The Nation July 15, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

•Fed Govt jams illegal Radio Biafra’s frequency •Police summon two ‘fake’ Ondo lawmakers to Abuja •U.S. renews commitment to wiping out Boko Haram •Prison escapee held for alleged kidnapping in Ekiti •Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3276 WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

P5 P8 P4 P7

CJN, ministers, judges to earn more than NEWS President Page 2

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Tinubu: no rift with Buhari From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

P

URVEYORS of a rift between the President and All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu were told last night to stop their speculations.

Tinubu said there was no truth in the speculations of a rift between them, adding that they understand each other.

Tinubu spoke with State House correspondents after joining representatives of the 13 parties that collaborated with the APC in the general elections to break the Muslim fast with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him, the APC cannot perform magic and clean up the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) 16 years’ mess in 30 days.

Stressing that party supremacy must be upheld, Tinubu said the party must have disciplined leadership and followers.

On the alleged rift with the President, he

•President Buhari (right) welcoming former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi (left) and Asiwaju Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja…yesterday.

Continued on page 60

PHOTO: NAN

•INSIDE: NSE EXPELS LAZY STOCKBROKERS P25 POWER TRANSMISSION HITS 4545MW P53

Jonathan kicks as Buhari plans $2.1b oil cash probe ICPC grills Orubebe for alleged N605m fraud

Ex-President seeks protection From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

H

OLIDAYING former President Goodluck Jonathan has dashed into Abuja to launch a protest, The Nation has

learnt.

Dr Jonathan is disturbed by the determination of President Muhammadu Buhari to probe how $2.1billion was illegally withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA), sources said yesterday, pleading not to be named “because of the sensitivity of the matter”.

Jonathan is said to be planning a protest to the Gen. Abubakar Abdulsalami National Peace Committee for 2015 General Elections that: •the Buhari administration is trying to blackmail him and his erstwhile cabinet members; •he is not pleased with the corruption tar being put on his administration; and that •he is worried by the likely probe of the whereabouts of the $4billion taxes and dividends paid by the Nigerian Liquified Natural gas Ltd between 2009 and 2014.

Jonathan and some of his WILL THE ministers are said to be anCHIBOK GIRLS

?

EVER RETURN?

Continued on page 4

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

F

•SWEET FREEDOM: Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido (right) and one of his sons at the Federal High Court in Abuja …yesterday.

PHOTO:ABAYOMI FAYESE

Court grants Lamido, sons bail

•SEE PAGE 5

ORMER Niger Delta Affairs Minister Godsday Orubebe has been quizzed in connection with the ongoing investigation of an alleged N605million fraud.

The cash was withdrawn from the Constituency Project account of the ministry by five officials without authorisation while Orubebe was in charge.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed charges against the five. They are: Yusuf Agabi (Director of Finance and Account), Akpore Okeroghene (Deputy Director of Finance), Abibu Ayinla (Director of Finance), Idowu Adewale (Deputy Director, Accounts) and Continued on page 4

•CENTRAL BANK ORDERS BANKS TO SUBMIT THREE-MONTH CAR POSITION P56

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

2

NEWS

Governors, to earn •Perm Sec, Special Adviser , Speech Writers too •Senator Oluremi Tinubu (left) presenting free Consat Decoder and Satelite to Mr Sulamon Ajao at her constituency office in Yaba, Lagos...yesterday. With them are Director, IT & Operation, CONSAT, Mrs Funmilola Adewon and Director Contant,Miss Adeola Awofisayo (second left).

•From left: Managing Director, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Ben Langat, President, Coca-Cola International, Ahmet Bozer, Chairman, NBC Limited, Amb. Olusegun Apata and Group Regional Director, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, Zoran Bogdanovic during their visit to NBC Limited, Ikeja Plant.

• From left:Executive Secretary, Manufacurers Association of Nigeria, Apapa Branch, Mrs Oluchii Odimuko, Head, Legal and Public Relations, Promasidor Nig. Ltd, Mr Andrew Enahoro, Managing Director, Promasidor, Mr Olivier Thiry, representative of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Adetola Onisarotu and representative of General Manager of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Mr Kayode Bello during an event to mark the 2015 Tree Planting Day in Lagos... yesterday.

PHOTO:MUYIWA HASSAN

•Ogun State Acting Governor Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga (second left), Master Onwuha Nnemeka (second right), who came first in the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Essay, Master Onmoya Prince Dan (firstleft), who came second, and Master Anuigbo Stephen , who came third, during the presentation oftheir prizes at the Governor's Office, Abeokuta ...yesterday.

W

ITH a 50 per cent cut in their pay, the President and VicePresident are to earn less than the Chief Justice of Nigeria, ministers, High Court judges and others.

According to a document obtained from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the President and the Vice President are now ranked as 15th and 17th in Remuneration Package for Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders.

This is the first time that the President and Vice President will slump in the pay ranking.

The President has said that he will not force other office holders to cut their salaries.

The monthly pay is as follows: President ( N585, 784.10); Vice President; (N505.262.08); Senate President(N724,570.72); Deputy Senate President (N673,507.00); Senator (N1,063,860); Speaker, House of Representatives (N412,851.66); Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives (N381, 172.40) and member, House of Representatives (N794, 086.83).

The pay highlights for others are Governor(N648,580.62); Deputy Governor(N616,062.69); Minister/ SGF/ HOS/ Chairmen of constitutional bodies(N650,136.65); Minister of State/Member of constitutional bodies(N628, 056.91); Special Adviser , including other categories, such as speech writers (N590, 957.81); Directors-General/ Auditor-General/ Permanent Secretary/ Accountant-General/ Executive Secretaries/ Chief Executives of Parastatals, Agencies and Government Companies/ INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners(N617, 881.68); and Chief Justice of Nigeria(N560,662.16).

Others are Supreme Court Justices/ President, Court of Appeal(N908, 273.66); Justices of Court of Appeal/ Chief Judge , Federal High Court/ Chief Judge FCT/ President, National Industrial Court/ Grand Khadi FCT Sharia Court of Appeal/ President, FCT Customary Court of Appeal/ Chief Judge of a State/ Grand Khadi/ State Sharia Court of Appeal/ President, State Customary Court of Appeal(N731, 657.66).

The list includes Judge of the Federal High Courrt/ National Industrial Court/ FCT High Court/ State High Court/ Khadi FCT Sharia Court of Appeal/ Judge FCT Customary Court of Appeal/ Khadi State Sharia Court of Appeal/ Judge State Customary Court(N661,735).

It could not be immediately ascertained from RMAFC why the monthly pay of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives is low compared to the Deputy President of the Senate and other members of the House.

A source simply said: “I think the Speaker and his Deputy enjoy many perks in office than many political office holders.

“Do not forget the fact that we are still using the 2009 Remuneration Package initiated by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

But RMAFC recommended eight ways to check leakages and wastes in government.

The eight points are: •Eliminating or limiting the number of Personal Assistants •Reducing frivolous local and for-

MONTHLY PAY •President ( N585, 784.10) •Vice President; (N505,262.08) •Senate President (N724,570.72) •Deputy Senate President (N673,507.00) •Senator (N1,063,860) •Speaker (N412,851.66) •Deputy Speaker (N381, 172.40) • Representatives (N794, 086.83) • Governor (N648,580.62); • Deputy Governor (N616,062.69) • Minister/SGF/ HOS (N650,136.65) From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

eign trips • Checking purchase of vehicles far in excess of what is approved for official use •Reduction of large use of motorcades by officials in excess of what is either specified in the remuneration package or compared to what is practiced in other parts of the world •The present state of the economy calls for caution and belt tightening measures • The 3-tiers of government to put in place adequate expenditure management and control system •Necessary to diversify the economic base of the nation in order to generate more revenue at the Federal, State and Local Government Council levels •Federal, State, LGA to focus more on the provision of Capital Projects/ Infrastructure rather than recurrent expenditure.

The agency said: “The commission, based on its observations concluded that apart from the reduction in allowances, there are other areas of leakages and wastages in revenue at all the tiers of government that must be addressed in order to ensure increase in revenue and its judicious management “That there is non-compliance with the provisions of the remuneration packages such as contained in either the Report of the Commission or the Act itself. Such violations by the three tiers and arms of government include arbitrary appointment of high number of Personal Assistants which is adding more cost to the running of government at the various levels. It is difficult to determine what value they add to service delivery or to governance. ”The commission advised that all these illegal appointments by the 3Tiers of government be stopped and officers concerned be relieved of their appointments.

“Also, all the three tiers and arms of government should eliminate or limit the number of Personal Assistants to reduce cost of governance.

“That there are too many frivolous local and foreign trips by Political Office Holders throughout the country.

The commission is advising that it is necessary to reduce local and foreign trips and the size of entourage on such trips when absolutely necessary in order to save cost.

“That there is acquisition and use of assets such as motor vehicles far in

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

3

NEWS

, judges, ministers, others more than Buhari, Osinbajo

•Osinbajo

•President Buhari

excess of what is approved for official use. For example, Government Parastatals and Agencies purchasing project vehicles and eventually handing over same to their parent ministries as a way of circumventing the remuneration package.

“The commission strongly advised all tiers of government to issue circular to all government ministries, parastatals, agencies to desist from buying vehicle under the cover of PROJECT VEHICLES to their parent ministries.

“Similarly , the commission also observed the practice of buying fleet of cars in the name of Committee Vehicles. This practice negates the whole idea of monetisation, principle of modesty in governance and the spirit of remuneration packages particularly in the legislative arm throughout the country.

“Therefore under the current economic downturn of the nation, this practice has to stop and vehicles procured in this manner have to be sold and proceeds should be used to provide buses for the common citizenry.

“That there is a large use of motorcades by officials in excess of what is either specified in the remuneration package or compared to what is practiced in other parts of the world.

The commission views this as a complete violation of the Remuneration Package because it has significantly increased the overhead cost of governance.”

Disturbed by the high cost of governance, Yar’Adua had mandated RMAFC to review the Remuneration Package for political, Public and Judicial Office Holders to save cost.

In the document made available to The Nation, RMAFC gave the background to the review under Yar’Adua.

RMAFC said: “The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) in pursuance of its constitutional role of determining the remuneration appropriate Political, Pub-

•Saraki

lic, and Judicial Office Holders as enshrined in Sections 70, 84, 111 and 124, as well as Paragraph 32(d) of Part One of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria had, in the year 2007, reviewed the remuneration package for the Office Holders in the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary at the Federal, State and Local Government levels.

“The recommendations of the Commission for the Executive at the Federal level and the FCT Area Councils as well as the Judiciary (Federal and States) were passed into law by the National Assembly as “Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.)

(Amendment) Act, 2008”.

“The various State Assemblies also passed their respective remuneration laws based on the salaries and allowances as determined by the Commission in its Remuneration Report of February, 2007.

“The Remuneration package came into effect on 1st February, 2007. However, the Commission received a letter from Mr. President dated 10th February, 2009 on the need to review the 2008 Amendment Act, in view of the impact of the current global economic crisis and financial meltdown on the Nigerian economy particularly, the dwindling Government revenue. ”In line with its normal practice, the Commission commenced the review exercise by obtaining clarifications from appropriate authorities and holding interactive and consultative sessions with Stakeholder with a view to obtaining the inputs to guide the Commission to arrive at a fair remuneration package.

“Specifically, the Commission interalia held consultations with the Senate, the House of Representatives, representatives of the Conference of Speakers of State Assemblies, representatives of the media, civil societies and labour, the Judiciary, the National Economic Management team, and rep-

resentatives of Chairmen of Federal Executive Bodies. The Commission would like to note the true national spirit of collective sacrifice displayed by majority of the Stakeholders during the consultations.

“In addition, the Commission obtained data on some current economic indicators and key macroeconomic variables such as inflationary rates, cost of living, exchange rate, Gross Domestic Product, crude oil production, international oil prices, accruals into the Federation Account etc., which were considered critical to the review exercise. ”Based on the provisions of para-

graph 32(d) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the -999 Constitution and Section 148 (2) (c) of the same Constitution, it is the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission that has the power to determine, fix, review upward or downward the remuneration package of Political, Public and Judicial office holders whether elected, appointed or both including the Legislature at the Federal, State, and Local Government levels. “ However, the Commission took into consideration the provisions of Sections 84 (3) and 124 (3) of the 1999 Constitution both of which provide that “the remuneration and salaries

payable to the holders of the said offices and their conditions of service, other than allowances, shall not be altered to their disadvantage after their appointment.

“These provisions are however not applicable to the legislature at the fFederal, state and local government levels. Nevertheless, the commission in order to be fair, equitable and just to all beneficiaries of its remuneration package, decided not to review the basic salaries, but rather to confine itself to the allowances and other benefits of political, public and judicial office holders, including those in the legislature.”

4

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

NEWS U.S. renews commitment to defeat Boko Haram

T

•From left: Head, Department of Crop Protection, University of Ibadan, Prof. Adebayo Omoloye; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof.

Gbemisola Oke; Principal Investigator, Yam Seed Production in Bio-Reactors, Dr Morufat Balogun and representative of the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Rasheed Awodoyin, at Yam Seed Production in Bio-Reactors at the University of Ibadan…yesterday.

Jonathan kicks as Buhari plans $2.1b oil cash probe Continued from page 1

gry that Buhari ought to know that such taxes and dividends are remitted to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Another matter troubling Jonathan and his ministers, according to sources, is how the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) under his watch allegedly blew N3.8trillion in three years.

The Abdulsalami Committee is yet to have audience with Buhari on the allegations made

by Jonathan, a source said.

The former President arrived in the country last weekend to “defend his administration”.

He could not be reached for comments last night.

It was, however, learnt that he had chosen to table before the Abdulsalami Committee some issues, including the controversial $2.1billion withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) without recourse to the National Economic Council(NEC).

A source said: “The former President returned into the country at the weekend but he is unhappy with the bashing of his administration.

“Jonathan believes that Buhari is blackmailing him and his ministers, contrary to the terms of the 2015 poll peace

agreement which led to a smooth transition from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I think Jonathan approached the Abdulsalami Committee so that he will be left alone by Buhari who openly said he inherited an empty treasury from his predecessor.”

A former minister in the Jonathan administration, who spoke in confidence, said: “The ex-President is unhappy that the administration of Buhari has been stigmatising his administration instead of putting him into confidence on issues.

“For God’s sake, let them allow this man to earn his welldeserved retirement. If there is any observation by the new government, there are standard official procedures of addressing such.”

NEC, on June 29, raised a four-man panel on how NNPC spent N3.8 trillion in three years.

The four ‘wise men’ are Governors Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe).

While awaiting the submission of the committee’s report, Continued on page 60

ICPC grills Orubebe for N605m ‘fraud’ Continued from page 1

Ngozi James (Deputy Director, Accounts).

According to the Chief Legal Officer of the ICPC, Paul Ahmed, the suspects “fraudulently withdrew N605 million from the Constituency Project account of the ministry without authorisation” between July 2013 and October 2014.

They were alleged to have made fictitious claims through payment vouchers to cover up the alleged fraud.

Although Justice Husseini Baba of the FCT High Court fixed September 16 for the arraignment of the suspects, the ICPC intensified its investigation by inviting Orubebe.

According to the fact-sheet obtained from the commission, Orubebe spent about two and a half hours on Monday with a team of investigators.

Orubebe arrived at about 9.59am and left at about 12.28pm.

It was not immediately clear if Orubebe was in any way

connected with the alleged fraud or he is being prepared as a witness.

A source in ICPC said: “In spite of the fact that we have filed charges against five directors in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, the investigation into the fraud is open-ended.

“Certainly, we still have some gaps to fill on the case because we are suspecting that there might be more accomplices in the system.

“Orubebe was in charge of the ministry when the fraud

was perpetrated; we need to find out from him how things went wrong. Perhaps, he may give more insights.

“What we did was to ask a team of investigators to interact with the former Minister especially on the accounting procedure and authorisation of funds in the ministry.”

A top official of the ICPC said: “Without prejudice to the ongoing court process, our operatives interacted with Orubebe but we cannot give Continued on page 60

HROUGH its embassy in Nigeria, the United States (U.S.) yesterday renewed its support to the battle against Boko Haram insurgents in the Lake Chad Basin.

It promised to continue its support to the governments and people of Nigeria and neighbouring Chad, Niger and Cameroon in their ongoing struggle to degrade and defeat Boko Haram.

Department of State’s spokesperson John Kirby said in a statement that the U.S. condemned the recent attacks by the insurgents on countries in the Lake Chad Basin.

The statement said the recent killings in which the insurgents slashed the throats of their victims have shown that the sect’s brutality and barbarism know no bounds.

Expressing the U.S. position, Kirby said the U.S.’ condemned the “horrific and indiscriminate” suicide attacks on the Grand Marche in the Chadian capital of N’Djamena on Saturday, as well as attacks in Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria “over the past two days.”

The statement reads: “Boko

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

Haram’s targeting of men, women, and children highlights that the group’s brutality and barbarism know no bounds, and we remain committed to working closely with the region to root out the threat posed by the group.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the soldiers, government officials, and civilians killed; we hope those who were injured will recover quickly.”

The U.S., however, commended the efforts of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) on its timely responses to “these callous and cowardly attacks on innocent civilians.”

Kirby added in the statement: “The United States continues to support the governments and people of the Lake Chad Basin region in their ongoing struggle to degrade and defeat Boko Haram.

“We support these efforts through a number of security and counter-terrorism assistance programmes, including intelligence, advices, training and equipment.”

Nigerians set agenda for Service chiefs •Falana, Alli, others: loyalty must be to State, not individual

S

ENIOR lawyers and security experts yesterday warned the new Service chiefs against partisanship.

They said the commanders’ loyalty should be to the country and not to the President, or the ruling party.

Lagos lawyer Femi Falana, Mallam Yusuf Ali (both senior advocates) and Dr. Chima Nnaji bared their minds on the appointments of military commanders by President Muhammadu Buhari.

They all urged the Service chiefs to bring their experiences to bear and inject fresh ideas into the war against terror and urged them to strengthen the armed forces as a professional institution.

By Joseph Jibueze

Falana recounted how the former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col Dasuki Sambo (rtd), usurped the functions of the former Defence Minister, Lt. Gen. Aliyu (rtd), a development the lawyer noted, brewed disaffected in the system.

He said: “The NSA usurped the functions of the defence minister. The office was linked with currency trafficking, hiring of mercenaries and purchase of unserviceable military hardware.

“Without arms and ammunitions, military officers and soldiers were forced to fight the well-armed terrorists. The enContinued on page 60

NSA’s family member being held by insurgents, says governor

N

ATIONAL Security Adviser (NSA) Maj.Gen. Babagana Monguno has his job cut out for him - a member of his family is being held by Boko Haram insurgents, Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima said yesterday.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday named Gen. Monguno NSA. He fired the Service Chiefs and replaced the NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) with Monguno.

To Shettima, the change of guards at the military hierarchy has offered a unique opportunity to defeat Boko Haram.

Reacting to the appointment of Gen. Monguno and Maj-Gen

From Duku Joel, Borno and Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

Tukur Buratai as the NSA and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), the governor said Nigeria cannot afford to lose the anti-Boko Haram battle with the new appointments.

Shettima, who described the appointment of the duo of Gen. Monguno and Gen. Buratai as “one of the happiest moments in his lifetime”, said: “The fight to overcome insurgents ‘is now or never’ because with the duo, Nigeria now has the best of chances to overcome the challenges of insurgency facing it since 2009.”

The governor was hosting members of the Insurgency Victims Support Fund Committee, chaired by Lt. Gen. Theophilus .Y Danjuma, who visited him at the Government House in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Shettima said President Buhari’s choice of Gen Monguno and Gen Buratai as a classic case of putting square pegs in square holes, adding that both men have been given the mandate of liberating their state, which has been the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency.

According to him, the military top brass possess ancestral knowledge of the state’s terrain besides being direct victims of insurgency attacks with their relatives killed, their homes destroyed and their towns raided.

His words: “Yesterday was the happiest moment of my life.

President Muhammadu Buhari made a strong statement by his decision to appoint two highly competent sons of Borno to the offices of the National Security Adviser and the Chief of Army Staff.

“I think his strategy was to get people with ancestral knowledge of the Borno terrain. MajGen Tukur Buratai is even a direct victim of Boko Haram at-

tacks. He lost family members when his residence was attacked earlier this year in Buratai, a town in Biu Local Government area.

“Monguno (town) was destroyed and once occupied by Boko Haram and that is where the new NSA, retired Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno, hails from.

In fact, a key family member of General Monguno is still being held captive by Boko Haram insurgents.

“These two generals are from Borno; they know exactly where it pinches and, most importantly, they understand the terrain and can easily connect with communities to get local support.

“Added to them is also the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who hails from Bauchi, also in the Northeast. AVM Abubakar spent many of his formative years in the military here in Borno State. He has spent over 10 years in Borno; he knows the terrain very well also and connects with the people.

“I think, for us, it is now or never because the President has generously put the sons of Borno and the Northeast to lead the battle for the freedom of

Borno, the Northeast and rest of Nigeria, from the murderous threats of insurgents.

“Insha Allah, with the combined efforts of other competent Service Chiefs and all Nigerians, the war on terror will soon be won by the supremacy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The governor called on Nigerians to support the President who,he said, has left no one in doubt about his persistent commitment to ending the insurgency.

Also yesterday, Senate President Bukola Saraki spoke on the appointees.

Clearing the air on Tweets concerning the screening of the Service chiefs, Saraki said the security chiefs do not need to undergo screening before they are cleared. He also said the National Assembly needs no consultation by the President before he names Service chiefs.

A statement by his media aide Sunni Onogu reads: “The attention of the Media Office of the Senate President has been drawn to a story making the rounds to the effect that the Senate does not need to screen or confirm the new Service Chiefs appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“However, we want to make it abundantly clear that based on inquiries made to the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on whether the Senate was consulted before the appointment of new Service Chiefs was announced, he had in response tweeted that the appointment of Service Chiefs is the exclusive function of the President as stipulated by the Constitution.

“Let it be known that his comment is now being misinterpreted to say the Senate will neither screen nor confirm the new Service Chiefs. This is far from the truth.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Saraki has said his comment is without prejudice to extant laws and court pronouncements on the issue and, therefore, that the Senate will do the needful when the list of the new Service Chiefs is sent to it by Mr. President.

“This is to clarify the earlier position which was not up to date and does not represent the position of the Senate President Continued on page 60

ADVERT HOTLINES

08023006969, 08052592524

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

5

NEWS

Fed Govt jams ‘illegal Radio Biafra’

T

HE National Broadcasting Commission has successfully jammed the signals of Radio Biafra, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Dr. Shade Yemi-Esan, said yesterday.

Dr. Yemi-Esan spoke to State House correspondents after leading the ministry’s officials to brief President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

She said the commission was also working with security agencies to arrest those behind the radio.

“It (the radio) is not licensed by anybody to be on the airwave in Nigeria,” the permanent secretary stated.

Dr. Yemi-Esan added that the president has supported reopening of Nigeria information centres abroad towards improving the country’s image.

She added that Buhari also sought for better welfare for and increase fight against pi-

•To reopen information centres abroad •Niger Delta Ministry laments fund scarcity From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

racy to boost welfare of Nollywood stars.

Her words: “We also talked about external publicity and the possibility of re-opening the federal information services abroad. The President said that he wants to improve the image of Nigeria. And one of the ways we can do that is by the re-opening of these centres abroad. So, he was all for it and he said that we would work together to ensure that we do that.

“He also raised concerns about piracy in Nollywood and he has instructed us to work harder to ensure that the producers of Nollywood films get what is due to them and that we reduce piracy to the barest mini-

mum.”

On the welfare of media practitioners, she said: “I think it was last week that one of the newspapers was shut down because of non-payment of salaries. I think that should not be heard of in a country like Nigeria.

“Mr. President frowns on things like that. The welfare of every Nigerian, especially journalists, is one of the major concerns that we have.

“We are happy with the response we got and the concerns of Mr. President on the work we are doing, especially the publicity aspect.

“He wants us to intensify publicity because he wants every Nigerian to know about the policies and programmes of this government.

She said most of the chal-

lenges facing ministry have to do with inadequate funding.

The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs also briefed President Buhari yesterday on its inability to fund major projects that would improve the lives of the citizens due to paucity of funds.

Permanent Secretary in Ministry Mrs. Fatima Bamidele said the situation has been slowing the ministry down in its mandate to empower the people of the Niger Delta region.

Speaking to state house correspondents after a meeting with the President in continuation of the briefing by Ministries, Departments and Agencies at the presidential villa, Mrs. Bamidele explained that since August 2014, the ministry had not received any capital per head.

She said the development had stalled a lot of projects.

Osinbajo intervenes in Rivers crisis

V

ICE President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) has intervened in the crisis arising from court orders and rulings over legality of the Rivers State local government councils to ensure peace, it was learnt yesterday evening in Port Harcourt.

An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, who craved anonymity, said the vice president demanded copies of the courts’ orders and rulings to properly study them and decide on the way forward.

Prof. Osinbajo, as at press time last night, was meeting with the state stakeholders in Abuja on the face-off, making it difficult to get the outcome of the closed-door meeting.

The caretaker committee chairmen and members inaugurated by Governor Nyesom Wike on July 9 have taken over the 22 of 23 local government areas after policemen allowed them access to the secretariats.

In Port Harcourt yesterday evening, the 23 elected councils’ chairmen, who belonging to the APC and led by

•VP demands court orders, rulings at meeting with stakeholders From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Chimbiko Iche Akarolo of Port Harcourt City Council, also met with the leadership of the party behind closed doors.

But the decisions reached were not made public.

Justice John AgbaduFishim of the National Industrial Court (NIC) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on June 22, gave an order restraining Wike from dissolving 22 of the 23 councils, while further hearing on the suit was adjourned till October 6.

The order, which will remain in force until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction, restrained Rivers governor, the state House of Assembly, the state Attorney-General and their agents from dissolving, suspending, sacking, terminating or in any manner whatsoever interfering with the tenure of office of the 23

local councils chairmen.

The order also restrained the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) or his agents and privies from enforcing any purported action detrimental to the existence of the 23 chairmen and councillors.

The order was duly served on all parties, including the IGP. On July 9, Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, dissolved the 22 councils for allegedly disobeying his order.

But the chairmen immediately filed a motion for stay of execution of the ruling at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt. But this was ignored by Wike.

The state governor, on the same July 9, sent names of chairmen and members of caretaker committees to the state’s House of Assembly, led by Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani and they were quickly screened by the 32 lawmakers, consisting of 31 PDP and one APC members.

•Prof. Osinbajo

The caretaker committee members were inaugurated

by Wike around 10 p.m. on the same Thursday.

The sacked 22 chairmen and their councillors were elected on May 23 this year, during the Rotimi Amaechi’s administration.

The tenure of the chairman and councillors of Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni council will expire next year and was not affected by the dissolution.

The NIC in Yenagoa is of equal/coordinate jurisdiction with the FHC in Port Harcourt, which handled the ruling on July 9.

•From left: Representative of United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Mrs Sharon Oladiji; Federal Commissioner for Lagos State, National Population Commission Bimbola Saliu Hundeyin; Head of Lagos Liaison Office of United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) Dr. Omolayo Omosehin and Head, Sub Office Lagos, International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Dr. Nahason Thuo, at the 2015 World Population Day at Ikeja Airport, Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

Oyegun: Buhari winning war on terror From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

A

LL Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun yesterday declared that President Muhammadu Buhari is winning the war against Boko Haram.

Oyegun said before the administration of Buhari, the sect had created territories in some northern states.

He said the insurgents, who have been denied “their territories” by the efforts of the government, have resulted to bombing.

Oyegun, who spoke on The Osasu Show aired on Independent Television (ITV), said government was working intensively to match the change of tactics by the sects.

The APC chairman said: “He is defeating the insurgency.

Maybe I need to put what I said a little more clearly. Before Buhari, the insurgents were controlling, governing and ruling Nigerian territory that was larger than most European countries. ”They did not bother about the bombing aspect because they had territories. They were ruling Nigerians; that is the extremist point. They have been deprived of that. So, what I said, it’s very unfortunate, very tragic, and that we must stop. ”It is the most difficult thing to contain in the immediate term, but the government is working very intensively to match these changes of tactics by Boko Haram. Don’t forget they started by bombings, then when they saw that they could hold territory, they shifted to wanting to create their own country within a country. ”I don’t know what they do to this young people to make them want to kill themselves and kill others. The reality is that if someone makes up his mind to die, then we do have a problem on our hands. But that problem too is one that is being confronted by the Buhari administration. It requires a totally new tactics.”

He explained that the decision by the president to move the entire command to the battle front created the inspirational platform because the troops need to believe they had a commanderin-chief that cared.

This action by Buhari, he said, inspired the troops in the field to drive the sect out of territories were holding.

He assured Nigerians that the renewed bombing would be confronted and defeated by the current administration.

On the National Assembly crisis, Oyegun described it as a setback for the ruling party.

“I cannot hide the fact that it was a bit of a setback unexpected, though expected, because things had gone so well that I thought it would be one whole ball game all the way. But maybe we needed that bit of a hiccup to show us that it was not yet eureka.

“We should have expected it. But I didn’t think it would be quite as bad as it became.”

SAN: How to stop lobbying,

by Afe Babalola

By Robert Egbe

F

RESH insight has been given on how to reduce controversies trailing the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) by the Legal Practitioners and Privileges’ Committee (LPPC) of Nigeria.

Legal icon Chief Afe Babalola, who was for many years a member of the LPPC, has advocated that the award be given to all qualified lawyers, irrespective of how many they are.

On Friday, the LPPC conferred the rank of SAN on only 21 lawyers from 124 applications it received this year.

Three academics and 18 advocates, including a woman, made the final list of awardees.

Aggrieved lawyers have complained over whether the recipients of the award were truly qualified.

But Babalola, who was awarded the SAN since 1987, said the practice of limiting the awardees of the title to a certain number each year, gives room for lobbying.

This, he said, would not be necessary, if the LPPC adopts the practice in England, where every qualified lawyer is honoured with the award.

Speaking on “View From The Top” on Channels TV, Babalola said: “I was a member of the privileges’ committee giving out the title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. I found out that many were actually qualified, but were limited by the so-called ‘rule that only so many ought to have been appointed.

“So, if 50 qualified and only 15 are to be taken, then you are going to select only 15. What yardstick, what method do you want to adopt to appoint of 50 qualified lawyers? In England where we borrowed this idea, everyone that is qualified is given the award.”

In 2013, human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN, wrote a letter to the then Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and the Chairperson of the LPPC, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, questioning the practice where qualified legal practitioners, who had previously been shortlisted, were not invited for interview.

Babalola, the founder of Afe Babalola University, suggested that the bar be raised higher for the award, and that all lawyers who succeed should get the title.

“Let us have very stern, very strict conditions to fulfill,” he said. “But whoever crosses the bar ought to be appointed so that it won’t give room for the principle of ‘who knows who’”, he added.

The new SANs will be sworn-in on September 21, at a special session of the Supreme Court to mark the beginning of the new legal year.

The LPPC is empowered by the Legal Practitioners’ Act (2004) to award the rank of SAN to deserving lawyers. The guidelines are as contained in the Act. The award is a privilege as a mark of excellence to members of the legal profession, who are in full time legal practice, have distinguished themselves as advocates and have made significant contribution to the development of the legal profession in Nigeria.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

6

NEWS •Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (second left), being received by the Defence Attache to Nigeria’s Embassy in Ethiopia, Col. Adewale Adekoya, on arrival for the Third United Nations International Conference on Financing for Development, in Addis Ababa ... yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Sultan urges support for Buhari •Monarch advises citizens, leaders on insurgency

S

ULTAN of Sokoto and President General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III has called on the citizens to support President Muhammadu Buhari for the nation’s grow.

The monarch spoke in Sokoto on Monday night at the yearly Ramadan dinner he organised for journalists.

He said the traditional institution has been at the forefront of ensuring peace, unity and development of the coun-

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

try.

“It is the responsibility of all of us as patriotic citizens to make meaningful and responsive contributions to the development of the country,” he stated.

The Muslim leader, who noted that most Nigerians were anxious to get results from the new government, urged them to be patient and ready to contribute to the realisation of the needed

positive change they were yearning for.

The Sultan urged elected leaders to tame and bring to an end the menace of insurgency threatening the country’s peace, security and stability, particularly in the northeast.

The monarch said elected leaders have to do something urgently about the menace “so that Nigerians can go back to their normal lives in a country, which is free”.

He noted that Boko Haram insurgents were not Islamic and their activities are not di-

rected at strengthening Islam, rather to destroy it.

His words: “We must, therefore, condole with Nigerians over the senseless killings of innocent people in the past one week in Kano, Borno, Yobe, Plateau and Zaria, among others.’’

The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) co-chair explained that Islam was built on the foundation that symbolises peace, and “therefore, the actions of the insurgents were against Islam, and we the leaders feel pains and

have concerns.”

He said Nigerians must truly complement government’s efforts to bring insurgency to an end and added that nobody was out to Islamise the citizens because there was no compulsion in religion.

The monarch welcomed the appointment of new Service Chiefs and the National Security Adviser, adding that “we know them and we are confident that they will deliver”.

He urged journalists to be objective in their reportage and always cross-check facts before going to the press.

The state NUJ Chairman, Labaran Dundaye, hailed the Sultan for sustaining the yearly gesture, promising that the union would always uphold the principles and ethics of professionalism.

Abuja court grants Lamido bail on self-recognition

A

FTER about three days in prison custody, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, his two sons - Aminu and Mustapha - and one of their aides, Aminu Wada Abubakar, were granted bail yesterday by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

In a ruling on their bail applications, Justice Gabriel Kolawole granted bail to Lamido on self recognition in view of his status as an exgovernor.

The judge admitted Aminu, Muspaha and Abubakar to bail, but at N25 million and two sureties each.

Justice Kolawole said one of the sureties must be a Level 16 civil servant in either a federal

•Sons, aide admitted to N25m bail with two sureties From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

or state establishment. The other, the judge said, must be an entrepreneur, who must own a property worth N75 million located in Abuja, Kano or Jigawa.

He ordered the accused persons to deposit their travel documents with the court, which they could retrieve whenever they wish to travel.

The judge said the decision to have their travel documents, currently with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), retrieved and deposited in court was not to deny the accused their right of movement, but

for the court to be aware of their movements.

Justice Kolawole said the accused ought not to have been denied bail because some of their supporters were milling round the court. He said that was an issue for the police to handle.

The judge said he would return the case file to the court’s Chief Judge, for onward transfer to the Kano division of the court, from where the case was brought to him.

Lamido, his two sons and Abubakar were arraigned on July 9 before Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Kano division of the Federal High Court on a 28-count bordering on

corruption, abuse of office and money laundering, to which they pleaded not guilty.

Justice Ayandike declined to take their bail application in view of the court’s approaching vacation and adjourned to September 28 for trial and directed that they be remanded in prison till then.

The judge also said they could approach the court’s headquarters in Abuja where a vacation judge was sitting.

Justice Kolawole, who is the sitting vacation judge in Abuja, granted them bail yesterday.

Dressed in white traditional attire, Lamido, who appeared emaciated, maintained a pensive look, while proceedings

lasted yesterday.

Aminu and Mustapha, who stood with their father and Abubakar in the dock, smiled throughout the proceedings that lasted hours. They looked unruffled.

Lamido was accused of using his position as the governor of Jigawa State, between 2007 and 2015, to award contracts to companies in which he and the two sons had interest. The money involved, the EFCC said, was N1.351 billion.

Some of the companies include Bamaina Holdings Limited, Bamiana Company Nigeria Limited, Bamaina Aluminum Limited and Speeds International Limited.

House crisis: Dogara seeks resolution From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

H

OUSE of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara is seeking quick resolution of the leadership crisis rocking the lower chamber.

The Speaker, who reiterated his loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the lingering leadership crisis was capable of derailing the objectives the Eighth House set out to achieve.

Dogara spoke in Abuja yesterday when he received the Youth Forum of the APC in his office.

On the crisis that has pitched his supporters in the House against those supporting Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker said he was open to dialogue and compromise.

He said: “That problem is almost over. As soon as I leave here, I am going for a meeting. I hope we will bury the issues over the position of principal officers once and for all.

“I am talking about the House of Representatives, by the time we reconvene, this issue would have been resolved”.

The management of the challenge created by the leadership of the National Assembly would go a long way on how APC intends to survive as a political party, Dogara added.

Friday, Monday are holidays From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

T

HE Federal Government yesterday declared Friday and Monday as public holidays to mark Id-el-Fitr celebration.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior Abubakar Magaji, who made the declaration in a statement on behalf of the government, enjoined Muslim faithful and Nigerians to extend the spiritual benefits of Ramadan, which include love, peace and sacrifice for the nation’s development.

He urged the citizens to support President Muhammadu Buhari administration in his determination and sustained efforts towards building a peaceful, united and virile nation.

Magaji urged Nigerians, both at home and abroad to use the occasion to pray for the nation’s peace and unity.

APC, PDP disagree on Buhari’s actions

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the steps taken so far by President Muhammadu Buhari as “cosmetics”, insisting that he must correct certain indices that are capable of derailing the smooth-running of the nation and his administration.

A statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, urged Buhari to focus on the promises he made to Nigerians and on policy thrusts that would move the economy forward.

But All Progressives Congress (APC) National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

Mohammed yesterday queried PDP’s criticism.

Mohammed said: “Frankly speaking, I can’t make head or tail out of Metuh’s statement. How can appointments be cosmetic? The PDP should keep quiet if it has no reasonable criticism. And not talking because the opposition must be in the news.

Metuh’s statement said: “As the leader of the most populous black nation in the world, we believe you should not allow your Presidency to be pushed into the gimmicks of playing to the gallery and attempting to use the dramatisation of promissory

notes and pledges by foreign interests, false premature claims of victory against insurgency, dramatisation of salary cut and rejection of official cars, all to gain cheap popularity and create an impression that the government is on course when in the actual fact, the new administration has not been able to locate a bearing since its inauguration in May.” The party urged the President to extricate himself from agents of propaganda, who continue to believe that Nigerians would be swayed by these “cosmetic interventions” instead of real business of governance.

The PDP said: “While we

appreciate the symbolic gesture by Mr. President in cutting his N14 million annual basic salary by 50 per cent, it should be noted that Nigerians would not be wavered by the N7million annual donation and rejection of official cars, and forget their expectations for the implementation of his long list of campaign promises for which he was elected into office.

“The Presidency should know that these orchestration, no matter how populist it may seem, does not in any way address the burning issues of employment, worsening security situation, decline in the economy, avoidable inactivity in government busi-

nesses, and continued apparent slide of the naira, which has dipped from under N200 to the dollar in May to an all time low of N238 under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration among others.”

According to the PDP, Nigerians cannot be overwhelmed by these gestures, especially given that they are aware that the salary is a mere drop in the ocean of personal allowances and privileges that come to the president.

The country, the party added, cannot be deluded by impressions aimed to make government appear to be on course when it has only been a case of all motion, no move-

ment, spiced with unnecessary excuses.

The statement added: “Nigerians, going by feelers, have not been thrilled by such orchestrations as other leaders, who at one time or the other adopted similar stance, did not dither or become laidback, but hit the ground running with governance. What the citizens want is a government that is urgent in living up to its billings and campaign promises.”

The PDP urged the President to face the challenges of governance and assemble his team of experts and capable hands to manage the economy, which has been on the decline since he assumed office.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

7

NEWS Four die in Ogun multiple accidents From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

F

OUR persons, including a commercial motorcyclist, have died in multiple accidents at the Sagamu stretch of the Lagos Ore Expressway.

Two bodies were deposited at the mortuary of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, a source at the Morbid Anatomy unit said. The others were taken to Sagamu.

The accident, which occurred on Monday night at the steep and sharp bend near the Sagamu junction Old Toll Gate, involved a cyclist, a truck carrying diesel, a cement truck, a commercial bus and a lorry carrying flour.

It was gathered that the accident was caused by the diesel truck, which fell and emptied its content.

Motorists travelling to Ore ran into the oil-filled lane and were swept off the road. Some crashed into the concrete median; others plunged into a valley nearby.

The driver of the cement truck, Abubakar Umar, said it was a miracle that he was not hurt when he lost control of the vehicle.

He said: “I drove into the slippery road unaware. My truck lost balance, skidded off the road before plunging into a valley. It rolled many times over and hauled the bags of cement in the valley.”

Operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), police and the state’s traffic management agency (TRACE) were controlling the traffic even as some labourers were covering the oil - filled road with sand.

Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the motorcyclist died on the spot.

Ultimatum to vehicle owners

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

T

HE Ogun State government has given owners of vehicles and motorcycles seized from 2011, 21 days to reclaim them or have them auctioned.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Chairman Board of Survey, Mrs. Ajibola Chokor, said the concerned owners should visit the offices of Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) within 21 days to reclaim them.

Mrs. Chokor said the vehicles were seized for contravening traffic rules, adding that failure by any vehicle or motorcycle owner to reclaim his property would result in the two agencies treating them as forfeited.

She said concerned owners of these items should visit TRACE and VIO offices with proofs of ownership and payment of relevant penalties.

Prison escapee, two others arrested for kidnapping

O

NE of the inmates who escaped during a jailbreak in AdoEkiti last year, Olusola Adewale, has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a 75-year-old woman, Mrs. Rose Aina, last week.

Adewale, 35, and his accomplices, Owolabi Ojo and Adedayo Ojo, who are both 48-year-old, were paraded yesterday at the State Police Command headquarters.

Mrs. Aina was kidnapped

•Kidnapped septuagenarian freed From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

from her home in IlogboEkiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area last Tuesday by a three-man gang.

She was rescued by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad at Ita Ogbolu in Akure North Local Government Area at 6.30 am yesterday, a week after she was abducted.

Commissioner of Police Etop James said two of the suspects were apprehended at Ita Ogbolu. The victim’s driver, who allegedly gave the syndicate information about her movement, was arrested in Ilogbo.

The police chief, who was represented by the command’s spokesman Alberto Adeyemi, told reporters that the syndicate had been involved in “high-profile

kidnapping” in Delta, Edo, Ondo and Ekiti states.

James said two red Volkswagen Golf and weapons, including cut-to-size pistols, were recovered from them.

According to him, the suspects were arrested after security agencies tracked their numbers and anti-kidnapping operatives trailed them to Ita Ogbolu and secured the hostage’s release.

The police boss said no ransom was paid,adding that

his men worked day and night to locate the hoodlums.

He said: “The vehicles seized were those that had been on our radar for long.

The two vehicles were used to abduct the Reverend Father, Emmanuel Akingbade and many others in recent times.

“We are happy that Mrs. Aina recognised one of the suspects, so we are banking on these two backgrounds to be able to prosecute them.”

•The Triangular Group of Pensioners in a solidarity rally for Aregbesola.

Aregbesola explains 50 per cent payment

O

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has explained why some workers were paid 50 per cent of their salaries.

A statement by his media aide, Semiu Okanlawon, said: “The government wishes to state that it realised the need to accommodate our senior citizens, the pensioners, within the limited funds available to ensure an allinclusive payment that will alleviate the hardship that the delay in salaries and pensions had caused. It should be noted that happiness never decreases by sharing.

•Labour expresses disappointment From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

“The government’s attention has been drawn to a growing discontent among workers on the partial payment of salary to workers from Grade Level 08 and above.”

The governor said he was committed to meeting his obligations to the workers as more funds become available.

Appealing to the workers to be calm, he said: “This period calls for deep understanding of our challenges

and we are calling on all and sundry for cooperation in this regard.”

Labour leaders yesterday expressed disappointment at the payment.

They wondered why the government would pay Level 1 to 7 their full January salary while Level 8 and above were paid half of their salaries for the same month.

Speaking with reporters, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Jacob Adekomi, said the payment of 50 per cent salary was unacceptable.

He ordered workers to remain at home until the government lives up to its agreement with the labour unions.

Few civil servants went to work yesterday as many offices at the state secretariat were not opened.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) urged workers to show understanding.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Kunle Oyatomi, the party said: “The government will pay all arrears. If 50 per cent is given now it does not mean that the government will not pay the rest.”

Osinbajo seeks global action on repatriation of illicit funds

V

ICE President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday pushed for global action on repatriation of illicit funds.

He spoke at the third United Nations (UN) conference on Financing for Development in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Osinbajo urged the international community to develop appropriate mechanism to dismantle safe havens and ensure repatriation of stolen funds and assets to the countries of origin as mandated in the United Nations Conventions against Corruption and Transnational Organised Crime.

Continuing, he said Nigeria welcomes the report of the African Union (AU) high-level panel on illicit financial flow from Africa and called on the international community to assist Africa “stop, track and repatriate illicit funds”.

•Calls for global fund on education From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

The Vice President, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity), Laolu Akande, also called on global leaders, experts and the international community to pay attention to the plight of the poor across the world.

Addressing political leaders, including the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, he said: “I challenge the global community to develop and implement unconventional social safety nets to address poverty, hunger, disease and misery.

“The Muhammadu Buhari administration is committed to setting appropriate spending targets on social services to address poverty, hunger, inequality and unemployment, particularly

‘The Muhammadu Buhari administration is committed to setting appropriate spending targets on social services to address poverty, hunger, inequality and unemployment, particularly among the youth among the youth.”

The Vice-President also spoke on terrorism and in-

surgency and how they affect development.

He urged the international community to develop a viable mechanism to deal with the menace.

According to him, global terrorism constitutes a potent threat to countries’ peace, stability and economic development.

The threat, he emphasised, calls for adequate funding, partnership and collaboration of the global community.

“We must take parallel action to intensify efforts towards blocking all sources of funding for terrorist activities,” he added.

On the role of education and the exchange of knowledge to support dissemination of technologies for development, the Vice President called for the establishment of a Global Fund for Educational Development (GFED).

UI donates to orphanages From Sikiru Akinola, Ibadan

T

HE University of Ibadan (UI) yesterday donated items worth N1 million to orphanages in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The items, including food items, sanitary equipment, drugs, mattresses, beds, were presented to five homes across Ibadan.

Orphanages belonging to the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Basorun; Jesus Kids Homes for Special People, Monatan; His Heritage Home, Akobo; Ibadan Home for Motherless Babies and Jesus Children Missions Homes benefited from the gesture.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Isaac Adewole, represented by the Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof Remi RajiOyelade, said the donation was part of the university’s corporate social responsibility.

According to him, “what prompted UI to embark on the charity programme was the same thing that prompted the establishment of the school. This is the first time we will be extending this gesture to five homes in a day.

“It is just a token and we are going to make it an annual event by giving to others too. We will also encourage our departments, offices and association to embark on similar projects.

We have to help the needy and by doing this, the society will be better off.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

8

Police arrest fake Mopol officer

Obasa greets Soyinka at 81

By Oziegbe Okoeki

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

A

ed by the police in Ondo town for allegedly parading himself as a mobile police officer.

Sources said he was arrested during the funeral of his father in-law.

Before his arrest, a lady and her brother had lodged a complaint of fraudulent allegation against the suspect at the Office of the Area Commander.

It was learnt that a bag containing mobile police uniform, boots, pistol, torch and a knife was recovered from him.

Another man, Daniel Ogunmoyewa, claimed that the suspect sold a land, belonging to someone else, to his late mother, Mrs. Grace Adedeji, at N160,000.

He said: “Akinsiku sold a plot of land to my late mother a few years ago, but when she died and we wanted to bury her on the land, some members of his family told us that Akinsiku was not the owner of the land and that somebody else had been buried there.”

Ogunmoyewa said we got information last week that he was in town and went to Oke-Odunwo to demand for our money.

“When we got there, the suspect, dressed in mobile police uniform, brought out a gun and started shooting sporadically.

“We went to the Area Commander in Ondo to lodge a complaint, then the police followed us and arrested him. It was discovered that he is a fake mobile police, “Ogunmoyewa said.

It was gathered that the suspect had confessed. Police spokesman Wole Ogodo confirmed the report.

Ondo APC appeals verdict From Damisi Ojo, Akure

T

S

MAN, Stephen Akinsiku, has been arrest-

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) and two of its House of Assembly candidates, Gbenga Edema and Festus Aregbesola, have filed an appeal, challenging the dismissal of their petitions by the election petition tribunal.

The appeal was filed by APC’s counsel, Charles Titiloye.

The tribunal, in its July 8 ruling, delivered by Justice Anthony Ogar, dismissed the petition on the grounds that the application for pre-hearing was made before the third respondent, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), filed its reply.

Titiloye noted that the tribunal erred when it dismissed the petition as an abandoned petition.

He said none of the respondents complained of non-compliance with the tribunal’s rules.

The lawyer noted that the petitioners duly applied for pre- hearing and they cannot wait indefinitely for the third respondent, which did not file its reply within 14 days.

•A truck carrying cement swerved off the road and destroyed shops at Mushin-Olosa in Lagos... yesterday PHOTO: BIODUN ADEYEWA

Police summon Ondo PDP lawmakers to Abuja

T

HE lawmakers representing Ilaje I and II in the Ondo State House of Assembly, Malachi Coker and Abayomi Coker, have been summoned to the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

This followed their resumption and swearing in without certificates of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The duo escaped arrest last Wednesday when police detectives stormed the premises of the Election Petition Tribunal, Akure.

It was gathered that the lawmakers were covered by “immunity” in the court.

Sources said the Speaker, Princess Jumoke Akindele, mobilised other lawmakers to intervene in the matter.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates for Ilaje I and II, Gbenga Edema and Leke Adegboye, had petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase.

They urged the IG to probe the alleged impersonation and unlawful swearing-in of Akinruntan and Malachi by the Assembly Clerk.

It was learnt that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Segun Agbaje, had declared elections in the two Ilaje constituencies as inconclusive due to alleged irreg-

APC: arrest Speaker, Clerk From Damisi Ojo, Akure

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, to arrest the Speaker, Princess Jumoke Akindele and the Clerk for swearing in two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates without certificates of return.

A statement by its Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya, said: “It is illegal for Abayomi Akinruntan and Coker Malachi (Ilaje l and II) to be sworn in as members of the House of Assembly without certificates of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“When a candidate is elected as a member of any assembly, a certificate of return is issued in his/her name by INEC, which the Clerk of the Assembly will confirm before performing the oath of office and allegiance. In the case of these two gentlemen, due process was not followed.

“After the April 11 House of Assembly election, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Segun Agbaje, in a statement, said the elections in Ilaje I and II were inconclusive and that a later date would be announced for the supplementary elections in the two constituencies.

“Till date, the supplementary elections have not been conducted. We, therefore, call on the IG to arrest the Speaker and Clerk for their complicity in this illegality.

“This is impunity and this is how government is being run in Ondo State in the last six years under the leadership of Olusegun Mimiko. Impunity must stop during this era of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

ularities.

Consequently, INEC did not give certificates of return to the two members-elect on May 5 when it presented certificates to 24 members-elect.

A June 8 petition by Charles Titiloye on behalf of the APC candidates noted

that the Clerk confirmed the writ of returns and roll call of the 26 members-elect on June 1 with Akinruntan and Malachi as No 6 and 20 on the attendance list.

The petition reads: “We are aware that for a memberelect to be sworn-in as a lawmaker, the presentation of certificate of return should be

a pre-condition in compliance with the Electoral Act. “Based on this fact, we sought clarification from INEC on whether the certificates of return have been issued to the two lawmakers as at June 4 and INEC replied the second day that no certificates of return were issued in respect of the two members-elect.

“It is instructive to note that Section 75 of the Electoral Act 2010 makes issuance of a certificate of return mandatory for any person who has won election in Nigeria before he/she could be sworn in.

“Section 99 of the 1999 Constitution states that any person who sits or votes in a House of Assembly knowing or having reasonable grounds for knowing that he is not entitled to do so shall be guilty of an offence and shall upon conviction be liable to a term of imprisonment.”

The petitioners urged the IG to probe the fraudulent move and demanded justice to facilitate the anticorruption crusade of the Buhari administration.

Edema yesterday confirmed that he was on his way to Abuja.

It was learnt that the Clerk may also be quizzed by the police.

Tension as another kingship crisis rocks Ekiti

T

HERE is tension in Erijiyan-Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State as the government is expected to name the Olohan (monarch) today.

Armed policemen and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) are keeping vigil in the community to check the restive residents, who are aggrieved that “a candidate who is not qualified to be king is to be imposed on them”.

It was gathered yesterday that one of the candidates, Adegoroye Omosebi, reportedly won an election conducted by 10 of the 13 kingmakers.

Barring any last-minute change, Omosebi is expected to be named after the State Executive Council meeting today.

Two kingmakers, who decried the government’s alleged meddlesomeness, abstained from voting.

•Govt to name monarch today From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

But many indigenes are claiming that Omosebi is a native of Ilesa and not Erijiyan. They alleged that he is not from any of the three ruling houses.

A palace source claimed that Omosebi’s grandfather was from Ilesa but lived in the Olohan palace until he died and was buried at Erijiyan.

The three ruling houses are Odundun, Agunsoye and Ogbegun.

But Omosebi claims he belongs to the Agunsoye ruling house.

The last Olohan of Erijiyan, Oba Jonathan Olufemi, who died in December 2013, was from the Odundun ruling house.

Many aggrieved residents had been protesting since Saturday, warning the government against re-enacting the

“Ikere magic” in their community.

They were apparently referring to the drama, leading to the emergence of the Ogoga of Ikere, Adejimi Adu Alagbado, who was installed and presented with a certificate and staff of office on July 6, when he was yet to undergo traditional rites.

Security arrangements are being supervised by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Aramoko-Ekiti, who has been detailed to Erijiyan to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

A source said: “Omosebi is not from Erijiyan and he is not from any of the ruling houses here.

“His grandfather was from Ilesa and he lived in the palace till he died in Erijiyan.

“Governor Ayo Fayose held a meeting at the weekend with stakeholders on the Olohan of Erijiyan stool,

where we suspected that he wanted to try the coercion of Ikere but the people said no.

“He told the kingmakers to come back yesterday with the name of a candidate.

“During the meeting, an unruly candidate was ordered out by the governor and later allowed in.

“During the meeting, a 75year-old lawyer observed that the governor’s coercive manner, if allowed to go unchallenged, would lead to wrong choice of candidate.

“The lawyer, Emmanuel Adedeji Ilori, challenged the governor that if he imposes somebody on the people, he (Adedeji) would challenge it in court.

“The governor replied the old man that he (Fayose) had opened the courts and that those aggrieved are free to go there.

“Fayose said they would still be on the matter by the time his administration ends its tenure.”

PEAKER of the Lagos State House of Assembly Mudashiru Obasa has described Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka as a role model, who inspires people globally.

Obasa, in a statement congratulating Soyinka on his 81st birthday yesterday, said: “Prof Wole Soyinka is a global figure, someone who inspires people all over the world and we are proud to celebrate him not only as a Nigerian and African icon but also as a global figure, who has contributed immensely to the struggle for peace and justice in the world through his writings, comments, speeches and actions.

“We pray to God to continue to give him the strength and good health to continue to inspire the world and promote peace globally. Happy Birthday, Kongi.”

Free train ride in Osun

T

HE Osun State government has provided free train services for residents, who wish to travel home for the Eid-el-Fitri celebration.

In a statement by the Director Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Semiu Okanlawon, the government announced that the free train service would be offered between Thursday and Sunday.

Okanlawon said the train would by 11am convey people from Lagos to Osogbo on Thursday. The return journey would start by 11am on Sunday.

He noted that the gesture was in line with the Rauf Aregbesola’s administration’s initiative to make life better for the people.

Ekiti pensioners demand payment From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

P

ENSIONERS in Ekiti State are asking Governor Ayo Fayose to explain the state’s indebtedness to them.

The state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has written to Fayose, following his silence on the amount owed retirees during his broadcast on the “bailout” package from the Federal Government.

The body said the governor’s failure to speak was causing anxiety among them.

A copy of the letter signed by the state NUP Chairman, Elder Ayo Kumapayi, and Secretary Kayode Ogedengbe, said the government’s explanation would go a long way to calm the agitated pensioners.

The letter reads: “The attention of the Ekiti State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has been drawn to the government’s pronouncement on the funds released to states by the Federal Government.

“It is noted that the state government did not mention its indebtedness to pensioners in the pronouncement.

“This has been causing much anxiety among pensioners. We hope, also, that the matter would be treated with the urgency which, we believe, it deserves.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

9

NEWS

Akwa Ibom poll: APC writes police on alleged N2.5b bribe

A

KWA Ibom State All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused a former governor of offering N2.5 billion to a top official of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to frustrate the party’s petition before the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.

The party alleged that the “bribe” was the reason the INEC top shot had been frustrating its petition.

The APC said more INEC officials were also being compromised by some forces in Akwa Ibom State.

The party levelled the allegations in a July 8 petition to the Director-General of the Department of State Security Service (SSS) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

Oshiomhole’ll restructure Edo YES, says APC chair From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

E

DO State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Anslem Ojezua, has said Governor Adams Oshiomhole will restructure the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) to conform to the current economic realities.

The chairman was reacting to the controversies trailing the phasing out of the scheme.

The Edo YES was inaugurated in 2009 as part of the government’s intervention programme to empower over 10,000 youths.

Addressing reporters in Benin, the state capital, Ojezua said the governor’s decision to abruptly end the programme was caused by a drop in the allocations from the Federation Account.

The APC chairman noted that the drop was also the fallout of decline in the price of crude oil in the international market.

He said Oshiomhole did not take the action to impoverish the youth, who played a predominant role in the state’s political development, but to ensure that the beneficiaries derived maximum benefits from it.

According to him, Oshiomhole has the moral justification to determine how youths could earn regular wages.

Ojezua said the absence of some youths from their place of primary assignments – following their journeys abroad or getting alternative jobs - had been an issue the government was concerned about.

The party chairman assured that the youth would be reinstated, after a thorough screening by the committee set up for that purpose.

He regretted the hardship the hardworking beneficiaries were going through.

Ojezua expressed satisfaction at the friendly manner the issues were handled.

The APC chairman hoped that before the end of the year, the scheme would be back on track.

He assured the youth of his readiness to liaise with the government on how to re-absorb those affected into the renewed scheme.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

In the petition, which was sent through its legal counsel, Victor Iyanam, APC said it had not been able to access electoral materials brought from Akwa Ibom to Abuja.

The party said it was compelled to write the petition after several complaints against the continued refusal by the state INEC to grant access to it to inspect election materials, despite the May 12, 23 and June 25, orders of the tribunal.

The petition reads: “The Akwa Ibom Tribunal, sitting in Abuja on June 25, 2015, ordered that the electoral materials be brought to Abuja for forensic analysis and inspection.

“The underlying philosophy was that the INEC head-

quarters in Abuja would impose a salutary environment for a free and fair inspection of the materials, as ordered by the tribunal. As an added impetus, it was further ordered that the Directorate of State Security (DSS) and the police be available to maintain the peace at the site of the inspections.

“It has, however, unfortunately, come to our notice that the obstinacy of the top INEC official to carry out the tribunal’s orders or cooperate with our client to carry out the inspection owes principally to the fact that N2.5 billion was disbursed to him by a former governor, prior to the general elections, and the official now feels obliged to complete the corrupt process by doing

e v e r y t h i n g possible to frustrate the governorship petition of the APC candidate, Umana Okon Umana.”

The APC also expressed displeasure that INEC mutilated some electoral materials.

It added: “It is now obvious that the attitude of the INEC official stems from the irreparable damage he caused to be done to electoral materials in Akwa Ibom State.

“Most electoral materials in Akwa Ibom State were deliberately destroyed; water was deliberately poured into the bags of materials while some were kept under the rain, contrary to the established practice of keeping the materials in enve-

lopes, according to their polling units “We attach samples of electoral materials deliberately mutilated or otherwise destroyed on the corrupt and irresponsible orders of the INEC official. Could this be allowed to be business as usual, especially for the change we desire as a nation?”

The party said more INEC officials were also being compromised by some forces in Akwa Ibom State.

It said: “To buttress the compromise of these characters by the Akwa Ibom State government, they came to Abuja without the following vital documents: “(a) Polling Unit Result Sheets, namely Form EC8A for the 2982 units in Akwa Ibom State

“(b) Ward Result Sheets: Form EC8B for the 329 Wards in Akwa Ibom State; and “(c) LGA Result Sheets Form EC8C for the 31 LGAs in Akwa Ibom State.

“The conduct of a top official of INEC, absolutely criminal in content, reckless in execution and done with impunity, is not only a breach of public trust but would have catastrophic consequences if allowed to go unpunished.

“It is a shame that notwithstanding the largescale fraud perpetuated by the PDP in Akwa Ibom State, agents of the party and the government in power are still bent on doing more damage to our collective psyche and stand in the way of justice.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

10

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Family accuses police of ‘incessant harassment’

A

•Ambode (right) with a House of Representatives member Jide Jimoh (second right) and others during his inspection of Ikotun-Ejigbo-Isolo road...yesterday PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

LAGOS family has gone to court to restrain the police from infringing on its right.

The Okunu-Eleku family of Oko Olomi village in Gboije, IbejuLekki, Lagos, is praying that the police be stopped from interfering in “a minor family dispute”.

It claimed that the police have abdicated their statutory constitutional responsibilities to dabble into family matters. The family is urging the court to compel the police to prosecute one of its members, Madam Toyin Awawu –Eleku, for constantly giving false information to the police about principal members of the family.

Applicants in the suit with number FHC/L/CS/104/15 filed on behalf of the family by the law firm of Paul Bamidele Ogundele are agent to the family, Mr. Femi Bakare Otolono, Chairman/CEO of Otofemi properties, Chief Tajudeen Eleku, Chief Segun Eleku, Alhaji Abdul Rahman Balogun and Mr. Lateef Eleku.

The family alleged that on the strength of Madam Eleku’s petitions, many family members were arrested and detained and released on bail after investigation vindicated them.

The case, it claimed, had gone from Elemoro Police Station, to Area Command at Ajah, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) , Panti, Yaba Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, to X – Squad at Fire Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Lagos, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Squad, Abuja and Lagos State Task Force at Alausa, Ikeja.

Work on Ikotun-Ejigbo Judge warns parties in land disputes D road begins next week L

AGOS State Governor Akinwumi Ambode has promised that work will begin on the dilapidated IkotunEjigbo road within one week.

During a visit yesterday, he described the state of the road as unacceptable, assuring residents that their suffering would soon end.

Residents trooped out to thank him for his gesture.

The governor said: “I have come personally to see for myself the state of Ejigbo road and it is very clear that this is totally unacceptable and there is no other remedy

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

than to let our officials come to site within the next one week and the people of this neighbourhood should be guaranteed that work will start on Ikotun-Ejigbo-Isolo axis within the next seven days.

Ambode appealed to the residents for understanding when the work begins, saying relief would be provided for them.

“We would make sure that you have immediate relief and that in the course of the rehabilitation the people in the neighborhood should just bear with us? but work

will commence immediately after Ramadan”, he said.

A resident, Mr Taiwo Olaniyan, explained how he spends several hours in traffic daily.

“Traffic on this axis has been terrible, a journey of five minutes, you end up spending hours because of bad road. The situation is worst whenever it rains that is why you find a lot of commercial vehicles taking one way just to get out of the traffic.”

He thanked the governor for the gesture which he said would ease motorists and commuters’ pains.

Lagos seals off 29 fake medicine stores

L

AGOS State Task Force on Fake, Counterfeit and Unwholesome Processed Foods has sealed off 29 illegal Patent Medicine stores.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Modele Osunkiyesi said the stores contravened the law on the operation of pharmacies and patent medicine stores.

Their offences includes sales of drugs without license from the regulatory authority; failure or refusal to relocate from a market area and adherence to the mandated distance between a patent medicine shop and market place as stipulated by the law; and sales of counterfeit and fake drugs.

She said: “The closure is part of the government’s efforts at ridding

the state of fake, substandard and illegal drug operators and outlets as well as ensuring high drug quality through sanitation and streamlining of drug distribution system in the state. It is important that operators of pharmaceutical shops and patent medicine stores operate within the ambit of the law regulating their operations as the state government would not take it lightly with any operators of pharmaceutical products who disregard the laws of the state.”

The government, she said, acted in accordance with Chapter C34 of the Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act of 1999, Number 25.

The affected stores and unregistered premises are: Goodnews

Store at 8, Badore Road, Folarin Bus-stop, Ajah; Jonadab Nwaogwugwu Chemist, SeyiOmogwa Street, Lakowe Phase 2, Lekki; and BL Supermarket, Yomade Shopping Mall, Awoyaya Bus-stop, Lekki ; Tela Rose Pharmacy, 13 Shonibare S. Complex, Awoyaya, Ibeju-Lekki; Omata Chemist, 2 Seyi Omogwa Street, Lakowe Phase 2, Lekki; and Uzoma Shop, Bale Palace, Abijo town, Lekki; Chidominion Stores, Olasuru Shopping Plaza, Haruna Bus-stop, Sangotedo, Lekki, Ajah; Chinkem Pharmaceutical Ltd., Sangotedo, Lekki, Ajah; Shade Chemist, 2, David Oladapo Street, Ajah; Big Friend Merchant Store, Sangotedo Ajah; and Kike Medicine Stores, Oke-Imole Street, Sangotedo, Ajah.

Ejigbo three: Witness’ absence stalls suspects’ trial

T

RIAL of 10 persons accused of abusing three women in Ejigbo, Lagos, two years ago, was stalled yesterday because of the absence of a witness.

Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of the Ikeja High Court was told that the prosecution witness (PW) was held up in traffic by a downpour.

Prosecuting state counsel Bola Akinsete said the witness left Port Novo, Republic of Benin for Lagos but could not make it to court because of the “heavy rainfall”.

She said the witness would arrive in Lagos yesterday and would be accommodated.

The prosecutor prayed Justice Ipaye to adjourn the matter till today, saying the witness would be in court to testify.

Responding, Olukoyede

By Adebisi Onanuga

Ademiluyi, holding the brief of Tunji Busari, counsel to the second and third defendants, did not oppose the request, but pointed out that the prosecution should have taken steps to ensure that the witness was in court.

“This is a case that must be tried expeditiously and not one to beý dragged”, he said noting that it was the second time the prosecution was asking for adjournment since the trial started in March.

Citing the Evidence Act, he said: “Where the prosecution is unprepared or a witness is unprepared to make himself available, the court can discountenance such a witness and proceed with other witnesses”.

Ademiluyi urged the court to go

on with other witnesses pointing out that it appeared the prosecution was not ready to go oný with the matter.

Lagos State preferred charges against Ahmed Adisa , Isiaka Waidi, Saheed Adisa, Lateef Tijani, Oloruntoyin Dauda, Adekunle Adenuga, Azeez Akinosun, Jimoh Busari, Buhari Yusuf, and Abdullahi Harun a for their involvement in the torture and molestation of Mrs Ajoke Agomo and her daughters.

They are accused of conspiracy, attempted murder, sexual assault, malicious administering of poison, obtaining money by false pretences and deprivation of liberty.

Justice Ipaye adjourned the matter till today and tomorrow.

ID anyone send thugs to attack people and damage shops on a disputed land at Agunfoye Idiorogbo Village in Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos, on July 2 and 3?

Nobody did, a Lagos High Court, Ikorodu Division, was told yesterday.

Speaking before Justice M.A. Savage, the defendants and judgment creditors, including some representatives of the Adeyoruwa family of Agunfoye, Idiorogbo Igbogbo, alleged through their lawyer that the respondents sent heavily armed thugs to the land in defence of a court injunction.

They claimed that six of the thugs were arrested by the police at Igbogbo Division on July 2 and 3,but were released on the orders of an Assistant Commissioner of

By Robert Egbe

Police.

But, respondents counsel Olatunji Oshikoya denied the allegations, saying the land belongs to his clients.

Providing pictures to back up his argument, he said no shop of the claimant was destroyed, adding that those arrested were not party to the proceedings. He urged the court to discountenance the allegations.

In his ruling, Justice Savage said: “All allegations by the judgment creditor have been denied. The court’s orders must be obeyed.” He said his orders on the matter subsist, urging the counsels to advice their clients to obey court orders or face the consequences.

The case was adjourned till October 20.

Ensure proper refuse disposal, residents told

M

USHIN Local Government Executive Secretary, Jide Bello has appealed to residents of his area to stop indiscriminate refuse dumping.

Speaking during the tree planting exercise in Mushin, he said virtually all the roads constructed by the state and local governments were being damaged by flood because of the refuse blocked the drainage channels. “The refuse were generated by few disgruntled individuals, larger number of people suffers when the roads are bad. The rain water could easily enter the drainage channels if the refuse had not blocked the drains.

There must be attitudinal changes by the residents. The slogan of our party,” he said.

Bello went on: “Tree planting has become a yearly programme of the state, the trees we planted last year and years before are being nurtured to maturity, families, schools , churches, mosques, markets, as-

sociations, clubs , streets and others must cultivate the idea of planting trees.

“The trees are beneficial to human existence. No individual or group of people must cut any tree without government approval.

Rams, cattles, goats etc must not be allowed to eat leaves from these trees; the owners of such animals will be prosecuted.”

He urged landlords to leave enough space for car park, trees and others within their compounds adding that illegal parking of cars, trucks on major roads should become a thing of the past.

In attendance were representative of Lagos State Governor Mrs Adefunmilayo Tejuoso, a director in the Ministry of the Environment, Bade Adebowale, an engineer, the Onitire of Itire land, Oba Lateef Dauda, Area Commander Area ‘D’ Command Mr MD Garba, CDC chairman Alhaji Rasheed Agbolade, Chief Imam Mushin Central Mosque Alhaji Sulaimon Olanijo.

Then we made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot we made a (foetus) lump; then we made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then we developed out of it another creature. So blessed be God, the best to create!

Qur’an 23 vs 14 Sponsored by ALHAJI KHAMIS OLATUNDE BADMUS Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland

11

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Ambode warns against indiscriminate tree felling

•Ambode planting a seedling to mark the 2015 Tree planting campaign...yesterday PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

•Promasidor Nig. Ltd Managing Director Mr Olivier Thiry and Representative of Lagos State Governor Mrs Adetola Onisarotu, at the 2015 Tree Planting Day at the company’s Isolo, Lagos headquarters... yesterday.

PHOTO:MUYIWA HASSAN

L

AGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday warned residents against indiscriminate felling of trees. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to preservation of the environment and mitigation of global warming via tree planting.

Flagging-off the 2015 tree planting campaign, the 8th in the series, at the Technical College in Ikotun, Ambode said this year’s theme: “Tree, The Lungs of The Earth” was apt as it clearly underscored the importance of the exercise in sustaining human life through air purification.

He said tree planting remained the cheapest and simplest option for tackling climate change challenge and its effect on lives. Statistics and projections about the impact of climate change on the earth planet, particularly the gradual depletion of the rainforest, reinforced the need for all hands to be on deck, Ambode said.

The governor enjoined the public to embrace tree planting as a way of life in order to restore the dignity of the earth, saying for every tree that must be removed, at

•Somolu Local Government Executive Secretary Abiodun Orekoya planting a tree...yesterday.

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro, Emmanuel Udodinma and Ibrahim Adam

least five must be planted.

He hailed Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) for its advocacy that has resulted in the planting of about 5.9 million trees and the creation of over 96,000 jobs for artisans and professionals.

“Today, let me reaffirm this administration`s commitment to preservation of the environment, mitigation of global warming and its attendant climate change through the annual tree planting exercise. We will not relent, we will continue in our effort. I will now flagoff the exercise that would take place simultaneously in 180 locations across the state.

Tree planting exercise remains the cheapest and simplest option and strategies to tackle the challenge, hence our resolve not to relent in this exercise”, the governor said.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Environment, Permanent Secretary Hakeem Ogunbambi an engineer, said the 2015 tree planting exercise is a worthy step to stem the tide of environmental degradation and inordinate exploitation of

earth’s resources.

He said the gathering was unique because it was the first of its kind by the Ambode administration.

Ogunbambi said the exercise was taking place simultaneously in all the 20 Local Government Areas (LGA) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) with six areas designated as ceremonial sites across the state.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of award plagues to outstanding students, teachers, individuals and corporate organisations who participated in the ‘Me and My Tree’ programme.

Oriade Local Council Development Area Executive Secretary Bola BadmusOlujobi urged residents to embrace tree planting as a panacea for climate problems.

The council chief, who gave the change at Learing Field School on Assembly Road during the yearly Lagos Tree Planting, urged residents to take the exercise seriously to complement Ambode’s efforts in tackling flood and climate change.

Olujobi urged residents to join hands with her administration and the state government in making Oriade LCDA a tree- friendly council area.

12

THE NATION WEDNESDAY JULY 15, 2015

THE NATION WEDNESDAY JULY 15, 2015

13

14

THE NATION WEDNESDAY JULY 15, 2015

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015 T

Life

15

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Text only: 08023058761 and 08112662687

Blackman returns with Beautiful Nubia

– PAGE 47

??????

‘Here was my father, my best friend’

– PAGE 48

– PAGE 18

•Dr Ayakoroma

Ogun to immortalise Fela, Ogunde others

– PAGE 50

PHOTO: EVELYN OSAGIE

‘My regrets as a theatre artiste’ SEE STORY ON PAGE 16

16

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

He was scolded for choosing to study Theatre Arts. The tides soon turned and the profession earned him fame and glory.

He not only became a celebrity in his days, but a culture ambassador and former Executive Director of Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture. With over 30 years’ experience in the entertainment industry, Dr Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma has remained true to his calling and an inspiration to many in the industry. Now the Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Ayakoroma is promoting a fusion of culture, theatre and the film industry, christened Nollywood, for cultural development and national diplomacy. He speaks with EVELYN OSAGIE.

‘My regrets as a theatre artiste’ Theatre practice vis-à-vis the Nollywood experience

P

ROFESSIONAL Theatre practice is not what we used to know in those days. For now, the theatre profession is in a flux. The way forward is for professionals to really go in and practise what they were trained for.

After my youths service in 1984, I freelanced at the National Theatre in Anansa Playhouse by the late Bassey Effiong. I was his Assistant Director then. I later worked with Prof J.P. Clark -Bekederemo in his PEC Repertory Theatre in 1985. Unfortunately, all those theatres are no more. But, we are happy that we have young men with great prospects of going to the next level, like Patrick-Jude Oteh who runs the Jos Repertory Theatre that has survived for more than 10 years.

Theatre productions are very expensive.

Maybe why we are not getting it right is because we have not got the money to do the kind of production that would attract the kind of large audience that we want. The redeeming thing is that Nollywood is thriving. It provides a platform for young Nigerians to ply their trade. Unfortunately, theatre artistes have been bystanders, watching, thereby, giving room for people who do not have the requisite training to take over the industry. But I am glad the awareness is there now that theatre artistes should take the bulls by the horn and ensure the profession thrives.

The industry’s teething challenges Some name insecurity and lack of funding as challenges, it is possible for us to cultivate our own theatre audience no matter the environment we find ourselves. It is also possible for us to do productions and get people to look forward to watching our plays - everything boils down to packaging. I’d often point at the example of the cinema culture. The cinema tradition that was once dead is now resuscitated

by Silverbird Galleria. Now, there are others; and every weekend, the cinemas are full of people. If cinemas are thriving in this same in security environment, it means the ball is in our court. If we package good shows, people would come and watch. Another example for theatre professionals to borrow from is that of the stand comedy. Don’t people go to watch Ali Baba, AY Live, Basket Mouth and so on. If these sectors in the entertainment industry are thriving, why can’t theatre?

Others may complain about venues. I don’t think that is an excuse. There are various venues that can be used for presentations. The local government councils have halls that can be used. In those days at Anasa Playhouse, we used to hold schools’ drama. We produced plays, such as Ola Rotimi’s The Gods Are Not to Blame and hold day-time performances in various secondary schools. And even if professional theatre practice is not thriving outside, the university can perform plays every month because they have a ready audience. Also, most arts councils have halls like that of the Kwara State Council for Arts and Culture; so it is possible for the councils to cultivate theatre audience. In Rivers State Arts Council, where I once worked, we used to have productions every month end. When I left for Bayelsa State, we attempted to do that but realised people wanted something free.

My journey in to the world of the Theatre From my childhood days, I’ve had this

•Dr Ayakoroma (first right) with other theatre icons: Prof Ahmed Yerima, Prof Olu Obafemi, Prof Osofisan.

BARCLAYS Foubiri Ayakoroma attended L.A. School and St. Enda’s College (now Agbarho Grammar School) all in Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State. He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Calabar, Cross River State, graduating with a second class honours (upper) division.

This was followed with a Masters from the University of Ibadan, and a Doctorate from the University of Port Harcourt, also in Theatre Arts. His area of specialisation is Directing/Film Studies.

Ayakoroma had a stint at Prof. J. P. ClarkBekederemo’s PEC Repertory Theatre, Lagos in 1985 before moving over to the Rivers State Television (RSTV Channel 22 UHF), Port Harcourt, Rivers State (1986-1992), where he held various positions, such as Operations Supervisor, Head of Programmes, and Head of News and Current Affairs. He has written, acted in, and directed many plays on stage and TV. He is the author of Dance on his Grave, A Matter of Honour, A Chance to Survive & other plays, Castles in the Air, Once Upon a Dream, and A Scar for Life. His other works include, Stran-

INTERVIEW love for drama. I’ve had that dramatic flair in me right from my primary school days. I used to perform in concerts and school’s drama sketches. I remember acting as one of the witches in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth in secondary school. After my secondary school’s education, I went to Lagos and was working in P & T (Post and Telegraph). Then I used to go to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) to be part of some live programmes. That was where I encountered people like Comish Ekiye (Chief Odunuga), Melville Obriango (Teacher Ogene), who were part of the cast for The Village Headmaster of old, and from Bayelsa. I felt proud that they were from my place; and I wanted be like them and appear on TV for people to watch me too. That was the deciding point for me. But at first, I had wanted to study Business Administration, Accounting or Law, that contact with television changed my mind.

When I made up my mind, I was told the only way I could do that was to study Theatre Arts. I didn’t know what ‘theatre’ meant at the time, but I filled in Theatre Arts in JAMB form anyway, wrote the examination and was eventually admitted to study the course in the University of Calabar

BIODATA gers in the Land, The Chief Engineer, A Night Out, One Wife Two Husbands, and The Odi Saga. His screenplays include, Master in the House, Castles in the Air, Hidden Agenda, No Hiding Place, Ikemefuna, and From Grace to Grass.

Ayakoroma, until recently, a Lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, was a Consultant with the Living Earth Nigeria Foundation (LENF), where he pioneered the Bayelsa Community Theatre Programme. His collaboration with Arikpo Arikpo, formerly of LENF, produced three collections of plays: All for a Canoe & other plays, The Golden Goose & other plays and Our Forest, Our Future & other plays.

He was appointed the Executive Director of the Bayelsa State Council for Arts & Culture in August 2000.

Ayakoroma was the leader of the Bayelsa State delegation when the Egbelegbele Cultural Troupe of Amassoma participated in the 2002 edition of the International Children’s Festival of Culture & Art in Tianjin, China. The troupe also had performance engagements in (UNICAL).

My dilemma at the choice of study When I got admission, an uncle first congratulated me and later scolded me on my choice. That made me wonder then if I had made the right decision. That question crossed my mind again after I graduated, when one year after graduating, I had no job. My anxiety was heighten by the constant scolding by my uncle: anytime I went to see him, he’d say: ‘You see, I told you to go and study courses like Law and Accounting; and you said you wanted to study Theatre Arts. Now, see how you are suffering’. And each time, I’d have no answer to give him. I remember advising my young sister who had dropped out of school after being pregnant, to return to school. And she replied: ‘Is it the school you went and can’t even find a job that you want me to go back to. What kind of school is that?’ Of course, I couldn’t find words with which to reply her, because I wasn’t a good role model to her at the time – there I was without any job a year after leaving the university. But, soon things changed through Rowland Henshaw, a producer at Nigeria Television Authority (NTA). We did a drama series called the Fault is not in our Stars by the

PHOTO: EVELYN OSAGIE

Beijing and Yanbian before returning home.

He had also led the Bayelsa State Troupe in performance tours to London, Paris, and Algiers.

Ayakoroma is a member of many professional bodies, which include the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Society of Nigerian Theatre Artists (SONTA), Institute of Corporate Administrators of Nigeria (ICA), Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), and Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), among others. One of his plays, The Rejected Ones, in A Chance to Survive & other plays, took the second prize in the 2003 edition of the ANA organised NDDC/J. P. Clark Prize for Drama.

Ayakoroma was appointed the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Abuja, on November 3, 2009, and has positively changed the fortunes of the Institute. He is a member of the Governing Board, National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Visiting Senior Lecturer, Department of Theatre & Cultural Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State. late Effiong. At that time, there were not many TV dramas; and so they kept repeating the episodes. Before I knew it, I had become a star. And by the time I went back to that my uncle’s place, women and children were hailing me on the streets, saying ‘See that brother wey dey appear for television’. They followed me and gathered at his compound. While I entered people were asking him of me and he kept telling them, ‘he is my sister’s son; he studied Theatre Arts’. Before I went to study Theatre Arts, he used to offer me Coca Cola drink, but it stopped when he got to know what I was studying. And by time he saw how people were admiring me, instead of Coke, I was promoted to Maltina!

My experience over 30 years after It was not easy; but I am happy I study Theatre Arts. I have no regrets studying Theatre Arts because it is that decision that has made me the director of Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture. It is this theatre profession that lifted me to Abuja to become the Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), . It is this same theatre that makes me visit Nassarawa State University regularly •Continued on Page 17

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

17

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

T

HE United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is determined to encourage and increase participation in government via its innovative SMS-based platform known as U-Report.

With U-Report, UNICEF seeks to empower Nigerians to participate and engage in policy-making and governance. In addition, Nigerians would be able to access real time information on key social issues, it has said.

To increase access to social change-related information and provide opportunities for participation while pushing forward UReport, UNICEF has gone into a partnership agreement with Airtel Nigeria, a leading telecommunications services provider with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa.

The agreement allows UNICEF to tap into Airtel’s mobile services to make health, education, child protection and communityfocused content available to Airtel customers across the country. Through improved connectivity, more Nigerians will have free access to mobile applications and services developed by UNICEF, such as U-Report.

The deal, according to UNICEF, will expand their collaboration across all 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The platform, which was launched officially in Nigeria on April 29, this year, has over 400,000 registered users, making Nigeria the leading U-Report platform globally, among 16 countries that are running the same application.

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, said the company is committed to empowering Nigerians and is keen on supporting programmes that will enrich the lives of its various stakeholders.

He said: “At Airtel Nigeria, we constantly look for opportunities to excite, delight and empower our customers. This innovative partnership with UNICEF offers Nigerians a golden opportunity to transform the country and we are glad to be part of the UReport project.”

UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Jean Gough, said: “UNICEF is committed to providing innovative solutions towards better delivery of services and social change.

This partnership with Airtel has the potential to empower millions of Nigerians through access to information and with opportunities to help them transform their societies.”

About 15 million text messages were sent and received through the U-Report platform while the country battled Ebola last year ahead of the official U-Report launch this

•

• Airtel Nigeria CEO, Ogunsanya and UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Gough signing the MoU

UNICEF seeks participation in govt via U-Report

By Evelyn Osagie

ADVOCACY year. The awareness messages and real time responses via SMS and on the U-Report Social Media platforms sent out during the Ebola outbreak were able to combat rumours about mythical remedies such as bathing with hot water and salt and taking bitter kola to cure the disease. U-Report participants were informed about how to identify the disease, and how to keep safe.

‘My regrets as a theatre artiste’ •Continued from Page 16

where I am an Associate Professor. And I don’t see those who went to university and study something else same time as I did as better off.

From after I featured in that TV drama, things started working out. I later joined Puppet Playhouse. But because people kept telling me I needed a regular job; that I won’t always have money, I went to work in Rivers State Television. And when some of us were not comfortable with the political environment under which we found ourselves then, I left Rivers State Television (RSTV Channel 22 UHF) in (1986 to 1992) for the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) – the academic provided ready shelter for us.

Precisely on November 10, 1992, I left for UNIPORT to teach and have been teaching since then. I have eight published plays, 12 co-authored plays and many unpublished plays. I have also published works on Theatre Management; my recent work is Trends in Nollywood.

My days as Director of Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture During my time with the Bayelsa State government, we were fortunate because we had the support of the state. I served under former governors: Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Governor Timipere Sylva. They all gave me their support during their tenures. In fact, I was challenged by Sylva to write a play in my next set of plays to be published. And I’d say I had the best of environment to express my talents. That also explains why today Bayelsa State has the best Cultural Centre –built under my watch that hosts AMAA Awards yearly. I came in and saw the skeleton and made recommendation and things were done.

Plays political class watch It wasn’t in their place to decide what plays we’d presented. As the Executive Director, it was left for me to look at the occasion and chose a play. Every leader wants to relax and enjoy himself. The type of plays government officials watch depends how well-package they are. If you have good and well-packaged plays, people will want to read and watch them.

Alamieyeseigha once implored me that he’d often go from home to office and back, saying: ‘To help me relax the only thing you can do for me is to have productions’. So, whether it is tragedy or comedy once the productions are well-done, they’d watch and enjoy them, no matter who they are. I’ll say the bulk stops at the table of the playwrights. The onus is on playwrights to write good plays and theatre professionals to stage quality production.

At the council, we used to stage a production during major national holidays, such as Arm Forces Remembrance Day and Independence • Day. My play, Castle in the Air, an adaptation of East African play that was recently staged by the Jos Repertory Theatre, was inspired by the fact that we needed to show a play that highlights the north-south dichotomy during a certain Independence Day celebration.

I remember staging Pepper Soup, a play by Elechi Amadi, a retired army officer, during the Arm Forces Remembrance Day in January, 2001; and Alamieyeseigha rewarded us with N660, 000 an amount which was later shared among the 66-cast. He also directed that the guest-artistes be given automatic employment.

Later that same year, when we staged Dance on his Grave, he was so impressed that he hosted the persons that acted king and queen to lunch at government House. I remember they were

U-Report Nigeria has sent out more than 70 polls and 25 million messages over the past year on topics such as prevention of HIV/AIDS, unemployment, maternal and child health, safety and security in schools, child protection, electricity, water and sanitation and hygiene.

UNICEF strongly believes that through U-Report, communities can improve their standard of living and significantly contribute to transparency and accountability in the management of public affairs, which is key to the development of

Nigeria.

The support provided by AIRTEL has enabled U-Report to grow into a vibrant tool to empower Nigerians. UNICEF looks forward to continued collaboration and expansion, striving to achieve its target of 1 million U-Reporters by the end of this year.

To become a U-Reporter in Nigeria, text the word ‘JOIN’ to 24453, it said. It was free.

To access U-Report information, see http:// www.nigeria.ureport.in via a mapping infographic interface, the website shows UReporter responses across Nigeria to more than 50 questions over the past one year, according to UNICEF. “Poll questions on a wide range of development topics continue to be asked to U-Reporters every week, providing a deep source of real-time information on the views and opinions of Nigerians@, UNICEF stated.

overjoyed because that was their first time they were hosted. They were later given N50, 000 each and automatic promotion.

My inspiration The need to contribute to knowledge is what inspires me. For instance, my latest work on Nollywood was inspired by the need to contribute to that area of study. I realised that there were not many authoritative works on the subject. With the publication, people can now read and learn things they didn’t know about the industry.

Promoting culture through film industry Nollywood is critical as far as Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy is concerned. On the list of Nigeria’s cultural ambassadors, Nollywood is next in line to football. Outside the shores of country, many, with African descent, may not know the name of Nigeria’s president but once you say you from here, they’d ask about Nollywood celebrities and certain places they’d seen on movies.

Knowing its importance to cultural development and national diplomacy, we, at NICO, have hinged this year’s edition of SONTA, which would be held in Abuja next month, on the essence of Nollywood with a mind of attracting interests support and collaborations of the industry key-players. Hence, the theme is Repositioning Nollywood for the Promotion of Nigeria's Cultural Diplomacy and National Security.

Promoting culture, indigenous languages The challenge, in harnessing these diverse cultures, is having to contend with over 500 languages and over 250 ethnic groups is no small task. But then, we can only move at the pace at which we can move. Funding is a ma-

•Dr Ayakoroma

jor issue. I have since realised that the performance of any government office is very much dependent on the leverage given to it by government: if the government does not fund a sector, there is no way it can perform very well.

On the promotion of indigenous languages, we insist that all trainees at the NICO Training School must compulsorily offer a Nigerian indigenous language other than their own.

If the institutions of higher learning will adopt such as part of general studies where students can learn the languages of their immediate environments, it would reduce communication gaps in local communities. I remember while studying in Calabar, Cross River one of us learnt the language the wrong way and got some slaps when instead of asking for food from a caterer, he asked for something else. I am happy that former president Goodluck Jonathan, as an academic, restored history to the secondary school’s curriculum because it is very essential that our children are taught the history of the land.

18

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Call it a big swoop or a bumper harvest of stars and you are right. Telecoms giant Globacom has raised the bar as the nation’s network of stars, with its endorsement of no fewer than 29 leading artistes as brand ambassadors, Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.

How Glo turned leading the pack into an art

“G

LOBACOM is huge in my industry and I see the evidence of the company’s commitment to improving the industry and the lives of its practitioners everywhere I turn. To be honest, it’s been a dream to have a working relationship with the Glo brand. An opportunity to turn this dream to reality came, and I took it.”

That testimonial by Nigeria’s musical star, Wizkid (Ayodeji Balogun) confirms the strong belief among leading artistes in Glo’s massive support for the creative industry and why they found solace with the telecom giant.

Wizkid, one of the biggest signings this year, was formerly with MTN. He jettisoned MTN and signed for Globacom. According to a statement he issued titled: Why I signed with Glo, Wizkid said Globacom is a brand he had admired for a very long time considering its strong persona and its very massive impact and image in the entertainment industry in Nigeria.

He added that it’s an incredible blessing to be sought after by arguably Nigeria’s two most powerful brands at the same time. “My decision to go with Globacom this time is not an act of spite against MTN. I simply seized an opportunity to move from Yellow land to greener pastures. God bless,” he said.

•Some of the ambassadors

BRAND With these record breaking endorsements, Glo has stepped up its support for the arts and has thus attained the largest portfolio of brand ambassadors by any company in Nigeria. Interestingly, Glo’s massive support

Creative workshop for Asaba

Tribute to Tinubu

I

DO not admire Tinubu because he is a saint.

I do not admire Tinubu because he is from the south.

I do not admire Tinubu because he is a Yoruba.

If I want saints, I will proceed to heaven not on earth. Every human is fallible.

I admire Tinubu because he saved Nigeria from the danger of falling into “one party state”. He has nurtured many renowned National successors.

He listened to the voice of the masses to surrender his personal ambition at the most critical moment.

He strategically terminated the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) 60 year’s life spam in 16 years.

The robust critic and critique we are enjoying today is because Tinubu aligned himself to the masses to return the power to them.

Tinubu has the option of joining the PDP elites to hold us hostage for another decade but he gave his all to the masses to dethrone the elites.

Political juveniles believed that APC won because of the votes from the North.

No!!! APC victory was cemented the day PMB and Asiwaju resolved to work together.

Asiwaju and PMB almost became a Nomadic by visiting every human that can help midwife Nigeria salvation.

Those Nomadic Almajiri walk later brought salvation to us.

God willing, PMB is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Anybody, any cabal, any Viju milk activist, attempting to humiliate Asiwaju must have me to contend with.

An average PDP man is sad with Asiwaju because he brought them to their knee.

If anyone thinks that bringing down Asiwaju is his project, that mission will not only crash but it will boomerang.

Don’t tell me he is overbearing, your “underbearing” mentors were nowhere to be found when this country was lying

for the creative industry spanned themed concerts, reality TV competitions, events promotions and campus tours, which have over the years impacted the creative industry to becoming an economic hub for income generation.

The new ambassadors are nine, while 20 have been with the company for some time.

The ambassadors include Sani Danja, Sammie Okposo, Ego Ogbaro, Peter & Paul Okoye (P-Square), Bright Okpocha (Basketmouth), Funke Akindele, Ini Edo, Ime Bishop Umoh, John Okafor (Mr Ibu), Helen Paul, Chiwetalu Agu and Wande Coal. Others are D’banj, Omawumi Megbele, Bezhiwa Idakula (Bez), Chinedu Okoli (Flavour), Jude Abaga (M.I), Damini Ogolu (Burna Boy), Bimbo Oloyede, Bovi Ugboma, Ayodeji Makun (AY), Patience Ozokwo (MamG), Odunlade Adekola, OC Ukeje, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, Hadizah Blell (Di’ja) and Ayodeji Balogun (Wizkid).

The mega deal is another major statement about Glo’s commitment to the growth of entertainment industry. Globacom has been consistent in supporting the industry. Apart from supporting through endorsement deals, Globacom avails the industry of its massive infrastructure to facilitate distribution of practitioners’ works. It is estimated that mobile operator including Globacom has generated millions of Naira for artistes by helping them to sell their music as ringtones. Through this deal, Globacom is ploughing hundreds of millions of naira into the entertainment industry. No doubt, the network provider has been able to turn the lives of many entertainment stars around. It is such a deal as this that some up and coming stars need to blossom into mega stars.

Bez, for instance, has metamorphosed into a huge star since he was signed up by Globacom several years ago. Glo is also developing different segments of the entertainment industry as the ambassadors are drawn from Nollywood, music, comedy and broadcasting.

It has also launched a world-class online entertainment portal for the enjoyment of its teeming subscribers across the country which would also help to expose ambassadors to a larger audience.

A

•Asiwaju Tinubu From Okeke Godwin Iyke

TRIBUTE critically at the intensive care of the universe.

Recall my first line, Asiwaju is not a saint. Stop demonising what you admire out of envy. Even your mentors admire him.

He owns Lagos! I hear you! Ask your grand father and parents how they acquired your so called “familyland”. Is it God that allocated it to them?

You are terrorising your neighbours and village with your kpof-kpof kobo yet you criticise a man that is naturally addicted to technocrats irrespective of their tribe or Religion.

Hmmmmm. I don talk am ooo, Asiwaju is not a political office holder ooo. Please let him be.

He is evil, I agree, but we need more of him than your saintly specie.

Dear Asiwaju, Good Morning!

The gentle stride of a tiger is not a symbol of cowardice.

SIX-DAY hands-on creative art workshop on turning waste to wealth will open on Thursday, July 23 till 28 at The Marble Hill School, Asaba the Delta State capital.

It is opened to primary and secondary school pupils in Asaba.The aim of the facilitators is to champion the promotion of the arts at the grass-roots and basic levels of education, bolstering the arts across the grade school curriculum.

The workshop will be led by the convener Philips Nzekwe an Asaba-based sculptor and arts teacher at the yearlyAgbara Ottor Harmattan Workshop with fellow artist and painter Juliet Ezenwa Maja-Pearce and supported by other artists and teachers. MajaPearce is a veteran workshop facilitator on converting waste to wealth and recycling of disposable materials. The workshop will cater for no fewer than 50 pupils for the four days.

According to Nzekwe a lot has gone wrong with urbanisation without consideration for preservation due to lack of visual literacy. He said promoting healthy living and going–green is the primary aim of this workshop. “Psychological effects of livinggreen together with creative engagements we hope will result in youth restiveness and peaceful coexistence,” he noted.

The participants will acquire skills which will enable them become self-employed individuals and entrepreneurs. The workshop activities are designed to engage the community through close interactive participation of parents, children, community leaders and youths.

According to Nzekwe the recycle themes will focus on using easily found materials to create objects of beauty. “We are careful to align our activities with •Artists at a workshop

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

WORKSHOP the present school curriculum so that it is easy for the participants to relate art to other areas of human endeavours. Therefore we are using art as a tool for socio- development,” he added.

The sole sponsor of the programme Mrs H.I. Odume, a former director of education in Delta State and an art enthusiast said: “effective learning can only occur if all domains of human knowledge which include the cognitive, affective and the psycho-moto are fully harnessed. The objective of this workshop is in line with the vision of the Marble Hill School, Asaba.”

The venue for the workshop was made available by Mrs Odume because she believes that students should be thoroughly furnished and equipped for nation building. “The main challenge faced by this project is lack of government support...This programme will probably fair better if we get support or collaboration from the state government,” she said, noting that the absence of an art gallery in Asaba has impeded the aesthetic development of the students in the vicinity.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

19

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

The menace of bullion vans

Overdue

• Firing of Service Chiefs, NSA too late in coming

P

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari’s removal of the Service Chiefs and the National Security Adviser (NSA) on Monday must have come as sweet music in the ears of many Nigerians. Left to the average Nigerian, the military officers ought not to have lasted a day in office beyond May 29 when President Buhari was sworn in. Those sacked are: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Air Vice 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).

They were replaced with Major-General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin (CDS), Major-General T.Y. Buratai (COAS), Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (CNS), Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan, Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI) and retired major-General Babagana Monguno (NSA).

It is heart-warming that President Buhari did the needful on the former military chiefs at last. Of course Nigerians who had been clamouring for their removal have genuine cause to so do. Like most of our national institutions, the military had become a shadow of what it was years back. One of the most prominent of its problems was its blatant politicisation by politicians of the erstwhile ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) who used the military’s monopoly of coercive force to unlawfully affect electoral outcomes.

Soldiers were used to protect electionriggers, harass and intimidate political opponents, and empower favoured candidates, especially during the last governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.

It is a surprise that Lt.-Gen. Minimah chose not to investigate the outrageous perversion of military values in spite of its very disturbing implications for the polity, until his sack on Monday.

But it is not enough to sack public officials; they must be made to account for their stewardship. The military, especially in the last four years, enjoyed robust budgetary allocations. In fiscal 2012, 2013 and 2014, defence got N921 billion, N1.055 trillion and N968.127 billion, respectively, yet much of the anti-insurgency campaign has been characterised by widespread complaints by soldiers about poor pay and the lack of arms, ammunition and equipment. In encounter after encounter, the military was forced to retreat by apparently better-armed Boko Haram insurgents.

In March this year, some soldiers protested the failure of the Federal Government to pay their wages in full. Instead of the promised N150,000 per month for anti-insurgency troops, they were allegedly paid only N30,000 per month. Soldiers returning from peace-keeping operations abroad have protested the unauthorised reduction or non-payment of their entitlements, only to be arrested and court-martialed for their troubles.

Members of the Ex-servicemen Welfare Association regularly protest the non-payment of their pension arrears. Nigerians are interested in how the defence budgets were spent.

Rather than comprehensively investigate the financial anomalies which were causing so many heart-breaking battlefield reversals, the military hierarchy focused solely on court-martialing soldiers.

Over 500 military personnel have faced charges of insubordination, cowardice and mutiny, and have been sentenced to

varying terms of imprisonment. Some have received the death penalty.

Ironically, the military surge which began in February has shown that a properly-equipped and motivated armed forces is more than a match for Boko Haram. Clearly, issues of pay, equipment and competent leadership are far more important to success as opposed to the isolated emphasis on discipline.

The new military helmsmen must address the deep-rooted problems that have persistently weakened morale, crippled effectiveness and consequently engendered fear in the face of the enemy. They should revisit the recent military trials and punishments. If the army is to come to equity, it must do so with clean hands. It makes no sense to arraign soldiers for acts of indiscipline and cowardice while doing nothing about partisan manipulation of the military and rampant corruption within the military hierarchy.

Above all, the new military chiefs must ensure that Boko Haram is defeated as soon as possible. And that can only be done if the military shreds its political toga for its core professional role. Time is of the essence.

‘It is heart-warming that President Buhari did the needful on the former military chiefs at last. Of course Nigerians who had been clamouring for their removal have genuine cause to so do.

Like most of our national institutions, the military had become a shadow of what it was years back’

How not to spend forex •A monetary regime that grants pilgrims forex concessions, but denies the productive sector a similar privilege, reeks of wrong priorities

A

PRODUCTION concern, in urgent need to import raw materials, approached the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for foreign exchange (forex) at the official exchange rate of N198.95/US $1. The apex bank balked. It said the company should source its forex from the parallel market. As at July 14, that rate was N241/US $1.

But a week or two later, John KennedyOpara and his Christian Pilgrims Commission (CPC) breezed into the Aso Villa.

Without much ado, Mr. Kennedy-Opara breezed out to announce the good news to the faithful: the government had graciously pegged forex, for the next round of Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem, at N160 to US $1!

Moral: the Nigerian government would rather subsidise the forex needs of leisurely pilgrims than aid distressed play-

‘The Buhari Presidency should depart from the old wasteful ways, rescind this N160 a dollar concession just granted Christian pilgrims and make every pilgrim, Christian or Muslim, to buy his or her forex in the open market’

ers in the productive sector.

It is a classic case of placing faith over work, in the priority of the state. For a country still grappling with economic basics, and in these times of acute economic angst, it certainly leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.

Indeed, from the numbers, the conclusion is very depressing. For offering pilgrims a special rate of N160 per dollar, the government is subsidising each pilgrim to the tune of N38.95 on every dollar. If the pilgrims were to buy from the parallel market, at N241 per dollar, the subsidy would have been a whopping N81 per dollar!

But shorn of the religious veneer, these Nigerian pilgrims are only splashing scarce forex, sorely needed at home, in a foreign economy. That boosts their host economy, but further worsens the distress at home.

In contrast, that productive concern, which CBN left to its fate, eventually sourced forex for N230 a dollar, N32.05 above the official rate. If it had tarried for lack of cash, it would have paid higher; for, as at yesterday, the naira parity had sunk further to N241. So, the company would have been N44.05 in the hole for every dollar it bought.

In the face of the present harsh economic realities, how does such a company stay competitive and be in a position to keep its staff and pay their salaries? Failure at both fuels further poverty and joblessness

— and the culprit would have been a government that doesn’t seem to get its priorities right.

Now, before we are misconstrued: Nigeria is officially a secular state; with no court religion. But Nigerians are religious and expressively so. Therefore, there is nothing wrong for the Nigerian state to be sensitive to the religious wellness of its citizens: Christian, Muslim, traditional religions. As a general principle, we welcome whatever the state can do to make religious practice more comfortable; and whatever consular services Nigeria can put in place to aid religious pilgrims.

But to, in this season of economic anomie, waste scarce forex on the luxury needs of a comparative few, when the cash is sorely needed for the basic economic survival of the teeming majority, is absolutely unacceptable.

Pilgrimage for Christians is doctrinally not mandatory. Even in Islam where it is, it is subject to affordability. So, every pilgrim, Christian or Muslim, strays into the selfactualisation zone; which suggests each can pay his or her way. So, the government should let them pay; and stop sucking scarce forex into a comparatively non-essential venture.

That is why the Buhari Presidency should depart from the old wasteful ways, rescind this N160 a dollar concession just granted Christian pilgrims and make every pilgrim, Christian or Muslim, to buy his or her forex in the open market.

S

IR: Gone are the days when financial institutions transfer hard currencies from one institution to another almost unnoticed, the seemingly inexorable rise in crime over the years and the fear of the uncertainty has made financial institutions to adopt stringent security measures in the transfer of large sums of money from one location to another. And one of such measures is the use of bullion vans with retinue of police escorts.

In more organized climes, cashless policies have made transactions very easy and convenient, all transactions and purchases are made through the use of credit cards, cheques and direct transfers from one account to another.

This has greatly limited the flow of currencies from one location to another in such climes but here in Nigeria, the reverse is the case. The nature of our economy and other factors has made cashless policy an impossible a task.

There’s hardly a day in a week that will pass by without the wails of sirens of bullion vans and their retinue of escorts transporting cash from one location to another. One won’t be concerned if such movements are done in an orderly way. But the way they ply the roads with their over bloated escorts makes one wonder if we are in a siege. On the road, they harass and intimidate other motorists who in most cases, not their fault in the obstruction of their convoys.

They don’t obey traffic lights neither do they exercise patience in traffic gridlock, they must find their way out. If it’s possible to ride on people’s cars to get to their destinations, these security escorts wouldn’t mind, they don’t care about the pains they subject motorists and other road users to. On daily basis they exhibit their lawlessness on our roads through the firing of gun shots into the air to scare motorists, at other times they use sticks to hit on cars they think are obstructing traffic or use their whips on such drivers. Road users are not left out too. Most times in trying to avoid those convoys, motorists end up involving themselves in serious accidents.

From Owerri to Asaba, Oshodi to Otukpo and Potiskum, the story remains the same across the federation.

A bullion van attached to about three or four trucks filled with stern looking armed police men cannot obey traffic rules and you wonder why the hurry with all those heavily armed police men? Who will attack a bullion van in a hold up surrounded by unbearably large number of security escorts?

In as much as financial institutions need security escorts in carrying out such a task, must it be to our detriment?

Our economic activities shouldn’t be brought to a halt because banks are transferring money from one location to another. Carrying out such a task in a decent manner won’t make those security escorts less human neither will it devalue the currencies on their vans.

Nigerian motorists are humans and should be treated as one, if all road users who are being subjected to untold hardships and torture on our roads on daily basis decides not to patronize banks, I wonder if there will be any need for movement of money from one location to another.

Both Federal and State governments should not feign ignorance or treat such salient issues as though trivial, our financial institutions need to be cautioned and if possible, enforce laws that will regulate their excesses on our roads. It will go a long way in bringing sanity on our high ways.

• Joe Onwukeme unjoeratedjoe@gmail.com

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 WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

S

IR: Events of recent past where majority of you are finding it difficult to fulfill financial obligations especially salaries have brought to the fore what we have always known but refused to acknowledge that governorship is a serious business with huge management challenges.

Governing is not about collecting money from the centre every month and sharing. Governorship is not all about consumption; it is about generating income, maximizing available resources and minimizing waste. Governorship is not about propaganda on radio, television and print media, it is real business, it is about verifiable achievement.

If you must stop being “feeding bottle” governors the time to start work is Now! Gather all the brains you can find in your states and elsewhere. Do a thorough analysis of your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities available to you and what ever threats you might have.

Dust the documents your forebears who fought for the creation of your state used to justify their

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

Wage crisis: checklist for governors demand. Those documents copiously stated all the resources available to justify its creation. You must tap on those resources NOW. When you have done this please put in place as a matter of urgency an action plan to improve on your Internally Generated Revenue.

Farming is generally our number one occupation – Encourage, assist and drive it.

You must encourage industries in your state and entice new ones to come in.

You must ensure that exploitation of available minerals in your state is done legally and desired income accrues to you.

Create tourist friendly environment to attract visitors to your state all year round or at worst on spe-

cific occasions.

Good schools that will attract parents across the country should be built – Encourage your rich entrepreneur to embark on such projects.

People will pay taxes if they earn income regularly and you are able to show some level of transparency in ALL you do.

Reduce cost of governance, long convoys, senior assistants, personal assistants, assistants to PA and so on and so forth must STOP. Frivolous expenditures that have to do with anything religion by the state must be avoided. Government has no business with sponsoring pilgrimages for Muslims and Christians Above all, note that nothing can

be achieved if you are corrupt – Avoid corruption. Nothing will work if you are greedy – Shun it.

Nothing will work if you lack integrity – Cultivate it. Nothing will work if you don’t want to be accountable to your people – Learn to. You will not succeed if you are lazy because this business is not for a lazy man – Get up!

Excellency is not an automatic title my brothers; you will have to earn it and my hope is that at the end of the day, I and the good people of your states can address you whole-heartedly as “Excellency”…….

• MSB Mahmud Lagos

Is Tinubu responsible for climate change too?

S

IR: Aristotle, the great thinker, demonstrated his unparalleled understanding of the concept of justice when he opined with succinct clarity that justice, as we know it, should be about celebration of virtue – those who have distinguished themselves should be honoured without qualification. For, society is better off when men of good virtues are celebrated. Civilized climes over the years have cultivated this noble moral policy as part of their social practice. In doing so, envy, bias, ethnicity, blame game and the pullhim-down-syndrome were all relegated to their deserved abode – gutter. It then becomes clear that merit and positive development are at the core of statesmanship. But not so in this corner of the world, and definitely not so in my beloved Nigeria. Ours is a marked contrast

of the civilized social practice. This is conscience-shocking.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu no doubt has paid his due in restructuring and sustaining the Nigerian project and this climaxed in the enthronement of the opposition party as the ruling party at the centre. For many, that was the grand slam. Without sounding immodest, it is doubtful if there is any leader in this generation that has sacrificed so much for the advancement of the country’s democracy. But in their typical nature, his traducers would have none of that. For them, this man must be decimated and at all cost.

Even in his silence and tranquillity, they are still having sleepless nights, knowing full well that the lion is merely taking a nap, lest he roars with unmitigated ferocity.

The late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo once told his cheerful

audience, who had thronged his rally to witness the freedom of their revered leader, the story of a dog and a lifeless tiger. Hear him: “when a living dog is given the tail of a lifeless tiger, the dog would embark on a barking spree without anyone noticing until the dog eventually drop dead out of fear of his chief tormentor”. This is the dilemma of Tinubu’s traducers. Active or passive, they cannot sleep.

Some people, in their warped understanding of life, believe that the only way they can reach the zenith of their political career is by destroying the legacies of others, which is why these men, in what appears to be a united front, have collapsed their structures and coalesced their strength with the sole object to obliterate this noble son of his fatherland. To them, whatever mischief that occurs in the

country, Tinubu must be made scapegoat. He is responsible for that woman that had a stillbirth at Onitsha; he must account for the flood that destroyed the crops of Mallam Musa at Zaria; and should be prosecuted for the armed robbery that occurred at Abeokuta. On daily basis we are awash with news of how Tinubu did this or did that.

Maybe the next headline would be: “Tinubu caused global warming”.

These people have no shame. Elevating lies and propaganda to an art is what they have obtained PhD at. But time, they say, is the best judge, and history is replete with the end results of those who once traded that path.

In the end the just would be vindicated and the blackmailers would realise the futility of their actions.

• Alatise Taofeeq, Esq. Asa-Dam, Ilorin.

Presidential pace IR: Here are my views on the perceived slowness of the Muhammadu Buhari administration. I do not agree that the President is slow in all areas.

Why should he rush to appoint ministers when the National Assembly is in disarray (courtesy of Bukola Saraki), and the nation can save some money in salaries and allowances to beef up the economy further?

However, there are areas where I think the President ought to have acted. He should, according to normal practice, have changed his service chiefs within two weeks of his taking over. He should not be seen to be keeping the same people who have been indicted by national and international organisations about their handling of the insurgency. How would America and other nations feel comfortable to assist Nigeria as promised when the same actors that have been heavily indicted by organizations around the world are still calling the shots?

Secondly, I think the President should by now have dissolved the boards of all parastatals and quasi-government establishments even if he would not replace them immediately. Board appointments are usually reserved for party members who can not make ministerial and other appointments. Retaining them is still allowing the PDP to continue ruling - making appointments, promoting and sacking people.

I think this is unfair to those young men and women who voted in APC. So, Mr. President,TIME TO ACT.

S

•Bayo Ajayi Lagos

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUL Y 15, 2015

21

COMMENTS

Our Girls; PMB: SOS at Mowe/Ibafo by JBerger; End ‘DRACONIAN DEMOCRACY’ in State, LGAs

O

UR Girls are still missing since April 15 2014. More suicide bombers every day.

President Buhari must engage Julius Berger about the failure of the Tony Mowe/Ibafo-Lagos Marinho expressway causing 40km, five hour, five lane wide traffic jams every Sunday evening. It took four hours to jet to Lagos on Saturday morning, July 11. The problem is bad road sections which almost stop traffic, lack of pedestrian flyovers with thousands crossing the road daily and lack of laybys for domestic passenger vehicles in the towns of Mowe and Ibafo.

Nigeria has had 1999-2014 the ‘The Democracy Years of Plenty’ or ‘The Democracy Years of the Locust’ - the locust being the greedy and corrupt political, administrative and contractor culture. This created a monster which consumed all we produced and borrowed more to steal and even pay salaries. The years 2015-2019 will be ‘Years of Famine’financial famine. ‘We the people’ are forced to pay for the thieving and mismanagement signalled by the fall by the 50% in the dollar-from N150 to N232 in nine months, the 50% fall in oil prices and the 50% reduction in demand for Nigeria’s oil due to distance, new nearer markets, foreign political discrimination against Nigeria and reduction in oil demands

by America from the rise in shale oil. This is lack of disaster planning.

Nigeria failed to save adequately during the Years of Plenty.

Remember the political outcry against the Sovereign Wealth Fund and the Excess Crude Account, by gluttonous governors greedy for more to spend on thin air and not salaries? Today, both federal and governors have nothing! And salaries are owed, mostly due to ‘diversion’ and corruption. What a tragedy and travesty of Nigeria’s inheritance? If Nigeria was a bank, it would have collapsed and the thieves would be in jail for financial crimes and the money restored to government coffers. A ‘Confession’, saying ‘Sorry’ without ‘Restitution’ is unacceptable. Of course there was a trust issue between states

B

Y the Supreme Court decision of June 26, the United States, US, became the 26th country to fully recognise the right of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals, LGBT, to enter into state sanctioned marriage. This has obviously triggered off yet another wave of debates on the issue of same sex marriage.

Quite amusingly, on the day the Supreme Court made the decision, the White House was covered in rainbow lighting to celebrate the ruling with the ‘triumphant’ LGBT community. The rainbow colours, as the media has shown, now represents the symbol of ‘gay pride’. The very phrase brings a bad taste to the mouth, a taste that reminds one that our deep dark secrets as humans, are now coming to the fore. Years of quiet tolerance has stoked the appetite for disdainful immorality and it has grown to become a brazen affront to the foundations of organised society.

Same sex affairs have been a feature of human sexual relations for ages. However, never has it garnered such public support or been so openly canvassed. For us as Nigerians, widely considered to be intolerant to the LGBT community, the news is largely unwelcome. It is rather appalling that today, countries like the US have indirectly worked gay rights into their foreign policy by exerting pressure on other countries particularly those dependent on US handouts, to be more tolerant of the LGBT community.

Even countries not dependent on the US, are not spared. A country like Mozambique had been forced to reverse its ‘anti-gay’ legislations even at a time gay marriage was not legal in all parts of the US.

and the Federal Government which has managed to keep 524% of the budget. Such trust issues include inter-party suspicion, unfair federalism, uneven access to Ecological Funds and corruption.

About now the federal government, governors and chairpersons of LGAs and their ‘hooligans’ have begun to seriously plan, against the ‘financial drought’. They are planning to substitute for the lost ‘oil money’ revenues by ‘drilling’ the local population to extract what was lost in oil prices and corruption. Even the corrupt have the need to feed their greed. ‘Buhari fiscal discipline’ cannot be in everybody’s heart, eyes and bank account. The Nigerian citizen is a miniLGA while struggling against the corrupt uniformed officer in all colours white to black. Many Nigerians have been held, intimidated, insulted and robbed by armed robber ‘official’ thugs with LGA ID cards at a LGA roadblock -a scam. This and excessive government taxes on the few with violent harassment of the rest have generated a massive citizens’ anger. This pain is aggravated by the natural inclination of any UNSUPERVISED uniformed or authoritarian personnel to have attitude, aggression, arrogance, abusive language and violence with malicious vindictive seizures of signboards, goods, vehicles, motorbikes etcetera with destruction, loss or even theft of seized items or release for a bribe.

Governors and pension fund handlers do not all have clean anti-corrupt hands. The huge cost of tax consultants and the fate of the money raised have left many citizens disappointed.

The Extended Family is the oldest NGO and ‘Bank’ charging ‘No Interest And No Security’ in Africa though irresponsibly unrecognised in academic, economic and tax circles. Africans look after the Extended Family. Yet there are no ‘Personal Tax Reliefs’ covering unemployed family members, parents and families of deceased members. These characteristics of African society support systems are unrecognised even by African Tax which takes ‘TAX TEMPLATES’ directly from the World Bank, Woe Bank, and the IMF, ‘International Morticians Funeral Fund’ who as Europeans, look after only their nuclear family. ‘Be thy brother’s keeper’ is a reality in Nigeria and only a church charity matter in Europe because of the support systems of the dole and incapacity handouts.

In Nigeria we have no such safety nets but are denied tax

rebates for substituting for government social network failures. This is one area where ‘A HOME-GROWN TAX SYSTEM IS NECESSARY’ giving reliefs for extended family members and activities.

The drive for IGR, Internally Generated Revenue, must no longer be devilish resulting in more Draconian Democracy.

This is the time for ‘change’ in the way government treats its people. The people did not steal, government agents did.

The hallmark of Draconian Democracy is deliberately and unreasonably inflated demand notices and bills and hyperinflated fines. This is a quadruple crime of 1] Abuse of office; 2] Official intimidation; 3] Attempt to steal under false pretences, and, 4] Extortion. This amounts to a Human Rights Criminal Offence requiring a monitoring body against any official proved to be extortionist. Such officials should be exposed, demoted, jailed and sacked and denied pensions.

Nigerians expect a change in ridiculous corruption-driven taxation demands and utility bills, ‘crude, rude letters’, ‘demand notices’, intimidation and attempts to extort. State assemblies and the National Asembly (NASS) should quickly enact a LAW AGAINST UNREASONABLE/STUPID TAXATION, IRRESPONSIBLE OVER-BILLING OR IRRESPONSIBLE BACKDATING. This may aim at forcing the government and its agencies to give their bills for vetting to A CONSUMER PROTECTION TAXATION/BILLING OMBUDSMAN appointed by civil society. This ombudsman may arbitrate disputes.

‘The drive for IGR, Internally Generated Revenue, must no longer be devilish resulting in more Draconian Democracy. This is the time for ‘change’ in the way government treats its people. The people did not steal, government agents did’

US’ Rainbow of moral decadence The US Supreme Court decision and its endorsement by President Barack Obama will only toughen the US’ gay rights drive across the world, much to the disapproval of religious conservatives everywhere. This is because religion, which is at the root of the opposition to same sex marriages, is not always in tandem with legal realities. However, it constitutes a major foundation for the law in many countries, including the United States. For others, religion and law are one and the same thing, especially in the Muslim countries.

This kind of verdict in the US is not surprising. What is, however, surprising is the level of opposition to it. In fact, the US Supreme Court justices were evenly divided on the issue until the swing vote of Justice Kennedy assured a 5-4 majority in favour of the verdict. The said Justice Kennedy has been known to give verdicts in favour of gay rights in the past. One of the dissenting opinions was from Justice John Roberts, the US Chief Judge backed by traditionally conservative justices.

So far, a large number of Americans are unhappy with the ruling.

The Republican states have been at the forefront of opposition to gay marriage and Gregg Abbott, the Governor of Texas, was swift in passing a bill to allow religious leaders to legally refuse to perform same sex marriage ceremonies. Abbott stressed that it is important for the clergy to be assured that religious freedom is “beyond the reach of the constitution”. This means the White House may have gone overboard

‘If Nigeria, through the legislature or judiciary, were to legalise homosexuality and same sex marriage as has been done in some other countries, then the fallout may be too severe for any sitting government to handle’

with its support of the ruling without giving thought to the teeming number who feel their religious and personal convictions have been eroded.

While Abbott may be right, the opinion of the dissenting judges rather show that the US constitution still guarantees religious freedom, but the majority judges trumped that freedom with a right which the constitution never contemplated. As they suggested, it should rather have been left to the states to determine whether they wanted to recognise same sex marriages or not, as had been the case.

Coming back home to our deeply religious but largely corrupt country, one thing is clear. Unlike in the US case where the right of consenting adults to act as they choose is widely recognised, it is the right of two individuals of the same sex to legally enter into marriage, with its attendant benefits, that was in issue.

Here, homosexual acts are illegal.

So also, are same sex marriages.

There is so much Nigeria needs from the US. But the US’ meddlesomeness in the affairs of foreign countries is well documented. With the aftermath of the US Supreme Court decision still hot in the media, one only hopes that when our President, Muhammadu Buhari, meets with President Obama in Washington on July 20, the issue of recognition of gay marriages does not come up, or worse still, become a bargaining tool for receiving the much needed assistance from the US government.

With our ‘Muslim North’ and predominantly ‘Christian South’, we are unashamedly religious, and in the same vein, very conservative in our religious beliefs. Even with religion removed, our cultural and moral fibre drives us to be conservative about many things, including sexual matters. Yes, polygamy is culturally accepted, even reli-

giously sanctioned, it seems, in the north, but that is part of our culture. Homosexuality is not.

We are what has been referred to as ‘social traditionalists’ and the current sexual liberalisation being driven by other secular states – yes, for all our religious conservativeness, we are yet a secular country– must be rejected in order to protect our society and maintain whatever order we have left in the country. If Nigeria, through the legislature or judiciary, were to legalise homosexuality and same sex marriage as has been done in some other countries, then the fallout may be too severe for any sitting government to handle.

Homosexuality has been illegal all these years, quietly tolerated just as prostitution, equally illegal, is tolerated. The tricky thing about this kind of vice is that humans are morally weak and state action in respect of moral failings of the human mind and body, must be tactical. A secular state can hardly enforce virtue; neither should it endorse immorality. It is unfortunate that the US and many countries have taken steps to allow age long taboos, bringing human civilisation into a backward spin.

Some unsettling developments in recent times include the German National Ethics Council, in late 2014, calling for the decriminalisation of incest between siblings and a district court in Tokyo, Japan, ruling that adultery, when it is for ‘business purposes’, does not constitute an extra marital affair. The UK, with the exception of Northern Ireland, already recognises same sex marriages. South Africa’s Constitutional Court had approved same sex marriage in 2005 and Colombia is set to follow suit.

No one is calling for the lynching of homosexuals. Even if some African leaders like the despotic

Dele Agekameh Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia and others are overzealous in their protection of traditional values, we cannot emulate the Islamic State in its barbarism. Remember that IS executed some homosexuals in response to the US Supreme Court ruling. But that is their own modus operandi; they are killers.

Bestiality, incest and all manner of ungodliness now lurk dangerously in the corner. This is the time to pull out our Bibles and Qurans, we the ‘Muslim North’ and the ‘Christian South’, and make good on our ‘religious’ reputation by praying for the salvation of mankind, as it is now beginning to descend down a slippery slope into Sodom once again.

This rainbow of moral decadence celebrated by Obama contains no pride. It is an affront on traditional society and a symbol of immorality. Now is not the time to lift the lid placed on immorality, rather, the West should realise that this is one door which should not be open more than a little crack or at all.

President Buhari must carry this message to the White House.

For comments Text (only) to : 08058354382

22

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

COMMENTS

L

ESS than a week from President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Washington on July 20, attentive Nigerians should be considering the visit’s import and possible outcomes.

For the trip, the President should have a bucket list; not a shopping list. A shopping list includes wishful takeaways. A bucket list is diplomatically collaborative and aimed at quid pro quos. The Washington trip is propitious in view of the premise enunciated by Ambassador Bulus Lolo, Permanent Secretary in the Foreign Ministry, that the visit “is not an expression of romance… but a crystallisation of a relationship that is strong and mutually beneficial to the people of Nigeria and America.” Yet, in welcoming this early engagement, it is hoped that the preparations for Washington will be better than that for the G-7 Summit outing, which revealed some snags and faux pas.

It is gratifying that the Washington trip had been preceded by visits to and return visits from our immediate neighbours and a visit to South Africa for the African Union Summit. That trajectory reaffirmed clear policy continuity of Nigeria’s ‘Africa is the centre-piece of our foreign policy’ doctrine and Prof.

Ibrahim Gambari’s concentric circle framework. However, some vitally important issues will be broached with Washington, even as Abuja-Washington relations have cooled discernibly and the engagement halting. Both sides may contest this point. But the true measure is that neither President Barack Obama nor Vice-President Joe Biden has visited Nigeria, which speaks volumes. One salutary point as President Buhari goes to Washington is that Nigeria’s sweet-crude-oil-relationship with the U.S. has turned lukewarm, thanks to global oil dynamics and realpolitik. The unintended consequence is a level-playing field for the two nations to engage real-time and on strategic basis; with strict focus on their commonality of interests and shared responsibilities. As such, the President’s maiden visit to Washington will neither be a shopping spree nor a mutual attraction exercise. The President should not expect or demand too much. And since Nigeria’s role as a strategic partner to the U.S. subsists, the visit ought not to be about Nigeria’s needs alone; but about envisaged Nigeria’s role in keeping the subSaharan Africa region safe and stable, given the disconcerting developments in the Middle East and the Magreb.

The guiding principles of the talks will rest on the observations by Nigerian foreign policy experts that Buhari’s visit to Washington will occur against an ambiguous, but realitycheck-laden backdrop. First, should Nigeria’s domestic uncertainties persist, that reality would continue to impact negatively on her proactive role in foreign affairs. After all, proactive foreign policy leadership draws its impetus from national will, domestic self-confidence and wherewithal.

Nigeria proved that in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Second, in assessing Nigeria’s present capacity in global politics, there’s

T

HE need for proactive measure to control the myriads of environmental challenges bedeviling Katsina state and the political will to confront it has for long been the yearnings of the stakeholders in the state. Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari assumes the office of governor at a critical time when the state needed everything to be done from patriotic point because much is expected from his administration.

Environment is our only heritage, protecting it is a very serious business which must be given priority in governance. As a Federal Environmental Enforcement Officer working in the state, I had the privilege of observing, participating and executing Environmental Management and Protection Activities organized by the state Environmental Ministry, Department and Agencies (MDAs) such as KTSEPA, Department of Forestry etc either as a representative of my agency or as a keen stakeholder. I will in the preceding paragraphs present the blunt matter-of-the-fact assessment of the success recorded in the state and what is still needed to be done to get the state to the Promised Land.

Governor Masari must first of all give all necessary support to the Ministry of Environment to enable the ministry deliver its mandate.

The yearly raising of assorted seedlings by Katsina State Afforestation Project Unit (KTAPU) must be sustained. The governor must go beyond raising seedlings to massive planting of trees to arrest the desert encroachment threatening the state.

Since the beginning, trees have furnished us with two of life’s essentials: food and oxygen. As we evolved, they provided additional necessities such as shelter, medicine, gum, raw materials and tools.

The Department of Forestry which is currently under the office of the Deputy Governor must be empowered as an agency of the Ministry of Environment to undertake the following activities: Conservation and improvement of genetic resources of forest trees and eco-system for the state’s economic development; Improvement of silvicultural practices relating to forest trees of eco-

Buhari’s Bucket List to Washington

By Oseloka H. Obaze stark cognizance that failure to seize the moment, make a turnaround linked to her new leadership, will translate to further diminution of her influence. Third, for a nation once accepted as Africa’s foreign policy bellwether, Nigeria can illafford to be risk averse and still expect to be taken seriously in international affairs.

Without prejudice to the briefs my erstwhile colleagues in the foreign ministry will proffer, the plausible approach to the visit would be for President Buhari to arrive Washington in a listening mode. Whereas the U.S. may no longer need Nigeria’s oil, hard lessons drawn from Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia and Libya, compels Washington to articulate and seek Nigeria’s role as an ally in Africa’s geo-politics. Secondly, despite her wherewithal, the U.S. is visibly stretched in its role as the global policeman. Washington will thus continue to favour a strategic partnership with Nigeria aimed at enhancing global security in the adversely altered post-9-11 environment.

Moreover, the U.S. needs a stable Nigeria capable of playing a buffer role against existing or emergent non-state actors. Given its international peacekeeping track record, Nigeria remains a “capable partner who can take on more responsibility for lowend operations.” Besides, democracies favour each other; as such, even a nascent democratic Nigeria is to be preferred to non-democracies and rogue states. Thus, U.S. will affirm its support for Nigeria’s democracy. Aware of the Nigeria’s challenges with Boko Haram, Washington has definitely gone beyond conjectures in evaluating the ruinous impact of a destabilized or dismembered Nigeria. Every evaluation of the havoc wrought on Somalia and its neighbouring states by Al Shabaab and the destructive disposition of the Levant ISIS in Iraq and Syria remain instructive. Then also, the realization persists that the spill-over effect of the break-up of Iraq and Libya will pale against such an occurrence in Nigeria. As the Economist observed recently, “If Nigeria fails it could bring down half a dozen neighbouring states with it.” U.S. knows that a fractured Nigeria will pose vast risks and challenges to its economic and strategic interests.

Discussions in Washington will straddle bilateral and multilateral concerns. The top bullet talking point on President Buhari’s bucket list should neither be an offer nor a demand.

First, President Buhari should ask President Obama: “How can Nigeria partner with the U.S. to make sub-Saharan Africa secure for Africa, the United States and the rest of the world?” Prosaic as the question is, a secure sub-Saharan Africa will include Nigeria

as well as U.S. strategic and economic interests, including core issues now before the U.N. Security Council, where Nigeria will hold the Presidency in August. President Buhari should focus on few issues that are tangible and can be flagged as catalytic to advancing President Buhari’s national agenda for good governance. President Buhari should be prepared, therefore, to discuss such germane issues like corruption, impunity, insecurity, oil theft, money laundering, financial instability, elections and human-trafficking. While thanking the U.S. for its guidance and support in containing the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, the President should underline the need for U.S. support in three key areas. (1) Combating corruption: U.S. should help repatriate or recover all the stolen funds that Nigerian anti-corruption will trace to U.S. Financial institutions.

U.S. should not throw legal or administrative obstacles on the recovery of the funds. (2) Overcoming Insecurity: There is need for vigorous support to fight Boko Haram by sale of military hardware, as well as resumption of training of Nigerian soldiers in counter-terrorism. President Buhari should observe that in fighting the scourge of terrorism including Boko Haram, there can be no conscientious objectors, citing how Nigeria tackled the Maitasine Sect in the 1980s.(3) The economy: Focus should be on U.S. support for developing and boosting electric power generation. President Obama has an Africa Power Initiative, which will need to be expanded in scale in order to accommodate Nigeria’s power needs.

It’s well known that U.S. spearheaded the countries that denied Nigeria arms for fighting Boko Haram on grounds of human rights violations, despite our missing Chibok Girls challenges.

The U.S. will thus revisit human rights issues and even if obliquely, issues of personal choices – gay rights and samesex-marriage- in the context of freedom of association. President Buhari should stress that while lines might have blurred sometimes in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists, the sanctity of Nigeria’s Constitution and its human rights provisions remain intact, despite the recent Amnesty International report. On gay rights, the President should push back very hard, as traditional norms here frown on such lifestyles and, in any case, this matter remains controversial in the US itself, in spite of recent Supreme Court ruling. Finally, the President should inquire when President Obama intends to visit Nigeria. A non-committal or non-definitive reply should be taken for what it is: a continued unwillingness to engage Nigeria fully.

• Obaze is a strategic public policy adviser and immediate-past Secretary to the Anambra State Government.

Environment: What Masari must do

By Usman Baba Ahmed nomic importance; Forestry education and training; Forestry extension and dissemination; and any other problem relating to forestry flora and fauna.

All these parastatals must be placed under the Ministry of Environment for effective coordination.

Katsina State being one of the 11 frontline states greatly swallowed by desertification (according to Federal Ministry of Environment, 43% of the landmass and population of these states is already affected), her vulnerability has exposed the urgent need to consolidate the ministry in order to have a common front to fight this monster of desertification gradually taking control of the state on a daily basis.

The State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has over the years sustained the end of the month environmental sanitation exercise in order to improve the environment, keep the state clean and enhance the health status of the people. The agency encouraged families and people in the state to clean their homes and the environment at the village, community and state level. Non-Governmental Organisations, Community Based Organisations, Tipper Drivers Associations etc were supported with working implements, tools and logistics to participate in the exercise.

I have as a member of the State Monitoring Team, gone round during the exercise to see how these organization/associations puts into good use these working implements given to them.

SEPA adopted a new concept of waste recycling as a means of utilizing the generated waste for other socio-economic activities such as farming, tree planting, source of raw materials to local industries etc. In the year 2013, an estimated 498 tons of sorted organic manure was sold to farmers and over one million

naira was generated as revenue by the agency. This is in line with environmental management of Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle.

Two mechanized street sweepers vans were deployed by SEPA to complement the existing effort of manual street sweeping exercise being carried out. This helped in keeping Katsina metropolis and other major towns clean and tidy.

The agency engaged the services of labourers, both males and females in street daily sweeping exercise in the 34 LGAs of the state. This serves the dual purpose of keeping the state clean and reducing the unemployment in the state. This particular exercise has been commended by virtually every environmentalist in the state.

Governor Masari must consider the need to maintain the current tempo of keeping the capital city and major towns clean and beautiful. Considering the fact that Katsina is the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari, the inflow of visitors to the state will double if not triple. This will be further compounded by the fact the present governor was Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives. We cannot afford to disappoint the citizen visitors; the state must be kept safe, healthier, clean and beautiful. The state must keep its name for heritage and hospitality.

I have in the past three years taken time to observe and assess the comment and responses of most officials on working visit to Katsina State.

Their rating of Katsina being one of the cleanest states in the country is a thing of pride and a pass mark to the state and must be maintained.

The common sight of huge heaps of garbage in open spaces found along major cities in the country has long been forgotten in Katsina State. This well organized, prompt and constant sweeping and clearing of weeds from major roadsides and other public places has helped to keep the street clean, tidy and free

from sand, polythene and debris is marvelous and needs to be maintained.

Another milestone attained by relevant state agencies is in achieving a three-year flood-free record in the state. Of course, this is as a result of prompt and timely silt removal, evacuation of drainages, clearing of gutters, drains and water ways that has helped in free flow of water especially during rainy season, This particular exercise and the periodic fumigation exercise of the state capital, villages and towns have greatly assisted in the roll back malaria programme.

The governor must consider the urgent need to review all obsolete environmental laws to effectively suit the realities of the day. For instance, the efficacy of a fine charged in the 70s and 80s cannot be effectively applied on an offence committed in the current reality of our time today. This clearly calls for the need to review such laws. The governor must encourage the speedy review and passage of such laws by the House of Assembly within the shortest possible time.

SEPA should be empowered to carry out efficient and effective inspection and enforcement of environmental standards, monitor pollution in the environment, conduct research and demonstrations and assist local governments in their pollution control efforts. The agency must carry out premises inspection, house to house inspection, market inspection, hospital/ clinic inspection, food and food premises inspection, industries inspection etc. The manpower and other resources constraints impeding the conduct of these inspections must be addressed.

SEPA must sustain, re-jig and retool its environmental awareness creation activities. Sensitization which plays a very important role in environmental protection should be taken to educational institutions, markets, associations,

households and facilities. The agency must take this exercise to a higher level through radio, television and other electronic media. The public should be informed on why it is important to redeem the environment by keeping our surroundings clean, not dumping refuse in drainages and water ways, using waste bins, disposing waste properly and replacing a felled tree with at least three other stakes of tree.

Religious leaders and heads of institution in our mosques, churches and institution of learning should admonish their faithful and the students on the need to redeem the environment.

The 20 lock up shops constructed

by SEPA opposite Katsina state Hajj Camp to check indiscriminate hawking should be constructed in other strategic points all over the state. This is certainly a good innovation aimed at controlling street hawking.

The 5 Roll On – Roll Off trucks and over 100 pieces of containers recently acquired by SEPA must be well utilized. These trucks should be used for moving the containers to major dump sites in the major cities of the state, namely Katsina, Daura and Funtua. The 100 containers should be placed in identified indiscriminate dumpsites all over the state. This is a good innovation, considering the large number of waste generated caused by an increase in economic activities in the State.

Environmental protection is a responsibility of all because a cleaner and healthier society is a wealthy society! The governor must sustain and maintain the current tempo already attained in the state, at the end day, posterity will hold only him accountable for all the achievements recorded during his reign.

• Ahmed, an Environmental Enforcement Officer, writes from Katsina.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

25

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Firm to increase market share

By Wale Adepoju

T

HE Creative Network International (CNI) is seeking ways to increase its market share.

Its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Allen Loh said the company has not done enough since it started the distribution of health coffee and 24 other products in Nigeria three years ago.

Loh, who spoke at a seminar organised by his company for prospective distributors, said CNI was new in Nigeria, and as such, yet to build the needed network.

He said the company was looking for distributors to push its products to all nooks and crannies of Nigeria.

Loh urged would-be distributors to take advantage of the opportunity opened to them.

He said the firm has been in existence for over 30 years in Malaysia and Indonesia, marketing health and wellness products, such as Tongkat Ali and Suri and Green Tea-White Coffees, among others.

He said CNI has also inaugurated a promo to boost sales and encouraged would-be distributors to join the company network of sellers.

This, he said, would run through July.

“We have created a unique way for distributors to maximise their profit and empower themselves.

“Aside the fact that they would make profit, we have also made provision for bonus. So, it is a win-win situation for everybody,” Loh said.

Head, Business Development, Keat Ng Yuan said Nigeria is the first market for all CNI products in Africa.

He said the products have been very successful in Asia, adding that it would soon be widely acceptable in Nigeria because of their quality and efficacy.

The company products, he said, can be sold at airports, schools and eateries, among others.

“This is how the products are being marketed in Malaysia and Indonesia,” Yuan said.

Commercial banks are not manufacturing-friendly as their interest rates are usually very high; therefore, commercial banks remain a major challenge to the sector. Even the Bank of Industry’s (BoI) framework, which pegs interest rate at nine per cent, only finances machinery acquisition; it does not cater for working capital.

-MAN President, Dr Frank Jacobs

NSE begins expulsion process for inactive stockbrokers T HE National Council of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has launched the final expulsion process for inactive stockbrokers. The move would result in the revocation and expulsion of some 88 stockbroking firms from the NSE. The disciplinary committee, the adjudicatory arm of the National Council of the NSE, has already invited the first batch of stockbroking firms to appear before it next Monday. The first batch of stockbroking firms included 15 companies, which have failed to activate their dealing licences.

The 15 firms included AlPina Investment & Trust Co. Limited, BBL Asset Management Limited, Integrated & Allied Securities Limited, Standard Chartered Securities Limited, Translux Services Limited, Afro-Arab Investment Limited, Barakat Investment Limited, Bosson Capital Assets Limited, Dealers Assets Management Limited, Enabell Capital & Investment Limited, First Express Limited, KFF Worldwide Solutions Lim-

By Taofik Salako

ited, Kingdom Securities Limited, Silver & Gold Securities Limited and Williamson Capital Management Limited.

In a summon sent to the promoters of the firms and signed by secretary to the National Council, Tinuade Awe, the Council indicated that the dealing members would be required to give reasons why disciplinary action should not be taken against them for failing to activate their dealing licences.

A reliable source at the Exchange said the hearing was part of the expulsion process to ensure that the Exchange complies with extant rules that provide for fair hearing to dealing members.

The source said the 15 firms are the first batch of what may be a long-running expulsion process.

A new rule on the revocation of dealing licences and expulsion of inactive stockbroking firms came

into effect on June 29, 2015.

The new rule and amendments on revocation of dealing licences was earlier approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in February 2015 but the NSE delayed the implementation.

The Nation had then reported exclusively that the NSE might commence the process of revocation of dealing licences and expulsion of not less than 88 stockbroking firms, about one-third of the total number of registered stockbroking firms on Nigeria’s only stock exchange.

This re-examination process of dealership might be the largest-ever cleansing of the Augean stable at the stock market. The total number of previously revoked licences stood at 13.

The Nation’s check indicated that the NSE had already determined 88 out of the 308 stockbroking firms on its dealing members’ list as inactive. A status report on dealing members indicated

that out of 308 existing stockbroking licences, 220 were active while 88 were inactive.

A breakdown of the inactive licences included 50 operationally inactive firms, 20 inactive dealing firms deregistered by SEC and 18 licences that had been dormant and were not activated since issuance. All these fall within the purview of revocation and expulsion due to inactivity. The third category formed the first batch invited for the disciplinary hearing on Monday.

According to the new rules, a copy of which was obtained by The Nation, where a dealing member is inactive for a period of six consecutive months, the Exchange shall revoke the license of the dealing member.

“Under no circumstances shall a dealing member cease to carry out its day to day business activities for which it was licensed to operate without any reasonable cause,” the rules stated.

A dealing member may be deemed inactive voluntarily and involuntarily. Voluntary inactivity occurs where the firm has not recorded any trading activity without being suspended by the Exchange or SEC. Involuntary inactivity occurs where the firm has been suspended by the NSE or SEC for any infraction.

However, where a firm has been involuntarily inactive for the stipulated period of six months, the Exchange shall exercise its discretion in determining whether to revoke the firm’s dealing licence.

“Where the Exchange revokes a dealing member’s license, The Exchange shall immediately commence the process of expelling such dealing member,” the rules stipulated.

Also, under the new amendments, suspension of any stockbroking firm by SEC will lead to immediate suspension by the NSE while revocation of any broker’s registration will lead to expulsion of the firm by the NSE.

Banks record N601b profit

By Collins Nweze

T

•From left: Executive Secretary, Depot & Petroleum Production Marketers Association, Olufemi Adebayo Adewole; Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi and FRSC Deputy Corps Marshal, Operation Adei Abu, at the FRSC meeting in Lagos with tank farm owners in efforts to find a lasting solution to tankers’ crashes in Nigeria.

PHOTOS: DAYO ADEWUNMI.

Life Beer gives more grant to entrepreneurs

L

IFE Continental Beer, a brand under the stable of Nigeria Breweries, has given additional N3million cash grant to 12 young entrepreneurs in the Southeast to boost their business ideas.

The body had earlier given N3million in its on-going “Life Continental Beer Progress Booster Radio Project’’ about a month ago.

This brings to 24 the number so far assisted with a cummulative sum of N12million.

‘Our target is to let Nigerians embrace banking culture’ - P27

The Head of Brewery, Ama, Mr Abiodun Ajayi, said the brand had earmarked N14.5 million grant to boost 50 young entrepreneurs, who reside and hail from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.

Handing over the cheque of N250,000 to each of the 12 winners in Nigeria Breweries, Ama, Enugu; Ajayi urged the winners to ensure that their investment is yielding enough returns to make become employers of labour.

“As you receive these cash grants today, we expect you to succeed in the business line you have chosen. Make judicious investment of the money given you and ensure that your investment is yielding returns and your business capable of making you an employer of labour as you trudge on in your business journey.

“If you succeed in taking your business idea to the next desirable level, you stand a chance of going further to win more money (additional

Flour Mills’ shareholders meet on N40b new capital issue - P 37

N250,000 to be won each by eight winners). The panel of experts that assessed and judged your business proposals will be monitoring your progress and they will be there to mentor and provide valuable advice when necessary,’’ Ajayi said.

He however emphasised that budding entrepreneur, whose business proposals would be considered, must have a workable business idea, be from the Southeast extract, reside in the zone and must have attained 18 years.

HE Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has said the unaudited profit-beforetax (PBT) of the banking industry for last year, stood at N601.02 billion, representing an increase of 11.31 per cent over N539.97 billion reported in 2013.

Its Managing Director, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, who spoke while delivering an address at the 2015 Executive Breakfast Meeting of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria, said the banking industry liquidity risk was moderate during the period under review.

He said the industry average liquidity ratio rose from 50.63 per cent in 2013 to 53.65 per cent last year showing an increase of 3.02 per cent.

“Individually, all the DMBs in the industry had liquidity ratios in excess of the minimum prudential requirement of 30 per cent, as at December 31, 2014, indicating that all DMBs were sufficiently liquid,” he said.

Ibrahim urged stakeholders in the banking sector to pay greater attention to sound corporate governance practices to prevent systemic crisis in the sector.

Making a living from wheel alignment - P38

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

26

THE NATION

BUSINESS MONEY

e-mail: money@thenationonlineng.net

Banks fail CBN’s directive on MDAs’ D accounts remittances

EPOSIT Money Banks (DMBs) have failed to comply with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) order on transfer of all revenues collected on behalf of the Federal Government and its agencies to the apex bank account.

The transfer is expected to be made within 24 hours of the value date of such collections with effect from February 28, 2015.

The office of CBN Director, Banking Supervision, in a report titled ‘Re: Public Sector Revenue Accounts with Deposit Money Banks,’ said lenders violating the order will face severe financial and administrative sanctions. “We have observed with dismay that most banks are yet to comply fully with the provisions of the circular directing banks to transfer all revenue collected on behalf of the Federal Government and its agencies to CBN account within 24 hours of the value date of such collections,” it said.

The order followed earlier directive by the apex bank to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)

Stories by Collins Nweze

to close all their revenue accounts in DMBs. The MDAs to be affected by the order include the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Nigeria Customs Service, Code of Conduct Bureau, Code of Conduct Tribunal, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Federal Ministry of Aviation and Federal Civil Service Commission.

Others include the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Federal Road Safety Commission, Independent National Electoral Commission, Federal Ministry of Defence, National Population Commission, National Salaries Incomes & Wages Commission, Nigerian Investment Promotion Council, Nigeria Police Force to mention but a few.

CBN Director, Banking and Payment System Unit, Dipo Fatokun

who gave the directive in a circular to DMBs, said the order followed the commencement of the Federal Government’s Independent Revenue e-Collection Scheme.

He stated that banks’ branches by now, are expected to have been

setup and sensitised, and their internet banking platforms configured for use by revenue payers.

This, he said, would make it possible for the banks to make transfers to the Federal Government e-

Collection account, which will be transferred to the Consolidated Revenue Funds (CRF) as agreed between the CBN, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) and the banks.

Fatokun said the OAGF has already issued a treasury circular to all MDAs to close existing revenue accounts in banks not later than February 28, and transfer available funds to CRF.

African banks now better capitalised, says FBN Capital

T

HE Vice President and Head, Energy and Natural Resources at FBN Capital Limited, Rolake Akinkugbe, has said that local sources of finance have risen over the past decade because of improved capitalisation among African banks.

She spoke at the 2015 Oil Council Africa Assembly, which held in Paris. She said the lenders will take advantage of new opportunities in the oil and gas sector.

She said the new oil price environment has had an impact on the terms and structure of funding that have become available to oil and gas companies and projects.

According to her, “The price shift is forcing renewed policy focus on those parts of the oil and gas value-chain that create the greatest dividends in terms of contribution to economic growth.

The implementation of such policies would have to be balanced with the need to keep Direct Foreign Investors (DFIs)

incentivised.”

Highlighting the challenges with achieving this balance from a sector finance perspective, she said “sector exposure limits and tight regulation, as well as challenging oil price environment, have ushered in a more moderate risk appetite within Africa’s banking community. Often, their foreign counterparts try to offer more competitive rates for deals.

In response however, local African banks are collaborating much more in order to build their pool of funds and match value so as not to lose too much market share to foreign banks.”

She stated that emphasis on the value-add benefit of oil and gas projects goes hand in hand with governments’ push to demonstrate the benefits of the energy sector to the broader economy. In any case, the capital requirements of such infrastructure-related projects are often more than local banks can handle alone.

Diversify forex earnings, bank chief urges govt

T

HE Executive Director, Treasury and International Banking, UBA Plc, Femi Olaloku, has called on the Federal and state governments to diversify the productive bases and foreign exchange (Forex) earnings of the economy.

This, he said, would enable the economy overcome the challenges brought about by dwindling revenues from crude oil sales. Olaloku made the call while speaking as one of the panel discussants during the Banking and Oil industry Forum in Lagos.

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

He said further devaluation of the naira is imminent and this will make the importation of goods into the country more expensive, encourage local manufacturing and inflow of foreign capital. He

assured that Nigerian banks have been strengthened over the last few years and are now well positioned to fund new opportunities that the country may wish to explore as a result of dwindling oil prices.

“We have a banking system that is today a lot stronger than what it was 10 years ago. Whether in power infrastructure, or in the agriculture, Nigerian banks have been able to meet the growing demand for funding.”

He said the country needs to leverage on the successful change of political power, and the resulting increased foreign interest in Nigeria to drive economic growth.

While expressing optimism on the growth opportunities available in the Nigerian economy, he urged right policies and measures be put in place to fully tap the increased potential of the Nigerian economy.

• From left: Chief Executive Officer, Geometric Power Limited, Prof. Barth Nnaji; Vice Chairman, Afrigem Integrated Utilities Limited, Samaila Zubairu; Deputy Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer, Diamond Bank, Caroline Anyanwu and Head, Strategic Accounts, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, Kamila Omokide at the signing ceremony of Transaction Implementation Agreement for the recapitalisation and restructuring of Aba Geometric Power Limited.

BDC operators accuse apex bank of overregulation

T

HE Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) has sent a strong worded letter to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) accusing the regulator of over-regulating the sector.

ABCON National President Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe said the increasing challenges arising from over regulation and complex documentation requirements that licensed BDC operators face in their daily legitimate operation are worrisome.

These, he said, have had negative impact on their efforts toward compliance to statutory and regulatory requirements.

The ABCON chief said that six units within the CBN are involved with BDC regulations, supervision, licensing, monitoring and this, he noted constitutes multiple regulation of a unit of the financial subsector that is only a small market player.

“A BDC operator is expected to render daily, monthly, quarterly, half yearly and annual returns to these various departments of the same corporate body, which could be very cumbersome, repetitive and time consuming for both the operator and the regulator.

“In addition to the above mentioned reports, the BDC is also under obligation to render same returns to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission /Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, while at the same time reporting to other statutory government establishments as the Federal Inland Revenue Service and Corporate Affairs Commission respectively,” he said.

Gwadabe also said that the BDCs have in recent times come under severe pressure from the CBN for

• Gwadabe

observed infractions. “Unfortunately, some have had to pay high penalties to different departments where instant regulations were violated. The result of these penalties is a heavy burden on the BDCs considering the little margin of profit allowed on their transactions,” he said.

The CAC, he added, has also hiked their incorporation fees and with the review of the operational requirements, which made it mandatory for every BDC operator to recapitalise the initial capital and upgrade the documentation with the CAC. The BDCs were charged enormously for the perfecting of their documents.

The ABCON boss also said operators had to grapple with the problem of erratic network at the electronic Financial Analysis and Surveillance System (e-FASS) plat-

form around the country in the last couple of months. This situation, he said, hampered the rendition of BDC returns to the CBN by operators and eventually many were recently penalised as a result.

He said the documentation requirement to process a Personal Travelling Allowance of say $10,000 requires an international passport, valid visa, ticket among others, making the process cumbersome, complex and inconvenient for both the buyer and the BDC operator. Also, payment for medical fees of say $3,000 requires hospital bill, international passport, ticket, valid visa among others, to consummate the transaction.

Gwadabe faulted the inability of the regulators, statutory agencies to effectively monitor, supervise, train the ever-growing number of the BDCs as a result of these multiple and overlapping regulations by the various departments of the CBN and other related agencies.

He said: “The CBN should consider the introduction of dollar denominated cards and coupons to BDCs for retailing to the public. We shall welcome your invitation at your convenience to shed more light on this. We suggest a single BDC directorate at the CBN to be in charge of the BDC sub-sector in order to enhance efficiency, productivity and transparency. This would engender proactive involvement of both the regulators and the BDCs for the growth and dynamism of the sector,” he said.

“The CBN should consider alternative requirement for means of identification such as drivers licence, voters card, and international passport.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

27

MONEY

‘Our target is to let Nigerians embrace banking culture’ Paga, an indigenous payment company, is committed to bringing more Nigerians into the banking system in compliance with ongoing Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) financial inclusion project. It’s Regional Manager, Lagos and West, Mrs. Patience Gold, speaks on how the firm is helping the unbanked into the financial system and creating wealth for its Agent Network providers. COLLINS NWEZE reports.

T

HE speed, convenience and security that come with electronic payment makes it the toast of customers. For Paga, a payment company, electronic payment is where the world is heading and Nigerians cannot afford to be left behind given the benefits that come with it.

That was the position of Paga Regional Manager, Lagos and West Region, Mrs. Patience Gold, who spoke on steps being taken by the firm to get more people to embrace digital payment.

Speaking during media interaction in Lagos, she said that uneducated and people from the lower cadre of the society who think that banking is only for the rich and educated should have a rethink because with 8,300 agents spread across 35 locations in the country, Paga has brought banking to many households.

She said: “We want to change lives of people and make people make more money. Those who think the financial sector is only for the educated and rich, can also be included in the financial sector through Paga.

“Paga is about payment. That’s simple. If you want to make payment or you want to get paid; whether you are an individual or a business, Paga offers solution for all situations. We offer you the best service. Paga is a payment platform. It is more than mobile money. We play on the mobile money field, but we do more than that.”

Mrs. Gold said that after reaching three million subscribers’ base, Paga has proven that it is heading for the skies in its effort to get more people banked. “I think it is a major milestone for us. Having started from the scratch and in three years, we have three million customers.

As for the agent network, we have played a major role in making this country, especially, with all the challenges of connectivity and banks not being everywhere, or a particular percentage of Nigeria not being financially included, I think the network has helped to push availability for financial inclusion,” she said.

Speaking further, she said that irrespective of where a customer is, the average Nigerian can now have a means of accessing finance.

“Every user in one way or the other is a customer. The three million milestones comprise of everyone that has used Paga network whether you are getting paid or you used that platform to do a transaction,” she said.

Why electronic payment is key Speaking on the benefits that come with electronic payment, she said the advantage of convenience and speed makes everyone want to make payments online. “So, like I have said, everybody wants convenience. I want to be able to access my fund anytime, anyway without the challenge of banks’ closing hours, and I don’t really have to sit down and use my laptop because from my mobile phone, I can do transactions using Paga network.

“Something around convenience will make everyone that is techsavvy to want to use Paga. We also have people that are out there, the agents who can transfer money to all cadres of people including the uneducated, who have access to telephone. They can also transfer money to anyone using a mobile

phone.

“And you can agree with me that we have more people using the mobile phone than those not using it. All you need to do is go to an agent with the code and cashout the money. That is making life easier for people especially in area of payment,” she said.

Agent Network Sales Mrs. Gold, who manages the Agent Network Sales, explained that it is a unit in Paga that builds and grows the agent network for the company. The Agent Network Sales is one of Paga’s major channels. The firm has two channels, which include the agent or online platform.

She stated that both the agent network and online are convenient and secure for customers to carry out their transactions. “It is more or less the same, but the agent gets a commission. If you are paying for DSTV online there is no fee. But until last week, there was still no fee if you are using the agent. There is a recent introduction of a minimal fee, something that will not pinch the pocket at all. It is on bill payment, generally,” she said.

Mrs. Gold said subscribers can also use the Paga network to make deposit into someone’s bank account. “Off course, you can make deposits into any bank account in Nigeria. You can do that by yourself or via an agent. If you have cash, and you want to deposit money in any bank in Nigeria, Paga can do that for you.

“The unique selling point for Paga is our disposition to carry our agents along. Paga will normally look out for the interest of the customer. If you are a direct customer, with Paga, we are looking at how you would want us to serve you better. We are looking at how valuable your agency can be for you.

With Paga community, it is more like a family,” she said.

Network challenges and Telcos Speaking on connectivity issues, Mrs. Gold said: “Like you know, we key into third parties. What we normally have is that every problem that is connected to telcos today is also faced by payment companies like poor network connectivity.”

On competition, she said the company sees competitors more like partners because no one succeeds alone. “When it comes to other players in the industry, we are simply partners. I do not see other people as competitors, because there is need for awareness. If we have many players, more people will talk about different ways of making payment, and overtime, the popularity will rise and that will benefit every player in the industry. And overtime, what will sustain each player in the market will be the level of dependability,” she said.

Regulatory challenges On regulation, she said the payment industry is under the supervi-

to have that code except you and the sender. If the person is a Paga customer, the money just goes straight into his account and he can withdraw it at will.

She said many people still have the cash-mentality. “It is mindset that is stopping people. If it is not secured, people will not want to use it. The industry may not meet 100 per cent of the target the CBN set on cashless banking but the foundation has been built. It is making more people cash-less. People can now transfer money instead of carrying cash. Some customers want to get paid and prefer to get the money where they are going.

Speed, convenience are part of our advantage. Paga provides 24/7 service. It takes less time to make transactions in Paga than using the banking halls. It is less expensive.

“We have a significant role to play in Nigeria. Our agent network will have significant role to play in building reach. We will continue to work with other networks to build infrastructure. We will engage the banks.

By partnering with the banks, we want to ensure that all Nigerians get banked. They will have financial inclusion. We are currently partnering with over 10 banks to make this happen. We are confident about the future,” she said.

• Mrs. Gold

sion of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). She said the Know Your Customer (KYC) policy is helping operators to understand who every customer is and how to serve him or her better. “They want KYC for agents. Most of the KYC that apply to bank customers also apply to us.

Everybody has the limit for ATM transactions, also how much every customer can withdraw from a bank and all that. In terms of agent network, there are many requests that are going on. We do not just take anybody out there, we work based on regulations and guidelines.

Not that the process is tedious, but it is reasonable. The need for proper identification makes their work imperative. You have to provide documents and documentations for you to be in our system,” she said.

Mrs. Gold said the introduction of Bank Verification Number (BVN) will help operators work better.

“The BVN can help us to authenticate individuals. The National ID Card scheme has not helped much, if there is social code that will serve people better. It will reduce some of the must provide kind of documentation that sometimes takes longer time for an agent to start.

Like I said, at this level, it is reasonable that they go this way.

“If you want to carry out transaction in excess of N10,000, there will be need to have KYC because the transaction will not go without it.

The Paga system allows you to upgrade, but you have to provide information you normally send to banks when opening a new account.

You can send it to our customer services through email otherwise, you will be operating at the lowest KYC limit. With documentation, one can do as much as N1 million

transaction per day.”

Profitability On profitability of the business she said: “I think we are getting there. We are getting to that point where we can say the business is profitable. We are a full-fledged Nigerian company that started from the scratch. You know in entrepreneurial space, it could take a company about four years to break even.

I am not in finance unit, but I can tell you from my seat, we are getting there.”

Speaking on financial inclusion, she said the number of Nigerians that are banked is still small. “We have records to show that only bout 25 per cent of Nigerians are banked, and out of that 25 per cent, I doubt if 10 per cent of that number are fully banked. Nigerians still carry cash.

People are still keeping money with them. What I say is that the industry is an extension of the society.

There are many bank accounts that are just there dormant. Traders still carry large cash.

“I can’t remember when last I went to a bank. I don’t have any need to. In fact, the better analogy is that I can’t remember when last I scratched a recharge card. It is not convenient. If I want to transfer money, I will just use my Paga network and do it seamlessly. It is as simple as that,” she explained.

On transaction speed, she said it takes seconds for Paga transactions to go through. “It takes seconds. I will ask you for your phone number, and you get an alert, and the person also gets an alert. The person gets the alert, then contacts the sender to get withdrawal code.

It is not possible for someone else

‘The advantage of convenience and speed makes everyone want to make payments online. So, like I have said, everybody wants convenience. I want to be able to access my fund anytime, anyway without the challenge of banks’ closing hours, and I don’t really have to sit down and use my laptop because from my mobile phone, I can do transactions using Paga network’

Transactions processed Paga said it processed over 15 million transactions worth N154 billion since inception. It is excited over significant rise in the adoption of its services and that the firm has over three million users using its agent and online/mobile payment channels to send and receive payments.

The new milestone, she said shows that the industry is making more progress than previously reported. “Looking forward, it is easier to see the role Paga and the rest of the industry will play in reducing the obvious issues around payments in Nigeria, boosting economic returns and promoting financial inclusion,” it said.

It credits the rapid growth to understanding the unique challenges faced by Nigerians looking for a simpler way to make payments.

“Whether it’s paying for a TV subscription; child’s school fees; a visa; people buying airtime to stay connected to the ones they love or a new business finally being able to accept payments from its customers Paga is needed. With every transaction, there is some emotional connotation for the end user and our ability to relate to that and create solutions that make everyday life possible for Nigerians is the one reason people continue to choose Paga,” it said.

Founded in 2009, the company remains focused on building a payments ecosystem that can be leveraged by banks, businesses, and consumers. Paga’s agent network is at the core of that ecosystem. Paga now has over 8,300 agents in 35 states – the largest and most active network in Nigeria. The agents are located where people can comfortably go in to make payments within their community.

“We believe strongly that accessibility still has a big role to play in the future of mobile payments and financial inclusion. With the unique challenges around connectivity in Nigeria, having a viable agent network remains key to ensuring that every Nigerian, irrespective of the person’s location has access to finance,” it said.

28

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

THE NATION INVESTORS

Seplat recalls N100b investment deposit S

EPLAT Petroleum Development Company Plc has recalled $408 million, about N100 billion at current parallel market, from an escrow account set up for a deposit for a potential investment.

A regulatory filing indicated that Seplat recalled the deposit through its wholly owned subsidiary Newton Energy Limited for the release of the funds from escrow that had previously been allocated as a refundable deposit against a potential investment. Seplat and Newton agreed on the release of the funds.

The escrow account was originally set up in connection with a potential acquisition of an asset by a consortium, which Newton has an option to invest into.

Seplat said it was recalling the funds because of material delays in the underlying acquisition and therefore it sought the consent of other parties in the consortium to release the funds.

“The remaining $45 million of the $453 million which was allocated as a refundable deposit remains as a deposit with the potential vendors of the asset whilst negotiations between the consortium and vendors continue,” Seplat stated.

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

The oil exploration and production company noted that certain recent events have led to the restart of negotiations by the consortium to secure the asset, and it would continue to work with other members of the consortium.

Seplat added that as the process of negotiations continues, it has also placed $29 million into a new escrow account in London, pending agreement of final terms of the acquisition transaction. Newton has also agreed to pay a portion of previously incurred consortium costs totalling $11 million, with immediate payment of $3.5 million and payment of $7.5 million on a deferred basis. The remaining balance of $368 million has been returned to the group.

According to the company, in the event that terms can be agreed for the potential acquisition of the asset by the consortium and Newton agrees to proceed with the investment, the funds in escrow will be released back to Newton. However, where Newton at its discretion decides not to proceed with the potential investment, an additional payment of $20 million will be made to

other consortium members with the remaining funds in escrow released to Newton.

The Nation recently reported exclusively that Seplat is issuing bonus shares valued at more than N3.5 billion to directors and senior management staff of the oil exploration and production company. Seplat will issue the shares under its Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) at nominal cost to the company and distribute the ordinary shares to executive directors, non-executive directors and top management staff.

The LTIP consists broadly of two components including share incentives related to the company’s successful global initial public offering and annual share bonus.

Under the global IPO bonus scheme, the company will issue ordinary shares to its executive directors and senior management as a reward for their contribution to achieving a successful global offer as stated in the prospectus dated April 9, 2014. A total of 7.75 million ordinary shares qualify as global offer bonus shares out of which 3.87 million shares vest immediately but will be held till 2015 and 3.873 million shares will vest after two years.

Also, the company will also issue

unspecified ordinary shares under its annual share incentive scheme.

The annual bonus scheme is a performance-related deferred annual bonus award by reference to performance against objective performance targets during the previous financial year.

Also, as part of the global offer bonus, Seplat will issue shares to all non-executive directors who have served on its board for at least nine months as at the date of the global offer. Under this incentive, the nonexecutive directors are eligible to subscribe to ordinary shares of the company with an equivalent value of 200,000 pounds based on the United Kingdom’s global offer share price at the nominal value of the shares based on the global offer share price.

After a highly successful global IPO of $500 million, Seplat had made history mid April 2014 as the first upstream company to be listed on the NSE. It also simultaneously listed its shares on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). The initial offer size of the IPO was expected to raise gross proceeds of approximately $500 million, equivalent to £300.9 million and N82.5 billion. It was however oversubscribed. It subsequently in-

creased its capital base by about N5.78 billion with the absorption of the oversubscription from the IPO by adding 10.03 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to its shares.

The company attributed the additional shares to oversubscription and allotment that resulted from the IPO. Seplat was founded in 2009 by Shebah Petroleum Development Company Limited and Platform Petroleum (Joint Ventures) Limited for the purpose of investing in Nigerian oil and gas opportunities.

Maurel& Prom, a French independent oil company, subsequently acquired a 45 per cent equity interest in SEPLAT; this interest was later spun-off to form Maurel & Prom Nigeria S.A, which is now known as Maurel & Prom International.

In July 2010, SEPLAT acquired a 45 per cent participating interest in, and was appointed operator of, a portfolio of three onshore producing oil mining leases-OMLs 4, 38 and 41, which are located in the Niger Delta. In June 2013, the company entered into an agreement for the acquisition of a 40 per cent participating interest in the Umuseti/ Igbuku marginal field area located within OPL 283 in the Niger Delta.

Largest insurer acquires Nigerian subsidiary • Mansard Insurance now AXA Mansard Insurance

A

• From left: Manager, Rewards & Benefits, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Adekunle Yusuf; Head, Personal Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Joyce Uredi; Head, Human Resources, Healthplus, Olumide Okeowo; and Head, Human Resources, Total Health Trust Plc, Taiwo Dayo-Abatan at the Stanbic IBTC Human Resources Forum in Lagos

NSE delists three companies over poor corporate governance

T

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has delisted Nigeria Wire & Cable, Nigerian Sewing Machine Manufacturing and Stokvis Nigeria Plc, over the failure of the directors of the three ailing companies to restructure their operations and enhance corporate governance as required by listing requirements at the Exchange.

The compulsory delisting automatically removed the three companies, which had about 1.81 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each outstanding, from the trading engine and other trading cycles, processes and documents.

However, the companies can still be traded on the NASD Plc, the overthe-counter market for unlisted public limited liability companies, where most delisted companies had migrated to.

Stokvis was last traded at 14 kobo, 72 per cent below its nominal value of 50 kobo. Nigerian Sewing Machine Manufacturing’s last trading price was 15 kobo, 70 per cent below its nominal value of 50 kobo while Nigeria Wire & Cable has been flat at its nominal value of 50 kobo.

The Ibadan, Oyo State-based Ni-

geria Wire & Cable is ironically being delisted shortly after the 20th anniversary of its listing on the Exchange. Incorporated in 1974, the electrical and telecommunications cables company was listed on the NSE in July 1995.

Nigerian Sewing Machine Manufacturing was incorporated in 1960 and listed on the Exchange in 1978. It engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of the popular Singer sewing machine, which earned it the widely recognised Singer Bus Stop on the Sango Ota axis of the LagosAbeokuta expressway, where its factory was located.

The Surulere, Lagos-based Stokvis Nigeria was also listed on the NSE in 1978, 21 years after it was incorporated in 1957. It initially engaged in distribution of technical equipment but later veered into commercial production of ice blocks and ice cubes.

The NSE said the companies “failed to take any steps to regularise their listing status”, referring to the long-drawn absence of corporate results and information about the operations of the companies. The three companies had remained stag-

nant over the years.

The NSE had in November 2014, gave Stokvis, Nigerian Sewing Machine Manufacturing and Nigerian Wire and Cable and 15 other companies 12 months grace period to enable restructure their operations and comply with the listing requirements at the Exchange.

During the 12-month period, the companies are required to file quarterly progress reports updating the Exchange about their activities and various steps they are taking towards fulfilling their post listing obligations.

The management of the Exchange stated that it would continue to engage the remaining 15 companies that have taken steps towards regularising their listing statuses with a view to bringing them into compliance with their post listing obligations.

The other 15 companies under watch included Investment and Allied Insurance Plc, Jos International Breweries Plc, Goldlink Insurance, Adswitch, Daar Communication, FTN Cocoa Processing, UTC Nigeria, Capital Oil and Golden Guinea.

XA, the world’s largest insurance company, has reincorporated the Nigerian insurance company –Mansard Insurance Plc, which it acquired late last year, further reinforcing the determination of the global insurance company to leverage on its brand essence to push its entry into the Nigerian insurance industry.

After obtaining a new certificate of incorporation from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), AXA has documented the change of name from Mansard Insurance Plc to AXA Mansard Insurance at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), where the insurance company is quoted.

The NSE has published the notification of the change of name, noting that it had changed Mansard Insurance Plc to AXA Mansard Insurance both at the NSE and the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc. The CSCS is the clearing and settlement depository for the Nigerian capital market.

AXA had bought 77 per cent majority equity stake in Mansard Insurance Plc, in a major market-entry push that promises to profoundly impact the Nigerian insurance industry. AXA already has a substantial presence in Africa including Cameroon, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal and Algeria.

AXA took over the 77 per cent equity stake held by Assur Africa Holding Limited (AAH), the core investor that had purchased the former Guaranty Trust Bank insurance subsidiary. GTBank had sold its insurance subsidiary, Guaranty Trust Assurance Plc, in compliance with regulatory framework of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

AXA had entered into an agreement to acquire 100 per cent of Assur Africa Holdings, which then held the 77 per cent equity stake in Mansard. AAH is made up of Development Partners International (UK), Africinvest Inc (Tunisia), Netherlands Development Finance Company (Holland), German Investment Corporation (Germany), French Development Finance Company (France) and

ASPV Limited.

AXA had stated that the acquisition of a majority stake in Mansard Insurance would further strengthen its presence in Africa.

Deputy chief executive officer, AXA, Denis Duverne, said the acquisition is a unique opportunity for AXA to enter the largest African economy with leading positions in all business lines and to get exposure to the fast-growing Nigerian retail insurance market.

“AXA will benefit locally from the knowledge of an experienced and successful management team and from a profitable platform.

Thus, this transaction represents a further step in our acceleration strategy, which is at the heart of our Ambition AXA plan, and is in line with our belief that insurance is instrumental to foster economic development, by providing communities with protection and risk management expertise,” Duverne said.

AXA had noted that Mansard is the fourth largest insurance provider in Nigeria with operations in both property and casualty and life and savings, pointing out that Mansard is well established in commercial lines, which represents nearly two thirds of its revenues, and has been developing successfully its retail business over the past three years.

AXA will be looking to explore growth potential in the Nigerian insurance market, the third largest in Africa.

It noted that the Nigerian insurance market is highly underpenetrated with a premium to GDP ratio of 0.4 per cent, although the market has enjoyed significant growth over the past three years, at an average of 18 per cent per annum.

“There is significant upside given the low penetration of insurance and the strong prospects for the Nigerian economy, notably with the developing middle class. Market growth has also been boosted by government reforms such as mandatory Motor and Group Life insurance,” AXA stated.

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHWEST STATES

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

PAGE 29

•O ne of th e theatres at the hospital.

Ekiti ex-Rep’s special gift to his people

side the An incubator in the hosin rd wa l ata o-n ne pital.

Scanning room at the hospital.

INSIDE

•Daramola

Lagos community groans over flooding PAGE 34

All for Barry Wonder Aboaba supports widows with N6.5m PAGES 32-33

PAGE 35

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

30

SOUTHWEST REPORT

Society advises against

Ondo magazine marks anniversary From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

A

N Akure magazine, The Chronicle, has marked its second anniversary.

It used the occasion to honour the Ondo State Correspondent of the Television Continental, Mr Ayodeji Moradeyo, as the Journalist of the Year.

The event, which took place at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Centre in Akure, had in attendance journalists across the state.

Presenting the award, the publisher and Chief Editor of the magazine, Mr Olaseeni Oyesusi, described Moradeyo as a hard working and dedicated journalist who has worked round the clock.

According to him, the award was in recognition of Moradeyo ‘s contributions to the development of journalism.

Moradeyo, who thanked the organisation for its kind gesture, said, the award would spur him to do more for the profession and mankind.

Other awardees include the state publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Banji Okunomo, Pastor Joseph Ojumu and Mr Bayo Olowokere among others.

Electricity consumers in Lagos decry proposed tariff increase

S

OME electricity consumers in Lagos State on Monday kicked against the proposed increase in tariff by Distribution Companies (DISCOs).

Some of the consumers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that there was no justification for an increment.

NAN reports that DISCOs in Lagos are urging electricity consumers to brace up for upward adjustment in tariffs to partly meet the reality of the prevailing economic situation.

Mr Abdul-Rasak Osho, the Chairman, Iponri Estate Housing Residents’ Association said that the estate had been without power supply for over one month due to broken electricity poles.

Osho said that it took the Eko Electricity Distribution Plc (EKEDP) three weeks before they could replace the poles.

“Presently, we should not talk of increment in tariff now that the power supply is not stable.

“DISCOs should ensure that they put their houses in order in terms of equipment and regular electricity supply and then we will now consider the proposed increment.

“But at this time when we are being made to pay for what we did not consume, the proposed tariff hike is uncalled for,” he said.

Chief Ade-Owas Owabumuwa, President, Amuwo Odofin, Landlords Association, New Town, said that consumers in Amuwo-Odofin would resist any attempt to review electricity tariff.

Owabumuwa said that presently, they were being cheated by DISCOs because the monthly bills received in the community were outrageous.

“We told the Ikeja Electricity when they came to dialogue with us that tariff increment should not be their priority now.

“They should make the supply regular and change all bad transformers within the area.

“I am sure that if power is regular and there is no cause for consumers to complain about poor facilities, the new tariff will be welcome by all consumers,” he said.

Mr Yusuf Raji, the Chairman of Alaba-Oro Landlords Association, said that there had been no improvement in power supply since the privatisation of the power sector.

Raji urged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to ensure that DISCOs do not increase the tariff because the present tariff given to consumers was on the high side.

Lagos govt woos private medical practitioners

T

HE Lagos State Government has urged private medical practitioners to strengthen their collaboration with the State Government in the prevention of communicable diseases by conducting free public diagnosis.

Dr Modele Osunkiyesi, Permanent Secretary, in the state Ministry of Health, made the call at the closing ceremony of a 2-day meeting of health personnel in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was organised by the National Executive Council of the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) in Lagos.

“Some of the free health screenings organised by the State Government are underutilised because residents patronise the private hospitals, where they pay for these services.

“The whole essence of the state’s free screening is for early detection and prompt treatment, as well as to save more lives.

“If the private hospitals can complement government’s efforts by providing free health screening, the spread of communicable diseases will be curbed in the state.

“Also, private practitioners can help the government with data collation to inform health policies that will enhance healthcare delivery in the state,’’ she said.

Prof. John Obafunwa, the Chief Pathologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), urged private medical practitioners to take the issue of diagnosis seriously.

According to him, diagnostic medicine forms the bedrock of any medical treatment and positive health outcomes.

“Private hospitals should ensure that they employ well-trained and qualified laboratory scientists and pathologists to man their laboratories, so as to eliminate misdiagnosed cases,’’ he said.

Also speaking, Dr Ajibayo Adeyeye, a former majority leader at the Seventh Lagos State House of Assembly, urged private hospitals to adopt and adhere to the Lagos State Health Law. Adeyeye said that the law would ensure patients’ safety and reduce the rate of quackery in medical practice.

President, AGPMPN, Lagos chapter, Dr Adeyeye Arigbabowo, promised to complement the state government’s effort in ensuring universal health coverage.

“We are ready to work and cooperate with the government to enable it provide holistic health services and ensure the elimination of sub-standard medical practices,’’ he said.

M

YCOTOXICOLOGY Society of Nigeria (MSN) has warned Nigerians to abstain from any food substances that contain mycotoxins.

MSN said the diseases that can be contracted through mycotoxins induced foods includes cancer of the liver, kidney, breast and lungs.

The President of MSN, Dr Anthony Negedu, spoke at the society’s 10th Annual Conference and Workshop, with the theme:” Mycotoxin Control in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa: The journey so far”, held at IITA, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

On the causes of mycotoxins, the MSN President noted that they are chemical substances that are naturally produced by fungi which are micro-organism that do not produce their own foods, adding that they depend on other organisms that are dead or alive. According to him, this society is a collection of scientist in knowledge centres, industries, and other food val-

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

ue chain firms and we started awareness creation about mycotoxins because of the negative impact that it has on Nigeria industry, agriculture, food, health, nutrition and the economy.

Negedu, who also doubles as the Deputy Director of Raw Materials Research and Development Council, said:” Also, economically,Mycotoxins limits Nigeria trade abroad. We try to produce and possibly export the excess to the lucrative market in the European market but they are rejecting our commodities s a result of the mycotoxins.

“Recently there was rejection of Nigeria commodities at the international market as a result of some chemical and biological contamination that are present at Nigeria commodities. It affects livestock business, human health anad even the lifespan of human beings. Also, domestically, Nigerians are consuming this mycotoxins without knowing it’s impact due to

We are also carrying out researches to see the extent of damage that mycotoxins has inflicted on agriculture, human and animal health across the country. ignorance. So we felt that there is need to organise a forum to sensitise people about it. “ On how it can be prevented, he said:” The best prevention is education for the prevention of infestation by the moles. We need to continue educating the value chain actors, the farmers, handlers, the food vendors, the marketers, and the food ban keepers at all levels. They need to be educated on preventing their commodities from geting moist. They should not be storing commodities where there is leakage of water so that they will not make the environment conducive for the moist

Dr. Kayode Ajite receiving the keys to the hospital from Chief Francis Daramola, father of the donor, supported by his son, Rev. Tope Daramola.

Ekiti ex-Rep’s special Ire Ekiti, a rustic community in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State came alive last Wednesday when its illustrious son and former House of Representatives member, Bimbo Daramola, handed over an ultramodern hospital he built in memory of his mother to the management of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH). ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

T

HE rustic community of Ire Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State came alive last Wednesday when former member of House of Representatives, Bimbo Daramola, donated a hospital he built in his hometown to the management of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH).

The former House of Representatives member, who is an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, built the hospital and named it after his late mother, Mrs. Joan Taiwo Daramola, who died on October 26, 1995.

The foundation stone of the hospital was laid by former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi on December 22, 2011 while it was commissioned by the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, on November 8, 2014.

Since the Joan Taiwo Daramola Hospital was commissioned, it has not been opened to public use hence the transfer of its management to EKSUTH for effective utilisation and

bringing healthcare delivery nearer to the people at the grassroots.

There was joy on the faces of the people of Ire when the management and staff of EKSUTH stormed their town to take delivery of the health facility.

With the handover of the hospital, the EKSUTH now takes full charge of its day-to-day running and management.

The handover of the hospital, to ensure effective management of the facility was performed on his behalf by his father, Francis Daramola.

The keys to the hospital was handed over to the Chief Medical Director of EKSUTH, Dr. Kolawole Ogundipe, who was represented by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Dr. Kayode Ajite.

The 36-bed hospital has state-of-theart facilities like Consulting Room, Xray and T-Scanning room , Seminar Room, modern Laboratory, Theatre, Emergency Unit, separate, Male, Female and Children’s Wards, Neo-natal

ward and others.

The hospital is expected to serve neighboring communities, such as Oye, Ilupeju, Itapa, Osin, Ayegbaju, Imojo, Itaji, Oloje, Afao, Igbemo and Ijan.

Speaking on the conception of the project, Dr. Yomi Osatimi, said the idea came from Daramola himself when he (Daramola) consulted him (Osatimi) on what he could do for the people on Oye/Ikole axis.

He disclosed that a 20-bed hospital was initially conceived before the capacity was increased to 36 beds to allow more people have access to qualitative healthcare.

Dr. Osatimi added: “The foundation was laid in 2011 and equipment were installed and by June last year, it was ready for inauguration.

“Some facilities at the hospital include reception hall, seminar room, consulting room, laboratory, male, female and children wards, neonatal wards, incubators, maternity, operation theatre, accident and emergency ward, among others.

“The management of the teaching hospital was approached on the management of this hospital and the inspection team recommended that the management of this hospital be taken over

by EKSUTH”.

The former federal legislator who represented Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1 between June 2011 and June

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

31

SOUTHWEST REPORT

cancer producing the mycotoxins.

He said MSN is having grassroot awareness creation across the country, adding that the society has organised this conference with a view to awareness with the hazards associated with mycotoxins.

“We are also carrying out researches to see the extent of damage that mycotoxins has inflicted on agriculture, human and animal health across the country. As they grow depending on this organisms they produce this toxic chemical substances into the foods that we produce. The substances they produce do not have colour, taste or smell but the moles that produce them can be identified through their colour or appearance. So it is important that we create awareness because prevention is cheaper and safer.” he said In order to create an effective awareness at the grassroot on mycotoxins, Negedu called on stakeholders, policy makers and lawmakers at all levels to support the society.

T

HE National Director of Save The Children, Nigeria, Mr. Ben Foot, has challenged children and youth to rise to the task of rebuilding the ruins of the older generation with new skills, tact and moral lifestyle.

Foot spoke at the 2015 the Global Day of Action organised by Save the Children, ONE.Campiagn.org, The Future Project and Disability Advocacy Centre at Planet One, Ikeja, Lagos.

The programme tagged ‘Finance our Future’ is poised toward providing countries with an opportunity to give the final push towards getting their policy makers, and key players in the economy to attend the Financing for Development (FFD) conference coming up in Addis on July 13. The programme had 500 children, teachers from across Lagos State with celebrities, artists and top government officials.

According to him, the task of building a world feet for today’s world to live in is so urgent as the world continue to grown in war, epidemic and disasters of all sorts.

He said there was a world of

500 kids, Lagos teachers attend conference on ‘finance our future’

By Adeola Ogunlade

peace until the older generation failed this generation and the subsequent generation because of their selfish and self centred lifestyle.

This, he said, has been the results of the insurgency in the northern Nigeria, war in Syria, Gaza, Pakistan, and the world over.

He said: “We have failed this generation. The future is not violence, or in the hands of inhuman politicians but is in the hands of young people who will look at the problems around them and say enough is enough.

“We can have another Malala in Nigeria, if you stand up for their right and defend it even in the face of intense opposition”.

Foot stressed that the new Sustainable Development Goals that would be decided upon by December by world leaders said that it is

We have failed this generation. The future is not violence, or in the hands of inhuman politicians but is in the hands of young people who will look at the problems around them and say enough is enough. about children and they must be involved as they cannot be in the future they were never part of.

Director of ONE Campaign.org, Edwin Ikhuoria, said: “This summit could be a game changer; governments to do more to provide vi-

tal funding for essential services to actualise the global goals about to be agreed by the United Nation. We are here to tell leaders that the time for empty promises is over.”

Also, the Executive Director, Network of Nongovernmental Organisation (NNNGO), Mr. Seyi Oyebisi, challenged the children to continue to speak out in their little corner on vary issues that concern them.

Some of the children later presented some recommendations to the government which include: increased public financial resources towards climate change, the health sector, girl and women rights, child welfare, increased finances for development, and also demanding for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public budgets in Nigeria.

•A cross-section of Ire Ekiti indigenes at the ceremony

gift to his people

,

This facilities will help in delivering service to humanity.

It will also help in the training of medical students , while all specialists in various fields will be visiting for adequate healthcare for our people.

,

2015 described the hospital as a nonprofit project aimed at decongesting EKSUTH visited by various categories of patients rather than those with critical complaints.

While praising Governor Ayo Fayose for approving the handing over of the hospital to the State Government, Daramola pleaded for the construction of Ado—Afao-Ire and Ijan-Igbemo-Ire roads for easy accessibility to the medical facilities and the site of Ire Burnt

Brick Company.

Daramola said: “Since this hospital was commissioned on November 8 last year, it has remained unutilized but today, it is being handed over to EKSUTH. “To Bimbo Daramola, this is a great breakthrough. We appreciate Governor Ayo Fayose for granting the request.

“We thank the CMD and the management team for their sacrifices, coming to inspect the hospital and it was their recommendation that made this dream possible.

“We appeal to the Ekiti State government to hasten the rehabilitation of Afao-Ire Road, Ilupeju-Ijan-Ire Road where this hospital and Ire Burnt Bricks Industry are located. It is not a luxury but a worthy investment.

“It will improve the economy of this area and reduce pressure on EKSUTH. We also thank the Ileku Family in Ire for giving us this land free of charge”.

EKSUTH boss, Dr. Ogundipe, hailed Daramola for contributing immensely to healthcare delivery in his home state saying the facilities would assist in training medical students and bring best medical care nearer to the grassroots.

Dr. Ogundipe said: Honourable Bimbo Daramola is a rare breed, he did not think of establishing this hospital in Lagos or Abuja, if our leaders and political office holders can do same, our

state will continue to develop.

“He had the opportunity of siting this project in Abuja or Lagos where he can make more profit. If he had decided to do this, this opportunity would have eluded us. This shows that our leaders are beginning to think rightly.

“Ekiti would have moved forward if our leaders could think in this progressive manner. But before arriving at the process, we consulted with the governor and all processes were followed.

“We are happy to receive the keys to this hospital on behalf of the management of EKSUTH. We came here three times and we wrote to seek the approval of Governor Fayose to ensure that we carried out this task.

“We are taking delivery of this hospital on behalf of the Ekiti State government and this place will be a centre of service to humanity.

“Medical, dental and nursing students will be brought here to receive training. It’s like bringing a university to this community.

“This facilities will help in delivering service to humanity. It will also help in the training of medical students , while all specialists in various fields will be visiting for adequate healthcare for our people.

•The late Mrs. Joan Taiwo Daramola

32

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

33

SOUTHWEST REPORT

Deji of Akure sees better days ahead

It was a moment of joy for the lawmaker representing Owo/Ose federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Bode Ayorinde as he celebrated his 55th birthday, the 30th remembrance of his mother and also inaugurated his constituency office. But, what many will be looking forward to are the two factories the lawmaker promised the people of Owo and Ose, reports LEKE AKEREDOLU.

Akure, the Ondo State capital, was agog last Wednesday as the new traditional ruler of the ancient town,Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladesulu entered into the palace, reports DAMISI OJO.

I

T was an exciting moment for the indigenes and residents of Akure,the Ondo State capital trooped out to witness the triumphant entry of their new monarch,Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladesulu, to the palace .

The occasion came after the traditional ruler observed the mandatory traditional rites following his installation by the state government.

Oba Aladesulu was accompanied into the palace by traditional Chiefs, traditionalists, religious leaders, government officials and his wife.

The entry into the palace signalled the assumption of office of any Deji of Akure, as the rite climaxed the installation rites of thetraditional ruler.

The monarch was later taken round the various sections of the palace by chiefs and various traditional rites were performed at each section of the palace.

Major roads in Akure were blocked as a result of the ceremony, while traffic congestion was experienced in many parts of the city.

Residents and indigenes of the city from all parts of the country

H

•Oba Aladesulu mounting Okiti Omolore shortly before entering the palace

and those in the Diaspora all gathered at the palace where they all pledged their loyalty to the monarch.

Speaking at a reception held in his honour, Oba Aladesulu expressed gratitude to the state government, the kingmakers and all indigenes of Akure, promising to ensure rapid development of the city during his reign.

Oba Aladesulu, who is the 47th Deji of Akure, enjoined his subjects to co-operate with him in the task of developing the city.

The new monarch is from Osupa ruling House.He emerged the Akure’s king after he was nominated by the ruling house and approved by the kingmakers before he was presented with the staff of office by Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

His coming into the throne has afforded the Regent,Princess Adetutu Adesida to return to her base after serving Akure by occupying the vacuum created by his father, the late Deji Oba Adebiyi Adesida who died on December 1,2003.

ON. Bode Ayorinde, who is representing Owo/Ose federal constituency of Ondo State in the House of Representatives, is referred to as the “gentle lawmaker” because he prefers dialogue in solving issues rather than throwing chairs.

Ayorinde, the Pro-Chancellor of Achievers Private University in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, was 55 recently and he rolled out the drums. That was not the only event Ayorinde marked; he also celebrated the 30 years remembrance of his late mother, Mama Alago Ijanrensola Ayorinde and also opened his constituency office at No. 5 Aruwajoye Street, Owo. Politicians across political parties, including his eight other colleagues representing the state in the lower chamber, graced the two-day events.

Sons and daughters of the ancient town in different political camps united for Ayorinde.

Though, Ayorinde birthday was on June 22 but he shifted the celebration to June 26 and 27. The event began with the visitation of the celebrant and his wife Adejoke, friends and members of the Governing Council, led by Prof. Tunji Ibiyemi to the School of the Blind in Owo where Ayorinde,

More jobs for Owo, Ose indigenes as lawmaker promises two factories •Dr. Bode Ayorinde assisted by his wife and others to cut his birthday cake.

popularly called “Achiever” donated his widow’s mite to the less privilege.

They later moved to the expansive hall of Achievers’ University for the birthday lecture where he was ushered in by his students with a loud chorus.

The lecture titled “Politics and Economic Development in Nigeria: The Change Phenomenon and delivered

by Dr. James Oladunjoye, a lecturer from Department of English, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Osun

State, was well attended by traditional rulers, academics and politicians among others.

The lawmaker is an expert in many professions. He is a lawyer with PhD in law, a banker with an associate membership of the Institute of Bankers and a teacher.

The guest lecturer is an old student of the lawmaker. Oladunjoye described Ayorinde as a gentleman of the highest order, a teacher who actually taught and impacted knowledge to his students.

“Let me use this opportunity to appreciate this teacher, mentor and a brother for all his intervention in my life and career. It is from his milk of knowledge that I cut my teeth in the academics.

“He is a testament in courage and determination. Let me equally appreciate his amiable wife, Mrs. Adejoke Bode-Ayorinde, for her supporting and accommodating spirit,” the lecturer said.

Prof.Ademola Popoola, the Chairman of the occasion, was a lecturer

•ABUAD hosts veterinary council conference

F

•The Rector, the Igbajo Polytechnic Prince Oke presenting the Bursary award to the winner while her parents look on.

ing the demise of his father way back, he said it was through the grace of God and support from few individuals that made him to complete his education to the university level successfully.

Chief Aboaba who said a programme like this, which is aimed at empowering the widows economically is very key, most especially now that the economy of the country is in comatose, noted that it will help the benefi-

Olusola Oke, Chief Alaba Isijola, the Owo local government women leaders and Mrs. Akinrogbe among others.

Kekemeke, who inaugurated the constituency office, hailed Ayorinde for not diverting from the ideology of the party which is to make government responsible to the masses.

Kekemeke noted that the office would serve as link between the people and the lawmaker.

The event could not take longer time as many other well wishers of

Afe Babalola tasks medical practitioners on disease control

Aboaba supports widows with N6.5m T

HE pioneer Secretary to Government of Osun and former Chief Executive Officer of defunct National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND), Chief Moses Inaolaji Aboaba, has underscored the need for well to do Nigerians to always consider the pains, turture and agony associated with widowhood and as a result put the care for the widows at the front burner of their activities.

Chief Aboaba made this declaration at the 12th edition of Modupeoreoluwa Aboaba Widows Assistance Fund Programme held at the First Baptist Church, Igbajo, Boluwaduro Local Government Area of Osun State.

While narrating the pains his mother had to pass through while trying to send him to school follow-

during the lawmaker’s days in OAU. He said Ayorinde’s approach to issues make them closer to each other.

The Professor of Law described the celebrant as a good listener, who always appreciated ideas capable of bringing progress to his life.

The second day witnessed the opening of the constituency office .

The lawmaker was accompanied to the new office by the Ondo State Chairman of the APC, Mr. Isaac Kekemeke, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Senator Titus Olupitan, Chief

ciaries to be useful to their immediate comunity, church of God and children.

He advised the 2015 beneficiaries of the interest free loan to pay back as and when due so as to give many more widows the opportunity to enjoy the facility, promising his resolve and those of his children to make the scheme much better.

The Chairman of the Foundation, Engr. Akin Rotimi had earlier traced

the history of Modupeoreoluwa Aboaba Widows Assistance Fund to the year 2004 when it was officially flagged off by the Aboabas in memory of their matriach, Chief (Mrs) Modupeoreoluwa Aboaba who took the bow on 6th July, 1998 with a paltery sum of one hundred and fifteen thousand naira only. But twelve years down the line, the Fund had disbursed the sum of six million, four hundred and five thou-

•One of the widows receiving the interest free loan from Olori Bola Fashade at the event

sand naira only to different widows drawn from different churches, about fourteen of them, in Igbajo community.

While thanking the Aboabas for the initiative, Engr. Rotimi specifically thanked the Otun of Igbajoland and former Chairman of DHL Nigeria, Chief Olajide Oyewole for being a very worthy partner on the project.

Another addition to the initiative was

the presentation of fifty thousand naira bursary award to the best overall student of the Igbajo Polytechnic. This year’s edition was won by Funmilayo Omolola, Adefioye of Department of Science and Laboratory Technology of the institution.

The Modupeoreoluwa Aboaba Widows’ Assistance Fund symbolises Chief (Mrs) Modupeoreoluwa Aboaba’s willingness to help those in need and it is especially targetted at widows within

the church. The Fund’s operation involves giving of soft loans, without interest , to widows with the hope that it will meet some of their needs, make them more comfortable and encourage self-sustenance amongst them.

The sum of one million and ninetyfive thousand naira only was disbursed to 64 widows who are beneficiaries of the 2015 edition of the scheme.

OUNDER and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), has advocated a sustainable synergy between animal and human medical practitioners to minimise the spread of diseases in the country.

He spoke during a two-day seminar for veterinary doctors and laboratory technologists held at ABUAD which drew participants from all over the country.

Babalola advised those dealing in the raring of live animals across the country to always patronise veterinary doctors in the course of their business.

The ABUAD founder noted that neglect of veterinary services could lead to bankruptcy and immense loss, especially for those in the practice of animal husbandry on a large scale.

At the meeting, the Veterinary Council of

Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

Nigeria (VCN) urged governments at all levels to prioritise animal health in their policies in order to ensure a holistic health programme for the country.

Speaking through its National President,Prof Garba Sharubutu, the council said the neglect or lukewarm attitude towards animal health could spell doom for the nation’s health sector noting that a well driven animals health service is required to ensure drastic reduction of diseases and sicknesses in the Nigeria society.

Sharubutu said the seminar was intended to broaden and update the knowledge of veterinary practitioners drawn from across the country on contemporary issues in veterinary practice.

He expressed hope that the seminar would boost animals health services delivery in the country if its imports are put to use by government and practitioners alike.

•Afe Babalola

the celebrants were already waiting at the Church for the birthday and burial remembrance services at Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Igboroko-Nla Street, Owo. Ayorinde decked in “Aso ofi” was ushered into the service with his wife by members of Man O’war.

Dignitaries at the church service, included the Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Olubola, Alani of Idoani, Oba Olufemi Olutoye, Olupemen of Ipemen, Oba Femi Ademulegun, Chief Rotimi Ibidapo, a.k.a Bassy, High Chief Oshuporu of Owo land.

Others were House of Representatives members Mayowa Akinfolarin, Victor Akinjo, Joseph Akinlaja, Babatunde Kolawole, Mike Omogbehin, Friday Olemija, Afe Olowookere and Dele Baderinwa The expansive church could not contain all the guests as canopies were also erected in the church premises to accommodate more guests.

In his sermon,the Bishop of Owo Anglican Diocese,Rev James Oladunjoye challenged politicians to always live up to their promises to the people.

The cleric lawmakers must do the bidding of the masses by working on issues that would have impact on the lives of those who they are representing.

Ayorinde said: “I am overwhelmed by the encomiums, large attendance and eminent personalities that came to honour me. It is wonderful.

“The office according to the constitution is expected to be a contact office. Not everybody in Owo/Ose local governments can have access to my house, most of them will come to my house and they will tell them that I have travelled but my office will be opened because there is official office hours which is 8 a.m to 5pm .

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

34

SOUTHWEST REPORT

•A flooded drainage

Lagos community groans over flooding F

OR residents of five streets in Aluminum Village, Dopemu, a Lagos suburb, rainfall is no blessing.

They are appealing to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to come to their rescue and help prevent further calamities and destruction of their belongings.

Worse-hit are Ifelodun, Salako, Bello Ajare, Olusesi and Bayo Ayeni streets. Each year, they gather for prayers, asking God to delay the rain a little bit. Reason: the earlier it comes, the graver the

By Olalekan Ayeni

consequence. Such bitter day was last Friday, when the rain that pounded the state for over eight hours practically sacked them. But it was an opportunity for the Dopemu Community Development Association leadership to take Southwest Report round to see the extent of their plight.

The Secretary of the association, Mr Seyi Lasisi, said the agony has become a yearly occurrence as the residents run helter-skelter to salvage their lives and savings.

According to Lasisi, the community had been battling with this ugly situation in the past two decades and all the efforts by the CDA to put an end to the menace proved abortive.

Lack of drainage, he said, is the major cause of the flood. The small gutters in the area could not curtail the high volume of the flood coming from different areas, such as Agege and other parts of Dopemu,” he said.

What the area needed, Lasisi said, is a collector drain that could

take the flood water away from the area into the nearby Valley Estate canal.

The absence of this, he said, has become a big headache to residents. It is usual for residents to bail water from their homes, while those who could not endure the strenuous exercise have to purchase pumping machine to get the job done. This has affected the values of properties in the area as many tenants have had to flee. Even landlords have had to abandon their properties and relocate to more comfortable parts of the state, Lasisi added.

He described the situation as worrisome and unbecoming of a state that prides itself as the “Centre of Excellence”.

Lasisi said the flood has paralysed economic growth of the area, adding that virtually all the cottage businesses that ought to have grown round the village have relocated to neighbouring communities because the area have become inaccessible.

The CDA secretary said the government has continued to give a cold shoulder to its numerous petitions.

He said: “It is sad that nothing has come out of the several petitions we had written to the governor and the Commissioner for the Environment concerning this situation and the urgent need to address it. Last year, our people jubilated when the government came and constructed drainage on one side of the road rather than addressing the challenge on both sides; the drainage has added rather than abate the problems of flooding in the area.”

Another resident, Mrs Beatrice Adigun, said she no longer saw the

raining season as a period of blessing, as she had developed high blood pressure and usually developed headaches anytime she saw the clouds gathering.

Narrating her family’s ordeal, Mrs Adigun said her house, built over a decade ago is usually impassable anytime it rains. She said the floods have in times past led to loss of lives.

According to her, residents go through hell during any downpour saying atimes, the flood at her shop during each rainfall measures above three feet.

Mrs Adigun said many of her belongings, including her children’s relevant academic documents had been damaged because of the flood.

Mrs Adigun appealed to the Lagos State government to come to the aid of residents, saying: “enough is enough of this yearly suffering.”

An aluminium fabricator, Mr Lawal Segun, also said rain almost rendered them redundant as they had lost huge business prospects.

According to him, the little income they made to take care of their families is now diverted to repair their shops and fabricate machine at the end of each rainfall.

“The situation is so bad that we have to abandon our shops anytime it rains. Infact, we usually pray for the rain not to meet us in the shop as we would be trapped indoor and unable to leave as the entire area, including our shops would be flooded.

“The government should please come and demolish all the illegal construction that are disturbing the free-flow of the erosion so that we won’t experience this kind of disaster anymore,” he said.

•From left: Armstrong, Felix Darko, General Manager Lighting West Africa; Juan Van Dongen, CEO, Philips Africa; Daramola Chioma Iwuchukwu Nweke, General Manager Personal Health Philips West Africa.

Facelift for Ori Iyanrin Primary Healthcare Centre T HE crowd was excited. It comprised of expectant mothers, nursing mothers, their babies, employees of Oriyanrin Primary Healthcare Centre, Victoria Island and those of Royal Philips. The crowd gathered to witness the unveiling of an extensive overhaul and refurbishment of the mother and child care facilities at the Healthcare Centre. Philips has upgraded the facilities in the labour, paediatric and new born baby wards, designing them to support the well-being and recovery of expectant mothers and their new born babies. It is anticipated that over time, as a result of this pioneering project, many lives will also be saved.

The Healthcare Centre, located in Iru/Victoria Island, Local Council Development Area, Lagos, has a very high patient in-flow with an average of 300-400 outpatients per month, as well as 30 to 40 follow up appointments per week. The Healthcare Center records an av-

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

erage of twenty (20) births per month.

The labour, pediatric and new born units in the Healthcare Centre prior to the refurbishment were in need of an upgrade.

The Healthcare Centre is the largest among three primary healthcare centres in the district - Oniru Primary Health Centre and Takwa Bay Island Primary Health Centre being the other two; all of which have minimal manpower. Therefore the upgrading of the Healthcare Centre will benefit all three centres, and enable them to provide more efficient patient care.

The project, undertaken by Philips has resulted in a complete overhaul and renovation of existing mother and child care facilities. Philips began by painting and decorating the wards in order to create a serene and calming environment; Philips has also installed new toilets, tables, chairs, beds and cabinets.

All the light fittings have been retrofitted with the latest Philips LED

lighting solutions; LED lighting enables rest and recovery, as it’s not as harsh as conventional fluorescent lighting, it requires minimal maintenance and also helps to reduce energy consumption. Earlier, due to frequent power outages as well as poor and sporadic lighting, doctors found it very challenging to deliver babies at night time, this problem is now eliminated. This new innovative solar LED lighting provides safe and uninterrupted illumination, while saving costs.

Philips has also invested in landscaping and beautifying the roundabout and streets surrounding the Healthcare Centre; all elements to provide a clean and attractive area, as well as easy access to the Healthcare Center.

To further improve the maternal health and child care facilities, Philips has also provided the Healthcare Center with a range of its innovative solutions, many of which have been developed specifically with African conditions in mind.

Noticing the lack of basic ultrasound in the labour ward, Philips has equipped the Healthcare Center with its innovative ultra-mobile ultrasound system called VISIQ; the size of a tablet, the VISIQ is the first ultra-mobile system from Philips. VISIQ’s unique combination of mobility, ease of use and image quality, will enable clinicians in the Healthcare Centre to carry out comprehensive obstetric and abdominal scans themselves rather than referring patients to larger ultrasound centers or hospitals. This enables fast diagnosis and treatment.

Approximately ten times smaller than a traditional ultrasound machine and with reduced energy consumption, VISIQ can be used for screening, triage and fetal well-being scans, all of which helps to address the critical issue of maternal and infant care in Nigeria.

In addition, Philips has also installed its Efficia patient monitor in the centre. Designed to be both portable and intuitive, and using timetested physiological measurement al-

gorithms the Efficia monitor will empower staff at the Healthcare Centre with actionable, care-specific information required to make patient management decisions and provide fast and efficient patient care.

Furthermore, to ensure proper usage of the technology, Philips is conducting an extensive training workshop at the Healthcare Center for midwives, maternity nurses, obstetricians and ultrasound practitioners; the objective is to provide hands-on application training, as well as a clinical refresher course on where to look and what to look for, and how to use this information to guide diagnoses and treatment decisions.

For new mothers and soon-to-be mothers in the Healthcare Center, Philips will be hosting demonstrations by experts on the importance of breast feeding and learning the correct techniques to enable comfort and ease for both infant and mother.

Breastfeeding is fundamental to reducing infant mortality. It can protect against common childhood infec-

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

35

SOUTHWEST REPORT

All for Barry Wonder The Isolo home of the late Fuji icon Sikiru Ayinde Balogun a.k.a ‘Barry Wonder’ hosted a horde of guests and fans when Barry Wonder Fans Club, a group comprising lovers of the late Fuji artiste, held a Ramadan lecture in his honour.

ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA reports.

T

,

VISIQ’s unique combination of mobility, ease of use and image quality, will enable clinicians in the Healthcare Centre to carry out comprehensive obstetric and abdominal scans themselves rather than referring patients to larger ultrasound centers or hospitals.

,

tions such as neonatal sepsis. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), exclusive breastfeeding for a baby’s first six months and partial breastfeeding into a child’s second year, reduces a child’s chances of succumbing to several preventable illnesses including diarrhoea and acute respiratory tract infections.

Philips is setting up a maternity screening camp during the Nigerian phase of the Cape Town to Cairo roadshow. The screening camp at the Healthcare Center will give expectant mothers in the local community the opportunity to avail themselves of a free ultrasound screening. For the majority of the women in the area this will be their first time to have a scan during their pregnancy. A pre-natal screening ensures that any complications can be detected in advance of labour; if any of the women require further medical attention they will be taken care of immediately at the Healthcare Center.

Speaking at the inauguration of the refurbished facilities, Robin Armstrong, General Manager, Philips

Healthcare, West Africa said: “It gives me great pleasure to unveil the renovation of the mother and child care facilitates at the Healthcare Center. This project will hopefully ease the burden for the healthcare workers in the district, and in time save many lives as well. Most expectant women visiting this facility can now have access to care which will help to keep both them and their babies healthy.”

Armstrong added: “Since the beginning of the Philips cape Town to Cairo road show we have continually sought to champion the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), related to reducing child mortality and improving maternal health. Our commitment to Mother and Child Care in Africa is unwavering - as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) supersede the MDGs our focus will remain the same, and we will continue to advance healthcare in Africa, providing solutions, innovations and collaborations that bring meaningful change.”

The Secretary, Abayomi Daramola, said the health centre appreciated the effort of the company, “being its Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) that tends towards reducing infant and child mortality, improving the health of mothers before and after babies are born, reducing numbers of deaths of mothers, prevention of common diseases, early detection and treatment of other diseases of public health significance.”

Dr Wale Akeredolu, Medical Officer Health, Public Health and Primary Health Centre Department, Iru /Victoria Island LCDA commented on the refurbishment: “The impact this project will have on our district cannot be overstated. Community Healthcare Centers are generally under resourced and sparsely equipped with technology. Our Healthcare Center is no different in this regard, and in particular our mother and child care facilities have been under enormous pressure in recent years. We are delighted to have collaborated with Philips, as this project will breathe new life into our Healthcare Center and enable us to improve care for our patients,” he said.

HE heavy downpour that Sunday was not enough to dampen the enthusiasm of many lovers of the late Fuji maestro, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Balogun a.k.a. Ayinde Barrister who trooped to his Isolo home to reinstate their love for him ,even in death.

Emotion rose, and tears flowed freely as guests recalled the life and times of the energetic artist. For some diehard fans of the deceased, it was a moment to reunite with their ‘idol’. For some, the home of the deceased, venue of the event, provided for them a nostalgic feeling about the man whose life they shared through his philosophical and entertaining music. For others however, the platform was an opportunity to pray for the family Barrister left behind as well as seek God’s grace to grant the deceased al-jannah.

It was the annual Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister Memorial Ramadan lecture organised by the Barry Wonder Fans Club in conjunction with the deceased’s family. Though the event started few hours behind schedule due to downpour, it did not however take long before the crowd thickened and the outside premises of Barrister’s home where canopies and chairs were set ahead of guests’ arrival, became a Mecca of a sort. Crowd of enthusiasts surged obstructing the only link road that passes in front of the deceased’s •The late home.

The Master of Ceremonies, Hakeem Jamiu, who is a young Fuji artist and a member of the fans club, further heightened people’s emotion. Jamiu’s versatility in many of the late musician’s song coupled with his melodious voice, which perfectly aped Barrister’s, were enough to make fans and family members in attendance nostalgic.

Despite his revered position, the Alaye of Ayetoro Yewa in Ogun State, Oba Azeez Adelakun and a bosom friend of Barrister, could not hold back tears, especially when Jamiu sang a song the late Barrister dedicated to him shortly after he mounted the throne 12 years ago.

The solemn atmosphere was enough to prove that Barrister’s legacies are still alive even though the deceased passed on nearly four years ago, precisely on Thursday December 16, 2010 at 62.

Regarded by many as ‘Fuji moderniser’, Barrister’s many albums, which are over 100, remain evergreen.

But regardless of guests in attendance, the family is still not happy that many who claimed to be bosom friend and used to be regulars during the musician’s lifetime have melted away.

“I want to say those that claim to be friend of Barrister during his lifetime have suddenly left us after his death.

“Even there were people who used to come here for either advice of financial assistance from our father but we are surprised that many of them today are nowhere to be found. Frankly speaking, their level of response has not been the same measure since Barrister passed on,” said the female head of the family, Mrs Sakirat Balogun.

According to her, virtues such as love, unity and harmony among others which the deceased left behind remain the foundation upon which the family consolidated.

“Despite the odds, there has been peace and love among all of us. These are some of the qualities we learned from our father and which still keep us moving till date,” Mrs Balogun said.

One of Barrister’s band boys, Luqmon Babatunde Ajao, described his boss as humility personified despite his great-

ness.

He said: “I remember I was crying bitterly the day he travelled to Germany for the operation which eventually turned out the last time I would see him. But Alhaji consoled me assuring me that he would be okay.

He prayed for me Iwo naa a ri awon omo sin e (may your subordinates serve you whole heartedly).

“Barrister was a kind of person such that if he employed you as a vocalist and you are not living up to expectation; rather than sack you, he would look for something else for you to do in the band. Believe it or not, that person would earn the same wage like the rest of us. It was only in Barrister’s band I saw money being sent directly to some old and retired band members.”

In his sermon, a Muslim cleric Sheik Musa Yahyah Agboola, urged those in attendance to emulate qualities that were Barrister’s trademarks during his lifetime.

“Barrister lived a fulfilled life, otherwise all of us would not be here today. For me, today was not an occasion to grieve, but reflect on our own lives and where we would be after death. Barrister has played his part and left the stage of life.”

The cleric said man should think more about hereafter rather than here, noting that worldly assets would fade, but man’s good works would reBalogun main his defence before God on Judgment Day. The President Barry Wonder Fans Club, Alhaji Kamila Olaitan Lediju, said the occasion was the third in the series floated to pray for the repose of the soul of the music icon.

Lediju, in an encounter with Southwest Report, recalled that Barrister’s fans whose membership he put at 3000 spreading across Africa, America and Europe, were previously interacting on social media before the idea struck them to do something more concrete.

“So at every year, we want this forum to be a kind of fidau an act of fibbadah for the repose of Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister.

“Our objective is that we don’t collect money from individuals outside the group because we don’t want Barrister’s name tarnished. That is why as members we tax ourselves. We have members nationwide cutting across technocrats down to artisans. Every member regardless of their social status, is accorded equal treatment.

“The most important thing is that we enjoin members who have the ability to pay to do so. We don’t force members to contribute and we try as much as possible to accept members widow’s mite.

“This is the third edition. We have been doing that for the past three years. We normally do Barrybration every December. Last year we were in Ibadan at KS Motel where we were hosted by the Governor of Oyo State at KS Motel.”

In line with Barrister’s philosophy, Lediju said the group has been engaging in some philanthropic gestures as well as assisting members of the group in their areas of needs.

Other guests in attendance include Barrieter’s former promoter, Alhaji Mojeed Mayabikan, Alhaji Tajudeen Iyanda of Rofo Motors and Captain of Barrister band, Alhaji Aderoju Ayanwale Yekini.

Others were Barrister’s two sons, Adewale Balogun (Barry Showkey) and Alhaji Wahab Ayinde of the Lagos State House of Assembly, among others.

Our objective is that we don’t collect money from individuals outside the group because we don’t want Barrister’s name tarnished.

That is why as members we tax ourselves. We have members nationwide cutting across technocrats down to artisans. Every member regardless of their social status, is accorded equal treatment.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

36

SOUTHWEST REPORT NURTW pleads for more bus stops in Lagos

T

HE Lagos State Chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has pleaded with the State Government to provide additional bus stops to foster traffic flow.

The Chairman of the union in the state, Mr Tajudeen Agbede, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Agbede said more bus stops and motor parks should be provided in the metropolis to curb indiscriminate picking and dropping of passengers along the road. ‘’We need more bus stops and motor parks to allow us to operate freely without disrupting the free flow of traffic and constituting nuisance to other road users. ‘’If there are adequate designated bus stops like the Bus Rapid Transit, commuters will always go there to board buses as well as disembark without disrupting flow of traffic. ’’ He also called on members of the union to make use of available bus stops ones, advising commuters to always go to the designated bus stops and parks to board buses.

The NURTW chief said that commuters boarding inter-state vehicles on highways were exposing themselves to danger.

•Tajudeen Agbede “Commuters travelling outside the state should go to designated motor parks to board vehicles in order to have their names written on the manifest.

“The passengers manifest is very important because in the case of any eventuality, a passenger’s family can be contacted through the next of kin’s contact number registered on it. ‘’Another benefit of boarding vehicle at designated parks is to help the union to check reckless driving by reporting any erring driver to union officials at the parks. ‘’A passenger can also locate his or her misplaced or missing goods at the union’s office,’’ Agbede said.

Also, Mr Rotimi Ajayi, the NURTW Ikorodu West Chairman, said that many areas in Ikorodu did not have bus stops.

“We have set up a task force to monitor and arrest any bus operator who disrupts the free flow of traffic in the area,’’ he stated.

•NYSC Director-General Brig-Gen. Johnson Babajide Olawumi (left); Ogun StateDeputy Governor Mrs Yetunde Onanuga and the Ogun State Coordinator, NYSC Mrs Theresa Anosike (middle) during the funeral ceremony of the late Prince Michael Aderibigbe Adesanya at the St Mary’s Anglican Church, Ijebu-Imushin, Ogun State.

•Oyo State Deputy Governor Otunba Moses AlakeAdeyemo (left) receiving a letter from the Chairman Governing Council of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Prof.

Wale Omole during a courtesy visit to governor’s office on Monday...With them is the ViceChancellor, Prof.

Adeniyi Gbadegesin .

Ondo gives traditional rulers assignment on Resident Card

T

HE Ondo State government has called on traditional rulers in the state to sensitise their subjects on the importance of the Resident Card.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, spoke when he visited the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh.

Adeyanju said this card would enable the indigenes to access government’s health facilities at affordable rate and stressed the need for the indigenes to obtain it.

He also said that it would enable the state government to have accurate data of the people in order to plan for their welfare.

According to him, the dwindling economy in the country has forced the state to concentrate its resources only on its indigenes.

“Government would continue to

place priority on the well-being of all and sundry at all times, the card would equally be useful in the area of education, agriculture among others,’’ he said.

The commissioner said that the state government’s health facilities would also be available to non-indigenes but they would be required to pay a token.

The Commissioner visited the Specialist Hospital, Ikare in Akoko North East, where he sensitised the medical personnel to the residency card otherwise known as “Kaadi Igbeayo.’’

He decried low patronage of the hospital by patients and advised the people in the area to take full advantage of the facility rather than visiting quacks.

Adeyanju charged staff of the hospital to be alive to their responsibilities.

•Standing from left: SP Odekunle Muritala ( rep Area F Cmdr), Oba Yusuf Olatunji ( Oba of Onigbongbo), Hon Moshood Abiola ( Executive Secretary), Mrs. Bukola A Dalumo ( Council Manager), CSP. UDUAK C. Udom ( DPO Mosafejo, Oshodi) and Mrs Helen Okache ( rep state security service Ikeja LG). Immediate behind are: SP Akin Agbede ( rep DPO Alausa), Mrs Esther Kehinde ( rep Iya Oloja General of Onigbongbo LGA), Hon. Megal Olufunmilayo Bruce ( secretary to care taker committee), Mr. E.O. Okorocha (representative of Immigration Service), Hon. Oladontun Olakunle (Deputy Executive Secretary), Alhaji Abduljelil B. Oseni ( Chief Imam Oregun) and at far back: Mr. Aliu Zubair (Head Neihgbourhood Watch) and Mr. Akeem Odebiyi ( CDC Chairman) after their security meeting.

Tournament in honour of Yekini coming

T

HE Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Shehu Dikko, on Monday said the league organising body was very close to the official unveiling of the Rasheed Yekini trophy.

In a statement in Abuja, Dikko said the award would be for the highest goal scorer in the 2014/ 2015 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

“It is part of the NPFL Awards which the LMC board approved at its meeting in June,’’ he said.

Dikko explained that the decision to name the trophy after one of Nigeria’s most prolific forwards was to immortalise the former Super Eagles forward.

“The award was chosen by the board as a route to immortalise the player who scored a total of 37 goals in 58 appearances for the country and demonstrated exemplary character and commitment throughout his career,’’ he said.

The LMC board chairman said also that there was a broad plan to institute awards and honour outstanding players, officials, key stakeholders and fans in the league.

He said this would be at the end

We considered the aspiration factor which seeks to let the players know that they too can become national heroes if they achieve excellence and make a success of their career. of every season.

“There are a number of factors that led us to reach the decision to name one of these awards, that of the highest goal scorer, after the late Yekini.

“The awards is part of strategic plans of the LMC to create commercial value and additional revenues out of the assets inherent in the league property.

“We considered the aspiration factor which seeks to let the players know that they too can become national heroes if they achieve excellence and make a success of their career.

“It says to them that they too can become legends of the game and the society will honour them as we have sought to honour the late Yekini,’’ Dikko further explained.

The LMC board chairman disclosed that a monetary incentive and other social benefits would be attached to the awards.

“In the case of the highest goal scorer award, we have received a request from the Rasheed Yekini Foundation to provide additional cash support to the winner and we are studying their proposal,’’ he said.

Dikko said also that there were already plans to officially unveil the special trophy for this award at one of the league game venues.

He said the NPFL Awards was a long-term project of the LMC and was open to corporate sponsors in both headline and other supporting categories.

“Some corporate firms are already holding talks with the LMC on their potential participation in the NPFL Awards,’’ the board chairman said.

Yekini started his football career with United Textile Mills Limited (UNTL) FC of Kaduna.

He later teamed up with the then IICC Shooting Stars, now Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan and finally the defunct Abiola Babes FC of Abeokuta.

Yekini then moved to Cote D’Ivoire where he joined Africa Sports, before moving to Europe.

Born on Oct. 23, 1963, the onetime African Footballer of the Year died on May 4, 2012.

Six OPC members arraigned in Abeokuta court for assault

S

IX men who claimed to be members of Odu’a Peoples Congress (OPC), on Monday appeared before an Isabo Magistrates’ Court, Abeokuta, for allegedly assaulting two traders with dangerous weapons.

The accused are: Gbenga Adeniyi 21, Francis Daniel 18, Lekan Onaneye 20, Suraju Oyedele 19, Kehinde Lawansin 21 and Taiwo Oluwafemi 22.

They were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, assault, breach of the peace and possession of dangerous weapons.

The prosecutor, Mr Augustine Ozimini, told the court that the accused committed the offences on July 12 at 9 a.m at Kuto Market, Abeokuta. He said the six men, who claimed to be members of OPC, conspired and assaulted two traders in the market Femi Anayo and Damilare Adeniji.

According to the prosecutor, the accused, armed with broken bottles, machetes, axes and other dangerous weapons invaded the market and assaulted their victims.

He added that the incident was reported by other traders to the police and were arrested while beating their victims with the dangerous weapons.

“The accused are in the habit of causing mayhem in the market, assaulting and threatening innocent traders all in the name of being OPC members,’’ Ozimini said.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 80, 249 351 and 516 of the Criminal Laws of Ogun, 2006.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the offences.

Mr Femi Meyile, counsel to the accused, applied for their bail on liberal term and assured the court that they would not jump bail.

In his ruling on the bail application, the Magistrate, Mr Emmanuel Adekunle, granted each of the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case till Aug. 28 for further hearing.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

37

THE NATION INVESTORS Exchange opens marketFlour Mills’ shareholders meet Stockplace for sub-brokers on N40b new capital issue T

S

HAREHOLDERS of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Nigeria’s most capitalised and largest flour-milling company, would meet by noon today to consider proposals to increase the authorised share capital of the company and raise about N40 billion new equity funds from existing shareholders.

The board of directors of Flour Mills had called shareholders to the extraordinary general meeting to discuss and approve resolutions on increase in authorised share capital of the company and a rights issue.

Shareholders would be considering proposals by the board of director to increase authorised share capital of the company from N2 billion to N2.5 billion through the creation of additional 1.0 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

The company then plans to raise up to N40 billion in new equity funds from existing shareholders. In the event of undersubscription, the board is seeking shareholders’ mandate to allocate unsubscribed rights’ shares to interested investors.

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

Shareholders are also expected to empower the board of directors to use net proceeds of the rights issue to meet the funding requirements of the company.

Flour Mills’ share price dropped by 4.98 per cent on Monday to close at N30.69 per share at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), where the overall market trend was negative. Over the past 52 weeks, Flour Mills’ share price has traded between a high of N73.55 and a low of N26.60.

In 2014, Flour Mills had distributed N5.01 billion as cash dividends on the basis of N2.10 per each ordinary share. Also, a total of 238.6 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each were also distributed to shareholders through a bonus of one for 10 shares.

Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of Flour Mills for the year ended March 31, 2014 showed that turnover rose from N301.94 billion to N332.14 billion. Profit after tax however dropped from N7.54 billion in

2013 to N5.37 billion.

Flour Mills had recently embarked on group restructuring, strategic business acquisitions and investment in its core food business and backward integration programmes. It commissioned a 750,000 metric tons per annual sugar refinery built at a cost of $250 million in April 2013.

It has also continued to strategically invest in large scale commercial farming to support its food processing units with locally produced raw materials.

The group had invested about N41 billion in capital projects in recent period including key projects such as flour capacity expansion in its Apapa mills, completion of Golden Snacks facility in Agbara, completion of Golden Sugar Refinery, establishment of new flour mill in Calabar, expansion of pasta & noodles lines and many major agro allied projects such as investments in Sunti Golden Sugar Estates and new animal feed mill and acquisition and development of large scale commercial farming.

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Monday started the implementation of a new rule that introduces sub-brokers as market operators at the Nigerian capital market. The new rule on sub-brokers was approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 2, 2015.

The rule on sub-brokers, otherwise known as investment agents, allows individual registered stockbrokers and professional members of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) and non-stockbrokers first degree holders to set up their private firms and deal as investment agents as corporate entities and individuals in the marketplace.

Head, broker dealer regulation, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Olufemi Shobanjo, in an emailed response to The Nation, said the subbroker framework was developed with a view to enhancing financial inclusion by attracting new entrants to the capital market particularly those based in remote, rural or semi-urban areas where investors are more likely to be less sophisticated and may not have access to modern technology infrastructure.

“It is also to discourage illegal capital market operators from taking undue advantage of investors and to create an enabling environment for micro-operators to participate in the capital market in a regulated manner,” Shobanjo said.

He pointed out that the minimum capital requirements for sub-brokers are N1 million for corporate sub-broker and N500,000 for individual sub-broker, as specified in section 67 of the SEC’s Rules and Regulations 2013.

A sub-broker is expected to act on behalf of a dealing member as its agent for assisting investors in buying, selling or dealing in securities through such dealing member.

To be eligible as sub-broker, the person or firm must be registered

by SEC. Dealing members are also expected to execute agreements with each of their sub-brokers specifying the rights and responsibilities of the dealing members and subbrokers as provided in the rules and regulations of the Commission.

Any dealing member that wishes to transact business with a sub-broker shall submit an application for approval to the Exchange including a certified true copy of the Registration Letter of the sub-broker issued

by SEC, a copy of the documents evidencing the qualifications of the sponsored individual(s) of the subbroker, a completed standard form guarantee document completed by the dealing member, a copy of the agreement between the sub-broker and dealing member and any other documents that may be required by the Exchange.

Stockbrokers are expected to ensure that where an individual is sponsored as a sub-broker, such sponsored individual shall be an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) or a first degree holder in relevant fields as may from time to time be determined by the Exchange in line with the Rules and Regulations of SEC, with a minimum of five years post working experience excluding National Youth Service.

It is also the responsibility of a stockbroking firm to ensure that the sub-broker complies with the Rules and Regulations Governing Dealing Members and all Capital Market rules and regulations, including the Know Your Customer requirements (KYC) while the stockbroker will also be responsible for the internal review of activities of the sub-broker in addition to ensuring that supervisory controls are put in place to monitor the activities of the subbroker. The dealing member is expected to submit a quarterly report of its review in a form to be prescribed by the Exchange alongside the dealing member’s quarterly report.

Acorn Petroleum seeks N2.25b in private placement • Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano flanked by Chairman of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) Dr Micheal Okonkwo (right) and Dr Kamal Azer of Aeroprecisa, the aerial photography consultants, at the presentation of the master plan for the development of Awka into a Dubaimodelled city in Awka, Anambra State.

Investor acquires major stake in Multiverse A NEW investor might have purchased a major stake in Multiverse Plc as almost five per cent equity stake of the quarry and natural minerals company was swapped in premeditated deals.

A total of 210 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each of Multiverse worth N105 million were swapped in five deals on Friday. The transactions, traded at 50 kobo, the company’s nominal value, represented about 4.93 per cent of the company’s total outstanding shares of 4.26 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

A market source said the transactions were done through cross deals, referencing that the buyer and seller had previously agreed on the transfer and merely formalised the transaction at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

The Multiverse’s transactions were the largest deals at the stock market during the trading session, accounting for 44.2 per cent of the total turnover at the market.

Multiverse was a subject of a similar major cross deal in May 2014 as investors swapped about 2.5 per cent equity stake of the company. The cross deal then for 105 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each valued at N52.5 million was also the largest deal, by volume, during the trading session.

Multiverse, one of the companies that had stagnated at their nominal value in recent years, had been involved in many strategic partnerships in over the past 24 months. A leading Chinese Lead and Zinc mining company, Anhui Huishang Metal Corporation Limited, had in 2014 committed to investing 0 $111 million, in a joint venture business with Multiverse Plc. Multiverse and Anhui Huishang Metal Corporation (AHMCL) created a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to explore, develop and mine the huge deposit of Lead and

Zinc ores at Multiverse’s Exploration License EL 16879 in Abuni, Awe Local Government of Nasarawa State. Both companies also signed a Joint Venture Agreement with AMHCL becoming the technical partner to Multiverse.

AHMCL committed to spending about $111 million in terms of equipment, exploration and mine technology over a period of four years, starting from this year.

They had contracted the Geological Institute of China to conduct a resource study to determine the reserve estimate of lead and zinc at the mines.

Multiverse had earlier entered into a joint quarry production agreement with Unicontinental Engineering Company Limited, an international Chinese quarry company. The long-term joint production agreement involved granite stones in Multiverse’s entire quarry sites. The strategic arrangement covered technical, financial, equipment and production assistance.

A

CORN Petroleum Plc plans to raise about N2.25 billion through a private placement, The Nation has learnt.

Shareholders of Acorn Petroleum are expected to meet in early August to approve resolutions empowering the board to seek new equity capital from private investors.

According to the proposal, the company plans to raise additional equity capital through issuance of up to 1.56 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at the price of N1.44k per share.

The shares would be issued from the company’s unissued share capital by way of a private placement to identified investors at a date and upon such terms and conditions to be determined by the directors and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Shareholders are expected to mandate the board to do all such things and exercise all such powers as may be necessary or incidental for achieving the private placement.

The shareholders, in general meeting, are also expected to amend the company’s articles of Association by deleting the existing Article 27 and replacing it with a new Article 27 which stipulates that :the directors may from time to time appoint one or more of their body or from any other source to the office of managing director and executive director for such period and on such terms as

they think fit and subject to the term of any agreement entered into in any particular case , may revoke such appointment.

Also, any director so appointed as managing director shall not whilst holding that office be subject to retirement by rotation or be taken into account in terminating the rotation of retirement of directors, but if his appointment is terminated for any reason or cause, he automatically cease to be director.

Acorn Petroleum is listed on the NASD Plc, the over-the-counter market for trading in unlisted public limited liability company.

Established in 1981, Acorn Petroleum’s business includes trading in refined petroleum products in Nigeria and beyond, distribution of refined products through a chain of Acorn-branded retail outlets, aviation fueling business and storage and terminal operations.

The company plans to be a leader in the energy sector by delivering innovative solutions with integrity to stakeholders, through dynamic processes and motivated people.

“We are an organisation with an eye on the future. Our mastery of the environment, passion of our people, the soundness of our processes and the fairness of our practices work together to stay competitive and deliver superior value to our stakeholders,” the company stated in its mission statement.

9

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

38

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Essiet_daniel@yahoo.com 08180714151

Fish farming is profitable if farmers have the right resources, which include good management skill and sufficient capital, say experts.The Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, University of Ibadan (UI) has introduced a sustainable aquaculture entrepreneurship practices and agricultural techniques course for fish farmers. The focus of the UI’s one-month training, supported by the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP-Nigeria), is to assist farmers to succeed, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

Training small scale fish farmers for success S

EGUN Oke, an Abuja resident’s dreams is to raise fish and make money from the venture. Many people are in the business. So, he thinks about starting his one.

But his job and other activities will not allow him realise his dream. He knows that if he starts a fish farm, he may not be able to manage it well, especially as he lacks the skills.

He has read, seen and heard of grounded fish farms. Nigeria faces vast aquaculture entrepreneurship challenges with so many fish businesses closing shops, the reports added.

However, the University of Ibadan (UI) has come to the rescue of these people. To develop entrepreneurship in freshwater aquaculture and provide entrepreneurs a platform to acquire ideas, its Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, has lend a helping hand by holding a workshop on sustainable aquaculture entrepreneurship practices and agricultural techniques. The aim is to help Nigerians practise profitable fish farming.

The workshop is attended being by entrepreneurs drawn from across the country. Oke is one of the 30 participants. He is satisfied with the training that will launch him into a successful aquaculture business.

So far, 120 Nigerians have been selected by West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP-Nigeria) to benefit from the training, which will be done in batches.

Head of Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, UI, Prof Bamidele Oluwarotimi Omitoyin, said each participant would be given a fish-smoking kiln. They would also get free seeds to enable them start their businesses after the programme. The kilns, according to him, have the capacity to smoke 50-kg fish. New farmers, he said, could do fish smoking for others while they wait

•Smoking klin

•Oluwarotmi

for their stocks to mature. During the event, new farmers were linked with successful farmers to share ideas on how to run their businesses.

•Chikwendu

He said they would be taught how to build fish ponds and make money from offering such services in their communities. The pond construction segment, he said,

holds special potential for the nation’s aquaculture system— as many Nigerians would benefit from a more efficient, higher-yielding practice for fish farming. The training on pond construction take cues from local techniques of maintaining natural water flow. He said the future for profitable aquaculture appears bright with fish farming and associated industries expanding across the economy.

Omitoyin said the essence of the training was to prepare the entrepreneurs for the domestic market with the curriculum aimed at developing new technologies and fostering new profit models for aquaculture.

Omitoyin also said the workshop was intended to instil confidence in the entrepreneur on technologies and hand holding which would be carried on till the goal was achieved and the value chain

operation completed.

He said entrepreneurs should use proven fish culture technology, including pond construction size, storage reservoirs, to fill properly constructed fish culture ponds.

Omitoyin said fish farming training had successful at the institution and that they train people to start both small and big businesses. He said the institution has helped the industry to overcome major challenges.

He said so far, the institution has made farmers to use local materials to prepare their feed, and that it is becoming easier for the aquaculture sector to achieve additional gains to maintain production growth and earnings.

He also said the institution was seeking solutions for increasing value creation in the seafood industry. He said the institution was ready to provide new entrants detailed economic analysis of various fish culture enterprises, including start up and operating costs. These estimates of return, however, vary depending on the skills of the fish farmer, actual cost of production, prices, and, most importantly, marketing strategy, offering opportunity for reasonable profits on investment.

The National Project Coordinator, WAAPP-Nigeria, Prof. Damian Chikwendu, said the programme is sponsoring the training to create jobs and a new generation of aquaculture entrepreneurs.

Chikwendu, who was represented by Dr Oludare Adeogun, said fish farming, like other business enterprises, requires adequate entrepreneurship training to make informed economic decisions on purchases of feed, fingerlings and related items or strategies to optimise returns from the market place.

According to him, fish farming is central to addressing food needs.

At the same time, producing affordable food for Nigerians is a cornerstone of the programme’s plans.

Computerised wheel alignment businesses are on the rise.There are opportunities for freelance technicians to meet the surging demands of the market. There are also opportunities for new entrants in the sector. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

Making a living from wheel alignment

O

NE startup is carving a niche in the computerised wheel alignment market. He is Alhaji Lukuman Garu,the Managing Director, Guru Technologies Limited. He pioneered auto diagnostic services business in the country.

Launching an auto diagnostic services business after sparking a revolution in cellular phone repairs has put him on the path of success.

Always in search of new technologies, Garu is appealing to Nigerians to explore opportunities in the computerised car alignment business which he believes can lead them into financial prosperity and be reckoned with as successful entrepreneurs.

Garu said there are business and job opportunities for unemployed Nigerians who are ready to train in computerised car alignment services.

Upon completion of the training, he said there are auto repair shops ready to them employ them. Over the years, he has built clientele everywhere he went and worked for other people in need for car diagnostic

software. He realised there were enough customers for anyone who go into the sector.

There is a market for auto repairers, who offer automotive services, including tires, tune-ups, light bulbs, transmissions, motors and brakes and computerised wheel alignment.

Garu said the challenges in the business are keeping up with the latest tools and technology.

He meets these challenges by getting training offered by their suppliers. But to him, successes in the business far outweigh the challenges.

Besides having a solid clientele base, Garu has his own brand of computerised wheel alignment and tracking products. The company, he noted, believes in bringing the best products and services to valued customers.

He said the company is creating opportunities for new entrants to get into the business to meet the surging needs of the customers, adding that there is room for small scale independent wheel alignment shops.

•Computerised wheel alignment business

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

39

THE NATION

BUSINESS PENSION One year after a new rate was fixed under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), some pension operators have said less than 50 per cent of employers have complied with the new law while others believe compliance level is far below average, OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO writes.

Cash crunch takes toll on compliance with pension rate VER 50 per cent of employers in the public and private sectors are yet to comply with the new pension contribution rate of 10 and eight per cent respectively one year after the Pension Reform Act (PRA), 2014 was enacted.

Some experts have attributed the low and slow level of compliance to the cash crunch in the nation’s economy.

The PRA revised the rate of contribution by employers and employees from 7.5 per cent each to 10 and eight per cent respectively, with effect from July 1 last year.

Some pension operators who spoke with The Nation said less than 50 per cent are complying with the new law while others believe compliance level is far below average.

Chairman Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) and Managing Director, Legacy Pension, Misbau Yola said some employers in the private sector have complied while the public service has not complied.

He said compliance from the public service seems to be quite difficult now because governments, both at state and federal level have some challenges.

Managing Director, Crusader Sterling Pensions Limited, Adeniyi Falade said over 50 per cent employers have not complied with the new rate.

He attributed the delay by some employers to comply to the cash crunch in the nation’s economy, adding that it has contributed to the low level of compliance.

Managing Director, UBA Pension Custodian, Bayo Yusuf said not all employers have started remitting the new rate to the employee’s account.

O

He, however, stated that PenCom will detect any employer who is still remitting the old rate.

He said: “It is fine if an employer is remitting based on old rate, the audit by PenCom will discover such employers.

“Some of the companies are already complying and I believe they will fully adjust as time goes on.”

Head, Research and Corporate Strategy Department PenCom, Dr. Farouk Aminu said PenCom as the regulator, it will take necessary steps if it discovers that there are employers that are yet to contribute the new rate as stipulated by the PRA, 2014.

He urged employees whose employers are yet to remit the new rate to inform the Commission.

He said employees or anyone who have information about employers whom the scheme applies and may not want their identity to be made public should do so under the condition of anonymity.

According to the PRA, there is established for any employment in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) for payment of retirement benefits of employees to whom the scheme applies.

The scheme established under subsection (1) of the PRA shall apply to all employees in the public service of the federation, federal capital territory, states, local governments and the private sector.

The contribution for any employee shall be made in rates relating to his monthly emoluments which is a minimum of 10 per cent by the employer and a minimum of eight per cent by the employee.

• PenCom DG, Chinelo Anohu-Amazu

The rates of contribution may upon agreement between any employer and employee, be revised upwards, from time to time, and the commission shall be notified of such revision.

Also, any employee may, in addition to the total contributions being made by him and his employer, make voluntary contributions to his retirement savings account.

Notwithstanding any of the provisions of the Act, an employer may agree on the payment of additional benefits to the employee upon retirement or elect to bear the full responsibility of the scheme provided that in such a case, the employer’s contribution shall not be less than 20 per cent of the monthly emoluments of the employee.

In addition to the rates, every employer shall maintain a group life insurance policy in favour of each employee for a minimum of three times the annual total emolument of the employee and premium shall be paid not later than the date of commencement of the cover.

Where however the employer failed, refused or omitted to make payment as and

• Yola

when due, the employer shall make arrangement to effect the payment of claims arising from the death of any staff in its employment during such period.

But employers in the private sector and especially the public service seems to be disobeying the new law.

Monthly pension contributions in the core civil service are centrally deducted by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) as advised by the Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) based on budgeted total, personnel costs with effect from With the commencement of the CPS, the National Pension Commission (Pen Com) was mandated by the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure the remittance of pension contributions of employees of treasury-funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) The OAGF is responsible for remitting the contributions of Federal Government employees whose MDAs are under the Integrated Payroll & Personnel Information System (IPPIS)

PenCom advises retirees on nominal roll challenges

A

BSENCE of personal identification numbers (PINs) or incomplete and incorrect PINs, inconsistent format for date of appointment, date of exit, have been identified as challenges facing nominal roll for retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

Others are incorrect salary structure, grade levels or steps not in line with applicable salary structures and slow or batch submissions by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Director-General, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu who spoke at the ongoing 2015 Pre-Retirement workshop for Prospective Retirees in the CPS, said submission of correct nominal roll and other relevant documents will translate into accurate computation and remittance of employees’ pension contributions.

She stated that this will also eliminate the various complaints being made by employees and retirees of treasury-funded MDAs. According to her, part of the matters arising from this challenge is that employees and retirees whose MDAs are under the Integrated Payroll& Personnel Information System (IPPIS) should liaise with their MDAs regarding promotion after PenCom enrolment if promotion date is after date of joining IPPIS. She added that employees and retirees whose MDAs are yet to join

the IPPIS should forward evidence of promotion to the PenCom She said the implication is that PenCom ceased to make monthly remittances of pension contributions into RSAs of employees of MDAs from the period of joining IPPIS. Employees of agencies not under IPPIS but whose parent ministries have joined should use the names of their agencies as their employ-

ers when completing their enrolment forms, she advised.

She said prospective retiree are required to enroll and after enrolment liaise with Pension Fund Administrators (PFA) within six months to retirement, supply PFA with official notice of retirement from employer, provide other documents required by the PFA, reintroduce or confirm beneficiary or next of kin to PFA before or at re-

tirement and provide details of bank account for receiving retirement benefits.

She enjoined them to also provide contact address after retirement, negotiate mode of withdrawal of benefits with PFA. On processes for retirement under the CPS, she said that for a prospective retiree to be qualified for retirement benefit under the CPS, he or she shall undergo the process

of verification and enrolment exercise.

She added that due to lack of adequate data of Federal Government employees the PenCom organises annual enrolment exercise to determine the accrued Pension Rights for federal government employees due for retirement in subsequent year for budgetary provision and ensure the settlement of their benefits as and when due.

Greek pensioners’ woes spelling debt relief for Kansas retirees

K

ANSAS officials have reason to hope Greece doesn’t sort out its debt impasse right

away.

The state plans to sell $1 billion of taxable bonds by mid-August to shore up its main pension fund, said Jim MacMurray, senior vice president of the Kansas Development Finance Authority, which is handling the sale. Kansas can’t sell the 30-year debt for yields above 5 percent, according to state law. It may

be running out of room: Similar bonds that Kansas sold in 2004 with insurance have traded less than a half-percentage point below that level.

Greece’s standoff with creditors over austerity measures such as pension cuts is helping keep Kansas’s bond plan alive. The euro-area tension is holding down interest rates by stoking demand for Treasuries even as bets build that the Federal Reserve is getting closer to raising

borrowing costs.

“We have interest-rate risk until we can get to market,” MacMurray said in an interview. “It’s certainly possible we could get hit by higher rates.”

Kansas’s pension system, which covers 290,000 members in multiple funds, had two-thirds of the $24.8 billion it needed to pay promised benefits as of June 2014. Under Republican Governor Sam Brownback, the state opted for a

controversial strategy to bolster the biggest of the plans, the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, by borrowing and investing the proceeds with the hope of earning a higher return.

In January, a group of state and local-government officials warned against the practice. The Government Finance Officers Association called it “speculative” and said it may backfire if investments don’t pan out.

Axa secures $4.3b longevity swap with pension fund

A

XA U.K. Group Pension Scheme, London,has completed a £2.8 billion ($4.4 billion) longevity swap with Reinsurance Group of America for the defined benefit section of its retirement plans.

The swap covers about half of the

pension fund’s liabilities, said a news release from Axa U.K. The total asset size was not immediately available.

The deal covers 11,000 members.

The swap will form part of the pension fund’s investment portfolio, providing income in the event that

members live longer than is currently expected.

“By significantly derisking the scheme, this will benefit all our DB scheme members and will not affect any payments to members as they will continue to receive their pension as normal,” said Stephen

Yandle, chairman, Axa U.K. Pension Trustees Ltd., in the release.

Towers Watson Co. and Linklaters L.L.P. were lead advisers to the trustees and company.

A spokeswoman for Axa was not available to comment.

• Culled from Business Insurance.

40

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

Euro zone strikes Greek deal T with tough conditions

E

URO zone leaders made Greece surrender much of its sovereignty to outside supervision on Monday in return for agreeing to talks on an 86 billion euros ($95 billion) bailout to keep the near-bankrupt country in the single currency.

The terms imposed by international lenders led by Germany in all-night talks at an emergency summit obliged leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to abandon promises of ending austerity and could fracture his government and cause an outcry in Greece.

“Clearly the Europe of austerity has won,” Greece’s Reform Minister George Katrougalos said.

“Either we are going to accept these draconian measures or it is the sudden death of our economy through the continuation of the closure of the banks. So, it is an agreement that is practically forced upon us,” he told BBC radio.

Greece however aims to reopen its banks on Thursday, bankers said after meeting the finance minister. Facing a wave of withdrawals, the banks closed two weeks ago.

If the summit had failed, Greece would have been staring into an economic abyss with its shuttered banks on the brink of collapse and the prospect of having to print a

parallel currency and exit the European monetary union.

“The agreement was laborious, but it has been concluded. There is no Grexit,” European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told a news conference after 17 hours of bargaining.

He dismissed suggestions that Tsipras had been humiliated even though the summit statement insisted repeatedly that Greece must now subject much of its public policy to prior agreement by bailout monitors.

“In this compromise, there are no winners and no losers,” Juncker said. “I don’t think the Greek people have been humiliated, nor that the other Europeans have lost face. It is a typical European arrangement.”

Tsipras himself, elected five months ago to end five years of suffocating austerity, said he had “fought a tough battle” and “averted the plan for financial strangulation”.

Greece won conditional agreement to receive a possible 86 billion euros ($95 billion) over three years, along with an assurance that euro zone finance ministers would start within hours discussing ways to bridge a funding gap until a bailout - subject to parliamentary approvals - is finally

ready.

That will only happen if he can meet a tight timetable for enacting unpopular reforms of value added tax, pensions, budget cuts if Greece misses fiscal targets, new bankruptcy rules and an EU banking law that could be used to make big depositors take losses.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she could recommend “with full confidence” that the Bundestag authorise the opening of loan negotiations with Athens once the Greek parliament has approved the entire program and passed the first laws.

The secretary-general of Merkel’s conservatives said the Bundestag was likely to vote on Greece on Friday.

Merkel’s allies rushed to defend the deal, with her chief of staff, Peter Altmaier, tweeting that Europe had won and Germany “was part of the solution — from the beginning until the end!”

But in Greece, relief that a deal had been struck was mixed with anger at Germany. “Listen, it is some sort of victory but it is a pyrrhic victory because the measures are very strict,” Marianna, 73, told Reuters.

Malta’s Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said Greece came out of the summit “humiliated” - mostly as a result of its refusal to take an offer made to it two weeks ago.

HE Niger Delta Development commission (NDDC) has in augurated 19 abandoned and failed projects in the past15 months.

Its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Sir Bassey DanAbia, stated this in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital at the handing over of a prototype hostel to the University of Uyo. He said the contract for the prototype hostel was awarded to Basestar Engineering Ltd in 2004, but was delayed due to administration lapses and other logistical problems for almost 10 years.

The commission under the management, he said, within one year in office, had completed nine hostels in various educational institutions in the Niger Delta region.

He announced the donation of a 500KVA generator to the community where the 500-bed hostel is sited, promising that the commission would do more for the region if the host communities to protect government’s facilities in their area.

The NDDC boss assured that the commission would complete all projects, noting that the commission had funding constraints but expressed confidence that the government was ready to touch the lives of all, especially the people of Niger Delta who have remained under developed in

NDDC inaugurates 19 projects spite of their natural resources.

Vice-Chancellor of UNIUYO, Prof Comfort Ekpo thanked the Akwa Ibom State Government for donating the land on which the hostel facility was built.

She praised the management of NDDC for the gesture, believing that the second hostel project funded by the commission at the permanent site of the university would be completed and handed over.

Describing the hostel for medical students as unique, the VC said the facility would create employment, engender peace on campus as well as attract development to the host community and the state.

Mrs Ekpo noted that the NDDC had been a dependable ally in infrastructural development in the university. She requested that more should be done by the NDDC to take the university to higher heights.

The Chairman of the NDDC Board, Chief Bassey Ewa Henshaw, also praised the Akwa Ibom State Government for providing the enabling environment and support for the NDDC to bring development to all sectors.

Mteto Nyati is CEO MTN South Africa

M

TN Group Ltd. has ap pointed Mteto Nyati to lead its South African business, promoting the former Microsoft Corp. executive to run the wireless carrier’s second-biggest unit.

Nyati succeeds Ahmad Farroukh at the Johannesburg-based carrier immediately, MTN said in a statement. Farroukh resigned last week to join Etihad Etisalat Co. as chief executive officer, citing personal reasons.

“The appointment of a leader of Nyati’s calibre and competencies will greatly enhance our efforts to strengthen the confidence of our

customers and reinvigorate our people,” MTN Chief Executive Officer Sifiso Dabengwa said in the statement.

MTN, Africa’s largest wireless operator, has been battling strikes over pay and bonuses in its home market, where sales have declined because of competition and price cuts imposed by regulators. MTN’s biggest market by subscribers is Nigeria.

Nyati joined MTN last year as the group chief enterprise officer. He was Microsoft’s managing director of the company’s South African business and general manager of the Middle East and Africa.

IoD group holds conference July 20

A

•From left: Staff member of Lucky Fibres Plc, Mr. Ernest Eghosa; General Manager, Mr. Jitesh Pamnani; other staff memebers, Mrs Onokemi Ajibade and Miss Garima Sharma celebrating Nobel Carpets award for Best Rugs and Carpets Brand at the Africa Quality Achievement Awards, at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.

Wall St. opens higher on Greek debt deal

W

ALL Street opened sharply higher after euro zone leaders reached an agreement with Greece to move forward with a third bailout loan for the country to avert bankruptcy.

Greece won conditional agreement to receive a possible $95 billion over three years, along with an assurance that euro zone finance ministers would start discussing ways to bridge a funding gap until a bailout – subject to parliamentary approvals – is finally ready.

That will only happen if Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras can meet a tight timetable for enacting unpopular reforms of value added tax, pensions and quasi-automatic budget cuts.

“For the markets, it’s clearly a positive that there is an agreement among the European member states and that there is an atmosphere of co-operation,” said Philippe Gijsels, head of research at BNP Paribas Fortis Global Markets in Brussels.

“Still, there is a bit of execution risk which may haunt us in terms of volatility.”

World markets rose, while the dollar index .DXY gained 0.51 per-

cent to $96.50 against a basket of major currencies following news of the deal. Chinese stocks rose for a third straight session as data showed exports increased while imports slipped in June, a tentative sign global demand might be on the mend.

At 9:40 a.m. ET the Dow Jones industrial average .DJI was up 166.36 points, or 0.94 percent, at 17,926.77. The S&P 500 .SPX was up 16.43 points, or 0.79 percent, at 2,093.05 and the Nasdaq composite .IXIC was up 43.74 points, or 0.88 percent, at 5,041.44.All the 10 major S&P 500 sectors were higher. The consumer discretionary index’s .SPLRCD 1.07 percent rise led the gains.

Financial stocks were also higher with the index .SPSY gaining 0.99 percent, following the Greek debt deal. Big banks such as JPMorgan (JPM.N), Bank of America (BAC.N), Citigroup (C.N) were all up 1 percent.

Oil prices tumbled as Iran and six world powers closed in on a nuclear deal that would end sanctions on the Islamic Republic and let more Iranian oil on to world markets.

However, the oil price slide boosted U.S. airline stocks .DJUSAR. American Airlines (AAL.O), United Continental (UAL.N), JetBlue (JBLU.O), Alaska Air (ALK.N) were all up between 1.5 to up 2 percent.

Apple (AAPL.O) shares were up 1.1 percent at $124.64 after Socgen upgraded the company’s stock to “buy” from “hold”, saying it expected a successful launch of the new iPhone 6S handset in September.

Ascena Retail Group (ASNA.O) slumped 13.9 percent to $14.10 after the retail chain cut its full-year profit forecast.

Remy International (REMY.O) soared 42 percent to $29.15 after auto parts maker BorgWarner (BWA.N) said it would buy the company for about $1.2 billion in cash, including debt. BorgWarner’s shares rose 0.5 percent to $53.90.

The U.S. Treasury Department is scheduled to issue its June budget report at 2 p.m. ET. The department is expected to post a budget surplus of $51.0 billion, compared with a $82.4 billion deficit reported in May. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners on the NYSE by 2,095 to 615. On the Nasdaq, 1,735 issues rose and 583 fell.

GROUP African Corporate Governance Network( AGGN) is holding a corporate governance conference in Lagos on Monday, July20.

An arm of the Institute of Directors in Africa, the body is organising the forum to bring together players in the public and private sector in the continent to discuss ways of resolving corporate governance problems affecting profit and non- profit institutions, as well as ensuring that firms put in place mechanisms that would prevent untimely closure of businesses.

Director-General, IoD Nigeria, Mr Victor Banjo, said the initiative would help in strengthening business practices on the continent, and re-position companies for profitability.

He said ACGN is a network of IoDs and similar institutions, committed to enhancing effective corporate governance and ethical leadership in Africa, adding that the body has 16,000 directors as members from various African countries.

He said the officials of ACGN and representatives of memberorganisations will be in Nigeria for the event.

The key speaker is Prof Deon Rossouw, Chief Executive officer, Ethics Institute of South Africa.

Also billed to speak at the event are director-generals of various Institute of Directors in Africa.

He said ACGN is expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with the African Stock Exchange Association(AESA).

MainOne to raise $300m for expansion

M

AINONE Cable Co., which operates an under sea cable connecting West Africa, plans to raise $300 million to expand Internet services and connectivity in Nigeria and the wider region.

The funding may come from additional shareholder equity, loans or through a bond sale within the next five years, Chief Executive Officer Funke Opeke said in Lagos.

The company, which has invested $300 million in the past five years, will expand its data centres and submarine cable infrastructure in Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria as more com-

panies move “their business model online”, Opeke said.

Companies are tapping Nigeria’s potential as a data market, with 147 million mobile-phone subscribers in Africa’s most populous nation.

Nigeria wants to increase its broadband penetration fivefold from four percent of the population, according to its National Broadband Plan for 2013-2018.

“When you look at where the market opportunities exist in West Africa, I think if we have Nigeria, Ghana and Ivory Coast, we have probably covered 60 to 75 percent of the market,” Opeke added.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

43

DISCOURSE

Aregbesola: moving Osun from mediaeval dependency to modernity Managing Nigeria’s dependent states: Aregbesola and the case of Osun

T

HE past few months have witnessed critical and growing press attention to the crippling insolvency of twenty three of Nigeria’s thirty six state Governments, a situation that became public knowledge after several states had failed to pay workers’ salaries for upwards of six months.

This distress has not discriminated against the States in any discernible pattern- by political party affiliation, geographical location, ethnic composition, etc, the usual culprit factors that political commentators often latch on to. Financial distress as grave as this was last experienced thirty two years ago (in 1983) during the reckless Second Republic government led by President ShehuShagari when most of the then nineteen states of the Nigerian Federation ran their economies aground by depleting the dwindling federal allocations that all had depended on without exception.

The reasons for the 1983 salary crises at the State and Federal levels were: drastic fall in the price of Crude Oil in the international market, profligate spending, and whiteelephant projects executed with little attention to financial and schedule discipline, and outright theft of state resources. The states, then as now, were heavily dependent on the tempting but unreliable income from Nigeria’s Oil export, which experiences cyclical glut and price fluctuations with the boom-and-bust cycle of the world economy, a systemic problem only occasionally ameliorated when the shock of war jacks up Oil prices in key oil supply markets.

Ironically, it was MuhammaduBuhari, (President of the APCled Federal Government), then a serving army General who led the military coup that swept away the foundering democratic regime of President ShehuShagari on the 31st of December, 1983, to the relief of many Nigerians who were tired of the politicians and economic difficulties they plunged the country into. We have returned to that terrible past of insolvency and economic stagnation, with some distinct differences.

The country’s population has more than doubled from 68million people in 1985 to 174million today, while the number of states has also almost doubled as if on a cue. Nigeria is now unique in being perhaps the most over-governed but under-administered territories in the world where most of the wealth is arrested from circulation or cornered by officials past and present, leaving over 50% of the sprawling country’s population illiterate, and over 70% of the population in grinding poverty and governments inefficient and the society in decay. And the country has not managed to construct a viable economic foundation since the 1982/83 crash.

Of the twenty three State governments affected by the salary crisis, Governor Aregbesola’s administration has been singled out for a most severe attention about which Ogbeni (as he is fondly called), has agonised in public and in private. The crisis and its virtual grounding of the State’s economy and the resulting harsh situation have left an overwhelming number of government pay-dependent families without alternative income in serious financial and emotional distress.

The strong feelings brought on by months of waiting for salaries the payment of which government workers had long taken for granted has soured the governor’s once excellent relations with labour in the

By Abimbola Daniyan

state; however, the generality of the citizenry has shown understanding for Aregbesola’s predicament and still support him. All that will help now is rescue by every means available.

No argument, no matter how logical, will assuage the strong feelings of workers who find themselves stranded and helpless ‘for no fault of theirs’. The Federal government’s immediate financial rescue can forestallturning workers’ frustration into open antagonism, the possibility ofsuch an outcome is being constantly explored by the OsunPDP‘s warlord politicians who are stoking civil conflict with all manners of provocative publications and discredited allegations.

The situation has created a feasting frenzy for faceless hack writers, paid jobbers and ‘critics’ of Governor Aregbesola who churn out damning commentary based on inaccurate data and ill-educated, and coloured observations about the State government’s policies and thestate of things in OsunAregbesola’s often brilliant and biting insights on the politicaleconomic state of Nigeria and his hard extempore jibes unsettle many without a doubt, and they want a pound of his flesh.

Some of the anti-Aregbe opinionates may benefit from informed responses so that the reading public is not misled by the critics’ biases. We are in a season when contract writers resurrect once dead journals for tempting profits in the spirit of capitalistic amoral adventurism, when the sworn enemies of labour and dogooders primed in the art of exploitation of the disadvantaged swear by mammon that they love the Osun government workers more than Ogbeni, because of this salary palaver.

One reason that Aregbe has been singled out for this hash treatment is because he is seen as the arrow-head of the ‘APC Change Movement’. I ask the critics to not forget thatthe salary payment default contagion actually involves twenty three state governments or nearly two-thirds of the States, as well as the Federal Government of Nigeria, and more States will likely follow unless some drastic measures are taken now to increase available resources, expand government’s revenue base, cut wages, or lay-off workers, or do all four.

I shall argue here for the option of shifting or transfer of labour to sectors where they are most needed.

All of these four actions may in fact be needed to get States out of the logjam. It should be borne in mind that Nigeria is a free enterprise mixed economy, and no question about it, at some point we must take that bitter pill.

The wide-spread nature of the salary default tells us that something fundamental is amiss; it is not enough to make a bogeyman out ofAregbesola, whose strength of character and uncommon political vision and coherent theory of governance are only matched in this dispensation by another Comrade, Adams Oshiomhole, Governor of Edo,

with some distinct differences. This is not a coincidence but the result of their backgrounds, deep self-learning and immersion for decades in practical matters of delivering public goods. This is what informs the level of social consciousness and astuteness noticeable in their governance styles and their ability to mobilize public opinion with ease. These are the formidable huddles that desperadoes who want to bring Aregbe down face. It is an aberration to pretend to govern a people without passion or a coherent theory. (I shall come back to this point later).

Causes of the 2015 salary default backlog in Osun

•Drastic drop in funds allocated to States from the FederationAccounts •Direct impact of the 2011 acrossthe-board pay rise for Government workers •Large investments in economic infrastructure and social services •Low IGR •Effects of the brutal 2014 Osun Governorship electioneering All of the above factors have combined to create the backlog of unpaid salaries and the general lack of development in most of Nigeria’s states. Aregbesola, easily one of the most communicative State governors in Nigeria, has taken the pain to explain over and over again that the seeds of today’s problem were sown by the astronomic rise in the wage bill due to the compulsory implementation of the new minimum wage set by the federal government in January, 2011, barely two months intohis administration. Osun government employees had insisted at the time on an across-the-board wage increase to reflect the new N18, 000minimum wage, and to drive home their demand theyembarked on a crippling strike action that lasted for several months.

The new government of Aregbesola, compelled to accede to the across-the-board pay rise had lamented that the increase meant that its financial burden rose by three hundred per cent (from N1.4billion to N3.5billion per month!) and that this was unsustainable and would have consequences sometime in the future for the state’s development.

But nobody listened or took him seriously.

Late in 2013, there was a sudden drop in funds allocated to the State from Federation Accounts beyond all rational expectationswith the situation becoming worse in 2014.But Nigeria earned $92.752b as excess crude revenue from January to December 2014 (from crude oil sold above the Government’s budget reference price of $65 per barrel),a contradiction of the reason for the drop in allocation.

The cut in allocation made it virtually impossible to fund or sustain government’s commitments. Another factor is the relatively low level of internally generated revenue of the State government, which had actually doubled from N600million in 2011 to N1.2billion per month in 2013. It should be noted that Aregbesola was elected with a mandate to implement major social and in-

‘The cut in allocation made it virtually impossible to fund or sustain government’s commitments. Another factor is the relatively low level of internally generated revenue of the State government, which had actually doubled from N600million in 2011 to N1.2billion per month in 2013’

frastructural change in the State as enunciated his green book- “My Pact with the People of Osun” and was duty-bound to fulfill this mandate in best interest of the State.

Aregbesola’s Osun development blueprint and strategy The Aregbesola administration came in with an Agenda styled the Six-Point Integral Action Plan designed to banish poverty, unemployment and hunger, and restore communal peace and progress and finally to promote functional education as the bases upon which to build a thriving society in Osun.

Bearing in mind that without a strategic initiative to increase its limited IGR,Osun would remain a rural backwater state continuing along the well-worn path of arrested its development, government embarked on a major change project. This involved new infrastructure at various levels, agricultural development and provision of social services and employment generation as the means of building a viable alternative economic base in Osun in place of going cap in hand to Abuja every month.

With the understanding that providing an attractive environment and the right tools for human capacity development will aid productivity improvement, the Aregbesola government pursued key projects and programmeswith three to five-year horizons toward this end.

These have laid astrong foundation for sustainable development in Osun, a notable departurefrom the entrenched preference for shortterm goals and high recurrent expenditure of the past.Of course, major infrastructure projects absorb a lot of finance and they do not yield direct revenue to the state’s coffers in the short term, but they impact economic activities far into the future by attracting investors to the state.

A state enjoys a sub-sovereign status as a going concern with longevity, like a nation, and it makes sense to embark on infrastructure development early because inflation is ever on the move, and if one delays, project cost doubles within eight years with inflation at 10% per annum; time makes all the difference.

The quality of infrastructure and efficiency of the services it renders are the keys to economic development and growth, and through their multiplier and knock-on effects businesses will thrive and government’s tax revenue will grow.

The bitterly fought August 9th 2014 governorship elections

Another factor in the financial crisis in the State was the bitterly fought governorship elections and the strains of campaign expenditure in the face of low level state revenue. It was widely reported that PDP in its determination to wrest power by all means from APC in Osun pumped some N15billion into the elections, giving free Kerosene, Rice and cash for votes. Fifteen billion naira is equivalent to five months’ revenue for the State, and this is approximately the amount which had been cut from the state’s federal allocation between January and July in the months preceding the elections! One can imagine the financial demand that a meaningful, if asymmetrical response to this kind of challenge would have imposed on the APC government. The impractical alternative of folding the arms and resigning to fate in the face of the desperate and overawing onslaught by the irresponsible Osun PDP and the PDP Federal Govern-

•Aregbesola

ment could not even be contemplated by a seriousAPC government.

Ironically, the group of electorates most courted by the PDP during the electioneeringwasgovernment workers and some had gladly lapped up PDP’S inducement largesse - the consequence of which is today’s predicament for all. PDP had believed that it could exploit workers’ grievances to thwartAregbesola’s re-election as was done to Chief BisiAkande’s second-term election bid in 2003. For this reason, the solution to the salary crisis must include a campaign funds reform, eradication of pervasive poverty, abhorring greed and opportunism (andembracing ethical maturity) on the part of the citizenry so as to prevent the corrupt use of money infuture elections.

To survive,the states must face down their wages overburden

Governor Aregbesola had argued strongly back in 2011 that salaries could not be uniform across the country in a Federation, since no two states had the same quantum of resources or cost of living.

He also argued that salaries should not be adjusted across the board in tandem with the new minimum wagesince doing so would increase the gap between the poorest paid and the highest paid, thus eroding the intent of the pay rise and leading the State into insolvency and as well as stalling the its development projects.

During the emotionally-heated debate on the effects of implementing the new minimum wage by the state, Governor Aregbesola in presenting the difficult choices before the new government and people of the state had made it clear to the Unions that if workers’ emoluments outstripped available revenue, government would have no choice than to retrench workers since it could not borrow perpetually just to pay salaries, whilst neglecting the core reason for having a government.

It was noted that State’s revenue could not fully augment the new wage bill if there was a shortfall in federal allocation. Thus, assuaging workers’ demands for across-the-board wage rise by spending all of the state’s earnings on emoluments means leaving nothing for the future, and trusting the future to chance,postponing the evil day.

The governor had also reminded all back then to bear in mind that the Federal allocation to the state was meant for all of the state’s 3.2million residents (now 3.5million), and not the exclusive entitlement of the 40,000 or so State employees and political appointees.

This was not a popular position to take at the time, but it was, and still is the plain truth.It was decided instead to work harder to generate more internal revenue for the State, until it could not cope in the months before the August 9th, 2014 governorship elections, and ever since, things have remained difficult.

•To be continued...

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

44

SHOWBIZ

Flavour joins list of performers at 2015 MAMA

Piracy: Buhari urges security agencies to save Nollywood

T

By Joe Agbro Jr.

H

IGHLIFE musician Flavour will join other artistes to perform at the fifth edition of the MTV Africa Music awards (MAMA). The event sponsored by KwaZulu-Natal holds on Saturday, July 18, at the Durban international Convention Centre, Durban, South Africa.

Flavour, who was also nominated for the ‘Best Live’ act, joins the likes of DJ Tira, DJ Fisherman, Big Nuz, Da Les and Naakmusiq to perform on the MAMA stage.

Other artistes earlier scheduled to perform at the MAMA include 2face, AKA, Black Motion, Bucie, CassperNyovest, Davido, Diamond Platnumz, Jhené Aiko, Ne-Yo, Toofan, Wizkid, Yemi Alade and Young Thug.

However, Nigeria is strongly represented at the MAMA. While Davido and Wizkid were nominated for Best Male Act, the duo of Seyi Shay and Yemi Alade were nominated for Best Female Act and P-Square was nominated for Best Group Award. Lil Kesh featuring Davido and Olamide, Mavins, WizKid and Yemi Alade are in contention for the Best Song Award.

Other nominations Nigerian artistes got at

• Flavour

the MAMA include Yemi Alade, D’Banj, PSquare, Asa, and 2Face (MAMA Evolution Award), Basketmouth and OC Ukeje competed for the Personality of the Year Award, Nneka (Best Pop and Alternative), Patoranking (Best New Act) and Olamide and Phyno were nominated for Best Hip Hop Act.

HE cry over filmmakers’ inability to recoup their invested has reached President Muhammadu Buhari who, on Tuesday, directed law enforcement agencies to step up their efforts to curb the menace of pirates in Nigeria's entertainment industry.

In a release issued by Mr. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Buhari charged law enforcement agencies to identify the perpetrators of copyright theft, their sponsors and collaborators, and bring them to justice.

“Nollywood is making progress. We should work with them. Unless they are backed, they will be ruined by pirates who want to reap where they have not sowed.

"They have built an industry with their own sweat. It is therefore incumbent on us to give them the necessary support,” President Buhari said, after receiving a briefing from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan and her Directors in Abuja.

Meanwhile, the President also urged the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) to tap into the opportunities presented by their wide reach to shore up their revenue profiles.

Entries open for DSTV Eutelsat Star Awards

I

NTERESTED participants comprising young people between the ages of 14 and 19 are expected to write an essay or design a poster on how satellites have helped us to understand and take care of our planet.

Entry forms can be obtained from any MultiChoice Resource Centres, the nearest MultiChoice office or copies can be downloaded from www.dstvstarawards.com. Entries may be prepared in English, French and Portuguese. The awards collateral will also be made available in 3 languages (English, French and Portuguese). Entries closes November 5 and only entries submitted on the prescribed entry form will

By Ovwe Medeme

be eligible.

The DStv Eutelsat Star Awards comprises national and international adjudication.

The first assessment of entries is at country level with a panel of local judges selecting country winners and runners-up who go through a round of preliminary judging which culminates in the selection of the final winners. A regional panel selects the top four entries. Last year the panel was chaired by the inspirational European Space Agency Astronaut, Paolo Nespoli, assisted by a panel of industry experts who commended the standard of the competition.

Country winners receive exciting country prizes and go on to compete against each other for the overall continental awards. The overall essay and poster winners are eligible for a once in a lifetime trip for two to the Eutelsat facilities in Paris, with the essay winner traveling onwards to witness a live rocket launch. Runners up will win a trip to South Africa as guests of MultiChoice Africa. Schools attended by the overall winners will also receive a DStv installation, including dish, television, state-of-the-art PVR decoder and free access to the DStv Education Bouquet.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in February 2016.

JahTea talks new single, Vanity • JahTea

N

IGERIAN reggae artiste, Taiye Obasunyi, better known as JahTea in music circles, is set to release his new single titled Vanity.

The graduate of Geography from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, describes the new track as a reality song that talks about how people sell their souls for success and how some others are imprisoned in their wealth. He revealed that the track was produced by Lloyd Cambell of Joe Frazer Records Miami, USA. He also says that the video for the track is set to be released.

The artiste, also a mosaic artiste, says that he started loving Reggae music over three decades ago,inspired by music from the likes of I-Roy, King Yellow Man, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Lucky Dube and says his current influence is SizzlaKalonji. He started his musical career singing in church and special-

By Ovwe Medeme

izes in a fusion of Roots, Culture and Dance hall Reggae which he delivers in English, Bini and Yoruba accompanied also by keyboard playing.

Professionally, JahTea started music with a three man band ‘The Soul-Criers’ in 1996 with an album titled Clarion Call. He has worked with the likes of Kumboye Sinclair. He is also a member of Billy Bronco’s Roaring Thunder International Sound System who are his executive producers.

JahTea is currently in the studio working on other tracks like Seize and Settle,which features a collaboration with Jomo Morgan of Morgan Heritage and Freeway, a collaboration with Lieutenant Shotgun, which are set to also be released shortly.

The artiste is currently being managed by StrongBreedRecords.

Filmmaker calls for more film schools

F

ILMMAKER Tunde Akinsehinwa, has called on relevant authorities to build more film schools to enhance the quality of movies produced in the country.

Akinsehinwa who spoke with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, in Lagos, noted that some of the lapses in the industry are due to the dearth of film schools.

According to the entrepreneur, the standard of most films produced in the country could not be compared to Western movies, because their governments had invested heavily in the sector abroad. ``Besides the film school in Jos, Plateau, no other famous school is known for turning out quality film makers. ``You discover that the professionals we have today actually went abroad to improve

their film skills, due to inadequate film schools in the country,'' he said.

Akinsehinwa emphasised the need for government to come into the sector. ``If we must grow, government must partner the private sector to float viable film schools in the six geo-political zones in the country that will improve on the quality of our film producers through regular trainings,'' he said.

He alleged that the industry was filled with those without the passion for it, but only interested in producing substandard movies in a hurry, and solely for profit. ``The more time you put into a movie; the better the quality of the film you produce. ``In developed countries, people invest their time and money on long-term basis to enable them create great movies that will be meaningful and earn the investor huge profit,'' he said.

It’s sad my husband didn’t live to see what I’ve become, says Lanre Hassan

By Dupe Ayinla-Olasunkanmi

A

FTER more than 50 years of acting, veteran actress, Lanre Hassan, aka Iya Awero, in a chat with The Nation revealed that she feels pained that her husband did not live to see what she has become today, as one of the top cross-over actresses whose name is known home and abroad.

Having lost two children while shooting, she said, “It is so painful that my husband did not live up till this moment to see what I have become today. He was very patient and understanding.

“I didn’t see any cause to remarry because doing that means I have to start all over again. I already have children and I just decided to focus on them. Having another marriage might lead to neglecting of my children, and I didn’t want that,” explaining why she didn’t remarry.

“Even when I lost two children while shooting and had people saying all sort of things, like spiritual attack, we didn’t believe in that, because my God is sufficient enough,” she added.

• Lanre Hassan

45

WEDNESDAY JULY 15, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are warming up for the governorship election in Bayelsa State. Correspondent MIKE ODIEGWU examines the strengths and weaknesses of the parties the aspirants, and issues that will shape the exercise.

•Dickson

O

N December 5, the governorship election will hold in Bayelsa State, according to the timetable recently released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Eyes are on the oil-rich state as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are warming up for the exercise.

Bayelsa is a peculiar state. It has been governed by the PDP since 1999. The state produced former President Goodluck Jonathan, who hails from Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area.

In the post-Jonathan period, the state is set for another major election.

How prepared is the APC to confront the PDP, which is nursing the wounds of its exit from power at the national level? PDP leaders believe that the election is a popularly test for Dr. Jonathan. According to them, the election should be viewed from the prism of the APC versus Jonathan.

They maintain that Jonathan is on a revenge mission against the APC, which may want to disgrace him the second time. These leaders intend to spread the sentiment during the exercise.

But, observers believe that Jonathan’s popularity has been diminished by the gale of defections rocking the PDP and his inability to resolve its squabbles. His friends, close associates and founding members of his party are leaving for the APC. Besides, there is the sentiment of pro-establishment politics underlining the defection.

Those leaving for the APC argue that Bayelsa cannot survive without the Federal Government.

The supporters of the PDP have, however, dismissed the argument. They assert that those defecting to the APC are driven by greed and their relentless search for an opportunity to feed fat on government resources. PDP loyalists said the defectors are thinking that the Federal Government will use its might to wrest power from the governor, without realising that under President Muhammadu Buhari, the dynamic of politics has changed.

One of the challenges facing the APC is how to manage the divergent interests of gladiators.

Many notable politicians with various ambitions have dumped the PDP for the APC. Some of the defectors have their eyes on the governorship ticket. A member of the State Working Committee (SWC) said over 20 aspirants are eyeing the ticket.

Observers believe that the method the APC will adopt to give them a sense of belonging will either make or mar the party. But, leaders are of the opinion that aspirants will be given a levelplaying field to test their popularity. According to them, the feat achieved by the APC at the national level will be re-enacted in the state.

•Dame Patience Jonathan

•Dr. Jonathan

•Sylva

Battle for Bayelsa On internal democracy, the Chairman Mr. Tiwe Oruminighe, ruled out a consensus candidate. He said the party would not adopt any candidate. He said the APC ticket was open to aspirants, who must be willing to go through the primary election.

He urged members to disregard insinuations that the party would settle for a consensus candidate.

The chairman said: “On the issue of the adoption of a candidate and whatever the public must have heard about the APC, we want to reiterate that this party will follow strictly what the national leadership has demonstrated.

“Everybody in Bayelsa that wants to join the party has an ambition. They want to be governor or occupy other elective offices. Yes, it is good to keep an ambition, but this party wants to tell the public that whoever is joining us should keep an ambition at quiet end and join the party to work so that the party can deliver.

“We will not make the mistake of saying we are adopting a candidate. There will be proper primaries to select whoever that will fly the flag and I believe that the leadership is capable of producing a good standard bearer that will win election.

“I believe this will prove people wrong that we have adopted a candidate and that we are not together. This party remains one indivisible unit, very united and we will forge ahead stronger to win the election in Bayelsa.”

Beyond the claims of unity by Oruminighe, the APC has to deal decisively with the crisis in the fold. Chief Richard Kpodo, a former security adviser to former Governor Timipre Sylva, the leader of the APC, has an axe to grind with his former boss for the handling of the party.

Kpodo was the self-styled Chairman of the defunct New PDP in the state. He had wanted to lead the APC when his group formed an alliance with the party. Kpodo trumpeted the arrival of the APC and hoisted flags of the party around the secretariat of the APC.

But, his efforts were frustrated by his former boss, Sylva, who felt that the party would not be safe under the leadership of Kpodo.

Oruminighe, a confidant of the former governor and former Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, later emerged as the chairman during its congress.

Kpodo has been waging a war against Sylva and the Oruminighe-led State Working Committee (SWC). Recently, he gathered some aggrieved members and held clandestine meetings, which party leaders described as offensive.

The APC wielded the big stick. The party said Kpodo and Mr. Sunday Oputu, had been expelled for a long time and have no right to organise the meeting.

The party accused its members who met with Kpodo of anti-party activities and suspended them. Those suspended are Christopher Abareowei, Harrow Zuokomor, Fred Akamu, Rosemary Okhieazi, Godwin Sidi, Livinus Otuakpa and Korepamo Enoch The Secretary of the party, Mr. Marlin Daniel, said the action was meant to instill discipline in the party. Daniel clarified that there was no rift in the APC, stressing that the members were confident in the leadership of their chairman, Mr. Tiwei Orunimighe.

He said Kpodo was expelled when he said that the APC was dead on arrival, adding that his expulsion was valid. He said: “We want to make it clear that they are not members of the party. They have since been expelled. Kpodo was expelled when he allegedly said the APC was dead on arrival in the state.

“Oputu has not been part of the party. But, we are suprised that they have been calling party meetings. In what capacity? We do not know.

“We want to alert the members of the general public to know that they are not part of the APC in Bayelsa State and that nobody should deal with them in that respect. We are aware

We will not make the mistake of saying we are adopting a candidate. There will be proper primaries to select whoever that will fly the flag and I believe that the leadership is capable of producing a good standard bearer that will win election

that the re-emergence of these people are sponsored by the PDP government of Seriake Dickson.

“These people have recruited others who are not APC members and have been holding meetings in Richard Kpodo’s hotel. Money is shared to them and this money is from the PDP government through Kpodo and his co-travellers.”

But, the Kpodo’s ‘renegade’ group showed no remorse. Instead, it emerged in a daring move.

The members became a faction of the party and formed a parallel state executive committee.

They claimed that the State Working Committee (SWC) led by Chief Tiwe Oruminighe has been dissolved, alleging that Oruminighe and other officers diverted funds donated to the party in the last elections by some governors.

They alleged that members of the legacy party comprising the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) were sidelined in the affairs of the chapter.

The chairman of the faction is Chief Perekeme Kpodo. His deputy is Chief Livinus Opuakpa, other officers are Secretary; Prince Timidi, Organising Secretary; Christopher Abareowei, Publicity Secretary and Chief Harrow Zuokomor, Treasurer. Others are Koripamo Enoch, Financial Secretary; Mrs. Patience Robert, Women Leader; Festus Mondibo, Youth Leader and Kingsley Wire, Welfare Secretary.

Kpodo said the action was not intended to create a faction but to restore sanity and internal democracy.

But, the APC dismissed the Kpodo-led group, describing its members as jokers. The party in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Panebi Fortune, said the group was made up of expelled and suspended members.

Fortune said Kpodo and his co-travelers were displaying their lack of intelligence and making themselves a laughing stock.

“The constitution of the APC gives no room for any individual or group to suspend or expel any member. For instance, can a group suspend a governor or commissioner and constitute themselves as the executive arm? It is not possible.

“Our constitution makes it clear that it is only the national and state executive working committee that has the constitutional rights to raise its axe upon any member who defaults its norm.

“The state working committee has already ex• Continued on page 46

46

THE NATION WEDNESDAY JULY 15, 2015

‘

There was no plan to institute any impeachment against Governor Fayose in the first instance. But, on November 17, last year, the governor decided to close the legislative arm of government, based on the fear that there was a plan to impeach him

’

POLITICS

Hon. Segun Erinle is a former member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly from Ilejemeje Contituency. In his interview with ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA, he speaks about the future of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

‘APC ‘ll bounce back in Ekiti’

W

HY did the APC lose in the recent elections in Ekiti State? l thank God l was able to do my best for the people of my constituency, Ilejemeje. A lot of people can testify to it. l thank God l never disappointed the people who gave me the mandate on trust because the people are the owners the mandate.

Did l lose the election? I don’t think l lost the election as you are aware.

The election in my area was conducted twice and at the end of the day, l congratulated the acclaimed winner and l wish her well in representing our people.

Could you reflect on the lessons of the exerciase?

I learnt a lot as the people’s representative. Economists made us to understand that human wants are insatiable, hence, the more you try, the more you discover that you cannot satisfy them all and the people that have not benefitted from you would be criticising you. But, l give glory to God that l touched every ward in my local government. In our time, we never got constituency allowances. All we

did was from our wages and salaries and bank loans because we must not be seen as failures. I was happy l had a governor in Dr Kayode Fayemi, who had a clear vision on what he wanted for the people of Ekiti. So, it was my duty to help him in the legislative arm of government with good laws for the benefit of our people. I give all glory to God that, despite losing, we were able to do our best for the people. Again, you know we met 26 members in the House of Assembly. So, it was another experience. With some, we became friends, and others it was a passby.

The General opinion was that the 4th House of Assembly was a rubber stamp and stooge of formner Governor Fayemi...

I am very happy we have the record of the House, which relates the contribution of each member on the floor of the House. l can tell you that we had our differences with Governor Fayemi, but issues were solved amicably because of the mutual respect for each organ of government. I can recollect the issue of local government bill,

which we have to step down for further consideration and l still stood my ground as the representative of my people from Ilejemeje, despite my closeness with the governor. So, those saying we were rubber stamp are only expressing a wrong view.

You are a member of the G19 that was labelled a traitor. What

If people are against him, it is out of jealousy or envy. This is a man that has utilised resources available to him to promote the interest of the party; from a one state to a party that now rules the country

•From left: Special Adviser to Rivers State Governor on Media Mr Opunabo Inko-Tariah; Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General Mr Emma Aguma and Mr Shadrack Akalokwu at a news conference on the judgment of the National Industrial Court in the case involving the sacked 23 local government chairmen and Rivers State Government in Port Harcourt.

are your views and any regrets? l have no regret about what the G19 did because a lot of people never knew what transpired, but just basing their arguments on one side of the story. There was no plan to institute any impeachment against Governor Fayose in the first instance. But, on November 17, last year, the governor decided to close the legislative arm of government, based on the fear that there was a plan to impeach him. We had initially met him and assured him of our determination to support his government for the betterment of Ekiti people. But, he never trusted us for reasons only known to him. l would not have supported any move to impeach Governor Fayose, if he has not gotten involved in any impunity in governance, which he later resulted to. The situation was not that terrible that we could not have managed it effectively. But, that is history and l know one day, we would write the history of the 4th Assembly, either for good or bad.

But, there is the allegation that some of you betrayed the trust?

I cannot believe that. The G19 was committed because Governor Fayose mistreated us. Our salaries and allowances were stopped and, as l speak to you, he is yet to clear the outstanding allowances from November 2014 to May 2015, despite paying the G7. l hope God speaks to him and he pays. He should fear God and be thankful to God for giving him a unique opportunity to return as the governor of Ekiti.

What is the solution to the crisis in the National Assembly?

God would direct our leaders to understand that it is God that puts one in position. They should allow peace to reign. But, putting a PDP man as the Deputy Senate President is totally unacceptable. For 16 years, the PDP never did such a thing. We are where today because the party trusted us and presented us as its candidate. l was to be the Deputy Speaker as Ido Osi Constituency had produced the senator and Moba Constituency the House of Representatives member.

•Erinle But, the party decided otherwise.

We have no choice than to abide by the party’s regulations and l worked with the person chosen, to the best of my ability. l earned the respect of my colleagues and l wonder if l could have gotten such respect as the Deputy Speaker. So, as our President has rightly said ,individual members should respect the decision of the party that produced them. I believe at the end of the day, normalcy would return to the National Assembly.

But, some people have said the quarrel in the National Assembly is because of Senator Bola Tinubu?

Senator Bola Tinubu is a leader of leaders and l respect him dearly.

But, in politics, anything goes. l don’t agree with that perception.

But, let me say this. If people are against him, it is out of jealousy or envy. This is a man that has utilised resources available to him to promote the interest of the party; from a one state to a party that now rules the country. Nobody is perfect. He has his weaknesses as a leader, but trying to destroy him is not the solution. l hope and pray that, if anybody is doing that within the party, they should drop the idea and talk to him to move the party forward.

Senator Tinubu is not a member of the Senate. He cannot be causing problem to a party he built.

PDP, APC battle for Bayelsa • Continued from page 45 pelled the likes of Kpodo and others.

Kpodo who is known for political blackmail over the years which is his source of income. He is still bent on it it this time, he will be disgraced”, he said.

Forture advised the groups to remain calm and clamour for change in preparations for the elections.

“Kpodo and his group are failed politicians that they do not worth a kobo in the political market. The APC is well united under our amiable chairman, Chief Timipa Tiwe Oruminighe, and we are confident that come 2016, we shall emerge victorious at the poll”, he said.

The party accused Dickson of masterminding the crisis. The APC in statement signed by Oruminighe, insisted that Kpodo, who was expelled from the party was being used by the governor to destabilize the party ahead of the 2016 governorship election.

The party said it initially wanted to ignore Kpodo “for the fact that he had been expelled from the party with ignominy”, but decided to reply him for the benefits of some persons who are “oblivious of his tainted background as a blackmailer and political jobber”.

APC urged the people to disregard Kpodo’s antics, describing him as a drowning man and a stooge in the hand of Dickson’s administration.

The statement added: “A few months ago, Kpodoh declared that the APC in the state was dead on arrival because the party refused his demand to be made state chairman.

“Since then, he had been working to sabotage the party, hence he was expelled. It is now baffling that he has turned around to declare himself the state chairman of a party he said was dead on arrival.

“We are not unaware of the antecedent of Kpodoh. He has always been an agent of destabilisation. This has been his way of life. That is why he is today being used by the Bayelsa State Government to cause confusion in the APC. He will not succeed.

“As for the Seriake Dickson—led government that is using Kpodoh

and his ilk to cause confusion in the APC, we want to warn that those living in glass houses don’t throw stones. We are ready to confront them, if they will not desist from meddling in our party affairs.”

But, Dickson distanced himself from the crises, saying he is “too preoccupied with the business of governance.” The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said he is busy with programmes and projects to develop the state.

He said: “Governor Henry Seriake Dickson is too preoccupied with the business of governance and is determined to transform the lives of Bayelsans for good as is already evident in its transparent administration, commitment to good governance, landmark infrastructural development, empowerment of the people, free compulsory and qualitative edu-

According to observers, Dickson’s re-election bid is not a tea party. The party must be united and present a credible candidates. Besides, APC must manage the conflicting interests of bigwigs to avoid an implosion

•Secondus

•Odigie-Oyegun

cation, social welfare payments to the elderly and unprecedented health infrastructure.

“Tiwe and his ilk in the troubled APC in Bayelsa State should look for someone else to blame for the party’s many troubles because, by opening its doors and welcoming all sorts of characters steeped in treachery, it is not surprising that APC is born and bred in crisis. But, Tiwe should kindly leave the Bayelsa State government

out of its growing confusion.”

APC has many hurdlers to cross in its bid to unseat the governor, who has a progressive root and is perceived by a section of the state to have raised the bar of development.

According to observers, Dickson’s re-election bid is not a tea party. The party must be united and present a credible candidates. Besides, APC must manage the conflicting interests of bigwigs to avoid an implosion.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

47

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

• Delegates at the inauguration in Dublin

A

NEW chapter of the Odua Progressive Union (OPU) has been inaugurated in Dublin, Ireland to promote, enhance and sell the pristine Yoruba culture particularly among the Diaspora.

The ceremony attracted hundreds of Yoruba people who turned out in colourful traditional attires.

Impressed by the event, Mr John Smith, a guest at the Lucan Spa Hotel, Dublin, venue of the event, couldn’t help but marvel at the various designs and colourful constellations of traditional attires and cultural dances exhibited.

He said: “This is very colourful. I am endeared to this country Nigeria and the Yoruba race in particular. I know that Dublin harbours a sizeable number of Nigerians but this is my very first time of seeing so beautiful and colourful side of Nigerians.”

The Yoruba in Dublin, who have been eager to showcase Nigerian cultural identity, utilised the opportunity to bring out their best attire and display their dancing steps at the launch of Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), which is a socio-cultural association initiated by Otunba Gani Adam, the National coordinator of Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), to stimulate and revive the pristine Yoruba culture and tradition among the Diaspora.

The association, which has been founded in over 52 countries of the world, was again inaugurated in Ireland to the embrace and acceptance of the Yoruba who believed that such an association was long overdue.

OPU Ireland Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Saheed, commended Otunba Adams for his untiring efforts at ensuring the revitalisation and rejuvenation of Yoruba culture, arts and tourism assets among the

Yoruba culture light up Dublin

By Francis Abidoye

HERITAGE Diaspora Yoruba .

“I must specially thank and commend Otunba Gani Adam who has risen stoutly beyond politics and personal consideration this time around and embark on the voyage of Yoruba cultural evangelisation and revivalism all over the world . This has become imperative because of the dangerous trend of extinction which our cultural values , language and identity has been trekking lately,” he said.

Saheed said: “The fact is that this kind of association was long overdue mainly because some of us here have not only been displaced psychologically but we have allowed the material and social circumstances of our new environment to rob off our culture identity, value and sense of perception. This is why is why some of us are here to identify with the mission of Otunba Adams on OPU and ready to stoke the fire of the vision with all our energy, strength and material resources “ Saheed commended other coordinators from Europe, America and Britain led by Akogun Banji Ojo for witnessing the inauguration of OPU Ireland Chapter.

He added: “I will once again assure all in this hall, particularly Otunba Adams, who is here with two other royal fathers from Nigeria, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, the Zaki of Arigidi Akoko and Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti State that we members of OPU Ireland will not only engage in acts that will tarnish

the image of Nigeria, nether shall we involve in any act that will stain the integrity of the Yoruba race but especially we shall do everything positively humanly possible to promote , enhance and spread the traditional values and culture of Yoruba race“ Oba Adewole and Oba Olanipekun, who were at the event, lauded the people for making the race proud by their attires and traditional costumes.

They urged people of Yoruba ancestry living abroad not to forget their roots but to also ensure their children speak, dance and imbibe the Yoruba culture.

The Ajero of Ijero said: “Your birth and time has placed on your shoulders the role to ensure that your children imbibe our culture and know the values which has brought you this far. Any attempt by you in not doing this may warrant on us generational curses by the time our great grand children are living without identity “ He charged the Yoruba in Ireland to hold their head high and flaunt the traditional values and culture of their pedigree.

Otunaba Adams commended Saheed for his temerity of purpose and organisational ability by holding a beautiful event and “convincing all of us here particularly the delegate from Nigeria to be here today,” Otunba Adams, who made a clarification between Oodua People’s Congress, O(PC) and Oodua Progressive Union, (OPU) said: “I must enlighten all about the difference between Oodua Progressive Union, OPU and Oodua People’s Congress, OPC. Oodua Peo-

BRIEF

Blackman returns with Beautiful Nubia

A

FTER over 30 years in the doldrums, Blackman Akeeb Kareem returns to the stage with Beautiful Nubia (Segun Akinlolu) and the Roots Renaissance Band at a special concert on Sunday, July 26 at EniObanke Arts Centre, GRA Ikeja Lagos.

It will commence at 5pm and end at 9pm.

This will be Blackman Akeeb Kareem’s first live performance in Nigeria in more than 30 years. Foremost music critic Benson Idonije had much to say recently about this great artist: “Blackman Akeeb Kareem made considerable impact as a singer, composer, guitarist and band leader from the 60s to the 80s. Long before the wind of change from the imitation of foreign music to authenticity began to blow across Africa in the late ’60s, Akeeb Kareem was there, making his influence felt. As a matter of fact, before such Afro-inspired sounds as “Allah Wakaba” by Ofo the Black Company led by the late Larry Ifediorama and “Jeun Koku” from the Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, adopted authenticity in terms of the Africanisation of their music, Akeeb Kareem was already recording Afro-Pop fusions for Decca West Africa. So consistent and committed was Kareem that his mode of dress and that of his entire band was in the true African fashion. Needless to say that his

Green House holds exhibition on artists, politics

CONCERT compositions, most of which were written in Yoruba language, were meaningful and replete with inventiveness.

He added: “The era of Akeeb Kareem was that of Johnny Haastrup of Monomono, Segun Bucknor and Revolution, Fred Fisher and his Ogiza Band, among others, who all created their different styles of fusion within varying sound identities. Akeeb was perhaps the most successful, not because of his musicianship but because of record sales arising from popular acceptance. He identified with the grassroots in terms of compositional themes and live shows. It was his popularity, as reflected by the sales of his music, that recommended him, in those days, to almost all the record companies. “On Shanu Olu’s stable in the early ’80s, Akeeb registered an artistic impression with the recording of a hit called “Amebo”. Apparently inspired by the role played by the great actress Ibidun Allison on the memorable television series, Village Headmaster, Akeeb told the story of a rumour monger and backed it up with his simple but powerful music. But perhaps the album that has continued to paint him in good artistic light, even though not as

ple’s Congress is a Nigerian based organisation ready to fight and agitate for the protection of the territorial integrity and political respect of Yoruba race while Oodua Progressive Union is out to promote, enhance and sell the pristine Yoruba culture, particularly among the Diaspora. You cannot be members of both. If you want to be OPC you cannot be OPU. OPU is culturally inclined with every sense of responsibility while OPC is for agitation via responsible militancy and strident advocacy for our race’s right.”

“OPU is not political but purely for the propagation of our cultural values, assets and promotion of our pristine tourism assets for profitability and acceptance. That is why we lay emphasis on celebration and showcasing of our culture whenever OPU is inaugurated.

This is because we must show the part of what they should come to Yoruba land to see ,“ he stressed.

Mr Femi Daviesof Metroline news blog, described the inauguration of the OPU Ireland chapter as a testimony to the global appreciation of the efforts of Otunba Adams Cultural Revolution and his global acceptance as a world-class cultural idol whose acts are recognised san Nigerian’s border .

“OPU Ireland inauguration was a plus to Nigeria and a good one from the stable of Otunba Gani Adams. I was elated by the comments and responses of Dubliners who were fortunate to see Yoruba culture on display.

It brought out one single fact, that if well packaged, Nigeria culture can sell Nigeria better and can also attract the right people and investment to Nigeria,” he added.

By Chiamaka Unachukwu

T •Beautiful Nubia

financially rewarding, is “Ololufe” (which means My Love) produced by Odion Iruoje.

Blackman is one of Nigeria’s most talented musicians. At the time he left this country in the 80s, his last record, “Amebo” was doing well in the market. As a reflection of sales, it was occupying a comfortable slot on the hit parade chart in 1984.”

Beautiful Nubia and his band will thrill all with their popular songs, provide backing for Blackman’s legendary numbers and then the two artists will complete the concert with a duet performance that is sure to please every attendee.

HE Green House Art Empowerment Centre, Olambe in Ogun State will open an art exhibition titled Nigerian visual artists and politics on Monday September 14.

It will run till November 30.

The exhibition will showcase works by many Nigerian artists featuring painting, installations, water colour, textile, ceramics/pottery, sculpture and photography.

Twelve notable artists will take part in the group exhibition, while academic papers will be presented on September 12 by 12p.m.

The presenters include Prof Bruce Onobrakpeya (guest artist and keynote speaker), Sam Ovraiti, Princess Theresa Iyase-Odozi, Dr. Mabel Oluremi Awogbade, Ato Arinze, Stella Awoh, K. K. Olojo, Juliet Ezenwa Pearce, Bolaji Ogunwo, Stella Ubigho, Oke Ibem Oke and Evelyn Osagie of The Nation

48

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

‘Here was my father, my best friend’

O

N June 28, 2014, at about 7 pm, I got a call from my mum that my dad, Suleiman Gambari, had been taken to hospital. It was on a Saturday and by the next day; I headed for Ilorin from Abuja. I had to go by road as there were no flights out of Abuja to Ilorin on Sunday morning.

As we set out on the trip, I couldn’t help but think about him. He had received treatment in Abuja the previous month and was certified okay before he traveled to spend some time resting in Ilorin. While in Abuja, we shared a lot. He told me stories of how he started his career. How he wished being enrolled in the Army and eventually became a journalist. The funniest part of the story was how he met my mum. They went to the same primary and were worst enemies. Until fate brought them together many years later as husband and wife when my mum travelled to Kaduna where he was working after school. I thought about how we argued endlessly about me reading law and I insisted on Mass Communication.

All these thoughts flashed in and out of my memory.

Then, I decided to put a call to him. I called several times with no answer. Relentlessly, I kept calling until someone suddenly picked up the phone. Rather than hear his voice as he usually calls out my name “ Hajia Aishah, Allah ya yi miki albarka”, anytime I called him, it was my mum’s voice I heard who said dad had been under close monitoring and cannot pick calls. Then it dawned on me that there was trouble.

While the illness lasted, my dad used to pick his calls. He even called many times to check out on us. For him not to pick calls on that day, then I knew something seriously has happened. But, I kept praying and hoping that everything will be alright.

After eight hours drive, we arrived in Ilorin. Immediately, I headed to the hospital. Getting there, I called my mum who sent someone to pick me up at the hospital entrance to lead me to the private ward where my dad was. There he was lying in pains. I broke down immediately because I just couldn’t imagine seeing him in that state. This was a man who hardly falls sick. Not once has he ever complained of headache.

Being the eldest child around at that time, I had to quickly put myself together and be strong for my mum and younger siblings. I called the doctor in charge of his case and he briefed me about his findings. He recommended several tests and ultra- sound scans which we immediately conducted.

By the evening of that same day, while sitting by the edge of his bed, he opened his eyes, and the first thing he said to me in Hausa was “Aishah, kin zo ne, ai da kin bari. Zan samu lafia In shaa Allah,” meaning Aishah, you came, you shouldn’t have bothered, I will be fine by Allah’s will. He then looked up and smiled, while I smiled back too.

We were at the hospital until July 2, 2014. That morning he called me and he started talking about where he has what, and what I should do with them. I got frightened and insisted that he takes some rest. He insisted on talking, but I called my mum in and we both found a way of making him rest.

The most intriguing thing about the whole situation was that until he took his last breath, he had hope. He kept repeating it that we shouldn’t worry, he would be fine.

•The late Gambari From Aisha Gambari

TRIBUTE On the morning of July 3, 2014, my worst fear came. That morning, I sat by his bed side and started reciting various prayers for a sick person from the Quran. By this time, he couldn’t talk again neither was he able to eat anything all day. His eyes were opened which suggested he wasn’t asleep.

My mum and younger sister who were also there joined in the prayers.

It was during the month of Ramadan and we decided to seize the opportunity to intensify prayers for him. By the evening of that day, his condition started deteriorating. We were all scared and we kept praying. The doctors came in and out trying to revive him. And at 6:36pm just as everyone was getting ready to break their fast, he lost the battle, and gave up the ghost!

Then a pandemonium followed. My dad’s elder sister, her kids and his mum were all present. Everyone started screaming. My mum broke down immediately, my sister was also down. I was the only one who tried to hold myself up so that I can take care of my mum and my sister.

While many other families were breaking their fast in comfort, we broke our fast with the drop of tears rolling from our eyes down our lips.

It was the worst day of my life. I went close to his body, felt his pulse again just to be sure because his eyes were still opened. Nay, he’s gone! We closed his eyes, covered him up

and said prayers for the repose of his soul. It was a day I will never forget.

Here was my father, my best friend, my mentor, my teacher, my strength being taken away forever. I realized I will never have a father again. There will be no one to fill that gap he left behind. No one can ever replace him in our lives.

My father was born into the Royal family of Ilorin by the then District Head of Lanwa, Mallam Muhammadu Laufe, son of Shuaibu Bawa the 7th Emir of Ilorin. He was the brother of the 9th Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Sulu Gambari Mohammed.

Suleiman Gambari is the great grandson of Mallam Abdul Salam, the first emir of Ilorin who was the son of Sheikh Salihu Moddibo Alfa -Alimi, the founder of the Fulani dynasty of the ancient city of Ilorin.

Sheihk Alimi was one of the trusted flag bearers and disciples of the great Jihadist and Islamic scholar, Amir Almumunin, Sheikh Usman Danfodio from whom he received a flag of authority and a letter of investitude to establish orthodox Islamic religion and government in Ilorin in 1831.

Gambari, a renowned journalist, started his early career life with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in Sokoto, in 1969. In 1970, he was transferred to Kaduna and subsequently joined the Nigeria Defence Academy, (NDA) and was attached to the Training branch of the Academy.

In 1975, he decided to take journalism as a career and he applied and got a job with the New Nigerian Newspapers in 1978 as a reporter. He attended series of journalism professional courses at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Lagos, between 1981 and 1983.

Since then, he has held various Editorial positions in the New Nigerian Newspapers. First, he was appointed Editorial Representative in Zaria, Kaduna State, he was also a State Editor in Minna, Niger State, Sokoto, Kano and Ilorin between 1984 and 1987.

He was later posted back to Kaduna where he was appointed the news editor, editor special pages and later daily editor of the New Nigerian Newspapers.

While in Kaduna, he enrolled into the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, to study part time Law. He graduated in 2002 and was call to Bar before he got a transfer of service from the New Nigerian Newspapers to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) where he retired as the Editor in 2013 to join the Afe Babalola Chambers as a legal practitioner before his untimely death.

Dad, as we mark the first year of your demise, I know where ever you maybe, you are resting in peace. I miss your smiles and laughter. You were always happy. I never saw your sad face. You were humble to a fault and carried yourself with such humility which many princes of your caliber never exhibited. Your friends were the downtrodden as you treated them with so much love and was ever willing to give your last plate of food to the needy.

Your wife misses you a lot. You were the best husband any woman can have. You showed her so much love and care and you were very faithful to her.

And to us your children, you showed us so much love. You raised us to know nothing but Islam. You raised us to be responsible in life and always responsive to the needs of the less privileged. Thank you so much for all you did in our lives. We shall continue to live to remember all you left us with. How you taught us the Quran, how you taught us how to observe Salat, how you thought us never to give up on anything in life but to hang on to God? Worldly things to you were vanity, all you preached was modesty, the fear of Allah and care for the less privileged.

May Allah reward you for all you did for us. May your soul continue to rest in peace. May Al-Jannatul Firdaus be your last resting place.

And for those who stood by us during those trying times, may God reward you. May you never have any cause to shed tears.

Club launches N25m endowment fund •Partners ITF to promote skill acquisition

T

HE Collectives Club, Sagamu in Ogun State, has launched a N25million endowment to sustain its community development and empowerment programmes.

Its President, Mr Adewale Fayemi, made this known during the inauguration of new executives and induction of new members in Sagamu.

He said the club was concerned with the challenge of youth unemployment in the country and in its immediate environment. The club has, therefore, offered to sponsor the youth in a three-month course at the ITF skills acquisition centre in Lagos. He added that The Colletives is also partnering the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Ikeja Area Regional office, Lagos to train 16 youths of the community in electrical installation, web designing and tiling.

He said: “This is our subtle approach to addressing unemployment among the youth in the community.”

Stressing the club’s commitment to community service and corporate social responsibility, Fayemi said the club also organised a five-day free health screening and treatment for the residents of Sagamu, adding that about 3,000 people received treatment.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the club, Mr Tunde Ajayi, said in the last 15 years, the club had made giant strides in empowering people in areas such as sports and academics.

He said The Collectives gave awards to two distin-

•From left: Fayemi; Mrs Lawal-Solarin; Otunba Adebambo and his wife; and Ajayi, at the event.

AWARDS

By Joseph Eshanokpe

guished Nigerians, Mrs Eunice Irebowale Adebambo and Otunba Yinka Lawal-Solarin, the Chairman, Literamed Publications, for their contributions and ex-

emplary achievements in education and entrepreneurship.

Ajayi said: “We encourage people of like minds to continue to show interest in the club, while we will not sacrifice merit on the altar of expediency, we believe its growth will impact positively on our community.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

49

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

CYAN’S ORB

The feat dish of Apples From Cyan Frank Hanochor

I’

•One of Lukesh’s works

Fashola years in the eye of artist

L

AGOS is changing in such a daily phenomenal way that many Lagosians who are participant-observers, are not physically conscious of these changes.

Take, for example, the rustic and dangerous Oshodi with its notoriety for crime and drugs, and its nerve-breaking snarling traffic. Or is it Ojuelegba and CMS Bus stops, or Orile and Oyingbo axis? On the other extremes are the Lagos Carnival, the Eyo Festival and the boat regatta – all colourful and veritable attractions to ‘natives’ and tourists alike.

It is within this context that we must locate Lukman Olaonipekun’s The Fashola Years, a photographic compendium of governance, a rich and successful work relationship between a state governor and his official photographer. The exhibition Eyes of History accompanying The Fashola Years is also the natural follow-up on the earlier photo book, Babatunde Fashola: A Story in Photographs with its exhibit titled Lagos: Being and Becoming.

According to the Curator of Eyes of History, Tam Fiofori, the photographer with his seeing eyes brings us sights of history, culture, lifestyles and landscapes. Lukman Olaonipekun, otherwise known as Lukesh is privileged to document the immediate past executive governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola in such a compelling manner. Tam Fiofori sums this up as “a vivid visual story of contrast and change from both an aesthetic and physical points of view.”

His pictures allows the viewer to enter into the privacy of the governor in rarely seen moments, including lonely late hours, tender interactions with the populace, etc.

What do we have in Lukesh’s Eyes of History? And what do we know with certainty about these images? Are they spontaneous or are they contrived, and are they true records of what happened in the eight-year stewardship of Babatunde Fashola? These are fragments of moments captured in the Fashola Years as the governor went round Lagos State: aerial photography of Makoko water community on the Lagos Lagoon, a rustic fishing community, the housing scheme in Lagos, the dug-out canoe, the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge taken at sunset, the Third Mainland Bridge, the Eyo Masquerade, the Badagry drummers, the Lagos Carnival, etc.

Lukesh’s stylistic treatment of the Fashola Years goes beyond the mendacity often synonymous with governance in Nigeria, for the images are graphic and representational, and are progressive in treating the physical changes in Lagos in a descriptive manner. And the proof of all these is a very rich collection of over seven million images taken in the last eight years. The Eyes of History as an exhibit is barely made up of forty photographs but is descriptive enough as to tell the photographer’s story. This is an everyday documentary taken in the course of Governor Fashola’s Years.

The Fashola Years is made up of 339 pages with 16 chapters including Foreword written by the first executive governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande. The Fashola Years is a governance statement on security, health, education, housing, environment, transportation, tourism, power, law and order, agriculture, infrastructure, legislature, governance, statesmanship, etc. At his first inaugural address, Fashola promised a brighter and rewarding future with a testament to do it again for the second term. The man’s whose life passion is the administration of law did his level best to practice it in examples. Not for a day did he break the traffic law and he ensured that the menace of siren associated with convoys never had a place in his administration. This book did tell the story of more than a thousand words in pictures.

One outstanding image in the book is when the governor accosted a senior military officer who broke the traffic law at CMS in Marina, Lagos, a testimony to the social re- engineering and governance in Nigeria and Fashola best put it thus: “What is bad has no other name and when a society decides to live above the law; one of the consequences is that it depreciates the quality of life of the whole society.”

From Gbile Oshadipe

PHOTOGRAPHY

‘Could Fashola Years have remained the same without photography? Probably not, for were it not for his liberality in giving access to the photographer, much of contemporary history of Lagos would have been lost and the remnant would only be conjectures with mere written texts. The Fashola Years is an integral part of a continuing present, an encompassing articulation of the social and political memories of not only an artist, but the politician who represents the hopes of the people of Lagos State’ Of course, Fashola never for a day in his tenure broke the traffic law. He indeed walked the talk. The subject is the governor and the officer; and the form are intrinsically the spontaneity of the photographer’s presence of mind, or what the critic calls the timeless moment. This is representational of the challenges of the military submitting to civilian authority. But there are other photographs; of the bus mass transit that is attempting to solve the historical Lagos ‘goslow,’ of interventions in agriculture, housing, global warming and erosion prevention, engineering involving bridges, light railway transportation, aesthetics as in the beautification of parks and gardens, reclamation and reconstruction of canals, interchanges, etc.

Thus, Lukesh’s image relieves us of the burden of time as memory fades in what Fashola Years was all about. For with time, it is history as recorded and distilled that is remembered and venerated. As observers, we will through Lukesh’s images become either subjective or objective in our remembrances of the changes in Lagos.

Could Fashola Years have remained the same without photography? Probably not, for were it not for his liberality in giving access to the photographer, much of contemporary history of Lagos would have been lost and the remnant would only be conjectures with mere written texts. The Fashola Years is an integral part of a continuing present, an encompassing articulation of the social and political memories of not only an artist, but the politician who represents the hopes of the people of Lagos State. Lukesh has managed to make himself the recorder of those involved in the events photographed.

Lukesh, the personal photographer of Fashola started out innocuously enough when he borrowed a camera to document his sister’s wedding. But it was a great moment for him and from there went on to earn some income when he was in the polytechnic. In 2003, he became the personal photographer to the Onigbongbo Local Government Chairman in Ikeja and just three years after became the photographer to Babatunde Fashola. He had been in a series of solo exhibitions, a group exhibition and won several awards. He is the author of two photography books: Babatunde Fashola: A Story in Photographs and The Fashola Years. In 2009, he attended the London School of Photography, is a member of the Photojournalists Association of Nigeria and World Photography Association.

M of the old school; I only got to see an apple about eight years ago and I did a double-take!

I grew up in Benin and slowly meandered my way to Lagos. It was a great day for me to see that every Nigerian would be able to bite into a crisp, fresh apple, straight out from South Africa – no less! - and taste the nutritious fruit with lots of fibre and Vitamin C. It had seemed so out of reach while we were young and thumbed copiously through dog-eared copies of penny novels and children adventure series that sold the richness of living outdoors and the mystery of summery feasts under the trees!

It’s still a treat for me to see a tray of apples in the market and know that I can buy it if my money nudges me towards it – it rarely does!

I’m still grappling with learning to allow my puritan upbringing give me rein to “flex” once in a while! We’ll get there if I can boost my finances to a safe place - so y’all start throwing those big, fat cheques my way!

Anyhow, I have a lovely, handcrafted, porcelain plate in my kitchen. It has whorls done up in chocolate and big, fat apples in reds and greens, painted on it. I love the brightness of the colours but more than that, I love the warm luster of the plate. It seems to vibrate with good cheer and has a character that resonates with my spirit – it looks exactly as my soul is!

I’ve always loved this plate and there’s something that struck me the first time I saw it - the artist had signed across the back in a chocolate ink and the name made me smile each time I saw it!

I loved the hand that has scrawled those words from China but I loved the spirit that seemed to be all mine on the shelf in my kitchen!

The name is in a poem! I’ve delayed writing it all these years because I wanted then to be able to say ,those places I’ve loved have been loved by some people far-flung but connected by the strings that pull us back to the beautiful things we hold as sacred because that’s what they are- sacred to those who look, see, touch and feel the beauty in everything – enjoy!!

Hey guys, this is an interactive page! I’m simply dying to meet up with good folks who’re eager to join forces with me on the many projects I’ve up my sleeves! I believe in the power of words and trust them implicitly to spin dreams and sing songs that resound through the ages.

We’ll work as a team on this road and I do believe those mundane things, those oft-neglected things we see as inconsequential, we’d bring to life here!

We smell the wind of opportunity in everything in nature and know there’ll be fun for us all on this column! Tell me your thoughts and if you’re a dreamer, share your story then we’ll be soul-mates, see?

My flat dish of apples!

From Cyan Frank Hanochor

The flat, polished plate spun with refinement , a tale that stirred up the fey in me big , fat, red apples so real, I could almost taste their moist, succulent core;twirls of chocolate like a corkscrew come undone!

There were five red apples and two lime-green ones and a single,green leaf with serrated edges stiff and bristly, yet comical ;quick strokes with a mastery that made the lacquer of the viscose paint splashed on the flat plate,stark yet poignant!

Some apples sat on their rounded butts, others lolled crazily on their sides and one was cheekily painted, top-side down!

All except the green ones had daubed on their core, soft, honey gold, so warm I tasted the honey every time I swiped my tongue across the plate at meal-times !

The apples formed a ring round the edge of the glazed, ceramic plate and their colours screamed, sunny freshness, crunchy spiciness and bubbly fruitiness and I grinned always at the wonderful thought that the quaintness of the plate could make me reach for it, every time!

The chocolatey whorls were so rich, I always had to stop my tongue from flicking out at their cocoa essence that was what caught my eye!

It was a cheerful, homey touch that brought on the smiles as I grudgily downed my food!

It spiked my appetite and I looked beyond the bland fare and tasted instead, rich, frothy cider, freshly pressed, that tickled my nose,tasty, mushy apple sauce and apple tart, so juicy, it had me taking big, fat bites!!

My beautiful, cheerful, flat dish with lush, rich apples, dancing crazily round its edges, called out to me, each time I had to dredge up a smile and I remembered to smile always at the wonderful thought that the colour of a plate could make me reach for it, every time!

50

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

DANGEROUS GAME Children playing at the road median on Obafemi AwolowoAlausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Ogun to immortalise Fela, Ogunde others

I

f the quality of guests and the colourful atmosphere at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, were a measure of the success of the recent presentation of Abeokuta…Beyond the rocks, the organisers of the event may have realised one of their objectives.

The guests included Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Oba Michael Gbadebo Adedotun, Alake of Egbaland; Senator Daisy Danjuma, Omooba Yemisi Shyllon, Oloye Lekan Alabi, Mrs Bolanle Austin-Peters, Tunde Kelani, Segun Odegbami, Air Vice-Marshal Okanlawon (rtd).

Governor Amosun, who pledged to buy many copies of the books for distribution, reiterated his administration’s determination to immortalise the illustrious sons and daughters of Ogun State who have contributed immensely to the growth of the state.

He disclosed that there were plans by the state to create memorials for legends, such as the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti and the doyen of theatre, the late Hubert Ogunde. “As for development, we have not scratched the surface because there is a lot to be done. We will buy the books and send to all our embassies, schools and libraries. We will like to have memorial for the late Fela who is a music legend. Also, the late Ogunde will be remembered too. We will look at all of these in order to add value to the state heritage. Nothing else excites me now than to develop Ogun State. Let’s put our heads together for the overall development of the state,” he said.

He recalled that he wanted to launch the book earlier to distribute to relevant bodies in the state, but changed his mind.

“I realised that it would make greater impact and more symbolic to distribute the book when the state will turn 40 in February. The book is not for us alone but for the Diaspora

•From left: Alabi, Shyllon, Oba Gbadebo, Gov. Amosun, Adenekan, Mrs Danjuma and Mrs Austin-Peters at the presentation in Abeokuta.

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

BOOK PRESENTATION and younger generations of Egba.

Governor Amosun, who commended the author of the book, Hakeem Adenekan, said the state occupies a prime place in the country and the world, noting that before the advent of Nigeria as a country, the Egba had been accessing loans from international bodies.

According to the governor, there are new things in the book he never knew, saying there is more to Abeokuta than Olumo rock, which the author has proved in the book. “Let us tell our story. We want to see more of this,” he added.

Oba Adedotun said there are many books on Abeokuta by many authors, but that the latest by Adenekan captures the scenic views of the ancient city known for its rusty roofing sheets and rocky hills of Olumo. He hoped that there would be more books on Abeokuta, a community that has moved

from a small town 185 years ago to a city.

Chief launcher Omooba Shyllon drew the attention of the state to tourists’ sites, such as Oyan dam and Olumo rock, saying they are capable of generating revenue for the state.

“With all the firsts in Abeokuta, we can attract tourists to the city thereby generating revenue,” he said.

Senator Danjuma described Abeokuta…Beyond the rocks as one of the best coffee table books that will be valuable to tourists and researchers to Abeokuta. “Hakeem has written a book that will preserve the heritage of Egba,” she said.

Reviewer of the book, Jahman Anikulapo lamented that Nigerians have not done enough to document and preserve their heritage, saying no one book can capture all about the local councils in the state. He, therefore, called for the involvement of writers in the local council areas in the documentation of the state heritage.

Adenekan described his book, which took him five and half years to complete, as one way to put Abeokuta on the world map. He regretted that Nigeria doesn’t have quality record, commending the Alake of Egba for his support.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY JULY 15, 2015

51

52

THE NATION WEDNESDAY JULY 15, 2015

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

53

BUSINESS EXTRA ‘How to achieve long-term economic growth’

NEPC moves to stop rejection of Nigeria’s exports

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

I

MPROVING earnings and broadening the capital base for enterprises remain indispensable if appropriate economic growth and employment are to be regained in the economy, the National VicePresident, Nigerian Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Chief Adebowale Omotoso, has said Chief Omotoso who spoke yesterday in Oyo town at a business forum, said the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), through its operation, provides avenues for governments and corporate entities to effect optimal financing and broaden their capital base.

Such sound financial services, according to him, will serve as a hedge against the vagaries of business and economic cycles, which in recent times, have shaken the national socio-economic system.

He said: “It is worth repeating that, Nigeria ’s vision of long term economic development based on a virile real sector requires huge capital outlay for its realisation. It also calls for a reorientation of existing approach to projects financing. We must therefore look beyond the commercial banks and donor agencies to meet our financial needs, especially for long-term purposes. Our financing option is in the stock market, which must be supported to successfully discharge its crucial role in financial services delivery.”

While enumerating issues that require immediate official intervention to include the need to maintain policy consistency, accelerate the implementation of privatisation programme, and get the oil and gas companies and telecommunication companies to list on the NSE for broader and deeper stock market.

Edo, BoI set up debt recovery committee From Osagie Otabor, Benin

E

DO State government has set-up a six-man commit tee to recover loan it granted some small scale business enterprise in collaboration with the Bank of Industry (BoI) tagged EDSG-BoI Micro Credit Scheme.

Many of the beneficiaries of the scheme are yet to pay back the debt.

Addressing members of the Debt Recovery Committee, the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Barr.

Macdonald Obasuke, urged the committee to recover all loans being owed by defaulters across the state.

The commissioner expressed lamented the non-payment of the loan, adding that it prevented others from benefitting as the facility was revolving in nature.

Macdonald advised the loan defaulters to cooperate with the Committee to avoid any legal action and urged members of the committee to carry out their duty with passion and prudence so as not to mar the objectives for which they were constituted.

The terms of reference of the committee included move to ascertain the actual amount owed by the beneficiaries as at May 31 this year as well as notification of the beneficiaries’ guarantors.

T

• Head, Corporate Communications, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Olumide Orojimi (left) and Joseph Kadiri, also of PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA Corporate Communications, during a visit to The Nation’s Headquarters... yesterday.

Power transmission hits 4545Mw •TCN: Fed Govt extends Manitoba’s contract for one year

T

HE Management of Transmission Com pany of Nigeria (TCN) yesterday said the nation has achieved a new electricity transmission peak of 4545megawatts (Mw) through its national network.

In a statement endorsed by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Seun Olagunju, the feat was achieved at 21.45hrs two days ago.

The previous power transmission peak of 4517Mw was attained on December 23, 2012.

TCN management had, last week, informed the general public that electricity wheeling to the distribution companies (DISCOs) has improved to over 4000Mw due to improvement in fuel supply to the power generation plants.

TCN assured that it will continue to work towards

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

enhancing its power wheeling capability and reliability of the network to be able to deliver more quality electricity from the generation plants to the DISCOs nationwide.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has signed a one-year extension of its current management contract for the TCN with Manitoba Hydro International (MHI) Limited of Canada.

The extension follows a three-year Management Contract signed in 2012 to manage TCN’s electrical power transmission, system operation and market operation undertakings, as well as train TCN personnel.

The contract, which was signed by TCN, MHI and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), and which would expire on July 31this year has

now been extended to July 31 next year.

Olagunju said MHI will continue to assume responsibility for the management and control of TCN’s entire operations, working alongside their Nigerian counterparts to transform the company into a technically and financially efficient, stable, and sustainable company.

TCN said MHI, working together with TCN workers, have achieved a wheeling capacity of 5,300Mw and reduced system losses from over 12 per cent to approximately eight per cent. In addition, system collapses have reduced significantly, from 22 in 2013 to nine last year, while the duration of collapses has reduced from more than 2.5 hours to approximately 30 minutes.

The fourth year of the contract will focus on further

increasing TCN’s capacity to transmit power in the grid, in anticipation of rising levels of generation in the country.

Additionally, MHI will facilitate the unbundling of TCN into two new organisations, the Transmission Service Provider and the Independent System Operator, while simultaneously building the capacity of local management to take over the leadership of these organisations at the end of its contract.

The Chairman of TCN’s Supervisory Board, Mr. Ibrahim Waziri expressed satisfaction with MHI performance, noting that the firm will continue to play a role in TCN’s transformation and development.

“Working together, we expect to build on our achievements over the past three years,” he said.

‘Spain spent 6.5b euros on Nigeria’s oil’

S

PAIN has said it spent about 6.5 billion euros last year to BUY oil and gas from Nigeria.

Its Ambassador to Nigeria, Alfonso Sebastian de Erice, who visited to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Speaker Yakubu Dogara at the National Assembly, pledged his country’s commitment to assisting Nigeria in its fight against terrorism.

The Spanish authorities, appreciating the existing bilateral relations between Spain and Nigeria, expressed readiness to help Nigeria boost local production of crude oil through partnership to transform the existing refineries.

He also expressed Spain’s readiness to partner Nigeria in the area of agricultural development.

He said: “Spain is one of the partners of Nigeria, the first or the second best client. We buy 6.5 billion euros of oil and gas. Yes we are very

•Promises to assist in fighting terrorism From Victor Oluwasegun and Anofi, Abuja

happy with the exchanges that we have, we need the oil but we want to diversify because we think it’s very important that our economic relations do not be only in gas and petrol, we have to diversify.

“We want to cooperate with you in agriculture, we have very good agricultural industry, we have comparative advantage in tourism, manufacturing, you have people who are very well prepared. We have several treaties that allow us to work here. It’s a domain that we will have to explore. For us the oil business is important because we need it but we want to diversity and I know that Nigerian authorities also want to diversify.”

The Ambassador while speaking on terrorist attack in the country, said his country

is ready to provide support towards combating the menace.

He said Spain and relevant agencies in Nigeria have signed several memorandum of understandings (MoUs) on training and anti-terrorism.

Responding, Dogara said Nigeria appreciates the offer to help in fighting terrorism as Spain has the wherewithal to assist in the fight against insurgency because Spain has faced and overcome such problems in the past, He said Nigeria has a lot in common with Spain as it played a major role in stabilising democracy in Nigeria and also that the trade relations between Nigeria and Spain dates back to several decades.

He called on Spain to further assist Nigeria by looking into the area of agriculture to help diversify the national economy adding that

any further relationship that will lead to the development Nigeria is welcome.

Dogara pledged support for the development of tourism, mineral resources and other sectors that could provide employment for the teeming population of Cross River State.

He made the pledge when the Cross Rivers State Caucus in the House paid him a courtesy visit.

The Speaker however urged the lawmakers to shun personal interests, and spoke of the need for the lawmakers to compensate those who suffered during the electioneering campaign by promoting pro-people agenda which include employment generation and security.

He assured Nigerians that the lingering crisis would be resolved soon and reiterated the commitment of the 8th House towards the implementation of its legislative agenda.

HE Nigeria Export Pro motion Council (NEPC) is putting measures in place to ensure that goods produced in the country for export are not rejected any more.

Its Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer, Olusegun Awolowo who spoke during the signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce in Abuja, said the council is appealing to exporters to go through the proper channel so that their products could have proper registration to avoid rejection.

He said: “Most products are rejected not because they don’t meet specifications, but maybe the paper work are not done correctly, or the channel of export was wrong.

“NEPC has identified13 strategic export products, agro-industrial products, palm oil, cashew, sugar and rice.

“Others are: mining and allied, iron ore, metals, aluminium and auto parts, cars. oil and gas industrial products, petroleum products, fertiliser, urea, petrol chemicals and methanol.

“The cement sector is a complete success story, from being the largest importer to the largest exporter of cement. That is what the council is presently working on, so that all the mineral resources can be as successful as the cement sector.”

Oil workers threaten strike From Clarice Azuatalam and Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

O

IL workers, acting under the aegis of Pe troleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have threatened to embark on zonal industrial action to address the injustice meted out to their colleagues at Arco Petroleum (Nig) Plc by the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC).

Addressing reporters in Port Harcourt yesterday, the Port Harcourt Zonal Chairman of NUPENG, Comrade Godwin Eruba and PENGASSAN Chairman, Port Harcourt Zone, Comrade Azubike Azubuike said if NAOC is not called to order to rescind the quit order it has given to Arco and follow due process as required by law, they would have no choice but to down tools.

Eruba and Azubuike said trouble started when NAOC ordered Arco to vacate its (NAOC’s) plants at OB/OB Ebocha in Rivers State and Kwale in Delta State with immediate effect to give way for Plantgeria (Nig) Ltd to take over the plants.

They argued that Arco is an indigenous company that has been doing very well in the oil and gas industry for many years, lamenting that in the era of encouraging local content, it would be a great disservice to ask the company to take its hands off a job it has been handling for years.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 14-07-15

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 14-07-15

THE N

55

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

EQUITIES

Equities lose N87b in 3,646 deals

T

HE downtrend at the Nigerian stock market worsened yesterday with nearly five losers against every gainer. The widespread selling sentiments extended the losing streak at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to the 10th consecutive trading session.

The benchmark indices at the stock market indicated average day-on-day decline of 0.81 per cent, depressing the negative average year-to-date return to -9.48 per cent. Aggregate market value of all quoted equities dropped by N87 billion from N10.802 trillion to N10.715 trillion.

The All Share Index (ASI), the common value-based index that tracks prices of all quoted stocks, declined to a low of 31,372.90 points as against its opening index of 31,628.20 points.

With 36 decliners against eight advancers, the stock market showed obvious selling pressure. The supply glut for many stocks could force the market to remain on the downside in spite of substantial undervaluation of several stocks and impending halfyear earnings.

“We do not anticipate any change from the current bearish market mood,” said analysts at SCM Capital, formerly Sterling Capital Markets.

Investors’ strategies should look beyond the immediate horizon to future earnings, according to analysts at Afrinvest Securities.

“As market performance continues to wane, we advise investors to trade cautiously

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

by taking a medium to long term position in value stocks with sound fundamentals trading at attractive prices at the moment,” analysts at Afrinvest Securities stated in obvious agreement that the downtrend might linger in the meantime.

Analysts at Afrinvest Securities said rising inflation could further worsened market’s return outlook. Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) yesterday released the latest inflation figure, indicating increase in inflation rate from 9.0 per cent in May to 9.2 per cent in June.

“This portends further weakness of the fundamentals of the Nigerian economy which already has a cocktail of macroeconomic issues. Investors’ sentiments are likely to wane as real return on investments shrinks further. In addition, the recent move by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to further stabilize foreign exchange rate and conserve the reserve may however pressure inflation rate northwards. This is given the fact that, CBN’s ban on importers of 41,mostly food and necessities, items from gaining access to the official foreign exchange markets and the continued fuel scarcity are expected to further push July inflation rate upwards,” Afrinvest stated.

Seven-Up Bottling Company topped the losers’ list with a loss of N8 to close at N181. Presco declined by

N1.70 to close at N32.30. Flour Mills of Nigeria dropped by N1.49 to close at N29.20.

Stanbic IBTC Holdings slipped by 95 kobo to close at N24. Okomu Oil Palm lost 84 kobo to close at N27.16. Nigerian Breweries declined by 80 kobo to close at N133.50.

Zenith Bank lost 75 kobo to close at N18.13. Oando declined by 69 kobo to close at N13.27 while Guaranty Trust Bank and Nascon Industries Plc dropped by 40 kobo and 37 kobo to close at N25.70 and N7.08 respectively.

Total turnover stood at 277.09 million shares worth N4.46 billion in 3,646 deals.

The financial services sector accounted for 217.72 million shares valued at N2.69 billion in 2,082 deals. Zenith Bank was the most active stock with a turnover of 118.36 million shares valued at N2.19 billion in 295 deals. Access Bank placed a distant second with a turnover of 23.10 million shares worth N115.5 million in 246 deals.

Transnational Corporation of Nigeria ranked third with a turnover of 13.7 million shares valued at N31.7 million in 159 deals.

However, Mobil Oil Nigeria led the contrarian stocks with a gain of N7.35 to close at N154.35.

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated rose by 55 kobo to close at N21. Caverton Offshore Services Group added 14 kobo to close at N3.69. Guinness Nigeria rose by 11 kobo to N139.91 while United Bank for Africa gathered 10 kobo to close at N4.30 per share.

N

IGERIAN con sumer inflation rose to 9.2 per cent year-on-year in June, in line with expectations but above the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s target upper limit, from 9.0 percent in May. This marked the highest rate since February 2013.

The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBC) indicated that the food inflation edged higher to 10.0 per cent year-on-year in June, up 0.2 percentage points from May, due to disruptions in fuel distribution which impacted on food prices.

The latest report marked the seventh consecutive increase in the headline inflation rate since December 2014. At 9.2 per cent, this is the highest headline inflation rate recorded since July 2013.

According to the report, the acceleration in June Inflation was due to bottlenecks observed in the period that resulted in the major divisions such as food and non-alcoholic beverages and transportation increasing at a faster pace during the period.

The food index -farm produce and processed food, rose by 20 basis points year-on-year to 10.0 per cent from 9.8 per cent in May and core index-all items less farm produce, increased by 8.4 per cent year-on-year, marginally higher than that of May. However, month-on-

Inflation rises above CBN’s target to 9.2% month increase in headline inflation softened to 0.9 per cent, 20 basis points less than 1.1 per cent recorded in May. The food sub-index of the June Consumer Price Index (CPI) grew to 10.0 per cent, 0.2 per cent higher than 9.8 per cent year-on-year growth recorded in May. This was attributable to the irregularity of supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or Petrol.

All groups which contribute to the Food sub-index were reported to have increased at a faster pace during the reporting period such as Vegetables, Fish, Bread and Cereals etc. with the exception of Oils & Fats, Potatoes, Yams and Tubers groups which increased at a slower pace.

Analysts at Afrinvest Securities noted that the 20 basis points month-onmonth rise was expected, given the scarcity of petrol in the period which translated into higher transportation costs of delivering goods to their respective markets as well as the late rains in 2015 which led to the late harvest period.

Equally, the reduced availability of vegetables during this rainy season also increased the pressure on the Food sub-index. The average annual rate of change of the Food sub-index for

the twelve-month period ending in June 2015 was 9.5 per cent.

All items less farm produce, which represents core inflation for the month of June, continued its uptrend to 8.4 per cent year-on-year, 10 basis points higher than 8.3 per cent recorded in May. This however marked the sixth consecutive rate of increase in the sub-index since the year began and the highest rate since February 2013. However, on a monthon-month basis, the pace of increase moderated by 0.4 per cent as it settled at 0.8 per cent in June from 1.2 per cent in May. Analysts at Afrinvest Securities pointed out the faster pace of increase in the prices of some items that make up the core sub-index.

Following petroleum product challenges, the largest increases in this sub-index were recorded in the transportation, education and miscellaneous good and services division. However, the pace of increases slowed in multiple divisions such as clothing and footwear, housing water, electricity, gas and other fuels. The average rate of growth in the index settled at 7.0 per cent for the 12month period ending in June 2015, same with the 12month rate recorded in May 2015.

56

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

MONEYLINK Apex bank holds fair in Imo

CBN orders banks to submit three-month CAR position T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has mandated all De posit Money Banks (DMBs) and Discount Houses to submit their Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) positions by end of this month.

CBN Director, Banking Supervision, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins, said in a letter to all banks and discount houses, that the CAR report should cover three months from April to June 2015.

The CAR is the ratio of a bank’s capital to its risk. The CAR for banks’ with offshore subsidiaries is 15 per cent minimum requirement (which rose to 16 per cent

by March 1, 2015 for systemically important banks). The CAR for

Meanwhile, stress tests conducted by the CBN on 23 banks last December showed that ‘six small banks’ CARs fell below regulatory threshold.

The report, contained in the CBN Financial Stability Report , said that for systemic and peer assessments, banks were classified based on asset size into large banks, which are those with assets greater than N1 trillion; medium banks, those with assets greater than or equal to N500 billion but less than N1 trillion and small banks, those with assets less than N500 billion.

It said the unnamed small banks showed significant vulnerability to the shock of a 200 per cent NonPerforming Loans (NPL) increase as their CAR fell to 8.85 per cent.

It said that under this scenario, 16 banks maintained CARs above 10 per cent, while five lenders had

Stories by Collins Nweze

banks operating only in Nigeria is 10 per cent.

The report titled: ‘Revised Guideline Note on Basel II Implementation and the Reporting Template for CAR’, said the request followed demand by stakeholders for a new guideline.

“In addition, all banks are required to note the amendment in Section 2.5 of the Revised Guidance Notes on Pillar 3 Disclosure Requirement which specifies the medium and frequency of disclosure for compliance”.

Govt urged to be transparent on budget execution

T

HE Federal Government has been advised to be transpar ent in the execution of budget and make financing of essential services a priority.

Speaking on the third conference of World leaders going on in AddisAbaba, Ethiopia and ending tomorrow, a member of One Campaign, Mr. Edwin Ikhuoria said the summit could be a game changer, adding that government should do more to provide vital funding for essential services.

“Commitments on international tax cooperation, development assistance and targeted spending towards those living in poverty are hanging in the balance at this week’s summit and we are here to tell leaders that the time for empty promises is over,” he added.

Ikhuoria said “events are also planned in New York and London, among other cities in industrialised countries, where activists will call for promises of aid made more than

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

T

•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

CARs less than or equally to 10 per cent but greater than or equal to five per cent.

Moody’s declares Sterling Bank stable

By Ajose Sehindemi

M

OODY’S Investors Service, an international ratings agency has confirmed the resilience of Sterling Bank in Nigeria’s competitive banking sector by assigning a Local and Foreign Currency Issuer and Deposit Ratings of B2 with stable outlook.

The agency in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos, described Sterling Bank as a stable financial institution with solid quality assets, robust Information Technology and strong risk management systems. The Agency also assigned a Counterparty Risk Assessment (CRA) of B1(cr)/Not Prime(cr) to the Bank and declared all ratings of the Bank stable.

The agency noted that its Baseline Credit Assessment (BCA) also reflects the bank’s solid liability profile. “The bank is predominantly deposit funded with a low reliance on more sensitive market funds. Deposits make up 89 per cent of the Bank’s funding sources compared with an average of around 65 per

40 years ago to be fulfilled, and for a crackdown on the tax evaders that robs developing countries of billions of dollars every year”.

The government is also urged to join other World leaders to make a plan to tackle systemic inequalities, fund within the next 15 years, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and provide a long-term action on climate change.

A group, Save the Children, in alliance with a global one, Action/ 2015 movement, joined 70 other groups across the world as part of the global action/2015 movement in demonstrations to make their demands accepted.

The country director, Save the Children, Nigeria, Mr Ben Foot said the aim is to tell the federal government to fund essential services in order to ultimately end poverty in Nigeria and provide agenda to the World leaders on what they should do.

cent for the system” the Agency stated.

BCAs are the measure of an issuer’s standalone financial strength that describe the probability of a bank defaulting on any of its rated instruments, in the absence of external support Moody’s ratings also incorporate one-notch uplift from Sterling’s B3 BCA, based on their “assessment of a moderate likelihood of government support in the event of need. Furthermore, provision coverage is good, with loan loss reserves amounting to 98 per cent of doubtful credit”.

The Agency explained further: “The B2/Not Prime Local and Foreign Currency issuer and deposit ratings are underpinned by a b3 Baseline Credit Assessment (BCA). Sterling Bank’s b3 BCA reflects the Bank’s solid asset quality metrics and provision coverage; improvements to the bank’s IT infrastructure and risk management processes; and high liquidity buffers and a solid deposit funding base”.

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), yesterday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, assured stakeholders of its commitment to a safe, reliable and efficient payments system in the country.

It urged the people to key-in to its various payments and development initiatives.

Speaking during the stakeholder engagement, the Bank’s Director, Corporate Communications, Alhaji Ibrahim Mu’azu, said that the CBN Fair was aimed at sensitizing the people of the state on the Bank’s initiatives, policies and programmes.

According to him, “the CBN in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders in the country, had put in place several controls and security to enhance the safety of the Nigerian payments system”.

He informed the stakeholders that the CBN initiated the Nigeria electronic Fraud Forum, the Bank Verification Number (BVN), as well as the Mandatory second level authorization for card presented for payments in order to guarantee the safety of their deposits and transactions.

Mu’azu further urged Nigerians who are yet to obtain their BVN to take advantage of the extension of the exercise to get enrolled to continue to enjoy seamless services from their respective banks.

Explaining the CBN’s approach to real sector interventions, the Bank’s spokesman, said that the interventions covered the agriculture, infrastructure and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

He said that 60% of the MSME has been earmarked for women, while two percent of the Fund would be disbursed to economically active persons living with disabilities.

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

MOBIL

147.00

154.35

7.35

3.55

3.69

0.14

ETI

20.45

21.00

0.55

UBA

4.20

4.30

0.10

LINKASSURE

0.50

0.51

0.01

ABCTRANS

0.51

0.52

0.01

GUINNESS

139.80

139.91

0.11

DANGCEM

170.00

170.00

0.01

LOSERS AS AT 14-07-15

SYMBOL LEARNAFRCA TRANSCORP PRESCO DANGFLOUR NASCON DANGSUGAR OANDO NAHCO PORTPAINT HONYFLOUR FLOURMILL

O/PRICE 1.25 2.50 34.00 3.40 7.45 6.27 13.96 5.50 5.10 3.07 30.69

C/PRICE 1.14 2.28 32.30 3.23 7.08 5.96 13.27 5.23 1.85 2.92 29.20

Inflation:April

8.5%

Monetary Policy Rate

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

CHANGE -0.11 -0.22 -1.70 -0.17 -0.37 -0.31 -0.69 -0.27 -0.25 -0.15 -1.49

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 14-07-15

CAVERTON

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 WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

57

NEWS Summit for students holds tomorrow

‘Do quality work or lose your money’ From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

A

BIA State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has warned contractors handling road projects to do quality works or lose their money.

Ikpeazu spoke while inspecting road projects in Aba and Umuahia. He said his administration would not compromise quality in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.

The governor, however expressed satisfaction with the extent and quality of work done so far. He hoped that at least, 80 per cent of the projects would be completed within the first 100 days of his administration.

Ikpeazu said his administration would make new policies on the maintenance of public facilities to prevent their abuse.

His words: “The roads under construction will be equipped with street lights to help traders and to curb the excesses of criminals”.

Among the roads inspected were Udeagbala Road, Omni, Umuojima, Kamalu, old express and Ukaegbu Roads (Aba) as well as Agbama, low cost, International Conference Centre Road and the Abam by Niger Street in Umuahia.

Oyo lawmaker pleads with FERMA, RCC From Tayo Johnson,

Ibadan

T

HE Lawmaker representing Ibadan North East/South East Federal Constituency, Mr. Adedapo Lam-Adesina, has urged the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) to prevent the looming danger on the Ibadan axis of the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, which is prone to accident.

The legislator, who was addressing reporters at his campaign office in Ibadan, yesterday said: “Recently, I embarked on a thank you and consultative tour of the communities in my constituency as part of the electioneering promises I made to regularly meet with them to discuss the progress and development of every community. As such like every other Nigerian, we made use of the express road and were trapped in a gridlock due to the bad portion at the Boluwaji-Sanyo axis of Ibadan where a deep gully erosion is about cutting the road into two.

•Ikpeazu (middle) inspecting Umocham road in Aba. With him are, from right: Director, Road Maintenance, Sunday Okpara and Permanent Secretary, Works, Richard Nwala...yesterday.

Okorocha urgesDSS officers on productivity

I

MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha has urged graduate officers from the Direct Short Service (DSS) commission course to always defend the country.

Okorocha spoke when nine DSS officers of Imo extraction visited him at the Government House in Owerri. He reminded them that their uniform was a clarion call to serve their

fatherland.

The governor expressed happiness that the state produced vibrant officers that have distinguished themselves in different professions and ready to perform their duties effectively.

He said the gesture was a call to Imo indigenes to pick interest in military and

paramilitary forces to enable them contribute their own quota towards the country’s development.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to youth employment through the ‘Youth-must-work ‘programme and urged traditional rulers to ensure that their subjects were employed to enable them earn a living.

Leader of the team Lt. E.C. Chukwu

Ebonyi APC, APGA decry unpaid salaries

T

HE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State have described as regrettable and unfortunate, the continued delay in the payment of June salary to workers.

They said the government, having allegedly received last month’s allocation and President Muhammadu Buhari’s bailout, had no reason to owe workers.

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

The parties, in separate statements by the former Chairman of Ebonyi APGA, Comrade Jerry Obasi and APC’s publicity secretary, Comrade Ngaji Nwodo said: “We in APGA view with serious discontent, the economic hardship and increase in criminal activities that the delay in sala-

ry payment has caused.

“There was a bailout from President Muhammadu Buhari to debtor states and Ebonyi is not one of them because former Governor Martin Elechi cleared all outstanding workers salary.

“I don’t know why they continue to withhold workers’ salaries and it is quite worrisome that the state that benefited from the bailout today owes workers.

“The party views it as inhuman because no reason was given for the delay. The question that agi-

F

tates our mind is, why should workers be the ones to suffer in the present administration, why are they owing workers?

“It is a bad way to begin.

One of the governor’s campaign promises was to implement the 100 per cent minimum wage but now payment has become impossible. Such policy must be reviewed as a matter of urgent public importance”.

NUT, Obiano disagree on literacy programme

A

nambra State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) have faulted Governor Willie Obiano’s compulsory computer literacy programme for teachers.

The teachers rejected the compulsory Information Technology (IT) package by the Ministry of Education, headed by the Commissioner for Education, Prof Kate Omenugha.

Omenugha said the policy, hatched in 2012, was an ini-

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

tiative of the National Council on Education and wondered why there was such a controversy over a policy meant to give Anambra children the chance to compete with their peers.

The commissioner reemphasised that the laptop acquisition scheme, which gives primary school teachers a chance

to acquire first rate laptops, complete with synchronised tutorial package, was a voluntary scheme.

NUT Secretary Nnenna Okonkwo, who spoke to reporters yesterday in Awka said the union had written to the Commissioner, pleading that the conditions for the policy were unacceptable.

She gave one of the conditions as a compulsory purchase of computers from the government for N90,000.

She said: “We asked them to re-

I’m happy for establishing complaints commission, says Obasanjo ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday expressed a sense of satisfaction for establishing the Federal Public Complaints Commission (FPCC) when he was a Military Head of State.

Obasanjo said he feels happy each time he hears the less-privileged coming out on the radio to say how the commission had brought “justice and relief” to them over matters brought before it.

The ex-President spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, when the state Commission-

said their visit was to familiarise with the governor.

He thanked the senior officers they met at the Jaji training school in Kaduna State for their support and courage.

The visiting officers were: Lts. E.C. Chukwu, I.M. Obi, C.K. Ikechukwu, E.I. Nwachukwu, I.O. Madumere, U.L. Ohakwe, U.K. Ahanu, D.K. Ohiri and A.I. Nwachukwu.

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

er, FPCC, Mrs. Oluyemisi Somorin-Dawodu, visited him at his home on the Presidential Hilltop Estate.

The FPCC, which has since transformed into the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) was established by Decree 31 of 1975 of the Supreme Military Council (SMC) when Obasanjo was the Head of State.

Obasanjo noted that the commission was put in place to create an avenue where defenceless, weak and ordinary people

in the society could run to for justice.

He said:”As I listen to radio and hear the less-privileged talk about the relief and justice they got through the assistance of the commission, then I have no regrets ever establishing the body.

“Although I cannot say that the need we saw then has completely disappeared, but there have been testimonies of cases where the commission has come to the rescue of the helpless.”

The commission, he added, still remain quite relevant in the country till date because the reasons that gave birth to its existence have not disappeared four decades after it was established.

He assured that he would continue to provide necessary support to complement government efforts in enhancing the operations of the commission.

Mrs. Somorin-Dawodu, who solicited assistance from his host, said the commission had concluded over 25 cases from 100 complaints brought to her attention since assuming headship of the body last April, 2015.

Obiano

duce the price to N50,000 each and that teachers due for retirement in 18 months should not be compelled to buy the computers.

“We say this because government forced us to sign consent forms compelling teachers to buy the computers from them, only for the commissioner to withdraw from that stand last week.

“How can somebody compel teachers to buy the computers at that high cost?

Some of the teachers have their own computers and somebody wants them to buy another one; it is callous and we reject the plan,” Okonkwo said.

The new policy on education was that from January 2016, teachers, who are not computer literate would no longer enjoy promotion.

FOR the second year in a row, over 1000 students will gather at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos tomorrow by 9a.m for an interactive sessions with seasoned facilitators who offer their wealth of experience to enable young people maximise the opportunities in the digital economy.

Following a successful event last year called ‘Find Your Edge’ which, was centred on the importance of using communication as a leverage in business success, this year’s event tagged: ‘Driving a Digital Economy’ is powered by Idea Development and Management firm, SwiftThink Limited. It has been designed to open the minds of young people to discover the opportunities that abound in this digital age.

Youths will explore vistas available in the digital space beyond just entertainment to create avenues of wealth, connect with more people than ever and foster growth and development in their personal lives and the nation as a whole.

Scheduled to speak at the event is Emmy Award Winning CNN Veteran Gina London, International Leadership and Experiential Coach Richmond Johnson, Co-founder Jobberman.Com Opeyemi Awoyemi, Country Manager Microsoft Nigeria Kabelo Makwane, Lanre Aina from Google Nigeria, CEO Inspiro Consulting, Jimi Tewe, CoMD Dealdey.com Etop Ikpe and Samuel Eyitayo from then US Consulate General.

Oluseyi Jolayemi; COO, SwiftThink Ltd and Programme Manager for The Edge Series, speaking on the event says “It promises to be more exciting and enlightening this year. All speakers have confirmed their attendance. They will be delivering practical sessions with proffered solutions. Don’t miss out, it’s still free for all.

Last year we had more than 11,000 registrations and had to make arrangements to have the event streamed on the internet. This year we have made adequate preparation to ensure that we have provision for both audio and video streaming for our audience in diaspora or who for one reason or the other will not be able to attend the event at the Muson Centre, we believe every young man or woman who wants to set in motion a business or enterprise driven by technology should not miss this event. For more information on The Edge Series, visit www.theedge.com.ng.

Enugu House clears 24 nominees From Chris Oji, Enugu

T

he Enugu State House of Assembly has cleared the 24 commissioner nominees presented before it by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Speaker Edward Ubosi said their confirmation was based on their performance on the floor of the House.

“In view of the performance of the nominees, the House approves their appointment,” he said.

Ubosi directed the Clerk to communicate the governor accordingly.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

58

NEWS Wike supports police to fight crimes

R

IVERS State Governor Nyesom Wike has said his administration will support the police to fight crimes and improve traffic flow.

The governor spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, at the inauguration of the state Traffic Decongestion Committee at the police command’s headquarters.

He said his administration would provide the logistics support to the police to carry out their key functions.

Wike hailed the police for setting up the Traffic Decongestion Committee, which would ease traffic in Port Harcourt and improve the productivity of the residents.

He said: “Our administration will work with the police command to reduce crimes in the state and improve the free flow of traffic.

“We shall release vehicles to the police command to aid their work. The government will also support the committee on their welfare to ensure that they perform their duties diligently.”

Wike urged the members of the committee to desist from sharp practices, adding that he disbanded the TIMARIV because its officials became a burden to the residents.

Ijaw seek direct allocation of 13 per cent derivation fund L EADERS of five Ijaw oil producing communities in Delta State have said 50 per cent of the state’s share of 13 per cent oil revenue from the Federation Account be directly paid to the coffers of the state’s Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

The ethnic leaders were reacting to a proposed amendment to the DESOPADEC law by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

They said the present arrangement, where the fund first goes into the state’s coffers before disbursement to the commission, was open to manipulation by the government and politicians.

Leaders of Ogbe-Ijoh, Gbaramatu, Egbema, Ogulagha and Diebiri kingdoms, who addressed reporters in Warri,

From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt

said: ”There should be a provision in the proposed amendment law, which should make it mandatory for the Commissioner of Finance or Accountant-General of Delta State to compulsorily transfer the 50 per cent accruable to DESOPADEC from the 13 per cent derivation without interference with the funds by any authority in the state.”

The statement, which was read by Chief Favour Izoukumor, faulted the proposed expansion of the areas covered by the commission from oil- bearing communities to oil- bearing nationalities. They described it as a ploy to render the commission redundant.

The statement added: “The implication of this proposal is that the overall focus of DESOPADEC is no longer restricted to the oil bearing communities with peculiar developmental challenges faced by these communities. When salt loses its savour, it loses its value.

“It is not only illogical but also semantically incoherent to have the name of the commission as Delta State Oil Producing Areas D e v e l o p m e n t Commission and its laws as Ethnic Nationalities.

“The negative effect of this arrangement is that politicians, who are not from the oil producing communities, would determine the direction of the Commission to the

detriment of the oil and gas producing communities.”

The Ijaw community leaders reminded the governor of the fears expressed in certain quarters during the election campaigns over his perceived plan to scrap the commission.

They noted that the propose amendment had lent credence to the fears.

“It is our proposal that there should be equality of representation among the oil producing ethnic nationalities in Delta State on the Board of DESOPADEC. The present practice whereby the Urhobo ethnic nationality has three representatives, the Ndokwa ethnic nationality with two representatives, whereas the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Isoko ethnic nationalities have one (1) each is unfair and unjust,” the Ijaw leaders said.

Emmanuel swears in caretaker committees From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

A

KWA Ibom State Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel yesterday inaugurated caretaker committees for the 31 local government areas.

This followed last week’s expiration of the tenure of the elected local government officers.

The House of Assembly had declared that the tenure of the elected officers expired on July 12, which completed the elected officers’ three-year tenure.

The Assembly, on July 13, amended the Local Government (Administration) Law, thereby empowering the governor to swear in transition committees for the councils.

Emmanuel swore in the 31 caretaker chairmen with a warning that they must adhere to the oaths of their offices and those of allegiance.

Okowa keeps his word, say Isoko youths From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

I

SOKO youths, friends of Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, have described him as a realist, who always keeps his promises.

The youth spoke at a thanksgiving service marking Okowa’s birthday.

They urged fellow youths to support the governor to implement his administration’s developmental programme.

The youth were led by the National President of the Isoko National Youth Assembly (INYA) and newly appointed Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Youths and Community Development, Comrade Victor Egbo.

They described Okowa as a realist and godly man.

The thanksgiving service was held at the Anglican Church of Nigeria, St. Paul Cathedral, Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area.

The organisers said it was meant to show their appreciation to the governor for appointing Egbo into his State Executive Council (Exco).

Egbo said: “Silver or gold, I have none to give His Excellency, Senator Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa. I decided to go with the youth of Isoko nation and Delta State to thank God for adding one more year to his life.

“All I have is God and I think that is the best gift I can offer the governor for his birthday.”

Expressing gratitude to God and Okowa for his appointment, Egbo described the governor as a man who always his promises.

•Rivers State Police Commissioner Chris Ezike (middle) and members of the State Traffic Decongestion Committee during their inauguration in Port Harcourt...yesterday PHOTO: NAN

UK body ranks UniPort first in Nigeria

T

IMES Higher Education World University Rankings (THEWUR) in the United Kingdom (UK) has ranked the University of Port Harcourt (UniPort), Rivers State, among top 300 universities in the world.

The THEWUR latest rankings, which were released on July 9, also named UniPort the sixth in Africa and the best in Nigeria.

The ranking body based its classifications on academic productivity of the workers in each of the universities it examined.

•Varsity among world’s top 300 From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

Academic productivity, otherwise called research productivity or citation index, is the number of research works published by each worker in the universities and the number of times the publications were referred to and cited by other academics throughout the world.

Specifically, UniPort is rated the best, occupying 276th position in the list of 300 universities in the world.

From 2009 to 2013, the ranking body said the university had a publication output of 573.55, scoring 88.92 per cent.

Following the development, the university has become the first in Nigeria to and the world.

No other Nigerian university had hitherto been ranked among the best 1,000 in the world.

Using workers’ productivity parameter, the University of Cape Town was named the first in Africa and

South Africa and 124th in the world. It is followed by the University of the Witwatersrand, the second in Africa and South Africa and within 251 to 275 in the world.

The Makerere University came third in Africa and first in Uganda. It is within 251 to 275 in the world.

The Stellenbosch University was fourth in Africa and third in South Africa. It is within 276 and 300 in the world.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal occupies the fifth position in Africa and is forth in South Africa. It is within 276 and 300 in the world before UniPort.

Abductors of Delta Poly lecturer demand N20m ransom

T

HE abductors of a lecturer of Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, Mr. Chike Gbemudu, have demanded N20 million ransom for his release.

The family, colleagues and students of the institution had been in agony over Gbemudu’s abduction a few weeks ago.

The family appealed with the abductors to have mercy and release Gbemudu

From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

unhurt and unconditionally.

According to them, they cannot raise N20 million because “lecturers are not rich”.

Gbemudu, who was abducted on the NDC Road in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area, works in the Directorate of General Studies of the institution.

Students of the polytechnic also called for the immediate release of their lecturer.

They decried the high rate of robbery attacks and other crimes in the area.

The students, who described Gbemudu’s abduction as unfortunate, regretted the attacks in their hostels by suspected hoodlums.

They said they could no

longer sleep well in their hostels.

The students said: “We have been suffering in silence over the brutality we experience in the hands of the hoodlums. We lose most of our valuables to them.

We are calling on the state government and security agencies to ensure the safety of life and property of students in Ozoro community.

Emmanuel lays foundation for automobile firm From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

A

KWA Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has said his administration is committed to the industrialisation of the state.

The governor spoke yesterday when he laid the foundation of an automobile assembling plant in Itu Local Government Area.

The assembling plant, which is one of the gains of the Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), belongs to an Israeli company, MIMSHAC Merkavim Transportation Technologies Plant.

Emmanuel said the ground-breaking ceremony was the answer to those who doubted the possibility of industrialising the state.

He said: “If there is anybody out there who doubts our determination to change the economic fortunes of the state; who is wondering whether our bold vision of industrialising Akwa Ibom is possible, this event provides the answer to such doubt.”

59

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

NEWS Council chair slashes own salary, allowances From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

T

HE Interim Chairman of Kudan Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Alhaji Dauda Iliya Abba, expressed yesterday his resolve to emulate President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Nasir ElRufai by slashing his salary and allowances by 50 per cent.

Abba, in a statement in Kaduna, said cutting cost was imperative, considering the economic realities of the council.

He enjoined councillors to follow suit.

Abba said: “Kudan Local Government will lead the way in enhancing transparency in the way council resources should be spent. We will publish our proceeds in terms of allocation and other accrued revenues regularly.

“How they are spent shall be subjected to public knowledge.”

Mrs Ajiboye passes on

1,000 homeless in Niger after heavy rains

H

EAVY rains have rendered over 1,000 people homeless in Kuta, the headquarters of Shiroro Local Government in Niger State.

Parts of the palace of the District Head, Alhaji Garba Bangajiya and many houses as well as public facilities were blown off. Buildings were damaged and belongings worth over N.5billion destroyed.

Farm produce and domestic animals were washed

•Senator seeks NEMA’s assistance From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

away by the rains.

The victims are squatting with their neighbours, who were spared.

A lawmaker representing Niger East, Senator David Umaru, who visited the town yesterday, said he was devastated by the disaster.

He urged the National

Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials for the victims.

Umaru described the disaster as monumental, saying the government’s intervention was necessary to cushion the effect.

The senator commiserated with the people and assured them that he would contact the authorities for

assistance.

Alhaji Bangajiya said his people were shocked by the disaster.

He hailed the legislator for sharing their pains and enjoined the government to assist the victims.

The monarch said the affected people would need building materials, clothes, mattresses, foodstuffs and others.

Tribunal opens hearing in governorship petition

T

HE Yobe State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal opened hearing yesterday in a petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the governorship election, Adamu Waziri.

Waziri and his party are challenging the victory of Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the tribunal sitting in Abuja.

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

The Petitioners’ lawyer, Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), tendered the documents used for the election.

They included EC8A Forms (results sheets at Unit level), EC8B Forms (result sheets at wards level), EC8C Forms (result sheets at Local Government level), EC8D Form (containing summary of results from the 17 local gov-

ernments and EC8E Form (containing summary of election results.

Akintola also tendered about 204,900 Incident Forms used for the election in place of card reader machines specified in the Electoral Guideline made for the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He could only tender the Incident Forms used in 14 of

the 15 local governments in which the election was being conducted. He left out the forms from Geidam Local Government, which he promised to tender on the next date.

The tribunal Chairman, Justice Mojisola Dada, noting that the petitioners had utilised one of the 14 days allocated to them to prosecute their case, adjourned till July 30.

T

HE death has occurred of Mrs. Alice Ilori Ajiboye (nee Ogidan).

She died on March 31 at Are-Ekiti in Ekiti State.

Mrs. Ajiboye will be buried on Friday at St. Andrew Anglican Church, Are-Ekiti.

She is survived by Prince Dele Ajiboye, Mrs. Awolusi Aboja, her younger sister, Mrs. Adebimpe Anisulowo, mother of Toyin Anisulowo, a journalist with the Hallmark and a member of the Ekiti State Correspondent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). She is also survived by Mr. Tunde Adebayo and Yeyeoge Remi Fadipe.

A

•Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom (left), welcoming the Primate, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Rev. PHOTO: NAN Nicholas Ukoh, during the visit of bishops to the governor in Makurdi …yesterday.

El-Rufai, beggars reach truce on street begging

K

ADUNA State Governor Nasir Ahmad ElRufai and beggars yesterday reached a truce on the ban on street begging and hawking.

Beggars, who last weekend protested the ban and threatened to sue the government, however, agreed to sheathe their swords and give up begging.

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

The development followed the governor’s visit to the Kano Road Beggars’ Colony and the Kaduna State Rehabilitation Centre.

He said the government was ready to rehabilitate and train the beggars.

El-Rufai said the interest of a group, who thought they had a right to beg for alms, could not override the security of over eight million people living in the state.

The governor, who had visited the state-owned rehabilitation centre in Kakuri, said the centre, which can house and train 500 physical-

PDP reschedules congresses in Kogi

T •The late Deaconess Abodunrin

From James Azania, Lokoja

THE Kogi State government has faulted claims by the local chapter of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) that the government has sourced out pension payment to a consultant.

The Accountant-General, Ibrahim Idakwo, who spoke yesterday in Lokoja, denied engaging the services of a consultant to handle pension payment.

Idakwo, reacting to the allegation by the NUP, said the consultant was only engaged to design a software for payroll and payment.

He said: “I never engaged any consultant. What we are doing is that His Excellency met a group of people who have software to prepare payroll and follow it up with e-payment. When he saw the proposal, he called on me, the commissioner for finance and the auditor-general to review it. We reviewed and found it good because it is being used in some states.”

The accountant-general added that the governor approved a proposal for the consultant to develop software for payroll and epayment, for not only pensioners, but the entire state, because it would save the state a lot of money.

‘Let’s help insurgency victims’

Pastor loses wife PASTOR at the Living Faith Church (aka Winners’ Chapel) , Samson Abodunrin, has lost his wife, Ahoiza Dupe.

She died on Sunday at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) after a protracted illness. She was 54.

The deceased, a deaconess at the church, was a retired chief nursing officer (CNO) at the Kwara State Ministry of Health. She was also a nursing officer at the International Tobacco Company (ITC), Ilorin.

She is survived by four children.

Pastor Abodunrin said a funeral programme would be announced later.

Kogi denies engaging consultant

HE national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rescheduled its ward congresses in Kogi State for next Tuesday and Wednesday.

It promised to be fair to all aspirants.

The party’s National Pub-

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

licity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, spoke in Abuja after a meeting of the leadership with Kogi State Governor Idris Wada.

The congresses are expected to produce delegates for

the primaries ahead of the November governorship election.

Metuh said after the meeting, it was agreed that the congresses should hold next Tuesday and Wednesday.

The leadership cancelled the congresses scheduled to hold on June 27.

ly-challenged, would soon be rehabilitated.

He said no beggar would be repatriated for being a non-indigene, adding that anyone resident in Kaduna would be given an equal opportunity.

“There is no going back on the ban on street begging. But we will not repatriate anybody. The problem is here and we will solve it here.”

El-Rufai promised the beggars at the Kano Road Beggars Colony that he would acquire a land close to the colony and build a training centre for them.

The head of the beggars, Abdullahi Samaila, hailed the governor for visiting them and vowed to cooperate with him.

BORNO State Governor Kashim Shettima has advised officials of the Insurgency Victims Support Fund to support Boko Haram victims, to avoid playing to the gallery, which was associated with the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

He was addressing officials of the Fund yesterday, led by the Executive Director, Nigerian Foundation for the Support of Victims of Insurgency, Prof. Sunday Ochoche.

The Fund, under the chairmanship of Lt.-Gen. T.Y. Danjuma, was established by ex-President Jonathan, with a fundraising held at the Aso Rock Villa, presided over by Jonathan.

The Fund later established a foundation as a body to administer support, using funds in the custody of the main committee.

At the event at the Government House, Maiduguri, Governor Shettima paid tribute to the committee for resisting attempts by politicians, who wanted the funds meant for the victims to be diverted for political purposes.

He urged the Fund to meet Deputy Governor Zannah Umar Mustapha and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to work out areas of cooperation, with interest in education and economic empowerment.

According to him, as the governor, he was not interested in recommending any contractor to the Fund to carry out any project.

60

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

NEWS Tinubu: I’m loyal to Buhari Continued from page 1

said: “I have no demand than the party. If you understand what party politics is all about and leadership is all about, it is about loyalty and commitments to the values that leadership believes in.

“I believe in what the President believes. I respect him and I stand firmly loyal to his course. So, you can go to any length of speculation that you might want. I have not responded to all of that because I understand the President and the President understands me clearly.”

Asked to comment on the crisis in the National Assembly, Tinubu said: “That is an area I am very cautious of my position and my utterances. I still want to keep my side of interpretation or analysis to me to be able to achieve a resolution of the matter as quickly as possible.

“I am backing all the President has carefully enumerated and articulated to the party. The party is supreme; the party must have disciplined leadership and followers. The party’s process must be respected because that is the confidence and the trust of the people.”

The former Lagos State Governor, however, pointed out that conflicts should be expected in every political environment.

“That is politics. And conflict resolution mechanism will be applied to resolve all problems.

So, we are there. There is honour in every struggle, in every competition and there must be honour in victory too.”

On how prepared the APC is to avoid the mistakes of the PDP, Tinubu said: “We are different. We cannot be PDP; we

are APC. We will not repeat their mistakes. We know their mistakes, we know their errors.

And we understand what Nigerians want. Nigerians gave this party a mandate because of our manifesto.

“We are pro-people; we are progressives. We have had a conservative government in the last 16 years. This is a progressives party, just coming barely 30 days. We understand the hope of Nigerians and we respect that hope. We understand the expectation of Nigerians.

We believe in that expectation and in our promise of prosperity to come. We will not change that.”

Speaking inside the Banquet Hall after the breaking of fast, Tinubu, who described the APC as the Armoured Personnel Carrier, said that it represented the diversity of Nigeria.

He thanked President Buhari for the opportunity of breaking fast with him, bringing together people of various backgrounds, regardless of religious affiliations.

He said: “We believe this diversity will continue to propel us for economic growth under your leadership.

“This is the first Ramadan after the election. We thank God for cutting down the opponent’s 60 years of fake promises to 16 years.

“I heard they say we are slow.

Yes, we didn’t campaign to be fire fighters, but planners and meticulous one at that. A latrine pit of 16 years can’t be cleaned up in 30 days because the mess is much.

“Mr. President, you started well, you hit the ground running. You promised Nigerians that you’ll address security and your first meeting to ECOWAS

was on security because we cannot fight alone.

“You have been to other places. If they think it’s a game of ludo, we will say is serious business. If they forgot G7, we will remind them.

“We have faith in you, Mr. President. We have faith in your capacity and uprightness. I’m here filled up and not fed up.

“We promise to continue to be with you and support you.

No matter what they are saying, we are not re-running the election until four years time.”We pray to God to give us four more years of this month and pray to Him to forgive our misdeeds, and for peace and stability.

“Mr. President, your hands are on the plough and you will succeed,” he said.

Buhari urged APC members to drop their differences and their influences both in the party and the country for the party to achieve its campaigns manifestos of addressing security, economy, employment and corruption. “If we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria,” he said.

President Buhari, who recalled how the party surmounted many obstacles to emerge strong enough to dislodge the PDP, said that it was important for the members to lay aside their differences and unite for the country’s sake.

He praised Tinubu for his support and words of encouragement.

He said: “I always like to go down memory lane to show how lucky we are as a political group.

“At no stage was the decision taken by chance; it was all deliberate. The leaders of the parties felt the only way to wrest

power from the PDP was for us to come together. I, in particular, was scared after previous failures of the elections of 2003, 2007 and 2011.

“We dissolved our various parties to form APC. Then we applied to INEC. For once I was grateful to INEC. We had gone with nine people to INEC to apply and INEC advised us that we needed at least 25 people across the country to form a political party. We were able to go back, raised 35 members across the country and then successfully registered the party.

INEC then informed the Federal Government that we had met the requirements, hence we cannot be denied registration.

Many doubting Thomases said merger has never succeeded in Nigeria but here we are.

“I went into this long explanation so that you will appreciate how far we have come and for a society as ours, if we respect the constitution, then all the greed and problems will be a thing of the fast.

“We should just look at Nigeria as Nigerians, no matter the level you are, lose your influence so that we can help achieve the manifestoe - security, economy, employment and corruption - because if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria. We have to ensure that people we bring forward are those that will move the society forward”. He said At the breaking of fast were former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva, Senator Olorunmibe Mamora, APC National Publicity Secretary Lai Mohammed and Chief Audu Ogbeh.

Nigerians set agenda for Service chiefs Continued from page 4

counter culminated in humiliating defeat for the nation’s armed forces.

“Hundreds of soldiers were massacred while those who refused to commit suicide were put on trial before court martial.”

In his remarks, Ali said: “My expectations are that they should be able to assist us to battle and extinguish, if possible, insurgency and terrorism; and position our armed forces as a professional fighting force that can be ranked as one of the very best if not in the world at least in Africa. They should ensure that they promote the ethics of subjugating the military to civilian authority.”

According to him, the military chiefs should feel obligated to the country and not the person who appointed them.

He said: “Our problem is that we don’t have strong institu-

tions. Anybody who gets appointed to an office believes that he owes obligation and loyalty to the appointer, whereas it should be that anybody who is appointed into the public service in any capacity should have loyalty to Nigeria.

“We don’t have that in this country. We haven’t gotten it right at all. This is an area that quite a lot has to be done. That is what is missing in our national life. Until public officers believe that their first loyalty is to the nation itself, then the problem of partisanship will remain.”

Dr. Nnaji said the military chiefs must show passion for the tasks ahead and learn to deploy modern technology, urging President Buhari to always consider national interest first when exercising his prerogative to make such appointments, especially on the professional competence of those being appointed.

NSA’s family member being held by insurgents Continued from page 4

on the issue of screening of the newly appointed service chiefs .

“The Senate will perform its constitutional duty when it receives communication from the President on the appointments.”

Also yesterday, Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade said the President had demonstrated that “he is for nobody but for everybody” as promised in his inauguration speech of May 29.

Ayade was expressing the gratitude of the government and people of his state to Buhari for the appointment of Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, a Cross River indigene, as Chief of Naval Staff (CNS).

He noted that by the appointment, the President had demonstrated his avowed declaration that he would be president-forall.

Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas is from Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media/Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, Ayade said: “I wish to express my sincere gratitude to our President, Muhammadu Buhari, for

the appointment of our son and brother, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as the new Chief of Naval Staff.

It is now clear to all that this is a President who is very much committed to his pronouncements as a leader. He has demonstrated that he is a man of his words and a man of conviction.

He declared to Nigerians soon after his inauguration that he would be president-for-all.

There is no doubt that every day, Mr. President is walking his talk.”

The governor congratulated the new naval chief on his appointment, which he described as an elevation well-deserved.

He said: “I wish to, on behalf of myself and the good people of Cross River State, congratulate our son and brother, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, on his well-deserved appointment as the new Chief of Naval Staff.

“As a true professional, I have no doubt in my mind that he would acquit himself in his new responsibility and lend his wealth of experience in combating the challenges of insecurity in the country.”

ICPC grills Orubebe Continued from page 4

details.”

Orubebe did not pick calls made to his telephone lines yesterday.

A text message sent to him was also unacknowledged.

The last public outing of Orubebe was when he created a scene at the International Conference Centre in an attempt to abort the collation of the results of the March 28 Presidential Election.

Jonathan kicks as Buhari plans probe Continued from page 4

Oshiomhole joined issues with the immediate past Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, on how $2.1billion in ECA was disbursed without approval.

He said the $2.1 billion, only $1 billion was paid to oil marketers as fuel subsidy and about $1billion used for election purposes.

Although Mrs. OkonjoIweala claimed that the exPresident approved the spending of $1 billion, Oshiomhole said Jonathan had no right to do so.

He said any withdrawal from the account ought to be approved by NEC.

61

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS

• Mogherini, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization Ali Akbar Salehi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, British Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond and Kerry pose for a group picture at the United Nations building in Vienna PHOTO: AFP

D

IPLOMATS from the United States, Britain UK, France, China, Russia and Germany have finally completed a deal with Iran meant to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.

In exchange for limits on its nuclear program, Iran will come out from under some economic sanctions while being allowed to continue a peaceful nuclear program.

"Under no circumstances will Iran ever seek, develop or acquire nuclear weapons," European Union foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini said at a joint news conference Tuesday with Iran's foreign minister

Iran, major powers strike nuclear deal But in an address from the White House, President Barack Obama said, "Today after two years of negotiation the United States together with the international community has achieved something that decades of animosity has not: a comprehensive long-term deal with Iran that will prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon."

Both Obama and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry insisted that the deal was based on verification, not trust, and that if Iran failed to keep its side of the deal,

international sanctions would be reimposed against it.

There will be regular inspections of both Iranian nuclear facilities and the supply chain that supports the program, Obama said, and precautionary measures will remain in place for years. A White House webpage also spelled out how the deal would block all Iran's "pathways to a nuclear weapon."

Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani presented the deal as a win for his country, saying all four of its

NASA's New Horizon's spacecraft sends amazing photos of Pluto to Earth

G

ORGEOUS Pluto! The dwarf planet has sent a love note back to Earth via Nasa’s New Horizons spacecraft, which has travelled more than 9 years and 3+ billion miles. This is the last and most detailed image of Pluto sent to Earth before the moment of closest approach, which was at 7:49 a.m. EDT Tuesday - about 7,750 miles above the surface -roughly the same distance from New York to Mumbai, India making it the first-ever space mission to explore a world so far from Earth. This stunning image of the dwarf planet was captured from New Horizons at about 4 p.m. EDT on July 13, about 16 hours before the moment of closest approach. The spacecraft was 476,000 miles (766,000 kilometers) from the surface. It clearly shows the dwarf planet's surprising Marslike reddish hue, and the enigmatic heart-shaped feature on its surface that has already become Pluto's calling card on the internet.

The nine-year mission to Pluto reached its climax yesterday lunchtime when New Horizons flew closest to the dwarf planet before journeying into the Wild West of space - the Third Zone.

When New Horizons launched in 2006 Pluto was still a planet, but just a few months later it was downgraded to a dwarf-planet or 'plutoid' and is now known officially as 'asteroid number 134340' Its arrival yesterday should have marked the completion of mankind's quest to map the Solar System. Instead it will be remembered as the beginning of the exploration of 'The Third Zone' also known as the mysterious Kuiper Belt, a huge un-

chartered band of planetary debris left over from the solar system's formation 4.56 billion years ago.

At the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, mission control staff and visitors clapped, cheered and waved American flags, chanting "USA, USA" in an outpouring of patriotic emotion.

Nasa administrator Charles Bloden said that the team had been astounded when the first images came back revealing a red planet.

"It's not an icy planet. It's red.

How can the surface be red? The geological world is excited about something they didn't even think they would be involved in. Geologists are marvelling at the colour and thinking how can that be so far away from the Sun. "I expected to see some cold, grey icy planet. It has reddish tint, not unlike Mars. That's fascinating. We continue to be mesmerised by this incredible planet and its moons."

Members of the New Horizons science team react to seeing the spacecraft's last and sharpest image of Pluto before closest approach PHOTO:AP Experts believe the colour arises from the chemical action of sunlight generating red compounds in the atmosphere that then fall on the surface.

Over the last few weeks the probe has sent back tantalising images as it moved ever closer to Pluto revealing unusual features dubbed 'the whale' and 'the heart.'

At 12.49am probe will pass straight over the heart-shaped feature just 7,800 miles from the surface, at 30,800 mph taking pictures and a range of other

measurements.

It then carries on into the Kuiper Belt, and will eventually leave the Solar System, a feat only achieved by Voyager so far.

The first 'phone home' message from New Horizons is expected at 2am BST on Wednesday morning and the first images are expected to be released at around 8pm this evening.

British company e2v has provided the camera for the mission.

Dr Alan Stern, principal science investigator at New Horizons said: "It feels good. So many people put so much work into this around the country. It's a moment of celebration. We have completed the initial reconnaissance of the Solar System, started under President J. F. Kennedy.

And it is carrying the ashes of the scientist who discovered Pluto, Clyde Tombaugh.

Tombaugh died on January 17 1997, nine years and two days before New Horizon's launch, but one of his final requests was for his ashes to be sent into space.

A small container carrying his remains is affixed to the inside of the upper deck of the probe bearing the inscription: "Interred herein are remains of American Clyde W. Tombaugh, discoverer of Pluto and the solar system's 'third zone'" New Horizons has already answered one basic question about Pluto, its precise size. Scientists used photos from the spacecraft's telescopic camera, the Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (Lorri), to determine that the dwarf planet is somewhat larger than previously thought, having a diameter of 1,473 miles.

goals in the negotiations had been met.

He said those aims were to maintain Iran's nuclear activities and nuclear achievements, to remove "inhumane" sanctions, to have "illegal" U.N. Security Council resolutions removed, and to ensure Iran's nuclear file would be removed from Chapter 7 of the U.N. charter.

In contrast to Obama's assertion that sanctions would "snap back" if Iran violated the terms of the agreement, Rouhani insisted that when the deal comes

into effect, sanctions against Iran will be lifted, not suspended.

Iran's ISNA news agency said the document -- hammered out after marathon talks in Vienna, Austria -- runs to 100 pages, with another five pages of annexes.

Now that an agreement has been forged, Obama must submit it to the U.S. Congress for review. Congress has 60 days to review the agreement, giving its opponents plenty of time to dig into the details and challenge the Obama

administration's position.

But Obama vowed to push it through, saying: "I will veto any legislation that prevents the successful implementation of this deal."

His statement came ahead of a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on the Iran deal.

In Tehran, the deal will need the clear backing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to fend off any objections from hardliners suspicious of an accord with the United States after decades of tensions and mistrust.

USAID, UNFPA facilitate donation of birth kits to IDPs in Borno

A

MEDICAL service forum has donated 400 birth kits to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Boko Haram-affected communities in Borno State.

The donation was made by Deluxe Childbirth Services (DSC), as part of its corporate social responsibility programme, at the United States Consulate General Office, Lagos.

The donation was received by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The kits, DSC Founder/ Managing Partner Mrs Ifeoma Chuks-Adizue, said was meant to support expectant women in internally displaced persons settlements in Boko Haram-affected communities in Borno State.

The United States Agency for International Develop-

By Evelyn Osagie

ment (USAID) facilitated the transfer of the birth kits by making initial contact with DCS and identifying UNFPA as the partner organisation that will take receipt of the kits, it was learnt.

According to USAID, two projects also played a role in the handover. The Expanded Social Marketing Project in Nigeria transported the birth kits free of charge to the UNFPA warehouse in Kaduna, and the Targeted States High Impact Project provided 400 doses of Chlorhexidine-an antibiotic gel which prevents cord infection in newborns.

USAID Deputy Director Julie Koenen said: "The U.S. Government will continue to support further collaboration between the private sector

and the development community in Nigeria."

All products will be distributed in three settlements for internally displaced persons in Maiduguri. UNFPA will train skilled birth attendants on their use, it was said.

The UNFPA Country Representative Ratidzai Ndhlovu said: "By 2015, 60,000 births are expected in IDP camps.

UNFPA anticipates that the donation of these kits will be an additional tool for improving the health of newborn babies in the camps."

Each kit contains an absorbent delivery mat, three infant diapers, one bar of antibacterial soap, one scalpel, one bottle of methylated spirit, 10 sanitary pads, five pieces of gauze, a pack of cotton wool, two sterilized gloves, infant cord clamps and one mucus extractor.

• L-R: South West Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Onimode PHOTO: U.S Consulate, Lagos Bandele; Chuks-Adizue; Koenen; with Ndhlovu...at the event

62

THE NATION WEDNESDAY JULY 15, 2015

THE NATION WEDNESDAY JULY 15, 2015

63

TODAY IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘If Nigeria, through the legislature or judiciary, were to legalise homosexuality and same sex marriage as has been done in some other countries, then the fallout may be too severe for any sitting government to handle’ VOL.10 NO.3276

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

C

HIEF Bisi Akande, former governor of Osun State and interim national chairman of the now ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is hardly your typical politician, who is easily given to demagoguery. As anyone familiar with the key role he played in how the APC evolved into the eventual nemesis of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) - the self-styled biggest party in Africa, which misruled us for the past 16 years - would testify, the elderly chief was a great voice of wisdom for restrain and the politics of give and take, all the way back to the genesis of the party before 2011.

Late last month, however, the chief gave in to the strong temptation to be your typical politician when he issued a statement in which he described the raging National Assembly leadership crisis, which has divided the APC right down the middle, as a conspiracy of the North against the Yoruba.

“Most Northern elite, the Nigerian oil subsidy barons and other business cartels who never liked Buhari’s anti-corruption political stance,” the chief said in his statement, “are quickly backing up the rebellion against the APC with strong support...A large section of the Southwest sees the rebellion as a conspiracy of the North against the Yoruba.”

With due respect to the highly-esteemed chief, nothing could be further from the truth.

The frustration behind the chief’s statement is understandable. The political sleight of hand Dr. Bukola Saraki, incidentally himself a Yoruba, used to become Senate President on June 9, whereby 51 senators of APC out of 69 were denied their right to choose their leader, is a cause for great anger, especially given the gratuitous concession of the deputy Senate presidency to the PDP. Saraki is, of course from the North, even if a Yoruba minority in the region. But it should be obvious to even a political illiterate that the man did it for himself, not for the region; in making his bid, he neither sought for nor obtained anyone’s mandate.

As with Saraki so also it is with Honourable Yakubu Dogara as Speaker, even though there is a difference in his circumstance; in his own case, no members were deprived of their right to vote even though, like Saraki, he submitted himself for election and emerged victorious in defiance of his party’s wish.

Akande’s opposition to Saraki and Dogara clearly derives from the great anger of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at the apparently successful defiance of the party by Saraki and Dogara. Without doubt, the Asiwaju is today the most pre-eminent Yoruba politician since the beginning of the current Republic in 1999, bar possibly President Olusegun Obasanjo.

And just like the failure of General Muhammadu Buhari to seal the deal for an alliance as leader of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) with Tinubu as leader of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) back in 2011 doomed his presidential bid to failure that year, their handshake last year was probably, more than any other factor, responsible for the general’s success this time around. So Tinubu is entitled more than most top shots of APC to call its shots.

This status, however, does not entitle him to think, as many believe he does, that he is the conscience of the party any more than other

RIPPLES Unpaid salaries: POLICE THREATEN TO BOYCOTT KOGI, BAYELSA GOVERNORSHIP POLLS

EMPTY THREATS...do you realise that action is TREASONABLE?

People and Politics By

MOHAMMED H ARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Asiwaju and National Assembly leadership crisis

•Asiwaju Tinubu

chieftains are entitled. In other words, his insistence on party supremacy in the choice of the National Assembly’s APC leadership, though seemingly in the interest of party discipline and cohesion, is hardly as selfless as he and his acolytes would like the world to believe. Tinubu, many believe with good reason, has insisted on party supremacy only because it serves his interest of having Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, former minority leader and his crony, as the Speaker, instead of Dogara.

In principle, party supremacy is necessary for discipline and cohesion. However, any party which insists on handing down orders from above all the time in the name of party supremacy without first gauging the true feelings of its rank and file, as is clearly the case in the current APC crisis, only courts precisely the indiscipline and chaos it seeks to avoid by invoking the mantra of party supremacy.

As for Tinubu’s entitlement to call APC’s shots, surely he must be aware that there are widespread concerns even among some of his acolytes that, having singlehandedly nominated both the interim and the elected party chairmen and the vicepresident, he has called more than enough of the

party’s shots even as arguably its greatest architect.

That this concern is not exclusively Northern can be seen from a full page news item in The Nation of June 14 as reported by one of its managing editors and ace investigative reporter, Yusuf Alli.

The story, entitled: “How oil barons, others hijacked Senate, House elections”, spoke about how an anti-Tinubu cabal met at various times in Port Harcourt, Lagos, Abeokuta, Abuja and Ilishan to plan how to “decimate APC national leader, Asiwaju Tinubu.” The plotters, according to the story, included four serving governors and seven ex-governors, two of each from Asiwaju’s Southwest backyard.

The story also claimed an “influential emir” was also involved. The emir, according to the story, had unsuccessfully pleaded with Asiwaju to intercede with President Buhari in the cases of some oil barons who have been fearful of the president’s commitment to investigate the oil subsidy scam. The story did not identify the oil barons but chances are they came from all sections of the country.

What all this means is that the crisis of the National Assembly leadership election is not, as Chief Akande claims, any Northern conspiracy against the Yoruba. Neither Saraki nor Dogara, it bears repeating, sought for or obtained the region’s mandate to do what they did. And, to the extent that there is any conspiracy to clip

F

Asiwaju’s wings, most likely the co-conspirators come not from one section of the country alone but from all over.

Besides, it is instructive that much of the public gloating about Asiwaju’s current predicament has come, not from the North, but from his own backyard. Predictably leading the gloating is Chief Bode George, the Lagos-born PDP chieftain who has blamed Tinubu for his jailing years back on corruption charges as chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

Asiwaju’s political influence, George said with apparent glee, first in THE PUNCH (June 10) “is coming to sunset” and then added in the July 6th edition of the same newspaper that Tinubu and his group “have now been given political circumcision.”

Quick on his heels was Dr. Frederick Fasehun, co-founder of the militant Oodu’a Peoples Congress. Fasehun said in a two-page advert in The Guardian of July 5 that the National Assembly leadership crisis had nothing to do with the Yoruba but instead was “the demystification of Goliath.”

As such, he said, Akande’s call on the Yoruba to see it as a slight on their nationhood “should be ignored.”

Not left behind was the voluble Mr. Femi Olukayode (formerly Fani-Kayode), spokesman for ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign organisation, who, among other nasty things, said on his official Facebook page on July 9 that the crisis was “the destruction and demystification of Bola Tinubu and his Yoruba loyalists by his erstwhile northern allies in the APC.” The Asiwaju should not bother himself about all those gloating over his predicament. In politics, no one, not even the most sagacious politician, can win all the time. He may have lost the battle for the leadership of the National Assembly, but winning the war of stemming the rot of 16 years of PDP’s misrule is far more important. And this war can still be won in spite of the new National Assembly leadership, should it constitute itself into an obstacle against Buhari’s declared war on corruption and of restitution.

Therefore the Asiwaju, as a key APC chieftain, should never regret the key role he played in the emergence of his party as PDP’s nemesis simply because he has lost one, albeit an important, battle, among the many he has fought to bring hope of a new dawn to Nigeria.

AN EXPLANATION AND AN APOLOGY

T

HE attentive reader of this column in Daily Trust last week would have noticed that a few things were wrong with it. First, the article had no title. Second, it did not reach any conclusion. Third, the readers’ responses to the previous column were not edited to remove the sometimes annoying shorthand language of mobile phone texts.

What happened was that I did not realise I had not saved my final draft before sending it out until I cross-checked my out box. To my great dismay, it turned out that what I’d sent was the original draft which fell short

HARDBALL LASHBACK to March 2009 and the loud launch of a project tagged Rebranding Nigeria. At the event in Abuja, the then Information Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili, unveiled a slogan that was appealing on paper: ”Good People, Great Nation”. Akunyili said: ”Nigeria cannot wait until it solves all her problems before it can stand to give serious thought to rebranding its battered image. This is because our development is tied to our image.

This negative perception has had destructive effects on our people and stymied our growth and national progress.”

The cosmetic idea belonged to the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration, and the then Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, represented Yar’Adua on the occasion. Jonathan said: “Let us resolve that we would no longer be held ransom by the fraudsters that give Nigeria and all of us a bad name and image.” On behalf of the members of the rebranding committee, Isawa Elaigwu said: “We are not happy with the Nigerian product we have now; hence we have decided to do something about it… All we hear in the past is that Nigeria is a fertile ground for credit fraud and all kinds of crime. We all can rebrand Nigeria. Once we continue to

DELE AGEKAMEH

of the final copy by about 500 words and contained the errors I’d corrected.

By then it was well past my deadline. So I called the editors of The Nation and Daily Trust, and later texted the editors of my online publishers, Gamji and Newsdiaryonline, to drop the article. Whereas the editors at The Nation used their discretion and reproduced an old piece, those at Trust still went ahead to run it because they said they misunderstood my instruction.

I am sorry for the mix-up.

•For comments, send SMS to 08059100107

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

What a Briton said rebrand ourselves, then Nigeria can be rebranded.”

Against this background, the news that a 70-year-old British pensioner, William Harding, appeared in an England court charged with using improper language against his former Nigerian employee, had branding and rebranding implications, especially given that the 2009 project is considered a failure.

Harding was accused of making remarks that were “grossly offensive or of an obscene character” in his counter-claim sent electronically to a small claims court concerning a Nigerian whom he described as a “typical thieving Nigerian”. He was also accused of saying in a form he filled: “I don’t think God made a worse race than Nigerians. I’ve not come across an honest one yet.”

It is noteworthy that a report said: “Harding pleaded not guilty to the offence, saying he did not intend to cause any offence and did not think the victim would have been offended by the remarks.”

Quite apart from the anti-racism merit of Harding’s trial, which is expected to take

place in September, the point is that Nigeria and Nigerians still suffer branding and rebranding problems. Recently, the pioneer secretary and former Chief Executive Officer, Rebranding Nigeria, Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi, reportedly blamed the project’s failure on inadequate funding. He was quoted as saying: “We agreed on a social mobilisation programme that would even affect and influence teachings from our primary schools, etc. It was a great programme. And it was structured to run over a long span, not some six months campaign. Is it still relevant? Of course, it will always be, for as long as we need to go through a social reengineering programme.”

Although Harding’s sweeping generalisation betrays a racist narrow-mindedness, it is food for thought that the perception of Nigerians as being characteristically corrupt has travelled far and wide. Irrespective of how his trial is concluded, Harding’s point of view should help to further energise the anti-corruption campaign of the Muhammadu Buhari presidency.

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