The Nation July 20, 2011

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

‘My husband didn’t commit suicide’

Boko Haram strikes again NEWS – Page 2

NEWS

Page 3

•Politician’s wife speaks on his death

•Three soldiers injured

http://www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

VOL. 6, NO. 1826 WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

N150.00

Jonathan weighs revenue formula •President, governors to meet

P

ROPONENTS of a new revenue formula, which will give states and local governments more cash, seem close to winning the battle.

The President has called a meeting of governors to discuss revenue allocation and “inappropriate deductions from the Federation Account”, The Nation learnt yesterday.

These two items are on the notice sent to all the governors.

The session at the Presidential Villa, which will hold at 9pm, may be a prelude to the proposed adjustment of the revenue allocation formula by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

The formula is as follows: Federal Government (52%); states (26.72%); and the 770 Local Governments (20.60%).

A committee raised by the Nigerian Governors Forum, headed by the Governor of Lagos State Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, has recommended a drastic reduction in the Federal Government’s allocation.

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

The governors are recommending this new formula: Federal (35%); States (42%); and Local Governments (23%).

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “I think the meeting may be a prelude to talks on the adjustment of the formula. Do not forget that the Chairman of RMAFC, Mr. Elias Mbam, recently said that a new equitable revenue formula will come into effect as from next year. The meeting may be part of plans to fast-track the adjustment of the formula.”

The proposed review must have informed the Federal Government’s plan to deregulate the downstream sector of the petroleum industry and shift payment of the minimum wage for civil servants on level 07 to 16 till January.

“What I know is that the Wednesday meeting is an attempt to pool resources by the Federal and state governments to address the minimum wage challenge,” the source said.

Continued on page 2

•President Jonathan welcoming Prime Minister Cameron in Lagos ... yesterday

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

UK to support Nigeria’s anti-terrorism fight

B

RITAIN will support Nigeria in its anti-terrorism battle, British Prime Minister David Cameron said yesterday.

Cameron spoke at a news conference in Lagos after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan and the business community. He also deliv-

By Miriam Ndikanwu, Staff Reporter

ered a lecture at the Pan African University.

He said insecurity in Nigeria could affect the British economy.

“Britain sees Nigeria as a country with massive potential, which should

not be allowed to be overtaken by terrorism and other acts capable of breaching peace and security.

“Because of common areas of interest, Britain would partner with Nigeria in fighting terrorism in any form,” Continued on page 2

Labour shelves strike Arrears of new salary effective March THE AGREEMENT W ORKERS pulled the brakes last night on their plan to go on strike

•NLC chief Omar

today.

They shelved the action, following all-day meetings with the Federal Government and governors.

The last of the talks ended just before midnight when the government, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) issued a communiqué.

The six-point communiqué reads: •That the Federal Government agrees to comply with the National Minimum Wage 2011 Act •Federal Government shall complete negotiation with Labour not later than July 31.

•Detailed negotiation on the

•The Federal Government agrees to comply with the National Minimum Wage 2011 Act •The Federal Government shall complete negotiation with Labour not later than July 31 •Detailed negotiation on the relativity of the implementation of the minimum wage will be completed not later than July •Arrears of the new wage will take effect from March. It shall be paid not later than Aug. •No worker shall be victimised in any manner •In line with the agreement earlier reached, Labour resolved to suspend the strike.

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja and Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu, Lagos

relativity of the implementation of the minimum wage will be completed not later than July •Arrears of the new wage will take effect from March. It shall be paid not later than August •No worker shall be victimised in any manner

•In line with the agreement earlier reached, Labour resolved to suspend the three-day warning strike.

NLC President Abdulwaheed Omar read the communiqué around 11.40pm.

He signed on behalf of Labour along with TUC President General Peter Esele.

Secretary to the Government of the

Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim; Labour Minister Emeka Wogu and Head of Service Prof.

Oladapo Afolabi, signed for the government.

A marathon meeting between the labour leadership and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) at the Continued on page 2

•POLITICS P15 •SPORTS P23 •LIFE P29 •MONEY P43 •NATION INVESTORS P45

2

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

NEWS

Soyinka urges Fed Govt to pay

N

•President Goodluck Jonathan (left) and Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State listening as Commissioner for Environment Tunji Bello explains a point during the President’s inspection of Lekki Beach in Lagos ... yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

OBEL laureate Prof.

Wole Soyinka yesterday urged the Federal Government to implement the N18,000 minimum wage across the board.

Former Lagos State Governor Lateef Jakande called for restraint over the strike plan.

Soyinka said: “I am on the side of labour. The voice of the people is the voice of God. They should be listened to for once.

“Why should they wait till 2012 before the minimum wage is implemented?”

According to him, what the workers are asking for is not extraordinary and so, it should not become an issue for an unnecessarily long debate.

Jakande advised President Goodluck Jonathan to approach the planned three-day warning strike with maturity.

UK to support Nigeria’s anti-terrorism battle Continued from page 1

he said.

The prime minister said he led a delegation to Nigeria to discuss areas of business and investment cooperation between both countries.

Cameron described trade relations between both countries as impressive at the moment, and hoped that it would be better by 2014.

He announced plans by the British Government to support Nigeria in realising the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on health.

Cameron said the British Government would support Nigeria in its fight against corruption.

President Goodluck Jonathan said Nigerians were frustrating their country’s efforts at checking insecurity.

“We need to deal with the situation now, and we are going to work with other countries to achieve our aim.

“We will continue to work with the British Government because we have common interest that must be protected,” he said.

Jonathan urged Britain to

support Nigeria in its struggle for representation in the UN Security Council.

Besides, he said Nigeria would continue to have cordial trade relations with Britain.

Cameron also called for a bilateral trade relationship between Africa and Europe to tackle the economic challenges confronting the continent.

Cameron delivered a lecture entitled “Entrepreneur and Innovation “organised by the PanAfrican University in Ajah, Lagos. He urged Nigeria to pursue effective political reforms to make the best of “Africa’s moment”.

The Prime Minister, who flew into Lagos from Johannesburg at the head of a business delegation, highlighted the progress of democracy in Africa. He lauded President Goodluck Jonathan on his victory in April election.

Cameron described the last election as the fairest in nearly two decades in Africa. He said time had come for Africa to meet the aspirations of its people.

He urged Africans to take action to ensure they have a bigger say in how their countries are run, saying: “These are the

demands the people have made in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya.

These are the demands that have propelled the Arab Spring.

And these are the demands, which supported by a revolution in trade and enterprise mean Africa can seize its own moment of opportunity.”

He expressed optimism in Nigeria’s willingness to achieve its potential soon, pointing out that Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has provided good, strong and accountable governance paradigm in the country.

President Jonathan said the trans- Atlantic visit amid a tight schedule proved that Africa will play a critical role in the future of the planet.

Jonathan, who was represented by Fashola, said: “So much has happened in this decade. Our current reality vividly demonstrates that our prosperity or adversity on one side of the continent is answerable to consequences of prosperity and adversity on the other end of the globe.

“The visit by the Prime Minister is a proof of the statutory leadership and very clear understanding of its role in turning

these challenges to opportunities and stimulate mutual cooperation between the two countries in the areas of improved Trade, Infrastructural renewal, Power, Transportation, Improved public Health promotion of global security Democracy and defense of citizenry rights, to mention but a few.”

He acknowledged the business development and partnership orientation behind the visit.

Cameron’s description of Fashola as “performing” during his lecture elicited spontaneous applause from the audience comprising intellectuals, business men from the UK and Nigeria as well as alumni and students of the Lagos Business School. They also gave Cameron a standing ovation after his lecture.

Cameron said: “Here in Lagos, Governor Fashola has shown what strong and accountable governance can achieve.

“What I have seen in London, I have seen a hundred fold here today. From Eko Atlantic City and Balogun Street Market to the biggest part in the most populous country in Africa, you are transforming your State”.

“I hope the President will look into it and consider the plight of the workers,” Jakande said.

“Why wait for the disruptions and at the end of many days wasted; agreements will still be reached?” he said.

Lagos lawyer Femi Falana threw his weight behind the strike.

He said: “The failure of the Federal and state governments to avert a national strike over the implementation of the National Minimum Wage Act 2011 is a confirmation of the insensitivity of the Nigerian political class.

Having subscribed to the Oath of office on May 29, 2011 to the effect that they would obey the

Constitution and other laws of the land the violation of the law on wages by most state governments is a clear subversion of the rule of law. Those who are not prepared to pay the national minimum wage should resign without any further delay.

“In a country where the president, governors and legislators are the highest paid in the world, there can be no justification for the refusal of the government to pay the national minimum wage of N18,000 per month or N600 per day payable to a worker and his family including children who are expected to go to school. “

Labour shelves strike Continued from page 1

Rivers State Governor’s lodge in Abuja preceded the meeting at the SGF’s office.

Neither the Labour team not the representatives of the governors spoke at the end of the meeting.

“The Labour leaders will talk to you after the meeting with the SGF,” Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi, chair of the NGF told anxious reporters.

The meeting started at about one o’clock and did not end till 6.43pm.

Governors at the meeting were: Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Hassan Dankwabo (Gombe), Ibrahim Shema

(Katsina), Liyel Imoke (Cross Rivers), Tanko Al Makura (Nassarawa), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Danbaba Suntai (Taraba), Adam Oshiomhole (Edo), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Abdulfattai Ahmed (Kwara).

Prodded by reporters after the meeting with the governor, Esele said: “We are going to SGF.” The governors said they were ready to make sacrifices.

“We are ready to make sacrifice because the interest of the nation is bigger than any individual,” Amaechi said.

Jonathan weighs formula Continued from page 1

The audience with the President will be preceded by a meeting of all the governors today by 7pm in Abuja.

Another source said: “For sometime, the states have been complaining of inappropriate deductions from their share of the Federation Account.

“The President and the governors will resolve this grey area. It has reached a level that they have to be creative and adjust a few things to pay the minimum wage.”

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has advised the Federal Government to pay the minimum wage to all categores of workers through Supplementary Budget.

A top labour leader said: “We have asked the Federal Government to pay us the new wage through Supplementary Budget; we cannot wait for 2012 Budget.

“We hope that the government will source for funds to pay this long-awaited minimum wage. We won’t accept anything less.”

Three soldiers injured as Boko Haram strikes in Maiduguri •Scare in NYSC camp sends Jos into panic From Abiodun Joseph

(Maiduguri), Yusufu Aminu

Idegu and Marie-Therese Peter (Jos) and Kelvin OsaOkunbor (Lagos)

•Borno State Governor Shettima

A

FTER a brief lull, violent Boko Haram has struck again in Maiduguri, shattering the uneasy peace in the beleaguered city. A bomb thrown at a military patrol vehicle injured three soldiers and destroyed their vehicle.

The explosion occurred around 8am at Bulukutu Ward Roundabout, where a similar explosion injured five policemen after a bomb was thrown at their vehicle last Friday.

Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesman Col. Victor

Ehbeleme confirmed the attack.

He said some suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident.

Also yesterday, gunmen killed a Borno State Ministry of Information official, Alhaji Modu Fara. Fara, who is in charge of the Bama office. He was shot dead by the gunmen who entered his home in Bama, headquarters of Bama Local Government Area.

Nigeria Union of Journalists chairman in Borno State Alhaji Abba Kakami expressed shock by the incident. It could not yet be established if he was killed by Boko Haram men.

In Jos, a Boko Haram scare sent residents into a panic.

The fragile peace in the Plateau State capital was disrupted when news of the presence of a Boko Haram

(Western education is evil) member in the NYSC Camp at Zawan Secondary Commercial College spread. But it turned out to be a hoax.

Corps members raised the alarm. One of them, Biodun Samuel, told our reporter: “We were instructed to be extra vigilant, even in our sleep, because we were made to understand that the NYSC Camp is one of the targets of the Boko Haram agents, which was why some of us raised the alarm as soon as the man was sighted.

Samuel went on: “We were scared on seeing the man and we refused to go close to him; we rather called the attention of the management who invited soldiers of the Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crises.

“The STF conducted a search on the man and later told us the suspect is a mad man and that there was nothing close to explosives in the items found on him. Even at that, we are not comfortable;

we are scared, we don’t know whether to belief the STF members.”

NYSC spokesman Sam Nkwopara said: “I want to assure the general public that the news about the Boko Haram man in our camp is not true. The security that checked the suspect confirmed that he is a mad man and not harmful to the Corps members. The man has been taken away by the STF people because the Corps members were threatening to kill the suspect.”

STF spokesman Captain Charles Ekeocha said: “There is no cause for alarm. The suspect is a mad man. We conducted a thorough search on him and discovered that he was not carrying any explosive device.

“We have handed the suspect to the State Security Services to conduct further investigation on the suspect and he is currently with them. What I will say now is that everyone go about his or

her normal business; there is nothing like Boko Haram in Jos. “We will tell the public if we discover any Boko Haram because we are here to protect members of the public.

We are too vigilant in this state to allow such thing to happen here.”

The news spread like wildfire. Parents abandoned their offices and rushed to the schools for their wards. Some banks closed abruptly.

Security was strengthened in strategic areas of the city centre.

The University of Jos (UNIJOS), which tightened its security in the wake of the Boko Haram uprising in the North, continued to restrict entrance of cars into its campuses, especially at the administrative block on Bauchi Road campus as well as its library complex at the permanent site.

The tight security was noticed also at the state secretariat, popularly known as

Joseph Gomwalk Secretariat, as well as all federal and state government establishments.

The state government promised to ensure the security of NYSC members.

In Lagos, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Managing Director Richard Aisuebeogun stressed the need for all stakeholders, including security agencies, in aviation to rise to the challenge of bombings.

Aisuebeogun spoke during a visit to the Commissioner of Police, Anti-Bomb Command, Lagos, Mr. Ambrose Aisabor, in Ikeja.

Aisuebeogun said measures had been put in place to check explosions at the airports. FAAN’s security officers, in collaboration with others, have renewed efforts aimed at making the airports safer.

The FAAN boss urged the leadership of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Command of the Police to ensure its participation in the Airport Security Committee and operate within the aviation security system.

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

3

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

NEWS

Divers and rescuers were still searching yesterday for the body of Mr. Mustain Alade Abaniwonda, who got drowned in the Lagos lagoon on Monday. Members of his family are yet to come to terms with the reality of his death, reports JOKE KUJENYA

Akwa Ibom ruling shocks ACN

‘My husband couldn’t have jumped into the lagoon’

THE Action Congress of Nigeria (AC N) yesterday described as curious and perverse the ruling of the Akwa Ibom Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which affirmed the election of Governor Godswill Akpabio.

The tribunal dismissed the party’s petition and that of its candidates Senator Akpanudoedehe and Dr. Samson Umana ‘’even when the petition is yet to be determined on its merit’’. In a statement in London yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the ruling of the Tribunal flies in the face of existing law and jurisprudence on the issue of applying for pre-hearing session, hence the party has instructed its lawyers to proceed on appeal.

ACN appealed to its teeming supporters and Akwa Ibom State electorates who voted en masse for the party to remain peaceful and steadfast, saying it believes that justice will definitely prevail and the usurpers will be shown the way out ultimately by the appropriate court.

Explaining its amazement at the ruling, the party noted that the only ground upon which the Tribunal came to its decision is that the petitioners did not seek leave to bring the application for the Tribunal to issue pre-hearing notice.

He said: “In effect the Tribunal took the curious view that a motion to begin the pre-trial process, because such a motion is taken outside the pre-trial process (as it must be any way!), must be by leave!

“While our party, the Action Congress of Nigeria, and its candidates who are co-petitioners hold and will continue to hold the judiciary in high esteem, we consider the ruling of this Tribunal to be strange and in total variance with existing law and jurisprudence on issuance of pre-hearing.

“The provision of paragraph 47(1) of the first schedule to the Electoral Act pursuant to which the Tribunal set aside the order for pre-hearing session it had earlier issued has been part of the Nigerian law since 2007 by way of paragraph 6(1) of the practice direction number 1 of 2007.

“However, there is no legal or judicial authority in Nigeria that prescribes that leave must first be sought and obtained before an application for pre-hearing session can be made and granted. Indeed no tribunal or Court Of Appeal anywhere in the country since the practice directions were first issued in 2007 has ever held that a motion to begin pre-trial must be by leave of court because such a motion is taken outside the pre-trial session!”

•Lagos politician’s wife speaks

J

UST how did Lagos businessman and politician Mustain Alade Abaniwonda end it?

The report that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Lagos East senatorial candidate in the April elections jumped into the lagoon on Monday was yesterday denied by his family.

“He could not have jumped into the lagoon, he had no reason to do that,” his sobbing wife of almost 30 years Kuburat, said at their residence in Victoria Garden City (VGC), Victoria Island yesterday.

Rescuers continued the search for his remains at the spot close where he slipped into the lagoon close to the Marine Police office on the Third Mainland Bridge yesterday. Abaniwonda’s remains were yet to be found last night, more than 24 hours after he dropped into the lagoon The deceased politician marked his wife’s 55th birthday on Sunday. As he did, little did he know that it would be his last day on earth.

He kept an early morning engagement at Apapa on Monday morning.

He was returning in the afternoon when he felt pressed to ease himself.

He told his driver to stop the car after which he ran towards the public toilet by the Marine Police post. What happened next was that he slipped into the lagoon, his family insisted.

Abaniwonda was a Management Consultant and Human Resource Personnel. His office was at the Bookshop House building, CMS, Lagos.

In a report that suggested suicide, Abanwonda was reported to have removed his wrist-watch, suit and shoes and jumped into the lagoon.

But his widow said: “Though, this is a very sober period for me because I can’t still believe that my husband is no more; yet, I commit the reporters of such falsehood to God. My husband had been diabetic for many years. But do we have to tell everyone that? That was our own family challenge and we bore it. He urinated a lot because he had no stamina to hold it. We were once issued ticket in the US because he could not hold himself and we packed in a wrong place.

“And why would he jump into the lagoon if I may ask you? He wasn’t owing anybody. He did not, and I

•The spot where he ‘slipped’...on Monday

repeat, borrow any money for the election. He did not fight anybody.

He had no cause for such.

“Our marriage was an open relationship. I can tell you everything about my husband and he can do same for me.

“To us, it was nothing unusual that he urinated a lot. His driver was well aware of the situation too. So, if as the driver said, my husband had asked him to stop for him to urinate; it was a usual thing.

“So, as the driver told us. They were on their way from an official engagement in Apapa yesterday, Monday, when my husband in his usual manner told him to stop so he could pee.

My husband got down apparently to look for where to urinate. He was said to have asked some boys around and they showed him the public toilet. We learnt that on getting to the toilets, they were locked and he couldn’t wait for the person with the key. Not knowing that the sides of the public toilets were slippery; he positioned himself to pee, but rather he slipped into the lagoon. And that’s the point at which the problem began.

“The driver said he was still waiting for him in the car when someone knocked on his car window and told him that the man he brought to the place had fallen into the water. He quickly ran out of the car towards the place.

“He said on getting there, he found his boss flapping the water while shouting “someone please help me, someone please help me”... Quickly, the driver jumped across a pile of ruined boats to the office of the Ma-

PHOTO: JOKE KUJENYA

rine officers to alert them that my husband had fallen into the shallow side of the water on the other side.

But instead of answering him, they started harassing him for jumping across the boat.

“The driver said when he got to the scene; the water only covered my husband to the waist. But by the time he was running helter-skelter looking for help, he had been lowered to the shoulders, then to the neck and then he could not see my husband’s head again.

“I had to order that the driver should be quickly released when I learnt that he had been locked up.

“There is no foul play in the unfortunate incident that happened to my husband. I believe he could have been rescued if the Marine Officers had responded to the cry immediately it happened. But like I said, it is the way God wanted things to go, if not, it wouldn’t have happened.

Mrs Abaniwonda said as Muslims they must accept God’s verdict no matter the circumstance.

Ms. Omoyosola Alade Abaniwonda, 27, who spoke on behalf of the children said: “My daddy had an incurable phobia for water. He never went near water and even used to scold us whenever he learnt that we went to the beach to swim. Instead of taking us to the beach, he could spend thousands of dollars on us to buy things to distract us from the waters. How could a man whose second daughter got married barely a month ago and who had already named his yet-to-be-born grandson Omobolaji commit suicide? Never!

For what? He would never do such a

•The late Abaniwonda

thing! My father went out in good spirits on Monday.”

The late Abaniwonda’s son-in-law, Yomi, who said he was the first to be called by the driver said: “I was along Kingsway Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, when the driver called me that daddy had fallen inside the lagoon. But because my mum was in the car with me, I just said okay, Daddy’s calling me?

Tell him I’ll be there now. So, I quickly dropped my mother in my office and sped to the scene.

“On getting here, I located the driver and he recounted the incident. Immediately, I walked into the office of the Marine officers and met an officer in uniform. I identified myself as the son of the person in the water and told him that my dad fell into the water a few minutes ago. He told me that there were no divers around.

“I told him that I could swim if I can get a life jacket or vest because at that time, we could not see his body on the surface of the water again. He told me that they had no life jacket.

He then pointed me to private divers and rescuers. So, I went to meet the private rescuers and they told me that I should pay N150, 000. I told them to go ahead and (pointing); they are still searching but we are yet to locate my late father-in-law’s body.”

Speaker: What I discussed with Jonathan, by Tinubu

N

ATIONAL Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has explained why he rejected President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s plea to back Mrs Mulikat Akande-Adeola as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The ACN lawmakers and other members of the opposition party supported Aminu Tambuwal, who was elected.

Mrs Akande-Adeola, who was the anointed candidate of the President and the PDP, had in a recent interview blamed the ACN’s leadership for her loss.

Tinubu, who was reacting to a question after delivering a lecture on the rebirth of the opposition in Nigeria’s politics at the Chatham House, London on Monday, also denied that he was specially flown to Abuja in a presidential jet to endorse Mrs Akande-Adeola and succumb to pressure of forming a government of national unity with the ruling party.

He said the party’s support for

From Yomi Odunuga, London

Tambuwal was based on his assurance that he would work for the good of the people and ensure the attainment of a true federalism and fiscal discipline in revenue allocation.

He said: “The story of the presidential jet is false. I never rode in one, except when I travelled with President Umaru Yar’Adua. That story was a subtle blackmail. But as the President, it is true that he sent for me. And I was in a jet, a friend’s jet to Abuja. It was not the presidential one. But when you take off from the presidential wing of the airport, every jet they see out of that place is a presidential jet.

“But to go to the substance of the matter, what was the discussion there? I can make it public and I have made it public. It was a question of who becomes the Speaker of the House of Representatives. And I said that instead of supporting the President’s nominee, I’d rather support the candidate of my party. If not, I

would give our votes to whichever candidate we believe would do well for Nigeria and who believe in what we believe—true federalism and fiscal discipline of the revenue allocation. And that person is the current Speaker Aminu Tambuwal. We won and I didn’t accede to the President’s request. That is what we discussed.”

Tinubu said it is not true that his personal ambition to run for the Presidency in the 2015 election was responsible for the failure of the merger plan between the ACN and the Congress for Progressive Change.

He insisted that Gen. Muhamadu Buhari’s inability to subject himself to some basic principles of democracy and his stiff personality should be blamed for the crashed alliance.

“The truth is that we danced but we did not embrace. The handshake was just not there. The accusation or allegation or the blackmail of Bola Tinubu being the ambitious one is not tenable. First, I have what it takes to run for the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria myself. I feel I am superior to the candidates of the

two parties. We conceded several things to them up to the last minute.

They entered into an alliance/agreement two months earlier without disclosing that to us before they started talking to us.

“We still have the memory of Obasanjo coupled with the fact that Buhari had chosen a running mate without considering that our party was even stronger than his, Our party was stronger; we won more National Assembly seats than the CPC, which is Buhari’s party. We had in existence four governors, he had none. And we still went ahead to concede the presidential ticket to him. So, who is more ambitious?

Truth is: Buhari is more ambitious”, he said.

He also spoke on the silent revolution being carried out by the ACN to win other states to its side with developmental strides of the six governors bearing the flag of the party and the lawmakers that won election in other parts of the country.

“Nigeria is not poor and, therefore, we should not encourage pov-

By Nneka Nwaneri

•Asiwaju Tinubu erty. With just 150 million people according to the census figures and with $200 billion a year in oil revenue, you can restructure and run the country properly. Go to Lagos today, it is the flagship of the Action Congress of Nigeria. That is what we want to replicate everywhere’’.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

4

NEWS

Minimum wage strike

Orji: Strike is a disservice

A

BIA State Governor Theodore Orji has urged workers to give peace a chance.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Public Communication, Ben Onyechere, Orji said: “The determination of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to embark on a warning strike, even after the governor’s and Federal Government overtures on the new wage will amount to civil disservice and insubordination.

“In this circumstance, the labour unions should prove that there is no ulterior motive behind the activity by heeding to the peace initiat-

ed by the government of the day rather than arm twisting the government which is not in the interest of anybody bearing in mind that the nation is going through tempting periods of Insecurity in which case, a strike should be suspended.

“If we must tell ourselves the truth, there’s no where in the world where increment of wages have come easy. More over, the Federal Government has shown probity and responsibility to labour relatedissues.”

The statement called on labour leaders to be more responsive to issues affecting their members by adopting dialogue.

Abuja residents besiege banks, filling stations From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

PPARENTLY preparing for the three-day warning strike, organised by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Abuja residents yesterday besieged banks, petrol stations and markets.

The industrial action begins today.

The Federal Government and the NLC were yet to reach a compromise after a six-hour meeting on whether the industrial action should be shelved.

The traffic situation was tight yesterday in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as residents made last minute rush to fill their tanks, stock their generators, as there are fears that the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Plc, may also join the strike.

Banks were also jam-packed as residents got desperate to make withdrawals in order to get prepared for the strike.

A

Police deploy 20,000 for strike

M

ORE than 20,00 officers were y e s t e r d a y deployed by the Lagos Command of the Nigerian Police to monitor the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) warning strike which is expected to begin today.

The over 20,000 policemen and women will patrol the streets to ensure that hoodlums do not hijack process strike to cause mayhem, it was learnt.

Command’s spokesman Mr Samuel Jinadu, said the officers were drawn from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), State Criminal Intelligence Bureau (SCIB), resident Police

Jude Isiguzo

Mobile Force squadrons (PMF), plain cloth policemen and regular policemen and women.

He explained that the officers have been deployed on vehicular and foot patrols and that they are expected to follow the striking workers wherever they go.

Jinadu advised all those who do not have anything to do with the strike to stay indoors as policemen will not hesitate to arrest any body who attempts to disrupt public peace.

He warned ‘Area boys’, street urchins and hoodlums not to see the strike as an opportunity to cause trouble.

Lawyer to governors: cut down expenses on aides From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

S workers begin a three-day warning strike today, an Akure lawyer, Mr. Morakinyo Ogele, yesterday advised governors to cut down on their expenses on political followers. This according to him,will enable them pay the N18,000 minimum wage.

He also urges government to ban the office of wife of governors, saying that their existence has contributed nothing to national development.

Ogele, who spoke with The Nation in Akure, the state capital, noted that 40 per cent of federal allocation was being spent on political appointees from the ruling political parties.

He explained that many governors failed during because they spent the greater chunks of their state resources on political office holders.

He said: “Imagine a governor in the Southwest keeping over 301 political aides, including 225 board members and every month he spent close to N800 million on their salaries.

This amount, if added with what he has on ground, is enough to pay workers the minimum wage.

“If you perform extremely well as a governor, and if you want to go for another second term, your people will stand by you. Appointing many aides just because you want to maintain a structure in your party and because of this you forget about the poor masses that voted you in, at the end, your government will collapse.

“Our governors should stop leaving an Emirate King’s life when many Nigerians could not have food on their tables.

They should stop using our public funds on overseas’ trips.”

A

•From left:Amuka-Pemu, Idowu, his wife Lawunmi, Odunewu and Onalaja cutting the 20 th anniversary cake of Diamond Publishers Limited in Lagos…yesterday.

Why Nigeria is not working,

by Odunewu

F

ROM the pioneer Chairman, Nigeria Press Council, Hadj Alade Odunewu (OFR) came hard knocks for corrupt politicians.

“Nigeria is simply not working. The world’s seventh most populous country is far away in slumber-land.

“The political class bleeds the country to suffocation.

Approach to security is to say the least shoddy and unserious.

“Politicians, ostensibly, seek the people’s mandate so they can render service.

“But we know that services rendered in this country are largely to self and family, “ he said.

Odunewu spoke yesterday at the Diamond Publications’ books’ presentation in Lagos.

The media chief said: “This country called Nigeria is bedridden and sick. It ought to be consigned to the sick bay during which the socalled National Assembly which, in any case, is more concerned with booty gathering and sharing, should go on compulsory, no-payment vacation while we sort out the mess of the last few

•Obaigbena (left), Idowu and Onalaja presenting three books on the occasion…yesterday PHOTOS:ADEJO DAVID

By Evelyn Osagie

years.”

He urged reporters to carry out the duties of monitoring governance and accountability as enshrined in the constitution.

Vanguard publisher Sam Amuka-Pemu said the media is worth celebrating.

“Reporters have behaved relatively better than politicians,” he said.

Amuka-Pemu praised Diamond Publications for its commitment to professionalism in the media, especially its Chief Executive Officer and Editor, Mr Lanre Idowu.

He said: “For me, it is an honour to be here because of what Lanre Idowu stands for in the media. We have some-

one who has been doing a thankless job in a society where integrity has very little consideration. I want to say on behalf of the media we appreciate you, Lanre.”

The three books presented are Watching the Watchdogs, Art, Master of His Age: The Story of Anthony Enahoro and Nigerian Columnists.

At the ceremony were top journalists, justices, diplomats, politicians, cultural enthusiasts, and civil rights, activists, among others.

Guests included Ambassadors Olusegun Olusola and Moses Ihonde; Emeritus Prof Alfred Opubor; Chairman, National Council for Legal Education, Justice Morenikeji Onalaja; Thisday

chairman Nduka Obaigbena, Mr. Lade Bunuola, Mr. Ben Lawrence; Chief Kayode Ogunmakun; Mr. Jimi Disu; Mr. Tunde Thompson; Mobolaji Onajide; Olamide Ajomale; Prof.

Ranti Adepoju; and Tam Fiofori.

Others included President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Gbenga Adefaye; the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Press Council, Bayo Atoyebi; Victor Enahoro, who represented the Enahoro family; Mrs Funmi Useni and Mrs Lawunmi Idowu.

Guests praised Diamond Publications for its efforts in keeping a tab on the media as it affects the progress of the nation in the last two decades.

Senate begs workers to shelve action •To meet security chiefs over Boko Haram

A

GAIN, the Senate yesterday called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to shelve their proposed warning strike billed to begin today.

The unions are embarking on the strike action over the non implementation of the N18, 000 minimum wage by the Federal and State Governments.

Calling off the strike, the upper legislative chamber said, would offer both sides the right opportunity to

From: Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

reach a compromise.

The senate will also meet with security chiefs next week for an update on the Boko Haram attacks and killings in the North, particularly in Borno State.

Addressing reporters at the end of the plenary session yesterday, Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma Egba said: “I want to appeal on behalf of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the NLC that since they are already in talks with the

Federal Government, they should suspend the planned strike to give both sides conducive opportunity for a resolution to be arrived at.

An atmosphere must exist for the talk to continue and proceeding with the strike at this point when they are already talking, will compromise the process.

“We appeal to the NLC to give the ongoing dialogue a chance and that the strike should be suspended until it is clear that no further progress can be made with the talk. If there are chances

that this matter can be amicably resolved, going on strike while dialogue is in process, will be inimical not only to the process itself, but to our economy and the workers they are speaking for”, he added.

On the issue of Boko Haram, he said: “You remember we had a close session with the security chiefs and we were assured that certain steps are being taken, in the next few days.

The senate will be meeting with the security chiefs for an update.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

5

NEWS

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER IN LAGOS

• British Prime Minister David Cameron (left), Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) (middle) and Central Bank Governor Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi during a lecture on Aid, Trade and Democracy delivered by the Prime Minister at the Pan African University, Lekki Lagos...yesterday

•Cameron (left), Fashola (middle) and Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu before the lecture...yesterday

Soyinka to speak on FoI Act

EFCC resists bid to stop Bankole’s trial

T

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday insisted on prosecuting former House Speaker Dimeji Bankole and his deputy, Bayero Usman Nafada.

The duo are facing a 17count charge slammed against them by the anti-graft agency before Justice Suleiman Belgore of an Abuja High Court.

They are charged with criminal breach of trust by agreeing to approve the allowance and/or “running costs” of Reps in violation of the approved Remuneration Package, dishonest use of House of Representatives account to obtain about N38 billion loan to augment allowances and “running costs” of members in violation of the extant rules and felony to wit: theft.

They allegedly shared the N38 billion loan to members without the consent and approval of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the extant Revised Financial Regulations of the Federal Government of Nigeria, 2009.

The alleged offences are contrary to Sections 97(1), 286 and 311 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990, and punishable under Sections 287 and 315 of the same Penal Code Act. They have since been released having satisfied their bail conditions.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Festus Keyamo accused Bankole and Nafada of subtle attempts to scuttle the trial.

Although the trial was supposed to begin yesterday,

By Joseph Jibueze

•Judge warns lawyers against intimidation From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

a defence counsel; Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) on Monday (a day before trial) filed another objection asking the court to disqualify Keyamo from prosecuting Bankole.

He accused Keyamo of persecuting and alleging fraud against Bankole while in office, saying his client may not have a fair trial as the prosecution counsel already had a biased opinion against him.

Keyamo, who protested against the late service of the application accused the defence of plotting to scuttle the trial. Informing the court that he prepared his reply overnight, so that the trial could go on, he urged the court to consolidate all the interlocutory applications.

Demanding an apology from Keyamo for the comment, Awomolo asked the court to discountenance his insinuation.

But Keyamo stood his ground. He said: “It is a fact not an insinuation. I say this with respect. I’m duty bound to say what I feel to say as the prosecution.”

Justice Belgore appealed to the counsel to allow the proceedings to go on and avoid distractions.

Although Keyamo asked the court to consolidate all the pending applications, Awomolo urged the court to take the application seeking to disqualify Keyamo first.

Toeing his line, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) said his client, Nafada is not complaining against Keyamo because he has not been attacking him.

Urging the court to take the application for disqualification first, Oyetibo added, “Courts do not do things in vain. The issue is that he is not qualified to take the case”.

Replying, Keyamo said: “It is only the court that can decide the direction of proceedings.

Even if the court rules that I can’t prosecute it will only be in respect of the first accused (Bankole); the case will still go on for the second accused (Nafada) they will still see my face.

Awomolo asked the court for a short adjournment to reply to Keyamo’s counter affidavit to the application seeking his disqualification.

Opposing, Keyamo said if he could reply overnight to the application, the defence could also reply within a short stand down.

Ruling, Justice Belgore said: “it is unfortunate the situation we have found ourselves. In any case I will take all the applications together”.

Referring to some publications, the Judge warned lawyers against releasing documents yet to be filed in court to the press.

He said: “As much as we know, the press has unfettered access to information. They can come to court to get their information. We should allow things to be done in a civil manner. Let documents that have not been filed not find their way to the press. It will amount to subtle way of intimidation and an attempt to pervert the cause of justice”.

The matter was adjourned till July 25 for hearing of all interlocutory applications.

Meanwhile, Keyamo has asked the court to dismiss the

application seeking his disqualification from the trial for lacking in substance as it was a mere delay tactics.

In a 22-page reply, Keyamo argued that the facts, as revealed in Bankole’s affidavit in support of his motion, have nothing to do with the allegations in this charge.

Keyamo said he had never written any petition or done anything personally in relation to this charge which has to do with the obtaining of illegal loans by the House of Representatives.

To him, “what this objection seeks to do is to gag the prosecutor and every other lawyer from raising alarm about corruption against public officers as such lawyer may stand the risk of being barred from prosecuting any such public officer.

“It will be a bad and sad day for the judiciary to begin to entertain objections from accused persons regarding the choice of who should prosecute them. So what happens if the court accedes to the request of the accused?

Will the court call upon the EFCC or the Attorney-General to appoint someone else? How ridiculous that would be!

He added: “The danger in accepting the prayers of the Accused/Applicant is that the court will always embark on a voyage of pampering an accused person until he chooses a prosecutor with whom he feels comfortable….…

“The point we are making is that the fact that a prosecutor has, at one time or the other in life, crossed the path of an accused person in other spheres of human endeavour and questioned his integrity in

•Bankole

those other endeavours, he is not precluded forever from prosecuting him in respect of other issues. Does it mean if Mr. Festus Keyamo becomes the Attorney-General of the Federation in future, he cannot prosecute the Accused/ Applicant in respect of any offence? Does it mean the present Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Bello Adoke, SAN cannot prosecute anybody he appeared against or acted against or wrote a petition against in the past as a private legal practitioner?

Does it also mean the present Chairman of EFCC, Mrs. Farida Waziri, AIG, (Rtd) cannot prosecute anybody she appeared against or acted against or wrote a petition against in the past as a private legal practitioner? Of course we answer these questions in the negative. This is because in prosecuting accused persons, a private prosecutor acts in the stead of the AttorneyGeneral or the prosecutorial agency that briefs him and exercises all their statutory powers in that regard. So whatever disqualifies the private legal practitioner must also disqualify his principal.

Coomassie blames Obasanjo, Babangida for rot in police

F

ORMER Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie yesterday blamed past administrations of the late Gen. Murtala Muhammed, Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida for the rot in the police.

He also accused the Ministry of Police Affairs of hijacking the powers of the Inspector General.

Presenting a paper entitled: “Thoughts on current national security challenges” at a one day summit on fiscal responsibility as an anti-

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

dote to fighting corruption, national security and consolidating Nigeria’s unity, Coomassie said the removal of the intelligence unit of the police by the Obasanjo regime after the civil war without creating an alternative affected the operations of the force.

According to him, the Babangida regime ‘’watered down’’ the powers of the police when he created the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the National

Guard and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to perform some of its functions.

He added that “the dismembering resulted in the proliferation of other bodies to perform police functions, thus weakening the force”.

Coomassie also said the altering of the force command structure with the creation of four additional Deputy Inspectors General also affected the performance of the force because it created rivalries and animosity within the hierarchy of the

police.

He said the current civilian administration also dealt a blow on the police with the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the removal of the FRSC from the police after it was returned to the force by the Abacha regime.

The former police boss noted that military intervention in the nation’s polity has done more harm than good to the image of the force and also query the

current modalities for drafting the military to curtail civil unrest in the country.

He listed some of the factors that have contributed to the dwindling performance of the police to population growth, several military take-over of political power, which have engendered dramatic and seemingly indelible social changes; creation of new states and local governments without proper takeoff funding for the new police outfits in these fashion.

NOBEL laureate Prof Wole Soyinka will deliver the keynote address at a Town Hall Meeting in Lagos tomorrow.

Discussion at the parkey will centre on the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act. He will speak on the topic: Making FoI Law work in Nigeria.

The event is jointly organised by the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and civil society groups, including the FoI Coalition.

Canadian Information Commissioner Ms Suzanne Legault will speak on The Law and Practice of the FoI Act in other countries. It will hold at the Agip Recital Hall, Muson Centre, at 10am.

NPAN General Secretary Comfort Obi, said in a statement that members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), members of the academia, representatives of government and the civil society are expected to attend.

Jonathan inspects Lagos shoreline

By Miriam Ndikanwu

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday visited Mayegun and Alpha Beach in Eti Osa Local Government axis of the state to inspect the various wrecked ships posing environmental challenges in the area.

Jonathan flew to the area in a chopper accompanied by Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and some state officials, shortly after addressing a joint news conference with British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Jonathan, not amused with the shipwreck and danger it posed to the coastal communities, urged stakeholders to expedite action on the removal of the vessel.

The Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, who conducted the team round the affected area, stressed the need for urgent intervention to avert the looming danger.

Bello noted that about 20 meters of land had been lost to the surge in less than two weeks.

Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure, Mr. Adesegun Oniru, said:” You can’t fight nature, you can only appease it. You can work with nature to stop what is happening. You need to put in place protections that will break the energy of the ocean surge’’.

6

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

NEWS Ibrahim restates commitment to health care KOGI State Governor Ibrahim Idris has restated his administration’s resolve to provide affordable health care to the residents.

The governor spoke when he visited a team of medical personnel from Cedio Outreach Ministry at the General Hospital, Kabba.

The doctors were in the state to offer free medical treatment to the three senatorial districts.

He praised the joint Free Medical Partnership programme between his administration and Cedio, describing it as the most beneficial to the state.

Idris also praised the medical experts for their humanitarian services, noting that health care delivery was among his administration’s major programmes.

The governor promised to pursue it with vigour to improve the residents’ wellbeing.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mallam Zakari Adamu, quoted the governor as saying his administration, since its inception in 2003, had provided health institutions and medical equipment to meet the residents’ health needs.

Idris urged stakeholders in the health sector to join hands with his administration to ensure effective health care delivery to the grassroots.

He noted that the health sector was essential, adding that government’s efforts needed to be complemented by those of nongovernmental organisations (NGOs).

Ahmadu Ali’s wife beats up FCT officials From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

DR Maryam Ali, wife the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Ahmadu Ali, yesterrday beat up the Director of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Department of Development Control, Yahaya Yusuf, and his officials, for demolishing the fence of a house at Plot 1613 Asoskoro District, Abuja.

The house had been a cause of contention when Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai was the FCT Minister. el-Rufai demolished its fence for sitting on a water line but the action was reversed by Dr. Aliyu Moddibo Umar, who succeeded el-Rufai.

It was gathered that the officials were at the property to remove its fence, which was erected on a water line, in contravention of the Abuja master plan.

Mrs Ali and her domestic workers reportedly beat up the FCT officials, smashing the Apple handset of a senior official.

She went to the Zone 6 Headquarters of the department with some suspected thugs and a lady said to be her daughter to fight the officials.

Kwara ACN, PDP quarrel over ‘fake election results’ T HE Kwara State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are at loggerheads over the alleged circulation of fake election results.

The PDP had accused the opposition of circulating unauthorised poll results and urged the public to disregard same.

But ACN said yesterday it was not in possession of any fake election results.

The party said its “case is as stated as in our petition before the tribunal,” adding: “We believe in the rule of law and that is why we are at the tribunal.”

In a statement by its Chairman, Kayode

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Olawepo, ACN said: “We are steadfast in the pursuit of our case. Notwithstanding the PDP antics to delay and frustrate the inspection and scanning of electoral materials, the process is still ongoing.

“With regard to the state government’s recent responses to our position on the Shonga Farms and other government activities, we concede to the government their right to express their opinion, even if such opinion is based on misrepresentation

and outright falsehood. That is the beauty of democracy. In due course, we shall publish a full dossier of the true state of affairs.

“Meanwhile, it is left to all seekers of truth and justice to do their own independent investigations of the matters at issue to arrive at their own conclusion.”

Through its Publicity Secretary in Kwara, Alhaji Isiaka Danmairomo, the PDP said the alleged results in circulation were not the true reflections of the outcome of the April elections.

It added that “the

circulated results were neither issued nor endorsed by the state headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)”.

PDP said the results were fake and falsified by the opposition to deceive the unsuspecting public.

It urged Kwarans to defend the mandate they gave the party through the ballot, adding: “Citizens and residents of the state are hereby enjoined to remain calm as there is no cause for alarm. The party wishes to call on law enforcement agencies to investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book according to the laws of the land.”

•Legal luminary and chairman of the occasion Aare Afe Babalola flanked by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN, left) and ViceCouncellor of University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Isaac Adewole, at the commemerative lecture for Olanipekun to mark the 20th anniversary of his call to the Inner Bar, entitled: The Beach, The Bar, and the Challenges of Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria: Issues and Prospects.

Abuja-Keffi residents urge alternative route for heavy trucks From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

R

ESIDENTS of the AbujaKeffi road in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday urged the FCT Administration (FCTA) to find an alternative route for heavy duty trucks to prevent further accidents on the road.

They were reacting to the accidents in which about 20 persons died on Monday.

The residents urged the FCTA to do this urgently because too many lives and property had been lost on the road through incessant accidents.

Saying “enough is enough”, commercial bus operators told The Nation that they had lost 200 of their members to “brake failures” on the road in the last six months.

The Nyanya-Maraba Road Transport Employers Association (RTEAN) said an outright ban of heavy trucks from plying the road was the only solution to regular accidents on the road.

But the Transport Secretariat of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) had alleged that most of the truck drivers do violate the restriction order.

FCT Minister Senator Bala Muhammed yesterday queried the FCT Director of the Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO), Adamu Argungu, for failing to enforce the restriction on heavy duty trucks on the road.

Muhammed had inaugurated two task forces to prevent accidents on the road, promising to provide a mono-rail system for the Nyanya road.

Tribunal dismisses Suswam’s motion against ACN candidate

T

HE Benue State Governorship Election Tribunal yesterday dismissed Governor Gabriel Suswam’s motion seeking to terminate the petition by Prof Steve Ugbah of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Ugbah is challenging the election of Suswam in the April election.

The tribunal also dismissed a similar motion by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) challenging its jurisdiction to order a pre-trial session.

In his ruling, tribunal chairman Justice Munir Ladan said the end of justice would not be allowed to be defeated by mere technicalities.

•Governor: I’ll appeal From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

He said the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and Paragraph 18 (1) (2) and (3) of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act laid out the requirements for a pre-hearing session, adding that the petitioner complied with these.

Justice Ladan said at no point did the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) stipulate that a motion should be used to activate a pre-hearing session, noting that the Act did not specify motion on notice or motion ex parte.

He said Paragraph 41(1),

which Suswam and INEC relied upon, did not apply in the matter.

Justice Ladan ruled that a pre-trial session was a necessary aspect of an election petition where issues for determination were distilled.

He said a pre-trial could not be blocked under the prevailing circumstances.

Justice Ladan said: “The applications of the first and third respondents (Suswam and INEC) lack merit and are accordingly dismissed.”

ACN supporters celebrated the ruling across Makurdi and Gboko, dancing and singing.

Counsel to Suswam, D.C. Denwigwe (SAN), praised the tribunal for its ruling, urging it to allow him to move a motion to regularise his reply to the ACN petition.

Counsel to Ugbah Samuel Orkuma also praised the tribunal for what he described as “erudite ruling”.

The tribunal directed that Suswam’s application to regularise his reply to the petition should be heard first.

Denwigwe said the respondents would study the ruling to know why the tribunal threw out the applications.

He added that they would challenge the ruling at the Appellate Court.

Addressing reporters after the ruling, counsel to Suswam Dr Tony Ijoho (SAN) said the governor, the PDP and INEC would study the ruling and take action.

Ijoho said: “The ruling has just been delivered and we are yet to get a copy. But let me assure you that there is a possibility that we may appeal against it.”

He noted that the ruling was within the tribunal’s power, adding that the respondents had another petition before it.

“So, hope is not lost,” Ijoho said.

The lawyer said the case should not be delayed, adding that the respondents would support a speedy trial of the petition.

Five police chiefs get bail over Boko Haram leader’s murder

A

FEDERAL High Court, Abuja, yesterday granted bail to the five Police chiefs who were arraigned over the murder of Boko Haram sect’s leader, Mohammed Yusuf.

They were arraigned on fresh charges of terrorism and the extra-judicial killing of Yusuf in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on July 30, 2009, after the Army handed him over to the Police alive.

The police officers are: J.B. Abang and Akeera, bot Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs); Mohammed Ahmadu, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP); Mada Buba,

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP); and Sgt. Adamu Gado.

They were charged with unlawful killing of Yusuf and his followers, and conspiracy to commit a terrorist act, contrary to Sections 315 and 516 of the Criminal Code and punishable under Section 15 (1) (2) of the EFCC Act, 2004.

The accused, who were attached to the Borno State Police Command, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charges.

Prosecution counsel, R.N

Ojabo did not oppose their bail application.

Justice Donatus Okorowo adopted an earlier bail conditions granted the first to fourth accused persons on April 28.

He adjourned the matter till July 28 for a bail application for the fifth accused, Sgt. Gado.

His counsel, Edwin Inegedu, who came to the court with a written application for bail of the accused, was not allowed to move it.

Counsel to the Federal Government, Ojabo, opposed the bail motion on the ground that a copy was just served on him.

He said he needed time to react to the issue raised.

At the last sitting, the court had ordered the prosecution to consolidate the charges against the accused.

The First Information Report (FIR) showed that the two-count charge against the accused are: * That ACP J.B. Abang, ACP Akeera, CSP Mohammed Ahmadu, ACP Mada Buba, Sgt Adamu Gado, all of Borno State Police Command, Maiduguri, on or about the July 30, 2009, unlawfully killed Mohammed Yusuf and his followers, an offence under Section 315 of the Criminal

Act thereby committing a terrorist act contrary to and punishable under Section 15 (1) (2) of the EFCC Act, 2004. * That ACP J.B. Abang, ACP Akeera, CSP Mohammed Ahmadu, ACP Mada Buba, Sgt Adamu Gado, all of Borno State Police Command, Maiduguri, on or about July 30, 2009, at Maiduguri, conspired with one another to commit a terrorist act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code and punishable under Section 15 (1) (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, 2004.

7

THE NATION WENESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

NEWS

Agencies partner to fight oil spill

E

XCHANGE of technical information has been identified as critical to averting oil spillage and other natural disasters in the coastal region of the country, DirectorGeneral, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Sir Peter Idabor has said.

He said the exchange of information would enable planners and administrators plan ahead against oil spill.

Idabor spoke when he visited the Director-General of Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) said his agency would launch a National Oil Spill Contingency Plan.

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

“It is pertinent for agencies such as these to collaborate since we have a common ground.

“That is why we are keen on this partnership so that there would be up-to-date data on rainfall, water level, especially now that we are having high level rainfall that can affect oil spillage incidence in the Niger Delta.

NIMET DG Dr. Anthony Anuforo said the proposed collaboration was necessary going by the effects of climate change on the country.

He said NIMET would support any request by NOSDRA against oil spills.

‘I wasn’t invited by EFCC’ From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

S

PEAKER of the Delta State House of Assembly Victor Ochei yesterday said due process was adhered to in the award of contract in the N23 billion Delta State Independent Power Plant (IPP) project.

Ochei, spoke at a briefing in Asaba, said the process and funds were captured in the state Due Process Journal of January-March last year.

He denied being questioned or invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the issue.

The Speaker debunked allegations that he was Chairman, Committee on Power and Energy.

According to Ochei, the reviewed contract sum is N23, 207,826,566 as against the quoted N27 billion in the media.

Ochei said contrary to media reports, DAVNOTCH Nigeria Ltd, was registered on July 4, 1997, adding that the company’s registration was 12 years old, when it won the IPP contract.

He appealed to the media and detractors to cross-check facts, saying most petitions are politically motivated

Lawyer’s body found in Bayelsa

A

LAWYER, Thank God Akombo, has been found dead in his car in Yenuzue-Gene, Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

Sources said there was no gunshot wound although there was an injury in the head of the deceased.

Some said he was a victim of a hit-and-run driver.

Others said he was prob-

From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

ably shot at close range by assailants.

But the Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa branch, Stanley Damabide, said the association would not draw conclusion on how the death occurred.

Police spokesman Emavon Emokpae confirmed the incident.

‘Release Edo Attorney General’s wife’ From Osagie Otabor, Benin

T

HE Nigeria Bar Association (NBA)in Edo State has demanded the release of the abducted wife of Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mrs. Florence Obayuwana.

NBA said it was regrettable that the incident occurred when the Bar was considering lifting the ban on appearance by lawyers for suspects of kidnap cases.

A statement by NBA Secretary Ede Asenoguan said the Bar might consider stiffer measures to protest the spate of crime within the state if Mrs. Obayuwana was not released within 24hours.

The statement added that the Bar regretted the continuous harassment and traumatisation of innocent and hapless citizens by hoodlums in the state.

Mrs. Obayuwana was abducted on Monday morning while going to work and her abductors are demanding N20million.

Ondo employs 27 judges

T

HE Ondo State Government has employed seven judges and 20 magistrates to speed up trials in courts.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Eyitayo Jegede, made this known yesterday at the inauguration of the committee for the reform of the criminal procedure law of Ondo State.

He said the construction of more courts and appointments of new judges and magistrates would bring justice closer to inmates, who are awaiting trials.

The Commissioner said the government had decided to build courts within

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

prison premises to ensure speedy dispensation of justice.

Jegede lamented the poor conditions of inmates at the prisons, saying the facilities meant for the inmates were abhorrently inadequate.

He said the number of inmates awaiting trials is higher than the number of convicted persons meant to be accommodated there.

The committee was put in place by the Justice Development and Peace Commission, a non political agency established by the Catholic Church to foster development and ensure social justice.

•Ekiti State Deputy Governor Mrs. Funmi Olayinka (middle) with the contractor handling the Ogese Dam project, Fawaz Kassen (left) andSecretary to the State Government Ganiyu Owolabi (right) and others when the Deputy Governor visited the site in Ogbese Ekiti

Force Hqtrs bombing: Fed Govt to replace damaged cars ISITORS and officers whose vehicles were damaged or destroyed during the Force Headquarters bombing last month can now heave a sigh of relief.

This followed a promise yesterday by the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd), that the Federal Government would replace the vehicles affected during the incident, allegedly perpetrated by the radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

Olubolade said this during his maiden meeting with the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, in Abuja.

V

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

He directed Ringim to take an inventory of the cars to identify their owners.

Olubolade said: “Those cars will be replaced because they belonged to visitors and officers.

“It is not hard to find their identities and we have to find replacement for them so that they will not suffer any hardship.”

The minister noted that Nigeria is at a “cross roads” in its journey to nationhood in view of the various security concerns besetting it.

“We are beset by security concerns the raging

NURTW crisis in the Southwest, kidnap menace in the Southeast and Southsouth and the recalcitrant Boko Haram saga in the Northeast.

“These developments, therefore, demands that our intellect, latent potential, capability and capacity must all be deployed to address the challenging security situations.”

He said the police are facing “serious constraints and challenges”, adding that the Federal Government is “committed to substantially address them.” “I want to assure you of my commitment to take to the next level the on-going im-

plementation of the Police Force Reform Programme.

“The impact of the seed capital provided by President Goodluck Jonathan last year facilitated the commencement of effective implementation of the programme.

Ringim said the minister’s visit was to address the police hierarchy on issues pertaining to his mission in office.

He said the leadership of the police would cooperate with the minister “in our nation’s quest to orient and redirect and to lead the security agencies out of the doldrums that we currently find ourselves.”

Court quashes bid to stop Eyiboh’s election

A

FEDERAL High Court in Abuja yesterday refused to stay judgment on Eket Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom State, which declared Eseme Eyiboh the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Justice Abdul Kafarati said the motion by Bassey Dan Abia, asking it to stay judgment pending his appeal, had been overtaken by event since Eyiboh had been sworn-in.

He said: “Although appeal has been entered, the fact that the plaintiff has been sworn-in, the ruling on the motion for stay of execution is overtaken by

•Judge: motion overtaken by events From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

events.”

Hhe said the motion for stay of execution dated June 2 is cancelled.

Eyiboh filed a suit asking the court to set aside the primary election held on January 28, which returned Dan Abia as the winner.

The court nullified the primary because it did not take place at the constituency headquarters as stated in the Electoral Act. Through a letter dated June 4 by its Secretary, Abdullahi Kaugama, the In-

dependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) asked the Clerk of the National Assembly to stop Dan Abia’s inauguration.

The letter said: “This is to request the National Assembly to discountenance the certificate of return issued with respect to the under listed constituency.

“Bassey Dan Abia was issued the certificate of return upon being declared the elected candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for Eket/Ibeno/Esit/Onna federal constituency in Akwa Ibom.”

Not satisfied with the

judgment, Abia went to the Court of Appeal Abuja, and to the Federal High Court, and through his counsel, Igbokun Obimakinde.

He said he wants “an order of the Court staying the judgment delivered on June 1 pending the determination of the appeal at the Court of Appeal.”

Eyiboh, through his lawyer Olumide Ayeni, in his counter-affidavit, told the court that the judgment sought to be stayed was a declaratory judgment which no court had power or jurisdiction to stay.

IPMAN supplies 900,000 litres of kerosene to Ogun

T

HE Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mosimi Unit, Sagamu, Ogun State, supplied 900,000 litres of kerosene to 90 filling stations in 20 local governments.

A litre was sold for N50.

Hundreds of consumers, who had been facing scarcity and high prices, were relieved as they could buy the product in filling stations, such as Dambold Pe-

•Sold N50 per litre From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

troleum; Ebenfem among others.

The Chairman, Dele Tajudeen, who supervised sales at the Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta (CDA) filling station in Obantoko, called on residents to avail themselves of the opportunity.

He warned buyers against sabotaging government’s effort to make the product ac-

cessible to all.

“We have no reason to experience the scarcity of kerosene. The problem is not with the IPMAN. Once, we have adequate and regular supply, the price will fall. I’m in the field to ensure that the products are taken to the filling stations and residents have access to it at the rate of N50 per litre.

We are only selling 20 or 25 litres to a single consumer

so that nobody buys in bulk to re-sell at a higher price to others. “ It is not only here, our team are in Aiyetoro; ImekoAfon; Ogun Waterside; Sango-Ota, Ijebu-Ode and other places so that people in the remote villages do not have to travel to city centres to buy kerosene.

“On our part, we will keep steady supply and supervision of sales of the product whenever we take delivery of it from NNPC depot in Mosimi,” Tajudeen said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

8

NEWS Fayemi to meet Abuja residents

E

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi will meet Ekiti indigenes in Abuja tomorrow.

The event, which will hold at the Ekiti Hall, Nanet Suite, Ekiti House, Central Business District, Abuja, will start by 4pm.

The meeting will avail the indigenes the opportunity to have first-hand information on governance and make input to the administration’s developmental plans.

Group seeks Southwest cooperation

G

OVERNORS elected on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) have been advised to collaborate with Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko to promote development in the Southwest.

The Southwest Youth Leaders Association (SWYLA) gave the advice in a statement by the Secretary-General, Awoyinfa Segun.

The group said such collaboration would improve conditions in the region .

“We appreciate former Governor of Lagos State and ACN leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“The ACN governors and Mimiko can also operate on the same page,” he said.

Women’s conference holds in Lagos

A

CONFERENCE for women will hold on Saturday at the University of Lagos.

It will be hosted by Market Place Winners and Re-power me USA. Project coordinator Mrs. Abiola Ademuyiwa said: “The focus of the meeting is

to empower women and the families, who struggle to balance work, children and aging parents.

“It is also to lift up orphans and the widows and to encourage women to get in shape and maintain a balance between spirituality and health.”

Ringim praised

LASIEC dumps Jega’s Modified Option A4 T

HE Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has said it will not adopt the modified Option A4 during the local government elections, scheduled for October 22.

LASIEC Chairman Justice AbdulFatai Adeyinka broke the news yesterday at a Stakeholders Meeting with political parties on Electoral Guidelines at LASIEC premises, Sabo, Yaba.

He said: “We all know that military men are trained to kill. So, anybody who wants to cause chaos will think twice due to the presence of military men but we must recognise the fact that they (Military) are not under the control of the state government.

“A governor has no power over the security forces, especially the military. How do we guarantee peace? That is why we decided to maintain the system used in 2008. Once everything is transparent, there would be peace,” he said.

Adeyinka’s announcement that elections would be con-

NSPECTOR-General of Police Hafiz Ringim has been hailed for creating five new area commands in Lagos State. This brings the number of area commands to 13.

The Director-General, Police Assistance Committee (PAC), Dr. Martins Oni, praised the IG for the move.

The new commands are: Area ‘J’ command comprising Ajah; Ilasan; Langbasa; Ogombo; Maroko; Akodo and Epe divisions.

Area ‘K’ command comprises Morogbo; Badagry; Seme; Ijanikin; Ishashi and Ilemba Hausa.

Area ‘L’ command comprises of Ibeshe; Irede; Igbogun; Ikate and Takway Bay Police Stations while Area ‘M’ command consists of Ikotun; Igando; Isheri Oshun; Shasha; Oke-Odo; Ayodo; Ipaja and Meiran which were hitherto under Area ‘G’ command Ogba.

Divisions such as Ikorodu; Sagamu Road; Ipakodo; Owutu; Agbowa; Imota; Owode-Onirin are now under Area ‘M’ command.

I

Ekiti SIEC to adopt it From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

E

KITI State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) has said it will adopt open-secret ballot system in the coming local government polls as used in the April general elections.

The Chairperson, Mrs. Ceilia Abosede Adelusi, who disclosed this at the Commission headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, assured political office seekers that the elections would be free, fair and credible.

She said the council polls would hold later in the year, noting that the voters’ registers used in the April polls would be used by the SIEC during the council poll in the 16 local governments.

Secretary Bamidele Agbede said SIEC didn’t have the power to conduct a separate voter’s registration.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

ducted in the 37 Local Government Council Areas (LCDA) received with a mixed reactions from the parties.

State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Setonji Koshedo said LASIEC’s insistence on conducting elections into the 37

LCDAs disregards the constitution.

Kosheodo said it was illegal for LASIEC to conduct elections into LCDA’s, which were yet to be recognised as Local Government Areas contravenes the constitution.

But his Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) counterpart, Otunba Henry Ajomale, wondered why opposition

parties were disturbed by the LCDAs. He said: “The Supreme Court has said state assemblies have the right to create local governments. So if the Supreme Court, the highest organ of judiciary in this country can say that, then who am I? It means that whatever the National Assembly does has no effect. LASIEC has strictly adhered to the rulings of the Supreme Court in this matter.”

Former Governor Lateef Jakande said conducting election into the LCDAs should be determined by the law.

“The earlier everybody knows where we stand on the matter, the better for all,” he said Adeyinka said despite controversies surrounding the conduct of elections into the LCDAs, the commission would do so based on the Supreme Court’s ruling empowering states to create Councils.

“We are not set up to deal with what the law ought to be but what the law is’’, the LASIEC chief said.

Oyo condemns workers’ strike

T

HE Oyo State Government has condemned labour leaders in the state for embarking on a strike, a day before the national work-to-rule.

It said it suspected the influence of a ‘Third Force’.

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Public Communication, Festus Adedayo, the government said labour should praise the government for being the first to pay the N18,000 minimum wage without any strings attached.

“We believe they are being used. The state negotiating team met with them.

“The 36 governors were scheduled to meet in Abuja on Tuesday, after which they would meet with the president and the national labour leadership and a final stance taken over the minimum wage issue.

“It was expected that a non-aligned labour leadership in Oyo State would have waited for another 24 hours to see the outcome of this negotiation.”

Ex-BCOS boss loses wife

T

HE wife of the former General Manager of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State(BCOS), Ibadan, Mr. P.S Taiwo is dead.

Mrs Olubimpe Olayinka Taiwo(Nee Oyewole) died on July 9.

She was 56.

There will be a commendation service at the National Blood Transfusion Service/Total Garden, Ibadan, today at 5pm.

A Christian wake will hold at Faith Joe Events Centre, Alegongo, at 4pm tomorrow.

The funeral service comes up on Friday, at the Providence Baptist Church, Abidiodan.

Her remains will be interred at Ogbomoso.

The deceased is survived by her husband, four children and a grandson.

NULGE chief to meet Fayemi

T

HE National President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ibrahim Khalil, has expressed doubts on the screening conducted by Captain Consultancy Firm for local government workers in Ekiti State.

He said he would meet Governor Kayode Fayemi to discuss the alleged intention to sack some workers and retire 27 Directors of Administration for failing service examinations.

From Dada Aladelokun and Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

The NULGE leader said the planned sack and retirement would contravene the existing Local Government Law and Civil Service Rule.

He said the union would not tolerate government’s decision to treat workers badly.

The NULGE chief said the union would handle the matter carefully, so it could be resolved without degenerating into an industrial feud.

•Aregbesola (right) with Chairman of the China-Africa Development Fund, Gao Jian and another official after a meeting on Monday

Aregbesola seeks China’s assistance on development

O

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has sought the assistance of the China-Africa Development (CAD) Fund to develop infrastructure in the state.

Aregbesola, who is in China to seek investments in agriculture, education and industrial growth, met with officials of the CAD Fund on Monday.

In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, Aregbesola said the state has potentials yet untapped.

The statement said the CAD Fund was one of the eight measures introduced in 2006 by Chinese President Hu Jintao at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

According to the statement, Aregbesola listed vast agricultural potential, solid minerals, tourism and culture as well as industrial growths as areas awaiting investment in the state.

“The governor explained that Osun State is in dire need of

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

skills acquisition for its unemployed youths, whom he said had been rendered idle due to almost one decade of neglect and inertia on the part of the ruling elite.

“He said the state is interested in development of vocational studies as a way of taking many youths off the job market adding that part of the problems in Nigeria is the army of unemployed graduates, who have resorted to self-help through criminal engagements,” the statement said.

It said the Chairman of CAD Fund, Mr. Gao Jian, assured the governor of its readiness to enhance the development potential of the state.

“Jian said the governor’s meeting with the Fund’s partner was timely.

He told the governor that he had come at a time when China is looking for greater involvement in efforts to develop the African continent,” the statement said.

Soyinka’s son, Olaniyonu, 16 others for Ogun exco

D

R Olaokun Soyinka, son of Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka and Wemimo Ogunde son of the doyen of indigenous theatre, the late Chief Hubert Ogunde, were yesterday cleared as commissioners in Ogun State.

They are among 18 commissioner-nominees approved by the 26-member Assembly to serve in Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s Executive Council.

Olaokun is a Londontrained doctor, while Wemimo is a lawyer.

The governor had, on July

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

13, forwarded a list of 18 nominees to the lawmakers for screening and approval.

Also cleared are the former Chairman of Thisday Editorial Board, Yusuph Olaniyonu, and a son of the Osile of OkeOna, Oba Adedayo Tejuosho, Lanre.

Others include: Daniel Adejobi; Adebayo Fari; Falilu Sabitu; Bimbo Ashiru; Muyiwa Oladipo; Mrs Elizabeth Sonubi; Mrs Oluwande Muoyo; Olamilekan Adegbite; Chief Olu Odeyemi; Se-

gun Odubela; Gbenga Otenuga; Ayo Olubori; Chief Samuel Aiyedogbon and Adeosun Folakemi.

The approval of the nominees followed the adoption during plenary yesterday of the report of the screening committee.

The House also approved the proposed appointment of 20 Special advisers for the governor. The list was sent to the House yesterday for approval.

Confirming their nomination, Speaker Suraj Adekunbi urged Khadijat Oladapo-Ade-

leye (Ifo II) to move the motion for adoption of the committee’s report. She was seconded by Bankole Olusola (Ado-Odo/Ota) Oladapo-Adeleye objected to the nomination of Olaniyonu on grounds that he was not a member of any political party.

She cited Section 192 (4) which stipulates that a commissioner–nominee must belong to a party and be sponsored for such appointment by same. But majority eventually approved Olaniyonu’s nomination despite her objection.

9

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

NEWS

Kogi ANPP moves to strengthen party

Plateau gives striking workers three days to resume work

•Onu meets senators over Audu’s defection From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

P

LATEAU State tertiary institutions workers got yesterday a three-day deadline to call off their strike, which began on Monday.

Addressing reporters at the Government House, Jos, the state capital, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Prof. Shedrack Best described the unions’ action as a sabotage.

He said Governor Jonah Jang gave education a priority in this budget.

He said: “This is the agreement we reached with the union. We agreed to get back to them when we receive the report of the high-powered committee set up to look into the issue.

We have not responded to the unions’ action because we have not received the report. We agreed to pay their three months’ salary arrears and we have paid two out of the three months.

The only month that we did not pay is March because of the technical hitches that emanated from their institutions and not from the government.

“Also, we have agreed that nobody will be victimised or punished for taking part in the strike. We have not punished anybody.

So, if you look at the terms of this agreement, we have not violated anything.

There is no reason why a strike would be declared again, few weeks after resuming from a strike that lasted about eight months.”

Best condemned the unions for insisting on another strike, saying: “It is unfortunate that the unions have considered another strike as the only means to press home their demand without considering the plight of the students. At the end of the strike, government still pays them their salaries and the students are always at the receiving end.”

The State Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Moses Gwom, who is a member of the government committee, said the government’s resolution of the grey areas on minimum wage delayed the report of the committee.

He urged the unions to reason with government and return to work.

•Jang

•Onu

A

LL Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) Chairman Dr Ogbonnaya Onu yesterday urged the party in Kogi State to look for new members and woo back those who have defected.

Onu spoke in Abuja when the Acting Chairman of the party in the state, Mr Patrick Daudu, led a delegation to

the ANPP Headquarters.

The ANPP chairman was reacting to the defection of former Governor Abubakar Audu to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

He said the state chapter must ensure that Audu’s defection does not affect the fortunes of ANPP. Urging members to remain focused in regaining Kogi, Onu noted that defecting from ANPP was not the solution to the party’s problems.

He said: “We are happy that the leadership of our party in Kogi State is determined to make sure that the party is stronger, irrespective of the recent situation.

When people stand together, no force can win them.

“We should be united to stand together; to go out and look for new members

and woo those who have left. Bring them back and assure them that ANPP remains a home for them.

Build a vibrant party, a strong ANPP that will win elections in the state. Look for good a candidate that is credible. We need a candidate that has the fear of God and loves the people of Kogi State.

“Our party believes in internal democracy. We believe in justice. The national body will give you all the support to carry out your functions. If Nigerians can give ANPP the chance to govern the country, they will see changes. There is no way you can fight corruption if you are corrupt.

“I want to use this opportunity to inform the nation that the ANPP is working hard to lead Nigeria through issue-based politics. The politics of person-

ality where religion and ethnicity dominate the political arena is not the best for our country. ANPP has the ideas to help solve most of the problems affecting the country. The level of unemployment should not be what it is today.”

Daudu said despite the party’s situation in Kogi, it resolved that no member of ANPP would defect to another party.

He solicited the support of the national leadership, saying he and his team would look for those who will do the party proud, especially in next year’s governorship election.

Describing as unfortunate the situation of the party in the state, Daudu promised not to allow any internal crisis to happen in the state.

Onu later met with ANPP senators to discuss how to ensure that Audu’s defection

does not affect its fortunes, among other challenges.

A source close to Onu, who spoke in confidence told The Nation that the ANPP chairman was unhappy with recent developments.

“The National Chairman is not happy with the situation and he has scheduled a crucial meeting with ANPP senators. The agenda will be on the recent defection of former Governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, and how the party in the state will not suffer a setback with the current situation,” he said.

“The meeting will also examine how the party will remain vibrant across the country. ANPP is not leaving anything to chances. It should still be regarded as the leading opposition party in the country and it should not be relegated to the background,” he added.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

10

NEWS Hotel, firm partner for weekend entertainment A MEMBER of Best Western hotel chain, The Island Hotel, Bar Beach, Lagos, has teamed up with Nigeria’s top entertainment firm, Effrakata, in a top-range entertainment package.

Tagged: Francophonie Nite, the package is to promote the best of PanAfrican/world music.

Its promoter, Jimi Sadare, said the package includes an evening of fun for mature minds, top business executives and diplomats, who wish to listen to good music in an exclusive environment.

A statement by Sadare reads: “Beginning from Friday, July 29, and every last Friday of the month, the Francophonie Nite will feature music from countries, such as Congo, Bénin Republic, Matinique, Cuba, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali, Sénégal, South Africa, Togo and Cameroun, among others.

“Guests will be treated to a potpourri of music, such as Zouk, Logobi, Rhumba, Mapouka, Salsa, Makossa, Zoblazo, Soukous and Kwaito.”

Sadare added that the evening would give spouses and lovers the opportunity to enjoy the age-old “blues dancing”.

The monthly event will hold at the Penthouse of the hotel.

Lawmaker decries arrest

Investors inject N8b into Jebba E C Paper Mill

By Kunle Akinrinade

ORE investors at the resuscitated Jebba Paper Mill, Moro Local Government, Kwara State, have invested over N8billion in the company to expand its operation, according to the Chairman, Suresh Kumar Agrawal.

He said the mill would employ about 700 persons in the next one year.

Agrawal spoke yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital, when he led the management on a visit to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed at the Government House.

He said the company divested into agriculture with the cultivation of 300 hectares of farmland this farming season.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

According to him, the support it received from federal and state governments as well as the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) encouraged his team to take over the paper mill in 2009.

The paper mill, which was moribund for many years, resumed production in 2009 when MINL Limited took over with about 400 employees.

The host community, Agrawal noted, had been

supportive, adding that it was the reason “we divested into agriculture to serve as a role model for local farmers and assist them to improve their farm yields per hectare”.

He said his company had been operating in Nigeria since 1995.

Ahmed thanked Agrawal and his team for reducing unemployment, which he described as a serious social problem that must be tackled.

The governor said his administration had taken

steps to tackle unemployment with the establishment of Kwara Bridge Empowerment Scheme (KWABES), which he said was aimed at engaging unemployed youths in productive ventures.

He said his administration would partner the paper firm to move the state from a public-service driven economy to a privatesector driven one.

Ahmed advocated an economic arrangement that would make government to hands-off the running of companies where the private sector has comparative advantage over the public sector.

Ibrahim seeks industries in Kogi Central

K

OGI State Governor Ibrahim Idris has urged political office holders in the Central Senatorial District to woo viable projects to the area to boost the state economy.

The governor spoke at the inauguration of projects executed by Okene Local Government Chairman Yahaya Abubakar Karaku.

He said since peace had returned to the area, stakeholders should attract investors, who could establish viable projects in the district.

Idris hailed Karaku’s people-oriented projects. He

From Mohammed Bashir, Lokoja

urged other council chairmen to emulate him.

The governor said his administration bought 5,000 farming implements for farmers in the 21 local governments to enhance mechanised farming.

Karaku said his council focused on the agricultural sector to boost food production, adding that free fertilisers and farm implements were being distributed to farmers.

He said: “We embark on projects that have a direct

bearing on the people, in line with your (Idris) policy of effective development.”

Karaku said although he faced some challenges in the quest for peace, his efforts had paid off.

He said his administration had improved social services, such as poverty alleviation and youth empowerment, staff welfare, road construction, water, health, education, agriculture and commerce.

Dignitaries at the ceremony include the senator representing Kogi Central,

•Idris

Nurudeen Obatemi and House of Assembly Speaker Abdullahi Bello.

MBATTLED Congress for Democratic Change (CPC) senator representing Niger North Senatorial District Ibrahim Musa has condemned his arrest and trial over alleged tax certificate forgery.

In a statement by his media aide, Seyi Adeshina, Musa said: “I was not arrested. I was invited by the Commissioner of Police over a petition containing allegation of fake tax clearance certificate. I reported myself to the Police in Minna, the state capital, where I was asked to present photocopies of the tax clearance, and I did.

“I was asked to sign on it and they enquired if I had the original. I said I did. From there, they took me to the Police Commissioner’s office, where I was kept waiting from 1pm till 5:45pm. I waited to see what they were up to.

“Then a man asked me: ‘Are you Senator Ibrahim Musa?’ I said I was. He said: ‘Let us go to court.’ I said: ‘Court?’ I never knew they had planned to incriminate me.

“I promised my people good life with basic amenities.

“When I came back from detention, my people held a reception for me. I have told them that I will pursue this matter to a logical conclusion.

I will fight my detractors with my last drop of blood to preserve my integrity. Let them take me to prison again. That will not stop me from fighting a good fight.”

11

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Our people to whom we remain eternally grateful, remain a top priority in our drive for surpassing exceptional performance. Hence we will continue to place very high premium on staff quality, welfare and training, a strategy that has enabled us to attract and retain some of the best and brightest in the industry –Godwin Emefiele, GMD, Zenith Bank

Reps summon CBN governor over cash withdrawal limit

Senate to probe BPE

T

T

HE House of Repre sentatives yesterday summoned the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Lamido Sanusi to appear before it tomorrow to clarify the proposed daily cash withdrawal limit from banks.

The apex bank had proposed June 2012 for the takeoff of daily cash withdrawal limit of N150,000 and N1 million for individuals and corporate bodies.

The policy, however, does not stop depositors from withdrawing cash over the specified limits. What the banking watchdog is saying is that withdrawals above these limits would attract extra costs. It said part of its objective was to enhance the efficiency of the payment system, reduce cost of cash management and check money laundering.

The resolution a to invite Sanusi, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), emanated from an amendment by Rep. Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi (PDP-Enugu) to a motion by moved by Rep. Aliyu Yakubu (PDP-Yobe), which was adopted.

Leading the debate, Yakubu noted that the proposed deadline by the CBN would cause undue hardship for Nigerians.

Yakubu said some communities in the country had no commercial banks, micro finance banks nor Automated Teller Machines (ATM) in their localities.

He stressed that inter-bank transactions carried out in major cities take at least 48 hours to be completed.

According to him, the deadline should be extended to enable the government put infrastructure in place for the effective take-off of the project.

Ozomgbachi said the proposal and other policies by CBN required more explanation from the CBN governor to enable the House to take a decision.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$119.8/barrel Cocoa - $2,856/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢78.07.pound Gold -$1,161/troy ounce Rubber - ¢146.37/pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N7.82 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion

RATES Inflation -10.2% Treasury Bills -2.64% Normal lending -24% Prime lending -18% Savings rate -3% 91-day NTB -6.99% Time Deposit - 6% MPR -8% Foreign Reserve -$34.4bn FOREX CFA 0.281 • 210 £ 241.00 $ 150.00 ¥ 1.5652 SDR 241.5 RIYAL 39.3

• From left: Group Managing Director, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr Yemi Adeola and Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, during a courtesy visit to the Governor.

Investment ministry to review Export Expansion Grant T

O block leakages and ensure that the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) is fully implemented to encourage exports, the Ministry of Trade and Investment is set to review the scheme.

The EEG is a vital incentive required for the stimulation of export-oriented activities that will lead to significant growth of the non-oil export sector of the economy.

The Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, disclosed this yesterday at a briefing in Lagos to unveil the activities of the ministry.

He also said the ministry would float a Diaspora Fund soon to unlock available capital for investment in critical sectors of the economy.

“We are going to do a comprehensive review of the EEG. The policy is good for export, but is not being fully implemented as it is supposed to be.

“We have to ensure all leakages are removed. We would be reviewing it (EEG) with all

• Diaspora Fund coming

By Ayodele Aminu, Group Business Editor

stakeholders such as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).

“It is not enough to say I am exporting and when you export, we have to see that such money that accrue from the export is actually brought back into the country,” he said.

The EEG has been prone to abuses – a development that initially necessitated the suspension of the scheme, until it was reintroduced on January 1, 2005 through a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) circular.

Aganga said the Commerce and Industry ministry had been “enlarged, refocused and rebranded so that it could play its proper role of driving the nation’s economy.”

He said the Diaspora Fund would be inaugurated in

September this year “after all the approvals are in place.”

Aganga noted that the ministry would focus on investments, sources of funds and the creation of a conducive environment for industrial growth, adding that there was enough capital within and outside the country to drive the required doubledigit growth.

“We have so many Nigerians in the Diaspora. The economies of many countries were built based on investments from people living abroad. We are in the process of structuring a fund, which we hope to put in place sometime in September when all the approvals are in place.

That fund will be targeting those in the Diaspora.

“They will come in, bring their money and invest. According to the World Bank, in 2009, about $18.6billion was remitted to this country

by Nigerians in the Diaspora.

If we take half of that, and channel it the right way into the country, we will have enough capital to invest in this country. That is just focusing only on what you already have,” he said.

The minister said that the ministry was working with key stakeholders to create a conducive environment for investment in the country, adding that the laws and policies guiding investments must be investor-friendly.

“We have commenced a review of all the laws and policies. However, most of our laws are friendly, just that investors are not even aware of these laws and policies. We want to make sure that we do not just review them, but that we also have them in a form that is easily accessible to both local and international investors,” the minister noted.

Aganga said the ministry would also operate the Sovereign Wealth Fund, which was created partly because of investments.

Nigeria comfortable with $37b debt, says DMO

T

HE Director-General, Debt Management Of fice (DMO), Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, yesterday disclosed that Nigeria’s total debt comprising external and domestic debt portfolio stands at $37 billion.

Nwankwo, who briefed journalists in Abuja, said the government and the DMO were “very comfortable and committed to seeing that there is value for money not only for borrowed funds, but also oil revenue.

He added that Nigeria’s current debt profile is very healthy and sustainable. “As at the end of June 2011, our debt-Gross Domestic Product

From Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor, Abuja

ratio still hovers around 19 per cent, which is much below the 40 per cent threshold,” he stated.

One of the targets of President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda, Nwankwo said, is to make sure that public expenditure gets real value, thus leading to growth, shared development and poverty reduction.

To this end, the core of the DMO’s strategy in managing Nigeria’s public debt, is how to use public debt management strategy to improve the standard of living of the

people.

The DMO boss spoke when he received officials from the Aid and Debt Management office of the Ministry of Finance of Zimbabwe.

He explained: “More than two years ago, the DMO took a strategic decision not just to develop debt management in Nigeria, but also to develop skills and capabilities that could be exported to other countries.

He added: ‘’Given that our brothers and sisters from Zimbabwe have recognised the little we have achieved in Nigeria, it is natural that we be committed to seeing the best way to continue to assist them.”

Given the skills and capabilities residing in Nigeria’s DMO,. Nwankwo said his office would assist the Zimbabweans build their public debt management institutions, their public debt management skills and their public debt management processes “even as we continue ourselves to improve our own capabilities.”

The leader of the visiting team of public debt managers from Zimbabwe, Andrew Dvumbe, said Zimbabwe was looking for the financial experts that engineered the processes that led to Nigeria’s debt forgiveness in 2005 from its creditors.

HE Senate yesterday constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate the activities of the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) from its inception to date.

The seven-man committee was constituted by the Senate following a resolution on a motion sponsored by Sen. Ahmed Lawan (ANPP-Yobe North) and 25 others on the collapse of some privatised Federal Government’s companies in Nigeria.

Lawan noted that the government in 1999 started the privatisation and commercialisation of its companies.

The process was in line with the provisions of the Privatisation and commercialisation Act. No 25 of 1988, Bureau of Public Enterprise Act of 78 of 1993 and Public Enterprises (Privatisation and Commercialisation) Act of 1999.

He said the primary purpose of privatisation was to divest and free the subsidies that were paid into the operations of the enterprises, to adequately fund the critical and crucial infrastructure.

Lawan added that the Senate should note that the expected result of the process was to enhance the performance, increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the enterprises to produce goods and services for the economic growth of the country.

Islamic Banking: Ex-ICAN chief urges restraint

A

former ICAN official has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to douse the controversy surrounding the so called Islamic banking by restricting itself to the tenets and spirit of the Banking and other Financial Institutions Act. Mr Abayomi Ogunjimi, a former chairman of ICAN, Amuwo District, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday that the appeal had become imperative because the issue had polarised the nation.

Ogunjimi said the wrong interpretation of the Act was the reason behind the uproar which had greeted the initiative floated by the CBN. “CBN needs to deemphasise the religious connotation in Islamic banking and maintain the non-interest banking system” contained in the Act. Ogunjimi said that Nigeria needed the benefits of non-interest banking to cushion the effects of high interest rate on businesses.

“As a business man, an interest free facility would be considered as a means of funding,’’ he said.

12

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule MONDAY - FRIDAY LAGOS – ABUJA Departure Arrival 1. Aero 06.50 08.10 2. Associated 07.00 09.30 3. Air Nigeria 07.00 08.20 4. IRS 07.00 08.20 5. Dana 07.02 08.22 6. Arik 07.15 08.15 7. Chanchangi 07.15 8. Air Nigeria 08.15 09.35 9. Dana 08.10 09.20 10. Aero 08.45 10.05 11. Arik 09.15 10.15 12. Chanchangi 10.00 11.00 13. IRS 11.15 12.35 14. Dana 12.06 12.26 15. Aero 12.20 13.30 16. Air Nigeria 13.25 14.45 17. Chanchangi 13.30 14.30 18. Arik 13.45 14.45 19. IRS 14.00 15.20 20. Aero 14.10 15.30 21. Air Nigeria 14.50 16.10 22. Dana 15.30 16.50 23. Chanchangi 15.30 16.30 24. Arik 15.50 16.50 25. Aero 16.00 17.20 26. IRS 16.30 17.50 27. Arik 16.50 17.50 28. Dana 17.10 18.30 29. Chanchangi 17.30 18.30 30. Air Nigeria 17.35 18.55 31. Air Nigeria (T/TH) 18.30 19.50 32. Arik 18.45 19.45 33. Aero 19.20 20.40 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

LAGOS – BENIN Arik 07.30 Associated 08.30 Aero 10.50 Arik 11.45 Associated 13.00 Aero 14.25 Arik 15.30 Associated 16.00

1.

2.

3.

4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1.

2.

3.

4.

LAGOS – CALABAR 07.30 11.20 12.50 16.00 LAGOS – JOS 10.55 11.15

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40 08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20 12.15 12.45 09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

LAGOS – PORT HARCOURT (CIVIL) 1. Aero 07.15 08.35 2. Arik 07.15 08.35 3. Arik 09.00 10.20 4. Dana 09.27 10.40 5. Aero 10.50 12.30 6. Arik 11.40 13.00 7. Air Nigeria 12.00 13.10 8. IRS 13.30 15.00 9. Arik 14.00 15.20 10. Dana 15.03 16.20 11. Air Nigeria 16.00 17.10 12. Arik 16.10 17.30 13. Aero 16.15 17.30 14. Arik 17.10 18.30 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

LAGOS – OWERRI Aero 07.30 Arik 07.30 Air Nigeria 13.40 Arik 14.00 16.30 Arik

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

1.

2.

3.

4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

LAGOS – KANO Air Nigeria 07.10 IRS 08.00 Dana 08.10 Arik 12.20 IRS 14.00 IRS 18.15

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik 1. Dana 1. IRS 2. Arik

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 11.15 13.15 15.50 18.00

LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

08.00 18.00

LAGOS – ABUJA SAT/SUN Arik 7.15; 10.20; 2.20; 5.20pm – 7.30; 9.15; 10.20; 2.20; 4.50; 6.45 Aero 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 – 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 Air Nigeria 08.15; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30 – 08.15; 13.30; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30

NNPC loses N8.06b to vandalism, theft

T

HE Nigerian National Petro leum Corporation (NNPC) has lost petroleum products worth over N8.06 billion through the activities of vandals in two of its major supply lines.

The supply lines - the Atlas Cove – Mosimi and Mosimi – Ibadan pipelines, a source in the Petroleum ministry told our correspondent in confidence, are prone to vandalism.

The source said the losses were outrageous and has been increasing substantially each year since 2004.

“If I tell you the enormity of what the NNPC loses every year as a result of the activities of vandals, who tamper with its products pipelines across the country, it is incredible.

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

“For example, in 2010, the corporation lost N4.687 billion within the Atlas Cove – Mosimi line and another N1.4 billion within Mosimi – Ibadan line. As I speak with you, between January and June this year, N995.7 million has already been lost to pipeline vandals within the Atlas Cove – Mosimi line and N980.4 million within the Mosimi – Ibadan line.

“These two lines are NNPC major supply lines and are notorious.

They are havens for vandals and efforts by the corporation to check the development have not yielded the desired results,” the source said.

To buttress the notoriety of Atlas Cove – Mosimi line, the NNPC

is currently confused on what to do with the uncontrollable seepage of premium motor spirit (PMS) within the Diamond Estate located in Isheri Olofin and other areas of Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, through which the pipeline passed.

The water boreholes in some of the houses in the estate have been taken over by PMS. A bucketful of liquid drawn from one of such boreholes at Road 20, Plot 2 of the Estate, in the presence of the NNPC team, the residents and reporters, was confirmed to contain 100 per cent PMS. The residents of the estate are currently living in fear of explosion from such boreholes.

The NNPC explained that the cause of the seepage was as a re-

sult of continued sabotage of NNPC Atlas Cove-Mosimi and Atlas Cove-Satellite oil pipelines by vandals resulting in heavy oil spillage over the years.

The corporation said the integrity of the pipelines is intact and there was no leakage, but the deposits of already spilled products are causing the havoc coupled with high water level caused by rains. The corporation said because PMS is lighter than water, with the heavy rains, the water pushes the fuel up.

The NNPC has hired the services of a renowned geophysicist, Prof. Bankole Ako, to find ways of stopping the seepage and how best to remediate the polluted environment.

Why kerosine is scarce, by IPMAN

By Bidemi Bakare

T

HE Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Ni geria (IPMAN) has faulted the claims in some quarters that hoarding of petroleum products, especially kerosine, by its members is responsible for the persistent scarcity of the product.

The body said contrary to the widespread notion, inadequate supply of the product to independent marketers by the government was actually the cause of the lingering problem.

While on a monitoring tour of some its members’stations in Lagos, IPMAN said in most of the stations visited, members who got the product where dispensing at the regulated price of N50 per litre as against speculation that they hoard the product to sell later at overpriced rate.

The Zonal Chairman,IPMAN Western Zone,Olumide Ogunmade, who lead the team, said although what IPMAN got in terms of supply was inadequate, the body has been able to rationalise the short supply among over 150 marketers.

He said the 45 trucks allotted to IPMAN was inadequate and couldn’t get to all its 700 members.

He added that three members had to share a truck for the quantity supplied to get to the 150 members.

Lamenting the situation where the remaining 550 members have been deprived of the largesse due to shortage of supply, the IPMAN boss said even those who are lucky to get the products are beginning to complain of running out of stock as they could not meet demands.

He said it was laughable for the government to think that mobile dispensing would solve the problem of scarcity rather than a sustained supply of the product to marketers who are closer to the consumers.

He asked: “If it was true that hoarding by independent marketers was responsible for the scarcity of product, why is it that PMS that is inadequately supplied has been available at the regulated price of N65 per litre?”

• From left: Managing Director, Urban Development Bank of Nigeria, Mr Adekunle Oyinloye; Director-General, National Pension Commission, Alhaji Mohammed Ahmed and Managing Director, Pensions Alliance Limited, Mr Dave Uduanu, at a workshop on Pension Fund Investment on Infrastructure in Abuja... on Monday

‘British Prime Minister’s visit offers business opportunities’

L

AGOS State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, said the visit by British Prime Minister, David Cameron, offers huge investment opportunities for Nigeria.

Fashola, who spoke yesterday at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, after seeing off President Goodluck Jonthan at the end of his visit to Lagos, said, the message to be draw from the visit of Cameron, is the window it has offered for Nigeria to tap into opportunities for the banking and other sectors of the economy.

He said, as the biggest black economy in the world, Nigeria has a big role to play depending on how its leaders organise themselves, adding that Nigerian leaders need to brace to the challenges ahead.

Fashola stated that there is a lot of work to be done, imploring Nigerian

By Kelvin Osa- Okunbor

leaders to consider the opportunities offered by the bilateral talks between the two countries as one huge opportunity for nation building.

He said: “So many things have been rolled into one. The British prime minister is on a tour of Africa. He visited South Africa and Nigeria, understandably the two power houses on the continent. Mr President has also been in Lagos to see his British counterpart and we are privileged to be host of these visits.

“Two leaders of the Group of Eight developed nations have visited this country in barely 10 days and it reaffirms the assertions that some of us have made, that the role of Africa in this decade and on this planet will be particularly definitive and that Nigeria, as the biggest black economy on the African continent

will have a positive role to play depending, of course, on how she organises herself.

“The message of the British Prime minister is aid, trade and reform; therefore, there is a lot of business in the air. Our entrepreneurs, governmental agencies, banks and commercial institutions must brace up to embrace it, take the benefit of it so that we can benefit the way Britain expects us to benefit.”

The Governor, said, there is a lot of work for all of us to do, “ instead of complaining, grumbling. Everybody must see it as one last huge opportunity for nation building. We can use this decade as Nigeria’s turnaround decade. Actualising that dream, means that we all have to roll up our sleeves, stop quarrelling, fighting and stop being the problem, but be part of the solution, “ he stated.

Only 3% of Nigerians invest in stocks, says DG

O

NLY about three per cent of Nigerians invest in the capital market, DirectorGeneral of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh, has said.

This, according to her, informed the need to educate Nigerians on the gains of investing in the stock market.

Speaking at a meeting to launch the investors’education programme in partnership with Nollywood, Oteh said many Ni-

By Tonia Osundolire

gerians are still ignorant of investing in the capital market.

She said over 60 per cent of Americans invest in the market.

“There is no doubt that more enlightenment is required in our country as great opportunities abound in the capital market. The people have to know that there are gains and risks in investing in the capital market. We must let the people know the importance

of investing for rainy day,” Oteh added.

She noted that as part of its effort to educate Nigerians on the importance of investing in the Nigerian capital market, SEC has collaborated with Nollywood to produce a movie that centred on developing investment culture.

The movie, which was anchored by the award-winning director, Kunle Afolayan, would be released in October to kick-off a year-long series of activities to

commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Commission. The movie, entitled Breeze, is a feature length comedy that aims to deliver a financial message to viewers; encouraging and educating them on financial planning, investment options and dangers of profligate spending.

She reiterated the importance of the capital market as the key to transformating the nation, stressing that people cannot be successful without saving and investing.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

13

ISSUES

• Minister for Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga

• Mrs Umenyi

What manner of consumer agency?

Twenty years after its establishment, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) remains unknown. Many Nigerians say they are only familiar with the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), a political party which shares acronym with the agency. TOBA AGBOOLA reports.

D

ESPITE being in existence for almost 20 years, many Nigerians do not know anything about the Consumer Protection Council (CPC).

The few who are aware know little about it. A survey by The Nation showed that less than 20 per cent of respondents are aware of the council; the remaining 80 per cent are ignorant of its existence. Some of the respondents said they are only familiar with the Congress for Progressive Change, (CPC), a political party, which shares the same acronym with the outfit.

The few that know about the council blame its leadership for not creating awareness about CPC’s activities.

Ben Izuora, a trader in Alaba market, said the CPC leadership was not doing enough to win the interest of consumers.

“The CPC officials do not need to be shouting from the roof tops that they exist. It is only their performance that would

expose them and since they are not performing, then they will remain anonymous,” he said.

A cement dealer, who did not want his name mentioned, also blamed the poor performance of the agency on the leadership.

He said CPC would have been a popular organisation if it had any positive impact on the lives of consumers.

He dismissed the organisation as one of those government projects that exist only on paper.

The Managing Director, Winok Enterprises, Mr Segun Oginni, said the agency has failed in discharging its core responsibility of ensuring that people get right quality and fair value for what they consume.

He urged the Federal Government to look into the activities of the agency.

An anonymous official of the CPC said the agency is financially handicapped.

According to him, the CPC’s average bud-

get every year is less than half a billion naira and that includes all capital and recurrent funds.

The source alleged that the agency comes up with all kinds of educational materials but there are challenges.

Another major factor that keeps the consumer in the dark is the lack of executive support. Besides being starved of funds, consumerism lacks little or no government support. Consumer activists are of the opinion that “until the executive see the importance of consumer protection to good governance and take it seriously, we are not going to have the desired effect we want.” Whereas service providers and manufacturers are at liberty to offer what they desire in free markets, it is the place of the government to regulate and ensure that people get right quality and fair value.

A leading consumer advocate and president of the Consumer Advocacy Forum of

Nigeria (CAFON), Mrs. Shola Salako, said it should not be so.

She blamed this on the absence of consumer education and a structure for resolving consumer issues. According to her, the concept of consumerism is almost nonexistent.

“We have semblances of efforts to bring issues, up but the bottomline is that the concept of consumerism is not so mainstreamed to governance that what we are doing is a far cry from what actually is,” she said.

Mrs Salako is still looking forward to when Nigerians will enjoy legal protection by a law made with them in mind.

Not satisfied with what is on ground now, she said. “We have a consumer law that is vague. It was obviously a token attempt at meeting the UN obligation. It wasn’t • Continued on page 14

14

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

ISSUES

What manner of consumer agency?

• Continued from page 13

something that someone sat through because he wants to make it a structural part of the Nigerian system. The laws are not adequate and every attempt to amend them is being stalled by some people in the National Assembly for reasons best known to them.”

She is equally not hiding her displeasure with the executive for its apathy on consumer related issues, maintaining that this has denied the consumer the least of rights.

She noted that ‘there is no way you can have an effective consumer structure with a CPC that is treated like an indigent relative.’

Even another political dispensation has begun, she alleged that there is no consciousness of consumers issues in the mind of the President.

“It is because there is no consciousnesses of it in the structure that people like us are trying to make do with some semblance of consumer issues,” she said.

Perhaps, she may be referring to the efforts of the Lagos State Government to support the Federal Government’s attempts at consumer protection with the establishment of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Committee and Consumer Rights Protection Agency in 2008.

The various issues plaguing consumerism in the state compelled Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State to set up the Lagos State Consumer Protection Committee under the chairmanship of the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry on February 27, 2008.

The Lagos CPC and its national counterpart are claiming to have recorded several successes in protecting the consumer. The Lagos body says its services are free. It further advises people who cannot express their grievances in writing to get someone to do so on their behalf. It encourages aggrieved consumers to take action, rather than die in silence.

Its counterpart, the Lagos State Consumer Rights Protection Agency claims to be in the business of providing ‘speedy redress to consumer complaints through out of court settlement and other alternative dispute resolution mechanisms/processes.’ Other consumer protection services rendered by the agency include seeking redress on behalf of consumers through court processes and liaison with the committee to ‘address consumer issues.

According to information obtained at the Lagos State Consumer Protection Committee, consumer rights as canvassed in the United States and adopted by the UN gives consumers rights and legal protection against malicious business practices. This has given rise to the legal product liability ‘in which an aggrieved party needs only to prove injury by use of product.’ The Committee disclosed that its adoption by the UN was aimed at ‘strengthening national consumer protection policies across the world.’

It also does appear that the adoption of the charter under a military regime denies the Nigerian consumer the succour necessary to enjoy the intended rights. Some of the rights listed by the committee include information/education, safety, choice, right to be heard, satisfaction of basic need, redress and healthy environment.

According to the anonymous official of the agency, enlightening the consumer and ensuring that he or she has choices is a joint respon-

sibility that transcends the CPC. For him, consumer protection/ right is a multi sectoral and multi agency issue.

He gave examples of specific sectors that require technical expertise where consumers neither seem to be enjoying rights nor protection of any kind. These include, National Agency for Drug and Food Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in the area of food and drug; National Communications Commission (NCC) in telephony; Nigerian Copyright Council (NCC) in the area of copyright and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on standards.

He pointed out that all the regulation they do ultimately impacts on the consumer. “They equally regulate from the supply end of the market. CPC alone cannot do it without these agencies,” he said.

Despite the adoption of a global treaty in Nigeria in 1985, the reviving of the law and birth of the CPC in 1999, consumer protection in Nigeria is still a far cry from global standards.

Under the leadership of Mrs. Ify Umenyi, the CPC was established by the government to promote and protect consumers’ interest in areas of products and services, provide speedy redress to their complaints, inform, educate and empower them to act as discerning consumers in the market place.

Speaking during the presentation of ProServe by the agency’s consultant, Mrs. Umenyi said hard times await counterfeiters and providers of poor service in Nigeria as the agency has introduced new products and services monitoring and registration scheme known as ProServe.

She added that CPC was taking a more aggressive and proactive step to substantially minimise fake and substandard products and services, facilitate fair trading and improve protection of Nigerian consumers who often pay for goods and services in Nigeria through a state of the art IT tracking system.

Former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye praised the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) for its tenacity and commitment to delivering the core mandate of protecting Nigerian consumers through its Proserve initiative.

Kuye commended CPC for introducing Products and Services Tracking System (ProServe) that will enable the agency to monitor and ensure quality service delivery to consumers.

He said the CPC had effectively grappled with its core mandate by working diligently to protect consumers against adulterated and fake products. He added that the agency has ensured that consumers get equity and justice in all matters of commercial transactions through their intervention.

Despite consumerism taking off in the United States in 1950 and gaining presidential attention in 1962 with President John Kennedy

• CPC building

leading parliament to pass the Consumer Bill of Rights, it wasn’t until 1992 that Nigeria under the military regime of Ibrahim Babangida adopted what was then a United Nations charter. Even so, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), which the law sought to establish, did not come alive until 1999 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo. That was the first formal step towards giving the consumer little hope of redress when wronged by a product or service he chooses to use.

At the inaugural African Consumer Protection Dialogue Conference in August 2009 in Johannesburg, South Africa, participants decided upon a set of priority initiatives that would serve as the mission of the dialogue.

These priority initiatives include: publishing a quarterly newsletter; hosting monthly teleconferences/videoconferences; facilitating information sharing from African consumer protection authorities; gathering African consumer laws and creating a legal

‘It wasn’t until 1992 that Nigeria under the military regime of Ibrahim Babangida adopted what was then a United Nations charter. Even so, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), which the law sought to establish, did not come alive until 1999 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo’

framework toolkit for African consumer legislation; creating a rapid alert system for cross-border consumer fraud in Africa; organising consumer education initiatives - including initiatives regarding children’s online safety; engaging African regional and economic organisations regarding consumer issues. The African Dialogue also counts outreach and expansion among its priorities, and is committed to expanding to include more francophone countries in North and West Africa. It is open to the participation from both government officials and NGOs from any African country.

The CPC commenced the process of products and services monitoring and registration in 2005, pursuant to power conferred on it by the Consumer Protection Council Act 66 of 1992 and approval of the Minister of Commerce. The Council established two regulations, namely the Consumer Protection (sales promotion) regulations and the Consumer protection (products and services monitoring and registration regulations.

15

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 , 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Governors engage new gears There are two sides to politics- the campaign that terminates at election and the task of governance that the victorious candidates are saddled with. In underdeveloped countries, electioneering is tortuous. Asisi Asobie, a notable Nigerian Political Scientist, once likened elections in the country to warfare. And, at that, not conventional warfare where rules are obeyed. Rather, it is like guerrilla warfare where all is considered fair. Opponents can be kidnapped or shot dead. Money is used as dynamite to blow apart opposing parties. It is not uncommon to see armed men invade voting centres and cart away ballot boxes and papers.

But, that is not the end of the story. When the winners are sworn in, the task of meeting challenges start. Newly inaugurated governments soon discover that the task of governance is no less daunting that meeting the aspirations of the people. They are also not left to roam by their opponents who continue the battle.

After the April elections, governments at the federal and state levels

By Bolade Omonijo, Group Political Editor

have been trying to set up new models of achieving their aims. The first step is in setting up teams- economic, security and social services. These are the men and women who form the executive councils and determine the pace of government. It is usually the first indication of the direction that the government would be taken. When round pegs are fixed in round holes, there is hope. When the administration is filled with political jobbers, those seeking pastures regard appointment as opportunity to milk the cow of state. Nothing works.

How have the state governors set about the task? What has changed in the process of recruitment of leaders at that level? How have the governors set about the duty of transforming the machinery of governance?

Who are the men and women who have been handed the responsibility of showing the better faces of their states?

These are the issues that correspondents report in this special package. This is the first part. Investigations and reports continue.

From left: Commissioners for Waterfront Development and Infrastructure, Adesegun Oniru; Home Affairs and Culture, Oyinlomo Danmole; Health, Jide Idris; Works and Infrastructure; Obafemi Hamzat; Environment, Tunji Bello; Special Adviser Housing, Jimoh Ajao; Secretary to the State Government, Oluranti Adebule; Commissioner for Finance, Tokunbo Abiru; Economic Planning and Budget, Ben Akabueze; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye at the swearing-in.

T

Fashola’s team swings into action in Lagos

HE inauguration of the Lagos State Executive Council, on July 5 by Gov ernor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has ended speculations and set the ball rolling for the governor and his team.

As the 37 commissioners and special advisers took oath of office pledging allegiance to the country, the gaily dressed relations and associates who thronged the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, venue of the ceremony, were filled with joy.

Governor Fashola was quick to remind that the task ahead was daunting and requires commitment, focus and complete concentration.

According to him, “You have been chosen to hold one of the most sought after offices in our country today. I advise you to quickly set forth to very diligently work to earn and justify your place in the Lagos State Executive Council”.

“If anyone of you come here with the quest for just a status or an office, you are in the wrong place. If you are here looking for an easy job, the Lagos State Government does not offer one,” the governor cautioned.

“People will begin to congratulate you, but I’ll be the last to congratulate you”.

Unlike 2007 when the cabinet had 43 members, the new council has 41 members made up of 23 commissioners, 14 Special Advisers, Chief of Staff and Secretary to the State Government as well as the governor his deputy and Head of Service.

This new cabinet that has about 80 per cent new entrants, returned 10 of the former cabinet members, including the Chief of Staff,

By Miriam Ndikanwu

Mr Lanre Babalola, who retained his position former commissioner for Science and Technology Mr. Hamzat Obafemi now Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Former Special Adviser to the governor on Central Business District now commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Mr. Danmole Oyinlomo, Mr Benjamin Akabueze Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget and commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure. The former Special Advisers on Transport and Commerce and Industry Mr. Kayode Opeifa and Olusola Oworu were elevated as commissioners to head their ministries.

Other former Special Advisers appointed in the new cabinet are Mr. Ade Ipaye Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

He was former SA on taxation and Revenue; Mr. Jimoh Ajao, Housing; Dolapo Badru; Youth, Sports and Social Development and works and infrastructure Mr. Ganiyu Johnson, Works and Infrastructure.

Among the new Commissioners are Mr. Abiru Adetokunbo (Finance), Mr Wale Ahmed, special projects, Tunji Bello, Environment, Mr Olutoyin Ayinde, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Oladisun Holloway, Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations and Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba, Information and Strategy.

One unique thing about the newly constituted cabinet is that for the first time since 2007, two strategic ministries, Ministries of Works and Infrastructure, and Education can now boast of commissioners. Hitherto, they

were overseen by a Special Adviser to the Governor, and the former deputy governor, Princess Sarah Sosan who served as the superintendent of the Education ministry.

The challenges The first die was cast barely 40 hours after their inauguration when a four-storey building on No. 4 Mogaji Street, Idumota/EbuteEro area of Lagos Island had collapsed and caved in on its occupants. Lives were lost and properties destroyed.

The development however jolted the new commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ayinde, that indeed, a Herculean task lies in waiting for him..

For three days, some of the occupants were still trapped under the debris, despite efforts by the officials of the Lagos Fire and Safety Services, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) and community dwellers to rescue victims. the situation was further compounded considering the nature and location of the building which rendered it impassable for heavy duty bulldozers, to get to the scene and rescue those trapped for over 72 hours.

As residents struggle to put this tragic incidence that claimed the lives of about 20 people including a couple that just moved into the apartment behind another disaster struck, this time no part of the state was spared as a heavy down pour that lasted for over 12hours flooded the metropolis kill-

ing many and sacking thousands from their home.

With this opposition party deploy their antic hiding under the guise of criticism to toil with such issues that has jeopardize the lives of Nigerians.

The first came in form of a telephone SMS circulated to residence, which stated that a vote for an umbrella candidate would have provided a shield and prevent the flood from washing residents and their properties away.

As the government wade into the situation through the prompt response of the governor who shelve the state Executive Council meet and rush to the scene of the affected areas to access the situation and assure the people of the government determination to find a lasting solution, came the shocker this time from the president of the Senate Senator David Mark when he suggested an emergency rule for the state, a situation that has been condemned but local and internationally.

Today the new executives has to understand that serving a state like Lagos with over 18million population is not an easy task that should be treated with kid gloves.

The commissioner, Olutoyin Ayinde, a seasoned town planner is not ignorant of this fact, but it is expedient for him to borrow a clue from his predecessor in office, Town Planner Francisco Abosede who last year revealed that 1,923 buildings with structural defect have been marked for demolition in the state to prevent further incidences of collapse.

The new commissioner must as a matter •Continued on page 16

16

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

POLITICS

Yakowa’s executive council causes ripples in Kaduna Governor Patrick Yakowa has re-appointed 11 commissioners. Twelve others have also come on board. What informed his choice? TONY AKOWE reports.

W

ITH the composition of the State Executive Council and the inauguration of caretaker committees for the 23 local government councils and appointment of sole administrators for the Development Area Councils in Kaduna State, the state government appears set to undertake the task of administration. This much the state governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa said while swearing in 23 commissioners. The council which has 11 old commissioners may not have taken many people in the state unaware.

Opposition parties have insisted that the state government appears oblivious of the urgent need for development and has thus been too slow in its take off. One area that seems to have taken people unaware is the composition of caretaker committees for the local government councils in the state which many see compensation for political associates and friends of those in government.

Youths of Southern Kaduna unhappy with the government, accusing it of appointing old people from the area to represent them.

Speaking while inaugurating the caretaker committees, Yakowa told them that as the third tier of government, they are closer to the people at the grassroot and are therefore the mirrors that people will use to see the government. He charged them to ensure peace and security in their respective areas for harmonious coexistence and to Internally Generated Revenue for the purpose of developing their respective areas.

However, with 11 old commissioners in the new cabinet, the governor said that the structure of his administration was now set for effective take-off of his government.

The governor had earlier appointed a new Chief of Staff and Secretary to Government. He dismissed those criticising his appointees, saying that “all the appointments that have so far been made were based on merit.

The appointees have now come on board to help this administration effectively deliver democracy dividends to our citizens. The expectations for effective delivery in terms of development of our state by the citizens are high. Meeting these expectations would have to go side by side with the enhancement of our Internally Generated Revenue in the State. The Revenue base is there and what remains is harnessing the base.

This is one major area, apart from peace and security, which we have to collectively face with dexterity in the next four Years”.

Those reappointed include Dr. Ibrahim Ramalan Giwa (Agriculture), Abubakar Haruna (Chieftancy Affairs), Mohammed Usman (Education), Zakariya Shamaki (Environment and Natural Resources), Saidu Adamu (Information), Sani Aminu Mohammed (Lands), Magaji Sadiq Hunkuyi (Local Government), Bashir Ibrahim Sakadadi (Science and Technology), Sunday Mashal Katung (Water Resources), Engr.

Suleiman Yahaya Richifa (Works, Housing and Transport), Halima Saidu Labo (Special Duties).

Other members of the cabinet include Gambo Lawal (Commerce and Industry), Suleiman Ibrahim (Commerce and Tourism), John Ayuba (Finance), Turaki Kalik (Health), Jonathan Kish Adamu (Justice), Isa Idris Umar (Rural and Community Development), Nazifi Mohammed (Sport), Patrick Maigari (Special Duties), Felix Gimba (Special Duties) and Ali Kalat (Special Duties), Nasiru Aliyu Damau (Inter-Governmental). The governor’s former Prin-

• Yakowa

cipal Private Secretary (PPS), Timothy Gandu also came on board as a Commissioner and is to handle the ministry of Economic Planning.

Even though 11 former commissioners made it back to the cabinet, many people were surprised that the immediate past commissioner for Works, Kurix Ayuba and his counterpart in the Ministry of Sport, Abdulazeez Mohammed did not make it back. The former Works Commissioner is believed to be have performed creditably and there was a loud call for his re-appointment.

The former Sport Commissioner on his part is believed to have contributed to driving the state policy for the past one year and has been able to stabilize the relationship between the government and football owners in the state. For the first time, the government gave money running into about N10 million to private club owners in the state when he was in charge of the ministry.

The appointment of Timothy Gandu as a commissioner in the cabinet however took many people by surprise. Gandu who was the Principal Private Secretary to the governor is believed to be a first cousin to the wife of the governor, Amina Yakowa. A government source said Gandu has been a thorn in the flesh of the governor and often questioned his approvals. His appointment as Commissioner for Economic Planning is believed to be a tactical way of removing him from a plum position where he can be a major embarrassment to his government.

‘Even though there has been no official reaction from gender advocates in the state to the composition of the cabinet, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Reuben Buhari, said the government would give women in the state fair representation in the government. But it was not immediately clear how this will be achieved when almost all the portfolios have been allocated’

The biggest drama in the entire episode of appointment, screening by the state Assembly and swearing in was the rejection of the appointment of Mrs. Maria Dogo as a Commissioner by the state Assembly. Dogo was one of the three women who served in the dissolved cabinet and was a member of the state Assembly between 2003 and 2007. Unlike in the Senate where former members were asked to take a bow and go, she was never screened by the house because of series of petitions against her appointment from her constituency in Chikun local government area. The petitions against her nomination were said to have come from the Gbagyi community (incidentally her own people), the Hausa Fulani Community in the local government and Kabilu political forum who were said to have accused her of poor representation in previous public offices she occupied. Some of the petitions against her nomination were said to have been read on the floor of the House by the Clerk. They were referred to the House Committee on Public Petition to investigate and report back within one week.

They claimed in the petitions that the immediate past Commissioner of Women Affairs has not represented them well both as a legislator and a council member.

One of the petition signed by the President of Gbagy Development Union, Mr. Sunday Yakoi Yerima and the Secretary, Simon Luka, noted that “only tested and trusted leaders should be appointed for positive governance in the state and not people who do not consider their community and their chiefdom. The era of imposing unpopular candidates on the electorate is over, as its implication outweighs the advantages if there is any.”

The opposition parties in the state who have accused the governor of being too slow in oiling the machinery of government in the state since the election believe that those he has chosen as Commissioners are not capable of helping him to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state. Mohammed Musa Soba, the Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state, told The Nation on phone that “they are round pegs in square holes and are not capable of bailing out the state from its present predicament.”

Ironically, at a time when there is drive for more women representation in government, there are only two women out of a total of 24 whose names were submitted to the House of Assembly for clearance. Only one of the two was cleared and handed a Special Duties portfolio. In other words, the Yakowa government cannot be said to have given the women folk who played a prominent role in his election a pride of place in government.

Even though there has been no official reaction from gender advocates in the state to the composition of the cabinet, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Reuben Buhari, said the government would give women in the state fair representation in the government. But it was not immediately clear how this will be achieved when almost all the portfolios have been allocated.

Enugu: Chime puts election trouble behind him

T

HE composition of the Enugu State Executive Council is sharp deviation from what obtained in 2007. Governor Sullivan Chime has demonstrated that he is fully in chare as he picked all his men unlike before when about 90 per cent of the appointees were imposed on him by the dreaded Ebeano political structure.

While Chime’s first tenure lasted between 2007 and 2011, most political pundits expected the governor to sack the Ebeano-imposed aides, more so as the relationship between him and the Ebeano godfather, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani had deteriorated to the extent that Nnamani spent all his four years in the Senate planning how to upstage Chime this year.

It is believed in some quarters that many of those commissioners remained apologists of the former governor and they allegedly continually fed him with official decisions that would help him in turning his nightmare to reality. Despite these, Chime, carried on with governance of the state, but cautiously maintained intimacy with only those he trusted.

Today, however, it is a different ball game. Chime did not only appoint his men but made sure that all he assembled were professionals, disregarding the so-called geographical spread. Even during his inauguration at the Okpara Square, he did not mince words in telling the cheering crowd that he was going to form an exemplary cabinet of professionals and intellectuals.

The commissioners, 25 in all, are men of women who have excelled in their various fields of endeavours. No room was allowed for lobbying. The governor went underground and personally penciled down his men.

There were people like Mr. Chuks Ugwuoke, who was returned to Information ministry.

From Chris Oji, Enugu

Others include Godwin Ogenyi, who is known for his humanitarian activities. He takes charge the Ministry of Human Development and Poverty Reduction. Dr. Emeka Ujam, known for his campaign for equity and justice, now takes charge of the Ministry of Lands.

There is also Victor Okolo , the architect who redesigned the burnt NET House, Lagos. He is now in charge of the Housing and Urban Development Ministry, while Dr. Jude Akubuilo, a successful attorney in the United States (US), takes charge of Industry and Commerce.

One interesting thing about the credentials of the appointees is that the least educated holds a master’s degree. Party affiliations were also not taken into consideration in their appointment. Commitment, professional qualification, ability to work and loyalty were the main criteria for their choice. Would those translate life for the people time will tell.

• Chime

Fashola’s team in action •Continued from page 15

of importance carry out periodic enforcement exercise in the state to ensure that residents comply with building rules and regulation.

Some of those structurally defective buildings as identified by Abosede are said to be located in areas such Lagos Island, Ajeromi-Ifelodun and Somolu/Kosofe Local Government Areas among others.

Abosede also noted that. Of the 976 of such buildings identified in Lagos Island, 617 are recommended for renovation 346 recommended for test while 13 will be demolished in Ajeromi/Ifelodun.

Eyes are also on the Commissioner for the Environment to step up the enforcement of environmental laws and ensure that drains are cleared and residents prevented from erecting structures on canals and drainage channels.

Judging from the promise at the inauguration that the government will consolidate on the achievements of the first administration, Lagosians are hopeful that the Commissioner of Works and Infrastructure must have begun the rehabilitation and construction of collapsed roads across the state.

There is no doubt that much was achieved in the area of road construction during the first administration when the ministry was supervised by the Special Adviser.

But with the appointment of a new commissioner, the stakes are high and residents are hopeful of better roads across the state.

Coming from the Ministry of Science and Technology where he was the Commissioner from May 2007 to May 2011, Hamzat, no doubt, knows the task ahead in his new portfolio.

Almost every local government area

is begging for intervention from the state government especially as it concerns road construction or rehabilitation and this is likely to pose a major challenge which will determine, to a large extent, if the Fashola administration will take a bow by 2015 holding their heads high.

Much is expected in the area of Housing and the commissioner must remember that this form the bulk of argument from the opposition during the series of debates organised for gubernatorial candidates in the state prior to the 2011 general elections.

Opposition political parties came down hard on the Fashola government for failing to do anything positive to provide affordable housing for Lagosians.

In all the debates Fashola attended, the opposition parties wondered why a caring government would build houses and place a staggering price tag from N7million to about N45 million, which public servants in the employ of the state government can rarely afford, low income earners in the state.

But Fashola was always quick to assure that the state government had concluded plans to offer affordable housing through mortgage facility such that interested buyers will only have to pay 30 percent of the total cost of the house and then the balance spread within a period of ten years with just a single digit interest rate.

The buck stops at the desk of Governor Fasholawho is regarded as the revelation of the 2007 – 2011 political club. He appointed his men and would take responsibility for their actions and inactions.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

17

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

18

INSURANCE

‘19 insurers yet to submit annual reports’ T

HE National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) said it is yet to approve the yearly reports of 19 companies submitted to it.

The commission said 19 others have not submitted their accounts. As a result, the affected companies cannot hold their annual general meetings, unless they get regulatory approval.

Also, the companies risked punitive measures.

NAICOM, in a statement made available to The Nation, said the number of companies that sub-

By Chuks Udo Okonta

mitted their accounts for approval is an improvement over the ones recorded last year.

In a statement titled: Situation Report on Insurance Companies Returns for 2010 As At June 30, 2011, the commission said it has organised many workshops and seminars to educate the companies on how to provide a proper reporting standard format. It said the workshops were also letting the accounting officers in the various companies know what was ex-

Africa Re records $64.86 profit

A

FRICAN Re-insurance Corporation (Africa Re) made a net profit of $64.86million last year, compared to $44.30million recorded in 2009.

African Reinsurance Corporation is an international financial institution comprising 41 member countries of the African Union (AU) and Development Finance Institutions such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), among others.

Also, about 100 insurance and reinsurance companies operating in the member countries own stakes in the company.

While giving the highlights of the

pected of them in the course of producing their financial reports.

“The workshop did not only assist the companies in making their returns early this year, it also improved the standard of their reporting format, leading to fewer companies being queried this year,” added.

It said companies whose yearly reports are still awaiting regulatory approval are Capital Express Assurance Ltd, Crusader Life Insurance Ltd, Crusader General Insurance Ltd, Crystal Life Insurance Company Ltd, International Energy Insurance Plc, LASACO Assurance Plc,

LASACO Life Assurance, Linkage Assurance Plc, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Mutual Benefits Life Assurance Company, and NEM Insurance Plc. Others are Niger Insurance Plc, Oceanic Life Assurance Life, Royal Exchange Assurance (Nig) Plc, Royal Prudential Life Assurance Plc, Staco Insurance Plc, UBA Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Intercontinental WAPIC Life Assurance, and Fin Insurance Company Ltd. Companies that have not submitted their accounts, it added, were, are Alliance & General Insurance Company Ltd, Alliance & General Life Assurance Plc, Af-

rican Alliance Insurance Company Ltd Anchor Insurance Company Ltd, Equity Assurance Plc, Great Nigeria Insurance Plc ,Great Nigeria Life Insurance, Spring Life Assurance Plc, Guinea Insurance Plc, Industrial & General Insurance Plc, Investment & Allied Assurance Company Ltd, Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation, Standard Alliance Insurance Plc, Standard Alliance Life Assurance Company Ltd , The Universal Insurance Company Ltd, UNIC Insurance Plc, Union Assurance Company Ltd, NICON Insurance Plc, and Nigerian Reinsurance Corporation.

company’s performance during its 33rd General Assembly Meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, its Chairman, Mr Musa Al Nass, said the firm recorded 16.99 per cent growth in income from $536.38million in 2009 to $627.53million in 2010.

Nass said the company has distributed its net profit to consolidate its financial base.

He said the profit is distributed as follows; $ 32,431,516, $ 3,981,188 to be paid as dividend at the rate of $2 (2009: $2.50) per subscribed and paid up share of $100 par value; $800,000 to be transferred to the reserve for loss fluctuation; while the balance of $27,650,328 is added to the retained earnings.

Sovereign Trust nets N4.4b

S

OVEREIGN Trust Insurance Plc recorded gross premiums of N4.7billion in 2010, as against N4.4billion in 2009, representing an increase of 7.23 per cent.

According to the company’s 2010 accounts, profit after tax rose from N4.1 in 2009 to N308million in 2010, representing 7,256.97 per cent increase. The profit before tax stood at N13million in 2009, as against N515million in 2010.

The company grew its balance sheet in 2010, as well as honoured claims commensurate to the size of business it generated in the year under review.

In 2009, a total of N571million

was paid as claims, while the figure rose to N870million in 2010.

Also, the first quarter results of the company has been described as forward-looking by most industry analysts, and the consideration is that the company is really set to take its growth to the next level.

The company’s Managing Director, Mr Wale Onalapo, said there were obvious signs that the performance would be sustained during the remaining quarters of the year.

Onalapo said the management of the company is really committed to meeting and surpassing the target set for 2011.

Australian reinsurance defies global trends

D

ESPITE gloomy predictions for the global reinsurance industry by ratings analysts, the Australian market is in good shape.

According to the country’s Insurance bigwigs WR Berkley Australia & NZ Peter Nickerson, Australia has its own reinsurance model that set its apart from other countries.

They said Austrialian insurance sector is not suffering from the sort of pressures occurring in other parts of the globe.

“While in some markets such as property there are 20 per cent discounts, it doesn’t flow through to the reinsurance market. With premium volumes drifting lower and equity positions holding steady, we believe the industry has too much capacity, which is likely to manifest in increased price competition going forward.

Adding that”More than 30 reinsurance companies were operating in Australia a couple of decades ago. Today there are about 116, of which eighty are active.

Reinsurance is now a true international business, forming parts of the conglomerates in the country”, they said.

They said insurance industry is doing well in Austrialia such that

it was rated highly by Standards & Poor.

“According to the reinsurance companies that have reported their losses so far, the weighted-average Austrilian losses have reduced drastically as at June 30, this year. Based on this, we expect the industry to record more earnings, profitability ,and more jobs in the next few years”. they added.

They observed that the insurance sector has performed better than that of Chile, noting that the scale of catastrophes in China has affected the growth of insurance investments. “ However, the scale of any more catastrophes that occur before the end of this financial year will dictate whether reinsurers in China need to go to capital markets for more funds. The ease in raising further reserves depends a lot on how the ratings agencies maintain their outlook on the sector.

They said the ratings agencies are playing a role in increasing capital reserves, adding that rating agencies differ from one country to another.

“Three of the four main agencies give reinsurers a stable rating, while Moody’s has a negative rating for the sector,” they opined.

• From left: Human Resources Director, Unilever Plc, Tolulope Ajiri; Managing Director Thabo Mebe and Brand Building Director David Okeme, at a press briefing in Lagos.

PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID

CIIN to deal with quacks

T

HE Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has declared zero tolerance on quacks, promising to stop any errant members from practising the profession.

The body said it would not fold its arms and allow the ethics of the profession to be violated.

The Director-General of the institute, Mr Adegboyega Adepega, said a disciplinary committee has been set up to deal with cases of misconduct.

Adepega told The Nation that the body would not hesitate to expunge the names of members suspected to be fakes or quacks from its list.

He said once a member is delisted, he/she cannot practise again.

He said: “We have been trying as much as possible to institute professionalism. The right way of obtaining an insurance policy is to go through a registered broker.

Failure to do this means that, one would fall into the hands of fake practitioners.

Once, we find out that a member’s conduct is unprofessional, such a member would be delisted, and cannot practice again.”

He said a Mandatory Continuing Development programme (MCDP) has been established to train insurance practitioners, and subsequently award them certificates, adding that the measure would help in producing highly qualified professionals.

“I think through enlightenment programmes, among other initiatives, the issue of fake insurance practitioners would be checked,

By Akinola Ajibade

he said.

In a related development, the institute is planning to provide the chief executives and members of the boards of insurance firms with offshore skills.

The body, in a statement, said an exchange programme has been slated for October this year, to enable executives in the insurance sector to access skills that would improve their operations.

It said a similar programme took place in South Africa and India last year, adding that this year’s edition would enrich the participants.

It said that the choice of Malaysia was based on the fact that the country has recorded remarkable economic growth.

It said Malaysia‘s insurance industry boasts of experience similar to that of Nigeria, adding that both countries would benefit from the programme.

“The origin of the Malaysian insurance industry dates back to the colonial era between the 18th and the 19th century. It shared the same experience with Nigeria in the sense that during the same period and under the same colonial masters, both countries had British agency houses acting as agents to their insurance companies which were incorporated in the UK.’ He added that “Just like the case in Nigeria, the insurance industry in Malaysia operates in line with that of Britain. Up till 1955, foreign insurers dominated the Malaysian local mar-

ket.

The situation changed slightly with the country’s independence in 1957 when the Malaysian government took steps to indigenise the insurance companies.

“By the early 1960s, Malaysia witnessed the establishment of a few life insurance companies amid challenges that led to their winding up.

“These included lack of proper business expertise and inadequate technical background,” the statement added.

• Adepegba

THE NATION WEDNESDAY ,JULY 20, 2011

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

HIV/AIDS 30 years after •The world has come a long way; but not Nigeria

T

HE Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) pandemic has substantially defied a cure. We say substantially because while affliction is no longer a death sentence as it was at the beginning, there is yet no known cure. But the world has come a long way since HIV/AIDS was isolated and given the name about 30 years ago.

The responses from the national governments and global health agencies to the threat has been varied; initially based on fear and consternation, and then understanding and concerted search for a cure. The search soon turned to a global movement, with impressive funds raised from individuals and institutions seeking the defeat of one of the greatest health challenges of our time.

But how has Nigeria fared as a player in the global search for a cure and containment of the pandemic? We think not very impressive, considering the resources expended and what has been achieved. Nigeria’s population of 150 million still has about 3.6 per cent infected by either HIV or AIDS, and that is a huge human capital, even though a lower number of people when compared to other African countries. Unfortunately, the national budget for research and drugs for the pandemic is not impressive, despite substantial funding from international sources.

Apart from funding, the next greatest challenge to the fight against HIV/AIDS

is accountability. It is generally believed that many of the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and government agencies have turned the health saga into a racket. The federal authorities were also slow to take seriously the menace posed by the pandemic. For instance, it was not until the advent of democracy in 1999 that a presidential advisory committee was created and a consolidated action plan, HIV/AIDS Emergency Action Plan (HEAP) put in place; while the National Action Committee on AIDS (NACA) was set up to confront the fast spreading pandemic.

The country’s initial laxity in the 1980s and 1990s, and the corruption scandals trailing the Federal Government’s intervention programmes have impacted negatively on the national health index.

In 1991, the life expectancy was 54 years for women and 53 years for men; but by 2009, the figure had fallen to 48 for female and 46 for men. Also, about 220,000 people died of AIDS in 2009. In 2007, only three per cent of health facilities in Nigeria had facilities to test for HIV and only 11.3 per cent of the active population had tested positive.

Unfortunately, Nigeria despite being a major oil producer is still ranked 158th out of 177 in the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP), Human Poverty Index. So, the challenge posed by the lack of resources to confront AIDS

in Nigeria is huge. Perhaps the government will have to concentrate on education and preventive measures, in view of the lack of funds. But here again Nigerians have a cultural inhibition to sex education, and also the problem of stigmatisation of people living with serious health challenges like AIDS. Interestingly by 2010, NACA launched a National Strategic Framework to cover 2010-2015, with estimated financial requirement of N756 billion to implement; but as usual, the financing of the programme and pilfering of the funds when they trickle in remain a challenge. Nonetheless, we think governments at all levels must work together to ensure a reversal in fortune for Nigerians, as they confront the cultural, health and financial challenges of AIDS.

‘But how has Nigeria fared as a player in the global search for a cure and containment of the pandemic? We think not very impressive, considering the resources expended and what has been achieved. Nigeria’s population of 150 million still has about 3.6 per cent infected by either HIV or AIDS, and that is a huge human capital...’

Unsettled peace •The birth of South Sudan has brought joy with omen of conflict

I

T is easy in similar circumstances elsewhere to have proclaimed a morning in Southern Sudan. But this could be a false dawn. Yet on July 9, the city of Juba, now capital of the world’s 193rd and Africa’s 54th nation, rose out of the ashes of deaths, carnage and what could be described as internecine turmoil.

There was jubilation as it should be expected. Speeches soared, dignitaries from far and wide materialised to show solidarity. The youth and the old looked forward to a future without the pressure of fear and nationalist embattlement.

It was a long journey. Those in the south were the underdogs, victims of a remorseless pogrom. The battles familiarised us with the word janjaweed, a band of bandits familiar only with the savage rhythms of rape and rapine, and who evoked the charge of failed state to Sudan.

Now that both are different nations and south is south and north is north, we should look forward to a new air of peace and quiet.

But challenges lie ahead. In the oil-rich region of Abyei, a pipeline runs into the vast landmass of the northern neighbour.

This creates a geopolitical albatross. The South has abundance of oil, but it is landlocked. So it requires the north in order to reach the international waterways and the market. This calls for understanding.

Yet, this is a matter that has yet to be resolved. It seems that in a rush to broker

a deal for a new nation, it was assumed that peace and concord would create an understanding. But from the rhetoric of Sudan’s President Omar Hassan alBashir, tempers have not quieted down.

He does not want to cede Abyei region, which is a potentially explosive position.

Also, he would want an appreciable compensation for his country. His government, which had commanded the whole of the landmass and the wealth underneath would have to negotiate for only a part.

For a man who presided over the plunder of that wealth, it will take a lot of restraint to avoid some hostilities. The leader of the south, President Salva Kiir, understands this and he has not ratcheted up any rhetoric.

The superpower angle to this so-called new dawn must be appreciated. The United States supported a new Sudan while China opposed it. The birth of South Sudan is a victory for the U.S. that would embolden China to give a wink and a nod to Al-Bashir. This shows that the delicate balance between war and peace is not only in the hands of the Sudanese. Perhaps that is why the United States is planning a summit around September to work out a strategy for peaceful co-existence and economic sustainability.

In spite of the problems within Sudan, Al-Bashir knows that South Kordofan is

restive, and does not want to work under his authority. The Sudanese despot has promised to repress them. This is an internal problem that might serve as distraction from or escalation of other internal tensions arising from an already tense environment.

In South Sudan, the new leader will have to contend with a multiplicity of ethnic groups, which may pose a challenge of harmony. Ethnic rivalry often trammels the democratic promise. Bringing peace would not be easy but it is an opportunity for a people to learn from the past few decades of slaughter. Hatred of the other made South Sudan happen, and they should learn that love – or at least - for the other would keep them from disintegrating.

‘Now that both are different nations and south is south and north is north, we should look forward to a new air of peace and quiet. But challenges lie ahead ... The South has abundance of oil, but it is landlocked. So it requires the north in order to reach the international waterways and the market. This calls for understanding’

Not befitting a democracy

I

SRAEL’S reputation as a vibrant democracy has been seriously tarnished by a new law intended to stifle outspoken critics of its occupation of the West Bank.

The law, approved in a 47-to-38 vote by Parliament, effectively bans any public call for a boycott — economic, cultural or academic — against Israel or its West Bank settlements, making such action a punishable offense.

It would enable Israeli citizens to bring civil suits against people and organizations instigating such boycotts, and subject violators to monetary penalties. Companies and organizations supporting a boycott could be barred from bidding on government contracts. Nonprofit groups could lose tax benefits.

The law has rightly drawn fierce criticism in Israel. The newspaper Haaretz called it “politically opportunistic and antidemocratic,” and warned that it and other recently enacted laws were “transforming Israel’s legal code into a disturbingly dictatorial document.” In the United States, the Anti-Defamation League — which strongly supports Israel and opposes boycotts against it — warned that the law impinged on the “basic democratic rights of Israelis to freedom of speech and freedom of expression.”

We are also opposed to boycotts of Israel, but agree this is a fundamental issue of free speech.

Israel’s conservative government is determined to crush a growing push by Palestinians and their supporters for boycotts, disinvestment and sanctions against Israel. Since last year, many Israeli artists and intellectuals, as well international artists, have canceled performances and programs in Israel and the West Bank to protest the settlements.

The bill’s sponsor, Zeev Elkin, said his concern was that the calls for a boycott “increasingly have come from within our own midst.”

With peace talks stalemated, Palestinians are searching for ways to keep alive their dream of a two-state solution, including a push for United Nations recognition this fall.

Israel risks further isolating itself internationally with this attempt to stifle critics.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should have exercised leadership and urged lawmakers against doing their country serious harm. While Mr. Netanyahu was absent for the vote, he eagerly insisted that it would never have passed “if I had not authorized it.”

Advocates said the law was needed to prevent efforts to “delegitimize” Israel, but no country can be delegitimized if it holds true to its democratic principles. Opponents are already challenging the law in court. We hope they succeed, for Israel’s sake.

New York Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi

• Controller (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu • Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho

•Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Group Political Editor Bolade Omonijo •Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu •Abuja Bureau Chief Yomi Odunuga •Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

•Pre-Press Manager Chuks Bardi •Press Manager Udensi Chikaodi •Manager, Corporate Marketing Hameed Odejayi • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

“MINIMUM WAGE... Maximum ‘WAHALA’.”

S

IR: Hardly had we forgotten about the issue of MEND in the Niger Delta before another security challenge surfaced.

Before all these, Nigeria’s security fears were centered on armed robbery, kidnapping, ritual killings, cultism and the menace of 419.

However, attention has been drawn to the ever increasing ugly incidents of bomb blasts and bomb attacks by the notorious Boko Haram sect with its roots in Maiduguri, Borno State. Bomb attacks on innocent defenceless civilians were stories we in Nigeria used to hear on the BBC and watch on CNN in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Palestine and a host of other such countries with a known history of terrorism.

The reality of this, is that, bomb attacks and indeed terrorist activities are gradually but steadily becoming part of the plethora of our

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 1000 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.com

Boko Haram: beyond the fire brigade problems along side poverty, illiteracy, corruption, unemployment and the worst of all; the disconnect between leadership and those who are being led.

This disconnects between the leaders of this country and those following are obviously noticeable.

Worse is that our leaders seem to be oblivious of our needs, poverty, healthcare, education, food, electricity, employment and creation of jobs. The north is the worst hit.

Agriculture that would have taken

away a huge number of unemployed youth is simply unattractive. It is still at its crude stage as left for us by our fore fathers. Poverty is left to fly high in the air with its attendants of unrest and destructiveness. This huge poverty in northern Nigeria can be seen, felt and touched. But it had always escaped notice by our leaders. Their major concern has always been the struggle for political power with the chief aim of amassing the common purse for their personal and

selfish benefits.

Most people have wondered why the authorities would wait for things to escalate before picking interest. It seems negligence has become part of our national culture. Major threats to the security and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria could and would have been prevented if those in authority had not adopted a fire brigade approach.

The issue of Boko Haram to me, goes beyond mere religious agitation by the sect. It is a fight against

Wole Soyinka at 77:A village boy appreciates the Master Dramatist

S

IR: Even though,I am the least qualified to write any commentary on the enigmatic prodigy of erudition,our own Kongi,Wole Soyinka, simply because I do not belong to the literary firmament,I still find it edifying as an ardent lover of his fecund writings to celebrate him at 77.Long may the Iroko of the world literature continue to live so that he can continue to irrigate the desert of wisdom in our land.

The month of July offers me a special period to reflect on the lives of two venerable heroes of mine,two citizens of the world,our own inimitable Wole Soyinka and the very legend Nelson Mandela.While the former is an iconic titan of the literary circle,the latter remains a reference point in the triumph of human will over oppression and repression occasioned by fellow human beings.While they are still alive,they have already immortalised themselves!And I am the more happy because they are Africans.

I became conscious of the Soyinka phenomenon due to my helpless and hapless non- understanding of his works, most especially A Dance of the Forest as a little boy growing up in the province where there was no teacher of literature to put me through. But then, the dogged spirit

in me persisted and I widened my horizon in vocabulary development, semantics and English usage while still pursuing my interest in the natural sciences.I began to read his works across the three genres of literature profusely,writing my commentaries and inferences on his writings thus making my understanding so easy, at least without tears.His early works were actually written in elevated diction, thus ,prompting some little mortals to submit that his grammars were not in the dictionary.Such was and still the mystery about the writer! This gives some sort of credence to his popularity even long before he won the Nobel Prize as the first Black African to do so in 1986. His latter works are quite easy to dissect and understand now. Methinks, he has mellowed down with age!

His, You must set forth at Dawn is written in a language an average

reader can decipher.

While aging with grace, elan and style, his versatile life of progressive activism has not slowed down.

Even at the unique age of 77, when most of his age mates are either in the limbo as a result of the infirmities of old age or are already resting in their various enclaves, our poetic dramatist is still using his universality of ideas to chart the way forward for developing democracies of which ours occupies a pivotal point in his actions. It is his utmost belief that all true progressive forces must align so that the expropriators in our land who have debased our humanity are not given a blanket license to continue to do so.Good governance has no alternative,he reasons. This is an unusual literary figure who has not abandoned his roots. Most contemporaries of his hardly come home again.

Well,we are fortunate to have him here and others of his type like the venerable master of prose, Chinua Achebe to give us a good name in the face of the affliction called corruption that has eaten deep into the very fabric of the nation. It confirms the saying that out of a black pot springs forth a white pap.

Even though he has not been properly accorded the respect and recognition he deserves here because of his age-long opposition to the menace of bad leadership that has been the lot of the country for years, those of us who are privileged to have drunk from his ceaseless stream of wisdom even from the remote of all places like my village, Igbotako,will like to say happy birthday, sir. Long may the seething Kongi live!

• Akinboyo Temidayo, Igbotako, Ondo State

poverty, injustice, illiteracy, corruption and such other numerous social vices that have become a norm in Nigeria.

Borno like most states in the north is one of the educationally disadvantaged states of the federation.

In most villages, there are no known existing primary schools.

Again, only about 15 percent of pupils ever proceed from primary school to secondary. Borno State is one among the states that has persistently lagged behind in accessing its UBE funds for improvement of primary education. Thus a large percent of children of primary school age are left without a basic foundational education that will broaden their horizon. Thus the vacuum created is readily filled by these religious fundamentalists and extremists.

This is clearly a failure of leadership over the years. Tackling the Boko Haram goes beyond verbal threats by security agencies and those in authority. Before Boko Haram can be defeated, it must be understood and before understanding it, authorities must appreciate the context in which they were established.

The possibility that some influential persons may be sympathetic to the group and indeed supporting them cannot be isolated. Hence there is the need for the government to be fearless and objective in dealing with the situation irrespective of those involved. Selective justice should be avoided. The Nigerian factor must not come to play if any head way is to be achieved.

Those involved should be severely dealt with in accordance to the provision of the law.

• Hangeior Degarr Department of Mass Communication Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, Nasarawa State.

We need conscience-driven leaders IR: The events of the past months in this new dispensation of governance in our country has clearly shown that we lack leadership with conscience. Leaders who care about the well-being of the citizens.

Leaders who don’t give a damn

S

about the daily loss of lives on our highways, federal highways in particular.

Innocent lives are being killed daily in Borno and yet young promising citizens are still posted to the state for the National Youth Service Corps (or in

reality Now Your Suffering Commences) to serve the nation on the altar of N19, 800 only per month!

How can a government with conscience continue to treat the menace of Boko Haram with kid gloves?

We need leaders who will have

a re-think about their actions and inactions.We will never forget leaders who govern us with selflessness and courage.

• Paul Oluwalere, Ijaiye Ojokoro, Lagos.

21

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Ideas for GEJ Cabinet- Up Naira; Lagos Flood: Sand-filling Vs wide drainage?

O Tony Marinho

NE month and still no simple visible life-saving measures like ‘Troubleshooting Teams’ and ‘Emergency Pothole Filling/Signboard’ at state and federal Levels. Time waits

for no man.

At the beginning of a new federal cabinet and state executive councils ask questions about where they expect to be, policy-wise, in 2015. The political office is not a destination but a means to making decisions that will determine a destiny of politicians and the people. Political power without a plan, a roadmap to a vision or a target will result in a ‘phototrick’, motion but no movement and failure!

Is GEJ’s cabinet truly federal, reflecting, protecting and representing all Nigerians? Are you, the reader, represented by a true indigene of your state or yet another politically imposed person? He may be nice and efficient but is Olusegun Aganga from Lagos State? Is his grandfather’s house in ‘The Great Lagos Flood’?

The chief variable for the development agenda of GEJ cabinet is the naira value! Obasanjo ignored the naira value even when he could have appreciated it after the ‘$18b or was it $30b debt cancellation’? It would be political suicide for GEJ to repeat this economic error. What is GEJ’s strategic fouryear plan for naira value? Is he a ‘people’s president-PP’ or a ‘powerful persons’ president-PPP’?

Under GEJ, is Okonjo-Iweala a revolutionary who with CBN Governor Lamido Sanusi will to ‘recover’ the naira to pre-Obasanjo levels of N88:$1 or pre-Abacha levels of -?N3555:$1? Or will GEJ and his ‘Financial Wizz Team’ further pauperise the Nigerian workers on ‘less than one dollar a day’ by turning the naira into toilet paper to keep those Nigerian foreign currency holders happy as the naira falls further even though the oil price is so high? A Nigerian with $1m abroad has N156m now. He will not be happy if a GEJ led, Okonjo-Iweala driven and financially independent

S

OMETIMES, looking for justice is a tall dream in a developing country like Nigeria. Justice could be delayed; it could be denied, depending on which side you belong to. If you belong to the ‘strong’ side, you may obtain justice on a platter of gold even if you don’t deserve it.

Same thing applies if you belong to the other side. In that case, justice could be denied you. No thanks to our often snail-speed justice system and the influence peddling that abounds.

Recently, I was attracted to a front page report in one of the national dailies. It sent cold shivers into my spines. One Kolade Arowolo, an unemployed 30year-old man, was alleged to have brutally terminated the life of his wife of three years, Titilayo Omozojie Oyakhire. Until her gruesome death, Titilayo was a staff of Skye Bank, Marina Branch, Lagos. The day she died, Friday, June 24, 2011, coincided with Kolade’s 30th birthday and the beginning of Titilayo’s leave period from work, a period she had boasted would be devoted to her husband and her only daughter. But that was not to be. Like the saying goes, “man proposes, but God disposes”. As things later turned out on that day, fate had a different plan for Titilayo, a cruel one at that.

From the stories in the papers, Titilayo, who was actually due for promotion before she met her untimely death, had been having a rough time with her recalcitrant husband throughout the three years the relationship lasted. All

Sanusi, make it N88m in four years. But we pray it happens.

The majority of Nigerians want and deserve this as they have suffered horribly from the multi-billion thievery fuelling foreign bank billions. Nigerians are very resilient as such massive losses would have collapsed most citizenry and countries.

Does GEJ want to be the ‘DOWN NAIRA, UP DOLLAR’ or the ‘UP NAIRA, DOWN DOLLAR’ President? From this cabinet, can Nigerians expect strategic financial and banking policies that will result in upward naira value by N1 or 0.6% a month- not an earthquake? Does the cabinet see the naira as N1000:$1 or N100:$1in 2015, just 3.8 years time? A GEJ declared public policy to ‘up-value’ the naira will bring mass panic to unpatriotic ‘Nigerian foreign money’ markets and stimulate millions in foreign currency to flee back home from abroad. This effect will further improve the naira value.

Will GEJ and his cabinet favour the ‘common man’ and ‘Up The Naira’ or will they follow the traditional path favouring the Nigerian elite and business moguls cornering the billions abroad and ‘Down The Naira’, the weakness of which is the cornerstone of their wealth?

Another naira angle is that the world poverty index is accepted denominated of poverty in dollars. Does GEJ and his cabinet see ‘stability’ as more important than recovery of the naira? When are government and the CBN planning to do away with their own generators? At least GEJ has stated that Nigeria needs 100,000Mw per day.

What is GEJ’s policy towards payment of the local debt estimated in the trillions? Economists worry it will cause inflation. But where are the morals in not paying for services rendered as a misguided weapon against inflation? If GEJ can pay trillion+ naira to politicians, he can pay contractor debts! Non-payment of genuinely assessed local contractors is crippling the economy, increasing their indebtedness to banks, depriving their employees and families of salaries and support. Paying them will not cause the dreaded inflation but provide investment in the economy. It must be a criminal offence for government’s not to pay legitimate bills and debts and not meet pensions and other verifiable local contractor debts.

The Lagos State flood has been predicted ever since the major canals draining Lagos were blocked by those empowered to sand-fill the areas around Lagos. Most engineers advise that the drainage canals should be massively enlarged to be able to take a BRT Bus sideways to allow for quick water evacuation providing the water level is not too low.

Speaking scientifically, meteorologically or geographically, is Lagos sinking? Ask the satellites. Is it just too much rain?

Ask the annual rain measurers. Remember those instruments in school? Is it global warming? Ask the scientists. Is it that the drains have been blocked, not wide enough or blocked by rubbish or sand filling for ‘development’? Is it due to a lack of regular conferencing between town planning, housing, waterways, sanitation, roads, river basin and other authorities with each going its own way? During the flood did a Flood Monitoring Agency monitor to identify for blocked drains and giving flood depth warnings? Is the flood due to poor engineering, poor big picture management or poor waste disposal by householders blocking drains with waste?

Is it due to poor land and flood controls by authorities or reverse flow from the sea? Remember the rates for that plot of water, sorry land. There should be reduced land or tenement rate charges this year to help the people survive the flood.

‘What is GEJ’s policy towards payment of the local debt estimated in the trillions? Economists worry it will cause inflation. But where are the morals in not paying for services rendered as a misguided weapon against inflation? If GEJ can pay trillion+ naira to politicians, he can pay contractor debts!’

A cry for justice along, very few suspected she was passing through a terrible time in the hands of the man she loved and for whom she had a lovely daughter until she met her death.

The heinous crime was not detected until the following day when a putrid odour started oozing out of the Arowolos’ apartment. The door was thereafter forced open and behold petit Titilayo was lying on the floor in a pool of congealed blood. Two knives and a sledgehammer were found at the scene. One of the knives allegedly got stuck and broken on her neck while the other one was left near her corpse. With multiple stabs on her chest and head region, it took more than 24 hours before the police could apprehend Kolade who had earlier disappeared from the scene.

When Kolade was later paraded before newsmen he was unremorseful. Instead, he tried to hold the deceased responsible for her own death. He said Titilayo was possessed by demonic spirits on the day in question and got hold of a knife and started stabbing herself. Soon after, Kolade burst into tears: “Please I am bereaved. I just lost my wife. I am also injured. Look at the series of stab wounds on my stomach and hands.” He then asked no one in particular: “Have I not suffered enough?”

‘Titilayo’s case must be a test case for the police and our justice administrators.

It must not be bungled in any way. The law must certainly take its course no matter what and speedily too!’

The posture of Kolade at the press briefing, to me, looked more like a scene from one of the Nollywood movies. What he wanted to achieve was to claim a sort of alibi over the gruesome murder of his wife. We were told that shortly after emerging from the scene of death, Kolade, who had blood stains on his clothes, jumped into a car and sped off.

He was intercepted by some traffic wardens who caught him driving furiously against traffic.

While being questioned, he was said to have feigned exhaustion and pretended to have fainted. In the commotion that followed, he suddenly got up and took to his heels. An oncoming vehicle hit him. Somehow, he managed to get up again and jumped on a motor-bike who spirited him away.

In all these, where lies the innocence he was trying to create or recreate? He later surfaced at their family house where he reported himself. Is his family house a police station where he should have reported himself?

While his wife was stabbing herself, as he claimed, why didn’t he raise the alarm? Why didn’t he try to take Titilayo to the nearest hospital instead of running away? Now that he is brandishing the theory of a demon, was it the demon that pursued him out of the house, drove his car, made him to faint and then suddenly spring up on his feet and vamoose from the scene?

Kolade is said to have a rich history of violence. One of his course mates who doubles as his roommate at the University of Lagos, attested to this. According to him, “in our school days, he had many girlfriends and whenever they offended him, he beat them up. He is a violent person.” Even

though he had become a pastor, the roommate described him as “hot tempered but quiet looking”.

With the above revelation, one wonders whether Kolade was actually called by God, as every pastor will make people to believe, or by the devil? I am sure the devil has his own “pastors” as well. The Bible made us believe that the Devil revolted against God and its punishment was that it was shut out of heaven’s gate into the furnace of fire where it will be with those who follow its footpath. Since the devil is said to have been recruiting its own disciples, it probably found one in Kolade. If he was a genuine pastor, couldn’t he have been able to cast out the demon that came over his wife, if at all a demon did? Was it Titilayo or Kolade himself that the demon came over? From what we have learnt so far, Kolade could have been the demon himself.

This sad event brings to mind our decaying family values and system. There is the need for families to properly crosscheck the background of their children’s suitors before consenting to marriages. It does not even end after the marriage has been consummated. We need to ask questions when and where necessary without really breathing down the neck of any of the parties to the relationship.

Any relationship that is not based on the truth and mutual respect is not worth it in the first instance, not to talk of enduring for too long. Many of these tragic ends could be averted if the families are up and doing. Nobody prays for a broken home, but if it becomes necessary especially when life is threatened, there is nothing anybody can do about it.

The more the economy plum-

Dele Agekameh mets, the more the challenges and threat to harmonious relationship.

Titilayo’s horrendous end brings to the fore, the vulnerability of women in our society. Although when it comes to domestic violence, some women themselves are known to be terror.

Some of them beat up their husbands, torment them and make them look miserable all their lives. This happens, in most cases, if the economic lever is in the hand of the woman. Such men will rather suffer in silence than cry out because of the shame attached to it. Obviously, women are more at the receiving end simply because our society has not really moved against this. When a man beats up his wife or vice versa, the whole thing ends up with a mere apology. I think by the time such people are sanctioned through appropriate legislation, the society will witness a drastic reduction in the shameful act.

Titilayo’s case must be a test case for the police and our justice. It must not be bungled in any way. The law must certainly take its course no matter what and speedily too!

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION FROM THE CELL PHONE ‘Gbenga, the process of Islamic, non-interest banking started during the tenure of Prof. Soludo as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. This is a fact conveniently ignored by those who claim that it is Malam Sanusi’s agenda. Please note that the introduction of non-interest banking is not in breach of the constitution of Nigeria. There is no compulsion on any individual to patronise this banking product against his or her wish. Dr. W. Braimo’ others. May God help, guide and guard you.

Sam Megwa.

• IG

For Olatunji dare Now that Southwest has regained her freedom and is back on the track of blaizing the trail of development and growth as it was in the days of Baba Awolowo, please remember and include us the Yoruba (sons of Oduduwa) in kogi and Kwara States early in your agenda.

The freedom is not complete, as long as we are left behind as less than minorities and as slaves in these states. Odo Oya ni ala ile Odua.

Ona lo jin, eru ni baba. Asiwaju Tinubu, please come to our aid. Ile Igbomina, Ibolo, ati Okun Yoruba nwoju yin, e ran wa lowo. This is the opportuned time. It is possible. Anonymous.

The police cannot catch or fight Boko Haram barehanded. The police should be allowed to use force without being accused of extra judicial killings. And the IG Who is also a muslim and their sympathiser should be replaced by a southern or Middlebelt christian who does not wine or dine with them in their praying places. Let the President do this and bombings would stop. This is the bitter truth. And reason being that a christian life (President’s own inclusive) is valueless to fanatical muslims such as Boko Harams. From T. Y. SAM Thank you very much for your thoughts today ‘Putting the sunshine law to work’. Just thanking you as I am waiting to see the pressure groups in action. Are the likes of Bar. Falana there? Anonymous Bravo! I wish they didn’t kill your collegues like Maximus Ubah and Dele Giwa who could have helped you actualise this. From Okwuchukwu from Owerri.

Wonderful piece, you raised fundermental questíons, I pray they have politîcal will to implement the law. Anonymous I am a regular reader of your column, it is very interesting. More grease to your elbow sir. Anonymous Please do more investgation on Turai. A month ago, she was on NTA during opening of the center. Abdulazeez Abdulfai PortHarcourt.

Ola Baba, I just read your thought provoking article “Putting the sunshine law to work” and I agree 100% with you. What did madam Yar’Adua do with the N6b? From Bash Ali, OON. World Boxing Champion.

Your writeup is a wonderful piece that must be admired by every intellectual patriotic person. Once again well done. Do you know that majority of our people do not know the content of the FIB bill? We need more of this awareness. Anonymous Boko Haram has said times without number that a non-muslim believer is a natural enemy and must not live. And that a Sharia state is non-negotiable, so what is the President doing? To negotiate with satanic Islamic organisation that should be crushed? The President should for the sake of God not start what he cannot finish before leaving the office. He should be mindful that many northern muslim politicians are in support of this shameful and national disgrace that can bring down his govt. Don’t be weak. Don’t negotiate with Boko Haram, use every state instrument to root out Boko-Haram before it is too late Jonathan. You can’t satisfy their conditions. It is jihad against non-muslims. They won’t accept your money. From Dr. Sam I must praise your guts and and wake up call to the media who want FOI. I wish you mean and can do what you said. If so, please add the gulf war windfall, criteria for allotting oil blocks and the beneficiaries, the outcome of Oputa and Jos crises panels of inquiry amongst

For Gbadegesin It seems Segun Gbadegesin has won my heart over and above his colleague Olatunji Dare who has suddenly begun to react rather than act. Example is when he suddenly wrote concerning Nigerians’ love of Titles. Another was his write-up against a recent Tribune’s Editorial. Gbola Gbolagunte What a great, constructive, developmental tones toward building a better tomorrow socio-economically despite the ostracization of the south-westerners strategically at the federal level. I vehemently believed that with the effect of this singular gesture, there must be total revolution socio-infrastructurally without any monopoly of resources among the governors and the governed and remember harmoniously that”united we stand, divided we fall” BRAVO to the TITAN Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. From Fajembola Frank I’m excited. I have been following your column for long before your son came up with his “home work” for the governors. While marching ahead, watch out for black legs and white leperous hands. Also don’t forget those of us Yoruba in the Nigerian diaspora of OgoriMagongo and the Okuns in Kogi State and of course Kwara State. Fro m Mike Aiyemo, Abuja.

We are coming too, the Yoruba speaking people of Kogi State. From Eyitayo Toluju Agbajo owo ni afi n saya (in our unity lies our strength). The Southwest must pull and harness our resources to bring back the old glory in education, power infrastructure, agriculture and industrialisation. All strata, including monarchs and captains of industry shall be encouraged to key in. From Odua agbe wa o!

Loke-loke Sola.

Now that the Southwest Nigeria has been delivered from the claws of the reactionary forces, the progresives should hit the ground running. The expectation is really high, but we are hopeful. From Tunji.

Segun, If Yoruba has come together for the purpose of developing the area, okay. But I am always not comfortable when your people ascribe themselves as the pacesetters in Nigeria. This is because, as a student of the university of Lagos in the 80’s and as a youth corper in Okiti pupa, I discovered to my surprise that the Yorubas were the worst illiterates in the Southern part of Nigeria despite your so-called Awo’s free education policy. What I was hearing from the majority of the adults was Mi o gbo Oyibo. (i don’t understand Englih). Could this have been Boko Haram? However, ask your Governors to invest in Education especially in the rural areas to avoid another reincarnation of what is happening in Borno State. From Sir (Barr) Steve O. Mpi Port Harcourt It is a welcome development, though I am not from your region (SouthWest), lt has started in other regions e.g SouthSouth, SouthEast, etc but is not strong enough. It needs to be solidified with strong bonds of faith and believe in one another, it will yield tremendous results. It will also serve as checks in assuring themselves of their bonds as a people, with similar affinities. Especially, now that no one can tell what is in the minds of Nigerians of Northern extraction. God help our Country. I however, commend governments of SouthWestern States for giving birth to such lofty idea. It is indeed timely, and they should keep hope alive. From Apostle Steven Nyong.

What are we still doing inside this worthless, ruderless and selfdeceipt geographical inexpresion? It is time we said goodnight to the dog. We have eaten enough shit. Let our government chat this way, we are ready to follow. Do you believe in what they call Nige-ria? Anonymous Dear segun, I am very romantic with your write-up every Tuesday. The freedom information law that President Jonathan signed into

law will not only expose our corrupt rulers but vigorously intensify investigative journalism which our noble late Dele Giwa died for through letter bomb by the evil genious General Babangida. The freedom of information law will make jounalists more responsive to the electorate and have more insight into the so called classified information. From Tope Omobulejo, Ifaki Ekiti Mr Segun Gbadegesin, your efforts are highly appreciated but we need prayers for these governors, they have started well. From Shefiu Adetunji This resolution of the Southwestern governors is not only worthy of commendation but also of emulation. It is a good focus. Keep the dream alive and go on to actualise it. I urge Southeastern governors and others to follow this dimension as it will enhance rapid development in their regions. From RCO. It is a novel and briliant idea well applauded.

This is the real hop of transformation. Nigeria is not ready . Other regions should borrow a leaf before they cry. Anonymous Foul of marginilizaion. God help the West in this noble quest. From Dr. Iro. Omorusi Though I’m not a SouthWesterner, but I salute the good idea taken by the SouthWest governors more especially governor Fashola.

How I wish Lagos people borrow us their governor to come and rule for three months in Kano please. Anonymous For Gbenga Omotoso A reply to Now the crunch; it is an unnecessary triviliasation of an important issue to say that christians and other religious groups bring their banking modules because they dont have and if they do, muslims are not stopping them.

Allah the owner of Guidance has chosen Islam and the muslim to guide mankind to success in this world and hereafter that is why all our modules become best practices in all human endeavors. Let’s advise CAN and others who follow their conjectures to revert their faith to islam the true submmission to the will of God our creator whose manual all creation must follow for proper funtioning. The Jews and christians shylock interest system have and impoverish does who adopted them. The interest charges in western economies is less than transaction/ consultant charges. It is only pride and shame of surrendring to muslims that make them not to abadoned the name interest rate, it is no news that industrials nations are beneficiaries of cheap inuestments from muslim nations. Lets wise up and stop unnecessary jealousy calumny and poking of fun against Islam and muslims. From Abdulwahid Adeleke. Amuwo Odofin Lagos Kudos to you as the editor of a great paper like The Nation to have published the response to Mohammed Haruna’s recent goof on Okonjo-Iweala. Kudos to that writer too whom I share same views with. I neva thaught The Nation would be bold enough to publish contrary opinions as it did with my article ‘Fraudulence in the cloak of Jesus Christ’. Oops to Haruna ten times. Yinka Salard.

Re: editorial notebook of today. Now the crunchy error! ‘ogun (the god of thunder) I suppose is the god of iron or are you swapping the position with Sango? that does not take anything away from the subject. You are a must read for me. Cheers! From Oladele.

Omotosho, I very much appreciate your piece. You touched on the REALITIES, and you asked, ‘Do they know?’ How can Sanusi be advocating extra charges on withdrawals above N150000 and N1m on one hand and free interest Islamic banking on the other?

Subsidy na wayo. Joseph Danladi.

Dear Gbenga, thanks for your ‘Now the crunch’ of today. We must start by insisting on 4o% reduction on earnings of National Assembly men bloated by 4I9ers and rogue lawmakers. Regards. From Chuma, Imo State.

The mathematics of dividing $4b or N600b to 150m Nigerians is not N4m but N4000 per

• Jonathan person. May be senators need to do some tests in arithmetics before they are sworn in. Let the petrol subsidy stay. Nigerians will pay more if subsidy is removed. Payment increase will not be in transport costs only. All goods reach market by fuel. Transporters will charge more. Sellers of okro, pepper, cement, etc will collect the increase everyday. Thus you will pay for removal of fuel subsidy even if you choose not to ride on okada or enter a car !

From Evang. Owojaiye. Kaduna No to Islamic Banking because the same people who killed Bank of the North will do the same to it please. From Danburam, Jos I read your comment on islamic Banking despite enlightened opinion of leading financial experts, Okonjo Iweala, what a euro christian myopia, readers are wiser. Anonymous Dear Gbenga I do not think they know. Right from the time of OBJ till now, the excuses have been the same. They are only interested in satisfying self now, present and future. They pay lip service to the reality of governance while pretending to have the interest of actual governance of the masses at heart. Anonymous Sir, an interesting write-up. More power to your elbow or ‘pen’. Please find out from NNPC people how many litres of petrol are in a barel of crude oil. From there we too will calculate this subsidy thing. Thanks my brother. From Udoko, Akure Uncle Gbenga! thank you for this wonderful piece “ Now the crunch” Indeed there are more questions than answers. Bode Pope from Ibadan Gbenga please multiply 4m by 150m and tell me how possible is your calculation, thaks.

Anonymous Dear Gbenga your Article NOW THE CRUNCH in The Nation Newspaper of July 14th 2011 really caught my interest. Suffice it to say that the Nigeria Labour Congress must hold the governors at the Jogular until they pay the N18,000 minimum wage. Mr. President should take a firm decision on fuel subsidy. He should allow Ngozi Okonjo Iweala to take critical decisions on the economy vis a vis cut in the cost of governance, appointment of heads of agencies under her. Finally, on power and importation of petroleum products Mr. President must tackle this monsters or we are doomed. From Barr. Uche Aniche from Abuja.

Gbenga, the process of Islamic, non-interest banking started during the tenure of Prof.

Soludo as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. This is a fact conveniently ignored by those who claim that it is Malam Sanusi’s agenda. Please note that the introduction of non-interest banking is not in breach of the constitution of Nigeria. There is no compulsion on any individual to patronise this banking product against his or her wish. From Dr. W. Braimo Your article in today’s editon of The Nation (Now the crunch) is referred . Before now I thought Dr. Jonathan was going to make a different but recent developments such as recycling of personnel 2011 budgets, intransigence in size of cabinet, etc are disturbing. It is normally said that the morning shows the day.What is the relevance of a minister of state?

And why can’t the ministers’ salary be brought down to the level of NSA/CEA? Was it not an adviser or an expert that prepared the now faulty 2011 budget? We are all watching .

Anonymous

Osaze returns for Panama holds Flying Eagles to draw Ghana vs Nigeria Pg. 24

Pg. 24

Nation Wednesday, July 20, 2011

FREE COPY

PAGE 23 •Super Eagles in training

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

Siasia unveils 20-man squad for Ghana S

UPER EAGLES head coach Samson Siasia yesterday unveiled a 20-man team that will confront the Black stars of Ghana in a friendly match slated for London in August. According to the former international, the team is to report to London on July 29. He also made good his words by recalling mercurial striker Osazee

From Andrew Abah and Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja Odemwengie to the team after he apologised over his purported unruly behaviour in their friendly match against Kenya in May. However, Obafemi Martins was not lucky afterall, same were the duo of Brown Ideye and Emmanuel Ekpo. Those invited for the

friendly match include three goalkeepers of Vincent Enyeama, Dele Aiyenugba, Chigozie Agbim, seven defenders of Chibuzor Okonkwo, Taye Taiwo, Gege Toriola, Elderson Echiejile, Joseph Yobo, Yusuf Ayila, Efe Ambrose, Four mid fielders comprising of Mikel Obi, Joel Obi, Fegor Ogude,Kalu Uche, and seven attackers of

Solomon Okoronkwo, Obinna Nsofor, Victor Anichebe, Ikechukwu Uche, Osaze Odemwingie, Ehigho Ehiosu, Emmanuel Emenike.

Siasia said they are going to London to win. He reiterated that the match would be a rehearsal for the all important match against Madagascar coming up in September.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

24

NATION SPORT

Special Olympics athletes thank Coca-Cola

C

OCA-COLA Nigeria Limited has been commended for her contributions to the success of Nigeria ’s Special Athletes at the just concluded Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens , Greece . The commendation was made by the Captain of the Special Olympics football team, Nasiru Olatunbosun at a welcome reception for the victorious athletes who returned last week with a haul of 27 medals.

Olatunbosun disclosed that Coca-Cola sponsored the football team which won the Silver medal at the games after a narrow and gallant loss to Uruguay.

“I want to thank Coca-Cola Nigeria for giving us the opportunity to participate in the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games. Before now I was idling at home, but courtesy of Special Olympics of Nigeria and Coca-Cola, I am now a member of Special Olympics International due to my performance in Athens. I can now become a responsible member of the society despite my challenges”, said Olatunbosun.

National Director, Special Olympics of Nigeria, Mrs. Folashade Bolumole expressed satisfaction at the performance of the athletes given the improvement from 14 medals in the 2007 games to 27 medals this year. She commended the sponsors and media partners who contributed to the success of the tournament.

“We are grateful and indebted to CocaCola Nigeria Limited and other sponsors for their continuous support for our activities. They are not only empowering us financially but also providing volunteers to aid our athletes. With their support, Special Olympics have come to stay in Nigeria . We are calling on all parents of children with intellectual disabilities to embrace special sports as a means of engaging and developing the child”, Mrs. Bolumole advised.

Coca-Cola Nigeria has partnered with Special Olympics Nigeria since 2006 as part of its commitment to youth empowerment and the promotion of active lifestyle and healthy communities through sports.

“We are proud of our association with the Special Olympics Nigeria. Our mission as a company, apart from refreshing the world, is to inspire optimism and make a difference in our communities.

It is gratifying to see the difference that our support has helped to make in the lives of these young, passionate athletes who are so optimistic about their abilities and the future”, said Clem Ugorji, Public Affairs & Communications Manager for Coca-Cola Nigeria. He commended the Special Olympics Nigeria staff and coaches for their hard work.

NATION SPORT 2011 FIFA BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP

NIGERIA VS PORTUGAL COPA DE LA REPUBLICA

Beach Eagles hit camp Aug 1

Danilo can torment F/Eagles again

•Team set for Portugal August 14th IGERIA's Super Sand Eagles will resume camp on August 1st at the team’s Badagry Camp in Lagos ahead of

N

•Adamu

By Akeem Lawal

the 2011 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup holding in Ravenna, Italy, from September 1- 11th.

20 players including experienced and new ones have been invited to camp for the team’s preparation by Coach Adamu Audu, who is bent on surpassing the team’s previous outings.

In a chat with NationSport, Adamu revealed that 16 out of the 20 players will be selected for the team training tour in Portugal while only 10 players will make the final squad to the World Cup in Italy.

“We are coming to Lagos on the 31st of this month and the camp will be opened on the 1st of August in preparation for the Beach Soccer World Cup in Italy. I have invited 20 players with the mixture of both the experienced and young ones who I believe will do the country proud. Among those invited, 16 will travel to Portugal on the 14th of August for our foreign trip. But only 10 players will make the final list as we are scheduled to travel

to Italy straight from our Portugal camp”, he told NationSport.

Nigeria have been drawn in Group C alongside CONMEBOL qualifier 3, Russia and Tahiti. In the CONMEBOL Qualifier, the battle for the three tickets to Ravenna in the South American Cone is to be fought in the magical setting of Copacabana, in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), from July 31st to August 7th. Surprises are, however, expected and, for sure, the number of contenders will grow regarding previous, so hosts Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay will have it even more difficult to claim again their place in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Panama holds Flying Eagles to draw N

IGERIA’s Flying Eagles recorded their second successive pre-World Cup stalemate after they were held to a 0-0 draw by hosts Panama Monday night.

The home team dominated this build-up game in Panama City even though Nigeria would be right to feel hard done by referee Jaffeth Perea’s decision to disallow the two

...Invitation excites Ike Ezenwa

O

LYMPIC Silver medalist with the Dream Team IV, Ikechukwu Ezenwa has described his invitation to the camp of the Super Sand Eagles preparatory to the World Beach Soccer Championship in Italy as a welcome development and another platform to serve his fatherland.

Ezenwa who broke the information to NationSport on Monday afternoon said that he would make most of the current invitation to the Beach Eagles to cement his place in the World Cup bound team and thus re-open another chapter in his career.

The Sharks of Port Harcourt shot stopper averred that he was looking forward to when the camp will open for him to show the technical crew of the Beach Eagles that he has the gut and the wits to pick one of the shirts in the team to Italy. “ I am thrilled to inform you that I have been invited to the Beach Eagles camp in preparation for the World

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri Beach Soccer Competition and for me, it is another dream comes true because it is always my wish to represent my fatherland at any time whenever my services are needed. I am ready to fight for one of the available shirts when the camp opens. It is another opportunity for me to show that I am still the same Ikechukwu and that I have not changed a bit.” Ezenwa told NationSport excitedly Besides serving as cover up to Ambrose Vanzekin at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, Ezenwa rose from third choice goalie at Canada Under 20 World Cup in 2007 to becoming first choice and was the brain behind the Flying Eagles' inroad to the last eight after proving a cog in the wheel of the further progress of determined Zambian side in the second round with series of impressive saves.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

Osaze returns for Ghana vs Nigeria •Set to break 15-goal record

S

UPER EAGLES Coach, Samson Siasia has recalled Osaze Odemwingie to the national team as his name was among the listed players that would execute the international friendly between Nigeria and Ghana slated for August 9 in London.

The Eagles forward who had just got some respite from a face-off with Siasia some few days back after intervention by the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) had missed crucial matches which the Eagles gaffer had used as a disciplinary measure.

In the same vein, West Brom striker aims to eclipse last season's 15-goal Premier League haul this time around.

The Nigeria international made a big impression in England's top flight last season following his switch from Lokomotiv Moscow.

Odemwingie is constantly looking to improve and progress and insists beating his own goal record is now

41

By Stella Bamawo his top objective.

However, the 30-year-old acknowledges that it is a team game and that it remains imperative for everyone to maintain their high standards.

Competition "I am always in competition with myself and beating my own records show me that I am going forward, growing and improving," he told the Express and Star.

"So I will set myself a target of beating my own record again. It is going to depend on how much I want it and how much I go for it, but football is also a team game.

"If my team isn't playing well it won't go well for me either. In most of the games I scored goals in last season, our team in general played well.

Barcelona 'will fight to end for Fabregas'.

•Osaze

•Ahmed Musa

second half goals they scored.

Ahmed Musa first found the back of the net on 67th minute, but his effort was disallowed for offside.

And seven minutes later as Nigeria piled on the pressure, Bright Ejike smashed home from a rebound after the goalkeeper failed to hold on to a Musa shot only for the referee to again overrule the goal.

“We have no reasons to challenge the referee’s decisions because his decisions are final,” said Flying Eagles coach John Obuh.

Like Nigeria, Panama will also feature at the U20 World Cup in Colombia later this month and they enjoyed more of the ball in front of about 2,000 fans at the 35,000capacity Estadio Rommel Fernandez.

They also created more chances, but in Kwara United goalkeeper Kazim Yekini, they found a bridge too far to cross.

Yekini made at least three inspired saves in the first half and on one of such occasions he was forced to handle the ball outside his box in the 25th minute when a Panama striker went clear of the Junior Eagles defence. He was most certainly busier than his opposite number Luis Mejia.

The skipper Kenneth Omeruo-led defence was also kept on its toes by the speedster and arrow head of the Panama attack Cecilio Waterman as Omeruo and Emmanuel Anyanwu held firm in the heart of the back four.

In midfield, Abduljaleel Ajagun was in his element, pulling the strings with class and efficiency as the Flying Eagles played with more purpose and cohesion than they did last week in another barren draw against Portugal.

However, the strike force must again be a cause for serious concern for coach Obuh. The partnership of Uche Nwofor and Bright Ejike never got going so much so that skipper Mejia in the Panama goal did not make any notable save in the first 45 minutes.

It was also baffling that Ejike lasted the entire 90 minutes even when he looked heavy and hardly put a foot right.

In the second half, substitute Sani Emmanuel combined well with Omoh Ojabu and a minute to full time a near post header by the MVP of the 2009 Under-17 World Cup forced the confident goalkeeper Mejia to scramble for a corner.

In the opening game of this fournation tournament, Portugal came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Mexico.

Danilo Pereira was the hero for the Portuguese with two late goals in the second half after Mexico pushed ahead with two goals by 41 minutes.

Portugal were most certainly the happier of the two teams after this Great Escape.

The tournament continues Wednesday night with Nigeria taking on the Portuguese in the first game of the day, while Mexico and hosts Panama do battle two hours later.

Kick-off time for the Flying Eagles match is 7pm Panama time or 1am Thursday in Nigeria.

MATCH STATS July 18 at Estadio Rommel Fernandez Panama City Panama 0 Nigeria 0 Ref: Jaffeth Perea (Panama) Booking: Kazim Yekini 25 Nigeria line-up: Kazim Yekini – Terna Suswan, Emmanuel Anyanwu, Kenneth Omeruo (Skipper) Felix Udoh – Philemon Daniel Chimezie Mbah 48)Ahmed Musa (Sani Emmanuel 80),Abduljaleel Ajagun, Terry Envoh (Edafe Egbedi 48), Uche Nwofor (Omoh Ojabu 53), Bright Ejike Coach: John Sam Obuh

G

UINEA Bissau-born Danilo Pereira will be the man the Flying Eagles will be wary of when Portugal and Nigeria do battle again on Wednesday in the Copa de la Republica in Panama.

The Parma midfielder is the heart and soul of the Portugal U-20 team and showed this when both teams first clashed a week ago in Lisbon.

The former Benfica starlet not only dictated how Portugal played, but on Monday night in Panama City he also showed he could also get among the scorers as his two late strikes rescued a point when by half time they looked dead and buried

by Mexico.

Danilo, who has been sought after to play for Guinea Bissau at full international level, is one of several players in the Portugal team for Colombia 2011 with roots in the tiny West African island.

The others are midfielder Pele from Italian club Genoa, midfielder Lassana Camara of Real Valladolid and big Cercle Brugge striker Amido Balde.

In the first clash, which ended 0-0, Nigeria was without at least three key players – Ahmed Musa, Terna Suswan and Emmanuel Anyanwu.

All three were in action on Monday night in another barren

draw versus hosts Panama.

Musa was quick, made several incursions into the opponents box and even scored a goal that was disallowed.

Anyanwu played in his familiar central defence position for the first time for the Flying eagles after he was played as a make shift left back at the African Youth Championship.

He was Nigeria’s top act against Panama along with Abduljaleel Ajagun in central midfield.

The Enyimba defender was solid and was never really ruffled even by the blistering pace of daredevil striker Cecilio Waterman.

Suswan also posted a decent shift at right back, often joining up with the attack in the second half.

Kwara United goalkeeper Kazim Yekini completed a competent showing by the defence as he played a pivotal role to ensure the Flying Eagles get a result in this pre-World Cup game.

Yekini was equally impressive against Portugal in Lisbon before he was replaced when he could no longer stomach the pains from the injury he suffered on his side during pre-match warm-up. The Flying Eagles are proving to be very difficult to break down, but upfront they have struggled to make hay.

“We did not convert our chances,” admitted coach John Obuh.

In the other match of this fournation invitational, hosts Panama will be up against a Mexican side who rely on wing play and who would have buried Portugal on the opening day of action but for some poor finishing.

Alan Pulido will be the key for Mexico to unlock an organised and uncompromising Panama back four.

Kwara Utd players on strike

•Obuh

•It is unnecessary- Team Secretary

P

LAYERS of Premier League side, Kwara United has embarked on indefinite strike in order to force the management to pay their outstanding sign-on-fees and arrears.

A close source in the camp of the Afonja Warriors in formed NationSport that the players decided to down-tools to press home their demand as all efforts to make the management yield to their plight falls into their deaf ears.

“We’ve started the strike since on Monday after our morning training and we are not going back. We won’t listen to any appeal from any quarter.

We informed the secretary after our match against 3SC so that he can pass the message to the management. But they asked us to come to training that yesterday morning so that we can inform those that did not follow us to the away game. So our intension now is that if they refuse to pay us we won’t return to field.

“I could remember, our last Challenge Cup before we qualified for the group stage, the players threatened to strike, the management told us that they will pay the 30 percent they owe us when we returned from Minna. But when we returned they only paid 15 percent, can you imagine?

We have not receive a dime this season, 15 percent of last season is yet to be paid, almost 10 match

By Akeem Lawal bonuses for last season is still there, almost five match bonuses for this year is there and we have WAFU Cup match on Saturday, how do they expect us to cope without payment.

From the beginning of the season till this time, you will agree with me that we have tried. And the present management is not sure whether they will be there next season, so who do we turn to if they leave? That is what is happening.

But when NationSport contacted the secretary of the club, Ademola Kiyesola said efforts are in top gear to ensure that the players remaining sign-on fees are paid.

“The government is working around to ensure that the outstanding areas are paid. We have paid 15 percent of their last year’s sign-on-fees, so the government is aware of their plight and I know at the appropriate time, they will do something about it.

“Everybody should appreciate the fact that this is a transition period, and spending money any how is always a problem. The chairman has addressed the players and told them that outside the government, he will do something about it. Some people are pushing the players to go on strike and it has never happened Kwara United. Why do they want to take this stance now?” Kiyesola said.

OLYMPIC DAY RUN:

NOC shifts date to August 5

T

HE Nigeria Olympic Committee(NOC) has postponed activities for this year's Olympic day run which was earlier scheduled for July 23 to August five due to today’s planned industrial strike by the Nigeria Labor Congress(NLC) and other logistics reasons.

The NOC also complained that the programme which usually runs across the thirty-six states of the Federation has not been able to garner the interest of most of the states as only five of the states have indicated interest in this year's activities.

The Olympic Day Run is usually held during June 17–24 by NOCs, with 1.5 KM Olympic Day Fun Run, 5 KM, and 10 KM running activities. It is an international Olympic Movement

By Stella Bamawo activity promoting mass participation of sports held in June organized by National Olympic Committees (NOCs).

In 1987, in an effort to encourage all NOCs to commemorate and celebrate Olympic Day, the IOC Sport for All Commission launched the Olympic Day Run concept with the objective of promoting the practice of participation in sport by men, women and children from all corners of the world and all walks of life, regardless of athletic ability. The first Olympic Day Run was held in 1987, over a distance of 10km, with 45 participating NOCs. In 2006, there were 161 NOCs promoting Olympic Day Run to their countrymen.

Obuh angry over rough tackles

F

LYING EAGLES of Nigeria coach, John Obuh, has appealed to referees to protect the players at the Copa de la Republica tournament in Panama preparatory the U20 World Cup in Colombia next week.

“The referees should protect the players because they were allowing so many rough tackles even though the World Cup is just around the corner,” said Obuh immediately his team held hosts Panama to a 0-0 draw in Panama City Monday night.

Both skipper Kenneth Omeruo and goalkeeper Kazim Yekini came off the worst for it against the home team with Umeruo picking up a knock he will need to shake up before the match against Portugal Wednesday night.

Referee Jaffeth Perea, who disallowed two Nigerian goals in the second half, only booked goalkeeper Yekini throughout a bruising contest.

Yekini was booked after he handled the ball outside his box in the 25th minute, when he rushed out to foil a Panama striker clear on goal.

Obuh rated Panama as good team, but disclosed his team including VVV Venlo forward Ahmed Musa were trying to be cautious to avoid injuries before the World Cup. “This was Ahmed Musa’s first game with us since he joined us at the weekend. We were all trying to be cautious and are still preparing for the World Cup and I’m sure there is room for improvement,” the coach said.

Panama will clash with another African team, Egypt in Group E of the World Cup in Colombia with Obuh predicting a good contest.

“I expect to see a less physical game than what we saw when we played against Panama. Egypt and Panama are both good teams and it should be more a battle of tactics and skills than brawn,” said Obuh.

REVOCATION

DEVELOPMENT

PLANNING

Kogi cancels Beach Hotel contract

N156b trade centre coming

State seeks birth, death records

Sokoto

28

FCT

38

WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2011 N some places, it lasted no more than 30 minutes. In others, it was more drawnout, pouring for days.

Everywhere, it left torment and grief.

In Kano, a man lost three siblings and all his belongings.

“I lost all in one night,” he said.

In Ondo, the storm tore off roofs and collapsed buildings.

In Cross River, swathes of farmlands were washed off, and many residents waded through knee-length floods.

In Lagos, it echoed the days of the biblical Noah.

Some have referred to the torrential rains and their effects as the worst natural calamity in decades. About 30 people were lost in the Fagge area of Kano State while the downpour lasted.

Hundreds of others were left without shelter.

The disaster came as a rude shock to the people, with residents of the devastated areas yet to come to terms with the magnitude of the havoc wreaked by the heavy downpour.

After the storm, Newsextra visited the area for an on-thespot assessment of the level of destruction. Many mud-houses gave way under the impact of the rains. It was the worst rainstorm in the history of Fagge Local Government Area. The floods swept through the densely populated area with ease, no thanks to the poorly managed drainage system.

One of them, who identified himself as Shua’ibu Usman, disclosed that he lost two sisters and a brother as well all his belongings in just one night.

He said: “I have never seen this kind of atrocity in all my life. My life has been shattered. My two sisters and a brother are no more.

I don’t even know how to continue with life.”

Mallam Abbas Ado and his wife, Hajiya Rakiyyah also suffered a similar fate. Two of their children perished within three hours. Mallam Ado, a 70year-old artisan lamented: “I lost two children in the rainstorm. As the rain continued to pour, the apartment where my children were sleeping caved in and

Benue

40

Page 25

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

I

• The storm ripped off roofs in Ondo

‘We lost all in one night’

Rainstorm victims relive ordeal From Kolade Adeyemi (Kano), Damisi Ojo (Akure), Kunle Johnson (Calabar) and Bisi Oladele (Ibadan)

collapsed on them.”

His story was corroborated by his wife, who said she had never experienced such atrocity.

“They are my last two children,” she lamented. “I love them so much, but what can I say? This is an act of God”.

Kano State government and

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have sent relief materials, comprising cement, food, mats, mattresses, buckets, clothes and toilets to the people affected by the disaster, especially those who lost their loved ones.

Many victims disclosed to Newsextra that their suffering is yet to be alleviated. Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who visited the affected areas, promised to help. He condoled with families

which lost dear ones, even as he announced plans by government to re-evaluate urban planning regulations to forestall future occurrence.

The State Ministry of Environment, acting on the orders of Governor Kwankwaso, has since cleared the main canal to prevent a similar occurrence in future.

In Ondo State, over 100 houses and property worth millions of

naira were destroyed by rainstorm at Ayetoro community in Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.

The rainstorm which lasted about 30 minutes had rendered residents, including young children, homeless.

One of the victims, an aged mother and widow, Mrs. Obafemi Akinmuleya said her family members were woken up by a storm which ripped off roofs, pillars and structures in •Continued on Page 26

Sokoto spends N6b on skill acquisition

S

• Wamakko

OKOTO State Governor Aliyu Wamakko has said his administration spent N6 billion on skill acquisition training programmes for youths in the last four years. He added that the training ensured that youths were productive.

Wamakko said his administration will continue to respond to the yearnings of the people in the state, noting that

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

service delivery is crucial to every responsible government.

Wamakko said this in Bodinga town, headquarters of Bodinga Local Government.

He said over 100 skill acquisition programmes have been introduced to engage youths at different levels across the state.

“We have been training our youths in various trades at both state, local government and community levels,” he mentioned.

The governor explained that his government committed resources to the youth programmes in order to encourage them to be selfreliant as well become employers of labour in various areas of their specialisation.

Wamakko further urged youths in the state to avail themselves of opportunities provided by the government and engage in meaningful activities that will reshape their future.

“We will endeavour to sustain the tempo in our journey to make life meaningful to the people of the state,” he assured.

•Con

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

26

‘We lost all in one night’ •Continued from Page 26

the community. Most people now have no home.

“We were woken up by the turbulent storm that sounded like artillery. I quickly gathered my grandchildren and looked for escape when I saw our house roofing sheets being dispersed to unknown destinations,” Akinmuleya said.

Mostly affected were houses belonging to aged people who solely depend on charity to survive since they could no longer fend for themselves. Other communities affected were Idi-Ogba, ErunOna, among others.

A cross section of the victims who spoke to Newsextra urged the state government to come to their aid as they have become tenants in the neighbouring communities.

The head of the community, the Ogeloyinbo of Ayetoro, Oba Olofin Gad Ashogbon who expressed shock over the development, urged the government and State Emergency Management Agency as well as other relevant agencies to assist the victims with relief materials.

I lost two children in the rainstorm. As the rain continued to pour, the apartment where my children were sleeping caved in and collapsed on them…They are my last two children. I love them so much, but what can I say?

This is an act of God

While assessing the level of damage, Chairman, Interim Committee of Ilaje Local Government Area, Prince Adegenro Nomiye pledged government’s assistance for the victims. He however said the hazard was too enormous for the local government to bear.

Nomiye said that the incident would be officially reported to the state government for necessary action.

In Calabar, the Cross River State capital, Mr. Vincent Aquah, Director-General of the state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said over N90m was lost to the disater.

The DG regretted that 40 houses were destroyed and over 500 people displaced.

Meanwhile, the newly constructed multibillion naira Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso was damaged by rainstorm as roofs of some of the multi-storey buildings were blown off.

The incident happened about 40 days after the N24b imposing structure, located along Ilorin Road, was inaugurated by the immediate former governor of the state, Adebayo Alao-Akala.

When Newsextra visited the hospital complex, roofs of the row of four-storey buildings facing the road were partly blown off as a result of the downpour. The development would put more pressure on many of the new structures described as death trap.

A section of one of the buildings had also collapsed during construction, which made many to call for probe of the construction of the buildings. The collapse raised fears in many quarters about safety of people when completed.

The complex, which was inaugurated on May 20, 2011, gulped about N24b according to Alao-Akala’s spokesperson, Prince Dotun Oyelade.

The governor said the hospital would boast 1, 000 beds, Ecno Cardiograph Xray, MRI, CT Scan, ultra sound, dialysis machine, Doppler, and other state-of-theart facilities.

The hospital was built to take over the Faculty of Health Sciences through which

• The rains wreaked havoc in Calabar, Cross River State, too

medical students at the school would gain practical experience instead of going to Oshogbo.

The hospital, the governor further said, was built when it was discovered that the one in Oshogbo could not meet the health needs of the state.

He said: “LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, with the projects being inaugurated today

will become the watershed for the study of medicine and health sciences in Nigeria.”

In Sokoto, fear has gripped residents.

Last year, floods swept through the state, washing away farmlands and homesteads, and tearing bridges apart.

Even as this year’s rains set in, the people were still grappling with the effect of the previous floods.

• Dr. Wole Olugboji, Commissioner for Health (capped), and delegates to the meeting

E

Ekiti seeks partnership in health

KITI State has indicated its willingness to boost health delivery with corporate partnership. This was revealed by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wole Olugboji, who appealed to organisations to join the Kayode Fayemi administration’s drive to improve the state’s health profile.

Olugboji said such partnership should not only improve the quality of health but also make its services available to the people, and at an affordable rate.

He stated this in a chat with representatives of the various corporate bodies which included banks, insurance, telecommunications, oil, and construction

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

commissioner said, adding that nothing is too small if it will better the lot of the masses.

He said: “I know some banks do have some products. But if you don’t have we can supply our request on the specific intervention areas of assistance can be given. No matter what is given out to the state, it shall be appreciated.

By the time the list of the needs is prepared we will appeal to you to respond”.

A representative of one of the bodies, Fadugba David, a banker, noted that since the meeting would be the first of its kind under the current administration, it would

companies. The organised private sector was also well represented at the meeting which held in the Commissioner’s office.

The Commissioner said the state will need the intervention of corporate bodies which will help take health services to the larger population of the state.

Olugboji disclosed that some corporate organisations have approached his office, adding that they appreciated what the state government has been doing, particularly in the health sector. He said those organizations also made specific donations of drugs and other health needs to the state government.

Such donations are still welcome, the

be good if the ministry could list the particular intervention areas and forward it to them. He added that the various corporate bodies could then pick from the list their preference and how they could intervene.

Another bank representative noted that since a bank is not a charity organisation, it might not be possible to openly announce areas of assistance or say that a bank had assisted in a particular way, but whatever assistance would be given based on request, could be packaged as part of an existing product of the bank.

The meeting was attended by the following Permanent Secretaries: Dr. Kolawole Aina (Health), Mr. Ropo Famubode (Health Management Board), and Mrs. Falore Folakemi (Primary Healthcare Development).

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

27

Lagos to mark peace treaty anniversary P

LANS are underway by eminent Lagosians to celebrate the 150 years of ‘Peace and Trade Treaty’ signed between Oba Dosunmu of Lagos and British colonial masters at Iga Idunganran in the pre-colonial days.

The treaty ceded Lagos to the British invaders, who consequently set up machinery for modern commerce and government, apart from assisting King Dosunmu to consolidate his rulership of Lagos against his brother, King Kosoko.

The Erelu Kuti of Lagos, Abiola Dosunmu, one of the descendants of Oba Dosunmu, told our correspondent in Lagos that the monarch left behind a legacy of peaceful resolution of crisis, which is now the hallmark in the contemporary world.

She said that Oba Dosunmu refrained from flexing muscles with the British, who threatened his kingdom with superior firearms, thereby saving his people and territory from molestation, unlike Oba Overamwen of Benin, who paid for his resistance.

Many have attributed the non-resistance

by Dosunmu as an act of cowardice. But Erelu Abiola disagreed, saying that his illustrious forebear saved more lives by swallowing his pride as a glorious ruler of a thriving kingdom.

Paying tribute to his memory, he said his peaceful nature was endearing, adding that his conduct paid off for Lagos, which later became the political capital, economic nerve centre and symbol of accommodation and harmonious living in Nigeria.

Highlights of the activities marking the anniversary include cultural exhibition, lectures, symposia, film festivals, stage plays, and other social activities.

Erelu Abiola said: “My foundation, Herald Foundation, is organising the anniversary. I am a proud descendant of

•Erelu Dosunmu at Iga Idanganran, the palace of Oba of Lagos during a preparatory ceremony to the Peace and Trade Treaty Anniversary

By Emmanual Oladesu

King Dosunmu. I have already written to the state government to be part of it. But it is a project of my foundation and I am collaborating with the British Embassy, and I have made overtures to the state government.

“I even consider it as something beyond

the state because it was the beginning of structured governance in the country. The amalgamation was done here and Lagos became the capital of Nigeria. Lagos induced a wonderful culture of peace.

‘The actual date is the first week of August. That is when we will unveil our programmes, which would run throughout

the year. We will have an endowment fund in the name of King Dosunmu and we will give scholarships. We have made overtures to the state government, which we think should anchor it, because it should be their baby. It is a thing of pride they should champion, and we are getting all the positive signals from them”.

Monarch urges harmomy in traditional council

T

HE Oba of Yoruba-speaking people in the Mpape District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Oba Musbaudeen Adekale has called for peace among the traditional rulers in the city.

This, he said, will help to guarantee the needed peace in the country.

Adekale who was installed recently by the Oba of the Yorubas in the FCT, His Royal Highness Dr. Salau Olusegun, urged the Yoruba community to continue to live in peace with one another so as to bring positive developments to the Yoruba race.

He said: “As we broke into the dawn of a new era, I urge us all to continue to live in peace amongst one another as this will enable us foster unity in our community.

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

By so doing, a harmonious relationship will be ensured.

“I want to assure you all that my coronation as the new Oba will witness positive changes. I shall ensure that I use all resources within my disposal to enshrine unprecedented and landmark development, and promote the Yoruba culture like never before.

“I encourage us all to be true representatives of Odua residing here in Abuja; we should be mindful of our conduct and never allow ourselves to be used for activities that are detrimental to the peace and stability of our nation.”

• Oba Adeleke (second, left,) Oba Olusegun, and Adeleke’s queens

A

church, the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Ilorin, Kwara State branch has lent a helping hand to about 500 school children in the metropolis.

As part of its outreach programme tagged “Embrace a Child,” the church distributed clothing, school materials, cash and other materials to the pupils.

The programme was put together

by Women of Colour Ministries, an arm of COZA and was initiated by a co-pastor of the church, Mrs. Modele Fatoyinbo.

In a chat with Newsextra, Fatoyinbo said the ministries spent about N1million to buy clothing and other materials for indigent school pupils in the town.

The benefiting schools include Pakata Primary School (A and B), Anifowoshe Primary School, Kuntu and Queens’ School, all in the state capital.

“One of the ways to pursue love is to reach out to people,” she said.

“What that means basically is to encourage people, pull up their hands and give them a reason to

Church caters for school pupils From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

live. I think that is one way to demonstrate love and God says we should love one another. It means that we should assist people to move from where they are to where God wants them to be.

“That is the message we tried to send to the children. We want them to realise that there is always more to life than may be apparent to them. There are still people out there who can show them love.”

She also explained why the COZA will not leave everything for government to do.

She said: “We understand that social and community development is not the sole responsibility of the government, so we exist to complement these efforts in providing relief materials that meet basic needs.

“We reach out to all categories of people young and old, children and adults, Muslims and

The parents, schools and pupils (who benefitted from this gesture) will not forget the experience in a hurry as this day will remain a memorable one in their lives

Christians regardless of colour, tribe or nationality.

“We are a non-partisan, nonreligious, non-denominational organisation committed to alleviating the level of poverty and degradation in our immediate environment and to add colour to our world.

“This year’s project involved the Women of Colour providing basic

relief materials ranging from school bags, exercise books, school sandals and socks, toiletries, food materials, cash gifts etc.”

A representative of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) in one of the schools, Alhaji Folorunsho Yusuf expressed the parents’ appreciation of the gesture of the Women of Colour.

“The parents, schools and pupils (who benefitted from this gesture) will not forget the experience in a hurry as this day will remain a memorable one in their lives,” he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

28

Kogi revokes Confluence Beach Hotel contract

D

Kogi

•Governor Idris

K

OGI State government has taken over the management of the state-owned Confluence Beach Hotel from its private managers, Creative Ideas Ltd. The take-over of the hotel, located in Lokoja, by the government, followed the expiration of the five -year management contract between the government and the manager.

A statement from the Ministry of Information in Lokoja, quoted the Commissioner for Cul-

ture and Tourism, Mr Edward Akpata, as saying that the government was not interested in renewing the contract.

Akpata, however, expressed happiness over the cordial relationship that existed between the government and the managers while the contract lasted. He urged all public office holders to always maintain good human relations under any circumstances.

Mr Yusuf Adama, who represented Creative Ideas, expressed the appreciation of the company to the government for the high level of cooperation it received while the contract lasted and for the opportunity to serve the state.

Adama promised that the company would respond positively whenever it was called upon again for partnership with the government.

The hotel is currently undergoing upgrading to a five-star outfit with the construction of additional 100 rooms to the existing 100 chalets.

Group empowers widows, orphans

T

HE joy of widows and orphans knew no bounds recently when Rose of Sharon Foundation empowered them.

Some of them were given money to start businesses just as their children were offered scholarship from primary school to university level with monthly stipends.

The empowerment programme was part of the activities marking the 60th birthday celebration of its founder, of Rose of Sharon Foundation Mrs Modupe Alakija. Alakija, who turned 60 on July 15, said the foundation had empowered 2,586 widows and 52 orphans since its inception in 2008. The empowerment programme was borne out of the victimisation and suffering widows and orphans pass through after the demise of their loved ones.

According to the founder, “We don’t want

Lagos

By Risikat Ramoni

them to rely on others, rather, we want them to be self-sufficient and confident.

“We set out to assist the widows and orphans, relieve them of their burden and put smiles on their faces by teaching them how to fish, rather than give them fish.

“Our empowerment to widows is in form of an interest-free loan which they would pay within 18 months. The widows are being monitored but whoever squanders the money, would have the education of her children halted. So far, none has done that.

However, if the widow spends the loan wisely, and is able to repay monthly, we can give her more,” she said.

• Chairperson, National Association Of Women Journalist (Nawoj), Bauchi State Chapter, Hajiya Iyatu Abdullahi (left), presenting gifts to Dr. Ibrahim Alhassan, for distribution to pregnant women during a courtesy visit

O

VER N22 billion has been invested in various projects across the country, the Niger Basin Authority has said. This is to boost the resource base of the River Niger and its associates water ways for socio-economic benefits of the people.

Speaking to journalists at a press conference in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the Niger River Basin Authority, NBA, Maj. Gen Collins Ihekire said various projects in Kaduna, FCT, Sokoto and Niger states.

The project were directed at restoration of degraded land areas, conservation of water resources where necessary and cleaning of pollution which have resulted from the impact of climate change.

He said: "First we have the reversing land and water degradation drains which are happening here in the Federal Capital Territory, Kaduna and Sokoto River Basins "We also have the water resource development and sustainable action, which is

‘Tree planting ‘ll preserve nature’

L

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola has said that the future of Nigeria rests squarely on the planting of trees to preserve nature and existence of life.

The governor made the statement in a paper read on his behalf by the chairman of Mushin Local Government Area, Hon Olatunde Babatunde Adepitan to mark 2011 Tree Planning exercise in the council.

With the theme: A Tree for Life, the governor said the climate change with its attendant consequences is stirring everyone in face as witnessed in unusual snow falls, very cold winter, hurricane, typhoons, tsunami, mud slides, volcanic eruption, excessive heat, prolonged and intense rainfall and several other issues.

Fashola stressed the importance of tree planting to the society, which include favourable atmospheric condition, and activities that will

Lagos mitigate against flooding and other natural occurrences.

He further urged the residents to mark important events such as birthdays, weddings, naming ceremonies, installations, burial of elders with planting of trees.

The Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, was represented at the occasion

by Mr. Clement Elushakin. He appealed to Lagosians to take adequate precautionary measure to care for the environment planting a tree in a day.

He warned against tree felling without necessary approval. He also advised the people to stop the indiscriminate felling of trees, warning against planting of tree on the drainage path, live tension wire and others.

Those present at the event include the Olu of Mushin Oba Fatai Aileru, the Onitire of Itire Oba Lateef Dauda, the Vice-Chairman of Mushin Local Govt Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye, the Leader of the House Hon. Samuel Olumuyiwa Olojede, Supervisor for Agric. Hon. Rafiu Olowonyo, Supervisor for the Environment Hon. Olajide Lukman, Baales, Chiefs, the Chairman, Community Development Committee Mushin Local Government Area,Chief Rasak Adeogun, Heads of Departments of Mushin Council, market leaders and others.

Basin Authority invests N20b Abuja in water ways From Bukola Amusan

happening in Kainji to restore the Kainji."

Listing the various projects he said the combined projects on land degradation; rehabilitation of the Kainji; the Niger high cost programme: water resource development in Jebba, Zungeru, all handled by the PHCN, then the dredging of the Niger in the Nigerian portion being assisted by the French Development Agency and the Global Environment Fund, (GEF).

He said the impact of climate change could be seen on the rainfall pattern which affects adequate supply of water to the Kainji Dam. His words: "Climate change is a big issue and

misconduct and contempt of the House.

But the council through its Information Unit, described the purported impeachment as illegal and unconstitutional because it did not follow due process.

A press statement signed by the Secretary to the local government, Peter Abraham, said there was no plenary session proceeding the purported impeachment, and that the said the letter of impeachment presented to the Lagos State House of Assembly was not signed by the Clerk of the House. The council also picked holes in the letter of impeachment saying that the while the one forwarded to the State Security Service was signed by two of the five councilors, the other letter dropped at the secretariat had three councilors appending their signatures.

NURTW laments effects of flooding

•Hon Adepitan (planting) being assisted by the Vice Chairman, Hon Bamigboye (middle), Mr Elushakin (left) and HOD, Agric, Omobayo

Abuja Borno From Vincent Ikuomola

more work needed to be done to completely eradicate the scourge in the country.

The DG further explained that during the sensitisation days, each of the 36 governors would commit substantial resources to creating more awareness about the disease and how it could be eradicated in their states.

Apart from massive campaigns in the media, the governors, he said, would also collaborate with other stakeholders in the

of the state should take the monthly environmental exercise serious. The chairman urged government to sanction those individuals thruough whose actions members of the public suffered one discomfort or the other. order,the house assmbly should pass a la to this regard.

He praised the state House of Assembly under the leadership of Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji on the planned Consumer Protection Bill being proposed by the House to protect the right of consumers in the state.

health sector to sensitise parents on the need to immunise their children against the disease.

"Our governors are committed to eradicating this disease from our country once and for all, and they have promised not to rest until that objective is achieved," Okauru said in the statement. "All members agreed on the need to declare total war on the disease and that is what they have done. Enough is enough. Polio must disappear from our land."

A recent report by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which is collaborating with the NGF in fighting polio, had painted a very dismal picture of the polio battle in Nigeria, saying the disease was resurging in some states in the North.

•Governor Amaechi

NGOs urged to intensify efforts on skill acquisition for youths

M

R Chyna Iwuanyanwu,the Chief Executive Officer, Zara Foundation, a n o n - g o v e r n m e n t a l organisation(NGO), has advised other NGOs in the country to embark on more skill acquisition programmes for Nigerian youths.

Iwuanyanwu, who gave the advice in an interview with reporters in Abuja, said government alone could not address the unemployment situation in the country.

He enjoined other NGOs to set up skill acquisition centres to facilitate the training of youths to reduce their dependence on government jobs.

Iwuanyanwu called on the youth to avail themselves of the available skill acquisition centres rather than blame their misfortune on government policies.

He said the era of depending on government for jobs were over, and advised the government to set up agencies that would

C

OMMUNITIES in the Brass Local Government Area in Bayelsa State have been called upon to provide a harmonious atmosphere for the establishment of a fabrication yard by Hyundai Heavy Industries of South Korea.

Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, made the call in Government House, Yenagoa, during a meeting with representatives of Okpoama and Odioma communities in the area.

The governor explained that the meeting was convened to intimate the communities of the siting of the project and solicited their support and cooperation towards the realisation of the project.

Council chief denies impeachment story

THE National Union of Road Transport Workrs(NURTW) chairman in Ojodu/ Berger, Comrade Tokunbo Seriki, has lamented the way the flood in Lagos affected transportation business.

According to Seriki,”most of our members’ buses and cars were affected and this really disrupted our business”. He urged the state government to come to the aid of those affected as it has rendered many homeles,saying this is the time residents

you must understand that issues of climate change are not things you can quantify and the effects are very wide. Looking at rainfall pattern you notice that in the dry season, most part of the Niger area become dry because of the change in rainfall pattern. That is what sometimes affects the Kainji power station, and people say that there is not enough water turn on the turbine."

Governors declare war on polio

Hyundai to establish fabrication yard

BRIEFS THE Executive Chairman Badagry West Local Development Area (LCDA) Hon Bamgbose Hontonyon Joseph, has said he still remains the executive chairman of the council. He, therefore, asked residents and members of the community to go about their business lawfully.

The council area almost erupted in crises on Friday, when the council’s Leader of the House Hon. Segun Sewanu Popogbe, Majority Leader Muyiwa Addonagbe and Deputy Chief Whip Segun Sewanu announced the impeachment of Bamgbose in a local radio station in Lagos. Bamgbose’s impeachment, the members argued, were anchored on allegations of mismanagement of funds, gross

ESIROUS in its fight to eradicate polio, the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF), has announced a quarterly sensitisation programme.

The essence of the programme is to raise the level of awareness on the need to end the plague across the country.

The governors have therefore fixed Saturday, August 13, Saturday, November 12, 2011; Saturday, February 11, 2012; and Saturday, May 12, 2012 for elaborate quarterly awareness programmes they believe will rev up the war against the disease, and help drive the menace underground.

According to the Director-General of the NGF, Mr. Asishana Okauru, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, "the forum unanimously resolved to dedicate one day every quarter to holding sensitisation campaigns in all the states to raise the level of awareness".

He further explained that the decision to fix specific dates for the nationwide awareness programme was taken at the last meeting of the Forum held at the Rivers State Governor's Lodge, Abuja, on June 21.

The meeting, he said, reviewed the polio situation in the country and agreed that though much progress had been made towards curbing the menace in Nigeria, a lot

37

Abuja educate youths on skill acquisition.

"Such agencies should teach youths, entrepreneurship skills and let them know the available opportunities around them.

"On its part, the government should provide the youth easy access to funds to enable them start their businesses.

"Keke NAPEP and Okada, are not the only so-

‘Make law against illegal dumping Congress for Progressive Change chiefof refuse’ tain, Alhaji Ahmed Babba, has called on

A

the Katsina State government to make law against indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the drainage system in the state.

Babba told reporters in Katsina that the law became necessary to ensure proper refuse disposal in the state.

He said that it would also check various environmental challenges in the state.

"Some people have now made it a habit to dump refuse in gutters and drains, not minding the negative effects, hence the need to prosecute such persons,'' Babba said.

He said that the recent flood disaster in Katsina, which killed eight persons and ren-

T • Amir, Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit, Alhaji Qasim Badrudeen flanked by MSSN Assistant Secretary, AbdulHakeem Odeduntan (left) and Welfare Officer, Luqman Gawata during a press briefing on Islamic at held at MSSN Secretariat, Adekunle, Lagos.

Bayelsa NEPAD mobilises grassroots for programme take -off

T

HOUSANDS OF PEOPLE from the rural Communities in Bayelsa State, including oil company executives, bankers, top government officials gathered in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital recently to participate in the state chapter of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) launch of its strategic action plan

Vehicle owners warned THE Lagos Police Command has warned owners of vehicles parked at the following police station to remove them immediately or forfeit same through auction. They are: Shasha Division 1.

BMW – AR 653 FKJ 2.

Golf car-AU 700 AGL 3.

Mercedes Benz – HY 832AAA Akinpelu Division Oshodi 1.

Volvo 740 – AG 768 KSR 2.

Opel – XJ 662EKY Ajao Estate Division Unregistered Daewoo. Espero Saloon car Abattoir Division Agege MSSAN Sony - GQ 658 KJA Iju Division Nissan Primera Saloon car - EH 972ABC

Bayelsa From Isaac Ombe-Yenagoa

for the development of the rural areas.

The event which was also used to honour over 90 stakeholders on their contribution to community and human development was aimed at commencing the process of providing poverty alleviation programmes in healthcare, ICT, \improving educational standards in the rural areas of the state in conjunction with foreign partners who are to provide technical assistance. Chief Timipre Sylva said the state would collaborate with NEPAD to develop the state.

Represented by his Deputy, Chief Werinipre Seibarugu, the governor who described the NEPAD programme as important to the state, noted that the focus of his administration was to develop the state.

Sustainable development, according to him, is the key to the vision to transform the state, and restated the administration’s preparedness to building of capacities among youths, saying many of the youths have been sent overseas for training in various skills.

lutions, there are some people who can do some other things,'' Iwuanyanwu said.

He said government should also encourage youths to go into farming, tailoring and others, through the creation of an enabling environment.

Iwuanyanwu claimed that his NGO had empowered 1,000 youths through skill acquisition, and that about 500 others would be trained on micro finance and other business opportunities through collaboration with the CBN.

Katsina dered many homeless, was as a result of blocked drains.

"We always claim that everything is from God, but the truth of the matter is that some of these disasters are man-made, because they are avoidable", he said.

Babba also called on the state government to construct good drainage and refuse collection centres in the state capital and other major towns in the state.

"I believe this will go a long way in preventing flooding in the state,'' he said.

Agency distributes 926,088 kits to HE National Primary Health Care Develexpectant mothers opment Agency (NPHCD) has distributed

926,088 mama kits in all the centres of Midwifery Service Scheme (MSS) across the country to assist expectant mothers in safe delivery.

Dr Ogbe Oritseweyim, Technical Assistant to the Chief Executive of the agency, made this known to treporters in Abuja.

Oritseweyim said Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) were not included in the exercise as being claimed by them, owing to their limited knowledge in midwifery.

"Mama kits are meant for the pregnant women who are about to deliver; TBAs are kitted with TBA kits after formal training," he said.

Oritseweyim explained that under the MSS, the agency had provided Life Saving Skills' training for midwives and basic essential maternal and child health training for Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs).

??????

"The role of the TBAs is being transformed, they are being re-oriented to serve as community resource persons who work with the midwives and community health extension workers (CHEWs) to identify pregnant women, those early signs of distress and refer them to the health centres.

"Current best practices indicate that deliveries are best conducted by skilled attendants, that is, midwives and doctors," Oritseweyim said.

He added that TBAs work within the communities where they live, especially in settings where cultural barriers are prevalent.

Community leader donates power generator

A

community leader and chairman, Omotayo College, Engr Tayo Opanubi has presented a power generator to the Lemo of Ogijo, Oba Ganiyu Dosunmu as part of his community development efforts.

Opanubi said the effort was in recognition of the Oba as the chief custodian of the tradition and culture of Ogijo community.

The item was presented by the school Vice Principal, Mr Odubote Mike Odutola, at the monarch’s palace in Ogijo.

While receiving the item, the monarch thanked Engr Opanubi for his support to the community. He prayed for the progress of the school and his family. He promised to put the generating set to good use in the overall interest of the community.

•Oba Dosumu (left) receiving the item

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

Life

29

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

Text only: 08023058761

•Children participants at Freedom Park

All rise for Kongi at 77

• SEE PAGE 32

•Soyinka

Lagos flood victims relive ordeal

‘Carnival’ll promote economy if ...’

– Page 30

– Page 34

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

30

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Eight days after the July 10 rainstorm in Lagos, victims are still counting their losses. JUDE ISIGUZO, MIRIAM NDIKANWU, TOLUWANI ENIOLA AND TITI BANJOKO report

• The collapsed fence of Talimum Ahmadia Primary school

• Hassan on hospital bed

Lagos flood victims relive ordeal

L

AGOS residents are still counting their losses after the heavier than normal rain that destroyed lives and properties worth billions of naira.

The rain rendered many homeless, and some families had to relocate to primary school premises because of the devastating effect of the flood that followed.

Those who lost loved ones are burying their dead while the injured are still being treated in different hospitals in the metropolis.

The July 10 and 17 rainstorm is one that will not be forgotten in a hurry and many have prayed that they do not experience that kind again in their lifetime.

For those who lost their loved ones in the disaster, the occurrence is a bitter pill to swallow as they still cannot reconcile themselves to the ordeal.

Some of the victims in hospitals are reliving their agony, wishing the ordeal was just a dream.

Musa Hassan, who lost his son to the flood, is still in shock .The flood affected the fence of Talimum Ahmadiya Primary School in Temidire, Makoko, forcing it to collapse on Musa’s home.

It was the cry of Hassan’s daughter, Rukayat, that attracted neighbours who rescued them.

Hassan’s son was not lucky as he was killed in the incident.

Hassan is being treated for injuries on his face and leg at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi.

According to one of his relatives Abiodun Ojo, Hassan, who was rushed to the hospital alongside his son and daughter was shocked when he heard that his son had died.

Abiodun said: “Due to the heavy rain, the foundation of the school fence got soaked and it could no longer withstand the pressure of the flood. Unfortunately, Hassan’s house is located at the back of the fence.

“It was a very tragic event because I was involved in the burial of the son. After we took Musiliu and his children to the hospital, the doctor told us the boy, Musa Hassan, 7, had died. And the doctor asked us who the father was and we told him that he was one of the victims. We could not bury the child without the father’s consent. So, we waited for him to receive first aid. When he was revived, he asked us to bury him at Atan Cemetery .

“Musiliu, the little boy, died because the sand choked his nose and mouth to death. It was the cry of Rukayat who was crying : ‘ My neck! ‘My neck! that led to their rescue.

She too sustained injuries on her neck. We have been taking food down there since then.”

The family of Dr. and Mrs. Oloruntoba, lost their banker son Taiwo Abiola Oloruntoba and his expectant wife, Abosede.

The couple were said to be on their way home after

visiting a friend when they got trapped in the flood at Gbagada.

Abosede, who was driving was overwhelmed by the flood and when her husband attempted to assist her she got swept off by the flood. Her husband was stuck in the mud.

The bodies of the couple were recovered the following day and both were buried at Atan cemetery.

Mrs Fausa Idris, who resides in Agege, said her baby was injured.

She said: “When the rain grew worse about 3pm, the flood rose to the level of my window. Immediately, my neighbours and I decided to climb to the roof of our apartment for safety as that was the only alternative we had to keep ourselves alive.

“I even fell in the process of climbing with my baby, but was held by a man. My baby hit his head on the floor, but thank God he is doing better now. Even though I lost all my property to the flood, I’m still happy that I’m alive to tell my story. My neighbour was not so lucky as her eightmonth-old baby drowned in the water.”

Modinat Mukadat, a mother of five, who lives in one of the houses that were submerged, said this has been one of the worst moments in her life.

Her words: “I was in the house with my family when the

‘I woke up to see my children battling to drain the water that has entered our room, but the more we tried, the more it kept coming until we were overwhelmed by the whole situation’

rain started. My children were still in bed while I later woke up to prepare their breakfast. As the rain persisted, I returned to bed thinking that it would soon stop and I could go about my duties.

“I woke up to see my children battling to drain the water that has entered our room, but the more we tried, the more it kept coming until we were overwhelmed by the whole situation.”

She explained that since Sunday life has not remained the same with her and her family that has to move from one home of relative to the other. “On Sunday night, we all left for my friend’s place at Bariga thinking that by the next day, the water level would have reduced and we can return to our rooms.

“Right now, we don’t have anything left. My dresses that I thought were safe have also been destroyed because the flood completely covered the room and soaked all our properties.

Mrs Rita Obiorah, a trader, told our reporter that last Friday was her first time in her shop since Sunday when the entire place became flooded.

“I have been trading on this street since the last four years,” she said, adding that even though the area was floodprone, it was never this bad.

“We just succeeded in draining the water from my shop with the help of the pumping machine, but I have lost most of the items in my shops to the flood.”She sells food stuff.

Mrs Obiorah pleaded for assistance from the government, especially to families that have lost their loved ones and properties.

The experience of Taiwo Ralmon, a tailor, who also lives on the street was not different from the others. She too was sacked from her home alongside her baby and husband. ”We left for my parent in-law’s place and just returned this morning when our neighbour called that they had drained the water from the house. We have lost all our •Continued on page 31

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

31

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

•Continued from page 30

properties to the flood, but I’m happy that I did not lose any of my loved ones as a result of this unfortunate incident.”

Before the July 10 rainstorm, a teacher and two pupils of Taiye Primary School, Akodo Ibeju Lekki, were killed by lightning that struck during a downpour on June 24.

It was gathered that there was a downpour while the pupils were receiving lectures.

An unidentified female teacher was teachng when a sudden and sharp lightning struck and the teacher fell to the ground. Two pupils in the school, Hafeez Mustapha and Muri Mustapha, also slumped and died instantly.

Commissioner for Health Dr Jide Idris has alerted members of the public to the health hazards of the flood .

Idris, who spoke on Friday, explained that the intermediate and secondary effects of the flood include the spread of cholera, typhoid fever, malaria, common cold and other Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTIs).There are also skin infections such as scabies, fungal infections and allergic reactions triggering asthma attacks.

The Commissioner urged residents to maintain a strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times, ensure frequent and thorough handwashing at all times, clothe children and the elderly with warm clothing during the rains, and take plenty of fruits that are thoroughly washed to boost their immunity.

Besides, people should drink water from safe sources or boil their water before drinking, if they are not sure of the source. They are to prevent children and others from wading through flood water.

According to Idris, other precautionary measures that are expected to be taken include avoiding indiscriminate disposal or dumping of refuse into drainage, canals and waterways, clearing of drains in front of houses, safe disposal of human wastes and keeping an eye on children by ensuring they are in safe areas during floods.

Anybody who falls sick should visit any of the government health facilities nearest to him or her.

To forestall the reoccurrence of deaths in Temidire community where Musiliu lost his life, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Lagos Marginalised Community Forum (LAMCOFOR), Mr Agbodemu Ishola, urged the Lagos State government to create a drainage at the Talimum Ahmadiya Primary School for free flow of excess water from the rain.

He said :“The school building was not properly done because there is supposed to be a gutter or drainage beside the fence to enable the water to pass, but there is no one like that. That was why the flood broke the fence that killed that boy. But even after the incident, nothing has been done to create drainage.”

•A flooded room

•Chairman, Ikeja Local Government Council, Wale Odunlami inspecting the flooded areas

•Mrs Idris and her baby

Nigerian art works therapeutic, says South African

T

HE seventh recipient of Omooba Yemisi Adodoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF) Fellowship, South African Kathy Coates, has described most art makings in Nigeria as potentially therapeutic. She said Nigerian artists and those in the Diaspora bear the influence of the traditional art on their contemporary works.

She explained that in almost every case, if not all, traditional art forms (including performance) have informed, spoken to and inspired the works of contemporary Nigerian artists of all generations.

Speaking while presenting her end of fellowship report entitled: Yesterday, today, tomorrow, at an interactive session at OYASAF office in Lagos, Coates who was in the country between June 23 and July 17, said her area of research was very broad, having had little experience in the study of Nigerian art, except for a short module on the Benin Bronzes, offered in her undergraduate days. She noted that as a curator of the first Johannesburg Biennale, she came across works of El Anatsui, Victor Ekpuk, Chijioke Onuora and Obiora Udechukwu, and interacted with curator Chika Okeke.

“I have long explored the impact of apartheid on the national psyche of South Africa. Subsequently, I have come into contact with Nigerian artists El Anatsui and Yinka Shonibare, and others

•Onobrakpeya, Coats and Shyllon

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts) who have exhibited in South Africa,” she recalled.

Present at the interactive session were the host, Omooba Yemisi Shyllon, leading artists such as Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya, David Dale, Kolade Oshinowo, Olu Amoda, Rom Isichei, Temitayo Ogunbiyi, and gallery owner, Sehinde Odimayo.

Of all the collections she was exposed to during the fellowship, she identified the Nok heads, fertility figures, the gelede masks, masquerade headdresses and masks, ceremonial stools, Benin bronze sculpture, the Ibeji figures of the twins cult, divination bowls, among those that moved her most. On the focus of her research, she said: “I am exploring the impact and influence of ‘traditional art ‘on contemporary art, interaction between performance and visual art, (traditional performance and contemporary performance) and the third component being the therapeutic effects of art on the professional artist, the lay person, the child and on the informed or uninformed viewer.”

Among art institutions and artists she visited included National Museum, Ibadan, Omo-Oba Oladele Odimayo, Prof.

Bruce Onobrakpeya, David Dale, Kainebi Osahenye, Mufu Onifade and Adeola Balogun.

•Mrs Obiorah. PHOTOS: EVELYN OSAGIE AND MIRIAM NDIKANWU

AGAN holds awards at Terra Kulture

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

T

HE Art Galleries Association of Nigeria (AGAN) in collaboration with the National Gallery of Art will hold ART EXPO APPRECIATION AWARDS on July 23, at the Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The award ceremony, which will feature a motivational speech by arts management expert Segun Lawal on the economic benefits of arts patronage will be preceded by red carpet, cocktail reception and comedy session. The event is being organised by AGAN to add some colours and glamour in a buffet dinner setting preparatory to the forthcoming art expo international.

It is also being used to appreciate the contributions of artists and other stakeholders in the sector as well as a fund raising platform for the association’s flag ship event, Art expo international, holding in Lagos later in the year.

The award categories include Bank of the Year, Financial Institution of the Year, Art Patron of the Year, Art Collector of the Year, Art Dealer of the Year, Art Insurer of the Year, Art Journalist of the Year, Art Editor of the Year and Newspaper of the Year. Others are Art Foundation of the Year, Art Organisation of the Year, Art Promoter of the Year, Energy Company of the Year (Oil Sector), Electronic Media of the Year (TV), Electronic Media of the Year (Radio), Cultural Institute of the Year, Communicator of the Year, State Governor of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Photographer of the Year.

According to Art expo Planning Committee member, Juliet Ezenwa-Maja Pearce, AGAN has planned to have the awards to celebrate the artists who produce the works. “We want to appreciate the patrons, collectors and sponsors for their unfailing patronage and funding of our exhibitions and events. We also want to applaud the input of the electronic and print media because without them we would not have any visibility,” she added.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

32

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

•Children participants at Freedom Park

All rise for Kongi at 77 Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka’s 77th birthday was marked with cultural events in four venues in Lagos, last weekend. Expectedly, the talks centred on good governance, reports OZOLUA UHAKHEME, Assistant Editor (Arts)

R

ENOWNED playwright and Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka got a befitting birthday feast last week. It was a five-day celebration that flagged off in London penultimate week. In Lagos, the audience at each venue never got bored despite the time and duration of activities.

And the events were a mixed grill of humour, fun and advocacy. From essay writing to do your own thing, advocacy night and dance drama performances at the Muson Centre, Lagos, Freedom Park, Lagos, Terra Kulture and National Theatre Iganmu Lagos, there were no dull moments.

Prof. Soyinka turned 77 on July 13. He specially hosted the 77 children participants for the essay competition, I Love My Country, to a lunch at his Abeokuta country home last Thursday.

The series of events that ran from July 13 to 17 were put together by ZMirage Multimedia Limited supported by about 24 sponsors were designed as a special reorientation and advocacy package to commemorate Kongi’s birthday through an international cultural exchange programme that flagged off at Theatre Tabernacle in London.

This year’s celebration tagged WS7728086, featured leading actors and actresses in performances of Ricee, Etike Revo Wetin?, The Strong Breed, Dance of Liberation, among others.

Expectedly, the advocacy night at the Agip Hall, Muson Centre, Lagos on Wednesday was not all about talking and campaigning for change as drama sketches by Crown Troupe complemented the Odia Ofeimun’s rendition of poetry in honour of Kongi. The duo of Patrick Doyle and Lilian AmahAluko summed up the essence of the night saying; it was meant to change the perception of people on the need to co-exist.

For Ofeimun, to celebrate dramatist like Soyinka, he must be put on stage, which informed why he recited a poem by Soyinka, Civilians and Soldiers to the audience. He also read Pigin Stew, which is written in Pigin English. “Soyinka is the best we have and he is like William Shakespeare. I believe in written words and Pigin English is the language of atmosphere. One of the beauties

of Pigin is that we are all producers of it,” Ofeimun said.

As a tribute to the late Bola Ige, a oneminute silence was observed midway into the presentation.

But Prof. Segun Ojewuyi, who acted as moderator stressed that until now, Soyinka was seen as unreachable and unreadable by many Nigerians. With the events, he said, it is the beginning of the transformation.

Our culture, Our pride, a drama piece by Sir Peter Badejo was put on stage followed by a solo performance of I Love My Country, by London-based musician, Tunji Oyelana and Ricee and Etike Revo Wetin directed by Dr. Tunde Awosanmi.

The dearth of traditional music and the way out were focus of a talk by a ethnomusicologist, Dr. Charles Aluede, who highlighted the different levels at which music is made in traditional African society.

He however wandered why the loud voices are turning softer by the day and waning too. Dr. Aluede, who teaches at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State suggested that holding of seminars, concerts on traditional music is one strategy to revive the genre.

In a tribute to Soyinka, Ogun State Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosu, described the Nobel Laureate as a man who has proved consistent over time in his literary ingenuity and his revolutionary zeal.

“In his 77th year, we have noted an undiminished fervour as he continues to pressure our leaders to do the best for our nation in particular and humanity in general. All of these in an attempt to restore the dignity of man. Furthermore, quality education, which Ogun State is known for and which produced the Nobel Laureate. is one of the cardinal points of this administration. As this exchange programme also focuses on education and mentoring of the youths, we cannot but applaud it because our state is dedicated to providing free and qualitative education, which will in future produce more Nobel laureates in other areas as well as arts and culture,” Amosu said.

The night was attended by crème de la crème in the culture sector as well as arts scholars from the Diaspora.

•One of the children acting as Soyinka.

PHOTOS: OZOLUA UHAKHME

33

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

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

Once again, attention is drawn to the significance of culture and the media in the sustenance of Nigeria’s democracy. Culture workers, enthusiasts, writers and editors, at a national media workshop in Lagos, brainstormed on how to sustain democracy. But can democracy be sustained by their efforts alone? OZOLUA UHAKHEME and EVELYN OSAGIE ask.

‘We’re far away from promised land’

I

T was not all about dances by the cultural troupe or a gathering decorated like a cultural feast. It was all about dialogue, lectures, motivational speeches meant to fire the hearts and hands of the culture journalists, including culture workers, particularly those in the public relation departments in culture agencies.

They, alongside culture leaders and enthusiasts, met to brainstorm on Sustaining Nigeria’s Democratic Process: The Imperative for the Culture Sector, theme of the one-day media workshop organised by the National Institute of Cultural Orientation (NICO).

That was not the first time NICO was organising the workshop. But the event had many firsts. It was the first that would usher in the new Minister of Culture, Chief Edem Duke. Previous workshops have been in Abuja; so, it was its first time in Lagos. And there it was announced that the workshop would now be a three-day event to begin with Abuja, which is a first in the history of the culture reorientation move.

It was the first time the workshop would host a monarch who was a former Director of Culture, Oba Gbenga Sonuga and his amiable wife, Olori Peju Sonuga; the former Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) President Bolaji Rosiji and famed Daddy Fresh. Prof. Sophie Oluwole had heard about the success of the previous workshops but it was the first time she would feature as resource person. Like the professor of history, Garba Abdu Ganger, Deputy Director, Consultancy Services Division, Industrial Training Fund and Reginald Bobmanuel were first-timers at the workshops, but not the veteran arts journalist and advocate, Ben Tomoloju who chaired the plenary session.

Never had culture reporters witnessed a timely theme that relates to current political state of the nation tackled by energetic and passionate speakers. And they poured their hearts out with fervor. The general feeling was like asking ‘now that we have this democracy what are we going to with it’. In deed the role of the culture sector in the sustenance of Nigeria’s democracy cannot be overemphasised, it was said.

Oba Sonuga said culture has not been given it proper place because culture workers have taken the back bench.

He charged the culture workers to take the frontline in national development. To do this, he said: “There is need for a cultural agenda geared towards national development for the nation to follow. Culture has not been given its pride of place. In the democratic Nigeria, we should go out there and let our voices be heard as cultural workers. We do need to grab our way to the vanguard.”

Corroborating the monarch, Prof. Oluwole said: “Culture is the basis for development, if you lose your culture you cannot develop. We are far away from where we are going.

We all, especially the culture workers have a role to pay.

They must live by example.”

It was said that in their push for relevance and re-orienting the public on the viability of culture to the ever-evolving modern Nigerian in face of globalisation, the media is needed for the task to be achieved. What then is the role of the culture journalist?

Tomoloju said it should be that of advocacy. He went ahead to state items that could enrich the list of the proposed cultural agenda. He said: “I am leading an advocacy that the there should be at least one cottage theatre in every local government in Nigeria; establish culture halls for the people to perform. We are setting the agenda for the culture ministers. Take the cottages to the people and that would encourage the people to bring back cultural practices while aiming at using culture for development. And all kinds of cultural and creative activities could be carried out there.

Eventually, it would serve as a means of job creation for unemployed youths.”

Rosiji stated that the problem of Nigeria has been that of leadership. He recalled that once, they had visited a minister of culture who did not know a thing about culture.

“I went with Charly Boy to see him and he did not even know who Charly Boy was. He introduced himself as a footballer and the minister fell for it.”

He, however, noted that media play a vital in Nigeria’s democratic process, lamenting that it is not getting the right remuneration to motivate them. “And the importance of the media and pressmen who are toiling and soiling to make sure that our culture becomes a medium for democracy cannot be over-emphasised. The salaries of most journalists are not being paid. And then we are talking about democracy. They need to be empowered. And that is why I commend NICO for organising this event for the media,” he said.

•NICO Cultural Troupe performing

•From right: Oba Sonuga, Ayakoroma, Ufot and Bobmanuel.

On his part, Director of Culture, George Ufot, called for partnership from all key players in the sector, including the press. On the ‘cottage theatres’ and ‘cultural agenda’, he said: “It is not that the blueprint or agenda is not there, or that the idea and plans are not there but there are so many constraints. On the ‘cottage theatres’, it is under the Cultural Industry Project that has already been drafted. Nobody is giving up. It is a partnership. We also must create a conducive environment for the arts and culture to thrive.”

Ufot, who represented the minister, spoke on the relevance of the press, adding that they should be free to call the culture workers, including the minister, to call it order if the need arises. He noted that the minister is a man of culture who understands the prevailing issues in the sector.

On Nigeria’s image, Bobmanuel tasked writers to seek to re-orientate Nigerians on the need of building a positive image. “There is need for us to re-examine the issue of Nigeria’s image. It is the path for all Nigerians and not just the journalists alone. Significantly, there is need to know that the nation’s image, whether good or bad is relaying a message(s) to the outside world. A good image is an asset and a brand that can attract enormous goodwill and generate positive responses.”

In his view, Ganger said Nigeria is unique in its cultural dynamism, adding that the goal-getting spirit of the average Nigerian. Hence, the role of the journalist, he said, is communicating the right cultural values. He advised journalists do more participatory reporting that is peopleoriented.

He said: “In deed our image has not been managed to the logical conclusion. There is need for a re-orientation.

Nigeria is not taking full utilisation of her potentials. Vision

PHOTOS: EVELYN OSAGIE

2020 is not about the infrastructure but the people. And what would serve as drivers are their values and aspiration.

That is where cultural communication comes in. We need a paradigm that works. Nigeria must have a vision to be driven by a mission then we can talk about her core values.”

Speaking on the reading culture, Prof. Oluwole said Nigerians the problem is in what they are reading. She noted that this society does not glorify knowledge.

“But look at most of those ruling in government are they the ones who read. And you say my son should read to become like whom. Our eastern brothers know the difference between the pocket of a lecturer and that of a spare-parts dealer. But what has those who read got to show? We are promoting the culture of mediocrity in the universities, secondary and primary schools and we are asking our children to read. There must be a justification for reading. But you must tell him why he must read, the benefit of reading and convince him on factual basis. Every Nigerian child reads, the problem is what they are reading.

Are they culturally-inclined? We are not giving our children the right examples,” she said.

She tasked journalist to do more investigative journalism.

“People need facts that is where the investigative journalism come in - show to us facts. But does the press read? Are you informed - you who is telling us to read.”

NICO Executive Secretary, Dr. Barclay Ayakoroma said institution has repackaged the workshop for the best. “We have seen the need for the workshop to go round the country. it would afford editors and writers the opportunity of knowing the cultural and tourism sites across the country.

Subsequently, it would be a three-day event. The next workshop would be in August 24 at Abuja. Others would hold in Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, among others.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

34

The Midweek Magazine ‘Abuja carnival’ carnival’ll promote economy if ...’

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

From: Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

T

HE Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Ibrahim Mahe, has said the Abuja International Carnival will attract tourists and foreign exchange.

He said it would impact the economy, if properly packaged.

Mahe, who spoke at the Abuja carnival stakeholders meeting in Abuja, described the event as a veritable tool for the promotion of Nigeria’s rich and diverse cultural heritage as well as a vessel for tourism development.

Represented by the Director of Culture, Mukhtar Sani Abdulakadir, he said the ministry resolved to package a carnival that wOULD compete favorably with other carnivals of the world in terms of attracting tourists into Nigeria as a tourism destination. He added that a new term of reference has been evolved for this year’s management committee.

The terms of reference for the carnival includes articulating, package and organising an improved carnival in qualitative and quantitative terms, work out modalities to improve on states participation, work out strategies on how to galvanise the critical mass of Abuja population to identify and support the carnival, draw up a plan to attract both international and local tourists into

•A cultural troupe from Edo State at the event

Abuja during the carnival.

Other terms are to improve the publicity of the carnival and ensure value for money expended on the project among others.

The carnival committee, he said, is depending on the co-operation of the stakeholders at both the federal and state levels to achieve its mandate.

The meeting, according to him, is a platform to dialogue on the way forward as to improve on the totality of the product to create the desired impact.

He appealed for more co-operation from the states to improve on the vital cultural and tourism product that has provided so much revenue for other countries.

According to him, “I am convinced that with the co-operation from the states and other stakeholders of the sector, the 2011 Abuja carnival would be outstanding and far better than the previous editions. ”As you articulate on the content of 2011 Abuja carnival, I wish to urge you to bring on board new innovations and ideas that will positively impact on the carnival as well as reflect the transformation agenda of the present administration,” he added.

Speaking on the proposed theme of this year’s outing tagged Abuja Carnival: Recon-

ciliation Carnival, the minister said: “It is therefore my desire to see a carnival tailored towards reconciling the divergent views in the sector and political arena of the nation, thus promoting national unity, social cohesion and integration.”

The Southeast zonal Co-co-ordinator, Alex Ozigbo, said the essence of the meeting was to sell the visions and the concepts of the carnival to all the stakeholders on how to package the content.

Ozigbo, however, regretted that Nigerians are yet to pay the desired attention to the sector but hoped that the management of the carnival would reposition the carnival to represent what it meant.

He called on all stakeholders, especially the Federal Government to create more enabling environment for the fiesta to thrive.

The Artistic Director of the carnival, Prof.

Ojo Rasaki Bakari, said he believed that the meeting would bring fresh ideas and contributions especially from the states who are the major providers of the carnival content.

Firm partners police in crime fighting •Adama Head, Alhaji Abba, being welcomed to the event

Adamawa community gets head

T

HE rustic Girei community in Adamawa State came alive as dancers decorated horsemen, spear-wielding traditional magicians went round town in honour of the new district head, Alhaji Mahmudu Ahmadu Abba. He was crowned amid pomp and ceremony.

The ceremony attracted visitors from the neighbouring Republic of Cameroon and Chad. The Lamido Adamawa, Alhaji Mohammadu Barkindo Musdafa bestowed the title of Ubandoma Adamawa on Abba.

The traditional army (Yan Banga) came out in large numbers with their black attire and dane guns to salute the Lamido Adamawa.

The Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Hammawa Ahmad, the District Head of Malabu and his vice, Alhaji. Sa’adu Adamu Bawuro, the District Head of Yola, said the occasion was meant to showcase the rich culture of Adamawa State.

Twenty-one gun salute of the traditional army (Yan Banga) was offered to welcome the Lamido Adamawa to Girei. The Girei Local Government Head of Service (HOS) Alhaji. Jibrilla Kawu Girei, told newsmen on the occasion that hundreds of traditional dancers were prepared to entertain visitors who came to Girei to witness the occasion

From Barnabas Manyam

but all of them could not be called upon to perform because of time.

The new district head grew up at the palace of the late Lamido Adamawa Dr. Aliyu Musdafa. After completing his elementary studies in Girei, he studied traditional law under the tutelage of the late Lamido Adamawa.

He remained visible in the palace all through his adult life until the new Lamido Adamawa, Dr. Barkindo A. Musdafa appointed him to the position of district head of Girei after the former district head Alhaji Mustapha Babayola Abba was deposed for alleged land confiscation from peasant farmers.

One hundred and 90 eminent sons of Girei Local Government Area including 10 district heads in Adamawa State played special roles as members of the Steering Committee for the turbaning of the new district head of Girei.

In his acceptance speech Abba thanked God for protection and poured encomiums on the Lamido Adamawa for the appointment. He promised to ensure peace during his reign.

COMPANY, Vista Products Ltd, in Egbeda-Idimu has donated tyre inflators to the Lagos Police.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Victor Olewunne, said as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility, it decided to contribute to effective and efficient policing of the state with its products.

Olewunne said the police were considered because of the high mobility of their operations and the need to chase criminals out of the metropolis.

He explained that it is a simple device, which needs no mechanical experience to operate, adding that it saves life and time.

“The job of policemen involves plenty of movement and they can be anywhere at anytime. And if you find out that you have a flat tyre, you can easily put the device to use and get out of the place or move to another place,” he said.

Speaking about the product, he added: “It is a high utility device and we hope that with this little gesture, the police will be able to improve on their operational activities and be able to arrest more criminals. You do not need mechanical knowledge to operate this equipment. It has a plug which you put into the cigarette lighter device in your vehicle from where it derives power.

A

By Jude Isiguzo

“It has a host, which is connected to the tyre.

Once you open the vehicle ignition, it is powered. When you click the button, it simply vibrates and inflates the tyre and the device comes with a guage that will tell the user when pressure in the tyre is enough.”

He said the device has different sizes and the kind of vehicle a user drives, will determine the one he or she would buy.

Police spokesman, Mr Samuel Jinadu, a Deputy Superintendent, who received the items on behalf of the command, said the gesture would enhance the performance of policemen on patrol.

He praised the company and its management for its thoughtfulness and assured that the devices would be put to good use as they would assist in the war against crime.

0, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

35

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

On July 31, at the Household of God Church, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, family and friends of ace actor Richard MofeDamijo (RMD) will gather for a thanksgiving service and reception to celebrate his 50th birthday. NSIKAKABASI DANIELS reports.

LIFELINE

Stories for nation’s peace

S

INCE the advent of man, every new day comes with a difference, wrapped in the mind of man to uncover based on his mission, good or otherwise! Every soul that comes to experience the physical is a single, unique spirit fully armed, endowed and equipped, to do the battle of life and to exhibit the God in him, manifesting the awesomeness and wholesomeness of the Creator in the signs and wonders of His irreplaceable seeds – talents, gifts … he arrives with. Life is meant to be lived. The length of time they live is immaterial. Some are brief physically, yet may be alive for a thousand years after. Some overstay and may not ever get a mention in the slowest recap of family history not to talk of community.

In this, God is neither comic nor tragic.

The choice is man’s. No doubt, men are in sizes and life is in phases. Golden is one of them. Richard Evans Eyimofe Mofe–Damijo (aka RMD) is a good example. Beyond the screen, he is still a thrill, a must watch, As a book: a rare classic. The master piece, presented to the world on July 6, 1961, in Warri, South Western Nigeria, is 50, unfolding chapter after chapter, still flipping. A good read for the young who want to make their life count. He is multi-talented and brilliant, a writer with passion, simple and captivating. A committed publisher with finesse for details and thoroughness. As a public relations professional of excellence, he is driven by ideas. Not long ago, he supervised a complex team of integrated marketing communication masters with bias for intellectualism and thought leadership, making discoveries, creating opportunities and in the process climbing the ladder of sustainable progress. As a teacher, he does it with a touch of love from his being. In his deliveries, he is extraordinary creative with thrills adorned in God’s beauties.

His days as a law student in the University of Lagos, Akoka, and the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, testified to the fact that God is still in the business of doing the impossible if given the opportunity. With God’s enablement, he came out in flying colours. As an astute employer of labour, he leads with a humane heart, empowering and supporting those at the bottom of the rung of society’s ladder to the path of greatness. He cares with a sincere show of empathy, leaving a positive mark that endures. He is liberal minded and kindhearted, giving his employees the freedom to test their hands in big things, encouraging innovation and provoking sense of responsibility in those involved.

Aside the fact that he is the only son of a mother, he has a listening ear. He is very considerate and patient. Though accused by many as tight fisted, he is a compassionate

•Mofe-Damijo (RMD)

RMD: Salute to master of screen and generous spirit. Why do we get along very well since 1994 as a freelance investigative writer with the defunct Classique magazine and senior producer of the hit TV talk show – MEE & YOU Show till this day?

To me, RMD is life itself. He is God fearing, strong, resilient and focused with an honest quest to fulfill his God’s ordained mission.

He is a silent goal getter. He is always calm, cool and collective with an envious emotional maturity. Only once I see him fear, when we went on a Rumble on the Plateau, with Out of Bounds, a Richard Mofe–Damijo film, a tour of the University of Jos, Jos, sometimes in 1997. Well, make e b for anoda time.

Again, he is a confidant, a true and trusted friend, brother, senior colleague, a hand lifter, a teacher to be treasured, a mentor, a role model, an employer, a caring and loving father with a heart of gold, well refined, a teachable scholar, humble and meek… Like Papa David Oyedepo, he is too well nurtured to be distracted. A quality I admired so much.

He is well organised and neat, A fine man any day. A stickler for good upbringing, giving the children the leverage to be who God has made them to be. My Oga, I have never seen, compromised the interest of his immediate family for anything. A lover of children. After God, his wife is next. He called her Abike. I called her Mama for she is indeed a true one. Reliable, dependable and prayerful. A priceless soul mate.

As a public servant, he has enlisted into a

new school. From what am seeing he is doing well, learning a lot about service in another level. I must tell you, though for him challenging but it’s an excitement and a new realm of life for him. He is also aware that he will leave Lagos for his station and on arrival, he will humbly call to say he has reached his destination though he has no kidnap value. It is always an amusement for me to hear him speak to his Oga Patapata on the phone with the response, ‘Yes Sir!’ To me, this is the only side of the dice of the mysteries of life, no matter how high up there we might be, there is someone out there we must respect, and if none God. Richard Evans Eyimofe Mofe–Damijo will always be my Baba in real, because only a loving and caring father can do what he has done for me ever since we came into each others life. Well, as he climbs into the golden stage of life’s play, may your lines emit God’s light and glory. May the scenes be the ‘epistle’ of our Lord Jesus Christ and may the theme music be the symphony of the love of God for mankind.

My Oga, the finest and unique blend of brain, character, gifts and talents. A very special breed of destiny to impact generations.

You are who you are today because God loves you – remember that! May God, who has kept you ... bless your soul, keep you alive, make you greater than before and comfort you. What can I say, keep faith and don’t faint in good doing? Happy golden jubilee.

Recording made easy

F

OR those searching for a state-of-theart recording equipment and superb acoustics Solid Sound Studios is now opened at Victoria Garden City, Lekki, Lgos.

The formal opening saw music lovers and musicians exploring the facility.

According to its Chief Executive Officer, Princeton Marioghae, the studio is offering professional guidance and assistance while perfecting your sound. “We remain dedicated to constantly searching out ways to improve our services even further. The art and science of music recording and production are enhanced by the brilliance of today’s newest proven recording technologies, and an atmosphere that inspires creativity.

At the Solid Sound Studios, we offer nothing less. In this regard, we have spared no expense in creating an atmosphere that by every stretch of the imagination, is one that inspires the creative mind. A clean, temperature controlled, well laid out, comfortable

•From left: Mary Abayomi, Efe Marioghae, Princeton, Yemi Oluwasegun,Daworks Entertainment Limited, Nikky Oluwa-Samaye

studio would get your creative juices flowing.”

Marioghae is a technology enthusiast who started his carrier in the music industry as a recording engineer some 22 years ago here in Nigeria. His pursuits and passion took

him overseas to the United States were for the last two decades he honed his skills recording talents both great and small. He has spared not expense in replicating in Nigeria, the same studio he owned and operated at Virginia, US.

AT a time security issues are on the front burner of the nation’s discourse, Hoodlums comes as a timely novella.

It is a collection of short stories on that highlights political and ethnoreligious violence in Nigeria written

by Sumaila Umaisha. In an earlier review, the book is described as “a graphic picture of the physical and psychological violence perpetrated in the name of religion, politics and culture.” It captures the greed and the resultant blind quest for wealth that serve as the fuel for the incessant pugnacity and bloodshed across the country, focusing on ethno-religious conflicts to militancy and other violent crises.

It will be launched tomorrow by 10am at the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Maitama, Abuja.

With the theme of the launch is Understanding Crises and Conflict Resolution, the event will be chaired by the Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. Labaran Maku. The President of ANA, Dr. Jerry Agada will be the chief host of the event. The Director-General, National Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr. Joseph Golwa, is - the guest speaker. The chief launcher will be Dr. Kailani Muhammed. Director, International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), Dr. Emman Usman Shehu, will be review the book.

Umaisha is the Chairman of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), the Kaduna State Chapter and an Associate Editor, New Nigerian Newspapers.

Cash camp for students PARENTS will gain from their wards’ financial strength from a young age, according to the Chief Executive Officer of Creative Wealth Nigeria Ltd, Mrs Monsurat Adeoti.

Her firm is running a two-day money camp for children, teenagers and young adults on July 25 and 26 in Lagos.

At a briefing, Mrs Adeoti said gaining financial literacy from a young age helps children to take decisions that would make them financially independent early in their adult lives.

However, she lamented that many parents are wary of discussing money with them, a situation which leads some of the children t running into debts while studying abroad.

She said the camp would address how children from age nine could learn a culture of savings and investments, prioritise their needs and spend wisely.

“We decided to create a financial camp to teach kids and teens the financial education information we never learned ourselves as children.

We figured the earlier we expose kids, teens and young adults to the world of money, the better prepared they would be to handle it wisely,” she said.

The money camp would hold at two venues – Ilupeju Recreation Hall, on Wednesday and Thursday; and Oceanveiw Restaurant, Victoria Island.

36

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

KONGI’S 77TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

•A scene from Liberation Dance at MUSON Centre, Lagos

•A scene from Ricee Crown Troupe.

PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

38

ABUJA REVIEW

N156b trade centre coming ORE business opportunities await Nigerians, especially those living in the Federal Capital Territory.

A world trade centre that will cost the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and private investors about N156b will soon be constructed in the Central Business District of the city.

The centre with a diplomatic status which is to occupy about 40,000 sq meters expanse of land will be situated on the demolished old Bakassi Market site.

The Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed who disclosed this while touring the site of the centre being constructed by Churchgate Group and the Intercontinental Properties said the first phase of the project will be completed by June 2013.

He was accompanied on the tour by the FCT Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide; the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Biodun Nathaniel Olorunfemi and a host of other top officials of the FCTA. Mohammed, who said the funds for the construction of the centre, is to be sourced from local banks and real estate developers disclosed that the land for the illegal Bakassi Market which was demolished in 2003 was handed over to Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL) to develop a befitting world-class shopping mall.

He added that the project was expanded to a mega multi-use complex consisting of high-rise residential and service apartment towers, office towers including a central iconic tower, conference facilities and retail shopping malls with food and beverages as well as

M

T

HE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Primary Healthcare Board has flagged off distribution of free drugs worth N15m to Primary Healthcare centres in the six area councils of the territory.

The flag-off of the distribution was part of the activities marking the Maternal and Child Health Week organised by the board.

The Executive Secretary of the board, Dr. Rilwan Mohammed, who identified lack of essential drugs as one of the challenges confronting the primary healthcare centres, explained that the exercise was aimed at assisting them towards providing quality services to residents.

"The health workers are available at the health centres but there are no drugs because most of the ones needed are very expensive.

"However, we were able to

• FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed (middle) and Minister of State, Barrister Olajumoke Akinjide (left) being briefed by the MD of Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company, Nasiru Ibrahim on the progress of the project Stories from Bukola Amusan

entertainment facilities.

“This project is a good example of a successful public-private partnership (PPP) and it will be used as a model to implement other PPP projects in the FCT such as the Boulevard, the Central Park and Botanical Gardens and the Area 10 Mixed Development projects,” he said.

The Minister said the centre will be built to be an economic development platform and a gateway to the world by

connecting its members to the global trade community in nearly 300 cities and 85 countries of the world through information and services.

“Because of the high profile and global scope of the project, the FCTA had already written the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain a Diplomatic status for the World Trade Centre site,” he added.

The Minister stated that the site is a 6.102 hectares of land strategically positioned at the heart of the city adjacent to the main

Abuja Transportation Centre as well as Central Business Terminal.

The Minister, who revealed that the project is a partnership between the FCT Administration and the First Continental Properties Limited, a subsidiary of Churchgate Investment Limited noted that work on the project commenced in March, 2011 and that the Phase I of the project will be completed between April and September, 2013.

He further said the project is a good example of a successful Public-Private-Partnership (PPP)

This project is a good example of a successful publicprivate partnership (PPP) and it will be used as a model to implement other PPP projects in the FCT such as the Boulevard, the Central Park and Botanical Gardens and the Area 10 Mixed Development projects

FCTA donates drugs to area councils purchase these drugs worth about N15m.

"Particularly, we purchased many doses of Albendozol for deworming of children because one of the things that retard the growth of children is worm infestation. So, we need to give them these drugs in all schools and primary health

centre through their mothers," he explained.

According to him, the drugs would also be distributed to general hospitals in the FCT, even as he added that the board is also inculcating the habit of hand washing in mothers to reduce the outbreak of diarrhea disease in the

area councils and FCT generally, as part of the activities.

"We are also assessing those that have malnutrition. We are giving them drugs. We are carrying out birth registration for those who have given birth without registering their children," Mohammed added.

being encouraged by President Jonathan.

According to him, this project will be used as a model to implement other upcoming PPP projects in the Federal Capital Territory such as the Abuja Boulevard, the Central Park and Botanical Gardens, Area 10 Mixed Development Complex among others.

He recalled that the FCT Administration, in another giant stride, has entered into an agreement with the Balkan Group on the development of Abuja Down Town with direct foreign capital inflow of 2.6b US dollars.

Mohammed directed the Acting FCDA Executive Secretary to ensure that members of technical staff are on ground to assist in maintaining the correct levels for the Circular Road and the railway station respectively as the project progresses.

The Managing Director of Churchgate Group, Mr. Vinay Mahtani said the construction of the centre has already provided job for about 600 people with the number expected to rise to 1, 500 as the work progresses.

He said with the centre at a good location, a ring road is to be constructed around the site to give it an unrivalled access with a local and national railway under construction just a stone throw away from the World Trade Centre.

The project, Mahtani added, will be built expeditiously, noting that Phase I of the project will be completed in 2013.

Nigerians in diaspora converge for development

T

HERE comes a time in the history of every nation when people must rise and come together for a common good.

It is against this backdrop that Nigerians in the Diaspora, recognising the need develop their country. They decided to bring to bear their expertise in various

fields of endeavour to ensure the development of the Nigerian economy.

They are of the conviction that they have a civic responsibility to contribute their quota in the Nigerian project by coming together under the aegis of Nigeria Diaspora Alumni Network (NIDAN). The body comprises professionals who have intellectual and leadership strengths and vision.

NIDAN is an organised body operating as an independent, non-

governmental, non-political and non-partisan forum for Nigerians in the Diaspora with a view to promoting and advancing economic, political, social and professional interests of Nigerians who have spent at least one year outside the country, and have returned to contribute to national development.

Founded in Abuja, with members drawn from the 36 states of the federation with chapters in the six geo-political zones, the organisation was formed on

We purchased many doses of Albendozol for de-worming of children because one of the things that retard the growth of children is worm infestation

Nigeria's 50th Independence Day, October 1, 2010 by Nigerians who have either finally returned to the country, or are spending major part of their times in Nigeria.

Its focus is networking, investment promotion, national image projection, collaborative pairing, political pursuit, and many more, including mentoring those who are still afraid to return home.

The Network, which is founded on the principle of global best practices in every aspect of national development, draws its membership from a pool of Nigerian professionals with diverse skills acquired while resident abroad.

Membership structure is designed to allow each member the opportunity to act as a change agent in all sectors of the nation's economy through participation in one of its 12 forums.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

39

DISCOURSE

Democracy and the rebirth of opposition in Nigeria Text of a lecture delivered by the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the Chatham House, London, United Kingdom on July 18, 2011.

I

AM honoured to be here at the Chatham House to rub minds with you all about the state of democracy in my homeland, Nigeria, where drama and democracy sometimes seem interchangeable. This city and this nation, will always occupy a special place in my heart, each time I reflect on our protracted struggles to enthrone genuine democracy in our country. This city and this nation provided the Nigerian opposition leaders and activists refuge when we were hounded out of our country by the military dictatorship of General Sani Abacha. Some of the leaders of this country, especially of the Liberal Democrats and Labour, provided some impetus to our democratic struggle, by helping to step up the pressure on the military junta at home. We remain indebted to political leaders such as Eric Reginald Lubbock, better known as Lord Avebury and the former foreign secretary, the late Robin Cook. They played salutary roles in the Nigerian struggle. We are grateful.

Throughout its nine-decade history, the Chatham House has been a forum for discussion of the great issues of the day. It has been a receptive venue to raise and examine the ideas that shape the contours of history and make up the fabric of our political economy.

It is thus my pleasure to be here to share my thoughts on Nigeria’s political development by focusing on the status of Nigeria’s democracy and the resurgence of a viable political opposition in the country. We cannot talk about the vitality of Nigerian democracy without talking about the vitality of the political opposition. For there is no democracy without diversity in substantive opinion and political affiliation.

To underscore this fundamental concept, our party spurned an offer by the ruling party to join a nebulous ‘Unity Government’. Our ground of rejection was that our democracy would be better nourished and better served if we, as a minority party, remain outside the loop of power to nurture the culture of opposition. I must report that the ruling party appeared to have bought the idea when it excluded cabinet nominees of a string of small parties grovelling to be part of the government.

The past quarter century has seen the expansion of forms of democratic governance throughout the world, including Africa. Democracy is so well considered the most legitimate form of government that no one dare publicly speak ill of it. The lack of vocalisation does not mean the lack of enmity.

It would be premature and naïve to conclude that true democracy has emerged triumphant.

History is still being shaped and the verdict is yet to be rendered. We must not err into thinking democracy has been anchored in Nigeria or in other countries just because of the conduct of elections and the existence of certain institutions usually found in a democracy. We must be careful not to read too much into the increasing visibility of processes that appear democratic. If we lend too much credence to the outward appearance, we will fail to look critically at the inner workings of government and the substantive quality of its output. We dare not mistake the image of democracy with real democracy any more than we should mistake the image in a mirror with the real person. If so, we will be applauding a form of government that looks like democracy but does not act like it. We will be applauding as Nigeria’s political economy becomes a corporatist entity in democrat’s clothing.

It is of utmost importance when talking of Nigerian democracy, that we not only highlight the existence of certain institutions but weigh those institutions on two scales. First, do these organs procedurally function in a democratic manner? Second, do they produce outcomes that advance the public welfare in ways that further democratisation? Based on this analytic construct, we should assess Nigeria’s democracy. I say this, not due to anything learned from a book but due to my own humble experiences. I have fought, struggled and suffered to help promote de-

The resurgence of the opposition

mocracy in Nigeria. This has been the main pursuit of my adult life and remains my guiding light. Thus, I know well the snakes that lurk in the garden.

There are many people who are all too willing to take advantage of the democratic process. They advocate democracy up to the point of gaining power and no further. Once in power, they eagerly whittle down the very democratic mechanisms that enabled their political ascent. Upon making it to the rooftop, they kick aside the ladder to prevent others from making a similar climb.

Nigerian democracy is not yet strong enough to have corralled these errant forces.

Actors with democratic phenotypes but authoritarian genotypes abound in the current political landscape. I dare say Nigeria has more of this ilk than of genuine democrats. If not kept under watchful eye, these personalities will deface what already is a sparse edifice. We are positioned at the fulcrum where Nigeria is as likely to incline toward artificial democracy as it is toward the real specimen.

2003 and 2007 elections: Less than meets the eye A discussion of the state of Nigeria’s democracy must look at the recent elections. Before we do that, a brief historical sketch is in order.

Nigeria has gone through four or five major governmental changes. The first was the movement from colony to independent state in 1960. The second was the military coup of January 1966 and the counter coup of July 1966. Both events were bloody and marked our nation’s transition from civilian rule to military rule. The two events inexorably led to Nigeria’s first civil war, which ended in 1970. In 1979, after several aborted attempts at democratisation, the military finally handed over power to elected civilians. Four years after, in the dying hours of 1983, the soldiers seized power again. A renewed attempt at democratisation began in 1992 with elections into the national and state assemblies and the governorship posts. The crowning poll was the presidential election on 12 June 1993, won freely and fairly by the Nigerian businessman, Moshood Abiola. This election, adjudged the best in our nation’s history, was inscrutably annulled by the military tyrants. A democratic transition that was in full gear was abruptly terminated. Hell was let loose. Protests were crushed by military tanks. Hundreds of protesters died. Freedom of expression and political rights taken for granted in this land of Magna Carta and the Human Rights Act, were rudely curtailed in my country. Some media houses were shut down, titles proscribed, journalists detained without charge or spurious charge. The winner of the election was imprisoned for four years for demanding the actualization of his mandate. And he died under incarceration.

Politicians, especially those affiliated to the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, had charges of treason dangling on their heads. Scores of politically endangered Nigerians scurried into exile. I was among this group, spending about five years marooned outside my country of birth. In June 1998, the military dictator had a sudden death, with the successor, paving way for another attempt at democratization. The military-civilian transition was consummated on May 29, 1999 with elected officials taking charge of governance.

The superficiality of the transition, its many contradictions sooner began to manifest. The newly minted political system was found to possess many attributes of the parent. Our country’s democracy was a parody of true democracies: ours mimicked some essential aspects of military and authoritarian rule.

President Obasanjo had the chance to become the father of democratic Nigeria by using his tenure to accelerate the drive to federal democracy by establishing a fair and tol-

• Tinubu erant political culture. Instead of raising a unifying banner and standing as a father to the nation, he became a hector who fought all and sundry. In the end, his great failing was his attempt to superimpose a barracks mentality on a fledgling democracy. Thus, he entertained themes such as a one party state. He and his close acolytes resonated with undemocratic anthems such as the PDP ruling for sixty years or a millennium as if this were the blossoming of a Nigerian Reich. He even attempted to rewrite the constitution to rule for a third term!

When the 2003 elections came, Obasanjo and the PDP pilfered more elections than they properly won, using brute force and brazen fraud. In the Western part of Nigeria, where my former party, the Alliance for Democracy had won five states in 1999, our control was sharply reduced to just one state, Lagos State, then under my watch. In all, the PDP emerged from the 2003 polls as a party with a supermajority in all things except performance.

Opposition parties had been ruthlessly emasculated. The PDP would henceforth rule without any viable opposition.

Come 2007, the PDP raised its electoral rascality a notch higher. First, President Obasanjo declared the election as a “Do or Die” affair. PDP stalwarts openly commandeered election materials everywhere it could. Phantom results were announced for phantom polls. Candidates were illegally excluded from the ballot paper. Opposition candidates, who went to bed cocksure they had won in their constituencies, woke up the next day to learn that the result had been altered to favour the PDP rivals. That election was a monumental embarrassment and a mortal threat to the pursuit of democracy.

Things at that juncture seemed very bleak for the opposition.

In retrospect, by this gross overreach, the PDP had become its own most potent adversary, triggering both international and national backlash. After eight years of shoddy arbitrary governance, it belied logic that the PDP in 2007 would capture 80 percent of the gubernatorial seats, literally enjoy a clean sweep in most State Assemblies and maintain supermajorities in both chambers of the National Assembly. It appeared that Nigeria orbited in a strange universe where the poorer the ruling party performed, the greater was its electoral reward.

However, the wholesale confiscation would come unglued. It was too blatant for even a relatively quiet public to stomach. The electoral robbery actually energized some of us in the opposition and spurred moves for the building of a coalition of political forces.

‘Nigeria has gone through four or five major governmental changes. The first was the movement from colony to independent state in 1960. The second was the military coup of January 1966 and the counter coup of July 1966. Both events were bloody and marked our nation’s transition from civilian rule to military rule. The two events inexorably led to Nigeria’s first civil war, which ended in 1970’

Both at the levels of fighting for electoral integrity and justice and that of ensuring true fiscal federalism, the opposition made the courts the first theatre of battle. In many cases, the response to the overbearing ways and outright constitutional violations of the Federal government fell upon the opposition states to initiate. The reason was that the majority of the states were controlled by the PDP- and most governors were for reasons of party unity, or simply timidity, unwilling to oppose the President and the Federal government, even when their best interest would be served by opposition. The exception was the so called “resource control” cases, when oil producing states stood up against the Federal government.

The approach of the opposition in redressing many of these unacceptable policy positions, constitutional violations of the federal principles, and election rigging was quite varied. We believed then that in the absence of a significant voice in the parliament with coalitions of smaller opposition parties, the courts would be our only serious option for redress. Between 2001 and 2007, we mounted several legal challenges in the Supreme Court, the Lagos State usually being a plaintiff, where we asked the court to resolve a wide variety of issues.

Beginning in 2002 with the case of Attorney-General of the Federation v Attorney-General of Abia State and 36 Other States, Lagos State being the 24th defendant and counter claimant, the Supreme Court made a number of far-reaching pronouncements on fiscal federalism. It held inter alia that the (I) funds in the federation account can only be distributed among the federal government, States and Local governments. The provision for ‘special funds’ was held inconsistent with the Constitution.

(II) External debt could not be serviced from the Federation Account, each government, federal, State Local government could not charge its debt to the federal account. It was therefore unlawful for the federal to deduct its debts from the federal account.

(III) Funding of joint venture contracts and the Nigerian Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) could not be charged on the federation account, as NNPC could not qualify as either the federal government, a state or local government.

(IV) States were entitled on the basis of derivation to a share of revenue derived from capital gains tax, incomes or profit of persons other than companies and stamp duties.

(V) Natural gas is a natural resource- and any revenue accruing from it qualifies for the application of the principle of derivation in favour of any state from which it is derived.

In Attorney-General of Lagos State v AttorneyGeneral of the Federation decided in 2003, the Supreme Court was called upon to nullify the provisions of Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Decree No. 88 of 1992 which purportedly gave the Federal government the right to control urban and regional planning as well as physical development of land in Lagos state. The Supreme Court held by a split majority of 4-3 that: “No argument can defeat or reduce from the general planning legislative power of the House of Assembly of a State which is a residual constitutional power. It gives the State the exclusive function for the planning, layout, and development of their respective areas…” (Uwaifo, JSC).

In 2004, IN ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF LAGOS STATE V ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION we were again before the Supreme Court, this time, to challenge the President’s order withholding funds allocated to Lagos State, for the benefit of its Local governments and for the reason that we had created local governments illegally.

The Supreme Court held that the President had no power or warrant to withhold funds meant for a State from the federation account.

Regarding the question of whether the 37 new local governments created by the State’s House of Assembly were illegal as contended by the federal government, the Supreme Court held that although the process of the creation of the local governments had not been completed, as the National Assembly had not amended the schedule containing the list of local governments to include the 37, the local governments were nevertheless validly created by the House of Assembly.

•To be continued

40

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

To the glory of God Almighty, I have accepted the administrative block named after me and I will continue to treasure it till the end of my life

Council names secretariat after Tinubu

A

COUNCIL secretariat named after former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has been inaugurated in Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area, Lagos State.

Thanks to the vision and determination of the council chairman Hon. Taofeek Adaranijo, the beautiful building sprang out of what used to be a notorious refuse dump.

For more than two decades, the stinking dumpsite was an eyesore. It was an abandoned piece of land, almost three plots, which had become a liability to the local and state governments. In those days, residents of the area ran the risk of an epidemic outbreak.

The same land is now a treasured place.

On it stands the LCDA Secretariat, which Adaranijo and his team have named in honour of Tinubu, who had allocated the abandoned land to the council in 2005, following a special request by the council.

In its full splendour, the new secretariat has swallowed the existing one, which is a stone’s throw. It consists of the offices of the chairman, other elected functionaries, offices of the councillors, council chambers, a big hall, secretariat offices, conveniences, and car park.

The honour to commission project fell on Asiwaju himself, who started his political career from Orile-Agege in the Third Republic, when he vied for a seat in the Senate under the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). It was a special homecoming for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader, who was re-united with the grassroots politicians, who had remained loyal to him.

Apart from the project, a maternity centre built by the council at Mulero, in furtherance of its primary health programme to stem child and mother mortality. Amid pomp, the centre was commissioned before the commissioning of the ‘Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administrative Complex’.

Tinubu exuded happiness, saying that Adaranijo, his political son and one of the youth activists he came in contact with two decade ago had risen from cradle to glory, adding that he has remained hardworking, diligent and loyal to the ACN leadership from its inception.

“Today, a refuse dumpsite is now a new edifice. You (Adaranijo) have turned a heap of refuse, an abandoned place, to a place of gold,” remarked the guest of honour, Tinubu, who congratulated the chairman,

• Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu flanked by Cardinal James Odunbaku (left) and Chairman, Orile Agege Local Goverment Developement Area, Hon. Taofeek Adaranijo at the inauguration of Orile Agege Local Council Development Area secretariat, Lagos .

By Emmanuel Oladesu

councillors and other members of his team for their achievements in grassroots administration.

“To the glory of God Almighty, I have accepted the administrative block named after me and I will continue to treasure it till the end of my life’, he added, eliciting applause from other guests, including ACN deputy chairman in Lagos State, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, former Education Adviser, Prof. Tunde Samuel, Alhaji Ganiyu Badmus, Alhaji Wole Ojikutu, House of Representatives member, Dr Babatunde Adejare, House of Assembly members; Hon. Yinka Ogundimu and Obasa, Rev. Folarin Fabiyi and Hon. Toba Oke. A top ministry official, Kunle Ogunleye, who represented Governor Babatunde Fashola at the impressive ceremony, lauded Adaranijo, saying that he has given operative content to the vision of the governor at the grassroots.

Members of the executive and legislative arms of the local government shared in the joy of the accomplishment.

Tinubu saluted them all. With nostalgia and fondness, he described Orile Agege, his political cradle as “the heart of our political success”, hailing the contributions of local SDP politicians from Saka Tinubu Primary

PHOTO: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL

School area, Oke Koto and Iso Pako to his victory as senator and governor.

The former governor said that he was impressed, not only by the honour, but also by the fact that development had come to Orile Agege through Adaranijo, who he noted, had constructed more health centers, rehabilitated roads, built more blocks of classrooms and rehabilitated schools in the area.

Tinubu stressed that the performance of council administrations in the state has justified the creation of additional 37 LCDAs by his defunct administration in 2003, despite the resistance of the Obasanjo Administration. He recalled that the support of Lagosians, who expressed their approval for the exercise, gave him the boldness and courage to forge ahead.

Tinubu said that he had no regret creating the councils, maintaining that they were spreading the dividends of democracy to the countryside.

The ACN leader canvassed more functions and improved funding for local councils in an atmosphere of devolution of powers and true fiscal federalism. He said: “It is in our interest to give more attention to the local government. The federal government cannot supervise the local government from Abuja”.

Tinubu admonished Adaranijo to sustain

the tempo of achievements because they constitute the making of a people’s politician.

In that moment of elation , the chairman thanked Asiwaju for making the feats possible. He also thanked him for the construction of the canal at Mulero, which stem the erosion and made the area a pleasant place to live.

Adaranijo said: “The project is your baby.

You brought it to life. You allocated this piece of land to us when the request was made to Your Excellency in 2005. The place used to be a huge dump site. The refuse on it was nearly as tall as this building itself.”

“Our dear Asiwaju, we implore you to accept this token gesture as an expression of our love for you, our respect for your ingenuity, administrative acumen, visionary leadership and commitment towards taking our dear nation to the promised land”.

Adaranijo poured encomiums on the former governor as an intrepid commander who would not desert the battle. He recalled that the people of Orile Agege have savoured the success that has attended Asiwaju’s titanic battles for the creation of additional councils and against the seizure of allocations to the councils.

Benue seeks birth, death records

B

ENUE State Planning Commission has called on the people of the state to cultivate the habit of registering births and deaths which provide the government accurate data needed for adequate planning.

Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Mrs Erdoo Tsumba who made the call at a press briefing in Makurdi, noted that it is through such data that government can plan effectively

in areas like hospitals, jobs, schools, infrastructure as well as the environment.

Mrs Tsumba who was represented by Patrick Nomyongo, a director in the commission, regretted the absence of relevant information on population which she said has caused government to rely on mere projections to plan for the people instead of precise information.

“We don’t have anything substantial on

Mrs Tsumba regretted the absence of relevant information on population which she said has caused government to rely on mere projections to plan for the people instead of precise information.

•Suswam

population,” Mrs Tsumba said; “we just project.”

She disclosed that inadequate funds and certain cultural practices which tend to prevent birth or death registration are some of the problems being faced by the commission.

She therefore appealed to government to release funds to the commission to facilitate the sensitisation of the public towards birth and death registrations, which she said will provide correct data for planning.

Mrs Tsumba, however, thanked the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) for making funds available to the commission to celebrate this year’s Population Day, saying the commission will do its best to justify the gesture.

She further said the commission has distributed fliers to all the wards in the state through its officers in the 23 local government areas of the state to educate the people on the benefits of having accurate data on population.

SLIDING TACKLE

“This year Arsenal has agreed to negotiate and we are working on it, Barcelona has made an offer, Arsenal another and we have time until August 31 and we’ll try to reach an agreement.

There is a sum of money in the strong box set aside for this signing but if it doesn’t work out it will be kept in the box for something else. We will fight to the end to try to get Cesc because we believe he will improve the team and the squad”.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

42

‘Barcelona will fight to end for Fabregas’ B

ARCELONA are ready to fight to bring Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas back to the club right up until the transfer deadline on August 31, coach Pep

Guardiola said.

Guardiola, claimed that Barca are in talks with Arsenal to buy the Spain midfielder, a longterm target for the Spanish and European champions.

“This year Arsenal has agreed to negotiate and we are working on it,” Guardiola said.

“Barcelona has made an offer, Arsenal another and we have time until August 31 and we’ll

•Fabregas

try to reach an agreement,” added the 40-year-old.

“There is a sum of money in the strong box set aside for this signing but if it doesn’t work out it will be kept in the box for something else.

“We will fight to the end to try to get Cesc because we believe he will improve the team and the squad”.

Fabregas, 24, came through Barcelona’s youth academy at the same time as World Player of the Year Lionel Messi before joining Arsenal in 2003 at the age of 16.

He discussed his situation with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger when he returned for pre-season training this month and did not join his teammates on a tour of Asia due to injury.

Wenger is trying to convince Fabregas there would be no greater achievement for him than to lead Arsenal to success and that it is not the right time for him to leave England.

Guardiola said that despite the push to land Fabregas, his priority was to sign a forward and Zubizarreta said the club were close to completing the purchase of Chile international Alexis Sanchez from Serie A side Udinese.

Barcelona FC coach, Pep Guardiola declaring the Spanish club is ready to go all the way in securing the services of Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal.

Beckham, Henry to lead MLS stars against Red Devils

F

RANCE’s Thierry Henry and David Beckham highlight the Major League Soccer’s all star team that will face Manchester United in a friendly on July 27.

New York Red Bulls coach Hans Backe chose the 22 players for the game at Red Bull Arena.

Midfielders Shalrie Joseph of New England, Brad Davis of Houston, and Kyle Beckerman of Real Salt Lake have all been there before, while Mexico’s Omar Bravo

from Sporting KC, United States defender Heath Pearce of Chivas USA, and Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon of the Philadelphia Union are in the game for the first time.

Missing the contest will be Kasey Keller and Dallas FC midfielder Brek Shea who have CONCACAF Champions League games that week. Mexico star Rafa Marquez (Red Bulls) and American defender Omar Gonzalez (Galaxy) are injured.

Aston Villa completes Given deal

S

HAY Given playing for Manchester City Shay Given played second fiddle to Joe Hart for Man City last season Aston Villa have completed the signing of Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given from Manchester City.

The 35-year-old has signed a five-year contract at Villa Park after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.

New Villa boss Alex McLeish targeted the former Newcastle man after Brad Friedel moved to Tottenham.

Given told the club’s website: “Aston Villa is a huge club and I’m really excited to be joining.

It’s a new challenge and I’m eager to embrace it.”

Given had been on the margins

at Eastlands after City manager Roberto Mancini made England international Joe Hart his first choice.

The Irish international will make his Villa debut in a friendly against Walsall on Thursday.

He is McLeish’s first signing since taking over at Villa Park and the former Birmingham manager believes Given will have a major impact at the club.

“Shay has come here with something of a point to prove and that won’t do him any harm at all,” McLeish said.

“Everybody who has watched him perform over many years in the Premier League will know his pedigree so we believe we have secured the services of one of the best goalkeepers in the business.”

Neymar: I‘ll stay with Santos

N

EYMAR has reiterated that he will remain with Santos beyond the end of the European transfer window.

The Brazil international has been linked with a number of clubs across Europe following his excellent performances for Santos last season, as he guided them to Copa Libertadores glory courtesy of a two-legged final victory over Penarol.

His agent, Wagner Ribeiro,

revealed at the weekend that both Real Madrid and Barcelona have made an approach for the services of the 19-year-old, and earlier this month Ribeiro also stated that Neymar would prefer to join Madrid over Barca, although the player himself remarked that he wants to remain with Santos and play in the Club World Cup in December.

Neymar has now once again said that he will stay in Brazil,

confirming the words of his father that he would decide his future after the Copa America.

“I’m staying at Santos,” the attacker told reporters on arrival in Brazil from Argentina following the exit of his nation from the Copa America at the quarter-final stage to Paraguay on Sunday evening.

Neymar is currently under contract with Santos until 2015, and has a buy-out clause of •45 million.

OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...

Serena still No. 1 among fans Bryant salutes Yao’s impact on McIlroy splits SERENA Williams might be No. 7 with WNBA player Sue ranked No. 172 in the world, China’s NBA dreams Bird). Billie Jean King was in but she’s No. 1 in the U.S. again. with long-term girlfriend the top 10 last year but dropped YAO Ming has made it possible was selected first overall by the Williams was voted the most popular female sports star by American fans for the fourth time in the past five years, according to a Harris Interactive poll of 2,163 adults conducted June 13-20 and released Thursday. Williams was one of five tennis players in the top 10 and was first overall for the third year in a row.

The only athlete to bump her from No. 1 in the past five years was race car driver Danica Patrick, who was No. 1 in 2008 but is No. 3 in the current poll behind Serena and Venus Williams.

Other tennis players in the top 10 are Maria Sharapova at No. 4 and two long-retired players, Anna Kournikova (No. 6) and Martina Navratilova (tied for

out of this year’s poll.

In addition to Patrick and Bird, the other non-tennis players in the top 10 this year were retired soccer star Mia Hamm, at No. 5, and beach volleyball player Kerry Walsh and golfer Michele Wie, tied at No. 9.

•Serena

for young Chinese basketball players to chase their NBA dreams and the country will produce more top quality players in the coming years, according to All Star guard Kobe Bryant.

Several reports in the media have said that injury-plagued Yao will officially announce his retirement from the game at a news conference on Wednesday.

China’s state television CCTV would run a four-hour program on the player, including a live broadcast of the news conference at a hotel in Yao’s hometown Shanghai, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Yao became arguably Asia’s biggest sports figure when he

Houston Rockets in the 2002 NBA draft.

“In terms of opening up doors for Chinese basketball players to come to the NBA, or for the youth here in China to believe that it’s possible to achieve the dream of being an NBA player, all that started from Yao,” Los Angeles Lakers guard Bryant said.

•Yao

U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy’s relationship with his girlfriend Holly Sweeney is over, the Northern Irishman’s management team has said.

“Rory McIlroy’s long-term relationship with Holly Sweeney came to an amicable end before the British Open,” an International Sports Management spokesman (ISM) said.

The 22-year-old McIlroy, who won the U.S. Open last month, finished down the field at the British Open on Sunday in a share of 25th place. The tournament was won by his ISM stablemate and fellow countryman Darren Clarke.

•Rory

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

43

MONEY

Banks can’t be forced to grant loans, C says AMCON chief HIEF Executive Officer (CEO), Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Mustafa Chike-Obi has said banks cannot be forced into advancing loans that will turn bad.

He said banks must decide the quality of loans to be advanced to avoid default.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Nation, Chike-Obi said AMCON has provided the funds needed by banks to lend, but cannot force them into making bad loans, adding that AMCON’s objective is not to run down businesses, but to get good businesses running well, to move the economy forward.

“AMCON has gotten banks to the point where they are able to make loans, by injecting capital and liquidity into the banks. But willingness to make loans depend on the banks, which normally look at the viability or otherwise of the project,” he said.

Chike-Obi explained that banks will not hesitate to grant loans when they see a good project and borrower but cannot be rushed to make bad loans just because we want them to lend.

He said AMCON has bought 9,000 non-performing loans from banks, but there are still more to be acquired. “We are committed to restructuring loans that need to be restructured, and list out those that cannot be restructured, to allow enforcement action against such borrowers. For those that are to be

Stories by Collins Nweze restructured, AMCON is talking to the borrowers, to know what went wrong, and doing what it can to make them active loans that can be run continually,” he said.

But he said AMCON has not reached the point of focusing entirely on blame or trying to be punitive.

On allegations by some debt collectors, that the agency is not putting enough pressure on borrowers to allow speedy repayment, Chike-Obi said: “If a business is viable, we are not going to close the business, but work out the repayment plans to ensure that the borrower pays and continues to employ Nigerians. So, we see a bigger picture than debt collectors.”

He said when AMCON buys a loan, it acquires all the rights to that loan, and will then work out all the processes that will lead to sustainable recovery. For instance, AMCON can work out a government guarantee; restructure the loans in a creative way to ensure continued operation of businesses.

Following the CBN intervention in the sector, many of the banks unofficially placed moratorium on lending, pending when certain issues in their liquidity and toxic assets are resolved.

• Chike-Obi

As these issues are being addressed, industry watchers insist that for banks to continue to be in business, they must improve on their lending activities.

Former Executive Director of Bank PHB, Richard Obire, said banks should resume full lending to stimulate the economy to speedy growth and eventual recovery. He said banks had received extraordinary assistance and demanded that

they show extraordinary commitment to rebuilding the economy.

“Many of the banks received over N620 billion of government funds and need to turn in such funds through lending to the real sector of the economy,” he said.

Analysts insist that though banks may still be unwilling to go into full scale lending, they will be forced to do so over time as they come under increased pressure from shareholders, and high networth customers that need such funds to stay in business.

“We believe the sector will witness even more intense competition among operators, which would naturally force them to go into full lending.

“We also believe that the ongoing review of regulations governing margin lending as well as prudential guidelines on loan loss provisioning will improve transparency and corporate governance in the banking sector,” said an investment banker, Chima Ndu. However, Obire advised that banks should not lose sight of the basic lending principles that will help reduce the level of loan defaults in the industry. “Banks must go the extra mile to ensure that they lend to credit worthy customers who will pay as and when due. This can only be achieved by following the basic lending principles that is

based on transparency and accountability,” he said.

Stakeholders argue that without a sound financial system, achieving meaningful growth and development will be difficult to attain.

The thinking is that the non-performing loans that affected banks’ balance sheets were not the ones given to multinational companies or reputable firms which have genuine need for such facilities, but insiders and politicians who are not ready to repay.

“The problem is with loans given to family members of the managing directors of the affected banks.

Loans given to the rich and politically connected individuals who have no intention of paying back,” one analyst said He said foreign banks operating in the country survived the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) stress test because those banks adhered to strong risk management processes, which the local banks should emulate while giving out loans.

“The banks that were managed exclusively by foreigners – Citi Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Stanbic IBTC, – had a crisis. All the banks that had a crisis were managed by Nigerians,” he said.

Unfortunately, none of those foreign banks have been able to fully impact on the local economy and they showed no growth whatsoever in Nigeria over the last 10 years. He said banks should combine good governance with appropriate risk taking, so that they can move the economy forward.

Finance Ministers for AfDB meeting

A

• From left: Registrar, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mahmud Bello and General Manager Operations, Channels Television, Gabriel Akintemi, at the Institute of Directors’ Centre for Corporate Governance workshop in Lagos.

MfBs share lending information

T

HE high level of non-performing loans that rocked the banking industry has prompted operators of microfinance banks (MfBs) to exchange information on borrowers at their monthly meetings. This is aimed at checking the activities of untrustworthy borrowers that default in loan repayment plans.

At their monthly meetings held in the six geopolitical zones, the banks share information on debtors that lack the credibility and willingness to repay their loans, The Nation has learnt.

Speaking during a media briefing in Lagos, Chief Operating Officer, Credit Registry Services (Credit Bureau) Edna Ishaya, said the banks have taken this step to ensure they correct the mistakes of the past where customers with questionable

characters borrowed funds, and refused to pay.

She said aside loan default problems, many of the 224 MfBs whose licences were withdrawn by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over liquidity problems made costly mistakes in the course of their operations. Many of the banks lacked appropriate products to attract the right customers while others were highly undercapitalised.

Chief Executive Officer (CRC) Credit Bureau, Tunde Popoola had earlier told The Nation that part of the problems bedeviling the sector is that many of banks still operate manually making it difficult to easily detect fraudulent activities.

According to him, the affected microfinance banks, which are in the majority, still rely on manual

operations as against using internationally tested accounting software that saves time and reduces fraud in the system.

Popoola said that aside the problem of insider abuse in lending, many banks are not doing microfinance banking as they target the same high net worth customers being targeted by deposit money banks. He said that many of the troubled microfinance banks in the country lent large sums exceeding the N500,000 regulatory benchmark to borrowers.

“Quite a number of microfinance banks are not doing microfinance banking. The guideline for their operation says that you cannot give more than N500,000 to one borrower, but just a handful of them adhere to this regulatory requirement,” he said.

FRICAN finance ministers and other officials are in Lisbon, Portugal, for the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) annual meeting tomorrow and Friday, with investors, bankers and government officials.

It’s the first AfDB meeting to take place in Europe for 10 years, and comes at a time when several European countries, including the meeting’s hosts, have gone to bodies like the International Monetary Fund for a bailout.

Africa was showing strong growth before the financial crisis and its economic reforms and mineral resources have attracted investment from across the globe.

But the financial crisis saw a withdrawal of investment from massive Africa, and just as markets were getting back on their feet and against the background of the conflict and/or regime change in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and Ivory Coast, among others, have reminded investors of political risk.

The AfDB says it will discuss the lessons to be learned from the North African unrest at the meeting. Angola was recently upgraded to BB- by Fitch, while the ratings

agency recently downgraded Portugal to BBB-, an indication the African economies are making progress, analysts said.

AfDB has also said economic growth in Africa may slow to 3.7 per cent this year, from 4.9 per cent last year. This was attributed to social unrest in the northern part of the continent.

The continent will experience a “twin-track” expansion this year, with the economy of North Africa expected to expand 0.7 per cent and the rest of the continent growing 4.7 per cent, Mthuli Ncube, the Tunis-based lender’s chief economist, said.

Moreover, Senior United Nation and African Union official, Ibrahima Dia, has said the AfDB will support African leaders’ plan to launch a fund this year, to help the continent access and manage its share of money from the global United Nation Green Climate Fund. Climate negotiators have yet to establish the Green Climate Fund, which the United Nations wants to be able to deliver $100 billion a year by 2020. The idea of the fund was one of the few agreements to come out of stalled climate talks in 2009.

Standard Chartered to acquire Egyptian bank

E

GYPT’S central bank has given preliminary approval for due diligence to start on the Egyptian unit of Greece’s Piraeus Bank after Standard Chartered showed interest in buying it.

Standard Chartered has said it is considering buying Piraeus Bank’s Egyptian subsidiary a deal that would boost the Greek bank as it seeks to strengthen its balance sheet in light of the downturn fac-

ing debt-laden Greece.

“The central bank is in the process of setting a date to start due diligence for the Greek Bank,” the source said. Piraeus bank confirmed to Reuters that a request had been submitted to the Central Bank of Egypt so that due diligence could commence, but that there was no certainty as to whether any agreement would be reached.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

44

MONEY

N2tr pension cash for infrastructure funding, says Sanusi T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said the N2 trillion ($13 billion) pension funds held by commercial banks should be channelled towards financing infrastructure projects to boost economic activities.

CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi said the pension plan is part of a bigger campaign to persuade government at all levels to invest more money on infrastructure and spend less on themselves.

For instance, Nigeria’s Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) shared N470.98 billion (about $3.23 billion) among the federal, states and local governments in June 2011.

Sanusi said on Bloomberg Television’s “On The Move”, that the apex bank last year, lent N200 billion ($1.3 billion) to the Bank of Industry (BoI), which was made available to commercial banks at

Stories by Collins Nweze one per cent interest for lending to small businesses.

There was also another N500 billion intervention funds meant to revive the industrial sector, out of which N300 billion was mapped out for power projects. Sanusi also said the economy will expand by 6.9 per cent this year as against eight per cent projected by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The thinking in the apex bank is that pension fund is not expected to sit idly, but be channelled into developmental projects that will help grow the economy. The target is, therefore, to secure, guarantee and lend the funds to people

that will channel it to infrastructure financing. Such supportive funding becomes exigent because the balance sheets of the banks are made up of short term funds which cannot support infrastructure funding.

The National Pension Commission (PENCOM) had, last December, released its revised regulations for Pension Fund Investments which introduced and provided guidelines for infrastructure funds/projects as a new asset class for pension fund investments.

Analysts insist that for the pension industry to succeed in strengthening the porous infrastructure base of the country, it must overcome some of the challenges it faces including the delib-

erate refusal of medium scale operators in the private sector to fully comply with relevant provisions in the Pension Reform Act, 2004.

The PENCOM is also expected to impose sanctions on defaulting organisations to ensure that the operators comply with provisions in the pension law.

Analysts said infrastructure serves as alternative investment classes for pension funds needed to balance our volatile equity investments with more secure asset classes.

The risk, however, remains that infrastructure investments are usually greatly impacted by rigorous regulations which seem unpredictable. To ensure that pension funds have a stable and conducive regulatory climate to thrive, clarity and

continuity in the regulatory and supervisory approach is essential to create comfort for conservative pension boards.

DMO sells N70b bonds today

T

• Standard Chartered Bank Regional Head, Origination & Client Coverage (OCC) Africa Stephen Priestley (first from left) and Wholesale Banking team at the Euromoney 2011 Awards for Excellence. The bank picked the Best Investment Bank in Africa, Best Project Finance House and Best Flow House awards.

• Mallam Sanusi

HE Federal Government will today sell N70 billion ($458.7 million) in three, five and 10year sovereign bonds. This is the nation’s seventh debt auction of the year, the Debt Management Office (DMO) has said.

The DMO said it would sell N30 billion of the three-year, N15 billion of five-year and N25 billion of 10-year papers, due to mature in 2014, 2015 and 2018.

“All the papers are re-openings of previous issues and the results of the auction will be published the following day,” DMO said in a statement.

The government agency issues sovereign bonds monthly to support the local bond market, create a benchmark for corporate issuance and fund its budget deficit.

DMO Director-General, Abraham Nwankwo, said the Federal Government (FGN) issues sovereign bonds monthly to support the local bond market to create a benchmark for corporate issuance and fund its budget deficit. The units of sale are N1,000 per unit subject to a minimum subscription of N10,000 and in multiples of N1,000 thereafter.

The offer, already listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, will, like all FGN bonds, qualify as liquid

assets for liquidity ratio calculation for banks. The FGN Bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the Federal Government of Nigeria and are charged upon the general assets of the country.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria on the DMO on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria had offered for subscription by auction N35 billion bonds at the rate of 10.50 per cent due in March 2014. It also offers for subscription, N35 billion bonds at the rate of four per cent due April 2015,” a statement from the DMO website said.

According to DMO, “For re-openings of previously issued bonds, successful bidders will pay a price corresponding to the yield-to-maturity bid that clears the volume being auctioned, plus accrued interest from the original issue date”.

It is also stipulated that the interest payment be payable semi-annually and also bullet repayment on the maturity date.

Analysts said the offer qualifies as securities in which trustees can invest under the Trustee Investment Act. It also qualifies as government securities within the meaning of Company Income Tax Act and Personal Income Tax Act for Tax Exemption for Pension Funds amongst other investors.

How to cater for the unbanked, by experts

E

XPERTS have suggested mobile banking as the panacea to the problems of the unbanked.

The idea is in line with the aspiration of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to address the challenges facing the segment.

The CBN, early in the year, gave Approval In-Principle (AIP) to 16 mobile money operators to carry out the pilot study of the financial system, and further develop means of reaching the unbanked population conservatively put at 80 million. Since then, banking operators have seen the need to use mobile banking system as a means of reaching the unbanked population.

A senior Information Technology (IT) staff member of Oceanic Bank International Plc, Mrs. Temitope Akin-Fadeyi, said effective mobile banking policy is the only means of addressing the problems facing the unbanked population.

Fadeyi, while speaking during the Unbanked African Summit in Lagos recently, advised banks not to invest heavily in fixed assets.

She said banks have misplaced their priority by building more branches across the country, adding that many countries are now embracing a branchless banking system to encourage growth.

She said the unbanked population reside mostly in the rural areas, adding that many do not know what to do when they enter the bank-

By Akinola Ajibade ing halls.

“Mobile banking system is safe, cheaper and reliable. The mobile telephone banking system enables customer to transfer money without going to the bank. Now that a vast majority of the population use mobile phones, it would be easier for them to key into the mobile

banking processes. People in the rural areas constitute the larger percentage of the unbanked population. To enable them access financial services, they need to be tutored on how to use mobile phone well”, she said.

In her paper entitled: Examining the Crossroad between Mobile Banking, Agents Banking and Microfinance, Akin-Fadeyi said mobile banking

is more effective than others. She said there is an interaction between the mobile banking and microfinance system and urged banks to introduce mobile banking system to the rural areas.

Also, Sales Manager, Craft Silicon Limited, Mr Thurania Kinagwi, said microfinance banks need urgently mobile banking technology, if they want to get a sizable portion of the

market. Craft Silicon Limited sells software solutions to the banks and other financial institutions.

He said the company’s software has assisted banks to reach the unbanked population, adding that microfinance banks owned by the First Bank of Nigeria Plc and Afribank Plc have been using the software to reach the unbanked segment in the country.

Banks demand customers’ tax ID numbers

I

N line with directive of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on effective tax management, banks are asking customers for their Tax Identification Number (TIN) before paying their taxes.

TIN is a unique 14-digit sequential number generated electronically and assigned to a tax player such as company, enterprise or individual for identification. Through the provision of Act 2007, the Federal Inland Revenue Service has been empowered to issue tax identification number to all tax payable individuals and corporations.

To strengthen the Act, the Federal Government directed all existing account bank holders to obtain a unique Tax Identification Number from the Federal Inland Revenue Service. It further directed all banks and financial institutions to facilitate the implementation of the order on

By Akinola Ajibade mandatory use of Tax Identification Number. This makes banks to demand tax identification number from customers who wish to bank with them.

Industry sources said the directive is aimed at identifying all corporate tax payers, and further prevent defaults.

They said the order would prevent people who evade taxes, by moving from one part of the country to the order.

“With this order, it would not be easy for people to evade tax. There are people who would register a company in Lagos, and, thereafter relocate to Kaduna to avoid paying huge taxes they have incurred. The reason is because their data are now kept with the banks via the tax identification number issued to them. It

is compulsory for all the banks that collect taxes on behalf of IFRS to comply with the order. When they fail to comply, IFRS can withdraw the rights given to them to collect taxes on its behalf.

“It’s said the development would affect banks that delay in remitting tax revenue to the government, adding that some banks delay in remitting tax revenue for two weeks or more by using it for business.

“The banks have no choice than to be careful with the ways they are handling tax revenue now.

Through the tax identification number, the activities of banks and tax payers are now being monitored,” the sources added.

Also, the President, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Mr Femi Jegede, said the directives in a way would compel banks to remit revenue from tax

promptly.

Jegede, while speaking to The Nation on the issue, said it is at aimed at preventing tax liabilities, and ensuring payment and collection of taxes are well-managed by the stakeholders concerned.

He said the order would curb the excesses of organisations that mismanage the tax proceeds.

He said: “The reason for directing tax payers to present or submit their tax identification number to the banks is because the government wants to reduce fraudulent cases to the minimum barest level. The government wants to bring all Nigerians into the tax nets, so that nobody would be able to evade tax again.

Also, it would force the banks that are designated to collect taxes on behalf of Federal Inland Revenue Service to handle the issue well.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

45

THE NATION

INVESTORS M

OST mutual funds showed more resilience and largely resisted the sluggish market situation at the Nigerian stock market in the first half, but returns on many pools of investments fell below average market benchmark during the period.

Mutual funds are pool of money from investors for specific investment purpose as outlined in the funds’ prospectus.

The Nation's Market Intelligence on the performance of mutual funds against the general stock market performance in the first half indicated that more than 58 per cent of mutual funds recorded positive returns while additional 29 per cent were unchanged. Only about 13 per cent of mutual funds recorded negative returns during the period.

The report, based on general survey of listed mutual funds on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), however, showed that only 50 per cent of mutual funds outperformed the average market benchmark return, as indicated by the All Share Index (ASI) of the NSE, while half of the mutual funds fell below average return.

ASI had closed first half at 24, 980.20 points as against its year opening index of 24,770.52 points, indicating an average gain of 0.85 per cent while aggregate market capitalisation of quoted companies closed first half at N7.988 trillion, representing an increase of 0.93 per cent or N74 billion on 2011's opening market value of N7.914 trillion.

Using opening and closing bids for the period, many mutual funds significantly outperformed average market returns with the Coral Growth Fund managed by FSDH Assets Management Limited (FAML) leading the assessed list with an increase of 6.1 per cent. Afrinvest (West Africa)'s Afrinvest WA Equity Fund trailed with a gain of 6.0 per centwhile United Bank for Africa's UBA Bond Fund increased by 3.9 per cent.

Also FAML's Coral Income Fund and Nigerian International Debt Fund gained 3.6 per cent each while First Bank of Nigeria's FBN Heritage Fund and Stanbic IBTC Bank's Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund posted a gain of 3.4 per cent each.

Mutual funds record mixed performance

By Taofik Salako

Other mutual funds with positive returns include UBA Balanced Fund, with a gain of 2.4 per cent; Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund, 1.4 per cent; The Lotus Capital Halal Investment Fund, 1.3 per cent; UBA Equity

Fund, 1.0 per cent; Paramount Equity Fund, 0.5 per cent and Sterling Bank's The Frontier Fund, which increased by 0.1 per cent.

Mutual funds that hung on the balance of the scale with flat performance included

• From left: The Executive Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of FinBank Plc, Mrs Suzanne Iroche and the Executive Director, South/Institutional Banking, FinBank, during the Bank’s courtesy visit to the Governor at Awka.

Exchange streamlines market structures

T

HE Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Oscar Onyema, has proposed streamlining groupings of stocks and securities as part of initiatives to align the market with the national economy and key economic activities.

In a proposal tabled before stockbrokers, Onyema said NSE would be restructured into bond and equity market with the latter pruned from existing 33 to 11 sectors.

According to him, NSE has three markets, which technically have no boards including the industrial loan-corporate bonds, preference stocks and sub-national bonds; the government stockFederal Government of Nigeria bonds and equities, which included emerging markets and first tier securities.

He noted that with this state, the markets are ill-defined and with no boards while investment instrument appears in wrong market against the global best practices.

According to him, there is need to streamline the markets and boards for

By Tonia Osundolire

accurate representation of investment instruments as well as the sectors to reflect the economic sectors.

He added that the management of the Exchange would need to remove restrictions created by the existence of the industry sectors to accommodate prospective issuers in the market while conforming to the global standards such as the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC), and the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC).

Onyema disclosed that the planned bond market would contain securities such as all tiers of government bonds, corporate bonds and debentures while the equities market would contain main board of listed equities, preference stocks and Alternative Securities Market (ASeM).

He noted that the market has too many fragmented sectors, which are not

Starcomms gets acting MD STARCOMMS Plc, the only telecommunications company listed on the Stock Exchange, has named Mr Logan Pather as its Acting Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer (CEO) He succeds Mr Maher Qubain, who retired voluntarily.

The Chairman, Chief Maan Lababidi said the company was fortunate to have Pather to assume its leadership.

He said Pather’s experience would

ARM Aggressive Growth Fund, Kakawa Guaranteed Income Fund, Continental Unit Trust, Centrepoint Unit Trust, ARM's The Discovery Fund, Fidelity Bank's Fidelity Nigfund and First City Monument Bank's Legacy Fund.

However, Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund, which does not invest in companies engaging in alcoholic brewing, lottery, tobacco and other identified 'unethical' trades, led the downside with a decline of 7.7 per cent while UBA Money Market Fund and Intercontinental Bank's Intercontinental Integrity Fund lost 0.9 per cent each.

be invaluable in steering Starcomms.

Pather joined Starcomms in February this year as Chief Operating Officer.

He has held leadership positions in the African telecoms market since 1994.

He spent five years at Telkom South Africa and three years at Vodacom South Africa as Regional Manager.

In 2001, he joined MTN Cameroon as General Manager. He became the helmsman of Telecel in Zambia three years later.

representative of Nigeria's economic sectors, stressing that this also does not encourage harmonisation of companies that perform similar economic functions.

The NSE boss said the fragmentation causes unnecessary market vulnerabilities and confuses international investors and index managers.

The proposed 11 sectors and their percentage contribution to total market capitalisation include agriculture/fishing/ forestry (0 per cent), construction/real estate (2 per cent), finance/insurance (41 per cent), ICT (1 per cent), manufacturing (49 per cent), mining/quarrying (0 per cent), oil/gas (( 5 per cent), services (1 per cent), transportation/storage (0 per cent), wholesale/retail trade (1 per cent) and utilities.

Onyema said the proposed new sectors would give listed companies the proper visibility and access to opportunities they deserve as public companies and help to facilitate harmonisation of companies performing similar business functions.

Forecasts Q3 NPF MFB T/O N827.31M PBT N198.55M PAT N198.55M COMPANY FORECASTS Q3 Tripple Gee and

He added that the harmonisation would enable brokers to develop tradable indices and create new products such as Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), pointing out that this would be the first step towards informed retail investing and increased demand for value-added assets allocation services.

Onyema said the NSE would also benefit from the harmonisation as it would make the market more efficient, attractive and remove unnecessary vulnerabilities.

He pointed out that the economic focus of the country has been oil and gas, but the capital market focus has been on banking while the government focus has been on economic diversification into agriculture and power, but both are not adequately represented in the capital market.

The NSE boss said the alternative securities market would be repositioned as a market for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) with the same industry sectors as the main board including oil/ gas contributing 72 per cent, whole sale/ retail trade 15 per cent, manufacturing 12 per cent while agriculture/forestry/ fishing would have one per cent.

company Plc Turnover N166.09m PAT N74.59m

Gross Premium N2.039b PAT N72.93m

CUTIX PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS Turnover N588m PAT N68.75m ASSURANCE PLC Gross Premium N3.750b HONEYWELL FLOUR PAT N889.68m MILLS PLC Turnover N21.214b NIGER INSURANCE PAT N835.646m PLC

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

46

THE NATION INVESTORS EAC offers 60m shares in private placement

T

HE Educational Advancement Centre (EAC) Limited, Ibadan, has begun the sale of 60million ordinary shares to intending investors.

Subscription for the shares opened on July 13 and it will end on October 1. The shares, which cost N1 each, are being offered in private placement at N1.20k each.

At a ceremony, the firm's corporate headquarters in Bodija, Ibadan, its Chairman, Gen Oladayo Popoola said subscribers can only buy minimum of 50,000 units with additional purchase in multiple of 25,000 units.

Popoola, a former military administrator of Oyo State, said investors would be taking a wise decision to buy into the firm. According to him, the Chief Strategic Officer, Mr Muyiwa

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

Bamgbose, and the Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Adeola Bamgbose, among other management staff, are managers with rich experience, integrity and vision.

He further noted that opportunities presented by the many challenges in the education sector make the investment the right one as data showing the number of Nigerians seeking access to different levels of education confirms that the opportunities in the sector are enormous.

In his remark, Mr Bamgbose explained that proceeds from the offer would be directed towards further developing the mobile learning operations in partnership with the University of Ibadan, a product developed

by the EAC, which brings learning to mobile telephones. The project would take N18,300,000 representing 25.4 percent of the proceeds. He added that the firm would also diversify into educational assessment and consultancy with emphasis in the Senior Secondary School Mock Examinations.

The proceeds will also be used to open an "A" Level centre in Lagos at the cost of N15 million, expand distance learning operations with N6 million, expand its educational consultancy services as well as establish degree awarding programmes.

Other areas to expend the proceeds on are educational support services, research facilities and partnering in setting up schools.

Bamgbose also indicated the plan to make the EAC , ultimately, end up as a quoted company at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

The offer is being handled by t h e Co m p a n y Se c r e t a r y a n d Share Registry, Errands Associates, Ibadan.

New earnings reports improve outlook for banking stocks MERGING reports on the operations of banks in the first half of this year showed improvements in key fundamentals of banks, raising optimism that banks might increase returns to shareholders.

Interim reports of two banks released this week showed growths in incomes and profitability, which analysts said could boost the secondary market valuations of banking stocks as other banks release their half-year reports.

Interim report of Zenith Bank for the half year ended June 30, 2011 showed improvement in the underlying profit-making capacity of the bank with pre-tax profit margin at about 28.5 per cent in first half 2011 as against 26.2 per cent recorded in corresponding period of 2010.

Zenith Bank's gross earnings increased by 27 per cent from N96.85 billion in 2010 to N122.84 billion

E

in 2011. Profit before tax rose by 38.3 per cent to N35.05 billion in 2011 compared with N25.34 billion in 2010. Profit after tax grew by 44 per cent from N21.31 billion in 2010 to N30.67 billion in 2011.

Also, interim report of Skye Bank for the first half showed a modest growth of 3.1 per cent in gross earnings from N47.5 billion in 2010 to N48.9 billion in 2011.

The bank, meanwhile, witnessed appreciable improvement in profitability as pre-tax profit rose by 29 per cent from N6.5 billion in 2010 to N8.3 billion in 2011.

Net earnings also rose by 28 per cent from N5.1 billion in 2010 to N6.4 billion in 2011.

Analysts at Afrinvest West Africa said the results signalLed a positive outlook for banks as the second half might witness further improvements in the fundamentals of banks.

Facts to Facts

Total Nigeria vs Conoil Plc: Between size, efficiency

T

HE petroleum-marketing business is a precision business that requires high level of appropriate mix of often-difficult variables. With relatively low margin and little product differentiation, the downstream oil business depends largely on management foresight, capacity-building investments and proactive understanding of the uncontrollable external factors including the global oil price and resultant import variables.

Besides, in the sluggishness that sometime characterised the partially-deregulated downstream oil sector, profitability depends more on the efficiency of the internal controls rather than volumes, though both are important. This scenario has played out in the recent audited report and accounts as well as interim reports of petroleum-marketing companies.

Total Nigeria Plc and Conoil Plc are two of the oil majors- dominant petroleum-marketing companies that substantially control the Nigerian downstream sector. Total Nigeria, a subsidiary of French multinational and Europe-leading oil company, Total S A, is a company of considerable influence and size in Nigeria and globally. With more than 500 retail outlets, five Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) bottling plants, three lubricant blending plants, four aviation depots and many other facilities, Total Nigeria is a leading oil-marketing company.

Conoil is a Nigerian-owned oil major with equally impeccable credentials as a leading downstream operator. The largest supplier of aviation fuels, Conoil maintains a niche in its various business segments including petroleum retail, LPG, lubricants among others.

Known for ground-breaking innovations such as the mega station and high-tech non-space fuel pumps, Conoil's lubricants hold top positions in that segment of the business.

Total Nigeria is, however, the large of the companies, both in terms of balance sheet size and turnover. But fundamental comparison of the two companies showed Conoil as a far more efficient, nimble and resilient company. Compared with the recession generally indicated by key fundamentals of Total Nigeria, Conoil has managed to sustain positive outlook over the years in spite of the sluggish top-line that has characterised the industry in

By Taofik Salako

recent years.

Sales Generation The petroleum-marketing industry has rather been sluggish in recent years. Sales have hovered between marginal increase to stagnation and decline. Total Nigeria's turnover growth, which was almost flat in 2009, contracted by 10 per cent in 2010, indicating average decline rate of 4.7 per cent over the past two years. Conoil, which sales had dropped by 18 per cent in 2009, struggled to keep positive in 2010 with a marginal increase of one per cent. This however, still indicated average decline of 8.5 per cent in recent years.

Profitability Conoil has evidently shown greater efficiency and profitability in terms of year-on-year stand alone analysis as well as peer comparison. Total Nigeria's gross profit had dropped by 4.5 per cent in 2010 and subsequently trickled down to 6.2 per cent decrease in pre-tax profit, the second consecutive decrease in pre-tax profit. Average pre-tax profit growth thus stood at negative 5.8 per cent in recent years. Net profit was also flat in 2010, though a better performance than decline of 9.7 per cent re-

•Chairman, Total Nig., Mr Stanislas Mittelman

•Chairman, Conoil, Mike Adenuga (Jr)

corded in the previous year. But Total Nigeria also showed improved underlying profit-making capacity in the immediate past year. Gross profit margin had risen from 12.3 per cent in 2009 to 13.1 per cent in 2010 while pre-tax profit margin improved from 3.4 per cent in 2009 to 3.6 per cent in 2010.

Conoil has showed a more resilient underlying profitability with improvements in both gross and pre-tax profit margins. While gross profit had increased by 6.7 per cent in 2010, gross profit mar-

gin was above average at 13.3 per cent as against 12.6 per cent in 2009.

Profit before tax margin also increased from 3.7 per cent in 2009 to 3.9 per cent in 2010, indicating average margin of 3.8 per cent. Actual pre-tax profit had however, increased by 6.3 per cent in 2010 as against 15.2 per cent in 2009. After taxes, net profit grew by 21 per cent in 2010 as against increase of 27 per cent in 2009. Both the averages and the year-on-year margins and growth rates of Conoil outweighed those of Total Nigeria.

Actual Returns

FACTS TO FACTS

TOTAL

Turnover growth Gross profit growth Pre-tax profit growth Gross margin Pre-tax profit margin Net profit growth Return on Assets Return on Equity

2010 % -10.1 -4.5 -6.2 13.1 3.6 0.1 10 60.9

Total Nigeria generally surpassed Conoil in terms of returns, though both companies improved on their returns. With two-year average returns on assets and equity of 9.0 per cent and 59 per cent respectively, Total Nigeria had improved return on total assets from 8.0 per cent in 2009 to 10 per cent in 2010. Return on equity added four percentage points in 2010 to 61 per cent as against about 57 per cent in 2009. Conoil recorded above-average returns in the immediate past year with return on total assets rising from 5.8 per cent in 2009 to 6.7 per cent in 2010. Return on equity also inched up to 18.3 per cent in 2010 compared with 17.1 per cent in 2009.

The Bottom-line There is, no doubt, that the petroleum-marketing industry faces a major constraint in the area of sales generation. Oil-marketing companies would need to explore ways to active sales growth given the limitation of internal efficiency in driving long-term profitability, especially in the face of a contracting top-line. In the meantime, Conoil appears to have found the right mix in its native intelligence and deep understanding of the Nigerian market, aggressive investments and technical know-how.

CONOIL 2009 % 0.7 -5.4 12.3 3.4 -9.7 8 56.9

Average % -4.7 -2.25 -5.8 12.7 3.5 -4.8 9 58.9

Pre-tax profit margin (Total)

Turnover growth Gross profit growth Pre-tax profit growth Gross margin Pre-tax profit margin Net profit growth Return on Assets Return on Equity

2010 % 1 6.7 6.3 13.3 3.9 20.8 6.7 18.3

2009 % -18 15.2 12.6 3.7 26.9 5.8 17.1

Average % -8.5 3.35 10.75 12.95 3.8 23.85 6.25 17.7

Pre-tax profit margin (Conoil)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

47

48

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

49

50

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

51

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

How to make money from micro livestock business F

INDING success as a livestock entrepreneur can be a challenging but an interesting venture. The Managing Consultant, Jovanna Farms, Prince Arinze Onebunne, discovered early that excelling in the basic tenets of animal care helps one to advance in the industry.

Hard work and willingness to adopt new ideas have assisted in transforming the business.

For him, animal husbandry is the sure foundation of profitable and sustainable agriculture.

“I was into other types of businesses before venturing into animal farming. No one encouraged me while I was going into it, but I persevered due to my childhood background while hunting for games in the village.

I was able to endure and continue rearing these animals and within a short time, I began reaping the gains.”

Onebunne’s desire is to convert young Nigerians to micro livestock entrepreneurs to make their contribution in the live stock market, and by extension to the economy. This, when translated into action, will increase employment generation.

A promoter of backyard livestock production as a tool of alleviating poverty and malnutrition, Onebunne, believes urban and rural-based backyard mini livestock production could be a rich resource for developing agri-entrepreneurship.

To tackle unemployment and poverty, the Jovanna Farms’ boss, said he encourages people to go into mini livestock businesses which they can start with as little as between N50,000 and N100,000.

He listed such businesses to include rearing of snails, rabbits, guinea pig, porcupine, bee

•Onebunne with a trainee at the farm

By Daniel Essiet

keeping and grass cutters. All these, he explained, belong to the micro livestock business class. He is into fish farming, snail and grasscutter farming.

With time, he said they can grow their businesses beyond being a source of family meat and supplement income into large-scale operation that can provide life time income. What he teaches is profitable livestock business. The issue for him, is to watch out for better business opportunities, and grass cutter raising is a really good one, if one knows how to raise and manage it.

Onebunne started his grass cutter business amid many challenges, but today, he boasts of a three - plot farm where he also makes enough money to take care of his family; employ additional hands and also offer professional services to other farmers that are i n t e r ested in venturing into t h e grasscutter business.

“I have now expanded my farm to inc l u d e s n a i l farming, fish farming and a n t e l o p e s and the name of my farm is Jovana F a r m s w i t h branches in Lagos, Enugu a n d Owerri.

“The expansion is such that I even supply h i g h quality breeds of any of

these animals I rear to farmers both within and outside Nigeria because those that now know the benefit of this business are coming to me to get breeding stock and to get technical and professional advice.”

According to him, “grasscutter farming is the only way out of poverty for Nigeria’s teeming unemployed masses, because with only N40,000, one can begin the grasscutter farming and within a year, you are sure to grow your farm with twice the initial number you started rearing.”

His www.jovanafarms.com, is a source of information for grasscutter farming as potential money spinner.

“Starting a grasscutter farm is not a difficult task because all you need is to purchase a family and a family consists of one male and four to 20 females because the grasscutter is polygamous in nature,” explained Onebunne.

According him, a family of grasscutter is sold for N40,000 and each member of the family is sold after four months, but they mature after eight months and can begin littering after these months, each female grasscutter can litter up to 10 babies per birth.

He said if one wants to make money rearing fish , snail, antelope and grasscutter, one must learn how the market operates.

The major determining forces in the market are the weight, height and quality of the animals.

Because of his success, people are looking out for his seminars.

Onebunne is often at the research to boost his knowledge and skills. He now hauls into the market CDs on viable methods of fish farming, and breading snail and grass cutters.

He is asking the government to finance agri-business ventures start up for youths.

“We want governments at all levels to key into the benefit of this business and encourage local farmers to go into this productive and income generating venture to better their lives in addition to other forms of farming that are being practised.

Jovana farms can supply breeding stock to any farmer or government interested in starting this business and the breeds are not expensive looking at the huge benefits therein,” he said.

TIPS

Leather workers in Kaduna get grant THE United States African Development Foundation (USADF) has signed an Enterprise Expansion Grant to benefit almost 100 small scale leather workers in Kaduna State.

This is USADF’s second grant to the Zaria Leather Workers Cooperative Society (ZLWCS). Nigeria is one of 21 sub-Saharan countries where USADF promotes economic development for Africans to develop profitable businesses at the community level.

USADF President Lloyd Pierson stated: “USADF’s vision is to help grantees earn higher revenues for homegrown African-led and managed businesses, such as ZLWCS. We are helping traditional leather workers to improve their business model and expand in news markets.”

The Zaria Leather Workers Enterprise Expansion Grant will increase production efficiencies and improve the quality of leather products sought after by local and regional consumers. USADF funding will enable the cooperative to acquire better production materials, hire marketing and sales specialists, and open two new retail channels; creating a pathway for expansion and growth. This expansion will in turn improve traditional leather worker’s lives by increasing incomes for members and creating a demand for more jobs.

USADF has more than $6 million invested in 46 grassroots organisations and emerging companies, like ZLWC, in Nigeria.

The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) is an independent United States Government agency dedicated to ensuring economic opportunities for marginalized populations in 21 sub-Saharan African countries. Over the past 30 years, USADF has funded more than $200 million in African designed and led development projects

Setting up automated bakery plant THE bakery industry serves a daily need in virtually every community of the country. With its mechanical production devices and techniques of mass production, the industry has caused home baking to decline rapidly. In Nigeria, for example, commercial bakeries produce more than 95 per cent of all bread consumed.

By tradition, bread is the “staff of life”. Laboratory studies support tradition by showing that bread and other cereal foods supply many essential nutrients. They are excellent sources of the B vitamins, calcium and other minerals of complex carbohydrates required as energy source.

Research findings have shown that the protein in wheat, long considered marginal as a source of protein for man, may be far more nutritious then was believed. When wheat foods are the principal source of calories in the diet, studies indicate that they provide ample protein for growth and health.

Bread is a major components of fast food for most Nigerians, especially those living in urban areas. It is a staple rich delicacy, consumed always by those that have had a first taste. The aesthetic look, good taste and short time of preparation with other variety of fast foods such as tea, salads, eggs, etc, to produce a high nourishing diet, has made this product found place in many breakfast tables.

The basic machinery and equipment required to set-up an automated modern small scale bakery plant varies; and it ranges from N3.5 million to N5 million. This amount could be increased or scaled down depending on the financial strength of the promoter.

Flour, yeast, salt and water are the four basic ingredients or raw materials for bread production. Other ingredients are optional and are considered enriching.

There are three basic bread production processes - straight dough, sponge and dough, and continuous mix. The choice of process is dictated by the product desired and by consumer acceptance.

When bread emerges from the ovum, it has an interior temperature near boiling point of water. This temperature must be reduced to about 1000F (36.60C) to make the loaf suitable for slicing and wrapping. Coding occurs on racks or on large, moving conveyors called coolers. In large bakery plants, slicing and wrapping or bagging are done automatically, ready for distribution. Nearly all bread and bread-type roll products sold in Nigeria are packaged. Plastic film and waxed paper are the packaging materials commonly used.

It is an established fact that bread and other fast foods are among the quick selling products in the country today. Demand for these fast food products has direct relationship with the level of population growth, social awareness, growth in educational institutions, industries, offices and increase in disposable income. Market survey reveals that these products are necessities in most cases, especially in the urban areas where people are constantly on the move, resulting hunger and thirst.

Thus, there is very high demand for bread and other fast food products, especially in all urban cities of Nigeria. The hectic on-going lives of urban workers have left them no choice than to rely heavily on fast food products.

A small scale automated bakery plant set up in any of the urban cities of Nigeria stand the chance of reaping huge daily incomes for the promoters. A turnover of about N21.5 million of its 45 per cent installed capacity utilisation at first year operation is expected. This will give a first year after tax profit of about N3.87 million, which is 18% of turnover.

This project stands a good chance of attracting finance from the banks.

We are also positioned to source offshore funds for both existing business and off-takers with high capital outlay. A well-packaged feasibility report is a prerequisite to securing both local and international finance for projects.

For details on how to implement this project or any other, please contact us. We are willing to assist potential investors on any aspect of the project. Prospective investors may get in touch with us at the address stated hereunder.

Kris-Ed Brilliant Limited (Brilliant Consulting). By: Edwin Agbaike (Projects/ Financial Consultant) Tel. Nos. 08098525122; 08023381900.

E-mail: krisedbrilliant@ yahoo.com; edwinagbaike@yahoo.com.

52

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

53

NEWS 25 inmates freed

Obi hails Odion’s appointment

TWENTY-FIVE prison inmates of Abakaliki and Afikpo federal prisons were yesterday freed by the Chief Judge of Ebonyi State Justice Alloy Nwankwo during a jail delivery court session at the Abakaliki and Afikpo federal prisons.

51 other inmates and a 15- year- old Amadi Ali, who has been in prison custody for 12 years, were granted bail.

Others had been in the prison custody for armed robbery, stealing, murder, forceful entry, attempted suicide and arson.

Justice Nwankwo expressed concern over congestion in the Abakaliki prisons.

NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi yesterday hailed the appointment of the former Managing Director of National Life, Louis Odion, as a commissioner in Edo State.

Odion, who was appointed

by Governor Adams Oshiomhole, would be sworn in tomorrow as the Commissioner for Information.

In a congratulatory message, Obi said he was delighted by Odion’s appointment.

While describing it as “an honour” to serve, he hoped that given Odion’s past achievements , he would discharge his responsibilities creditably.

“This appointment, no doubt, is a vote of confidence in you and a testimony to your ability to contribute to nationbuilding as the head of a ministry,” Obi said.

Kalu hails pay rise for corps members FORMER Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu has hailed the N19,800 monthly stipend approved for youth corps members by the Federal Government.

He said the money would strenghten the National Youth Service (NYSC) Corps scheme.

Kalu said the new salary structure would boost the young graduates.

He said: “I rejoice with the youth corps members.

The new pay is enough to, at least, transport them to their places of primary assignments. I feel their pains because I interact with them regularly.”

Kalu urged the media to educate Nigerians on the relevance of the scheme.

HETAN marks 40th anniversary THE Home Economics Teachers Association (HETAN) will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a national conference at the Abeokuta Grammar School, Ogun State, on July 24.

The theme of the conference is: ’The role of Home Economics education in entrepreneurship development and manpower of small and medium scale entrepreneurs.’

Durojaiye dies at 70 PA Jackson Abiodun Durojaiye is dead. He was 70.Durojaiye was a retired Assistant General Manager at Union Bank.

He is survived by wife, children and grandchildren.

Burial arrangements would be announce by the family.

Prayers for late Apostle SPECIAL prayers will be held by the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in honour of Senior Apostle Comfort Oladosu on July 30. Oladosu died last year.

Primate Ayoola Omonigbehin said the prayers will hold at St. John’s Primary School, Akinmorin, Oyo State.

A

•Governor Peter Obi and his wife, Margaret, cutting his birthday cake. With them are children of Model Orphanage Home, Awka, ...yesterday.

Policeman kills colleague in Umuahia

A

SECURITY detail attached to Governor Theodore Orji’s convoy, Corporal Umoru Mohammed, yesterday killed his colleague, Corporal Clement Amachi at Government House in Umuahia.

Mohammed was alleged to have shot his colleague in the head.

Musa allegedly told his friend: “You people think

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

that I am a foolish man, one day I will tell you people that I am not foolish.”

A source at Government House confirmed the incident.

According to the source, “A police officer tried to prevent him from changing the magazine of his gun, but he

hit his head with the butt of his AK47 rifle and continued moving towards the gate.

“But a soldier attached to the Government House shot him in the leg.”

Mohammed has been taken to a hospital for treatnent.

A Doctor, Uche Aguocha, said Mohammed had been revived by the medical team.

Orji’s media aide

Ugochukwu Emezue confirmed the incident.

He dismissed the allegation that Mohammed was a member of the Boko Haram sect.

Orji has condoled with the family of the late police officer.

Police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed the incident. He said the Abia State police command was investigating the matter.

Community threatens to depose ruler

T

HE UMEJE community in Ayamelum Local Government of Anambra State has threatened to depose its traditional ruler, Igwe Elias Nneli.

It has urged Governor Peter Obi to withdraw the monarch’s certificate of recognition and staff of office.

Addressing reporters in Awka, the PresidentGeneral of Umueje Improvement Union (UIU),

•’Nobody can depose me’ From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Ifeanyi Odogwu, warned the public against doing business with the monarch.

But Nneli, who was at the 50th birthday party of Obi at the Women’s Development Centre in Awka, said nobody could depose him.

He said: “Nobody can deposed me. I am ready to defend myself.”

Nneli warned those creating discord to desist from their nefarious activities.

The community seeks the monarch’s removal because he allegedly petitioned the police that members of the community’s vigilance

group were terrorising the community.

The community also alleged that the monarch misappropriated funds belonging to the community.

“His atrocities are many, we have condoned all these things for so long.The petition he wrote to the police caused the arrest of three innocent boys in the community. He has not paid the fine imposed on him by the community,” Odogwu said.

Gunmen kidnap Anambra monarch

T

RADITIONAL ruler in Adazi Nnukwu in Anaocha Local Government of Anambra State, Igwe Lawrence Oragwa has been abducted by gunmen.

The 78- year- old monarch was kidnapped on June 2,near Madonna Catholic

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Church in Agulu, by a fiveman gang.

The member representing Anaocha I State Constituency, Ebele Ejiofor, has appealed to the state police command, State

Security Service (SSS) and other security outfits to rescue the monarch.

He said: “We are no longer happy. The entire community is in a mournful mood.

How can we be happy when the no 1 citizen of the community had been abducted?

“We want the police and

other security agencies to help the community so that our monarch would come back to the throne.”

President- General of the town Ben Enemuo decried the kidnap of their aged monarch and urged security agencies to be alive to their responsibilities.

‘Orji not sincere with Minimum Wage Act’

L

ABOUR Party governorship candidate in Abia State Stanley Ohajuruka has said Governor Theodore Orji was not sincere with the implementation of the new minimum wage.

Orji had promised to pay workers the new wage during the election.

But he reneged on his promise. He allegedly told the workers after the election that only a review in the revenue sharing formula would determine the implementation of the National Minimum Wage Act.

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

Orji said the state could not afford to pay the minimum wage.

Ohajuruka described the governor’s stance as a betrayal of confidence reposed in him by the people.

Ohajuruka, who addressed reporters in Umuahia, said Orji made the payment of the new minimum wage a campaign issue during the April election.

He said: “He knew the fi-

nancial position of the state before making such pronouncements. “ I advise against playing politics with the welfare of our workers.”

The former member of the House of Representatives said Abia can pay its workers, considering its additional revenue profile as an oil producing state.

He said besides funds from the excess crude fund, the state receives additional N3 billion yearly from derivation fund.

He urged state governors to reduce their security

Rep advises ministers

A

HOUSE of Representatives’ member, Adeyinka Ajayi, has urged members of the Federal Executive Council to emphasise on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), if the country’s dream of becoming one of the 20 world economies in 2020 is to be realised.

Ajayi said except the Federal Government takes steps to accomplish the MDGs, its quest to improve the investment climate in the country would be an illusion.

‘Deal decisively with those behind Boko Haram’ From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

T

HE Southeast for Jonathan, a political group, yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to deal with those behind the Boko Haram sect.

Chairman of the group Chinedu Jideofo-Ogbuagu spoke at a news conference on the state of the nation.

Describing the Boko Haram sect as ‘frustrated,’ Jideofo-Ogbuagu urged President Jonathan to ensure that years of frustration give way to a hopeful future.

“We implore President Jonathan to deal decisively with those behind insecurity in Nigeria. It is regrettable that some frustrated persons would kill fellow Nigerians.”

He advised state governors to pay the N18, 000 minimum wage.

Church member dies

D •Orji

votes, which he described as an avenue to siphon public funds.

EACON Abiodun Amao is dead. He died in his sleep on May 28.He was 89. A member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG),Model Parish, IloraOyo, Oyo State. Amadi’s remains will be buried on July 23 after a funeral service at RCCG. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

54

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

55

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

56

MONEY LINK

Only registered firms for cash movement, says CBN HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said only registered firms would be allowed to engage in cash movement service operators from June 1, 2012. The CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who stated this yesterday, said, high cash volume customers must transfer such functions to registered CashIn-Transit (CIT) companies.

Speaking in Lagos while presenting certificates of registration to Messrs Bankers Warehouse Limited and Integrated Cash Management Systems Limited, two firms so far registered in this line of business, Sanusi, said cash movement services is being brought under the supervisory and regulatory framework of the CBN to enable them deliver quality and efficient services to the entire banking system.

“The policy is not aimed at closing down companies that have been providing services for banks, but to enhance their capacity to do

T

Stories by Collins Nweze Senior Correspondent

so more efficiently,” he said, adding that the objective of the policy is to enhance efficiency and cost effectiveness of currency management in Nigeria, facilitate generation of fit naira notes for payment and promote the use of shared services to drive down currency management cost, which the apex bank estimated to be in the region of N192 billion by next year.

He said, as a prelude to outsourcing of CIT and cash sorting operations hitherto carried out by banks and the CBN, the regulator is fast-tracking the rapid deployment of automated teller machines (ATMs) to promote cash payment convenience.

According to the CBN, firms interested in operating as CIT would require N1 billion minimum capital and N3 billion for currency sorting companies. Firms that want to

The cash policy announced by the CBN has not pegged the amount of cash transactions individuals and organisations can carry out, it has only limited the value of cash transactions the banking system can carry out, he stated.

CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, Tunde Lemo, said the outsourcing of cash management and transit operations is part of the shared services initiative of the Central Bank to enhance efficiency in the banking sector. “Instead of having 24 banks run bullion vans of which the public is already complaining that some of them are a menace, if we have CIT companies that specialize, you will see less of them outside, yet they will have strong equipment with ballistic features that will ensure safety of our notes and currencies.” He said the regulator is willing to register other firms that meet the minimum requirements.

operate as both CIT and currency sorting, would need N4 billion. In addition, top management staff of such firms must get clearance from appropriate securities agencies, he stated. “The business of cash services is one that requires utmost good faith. It entails that promoters and top management staff of the companies are people of unquestionable integrity,” Sanusi said.

He advised existing companies that have not met the registration requirements, especially the paid up capital, to explore other financing options such as mergers and acquisition. “There is need for them to dilute their ownership structure instead of remaining as family business,” he said.

The policy of registration of companies providing cash services in Nigeria is not only consistent with, but complementary to the cash policy guidelines announced by the CBN recently. He explained that

•Sanusi

T

Nigeria, UK target N1.9t bilateral trade, investment

T

RADE between Nigeria and the United Kingdom could double to N1.95 trillion (about 8 billion pounds) in the next few years. British Prime Minister, David Cameron disclosed this, yesterday when he met with President Goodluck Jonathan in Lagos, where both countries signed agreements to cooperate in trade, energy and immigration. “We’ve agreed to double trade between the two countries to eight billion pounds” within a few years, Cameron said.

Bloomberg reported that the UK also plans to help Nigeria to increase power generation and end current shortages. The Nigerian economy is a middle income, mixed

economy emerging market with well-developed financial, legal, communications, transport, and entertainment sectors. It is ranked 31st in the world in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The country’s emergent, though currently underperforming manufacturing sector is the second-largest on the continent, producing a large proportion of goods and services for the West African region.

Nigeria’s GDP more than doubled from $170.7 billion in 2005 to $374.3 billion in 2010, although estimates of the size of the informal sector, which is not included in official figures, put the actual numbers closer to $520 billion. Nigeria

added and employed around 2.6 million people. Of the approximately 16 billion pounds invested in Research & Development by UK businesses in 2008, approximately 12 billion pounds was by manufacturing businesses.

Analysts said collaboration between both countries will boost Nigeria’s trade and investment volumes. It is believed that the gap in the balance of trade between the two countries could only be bridged through Nigeria’s intensiveness in export of local goods to the United Kingdom, adding that the task to improve the export of goods lies with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

is the largest economy in the West Africa Region, third largest economy in Africa, behind South Africa and Egypt, and on track to becoming one of the top 30 economies in the world in the early part of 2011, Bloomberg said.

On the other hand, the economy of the United Kingdom is the sixthlargest national economy in the world measured by nominal GDP and seventh-largest measured by purchasing power parity. It is the third-largest economy in Europe as well as one of the world’s most globalised countries.

In 2009 the UK manufacturing sector generated approximately 140 billion pounds in gross value

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 19-7-11 SYMBOL GLAXOSMITH PZ PRESCO REDSTAREX NASCON INTERCONT NBC WEMABANK JAPAULOIL UBN

O/PRICE 24.27 34.50 7.50 2.86 4.76 1.00 41.50 0.91 1.00 2.35

C/PRICE 25.48 36.22 7.87 3.00 4.99 1.04 43.00 0.94 1.03 2.40

CHANGE 1.21 1.72 0.37 0.14 0.23 0.04 1.50 0.03 0.03 0.05

LOSER AS AT 19-7-11 SYMBOL EVANSMED CCNN JBERGER SKYEBANK NAHCO UNITYBNK UPL OCEANIC STERLNBANK DANGSUGAR

O/PRICE 1.20 9.00 53.49 6.30 7.13 0.82 4.80 1.26 1.48 10.60

C/PRICE 1.14 8.55 50.82 5.99 6.78 0.78 4.57 1.20 1.41 10.10

CHANGE 0.06 0.45 2.67 0.31 0.35 0.04 0.23 0.06 0.07 0.50

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

OBB Rate Call Rate

HE Federal Government yesterday, nominated Standard Chartered Bank to serve as its Credit Rating Advisor. The agreement was signed by the Minister of State for Finance of Dr. Yerima Ngama and Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered, Peter Sands. Nigeria currently maintains credit ratings from Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings. British Prime Minister, David Cameron witnessed the agreement signing ceremony held in Lagos.

Nigeria’s sovereign credit ratings are important indicators for international investors and support the Central Bank of Nigeria’s efforts to increase foreign participation in the domestic capital markets. This was evidenced by the recent relaxation in the minimum holding period for domestic government bonds. Besides, Nigerian corporations and banks are increasingly accessing the international markets to finance their expansion plans. For these borrowers, the sovereign ratings are of critical importance as they set a benchmark for their own ratings, impacting their financing cost in overseas markets, findings have shown.

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

StanChart named credit advisor

Amount

Exchange

Sold ($)

Rate (N)

Date

400m

467.7m

400m

153.59

400m

452.3m

400m

153.4

25-5-11 23-5-11

500m

499,8m

499.8m

153.45

16-5-11

EXHANGE RATE 30-05-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N)

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

Parallel Market

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

15-07-11 N7.620tr 23,832.14

18-07-11 N7.582tr 23,71 `1.90

% Change 0.50% 0.50%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N)

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW January ’11

February ’11

May ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

8.00%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.3%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 117.62 1,586.00 0.81 0.99 0.99 1,586.00 9.47 1.39 1.87 8,827.74 193.00

9.08 1.00 117.16 1,576.75 0.78 0.99 0.99 1,576.75 9.01 1.33 1.80 8,557.25 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 04 MAR, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 24, MAY, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 MAR, 2011

07, MAR, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

57

EQUITIES

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 19-07-11

2ND-TIER SECURITIES

! "# " $% & ##!$

+ !

!, ./ 0, ! ,. !, ( ! !,

() () (1

* - *1 - * *)

* ( )* * - ( *1 * - ( 1* 1* (

( 1

1 * 1 *

-*- )* -)( ) -*- )* -)( )

)

() (

-*1 * 1*

* ( 1*-- () * - ()

)

1

) - )- 1 1 )

) 1 )

- - ) *

( ) (1 ( 1 ( (1 ( ) () () ( ) -( ( ( )( (1) (- ( (1 ( ( 1 ( (

- *- -* 1 * *) * 1 * 1 * 1-* )) * *-) * ) -*)- * *) * * * * -* 1 * -1*- -* 1 * 1) * ))* * * )*) *)1 * *11 * - *) )*1 - * - * 1 *) *1 * -1* ) * * )

- *- * )-( 1 *) (11 11* ( *- *- ( ) * ( )* )* (11 * *- -( *- *- ( 1* ) * ( )-* *- ( *1 * )(- -* )1* 1 () *- -* ( * ( *1 1*) ( -* * )1( - * * ( )* )* ( 1* * (1 *- * -1(- *1 * ( 1 *-1 * ) (

1 1

( -( (- (- (

*) * -) - * * )-)* )1 ) *) -

*- )( -* )*- ( ) *) ( * ( 1*-- * ( ) *- *) (

)) )

( 1 1()) ( )(

* ) * *)- * 1*- 1 1* 1 * 1

* *1-1( *- *- ( ) *)- *) ( --* *) ( ) * *- (1

1( ( (

* - * * --*

* ( * * )(-1 *-) ( * *)1)(-1

1

() -( -(1

* *) 1* -

*)1 * -

* ( *) )* 1 ()) - -( *) *1 )())

-( )

- ( - (

) 1 1

( - ( ( ( - ( (

* -1)*) ) * * * * *- ) * 1*)-1*

* ( -*1 )* ( * ( *- * ( 1*- 1* ) ( * * 1( -* 11* - (

-

( ) (1 ()

1* - * ) * ) *

1* - ( 1* * 1( )* ( 1* - *1)1(1

)

(- ()

1* * *

* (1 )* ( - * (1

8/! ,0 .!( !, ( / 3 0 0 !, ( +, / .0,, !,

/ +0 3 !, +, / .0,, 0 ( !, ( 35 ,, +, / .0,, !, ./, 08 0 + !, 0 , , ( 0 ( !,

, 0 0 !, ( 0 ,0 ( !, ( ! . 0 4 !, ( / 0 ( !, (

1 -

) )

-1

-

)( ( ( ( 1-( ( ) ( 1 ( ( -( )( ( 1

* 1*- - * ) *))-*1 - )* )* ) )* *) *) 1 ) * -* * )-

1 * ) ( *)- *- ( )*) * ( )* 1* ) (1) 1* * (1 -* ( 1) ( * * -( * - *- )( )* * 11( () *- ( * * ( )

2 . 0 , !, ( , .0 ,0 /. 0 . 3 4 0 0 !, ( 0. 0 0 , ! . ! . 8 !, (

-

)

( )( 1 -( ( -(1

) * * 1 *1 1 -* *) * -

* ( * * ( *)- * () * ( )*1 )( * )* )-(

)( ( (-

*

* )* 1 * )) * * -)

* ( * * (1 * 1)() * * 1 (-

() )(

* - * 1 * 1

*) ( *- ( 1 1 *1 ( 1

.. !,

())

* -* - * -* -

1 1* -( 1 1* -(

00 0 / !, (

,0 ,,. 0 / 0 , 0 / !, / 0 ,,0 0 / , ,0 0 / !, 0 0 0 / !, / 3 /

/ !, 0 0 , 5 !0 0 / , 5 / 0 0 ( !, (

1

( () ( ) (1) () () ( () ()

-*) * 1 * * -* - * * * * 1* 1 *

*) 1* () -* ( * -* (1 - * 1 ( ) ( ) ( * - ( 1 *-1 ( 1* (

0 0 20 0 ,0 .

" ' (!#$ ) * $

3 4 / !, 0 !, (

( +!

!, ( + 0 0 0 !, ( ! !, 0 . !, 0 0 !, +0 ,0 3 !, +0 !, +0 + 0 ( !, +0 0 3 . /. !, ( / 3 / !, ( 0 0 , !, ( 0 0 0 , % 0

3 !,

! 0 !,

0 0 !,

,0 !, ( / !, / 0 0 (!, ( / 0 3 !, 5 . !, ( 6 0 !,

( $,$ !$

.!0 5( !, ( /0

0 !, 0 0 , 5 0 !, ( 7 0 ( 5 0 !, ( 0 0 5( !, (

("!# ! ' $ ! #

. !, . ( + ( 0 ( !, . !, , + 5 ! !, (

-$'! # ) . !

! 0 !, ! !, ! 0 0 . /+ /

''$ ! #% $ ! $

/ 20,, 0 2 . !,

!

!,

8 0 50 !

!, (

'." $ ) //! $ $ "!.'$

% 0 0 ' !, (

# '$ $

( ( , 2 0 0 0 !, ( ! 6 /

0 0 !, (

0 ( !, (

0 , ! 0 + / !, ( / 0, 2 0 0 !, (

" !

N

IGER Insurance and Premier Breweries lost about N166 million in the 2010 financial year. The loss, which impinged on the companies’ shareholders’ funds, also prevented the boards of directors from recommending cash dividends.

Audited report and accounts of both firms for the year ended December 31, 2010, released yesterday, showed that for the second consecutive year, the companies’ operations ended in the negative, although the degree of losses narrowed last year.

The reports showed decline in the top-line of Niger Insurance while Premier Breweries, remained inactive with no turnover. Niger Insurance’s modest pre-tax profit turned into a loss after provisioning for taxes.

Niger Insurance recorded a gross premium of N7.04 billion in 2010 as against N7.2 billion in 2009. Profit before tax stood at N81.8 million in 2010 compared with pre-tax loss of N2.15 billion in 2009.

However, with taxes amounting to about N186 million in 2010 as against about N129 million in 2009, net loss stood at N123.7 million in 2010 in contrast with N2.3 billion in 2009.

With the negative trans-

/ 0 !, ( 0 0 50 , !, (

/ %($ $ $ ) (

- $# ) " ! '

!0 , , !, 0 7 , !, / 0 .! 3 + 0 0 !,

! " ! #% '$ ! . "

+0 ,/.0 0/. 0 0 !, 20 + . 0 !, (

! / ' ! ) ''" ! ! $ - # * !

By Taofik Salako

ferred to the reserves, the board of the insurance firm, has opted to capitalise retained earnings through a bonus issue of one share for every 10 shares held.

Premier Breweries reported a pre and post tax loss of N41.8 million for the 2010 business year due mainly to running expenses. As a going concern, the company did not record any sales. With no provisions for taxes, it had posted a pre and post tax loss of N41.93 million in 2009.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian stock market continued on the downtrend yesterday with aggregate market value of all quoted companies dropping by 0.67 per cent. The All Share Index dropped by 0.67 per cent to 23,552.84 points as against its opening index of 23,711.90, while aggregate market value of equities slipped further to N7.53 trillion, compared with the N7.58 trillion recorded as value on board.

The negative market situation yesterday, pushed the average year-to-date return on the Nigerian stock market further down at -4.92 per cent.

The negative overall market situation was orchestrated by the continuing decline of highly capitalised stocks, es-

pecially those in the Dangote Group. Julius Berger led the decliners with a loss of 267 kobo to close at N50.82 per share. Nigerian Breweries dropped by 75 kobo to close at N90. Dangote Cement, the most capitalised stock on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), lost 59 kobo to close at N121.11, while CAP and Dangote Sugar Refinery dropped by 55 kobo and 50 kobo to close at N27 and N10.10 respectively.

On the gainers’ side, PZ Cussons topped the list with a gain of 172 kobo to close at N36.22. Nigerian Bottling Company trailed with a gain of 150 kobo to close at N43.

Flour Mills of Nigeria gathered 149 kobo to close at N83.01. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria, added 121 kobo to close at N25.48, while Presco Plc gained 37 kobo to close at N7.87 per share.

Total turnover stood at 213.98 million shares valued at N2.70 billion in 4,365 deals.

The banking sector accounting for more than 67 per cent of total volume traded. Banking stocks recorded turnover of 144.67 million shares worth N827.38 million in 2616 deals. Conglomerates sector followed with a turnover of 18.54 million shares valued at N663.49 million in 178 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 19-07-11 ( (. 0 / % 0 ' !, ( 0 0 / ( !, (

,,0 0 / ! / 0 0 / !, (

#$ !

' ! !'$

0 %5 ' !, ( 7/,0/ 0 ( !, ( ./, 02 !,

$ ! $$ ! $ - # *

! " $

! #! $ $ ! $

-$ # - $

Niger Insurance, Premier Breweries lose N166m

'$ !

)

() () () ()

*1 * ) - * - 1* ) * * * -

)* () - * ) (1 * ) ( * ( *1 -*1- (

( 1

* *

* ( * (

1 1

( -

* ))* - * ))* -

* * 1 ( 1 * * 1 ( 1

()

* *

-*) ( -*) (

- --

() ()

)*- *11 *1 -* -* -

* ) ( * * () *)) * ()

!+ .0 +0 !,

) )

( -

* * * *

* -* 1(- * -* 1(-

0 0 . /+ / 0 ! ,3 ! / % 0 ' !, (

)

( (

-* 1*1 ) * -*- 1*

* * 1-( 1 * ( ) * 1 * (1-

--

() - (- (- ( 1 ) () ( ) -1(

* * * -)*1 1* *

*)

-

-() )( ()

- )* -* ) 1* )

( 1 * ( * ( 1- * (

( )

* ) * )

-)* ( -)* (

0 / .! 3 !,

()

)* )*

* ) ( * ) (

/ 0 0 ( 0, !, (

()

-*- -*-

-*1 )( -*1 )(

- -

()

*- * *- * -

* 1* - ( ) * 1* - ( )

4 0 , 0 !, (

7 ! /, 0, 4 . 0 0.

20 !

../ 0 0 !,

' $ '. !$

20 4 , !, / 0 .

20 ,

-$ /! ! # ! ! " !

. + !

.$ #$"' ' +$ !

! , /. ! / !, 0, !, 0, 4 !, ( + 0, !, ( . 0, 0, 0 !, ( .

0, 0 0 !, ( !,

, 0 0 !, (

. ! ! ) ."(#! -!

.3 !

!, ( , . 0 0 !, / 02 0 3 !

!, (

$ # $ $

/ ! ! 3 2 , !.

. !

$0 !#$

-$ / $! #! !

0 , 0 !

-

)()

* ) -* 1

)* ( 1 * (- *- 1( * 1( 1 *- * (-1 )*) ( * 1)* (

* * 1 (1 * 1 *) ())

*- )

-* 1 * -

* -* *- (

*- )

-* 1 * -

* -* *- (

58

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

59

60

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

61

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

62

FOREIGN NEWS

Strauss-Kahn’s daughter quizzed FRENCH investigators have questioned one of Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s daughters about an allegation that he attempted to rape a French writer.

Camille Strauss-Kahn is a friend of the alleged victim, Tristane Banon.

Ms Banon says the former International Monetary Fund (IMF’s) chief assaulted her in a Paris flat in 2003 as she attempted to conduct an interview with him.

Mr Strauss-Kahn has denied charges of sexually assaulting a New York hotel maid on May 14.

Mr Strauss-Kahn was freed from house arrest in the US city earlier this month after the credibility of his accuser’s evidence came into question.

Police questioned Camille Strauss-Kahn on Monday, a judicial official speaking on condition of anonymity told the Associated Press.

Her mother, Mr StraussKahn’s ex-wife, Brigitte Guillemette, was questioned on Friday, legal sources said.

She is Ms Banon’s godmother.

It was shortly after Mr Strauss-Kahn was arrested in New York that Ms Banon - now 32 - came forward to say that he had tried to assault her eight years ago.

She said she had not pursued the case at the time because “everyone told me it would never succeed”, but that following the allegations in New York there was “perhaps a chance to finally be listened to”.

Murdoch rejects blame for phone hacking scandal

•Murdoch

R

UPERT Murdoch has said he cannot be held responsible for the scandal at the News of the World, saying he was let down by “people I trusted”.

The News Corp boss said he was not aware of the extent of phone hacking there and had “clearly” been misled by some of his workers.

But he said he was “humbled” to have to explain his firm’s conduct to Members of Parliament.

His son, James, apologised to victims, saying hacking was “inexcusable” and a “matter of great regret”.

Rupert Murdoch’s appearance before the Commons media committee is the first time he has faced direct scrutiny by MPs during his 40year media UK career.

Faced with a series of questions from Labour MP Tom Watson, Mr Murdoch paused extensively and his son James made several attempts to intervene.

However, Mr Watson made

it clear that he wanted to hear answers from the father whose wife Wendy was in the audience - and not the son.

He added: “Your father is responsible for corporate governance and serious wrongdoing has been brought about in the company.

Rupert Murdoch said his questioning by MPs - which are investigating alleged criminal behaviour at the News of the World and what senior executives knew - was the “most humble day of my life”.

The News Corp boss said he was not aware of the extent of phone hacking at the company until earlier this year when it handed over new information to the police - triggering a new inquiry.

I was absolutely shocked, appalled and ashamed when I heard about the Milly Dowler case two weeks ago” “I was absolutely shocked, appalled and ashamed when I heard about the Milly Dowler case two weeks ago,” he told MPs. Arguing that he ran a global business of 53,000 people

and the paper was “just 1%” of this, he said he was not ultimately responsible for what went at the News of the World.

Asked who was responsible for this he said: “The people I trusted to run it and maybe the people they trusted”.

Mr Murdoch said he was focused on his US newspaper interests and that he had “perhaps lost sight” of what was going on at the paper, saying he spoke to the editor “very seldom”.

James Murdoch, chairman of News International, said the firm failed to live up to “the standards they aspired to” and was “determined to

put things right and make sure they do not happen again”.

He added: “I would like to say just how sorry I am and how sorry we are to particularly the victims of illegal voicemail interceptions and to their families.”

The two men are being questioned about what they knew about phone hacking at the News of the World and whether MPs and the police were misled about the extent of it.

Rupert Murdoch said he had not been made aware by News International management of out-of-court settlements made to a handful of victims of hacking.

US officials hold talks with Gaddafi’s envoys

U

NITED States officials have held face-to-face talks with representatives of Col Muammar Gaddafi’s government, the US state department has confirmed.

The US said the meeting reiterated its demand that Col Gaddafi step down, and involved no negotiations.

A spokesman said the Libyan government supported dialogue with the US but only if it was free from preconditions.

On Monday, rebels said they had pushed government troops westwards after seizing back most of the town of Brega.

The Libyan government denied the claim, insisting that the key oil refinery town was

still firmly under its control.

In a statement, the US state department said officials had given representatives of Col Gaddafi a “clear and firm” message that the Libyan leader had to go.

“The message was simple and unambiguous - Gaddafi must leave power so that a new political process can begin that reflects the will and aspirations of the Libyan people,” it said.

The US did not give the location of the talks, but Libya said they had taken place on Saturday in neighbouring Tunisia.

Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim hailed the talks as an important step in “repairing relations” with the US. “We support any dialogue, any peace initiative as long as they don’t decide Libya’s future from without,” he told journalists in Tripoli.

“We will discuss everything but do not condition your peace talks. Let the Libyans decide their future,” he added.

Washington said that Jeffrey Feltman, the US assistant sec-

retary of state for near eastern affairs, and the US ambassador to Libya Gene Cretz, had been involved in the talks, but would not say who represented the Libyan side.

There has been a deliberate media strategy here to show us that Gaddafi remains firmly in control. I’ve been taken to towns in government territory around Tripoli - Zlitan, Gharyan, Zawiya - and we’ve seen big demonstrations - tens of thousands of people, much bigger than those we’ve seen in the past.

Burundi’s President’s farm razed RSONISTS have set ablaze a pineapple farm owned by Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza, officials say.

The fire partially damaged the farm in the south-eastern Musongati area, they say.

The BBC correspondent in the capital, Bujumbura, says there have been several grenade and gun attacks in Burundi since Sunday.

The government blames the attacks on bandits, but many people are worried that a rebellion has resumed, he says.

About 300,000 people were

A

killed in Burundi’s 12-year civil war, which ended in 2005.

Tensions resurfaced during elections last year, with the opposition claiming the polls were marred by arrests, intimidation and vote-rigging.

Former rebel leader Agathon Rwasa withdrew from the presidential race and fled the country.

Mr Nkurunziza was the sole candidate in the poll.

Our reporter says that shortly before Mr Nkurunziza’s farm was attacked, a school teacher who belonged to the ruling party was shot dead

PUBLIC NOTICE FELLOWSHIP WITH CRIST EVANGELICAL INT’L This is to inform the general public that the above named ministry has applied to the Cooperate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the companies and Allied matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. Pastor Asaoye Jacob Agboola (President/Director Of Christain Education) 2. Pastor Ogundeyi Peter Olalere (Generalcoordinator/Director Of Mission) 3. Pastor Shobande Augustine Olumuyiwa (General Secretary/Director of Youth Mission) 4. Rev Olushola Festus Bunmi (Director Of Welfare/Public Relation Officer.)

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. Gospel Outreach/Evangelism Wordwide 2. Prayer,Deliverance and Losing From Bondage 3. Interdenomination Descipleship and Mission 4. Church Planting,Youth Outreach,Gospel Publication and Leadership Tranning Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Affairs Commission Plot 420 Tigris Crescent,off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: AGBOOLA JACOB ASAOYE & CO (Barrister and Solicitors) 43, Shasha Road, Akowonjo, Lagos.

OJO LOCAL GOVERNMENT RJVM INVESTMENT AND PROPERTY NIG.LTD IKOYI LAGOS. SIR, RE; REVOCATION OF PROJECT AT ALAWORO MARKET. The above subject matter refers.

I write with instruction to remind you of the project awarded to you in Alaworo Market five (5) years back.

The above project has been abandoned since the last five years and all effort to get you back to site been abortive.

Pursuant to the above, your award/allocation is hereby REVOKED for failure to consummate the award/allocation.

Thank you.

Signed: KOFOWOROLA QUADRI Legal Officer/Adviser For; Executive Chairman.

nearby.

He says grenade attacks have also taken place in southwest Burundi, and vehicles ambushed in the north.

The violence has killed at least six people, our reporter says.

No group has said it is responsible for the attacks.

Mr Nkurunziza, a former rebel leader from the majority Hutu ethnic group, took office in 2005 after a peace agreement with the Tutsi-dominated army.

Mr Rwasa - a hardline Hutu - initially refused to lay down arms.

He later formed a political party and signed a peace deal with Mr Nkurunziza’s government in 2008.

Army repels attack

F

ORCES loyal to Guinean President Alpha Conde have repelled an attack by unknown assailants on his private residence in the capital, Conakry.

Gunfire erupted in the early hours of yesterday and a shootout followed in which a member of Mr Conde’s security detail was killed, reports say.

Mr Conde called for calm in a state TV broadcast following the attack.

He is the first democratically elected leader in Guinea, which has a history of coups and ethnic conflict.

He took power in 2010 after a period of military rule.

The attack on the presidency shows the scale of the challenges facing the new civilian government, correspondents say.

The BBC correspondent in Conakry says former army chief Nouhou Thiam has been arrested along with several other people.

The shooting has subsided, but the city remains tense and many people are staying at home, our reporter says.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011

T

63

WHERE THIS DAY WENT WRONG

his publication has been necessitated by the recent ill-natured hues and cries by some people whose motives are definitely beyond the public interests.

It is their allegation that non-appointment of commissioners by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the governor of Osun State, has other motives than the need to meet the demands of the people of Osun State. This stance has called for critical reasoning and the need to expose what otherwise is probably not appreciated by such elements at the root of such publications.

It is the belief in the revolutionary circle to which we belong that a critical assessment and examination of every situation is necessary for a proper appreciation of developmental progress in society. Rather than clamouring for the flesh pots of Egypt, we must be able to see how far we have gone using perspicacious lens of sound reasoning. It is in this light that we shall beam light on the developmental steps taken so far by the Ogbeni occupying the Governor’s seat at Abere.

Education The state of education in Osun State was appalling before the advent of Aregbesola’s government. The need to take critical look at this sector thus became imperative.

Aregbesola observed that 3% of the candidates from Osun State actually passed the West African School Certificate Examinations that preceded his advent in office and described this performance as shameful.

What has Aregbesola done in this regard? To achieve a reform desired, the Governor is addressing the problem from its roots. To this end, at the primary school level, he has started the process by ordering the construction of 30 blocks of 3 classrooms with Headmaster’s office with terrazzo flooring and long span aluminium roofing; procurement of 1,440 units of standardized steel-based 2-seater pupils’ furniture with 120 units of teachers’ furniture; procurement of 7,544 units of standardized steel-based 2-seater pupils’ furniture with 368 units of teachers’ furniture; procurement of 120 units of standardized steel-based 2-seater pupils’ furniture with 13 units of teachers’ furniture; procurement of 240 units of standardized steel-based 2-seater pupils’ furniture with 40 units of teachers’ furniture.

At the Junior Secondary School level, Aregbesola has kicked off the process of constructing 12 blocks of 3 classrooms with staff room, terrazzo flooring and long span aluminium roofing; procurement of 720 units of standardized steel-based 2-seater students’ furniture with 60 units of teachers’ furniture; procurement of 3,168 units of standardized steel-based 2-seater students’ furniture with 176 units of teachers’ furniture; procurement of 138 units of standardized steel-based 2-seater students’ furniture with 10 units of teachers’ furniture.

Attainment of educational development without functional libraries is impossible. The Osun State government has, therefore, commissioned the provision of 15 sets of furniture items and fittings for 15 selected primary schools; provision of 15 sets of furniture items and fittings for 15 selected primary schools and 7 sets of furniture items and fittings for 7 selected Junior Secondary Schools; procurement of 577 assorted books for 30 selected primary schools; procurement of 418 assorted books for 30 selected primary and junior secondary schools; procurement of 425 assorted books for 30 selected primary schools; procurement of 425 assorted books for 30 selected primary schools; procurement of 960 assorted books for 7 selected junior secondary schools; procurement of 180 assorted books for 30 selected primary schools and 410 assorted books for 7 junior secondary schools; procurement of 190 assorted books for 30 selected primary schools and 400 assorted books for 7 selected junior secondary schools.

The above is the first phase of the educational development agenda of Aregbesola in Osun State. This is to further make our youths and products of various institutions to be more employable to meet the yearnings of employers and development of the nation. The service conditions of teachers and educational personnel are being worked on to make our educators better encouraged. The professionalism in teaching can only be given a leverage where teachers are accorded the respect they enjoyed in the past. All these are recognised

by Ogbeni who has re-launched government patronage of education and commenced campaign of attitudinal change to revive the prostrate sector.

Job Creation Within few months of ascension to power, Governor Aregbesola employed 20,000 youths of Osun Sate who, despite their various levels of education and degrees, were unemployed and had no means of survival. These youths were given necessary and appropriate training by the government of Osun and have since been gainfully employed and deployed to serve the people of Osun in traffic management, greenery, environmental sanitation, etc.

Equally, the government has been working on introducing various capacity building and enhancement projects to make our youths gainfully employed. Skills acquisition centers are being put in place by the

government in order to make idle hands in the State more productive.

Health Care Delivery In March, 2011, the Osun State Government launched a two-week free eye care service for the people of the state.

The comprehensive programme included diagnosis, surgery, treatment, prescription and counseling. 18,562 patients with diverse eye diseases were treated by the medical team that provided support for the government.

In furtherance of sound health for the people of the State, the government has embarked on total overhaul of government hospitals to ensure provision of modern health equipment and better service conditions for medical personnel working in those government hospitals.

Environment As one of Governor Aregbesola’s campaign promises to the people of Osun State, a Committee charged with the promotion of healthy life style in a conducive environment was inaugurated on the 8th day of June, 2011. Responsibilities of the Committee include ensuring effective waste disposal system, free and functional drainage system and waterways, among others. Action on the programme began when Governor Aregbesola declared a 90-day environment emergency. Within the emergency period, regular sanitation exercises are observed at markets and motor parks on Thursdays 7 am-9 am, public and private offices on Fridays 8-10 am and general sanitation exercise on Saturdays 8am10am.

We the people of Osun State have started celebrating the positive effects of the programme as the annual flood disaster that claimed lives and property in Osogbo the Osun state capital in 2009 and 2010 is now turning to a thing of the past never to re-occur. The channelization of canals, the clearing of the drainage systems in the State capital, the clearing and dredging of River Okooko have turned the nightmares of the past to great dreams for the future. This is being achieved with the approval by Governor Aregbesola of a whooping sum of 187.5 million naira for immediate dredging of drainages and waterways. Before Aregbesola came to power all these were considered impossible.

Agricultural Development The government launched a campaign tagged ‘O-Reap’.

The acronym stands for Osun Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Programme. The programme is the major platform through which the food sufficiency programme of Aregbesola administration would be achieved. The programme will promote rural enterprise so that rural dwellers, especially farmers would have amenities through which farming and general food production will be enhanced. Rural roads and other facilities needed for the movement of farm produce from farm to markets, as well as the transportation of farming implements and agro-facilities from towns to farm is enhanced through the programme. The Aregbesola administration has acquired 30,000 hectares of land across the State for mechanised farming.

In April, 2011, the Governor launched ‘Quick Impact Intervention Programme’, an agricultural credit of 153,265 million Naira put in place for peasant cooperative farmers in the state to boost agricultural production. The programme received major boost in May when the World Bank and French Development Agency AFD carried out a weeklong inspection to the nine farm settlements located in different parts of the State. At the launch of the programme, Governor Aregbesola reached out to research institutions for technical partnership and assistance. He personally initiated a working relationship with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan. The Institute is to provide Osun farmers with modern farming techniques, modern implements and improved yielding seeds.

In addition to the above, the governor has opened up discussions with foreign investors in Japan and China whose agricultural development skills and industrial capacities are superlative. This has taken the governor to Japan and China and the reports are there for all to verify. With agricultural developments, it is certain that the glorious past of the Yoruba when agriculture was our economic mainstay can still be reenacted. Aregbesola did a statistical analysis which has remained ever sound and unimpeachable. He said Lagos consumes about 2 billion naira worth of food on a daily basis.

One can imagine the economic benefits to Osun if it supplies at least 5% of such food products daily. The western region developed under Awolowo with agricultural incomes despite the fact that it took 90 days for incomes generated from food exports to be repatriated home. One wonders how much Osun stands to benefit from daily income from food supplies to Lagos and monthly receipts of income from foreign countries to which Osun is entering into food and cash crops exports.

Infrastructural Developments and Urban Regeneration To the credit of Aregbesola is the urban regeneration programme for which a committee was recently inaugurated.

The committee is saddled with the duty to turn around the ancient and dilapidated look that our various towns wear due to ignominious deprivation of modernity by previous administrations. An unplanned city is a jungle of infrastructural malaise. With the experience of Aregbesola

as Commissioner for Works in Lagos State, he has launched a campaign for urban renewal which will see to the creation of new towns out of the structural eyesore that litters our environment.

It is certain that with this urban regeneration and renewal is infrastructural development. Concomitant to infrastructural development is creation of jobs for many people and provision of abundant life for all. The committee is working on a template that will make Osun a pleasing sight to behold within a short time. To this end, a new physical planning law is in the pipeline to meet the demands of the modern age. To also facilitate all round development all the laws of Osun State are currently being reviewed by the government of Ogbeni in order to do away with archaic laws and provisions that do not accommodate modern economic exploits made possible in other climes.

Appointment of Commissioners This is a constitutional requirement of which the Governor is quite conscious. Albeit without commissioners having been appointed, the government has achieved so much as a lot of money has been saved which would have been consumed as part of financial costs of governance. Money saved has been channeled to purposeful projects and programmes considering that Osun State is one of the poorest States in Nigeria. This government does not believe in poverty as an excuse for failure and has embarked on rigorous drive to increase internally generated revenue. The fact that high cost of governance is not an excuse for non-appointment of commissioners has been reflected in the thinking and utterances of Aregbesola who has argued that the duplicitous ministries in Osun State should be restructured. This has been done and finishing touches are being put on making the new sixteen ministries most effective. This calls for appointment of visionary, vigorous and result-oriented individuals of which Osun State is naturally blessed. The process of appointment has made the governor to be looking both inwardly and outwardly to have the best selection of commissioners who can hit the ground running upon the immediate blow of the whistle.

The diversionary cries and wailings of the Peoples’ Democratic Party for appointment of commissioners having been understood as mere lamentation for recognition, it would be unfair for anybody with sound knowledge of governance to deride Ogbeni Aregbesola for being meticulous in his choice of a perfect team. It is on record that Lagosians derided Governor Fashola of Lagos State several months after being sworn in in 2007 without commissioners having been appointed. The result of the 2007 – 2011 team of Fashola is there for all to praise and encomium has never ceased since then. While for the entire 20-month regime of Balarabe Musa he did not have commissioners, historical records have never denied his glorious reign in the annals of Kaduna State.

Conversely, it is also on record that while Oyinlola took more than 3 months into his disastrous second term to appoint commissioners, the oracle of failure awaited the unscrupulous with mere benediction of losses. Ofo l’omi efo se.

It is on this note that the editorial of ThisDay of the 13th day of July, 2011 got it completely wrong. In the absence of deliberate editorial mischief or hatred for Aregbesola or ACN, then, the newspaper needs to closely monitor its correspondent covering Osun State affairs as all the laudable achievements of Ogbeni could not have escaped the observation and sense of appreciation of a tabloid deserving a place of respect in the field of journalism.

Or how do you describe the loathsome editorial vituperations of the newspaper on the date mentioned above? We consider constructive and unbiased assessment and criticism of every government a desideratum to development, but when highly rated medium is being employed in a manner similar to the shameful outings of the Tribune newspapers of recent, it becomes quite worrisome to men and women of conscience who are not given to docility or market gossip.

As a non-governmental organisation based in Osogbo, we invite the editorial board of ThisDay to cross-check the facts outlined above or pay a visit to Osun State or conduct an unbiased opinion poll among the residents of Osun State. The result is left to the people to judge.

We commend Rauf Aregbesola. We commend the people of Osun State who have welcomed new developmental initiatives of Ogbeni with open hearts, minds and hands. It is predictable that the changes we desire are already taking place in our lifetime.

Signed:

Committee for Rapid Development of Osun State (CORDOS) Ajegunle, Osogbo.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 6 NO.1826

Tomorrow in THE NATION ‘Labour is kicking. Labour sees the government’s plan as a breach of agreement. Labour may be right. The government’s position is a source of worry. Is it not going to set senior workers against their subordinates with this plannned mode of implementation?’

LAWAL OGIENAGBON

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

A

BOUT seven years ago when then president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, declared a state of emergency in Plateau State, virtually all the country’s Lagos dominated commentariat, the press in particular, severely criticised him. Today, the same commentariat has been urging President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a state of emergency in Borno State where an insurrection

by Boko Haram, the seemingly anti-modern and anti Western Islamic sect based in Maiduguri, the state capital, has led to a breakdown of public order and public safety.

Obasanjo declared the state of emergency on May 18, 2004. Two days later, The Guardian led the attack on him. Obasanjo’s action, the newspaper said, was a “retrogressive slip and a major setback for democracy.” The following day, Thisday said the declaration may have been inevitable but the president’s suspension of the state’s government was “unconstitutional.”

Vanguard (May 24) called the ex-president’s action “a dangerous precedent” and accused him of rewriting the 1999 Constitution.

PUNCH of the same day was somewhat harsher. By the declaration, it said, “democracy has been abridged in Plateau State in favour of arbitrary rule.”

Not to be left behind were civil rights organisation and activists like the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) and Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) and even conservative lawyers like the late Chief Rotimi (The Law) Williams, who all said Obasanjo’s action was proof-positive that a leopard cannot change its stripe; that regardless of swapping his military uniform for mufti in 1999, the man’s character remained essentially dictatorial.

Predictably when Obasanjo ordered the military operation against insurgents in Odi, in Bayelsa State (?), and in Zaki-Biam in Benue State, the same commentariat rose up as one to condemn the general for gross violation of human rights.

As recently as February this year, the Nigerian Tribune in effect came out in support of a demonstration by women in Plateau State, calling for the withdrawal of the army from the state over their allegations that the soldiers had taken sides in the violent crises between so-called settlers and the indigenes of the state. The authorities, the newspaper said in its editorial of February 8 this year, were right to have listened to the women by redeploying the implicated soldiers. “The women,” it said, “have won a victory after a fashion...The protest against the conduct of some members of the STF (Special Task Force) did not begin with the women. The army authorities should have acted sooner and it may not have come to the wholesale replacement of the troops.”

In that same editorial, the Tribune categorically declared that soldiers are simply incapable of solving problems of breakdown of law and order in the society. “Soldiers and other security agents, even if they are professionally neutral,” it said, “cannot bring lasting peace to Plateau State. The people of the state

People and Politics By

MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Boko Haram: lesson from abroad – and from here at home

•Obasanjo

must begin an honest search for peace.”

Now, the same newspaper, and of course, the preponderance of the same commentariat that had condemned the declaration of emergency in Plateau State and were even more vehement in their condemnation of the army massacres in Odi and Zaki-Biam, has turned round, almost to the last, to support the army’s scorched earth policy in Maiduguri.

The difference, to use the words of Tribune exactly one week ago today and barely five months after it more or less excoriated the army for misbehaving in Plateau State, is that “Boko Haram is different from the now retired (Are they really?) Niger Delta militants.

Members of the sect espouse anarchism. They have the mentality of men of the stone age and scorn modernity.”

Therefore, argued the newspaper, the only way to deal with the sect is to give its members the “Tamil Tiger treatment.” “The North,” it said in an apparent attempt to scapegoat the northern elite through a patently gross distortion of the facts on the ground, “is not the only place where many people are uneducated or poor, but it is only in the North that some young men periodically go on the rampage...The Tamil Tigers, whose cause was not without merit, were destroyed. Boko Haram, if it does not stop its campaign of bloody terror, should

RIPPLES

Minimum wage showdown: GOVT INSINCERE-Labour

•••If Govt says YES, it means NO!

be given the same treatment.”

(Apparently Tribune had forgotten so soon how right there in its backyard gangs of thugs in the guise of motor touts have regularly fought for supremacy that has led to the deaths of innocent bystanders–the latest round of which only last month led to the murder of the president of the country’s medical students’ association and several others, whose only misfortune was that they were waiting to board commercial vehicles at some Ibadan motor parks to travel to their destinations.)

Tribune’s words would obviously resonate well with those in authority. Certainly, they do with the National Security Adviser, General Owoye Azazi, a former Chief of Defence Staff.

“Soldiers deployed in any part of the country,” he said last week, “must behave responsibly at all times. Unfortunately, when you are the target of a bomb attack, there is the possibility that you react in a manner not approved by the people. There is need for cooperation from all sides; the military, the people and everybody.”

He said this in reaction to calls by Borno Elders and Leaders of Thought (BELT) for the withdrawal of the army because its members said soldiers “have been burning houses, killing innocent people, looting private property, harassing innocent passersby and even burning down cars and raping young girls.”

The soldiers, he said, would not be withdrawn.

Any dispassionate person cannot agree more with the general. If you withdraw the army when the police have proved incapable of putting down the insurrection, anarchy will be the result.

Trouble is, the general does not seem to think there is anything wrong with the army’s scorched earth strategy of dealing with the Boko Haram insurrection. This is clearly borne out by his incredulous remark, which that uggested Boko Haram introduced terrorism into the country.

“Terrorism,” he said, “is a new phenomenon in Nigeria. It’s a new threat and there are new initiatives to deal with the situation.” Obviously for him, the actions all these past years of such ethnic militias, such as the Movement for the

HARDBALL

T

HE afflictions troubling Nigeria are legion. On one side of the Northeast is the militant sect, Boko Haram, claiming to be fighting for the enthronement of a purer brand of Islam. By relentless bombings and remorseless display of violence, it has managed, meanwhile, to enthrone only veritable nightmare that has got both the elite and the rabble engaged in dispiriting arguments about causes and solutions, leaving the government in a quandary, and the rest of the country deeply apprehensive of tomorrow. No one appears to have an answer, and even the government has seemed to tackle the horror with pregnant silence. If the Northeast hosts seemingly localised but massive violence, there is virtually no part of the country that does not retail piecemeal violence through robbery and civil (sometimes unionised) unrest. The roads are unsafe, motor parks are death traps, and added to these are security agents themselves, who worsen the crises by deploying ancient tactics and methods against modern crimes.

The crisis of insecurity, however, is nothing compared with the economic crisis that is tear-

Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), where he comes from, and the actions of the Odua Peoples Congress and the Bakassi Boys, etc, in killing civilians, police and soldiers, were not acts of terrorism. Clearly this is a stretch.

Read in between the line, the general’s words were a not-so-subtle rebuke of BELT. However, if he was somewhat discrete in his choice of words, the true feelings of those in authority were betrayed, first, by the remarks of the Joint Task Force in Maiduguri, Major-General Jack Okechukwu Nwagbo, who dismissed BELT’s allegations as “lies” and the “handiwork of sponsors, sympathisers and members of the (Boko Haram) sect aimed at discrediting the task Force, so as to have a field day to operate.”

Second, there were the remarks of the Director of Army Public Relations, BrigadierGeneral Raphael Isa, in an interview in The Nation of July 14 in which he squarely blamed the elders for the (mis)conduct of the army.

“Where were the so-called elders,” he said, “when the whole place was becoming unbearable because of these people (Boko Haram)?”

True, withdrawing the army from Maiduguri would not solve the crisis of Boko Haram. But neither would the army’s scotched earth strategy. All it will succeed in doing is alienate the general population as the authorities are already acknowledging.

PUNCH (July 14), which has joined the bandwagon of those calling for a military crackdown on Boko Haram as the only solution, says it is the fear of reappraisals from its members which is discouraging people from cooperating with the authorities. This, to me, amounts to blaming the victim for his travail of being caught between the devil and the deep sea.

Those who advocate a military crackdown on Boko Haram as the only solution to its menace even if it means so much killing and maiming of innocent clearly ignore the basic fact that the end cannot, certainly should not, justify the means. Odi and Zaki-Biam cannot be wrong only because the motives of the ethnic militias in those areas were different from those of Boko Haram.

To condemn Odi and Zaki-Biam but condone or, worse, advocate a scorched earth strategy in Maiduguri simply because Boko Haram is “stone-age” is not only to say the end justifies the means, something for which all reasonable people have condemned Boko Haram. It is also to ignore the lesson of history, including the very recent one of America’s so-called war on terror which has only succeeded in making the world less secure than it was before “9/11.”

Anyone who doubts this should read a special report in The Economist of August 20, 2005 entitled “Anarchists and Jihadists.” He should also read the Vanity Fair of January 2007 about the regrets of the neo-conservative architects of the American invasion of Iraq.

The lesson of both, contrary to Tribune’s advocacy of the Tamil Tigerization of Boko Haram, is that repression, such as we saw in Benue and the Delta, and we are now witnessing in Maiduguri, has never solved anyone’s problems.

•For comments, send SMS to 08054502909

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Nigeria desperate for bold leadership ing the country apart. Labour is up in arms against the government over minimum wage, which it insists the economy can accommodate.

Using statistics, some of it verifiable, the government has responded that a disproportionate part of the nation’s resources will be required to satisfy the few people who work for government, leaving very little for nationally impactful projects. Already, without minimum wage, and partly as a result of corruption and waste, national infrastructure has decayed badly.

Roads are gone; rail system has become almost irretrievably antiquated; electricity generation has, after consuming billions of dollars, gyrated around what it used to be more than two decades ago; and intra-city transport has become chaotic, expensive, unsafe, and unmanageable. The country is now inundated by strikes from all sectors of the society, from civil service to the academia, and from health care institutions to even security agencies themselves.

The situation, sadly, does not promise to be better. This is partly because there are no fresh,

consistent and scientific initiatives to tackle the problems. Panaceas are half-hearted, desultory and deliberately designed to benefit vested interests. Indeed, by commission or omission, the problems are worsening every year. This worsening scenario is also partly because apart from lack of initiatives, the government has seemed to be neither bold, nor wise, nor courageous.

The massiveness of the problems confronting the country shows that fresh ideas are needed to tackle the rot. But who is going to mastermind these ideas? It will be someone knowledgeable and confident enough to anchor the solutions his experts and policymakers will design, someone who will not be bamboozled by experts’ new-fangled ideas, no matter how complex and esoteric. Given the worsening economic, social and political crises, there is a desperate need for bold leadership, a visionary national leader, a deus ex machina. Obviously, these problems will not go away on their own until we face them and boldly tackle them in a grand and unorthodox manner.

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos.

Telephone: Switch Board: 01-8168361. Editor Daily:01-8962807, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302.

E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO