July 22, 2013

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•Union insists on 2009 pact

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Rivers: Five governors to meet IBB, Abdulsalami Kwankwaso, Nyako, Aliyu, Wamakko, Lamido to Obasanjo: let’s avert crisis

F

IVE governors, who launched a save-democracy shuttle at the weekend, are to meet two former Heads of State Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar — it was learnt

•Kwankwaso

•Wamakko

•Aliyu

•Nyako

THE MISSION •To urge Obasanjo, Babangida, Abdulsalami, Danjuma and others to meet with other statesmen to avert a drift as a result of the crises in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Rivers State From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

yesterday.

Besides, they plan to consult a former Minister of De-

Europe to ban oil stolen from Nigeria

T

•Lamido

fence, Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma.

Four of the five governors met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo in

Abeokuta on Saturday on the need to save the nation’s democratic process from collapse as a result of the crisis in Rivers State.

They also drew Obasanjo’s attention to the humiliation of northern governors in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital where their convoy

was attacked at the airport when they visited embattled Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

They expressed worry about, what they described as the increasing level of political intolerance and intimidation.

They expressed worry that the nation’s political atmosphere might not support a free and fair election in 2015.

The Presidency, it was learnt, is jittery about the visit of the governors to Obasanjo.

The five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) goverContinued on page 4

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

HE European Parliament is set to stop the purchase of stolen oil from Nigeria in Europe.

Any crude oil meant to be sold in the European market is now to be accompanied with a certificate of origin.

This was one of the landmark decisions taken at the meeting of the members of the African, Caribbean, Pacific Parliaments and their European Union counterparts (ACPEU) at the conclusion of their three-day regional meeting in Abuja last week.

Mitchell Rivasi (Acting Co- President ACP- EU) and Joyce Laboso (Co- Secretary General) told reporters that the need to stop the huge loss of Nigeria’s oil to organised syndicates of oil thieves necessitated the decision.

The Federal Government said last week after the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting that 400, 000 barrels of oil, an equivalent of N7.3million, is lost daily to oil thieves.

Rivasi Said: “We want to ban European refineries from buying un-certificated oil.

Continued on page 4

•The rubble of the collapsed building in Surulere, Lagos Mainland...yesterday

Five die in Lagos building collapse

•One of the victims being taken away by rescue workers... yesterday.

PHOTOS: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

OR Y ON STOR ORY Fire guts 12-storey office block ST PAGE 8 •SPORTS P23 •CEO P28 •LABOUR P39 •POLITICS P43 •MOTORING P45

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

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NEWS

• Governor Abiola Ajimobi (second right) , Chairman, Governing Council, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd) (right), the Chief Medical Director Prof. Temitope Alonge (second left) and a member of the council, Mrs. Laila Buhari when they visited the governor... at the weekend.

NIMASA/ Court papers and sundry documents shed light on the wrangling between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU

•The last blockade before the July 12 truce

T

•From right: Co-Chairman, Business Support Group (BSG) Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede (second right); Chairman, BSG Oba Otudeko and Minister of National Planning/ Chairman of the National Planning Commission Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, during the handover of the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan by the BSG to the Federal Government in Lagos..at the weekend

•Vice-Chancellor, Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) Prof. Juan Elegido (second right) receiving a donation for the construction of a Students’ Centre from the Divisional Head, Human Resources and Change Management , First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc Ms. Felicia Obozuwa ... at the weekend. With them are Group Head, Marketing and Communications Mr. Ikechukwu Kalu (right) and the Dean, School of Media and Communications, Prof. Emevwo Biakolo (left).

•From left: Admnistrator, Grace Schools Mrs Tokunbo Edun, Chief Victor Kolade and Mrs Pamela Umebuani at the School school’d 39th valedictory service & prize giving ceremony in Lagos...at the weekend.

PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

HE legal tussles did not start this year. But, they were never logically concludeded— for one reason or the other. For six years, the leadership of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) ‘pursued’ the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited for levies, which Africa’s premier LNG company saw no legal basis for.

Last month, after NIMASA blockaded its vessels from taking liquefied gas to its customers overseas, NLNG ran to the court again.

Before that, the Federal Government set up a mediation committee in May, with the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice Adoke Bello as the panel’s legal adviser. An agreement was reached that NLNG should pay the outstanding levies from September 2009.

Dissatisfied, it paid $20 million in protest and approached the court for a judicial interpretation of the dispute.

On September 19, the court will start a process that will lead to the ‘proper interpretation’ the relevant sections of the enabling laws of both parties.

NIMASA did not just keep quiet after NLNG returned to court in a suit in which NIMASA was not joined as a party. The Nation learnt NIMASA was not joined because its Act says it must be given prior notice before being a party in a suit.

The second blockade by the waterways police led to the NLNG agreeing to pay NIMASA $140 million. It said the payment was in protest. It hoped the court will rule in its favour and the money paid back to it.

The filings in court make interesting reading for anyone interested in the uses and abuses of power, the dilemmas caused by ambiguous laws and the tactics parties have been compelled to employ to outsmart each other. They also show the need for laws not to be written in ambiguous language.

The NLNG/NIMASA saga began in 2007 when the maritime regulator expected NLNG to start paying levies. By NIMASA’s calculation, NLNG’s tax holiday lapsed in 2007.

NLNG saw no sense in MIMASA’s claim. As far as it is concerned, the Act setting it up exempts it from NIMASA’s levies. NIMASA says it has always acted in line with its enabling law.

Section 15(a) of the NIMASA Act 2007 stipulates: “The agency shall be funded by monies accruing to the agency from the following sources: 3 per cent of gross freight on all international inbound and outbound

cargo from ships or shipping companies operating in Nigeria to be collected and paid over to the agency to meet its operational cost.”

Section 2(2) of the Act states that exemptions are only granted to “war ships and military patrol ships”.

NIMASA says NLNG vessels do not fall within those exempted from the levies and that the tax holiday granted it was time-bound.

The NLNG Act 2004 predates the NIMASA Act 2007. Section 7(7) of the NLNG Act 2004 states: “No export duties, taxes, or other duties, levies, charges, or imposts of a similar nature shall be payable or imposed on the exports of liquefied natural gas or other hydrocarbons produced by the company.”

To add to the confusion, paragraph 3, Schedule 2 of the NLNG Act states: “Neither the company nor its stakeholders shall in any way be subject to new laws, regulations, taxes, duties, imposts or charges of whatever nature which are not applicable generally to companies incorporated in Nigeria.”

Yet, according to NIMASA Act 2007, it has right to collect levies from ships and small ships “registered in Nigeria and also to ships, small ships and crafts flying a foreign flag in the exclusive economic zone, territorial and inland seas, inland waterways and in the ports of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

It also collects levies from shipping companies/ship operators, manning agents and seafarers on the government’s behalf. It is with these funds generated that the agency develops and polices the maritime sector. NIMASA does not receive any government allocations, said a source.

The incentives granted NLNG, said NIMASA, are not meant to be in perpetuity. The agency points at Section 2 of the NLNG Act which limits the tax holiday of the company to 10 years or when the cumulative average sales price of the liquefied natural gas reaches $3 in million metric British Thermal Units (MMBTU).

NIMASA said its market intelligence shows that as at January 2004, which was the fifth anniversary of the production of the NLNG, the milestone for the expiration of the exemption period had been surpassed by 200 per cent.

By July 12, when the NLNG agreed to pay to NIMASA, the company

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

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NEWS

A/ NLNG’s $140m battle

•Omotowa

said it has lost over N76 billion ($475 million).

In a statement by its General Manager, External Relations Kudo EresiaEke, NLNG Managing Director Babs Omotowa said: “We feel we have no other option than to now make these payments under protest. In doing this, we have taken into account the overriding national interest; in particular to stem the huge financial and reputation loss the country has suffered as a reliable LNG supplier, a destination for foreign investment and a nation of the rule of law.

“NLNG still strongly believes that it has a very strong case to be exempted from the NIMASA levies under the terms of the NLNG Act and will continue with its substantive case in court to obtain a judicial determination of whether or not such levies are due to be paid. It is for this reason that the payments that NLNG is making will be made on an ‘under protest’ basis.

“Our position has nothing to do with how much NLNG is being

charged by a relevant agency but with the legality or otherwise of such a charge or levy, in order for us to ensure that all our payments are made within the ambit of what is lawful.

“As a law abiding company, NLNG has always paid its taxes, including those due after its tax holidays since 2009. It therefore has no issues with legally required tax payments but with levies, from which it is clearly exempt by virtue of the NLNG Act.” NIMASA believes NLNG has been twisting the truth. It said contrary to NLNG’s claim, it has at no time flouted any court order as it was not a party to the court case that led to the exparte injunction by the Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos.

It said it was unfair of the NLNG to claim being a Federal Government agency, because of the 49 per cent shareholding. NLNG, said NIMASA, is a limited liability company incorporated under the Nigerian laws with majority shareholding by for-

eign entities and should pay all levies set out by the law.

The truce being enjoyed now was brokered by NLNG’s counsel Olawale Akoni (SAN) through letters dated July 5 and July 12.

The July 12 letter said: “Subject to NLNG continuing to make payment for all applicable NIMASA levies (three per cent NIMASA levies and Sea Protection levy), NIMASA undertakes not to detain NLNG-owned or chartered vessels.

“NLNG undertakes to pay outstanding levies attributable to the Freight on Board (FoB) and Cabotage vessels if they fail to make payment within three months of the date of this letter.

“Going forward, NIMASA is at liberty to collect these levies directly from the FOB and Cabotage vessels without further recourse to NLNG.” The letter, signed by Omotowa said the NLNG had already made payment of $20million to NIMASA for the three per cent NIMASA levy.

“This sum will be deducted from

•NIMASA chief Patrick Akpolokemi

the amount stated as due in your (NIMASA) letter. As agreed between NIMASA and NLNG, an oral application shall be made to the court by our lawyers which shall not be opposed by NIMASA lawyers and other lawyers in the ongoing suit to allow for the above payments to be made.”

NIMASA’s lawyer Mike Igbokwe (SAN) told the court about the agreement , asking that the letters be adopted by the court as consent order.

He said: “My Lord, there have been some positive developments in respect of this suit and the applicants which had led to exchange of correspondence and telephone discussions between the plaintiff (NLNG), the first defendant (Attorney-General) and NIMASA and which were conveyed to the second defendant (Global West) counsel.

“The discussions involved counsel for all parties. I have before me a letter dated 12th July 2013, written to NIMASA by the plaintiff containing

the agreement that had been reached between the plaintiff and NIMASA which the Attorney-General and Global West had already been informed about. “We have agreed that the contents of this letter which NIMASA and the plaintiff intend to start implementing today should form the basis of a consent order to be made by the Honourable Court.

“On the basis of the letter, we urge the court to make a consent order. On behalf of the plaintiff, I confirm that the parties have had discussions and there have been exchange of correspondence.”

Justice Idris Mohammed said: “The letters dated July 5, 2013 and July 12, 2013 are hereby made the consent order of this court.”

The saga is a striking example of a legal dilemma that only the court can resolve as other avenues, including the mediation by the Federal Government, which has 49 per cent shareholding, have failed. All eyes will be on the court in September and till the matter is laid to rest.

Nigeria worse hit by U.S. shale oil Oil Imports from Nigeria to the United States have fallen more than 52 million barrels following unexpected rapid growth in shale output, reports Reuters

R

ISING shale oil production in the United States has slashed light oil imports from countries such as Nigeria and Algeria by more than half in the past two years. The unexpectedly rapid growth in shale oil output has rightly been termed a supply shock by seasoned observers, but it is also a quality shock.

“US light tight oil is distinctive in that rising production is causing an unexpected quality shift in the global crude mix,” the International Energy Agency (IEA) has said. “The shock waves of rising US shale gas and light tight oil... are reaching virtually all recesses of the global oil market,” the IEA wrote in its 2013 Medium-Term Oil Market Report.

“These powerful forces are redefining the way oil is being produced, processed, traded and consumed around the world.

There is hardly any aspect of the global oil supply chain that will not undergo some measure of transformation over the next five years.”

In the first three months of 2013, US refiners cut their crude imports to just 681 million barrels, down from 785-800 million barrels in the same period in 2012 and 2011. The reduction has fallen entirely on light grades, those that compete most directly with similar domestic production from shale plays such as the Bakken and Eagle Ford. Imports or medium and heavy crudes have actually risen over the past two years.

According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), imports of light crudes with an API gravity of 35 degrees or more fell to just 76 million in the first quarter of 2013 from 130

million in the same quarter in 2012 and from 162 million a year before that.

Production down Imports from Nigeria, which produces mostly very light low sulphur oils, have fallen more than 52 million barrels, while crudes from Algeria were down by 21 million barrels. By contrast, imports of medium and heavy grades testing 30 degrees API or lower are slightly higher since 2011.

Legal restrictions prevent US oil production being exported.

But by displacing an equivalent volume of light crude from Nigeria and Algeria, and forcing those countries to find new markets in Europe and Asia, US shale oil is effectively making its way onto the global market.

In consequence, the global crude slate is becoming lighter (and sweeter), radically altering the pricing relationship between light-sweet and heavy-sour oils, and slashing the traditional premium refiners have to pay for light grades such as Brent.

At the same time, demand from refiners is shifting to heavier oils which yield more diesel, as improved vehicle fuel efficiency and ethanol blending mandates nibble away at gasoline consumption in the US. North American shale production is expected to expand another 2.3 million barrels per day by 2018, and account for well over 25 per cent of global incremental output, according to IEA. Before the shale revolution, the consensus view was that the global crude slate would become heavier and sourer, as dwin-

dling output from high-quality fields in the North Sea and elsewhere forced refiners increasingly to rely on marginal supplies of heavy, tarry crudes from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Canada.

Refiners in the US and Asia responded by investing heavily in units to strip out the undesirable sulphur and convert the heavy residuals left over from processing heavier and sourer crudes.

Shale has upended all those calculations. Crude from the Bakken typically tests at 40 degrees API or even more. Saudi oils are often 30 degrees or lower. Venezuela’s crude is often below 20 degrees and sometimes as low as 10.

Shale oil is a “good fit for some US refineries which had seemed on the brink of closure, (but) the supply boom is proving a challenge as well as an opportunity for others, which had bet on a widening heavy-light price spread and invested massively in upgrading capacity,” according to the IEA. Lifeline The impact is not confined to the US. As light crudes from Nigeria and Algeria are displaced from North American refineries, they must find new markets in Europe and Asia, where they compete with local supplies such as Brent and Malaysia’s Tapis.

The unexpected lightening of the crude slate has thrown a lifeline to refineries on the US East Coast and in Europe which had failed to invest in expensive conversion equipment. It has also shifted the balance of power within Opec even further away from light producers in Africa and towards the heavier oil producers in the Gulf.

Rather than selling into the Atlantic Basin, African light oil producers are being forced to reorient their exports towards Asia, where shipping routes are longer, and refiners have more flexibility and can drive a harder bargain, eroding the traditional premiums which their exports have commanded.

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

NEWS Five governors to meet IBB, Abdulsalami Continued from page 1

•Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Dr Eugene Juwah (left) with Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, when the EVC paid a courtesy visit to the governor in Lagos.

Europe to ban stolen Nigerian oil Continued from page 1

400, 000 barrels a day is a huge loss. We need to get traceability of oil to avoid theft. The oil companies are involved in this and everybody is making big money.

“The bunkering tankers are better equipped than the Nigerian Navy, This is a huge international organised crime. We did it with diamond; we can also do it with oil.”

According to her, the country would have been better off if it had functional refineries. “Could someone please explain why you don’t have refineries in Nigeria?” She asked, describing Nigeria as a “paradox”.

“There is a paradox in Nigeria. There’s a seven per cent growth in the economy, but growth and employment are not going hand-inhand. We need to respond to this paradox.”

Rivasi also said she would insist that the Boko Haram issue be included in the communique. “They kill people and burn churches.

The international communi-

ty has to help and this is something that is not reflected (in the communique). We must say that they should anticipate or pre-empt before the situation gets worse or deteriorate.”

Rivasi, who is from France, recalled that Boko Haram captured a French family.

“This problem, we need on the one hand to use force because these are people that kill civilians and rob banks, attack police stations and steal arms. There is a high level of inequality in Nigeria; some are super rich and others live on less than two dollars daily. We must provide jobs.”

Responding to a question on the planned £3000 visa bond proposed by the United Kingdom, she said: “We (Europe) have unemployment of more than 12 per cent; others 20 and Spain 57.

We are trying to get you to develop in your own country.

People should be able to develop in their own country.”

According to her, this could be done by funding smallscale industries.

The communique issued at

the end of the meeting reads: “With particular regard to the Nigerian oil industry, Members stressed the need to ensure that the revenues generated from the extractive industry are distributed transparently and equitably through the national budget in order to contribute to sustainable development and poverty reduction.

“Members also expressed concern at the high rates of oil thefts, wastage and illegal bunkering which lead to substantial revenue losses and environmental degradation.

Members called on the Nigerian government to put in place appropriate mechanisms and measures to fight against this organised crime.”

House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal solicited the support of the international parliaments in addressing oil theft.

He said: “We ask for you to support Nigeria’s effort in addressing the issue of oil theft.

Here, we will come up with stiff legislation against it. But the oil is being taken out and is going to other places. If

possible, we require very stiff legislation from the European Union and other countries that are destination for the oil. It has very high negative impact on the economy and by extension, the people.”

Tambuwal said West Africa had been facing a lot of security issues. “Here in Nigeria, we have taken extreme measures to ensure there is peace.

As a parliament, we are supporting the executive through legislation, especially on the issue of funding.”

The ACP-EU meeting was attended by 20 lawmakers (12 from Africa and eight from Europe).

nors behind the “Save Democracy” initiative are Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto) and Babangida Aliyu (Niger).

All, except Wamakko visited Amaechi. Aliyu was not in the team that visited the exPresident “because he got the information late”.

A source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said the governors initiated the shuttles to key national leaders because of the benefit of insight at their disposal on the 2015 polls.

The source said: “The governors told Obasanjo to meet with other statesmen to avert the drift in the country as a result of the crises in the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and in Rivers State.

“They noted that the Rivers crisis may have a wider implication for the nation’s democracy, which is no longer enjoying international confidence. They want Obasanjo and other leaders to intervene before the situation becomes uncontrollable.”

The governors, it was learnt, told of how they were ambushed in Port Harcourt and what would have happened in the North if they had been assaulted.

“I think the visit was just to draw Obasanjo’s attention to the ‘drift’ afflicting the nation’s democracy and the need to intervene in Rivers crisis,” the source, who pleaded not to be name, said.

Replying to a question, the source added: “The governors were also unhappy about what they called antiNorth agenda of President

Goodluck Jonathan.”

“They want to take the same message to Gen. Babangida, Gen. Abubakar and Gen. Danjuma before the week runs out.

President Goodluck Jonathan visited Obasanjo minutes before the governors arrived at his Abeokuta home.

“What they did was not to make much issue of their visit but for the coincidental presence of Jonathan in Abeokuta,” the source said, adding: “And it could not be immediately ascertained if security report made Jonathan to change his mind to pay condolence visit to the family of his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr, Reuben Abati, because he had sent his Chief of Staff, Chief Mike Ogiadhome, to represent him at the funeral of Abati’s mum.”

It was learnt that the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had been cautious in moving against the governors because the North is politically volatile.

One of the Special Advisers to the President, who spoke with our correspondent, said the Presidency is not jittery about the governors’ trip to Obasanjo.

The Adviser, who pleaded not to be named, said: “Everybody has the right to visit whoever he likes; there is nothing unusual about the governors’ visit to ex-President Obasanjo.

“You media men are not helping matters. Is that visit unusual? This is an elder statesman that anyone can visit. We should not make an issue out of it.”

2015: Ijaw elders to meet Arewa, Ohanaeze, OPC

I

T was a heated session at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State yesterday as elders from the Ijaw ethnic extraction took turns to condemn what they referred to as consistent attacks on President Goodluck Jonathan.

After a four-hour meeting, the elders resolved to meet with the Arewa Consultative Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

and the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) to resolve areas of differences.

Those who contributed at the meeting that was held under the aegis of the Ijaw National Congress believed that reasoning with other ethnic groups would give their geopolitical zone a

second chance.

They were of the opinion that consulting with other ethnic groups would lead to an agreement that would allow Jonathan a second term in office.

They were worried that the tirades launched against Jonathan and the present negative mood of some Continued on page 61

Rivers political crisis: ‘Presidency must not shield Bipi, Nwogu’ Rivers crisis can truncate democracy, says Kalu A

PORT HARCOURT, Rivers State lawyer, Uche Okwukwu, has advised the Presidency not to shield the self-acclaimed “Speaker” of the Rivers House of Assembly, Evans Bipi, and another lawmaker, Kelechi Godspower Nwogu from the police probe of the Assembly fracas.

He described as unfair, Rivers police’s declaration of only the Leader of the House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, wanted for attempted murder, conspiracy, wounding and wilful damage in the fracas of July 9.

Okwukwu, said yesterday in Port Harcourt, the police must not take sides in the deepening political crisis .

Lloyd, a lawyer, who represents Emohua Constituency, during the exchange of blows in the main chambers of the Assembly, used a fake mace procured for the attempted impeachment of the Speaker, Otelemaba Dan Amachree, to hit the representative of the Obio/Akpor II Constit-

F

ORMER Abia State Governor Orji Kalu at the weekend echoed the fear of former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar that the Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis is capable of truncating democracy.

Kalu urged President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene .

Kalu spoke in London at the weekend at a reception in honour of Dr. Nkem Okonkwo, daughter of Senator Annie Okonkwo.

The senator’s daughter bagged a degree in Medicine from the University of Cardiff, Wales.

Kalu said at a time the younger generation was looking up to the country’s leaders, he was disappointed by the “barbaric, shameful and undemocratic act of some so-called honourable lawmakers of Rivers State House of Assembly.”

He tagged the lawmakers “dishonFrom Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

uency, Michael Okechukwu Chinda.

The five anti-Amaechi lawmakers: Bipi, Nwogu, Chinda, Martins Amewhule (Obio/Akpor I) and Victor

orable lawbreakers”.

He stated that the actions of the lawmakers are unpatriotic and urged the appropriate authority to sanction all those found culpable, accordingly to the law.

Kalu said the rule of law is central to the survival of any nation, adding that the law should be applicable to all and sundry irrespective of social, political and economic status.

He said: “The law is a respecter of nobody and until the system gives the rule of law its rightful place, no meaningful development will be achieved.”

He noted that every Nigerian has a right to aspire to any position provided it is within the limits of the law.

He decried a situation where leaders expend federal and state resources to fight themselves for selfish political interests and ambitions rath-

Ihunwo (Port Harcourt III) are loyal to the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, who wants to be governor in 2015.

Wike, penultimate weekend, supervised the transfer to London of the injured

er than focusing on governance.

He also condemned the attack on Governors Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and Sule Lamido (Jigawa) by persons believed to be hired thugs in Port Harcourt.

The governors were in Port Harcourt on a visit to embattled Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

He said the humiliation could happen to anyone, including the President if care was not taken.

He noted that it was highly unfortunate that the governors could be stoned by miscreants, with no one saying anything.

He said such behaviour without sanctions meant the right to freedom of movement is jeopardised and lawlessness is the order of the day.

He lamented: “As long as the President remains silent on these happen-

Chinda, from a private hospital in Port Harcourt, where he was treated for three days, to ensure better treatment.

Lloyd, a loyalist of Amachree, stood firmly against his July 9 attempt-

Continued on page 61

ed impeachment and prevented Bipi from being forced on the Assembly as the speaker.

The Rivers Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Felix Continued on page 61

•Kalu

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22 2013

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NEWS

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Supreme Court affirms family’s ownership of Lekki land

HE popular Osapa Village in Lekki Peninsula, Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State belongs to the Eletu family, the Supreme Court has held.

In a judgment last week, the apex court unanimously held that the land measuring about 10 hectares did not belong to the Ojomu Chieftancy family.

The court set aside the judgments of a Lagos High Court and the Court of Appeal, Lagos which had erroneously awarded the disputed land to the Ojomu family.

Justice Kumai Aka’ahs, in the lead judgment, held that the fact that Ojomu family had an agreement with Lagos State government in respect of the land did not extinguish the right of the Eletu family which was sold to them (Eletu) in 1977.

The judge held that the Ojomu family were inconsistent in their claim.

The apex court upheld the

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

arguments of the lawyers to the Eletu family, namely: Olu Daramola, SAN, Ahmed Raji, SAN and Ademola Koko that the disputed land belonged to their client.

The court ordered the Ojomu family to pay N200,000 to Eletu family as costs in the high court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

“The respondents (Ojomu family) have not been consistent in their claim to the land.

“In one breath, they claim it was the acquisition by the Lagos State Government which was not challenged that extinguished the appellants’ (Eletu family) to the land while in another breath they are asserting that it was the declaration made by the court in Suit No. ID/1883/89 in their favour that extinguished the appellants’ inter-

‘The respondents (Ojomu family) have not been consistent in their claim to the land’ est in the land.”

Justice Aka-ahs traced the origin of the dispute to 1977 when the Ojomu family sold a portion of their land to the appellants’ father, the late Gbadamosi Bandele Eletu.

The land is known as Osapa Village in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The transaction done through a Deed of Convenyance dated 23rd Au-

gust, 1977 was duly registered as No. 36 page 36 Volume 1648 at the Lands Registry, Lagos.

However, by the Lagos State Government Notices Nos 10 and 14 published in the Lagos State Official Gazette of February 19th and 26th, 1987 respectively, the Lagos State Government compulsorily acquired a vast area of land spanning several kilometres consisting of many villages and settlements.

The acquired land included Osapa village which had earlier been sold to the Eletu family.

The Ojomu family consequently filed a suit against the Lagos State Government, challenging the acquisition.

Judgment was delivered in their favour in 1991. However, after judgment, the Ojomu family entered into an agreement with the state

government wherein portions of Ojomu family land were granted to the state government.

Some portions were excised and the certificate of occupancy was granted to the Ojomu family over the enitre portions of land excised from the government acquisition.

Because the Eletu family did not join the suit (Ojomu family) instituted against the state, challenging the compulsory acquisition, the Ojomu family said the right of the Eletu family over the land already sold to them had been extinguished.

The high court agreed with them. So did the Court of Appeal. But the Supreme Court set aside the judgment and found in favour of the Eletu family.

Justices Samuel Onnoghen, Bode RhodesVivour, Olukayode Ariwoola and Clara Ogunbiyi, who were on the panel that heard the case, agreed with Justice Aka-ahs’s decision.

Passenger dies at Lagos Airport

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

A TRANSIT passenger on Arik Air flight en-route London-Lagos-Owerri yesterday slumped and died at the remodelled domestic Terminal One of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

The passenger, believed to have hailed from the Southeast, it was learnt slumped at the entrance of the departure hall. He was with his wife and brother at the time of the incident.

According to sources, immediately the passenger slumped, he was rushed to the Aviation Clinic , where he was confirmed dead.

The General Manager, Corporate Communications, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN), Mr Yakubu Dati said:”’ About 0600 hours , a transit passenger on Arik Air flight en route London Lagos - Owerri, slumped at the entrance of the departure of terminal one.

He was immediately rushed to the Aviation Clinic where he was confirmed dead .

The passenger’s wife and brother who were with the deceased later proceeded to Owerri.”

Labour to Reps, states: don’t deregulate wages

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

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•Pastor Kumuyi...at the weekend

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•Worshippers at a prayer session

PHOTOS: JOSEPH JIBUEZE

Righteousness requires boldness, says Kumuyi

HRISTIANS need boldness to live lives of righteousness, the General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, said yesterday.

According to him, when children of God “stand in authority”, Satan stays far away from them.

Pastor Kumuyi spoke at the monthly revival and miracle programme held at the Deeper Life Conference Centre on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

It began on Saturday and ended yesterday, and had the theme: The God that Cannot Fail.

It was a night of miracles as several worshippers narrated their healing experiences following moving prayers by the preacher.

Thousands of hands were raised in prayers. Thunderous shouts of “Amen!” rent the large auditorium as Pastor Kumuyi prayed for the blind to see, for the womb of the barren to open, for the

•Deeper Life Church holds monthly revival

By Joseph Jibueze

sick to be healed, and for the lame to walk.

Reading from Job 22: 28, he urged Christians to “decree” anything, and it shall be established by faith.

“People who decree are those who receive the word of God,” he said, adding: “You must live by the principles coming out of God’s mouth.”

He said without boldness, no one can successful live by righteous principles.

“The righteous is as bold as a lion. The Almighty shall be your defence, and Satan cannot penetrate you. No evil can disturb your life.

“You will have enough to spend and enough to spare in Jesus name. You have the final say. Satan does not have the final say in your life.

Enough is Enough!”said Pastor Kumuyi.

Quoting Ephesians 6:11, he urged the worshippers to put

‘The righteous is as bold as a lion. The Almighty shall be your defence, and Satan cannot penetrate you. No evil can disturb your life’ on the “amour of God” without which they cannot “wrestm” successfully against principalities and powers.

The General Superintendent raised the question: “Who is going to win?” referring to the “wrestling”, and responses of “I” rent the air.

“The weapons of our warfare are not canal buy mighty. Every stronghold in your life is pulled down tonight!” Kumuyi prayed.

He added: “There is a key in your hand. You have the authority. The spirit of death will run away from

your family. Enemies of progress will not have the final say in your life.

“The Lord will build you up. You will build up your wife, your husband, your children and your business.”

Pastor Kumuyi said God never fails his people. Just as he opened the red sea for a whole nation to cross, so will He move his worshippers from the natural to the supernatural.

“If you are lame, you will walk; if you are blind, you will see, because you serve the God that cannot fail.

“There is a bridge for you to cross: the bridge of faith.

You also need the boldness

of faith and the blessing of faith.

“Everything you have desired will come to pass. God is going to hear and answer your prayers.

“You are going to ask tonight and it shall be given you. Victory has now come.

You will be victorious over every temptation in Jesus name.

“You are a partaker of God’s divine nature, and there is no infirmity or unrighteousness with such nature,” Pastor Kumuyi said.

The programme included individual breaking of fast, prayer sessions, congregational songs, seminars, orchestra/choir presentations, bible reading, and testimonies.

One of the seminar songs reads in part: “If your body suffers pain and your health you can’t regain; and your soul is almost sinking in despair, Jesus knows the pain you feel, He can save and he can heal; Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.”

ABOUR leaders under the platform of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) have enjoined the House of Representatives and the 36 state Houses of Assembly not to deregulate wages. It warned Nigerians to prepare for emerging parliamentary dictatorship as the Senate also precludes Presidential assent before the amendments become law.

In a statement in Lagos at the weekend, and signed by its National President Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Secretary-General Comrade Alade Bashir Lawal, the union said that all over the world, a National Minimum Wage is legally binding on all employers who were compelled by law to pay the benchmark and not below it.

“The essence of a National Minimum Wage is to ensure that poor workers are statutorily protected from powerful employers who, left alone, would prefer to pay peanuts to their workers.

“This is why consecutive governments in Nigeria including the military have subscribed to the philosophy of a National Minimum Wage as contained in Convention 131 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) ratified by more than 170 countries, Nigeria inclusive,” the statement added.

According to ASCSN, the Senate in its drive for selfcentredness, did not indulge in any deep thinking before rushing to deregulate wages.

It also drew attention to the fact that the Senate had approved pensions for life for its leadership while rejecting local government autonomy which would have financially empowered the third tier of government to bring development to the people.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

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NEWS FOI: SERAP sues Fed Govt over N700b expenditure

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GROUP, the SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has sued the Federal Government for failing to provide information on the N700 billion borrowed between December 31, last year, and April 30, this year.

The suit, filed last week at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, followed the organisation’s request under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. Joined as defendants in the suit are: the Accountant-General, Mr Jonah Ogunniyi Otunla and the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke.

The suit is seeking the following reliefs: •A declaration that by virtue of the provisions of Section 4 (a) of the FOI Act 2011, the first defendant is under a binding legal obligation to provide the plaintiff with up to date information on the spending of N700 billion borrowed between December 31, last year, and April 30, this year, and with details of projects on which the money was spent; •A declaration that the failure of the first defendant to provide the plaintiff with the information requested is a breach of Section 4(a) of the FOI Act, 2011; •An order of mandamus directing and/or compelling the first defendant to provide the plaintiff with up to date information as requested.

SERAP said: “By the clear provisions of Section 2(3)(d)(V) of the FOI Act, documents containing information relating to the receipt or expenditure of public or other funds of a public institution constitute part of the information which a public institution is obligated to publish, disseminate and make available to the public.”

The organisation argued that the first defendant “is legally mandated by the provisions of Section 4(a) of the FOI Act to comply with a request for access to public information, except where the FOI Act exempts a public official from so disclosing”.

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Nigeria’s economy in bad shape, says A US-based economist

UNITED States-based Developmental Economist, Mr. Odilim Enwegbara, yesterday said the nation’s economy is in bad shape. He urged President Goodluck Jonathan to overhaul his economic management team.

The economist said the nation’s economy was better under former President Olusegun Obasanjo than under the present administration.

He asked the President to drop the Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, from his cabinet.

The economist also urged President Jonathan to call the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, to order on the

•’Okonjo-Iweala should be dropped’

From Yusuf Alli and Yomi Odunuga, Abuja

Rivers State political crisis.

Enwegbara, who addressed reporters in Abuja, noted that the present members of the nation’s economic team have hijacked the President.

He said: “To manage the economy is not purely an economic issue. It requires politicians because they are emotionally attached to the problem and they have something at stake, if the economy is not moving well. But it’s not for

all those so-called technocrats.

“The people we have so far called in to manage our economy are incompetent and they have not demonstrated interest in the masses.

“They come up with cookedup figures, which I always challenge. But I can tell you that our economy is worse than during Obasanjo’s era.

“Mr. President should overhaul his cabinet and bring in people who will really transform the economy. He needs such a minister who will tell

him: ‘I want to create 10 million jobs in a year’ and he will be able to verify the workability of such proposals.”

Responding to a question, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)-trained economist said he was worried that some members of the Economic Management Team have hijacked the President.

Enwagbara added: “I am one of those who say, ‘let’s close our borders so that the pressure to import will be closed’.

“Our monetary and fiscal policies are disjointed and turned upside down. They are

Govt’s N300m Nollywood fund ready for disbursement T HE N300 million capacity building fund for the Nigerian film industry is ready for disbursement to qualified practitioners.

Its website will be launched and activated as from noon today. The website is www.projectactnollywood.com.ng.

A statement by Paul Nwabuikwu, the Special Adviser to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, said this “signals the commencement of the fund, as corporate and individual practitioners in various aspects of movie craft

From Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor, Abuja

and production can apply for various specified grants under the fund to boost their skills and capacity”.

The statement added: “The Capacity Building Fund, which was announced recently as the first part of the N3 billion support fund for Nollywood, was pledged by President Goodluck Jonathan.”

The fund, it added, is the first

in a series of initiatives planned under Project ACT Nollywood, comprising two components.

The first is a Training Fund of N150 million dedicated to training and skill acquisition for Nollywood practitioners in all competencies along the value chain of Nigeria’s movie industry.

These, the statement noted, include “scriptwriting, directing, production and production design, special effects, lighting, sound, HD techniques, acting,

cinematography, make-up, editing, etc.”

The second component is the Capacity Development Fund, which is also worth N150 million.

This will come as grants to existing Nigerian-owned private institutes, which offer training courses, programmes and technical certification in the movie industry.

It could also be used to upgrade existing facilities, procure equipment and develop internal capacity to offer a set of courses/training programmess, which address key skills gap.

ASUU accuses Fed Govt of insincerity From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

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• From left: Ondo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN); Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi; celebrant and Akeredolu’s wife, Betty and ACN National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during the 60th birthday anniversary of Mrs Akeredolu and 16th year as a breast cancer survivor, in Ibadan, Oyo State... on Saturday.

Dialogue, not force will stop terrorism, says don

PROFESSOR of Islamic Studies, Is’haq Akintola, has again urged the Federal Government to dialogue with members of the Boko Haram sect instead of using force against them.

Akintola, who is the Dean of Arts, Lagos State University (LASU), spoke at the weekend in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at a Ramadan lecture organised by Abdulrauf Jimoh and Co., a firm of chartered accountants.

The lecture was on: Terrorism and Corruption Ravaging a Promising Nation: An Islamic Solution.

Akintola said: “In solving the Boko Haram menace, I will suggest to government not to use force. Soldiers are out there, in parts of the North, pursuing Boko Haram. But those might not be the only places where Boko Haram exists. Force alone cannot stop

not developmental; they are anti-growth, anti-job, antieverything.

“But they have hijacked our honest President and clapped hands for him. The man has joined hands with them and also is also clapping.”

The economist said the problem of the economy has nothing to do with borrowing but diverting the borrowed funds into private pockets and stashing such in foreign economies. He asked the President to drop the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, from his cabinet.

Enwegbara said: “The problem is the person whom they made the Minister of Finance. I know her since years back. I invited her to MIT to a conference I organised; I respect her. But she cannot manage this economy. She has never managed any economy.

“She has been a staff of the World Bank, running the politics of World Bank. To manage the economy needs people who are on the ground, who have gone through the process.

“She has lived outside this country for too long and came back from a broken institution. The system they put in place (World Bank and IMF) is to plunder our economy.

You can’t tell me when her children are Americans; she came from the headquarters of American imperialism. I don’t see that patriotism in her.

“She has to prove to me that she is patriotic. Let her bring her children to the country so that they too will interact with others and they will tell them, see our situation.”

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‘Boko Haram peace panel is scam’

NON-governmental organisation (NGO), the Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA), has described the Presidential Special Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of the Security Challenges in the North as a scam.

The group noted that the panel, headed by the Minister for Special Duties, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), is a scandalous contraption which should not have been set up.

HURIWA urged President Goodluck Jonathan to disband the committee.

It also said members of the committee should return to the public coffers all expenses they incurred in the committee’s “merryFrom Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

terrorism. Poverty created Boko Haram.

“The Federal Government should listen to the sect’s members and ask them what they want. In Turkey, the government dialogued with the PKK

go-round”.

In a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, and the National Media Affairs Director, Miss Zainab Yusuf, HURIWA noted that it would amount to a grave disservice to public interest should the presidential committee continue to parade itself as genuine peace makers.

The group recalled that the President “had put a lie to the sensational and widely-publicised claim by the Chairman of the panel and Minister of Special Duties that the dreaded armed Islamic terrorists, Boko Haram, had signed a ceasefire with effect from the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan”.

members; the British Government dialogued with the Irish Republican Army (IRA); the Italian Government, rather than use force, dialogued with the Red Brigade and they stopped throwing bombs.

“In Spain, we have the Barth’s Separatists. But the govern-

ment dialogued with them and settled the rift. That is why we will support what will bring peaceful coexistence between the government and Boko Haram.”

The don noted that the fear of God is the antidote to the social malaise ravaging the

country.

He said: “If the politicians govern well and give the people their due, terrorism would be wiped out.

“There is a strong umbilical cord between a lack of fear of God, bad governance, corruption, poverty, frustration, anger and terrorism.

“About 70 per cent of the secondary school leavers are unfit for university education. I have a cause-effect theory of terrorism, as there can be no smoke without fire. It’s because people are angry with bad governance that they vent their spleen on the society. People are reacting to some form of injustice.

“It could be socio-economic or religious but anytime there is injustice, there will be a reaction. But I want to make it abundantly clear that Islam opposes terrorism. Terrorism is antithetical to violence.”

HE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the weekend accused the Federal Government of insincerity in the implementation of the agreement it reached with the union in 2009.

The union said the government has not shown interest in addressing the problems of the Education sector.

It also said the government was feigning ignorance about the union’s demands.

The National Convener, ASUU Committee on Human Rights, Dr Sola Olorunyomi, spoke on a Splash FM programme, “Voices”, monitored in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

He said ASUU’s leaders, who met with representatives of the Federal Government, were shocked when the government feigned ignorance about the strike and its agreement.

The academic explained that it was only when the representatives were shown the government’s signature on the document that the reality dawned on them.

Olorunyomi said: “We are resolute this time. We are prepared to go hungry. You can’t believe that the people we met first feigned ignorance about the agreement. It was not until our team brought out the memorandum of agreement and then some of them saw their signatures. It was a drama of sorts. But you can only have that in Nigeria.”

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

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NEWS ‘Stop instigating Ilaje against one another’

Verbal blows as Omisore challenges Aregbesola to debate

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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GROUP, the Ilaje Forum (IF), at the weekend raised the alarm over an alleged attempt by some people to incite Ilaje indigenes against one another.

It said their aim was to erode the peaceful co-existence of the oil-rich Ilaje community.

In a communiqué given to reporters in Akure after its emergency meeting, IF said the aim of the individuals was to benefit in terms of appointments at the two interventionists agencies, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ondo State Oil Producing Development Commission (OSOPADEC).

The communiqué, signed by its Coordinator, Oyekan Erejuwa and Secretary, Ebimoni Charles, said any attempt by a few individuals in Ilaje land to desecrate their heritage would be resisted.

It reads: “How can some individuals appropriate the Godgiven resources of Ilaje land (crude oil), which is in every part of Ilaje nation, to Ugbo kingdom only.

“The truth of the matter is not only known to the Ilaje people, but also to the oil companies operating in Ilaje land and the Ondo State Government.”

The group decried those people it said were crucifying its leader, Chief Sola Ebiseni, for saying the truth. It described the act as self-serving and ungodly.

‘Funmi Olayinka Cancer Centre opens in October’

Governor: ‘he’s heading for waterloo’

G •Omisore

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SUN State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has challenged Governor Rauf Aregbesola to a public debate on good governance.

But he got more than he bargained for, with the government replying him in proverbs and sarcasm.

Speaking with reporters at his country home in Ile-Ife yesterday, Omisore claimed he parades better credentials than any politician in the Southwest.

Said he: “I am the only one with a doctoral degree (PhD) in Public Private Enterprise (PPE). No politician has the type of curriculum vitae I possess in the Southwest. I was once a deputy governor, a senator, an engineer and a philosopher.

I went to the best schools and worked for the best international companies. With all modesty, no one can match me in engineering practice.

“In the last 15 years I have been with the people of Osun State. I know the length and breadth of the state. I know the pains the people go through.”

Omisore said Osun State indigenes are waiting for him to

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KITI State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has said the Funmi Olayinka Cancer Diagnostic Centre, which is under construction in Ado- Ekiti, would be inaugurated in October.

The governor spoke during the 60th birthday lecture of Mrs. Betty Akeredolu, wife of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), held in Ibadan on Saturday.

Governor Fayemi, who is the Special Guest at the lecture, titled: ‘It is time to give cancer a national health priority’, said the diagnostic centre would focus on the early detection of cancer.

It is named after the former Deputy Governor, the late Mrs. Funmi Olayinka, who died on April 6 after a battle with breast cancer.

Governor Fayemi, who expressed confidence that the cancer diagnostic centre would help citizens access modern facilities to aid the early detection of the disease, said the centre would be equipped with mammogram and other equipment as well as medical experts in the field of oncology.

Stressing that his administration was committed to the well-being of the citizenry, the governor said: “A few months ago, we conducted free cancer check-up for citizens to enable them know their status.”

He urged governments to focus on primary health care, adding that it remained the fastest way to detect cancer and other diseases at an early stage.

Governor Fayemi also enjoined governments to take cancer as a national health priority, saying relevant agencies should carry out massive sensitisation programmes on the disease.

OVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola has reacted to the debate challenge of Senator Iyiola Omisore, saying he is heading for waterloo.

Speaking through Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Ogbeni Aregbesola said: “It has been brought to our attention, an interview reportedly granted by Senator Iyiola Omisore, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Osun wherein he challenged Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to a public debate.

“One is compelled to view this as captured best in what Yoruba would describe as ‘Sigidi fe sere ete, oni kiwon gbe oun lo sodo l’owe’.

(Meaning; ‘Bent on meeting its Waterloo, the clay statue says its owner should carry it to the river to have a swim’.

“Should Ogbeni Aregbesola ever be afraid of a debate anywhere in the world, would it be against an Omisore? What would be the rule of engagement in such a debate as Nigerians know that 10 Omisores cannot come close to the apparent mental alertness, creative ingenuity and ideological robustness of Aregbesola?

“We congratulate him on his self-delusion as the politician with the best CV and an engineer with the best practice in the Southwest.

Sometimes, we need this kind of comic relief as provided by Omisore, especially in the face of the many absurdities his party, the PDP, conFrom Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

become their governor because they know him to be one of them.

He said the demolition of structures on the major road going on in the state was unnecessary, adding that it was unreasonable to make people

tinues to assault our collective psyche with on a daily basis.

“Oh! He truly flaunts a dossier that can never be the envy of anyone in a sane society. A former deputy governor, yes, but one that was impeached! A senator, yes, but one whose election was nullified! An engineer but with no noticeable records of performance anywhere!

“If Omisore is in any doubt about his lack of popularity among the people whom he claimed to have represented as a senator, why could he not win his ward in the last National Assembly election when a credible electoral practice was in place? And how else could he have admitted defeat other than his failure to challenge the victory of Senator Jide Omoworare at the tribunal?

“We thank him for acknowledging the massive urban renewal project of the Aregbeosla administration. But we advise him and other PDP leaders to toe the path of honour by allowing the urban renewal project officials continue their work by allowing the removal of the structures standing in the way of construction in front of the PDP campaign office in Osogbo. The party’s campaign office cannot be a sacred cow in the face of banks, hotels, filling stations, other business premises and indeed, the campaign office of Governor Aregbesola that have so far been affected in the removal of structures for the urban renewal projects.”

go through pains.

He said he was not against the urban renewal efforts of the present administration, but residents should be engaged and prepared ahead of the exercise.

“There are better ways of doing urban renewal as done in many advanced countries.

We are not in the jungle where

anyone can just do things anyhow,” Omisore said.

He denied dumping the PDP for the Labour Party to actualise his governorship ambition, saying as a financier of the party, he would not consider the option because his political structure had always helped the party in all elections.

A section of the campaign office of Governor Aregbesola affected by the removal of structures on GbonganOsogbo Road, as part of the urban renewal programmes in the state... yesterday

My suspension political, says Ondo lawmaker From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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HE suspended lawmaker representing Ose Constituency in Ondo State, Mrs. Fola Olasehinde, at the weekend urged members of the House of Assembly to rescind their decision and reinstate her.

She said the allegation levelled against her was politically-motivated, adding that they should allow her perform her parliamentary role as a representative of her constituents.

Mrs. Olasehinde was suspended by the Assembly on June 19 for allegedly keeping fetish objects in her former apartment.

The lawyer-cum-politician and a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP) said from observation, her colleagues, who placed her on a three-month suspension, were not ready to keep to the stipulated time.

According to her, a committee, headed by Mr. Olotu Fatai, was constituted by the House to look into the allegation and submit its report within two weeks, but nothing had been heard on the issue.

She said such an action was humiliating despite her commitment to the success of the LP. Mrs. Olasehinde, who spoke to The Nation in Akure, said the allegation on fetish objects was fallacious, stressing that she was being punished unnecessarily.

She said: “I rented an apartment from Chief Ogunbadejo in 2009 and vacated the place in September 2012.

“To my surprise, nine months after I left, my former landlord alleged that he found some fetish items in the apartment.

“The house has two apartments that share one pumping machine.

“When I was vacating, I dropped the key to the place where the pumping machine was kept.

“Why would the landlord allege that I didn’t drop the key when he is aware that his second tenant would not have had access to water if I didn’t drop the key?”

The lawmaker said Mr. Ogunbadejo went to the house with a court bailiff, a police officer and his own lawyer on June 4 to allegedly break into the apartment after which they signed a document that read “nothing was found”.

Her words: “Why did the landlord allege that he found fetish items two weeks after he confirmed that there was nothing in the apartment?”

Child marriage: Fayemi’s wife urges protest against Senate’s decision

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KITI State Governor’s wife, Mrs Bisi Fayemi, has urged people of good conscience, civil society organisations, feminists and social justice crusaders to support the protests against the move by the Senate to legalise child marriage.

In a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Akin Oyedele, the governor’s wife described the lawmakers’ move as self-serving and at variance with international conventions and protocols on the rights of the child, which Nigeria has ratified.

Calling for sustained protests against the move by the Senate to expunge Section 29 Sub-section B from the constitution, Erelu Fayemi said the lawmakers should channel their energy towards strengthening the laws to promote the well-being of the child.

She said: “I’m not only disappointed at the decision by the Senate, as a mother, I’m ashamed. I’m unhappy and pained that our senators, who also have daughters, will vote for child marriage.

“This is the time men and women of good conscience, civil society organisations, feminists and social justice crusaders should stand up and be counted among those protesting against the decision.

“Instead of this self-serving amendment to Section 29 B of the constitution, our lawmakers should devote time to legislate on the laws that protect the child against violence, exploitation and labour, harmful traditional practices, abuse and denial of education.”

Erelu Fayemi said for instance, Article 1 of the United Nations Convention of Rights of the Child, which Nigeria ratified, defined a child as every human being (male or female) below the age of 18.

Some states in the country, including Ekiti, have also domesticated the convention.

The UN convention clarified that anybody below the age of 18 may be deemed not to be a child “unless the law of his or her country deems him or her to be an adult at an earlier age, which is rare.”

Section 277 of the Federal Child Rights Act of 2003 thus defines a child as anyone who is below the age of 18.

In furtherance of the ongoing constitution amendment, the Senate had voted for the deletion of Section 29, sub-sections A and B, which pre-

scribes “full age” for a female to be deemed to be constitutionally-ripe for marriage.

Section B provides that “any woman, who is married, shall be deemed to be of full age,” while Section A defines full age as “18 years and above.”

As enshrined in the UNICEF mission, the governor’s wife said it was the duty of the three tiers of government and the citizens to advocate the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.

She enjoined the National Assembly to encourage the states yet to domesticate the child rights’ act to do so, with a call for the promotion and enforcement of the law in states where it exists.

Besides the social implication of hounding the girlchild into early marriage, including denial of childhood and teenage development, she said there are health hazards in child marriage.

According to her, the National Demographic Health Survey said 12,000 women are known to develop Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) every year in Nigeria, a number of who are said to be young, teenage girls of poor social and economic background.

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

CITYBEATS Institute honours Afe F Babalola, others

By Seun Akioye

THE Institute of Strategic Management Nigeria (ISMN) has inducted 69 new members and conferred honorary fellowship awards on five eminent Nigerians.

Among the inductees are: Mrs Christie Oluborode, Registrar, Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), AdoEkiti; Dr Ayodeji Ilesanmi, Head, Department of Business Administration, Uniosun, Dr Lanre Olaniyi, and Mr Olusegun Aduroja, a Permanent Secretary in Osun State.

At the institute's national conference in Lagos, which also marked its 10th anniversary, legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) bagged Grand Fellowship award for his contribution to the law profession, education, and philanthropy, while his wife, Yeye Aare Modupe bagged Honorary Fellowship for her contribution to women and youth development and philanthropy.

President/Chairman-inCouncil of the institute, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, noted that their exemplary qualities earned them the honour.

The Institute, according to him, currently has a membership base of 25,000, including associates, full members and fellows.

• Babalola

Praises for blood donors

By Olatunde Odebiyi

VOLUNTARY blood donors on Lagos State have been praised Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris. It was at an event organised to appreciate them.

Encouraging Nigerians to emulate them, he said: "The government and the entire state express sincere appreciation to our voluntary blood donors. We want more people to get committed to the donation so that we can save more lives in the state."

A World Health Organisation (WHO) representative, Dr Majebi Philips, said voluntary blood donors save millions of lives yearly, including patients requiring blood transfusion, accident victims and malaria patients.

Chief Consultant Haematologist, Deputy Director, Nigerian Army Reverence Hospital (NARH), Abimbola Amusu, said: "Being a voluntary blood donor will help you to live healthy life styles. It would also help to avoid preventable death resulting from non-availability of blood or transfusion of unsafe blood.

IVE persons, including a 13-year-old girl, died yesterday in Lagos, when a two-storey building collapsed.

House 30/32, Ishaga Road, Ikate, Surulere, was said to have collapsed around 10am, during an early morning downpour.

Emergency management officials, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos Fire Service, National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) and policemen were making frantic efforts to rescue people believed to be trapped in the rubble.

Eyewitnesses told The Nation that no fewer than 10 people were injured. Four were rushed to an undisclosed hospital.

It was learnt that the victims included some passersby, who had taken refuge from the rain in the uncompleted building.

Among them, The Nation learnt, was the teenager, who was said to be a bread seller. A tailor, whose machine was brought out, was trapped in the rubble.

Prince Tony Anslem, a Rotarian, said: "We were in church when we heard a sound; we rushed down and started evacuating the victims before the emergency response agencies were contacted.

"We acted swiftly because the dredging company working around here employed the youths. We were evacuating the victims when men of the NEMA and LASEMA, got here. But before they came, youths in the area had rescued five persons alive.

"As it was raining, people ran under the shed. I still believe there are people trapped under the debris. We are still expecting to recover a bread seller carrying a baby, but the one we eventually met dead, was the teenage girl with no baby.

"While we were standing here, one of the rescued victims told us that some were still trapped in there. When we moved in, we were hearing their voice: "We are still here o ... we are still here o!" But we could not locate them. So far,

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

•Scene of the collapsed structure ...yesterday

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

Five die as building collapses • Fire guts 12-storey structure in Lagos

By Jude Isiguzo, Precious Igbonwelundu and Miriam Ekene-Okoro

five bodies have been removed.

The state government has taken four bodies, while mallams took their own immediately."

Confirming the incident, both NEMA's information officer, Ibrahim Farinloye and General Manager of LASEMA Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said five bodies had been recovered.

Farinloye told The Nation that one of the injured victims was rushed to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for surgery. Two others were taken to emergency wards.

Meanwhile, the NEMA officials, while leaving the scene at

about 3.30pm, alleged that they were chased out by a state official who claimed that the incident was a state government affair.

However, the official denied the allegation, saying: "I did not chase them out and I am not even aware if anyone did.

"But to put the facts straight, NEMA is a secondary responder. In any state where you have state emergency management committee, it is that committee that is primary responder. It is the state that will call NEMA if we need their assistance or if the situation is beyond our control," he said.

The General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Dr Abimbola Animashaun-Odunayo, said:

"We sealed this structure about three weeks ago with three others in this environment. Whenever we seal buildings, we expect the owners to come with their various documents, but nobody showed up on this particular building.

"This construction started even before the establishment of our agency and they were not certified. We ordered them to stop work. We did monitor, but unfortunately, they decided to work on a Sunday when our offices were closed. That is why this building collapsed. For this to have happened, it means they broke our seal. The building is substandard and there was no approval."

In a related development, a 12-storey building behind Ze-

nith Bank Headqauaters at Ajose Adeogun, Victorias Island, Lagos, was up in flames yesterday. Three floors in the building which house many offices were completely razed.

Razak Fadipe, Director, Lagos State Fire Service, who confirmed the incident to The Nation yesterday, said he received a destress call around 8.15am .

He said when their fire truck from Onikan got to the scene, his men discovered they could not handle it alone. They therefore alerted the Ijora Service Station from where another truck moved in.

"The fire, which affected offices on the first, second and third floors, was put put out by the fire fighters," Fadipe said.

He said investigation to unravel the cause of the fire had begun.

Police arrest 12 robbery suspects

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HE Lagos State Police Command said yesterday that it had arrested 12 suspected armed robbers in various parts of the state in the last 10 days. It also said it recovered several arms, ammunition and three stolen vehicles.

The command's spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), who spoke in Ikeja, said the suspects were arrested during various robbery operations between July 6 and July 16. Some of their accomplices escaped with bullet wounds.

Braide said their cases were being investigated at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba.

She said a team of policemen attached to the Dopemu Division arrested a suspected armed robber with multiple injuries all over his body on July 6, adding that the suspect was in possession of a fabricated metal in form of a pistol.

Braide said another team of policemen attached to the Onikan Division, posted to the Military Hospital, arrested one suspected armed robber with one locally-made shot gun, two cartridges and an axe on the same day. Another patrol team

By Jude Isiguzo, Police Affairs Correspondent

attached to Elemoro Division arrested two suspects for allegedly robbing a passerby at Ajebo Close, Lakowe, IbejuLekki.

Braide said other members of the gang fled on sighting the police, abandoning two Toyota Camry Saloon cars marked LSD912AT and LSR389AP. She said on July 8, policemen attached to Makinde Division recovered one locally made single-barrel pistol, with one live cartridge inside a commercial Volkswagen Golf Saloon car marked XN17APP. The vehicle was abandoned at Oshodi Motor Park. Nobody was arrested in connection

with the case.

On the same day, Braide said, policemen attached to the Ijede Division arrested four suspected cult members, who allegedly stabbed Mr Adeleke Dada of Oyambo Security Company with a broken bottle. She said two locally made pistols, three axes and a Honda car marked LSR417BB were recovered from the suspects.

Two suspects were arrested by policemen attached to Dolphin Estate Division, who were responding to a distress call from 119A, Etiosa Way, Dolphin Estate.

Braide said that the suspects had earlier robbed Seata Ukpemo on July 16, adding that one double-edged dagger,

T • Oloro

• Lagos State Police chief Umar Manko

two locally made pistols and 10 live cartridges were recovered from them. She said two

suspects were also arrested by policemen attached to Igando Division on July 16.

the charge during the yearly Lagos State Tree Planting Exercise, urged residents to take the exercise seriously as a way of complementing the efforts of the Babatunde Fashola-led government at tackling the menace of flooding and climate change in the state.

While Oloro urged residents to join hands with his administration and the state govern-

ment in making Ojodu a treefriendly council area, Durosimi said he would step up the drive by mobilising residents.

They advised their people endeavour to seek advice from experts with a view to ascertaining the type of trees to plant in specific environments so that the aim of the exercise is not defeated.

Gang-up against climate problems

HE Chairman of Ojodu Local Council Development Area, (LCDA), Hon Julius Oloro and his Agboyi-Ketu counterpart in Lagos State, Hon Obafemi Durosimi, have urged residents of their domains to imbibe the culture of tree planting as a panacea to climate problems in the country.

The council chiefs, who gave

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

CBN retiree, 73, loses N10m to 'fraudster'

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HE end of the road may have come for a 22-year-old "serial fraudster" who allegedly defrauded a 73-year-old Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) retiree of over N10million. He is now in police net.

Philip Ikechukwu Orji is being interrogated by detectives at the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, Lagos, following a petition to the Commissioner of Police, Mr Tunde Ogunsakin, by the retiree, simply identified as Mr Steven.

After allegedly duping Steven of over N7m, SFU's spokesperson, Ngozi IsitumeAgu, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP) said, Orji was arrested inside a bank while attempting to withdraw N3million.

Steven said on September 16, 2011, he got a text message through his mobile phone, supposedly from Airtel, that he won N2million for using up to N200 airtime in two weeks, "in their ongoing promo, with batch number A17."

He stated: "I was given a number, 08088664395 through which to speak with Mr Femi Adams, who was introduced as an Airtel staff. I called Adams, who said he was the officer in-charge of the promo.

He asked me to forward my personal data to that same number. I sent the information and the next day, I received a text requesting me to send the name of the bank where the money would be deposited.

"They asked me to call Mr. Ken Eze, the account officer, on 08132956960. Immediately, I called the man who said I must pay 4.8 per cent of the amount that I won as Charge on Turnover COT." Steven allegedly paid N264, 200 into account with number, 0033313251, belonging to Eghobamen Agnes in the FESTAC, Lagos branch of the new-generation bank. Shortly after, Adams sent him a congratulatory message that his name had appeared on the final list.

On November 9, same year, he was told that he would receive a voucher that would serve as his ticket into a gala night organised for the award.

"The next day, Adams called

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By Jude Isiguzo, Police Affairs Correspondent

to inform me that the ceremony had been postponed because Airtel had expanded it to a national mega promo and that I had automatic ticket to participate in the draw as a promo winner," Steven said, adding: "On May 23, last year, Adams called me that the draw was ready, requesting me to send him recharge card to enable him make calls to ensure that my ticket was not omitted. I sent N3000 recharge card and on June 16, I received another message from him, that I had won another N350million, asking me to contact Mr Tunde Alabi at the Airtel head office on 08089932304 for further details.

"When I contacted Alabi, he said Airtel had selected two banks to handle its payments to various beneficiaries, adding that Airtel had paid the N350million into First Bank.

He advised me to keep in touch with the said account officer on 07065947835. Then, Adams said I would pay N2million as functional fee.

"I called the account officer who confirmed what Adams told me. She introduced herself as Mbamalu Nnenna Ruth, and forwarded her account number 3040173040, requesting that I should pay N2million. I borrowed to pay.

A few days after, I received a reminder from GTBank that I was yet to claim my money. I called Adams who advised me to contact my account officer, who requested that should pay N3million into account number 0051886627, belonging to Ikechukwu Orji. They kept demanding one fee or the other and Adams who claims to be a staff of Airtel confirmed each transaction."

Steven went on: "I became worried when after a year, I was yet to lay hands on the said money which I won. I confronted them and they demanded another N4million; it was at that point that I reported the matter to the police.

"I still can't believe I’ve been duped. In America, if you win any lottery, they don’t need to see your face before the money

Road contractor's activities worry residents ESIDENTS of Ilamose

Estate in Ejigbo, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, yesterday protested the "disturbing" activities of a Chinese construction company, CCECC, handling a road construction in the area.

The residents accused the construction company of insensitivity to their suffering, which they said, was caused by its construction works.

The Chairman of Oriade Akinsanya Community Development Association (CDA), Mr Clement Adegbite, who led other community leaders and residents at the protest, accused the company of cutting them off from the other parts of the state.

He said all major link roads to the communities in the estate had been blocked by the company and about seven internal roads with culverts within the estate allegedly damaged by the company.

He said the only culvert left was destroyed by the company's heavy equipment three days ago, adding that efforts to make the company rebuild it failed. His worry was shared by another resident, who lectures at the Obafemi

By Uyoatta Eshiet

Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, Dr Kehinde Ayoola.

Adegbite said the company should have provided alternative routes for residents before blocking the available ones.

Ayoola said the company did a shoddy job on the damaged Prosperity Road Junction culvert, thus making it difficult for vehicles to pass through.

Mr Emmanuel Egbeniyi, who chairs January 27 CDA, said the company destroyed existing culverts and internal roads, notably: three culverts on Peter Agar Road and culverts on Prosperity and Adebiyi streets, among others.

Another resident, Alhaji Umar Makki, said they wanted urgent restoration of their culverts and roads.

He appeals to Governor Babatunde Fashola to call the company order. A official of the company, simply identified as Mr Mike, pleaded with the residents, saying: "Ours is a caring organisation. We will take immediate palliative measures to make the roads motorable, while a permanent solution will be in place soon."

‘I still can't believe I’ve been duped.

In America, if you win any lottery, they don’t need to see your face before the money is paid into your account. I forgot completely that I was in Nigeria’ is paid into your account. I forgot completely that I was in Nigeria," Steven lamented.

Orji said: "I am the least member of the group. I only volunteered my account and at the end of each successful deal, I would be paid N150, 000. I never knew that it was an old man that was paying that money into my account. How can I be mean to a man old enough to be my grandfather?

I guess that is why we were caught."

On how he managed to open and operate an account with

forged documents, he said: "I was advised to close my account with GTBank and open another one with any other bank. I simply walked into Keystone and opened a savings account with the name Ikechukwu Okafor. I was able to get fake identity card, PHCN bill and an address that cannot be traced. Nobody called to confirm the information; so, I started using the account for my transactions."

Ogunsakin said the bank officials who partook of the fraud would be arrested.

• Orji

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

10

NEWS

Oyo Initiative to Ladoja: don’t bring back violence

Ekiti witchcraft killing: Prime suspect’s statement ‘voluntary’, court rules

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Progressives ‘ll rule Oyo for 50 years, says Ajimobi

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

USTICE Oluwatoyin Bodunde of the State High Court, Ado-Ekiti, at the resumed hearing of the Ekiti witchcraft killing at the weekend, ruled that the statement of Chief Dayo Orojo was not made or written under any force.

The ruling, which lasted nearly one hour, was an indication that the prosecution led by Mr. Peter Alabi, a state counsel, could proceed to tender same as an exhibit.

The ruling came as a conclusion of the Trial Within Trial (TWT) ordered by Justice Bodunde following the opposition of the defence counsel, Lekan Olatawura, to the statement tendered by Alabi, a state counsel, as an exhibit, insisting that same was not voluntarily made by his client, Orojo.

Justice Bodunde held that the submission of the Police Investigation Officer (IPO) Inspector Wesu Felix on his invitation as a witness by the prosecution had only complemented, not contradicted, the admission of Orojo in the statement, which he (Justice Bodunde) also read when giving the ruling.

He (Justice Bodunde) held that the statement was voluntarily made by the accused, noting that there was nothing during the TWT session to show that he made same under duress as he had claimed.

Chief Orojo, the first accused person standing trial with Feranmi Abe and her mother, Mrs. Adesola Adewumi, in the ongoing case in respect of the alleged killing of Mrs. Rebecca Adewumi at Omuo-Ekiti in June last year had, at the court’s sittings of May 22 and 23 denied that the claims he made in the statement to the police were willingly made by him.

Orojo, through his counsel, Olatawura, urged the court to discountenance same (the statement), contending that he wrote it in fear lest he should be jailed had he acted otherwise.

He said his purported earlier invitation by Governor Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Erelu Bisi, in respect of the development put him in fear when making the statement.

Justice Bodunde ordered a TWT as a judicial necessity to establish the ‘voluntariness’ or otherwise of the contested statement to determine the admissibility or otherwise of same from the prosecution.

After recalling the submissions of the prosecution and the defence counsels during the TWT and reading the vexed statement of Chief Orojo, Justice Bodunde held that the accused saying there was no one pointing guns at him or dictating what he should write was an indication that he was not under any perceived threat when making same.

She said the IPO, Wesu, was unusually considerate not to have detained Orojo and the Olomuo of Omuo-Ekiti, Oba Noah Omonigbehin, after making their statements, considering the allegation of murder in respect of which they have been invited and made to make statements.

According to her, Orojo and Olomuo became accused persons the moment they admitted in their statements that they gave the deceased obo (potion to force confession) at the palace.

Justice Bodunde said: “The truth in Orojo’s statement, which apparently agreed with those of the complainants, was the reason he (Orojo) tried to disown his statement.” She clarified that the precedent cases and judicial pronouncements to which the defence referred during the trial bore no relevance to the current case, which she noted was clear and straightforward.

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•Ajimobi

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SOCIO-CULTURAL group, the Oyo Development Initiative (ODI), has warned former Oyo State governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, not to set the indigenes against Governor Abiola Ajimobi, thereby returning the state to chaos and violence.

In a statement by its Coordinator, Dr. Adesola Okanlawon, the group said from Ladoja’s utterances, it was apparent he had begun his divisive politics that could be likened to the proverbial rat, which aimed to scatter the bowl of cowpeas once it could not have a bite.

“The Oyo State people know Ladoja for whom he is.

He is a wily old politician, who is steeped in the politics of tar-brushing his opponents with concoction and lies to get an upper hand. This will then brew chaos. It is in the midst of this that he thrives. “Knowing that the world is acclaiming Ajimobi for his developmental strides, he knows that the only way to dim the governor’s star is to intensify his campaign of calumny,” the group said.

Deploring Ladoja’s attack on the government’s recently-built flyover, it urged men of goodwill to condemn the former governor’s obses-

OVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State said at the weekend that the progressives would rule the state for the next 50 years, sealing the fate of those he called reactionary elements.

The governor spoke in Ibadan when he received hundreds of defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord from Ibadan North Local Government to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

The defectors, who were mostly political office holders during the Senator Rashidi Ladoja and Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala administrations, said they were joining ACN because of the brilliant performance of Governor Ajimobi in the last two years.

The governor, at the ceremony held at Awolowo Avenue, Bodija, Ibadan and witnessed by members of the state Executive Council, state party executives and party stalwarts, congratulated the defectors for joining the ruling party.

He welcomed them to the ACN and urged them to see themselves as part and parcel of the party. He promised that they From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

sive bid to destroy a legacy that has lifted the profile of Oyo State.

“Ladoja was in government for close to four years and all he did was to make life unbearable for the people. He refused to constitute boards of parastatals, which would better the lives of the people, for more than one year. He destroyed a church at Ring Road and demolished shops without building a shop as an alternative during his rule. Now that we have a man, who is changing the landscape, Ladoja is so consumed by hatred and jealousy that he wants to pull down the house,” the group

would be treated equally as the party belonged to all.

Governor Ajimobi advised that rather than forming their own group, they should integrate into the party.

He urged unity, which he said would put the party in a good stead for the forthcoming election.

Governor Ajimobi congratulated the indigenes for enthroning a progressive party during the 2011 general elections. He expressed happiness that the performance of his administration in the last two years had justified the confidence reposed in the progressives.

“With this brilliant performance and the turning around of Oyo State, the reactionary elements have finally been sacked in the state.

By the grace of God, the progressives will rule this state for the next 50 years,” he said.

The ACN state Chairman, Chief Akin Oke, promised that the new members would not be discriminated against, but would rather be integrated into the party and made to enjoy equal benefits like others.

The defectors pledged to work with other members for the success of the party in future elections.

said.

It said it was laughable that Ladoja would claim to have a first class degree in engineering and alleging that Ajimobi had no ‘O’ level certificate.

“It is his kind of politics.

Here is a man, who cannot sustain an argument without blabbering and waffling and presents as a farmer, who has not been to the four walls of a school deriding a man whom many, who come into contact with, affirm is cerebral and possesses depth,” the group said.

ODI urged the people to demand from Ladoja what he did for them when in office.

“It was his fascist and tyrannical government, which

promoted Adebayo AlaoAkala to the undeserved height of governor of Oyo State. The two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) regimes were like a blood-sucker as our people’s blood was shed on a daily basis. Ladoja couldn’t manage men as even Alao-Akala proved to be a better manager of Baba Adedibu. Nor could he manage resources as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged him to court with allegedly misappropriating Oyo’s shares money,” the group said.

ODI said the people are wiser now than the days when Ladoja held court like an affliction in Oyo State.

Four suspected cult members nabbed in Osun Poly

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OUR suspected cult members were nabbed at the weekend by the authorities of the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, for

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

allegedly trying to initiate three students into cultism.

Ajayi Olayemi Lawrence, Olorede Hammed, Olabiyi Afis and Hammed Akindele, have been handed over to the po-

lice after they were interrogated by the institution’s Students Disciplinary Committee (SDC).

A source, who asked for anonymity, said the suspects were apprehended by the institution’s security men in Iree and Obaagun after a botched attempt to initiate the three students.

The source said records showed that three of the suspects are not students of the polytechnic. The fourth, Akindele, was a National Diploma II student of Business Administration.

The Director of Media Relations of the institution, Mr. Tope Abiola, who confirmed the incident, said Akindele was expelled last year by the authority for involving in cultism.

The source said Ajayi confessed that he was a member of a confraternity before he dropped out of the institution.

“He claimed that he is an apprentice with an Osogbo-based aluminum industry, but was in Iree for an undisclosed mission.

Hammed, who also confessed to be a member of a notorious confraternity, claimed to be a student of Civil Engineering department of our school, although records prove otherwise,” the source said.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

12

NEWS SOLAT TIME (Yobe)

RAMADAN KAREEM

Fajr Zuhr Asr Magrib Ishai

(Plateau)

– 4:36am – 12:21pm – 3:42pm – 6:42pm – 7:57pm

Fajr Zuhr Asr Magrib Ishai

– – – – –

4:49am 12:28pm 3:51pm 6:45pm 7:58pm

(Ekiti) Fajr Zuhr Asr Magrib Ishai

– 5:10 am – 12:46pm – 4:09pm – 7:01pm – 8:13pm

Ramadan 13th, 1434AH

(Source: Islamicfinder.org)

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola SAN (third left); former Governor of Lagos State Alhaji Lateef Jakande (right); Oba of Ikate Land Oba Ademola Saheed Elegushi (third right); retired Justice Ishola Olorunimbe (second right); widow of the late Justice Muri Okunola, Alhaja Ramdat Fehintola Okunola (2nd left) and Iyaloja General of Lagos, Mrs Folasade Tinubu-Ojo (left) during the 9th Justice Muri Okunola Memorial Ramadan Lecture at the Eko FM Open Field, Ikeja, Lagos... yesterday.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Lack of knowledge responsible for violence, says Lai Mohammed

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CTION Congress of Nigeria’s (ACN’s) National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed has blamed recurrent violence in the society on lack of adequate knowledge about Islam.

He spoke during the Annual Iftar Saim (Breaking of Fast)

By Oziegbe Okoeki

organised by Abdoulbaq Ladi Balogun, a lawmaker representing Ajeromi-Ifelodun II constituency at the Lagos State House of Assembly, at the weekend.

Mohammed said “there is

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

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Children in Ramadan

HILDREN are Allah's greatest gift to man. Their presence in a home is like unlimited blessing. Their contribution to matrimonial harmony can be immense. And their absence gives the impression of a vacuum that can hardly be filled. Those are children for you. They have a way of acting like students to their parents just as they sometimes pose as teachers to the same parents by behaving as if they know more and are better civilized. They learn fast. They teach fast. They are a major security for parents in any given environment.

Children have both temporal and spiritual roles to play in a matrimonial life. And with such roles, they sometimes create hope for humanity and sometimes, they signal despair. They are the greatest asset in the possession of parents in time of peace. They can also serve as the greatest weapon for those parents against evil forces.

Because of their innocence, they pave way for God's forgiveness and quick acceptance of prayers. And, most importantly, children guarantee the continuity of man's existence on earth. It is only with them that the fulfilment of today's promise is possible tomorrow.

In the Qur'an, children are mentioned many times and most often with reverence. They are treated in that glorious book as a major issue in the life of man. As orphans, they do not only have a role to play, they also compel some adults to play a role relating to them.

As heirs to their parents, they have substantial shares in inheritance.

Muslim children are like cubs. They follow the footstep of their parents or guardians a lot. They are often with their parents during the five daily prayers. They watch their parents as the latter give charity to the poor. They accompany them to public lectures and Islamic social gatherings.

And, in Ramadan, children are part of the Muslims' total spiritual package. They wake up with them at night. They fast with them in the day. They break the fast with them at sunset. They join their parents at Tafsir and night lectures. They participate in Laylatul Qadr and in giving Zakatul Fitr to the poor.

In all these activities, they are supposed to be encouraged. At the tender age of seven, they should be guided to fast even if for half a day.

And when they reach the age of 10 they should be strengthened in faith and in religious deeds. They should be provided with necessities of life both on the temporal and spiritual grounds. With these, they will grow up to become the fulfilment of their parents' dreams.

Most children grow up as good or bad Muslims by emulating their parents. A child is therefore what his parents make him. If advantage of Ramadan is not taken by parents to mould their children into good Muslims what other platform will be used? Your child is your sun.

Make hey while it shines.

no compulsion in Islam; violence is against the teaching of Islam because Islam is a religion of peace and not of violence.”

He urged Nigerians to to live in peace, show love and be their brother’s keeper.

“This is what God expects from every true Muslim. Muslims should be a mirror to the society,” he said.

Fielding questions from reporters, Balogun said Ramadan is a month every Muslim look up to “because during the period we get spiritual cleansing and it brings us closer to Allah.

“It is a period we turn away from our sins and do good and live peacefully with fellow human beings, whether Muslims or non-Muslims. It the period we give to one another and care for our fellow beings. It is

a period we show love, share and show kindness to everyone around us”, the lawmaker said.

The Guest Speaker, Mr Abdulahi Adam, decried the lack of peace in the world, saying Allah did not create mankind and Jinnkind for nothing, but to serve Him. “God created everybody, animals, trees, among others, for the comfort of mankind and He ordered everybody to worship him wholly. He does not want anything from us, except His worship. He orders us to

supplicate to Him wherever we may find ourselves, and fear Him,” he said.

According to him, Prophet Muhammed lived a simple and exemplary life, urging the gathering to emulate him to excel on earth and hereafter.

“Islam does not inflict pain on people, rather it brings succour to the depressed and entire mankind. We should not live as if we would not account for what we do while on earth; we are expected to live our lives as if we would not see the next

minute”, he said.

He urged Muslims to strive to impact other peoples’ lives positively.

“We should always remember the day when everybody will be helpless, that is when we die. It is a day that awaits everyone, whether you are powerful or powerless, both the ruler and the ruled, so we must strive to do good always so that we would be found worthy when that day comes”, Abdulahi said.

Lions Club donates to the destitute HE Ikeja Lions Club has donated food worth N450,000 to the destitute living on the Railway, Agege, Lagos.

Its President, Prince Mark Ebare, said the club’s aim is to feed the less-privileged in the spirit of Ramadan.

He said this was incorporated into the club’s programme for the year.

Ebare enjoined other clubs and Nigerians to take care of the poor in their midst, noting that we should be our brother’s keeper.

“Part of our activities is to feed the beggars – show to them that we care for them. We will execute this programme yearly and they seem to appreciate the little we have done,” he added.

One of the beneficiaries thanked Lions for the gesture.

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•From right: Lagos State University (LASU) Senior Lecturer Dr Saheed Timehin; Agege Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Jubreel AbdulKareem; his Mosan-Okunola and Coker-Aguda counterparts Alhaji AbdulRasheed Mafe and Mrs Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe and Member, House of Reps Hon Lasun Yusuf during Ramadan Lecture and Final Quran Competition organised by AbdulRasheed Mafe Quranic Foundation at Ipaja, Lagos... yesterday.

PHOTO: TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

Ikuforiji urges Nigerians to love another

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PEAKER of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji has said the country would be better-off if everyone shows love, as enshrined in the holy books.

Ikuforiji spoke at Sinai Agunbiade Annual Ramadan Tafsir and Iftar in Lagos.

“God loves us and he has given us all that we need to make

By Oziegbe Okoeki

a good living in this country if only we can love ourselves, according to the injunctions of the Quran,” he said.

In a lecture, entitled: Islam: The real concept of love, Chief Imam of the Assembly Mosque, Alhaji Abdul-Hakeem AbdulLateef, enjoined the faithful to show love at all times.

“Islam is love and God created us with love; it is because of the love of God for us that He created us as human beings and made us masters over every other thing in creation; he gave us sense, intelligence and knowledge unlike animals.

“Wherever you are, whatever you are, it is God that made it possible, it is God that gives.

RAMADAN DIET

Abu Umamah reported: "I came to the Messenger of Allah and said: 'Order me to do a deed that will allow me to enter Paradise.' He said: 'Stick to fasting, as there is no equivalent to it.' Then I came to him again and he said: 'Stick to fasting."'

(Ahmad, an-Nasa'i).

Sponsored by ALHAJI JUBREEL & ALHAJA SHERIFAT ABDULKAREEM, Chairman, Agege Local Govt Area, Lagos

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

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DISCOURSE

Conclusion of text of a lecture delivered by a professor of African History, Prof Rufus Taiwo Akinyele, of the Department of History and Strategic Studies, University of Lagos, at the institution’s Inaugural Lecture on June 22.

Lines, space in human affairs: Minorities and marginals

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HE same reluctance to accept equal deal for all ethnic groups, irrespective of size and population, was echoed in 1976 by a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee of Hausa/Fulani extraction in expressing objection to the adoption of ethnic or linguistic criterion of state creation: I would not say equal … because I would not want my group of 10 million to be given equal treatment with any other group of one thousand. In fact, they are not equal … I am sure members of the major ethnic groups, medium ethnic groups, and minor ethnic groups have all agreed to the fact that we should live together happily, peacefully, in unity, faith and progress. In that spirit, while safeguarding the interests of the minority, this does not detract from the right of the majority.

Secondly, constitutional safeguard has very little chance of succeeding in Nigeria unlike India and other places. To start with, the option was widely rejected when the Willink Commission touted it as a viable option. Even if special provisions were to be inserted into the Nigerian Constitution for ethnic minorities, virtually every Nigerian group will claim to be a minority in one sense or the other. The struggle of the states in the south-east to be included in the political definition of the Niger Delta is a case in point. Besides, the elastic nature of the concept is bound to raise some problem as Alhaji Tatari Ali noted in his contribution to the debates in the Constituent Assembly in 1977: Mr. Chairman, lastly I come to the question of minority. For the last 18 years I have been hearing of minority. Why should people think of minority? Is it because of size or population? At district level also they talk of minority and at village level also they talk of minority and where do we stop… even in the socalled minority area you will find that within themselves there are minorities.

The pervasiveness of the problem made him to argue that no special provision should be made for the minorities.

The Way Forward: An Unfinished Business Mr. Vice-Chancellor sir, the question we should ask ourselves at this stage is, why has the Minority Question remained unresolved? In Peace and Conflict Studies, we know that some conflicts can be resolved while others can only be managed.

Have we then been trying to resolve a crisis that can only be managed? Our experience with the states creation exercises suggest that minority problems can never be eliminated but can be managed to a level that it would not pose a serious threat to the political stability of the country. This is because the multiethnic composition of the Nigerian Federation has created a necessary condition for the development of minority consciousness. The degree of manifestation at any time, as we have earlier noted, depends on the dynamics of intergroup relations. I wish to recall the argument of the Ibo State Union, while admonishing the Willink Commission to exercise restraint on creation of states in Nigeria. The observation of the Union has an eternal ring of truth about it: … for as long as humanity are sorted into races, tribes, clans etc… there must always be majority and minority elements since mathematical equation cannot be applied to such human affairs.

Below are some of the suggestions to reduce the problem to a manageable level.

Moratorium on States Creation There are those who still believe that states creation is the only way to solve minority problems in Nigeria. They are quick to argue that this will promote even and accelerated development, thereby eliminating the material basis of minority agitations.

This was the position taken by the National Association of State Movements in a paid advertisement on March 8, 2010. The reality on the ground no longer supports this conclusion. To start with, more states have been created in the North than in the South. Yet, the North has continued to lag far behind the South in terms of development. Not only that, Nigeria has a population of about 150 million people and an area of 923,768 sq kilometers. Yet, it has more states than China and India with 34 and 28 states respectively. Even Cameroun and Kenya have not progressed beyond ten states or regions. The United States, with its huge size and population has only 50 states.

Admittedly, the number of states in a federation is always a reflection of the balance of political and social forces operating in a country at any point in time. Evidence suggests that the creation of new states would be a cog in the wheel of progress of the country. The creation of states has diverted attention from real growth and development to the duplication of offices and political appointments which many people mistakenly equate with development. It is common knowledge that more than eighty percent of the existing states are not economically viable.

Hence, their dependence on the federal government has distorted the practice of true federalism. Additional states would mean the appointment of more state governors, more senators, more advisers without portfolios and more first ladies with the profligacy that goes with such offices. If the main purpose of the creation of states is to create more development centers, Nigeria’s interest can be better served by adopting the existing 774 local governments as units of operation. Besides the problem of sharing of assets, which will aggravate the indigene/settler crisis, Nigeria should also brace up for intractable boundary disputes. The level of complication is illustrated in the comment of E.C.M. Akamobi on the nature of the state agitations from the South-East zone. He noted that: The scenario being peddled for a new state is a situation where some local governments would be carved out from three or four

• Prof Akinyele

adjoining states to create a new state without minding their affinity and cultural background.

Elsewhere, I have shown that inter-state boundary disputes have adverse effects on the unity and integration of the country. Mr. Vice Chancellor sir, I sincerely believe that majority of those actively campaigning for the creation of new states are merely looking for power and position that had eluded them under the existing arrangements. The only way to curb this is to impose a ban of at least 20 years on the state creation business in Nigeria. This moratorium will compel Nigerians to learn to live harmoniously together. The hollowness of the argument of those still canvassing the state creation approach to minority problem is further demonstrated in the case of the Ekitis of Northern Nigeria.

In the early part of this lecture, we have seen how the Ekiti group agitated for a transfer from the Northern Region to Southern Nigeria from 1901 to 1936. Some were transferred, others were not. Yet, when the opportunity came for the rest of the group to join their kinsmen in Ekiti State that was created in 1996, they chose to remain in Kwara state where they believe they have a comparative advantage. Whether the “Ekiti Kete” of Ekiti State refers to these other Ekiti as Igbomina Ekiti or ‘Ekiti Taiwan’, the point has been made that they would remain where their bread is buttered, the factor of cultural affinity notwithstanding.

Federal Character It has already been noted that various communities rejected the option of constitutional safeguards in 1959. The closest to this in the Nigerian Constitution is the principle of Federal Character introduced in 1979. The original intention of the government for introducing it was to ensure that the affairs of the government and its agencies at any level is not dominated by a few people from a particular group or a section of the country. When the implementation of the principle began to generate concern during the Babangida Administration, the Political Bureau recommended that the Federal Character Principle should not be implemented in a way to “convert historical accident into a permanent advantage.” To prevent this, it recommended that the implementation should be strictly monitored and the policy abandoned as soon as the gap narrows to a point when such a decision could be taken. Although the Federal Character Commission, created by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999, has the power to monitor and enforce compliance, even to the point of prosecuting offenders, the Commission, appears to be the least visible of all the federal government agencies. One watches in vain for the periodic publication of employment figures that the implementation requires. And to the best of my knowledge, no one has been prosecuted for deliberately flouting the provision. Today, it appears that the post of the Chairman of the Federal Character Commission has been reserved for conservative Northerners. The implementation of the Federal Character Principle will continue to provoke crisis until the Federal Character Commission wakes up to its responsibilities.

The Commission can borrow a leaf from the implementation of the Affirmative Action in the United States.

Power Sharing Studies have shown that minorities that are excluded from political participation are likely to adopt extreme measures to seek redress. In Nigeria, rotational presidency and zoning of political offices are recognized as a strategy to prevent sectional domination of the country. Although the formula was included in the Draft Constitution of 1995, it was not inserted into the 1999 Constitution. Nevertheless, the different political parties have since adopted zoning as an “article of faith”. The implementation has become a big issue.

We would recall that in the Second Republic, the National Party of Nigeria [NPN] had implemented zoning in a way that emphasized the political supremacy of the North. In November 1978, the party divided the country into four zones – North, West, East and Minorities. Not only did the Minorities become subsumed under the East, the party eventually dumped the formula when it allowed President Shehu Shagari to run for a second term of office. Similarly, the genesis of the current political

‘Admittedly, the number of states in a federation is always a reflection of the balance of political and social forces operating in a country at any point in time. Evidence suggests that the creation of new states would be a cog in the wheel of progress of the country. The creation of states has diverted attention from real growth and development to the duplication of offices and political appointments which many people mistakenly equate with development’

crisis in the North is not totally unconnected with the difference of opinion on whether President Goodluck Jonathan should have been allowed to contest the last election.

Therefore, the constitutions of the political parties should clearly specify the posts that should be rotated, the order of rotation and the duration to prevent unnecessary controversy in the future.

Purposeful Leadership The issue of leadership is also crucial to the search for a solution to the minority question in Nigeria. This is because government policies can reduce or accentuate minority fears. Purposeful leadership in plural society should entail the building of bridges across ethnic and religious divides to foster the spirit of togetherness. General Ibrahim Babangida expressed the point succinctly in a lecture: Our role as Nigerian citizens, particularly of the leadership category, is to work relentlessly to trim down the sharp edges of divisiveness and retrogression and to increase (social and national integration) by expanding and deepening the economic, political and cultural spaces so as to foster the ingredients of growth, development, progress, unity and good governance.”

Ironically, Nigerian leaders habitually pay lip service to the unity of this country but indirectly fan the ember of disunity when their sectional or regional interest is threatened. A newspaper columnist recently condemned this hypocrisy in strong terms: The leadership of this country is a dishonest bunch. They preach the gospel of unity; they discourage ethnicity and tribalism; condemning the activities of ethnic militia and cultural nationality groups. They even put down their feet on the territorial integrity of the nation. But when it comes to distributing the benefits of political associations such as ministerial appointments, they think zonal, each trying to get the choicest portfolios for their zone or state nominees. No one then thinks of what is good for the country.

Nigerian History The only cure for the lack of a national leader is History Education .This is why the ancient Greeks believed that the best education for a statesman is History. In the recent past, some of the political appointees have made inciting and inflammatory statements that betray a poor understanding of the pre-colonial pattern of inter-group relations and the history of the nationalist movement in Nigeria. This is why I have suggested that an orientation programme should always be organized for new legislators and political appointees, many of whom sing the ‘labour of our heroes past’ without adequate understanding of what these heroes actually did.

Mr. Vice-Chancellor sir, the orientation programme should include lectures on Nigeria history with special emphasis on Nigeria peoples and cultures, and constitutional development.

This will help to project the similarities among the different ethnic groups, instead of the current revisionist history promoted by state agitations.

At the same time too, Nigerian historians should be encouraged to go into the areas of Contemporary and Administrative History for them to be of greater relevance to the task of nation building.

If Nigeria is not making progress as it should, Nigerian historians should take part of the blame. This is because they are suitably placed to study events that are likely to influence public policies.

While I do not subscribe to the positivist doctrine that historians should end their research in universal laws, I believe that a research that is problem- driven and ends with policy recommendations would be of greater value than a mere historical narrative that contains no lesson that can be harnessed to solve basic societal problems.

Prayer Vice-Chancellor sir, in addition to the foregoing, I also believe that Nigeria requires divine intervention to overcome the myriad of problems confronting the country. Not only do serving presidents repeatedly call on Nigerians to pray for the peace and development of the country, the “Nigeria Prays” programme of General Yakubu Gowon (Retd.) indicates how central prayer is to the Nigerian project. Mr. Vice-Chancellor sir, but can we remain in sin and expect God to continue to bless us? This is why I have remained fascinated by the prayer of repentance by a concerned Nigerian, Ike Nwejike. It is titled “Prayer for Nigeria in distress”.

Although published in one of the dailies on 8 March 2009, I leave this distinguished audience to judge its contemporary relevance: It reads: All powerful and merciful father, you are the God of justice, love and peace. You rule over all the nations of the earth, including our dear country Nigeria. You have blessed our country Nigeria with rich human and natural resources for the well being of every Nigerian. Power and might are in your hands, and not in the hands of our corrupt leaders, who loot our treasury to develop the white man’s land.

No one can withstand you, not even President Yar’Adua or Baba Iyabo. We present the numerous problems of our dear country, Nigeria, before you, including the current administration, which is still groping in the dark two years after, lacking in focus, direction, commitment, will and strategy. We pray for our dear President Yar’Adua who has decided to fill his government with some sycophants, political jobbers, and great grand fathers with questionable democratic credentials.

We praise and thank you for you are the source of all that we have, even the oil that is now a nightmare, and we are sorry for the sins we have committed, including the sins of our leaders, and for the basic things our leaders have failed to provide like water, electricity, roads, housing etc.

In your loving forgiveness, keep us safe from the punishment we deserve, and forgive our past leaders like Baba Iyabo, Baba Aisha, and other Babas that have ruined, pardon me I mean ruled Nigeria.

We confidentially turn to you in these times of our needs, oh God of infinite goodness, our strength in adversity, our health in weakness, our comfort in sorrow, be merciful to us and our corrupt and insensitive leaders.

Spare this nation, Nigeria, from the hands of the PDP which has vowed to rule for 60 years and also from the armed criminals who have made us sleep with our two eyes wide opened.

Save us from chaos, anarchy and doom and bless us with a nation where justice, love and peace prevails like what we have in America..

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, with this supplication for divine assistance, I believe we can look forward to a better future.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

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COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

Egypt ignores Washington after U.S. policy missteps

More loans

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• FG’s projections are frightening in view of our experience

F the nation hitherto harboured doubts about the Jonathan administration’s appetite for debts, the $1 billion Eurobond offer (which Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala earlier in the month gleefully announced its over-subscription by 400 percent), and the $1.1 billion loan deal with the Chinese government said to have been finalised during President Goodluck Jonathan’s recent visit to the country ought to have settled all pretensions. The $.1billion loan is part of the $3 billion loan package being considered for Nigeria by the Chinese government.

Today, only the administration pretends that the trajectory of the debt is anything but worrisome. From the rather modest level of $3.5 billion post-exit of the London and Paris Clubs debts, the foreign debt stock has since ballooned to $6.9 billion as at June 30 – a figure that excludes the Eurobond and the latest loan from the Chinese government.

What comes as even more frightening is the prognosis. Under the Medium Term Rolling Plan of the Debt Management Office (DMO) for instance, the debt for 2013 is projected at $12.165 billion; this figure is expected to rise to $14.585 billion in 2014 and $16.765 billion in 2015.

No less scary is the domestic debt situation with its projection of $7.125 billion for 2013, $7.92 billion for 2014 and $8.44 billion in 2015.

Now, the government’s argument is familiar: the current debt stock is sustainable as the nation is said to be under-borrowed. The extension of the argument is the nebulous rationalisation that the Debt –to- GDP ratio now at 21.50 percent still falls within acceptable limits. In this, the

government has been quick to cite the corresponding figures for ‘similar’ emerging economies of Brazil and South Africa of 68.47 percent and 42.30 percent, respectively.

We think that the government missed the argument. In the first place, the nation did not have to exit from the debtor cartel only to relapse into the bad habit of stacking up dubious loans for future generations. This is not only unacceptable, but immoral. Secondly, whereas the rate of debt accumulation has grown somewhat exponentially under the Jonathan administration; the obverse side is that citizens have had great troubles appreciating where the huge monies went. In other words, they see very little activities going on that could remotely match the scale of the debts known to have been contracted.

As for the government’s rationale that some of the domestic debts were inevitable to the cause of deepening the domestic bond market, the position falls flat if only for the fact that the government has been known to use some of the proceeds for recurrent expenditures such as wage increases in the public sector.

These, however are not the only grounds on which citizens continue to voice anxiety. Some of the loans are not known to be tied to specific projects, hence prone to misuse. The $1 billion Eurobond issue falls into this category.

Even where, as in the case of the Chinese loan which is said to be tied to specific infrastructure projects, the choice of the projects has tended to come across as questionable.

For instance, what makes the four airport projects “priority” at this time?

Couldn’t the government have looked for alternative but less burdensome funding arrangements for the airport projects, more so as the infrastructure concessioning framework is not only in place but already has the backing of law?

And just in the event that the government considers loans as inevitable, couldn’t these have been restricted to projects with high social and economic impact?

The bottom-line is this: the Federal Government has not been entirely convincing on the rationale of taking more loans at a time when oil prices continue to surpass projections. And, has been said, it does not make any rational sense to stash our reserves abroad at nominal interest of barely one percent while shopping for foreign credit which attracts interest of six percent. Not only is it bad mathematics; it is also bad economics.

‘The bottom-line is this: the Federal Government has not been entirely convincing on the rationale of taking more loans at a time when oil prices continue to surpass projections. And, has been said, it does not make any rational sense to stash our reserves abroad at nominal interest of barely one percent while shopping for foreign credit which attracts interest of six percent.

Not only is it bad mathematics; it is also bad economics’

Another dream deferred

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•Jonathan’s assessment of African countries’ performance on MDGs is disappointing

HE revelation by President Goodluck Jonathan that the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is not feasible by the target date of 2015 is regrettable. Speaking at a press briefing during the closing ceremony of the African Union Heads of State and Government Special Summit on HIV/ AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, in Abuja the President said no African country had attained the MDGs yet.

This, to say the least, is a sad reflection on the commitment of African leaders to developing their countries. Thirteen years ago, in September 2000 to be precise, world leaders at the UN headquarters in New York adopted the Millennium Development Goals, committing their nations to reducing

‘As the clock ticks towards the finishing line of 2015; a lot more can be done towards the attainment of the MDGs. To achieve this, we have to drastically reduce the high level of corruption in the country. The effect of corruption is felt on inflated government expenditures, including contracts. The result is that funds meant for the development of education, healthcare, infrastructure and other vital sectors of the economy are diverted into private pockets’

extreme poverty and setting out timebound targets with 2015 as its deadline.

The goals are : the eradication of poverty and hunger; achieving universal primary education; promoting gender equality and empowering women; reducing child mortality rates; improving maternal health; combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensuring environmental sustainability and developing a global partnership for development.

To drive the achievement of the MDGs, the Nigerian government set up the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs. Thirteen years after the UN mandate, how has Nigeria fared? President Jonathan has delivered the verdict.

African countries, the President declared, have fallen short of meeting the target.

In order to appraise the current status of the MDGs in Nigeria, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs in 2012 commissioned the National Bureau of Statistics to conduct a national household survey to report on the level of achievement of the MDGs .

The Bureau sampled 22,200 households with around 75,000 respondents. The results show a prevalence of underweight children. “Net attendance levels for basic schooling has risen remarkably when compared with baseline data; the gender parity targets of primary and secondary education levels have been achieved. There has been a reduction for the less than five mortality rate of 157 deaths per 1,000 live births, to 94 deaths. This trend is similar

to infant mortality rate.

Data held by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS demonstrate that there is a continuation in the fall of the HIV prevalence, from figures as high as 5.8 to 4.1 in 2012".

President Jonathan confirmed this when he said Nigeria’s commitment in the last 10 years was to halt and reverse HIV and AIDS in the country. The President, however, lamented that “Of the 3.4 million people living with HIV in the country, only 491,021 HIV positive persons are accessing Antiretroviral Therapy. Furthermore, 1.6 million people are eligible for ART, meaning that an estimated 30 percent of the HIV populace is in need.”

As the clock ticks towards the finishing line of 2015; a lot more can be done towards the attainment of the MDGs. To achieve this, we have to drastically reduce the high level of corruption in the country. The effect of corruption is felt on inflated government expenditures, including contracts. The result is that funds meant for the development of education, healthcare, infrastructure and other vital sectors of the economy are diverted into private pockets.

Perhaps pogrammes like the NEEDS of the Obasanjo presidency, the Sevenpoint Agenda of Yar’Adua and Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda might have gone a long way towards alleviating poverty and addressing the Millennium Development Goals but for the institutionalised corruption in the system.

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HE OBAMA administration dispatched Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns to Cairo this week in an attempt to clarify to Egyptians where the United States stands on this month’s coup against the elected government of Mohamed Morsi. At a news conference, Mr. Burns delivered a clear message: The United States will “support an open, inclusive, tolerant democratic process” to restore civilian government; Egyptian authorities should refrain from “politically motivated arrests”; and a dialogue must begin with “all sides and all political parties” — meaning the ousted Muslim Brotherhood.

The problem, as it has been so often during the past two years, is that Egypt’s generals are ignoring the message from Washington. Mr. Morsi, at least nine other top Muslim Brotherhood leaders and hundreds of activists continue to be imprisoned incommunicado. There are reports that prosecutors will soon indict the former president on the far-fetched charge of espionage, a crime that carries the death penalty. The new, military-installed cabinet, which features coup leader Gen. Abdel Fatah al-Sissi as deputy prime minister, includes no representatives of the Islamist parties that won 70 percent of the vote in parliamentary elections a year and a half ago. At least half a dozen members, including the foreign minister, previously served in the regime of Hosni Mubarak.

Mr. Sissi himself is being glorified in staterun media and poster campaigns as a national hero comparable to Gamal Abdel Nasser, the former military dictator who rose to power following a 1952 coup. Like the previous military regime, his has not hesitated to use violence to consolidate power. Scores of Egyptians protesting the coup have been shot dead by troops and military snipers.

The armed forces’ civilian allies are no more disposed to heed Washington. Leaders of the Tamarod movement, which organized the June 30 demonstrations that provided cover for the coup, refused to meet with Mr. Burns; one cited as a reason U.S. support for “the Zionist entity,” which is the term for Israel used by Arabs who refuse to recognize the Jewish state.

Liberal Egyptians who dare to suggest that Islamists must be included in the new political order, or who worry about what former parliamentarian Amr Hamzawy called “fascism under the false pretense of democracy and liberalism,” have been vilified.

This collapse of U.S. prestige and influence in Cairo is in part the result of a growing xenophobia that has been stoked by all Egyptian parties. But it also reflects consistent missteps by the Obama administration, which over the course of two years has repeatedly failed to speak up clearly against human rights abuses or to use the leverage of the $1.3 billion in annual U.S. aid delivered to the military. Despite a law requiring a suspension of aid to countries following a coup against an elected government, the administration is refusing to designate the coup as a coup and is proceeding with a new delivery of F-16s to the armed forces.

The generals’ position is logical: Why heed advice from Washington if rejecting it will not stop the flow of U.S. arms? The contempt of civilian politicians for U.S. envoys is understandable as well: Why respect a government whose pro-democracy rhetoric has no connection to its actions?

– Washington Post

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The Anambra State governorship election has been scheduled to hold on November 16. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared August 13, as the kick-off date for the political activities towards the November election.

Peter Obi, the incumbent governor, is widely seen as a prudent leader whose style of administration is devoid of profligacy. Even his die-hard critics have confessed that civility has triumphed in the governance at a time politics in the state had degenerated to dangerous dimension. He has truly transformed Anambra State in terms of infrastructure and social amenities.

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EDITOR’S MAIL BAG

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

As countdown to Anambra guber poll begins Roads, schools and hospitals have received a boost, Orient petroleum has been commissioned thereby making Anambra an oil producing state in Nigeria. Security has been beefed up with the latest supply of over 300 fully fitted security vehicles to all the communities in

the state.

Yet, an average citizen here still feels a sense of underachievement.

The people are of the opinion that Obi should have performed better in view of his long tenure and the cash available to his government.

They believe that to whom much

is given much is expected, therefore, the available structures are below the expected standard. For instance, Anambra has no stadium despite producing national sports icons like Emmanuel Okala, Mary Onyali, and Michael Okpala etc.

Onitsha seaport is still a mockery

For opponents of death penalty in Nigeria, the pristine argument of deterrence of the penalty is otiose and no longer tenable. This is in the light of the futility of such harsh measure in stemming the tide of violent crimes – as criminals do not often think about the punishment that awaits them but about the possibility of being caught and arrested.

From the standpoint of this writer, capital punishment is morally unjustifiable and unacceptable. For one, human life is so sacrosanct and inviolable and it is only God, the giver of life that has the inalienable right and control over it. For another, death penalty removes the humanity of the executed persons and the attendant chances of rehabilitation and their giving something back to society, in terms of community service. Additionally, the penalty is contrary to the contemporary international human rights standards and valuesa

development that made the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, through the Resolution 62/149, to call on member states to commute without delay all death sentences to terms of imprisonment.

It is important to state that the intractable problem of violent crimes in Nigeria, which gave rise to application of capital punishment, has its root cause in our grotesquely unjust system that incubates and breeds criminals. These include awful legacy of bad governance, rampant corruption, deplorable state of the economy, inefficient criminal justice system (including the police, the court and the prisons), relative deprivation, mass poverty, chronic unemployment, widening gap between the rich and the poor, human exploitation, greed, unbridled materialism, ungodliness, immorality, erosion of the spirit of social solidarity and decline of traditional family values.

In fact, if we did not push back the

frontier of these often ignored factors that fuel violent crimes, our all-out efforts to surmount the upward spiral of such crimes will be in vain.

As part of the reform of the administration of justice in Nigeria, the Federal Government should respond swiftly and vigorously to the contentious issue of death penalty. This is considering that the penalty has obviously failed as a deterrent measure against violent criminals. Removing capital punishment from our criminal laws is also made paramount by the fact that Nigeria is a signatory to internationally recognised human rights protocols, which guarantee each individual’s right to life, like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (or the Banjul Declaration of 1981).

The case against death penalty

IR:Once again, the controversial issue of death penalty (or capital punishment) has been resurrected from the limbo in Nigeria. This is against a backdrop of the recent media report quoting President Goodluck Jonathan as urging the state governors to discharge their constitutional responsibility by signing the death warrants of condemned prisoners pending before them and the subsequent hanging of four death row inmates of the Benin prison, in Edo State.

Although Nigeria has maintained a kind of moratorium or suspension on criminal execution since her return to civilian rule on May 29, 1999, the policy appears to be reversed, somehow, with the hanging of a number of condemned persons across the country in 2006, 2012 and this year. Obviously, public and political opinions are sharply divided on the ongoing heated debate on whether to retain or abolish the punishment in our penal code.

For proponents of death penalty, the severe measure has a uniquely deterrent force, which no other formal punishment has or could have. In their argument, the fears of being caught for committing gravest crimes like armed robbery and made to face the commensurate gravest punishment would help reduce the rate of such crimes. They also contend that capital punishment would permanently remove the worst criminals in our midst, thereby providing an enabling environment for a safe and peaceful society.

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• Okechukwu Emeh, Jr Abuja.

despite the endless promises from the government. Udoka Housing Estate, the only one built since 1992 is in shambles as civil servants report to their duties from Enugu daily. The state capital is in a terrible shape, some ministries are still using outdated cubicles including the government house itself.

These are the deficiencies, which would be in the mind of the electorate as they prepare to cast their votes in November. But before going to the polls, let them ponder awhile and think deeply. They should know that Anambra is very important to Nigeria. She is arguably the economic hub of the Southeast.

Let the people carefully evaluate the history of Anambra state. Before making their choice, they should arm themselves with all those issues Peter Obi ignored and vote a responsible leader to fill in the vacuum. Let them know the value of their decision and how it will impact positively on the state. The burden of ruling Anambra state is enormous; the electorate should look beyond the craft and antics of Anambra politicians. Poverty is in the land, no doubt, but after collecting their rice and salt Greek gift, let them endeavour to vote in a leader with clear vision, someone with high moral standard with regards to their yearnings and aspirations. Let them know also that the people on parade now are merely pretenders; the real contenders would only emerge after the primaries of various political parties, which obviously may not produce more than four serious candidates.

• Udeh Andrew Enugu

N150 million lie against Sylva

IR: Our attention has been drawn to a strange report by an online medium that alleged that a certain Lt. Col. David Ahangba, a former special assistant to the late National Security Adviser, General Andrew Owoye Azazi, received N150 million on behalf of his boss from the Bayelsa State government under Chief Timipre Sylva.

The money was alleged to be an inducement to the then NSA to help

the former governor’s second term ambition.

The report as it concerns Sylva is wholly untrue. Sylva did not give any money to Azazi and could not have done so for the intention suggested in the story because Azazi was not in a position to stop the organised political onslaught against the governor at the time.

The decision to exclude Sylva from the Bayelsa State governorship

race was taken at highest level of government and politics in the country. And Azazi was just an errand person in the process and was never in a position to halt the well-calculated course of action.

We are concerned that even when Sylva has been unjustly prevented from re-election and made to face a series of persecution by the same elements that orchestrated the injustice, his name is still being

undeservedly dragged in the mud.

Sadly, this latest assault is coming when Azazi is late and unavailable to respond to the charges against him.

Sylva wishes to be left out of this alleged transaction between the former NSA and his aide, as he has nothing to do with it.

• Doifie Buokoribo Media Adviser to Chief Timipre Sylva Yenagoa

21

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

COMMENTS

T

HE on-going political impasse in Rivers State and its implication on the socio-political stability of the country has once again brought to the front burner the need for a more scientific and better managed police force. The fact that an elected governor of a state is not sure of his safety under the present arrangement makes it expedient for the creation of state police. Indeed, if it is true, as it is being alleged in certain quarters, that the Rivers State police authorities are guilty of complicity in the crisis, by joining forces with the powers- that- be to make the state un-governable for Governor Rotimi Amaechi, then it is time for us to give serious consideration to the whole question of state police.

If the governor that is constitutionally regarded as the chief security officer of his state could no longer enjoy the trust of his state’s police commissioner, it is obvious that the system that is currently being operated is weak and faulty. One finds it rather absurd that the Rivers State police commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu, who was quoted in some national dailies to be calling Governor Amaechi a despot still occupies his seat. If the Inspector General of Police should by any means publicly insult the person and the office of the president, would he have stayed a day longer on that seat?

A state governor, as the chief security officer of his state, in an ideal setting, ought to have the control of police stationed in his state. The current trend where the Police Commissioner in a state will have to take orders from Abuja concerning security issues in a state, is, to say the least, quite pathetic and unfortunate. Imagine the many agonies of Governor Amaechi as he helplessly watches the police authorities in his state, which is being partly funded by his government, turn against his administration. Imagine what he, as chief security officer of the state, could have done to stem the dangerous drift in his state.

Poor man! What a frustrating experience it must have been for him when he could not even vouch for the loyalty of men that police his official residence and even his person.

Paradoxically, almost all the governors in the country are investing heavily in the various police commands in their states. In Lagos State, for example, the government in the last 13 years has invested billions of naira on the state police command as well as other security organs in the state. In fact, the first Security Trust Fund to be established by any government in the country was initiated by the Lagos State government. Similarly, the governments of Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Ogun states, to mention but a few, are examples of states that have invested hugely in security. Now, does it not amount to double standard that a governor bears such a huge responsibility, which in the first place should be that of the Federal Government, only for the system to turn around and deny him

I

N any democratic society, the police are the organ of government used for enforcing the law or maintaining public order or preventing and solving crime. A major instrument or strategic devise that the police use to realize its law enforcement goals is its investigative powers. The investigative powers of the police enable them to pry into any criminal matter, real or imagined.

Equipped with its investigative powers, the police can invite anybody for questioning in matters related to the commission of crime. The powers of the police to invite citizens for questioning are not even limited to cases directly reported to it. The police can invite a citizen for questioning even for the mere suspicion of being a party to the commission of, or intention to commit, a crime. In fact, in Nigeria, the constitution grants the police the powers to investigate public officials who are even protected from criminal prosecution under the immunity provisions of section 308.

However, just like every other thing in life, the investigative powers of the police are not absolute and open-ended. The police, for instance, do not have the right or power to investigate citizens on matters that border on their civil liberties which include the right to free speech and expression. Section 39 (1) of the 1999 constitution (as amended) maintains that, “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference”. What this means is that an invitation to a citizen for questioning by security agencies on the basis of what he or she published in a newspaper is tantamount to an assault on the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

For the avoidance of doubt, the phrase “Civil liberty” is “a person’s right to say or do what he or she wants provided it is within the law.” Of course, when a citizen says or does (writes, etc) something outside the bounds of

‘Who does not know that once the security details of government officials are withdrawn from them that they may be prey to violent attacks from criminal elements or even prone to assassinations? And this was the point the Rivers State Speaker made in the published advertorial for which Mbu wants him investigated and prosecuted’

Still on the state police

By Lateef Ibirogba unhindered control of the same institution?

It has been argued in some quarters that state police is nothing but a recipe for anarchy. Those who hold this view believe that it could lead to abuse of power and political vendetta by the various state governors. Others are of the opinion that it could lead to political turmoil. The reality, however, is that the present centralised structure has, over the years, been subjected to limitless abuse by the central authority. If state governors could manage other institutions of governance there is no reason why they cannot manage state police. The combined team of LASTMA, Federal Road Safety Commission officials along with the police are all collaborating and complementing one another on Lagos roads to maintain traffic and instil discipline in motorists. Just imagine Lagos roads with just only traffic police in control!

The truth is that Nigeria is too large and complex to be policed centrally. In an ideal federal system, the issue of state police should not be a contentious matter, after all, in the First Republic, there were regional police and local police existing side by side the federal police. If we are really serious about overcoming current security challenges in the polity, the time to embrace state police is now. If our country must progress, the big question should be who is even afraid of state police and why? Could it be that some people are comfortable harassing their real and perceived enemies with the current arrangement, or why is it that the police is always the ready tool of oppression whenever the Abuja lords want to settle scores with their opponents?

State Police is an important component of true federalism and emblem of authority of governance, since sovereignty is divided between the central authority and federating state authorities. It is not a new concept in Nigeria, but is rather a clamour for modification to the colonial legacy of Native Authority Police which successfully worked alongside the Nigeria Police Force till the 1970s before it was abolished and integrated into a single Nigeria Police Force by the military oligarchy (who had an infamous sojourn into politics) to achieve their unitary command system. The Native Authority police was very effective as a tool for combating crime and maintaining orderliness that time, though with some excesses and abuses typical of the party politics as it was played at that time.

Today, party politics is more mature and robust than it

used to be in time past. Though the 1999 Constitution provides for a single federal police, this precludes states from taking charge of the protection of lives and properties of their people as Chief Security Officer and denied them the emblem of authority. It was this central nature of the police that gave the killers of the former AttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice, Uncle Bola Ige opportunity to hatch their plan with ease. If Nigeria is really a federation, centralized system is a constitutional lacuna that must be addressed through constitution amendment to pave way for State Police.

It has also been argued that many states cannot afford the cost of establishing and maintaining state police. It is worthy to note that the primary and most fundamental responsibility of any government at whatever level is the protection of lives and property of its citizenry. This is the cross they swore to carry and fortunately, no State has complained that it is too heavy for her to address.

On a final note, State Police is a necessity in a federal system like Nigeria if we are to effectively combat crime as it is being practiced by other federating units the world over. Given the required political will, we can successfully and efficiently operate State Police in the country.

The time has come for us to give the subject the desired attention and we can no longer shy away from this. God bless Nigeria!

• Ibirogba is Lagos Commissioner for Information and Strategy

‘State Police is an important component of true federalism and emblem of authority of governance, since sovereignty is divided between the central authority and federating state authorities. It is not a new concept in Nigeria, but is rather a clamour for modification to the colonial legacy of Native Authority Police which successfully worked alongside the Nigeria Police Force till the 1970s’

Police and Rivers’ crisis

BY Nkem Jika the law, the issue becomes a libel case. Now, the word “Libel” means “a false written or printed statement that damages somebody’s reputation or to harm somebody’s reputation by publishing a false statement”. Yes, once a published material slanders anybody or institution, it becomes a libel. However, a libellous material, cannot under any circumstances, become a criminal matter for police investigation.

The truth is that in spite of the enormous investigative powers of the police in crime matters, the police cannot investigate a libel case. An aggrieved party in a “libel case” can only sue for damages, if the offending party refuses to retract a false statement or tender an apology to the party offended by a publication which veracity cannot be vouched for. The position canvassed here holds because libel cases which originate from the interpretation given to a published statement or opinion by an aggrieved party can only be decided by the courts, not by the police.

There is no provision anywhere in our statutes for the police to criminalize libel cases and investigate them.

The issue in contention here is the published statement by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly that appeared as an advertorial in The Nation of Wednesday, May 15, page 12, titled, “Disruption of Democracy and Rule of Law – Anarchy Looms in Rivers State,” addressed to the President. Amongst other things, the advertorial pointed out that “the situation in Rivers State has reached a fever-pitch, as there are strong indications that the Governor; Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the legislators and prominent government officials have been marked for assassination, following series of reported nocturnal meetings held in the neighbouring state and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)”. This quoted paragraph of the advertorial probably captures the essence of the matter for which the Rivers State Commissioner of Police decided to invite the Rivers’ Speaker for questioning.

However, a critical appraisal of the headline, including the phrases used in the advertorial, indicates that the Speaker was only drawing the attention of the public to the activities that have the potential of engendering anarchy in Rivers State and disrupting democracy in Nigeria. For instance, the use of the phrase “strong indications” in the advertorial only means a “suggestion that such incidents are possible or likely to happen” whenever the security details of the affected officials are withdrawn. There is nothing in the statements to suggest

that the advertorial was reporting a definitive plot by some people to assassinate the Governor of Rivers State or other government officials, to warrant an investigation by the police.

From the arguments made so far in this discourse, it should be clear, even to the uninformed that the advertorial in question was just an opinion expressed by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly on the deteriorating state of security in Rivers State. It was not a report to the President or the police about the commission of, or intention to commit, a crime by some Nigerian citizens. It must therefore be the height of duplicity for Joseph Mbu, whose activities in Rivers State should be the subject of a presidential inquiry, to turn round and invite the Speaker for questioning, as if the published advertorial, on its own, is a criminal matter for police investigation.

It is difficult to see how any rational mind could fault the contents of the published advertorial and successfully pursue a libel case. For instance, where the advertorial suggested that there where plans to withdraw the security details of prominent government officials in Rivers State, as a prelude to their possible elimination, the evidence was all over the place with the reduction in the security apparatus of the Speaker and the withdrawal of the police guards attached to the Chief of Staff to the Governor and some local government chairmen. Who does not know that once the security details of government officials are withdrawn from them that they may be prey to violent attacks from criminal elements or even prone to assassinations? And this was the point the Rivers State Speaker made in the published advertorial for which Mbu wants him investigated and prosecuted.

Now, if the police that has the constitutional duty to provide security so that the state assembly can carry out its responsibility to the people have refused to do so, who does not know it may have to do with the fact that the Rivers State police command may be a party to the grand plan to ground activities of the state legislators until they recall the suspended Nsirim-led leadership of the Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area? And this, again, was the point the Rivers State Speaker made.

In all honesty, the advertorial is simply an opinion expressed by the Speaker on the unfolding political and security drama in Rivers State. It was not even a report to the President of Nigeria to investigate a matter. In this wise, the police cannot deploy its investigative powers to invite the Speaker for questioning over a publication that he simply used to exercise his right to free speech or expression.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22 , 2013

22

COMMENTS

A

NGO Abdullahi, secretary to the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) reopened the debate on power shift when he declared last week, that the north was determined to reclaim power come 2015.

Exuding incredible confidence on the prospects of the northern project, Abdullahi anchored his optimism on two key planks. The first is the logic of rotation while the other draws impetus from the touted demographic advantage of the region.

He said the north will rely heavily on the fact that it is its turn to have a shot at that office as was agreed by stakeholders before and during Obasanjo’s regime and in keeping with the constitution of the ruling party.

Where this fails to sail through, they will call to action the sheer weight of their numbers to win the ensuing election given the principles of one man one vote.

Hear him, “the north is determined and insisting that the leadership of the country will rotate to it in 2015 and I am making that very clear to you. If it is on the basis of one man one vote, the demography shows that the north can keep power as long as it wants because it will always win elections”.

He went on to show how the rotation of power as a way of giving a sense of belonging to the distinct groups in the country was arrived at the 1987 National Political Reforms Conference. Obasanjo became its first beneficiary because of events of the annulled June 12, 1993 elections. According to him, it was supposed to last for four years but later extended due to pleas from Obasanjo to serve for another term since the constitution allows that.

“With Obasanjo’s eight years and six years of Jonathan come 2015, it would amount to taking the north for granted if Jonathan who

‘There is even a more grave danger in an election that is fought along the lines of the north and south divide. Its outcome given extant realities is loaded with frightening prospects of facilitating the failure of the Nigerian state’

Emeka OMEIHE 08121971199 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Northerners and power shift was part of this agreement (having signed as number 37 in his capacity as deputy governor of Bayelsa State) puts himself forward for another election”, he would further contend.

It is difficult not to admit the weighty argument by the north in respect of rotation of power in this country. Obasanjo must have paid heed to it when he manipulated his way to have late Umaru Yar’Adua run as the presidential candidate of the ruling party. He won.

But his death after two years in the saddle, unleashed a chain of events that are at the centre of the current crisis of confidence among key political gladiators in this country. The management of his sickness left much to be desired even as contrived obstacles were placed on Jonathan’s way to assuming his constitutional role as acting president until the Senate intervened. All these may have ruffled nerves. We were told by late National Security Adviser, Andrew Azazi that violence in this country peaked following the primaries of the PDP that threw up Jonathan. It would appear security challenges since Jonathan came to power, complicated the disposition of the geo-political zones to the power equation in the country. They also gave rise to palpable fear and apprehension regarding what use the north intends to make of political power. No thanks to the killings of innocent people and destruction of their properties by the Boko Haram sect obsessed with enthroning an Islamic state after the south has been sacked out of the north.

One mute point here is that, the north intends to realize its power shift project by rotation through the ruling Peoples Democratic Party PDP or where this fails, they will prosecute the same goal through any other party.

On the latter, the sheer weight of their population promises to be the game changer. They are saying very unambiguously that power must shift to the north in the next election whether Jonathan runs or not. If the logic of rotation fails and they corner power through their demographic advantage, then it is good by to power shift as they can decide to retain power as long as it pleases them. That is the clear message Abdullahi has sent across which should not be ignored.

But then the political arithmetic canvassed

by Abdullahi is not as simple as it has been put forward. By the 2006 census figures, the north accounts for 52.56 per cent of the population while that of the south is 46.35. Even then, these figures represent the absolute population and not the number of eligible or even registered voters. There is also the misplaced and untenable assumption that all northerners will vote for the northern candidate while all southerners will queue behind a southerner. This is not borne out of our electoral history and strikes as an act of desperation. Moreover, the concept of a monolithic north is by all accounts stale even as Abdullahi would want us to reason to the contrary. Whatever led northern elders to the conclusion that the 2015 election can be fought solely along the north and south divide must be a huge disappointment to the unity of this country. Is it not an uncanny twist of fate that, youths under the umbrella of Northern Youths Network have dissociated themselves from statements credited to NEF and ACF on return of power to the region come 2015? Its president Mallam Alli Kano said those canvassing power shift to the north in 2015 are doing so for selfish

reasons as ethnicity, religion and primordial sentiments which the elders had employed to sway choices during elections must be discarded as we prepare for 2015. The elders can as well dismiss this. But such dissenting views were unthinkable in the past.

There is even a more grave danger in an election that is fought along the lines of the north and south divide. Its outcome given extant realities is loaded with frightening prospects of facilitating the failure of the Nigerian state. Then, earlier predictions from the US would have become a self-fulfilling prophesy. These are the potent dangers in the NEF argument. If the 2015 election is fought and won along these divisions, it will be nigh impossible for the winner to take off as he will not be able to muster the required majority in the National Assembly. The ensuing disputations will quickly catalyze the same disastrous end.

So Abdullahi and his likes are not doing this nation any good by inventing warped and selfserving arguments all in the desperation to corner power by all means. It would have been of more national appeal if they had argued that where rotation fails, the north will work with fair- minded people from the south to prosecute the same goal. But to give the impression that the north can do away with the south and retain power for ever is the height of deceit and stupidity.

Even as the logic of rotation is very valid, the posturing of the NEF on the issue of demography brings into focus some of the systemic dysfunctions that are at the root of the festering mistrust and suspicion among our people. Some weeks back, the chairman of the National Population Commission, Festus Odimegwu shocked the nation when he revealed that some of the enumeration centres we have do not exist in reality as some people bought them same way politicians bought voters’ cards to gain advantage. The figures the NEF is bandying may not scale the test of this revelation.

More fundamentally, the dispute over power shift points to the fact that there some irreducible issues of our federal order we need to reach common agreement on for us to make any progress.

We need to address more seriously, the inequities and structural imbalances of our national existence contrived to gain advantage over some other sections. Curiously each time the idea of a national conference is canvassed the same north will be the lead opposition.

Opinion from other lands

T

HE not-guilty verdict in the George Zimmerman trial came down moments after I left a screening of “Fruitvale Station,” a film about the police-shooting death of Oscar Grant four years ago in Oakland. Much of the audience sat quietly sobbing as the closing credits rolled, moved by the narrative of a young black man, unarmed and senselessly gone.

Words were not needed to express a common understanding: to Zimmerman, Trayvon Martin, the seventeen-yearold he shot, fit the description; for black America, the circumstances of his death did.

The familiarity dulled the sharp edges of the tragedy. The decision the six jurors reached on Saturday evening will inspire anger, frustration, and despair, but little surprise, and this is the most deeply saddening aspect of the entire affair.

From the outset— throughout the 44 days it took for there to be an arrest, and then in the 16 months it took to for the case to come to trial—there was a nagging suspicion that it would culminate in disappointment. Call this historical profiling.

The most damning element here is not that George Zimmerman was found not guilty: it’s the bitter knowledge that Trayvon Martin was found guilty. During his cross examination of Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, the defense attorney Mark O’Mara asked if she was avoiding the idea that her son had done something to cause his own death.

During closing arguments, the defense informed the jury that Martin was armed because he weaponized a sidewalk and used it to bludgeon Zimmerman. During his post-verdict press conference, O’Mara said that, were his client black, he would never have been charged. At the defense’s table, and in the precincts far beyond it where donors have stepped forward to contribute funds to underwrite their efforts, there is a sense that Zimmerman was the victim.

O’Mara’s statement echoed a criticism that began circulating long before Martin and Zimmerman encountered each other. Thousands of black boys die at the hands of other African Americans each year, but the black community, it holds, is concerned only when those deaths are caused by whites.

It’s an appealing argument, and widespread, but it’s simplistic and obtuse. It’s a belief most easily held when you’ve not witnessed peace rallies and makeshift memorials, when you’ve turned a blind eye to grassroots organizations like the Interrupters in Chicago, who are working valiantly to stem the tide of violence in that city.

It is the thinking of people who’ve never wondered why African Americans disproportionately support strict gun-

George Zimmerman, Not Guilty: Blood on the Leaves

By Jelani Cobb control legislation. The added quotient of outrage in cases like this one stems not from the belief that a white murderer is somehow worse than a black one but from the knowledge that race determines whether fear, history, and public sentiment offer that killer a usable alibi.

The thousands who gathered last spring in New York, in St. Louis, in Philadelphia, in Miami, and in Washington, D.C., to demand Zimmerman’s arrest shared a narrative and an understanding of the past’s grip on the present. Long before the horrifying images of Martin lying prone and lifeless in the grass ever made their way to Gawker, he’d already begun inspiring references to the line about “blood on the leaves” from Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit.” Those crowds were the response of people who understand that history is interred in the shallowest of graves.

Yet the problem is not that this case marks a low point in this country’s racial history—it’s that, after two centuries of common history, we’re still obligated to chart high points and low ones. To be black at times like this is to see current events on a real-time ticker, a Dow Jones average measuring the quality of one’s citizenship.

Trayvon Martin’s death is an American tragedy, but it will mainly be understood as an African-American one. That it occurred in a country that elected and reëlected a black President doesn’t diminish the despair this verdict inspires, it intensifies it. The fact that such a thing can happen at a moment of unparalleled political empowerment tells us that events like these are a hard, unchanging element of our landscape.

We can understand the verdict to mean validation for the idea that the actions Zimmerman took that night were those of a reasonable man, that the conclusions he drew were sound, and that a black teen-ager can be considered armed any time he is walking down a paved street. We can take from this trial the knowledge that a grieving family was

capable of displaying inestimable reserves of grace.

Following the verdict, Sybrina Fulton posted a benediction to Twitter: “Lord during my darkest hour I lean on you.

You are all that I have. At the end of the day, GOD is still in control.” The Twitter account of Tracy Martin, Trayvon’s father, features an image of him holding Trayvon as a toddler, a birthday hat perched on the boy’s head. At the trial, they sat through a grim procession of autopsy photos and audio of the gunshot that ended their son’s life. No matter the verdict, their simple pursuit of justice meant amplifying the trauma of their loss by some unknowable exponent.

There’s fear that the verdict will embolden vigilantes, but that need not be the concern: history has already done that.

You don’t have to recall specifics of everything that has transpired in Florida over the past two hundred years to recognize this. The details of Rosewood, the black town terrorized and burned to the ground in 1923, and of Groveland and the black men falsely accused of rape and murdered there in 1949, can remain obscure and retain sway over our present concerns.

Names—like Claude Neal, lynched in 1934, and Harry and Harriette Moore, N.A.A.C.P. organizers in Mims County, killed by a firebomb in 1951—can be overlooked. What cannot be forgotten, however, is that there were no consequences for those actions.

Perhaps history does not repeat itself exactly, but it is certainly prone to extended paraphrases. Long before the jury announced its decision, many people had seen what the outcome would be, had known that it would be a strange echo of the words Zimmerman uttered that rainy night in central Florida: they always get away.

• Culled from The New Yorker

‘Yet the problem is not that this case marks a low point in this country’s racial history—it’s that, after two centuries of common history, we’re still obligated to chart high points and low ones. To be black at times like this is to see current events on a real-time ticker, a Dow Jones average measuring the quality of one’s citizenship’

25

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

THE CEO

ISSUES

‘Underwriters to blame for rate cutting’ -P. 28 News Briefing GSK UK may back down from 75% Nigerian acquisition AS shareholders await the decisive court-ordered extraordinary general meeting tomorrow, there are indications that GlaxoSmithKline United Kingdom (GSK UK) might reconsider its controversial bid to acquire shares held by Nigerian shareholders.

- Page 26

Venture equity capital institutions for MSMEs THE Federal Government has said it will fast-track the establishment of vibrant and efficient venture and equity capital organisations that will help provide cheap funds for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

- Page 26

NSE lifts suspension on IEI NIGERIAN Stock Exchange (NSE) at the weekend lifted the full suspension placed on International Energy Insurance (IEI) Plc following the conclusion of the company’s shares restructuring exercise.

- Page 27 DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$107/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N7.560 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion

RATES Inflation 11.9% Treasury Bills 7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending - 15.87% Savings rate 2% 91-day NTB 15% Time Deposit 5.49% MPR 12% Foreign Reserve $35.8b FOREX CFA 0.2958 EUR 206.9 £ 242.1 $ 156 ¥ 1.9179 SDR 238 RIYAL 40.472

At the moment there is an average of about 18 hours per day of constant power supply to different parts of the country. This feat was brought about by the implementation of the integrated power sector reform programme anchored on the power roadmap.

- Minister of Information, Labaran Maku

Wanted! Young farmers - Pg 37

Unpaid subsidy claims: Federation Account may incur liabilities, says NNPC

T

HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corpora tion (NNPC) has warned that the Federation Account (FA) is under threat of incurring contingent liabilities if the it is not paid its subsidy claims, The Nation has learnt.

A source, who asked not to be named, said NNPC has not been paid its claims since February, last year, resulting in a debt overhang of N1.093 trillion to the Account.

According to the minutes of the meeting of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting of May 2013, it was observed the NNPC was asked to give an update on the N1.093 trillion it owes the FA. In response, the representative of the NNPC at the meeting, said the NNPC’s “position on matter had not changed.”

The unchanged position of the NNPC on the debt it owes the FA the representative said, is because “the corporation has not been paid any subsidy claim since February 2012, whereas other oil marketers continue to receive subsidy claims every month.”

He said: “There was contingent liability on the FA arising from NNPC supply of petroleum products for domestic consumption.”

These are liabilities that

• Poor revenue collection wipes out residue fund From Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor)

may be incurred by an entity depending on the outcome of a future event, such as a suit, a source clarified.

The NNPC representative at the FAAC meeting was said to have added that “the debt against the corporation would reduce when its subsidy claims are paid.”

This explanation did not, however, go down well with the state commissioners of finance, as the Finance Commissioner from Ebonyi State, and the Chairman of the Finance Commissioners Timothy Odaah said “that the Post-Mortem Sub-Committee had discovered that the NNPC was maintaining an account called ‘Development Fund Account,’ and that $103.7 million was domiciled in it. He suggested that the money should be used to pay off NNPC debt.

Reacting to the issues raised, the Chairman of FAAC and Minister of State for Finance, Alhaji Yerima Lawan Ngama, explained that “a detailed exercise on NNPC listings was carefully carried out, and that the corporation was advised to stick to its original format for rendering it’s report”.

On the $103.7 million account, he said the NNPC “can-

NIMASA/NLNG row pushes up kerosene price

T

HE price of kerosene has continued to rise following the scarcity of Liquiefield Petroleum Gas(LPG) otherwise known as cooking gas.

The development, which is a fallout of the fued between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA) and the and Nigerian Liquifield and Natural Gas(NLNG), has resulted in the increase in the price of the petroleum by-product at both the wholesale and retail end of the market.

Investigations by The Nation revealed that 25 litres of kerosene sell at between N3,800 and N4,200, as against N3,000. Also, 50 litre of kerosene hitherto sold for N6,000 attracts between N7,500 and N8,000. While some marketers are selling five litres of kerosene for N750, others sell them for N800.

The President, Petrolleum Technology Association of Nigeria(PETAN) Mr Emeka Eze said the soured relationship between NLNG and

By Akinola Ajibade

NIMASA is affecting the economy.

He said the crisis has not only resulted in the high cost of cooking gas, but has affected other products. He said the problem needs to be resolved to improve the economy.

He said: “The position of the industry is that national interest should be at the forefront of the decisions taking by the two parties. The two bodies are having enstranged relationship, a development that is affecting the economy.

Now, Nigeria has a lower Liquified Petroleum Gas(LPG) per capita compared to Ghana or Senegal.

Access to LPG has to come through NLNG. The moment such access is blocked, it would have immediate effects on the price of cooking gas among other household items.”

He said the ability of NIMASA and NLNG to be sensitive to issues would help the economy.

not maintain any account relating to FA matters without the approval of the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF)”. He promised to look into the matter.

He also said: “Revenue collections into the Federation Account (FA) were consistently falling below expectations,”citing the low performance of the NNPC, the Federal Inand RevenueService (FIRS) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

Ngama said collections were below the monthly budget, and that the situation was eroding the savings earlier recorded, hence there was no residue funds to drawn from.

This may explain why there

was no augmentation for June.

He pointed out that the unfolding monthly revenue performance, clearly showed that the 2013 budget projections were unrealistic.

However, he assured the meeting that the government was working to improve the situation and that all the outstanding arrears would be paid.

Members were not satisfied with the explanation of the chairman. They resolved not to continue the meeting until the outstanding arrears were paid.

However, the chairman impressed on members not to see the Federal Government as

not concerned with the economic well-being of the states and local governments.

He pointed out that the Federal Government was faced with greater financial predicaments than the states noting that the federal government was more desirous in getting the unpaid outstanding arrears from the FA than the states in view of its huge wage bills. He informed the meeting that any other outstanding arrears would be paid by August, 2013.

The minuteof the May, 2013 meeting said the commissioner of finance from Niger state urged the chairman to endeavour to carry along FAAC members on certain issues, this he said would create and sustain better results at FAAC meetings.

26

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule

FRC restricts registration of professionals

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 7. Arik 07.15 08.15 7. Chanchangi 07.15 9. Air Nigeria 08.15 09.35 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. Aero 12.20 13.30 15. Air Nigeria 13.25 14.45 16. Chanchangi 13.30 14.30 17. Arik 13.45 14.45 18. IRS 14.00 15.20 19. Aero 14.10 15.30 20. Air Nigeria 14.50 16.10 21. Chanchangi 15.30 16.30 22. Arik 15.50 16.50 23. Aero 16.00 17.20 24. IRS 16.30 17.50 25. Arik 16.50 17.50 26. Chanchangi 17.30 18.30 27. Air Nigeria 17.35 18.55 29. Air Nigeria (T/TH) 18.30 19.50 20. Arik 18.45 19.45 31. 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.

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4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1.

2.

3.

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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. Aero 10.50 12.30 5. Arik 11.40 13.00 6. Air Nigeria 12.00 13.10 7. IRS 13.30 15.00 8. Arik 14.00 15.20 9. Air Nigeria 16.00 17.10 10 Arik 16.10 17.30 11. Aero 16.15 17.30 12. Arik 17.10 18.30 1.

2.

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

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

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Arik Aero Arik Aero

LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

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

08.50 09.45 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 1. IRS 11.15 13.15 2. Arik 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

By Simeon Ebulu

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• Obazee (left), discussing with Assistant Director, FRC, Mr Umar Sanusi, during the meeting.

GSK UK may back down from 75% Nigerian acquisition as pressures mount

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S shareholders await the de cisive court-ordered extraordinary general meeting tomorrow, there are indications that GlaxoSmithKline United Kingdom (GSK UK) might reconsider its controversial bid to acquire shares held by Nigerian shareholders.

The bid is intended to increase the foreign controlling equity shraholding in GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria (GSK Nigeria) Plc from 46.4 per cent to 75 per cent.

Market sources at the weekend said the foreign majority shareholder has been under mounting pressures from several stakeholders, who consider the acquisition bid as unfair and unjustifiable.

GSK currently holds majority equity stake of 46.4 per cent in GSK Consumer Nigeria through two wholly- owned subsidiaries. With total current outstanding shares of 956.70 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each, GSK UK holds 443.91

By Taofik Salako

million shares while, Nigerian institutional and individual investors hold the balance of 512.79 million shares.

GSK UK initially sought to buy 321.45 million shares out of the shareholdings by Nigerians to increase the foreign core investor’s controlling stake to 80 per cent. In the bid for the 33.6 per cent additional equity stake, GSK UK has offered to pay N48 per share.

According to the proposal, GSK UK seeks to acquire additional shares of GSK Nigeria on a pro rata basis from existing shareholders through a Scheme of Arrangement, implying that the proportionate percentage will be deducted from all Nigerian shareholders and added to GSK UK. Initial protests by Nigerian shareholders forced GSK UK to modify the acquisition target to 75 per cent. Under the revised proposal for 75 per cent equity stake,

GSK is pushing to acquire 273.46 million ordinary shares out of the Nigerian shareholders’ holdings to add 28.58 per cent, thereby pushing its post-acquisition holding to 75 per cent.

However, it retained the offer price of N48 per share, substantially lower than its stock market high of N68 and market price of N55.

GSK UK meanwhile, needs threequarter approval of shareholders at the court-ordered meeting to actualise the deal. It has indicated it would use its current 46.4 per cent equity stake as a block vote in support of the deal. The Board of the GSK Nigeria has also indicated it would vote in support of the deal.

But only three out of the nine directors own shares in the company, and collectively, the Board’s holding is 1.27 per cent. The Nigerian Chairman of the Board of GSK Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye holds 1.2 per cent. These add up to 47.67 per cent in support of the bid.

Fed Govt to push equity capital institutions HE Federal Government has SME Councils at the state for MSMEs oflevels said it will fast-track the es would enable both the

T

tablishment of vibrant and efficient venture and equity capital organisations that will help provide cheap funds for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, said this during the launch of the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP) and inauguration of the Ogun State Council on MSMEs in Abeokuta.

The programme, which was organised by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria(SMEDAN), in partnership with the Ogun State Government, is in line with the provi-

• Inaugurates NEDEP, MSME Council in Ogun sions of the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan.

“We want to build a new sector called Venture Capital and private equity sector to support small and growing businesses in Nigeria, Aganga said, adding that there will be “changes in our laws and regulations that will promote the development of venture capital organisations to provide equity, debt capital and business support services to those sectors.”

He noted that the inauguration

Federal and state governments to identify the peculiar challenges facing MSMEs in each state so as to fashion out workable strategies to holistically address them.

He said:“We are currently changing the structure of MSMEs development in the country. One of our new initiatives is the development of the National Enterprise Development Programme. NEDEP is being spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and its three parastatals - the Bank of Industry, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria and the Industrial Training Fund.

Social protection policy coming in Lagos

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HE Lagos State Government is putting finishing touches to unveil its Social Protection Policy, Commissioner, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ben Akubueze, has said.

He disclosed this while speaking on the need to pilot social protection project in urban slums in the state.

He said the state has been proactive in designing and implementing programmes and schemes targeting the most vulnerable sectors of the population, especially women and children and also working on policy to make it iron cast.

He said with the target date for achievement of the Milennium Development Goals (MDGs) fast approaching, it has become necessary for

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

policy makers to search for a more veritable replacement for this global development agenda.

The tools the commissioner noted would include: “Strengthening our communities and empowering our people to discover and utilise creative, innovative, indigenous and homegrown approaches to solving generic and peculiar problems.”

He said the government was aware of the need to focus on building internal capacity to evaluate unique challenges and also address same with easily accessible indigenous resources.

On the need for the policy tool, Akabueze said it has the potential to achieve much as the concept supports long-term programmes to help

eliminate the underlying causes of poverty.

He said: “We are, indeed, conscious of the fact that one of the best ways to stimulate development is to protect and promote the livelihood and welfare of the poor and vulnerable in our state. We recognise the state’s peculiar challenges, the greatest of which remain a burgeoning population, coupled with inadequate finances.”

In her response UNICEF Nigeria, Representative, Ms. Jean Gough, said though the past two decades have seen aggregate progress towards the achievement of several MDGs and targets, heartening global and national averages have hidden growing disparities in the lives of children.

EMBERS of Professional bodies without enabling law will not be registered by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), the Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer, Jim Osayande Obazee, has said.

Obazee, who addressed reporters on some sundry issues in Lagos, last week, said the measure was adopted so as not to condone any acts of illegality.

He said if the Council softened its stance and register professionals from such bodies without legal backing, their promoters would be unwilling to pursue and finalise their legal status with the National Assembly.

He said: Professionals without enabling law will be denied FRC Registration Certificate, because if they are registered, they will be unwilling to pursue their registration,” adding that FRC is not willing to be part of those practising illegally.

“We don’t want people to do things with impunity and we not being in a position to discipline them.

“Since we commenced registration of professionals, we have noted that some professional bodies operate without enabling laws, while some have their request for legal backing at different stages at the National Assembly.

We hereby advise them to ensure that they facilitate their bid for relevant legislation, as the council does not register professionals whose professional body does not have enabling law.”

Obazee said the council is taking steps to ensure uniformity in the financial statements of Not-For Profit organisations.

He said they differ from one type of institution to another, thus making comparison and accountability difficult.

The FRC helmsman explained that some entities operating on “commercial lines, ‘within charity,’ are claiming exemption on their income on the ground that the totality of the outfits are charitable institutions,” but Obazee faulted the arguments, adding: “Such a claim, when made in respect of an activity carried out on commercial lines, is contrary to the intention of the provision and put the assets of the charitable purpose at significant risk.”

Oyo launches mobile advert policy From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

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HE Oyo State Signage and Ad vertisement Agency (OYSAA) has launched a new mobile advertisement policy to end an era of jungle justice by previous operators in the state.

Speaking at the launch of the new policy in Ibadan last week, the agancy’s Director-General, Yinka Adepoju, said the policy was borne out of Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s priority for creating a world-class environment for business, the government and other activities in the state.

He noted that though it took the agency six months to fashion the policy, the time of planning afforded OYSAA the opportunity to harness interests of all stakeholders before evolving the new strategic policy.

The strategic frame work for the policy was designed with inputs from the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Mobile Outdoor Advertisement Agency of Nigeria (MOAN), the Nigeria Police Force as well as financial institutions.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

27

BUSINESS NEWS

Lagos blames telecoms operators for road damage

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AGOS Governor Babatunde Fashola has accused telecoms operators of disregarding rules and damaging urban infrastructure while laying urban optic fibre cables (OFC) in the state.

The governor spoke while hosting the Executive Vice Chairman / Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Eugen Juwah, who led other members of the board of the commission on a courtesy visit to the governor in Alausa, Ikeja.

According to the governor, each time the state is planning to embark on the construction of new roads, the operators are invited so that they can be given the opportunity of disclosing their OFC laying plans.

He lamented that the operators do not honour the invitation only to hide under the cover of the night to damage the roads once they are constructed.

By Lucas Ajanaku

While appreciating the important roles the telecoms revolution has played in the country, he said roads are also vital infrastructure provided to give comfort to the people.

Governor Fashola urged the NCC boss not to indulge the operators by listening to them each time they complain.

Earlier, Juwah identified multiple taxation/regulation, right of way (RoW), ignorance on the part of decision makers and vandalism as some of the challenges bedeviling the industry, adding that with about 15 per cent of the over 119 million subscribers based in Lagos, it was imperative the governor intervened to tackle these challenges.

Juwah said the telecoms sector contributes 7.8 per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product

(GDP), thus underlining the importance of the sector to the nation’s economy. He admitted that though the quality of service being offered by the operators was not the best.

He said there was still room for improvement, especially now that the operators were stepping up investment to provide infrastructure.

The governor told his guest that there was nothing like multiple regulation/taxation in the state, adding that in a country like Nigeria, there has to be multi-level interventions.

According to him, “telecoms is a multi-jurisdictional responsibility,” arguing that when the NCC issues operating licences to the operators, it cannot decide for the state where the masts are erected.

He likened telecoms masts to buildings, arguing that when building construction is not regulated, when the building goes down, the municipal authorities would be held

responsible.

He said the so-called multiple taxation were just administrative charges, arguing that when the NCC issues licences, the operators will have to pay some “administrative” charges to use the licences.

On vandalism of cables, the governor lamented that it was the failure of security. According to him, just as the operators are lamenting that their OFC were being vandalised, so also were electricity cables being vandalised by unscrupulous elements that sell the copper.

Governor Fashola disclosed that the replacement of vandalsied electricity cables cost the state government about N100 million.

He called for multi-level policing as panacea to the menace. He said the country runs a federal structure which has levels of government, adding that in the United Kingdom where a unitary constitution is operated, there stil exists

• Fashola

a level of multi-level policing.

He said: “Multi-level policing is the essence of a federation and the sooner the National Assembly accept this, the better for all of us.

The only way we can get out of it is stop being a federation. We are only pretending.”

Rainoil acquires oil vessels

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• Mr Stanley, cutting the tape; flanked by Managing Director/CEO, Rainoil Limited, Gabriel Ogbechie; Executive Director, Rainoil Limited, Mrs. Godrey Ogbechie; former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Alexander Ogomudia (rtd) right, and others during the inauguration of the vessels.

‘We need a national building code’

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BUILDING expert, Kunle Awobodu, has urged the government to approve a national building code, which would provide for minimal standard in building construction for all professionals in the construction industry.

Awobodu, who is the President, Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), told The Nation, that if strictly adhered to, the code would check cases of building collapse, adding that stiff penalties should be meted out to any builder or firm who compromised the standard.

He said the penalties should not be for owners of collapse buildings, but the construction firm, or artisans that worked on them.

“For instance in Lagos, if building collapses, the land is confiscated, but what about those involved in its construction? Punishing the owner alone is not enough.

Those involved in the construction should be investigated and punished accordingly,” he said.

He listed factors responsible for

By Seyi Odewale

building collapse to include, the near takeover of the industry by quacks, saying they play a major role in building collapse. “Some people, because they had witnessed building construction in some areas may think that the same experience is applicable in other locations. Those ones are quacks; they have no prerequisite qualification to execute such jobs,” he said.

Others, he said, include the use of sub-standard and inferior materials; poor workmanship; change of use after construction and lack of maintenance on buildings.

“In most cases when a developer knows that if a building is temporarily owned by him, he will want to try and maximise profit as long as he has the property in his care.

He would not want to commit too much funds into it since he knows that it will not be his own for life.

He may even use sub-standard materials in his bid to maximise profit.

“Poor workmanship is another serious factor. This is because they

are trying to save cost. They will hire those they will pay peanuts poorly trained artisans to do the work for them. Then there is the problem of poor supervision or none supervision of the work.

“At the same time, there is also the problem of change of use after the construction of the building.

The building initially might have been designed for residential use only for it to be converted to commercial use after completion. So their drawings will never state it, and it will not be taken into consideration in respect of axial load, or any type of load the building may eventually carry.

He listed lack of maintenance as another serious issue, which they don’t pay attention to after construction, adding that most collapsed buildings may have exhibited certain cracks. If proper maintenance was done on the buildings, they would not have collapsed, he argued.

Awobodu said government also has a role to play in arresting this menace by enforcing the code, and insisting on full compliance.

Why China, Russia left Nigeria behind, by expert

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HINA and Russia left Ni geria behind in develop ment because of their strong educational system and visionary leaders, a don has said.

According to a Senior Lecturer of Ebonyi State University, Abakiliki, Ejide, Mao Tse-tung of China introduced manual work as part of its curriculum.

He added that Russia introduced and implemented policies that put food on the tables of the masses.

He spoke at the Corporate &Media Africa Communications Lim-

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

ited Distinguished Leadership in National Development Gold Awards in Abuja.

Ejide, however, said Nigerians should hold a national dialogue that is aimed at genuine nationbuilding where security, education and development issues can be examined and clarified.

He pointed out that Nigeria’s educational system is so disabled that universities churn out functional illiterates.

He added that the the education sector is not insulated from the other sectors of polity.

Ejide, who considered Nigeria’s education system as a major challenge to development, added that in education system has no room for skill acquisition.

He said the 6-3-3-4 system of education failed not because of scarcity of industries to absorb graduates of technical colleges, but because “in Nigeria, education is synonymous with office work.”

AINOIL Limited has ac quired two new double hull oil vessels, MT Adeline and MT Emmanuel.

With the combined capacity to carry 35,000 tonnes of refined petroleum products, MT Adeline and MT Emmanuel are ICE-classified vessels and they meet international standards that enable them suitable for quick Ship-to-Ship (STS) loading of petroleum products from one vessel to another.

Being chemical carriers, they also have strong containment systems thus making them eco-friendly as they are not prone to accidents neither do they pollute waters while in use for ship-to-ship trans-loading of products.

Inaugurating the oil ships at the Rainoil Jetty and multi-product Tank Farm in Oghara, Delta State, the Executive Secretary, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Mr Reginald Stanley, said the investment was a significant milestone and a big boost to the nation’s economy in the areas of foreign exchange conservation, reduction in the cost of freight of petroleum products, employment opportunities and speedy distribution of products across the country. ‘‘Although Rainoil is a big player in the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)

segment, these vessels will provide an excellent logistic to other players in the downstream. I therefore urge other marketers to use the services of these vessels, so as to optimise its utilisation, thereby reducing the unit cost of freight. There is also the need to patronise our local fender providers in STS (ShipTo-Ship) operations, so as to build a strong synergy in shipping operations. A situation where foreign fender providers dominate the market should be discouraged’’, he said.

Stanley expressed joy that the facilities would boost maritime operation which is crucial in oil and gas business while at the same time put Nigeria again on the global map. ‘‘The vessels being commissioned are some of the best vessels to ply our waters; they are double hull vessels as against the single hull vessels plying our waters.

When compared with the ‘rust buckets’ called ships in our waters, these vessels can only be described as the ‘Rolls Royce’ of the trade’’, he said.

The PPPRA boss added that as double hull or ‘‘double skin’’ chemical vessels, the new oil ships have efficient containment system to safeguard the water system against oil pollution during shipto-ship loading of refined products.

FCMB donates centre to Pan-Atlantic University

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IRST City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc has donated uan undisclosed amount to the Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) for the construction of a Students Centre at its campus at IbejuLekki in Lagos.

Speaking at a briefing at the institution, FCMB’s Group Head of Marketing and Communication, Mr Ikechukwu Kalu, said the donation was part of the bank’s contributions to the provision of facilities that would ensure effective teaching and learning, capacity building and growth of the education sector.

He noted that it stems from FCMB’s belief that Pan-Atlantic University would continue to play a major role in these aspirations.

Kalu stressed that the bank was proud to identify with the university in its mission to develop competent and committed individuals through the provision of qualitative education and entrepreneurial skills.

“Working together, we can go a long way in supporting capacity development, through quality education. It is always our desire to support worthy causes that would benefit the education sector, the youth

and national development,’’ he said.

He commended the founders and management of the institution for upholding its values since its inception.

Also speaking, the Divisional Head, Human Resources and Change Management of the bank, Felicia Obozuwa, said part of the mission of FCMB is to drive value adding initiatives, promote moral values and champion professionalism.

Receiving the donation, the Vice Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University, Prof.

Juan Elegido, commended FCMB for the gesture.

He stated that the support from FCMB towards the construction of the centre would help boost the quality of teaching and learning in the institution upon the completion of its new campus.

He urged other corporate organisations to lend their strength in educational development the way FCMB is doing.

Earlier, the Group Managing Director of FCMB, Mr Ladi Balogun, represented by Mr Kalu, visited the PAU’s Vice Chancellor to felicitate with its management on the achievements and contributions it has made in providing quality education in Nigeria.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

28

THE CEO

‘Underwriters to blame for rate cutting’ Laide Osijo is the first female President of the 50-yearold Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB). She is also the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Plum Insurance Brokers and Principal Partner, Laide Osijo & Associates. Osijo spoke with OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO on issues, problems and challenges facing the industry.

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OU are the first female president of the 50-year-old Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB). By October, you would have spent two years in office. What are your achievements so far?

First of all, I will like to state that I have been in the council for about 17 years before I became president; so I will say I know the in and out of the council. As the first female president in the 50 years of existence of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), my interest is to have a new NCRIB filled with many positive changes that can add value to our noble council. I have been able to improve on some of them; therefore, aligning the institute at a better pedestrian. As a female president, I knew that I have to prove a point by abiding to the ethics of the profession and being hardworking. I needed to set an example so that other female members will be given the same opportunity given to me. I try to be dedicated by having passion for what I do which further gives me the inspiration to forge ahead. Part of my vision in moving my broking fraternity to the next level is by ensuring that the members adhere strictly to ethics and professionalism. Right now, the standards have changed and brokers practise professionally. Before now, there are many areas that brokers normally err that cause problem among stakeholders, such as the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA) and other arms of the industry. But things have improved. Today, it is a positive story for us in the insurance industry because brokers are respected. The issue of brokers not paying premium to underwriters is no longer in existence because they know that if they are reported to the authority, they may be suspended.

Secondly, there was an uncompleted structure of the council when I came in. We used to be in a bungalow. My predecessor, Alhaji

• Osijo

PHOTO: OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO

Profile Institutions attended

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Lagos

Qualification

B.Sc (Insurance), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Bachelor of Law, University of Lagos; Masters in Business Administration (MBA), University of Lagos

Previous positions

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Plum Insurance Brokers & the Principal Partner of Laide Osijo & Associates

Present position

President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB)

Professional associations

Associate member, Chartered Insurance Institute of London and Nigeria; Fellow, NCRIB

Experience

Over 30 years.

Sanusi Teslim, started it, but it was not completed before he left and I made sure I completed the building. I added my feminine touch and it resulted in great cooperation with NAICOM. The council got a lot of support from the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Fola Daniel. We had a particular problem with some of our members. There is an aspect of the NCRIB law that says the registration of a broker is precedent to issuing of licence by NAICOM. What this means is that they must be a registered members of the NCRIB before NAICOM can issue a practising licence. Before I came herec a lot of brokers go to NAICOM for licence without registering with the Council. They refused to adhere to our law. But when I came in, I built a good relationship with NAICOM and this warranted them to allow me operate that aspect of our law.

But why did NAICOM do that?

I cannot blame NAICOM. Our members were not practising professionally and ethically and so there were loopholes for them to take advantage of. I must state that it also depends on the leadership. You must know what you are doing. The law is there to assist us. There is no need to confront your supervising authority if what they are doing is enforcing the law. You must be able to interact with them in a friendly manner and not through confrontation. There must always be dialogue even if they fail to understand or they don’t want to understand for one reason or the other which I may not be able to explain fully here. As a result of my dialogue with NAICOM, a lot of brokers have returned to the Council to register. Everybody started coming and this gave me the opportunity to collect enough fund to finish

the secretariat building, which has become every broker’s pride today. Those who had the certificate with NAICOM without collecting our own had to pay and this gave us a lot of money to do all that is required of the Council.

How have you added value to the members now that you have funds?

I have been able to add value to our members and the insurance industry generally.

From our own end, we began by keeping the brokers informed on what can influence them to generate income. We empowered the Area Committee chairmen in the six geographical zones of the country by visiting them and opening their eyes to what they can achieve. By the time I put them through the vision I had for NCRIB, they all listened to me and started participating in events within their area chapter, which is the best place to reach the grassroots. In the area of penetration of insurance to the grassroots, I let them know that it is only the area chapters that can help the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI) by NAICOM, which is also aimed at improving insurance penetration and services required in Nigeria. This is expected to increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Brokers no longer run after the government account. They realise that there are lots to venture into than running after such account because there are lots of things in the grassroots. In compulsory insurance, I also introduced the area chapter into it which has in turn improved their income generation.

These are some of the areas where we have •Continued on page 29

THE N

2013

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

29

THE CEO

‘Underwriters to blame for rate cutting’ •Continued from page 28

added value and today, all of them want to become members of NCRIB. At present, everything is working. Our website is working, human capital has improved, all the Area Chapters are working and everybody wants to belong to the Council.

How many members have you been able to get back?

When I got in there, there were so many of our practising members that were not paying their dues for up to five years. Today, I have over 450 members who were inactive before that are participating financially. The leadership was aggressive and also set good examples in terms of integrity and professionalism. I never stopped at that. I went to the state government where we have our state chapters in the western areas, which consist of Ondo, Ekiti, Ilorin and Ibadan. I took them to the state government and introduced them for patronage. But I told the government that in case there is any erring member, they should not hesitate to report to the Council. Now most states are patronising my colleagues. I did the same thing in the East, North and Abuja. My intention is to build an institution not individual, an institution that will outlive my tenureship.

What is the relationship between your members and NAICOM? There is a fantastic collaboration with NAICOM and NCRIB members. I commend the effort of the commission. The commissioner, Fola Daniel, has done well for the council by effective collaboration. He carried us along. We dialogue on issues that will enrich us and better the industry. Gone are the days when you will see us attacking each other. I am bold to say that we have witnessed some peace in the last two years of my tenure as the president. There is a joint committee, which I found with NIA and we meet quarterly to discuss issues that could affect the profession of the industry. So, we discuss any issue and tackle it instead of fighting.

But some of your members are not happy with the regulator because they believe it does not carry them along. They accuse the commissioner of making policy decisions without their input.

There is the NCRIB Act, NAICOM Act, and Insurance Act. If you want to challenge anything, you need to read all these laws. I am a lawyer; so, if I want to argue on certain things, I will look at the position of the law.

Those who feel otherwise by what the regulator is doing should check the position of the law. What are they doing that is not in the law? I do not agree with them in the area of not consulting them before things are done. I am the president and rarely will the regulator do things without consulting us.

But if there are rules and some certain administrative things that NAICOM needs to do, they do not have to consult us. Do I have to go and consult people on what is in the law? It is for the aggrieved members to pick the Act and read. If it is what is in the Act that Fola Daniel met that he is doing except they are doing something that is outside their jurisdiction, then nobody should query him for that. What people don’t want is change.

Human beings are naturally resistance when it comes to change. Let me give you a typical example, some people called me that NAICOM penalised them on certain things.

These were things that the commission had sent us letters and email. We went ahead and put the information requirement on our website for our members to carry out. How do you now blame NAICOM? Even the commissioner told us to ask them for further extension of time whereby we will do reconciliation, which we did. If after the extension, NAICOM now querries you for not doing the right thing, will you begin to say they did not carry you along? It is change that is affecting them. The same problem applies to the issue of ‘no premium no cover’.

It is all about the change that is affecting them. The law has been there but the predecessors of Daniel did not follow it and if he decided to do it because he feels it is what will stabilise the industry, there is no way I will begin to fight him. Our GDP is under one per cent despite a fantastic population of over 150 million. If the supervising authority decides to search for reasons and now

• Osijo

brings ways of improving on the stability of the industry, are you supposed to blame them? I am a very realistic and professional person to the core and I want my children in future to read insurance.

NAICOM began enforcement on ‘No premium, No cover’ policy in January and we have just gone past the middle of the year.

Have your members been able to adjust to the policy?

Yes, they have adjusted. We cannot afford to continue to discredit ourselves in the industry like we have been doing in the past.

We grant insurance cover and credit and some insured will not pay in the long run.

When it is time to settle claim, we don’t have money to pay for it. Insurance is strictly on ‘a cash and carry’ basis and my members dare not take premium without remitting it to the insurance company. We are professional brokers and not agents. NAICOM has directed that within 48 hours, we should report the premium to the underwriter, but we have one month within which you should pay the money to the underwriter. Some of our underwriters too are used to the idea of pocketing premium and thereby give bad image of the industry to the public, but I believe if you have been doing it well from the beginning, you will see this change as an act of professionalism and ethical behaviour.

Has it reduced business for insurance operators?

It is just the first year and so it may reduce business, but we are optimistic that by 2014 it would have improved. This is because the clients who have refused cover this year will prepare him or herself for next year. Most of my colleagues have been telling me that they have never had it so good like this in the previous years. By the end of the first quarter, they had a lot of money in their purse.

As it is today, no underwriter issues you with cover if you do not take your money there and that means as a broker, if you pay premium to the underwriter, you get your commission on time. It is so good that even the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has paid premium before the effective date for renewal of their policies. They

PHOTO: OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO

paid as early as March this year and the policy renewal date was April 1. Everybody on the NNPC account has taken their money and they are happy. So, definitely, when claims occur from NNPC, it will be paid immediately and it goes round the country like that. The public is benefitting.

Have your members been able to take advantage of the Local Content law?

We have taken advantage of it, but not yet to the fullest. The local content law says brokers should be used for the NNPC insurance.

We used to be there as brokers doing NNPC account. After some time, there were some controversies and brokers were stopped from getting it. But thank God the local content came up and brokers were given the opportunities of coming back again and they were being patronised by NNPC. The first year they had it again was in 2010 and about 32 brokers were appointed. The second year, about 15 brokers got the account. The members complained to me because I was already the president then and I wrote a subtle letter thanking them for those that were appointed and appealed to them to accommodate more brokers. I told them that most of us were going for oil and gas courses so they should increase their human capital by exposing us.

Am sure they treated our case after that letter and this year they appointed over 40 brokers and they have paid them. They also allowed the brokers to go and place the business abroad. This is an improvement and I commend them.

There seems to be no end to the problem of rate cutting and even NAICOM has not been able to do much about it to the extent that some brokers and underwriters accept as low as N3000 on third party motor insurance. Why is this so?

To tackle the problem, we need to ask ourselves who is responsible to the acceptance of a risk. It is the insurance company and not the broker. This problem was not there in the 70’s. In those days, when a broker brings business to an underwriter and demands low rate, nobody will accept it from him. But because of unethical behaviour and bad competition that exists today in the name of getting money at cost, rate cutting has become

‘We grant insurance cover and credit and some insured will not pay in the long run. When it is time to settle claim, we don’t have money to pay for it. Insurance is strictly on ‘a cash and carry’ basis and my members dare not take premium without remitting it to the insurance company.

We are professional brokers and not agents’

a menace in the industry. The problem can only be solved when underwriters begin to reject low rates from brokers. How can somebody bring a hazardous risk to you and you charge a non-commensurate rate? There is no way you can pay claims when it occurs.

The underwriters are supposed to reject it. It is not the broker that dictates rate and if all of them reject bad rates, brokers won’t have any choice but buy the policy at the rate they have quoted. It is high time underwriters know they are the architect of their own problem. Let us go back to status quo, the way our elders have been doing it. The regulator cannot come into the aspect of rate cutting because some of the operators will say it is none of their business as the law did not state that they should be told how much rate to charge.

The Federal Government still owes premiums on group life. We expect people like you to come out and oppose this, bearing in mind that NAICOM as the adviser to the government on insurance cannot do much to its own boss. What have you been able to do about this?

I can recall that sometimes in 2011, I took my members to the Head of Service who was the permanent secretary then. As at that time, they never paid at all. It was a week after we went there that they realised about 50 per cent. I thanked them and asked for more like Oliver Twist – that the remaining money should be paid and it was in the papers. I was very blunt about it because there were so many outstanding claims. They cannot ask us to pay outstanding claims without the premium being paid.

Do they ask you to pay claims when they have not paid premium?

Yes, they asked us to pay. You know it’s not the head of service that will come and ask you to pay but the institutes or parastatals, MDAs that we are dealing with.

They will be sending you outstanding claims because they may not know that premiums have not been paid. They were reporting some of my brokers to me and so it was for me as the president to tell them premiums have not been paid.

But the premiums are yet to be paid. I am aware that there are outstanding premiums to be paid for 2010, 2011 and 2012 when they have not even sought for insurance for this year?

Yes, but what more can we do? We cannot move to President Goodluck Jonathan to go and ask why? We can only continue to talk and several newspapers are reporting it too.

At the national level, it means that government workers do not have insurance?

Yes. They don’t have insurance because ‘no premium, no cover’ already bans us from granting cover, without premiums being paid and we are standing by it. There are so many losses. For example, in this year, there was a Ministry which use to have insurance renewal period in January. They thought the ‘no premium, no cover’ was a joke. They did not pay until April and they wanted. They wanted underwriter to backdate it for them, but the underwriter said no, gone are the days that such things happen. It is when you pay premium that you begin to get cover.

This is a beautiful thing to happen to the insurance industry. We have advised government. The commissioner for insurance, NIA president and I addressed the MDAs in Abuja before the enforcement began in January and we advised them on what to do. It is left for them to follow our advice. With this, there will be great stability in the insurance industry and the N1 trillion premium target will be achieved.

Some experts have described the insurance sector as underdeveloped. What is your assessment of it compared to other sectors of the economy?

We are to develop the industry ourselves.

But we can’t do that when the regulator comes up with regulations that will change things for good. We should psycho-analyse ourselves as practitioners to develop it. We don’t need anybody outside the sector or country to come and develop it for us. Let us adhere strictly to some of the acts that join us together. When we want to criticise, it should be done constructively. If we can do this, our sector will dominate other sectors in the country because insurance is usually one of the most buoyant sectors in developed countries You have about two months to go, what are the things you will still like to achieve before you leave?

My compendium for the broking fraternity is on the way. There are windows of opportunities. You can become a broker. I have my Annual General Meeting coming up and, above all, I need to continuously instill acts of discipline in our staff and members.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

30

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 19-07-13

NSE lifts suspension on International Energy Insurance •Honeywell declares N1.3b dividend as Cutix meets IGERIAN Stock Exchange (NSE) at the weekend lifted the full suspension placed on International Energy Insurance (IEI) Plc following the conclusion of the company's shares restructuring exercise.

The lifting of the full suspension, a complete suspension of trading on the shares of the company, was simultaneous with the listing of the newly restructured shares of the insurance firm. IEI had restructured its previous outstanding shares of 6.42 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to 1.284 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

The post-consolidation shares were listed on Friday at N2.50 per share, making IEI the highest-priced stock in the insurance sector. The shares however closed flat.

The stock market was enlivened last week by the release of several first half corporate earnings reports of companies that run the Gregorian calendar as their business year and audited reports of some companies that operate distinctive business year.

The board of Honeywell Flour Mills announced that it would be recommending distribution of about N1.27 billion as cash dividends for the year ended March 31, 2013. On the basis of this, shareholders

N

By Taofik Salako

will receive a dividend per share of 16 kobo.

Directors of Cutix Plc also met at the weekend to consider the audited report and accounts for the year ended April 30, 2013 including the possible dividend for shareholders of the company.

The share price of both Honeywell and Cutix responded positively to the reports. Honeywell's market consideration added 5.0 kobo or 1.51 per cent to close Friday at N3.36 per share. Cutix added 8.0 kobo or 4.21 per cent to close weekend at N1.98 per share.

In spite of a tinge of profittaking that moderated the last trading day at the market, equities sustained impressive upswing during the week as investors sought early positions in low-priced stocks.

The benchmark index at the NSE, the All Share Index (ASI), recorded a weekly gain of 2.53 per cent to push average yearto-date return at the stock market to 36.50 per cent. The ASI rose from the week's index on board of 37,382.49 points to close the week at 38,328.29 points.

Aggregate market capitalisation of all equities on the NSE rose from its opening value of N11.839 trillion to

close the week at N12.138 trillion, an increase of N299 billion.

The widespread bullish rally pushed up market considerations of 50 stocks as against 39 stocks that recorded losses.

Investors showed keen interests in low-priced stocks, which volumes were mainly responsible for the voluminous turnover recorded during the week. Total turnover stood at 1.89 billion shares worth of N15. 54 billion in 28,619 deals. However, the trio of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc, ABC Transport Plc and FBN Holdings Plc accounted for 900.568 million shares worth N2.693 billion in 3,714 deals, representing 47.76 per cent of total turnover for the week.

Sectoral analysis showed that the financial services sector remained the most active; accounting for 763.65 million shares valued at N7.28 billion in 14,740 deals. This represented 40.5 per cent of total turnover volume. The conglomerates sector rode on the back of deals on Transcorp to pool turnover of 704.83 million shares worth N1.137 billion in 1,122 deals.

On the over-the-counter (OTC) market, turnover stood at 126.82 million units valued at N146.01 billion in 1,054 deals.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 19-07-13

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

31

MONEY LINK

Forex utilisation rises to $10.3b

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) Economic Policy Directorate report has shown that forex utilisation stood at $10.3 billion, compared with the previous quarter’s $10.2 billion, FBN Capital has said.

In an emailed report, the investment and research firm said the figures are for the deposit money banks (DMBs) during the first quarter. It said it excludes the transactions through the official auctions and the bureaux de change.

Stories by Collins Nweze

The oil sector and food products together consumed $3.2 billion or 31.2 per cent of total utilisation. It suggested that Nigeria should produce its own premium motor spirit (petrol) and foodstuffs such as sugar, rice and fish to reduce forex usage.

It said government’s programme of agricultural transformation is necessarily a medium-term project, so we should not be surprised that imports of food products of $1.2

billion were unchanged from fourth quarter of 2012. “Without the programme, we would expect a steady increase to reflect annual population growth of more than three per cent,” it said.

It said the $2.1 billion cost of oil sector imports marks an improvement from the prevailing levels before the substantial reduction in the petrol subsidy in January, last year. It suggested that deregulation would bring greenfield investment in refineries and, in time, a sharp decline in this import bill.

“Overall conclusion from the data is that Nigeria still has a very hearty appetite for imported goods and services. Because its export base remains narrow, a sustained fall in oil revenues leads, as in fourth quarter of 2008, to pressure on the naira exchange rate and administrative controls on imports,” it said.

According to the report, the level of external reserves as at end-March, 2013 stood at $47.88 billion as against $43.83 billion and $35.20 billion in the preceding and corresponding quarters.

Sterling Bank sees profit doubling on fresh capital

S

TERLING Bank Plc is planning to more than double profit in two years as it invests additional capital in lending and expanding branch network.

“We expect net income to rise from N6.9 billion ($42.8 million)in 2012 to N15.1 billion in 2014 as proceeds from current capital raising are invested,” chief financial officer Abubakar Suleiman said at the weekend in an interview with reporters in Lagos.

Earnings per share is expected to rise from 44 kobo in 2012 to 70 kobo in 2014, he said. Sterling Bank seeks to raise $80 million in a rights offer that ends on July 31. The lender plans to raise $120 million from a private

placement after the rights offer, Suleiman said.

The bank, with a networth of over N50 billion and operating in more than 160 branches across Nigeria “has no plans currently for foreign operations,” according to Suleiman.” “We’ll expand locally by opening 15 additional branches this year and increase customer deposits by N200 billion,” he said.

The lender plans to grow loans by “over 30 per cent” this year and about that in 2014,” he said.

Sterling Bank is joining other Nigerian lenders to seek opportunities in growth economic sectors after the industry bounced

back to profitability following a 2008 to 2009 debt crisis that put the banking industry on the verge of collapse. The government set up Asset Management Corp. of Nigeria (AMCON) to buy bad debt from banks and stabilise the financial system.

The lender acquired Equitorial Trust Bank Plc in 2011, one of the eight banks bailed out by the banking watchdog.

The Lagos-based bank has done a lot of lending to the oil and gas as well as telecommunication sectors, Suleiman said. “Going forward, we will do more lending to power and agriculture projects.

Sterling Bank will be able to maintain the quality of its risk assets even as loans grow, ‘‘as it targets top quality bluechip companies,” Suleiman said. “The bank is expecting ratio of nonperfuming loans to total credit to drop below three per cent this year from a ratio of slightly above three per cent in 2012,” he said.

The lender is also managing cost to ensure that planned expansion in retail banking and technology does not hamper the realisation of projected income, as it targets cost to income ratio of 70 per cent this year from 83 per cent in 2012, according to Suleiman. Return on equity is forecast at 20 per cent this year from 14 per cent in 2012, he said.

Enterprise Bank inaugurates product

E

NTERPRISE Bank Limited has launched “The University Staff Cluster Loan” designed to avail staff of universities personal loans.

In a statement, the bank said the consumer product was developed based on its continual quest to delight her customers that are operating in the

different strata of the economy.

It said that subscribers to the loan will also stand a chance of accessing funds of between a minimum of N250, 000 and a maximum of N5million, with a repayment period of up to three years.

Aside from that, the product will also allow lecturers, especially, professors to access the loan even at the age 65

years. It said one of the unique selling points of the product, according to the statement, is that the subscriber can take the loan immediately ahead of transferring his preferred salary account to the lender.

“In addition, beneficiaries of this unique financial support from Enterprise Bank will also enjoy credit

life insurance on their facility, which will protect their families from liabilities in the event of death. With this loan, university personnel can also receive an enhancement under our Enterprise Top-Up Loan facility, which is available after 12 months of consecutive regular servicing of the loan,” it said.

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

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

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 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 12-07-13

SYMBOL EVANSMED MAYBAKER IHS IKEJAHOTEL IPWA IFARNAFRCA COURTVILLE PORTPAINT UACN RTBRISCOE

O/PRICE 3.50 2.44 2.36 0.85 0.75 1.62 6.10 54.55 1.54 0.72

C/PRICE 3.85 2.68 2.59 0.93 0.82 1.76 0.67 6.58 58.50 58.50

CHANGE 0.35 0.24 0.23 0.08 0.07 0.14 0.05 0.48 3.95 0.09

GLAXOSMITH VONO NPFMCRFBK AGLEVENT COSTAIN CAP MANSARD CADBURY NASCON ACADEMY

O/PRICE 60.30 1.71 1.06 1.60 1.53 51.40 2.10 54.53 13.49 2.04

C/PRICE 54.27 1.54 0.96 1.45 1.43 48.50 2.01 52.60 13.20 2.00

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

July ’12

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

CHANGE 6.03 0.17 0.10 0.15 0.10 2.90 0.09 1.93 0.29 0.04

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

LOSERS AS AT 12-07-13

SYMBOL

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

OBB Rate Call Rate

N

IGERIAN Leadership Initiative (NLI) is partnering with FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, to enhance capacity building among youths through the Future Leaders Seminar scheduled for October 20 to 23 in Lagos.

In a statement, the firm said the Future Leaders Seminar is a programme established for grooming emerging public and private sector leaders between 25 to 35 years based in Nigeria or the Diaspora.

The event includes a three-day residential seminar sessions aimed at creating a growing global network of credible and accomplished community-spirited Nigerian leaders committed to taking responsibility for driving positive change in Nigeria.

NLI’s Chief Executive Officer Mr Yinka Oyinlola stated that ‘’Past participants in the seminar inducted as NLI Associates have achieved prominence as top corporate Executives, public service and political leaders as well as leading reformers in the civil society sector.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

FirstBank, firm partner on leadership

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

•Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 9.08 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE INVE 140.00 139.52 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 157.90 157.86 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.80 0.78 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.17 1.17 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.12 1.11 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 100.00 100.00 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,000.00 1,000.00 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,832.46 1,832.16 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 13.66 12.99 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 1.33 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 1.80 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 11.299.87 10,963.71 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUNDARM AGGRESSIVE • OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

32

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

33

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

INSURANCE Problems with insurance?

Shareholders to NAICOM: Be decisive on Goldlink

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HAREHOLDERS of Goldline Insurance Plc have expressed doubt over the sincerity of the regulator, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), in exposing the forensic report of KPMG over the true financial position of the risk bearing firm.

In line with its regulatory oversight function, NAICOM had taken over the management of Goldlink Insurance Plc, one of the composite insurance companies in the country.

The takeover is similar to what happened in the banking sector in 2009 when the Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, wielded the big stick against some erring chief executive officers of banks in the country.

NAICOM has in the past six years taken over Spring Life Insurance and Investment and Allied Assurance Plc. Goldlink is the third insurance company to be taken over by the commission.

Following the resignation of the former board in November 2012, NAICOM, headed by Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, reconstituted an interim board comprising the chairman, Mr. James Ayo and Mr. Gbolahan Olutayo as Managing Director.

The former board had Mr. Gbenga Afolayan as Chairman and Mr. Femi Okuniyi as the managing director of the company.

They were forced to resign over alleged misstatements of the company for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Daniel said the interim board is charged with the responsibility of carrying out full investigation on the financial reports and corporate governance failures observed in the course of reviewing the company’s financial statement for the year

Send text: 07080735854 e-mail: omobola_m@yahoo.com

Make sure your businesses are properly insured

W

Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

2011.

It was however gathered that NAICOM had received the forensic report of Goldlink Insurance Plc. It was also gathered that the regulator had also secretely extended the tenure of the interim board members which expired in April to end of July this year.

Shareholders and sources in the insurance industry who spoke with The Nation over the company’s takeover said they want NAICOM to take a bold step on the company and reveal the findings of the report.

They want to know if money has been stolen from the company and the financial status of the company.

According to them, there is a lot of pressure on the commissioner not to disclose some of the findings of the report, adding that the further extension of the interim board may be part of the pressure mounted on him not to disclose the findings of the forensic report.

A source who does not want his name mentioned disclosed that the KPMG’s forensic report contained damning revelations.

Another source who spoke advised the regulator to be decisive about the way the intervention should go and not bow to any pressure if the ultimate goal of the takeover is survival of the company.

He noted that NAICOM should be more sincere with its supervisory roles as the problem in Goldlink did not start in 2011.

Chairman of Standard Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr. Anono Godwin, said his members were not happy with timing of NAICOM’s takeover of the company, lamenting that efforts were

•Daniel

•Okuniyi

underway to get funds to return the company back to profitability before the regulator swung into action.

lied Assurance,”the shareholder said.

Responding to an email enquiry on its intervention in Goldlink, the Commissioner confirmed that the commission has received a forensic report from KPMG on alledged misstatements in the company’s 2011 account.

Stating reasons for the extension, Daniel had explained that it was in order to allow for the conclusion of the forensic audit which was still in process then.

Daniel said: “Yes, a copy of the report was forwarded to the Commission just by way of information only. But it is the responsibility of the interim management of the company to submit the report to NAICOM, stating its observations, comments and advice.

“The Commission awaits the report of the interim management, which is being expected soon and wouldn’t want to inadvertently preempt or influence their report.”

When The Nation contacted the Chairman of the Interim Board, Mr. James Ayo, over some of the questions raised by the shareholders, he said the board members have decided not to speak with journalist and advised that all questions be directed to the regulator as the board members were its agents.

He said, “The regulator is only interested in slamming fines and penalties on these companies. The shareholders already gave the company the mandate to get a loan from the bank either on short or long term to get the company going.

“But they went ahead and intervened. Now that they have intervened, how long will it take them to let us know what is happening in the company? But we will wait for them till the end of the three months extension which ends this month before we know what step to take.”

A shareholder said NAICOM ought to let them know what the achievement of the interim board is in the first six months of their investigation before extending their tenure for another three months.

The shareholder said his members would also like to know the financial cost of the intervention on the firm.

“If the commission had been carrying out its oversight functions properly, it would not have waited until things got bad before reacting.

“It was the same problem with Spring Life and Investment and Al-

Team on universal health coverage inaugurated

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HE Federal Government has set up a 12-man technical committee to help work towards the goal of providing universal health coverage for Nigerians under health insurance scheme.

This is in compliance with World Health Assembly’s resolution urging member nations to provide universal health coverage for their people, Head, Media and Public Relations, National Health Insurance Scheme Mrs. Hannatu Ardo, who disclosed this to reporters, said the committee is expected to work on frameworks that will culminate in Presidential Summit on Universal Health Coverage later this year.

Setting up the committee in Abuja, Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu who was represented by General Manager of Planning and Research, of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr Kenneth Korve, said the country was taking some steps to ensure all its citizens were covered

under health insurance scheme.

According to him, it had increasingly been acknowledged worldwide that the most important strategy to improve the health outcomes of any nation “is to provide to its citizens an unfettered access to health services when the need arises.”

The minister added that: “Over the years, various stakeholders in Nigeria have espoused the need for providing access to equitable and affordable health services to our population. Unfortunately, these efforts have not yielded optimal results. Achieving this goal goes beyond rhetoric and symbolic demonstrations, but requires decisive action, especially providing adequate resources to finance healthcare for all.”

According to him, at the recently concluded 66th Session of the World Health Assembly, following approval of Mr. President, the assembly was informed about efforts to move towards universal health coverage in Nigeria. In the

end, in recognition of the consensus of member nations, the assembly approved a resolution urging all member states to aspire to provide universal health coverage for their people.

He added: “This meeting today is in furtherance of Mr. President’s directive for us to chart the way towards ensuring universal health coverage for Nigeria through a cohesive, comprehensive, realistic and coasted roadmap.

“The work of the technical Working Group to be inaugurated today is expected to set in motion, the implementation of series of activities that will culminate into a Presidential Summit on Universal Health Coverage as directed by Mr. President.

He said the major outcome expected from this Summit is a detailed and coasted roadmap that will put us on track towards providing universal health coverage for Nigerians in a sustainable manner.

The committee chaired by Perma-

•Dr. Chukwu

nent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs Fatima Bamidele, has four weeks to submit its Terms of Reference which include: to review the Draft Concept Note of the Universal Health care Summit; identify relevant topics under UHC for technical papers and documents to be developed and collected, if existing; to identify and contact experts/resource persons to develop technical papers.

E often assume that the professionals we hire to perform various services have adequate business insurance, but what happens if they don’t?

How can you protect yourself if your child goes to a local day care provider and gets hurt due to that person’s negligence?

And what about contractors who come to your house, such as roofers and gardeners? If they are injured using their own tools or machinery, is it your responsibility or theirs?

To limit your financial exposure and prevent major hassles, it’s important to make sure the individuals with whom you do business have the right type and amount of business insurance.

Exactly how much insurance they need differs, based on the service in question. There are a few rules of thumb you can follow to make sure you don’t wind up with financial headaches due to someone else’s lack of coverage.

Always upfront

verify

insurance

At a minimum, all companies and individuals you hire to complete work at or in your home should carry the insurance required by your state.

Typically, this includes general liability insurance, as well as worker’s compensation insurance, says Gary Buchanan, a vice president in the New York office at AmWINS, a wholesale insurance brokerage.

General liability insurance protects a business from lawsuits filed by customers or others. Workers compensation insurance covers hospital bills and lost wages if an employee is injured on the job.

As extra protection, or to meet industry standards, some professionals also carry errors and omissions insurance and an umbrella liability policy.

Errors and omissions insurance pays out when there is an error or omission in the product or service that was sold.

Meanwhile, an umbrella policy provides an extra layer of liability insurance coverage that kicks in once other insurance limits have been reached.

So how and when should you ask about someone’s insurance?

Buchanan suggests you ask a professional about his or her insurance prior to accepting that contractor’s services. The existence of proper insurance coverage should factor heavily in your hiring decision.

‘Risk protection for low-income population rises’

R

ISK protection for the low-income population by insurance has increased significantly over years, says a report by the Responsible Finance Forum.

However, only adequate products of good quality can help low income households in effectively managing their risks.

This entails consumer protection needs to be higher in this segment and failures can have severe consequences for the insured as well as for the development of emerging insurance markets in general.

The report came during the Responsible Finance Forum, hosted by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) recently in Berlin, representatives of supervisory authorities, industry and development organizations discussed consumer protection in emerging insurance markets.

The Responsible Finance Forum is an important milestone in sharing knowledge and best Practice around

the topic of Responsible Finance, which includes three pillars: financial consumer protection regulation, industry self-regulation and the enhancement of consumer capabilities. The participants of the Forum exchanged ideas and experiences and presented initiatives on how to increase consumer protection within these three pillars for low-income-households in emerging insurance markets.

The topic of responsible finance has become a priority of the G20 and of Financial Sector Development world-

wide and the Responsible Finance Forum is an important milestone in sharing knowledge and best practice in responsible finance globally.

The Forum was organized in partnership with the Access to Insurance Initiative (A2ii), the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Labour Office (ILO), the Microinsurance Network, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Neth-

erlands, and the Munich Re Foundation.

At the fourth Responsible Finance Forum, hosted by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and organized by GIZ on June 24-25, 2013 in Berlin, representatives of supervisory authorities, industry representatives and development organisations discussed consumer protection in emerging insurance markets.

34

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22 , 2013

EQUITIES WATCH

Email: taofad2000@yahoo.co.uk

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria (GSK Nigeria) Plc is tied on a dice that may unravel either way tomorrow. While GlaxoSmithKline, United Kingdom, (GSK UK) Plc, the majority foreign core investor, is tying further capital commitments to the Nigerian subsidiary to its ambitious target of 75 per cent equity stake in GSK Nigeria, several Nigerian shareholders think the status quo is sufficient to enable all stakeholders participate in future growth and returns of the company. Taofik Salako reports on the propositions and concerns that may shape not only the future of GSK Nigeria but the generality of strategic capital market transactions.

What to consider before the GSK voting?

G

LAXOSMITHKLINE Consumer Nigeria (GSK Nigeria) Plc looms large on the Nigerian capital market horizon. The most capitalised stock and highest-priced stock in the healthcare sector, GSK Nigeria opens today with market capitalisation of N52.62 billion, more than 77.5 per cent of the total market capitalisation of the 10 stocks in the sector. Total market value of the healthcare sector stands at N67.88 billion. GSK Nigeria is the blue-chip representative of the healthcare sector in the exclusive list of dominant stocks at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). It ranks within the top 30 stocks, a group of stocks that largely determine the overall market direction. The NSE 30 Index opens today with a year-to-date return of 35.66 per cent, mirroring the overall benchmark return of 36.50 per cent by the All Share Index (ASI)- the common index that tracks all equities on the NSE. Besides, GSK Nigeria is also one of the 15 stocks that made up the NSE Lotus Islamic Index (NSE LII). The NSE LII tracks ethical stocks that are adjudged to meet the standards of Islamic laws. The NSE LII opens today with a year-todate return of 50.64 per cent, the second highest return among sectoral indices. While it has witnessed steep decline in recent days as concerns mounted over its future, GSK Nigeria still retains a year-to-date of 21.95 per cent. All these illustrate the sectoral and national importance of GSK Nigeria. This importance will form the background for the expected heated debate and voting on the future of the company tomorrow.

The court-ordered extraordinary general meeting scheduled for tomorrow is to consider GSK UK ambitious share purchase bid aimed at increasing its shareholdings in GSK Nigeria to 75 per cent. GSK currently holds majority equity stake of 46.4 per cent GSK Consumer Nigeria through two wholly- owned subsidiaries. With total current outstanding shares of 956.70 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each, GSK UK holds 443.91 million shares while Nigerian institutional and individual investors hold the balance of 512.79 million shares.

GSK UK had initially sought to buy 321.45 million shares out of the shareholdings by Nigerians to increase the foreign core investor’s controlling stake to 80 per cent. It had proposed that the remaining 20 per cent equity stake will provide the minimum public float required for the company to maintain its listing on the NSE. In the bid for the 33.6 per cent additional equity stake, it had offered price of N48 per share.

Initial protests by Nigerian shareholders forced GSK UK to modify the acquisition target to 75 per cent. Under the revised proposal being tabled for consideration tomorrow through a scheme of arrangement, GSK is pushing to acquire 273.46 million ordinary shares out of the Nigerian shareholders’ holdings to add 28.58 per cent to push its post-acquisition holding to 75 per cent. However, it retained the offer price of N48 per share, substantially lower than its stock market high of N68 and current market price of N55.

According to the proposal, GSK UK seeks to acquire additional shares of GSK Nigeria on a pro rata basis from existing shareholders, implying that the proportionate percentage will be deducted from all Nigerian shareholders and added to GSK UK.

Three-way transaction Besides the bid to acquire shares held by Nigerian shareholders, GSK is also proposing a major consolidation of the shares of the company.

This will involve cancellation of about two-thirds of the company’s outstanding shares. According to the special resolution, the outstanding shares of the company would be reduced by the prorata cancellation of two out of every three shares held by the post-acquisition shareholders. This implies cancellation of some 637.8 million shares, leaving GSK Nigeria with post-restructuring outstanding shares of 318.9 million shares. Out of the 318.9 million shares, GSK UK will lock in 239.18 million shares if the 75 per cent bid sails through. This leaves some 26,180 Nigerian share-

holders with only 79.72 million shares on the basis of their 25 per cent shareholdings. Notwithstanding the technical achievement of five per cent above public float, the relatively low volume of shares with retail shareholders will impact on the liquidity and pricing of the stock.

The remaining shares after the consolidation will be revalued at the NSE in such a way to retain the values of the cancelled shares. With this, GSK’s share price will be in the range of N144 post consolidation.

Also, shareholders are scheduled to vote on amendment to the Articles of Association of the company, which will allow the company to purchase its own shares. The amendment of the Articles of Association, if approved at the meeting slated for next week, will enable the company to purchase all classes of its shares including redeemable shares. The provision on purchase of own shares, otherwise known as shares buy back, will immediately enable GSK to buy fractional shares that may arise from the scheme of arrangement for the 75 per cent acquisition bid if the scheme sails through. GSK is proposing to buy fractional shares that may arise from the transaction at the bid price of N48. The amendment of the Articles of Association in favour of shares buy back will allow GSK in future to buy back up to 15 per cent of its issued shares. If the 75 per cent acquisition bid sails through, the inclusion of shares buy back in the Articles of Association is ominous for future Nigerian shareholdings in the company.

Key-shareholder scenario Seventy five per cent equity stake will empower GSK UK to undertake any restructuring of GSK Nigeria without any statutory hindrance and major legal challenge from the minority Nigerian shareholders. With 75 per cent equity stake, GSK UK will be able to push through any future major changes including mergers and acquisition, delisting, shares buy back, changing of public limited liability status, new capital issues and restructuring among others. Extant Nigerian laws require 75 per cent shareholdings to approve such major changes.

Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) had in 2011 bought out Nigerian shareholders and delisted its shares from the secondary market after nearly six decades as iconic stock on the stock market.

NBC had relied on its ability to muster additional shares to push through its delisting in spite of the uproars and stiff opposition from the minority Nigerian shareholders. The NSE is still locked in battle of wits with Cappa & D’Alberto Nigeria Plc, which it accused of railroading voluntary delisting of its shares following the resolution passed by the majority shareholders on March 24, 2009 to delist from the NSE. The board of GSK Nigeria however said GSK UK has indicated its commitment to keep GSK Nigeria listed on the NSE.

Shares for investments

The board of GSK Nigeria is rooting for the

•Chairman, GSK Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye

•MD, GSK Nigeria, Mr. Chidi Okoro

increased foreign equity stake on the rationale that increased GSK ownership underlines GSK’s long term support of GSK Nigeria’s strategy.

The board says it unanimously believes that the proposal is in the best interest of the continued growth of the GSK Nigeria, the shareholders, employees, customers, the community and Nigeria.

According to directors of the company, increased equity stake will encourage GSK UK to make new substantial investments in the Nigerian subsidiary. While it may need further investments, GSK Nigeria is fundamentally strong.

Audited report for the year ended December 31, 2012 showed a turnover of N25.31 billion and profit before tax of N4.17 billion. It has distributed some N3.5 billion as cash dividends to shareholders in the past three years. The board of the GSK Nigeria has indicated it will vote in support of the deal. But only three out of the nine directors own shares in the company, and collectively board’s holding is 1.27 per cent. The Nigerian chairman of the board of GSK Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye holds 1.2 per cent.

These add up to 47.67 per cent in support of the bid. GSK UK has also indicated it will use its current 46.4 per cent equity stake as a block vote in support of the deal.

President, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), Mr. Boniface Okezie said regulatory authorities should take note of Nigerian shareholders’ opposition to the bid.

According to him, the acquisition bid might be a ploy by the company to further alienate Nigerian shareholders and delist its shares from the NSE citing the example of Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), which had used its large controlling stake to push through delisting of its shares from the NSE. He urged the capital market regulators to rise up and protect the interests of Nigerian shareholders pointing out that the bid is unfair to Nigerians as investors and consumers of GSK’s products.

He advocated for retention of current shareholding structure, which gives GSK a controlling stake but allows Nigerians to benefit to a large extent from the company’s operations.

Chairman, Shareholders United Front (SUF), Mr. Gbenga Idowu, said shareholders have expressed their opposition to the bid but will wait to see what the regulators would do given their primary responsibility of investors’ protection.

Voicing the votes But several Nigerian shareholders have kicked against the bid expressing fears that the 75 per cent shareholding may be detrimental to the interests of Nigerian shareholders and the nation’s capital market.

Chairman, Ibadan Zone Shareholders’ Association (IBZA), Chief Sola Abodunrin, said Nigerian shareholders did not share the point of view of the directors of the company and the foreign core investor. The Ibadan Zone Shareholders’ Association consists of shareholders from six investment-savvy states of Ekiti, Kwara, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo States.

Abodunrin said he would urge Nigerian minority shareholders not to sell their shares so that the current shareholding structure would be retained.

Another shareholders’ leader and activist, Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo, said Nigerian shareholders should not be cajoled into selling their shares noting that if GSK UK is willing to buy at premium, then there must be greater underlying values in the company for Nigerian shareholders. He said he had drawn the attention of the regulatory authorities to the unfairness of the bid during the recent annual general meeting.

Many ways to higher stakes GSK UK’s bid is the latest of the string of foreign acquisition of additional equities in Nigerian subsidiaries. Major multinationals including Nestle, Cadbury, PZ Cussons and Lafarge had recently reinvested in their Nigerian businesses with Lafarge and Cadbury thereby acquiring additional equity stakes.

But the increases of shareholdings by these other multinationals were done at the instances of Nigerian shareholders, who failed to pick up their additional shares during the recapitalization of the companies.

In the case of Cadbury Nigeria, Cadbury Schweppes had increased its shareholding 74.99 per cent through acquisition of additional rights’ shares, which were not picked up by the Nigerian investors. Market analysts have faulted the approach of GSK UK, noting that it could lead new investments into the Nigerian subsidiary through a rights issue that gives every shareholder opportunity to participate proportionately in the future growth and returns of the company.

Where Nigerian shareholders failed to pick up their rights, then GSK UK could rightfully demand for additional shares through its right of first refusal or purchase such renounced rights issue through the NSE.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

35

MONEY MARKET REPORT

Interbank rates up on CBN’s liquidity T mgt slowdown

HE inter-bank rate last week rose by 179 basis points to 14.1 per cent, following the slowdown of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) liquidity management exercise.

Consequently, the call/overnight and sevenday money market rates inched up to 14.08 per cent and 14.12 per cent on July 16 and 17.

The three-month Nigeria Inter-Bank offered Rate (NIBOR) also traded on 14.87 per cent, though less activities are done on the tenor.

The inter-bank secured lending (Open Buy Back) rose 13.79 per cent for commercial banks and 14 per cent for discount houses.

Currencies Analyst at Ecobank Nigeria, Olakunle Ezun confirm that the liquidity status was partly due to slowdown in CBN's management exercise from June to-date. The CBN offered and sold $300 million on July 15 at N155.76 to support the naira.

He said the CBN's liquidity management remained active and supported by the circular issued on August 1, reviewing its guidelines for how banks access its Standing Lending Facility window and Wholesale Dutch Auction System forex auction this he said is in addition CBN's Monetary Policy Committee decision to hold the rate unchanged at 12 per cent on 21 May, this year.

He said the naira will continue its downward trend this week as impacts of strong market demand and falling reserves bite harder. For him, the trend will persist although the CBN remains poised to support the currency's short term outlook through monetary operations and robust foreign exchange reserves of $47 billion (about 12 months of imports equivalent).

He said the naira will continue to depreciate within the week, reiterating investor's "wait and see attitude" on the naira short term outlook.

The global crude oil price (Bonny Light) was broadly steady on $109.0/bbl even as the volatility remains elevated and continued to reflect deep uncertainties in global economies.

Global economy The dollar is undermined by uncertainty over timing of Federal Reserve's "tapering" of quantitative easing and Federal sequestration spending cuts that could slow growth. But as monetary policy expansion slows, dollar is expected to strengthen, thereby boosting economic recovery.

Euro volatility is heightened and will remain elevated until Euro Union leaders confirm policy move towards greater fiscal integration and joint banking sector regulation. European Central Bank support however, remains crucial in underpinning Euro outlook.

Financial Inclusion The apex bank has emphasised the need for stakeholders' support in its drive to achieving targets set in the Nigerian Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS).

CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, disclosed this at the launch of the Geospatial mapping of Financial Institutions in Nigeria in conjunction with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).

He said the target outlined in the NFIS strategy is the reduction of the number of adults excluded from access to financial services from 46.3 per cent in 2010 to 20 per cent in 2020. As a member of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), he said Nigeria's declaration was in line with the Maya declaration in 2011.

According to him, it is targeted that at least 70 per cent of the proposed 80 per cent adult Nigerians to be financially included, would be in the formal sector, with specific targets for services such as payments, savings, credit, insurance and pensions. To achieve this however, he said there must be collaboration among all the stakeholders in the financial industry.

Sanus said the CBN had since approved a number of initiatives aimed at improving financial inclusion. He listed some of these initiatives to include the development of Agent Banking Guidelines, tiered Know-YourCustomer (KYC) requirements to encourage Financial Institutions to reach out to underserved segments, the development of a Consumer Protection Framework under a newly set up Consumer Protection Department and a National campaign to promote Financial Literacy.

AfDB The African Development Bank (AfDB) is planning to raise as much as $1.5 billion in local-currency bonds in Nigeria and Zambia

Sectoral utilisation of forex by banks in Q1 (% shares)

•Sources: CBN, FBN Capital

By Collins Nweze

to finance infrastructure projects. This became exigent as emerging-market bond yields rise on speculation the Federal Reserve will reduce economic stimulus, Bloomberg report said.

The AfDB, which gives money to African governments for projects in areas such as roads, ports and energy, is completing the planned size of the medium-term note programmes and is in talks with authorities in the two countries, Olivier Eweck, financial technical services manager in the bank's treasury department, said.

"Before the end of the month we would have made up our minds on the numbers," he said.

The Nigerian issues may be worth as much as $1 billion and the Zambian debt may reach the kwacha equivalent of $500 million.

It said African countries are stepping up sales of local and foreign debt, targeting funds for infrastructure on a continent where many lack regular access to services such as water and electricity. The offers come as borrowing costs increase amid speculation that the Fed will begin scaling back a United States debt-buying programme that pumped cheap money into assets around the world, including emerging markets.

Dud cheques Bank customers issued dud/dishoured cheques worth N166 billion last year, the CBN had said. CBN Acting Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, Y.B. Duniya said in a circular to all banks and financial institutions that over 167,507 dud cheques were issued and processed by deposit money banks from January to December last year.

He said that henceforth, the CBN, in order to check this malaise will forward the account details of erring customers to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.

Duniya said the enormous volume of dishonoured cheques in the financial sector has shown no sign of abating. The implication of the development, he said, is the low confidence generated in the use of financial instruments, which adversely affects the CBN's cash-less policy aimed at reducing the volume of cash-based transactions and businesses in the country.

The CBN director said that over-indulgence of cash in the economy increases the cost of banking services, raise the incidence of crime and facilitate money laundering.

FAAC The Federal Government may resort to bank

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

loans and external borrowings to fund gaps in revenue shared by states under the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). This has become exigent as revenue from oil drops.

Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismark Rewane, hinted on this possibility in this month’s Economic Report obtained by The Nation.

He explained that total federal allocation shared in first half of the year was N3.3 trillion, about 13.74 per cent higher than the N2.92 trillion shared in the same period of last year.

However, the revenue from the Federal Account in July and the remaining months in the second half of the year is expected to fluctuate within N500 billion to N900 billion as in previous months.

He hinted that a decline in the federal allocation remains possible, and will have a downside risk to the naira as the government battles with ways of bridging funding gaps.

Rewane explained that a depreciation of the naira would result in a depletion of external reserves and consequently affect the federal allocation. Also, further decline in oil price is expected to increase the disparity between the approved budget and revenues leaving government with the option of relying on bank loans and or external borrowing to manage the funding gap.

He said July inflation is estimated at 8.99 per cent against 8.49 per cent in June. This, he said, would be fuelled by increased demand for consumer goods as Ramadan begins. "There was also a decline in average inter-bank interest rates in first and second quarters of the year as they averaged 11.6 per cent and 12.2 per cent per annum.The naira equally depreciated at the parallel and inter-bank markets in first quarter," he said.

Currency in circulation Currency in circulation fell by 2.5 per cent to N1.47 trillion in April, a report from the CBN had shown. This is in contrast with an increase of 4.9 and 3.4 per cent at the end of the preceding month and corresponding period of last year.

The development, the apex bank said, reflected, wholly, the 4.6 per cent decline in currency outside banks component. Total deposits at the CBN amounted to N6.1 trillion, indicating a decline of 10.2 per cent below the level at the end of the preceding month.

Bank to bank report FirstBank of Nigeria Limited signed a $100 million facility agreement with China Development Bank (CDB), a leading bank in the Peoples' Republic of China.

In a statement, FirstBank said the agreement was in line with its bid to boost lending to Small

‘The call/overnight and seven-day money market rates were at 14.08 per cent and 14.12 per cent on July 16 and 17’

and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. It is also expected to stimulate economic growth in the country.

According to the statement, the signing of the landmark agreement, witnessed by President Goodluck Jonathan, who was on a state visit to China; and his host, President Xi Jinping of China, reinforces the bank's leadership position as a National Icon and Global Player.

The FirstBank Group Managing Director, Bisi Onasanya, is a member of the Presidential delegation, which also includes four state governors and 10 cabinet ministers.

According to the document signed by the managements of the two banks, both lenders will work together to further strengthen the business co-operation between both parties within the framework of each party's respective articles and memorandum of association and applicable laws and regulations in Nigeria and China.

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has introduced the World MasterCard, which is the most exclusive card in the MasterCard staple.

In a statement, the bank said the introduction of the product is consistent with the bank's focus of providing appropriate product to every customer segment, including high net-worth customers who cherish rare and exclusive privileges.

Head, Cards, UBA Plc., Adidèjì Olówè, said the card programme, which is available by invitation only, can be tied to any of Naira, US Dollar, Pounds Sterling and Euro domiciliary account.

He emphasised that the product offers a chockfull of benefits such as travel accident and inconvenience insurance; extended warranty; purchase protection; concierge services; and emergency cardholder services. The card, Adédèjì stated, is exclusively made from a rare alloy of silver nickel, only a few materials of which exist in the world.

"The heft of the material is its signature. The recognition of the programme has afforded it the highly coveted MasterCard premium hologram. In addition, there is a great security service protecting our esteemed customers everywhere they shop with Fraud Protection and MasterCard Zero Liability," he added.

Access Bank UK Limited has announced that Assets Under Management (AUM) in its private banking and asset management business rose by over 200 per cent to $18.5 million by the end of last year. Also, the bank's AUM stands at $66 million.

In a statement, the bank said the increase in AUM has been driven by the ability of Access Bank UK to deepen its client relationships by expanding its product portfolio to its clients beyond the traditional focus on banking and asset management services.

"Buy-to-let property loans, Investor Visa and discretionary portfolio lending provide new routes for customers to access hard currency outside of Africa. Access Bank UK provides private banking services to African/Nigerian Ultra-High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs) in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa. Services provided include traditional private banking services, property and discretionary portfolio lending," the statement said.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22 , 2013

36

DUE DILIGENCE

R

T Briscoe (Nigeria) Plc screeched to a halt as huge borrowings and resultant negative trickle-down impact of the financial mismatch finally eroded its dwindling profit, breaking the company's long track record of profit and dividends with a loss of N281 million.

Audited report and accounts of RT Briscoe for the year ended December 31, 2012 showed a generally negative outlook. With sluggish sales amidst jumpy management and financing costs, huge financial leverage and weakening balance sheet further compounded the overall performance outlook of the automobile and industrial group.

While sales grew by 12 per cent and cost of sales was moderated at about 11 per cent, operating expenses and interest expenses jumped by 43 per cent and 63 per cent respectively. The midline costs sapped off any top-line gain and reversed the company's bottom-line into the red. Shareholders who had in the previous year distributed N98 million as cash dividends in addition to a bonus of one for five shares were left with a loss of 24 kobo on every share, with attendant reduction of 11 per cent in their shareholders' funds.

The group's financial leverage spiralled up to a new high with debt-toequity ratio of 285 per cent, underlining the tenuous nature of the balance sheet.

This was further complicated by noticeable decline in liquidity.

Meanwhile, the group sustained commendable growth in the top-line and managed to reduce immediate unit cost of each sale, which impacted on average immediate profit per unit of sales.

Gross profit margin increased from 11.1 per cent in 2011 to 12.2 per cent in 2012.

Financing structure RT Briscoe is highly dependent on loans and this could further worsen with the decline in its equity funds. While shareholders' funds dropped by 11 per cent from N3.52 billion to N3.13 billion, borrowings increased by 10.3 per cent from N8.10 billion to N8.93 billion. This highlighted the mismatch for the rapidly expanding group, which had been unable to increase its capital base in spite of significant expansion in recent years.

The increase of 20 per cent in paid up share capital from N490 million to N588 million was due to bonus issue declared for the previous year.

Thus, the proportion of borrowings to equity funds worsened from 230 per cent in 2011 to 285 per cent in 2012. Also, the proportion of equity funds to total assets dropped from 23.4 per cent to 22.2 per cent. Current liabilities amounted to about 77 per cent of total assets as against 75 per cent in the previous year.

The proportion of long-term liabilities to total assets dropped from 1.6 per cent to 0.9 per cent.

Total assets had dropped by 6.2 per cent from N15.05 billion to N14.12 bil-

Fiscal Year Ended December 31 Nmillion Profit and Loss Statement Main Business Segment Total turnover Cost of sales Gross profit Operating expenses Interest and other incomes Finance expenses Pre-tax profit(loss) Post-tax profit (loss) Basic earnings per share(kobo) Gross dividend (Nm) Cash dividend per share (kobo) Net Assets per share (kobo) Balance Sheet Assets: Fixed assets Total long term assets Trade debtors Current assets Total assets Liabilities: Trade creditors Bank loans Current liabilities Long-term liabilities Total liabilities Equity Funds Share capital Total Equity Funds

RT Briscoe: Grounded by loans

lion. The contraction in balance sheet was driven primarily by provisions for presumably bad trade debts, which depressed current assets by 12.5 per cent to N11.77 billion in 2012 as against N13.45 billion in 2011. Meanwhile, total liabilities decreased slightly by 4.7 per cent from N11.53 billion to N10.98 billion.

Current liabilities had dropped by 3.8 per cent from N11.29 billion to N10.86 billion while long-term liabilities dropped by 48 per cent from N237 million to N123 million.

Efficiency RT Briscoe Group's cost efficiency and productivity declined during the period in spite of substantial improvement in performance incentives. While average staff cost increased by about 15 per cent, average productivity per head was lower just as increasing operating expenses further increased average cost of business.

Average number of employees in the group increased from 290 persons to 344 persons. Total staff costs thereby increased from N532.07 million to N724.68 million. Average staff cost per employee thus increased from N1.83 million to N2.1 million. However, average pre-tax profit per employee was negative in 2012 at -N0.664 million as against N1.07 million in 2011. Without the debilitating effect of interest expense, total cost of business was still higher in 2012. Cost of sales and operating expenses amounted to 95.7 per cent of total sales in 2012 compared with 95.1 per cent in 2011.

Profitability RT Briscoe sustained appreciable growth across its business segments, which cumulated into overall sales growth of 12.1 per cent. It also made substantial immediate margins on the sales.

However, the relatively lower growth rate and margin of its largest business segment, the motors business, impinged on overall performance. Turnover in the motors business segment, which constitutes about 82 per cent of the group's sales, grew by 6.3 per cent from N16.94 billion to N18.01 billion. The industrial equipment segment recorded the highest segmental growth of 26.2 per cent, rising from N1.26 billion to N1.59 billion. After sales business recorded total income of N1.41 billion in 2012 as against N1.28 billion in 2011, an increase of 10 per cent. The group opened a new income line with N886.41 million from property management. However, incomes from sundry business activities slumped to N85.4 million as against N122.9 million in previous year.

On the basis of top-line cost, after sales business was the most profitable with a gross margin of 32.5 per cent. Property management followed with a gross margin of 22.5 per cent while gross margin

2012 12 months

% change

18,006 21,980 19,296 2,684 1,742 93 1,263 -229 -281 -24 0 0 266

6.3 12.1 10.7 23.1 43.3 -23.8 62.7 -173.5 -287.3 -260.0 -100.0 -100.0 -11.0

By Taofik Salako

on industrial equipment business was 21.4 per cent. The motors business recoded a margin of 9.3 per cent.

Group turnover totaled N21.98 billion in 2012 compared with N19.61 billion in 2011, indicating an increase of 12.1 per cent. Cost of sales meanwhile rose by 10.7 per cent from N17.42 billion to N19.30 billion. Group gross profit thus increased by 23 per cent from N2.18 billion to N2.68 billion. The motors business contributed N1.68 billion to group's gross profit while industrial equipment, after sales and property management segments contributed N341.14 million, N458.30 million and N198.94 million respectively.

Group operating expenses however spiked up to N1.74 billion in 2012 as against N1.22 billion in 2011. There were marked increases in selling and distribution as well as administrative expenses. Selling and distribution expenses increased from N357.05 million to N482 million while administrative expenses crossed from N858.5 million to N1.26 billion. Operating profit thus dropped from N965.66 million to N941.78 million. With a drop of 24 per cent in non-core business income from N121 million to N93 million, a jumpy increase of 63 per cent in finance expenses from N776 million to N1.26 billion exacerbated the dwindling midline profitability of the company. This replaced the group's profit before tax of N311 million in 2011 with a pre-tax loss of N229 million in 2012. After taxes, net loss stood at N281 million in 2012 compared with N150 million in 2011.

The underlying fundamentals of the company were generally weak. While gross profit margin improved initially from 11.1 per cent to 12.2 per cent, profit before tax margin reversed from a modest 1.6 per cent in 2011 to -1.0 per cent in 2012. Average return on total assets dropped from 2.1 per cent to -1.6 per cent. Also, average return on equity worsened to -9.0 per cent as against modest return of 4.3 per cent in 2011.

Basic earnings per share was -24 kobo in 2012 as against 15 kobo in 2011. With no immediate net profit to back dividend payment, the company did not declare any dividend for the 2012 business year. It had distributed N98 million on the basis of 10 kobo per share and a bonus share of one for five shares as dividends for the 2011 business year.

Notwithstanding, the net assets per share still dropped by 11 per cent from N2.99 to N2.66.

readiness of the company, dropped to a recent low of 1.08 times as against 1.19 times in 2011. The proportion of working capital to total turnover also dwindled from 11 per cent to 4.1 per cent. Debtors/creditors ratio stood at 596 per cent in 2012 compared with 458 per cent in 2011.

Governance and structures Incorporated in 1957 and listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1974, RT Briscoe (Nigeria) has evolved overtime from a truck-engine importer to become Nigeria's most visible automobile company. It had in recent years embarked on expansive diversification, which has seen addition of several emergent business lines to the dominant motors business. RT Briscoe Group now consists of RT Briscoe, the automobile-dealing parent company; Briscoe Property Limited, its real estate subsidiary and Suites Resorts Limited, a leisure company that it acquired in 2012. RT Briscoe operates through several divisions based on specific products and services lines including Briscoe Toyota, Briscoe Ford, Briscoe Industrial Equipment and Briscoe Schneider, which markets Schneider electrical components.

RT Briscoe is owned by about 44,000 Nigerian individual and institutional investors. Only two major shareholdersMikeade Investments Limited and Classic Motors Limited, hold substantial shareholdings above per cent. Mikeade increased its shareholdings from 21.52 per cent in 2011 to 26.02 per cent in 2012 while Classic Motors's holding remained unchanged at 8.26 per cent.

The board and management of the company remained stable. Mr. Clement Olowokande still chairs the board of directors while Mr Oluseyi Onajide still leads the executive management team as managing director. The company generally complied with the code of corporate governance.

Analyst's opinion The main drawback for RT Briscoe remains its worsening financial leverage, which was due partly to the low capitalization of the company relative to its expanding business. While the board has continually recognized the danger posed by the high financial leverage and resultant interest expense, it has been unable to muster the courage and goodwill to rally stakeholders for the recapi-

Liquidity The liquidity of the company further declined in 2012 with less working capital and financial coverage for related liabilities. Current ratio, which 2011 relates avail12 months able current assets to similar li16,940 abilities to as19,605 sess the financial 17,424 agility and

2,181 1,216 121 776 311 150 15 98 10 299

1,957 2,347 3,715 11,768 14,115

76.6 47.1 -32.6 -12.5 -6.2

1,108 1,595 5,510 13,454 15,049

623 8,934 10,859 123 10,982

-48.2 10.3 -3.8 -48.3 -4.7

1,203 8,103 11,290 237 11,527

588 3,133

20.0 -11.0

490 3,522

•MD, RT Briscoe, Mr. Oluseyi Onajide

talization of the company. With the recovery of the capital market and spirited efforts made by other companies to recapitalize through rights issue to existing shareholders, the recurring excuse of capital market downturn is untenable. Besides, the growing operating expenses, which fell to a large extent within management control, exacerbated the cost-to-income challenge of the group.

The urgency of a financial restructuring, most feasibly through a rights issue, cannot be over-emphasised. Already, first quarter report for 2013 has illustrated possible outlook for the year.

While turnover dropped from N5.46 billion to N5.24 billion, interest expense jumped from N229.45 million to N355.69 million. Profit before tax thus slumped to N12.36 million as against N100.25 million in comparable period of previous year. Declining sales and jumpy interest expense are fluids for further acceleration downward.

But with 642 shareholders controlling some 78 per cent equity stake of the company, RT Briscoe has a cluster group whose commitments can form the basis for successful recapitalization. But it needs a convincing business development plan to do this. The board has already directed the management to work out such business growth strategy that will engender stable profitability. It needs to elucidate this to key stakeholders. Besides, it needs to further drive topline performance to manage the excruciating midline. The future outlook depends on the commitments and choices made by the board and management and the key stakeholders.

2008

2009

2010

2011

Fiscal Year Ended December 31

2012 %

2011 %

Financing structure Equity funds/Total assets Long-term liabilities/Total assets Current liabilities/Total assets Debt/Equity ratio

22.2 0.9 76.9 285.2

23.4 1.6 75.0 230.1

Profitability Gross profit margin Pre-tax profit margin Return on total assets Return on equity Dividend cover (times)

12.2 -1.0 -1.6 -9.0 0.0

11.1 1.6 2.1 4.3 2.20

Efficiency Pre-tax profit per employee (Nm) Staff cost per employee (Nm) Cost of sales, operating exp/Turnover

-0.664 2.1 95.7

1.07 1.83 95.1

Liquidity Current ratio Working capital/Turnover Debtors/Creditors

1.08 4.1 596.3

1.19 11.0 458.0

2012

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

37

ISSUES

• Young farmers at Lagos Agric Youth Empowerment Scheme Estate, Epe.

With many of those in charge of farming getting old, there is need for young ones to take over from them.

But many youngsters are not interested in farming, because of what they call the challenges. DANIEL ESSIET examines the obstacles on the way of young farmers.

Wanted! Young farmers A

FTER years of neglect, agriculture is again getting the attention of government, business leaders, communities and development donors as driver of the economy.

The government is determined to use agriculture to boost the economy, create jobs, reduce poverty, grow enough food for consumption and export. To achieve this objective, there must be those to till the soil. The present generation of farmers is aging, with many of them reaching their retirement age. With their retirement, there is a reduction in the number of farm operators. Who will replace them? This is the big question. Attracting and retaining young people on the farm is an age long problem.

Many factors make farming unattractive to the youth. They include lack of agroentrepreneurship skills, Land Use Act, access to finance, inadequate infrastructural linkages, poor extension services.

Young farmers While the government acknowledges the need to attract young people to the farm, agricultural policies seem inadequate to provide their needs. In many cases, conflicting policies constitute barriers to young people seeking to build their own farm businesses. With almost one-quarter of all farmers expected to

retire in the next 20 years, greater focus and resources are required to sustain farming.

Prospective young farmers face obstacles such as availability and affordability of land and competition from established farms and larger farms.

Babasola Oyeleye, the Chief Executive, LATOSA Farms, Lagos is a young farmer running a piggery. A young farmer is generally considered to be between 18 and 35 years. Funding is Oyeleye’s biggest challenge.

According to him, money/capital is the biggest barrier for young people establishing a career in farming. Lack of access to start-up capital and the high costs of acquiring farm equipment, have impaired the prospects of many. Oyeleye wants a government grant scheme to assist genuinely hardworking young entrepreneurs gain a foot on the ladder . He called for specialised or low interest loans 'to help them through the first year of operation as there is no

income from crops for a whole year. He said that as long as there is sufficient funding and support, young farmers can start a farm.

The challenges The President, Federated FADAMA Community Association, Alhaji Abiodun Oyenekan, said agriculture is seen by many as an unproductive sector, offering few livelihood opportunities. He said to make the sector attractive, the nation needs a special programme devoted to a new generation of farmers. The programme, he noted, should provide young educated people interested in agriculture with training in entrepreneurship.

Besides, he said the young farmers should be given financial and technological support.

According to him, profitable agribusiness is important to keep an emerging farming entrepreneurial group engaged and stop desertion of the sector by young Nigerians.

‘

There are many factors that have made farming unattractive to the youth. They include Lack of agro-entrepreneurship skills, Land Use Act, access to finance, poor power supply, inadequate infrastructural linkages, poor extension services and many more

’

If talented young people are to lead the fight for food security, Oyenekan said they must be convinced of agriculture's potential to provide business openings and opportunities for decent employment.

The right incentives must be put in place so that they would be willing to go into the sector.

The Director, Africa Region, Cassava Adding to Africa (CAVA), Dr. Kola Adebayo, said young farmers should be encouraged to start mini-livestock businesses.

Access to farm land There are rising concerns about land tenure system. Access to farm land is restricted. The Programme Coordinator, Farmers Development Union (FADU), Mr Victor Olowe, attributed this to the land tenure system. Besides, the sector is confronting surging farmland prices, which, according to him, has compounded the difficulties young farmers must overcome.

As a result, a growing number of young farmers choose to rent land before taking on the fixed costs associated with land purchases. Olowe said the government should make efforts to expand opportunities and remove barriers for young farmers and those who wish to pursue a career in agriculture.

Continued on page 38

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

38

ISSUES

Wanted!

Young farmers Continued from page 37

With the average age of the Nigerian farmer put at 55, Oyenekan said ensuring that the next generation of farmers is able to provide the nation with a safe, abundant supply of food should be a top priority.To accomplish this goal, he said the government should provide youths with the training and tools they need to set up their own farms.

Oyenekan said the government should help new and aspiring farmers' access land to start or expand their farming operations. He said the law should give priority to preserving farmland that is accessible and affordable to new farmers.

Financial conditions Although agricultural lending seems to be rising, obtaining finance still appears to be more difficult for young farmers. This is because they have less equity. On the balance, young and beginning farmers present greater risks to commercial banks. As a result, they face tighter credit markets and higher collateral requirements than moreexperienced farmers.

Generally, financing is needed to enable farmers use improved input and better onfarm practices to increase supplies and improve yields, as well as generate enhancements in quality and better postharvest practices. Across the country, lack of access to finance continues to persist especially for farmers despite recurring interventions attempted both by the public and the private sectors. Lending to the agricultural sector is unattractive due to high costs, high risk, and low returns.

The Director, African Region, Cassava Adding Value for Africa(C:AVA), Dr Kola Adebayo, told The Nation that the government and banks need to adapt agricultural finance to reflect agricultural cash flow cycles.

He said young farmers face challenges in securing finance for farming businesses because many banks don't participate in agric lending. To bankers, young farmers present greater risk. For this reason, banks require additional collateral for farmland purchases.

Adebayo said only youths in groups can access loans now, adding that non profitability of production agriculture has played a critical role in credit quality and quantity at banks.

Stakeholders complained that they work with loan officers with little or no knowledge of agriculture. Because of this, they can only treat loan requests on working capital; investment, machinery, and equipment for various activities, such as crop production, animal husbandry (meat or dairy production), aquaculture, chicken farming, and apiculture. Besides, farmers on arable crop farming are not favoured.

Oyenekan said the presence of microfinance institutions have not been felt in the agric sector, adding that minimalist microfinance is not enough as credit alone is insufficient to raise agricultural productivity.

Addressing a forum organised by Lagos Business School, the Managing Director, Best Foods, Mr Emmanuel Ijewere, said when banks understand farmers, they will be able to structure their payment schedules and better evaluate their repayment capacity.

Unlike with typical short-term loan schemes, he said agricultural loan products must reflect the unique characteristics of agricultural production. Products, he noted, must cater for seasonal production with long and diverse gestation periods.

He said agriculture is very seasonal with long gestation periods, from planting or livestock birth to harvest or slaughter. The result is that cash flows are highly seasonal and sometimes irregular, with earnings concentrated in certain times of the year.

Long-term financing Olowe said there are challenges to farmers looking for long-term financing for

• Adesina

• Olowe

investments in agro businesses such as planting of cocoa or cashew trees. This is because cocoa takes three years before it can bear fruits. Banks have few instruments at their disposal to manage the risks arising from the agricultural sector.

However, agricultural borrowers' assets are less suitable as collateral. In fact, farmers and their producer associations frequently lack the collateral traditionally required by banks for larger and longer-term loans.

Due to legal and administrative impediments as well as cultural factors, rural assets are often not registered and consequently may be more difficult to foreclose and sell. Even where these constraints are less binding, collateral is a poor protection against massive defaults due to covariant risks.

For banks, the primary source of repayment is usually the farm's conversion of working capital into cash flow through the production season. If, for some reasons, this conversion fails to generate sufficient cash flow to service the loan requirements, the bank has to consider other options, many of which are still dependent on the farmers' ability to generate cash flow or liquidate various assets to repay the loan.

For some banks, agricultural financing involves higher transaction costs than in urban areas given distances, lower population densities, and lower quality infrastructure.

Together, these factors make it hard to aggregate agricultural loans into portfolios that make branches viable. In addition, it can be costly to have branches and staff in remote areas handling small transactions.

been on the vanguard of bringing more young people into farming by providing lowinterest loans and transfer programmes geared toward the younger generation to help obtain farmland and build up their operation.

Lawal said the new agricultural entrepreneurs are the cornerstone of a vibrant rural Lagos and the future of agriculture. He said the Lagos State government was ready to support young Nigerians to make a living through agriculture.

Prospects Recently, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) emphasised on banks' lending to agriculture. Rising demand for agricultural commodities as well as increased competition in urban areas have prompted financial institutions to reconsider working with this sector.

Lenders are beginning to recognise the growing potential and profitability of lending to agricultural enterprises.

Lagos Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, has

States' support for agric To tackle the high rate of unemployment in Imo State, Governor Rochas Okorocha launched the Youth Must Work programme aimed at engaging and empowering all unemployed youths in the state.

As part of the action plan mapped out for the programme, the state government had set aside an interest-free loan of N5 billion for thrift arrangement, which will aid the youths to set up integrated farming in their communities.

Okorocha stated that one of the cardinal objectives of the programme is to develop the economy of the state through agriculture for which the state government had provided one hectare of land in each of the 560 communities in the state.

The Lagos State Agriculture Youth Empowerment Scheme, popularly known as "Agric-YES" aimed at empowering youths, has far empowered over 300 youths with an additional 100 participants undergoing training at the moment. The overall aim of the scheme is to breed a new generation of agro-entrepreneurs in poultry, fish farming, bee-keeping and all season vegetable farming.

Students of the institute go through six months training and internship before they are allowed to take off.

Rice for job is another lucrative project that has helped to provide job opportunities to most youths as well as increase the volume of rice produced in the state.

One of the beneficiaries of the Rice for Job project, Mr. Adeniyi Ayino, said the programme has helped him a lot, adding that he could now operate a tractor very well and

‘

For banks, the primary source of repayment is usually the farm's conversion of working capital into cash flow through the production season. If, for some reason, this conversion fails to generate sufficient cash flow to service the loan requirements, the bank has to consider other options, many of which are still dependent on the farmers' ability to generate cash flow or liquidate various assets to repay the loan

’

work perfectly as a rice farmer.

Also, Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said the vision of his administration to make the state the food basket of the Southwest as well as generate 50 per cent of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the agriculture sector by next year would soon become a reality as some of the agric programmes put in place by his administration are already coming to fruition.

The state has achieved eight different projects under the Youth Commercial Agriculture Development (YCAD) programme spread across different parts of the state.These include fish farms in Efon, YCAD Nursery point at Igede and cassava plantation in Iyemero, the Farmer's Academy at Isan Ekiti, among others. He expressed satisfaction that the YCAD participants are up, doing and are working towards a shift from subsistence agriculture to commercial agriculture..

The Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Kayode Oyeleye, said the government is providing young entrepreneurs opportunities to take part in decent agricultural work for food security and poverty reduction. This, he explained, informed the idea of Youth Empowerment through Agriculture Programme (YEAP).

He said YEAP is intended to fashion out programmes adaptable to the youth to encourage them to invest in agriculture, with support from the government. Although two states (Lagos and Ekiti) have started youth programmes in agriculture at various times, the Federal Government will work with all stakeholders to expand the scope and coverage to span through the entire country.

Besides, agriculture experts from Germany have commenced training of youths across the 30 local government councils of Osun State. A statement by the Director, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Dapo Ajayi, said the training programme was approved

by Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

The statement said 48 youths would be picked from among those trained across the councils and sent to Germany for further training. The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Wale Adedoyin, and a special adviser in the ministry, Mr. Dele Ogundipe, said 40 of the 48 selected youths, who showed proficiency in the German language, would make the trip.

Recommendations Adebayo said financing agriculture is more effective when it is part of a broader package that combines both financial and non-financial services to the farmers with the objective of improving yields and quality and ensuring access to markets for selling their produce.

He said the government should create a new programme that would make loans available to young, start-ups and old farmers seeking capital to help cover start-up costs, such as purchasing seeds land, buildings, equipment, or livestock.

Oyenekan stressed the need for a national fund to support and provide loans to youths who are interested in starting agricultural businesses. According to him, the Youth Fund will be an important means to curb the problem of youth unemployment.

He supports the government in allocating money to fund youth's entrepreneurial spirit, but said for the programme to be successful it should be managed by young people who can inject new ideas to tackle the unemployment problem.

Adebayo said the funding programme will be used as a complement to existing efforts that help finance and empower youths to create their own employment opportunities.

Oyenekan said the government should support young farmers through equipment finance rather than give them cash.

Adebayo said the government should be encouraging young farmers to invest in mini-value added agro enterprises. The Government and donors, he added, should provide grants to farmers to scale up their businesses and add value to their products in order to meet surging consumer demand for high quality, farm-based, value-added food products.

He said the government should support new agriculture entrepreneurs, by investing in training programmes and grants to help farmers capture more of the retail food through value-added enterprises.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

39

LABOUR

Over 3,000 benefit from SURE-P, says Wogu

N

O fewer than 3,000 people have benefited from the Community Services Women and Youth Employment (CSWYE) Programme, a project of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment programme (SURE-P), the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, has said.

He spoke in Kaduna when he visited the state Governor Mukhtar Yero and the Emir of Zauzau, Alhaji Sheu Idris.

He said the beneficiaries include 2,200 males, 800 females, and 488 persons with disabilities.

He said: “These beneficiaries have received their monthly stipends up to June 2013, to the tune of N119 million, which, added to the running cost remitted to the state implementation unit for the project, sums up to N159 million so far. ‘’In the Northwest, a total of 21,000 women, youths and persons with disabilities are benefitting from the project and a total of N929 million has been spent in the geo-political zone from on this project alone “The programme is a laudable social security intervention by the Federal Government, the first if its kind in the history of Nigeria. Kaduna is among the few states, who have received stipends up to June 2013.”

Wogu said the project was designed with unique features that ensure direct impact on these members of the society, who form the majority of the poor, unskilled and unemployed Nigerians, by transferring parts of the wealth saved from the partial removal of oil subsidy directly to them seamlessly, thereby empowering them economically.

He said the ministry was ready to explore areas of possible partnerships between the Federal, state and local government.

He also said: ”Another purpose for

Stories by Toba Agboola

this visit is to explore areas of possible partnerships between the Federal, State and Local Governments on the Community Services, Women and Youths Employment CSWYE, SUREP project in tackling the hydra-headed problems of unemployment.

“Their potentials could be harnessed in other areas of development within the state like skills-for-jobs in marketable areas, preferably related to the type of services they were engaged in during their participation in this project. Our technical team, under the Kaduna State and other Northwest states in the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) would be available to work with your team on any of these suggested areas for collaboration on this laudable project.”

Responding, Governor Yero said the state was much aware of the Federal Government’s efforts at creating jobs and reducing the poverty through the programme.

He said: “There is the need for the Federal Government, states and local governments to have a kind of synergy so that there will be a programme in such a way that it would transform the life of the people at the same time.

“It is going to be very important even if it is one aspect that we would sit down and agree. And I would like to advise that we look at the issue of empowerment very seriously.

“We have initial challenge when some people complained that they have been working but not paid. We

•Alhaji Idris (left) and Wogu at the event.

report to the state co-ordinators and I am happy the money was paid. I am happy to hear today that in Kaduna State, all the beneficiaries have been paid till June. We, in Kaduna State, are able to key into the programme on time, as the minister has attested to it. When the issue came up, the coordinator for Kaduna State and the three zonal coordinators in the state met to know the activities of the SURE-P. “But one thing that is very critical is sustainability because once it is sustained and there is prompt payment, people will be encouraged to continue doing what they are surposed to do. It will also help in creating opportunity that people

have what they are doing and will not be involved in something that will create crisis. But if it is not sustained, there is going to be serious problem. We must, therefore, face the issue of sustainability and focus it, so that through SURE-P projects, the people trained will be able to sustain themselves and the programme will be sustained.’’

On empowerment, he said the government needs to train some people before they can be given incentives and to start their business with.

The Emir of Zauzau , Alhaji Sheu Idris, said in a civilised society, it is only dialogue that will promote unity and understanding to encour-

‘It is going to be very important even if it is one aspect that we would sit down and agree. And I would like to advise that we look at the issue of empowerment very seriously’

ILO, UNAIDS target 5m workers with HIV/AIDS by 2015

T

HE International Labour Organisation (ILO), supported by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has called on African governments to keep the fight against HIV/AIDS on the front burner.

This, they noted, can be achieved by taking action to accelerate the eradication of the pandemic, especially through its new VCT@work initiative to reach five million workers with voluntary and confidential HIV counselling and testing by 2015.

Speaking on the target, Director, ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS, Alice Ouedraogo, said VCT@work is the ILO’s contribution to achieving Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 6 on combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.

It includes ensuring access to treatment for 15 million people living with HIV by 2015, as set out in

the 2011 UN General Assembly Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS. According to Ouedraogo, though about seven million people are eligible for treatment, they are not accessing it.

Worse still, the majority of them do not know their HIV status. ‘’The workplace is an ideal entry point to generate a demand for, and increased access to, testing and treatment.

“While standing firmly by the principle that there should be no HIV screening for employment, the ILO’s VCT@WORK initiative re-energises voluntary testing and emphasises the right of workers to know their status and access treatment when needed,” she said.

She emphasised that the ILO’s employer and worker social partners will play a key role as agents of change to normalise and demystify HIV testing in the implementation

of the initiative in the country.

She noted that the launch of the initiative took place during the ILO International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, which brought together about 5,000 delegates, representing governments, employers and workers from the ILO’s 185 member states to discuss issues, including social protection in an ageing world, sustainable development and social dialogue.

She noted that the rapid expansion of antiretroviral therapy in recent years has allowed eight million people living with HIV to access treatment, enabling them to live longer, healthier and more productive lives and remain part of the workforce.

Speaking on the new initiative, President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, said if young men and women are economically empowered, it will reduce their vulnerability to HIV in Nigeria.

“There is a need to tackle the underlying factors that led to risk-taking behaviour and to incorporate HIV prevention efforts into a wider approach”, he said Also, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Bala Kagaima, said: “It is clear that the new ILO strategy will broaden actions to address HIV through national safety and health systems, labour inspection, working conditions and social security.

“We do hope that the strategy will increase focus on women and girls, young people and workers in the informal economy, and it will target the transport, mining, commerce and tourism sectors, SMEs and cooperatives.

“We call on the ILO to use its mobilising power to encourage five million working women and men to undertake voluntary HIV testing to meet the estimated target by 2015.”

Civil society scores Fed Govt low on budget performance

A

GROUP of civil society organisations (CSOs) has described the implementation of capital budgets at national and sub-national levels as poor in terms of its impact on ordinary Nigerians.

To reverse the trend, the members of the group restated their commitment to intensify their monitoring and evaluation of capital disbursements to improve the performance of the budgets on a sustainable basis.

The CSOs, which include the government; Civil Society Partnership

Project, Niger-Delta Monitoring Group, Procurement Observation and Advocacy Initiative and Citizen’s Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights, lamented the high Executive and Legislative indiscipline in the implementation of the budget with the attendant negative implications for development.

In a communiqué at the end of their Legislature-Civil Society Roundtable on Monitoring Evaluation and Reporting on the budget organised by the NGO Unit, the organisations also expressed serious

concern about Nigeria’s ability to attain the objects of Vision 20:2020 if the budget implementation is sustained.

Noting that it has been difficult to measure the performance of multiple project claims by different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to reduce waste, fraud and abuse of public resources due to poor budget monitoring and oversight lapses, they also faulted the envelope system which, they added, was not allowing the real needs of the citizens to be identified and provided for.

Other lapses identified as undermining the capital budgets over the years include less attention given to special policies, such as gender affirmative action, local content initiatives of the government, and other critical policies, less emphasis and awareness by the CSOs in advocating to the government to provide citizens with accurate budget data, and non-state actors’inadequate capacity, especially in budget tracking, monitoring and evaluation, as well as procurement to help deliver the right results.

age unity. He commended the minister for taking such step.

He said: ”In our own side here, I want to reaffirm to our honourable minister that we are doing everything possible to enlighten our people. After the deliberation, we will online to enlighten our people, especially people from rural areas who are always having a lot of hopes. My only appeal to all of you that you don’t hesitate in your efforts to continue doing what you are doing. I know it is not easy, sometimes you will be criticised, but it doesn’t matter, you have to continue in that way.

“Whatever we do, we must have consideration to promote unit throughout the nation, and dedication to duties is most important. We do hope that you find the best way to encourage dedication to duties, that is through giving due promotion to the right people, giving the right thing to the right people at the right time. If that is done, I am sure you will find the job much easier.’’

NICO trains workers

T

HE Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Ayakokoma, has said the organisation is keen on making workers in the cultural sector more responsive and effective.

He stated this during the opening of a workshop titled: Repositioning cultural workers for improved productivity, organised for staff of the ministry in Koroduma, Nasarawa State.

He explained that the training would enable the staff to appreciate better the relevance of the sector in national development and reposition it towards revenue generation for the country.

He said the training was a platform for his staff to refresh their minds and attune with trends in cultural application. ‘’As you know very well that if a person is not receiving regular training, he might get rust.

“This is the first edition of the repositioning workshop organised for staff of the ministry, we believe that it would be done either quarterly or annually,”he added.

Ayakoroma said NICO is discussing with states on the programme is concerned and would organise one in Lagos where workers of the various state cultural agency would participate.

He added that as the training arm of the ministry, NICO was working towards special packages to organise such training in some states.

40

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

International Business

C

HINA’S central bank announced long-awaited interest rate reforms at the weekend, removing controls on the rates banks may charge clients for loans, in a step towards more marketdriven pricing of credit, Reuters reports.

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) said in a statement on its website that it was removing its floor on lending rates for commercial banks, meaning that banks will now be able to cut rates as much as they see fit to attract borrowers.

The central bank said it hoped the move will lower financial costs for companies.

However, it did not scrap an existing ceiling on deposit rates, cur-

China liberalises bank lending rates rently set at 110 per cent of benchmark rates, which many economists see as the most important step Beijing will eventually need to take in liberalising its interest rate regime.

“This is a big breakthrough in financial reforms. Previously people had thought the central bank would only gradually lower the floor on lending rates. Now they scrapped the floor once and for all,” said Wang Jun, senior economist at China Centre for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE).

The move, which goes into effect

on Saturday, will likely lower borrowing costs for businesses and individuals, ending what many observers said had been artificially high borrowing costs that benefited big state lenders at the expense of private enterprise.

“The reform this time does not expand the floating range on deposit rates. The main consideration is that deposit rate reforms will be more profound and need higher conditions,” the central bank said in a statement.

China’s big lenders, which include Industrial and Commercial

Bank of China Ltd., China Construction Bank Corp., Bank of China Ltd. and Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., have generally resisted the longawaited reform as it will likely hit their margins.

But analysts say that the change is necessary for credit to be allocated more effectively in the economy.

The fact that Premier Li Keqiang took the step after just four months in office sends a signal that he and his administration are serious about making reforms aimed at re-

U.S. stocks hit record highs

Onion prices in India on the rise

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O

NION prices in India hit a two-and-a-half-year high since weekend riding a supply squeeze due to last year’s drought in key growing areas, and traders expect prices to spiral up further in a month as demand remains strong due to Ramadan, Reuters reports.

Onion is a common ingredient in many Indian dishes. Soaring prices of the vegetable have helped dislodge the state governments in the past, and rising food costs often spark street protests in a country where nearly a third of the 1.2 billion population live on under $1.25 (U.S.) per day.

The average prices at Lasalgaon, India’s largest wholesale onion market in the western state of Maharashtra, rose to 2,411 rupees per 100 kg on Wednesday, the highest since January 2011.

The wholesale price has risen about 50 per cent in a month, although retail prices have more than doubled in some metros like Mumbai to 30 rupees per kg.

“Last year’s drought curtailed production in Maharashtra. The supply shortfall is hardening prices and we can see further upside in coming weeks,” said Changdev Holkar, a director at the National Agricultural Co-operative Marketing Federation.

During the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which started this year on July 9, consumption of onions rises because it is used in making traditional cuisine.

Maharashtra is the country’s top onion producer. In 2012, it was hit by the worst drought in more than four decades, curbing the area planted with onions and trimming yields. The state’s output fell nearly 16 per cent to 4.76 million tonnes in 2012/13.

Daily supplies in the Lasalgaon spot market have come down to around 1,000 tonnes compared to around 1,800 tonnes during the same time last year, said an official at the National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation.

• An Indian daily wage labourer sorting onions which prices have increased at a vegetable market in Allahabad, Indian ... at the weekend.

TransCanada set to sway U.S. on Keystone that the absence of CanaRANSCANADA Corp. is XL project stressing dian supply in the Gulf Coast marseeking to bolster its case

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with United States President Barack Obama for the long-delayed Keystone XL oil pipeline, firing off a laundry list of reasons the company says the contentious project will have minimal influence on rising North American greenhouse gas emissions, Globe and Mail reports.

TransCanada sent data from various studies on Canadian oil sands, carbon intensity and power used by pipelines to the U.S. State Department in response to Mr. Obama’s recent remarks that elevated climate impact to the top of the list of criteria for approving or rejecting the project.

The Calgary-based company remains intent on winning approval for the $5.3-billion (U.S.) pipeline in the face of opposition from environmental groups, though chief executive officer Russ Girling warned on Thursday that the slow pace of the regulatory process would make it hard to achieve the current start-up

target of late 2015.

That would represent another in a string of delays since TransCanada first applied to build the export conduit to Texas refineries from Alberta nearly five years ago. In that time, the proposal, aimed at opening up a major market for Alberta heavy crude, has become politically troublesome for Mr. Obama, splitting his Democratic Party along economic and environmental lines.

In a June speech outlining plans to fight climate change, the President said Keystone XL would be approved “only if this project does not significantly exacerbate” greenhouse-gas emissions.

TransCanada wrote to the State Department’s environmental policydivision on Wednesday to try to reinforce some familiar themes in its argument. Rejecting the project would have no impact on how much heavycrude gets used by U.S. refineries, the company said,

‘Russia’s car market to be Europe’s biggest by 2020’

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USSIA’S auto market is on track to overtake Germany and become the largest in Europe – and the fifth-biggest globally – by 2020 as car ownership increases, supporting a large local industry, a Boston Consulting Group report has said, Rueters reports.

Western car makers, including General Motors, Ford, Renault and Fiat have invested heavily in Russia, betting that the market will grow as a rising middle class become first-time car owners or upgrade aging models.

There are only 290 cars per 1,000 Russians versus 560 in Western Europe and many of those vehicles are old, while a decade of strong growth driven by Russia’s mineral wealth is slowly empowering a greater chunk of its population.

“Fundamentally it’s an attractive market in terms of cars per thousand

balancing the world’s second-largest economy.

“In principle, the change could lower borrowing costs, in particular by allowing banks to offer better rates to more credit-worthy borrowers. In practice, the immediate difference will be small,” Mark Williams, chief Asia economist at Capital Economics in London, said in a note.

“Nonetheless, this is a significant development for China’s financial sector in the direction of having interest rates determined by market forces rather than government fiat.”

inhabitants and therefore we are bullish long-term – but that doesn’t mean that every year will be a good year,” said Ewald Kreid, one of the authors of the report and a partner at BCG in Vienna.

The report predicts that Russia can follow Brazil and China in transforming itself from a market targeted by foreign exporters, to one with a dominant share of locally produced vehicles. BCG forecasts that Russia’s auto market will grow by an average annual rate of six per cent through 2020, when it will reach annual sales volume of 4.4 million.

That would make it the fifth-largest in the world by sales, after China, the U.S., India and Brazil, the report said. Last year, Russia ranked seventh in the world after China, the U.S, Japan, Brazil, Germany and India. In 2009 it was 10th-largest.

The report projects that emerging markets overall will account for 65 per cent of global car sales in 2020, more than double the 28 per cent for which they accounted in 2000.

Russia was on course to become Europe’s biggest market before the 2008 financial crisis hammered the availability of credit and demand.

BCG’s forecast for Russia is a bullish prognosis compared with recent figures from the Association of European Business (AEB), which tracks the Russian car market. Data from the AEB showed car sales have fallen for four straight months as Russia’s $2.1-trillion (U.S.) economy falters.

The AEB recently cut its full-year forecast to 2.8 million units, which would be a fall of 5 per cent, but said it expects government plans to subsidise credit-backed vehicle purchases will boost sales for the remain-

ket would be made up by oil from Venezuela, which has similar carbon intensity.

The position echoes conclusions in the draft environmental impactassessment for Keystone XL, released in March. That report said it was unlikely that approving the 830,000-barrel-a-day project would have a large impact on the rate of oil sands development.

TransCanada said the resource is a “critical resource to Canada, the United States and to the world” and will be developed, regardless of Keystone’s approval.

“As the decision will have little impact on [greenhouse gas] emissions, the only relevant question is whether the U.S. wants to source its heavy oil from Canada, a friendly and stable ally with strict environmental standards, or from other suppliers whose interests are not aligned with those of the United States and have limited or no environmental standards,” TransCanada wrote.

It said Keystone XL is far from the only option for moving oil out of Alberta; there are numerous other pipelines in development to expand transport capacity for Canadian oil, and that the industry is increasingly turning to railways to move oil as well.

The case that all forecast oil output will flow with or without Keystone XL is far from closed, said Keith Stewart, climate and energy campaign co-ordinator for Greenpeace. “There is a circular argument here, where oil industry executives say that since expansion is inevitable you must approve my expansion project,” Mr. Stewart said.

“The International Energy Agency says we have to leave two-thirds of the proven reserves of fossil fuels in the ground if we want to have a hope of preventing catastrophic levels of global warming, and turning down this project is a good place to start.”

TRONG economic data and solid bank earnings from the United States helped push the Toronto stock market higher at the weekend, Reuters reports.

The S&P/TSX composite index was up 60.08 points to 12,628.85, led by gains in energy stocks and financials, as the Toronto market advanced for three of the past four sessions.

U.S. indexes were higher and the Dow industrials and S&P 500 closed at record highs as investment bank Morgan Stanley beat expectations and a major manufacturing index came in much better than expected. “(People are) looking at the economy and saying, there isn’t especially great news but there isn’t bad news either,” said Sadiq Adatia, chief investment officer at Sun Life Global Investment.

“And so you have seen the market start to pick up and it’s more broadbased then it was before.”

The Canadian dollar was ahead 0.36 of a cent to 96.38 cents US. It slid almost half a U.S. cent after the Bank of Canada said it was in no hurry to raise its key interest rate from one per cent, where it has been for almost three years.

The Dow Jones industrials moved 78.02 points higher to 15,548.54, the Nasdaq was up 1.28 points to 3,611.28 and the S&P 500 index gained 8.46 points to 1,689.37.

The Philadelphia Fed’s manufacturing survey in July surged to its highest level in more than three years, coming in at 19.8, up from 12.5 in June. The results were much higher than the reading of 10 that economists had expected.

Cyprus plans casino resort

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YPRUS has said that it will issue one licence for an integrated casino resort in an attempt to diversify its tourism and attractforeign investment to the bailed-out country, Reuters reports.

Government officials said authorities planned to issue a licence for a resort within the next 12 months.

“The economy needs it,” said Christos Stylianides, the Cypriot government spokesman.

Establishing casinos was a pledge of the present conservative government which won elections in February. The previous communist administration opposed it.

The Mediterranean island is attempting to diversify its economy after its financial sector all but crumbled in March under conditions of a •10-billion ($13.6-billion) bailout with international lenders.

There are no casinos in the government-controlled south of Cyprus, but many in northern Cyprus, a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state.

Despite its popularity, government authorities have typically taken a dim view of gambling, even in private homes. Last year police were in the headlines for attempting to prosecute a group of elderly women, including a 98-year-old, for gambling with small amounts of money. The women said they played card games to keep their minds active.

POLITICS

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MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The festering crisis in Rivers State has taken its toll on the various aspects of life in the state and diverted Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s attention from governance, reports Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU.

Rivers: Groaning under mayhem

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HERE is tension in the Government House, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. That has been the situation for more than two months. Since overzealous policemen fired tear gas at the edifice, the reality has dawned on Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the members of the State Executive Committee that they are not insulated from danger.

Under this pervading atmosphere of rancour and discord, much energy is dissipated on the crisis more than governance.

The protracted crisis has polarised the state into pro-Amaechi and antiAmaechi forces. The clash of the two groups has raised serious security concern. Also, the lack of neutrality by the police has further ignited the flame. As the two groups flex their muscles, the chance of early reconciliation is slim.

Many civil servants have complained that the crisis may be slowing down governance. “Commissioners, special advisers and other top aides hold emergency meetings, which are not related to the running of their ministries. They brainstorm, not on policy implementation, but on the fight among the political leaders,” said a top civil servant, who chided Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders for the persistent chaos.

“Project implementation and monitoring are impaired. The commissioning of projects are put on hold. It remains two years for the governor to go, but he and his team cannot concentrate again. Major assignments and appointments are put on hold.

We don’t even know what is going on in the local governments. There is suspense,” he added.

It is an understatement. The crisis has taken its toll on the House of Assembly, which now has a legitimate Speaker, Otelemaba Amachree, and self-acclaimed Speaker, Evan Bipi.

The Speaker is backed by 27 lawmakers. His rival is supported by five parliamentarians, who are allegedly inspired by the Presidency to cause havoc. According to observers, it is worrisome that the legislators cannot hold plenary session without full police protection for the chambers.

During the fracas in the House, some legislators were injured, thereby further fueling the tension.

The debate on the budget was apparently shifted, owing to the cloudy climate in the House. On the day the deputy governor came to the chamber to defend the supplementary budget, hell was let loose. The five antagonistic legislators attempted to hold their 27 colleagues to ransom.

They held a kangaroo session before they were chased out of the chamber.

When the 27 returned to the chamber to consider the appropriation, the five legislators had mobilised thugs to disrupt the session. They were prevented from entering into the chamber by the police.

Following the disruption of the House, the House of Representatives passed a motion passing its functions to the Lower Chamber. A legislator was severely injured during the fight in the House. He has been flown abroad for medical treatment. Other legislators who went away with minor bruises landed in the various hospitals in Port Harcourt.

Last week, Amaechi cried out that the gains of his administration, especially in security, were being wiped out. Following the demobilisation of

•Youths protesting over Rivers House of Assembly crises in Port Harcourt.

•Dr Jonathan

the helicopters for surveillance, he complained that the kidnappers had attempted to return to the capital to continue their nefarious activities.

“They are capitalising on the situation on ground to stage a come back”, he lamented to a delegation that paid a solidarity visit to him in his office.

Another government official said: “The militants are back on the street. we have the strong evidence to believe that they were prompted by the anti-Amaechi forces to create mayhem and make the state ungovernable. This is not in the interest of anybody”.

Fear has gripped other government functionaries over the alleged plans to impose a state of emergency, especially since the attempt to shove the governor aside through impeachment failed. Commissioner for Information Mrs. Ibim Semenitari said that the recourse to that option smacked of frustration on the part of those she described as the enemies of the state. A section of the divided PDP has warned that the declaration of a state of emergency may spark off violence.

The governor is facing fierce battles from many fronts. Although President Goodluck Jonathan has said that he has no hands in his ordeal, many have doubted his sincerity. “There must be an authority up there backing these people. There is a motivation somewhere,” said Dr Nnadi, a

•Amaechi

political commentator.

It is also believed that the President’s wife, Patience, has contributed to the crisis in no small measure. Since, he quarreled with the governor at a public function in Okrika, where she hails from, there has been no love lost between the two indigenes of Rivers State. She has accused the governor of hot temper and disrespect for her husband, Dr. Jonathan.

Another factor in the crisis is the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, who is believed to be nursing a governorship or a senatorial ambition. He is said to be the presidential face in the crisis. His supporters have been at loggerheads with Amaechi’s. Party sources said many of these supporters cannot comprehend the reason behind the crisis, but they are sustained by inducements.

The factional PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah, is also leading an onslaught against the governor. He has visited President Jonathan and the warm reception he received has boosted his morale. It has become the tonic to challenge the governor to a duel.

However, the Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph, has allegedly compounded the crisis by taking sides in the divisive issue. His handling of the security challenge imposed by the logjam has lent credence to the feeling that the President may not be neutral.

Amaechi is worried that the state

•Wike

may suffer the consequences of this tragedy for a long time. The return of militants, armed robbery and kidnappers in droves is a threat to the big companies, which had heaved a sigh of relief from terrorism in the state.

“This crisis has affected the investment drive in the state. The big companies are afraid. How can they feel safe when the governor has even raised alarm over his personal safety?”,asked a government official.

Since the crisis erupted, the governor has also not been stable in the state. He is either in Lagos or Abuja, seeking an end to the crisis. Also, organisations, groups, institutions, foreign diplomats and investors have put off their visits to the tensionsoaked state. Eminent indigenes who have advice for the administration on how to implement people-oriented policies and programmes cannot easily secure access to the governor because he is busy diffusing the effects of the war. The weekly cabinet meeting still holds, but the major item is the crisis. “The cabinet is just maintaining a skeletal schedule. The execution of development programmes, which gave the administration its popularity, has been grossly affected. The governor promised to devote the last lap, the last two years, to the completion of the laudable projects, but he is now being diverted.

“In the past, he was effective in

• Mrs Jonathan

project monitoring. The governor always visited the project sites to monitor the contractors. Sometimes, he would visit the sites at night, sometimes on broad day light for on the spot assessment. It can be said that many duties which the governor cannot delegate easily have suffered since the crisis escalated”, added the official.

Former university don Prof. Itsey Sagay (SAN) condemned the major PDP actors in the crisis, saying that they are heating up the polity. He disagreed with the plan by the House of Representatives to take up the function of the Rivers State House of Assembly, stressing that it is not the answer to the crisis. The onus, he said, is on the President to rise above the narrow interest and ego by restoring order into a state of pandemonium.

Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka asked the President to ponder on the fate of the people who suffer because of the crisis. He advised him to call his wife to order, noting that her involvement has aggravated the pronlem.

The Northern governors, who visited Amaechi on solidarity, condemned the security arrangement in Rivers State coordinated by a partial police commissioner. Alhaji Sule Lamido, governor of Jigawa State, said that Amaechi’s ordeals was an eye opener. “We will need state police,” she said.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

44

POLITICS All Progressives Congress (APC) Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed spoke with reporter in Oro, Irepodun Local Government Area, Kwara State on the crisis in Rivers State. Correspondent ADEKUNLE JIMOH reports.

‘Blame Jonathan for Rivers crisis’

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IVERS State has been em broiled in political crisis.

What is your take on the development?

What is happening in Rivers State should not be seen as a local matter. Even in a war, war starts on a very insignificant misunderstanding.

But what is happening in Rivers State is worrisome in many respects because, it is clearly not manufactured in Rivers. It is manufactured in Abuja.

It is a proxy war between the President on one hand and the Governor of Rivers on the other. And it has much to do with the perceived impression of the President that Ameachi would be a stumbling block not just to the party PDP, but his own ambition to run for a second term.

Now, what is the genesis of the Rivers State problem? It started with the perceived role of Governor Ameachi in his position as chairman of the Governors Forum as being too confrontational. And that he is behaving as a unionist. But Amaechi’s defence was that he was speaking on behalf of his colleagues as governors. Issues such as the Sovereign Wealth Fund or the excess crude account or issue that border on federalism, Amaechi became the mouthpiece of the governors to advance their position against what they saw as the overbearing influence of the centre. But the presidency and the PDP saw that as being confrontational. That was what earned him a bad name in their book.

The unending internal crisis in PDP, which has pitched the governors against the chairman of the party, is again, a sore point in the presidency.

The governors as a block were unhappy when former governor Oyinlola was removed as the secretary of the PDP; they were unhappy also with the treatment Adamawa

State Governor Muritala was getting.

So they asked Amaechi to speak out their minds, which he did, that again, was counted against him.

The disputed oil wells between Bayelsa and Rivers states, when Amaechi suddenly discovered that the funds accruing from this disputed wells, which was put in suspense account, had now been credited to the Bayelsa State government. Of course, he naturally got upset and he led the delegation of the elite in the state to go and complain to the President.

Again, that didn’t endear him to the President. Overall, there is the issue of no love lost between Amaechi and the President’s wife, who also happens to be from Rivers state. On many occasions, there have been reports of his being snubbed by the first Lady.

Matters came to a head during the Governors Forum elections. The presidency was very unhappy and uncomfortable and mounted a campaign against Amaechi’s second coming. Despite the fact that the PDP has a controlling majority number of 23 governors, when elections were held, Amaechi came tops and the President did not behave statesmanly.

If the President had immediately issued a letter of congratulations to Amaechi, that would have probably given the image of a statesman, but he went the other way by recognising the Jang’s faction. That means he does not believe in majority rule, he does not believe in the rule of law.

I think the humiliation that the President suffered from the Governors Forum that is now spiraling into what is happening in Rivers.

How would you react to the role of the police in the crisis?

We must be honest, the role the Police have played in this matter is condemnable. When you have a po-

‘If the President had immediately issued a letter of congratulations to Amaechi, that would have probably given the image of a statesman, but he went the other way by recognising the Jang’s faction. That means he does not believe in majority rule, he does not believe in the rule of law’ • Mohammed

lice commissioner that says the problem in my state is the governor, then you know that he must have had some assurances from somewhere else. So, when we in the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), said put all the problems on the doorsteps on the President, this is what we were saying.

There is no way the President can wash his hands off this matter. Unfortunately, Nigerians like compromises. Until the truth is told, that the President is behind the entire problem in Rivers, so long shall we have bitter crisis, not only in Rivers but elsewhere. What it translates to is that it does not matter whether you are 27 or 30 if you have just two or three who have the backing of the President and the police, they can make the state ungovernable for you.

Is it true that IBB, Atiku and others are jostling to become BOT chair of the APC? The Nigerian rumour mill is the most active in the world. And it amuses me, when some stories make page one of headlines of newspapers. A party which is yet to be given its certificate of registration; a party which is yet to have permanent offices; a party yet to have its convention at which ward, local and state officials would be elected; a party that has not even got the guidelines for primaries election within and outside the party, how can that party, all of a sudden, now start talking about Board of Trustees (BoT). I think the alleged jostling by General Ibrahim Babangida, Abubakar Atiku and others for the BoT chair of the APC is a figment of the rumour peddlers’

imagination. The people you have mentioned so far, am not aware that they have indicated interest to join the APC. So, where will the issue of fighting for the chairmanship of the BoT come from?

Do you think the registration of the APC is being delayed?

In the history of Nigerian politics, there has never been a merger.

This is he first time some political parties are merging. What we had before were alliances and cooperation. The implications of a merger are huge. The day your certificate is issued, names of all the merging parties would cease to exist. We have met all the requirements.

How do you see the APC vis-avis 2015 general elections?

The 2015 elections will not be about one party replacing the other or about one president being refundamental because it will be about how do we avert imminent civil war again. That is why the leaders of APC must be able to make the ultimate sacrifice to rescue Nigeria. In Nigeria today, there is a low burning war. The entire North-east is like it is not part of Nigeria. The insecurity in the Northwest is palpable. The ACN has restrained itself from making further comments on the Boko Haram insurgency because of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and others’ mischief. They are quick to label us as an Islamist party. That is completely untrue.

But as long as we are unable to address the root causes of Boko Haram, for so long will the solution elude us. We are not saying that there might not be religious overtones in the issue of Boko Haram, but bad governance, corruption and hardship has created a fertile market for Boko Haram.

PERSPECTIVE Osun Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is embroiled in internal strife. In this piece, Olumide Lawal writes on the implications of the division for the party at the next general election.

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Osun 2014: What hope for PDP?

VENTS unfolding right now within the Osun Peoples Demo cratic Party (PDP) family is unsettling. The party chieftains in Osun State are not making the expected waves to give them reckoning in the race towards the 2014 governorship election in the state, where Ogbeni Rauf Aregbeshola is thundering on without batting an eyelid.

Opinions in some informed quarters, are that Osun PDP, as it is presently, is a house divided against itself and could not be said to be prepared challenge the ruling Action Congress Nigeria (ACN) for the peoples mandate. Besides, the ACN in the state is now ready to force ‘APC ELERIN’ down their throats, to heal them of their fatigue and wake them up from deep slumber.

Some of those who are supposed to hold the fate and fortunes of the PDP tenaciously in Osun, are busy setting personal scores, bothering over one business interest or the order. Others are just not ready to dip hands into their deep pockets and provide the financial succor, the party badly needed right now to match Aregbesola, everything for everything. Do they have other agenda up their sleeves? Why has everything gone torsy-turvy?

It is saying the obvious, that

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is transforming and transfixing the state as it has never been done before.

Fact are sacred. The governor is marching on progressively to the applause of the citizenry, inclusive of some PDP bigwigs, who have silently acknowledged his performance at one forum or the other.

Aregbesola, however, despite his modest achievements, should not allow political sycophants and hypocrites to indulge him in oversinging his praise.

Back to the Osun State PDP stalwarts. To the best of my knowledge and reading of the situation at hand, some of them are ready to “jump the ship” of their party and seek solace elsewhere. These big wigs are of the opinion, that they don’t think PDP may win the governorship election in 2014. Is this not a defeatist attitude? Why not get to the river, before deciding how to cross it. They should not be chicken-hearted or lily-livered.

Another dangerous signal is the alleged roforofo in-fighting between a PDP governorship aspirant and another top chieftain of the party.

The issue is over the business interest. Must they wash their ‘dirty’ linens in the public, at the expense of the success of their party in future elections as recently enacted?

The two PDP juggernaunts, are al-

•Oyinlola

leged to have vowed to undo themselves and their chances of victory at any election they partake in. Is somebody in WADATA Plaza listening? We want the political warlords to please sheath their swords, so as not to allow the fifth colummists infiltrate their ranks.

Or else we wait to see who blinks first among the two gladiators.

It is pertinent to state, that all Nigerian politicians without exemption are no longer interested in discussing issues and policies. According to a former Senator from Osun and I quote him: all that the politicians concern themselves with , is

how to effortlessly make billions out of the political system and rush to invest same in developed economies of the world, with DUBAI as the new destination of choice and affluence.” I believe him.

The former parliamentarian went further to offer words of advice for his co-travelers in Osun PDP and again I quote him; “ right now, anybody worth his name should tarry a while, as far as seeking elective offices in Osun State is concerned .

What is the point, if we cannot win governorship seat at Abere to stick out our necks for other elective offices”. I beg to disagree with the former lawmaker this time around.

There are, including himself, individuals in Osun PDP, who are long distance runners, that could win election on their own merit and sterling pedigree and deliver dividends of democracy to their constituents as they did in the past, much against what obtains presently among those presently at State and national assemblies on ACN ticket. PDP has credible people with towering image. We should not throw away the baby with the bath water. When the going is tough, the tough gets going.

The “umbrella” should be strengthened.

Where are the Osun PDP “SHEHUS” and Lions of Judah of yesteryears to salvage the situation at hand. Those who became bulls in the Chinaware shop and dest6royed everything on their way while in the saddle.

Yes, Osun is making modest

progress under Gov. Aregbesola’s aggressive visionary leadership and passionate commitment. But must we ‘borrow blind” as it is being alleged, before we can fix infrastructure in Osun State and in the process, mortgage, the future of our unborn children? This is an area, where the PDP should come up with a viable & workable blueprint, instead of the unnecessary squabbles they are currently engaged in.

The voting public should fashion out avenues to sieve the grains from the chaffs among our politicians in Osun. The state political affairs is too volatile to be left in the hands of one political party as far as elections into local government, state and national assembly’s are concerned. We cannot afford a one-party status in Osun, so as to make for viable democratic practices and accountability among public office holders.

As presently constituted, there are no opposition members in the state and national assemblies and even among L.G Chairmen, who can look the governor straight in the face and ask questions. Timidity and winners-take-all profile has taken over an articulate State like Osun. Nobody in Osun PDP, should think he or she can rely on any force or influence, outside the will and wish of the electorate to rule Osun.

Anybody with this thought should perish it.

•Lawal wrote in from Ede, Osun State

MOTORING

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THE NATION

MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

The Mitsubishi Outlander has been redesigned for 2014. Notable changes include improved fuel mileage, a nice interior, standard third-row seat and new high-tech features. Writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO with agency addition.

•Mitsubishi Outlander

Redesigned Mitsubishi Outlander for comfortability

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VERYONE likes to root for the underdog up to a point. The redesigned 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander certainly qualifies as an underdog in the small crossover SUV segment. In spite of the significant improvements it has received this year, the Outlander will probably never be the obvious choice in a class that is loaded with qualified candidates.

Mitsubishi’s compact crossover is a solid entry, but it is not easy to bet on a lesser-known nameplate when there is money on the line.

However, for consumers who want to own something a little different, this third-generation Mitsubishi Outlander has a number of things going for it. First off, powertrain tweaks and more aerodynamic (if somewhat less distinctive) styling combine to deliver improved EPA fuel economy estimates. The Outlander is now rated for up to 31 mpg highway, an above-average number among seven-passenger crossovers, while combined fuel economy (the more important number to look at) is up 2 mpg for both the four-cylinder and V6 engines. The overhauled interior is another welcome change, as it offers a more stylish design, improved materials, a telescoping steering wheel (making it easier to get comfortable in the driver seat) and a sturdier thirdrow seat that is now standard across the lineup.

Optional high-tech features such as adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance and lane-departure warning systems also give the Outlander some advantages over many of its competitors, and there is a plug-in hybrid model coming later in 2014. There are still a few weak spots, however. Performance from

both of the conventional engines is lackluster for this class, and the third-row seat remains cramped, so it is really only useful in a pinch and definitely only for kids. Another consideration is Mitsubishi’s relatively small dealer network, as dealerships are few and far between in certain areas of the country.

With all that in mind, crossover shoppers will want to compare the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander with five-passenger models such as the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX5 and Toyota RAV4. If it is the Outlander’s seven-passenger seating capacity that draws one’s interest, it will be necessary to add the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe to testdrive list. Although the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander faces long odds against well-rounded and well-established rivals in the compact crossover class, this underdog is still worth a look.

Body styles The Outlander is a seven-passenger crossover SUV available in three trim levels: the base ES, midrange SE and top-of-the-line GT. The ES comes standard with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, 16-inch steel wheels, fog lights, heated mirrors, rear privacy glass, full power accessories, automatic climate control, a 60/40 split-folding second-row seat that slides and reclines, a 50/50-split thirdrow seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cruise control and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player.

The SE possesses 18-inch alloy wheels, key-

less ignition/entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a leatherwrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a rearview camera, Mitsubishi’s “Fuse” voice command system (for phone and audio control), and an upgraded audio system with a 6-inch touchscreen display, HD radio and an iPod/ USB interface. The GT further adds the 3.0litre V6, all-wheel drive and a few more luxuries such as automatic xenon headlights, rain-sensing wipers and satellite radio.

Powertrains and performance The Outlander is offered with two powertrains. The ES and SE both get a 2.4litre four-cylinder engine that generates 166 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque.

A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is standard. ES models are frontwheel drive only, while the SE can be had with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

Under the GT’s hood is a 3.0-litre V6 that produces 224 hp and 215 lb-ft of torque. A conventional six-speed automatic and allwheel drive are standard.

EPA fuel economy estimates for the 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine are above average at 25 mpg city/31 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 24/29/ 26 when equipped with all-wheel drive. With the 3.0-litre V6, the Outlander’s fuel economy drops to 20/28/23.

Safety

Standard safety features on the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander include antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, hillstart assist, a driver-side knee airbag, front seat side airbags and side curtain airbags.

Optional electronic safety features include lane-departure warning and a forward collision-warning/mitigation system. The latter can sense an impending frontal collision, alert the driver and, if the driver fails to react, apply light brake pressure followed by full panic braking, potentially bringing the Outlander to a halt if it was originally travelling under 20 mph.

Interior design and special features Perhaps the most noticeable shortcoming of the previous-generation Outlander was its cheap-feeling interior. The 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander rectifies that with an overhauled cabin that is more attractive and done up in much nicer materials.

Front seats are a little on the firm side, but offer a good amount of legroom, as do the second-row seats, which can slide fore and aft and recline for greater comfort. Some buyers may view the standard third-row seat as a plus, but this seat is really only suited for occasional use by small kids.

When it comes to hauling stuff, one will find 34.2 cubic feet of cargo room behind the secondrow seats and 63.3 cubic feet with both rows folded down. These numbers fall short of the cargo space in most other compact crossovers, including the CR-V and Escape.

THE NATION JULY, MONDAY 22, 2013

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NEWS

Lagos to prosecute unpainted vehicles users

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HE Lagos State government has warned users of unregistered vehicles and unpainted taxis to desist or face prosecution.

Commissioner for Transportation Comrade Kayode Opeifa, decried the rate of security infractions occasioned by the indiscriminate use of unregistered vehicles and the illegal use of unpainted taxis, noting that the government has resolved to invoke the relevant sections of the

Stories by Tajudeen Adebanjo

Road Traffic Law 2012 on offenders.

“Henceforth, all such unregistered vehicles and unpainted taxis will be impounded and their operators arrested and charged to court for prosecution as provided for in Section 25 of the Road Traffic Law 2012,” he said.

He urged the public to be suspi-

cious of unpainted taxis as many of them are now being used for illegal and criminal activities.

Findings, he said, have shown that many of these vehicles are the tools for armed robbers, kidnappers, hired assassins and other unscrupulous individuals.

He enjoined the public to patronise only the registered taxis (private and corporate cabs) with recognised colours so as not to fall

victim to the hoodlums and other men of bad attentions.

Opeifa said since the public has the responsibility of securing themselves, they should resist all temptations to patronise such vehicles and report any known person doing so to the law enforcement agencies. He also called on law enforcement officers to ensure compliance by bringing offenders to book.

Metro Taxi donates security van to community

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ETRO Taxi, a Lagos-based taxicab operator, has donated a brand new security patrol pickup van to Ikeja, GRA Residents Association at Protea Hotel in Lagos to enhance security of lives and properties of residents in the community.

Its Managing Director, Mr Niyi Oguntoyinbo said the operator was glad to give back to the community where it had operated in the past two and a half years.

The initiative, he added, was also to ensure a lasting relationship with the host community and relish the company’s corporate social reasonability to support the area in securing lives and property, promising to do more in future.

He said though this was the first of its kind for the company, there would be more gestures.

“We expect that we would be able to partner with other residential associations for sustainability on

long term objectives as we go on,” Oguntoyinbo said.

The Vice-President of the Resident Association, Mr Debo Collins, hailed the company for the gesture, saying it would help reduce crime in the area and advised other corporate organisations to emulate Metro Taxi.

A resident of the community and Managing Director, CMC Connect, a public relations firm, Mr Yomi

Badejo-Okusanya, described the gesture as laudable.

Metro Taxi started operations in 2010 with the objective of revolutionising public taxi transportation system in Lagos.

A subsidiary of Philly and Molls, Metro Taxi is the only taxi cab operator that operates a metered taxi system to ensure passengers pay the accurate fare while they also enjoy accident insurance cover.

•From right: Mr Tunde Komolafe of Plycon; Chairman, Coker-Aguda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe; Mr Shola Samuel; Mrs Ajoke Bakare; Mr Henry Joseph and Segun Amu during the tour to the Sanya/Marayesa Road awarded by Lagos State government to Plycon Limited.

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•Opeifa

FUTA to hold auto fair

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From Damisi Ojo, Akure.

HE Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo State is organising the first ever Auto Show in the Southwest Zone (outside Lagos).

The fair is being organised to provide a valuable commercial platform for automobile, spare parts and accessories manufacturers, marketers, multinationals, government agencies and regulators.

Speaking to reporters at the weekend, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adebiyi Daramola, said FUTA is partnering with Filkmou Limited in organising the auto fair, which according to him, will feature specialised auto maintenance equipment exhibition and workshop for parts, cars, trucks and motorbikes.

Prof Daramola said the fair will provide an exceptional forum for existing and potential practitioners as well as other stakeholders in the automobile sector across the country, the opportunity to explore the potentials abound in the industry.

The fair, to be declared open by Governor Olusegun Mimiko, will commence next month.

He added that authorised and accredited Toyota dealers such as Elizade,R.T Briscoe, Mandillas, Kojo with producers' representatives in Nigeria including Leventis, CFAO, KIA, Suzuki, Hyundai and Chevrolet Motors will participate.

Other participants are motorcycles and spare part dealers, road transport unions as well as car accessories and security dealers.

Leadership crisis: TWAN urges govt to intervene

RICYCLE Workers Association of Nigeria (TWAN) has called on Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation Mr Kayode Opeifa to intervene in the leadership crisis brewing within the different associations of tricycle operators in the state to prevent chaos.

The association has, however,

By Adebisi Onanuga

accused the Lagos State branch of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) of attempting to impose an unelected leadership on them describing the attempt as an act of injustice.

TWAN, in its petittion to the commissioner dated July 12, 2013 and signed by its Acting Secretary,

Comrade Daodu Adesoji, said the union was working at cross purposes with their organisation.

The body stated that they are ready to work with the NURTW for peace to reign in the state as earlier agreed as long as the union allows democracy to prevail.

It, therefore, describes as illegal the caretaker committee constituted for

the association by the union saying it is unjust and illegal.

TWAN, which is the product of a merger of two rival tricycles bodies (Three-Wheelers and KORAN) further, alleged that the NURTW is trying to thwart the efforts of the Reconciliation Committee set up by the Transport Ministry to see to the complete

reconciliation and merger of the two rival tricycle associations in the state.

According to TWAN, after the first General Assembly meeting of the two rival tricycle associations (Three-Wheelers and KORAN) on July 4, another meeting was slated for July 16 to finalise the selection of the caretaker committee.

SAFE DRIVING

Preventing road accidents in Nigeria (2)

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HIS particular suggestion may not go down well with the government agencies in charge of road safety and traffic management at the Federal and state government levels because they don’t want to forfeit the income being generated from this business of re-training drive r s .

I, however, challenge the stakeholders and other well-meaning Nigerians to do more unbiased research and investigation on this issue to properly understand the need for this suggestion which, I strongly, believe will go a long way in drastically re-

ducing road accidents and fatalities as well as enhance the standards of driving schools that will be properly positioned to comply with the set standards.

•The mindset (perception) of drivers on the use of roads should be properly addressed and adequately restructured to promote safety on the roads.

•The focus of drivers training should be further diversified from driving skills to include the perceptual, cognitive, motivational and attitudinal factors which can greatly exert on drivers behaviour, influence their judgment and decision-making. There is also the need to develop

a road etiquette as well.

•The focus on the use of high fines to prevent reckless driving may not be very effective because majority of traffic offenders believe that they are not likely to be caught.

However, drivers should be made to take more responsibility for what is occurring on the roads.

This will be more effective than slamming ridiculously high fines on traffic offenders.

•All categories of drivers and vehicle owners must be made to undergo regular refresher courses because peer influence in driving cannot be over looked. There is al-

ways the tendency for those obeying traffic rules to renege and imitate the errant drivers.

•Public and private sector organisations must be encouraged or compelled to regularly train their drivers because of the level of irreparable lives and properties being lost through driver errors and allied factors.

•Insurance companies should have incentives, such as discount on premiums for individuals and organisations that sponsored their drivers for re-training programmes. This will encourage driver training and development for accident prevention in the

Jide Owatunmise Registrar / Chief Executive, Professional Driving and Safety

country. This has been effective in countries such as the United States.

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NEWS Immigration dismisses officer for ‘job racketeering’

Bauchi NUT, govt in dialogue over teachers’ salary arrears HE Bauchi State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has begun discussing with the government over the five months’ salary arrears it is owing the 2,415 teachers who were re-engaged.

NUT Secretary, Mallam Musa Gomina-Ali, spoke yesterday in Bauchi when he was reacting to the allegation that the NUT leadership had embezzled the union’s funds.

The NUT secretary also urged the “State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBED), led by Alhaji Abdullahi Dabo, to assist teachers with deficiencies to enable them remain in the service because of the experience they acquired in the classroom”.

SUBED, in January, sacked 5,000 teachers on its payroll over claims that the teachers were unqualified.

It advised the teachers to participate in “academic qualification verification exercise”.

Gomina-Ali said: “So far 2,415 teachers have been verified from various institutions, screened and found to be qualified. They have been re-engaged. But only their June salary has been paid.

N Assistant Inspector of Immigration, Andy Oibi, has been dismissed from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), for allegedly conspiring with Atuchi Adagu to defraud the public in an employment racketeering.

Oibi, who joined the Immigration Service in 2009 at Grade Level 6, had forged official letter-head papers of the service with which he had been offering fake NIS jobs to unsuspecting members of the public at a fee not disclosed.

The dismissed officer who was paraded at the NIS headquarters in Abuja refused to respond to the allegations against him by Adagu who insisted that he got the NIS

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‘Ajaokuta Steel to begin operation soon’ From Muhammad Bashir, Lokoja

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HE Sole Administrator of Ajaokuta Steel Company, Mr Isah Joseph Onobere, has said arrangements have reached advanced stage to reactivate and commercialise some of the completed mills and workshops of the integrated steel plant located in Kogi State.

Onobere spoke in Ajaokuta when he addressed executive members of the Kogi State chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) who visited the steel plant.

Onobere said the company was working with some investors to rehabilitate two of the four mills for billet conversion.

He noted that with the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Messrs Reprom Nigeria Limited, efforts were being made to meet the targets of the steel plant.

Onobere said: “As an integrated steel plant with series of completed plant units, some of which can be operated commercially, we are currently going into partnership with a number of investors to reactivate and operate some of the completed units.”

The sole administrator said another MoU has also been signed with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for training and manpower development.

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•From left: The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Poverty Reduction, Ms Idowu Senbanjo; Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye; consultant on tree planting, Dr. Kayode Ogunsanwo; Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Mr Hakeem Adeniyi Ogunbambi, at this year’s Tree Planting Day in Iponri, Lagos.

2015: North’s youths berate ACF, NEF over comment N From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

level of consciousness of the average northerner, in a bid to compel a paradigm shift in the socio-economic and political affairs of Northern Nigeria in particular and the nation in general, we wish to state very clearly that ethnicity, religion and all the other primordial sentiments, which our elders have whipped up in the past to sway the choices of the people during election times must be hurriedly discarded as we prepare for the 2015 general elections. This is to ensure that credible and competent leaders will rule the nation and advance our democracy.

“May we humbly ask:

which age group constitutes the virile population of northern electorate? It is undoubtedly the youths! But have the elders considered it imperative to consult the youths with a view to harmonising positions in this pointless crave to return power to the North in 2015? No! “They just assume that as usual, they can set their selfish agenda and the youths, most of whom they have deliberately left impoverished, will fall in line automatically! But this time, they are in for a big surprise.

“Experience has shown us that politics is not really a game of sentiments but of interest! Therefore, any leader who is capable of protecting

and advancing the interest of the North would enjoy the support of the Northern youths.”

The group said in the 52 years of the nation’s Independence, power at the centre has resided in the North for much longer than it has in the South.

“But what do we have to show for it in the North?” the group asked. It added: “It is pervasive poverty, insecurity, hunger, disease, illiteracy and underdevelopment!

“The egocentric and recycled politicians of Northern Nigeria have over the years used poverty and illiteracy as instruments of oppression to subject the majority of their fellow Northerners to be at their beck and call. Hence, they want the people to do their dirty biddings, people they do not really wish well...”

68 Benue prisoners awaiting execution in Jos, says official O From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

Zone ‘H’ of the Nigerian Prisons, Makurdi, Mr Samuel Agidi, spoke in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, when he led other top prison officials on a visit to the Chief Judge (CJ), Justice Iorhemen

Hwande.

Agidi noted that most governors were reluctant to sign the death warrants of the condemned inmates.

He urged the CJ to mount pressure on relevant authorities to ensure that the sentences of those from Benue State

Dangote Sugar gets new GMD

HE Board of Directors of Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR) has appointed Mr Graham Clark as the company’s Group Managing Director.

Clark served most recently as the Managing Director of Illovo Sugar Limited, Africa’s biggest sugar producers with operations in six countries.

HE Dutse Capital Development Authority (DCDA) at the weekend began the demolition of over 500 houses and shops in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital.

Among the affected houses was that of the Chief of the Staff to the Governor, Aminu Ibrahim; Dutse Central Mosque and some schools.

Many other structures have either been demolished or marked for demolition.

Occupants of the marked buildings were packing their

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F the 169 awaiting trial inmates in the country, 68 of them from Benue State are awaiting execution at the Jos Prison in neighbouring Plateau State, it has been leanrt.

There has been controversy over the execution of awaiting trial inmates since the Goodluck Jonathan administration proposed the idea.

The Zonal Coordinator,

He served on the Illova board since 1997 and as Managing Director since 2009 when he led the company through its most significant period of growth and positioning it well for the future.

Announcing the appointment of the new helmsman, DSR Chairman, Aliko Dangote said: “At the cusp of industrial

forged letters from Oibi.

NIS authority said the two suspects would be handed over to the police immediately for prosecution.

Meanwhile, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, David Parradang has said his administration would focus on human resources development and capacity building for NIS personnel.

Addressinf reporters after parading the suspects, Parradang explained that the NIS would increase patrol at the nation’s borders and also deploy personnel from noncore areas to the border areas to tighten security.

Jigawa Chief of Staff’s house, over 500 others demolished

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ORTHERN youths, under the aegis of Northern Youths Network (NYN), yesterday disassociated themselves from comments credited to some leaders of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) seeking a return of power to the North in 2015.

They said religion and other primordial sentiments, which northern elders whipped up in the past to sway the choices of the people during elections, must be discarded.

NYN President, Mallam Alli Kano, in a statement in Abuja, with the Secretary, Auwalu Suleiman, said those speaking for the North on the 2015 Presidency had selfish reasons.

The statement reads: “As a budding organisation, whose cardinal objective is to raise the

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

revolution in Nigeria and with our acquisition of Savannah Sugar Company, located on 32,000 hectares in Adamawa State, and the planned development of other sugar fields across the country, estimated at over 300,000 hectares, critical enablers such as innovation, talent and skills are key levers to put us on a competitive tra-

jectory growth path.

“Clark brings the experience and expertise to meet these big picture aspirations through a proven record of operational leadership, problem solving, strategy development and team playing.

These traits and abilities will serve him well in the days and years ahead.”

are either reduced or make the governor sign their warrants for execution.

The Prison chief also urged Justice Hwande to ensure quick dispensation of justice.

He frowned at the congestion at the Makurdi Prison, which he said is accommodating 768 inmates who are awaiting trial.

Agidi said there is need for urgent decongestion of prisons across the country, adding that the current situation was embarrassing.

He said the visit was a familiarisation exercise.

The Prison chief promised to sustain the cooperation with the Judiciary to ensure quick dispensation of justice in the state.

‘Justice Hwande congratulated Agidi over his appointment and assured that the state would decongest the prisons.

From Ahmed Rufa’I, Dutse

belongings by Friday evening to avoid the Saturday morning demolition.

The exercise continued till the early hours of Sunday.

The affected buildings are on Abdullahi Maikano Road, Hakimi Street, Madobi Road and the City Central Mosque Road.

Others are in Gida Dubu and Layin Dabino.

Buildings were also reportedly demolished at Dutse Modern International School.

A resident, Malam Sule Maihula, expressed concern over the exercise during the fasting period.

He said the exercise resembled a “military dictatorship during a civilian administration”.

“If not in the military regime, how can you came and destroy someone’s home when he is inside with his family at this fasting period?” he asked.

Foursquare inaugurates new district in Abuja From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

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HE Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria yesterday inaugurated a new district in Kubwa, Abuja.

The General Overseer, Rev. Felix Meduoye was represented by Rev. J. Dansu at the inauguration.

He also installed Rev. and Pastor (Mrs.) Ishola Omigade as the District Overseer.

The Kubwa district comprises of Phase Two Zone, Phase Four Zone, Bwari Missionary Zone, Gwagwalada Missionary Zone and Kagini/ Zuba Missionary Zone.

Dansu explained that the district is for the proper functioning of the church.

The Kubwa district started as a house fellowship centre in 1991 and transformed into a church later that year. The church has presence in Nassarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

A sermon was delivered by Rev. James Jacob.

He noted that the essence of the district was to fulfil the word of Jesus Christ.

The preacher, who quoted from the Book of Matthew Chapter Seven verse Seven, noted that there are several things that occupy people’s mind and focus.

He added that the first thing the scripture listed was not always given the priority.

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

NEWS Bini Chief calls for installation of Benin Bishop

Drama, intrigues as Bayelsa hosts, wins MBGN

•’Call ungodly and retrogressive’ From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

•Omotola knocks Senate on child marriage

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N a show characterised by drama and intrigue, the fairskin, average-height 18year-old Anna Ebiere Banner from Bayelsa State emerged the winner of the 26th edition of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (2013).

Banner, one of the youngest winners since inception, will represent Nigeria at the Miss World pageant in Jakarta, Indonesia, later this year.

She was crowned by the outgoing winner, Isabella Ayuk, in the presence of an excited Governor Seriake Dickson.

Dickson immediately appointed her Special Assistant on Culture and Tourism and made her the state’s Culture and Tourism Ambassador.

Banner clinched the crown after beating 31 other contestants to the admiration of the rapturous crowd, who were mostly residents.

While some believed that her victory was based on the home support she enjoyed from the crowd who gave her a standing ovation each time she appeared on the stage, others said her composure, beauty and mien endeared her to the judges.

But the entertaining event started unfolding with much drama when Dickson was asked to present an award to the screen diva and musician, Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde. Jalade-Ekehinde was on the panel of judges.

The governor, in his brief remarks, forced most spectators to roll with laughter.

After looking closely at the actress, Dickson said: “Having seen you closely, I can see why they call you, Omosexy.”

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From Mike Odiegwu and Victor Akande, Yenagoa

But Jalade-Ekehinde, who thanked the Silverbird Group for the award, changed the mood of the event from excitement to sober reflection.

In a prepared speech, she lamented the hopelessness of the Nigerian child, citing the inability of the Senate to protect the rights of children.

She was angry that the Senate refused to abolish child marriage.

“If the Senate with members perceived to be fathers could show nonchalant attitude to sensitive issues affecting children, who protects the child in Nigeria?” Omotola queried.

“A very alarming number of children are hawking on the streets. Let us say no to the Senate Bill endorsing child marriage,” she said.

But the audience’s attention was later focused on each of the radiant contestant who looked ready to go home with the crown.

The contestants showcased their endowments, curves and talents in their swim wears, traditional outfits and dance steps.

Performances from KC and Timi Dakolo added colour to the event.

Despite their efforts, the number was reduced to 15 with accompanying tragi-comedy.

Miss Kwara featured twice in the list of the top 15 while Miss Abia was later withdrawn from the list and replaced with Miss Imo in what the duo of Chris Okenwa and Chioma Agunon, who acted as compere, described as a typographical error.

But Miss Imo, Stephanie Okwu, cleared the doubts that

•Dickson congratulating Miss Banner ...at the weekend. Inset: Dickson presenting a Silverbird Unique Personality Award to Mrs. Jalade-Ekeinde. With them is the Chairman, Silverbird Group, Ben Murray-Bruce.

arose from the development. She made it to the top five and was viewed by some persons as the potential winner.

She later emerged as the first runner up to represent Nigeria in the Miss Universe Pageant.

Miss Adamawa, Powede Lawrence, was the second runner-up, Miss Kaduna (Enoma Agboniko) third runner-up and Miss Abuja (Melissa Devidal) fourth runner-up.

The host governor described the show as a vehicle for tourism promotion in the country.

He said his administration supported the pageant to underscore its seriousness in diversifying the economy from oil and gas.

Dickson said the government would continue to host events

of international interests to bring people to the state, adding that his administration wished to make MBGN a yearly event in the state.

“The new Bayelsa is safe”, he declared, adding that the state will soon host other big celebrations.

The Minister of Culture, Edem Duke, said the country must embrace tourism to become one of the top 20 economies in the world in 2020.

“If we want to become one of the 20 economies in 2020, we better start doing what Bayelsa is doing right now,” he said.

Duke said over 7,000 persons from across the world will gather in Bayelsa for the Africa-Caribbean Festival of Arts and Culture.

Oil theft: Concerns as Bayelsa revenue dips

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CTIVITIES of pipeline vandals and oil thieves are beginning to take its toll on revenues accruing to states in the Niger Delta, especially Bayelsa State.

The financial figures reeled out by Governor Seriake Dickson at the state’s monthly transparency briefing showed a shortfall in revenue, especially in derivation.

Of the N24.6billion the state received from the Federation Account in May, derivation accounted for N12.4 billion.

But last month’s reports showed that derivation had reduced to N9.3billion of the total inflow of N19.9billion.

It was learnt that the shortfall was caused by the worrisome dimension of pipeline vandalism, illegal oil bunkering and oil theft.

Bayelsa and Rivers states are said to be the worse hit by the illegal oil deals.

The development had forced the Shell Petroleum Development Company and the Nigerian Agip Oil Company to shut down major trunk lines in the two states to enable them effect repairs on vandalised pipelines.

The Federal Executive Council, after its last meeting in Abuja, mandated Dickson

Youths urge Jonathan to meet with Amaechi, Wike

•Dickson summons security commanders •Navy holds stakeholders’ meeting •NSCDC holds sensitisation programme From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to ensure that oil companies fast-track repairs on their pipelines.

Worried by the development, the State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps assembled stakeholders in Yenagoa at the weekend for a sensitisation programme.

The command, led by Desmond Agwu, appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders and youths to join security agencies to tackle the menace.

Presenting a paper, entitled: “Vandalisation and illegal refineries and their consequences”, an academic, Prof. Kingsley Omoyibo, painted a picture of economic sabotage resulting from oil theft.

He said Nigeria lost about $1.23billion to illegal oil refining and crude oil theft in the first quarter of this year.

“In the last three years, Nigeria lost about 180,000 barrels per day and that means we lost about $6billion annually,” he said.

Agwu lamented the development and said the economy would continue to suffer, if people failed to assist security agencies to tackle the problem.

He said: “Security is a collective responsibility. We have to work together to fight this crime. We have mapped out modalities to curb the activities of oil thieves and vandals in our society.

“The seminar is organised to sensitise us to go to our communities and protect what belongs to us.”

After the meeting, the Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Major-Gen Bata Debiro, said security measures had been put in place to curb the activities of vandals on the waterways.

He, however, said the security operatives required more gunboats and other logistics.

“We also noted that the flow line from Nembe to Bonny has been shut down for repairs and the government has promised to offer assistance to enable security agents carry out patrols on the waterways,” he said.

He said the state had been selected to host the event from September 15 to 25.

The minister also announced that the state had been chosen to host 70 “world best” in underwater imaging programme organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Ben Murray-Bruce, Chairman of Silverbird Group, organisers of the pageant, said the essence of the competition is to bring about unity among ladies from various cultural and social backgrounds.

“In over 25 years, we have produced beautiful ambassadors who have represented Nigeria at various international events.”

HERE was tension in the Benin Catholic Archdiocese at the weekend when the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Sam Igbe and some Benin priests called for the removal of Archbishop Augustine Akubueze, following what they described as the refusal of the “indigenisation of worship process” in Catholic churches in Benin City by the bishop.

Some Bini priests called for the bishop’s removal last week, alleging that he “flooded” the diocese with Igbo priests and promulgated antiBini policies.

Igbe accused the archbishop of doing things contrary to the Papal policy of promoting indigenous language and customs.

Speaking on behalf of the Edo Liturgical Group, the Iyase said there was a deliberate attempt to scheme out Bini speaking priests by deliberately sending them abroad in the guise of training and replacing them with Igbo priests.

“Because Archbishop Akubeze has exhibited hatred for the people of Bini and their language, he has to go and a Bini priest has to be installed.”

But former Senate Chief Whip Rowland Owie and a Bini Priest, Pama Ikponmwonsa, described the call as ungodly.

Owie said: “Bini don’t forbid visitors and this is purely a religious matter and has nothing to do with tribe.

“Let anyone of them challenge me to a public debate on the stewardship of Bishop Akubueze. Apart from Bishop Gbuji, the evangelisation effort of Akubueze in Edo South, which is the Archdiocese of Benin, is unprecedented. We should learn to give honour to whom honour is due.”

•Governor ready to meet President

‘Jonathan should be truthful’ From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

•Jonathan

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TAKEHOLDERS in Rivers State, under the auspices of Ikwerre Youth Congress (IYC), have urged President Goodluck Jonathan to meet with Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who is the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, to stem the rising security challenges in the state.

The call by IYC PresidentGeneral Chinedum Samuel Smith followed reports that the NGF chairman was favourably disposed to a meeting with the President to resolve the security situation in the state.

At the time of this report, it could not be ascertained if the Jonathan had acceded to Amaechi’s request, which followed an advice by Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi on behalf of eight governors, who visited

A PRO-DEMOCRACY group, National Democratic Forum (NDF), has challenged President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that only the electorateremains the determining factor in any electoral process.

In a statement yesterday in Minna, the forum’s national coordinator, Jonathan Vatsa, noted that similar attempts to illegally remove elected office holders abound in the country.

“Before we (Nigeria) ask others to remove the speck from their eyes, we have to remove ours first. Our President should allow the will of the electorate to have its way.

“How can 19 people against 16 vote to elect the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and our President accepted the candidate with lesser votes.”

The governors elected their leader, the President should honour the will of this eligble electorate to elect or remove their leader,” the forum maintained.

From Shola O’Neil, S/South Regional Editor, Port Harcourt

Amaechi in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

The Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, told our reporter yesterday that Governor Amaechi “is never averse to dialogue with the President”.

Smith, who held a briefing at the weekend, appealed to both sides to sheathe their swords.

He said: “Our congress had watched the political drama and chose not to take any hasty decision. We are a pressure group whose priority and focus is to ensure peace and stability in the polity of our dear Rivers State.

“We appeal to our father, President Goodluck Jonathan, to please call our big brothers for dialogue and proper settlement. This is because we do not have another other than Rivers.

Please do something urgently,” the group appealed.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

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NEWS

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T was cheering news from Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday when he announced to the supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the age-long agitation for an Igbo presidency would soon come to fruition.

Okorocha, who spoke during the inauguration of the APC Southeast Ward Mobilisers and Supporters Club, at the weekend, said the new party has become a rallying point for Ndigbo.

He insisted that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has relegated the zone, despite its contribution to the growth and success of the party.

“I am happy that our people are responding to this clarion call that has to do with our collective destiny and aspiration. It is a clear fact that Igbo have been relegated to sixth position in the political equation of our nation; not minding the fact that we form one of the tripods upon which the nation stands.

“In a situation where no Igbo man is president, vice president, Senate president,

Igbo presidency feasible under APC, says Okorocha

Minister to open dialysis centres From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

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Orji: Southeast safer with PDP The Southeast is safer under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abia State Governor Theodore Orji said yesterday.

He urged the people not to be deceived that there is a better choice than the PDP. The governor spoke in a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Public Communication, Ben Onyechere.

He said based on “past experiences the Igbo have undergone in the politics of this country, this is the reason we should stay away from people who may want to mislead us for selfish intentions.

“In plain language, the PDP is a party that is not owned by anybody as against the rest, which are built on individuals and ethnic affinity that can never be considerate for From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

Speaker and chairman of the ruling party gives credence to the fact that we have been relegated by the PDP. “But my assurance today

Igbo interest.

“When the chips are down, those behind the other political affiliations will certainly take decisions that will be inimical to the desired goals of the Igbo.

“Let us tell ourselves the truth that the Igbo have suffered unjustly in the political calculus of this nation but with the amount of time and commitment we have invested in the PDP, the time to reap from what we have sown is near. The devil you know is better and a bird in hand is preferable than 10 in the bush, which predisposes that we should not waiver in our support for President Goodluck Jonathan because in the end, we shall be better for it.

“The important point to note is that the PDP has laid a solid foundation whose future is predictable even though there may arise altercations once in a while.”

is that our tears would be wiped away in APC as we have started well and will definitely finish well.

“Let me state categorically that Igbo presidency which appeared impossible in PDP

would be actualised under the APC. Therefore, I make bold to say that APC is truly an Igbo party and should be embraced by Ndigbo.”

The governor added that APC has metamorphosed

•Okorocha

into a rallying point for the Ndigbo, adding that the party has rekindled the hope for the much-desired Igbo unity.

Okorocha posited that with the successful inauguration of the club, “the party is now prepared to demonstrate its winning strategy in the November 6 Anambra governorship election”.

The governor said he plans to meet with Senator Chris Ngige and Senator Annie Okonkwo to ensure a smooth and peaceful emergence of the party’s governorship candidate in Anambra State.

HE Minister of Health, Dr Onyebuchi Chukwu, will today open the dialysis centres built by the Abia State Government in Aba and Umuahia.

Governor Theodore Orji said the two centres have machines for hypertension, HIV/ AIDS and urinary tract-related diseases.

He said: “The minister will be coming to our state today to open our dialysis centres in Aba and Umuahia.

“He will lay the foundation of one of the 100-bed hospitals being built in Arochukwu, Ohafia, Amachara, Ikwuano, Obingwa, ABSUTH, Ugwunagbo and Okeikpe in Ukwa West Local Government Area.

“I don’t want to preside over the affairs of sick people.

It’s only healthy people who can ask for the dividends of democracy.

“This is why we are building several health centres and upgrading general hospitals in the state.”

Refuse sacks Aba markets

3,500 pilgrims to travel from Akwa Ibom Airport

•Traders, residents appeal to Orji •‘Govt not overwhelmed’

BOUT 3,500 pilgrims from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Imo states, among others, are to travel from the Akwa Ibom International Airport, Uyo, for the Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

The Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, John Kennedy Okpara, said this at the weekend when he visited Governor Godswill Akpabio at the Governor’s Office, Uyo. He said this was due to the modern and standard facilities in the airport, which has made it one of the best in the country.

Okpara, who described the airport as world-class and a model in terms of best practices and standards, said Christian pilgrims from some neighbouring states would travel from the airport to Greece and Rome for the same pilgrimage.

He announced that the commission has successfully negotiated a rebate with the Federal Government, which has witnessed a reduction by 12 per cent (N358,000) to Rome and 23 per cent (N425,000) to Greece.

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ESIDENTS and traders in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, have appealed to Governor Theodore Orji on the mounting environmental challenges in the city.

The traders lamented that if drastic measures were not taken to rid the streets and markets of refuse, “it may lead to an outbreak of epidemic”.

A businessman, Anaelechi Ozurumba, noted that in the last one year, the State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), under the leadership of Ikechukwu Apugo, has succeeded in cleaning up Aba and Umuahia, the state capital.

He, however, noted that while the capital remained clean, refuse has returned to Aba and has sacked major streets and markets in the city.

At the Eziukwu Market, a trader, who gave her name as Omobong Esther, said: “At the

•Heap of refuse at Azikiwe by Asa Road, Aba From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

end of last year, Aba was wearing a new look and we were all happy and applauded the government but suddenly heaps of refuse have returned, making the city look dirty. It is even worse now that the rainy season is here.

“We, the business community, are appealing to Governor Theodore Orji to revive the agency and return it to its former status to enable it meet up with the challenges of keeping the state clean, especially

the major cities of Aba and Umuahia.

“In front of this market, the heaps of refuse there sometimes cause traffic gridlock, especially in the evening.

“Recently, some groups of persons were in the market with Navy and Army officers collecting both ASEPA, environmental, stall fees and other levies.

“They shouldn’t say Aba people don’t want to pay sanitation or ASEPA fees. We have paid and they should justify the money they have collected

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From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

development, which he said future administration could consolidate on.

He said the state needed a credible successor to sustain the gains of the past.

Soludo disagreed with the governor’s plan to retire from politics, saying the country needed people like him, especially during these trying times.

After the 2010 governorship election, Obi and Soludo have not been the best of friends.

Rev. Michael Nwajiobi enjoined Christians not to run from pillar to post in search of miracles but should

than any other city in the country and the people dump refuse not at designated places but indiscriminately,” adding that “government will continue to appeal to them.”

He said government had deployed more waste trucks in Aba than Umuahia.

Emezue said to address the peculiar situation in Aba, the government has split the waste management authority into two with Okezie Ikpeazu leading the team working in Aba, saying “they are working round the clock”.

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

•Ex-CBN boss reconciles with governor

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from us.”

Ibemesi Nwaka, a resident of World Bank Housing Estate, said more trucks need to be provided to meet the challenges of waste disposal in the commercial city.

The Abia State government last night said it is addressing the Aba refuse situation as appropriate.

The governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Ugochukwu Emezue, said: “Government is not overwhelmed.”

He said: “Aba probably generates the biggest waste, more

Cross River, MTN sign N1b agreement ‘Establish

Obi laid foundation for new Anambra, says Soludo ORMER Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Chukwuma Soludo yesterday laid to rest speculations that there was political tension between him and Governor Peter Obi. Soludo said Obi laid the foundation for a new Anambra. He spoke at the memorial thanksgiving mass in honour of his mother-in-law at the St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Isuofia.

He did not only praise the governor for his achievements but described him as a man of destiny, whose discipline has ensured his success in life.

The former CBN governor said Obi has laid a strong foundation for sustainable

PHOTO: SUNNY NWANKWO

•Soludo

surrender their lives to God and remain steadfast in whatever position they found themselves.

He said the governor had sacrificed much to make the state a role model and noted that his vision and mission had transformed all sectors of the state.

HE Cross River State Government has signed a concession agreement with MTN Communications Nigeria Limited for the provision of 115km of telecommunications cable duct infrastructure for Calabar, which is to run from Tinapa to Anantigha.

According to the Special Adviser on Communications Technology Development, Odo Effiong, the system is expected to provide complete access to broadband infrastructure for residents.

Besides access to broadband, the system is also expected to improve the quality of voice services in Calabar and make video services a reality over wired and wireless channels.

He said the project, a Public Private Partnership, is privately funded and would cost N1.1 billion.

The infrastructure to be installed, includes three telecommunications cable ducts and 96 core fibre optic cables for each partner and managed by both parties.

The infrastructure will enable other service providers and network/broadband users to approach either party to lease infrastructure or services.

Effiong said MTN would site an additional 99 base stations to improve wireless services. It will also support the development of various third party services enabled by broadband, such as citywide wifi, access to various government services, e-ticketing, smart transport, smart education, smart health, e-tourism and ultimately the creation of Nigeria’s first smart city.

The special adviser said telecommunications was now an essential utility secondary only to water, transportation, and power.

widows’ homes’ From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

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HE wife of Cross River State Governor, Mrs. Obioma Liyel–Imoke, has called for the establishment of transition homes in the six geo-political zones to cater for the needs of widows in distress.

Mrs. Liyel–Imoke said each transition home would serve as a refuge for displaced widows.

She said such homes would provide a three-fold package to include welfare, counselling and legal services to the widows.

The governor’s wife, who is also the founder/board chair of Partnership Opportunities for Women Empowerment Realisation (POWER), appealed to women still involved in harmful traditional practices to stop, encouraging men to write their Will.

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

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FOREIGN NEWS

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Egypt starts on new constitution

10-STRONG panel of legal experts, appointed by interim President Adly Mansour, starts work yesterday on amending Egypt’s constitution.

They have 30 days to draft changes paving the way for new parliamentary and presidential elections.

The previous constitution framed by the government of ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi has been suspended.

His Muslim Brotherhood movement has denounced the rewriting of the constitution.

Thousands of pro-Morsi supporters are continuing to protest against his removal in the Nasr City area of Cairo.

Demonstrators, many of them from Mr Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, staged large rallies across Egypt on Friday, angry at his overthrow by the military on 3 July.

The Brotherhood has refused to recognise the new military-backed administration.

However, interim Prime

Minister Hazem el-Beblawi, in his first televised interview, said on Saturday he was hoping for everyone to take part in a national dialogue.

“We cannot write a constitution when the country is divided. We have to return to harmony,” he said.

In a separate development, Jordan’s King Abdullah on Saturday became the first Arab leader to visit Egypt since the fall of the Islamistled government.

He met the caretaker president and gave his backing to “Egyptian national choices,” a presidential statement said.

The Morsi-backed constitution was approved in a con-

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troversial December 2012 referendum but considered one of the most contentious measures in his year in office.

Opponents complained the charter was too Islamist in content, gave Mr Morsi extensive new powers and failed to protect freedom of expression and religion.

Under the caretaker president’s decree announced on Saturday, a committee, made up of four university professors and six judges, has been given the task of presenting its suggested amendments to a larger, 50-member panel comprised of religious officials, politicians, unionists

and army officers.

One in five members of the second committee will be young people involved in Egypt’s revolutionary street movements and women.

The panel will have 60 days to review the proposals before the amended constitution is put to a referendum.

A parliamentary vote would then follow.

The Muslim Brotherhood has rejected calls for reconciliation and denounced the move to redraft the constitution.

At least 60 people have been killed in violence since Mr Morsi was deposed. On Friday, three women were

six years.

Mr Abe said the expected result was an endorsement of his economic reforms, as he seeks to end long-term stagnation.

The deadlock in parliament has been seen as a key factor in Japan’s recent “revolving door” of prime ministers.

Official results are not expected until Monday.

But the exit poll suggested Mr Abe’s coalition would control 130 seats in the 242seat upper house. Half the seats were being contested in Sunday’s election.

The result is being seen as a vote of confidence in Mr Abe, says the BBC’s Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Tokyo.

He has the power - the question is whether he has the will, too, says our corre-

APANESE Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has won a majority in the upper house, exit polls suggest.

His Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner New Komeito were set to get at least 71 of the 121 seats being contested, broadcaster NHK projected.

This would give him control of both houses of parliament for the first time in

•Mansour

killed and several others hurt when a group of pro-Morsi supporters was attacked in the Nile Delta city of Mansura.

spondent.

Media reports said voter turnout was lower than in the last upper house election, in 2010.

Mr Abe said his party’s economic policies were having a positive impact.

The result may have been expected, but this is still a big and significant victory for Japan’s ruling party and Prime Minster Shinzo Abe.

YRIAN activists said yesterday that Islamist fighters battling Kurdish rebels in a town near Syria’s northern border with Turkey have freed 300 Kurdish civilians they had briefly detained in exchange for the local commander of the alQaida-linked group.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the Islamist commander in the town of Tal Abyad - known as Abu Musaab - was captured late Saturday during intense fighting between a group called the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, or ISIS, and Kurdish fighters.

The Islamist group retaliated by rounding up civilians believed to be relatives of the Kurdish fighters to hold as bargaining chips. The fighting subsided Sunday.

A few days earlier, Kurdish fighters had pushed out Arab militants from the ISIS and al-Nusra Front from the strategic town of Ras alAin and its nearby border crossing with Turkey.

Colombia: FARC rebels arrested

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Japan election: Abe ‘wins key upper house vote

Cambodian opposition leader launches campaign AMBODIAN opposition leader Sam Rainsy has begun campaigning for his party ahead of elections, just one day after returning to his homeland from four years of self-imposed exile in France.

The campaign began Saturday, with Rainsy telling reporters in the southern province of Kampong Speu that he condemned an attack on the offices of his Cambodia National Rescue Party in Phnom Penh earlier in the day.

A lone gunman fired a shot at the party’s headquarters in the early hours of Saturday while the office was still closed for the night. No one was hurt in the incident, but the opposition immediately condemned the incident as an attempt to intimidate the opposition ahead of July 28 general elections.

The opposition is trying to unseat Rainsy’s bitter rival, longtime leader Hun Sen. Rainsy received a royal pardon last week at the request of Prime Minister Hun Sen. The opposition leader had been living in France after fleeing Cambodia in 2009 to avoid trial on charges many consider were politically motivated.

He was greeted by huge crowds when he returned home Friday.

Islamists Free 300 Kurds in Northern Syria

•Shop owners of Beyoglu, an Istanbul district, march with anti goverment protesters to protest Beyoglu municipality and Turkish Goverment on Istiklal avenue in Istanbul ... at the PHOTO: AFP weekend.

HE Colombian army says it has arrested 10 Farc rebels accused of killing 17 soldiers in an ambush near the border with Venezuela on Saturday.

President Juan Manuel Santos has called a security summit in the town of Tame.

He is expected to announce new security measures for the Arauca region, where both Farc and ELN rebels are active.

The Colombian government and the Farc are currently holding peace talks in Cuba aimed at ending more than five decades of conflict.

The Colombian army said six rebels also died in the Saturday attack, which happened in a rural part of Arauca known as El Mordisco.

Mr Santos is due to visit five injured soldiers in hospital Tame and announce new security measures.

In a separate incident in south-west Colombia, clashes in the south also killed five troops and several Farc fighters The talks in Havana, which started in November, represent the fourth attempt at a negotiated peace deal since the beginning of the conflict in the early 1960s.

The rebels have called for a ceasefire during the negotiations, but the government has rejected it, arguing it would only provide the opportunity for the Farc to rearm and regroup.

The last attempt to achieve peace collapsed in 2002, when it became clear that the rebels had become stronger during more three years of negotiations under a ceasefire.

Earlier the Farc said it had captured a former US soldier and was willing to release him to prove its commitment to the peace process.

In a statement, the rebels named the man as Kevin Scott Sutay and said he had been taken on 20 June in El Retorno in the southern Guaviare Department.

The US has denied he was on any form of military operation, saying he was in the area as a tourist and had “nothing to do with Colombia’s internal conflict”.

The Farc are thought to have some 8,000 fighters, down from about 16,000 in 2001.

The government estimates that 600,000 people have been killed since the conflict began with some three million more internally displaced by the fighting.

On Monday, the Farc’s chief peace negotiator said the conflict was nearing its end.

Ivan Marquez, who is taking part in the talks in Cuba, called on left-wing parties and unions to join the effort to achieve peace.

The government wants to sign a peace accord by November. But Mr Marquez warned against rushing into a settlement.

Helen Thomas: The dogged American reporter dies at 92

VER the course of a long, remarkable, and ultimately controversial career, Helen Thomas was all of those. Also, as so many have said since her passing Saturday, she blazed a trail for the legion of strong women reporting, analyzing, and commenting on the news today – in print and especially in broadcast media.

“Helen Thomas made it possible for all of us who followed: woman pioneer journalist broke barriers died today,” tweeted NBC News’ Andrea Mitchell.

“RIP Helen Thomas – died this morning at 92. Amazing trail blazer, fearless journalist and friend & mentor to so many women reporters,” Judy Woodruff, host of the PBS NewsHour, tweeted.

“Any woman who has had the privilege of sitting in the front row of the White House briefing room owes huge debt of gratitude to Helen Thomas,” tweeted Julie Pace, White House correspondent for the Associated Press.

As White House press corps dean, Thomas got to sit front-row-center amidst the greatest collection of egos

outside the United States Senate. There, as the Daily Beast noted, she held forth with “a voice full of gravel and a penchant for making powerful men squirm.”

Those powerful men she regularly caused to squirm included ten Presidents of the United States.

“She covered every White House since President Kennedy’s, and during that

time she never failed to keep presidents – myself included – on their toes,” President Obama said.

“What made Helen the ‘Dean of the White House Press Corps’ was not just the length of her tenure, but her fierce belief that our democracy works best when we ask tough questions and hold our leaders to account.”

•The late Thomas

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

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FOREIGN NEWS

Philippe becomes king of Belgium

•Philippe

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ING Philippe I became Belgium’s seventh monarch on Sunday’s national day after his father Albert abdicated as the head of this fractured nation.

After he took the oath at the parliament filled with representatives of the 6 million Dutch-speaking Flemings and 4.5 million Francophones, Philippe insisted ‘’the wealth of our nation and our institutions consists in turning our diversity into a strength.”

The ceremony capped a day of transition which started when Philippe’s father, the 79-year-old Albert, signed away his rights as the kingdom’s largely ceremonial ruler at the royal palace in the presence of Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, who holds the political power in this 183year-old parliamentary democracy.

Less than two hours later, the nation got a new king when Philippe, 53, pledged to abide by Belgium’s laws and constitution.

While crowds of wellwishers cheered the royal family’s every move Sunday, far from everybody in Belgium was happy with the new king.

One Flemish separatist group, the Flemish Interest party, boycotted the parliamentary ceremony, while the

legislature’s biggest party, the N-VA New Flemish Alliance, sent only a limited delegation without its leader, Bart De Wever. ‘’We are full-blooded democrats and the purest form of democracy is the republic,” said Jan Jambon, the parliamentary leader of the party, which has surged to become the main opposition party seeking Flemish independence through transition.

Their absence also highlighted one of the biggest challenges Philippe will face in his reign - how to remain relevant as a unitary symbol in a nation ever more drifting apart between the northern Flemings and the southern Francophones.

Philippe made no attempt to

paper over those cracks, instead casting the country’s division as one of its strengths. ‘’Time and again we find the balance between unity and diversity,” King Philippe said. ‘’Belgium’s strength is precisely that we make room for our differences.”

Unlike a disturbance during the oath-taking by King Albert 20 years ago, when one legislator shouted ‘’Long live the European Republic,” Sunday’s ceremony in the packed legislature was flawless, with Albert and Philippe’s wife, Queen Mathilde, looking on as he confidently took the oath.

Philippe has long been contested as a worthy successor of Albert, but after years of wooden and timid public performances, the silver-haired, bespectacled monarch came over as confident and pressure proof.

Mokhtar Belmokhtar charged for siege at Algeria gas plant

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S prosecutors have charged militant Islamist leader Mokhtar Belmokhtar over a deadly siege at an Algerian gas plant in January.

He faces charges including hostage-taking, kidnapping and conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction.

Belmokhtar remains at large and the US is offering a $5m (£3.2m) reward for information leading to his arrest.

Three US citizens were among at least 37 hostages killed when Algerian troops stormed the Tigantourine plant.

Days earlier, gunmen had seized local and foreign workers at the complex.

“Belmokhtar brought terror and blood to these innocent people and now we intend to bring Belmokhtar to justice,” said Preet Bharara, US attorney for the Southern District of New

York, in a statement.

The charges unveiled on Friday said Belmokhtar had appeared in an online video the day after the siege ended, claiming he had carried out the attack on behalf of alQaeda.

George Venizelos, head of the FBI’s New York office, said the charges “describe a fanatical jihadist leading an extremist vanguard of an extremist ideology’’.

Belmokhtar is a former leading figure in al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) but is now believed to head a group of militants known variously as the Signed-inBlood Battalion, the Masked Men Brigade and the Khaled Abu al-Abbas Brigade.

He was designated a foreign terrorist by the US Treasury Department in 2003.

The hostage crisis began on 16 January when militants attacked two buses carrying

foreign workers from the Tigantourine gas facility near In Amenas in eastern Algeria.

The militants took foreign workers hostage at the gas complex, which was quickly

A

surrounded by the Algerian army. Special forces stormed the living area on 19 January and the gas treatment plant two days later.

At least 29 militants also died in the shoot-out.

the President a VAIN DAME, now holds the sway of power when her husband, as in the Roman Nero, ignorantly fiddles and spineless to cut her to order?

Anyway, that is for another day.

Our main focus today is 79-year-old Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, officially a Lieutenant-General in the Sudanese Army and President since 1989. He is undoubtedly controversial both at home and internationally. We have documented his antecedents and somewhat implacable relationship with his now sovereign southern buddy, the sovereign State of South Sudan. Relationship had been feisty, bloody and continually so especially with rebels on both side of the divide.

But they both need each other. The oil-rich south is land-locked while Omar’s north is not, with the flourishing port of Khartoum to boot.

The International Crime Commission issued out a

Syria: Family of 13 killed in Sunni village Assad family rule has been led by Syria’s Sunni majority. Sectarian clashes and alleged massacres have become increasingly common in a conflict that has killed more than 100,000 people.

The killings in Baida came a day after a rare eruption of clashes was reported in the area between Assad’s forces and the rebels in the coastal enclave.

The British-based Observatory, which has a network of activists across Syria, said all the victims had been executed.

•al-Assad

India jails six for Swiss gang rape

COURT in India has sentenced six men to life imprisonment over the gang rape of a Swiss tourist in March this year.

The woman, 39, and her husband were attacked while camping in woodland in central Madhya Pradesh state.

The men, aged between 22 and 30, were all from a village close to the scene of the rape.

The attack came months after a 23-year-old Indian woman died following a gang rape on a bus in Delhi, sparking protests across the country.

Days after the Swiss tourist was raped, changes to the laws were passed, containing stricter punishments for rapists, including the death penalty.

“All the accused have been convicted and we are satisfied with the judgement,” prosecutor Rajendra Tiwari was quoted as saying on Saturday.

Map of Madhya Pradesh The couple had been on a long cycle tour, as they headed to the Taj Mahal in Agra in Uttar Pradesh, when they were assaulted and

Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir came, saw and conquered M UM and alarmed consternations are antithetical in our world relations and what is given in one part might be anathema in the other. Understandably, parts of our global community were hysterically awashed last week over the visit of Sudanese President Omar alBashir to Nigeria for a health summit, given his alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. This column condemns the indignation and recklessness of most of our African leaders, especially Omar, who capriciously just rule over his nation as if he owns the land.

Harrold D. Lasswell, in one of his treatise, likens the low-esteem imperative of unbridled quest for power, to the emptiness of brains and the lack of brawns. This is most especially true unfortunately among our African leaders. How else do we explain what is now happening in our own Rivers State, Nigeria where an unconstitutionally recognised wife of

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ORCES loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad killed at least 13 members of a family in the Sunni Muslim village of Baida yesterday, in what activists said was the second massacre there.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said four women and six children were among those killed in the village, which is in a coastal area of central Syria.

“A relative came to look for them today and found the men shot outside. The women and children’s bodies were inside a room of the house and residents in the area said some of the bodies were burned,” said Rami Abdelrahman, head of the Observatory.

In May, pro-Assad militias killed more than 50 residents of Baida and over 60 locals in the nearby town of Banias. In those killings, some bodies, many of them children, were found burned and mutilated.

Baida is part of a small pocket of Sunni Muslims in the Mediterranean province of Tartous, a stronghold for Assad’s own minority Alawite sect.

The two-year-old uprising against four decades of

‘We have documented his antecedents and somewhat implacable relationship with his now sovereign southern buddy, the sovereign State of South Sudan’

warrant for President Bashir arrest in July 2009 for the aforementioned crimes but he appealed this decision and up until now the appeal has not been decided upon therefore giving him this window to freely move about as the legitimate head of his sovereign country.

Second, the African Union, in its now famous Libyan Declaration on Bashir, has continued to grant him immunity from arrest or compliance with the ICC warrant, thus if he is on an African soil , chances are that he will never be turned in to the

ICC. More importantly is this obsequious application of justice on African and nonAfrican leaders on the part of the court that shows convincing evidence of its preponderance of mitigations against African leaders’ visà-vis their European counterparts who commit similar offences.

International obligations are not written in gold, these are gentlemen agreements.

The intents of compliance, the ideological imperatives of practicalities and if you may, the axis of pragmatism under which a nation falls, especially, Third World, nations can dictate, espouse and support this grand positionings.

After all, the Zionist state of Israel has been in noncompliance post-1967-Yom Kippur war with the state of Palestine. What with America’s $3billion annual military aid and support. So, now Prime Minister Benjamin’Bibi’ Netanyahu has adamantly intensified

robbed in a dense area of forest in the Datia district on 15 March.

Five of the suspects were detained and put before the media soon afterwards and a sixth was later arrested.

While all six were jailed for life on Saturday, reports say one of them was convicted of assaulting and robbing the couple, rather than the rape itself.

They were charged in late March. The victim gave a witness statement by video in late May. Five men are being tried over the fatal gang rape in Delhi last December.

A verdict is expected next week in the case of one who was aged 17 at the time of the attack. If found guilty, he faces up to three years in a reform facility.

The others face the death penalty. A sixth suspected was found dead in jail.

The victim, a physiotherapy student, and a male friend were beaten on a bus and the woman was then raped. She suffered massive internal injuries and died in hospital in Singapore weeks later.

Global Focus DAYO FAKUADE, Foreign Editor sms 08134230367

daborgu@gmail.com settlement housing in illegally acquired Palestinian quarters to the hapless chagrins of the international community. Hafez Assad of Syria continues to kill his own people while the powers that be, in pursuit of their military hardware sales and mercantilist interest can not even agree on a mutually resolving outcome.

The African Union, therefore, can conform to its own doctrine as far as it serves its regional purpose. After all, there was once the Akinyemi Doctrine on the black hand on the nuclear power, within an aggregation of The Concert of Medium Powers. The Nigerian establishment shot this down, whittling and emerging national aspiration. The BRICS now took over this conceptual international power divide to the eternal loss of Nigeria.

So, we will move on and wish the Sudans well, hope they will learn the lessons of mutually adaptive coexist-

ence.

Madiba is still alive and our royal baby is yet to be delivered.

Well that is it for us this week, we thank all our readers who reached out to us during the week. Mr Felix Eke, a veteran journalist and m u l t i l i n g u i s t extraordinnaire, now at ECOWAS Judiciary Hq in Abuja, Mr Moyo Adewuyi, a journalistic guru was in the house; thank you, Egbon Gbolahan Lawal-Solarin called in to show his support and English language teacher, Bayo Oguntuase.

You are all appreciated.

Remember, the globe is ours and we will collectively remain focused on its survival. Plant a tree today in your neighbourhood, just as the Babatunde Fashola Administration is doing in Lagos State, so that we can all breathe easier, say hi to a stranger at the bus stop and put a smile on a tight face.

See you next week.

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

61

NEWS 2015: Ijaw elders to meet Arewa, Ohanaeze, OPC Continued from page 4

•Ekiti State Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu flanked by her Permanent Secretary, Mr. Babatunde Alokan (right) and Dr.Funmilola Alokan at the Pisgah Assembly of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Ijebu, Akure, Ondo State during a family thanksgiving by the Permanent Secretary... yesterday

K

Fresh wave of kidnapping hits Anambra

IDNAPPING has returned full blast to Anambra State, creating fresh worries for the government, which has spent millions of naira on security.

Governor Peter Obi has paid special attention to kidnapping in his approach to the insecurity in the state.

Mostly hit by the new wave of kidnappings are the commercial capital Onitsha and the state capital, Awka.

Yesterday, a woman was kidnapped in her house in Fegge area of the commercial city while preparing for the Sunday church service.

It was a sad Saturday night in Nkwelle Umudioka in

•Man kidnapped, one killed by abductors From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Awka, when suspected kidnappers killed one man and injured another.

Though, Anambra State Police was aware of the kidnappings, they declined to confirm the incidents, when our correspondent contacted them.

But sources said a man identified as Oba, was killed by the kidnappers.

However, an eye witness said the five man gang stormed the community at 8.30pm in an L300 Mitsubishi Bus.

An eye witness recounted: “they kidnapped one unidentified man, but unfortunately their vehicles engine failed to start when they were about to go.

“They then flagged down an oncoming vehicle, pulled out person in the car and shot him dead.”

“Before they realised what was happening, they man they kidnapped was running away but they shot him in the legs and ran away before people started coming out” It was gathered yesterday that the two vehicles were

Oshiomhole hails National Assembly’s stance on Rivers crisis

E

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has commended the National Assembly for its position on the crisis rocking the River State House of Assembly.

Oshiomhole urged religious leaders to speak out on issues affecting the nation.

He spoke at the funeral service for former Deputy Senate President Albert Legogie who died on June 17 in Benin City.

Legogie was buried at the Ekperi community cemetery after a funeral service at the Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church at Ugbekpe-Ekperi in Estako Central Local Government Area of Edo State.

In his homily, Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Dunia urged the congregation to live their lives to the glory of God.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Rev. Dunia said pure heart would determine where one goes after life.

Senate President, David Mark, who was represented

by Minority Leader George Akume, described late Legogie as a courageous and patriotic Nigerian who served at a difficult time in the country.

Deputy Senate President, Emeka Ihedioha described late Legogie as one of those who had courage to face the military.

Oshiomhole recalled how the late Legogie attempted to stop him from organising a strike against fuel price during the military era.

He said Legogie advised that the strike was not neccessary at that time because of the situation in the country.

Oshiomhole said the former Deputy Senate President sup-

ported his aspiration to become governor.

“I told him I wanted him to coordinate my campaign. He believed I was not crazy. He accepted to coordinate my campaigns. He took me to meet political actors one by one. Where others saw danger, he saw opportunity that can be overcome. He was the only Afenmai man that agreed to identify to a project that is hopeless. Our people were told that it was not our turn but others were wrong then and he was right. He was not a traitor. He stood by me where others were afraid.”

Oshiomhole, who queried why it was difficult for the Justice Development and Peace Commission to monitor elections but refused to testify at the elections tribunal, urged men of God to join the people in speaking the truth.

taken to the Police station in Awka.

A police officer who pleaded anonymity told the Nation that kidnappers had held Awka hostage since over a week, adding that about a week ago, a business man who owns a filling station in the state capital was kidnapped and released Saturday evening.

The officer said: “ kidnapping has returned to Anambra State after a lull. and the way it is happening in Onitsha has become worrisome to everybody. It is unfortunate.“

important sections of the country would work against Jonathan in 2015.

The meeting was convened by Bayelsa State Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, Dr. Felix Tuodolor.

One of the leaders, Chief Thompson Okorotie, submitted that Jonathan deserved a second term in office.

But he said there must be ethnic harmony to guarantee a second term for the President.

“He is doing so much than any other person has done.

So, he is going for a second term”, he said.

Another elder, Churchill Enebele, observed that the Ijaw Youth Congress, a critical group in the zone, was engulfed in a crisis that must be resolved to speak for Jonathan with one voice.

“The IYC crisis must be resolved to elect a credible candidate that will plot the affairs of the presidential election in 2015”, he said.

But Prof.

Alagoa’s suggestion that the elders should form a group to meet with Arewa and Ndiigbo was adopted by other elders.

“We want to urge them for support and appeal to them to reach out to their larger group to return the President

before the election starts”, he said.

Tuodolor said the Ijaw Nation had yet to meet its collective aspirations despite its strategic importance to the country.

He said: “Sadly too, the insurgency, ideologically depraved Boko Haram does not help matters at the center as the lack of peace and security of lives and property not only distort the social order but practically impedes meaningful development.

“This anomaly is itself a travesty of justice. It is an ideology of the anomie; to make the country ungovernable, a detestable ideology of calling the dog a bad name in order to hang it.

“That is why we must not allow our son to stand alone in the rain so that his reign of power may not go down on the wrong side of history.

“And very importantly, we must press home for him to serve our country beyond one term so that he will consolidate on the gains of his rule which far exceeds that of any administration.

“Other regions or nations should control theirs as it is the tenets of true federalism.

Also, INC should lead the process of building solid bridges between the Ijaws and other ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta first and then the rest of the Nigeria”.

Three Boko Haram suspects killed in failed Borno mosque attack

T

HREE suspected members of the Boko Haram sect were lynched at the weekend in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital which is the epicentre of the activities of the sect.

The suspects allegedly came from Bama council area on Saturday evening and invaded the El- Amin Daggash Mosque in Maiduguri GRA during Tafsir (Ramadan

Preaching), attempting to kill the preacher, Modu Mustapha.

However, they were lynched by the angry mob which killed one of the suspects, arrested the other who they eventually killed.

They were said to have come in a Golf Saloon car and a tricycle, carrying AK47 rifles and a pistol.

‘Rivers crisis can truncate democracy’ Continued from page 4

•Oshiomhole

“At the beginning, there was argument whether 16 is greater than 19. While we were looking for Chike Obi to give us the answer, then we heard that five is more than 27. If men of God don’t shout then, they will tell us that one is more than 99. At that point, it is the end of the beginning. My lord, help us carry the load to our head.”

He said.

ings, justice will not prevail.”

The former governor said the onus is on President Jonathan to intervene in the crisis in the interest of the well being of Nigerians by sanctioning the key players and actors appropriately.

He advised the President not to allow some shallow minded and selfish politicians to derail him from fulfilling his promises to Nigerians.

Kalu urged guests, who were mostly youths, to return home and not be dis-

couraged by the challenges being faced in Nigeria.

He charged them to contribute their quota by imbibing and upholding the good values of the society.

He said: “We must work together for one united and indivisible Nigeria while strengthening our democracy.”

Okonkwo, father of the graduand and Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC, the political party in formation, urged Kalu, who recently rejoined the PDP, to join the progressives by teaming up with the APC. But Kalu declined.

Rivers political crisis: ‘Presidency must not shield Bipi, Nwogu’

Continued from page 4

Obuah, a Wike acolyte, however, described the police declaration of Lloyd wanted over the attempted murder, as a welcome development.

Obuah also urged the police to invite and investigate the Governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), for allegedly supervising the “show of shame” in the hallowed chambers of Rivers Assembly on July

9.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, also invited Lloyd; the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Amaechi, Debeware Semeikumo (ASP); and the Chief Security Officer (CSO), Tony Iwelu; but it was not clear as at press time, if the Assembly’s leader would honour the invitation.

Bipi was later hosted by President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja and took time to in-

teract with journalists, while insisting that he remained the “speaker” of the Rivers House of Assembly.

Okwukwu said: “I am surprised about the attitude of the police for declaring only Chidi Lloyd wanted, when it is very clear that Bipi and Nwogu were also deeply involved in the July 9 fracas on the floor of the Rivers House of Assembly.

“Bipi was proudly saying: ‘I blow Chidi Lloyd, I beat am, I kick am, I punch am, I box am very well,’ while

Nwogu directed his security aides and thugs to shoot at Governor Amaechi on t h e f l o o r o f t h e R i v er s House of Assembly. These are criminal offences.

“Bipi also attempted to seize a rifle from a policeman and struggle ensured between them in the House of Assembly. Police should also investigate it.”

The lawyer said the police’s investigation must not be one-sided but holistic, in order to get to the root of the matter, for peace

to reign in Rivers state.

Okwukwu’s position was corroborated by a member of the Rivers House of Assembly, Victor Amadi, who represents Etche constituency 1 and the Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, Ibim Semenitari, who stated that Nwogu ordered that Amaechi be shot on floor of the Rivers Assembly.

Amadi added that Bipi slapped the duly-elected speaker (Amachree), after punching Lloyd.

The representative of Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro constituency of Rivers State in the House of Representatives, Dakuku Peterside, maintained that the ADC and the CSO to Amaechi were duty bound to protect the governor, whose life was threatened in Rivers Assembly.

Rivers Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, said Lloyd was declared wanted after he failed to respond to police invitation, which elapsed on July 16.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

62

SPORT EXTRA

Victor Moses opens pre-season goal account

S

UPER Eagles’ forward Victor Moses opened his pre-season goal account by scoring in Chelsea’s comprehensive 41 over a Malaysia XI at the Shah Alam Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.

The Nigeria international who started the game from the bench scored the Blues’ only goal of the second half with one minute left on the

•Grants interview to Chelsea TV

By Akeem Lawal clock.

Burkinabé international footballer, Bertrand Traore opened the space in the fifth minute, tapping home a low cross from Kevin De Bruyne.

De Bruyne doubled their advantage just before the half hour mark, while Romeo Lukaku put the tie to bed in first-half injury time with a near post finish to make it 3-0.

There was drama in the dying stages of the match as

Moses drove home a fourth for Chelsea in the 88th minute. The former Wigan striker received the ball on the left wing, and proceeded to drift inside and put the ball in the back of the net thanks to a wicked

ABS bags players' Union Award

A

BUBAKAR Bukola Saraki Football Club, ABS FC, Ilorin has bagged a Special Merit Award of the Association of Professional Footballers Of Nigeria, (APFON), for being the only club in Nigeria not indebted to its players as well as for its special concern for the welfare and future of its players.

APFON Secretary General, Autine Popo said, this special act of professionalism by ABS FC remain a positive signal aimed at educating other clubs on the need to take welfare of players with utmost priority.

The Association praised the Proprietor of ABS FC, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (CON) and the management of the club for paying special attention to players and officials welfare as well as adhering strictly to contractual agreements.

In another development, ABS FC has been commended for its discipline and professionalism in the handling of its home and away matches as it concerns the security of match officials.

President of Nigeria Referees Association, NRA, Alhaji Ahmed Maude disclosed that reports reaching him from his men on the fied that no referee has complained of insult or assault in all home matches of ABS FC, hence, he commended the team and urged other clubs to emulate the Saraki Club.

Meanwhile, the entire management, players and officials of the club have dedicated the special award to the proprietor of the club, Senator Abubakar Bukola

Nzigamasobo makes history in Nigerian League

F

ORMER Vital'O midfielder, Stiv Nzigamasobo, has entered the history books as the first East African to play in Nigeria's Glo Premier League after sealing a deal with sixtime Nigerian Champions, Enugu Rangers.

Nzigamasobo came off the bench when Rangers played Nembe City on Matchday 22 in Enugu.

"I'm happy to play in Nigeria with Enugu Rangers. It's a big team with good players," the midfielder said to supersport.com.

Rangers coach, Okey Emordi, told supersport.com that Nzigamasobo was brilliant in their two-legged encounter in the CAF Champions League.

The Burundian becomes the third foreigner at Enugu side which already has Senegalese central defenders, Pierre Coly and Pape Ousmane Sane.

•Team erased by Referees Association •Management, players, officials dedicate award to Saraki Saraki.

General Manager of the club, Alloy Chukwuemeka said this award is a clear indication that the vision of Saraki, to make the club a model for other clubs to emulate is really coming to fruition.

He said Saraki believes that motivation of players remains the best way to get the best out of the players whom he described as the real actors.

It would be recalled that ABS FC remains the only club in Nigeria, so far not indebted to any player or official.

The club is also known to have ensured that majority of its players are encouraged to go to school by securing admission and support for them.

ABS FC has a special accommodation for its players and officials, better transportation for trainings

and matches, special kits for travelling, matches and events, up to date payment of salaries and bonuses as well as strict adherence to

payment of contractual sign on fees, and organization of capacity-building seminars for players' future after football.

deflection and some poor goalkeeping. Malaysian substitute Mohammad Fadhli Shas, however, grabbed a consolation for the hosts to end the game at 4-1.

The 22 year old striker, who has been included in the Super Eagles’ list released by Stephen Keshi to prosecute the Nelson Mandela Challenge against Bafana Bafana on August 14 in Durban, was however captured while being interviewed by Chelsea TV immediately after the encounter.

An excited Moses then took to twitter to express his feelings towards his goal.

“Great win today and good performance from the boys. Really pleased to get on the scoresheet too #Chelsea”, he twitted.

•Victor Moses being interviewed by Chelsea TV after his team’s 4-1 win over a Malaysia XI at the Shah Alam Stadium in Kuala Lu

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

63

SPORT EXTRA

3SC ban: Babalade faults NFF S

HOOTING Stars Football Club Team Manager, Ajibade Babalade has faulted the ruling of the Organising and Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) who placed a six-match ban on him and 3SC midfielder, Phillip Asuquo for assaulting Referee Chris Santos Okoro from Imo State in the Globacom Nigeria Professional Football League match week 20 between 3SC and Kwara United in Ibadan.

The match which ended in 11 score draw, was reported marred with fracas shortly after the end of the match. The NFF’s O and D Committee also placed a 3-match ban on the Lekan Salami Stadium which commenced from yesterday.

The Former Super Eagles’

•Challenges referee to prove case From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja defender, Babalade, however, cried foul over the decision reeled out by the Committee last week in Abuja. He claimed himself and Asuquo did not commit the offence and they were unjustly punished.

"Firstly I would say honestly that I did not commit the said offence and Asuquo did not too. I fault the decision of the O and D Committee of the NFF. This match was recorded and the video clips was neither presented at the hearing. I was not even summoned to come and defend myself, the Referee too was not invited before the verdict was made and ban slammed on me,

Asuquo and the club", a very disappointed 3SC Team Manager told NationSport via telephone at the weekend.

He also continued in his defence, "it is unfair to be banned for what we did not do. We took good care welfare wise of the said officials that day the way we have been doing for other officials that have been officiating our matches. We also know the implications of maltreating Match officials so we couldn't have done that.

"It is unfair to be banned for the offence I and my player did not commit. I am very sad about this. Mr Okoro's indictment wants to put my name and family name in disrepute for an offence I am not guilty of. I can

swear with my late father and mother's graves that I did not touch referee Santos Okoro in the said match (3SC versus Kwara United).

The referee said I slapped him which made the O and D Committee of the NFF place a six match ban on me and Asuquo and the team now play behind doors for three home matches. This decision is too harsh on us.

I can never assault a referee because I have reputation and wouldn't want to soil my reputation that I have built over decades.

"I have left the whole matter in the hands of the ultimate Judge, God Almighty who will judge the case and everybody involved", Babalade said with a tone of total sadness.

FEDERATION CUP

LMC shifts Glo League Week 23 to August 3

T

HE Nigeria Glo Premier League will go on another break till August 3 after Week 22 matches this weekend to give way for Federation Cup games a top official has disclosed.

Match Day 22 matches hold across the country in 10 centres on Sunday July 21 but the league will take a 13 day break till August 3&4 when matchday 23 ties will be decided.

Revealing this to NationSport, a top official of the League Management Company said that the break would afford the Nigeria Football

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri Federation(NFF) the organiser of the Federation Cup to make do with those periods to plan for the later stages of the oldest clubs competition in the land.

"It is true that the league will resume on August 3. It is for the league season to accommodate the Federation Cup matches that informed the shift in the date of Week 23 matches," the source confirmed.

Federation Cup Round of 16 will take place on Wednesday July 24 while other stages will hold subsequently.

Wikki fans attack El-Kanemi players •Beat up match officials •Match abandoned in 78th minute

M

ATCH officials and players of El Kanemi Warriors were at the receiving end of fans brutality at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium during their Week 22 Glo Premier League tie against Wikki Tourists.

It was alleged that Wikki Tourists fans invaded the pitch immediately Chadian player, Hassan Hussein scored the only goal of the match in the 78th minute and they(the fans) beat the match officials to a pulp and also descended on the players of El Kanemi Warriors.

NationSport gathered that two players of El Kanemi were rushed to the hospital for medical attention from the beating they received from the Wikki Tourists' fans.

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri Speaking with NationSport after the game was abandoned, the head coach of El Kanemi, Zachary Baraje stated that it was only God that saved him from the irate mob before he was able to run for his dear life.

He said trouble started when they got a goal converted by Hassan Hussein in the 78th minute.

"I have not seen this kind of treatment in my entire life as a coach. It was a very horrible sight to behold. We were playing very well and scored a good goal only for the fans to run on to the pitch and descend on the match officials and my players. Two of my players are now in the hospital. One was terribly beaten," Baraje said.

NIGERIA PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE •World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion, Osita Offor, also known as De Ultimate Commander (left); South African Consular General, Ambassador Mokgethi Sam Monaisa; Sports Promoter, Aghalieaku Arinze; and popular musician, Tee Mac; during the celebration

South Africa impressed with Nigerian support for Mandela

S

ATURDAY, June 20, was a special day for South Africans living in Nigeria. It was a day they invited their friends and business associates to the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos, to join them in celebrating the 95th day anniversary of their first post-apartheid President, Nelson Mandela, who recently turned 95.

To mark the day reserved for the icon they call Madiba, the South Africans brought out some of the things that make the southernmost country in Africa a unique nation.

There were speeches, drinks, and photographs, but the special day was made more exciting by the unique South African music, which drew both the old and the young to

•De Ultimate commander hailed the dance floor to demonstrate a well-choreographed style of dance step made popular by the late Brenda Fassie.

Among the dignitaries at the event were world heavyweight wrestling champion, Osita Offor, also known as De Ultimate Commander, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations, Disu Holloway, and officials from British and U.S embassies.

Speaking at the event, an excited South African Consulate General in Lagos, Ambassador Mokgethi Sam Monaisa said he was thrilled by the huge turn out of Nigerians to celebrate Mandela’s 95th birthday.

According to Monaisa, “the presence of the world heavyweight wrestling champion here is a testimony that Mandela is loved by all.

“I met him and he agreed to be part of the Mandela celebrations. This shows that Nigeria and South Africa are one people, who celebrate very good moments together.

“We have seen so many events where Nigerian musicians and other artistes join hands with South Africans to promote the image of the continent.

“In the area of soccer, we have seen the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa playing together and celebrating together. We are

now going to see the world wrestling champion coming from Nigeria to celebrate with us in South Africa.

“We are very happy with Nigeria and Nigerians. We will work towards sustaining this relationship between our countries.”

Monaisa, who urged African leaders to learn from Mandela’s selfless service to humanity, said “everybody here paying tribute to Mandela are all here because of what he did for his fellow human beings and I wish all will draw lessons from the Madiba’s exemplary lifestyle.

“I am happy that this icon has touched the lives of many people, but sincerely I did not know that such a huge crowd would turn out here today.”

Heartland, Rangers, ABS win •Enyimba gets draw in Lafia

H

E A R T L A N D managed a 1-0 home win over Warri Wolves in a Week 22 Glo Premier ties shut from the media and fans at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri The Naze Millionaires began their three-match game to be played under closed door with the victory over the Seasiders after the club was found culpable of breaching public peace after their game against Enyimba on July 3rd.

The media that thronged the stadium were shell shocked to get the information that they were part of those to be exempted from the game.

It was also similar situation at the Lekan Salami Stadium,Ibadan where 3SC were forced to a goalless draw. The media were also barred from reporting the game.

Ebere Odiche scored the only goal in the 18th minute for the Owerri based club.

Heartland have

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri accumulated 31 points from 22 games while Warri Wolves have had their unbeaten run halted again.

They still remain on 34 points from 21 games.

Rangers got another crucial win at home to Nembe City.

They won 2-0 through goals from Ugonna Uzochukwu and Mishack Chukwuike in the 68th and 87th minutes respectively. The Flying Antelopes have 33 points from 22 games.

ABS also piped Gombe United 1-0.

•Bartholomew

WHO SAID WHAT

MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘Let me state categorically that Igbo presidency which appeared impossible in PDP would be actualised under the APC. Therefore, I make bold to say that APC is truly an Igbo party and should be embraced by Ndigbo’ VOL 8 NO 2,554

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

W

HEN former President Olusegun Obasanjo penned his war memoirs, he called it My Command, a cocky title since no one expected anything less than command for a general’s account of his soldiery during the Nigerian Civil War. Again whose command should it have been? Could he have woven the war tales of another general? Readers would have called him presumptuous. Yet, when his fellow combatants read his story, they called him presumptuous. They implied that the earthy man lied through his pen, the man who ran this country twice, once as civilian and the other as soldier, who claimed victory for the war, who affects the air of the soldier as statesman, who even tinkers with the toga of thinker, was not the soldier he claimed. To his credit though, Obasanjo might have claimed to be a soldier but not a gentleman.

Last week, in the presence of other generals, a new book was launched by a participant and witness. The book, titled The Tragedy of Victory, shot to attention through a series of interviews the author, General Alabi Isama, granted this newspaper.

At the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, the book, My Command, was ambushed, tackled, shot and killed. It was also buried without fanfare. The command was led by Isama, with a book as counter-narrative. The pictures and maps served as artilleries, the memories and other documents as bullets. But the witnesses who materialised on stage at the launch starred as the bombs. The grenadiers include the urbane General Alani Akinrinade, the fiery General Theophilus Danjuma, the genteel General Yakubu Gowon as well as General Mobolaji Johnson, General Sunday Tuoyo, Col. Oyinlade Iluyomade, aka Hitler, Major Salau. We also had the female testimonies from Mrs. Utuk and Senator Ita-Giwa.

The witnesses came one after the other to attest to the testimony of Isama. Two truths cannot inhabit one room, since one represents light and the other darkness. With the blast of illumination from Isama’s book, Obasanjo’s My Command slid into an obituary. So My Command, aged 32, was buried in a ceremony of witnesses. Kunle Ajibade, a master book reviewer, brought the book alive for the audience. For irony, a lady named Taiwo Obasanjo, the creator’s ex-wife, said the closing prayers.

When generals tell war stories they owe us truths. It is a point of view but it ought to be faithful to facts. Hence other generals have written stories like the legendary but brash George Patton who titled his memoirs War As I Knew It. My Command told basic stories. One, that he was the true hero of the 3 Marine Commando.

Two, all the other generals and subordinates stumbled. Three, that he crafted the strategy that ended the war. That the 3 Marine Commando women operated mainly as flesh comforts for the soldiers. Maps also told the stories. Isama called Obasanjo a blundering general. Obasanjo denied the claims. At the launch, he painted a picture of a fleeing Obasanjo in battle who suffered a bullet in the buttocks.

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

intouchsam@yahoo.com 08054501081(sms only) •NMMA Columnist of the Year

Obituary

Isama’s account made better sense to me because of the authority of the pictures and maps and the consistency of the narrative. Nothing helped this position than the corroboration from Akinrinade and the others.

Isama’s book told important stories. One, that General Benjamin Adekunle, who commanded the division before Obasanjo took over, gave a good account of himself until the latter part of the hostilities when he became paranoid. According to Isama, and confirmed by Akinrinade, Adekunle plotted an ambush and murder of the two gentlemen. Adekunle, through his son, backed Isama’s accounts. The book also unveils the interconnectedness of the war, Igbo fighting for Nigeria and Nigerians fighting for Biafra. Isama shows pictures of Igbo caught in battle but they signed up to fight for Nigeria. It depicted the war as a meaningless bloodshed of brothers.

Gowon came across as a bumbling commander in chief who ran a war without a central command. Isama fought shy of that con-

clusion but it was obvious as General Madiebo affirms in his books. Akinrinade confirmed this in a recent interview with this newspaper. Gowon could not rein in his errant generals. He also has blood of thousands on his hands for not stopping General Murtala Muhammed from forcing his troops across the Niger Bridge. As Akinrinade and also Isama show, it threw soldiers into a suicide dive. Murtala, the erratic general who played hero in his short time as Nigeria’s ruler, gave account of himself as a strategic tragedy, bearing deaths and wounded. He could not escape the charge of genocide in the Igbo-speaking Midwest.

Also bumbling was General Shuwa, who commanded the First Division. He kept moving from village to village in the East, a thing that forced the Igbo into a rudderless life of impoverished wanderers. Nigeria did not design the war to kill Igbo but to defeat Biafra. His understanding of war, as Akinrinade himself confessed, could have taken the war another ten years. Those who call Shuwa a hero miss the point, and Gowon, the leader, played the politics of survival and let Shuwa and Murtala their tyrannous runs. Gowon became head of state as a Christian, non-Hausa-Fulani compromise in the aftermath of the pogrom that killed Igbo and other southerners who were not Yoruba. Historians should get the facts right.

The pogrom was directed at Igbo but killed non-Igbo in huge numbers. That accounted for the preliminary neutrality of Midwest at the beginning of the conflict. No one has accounted for the number of Efiks, Annang and Ibibio slaughtered in the North. The phrase Igbo pogrom understates the fatalities of other ethnic groups.

Gowon wanted to entrench himself and so would not upset his applecart by expressing authority over two supposedly northern generals. Murtala was from the old Midwest, now Edo, by birth, although he lay claim to the North. Gowon was, therefore, too weak a soldier to craft a grand scheme and implement them. He was lucky Biafra

HARDBALL

I

T can pass for infanticide, or if you prefer, prolicide which is the killing of offsprings.

This is the verisimilitude of what the Senate endorsed last Wednesday when it reversed a vote to outlaw under-aged marriage in the on-going constitution amendment. The Senate actually amended Section 29(a) of the 1999 Constitution that pegs full marriage age to 18! But what rankles is not the fact that the ‘distinguished’ men and women in the hallowed chambers of the legislature have proposed the legalisation of child ‘abduction’, no, it is the fact that our women folk – mothers, aunties, big sisters and even grandmothers have kept a deathly silence at a moment that requires tirades, placards and even chestbaring.

The Senate’s stealth, slimy legalising of girl-child abuse had gone almost unnoticed except for the vigilance and lone voice of the wife of the governor of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi who was reported to have ‘slammed’ the Senate. What could the Senate be think-

Erelu’s lone voice ing to have tampered with Section 29(a), what is the rationale, what is the nobler motive, what is the edifying thoughts that informed the un-pegging of marriage age from 18 years? Now that they have left it loose where do we draw the line? If there is no upper limit of marriage age, is there a lower limit?

Man’s wickedness and inhumanity is best symbolised in the girl-child living with the open, smelly and festering sore of a damaged vagina. It is an ugly condition called Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF). It is caused by under-aged pregnancy and childbirth which leads to the damage of the victims’ reproductive organs. But sadder still is that these little girls are often abandoned and left for dead once they have met this horrid fate.

The man walks away to seek yet another prey leaving behind a life nipped in the bud. It is estimated that there are about 400,000 ‘little

girl-mothers in the North suffering this fate.

It is also instructive that most of the Senators who voted for this callous amendment are from the North.

Does the Senate require special seminars to learn that age 1 to 18 of a child, especially the girl child, is key for parental care and mentoring, physical maturation and development of vital feminine organs? Does the Senate need to be reminded that this is the crucial period of a child’s life for life training, education, social and psychological stabilising required for adulthood? How on earth could a Senate legislate that marriage could be consummated before a girl-child is 18 years of age? What is the great hurry to get a little girl married off if it is supposed to be a life-time commitment? What manner of adult man would put in a family way, a little girl who hardly has breasts to suckle

ROCHAS OKOROCHA

did not pull through Ore. Thanks to soldiers like Iluyomade who held off the numerically superior Biafran troops.

In Isama’s narrative, the Biafran army blew important opportunities to win the war early.

Why did Ojukwu, another bumbler, ask his army to undertake a long trek to Lagos? Why did the army not restrict itself to defend the East, which was the seceding entity? It was Ojukwu’s ego, his rivalry with Gowon but also, ironically, his divided selves as a Biafran who also was instinctively Nigerian all the same.

Frederick Forsyth, who worked for Ojukwu, wrote recently that Victor Banjo lost the war.

Banjo was an opportunist who hoodwinked Ojukwu but wanted to take over the country in the so-called Third Force. The Ija Ore that resulted led to a disorganised Biafran retreat to the Midwest. Why again did Biafra want to pass through Ibadan? Other routes of surprise existed? Say, for instance, Ilorin. The Ore narrative is still not fully told as yet.

Why did Biafra recruit many Midwest Igbo officers of sterling records and abilities, and why, according to Isama, were all of them either locked up or killed for being saboteurs?

The story begs for details how a whole corps of officers, who exhibited Biafran elan at the outset, became enemies? Was Ojukwu, like Adekunle, not paranoid? Isama said Adekunle wanted to conquer Aba, Owerri and Umuahia (OAU) to make a meeting of the Organisation of African Unity meeting in 1969. He neglected counsels of caution from Isama and Akinrinade about taking Owerri head on.

Isama argued that Obasanjo took over and wanted to continue Adekunle’s follies.

Obasanjo’s first foray was a disaster. He also remained in Port Harcourt and did not know how Akinrinade finished the war but used subterfuge to ensure that other generals like Shuwa, Muhammed, Adekunle did appear at the Biafran surrender ceremony.

Was it not a statement of Ojukwu’s naivety that he had the best officers but failed because of strategic errors? As Tolstoy shows in his book of love and generals, War and Peace, a war is won not by those who shoot the gunpowder but those who devise the strategy. Ojukwu assumed that his army alone could win the war.

Shuwa thought so too. Germany had the strongest army in the world when World War Two began; so did Napoleon in his wars. Weather, more than American prowess or Russian doggedness, humiliated Hitler. Snowed crippled the “little” generals machine.

From Isama’s account, Biafra succeeded in propaganda to the outside world, but did not win the hearts of the minorities in the present Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Edo and Bayelsa states. They easily signed on to fight for 3 Marine Commando.

Isama’s book raises many more issues. It is a book written with decency and candour but shows that war never solves anything. Germany rules Europe now without a shot, and all the battles have turned out to be a waste of lives. Isama did not want the fire of hate but healing power of truth. That is what My Command lost. We gained a better story from Isama.

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above a baby?

Hardball wagers that the Senators in proposing this amendment were thinking with their phalluses. It is a vile piece of legislature concocted in the heat of a weird libidinal seizure. Unfortunately, bizarre legislature like this takes its toll mainly on the poor and downtrodden; no little girl of any Senator will be married of at 12, never. But this law will not stand; all the Senators in the land will have to give away their all 12-year-old girls in marriage first. Just because Nigerians accepted it when a grand-father Senator took a 13-year-old for a wife the other day, now they have made it a law.

Mrs. Fayemi has made the clarion call: “I want to charge the women to rise up and reject the action by pressing for the criminalisation of early marriage in Nigeria.”

This is the fight for all mothers in Nigeria, a just fight. March down the Senate if you must but this masochistic, primitive law must not stand.

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