The Nation July 14, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

•’Okonjo-Iweala took $1b for Jonathan’s re-election’ P4 •Osun workers end strike as govt begins payment P7 •Buhari approves N160 to $1 rate for Christian pilgrims P5 •Peterside: Wike running Rivers without good policy P6 •Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3275 TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

NEWS Page 61

Boko Haram kills 43 in Borno villages

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

•INSIDE: LAMIDO, SONS MOVED TO KUJE PRISON P6 TUC WARNS ONDO GOVT P7

Big questions as Buhari sacks Service Chiefs, NSA •SEE ALSO PAGES 2&3

IN

The new men: Olonishakin, Ibas, Buratai, Monguno, Abubakar Morgan is Chief of Defence Intelligence From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

M

ANY questions were raised yesterday as President Muhammadu Buhari sacked the Service Chiefs.

Also gone is the National Security Adviser (NSA).

President Buhari named their replacements.

He also appointed a new Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI).

Relieved of their duties are Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Usman Jubrin, Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Adesola Amosun and NSA Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, named the new helmsmen. They are: Major-General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin (CDS), Major-General T.Y. Buratai (COAS), Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (CNS), Air

•Maj.-Gen. Olonishakin

•Maj.-Gen. T.Y. Buratai

•Rear Admiral Ibas

•Air Vice Marshal Abubakar •Maj.-Gen. Monguno

•Air Chief Marshal Badeh

•Lt.-Gen. Minimah

•Vice-Admiral Jubrin

•Air Marshal Amosun

OUT

Continued on page 4

SOME OF THE QUESTIONS

•How was over N4trillion spent in five years?

•Will courts martial go on?

•How will the re-organisation affect the Armed Forces?

•Will the anti-Boko Haram war be reinvigorated?

?

WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS EVER RETURN?

•Col. Dasuki (rtd)

EFCC probes how BPE paid N1.45b to PDP’s lawyer, others

STORY ON PAGE 4

Anti-graft agency to quiz BPE chiefs over legal, consultancy fees

•BDCS: 2,715 OPERATORS MAKE CBN’S LIST P53 ACCESS BANK, EIB IN 15M EURO DEAL P53

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

2

NEWS

Exit of the President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday appointed new service chiefs. For many, this marked the exit of ‘partisan’ service chiefs, writes GBADE OGUNWALE •From left: Executive Secretary, Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF), Mrs Asmau Asabe Ahmed; Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Joseph Dawha and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Taiwo Haruna at the NNPC meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja... yesterday.

PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN.

•Ogun State Deputy Governor Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga cutting the tape to inaugurate the Adigbe Water Health Centre in Abeokuta...yesterday. With her are (from left)Ag. Consular General, US Embassy, Mrs Dehab Ghebreaband Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr Sesan Sobowale.

• From left: Principal Private Sector Specialist, African Development Bank (AfDB), Mr Emmanuel Akinwumi; Acting Division Manager of AfDB, Masumbuko Robert; Chairman, Board Of Directors, Amb. Adamu Aliyu; Managing Director, Bank of Agriculture, Prof. Danbala Danju and Executive Director, Corporate Services, Alhaji Mohammed Sambo, at the AfDB's Scoping Mission to Partnership with the Bank of Agriculture on Financial Inclusion in Abuja... yesterday

•• Zonal Business Manager, North West Zone, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Chinda Manjor, Head , CSR, Airtel Nigeria, Dr. Eyitayo Ojo, Deputy Team Leader/Health Coordinator, Millennium Villages Project, Dr. Eyitayo Ojo at a briefing in Kaduna.

A

T last, President Muhammadu Buhari sacked the service chiefs. Many had expected the President to have relieved them of their appointments shortly after he was sworn-in on May 29. But for reasons known to the Commander-inChief, their ouster was delayed till yesterday.

The affected military chiefs are the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alexander Badeh; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosun; and the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Commodore Usman Jibrin. Also affected was the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd). Replacements for the sacked service chiefs have since been announced. They are Major-Gen. Gabriel Abayomi Olonisakin (Chief of Defence Staff); Major Gen. Tukur Yakubu Buratai (Chief of Army Staff); Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Chief of Naval Staff); Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar (Chief of Air Staff); Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan (Chief of Defence Intelligence); and retired MajorGen. Babagana Mongunu (National Security Adviser).

Appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on January 16, 2014, the erstwhile service chiefs failed to draw a line between loyalty to the Nigerian nation and protecting the political interest of the former President that appointed them. There was so much hoopla in the polity then over the alleged partisan role, or fear of complicity of the nation’s Armed Forces in the run the up to the general elections. This peeled the skin off the nose of political watchers, particularly the then opposition camp of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The then service chiefs were soon to confirm such fears when they started donning partisan garb, fashioned by the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This took the sleep off the brow of the opposition and other well meaning sections of the public.

Damning the consequences of such misadventure, the erstwhile service chiefs sacrificed their personal reputation and the integrity of the Armed Forces for political stakes.

They failed to understand that first and foremost, the loyalty of the military under their watch was to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That loyalty to their Commander-In-Chief ought to come next.

In the first place, the C-In-C derives his powers and legitimacy from the Constitution. Put differently, the Constitution is the source of the powers and legitimacy bestowed on the President and the Commander-In-Chief.

In a layman’s language, the Constitution ought to be the father, while the President and Commander-InChief is the son. The Badeh and his subordinates however, failed to appreciate the fact that the father takes precedence over the son and not the other way round. That is the line of command.

The erstwhile Service Chiefs also failed to acknowledge the tradition in democratic setting that the interest of the Commander-In-Chief must not be at variance with that of the Constitution, which is the source of his powers and legitimacy. By the foregoing, the sacked military chiefs failed to realise that they were bound by their oath of allegiance to take

sides with the Constitution. In a professionalsed military, such officers ought to have known that it would not amount to disloyalty if they subordinated their loyalty to the C-In-C to that of the Constitution. To do otherwise is to diminish the source where the C-in-C derived his authority in the first place. In democratic tradition, refusal to carry out unconstitutional order from the C-In-C does not necessarily amount disobedience to the spirit of the Constitution.

Partisanship of the Forces The perceived partisanship of the then service chiefs led to a situation where former President Olusegun Obasanjo accused Jonathan of trying to use them to frustrate the 2015 general elections and elongate his tenure.

The military authorities had responded by describing Obasanjo, also a former military head of state, as “an embarrassment to the military”.

Shortly before that encounter, the military authorities had descended on a section of the media intercepting and confiscating publications of newspaper houses perceived to be antagonising the Jonathan administration. Distribution vans and vendors were also arrested and detained for days by soldiers acting on “orders from above”. It was done under the guise of searching for “explosive materials” in the distribution vans and in the underpants of newspaper distributors and vendors.

Perhaps the most unbridled partisanship on the part of the then military chiefs was the controversy surrounding the West African School Leaving Certificate of President Buhari. The military authorities, after having admitted that the certificate was intact in the records of the Military Board, had turned around to deny having it at all. This national embarrassment was primarily meant to provided ammunition for Jonathan and his PDP to ridicule the credibility of the then candidate Muhammadu Buhari of the APC. The military authorities have remained silent on the whereabouts of the certificate even after Buhari had won the election. And when it became apparent that the then ruling PDP was going to be trounced in the 2015 general elections, the lot fell on the military chiefs, led by the then NSA Dasuki, to announce to a befuddled nation that security of election materials and personnel in certain local governments in the Northeastern part could not be guaranteed.

Postponed elections On their prompting, the elections were shifted for six weeks, from February-March to March-April ostensibly for the military to rid the region of the menace of the Boko Haram insurgents before the poll. The drama in that shift in poll date, aimed at shoring up the electoral fortunes of the PDP, was claims by former President Jonathan that he was not in the know of the plans to shift the election dates.

“I was not informed. In any case, they did not have to inform me,” Jonathan had stated on national television. Not a few were alarmed by the former President’s claims that the security chiefs unilaterally shifted the election dates without his input. This underlined the unholy collaboration between Jonathan and his service

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

3

NEWS

e ‘partisan’ Service Chiefs became more daring with suicide bombing and armed attacks on vulnerable targets in parts of the Northeast. The bloody campaign is gradually spreading to other parts of the country, particularly in the neighbouring towns and cities in the Northwest. There were also reports that the Jonathan administration had to rely on mercenaries in the counter insurgency campaign ahead of the 2015 general elections.

The botched arms deal

•From right: Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, National Security Adviser Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno, Chief of Defence Intelligence Air Vice Marshal Morgan Monday Riku , Chief of Defence Staff Maj-Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, Chief of Naval Staff Real Admiral Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas and Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Mashal Sadique Abubakar during their first meeting with the President at the State House Abuja...yesterday.

‘

The military chiefs ought to have demonstrated to the world their understanding of the power, authority and the will of the people. In this case, a democratically constituted authority is a trust in which the Commander-In-Chief is a holder of this trust with the Nigerian people (electorate) being the trustees

PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN.

chiefs in their failed attempts to undermine the electoral process. By pandering to the whims of the then President, the service chiefs left no one in doubt that they were ready to float or sink with their Commander-inChief in blind loyalty. Military analysts had argued that the security chiefs ought to have protected the apolitical nature of the military under their watch and that the Armed Forces by preventing the military from being pushed into the fatalistic fancies of the former President.

“The military chiefs ought to have demonstrated to the world their understanding of the power, authority and the will of the people. In this case, a democratically constituted authority is a trust in which the Commander-In-Chief is a holder of this trust with the Nigerian people (electorate) being the trustees. By implication, the trustees (the people) can decide to

•Buhari

withdraw the trust (authority) from the holder of the trust (the President) and give it to whoever they may choose through the ballot. Any attempt to block or hinder this transfer of trust through the ballot amount to

‘

a subversion of the constitution”, the analyst said. Commendably, the military was able to push the insurgents down the fringe during the six-week shift in election dates with determined onslaught on the insurgents’

•From left: Former Minister of Education Mrs Oby Ezekwesili; Kaduna State Governor Nasir ElRufai; Prof. Ropo Sekoni and members, Board of Trustees of the Wole Soyinka Centre, Mr Idowu Obasa at the 7th Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture in Abuja ...yesterday.

•Dr. Jonathan

enclaves. Curiously however, Boko Haram had intensified its bloody campaign shortly after the poll, leaving many to wonder where the cord snapped. Under the watch of the sacked military chiefs, the insurgents

The case of an illegal arms deal involving about $9 million is still pending between the Nigerian government and the South African authorities. Till date, the last administration has failed to provide sensible explanations about the botched deal while the money is still being trapped in South Africa.

A private aircraft belonging to the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsajeafor was used in ferrying the raw cash to South Africa. The cleric turned political has not been able to offer any convincing explanation regarding his involvement in that obviously untidy affair. Military analysts are of the view that the Armed Forces suffered untold credibility crisis under the watch of the sacked service chiefs. According to them, the ex military chiefs dragged the Armed Forces deep down the morass of dirty politicking.

But what could have prompted an otherwise sacred institution of the military into delving so deep in partisan politics? Observers said the military chiefs could not have done otherwise under the circumstances in which they found themselves. Defence budgets under their watch can hardly be reasonably accounted for, hence it was in their enlightened self interest to ensure the return of their paymaster, for obvious reasons. Unfortunately, they are leaving behind a highly demoralised military owing to extreme politicisation of that highly respected institution.

This, analysts observed, must have accounted for the poor operational coordination and lack of commitment on the part of troops in the ongoing counter insurgency campaign.

The incoming helmsmen would have an arduous task re-inventing the military and instilling discipline which has been eroded by political gladiators in starched military uniform.

•General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs Department, Chevron Nigeria, Mr Deji Haastrup (left) and former Executive Secretary, Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) Mrs Sharon Adefunke-kasali at the 7th Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture in Abuja...yesterday.

4

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

NEWS President: we’are committed to oil sector reforms

P

•President Mohammadu Buhari (third right), his vice Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (third left), General Manager Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Deji Hastrup (left), Chairman and Managing Director Mr. R.Clay Neff (second left) , President Chevron Africa, Ali Moshiri (second right) and Director Government, Policy Affairs, Senator Gbenga Aluko after the President hosted Moshiri’s team at the State House in Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN

Buhari sacks Service Chiefs, NSA Continued from page 1

Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan, Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI) and retired MajGen Babagana Monguno (NSA).

Among the questions being asked yesterday are: •Will there be a probe to establish how the multi-billion cash voted yearly for defence has been spent?

•Buhari has said he would like to examine why the military, which earned accolades on many international assignments became so weakened it could not crush the Boko

T

Continued on page 61

Haram insurgency; •Will the various courts martial go on, considering the fact that soldiers and officers on trial complained that they

were not well armed to fight?

•Will the re-organisation permeate the rank and file?

The new CDS, who hails from Ekiti State, until his ap-

A •Air Vice Marshal Morgan

pointment, was the Head, Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command in Minna, Niger State.

Continued on page 61

Military plans strategy against suicide bombing

I

N what turned out to be his last official outing as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Keneth Minimah yesterday expressed concern over the spate of suicide bombings by Boko Haram insurgents and the heavy casualties.

He said the army was fashioning out more effective ways of responding to the threat.

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

Gen. Minimah spoke at the opening of the Chief of Army Staff second quarterly conference in Abuja.

The conference was dominated by talks on modalities for proactive response to suicide bombing.

Gen. Minimah said the army would seek ways of working with other security

agencies to tackle suicide bombing.

His words: “I therefore urge you to use the opportunity offered by this conference to deliberate on measures to enable the Nigerian Army, in synergy with sisterservices, security agencies and paramilitary organisations to adequately respond to this tactics of the terrorists.”

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

initiated by the late President Umar Yar’Adua to reduce violence in the Niger Delta , President Buhari said that his administration will retain the good aspects of the programme.

He added that his administration will also implement other measures to enhance security in the Niger Delta and optimise investments in the oil and gas industry.

Mr. Moshiri had urged President Buhari to restore the confidence of international investors in the industry.

He identified improved security in the Niger Delta as key to increased investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector .

Moshiri said that Chevron, which has 36.7 per cent stake in the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited, was keen to support Nigeria’s gas sector and provide more electricity to consumers.

EFCC probes how BPE paid N1.45b to PDP’s lawyer, others

Falana: they should be held to account HE sack of the Service Chiefs was long overdue, rights activist-lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) said yesterday.

He said: “They abandoned professionalism for politics and exposed the armed forces to unprecedented ridicule and odium. The bulk of the over N4 trillion earmarked for defence in the last five years was diverted. Hence the armed forces were unable to confront the rag tag army of the satanic Boko Haram sect.

Falana praised Buhari for sacking the Service Chiefs and the NSA. In his view, the President should go further to make the officers account for “the huge funds collected under the pretext of prosecuting the war on terror”.

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday maintained that his administration will implement far-reaching reforms to ensure accountability and transparency in the oil and gas industry.

He spoke while hosting senior officials of Chevron led by the company’s President for Africa and Latin America, Mr. Ali Moshiri to a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

His administration, he said, has taken a position to effectively address the myriad of challenges in the sector.

The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Garba Shehu, reported the President as saying in a statement: “We understand the situation in the industry and we will do our best to address the challenges affecting exploration, production and distribution of oil products in the country.’’

Acknowledging the merits of the Amnesty Programme

The former COAS observed that the insurgents had resorted to suicide bombing because their ability to face troops in any form of combat had been seriously degraded.

He deplored the insurgents’ choice of innocent and venerable targets in worship places, markets and schools for bomb attacks, describing Continued on page 61

NTI-GRAFT detectives are probing the alleged N1.45 billion legal and consultancy fees scandal at the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) called in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Of the cash, N950 million was paid to one of the lawyers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the liquidation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) when the company had ceased to exist. A N500 million consultancy fee went to the Office of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation.

The fees were paid contrary to the advice of the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), and BPP. The BPP requested the EFCC to investigate the payment scandal in a June 27 letter to the anti-graft agency.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have sub-

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

mitted a letter to the EFCC to look into the circumstances behind the payment of legal and consultancy fees. It is left to the anti-graft agency to interact with those involved.

“We had in a September 22, 2014 letter, told the BPE that Due Process Certificate of ‘No Objection’ cannot be granted to the Bureau of Public Enterprises for the appointment of the legal firm. ”We also drew the attention of the Director-General of BPE to Section 12.30 of the revised Review Report for consideration and necessary action.

“In another letter on December 24, 2014, the BPP advised the BPE against going ahead with the procurement of the legal service for the winding up of PHCN. “The Legal Advisory Services for the winding up of PHCN was no longer required, based on the advice of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice vides SepContinued on page 61

Okonjo-Iweala took $1b to fund Jonathan’s re-election bid, Oshiomhole alleges

E

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has again taken on former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

He accused her of illegally taking $1 billion from the Federation Account to fund the failed re-election bid of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Explaining how he arrived at the figure, Oshiohmole said the former minister’s claim that the $2.1 billion alleged to have been illegally withdrawn for subsidy payment had been refuted by fuel importers, who

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

said they got only $1 billion.

“But if you talk to those oil marketers, they will tell you that within that period, they were paid $1 billion not $2.1 billion. So, in truth, about $1 billion was taken for election purposes,” he alleged.

Speaking yesterday at a seminar organised by the government for permanent secretaries, directors and deputy directors titled: “Enhancing IGR in Edo, issues, prospects and challenges,” the governor said the former minister should ex-

plain how the Excess Crude Account (ECA) was drawn down to $4.1 billion from $10 billion without approval from the National Economic Council (NEC).

According to Oshiohmole, Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala would have been declared a pathological liar if she were a witness in court due to the inconsistencies in her statements.

He said a forensic audit would determine the actual amount that was withdrawn and spent without authorisation from the Federation Account under her watch as minister.

The governor told his audience that they would henceforth be held responsible for any fraud detected in their ministries and departments, adding that his administration has trimmed down the cost of running government.

He said: “Many things went wrong even at the federal level. As you might have read in the papers, while the Federal Government, under Goodluck Jonathan, with the then Coordinating Minister for the Economy liked to blame ‘governors’

for wasteful spending; for not saving for the rainy day and for not investing properly, the truth is the real weakness in the Nigerian federal chain has been the Federal Government.

“Our hope is that with the new President, given his pedigree, we will break from the past. As I’m sure you will soon begin to hear when all the numbers are published, last week, I complained aloud that Edo State lost about N10 billion over a four-year period from only one source— the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) remittance to the federation account.

“How did I arrive at the figure? I used my Four-Figure Table and I asked myself at $2.1 billion remitted by NLNG as taxes and Shell, and by the way, Shell is not the only oil operative, we have Chevron and several others.

“They shared the $2.1 billion based on the revenue allocation formula, Edo State got about N2.27 billion. So, I said, thank God this money came after the departure of OkonjoIweala and President Jonathan. If the PDP were still

in charge in Abuja, this money would have been taken.

“That is not the only money Edo State government has lost.

You have heard of the last installment of $4.1 billion that was in the Excess Crude Account as of November, 2014, and from that time till today, we have not; when I say we, federal, states and local governments, have not touched that money.

“We have not agreed to take anything out of it, and yet it has been drawn down to about $2 billion. Which means, $2.1 billion disappeared. If you listened and followed the conversation, when I made this allegation after the National Economic Council meeting that the former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister, Dr Okonjo-Iweala, took $2.1 billion without approval and spent it in a manner that was never accounted for, she replied that I lied and said that it was the commissioners and herself who agreed to distribute that money to the three tiers of government and that FAAC is the most visible expression of our true federal-

ism. And that we shouldn’t claim that FAAC is unknown to us. That FAAC is a creation of law and so on and so forth.

“I’m going into this, because, as public servants, you need to understand not just the finances of Edo State but also the finances of Nigeria, particularly as they affect our state.

“Now, the commissioners of Finance met and they looked at themselves and they looked at Okonjo-Iweala and they submitted to Okonjo-Iweala that ‘madam, you lied, not Oshiomhole, because in truth, we have no powers to decide withdrawals from the Excess Crude Account and that that power is vested in the state governors at the level of the National Economic Council.’

But, whether vested or not, we never, ever resolved to share money from that account.

“Now the former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Continued on page 61

ADVERT HOTLINES

08023006969, 08052592524

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

5

NEWS

F

ORMER Head of Service of the Federation (HOS) Stephen Oronsanye was arraigned with Osarenkhoe Afe yesterday at a Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged N1.2 billion fraud.

Oronsaye and Afe, who was described as the Managing Director of Frederick Hamilton Global Services Limited - a firm allegedly used by the duo in looting public funds - were arraigned on a 24-count of conspiracy, advance fee fraud and money laundering.

In the charge, Oronsaye, Afe and his company were said to have committed the offence with Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina, who the prosecuting agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said was now at large.

They were accused of diverting public funds between 2010 and 2011 by allegedly awarding phoney contracts to some nine companies in relation to the biometric enrolment exercise for civil servants.

The companies are: Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Ltd, Innovative Solutions Ltd, XangeeTechnologies Ltd, Fatideck Ventures, Obalando Nigeria Enterprises, Moshfad Enterprises, Fesbee Global Resources Ltd, Jolance Integrated Concept Limited and M.O.F. Investment Ltd. Oronsaye, Afe and his company were, in Count One, accused of “disguising the genuine nature of N161,472,000 derived from an illegal act to wit: conducting procurement fraud by means of fraudulent and corrupt action: the contract extension of biometric enrolment purportedly awarded to Innovative Solutions Ltd by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation without following due process and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.”

Oronsaye was particularly accused, in Count 24, to have “transferred an aggregate of N113, 638,980.70 derived from an illegal act to wit: breach of trust by authorising the movement of the said sum from the account of the Head of Service of the Federation with Union Bank to a Unity

Oronsaye, company’s chief arraigned for N1.2b ‘fraud’ •Court releases ex-Head of Service •To hear bail application July 21

•Oransanye at the court in Abuja ... yesterday.

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

Bank account belonging to a Principal Private Secretary to the President of Nigeria (Contingency Account) and to which account (Unity Bank account) you were the sole signatory and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.”

The accused persons pleaded not guilty when the charge was read.

The defence lawyers, including Kanu Agabi, SAN (for Oronsaye) and Oluwole Aladedoye (for Afe) applied orally to the court to release their clients on bail.

Agabi argued that under the new Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA),

2015, an accused person was entitled to bail and an oral application for such could be made.

Prosecuting lawyer Yusuf Aliyu objecting, argued that oral application for bail was not permitted under Section 162 of the ACJA. He said bail could only be granted judicially and judiciously based on materials in the form of affidavit evidence placed before the court.

Aliyu asked the court to remand the accused persons to prison and sought an adjournment till Wednesday to enable him respond to the written bail applications filed by the defence.

The prosecution accused them of committing the procurement fraud in 2010 under the pretext of using the

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

money illegally withdrawn from the Federal Government’s account for “biometric data capturing project”.

The offences, allegedly committed while Oronsaye was the Head of Service of the Federation, were said to be contrary to Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act and section 1(1) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other related offences Act. Justice Gabriel Kolawole, in his ruling, ordered their release from custody and directed the accused to file formal bail applications.

Justice Kolawole, who adjourned to July 21 for the hearing of the bail applications, held that his order for the release of the accused persons would only take effect upon

the filing of a written undertaking by their lawyers, pledging to produce them in court at the next hearing date.

The judge hinged his decision to release the accused persons on the grounds that the EFCC had not indicated that they, particularly Oronsaye, had the tendency of absconding from trial.

He noted that since the EFCC had granted him administrative bail, there was no need to deny him such bail, when he did not abuse the opportunity earlier given him by the EFCC. The judge rejected the request by the lawyer to the EFCC for the remand of the accused persons in prison.

Justice Kolawole held that he could not force the accused persons on the EFCC, whose counsel contended that there was no space to accommodate them in its custody. He added that under the principle of “interim judicial reprieve”, the court possesses the power to release the accused persons pending the hearing of the bail applications.

He fixed October 28, 29; November 3 and 5 as well as December 5 for trial.

T

P

R E S I D E N T Muhammadu Buhari has approved N160 to $1 exchange rate for the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission’s (NCPC) operations.

The commission’s Executive Secretary, John KeneddyOpara, told State House correspondents after briefing Buhari on the commission’s activities at the State House, Abuja.

He said: “As you are aware, he has approved $1 to N160 for the conventional exchange rate for this pilgrimage operation and he also agreed that he will continue to encourage us, particularly as we drive to ensure self-sustenance, to make sure that the pilgrims are able to pay for the pilgrimages by removing

•IPMAN to inject $4b into two refineries From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

ing or controlling the prices of products that are listed in the first schedule of that Act. One of the products listed in the first schedule is petroleum products. So, by law in this country, we must control the price of petroleum products.

“But the law as passed, parliament gives a window, prescribing and vesting the responsibility of adding up items on the schedule of the given items to the Price Control Board. I am not sure we have that board in place.

“So, for any discussion then to be meaningful, you have to put pressure on the Executive. It is not the legislative work to constitute the board.

“The board has to be put in place in line with the provisions of that law. So, as soon as the board is constituted, the members of the board can

remove petroleum product from the schedule of the Act. In that way, subsidy is gone.

“But in the absence of that, the only other alternative is for the NASS to amend the Act and remove petroleum products as one of the products in the schedule to the Act, or repeal the Act all together.

“These are the only two avenues by which subsidy can lawfully be removed.

Any other way will be ultra vires in abolishing subsidy; that is the truth.

“The PCA has clearly stated how subsidy can be removed and if this is the only thing you can achieve, to quickly talk to the executive so that they can constitute this board; let the board commence the right action in that direction.”

Dogara described as “illegal”, the situation in which

finished products are imported into the country.

“I don’t know if there is any country that produces the kind of oil that is produced in Nigeria that refines outside its products. For me, it is kind of illegal. This is most inexcusable because we have turned this nation into a laughing stock.”Why is it that we can’t refine this oil here?

Why is it that in an oil producing country, our brothers and sisters have to queue for nine hours to buy a product that should just be there?

This is something that I believe that with your expertise you need to leverage on.

The IPMAN president said there was need for government to seriously consider a swap agreement in which the association would receive crude and supply the country with refined products without collecting any sub-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

T

HE Proprietor of AlHikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, Chief AbdulRaheem Oladimeji, has urged the Federal Government to allow privately-owned universities have access to the Education Tax Fund (ETF) and Tertiary Education Tax Fund (TETFUND).

Oladimeji said such financial assistance would cushion the effects of heavy running cost being shouldered by proprietors of private universities in the country.

The business tycoon told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, at the maiden edition of Inter-university Qur’an Recitation and Memorisation Competition hosted by the university.

He added that these funds were drawn mainly from the organised private sector (OPS) of which the owners of these private universities are contributors.

Denying private institutions the benefits accruing there from would be unjust, especially considering the roles of these universities in bridging the gap in the yearly university admission search by millions of youths, he said.

Buhari okays N160 to $1 for Christian pilgrims

How fuel subsidy can be removed, by Dogara HE only way to remove the contentious fuel subsidy is by amending or repealing the Price Control Act or through an Executive proclamation setting up the Price Control Board, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara said yesterday.

Dogara spoke yesterday when he received the National Executive of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) led by its president, Elder Chinedu Okoro.

He said: “You talked about bringing this product at no cost to the government; that implies to me the removal of subsidy. Now, I have had this discussion on so many platforms, but as a legislator, I can tell you there is something about subsidy removal that we are not looking at.

“There is a Price Control Act; if you look at the PCA, Section 4 talks about regulat-

‘Allow private varsities to access ETF, TEFUND’

•Dogara

sidy.

This, he said, would save the country the foreign exchange.

Okoro claimed that IPMAN in conjunction with its partners from Peru, are to inject $4 billion into two refineries - one each in Bayelsa and Kogi states.

The two refineries will each have a capacity of 200,000 barrels per day, he said.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

government sponsorship.

“This is a journey and we are sure that we are going to succeed. So, he was very happy with the entire process. We are praying that God will help us to be a source of strength to Mr. President, so that the Federal Government and states will spend the necessary resources on other things while the pilgrimage is self-funding as time goes on.

“We are already running four pilgrimages in one year.

The first is the Easter pilgrimage, which has passed, the Youth Pilgrimage which we termed operation catch them young, the family pilgrimage and the overall pilgrimage.

For those going to Israel for the 11 days trip, it is N379,840 and for the youth pilgrimage, it is going to cost N357,000.”

Nigerians on pilgrimage, he noted, can now undergo skill acquisition programme organised by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission and Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture, towards training them in the area of agriculture.

He added: “We are introducing the pilgrimage pilot lottery scheme that will enable people who are lucky to be able to go on this trip without much dependence on the state and the Federal Government.”

He said he was in the State House to brief the President on the activities of the commission.

“I came to brief the President on the activities of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission. Earlier, my colleague, the Chairman of Hajj Commission had come to brief him.

“I had to tell him where we are and how we started the commission and where we are today and our prayers. I want to say that the President was very happy with the commission and he said the commission has done very well.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

6

NEWS

Alleged N1.351b bribery: Lamido, sons moved to Kuje •May get bail soon

F

ORMER Jigawa State Governor Lamido and his two sons (Aminu and Mustapha) were yesterday relocated from Kano to Kuje Prisons in Abuja ahead of the hearing of their application for bail by a vacation judge.

They were allegedly kept in the same building block with some Boko Haram suspects.

But their relocation was greeted with excitement as inmates jubilated in anticipation of free Ramadan meals.

The three suspects are standing trial with Wada Abubakar for a 208-count charge of abuse of public trust and N1.351billion bribery by contractors.

Although they pleaded not guilty last Thursday, they were remanded in prison custody by Justice Evelyn Anyadike.

Investigation showed that

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

Lamido and his sons were brought to Kuje Prisons at 1pm yesterday, after spending a few days in Kano Prisons.

It was gathered that although the suspects would have been moved to a separate detention facility, the order of Justice Anyadike had to be complied with.

It was learnt that the order was explicit that they should be remanded in a prison custody.

A reliable source said: “Upon arrival, they were formally registered as inmates, even though they are highprofile suspects.

“There was however security scares when the suspects were taken to the same block, where some Boko Haram members were detained. But unlike the Central Prisons in Kano, the suspects were kept

•The gate leading into Lamidos’ cell in Kuje Prisons.

in neat cells.

“The fear was, however, temporary as inmates became excited in anticipation that the former governor would assist them to solve some problems.

“Some of the inmates asked the governor and his sons to provide them better meals to break their Ramadan fast yesterday.

Kuje Prisons until their application for bail is granted. I think the EFCC wants them to observe Sallah at home.”

Findings, however, confirmed that the ex-governor and his children were relocated to Abuja ahead of their arraignment before a vacation judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja for bail.

A source in the Economic

•Governor denies allegations

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

E

A

“The governor and his children were later seen making arrangements for their own feeding outside the prison rations.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “Were it not for the order of the court that the suspects be kept in prison, they would have been relocated to another facility.

“This is why they will be in

and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said: “A vacation judge is expected to hear the bail application of the suspects any time this week.

“So, they have to relocate to Abuja to enable a judge to consider their request for bail. I know that they have been moved to Abuja, but I cannot tell you their whereabouts.”

Peterside accuses Wike of impunity

ECOWAS chief hails community’s strategic panel CONOMIC Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) Commission Vice President Dr. Toga McIntosh has lauded members of the organisation’s Strategic Planning Coordinating Committee (SPCC) for the commitment displayed during a three-day meeting, which ended in Lagos at the weekend.

Dr. McIntosh, in his closing remark at the margin of the 10th meeting of the SPCC, expressed satisfaction for the quality job done and effort invested by members to examine the draft Community Strategic Framework (CSF) 2016 – 2020 as well as the Strategic Action Programme of ECOWAS institutions and agencies, saying that this was a sign of their involvement and commitment to the process of delivering a comprehensive and implementable CSF. The committee reviewed the five goal areas of the detailed CSF and the associated strategic objectives, themes, priority areas, expected outcomes and basic assumptions and then made relevant recommendations.

The CSF goal areas include deepening the process of socioeconomic development in member states, forging and consolidating production, trade and monetary integration within the community, deepening the process of political cohesion and participation, consolidating, mobilising and sustaining societal and industrial support as well as expanding and improving infrastructural facilities within the region.

During the meeting, the committee formulated a template that would help participants to ensure that every programme is linked to the community’s goals.

The ECOWAS Director of Strategic Planning, Mr. Essien Abel Essien, said the template will bring discipline and ensure that the CSF is strictly implemented.

The ECOWAS Chief Internal Auditor, Mr. Sidiki Traore, during the meeting told the committee on the procurement of the Risk Management Software (RMS), emphasising the need for institutionalisation of the software.

15 ECOWAS institutions, agencies and the offices of the Financial Controller and the Chief Internal auditor attended the GIZ sponsored meeting.

The 11th meeting of the committee will be hosted in Bobo Dioulasso by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) while the Dakar-based Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) will similarly host an extraordinary meeting in September to populate the SAP.

•Toilet

•The cell.

•Peterside

R

IVERS State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Dr. Dakuku AdolPeterside has described Governor Nyesom Wike as master of impunity.

Peterside, who spoke in Port Harcourt, said besides “the questionable borrowing of N30 billion”, Wike was wrong to have dissolved state institutions created with tenured security.

He said the governor had elevated impunity and crass manipulation of institutions to a new level as exemplified by the local government council crisis being orchestrated by the state government.

Peterside listed his reasons for accusing the governor of impunity as: “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. Proliferation of arms.

Too many guns and small arms in the state with government looking on and doing nothing as well as giving criminals a free rein.”

He added: “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 El Dorado.”

Peterside queried the alleged high-handedness of Wike’s administration and why N30 billion was borrowed by the state government within 30 days.

Peterside said: “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.”

He accused Wike of “mindless pursuit of vendetta against individuals, chasing of shadows and brazen impunity against the long-term interest of the state (and) obvious lack of commitment to the development of Rivers State”.

He also said the governor has poor understanding of public finance and questionable management of public funds as is evidenced in the borrowing of N30 billion in 30 days.”

Peterside alleged that there had been too much dishonesty on the path of the government to hoodwink the people of the state.

“For instance, allegations of empty coffers are a spurious tale as even Mr. Wike by his own admission has been announcing various funds that he lo-

cated in different government accounts.

“His false claim of using Julius Berger for the refilling of pot- holes when what he has been using were local contractors and paying them peanuts.

His use of the Berger name was simply a red herring to enable him to loot public funds,” he alleged.

However, when contacted the Special Adviser to Wike on Media and Publicity, Mr. Opunabo Inko-Tariah, said: “I am a little bit startled that Dakuku could make such sweeping statement against the current administration.

“Look at the roads, the governor is working on them. Most of these projects were abandoned by Amaechi’s administration, but Governor Wike decided to work on them. Then who is hoodwinking the people?

“When you talk of salaries, the immediate governor refused to pay workers, sportsmen and women as well as pensioners. But the current administration led by Wike has started paying salaries and pensions. ”Look at the closure of courts and House of Assembly; that is the genesis of the crime. People could no longer get justice and resorted to jungle justice. This is the aftermath of the situation that Wike is trying to contain.

The truth is that we met an empty treasury.”

FRSC to impound unlatched trailers, says Corps Marshal

NY person caught driving an improperly latched articulated vehicle will be prosecuted and the trailer impounded, the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) said yesterday.

FRSC Corps Marshal and Chief Executive Boboye Oyeyemi dropped the hint yesterday at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos.

Oyeyemi, who expressed the FRSC’s commitment to a safer road, said while no one would be hindered from carrying out his or her legitimate businesses, the agency as custodian of safety regulations would ensure that these are carried out without injuring or killing other road users.

He said many drivers in connivance with

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

their employers had been discovered to unlatch the containers they carry in anticipation that in the event of an accident, they would be able to save and salvage the vehicle.

This practice, he said, must stop, because, according to him, it was responsible for the high rate of accidents involving containerised trucks.

At the meeting with depot/tank farm owners, the Corps Marshal said the Federal Government was working on the pipelines to get them back on stream to transport fuel as well as on the railway to increase its capacity to freight petroleum products.

He added that the stakeholders must ensure the safety of the roads and ensure that the rate of carnage are reduced drastically.

Oyeyemi praised the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) for coming up with a credible database of petroleum tanker drivers.

The move, the corps marshal said, would strengthen FRSC’s enforcement capacity.

Oyeyemi, who described yesterday’s meeting as a follow up to the earlier one held in Abuja in June, said the corps would implement to the letter all the resolutions of stakeholders in ensuring that the roads are made safe for all users.

He said there was no going back on the implementation of the speed limiter device installation on all commercial vehicles, especially trailers and tankers, on September 1, 2015.

“The safety of lives is a mandate that all of us are irrevocably committed to. Let’s make a change, let’s make this speed limiting exercise work, let’s ensure there is a reduction in speed and make the roads safe again”.

Oyeyemi said the corps was committed to the training and retraining of all tanker drivers, adding that they would be retrained on defensive driving as well as undergo psychiatric tests to determine their mental state.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

7

NEWS Olanipekun for FUTA lecture

Osun workers end strike, resume work today

L

O

SUN State workers yesterday ended their six-week strike after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government.

Labour leaders at the end of the meeting at the Governor’s Office in Osogbo called on civil servants to resume work today.

The government yesterday began paying backlog of salaries. State workers are to receive January and February while local government workers will be paid March and April.

Other payments include those of primary school teachers’ balance of November pensions, outstanding pensions for January and February for retired primary school teachers and March pensions for retired local government workers.

The MoU was signed by the government, Joint Public Service Negotiating Councils (JPSNC), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

NLC Chairman Jacob Ade-

‘Criminalise doctors’ strike’ From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

T

HE Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti (FETHI), Dr. Majekodunmi Ayodele, has urged the Federal Government to sponsor a bill to make strikes by doctors and other health workers illegal.

Majekodunmi spoke yesterday, following a strike by doctors under the aegis of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) which, according to him, has crippled the health sector.

The doctors are demanding for full implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale and payment for the skipping of Consolidated Health Salary Scale 2 to members, as directed by the Federal Government.

He said the earlier President Muhammadu Buhari signs an Executive Bill criminalising strikes in the health sector, the better for the country and its citizens .

This, he explained, would help in restructuring the health sector and prevent it from being crippled by incessant strikes by medical workers.

The FETHI chief, however, appealed to doctors to show understanding, saying “the templates for the implementation of CONMESS and payment for skipping CONHESS 2 have not been released by the Federal Government”.

•Head of Service Sunday Owoeye (right) and Adekomi during the signing of the MoU...yesterday.

•Govt begins payment of salaries •’Protests politically motivated’ From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

komi, who spoke on behalf of other labour leaders, said Organised Labour ended the strike when it considered the state’s parlous financial situation.

The NLC chairman added that the government and labour agreed to sign an MoU, following efforts put in place to end delays in salaries.

He said the strike was suspended to appreciate government’s commitment to

workers’ welfare.

Adekomi said committees would be set up to screen workers and pensioners.

“Committees will be set up to screen, determine the wage bill, the number of workers, the number of pensioners and their wage bill.”

The NLC chairman called on workers to be more diligent and committed, saying government could only progress when its workers are productive.

Adekomi assured workers that the government and labour leaders would fashion

out the modalities of payment for the remaining four months.

Organised Labour dissociated titself from the protests over unpaid salaries.

The unions condemned the protests and described them as "politically-motivated”.

JPSNC Chairman Bayo Adejumo said the protests were sponsored by some fifth columnists, who used the opportunity to tarnish the government’s image.

He added that none of the known labour unions participated or sponsored any of the protests.

"We were not part of any protests neither did we sponsor one. As an organised workforce, we are

aware of the constraints of government.

"As at the time we embarked on the industrial action, it was assumed that we had no other choice than to embark on the strike, despite our understanding of the state of funds in the state.

"All the purported protests were aimed at tarnishing the government’s image.

"They were sponsored and the workforce did not participate or organise any. All we did was to order our members to embark on an industrial strike and at no time did any of the unions called its members out for a protest rally.”

Fayose has no excuse not to pay us, say workers

S

OME workers in Ekiti State, under the aegis of the Enlightened Workers’ Forum (EWF), have said Governor Ayo Fayose has no excuse not to pay last September and June salaries.

They praised President Muhammadu Buhari for approving funds for the states to pay salaries.

They warned governors not to spend the money on frivolities.

In a telephone chat yesterday, EWF Coordinator Mike Bamidele said the bailout would enable Fayose pay the backlog of entitlements, including September salary.

Bamidele said with the “bailout” or-

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

dered by the President, Fayose now has no excuse not to pay September salary.

He said workers would “resist any attempt to substitute June salary for September”.

Bamidele spoke of rumours that the government was planning to omit one month’s pay by claiming that it would use September pay to offset June.

The EWF coordinator said: “We are grateful to President Buhari for offering the ‘bailout’ to states. This is a golden opportunity to pay us our September salaries.

“Ekiti State workers are no longer interested in excuses because this bailout is coming at the right time as the government must pay our September, June salaries and pensioners’ entitlements.

“This is not ‘money for the boys’. It is not meant for sharing among political office holders and their hangers-on because they will account for it at the appropriate time.

“We also call on labour unions to be alive to their responsibilities and put the government on its toes, rather than being appendages and lapdogs.”

APC accuses Fayose of desecrating Olayinka’s tomb

T

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ado Ekiti Local Government has criticised the “desecration” of the Heroes’ Park, the resting place of the former Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Adunni Olayinka.

The party described the construction of a Women Development Centre on Mrs. Olayinka’s tomb by the Ayo Fayose administration as a “disservice and deliberate extreme partisanship to fight and dishonour the deceased.”

But Governor Fayose described the APC’s claim as “myopic and weird”.

He urged the opposition to stop its endless criticisms, saying its action was attracting hatred rather than sympathy.

A statement yesterday by its Chairman , David Adigun, said the party and its supporters had their reservation that Fayose was honouring the deceased with the project.

•Governor: we’re honouring her From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

The Ado Ekiti APC contended that if Fayose planned to immortalise the late deputy governor, there were lots of open and undesignated spaces across the state capital that could be used for such a project.

It argued that an enabling law duly passed by the House of Assembly supported the establishment of the Heroes’ Park “in tune with

global best practices to honor all heroes and heroines of Ekiti origin”.

The Ado-Ekiti APC condemned Fayose’s refusal to complete the civic centre built in memory of the late deputy governor, which had reached 70 per cent completion level.

But Fayose’s, Special Assistant on Public Communication and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said: “A four-storey edifice to be

called Funmi Olayinka Women Development Centre is being constructed in front of the late deputy governor’s tomb.

"To Governor Fayose, dumping the late deputy governor's corpse in an open space with not benefit to the people is not enough. “ Rather, while the tomb remains where it is, the government has deemed it necessary to put up an edifice in front of the tomb in her honour and for the benefit of women in the state.”

Ondo TUC warns govt against diversion of fund

T

HE Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Ondo State yesterday warned the government not to divert the money given to it by the Federal Government.

It urged the government to spend the money on payment of accumulated salaries.

In a statement by the TUC Chairman, Sola Ekundayo and the Secretary, Fatuase Clement, the Congress said it will not tolerate diversion of such fund for any capital project.

The statement reads: ”We are not against any capital project but our welfare must first and foremost be taken care of in terms of

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

salaries and allowances.

“This is what can guarantee industrial peace and harmony in the state.”

They emphasised that government should spend the bailout to ameliorate the sufferings of workers to guarantee industrial harmony.

They urged civil servants to remain steadfast as organised labour unions were monitoring the government’s account to ensure that the money was not diverted.

EGAL luminary and former Pro- chancellor, University of Ibadan, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), will deliver the seventh annual lecture of the Registry of the Federal University of Technology, Akure.

The lecture, “Higher Educational Institutions in Nigeria: Law, Morality and Relevance as Pedestal for National Development,” will hold on Thursday at the University Auditorium by 10am.

The Chairman of the event is the Vice Chancellor, Prof Adebiyi Daramola. The chief host is the Registrar, Dr Modupe Ajayi.

The Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin , Chief of Staff, Ondo State Government, Kola Ademujimi, and former Registrar Babatunde Adebayo are the special guests.

The chairman of the local organising committee, Ife Oluwole, said the lecture was designed to contribute to the development of education through the generation of ideas.

Oyo PDP disowns group From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State has restated its loyalty to the National Working Committee (NWC), led by the acting National Chairman, Uche Secondus.

It described a statement by a group, Oyo State PDP Like Minds, as irresponsible, selfserving and needless.

The party discredited the claim that the hijack of the party structure and imposition of unpopular candidates forced some people out of the party and led to its dismal performance in the last general elections.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Kehinde Salawu, the PDP said the attack on Secondus’ leadership by the group was not in the interest of the PDP. Salawu said the signatories to the statement are “self-conceited anti-PDP politicians and spent forces who are seeking relevance”.

He said the group should have learnt a lesson from its disgraceful outing at the PostElection Review Sub-committee chaired by former Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, where its stand was condemned.

The PDP spokesman added that the party’s doors remained open to any member who might want to return.

He assured that equity and fairness would continue to remain the party’s hallmarks.

Tai Solarin memorial walk

T

HE Tai Solarin Organisation (TSO) is organising a memorial walk in honour of the late Dr. Tai Solarin.

This is to mark the 21st year anniversary of the great educationist, who passed on in Ikenne on July 27, 1994 at 78.

The two-kilometre walk slated for July 27 will take off at 10am from the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos and will end at Yaba Bus Stop, where the Tai Solarin cenotaph is.

A short lecture will be delivered by the former Association of Telecommunications Company of Nigeria (ATCON) President,Ms Titi OmoEttu. The keynote speaker is Ms. Corin Solarin.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

8

NEWS

T

Flood sacks Edo tribunal

HE National Assembly and House of AssemblyElection Petitions Tribunal in Edo State has moved out of the flooded Court of Appeal premises to the State High Court on Sapele Road.

Friday’s heavy downpour sacked the premises with the courtrooms flooded and documents destroyed.

The three-member panel relocated to the reconstructed Court 2 of the state High Court.

At the resumed hearing of the petition by Samson Osagie of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against Senator Matthew Urhoghide of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the tribunal adjourned till July 29, following the absence of Osagie’s counsel, Niyi Akintola (SAN).

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

The adjournment, according to the tribunal chairman, Justice A. R Ozoemena, was because of Akintola, who narrowly escaped an accident in Abuja on Sunday.

Briefing the tribunal yesterday, a junior counsel, Osaro Osemwengie, said no life was lost in the accident.

Urhoghide and PDP’s lead counsel Fred Orbih (SAN) and Jonathan Aghimien (SAN) corroborated Osemwengie’s story and pleaded for an adjournment.

Justice Ozoemena warned counsel against bringing frivolous motions to the court.

He said the tribunal will no longer entertain any of such motions.

Emerhor: Buhari needs Nigerians to make change

T

HE Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, has urged those attacking President Muhammadu Buhari to work with the government for the “Change” Nigerians voted for.

In a statement by his Senior Special Adviser on Media and Political Communication, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, the APC chieftain said the President’s attackers should understand that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wrecked the nation’s socio-economic boat for 16 years.

Emerhor noted that this was the reason the Buhari administration needed time to scrutinise the books of the Jonathan’s administration before recruiting new hands to run the system.

The governorship candidate posited that Mr. President, who is well known globally for his “Zero Corruption” crusade, will not be in a hurry to do the needful, adding that it is expected that after 16 years of massive corruption and economic saboutage, the APC-led govern-

ment will dig deep to ensure sanity and good governance.

Oghenesivbe quoted Emerhor as saying that President Buhari being a proactive and transparent leader deserves commendation from Nigerians for ordering the immediate closure of some bank accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and in the same token ordered the sharing of taxes from the Nigerian Liquefied Gas Company (LNG) to the three tiers of government.

He assured that the President will do anything and everything within his powers to correct the ills in all ministries, departments and agencies of government through forensic auditing, blocking of financial leakages, prosecution of corrupt government officials.

Emerhor, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), is optimistic that the 50 per cent cut in the salaries of Mr. President and Vice-President is a pointer to the fact that other senior public officers and political office holders will have to adjust and be ready to make similar sacrifice.

247 immigrants arrested in Yola From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

T

HE Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has arrested 247 illegal immigrants from neighbouring countries in an operation code-named: ‘Operation Flush’.

The Adamawa State Comptroller, Mr, Ubi Ikpi Nkanu, said the operation was to identify those who entered the country illegally and were hiding in the border local governments.

He said the NIS was working with sister security agencies, such as the army, Npolice, Department of State Security Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Nigeria Customs Service.

Gaidam appoints SSG

Y

OBE State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has appointed Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

The appointment, contained in a statement by the governor’s Director of Press, Abdullahi Bego, said it was with immediate effect.

Wali’s appointment has ended the speculated ambitions of the former SSG, Babagoni Machina and others, such as the ex-Commissioner for Education, Mohammed Lamin and Mustapha Gajirima.

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

The announcement has also sealed the ambition of the governor’s Chief of Staff, Saleh Abubakar and a retired federal permanent secretary and ex-SSG, Hassan Saleh.

Until his appointment, Wali was a permanent secretary (Administration) at the Governor’s Office, where he served as the acting Secretary to the State Government, following the dissolution of the Executive Council on May 28.

•From Left: The Registrar, Olujimi Olukoya; Moderator Femi Falana; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Gbemi Oke and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Emilolorun Ayelari, at an interactive forum for aspirants for the office of the Vice Chancellor by the University of Ibadan Community Forum...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

OAU asks students to vacate school

T

HE authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, have asked students to vacate the campus.

The call came last Sunday after the university’s senate’s emergency meeting.

Investigation revealed that the closure of the institution tagged “mid-semester break” was linked to the continuous protest and shut down of facilities on the campus by workers under the aegis of OAU chapter of the Non Academic Staff Union

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

(NASU).

The workers, who started with a warning strike penultimate Wednesday, alleged that they have not been paid their hazard allowances for about 64 months.

During the protests, the aggrieved workers shut down the school gates, the Senate Building and the library.

During the protest, vehicular movements were disrupted with the main entrances

blocked for one week.

The University’s spokesman, Biodun Olanrewaju, said the university declared a “mid semester break”, not closure.

He denied that the break was connected to the workers’ protest, saying that the school only wanted its students to go home and rest.

Olarewaju said: “At Sunday’s emergency meeting , the Senate approved that the management give the students mid-semester break, not closure.

“We will communicate to

you in due course. The students should enjoy their Sallah celebrations.”

NASU Chairman Wole Odewunmi threatened to shut down the university.

He said: “For the past 64 months, we are owed hazard allowance and we have had several meetings but no results.

“After this, if the management refuses to respond to our demands we will notify the management of our strike. This is just a notification.”

Controversy trails selection of Akoko monarch

K

INGMAKERS are divided over the selection of the Alale of Akungba-Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Some kingmakers support Prince Isiaka Oseni, others are backing Prince Sunday Adeyeye.

The head of the kingmakers, Chief Akin Osemawe, last week, announced Adeyeye as their choice.

He said his name would soon be sent to the authorities for approval.

But some kingmakers, led

T

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

by Chief Isiaka Opaka, faulted Osemawe’s position. They insisted that Oseni was their choice.

Oseni said he was the choice of the Ole ruling house, which is producing the Alale.

He urged the public, especially the people, to disregard Adeyeye’s purported selection.

But Osemawe said the selection of Prince Adeyeye from Ole ruling house was a product of wide consultations with Ifa Oracle and general acceptability by the commu-

nity.

He said there was no time they selected any other person apart from him.

Osemawe appealed to Governor Olusegun Mimiko to begin the installation process for Prince Adeyeye.

He said installing Prince Adeyeye will also allow the Regent, Princess Oluwatoyin Omosowon, return to her former life.

Prince Adeyeye said: “My nomination and selection process began on September 18, 2003.

“The other party went to court and the judgment deliv-

ered by Justice T. Adeyeye on December 20, 2013, said my selection was valid.”

He denied the allegation that he was not from the Ole ruling house. “ They went to court on that matter too and they lost. My father is the oldest man and head of the Ole ruling house, if they are in doubt let them go to court to challenge it again.”

The Alale of AkungbaAkoko stool had been vacant since 2004, following the death of Oba Adekanye Omosowon.

Fed Govt moves to end Fulani, farmers clash

HE Federal Government has set up a committee to resolve the lingering conflicts between farmers and Fulani herdsmen, which have resulted in the loss of lives and properties.

The Strategic Action Plan committee is expected to develop grazing reserves and stock routes to end the conflicts.

The committee, which has two weeks to conclude its work and submit its recommendations is headed by the Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Prof. Baba Yusuf Abubakar.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sonny Echono, who broke the news in Abuja, also announced the inauguration of three other special committees.

They include committees on the resuscitation of cotton, textile and garments industry

•Sets up committee on grazing reserves, others in Nigeria; operationalisation of Federal Government storage facilities and the revitalisation of agricultural extension services.

He noted that the continued frequency of the conflict made successive administrations set up committees to proffer solutions.

This, he said, made President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the ministry to consider the recommendations of the studies by the Petroleum Trust Fund and the Northern Governors Forum on the same subject to develop pragmatic and strategic action plan for the development of grazing reserves and stock routes nationwide.

Echono added that the committee would develop short, medium and long-term strategic recommendations that will end the persistent con-

flicts in the country.

He said: “The need to develop strategic action plan for the development of grazing reserves and stock routes nationwide as a pragmatic effort of the current administration to mitigate the recurring pastoralist/crop farmers’ conflict became imperative, following the persistent clashes which had taken a massive toll on human lives, property and the nation’s economy.

“The high frequency of the conflicts, impact of climate change, ecological factors, population growth, increased cattle rustling, banditry, terrorism and insurgency, cultural and political factors of transhumance especially as they relate to access and management of natural resources across the region had made successive administrations to give this a lot of attention by

setting up committees to proffer appropriate solution towards addressing these unfortunate incidences.

“The committee will develop short, medium and longterm strategic recommendations that will end the persistent farmers and pastoralists’ conflict in the country. It is expected to review the policy on stock routes development with monuments to ensure free movement of livestock.

“It will also develop a framework under which pastoralists using the grazing reserves and stock routes will work with communities, LGA, State Authorities to settle, develop pastures and maintain the reserve infrastructure for sustainable use.”

He added that the committee will review the policy on stock routes development to ensure free movement of livestock.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

9

N EWS

LPG market reaches new highs

W

ITH Greece’s bailout issue monopolising local and global news alike, an interesting development in the shipping market took place, the liquified petroleum gas (LPG) tanker markets have been pulling away, moving higher than before.

In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Allied Shipbroking said that “the LPG market has been climbing to some of its highest levels. It has been of note that rates for VLGCs closed today at $136.250 per day (slightly lower than the peak rate of $136.375 achieved at the weekend) according to the Baltic LPG assessment, which translates to a TCE basis of well above $4million per month and is more than a 100 per cent increase from the $ 60.375 it stood in early January”.

Allied’s George Lazaridis, Head of Market Research & Asset Valuations, noted that “at the

same time, there has been an increasing amount of vessels been taken on for period time charters of up to 3 years. This has also led to higher demands in both the LGC and MGC markets where many hold a very bullish view and looking for ever higher premiums for any forward fixing. The main support for all of this has been an increasing appetite for imports by India, which has been the main driver of the market for almost a year now. At the same time and despite the firm demand from India, there is a general increase in activity driven by the overall stellar performance of all energy commodities”.

Lazaridis added that “as such the firm demand will likely continue, possibly leading to a counter of the high number of vessels that had been ordered during 2013 and 2014, which now seem that they could more

than easily be covered by the recent growth in demand.

Elsewhere the market are also showing strong signs of life, with markets in Europe retaining their bullish outlook as expectations are for a flow of fresh inquiries to emerge in the North Sea region. In the U.S. Gulf, increased activity from refineries there are easily absorbed by traders while it looks as though we may be in sight for even higher volumes over the coming months. Demand has also remained firm in the East, with China countering most of the lag that has seemingly be left by Japan and S. Korea these past weeks. The only exception to this trend seems to be slightly softer interest in the MEG region though it looks as though this is of little concern with activity so abound in most of the other regions,” he noted.

Simba Group wins CFI customer satisfaction award

By Chikodi Okereocha

•Grover

S

IMBA Group, distributors of luminous inverters and power backup solutions, has won Capital Finance International (CFI) 2015 customer satisfaction award for Nigeria.

At the award ceremony held

in London, the United Kingdom (UK), organisers of the award said it was in recognition of firm’s commitment to customer satisfaction centred on providing quality, excellent and affordable services.

Simba Group, a conglomerate operating in Nigeria for over two decades, also represents TVS Motors and Tata Motors for vehicles and Avaya for business communication solutions.

Each year, CFI seeks out individuals and organisations that contribute significantly to the convergence of economies and truly add value to all stakeholders, with best practice cases found across the world.

Receiving the award, its Managing Director, Mr. Vinay Grover said: “The company has won numerous awards for cus-

tomer satisfaction and after sales service because at Simba, service is not so much a department or a buzzword; it’s an ethos that runs through the entire organisation.”

Grover said the philosophy serves as a guide to every worker and determines how they react and respond to and interact with their customers in every transaction. He said the company’s uniqueness is based on recognising that good service costs money, which doesn’t come cheap and that Simba is poised to continue investing in excellent service delivery.

Mr. Grover said: “We not only ensure that our employees undergo regular and rigorous training, but also provide free training to engineers and mechanics who service our products on an independent basis.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

10

NEWS Activists protest Uduaghan’s ‘ceding’ of state’s land to church From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

A

CTIVISTS, under the aegis of The Citizens Vigilance Group Nigeria (CVGN), have urged Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to reverse former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s decision, giving the land belonging to the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE), Warri, to First Baptist Church.

The group’s Director-General, Ahweyevu Mukoro, told reporters in Warri that Uduaghan made what he called a gratuitous gift to his church before his exit.

He said the church shared a boundary with ICE to the detriment of the students and workers of the institution, who the church ordered to vacate the land belonging to the state government.

Mukoro noted that it was wrong for Uduaghan to give out a government’s property or what belonged to Delta residents to a private organisation.

APC, PDP quarrel over court‘s decision on Rivers council chiefs D

ID the National Industrial Court (NIC) in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, yesterday reinstate the 22 of the 23 local government areas of Rivers State?

The All Progressives Congress (APC) said the court held that its earlier order restraining Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike from dissolving the local government areas still subsists.

But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said such a verdict did not emanate from the court yesterday in Yenagoa.

Rivers APC Chairman Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, through the party’s Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, said the council chiefs should return to their offices.

But Wike, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Opunabo Inko-Tariah, alleged that “disgruntled” elements wanted to cause a crisis and make Riv-

•They have been reinstated, says Ikanya •Wike: no such order was given by court

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt and Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

ers State ungovernable for him.

As at July 9, when the Federal High Court sacked the local government chairmen and their councillors, there was a subsisting order of the NIC that the council chiefs retain their seats.

The sacked 22 chairmen and their councillors were APC. They were elected on May 23 during Rotimi Amaechi’s administration.

The tenure of the chairman and councillors of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area will expire next year. They were not affected by the dissolution.

Ikanya said: “The ruling

today (yesterday) has confirmed our earlier position that Justice Lambo Akanbi embarked on judicial rascality, because this same National Industrial Court, presided over by Justice J. T. Agbadu-Fishim, on June 22, 2015, barred Wike, the court, Rivers House of Assembly, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and others from tampering with the existence of the 22 councils and their chairmen.”

The PAC chairman described the development as a victory for democracy and the rule of law, which ended Wike’s alleged impunity and desperation.

But Inko-Tariah said: “The falsehood dispensed by some frustrated elements of the APC in Rivers State that

the National Industrial Court in Yenagoa has reinstated the local government chairmen sacked by Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, is malicious and a calculated attempt by the disgruntled elements to stimulate a crisis in the state, thereby making it ungovernable for Governor Wike. They have failed.

“While I urge Rivers people to dismiss this falsehood, I call on the police to arrest the messengers of doom for trying to cause a breach of the peace in Rivers State.”

The 23 local governments’ chairmen, on behalf of their councils, approached the NIC in Yenagoa, seeking an interim injunction restraining Wike from dissolving the

PDP suspends lawmaker for ‘anti-party’ activities From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

A

KWA Ibom State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended its member representing Ikono Constituency in the House of Assembly, Victor Udofia, for alleged political misdemeanour.

PDP’s chairman in Ikono, Chief Etim Inyang, at a meeting yesterday in Uyo, the state capital, accused Udofia of engaging in anti-party activities.

He said the lawmaker “unwittingly” merited the suspension for his alleged plan to muzzle a peaceful gathering of the party’s bigwigs to crown Elder Emmanuel Ukpong as the area’s political leader.

The PDP chapter’s chairman, who listed previous alleged antiparty activities by Udofia, said he did not mind that he came to the limelight via the party.

The chairman said prior to Ukpong’s unanimous endorsement, he was, in the run-up to the April general elections, the PDP favourite.

He said the party’s supporters had given Ukpong the mandate to deliver the area to the PDP, which he was said to have accomplished.

Inyang said: “When the people of Ikono unanimously adopted Elder Ukpong, the first assignment given to him (Ukpong) to qualify for the position, was to ensure the party’s victory in all the wards in the local government. And he successfully carried out the assignment by mobilising the electorate to vote for the PDP candidates.

“Udofia, in his characteristic disruption of any progressive programme organised to uplift the people of Ikono, attempted to muzzle yet another progressive move in the area.

“Based on the foregoing, Udofia stands suspended from the party. A five-man committee has been set up to look into the issues raised against him.”

Udofia could not be reached last night to respond to his suspension.

Calls to his mobile line were not answered.

councils.

Their prayers were granted on June 22.

The court yesterday failed to hear the applications asking it to vacate its initial order, which restrained the Rivers Government and the House of Assembly from sacking the 23 elected local government chairmen.

Following the chairmen’s sack, the parties to the case returned to the NIC with the lawyers to the state government raising different applications against the court’s initial interim injunction.

One of the lawyers to the government, Mr. L. A. Njemanze, told the court that their two applications, filed on July 1, were ripe for hearing.

He said one of the applications sought a pronouncement discharging the order of interim injunction made ex parte by the court on June 22.

The lawyer said the second application sought to dismiss the suit by the claimants (local government chairmen) for being an abuse of court process.

Njemanze said the court had no jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

Another lawyer to the government, Dr. Z. Adangor, reminded the court that his client filed a notice of preliminary objection, dated June 30, challenging the jurisdiction of the court on the grounds that the subject matter was outside the court’s jurisdiction.

DESOPADEC: Ijaw block Okowa’s bill From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri •Representative of Lead Consultant, Obikiki Health Consultancy Services, Rivers State, Mr. Maxwell Samson; Secretary, Lighthouse Settlement, Finima Community, Bonny Island, Mr. Emmanuel Awayiniwa; Women Leader, Lighthouse Settlement, Finima Community, Bonny Island, Mrs Faith Opuku-echi and Area Sales Manager, Mortein, Rivers State, Mr. Nwanah Ugochukwu, during Mortein Anti-Malaria Community Sensitisation Campaign in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Anxiety in Edo over abducted AAU lecturer

T

HERE is anxiety in Edo State over the whereabouts of a kidnap victim and a traditional title holder, Dr Paul Erie.

The associate professor at the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, has been in his captors’ den for one month.

The other victim, Mrs Victoria Oyekpen, is a Magistrate in Jattu, Etsako West Local Government Area and wife of the Bishop of Akoko-Edo Diocese of Anglican Church.

Residents of Igbanke, Orhionmown Local Government Area, and the universi-

•Kidnapped Magistrate released From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

ty community are at pains about Dr Erie’s whereabouts, one month after he was abducted from his home.

The traditional ruler of the community, the Onojie of Omolua, Dr Isaac Uwaifo, told our reporter yesterday that the community was worried about Dr Erie.

He said: “We have not heard from them (kidnappers). We learnt they spoke

with his wife once. After that, they have not sent any message - written or oral.

Our people are worried.”

Last week, AAU’s branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) staged a peaceful protest in Ekpoma and suspended lectures and examinations over Dr Erie’s abduction.

Mrs Oyekpen was reportedly abducted last Saturday evening by some gunmen on Igarra-Ibillo

Road in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.

She was released on Sunday afternoon by her abductors in an unclear circumstance.

None of her family was ready to speak on the incident.

It was gathered that Mrs Oyekpen, last Saturday, arrived from Asaba, Delta State, for a church engagement in company of the wife of the late Archbishop of Bendel Province of the Anglican Church, Dame Mabel Agbaje, and others.

Police arrest 17 as bullion van crushes woman’s legs

T

HE Delta State Police Command has arrested 17 suspects following an attack on the driver of a tipper that caused an accident in Ovwian, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.

One person was critically injured in the melee.

It was learnt that a bullion van, bearing cash to be delivered to a bank in the area, drove against the traffic.

It forced a tipper truck on

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

its lane to swerve and run into a female pedestrian. The tipper crushed her legs on the spot.

The development angered the residents, who laid siege to the bank’s premises.

The situation led to police reinforcement, which further angered the residents.

They damaged one of the police vans.

Police spokesman Celestina Kalu, a Deputy Superin-

tendent (DSP), said the accident victim, as at the time a police dropped her at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, was alive.

She said 17 suspects were arrested, following the attack on policemen by those protesting the accident.

Kalu said: “We made some arrests. They damaged one of our vehicles. So, we managed to arrest some of those who took part in it.

We went there to contain the protest and, you know the bullion van was carrying money to the bank. It had to be protected for them to discharge the money. A mob was approaching. We had to mobilise to contain them. Out of anger, they damaged one of our vehicles.

“The woman was rushed to Oghara hospital. She was alive when she was taken there. But for now, we can’t say, if she’s still alive.”

O

IL producing Ijaw communities in Delta State have urged the House of Assembly not to allow the amendment bill Governor Ifeanyi Okowa submitted to it.

The bill is seeking to change the structure and mode of operations of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

Okowa submitted the amendment bill for the DESOPADEC Law 2006 to the House of Assembly, seeking to change the community target of the commission, among other amendments.

But at a media briefing yesterday in Warri, representatives of five Ijaw kingdoms - Ogbe-Ijoh, Gbaramatu, Ogulagha, Diebiri and Egbema - urged the lawmakers to ensure that the articles of the amendment bill, which were unfavourable to oil producing communities, should be expunged.

A statement read at the briefing by leader of the representatives, who is also an Ogbe-Ijoh traditional title holder, Chief Favour Izuokumo, said if not carefully handled, some of the proposed amendments could lead to another round of insecurity in the creeks.

The Ijaw stakeholders also called for equal representation on the commission’s board.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

11 ‘The present challenges we are facing should not deter us from growing our economy. It shouldn’t stop us from investing. It’s just a passing phase. Other countries that we refer to as developed started from somewhere’ •President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote

•The delegation from the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, NAE paid a visit to Arco Group Head Office in Lagos recently. From left, Mr. John Nejoh, Arco Group Executive Director Finance; Engr Mrs Olu Maduka, NAE; Mr. Alfred Okoigun, GMD of Arco Group, Prof. Isola Salawu, President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Engr Adedeji Segun, NAE and Engr Alex Ogedegbe, NAE. Behind them is Engr Patrick Jesseh of Arco Group.

Tambuwal praises Fidelity Bank on CSR

By Collins Nweze

S

OKOTO State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has said that the Fidelity Bank Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), an arm of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practice, is a viable tool in mitigating the social inequalities in the country.

He spoke in Sokoto at the weekend while commissioning the Sokoto State Orphanage Home renovated by staff of Fidelity Bank Plc. in Sokoto.

Governor Tambuwal said that such gestures are rare especially among organizations whose operations are commercially driven. “I must say that I am elated by the wonderful gesture from the Bank”. Though part of the Bank’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) practice, Governor Tambuwal insisted that Fidelity Bank’s action is a testament to the enthusiasm and concern for the welfare of the people of Sokoto State, especially, the less privileged in the society.

“The project of this magnitude and its choice is an indication that Fidelity Bank is truly acting according to script of empowering the good people of Sokoto State and by extension, Nigeria”.

He praised the Management of the Bank for their vision and for coming to the aid of the state government. Rt. Hon. Tambuwal also promised to take proper care of the Home and charged other corporate organisations in the state to emulate the good work Fidelity Bank is doing.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Office, Fidelity Bank Plc. Nnamdi Okonkwo stated that Corporate Social Responsibility was a way of life in Fidelity Bank.

NNPC has outlived its usefulness, says el-Rufai

K

ADUNA State Gover nor, Mallam Nasir elRufai has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to set a machinery in motion aimed at unbundling the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the 7th Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series under the theme, ‘Nigeria and the Oil Misfortune,’ El-Rufai lamented that while the country earned nearly $1trillion from crude oil and gas sales over the past 50 years, the fact that about 70 million Nigerians still live below the poverty line is an indication that the so-called oil fortune is not for the masses.

While el-Rufai insisted that “NNPC must die” because of its recklessness in the oil sector, the Chairman of Vintage Press’ Editorial Board, Sam Omatseye, sought renewed commitment to the rule of law as a strategy towards curbing impunity and corruption in the oil sector.

General Manager (Policy, Government and Public Affairs), in Chevron, Deji Haastrup, who also spoke at the occasion, said International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the country, appreciate the need for greater transparency in the oil sector, while the former Executive Secretary, Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF), Mrs.

•Omatseye urges end to impunity From Jide Babalola, Assistant Editor, Abuja.

Adefunke Kasali, lamented that “the oil sector has suffered from gross mismanagement over the years.”

At the event, the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Hajia Zainab Ahmed, said huge resources from oil and gas, minning and even funds meant for the development of natural resources have been frittered without any sense of accountability, even as some states generate less than five per cent of their needs.

In his keynote address, el Rufai said fuel subsidy must be scrapped so that its N1 trillion annual budget could be released for capital development, adding that the NNPC has become a parallel government that must be scrapped before its undue appropriation of oil proceeds kill the nation.

He said: “For our vast masses, oil is no fortune; it is more of a mirage, but a more insidious kind, because the fortune is visible in the lifestyles of a few thousands of the privileged elite but is stubbornly inaccessible to tens of millions of ordinary people.

“Our rich enjoy the lifestyles

of the richest in the world, while our poor are truly the wretched of the earth. This inequality is most unfortunate.”

He said there is no justification for entities that pay taxes to turn around altogether and unilaterally withhold trillions of naira, or seek multi-billion dollar federal budget annually to the detriment of the overall good of the nation.

“Reliance on imports of refined products has seen unsustainable expenses on questionable subsidy payments, exemplified by $8.99 billion in the 18 months between January 2012 and June 2013, adding that “the long and short of the situation of our oil industry is best exemplified by the parallel government called the NNPC. In 2012, it sold N2.77 trillion of ‘domestic’ crude oil, but paid only N1.66 trillion to the Federation Account.

As el-Rufai put it: “In 2013, it earned N2.66 trillion, but paid N1.56 trillion to FAAC, in 2014 N2.64 trillion but remitted N1.44 trillion, while between January and May 2015, it earned N733.36 billion and remitted only N473.2 billion!

“That means that the NNPC only remitted about 58 per cent of the monies earned between

2012 and the first half of 2015.

A company with the audacity to retain 42 per cent of a country’s money has become a veritable parallel republic!

He said NNPC feels entitled to consume more resources than the 36 states, the FCT (Federal Capital Territory) and the Federal Government combined, stating that the example just given is only with respect to domestic crude oil sales.

He said similar leakages exist in NPDC, NAPIMS procurement and subsidiary budgets.

Calling for proper governance, efficiency and security of Nigeria’s oil industry in view of the fact that a barrel of crude oil is projected to remain low at between $40 and $60 per barrel for a long time, he urged a mix of fresh strategic thinking and a firm commitment to reform. He said the country must address a fixation with public ownership and control of every major oil asset; corruption and distortion that oil subsidy is inflicting on the economy, and; NNPC whose existence is no longer in the national interest.

The governor said: “We need to define exactly what we want the oil industry to be and to achieve, and then define the structure that can best deliver it; an efficient and productive oil sector, able to create jobs, spur industrialisation and earn more revenues requires that we

tackle the monster that the NNPC has become.

“This country can no longer afford to maintain an NNPC that arrogantly, unlawfully and unconstitutionally spends an unhealthy proportion of national oil earnings on itself.

“We should replace the NNPC with brand new organisations that are fit for purpose: among others - a commercialised and corporatised national oil company and new industry regulators; this new national oil company should be capitalised once and for all, and then freed to fend for itself like other national oil companies do, seeking its financing independently from the financial markets and paying due taxes and royalties.

“The corruption and nonchalance that have hobbled the NNPC are symptoms that its best days are over. We should give it a deserved funeral so that a new institution, active and nimble, can promptly replace it; NNPC’s subsidiaries and associated companies can be reviewed, restructured and privatised or commercialised as appropriate consistent with national interest and objectives.

“No one is better qualified to do this than the person that birthed the NNPC through the merger of the NNOC (Nigeria National Oil Company) and the Ministry of Petroleum in 1977 - President Buhari himself.

Oil sector reforms ‘ll boost accountability, says Buhari

P

R E S I D E N T Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said his administration will implement far-reaching reforms to boost accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

He spoke during a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja with senior officials of Chevron led by the company’s President for Africa and

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

Latin America, Mr. Ali Moshiri.

His administration, he said, was ready to effectively address the myriad of challenges in the sector.

The president, according to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu,

said: “We understand the situation in the industry and we will do our best to address the challenges affecting exploration, production and distribution of oil products in the country.’’

Acknowledging the merits of the Amnesty Programme initiated by late President Umar Yar’Adua to reduce violence in the Niger Delta region, President Buhari said

his administration will build on good aspects of the programme.

He added that his administration will also implement other measures to enhance security in the Niger Delta and optimise investments in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Mr. Moshiri had urged President Buhari to restore the confidence of international investors in the industry.

He identified improved security in the Niger Delta as key to increased investment in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.

Mr. Moshiri said Chevron which has 36.7 per cent interest in the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited, was keen to support the country’s gas sector and bring more electricity to the consumers.

12

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

BUSINESS NEWS

Unstable capital market, others affecting PFAs’ performance T

HE Chairman, Trustfund Pension Plc, Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme has blamed instability in the capital market and non-payment of salaries, for the low performance of Pension Funds Administrators (PFAs).

She listed some of the challenges in the business environment to include the falling oil prices, negative forecast of the outcome of the general elections and the devaluation of the naira.

Mrs. Olojeme, who spoke during the 7th annual general meeting (AGM) of the firm in Abuja, pointed out that last year was stormy for the pension industry.

Also speaking, the Managing Director, Mrs. Helen DaSouza, Trustfund PFA grew funds under management by 20 per cent from N163.8 billion in 2013 to N196.1 billion last year.

She said the Retirement Savings Account (RSA) fund grew from N163.81 in 2013 to N196.13 billion a year later, while the Retirees Fund grew by eight per cent from N24.68 billion in 2013 to N26.69 bil-

•Trustfund records 20% growth

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

lion in 2014.”

She, however, solicited the support of Trustfund major stakeholders that include Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), NECA, NLC and TUC for the continued sustenance of the growth.

Olejeme, who spoke through a director in the company, Peter Esele, said: “If one looks at the fact that Trustfund management declared the same 25Kobo dividend in 2013 and 2014, one may not appreciate how the difficulty in the environment in 2014 was.

“We should not forget that the preparations for the 2015 general elections was at alltime high in 2014, the crash in the price of crude oil in the international market also happened in the same year and non-payment of salaries even at the federal level also took

place during that year.

“There was also the devaluation of the naira and we also witnessed the instability of the stock market where we invested about 30 per cent of our money. Overall, we have about 70 per cent of our resources invested in one form of money market or the other.

“Coupled with all of these, were all the negative forecasts about the outcome of the general elections. All of these were formidable factors that impacted negatively on the performances of businesses. So, for us, to be able to march what was declared in 2013 is a great achievement.

“We are also very happy that the shareholders showed massive understanding during the trying period. We are hopeful that with an improving operating environment this year, our shareholders will smile more next year.”

Esele said in spite of occa-

sional difficult operating environment, the future for a robust contributory pension scheme is assured.

He explained that with fierce speed corruption is permeating the social fabric of the Nigerian society, it has find it difficult to penetrate the contributory pension scheme owing to the safety guideline put in place to safeguard the funds.

“With corruption registering its overwhelming presence in most parts of our national lives, we have not heard any corruption related issues in the contributory pension scheme. the scheme has enough checks and balances that make it practically impossible for anybody to lay hands on the money. Every contributor knows how much he or she has contributed because every contributor receives alert on phone or electronic mails indicating the figures every month. So, people know how much they are entitled to at the end of their work life. The contributory pension scheme is one of the things that have happened to the Nigerian worker,” he said.

ITF partners Germany on skills acquisition program

T

HE Industrial Training Fund (ITF) is partner ship with the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, to develop industrial skills for Nigerians.

The partnership is to work out a robust skills development for young Nigerians in the use of modern technology in key areas such as wielding and electronic among others.

The Director-General, ITF, Dr Juliet Chukkas-Onaeko, while speaking during a meeting with representatives of the chamber said the partnership would help to improve the quality of vocational training in Nigeria.

She said, “The initiative was timely owing to the huge tasks before the agency in the training of about two million artisans annually.

“Even before the collaboration, the agency had already started looking at adoption of the dual educational vocational system in

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

its skills acquisition program.

“The dual vocational duration program is something we consider seriously and I think we are positive that we can move this collaboration to another level.

“I want to see what you require of us to be able to make this work better. We are willing to provide all we can to ensure that you are given a smooth sail in the next phase of this program.”

The Leader of the German team, and Managing Director, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Germany, Mr Robert Malzacher, said skills acquisition program would be relevant, efficient, effective, impactful and sustainable.

He said in implementing the program, ITF will play a major role in the expansion of the program to other states.

•Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Executive Governor, Abia State (middle), Mr. Philip Ikeazor, Managing Director/CEO, Keystone Bank Limited (right) and Noris Okafor, Divisional Head, South East 2, Keystone Bank Limited (left) at the tape cutting ceremony of Isieke Ibeku Community School library, a Keystone Bank CSR initiative to promote quality Education.

Elumelu Foundation hosts 1,000 African entrepreneurs

A

S part of Tony Elumelu’s $100 mil lion commitment to empowering African entrepreneurs, 1,000 Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs, representing 51 African countries from the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP) Class of 2015, converged at Ota for an intensive two-day boot camp session, an unprecedented gathering of emerging African entrepreneurs.

The entrepreneurs travelled from across the continent – from as far as Madagascar and Morocco – and convened in Ota, Nigeria for an entrepreneurship bootcamp made up of interactive sessions with successful entrepreneurs, political and business leaders, and an open mic session with the Founder, Tony O. Elumelu.

Gambian Badje Modou

By Collins Nweze

Lamin, whose business is in the agricultural sector, said, “The bootcamp has been a great experience. I have been able to exchange ideas with a number of entrepreneurs.

This has really changed my perspective on Africa.”

Maalainine Mohamed Bouya, from Morocco, said: “The bootcamp has been a blast! Right from our journey from the airport down to the bootcamp, we have been discussing and sharing ideas among ourselves. Africa has huge potential.”

Nigerian Obinna Chukwu, said: “The bootcamp has been a wonderful experience – I have met people from all over Africa. It makes me proud of being a Nigerian. I thank Tony Elumelu and the Tony Elumelu Foundation for

making this happen.”

Mr. Elumelu, the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, spoke on his life experiences and the principles that he learned from mentors, such as Chief Ebitimi Banigo, that he applied towards his own successful entrepreneurship journey. He answered an array of questions during a twohour question-and-answer session, offering perspective on innovation, strategy, governance, financial management and decision-making.

He said: “Entrepreneurship is not a short-term journey and I am pleased that we can help these emerging leaders, as they seek to join me in transforming Africa.

My commitment towards creating a thousand new entrepreneurs who can change Africa forever, has now be-

come a reality. This is only the beginning.”

Vice President of Nigeria Professor Yemi Osinbajo, GCON, welcomed the entrepreneurs from across Africa and called on them to take advantage of the networks built in Ota to develop pan African investment and trade networks. According to Vice President Osinbajo, “This programme deserves all the commendation it is getting. Tony Elumelu has courageously put his money where his mouth is. Societies can’t develop without social entrepreneurs. I charge you to be little Elumelus and create opportunities for others.”

The Vice President was joined by other senior political leaders including Kaduna Governor Nasiru El Rufai, and Lionel Zinsou, the Prime Minister of Benin Republic.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

13

e-Business THE NATION

Tel: 08023335695/08111813065/08099400179

lukajanaku02@gmail.com

AN EIGHT PAGE PULLOUT ON E-BUSINESS

Cyber crooks prowl on social media sites •How to stay ahead of them The liberalisation of the telecoms sector and proliferation of smartphones have deepened internet penetration in Nigeria.

Added to the new impetus is the proliferation of social media network sites, such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

There are also Pinterest, Google Plus+, Tumblr, Instagram and several others. LUCAS AJANAKU reports that unscrupulous elements are using the information shared on these sites to launch spear phishing attacks for access to people’s online banking details with a view to fleecing them.

Story on page 14

ATCON doubts 30% broadband penetration Page 15

Dominant operator inhibiting IT industry’s growth Page 50

‘Poor telecoms service quality unacceptable’ Page 49

14

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

e-Business

Cyber crooks prowl on social media sites M

ANY Nigerains who have lost money through online banking fraud and related scams have been victims of spear phishing attacks. These attacks are becoming more sophisticated as the criminals devise more ways to circumvent security measures put in place by deposit money banks (DMBs) in the country.

According to Norton by Symantec, an online security firm, based in the United States, spear phishing is an email that appears to be from an individual or business that you know. But it isn't.

It's from the same criminal hackers who want your credit card and bank account numbers, passwords, and the financial information on your PC. The spear phisher thrives on familiarity. He knows your name, your email address and, at least, a little about you.

In spear phishing, criminals use information gathered from social media - including Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter - to send targeted emails to their victims.

The emails are personal as the criminals know your name and other details. Usually, the communication is usually informal. Sometimes, it begins with something like Hi Florence, Hullo James, Hello Gbenga, rather than the formal method of salutation, such as Dear Sir/Madam. They also often refer to one of your friends to underscore intimacy.

Some of the emails may even look like official company emails, using work colleagues as a reference to build trust. Most times, the logos of the DMBs are cloned to give them the tinge of authenticity.

As the email appears to come from a friend or colleague, the criminals hope you will be less vigilant and give them the information they ask for.

And often, they succeed In some cases, the criminals will phone their victims instead of using email. They usually pretend to be from a bank, and try to convince the victim to share sensitive information such as passwords.

Turning online information to threat Norton by Symantec detailed an example of a spear phishing attack, where your information is gathered from social media.

A criminal uses your Facebook and LinkedIn pages to find your email address, your friends list, and that you recently purchased an item online (through Facebook sharing notifications enabled on an online store).

The criminal poses as a friend, and then, for example, will ask for the password to your private photo page on a blog.

If you send the password, the crooks will use that password (and its variations) to try and access your account on the online retail site you bought the aforementioned item from.

If the password works for the online store, they may purchase products for themselves on your account.

The criminal can also use the information to pose as somebody from the online retailer, and ask you to reset your password, or re-verify your credit card number. If you do, this information will be used to defraud you. You may end up losing your entire life savings.

A similar process is followed to steal a person's banking details, and may include using malware or phishing websites.

The criminals have even latched on to ongoing bank verification number (BVN) scheme of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). They capitalise on the 'fire brigade' mentality of the populace, not learning geography until there is an earthquake.

Here are some of the phishing scam emails used in Nigeria: •Incomplete BVN (Permanent Account Termination) Dear Customer; The online registration for your Unique Identification Number (BVN) is incomplete. Failure to complete this process will result in permanent account termination as directed by CBN. http://bit.ly/1IFsHda •This is a Mandatory Online Registration process.

Guaranty Trust Bank Notification Systems.gtconnect © 2015.

Sent via GTBank z1759458@students.niu.edu Incomplete Bvn (Permanent Account Suspension) Dear Customer; The online registration for your Unique Identification Number (BVN) is incomplete. Failure to complete this process will result in permanent account termination as directed by CBN. http://bit.ly/1IysHsI This is a Mandatory Online Registration process.

First Bankof Nigeria Firstcontact © 2015.

Sent via First Bank <z1687549@students.niu.edu> •Incomplete BVN (Permanent Account Suspension) The online registration for your Unique Identification Number (BVN) is incomplete. Failure to complete this

•

process will result in permanent account termination as directed by CBN. http://bit.ly/1RgcW1T This is a Mandatory Online Registration process.

Guaranty•Vsat Trust Bank Notification Service GTBank © 2015.

Sent via: Lashawn Jackson z1719813@students.niu.edu •Westernunion payment slip: MTCN 37749763974 Good Day How are you doing. I have just sent you the money for the balance payment as discussed. I used western union in making the transfer. I have securely uploaded the payment slip on the link below for security reasons. Just click on the link below to see the slip. Please call me immediately you receive the money. 09096756352 http://paulwrobel.esy.es/index.html login to see your western union payment slip of $40,000USD. Find the mtcn invoice after authentication is successful Thanks.

Rev Fr. Paul Obazee Sent via: Winslow, Dominic B. (UMSL-Student) dbw9b3@mail.umsl.edu • Suspicious Login Alert FirstOnline <emmanuel.onietan@laposte.net> wrote: Dear user, You successfully logged into your Firstonline profile on 7 July, 2015 in China If you did not initiate this login, follow our site here immediately https://www.ibank.firstbanknigeria. com/ First Bank keeps you instantly informed about login activities on your account.

To add security features to your account, sign in through here https://www.ibank.firstbanknigeria. com/Security Thank you for choosing First Bank, Your Bank.

• Password Change Alert On Thursday, 9 July 2015, 12:24, Access Bank Plc <leadypharma@hotmail.com> wrote: Dear Customer, This is a confirmation that the password for your AccessOnline account has just been changed.

If you didn't request a password change, kindly follow the reference link https://ibank.accessbankplc.com/ RetailBank/ for security reasons.

If you made this password change, kindly follow this link to review your account https:// ibank.accessbankplc.com/RetailBank/ Thank you for banking with us.

Terms & Conditions | Do Not Call Registry | Disclaimer | Multilingual Disclaimer | Code of Commitment | Group Code of Business Conduct and Ethics | Use of Unparliamentary Language by Customers | Privacy | USA Patriot Act Certification.

Aside banks, these crooks also use international organisations such as the World Bank and other international bodies to dupe unsuspecting individuals. Below are some of them: • From Desk of: Mr. Mike Red The Secretary-General World Bank Group, London, UK E-mail: mik_red6@yahoo.co.jp Dear Sir/Madam I am Mr. Mike Red, Bill and Exchange Manager/ Secretary General, Head of the World Bank Finance Group, London Branch, set up to fight against scam and fraudulent activities worldwide.

This Group is responsible for investigating the legitimacy of unpaid contract, inheritance and lotto winning claims by companies and individuals and directs the paying authorities (banks) worldwide to make immediate payment of verified claims to the beneficiaries without further delay.

You are being legally contacted regarding the release of your long awaited fund. After a detailed review of your file, the World Bank Group has mandated that your fund should be released immediately The sum of US$15,000,000.00 ((Fifteen Million United States Dollars Only) has been approved in your favor via my desk. I therefore wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter.

Please re-confirm to us the following: (1) Your Full Name

‘Limit the information you post about yourself on platforms such as Facebook or LinkedIn because the more personal details you share, the easier it is for cyber attackers to craft a spear phishing email. If an email that asks you to open an attachment or click a link appears suspicious or requests sensitive information, verify the message; if in doubt, ignore it’

(2) Your Address: (3) Phone, Fax and Mobile Number: (4) Profession, Age and Marital status: Note that the above fund has been cleared from terrorist or fraud related activities.

Thanks for Your Cooperation.

Mr. Mike Red (Secretary-General) World Bank Group Sent via: Mr. Mike Red dehret@sbcglobal.net • International Society for Disease Control (ISDC) Dear Colleague, On behalf of the International Society for Disease Control (ISDC), we are delighted to invite you to the forthcoming International conference on Child Abuse, HIV/AIDS & Malaria Control, Holding From (September 15th - 18th 2015) in California, USA and (September 22nd - 25th 2015) in Dakar, Senegal. For more information regarding these event, you are to contact the secretariat office via: ( i.s.d.c-secretariat-office@usa.com ) Endeavor to inform them that you were invited by (Mrs Samantha Logan ) a staff member of The International Society for Disease Control. If you are interested to participate, kindly contact the above email for more details on your registration, air ticket, accommodation and visa processing.

Thanks for your anticipation.

Mrs Samantha Logan Staff Member & Youth Coordinator/ International Society for Disease Control (ISDC) California, United State of America.

Sent via: samantha logan samanthalogan311@gmail.com via yahoo.com

How to protect yourself According to mybroadband, Securing The Human and Impact Business Technology have provided the following guidelines to help people protect themselves against spear phishing: Limit the information you post about yourself on platforms such as Facebook or LinkedIn because the more personal details you share, the easier it is for cyber attackers to craft a spear phishing email.

If an email that asks you to open an attachment or click a link appears suspicious or requests sensitive information, verify the message; if in doubt, ignore it.

Be sceptical of all emails even if they reference personal information, or indicate that they recently met you at a meeting or convention. If it is an unsolicited email, be cautious.

Know the sender before you open any links.

Reputable online vendors and financial institutions will not send an email notifying you of any actions to personal information.

Investigate where any links in emails might go, and why you need to access them. Hover the mouse • Continued on page 13

15

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

e-Business

ATCON doubts 30% broadband penetration T

HE Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has expressed doubts that Nigeria will meet the 30 percent broadband penetration target by 2018, saying indications show that the country is at a snail’s pace.

The President of ATCON, an umbrella body of telecom professionals in Nigeria, Lanre Ajayi, stated this at assocaition’s headquarters in Lagos while receiving the National Leadership Award from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), according to ITPulse.

He said Nigeria would not achieve the target from the 10 per cent

broadband penetration, as a result of the slow pace at which the country is addressing broadband penetration.

“Unless President Muhammadu Buhari-led government fast-tracks the implementation process of the country’s broadband plan, attaining the 30 per cent broadband penetration target by 2018 will remain a mirage,” he said.

The government through the National Broadband Plan 2013-2018 had set a target of 30 per cent broadband penetration to be achieved by 2018. It believes that ubiquitous broadband in the country is paramount, as every 10 per cent increase in broadband penetration is com-

•Ajayi

Samsung showcases SUHD TV

S

AMSUNG Electronics West Africa has introduced the world’s first Curved SUHD TV to Nigerian consumers at a launch organised to unveil its new range of Ultra High Definition televisions. Nigerian consumers now have the opportunity to purchase the new SUHD TV which marks a monumental leap into the future of television viewing, setting a new standard in premium UHD content and elevating consumers’ viewing experience to new levels.

Speaking in Lagos at the unveiling, its Managing Director, Mr. Brovo Kim, said the TV gives a new meaning to TV experience and consumers, providing users with easy access to desired content, an integrated entertainment experience and more choices than ever before.

Kim said the new SUHD TV highlights the most refined television experience ever, with the adoption of the latest technology that users should expect from Samsung’s smart TVs. He said: “The SUHD TV celebrates a major milestone in the UHD era, delivering superior picture quality with stunning contrast and striking brightness.

Included in the product is the SUHD re-mastering engine which automatically analyses the brightness of images to minimise additional power consumption, whilst expressing excellent contrast levels. Images have much darker blacks and an elevated brightness two-and-a-half times brighter than conventional TVs, with twice the colour adjustment points.

“Samsung continues to provide consumers with innovation that takes entertainment to the next level and with the value-added benefits included in the pre-order purchase, users can enjoy the very best in home

•Kim

entertainment,” says Brovo.

The SUHD TV is a game-changer that evolves in terms of hardware, software, content and the overall ecosystem with display made from Samsung’s proprietary, eco-friendly nano-crystal semiconductors, which transmit different colours of light, depending on their size, to produce the highest colour purity and light efficiency.

Its Director, Consumer Electronics, Mr. Sunil Kumar, said when Samsung introduced the curved form-factor in 2013, it dramatically enhanced the home entertainment experience for consumers.

Taking cues from contemporary art and architecture, Samsung televisions have been continually designed and enhanced with many modern and minimalist highlights.

According to Kumar, the introduction of SUHD TV provides consumers with an extremely improved home entertainment experience that is both true-to-life and has never been seen before.

Airtel offers free incoming calls to roaming customers

A

• From left: Chief Marketing Officer, Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Alero Ladipo; Managing Director, Advert Striker Limited, Mr. Ayo Oyebade and Managing Director, Jumia Nigeria, Mr. Jonathan Doer, during a sub-regional conference held in Lagos.

Fed Govt must enforce use of local software, says NCS

T

HE Deputy President, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Prof Adesola Aderounmu, has urged the Federal Government to enforce the use of software written by indigenous information technology (IT) practitioners, arguing that it is one of the ways to boost IT sector’s contribution to the national economy.

Speaking on the sideline at a forum organised by the group in Lagos, Aderounmu said rejecting software written locally and patronising foreign ones translates to helping foreign countries to create jobs for their citizens while widening the unemployment gap in this country.

Aderoumu cited India as a country that relies essentially on revenue it derived from software, arguing that if the government could pay more attention to the IT sector, particularly the software industry, it is capable of displacing oil as the largest revenue earner to the Federation Accoiunt.

He said the government should take the lead in this campaign by directing all its ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to use local software in the course of carrying out their official duties.

A former Director, New Media

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

and Information Security, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Sylvanus Ehikioya, had dismissed local software as 'mundane", stressing that this was why it is not being patronised by telcos.

He said: "One (reason) is (that) software skill is a technical skill and you do not just put anything there. Most Nigerian computer science graduates are incapacitated because of the environment; majority of them don't know how to create applications using modern development tools.

"Number two, those of them that know how to use modern developmental tools do not go beyond the mundane. What I call the mundane is the inventory system or point of sale; all those local things. Telecoms is a specialised technology that requires some specialised skills and unless you work in that environment or you have a lack which is lacking for the most part, you won't be able to (function). But from the NCC perspective, we are saying that things that involve inventory, human resource management, event management and ticketing, those can be created locally.”

Speaking on the 12th International Conference of the NCS scheduled for

July 22 and 24, at Jojein Hotel & Resort, Airport Road, Akure, Ondo State, with Information Technology for the Development as its theme, he said the forum is expected to host high profile dignitaries from government, private and education sectors, as well as from the international and global IT environment.

“Already NCS has assembled an impressive line-up of leading researchers, entrepreneurs, educators, industry experts, thought leaders, international scholars and subject matter experts as speakers and resource persons to share their extensive knowledge and experience,” he said.

According the NCS, the conference will focus on important issues related to the theme such as Smart City & Broadband penetration, innovation and Leadership in IT, Cashless Society & e-Payment system, Critical Information Infrastructure Protection (CIIP), Cloud computing & Big Data, Social Networks, Next Generation Networking and the Internet, IT Human Capital Development (Mentorship). Others are e-Education/e-Agriculture/e-Tourism/eGovernment, Entrepreneurship development in the IT Sector, Software Technologies/Local Content issues, Mobility for Inclusion, Funding Nigerian IT Industry and Marketing and Selling Made-in-Nigeria Software.

IRTEL Nigeria has launched a new roaming service that will enable its customers receive unlimited free incoming calls when roaming in five major countries across five continents.

With the introduction of this service tagged SmartROAM, Airtel customers travelling to the United Kingdom, United States (US), United Arab Emirates, South Africa and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,will be able to receive calls for free when they roam on preferred partner networks in these countries.

Its Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Maurice Newa, explained that the strategic focus for the new roaming service is to ensure a convenient and seamless communication experience for customers when they travel abroad.

He said: “We have strategically picked these five locations because

of the significant footfall of Nigerians to the locations; a good number of Nigerians miss important calls while abroad, but with the SmartROAM service, roaming has been made simpler and affordable such that our customers’ lineswill always stay on, while they are abroad.

“We are always committed to delivering exceptional experience to our customers and the thrust of this initiative is to bring easy and affordable roaming to our customers who travel to any of these five countries.”

Newa further explained that the service is currently available when roaming on the following networks: Zain in Saudi Arabia; Cell C and Vodacom in South Africa; Orange and Vodafone in the UK, AT&T in USA and Etisalat in the UAE, adding that more networks will be included in the nearest future.

CEOs, CIOs laud Smile for broadband connectivity

C

HIEF Executive Officers (CEOs) and Chief Information Officers (CIOs) of corporate organisations have praised Smile Communications for providing high speed 4G LTE broadband services in the country.

The corporate chieftains made up of CEO as well as CIOs of large and medium organisations from banks, oil and gas corporations, insurance companies, e-commerce, logistics firms among others, gave the commendation at an event hosted by Smile Communications.

Tagged A Connected Lifestyle, it was focused on capacity building and the efforts put in by Smile Communications in meeting up with its brand promise for Nigerians.

They expressed delight that in less than three years of its services launch in Nigeria, Smile has remained dependable, providing high quality of connectivity with almost zero downtime.

Its Managing Director, Mr. Michiel Buitelaar, said with the deployment

of 4G/LTE technology that runs on 800gigahertz (GHz) spectrum, the firm will continue to offer the best connectivity and high network availability index in the country. Buitelaar, who quoted the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Monthly Internet Subscribers Data, which indicated that users on the country’s telecom networks increased to 83,362,814 as at February, added that Smile understands the type of broadband services Nigerians have been waiting for, even at a reduced price and has consistently provided them with excellent services.

He said: “We are prepared and working through densification of the network, where we see issues, we quickly address them. More so, we are deploying more capacity and the figure shows we are actually meeting our brand promise which is for everybody to get six megabytes per second on download, even at the busy hours of the day. Our team has always been on its oars to meet the target and we don’t get congestions.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

16

e-Business

Telecoms sector grows economy with N134b, says NBS T

HE National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said the telecoms sector recorded a growth rate of 5.26 per cent in the opening quarter of this year, with a contribution of N134billionn to the national economy.

It explained that a recent telecom sector report of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), showed that annual growth in the sector averaged 46.29 per cent between 2002 and last year, with the highest rate recorded in 2004 at 153.65 per cent, while the lowest rise of 8.53 per cent was recorded in 2011.

It described Glo as the principal driver of growth in Nigeria's telecoms sector over the last one year. It said Glo recorded the highest number of new subscribers in the country with 1.63 million new telephone users between last year May, this year to bring its total subscribers figure to 30.03million, adding that it relied on first quarter report of the industry as released by NCC. The Bureau stated that the monthly growth rate in global system for mobile communication (GSM) subscriber figure since May last year av-

â&#x20AC;˘Says Glo drives subscribers' growth

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

eraged 0.95 per cent, with Glo driving the growth. It added that the greatest increase was recorded in December last year at 1.97 per cent and the lowest in July of the same year at 0.43 per cent.

"The growth in subscribers was mainly driven by Glo, which recorded an average rate of 1.45 per cent over the period, closely followed by Etisalat with 1.37 per cent and Airtel with 1.29 per cent, while MTN recorded the lowest average monthly growth in subscribers at 0.44 per cent," the NBS noted in its report.

The greatest monthly growth rate of the four networks, according to the report, was recorded for Globacom in July 2014 in which the number of subscribers increased by 1.63 million or 6.37 per cent, while the lowest rate was recorded for Airtel with a total value of 436,260 or 1.72 per cent in July.

The Bureau put the subscriber base of the mobile telecommunications sector at

143.05 million as of the end of the first quarter of 2015, adding that the sector recorded a significant growth from 2.27 million subscribers in 2002 when the first mobile license was issued to the present figure of 143.05 million.

The telco also consolidated its edge in new subscriptions by gaining over a million new internet users on its network in April, 2015 which represents about 70 per cent of new internet subscriber figure in the telecommunications industry for the month under review.

A report on the website of the NCC showed that Globacom had 19,690,526 subscribers surfing the net with its network in April, up from 18,617,607 users in March. In essence, the operator gained a total of 1,072,919 additional internet users on its network during the period covered by the report.

This increase translates to 67.58 per cent of total number of new internet subscriber figure of 1,587,514 for the telecom networks for the month of

April, according to monthly Internet Subscriber Data released by the regulator of the ICT industry, the NCC. The data showed that MTN lost 384,487 internet subscribers in April, after it recorded 39,520,285 users, down from 39,904,772 in March 2015. Airtel Nigeria, it said, had 17.2 million internet users in April, as against 16,603,147 customers recorded in March. The data showed that internet users on the Airtel Nigeria network increased by 669,518 in April.

For Etisalat, 10.4 million of its customers browsed the internet in April, against the 10,189,568 users in March, showing an increase of 231,661 in the new month.

Presenting an overview of the entire industry, NCC said the number of subscribers browsing the internet on Nigeria's telecoms networks increased to 87,055,484 in April, up from 85,467,970 users in March.

The data showed that the increase of 1,587,514 internet users during the period was on both the GSM and the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks in April.

â&#x20AC;˘From left:, Executive Commissioner, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Mike Onyia; Public relations manager, Etisalat Nigeria, Chineze Amanfo, and Head, Media Monitoring NCC, Sonny Aragba-Apkore, at the NITRA quarterly seminar series held in West Town Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos.

Major job cuts expected at Microsoft

M

ICROSOFT plans to announce a major round of layoffs as the company seeks to further cut costs amid a shifting technological landscape.

The layoffs are in addition to the roughly 18,000 employees that Microsoft said it planned to let go a year ago, according to people briefed on the plans who asked for anonymity because the details were confidential.

The new job cuts are expected to affect people in Microsoft's hardware group, among other parts of the company, including the struggling smartphone business that it acquired from Nokia last year in a $7.2 billion deal. At the end of March, Microsoft had more

than 1,18,000 employees globally.

Asked to comment on the issue, Frank X Shaw, a Microsoft spokesman, declined to comment.

Microsoft executives have been hinting at more cuts for months. Satya Nadella, who became Microsoft's chief executive early last year, sent a company-wide email in late June intended to rally employees for the coming year. But he also warned that Microsoft would need to "make some tough choices in areas where things are not working and solve hard problems in ways that drive customer value."

In June, Microsoft said it was selling its online display advertising business to AOL, as the company exited

a business for which it once had high hopes.

Another area in which Microsoft is stumbling is smartphones, a market in which it has continued to lose market share since acquiring Nokia's handset business. Microsoft has so far failed to turn the Windows Phone operating system, which runs on its handsets, into a vibrant alternative to the two leading mobile platforms, iOS from Apple and Android from Google.

Last month, Stephen Elop, the former chief executive of Nokia who became a senior Microsoft executive after the acquisition, overseeing its devices business, left Microsoft.

Microsoft is not expected

to leave the smartphone business in the near term given the importance of mobile devices in the technology business. The company is preparing to release a new version of its Windows operating system for PCs, smartphones and other devices, which it hopes will attract more interest from software developers.

Still, analysts have said Microsoft may soon acknowledge missteps in the smartphone business with a large write-down of the value of its Nokia acquisition. The announcement of that accounting charge, which could amount to several billion dollars, is expected by many to occur before Microsoft reports earnings this month.

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

17

THE NATION

BUSINESS TRANSPORTATION

E-mail: ynotaderibigbe@gmail.com

Will bicycle riding stop gridlock?

To tackle the traffic challenge, the government is promoting bicycle riding as a safe and reliable means of transportation, reports ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE. leave my house by 6am, and I still get to work by 7am." He however said riders must be careful and know the traffic regulations.

He said besides himself, another staff, who lives at Ogba, in Ifako-Ikaiye council area of Lagos, has joined the cycling culture.

"Both of us park our bicycles, lock them and get to work. After work, we go back to our bicycles and jump on them and ride home," Isaac said.

W

HEN in 2001, former Transport Minister Chief Ojo Maduekwe rode on a bicycle to the Federal Executive Council, (FEC), meeting in Abuja, many saw it as a publicity stunt. They referred to him as Ojo oni keke (Ojo the cyclist). But Maduekwe had something else in his mind - the use of bicycle to get out of the perennial gridlock on the roads.

The former minister cited China, Holland and Cuba, as countries where bicycles are central to transportation. He said the then Federal Government had concluded plans to embark on massive importation of bicycles for use nationwide.

Undaunted that he was alone in his campaign, Maduekwe did not relent until an accident on his way to the FEC meeting in June 2001, put paid to the dream.

The arguments on the desirability or otherwise of bicycle as a means of transportation, especially in urban centres and the nation's megalopolis, have never really gone away.

Former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Osita Chidoka, picked up the gauntlet over a decade later.

But again, the campaign did not sell.

Respondents in a poll conducted by the Guardian Opinion Poll (GOP) at the time, involving 1,200 respondents in 24 states across the six geo-political zones, rejected the proposal. Majority of the 744 respondents or 62.0 percent condemned the initiative as an idea that would take the country back to the Stone Age. They claimed that Nigerian roads are not safe for bicycle riding.

The GOP survey further showed 260 respondents or 21.7 per cent supported the bicycle not only as a substitute for car, but as an alternative means of transportation. Bicycle, they argued, is not only economical, it is also a means to keep fit and healthy.

Same arguments These were the same arguments canvassed by the Federal Government, when it again called for the adoption of bicycle, "as a safe means of road transportation."

It said the use of bicycles will improve the efficiency of the nation's roads.

Handing down the recommendation was Mr. Dauda Kigbu, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Works, at the international conference organised by the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, a parastatal of the Ministry of Science and Technology, last week.

At the conference, which held in Abuja, with the theme, Roadmap to safe, efficient and sustainable road transportation in Nigeria, Kigbu said, "While the Federal Government would continue to make efforts to improve the efficiency and performance of the nation's roads, it must not shy away from exploring and introducing innovative initiatives aimed at optimising road transportation.

"Some of these initiatives may include promoting the use of bicycle as a formidable and safe means of road transportation and integrating it into the national road transportation system.

“Other initiatives Kigbu listed were the incorporation of pedestrian, bicycle and motorcycle lanes into road designs to encourage it for future planning."

The new agitation, according to Kigbu, cannot be divorced from the worsening mortality rate of road crashes. He said Nigeria holds the unenviable record of the nation with the most unsafe roads in the West African sub-region with deaths arising from ac-

Biking in other cultures

• Bicycle as means of transportation

cidents in 2010 put at 33.7 per cent per 100,000 population, while the figure was 6,544 of all traffic accidents in 2013.

Within the same period, injuries recorded also averaged 40,000.

Though the fatality figure might not have been this scary some 15 years ago when Maduekwe championed the bicycle culture, as his own alternative to perennial fuel scarcity, everything points to the fact that it might continue to skyrocket if left unchecked.

An industry in limbo Nigerians were neither entirely averse to, nor strangers to the bicycle.

Older Nigerians recall with nostalgia that the bicycle was a part of the nation's social fabric and growth. In the villages and the emerging urban centres, the bicycle was in fact the exclusive preserve of the elites who were then either merchants, (euphemism for traders), or teachers, or students. It represented the main means of mobility for the elites of the 60s and early 70s.

Major bicycle producers such as Raleigh, moved their assembly plants into Nigeria, as the nation became a major hub for the West African market.

But with the oil boom, and a more liberalised economy, the taste for luxury goods by Nigerians went skywards and different makes of imported vehicles replaced the reliable bicycle and motorcycles.

One man who still relishes those "old times" was Isiaka Idris, whose dad started the bicycle retailing business in the 50s.

"My father was one of the earliest retailers of bicycle in the entire Agege and on his demise, I and my siblings decided to continue the business," he told The Nation.

Idris, who takes his stocks from importers on Lagos Island, has a massive shop at Isale Oja, Agege. He said the market had been a little bearish lately, adding that hardly is he selling up to 20

bicycles monthly. In the past few years, he was selling more than 40 bicycles weekly and an average of 100 monthly.

Those were days when customers usually come from as far as Badagry and Benin Republic even Togo to buy from us, but now, the buyers' traffic had reduced and we only have people who wanted to buy for personal use or for their children.

Another bicycle trader, who sells at Egbeda, a Lagos suburb, who identified himself as Sunday confirmed that market had been dull lately. His monthly sales of 80, he said, has dropped to 20, yet, he said he would not contemplate a change of business which has been his mainstay since 1990.

Idris and Sunday believe both the federal and the state governments can help stimulate the business by putting in place a policy that would demand a return to the biking culture.

"We sell bicycles and accessories and even repair them, but the government must come to our aid by making the economy healthier," Idris enthused.

He said the bicycle market would continue to grow despite the glut and the seeming unfriendly disposition of the government because a lot of people are beginning to see it as an alternative to motorised vehicles.

"Bicycles are cost effective; its services are cheaper and doesn't require fueling neither does it constitute any hazard to the environment. Besides these economic advantages, bicycles also promote good health as it is a form of aerobic exercise needed for the effective body locomotion," Idris said.

The Lagos example One of the major fears against the acceptance of the use of bicycles was the bad state of roads and the risky nature of riding on such roads amid unpredictable recklessness of motorists.

However, with a population of 20

million and still growing, no state has grappled with the burden of resolving the challenges of traffic gridlocks on its roads better than Lagos.

A strong advocate of the green culture, the former Lagos State Governor Mr Babatunde Fashola, was not only a promoter of biking, but had even canvassed trekking where the distance is short, to riding in vehicles.

Successive Commissioners of Transportation in the state have also canvassed the use of bicycle as a safe form of transportation within the metropolis, which explains why the Lagos Traffic Law, passed three years ago, was silent on restricting bicycles from all roads outside all the major highways.

The government also took the lead by creating a pilot bicycle lane on two road projects - one at Yaba and at Wempco Road, off Agidingbi, in Ikeja, the state capital, with a promise to deliver more bicycle compliant roads to the people.

With the bicycle lanes, biking enthusiasts, have exclusive use of a pavement dedicated to bicycles, while the pedestrian walkways were identified as possible routes for bike users where no bike lanes exists.

Growing biking enthusiasts Isaac, a staff of Boulos Enterprises, is one enthusiast who is happier, having found the option in biking last year. He told his story: "When I got the job at Boulos, my major headache became how to be getting to work by 7am. Initially, I used to wake up 5am, and would leave my house at Alagbado, an Ogun State suburb by 5.30am, yet, would not get to the office until 8.30am. Returning was worse, no day passed that I got home earlier than 12am.

"Then I was miserable, until I bought a bicycle last year. Since then, I stopped leaving so early. I can now afford to

‘Some of these initiatives may include promoting the use of bicycle as a formidable and safe means of road transportation and integrating it into the national road transportation system’

New York City has doubled its bike lane networks since 2006, bringing the total mileage to more than 400. Most bike lanes are selected for installation, based on the Department of Transportation's 1997 Bicycle Master Plan.

New York has some of the most innovative bike lane designs in the USA, including physically-separated cycletracks (8th Avenue, 9th Avenue and Broadway in Manhattan), parking-protected bike lanes (Grand Street in Manhattan) and two-way separated lanes (Prospect Park West and Kent Avenue in Brooklyn).

A publication called biking rules by Transportation Alternatives (T.A.), an American online community of cycling enthusiasts, said for streets to be safe and welcoming to cyclists, the addition of bike lanes is essential.

Besides a dedicated space for cyclists, all street users must be educated about a cyclist's right to the road, and create a safer roadway by calming traffic. That is where the challenge is the stiffest for Nigeria, just aspiring to join the league of bicycle users.

Benefits Though a larger percentage of Nigerians would want the idea of bicycle riding shelved permanently, a safety expert Mr Patrick Adenusi said bicycle riding remains a very significant mode of transportation that cannot but be incorporated into the nation's transportation masterplan.

According to Adenusi, bicycling besides being a cheaper means of transportation, would help our health, arrest environmental pollution and reduce congestion on the roads.

He said: "If eventually approved, I would be happy that Nigeria would be finally joining the rest of the world and especially countries where biking is complementing transportation systems. The rate of cardiac arrests would be reduced as we would be able to exert and burn off excess fats that are constituting a challenge to our health. “We are likely going to see a reduction in incidences of pot-bellied men as starchy foods and fats we consume would have be burnt off."

Adenusi the Executive Director of Safety Without Borders (SWB) listed other benefits of the adoption of bicycles to include an increase in our purchasing power as more people would have more money to spend that were hitherto consumed by the servicing and other unforeseen expenses inherent in the use of vehicles. "Governments would also have more money to allocate to other sectors as the roads would last longer and maintenance cost would be heavily reduced. The bicycle manufacturers are also likely going to make a return to the country to set up assembly plants which would eventually create more jobs and reduce the menace of unemployment in the economy.

"I look forward to seeing this policy implemented and Nigerians encouraged to use the bicycles, so that we can begin to use and experience this new change and lifestyle," he said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

18

THE NATION

BUSINESS MARITIME

e-mail: maritime@thenationonlineng.net

How NPA can aid Buhari’s economic plan • Agency can make N40b yearly

T

HE Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) can generate over N40 billion yearly if all revenue loopholes are plugged, The Nation has learnt.

To achieve this, a senior Federal Ministry of Finance (FMoF) official said, the NPA management must be compelled to embark on programmes that will make the ports more effective and efficient.

To the official, President Muhammadu Buhari will realise his dream of boosting the economy and creating jobs by focusing more on NPA. The official said in 2011, NPA remitted N29 billion into the Federation Account, making its highest remittance in its history.

He urged the government to compel the management to fashion out the strategy to increase its revenue.

NPA, the official said, needed experienced and core professionals to hold key positions to boost operations and generate more funds.

He accused NPA of institutional weakness bordering on lack of coherent policy framework on port administration, noting that most of the countries in West Africa are building ports that can berth vessels with capacity for 14,000 containers.

The 2006 port concession, he said, was a bold move to reposition NPA and make it competitive.

“Chief Adebayo Sarumi is reputed as the father of the new NPA, on account of successfully shepherding the port concession process that led to ceding of certain aspects of NPA’s operations to the private terminal operators for efficient service delivery.

“Succeeding Chief Sarumi was Mallam Abdusalam Mohammed, whose most pressing challenge was to ensure that the ship of port concession did not miss its course nor sink. In all sincerity, he tried to strike a balance between the old order and the new NPA, where entrenched interests of the union, the new terminal operators, the shipping line agents and the larger

• President Buhari Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda MaritimeCorrespondent

stakeholders became an issue.

“Based on the current happenings in the port industry, NPA needs to devote ample time and resources to the actualisation of Deep Sea Port projects, especially the ones in Lekki, Lagos and Ibom in Akwa Ibom State. It should also be focused on the proposed Badagry port.

“President Buhari must ensure that the current management of NPA turns the ports into an enterprise that will yield more revenue into government covers through improved vessel calls and an enhanced volume of cargoes coming to the country.

“The greatest attestation of NPA as a successful business enterprise that is capable of paying returns on investments to its owners became manifest under its former Managing Director, Omar Suleiman.

“Suleiman was a home grown CEO, having joined the organisation immediately after graduating from the university. It was Suleiman who unprecedentedly remitted a whopping N29 billion into the Federation Account in 2011; a feat yet unparalleled in the NPA’s history.

“Significant projects such as the Lagos harbour moles, quay wall and apron, installation of marine

• Omar

fenders in Zone 1, 2 and 3 were carried out by him.

“Other capital projects he embarked upon included the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt port road network and water supply, connection of Onne Port to National Grid (33KVA) from FOT Junction to Main Gate of Federal Terminal, rehabilitation of Julius Berger Terminal ‘C’ Old Port Warri, Delta State, reconstruction of Perimeter Wall Fence at Warri port, dredging of EscravosWarri-Aladja to Koko Channel in the Warri Pilotage District.

“He also kick-started a programme for the development of Deep Sea Port in Nigeria. This desire accelerated the vision for Ibaka Deepsea and Lekki Deep Sea Port.

“The Ibaka Deep Sea Port as envisioned by Suleiman is to be the hub of oil and gas operation in the Gulf of Guinea. The port is said to be between 17 and 18 meters draught without dredging and its quay area is expected to span over two kilometres. It is designed to accommodate mega vessels of over 10,000 TEUs,” the official said.

The official said, if not for unforeseen challenges bordering on administration, “the Ibaka Deep Sea Port would have become operational by this year, as that was the port’s projected take-off date.”

Ship owners boycott Expo

T

HE Nigerian Maritime Expo(NIMAREX) 2015 edition was boycotted, last week, by its key stakeholders and some ship owners.

Some key members of the Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA) were absent at the event. Other critical stakeholders in the maritime and shipping sector were also not there.

Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Director-General Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, attributed the poor attendance to the crisis rocking NISA. Akpobolokemi, represented by the Executive Director of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr Calistus Nwabueze, urged the shipowners to close ranks, saying the Federal Government would implement the Cabotage Act and ensure that it works.

“This is not the type of event that we envisaged, we expect to see all the shipowners who come to NIMASA to register their vessels, the core practitioners are not here, you need to reach out to them and make them identify with NIMAREX and other critical programme which NIMASA organised so that together we can build the sector better than it is.

“I want to also say that it is very

important that we forge unity within NISA; the shipowners, it is only when you are united that you can attract the attention of government, not when you are speaking in discordant tunes.

“Presently, there is a very serious effort by the Federal Ministry of Transport to look into the operational difficulties we are having in the implementation of Cabotage Act, and emphasis is being placed on developing indigenous vessel acquisition capacity”.

Akpobolokemi hinted that the much-awaited disbursement of Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) might take place any moment from now, assuring that the Ministry of Transport is currently showing renewed interest on vessel acquisition.

Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Managing Director Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado-Bayero urged stakeholders to use maritime resources to develop the economy.

The NPA boss urged the stakeholders to play leading role as catalysts to the development of the economy.

He, however, said the downward trend in global oil price had posed a challenge to national development.

Bayero urged Nigerians to take

full advantage of the abundant maritime endowments and growth opportunities in the maritime sector.

“There is no gain saying that most great nations of the world delivered their greatness from the endowments.

“Early civilised states such as Egypt derived her prowess and globally-acclaimed wealth and prosperity from the blessings of the Great Nile River.

“The tradition has been sustaining Egypt till date as one of the greatest maritime nations of the world.

“Singapore is known as solely relying on her maritime endowments which have been developed to the extent that the country is reputed to be the world’s bunkering destination,‘’ the NPA chief said.

He said that Indonesia was reputed for her high production of seafarers who were all over the world manning vessels of different configurations and sizes.

The Chairman of the NIMAREX 2015 planning committee, Mr. Adedoyin Ayo however, called on the Federal Government to look into the problem of funding for vessel acquisition and tonnage building, saying that the maritime sector contributes immensely to Nigeria’s GDP.

Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), National President Prince Olayiwola Shittu lamented what he called the “harsh conditions” at the Apapa and Tin-Can ports and urged NPA to address the situation.

“Stiff competition for hub status the Nigerian ports are struggling for is expected from West and Central African coast from Mauritania to Angola. This maritime axis is one of the few regions of the world with a dominant hub distribution port.

“Nigerian ports and their handlers especially the current top officials of NPA should emulate the strategy of Omar Suleiman, who within the shortest available time was able to actualise the dream of a post-concession port system in which users and provider of port services are happy.

“The port concession is a bold move to reposition the Nigerian Ports Authority and make it a competitive enterprise, with a capability for efficient service delivery.

The exercise was also meant to turn the NPA into an enterprise that will yield more revenue into govern-

ment covers through improved vessel calls and an enhanced volume of cargoes coming to the country. To a large extent, this has been achieved.

“Most of the terminals have also grown their throughput by about 250 per cent since port concession.

Therefore, if President Buhari administration can block all the loopholes, nothing stops the NPA from remitting between N40 billion and N50 billion to the Federation Account every year.

“It is to the credit of Engr Suleiman that the former Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Chief Godswill Akpabio handed over the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of the over 5580 Sq meters of land area for the new port to the NPA. That Akpabio handed over the master plan of the port to him is now history, but what the NPA has been able to do with it, is the question its management should tell Nigerians,” Shittu said.

The ANLCA chief said the ports of Singapore and Egypt are contributing immensely to their economy and urged NPA to emulate them.

N4.37m poultry products seized

T

HE Headquarters Monitoring Team of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Idiroko Axis, has seized a vehicle carrying foreign poultry products worth N4,374,000.

The vehicle was intercepted on the Sango-Idiroko Road,Ogun State.It had 810 cartons concealed in it.

The patrol team, led by Yahaya Usman, an Assistant Comptroller of Customs (ACC), trailed the vehicle, following a tip-off.

The smugglers, it was gathered, escaped into the bush when they saw Customs officials pursuing them.

Contacted, Usman said his team engaged the smugglers based on the renewed onslaught against smuggled frozen poultry products to protect the local industry.

Usman said his team has an effective synergywith the resident units and commands of the service and it is committed to total eradication of smuggling of poultry products and other prohibited items.

The launch of Operation ‘Hawk Descend’ by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Allhaji Dikko Abdullahi, in Lagos last week, Usman said, has further boosted the operational efficiency of his team towards ensuring that the fiscal policies of the Federal Government in terms of trade are jealously guarded.

Usman said his team alongside others are fully equipped to curtail the activities of smugglers, and vowing to deal with smugglers operating in his area of jurisdiction.

He told The Nation that the seized items would be destroyed and buried at a designated site on the NCS premises Ikeja, under the watch of critical agencies of government, such as NAFDAC and others.

Usman called on Nigerians to support the service in its anti-smuggling crusade through genuine information that may lead to the arrest of smugglers and suppressing their illicit trade.

He expressed satisfaction with the Comptroller-General and his management for the enormous support given to his team.

• Usman

Customs inaugurates clinic in Lagos

T

HE Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) has inaugurated a clinic at its Western Marine Command, Apapa, Lagos, to take care of its officers and the host community.

The clinic was named after the wife of its Comptroller-General, Hayija Sa’Adiya Abdullahi Dikko.

Speaking at the inauguration, Abdullahi, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General, Musa Tahir, said he was happy the Controller in charge of the Western marine, Umar Yusuf, had rehabilitated the command within his eight months in office.

Abdullahi said the clinic came at a time when the Customs introduced operation “Hawk Descend” which will make the smugglers look for alternative ways outside the roads and bushes, stressing that the waterways will be their next port of call.

“I know that officers and men of the command are up to the task because they have the necessary wherewithal and coupled with their training on Ak47, I know you are equally well-prepared,” he said.

Abdullahi said that the service is serious about the welfare of its officers, adding that Usman had keyed into the vision of ensuring that the officers are taken care of through the provision of the clinic.

He said that the clinic is for the officers and also the host community, pointing out that Customs management will continue to support the command.

The Customs boss assured further that management will ensure that the clinic serves optimally, justifying the purpose for which it was established,while providing all the necessary facilities.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

19

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Another look at Buhari’s bailout

Greek gift •The Euro crisis is a cautionary tale for Nigeria and ECOWAS single currency dream

N

O country on earth can regard the crisis in Greece and the Euro zone without economic self-awareness. Not least Nigeria and the West African sub-region, which has long begun a process of establishing an integrated currency perhaps tentatively known as ECOI. The case of the European country is instructive for a number of reasons. A sense of communal cheer characterised the embrace of the single currency in Europe. The countries looked to a time of cooperative strength derived from robust economic exchange, with one country’s weakness buoyed by collective strength. It was also anticipated as potential engine for a European renaissance, a sort of hark back to the age of the continent’s status as the indispensable continent and driver of world prosperity. In subtle hints, it projected itself as a counterfoil to American hubris, and the United States did not conceal its nervousness over what some of its citizens saw as conspiracy fuelled by envy.

One other highlight of the Greek crisis is that the one-time centre of world civilisation constitutes just two percent of the European economy. Yet, the rest of Europe has treated it with a delicacy that reveals the danger of signing such cooperative deals. Great Britain voted in a referendum to stay out of the currency because it saw the Euro as part subjugation and part economic strangulation. It was vindicated because it did not need a European parliament to work its currency in the last recession. It favoured Germany as

other countries became enthralled by its own powerful economy.

Nigeria may well know that many constraints work against a common currency in West Africa. First, the region does not have great internal trade. Even China today, for all its high tide, chafes under weak internal consumption, and it has not helped its currency in international play. The fact that there is little internal trade will put tremendous pressure on the Naira.

Two, the Naira does not have any convertibility status, and that means the Nigerian economy would meld into the sub-region and it will take great economic management and statecraft for Nigeria to take advantage of its position as the preeminent nation.

The Economic Community of West African States has been from inception working towards a unified monetary policy under what it calls West Africa Monetary Zone (WAMZ), which will cover such countries as Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Guinea and Liberia as well as the Union Monetaire l’ovest Africaine (UMOA) countries constituted by Benin, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, Niger, Mauritania, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Mali.

Currency sovereignty is not the only plus in avoiding such a tie-up, but also a freedom to decide when to control and print currency as part of monetary rescue and self-assertion.

That was the allure that drove Greece to a referendum in which the citizens chose sovereignty over

subjugation. The French West African countries use the CFA but it is linked to the French Francs, and that implies that they run a captive economy. Launching ECOI faces entanglement with French colonial past and that may endanger its freedom from its first sigh. Liberia and Cape Verde have expressed reservations over a unified currency.

Integration is a romantic idea. But as Greece has shown, it is not a practical way for a country like Nigeria still searching for an economic system and values system that transcend our foibles like leakages in ports and borders. Nigeria is also a consumption-laden land with industrial hiatus.

Our currency is more fragile now than any time in history. We will do well to first put our economy on a stand footing, and not meddle in romanticism that may not only undermine our relative advantage in the sub-region but also our pride.

‘Integration is a romantic idea. But as Greece has shown, it is not a practical way for a country like Nigeria still searching for an economic system and values system that transcend our foibles like leakages in ports and borders. Nigeria is also a consumptionladen land with industrial hiatus’

Making Nigeria’s skies safer •AIB report highlights causes of air crashes in the country

I

N the aviation industry, plane crashes are the exceptions, not the rule. They dominate the front pages and the headlines long after they have occurred. And they are guaranteed to occur even in domains where the industry boasts the most sophisticated equipment and the regulatory framework leaves

‘It is not unusual for planes that have been de-commissioned elsewhere to be pressed into service in Nigeria, and for service providers to skimp on regular maintenance.

Besides, training and re-training of key technical personnel usually get less attention than they deserve. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has its work cut out’

little to chance.

Nigeria’s aviation industry does not enjoy these operational advantages; yet it has over the decades built a commendable safety record, a tribute to the pilots and other professionals who often have to operate under difficult conditions.

Some of these conditions are indicated in a report from the Accident and Investigation Bureau (AIB) that links 70 percent of air crashes in Nigeria to negligence, failure of regulation, and failure of oversight. The chairman of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, Captain Noggie Meggison, cited the report with approval in a presentation at the Nigeria Leadership Initiative Forum on Safer Skies held in Lagos recently and drew on data from plane crashes and close calls going back to 1996 to make the point.

The Ministry of Aviation does not have the requisite trained expertise for proper oversight of the airlines, crew and service providers, according to Meggison. Oversight func-

tions are sometimes influenced by considerations that have little to do with aviation safety.

He could have added that it is not unusual for planes that have been de-commissioned elsewhere to be pressed into service in Nigeria, and for service providers to skimp on regular maintenance. Besides, training and re-training of key technical personnel usually get less attention than they deserve.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has its work cut out.

Even in these difficult times, the highest level of aviation safety humanly attainable must be its goal.

Nothing should be allowed to undermine it.

The Civil Aviation Act of 2006, grants the NCAA autonomy for safety and economic regulation of the nation’s aviation industry. The Authority should be given the wherewithal to exercise its autonomy to the fullest. To the same end, gaps in the enabling law should be plugged.

IR: Last week, the Federal government announced the much anticipated relief package, aka “bail out,” to enable distressed states clear the backlog of salaries they are owing as well as encourage economic boom and productivity.

The package came in three measures: one, the allocation of N413.7 billion proceeds from NLNG among the three tiers of government; two, CBN Special Intervention Fund of N250 - 300 billion and three, the restructuring of commercial loans of N660 billion by Debt Management Office (DMO) with a view of increasing their tenure to 15 years so as to reduce debt service obligations of distressed states.

Although I had my initial thoughts on how we could encourage these distressed states to exit financial insolvency and become productive permanently, I must commend the foresight of President Muhammadu Buhari on this score.

The president has shown a great quality of leadership which is responsive courage. No matter how we want to look at it, Nigeria exists to provide security and seek welfare for its people; so, in this era of army of distressed states, the Federal government is under obligation to explore ways of finding quick-fix solutions to this national issue and ensure peace and prosperity in the country.

However, Nigeria cannot elect to be a country that encourages laziness and spendthriftism; it must enthrone a model that encourages hard work and diligence in the management of public fund so that it can speedily attain economic development. Again, given what states receive monthly from the federation coffers as monthly allocation, there is absolutely no reason why Ebonyi pays its workers as at when due while Rivers and Osun are owing their own workers from four to 11 months. The only word to explain this massive wonder is mismanagement.

Luckily, all states in Nigeria are massively blessed by providence with material and human resources to excel and reach the sky; from Sokoto to Anambra and Osun, our soils are arable and harbour natural resources, we also have competent people to drive our economy if state governors had developed synergy with the federal government towards the development and encouragement of exploration of natural resources in their domains.

Strangely, nothing is being said of the people who made these states distressed through wanton mismanagement.

Elsewhere it has been said that re-election and election campaigns are the reasons why some states are unable to pay their workers today. Some people were and/or the governors of these states. It is therefore pertinent that as the president extends relief package to the distressed states to clear this mess with the right hand, he should also extend EFCC, ICPC, etc to the people who brought these states on their knees. The president must use this time to show us how committed he is in fighting corruption and retrieving whatever that might have been stolen from the public till in the days of impunity. By and large, Nigeria can choose to strengthen its anti-corruption agencies now or be ready to be extending relief packages to distressed states perpetually. Moving forward, returning governors who put their states in this present economic mess must also be compelled to work under Federal government supervision in the use of this stimulus package and its eventual repayment schedule. The DMO, CBN and Federal Ministry of Finance should jointly ensure that this relief package impact positively on the economy and our people as such it would not be out of place for President Buhari to set up a supervisory committee to monitor the disbursement and use of this money if not some state governors would divert the money without paying their workers after all a beggar, they say, have no choice.

We must not create a tradition that would encourage state governors to continue to rape the treasury of their states or even go on borrowing spree that would be repaid by the next generation given the restructuring of loans by DMO. So, stringent guidelines must be set for accessing the CBN Special Bail-out Intervention Fund of N300 billion in order not to set a precedent for rewarding laziness and low productivity.

S

• Okafor C. Udoka Ikeja, Lagos.

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •General Manager (Abuja Press) Kehinde Olowu •AGM (PH Press) Tunde Olasogba

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness •Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) •Press Manager Yomi Odunuga Udensi Chikaodi •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Legal Counsel John Unachukwu •Group Business Editor Simeon Ebulu • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye •Group Sports Editor Ade Ojeikere •Acting Manager (sales) •Editorial Page Editor Olaribigbe Bello Sanya Oni

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

S

IR: President Buhari has offered to take only 50% of his salary as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces. That is N7 million per annum, as against his entitlement of N14 million. So has his Vice, Professor Osinbajo. Nigerians are excited. They are very excited.

They see the gesture as a symbol of the coming years of serious accountability on the part of government.

When I ruminate over the circumstances that brought Nigeria to its knees and made it a paradox, a country where a majority of the citizens continues to suffer deprivation despite the enormous wealth the country is endowed with; when I think about how educated Nigerians continue to run away from their country in droves because they are unable to stand the heat of indiscipline that has become the hallmark of the nation’s culture; when I re-

member how all the good things of life, the steadily running taps, the roads which were mended as soon as they showed signs of weakness, the electricity that never failed by day or by night, the hospitals that never lacked drugs and the schools where dedicated teachers ensured that the education of children entrusted into the care was their main priority, I shudder to see the “progress” Nigerian political leaders claim to have made since their country acquired selfrule in 1960.

IR: I had just lost an appeal at the Court of Appeal and as a result I fell into coma legally.

When after some days I managed to shed off the effect of the judgment, I got to my chambers to be greeted by my clients who were equally dazed by the judgment. It was then very difficult to discuss the judgment with them but because they were in court when the judgment was delivered, and as educated people they drew my attention to that part of the judgment where their Lordships said the trial Court ought to have struck out the case but yet their Lordships proceeded to dismiss their appeal instead of doing what the trial Court omitted to do. This opened the way for our discussion of possible appeal to the Supreme Court. But before I could tell them that their Lordships erred in law and that an appeal to the Supreme Court can succeed even on that ground alone, I fell into another coma: How could I suggest an appeal to the Supreme

Court having regard to their ages and even mine when I know that in the next 10 to 15 years it will not be determined?

At that point I decided to put the drafting of the Notice of Appeal on hold and to write this piece, hoping it may serve as a forerunner to reduce the life-span of the appeal at the Supreme Court.

To the extent that I do not conduct my business in reasonable propinquity to the Supreme Court, I may not know the exact causes of the delay in determining appeal at the Supreme Court. But there is delay, not just delay but phenomenal and inordinate delay with grave implications for the legal system and the security of the nation. The brief explanation here is that if litigants are not sure that their rights will be determined while still alive, they are likely to resort to self-help. Ironically, those who in the past argued for speedy dispensation of justice hinged their call for reform on the

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

Buhari: Signs of good things to come I reflect that had the military not made their exploitative incursion into the democratic evolution of Nigeria, obviously the country would have been far more formidably built than the fragile democracy they now boast of. It was the military that introduced the rogue politicians who have continued since 1966 to dominate the helm of affairs in Nigeria. It was the military that ushered in the rogue businessmen and women who have continued to parade the corridors of power in the country till today.

It was the military that turned the country inside out and outside in.

The military created a rogue situation which made government a lucrative business for those who could stand the heat, those who could do or die in the process. For those whose philosophy of life was ‘live and let live’ belonging to Nigeria was like having a bad dream.

That God will use a military General to restore the rights of Nigerian citizens to decent wages; to restore sanity and accountability in public office and to give Nigerians

Judiciary: Last hope of common man on earth or where?

S

economic advantage as investors always prefer countries with legal systems that boost their Midas touch. Such call is not necessarily bad but my concern is justice to the common man whose farmland may have illegally been taken away and other causes of action common to the citizenry.

I wish to sincerely offer my suggestion through this medium. This drag on the determination of the rights of citizens should be the concern of everybody in the country.

This is particularly so that the NBA, which is supposed to be the mouthpiece of the Bench is too busy organising elections that are as, if not, more sophisticated than the general elections in the country and embarking on some enterprises without legal footing, like the seal and stamp project.

The call for the involvement of the public is based on my conviction that only a constitutional amendment increasing the number of the justices of the Supreme Court

to at least 35 can reasonably abate the delay in determining appeals by the apex court. With such number of the justices of the Supreme Court, at least three divisions of the court can then be created at different locations in the country. After all, the decision of the Supreme Court is not supreme or final because it is housed in one building in Abuja but because it is the last court.

I hope my clients and I will still be around in 10-15 years to witness the verdict of the Supreme Court.

This is supposed to be the feeling of advocates and even the NBA so that litigants do not toil for nothing; otherwise, they will forever be guilty for leading litigants to take the first step in litigation. As for the general public, if you fail to lend your voice on this issue you may be a victim some day.

• Dr. Moses Ediru Lafia, Nasarawa State.

back their dignity within the international community – things Satan stole from them through his agents, the rogue politicians and rogue businessmen and women – is to my simple mind, very significant. It is not only a glimpse into the will of God, it is a symbol of things to come.

President Buhari has taken the first bold step forward. But we must not forget. There is no coordinated effort yet. Even the governors have different opinions on the issue.

One thing is obvious, though, and that is that in all this, there is a yawning need to curb the salaries and allowances of Nigerian politicians now that the exercise has begun from the Presidency. Nigerian legislators are the highest paid in the whole world. Nigerians have continued to ask why that should be so. What are they doing better than the legislators in the UK, the USA, Japan, Canada, China and elsewhere?

If President Buhari must succeed in this campaign, the Executive Arm of government must initiate a Bill which will drastically slash the remuneration of Nigerian public office holders at every level so that it will no longer be attractive to rogue politicians. The Buhari Administration should get information on how much legislators earn in America, the UK, Japan, Korea, Canada and China. Then the administration should take the average and deliver that to Nigerians as the wage of a Nigerian legislator.

Nigerians need to move their democracy forward now that they have a man they can trust is not the greedy type. This executive bill must be well packaged and presented in such a way that if they refuse it, the whole world will know that Nigerian legislators are not willing to serve their nation and that they are more interested in serving their private pockets.

• Emeka Asinugo London

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

21

COMMENTS

T

OPHI does not measure povO the conscientious analyst, neierty as just “no money”; but ther Tambuwal nor Ekweremadu more rigorously as conditions holds any appeal. precedent: either to reinforce Tambuwalisation, which romped Aminu poverty; or break that yoke to Tambuwal to the speakership, despite the deliver development. ire of his ruling party, suited fine the opSo, by its 10-point indicators, position Action Congress of Nigeria broken down into three major (ACN), during the Peoples Democratic planks, a state might be flush Party (PDP) hegemony. with cash, yet work to deepen Yet, it has come back, in the new order, Olakunle poverty by its low infrastructure to plague the ruling All Progressives Conlordbeek1@gmail.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola (social and physical); or be low gress (APC); with the loss of the Senate on cash, but high on infrastrucdeputy presidency to the opposition PDP. ture, to dislodge poverty.

Many would, of course, enter the softTrite: presidential mandates ener: the Tambuwal-led House of Repreare national. But if all politics is sentatives proved much more peoplelocal, PMB has extra motivation centred; than the reactionary House exSo long for a political class that thrives on expediency, and to push pro-people, anti-poverty initiatives, needing urgent legpected under Mulikat Adeola-Akande, the PDP choice for hardly on principle! islative support.

Speaker.

But ethical or ruthless, life goes on. President Muhammadu From the OPHI data, the 10 poorest states, with correspondYes — and the polity would appear not ungrateful. But even Buhari (PMB) demanded and got a mandate for change. So, he is ing destitution, are from the president’s home region: Yobe, that noble accident hardly vitiates the vile principle of rebellion condemned to delivering on that mandate.

Zamfara, Jigawa, Bauchi, Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, Taraba, Gombe against party.

The snag, though, is: even if his party has a healthy parliamenand Kano — in that order.

Now to Ekweremadu-isation, which has fired PDP’s Ike tary majority, the Saraki-brewed Ekweremadu-isation tends to have On this list is Katsina, PMB’s home state, Kano, the North’s Ekweremadu to retain the senate deputy presidency, despite his vaporised all that. commercial dynamo and Sokoto, the North West’s spiritual headPDP losing power.

Right now the National Assembly appears fractured into three quarters. So, if he desires his presidency to be impactful, PMB Indeed, it’s a real laugh seeing Godswill Akpabio, former camps: the majority APC, who appear loyal to their party and must, against poverty, race against time.

Akwa Ibom governor and now a senator, wax lyrical on cant. the PMB agenda; the minority PDP, poised to play the opposiThe top 10 states least affected by poverty and destitution are He claimed Ekweremadu was a product of some gobbledytion, by hook or by crook; and the penumbra of two minorities: a mishmash: Lagos, Osun, Anambra, Ekiti, Edo, Imo, Abia, Rivgook bi-partisan entente, involving public-spirited APC and the bulk PDP and APC rebel elements that cooked Saraki’s seners, Kwara and Akwa Ibom — in that order.

PDP senators. Nice attempt at deodorisation of a clear and ate presidency, which could band together to eclipse the PMB Still, that four states, Lagos, Osun, Ekiti and Edo, dominate the brazen parliamentary coup — with even Akpabio hardly conplan, particularly if the group perceives it a threat to its own top five tends to underscore the development bent of the states vincing himself! agenda — and political survival. ruled, or once ruled, by the defunct ACN. It also appears in the Of course, it was nothing of the sort.

Yet, fast-tracking such initiatives appears the badly needed presidential camp, in the intra-APC parliamentary showdown.

Rather, it was two blocs of colluding legislators — a minority, redemption for a fast decaying polity.

More: the group should be zealous PMB partners, in a fierce from the APC side, for strictly personal gains, stabbing their But bad news for PMB: when the chips are down, these two anti-poverty war — lest their areas slip back into the poverty own party in the back; and a majority, from the PDP, attempting minorities could forge an illicit majority, filibustering against, if mash, in this period of national economic angst. an obstructionist vanguard, to stall a clear mandate for change, not terminally blocking legislative support for popular initiaSouth East did far better than the South-South on the OPHI hoping therefrom, to reap some future group political salvatives. That simply means PMB may face more difficulties than scale, despite SS’s relative bigger share of the central cake. On tion. anticipated, to garner legislative support for his programmes. the other hand, Kwara, at spot 9, sits at the apex of all the northBut as everything karma-like, and not unlike the eye-for-anThat, indeed, would be very bad news for everyone. This is ern states. eye Mosaic law that soon leaves everybody blind, the because to put things right for Nigeria is a desperate race against Given the balance of the power in the National Assembly, and Ekweremadu phase of this bad politics is even worse than the time, where even a second’s delay could be serious, if not outbalance of fortune on the OPHI scale, could Saraki’s rebel APC Tambuwal original. right fatal. legislators then team up with PDP-dominated SE and SS to block For all his rebellion, Speaker Tambuwal conceded the House From the 2015 election, the partisan winners were from the PMB and legislatively frustrate his initiatives?

Leader to Ms Adeola-Akande, his party’s original Speaker-desNorth (North East, North Central and North West) and South Sans bad politics, there is no sense in that, since no state or ignate. But Ekweremadu is living example that Bukola Saraki, West, where APC swept the polls. The losers were from the geo-political zone is immune from poverty. But bad politics senate president, will make no such concession! If he did, the South East and South-South, where PDP won. makes it a possibility, especially if collective good threatens to deal would be off. If Ekweremadu is in peril, the deal would be So, virtual partisan political warfare, at least in the next four turn individual ruin. in danger. That puts Saraki too in peril! years, would be between the North/South West (to further press That is why, to succeed, PMB must marshal a strong coalition Again, while the Tambuwal concession did not nullify the their electoral hegemony) and the South-East/South-South (to in parliament — with enough grassroots developmental caroriginal rebellion, the Saraki intransigence portends a worse defend their turf). rots as drivers, to build a bi-partisan progressive vanguard. parliamentary plague next time.

But overall, all of the geo-political zones were losers on the But if this commonsense viewpoint falters? Then, he must developmental turf, according to findings from a new poverty build a media-people coalition outside parliament to enforce ‘If he desires his presidency to be study on Nigeria from Oxford University (mentioned on this parliamentary common sense that, in Jeremy Bentham-speak, impactful, PMB must, against poverty, page last week), known as the Oxford poverty and human de- pushes the greatest happiness of the greatest number. velopment initiative (OPHI), and formally cited as OPHI 2015, That is the only way the change mandate of March 28 won’t race against time’ with the latest stats from as late as June 2015. end yet another grand betrayal.

R

epublican ipples

Buhari, NA and race against time

F

ROM the look of things, the controversies generated by last week’s payment of $2.1 billion cash by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas into the federation account seems unlikely to go away anytime soon. While there is a throng out there who couldn’t’ be bothered about the nomenclature ascribed to the “intervention” so long as funds are made available to bail out the cash strapped states, I also understand the feeling of those who insist that the payment be seen as nothing more than what it is – a timely but nonetheless routine rendition of accruals into the federation account.

To be honest, I must confess to having a bit of difficulty accepting the idea of the NLNG cash haul as “bailout’”. To be sure, not only in the most expansive definition of the word can a measure which merely underlies the resolve of the Buhari administration to be more open and accountable to the different tiers of government can be so generously described. The confusion, in the circumstance, is perhaps best explained in the context of the lingering perception of the federal government as “Big Daddy”, and of course pervading atmosphere of despondency being experienced across the affected states.

The issue at the moment of course goes beyond the mundane issues of semantics or nomenclature of what bailout is or what it is not. Here, we are talking about the riddles behind our perennial insolvency; the familiar story of how a vastly endowed nation, is held permanently hostage by special interests; how the economy is being bled left, right and centre by those charged with managing her affairs.

Now, in the NLNG affair, the nation may well have opened the Pandora’s Box by that simple exercise of fiscal rectitude.

Little wonder tongues are wagging; debates animated from all sides. I guess we are on to something here.

To imagine that it all started with the mercy droplets of $2.1 billion by the NLNG. Whereas the federal government does not believe it has done anything extraordinary aside pushing its mantra of change by doing what is right by the law; the opposition PDP has been sulking that the federal government is playing the opportunism card.

Let’s look at the claims and counter-claims by the parties.

To the Federal Government, the money represents the taxes and dividends that have only fallen due for which the states are justly entitled. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says the money is merely a fraction of the $5.6 billion held in some saving account somewhere ostensibly for the Buhari administration.

Here is what the party’s National Publicity Secretary Olisah Metuh was on record to have said: “in actual fact, the LNG dividend stood at $5.6 billion even before the handover date of May 29 and would have been shared but for the insistence of former President Goodluck Jonathan that it be left for the

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

NLNG: Opening the Pandora’s Box incoming administration.” (My emphasis).

He would add that “the issuance of the bailout with funds from the LNG proceeds and the Excess Crude Account (ECA) has exposed the fact that the PDP administration actually left behind huge sums of money, contrary to the impression earlier given to Nigerians and the international community that the new administration met a virtually empty treasury.”

The ruling APC disagrees. Yes, there is a $5.6 billion somewhere, but it is nowhere captured in the books. According to its spokesman, Lai Mohammed, “We can tell Nigerians that apart from the said $1.6bn NLNG payment for 2015, NLNG also paid $1.4bn as Income Tax/Education Tax in May 2014, paid $0.3bn as Education Tax to the FG in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and $1.2bn in VAT and Withholding Tax to the Federal Government since 2009….In addition, dividend payments totalling $4,728,136,946 was 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 $4bn. The questions to ask, therefore, are why were all the past taxes and dividends neither fully paid into the Federation Account nor shared by the three tiers of government and what happened to the funds?”

Let’s look at the issues a bit more closely. Let’s even assume that the opposition PDP’s claim of saving the $5.6 billion is true. If so, it seems to me as curious that the party would find nothing wrong with the Federal Government locking up such a whopping sum in some foreign account at a time most states couldn’t pay their wages. And more so at a time when its own finances are in bad shape!

So, where is the money kept? And why was it not reflected

in the handover notes to the Buhari administration? Of course, we know the truth; the money is nowhere in any bank vault – local or foreign – but are rather domiciled in some private vaults! That is a tragedy of a nation led by men with neither a shred of morality nor conscience.

The issues here are two fold. First is whether the federal government actually believes that the money in question belongs to it in which case it could do with it as it pleased behind the states and without the knowledge of the National Assembly. The second, more ominous is the kind of rules under which the chieftains of the federal government could assume the power to stack away the funds which neither belongs to it and over which it has no powers of appropriation.

One considers the latter important not only because of their constitutional import but also because they touch at the heart of the warped fiscal practices foisted on the nation by modernday Robin Hoods purportedly sworn to defend the constitution of the republic.

And to imagine that this is what PDP’s Olisa Metuh has striven to defend; that the money is some savings held in trust somewhere even without as much as showing the law or the authority which permit the impunity and brazen arbitrariness!

The issues involved are certainly grave enough as it is.

However, the way forward is hardly as muddy as would seem. The matter goes to the heart of the question – a fundamental one at that – of what to do with the hordes of federal leviathans, egged on by powerful interests, to operate in strict defiance of the nation’s laws.

The APC in my view has helped frame the issue correctly: the nation surely deserves to know not just the accounts into which the NLNG taxes and dividends were paid but how these funds were utilised. The party will do well to draw up the list of similar agencies that have acted wilfully in defiance of our laws. If it amounts to opening the Pandora’s Box, or even time for retribution, so be it. The knowledge will make the nation better for it; it would also signpost the dawn of the new beginning for which Nigerians have long signalled their embrace.

‘The APC in my view has helped frame the issue correctly: the nation surely deserves to know not just the accounts into which the NLNG taxes and dividends were paid but how these funds were utilised’

22

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

COMMENTS

W

HEN a weighty scandalous press release is made by a party to a case before the appellate court on allegations against the judges of such an important branch of the judiciary, it would be very unwise and most unfair to leave such well publicized accusations uninvestigated or suppressed. Indeed, it really does not matter whether the allegations are true or false because such remarks coming from a party to the case if left uninvestigated have the potency to attract disaffection of the general public on the likely ruling by the accused judges. As such, it is of extreme importance to alert the reading public that deconstructing and addressing the recent allegations made by Senator Dino Melaye against the judiciary is not only vital for ensuring the promotion of an equitable society but important to assuring that our collective quest for a vibrant democratic society is on course.

In a press release, Senator Dino Melaye, representating Kogi West Senatorial District at the Senate accused some persons of providing support to one Senator Smart Adeyemi who is currently contesting his electoral triumph at the Court of Appeal.

Specifically, Senator Melaye in the press release is quoted to have told journalists in Abuja that ‘the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had contacted the immediatepast Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), to take over the legal battle on behalf of Adeyemi’. Furthermore, in the same press briefing, Senator Melaye was reported to have disclosed that “on the request of Tinubu, Adeyemi had forwarded details of the suit to Adoke, asking him to look for a judge in the Court of Appeal that would offer assistance’.

‘The Nigerian judiciary has suffered so much in the hands of skewed critics and Melaye’s grave mischief and dubious intent to use disparaging comments, dishonesty, deceit and misrepresentation to portray Nigerian judges as corrupt is an opportunity for the Nigerian judiciary to set an example that nobody no matter how highly placed can scandalize it unjustly’

Melaye’s slander against judiciary

By Phrank Shaibu Even though, Asiwaju Tinubu has publicly denied the allegations as “kitchen of malicious lies”, this does not bury the naked allegation of corruption by Melaye against the judiciary.

Hitherto, my position had been that any person that makes derogatory statements against the judiciary without evidence and thoughts of the backlash consequences may be deficient in ability to apply his mind seriously to vital issues. However, this particular incident is very different because the very fact that the referenced remarks are quoted to have emanated from Melaye, a member of the upper legislative House of Nigeria provides no excuse for ignorance or that the Senator is unaware of the implications of using malicious and slanderous remarks to rubbish the image of the judiciary.

As much as the views herein do not in any way advance the belief that the judiciary should be immune from objective and rational criticisms, it is however important to recognise that when criticisms against the judiciary are not backed with any credible evidence, it does amount to unfair and unreasonable condemnation. Also, when criticisms are based on apparent twist of facts made in a manner which is intended to lower the esteem of the judiciary and destroy public confidence, it cannot be said to be objective.

Succinctly put, Senator Melaye’s efforts to discredit the judiciary is a significant embarrassment to the nation and it demands that the judiciary should defend itself as soon as possible in order to sustain its reputation for proper administration of justice and the majesty of law.

On the other hand, ordinarily, now that Senator Melaye has accused the presiding judges on his case at the Appellate court of partiality, the likely recommendation would have been to change the judges but accuser’s inability to neither make any categorical statement on which of the judges that is directly involved in this purported corrupt act nor provide evidence to that effect raises great doubt on the credibility of his claims. Indeed, without evidence, any rambling or generalization on such a sensitive issue relating to litigation can be regarded as motives to lie. Specifically, from Melaye’s

I

N his popular management book, Performance Management, Herman Aguinis who is an internationally recognized authority on human resource management draws global attention to one thing which world leaders in various fields, including sports, have in common: repeat practice. By repeat practice we mean a deliberate effort by a person—or even an organization—to stretch himself or herself to the limits constantly and habitually while in the process of achieving outstanding results. Nothing great, says the cliché, comes easy. Bill Gates, Wole Soyinka, Aliko Dangote, Barack Obama, Tiger Woods, etc, did not achieve global renown by electing to be like ordinary folks who typically work from 9 to 5.

They rather ceaselessly challenge themselves. As Bart Nnaji, the erstwhile Minister of Power, turns 59 yesterday Monday, July 13, it is trite to state that his personal achievements as one of the world’s three leading university professors in his branch of engineering when he was only in his 30s and the revolution he has unleashed in Nigeria’s awful electric power sector are as a result of what psychologists and management researchers call stretch, that is, setting a goal that would seem initially impossible to accomplish but achieved at the end of the day as a result of tremendous determination and extraordinary hard work.

As one of Nnaji’s closest friends over the decades who naturally worked with him during his stint as Secretary of Science and Technology in 1993, Special Adviser to the President on Power and chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Power from 2010 t0 2011 as well as Minister of Power from 2011 to 2012, I have seen Nnaji’s patriotism, self-confidence, brilliance and absolute devotion to duty benefit the whole country.

He made Jeffrey Immelt, chairman of General Electric, visit sub Africa for the first time ever; and Immelt came in 2012 not as a tourist or mere supplier of turbines and other key engineering equipment but as a major investor in Nigeria. Today, GE’s multi-million dollar production plant in Calabar, Cross River State, its first in Africa, is nearing completion. By the way, Professors

inappropriate action of rushing to the press without any proof to substantiate his allegations, he comes across as a man that is desperate and thinks he can engage blackmail and aggression to make judges bend on his case. Such a dubious and tragic endeavour by Melaye to discredit or intimidate the Appeal court judges is worrisome, his employment of falsehood to embarrass the judiciary as a driving force to twist the minds of the public is unacceptable and effort to make his case invoke disrepute for the Nigerian judiciary is considered utterly malicious. All these combined, certainly amounts to perverting and obstructing justice.

For avoidance of doubt, any unwarranted embarrassment of the Appellate court of Nigeria is a significant national disgrace. As such, the issues raised by Senator Melaye must be taken seriously and condemned where necessary. Luckily, there is no gapping crack in Nigeria’s judiciary that permits individuals to raise irrelevant accusations against a noble body like the Judges of the appeal court.

Indeed, any shot to nastily tarnish the image of the Judiciary at such a time that Nigeria craves for change must not be permitted and it will be unthinkable to imagine that the judiciary would watch and allow such falsehoods spread without a fair reply or challenge, as it presently seems.

For now, to any objective mind that has closely followed this matter, it would not be difficult to understand that even with the deafening and unholy silence of the Judiciary on this issue, the saving grace for the esteemed Nigerian judges may rest on two strong pillars; lack of credible evidence and the staggering integrity of Senator Melaye, the man accusing the judiciary of corruption. First, that Melaye’s remarks are not accompanied with any shred of evidence, suggests that the reasonable and safe assumption herein would be to regard his comments as dishonorable and reckless, perhaps, his intention is not far from bringing the Appeal court judges on his case into disrepute even before the commencement of the trial. Such a deliberate attempt to interfere with the due course of justice or proper administration of law through disrespect of the judges and falsehood, if not for some watchful eyes, would have shaken the confidence of the general public which the

judiciary ought to serve as its last hope for justice. Indeed, this is roundly condemnable and an obvious contempt of court.

Consequently, such defamatory statements and scurrilous attacks without substantiation require no further affirmative proof that Melaye’s remarks are calculated to obstruct the proper administration of law. As such, in the face of these realities, Melaye’s comments are best considered as deliberate ill-motivated intent and firmly calculated attempt to lower the good image of the judiciary. This is where the judiciary should demand from Melaye ample evidence to prove his allegations because these contemptuous remarks pose a substantial risk that the course of justice can easily be perverted in Nigeria through corruption. Fortunately, issues relating to law of contempt are well settled in the Nigerian constitution.

The second momentary comfort for the judiciary on comments made against it may emerge from the assessment of the character of the man behind the accusation. Without fear of digression, the character of Melaye, the person making these controversial allegations is highly questionable. Indeed, a brief google search of published stories on Melaye’s personality clearly shows that majority of views about him affirm that he has a long history of telling lies, amplifying irrelevant issues, fighting, battery of opposite sex and making up stories. It is difficult to believe that such a man of known confrontational style and controversial behaviour will uphold truth when it may not serve his purpose and may even fight in a law court to sustain his falsehood as he did at the National Assembly in public glare. Also, Senator Melaye’s attitude problem is compounded by the fact that his repeated allegations against many people even as a self-appointed anti-corruption crusader have been mostly at odds with the truth as he is variously recorded to have an apparent desire to engage in false claims that are usually discredited when properly investigated by the authorities.

The Nigerian judiciary has suffered so much in the hands of skewed critics and Melaye’s grave mischief and dubious intent to use disparaging comments, dishonesty, deceit and misrepresentation to portray Nigerian judges as corrupt is an opportunity for the Nigerian judiciary to set an example that nobody no matter how highly placed can scandalize it unjustly.

• Shaibu a public affiars analyst writes from Abuja

Nnaji at 59

By C. Don Adinuba Heinz Weirich, Mark Cannice and Harold Koontz describe GE in the 13th edition of Management: A Global And Entrepreneurial Perspective as the world’s greatest company.

Nnaji also convinced world’s leading engineering firms like Siemens of Germany, Hyundai Heavy Industries of South Korea and Electrobras of Brazil to start investing heavily in Nigeria’s power sector as authentic stakeholders, instead of being content to work as mere contractors and equipment suppliers. Siemens, for instance, accepted to build its first workshop in Africa in Nigeria and to work in collaboration with the National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN) and Nigeria’s northern universities in the development of solar energy where Germany is the world’s leader. The unprecedented improvement in electric supply all over the country during Nnaji’s tenure is too fresh in our people’s mind to be repeated here. He assembled a team of what Eric Hoffer, the self-taught American man of letters, would call true believers, that is, devotees to the power sector reform and they did go out of their way to ensure its success. I, for one, broadcast and published in the media my telephone number, asking anyone with a peculiar power problem to contact me directly for a prompt resolution of the problem. It was a particularly difficult assignment. I used to receive as many as 150 complaints daily, and I did my best to solve each problem. It was an assignment which exposed me to the depths of the rot in the power sector. Whole communities and streets in towns and cities were deprived of electricity for months because of minor problems that could be addressed in a few minutes or because they refused to bribe electricity distribution company officials.

To repeat the obvious, Nnaji’s era remains the golden era in Nigeria’s electricity development. He was in office for only 14 months

as the Minister of Power, yet it seems to most Nigerians that he was there for up to 10 years.

This shows how impactful his tenure was, and still remains. Most Nigerians don’t even remember his predecessors! There is no minister in our national history whose exit has created the kind of furore which accompanied Nnaji’s principled resignation on August 28, 2012. For at least one month it was the dominant issue in the Nigerian media.

On his return from an overseas trip, former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, who was to become the national leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), told reporters at the airport in Lagos that with the exit of “the only performing minister in President Goodluck Jonathan’s government, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is finished, and can never come back to office.”

How prescient or prophetic! The World Bank called the resignation a great setback for Nigeria’s electricity development. The Economist of London on September 8, 2012, described it as the “extinguishing of a bright light in Nigeria”.

With the well deserved defeat of the PDP in the March 28 presidential vote and the repeated assurance by President Muhammadu Buhari that his government would feature a number of accomplished technocrats, it has widely been speculated in the media that Nnaji, who has since returned to his private business of building integrated power systems in Aba and elsewhere is a natural fit for the Ministry of Power. Consequently, vested interests in the power sector which have perennially kept the country in darkness have been fighting viciously to stop Buhari from returning him to government. All manner of ghost writers have been recruited to ensure that the status quo of corruption and lethargy prevails in the sector. For example, the latest advertorial by the faceless characters claims that Nnaji has been “sleeping” in Tinubu’s residence and that of former President Olusegun

Obasanjo in a desperate attempt to become the new Minister of Power. They even claim that he is a member of Buhari’s transition committee on infrastructure and that there is an ongoing spate of articles celebrating him in the media. All these claims are totally false. Nnaji has never met Tinubu and has not seen Obasanjo in years. Of course, he is not a member of any committee set up by Buhari. Nor has there been in the last year an article anywhere celebrating him or his accomplishments. In fact, he has in the last two years politely turned down award offers from organizations and institutions.

As Nnaji quietly marks his exceedingly eventful 59 years on earth, we all wish that his tribe of patriots and highly knowledgeable citizens committed to the public good continue to multiply in the interests of our nation. He is an excellent source of inspiration and an eloquent example of repeat practice. It is repeat practice which catapulted him from humble beginnings to global recognition. It is repeat practice which separates advanced nations from poor countries.

On this special occasion, we say to him ad multus annos.

• Adinuba is head of Discovery Public Affairs Consulting.

‘To repeat the obvious, Nnaji’s era remains the golden era in Nigeria’s electricity development. He was in office for only 14 months as the Minister of Power, yet it seems to most Nigerians that he was there for up to 10 years’

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

23

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

25 must remember that when we talk about speed in ’theWedetermination of criminal cases, we have to be very careful so that we do not sacrifice justice at the altar of speed. If we emphasise speed as against justice, the court may end up convicting innocent people and, in the process, let criminals go scot-free. That is not the intention of the law and criminal justice system

’

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

• Lamido

• Nyako

See page 26

• Ohakim

Like in the past, three former governors were paraded in court last week for alleged corruption and money laundering.

Nearly 10 years ago, some former governors were in the same boat. Not all the cases have been decided.Will things be different this time around? Should specialised courts or tribunals be created to handle these cases? Some think so, writes ERIC IKHILAE.

Beyond their parade in court T

INSIDE:

HE nation has witnessed it all before - the arraignment of former governors for alleged embezzlement and related offences. Last week, two former governors were taken to court for alleged corruption, provoking comments on what will become of their cases since similar cases in the past either ended dramatically or are still pending in court.

How will the cases of former Imo, Adamawa and Jigawa states governors Ikedi Ohakim, Murtala Nyako and Sule Lamido, who were arraigned last week but pleaded not guilty, end?

Corruption, experts say, has thrived due to the unwillingness of past administrations to confront it headlong.

The situation is made worse where identified cases of corruption are either not punished or culprits are given a slap on the wrist, a practice that has nurtured the vice to its pandemic height. The situation is not also helped where corruption cases taken to court linger for years, and, in the process, evidences are either contaminated or destroyed, thereby allowing culprits to walk away free.

Many have argued that, while it is impossible to eradicate corruption in every society, the vice could be reduced significantly in a country where the leadership do not condone acts of corruption (no matter the status of the culprit) combined with an effectual criminal justice system.

With the resolve of the government, led by President

Behold the new SANs! -Page 27

Muhammadu Buhari, to confront corruption headlong, the next step is to position the criminal justice system to effectively play its part.

Every criminal justice system consists of three core elements; the first being the investigative process (involving the investigating agencies), the second is the trial process (the court system), while the third is the prison system.

The officials mostly fingered for the frequent failure recorded in the prosecution of corruption cases are the investigative agencies and the court system, who are blamed for poor investigation and delayed trial. Instances abound where cases of corruption failed to yield conviction at trial, owing to weak evidences from poor quality of investigation.

Often times, the investigating agencies – the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), among others - blame their inability to provide iron-cast evidence to paucity of funds, as was the case under the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

It has also been argued, however, that where such agencies were well-funded in the past, some of the funds were mostly misapplied, thereby denying the agencies the capacity to acquire the requisite tools and training for their personnel.

Today, most investigative agencies, particularly the NPF, do not have a functional forensic laboratory, and, as such, cannot conduct scientific investigation. This is despite the huge sums it has received over the years as budgetary allocations. Police investigators rely on confessional statements (which are mostly induced) and circumstantial evidence to secure conviction in criminal cases.

A former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mukhtar, was once compelled to express her displeasure over this practice, which she argued also accounted for congestion in the prisons.

Speaking at the event marking the commencement of the 2013/2014 legal year in September 2013, Justice Muktar noted: “It is common knowledge that our security agencies usually rush to the courts with suspects before looking for evidence to prosecute them.

“The persistent use of the ‘Holden Charge’ by these agencies to detain awaiting trial suspects is a major contributor to the high number of cases pending in our courts. ”This procedure is a far cry from what obtains in other democracies, where discrete surveillance is placed on crime suspects who are painstakingly stalked by security agents, until such a time when enough evidence would have been obtained for their arrest, arraignment and prosecution.

•Continued on page 26

Groups want Edo election tribunal disbanded -Page 38

Colleagues remember Jegede -Page 40

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

26

LAW COVER CONT’D

• CJN Justice Mahmud Mohammed

•Hon

•Falana

• Magaji

•Nwobike

• Adedeji

Beyond their parade in court •Continued from page 25

“But in Nigeria, suspects are promptly arrested and often times arraigned in court, even when no evidence for prosecution has been gathered.

The backlash from such failure of proper investigation by our security agencies is the resultant hike in the number of cases pending in the courts.”

The court system is not any better. Cases linger for years due to archaic procedural rules and practices that allow for undue delay. Aside that, court rules allow for the hearing of any application once filed, makes provision for interlocutory appeal that results in the stay of proceedings at trial court. Some practices by trial judges also aid delay. Some judges still adjourn cases solely for mention.

Where most courts claim to have spent huge sums in procuring Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools, they still operate manually. From the Supreme Court, through the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court to the various state High Courts, processes are still filed manually, while hearing notices and other information are passed to parties manually, in spite of the requirement that lawyers, in every case, include his/her contact information, including e-mail address on every process filed.

Again, Justice Mukhtar also, in the speech she delivered at the same event, expressed displeasure over the delay and the slow pace of the process of justice administration in the country.

She attributed this to archaic judicial practices, noting that the process of interlocutory appeals aggravates the situation to the extent that, by the time the Supreme Court decides that hearing be continued in trial court, most of the witnesses might have died or alive but senile, with documents no longer traceable.

She advocated an overhaul of the criminal laws, which she described as “archaic and culturally irrelevant. She observed that “to exhaust complete remedy in a case today, that is from trial court to Supreme Court, could take up to 20 years with the original litigants dead and substituted and,

in some cases, the substitutes also dead and substituted.”

Justice Muktar’s successor, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, argued that the failure to ensure a functional justice administration system accounted for the growing impunity in the land.

He noted that, espite that the world accepts the intangible, yet, strong link between law and order, and development of the society, Nigeria struggles to provide an efficient, fair and effective system of justice that is able to ensure that everyone, regardless of station or status, can access quality justice that is administered quickly.

“The reality paints a sobering picture. The number of cases pending before the courts has reached critical proportions and we must use all appropriate means to stop it from spiraling out of control. At the Supreme Court, there were over 800 appeals filed in 2014 alone with another 10 appeals filed already in 2015 alone. The court registry is burdened with over 5000 appeals, and the panel of Justices are still hearing appeals filed in 2005.

“As of the third quarter of 2014, there were 38, 307 cases pending in the Federal Courts alone. If one considers the number of cases pending in State High Courts and other courts of record, you will all agree with me that the situation is indeed disturbing and sobering,” Justice Mohammed said.

As a way out, many have argued that a combination of effects on the part of the investigating and prosecuting agencies on the one hand, and the Judiciary, on the other, will help record the desired success in this administration’s resolve to fight corruption.

Justice Mukhtar provided similar argument in 2012 while speaking at the event marking the commencement of 2012/2013 legal year, when she contended that “the administration of justice is not confined to the courts; it encompasses officers of the law and others whose duties are necessary to ensure that the courts function effectively.

“The constitution provides that the Attorney

General and Minister of Justice, as the Chief law officer of the federation, has the power to institute, undertake, take-over, continue or discontinue criminal proceedings before the courts of law in Nigeria in respect of offences created under any Act of the National Assembly.

“It therefore, follows that the courts cannot on their own, prosecute criminal cases. There must be the willingness of all prosecuting agencies to prosecute cases brought before our courts, especially high profile cases of corruption and all others.”

The expectation that the nation’s criminal justice system operates effectively to deter, and in most cases punish acts of corruption has led many to suggest the creation of a separate court or tribunal to try corruption cases speedily as is the case with the National Industrial Court (NIC), with exclusive jurisdiction on labour-related disputes and the Election Tribunals, with sole jurisdiction on election disputes.

This suggestion has, however, ignited debate as to whether it was necessary or not the country needs a special court for corruption cases before to address the delay currently associated with the trial of corruption cases.

While those in favour of the creation of a separate court argue that it will aid prompt determination of such cases, those against called for the review of existing court rules and practice procedures as a better and cheaper way out.

Senior lawyers, including Sebastine Hon, Joseph Nwobike, Mahmud Magaji and Ade Adedeji (all Senior Advocates of Nigeria), also expressed divergent views on the issue. While Hon and Magaji are in support of the creation of a separate court to handle corruption cases, Nwobike and Adedeji do not.

Hon supported the creation of separate courts manned by High Court judges or persons of equal standing in law to handle corruption cases. He advocated that such courts should also be superior courts of record.

“If we can have the National Industrial Court, specifically for industrial/employment related matters, the Federal High Court for federal related causes, by and large, and then, we also have the Elec-

tion Tribunals to handle election matters, there is nothing stopping us from having a specialised court to handle corruption cases.

This is because corruption is hydra-headed and monstrous. It is better we take it serious.

And that will, to a very reasonable extent, eradicate the delays experienced when these matters go to the regular courts, which handle other matters. They have the discretion to adjourn cases at will.

“In addition, the Constitution should also be amended to provide timeline within which such criminal trials should be conducted and concluded. This should apply to the trial court and the appellate courts, as is the case with election petitions.

“Now, it is difficult for you, in election matters to exceed the 300 days provided in election matters. You have 180 days allocated to proceedings at the tribunal, 60 days at the Court of Appeal and another 60 days at the Supreme Court. So, what stops us from also having such constitutional arrangement in for corruption matters? I support the call for specialsed courts for corruption cases and the amendment of the Constitution to allow timelines for the trial of corruption cases,” Hon said.

Magaji also said he subscribes to have a separate court or an anti-corruption tribunal. He advocated that such a court or tribunal should be headed by Justices, particularly retired Justices of the Supreme Court.

“If we do not have separate court, there will be the problem of overlapping of jurisdiction.

The best thing is for us to create anti-corruption tribunal that will have similar powers with those of the state High Court, and appeals can go from there to the Court of Appeal, and then, the Supreme Court.

“This will allow prompt determination of these cases. For instance, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has up to 20 cases on its list every day. The situation is made difficult when there are a number of Senior Advocates in court, whose cases, by tradition, are taken first.

“But when you have a separate court, whose e responsibility is to hear just corruption cases, proceeding in such cases will move fast. We can start by way of tribunals, before the Constitution is amended to allow for the creation of such a specialised court,” Magaji said.

Nwobike argued that the creation of special court for corruption cases will not serve any useful purpose. He contended that while creation of specialised courts for corruption is not prudent, the country should be vary in its quest for speedy justice in order not to sacrifice justice at the altar of speed.

“What I also know is that the various courts, that is the Federal High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court have developed practice directions aimed at ensuring that criminal and corruption related cases are speedily determined. That, to me, is sufficient.

“We cannot afford to create special court for everything. Experience has shown that it is the same manpower, the same judges, the same lawyers and the same litigants will attend the specialised court. So, this attitude, responsible for delays in the regular courts, will also affect the specialised court.

“There is no justification for the creation of special courts. What I will suggest is that the various practice directions and others measures to aid speedy administration of justice should be given due attention at all levels.

“We must remember that when we talk about speed in the determination of criminal cases, we have to be very careful so that we do not sacrifice justice at the altar of speed. If we emphasise speed as against justice, the court may end up convicting innocent people and, in the process, let criminals go scot-free. That is not the intention of the law and criminal justice system,”Nwobike said.

Adedeji also disagreed with the argument that the country needs to have a different court to corruption cases. He argued that the country currently has enough courts to dispense justice in most of these cases.

“The problem has to do with abuse of processes by counsel. There is need for effective and more pragmatic rules to ensure that cases are expeditiously determined. So, in my view, it all comes down to abuse of processes. If a specialised court is provided to try some of these cases, we will still have the same problem.

“Essentially, it comes down to deliberate abuse of court processes, coupled with the fact that we need to be more aggressive in ensuring frequent reforms of our rules. In my view, a combination of these processes (preventing process abuse and ensuring frequent reform of court’s rules) will deal with these issues we are complaining about,” Adedeji said.

Despite the lack of consensus yet on the desirability or otherwise of a specialised court for corruption cases, the position remains that the current arrangement needs to be tinkered with for corruption cases to be determined expeditiously.

27

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

LAW & SOCIETY The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) last Friday conferred the rank of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on 21 lawyers. JOSEPH JIBUEZE profiles the three academics among them.

Behold the new SANs! L

AST Friday, the Legal Practition ers’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) conferred the rank of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria on 21 lawyers.

Among them were All Progressives Congress (APC) National Legal Adviser Dr. Muiz Banire; son of a former Anambra State Deputy Governor Mrs. Virgy Etiaba, Emeka Etiaba; son of a former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Dr. Oladapo Olanipekun; and Director, Legal Services of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Ibrahim Bawa.

Three were from the academic category, namely Prof. Maxwell Gidado; Dr. Mamman Tahir and Prof. Paul Idornigie.

Others are a former NBA General Secretary Olumuyiwa Akinboro; Edward Ashiekaa, Benson Nwankwo, Joseph Bamigboye, Patrick Okolo, Dr. Akinpelu Onigbinde, Samuel Zibiri, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, Aderibigbe Adedeji, Emmanuel Aguma, Gordy Uche, Uchechukwu Obi and Kehinde Eleja.

The only female is a former Ogun State Attorney-General Mrs Abimbola Akeredolu. She was one of the three women among the 124 applicants that applied for the rank.

Supreme Court Chief Registrar and LPPC Secretary Ahmed Saleh said the rank was conferred on the 21 lawyers

at the 119th general meeting of the LPPC “as a mark of excellence to the underlisted members of the legal profession”.

The 21 lawyers were selected after an interview of the 50 shortlisted candidates. The first recipients of the award were Chief F. R. A. Williams and Dr Nabo Graham-Douglas on April 3, 1975.

The most significant privilege a SAN enjoys is the right of calling their cases first and out of order. The award is not without its controversies. Some lawyers have called for its abolition because it is no longer transparent.

There have been accusations of nepotism and it being awarded to only those who are connected. Some say it seems too easy for lawyers whose parents are SANs to get the rank. In some instances, more experienced lawyers have been overlooked.

Two divergent groups have emerged among lawyers, one calling for the rank’s abolition, the other insisting on its retention.

The abolitionists cite alleged favouritism, nepotism, lack of transparency and corruption of the award process for their demand.

This is second time activist-lawyer Festus Keyamo would fail to get the rank after the final interview. He was shortlisted for the final interview last year but did not make it. The late Gani Fawehinmi suffered a similar fate before he was recognised.

Also a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Adviser Chief Olusola Oke, now an APC member, was also shortlisted for this year’s final interview but failed to make the final list.

Prof. Gidado Prof. Gidado was born in Sugu, Adamawa State in 1960. A 1983 graduate of the University of Maiduguri,

• Prof. Idornigie

• Dr Mamman

he was called to the Bar in 1984. He obtained he Master of Law (LLM) and Ph.D from the University of Warwick in England.

He underwent his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in 1984-85 at the law firm of A. O. Arulogun & CO in Port Harcourt. He became a Professor of Law in 2011 at Department of Private and Business Law, Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

He was a Deputy Dean of Law and was made Dean Faculty of Law in 2009, a position he occupied until he was appointed Chief of Staff to the Acting Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.

Gidado was Senior Special Assistant Legal and Constitutional Matters to the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from 2003 to 2007 and Senior Special Assistant Legal and Constitutional Matters to former President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2003.

He was Secretary, Presidential Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitu-

• Prof. Gidado

tion from 1999 to 2001, and a former Assistant Director (Academic) at the Nigerian Law School Bwari from January 1999 to June 1999.

He served as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Adamawa State from 1995 to 1997 and was made a Grand Patron, Certified Institute of Management in July 2011.

Prof Idornigie Prof Idornigie holds a doctorate in International Commercial Arbitration.

He attended Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kinddom (UK), the University of Jos, and the Nigerian Law School, Lagos. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (London), a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), Member, London Court of International Arbitration, a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Member, International Bar Association and Commonwealth

Lawyers Association.

He is a Resource Person to the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). He is on the Panel of Neutrals at the Abuja and Lagos MultiDoor Courthouses, Nigeria and the Panel of Arbitrators at the Lagos Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration, Lagos and Nigerian Communications Commission, Abuja.

He is a Consultant to the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Abuja. He retired as a Senior Lecturer at the Nigerian Law School, Abuja where he taught Company Law & Practice (including Arbitration and ADR Processes) and Law of Evidence and later took up appointment as a Research Professor of Law at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS).

He was formerly at the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), the National Secretariat of the National Council on Privatisation, where he was a World Bank/Department for International Development Adviser (Consultant) and General Counsel/Head of Secretariat. In this capacity, he was the Legal Adviser to BPE and thus was involved in the drafting and negotiation of the privatisation, commercialisation and concession transactions and conversant with infrastructure regulation.

Dr Mamman Dr Mamman was Director-General, Nigerian Law School. Before joining as a Deputy-Director, Nigerian Law School, Kano, he was Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Maiduguri.

Born in Adamawa State, he attended the famous Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and had his second and third degrees in Warwick University, England.

He holds the Order of the Niger (OON).

Stakeholders met in Lagos last week to discuss how ICT could be deployed in boosting the practice of law. ADEBISI ONANUGA reports

Lawyers seek to boost legal practice with ICT

S

TAKEHOLDERS in the justice sector, including lawyers and other related practitioners, gathered in Lagos last week under the aegis of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to brainstorm on the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the legal profession.

The occasion was at the maiden edition of “The e-legal conference “, organised by one of the country’s fastest growing online community of legal professionals, “thelearnedfriend.com “.

The event, which had “Tomorrow’s legal”, as theme, held at Lagos Court of Arbitration, International Centre for Arbitration and ADR, Lekki, Lagos.

Thelearnedfriends.com is an online news aggregator and social media platform focused on showcasing technological innovations in the legal sector.

The firm’s Managing Director, Mrs. Mobola Obileye, said: “The nature of legal services is changing as more legal businesses are incorporating technology and digital media into their daily operations.”

Former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos branch, Mr. Alex Mouka, while delivering the keynote address said the benefit of the conference was unquantifiable when juxtaposed with the cost of acquiring technology, noting that lawyers must begin to brace towards the challenge ahead.

Mouka pointed out that the world was moving in the direction of digital and that lawyers cannot afford to be left behind. He said the conference is, therefore, to prepare the minds of lawyers for the changes ahead.

“I don’t expect that it will be an overnight change, no. It is not going to happen but, if we understand that someday we must operate in a completely online environment then the sooner we begin to pull down the roadblocks the better. We may not achieve a paperless

• From left: Slade, Mouka, Ezenwoke, Tolu Aderemi, Obileye, Ayorinde (SAN) Dele Ned and Femi Ojomu at the event.

office now, we do appreciate that more of our work has to be done in an online mobile environment and then begin to set up the tools,” he said.

On how realistic this fusion between the ICT and the legal profession would work out, he said most of the solutions were scalable, pointing out that lawyers do not have to start with the most expensive solution. ‘’Some of the solutions that has been suggested here can be tailored to the size or scope of your practice; if you’ve a small firm,there’s solution for you and if you’ve a large firm there’s solution you can adopt,’’ he added.

Asked if the conservative nature of lawyers would not affect the technological trend in the profession, he said most of the lawyers you know are up to date when it comes to technology.

“All the lawyers I know use smart phones. Virtually, every law office

now have embraced the computer system, modern system in terms of having a web presence. In terms of working online, quite a number of law firms have Facebook pages, most lawyers even senior lawyers have personal Facebook page so when it comes to embracing change, I don’t think lawyers are conservative. On the contrary, I think lawyers are among the foremost people who embrace change. There is also the cost aspect, technology is expensive, lawyers generally are better able to afford some of these things and we are not conservative in that aspect.

“I have no fear about how technology will impact on the legal profession. On the contrary, my view has always been that IT is something we must embrace as lawyers,’’ he said.

In his contribution, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) noted that the popular saying is that the world is a global

village and the legal profession must keep up with the international best practices.

“All over the world, new trends are coming up and Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind when we have a country with so many lawyers, with so much intellectual capacity, we need to now combine that with technological advancement. That is a reason why this is going on and I think it’s a good innovation for the judiciary.

“This will help law firms to keep up with their international counterparts, help the law firms to keep up among themselves, you can see that most of the work in the courts are now going digital so, it’s a conference that will be very helpful for the lawyers that have attended the conference today,”m he added.

Mr. Femi Ojumu, who unbundled

the expression ICT and characterised it as a physical or web-based configuration which facilitates the use, exploitation, mining, storage and transfer of data that’s underpinned by scientific expertise.

He noted that if a law firm could reduce its overhead “by operationalising internal business processes by exploiting ICT, commercial logic, and practical economics, would necessarily direct it to that pathway’’.

He cited how ICT is being deployed in businesses, such as law firms, adding that organisations responsible for the administration of justice abound. ‘’Some of these include ton-line reporting of case law, such as The Lloyd’s List Maritime Reports; video conferencing facilities linking firms and clients across different time zones and jurisdictions; virtual law libraries; cloud –based databanks; 24hours x 365 days virtual business continuity suites; private and public websites of law firms and regulatory agencies, respectively; social media platforms e.g.

Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook, electronic commerce and much more,” he added.

Dean, Student Affairs, Covenant University, Azubuike Ezenwoke, in his presentation, asked: “In the midst of all these, how are the next generation of lawyers being trained? According to him, “problem solving requires specific skills and competencies dependent on access to accurate, timely, sufficient, reliable and relevant information (or FACTS).’’

Mark Slade, the Chief executive Officer (CEO), Ringier Digital Marketing, painted a graphic picture of the growth on Internet penetration in Africa, concluding that Nigeria has the highest number of Internet and Facebook users and active mobile in the continent.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

28

NATIONAL BAR Plea bargain: Supreme Court Justice calls for cautions

By John Austin Unachukwu

J

USTICE Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta (JSC) last week at the Sir Louis Mbanefo Bar Centre Onitsha, Anambra State c a l l e d f o r the e q u i t a b l e application of plea bargain in the country.

He spoke at the 60 th birthday of the Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice Peter Nnanna C. Umeadi.

Justice Ngwuta, who was the Chairman of the event, noted that everybody is equal before the law and if two or more people commit the same offence, they should receive the same punishment under the law.

He said: “Let us apply plea bargain across board, so that the rich and the poor will benefit from it. A situation where two people commit the same offence but get different judgements is not good, equitable and just.”

He called on those who condemn court judgments to read the judgments first before discussing them.

He called on lawyers to stop filing frivolous applications that waste the time of the courts and other litigants.

Justice Ngwuta praised Anambra State Governor, Willie M. Obiano, for granting independence to the Judiciary in Anambra.

H e s aid: ‘’T h e J u d i c i a r y i n Anambra State is truly independent. The other day I saw the Anambra State Chief Judge handing over the keys of brand new cars to the Chief Registrar.”

He said the Judiciary is very important in every country, and that the politicians come and go, but the Judiciary is always there and if it is not, that is the end of the road.

He called on the various governments to keep the Judiciary going because without the Judiciary, there would be chaos, adding: ‘’all governments in the country should make sure that the infrastructure needed by the Judiciary is there. In football, the best is in the field but in the Judiciary, the best is on the Bench.”

He commended the celebrator, Justice Umeadi for his contributions to the Judiciary both nationally and in the state.

In her letter to Justice Umeadi, the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, Justice H. M. Ogunwimuju (JCA) said: “Those who search beyond the natural limits will retain good hearing and clear vision, their bodies will remain light and strong and although they grow old in years, they will remain able-bodied and flourishing, and those who are able bodied can govern. “ Your immense contributions to the legal profession both at the State and national level make you a formidable standard bearer to be emulated by others.”

It was, indeed, a great day for Anambra CJ as his colleagues from both within and outside the state came to celebrate with him and his achievements in the state Judiciary.

“In the Judiciary, we render services in the name of God to humanity. It is not for making money, but if you need money, leave the Bench and go to the politicians.

•Ozobia (fifth right) and other participants at the event.

Firms partner to mentor law students

G

E International Operations Nigeria Limited last week in Lagos and Sterling Partnership organised the Seventh edition of the mentoring session for students of Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus.

The session, an initiative of Sterling partnership is a yearly event that provides a platform for the students to interact with prominent members of the Bar and Bench to acquaint the law students with possible job opportunities available to them upon their call to the Bar. The session also guides the Bar aspirants on how to make best use of

By John Austin Unachukwu

the numerous opportunities available to them upon their call to Bar for maximum benefits.

Former President, Commonwealth Lawyers Association (LA) who is also a partner in Sterling Partnership, Boma Ozobia, advised the students on a career path from litigation to in-house counsel, adding that pupilage in a wellestablished and busy law firm is absolutely important before any other career choice after the call to Bar. She further taught the students on how to write good curriculum vitae that would help get them employed

in reputable law firms Boma urged the students to strive to acquire advocacy skills, drafting skills, good communication skills, courage and integrity as they come into the noble profession Speaking on the topic ‘A Day in the Life of a Judge,’ Justice Abidemi Adesanya of the Lagos State High Court spoke highlighted the key qualities of a judge, which she said include courage, knowledge of the law, hard work, impartiality as an umpire in legal disputes and the ability to reason logically in balancing points of law and facts.

Other speakers at the session included Ms. P. Idornighie, Mrs. Ozim Ifeoma Obasi and Mrs. Adesua Dozie

of General Electric, West Africa, who spoke on the duties of a Compliance Officer in a multinational company, which include playing the role of a whistle blower Mrs. Mina Abina took the students through the rudiments of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods and how they can build their career on ADR after call to Bar. Deputy Director-General (DDG), Nigerian Law School Lagos Campus, Mrs. Mabel Adetoun Adebiyi; Director of Studies, Mr. Nasiru Tijani; Mr. Nelson Ogbuanya and other lecturers of the institution urged their students to work hard during the session.

NBA Lagos: Ogunleye in, Muoka out

T

HE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos branch, last Thursday, at the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, elected new officers to run the affairs of the premier branch for the next two years.

The new officers, who were sworn in yesterday at the branch Annual General Meeting (AGM), would take over from the Alex Muoka-led executives whose tenure have ended.

In the election, Mr. Martins Ogunleye was elected the branch Chairman, Mrs. Uche Ikwueme emerged as the First Vice-Chairman; Mrs. Omokhafe T. Opara was elected the Second ViceChairman, while Mr. Stephen Obajaja was elected the branch Secretary.

Mr. Philip Njetene won the election as the branch Treasurer; Mr. Emmanuel Orhoro won as the branch Financial Secretary while Mr. Celestine Nwankwor won the election as the branch Assistant Financial Secretary and Mr. Emeka Nwadioke emerged as an Ex-Officio member.

Born in Surulere on August 25, 1967, Ogunleye attended Sunnyfields Primary School, Surulere, Lagos. He proceeded to the Federal Government College, Odogbolu in Ogun State.

He gained admission to the Ogun State University and graduated with a Second Class Honours in Law in 1987.

He attended the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Bar in November 1988 at the age of 21 in that illustrious class that had Babatunde Fashola, Godswill Akpabio, Boma Ozobia,

• Ogunleye

By John Austin Unachukwu

among others.

He cut his legal teeth in the Chambers of late Chief Bola Ige and after stints in a few law firms in Lagos, he founded his firm Trite Law Partners, which is one of the largest law firms on the mainland.

Ogunleye served as chairman of the Surulere Lawyers Forum (2008-2012); 1st vice chairman, NBA Lagos (20112013) as well as chairman of the Institute of Chartered Mediators & Conciliatory, Lagos Chapter (2011-2014).

He is also the general secretary of FGC Odogbolu Old Students Association

• Obajaja since 2012 and an ex officio of the National Association of Catholic Lawyers since 2011.

He is married with children.

Obajaja holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Laws from the Universities of Benin and Lagos. He was called to the Bar in 2003.

He has since been in active legal practice. He was with Kalaro & Kalaro between September 2003 and May 2004.

From ther, he joined the firm of Mbanugo Udenze & Co., where he was from May 2004 to August 2005 before branching out with three of his colleagues to start the law firm of Con-

quest: Cradle Du Codes where he was pioneer managing partner from August 2005 to August 2006.He has varied experience in forensic advocacy, especially in commercial litigation practice, pre-election matters/election petition and criminal defence.

He has handled several sensitive and challenging matters. He was counsel in matters, involving the then Omega Bank, UACN Properties, CPL Industries Limited, TSG Nigeria Limited, C & I Leasing, Equinox Assets, IMB Morgan, Zinox Technologies, Technology Distributions Limited, Task Systems, R.T. Briscoe (Nigeria) Plc, Linkage Assurance Plc amongst others. He has handled several criminal matters involving the EFCC and several government parastatals.

He is also experienced in corporation law and company secretarial practice. He advises on companies, corporate structures, shareholder rights and other corporate governance issues, including mergers and acquisition, corporate restructurings, divestitures, schemes of arrangement and reconstruction, collective investment schemes and has drafted several commercial agreements and consummated transactions.

Obajaja, who compiled the book Pension Law and Practice in Nigeria (A Review of the Pension Reform Act, 2004), edited by Mbanugo Udenze, is also a consultant to many law firms. He writes for some leading national dailies.

• From left: HRM Obidiegwu Onyesoh, Eze Nri Enwelana 11; Anambra State Deputy Governor Nkem Emeka; Justice J. I. Okoro (JSC), Governor Obiano, Justice Ngwuta, Justice Umeadi and others at the event.

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON NORTHERN STATES

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

PAGE 29

INSIDE ‘I heard bomber shout, ‘give way’ before blast’

PAGE 30

Shettima cheers up IDPs at meal

•Part of the bombed church

T

HIS time, reason prevailed. In the past, 2010, 2011 and 2013 being examples, each time a mosque or church was hit, revenge quickly followed in kind. In a very short time, full scale war broke, tearing the once peaceful state apart.

Penultimate Sunday, it looked as though Plateau State was treading the old, ugly path one again. Between 9pm and 10pm, a mosque where one of the most revered Muslim clerics in the state was giving a sermon was torn apart by an explosion. About 10 minutes later, an eatery favoured by Muslims also came under attack. Some 51 souls were lost in the attacks. Before midnight two churches were torched by people believed to have risen in defence of their faith. Going by recent history, a war between adherents of the two most popular religions would have broken out, wreaking the same havoc such violence often did.

The war plot failed. Governor Simon Lalong told the people that terrorists were at work and that body should be calm. Senator Jeremiah Useni was on the same mission, visiting the popular preacher Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingre and making similar appeals.

It worked.

The governor, the retired general and the sheikh were not the only heroes of the latest attacks.

A bodyguard of Sheikh Yahaya reached for the attacker, seeking to stop him in his tracks. He died alongside the bomber but not before preventing more casualties

Another war averted in Plateau

PAGE 31

At daggers drawn over market

When a mosque was bombed in Jos, Plateau State, followed 10 minutes later by another attack on a restaurant frequented by Muslims, the apparent plan was to set Islamic adherents against their Christian counterparts. The people did not fall for it, thanks to the timely intervention of leaders. YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU reports that was really the case.

The death toll of the twin bomb attack stood at 51 at press time, but as high as the figure is, the man at the centre of the attack on Yan Taya Mosque, Dilimi Jos, Sheikh Yahaya said Nigerians should thank God that the number of the dead was limited to 51 and not possibly 500.

The revered Islamic scholar is also appreciative of the fact that the attack did not lead to a religious violence in the state as planned by the attackers.

Knowing the volatile nature of Jos and how such attack on worshippers could spark off religious violence, Governor Lalong issued a press statement through his director of press Samuel Nanle, appealing to citizens to remain calm and maintain the peace.

The appeal became so necessary in view of the fact that some youths

‘Knowing the volatile nature of Jos and how such attack on worshippers could spark off religious violence, Governor Lalong issued a press statement appealing to citizens to remain calm and maintain the peace’ in the state had begun to take action to provoke a religious violence. Soon after the bomb blast at the Mosque in Dilimi by 9:30pm that Sunday night, some angry youths descended on two churches close to the mosque and razed them

down. Those churches are Cherubim and Seraphim Church, off Dilimi Street, just behind the mosque, and The First African Mission Church Incorporated, St. Michael Parish, located on the same •Continued on page 30

PAGE 33

Questions after checkpoints withdrawal

PAGE 36

30

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT

Another war averted in Plateau •Continued from page 29 street as the attacked mosque.

The attack on the churches took place before dawn, but that same morning, on the governors directive, the military check points that were removed earlier were quickly restored, security agencies were deployed to sensitive areas of the city to prevent a breakdown of law and order. The governor followed that with a press statement appealing to citizens.

And, as if that was not enough, Lalong visited the scene where he addressed the Muslim community, asking them to remain calm and promising to use his office to nab those behind the attacks. The governor also visited the various hospitals to appeal to parents and relations of the victims.

But in order not to allow the efforts of the governor to lose steam, the Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial Zone, Senator Useni followed up with a peace advocacy visit to further cement what Governor Lalong has started. The senator first visited the Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingre at his Jos residence to begin his peace advocate, saying, “I’m here to express my sympathy with you over the attack on your people; you have lost a good number of your followers and I know how painful that can be.

However, you are not the only one in this pain, the entire state shares in the pain of this attack.

“For every life in the state to be terminated in this manner, it is an issue of concern to everyone, I feel terribly bad on hearing of the attack. I won’t say because I am not the senator from this zone I don’t feel concern, I do, and that is why I decided to pay you my sympathy visit and also visit the scene of attacks as well as victims in the hospitals.

“It is my prayer that may the souls of the deceased rest in peace, and may God safeguard those of us that are mourning the dead at the moment. I’m also pleading with you to continued to talk to your followers not to think of any form of reprisal over the attack because we are dealing with the enemies we don’t even know, so even if we think of revenge we might be targeting the innocent ones that have no hand in the attack. I am appealing to all Muslim ummah in Plateau state to forgive and forget for us to coexist peacefully in this state and in the country.

“I’m so confident that if we all exercise patience with one another, the issue of insurgency and Boko haram will soon become a thing of the past because the government of President Buhari is working hard to tackle the issue

‘I’m here to express my sympathy with you over the attack on your people; you have lost a good number of your followers and I know how painful that can be.

However, you are not the only one in this pain, the entire state shares in the pain of this attack’ of insecurity in the country once and for all, we should have confidence in him, we should support him to succeed,” said Senator Useni.

The Senator moved from that point to visit the attacked mosque and church leaders whose worship places were razed down by angry mob. At the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Dilimi, he met the church leaders who took him round the remains of the church building.

After the inspection, the Senator said, “From what I see here, It is unthinkable for somebody to attack a church because somebody from nowhere attacked a mosque. The church is innocent in this case; the church has not launched attack on any mosque. This is a clear case of transferred aggression, people should be able to control their anger when something happens to them. But that is why I am here to sympathise with you and plead that we should forgive and forget all that happened, you have to forgive these people because they don’t know what they are doing. We should follow the teaching of the bible that teaches us to leave vengeance to God. So, the church leaders should find a way to rebuild the church and I am ready to assist the church in whatever way I can to fix them back” said Senator Useni.

The Senator moved to the next church to preach the same message of peace and forgiveness. He appealed to the church leader to forgive while promising to assist them in rebuilding the church.

No doubt, the message of Senator Useni was like a balm on pains, the religious leaders promised to respect him as a peace maker.

Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingre not only agreed to tow the line of peace but also reveal how he has been able to calm his followers thus, “I want to

•Senator Useni (left) with leaders of Cherubim and Sheraphim after inspecting the damage to the church

•Another church destroyed after the attack on a mosque thank Allah for what had happened because I know very well that whatever that happened to a believer, be it negative or positive, cannot succeed unless with the approval of Allah. I have to thank Allah because if the attackers had succeeded, they would have killed as much as 500 Muslims that night. Because the people that gathered to listen to me that night were more than half a million Muslims.

He said, “One of the attackers was

aiming at me, but one of my personal guard took a risk with his own life to safe hundreds of others.

As the bomber was trying to penetrate where I was seated, my aid went courageously and grabbed the bomber together with the bomb, the bomb went off immediately and shattered the bomber and the brave boy together. The boy used his own life to safe hundreds of other lives. If not for his adventure, the death from that attacks would

have been more than 500. At the end we recorded 24 deaths in the mosque.

“Then soon after that the gunmen stormed the restaurants where our people were taking their dinner and detonated another bomb there, we lost 19 people there. Some of the victims of the restaurant attack are Christians, some are travelers, they were just eating.

‘I heard bomber shout ‘give way’ before blast’

S

OME survivors have recounted the last moments before a suicide bomber blew herself up, killing 26 persons and injuring 32 others at Sabon-Gari council headquarters in the university town Zaria, Kaduna State last Tuesday.

The blast occurred at about 9.20am, according to the Chief Medical Director of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, Zaria, Prof Ibrahim Khalid who also supplied the casualty figures.

Survivors of the Zaria, Kaduna State attack, relive their close shaves. One of them says that shortly before the explosion, he saw the suicide bomber struggling to enter the secretariat hall where much more people were gathered. ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE reports Majority of those affected were civil servants who left their homes early enough to queue up and wait for the biometric verification exercise going on at the secretariat, while others besieged the secretariat to receive the newly sworn Interim Management Committee chairman, Mohammed Usman Samaru, an engineer, as he resumed

duties.

Several eyewitnesses who were lucky to escape the blast unhurt, said they were still confused over the mission of the suicide bomber, whom they described as a young woman.

Adamu Hussein Lere, one of the survivors, claimed to have seen the woman when she was attempting

to push her way to the hall of the event. He said he was convinced that the bomber’s target was the hall, but for the large crowd that obstructed her.

Hussain said he heard the bomber clearly telling the crowd in Hausa, “Gafaran ku, Gafaran ku”, meaning give way, give way and when it seemed difficult to move, she

detonated the bomb.

“The impact would have been more devastating if he had gained entry into the hall,” he stated.

An eyewitness said that after the evacuation of bodies, most people argued what may have •Continued on page 32

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

31

THE NORTH REPORT

Shettima cheers up IDPs at meal Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima’s meal with Internally Displaced Persons or IDPs lifted their spirits at a Maiduguri camp, DUKU JOEL reports

T

HE pain and frustration of camp life were apparent, worsened by having to observe Ramadan, one of the most important Islamic injunctions, away from home. Yet, the somber mood gave way as the governor spoke with Internally Displaced Persons IDPs over a meal at their camp.

The camp kids skipped around innocently, contrasting with their parents’ somber mood. Boko Haram has dealt a severe blow to them, dislodging them from their homes and leaving them no choice but to observe the Ramadan fast at a relief camp. It hurt.

Amedu Shettima, of Bama nativity, said it was the first time he was fasting at a displaced persons camp.

Bulama Shehu said, “Whatever they give us here cannot be enough for us. It is painful because those of us that used to feed people during fasting are now being fed. I never imagined I will be in this terrible situation but I cannot question what my creator has destined as a Muslim,” he said.

“I cannot wait to get out of this place to resume my normal life.

This is the feeling of everybody that you see around in this camp. We cannot pretend; life is not normal

here at all. Let the government finish with Boko Haram for us to go back,” pleaded Jibril Sani, a father seven.

For many who spoke with our correspondents, their feelings, thoughts, pains, anxiety, were all the same and they cannot wait to see the end of the crisis so as to restart their lives.

Governor Shettima seemed aware of the suffering of his people, organising an ‘iftar’ (breaking of Ramadan fast) at an IDP camp located at Yerwa Girls College in Maiduguri in the spirit of the season.

The iftar was attended by the Emir of Bama, Alhaji Kyari Ibn Ibrahim ElKanemi who has also been displaced following the destruction of his palace and occupation of Bama by Boko Haram insurgents in 2014.

It is the atmosphere of despair Borno State has started feeling the impacts of President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration, Governor Kashim Shettima told Internally Displaced Persons in Maiduguri.

Shettima arrived one of the 20 camps accommodating part of the people of Bama who have the largest number of displaced persons at about 6:15pm joined the IDPs in congregation for the ‘Magrib’ prayers at sunset before settling down to

•Governor Shettima (middle, left) breaking the Ramadan fast with IDPs at the Yerwa Girls College, Maiduguri camp enjoy the breaking of fast with about 2,000 displaced persons.ý To ensure a hitch-free event that lasted about two hours, a combined team of security men and youth volunteers provided enough security for the smooth but emotionally charged event at which the governor addressed the IDPs in both English and Kanuri. He informed them that Borno has already begun to feel the impact of the Buhari-led Federal Government as it has now taken over most responsibilities in funding activities across about 20 IDP camps in Maiduguri unlike in the past when the state government shouldered

most of the responsibilities under the PDP administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

“We have started feeling the impact of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. For instance, from 2013 when we started establishing camps for displaced persons in Biu for the people of Damboa and to the number of camps we have now, the Borno State Government was solely bearing the biggest burden of funding these IDP camps.

“Today, with the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal Government, through the National Emergency Management

Agency, (NEMA), has taken over so many responsibilities in these camps and this is how it ought to be ab initio. Today, under the Buhari administration, we have a NEMA that has accelerated its presence in Borno. The agency was doing so much even before the APC administration given the kind of Federal Government they had but the difference in NEMA’s approach today is far different from what it obtained before,” Shettima noted.

Throwing more light on some of the things the Buhari led APC ad•Continued on page 32

‘To be polio-free, more immunisation needed’

V

ICTORY beckons, but more vigilance is needed.

That was the message of experts on polio, of which the country could soon be declared free.

“A great deal rests in the hands of Nigeria’s new government,” said the Independent Monitoring Board of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

“With strong commitment, there is good potential that Nigeria will eradicate polio

By Khadijat Saidu, Birnin-Kebbi

within their terms, and will be able to celebrate a great Nigerian victory.

“But if the polio programme loses momentum or support, the country could be responsible not only for polio coming back to Nigeria, but elsewhere in Africa too.”

Nigeria needs to be resilient and committed to the campaign to kick the polio virus out of the country for good, the experts

•Immunisation would have helped

said.

“Nigeria’s success in polio eradication under the present governments should be hinged on stronger routine immunisation using the polio infrastructure, and improved surveillance, and any case of paralysis should be reported and investigated. The present administration needs to commit to making funds available for ensuring that polio vaccine is available at all times.

“State governments ought to take immunisation as a priority

and commit their own counterpart funds, so also should local governments.

“This is also the case for routine immunisation where a vast majority of the primary healthcare centres have little or no presence of health workers.

Electricity and other facilities for maintaining vaccines within the cold chain are near absent, or with the limited quantity only supplied by donors and development partners like UNICEF, WHO, among others. Non-compliance rate and international border synchronisation activities are more challenging. That is why Nigeria needs to build resilience to stay polio-free until 2017, and then it can be certified.”

Journalists in Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states have also called for adequate budgetary allocations for the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) in the country.

The journalists made the call at the end of a two-day media capacity building meeting on strategies to interrupt the transmission of the wild polio virus.

The meeting, organised by UNICEF, held at Dankani Hotel Sokoto, with no fewer than 44 journalists attending.

Again, immunisation was the focus, with a view to saving more children.

The journalists called for accountability and stronger commitment by policymakers and other stakeholders.

They also urged media practitioners and their organisations to continue to utilise their positions in the society to strengthen and sustain the polio eradication and other child-survival programmes.

The resolution also urged journalists to build their skills to enhance networking through social media and other emerging technologies to boost their news reports and programmes.

On their part, they pledged to be more passionate and professional in the campaign to eradicate the polio virus from the country.

UNICEF Chief Field officer, Mohammed Muhiuddin said that for Nigeria to combat the disease, the media needs to be actively involved.

The MD, Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC) Mrs Tammy advised journalists to play active roles in the fight against the polio virus.

‘If the polio programme loses momentum or support, the country could be responsible not only for polio coming back to Nigeria, but elsewhere in Africa too’

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

32

THE NORTH REPORT

‘I heard bomber shout ‘give way’ •Continued from page 30 informed the bomber’s mission during the holy month. They suspected that senior members of the civil service who were looting the state’s funds through the use of ghost workers were against the ongoing biometric exercise and might have sponsored the attack.

Some insinuated that the removal of security checkpoints and soldiers from major roads and flashpoints could have been responsible for the return of suicide bombers to the state after warding them off for over a year.

There is no doubt however that, having enjoyed a bomb-free state and relative peace for about a year and half in Kaduna State, the Sabon-gari attack has stirred tension as many feared, it could be a return of suicide bombers to Kaduna.

When our correspondent visited the ABUTH, Shika, some survivors narrated their ordeal.

Ahmed Suleiman said he has been screened and verified to collect his cheque for payment. While on queue, the restless lady attempted to push him and others away, but before they could say anything he heard a sound and the next place he found himself was the hospital.

According to him, “I am fasting, I have been praying to God to allow me scale through without problem and I did. I was close to the point where I was to collect my cheque, but found myself in the hospital. God knows why.”

Another survivor, Usman Shehu, a 52-year-old local government worker from Lere, said he was shuttling between Lere and Zaria in a bid to get verified and collect cheque for his June salary.

He said he never imagined that he would later be a victim of bomb attack, particularly during the Ramadan Fasting. However, he thanked God to be counted among the living and not the dead. Similarly, 45 years old Abdul Garba said, “We came for the screening, and I was on queue, suddenly I saw myself on the floor, I fainted and never knew where I was until I woke up in the hospital. I am a primary school teacher in Kauru local government.

•A survivor of the blast in hospital

•Another survivor in hospital ýOthers who spoke were still in confused state of mind due to the shock that overwhelmed them after the blast.

But while the survivors were trying to recount their encounter about the bomb blast, Kaduna Governor Malam Nasir el-Rufai did not hesitate to condemn it, describing it as an “inhuman act of terror.”

El-Rufai said the people must not take any chances, as a measure to contain further attacks, he advised residents to avoid public gatherings and report all suspicious persons to the nearest security agencies as well as community leaders.

In addition to that, he ordered for immediate deployment of extra security forces to beef up security against another attack.

While El-Rufai is taking adequate security measure to avoid any possible attack, the Senator represent-

•An aerial photograph of Sambisa forest in Borno State

ing Kaduna North Central Senatorial District, Comrade Shehu Sani, who also blamed porous security for the attacks in Sabon-gari and other parts of the north said if those saddled with the responsible of ensuring safety of lives and property of Nigerian can’t do it, they should be fired. “It is high time that the new government reviewed the security policy and system of the country,” he stated.

Senator Sani who at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, Zaria, Kaduna to visit the victims told journalists that security agencies must as a matter of necessity take proactive measures to stop the cruel killings in parts of the north.

But didn’t leave the hospital without sending a message to the northern politicians, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders to come together and put

an end to Boko Haram insurgency.

The position of Governor El-Rufai and Senator Shehu Sani over the Sabon-Gari bomb attack is not dif-

‘We came for the screening, and I was on queue, suddenly I saw myself on the floor, I fainted and never knew where I was until I woke up in the hospital. I am a primary school teacher’ ferent from most residents who want a final solution to nip Boko Haram in the bud.

The jittery residents have expressed hope that the state and federal wake up to the responsibility of securing lives of innocent Nigerians killed almost every day by Boko Haram insurgents.

But one thing that brought sudden relief to residents of Kaduna State and Zaria in particular is the reported arrest of the mastermind of the Jos and Zaria explosions.

They hope that the suspect, if found guilty, will face the full wrath of the law.

Shettima cheers up IDPs at meal •Continued from page 31

ministration is doing to end the insurgency, he said, “ýEarly this (last) week, governors met with Mr President on the state of the nation and one of the President’s renewed assurances was on the fight against the insurgents and a firm pledge to offer special support to Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. ýI am very confident that this APC-led Federal Government will support Borno State in its healing process and all of you that are internally displaced within and outside Borno as well as those taking refuge outside Nigeria, will insha Allah be supported back on your feet and you will be reintegrated into your communities that will be reconstructed be iznillah.

“We have the will, we have people that are ready to work, we have a Federal Government that is ready to support and we are ready to deploy whatever resources at our disposal to reconstruct destroyed communities. And let me also say, that supporting you is not a privilege, it is your rights to be supported and it is our constitutional and moral obligation to support all of you,” Shettima explained.

The ýGovernor while emphasizing the plight of the IDPs urged well-meaning citizens to show love and support for them, maintain that no one was beyond facing challenges in life.

“Whenever I move from my residence to my office inside the Government House or when I move round Maiduguri and see some of the beautiful estates we are constructing or when I drive through our new hospitals, schools and streetlights, I see the Borno of my vision not the real Borno that is faced with challenges.

“I then discovered that whenever

I am around Internally Displaced Persons camps, I see the real Borno as things are today. And from the faces of the people I see in the camps, I always take with me two messages. On one hand, I see despair, I see pity and shattered dreams on the faces of many. On some others, I see strength and hope that are true to the indomitable spirit of Borno men and women.

“I love to visit IDPs and whenever I am coming I try to come with as many people as possible so that whoever has no displaced relation or friend in his house here in Maiduguri, will on coming here, be reminded that hundreds of thousands of Borno citizens are in distress. Those of us, who may not be displaced today, would need to know that we are not superior to those who found themselves in the condition they are today.

“They are not displaced because Allah doesn’t like them; Allah is only testing their faith as He tries everyone through one challenge or the other. We must therefore support our brothers and sisters that are displaced. Our support may not have to do with camps only, if you have displaced persons in your neighborhood, please extend support to them and show them love and affection. The IDPs are us and we are them,” Shettima admonished While the event came to an end, the message of the governor was clear on the minds of the displaced people as the atmosphere became more congenial.

“What the people wanted to hear is what the governor told them; reassurances,” a senior government official whispered.

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

Page 33

•Ushafa (third right) and others after the inauguration of the market

At daggers drawn over market I

T should be one of the most hotly contested trading centres in town. On June 16, the management of the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) rolled out the drums to celebrate the successful completion of the remodelled Dutsen Alhaji Market located within the Dutsen Alhaji community of the council.

Gaily-dressed guests, among who Kogi State’s former governor, Abubakar Audu, senior officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the Bwari Area Council Chairman, Peter Yohanna Ushafa sat comfortably under a large tent awaiting the event of the day – commissioning of the reconstructed market, now named after the immediate past Minister of State for the FCT, Jumoke Akinjide.

Shortly after the ceremonial cutting of the tape, signifying the project’s takeoff, Ushafa regaled guest with the rationale for the project and how it will improve the council’s economy, to which everyone clapped.

But, while the council chairman and his quests went about the commissioning of the market, a group of placardbearing protesters was at a

Over a year after, about 50 shop owners in the demolished Dutsen Alhaji market in Bwari Council Area are still at loggerheads with authorities of the council, who inaugurated the rebuilt facility without consulting the traders and despite a restraining court order. ERIC IKHILAE reports distance with armed security men. They included men of the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The protesters were some shop owners in the demolished market and their family members and friends, who felt it was an affront on the principle of rule of law and the nation’s court system for the management of the Bwari Council to commission the market despite an interlocutory order made on December 5, 2014 by Justice O. C. Agbaza of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Jabi, restraining the council from engaging in further development works pending the determination of the suit filed by the aggrieved shop owners.

In the suit marked FCT/HC/ CV/113/2014 it is the contention of the about 50 shop owners, led by David Okoawo, having been duly allocated land in the market, which they developed into shops, it was wrong for the Bwari council’s management to unilaterally demolish their shops and rebuilt them

‘While the council chairman and his quests went about the commissioning of the market, a group of placard-bearing protesters was at a distance with armed security men’ without regard for their interests.

The shop owners, who exhibited copies of the allocation letters, issued to them by the Chairman of the Bwari Council, stated that by the terms of the allocation, they were required to develop the land space located to them into shops, which they will occupy for 15 years, but subject to payment of yearly rent to the Council.

They said they have kept to the terms of the allocation by developing the land into shops and paying annual rents, but were yet to exhaust the 15-year period when the Bwari Council unilaterally terminated their agree-

ment by demolishing the market on August 7, 2014 without notifying them or including them in its new arrangement.

“I am the owner of Shop No. 43 in Dutsen-Alhaji market by virtue of a letter of allocation of open space for building a shop at Dutsen-Alhaji market, issued to me by the Bwari Area Council on March 15, 2012. “The purpose of allocating the open space to me was for the purpose of building a shop which I will own for 15 years in accordance with the terms and conditions as contained in the allocation letter, commencing from March 15, 2012 and will expire by March

14, 2027.

“My ownership of shop No. 43 in Dutsen–Alhaji market was still subsisting when the defendants (the Chairman, Bwari Area Council and the Bwari Area Council) entered the market and demolished it on August 17, 2014 in violation of the terms and conditions of the allocation letter,” one of the aggrieved shop owners, Mrs. Felicia Ogedegbe, said.

Her story is the same with that of the other 49 shop owners who suffered similar fate and are now seeking the intervention of the court in the suit filed through their lawyer, Samuel Ogala of Falana and Falana’s Chambers.

They want the court to declare, among others, that their allocation still subsist and that the demolition of the market by the defendants violated the terms and conditions of the allocation. They seek an order directing the defendants to reinstate them to their shops; an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants and their agents or anybody claim•Continued on page 34

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

34

ABUJA REVIEW •Continued from page 33

ing title from the defendants, from taking over the market space earlier allocated to the plaintiffs and re-developing it.

The plaintiffs also seek an order directing the defendants to pay to each of them N2.7million as compensatory damages for the demolition of their shops and destruction of their property; N5m each as compensatory damages for breach of the terms and condition of the allocation agreement and N5m as cost of legal fees.

However, following complaint by the plaintiffs, to the effect that despite being served with court documents in relation to the case, the Bwari Council and its appointed property developing firm, Eflaye Nigeria Limited, were proceeding with reconstruction works in the market, the trial judge, Justice Agbaza, on December 5, 2014 granted the plaintiffs application for interlocutory injunction and ordered the defendants and their agents to stop further development works in the market.

But, despite the order of December 5, the defendants and their agents proceeded with their development works in the market, a development which informed the plaintiffs’ decision to commence committal proceedings against the defendants.

On May 27, the court took arguments from parties in respect of the contempt proceedings, with the plaintiffs’ lawyer insisting that the defendants are in contempt of court and should be penalised accordingly.

The defendants, through their lawyer, Martina Dajo, have denied any wrongdoing. They queried the competence of the suit and the court’s jurisdiction to hear it on the grounds that they were not issued the required pre-action notice as provided in Section 124 of the Local Government Act of 1976, and that the suit disclosed no reasonable cause of action against them.

Although the plaintiffs exhibited an evidence an evidence of service of the court’s interlocutory order of December 5, 2014 on the defendants, as shown in a Form 3 duly endorsed by a senior bailiff of the court on December 8, 2014 indicating service of copies of enrolment order and hearing notices on the defendants on December 8, 2014, the defendants denied service.

The defendants faulted the

•The protesting traders

At daggers drawn over market plaintiffs’ claim that their rights to demolished shops, which they built and were to own for 15 years based on the terms of a letters of allocation issued by the Bwari Council on the ground that under the Land Use Act, Area Councils in the FCT do not own land and cannot legitimately allocate any.

Although they did not deny issuing the allocation letters to the shop owners and that they have been collecting annual rents on the allocated land from the shop owners, the defendants argued that it was only the FCT Minister who can legitimately allocate land within the FCT. “The plaintiffs’ root of title is the offer of allocation they attached in their claim which by law, does not give them the locus standi to approach the court and make demands of ownership of land as the defendants are, byS laws of the FCT, not empowered to grant such allocation.

“This is not tenable and it is contrary to the explicit provision of the law establishing the FCT. It is

‘The defendants, through their lawyer, denied any wrongdoing.

They queried the competence of the suit and the court’s jurisdiction to hear it on the grounds that they were not issued the required pre-action notice’ therefore our contention that they (the plaintiffs) have no subsisting legal right in the subject matter of thus suit.

“A thorough perusal of the plaintiffs’ averment reveals that the parcel of land in dispute was not a subject of allocation by the Minister of the FCT, who enjoys the sole statutory favour of vesting ownership of land in the FCT on the citizenry upon application.

The question seeking for answer is: Where lies the plaintiffs’ locus

•Member, Board of Trustee, Tertiary Education Trust Fund TETFUND, Barr Chinedu Onu (left), Executive Secretary, TETFUND, Prof Suleiman Bagoro and Katsina State Governor, Hon Aminu Bello Masari during a Working Visit to the Headquarters of Tetfund in Abuja PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

to institute this action against the defendants? Apparently, none,” Dajo said in his notice of preliminary objection.

The defendants urged the court to dismiss the suit.

But, in a counter argument, the plaintiffs contended that aside not denying that they allocated the land comprising the market to shop owners and had collected rents before the demolition, the defendants failed to address the right and power of the Area Council or Local Government Area, under the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution, to establish and manage markets within the council.

Paragraph 1• of the Fourth Schedule provides that the functions of the Local Government Council shall include: “the establishment, maintenance and regulation of slaughter houses, slaughter slabs, markets, motor parks and public conveniences.”

Justice Agbaza has fixed ruling for July 22, 2015 in the contempt proceedings.

Address power problems, contractors urge Buhari

T

HE chairman of Abuja chapter of Licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria LECAN, Chief Vitus Ofodum has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently address power challenges.

Speaking with journalists in his office in Abuja, the chairman called on the president to address the anomalies in the electricity industry.

Chief Ofodum kicked against the use of quacks in electricity works, a condition which he said if not checked would continue to cause serious problems in the quality of electricity services and consumption in the country.

He decried the use of quacks by Power Holdings Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in electricity works, adding that since the company took over management of the industry from the government, it only concentrated on abnormal profit maximisation without giving good people of Nigeria the needed services.

He said: “PHCN is expected to put money into the system and rectify all the problems in the service works on the ground instead

From Frank Ikpefan

of maximizing abnormal profits and employing quacks.”

Calling on the government to take over the management of electricity as was obtainable before, he said that with the level of corruption in Nigeria, the country was not yet ripe to privatise electricity.

He alleged that Abuja Electricity Distribution Board (AEDB) has converted marketers to engineers; a situation which he said was not obtainable in Suleja, Niger state, where engineers are different from marketers.

Chief Ofodum insisted on the use of professionals in the industry.

He called on the present government to ensure that electricity laws are strictly adhered in other to increase the quality of power generation in the country.

He added that before former President Goodluck Jonathan left the office, he signed into law the Electricity Management Services (EMS) which ensured that every electricity work was done in conformity with electricity laws.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

35

ABUJA REVIEW

B

UT for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and well-meaning individuals, life would have been a lot tougher for people forced to flee their homes

by Boko Haram insurgents. Large parts of the Northeast were once overrun by the extremists, who sacked kings and subjects alike and formalised the takeover by unfurling their black flags.

That was not all. Apart from the grief of losing their loved ones to the invaders, fleeing survivors have suffered all manners of horrors and indignities. For some, living with relatives has its dark sides.

For others in camps, life has been a mixed bag. Everything from food to clothing, medicaments, sleeping places, has been in short supply.

Such organisations as Empower54, founded by body enhancement expert and philantropist Modupe Ozolua have ensured that things do not get much worse.

Empower54 provides rehabilitation opportunities for internally displaced women and children, giving them much-needed medicaments, food, jobs tools and education, among others. As people grieved over their killed relatives, Empower54 soothed hearts. Where they worried about what to eat or wear, the NGO met their needs.

Where they despaired over the academic future of their children Ozolua’s organisation provided education alongside study materials.

The beauty expert said, “Empower54 is a non- profit organisation dedicated to providing desperately needed humanitarian assistance such as medical missions, hunger eradication, educational, women/girl empowerment and refugee programmes to underprivileged Africans.

“We need the world to understand the urgency and sensitivity

•Modupe Ozolua and the IDPs

Beauty expert Ozolua helps IDPs From Grace Obike

of this situation and support us achieve our goals in rehabilitating internally displaced women and children in Nigeria. This crisis concerns everyone. It’s not a religious

or tribal issue; it’s a humanity issue “Donation from well meaning individuals provides urgently needed supplies/tools that will enable survivors of Boko Haram to Rise Above Terror and be-

come self- sufficient by practicing meaningful trades, which will enable them rebuild their homes, fend for themselves and their families and put their children in schools.”

She also added that, “Since Janu-

ary 2015, Empower54 under the umbrella of Body Enhancement Foundation has empowered over 200 internally displaced women by making them self-sufficient •Continued on page 36

Health Week targets 60,000 expectant mothers T

HE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Primary Health Care Development Board (PHCDB) has said that this year’s Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, is targeting over 60,000 expectant mothers in the FCT. The Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr. Rilwan Mohammed who made this known at the flag-off of the FCT Health Week, said that

From Gbenga Omokhunu

they will integrate HIV, by making sure that “we carry out HIV screening during the programme”.

According to him, the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week was conceived to deliver a package of key maternal, neonatal and child survival interventions that have

been proven to reduce maternal, neonatal and child mortality as contained in MDGs 4 and 5.

He said that Nigeria’s estimated maternal mortality rate of 545/ 1000 in 2008 has increased to 576/ 1000 in 2013 (NDHS, 2008; NDHS, 2013), that the under five mortality rate in Northcentral zone where the FCT is located is 100 deaths per 1000 live birth (DHS, 2013).

“Approximately one million un-

der five children die annually. Malnutrition prevalence amongst fewer than five children in the FCT like most Nigerian states is alarming. Stunting 29.6 per cent, wasting 18.8 per cent and underweight 16.0per cent. micronutrent malnutrition is also prevalent.

“These rates are still unacceptably high. Although, considerable achievements have been recorded in certain areas, Vatimin A above 80 per cent in 2014, we still need to do more. The Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week is a special week set aside by the federal government two times every year to deliver key interventions at the grassroots with focused awareness and service delivery on maternal, newborn and child health care.

“This MNCH week will provide health facilities based activities like Routine Immunisation against vac-

cine preventable diseases for children 0-11months, growth monitoring, promotion and food demonstration, Vitamin A supplementation for children 6-59months, birth registration, family planning services, hand washing demonstration, oral rehydration salts, long lasting insecticide nets to eligible mothers, focus ante natal care for pregnant women with iron folate and anitimalarial administration,” he said.

Mohammed, while urging eligible woman, new born or child not to miss any of the package of care, reiterated the urgency and need for everyone to embrace the programme, saying that he relies on everyone to take the role of MNCHW ambassador to encourage and mobilise women, caregivers and children to health facilities.

‘The Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week was conceived to deliver a package of key maternal, neonatal and child survival interventions that have been proven to reduce maternal, neonatal and child mortality as contained in MDGs 4 and 5’ •Proprietor, Tophill Schools, Abuja, Mrs Kate Nomhwange (second left), with students of Grade 6 Class and Junior Secondary Class, during the school’s 2015 Graduation and Prize-giving Day ceremony in Abuja PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

36

ABUJA REVIEW

I

T was thought that the withdrawal of non-essential military checkpoints would give the police a golden opportunity to prove their mettle and adequately take charge of internal security in line with constitutional provisions.

That has not happened.

On June 22, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the dismantling of the checkpoints across the country, directing the force to step into the vacuum that will be created by the exit of the soldiers.

Before that directive was issued, not a few Nigerians had negative memories about the force.

So Buhari’s order, no doubt, gave room for the police to exploit the directive fully in order to worm its way into the hearts of these Nigerians, who mostly recall the ugly scenes.

But within two weeks of the directive, it seemed as if the police were yet to put their acts together and live up to expectation.

The internal security appeared to be falling apart and growing worse than when the soldiers’ checkpoints dotting many parts of the country.

Besides the terrorists, Boko Haram, intensifying attacks in Borno State in the first two weeks of the directive, they have also ventured out of the area, which they have been restricted to many weeks back, to now carry out fatal attacks in new places.

Some of the new attacks within two weeks of the directive took place in Borno, Yobe, Plateau, Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara, Adamawa, resulting in the death of more than 400 people.

This increasing onslaught by Boko Haram has now started to generate some unanswered questions among Nigerians on its likely causes and who should actually be blamed for the fresh attacks that have also injured many Nigerians.

Some of the questions bordered on whether there was any error in dismantling some of the essential military checkpoints that would have ensured that the sect did not leave where they have been restricted to until they are eventually smoked out.

There were also worries whether the attacks were being fuelled by those who want to create fears in the minds of Nigerians so that the innocent Nigerians can pressure the government for the return of all the dismantled military checkpoints in the country.

Could anybody be really benefiting from those military checkpoints?

Another question is whether the police should be wholly blamed for the rising attacks?

The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, who was appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan, had before the end of that administration ordered dismantling of all police roadblocks in the country.

The police, under him, were ex-

Questions after checkpoints withdrawal pected to take advantage of the dismantling of military checkpoints by introducing measures that would boost internal security to the outfit’s credit.

How successful any measure introduced to boost internal security by the police, in the first two weeks of the directive, has not been very visible as Boko Haram seemed to be having a field day.

Rather than do everything possible to remove the dents on their image by properly securing the country, some of the policemen on the roads, in the first two weeks of the directive, were said to be involved still in extortion from motorists, especially at nights.

Many of them, who dared not mount the outlawed roadblocks, appeared on many roads in the cities, the moment darkness set in, doing the job the way they know how to do it and flashing their blinding torch lights on the faces of motorists.

But when the situation appeared to be getting out of hand, the Police Force last Tuesday was said to have signaled commencement of special Stop-and-Search operations on highways with emphasis on roads in and out of major cities/towns, nationwide.

It is however not clear why it took the Police Force two weeks to give the stop-and-search order after Buhari’s directive was given.

It was however a welcome development on Wednesday when news filtered in that the masterminds of the Jos and Zaria bomb blasts have

From the Villa

By Augustine Ehikioya been apprehended.

A statement issued by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abayomi Shogunle, announcing the new order in the Police Force, had also urged the public to report any unprofessional conduct by policemen at www.stopthe bribes.net or nearest Police station.

While hoping that the new move will go a long way in boosting internal security, it is also prayed that no Nigerian who responds to the call by reporting such unprofessional conducts at any of the police stations will not be victimized and end up in the police net.

Besides the issue of Policing, another question agitating the minds of some Nigerians is whether there was any withdrawal of key equipment, tools, weapons or group of fighters from the battle against the sect, which have been very critical to the successes said to have been re-

corded in the tail end of Jonathan’s administration. Or are the fresh attacks just desperate moves of a sinking sect?

While it is difficult to really pinpoint where the problems are coming from, which has led to rise in attacks by the sect, it is expected that other key players in security issues would urgently reassess the situation and take steps to stop the rampage.

Everything must be done now to stop the massacre and destruction by ensuring peace and safety in all parts of Nigeria.

Villa visit excites #BBOG group The joy and happiness on the faces of members of the #BringBackOurGirls (#BBOG) group led by former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili and Mariam Uwais

Beauty expert Ozolua helps IDPs

•Continued from page 35

through skills they had prior to displacement.

“Such as giving them sewing machines, money for trade, resources for farming, local oil processing, materials for traditional weavers, rented homes.

Empower54, which is also registered in the US, also creates schools at IDP camps for internally displaced children in the North East states of Gombe, Adamawa and Borno States. The children are given uniforms, shoes, writing materials; teachers were hired and paid monthly by the organization.

As part of Empower54’s “Rise Above Terror” campaign to rehabilitate internally displaced

women and children; we have gone on numerous dangerous tours of some communities destroyed by Boko Haram in Adamawa and Borno States.

“The objectives of the tours are to properly estimate the extent of damages done to homes by Boko Haram and configure that into its existing empowerment and educational programs for the IDPs. “Some communities visited are: Adamawa State: Yola, Mubi, and Mararaba-Mubi, Mishara, Shuwakalaa. In Borno State: Uba, Michika, Kuma, Askira-Uba, Bazza, Kuzum, Dilchim, Lassa, Dille, Maiduguri, Bama, Conduga, Mangoro and Gowza.

•Displaced women with sewing machines provided by Ozolua’s organisation

knew no bounds last Wednesday.

They were happy that they were formally received at the Presidential Villa by President Muhammadu Buhari after 450 days that over 200 secondary school girls were abducted by Boko Haram in Chibok, Borno State.

Apart from the previous attempts by the group to access the seat of power and have audience with former President Goodluck Jonathan thwarted by the last administration, many of the members have not been spared by attacks on the social media.

The group, which was harassed by many government agencies under Jonathan’s administration, was also labeled as an arm of the then opposition party and now ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC).

The group, at the meeting with Buhari, did not fail to maximize the opportunity as about eight persons from the group delivered one speech after the other thereby holding up Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for close to two hours at the Council Chamber briefing room.

Painting the hall red with their T-shirts’ colour, the selected members of the group in the hall numbering about 150, also took every available opportunity to render their solidarity songs.

They also posed for photographs with the President and his team in the hall.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

37

LAW & SOCIETY

Court restrains Heritage Oil, four others

A

FEDERAL High Court sitting in Lagos has restrained Heritage Oil and Gas Company Nigeria Limited and four others to maintain status quo ante bellum in a suit brought against them by Casimir Akagbosu, a director of the oil and gas firm.

Justice O. E. Abang issued an order of interlocutory injuction while ruling in an exparte motion brought by Akagbosu through his counsel, Peter Achunime.

Other defendants/respondents in the suit include Prof. Uche Uko Uche, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria limited, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

The judge issued the order after ensuring that the plaintiff had served served the motion on notice dated May 26, 2015 in respect of suit number FHC/CS/L/778/2015 on the respondents.

“Upon service of the motion on notice of the defendants, the principles of lis pendens as enunciated by the Supreme Court in the case of Amechi Vs INEC shall apply to the reliefs sought by the plaintiff in his motion on notice and it will be in the interest of the defendants to maintain status quo ante bellum on all issues raised by the plaintiff in his Motion on Notice pending the hearing and determination of the said application”, the judge held.

Akagbosu had sued Prof. Uche Uko Uche, a co-director of Heritage Oil and Gas for alleged attempt to divest him of his shareholding in the company.

Addressing a press conference in Lagos, Lawyers Unite Against

A

‘He fought for social justice’

By Adebisi Onanuga

Corruption(LUC) led by its lead advocate, Ikechukwu Ikeji alleged that the DPR flouted the order of Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court in respect of the divestment of his shareholding in the oil and gas company.

Ikeji alleged that DPR asked for and received undertaking from Uche to honour the outcome of the on-going litigation as a condition for conveying approval of the Minister for Petroleum Resources for extension of the exploration period and consent to the assignment of three per cent and 40 per cent participating interest in OPL 247 to Kendal Nigeria Limited.

Ikeji alleged attempts to divest Akagbosu of his shareholding in Heritage Oil, owners of Oil Prospecting License, OPL 247, of about 50 per cent via a share purchase agreement Ikeji alleged that without the approval of other directors, Heritage Oil purportedly allocated three per cent shares of the company to Kenda Nigeria Limited, which was reportedly said to be a fake company not registered by the CAC, claiming that there was an attempt to take complete control of OPL 247 and its attendant benefits to the exclusion of Casimir, a founding shareholder with 50 per cent shareholding in Heritage Oil company.

A letter from the CAC dated June 16, this year and addressed to the Principal Partner, Okwudili Abanum and company signed by Aisha T. Tijani and titled, “Re: Application for detailed report on the status of registration of Kendal Nigeria Limited stated, “we could not readily find information from our records”.

Law Pavilion partners IBA LEGAL technologies firm, the Law Pavilion, has partnered the International Bar Association (IBA) to boost investment opportunities in Africa.

As part of the deal, LawPavilion sponsored a segment of the just-concluded regional (IBA) conference on “Investing in Africa conference - Opportunities for businesses and the lawyers who Counsel Them” in New York, United States.

The conference focused primarily on areas of investment in Africa, current businesses/industries enjoying patronage of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), the challenges that investors encounter when trying to invest in a new clime in Africa, as well as the risks and benefits of investing in Africa.

Topics discussed at the Conference include: Africa’s investment trends and how they affect commercial enterprises and their lawyers, recent deals in sectors of rapid growth, including agribusiness, finance, IT, media and entertainment and consumer products/retail recent deals in nature sectors, including oil and gas, mining, telecommunications and power-related infrastructure. Other topics are: “Who is funding Africa’s growth? – funding sources, including private equity, capital markets, foreign and African banks, and multilateral institutions (e.g., African Development Bank, International Finance Corporation), risk mitigation, how law firms can augment their presence in Africa.

Nigeria was very well represented with nearly all panels having at least one Nigerian legal practitioner to elucidate on their experiences or know how, thus expounding Nigerian perspectives.

The Conference offered participants a unique opportunity to network and meet with legal practitioners from other countries who represent clients with interests or prospects in Africa.

Of course, a lot of attention was paid to Nigeria as the biggest economy in Africa. The smooth electoral transition was commended and expectations are high that with the advent of the new Government, there are enhanced pros-

Being the speech delivered by Femi Falana (SAN) at the first memorial lecture in honour of Kunle Fadipe

By John Austin Unachukwu

pects of foreign direct investments flowing in Nigeria.

Furthermore, there was a special session on how law firms can augment their presence in Africa. The session revealed a shocking fact that about 80 per cent of the legal services consumed by businesses operating in Africa is carried out

by Law Firms in New York, London and other climes.

Only 20 per cent of the demand is supplied by African law firms. It is apparent that lawyers and Law firms operating in Africa need to quickly amplify the level and sophistication of their practice by leveraging on technology and advanced knowledge. A vast awareness of the regulatory framework within local economies is also a great gain for the African legal practitioner.

One of the products showcased at the Conference was the LawPavilion Solicitors Toolkit (STK). The STK is a first of its kind product from the stables of the LawPavilion brand. The STK is a software targeted significantly at Legal Practitioners who work in commercial/corporate circles.

The conference explored and identified challenges associated with tapping into Africa’s growth, including availability of information and tools to unlock Africa’s regulatory doors, and also have a firm grasp of the risks associated with investing and operating in sub-Saharan Africa.

Managing Director, Grace Info Tech Limited, Mr Ope Olugasa, said: “The company’s decision to be Headline Sponsor of the IBA Investing in Africa Conference is predicated on the fact that lawyers and the legal community should not be absent at a forum where the profitability of Africa is going to be discussed.

“It is high time we joined the conversation and let our voices be heard. Investments must not be only for the benefit of the investor, local communities are entitled to enjoy the benefit of such investments. The best way to do that is to have legal practitioners who understand the intricacies and mind-sets of investors to be able to correctly advise them whilst ensuring maximum benefits to our country,” he added.

•The late Fadipe

A

LEXANDER Olakunle Fadipe was born in Ile Ife, Osun State in 1963. He had his elementary and secondary school education at Ile Ife, Osun State. He studied law at the University of Lagos where he graduated in 1987. He also attended the Nigerian Law School and was called to Bar in 1988. Because of his special interest in human rights advocacy he chose to have his pupilage at the Gani Fawehinmi’s chambers. It was a period of anxiety in the country as the head of the chambers was regularly arrested and detained by successive military juntas . In addition to his active legal practice Kunle was involved in law reporting. He rose to become a deputy editor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria Law Report which was then edited by Chief Fawehinmi.

Kunle left the Fawehinmi Chambers to head the law firm of T. O. S. Benson & co. He assisted Chief T.O.S Benson (SAN) in reorganising the chambers from 1994-1997. Thereafter, he moved on to establish his own chambers at Ogba in Lagos state in 1997. As a committed civil rights lawyer he rendered pro bono legal services to the poor and the underprivileged in the society. He regularly organised enlightenment programmes on civic education for the oppressed. To ensure my attendance and participation in most of the programmes Kunle consciously fixed dates that suited me.

On my own part, I had cause to refer many complaints of police harassment of innocent people and other cases of human rights violations to him. To my delight he attended to such cases promptly and selflessly.

Upon the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission in 1995, Kunle was one of the first set of federal commissioners appointed by the federal government. He served in that capacity from 1996-2000. On account of his commitment to prison reforms the Commission appointed him a special rapporteur on Prisons and Places of Detention. He drew attention to the dehumanising conditions of prison inmates and made a strong case for prison reforms. Notwithstanding the hostility of the environment under a military regime, Kunle and other pioneer commissioners laid a solid foundation for the national human rights commission and defended its autonomy. He gave unalloyed support to the first executive secretary of the commission, Mr. Buhari Bello when he was sacked by President Olusegun Obasanjo for indicting the Federal Government over the dismal human rights record of the country.

Until he breathed his last, Kunle was a visiting member of the Editorial Board of the influential Guardian Newspaper. He wrote prolifically on lack of access to Justice in the country.

Kunle was in the forefront of the agitation against official impunity in the country. In order to educate and empower the people to defend their rights Kunle regularly published several pamphlets and booklets on fundamental rights and rule of law.

Many of his papers on the justice sector were published in learned law journals. His last article titled, “A Justice delivery system so unfriendly”was published by in The Guardian of July 4, 2014. The article which was published posthumously raised poignant issues and advocated for a radical reform of the criminal procedure law and practice. Some of the salient issues have just been addressed in the newly promulgated Administration of Justice Act, 2015.

The circumstances of the tragic death of Kunle have once again confirmed that life has become so cheap in the country. About midnight on June 30, 2014 there was no light in the Ogba area of Lagos.

But as soon as light was restored Kunle asked his son to go out and switch off the generator. At that juncture, the assassin who had

hidden himself in the compound forcefully gained entry into the house. The assailant injured Kunle’s mother-in-law and his son while trying to locate his target. In defending himself and members of his household Kunle bravely confronted the lone assassin. In the violent encounter that ensued he was stabbed several times which led to the loss of a large quantity of blood. Kunle was rushed to a nearby ill-equipped hospital in the neighbourhood where he gave up the ghost.

Having regard to the facts and circumstances of his untimely death, Kunle was a victim of the negligence of the neo-colonial State which is incapable of securing life and property in the society. In other words, if electricity supply had been guaranteed by the government Kunle would not have asked his son to go out of the house to switch off a generator. If the neighborhood had been secured the police would have responded to distress calls and saved Kunle’s life while he needed help. If the hospital where he was rushed to had been well equipped he would have been revived. As he was gasping for breadth that night, Kunle would have thought of his life long struggle to ensure that the fundamental right of all citizens to life was protected by the Nigerian State. Kunle’s death is certainly an irreparable loss to his lovely family and to a society that is in dire need of lawyers of conscience and integrity.

Unlike many human rights activists who are contented with defending political and civil rights Kunle believed that without the guarantee of socio-economic rights the majority of the poor and disadvantaged people could not meaningfully enjoy fundamental rights.

He therefore did not hesitate to join the campaign for the justiciability of socio-economic rights enshrined in chapter two of the Constitution.

Having regard to the leading role of Kunle in the defence and promotion of fundamental rights and the rule of law his untimely death has depleted the rank of human rights lawyers in the country. The greatest tribute that can be paid to Kunle Fadipe is for his comrades and colleagues to intensify the struggle for the creation of a society founded on the rule of law, human rights and social justice.

•From left: Mr. Olugasa, Titilola Ayotunde-Rotifa, Stuart Kerr, Omolade Yusuf and Femi Sangoniran at an event.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

38

LAW & SOCIETY Groups want Edo election tribunal disbanded

T

WO non-governmental organisations, the National Justice Forum and Transparency Initiative and Campaign for Good Governance Network, have petitioned the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Zanaib Bulkachuwa, over a ruling delivered by the Edo State National and State Asembly election Petition Tribunal last month, accusing it of judicial recklessness.

They urged the PCA to use her good offices to intervene and disband the Election Tribunal to halt the reckless use of judicial powers.

The pressure groups drew the attention of the PCA to three rulings delivered by the Tribunal which sat in Edo State in Petition Nos. EPT/EDS/ NSHA/REP/01/2015, between Oladele Bankole Balogun & Another vs. Hon. Peter Ohiozojeh Akpatason & two others; EPT/EDS/NSHA/HA/ 04/2015, between Hon. Lawrence Osabokhien N Ogievaand another Vs Hon. Aisoweren Patrick and two others and in suit EPT/EDS/NSHA/HA/08/ 2015 between Sylvanus Eragha Vs Yakubu Gowon which were dismissed based on technicalities following an application by the respondents.

They cited two of the petitions were struck out and dismissed because the solicitors/lawyers did not sign properly even though the petitioners signed the petition as demanded by the tribunal.

In its petition signed by the Convener, Daniel Oshokpekhae and Secretary, Igharevba Sunday, the Campaign for Good Governance Network claimed that the rulings delivered by the tribunal showed that the interpretation giving to paragraph 4(3) (b) of the 1st Schedule to the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) in the first two rulings was based on the case of Dino Melaye & Another vs.

Tajudeenand Others (2011) LPELP19744(CA) and other cases cited.

It said the tribunal gave the ruling without considering the peculiar nature of election petition and the uniqueness of each case and facts.

The group alleged that the tribunal gave the rulings, following a general application by a “certain SAN” in Benin who was alleged to be working closely with the members of the election tribunal panel led by Honourable Justice A. R. Ozoemena, S. A. Adeoye and E. O. Abua, who were earlier disbanded in Taraba State Tribunal.

The group said the tribunal ignored the case of IBRAHIM VS. SHERRIFF (2004) 14 NWLR (PT 892) 43 which the counsel in the two petitions cited that once a petition is validly signed by any of the parties or their solicitors, it means the petition was validly signed and endorsed.

In the theird petition EPT/EDS/ NSHA/HA/08/2015 between Sylvanus Eriagha vs. Yakubu Gowon, it noted that the tribunal struck out the petition based on the paragraph 85 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010, that the APC (All Progressives Congress) did not give the 21 days notice to INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) before their congress was done, producing the first respondent, Hon. Yakubu Gowon without calling evidence for a declaratory relief in an election petition as required by law.

“The rulings delivered by the tribunal on the 18th, 22nd and 26th day of June 2015 is based on technicalities at the preliminary session.

We are aware that it is only the Edo State Election Tribunal that is striking out and dismissing election petitions at pre-hearing session all over the country without due regard to the cost of appealing a preliminary application, the time required to complete the hearing of the petition, the cost of pursuing appeals in piecemeal and the mood of the electorates ought to be taken into consideration.

“The attitude of the court to technicalities was reinstated by the Supreme Court in the case of Senator Iyiola Omisore & Anor. Vs. Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola & 2 ors (2015) SC 204/2015 where per SC Nweze: “Now, it is no longer in doubt that

The Sexual Offences Bill 2014, one of the 46 passed by the last Senate, has been generating negative reactions. Lagos State Solicitor-General Lawal Pedro (SAN) explains why the state is opposed to it.

By Adebisi Onanuga

this court, and indeed, all courts, have made a clean sweep of ‘the picture of the law and its technical rules triumphant,’ Aliu Bello & Ors vs. A. G. Oyo State (1986) 5 NWLR (pt. 45) 528, 886. Let me explain. By its current mood, it is safe to assert that this court has, firmly and irreversibly, spurned the old practice where the temple of justice was converted into a forensic abattoir where legal practitioners, employing such tools of their trade like ‘the whirligig of technicalities,’ daily butchered substantive issues in courts in their ‘fencing game in which parties engaged themselves in an exercise of outsmarting each other’, Afolabi v. Adekunle (1983) 2 SCNLR 141, 150. Those days are gone: gone for good!”

“This approach, an a robust and wholesome one at that, is to permit litigants, more particularly, parties in election-related matters, to ventilate their grievances without any hindrances by technical arguments that have the tendency of clogging the wheel of electoral justice in the election tribunals and courts entertaining appeals from them, Egolum v.

Obasanjo (1999) 7 NWLR (pt. 611) 355; Nwobodo v. Onoh (1984) 1 SCNLR 1” In the petition, the group claimed that the Supreme Court had advised judges who are privileged to preside over election tribunals to ensure that substantial justice is accorded to all parties.

“It is cardinal duty of the courts to ensure, at all times, that substantial justice is accorded to all parties to the disputes before them, Adewunmi v.

Attorney-General Ekiti State (2002) 2 NWLR (pt. 751) 474, 507; Afolabi v.

Adekunbe (1983) 2 SCNLR 141; Shokunbi v. Mosaku (1969) 1 NMLR 54; Vulcan Gases v. G. F. Industries A. G. (supra) 653”, the group said.

In its petition signed by its counsel, S. O. Oyatomi and copied to the Secretary, National/State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, the National Justice Forum and Transparency Initiative said the pace at which the election tribunal in Benin presided over by the trio of Hon. Justice A. R. Ozoemena, S. E. ADEOYE, and E. Abua struck out petitions at the pre-hearing session without recourse to substantial justice smacks of high level of judicial recklessness and abuse.

The group reminded the PCA that the three man tribunal was disbanded in Taraba State recently following several accusations adding that same attitude is being displayed in the Election Petition Tribunal in Benin City, Edo State.

It expressed fear that the Panel may have been compromised pointing out that the tribunal had struck out two petitions without recourse to the court of Appeal authority on the interpretation of Paragraph 4(3)(b) of the 1st Schedule to the Electoral Act 2010 thereby setting bad precedent all over the country with the elevation of technical justice as against substantial justice.

“We hope our Noble Lord will use your good offices to intervene in the circumstance and halt the reckless use of judicial power to create problems for all the litigants in the Election Tribunal, Edo state because the era of technicality has gone and must not be enthroned by a disbanded Tribunal from Taraba State,” it stated.

•PCA, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa

• From left: Pedro; Director, Office of the Public Defender (OPD) Mrs Omotola Rotimi; Director, Child Development, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WOPA), Alaba Fadairo; Chief Supretendent of Police (CSP), Monday Agbonika and Secretary, Lagos State Gender Advocacy Team (LASGAT), Vivian Emesowan, at the press conference on the bill.

‘Why Lagos opposes sexual offences bill’

T

HE Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) was conceived in September 2014 as a response to the high increase in report of Sexual and Gender Based violent offences in the state.

Asides from increasing victim safety and offender responsibility by providing a cross jurisdictional response that is uniform in approach in Sexual and Gender Based Violence crimes across Lagos State, DSVRT is also mandated to review policies and laws on SGBV crimes. It is against this backdrop that we are opposing the Sexual Offences Bill 2014 already passed by the National Assembly is awaiting Presidential assent.

While the Team considered the National Assembly incompetent to legislate on general law such as sexual offences in a Federation save for the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, we still find it compelling to bring to the fore, certain provisions in the Sexual Offences Bill 2014, which are considered offensive, obnoxious, inconsistent and likely to increase the incidences of sexual abuse in Nigeria.

Therefore as Law officers and Ministers in the temple of justice who have obligation to safeguard the Rule of law and promote justice, we need to speak out to prevent the obnoxious provisions in the Bill from being assented to by the President.

The Bill seeks to introduce a strange defence based on the innocent act of a child (referred to as deceit) and belief of the perpetrator that a child is above 18 years when he committed the act of defiling a child.

Section 7(5) of the proposed Bill provides; “ It is a defence to a charge of defilement of children under the section if (a) It is proved that such child, deceived the accused person into believing that he or she was over the age of eighteen years at the time of alleged commission of the offence: and; (b) The accused person reasonably believed that the child was over the age of eighteen years.”

Similar defence is provided for the offence of Attempted Defilement under Section 8 of the Bill. Likewise for the offence of Indecent act with Children in Section 10 of the Bill which provides as follows; “It is a defence to charge under this sub-section(1) if It is proved that such child, deceived the accused person into believing that he or she was over the age of eighteen years at the time of alleged commission of the offence: and; the accused person reasonably believed that the child was over the age of eighteen years.”

“The belief referred to in sub-section (2) is to be determined having regard to all the circumstances, including the steps the accused person took to ascertain the age of the complainant” “The provisions of sub-section (2) shall not apply if the accused person is

related to such child within the prohibited degrees of blood affinity” It is apparent that these provisions of the Bill are inconsistent with the interest and welfare of children contrary to the Child’s Right Act which provides in Section 1 that: “In every action concerning a child, whether undertaken by an individual, public or private body, institutions or service, court of law, or administrative or legislative authority, the best interest of the child shall be the primary consideration”.

Furthermore Section 277 of the Child’s Rights Act 2003 the word “child” means a person under the age of eighteen years. Therefore the distinction in the ages of children in Section 7 of the Bill is irrelevant and should be expunged because the distinction can lead to an ambiguity and unnecessary uncertainty, especially having regard to the fact that this particular Bill if assented to will be keenly enforced by Communities, Civil Society Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Contrary to the provision of the Bill, Section 31 (1-3) of the Child’s Rights Act which has similar provisions in the Child’s Rights Law of Lagos State 2007 provides that(1) No person shall have sexual intercourse with a child.

(2) A person who contravenes the provision of subsection(1) of this section commits an offence of rape and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life (3) Where a person is charged with an offence under this Section, it is immaterial that the offender believed the person to be of or above the age of eighteen years, or the sexual intercourse was with the consent of the child”.

The Child’s Rights Act therefore provides that the paramount objective of the Act is to promote, protect and uphold the rights of every Nigerian child irrespective of age. A person below 18 years old is a child under our legal system and therefore most times exempted from liability on the ground that these persons may not understand the nature/consequences of their act. Therefore, there should be no statutory defence for sexual offence against a child on the ground of purported deceit by the child and belief of the offender that the child was above 18 years. It is therefore suggested that this defence, should be completely expunged from the Bill.

The Bill also seeks to introduce the offence of gang rape in section 9 of the Bill as follows: “Any person who commits the offence of rape or defilement under this Act in association with others is guilty of an offence called gang rape and is liable upon conviction to imprisonment for life” Whilst the Team is cognizant of the fact the introduction of this section is in response to the increase in report-

ing of gang rape in Nigeria, we are however of the opinion that this section may be problematic at the prosecution stage.

The rule of drafting charges as stipulated by the Criminal Procedure Act provides that for every distinct offence with which any person is accused there shall be a separate charge and every such charge shall be tried separately except as provided in Section 155 .

Section 155 painstakingly lists out the exceptional circumstances as follows:“when more persons than one are accused of the same offence or of different offences committed in the same transaction or when a person is accused of committing an offence and another of abetting or being an accessory to or attempting to commit such offence or when a person is accused of any offence of theft criminal misappropriation, criminal breach of trust and another of receiving or retaining or assisting in the disposal or concealment of the subject matter of such offence, they may be charged and tried together or separately as the court thinks fit.”

Therefore, the offence of rape, such as murder cannot be charged jointly because of the difficulty in proving that each individual person committed the act and must therefore be charged separately in different counts but on the same charge sheet. Consequently, it is therefore suggested that this section be expunged from the Bill.

The team also regrets to note that the Bill seeks to trivialize sexual offences in Nigeria by imposing smaller fines on offenders. A case in point is Section 10 (5), which provides for the sum of N20,000 for the offence of indecent assault. While no amount can ever be sufficient for the victim, any amount imposed should, however, not appear to trivialise the offence and indeed undermine the intention of the Law. Otherwise, the purpose of the punishment section that is to serve as a deterence to others will be abused if it can easily be ”afforded” by affluent perpetrators. We, therefore, recommend that monetary sanctions provided for in the Bill should be amended to make it commensurate with the gravity of the offence.

We appeal to the National Assembly to review the financial sanctions imposed in the Violence Against persons Act, 2015 for the same reasons as highlighted above. The highlighted unacceptable provisions of the Bill if not expunged or amended will encourage impunity in sexual offences and undermine the efforts of DSVRT, NGOs and CSOs involved in the fight against child abuse in Nigeria.

We also intend to forward a Memorandum of our position to the Office of the President communicating our thoughts and suggested amendments that should be considered before Assent is given to the Sexual Offences Bill, 2014.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

39

LEGAL OPINION University don Wahab Shittu writes on why it is still difficult to access justice in Nigeria

Access to justice: The challenges

A

CCESS to justice in any society is critical and fundamental.

Indeed it is not only the most basic requirement of any system of justice or the most basic human rights of any system that purports to guarantee legal rights but also the hallmark of any sane and civilised society.

In recent times I have had cause to reflect on not just access to justice in our country but on the quality of justice available to litigants or persons seeking any justifiable remedies in our justice delivery system. My concern is borne out of my conviction that officers in the temple of justice, the constituency to which I belong whether functioning as judicial officers or law officers including legal practitioners ought to strive not only at delivering their services in their capacity as Judges and Lawyers or any such nomenclature but ensuring always that they remain jurists. The distinction between a judge/ lawyer and a jurist is fundamental and critical in the search for not only access to justice but access to quality justice; the end result of any result oriented and civilised society.

But first of all, we must be clear about what we mean by the concept of ‘Access to Justice’ in the context of our own environment. Access to justice will not mean just access to lawyers and courts.

It is much more broader than this as it encompasses a recognition that everyone is entitled to the protection of the law and that whatever rights we seek to protect are meaningless unless those rights can be enforced with minimal constraints to the aggrieved persons and under circumstances ensuring that all manner of people are treated fairly according to the law and are able to get appropriate redress in circumstances when they are treated unfairly. It is in this context that one would say that there is no access to justice where citizens especially the marginalized groups not only conceive the system as frightening, or alien or in circumstances where citizens have no lawyers either because of inadequate resources to access them, or where individuals lack access to information or knowledge of their rights or where the system is fundamentally weak in delivering justice to the citizens.

Consequently, access to justice entails normative legal protection, legal awareness, legal aid and counsel, adjudication, enforcement and civil society oversight amongst others.

Fundamental rights, civil liberties and supremacy of the rule of law prescribing vital checks and balances in

•Shittu any society are realistic ideals but would in themselves be meaningless without access to justice or the practical means of understanding and enforcing the laws of the land without strings.

There is however the argument that the major challenge in Nigeria today is not just access to justice but what learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Queens Counsel, Prof Fidelis Oditah described in another forum as ‘exit from justice’. I cannot agree more with this cerebral scholar given the constraints and obstacles confronting the justice delivery system in our country today. These include long delays in the adjudicatory process, long adjournments of proceedings, over reliance on technicalities, collapsing infrastructure, corruption in the system, congestion in courts and prisons, poverty of knowledge, culture of impunity and declining confidence of the citizenry in the efficacy and efficiency of the administration of justice.

The foregoing raises grave concern for all stakeholders in the administration of justice imposing grave responsibilities on all to do something before the system collapses on our heads leading to anarchy and lawlessness. What therefore needs to be done? I propose the following: The system should guarantee equal access to justice and ensure that the quality of justice satisfies the aspirations of our people in the context of civilized norms and practices includ-

ing international standards and models.

We need to address barriers to both quantity and quality of justice.

We need to strengthen the capacity of our justice delivery system including address issues of welfare packages and conditions in which justice is delivered in our country.

We need to enhance physical access to justice including guaranteeing the luxury of justice to citizens through provision of legal aid to the citizens.

We need to fund the justice delivery system by ensuring the independence and autonomy of the judiciary.

We need to strengthen and promote legal awareness to the citizens.

We need to strengthen civil society organisation as the foundation of promoting access to justice.

We need to recognise that increase access to justice depends on public confidence which should not be allowed to wane or else anarchy looms.

We need to support the enforcement of remedies and ensure that such remedies are adequate and commensurate with the nature of the offence.

We need to encourage procedural fairness and equal application of the law to all manner of people without discrimination including facilitating transparency in all judicial processes.

We need to increase the knowledge and professionalisation of justice personnel to dispense justice.

These and more need to be done very quickly to guarantee access to justice and forestall exit from justice: where necessary, reforms must be undertaken. There is no excuse whatsoever why any litigant cannot be assured of justice within six months. There is also no reason why trials in some cases cannot take place from day to day.

Punitive actions should be visited on all categories of professionals who by acts or omission are engaged in the subversion of justice in our land.

Today, public confidence in the justice delivery system is waning. Trust is in gross deficit. Indiscipline is everywhere, corruption now rules our land. Integrity is a scarce commodity; truth is becoming a major casualty in all of these. We need to do something to arrest this decay and the culture of impunity that seems to have been promoted in our country as an article of faith.

The time to do that is now and every stakeholder in the administration of justice must come on board. It is either you ship in or you ship out.

Our country is bigger than any other interests.

Lagos CJ deploys 10 judges in long vacation

L

AGOS Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade has approved the deployment of 10 judges as vacation judges during the long vacation for judges of the High Court of the state.

The vacation has been fixed for between Wednesday, July 22 and Thursday, September 17, 2015 for judges.

A statement by the Court Registrar, Emmanuel Ogundare stated that the Chief Judge approved the long vacation in accordance with the powers conferred on her pursuant to Order 45, Rule 4 (D) of the High Court of Lagos State Civil Procedure) Rule 2012.

The statement said work would resume on Friday, September 18.

According to the statement, Justices Olamide Akinkugbe andOlubunmi Femi-Adeniyi will take charge of the court between July 22 and August 7, 2015 in Ikeja and Lagos judicial division respectively; Justices Olabisi Odugbesan and Serifat Sonaike are slated for between August 10 and August 21, 2015 in the two divisions respectively; Justices Femi Adamson and

By Adebisi Onanuga

Abisoye Bashua for between August 24 and September 4, 2015 in the two divisions respectively; Justices Abdulfattaj Lawal and Adedayo Akintoye for between September 7 and September 17, 2015 in the two divisions respectively.

The duo of Justices Latifat Oluyemi and Lateefat Folami were deployed as substitute judges in Ikeja and Lagos judicial divisions respectively.

It said: “notwithstanding the long vacation, the criminal division of the high court of Lagos State may sit through the period of the vacation.

When a judge of the criminal division is on vacation, a vacation judge may be assigned to deal with all urgent pending criminal cases in court.

“Notwithstanding the long vacation, any cause or matter may be heard by a judge during the period of the vacation (except on Sunday or public holiday) where such cause or matter is urgent or a judge, at the request of all the parties concerned agreed to hear it.

“Any application for an urgent

• Justice Atilade hearing during the vacation made by summons in chamber before the vacation judge or a judge before whom a substantive case is pending to hear it.

“Please note that vacation ends Thursday, September 17, 2015 while 2015/2016 legal session will start Friday, September 18, 2015.’’

The statement added that the new legal year services would be held in the mosque and church on Monday, September 28.

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com For comments: 08033054939 (sms only)

Bailout of states unconstitutional

T

HE government of President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) could not have parcelled out,any so called bailout, to states, without appropriation; as some commentators represented the recent 413.7 billion naira, shared by the three tiers of government, to be. Indeed, any such conduct would be unconstitutional. So, the impression that the president, like a Father Christmas, could depending on his mood, dip hands into ournational resources, and extend largesse to states, is a throw-back to the old ways. But I doubt, if PMB wouldoffend the constitution, just to earn a few plaudits from Nigerians, knowing that the praises would dissipate,as soon as the states are back in their quagmire.In my view, what the states need, is expanded economic opportunities.

Perhaps, the realisation that a bailout, without a legislative backing,would be unconstitutional, may have prompted the presidential media men, to strenuously emphasise that the presidency never used the word, bailout; even when some wanted the impression created that the intervention, was borne out of presidential magnanimity. Well, maybe. But the point I seek to make here, is that under the 1999 constitution, the power and control over public funds, in this case, the income belonging to the federation, is as provided for,in sections 80, 81, 82 and 83 of the 1999 constitution. And in my humble view, a revenue accruing to the federation from NLNG, whether as a dividend or tax, falls within the purview of those sections of the constitution.

Interestingly, PMB had already emphasised that the era of unconstitutional handling of the resources of the federation, including the obnoxious withholding of national resources and extra-budgetary expenditure by federal ministries, parastatals and agencies, like the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), belongs to the past, and must be discarded. So, how could PMB be encouraged, to engage in the same conduct that he had publicly decried. In taking a stand, the President had instructed all government agencies and departments, to pay in all money derived by them into the federation account, in accordance with section 80, and to desist from all the illegal deductions, which offends the constitution, in the name of costs.

That is the correct position of law; for section 80(1) provides: “all revenues or other moneys raised or received by the federation … shall be paid into and form one consolidated revenue fund of the federation”. Furthermore, the sub-section 2 provides: “no moneys shall be withdrawn from the consolidated revenue fund of the federation except to meet expenditure that is charged upon the fund by this constitution or where the issue of those moneys has been authorised by an appropriation act, supplementary appropriation act or an act passed in pursuance of section 81 of this constitution”.

Significantly, section 81(4) on its part, provides: “if in respect of any financial year it is found that – (a) the amount appropriated by the appropriation act for any purpose is insufficient; or (b) a need has arisen for expenditure for a purpose for which no amount has been appropriated by the act, a supplementary estimate showing the sums required shall be laid before each house of national assembly and the heads of any such expenditure shall be in a supplementary appropriation bill”.

To give the executive some latitude in times of emergencies, the national assembly under section 83(2) “may by law make provisions for the establishment of a contingencies fund for the federation and for authorising the president, if satisfied that there has arisen an urgent and unforeseen need for expenditure for which no other provision exists, to make advances from the fund to meet the need”. But as provided in sub-section 3 “where any advance is made in accordance with the provisions of this section, a supplementary estimate shall be presented and a supplementary appropriation bill shall be introduced as soon as possible for the purpose of replacing the amount so advanced”.

So, considering PMB’s avowed integrity, on the basis of which Nigerians gave him an overwhelming mandate, nearly four months ago, I am inclined to believe that the billions of naira, shared by the three tiers of government,was within the purview of the 2015 appropriation act, or an expenditure within the contemplation of the contingencies fund, of the federation. In helping the states out of their financial quagmire, what PMB must do,going forward, if he wishes to make a considerable difference within his four year tenure, is to encourage and foster greater economic activities within the states, and the six-geopolitical zones of the country.

While pushing for federalising the ownership of natural resources of the country, by tinkering with the exclusive legislative list of the constitution; PMB could without offending the laws as is, offer financial and joint-venture opportunities to states and zones willing to expand their economic horizon.

Considering the existence of legal regimes for Public Private Partnerships, interested states could establish business enterprises, and partner with federal agencies,to engage in mining, electricity generation and distribution, railways, development of ports, aviation, construction of federal roads, and other viable business enterprises, on exclusive legislative list.

Interestingly, the business relationship canvassed here,could also borrow a leaf from the NLNG ownership model. There, private equities of international oil companies hold 51 percent stake, while NNPC holds 49 percent.

Perhaps, it is such ownership structure that has imbued the company with the requisite discipline,to soar to great heights in the last 20 years, while NNPC that is nearly 40 years old, is still doddering. So,while enterprises representing the federal and state governments,mayhold 49 percent equity, and provide stability and security of business environment; private entrepreneurs will hold the balance 51 percent, and provide discipline and technical knowhow.

40

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

FROM THE COURT The Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG) has held a valedictory in honour of the late Prof. Michael Iyiola Jegede(SAN), who was its Dean from 1976 to 1980, reports ADEBISI ONANUGA.

• From left: Prof. Bello, Prof. Oni, Ajumogobia, Prof. Utuama (SAN) and Prof. Ibidapo-Obe.

M

EMBERS of the legal profession, including Professors of Law, Senior Advocates of Nigeria(SANs), fromer students and the university community, gathered in Lagos last week at a valedictory, at the main hall of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, to honour a late legal icon and the fourth Dean of the Faculty of the university, Prof.

Michael Iyiola Jegede.

Those at the event included the Deputy Governor, Osun State, Prof.

Laoye Tomori; former Deputy Governor, Delta State, Prof. Amos Utuama; former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia; UNILAG Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof.

Rahman Bello; Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) Academics, Prof. Jide Alo; his Management Service counterpart, Prof.

Duro Oni; the Dean of the Law Faculty, Prof. Akin Ibidapo-Obe; Sub-Dean, Dr. Kemi Adekile; the Registrar, Dr. Folashade Ipaye; Bursar, Lateef Odekunle; Prof. Akin Oyebode; Prof.

Taiwo Osipitan; Prof. C.O. Olawoye; Prof. C. K. Agomo; Prof. Ayo Ogunye; Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo; former Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan, Dr. Oluyemisi Bamgbose; Dr. Iyabo Ogunniran and Wahab Shittu.

Also, at the session were members of the late law icon immediate family, including his wife, Oluremi and children, Damilola, Modeleola, Ibilola and Oluseye.

Bello, in a tribute, described the late Jegede as a great pioneering intellectual and towering legal icon who has left his giant footprints in the sands of time. Quoting from the words of the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezulike, the VC said: “He was a university teacher par excellence. He taught Equity anf Trusts

• Wife of Prof. Jegede Oluremi flanked by her children Damilola (left), Ibilola; and Modeleola.

Colleagues remember Jegede with uncommon and ingenious clarity.

He was a role model in academic leadership and great motivator of young lecturers and subordinates. He led by power of examples.”

Ibidapo-Obe, who gave a “hearsay evidence” of his knowledge of the erudite professor of law, said the faculty benefited immensely from his wealth of knowledge. He described the late Jegede as a titan in the legal profession during his life time who had an illustrious and unique career in the department.

“Counting his deanship in acting capacities, he occupied the post for seven years at various times – acting dean after Justice Elias for two years (1972 – 1974), acting dean (October 1975 – May 1976) after Prof. Kasumu was appointed Attorney-General of Lagos State and as substantive Dean from 1976 to 1980”, emphasising that no one had occupied the position of Dean for a longer period.

He also noted that as Dean of the faculty, Jegede instituted the departmentalisation of the faculty, expanded the staff profile and of the faculty and started the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) during his tenure as dean and became its first de facto Director-General from 1975 to 1978.

Prof. Taiwo Osipitan said his was a “first-hand evidence” of his relationship with Jegede. He said his admission into the faculty paved the way for his almost 40 years of uninterrupted association, with Jegede. He said his set, Class of 1977-80, matriculated and graduated during his tenure as Dean,

noting that they were his last graduating set as Dean of Law. ‘’In Prof, we found a teacher, counsellor, friend and mentor. He encouraged some of his students to seriously consider lecturing in the Faculty of Law, UNILAG. He was never tired of recommending his deserving students for postgraduate admission in the four colleges of University of London. Prof followed up on his students in the various colleges of University of London, whenever he was in London. The meeting point, was the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Russel Square in London. Between 1979 and 1982, Prof. embarked on aggressive recruitment of young and vibrant Lecturers to the Faculty.”

He recalled that the first trial he conducted, was a case in which Jegede was a party. “ It was my privilege to lead Prof in evidence. He was a confident and delightful witness. The trips by road with Prof. to Ilorin, Kwara State, to attend Court Proceedings in the case were exciting and devoid of stress,” he said.

He also recalled that aside from pioneering departmentalisation of the faculty into four departments in 1978 during Jegede’s tenure, namely, departments of Commercial and Industrial Law, Jurisprudence and International Law, Private and Property Law and Public Law, he said many faculties of Law in universities have copied and are still copying, the departmental arrangement introduced by Prof. Jegede. ”Seven Professors of Law were appointed in the Faculty in 1980 during his tenure as Dean of Law.

University of Lagos is yet to witness such harvest of Professors of Law in one year. The first two students to be awarded 1st Class degrees in Law by University of Lagos (established in 1962), emerged in 1978 and 1980 respectively, when Prof was Dean of Law”, he recalled.

Former Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan (UI), Dr. Oluyemisi Bamgbose, said hers was neither “hearsay evidence” nor “first-hand evidence” but ”historical evidence”.

Bamgbose recalled that when in 1981 the UI authorities wanted to set up the Law Faculty, after its searches, the lot fell on Jegede. Bamgbose, who was a 200 level student in the Faculty of Law, UNILAG in 1981, when Jegede was setting up the Law Faculty in UI, said she later became Dean of the faculty 27 years later. Bamgbose testified that the late Professor “built the Faculty of Law, UI, on a solid rock and solid foundation. Our Law Faculty would not have been what it is today but for a law structural engineer in the person of Prof. Jegede”.

Olawoye said the late Jegede was close to him and had a very good relationship. He said his notes to students were words of encouragement, stressing that he benefited from it immensely.

“He was a big brother, colleague, friend and many of his students became his personal friends and a great man in many respect,” he said.

Oyebode said the late Jegede was a consummate teacher of equity and trust. He recalled: “He was a good mentor who exuded such camaraderie

to younger ones like us.”

Oyebode also recalled that the late Jegede was one of the founding fathers of Academic Staff Union Universities (ASUU) when it was known as Association of University Teachers of Nigeria.

“He was in a class of his own and we don’t have his type again,” he added.

Former Minister, External Affairs, Odein Ajumogobia, who spoke on behalf of his former students, said: “Obviously, all of us - Professor Jegede’s former students - generations of now accomplished professors and scholars; private practitioners; judges in the highest court of the land and pre eminent public servants, will have warm personal recollections of our former dean in this foremost law faculty, that will be as varied, as they are inspiring.

“Suffice it to recall how easy it was to love and admire Professor Jegede in his trademark French suits, with his athletic gait and generous smile. He was conscientious and cared deeply for us his students and about improving our law faculty. He was always available, extremely patient and courteous to all, even to the least of us academic, non academic staff and students alike. emic experience of his tutorship, and helicit our untapped potential, was his divine calling for which he sought neither acknowledgement nor reward.

“As a law teacher, and an elegant and persuasive writer, Professor Jegede was perhaps best known as an unrivalled expert in property law and a first rate scholar in the related subject of equity & trusts. His famous book “Principles of Equity” which was published a year after he left the deanship in 1980, and Trusts, Bankruptcy and Administration of Estates, quickly became standard works on the subjects”, Ajumogobia added.

‘New laws can’t solve corporate governance crisis in Nigeria’

W

HENEVER there’s a national financial crisis, resulting from the failure of public companies, the solution is not just the enactment of new laws, but the entrenchment of good corporate governance.

This was the summary of speakers, including a former Nigeria High Commissioner to The United Kingdom, Dr Christopher Kolade, at the ‘Roundtable on Corporate Governance’ by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administration of Nigeria (ICSAN).

Kolade, who chaired the event at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, identified corporate governance as being essential for nations or companies to reach their targets, such as Nigeria’s bid to become one of the top 20 countries in the world.

On the audit of corporate governance in public organisations, he reasoned that unless some people take up the role of custodian of our values, standards and targets cannot be reached “Nigeria hopes to be in the top 20 in the world in 2020, but time has gone so fast,” he said. “We’re five years away, we need to audit and see where

By Robert Egbe

we are.”

“If we did what was right, we would not need to wait until 2020 for Nigeria to get there.”

The keynote speaker, Dr Chris Ogbechie, of The Lagos Business School, analysed the status of Nigerian banks in the public eye until corporate governance failure set in, damaging reputations, undermining confidence and causing share prices’ collapse.

He noted the several scandals in The United States, such as the collapse of Enron and the dot-com bubble and how codes governing the financial sector were revised.

He said: “However, new laws can’t solve corporate governance crises,” said he. Ogbechie argued that more crises will eventually emerge, because “good corporate governance is not built on laws but on values.”

The Sub-Dean of the College of Law, Igbinedion University, Dr. Nat Offor, referred to the Indian Companies’ Act 2013, which made corporate governance audit a statutory requirement for companies. Ofor, who is the vice

president of ICSAN, differentiated between corporate governance audit and financial audit. He argued that external auditors cannot claim ignorance when a company fails.

“They should be named and shamed,” said he. “In corporate governance, exposure makes people do the right thing.”

Ofor courted a little controversy when he asked rhetorically, “Who is qualified to undertake corporate governance audit? Accountants are not qualified.”

The ICSAN vice president said the real professionals are chartered secretaries. “They are the ones trained for it,” he stated, adding that anyone undertaking corporate governace audit must be licensed.

Other speakers, such as DCSL Services’ Bisi Adeyemi, who advocated a change in orientation rather than a change in laws, and Victor Odiase of Andrew Russell Governance Consulting, who questioned why accounting firms have not been indicted for corporate governance failures in Nigeria, agreed with Kolade that for Nigeria to get to where it should, Nigerians must resolve to do what is right.

• The CEO of Lawbreed Mr. Layi Babatunde (SAN) (middle) and his wife, Adejoke presenting books published by Lawbreed Ltd between 2010 till date to former Governor of Lagos State Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN).

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

43

NEWS

Victory at dawn: A night of horror recalled Adedoyin, a public relations practitioner, relives an encounter he had with men of the underworld in his Mowe, Ogun State home a year ago. The event nearly took his life.

insisted armed robbers could strike and do strike even in the most secured of places. Bless my loving family and continue to deepen our love and togetherness O Allah.

A

What about my friends, many of whom I am not sure if to describe as friends or brothers?

What about colleagues who stood solidly by us throughout our ordeal like the rock of Gibraltar?

S another holy month of Ramadan made its spiritually majestic and overwhelming arrival weeks back, it became imperative to reflect on the Event of July 14th last year; a most gory occurrence in a month when men and women of conscience seek reconciliation with their Maker; a most violent and bloody event perpetrated by some sons of Lucifer who had long lost their souls. It was blood bath at dawn; a most horrendous and evil act by some sadistic servants of Satan. Early that morning, these servants of Satan on the loose made their way to my home.

It was the late Dele Giwa that unforgettable journalism icon and engaging columnist who described Lawrence Anini called The Law, who gave Benin City and environs one hell of a time in the mid 80s as Son of a Dog. Those who visited my home at Mainland Park Estate (a.k.a. Pentagon Estate), Mowe, on this particular date last year when the Ramadan broke into half – the 15th and left in its wake tears, blood and sadness were sons of wolves. For, come to think of it, yes truly dog can be nasty, murderous even; but they can also be reasonable, friendly, loyal and truly so.

These sons of wolves that shattered the peace of my home at dawn a year ago were animals in human skin, as the inimitable Fela AnikulupoKuti would have put it – they were blood thirsty, truly predatory carnivorous animals, irrational and without conscience or soul.

The event of that early morning left me wondering about the humanpersona. From all indications, these evil guests at dawn were Moslems or knew one or two things about Islam. My wife who speaks impeccable Hausa confirmed that these blood cuddling youngsters had their conversation in Fulfude (Fulani language) with a mix of Hausa words. Given such background, one is still left wondering about the depth of moral depravity that would make young men from such cultural milieu, to choose the Holy month when men and women of conscience were seeking reconciliation with their Maker and atoning for transgressions to perpetrate evil and visit mayhem on any creature at all.

The gang that ruptured the serenity of my abode one year ago was not just a robbery one, but a murderous group of young men who have no values for the sanctity of human lives and whose desire for material possession made no room for any modicum of compassion or guilt.

They were a pack of wolves at their most sadistic and iniquitous rage.

These professionals from hell brought their tools of nefarious trade with which they neatly cut the burglary proof iron bars on the windows of my kitchen.

That done, they made their way into my sanctuary. With nobody in the guest room downstairs, they came upstairs without any qualm.

Until two weeks before then, my intellectual sparring partner Yoruba philosophy and mother, the 92 year-old Yeye Oba, Alhaja Memunat Ahinke Adedoyin, our guest for almost two months, was the occupant of the guest room, passing the night there either alone or at times, with her granddaughter, Temilade. That this event occurred in her absence has left me grateful to the Good Lord.

One can still not imagine the old woman witnessing her son been shot in the chest at point blank range at dawn. Accessing the rooms upstairs was made easy by the fact that we rarely bolt the entrance leading to the living room and bedrooms upstairs. While one snored away, awaiting the clock to rouse one from slumber by 4.30am for the sahour (early morning meal and salat during Ramadan], the evil gang had made their inroad into the children’s room upstairs. It must have been about a quarter to 4.00am. From the children’s room, they seized our housemaid and led her at gun point to the Master bedroom.

What followed was a most horrendous and dastardly act straight from the heart of the most sadistic soul.

The five man team entered my room where my wife and our two little boys – Babawamide and Oloruntooni – and yours sincerely were deeply in slumber. It was the penetrating ray of light directed into my eyes from their torch light that roused me from sleep. Half awake and half

asleep, I leapt out of bed and with a lame sleepy voice I muttered, “Who is this?” That was it. Within the split of a second, one of the gang members responded with a volley of gunshots straight into my chest.

How does one thank a friend, a brother and now my boss, my Chairman – Dr Olatunde Ayeni sufficiently. On reading my text informing him of the unfortunate incident, the business icon put a call across to me immediately and requested to know the state of my health and the situation with my family. In a demonstration of brotherly love and kindness that only the Good Lord can reward, Dr Ayeni directed that my family be relocated to another apartment immediately.

May he and his generations continue to receive God’s mercy.

The devastating impact of the hot lead in my right chest threw me up and landed me back on my bed. Sleep took a flight. And horror stepped in. Blood gushed out as you would have water gushing from a broken pipe. My body quivered and trembled in quick successions and involuntarily; the pace of my breathing raced faster. In all this, I heard a staccato of conversations by the marauding beasts and my wife’s cry of agony saying repeatedly: Lahilailalahu, you have shot my husband, lahilailalahu, you have killed my husband.

As seconds rolled into minutes and my bed was turning into a river of blood, I had to feign death. I breathed heavily and held my breath.

The evil guests, now convinced I had given up the ghost covered my face with our duvet and turned their satanic attention to my wife. Only two words were clear: gold, money. They said this repeatedly as they ransacked the house like professional robbers that they were. They emptied every pocket, raided every drawer, looted all watches, collected all monies … ten minutes, 20 minutes … I was still bleeding, getting weaker, but through God’s mercy, still conscious and mentally alert.

About twenty five or so minutes into their operation, they hit the gold mine literally and metaphorically; in one of the drawers of the wardrobes, they found madam’s box of trinkets. Even without understanding the meaning of the words they were exchanging, it was obvious they were elated; happy that they have made a haul. They screamed at Madam and threatened to shoot her dead for not telling them early about the hidden treasure.

Madam pleaded with them to show mercy.

They led her out of the master bedroom, and as I guessed correctly, to her bedroom. There they ransacked the wardrobes and took her niece’s laptop and other valuables. Meanwhile, my bleeding continued and I felt life draining out of me. But for reasons that defied human logic, I had become supremely confident that it was not going to be my last day; that I was going to survive the ordeal. I kept telling myself: “Ademola, it is not your last day, you have not fulfilled your destiny”. I remained conscious and mentally alert even though by now, I was sleeping on a bed soaked totally with my blood.

And I knew the bandits would soon vanish.

Having made great fortunes, the next logical thing was to scram with their loot. I asked God to let them leave without wrecking further havoc.

Suddenly, there was cold silence; it could be cut with a knife. I knew they were gone and was relieved that there were no other gun shots. But where are my wife and the children and other members of my household? Have they led them away or locked somewhere?

Since He is a merciful God, He never fails to provide succour even at the most difficult times.

The saving grace He provided at that critical point was through my mobile phone. Although they had collected all phones in the house, my two mobile phones were underneath my pillows and having shot me as soon they came in and with my bed drenched in blood, the idea of checking the underneath of my pillows for any items became far remote. They left without my phones.

‘

Half awake and half asleep, I leapt out of bed and with a lame sleepy voice I muttered, “Who is this?” That was it. Within the split of a second, one of the gang members responded with a volley of gunshots straight into my chest

’

•Adedoyin

Convinced that they had gone and still conscious and alert, I reached for my phone and put a call across to my brother and friend, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the then Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy and now Special Adviser on Media to the Senate President . Obviously still going through the sahour routine, Alhaji Olaniyonu picked my call at the first ring. I told him the gory tale and that I needed policemen in the Estate immediately to lead me to the Hospital if I was to be saved from dying. Yusuph did exactly that. Bless him O Allah.

My next move was to come out of my room to go in search of my family even though I was soaked in the pool of my blood. With Madam’s room left scattered and the door left ajar, I made for the children’s room where I found the door locked and the key left there for whoever may come to rescue the helpless souls. I opened the door. My wife screamed, she thought she had seen a ghost. She was so sure it was either I was dead or about to give up. She could not imagine that her husband could still have any energy left to walk out of the bed, not to talk of coming out of the room to rescue them. I calmed her down and assured her it was her husband in flesh and truly so, in blood.

Again, my timely act also manifested God’s mercy upon my household. In the room before I came to open the door, my wife, convinced that the marauders had escaped, had made to scale the window and jump down from the first floor bedroom to call on neighbours to rescue her husband before he gives up. Our then nine year old daughter, Temilade pleaded with mummy not to take such risk as she was going to hurt herself.

Mummy insisted she was going to do just that.

The little girl gave up and urged mummy to be careful in jumping down. She was about to do that when I flung the door open. A two minute delay could have proved fatal as no one could predict what would have been the consequence of such risky endeavour.

It was in this state of confusion, uncertainty, fear and multiple injuries in my chest and neck that my entire household accompanied me to the Redemption Health Centre at the Redeemed Camp. My wife drove like she was racing to escape from hell. She demonstrated courage that was rare for a lady. I urged her to take it easy as I was alright and would be well. By then it was well past 4.00am. May Allah’s mercy continue to be upon her and her offspring.

The management and staff of Redemption Health Centre deserve special praises for their humanness, professionalism, civility and devotion to duty. If health institutions in Nigeria are run like it is done at that centre, many souls would be saved from avoidable deaths. At that centre, Daddy, G. O., as Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye is affectionately called by all, practises what he preaches. Bless him and his Godly works even more O Lord.

For my extended family under the leadership of our Olori Ebi, Imam Adebayo Ibrahim Ali, and Mummy, your love, prayers and assurances made all the difference.

At that low period of one’s existence when some could cavalierly choose to hit a man that was already on the ground the more, they stood by me insisting whatever happened to a man was divine and destined and for a purpose. Daddy

How can one remember this incident without mentioning Mr. Austin Avuru, the Managing Director of Seplat Petroleum and Chief Tunde Afolabi, the Executive Chairman of Amni Petroleum Development Company. Not just that their generous donations helped in offsetting my huge medical expenses; particularly at Reddington Hospital and abroad, their assurances that they were ready to commit whatever it would take to keep me alive was a soothing balm and a psychological therapy at that most trying and uncertain times.

Then my friends, my brothers, how do I start thanking you. Stand up for recognition, Olayinka Aroyehun and his wife, Arinola. This brother from our second mum from whose chest flows milk of human kindness demonstrated brotherly love. For this kind hearted soul, no amount was too much to bring a victim of such attack to perfect health; particularly when that victim is MolaIshola. God will continue to reward your kindness as He has always done, Abefe.

Then my twin brother and my soul mate, Zik Zulu Okafor and his wife, our own adorable Adora. How can you thank enough a brother who is ready to go to the end of this world in search of whatever would be needed to restore me to perfect health. His writing on his Facebook wall was most touching and tears – inducing. Zulu coordinated efforts to get friends to rally round to ensure my survival and he discharged himself creditably. He practically suspended every other thing to ensure I accessed the best medical treatment available. May the Good Lord continue to deepen your joy and never fails to continually give you victory over adversaries.

My Good friend and brother, the sports entrepreneur, Taye Ige was wonderful. Up to now, he has not relented on how to ensure I recover fully and became fully fit again. May you continue to score critical goals in all aspects of your worthy life.

Same prayer goes to my Ichie as I fondly call him, Chuddy Oduenyi, Nigerian’s Public Relations lead player and remarkable friend. Chuddy’s support and his many trips to Redemption Health Centre was the stuff good friendship is made of. God will preserve you in good health for many more decades in your service to our profession and to humanity.

May the Good Lord also bless my friends and brothers; E. J. Williams, Mr. & Mrs. Ismaila Bello Mr. & Mrs. Olayiwola Lawal Olarinoye, Prof Noah Yusuph; the humane Amolegbe brothers: Sikiru, Fattah and their spouses andOlatunde, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, Lanre Alabi, Niyi Kolawole, Barrister Ogbonnaya Agbafo, Kenny Alata and others who through prayers, visits, gifts and show of love and affection made the life-threatening ordeal light.

My in-laws at Offa, Kaduna, Ilorin, Lagos and United Kingdom were simply wonderful. Your genuine concern, love, visits, prayers and affection was truly therapeutic. A nifiirueleyi san fun arawa. God bless you all. Our neighbours in Mowe were good neighbours by every definition. It is only God that can reward your kindness.

Most important and deserving of the most profound gratitude and appreciation is the Almighty God. God assured me July 14, 2014 was not my last day and He kept His promise. He assured me it was a new dawn for me: The arrival of my Victory at Dawn; a rebirth. I claim it. I cannot thank you enough, God of Miracles.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

44

SHOWBIZ

Paul Play, MTN unite in new song

T

HE rift between pop star, Paul Play Dairo and Telecommunication company, MTN appears to be over, as the artiste's latest work, Fool in Love is being streamed live on MTN Music Plus, CallerTunes, and MTN Play.

Dairo had, in 2013, gone to court over the unlawful use of his hit song, Angel of My Life which was used on MTN sponsored Project Fame reality show.

The singer, through his lawyer, Festus Keyamo, slammed a N500 million suit on the Telecoms Company and Ultima Studios, the producer of the show.

With Fool in Love, Dairo and MTN has opened a new chapter in their relationship.

The music breaks the jinx of the over-portrayal of women as sex objects, as the music icon is bringing back the true love and respect that women deserve.

The song which was released yesterday, is enjoying downloads on http://tinyurl.com/psgl4le celebrates weddings and love.

Nollywood filmmaker Chika Onu gets PhD

N

• Paul Play

Painter makes impression of Asa's lyrical prowess

S

TIRRED by the lyrical abilities of Nigerian singer, Bukola Elemide, popularly known as Asa, a Nigerian painter, Godwin Arikpo has made his own impression of one of her first hits, Eye Adaba.

Speaking with The Nation, Arikpo, who is famed in the art circles for his style of painting, says that Asa's art brings nature close by and points at the priceless little things, simple blessings, and moments we often oversee in the chaos that surrounds us each day.

"She tells the truth when she sings, the truth about herself, her life and her family, and all the things people don't talk about themselves. She tells the story of her life in her songs and people want to hear it, I love

By Ovwe Medeme

her style of music and the lyrics of her songs. I believe that our country Nigeria is blessed with all it takes to develop. I believe in our national identity, and unity," he says.

According to him, Asa's track, Eye Adaba, is a tonic we all need at this time in our existence as a nation.

This becomes even more so as there are lots of critical economic decisions to be taken.

"It's a Yoruba song literally understood as "Dove". It is a solemn, contemplative prayer; one of hope and sincere yearning for peace. I love the

imagery; the all-encompassing use of the dove as an allegory for many things good. The dove represents peace and good tidings. It is also associated with goodness, kindness, trust, affection, dependability, and heavenly guidance," Arikpo adds.

True to his words, the painter brings his style to bear in his impression of Asa's song. Using what can be termed his favourite, mixed media.

"I choose to paint the lyrics of this song because I believe it's a rallying call for Nigerians to treat these testing times as a wakeup call. We can turn the corner and use this as a stepping stone to make our country stronger economically," he concludes.

By Joe Agbro Jr. OLLYWOOD filmmaker, Christian Chika Onu, has (NAFCA), Los Angeles in Septemreceived his PhD in Film ber, 2014.

Studies at the 2015 convocation cerHe is the director of famous emony of the University of Port Nollywood movies, Living in BondHarcourt, Rivers State. age 2, Glamour Girls, Peacemaker Dr. Christian Chika Onu also and other popular movies for which studied filmmaking at the highly he has won many awards in Nigeesteemed Colorado Film School in ria and America. He is the co-auDenver, United States. thor of Nak-ed Beauty, said to be Described as an outstanding the first Nigerian screenplay to be achiever with numerous awards published and sold as book. since he won the first prize in the J. F. Kennedy International Essay Competition in 1973, Onu was the President of the Oak Theatre during his undergraduate years at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). He was also the Associate Editor of The Muse Departmental Magazine.

In 1979, he won the British Council Award for the Best Creative Writer (University Press); Prime Director Award by Video/Film marketers in 2002; Member, Movie Makers Hall of Fame, Abuja in 2006; Pioneer Director Award Best of the Best (BOBTV) Expo, Abuja in 2008 and many other accolades of which the most recent are the 2014 TV and Film Achievement Award

by Los Angeles Nollywood Film Association (LANFA) in August and Life Time Achievement Award in Cinema by Nollywood Africa Film Critics Awards • Chika Onu

Artmosphere to host Beautiful Nubia

M

• Eye Adaba by Godwin Arikpo

Hollywood actor Anthony Anderson to emcee MAMA

A

MERICAN comic actors continue to helm the annual MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA), with the unveiling of Anthony Anderson as host of this

• Anthony Anderson

year's show.

Anderson takes over from Marlon Wayans, the popular American showman who was criticised in some quarters for dry and 'unAfrican' jokes during last year's event.

Anderson, an actor, producer, comedic genius and all-round funny man, said he is looking forward to the show, holding in Durban, South Africa, on July 18.

'I look forward to my first trip to Durban and KwaZulu-Natal and feel honoured to be hosting MAMA 2015 on Nelson Mandela's birthday - it's going to be awesome," he said.

Fresh from his recent stint as cohost of the BET Awards 2015 in LA, Anthony Anderson is star and Executive Producer of ABC's new comedy Black-ish alongside actress Tracee Ellis Ross, while also hosting Food Network's Carnival Cravings with Anthony Anderson.

He is known for leading roles on

NBC's Emmy Award-winning drama Law and Order where he played Detective Kevin Bernard, as well as the shows K-Ville and The Shield. Anderson also brought his talent and humour to the small screen in his semi-biographical sitcom All About the Andersons.

Other previous hosts of MAMA are Eve (2010), Wyclef Jean (2009) and Trevor Nelson (2008).

The show is expected to feature artistes such as 2Face, AKA, Big Nuz, Black Motion, Bucie, Cassper Nyovest, Da LES, Davido, Diamond Platnumz, DJ Fisherman, DJ Tira, Jhené Aiko, NaakMusiQ, NE-YO, Toofan, Wizkid, Yemi Alade and Young Thug.

Organisers say the MTV Africa Music Awards KwaZulu-Natal 2015 will broadcast live across Africa on MTV Base (DStv channel 322), MTV (DStv channel 130) and BET (DStv channel 129) on Saturday 18 July at 8PM.

USICIAN, poet and social critic Segun Akinlolu, popularly known as Beautiful Nubia will be a special at this month’s edition of Artmosphere, a platform geared towards promoting literature and arts amongst Nigeria’s youths.

The event starts by 3pm on Saturday, July 18, at the NuStreams Conference Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Artmosphere, organisers say, will commence with Blogger and Screenwriter, Seun Odukoya opening the stage with readings from his debut fiction, Saving Dapo. This will be followed by a series of readings, performances and conversations with Beautiful Nubia, singer, songwriter, poet and founder of Nigeria’s foremost contemporary folk and roots music group, the Roots Renaissance Band. Also, Poet and literary critic, Gabriel Bamgbose will

• Beautiful Nubia

By Joe Agbro Jr

read from his debut poetry collection, Something Happened After the Rain.

Curated by WriteHouse Collective since July 2011, Artmosphere has consistently hosted an eclectic mix of creative performances from leading and emerging culture practitioners in Nigeria.

Beautiful Nubia’s songs are built on rich folkloric traditions and native wisdom but his message is universal in thrust and theme: value life, respect nature and learn to live in peace with others. EniObanke, his music production and marketing company has over the years organised the leading folk and roots music festival in Nigeria, the EniObanke Music Festival (EMUfest). He has released over 12 musical albums, a novella and several poetry publications and recordings.

45

TUESDAY JULY 14, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Under the presidential system, the cost of governance is high. The President is expected to preside over the Federal Executive Council, which is made up of at least 36 ministers and special advisers. In the Senate, there are 109 members. The House of Representatives has 360 legislators. The size of the government is huge, making the recurrent expenditure to account for over 65 per cent of the budget, leaving 35 per cent for capital projects. Besides, government officials always capitalise on loopholes to perpetrate graft. Therefore, national development is sacrificed on the altar of corruption. But, last week, President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) slashed their salaries by 50 per cent. They also reiterated their commitment to the anti-graft war to stem the misappropriation of public funds. Will National Assembly members, governors and elected officials emulate them? EMMANUEL OLADESU, RAYMOND MORDI and LEKE SALAUDEEN examine the renewed search for fiscal discipline and implications for the polity.

Reducing cost of governance P

OLITICS has become a lucrative venture in Nigeria. To observers, government is attractive because of the pecks of office. Thus, the corridor of power is perceived an avenue for primitive accumulation by many elected officials, instead of an avenue for service delivery.

But, President Muhammed Buhari proposed a closure to the sordid past last week. He and his deputy, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, slashed their salaries by 50 per cent, setting a good example for other elected officers.

According to the 2007 Remuneration Package for Political, Public and Judicial Officers released by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the President is entitled to an annual salary N14 million per annum (N1.171,568 per month). The Vice President should earn N12, 126, 290 per annum (N1,010, 524 per month). But now, the President will earn N7 million yearly. In four years, he will earn N28.1 m. Presidency sources said the Commander-InChief took the step to demonstrate his commitment to frugality and leadership by example in the face of the harsh economic condition.

At the weekend, there were also media reports about how the President turned down moves to procure new official cars for his office. The cars cost N400million. President Buhari said he will continue to use the cars left behind by his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

Before adjourning its sittings last month, the National Assembly set up a committee to review the salaries and allowances of legislators. It was a populist move, which has been criticised for drawing bogus emoluments. Senate President Saraki explained that the parliament could not be indifferent to the public outcry about the legislators’ remuneration.

In fact, some governors had blazed the trail, following their inauguration. Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai and his Bauchi, Kano and Abia counterparts, Mohammed Abubakar, Abdullahi Ganduje and Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, had earlier cut their salaries and those of their aides to cut costs. Explaining the reason for taking the line of action, el-Rufai said there is need to make sacrifice and judicious management of resource in a state that is weighed down by debt and liabilities. “The state of our state is abysmal”, he said, urging other indigenes to make sacrifices for the state to survive the excruciating economic hardship.

Ikpeazu, a former university don, explained that he imposed the austerity measure on himself, following the inability of the state to pay salaries of workers. He said the few elected public officials cannot be swimming in opulence when thousands of indigenes, especially worker wallow in abject poverty.

In Abubakar’s view, it has become absolutely necessary to cut the salary of the governor by 50 percent as a mark of leadership by example. Echoing him, Ganduje said earning a fat salary in the face of the current economic reality is untenable, adding that wastage should be reduced.

Many Nigerians have hailed the decision by the President and governors to slash their salaries. The drop in oil revenue may have made value engineering more compelling. But, they said the reduction of the cost of governance is an unfinished business. For example, the loopholes should give way. These include contract inflation by ministers and top civil servants, misappropriation and embezzlement of funds, extravagance and frivolous travels by government officials, hiring of multiple aides for elected officials, and jumbo pay for legislators.

Former member of House of Representatives Hon. Uche Onyeagucha advised the President to merge some ministries that perform similar functions. He even said that the anti-graft agencies-the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) can be merged to avoid duplication of structures for anti-graft crusade.

The former legislator also said that the cost can be reduced through other institutional approaches. He said: “Our economy should be run by expects and regulators. We must reduce imports. This will reduce the waste of foreign reserves. In Nigeria, we import toothpicks and cement. This is not necessary.

This makes us to lose foreign exchange. Thus, it becomes expensive to run the government.”

A lawyer, Bisi Adegbuyi, said, if no conscious effort is made to cut costs, governance will only be for the benefit of those in

•Buhari

•Osinbaji

•Ikpeazu

Those who steal public funds should be sanctioned to discourage others, so that people can know that public funds should not be used for private ends. Corrupt officials should be made to refund ill-gotten wealth •Ganduje

•el-Rufai

power. “The cost of governance in Nigeria is humongous. We must find a way of reducing the cost so that people with sublime ability and who do not have a huge amount of money to spend on the electoral process will be interested in politics,” he said. Adegbuyi also called for the re-evaluation of politics to remove the perception of politics as an invested, adding that it is dangerous for democracy. He said many elected officials always hope to garner returns in post-election period.

He also urged the President reduce the size of the cabinet, saying that few ministers are required. In his view, the duplication of functions of ministries and departments is counterproductive. Adegbuyi also said that only competent and incorruptible people should make the ministerial list. He said, if

corrupt people are appointed as ministers and special advisers, they will subvert the administration because leopards cannot change their skins. “We also need a renewed battle against corruption,” he added The emoluments of legislators have often generated controversy. Onyeagucha acknowledged that the its expensive to maintain the two chambers at the federal levels and 36 chambers across the federation. Hailing the move to revisit the pay package, he said Nigeria does not need full-time lawmakers.

“We only need part-time legislators at state and federal levels.

This will reduce the cost of maintaining the legislature. Right now, the cost of financing them is expensive,” he stressed.

• Continued on page 46

THE NATION TUESDAY JULY 14, 2015

46

‘

It is of no use copying Lagos, Akwa Ibom or Delta when your financial resources don't match them. It is economic suicidal for Ekiti, Ebonyi and Gombe states to have the same number of ministries, commissioners and special advisers like Lagos, Kano and Delta

’

POLITICS

Reducing cost of governance • Continued from page 45 In the view of a finance and investment consultant, Mr. Akintunde Maberu, there is a huge disparity between the earnings of political office holders and workers.

He said: "If you look at the percentage of those in the highest bracket, as against the percentage of the multitude in the lowest bracket, the disparity is much. It was in Zamfara State that I observed that five per cent of political office holders earn 75 per cent of the entire income of the state. I think the same thing applies to other states and the Federal Government.

"So, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Committee (RMAFC) ought to prune down the salaries of public office holders because that is its primary duty and responsibility. They ought to do that in consonance with the reality on ground because the country is bereft of funds at present. Therefore, it does not make sense for public office holders to continue enjoying the fat salaries and allowances that earning before now.

"RMAFC said it is going to review their earnings, but I don't know whether the assertion is true or not. But, the President has shown the way; his body language has not only shown where he is going, he has gone ahead to put it into action and the Vice President has followed suit."

Maberu said the leadership of the National Assembly and the governors are also expected to go along the same direction. In other words, the example of the President is expected to go down to all the strata of governance. He said: "If that is done, it would immediately have an impact. The recommendations of the Oronsaye Report were well thought out. One would have expected the previous government to have implemented some of those recommendations, but it did not.” Maberu added:”There are feelers already that President Buhari is going to reduce the number of ministries and that he would appoint technocrats into functional ministries, as against political appointees.”

Alluding to the report, he said the committee identified seven foremost ministries that should be manned by technocrats. He added: “The Oronsaye report is the key, but I expect that the federal government will have the political will to implement the recommendations of this report. In the past, there were similar recommendations that never

saw the light of day."

Maberu urged the government to take steps to jerk up its internally generated revenue (IGR) and explore new areas of revenue generation.

Apart from oil, there are other mineral resources in the country that can also provide a leeway.

Nevertheless, he said scaling down costs would assist the government to kick-start its programmes because the effort to raise the IGR takes time.

The Federal Internal Revenue Service, he added, could bring into the net those that were outside it.

The National Chairman of the United Progressives Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, said the administration should block the leakages in the system. He recalled that President Buhari promised to do do this during the electioneering campaign. He said: "These leakages are eating up what should ordinarily be used to develop the country. Most private estates in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Lagos and other cities are owned by people in government.

"Even when you go to some rural communities, you will see some mind–boggling edifies erected by the same people and they hardly stay in these houses, except during festive periods when they visit home.

"I think the President should recover what I call all 'recoverables'.

The 50 per cent cut in salaries is good, if it is implemented down the ladder. It is a way of showing example to the people that the government is serious in its drive to eliminate waste. But, the more practical way is for him to go after the people that have stolen our common wealth. For instance, look at what is happening in Rivers State, where the governor has just announced that caretaker committees would take charge at the local governments. This sort of thing should not be allowed to continue. We are going back to the old order; to sack elected officials and appoint caretaker committees to run the local governments."

Okorie enjoined the government to withhold funds that are due to local governments in states where local governments are run by appointed officials. "This should be paid into dedicated accounts that can only be released later to properly elected officials," he added.

Human rights activist and President of Nigeria Voters Assembly (VOTAS) Comrade Mashood Erubami said, to reduce the cost of governance, the huge recurrent expenditure must be a thing of the past. His words: "The immediate

•Abubakar

We only need part-time legislators at state and federal levels.

This will reduce the cost of maintaining the legislature.

Right now, the cost of financing them is expensive drastic cut-down from all areas of profligacy in budgetary and fiscal policies, combined with unsparing and non-discriminatory fight against corruption, should be explored. For the President to achieve meaningful development, serious attention must be placed on reducing the cost of doing business and governance in the areas of foreign travels, trainings and medical tourism.

"The high cost of doing business and governance has its roots in corruption, high interest rate, the provision of electricity for the manufacturing and industrial sector, and exchange rate. The high cost of running government also resides in the payment of unbacked and economically unjustifiable high salaries and emoluments, the payment of unrealistic subsidies and double terminal benefits, including life pension for political office holders, and the provision for constituency projects and allowances.

Erubami urged the government to raise a new team to device new and

•Emir of Zuru Alhaji Sani Sami II (right) presenting a gift to Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State (left) during the goverPHOTO: NAN nor's working visit to the Emir in his palace.

•Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima

practical ways of achieving allround reduction in the cost of doing businesses, through measures and strict exchange control mechanism.

He said: "Federal and state budgets should be subjected to public scrutiny and review to reduce extravagant and prodigal lifestyle through re- organisation, virement, weeding out ghost workers, reducing unproductive political office holders and vehicles in government convoy.These will reduce expenses." Erubami said the yearly increase in recurrent expenditure and dwindling capital expenditures should be re-examined.

However, the pro-democracy activist said the greatest challenge is fighting corruption. In his view, corruption is an impediment to development. Erubami pointed out that trillions of naira are mismanaged, stolen and squandered yearly, either through direct stealing or non-remittance into the treasury by Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).

To lay the foundation a new Nigeria, he said government must, within the short time, introduce measures that will challenge past wrong business ethics and unethical political culture among the business class and the politicians.

Erubami stressed: "Corruption should be fought on two fronts. The bribe-takers and the givers should be treated as criminals. The bribe-taker needs to be penalised and the giver must be punished to send strong message that corruption will no more be tolerated under any guise.

"Former politicians who have pending corruption cases with anticorruption agencies and courts should continue without undue pressure from government. Justice to take its course.”

Erubami said the President should be ready to step on toes. He said the government should “kill corruption before it kills Nigeria".

He added: "The fight against corrupt practices should begin with diligent prosecution. Current cases of petroleum subsidy scam, PHCN scam, NNPC scam, $9.7m failed arms contract and police pension scam should be concluded to send a strong signal to Nigerians that corruption has become a crime and culprits will be prosecuted, and if found guilty, they will be sentenced to imprisonment.

"Those who steal public funds should be sanctioned to discourage others, so that people can know that public funds should not be used for private ends. Corrupt officials should be made to refund ill-gotten wealth.

"Every year, names of corrupt officials and those convicted for corruption should be published in the media. Also, those who serve diligently should be given awards.

These will reduce graft in public places. The enforcement of the provisions of the laws in the EFCC, ICPC, Code of Conduct Act should

not be compromised. Bribery must be outlawed.”

Erubami also urged the government to set up special courts to try corrupt officials.

A university don, Dr Adetunji Ogunyemi, decried the duplications of ministries and other instritutions for service delivery. He said the government should reduce the structures for function performance.

Ogunyemi, who teaches at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, lamented that many states are not economically viable. He said: “Many of them rely on monthly allocations to pay salaries. We should collapse the states so that we can have eight states that can be selfsustaining rather than having 36 states.”

Ogunyemi also called for the merging of local governments to make them viable. He complained about what he described as the over-representation at the centre.

According to him, the Senate should be abrogated because the 360 members of the House of Representatives can offer adequate representation. He maintained that the Senate is a duplication of legislative process. “If we do away with the Senate, it will go a long way in reducing cost of governance,” he added.

The university don said a law should be enacted to make it mandatory that 40 per cent of the annual budget of every tier of government is committed to capital projects. “If this law comes on stream, it will serve as a check on government expenses, especially on overhead cost,” he said.

Ogunyemi cited the case of Osun State, which generates N187 million per month and spends N1.4 billion on salary and pension; whereas Lagos State, which generates N20 billion monthly, has a salary and pension liability of N7.3 billion. “The argument here is that states should pay according to their financial capability,” he said.

Legal luminary Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) urged the tiers of government to study their financial limitations so that they can operate within the resources available to them. He noted that many state governments are copy cats; they embark on projects that are not relevant to the needs of their subjects.

Akintola said: "It is of no use copying Lagos, Akwa Ibom or Delta when your financial resources don't match them. It is economic suicidal for Ekiti, Ebonyi and Gombe states to have the same number of ministries, commissioners and special advisers like Lagos, Kano and Delta.

These states have one of the highest Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) base.

"The IGR of Ikoyi/Obalende Local Government, Lagos State is higher than that of Ekiti State. I don't expect Ekiti to have more than eight commissioners. The state is endowed with human resources, but less financial resources.

"I am happy President Buhari has resolved to have only 19 ministries at the federal level. In those days, what we used to have were Ministry of Works, Housing and Urban Delopment; Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Budget Planning; Ministry of Youths, Sports and Social Development. But today, politicians have split each of them into three or four ministries to create jobs for the boys.

"Because of second term, governors are creating all sorts of offices, appointing a retinue of special assistants that have no offices or specific functions to perform, embarking on white elephant projects, building hospitals without equipping them. These are conduit pipes that must be blocked."

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

47

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

48

THE NATION

BUSINESS AVIATION Challenges of travel businees, by operator

T

HE Chief Executive Officer, Sesby’s Travel and Tours Limited, Adeola Sesby– Banjoh, has identified infiltration into the business by people not trained to handle travel planning as one of the major challenges facing the sub-sector.

She lamented that this has led to poor service delivery.

Speaking during the launch of the company’s online portal and services in Lagos, she said the company made a turnover of N1 billion last year, in spite of the several challenges in the sub-sector.

She explained that the major functions of banks are to accept deposits and lend money to customers, wondering why they should dabble into an area they don’t have core competencies.

The travel chief described as abnormal, the sale of airline tickets by banks, adding that it does not happen in the United States and

Britain.

She stated that in these countries, the business of selling airlines tickets was restricted to travel agencies.

“One of our major challenges is that some commercial banks have infiltrated into the travel business by selling airlines’ tickets.It is only in Nigeria that it is done. It is not done in Britain and in the United States,” she said.

Another challenge, she said, is dearth of funds.

On the travel agency’s relationship with other stakeholders, such as airlines and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Sesby-Banjoh said it has been cordial, adding that the firm became IATA travel agent n June 4, 2003.

She added that Sesby also has good working relations with airlines across the globe, noting that the major aim of the agency is to take off stress from customers.

Union demands workers’ release •Passengers boarding an aircraft at Maiduguri International Aiport, Borno State, during the inaugural flight of Medview Airlines on Lagos-Abuaj-Maiduguri-Lagos route at the weekend.

Maiduguri Airport’s closure was politically-motivated, says Shettima

T

HE Re-opening of the Maiduguri International Airport will attract investment to the Northeast, Borno State Governor Ibrahim Shettima has said.

The region has been grappling with Boko Haram insurgency.

Shettima spoke last weekend when Medview Airlines began scheduled flights into the airport.

The airport was closed 18 months ago, in the heat of the insurgency.

Shettima said it was wrong of the Federal Government to have shut the airport, alleging that it was politically motivated.

He said even in war-torn countries, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, airports were not shut, adding that in some parts of Middle East, including Syria and Lebanon, airports remain open, despite hostilities .

Any government that is conscious of the role airports as critical infrastructure could play in economic growth would not shut down airports for almost two years, the governor said. Shettima said the government was working with relevant security agencies and avia-

tion authorities to ensure seamless operations at the airport.

He described airports as an important transport infrastructure that accelerates development, insisting that the re-opened airport would, once again, restore Borno and surrounding states to their glory in the transportation of agricultural produce.

The governor noted that pilgrims for this years’ Haji would travel by road to Kano, Jigawa or Gombe to connect their flights to Saudi Arabia.

He appealed to investors to come and invest in the state, saying:”We thank God that the Maiduguri Airport has been re-opened for scheduled flight operations. It was due to collaborative efforts by relevant authrities. “ It is a great day for the people of Borno State, the airport has been finally re-opened. “It is evidence of the good relationship between the people of the state and the Federal Government. but, it is highly regrettable and it defies logic and common sense that about six million people were deprived

of the use of this airport because of the activities of some people .

“It was wrong for this airport to have been closed in the first instance because normal flight activities are going on even in some so called hot spots in the world including Bagdad and Kabul.”

Shettima said the airport would create access for people to travel for business and leisure.

He spoke of assurances by Medview to continue the flight to ensure Borno is linked to other airports. He said the state would collaborate with the airlines to sustain flights, calling on relevant security agencies to step up efforts to improve security at the airport.

Medview Airlines Chief Executive Alhaji Muneer Bankole said the airline began flights into the airport following safety assurance by security agencies.

“Our decision to commence flights to Maiduguri was informed by the need to link up the people of this region to other parts of the country,” he said.

The four flights from Lagos to Maiduguri will be routed via Abuja.

‘Quota system shouldn’t apply to national carrier’

ORMER Rector and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT)Capt. Adebayo Araba has warned promoters of a national carrier against using quota system for recruitment.

At an event in Lagos last week, he insisted that Nigeria required a national carrier to compete with others.

The carrier he said would provide jobs for qualified Nigerians and enable the sector contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Products ( GDP) .

He said quota system could be applied in some sectors of the economy, but not in aviation given its technical nature.

Araba warned that introduction of quota system in the airline project may spell doom for it like the defunct Nigeria Airways.

He said because of quota system, Nigeria Airways lost about six or

F

Stories by Kelvin Osa-Okunbor Aviation Correspondent

seven aircraft and hundreds of lives to accidents.

Besides, he insisted that quota system deprived over 20 students from a particular state in the country from gaining admission into NCAT for their preferred courses when he was the rector of the institution. The school had to look for other courses for the students.

He said:" You see, Federal Government is very clear concerning some certain issues. For instance, we are talking about quota, which government is very clear about, but when it comes to some specific disciplines, we have to be very careful how we manage the quota system.

“At the Nigeria Airways wher I worked for so many years, we tried the quota system, we lost. Because of the quota system, we lost about six to seven planes and so many

lives. The airline is gone now, and we can’t rectify the past, but we should be able to learn from what happened to take care of the future.

“At NCAT, we put the quota system on ground anytime we had any new intake, we go strictly with the quota system, but once you are in, and the flag is down, for you to continue in that college, would be whatever you have in your head. Anything short of that, forget about quota system,”he said.

On the challenges facing domestic airline operators in the country, Araba, queried their background and the technical-know-how of their sponsors in airline business.

He said the fact that a sponsor had the financial wherewithal to run an airline didn’t mean such would manage the business successfully and urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to play its oversight function well for the development of the country.

HE Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) has condemned the detention of its members by the Directorate of State Security (DSS) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State .

The union is demanding their unconditional release.

A petition to the Director-General, DSSS, dated July 7, signed by the General Secretary of ATSSSAN, Captain Tarnongu, reads: "It’s our great expectation that you would deploy your good office to redress this wrong by ordering the immediate release of our members who are being conspiratorially detained by your officers in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

“May we remind you that under a democratic society, rule of impunity is strongly frowned at."

Tarnongu said trouble started when members of the ATSSSAN and NUATE at Akwa Ibom Airport Development Company Ltd (IADCL) embarked on strike to express their grievances over the management's high handedness, mismanagement of the airport, unpaid wages/allowances and desperate transfer of 150 specially-

T

trained staff to ministries and other departments outside the airport.

ATSSSAN stated that the management of IADCL has been displaying anti-union attitude, adding that Barrister Idara Etim, the resource administrator, in a memo, directed that no worker should join any union as the state government had not approved any form of trade unionism, while workers already in the union were given February 12, to renounce their membership or face disciplinary action.

The union noted that there is right to freedom of association, to join and belong to unions.

The union alleged that the IADCL has planned to spend $34million to train workers to replace those redeployed to ministries saying it was a grand scheme to corruptly mismanage the state tax payers money.

"To our chagrin however, security agencies were dragged in to a purely industrial relations matters that been mediated on by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity yet the management remained recalcitrant and refused to honour all hallowed agreements,” the workers alleged.

BA’s rules on flying with children out

T

OWARDS making flying smooth in the holiday season, British Airways has put in place some basic steps to ensure a pleasant flying experience for passengers, including children.

According to its Country Commercial Manager for West Africa, Kola Olayinka, the firm has ensured a comfortable flying experience for every passenger.

He said: “When travelling with children, it is important to have a careful plan and take certain precautionary steps that will ensure that a child is relaxed, occupied and comfortable.’’

He added that, being in a confined space with a noisy young-

sters could be awkward for parents and irritating to fellow flyers.

“Most children are naturally quite excited about flying. The trick is to harness that interest, without them getting over-excited while ensuring they do not become fretful in an unfamiliar environment,” he said.

Olayinka listed the steps to enjoy flying with children without stress to include a visit to sites such as BA.com which have comprehensive details of paperwork required for travelling with minors, so you can plan ahead.

“You can also order children’s meals online, or get help from the hostess,” he added.

Global air freight increases by 3.3%

G

LOBAL air freight volumes released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has shown a 3.3 percent increase in cargo volumes in April 2015.

The data released by the director general of IATA , Mr Tony Tyler said there is growth in cargo volumes compared to the same month in 2014.

He did not give the figures .

He said there has been no actual growth in aggregated global cargo

volumes since late last year.

According to him: " These factors point toward a need to kick-start trade by reversing protectionist trade measures. Implementing the Bali Trade Facilitation Agreement would be a good start, as well as commitments to help facilitate trade in emerging markets.

Also of note was the significant capacity increase of 5.5 percent in April 2015, driving the load factor down to its lowest for the past 12 months.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

49

e-Business

‘Poor telecoms service quality unacceptable’ T

HE Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has said it will continue to work hard to ensure that operators provide the necessary infrastructure that will reduce quality of service issues, arguing that poor telecoms services remained unacceptable.

Its Director, Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo, who spoke on the sideline during a forum organised by the Nigeria Institute Public Relations (NIPR) in the University of Lagos, however, said there were challenges which must first be addressed before service quality would be improved.

Those challenges include but are not limited to inadequate power supply, multiple taxation and regulations, vandalism of telecom infrastructure, right of way (RoW) challenges, and infrastructure deficit among others.

“Only the elimination of some or all of these will provide the critical success factors in finally eradicating quality of service challenges,” he said, adding that the regulator is not complacent over the issue.

During the public hearing held by the National Assembly in 2008, power was considered to have contributed more than 40 per cent to serv-

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

ice quality challenges.

Telecoms depend on power to run 24/7. Just as individuals in Nigeria generate their power, so has telcos been generating much of the power it utilises.

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has put the estimated cost of running two generators in each of the over 25,000 base transmission stations (BTS) in at about N5 billion monthly.

ATCON says while service provider spends 80 per cent operating expenditure (opex) on power generation, in Malawi, it is just some five per cent. This captures the explanation as the service providers would have been in a position to channel more resources to tackling the issues of service quality.

He said: “We have a very nagging issue of regulations and taxes awaiting the telecom operators at different levels of government. Some of these regulations are made outside of the purview of the telecom regulator.

“There are states and local governments where telecom infrastructure

is seen as fertile ground for improving internally generated revenue as these infrastructures must be available to make services possible. In some areas, state governments, local governments, or even some Federal Government agencies have had to force a close down of base stations with the implication of disconnecting many localities from the network thereby adding to the challenge” On RoW, he lamented that governments at various levels, individuals or communities, prevent the service providers from installing equipment without which there will not be good quality of services.

“Some of us may not be aware, but the truth is that for almost five years, the Federal Capital Territory Administration stopped issuance of permits to telecom service providers to BTS on account of fear of defacing the city.

Yet, residents would expect services to be of high quality,” he lamented.

Vandalism of equipment has become common where criminals vandalise expensive transmission lines laid with fibre optics or where road constructions or similar situation results in cutting off transmission cables with multiple negative effects on service quality.

•From left: Head, Micro-Station Retail Business and Service Mr. Emma Ekuma, CEO Micro-Station Mr. Nestor Coutroupis Jnr, ….Interswitch's Sales Executive, Business Enterprises Industry, Mr. Jeffery Williams-Eden

T

Microsoft, Signal Alliance urge MAN on ECH giant, Microsoft and Sigofficial of MAN Resource Cencloud solutions tre,AnDoris nal Alliance have urged Onwugamba, says the out-

manufacturers to adopt cloud solutions to reduce operating cost (opex) and optimise productivity.

Speaking at a forum jointly organised by the two firms for Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to showcase solutions that will drive productivity, meet operating objectives and enhance business continuity in manufacturing companies, the two firms said cloud is the way to go.

Director, Sales at Signal Alliance, Chukwunonso Emeh, said technology holds the key to economic diversification, adding that application of its tools to every facet of human life brings useful result. He said: "Technology is the key to diversification, productivity increase, efficiency and transformation in the Nigeria manufacturing sector. With our partners, Microsoft, we want to empower your industry to prosper."

According to him, generally, most manufacturers are not known for going out of their way to invest in advanced information technology (IT),

adding this has prompted the development of cutting-edge cloud computing technology tailor-made for them. These cloud technologies reduce capital expenditures and IT labour costs.

An official of Microsoft, Ola Williams, said the attraction of using cloud computing services is obvious, stressing that it is the technology that transfers the responsibility for running on-premises hardware and software out to the Internet, where cloud computing providers handle the stresses that would otherwise burden IT departments, such as software upgrades and hardware maintenance.

Williams said aside, cost savings cloud computing benefits include quicker deployment and ease of use.

Another key advantage is operational flexibility. Cloud computing technology allows IT managers to click a few menu selections to free up computing power from the cloud whenever manufacturing operations need additional resources or to accommodate new software modules.

come of the engagement has been very positive, adding that members are excited about the prospects cloud solutions would have on productivity and cost savings. She is confident that Signal Alliance and Microsoft will provide MAN members the needed technology solutions to transform their business and operate more efficiently.

The manufacturers noted that there was need to further automate their operations by deploying technologies that will make them more efficient and flexible especially when dealing with their customers in a manner that will ensure speed, convenience and mobile access.

At the roundtable, various technologies and solutions for insurance business were discussed. It included customer relationship management, business intelligence, data analysis, cloud computing, mobility, software development, unified communications and the trade xchange platform.

The event was attended by top executives from manufacturing companies in Nigeria.

GADGET REVIEW

Samsung SUHD TV (1)

S

AMSUNG Electronics has been world's number one TV brand by market share for a good few years now, but its dominance is coming under threat from arch-rival LG's OLED offerings that are capable of delivering true blacks due to their selfemissive characteristic, as well as low-cost 4K TVs from China at the other end of the scale.

In a bid to stave off stiff competition and retain its leadership position in the global television market, the South Korean manufacturer announced several key strategic initiatives at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2015 in Las Vegas last month.

As a founding member of the newly formed Ultra High-Definition (UHD) Alliance, which seeks to establish a standard beyond mere 3840×2160 pixel resolution to include the latest video innovations such as wide colour gamut (WCG) and high dynamic range (HDR), Samsung will make sure its high-end Ultra HD televisions comply with the final ratified specifications.

Towards this end, the company has coined the m o n i k e r "SUHD" to describe its premium 4K sets equipped with Samsung's own proprietary quantum dot technology (branded "NanoCrystal Color") that allows for expanded colour gamut and higher light output from LED LCD panels.

What does "S" in "SUHD" stand for? No one really knows, and Samsung themselves have been deliberately vague, giving the media and consumers the opportunity to substitute in any superlative beginning with "S" they fancy, ranging from stunning and stylish to super (this is the one that's sticking among British press) and smart.

Of course, it's no coincidence that "S" happens to be the curviest character in the English alphabet, because Samsung is continuing to push curved displays heavily this year. However, those who prefer flat screens will be pleased to know that there will be a non-curved version under the SUHD umbrella in the shape of the JS8500 series. One rung above the JS8500 is the JS9000 UHD LED TV series, which is curved and edge-lit.

Which brings us to the subject of today's review, Samsung's 2015 top-tier JS9500 series, which features a curved screen, native 10bit LCD panel, direct-lit LED with full-array local dimming (FALD), quantum dot technology, HDR support, and the company's new Tizen-based Smart TV platform.

In the UK and Europe, three screen sizes are available: the 65inch Samsung UE65JS9500, the 78inch UE78JS9500, and the 88-inch UE88JS9500. We're testing the smallest model… let's see if Samsung's SUHD TV is indeed super.

Design Finished in tasteful brushed metallic silver, the relatively slim bezel on the Samsung JS9500 chamfers elegantly inwards towards the screen such that the LCD panel sits recessed from the frame, thus heightening the sense of depth. A quick inspection reveals a pop-up camera on top of the television, an "SUHD" inscription at the top right corner, and a Samsung logo along the bottom border, whose bright glow can be switched off from the user menu.

The chassis understandably runs

thicker than your average edge-lit LED LCD due to the display's direct LED backlighting, but if this results in better screen uniformity and superior picture quality then we're not one to complain.

The panel is connected to a nonswivel arc stand - again styled in metallic silver - through a chunky counterweight pedestal that's thankfully nowhere near as heavy as the ballast included with last year's Panasonic AX800/ AX900 4K Ultra HD TVs. Build quality is solid to go with the clean lines, befitting a flagship display.

Like Samsung's previous rangetopping UHD televisions, the 65JS9500 comes with the firm's external One Connect box that not only houses the video processor and connection ports (including four HDMI 2.0 inputs with HDCP 2.2 compliance) separately from the TV, but also provides some degree of future-proofing (owners can purchase next year's version which can be swapped in to upgrade certain features). From our time spent with the 65? JS9500, this year's One Connect box ran cooler and emitted less fan noise than last year's.

T h e UE65JS9500 ships with two remote controls: a traditional budget-style r e m o t e which would be familiar to any user of Samsung's 2013 and 2014 TVs; and a Smart remote that has received a sleek makeover. While we prefer using the former for calibration work, we can see the latter getting lots of day-to-day use thanks to its ergonomic form factor, intuitive button layout (pared down to 18 keys - the optimum according to Samsung's focus group research), and precise Wiimote-like pointer function which contributes greatly to a smooth and relaxing Smart TV experience.

Calibration We calibrated our Samsung UE65JS9500 review sample in [Movie] mode, the most accurate out-of-the-box picture preset.

Equipments used were a Klein K10A meter profiled to a JETI Specbos 1211 reference-grade spectroradiometer, a DVDO AVLab TPG 4K signal generator, and SpectraCal's CalMAN 5.4 video calibration software.

Greyscale The default [Colour Tone] of "Warm2" in [Movie] mode produced greys that were red-tinted especially towards the brighter end of the scale: Not to worry though, for the wellimplemented [White Balance] controls on the UE-65JS9500 allowed us to swiftly correct any greyscale errors. We first used the 2-point WB controls to bring RGB balance in the ballpark of D65 (the standard used in the video and broadcast industry), then engaged the more precise 10-point system to finetune at each 10 per cent video interval: The result was spectacular, with delta errors (DEs) reduced to less than one across the entire luminance range, which is way below the perceptible threshold of three.

We performed additional objective and subjective checks with 21-step greyscale measurements and a grey ramp pattern, and were delighted to see the 65-inch JS9500 holding onto its grey neutrality without introducing significant posterization (probably helped in no small part by the presence of a 10-bit panel).

•Courtesy: HDTtest

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

50

e-Business Globally, the trend for businesses is to cooperate to tap the benefits that arise from the economies of scale. The situation is different in Nigeria where there is the 'incumbent' and 'dominant' operator. The Chief Executive Officer, MainOne Cable Company, Ms. Funke Opeke, says the industry would do better if existing structural imbalances are addressed. She says over the last five years of the firm's existence, it has impacted positively on the industry. Opeke says there is need for the industry to unite in the interest of the National Broadband Plan. She spoke in Lagos with ICT editors to mark the five-year anniversary of the firm. LUCAS AJANAKU was there.

Dominant operator inhibiting IT industry’s growth N

IGERIA is said to have about 10 per cent broadband penetration. One major problem, stakeholders say is structure. Do you agree?

Yes indeed, there is a difference between the backbone and our infrastructure which is where we focus and then you have the issue of delivery to subscribers which is how people have to get this broadband access. Yes indeed, I admit there is a structure issue because if you look at it, in most parts of the world that have addressed this problem, there is some means of sharing infrastructure to get services to the consumers and to the retail market and typically, that set up is in the regulatory framework. So companies are able to share infrastructure yet compete effectively to deliver services. So if you go to the UK for example, British Telecom continues to provide a lot of the infrastructures and there are frameworks for sharing that. If you go to the United States, you have bundle services so that either the poor companies or the key companies are able to provide infrastructure. When you look at the economy and the GDP per capital, we cannot afford to deliver a broadband without having cost efficiencies because our GDP per capital is not the best in the world. We also are very large in terms of the size of the country.

So if we are going to actually get the services to the people, I mean the industry, the regulators and government have to come together and the question to ask ourselves is: "How can we do this in a most cost-effective and sustainable business approach?" This is because if you just do not do it as cost effective the businesses don't make money or the infrastructure that you are putting on ground is not sustainable; and they are cutting cables every day; they are digging up the roads; we are not coordinating how we are building infrastructure, then we are going to pass on the cost to the consumers or the consumers are not going to get good services. So I don't believe that we have the structure in place today. Still, after five years, (we still do not have the facilities) to facilitate the most efficient delivery of broadband and it has to do with fibre infrastructure, the metro-fibre infrastructure, the national backbone as you said to get it from the coastal cities to the hinterland. For example, capacity from Lagos to Abuja is still more expensive than Lagos to London that we provide today. Five years after, international (bandwidth cost) has come down faster but Lagos to Abuja and Lagos to Kano is still a lot more expensive not because it costs a lot more to build but it's just a lot more expensive because of the difficulty in the structure that we have and the micro-economic environment of Lagos to London.

So that's what we need to resolve as well the issue in the frequencies/spectrum arena. We would like to know who has spectrum? What spectrum is available? How is the spectrum which is a limited resource, being utilised for the benefit of the population? Are we putting it to use or are people just sitting on spectrum waiting to flip it?

So those are the challenges and until we sort out the structure and put some more efficiency into that in terms of distribution, I think we will continue to under-achieve our potential in the broadband arena.

Taking infrastructure to the Southsouth, are you partnering government?

Well, the clear answer to this question is no.

There is a project called NaijaCam which is to connect Kribi in Cameroon, to Lagos so that from Cameroon, they can also reach other parts of the world. I think Cameroon only has an incumbent CamTel. There is also MTN in Cameroun but Cameroon doesn't even have the kind of penetration that we have here. So on their own, they've decided that instead of building cable all the way from Cameroun to Europe, since we have almost infinite capacity, they have chosen MainOne as the partner to build to the facility of MainOne from Cameroon to Lagos and then from Lagos to other parts of the world. Huawei which is a Chinese company is doing this for them, so they have an agreement between them, Cameroon and Huawei and on the back of that stretch from Cameroon to Lagos is where we are branching off into the Southsouth of Nigeria.

As you know, from Lagos to Cameroon, you will have to pass the Southsouth, so instead of building all the way again from Lagos to

Southsouth, it will be cheaper for us to branch off that Lagos to Cameroon lane and then project to the Southsouth of Nigeria. So that is a project we are doing on our own. There is no Federal Government or any state government (involvement in the project). We wish that the state government around the Southsouth would cooperate because it's going to benefit them a lot. If any of them supports us, we will not mind and it will be a winwin for everybody but as at this time, it is a MainOne project.

Nigeria is dropping on the network readiness countries index. Businesses around the world are closing ranks. What is the level of the cooperation in the industry?

A couple of things. When you look at operators in Nigeria, first I would say MainOne is the most open network in the country. So with respect to our stance in making our services available but also in making our infrastructure available, we are open to work with everyone on development basis and on a stable commercial basis to open up the environment because we believe, as you said, the world has become an internet age and it's a world of copetition because there is no way any company or business can go it alone and achieve the economies of scale that apply in the new realities we face today.

Having said that, I am not sure that our industry is structured that way, or either that the regulator compels or the larger players feel a need because we are the new kids on the block so to speak. And we are one of the smaller new kids on the block.

So we have challenges in that sense to well established companies or much more better established companies and I think one of the words that is used in telecoms in particular around the world is the role of incumbents and incumbency. So we don't have vital incumbent operators but in Nigeria, we have incumbent operators and we have dominant operators which even the NCC (Nigerian Communications Commission) has declared.

So for us as small players, the openness will not have as much impact as if dominant players were open and I think that really is the opportunity that lies ahead of us. When you are small and you are open, it doesn't have as big an impact as if you are dominant and you are open because some of the resources that you are utilising are public concessions and they are not open, then nobody else in the public can fully benefit from those resources for which you will be granted the right to operate.

So I think in terms of the closing rank and collaborating, you are saying more vehicles but I think there is still a lot of work to be done to unleash the potential. We are there; we are ready; we are willing and able but we don't solely decide that situation.

How soon is MainOne going to list in the Nigeria Stock Exchange?

That is a question for shareholders of the company. So it is their decision as to when is the right time and but also we are a relatively young company. I think it becomes a more relevant question going forward, I agree but truly, the first five years have been about establishing ourselves and consolidating so that we show our potential because you can't go on to the stock exchange and one year and have profit and the next year you don't have profit. So we needed to establish a track record of positive result and profitability which we are now able to do and so I think it becomes a more relevant question for us going out into the future but the past five years have been about developing and ensuring we have a sustainable business whereby we are able to sit in front of you today with confidence.

Five years ago, you started this company. In another five years, where do you want to be? What

level of investment do you require to get there?

Of course, a major multinational company out of Nigeria, delivering ICT services to Africa and to West Africa, infrastructure services, enterprises and institutional. So we are going to see ourselves continue to focus on the B2B side of the business and a lot more enterprise business, we see ourselves enabling online businesses in West Africa building traditional businesses or new business models that totally transact online.

When we see where we are today, what businesses we are doing and what services we are providing; we are internet access, we are providing connectivity within the branches, we are providing data centre services, cloud computing services, you can start up some of these business models and companies that are globally recognised today such as Uber or Alibaba. They don't have their own data centres; they use services from companies such as ours. So we see ourselves as that backbone infrastructure company for businesses across West Africa that are participating online and doing business in the global economy, enabling them deliver more services to their subscribers and playing an active role in driving the continued economic growth, the ease of doing business across the West African sub-region.

On the level of investment needed to get there, well, as we said, till date, we have invested about $300 million. We will continue to invest, I cannot give you a number, it depends on the opportunities but totally, I would say over the next five years, this market has the capacity for us to easily double that investment and as we establish more data centres, extend the reach of our networks into additional countries, deploy cloud services and infrastructure on behalf of our customers. So you can see that we would expect that we are in a good position to double that investment and we have good access to capital based on our track records.

Those are our expectations.

Should the Federal Government wish to review the National Broadband Plan, what are the areas you think that should be looked into?

I think the first thing we should be talking about is really its implementation. Lots of the great ideas in the plan are that 100 per cent do not have to be adopted but we have to implement some of the more compelling ideas and see them through to completion and implementation has been slow.

And you talked about the programme with the state, one of the key challenges is as we all know is, I don't want to call it multiple taxation because they are critical infrastructure. But I think what we have to do as a society is to come together and say how are we going to deploy this infrastructure for the benefit of everyone. The smart state programme that the previous minister launched trying to address those problems in some states is not enough. If you look at countries such as Rwanda, Rwanda has gone from not being open for business and post-war trauma to having internet access in every public venue in that country today.

And how has it happened? It has been through every road that's built has provision for public utility. So, it is collaboration between the regional authorities and the national authorities. This is how we are going to do this and all of us agreed that we are going to do this thing and it's not just a means of generating money from government but it is a solution to the collective betterment of our people. So in terms of the National Broadband

‘In Nigeria, we have incumbent operators and we have dominant operators which even the NCC has declared. When you are small and you are open, it doesn't have as big an impact as if you are dominant and you are open because some of the resources that you are utilising are public concessions and they are not open, then nobody else in the public can fully benefit from those resources for which you have been granted the right to operate’

•Ms Opeke

Plan; I think that is the discussion that still needs to take place. It's national but how do the states participate? How do the local authorities participate? What are all stakeholders prepared to do to see it happen?

Is it the critical infrastructure bill that says the police and law enforcement would ensure that infrastructure when is built is not damaged? Is it that states are not going to impose arbitrary and high fees?

When someone is given a license to build, is it that there would be transparency and openness with respect to some of these spectrum that is being awarded? I ask these questions so that more people who are truly prepared and able and have the capacity to deploy services are given the opportunity to do so. We don't have to implement everything but let's take the top three ideas in that plan and let's implement it for the betterment of Nigeria.

The NCC gave MainOne infrastructure company (Infraco) licence for Lagos. What is happening to the licence? How soon are you going to put the licence to use?

Yes, as part of our quest to participate and deepen our broadband penetration, MainOne led a consortium that bid for the Lagos Infraco licence and we won the bid. Since then, our consortium has been engaged with the regulators in reviewing the terms for the licence and we will continue to make progress toward the completion of that process.

How have you been able to sustain offering services to your customers?

What are we doing or what have we done to maintain up time on our network. It is about two key things, our processes and our people. MainOne is very high on processes. One of the key things we have achieved is our certifications, the fact that we are certified. For the company as well we keep going through a number of certifications. As we speak, we are also going through another one and by the end of this we would get further certification which we expect to get by the end of this year. So for us it's defining our processes and ensuring that we have very efficient and effective processes to carry out the work. Then we also invest a lot on our people; their skills. It's not very easy to get to skills around here and sometimes it costs a lot of money to get them and to keep them. We have people who know that MainOne has very good people, so when they need very good people, talking about companies outside of the country, they are targeting MainOne. We are expecting a lot from that and I think that, so seeing the advantage, we will continue to ensure that those two key areas, taking care of our processes and people.

Well, talking about our value, especially customer focus, integrity, self-respect. But what we really focus on has an indigenous and homegrown company of value, delivering value to our customers and also the value that we bring in each one of us to the table in achieving the vision of the company--strong team work, a lot of investment in training of our professionals so that we can achieve the results that we have.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

51

e-Business Smartphone shipments to Nigeria, HE Q4 2014 Handsets Tracker others hit 83%

T

released by International Data Corporation (IDC) has shown that smartphones accounted for 41.9 per cent of all mobile handset shipments to the Nigeria, other countries in Africa and Middle East region last year, up from 27 per cent the year before.

“Many new vendors have been eager to get into the region’s burgeoning smartphone space, with a number of them launching phones in this growing price band,” says Nabila Popal, IDC’s research manager for handsets and display solutions in the Middle East and Africa.

“This strategy of targeting the mid and low end of the market has contributed significantly to the success of vendors like Huawei and Lenovo.,” said Popal.

The growing popularity of dualSIM smartphones is also helping shape the market, with shipments of such devices increasing 34 per cent year on year in Q4 2014.

“Vendors such as Samsung and HTC launched variants of their flagship S5 and HTC One M8 models with dual-SIM capabilities,” said Isaac T Ngatia, a senior research analyst at IDC Middle East, Africa.

The majority of the growth in the smartphone category was witnessed in countries that have larger populations but previously had low penetration rates.

“Apple’s growth is primarily due to the incredible success of its iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models, which finally placed the vendor in the large screen size segment that had previously been dominated by Samsung,” said Popal.

Like in other global markets, the Middle East and Africa market witnessed a massive 58 per cent increase in the shipment of iOS devices in Q4 2014 compared to Q3 2014.

• A base transmission station

MasterCard mulls face recognition

M

ASTERCARD is considering a new layer of biometric security for its credit cards. All that the user will need to do is simply take a selfie.

The system will create a digitised map of your face, convert that map into a hash and compare it to the hash stored on Mastercard’s servers.

Users will be able to pay through a mobile app with either their fingerprints or by staring into the device and blinking once. The blink is used to prevent someone from just holding up a picture of you to spoof the system. What’s more, “They’re storing an algorithm, not a picture of you. And I’m sure they’re doing the appropriate stuff to guard it,”

Phillip Dunkelberger, who runs Nok Nok Labs, told CNN Money Already, the firm is said to have sealed deals with Google, Apple, Blackberry and Microsoft, with hopes to begin a limited 500-person pilot programme later this fall. Once they work out all the kinks with the new system, it could be available to the public as early as next year.

How Finacle 10 ‘ll enhance ADH’s efficiency, by CWG

F

OUNDER/Chief Executive Officer, CWG, Mr. Austin Okere, has said in the age of aggressive competition, the successful migration of Associated Discount House (ADH’s) banking services to Finacle 10 core banking application will improve its efficiency and customers’ experience.

The successful migration was powered by CWG. He said business innovation is key for any institution to survive these days where competition is increasingly becoming neck-deep, adding that solutions that help bring down costs as well as increase productivity become relevant.

He said: “In this age of aggressive competition, banks must concentrate on attracting new customers and retaining old ones using the tool of excellent service delivery as well as reduce their cost of operations. In offering Finacle 10 solutions, we have empowered Associated Discount House to do both.

“With this upgrade, Associated Discount House Ltd now has the leverage upon which they can improve their busi-

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

ness processes, handle high transaction volumes, manage ever-increasing customer expectations and boost their overall output at the same time. It is indeed another unique opportunity for us to show the difference technology can make when integrated into day-today business process.”

Finacle core banking solutions are designed to help financial institutions improve their business processes as well as defend them against systemic fraud. They provide a comprehensive, integrated, yet modular and agile approach to core banking that addresses banks’ sophisticated needs in easy-to-configure modules that solve their unique problems while providing high-performance infrastructure that scales with their needs.

On the migration, Chief Executive Officer, ADH (now approved for Merchant Banking), Mr. Abubakar Jimoh, said it was necessitated by the institution’s aim to provide a robust banking platform to drive its expanded suite of services

and business operation as well as support its commitment to the achievement of excellent service delivery in the industry.

He said: ”To attain this objective, we believe Finacle 10.2.16 which is currently the highest version of Finacle is a viable option relying on the strong support of Computer Warehouse Group Plc.” This adds to CWG’s notable record of providing business enabling solutions and infrastructure to the financial sector over the past two decades. Recall that CWG recently powered the migration of United Bank for Africa (UBA) to the Finacle 10X banking software in a bid to ensure the delivery of quick, efficient and secure services to customers via the banks’ e-platforms, a feat she had achieved with FirstBank, Mainstreet and Heritage Banks.

About 55 per cent of banks run on the Finacle-core banking application provided by CWG and its partner, Infosys, and fully deployed and supported by CWG.

Smile opens Abuja mega retail outlet

N

IGERIA’s quest for improved broadband penetration has got a boost, with Smile Communications opening a major retail shop in Abuja.

The retail shop situated in the heart of Abuja will, in part, serve as the hub of business for the firm. Hitherto, it had relied on the multiplicity of kiosks and corner shops scattered all over the city without a central hub for its business in the nation’s seat of power.

Its Chief Marketing Officer, Mrs. Alero Ladipo, said it is momentous for the firm as it further underscores its commitment to help accentuate the objectives of the Nigerian National Broadband Plan.

According to her, part of the ideals of the national broadband plan is for a society of connected communities with high speed internet and broadband access that will facilitate faster socioeco-

nomic advancement of the nation and its people.

She said: “By opening its first Retail store, in the heart of the nation’s capital, residents of the FCT, such as those in Ibadan, Lagos and Port Harcourt will have access to the fastest and most reliable 4G LTE broadband internet service in the country.

“It is significant that in anything that we do, we have to think about the customer and be proficient in data supply, differentiated from our competitors. We stand on the reliability and quality of our service. We are beginning to push more innovative and segmented products into the market focusing on the consumer needs, as we see internet provision as a key utility that will only enhance the development of our country.

“Smile is unique, in that the service is mobile, based on the under-

standing that Nigerians are always on the go, the best support is providing an undisrupted platform.”

Immediate past Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, Senator Gilbert Nnaji, who was the chairman of the occasion, expressed satisfaction with the feats recorded

by Smile in the provision of high speed, quality and reliable internet service.

He said: “I am satisfied with what I have seen here today and I believe this is going to bring respite to a lot of Nigerians. I believe Smile Communications has come along to put smiles on the faces of Abuja residents, so they can continue to have access to good quality of service.” He congratulated the company for its steadfastness to its avowed vision to be Nigeria’s fastest and most reliable internet service provider.

COMPLAINTS BOX My phone number is: 08023132138.

Complaints: About two weeks ago, network service suddenly disppeared from my phone. I was advised to switch off the phone, remove the battery and re-insert it into the phone. I did that several times. Since my Lumia phone is dual SIMed, I attempted to swap the SIM compartments but to no avail.

Recently, I received a weird SMS via the phone which read: “ Hello. Welcome to Ghana. Feel free to roam on Airtel. Enjoy your trsuted network. Enjoy your stay and call us on +233260000121 should you require any assistance.”

I placed a call via another phone to my service provider and was assured my issues would be fixed in 24 hours.

Twenty-four hours graduated to 48 hours with no respite.

My phone number is: 08165255703 Complaint: My problem is simple sir. Each time I buy airtime on my phone, it disappears with the speed of lightning.

Kindly use your good office to ask my operator what has happened to my line.

My phone number is: 08187580759 Complaint: My problem is with data. Over the past two weeks, I have spent so much on my data

subscription. I actually subscribed to a data plan that should immediately give me 2G data according to what my service provider promised.

I loaded airtime and dialled the appropriate code but to my utmost disappointment, the data ran out within four days. I don’t stream videos on Yutube, I don’t download pictures or engage in internet frivolties. This has happened to me almost thrice in recent weeks.

I have tried contacting my service provider hoping solution will come my way.

Kindly use your platform to compel my service provider to “return my stolen data” 08035735383 is my phone number: My problem has to do with data. I use a Blackberry phone and naturally I subscribed to a data bundle plan. My worry is that each time I intentionally deactivate my internet connection at the expiration of my data plan, I noticed that my service provider kept deducting my money for data usage. I am shocked that this could still be happening to me because the data icon had already been deactivated. Or does it mean that so long as one uses a smartphone, data subscription becomes automatic?

My service provider should not auto-renew my data subscription.

It is courtesy to ask if I was interested in continuing with the data bundle plan.

•Send complaints lukajanaku02@gmail.com

to

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

52

e-Business

NCC lauds ICT media at Ukodie’s books’ launch

T

HE Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has lauded the information communication technology (ICT) media for the role it has been playing in the development of the country.

The media was however urged to hold on to ethics, and put more focus on how the country could achieve greater development through purposeful, unbiased, fair and honest reportage of events.

Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Eugene Juwah, took the lead in the many comments about the media at the launch of three books: The Privatisation of NITEL, Path to Nigeria ICT Development, and The Lead Story authored by publisher of E-World Magazine, Aaron Ukodie, said it was heartwarming that the ICT industry has served as the watch dog of the industry over the last 30 years.

Juwah said it was erroneous to assume that the media started paying attention to the ICT industry very recently when Nigeria had a revolution in the industry in early 2001, when it began to count the number of lines available to the population in millions.

He said: “It is evident then, that Aaron Ukodie’s coverage of the ICT industry, has crisscrossed the austere times of the industry, which if you permit me, would be in the 1980s when the nation had one monopoly service provider, NITEL, which could not live up to the expectations of many.

“Austere in the sense that a nation of

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

then estimated 130 million could only afford to less than 400,000 lines, with a dismal teledensity of about 0.05 per cent, and worst still, the few available lines were unaffordable by the average man in the street.”

Juwah said it is evident that the publisher of E-World and those in his generation must have played very significant role in the liberation of the nation by way of deregulation of the industry, partially in the 1990s, and fully in 2003.

He said the Ukodie must therefore count himself as one of the lucky few that transited from the austere days of the ICT to the boom years, which began in 2001 and has today delivered more than 142 million active subscriber lines and put Nigeria among the privileged nations that have more than 100 per cent teledensity.

With more than 80 million having access to internet, including broadband at some degrees, Juwah said the nation is now enjoying cutting edge technologies in its various ramifications, whether for business and life styles, adding that Nigerians could now afford to do many things online and on the move, while majority of the people can also afford a lot of the services.

He said: “Indeed, ICT have been fully democratised by dint of painstaking and innovative regulation of the industry” Juwah said, adding that

the media industry is one of the major beneficiaries of this boom.

“With the industry seeking ways to reach huge population and customised needs of their various publics, the media have provided the most effective platform... the media have shared substantially in the annual budgets that are provided in the ICT industry, and it is evident that EWorld, published by the celebrant must have benefitted from the fortunes of the boom years of Nigeria’s ICT.” According to Juwah, the NCC had never underrated the importance of the media in spreading the gospel of effective regulation and creating the awareness that equips the public to optimise the potentials of the industry.

“This is why the NCC has partnered, and will continue to partner with the media to achieve some of these objectives. We depend on the media to reach out to consumers of telecommunications services and other stakeholders to share in developments, applications, options, choices, innovations, and new services.

He called on “other professionals in the media to rededicate themselves to the ideals of professionalism” adding that “we have seen a number of sensational, but unprofessional reports in the media, which tend to convey unpleasant image of an industry that has done so well for the benefit of the nation and its citizens”.

ICT START-UP How to start online business (2) Build a reputation

S

People surf the Web for different reasons. Prominent among these reasons is the need for information. Provide free information on your website. Create and give away useful content.

However, make sure to add a link to your website or blog with information you provide elsewhere.

This way, you’ll grow faithful website visitors.

Become an active expert in industry forums and social networking sites where your target market hangs out and use email marketing to convert prospects Providing an opt-in enables you to get access to the email of potential customers. When they signed up, they gave you the permission to provide them with relevant news and information in your business. Utilise this opportunity and offer relevant information and build relationships. At the right time and with the right marketing strategies, you will convert a number of prospects to buyers.

Mistakes to avoid Waiting too long to launch your product or service, it’s easy to get lost for months or years without ever offering something for sale, When you start blogging or podcasting to build an audience. Because you are waiting for some magic audience size or some people simply talk themselves out of creating a product because they’re afraid no one will buy it. They don’t want to fail after putting in so much time creating content.

If the problem your business solves is important enough, you won’t even have to look for customers. Imagine if you had a cure for cancer, for example. Don’t get trapped into solv-

By Oluwaseyi Adepoju

ing an unimportant problem.

• Don’t just listen to the customers who provide validation. Listen to the ones who ask for refunds or buy your product but don’t use it. Listen to the people who tell you they won’t buy, and find out why.

•Don’t copy, stand out! You can’t expect to grow an audience by being an inferior version of some other better known site. Even if your site or product is arguably better than the competition, “better” is subjective.

•Choose a cause you care about: Whatever you choose to focus your business on, you’re going to need deep subject knowledge, fresh creativity, and unwavering stamina to stand the test of time.

•Don’t expect too much, but only expect result equal to your input: building the business could be harder and more stressful than your current job?

• Say less & act more “Action calls the shot in business” •Don’t stand alone; the more connected you become with other entrepreneurs, the more normal your quest becomes. You’ll no longer feel crazy or alone, and you’ll realize that we all face obstacles just like you’re facing.

• Don’t confuse your blog for business “Even though we have Nigerians making money of blogging such as linda ikeji & co” publishing free content isn’t a business. It’s a tool for building influence.

These processes are a blueprint to venturing into online business. Follow them, and sail effortlessly into the world of online business and if you are lost at any stage contact me @oluseyi_adepoju and we could paddle the sea together.

Adepoju, a Business Consultant wrote from Lagos.

Cyber crooks turn to social media sites • Continued from page 13

•From left: Founder and Editor, Mamalette Website and Forum, Anike Lawal; Proprietress, Grace Schools, Mrs. Iyiola Edun and Primary Health Physician, ,Dr. Kana Ogban, during the launch of Mamalette Website and Forum in Lagos.

MTN, Connect Marketing host Tech+ confab

M

TN has partnered Connect Marketing, a leading marketing services and consumer engagement company to hold Tech+, a technology and exhibition conference.

Scheduled take place between 24th and 25th of this month at Eko Hotel and Suites on Victoria Island, Lagos, it has Leadership in Digital Technology as its theme.

General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN, Richard Iweauoge, said since the importance of technology cuts across all areas of human life, the need for the conference cannot be overemphasised.

According to him, the world is now a technology space, where people can collaborate, face to face meetings without travelling.

He noted that the world has become an enterprise space, saying

By Olatunde Odebiyi

technology has done a whole lot in making life easy. "Technology is shaping the world of business, enterprise teams are now being involved in face-to-face conversation without travelling. All their business information are in the cloud, SMEs (small medium and enterprises) can transact business from anywhere in the world without stress," he said.

Iweauoge said the B2B arm of MTN Business is proud to be associated with Tech+ on this development noting that the upcoming event which deals with manufacturers, software and content developers would shape the future of technology in the country.

The Chief Executive Officer, Connect Marketing Service, Mr. Tunji Adeyinka, said Tech+ exhibition and conference will be a

time to display and showcase technology and how technology is impacting on people's lives.

He added that the conference aims to show how advancement in digital technology has affected the way business is done and interact with each other, noting that it is expected that people who are open to use technology would come and see what is available from the different partnership and sponsors.

He said: "The event would showcase those technologies and create an opportunity for technology companies to show their consumers how they can use technologies.

It would be a platform to showcase how technology applies to everyday life. It would also contribute to the development of businesses, the way we live as individual and the way technology is used and consumed in Nigeria.

over the link or right click and go to the link properties.

If the email appears to come from a company or a person you know, use the contact details you already have on file to contact the sender and verify that they sent you the message.

Ignore odd commands and unlikely urgent actions, even if the email is from a company representative. If it is too good to be true, or very far-fetched and unlikely, then scrutinise the request.

Call on unknowns. Call the person direct if an email or request is suspicious. Whether an internal company email or from a non-solicited "friendly" contact, a phone call can validate the request quickly.

Support your organisation's security efforts by following the appropriate security policies and making use of the security tools that are available to you.

Technology cannot filter and stop all email attacks, especially spear phishing emails.

The Guardian added that only 12 per cent of phishing attacks happened through emails. They can also come from fake websites, instant messaging software, and phone calls.

You should always be careful when sharing sensitive information online or over the mobile phone.

Norton by Symantec also provides the following guides to your safety online:

Keep your secrets secret How safe you and your information remain depends in part on you being careful. Take a look at your online presence. How much information is out there about you that could be pieced together to scam you? Your name?

Email address? Friends' names? Their email addresses? Are you on, for example, any of the popular social networking sites? Take a look at your posts. Anything there you don't want a scammer to know? Or have you

posted something on a friend's page that might reveal too much?

Passwords that work Think about your passwords. Do you use just one or easy to figure out variations on just one? If you do either, you shouldn't, because you're making it easy for a scammer to get access to your personal financial information. Every password for every site you visit should be different, really different. Random letters and numbers work best. Change them frequently. Your Internet security software and operating system can help you keep track of your passwords.

Patches, updates, security software When you get notices from software vendors to update your software, do it. Most operating system and browser updates include security patches. Your name and email address may be all it takes for a hacker to slip through a security hole into your system. And it almost goes without saying, you should be protected by Internet security software, and it should always be up to date.

Be smart If a "friend" emails and asks for a password or other information, call or email (in a separate email) that friend to verify that they were really who contacted you. The same goes for banks and businesses. First of all, legitimate businesses won't email you asking for passwords or account numbers. If you think the email might be real, call the bank or business and ask.

Or visit the official website. Most banks have an email address to which you can forward suspicious emails for verification.

And always remember: Don't give up too much personal information online, because you never know who might use it against you.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

53

MONEYLINK

BDCs recapitalisation: 2,715 operators make CBN’s list

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday approved 15 additional Bureau De Changes (BDCs), bringing the total approved operators to 2,715 since the recapitalisation deadline elapsed last July.

The CBN had last month, published a list of 2,688 licensed BDCs which it said had complied with its new capital requirements of N35 million as at July 31, 2014.

There were 3,208 registered BDCs in the country before the expiration of the deadline on July 31. The CBN

The apex bank had also stated that interest would now be paid on the mandatory cautionary deposit of N35 million, based on banking industry savings account rate.

The regulator had pointed out that on the expiration of the deadline on July 31, 2014, that it would cease to fund any BDC that failed to comply with the new requirements, adding that “only BDCs that meet the new requirements would qualify to be engaged as agent by the licensed international money transfer operators for inward and outward transfer business in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the naira, yesterday, weakened by N1 per dollar on the black market to another record low at N241, as importers were banned

•Naira hits N241/$ on parallel market Stories by Collins Nweze

had in June announced a new minimum capital requirement of N35 million for the operation of BDCs in the country, up from the N10 million it was previously.

In order to ensure that the foreign exchange dealers comply with the new capital requirements, the CBN extended the deadline to July 31, 2014 from July 15.

Access Bank, EIB in 15m Euro deal

A

CCESS Bank Plc and Euro pean Investment Bank (EIB) are collaborating on 15 million Euro deal meant to support private companies across Ghana.

In a statement, Access Bank said the deal is the first engagement between it and the European Union’s long-term lending institution under a wider initiative to support private investment in the country and further develop Ghana’s financial sector.

It said the new lending programme represents the fourth scheme to support investment in the country under a EUR 80 million credit facility launched two years ago to improve access to finance by firms in Ghana.

“Over the last 40 years the European Investment Bank has supported private sector investment in Ghana and across Africa. This has only been effective given the close cooperation with local banks who understand local investment challenges,” Pimvan Ballekom, European Investment Bank Vice President said.

NDIC boss advises college youths

He said the new engagement with Access Bank announced yesterday demonstrates Europe’s support for corporate investment in Ghana and builds on the success of similar programmes with other leading banks in the country and elsewhere across Africa. “The European Investment Bank is committed to backing public and private investments that support entrepreneurs and improves lives across Africa.”

The EU delegation Ambassador, William Hanna, said the new engagement shows how the EIB, as the EU Bank, is working tirelessly to improve access to finance for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana.

Managing Director of Access Bank Ghana, Mr. Dolapo Ogundimu, said the bank’s commitment to best practice coupled with its strong corporate governance and risk management structures are helping to attract the right kind of investment that we need to support local businesses in the economy.

T

•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

from accessing hard currency at the official interbank market by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) three weeks ago forcing the importers to scramble for hard currency in the unofficial market, a currency trader said.

Skye Bank supports customers’ business

S

KYE Bank Plc has restated its com mitment to meet the needs of its customers, helping them to realise their business objectives..

The bank’s Executive Director, corporate Services, Mrs Abimbola Izu stated this while explaining the rationale behind the bank’s new television and radio advertising campaigns, which are enjoying airtime at the moment.

Speaking in Lagos on the campaign tagged ‘The Skye is big enough’, Izu, said the Skye was big enough for anything that individuals and customers have passion for and anything the customers dream about to do.

“We are not only saying we are big enough in terms of size, but we are big enough in terms of skills, technology, sound corporate governance structure, system, policy, risk management principles in place, knowledgeable and dynamic management that we have. What-

ever it is that you want to do, we are big enough to help you do it. Our staff are committed, loyal, dedicated and ready to help you. We have smart ideas, smart technology, smart people to help you’, she said.

The bank director said the financial institution chose to profile some successful Nigerians with humble beginnings in the television commercials and radio jingles in order to inspire other Nigerians who have some smart ideas and passion for a cause not to give up until they achieve their objectives.

Izu said their stories were similar to the bank’s story in 2006 shortly after the birth of Skye Bank when the bank was unknown, being a product of a merger of five banks. She said the name Skye was new to the banking public but the management quickly began a brand identity building project, which pushed it into the limelight.

HE Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Umaru Ibrahim has enjoined graduating students of the Kings College, Lagos to leverage on the legacy of success the school is known for to achieve their life ambitions in the society.

Speaking during the prizegiving and graduation ceremony of the school held in Lagos, under the theme ‘Marching to the Pinnacle’, the NDIC boss urged the students to ensure that the quality education they got from the school is reflected in their lives for them to continue to be ambassadors of the school.

Ibrahim, represented by the director, Asset Management Department (AMD) NDIC, Alh. Bashir Umar, said students come in fresh to the school and leave as semi-adults and it is left for them to prove to the school and the nation, the impact the institution had on their lives.

He congratulated the principal of the school and his team for advancing and maintaining the records of the school by continuously producing quality students, which is the hallmark of the school.

In his speech, the school principal, Otunba Oladele Olapeju said the event “is a rite of passage, which offers a unique opportunity for school administrators to present their score cards, and highlight their challenges before stakeholders and the discerning public.” Olapeju said it is also a time for graduating students to jump out of the tight rules and regulations of secondary education into the myths and realities of tertiary education and its freedom.

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

126.04 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1.39 1,744.73 1,104.77 112.34 121.16 1.67 1.2399 1.3035 0.7543 1.1801

125.82 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,744.73 1,104.00 111.75 120.30 1.62 1.2337 1.3035 0.7424 1.1801

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

UNITYBNK LIVESTOCK CAVERTON AFRIPRUD UACN NEM PORTPAINT MANSARD 7UP SEPLAT DANGCEM

2.35 2.03 3.42 2.70 40.01 0.67 5.00 2.75 189.00 330.11 168.30

2.46 2.11 3.55 2.79 41.30 0.69 5.10 2.80 189.00 335.00 170.00

0.11 0.08 0.13 0.09 1.29 0.02 0.10 0.05 2.75 4.89 1.70

LOSERS AS AT 13-07-15

AGLEVENT FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR UBN OANDO EVANSMED CWG CONTINSURE TRANSEXPR ACADEMY COSTAIN

O/PRICE 1.40 32.30 3.23 8.91 14.68 0.83 3.98 1.10 1.44 0.95 0.73

C/PRICE 1.33 30.69 3.07 8.47 13.96 0.79 3.79 1.05 1.28 0.91 0.70

Inflation:April

8.5%

Monetary Policy Rate

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

CHANGE -0.07 -0.81 -0.16 -0.44 -0.72 -0.04 -0.19 -0.05 -0.06 -0.04 -0.03

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

199.00

$1

Black Market ($/N)

215.00

$1

$28.2b

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

$67.91

Money Supply (M2)

GAINERS AS AT 13-07-15

SYMBOL

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

Tenor

16.5%

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

Overnight (O/N)

14.683

76.583

1M

15.033

15.977

3M

15.809

17.177

6M

16.493

17.908

Tenor 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months

May 27

May 28

Rate)%

Rate (%)

0.1735 0.2147 0.2615 0.3841 0.6709

0.1715 0.2108 0.2626 0.3857 0.6744

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

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

Amount Offered in ($) 500m

Amount Sold in ($) 499.93m

400m 350m

399.97m 349.96m

Tenor

Feb. 13, 2015

Rates

T-bills - 91

12.44

T-bills - 182

13.85

T-bills - 364

13.92

Bond - 3yrs

15.92

Bond - 5yrs

17.22

Bond - 7yrs

16.59

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 13-07-15

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 13-07-15

THE N

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

55

EQUITIES

Equities in tight trading as recession bites harder

T

HE Nigerian stock mar ket opened again yes terday with sustained widespread selling sentiments as cautious investors failed to respond to early news about first half earnings.

For the ninth consecutive trading session, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) was overwhelmed by the preponderance of shares supply amidst low demand by investors who were uncertain about the macroeconomic outlook and the prospects for quoted companies.

With nearly three decliners to every gainer, the market sentiments had defied earlier expectations that impending release of first-half earnings reports and increasing undervaluation of quoted stocks would lift the market. The market has traded so far this second half on the negative side.

The All Share Index (ASI), the composite index that tracks prices of all quoted stocks on the NSE, slipped by 0.32 per cent from 31,729.26 points to close at 31,628.20 points. Aggregate market value of all quoted equities also dropped by N33 billion from N10.835 trillion to close at N10.802 trillion.

The downtrend further pushed the negative average

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

year-to-date return at the NSE to -8.74 per cent.

“The bearish mood is expected to continue tomorrow as investors remained cautious on taking new positions,” said analysts at SCM Capital, formerly Sterling Capital Markets, in posttrading review.

Analysts at Afrinvest Securities said the “weak sentiment lingers” at the stock market noting that “investor sentiments towards the Nigerian equities market” has remained negative.

“Given the present macroeconomic conditions in the country, we expect market performance to be driven by reactions to first half corporate declarations,” Afrinvest Securities stated yesterday.

Nestle Nigeria, the highestpriced stock at the stock market, led the 30-stock losers’ list with a drop of N10 to close at N840. Nigerian Breweries, the second most capitalised stock, dropped by N2.21 to close at N134.30.

Flour Mills of Nigeria lost N1.61 to close at N30.69.

Mobil Oil Nigeria declined

by N1 to close at N147. MRS Oil lost 88 kobo to close at N49.66. Oando slipped by 72 kobo to close at N13.96.

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated dropped by 55 kobo to close at N20.45.

Okomu Oil Palm dropped by 50 kobo to N28 while Union Bank of Nigeria and Computer Warehouse Group lost 44 kobo and 19 kobo to close at N8.47 and N3.79 respectively.

On the other hand, Seplat Petroleum Development Company led 10 other stocks on the gainers’ list, adding N4.89 to close at N335.

Dangote Cement rose by N1.70 to close at N170. UAC of Nigeria added N1.29 to close at N41.30. Caverton Offshore Services Group rose by 13 kobo to N3.55 while Unity Bank and Portland Paints and Products Nigeria chalked up 11 kobo and 10 kobo to close at N2.46 and N5.10 respectively.

By Taofik Salako Total turnover stood at Capital Market Editor 263.36 million shares worth N5.47 billion in 3,053 deals.

Financial services sector accounted for 203.34 million shares valued at N3.16 billion in 1,691 deals. Zenith Bank was the most active stock with a turnover of 150.39 million shares worth N2.85 billion in 170 deals.

Transnational Corporation of Nigeria occupied a distant second position with 17.07 million shares worth N42.3 million in 125 deals.

United Capital grows half-year profit by 19% N NITED Capital Plc grew pre-tax profit by 19 per cent to N1.79 billion in the first half, setting the investment banking and capital markets group on a stronger footing to surpass its immediate past fullyear performance.

Key extracts of the interim report and accounts of United Capital for the sixmonth period ended June 30, 2015 showed that gross earnings rose by 21.7 per cent to N2.75 billion in first half of 2015 as against N2.26 billion recorded in comparable period of 2014. Profit before tax also rose by 19.3 per cent from N1.50 billion to N1.79 billion. After taxes, net profit for the period stood at N1.41 billion, 12.8 per cent above N1.25 billion recorded in corresponding period of 2014. Earnings per share increased to 23 kobo in June 2015 as against 21 kobo in June 2014.

Total assets rose over the six-month period to N109.09 billion in June 2015 as against N95.29 billion recorded by the year ended December 31, 2014. Shareholders’ funds also rose from N9.08 billion in December 2014 to N9.35 billion in June 2015.

The half-year report placed United Capital on a higher prospects after it braced through capital market lull with modest growths in 2014. United Capital expanded its balance sheet by 20 per cent to N95.29 billion in 2014 as the investment banking firm continued to build up its financial strength and liquidity.

Audited report and ac-

counts of United Capital for the year ended December 31, 2014 indicated that total assets rose from N79.48 billion in 2013 to N 95.29 billion in 2014. Cash and cash equivalents made up 33 per cent of the group’s assets, while financial assets made up 61 per cent of total assets.

Shareholders’ funds stood at N 9.31 billion while return on average equity closed at 21 per cent, underlining continued value creation for share holders.

The company recorded gross earnings of N 4.68 billion, indicating an increase of 2.3 per cent. The gross earnings were driven primarily by fee and commission Income, which accounted for 39 per cent, while investment income accounted for 35 per cent.

Profit after tax rose marginally from N1.76 billion in 2013 to N1.84 billion in 2014.

The company also grew net interest margin, which is income generated from funds under management by 103 per cent. However, operating expenses increased by 18.6 per cent from N2.1 billion in 2013 to close at N2.4 billion in 2014.

The management of the company had noted that the 2014 profitability level was achieved notwithstanding that the company operated predominantly in the capital market space where the equity market in general posted a negative return of 16.1 per cent.

The company’s management expressed confidence

in its ability to sweat the growth in assets to achieve greater profitability in future.

According to the company, the management’s current drive is for a reduction in cost to income ratio through income growth from all the businesses as well as the deployment of recently acquired IT Infrastructure to drive efficiency.

“The company continues to play a leading role across its areas of operations in trusteeship, investment banking, asset management and securities. It looks forward to expanding its scope of operations to comprehensively cover the entire investment lifecycle. It is the firm’s belief that as concerns over the political and economic landscape begin to ease, marked growth will be seen in the various business lines,” it stated.

United Capital was until recently a member of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group. It was spun off and its shares distributed to existing shareholders of UBA in compliance with the new banking regime that requires banks to form holding company structure to hold non-core commercial banking subsidiaries or divest from such businesses. It was subsequently listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). In 2013, it was named the Best African Investment Bank at the Africa Investor Awards.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

56

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Breakaway Celestial leaders return

Ambode assists accident victim

By Olalekan Ayeni

S

L

AGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Akinbode yesterday came to the aid of a lone accident victim on his way to the office.

He alighted from his car to assist Miss Angela Anukam, who had an accident on Osborne Road, Ikoyi.

Anukam was driving a wine Toyota Corolla with registration number EKY 415 CG when she lost control and rammed into the road median around 8.15am. The car somersaulted, according to eyewitnesses.

Ambode ordered his convoy to stop for him access the situation and help the victim.

The governor released the ambulance in his convoy to carry the unconscious Anukam to the Lagos Island General Hospital.

Her sister, Amaka, who was contacted, said she was treated and discharged free of charge on Ambode’s order.

Amaka said the ambulance also took her sister back home at 3, Efosa Ehiedu Close, off Modupe Thomas Estate Ajah. The Lagos State Traffic

•Ambode(in white) and his aides at the accident scene...yesterday

Management Authority (LASTMA) towed the vehicle from the scene to prevent traffic gridlock.

Ambode’s Chief Press Secretary Habib Aruna said: “What the gov-

ernor has done is typical of him. It is indeed a demonstration of his concern to the wellbeing of every resident and Miss Angela is not an exception”.

Court awards N100m against police for woman’s death in custody

T

HE police are to pay N100million damages to the family of a victim who died in custody, Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos held yesterday.

The late Mrs. Patricia Onyeabo died in detention last May 16 after being accused of involvement in a Nigerian Railway Corporation N1billion pension scam.

Onyeabo, a former NRC Secretary/Legal Adviser died about four weeks after the police detained her for the alleged fraud.

Her daughter, Amaka, filed a fundamental rights enforcement action and sought damages for her mother’s death.

The judge held that the police denied the deceased access to medical treatment while in custody.

He said had the late Onyeabo been allowed access to her doctor and medications, she probably would not have died.

“I hold that the Nigeria Police have failed in their responsibility.

The applicant had a right to life and

By Joseph Jibueze

dignity of human person but was denied them while in the custody of the police, thereby leading to her life being terminated.

“If she was allowed access to the hospital, she would not have died.

The police denied her the opportunity to visit the hospital for the treatment of her ailment,” Justice Idris held.

The deceased and others were being investigated over the alleged mismanagement the NRC workers’ contributory pension scheme.

They were said to have been initially detained at the Nigerian Railway Police Command in EbuteMeta, Lagos, before being transferred to the Federal Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja.

Onyeabo was said to have died about five days after being transferred to Abuja.

Her daughter, through Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), claimed N1billion for general and aggra-

vated damages over the “unlawful detention, harassment and intimidation of the applicant’s deceased mother.”

Idigbe claimed that the police violated the deceased’s fundamental rights to life, dignity of human person, personal liberty, freedom of movement and fair hearing as guaranteed by sections 33, 34, 35, 36 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution.

The monetary damages claimed, Idigbe said was meant to compensate for the pain caused Amaka over the “continuous deterioration of the applicant’s deceased mother’s health until her very painful and very premature death.”

The damages, the lawyer added, was for the “complete degradation, loss of reputation and goodwill of the applicant’s deceased mother’s family name built by sheer hard work, and the collective shame and ostracism suffered by the entire Onyeabo family as a result of the lawless and abusive acts of the respondents.”

W

•Mrs Uche with her children

been. I am scared I would be arrested if I come out.

“How do I watch my kids suffer?

‘My man is cruel, uncaring’

By Basirat Braimah

A

MIDDLE age woman, Jacinta Iniekung, has asked the Agege Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve her 17-years marriage, accusing her husband, Edet of abandoning her.

Mrs Iniekung, a resident of 7, Alake Street in Ojota, Lagos, said her husband accused her of promiscuity. she said: “My husband’s attitude changed immediately we got married because I was the one who rented the house we lived in. Since then, he never made his intention known to me,” she said.

The petitioner said she wasn’t told her husband was building a house in his hometown until he completed it.

She said: “Two years after our wedding,” we lived as strangers. He mostly slept outside. We never had our own moment. Mrs Iniekung said she had lost count of the number of times her husband locked her outside before she returned from work, adding that when she could no longer stand the maltreatment she left his house.

“It’s been seven years since I left the house and he hasn’t granted me access to see our children. Our second child was four-year-old when my husband brought a letter from welfare office which stated that our children should be in his custody,”she said.

Mrs Iniekung said she was opportune to see her son six years after she left but he couldn’t recognise her.

“The reason I brought his case to court is because I heard he is relocating to AkwaIbom with our children and I really don’t know what my fate will be if they go. I am not happy; we gave birth to these children together, “she added.

The court’s President, Pa Adekunle Willams, ordered the respondent to appear in court on July 23.

New magistrate to try brothers

L

Support for Uche family ANT to help the Uches, who have three sets of twins? You can do so through Mrs Ruth Uche’s GTBank account with number: 0174096996.

Mrs Uche’s husband, Emeka, absconded from home when he learnt that his wife was pregnant with their third set of twins.

He has yet to return despite his wife’s plea to come back. Mr Uche told The Nation last week that he disappeared because he could no longer cope with the strains of providing for his family.

He said in a phone conversation with The Nation: “I love my children, I miss my wife too, but I am afraid to come back. People won’t understand how frustrating life has

“He has also with this act, shown his commitment to an all inclusive approach in protecting the lives and properties of citizens in the state”.

I could not tolerate it. I did not even have money to assist my family. I watched them suffer daily, without knowing what to do.”

OME breakaway senior member of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) have returned, drumming support for the “unification leader” Rev. Olatosho Oshoffa.

The leaders have asked those challenging Oshoffa’s leadership to sheathe their sword.

Pastor Paul Suru Maforikan, the factional head of C.C.C. in Ibadan, the Oyo Stat capital, and Pastor Joshua Owodunni, who leads a faction in Lagos, said they returned to the fold because Oshoffa was divinely chosen.

Owodunni, who spoke at the C.C.C. Oluwaseyi Parish in Itire, Lagos, CCC founder, the late Prophet Samuel Oshoffa appeared to him in a vision and instructed him to support the “unification leader”.

He said they were prepared to join hands with Oshoffa to ensure that CCC is united.

Maforikan said four years ago, the late Prophet Oshoffa appeared to him in a vision and told him to support the unification leader”. He said he was now ready to follow the instruction of his spiritual leader. He promised to instruct all his churches home and abroad to support the “unification leader”.

AGOS Chief Judge Justice Olufunmilaya Atilade has re-assigned the case of the Sanusi brothers, Sulaiman and Kehinde, , to another Magistrate following their petition.

Magistrate P.A. Adekomaya is taking over the case from magistrate Adeola Adedayo, who the brothers accused in their petition of bias.

Their petition followed magistrate Adedayo’s allegation on April 13 how were to be arraigned before her for alleged unlawful possession of firearms, were after her life.

The new trial Magistrate is P. A. Adekomaya takes over from Magistrate Adeola Adedayo who at the last sitting of the court on April 13 raised alarm over alleged threat to her life by two suspects who were to be arraigned before her for alleged unlawful possession of

By Adebisi Onanuga

firearms.

She said: “I feel very threatened, let the world know about it so that if anything happens to me and any member of my family the whole world will know who to hold.

I don’t know why a defendant should know my house; my life is at risk. Somebody is alleged to be in possession of firearms and he wrote petitions to threaten my life analysing my marital status, my family background and where I live, who I live with and how I move in and move out everyday.”

‘

I don’t know why a defendant should know my house; my life is at risk

’

57

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Journalists tested for hypertension, diabetes

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

J

•The suspect and the recovered jerrycans of fuel ...yesterday

PHOTO:

OMOSEHIN MOSES

Man held with 47 jerrycans of petrol

A

MIDDLE-AGE man, Innocent Nwevo, was yesterday in Lagos arrested with 47 jerrycans of petrol.

He was arrested by Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) officials.

The suspect, who claimed to be a food vendor, said he knew that the business is illegal but was forced into it because of what he called his failing business. He claimed he was in introduced to the business by one Mr John who

resides in Mowe, Ogun State.

Nwevo said he had six shops, adding that things became difficult for him when his workers went away with his money.

He said he buys the fuel from Mowe and transports it in a vehicle to sell for around N5000 for 50 litres.

Ojodu LCDA Executive Secretary Mallam Ahmed Jaji, said the team acted on a tip off that a tenant in a shop opposite Sunday Retail Market in Ogba, was stockpiling and illegally selling petroleum product.

Jaji said he mobilised his

team for an on-the-spot assessment of the place, adding that initially they didn’t get the suspect. He said they later got him and discovered several gallons of petrol, “carefully concealed behind foodstuff and other commodities in his shop”. To avoid the mobbing of the suspect, he said the team took him and the exhibit to the council.

“We thank God that an action that could put our lives and properties in jeopardy was averted today, because, who knows what could have happened if this bunkerer

was not apprehended or imagine , a keg out of the several kegs bursts, the whole environment and this area would have been in crisis.

“Thank God, we were able to avert this. However, having succeeded in nailing the suspect, our next line of action is to hand him over to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for further necessary action. Though, I have at the same time intimated the relevant government agencies especially, Lagos State Government about the discovery”, Jaji said.

OURNALISTS in Lagos have been screened for hypertension and diabetes-. the two major causes of cardiovascular diseases.

The exercise was held by Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos Council in conjunction with the Cardiac and Renal Centre (CRC), Lagos.

The team’s arrow head, Dr. Ngozi Aikpokpo, urged journalists and the public to do routine medical checkups for a healthier lifestyle.

Dr Aikpokpo said: “Based on this screening, we discovered that about 30 percent of those screened have high blood pressure while about eight percent have high blood sugar without knowing, which is very dangerous. These two diseases cause serious complications in people who have them.

“This is trying to raise awareness among the populace on the essence of regular screening and a social-corporate responsibility on our part. We are giving back to the society and we feel there is no better category of people to do it for than those who are the custodian of news themselves,” Dr Aikpokpo said.

NUJ chairman Mr Deji Elumoye praised CRC for its gesture, calling on journalists to take their health seriously despite work pressure.

Some of the beneficiaries also expressed their appreciation to the union and CRC for the screening which they described as helpful and enlightening.

•Journalists during the screening exercise...yesterday

NEWS Oshiomhole hails three council chiefs over salaries

E

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has hailed three local government chairmen for promptly paying their workers’ salaries, despite dwindling resources from federal allocation.

The council chairmen are: Abdulmalik Afegbua, of Etsako East; Joseph Ikpea, of Esan South East and Jimoh Ijegbai, of Owan East.

Other 15 local government areas are owing between five to 10 months salaries.

This has prompted several protests by members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).

Oshiomhole said the three council chiefs had displayed quality leadership through prudent management of available resources.

The governor, in a letter of commendation by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Julius Ihonvbere, expressed appreciation for the council chairmen’s success at meeting their statutory obligation when many of their colleagues failed to pay workers’ salaries.

He noted that the record would rekindle the people’s confidence in their party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The letter reads: “These are no doubt eloquent testi-

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

monies of efficient management of human and material resources.

“Your vision, masterly deployment of revenue, sensitivity to the yearnings of your workers and the people of your local governments have, in no small measure, helped to build confidence in governance

Amuwo Odofin seeks cleaner environment

T

HE Deaconess Modupe Ojodu-led administration in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State has called for cleaner, greener and safer environment.

The local government, during the de-silting and clearing of drainage said the exercise should be a continuous effort at saving the local government from environ-

mental hazards.

The local government, through its Environmental Services and Waste Management Department, desilted, cleared drainages and overgrown weeds at 21 Road, First Avenue, Second Avenue and Festac Link Road.

It cleared blocked manholes at Fourth Avenue and 21 Road at Festac Town to prevent flooding.

The perennial exercise was meant to protect the environment against natural disasters.

The Head of Department, Environmental Services and Waste Management in the local government, Mr. Adeyemi Tella, frowned at the way residents abused the environment.

He said the residents dumped refuse indiscriminately, burnt bushes,

among others, leading to the imbalance of the ecosystem.

Tella urged the residents to beautify and enhance the aesthetics of their environment by clearing tertiary drainage, dispose their wastes properly and patronising PSP operators.

He urged them to pay their waste disposal bills and desist from indiscriminate felling of trees.

Akwa Ibom Assembly amends councils’ administration law From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

T

HE Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly yesterday passed into law the amendment to the Local Government (Administration) Law, 2007, and Other Matters Connected Therewith.

This followed last week’s expiration of the tenure of the local government administration.

Aniefiok Dennis, representing Etinan State Constituency, was the lead sponsor of the bill.

The Local Government (Administration) Law was amended by deleting sub-paragraph (b) of Section 4(3) and inserting a new sub-paragraph (b).

The bill seeks to appoint a Transition Committee of not more than nine members to administer the affairs of the each council for between six and 12 months when another election would be held.

House Leader and member representing Orukanam constituency, Udo Kierian Akpan, said the amendment was within the confines of the Assembly’s legislative capabilities and in line with the expiration of the local governments’ tenure.

He noted that the bill was timely because there should be no vacuum, especially in the third tier of government which according to him happens to be the pillar of governance.

T

•Some workers of the Health Unit of the local government cutting the lawns during the exercise

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

58

NEWS Dangote targets 5,000 internally-displaced families

D

ANGOTE Foundation has begun the distribution of relief materials to the internally-displaced persons (IDPs) in Yobe, Adamawa and Borno states, in the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan.

It is targeting 5,000 families

in the three states.

The Managing Director of the Foundation, Zuwaira Youssofu, assured the IDPs that “we will live to our promise of supporting them and meeting them at their points of needs.”

She prayed that their travails would soon be over.

Court dismisses case against Speaker, three others From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

A

MAKURDI High Court presided over by Justice Ada Onum has struck out a suit by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the defection of a lawmaker to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sued the Benue State House of Assembly, Speaker Terkimbir Ikyange, Clerk Torese Agena and a lawmaker representing Obi State Constituency, Nick Eworo.

The PDP, in its statement of claims filed on its behalf by its counsel, George Usongo, said Eworo’s purported defection to the APC should be declared illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

The party sought an order of perpetual injunction retraining the legislator from parading himself as a member of the APC. Counsel to the defendants, Dr. Tony Inoho (SAN), however, raised a preliminary objection to the suit, which the court upheld.

Justice Onum held that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit, as no cause of action had been disclosed against the defendants, making it an academic exercise.

The judge said PDP did not have a loco standi to stop Eworo’s freedom of association as enshrined in Section 40 of the constitution.

Falana slams critics of Buhari’s bailout

L

AGOS Lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has condemned critics of President Muhammadu Buhari’s N713.7 billion bailout to states.

He said those opposing such moves were against the dictates of the Bible that the labourer deserves his wages, adding that those opposing a good life for the poor masses must have their heads examined.

Falana spoke yesterday at an interactive forum organised by the University of Ibadan campus unions for the 13 vice chancellorship aspirants at the Trenchard Hall. He lamented

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

that the Federal Government had, in the last seven years, spent over N7 trillion as bailout for the parasitic ruling class.

The legal luminary urged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to question the N1.3 trillion intervention fund promised by the last administration of which only N200 billion had been released since 2013.

His words: “The labourer deserves his wages and anyone challenging the President’s decision must have his head examined. We should be

challenging the over N7 trillion bailout given to the comprador-bourgeoisie in the last five years.

“AMCON was set to take care of the debt of the rich, who took billions from our banks and could not pay back. In one full sweep, N5.6 trillion was taken over by that institution. In the last five years, N780 billion had been given to the Bank of Industry (BoI) to revitalise our ailing industry but where are the industries? N200 billion as Aviation Intervention Fund, N200 billion as Agriculture Intervention Fund, N100 billion as Textile Intervention Fund, N213 billion to those who

bought NEPA but leaving us in darkness.”

Candidates jostling for the post of the vice chancellor included Professors O.O. Layiwola (Institute of African Studies), O.O. Akinyinka (Pediatrics), F.O. Egbokhare (Linguistics and African Languages), B.O. Fagbemi (Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology).

Others are Professors L. Popoola (Forest Resources Management), A.I. Olayinka (Geology), A.I. Oluleye (Industrial and Production Engineering), O.D. Olaleye (Virology), A.E. Falaye (Aquaculture and Fisheries Management) and A.A. Agbaje (Political Science).

Anambra police arrest man for ‘murder’

T

HE police in Anambra State have arrested 27year-old Chijioke Nwenyi of Umuochi Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area for allegedly killing his step-brother, Gregory.

The duo were said to be fighting when Chijioke attacked Gregory with a machete.

When the police visited the scene, the deceased was found in a pool of his blood. The body has since been deposited at the Okija General Hospital mortuary.

Also, Tochukwu Maduekwe, who allegedly murdered his father’s tenant at Nkpor is be-

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

ing hunted by the police.

It was gathered that Maduekwe, 20, stabbed David Anukenyi, 42, following a quarrel about a Power Holdings Company of Nigeria (PHCN) bill.

Anukenyi was taken to Iyienu hospital where he was confirmed dead.

His younger brother, Chijioke Anukenyi reported the matter at the Ogidi divisional police station.

Both cases, The Nation learnt yesterday had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Awka.

‘Don’t undermine Ugwuanyi’

By Musa Odoshimokhe

P

RESIDENT of the Nsukka Youth Progressives Forum (NYPF), Mr. Jude Ekere has urged the public to disregard the publication credited to Aroh Uchenna. He said it was misleading and capable of inciting the public.

In a statement yesterday, Uchenna said the publication, ‘I cry for Nsukka People’ was meant to cause ill-feeling among the people and the Enugu State government.

His words: “The publication, among other falsehood, accused the governor of refusing to declare war against the action taken by his predecessor and anyone who worked with him.

“We condemn the ulterior motive of the author and the content of his story, which does not reflect the true position of things in the Ugwuanyi-led government. It is a myopic judgment to belittle the tremendous efforts so far made by the governor”.

ITF to partner Germany on skill acquisition

T

HE Industrial Training Fund is to partner the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce to develop industrial skills among Nigerians.

The partnership is to work out skill development for Nigerians in the use of modern technology in areas such as welding.

Director-General of ITF Dr Juliet Chukkas-Onaeko, speaking at a meeting with representatives of the Chamber, said the partnership would improve the quality of vocational training in Nigeria.

Her words: “The initiative was timely owing to the huge task before the agency in the training of about two million artisans annually.

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

“Even before the collaboration, the agency had started looking at the adoption of the dual educational vocational system in its skill acquisition program.

“The dual vocational educational program is something we consider seriously and we are positive that we can move this collaboration to another level”.

Team leader and Managing Director German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Robert Malzacher said the skill acquisition program would be relevant, efficient, effective, impactful and sustainable.

He said in implementing the program ITF would play a major role in extending the program to other states.

•Members of the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu chapter, PHOTO: NAN protesting their unpaid salary arrears in Enugu...yesterday.

Anambra accident victims still alive

T

HE three children who survived Sunday’s accident which claimed the lives of their parents are alive and responding to treatment.

They were taken to Regina Caeli hospital in Awka by men of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) after the accident.

Two of the survivors have been transferred to the teaching hospital in Enugu.

•Hospital restricts visitors From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Their grandfather, a retired soldier stormed Regina Caeli hospital yesterday, demanding to see the bodies of his son, the wife and grandson, including his three surviving grandchildren. The hospital obliged him despite restrictions.

The police have begun a manhunt for the trailer driver who allegedly caused the accident.

Police commissioner Hosea Karma said they would spread their dragnet towards arresting driver.

When The Nation visited the hospital yesterday, workers

said visitors were no longer allowed.

Those who spoke in confidence said the directive was from the authorities.

According to a source, “people have been coming to see the survivors and this has not allowed them to rest. Because of this, the Reverend Father and Medical Director directed that no visitor be allowed to see them again”.

Six feared dead as businessman gives alms in Kaduna

S

IX people were said to have been killed and several injured in a stampede, which occurred when a Kaduna businessman gave zakkat (alms) to the needy in Kaduna yesterday.

The businessman, who is the managing director of Tosco Yoghurt, a dairy plant in Kaduna, with office at Kaduna Costain in Kaduna North Local Government, gave zakkat to many beggars, who later became uncontrollable.

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

When the situation degenerated, the police were said to have been invited to control the crowd.

A cripple, Bala Mohammed, said when they arrived at the venue, they were told to line up and the women also formed their line.

He said when the businessman arrived to give out the zakkat, he first attended to the women and there was a stam-

pede, which resulted in the death of six persons.

A witness, Zanaib Mohammed, said her sister informed her that there would be sharing of zakkat at Tosco Yoghurt House and she headed for the place. She said it was sad that her sister was one of the victims.

Another witness, Aisha Abubakar, said a woman and her baby were trampled on and they were injured and taken to hospital where they lat-

er died.

At press time, Tosco Yoghurt House was besieged by the needy and the police were on ground to maintain law and order.

Some of the people, who spoke to our reporter, said they would not leave the place until they received their own N5,000, because they came from far places, such as Zaria and Rafin Gusa.

Attempt to speak to the businessman was abortive.

Onu rallies Igbo support for Buhari, APC

A

NATIONAL leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, yesterday said every Nigerian, including the Igbo race, should support President Muhammadu Buhari.

Onu, a former Abia State governor, spoke when he hosted a five-member planning committee of the World Igbo Conference in his Abuja home.

The committee was led Chief Ben Aranusi, who said the Ndigbo seemed not to know their rightful place in the country.

He said the Ndigbo owed it

By Precious Igbonwelundu

a duty to fully support the President, who has demonstrated a genuine commitment to move the country forward with the faithful implementation of the APC blue print.

Dr. Onu described as incalculable the benefits awaiting the Igbo, who he noted, live everywhere across the country.

He assured his kinsmen that the Buhari-led administration will work for all irrespective of ethnic, political or religious inclination.

Calling on the Ndigbo to ral-

ly round the APC and the President, the APC chief recalled that the Igbos in the 19 northern states demonstrated their commitment towards building this new thinking by voting massively for the in March 28 and April 11 general elections.

His words: “Ohaneze must be commended for what it’s doing as regards the welfare of Igbo throughout the country and beyond.

“We have Igbo everywhere in Nigeria and across the world. We, as Igbo, are the only major ethnic group that is not indigenous to any other country in the world.

•Onu

So, you look at ethnic groups that are indigenous in Nigeria, what that means is that outside Nigeria, there is no other country for the Igbos. For other major ethnic groups, this is not the case.”

59

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

NEWS Gas explosion kills seven in Jigawa

S

EVEN people were confirmed dead yesterday after a gas cylinder exploded at the Ruba Village Market in Kafin Hausa Local Government of Jigawa State.

An eyewitness said the incident occurred about 12:23pm when a welder was working.

One of the cylinders reportedly exploded, killing seven and injuring two.

The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Muhammad Gidado Fari, con-

From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

firmed the incident. He said his men were among the rescue teem, adding that they took the injured to hospital.

Fari said the deceased were taken to their homes after they were confirmed dead and the injured were taken to Kafin Hausa General Hospital.

He said the cause of the explosion was yet to be ascertained.

Added he: “The legs of the welder were damaged.”

Lawyer to Masari: don’t sack council chairmen

A •The lawmaker representing Kaduna South, Senator Danjuma La’ah (left), commiserating with a victim of the Zaria bomb blast, during his visit to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria…yesterday. In the middle is the Chief Medical PHOTO: NAN Director, Prof. Lawal Khalid.

Residents want Aliyu probed, says APC

T

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State said yesterday that its support for the probe of former Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu was in fulfilment of the people’s wish.

The party, in a statement by its spokesman Jonathan Vatsa, in Minna said its support for the setting up of the two committees by the government to look into the state’s books during the last administration was strengthened by the call for probe by the people.

But the ex-governor said any attempt to probe him would amount to witch-hunt.

He said he served the state well.

The APC said: “We are behind the Finance and Infrastructure Committee set up

by Governor Abubakar Sani

T

•Ex-governor: probing me ‘ll amount to witch-hunt From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

Bello. We urge him to set up a commission of enquiry to probe the last government because of the rot in the system.”

The statement said besides a call for a probe by the two committees set up last month by the government, their (the committees’) findings were too damning to be set aside.

Vatsa said: “The startling revelations coming from the committees recommended that a probe should be instituted by the government and now the people are clamouring for a probe. For us in the APC, we are guided by the popular will of the people. It is the essence of change that the people voted for.”

The party noted with dismay the rot and corruption, which took place “in the SURE-P, illegal deduction of workers’ salaries and pension funds by the consultants in the Ministry of Local Government, through a 10-kilometre road project, ward development projects and many loans taken and transferred to personal accounts.”

Governor Bello was advised not to waive or allow any crime committed against the will of the people to go un-addressed.

The statement said the party would support the governor to work for the people.

It added: “Within one month, Governor Bello has embarked on people-oriented projects that we are proud of. Example is the Sabongari

Road that was abandoned for years. Our governor has shown the people that he is with them. But we believe he cannot do this without probing into and reversing the rot inherited.”

Ex-Governor Aliyu, who spoke through his media aide, Israel Ebije, said there was nothing to pin him to any financial irregularity throughout his eight years tenure.

Ebije, in a statement mailed to reporters in Minna, said: “Aliyu served Niger State meritoriously.”

He urged the APC not to constitute itself as a probe panel, adding that it must not compel the committees set up by the incumbent administration to do its bidding, “as this will amount to witch- hunt.”

Undergraduate’s suspected killers nabbed in Kano

HREE suspected killers of a student of the Federal University of Education, Kano, Bashir Shehu, 27, who was murdered at Rumfa College while preparing for his examination, have been arrested.

The suspects, Ibrahim Mu’azu, Adamu Abdullahi and Muktari Hassan, were among the over 100 Yandaba (hoodlums) in police custody in Kano.

Briefing reporters at the Bompai Police Headquarters yesterday, the command spokesman Magaji Musa Majia said over 100 Yandaba had been arrested and 88 had been prosecuted and imprisoned, adding that 46 got one year and 42 six months without an option of fine.

The Yandaba specialise in terrorising residents, killing innocent citizens in the Kano metropolis.

Majia said the hoodlums, who stormed Rumfa College about 10 pm were a gang of the Yandaba from Gandun Albasa, Dan Agundi and Tukuntawa in the Kano me-

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

tropolis.

His words: “They suddenly invaded the classroom and attacked students with cutlasses, knives, clubs and other weapons, inflicting injuries on them.

“They broke the leg of the deceased and abandoned him in a pool of blood. The gang later headed for MASCO Mechanic garage at Gandun Albasa and damaged the

windscreen of more than 30 vehicles brought for repairs.

The Yandaba even killed domestic animals and cut the branches of trees with swords and machetes.”

Following a tip-off by residents, authorities of the command despatched a special police squad led by DSP Mawuya Abubakar, the O/ C in-charge of Strike Force/ Daba Operation, who stormed the area and moved

the body of Bashir to a Kano hospital, where he later died.

The squad combed the Yandaba’s hideouts and arrested many of them, who confessed to the crime.

The suspects, who the police authorities described as “notorious criminals and hired assassins”, mentioned the names of 13 others linked to the Rumfa College attack.

Majia urged residents to be on the alert and report the activities of the Yandaba and other criminals to the police.

HUMAN rights lawyer, Mr. Aminu Maigari, has filed an exparte motion at the state High Court to restrain the Katsina State government from sacking the elected council chairmen, pending the determination of the case.

Governor Aminu Masari has been urged to be cautious in his plan to sack the chairmen.

The Spokesman for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Katsina State chapter, Alhaji Salisu Aliyu Sukuntuni, said in a statement: “Just as the governor is elected, the chairmen were duly elected. Until their tenure comes to an end, the governor has no power to sack them.

“Section 7 of the constitution states that it does not recognise appointed chairmen. It only recognises elected chairmen. The chairmen were elected. When the election was to be conducted last September, the All Progressives Congress (APC) was asked to participate.

A

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

mistook him for an estate manager “until I saw police officers, who came to raid his office.”

The documents and certificates recovered from him included those of universities and polytechnics.

The police also recovered WAEC, NECO and NYSC certificates, seals and rubber stamps of private and

public schools and other forged documents.

Olajide said he had been in the business for a decade.

Said he: “I’m from Ede in Osun State. I have been in the business for up to 10 years and I have made millions of naira, precisely about N8million.

“I sell a certificate for about N80,000, but it depends on who I’m dealing

The fee of the forms of the positions was reduced by half.

But the party said it was not interested. Suddenly, you said you want to sack them, elected chairmen, just like you?

When a former governor of Kano State, now a senator, wanted to sack the local government chairmen elected under Mallam Shekarau, the court affirmed that the chairmen were legally and duly elected and as such he had no power to sack them.”

Sukuntuni advised the governor to wait till the tenure of the chairmen expired, rather than going against the law.

He said: “In the long run, his action, if he does not retrace it, may embarrass him, his government and even President Muhammadu Buhari, whom we know is an advocate of the rule of law. I’m sure the President will not attempt what the governor is trying to do because he believes in the rule of law.”

ALGON hails Buhari for rescuing HE Sokoto State chapstates, councils ter of the Association

T

of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for rescuing states and local governments from financial problems.

It described the gesture as patriotic, saying: “President Buhari is a patriot sympathetic to the plight of the citizens.”

The ALGON Chairman, Alhaji Jabbi Shagari, spoke in Sokoto yesterday at a news briefing.

He added: “This has shown that Buhari’s penchant for peace, unity and socio-economic prosperity of the country is unrivalled.”

According to him, the step taken enabled the states and councils to clear salary arrears and other emoluments.

Shagari said the association would reciprocate by ensuring that the local governments adhered to transparency, honesty and accountability in the management of their resources.

He praised Governor Aminu Tambuwal for embracing strategic and responsive measures in ensuring buoyancy across

Police arrest suspected certificate forger in Kwara 38-YEAR-old man, Mr. Abdulmajeed Olajide, who allegedly specialises in forging documents and certificates of higher institutions, is in the custody of the Kwara State Police Command.

He was reportedly arrested in his office at Isale Koto, Ilorin.

A source, who lives near the suspect’s office, said he

By Adetutu Audu

with. Sometimes it is more than that.

“I have been buying certificates from Oluwole in Lagos. I only put finishing touches to them here. I receive patronage from within and outside the state.”

Police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi confirmed the arrest of the suspect.

He said investigation was on to arrest his cohorts.

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

the 23 councils.

The ALGON chairman noted that the governor’s gesture revived the local governments.

He urged the people to be patient and prayerful to enable the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration to succeed.

“Buhari is committed salvaging the country, to bring it at par with its contemporaries.”

Gombe tribunal adjourns From Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe

T

HE Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Gombe State yesterday adjourned till July 27, hearing in the petition filed by Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The petition is in respect of the April 11 governorship poll.

Justice Matthew Adewara said the adjournment was to honour one of his colleagues, Abba Mohammed, who lost his younger brother last Saturday, adding that it was also to enable Muslims celebrate Eid-elFitri.

The tribunal is expected to resume hearing despite the refusal by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make available electoral documents to the petitioner for inspection and forensic examination, as ordered by the tribunal.

60

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS

Eurozone leaders strike deal with Greece

E

UROZONE leaders have struck a deal with Greece to negotiate a third bailout to save the nearbankrupt country's economy after marathon all night talks in Brussels.

European Council President Donald Tusk this morning tweeted: 'Euro summit has unanimously reached agreement. All ready to go for ESM programme for Greece with serious reforms and financial support.'

'There are strict conditions to be met. Nevertheless, the decision gives Greece the chance to get back on track with the support of European partners.

It also avoids the social, economic and political consequences that a negative outcome would have brought,' he

added.

It is these 'strict conditions' imposed by international lenders led by Germany that could bring down Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' leftist government and cause an outcry in Greece.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said there was no longer any risk of Greece leaving the euro after Athens agreed to the bailout terms, adding 'Grexit has gone'.

A elderly man in a wheelchair sits with his head in his hands as he waits to enter a branch of the National Bank of Greece in Athens yesterday in the hope of withdrawing up to •120 from his pension Earlier a Greek official said the main sticking points had

Ghanaian doctor jailed for child Ghanaian doctor has sex abuse been sentenced by a

A

court in the capital, Accra, to 25 years in prison for raping a 15-year-old boy.

Dr Sulley Ali-Gabass, who worked at Effia Nkwanta regional hospital in the oil city of Takoradi, was found guilty of sexually abusing a

been the future involvement of the International Monetary Fund in Greece's bailout programme and a proposal that Greece set aside •50 billion (£35.9 billion) worth of state-owned assets in a fund for eventual privatisation.

EU officials said Tsipras finally accepted a compromise on German-led demands for the sequestration of Greek state assets to be sold off to pay down debt.

The Greek leader also dropped resistance to a full role for the International Monetary Fund in a proposed •86 billion ($95.78 billion) bailout, which German Chancellor Angela Merkel has declared essential to win parliamentary backing in Berlin.

Following the bailout agree-

• Leaders at the Greece bailout talks (L) Greek PM Alexis Tsipras, (centre) European Council President Donald Tusk (R) French President Francois Hollande ...yesterday at Brussels

ment, Merkel said trust with Greece 'needs to be rebuilt,' but added that she backed the deal with 'full conviction'

O

NE of Zimbabwe's best known writers, Chenjerai Hove, has died in Norway at the age of 59.

The exact cause of death is not clear but he suffered from liver problems, his wife Tekla Hove told the BBC. Mr Hove was known as a critic of President Robert Mugabe and went into selfimposed exile in 2001 after harassment from the authorities.

He won several awards for his work and was regarded as a leading figure in postcolonial literature in Zimbabwe.

Mr Hove's wife and sister

boy who has since been diagnosed with HIV. His lawyers say they will appeal against the ruling, saying the doctor has not tested positive for HIV and therefore could not have infected the child.

T

calling the arrest an attack on personal freedom attracted thousands of signatures.

Hundreds of lawyers offered to defend the women in court.

The Moroccan news site Tel Quel quotes the women's lawyer, Houcine Bekkar Sbai, as saying the next step is to prosecute the people who harassed them in the market.

Somalia takes Kenya to ICJ

T

HE Somali government has submitted its dispute with Kenya over their sea border to the International Court of Justice.

The dispute has been going on for the last six years, keeping investors away because of a lack of legal clarity over who owns potential off-shore oil and gas reserves.

The BBC's Rage Hassan

says Somalia wants the maritime border to continue along the line of the land border to the south-east, while Kenya wants the sea border to go in a straight line east.

Somalia's Attorney General Ahmed Ali told the BBC that his government would present a 150-page document arguing its case at the ICJ, which is UN's top judicial body, based in The Hague.

Iran nuclear talks hit snag over arms embargo

O

NE of the final sticking points standing in the way of a historic nuclear deal with Iran is the wording of a United Nations Security Council resolution and the issue of a conventional weapons embargo, CNN has learned from multiple sources taking part in talks.

Iran has been pushing for any resolution which forms part of a deal to curb its nuclear program include the lifting of an embargo against the sale of conventional weapons and missiles. Russia has supported the move. The United States in particular has been resisted it.

"Under no circumstances should we relieve pressure on Iran relative to ballistic missile capabilities and arms trafficking," said Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Martin Dempsey last week on Capitol Hill.

It is not clear how that issue would be resolved. Western officials have said negotiators

made good progress over the weekend and the talks were reaching the "endgame."

Negotiators are meeting Monday in a Vienna conference continuing negotiations, for which, Western diplomats say the major hurdles to a deal have been overcome. Those diplomats also acknowledge some important issues needed to be resolved and capitals still needed to sign off. Those loose ends are what are keeping Iranian officials from sounding more optimistic, with a new Monday deadline looming.

"There are two or three things that need to be worked out," a senior Iranian official told CNN on Sunday.

But if all goes well, an announcement could come as early as Monday, Western officials said.

"We are nearly there," one Western diplomat said.

An Iranian official said whether or not a deal gets struck hinges on the negotiators' appetite for getting it done.

bridging funds to avert a state bankruptcy and just to begin negotiations on a three-year loan.

Zimbabwe writer Chenjerai Hove dies at 59

Moroccan women 'freed' over skirts Two Morocco women have been acquitted of indecency charges after they went on trial for wearing short skirts, their lawyer says.

They were arrested on 16 June in a market in Inezgane, near Agadir after being heckled by market traders.

Their case sparked a national outcry and an internet petition

Tsipras will now have to rush swathes of legislation through parliament this week to convince his 18 partners to release

• The late Hove

were with him when he died - the first time they had been together since 2001.

He had taken ill three weeks ago and slowly deteriorated but he remained "bright and clear until the end", said friend and colleague Helge Lunde, the executive director of International Cities of Refuge Network.

Mr Hove was a novelist, poet and playwright.

“Bones” published in 1988, is among his best-known works. Set after independence on a white-owned farm, the book asks what difference the end of colonial rule in 1980 really made.

Iran holds third closed session in trial of HE closed-door trial Post reporter yer is barred from discussof Washington Post ing the court proceedings,"

T

correspondent Jason Rezaian, who has been detained in an Iranian prison for nearly a year, resumed for a third session yesterday.

No decision in the case was announced.

The timing of the hearing was noteworthy, coinciding with a push between Iran and world powers to complete a historic deal in Vienna that could impose curbs on Iran's contested nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Rezaian, 39, is being tried in Revolutionary Court on charges that include espionage and distributing propaganda against the Islamic Re-

public. U.S. officials, the Post and rights groups have criticized his trial and pressed for his release.

Mary Rezaian, the journalist's mother, appeared at the courthouse with his wife, Yeganeh Salehi. As in past hearings, they were not allowed inside the courtroom.

Rezaian is a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen who was born and spent most of his life in the United States. Iran does not recognize other nationalities for its citizens.

"We regret that Jason's trial has been closed and his law-

Ali Rezaian said. "Jason's continued detention is as baseless as it is cruel and unjust. We ask the Iranian judiciary to put an end to the delays in his trial, release Jason and allow him to reunite with his family.", says his brother.

Salehi, who is a journalist for The National newspaper in the United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi, and two photographers were detained along with Rezaian on July 22, 2014 in Tehran. All except Rezaian were later released.

"We call again on Iran to deliver a speedy, fair and im-

• Jason

partial judgment in Jason's case, one that could only result in his acquittal, immediate release, and a longoverdue reunion with his family," he said in a statement. "It is long past time to bring an end to the nightmare."

Protesters delay flights at Heathrow Airport

C

LIMATE change protesters, demonstrating against a possible third runway, caused delays at London's Heathrow airport yesterday.

"A group of people is currently staging a protest on the

northern runway," Heathrow spokeswoman Rachel Betts said.

"We are working closely with the police who are dealing with the incident."

The protest was organized by a group calling itself Plane Stupid.

Activists chained themselves to gates and displayed banners on the tarmac. One banner said, "No ifs. No buts. No third runway."

In other images posted by protesters, authorities appeared to use bolt cutters to remove the

activists from the gates.

"Both runways are open, although there will still be delays and a few cancellations -- we are sorry for the disruption to passengers," Betts said. "Our priority remains to ensure the safe running of the airport."

UAE executes woman for killing American teacher

T

HE United Arab Emirates yesterday put to death a woman with links to Islamic extremists who was convicted of murdering an American teacher with a butcher knife in an upscale Abu Dhabi mall.

The execution, carried out just two weeks after the country's top court delivered a guilty verdict, marked a swift end to a case that has

rattled this Western-allied Gulf country, where violent crime is rare.

The Federal Supreme Court convicted Alaa Bader Abdullah al-Hashemi, a 30year-old Emirati mother of six, of deliberately murdering 47-year-old schoolteacher Ibolya Ryan in a mall restroom stall on the capital's upscale Reem Island.

Authorities say the killer,

shrouded in a traditional black garment and veil, later planted a homemade bomb outside the home of another American. It failed to explode.

Al-Hashemi also was found guilty of sending money to al-Qaida in Yemen and of publishing information aimed at harming the reputation of the Emirates, a seven-state federation that

also includes the commercial hub of Dubai.

The verdict was not eligible for appeal.

Ahmed al-Dhanhani, attorney general for the state security prosecution, told state news agency WAM that alHashemi was executed Monday morning following the approval of the president, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

61

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

NEWS 43 die as Boko Haram raids Borno communities

B

OKO HARAM insurgents over-ran some communities in the northeast states of Borno and Yobe, leaving on their trail no fewer than 44 villagers dead.

Monguno, the country home of Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno, who was yesterday named as the new National Security Adviser (NSA) to President Mohammadu Buhari, was among the raided communities.

Borno State Police Commissioner Aderemi Opadokun,who confirmed the fresh attacks, said the vic-

From Duku Joel, Maiduguri

tims were either felled by gunshots, or had their throats slashed by the insurgents.

There were reports that the insurgents rounded up Kalwa, Misala and Gwollam communities, all small settlements under Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State.

Police authorities were not specific on the figure of casualties, but local security sources from Monguno claimed that 43 people were found in their pool of blood on Saturday morning.

In a Short Service Message (SMS), Opadokun said: “Information revealed that gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists invaded Kalwa and Gwollam villages in Monguno Local Government Area; many persons were reported killed and several houses burnt. But we assure the public that patrol is in progress in the said area.”

Bukar Adamu, a member of the Vigilante Group of Nigerian (VGN) in the council area, who fled to Maiduguri, told reporters on phone that “many villages under Monguno Local

Government Area are being attacked almost on daily basis”.

He went further said: “Boko Haram terrorists on Friday night attacked Misala and Kalwa, which are two neighbouring villages. The two villages are located not more than 17 kilometre from Monguno town on the way to Marte.

“They operated for hours on that night while setting houses ablaze; at the end of the deadly operation, 43 persons were found dead either killed by gunshots or slaughtered like animals.

‘Okonjo-Iweala took $1b to fund Jonathan’s re-election bid’ Continued from page 4

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, confronted with these hard facts, shifted the argument that ‘oh no, it is not FAAC that approved it, it was the former President Goodluck Jonathan that approved it’.

“President Jonathan as far as the law of Nigeria is concerned, or any president, his approval is limited to funds of the federal government, not funds of the federation.

“Funds of the federation can only be approved by Governors and representative of the President as reflected in the composition of the National Economic Council, which is made is made up by Governors and chaired by the Vice President, with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor and Minister of Finance and others as members. But there’s so much confusion now that Okonjo-Iweala can say one thing in the morning and tomorrow she will say I never said so. If she were a witness in a court of law, she would be declared a patholog-

ical liar whose evidence is of no value.

“So, governments have lost a lot of money and the $2.1 billion, Edo State’s share of that, because that would have included derivation. We would have made about N2.6 billion.

That, we have lost now to Okonjo-Iweala.

“Now that she claimed she used it, between herself and the last President, they agreed to take the money to pay oil marketers. But if you talk to those oil marketers, they will tell you that within that period, they were paid $1 billion not $2.1 billion.

So, in truth, about $1 billion was taken for election purposes and Edo State’s share of that should have been about N4.6 billion from that $2.1 billion that Dr Ngozi-Okonjo Iweala, the former Minister of Finance illegally took from Excess Crude account.

“For clarity, that is not the only money they have so illegally taken. If you look at the total number at a point, the excess crude account peaked at

$10 billion and we now heard it dropped to $4.1 billion. This means at some point, another $6 billion was taken.

“So, we are hopeful that by the time we carry out some forensic analysis, we will be able to show clearly how much of the funds accruing to the three tiers of government were unilaterally and illegally spent by the Federal Government under the former Minister of Finance.”

On the seminar, Oshiomhole said: “The need for this workshop arose from reports, that virtually every week when we discuss at the level of the state executive council, issues that have to do with Internally Generated Revenue. The truth is; so much money could be paid by those who are supposed to pay, in most cases when this money is paid, in some cases, they never get to the treasury.

“Those responsible for diversion for running all these closed accounts, or pocketing or opening special accounts rather than the one known to

Edo State government or so authorized are by and large civil servants. And on few occasions, they also enlist some political appointees to be part of such rackets.

“We have over the period had cause to interrogate and fire some persons who were involved either in operating illegal accounts or undervaluing certain things that ought to have been properly valued so that correct taxes are paid the government.

“If government must continue to provide those basic needs of our people, somebody must pay for it. People have to pay taxes.

“Luckily, Edo is not owing workers salaries and we will do everything possible to ensure that the pay day is sacrosanct, because even the Bible says a labourer is entitled to his wages but we must understand that if we do not sustain and improve on where we with regards to Internally Generated Revenue, if the money is simply not available, something will to give.”

EFCC probes how BPE paid N1.45b to PDP’s lawyer, others Continued from page 4

tember 11, 2014 letter.

“It was surprising to the BPP that the BPE went ahead to pay about N1billion to a lawyer without following Due Process.”

As at press time, it was gathered that some top officials of the BPE might be invited for interrogation on the curious legal fee.

An EFCC source said the agency has launched an investigation.

“We are going to interact with some officials of the BPE after preliminary investigation has been concluded,” the

source said.

The Director-General, Mr. Emeka M. Ezeh, said in a letter that no instruction was received from the AGF nullifying the earlier directive.

The letter said: “The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) having examined the request, wishes to draw the attention of the BPE to Paragraph 14 of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation (HAGF)’s letter to the BPP referenced that “item 1,3,5,6 and 8 of the scope of work for the Legal Advisor unnecessary for the liquidation of the PHCN. “Similarly, any of the re-

maining items 2,4,7 and 9, which is not contemplated by the procedure described in Sections 457 -468 (and there is hardly any contemplated) would equally be unnecessary to accomplish the liquidation”. “ It can be deduced from the above citation that the HAGF’s position on this procurement clearly indicates that Legal Advisory Service is not needed as all constituent items (19) under unnecessary as listed by the HAGF constitute all items under the Legal Advisory Service, as such; no item is left for BPP’s consideration for

Buhari sacks Service Chiefs, NSA Continued from page 4

The new CAS, from Borno State, was the Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force, which has its headquarters in Ndjamena, Chad, until his appointment.

Gen. Buratai is former Commander of the Nigerian Army 2 Brigade in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Commander of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry in Jaji, Kaduna State.

The new CNS, from Cross River State, enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 26th Regular Course in 1979 and was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1983.

His previous appointments include: Naval Provost Marshal, Chief Staff Officer, Naval Training Command, Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Com-

mand and Chief of Logistics, Naval Headquarters.

Until his appointment as CNS, he was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Navy Holdings Limited.

Air Vice Marshal Abubakar (NAF/1433), who is from Bauchi State, a former Chief of Standards and Evaluation, NAF Headquarters; served as Chief of Defence Communications and Air Officer Commanding, NAF Training Command before he was named the CAS yesterday.

Air Vice Marshal Abubakar was the Chief of Administration, NAF Headquarters.

The CDI, Air Vice Marshal Morgan, hails from Benue State. He was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer in June, 1982.

His previous appointments include Air Officer Commanding, NAF Logistics Command.

The new NSA, who was a

member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 21st Regular Course, before his retirement from the Army, held several command and staff appointments, including: Commander, Guards Brigade, Deputy Commandant, National Defence College, Chief of Defence Intelligence, Chief of Defence Logistics and Commander, Training and Doctrine Command.

The Service chiefs will hold their appointments in an acting capacity until confirmed by the Senate.

“President Buhari thanked the outgoing Service Chiefs and NSA for their services to the nation and wished them well in their future endeavours,” said the statement.

The new Service chiefs and the NSA, who were at the Presidency yesterday, declined comment on the appointments.

a further review.”

“They did not stop there, they also attacked some other villages around the area, but luckily those villages were long deserted; so they went ahead to set the house ablaze.”

Adamu added that the gunmen had attacked Dankyali on Saturday night, even though he could not ascertain the rate of casualty as at the time of filling this report.

“One cannot say immediately if there is any dead or injured casualty in the Dankyali attack of Saturday; it is usually very difficult getting to communicate during attacks be-

cause of lack of communication networks”, he said.

Monguno has suffered several deadly attacks in recent time. About two weeks ago, Boko Haram terrorists staged an attack on a village near the town and shot dead 48 persons.

On January, 29, the insurgents launched a major attack on the town and sacked one of the largest military barracks in the area, just as the terrorists were said to have left with huge quantity of arms and ammunition from the barracks.

Military plans strategy Continued from page 4

the action as cowardly.

Gen. Minimah said the conference offered the opportunity to review counter insurgency operations and help the army prepare better for events lined up for the rest of the year.

The army chief praised Nigerians for their patriotism and nationalism in supporting the Army in the counter insurgency campaign.

He hailed the troops, who

he said continued to make sacrifices in the war against terrorism.

The former army chief thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his support to the Armed Forces.

“His sustained effort at national, regional and international levels towards addressing insecurity in the country since assumption of office has reassured us that victory over the Boko Haram terrorists is in sight,” Gen. Minimah stated.

Falana: they should be held to account Continued from page 4

“We call on the new Service Chiefs to reorganise and motivate the highly demoralised troops, set aside the questionable verdicts of courts martial and stop the ongoing diversionary trials of officers and troops who were not equipped to fight the terrorists,” Falan said.

To a former Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, the change was normal.

But he was quick to advise the new Service Chiefs to support Buhari to address the the insurgency, which has crippled the Northeast.

He said: “This change is normal. Every new regime wants to effect change in line with its agenda. I think it is not a controversial thing, provided it is within the powers of the president “Let the new Service Chiefs give full support to the President so that the insurgency can be solved.”

A former Military Governor in one of the Northcentral states, who preferred not to be named, said: “I don’t want to talk now to avoid being misunderstood. I am watching the nature of change being planned by the President.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

62

NEWS

RAMADAN KAREEM

Ramadan 27, 1436AH

Islamic cleric counsels politicians

L •Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Badagry Local Government, Mr Samson George (left); Executive Secretary, Hon. Kappo Pedetin Elizabeth; Chief Imam of Badagry Division, Alhaji Abdul Akeem Akewusola Uwais; Chairman, Badagry Central Mosque, Alhaji R.A Giwa and Supervisor for Agriculture, Badagry Local Government, Alhaji Tajudeen Yusuf at the Ramadan prayer, held at Badagry Local Government Secretariat.

Eid-el Fitr: Tambuwal pays workers’ July salaries

S

OKOTO State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal yesterday approved the payment of workers July salaries.

The early approval is to enable workers celebrate the forthcoming Eid-el-Fitr festivities with joy and happiness.

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

A statement by the Governor’s spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, explained that payments had since began to all categories of government workers in the civil service.

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

Zakatul Fitr

A

NNUALLY, especially, in the month of Ramadan, Muslims are fond of talking about Zakat. To many of them, Zakat is Zakat. Hardly do they know the difference between Zakatul Fitr and Zakatul Mal. The former is the token flat tax paid by every fasting Muslim to purify his or her fast in the sacred month. The latter is the annual compulsory tax paid, on wealth, by the rich to the poor.

Zakatul Fitr is a flat rate, which makes no difference between the rich and the poor. Its measurement is four ‘Muddu’ of grains. The grains to be given out as Zakatul Fitr include: rice, corn, millet, beans, soya beans and the likes. However, by deduction, some scholars are of the opinion that popular staple foods like ‘gari’ and ‘semolina’ can also be given out as Zakatul Fitr.

Besides, the measurement to be given out can be valued in currency and given out as such. The purpose of this is to enable the beneficiary have a choice.

If only grains are given, the beneficiary may not be able to afford the needed amount with which to turn them into edible food. And, the real aim of Zakatul Fitr is to create a festive mood for everybody within the Muslim community. Unlike Zakatul Mal, Zakatul Fitr is to be given out not by fasting Muslims alone but by every other Muslim even if he\she does not fast. It is a Zakat given by both the adult and the minor.

The head of the family is to be responsible for the other members of his family in the payment of Zakatul Fitr.

For each member of his family, four ‘Muddu’ or its equivalent in money is to be given out as Zakatul Fitr.

Generally, Zakatul Fitr is given to the poor and the needy who can hardly afford three square meals daily. It may also be given to an Imam for onward distribution to the poor and the needy since he is in a position to know them.

Zakatul Fitr is not meant for the consumption of any Imam, who is also to give out such Zakat. The best time to give out Zakatul Fitr is either the night preceding Eidul Fitr or early morning on Eidul Fitr day. It should not be delayed till after Eidul Fitr.

Zakatul Fitr is a traditional obligation especially for fasting Muslims. Whoever is unable to pay it at the specified time must regard it as a debt which must be settled at a later date.

The fact that one has disbursed Zakatul Fitr does not stop him from giving voluntary charity (sadaqah) to the poor and the needy. Allah is the creator of the givers and the receivers. If it pleases Him, He can reverse the condition of both.

Some people choose the month of Ramadan to disburse their normal annual Zakatul Mal (annual tax). Under these are other types of Zakah like the Zakat of animals, Zakat of farm products and Zakat of minerals.

It may be discussed at another forum, another day.

Accordingly, the governor urged the workers to reciprocate government’s gesture by re-dedicating themselves to the service of the state.

It also appealed to all and sundry to use the remaining days of Ramadan, and the Sallah period, to pray for the peace, unity, stability and progress of the state and the country.

Similarly, the statement also quoted Tambuwal as wishing all citizens of Sokoto State happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration, in advance.

T

EADERS have been enjoined to let the spirit of God be their guide in all their services to the people.

This is because only those who keep the tenets of God will not derail and will not be punished on the day of judgment.

An Islamic Scholar, Sheu Fadilat Mos’ud C (a.k.a AIKunty) said this at a lecture and prayer organized by the Progressive Movement for President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Akinwumi Ambode and all the elected member of the All Progressives Party (APC) in the country.

He reminded them that they are the servants of the people and should be ready to serve in accordance to God’s guidance.

The theme of the lecture is: “Good leadership in Islam, how related to politics?” The Islamic cleric argued that power always bring controversy and that was why the crisis in the National Assembly should not be allowed to distract the APC from fulfilling all their promises to Nigerians.

According to him “any position that you find yourself particularly political appointment was ordained by God

•Sheu Mosu’d (right) and HRM Oba Ambaliyu Agbedeji, the Alagege of Orile Agege at the event

By Sina Fadare

therefore it is very necessary for such people to be humble and do everything within their limit to be fair to all”.

The Islamic cleric noted that all leaders in respective of where they were called to service should realise that it is a challenge to be selected among the numerous, therefore they should relate with the people as if the day of reckoning will be the next day, adding that whatever position a man hold in this world, it is based on trust and account of stewardship will be rendered one day to our creator.

In his earlier welcome address, the President of the Progressives Movement, Mr. Shaeed Olalere noted that the group is the youth wing of the APC with the aim of articulating and harnessing the potentials in the party especially in the grassroots in order to achieve the overall objective of the party.

Olalere who said all their members are all over Lagos and some other states in the South West noted that the group will serve as the intermediary between the members at the grassroots and those who are holding one political appointment or the other.

St. Lauren celebrates with consumer promo

O identify itself with its teeming consumers especially the Muslim faithful during the Holy month of Ramadan, St. Lauren, a premium non-alcoholic wine from the stable of Grand Oak Limited in Nigeria is celebrating consumers in an ongoing mall activation promo.

The promo, which is a partnership between Grand Oak Limited, Shoprite, and Justrite outlets would run throughout the period of Ramadan.

Part of the activities that go with the promo is to create more awareness about St. Lauren non-alcoholic drink and reinforce the brand’s relevance to the celebration of the season so that people can connect with the brand’s essence.

As customers are buying the product at any of the designated malls, their gifts are being handed over to them immediately at the payment/checkout points.

According to the Key Account Manager, Grand Oak Limited, Mr. Thompson Babalola, “The product is for every family. We are doing this promo during the Ramadan

period because of our Muslim brothers & sisters who don’t take delight in drinking alcohol. We are rewarding them for every two bottles they buy and more; and we also give them reasonable discount at every Shoprite and Justrite outlets so people can appreciate what we are doing at this period. We are having a huge turn-out of customers especially at this period because Grand Oak is a family company and we have brands for all members of the family.”

He explained further about the uniqueness of St. Lauren sparkling non-alcoholic wine

saying, “The product is a brand that people are familiar with, it is indigenous. What is unique about the product is the pop and the unique taste; the taste is quite different from others in the market; it gives you that fruity taste and feeling.”

In an interaction with some of the customers, they expressed excitement and satisfaction about the promo and pledged their loyalty for the brand. According to Alhaji Kareem Adebola, “I am so delighted with this brand from Grand Oak, St. Lauren non-alcoholic. I and my family are

used to St. Lauren variants because it is a brand we use in entertaining our guests anytime they come visiting. I’m so happy. It is something one can drink during this holy month of Ramadan so I salute them for this.”

Another customer, Festus Moses said “I like the brand, I really like it. The difference with this particular brand is that you feel the taste at the first sip, there is a huge difference from other competing brands.

Sincerely speaking, its non-alcoholic offering is cool and rich.”

Lawmaker challenges clerics on faith

A

MEMBER of the Osun State House of Assembly representing Obokun constituency, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye has charged Islamic leaders and their followers to preach hope and pray for Nigeria to successfully navigate this trying time.

Oyinloye spoke at Ibokun during the Laylatul Qodr night of the Nasru-lahi-l-Fahti Society of Nigerian (NASFAT),

The Day ye shall see it, every mother giving suck shall forget her suckling-babe.

And every pregnant female shall drop her load (unformed). Thou shalt see mankind as in a drunken riot, yet not drunk but dreadful will be the wrath of Allah.

Qur’an 22 vs 2 Sponsored by ALHAJI KHAMIS OLATUNDE BADMUS Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland

Osun chapter.

He said religious leaders being opinion moulders and light bearers should always encourage people to keep hope alive as well as pray for the peace and development of the country.

The lawmaker said that the nation at large is faced with economic challenge, but there is strong hope and assurance that the challenge would soon be over.

Oyintiloye pointed out that combine initiatives and inward looking and robust legislation on the part of the stakeholders will catalyse change as well as initiative such as the bailout programme the FG extended to the states of the federation.

Describing Laylatul Qodr as a special night that combines blessing, forgiveness and expression of faith, he said Muslims must use the night to pray for the country to get out of its woes.

According to him, the economic meltdown has shown

that Nigeria is faced with financial problem and its leader requires diligence, hardwork and supplications to be able to surmount the challenges.

Oyintiloye also stressed that though efforts are underway at all fronts to revive the economy, but for the purpose of stability, leaders of faith must keep people’s hope alive and pray fervently for the country.

“Nigeria is in a trying period now and we hope that the intervention of the Federal Government would assist in a way”.

“For government to achieve its goals and objectives, we must all offer our supports, either through prayers or keeping the hopes of our people alive we should not slide into the mood of despondency”.

“So, we should keep on preaching and practising life and message of hope to the people in this period of financial stress. Everyone should rise above fear and pessimism that might be in the land”, he said

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015

63

SPORT EXTRA Ahmed Musa wants reunion with Seydou Doumbia

N

IGERIA international Ahmed Musa would be delighted to see Seydou Doumbia return to CSKA Moscow, amid speculation linking him with a summer switch

•Musa

to Arena Khimki.

The Ivory Coast national - teamer called time on his career with the Muscovites in the winter transfer market by penning a four - and - half year deal with AS Roma.

“Personally, I miss him terribly! And not only me, but all of us. If he comes back, we’ll be just as happy. And most importantly, it is, in my opinion, is very good for the team,”said Ahmed Musa to sport - express.ru.

“I am constantly in contact with Doumbia. But not everything depends on him. I do not know what to think about it at the club.”

Seydou Doumbia was partnered in attack by Musa before he departed CSKA Moscow in January.

Nigerian player leaves Madrid for Bolton

M

ADRID-born Nigeria player Derik has officially traded the Santiago Bernabeu for Macron Stadium earlier this week, penning a three-year deal after his Real Madrid contract had expired. Derik had been on the books of Los Blancos since the age of eight, and in leaving behind what he describes as his ‘comfort zone’ he now hopes to further develop his game on English shores. “It’s difficult, because I have left a lot of my family in Madrid,” Derik told the club’s official YouTube channel. “I was comfortable in Madrid, but this is a challenge for me and I’m really excited about it.

“I want to repay the manager and thank him for the trust and belief he has shown in me so far. I will train hard and play hard and hopefully prove my worth.

“It was a hard decision to leave Real Madrid. It’s the place where I have been since I was eight-years-old. But this is a good opportunity for me and I have to develop more. The En-

glish league is a hard league for me, but I think it will be good for me.

“I’ve been in contact with Bolton and Neil Lennon since June. The first thing that came to my mind was that it would be a good opportunity for me and one I was very happy to take.”

Derik who is currently in Austria with Bolton on pre-season training follows in the footsteps of a number of former Real Madrid played to play for Wanderers down the years. Most notably Ivan Campo and Fernando Hierro were big hits in the white of both sides, whilst more recently Rodrigo Moreno and Marcos Alonso have also made the transition. And Derik admits he sought out the opinion of friend and fellow teammate Alonso before setting his mind on the move.

Derik added: “I spoke with Marcos Alonso, someone I know from Real Madrid, about Bolton. He told me that Bolton is a very good club, I listened to him and took the decision to come here.

Kwara Utd suspends Abdulrahman

K

WARA United’s technical adviser T u n d e Abdulrahman has been suspended indefinitely by the llorin-based top flight side.

Rhoda Ajiboye, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, announced the indefinite suspension of the former Wikki Tourists coach on Monday in llorin after a brief meeting with the management and technical crew of the side.

Supersport.com gathered from an official of the side, Olayinka Owolewa, that Ajiboye asked the chief coach, Tunde Sanni, to take over the affairs of the team.

She noted that the suspension became necessary in view of the poor run of form of the team recently.

The ministry's top shot added that all the coaches have been placed on half salaries while charging the management to rise to the occasion as no act of negli-

gence will be entertained from them henceforth.

Ajiboye pledged the state government's resolve to tighten loose ends in the side during the next transfer window.

Ajiboye charged the players to give their best as she maintained that the government is working round the clock to ensure they do not lack anything to make them succeed as the season progresses.

Sanni's first assignment will be Wednesday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 18 clash at newcomers FC Ifeanyiubah at the Rojenny Stadium in Oba. Abdulrahman's greatest undoing must have been the 0-1 home loss to Sharks in a match day 17 tie on Sunday.

The Harmony Boys are 17th on the 20-team Nigerian top flight log on 16 points, but with a game in hand against Warri Wolves in llorin.

NFF not owing Keshi - Green N IGERIA Football Federation (NFF) Executive member Barrister CHRIS GREEN has revealed that the body is not owing sacked Super Eagles’ Coach Stephen Keshi any money. Green also disclosed that Keshi was sacked because he did not meet the body's expectations and that Keshi breached his contract concerning the Cote D'Ivoire application and other anomalies.

Green was very emphatic that NFF was not owing KESHI: "I am not talking as an authority here but from papers presented to me by the head of the Nigerian Football Federation, it shows clearly that Mr Keshi's two years emolument has been paid which include his accomodation, car and others. And his salary paid to the last. So, on what ground will he now take NFF to CAS?" Barrister Green also insists

Siasia okays Amiesimaka

pitch

•By Remi Sulola Keshi did not meet the body's requirement for him in his Contract in the technical area:" No! No!! No!!!

For example Ghanian coach was sacked inspite of the fact that he met the criteria given to him by the Ghanian Federation. They had a standard they set for themselves. They did not only qualify for the AFCON but also played against the eventual winner in the final which they lost through penalty kicks. It did not disrupt their football. So, how will this one disrupt our own football?? We've started well. We only need to build and get where we want to get to."

He also urged Nigerians to support the NFF President Amaju Pinnick: " I want to tell you that Mr Pinnick Amaju has a lot in his head to offer. He has so many ideas and we should be patient to allow this guy reel out his ideas to help our football. And i'll say football is safe in his hands."

Green however is very confident that the body is not in any way scared if Stephen Keshi decides to take his case to the Court Of Arbitration for Sports: " How can the NFF be scared? We've done so many cases. The most important thing is that, we did it according to the rules.

•Keshi

We did it according to the law. We know the law. We applied the law. There were breaches which everyone saw and of course, we did what we are suppose to do."

Green also emphasised that the NFF folowed all due process in taking the decision to sack Keshi:" The

contract is there for everyone to see. You'll know that these things are not too far fetched. You have seen our reports, you can criticise our reports and to see whether we did the right thing. All I know is that Nigeria football will only be better. That is the truth. It can't be worse than this. It can only be better."

Rivers to support U-23 Olympic team

T

•Siasia

H

EAD coach of Nigeria’s U-23 team, Samson Siasia says he is satisfied with the quality of the playing surface at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

The stadium is set to play host to Sunday’s 2016 Olympic football qualifier between Nigeria and Congo and Siasia was left impressed after his team trained at the facility for the first time on Monday.

“This is the first time I am seeing the pitch because we had been training at the Shell club (also in Port Harcourt) since we arrived from Abuja.

“I am very impressed with how well the (stadium) has been maintained and especially the pitch which is very very good,” Siasia told supersport.com on Monday.

Spokesman of the team, Timi Ebikagboro also shared in the coach’s optimism.

“I have visited virtually all stadia in Nigeria and I make bold to say that apart from the pitch at Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo, none is as good as this.

HE Rivers state government has assured that the nation's U-23 team would not be lacking in support when they take on their Congolese counterpart this weekend in Port Harcourt.

Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Boma Iyaye, who gave the assurance at a media chat at the weekend, said efforts have been put in place to ensure a memorable outing for the U23.

According to him, the governor of the state, Chief Nyesom Wike gave the go ahead to host the Rio 2016 Olympic qualifier to demonstrate the importance his administration attaches to sports development.

It is against this background

•Ready to host U-23 Olympic qualifier that the state government set up various sub-committees to give the encounter a befitting organisation and coordination.

Iyaye assured that all efforts are geared towards giving Nigerians and visitors the best of traditional Rivers hospitality, just as he added that Governor Nyesom Wike has graciously paid for the tickets and as such, fans would be entering the stadium for free.

He said the kind gesture of the governor was to ensure that the Dream Team VI does not lack any support before, during and after the match.

He appealed to the people of the state and environs to come out and give maximum sup-

Celtic contacts Chelsea for Omeruo

A

FRICANFOOTBALL.com can exclusively reveal that Glasgow Celtic have contacted Chelsea over the availabil-

•Omeruo

ity of Nigeria defender Kenneth Omeruo.

Celtic, who already have another Nigeria defender, Efe Ambrose, have been linked with Omeruo, who last season played on loan at English Championship side Middlesbrough.

“Celtic are waiting on Chelsea as regards Kenneth,” a source simply inf o r m e d AfricanFootball.com “It is now left for Chelsea to decide where next for the player.”

In the meantime, the Nigeria international has completed his pre-season medical with Chelsea.

But it is left to be seen whether he will now travel with the rest of the squad to the United States of America for pre-season training.

Lately, Lille have come in for Omeruo and Spanish La Liga side Granada have also been linked with the 21year-old central defender.

port to the team, while also calling for good behaviour from fans in order to ensure Port Harcourt continues to host international matches.

The former Rivers sports commissioner used the opportunity to reiterate Rivers state as a safe ground for all manner of sporting activities, pointing out that the state had successfully hosted several competitions without any incident.

Meanwhile, Rivers state has declared its readiness to host the Olympic qualifying match between Nigeria's U-23 team and their Congolese counterpart scheduled for this Sunday, July 19 at the impressive Adokiye Amiesimaka stadium, Port Harcourt.

Already football loving fans withing and outside the state have expressed their readiness to storm the stadium and give maximum support the the U23 team, also known as Dream Team VI. Several soccer lovers who spoke in the state capital, Port Harcourt, commended Governor Nyesom Wike for giving Rivers people the opportunity to once again watch international football in the Garden City.

According to them, it is an opportunity they would not like to miss, especially as the Dream Team VI was playing for the first time in the state.

Ndubuisi Worluh, who has been following the national teams for some time says he is more than happy to witness live international football in Port Harcourt.

He recalled when the state capital hosted some matches during the Nigeria 1999 FIFA U-21 World Cup and the Super Eagles of Nigeria enroute Japan/Korea 2002 World Cup.

TODAY IN THE NATION

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘The APC in my view has helped frame the issue correctly: the nation surely deserves to know not just the accounts into which the NLNG taxes and dividends were paid but how these funds were utilised’ VOL.10

SANYA ONI

NO. 3275

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

N

OT many foreigners who read Nigerian newspapers regularly or visitors to these shores can have failed to conclude that the natives, especially those of them in the political class, must rank among the most self-disregarding persons on the planet.

They do not get appointed or named or promoted or deployed to a position. They simply “emerge” on the scene, literally from nowhere. Some of them will disemerge only to re-emerge again.

From “emerge,” it is but two keystrokes to “re-emerge, three keystrokes to “emergence,” and two more keystrokes to “re-emergence.” Day after day, the front pages and the headlines dutifully report on the latest officials to have “emerged,” and what their “emergence” or “dis-emergence” portends for the polity.

Samples: Saraki and Ekweremadu emerge as Senate leaders.

Maurice Iwu may re-emerge as INEC chair.

NuhuRibadu may emerge PDP chair.

Group hails emergence of Dogara as Speaker.

Oliseh set to emerge as national football coach 500 emerge with First Class at Roadside University It is almost as those who have emerged or are emerging or are set to emerge have been hiding, and not in a particularly congenial or healthy place, and certainly not out of modesty.

I take that back insofar as it concerns Senate President Bukola Saraki.

We now know that, just before his emergence, he was hiding in his car for four hours, following a tip-off that his adversaries had sent a gang of ruthless kidnappers to abduct him in a diabolical bid to sabotage his election bid.

The strategy for his emergence, perfected at a meeting with a rump of his fellow APC rebels and PDP senators still reeling from the electoral sandbagging their party had suffered in the recent general election, was about to unravel.

If he was not on the floor – like the 51 senators who were in another venue waiting for a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari — he would not be nominated for the post. And if he was not nominated, he stood little chance of being elected even in this land “anything goes” and nothing is impossible.

I don’t know the kind of car Saraki rides, but it will have to be commodious enough to conceal his imposing frame and luxurious enough to provide the opulence to which he feels so entitled. He could therefore not have been hiding in an unseemly place,

RIPPLES

ONDO NSCDC GOES TOUGH WITH PROSTITUTES –News

Ah! don’t forget they are SELF EMPLOYED

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

As they emerge, dis-emerge and re-emerge

•Ribadu, who may emerge PDP chair

unlike all many of the others whose emergence dominates the front pages and the headlines.

In whatever case, he emerged from his hideout with nary a tell-tale signs of his ordeal and moments later emerged Senate president with the minimum of fuss or ceremony, and with only one-half of the membership present and voting.

Lesson: To emerge, you have to prepare for your emergence and indeed for all emergencies.

Where there are no emergencies, contrive them.

But I digress.

As I was saying, the foreigner or visitor reading stories in the Nigerian news media

about who has emerged or is emerging or is set to emerge must be wondering: What are they hiding from, and why? Where are they emerging from? Why does it take apolitical appointment to make them “emerge,” to bring them out of hiding?

I cannot state with confidence the point at which that term entered into the vocabulary of political discourse in Nigeria. But my interest in its use, misuse and abuse dates back to the time of the loathsome dictator, Sani Abacha, and his desperation to bury the June 12, 1993 presidential election that his duplicitous military predecessor, General Ibrahim Babangida, had annulled.

One of the schemes Abacha devised to that end was a Constitutional Conference packed with handpicked candidates, the usual retainers, and delegates chosen by less than 25 per cent of registered votes where the poll was not boycotted entirely.

Concerned that the Confab – as it was called – was slow in starting, one newspaper beholden to the regime wondered why this should be the case, given that so many “credible delegates” had “emerged.” Many of the “credible delegates” would later work assiduously to ensure Sani Abacha’s emergence as the presidential candidate of the five political parties he had licensed.

That newspaper, to no one’s grief, has since gone into insolvency. In a country where some sections of the news media are notorious for not meeting their payroll, it holds the dubious record for indebtedness to staffers — 19 months in unpaid salaries.

Another newspaper that basks in false affluence under a mountain of debt started paying salary arrears going back nine months only when industry unions shut it down.

HARDBALL

H

IS name is Cairo Ojougboh. But from his latest expose on the open secret of why the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost power in March and April, he could well qualify for a contemporary Rip Van Winkle, that however lives in Cairo!

You will recall: the original Rip was a fictional character in the American Washington Irving’s short story of the same title, in a collection of short stories he titled The Sketch Book of Geofferey Crayon, Gent.

To cut short a long story: Rip schmoozed with ghosts in a neighbouring wilds; and as a result, slept for no less than 20 years.

When he woke up, he found everything about him had changed — not the least America, which had passed from the colony of England’s King George III to a new, postrevolution order under George Washington.

What made the goodly Dr. Ojougboh, PDP’s national vice-chairman for the SouthSouth, to break, as fresh news, the common knowledge of the PDP faux pas? Was he on some political sabbatical to Cairo, only to dash home to “break” the news — the news that everybody already knew?

And why did Dr. Ojougboh, a SouthSouth native as former President Goodluck Jonathan, tarry this far to realise Jonathan was embarking on a political journey of no return, on his trenchant insistence to run

And a broadcast station that threw decency and professionalism and ethics overbroad to vilify opponents of the defenestrated and unlamented Goodluck Jonathan, it turns out, has not paid its staffers for 17 months.

Where did all the billions it received for the odious assignment go?

Though not wholly peculiar to Nigeria, this journalistic model seems to have come to stay here. You’ve been given a weekly column or some news hole or air time to fill as you please, no questions asked. What do you need a salary for?

Call it the Mobutu Principle.

In Zaire, as the Democratic Republic of Congo was then known, word reached President Mobutu Sese Seko that enlisted soldiers who could not recall when they last received their salaries had mutinied.

He summoned the mutineers from one military to his palace. “ I hear you are complaining that you have not been paid,” he said.

The mutineers murmured in confirmation.

Pointing at one of them, Mobutu asked,”What is that you are holding?

“A rifle, Sir,” the subaltern replied.

Mobutu pointed at another solider and put the same question to him.

The same response: A rifle.

“I have given you each an assault rifle and you are complaining about unpaid salaries,” Mobutu intoned with stunned incredulity. “What salary can be more assured than the rifle in your hand?

The message was clear: Use what you have to get whatever you need.

I will not be surprised if media people who have not been paid for months on end finally yielded to the temptation into which their employers had led them and used their columns and news holes and air time to fend for themselves, as indeed some of those selfsame employers had indeed urged them to do, I gather.

Again, I digress, for the last time.

If anything can be said with certainty about Nigerian politics, it is that the tide of emergence is not about to subside.

It is now being bruited that, as an additional measure to guarantee the independence of the legislature, the Saraki group has embarked on strategy that will make Tony “The Fixer” Anenih emerge as vice chairman of the APC’s Board of Trustees, and the emergence of Ayo Fayose, the allconquering governor of Ekiti, as associate chair of the APC Governors Forum.

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Rip Van Winkle of Cairo for a second term, when political dynamics suggested it was pure political suicide?

Or did Dr. Ojougboh, like most in the deluded Jonathan presidential court, also feed himself the lie that, because Jonathan was not only in office but also in power (apologies to Gen. Ibrahim Babangida), all those dynamics would bow and cow before the majesty of Goodluck Jonathan, PhD, GCFR, president of the Federal Republic?

And indeed, if Dr. Ojougboh really thought Jonathan was wrong to contest, despite the clear and perilous handwriting on the wall, why didn’t he speak out then?

Was he a victim of the noisy orchestra; they of the empty din, that bluffed and blustered to no end, hoping empty threats and scowls, could make up for electoral numbers, which their candidate clearly lacked? Or suspect Rasputins that introduced the religious card, waiting for a miracle that just wouldn’t come?

The truth is President Jonathan’s first go was as controversial as any; for it breached a zoning arrangement that landed Obasanjo the presidency, knocked out his third-term attempt and installed the late Umaru Yar’Adua. That should have warned Jonathan to steer clear of a second attempt.

But no!

Incidentally, Obasanjo that falsely swore to declaim zoning became Jonathan’s sworn enemy, over a second term! Talk of how power intrigue ultimately separates its own — since the union was never grafted on any noble principle.

Truth is: PDP was doomed — Jonathan or no Jonathan.

But Jonathan’s intransigence, despite a suspect moral platform and rotten performance record on all objective fronts, fast-tracked that doom.

It was a classic example of how hubris romanticises self-destruction.

But if the likes of Ojougboh had spoken up, driven by the rightness of their cause, and had somewhat gathered traction, perhaps Jonathan would have been saved the humiliation of the first sitting president to be democratically-ousted. Still, that is no means a minus, for it deepened Nigeria’s democracy.

Nevertheless, the Ojougboh late confession should speak to the Buhari camp.

A leader obsessed with only what he wants to hear sooner than later runs into a sucker punch.

If Nigerian politicians take in this sole lesson, the polity would be the richer for it.

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos.

Telephone: Switch Board: 08034505516. Editor Daily:08111813080, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. Port Harcourt Office: 12/14 Njemanze Street, Mile 1, Diobu, PH. 08023595790 WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net ISSN: 115-5302 Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO