more than 10 dependants, or people that have graduated but they are not employed so they depend on me for their means of livelihood.

Once you take away that, you are also compounding the social security system in our country. That will not be a better option.

Secondly, it will also be at a cost because any worker you are severing, you don’t only pay his benefit, you also pay him severance package, so that will be a cost and am not sure they have counted the cost, it’s still mere speculation and we are going to advance these reasons to defend such issues.

You are aware of the issue of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), they have disengaged over 4000 staff, three years down the line, no worker has been paid. In fact part of our engagement is also to engage the process; we have already given them a notice that we will also engage the process and seal off that place, government must find money to pay those workers because it’s not their making for them to be exited from service. They have families to feed, they have worked for a period of years, they are entitled to their benefits but these benefits have not been paid.

We are not in a jungle, therefore those are issue that am sure cannot fly when we put it side-by-side the facts of the issue. Why do

NLC leader: Fuel subsidy is a scam

•Wabba

‘The issue of merger of parastatals, we have made our position very clear because to me that would also be a contradiction to the policy of this present government. They have promised to create three million jobs annually through public works and therefore it will be a contradiction for you to make people to lose their jobs while on the other hand you are trying to create jobs’

•Wabba

you think the implementation has been delayed till now, it’s because there are a lot of intricacies in it, that is why even the government that set up the committee couldn’t implement the report till date, so I think that is one of the murky areas that should be addressed and government should be very cautious in implementing such reports, we are not the problem.

Workplace improvement seemed to be the focal point of this year’s International Labour Oganisation (ILO) conference. Tell us how labour centres in Nigeria contributed to discussions at the 104th ILO conference?

Globally, labour has a standard and part of why we are here is to look at what is the global best practice in terms of decent work agenda, in terms of occupational health and

safety, remuneration, application of standards even in terms of collective bargaining.

That is why we have ILO conventions specifically 87 and 98 which set standards for how labour issues will be discussed, so part of why we are here is to align ourselves to the best global practice in terms of responding to some of those challenges and therefore it’s not a wasted effort for all of us to be here.

What was your major focus or area of interest at the just concluded ILO conference ?

We are here to sharpen our skill and also fit into the global system of managing labour and Industrial Relation issues. So basically we are beneficiaries of these process and it’s also a tripartite system where you have employers and the government participating in this process and therefore all of us must conform ourselves to what we refer to as international global practice in labour and trade union administration.

So part of our take home from here, you also realise that most of our members have participated actively in all the four committees. For instance, I have participated effectively in the Committee on Application of Standard. We have made several interventions.

I know some of them have participated on the Committee on SMEs; the one on the Formalisation on the Informal Economy and that of Social Protection.

One issue we can take home from here is the fact that we have sharpened our skills to engage those challenges, because we are not also isolated as Nigeria. Those challenges facing the global economy are also what affect other countries.

In the same global world, some other countries are talking of reviewing their wages because they also need to empower the workers, those are some of the take home for us and they advanced good reasons why that should take place, because those issues are global issues. What drives development across the world is the labour component.

Labour creates the wealth through industrialisation and therefore those are issues. As a country we need to queue into that if our quest for development and transformation is anything to go by.

We must then go back to the basis of creating that wealth through meaningful employment and through making our industries, and work by industrialisation policies.

Those are some of our take home from this ILO conference and certainly it’s going to give us an edge in addressing some of these challenges.

How do you intend to return labour movement to its glorious era, given your campaign promise of returning to the founding principles of the movement?

I think we have actually tried to capture the challenges; there is no gain saying the fact that in terms of prestige, there is drastic change in the way workers perceive NLC over the past few years. This is basically because of the fact that we have not been able to engage a lot of policy issues that have direct bearing on the well-being and welfare of workers and even the citizenry. This substantially has affected our prestige before our members and I think as a member of a very reputable union, this is not an issue we can just gloss over, it is a challenge. When you look at the issue of the economy, I think over the past decades, we have been on top of it, there is no economic issue government will contemplate that NLC has not had its own position whether for or against such policy.

We are going back to this basic, that is, our founding principle which is to represent only the interest of the workers. And I think for me, this is very key for us to earn the confidence of the workers because once you earn their confidence, you are also able to earn the confidence of the employers. So we are saying that once you make a pronouncement you must be able to back it up with action and see to the conclusion of the issues.

We are returning to the basics where the interest and only the interest of the workers will dominate our engagement with the government and even form the cords and basis of interactions with other social partners. The area I intend to galvanise and bring back, is the biting and confrontational aspect of the labour movement which is lacking now, when you make pronouncement, you must back it up with necessary action. We have responsibility to bring back the labour culture of representing the Nigerian workers.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

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Taxation

Requirements and steps for electronic-filing of tax returns T HE Taxpayer must have registered and obtained TIN before accessing the e- filing platform.

•A duly completed access form obtainable from the FIRS site or the Tax Office where the taxpayer affairs are handled must be completed and submitted.

•The access creation takes cognisance of the type of access rights given to User by the Chief Executive Officer [CEO] or Managing Director [MD] or Principal Officer of the Company. The User’s credentials/ profile in this case would have been spelt out on the access form that was completed by the CEO/MD or Principal Officer of the Company. The User may include an employee and or a Tax Consultant.

•The access right delegated to the User may be withdrawn through notification to the Tax Office by the CEO/MD or Principal Officer of the Company.

•Upon submission of the access form, the assigned officer of the Taxpayer Service Unit in the Tax Office creates the User using the User’s profile stated on the access form.

•The details on the access form is used to generate User ID[i.e. Username and Password] •It is required that the Password is instantly changed upon first log in.

•The information given in the access form will determine which of the access rights the user is entitled to. These include - View only - Declare (i.e file returns) - TIN Validation - Submission and upload of supporting documents (tax and non-tax related) - TCC Validation • It requires access to internet gateways such as; internet explorer not below 10, google chrome or any fire fox etc.

•There and then you save the excel with csv dos[disc operating system], comma delimited and others excluding Macintosh. This is the only csv version that does not work with SIGTAS. •The CSV can work with or without labels. If it is with labels, it means information to be uploaded must have headings at first column and first row, but where labels are not checked in, it will exclude the first row and first column that carry the headings.

B. System requirements for e-filing •Internet Explorer not below 10 •Google Chrome and •Any Fire Fox

C. Truncated declaration process This may be caused either by network/power failure, session time out or the e-filer who may discontinue the declaration process to seek further clarification or gather additional information. In either case, the e-filer can relog-in and continue from where he/ she stopped by clicking on “in progress” and complete the declaration.

Taxes that can be filed using e-filing Platform for now •Petroleum Profit Tax •Education Tax •Companies Income Tax •Value Added Tax •National Information Technology Levy •Capital Gains Tax

Documentations required when making e-filing

• Acting Executive Chairman, FIRS, Samuel Ogungbesan

Steps to filing tax returns •Download the e-filing access application form from http://www.firs.gov.ng/Tax-Management/ Pages/ITAS-e-Filing-Platform.aspx •Complete the form and indicate your desired access right.

•Return completed form to the FIRS office where your tax matters are treated.

•Obtain your username and password from the tax office having used the information on your form to generate it.

•log on to e-filing platform either from the FIRS site stated above or through the addresshttps:// efiling.firs.gov.ng.

•Change your password upon initial log in.

•Upon successful log in, you are positioned on the e-filing page to file any declarations/returns which need to be filed.

•To start your declaration, click on the “View all declarations to be filed” hyperlink or on the “Taxpayer Service” tab to select the tax types you want to file and double click on the plus (+) sign.

•Click on the “File now” hyperlink.

•On the tax return form displayed, identify relevant line details to complete or schedule to upload.

•Enter the amounts for the required form lines in the filing currency previously authorized for the tax account for which you are filing or you can upload csv filefor both the formlines and/or schedule. The upload from csv file is explained in note 1 after step 18 below.

•Click on the “Submit declaration” button.

•Verify and ensure that the amounts entered are correct,if not click “back” to go back and make corrections.

•Click on “Yes” for the returns to be submitted.

•Click on “End Declaration Process” hyperlink.

• View Filed declaration page which gives you a summary of your declaration; the document number is displayed at the top right hand corner.

•Copy the document number which is required at the bank to settle the tax liabilityor you print the submitted declaration by clicking the print button for

‘

It saves your time and money as the returns are filed online. You do not need to produce hardcopy returns and transport yourself to tax office to submit tax returns. Promotes voluntary compliance due to its convenience, it keeps your information secure and confidential.

‘

you to see the filed declaration with document number on it.

•Contact itas.change@firs.gov.ng; itasproject@firs.gov.ng; 08115900301; 08115900021 for further enquiries.

Note: A. CSV configuration for shedule upload in SIGTAS and E-filing The schedule prepared in excel file must be saved in CSV file •The CSV - Comma Separated Value is used to import information or data in excel to the system.

•Before saving any excel file for CSV upload, the computer system must be in decimal separator configuration.

•To configure a system to decimal separator, you click file at the menu bar, click on options and select advance on the second screen.

•Check the decimal separator box and enter a comma ( , ). The system is now on decimal sepeaator.

This is done only once for a system

Beside system requirements earlier mentioned, the following documents are required when conducting e-filing: •Relevant Tax Returns •Relevant Excel Schedules saved in appropriate CSV file

Benefits of e-filing E-filing platform provides the following benefits: •Self-service Platform using a personal computer, laptop, tablet or any device with a connection to the internet, from the comfort of your home, work or any place that is convenient to you.

•It saves your time and money as the returns are filed online. You do not need to produce hardcopy returns and transport yourself to tax office to submit tax returns.

•Promotes voluntary compliance due to its convenience.

•Keep your information secure and confidential.

The e-filing environment is secured and safe with your User ID and password, ITAS/SIGTAS platform will ensure that your tax information will be safe and confidential.

•The system takes all submissions by taxpayers as self assessment •The system does the calculation at back-end for you. The Declaration [Tax Return] Forms are system driven, that is the formlines are linked to back-end computation and helps taxpayers to avoid common errors like using wrong rates and committing arithmetical mistakes.

•Promotes transparency and boost taxpayer confidence and trust in the system •Saves taxpayer the rigours of going to tax office to confirm TIN and apply for TCC •Taxpayer can update her profiles without going to tax office to do so •Taxpayer can use message centre to make enquiries and receive instant reply for tax office •Tax account balance can easily be queried from the e-filing environment before taxpayer applies for Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC).

•Source: FIRS

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MONDAY JULY 13, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Observers have condemned the refusal of All Progressives Congress (APC) legislators to obey party directives on the election of National Assembly principal officers. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN and MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE examine the dilemma of the ruling party being threatened by indiscipline.

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HE ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) appears to have found itself in a cul-de-sac over the crisis tearing its members apart in the National Assembly.

Though the party has reluctantly accepted the emergence of Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, the two warring camps have shifted the battleground to the election of other principal officers. While the APC leadership is insisting on party supremacy in the election of the officers, Saraki and Dogara appear determined to their own way.

The leadership of the two legislative chambers had ignored the list of nominees forwarded to them by the party leadership for adoption. Rather, they asked the regional caucuses to meet and nominate officers of their choice. While the Senate President was able to have his way, by upholding the list presented by the caucuses, an attempt to follow the Saraki example in the House of Representatives resulted in the commotion and physical attack that forced the House to adjourn. The battle line has been drawn and there is bound to be a collision between the two groups when the house reconvenes next Monday to conclude the business of electing the principal officers.

Observers have warned the APC leadership to tread softly over the crisis, so as not to further polarise the party, which was voted into power to give the country a new direction.

Constitutional lawyer Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) warned Dogara and his group to desist from re-enacting the politics of hatred, ethnicity and religion that was responsible for deep seated animosity between the North and the Southwest in the First Republic. He recalled that there was ill-will between the two regions when the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the former Premier of the North, and the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the Western Region disagreed virtually on everything that could have moved the country forward.

Sagay stressed: “Now that the North and the Southwest have for the first time agreed to work together under a political party which I believe is good for the progress of this country, I think it will be disastrous for any group of people to take us back to the politics of hatred that characterised the First Republic.

“Surprisingly, the beneficiaries of this realignment are not ready to appreciate the sacrifice made by people like former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu who midwife the formation of a formidable opposition party (APC) that unseated the ruling party for the first time in the history of this country. I was surprised to see one Ahmad Pategi on television castigating Yoruba leaders as if they were not part of the APC success.

“The President called these dissidents to a meeting and told them to abide with the party directive. It is left to Gbajabiamila’s group to decide on who should occupy the position of Majority Leader. They are a threat to the APC , good governance and the change mantra of the Buhari administration. The dangerous dimension they have brought into the matter is ethnicising the problem.

“Saraki and Dogara are the same characters reviving ethnic hatred against the Southwest making the whole thing to look as a struggle between the north and southwest or a war against Tinubu who built a bridge between the two regions.” Out of sheer hatred Saraki appointed Aliyu Ndume as Senate Leader. Ndume is presently under criminal charge of having links with Boko Haram insurgents. I wonder what kind of leaders do we have in the Senate. Saraki pre-empted the APC and organised the worst characters to hold principal offices in the Upper Chamber.

APC is too soft on these characters. They belong to PDP. APC should suspend them for anti-party activities and later expel them before they destroy the party.”

A lawyer, Yusuf Ali, believes the principal offices in the National Assembly should be shared equitably among the geo-political zones in the country. He said we should do away with winners- take- all mentality.

National Assembly crisis: Bitter pill for APC

•Saraki

•Buhari

•Dogara

Observers have advised the APC leadership to tread softly over the crisis, so as not to further polarise the party, which was voted into power to give the country a new direction Ali said: “If politics is about emancipation of common man, politicians should make sacrifice. What is equitable, just and fair should come to play. Holding position is not for self aggrandisement but to serve the people. No sacrifice is too much for the nation’s interest.

Senator Femi Ojudu could not understand the gang-up against the Southwest. He posed the following questions: “If Gbajabiamila supported Aminu Tambuwal to emerge the Speaker in 2011, what is the offence of the Southwest? Is Southwest not part of Nigeria or APC- the ruling party? Didn’t APC contribute to the victory of APC in the last general elections? What are they up to? What is their interest?

Ojudu said: “I can’t understand the cause of hatred for the Yoruba. The Southwest has always stood for the progress of the country.

Why should anybody say they don’t want Southwest. It is shocking.”

Public Affairs analyst Mr Clem Baiye described the APC as a ruling party but not in

power in the legislature. According to him, the power is eroded by personal interest. He said it will be difficult for Dogara to accept Gbajabiamila as Majority Leader because he considers him as a burden on his neck.

Gbajabiamila is a brilliant chap, knowledgeable, forceful and command respect in the House that he may outshine Dogara in the House.

Baiye said given the divergent interests in the APC, it has to make another sacrifice, if it wants to forge ahead. The public affairs analysts said it is curious that a group within the party would publicly declare that it is out to curtail the influence of Tinubu on the President and the party. He warned against what he described as the personalization of the problems of the party, saying the leaders of the APC must handle the disagreement with care, so that it would not affect the implementation of its programme.

To the President Nigeria Voters Assembly (VOTAS), Comrade Moshood Erubami, the

caveat attached by the Dogara group, in their concession of the House leadership to the Gbajabiamila group, which excludes nominees from the Southwest, is least expected and disappointing. However, he said, it should not strictly be seen to be against the South west, though a very dangerous political game plan and a personal veiled political Vendetta targeted at Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Erubami states further: “It is not the script of those laying down the condition, it is a script from a political gladiator meant to pay back the Asiwaju for enabling the President to emerge at the primaries in lagos hence the APC should watch out for this group without compromising party supremacy.

“It Is unfortunate that those playing this wrong script will forget so soon that the southwest they seem to loath, closed their eyes and minds to ethnic chauvinism and refused to play the same political chess game placed before the Southwest by some elements in the south- south to align with them to defeat the North. All because the kind of change being demanded is such that is ethnic and regional blind, its a mantra that was needed to move Nigerians forward and liberate the country from the sway of its tormentors who are distributed across ethnic and regional boundaries Nigeria and its traumatised citizenry have a common enemy. Unless all regions and ethnic concave unite to defeat its forces, the country will continue to grope in the dark for the next years to come while the nation will continue to accumulate the rots of backwardness and relish in the decay of corruption and paradox of poverty and hunger in the midst of plenty.

“It is In this regard that the ethnic card now being introduced by the Dogara group appears quite unfortunate coming at a time that progressives Nigerians are trying hard to clear the air about the insinuation gaining the ground about Nothernisation of appointments which they consider is not visibly correct.

“The Dogara group if they really meant what they were quoted to have said against not wanting any nominee from the Southwest and it is worth anything to consider, We should pray such fixation should not be misconstrued as the same ethnic game that the PDP wanted to use with some discredited forces from the other zones when the Southwest was warned against supporting Buhari to defeat the status quo conditions, calling the southwest readiness to work with the north, an alliance against the south East and the South-south.

“This was later pronounced loudly,as it was quite evident in the threat issued by the Niger Delta militants and the way the notable leaders in the South and South east behaved and ultimately voted.

“It is quite unthinkable that some people in solidarity will be reminding Nigerians so soon about ethnic affiliation that we pray should be better forgotten in the interest of National Unity, justice, equitable co-existence and fairness to all. It is very premodial for them in this modern time to prefer not to appoint a Nigerian because of the region he comes from and his ethnic base. This group should be appealed to jettison the external script being drafted for them by a desperate politician to pay back Bola Tinubu for supporting Buhari against his candidature because the politics of the primaries have come and gone, all hands must be on deck to retain the peoples confidence and ensure that the • Continued on page 64

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a party man. I was in the Senate on the platform of ‘theI amPeoples Democratic Party (PDP). Whenever we met at

’

the party level, the party issued directives, which we obeyed

POLITICS ‘APC should not underrate opposition’

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•Nwobodo

•Omilani

•Durojaye

Party is supreme, say former lawmakers

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HE leadership of the two National Assembly and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are locked in a battle of wits over the election of the principal officers. The APC sent its list of nominees to Senate President Senator Bukola Saraki for adoption by the Red Chamber. But, Saraki ignored the list and asked the caucuses to nominate officers of their choice. At the end of the day, the Senate President upheld the list presented by the caucuses. A similar move in the House of Representatives led to commotion, which forced the House to adjourn. Both Saraki and Dogara have emerged as the leaders of the two chambers against the wishes of the APC leadership.

Former lawmakers who condemned the legislative arrogance described the non-compliance with the party’s directives as indiscipline and betrayal of trust. The former lawmakers said it is the responsibility of the party to decide who becomes the principal officers.

Senator Jim Nwobodo, the former governor of the old Anambra State, said the party decision is supreme in every democratic setting. He said: “The APC legislators got to the National Assembly on the platform of the party. You can’t turn your back against the party’s directive.

The party’s decision must be re-

By Leke Salaudeen

spected by its members in the parliament.

“I am a party man. I was in the Senate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Whenever we met at the party level, the party issued directives, which we obeyed. From my experience, the party’s position on any matter is supreme. The party’s directive is binding on every loyal party member, no matter your position in the Senate or House of Representatives.

“The APC leaders and legislators should go back to the party and sort out their differences. The party leadership should let them realise that the party supremacy is key. If there is no discipline in the party, how

The APC leaders and legislators should go back to the party and sort out their differences. The party leadership should let them realise that the party supremacy is key

can it rule the country successfully?

To Senator Yinka Omilani, the party has the final say. Omilani, who represented Osun West District in the Third Republic, said: “The party is supposed to take control of the appointment of the principal officers in the two legislative chambers.

“The normal thing is for the party to decide on those that will occupy the positions. The party should be in charge; it should have the last say on the matter. Legislators can’t use their discretion to select principal officers. No, it is never done.

“It is not stated in the standing rule of the National Assembly that members should decide on their leaders. The party has the power to appoint principal officers for the Senate and the House of Representatives.”

Omilani advised the APC to sanction its erring members for violating the party’s directive. He said the APC should quickly resolve the matter, to be able to face the business of governance.

APC chieftain Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye said the party must be respected, irrespective of their status. He said the APC controls the majority in both chambers of the National Assembly, wondering why it should share offices with the opposition.

OUSE of Representatives member Hon. Olamide Oni has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP (PDP) will play an effective opposition role in the National Assembly to foster democracy.

The legislator warned against any move by the ruling party to underrate the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which, he said, is strong and formidable.

Oni, who represents Ijero/Ekiti West/ Efon Constituency in the House of Representatives, said the PDP will bounce back, if its leadership can put its house in order and learn from past mistakes.

He described the PDP as a democratic platform that guarantees equal participation and freedom of choice as the primaries.

Oni, a PDP chieftain, said it is dangerous for the APC to underrate the party, despite its exploits in the poli-

tics of Nigeria in the last 16 years.

He said: “The PDP will remain a factor. The APC must embrace the reality that the PDP, despite its ouster from power at the centre, is still strong and formidable. PDP is a promising party. What happened during the election of the National Assembly principal officers was a pointer to the fact that the PDP has repositioned itself as an effective opposition party in parliament.”

Oni reflected on the crisis in the National Assemly, saying that legislators have the right to choose their principal officers without external influence.

He, however, called for truce to enable the National Assembly to contribute its quota to democratic development.

Oni said: “We played politics during the electioneering. It is now time for elected officials to settle down for governance.”

Group calls for restructuring

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HE Igbo Conscience (TIC) has called for the restructuring of the country.

The Chairman of the group, Mr. Monday Ubani, said the country must be restructured to foster true federalism. He said TIC has reached out to those who share its views on how to sustain Nigeria’s unity.

Ubani added: “TIC is promoting the harmonious co-existence between Igbo indigenes and their host communities, anywhere they live. We believe this is paramount to national unity and integration.

“This group came about given the rising concern over the safety and interest of Ndigbo in the country that is greatly polarized along ethnic and religious lines.”

He said the group was yet to be properly briefed on the concerns raised by Igbo on the transfer of Boko Haram prisoners to Anambra State, adding that the state government and the Anambra State House of Assembly are capable of dealing with the authenticity of the issue.

“We are not having the real information, whether Boko Haram prisoners have been relocated to Anambra or not. In any case, pris-

By Musa Odoshimokhe

oners can be transferred to any part of the country, but those awaiting trial could not be moved because they need to be tried within the jurisdiction where the offence was committed.”

Ubani said TIC would act and defend the interests of the Igbo, urging them to be law abiding in the pursuit of their legitimate businesses. He said: “We are brothers in the country. Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and other nationalities are united by our common interest which is the national unity. We are better as a united country; we are trying to ensure that Nigeria is stronger irrespective religion or ethnic character.

“To these lofty ends therefore, TIC will identify with progressives and informed Igbo professionals who will work as think tank that will work for the interest of Ndigbo while not undermining the interest and well being of others.”

He maintained that TIC will seek consensus and compromise where need be with other ethnic units in Nigeria, noting that this remains the only guarantee for peace and fruitful co-existence.

National Assembly crisis is bitter pill for APC • Continued from page 63 goodwill currently being enjoyed by the APC do not decline through opposition intruding intervention and deliberate falsehood.

“All hands should join together and move in unity to start fixing the challenges caused the Nation by years of unproductive politics, which the opposition party played for 16 years ending up an epic failure in all ramifications.

Former governor of Kaduna State, Balarabe Musa, said it is wrong for the leadership of the two houses to go against the party that brought them into office, because “any decision taken by the party is for the overall interest of the nation.” He said if the ruling party is undermined by its members, the political system cannot be stable.

He said: “The first thing is to respect the party, which has the responsibilities to provide a way for its elected members. From my childhood, I have not experienced this type of situation where a political party is disrespected by its members. We had always relied on the party, but that does not mean

that we have no voice.

“These people have violated the democratic norms by not listening to anybody. Everybody has to follow the rules set by their political parties. This situation should not be allowed in the APC. This was what led to the fall of the PDP. It was because of the disrespect its members had for the PDP; the party was not listened to, and hence it fell.

“Now they are bringing the same attitude to the APC, the party must stand up and ensure that party supremacy is upheld. They party should discipline them if they fail to tow party lines otherwise the party cannot grow. This group of people will take over the party if it is not allowed to ensure discipline.”

But, the National Chairman of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, has cautioned the APC to accept what they cannot change. He said it is unfortunate that the party has to swallow the bitter pills, adding that what happened at the National Assembly, with regards to the election of the leadership of the two

chambers, is totally democratic.

But, he added that it is unfortunate that the leadership of the two chambers have refused to bow to party supremacy.

Okorie said the current state of affairs has given the PDP the advantage. He therefore warned the APC not to expect anything complementary in terms of collaboration with the party they threw out of power.

He added: “Now that this situation has happened, I do not see how the APC can change the situation in the National Assembly.

My advice is that it should swallow the bitter pills and accept the situation and make it look like it is the in-house thing they have accepted and call it a family affair.

“Beyond that the APC as a political party should tolerate them because in the next four years every politician will face his party again for either nomination or re-nomination. It is at that time the party can whittle their aspiration. That is the time a party takes it pound of flesh and not now.”

Similarly, APC Chieftain, Prince

Tony Momoh, also cautioned the party leadership not to override the decision of the National Assembly because it is not the only party at the National Assembly. He said: “It is the prerogative of the National Assembly to choose their leaders.

But, when it comes to caucus, it has to do with the party itself. There are two approaches: One, it is an internal thing; the party says this is the person we want or the members of the party in the House will say this is the person we want.

“Either way, it is the party that chooses. Whoever it chooses is a member of the party. The proper thing to do, is for the party to lobby. In other words, the party ought to lobby its members from Northeast to pick who will represent it. Similarly, it ought to do the same with its members from the Southsouth.

“The party ought to be in control of the situation. I do not think it is healthy for the party to choose names and say this must be. I do not think it is healthy for the members of the caucus to tell the party this must be. When you talk of party

•Gbajabiamila supremacy, the two must work together. We had a problem with the PDP, when we were given the position of Minority Leader; the party suggested someone from Niger State, but about 30 party members wanted someone from Kaduna State. At the end of the day, we accepted the decision of the members in the House. We held a series of meetings, but we accepted to allow the decision of the members of the House to prevail.”

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Monday, July, 13, 2015

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

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BUSINESS EXTRA

Africa’s insurance scheme expands

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FRICA’S fledgling insurance scheme covering governments against drought expects to add five countries this year, expanding its client base to nine nations, and plans to offer insurance for tropical cyclones and floods from next May. In its first year of operation, African Risk Capacity (ARC), an African Union agency, insured Niger, Senegal, Mauritania and Kenya for $129 million in total losses, and paid out $26.3 million after three West African states suffered low rainfall.

Senegal, Niger and Mauritania are using the money to distribute food and transfer cash to more than 1.3 million people, and subsidise animal feed for some 570,000 livestock.

In the second policy year, which began in May, ARC expects Burkina Faso, Malawi, Mali, Gambia and Zimbabwe to join, with coverage set to rise to $192 million, it said.

ARC is targeting total membership of about 30 African countries over the next four years.

Chief Executive Officer ARC Ltd, Simon Young, said the mutual that sells the insurance products to participating countries, said the scheme was gearing up gradually because it requires “a lot of heavy lifting” to develop rigorous government plans that ensure any payouts quickly reach people in need.

“The flaw ... is getting countries to buy something they have not thought they needed to buy in the past,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone from Washington DC on Wednesday.

Until now African nations have totally relied on donors to provide a rapid humanitarian response to food crises caused by extreme weather events such as drought, he added.

But insurance schemes can offer payouts that are faster than waiting for rich governments to respond to aid appeals, Young said.

This year, Senegal, Mauritania and Niger had already received their ARC money by the time the United Nations had launched an appeal in Feb-

‘In Africa, the capacities, technology and national demand are in place to reach $1 billion in coverage by 2020,” he said in a statement’

ruary to fund humanitarian support in the Sahel.

But Senegal and Niger experienced teething problems in getting the insurance payouts through their government spending systems and procuring food aid, delaying delivery to people on the ground.

Efforts would be made to smooth out such bottlenecks, ideally in partnership with experienced institutions such as the World Bank, Young said.

“It is a bit frustrating for us, but we are breaking very new ground,” he added.

ARC’s key aim is to build the ability of African states to prepare for and respond to climate-related disasters themselves, changing the norm where most relief aid bypasses the government.

Achieving this would have broader value because stronger government systems would benefit the wider humanitarian response, Young noted.

ARC also believes it can help United Nationss agencies like the World Food Programme and aid charities by offering them insurance against extreme weather events in African countries.

It is hoping to receive backing from a new initiative announced by Group of Seven (G7) leaders in June, which pledged to insure up to 400 million more people in developing countries against climate risks by

2020.

Richard Wilcox, a leading founder of ARC, said that target could be met “if the G7 translate their commitment into real action”.

“In Africa, the capacities, technology and national demand are in place to reach $1 billion in coverage by 2020,” he said in a statement.

That could double if the G7 initiative encouraged the global aid system to participate in climate risk insurance, he added.

Young noted that the British and German governments had already provided interest-free loans to help set up ARC. “Most of the African sovereigns are limited in how much they can afford to pay in premiums and how much capacity they have to distribute a payout - as we have learned this year - so anything that can help on either of those sides is where we want to have the G7 focus,” he added.

Solar firm for Kenya’s power

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ENYA’S renewable energy sector is set for a boost in September when a solar microgrid company plans to become the country’s first licensed private utility to sell power to the public, ending a half-century monopoly by the state electricity firm.

Earlier this year, the government granted Powerhive East Africa, an energy technology venture with its roots in the United States, a permit to supply electricity to rural homes in competition with 53-year-old grid giant Kenya Power.

For over two years, Powerhive has been running pilot schemes in four villages in Kisii, providing around 1,500 people with solar power.

“Our goal is line with that of the government - we want to connect and provide reliable service to as many rural communities as possible,” said Rik Wuts, Powerhive’s cofounder and vice president for business development.

Under the deal, the company will produce solar power and distribute it to rural off-grid communities, providing a clean, stable electricity supply on a “viable commercial basis”.

Powerhive will begin generating and distributing electricity under its new license to homes in the west Kenyan counties of Kisii and Nyamira from September.

The area has a high population density and concentration of homes, making it ideal for microgrid models that rely on short distances between the power source and target premises. The microgrids connect about 300 clients per locality, as well as serving public buildings like schools.

Leveraging the falling prices of solar photovoltaic panels and power storage equipment globally, Powerhive says it has succeeded in bringing the cost of microgrid power closer to that of mains electricity.

“In many places in the developing world, the cost of (main) grid extensions is simply too high to be feasible,” said Wuts.

Catholic Church group partners BoI on SMEs development

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GROUP Catholic Brothers United (CBU) is partnering Bank of Industry (BoI) in its empowerment programme for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs).

The CBU, a socio-spiritual organisation of the St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos, is hosting a conference on Agust 2, this year.

Titled: ‘Enhancing Small and Medium Scale businesses; a viable too for poverty eradication, the group says it is part of its contribution to support government’s efforts at developing the sector to create jobs.

The conference, the 16th by the association, is planned to generate ideas to tackle the challenges facing SMEs. Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer BoI), Mr. Olaoluwa, is guest speaker at the conference.

He reiterated the bank’s commitment to boost SMEs. President of the CBU, Mr Emmanuel Uwukhor, said the initiative is aimed at providing a forum for SMEs to understand the inventiveness of the bank.

He said the group is disturbed by inadequate knowledge of the bank’s operations by some SMEs’ owners and mangers. This

problem prompted the association to create a platform for parties to share knowledge and take advantage of the bank’s programmes.

According to him, SMEs are critical to the development of the economy, adding that they generate employment, improve local technology, output diversification, develop indigenous entrepreneurship and forward integration with large-scale industries.

He however regretted that in Nigeria, there had been gross under performance of the SMEs, which has undermined its contributions to economy.

•Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai with Director-General, National Pension Commission (PenCom) Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu when she led Executive Committee of the Commission on courtesy visit to the governor in his office in Kaduna.

South Africa, Russia sign agreement

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OUTH Africa and Russia have signed two memoranda of understanding on nuclear power cooperation, as part of efforts

by Africa’s most advanced economy to lessen its reliance on coal and overcome power shortages that threaten eco-

nomic growth.

The deals, signed at the summit of emerging BRICS nations in Ufa, Russia, are between Russia’s state-run nuclear energy company Rosatom and South Africa’s department of energy.

They call for joint projects

GTBank wins Euromoney Best Bank award

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UARANTY Trust Bank Plc (GTBank) has won the Best Bank in Nigeria award at the Natural History Museum, London.

The Euromoney Awards for Excellence covers over 20 categories, best-in-class awards and the best banks in over 100 countries by recognising institutions that have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and momentum in the markets they operate.

In selecting winners, the organisers combine data to honour institutions that have brought the highest levels of service, innovation and expertise to their customers.

Euromoney Magazine’s

Editor, Mr. Clive Horwoo, said: “Competition for the awards this year was tough, arguably the toughest it has been since the start of the global financial crisis.

“In winning this award, GTBank stands out not only because of its stellar performance but by its

ability to define what its core strengths are, abide by these strengths and build its business around them.”

He added that banking in the future would be about what you do, as well as what you don’t do.

GTBank stands out as Euro-moneys’ best bank in

‘We are humbled and proud to be recognised as the Best Bank in Nigeria. For us, this award is an acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication of our staff, management and Board’

Nigeria for its ability to adapt to local situations while maintaining international standards of best practice.”

Receiving the award, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GTBank, Segun Agbaje, said: “We are humbled and proud to be recognised as the Best Bank in Nigeria. For us, this award is an acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication of our staff, management and Board. It represents our commitment to serving our customers and providing them with value oriented products and services suited to their varied needs.

“Our desire to always be at the frontier of excellence, enables us remain relevant to our customers and add value to all stakeholders. Being, the first Nigerian bank to win this award seven years consecutively, outside of 2013, when we were recognised as the Best Managed Bank in Nigeria, is also an affirmation of our position as a Proudly African and truly international institution.’’

Thanking the bank’s customers for their patronage and tremendous support over the years, he further said the bank will continue to leverage its brand equity to tap into the growth potential of African economies.

to educate and encourage “public acceptance of nuclear power” in South Africa, the South African department of energy said in a statement.

They will also include programmes for training specialists in South Africa’s nuclear industry.

South Africa is considering using reactors from Russia’s Rosatom and Westinghouse for its planned 9,600 megawatt nuclear fleet expansion, an energy advisor to the government said in June.

The country plans to build six new nuclear power plants by 2030 for between 400 billion rand and one trillion rand ($32 billion and $80 billion).

Critics contend South Africa cannot afford the price tag against the backdrop of rising debt and sluggish economic growth, which is constrained by power shortages that trigger periodic rolling blackouts.

The government has said South Africa needs to not only expand its capacity but also diversify its power mix from coal, which provides over 85 percent of the country’s energy needs.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

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SHOWBIZ

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UDAN’s current president, Omar alBashir may have escaped detention in South Africa, last month following International Criminal Court (ICC)’s order. But his countryman and filmmaker, Hajooj Kuka is making a show of the vicious treatment the citizens are facing in the hands of the country’s leader in Durban, South Africa, this month.

Kuka’s documentary, Beats of The Antonov tells it all, giving a human face to al-Bashir’s victims at the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), holding from July 16 to 26.

Described by the organisers as one of the most uplifting films at this year’s DIFF, Beats of The Antonov is also an indictment of President Omar al-Bashir.

The documentary tells the story of the people of the Blue Nile and Nuba Mountains in Sudan, who fought with the South for independence but now remain trapped in a civil war in the North.

The Antonov in the title refers to the planes that drop bombs on the civilian population there. As Nuba Reports wrote in The Daily Maverick just after al-Bashir’s escape, “As South Africa dissects the implications of President Omar al-Bashir’s visit, and his illegal departure, it’s worth remembering that although the International Criminal Court wants him for crimes committed years ago, the Sudanese president is still in power – and he’s still dropping cluster bombs on civilians.”

The documentary depicts al-Bashir not just as the kind of leader who drops bombs on unarmed civilians, but also as a racist, dividing his country along racial and ethnic lines, waging war “against all the African elements in Sudan.” As CityPress wrote in their review, al-Bashir’s “quest for a purely Arab state leaves the other 156 cultural African groups unaccounted for. Bashir calls these people ‘black sacks’ and vows to wipe them out.”

According to The Mail and Guardian, the

Sudanese filmmaker takes Omar al-Bashir’s case to Durban

• Filmmaker Hajooj Kuka at Toronto International Film Festival

• Scene from Beats of the Antonov

By Victor Akande

ANC described the decision to aid alBashir’s escape as “choosing African unity over the law.” But after watching the film, you’ll be left asking whether a stand for African unity shouldn’t rather be a stand with the people of the Blue Nile and Nuba Mountains, not with those trying to Arabicize them. The documentary is not anti-Islamic; it just argues that you can be Muslim without needing to be culturally Arabic, that you can embrace being an African Muslim rather than forcing everyone to be an Arabic one.

As refugee Insaf Rawad says in the film, “Culture protects us. If people don’t release

their pain, they will become miserable, without these parties to lift their spirits.

When people are anxious and disturbed, dancing helps them get over it.”

Similarly, ethnomusicologist Sarah Mohamed says, “Truly there is an alternative Sudan, other than the fake one presented to us in the capital Khartoum. There is a happy smiling Sudan that loves life.”

Beats of the Antonov has charmed audiences around the world, even winning The People’s Choice Documentary Award at The Toronto International Film Festival and four other international awards.

Kuka directed and shot the documentary over two years, at immense personal risk. He

also produced alongside South African Steven Markovitz, as a co-production between Sudanese production company Refugee Club and South African company Big World Cinema. South African Khalid Shamis edited the documentary with kuka in Cape Town.

“I urge all South Africans to see this film,” says Steven. “This film turns the notion of Africa as a continent of victims on its head and shows the incredible resilience of Sudanese people at a time of great adversity.

They deserve our support ’’ Kuka will be attending the festival, where Beats of the Antonov is in competition.

The documentary premieres on Saturday, 18 July at 6pm at Suncoast.

MTN concludes Project Fame Auditions

NBMA announces new patron

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HE auditions for the 2015 edition of MTN Project Fame talent hunt competition, was wrapped up in Ultima Studios, Lagos recently.

The auditions saw music enthusiasts arriving from all over the country seeking to vie for a ticket that will qualify them for the next round of the competition.

The Lagos auditions was the fifth in the series with the initial auditions having held in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan and Accra, Ghana respectively. Not surprising, Lagos had the largest turnout as enthusiasts turned up in their numbers to contend for a slot.

While the auditions in other cities across the country were held over two days, the Lagos auditions stretched for 3 days as the registration formalities and pre-audition screenings took the first two days while the screening proper took place on the third day.

During the two days of the exercise, the teeming crowd were pruned down by a host of some key stakeholders in Nigeria’s music industry including prolific producer, Tee-Y Mix, ace songwriter, producer and singer, Cobhams Asuquo, Owuro crooner, Shola Allyson and voice coach and member of MTN Project Fame Faculty, Ben Ogbeiwe.

Others included Gloria Rhodes, Ade Bantu, foremost music voice coach and member of MTN Project Fame Faculty, Dupe Ige, and Tosin Adesina, a past MTN Project Fame contestant amongst others.

The auditions proper saw the trio of Cobhams, Gloria Rhodes and Shola Alyson

T

• Project Fame contestants

sitting in as judges to decide the fate of the aspirants who made it through the pre-audition stage.

Speaking on this year’s edition of the MTN’s Project Fame auditions, Cobhams Asuquo described MTN Project Fame as Nigeria’s most consistent musical talent hunt platform.

The next stage of the competition will fea-

ture live performances from the qualified.

The overall winner of the competition will walk away with a grand prize of N5m, a brand new SUV and a recording deal worth millions of Naira. The 1st runner up will get a saloon car and N3m. The 2nd runner up will be awarded a brand new saloon car along with N1m while the 3rd runner up will receive a cash prize of N1m.

Artistes celebrate Rita Dominic at 40

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ULTRY screen diva, Rita Nkem Dominic was a year older yesterday, attaining the age of 40.

Dominic, who hails from Aboh Mbaise local government area of Abia State was born on July 12, 1975 to a medical practitioner father, and a mother who was a nurse.

Several people wished her birthday greetings, among whom is fellow actress Genevive Nnaji.

“Happy birthday to our beautiful Ada Mbaise. May you continue to grow and find favour in the Lord. Lots of love@ritadominic,” Nnaji tweeted.

Actor, Jim Iyke also posted on Instagram; “Happy earth-strong Queen. @ritadominic.

You changed the rules for me. #LoveAlways.”

By Jane Kolade

Although the multiple award-winning thespian clocked 40 yesterday, her youthful looks belie her age, constantly giving ladies decades younger a run for their money.

Rita’s experience as a child-actress and degree in Theatre Arts seems to have prepared her for unrivalled success in her craft. The accomplished thespian has acted in well over a hundred movies, and garnered many awards over the years, some of which are the City People Award for most outstanding actress in 2004, and Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award for best actress in a lead role in 2014.

The Glo ambassador is also the face of Zaron, and co-founder of the Audrey Sylva Company.

HE organisers of the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA), have announced Alhaji (Dr) Ahmed Tijani Ramalan as its new Patron. He takes over from the late Ambassador Segun Olusola.

Dr. Ramalan who was conferred with a Lifetime Achievement award at the last year’s edition of NBMA is the Executive Chairman, Atar Communication Nigeria Limited. Aside being the owner of Liberty Radio, Tashar Yanci 91.7 FM and Liberty TV, the upwardly mobile radio and TV stations in Kaduna, the Business Administration graduate of American University of Richmond, London, is known for his outstanding contributions to the growth of quality broadcasting in the Northern part of Nigeria.

Ramalan served as the Honourable Executive at Kaduna Ministry of Information and Home Affairs. He is also the current Chairman of the Northern Broadcasters Owners Association (NBOA); a Fellow Chartered Institute of Logistic and Transport, United Kingdom (FCILT); Fellow Chartered Institute of Shipping of Nigeria (FCIS) and Member Nautical Institute, United Kingdom (MNI).

He is also a Fellow, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), as well as the Pioneer Executive Chairman of Joint Maritime Industrial Council (JOMALIC). He was the Pioneer Chairman of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Speaking on his new role as the Patron of the NBMA, Ramalan said; “It is indeed a challenge I look forward to. I can only hope to contribute my quota to uphold and further uplift the standard set so far.”

It would be recalled that a seasoned broadcaster, Femi Sowoolu was announced by the organisation in 2013 as NBMA’s first patron.

The next edition of NBMA, put together by The Reality Entertainment, is scheduled for Saturday, January 23, 2016.

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NEWS

•Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (middle), Deputy Governor Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo (seventh right) after the inauguration of an 11-man Nsukka Urban Renewal Committee in Enugu... yesterday

Lesser Hajj: Saraki criticises Saudi’s visa policy

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ENATE President Dr. Bukola Saraki has criticised the entry visa issuance policy of the Saudi Arabian embassy in Nigeria for this year’s lesser hajj.

His Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) Yusuph Olaniyonu, in a statement yesterday, said Saraki spoke in Medinah, Saudi Arabia, at the weekend after listening to complaints from some Nigerians who are performing the lesser Hajj.

The Senate President noted that the Saudi authorities, unlike other embassies in the country, refused to articulate a visa policy which potential visitors to the holy land can follow and obtain their entry visa without any difficulty once they meet the requirements.

He said: “The present process in which visitors to Saudi must go through a third party has created artificial bottlenecks, which are now being exploited by the travel agents and the

UNECA’s report hails Nigeria’s road safety

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IGERIA has been adjudged as “one of the best three performers among 23 countries” in accomplishing activities of the African Road Safety Action plan.

This came from a mid-term review report from the Third African Road Safety Conference organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), which took place in Addis Ababa.

Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Head, Media Relations and Strategy Bisi Kazeem, while reacting to Nigeria’s ranking and her accomplishment, stated that the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Boboye Oyeyemi, lauded the Federal Government’s efforts in ensuring the enduring road safety culture is continually imbibed.

He also showered encomium on the resilience of the officers

and men of the Corps.

The head of Media Relations and Strategy added that the Corps Marshal assured his audience at the conference that in the spirit of the occasion, the Corps has chosen not to rest on its oars, but will rather continue to device ways to improve on its achievements and never to perform below the standard of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety declaration.

The Corps Marshal had in his company, the Assistant Corps Marshal, Policy, Research and Statistics, Kayode Olagunju, at the conference.

The African Road Safety Action Plan, which owes its roots to the 2011 UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, placed priority on understanding of road safety institutional arrangements, road safety management and related activities, achievements, opportunities, and challenges in African countries.

Varsity don seeks protection for indigenous knowledge From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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SENIOR lecturer in the Northwest University, Mafikeng, South Africa, Prof. Dejo Olowu, has advocated for the protection of indigenous knowledge system.

He spoke while delivering the 2015 maiden distinguished lecture of the Centre for Black Culture and Understanding, titled: “Indigenous Knowledge Systems and the African Agenda for Development in the Age of Globalisation”, in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

The Professor of Law said the preservation of indigenous knowledge was under threat.

Prof. Olowu said research had identified many factors as responsible for the threat to indigenous knowledge.

He said: “A report submitted by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies to the secretariat of the United Nations (UN) Convention on Biological Diversity identified the following threats to indigenous knowledge system: political pressure, cultural integrity, social and economic pressure, assimilation, poverty, marginalisation of women, loss of language, territorial pressure, forced displacement and migration and exploitation of traditional knowledge.”

The don added that lack of protection at the national level has intensified the threat.

Prof. Olowu said there has been support for the idea that the indigenous knowledge system must be protected. He noted that what was lacking was how to effectively guarantee such protection against “the onslaught of economic globalisation.”

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

embassy officials.

“Our people are now made to suffer indignities arising from conspiracy between the embassy officials and the socalled agents. The process is fraught with corrupt practices.”

The Senate President said some Nigerians informed him that they had to send their passports through Saudi embassies in other West African countries, where the cost of the visa was less and they did not

need to go through the hardship experienced in Nigeria.

“It is unimaginable the amount of money people paid to get visa for this year’s lesser hajj and we do not want that to repeat itself for the hajj proper coming in a few months’ time.

You know these religious rites and obligations are very important to our people and so, despite these inconveniences, they still struggle to get here and we have a responsibility to ensure this exploitation and

inconvenience stop immediately,” Saraki said.

He reassured Nigerians who complained to him that the Saudi visa policy will be one of the issues the Senate will look into when it resumes plenary later in the month and that the Saudi authorities as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja will be engaged to find a lasting solution to the problems of visa issuance to Nigerians by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Senate President called on all Nigerian Muslims on lesser hajj and those at home to devote the last days of Ramadan to pray for peace, security, development and progress of Nigeria.

He urged them to specifically ask for Allah’s intervention in the search for a lasting solution to the Boko Haram crisis in the Northeast and for God to help President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to revamp the economy.

Gunmen abduct nurse in Abia as kidnappers kill victim

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NURSE, identified as Uchechi Stephen, was abducted at her Starline Housing Estate home at the weekend.

Sources said Mrs. Stephen was returning from work around 8pm when the kidnappers stormed her home and abducted her while she was waiting at the gate.

It was not ascertained if the hoodlums had contacted her

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

family.

“The woman runs a chemist on Opobo road. She was returning home, not knowing that the kidnappers had laid ambush for her; they carried her away without wasting time,” a source said.

Residents said they had been living in fear in the last

three months; they called on security agencies to tighten surveillance on the OpoboOvom-Azumini road to nip the activities of hoodlums.

Police spokesman Onyeke Ezekiel said he was yet to be informed about the incident.

A woman identified as Mrs. Chioma Chukwura was reportedly killed by her abductors even after collecting N2 million ransom.

Reports said her body was found in a bush where the kidnappers had dumped it.

A source who pleaded for anonymity, said the victim’s husband was warned against involving security agencies but he did and the kidnappers killed her after collecting the ransom.

The deceased husband could not be reached for comments.

NLC to Buhari: implement confab resolution on security

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FACTION of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to consider implementing resolution of the 2014 National Conference on security, which suggested ways of ending the security challenges bedeviling the country.

Its Deputy President and General Secretary of the Textile Workers Union, Issa Aremu, who was part of the National Conference, gave the suggestion at the weekend in a statement in Kaduna.

Aremu, who expressed sympathy with the families that lost their dear ones, particular-

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

ly in the recent bomb explosions in Zaria and other parts of the country, said the resolutions of the security committees on ways of ending insecurity will certainly go along way, if implemented.

The labour group said: “Nigeria has lost as many as 15,000 lives to terrorism and as many as over one million internally displaced persons without an official declaration of war.

“Labour will support genuine government efforts to combat the vicious cycle of violence.”

It added that the “soft targets”

of terror attack are defenseless working people, adding that the Zaria bombing was an orchestrated violence against workers because most of the victims were working people on verification exercise.

“We hereby demand that government implement the resolutions of the National Conference 2014 on National Security.

“Invite states where matters of national security challenges originate to the meeting of the National Security Council.

“Governments must also be proactive. Hold National Security Council meetings quarterly, except in times of emergen-

cy.

“There should be mass sensitisation of the citizens on security awareness.

“We must implement the local government peace and security committee at the local government level.

“Membership to this committee should comprise of chairman of the local government council, representative from the State Security Service, head of traditional ruler, Divisional Police Officer (DPO), representative of the State Police, military representative, Secretary to the Local Government (as secretary of the committee.)”

‘We are satisfied with Buhari’s approach’

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BONYI State Governor Dave Umahi yesterday said despite accusations of slowness and others against President Muhammadu Buhari, the 36 governors are well ‘pleased’ with his handling of the country’s affairs.

Umahi, who described Buhari as a ‘forthright leader’ said the President had displayed rare humility and willingness to move the country forward.

The governor spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital when he visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his Hilltop Estate home.

Umahi said: “We see a great nation in Nigeria and I use the opportunity to thank Mr. Pres-

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

ident. I say one of the greatest things that will move this country forward is forthrightness and Mr. President has displayed that.

“All the governors are pleased with him. It’s not a question of being in this party or the other; he displays a rare sense of humility, honesty and the willingness to move this country forward and that is what we want.

We are not interested in party politics; we are interested in the man who has the welfare and interest of the nation at heart”.

Umahi, who hailed Obasanjo for always helping to pilot the nation’s affairs, lauded Buhari

for taking steps towards restructuring the accounts of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

“I am sure Buhari’s directive to stop many accounts of NNPC gladdened your heart because I discussed that with you and you complained about the way NNPC was being run; when they keep more money than they give the Federal Government.

“We thank you and I plead that you continue to support Mr. President because I’m sure with you by his side, he will deliver on his promises.”

Obasanjo hinted that Umahi was not just the Ebonyi State Chief Executive, but also his in-

•Umahi

law.

His words: “You are also my in-law because one of my sons married an Ebonyi lady and when we came for the occasion, you were the one who spearheaded all the arrangement and the reception for us. I thank you for that.

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NEWS

•Orchestra of the Deeper Life Bible Church performing during a regional combined service in preparation for a crusade

by Pastor William Kumuyi coming up in Suleja, Niger State, on August 8...yesterday

PHOTO: NAN

Pensioners give Kogi seven-day ultimatum

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HE Kogi State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has given Governor Idris Wada a seven-day ultimatum to withdraw the services of a consultant engaged by the Accountant-General (AG), Ibrahim Idakwo, to handle pension payment or face a protest.

Addressing reporters in Lokoja at the weekend, the NUP Chairman, Comrade Onuh Abdullaihi, said the ultimatum became necessary to prevent the hijack of the payment of monthly pension from the Bureau of State Government Pensions by the consultant, which he claimed was engaged by the AG in April last year.

From James Azania, Lokoja

He said: “Since 2012, pensions have been paid through electronic device or e-platform. But the AG misinformed Governor Wada that such payment was being made manually.

“The AG requested the governor to grant approval for the introduction of the platform in the payment of monthly pensions and it was approved.”

Abdullaihi said based on the approval, the AG employed the services of a consultant to make the payment in April last year, adding that the pensioners opposed the arrangement by writing the

government and agencies on the consequence of the action, but to no avail.

He alleged that following the development, the names of 225 pensioners were omitted from the payment voucher last April and a new placement for the receipt of pension was left out.

The NUP chairman added: “In April, over N19.92million was withheld by the accountant-general from the required money released for pension payment. In May, the same consultant was used by the AG to effect the payment and the same mistake of April was repeated. The AG instructed the consultant to deduct money ranging from N200 to N1,000 from the sal-

aries of pensioners.”

He said the advice to make the government understand that the AG was out to cause confusion and inflict pains on pensioners was not heeded and most of the affected pensioners were yet to receive their payment.

Abdullaihi said the AG’s action was a disregard for the rule of law.

His words: “Based on this, we are giving a seven-day ultimatum to the government to disengage the consultant. The accountant- general should make the consultant refund the money deducted from the pensioners’ money. Failure to do this, the union will be compelled to embark on a peaceful demonstration.”

Six jostle for post master general

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IX contenders are jostling for the position of post master general, as the tenure of the incumbent, Mallam Ibrahim Mori Baba, expires next month.

The contestants, who are deputy post masters general, are Osadolor Eboigbodin (Mail Operations); Richard Balami (Special Duties); and Ade Ogun (Engineering and Technical Services).

Others are Chibiri Ndahi (Human Resources Management); Joseph Ariyo (Finance and Investment); and Emmanuel Emem (Counter Operations).

Sources hinted at the week-

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

end that the position has always been filled, based on factors including seniority, qualification and federal character.

The outgoing post master general is from Borno State.

However, signals from the establishment indicated that the principle of federal character, which was put in place since 1985, is being threatened in the scramble for the plum job.

Eboigbobin is from Edo State; Balami is from Borno; Ogun is from Kwara; Ndahi

is from Borno; Ariyo is from Ekiti; and Emem is from Benue.

Some of the contestants have alleged bias on the part of the outgoing post master general, accusing him of favouring one of the contestants from one of the states in the Northcentral.

Sources said going by qualification, experience and the principle of federal character, the odds favoured candidates from the Southsouth.

Another source privy to the selection process said the Southsouth had never occupied the position in the 150year old establishment and

since the rotational system was initiated in 1985.

Occupants of the position since 1985 were: Thomas Ike1985-1989 (Southeast); Nathaniel Zome- 1989-1994 (Northwest); O. Bamidele1994-1995 (Southwest); Taiwo Olukolu- 1995-2000 (Southwest); Abubakar Argungu- 2000-2005 (North west); and Ibrahim Mori Baba 2006-date (Northeast).

Eboigbobin is the only contestant from the Southsouth.

Records show that he has served in capacities at the management level in Oyo, Plateau, Anambra, Rivers and Lagos states.

Kogi governorship aspirant gets support

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GROUP, the Kogi New Agenda for Change 2015 (KNAC) has endorsed Alhaji Yahaya Bello, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as its candidate for next month’s primaries.

Addressing a news conference yesterday in Lokoja, the

From James Azania, Lokoja

body’s National Coordinator, Folorunso Olushola, said Bello was the only aspirant on the party’s platform, who was concerned about the state’s development.

He regretted that Kogi, which was created in 1991, had remained underdevel-

oped when compared to other states. Bello is capable of turning around the state’s fortune, he said.

Olushola noted: “For instance, looking at Lokoja, the capital, you will observe that the state is backward. Kogi receives a higher allocation from the federation account than Kwara, from where it

was carved out. Yet there is no development in the state.”

According to him, the future of the state would be secured with Bello as the governor.

“Kogi is in need of a young, experienced and vibrant person to pilot its affairs from next year. Bello is the man for the job.”

Backing for ex-Governor Audu

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GROUP, the Confluence Rescue Mission (COREM), has urged the electorate in Kogi State to make a statement with their voter cards by rejecting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the polls.

COREM, a support group advocating better governance, said the last 12 years under the party had not been good for the state, “hence the need for the people to go for a result-oriented candidate like former Governor Abubakar Audu, whose achievement is yet to be equalled by successive governments.”

Audu of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) left office in 2003.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the weekend announced November 21 and December 5 for elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states.

They are two of the five states that did not participate in the April 11 governorship election.

Dr. Chris Iyimoga, the chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

of the electoral body, in a statement said final notices of the elections would be issued on August 23 and September 5, “in accordance with the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended)”.

In Kogi, parties will begin campaign on July 24 and it will end on November 19.

In Bayelsa, campaign will start on September 6 and end on December 3.

The conduct of primaries in Kogi will be between August 25 and September 15. In Bayelsa, it will be between September 7 and 30.

The last day for the submission of the names of governorship candidates and their running mates by the parties for election in Kogi State is November 14. That of Bayelsa is October 7.

Briefing reporters yesterday in Abuja, COREM President, Comrade Odaudu Joel, said after an analysis of the problems, it had resolved to restate its support for the aspiration of a former governor, Prince Audu.

College gets over 1,200 freshers

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AUCHI State College of Agriculture has matriculated 1,263 students.

The students were urged to be of good conduct.

The Principal, Muhammad Shehu, told the students that it was not just enough for them to be admitted into the college, but they should be of good character and academic excellence to get the college’s certificates.

He urged them to make use of the limited facilities in the college for their academic pursuits.

Shehu said the college, being a monotechnic, did not receive intervention fund from the Tertiary Education

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

Trust Fund (TETFUND), but relied on its internally-generated revenue for its dayto-day functions.

He said despite the meagre resources, the college executed 30 projects during the one and a half years of its existence, listing them as the renovation of the students’ male hostel, academic staff room complex, building of over half a kilometre long drainage and resuscitation of boreholes, among others.

The principal enjoined the government to extend a take off grant to the college to ease its operation.

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

NEWS $4b NLNG cash payments ‘missing’ from govt account •From left: Executive Vice President , Business Development and Global Project , MoneyGram, Alexander Hoffmann and Executive Director , Access Bank Plc, Mr. Victor Etuokwu at the launch of Access Bank MoneyGram Big Splash promo at Access Bank Head Office, Lagos.

Continued from page 4

states’ debt-servicing expenditures.

“That way, the states are freed from their perennial inability to pay workers’ salaries, and more funds are available to the various governments to use for the benefit of the people.

“They have forgotten that the only time in the country’s history that this kind of rescue package was made was also during the tenure of Muhammadu Buhari as military Head

Southeast group asks Ekweremadu to resign Continued from page 4

President orders police to vacate Rivers local govts

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Police and other security agencies to comply with the court’s order sacking local government chairmen in Rivers State until the Court of Appeal rules otherwise.

The police yesterday withdrew from the secretariats of the local governments in deference to the presidential directive.

It was learnt that Buhari gave the order to demonstrate his commitment to the Rule of Law contrary to the insinuations in some quarters, especially by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari has made it clear that he won’t stop the execution of a court judgment.

Shehu, who spoke with our correspondent, said: “It is very clear from the view of the President that the judgment on the sack of the local government chairmen in Rivers State must be respected.

“The President made it clear that he cannot stop the judgment unless it is set aside by the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court.

“In fact, the President has asked the police and security

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

agencies why they did not enforce the court order. They said they were only at the local government secretariats to secure these public institutions because they had information that there might be backlash.

“So, there was no question of impunity by the President in Rivers State. The attack against the President was unfair by those behind it.”

Replying a question, Shehu said: “Actually, the police have withdrawn from the local governments.”

But the APC governorship candidate in the state, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, yesterday condemned an alleged impunity by Governor Nyesom Wike.

Peterside, in a statement in Abuja, said apart from the questionable borrowing of N30billion, Wike was wrong to have dissolved state institutions created with tenured security.

He said: “I had hoped that this government would take a cue from the Buhari administration but it is becoming obvious by the day that the Wike government does not intend to tow the path of honour and statesmanship and therefore does not deserve the trust of Rivers people.

“On our path, we are dutybound to protect our state and the interest of all our people and those who reside here. It is that call of duty and with the highest sense of responsibility that has compelled me to speak up.

“Let us with continuing, unwavering faith in the True God and confidence in our judicial institutions, trust that we shall soon see the end of this era of impunity, directionlessness and crass disregard for the rights of our people and the constitution of our nation. Regardless of the darkness that has enveloped our state, we know that there is light at the end of the tunnel and we vow to leave no stone unturned until our people have reached their well-deserved Eldorado.”

Peterside queried the alleged high-handedness of the administration of Wike and why N30billion was borrowed by the state in 30 days.

Peterside added: “Six weeks after assuming office, the government has not made one single policy statement, rather it appointed the Nimi Walson Jack committee to design a blueprint for the running of government after it had taken off. A move that suggests we have the case of a rudderless state manned by persons whose only bond to the

state is to siphon away our resources.

“The mindless pursuit of vendetta against individuals, chasing of shadows and brazen impunity against the long-term interest of the state.

“Obvious lack of commitment to the development of Rivers State. A case in point is the security situation, which has continued to deteriorate with criminality promoted at the expense of the safety of our people. Kidnapping and armed robbery are now rooted and government is doing nothing.

“Poor understanding of public finance and questionable management of public funds as is evidenced in the borrowing of N30bn in 30 days.

“Elevation of impunity to a new level and crass manipulation of institutions as exemplified by the needless local government council crises being orchestrated by the government.

“Illegal dissolution of state institutions created by the constitution with tenured security.

Ready examples include the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Local Government Service Commission, Civil Service Commission and the Rivers State House of Assembly Commission.”

Presidency denies rift between Buhari, Tinubu Continued from page 4

lems of security to solve. You know that in the last one month, he has broken the Boko Haram rank and it is in disarray now. The central command has scattered.

What you have now are splinters on a vengeance mission, creating havoc wherever they can.

“Those people who feel the war against corruption is key know that Buhari has started already. When last did you see this kind of high profile prosecutions? This thug stopped half-way through President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure. So, this war against corruption is being renewed all over again and people can see it. Whether it’s assets recovery or any other matter, it is ongoing.

“Then there is the issue of the economy with power being a major focus. Without power, you cannot get anywhere. So, the President is putting together an action plan that excludes corruption, that cleanses the rot that he met on the ground, particularly the oil sector. You just cannot believe the kind of mess that the previous government left behind. Oil theft would end because the President is going to plug the loopholes. Do you know that, for the first time, somebody said at the governors’ meet-

ing with the President that that was the first time they were being told how much had come into the treasury?

Before now, they would probably be told what was on the table and they’d just share it. Now, transparency, which has never been with us, has come. There is so much openness now.”

On the crisis in the National Assembly following the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate President and Yakubu Dogara as Speaker of the House of Representatives, contrary to the wishes of the APC leadership, Shehu said Buhari

would not meddle in the matter but reiterated his desire to work with whosoever emerged.

Shehu said: “Where is the regional agenda in all of the things that has played out in the National Assembly. The biggest beneficiary of what has happened in the National Assembly is Senator Ike Ekweremadu who comes from the Southeast and represents the Peoples Democratic Party. The PDP was clearly rejected at the polls and people now talk about a reincarnation of sorts for the party. So this is not regional, ethnic or religious. The Pres-

ident needs good partners in the National Assembly to realise his agenda and a parliament that is in a storm, that is boiling over, is not good for his party. Yes it is in the interest of the President and the country that the parliament sit down and resolve their problems - free of interference of outsiders because President Buhari would not meddle. Once they settle it amicably, this country would benefit. No matter what shape it takes, the President would work with whosoever is there. He has said that much himself.”

Explosives found in Jos church Continued from page 4

are searching for them,” the source added.

Another military source said the attackers may have been residents of Diffa, as no one had seen them enter the town.

Also yesterday, the Chadian government warned it will clamp down full-face veil wearing Muslims.

Chadian police said that anyone found wearing the full-face veil would be arrested.

The warning came after a Boko Haram suicide bombing left 15 dead in Ndjamena.

Saturday’s attack in a bustling N’Djamena market by a man disguised as a woman in a

full-face veil also injured 80 and spread panic across the city.

“This attack just confirms that a ban” on the full-face veil was justified, national police spokesman Paul Manga said, adding that “it now must be respected more than ever by the entire population.

“Anyone who does not obey the law will be automatically arrested and brought to justice,” he warned.

The bomber detonated his explosives belt when he was stopped for security checks at the entrance to the city’s main market.

Muslim-majority Chad banned the full-face veil, ramped up security measures

and bombed militant positions in Nigeria last month after the first-ever Boko Haram attack in its capital.

Security was tightened across the dry and dusty capital on yesterday with police and soldiers deployed in all areas, including intersections, markets and mosques.

Nine of the dead were women traders, and fear still permeated the market on yesterday.

“What was happening elsewhere and what we heard about from media reports is now happening here,” said Zenaba, a woman trader in her forties.

“I’m really scared for me and my children,” she said.

of State.”

The APC advised those who are showboating and distorting facts to tarry a while, as what they have seen was just a tip of the iceberg in a long journey to clear the rot left behind by “the rudderless administration of Dr. Jonathan”.

“The revelations concerning the deep rot in the system that will come in the weeks and months ahead will shock even the most ardent critics of the Buhari Administration’s salvaging efforts,” the party said.

eral, Ohanaeze-Ndi-Igbo, the Chairman, Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers, all Southeast governors and senators.

The group predicated it’s call for Ekweremadu’s resignation on his alleged failure to use the position to advance the course of the Igbos for eight years.

They said: “We are deeply worried that while our area has been sidelined and unrepresented under your leadership as the Deputy Senate President for these eight years under review, you on 9th June, 2015 assumed the same position in the 8th Senate may be for another period of four dark years. God forbid.”

According to ALO, despite Ekweremadu’s occupation of the position, unemployment, poverty and stress have been the lot of Igbo youths.

The letter further reads. “As a leader in the Senate occupying the number two seat and Chairman, Senate Committee on States Creation, with all emoluments, entitlements and paraphernalia of the exalted office pencilled for the Southeastern zone, we expect total protection, representation on the scheme of things concerning us all.

“You failed to mobilise other 14 senators from Southeast Zone and other senators from other geo-political zones to support the Southeast cause.

During this period, senators from other zones ordinarily could not have led or championed our cause without your leadership.

“Unfortunately, our zone with its numerous and peculiar problems is sidelined, marginalised and abandoned to its own faith not by the Federal Government but by its own due to lack of leadership.”

“The direct effect is that our area is left un-representated by leaders like you who ride on

their back to stupendous wealth with all accolades of great life, including national honours and uncountable number of chieftaincy titles within this period.”

But Ekweremadu got the support of the BOT’s, which described his emergence as the best thing to have ever happened to democracy.

Senator Jibrin, who stated the BOT position, however, denied that the BOT got N35 million for the presidential campaign. He noted that the party will be repositioned to regain power in 2019.

He also said at no time did he say the party’s National Convention will hold next month, noting that with the present situation and the fact that all the party organs were democratically elected, there was no way a National Convention could hold in August.

His words: “I never said PDP will hold National Convention in August. What I said after our last BOT meeting was that the BOT at its meeting on May 25, 2015, elected Dr. Bello as Acting Chairman for three months after which the BOT will meet to elect its substantive chairman ”Similarly, the party agreed that Uche Secondus, the current National Chairman, should equally act as National Chairman for three months to give way for the emergence of a new National Chairman from the Northeast zone in compliance with established tradition and constitutional provision.

“The current National Working Committee (NWC), states, local government councils and ward chapters have a tenure which will expire in March. The emergence of BOT chairman and national chairman after three months will prepare for a meeting of caucus, BOT, NEC and convention to elect officials.”

Three kids survive as trailer crushes dad, wife, son Continued from page 4

and trying to make a detour at the junction when the trailer lost control and rammed into it.

The late Odinigwe hailed from Urunnebo in Enugwu Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.

A team of FRSC officials and policemen were at the scene, going through the items found in the vehicles.

Police spokesman Uche Eze, confirmed the incident and another one that occurred at Okpu River in Okija in Ihilala Local Government Area where a driver of

a Mitsubishi L300 died.

He said investigations had begun to unravel the cause of the accidents and for the proper identification of the victims.

Governor Willie Obiano has sympathised with the family of the victims of the accident.

Obiano said his administration would pick all medical expenses incurred by the surviving trio.

Expressing his condolences to the family, the governor assured Ndi Anambra that he would ensure the safety of lives of road users by regulating the movement of articulated vehicles.

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS

Iran, big powers close to historic deal

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FTER more than two weeks of marathon negotiations, Iran and six world powers appeared close to a historic nuclear deal that would bring sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on Tehran’s atomic program, diplomats said on Sunday.

But U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry cautioned that some difficult issues remained on the 16th day of ministerial negotiations between Iran, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China.

“I think we’re getting to some real decisions,” Kerry told reporters in the Austrian capital. “So I will say, because we have a few tough things to do, I remain hopeful. Hopeful.”

Several diplomats close to the talks said an agreement

that would end more than a year and a half of negotiations could come as early as on Sunday. In a sign that something might be in the works, both Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi were expected to join the talks.

A senior Iranian official echoed Kerry’s cautious optimism.

“The deal is within reach today,” a senior Iranian official told Reuters. “But some issues remain that need to be resolved by foreign ministers.”

Iran and the six powers involved in the talks have given themselves until Monday to reach a deal, their third extension in two weeks, as the Iranian delegation accused the West of throwing up new stumbling blocks to an accord.

Russia, which sells weap-

ons to Iran, has publicly supported Tehran on the issue.

However, a senior Western diplomat said earlier in the week the six powers remained united, despite Moscow’s and Beijing’s well-known dislike of the embargos..

If there is a deal, the limits on Iran’s enrichment program are expected to be in place for at least a decade.

Kerry and Zarif have met nearly every day since Kerry arrived in Vienna more than two weeks ago for what was intended to be the final phase in a negotiation process that began with an interim nuclear deal clinched in November 2013.

John Kerry, who on Thursday had threatened to walk away from the negotiations, noted yesterday that “a

few tough things” remain in the way of agreement but added “we’re getting to some real decisions.”

En route to Mass at Vienna’s gothic St. Stephens Cathedral, Kerry said twice he was “hopeful” after a “very good meeting” Saturday with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who had Muslim services Friday.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius also was cautiously optimistic, telling reporters Sunday: “I hope that we are finally entering the last phase of this negotiation.”

The pact is meant to impose long-term, verifiable limits on nuclear programs that Tehran could modify to produce weapons. Iran, in return, would get tens of billions of dollars in sanctions relief.

Gunmen captured, killed by Burundi army in new clashes

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URUNDI’s army has captured scores of gunmen and killed others in two days of clashes in the north, a regional governor said on Sunday, the latest flare-up of violence in a nation that emerged from civil war in 2005.

A rebel general, who was involved in a failed coup attempt in May, told Reuters this week he and his comrades were mobilizing forces to topple President Pierre Nkurunziza, who has triggered a political crisis by seeking a third term in office.

General Leonard Ngendakumana told French radio on Friday, when the first clashes were reported in north Burundi, his loyalists were involved.

T

The army could not immediately be reached for comment.

The fighting is an alarming development in a region with a history of conflict, often fueled by ethnic divisions. But an official said the latest fighting did not follow ethnic divides. The United States has condemned the violence and urged dialogue.

“About 100 gunmen are in the hands of the army forces,” said Anselme Nsabimana, governor of Cibitoke province, which borders both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“There is no more fighting in Cibitoke. It’s calm,” he told Reuters, adding rebels were also killed without giving

HE art of negotiation could be a very tricky one in modern days. Gone are the days of coming to equity with clean hands. What we now have at every unit of analysis, according to Graham Allison Professor of Government at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in his treatise on Decision Making during the Cuban Missile Crisis, are balancing acts, irreducible minimum demands and with the situation in Greece up until last night; trust and credibility.

It was all cheers and hoopla last Sunday, when the Greeks voted overwhelmingly to reject what they considered harsh economic conditions about to be imposed on them as part of a deal for bailout by their creditors in the euro zone and the IMF. When the wool fell over their eyes last Saturday, the country’s parliament had no choice but approved the same bitter pill they had soundly rejected just a week earlier.

The murky waters of international politics mixing with the pragmatic art of national economy could be too intricate to navigate atimes.

The former comes with highfaluting nationalistic egotism. We are we. You cannot push us around. The latter is reality check not only starring you in the face, but biting you in the stomach when your citizens open up their empty refrigerators, queue on long lines to buy bread, petrol and all the basic essentials of subsistence, when banks have closed since June 28 and ATM withdrawals limited to only sixty dollars per account. It was on such dangerous threshold that Greece found itself over the weekend and it had no choice. It had to blink. The package of reforms Greece is now proposing includes spending cuts, tax hikes full taxation on its islands, among many other things. Greece is also planning on improving on its very poor tax collection system which has left many not paying their taxes as at when due.

It has been alleged that 89.9percent of Greeks did not pay their taxes in 2010; compared to only 2.3percent of Germans.

So, little wonder Germany is leading the onslaught on the nomore- bailout- for- Greece- campaign.

The precarious situation Greece is facing are these: National debt of about $360billion; $280billion owed Europe and the IMF in the past five years in two bailouts, unemployment at 26 per cent and a general need for austerity measures and tight reforms that will embolden its creditors.

Whether this is good enough for her to get the much-needed $80billion in emergency loan to stave off a total collapse of its financial and economic mainframe is yet to be seen.

As the meeting of the 19-member Euro currency members progresses in Brussels, the wild cards remain in the hands of two leaders: Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, who did not trust Greece not to renege on the conditions of the bailout having done so in the past; thus being a case of once beaten twice shy, and President Francois Hollande of France who wants to give Greece a breather, saying that the plan presented to the body seems to pass the test of credibility. Germany is already preparing a soft landing for Greece to be eased out of the single currency eurozone should the deal fall apart in the last minute as it is being predicted in some international financial circles. It is called Grexit. The result will definitely be damning not only to

numbers.

“The gunmen are composed of all ethnic groups and are from different provinces of Burundi,” the governor said, adding that many were from the capital Bujumbura, the scene of weeks of protests against Nkurunziza.

Details of the fighting were not clear, but residents said gunmen initially fought in Kayanza province on Friday, then withdrew into forests before the army clashed with them on Saturday in neighboring Cibitoke.

The Kayanza governor said on Saturday the gunmen had crossed into Burundi from Rwanda, a charge Kigali denied.

Rwandan Foreign Minister

Louise Mushikiwabo said Burundi found it “convenient to find responsibility elsewhere”.

Opponents of Nkurunziza say his re-election bid is unconstitutional. The president cites a constitutional court ruling saying he can run again.

The election is due on July 21.

His critics say he is undermining the Arusha pact that ended Burundi’s civil war. It set a two-term limit, as well as quotas for ethnic groups in state institutions to heal the rifts.

In the war, rebel groups of the Hutu majority fought the army which was led at the time by minority Tutsi commanders. Nkurunziza, who has mixed parents, led a Hutu force.

Detroit cancer doctor gets 45 years in prison A Detroit-area doctor who authorities say gave cancer treatment drugs to patients who did not need them — including some who didn’t actually have cancer — was sentenced Friday to 45 years in prison.

Dr. Farid Fata, 50, pleaded guilty in September to giving cancer treatments to misdiagnosed patients, telling some they had a terminal blood cancer called multiple myeloma. He pleaded guilty to 13 counts of Medicare fraud, one count of conspiracy to pay or receive kickbacks and two counts of money laundering.

Federal prosecutors called him the “most egregious fraudster in the history of this country.” To Fata, they said, “patients were not people. They were profit centres.”

Fata forfeited $17.6 million that he collected from Medicare and private insurance companies. Some 553 patients received medically unnecessary infusions or injections, prosecutors said.

The hematologist-oncologist gave an emotional apology in court, saying he was “ashamed” of his actions.

“I have violated the Hippocratic oath and violated the trust of my patients,” Fata said, according to CNN affiliate WDIV. “I do not know how I can heal the wound. I do not know how to express the sorrow and the shame.”

But to the dozens of Fata’s victims who filed into U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan throughout the week to watch his sentencing, his apology doesn’t matter.

Many will live with the effects of his, at times, unnecessary treatments, for the rest of their lives.

Robert Sobieray went to Fata and was given chemotherapy treatments for two and a half years. But he never had cancer.

Chris Sneary faced Fata for the first time since his former doctor’s arrest on Tuesday as he read his victim impact statement in court. He turned to glance at Fata, took a deep breath and read his story.

Sneary discovered after Fata’s arrest that he’d been given “gross overtreatment” — more expensive and harsh chemotherapy than was necessary and, worse, he had a testicle removed that was medically unnecessary.

And one patient who did have cancer spoke out in court posthumously. Donald Crabtree’s wife, Marietta, read a statement he wrote back in December last year, before he passed away.

“None of the tumours were helped — they increased in number, they increased in size,” Crabtree read in court. “I believe Dr. Fata knowingly and purposely treated me for the wrong cancer and gave me the wrong chemotherapy.”

Crabtree said it was his dying wish for Fata to spend the rest of his life in prison.

Before being sentenced, Fata turned to face those who were at his sentencing and apologized.

Global Focus DAYO FAKUADE, Foreign Editor sms 08134230367

daborgu@gmail.com

From Greece’s ‘no-bailout’ to Burundi leader’s intransigence Greece but the creditors themselves who will be left holding the empty can.

Talking of financial melt-down, the world seem so awashed with Greece’s problems the whole of last week, that little was noticed about the fact that the Asian Tiger’s economy-China’s had more than three trillion dollars shaved off its stock outlay a culmination of a downward spiral which started last month.

Well, with a total worth of 10 trillion dollars, Shanghai Stock Exchange by itself six trillion dollars worth, may be a bounce back is inevitable even as 1000 companies suspended trading temporarily on Wednesday. As we say in the Windy City of Chicago, if you d don’t like the weather, just wait a minute it will soon change. Beijing intervened the next day and it is all smiles again on Friday for the second largest economy on Planet Earth.

Will Greece be so lucky? I don’t think so.

The world thought it a huge joke and a kite being flown to see what luck can bring to Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza when his party, the CNDD-FDD, announced in April that the man who just concluded his two terms of five years each is their messiah who will run for an unconstitutional third term.

This is definitely against the spirit and the letters of the 2005 Arusha Agreement which led to the ratification of now existing constitution in this 11 million poor, landlocked African nation.

No sooner had the announcement was made that nationwide mass protests began against the move. As at present, dozens have been killed and more than 150,000 have fled to seek refuge in neighbouring countries; including the Speaker of Parliament Pie Ntavy yohanyuma, who has since fled to Belgium.

In the books of dictators and power-mongers, ambitions are made of sterner stuffs. The man remains unperturbed. He clamped down on opposition leaders, sent the state instrumen-

tality of terror against real and imaginary enemies and thus able to move to the next stage of his grand plan.

With the coast now clear in spite of unrests, he conducted the Parliamentary Election on Monday 29th June. The election was marred with so much violence that even a day before, on June 28, the African Union monitoring group pulled out of the country, the East African Union did same and, of course, the result which was released has been condemned by the international community.

The election slated for this Wednesday has now been shifted till next week July 21 amid spiralling violence in the nation.

The president has rejected all entreaties from the international community, not to seek the third term but put the interest of his people above his personal desires and inordinate ambition.

At the end of the day the Presidential Election, which will be boycotted by the opposition parties will be adjudged unfair, will be rejected by the opposition and the international community.

There will be demonstrations, people will be clamped in jail and only God forbid a return to anarchy in a country which has had more than its fair share of interethnic and internecine wars in years past.

In the Middle East, the United States of America’s John Kerry and his team of five other Western nations are optimistic a historic deal might be struck on the Iran’s nuclear program. This will at least put Iran under international surveillance, lift sanctions which have almost crippled the nation’s economy and allow the West especially the US to infuse several billions in compensatory aids to the Persian enclave.

If all goes according to plan, the world might be a little safer from that part of the divide.

Always bellyaching, Israel definitely will not be happy with the plan but if America can guarantee it, maybe the Jewish State can stomach her anger albeit grudgingly.

We shall be focussing on all the above as they evolve over night from Brussels and Vienna; where all the actions are taking place.

Finally, we urge you, as always, to always treasure and treat this God-given planet earth with all respects. It is the only one we have. Live green and put a smile on a strangers face by just doing an act of random kindness. Lagos State Government admonishes all to live green because ‘live is good with trees’. See ya.

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS Mexican drug lord Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman escapes

Pope wraps up S. America tour

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OPE Francis put into practice his insistence that the world’s poor not be left on the margins of society by visiting a flood-prone slum outside Asuncion on Sunday on the final day of his three-country South American tour.

Residents of the Banado Norte shanty on the banks of the Paraguay River shrieked as Francis walked by, reaching out to touch his white cassock and snap a photo with their cellphones.

“Now I can die peacefully,” said Francisca de Chamorra, an 82-year-old widow who moved to the shanty in 1952. “It’s a miracle that a pope has come to this muddy place.”

Francis has spent much of the past week - and before that much of his pontificate - railing about the injustices of the glo-

bal capitalist system that he says idolizes money over people, demanding instead a new economic model where the Earth’s resources are distributed equally among all.

In Banado Norte, Francis saw people living in shacks made of plywood and corrugated metal. A few weeks ago, pigs were rummaging through garbage searching for leftovers. Authorities estimate that about 15,000 families there live in extreme poverty, periodically exacerbated when heavy rains burst the banks of the nearby Paraguay River, turning dirt roads to impassable pools of mud.

Many residents of Banado Norte are squatters on municipal land who have come from rural areas in the northeastern part of the country where farms are increasingly dedicated to soy and often bought up by Brazilians

•Pope Francis prays at the Shrine of the Virgin of Caacupe in Cacupe, Paraguay over the weekend Francis born in Argentina, is emphasising the plight of the poor during his eight-day tour of South America. PHOTO: AP

and multi-national companies.

Residents argue they should be given title to the land because they have worked to make it habitable with little help from the city.

For weeks, residents in the

area and authorities have been preparing for the visit, doing everything from draining some of the roads to making rosaries to give the pope as gifts.

But Francis is expected to of-

fer them his solidarity and encouragement, after having urged their leaders to do more to take their plight into account in making decisions about development and social welfare.

India’s Modi accepts Pakistan visit invite

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NDIAN Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted an invitation from his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif to attend a regional summit in Islamabad next year.

This will be Mr Modi’s first visit to Pakistan after he took power last year.

A meeting between the two leaders on Friday came after increased border hostilities and India cancelled secretary-level talks last year.

They also agreed to help expedite the 2008 Mumbai terror attack trial, blamed on Pakistan based militants.

The suspected mastermind of the attacks, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, was released on bail from a Pakistani jail in April, a development that India described as “unfortunate and disappointing”.

He still faces trial - along with six other suspects - over the attacks, which left 166 people dead and damaged peace efforts between the two countries.

In a separate development, Mr Modi accepted Mr Sharif’s invitation to visit Pakistan.

“Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated his invitation to Prime Minister Modi to vis-

it Pakistan for the Saarc (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Summit in 2016. Prime Minister Modi accepted that invitation,” a joint statement from the two governments said.

Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar told reporters that the two sides had also agreed to hold a meeting of their top security advisers to discuss terrorism.

Friday’s meeting was the first between the two leaders since Mr Sharif attended Mr Modi’s oath taking ceremony in May 2014.

But relations between the

nuclear-armed rivals deteriorated soon after and in August India cancelled talks with Pakistan after accusing it of interfering in its internal affairs.

India’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted about Friday’s talks: On the eve of the talks, India accused Pakistan of killing a border guard in a firing incident along the de facto border that divides the disputed region of Kashmir.

The rivals have fought three wars since Independence, two of them over Kashmir.

Kashmir, claimed by both

countries in its entirety, has been a flashpoint for more than 60 years.

A ceasefire agreed in 2003 remains in place, but the neighbours often accuse each other of violating it.

Last September, in his first speech at the UN, Mr Modi said he wanted peace talks with Pakistan but insisted it must create an “appropriate atmosphere”.

In 2013 months of clashes left more than 20 Indian and Pakistani soldiers dead. Nearly as many civilians, most of them on the Pakistani side, were also killed.

Saudi-led air strikes kill at least 10 people in Yemen

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T least 10 people were killed in air strikes overnight in Yemen, relatives and medical sources said, as a Saudi-led coalition continued bombing the capital yesterday in violation of a temporary humanitarian truce.

The United Nations-brokered pause in the fighting was meant to last a week to allow aid deliveries to the country’s 21 million people who have endured more than three months of bombing and civil war.

A coalition of Arab states has been bombarding the Iranian-allied Houthi rebel movement - Yemen’s dominant force - since late March in a bid to reinstate President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who has fled to Riyadh.

A family of eight traveling in several vehicles were

•Yemeni army officers and troops perform prayers during the funeral procession of troops killed by Saudi-led air strike on an army base PHOTO: Reuters that was hit in error, in al-Abr on the border with Saudi Arabia... Saturday.

killed in an air strike on Saturday night in the central province of al-Baida, and two other civilians were killed in the southern city of Taiz.

A Reuters witness said air strikes on the capital Sanaa

resumed on Sunday morning.

The Houthi-run Saba news agency said 12 people, including two children, were killed in Saudi-led air strikes across the country. Saba said

the air strikes also hit clinics linked to the military hospital in Sanaa as well as trucks carrying food supplies in southern Aden.

The Arab coalition said on Saturday that the Yemeni gov-

ernment in exile had not asked it to observe the truce. But the U.N. Secretary General’s office said beforehand that President Hadi had “communicated his acceptance of the pause to the coalition to ensure their support.”

ISIS leader Saeed, 30 others killed in U.S. drone strike

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FORMER Taliban leader thought to be ISIS’ leader in Afghanistan and Pakistan has been killed in a U.S. drone strike, Afghanistan’s intelligence agency said Saturday.

In a statement, the National Directorate of Security reported that Hafiz Saeed was killed along with 30 other insurgents in a strike on their compound in the Achin region of Nangarhar Province.

“As a result of efforts made by the NDS, the location of ISIS

fighters’ gathering was found and the information was shared with the coalition forces who then carried out an airstrike on them,” the Afghan agency said.

U.S. Army Col. Brian Tribus said American forces conducted a strike in Achin on Friday against “individuals threatening the force.” He did not elaborate.

The strike represents a seemingly big victory in Afghanistan’s fight against ISIS, a terrorist group that has been blamed for numerous atrocities and con-

quered vast swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria while branching out with affiliates elsewhere.

In March, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani told U.S. Congress that the group that calls itself the Islamic State poses a “terrible threat” to his country and others nearby.

While it isn’t anywhere as big or as successful as its Syrian and Iraq counterparts, the ISIS branch in Afghanistan has been tied to violence — including an April incident in which a suicide bomber on a motorbike killed at

least 33 people and injured over 100 more n front of the Kabul Bank in Jalalabad.

The Afghan government, with help from its allies, has fought back. Earlier this week, the National Directorate reported that Shahidullah Shahid, a former Taliban spokesman who pledged allegiance to ISIS, has been killed in an airstrike in eastern Afghanistan.

The death of Saeed announced Saturday appears to be another milestone in Afghan-

istan’s fight against ISIS. The man killed, however, is not a man with the same name who faces a $10 million bounty.

That individual is Hafiz Mohammed Saeed, the leader of Pakistan’s Jamaat-ud-Dawa (Party of Truth), which is considered a terrorist organization by the United States. Among other things, that party’s military wing, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, is accused of carrying out a November 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai, India, that killed at least 164 people.

MEXICAN authorities have launched a manhunt to find drug kingpin Joaquin Guzman, who has broken out of prison again, the country’s National Security Commission said yesterday.

Guards at the Altiplano Federal Prison discovered during a routine check on Saturday that Guzman, who known as “El Chapo,” was missing, a statement from the commission said.

Guzman was captured in early 2014 after having eluded capture for more than a dozen years.

Guzman is the storied boss of one of the world’s most powerful and deadly drug trafficking operations.

He escaped in 2001 from a high-security prison in a laundry cart, and was not apprehended again until February, 2014, when he was arrested at a Mexican beach resort.

Guzman heads the Sinaloa cartel, which, according to an opinion piece by the author Don Winslow that was published last month by CNN, is by far the most dominant drug trafficking organization in Mexico today.

The heroin epidemic in the northeastern United States is supplied largely by the Sinaloa cartel, Winslow wrote.

Powerful typhoon hits China coast POWERFUL typhoon Chan-hom has made landfall along the coast of China’s eastern Zhejiang province.

Almost one million people have been evacuated from coastal areas in anticipation of a typhoon carrying wind speeds of 173km/ h (107mph). Some 100mm of rain has fallen since Friday.

Chan-hom is now heading north past the city of Shanghai.

The typhoon hit Taiwan and Japan earlier in the week, uprooting trees and injuring several people.

Chan-hom first hit Zhejiang province on an island near the city of Ningbo at around 16:40 (08:40 GMT), the National Meteorological Centre said.

No deaths or injuries were reported in the region

by Saturday evening, state news agency Xinhua said.

One village, Laiao, received more than 400mm (16in) of rain, it said.

The BBC’s John Sudworth in Shanghai says more than 400 flights have been cancelled there along with a number of public events, and the government has told people they should stay at home.

Flooded street in Xiangshan county in Zhejiang province Huge waves were crashing into the coast of Zhejiang province Dykes have been strengthened in Zhejiang Shanghai was feeling the strength of the winds even before Chanhom made landfall Dozens of flights were also cancelled in Zhoushan, Hangzhou, Ningbo and Wenzhou.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

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CITYBEATS ‘Don’t abandon road repair’ T

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

HE rehabilitation of the Mushin-Isolo Road has stopped, barely two weeks after it began.

Residents and traders have called on Governor Akinwummi Ambode to ensure that the job is not abandoned because of the dire consequences.

The road, they said, would become worse if the repair is not completed.

A trader, Mrs Segun Bolatito, noted that sales increased when the work started.

She said: “We are thankful to the Ambode administration for remembering us because we have really suffered for over five years.

It is glaring that the government listens to the people because the work began after The Nation reporters came to ask us questions and took pictures of the road.

“It’s been two weeks since the work started and since then vehicles have been running at very high speed, I think it’s because they are excited but at the same time it is troubling because school students are at risk. We hope it is reduced so we don’t have a situation where a vehicle knocks a student down.”

Mr Ademola Kolawole, a truck driver, said: “The road has been convenient for both commuters and transporters. It has been easy for my customers to call anytime they have jobs for me, they can come directly to the park since the road is better than it used to be.

We want it to be fully tarred, that way the road can last long else lorries and trucks would make it worse.”

Mrs Bukola Afod, a trader, described the road repair as good, saying: “We have gone through a lot of distress because of the bad road, especially during the rainy season, it is very hard for us to carry our goods into the market using motorcycles because the road is too bad for motorcycles to go through the market instead we use buses

•The Mushin-Isolo road

By Olawale Balogun and Oluchukwu Igbokwe

and end up spending more, I hope the construction can continue because I have not seen them for over a week now.’’

A resident, who simply gave his name as Ademola, said: “They (contractor) are very hardworking and have achieved a lot within a week and we are quite impressed but we are not pleased with them stopping the work.”

Ademola suggested that the repair be extended to other parts of the road and not just beneath the

Speaker donates lifejacket, cash to community

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AGOS State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa has assured residents of riverine communities of the protection of their lives and properties.

Obasa made the pledge during a condolence visit to the Osolu of Irewe, Oba Abideen Durosimi, traditional ruler of a riverine community in Ojo Local Government Area where six school children drowned when a boat capsized on July 2nd.

The Speaker, represented by the Deputy Chief Whip Omotayo Oduntan said the government would not relent in providing basic amenities for the citizenry.

Oduntan said: “We members of Lagos State House of Assembly are here to console with you and the entire residents over the tragedy that happened where six school children drowned in a boat accident.

“On behalf of the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, and members as well as the staff of the Assembly, we sympathize with you and pray God almighty would give the families of the deceased children fortitude to bear the lost.

“We are also here to present to you, 60 life jackets for the use of residents of the community as well as cash to the families of the deceased on behalf of the Speaker and we hope this gesture would go a long way to ameliorate the negative impact of the incident on

By Oziegbe Okoeki

the people of this community particularly families of the deceased children”, she said.

The Speaker appealed to the traditional ruler to ensure that boat operators used life jackets, promising that the Waterways Management Authority would ensure safety at the jetties.

Oba Durosimi appealed to the government to build boarding schools in the community to reduce the risk of children going to school daily on the waterways.

He also enjoined the government to upgrade the community’s health centre.

The monarch said. “There are 36 villages adjoining this community and there is need to improve basic infrastructure here to cater for the people of this community and the adjoining villages”.

Oba Durosimi hailed the Speaker and members of the House for their gesture.

State Waterways Authority (LASWA) Managing Director Mr. Yinka Marinho said boat operators caught without life jacket would be prosecuted. The agency, he said, had provided life jackets for the use of children and adults on their trips.

Other members of the entourage are Lanre Ogunyemi, representing Ojo constituency 2; Mosunmola Sangodara, Minority Whip, Surulere constituency 2; and Hakeem Bello, Minority Leader, Amuwo Odofin constituency.

bridge.

“I know that the portion repaired has the major potholes but what remains is for it to be extended to other parts of the area, that way we would all be very grateful because we will no longer be scared of tankers exploding as a result of collapse nor would traffic be disturbing us every now and then; also flood and the breakdown of vehicles would be a thing of the past,” he said.

A motorcyclist, who did not give his name, said he is not pleased with the condition of the road.

He said: “They are just concentrating on one side of the road when the main place has not been fixed, there are potholes everywhere. The gravel filling was done three weeks ago but now the rain has covered it. If the contractors can extend their work to the other side of the road then we will have no problem. The ordinary granite filling also is not good for the tyres, I want them to tar the road completely, they should try and make it smooth so our tires won’t have to get spoilt before the due time and our

pockets get to suffer for it.”

Mrs Chioma Ikechukwu, a resident, said she is not happy with the work, adding: “I am not happy with the way the construction is one-sided; it has always been this way because this particular side (left-side) has always been abandoned. We want the government to ensure that they focus on both sides of the road, that would make pedestrians appreciate their works and we are optimistic that very soon we would stop experiencing inconvenience and the hike in bus fares’’.

Our union is bad omen, says man Council chief •’I don’t know if he still wants me’

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MIDDLE-AGE woman, Abiodun Rafiu, has pleaded with an Agege Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve her 10 year old marriage to Rasaq.

Mrs Rafiu said her husband abandoned her and their children.

“It is really not my wish to leave him; it’s because he abandoned us for over two years without sending a kobo or checking on our children’s wellbeing,” she said.

The petitioner said before her husband left the house, he paid part of their children’s school fees and house rent.

She said: “I have been the one doing everything. It is so sad. I really don’t know if he is still interested but I am.”

When the court’s President, Pa Adekunle Williams, asked the respondent if he was still interested in his wife, he said: “No, I am not because I was advised to stay away from my wife if I wanted to succeed in life.”

Mr Rafiu, a sales rep, said he used to be financially buoyant when he met his wife. Things, he said, changed after their marriage, he didn’t know what went wrong.

“I had to marry her since she became pregnant for me and I must say our union is bad omen,” he said.

He said he the situation became worse when she was pregnant with their second child.

“I had been processing my travelling documents even before I met her and when it was time to travel abroad, I went to inform her fam-

I was ‘shocked

to have landed in Ibadan, my home town, instead of the country I was going to. Since then, my life became miserable

’

By Basirat Braimah

ily so they shouldn’t think I was going to abandon their daughter.

“I was shocked to have landed in Ibadan, my home town, instead of the country I was going to. Since then, my life became miserable,” the respondent said.

He said it got to an extent that he couldn’t afford to feed himself.

“My in-laws were the ones who fed me. Her father once said I am lazy and that some of my mates who are head porters fed their families with what they earned.”

Rafiu said he went to some elders when the problem became unbearable; adding that they advised him to leave his family if he wanted to succeed.

Williams fixed a mediation session for the couple for July 22.

seeks public support

By Emmanuel Udodinma

ESIDENTS have been urged to partner with government for Lagos to attain its mega city status.

Deputy Executive Secretary of Yaba Local Council Development Area, Razaki Okesiji made this plea at a road inspection at Alara street and changing of Connel Road to Bola Akindele Road in Yaba.

Okesiji said: “We are here to effect positive change and the essence of good governance is to provide dividends of democracy for the benefit of the masses so as to improve the standard of living. ‘’ Yaba LCDA have taken a giant step of fixing some roads in Alara and is very important to the community . It is the duty of the community to make sure that the road is in good shape. It would serve as a middle link to Owodilo , Sabo and others when completed,’’ he said.

The council chief said efforts were being made to decongest major link roads.

The construction of the road began three weeks ago. The job is being done in phases. The first phase has been completed.

The chairman of Ward C, Mr. Adams Gbolahan thanked the council for its gesture.

A representative of Bola Akindele Road, Ronke AbdulRashid- Abubakar, urged the council chief to keep up the good work.

R

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Lagos lists challenges of tackling floods

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HAT are the challenges in tackling floods in Lagos State? They are human attitude and dumping of refuse in drainage, says Ministry of the Enviornment Permanent Secretry Ayodeji Adenekan.

Adenekan told reporters in Alausa, Ikeja. That the government is opening up new drainage channels and dredging canals to ensure easy flow of water in areas that are flood prone.

He said: “The greatest challenge is refuse in the drain. If we don’t have refuse in the drain and it is only water that is there, the water will flow because we will only have silt in the

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

drain. If the water is moving it will carry sand.

“Flood is basically water and sand when the flood moves, the sand stays, so silting is something that you normally have in any drainage. If it is only sand, it will not be as bad, but we now compound it with pure water sachets, nylon and others, so that is the greatest challenge that we have.”

Ogun state have agreed on the method of releasing water from Oyan Dam in order to prevent flooding.

“We have been partnering with them, that is why you have not had flood after the one that happened last time. We have

agreed with them on the modalities of releasing water from the Oyan Dam. “If you dam a river, the water keeps rising and it will get to a point that if you don’t release part of the water, the dam will break; so it is necessary for Ogun to release part of the water so that it will not destroy the dam. We have related with them well, we have agreed on how to release the water gradually so that it will not lead to flood and the collaboration is ongoing.

“When the rain is very heavy it stays for long, the water will be much, immediately the rain stops, the water starts reducing. The rate at which the flood goes

is what we are trying to attack because the bigger the drainage, the quicker the rate at which the flood goes.

“We are constantly trying to desist the drain so that we can have smooth flow but as we are doing this, some people are dumping refuse.”

The ministry, he said, had worked on some canals in Badagry, adding that it would look at the most critical ones in the area and dredge them.

“We are also collaborating with LG officials. Recently we met with the medical officers and engineers of local governments on how to be more effective in helping to monitor the drainage”, Adenekan said.

Factory worker in prison for beating wife to death

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N Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos has remanded a 37-year-old factory worker, Kingsley Oshiegbu, in Ikoyi Prisons’ for the alleged murder of his wife, Ifeoma Ndidi, 32.

Chief Magistrate M.O. Olajuwon ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody pending le-

gal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Olajuwon, however, said that the court would not take the plea of the accused as it lacked the jurisdiction to do so.

Oshiegbu, 37, who resides at 7, Majaro Street, Agege, is standing trial on a charge of murder.

Prosecuting police officer Cyriacus Osuji told the court that the accused who resides at 7, Majaro Street, Agege, Lagos, is standing trial on a charge of murder.

Osuji said the accused had on April 1 about 11:45pm, at his residence attacked the deceased by beating her severally on the head which led to her death.

“The deceased was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival,” he said.

He said that the offence contravened Section 221 of the Criminal Law which prescribes punishment for offenders.

Magistrate Oljuwon adjourned the case till August 10.

Fitch affirms telecom’s infrastructure giant at ‘B’ rating

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ITCH Ratings has affirmed telecom infrastructure group Helios Towers Nigeria Limited’s (HTN) Longterm Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘B’ with a stable outlook. HTN’s rating reflects the political and macroeconomic uncertainty of the Nigerian market (Nigeria, rated ‘BB-’/Negative) as well as the company’s revenue visibility and strong growth prospects.

HTN has managed to contain the impact of the recent weakness of the naira on its financial performance.

Underlying EBITDA in dollar is growing due to strong underlying demand, operational efficiency gains and the falling cost of diesel. HTN’s market position has changed as competing tower companies in Nigeria have grown significantly by acquisition.

Short-term prospects are unlikely to be diminished but HTN is going to be a fairly smaller player in a more fragmented market where competitive intensity may weigh on growth and profitability. Potential HTN is the second-largest independent telecommunications tower operator in Nigeria with a portfolio of 1,202 towers at end-December 2014.

Fitch expects HTN to continue growing strongly in line with the telecommunications market in Nigeria, which is seeing rapidly increasing demand for mobile and broadband. HTN is realising economies of scale and improving its free cash flow (FCF) and leverage profile by activating its dormant towers and increasing its tenant base and the number of co-locations per tower.

Management’s focus on

improving operating efficiency also contributed to significant EBITDA margin expansion in 2014.

Revenue Visibility HTN benefits from a visible revenue stream driven by long-term lease agreements, which comprise embedded contractual escalators and, in some cases, cost pass-through mechanisms. Following the shift from CDMA to GSM operators, over 75 per cent of revenues are derived from three major GSM players, MTN, Etisalat, and Airtel, which are all backed by investment-grade parents.

As at end-December 2014, the average remaining life of all tenancy agreements was 4.7 years, and HTN had total contracted revenues of $299m. Changes to Competitive Environment HTN’s market position is protected by high barriers to entry, switching costs,

and quality of service.

However, an agreement between Airtel and American Tower Corporation for the sale of Airtel’s towers in Nigeria will lead to the introduction of a fourth independent tower operator.

Also, competing tower operator IHS has agreed to purchase around 11,000 towers from Etisalat and MTN. HTN is thus set to become a fairly smaller player in a more fragmented market, which may dampen growth prospects in the mediumterm. FX Headwinds HTN currently has around 51 per cent of its revenues denominated in dollar, with the remaining 49 per cent denominated in naira.

The devaluation of the naira relative to the dollar reduced revenue growth in 2014 and 1Q15. HTN is also exposed to a FX mismatch as all its debt is in Dollars.

•From left: Onijaiye of Ijaiye Oba Nafiu Adeyemi, representative of District Governor of Rotary Club, Rotarian Abass Olaniyan, President of Rotary Club of Oke-Ona, Rotrian Festus Adetonwa and Biotech Project Coordinator, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr Yinka Olukoya during the commissioning of the Fidson sponsored Modern Toilets and borehole at ANLG Primary school, Oke Ona, Abeokuta

Cataract patient seeks help

By Faruk Hamzat

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MAN with a troubled eye is appealing to the public for help to restore his sight.

Rotimi, Sowemimo, a cataract patient, said he needs N280, 000 for a corrective surgery or he will lose his sight.

“On several occasions, I had thought it is Apollo. I can’t see anything with my left eye but I can partially see with my right eye. So, I was told my right eye needs to be operated so I don’t go blind,” he said.

Sowemimo explained that his problem started in 2004 as a mere infection but found out there was more to it.

His doctor recommended glasses for him, but the condition did not improve, he said.

“This was after a month of using the glasses. My eye had deteriorated,” he said, adding that he can no longer afford the cost of treatment.

He said: “I spent the little earnings I made monthly as a security man on checkups and endless tests, which required not less than N4000 weekly. This is too much for me to bear.”

“I want Nigerians to help me raise the money to rescue my right eye. I do not want to go blind,” Sowemimo said.

He has opened an account

•Sowemimo

with Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) with his name: Rotimi Sowemimo and Account number: 0014440305. He can also be reached on 08091823418.

‘Crime fighting a collective duty’

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ORMER Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP) Kayode Aderanti has called on the public to join hands with security agencies to fight crime.

Speaking at the weekend at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos Mainland during a novelty match tagged: ”Kick off crime” between Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) and the combined teams of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) , Aderanti said the fight against crime was a collective responsibility that should not be left for security agencies alone.

Aderanti, who kicked off the match, said: “That everybody should join hands in the war against crime does not mean that people should carry arms and start chasing criminals up and down, but that civilians should give out useful information that will assist the police and other sister agencies to kick out crime especially armed robbery, kidnapping and piracy in the society” Aderanti represented by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Bode Thomas, Mr Akin Adamu, praised CRAN, AGN and PMAN for preaching against crime. “I want to advise other corporate organisations to emulate the good gesture of CRAN and AGN/PMAN in the fight against crime. With this novelty match, the police are encouraged to do more in their fight against crime. We are going to fish out criminals, especially armed robbers, kidnappers and pirates wherever they are hiding.

“We will not wait till they strike, we will be proactive in our action and pick on them before they strike but whenever they succeed in committing their dastardly act, we will as usual fish them out.

“I am handing over the trophy to CRAN which won the bloodless war but I want them to see every participant as a victor. We are all winners, including the spectators “ CRAN President Comrade Christopher Oji, the captain of his team, who was presented with the trophy said: “ The essence of the match is to preach to our teeming population, especially the youths that crime does not pay. You may succeed in crime but in a short while nemesis will catch up with the criminal.

“The consequence of crime is so devastating as it may have been too late for the criminal and regret will be the reward. We have kicked out crime in Lagos so we don’t want it again.”

AGN President Emeka Ike called on the Police to intensify their war against piracy, sayig: “Pirates are reaping where they did not sow and as such must be fished out to face the consequences of stealing and reproducing other people’s works. We will suffer and another lazy idiot will be enjoying our sweat. We want those who play our music and show our films to also pay us our royalties”

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

NEWS •L-R Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (left); former Women Affairs Minister, Senator Helen Esuene; Executive Secretary, Christian Pilgrims Commission, John Kennedy Opara; Administrator Aso Villa Chapel, Abba Mshelia and Guest Preacher, Pastor Seyi Malomo after a Service at the Aso Villa Chapel in Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN.

•Proprietor, Tophill Schools, Abuja, Mrs Kate Nomhwange (middle) with pupils of Nursary Section at the Graduation/ Prize-giving Day in Abuja...at the weekend PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

•From left: Manager, Sales, Dana Plast Limited, Mr. Aderinlewo Olulere; General Manager, Mr. Atanu Datta and MD/ CEO of Lagos Sate Printing Corporation, Mr. Oyewule Adeniyi at the presentation of an award to Dana Plast as “Africa’s most reliable plastic products company of the year 2015 in Lagos.

•From right: Member, Osun House of Assembly, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye; General Manager, Osun Waste Management Agency (OWMA), Alhaji Ganiyu Oyeladun and Zonal Chairman, Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT) Osun branch, Alhaji Sefiu Adewumi, during NASFAT’s 2015 Lailatul-Qadr prayer at Ibokun, Osun State...at the weekend

•L-R: Mohammed Abu-El-Magd, Anwar Khan, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, Adam Taylor and Rev. Gary Henderson at the Religion and Sustainable Development Conference in Washington D.C., USA

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

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SPORT EXTRA

Okocha seeks to assist Oliseh F

ORMER Nigerian skipper Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha has made a last-ditch move to assist incoming Super Eagles’ coach Sunday Oliseh.

Oliseh will this week sign a contract as the Super Eagles’ coach after Stephen Keshi was sacked for a breach of trust.

AfricanFootball.com said it learnt that ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha got through to several top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) while discussions with Oliseh were on to put himself forward as assistant coach.

Ironically, Okocha has always maintained he does not wish to be a coach and also his relationship with Oliseh is far from cordial.

An official told AfricanFootball.com: “Okocha reached out to some top officials to proposed himself as assistant coach to Oliseh.

“But two things are working against him – first, he does not have any coaching papers and secondly, he and Oliseh do not see eye-to-eye

since ‘Jay Jay’ replaced Oliseh as Eagles skipper to the 2002 World Cup. “Many still believe Okocha stabbed Oliseh in the back by doing so and that Oliseh has not forgotten or forgiven.”

Okocha is presently chairman of Delta Football Association as well as the chairman of the NFF Study Group, which will now have to work with the new Eagles coach.

In the meantime, Oliseh is due to arrive in Abuja by 4pm local time on Tuesday and a meeting with the NFF technical committee is scheduled for later that day.

His Belgian assistant, who has worked in Togo, Rwanda and Burkina Faso, is expected to accompany him.

G

‘Only coaches with character, qualification will lead athletes’

By Precious Igbonwelundu

• Yakmut • Okocha

N

Ejike nets 10th goal of the season LO Premier League leading scorer Bright Ejike has pulled two goals away from his chasing colleagues in the top flight. He netted his 10th goal of the sea-

ALL AFRICAN GAMES (AAG)

• Extends lead in the Glo League goals race From Tunde Liadi,Owerri son in Heartland's 3-1 home win over Dolphins yesterday at the Rojenny Stadium in Oba near Onitsha.

Ejike's goal scored in the 81st minute of the match helped to put the Naze Millionaires back in the lead after Dolphins' Godless Asamoah in the 53rd minute equalised Collins Nwaneri's 8th minute opener for the Owerri side.

The former Flying Eagles star has scored 10 goals in 17 games.

He is closely followed by the duo of Ibrahim Shuaibu of Giwa FC and Sunshine Stars' Tunde Adeniji with eight goals each.

While Shuaibu and the Jos Elephant fired blank in Ibadan in a 3-0 away loss to 3SC, Adeniji added a goal to make it his eighth goal of the season in the Akure Gunners' 2-0 home win over Bayelsa United.

Chisom Chikatara of Abia

• Ejike

Warriors also failed to find the back of the net for the Umuahia side in a 3-1 home win over FC Taraba.

Chikatara is on seven goals from as many games. He is on the same number of goals with team mate, Ndifreke Effiong who bagged a brace in Abia Warriors' 3-1 home win over FC Taraba. Effiong is on seven goals now.

Others also in reckoning for the league gong include Ocheme Edoh (Giwa FC), Ibrahim Mustapha(Wikki Tourists), Gbolahan Salami(Warri Wolves) and Esosa Igbinoba(Nasarawa United) who have six goals to their kitty each. Igbinoba got his sixth goal of the campaign in their 1-1 home draw with FC IfeanyiUbah yesterday while Salami also fired his sixth in the Seasiders' 2-1 victory over Enyimba in Warri yesterday.

Adamu Mohammed(Kano Pillars) and Christian Obiozor of Enyimba have found the back of the net five times with Obiozor's fifth goal coming in their 1-2 loss to Enyimba in Warri yesterday.

Mfon Udoh(Enyimba), Umar Mubarak(Wikki Tourists) and Markson Ojobo (Enyimba) have also netted four goals wqith Mubarak's fourth in their 2-1 home win over El Kanemi Warriors in Bauchi.

Others on four goals are Usman Mohammed(FC Taraba), Ubong Ekpai(Kano Pillars), Yusuf Jaiyeola(Sharks), Olufemi Junior Ajayi, Godwin Obaje(Wikki) and Segun Alebiosu of Kwara United.

Wikki closes in on Sunshine Stars

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IKKI Tourists yesterday closed the gap between them and leaders Sunshine Stars after they beat El Kanemi 2-1 in a Nigeria league Week 17 match.

Wikki are now placed second on the league table with 32 points, just a point behind leaders Sunshine Stars after Enyimba lost at Warri Wolves.

In the 20th minute, Mubarak Umar broke the deadlock in Bauchi to give hosts Wikki Tourists the lead off Uche Martins assist.

Chukwudi Samuel scored from the spot in the 57th minute to give Wikki a 2-0 advantage after the lively Mubarak Umar was fouled in-

side the box.

Six minutes to the end of the game, Sunday Adetunji pulled goal back for the visiting El Kanemi.

• Johnson Alaba

ATIONAL Sports Commission (NSC) Director General Alhassan Yakmut, yesterday said only coaches with the right character and qualification will lead athletes to the All African Games.

Yakmut made the disclosure at the National Stadium in Lagos, after the unveiling of the Kenneth Minimah Boxing Hostel.

He noted that Nigeria will only participate in sports that it is certain of winning medals and bringing glory to the nation, adding that the All African Games was not a jamboree.

The NSC boss who said there was no specific number of participating sports for the competition, insisted that it is only performance that would guarantee those who would attend the games.

"We do not have an actual number. It is only performance that will take you there. You have to meet some technical targets, besides we do not have to participate in all the sports since we know that we do not have comparative and? competitive advantage on all of them.

"The All African Games is not a jamboree. As we continue with the preparations, we shall continue to weed off any sport that would not bring glory to the Federal Republic of Nigeria," he said.

Yakmut also spoke on the need for the renovation of the National Stadium, just as he objected plans to concession stadia.

According to him, concessioning would create

bottlenecks for athletes and technical personnel to access the stadium, just as he urged the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to jettison the concessioning moves made by the past administration.

"Because the stadium facility has undergone misuse, decadence and abuse, the ambiance that used to be there ?in the 1970s and 1980s are no longer there.

"It has become the primary responsibility of the incumbent leadership to ensure the stadium is returned to its rightful use.

"As I speak with you, a fiveman committee has been in Lagos since Wednesday, taking inventory of all the things that would be required.

"The fact that there is a concessioning by the past regime in motion does not mean the facility should be allowed to rot.

"I do not think it will be morally right to do soo and as responsible sports administrators, we have taken it upon ourselves to ensure these facilities are returned to the rightful use to the glory of the young generation Nigeria is grooming in sports.

"We are applying the principle of Public Private Partnership to raise the funds, so that when the facility is upgraded, it will then be decentralised for technical and commercial purposes, but not the idea of concessioning because ?it would mean that we will have to apply even for sports.

When you go to the church or mosque, do you apply? So, why should we then apply to use the stadium. This is the temple of sports."

Asked what the commission was doing to ensure better retirement life for athletes, Yakmut said a programme that would enable athletes be educated while playing professionally is being evolved.

"We are evolving a programme that would go along with education. No athlete will again be an illiterate", he said, advising athletes to also package their sporting careers well to make room for backup arragements.

Baraje hails players

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KWA United technical adviser Zachary Baraje has commended his wards after a hard fought victory against Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars.

The Promise Keepers piped the Pyramid City side 1-0 in Sunday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 17 clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo nicknamed the ‘Nest of Cham[pions’.

Davies Ukeme’s lone goal in the 19th minute proved adequate to hand the Uyo-based side the maximum three points at stake.

Baraje said he was highly impressed with the five-star performance of his wards assuring that the side will soon stamp its foothold as the season progresses.

“I’m highly impressed with the victory against the Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars.

I’m also moved to say well done to the players for good performance in the clash.

“I can assure you that with the cooperation of the man-

• Baraje

agement to further strengthen the side the team will come back to reckoning.

“I foresee the side coming back to contest for the league title with similar strong showings in subsequent matches,” said the former Enyimba coach to supersport.com.

The lone goal victory against Kano Pillars has upped Akwa United total earnings to 21 points from possible 51 in the 17-week old Nigerian top flight.

79

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

SPORT EXTRA

Goal-scoring major headache of Dream Team — Amoo • Siasia’s team beat Freestan 3-1

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IRST Assistant Coach of Dream Team VI Fatai Amoo has disclosed that the only grey area the technical crew of the team led by Samson Siasia is seriously working on is how the team’s strikers would be able to convert the numerous begging chances created in every single match they have played.

The Nigeria’s U- 23 national team has a date with Congo in the first leg of the final round of CAF U-23 Championship qualifier against visiting Claude Leroy’s tutored Congo’s U- 23 national team slated for Port Harcourt on July 19.

The former Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles told SportingLife that the team has really progressed and has matured compared with when they started but the grey area still remains conversion of numerous chances that the team creates in every single match played. He said that there was need to reduce the rate of missed chances because this could cost any team but was quick to assure that these lapses would be corrected before the July 19, 2015 match day against visiting Congo in Port Harcourt.

“We have been training very hard for the Congo match and we have been pushing the players real hard to play the way the Chief Coach wants so that we can achieve a convincing victory against the Congolese team come July 18, 2015.

The Port Harcourt Camp has been very conducive for the team and also good for our plans to get the needed victory that day.

“There is no any day in training that we don’t work on goal scoring. That has been a serious problem because if you want to look at chances created in all the matches the team has played and the goals scored you will see that we cannot really draw a line of comparison that our goal scoring has been as good as we want it to be. Every time we are always on goal scoring

RESULTS GLOBACOM Kwara United 0-1 Sharks Shooting Stars 3-0 Giwa FC Rangers 3-1 Lobi Stars Abia Warriors 3-1 Taraba Sunshine Stars 2-0 Bayelsa Wikki 2-1 El-Kanemi Warri Wolves 2-1 Enyimba Heartland 3-1 Dolphins Akwa 1-0 Kano Pillars Nasarawa 1-1 IfeanyiUbah Int'l - Champions Cup LA Galaxy 2 - 1 CF America Int'l - Club Friendlies FSV 1 - 6 Mainz 05 Guimaraes 2 - 0 Pampilhosa Guingamp 2 - 0 Avranches Wien 0 - 1 FC Zurich Z’hausen 0 - 14 Hoffenheim Hobro 2 - 0 Silkeborg Anderlecht 0 - 0 Basaksehir Lechia 1 - 1 Wolfsburg A'lholms FF 0 - 3 OB Raith Rovers 0 - 2 Aberdeen Johnstone 0 - 0 Sociedad SV Groedig 1 - 0 Ingolstadt Leipzig 1 - 0 Rubin Kazan FC Ufa 0 - 0 Slavia Prague Feyenoord 2 - 0 Fortuna Benfica 1 - 1 Tondela Augsburg 2 - 1 Bayern CS Auronzo 0 - 14 Lazio Wiener SK 0 - 3 PSG Bordeaux 3 - 4 Gent

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja exercises including when the players has to shoot, we also work on crosses and others.

The Dream Team VI continued to win every test game they have played as they followed it up with another emphatic 3-1 victory against hard fighting Freestan football Club of Lagos played at the practicing pitch of the Adokiye Amesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt on Saturday.

The Samson Siasia coached Dream Team VI opened scoring in the 19th minute through Godwin Saviour, while the second goal was scored by defender Stanley Amuzie in the 34th minute and Taiwo Awoniyi who replaced Junior Ajayi at the beginning of the second scored the third goal in the 73rd minute of the game.

The first half had ended 2-1 in favour of Dream Team VI while Freestan scored their only goal in the first half.

• Amoo

Falconets thrash Liberia 7-1

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HE national under-20 women football team, the Falconets, on Sunday began their campaign for a spot at the 2016 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals on a blistering note.

They whipped their Liberian counterparts 7-1 in the first leg game of their qualifier at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in Monrovia.

The game saw Yetunde Adeboyejo scoring a hat-

trick, with Amarachi Ojinma also scoring a brace, as Nigeria put the game into a nocontest.

Adeboyejo started the goal rush, scoring the first of her three goals in the 15th minute, before Chinwendu Ihezuo added a second on the half hour mark.

Adeboyejo netted her second and Nigeria’s third nine minutes before half time, while the Liberians got a goal four minutes later, to end the

first half 3-1.

Adeboyejo made sure of her hat-trick early in the second half, before Juliet Sunday netted the fifth goal in the 70th minute.

There was no road for the Liberians into the game again, and Amarachi Ojinma scored two late goals in the 78th and 87th minutes to make it 7-1 to the Falconets.

The second leg of the fixture comes up in Nigeria in two weeks’ time.

Its tough beating Giwa —Ogunbote

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HE Coach of Shooting Stars Football Club Ibadan Gbenga Ogunbote has confessed that it wasn’t easy beating visiting Giwa Football Club of Jos 3-0 in Week 17 of the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League decided at the Lekan Salami Stadium Ibadan yesterday.

Despite lauding hids players for doing a good job so far he

• Promises to strengthen team From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja also revealed that he would still beef up the team during the midseason to make it stronger.

“It was a sweet victory. I am happy with the performance of my team and I would say kudos to my players too.

• Godwin Aguda of Rangers (left) against Emmanuel Ajia of Lobi Stars (right) during their Glo League clash on Sunday

“We know quite well that Giwa FC is a very good side, a strong side and a scoring side.

For the past two seasons I have watched them they have been prolific at scoring goals anywhere they play. So that was the first work we did by blocking them form converting their chances.

“Once we were successful from that we thank God the opportunity came and we took them and scored the three goals.

It could have been four goals to our favour in the first half. But nevertheless I can confess to you that Giwa FC is a very strong side.

“In the midseason we hope to beef up the team. Even Barcelona tagged the best team in the world is never contended with the caliber of the players they have and always beef up the team. So we are going to that definitely during the midseason break. But it is not going to be a whole sale thing.

“The boys have actually sowed that they can improve with the quality of training we have had and their positive response too. We just need to dot the Is’ and cross the Ts’ and we will continue to progress in the Nigeria Professional Football League”, Ogunbote told SportingLife shortly after the match.

Former Sunshine Stars striker Ajayi Ibrahim scored the first two goals for Shooting Stars Football Club while the third goal was scored by second striker Kunle Olukokun.

AKURE GOLDEN LEAGUE FALLOUT

Ogunkoya, Alli urge ‘Corporate Nigeria’, others to emulate Kuku

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FRICA’S foremost women quarter-miler Falilat Ogunkoya and Nigeria record holder in Long Jump Yussuf Alli has urged Corporate Nigeria and Nigeria with financial wherewithal to sport athletics and other sports by sponsoring championships and games aimed at discovering young talents and nurturing them to become world beaters.

Speaking at the final of Athletics Federation Nigeria (AFN) Golden League which was sponsored by Hon. Kingsley Kuku, Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan in Akure over the weekend, Ogunkoya posited that if Corporate Nigeria and wealthy Nigerians emulate Kuku by supporting sports, they will be creating employment for many youth, and combating crime.

“The board of AFN and the athletes are immensely grateful to Hon. Kuku for coming to our assistance in sponsoring this championship at short notice.

He not only sponsored the meet, he added glamour by mobiliz-

ing hundreds of Akure residents to attend the championship, then apart from the prize money we pay athletes, Kuku also gave best performers special money, this is highly commendable, if we have 37 Kuku in all the 36 states of the federation and FCT, hundreds of Usain Bolt and other great talents in all the nook and crannies of Nigeria will be discovered in short time.’’

The technical manager of the Golden League Alli said if Nigerians emulate Kuku by investing in sports, especially track and field, they will not assist in discovering new talents but assisting in solving many socio-economic problems.

“Studies have shown that there are three way societies can help children of the down trodden, they are sports education, entertainment and sports, and of the three sports is least expensive and most adaptable, so we are appealing to well to do Nigerians to join hands with like of Hon. Kuku to assist masses and use sports to solve socio-economic problem’’. Said Alli.

DStv PBL: Mark Mentors, Islander are champions

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HE DStv Premier Basketball League regular season came to a dramatic finale at the weekend, as Kano Pillars lost their unbeaten run to Savannah Conference rivals Mark Mentors in Abuja in emphatic style (97-67) to finish second in the Savannah Conference behind Mentors.

FCT Rocks finished bottom and dropped to Division One after a season in the premier league after a 59-72 loss to Gombe Bulls in Abuja, while Bauchi Nets cemented their place in the Savannah Conference Final 6 with a 73-47 points victory over Immigration and Plateau Peaks pipping Kada Stars 60-54 in Kaduna, with both teams already through to the conference playoffs.

The Atlantic Conference also was full of drama as the Battle for survival went down to the wire. Delta Force defeated

By Adeyinka Adedipe Union Bank 69-66 in Asaba, while Police Baton fell at home in Lagos to Kwara Falcons 6165 to replace Delta Force at the bottom of the Atlantic Conference log after the regular season games came to a close.

In other results of the day Dodan Warriors dealt Lagos Islanders their second loss of the campaign winning 6560, while customs cemented third place in the conference behind Dodan Warriors and leaders, Lagos Islanders with a 65-48 win over Oluyole Warriors.

The Top 6 in each conference will battle in the Conference Final 6 from July 13 to 19 at the National Stadium in Lagos and the Kofamata Stadium in Kano, from the July 19 to 25 in the Atlantic and Savannah conference respectively.

Emordi happy with Afelokhai

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ANO Pillars head coach, Okey Emordi has praised goalkeeper, Theophilus Afelokhai for the slim defeat at Akwa United.

The Nigerian champions were beaten 0-1 in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 17 encounter on Sunday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Forward, Davies Ukeme’s match winner in the 19th minute made nonsense of Pillars’ concerted fight back for an equaliser in the clash.

Emordi said they came to Uyo to pick a vital win but felt disappointed losing all the three points at stake.

“It was very unfortunate result losing 0-1 to the hosts, Akwa United in Uyo. I never thought of it happening right from the start of the encounter.

“I was damn confident and positive that victory will be ours at the end of football hostilities.

“I must thank the goalkeeper, Theophilus Afelokhai for fivestar performance in keeping the goal margin to a slim lone goal.

“It could have been worst, it

could have been a bizarre so I say we are lucky not to have conceded more goals.

“We have nagging challenges in the team, no central defender we used midfielder to block the loopholes.

“Well, this match is over we have to go back to plan for the next ones, we are not going to relent until we get it right and perfectly working,” said the former Enugu Rangers gaffer to supersport.com.

The lone goal defeat leaves Pillars on 25 points from possible 51 in the 17-week old top flight.

• Emordi

TODAY IN THE NATION

MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘Part of the disenchantment with Buhari’s pace is on account of the type of campaign promises the opposition mounted to gain power. The end may have justified the means. But the general impatience with his speed and subsequent pleas for more time would have been absolutely unnecessary if the enormity of the problems facing the nation were really factored in while making campaign promises’ EMEKA OMEIHE

VOL 10 NO 3274

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari’s rise to power is a parable of tenacity and the happy pendulum of fate. No one counted on him at one time. His big and mighty foes feared his appeal. They waited for his venom to expire. Before the expiration date, however, he struck.

Then those who pooh-poohed him, who sneered that he was no more than a grand and populist irritation, began to see him as the wisdom of the hour.

They no longer flaunted their superior airs and credentials. Rather, they flocked to him.

They morphed into cheerleaders and wiggled their waists in the same band. But they rehearsed a different genre of music.

When it was time to sing, their incongruous tunes collapsed under the throaty sonority of the majority.

Now the majority’s symphony fell silent, we started to hear the dissonance of toads and crocodiles.

Nothing tells this story more than the ambitions and cynicisms of three men. The first is the Owu chief, Olusegun Obasanjo, the peripatetic harlot of Nigerian politics, Atiku Abubakar, and the Kwara renegade, Bukola Saraki.

As for the rise of Buhari, it calls back the lives of Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle. All three were outsiders of the vortex of power. In the case of Lincoln, he was too tall, ungainly and ill bred.

Churchill was a loud mouth, boor and subversive. In fact, former United States president, Richard Nixon, noted in his memoirs that he drew inspiration from Churchill. His obituary was written off late in his life in the House of Commons. He turned out to be the greatest prime minister in memory.

As for de Gaulle, he was an outcast in an age of national treachery when Petain and other French leaders sold the pride and birthright of France to the butchery of Nazi Germany.

His contemporaries regarded de Gaulle as rebellious, foolish and puerile. Churchill plotted to fly him out of Paris in the turbulent flush of the blitzkrieg. Churchill remarked that de Gaulle’s soul encased the French pride in that flight of escape.

Once these men became their nations’ leaders, they waxed from pariahs to messiahs. All who looked down on them later bowed. Those who did not bow wheeled into subterranean intrigues and acts of subversion. They wanted to torpedo the popular will.

The APC crisis is still called crisis in spite of what some of its leaders call reconciliation. It is the act of papering over the cracks. The men who do not wish the party well only wish for the party their ambition. They do not love Buhari. They only sat in the train or rode in the same carriage because he was the only one in whose company they could clutch their selfish dreams.

Their schemes are coming home to roast, not roost.

Their plan was simple. Let us win in the

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

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

•Winner, Informed Commentary (DAME)

No longer a pariah

‘

Reconciliation without truth is going to the future without memory. It is like pursuing an end without a beginning. If we reach where we are going without knowledge of where we are coming from, we will not know why we started the journey •President Buhari

Senate, make it a fate accompli. Later, we can con the president onboard. They took the president for a simpleton. Atiku formed the dubious coalition with Saraki and Obj because of the ambitions of 2019. The man who won 2015 has not settled down to office, their 2019 ambitions want to unsettle his administration.

Yet we know that Obj, Atiku and Saraki are strange bedfellows. They are too ambitious for their own good. An Obj will not endorse an Atiku ambition. Atiku knows this. Saraki, for whatever egoistic delusion, thinks he can be Nigeria’s president.

But in all these, they want to throw cats in the pigeons of the president. After causing confusion, they want to present themselves as angels of peace. That is the so-called reconciliation move. It is capital self-delusion and hypocrisy. They want reconciliation without truth.

RIPPLES

PDP MADE COSTLY MISTAKES IN LAST ELECTION –Ihedioha

STOP MAKING EXCUSES...NIGERIANS VOTED OUT A PARTY WITHOUT VISION

’

They say the Lawan and Gbajabiamila groups should accept the fait accompli of Dogarra and Saraki leaderships in the National Assembly. Now, how do they want to explain two irrationalities. One, the party arrived at one candidate. Saraki defied it, plotted with the enemy, waylaid the party and disgraced the majority vote. They forget that Lawan was Buhari’s candidate. After the fact, the governors of the party tried to save face. How do you live with the fact that a party decides something, some members flout it, and no penalties are imposed. Does that not turn the party into an impunity machine? Was that not one of the capital reasons the PDP was flushed out on March 28? Is the APC not going back to its vomit by starting off embracing the enemy’s mistake?

All those behind Atiku, Saraki and Obj want to wield their influence to let the matter slide.

HARDBALL

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HEY said it could never be done and for 16 years, none did it. It was so very convenient not to do it; in fact it was sweetly convenient. Not one showed the example or even tried. Hardball is going on and on about the matter of local government administration in Nigeria and the brigandage that has transpired there since the current democratic dispensation.

The makers of Nigeria’s constitution in their wisdom embedded the local government areas (LGAs) in the document as the third tier of government with all the appurtenances of a unit of government built in. But our governors (all without exception!) circumvented the LGAs to their heart’s content. Units that ought to be semi-autonomous but under the purview of the state were viciously stymied, crippled and rendered comatose and outright dead in most instances.

Units that ought to be the fulcrum of integrated national development were held hostage by some overlords across the country. They made sure the LGAs never functioned; they made sure there are never elections; they made sure that only

Well, they won but it does not feel like victory. That is why they keep calling for peace. In spite of that, they show their true colours. Saraki said recently that inability of some state governments to pay salaries could be traced to corruption. Saraki has no right to talk on corruption until the charges hanging over his head are cleared. He cannot vault himself into sainthood overnight. He became Senate president on a corrupt lie, overthrowing the party convention. His is a victory without honour.

That is why he remains the Kwara renegade.

That leads to the second point. If they wanted reconciliation, why did Saraki and Dogarra spurn the party letter? The argument that the law is more important than the party is a selfserving line. The law towers above all, but law is itself based on honour. When we manipulate the law and defrock it of honour, we work against the very spirit of law. That was what the Saraki group did. It is haunting them, and it will haunt them forever. Reconciliation without truth is going to the future without memory. It is like pursuing an end without a beginning. If we reach where we are going without knowledge of where we are coming from, we will not know why we started the journey.

Last weekend featured the 20th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre. The speakers, including former President Clinton, stressed the need for reconciliation but it must be based on truth. We cannot wish truth over unresolved issues. It is like prospering on a lie. In South Africa, truth was sought before reconciliation. Nobel Prize winner J.M. Coetzee’s novel Disgrace tapped into the theme of truth and reconciliation by looking into the story of a professor who takes advantage of a female student and thinks he can get away with it by merely leaving his job. He spends the rest of his life grappling with the consequences. Booker Prize novelist Kazuo Ishiguro’s new novel, The Buried Giant, looks at the unresolved crisis of the birth of Britain to show how a past of division cannot be glossed over by mere prosperity. The author referred to Bosnia, Kosovo, the second World War, etc, as some of the inspiration for the work, a fantasy of gnomes, elves, dragons, etc.

Part of Nigeria’s problem is that we have not resolved many issues and we move on.

But we never move on, and unresolved issues haunt us always, so woes pile on woes in our national life.

Obj, Saraki and Atiku have a choice. They have to decide whether they belong to APC or they want to form an alliance to form another party. Atiku has PDM that never wins anything, and he cannot stand on his own. He has to play whore with others to get something. In his present style and content, he has not, and he never will, be Nigeria’s president.

The choice still dangles before this group and their men. It will determine whether they want to work with Buhari or stalemate him.

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

El-Rufai and LGAs: Just do it nonentities who are of scant consequence ever get to head the LGAs; they made sure that statutory funds meant for the LGAs never get to them. Unanimous in mischief, they created an evil vehicle called JAAC – a supposedly joint account (but which bears only LGA funds) where LGA funds a warehoused before they are stolen. It is at this JAAC that the funds that belong to an entire local council area are hijacked.

This banditry has gone on for 16 years unchallenged and unabated. Even as you read this, the billions of naira meant for developing our streets, ward, villages and communities are callously seized by a few people. They have carried on like this for so long that they now tell us that there is nothing like the third tier of government; they say that the state is a federating unit so cannot harbour an autonomous unit.

They have concocted all sorts of criminal logic to steal the people’s money. They have almost bent our minds.

When it is pointed out to them that most of the social malaise besetting the nation

is as a result of the fact that our local governments are dead, they don’t want to hear it. You see our so-called governors dissipating themselves running from pillar to post like cartoon superman trying to run an entire state. All one sees on display is the utter folly of a brigand stealing from his own house.

Just when the whole country had given up, a bright light seems to peer from a northern tunnel. Kaduna State governor, Mr. Nasir El-Rufai, may well be our gamechanger. He seems poised to repudiate and debunk his peers. He has given notice that he would not toe the path of perfidy well beaten by his fellow governors. He has vowed not only to hand over the entire LGA funds, he would also allot to them, 10 per cent of funds generated internally from the state.

Hear him: “Therefore, I am happy to inform you that the government under our watch has formally abolished joint account in Kaduna State.” This will be the real change indeed if he can pull it off!

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