The Nation July 23, 2014

Newspaper of the Year

Kidnap suspect held in Ibadan •Abduction attempt foiled

News Fashola to army: expose bad eggs P7 Sports Joel Obi stays with Inter Milan P24 Business CBN to save $6b from BDC policy P56

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VOL. 9, NO. 2916 WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

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•’Zimbabwe formula’ won’t work, says Adeleke AND MORE •August 4 deadline for collection of PVCs •ON PAGE 8 •NYSC promises fairness•’Don’t share rice to voters’

•HERE WE ARE: Some of the girls who escaped from Boko Haram during the meeting with President Jonathan at the Presidential Villa …yesterday. SEE ALSO PAGES 2-4

PHOTO:AKIN OLADOKUN

Boko Haram: 11 Chibok schoolgirls’ parents dead Tears as returnee-pupils recount ordeal at meeting with Jonathan

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ONTHS of controversy over the need for President Goodluck Jonathan to meet the parents of the abducted Chibok girls ended yesterday – somehow.

Dr. Jonathan met the dis-

traught parents, not in the troubled Borno State town but in the cosy Presidential Villa in Abuja where the true picture of the grief caused by the April 15 incident was brought home.

Eleven of the parents of the more than 200 kidnapped

Nigeria’s economy outlook bright, says World Bank

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From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

IGERIA’S short term macroeconomic outlook improved in the first half of this year relative to 2013, according to the World Bank in its new Nigeria Economic Report (NER) launched yesterday in Abuja.

The report states: “Revenues to the Federation have increased, foreign reserves have stabilised, the Excess Crude Account (ECA) has

schoolgirls will never see their daughters again.

Since the mass abduction of the schoolgirls by Boko Haram Islamic extremists three months ago, at least 11 of their parents have died and their hometown, Chibok, is under

siege from the militants, residents told Associated Press (AP).

Seven fathers of kidnapped girls were among 51 bodies brought to Chibok hospital after an attack on the nearby village of Kautakari this month,

said a health worker who insisted on anonymity for fear of reprisals by the extremists.

At least four more parents have died of heart failure, high blood pressure and other illnesses that the community blames on trauma due to the

mass abduction 100 days ago, said community leader Pogu Bitrus, who provided their names.

“One father of two of the girls kidnapped just went into a kind of coma and kept Continued on page 4

Four: Head, Globacom Business Support Group, Yomi Ogunbamowo (middle), with (from left) Head of VAS, Nagasai Viswanath, Adebanke Kuyinu, Ijeoma Ngodo and Head of Data, Segun Adeyemo at the launch of Glo Ringa at the Mike Adenuga Towers, Lagos…yesterday

Continued on page 4

•LIFE P15 •SPORTS P23 •MONEY P26 •INVESTORS P28 •POLITICS P51 •FOREIGN P60

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

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NEWS

Chibok girls... 10

•From left: Group Executive, Technology and Services, FirstBank Plc, Mr. Akin Tanimokun; Head, Business Development, Sub-Saharan Africa, Paypal, Ms. Melvina Goldfeld; First Bank’s Group Managing Director/CEO Mr. Bisi Onasanya and Regional Director, Sub-Saharan Africa and Isreal, Paypal, Mr. Efi Dahal at the launch of FirstBank Paypal Partnership in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

Today marks 100 days since over 200 schoolgirls were abducted in Chibok, Borno State. About 57 of them escaped and re-united with their families. Close to 200 are still with the insurgents.

About a dozen parents of the girls have since died, writes YUSUF ALLI.

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•From left: Senator Gbenga Kaka, Senator Chris Ngige, Managing Director\CEO Bank of Industry, Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa, Chairman, Senate Committee on Industry, Senator Nenadi Usman, her deputy, Senator Ibrahim Musa and Senator Ahmad Zannah when the Committee visited BoI in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

•Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga (left) and Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, (NEPC) Olusegun Awolowo( Jr) discussing at a Townhall Meeting with Stakeholders in Lagos... yesterday. With them is Small Medium-scale Enterprises Development Association of Nigeria (SMEDAN) Director -General Alhaji Usman Bature.

PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID

• Director, Office of the Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Sola Enikanolaiye, speaking at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA)17th Brainstorming Session in Lagos... yesterday . With him are member, Governing Council, NIIA, Ambassador Theophilus Shodipo and Chairman of the Council, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu.

PHOTO: NAN

HEN Boko Haram beat security agencies twice to their wits on April 14, the sect did not know that it will be plunging the nation to an unimaginable anguish. The dreaded insurgents had wanted to make a symbolic history with the abduction of 232 girls from the Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State to sound a warning to the military and the international community, especially the United States and the United Nations, that it had become entrenched. But to distract the attention of security agencies from the abduction venture in Chibok, the sect struck at dawn at ElRufai Bus Stop in Nyanya (first Nyanya blast) killing over 71 people.

Thereafter in the night, the belligerents sneaked into Chibok to seize 232 girls, who were about completing their final examinations.

Their mode of operation, which was strange to the nation, initially created doubts on their abduction. Even when the BringBackOurGirls campaign was launched out of sheer patriotism on April 30(16 days after abduction) by concerned Nigerians, including exVice President of the World Bank, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, inborn fighter Hadiza Bala Usman, law-compliant Maryam Uwais and others of like minds, it was branded a gathering of crass opportunists. At a point the doubt assumed a dramatic dimension when the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan held a one-man court at the Presidential Villa leading to a welter of sudden tears and the coinage of a cliché, “Chai, Chai, there is God oh!

Still undone, the police hounded the campaigners until reprieve came from the court upholding their right to protest or hold a sit out, a fake group emerged and fizzled out within a twinkle of an eye.

The global acceptance of the BringBackOurGirls campaign by quintessential leaders, such as President Barack Obama, First Lady Michel Obama, the United Nations and other world leaders jolted the Presidency into action. The hash tags of “BringBackOurGirls” became an instant global costume which people voluntarily wear till date. The international colour put the Presidency under pressure forcing it to look for a safe option of a panel to ascertain if and how the girls were abducted.

For a while, the Presidency lived under the illusion that there was no abduction until the Presidential FactFinding Committee, headed by the nononsense Brig-Gen. Ibrahim Sabo (rtd) cleared the air on June 20 that the sect really struck and seized 276 girls.

Sabo said: “Mr. President, the Committee here wishes to lay to rest any residual doubt whether or not any student was abducted at Chibok. There was mass abduction on the night of 14th April, 2014.

“During the siege on the school, 119 students escaped from the school pre-

Solemn •Solemn moment: A crosssection of parents of the abducted schoolgirls at a meeting with Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja... yesterday.

PHOTOS: AKIN OLADOKUN

•The abducted girls’ headteacher, Mrs Kwambura...yesterday

mises, before the insurgents took away their classmates. A total number of 276 students were, thus, abducted.

“As of today, 57 of the abducted students have been reunited with their families after escaping along the zigzag transport route taken by the insurgents, or by bolting to safety when the insurgents laid-by for a rest. Sadly, 219 students remain unaccounted for.

The findings of the panel have set the tone for a national solution to the Chibok girls palaver. Today the nation is searching for 219 girls.

The controversy was finally laid to rest by the leader of Boko Haram, Imam Abubakar Shekau on May 5, when he released a demoralising video saying: “I abducted your girls.”God instructed me to sell them, they are his properties and I will carry out his instructions.”

Since the abduction of the girls, it emerged yesterday, about a dozen of their parents have died.

What govt has done so far On Sunday, the Federal Government released a document on what it has done to rescue the girls. The document reads in part: “Nigeria has the will, the resources and the strategies to win this fight. It will take time, but we are committed to this course. It is worth noting that we have already achieved some important successes: •The Government has procured new equipment and technology towards strengthening the capability and support for the military and security forces, a recent delivery of such military equipment included highly sophisticated fighter helicopters with

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

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s... 100 days of sorrow, tears and deaths ernment is making efforts.

“We know where they are but we don’t want to endanger their lives, that is the truth, we want to take it ?gradually and release them at the appropriate time. We know where they are, you can go to bed with that.”

But Nigerians are unconvinced; they want the military to take the fight to Sambisa Forest. Leading the pack is a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, who shocked President Goodluck Jonathan, in a post-inauguration address as the Chairman of the Victims Support Fund. He told the President and the audience at the Presidential Villa that “Mr. President, we won’t go to Sambisa Forest. As the Commander-in-Chief, you should take the lead and we will follow.” The message was succinct but frank as a wake up call that the President should do more to curtail Boko Haram.

Options available to the Presidency

BringBackOurGirls to mark 100 days of girls kidnap in Abuja, Ibadan, New York

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HE BringBackOurGirls campaigners will today mark the 100 days of the Chibok girls' abduction with programmes in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan and New York.

A statement by the group endorsed by Hadiza Bala Usman, Oby Ezekwesili, Aisha Oyebode, Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, Betty AnyanwyAkeredolu, Amina Hanga, and Eleanor Ann Nwadinobi reads: "Wednesday, July 23rd will mark 100 days since 276 girls were savagely abducted from their school in Chibok, Borno State.

57 escaped and 219 remain in captivity. The families and community have suffered deep anguish seeking effective rescue to end the peril that befell their daughters who had gone to school in search of knowledge.

"In those 100 days, the Bring Back Our Girls Campaign has focused on creating awareness of the abduction to ensure that it is a priority issue

in-built night vision technology. We are developing an advantage in weapons and reconnaissance capabilities. So far, two (2) divisions of the Nigerian army are focused on the fight with troops on the ground.

•The Government has captured some senior-level Boko Haram commanders who are used as spies and treasury officials. These arrests have yielded valuable intelligence and have unearthed armouries which have been retrieved.

•In mid-July alone, Government forces apprehended three top-level Boko Haram targets: • Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, one of the alleged masterminds of the April 14 bombing of the Nyanya (Abuja) bus station that killed about 100 civilians, was arrested by Nigerian officials after securing his extradition from Sudan. Ogwuche is also accused of leading recruitment efforts for Boko Haram from his base in Sudan. Nigerian Intelligence officials have long been monitoring Nigerian extremists training with Islamist groups in both Somalia and Sudan, where al-Qaeda has a strong presence. Ogwuche is now in Nigerian custody and will face prosecution.

•Boko Haram chief of intelligence was picked up and is now helping investigation.

•Mohammed Zakari, a Boko Haram leader known as the “Chief Butcher” was captured during the Nigerian forces raid on Balmo Forest, during which they expelled Boko Haram insurgents from the area, effectively denying the terrorists a notorious haven and launch point for attacks.

• The Federal Government is cooperating with and empowering local populations across Nigeria in the battle against Boko Haram. Recent ex-

requiring action and compelling the right sets of action for a positive outcome. We have engaged various stakeholders - the Presidency, the National Assembly, the office of the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defense Staff, the Borno State Government & other State Governments, ECOWAS member countries and UN agencies to name a few.

"Through our various meetings, our singular message has been to demand that the Federal Government perform its fundamental duty of ensuring the security and the welfare of its citizens. As we denounce the wave of terror and insecurity across the country, we continue to demand that the Federal Government deploy its resources to ensure that the missing girls are brought home, and the errors leading from three-weeks of delayed action are remedied.

"To amplify our voices in demanding that these

amples of the security forces’ successes resulting from this Government-citizen collaboration include: •A recent Boko Haram threat against the Abuja transportation system was uncovered; the public was alerted and casualties were avoided.

•Following a tip-off, Nigerian police uncovered and prevented a bomb attack near a school in the north eastern city of Gombe.

•The Federal Government recognizes that soft power is crucial in the battle against Boko Haram; force alone will not defeat the insurgency. As a result, the Jonathan Administration is implementing a comprehensive programme of assistance to support, protect, and empower local communities, with a special focus on the most vulnerable areas of the country. Initiative includes: • The Safe Schools Initiative has been developed to safeguard our school children in states under emergency rule by strengthening the security of educational facilities. These measures include providing perimeter fences, housing for teachers, community policing and school guards, alarm systems, and communication equipment.

• The Safe Schools Initiative is a collective effort.

The Federal Government’s spending has been matched dollar for dollar by the private sector and now totals $20 million.

The Federal Government’s goal is to create a fund of $100 million to support this programme and we have already received pledges of support from the UN Special Envoy for Global Education, the World Bank, the African Development Bank and other donors.

•The Federal Government has launched a Presidential Committee on Victims Support tagged “Nigeria Terrorism Victims Support Foundation” which is essentially targeting to raise

girls be brought home now and alive, on the 100th day, there will be a variety of activities around the world. These include: o Ibadan: Press Conference at the BRECAN Centre at 10 am; o Abuja: Special sit-out ceremony at the Unity Fountain at 3 pm; o Lagos: Remembrance service at the Wall of Missing Girls at Falomo Roundabout at 4pm; o New York: Candlelight vigil at the Nigerian Consulate at 5.30pm.

"There will also be events in India, Pakistan, the UK and most world capitals where there are teachers' organisations in partnership with the UN Special Envoy's Office of Gordon Brown.

Organisations participating are World at School, Girls not Brides, Global March Against Child Labour, Walk Free, Educational International and ITa."

$1 billion from a Public-Private Partnership in funding. This Presidential Initiative will mobilize resources and administer appropriate support to victims of insurgency and Boko Haram terror activities across the country. The Committee is Chaired by highly respected retired General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, an accomplished business man, philanthropist and patriot who had supported similar public causes with resounding transparency and enormous goodwill in the past.

•Similarly, over the long term, the Federal Government is developing a comprehensive economic empowerment plan for the region — the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE).

After 100 days: What next?

The question on the many lips of Nigerians is: Will the girls ever be found? The nation had been at the crossroads since April on how to rescue the girls from Boko Haram Gulag.

There had been issues revolving around the capability of the military to confront the sect and set the girls free. Contrary to insinuations, there had been reports indicating that the military has the wherewhittal to tackle Boko Haram. The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, said: “We want our girls back, I can tell you our military can do it, but where they are held, do we go with force? Nobody should say Nigerian military does not know what it is doing. We can’t kill our girls in the name of trying to get them back. So we are working. The President has empowered us to do the work and no one should castigate the military. The good news for parents of the girls is that we know where they are but we cannot tell you. We cannot come and tell you

the military’s secret. Just leave us alone to do our work. We are working to get the girls back. The fight against insurgency is quite different from a full scale war. If we are fighting an external war, Boko Haram would have been begging us to withdraw. Nigerian military had proved its worth in the civil war, Liberia and Sierra-Leone wars and in the process returned democracy to those countries”.

In spite of the assurance of Badeh, the situation got to a point that offers came from the US, Britain, France, SriLanka and others. But these international forces have also realized that the terrain is actually difficult. But the international community is not giving up. The French President hosted a meeting of Presidents of Chad, Cameroon, Niger Republic and Benin Republic in Paris in order to create a strong regional cooperation against terrorism. This is already yielding results with Cameroon coming hard on Boko Haram which had always used its territory as a base.

Why military is yet to invade Sambisa Forest For tactical reasons and to minimise collateral damage, the military has restricted the battle to free the girls to Frontline Areas comprising mostly of the precincts of Sambisa Forest. The battle of Sambisa edges had yielded some dividends like arrest of Boko Haram contacts/ links, discovery of transit routes of the sect, and attacks which have left more than 500 members of the sect dead. Speaking with State House correspondents, shortly after a National Security Council (NSC) meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, the Director of State Security (SSS), Ita Ekpeyong said: “The issue of Chibok girls, gov-

There are three options available to the presidency to rescue the girls. These are outright launching of full-scale war against Boko Haram by taking the battle to Sambisa Forest; swapping of detained Boko Haram members for the abducted girls and amicable settlement involving payment of ransom. The international community and military hierarchy are opposed to payment of ransom and Nigerians are also sharply divided on which path to tread. A source in the presidency said: “The government has continuously restated its position and willingness to dialogue with the sect. To demonstrate this fact, it set up the Turaki Committee, which went round the country especially the North East with a view to eliciting a discussion with members of the sect. It would however not subject the release of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls to prisoner swap.

“Although it has remained committed to dialogue, it will explore only the best options possible and available to it with a view to achieving the release of the girls and stopping insurgency in its track.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Waziri Tambuwal, however last week said: “If negotiation is what would bring back for example Chibok girls, for goodness sake, let us negotiate with them.”

Will the girls be rescued before the next 100 days?

Will the girls ever be rescued? No one has the answer other than the Commander-In-Chief whom Nigerians will now hold accountable. At a meeting with 51 of the abducted girls and some parents at the Presidential Villa yesterday, President Goodluck Jonathan offered the nation a ray of hope.

He said: “Anyone who gives you the impression that we are aloof and that we are not doing what we are supposed to do to get the girls out is not being truthful.

“Our commitment is not just to get the girls out; it is also to rout Boko Haram completely from Nigeria. But we are very, very mindful of the safety of the girls. We want to return them all alive to their parents. If they are killed in any rescue effort, then we have achieved nothing.

“Our duty now is to take all relevant steps to recover our girls alive and our primary interest is getting them out as safely as possible. I will not want to say much, but we are doing everything humanly possible to get the girls out.

“This not the time for talking much.

This is the time for action. We will get to the time that we will tell stories. We will get to the time that we will celebrate and I assure you that, by God’s grace, that time will come soon.”

This is a bond the President has entered into. Will he walk the talk? Nigerians leave Jonathan to history.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

Bauchi hosting two million displaced people, says governor

Boko Haram: 11 Chibok schoolgirls’ parents dead

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Continued from page 1

repeating the names of his daughters, until life left him,” said Bitrus.

Chibok is cut off because of frequent attacks on the roads that are studded with burned out vehicles. Commercial flights no longer go into the troubled area and the government has halted charter flights.

Through numerous phone calls to Chibok and the surrounding area, The Associated Press has gathered information about the situation in the town where the students were kidnapped from their school.

More danger is on the horizon.

Boko Haram is closing in on Chibok, attacking villages ever closer to the town. Villagers who survive the assaults are swarming into the town, swelling its population and straining resources. A food crisis looms, along with shortages of money and fuel, said community leader Bitrus.

On the bright side, some of the young women who escaped are recovering, said a health worker, who insisted on anonymity because he feared reprisals from Boko Haram. Girls who had first refused to discuss their experience, now are talking about it and taking part in therapeutic singing and drawing — a few drew homes, some painted flowers and one young woman drew a picture of a soldier with a gun last week.

Girls who said they would never go back to school now are thinking about how to continue their education, he said.

Counselling is being offered to families of those abducted and to some of the 57 students who managed to escape in the first few days, said the health worker. He is among 36 newly trained in grief and rape counselling, under a programme funded by USAID. All the escapees remain deeply concerned about their schoolmates who did not get away.

A presidential committee investigating the kidnappings said 219 girls still are missing. But the community says there are more because some parents refused to give the committee their daugh-

•President Jonathan discussing with some of the parents in Abuja yesterday.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

Tears as returnee-pupils recount ordeal

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EHIND the huge doors of the banquet hall at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Goodluck Jonathan listened yesterday to the moving story of the abducted Chibok girls.

Girls, women and men from Chibok broke down in tears as three of the girls – Godia Simon, Dorcas Musa and Joy Bishara - narrated their ordeal in the hands of their Boko Haram abductors.

They spoke about how they were captured and how they escaped. Reporters were shut out .

There was pin drop silence in the hall as the girls spoke.

A member of the Abuja Chibok Community, Dr. Wakai Chibok, told the 84 th sit-out of the #BringBackOurGirls protesters in Abuja what transpired at the meeting, held on the 99th day of the girls’ abduction from the Government Scondary School, Chibok, Borno State. Today is the 100th day.

There are still 219 girls in the custody of the sect whose whereabouts government officials have continuously said they know.

“How to rescue the girls alive is what we want,” State Security Service (SSS) Director-General Ita Ekpeyong said on Monday.

At the Villa were 119 parents and 51 of the 57 girls who escaped from Boko Haram’s captivity.

Dr. Chibok said: “Actually, it was a very open interaction, even though it was a bit emotional, the ters’ names, fearing the stigma involved.

Boko Haram filmed a video in which they threatened to sell the students into slavery and as child brides. It also showed a couple of the girls describing their “conversion” from Christianity to Islam.

At least two have died of snake bites, a mediator who was liaising with Boko Haram told AP two months ago. At that time he said at least 20 of the girls

From Augustine Ehikioya and Grace Obike, Abuja

girls, women and the men were all crying. The President was at least able to assure us that the girls are safe and will be rescued. During the interaction, we were given the free opportunity to talk; there was no restriction to any particular group. Three of the girls told the President how they were kidnapped and how some of them escaped.

“As the President and commander-in-chief, we certainly take his words because he is the father of the nation and, actually, we believe that he spoke frankly to us with a sincere heart. So, we believe in all the promises that he made to us.

“The President promised to rescue the girls as soon as possible, he promised to collaborate with the Borno State government to rebuild the burnt school to standard with sufficient security. He also promised to make the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) come to the assistance of Chibok and Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, in the aspect of providing them with food to prevent famine in these communities.

were ill — not surprising, given that they are probably being held in an area infested with malarial mosquitoes, poisonous snakes and spiders, and relying on unclean water from rivers.

Most of the schoolgirls are still believed to be held in the Sambisa Forest — a wildlife reserve that includes almost impenetrably thick jungle as well as more open savannah. The forest borders on sand dunes marking the edge of the Sahara Desert. Sight-

Continued on page 59

ings of the girls and their captors have been reported in neighbouring Cameroon and Chad.

In Chibok, the town’s population is under stress.

“There are families that are putting up four and five other families,” local leader Bitrus said, adding that food stocks are depleted. Livestock has been looted by Boko Haram so villagers are arriving empty handed.

Worst of all, no one is planting

AUCHI State is hosting over two million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Boko Haram insurgency-hit neigbouring Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, Governor Isa Yuguda said yesterday.

Yuguda spoke after the meeting between the government team led by President Goodluck Jonathan and parents/pupils of Chibok Girls Secondary School at the Aso Villa.

He said: “It’s been a major challenge. You know Bauchi is surrounded by all the states having security challenges and many have been pouring into it.

At present, we have over two million refugees (displaced persons) in Bauchi, but the good news is that we have been able to settle them down. No refugee (displaced persons) is in any camp. We have given them land to settle, some shelter for them.

We have tried our best to provide water and some basic facilities so that they can start life over again.

“It’s not been easy; our resources are over stretched. The little we have had to be shared with the refugees (displaced persons).”

been augmented, and prospects for growth are stronger than last year.”

The stabilisation of foreign reserves the World Bank said, “reflects greater confidence among investors. Following a year of decline, foreign reserves stabilised in April-May, in the context of improved confidence of investors.

The precise causes of this stabilization the World Bank noted, will need to be assessed further when more data becomes available. “Yet the partial stabilisation of expectations of investors concerning oil prices, fiscal policy, and the commitment of the Central Bank to defending the exchange rate is clearly important,” said the World Bank.

Expectations about the performance of the oil sector, it said, have improved in general, bolstered by increases in oil revenues accruing to the government.

The World Bank, using the International Labour Organisation (ILO), definition, stated that “unemployment rate in Nigeria, according to a usual ILO definition, is likely lower than 10 per cent.

This, it said, “is the conclusion

that comes from unofficial assessments, including that of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and does not contradict the fact that the scarcity of jobs is the number one economic in Nigeria”.

As in many other developing countries, the report noted, “most Nigerians cannot afford to be completely unemployed”.

“Those without good productive employment therefore typically engage in various low productivity and low paying tasks for survival.”

Unemployment, the report said, “may be better understood as an underemployment problem corresponding to a scarcity of high productivity jobs, and in many cases of highly qualified candidates to fill those jobs”.

“These additional jobs and qualifications need to be created in Nigeria through accelerated private sector growth in the cities and improvements in the country’s education system.”

The re-based GDP estimates reveal a larger, more dynamic and complex economy than did previous statistics, said the report, stresses that macroeconomic risks remain due to uncertainty about future oil output, oil prices and short term capital flows.

The NER analyses new data from household surveys in 2010/2011 and 2012/2013 to reassess poverty and living standards in Nigeria and “concludes that poverty rates in Nigeria are likely significantly lower than previously believed, and progress toward poverty reduction may be stronger”.

According to the report, “poverty reduction in Nigeria appears to be primarily an urban phenomenon, with poverty rates in rural areas higher, and poverty reduction slower”.

While recent panel surveys indicate that the per capita national poverty rate based on the official poverty line may now be as low as 33.1 per cent, a large share of the Nigerian population the report said “is still not far above the poverty line, indicating vulnerability.”

“The combination of the new GDP and poverty estimates is valuable in giving us what we believe to be a clearer picture of development and poverty reduction in Nigeria,” said John Litwack, Lead Economist and Acting Country Manager of the World Bank.

The NER also highlights continuing differences between Nigeria’s regions in poverty reduction. The South and North Cen-

A

NUMBER of activities have been lined-up locally and internationally to mark the 100 days of the abduction of the Chibok pupils today.

In Lagos, there will be a service at the Wall of missing girls at Falomo roundabout at 4pm, a special sit-out ceremony at the Unity Foundation in Abuja and a news conference at the BRECAN Centre around 10am.

There will be a candlelight vigil at the Nigerian Consulate in New York. There will also be a similar event in India, Pakistan, the UK and most world capital

Continued on page 59

tral regions show progress in poverty reduction between 2010 and 2013. The North West witnessed little change, and the Northeast experienced an increase in the poverty rate along with a general decline in living standards.

Crashed Air Force helicopter pilot rescued alive From Duku Joel, Damaturu

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HE pilot of the Nigeria Air force chopper which crashed in Bama, Borno State on Monday, was rescued alive, the military said yesterday.

Bodies of three crew members of the the Air force Mi-35 Helicopter on training were recovered.

Director of Defence Information Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade in an update on the situation explained that rescue operation was ongoing.

The statement reads: “One of the pilots of the crashed Nigerian Air Force Mi-35 Helicopter on a training mission earlier reported, have been recovered alive while the second one as well as the technician on board the threemember crew flight died in the crash. Rescue is still ongoing”.

Continued on page 59

Activists to mark 100 days of Chibok girls’ abduction

Nigeria’s economy outlook bright, says World Bank Continued from page 1

On whether the state is getting assistance from any quarter, Yuguda said: “We are looking forward to some support. Only recently we received some items - food, blankets from NEMA, but we need a lot more. I’m sure these guys are not going back to where they came from, they have settled and settled permanently and I think the Federal Government should take on that and see how they can be properly resettled.”

Minister of Education Ibrahim Shekarau, said the time the President was meeting the girls and parents, which is 99 days after the abduction, should not really matter, but what is being done over the issue.

He said: “It is not a question of how many days, not a question of how long; it is a question of what is being done. And as various government spokesmen have been saying, this is a very serious matter of security. Some people call it a war and when you are talking of war, strategies to win the war, it’s not all of those strategies that would be on the streets.

“I think we should appreciate this and rather than counting the

By Sina Fadare

cities where there are teachers, organisations in partnership with the UN Special Envoy’s office of Gordon Brown, according to a statement by the #BringBackOurGirls protesters.

The #BringBackOurGirls campaign team said “as days become weeks and months, the girls were separated from their parents and their community, our singular focus remains on their safe return in the shortest possible time.”

Nasarawa lawmakers denied protection From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

•Al-Makura

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ASARAWA lawmakers’ request for military escort from Abuja to Lafia has been rejected.

The Assembly members want to go to the state capital to mandate the Chief Judge, Justice Suleiman Dikko, to inaugurate a seven-man panel to probe Governor Umar Tanko AlMakura.

The lawmakers said they were afraid of a likely mob action, following last Friday’s anti-impeachment protest.

The military said it was not its responsibility to escort the lawmakers to Lafia since their mandate was derived from the people.

Also yesterday, former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and opposition governors shelved their solidarity rally for Al-Makura.

The lawmakers were shocked that the military refused to give them soldiers.

The Assembly members, who were still holed up in various hotels in Abuja, were contemplating holding a session in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

A highly-placed source said:

“All efforts by the Assembly members to persuade the military to deploy soldiers in Lafia to assist the impeachment process have failed.

“Yet they are being haunted by the consequences of their action since the impeachment plot is also unpopular at home.

“Although the sponsors of the impeachment have been mounting pressure on them to go to Lafia to hold a brief session, some of the lawmakers claimed that they might be mobbed by the people.

“Some of them complained that they have been getting threats from their constituents not to return to Lafia to continue with the impeachment process.

Responding to a question, the source added: “The Presidency is not in support of the impeachment proceedings based on security reports that Al-Makura had tried to foster good executive-legislature relationship.

“There were also reports citing extraneous demands as the reasons behind the lawmakers’ moves.

Continued on page 59

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

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NEWS

APC: new thinking will end insurgency not $1b loan

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the application of new and imaginative thinking will enable the Federal Government to win the war against the Boko Haram insurgency.

The party noted that innovative ideas should be applied to fight Boko Haram, instead of the Federal Government “sticking to the same old way of doing things”, which its US$1 billion (about N165 billion) loan request represents.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC noted that no reasonable person would argue against buying modern weapons and other needs for the military.

But it added that “it is important to complement the military campaign against Boko Haram with political, social and economic measures, especially because a sustained military campaign, dating back to 2009, has failed to end the crisis”.

The statement also said: “Between 2010 and 2014, US$14 billion was allocated for defence, security and the police. This year alone, the total is US$4 billion.

Now, if US$14 billion has not

•Party seeks enquiry into defence budgets

By Olamilekan Andu

clipped the wings of Boko Haram in five years, what difference can US$1 billion make, if thrown into the crisis in the same old way?

“If the Federal Government has not accounted for how it spent US$14 billion allocated to the security, defence and police in the last five years, why should it be given the green light to borrow another US$1 billion? If the US$14 billion has not done much in upgrading military and security facilities in five years, what impact can US$1 billion suddenly make?

These are some of the questions we want the National Assembly to ask before giving the Federal Government the go-ahead to plunge Nigeria into another round of external debts.

“Talking of new and imaginative thinking, it is generally agreed that the causes of the Boko Haram crisis are deep in the years of bad governance that have created an army of unemployed youths in the Northeast, the epicentre of the crisis; the years of bad governance that have meant that millions of youths

are uneducated and unemployable; and the years of bad governance that have resulted in dilapidated infrastructure, lack of social amenities, inadequate schools and a total disconnect between the government and the governed.

“Yet, the Federal Government, which has only allocated a paltry, insulting N2 billion (US$12.2 million) for its misguided ‘Marshall Plan’ for the Northeast, is asking for US$1 billion to buy new weapons to fight Boko Haram! Imagine what a substantial fraction of US$14 billion can do to the efforts to uplift the Northeast, put children back to school, give the youth life-enhancing training and put the army of unemployed beyond the reach of the extremists who recruit and indoctrinate them to kill, maim and destroy?

“Imagine what even US$1 billion can do in making the ‘Marshall Plan’ for the Northeast a real Marshall Plan, rather than what it is now: a disappointing lip service to tackling the root causes of the Boko Haram insurgency. Imagine how far US$1 billion - not to talk of US$14 billion - will go in help-

ing to win the hearts and minds of the people in the battle against Boko Haram? This is what we mean by new thinking, instead of just throwing money at an endless and increasingly ineffective military campaign.”

APC warned that by continuing to put undue emphasis on military campaign and military campaign alone, the Federal Government is signalling a hardening of position, indicating that the crisis can only be resolved by a military campaign and foreclosing negotiation.

The party noted that unfortunately for the Federal Government, nowhere in the world has insurgency been defeated purely by military campaign, not even by the world’s most powerful military.

It said: “We challenge the PDPled Federal Government to name places in the world where terrorism was successfully defeated by military means alone. Events in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Kenya, among others, have shown that there is always a limit to the ability of the military to crush insur-

gency. Even with some of the world’s best military (U.S.A, UK, France, among others), terrorism is never successfully defeated militarily. The way to go is effective counter-terrorism, which is about winning hearts and minds, not winning battles.

“This is why the National Assembly must show the highest degree of patriotism and commitment to national security by demanding how the billions of dollars thrown at the Boko Haram crisis so far have been spent; what, in specific terms, the Federal Government wants to do with a new loan of US$1 billion and demanding a comprehensive counter-insurgency plan that includes measures to tackle the socioeconomic undercurrents of the Boko Haram crisis in the Northeast in particular.

“As we have warned in our earlier statement, putting more money in the hands of an incompetent and massively corrupt administration can only encourage more incompetence and corruption. Giving a blank cheque to this administration, without asking it to account for the past budgetary allocations for the security and defence, will not help the nation’s fight against terror.”

NNPC orders upward review of its quiz prizes •Imo wins competition From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

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•From left: The World Bank, Communications Associate, Africa Strategic Communication, Mr Dele Oladokun; Lead Economist Nigeria Country Office, Mr John Litwack; Economist, Mrs Gloria Joseph-Raji and Senior Communication Specialist, World Bank, Mr. Obadiah Tohomdet, presenting the World Bank, Nigeria Economic Report in Abuja...yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

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Ex-NMA chief seeks dialogue to end doctors’ strike

FORMER National President of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr Idris Omede, has urged the Federal Government and the association to dialogue on how to permanently resolve incessant strikes in the Health sector.

Omede spoke yesterday in Lokoja,the Kogi State capital, on the negative effects of the doctors’ strike.

Omede, who was reappointed the Health Commissioner by Governor Idris Wada, called for a truce in the face-off between the govern-

From James Azania, Lokoja

ment and the NMA to save Nigerians from avoidable death.

The former NMA president cautioned Nigerians against apportioning blames on the strike, adding that the issues involved are more fundamental than they appear.

He said: “The issues that led to the strike are not about ego problems but issues that have to do with in-

‘The issues that led to the strike are not about ego problems but issues that have to do with infrastructure and manpower development’ frastructure and manpower development. It is always better to resolve an issue before it reaches the level of

resistance.”

Omede urged stakeholders and other well-meaning Nigerians to intervene in the crisis and spare Nigerians further hardship.

The former NMA president noted that government should always be on the side of the union and the people, adding that the government and the NMA leadership need to dialogue to end the strike.

According to him, no doctor is happy to see hospitals under lock, as the strike had done.

Piracy: Navy hands over vessel to InterPol

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HE Nigerian Navy has handed over a vessel, MT Itiri, suspected to have aided piracy off Pennington Terminal in Warri, Delta State, to the International Police (InterPol).

MT Itiri was impounded in January by NNS Ibusa for allegedly conspiring with pirates to hijack another vessel.

By Precious Igbonwelundu

Following directives from naval headquarters, MT Itiri, which was held at the NNS Beecroft in Apapa, Lagos, was handed over to the InterPol Department of the Nigeria Police for further investigation.

At the hand-over ceremony, the Commanding

Officer, NNS Beecroft Commodore Ovenseri Uwadiae said the navy has zero tolerance for illegalities at sea.

He said: “We are committed to making our waters safe for legitimate businesses to thrive. The navy is warning sea pirates and criminal elements on the nation’s waters to desist

from nefarious activities or face the consequences. There will be no hiding place for such elements.

“We also solicit information from maritime stakeholders and law-abiding citizens, that could lead to the apprehension of those involved in criminal activities on our waters.”

HE Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Andrew Yakubu, has said since the cost of education has increased, the corporation will review upwards the prizes for the winners of its annual national quiz competition.

Pupils from Imo State won the first position with 155 points in English language, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.

The event was held at the NNPC Towers in Abuja.

Ogun State won the second position; Akwa Ibom State, third; the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), fourth; Taraba State, fifth and Kaduna, sixth.

Yakubu said the corporation would give automatic undergraduate scholarships to the winners.

He said: “As usual, those who have distinguished themselves in this year’s competition will be offered undergraduate scholarship; others (will get) consolation prizes. My attention has been drawn to the amount involved in the scholarship package.

“I have, therefore, identified the fact that the package is not adequate. I have directed, accordingly, for an upward review of the package. This will start from this year.”

The NNPC chief urged the pupils to work hard and make excellence their watchword.

Yakubu said the first star winner of the 2001 edition, Sunday John Aliyu, is now a project engineer at the Engina Project in Lagos.

According to him, the Engina Project is a $15 billion project.

He said the competition had spurred the interest of many pupils in the sciences.

The Group General Manager Public Affairs Division, Dr. Ohi Alegbe, said this year’s quiz was the 13th.

He said the competition had been generating keen interest among participating states.

Alegbe explained that the competition is among several ways the NNPC is touching the lives of Nigerians, in line with its popular slogan: “We touch your lives in many positive ways.”

The spokesman also said the corporation had strived hard to positively affect the lives of many, especially the host communities spread across the country.

Lukman was Nigeria’s best oil minister, says Atiku

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ORMER Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has said Dr. Rilwan Lukman, who died on Sunday night, was Nigeria’s best Oil minister.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by his media office, Atiku said: “I will describe (the late Dr Rilwan) Lukman as the best oil minister we ever had, given his unmatched knowledge of the industry and the integrity with which he ran the ministry.”

The former vice-president recalled that Lukman’s contributions to the management of the nation’s Oil and Gas sector provided the impetus for his elevation as the Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The Turaki Adamawa described Lukman’s death as a monumental loss.

He prayed that Allah grants his family and the nation the fortitude to bear the loss.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

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NEWS How MTN withheld my entitlements, by ex-manager

Activists, Labour leaders eulogise Aturu

By Musa Odoshimokhe and Basirat Braimah

By Joseph Jibueze

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FORMER Network Group Operations Manager at MTN Nigeria Communications Limited, Mr Paul Odunewu, has accused the company of withholding his entitlements, including a share option worth over $13.14 million (about N2.1 billion) He sued MTN at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) sitting in Lagos and demanded N100 million in general damages for alleged wrongful termination of his contract.

Odunewu said he worked at MTN for over four years, and was responsible for the network’s outstanding achievements, which continues till date.

The former manager said he was responsible for the company’s pre-paid and postpaid revenue, subscription, voucher management and real-time charging.

He said: “I built the engine of the defendant’s business in Nigeria including people, process and technology.”

Odunewu added that MTN made over N5.15 trillion in revenue as at December 2013.

Testifying before Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi, the claimant said MTN pleaded with him to return home from the United Kingdom and help the company to develop its telecommunications in Nigeria.

According to him, he was promised, among others, a Share Option, a long-term incentive scheme being developed by MTN. Odunewu said when he complained that the Share Option was not contained in his offer letter, MTN persuaded him to accept the job, adding that he would be entitled to the shares after three years.

“In November 2001, the defendant sent the contract to me. I saw it and discovered the Share Option was not included, hence I wrote the CTO about my observation.

“This is my complaint before this court, that the defendant in 2001, before I joined them, made a representation to me that my role included a Share Option. I believe same.

“I acted on contract. I joined the company. I worked with all my energy for the defendant for over three years. So, I’m asking the court to stop the defendant from denying my entitlements to the Share Option,” he said.

MTN Group Limited, South Africa; MTN Nigeria and MTN International, Mauritius are other defendants in the suit.

Odunewu said his position came under attack when a group of white South Africans was posted to oversee Network Group management in 2005.

He said there was an “onslaught” against him when his superiors suddenly became “disturbed that a Nigerian could possess such incredible experience and exposure…”

The former manager said matters got to a head when he received a letter, dated February 28, 2006, purportedly terminating his appointment and his access to the MTN network as a worker was revoked.

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•From left: Master Jacob Faith, Oluwatobi Aturu (son); Olumide Olanrewaju and the late Aturu’s wife, Adebimpe at the PHOTO:DAYO ADEWUNMI colloquium in Lagos yesterday

Huge wage bills: Reps consider privatisation of govt hospitals, others HE House of Representatives Committee on Health has said it will recommend the immediate privatisation of Federal Medical Centres (FMCs) and teaching hospitals to halt incessant strikes and reduce huge salary burden.

The Chairman of the committee, Ndudi Elemelu, spoke yesterday in Abuja at a stakeholders’ meeting to resolve the crisis in the Health sector.

Elemelu was reacting to Federal Government’s concerns over the increasing wage bill in the sector, which rose from N857 million in 2009 to N1.8 trillion in 2014, and the continuous demand for salary increase by public workers in various sectors of the economy.

Finance Minister Dr Ngozi Ikonjo-Iweala expressed government’s concerns during the meeting, where she was represented by the Director-General of the Budget Office, Mr. Bright Okogu.

Elumelu said it was a sad that medical services were

T

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

being disrupted at public hospitals when the sector ought to be running smoothly.

He said: “With the worry that you (Okogu) have expressed, should we urge the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to begin ...the process of privatising? I said we will be recommending. Of course, BPE is part of the Executive.

When we say urge Federal Government, you are directing BPE to do so.”

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), led by its first VicePresident, Dr. Titus Ibekwe, said the union’s members agreed with the suggestion.

The NMA members shouted “yes!” and clapped their hands in appreciation of the suggestion.

Present at the meeting, which was meant to resolve the union’s three-week strike, included the Minister

of State for Health, Khaliru Alhassan; Labour and Productivity Minister, Emeka Wogu and the Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Richard Egbule.

But Okogu countered Elemelu’s suggestion, saying privatisation of public health institutions would deprive the less privileged quality medical services.

He said: “I have my personal view on this matter, which necessarily I don’t have to bring here. But professionally, I believe you do need the presence of the government in the Health sector, same as education.

“The extent of it is really the issue. I don’t think we are advocating 100 per cent absence of government in the Health sector. That is not my own position. In any single country, we need to have government’s presence in the Health sector. It’s one of the cardinal services that any government will want to provide for its citizens.

“Not everybody can afford to pay the market price for health services. So, I’m not an advocate of outright privatisation. I think that it is partly in recognition of that joint welfare vision for the country that we must look at the medical profession’s responsibility, which should be slow to go on strike in anger.

The same way that government also is obliged to come in to discuss.

“How much do you put into health to make sure everybody in Nigeria gets it? It’s going to be very high. So, the government does its part and the private sector too, even the people who work themselves to make it a functional sector of the economy.”

Okogu said he would be happy to join in the debate to express his views.

“I think if this is the debate the House wishes to bring to the table at some point, the Executive will be willing, I will be ready to participate in the debate, because I have strong view on that,” he said.

Judicial workers’ union to continue strike

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EADERS of striking judicial workers met yesterday in Abuja and resolved to sustain their action.

The decision was taken at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the workers’ umbrella body – the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).

The union’s President Comrade Marwan Adamu said the union decided to continue the strike because the previous meeting at the instance of Labour and Productivity Minister Emeka Wogu, the National Judicial Council, the Accountant-General of the Federation and other stakeholders, ended in a deadlock.

But court workers in Abuja were unhappy over the development.

They noted that the sustenance of the strike would deny them access to their salaries and the funds to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitri next week.

Some court workers at the Federal High Court headquarters, the Court of Appeal headquarters and the Supreme

NBA urges govt to dialogue with Judiciary workers

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HE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has urged the Federal Government to dialogue with the Judiciary workers, under the aegis of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), to avoid the collapse of justice system.

NBA Ikeja branch chairman Mr. Yinka Farounbi said there would be anarchy, if nothing is done immediately to avert the collapse of the justice system because of JUSUN’s plan to call out Federal High Courts’ workers for a solidarity strike.

The union leader said it would be wrong if the government feels unconcerned about the developments in the Judiciary. He said this calls for urgent attention and resolution.

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

Court (all in Abuja) told our correspondent that the decision of the JUSUN NEC was anti-Islam. They said it was capable of dividing the JUSUN leaders, if Muslims were denied the opportunity to earn their salary to celebrate the Sallah.

Majority of those who spoke with our correspon-

By Adebisi Onanuga

The judicial workers’ strike is meant to enforce a Federal High Court judgment, which granted financial autonomy to the Judiciary and in solidarity with the Rivers State judicial workers, who have been protesting the presence of two headship of the Judiciary in the state.

Farounbi said: “I think government should sit down with the association, dialogue with its leaders, look at their demands and concede to them what they can concede.

The ones that have to be negotiated should be negotiated. In the process, there would be a compromise. There would be no winner, no loser...”

dent queried the rationale behind a strike when the courts had begun their annual vacation.

“The courts are all on vacation. I do not understand the reason behind a strike that was delayed until the commencement of the vacation season. Those behind the strike are just out to punish the ordinary court workers.

“The fiscal autonomy, if

granted, will benefit the judicial officers the more. But yet they have been allowed to go on vacation, but the junior workers are now denied the opportunity of accessing our salaries. I just hope they call off the strike before weekend, else we will oppose their actions,” a senior court official at the Supreme Court, who spoke in confidence, said.

RO-DEMOCRACY groups, right activists and Labour movement yesterday extolled the virtues of the late Mr Bamidele Aturu at a colloquium and tributes’ session for the lawyer.

The event, which was held at the Abibat Model Secondary School, Lagos, had the theme: The Struggle for Social Change in Nigeria.

Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) President Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar said Aturu died when Nigeria was witnessing a deficit of leadership.

Omar, who was represented by Comrade Issa Aremu, said Nigeria is passing through difficult moments and needs the likes of Aturu to rescue the nation’s sinking ship.

He said: “His (Aturu’s) loss is not just a loss to you but a complete loss to all comrades in Nigeria. He stood with us in our struggle to get workers better bargain and provided us free legal service.”

The chairman of the occasion, Comrade Femi Aborisade said the late activist was a selfless man, whose life was threatened by the authority on several occasions.

An expert, Prof. Priincewill Alozie, who made the lead speech, said the arrogance of the ruling class had continued to weaken the socio-economic base of the people.

‘Cameroon deploys 1,000 troops on Nigeria’s border’

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OREIGN Affairs Minister, Amb. Aminu Wali, yesterday said Cameroon had deployed about 1,000 soldiers in its border with Nigeria to fight Boko Haram.

Wali spoke at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs’ (NIIA’s) 17th Brainstorming Session, with the theme: Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: Community and National Security Situation.

The minister was represented by a director in the ministry, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye.

He said the Cameroonian government’s gesture was an outcome of the Paris Summit on Security in Nigeria.

Wali said: “In responding to the threat being posed by Boko Haram, Nigeria had to embrace the opportunity presented by the May 17, 2014 Paris Summit on Security in Nigeria.

“Since the Paris summit, a number of significant steps have been taken, especially the establishment of the Intelligence Fusion Centre, technical assistance by our international partners and the deployment by Cameroon of 1,000 troops.”

The minister also said the meeting of the foreign ministers in London on June 12 took steps aimed at strengthening the response to the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction and tackling Boko Haram menace.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY JULY 23, 2014

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NEWS

Osun gets 35 buses for school scheme

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•Some of the buses for the Osun State school sheme...yesterday.

LP has no working pact with Ogun O PDP, says Kashamu GUN State People Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Prince Buruji Kashamu said yesterday that there was no working arrangement between the party and the Labour Party (LP).

He said in a statement that former Governor Gbenga Daniel was a spoiler who betrayed the PDP. Kashamu said Daniel’s remarks about a working arrangement between the two parties were ill-motivated.

He said: “As a leader of the PDP in Ogun State and Chairman, Organisation and Mobilisation Committee, PDP, South West, I wish to state that this statement is part of the grand plot by Daniel to hoodwink and mislead the good people of Ogun State.

“He has had his time when he ruled the state for eight years and simple discretion

would require that he quit the stage, or at best, play the role of an elder statesman.

But since he has elected to continually play the spoiler, he should be told in unmistakable terms that so long as he continues to play his divisive politics of promoting LP, he should leave PDP out of his political flirting.

“It is the height of betrayal that someone who rode on the platform of PDP to political prominence would want to undermine the same party because of his own selfish interest and over-bloated ego.

“He wants to be the Alpha and Omega of any political party he finds himself. That is why he has sidelined the authentic Olabode Simeon-

led State Executive Committee of the Labour Party in order to impose his stooges and puppets on the party. He has carried on with the same reckless abandon that was his undoing in spite of a subsisting court injunction that status quo should be maintained in the dispute that arose over the Labour Party structure. I wager that this is a potential landmine that many have not averred their minds to.”

Kashamu said it was “incongruous and inconsistent that someone who claims to have left the PDP and is now in LP” would want to work for a PDP candidate at any level.

“If PDP is not good enough for him to be part of, why

Panic as suspected kidnappers invade Oyo school T HERE was panic among students and teachers of Onireke Girls’ High School, in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, last Monday following alleged invasion of the institution by four suspected kidnappers.

It was learnt yesterday that though the attempt to kidnap some pupils was foiled by the school authorities, but security has been strengthened in the area.

It was gathered that the suspected kidnappers, who reportedly dressed like mad persons, had been terrorising students and staff in the last few weeks.

They were again sighted last Monday by a food vendor and some students inside a

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

bush at the back of one of the classroom blocks within the school premises.

This consequently led to confusion as students, including those sitting for the Junior Secondary School Examination, reportedly scampered for safety.

It was gathered that some of the students informed their vice principal about the presence of the hoodlums.

The vice principal reportedly followed them to the scene to confirm the report. But on getting there, one of the sus-

pected kidnappers came out of the bush and attempted to attack him.

The school’s gate-keeper and some male teachers were alerted and they immediately chased the hoodlums to their hideout.

They were able to capture one of them and the hideout was thoroughly combed.

Items recovered from there included bottles of hot drink, juice and soft drink, as well as perfume, eggs among others.

The arrested hoodlum was later handed over to the police at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.

Fashola to military: fish out bad eggs

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AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola has urged the military authorities to fish out those who are giving bad names to the institution.

Fashola gave the charge yesterday when the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah paid a visit to the State House, Marina.

According to him, “Nigerian Army has done very well for Nigeria as a body.

But like every institution, there are bad eggs within the institution. They are in the minority and we must continue to do everything possible to show them up for who they are.”

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

Fashola, while acknowledging the efforts of the military in sustaining the country’s democracy, noted that the military owes it a duty to refrain from anything that can undermine the nation’s democracy whether in conduct or deed.

“I think that it is important to reinforce the role that military across the world have played in democracy. While society moved on, as we have done, the military owes it an obligation to do everything that is possible to sustain its democracy and to refrain from anything that undermines it, whether in

the mind of the people or as a matter of fact. In essence, the military must become like Caesar’s wife; avoid suspicion in conduct and in deeds.”

Earlier, Minimah said he delayed his familiarisation tour for six months as a result of the exigencies of work.

He said: “When I assumed office, the exigencies of operation did not allow me to commence my familiarisation tour of the formations. Six months later, I have decided to commence my familiarisation tour from the 81 Division, which covers Lagos and Ogun states.”

work for its success and that of its candidates at any level? One would have expected him to remain in his Labour Party and leave us alone in PDP. “ He cannot be in LP and be talking of collaborating with PDP for any election. It is mischievous, to say the least.

“If he is mouthing this in the hope that it could give him some soft-landing in his ongoing trial over his alleged involvement in criminal diversion of funds and conversion of land belonging to the Ogun State government for private use, then he is mistaken,” the statement added.

SUN State government has taken delivery of 35 buses for its O-Bus Scheme as part of the ongoing education reforms.

The scheme is designed for the effective and smooth transportation of school children from designated points to their respective schools.

The report of the Advisory Committee on the Implementation of the scheme, headed by the Special Adviser on Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Bade Adeshina, which was submitted to the State Executive Council, shows that the buses will provide a safer and convenient alternative transport system for the pupils, who either trek or were being driven in rickety vehicles to school.

With the inauguration of the scheme, each bus would carry 30 pupils per trip.

The report obtained by The Nation states: “The scheme seeks to provide safe and convenient transport medium to the students at subsidised fare, which will be significantly be-

By Wale Ajetunmobi

low the prevailing commercial fare. It is expected that the discounted fare would aid saving of excess money daily spent on the pupils by parents or guardians.”

Besides providing social support, the committee said the initiative would empower the youths through way of job creation, equity stake in the scheme via co-operatives.

The committee, however, said the personnel to be hired for the scheme would be drawn from the Osun State Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) Corps, including the cooperative societies that would take ownership of the buses.

The scheme is expected to be self-financing to meet the operational expenses, including overheads. By this, the government will not commit resources into it beyond the Initial Capital Outlay (ICO) and the insurance cover.

The committee said it was committed to exploring all options that would ensure the success of this scheme.

Ondo sensitises citizens on Permanent Voter Cards

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NDO State Commissioner for Information Mr. Kayode Akinmade has emphasised the place of voter registration exercise in the process of choosing right leaders for the advancement of the society.

Akinmade spoke while addressing Labour Party (LP) faithful at a meeting in Ofosu-Onisere ward in Omifunfun, Idanre Local Government Area on the Perma-

nent Voter Cards’ collection exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which will begin in the state next month The commissioner described the voter registration card validation exercise as an opportunity for the people to participate actively in the democratic process.

He stressed that the voter card remains a powerful weapon with which their voices can be heard.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY JULY 23, 2014

NEWS OSUN 2014

NYSC won’t compromise on D election, says DG IRECTOR-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi has said corps members will not compromise in the August 9 governorship poll.

But he warned the participating corps members to conduct themselves within the ambit of the law.

Olawumi, who spoke during a media chat in Abuja, said: “Corps members have exhibited high sense of duty, commitment and patriotism in their participation in the electoral process.”

He said the allegations by politicians that the scheme had compromised in its partnership with electoral body to conduct credible election were unfounded and should be taken as political tactics.

“We have the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) too alleging that all my members

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

of staff in Osun State have been compromised and agitating that I should remove them. You are bound to see thing like this in election.

“I want to state categorically that we don’t just deploy these corps members for electoral duties, and as far as we are concerned, they are not the alpha and omega as far as conduct of election is concerned; they are just playing a minute role there.

“It is important to let you know that we don’t just push them out, they conduct a sensitisation training for them and in the cause of that, give them manual. Apart from all these, we let them know that they are all adults and they will be responsible and that

they should be ready to face the consequences of whatever action they decide to take why taking part in elections,” he said.

Olawumi noted that a situation where politicians from the ruling and opposition parties in the state were painting NYSC bad before the electorate was not proper.

The DG added that such misinformation about the NYSC to the public could breed disaffection, which could make the corps members vulnerable to attack.

He urged those responsible to desist from such act.

Olawumi insisted that the policy of the scheme still remains rural posting, stressing that corps members were more desirous and needed in

the rural areas than urban centres.

He explained that corps members had the right to seek relocation based on health, marriage and security grounds, but decried a situation where medical report is forged to seek relocation.

While disclosing that 96,000 graduates would participate in the 2014 Batch ‘B’ Orientation Exercise coming up on August 5, Olawumi vowed to punish any corps member found with fake medical papers.

He appealed to both state and local governments, “who have not been consistent in rendering required assistance to the scheme, to brace up and fulfill their obligations.”

INEC to stop PVCs’ distribution on Aug. 4

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HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State has said it will stop distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) on August 4 to concentrate on the governorship election.

State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, yesterday made the disclosure at an interactive session with Christian and Muslim leaders.

He said the interactive session was part of the commission’s efforts towards ensuring peaceful poll.

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Agbaje, who said the importance of the religious leaders in the conduct of any election could not be overemphasised, urged them to counsel their followers, especially the youths, on the need to be peaceful before, during and after the election.

The REC gave an assurance that the commission would distribute Permanent Voter Cards on the 26th and 27th of this month to those

that registered during the recent continuous voters’ registration exercise.

He said training has started for supervisors, presiding officers and their assistants, promising that all electoral materials would be moved to all local governments a day before the election to give room for early commencement of accreditation in each polling unit.

He debunked the insinuation that the commission had authorised some people to collect pin numbers of their PVCs, saying anybody

caught perpetrating such act would be handed over to the police.

The INEC National Commissioner deployed to supervise the election, Ambassador Muhammad Wali, described election as a religious duty and solicited the cooperation of the religious leaders towards ensuring credible election.

Wali, who said the commission had no interest in whoever wins the election, noted that the process lined up was capable of ensuring credible polls.

Adeleke: ‘Zimbabwe’s formula’ won’t work in Osun

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HE Osun State first civilian Governor, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, has warned that the “Zimbabwe formula” used in June 21 Ekiti State governorship election would not work in the August 9 poll.

Adeleke, who said this in a statement thanking the people of Ede Federal Constituency for their show of solidarity during the APC mega rally in the town, urged the party faithful “to be 24 hours on our guards”

before, during and after the election.

The statement reads: “Your support for me, the leaders of our party in Ede Federal Constituency is overwhelming. You have demonstrated by your patriotic action that I can always count on you, any day and anytime to make our party APC grow from strength to strength.”

Adeleke told the people that “it is not over” yet, appealing to them to treasure

their voter cards jealously and use them “to bring Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola back for a second term as governor.”

He urged the party faithful to continue to educate voters to come out and vote.

“Osun belongs to the downtrodden masses of our people, who determine where victory goes. We therefore repose confidence in you all to make August 9, 2014, a landslide victory for APC in the governorship election.

“I enjoin parents to please

take good care of their children, so as not to fall victim of the antics of the opposition, who have perfected plans to kidnap innocent children and put the blames on the doorsteps of APC leaders.

“Don’t allow your voter cards to be bought for a paltry N2,000 as being planned by the opposition in Ede. Your voter cards are your weapons to see Ogbeni Aregbesola back in Osun,” he said.

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN (middle) briefing journalists at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja on the 2 nd Quarter Performance of the 2014 Budget in Lagos...yesterday. With him are Commissioner of Information & Strategy Mr. Lateef Ibirogba (right) and Special Adviser Information & Strategy Mr. Lateef Raji.

HOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

‘Sharing kerosene, rice to voters against democratic culture’

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OVERNORSHIP candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Osun State, Mr. Olusegun Akinwusi, has decried the distribution of kerosene, foodstuff and cloths to electorate by some politicians.

Akinwusi, who said the practice was against democratic culture, lamented that some wealthy politicians were only exploiting the country’s high level of poverty to woo unsuspecting voters to their sides by sharing kerosene and foodstuffs.

The SDP candidate, in an interview in Osogbo yesterday, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to check the excesses of the parties which he alleged were deeply involved in such acts.

Akinwusi said: “I have told people who do not have conscience to collect these things from them, but those who have conscience should reject them.

“It is disgraceful that the two parties are holding sway at both the national and the state levels and have all failed in eradicating poverty. Now, election is at the corner and they are spending little of our stolen collective wealth, which could have been used to turn the lives of people around, as baits to catch people into their nets.”

The former Head of Service (HOS) regretted that rather than moving around to campaign about issues and how to bring about better govern-

ance, the parties involved “are going around the state sharing money, kerosene, rice, beans and so on”.

He urged voters to be wary of such gifts, warning that whatever they were distributing now to induce voters would be their “dividends of democracy” for four years if any of the party emerges as winner.

“For us, we have established ourselves in the heart of people. We joined the SDP without rolling in millions of naira and today our party stands the best chance of winning the August 9, 2014 poll.

“The difference between us and those people was that while they are running around inducing people, it is people who know our worth and what we are capable of doing that are coming around to identify with us”, he stated.

On while prominent politicians have not joined the state’s SDP, Akinwusi said: “We see those so-called big politicians moving around between two parties because they think there would be something to share. But with us, they know they are going to contribute to help the party grows. So, they won’t come”.

He urged the electorate to close their eyes to what he called “rent-a-crow” rallies.

He said voting for SDP in the August election would bring about better governance, full employment for youth, economic turn-around and rejuvenated public service.

Police deny APC chieftain’s arrest for gun-running

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SUN State Police Command has denied that a local government chief, Steven Dosumu, was arrested and detained for gun-running.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alleged that Dosumu, who is also a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was arrested and transferred to Force Headquarters for gun-running.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Maishanu, in a statement, said the allegation was false.

Maishanu explained that Dosumu, who is the Executive Secretary of Boluwaduro, “was at no time arrested, detained, taken to Abuja or threatened to be taken to Abuja by the command.”

He described the report in some dailies as outright falsehood, meant to unduly cause crisis among the parties and generate tension.

He said no ammunition was found in the private residence of the council chief.

The statement said: “The attention of the Osun State Police Command has been drawn to the rumour making the round that an Executive Secretary of a Local Government in Osun State was arrested by the State Police Command for gun-running. This is false in all ramifications.

“Some newspapers had reported on July 10 that the Executive Secretary was arrested by the police for being in possession of 17 Kalashnikov rifles, 10 Pump Action guns and 50 machetes. No such thing happened in this command.

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

“The police received a petition by one Hashim Abioye alleging attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, violent conduct and criminal assault against four persons.

The police invited all the parties and carried out a thorough investigation, including searches in the premises of those accused, in company of the petitioner. The allegations turned out to be false and without any basis. No weapon of any kind was found in possession of the Executive Secretary or any of his associates.

“The Executive Secretary was at no time arrested, detained, taken to Abuja or threatened to be taken to Abuja by the command. It is most unfortunate that newspapers will report outright falsehood, unduly fuel crisis among the parties and generate tension among the people.

“The quantum of weapons alleged is sufficient to start a war and the false report is therefore capable of instilling fear in the people and brings the peace in the state on the edge. This kind of allegation is therefore very sensitive and requires to be verified by the appropriate authority, which are the police.

“The police will like to advise those concerned to stop spreading rumours, falsehood and making unfounded allegations. We will also like to appeal to the media to be alive to their social responsibility of reporting the truth, and not speculation.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

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CITYBEATS ‘Oh, my joy is gone’

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

Aladura churches on schoolgirls’ abduction

•Widow seeks cause of her husband’s death

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YMPATHISERS found it hectic bringing the emotions of the 25year-old woman under control yesterday. She wept like a baby over the death of her husband in yet inscrutable circumstances.

“God, my joy is gone!” Mrs. Happiness Okpok, mother of four, exclaimed as a thick crowd of sympathisers struggled to pacify her at the family’s Anuoluwapo Street, Ifako-Gbagada, Lagos home.

“I beg the state Commissioner of Police (Mr Umar Manko) to help unravel the sudden death of my husband.

His death is strange,” she pleaded.

Narrating her ordeal to The Nation, she said her 47-yearold husband, Mr Sunday Okpok, who had for five years, driven his boss, Mr Oludare Senbore, left home as usual about 6 am on June 23, to resume work at Senbore’s 12B, Omoyele Pratt Street, off Oladunni Street, Ferrand Estate, IfakoGbagada home.

Happiness recalled that when she called to check on her husband about 7pm that day, his phone was switched off, only to receive Senbore’s call after 10 pm, asking her to come and see him at Barracks bus stop, Ifako that night.

By Uyoatta Eshiet

She said: “I rushed there with a neighbour. On getting there, Mr Senbore and his wife alighted from their car.

After they finished discussing in Yoruba language, he handed my husband’s phone and wallet to over to me. He told me that Sunday was involved in an accident and that he was taken to the General Hospital, Broad Street in Lagos. He asked me to go and see him in the morning.

“I got there only to see my husband with a mask over his face. He could not talk or open his eyes; he could neither move nor hear anything.

I was directed to buy some prescribed drugs and I did. I also paid for an x-ray. As it was my husband’s turn for the x-ray, I went to inform the medical personnel to bring him. That was when the doctor informed me that my husband had died. I saw my husband’s dead body with his tongue out of his mouth.”

“Mr Senbore was called. He came and saw the corpse. He paid the mortuary bills for one week and told me to go and arrange with the church for his urgent burial, explaining that there was no need to keep the corpse for long,” Happiness said.

She said that she was

shocked when she visited the Lion Building Police Headquarters in Lagos, only to be told that there was no case of accident reported there.

Documents on the deceased issued by Dr Salau T.M at the General Hospital, Lagos, on June 24, stated that the late Okpok suffered head injury, following which he died at 12.20 pm that day.

To release the corpse, the mortuary managers demanded police extract, affidavit and Police Release Form among others.

She said she did not know how to get the documents, adding that Senbore “is not helping.” She suspects that her husband was murdered but arranged to look like an accident. “Why did he not report to the police if it was an accident?” She asked.

The young widow said her husband left four children with her - two boys and two girls. She said she has no job and no business as she is still nursing the last baby and does not know where to raise the mortuary bills which is N700 per day.

“How do I raise money to transport the corpse to Etinan Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, our

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•The widow and her children. INSET: The late Okpok

home town, for burial? How do I raise the children? My husband was owed three months salary before he died”, she added.

When contacted, Mr Senbore said his deceased was involved in a tricycle accident on his way to his office, adding that he was not driving him at that time but was riding on a tricycle.

“I only got to know about it after the accident. He was taken to the hospital where I paid for his treatment, but unfortunately, he died the following day,” he told The Nation, maintaining that he knew nothing about Sunday’s death.

He also said he did not know who took Sunday to the hospital.

S the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State on April 15 enters its fourth month, the United Aladura Churches (UAC) have described the act as political. They added, however, that with prayers, the girls will soon re-unite with their parents alive.

Addressing reporters on their 8th anniversary programme, President of the UAC, Superior Evangelist Olatunde Banjo, said: “What we can do is to pray for the safe return of the kidnapped girls and that such should not happen again. And that is what the church has been doing”.

The man of God said if not for prayers, peace and prosperity would have completely eluded Nigeria.

The church, he said, is led by the Spirit of God which nobody can control; adding that with prayers, God can change His mind on negative prophesies as well as change the minds of men to do His will.

He said the UAC is not happy at the state of affairs of the country, but it can only pray for its leaders and for a better country.

“God loves Nigeria that is why we are still one big, united great country,” the cleric said.

Lagos gives N3m aid to rainstorm victims

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•Chairman, Apapa Local Government, Lagos State, Mr Ayodeji Joseph, leading residents in protest over the deplorable state of federal roads in the council area ... yesterday

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AGOS State Government has presented a cheque of N3 million, which was the last phase of its financial assistance, to victims of rainstorm disaster in the Surulere Local Government Area.

General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, who presented the cheques to the victims in Alausa yesterday, said 60 of them received the sum of N50,000 each to alleviate their suffering following the disaster.

Oke-Osanyintolu explained that the government also carried out reconstruction of the victims’ affected structures with about N50million, assuring resi-

NDLEA arrests varsity graduate with 2.185kg of meth

HE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a graduate of Business Administration with

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

2.185kg of substances that tested positive for methamphetamine.

Ifeanacho Somadina Victor

was held at the departure hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

He was to board an Ethio-

pian Airline flight to Malaysia when the drug was detected in his bag.

NDLEA commander at the airport, Mr. Hamza Umar, said that the suspect was found with the illicit substance. According to Hamza, “we have arrested one Ifeanacho Somadina Victor.

He had parcels of substances that tested positive for methamphetamine. The case is under investigation”.

The suspect, who hails from Enugu State, said he smuggled drugs out of frustration. “I am a graduate of Business Administration but have been jobless since I graduated in 2008. After several years of joblessness, I became a commercial bus driver in Lagos. I am single and I live in Badagry. A man I met at a hotel promised to assist me in getting a job in Malaysia. I was happy to travel

out of the country even with drugs out of frustration but I was arrested in the process. They promised to pay me 3,500 dollars but I regret everything now because I feel empty inside”.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, described the arrest Ifeanacho’s involvement in such a criminal act as disappointing.

“It is very disappointing for a university graduate who knows the implication of his action to get involved in drug trafficking.

“Besides, he was taking the drug to Malaysia where he would have been executed if caught with narcotics. I am happy with the arrest and call on members of the public to support the agency in the eradication of illicit drugs” Giade stated.

The suspect will soon be charged to court, he said.

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

dents of government wiliness to reach out to them.

He said the primary victims, mostly tenants that occupy the affected building, were the beneficiaries of the N50,000, while the secondary beneficiaries are the owners of the building that have taken possession of their reconstructed property.

He said: “Emergencies and disasters by nature are unforeseen and sudden. And this explains why the blows by them are usually deadly and devastating. It is in line with this philosophy that the governor has approved payment of this financial assistance.”

He said the agency had paid a total of N13million to occupants of 65 flats at Jakande Estate in Oke-Afa, adding that 17 flats owners were paid in the first phase, 24 flat owners in the second and 24 flat owners in the third phase.

He said plans are ongoing by the government to rebuild the demolished structure and hand them over to the owners, adding that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with them to show government’s commitment to return the property to them when completed.

He suspended plans to present cheques of N200,000 each to 24 flats’ owners in the last phase at Jakande Estate in Oke-Afa area due to low turnout of affected persons as well as following report that some aggrieved members plan to institute legal suit against government.

He charged residents on the need to insure their properties, while urging them to always accord safety issues the deserved attention in daily activities.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

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NEWS

EFCC grills ex-Adamawa Deputy Governor

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OR about three hours yesterday, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) grilled former Adamawa State Deputy Governor Bala Ngillari for alleged mismanagement of funds during the administration of sacked Governor Murtala Nyako.

The EFCC said it might declare Nyako wanted as it had been difficult to send a letter of invitation to the ex-governor.

The anti-graft agency said it defroze the state’s accounts to enable the administration of Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri take off smoothly.

A source said Ngillari arrived at the commission at 10am and left few minutes af-

•Agency may declare Nyako wanted • State’s accounts defrozen From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

ter 1pm.

The source said Ngilari was questioned about his security votes and his role in the alleged misappropriation of funds.

Nyako was indicted by a seven-man investigation panel headed by Buba Kaigama.

Of the 20 allegations, the House of Assembly found Nyako ‘guilty’ of 16 before impeaching him on July 15.

Some of the allegations were alleged diversion of N2.3billion meant for workers’ salaries; illegal diversion

of N1billion earmarked for the State Scholarship Trust Fund; diversion of N142million emoluments of workers and fraudulent award of contracts of N8billion, among others.

The source said: “Ngillari was invited in respect of security votes and what he knew about the mismanagement of funds during Nyako’s tenure.

“The former deputy governor made a statement and responded to questions on how the Nyako administration was managed.

“But he was asked to go after three hours. The EFCC will still invite Ngillari for

more quizzing. For now, we can say that he is on administrative bail.

“Without Nyako coming for questioning, we cannot clear Ngillari. This is why the former deputy governor will be re-invited.”

The EFCC said it might declare Nyako wanted, unless he makes himself available for questioning.

EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity Wilson Uwujaren said: “We have tried to serve him a notice of invitation but we cannot trace him. Our operatives went to all Nyako’s known addresses but they could not locate him.

“We advise Nyako to come to the EFCC or else we will have no option but to declare him wanted.”

Borno Assembly behind Shettima, says Speaker •’No plan to impeach governor’ From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

•Shettima

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PEAKER of the Borno State House of Assembly Abdulkareem Lawan said yesterday that two-thirds of the lawmakers are behind Governor Kashim Shettima.

He said there was no plan by Assembly members to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) to impeach the governor.

He said the Majority Leader, Idrissa Jidda’s claim that most members would join PDP is a joke.

The Speaker, who made the

clarifications from Makkah, where he is observing Umrah (lesser Hajj), said Jidda had his own opinion on defection to PDP. The Speaker said: “As we speak, I am with 19 members of the Assembly here in Makkah and all of us are not happy with the Majority Leader’s false claim.

“Other members have been calling me from Nigeria expressing their displeasure. We all have the same position which is to stand by Governor Kashim Shettima.

“The leadership and members of the Borno State House of Assembly are behind Governor Shettima; we are not moving anywhere.

“We are fully behind him. I know the opinion of more than two-third of the members; I

don’t know the opinion of the leader and he is free to go to any party of his choice, we are in a democracy but he shouldn’t speak for others, he should speak for himself. If what I read on Daily Trust website is what the leader said, then he told a lie, this I can say.

“The issue he referred to is not even on our minds; what dominates our minds as members is how to support the state and Federal Government to restore peace to Borno State.

“We are far more worried about the killings and destructions in Borno State and not politics of 2015. Most of us are here in Saudi Arabia and we are seriously praying for peace in Borno and for its stability. This is what we have been doing since 2011 and this is what should engage the mind of any true Borno man or any true Nigerian.

Aliyu bars The Nation from Govt House

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HE NATION’S Niger State correspondent, Jide Orintunsin, has been barred

by Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu from attending functions at the Government House, Minna.

The decision was conveyed to the leadership of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) by the governor’s media aides.

The Chairman of the chapel, Wole Mosadomi, broke the news at an emergency congress.

According to Mosadomi, Commissioner for Information Danladi Ndayebo, Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary Israel Ebije and a Senior Special Assistant on Media Relations Dipo Laleye told the chapel executive that the gover-

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

nor had directed that Orintunsin be barred from the Government House.

The chairman said Orintunsin was allegedly accused of being sympathetic to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and that security and intelligence reports allegedly fingered him as the brain behind statements by the opposition.

Mosadomi said the media aides claimed that the governor took the decision before he travelled for the lesser hajj, following what he perceived as ‘bad press’ being orchestrated by the opposition.

This decision was condemned by members at the congress and it directed the leadership of the chapel to demand a reversion of the directive.

From Left : AWDROP Osun State chairman Alhaji Toyin Yusuf; National President Association of Waterwell Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP) Micheal Ale and Kwara State Commissioner of Water resources Abubakar Idris, during the capacity development training workshop for water project implementation held at Kwara Hotel, Ilorin.

“What we want is stability.

We are worried about the deaths and destruction of communities, this is our major headache and not the issues of defection and 2015.

“I speak the minds of most members, we work as a family, we are a team and I don’t see how we can lose support for Governor Kashim Shettima who has been trying to address the problems since he came in.

“We have had a respectable and efficient legislature-executive relationship in Borno, not a single misunderstanding.

“Our prayer is that God grants us peace in Borno, Yobe and Nigeria as a whole, this is our concern as a responsible Assembly.”

Fire guts HoS office in Makurdi

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From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

HERE was a fire yesterday at the Establishment Department in the Office of the Benue State Head of Service.

A source said the fire started from the air conditioner. The inferno destroyed all the files in the confidential office, including those of pensioners and other categories of civil servants.

The source said the permanent secretary, Establishment retired a week ago and the office has been locked.

One ‘dead’ in Ilorin clash From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

MAN was feared dead yesterday in a clash between Customs officials and smugglers in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

It was gathered that the Customs officials were trailing a vehicle suspected to be carrying contraband into the city.

Sources said the driver was chased to the Saw Mill area, where a gun battle ensued. One person was allegedly killed.

Police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi said one person died in the incident.

He added that the body had been taken to a hospital.

Youths and some car dealers barricaded roads leading to Customs Service operational office behind Ilorin Eid praying ground.

Some of the protesters wielded weapons. The police and Customs officials later dispersed the protesters.

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Vote of confidence in Lamido From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

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HE Jigawa State House of Assembly has passed a vote of confidence in Governor Sule Lamido.

The Speaker, Adamu Ahmad Sarawa, said whatever the situation and circumstances, the lawmakers would stand by the governor, who they believe is a patriotic and exemplary leader.

“In Jigawa State, the House has a cordial relationship with our capable and able governor who transformed the state within a short time.

“Our governor deserves our support and respect. He has allowed the Assembly to exercise its statutory duties without any interference.

“I want to assure you that the Assembly supports Lamido and we will keep supporting him.”

Sarawa called on the people to continue to support Lamido and shun detractors who want to bring acrimony to the state.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

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NEWS Ramadan 26, 1435AH

RAMADAN KAREEM

•Chairman, Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area, Hon Abiodun Mafe (left) presenting a CONSAT dish to some of the winners of the Rauf Aregbesola Quiz Competition organised by National Council of Muslim Youths Organisation (NACOMYO), Alimosho zone at the council secretariat, Mosan, Lagos.

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

Why religious violence?

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SOME decades back, Muslims and Christians had cause to clash in Nigeria without reason. In the course of such clashes, they killed and maimed one another in hundreds and in thousands. They ruined legacies and destroyed heritages. Property worth billions of naira were vandalized or burnt. But after the dust became settled, regret took the centre stage of reasoning. This has happened again and again. Yet, the end result has always been regret.

The main question which has not been answered is WHY? Can killings, maiming and destruction of wealth be attributed to love of religion or affection for God? What is there to prove that one man is more qualified for admission into paradise than another? And why must one person compel another to gain entry into paradise? In which religion is killing or maiming a certificate for currying the favour of God? Before the arrival of Islam and Christianity in Nigeria, the traditional religionists were worshipping in various ways.

But none thought a particular way to be inferior to another.

To them, all ways led to the same river. As far as they were concerned, religion was about man’s humanity to man. And that was what they practiced day and night.

However, with the arrival of Islam and Christianity, those religionists were condemned in various terms and consigned to the primitive past. Preaching became condemnatory even as man began to judge man on matters of the hereafter which is known to God alone. And thus with condemnation and counter condemnation, clashes started to ensue climaxing in killings which every divine religion treats as sacrilege. What exactly do the Muslims and Christians who clash violently over religion want? The adherents of both religions proclaim Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) as the father of their faith. They have revealed books passed over to them through Prophets Muhammad and Isa (Jesus) respectively. They commonly believe in those books, the Angels, resurrection and the Day of Judgment. They also believe in paradise and hell as means of reward for earthly conduct.

To think that the method of worshipping or the way of approaching God must be one and the same for everybody is to assume that the entrance of paradise is only one through which everybody must pass. Such an assumption can only be a fallacy. Even as human beings we are not the same in look, colour and in tongues. And, to God who created us in such ways the only yardstick for measuring the superiority of to man over all other creatures is piety. Tell the world your own yardstick besides money.

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•Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (second right) speaking during Iftar (Breaking of Fast) hosted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Legal Adviser Dr Muiz Banire (second right) at his GRA residence, Ikeja, Lagos.

With them are Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Hon Ademorin Kuye and former Lagos State Independent Electoral Commissioner Alhaji Musibau Oyefeso (right).

Suswam breaks fast with Muslims

ENUE State Governor Gabriel Suswam has enjoined Muslims to pray for peace and unity.

The governors joined Benue Muslims community to break fast at the banquet hall of Government House of Makurdi yesterday.

Suswam said fasting is a

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

period of prayer and whatever the Muslims asked, God would grant them.

“I urge you to pray for the peace and unity of the nation at this time of security challenges,” he said.

He said Islam is a religion of peace and should not be

used to create confusion.

“We are not in the position to determine why we are Christians and Muslims but we should accept the will of God and lived together irrespective of tribe and religion,” he said.

He reiterated the call for the release of the abducted Chi-

Group condemns Israeli offensive in Gaza

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USLIM Awareness International (MAI) has condemned the ongoing onslaught by Israeli government against innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.

MAI urged international community and good-spirited fellows of the world to mount pressure on Tel-Aviv to stop the bombardment.

A statement by its Director Luqman Balogun, an engineer said it is worrisome, though not surprising, that Israel could carry out horrific crime against the Palestinians in Ramadan, Muslims’ holiest month.

“In the last one week, hundreds of lives, including that of 18 members of the same family have been lost and properties worth billions of dollars vandalised by the occupation government, yet the world shows apathy,” Balogun said.

He chided the United States and the international community for their double standard and unconditional support for Israel.

Balogun said: “We are not

Disabled breaks fast with mayor

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By Fatimah Abdul

happy with the reaction of the United States that Israel has the right to defend itself by killings civilians in Gaza, as this would not bring an end to the crisis. It would rather fuel Israeli aggression to kill more people, in the name of fighting Hamas. We believe the world has been bias when it comes to Palestine especially the Hamas leadership in Gaza.

“It is high time Israel and the international community stopped seeing Hamas as a terrorist organisation if truly they want peace in the Middle East. It is a great injustice to compare Hamas with other terrorist organisations.

Hamas is a legitimate government in Gaza. It won the mandate to govern the people since 2006 with a landslide victory, and despite Israeli’s siege, the government has always been on the side of its people by providing dividends of democracy.”

MAI called on United Nations to investigate Israeli’s unjustified military action against humanity.

bok girls.

The state Chief Imam Umar Shaibu, said fasting is prescribed for Muslims so that they would be righteous.

“Islam means peace and total submission to God, and does not condone violence, oppression and unlawful killings,” Imam Umar said.

•Balogun

“This is not just about Muslims; it is about humanity, because there are Christians in Palestine who are also victims of Israel aggression. Humanity is one irrespective of who they are. The world should collectively decry Israel and mount pressure on its leaders to stop the show of shame and disregard to human lives,” he said.

Balogun urged the UN to enforce its resolutions against the illegal Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and the settlements conflicting with international law in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

ISABLED and special needs children in Jeddah attended an iftar organised by the Jeddah Municipality and the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Center with Jeddah Mayor Hani Abu Ras. The event took place at the Disabled Children’s Association in Jeddah in the presence of senior Jeddah Municipality officials and a group of businessmen. The ceremony was attended by a large number of children who were accompanied by their families.

Zuhair Maimani, the association’s general director, expressed joy at the gathering.

“This renews our sense of responsibility and solidarity with the children of this country and helps the children, who also receive gifts, feel that they are part of society,” he said.

Maimani also praised the efforts made by Abu Ras and Prince Sultan bin Salman, chairman of the board of directors.

During the event, Abu Ras announced the establishment of three special gardens for disabled children in Jeddah, the first being opened on Prince Sultan Street.

RAMADAN DIET “Nothing endears My servant to Me than doing of what I have made obligatory upon him to do. And My servant continues to draw nearer to Me with the supererogatory (nawafil) so that I shall love him. When I love him, I shall be his hearing with which he shall hear, his sight with which he shall see, his hands with which he shall hold, and his feet with which he shall walk. And if he asks (something) of Me, I shall surely give it to him, and if he takes refuge in Me, I shall certainly grant him it.” (Hadith Qudsi) ,

SPONSORED BY CHAIRMAN, AGEGE LOCAL GOVT AREA, LAGOS ALHAJI JUBREEL ABDULKAREEM AND WIFE, ALHAJA SHERIFAT

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

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NEWS

On the trail of families, friends of MH17 crash kid-victims

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The CNN goes on the trail of the families and friends of the victims of the Ukranian crash, with special focus on the 80 kid-victims

The community is still in shock, a very deep level of shock, because it was a very wellknown family, and I think people are still trying to handle the situation

T

HE victims aboard Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 came from around the world and held a wide range of hopes and dreams.

Their stories are being shared online, in traditional media and among friends and loved ones of passengers aboard the Boeing 777, which was shot down by unknown attackers Thursday in a rebel-controlled part of eastern Ukraine.

Malaysia Airlines on Saturday issued its latest list of the 298 people aboard doomed Flight MH17, which was shot down in eastern Ukraine. There were 193 Dutch citizens — the most of any nation — on the flight from Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The other people came from around the world.

Forty-three were from Malaysia, including 15 crew and two infants; 27 were from Australia; 12 were from Indonesia; 10 were from the United Kingdom, including one dual UK/South African citizen; four were from Germany; four were from Belgium, three were from the Philippines; and one was from Canada.

Included in the Dutch toll was the lone American, who had dual Dutch-U.S. citizenship.

Malaysia Airlines listed one passenger as being from New Zealand, but the airline’s count did not mention one Hong Kong passenger included in earlier tallies.

Miguel and Shaka Calehr Samira Calehr’s sons were setting out to visit their grandmother halfway across the world in Bali.

But the youngest son, 10-yearold Miguel, was nervous.

“After entering for the passport, he came back, ran to me and said, ‘Mama, I love you. I’m happy to see Ohma but I’m going to miss you. And what happens when the plane will crash?’” Calehr said in Amsterdam.

Calehr tried to assure him everything would be OK. “I said come on, don’t be silly,” the mother said. “You’ve been traveling already so many times.

Everything’s going to be OK.” But as it turned out, the boy’s premonition was right.

Miguel and his 19-year-old brother, Shaka, perished in the crash. The middle brother, Meeka, had to catch a later flight only because MH17 was fully booked.

Now, Meeka must carry on without his two “best friends.”

“It feels like they’re already one with me now,” Meeka said. “I feel like they’re going to watch over me forever.”

But Calehr is filled with remorse after her youngest son expressed concerns.

“If I could just turn back time,” she said, staring at the ground. “I didn’t listen to him.”

Calehr wishes she could trade places with her two lost sons.

“Why didn’t they take my life?” she asked. “They’re still young.

They still have a future. Why the children? Why not me?”

Karlijn Keijzer Karlijn Keijzer, 25, was a champion rower from Amsterdam who had showed passion and leadership in the United States as a member of the team at Indiana University

•Nick Norris and his grandchildren, Otis, 8, Evie, 10, and Mo, 12

in Bloomington. The blond Dutch chemistry student with an infectious smile left behind a team of friends, many of whom will remember her for a lifetime.

“She was so intelligent and such a hard worker. But rowing was her passion,” said teammate Kelly Bainbridge. Keijzer rowed on the team’s fastest boat crew, where she showed leadership and a technique that Bainbridge described as “pristine.”

Her accomplishments included racing in the European Rowing Junior Championships in 2006 and the World Rowing Junior Championships in 2007.

“She was bold. She said everything like she wanted to say. She was direct. And she was beautiful inside and out. And she was brilliant,” teammate Catherine Campbell told CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360.”

Fatima Dyczynski Aerospace engineer Fatima Dyczynski was founder of the hightech startup Xoterra Space in the Netherlands. The company website described her as a “thought leader, scientist, creative space enthusiast, motivated entrepreneur, public speaker, all world traveler and absolute futurist.”

Her parents were having a hard time accepting that she had been killed.

“Our daughter is a survivor,” her mother, Angela RudhartDyczynsk, told CNN’s “Erin Burnett OutFront.”

Their daughter was innovative and creative, she said.

“We believe she was the face of the young generation,” RudhartDyczynsk told CNN. Dyczynski also was CEO and project manager of Xoterra.

“We are very grieved by the loss of the founder of Xoterra Space, Fatima Dyczynski, who passed away in flight MH17 to Kuala Lumpur,” the company said in a statement. “Fatima was energetic, full of life and her dreams reached to the outermost of space. She was brightly outspoken, ambitious and incredibly motivated. Many people were inspired by her dreams to make space personal and her passion for innovation and business.”

Pim de Kuijer Dutch passenger Pim de Kuijer was on his way to an International AIDS Conference in Australia — a trip that was to be followed by a backpacking excursion there, according to his Facebook page.

It was one of many overseas trips the 32-year-old had taken in his life. In addition to his work as an AIDS campaigner, de Kuijer had also worked as an elections observer in Egypt and posted pictures to his Facebook in May of elections there. He had also previously covered elections in Ukraine, according to Channel 4 News.

“He devoted his life to trying to change the world around him for the better,” his brother Paul de Kuijer told CNN on Monday. “He used to work on democratization projects in Sierra Leone, Malaysia, Russia and Ukraine, as well.”

He said that the reactions to his brother’s death told him more about the man.

“I now know he touched so many lives and he was in fact maybe a remarkable person,” Paul de Kuijer said.

His brother always believed that dialogue was the key to solving crises such as the one in Ukraine.

“The last thing he would have wanted is his death or even the tragic incident that caused his death to contribute to even a more difficult situation there in the conflict,” Paul de Kuijer said.

The day of the crash, de Kuijer posted to his Facebook page a picture of him posing beneath aviator sunglasses and sporting a large travelers’ backpack. Well-wishers’ comments turned from excitement, to panic, to devastation as the Facebook community learned of the downed MH17 and the passengers aboard.

“I still can’t get my head around the fact that he was killed,” wrote one friend. “Pim believed in understanding between countries, the rule of law and equality for all and fought for his values through his work and his political activities.

Let’s try to live up his legacy and work even harder towards a peaceful world.”

Andrei Anghel The father of Canadian medical student Andrei Anghel, 24, told The Canadian Press that his son boarded Flight 17 on his way to vacation in Bali, CTV reported.

Durham Regional police delivered the sad news to the father, according to the report. Anghel, from Ajax, Ontario, was enrolled at University of Waterloo before relocating to Romania for medical school, CTV reported.

The Gunawan family Three additional victims of Flight 17 were a family traveling

home to the Philippines. Irene Gunawan, 54, and her children — Sheryl Shania Gunawan, 15, and Darryl Dwight Gunawan, 20 — were on a summer vacation. The youngest was a high school student, family friend Peter Overbeeke told ABS CBN News.

“They were a very sweet family,” he said, describing them as “harmonious,” “peaceful” and “successful.”

Darryl Dwight Gunawan was an up-and-coming DJ, according to a close friend. Johny Waliam said his friend wanted to be more than a DJ; he wanted to give back.

“He said he wanted to help people, so he was going to study to be a doctor to help other people,” Waliam said.

Jenny Loh and Shun Poh Fan In Rotterdam, Huck Chuah stood outside the Asian Glories restaurant and recalled the moment he learned that three family members weren’t coming home. “You lost someone you never expect,” he said. “There are no words for that.”

He said the Chinese restaurant was the life’s work of his cousin Jenny Loh and her husband, Shun Poh Fan, who were on the doomed flight along with another unidentified family member.

“They built up this restaurant in 15, 20 years,” Chuah said. “It’s a very good restaurant. You can see the flowers and, of course, all the comments on the Internet. Always working for the son and the business. This was their vacation.”

Their 30-year-old son, Kevin, was struggling with the loss.

Nick Norris and his three grandchildren, Mo, Evie and Otis Maslin For some family members, solace came in knowing that Nick Norris of Australia died looking over his three grandchildren, Mo, Evie and Otis Maslin.

“The fact that he was with his grandchildren right to the end, caring for his family, is perhaps a way of looking at the strength that he brought to things,” said his nephew, Matt Jones.

Jones said his uncle, who was taking the children to their parents, was a family man, former army officer and owner of a consulting firm.

“Nick himself was an inspirational hero to so many people, a storyteller and natural leader,” he said.

But the loss of his three grandchildren — Mo, 12, Evie, 10, and Otis, 8 — “is the real heart of this tragedy, a stealing of such innocent

‘

life,” Jones said.

Quinn Lucas Schansman Quinn Lucas Schansman was aboard the ill-fated flight, U.S. President Barack Obama said Friday.

Schansman, 19, was a dual U.S.Netherlands citizen. He was born in New York while his father was working at the Dutch Embassy, his grandfather Ronald Schansman told CNN affiliate KYW. An avid rugby player, he was a student at the International Business School - Hogeschool van Amsterdam and was headed to Indonesia to vacation with his family.

“Big boy, very lively, and we all will miss him,” his grandfather said. “As a grandparent, you just hope that none of your children or the grandchildren will go before you, and now it has happened.”

He last saw his grandson when he turned 18 last year.

The Wals family In the Dutch village of Neerkant, rows of houses are flying their flags at half-staff.

“The community is still in shock, a very deep level of shock, because it was a very well-known family, and I think people are still trying to handle the situation,” said Peter van der Burg, a neighbor and friend.

Parents Jeroen Wals and Nicole Martens were aboard Flight 17, along with their four children: 17year-old Brett, 15-year-old Jinte, 13-year-old Amel and 9-year old Solenn. The family was on the way to a summer vacation in Kuala Lumpur.

At the elementary school where Solenn studied, friends wrote notes for the family and stuck them to the wall in the shape of a tree as part of a memorial tribute.

A message to Brett says, “I’ll miss you, dear family. You didn’t deserve this.”

“I can’t believe I won’t see you again,” a teacher wrote.

A former baby sitter wrote that there were no words to describe the tragedy. She used one word to sum up her feelings: “Why?” Elaine Manders, 15, described Jinte as a good friend who biked to school with her every day.

Nikkie Sijben, 14, cried as she tried to describe her friend.

“We don’t understand it,” she said.

“We think she will turn up, but she can’t,” Manders said. “She won’t.”

Life

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

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Text only: 08023058761

• From left: Mr Eresia-Eke, Prof Tomori, Emeritus Professors Clark and celebrator Banjo, Mr Omotowa and Prof Bamgbose

Ayo Banjo’s day of honour

Scholars, close associates and relatives gathered at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos to honour the man of letters, Prof Ayo Banjo, at 80 – SEE STORY ON PAGE 16 Before The Siege

– Page 17

Walker and the restitution of two Benin bronzes (I) – Page 48

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An Evening with Prof Ayo Banjo at 80. So the ceremony was called by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd (NLNG). It was all to celebrate the erudite professor who joined the octogenarian club this year. It was a heart-warming moment for all as distinguished friends, colleagues, former students, family members and admirers thronged the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos to celebrate him with fond memories. At 80, the professor is thankful, especially for one of the lucky things in his life, reports EVELYN OSAGIE.

•Ayo Banjo (middle) with members of his family

Ayo Banjo’s day of honour

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S one walked into the Orchid hall of the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, three professors stood talking about their former teacher - the erudite Emeritus Prof Ladipo Ayodeji Banjo, whom they had come to honour that evening. They called him “humble”, “a man of integrity who is not only tall in stature but also in wisdom and his quest for excellence” and more.

Oblivious of their discussion, their teacher waved and smiled at them from the far end of the hall, they bowed and smiled back and added “a man of sunny smiles”to his many admirable qualities.

“He is a good teacher and very good Christian. I am the first PhD student produced by Banjo in 1974; I was 28 years old then. He is always willing to fight for the underdog; absolutely accessible and very affable. His steadfastness and accomplishment is an inspiration to us,” said Prof Festus Adesanoye of the Department of Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State.

For the President of the Academy of Science, Prof Oyewale Tomori, Prof Banjo is his role model. “Without him most of us would not be where we are today. He is a giant on whose shoulders we stood to see further off. Prof taught me in Government College, Ughelli, in Class Four in 1961/62. He was my English teacher then; and later became my VC in 1980 when I was Head of the Department of Virology. He is very discipline. And he has not changed from the person I knew him to be back then.”

It was no school reunion, but An Evening with Prof Ayo Banjo at 80 organised by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd (NLNG). The event was a night of reflection and reminiscences in which eggheads from across the country, many, who were his former classmates and students, friends, colleagues, admirers and family gathered to celebrate him.

Guests were treated to cocktail, classical music and popular highlife and Afrobeat tunes by MUSON duet and Top life Band, with poetic tributes by 2013 NLNG Prize for Literature winner, Tade Irapade, who read On Turning 80 from Derek Walcott’s collection entitled White Egrets and Tunde Onikoye.

It was his night of glory and the professor beamed with smiles as guests took turns to share their fond memories of him. In their words, one could see a man committed to his God, family, friends and nation.

Prof Banjo, who is currently the chairman of the Nigerian Prize for Literature Advisory Board that is sponsored by the NLNG, is said to be a foresighted academic, administrator with over 60 years of service in the educational sector.

“This is a day to honour a man who symbolises what Nigeria should be,” began the Managing Director, Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd (NLNG), Mr Babs Omotowa as he welcomed the guests. “He is a man of integrity; a man that has put in so much for this country, not just in education. He was such a

• From left:Prof Adesanoye, Prof Akanji Nasiru and Prof Tomori

CELEBRATION colossus. Prof… tonight is your night; and we are so proud of you. You are a role model to us and we have learnt a lot from you; you have mentored us. I think you are the kind of Nigerian we need to celebrate. I join me in appreciating Prof tonight!”

Although Prof Banjo’s birthday was initially on May 2, he and his family had planned to mark the day in the month of July. On hearing it, NLNG said, it seized the occasion to celebrate the man and his contributions to education and literature.

If NLNG were a human, according to NLNG General Manager, External Relations, Mr Kudo Eresia-Eke, it would like to be formed with the qualities for Prof Banjo. “At NLNG,

‘One of the lucky things in my life is that I have a wonderful family and that I have a brother and a sister who are very supportive; and I couldn’t ask for a better children and the larger family - my cousins. You have seen the way they rally round me – this is how they are and I thank them from the bottom of my heart’

PHOTOS: EVELYN OSAGIE

Prof Banjo shows us the way and we try to follow. We look to a new Nigeria, that is, if we were to personify our country, it would look like Ayo Banjo. He is a man of honour, who has put in so much for this country.”

Born on 1934 into the family of late Pa. Reverend Samuel Ayodele Banjo, an educationist and teacher at St. Andrew Primary School, Oyo town, Prof Banjo hails from Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State. Aside his academic and professional qualifications, his contributions towards the development of the sector has also earned him the several recognitions and awards such as Justice of the Peace (JP), Oyo State; Commander of the order of the Niger (CON); Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM); Fellow and President of the Nigeria Academy of Letters; Fellow of the Nigeria English Studies Association and Chairman, Sigma Foundation.

Ever wondered what could be one of the lucky things in the life of an 80 year-old erudite professor? In the words of Emeritus Prof Banjo: “One of the lucky things in my life is that I have a wonderful family and that I have a brother and a sister who are very supportive; and I couldn’t ask for a better children and the larger family - my cousins. You have seen the way they rally round me – this is how they are and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”

He is married to Mrs Alice Banjo, retired a matron from the University Teaching Hospital (UCH) that hails from Anambra State and their marriage is blessed with four children. Although his wife, who is presently in London, was absent, three of his children were at the event along •Continued on page 17

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

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Banjo at 80 •Continued from page 16

•Omatseye,(third right), Oguntokun (third left) and members of the cast.

PHOTO: EVELYN OSAGIE

Before The Siege A play written by Sam Omatseye in celebration of Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka’s 80th birthday will be staged tomorrow at MUSON Centre, Lagos. FEMI MACAULAY, a member of the Editorial Board, writes a preview of the production

I

T began as a poem but became a play, by the playwright’s account. So, it has both poetic and dramatic qualities. The Siege, a new play by Sam Omatseye, which will premiere on July 24 at MUSON Centre, Lagos, promises the audience an intense experience of both genres, which means double edutainment. The portmanteau word is appropriate because this is a thinker’s play as well as a thinking play. It is informed by historical reality and intended to promote a fundamental socio-political understanding.

The play’s director, Wole Oguntokun, captured the historical inspiration in an interview. He said: “Charles Gordon was a British Army General, who was in charge of Sudan, Khartoum in the 19th century. He was asked to leave Sudan by his government, which felt they couldn’t hold Khartoum anymore but he thought he could hold it for his country. So, he refused to leave. Unfortunately, he met a man who was as zealous and strong as him in the person of the Mahdi, who fought to hold his country back from the British. The play is about the siege laid on Khartoum with Gordon unwilling to give up the city. It led to the death of Gordon during the face-off between Gordon and Mahdi’s men. The play is about people who hold and believe in their own ideologies; the two men fundamentally believed in the cause they were fighting. It’s based on a true-life story.” Still on history, the drama doesn’t end with Gordon’s defeat and includes the British reprisal attack spearheaded by Lord Kitchener.

It is intriguing that Omatseye, who is also a poet, novelist and journalist, was captivated by this grim sequence of events that happened long ago in a distant land. Remarkably, his mind drew parallels between Sudan of past times and Nigeria of today in particular. “A historical play chides us out of our historical and anti-historical mindset. It also reminds us that we are not as far apart from our past as we think,” said Omatseye in a prefatory note. He added: “I could not have realised in the course of writing that I was influenced more by the various stories of religious angst in Nigeria in recent memory. The Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria has brought to the open the danger of faith on both sides of the Christian and Islamic extremities.”

Indeed, an undercurrent of religious radicalism runs through the play; and his reference to the Islamist guerilla force that has continued to terrorise the country since 2009 is instructive. However, the play’s overriding thrust embraces all philosophies of exclusion, especially what Omatseye described as “fanaticism of faith and country.”

In other words, The Siege is both literal and metaphorical.

Figuratively, it is about self-promoting ideologies that deny the relevance of diversity.

Notably, the play’s colonial setting and the implications take the issue beyond the spiritual realm and address its physical and materialist dimension. In this connection, the idea of political subjugation is spotlighted in all its intolerant glory. Omatseye referred to “zeal, powered not only by a murderous zealotry but also a fiery nationalism.”

There is an interesting angle that the play offers as food for thought. It can be formulated as a question: What role does individual ego, or self-promotion, play in the psychology of bigotry? Or put differently: How many expressions of hostility have been triggered by personal pursuits?

Omatseye’s script has a decidedly international colour; and it is a testimony to the impressive professionalism of Oguntokun, who has been in the theatre business for a decade and runs a company called Renegade Theatre, that the international complexion is treated with striking fidelity.

THEATRE

‘Being Gordon is an interesting role to play.

Colonialism is not something I’m proud of as an English person. It’s a dark chapter when you consider what happened to local people. It’s a difficult role to play being the bad guy’ To achieve a compelling interpretation, the director has four UK-based British actors in the cast, Sam Quinn, Angus ScottMiller, John Glynn and Paul Garayo. One of them, Quinn, is no stranger to the country and has been around twice before. He said: “Being Gordon is an interesting role to play.

Colonialism is not something I’m proud of as an English person. It’s a dark chapter when you consider what happened to local people. It’s a difficult role to play being the bad guy.”

In addition, Oguntokun said of the production, “It’s challenging because it deals with another culture, and we have to be careful that we stay true to the Sudanese culture in terms of dresses, music and mindset that existed at the time.”

So, the serious issues will be spiced with spectacle, what Oguntokun called “a fusion of play and dance.”

Without being frontally didactic, the play nevertheless drives its message home through subtleties that underline its artistic strength. Despite the dramatist’s obviously strongly felt conviction, his skillful handling of the material escapes the stamp of propaganda. Through an imaginative use of creative license, he succeeds in achieving a believable presentation of a “truthful lie”, meaning that he gives a fictional spin to history that is at once realistic and fantastic.

Of particular significance is the drama’s contrived ending.

A triumphal Kitchener, having routed the Sudanese and avenged Gordon’s death after the Mahdi’s peaceful passing, orders the desecration of the Mahdi’s resting place and demands his skull which he turns into an improvised “ink bottle.” However, two defiant locals break into Kitchener’s office with another skull which introduces uncertainty about the Mahdi’s skull. So, in the end, it would appear that the Mahdi is unconquered, especially as Kitchener has to discard the skulls following a royal order from his homeland.

The play ends on this note of open-ended interpretation.

Essentially, The Siege, Omatseye’s debut play, is a statement on human freedom and the man-made encumbrances that often complicate its flowering. In this sense, it represents a fitting contribution to the celebration of the milestone 80th birthday of the 1986 Nobel laureate in Literature, Wole Soyinka, on July 13. A legendary symbol of justice and freedom, he was garlanded by the Nobel Committee as a playwright and poet “who in a wide cultural perspective and with poetic overtones fashions the drama of existence.”

It may be a passable hyperbole to see The Siege in this context.

with his junior brother, Gboyega Banjo; Mr and Mrs Babs Okuyemi and cousins. His first son, Tunde described his father, thus: “He places a lot of emphasis on excellence”.

For his daughter, Ayoyinka, the fond memories of her father were those years of travelling with him.

His close friends – Emeritus Prof John Pepper Clark; past President, Nigerian Academy of Letters, Emeritus Prof Ayo Bamgbose; Prof Ladipo Wusu; Prof Isaac Jide Desalu; the Executive Chairman, Safari Books Ltd, Chief Joop Berkhout and his son Ernest and those from Igbobi College – were also there to celebrate him.

His close friend, Prof Ayo Bamgbose praised the celebrator’s loyalty to his friends –especially his friends from school. “He set a good example for others to follow.”

Prof Wusu, who is a former classmate of the celebrator, said he possesses the attributes of a good leader. “I fondly call him LAB. He is very humble. He has all the attributes of a good leader – he was discipline, just like Awolowo was; focus, had vision; led by example and did that which is right. And as he grew older, those attributes matured like wine. I thanked the Lord that he is my egbon (senior).

We attended class in primary, secondary in Igbobi College - his bed was next to mine –and the University of Glasgow, Scotland.”

UI Vice-Chancellor, Prof Isaac Adewole, referred him as “My referee”. Ajayi Crowther University VC, Prof Kolawole Jaiyeoba praised Banjo’s respect towards his younger colleagues, saying he is an astute administrator.

He said: “He was VC when I joined UI and when I was VC of Ajayi Crowther University, he was Pro-Chancellor. He is patience to things grow and a fine a gentleman. He is not only tall in stature but he also tall in wisdom and quest for excellence.”

Responding to the entire encomium showered on him, the celebrator said: “I am short of words and it is funny for somebody who has made a living out of talking. I really do not know what to say. I am really speechless to see that the little I have been able to do is being appreciated. NLNG has really surprised bowed me out tonight.” He praised the efforts of the Gas Company in promoting science and literature in the country, while calling on others to borrow a leaf from NLNG’s example.

Also in attendance were UI Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof Idowu Olayinka; a member of NLNG Prize literary committee, Prof Akachi Ezeigbo; NLNG Advisory Board member, Prof Ben Elugbe; Tade Irapade; former Presidents of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Dr Jerry Agada, who is also a member of the advisory board, and Dr Wale Okediran; CORA executives, Mr Jahman Anikulapo, who is a former student of the celebrator and Mr Toyin Akinosho; his former students: President of the Academy of Science, Prof Oyewale Tomori: Emeritus Prof Femi Osofisan; Prof Festus Adesanoye; Prof Akanji Nasiru and ace filmammaker Tunde Kelani.

Orpheus holds concert

By Tonia ‘Diyan

T

CONCERT

HE Agip Recital Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos was full as people from all walks of life witnessed a musical concert to mark the 25th anniversary and the infinity series organ launched by Orpheus Company Limited. The infinity series organ is the very first organ in Nigeria that has deco, technology and pipes with two manual.

The company which is said to be a pinnacle in sound and technology was established in 1989 with a clear commitment to the development of beneficial music in homes, schools, churches and the larger Nigerian society.

It facilitates music lessons in schools and homes and organizes concerts, workshops and seminars. It annually organises an Organ Week during which it introduces and displays the latest models of the Rodgers and Roland Digital Organs. During the week-long event, a reputable International Concert Organist would be present to showcase the special features of the Organs in Master classes to organists and also at concerts for our customers and the larger public.

Guest artiste at this year’s concert, Dr Jung-A Lee, an experienced organist performed series of classical numbers to thrill the crowd. The peak of the concert was when the audience involving performance by the guest organist rendered one of the very popular hymn Great things he has done. It was time for the audience to sing along in various dynamic voices, in a soulinspiring and heavenly provoking manner. It was awesome and people marveled at the dexterity of the pianist behind the incredible organ, striking the notes with cases from fingers and feet. In fact, it was a very unusual atmosphere indeed. The audience, mainly pianists from various churches across the country really had a swell time At the concert, Lee who is in Nigeria for the first time told The Nation that her love for music from childhood has brought her this far. “I grew up to love music and with my father being supportive, I have achieved a lot. I am encouraged by my degrees and performances on stage. I work with audience most of the time and today’s audience is a lovely one.’’ She noted that for people with interest in playing musical instruments, especially piano, it is good to have listening ears. “I own a musical school where I train people and I encourage them to listen, because if they do not listen, they might not be able to learn. It takes lots of concentration,’’ she said.

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UK film for screening

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• From left: Kelvin Ejiofor, Robert Orji and Obiora Udechukwu

Museum hosts LIMCAF exhibition

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HE Lagos Zone Exhibition of the Life In My City Art Festival (LIMCAF) opens at the National Museum, Onikan Lagos on Saturday a t 4 pm.

Life In My City Art Festival aims to promote art pan-Nigeria through a yearly competition that offers young people an avenue to showcase and commercialise their productions, win handsome prizes and interact with the larger art community on a national and progressively international platform.

LIMCAF also enables young artists to express themselves on the state of their lived environment through their art.

According to a statement by the Executive Director of LIMCAF, Mr. Kevin Ejiofor, Prince Yemisi Shyllon, renowned art collector and the founder / proprietor and of Lagos based Omoba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF) will be the special guest of honour at this second Lagos Zone Exhibition.

The exhibition is one of the eleven such exhibitions in various zones around the country including Abuja, Ibadan, Kaduna, Jos, Auchi, Enugu, Calabar, Uyo Owerri and Port Harcourt.

The best 100 works from these zones will be selected to be part of the one week Grand Finale Exhibition at the Nike Lake Resort Hotel Enugu from Monday the 21st of October. The climax of the festival will hold on Saturday October 25, at the same venue

VISUAL ART where the top 25 works will win prizes, including the overall winner’s prize of N500,000 cash donated by Diamond Bank PlC. Meanwhile, a renowned art scholar and Professor of the Department of Art & Art History, St. Lawrence University, Canton, New York Prof Obiora Udechukwu has paid glowing tribute to the Board and Organising Committee of the Life In My City Art Festival (LIMCAF), for what he called an unprecedented innovation in the promotion of art and art appreciation in Nigeria.

Prof. Udechukwu spoke at a reception for him by the Board of LIMCAF hosted by Elder Dr. Kalu Uke Kalu CON, former Chairman of Union Bank of Nigeria and Chairman of the Life In My City Art Festival.

Udechukwu who is one of the founders of the once premier art association, the Aka Circle and a famed proponent of the Uli School of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, particularly commended Chief Robert Oji who single handedly gave birth to the LIMCAF initiative through his Rocana Nigeria outfit, the Alliance Francaise Network and the French Embassy in Nigeria which gave him initial support as well as Diamond Bank PLC and the various organizations and individuals who have donated prizes. Udechukwu predicted the inevitable snowballing of this project into internationally significant art

event and urged the Board and Organising Committee not to relent in their efforts.

Chairman of the Board, Elder Kalu has thankedProf Udechukwu for his support for LIMCAF in various ways, including pointing the Board to various special persons and organisations who have made a great deal of difference in its growth over the past eight years of the struggle to expand and sustain the development of the project.

Elder Kalu told Prof Udechukwu that the LIMCAF Board had big dreams for the project and solicited his continued support especially in seeking sponsorship from international organizations interested in the development of contemporary art in Africa.

He noted that support was growing across Nigeria with such notable organizations and individuals as Senator Ayogu Eze, the Justice Anthony Aniagolu family in Enugu , Bisi Silva’s Centre for Contemporary Art in Lagos and Mrs Mfon Usoro among others for endowing special prizes of LIMCAF. Notable connoisseurs and art personalities at the occasion included Chief Robert Oji, founder of LIMCAF, Barrister Peter Eze, Ayo Adewunmi Head of Design at the IMT Enugu School of Fine Arts, Obiora Amidi sculptor and Chair of the Enugu State Council For Arts and Culture and Bona Ezudu of Bona’s Gallery, Enugu and the Director Alliance Francaise, Enugu Mr. Dominique Fancelli.

A strong voice for the adolescent

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up to date and relevant books or literature.

Every parent talks about the recurring socio problems such as sex and sexuality that affect their adolescent every day. But, no one is ready to address the roots of the challenges. In fact, no parents want to talk the issues with their children. Now is the time to give correct information. We must demystify sex for proper upbringing. So, my books will fill such gap,” she said.

The debutant who is into architecture and interior design, finds the zeal to author the two books in her passion to read all kinds of books and publications. “All of that capability is a function of my passion for reading. Also, I think outside the box in dealing with issues and people. In fact, I query some old fashioned norms. I am inquisitive by nature, “ she added.

With the success of the two books, she is planning to reprint more copies for readers who, she said, were touched by the content of the books, especially parents.

On the choice of titles for the books, she said: “I felt that when I wrote about these socio issues many parents shy away from, my daughter will read it in case am no longer around. Also, every girl-child that reads is like my daughter, hence the title My daughters and I. As for Trapped in oblivion, I see everyone trapped in oblivion

ILMHOUSE cinemas will exclusively screen one of Britain’s most significant operas; Benjamin Britten’s Peter Grimes, as performed by the English National Opera in stunning cinematic high definition from July 25, in all its locations.

This laudable feat is the first of its kind in West Africa and is possible thanks to the support of the United Kingdom’s cultural relations organisation the British Council and Altive Media.

Ojoma Ochai, Director Arts, British Council Nigeria said, “We are very pleased about the partnership with FilmOne Distribution and FilmHouse Cinemas and look forward to sharing high quality performances from the UK with new audiences in their cinemas across Nigeria.”

Peter Grimes is an opera in a prologue and three acts and is the first revival of director David Alden’s 2009 five-star, sellout production. The English National Opera is one of the world’s most innovative and accessible opera companies with an International reputation for distinctive, contemporary and highly theatrical productions.

Peter Grimes paints a vivid picture of a small community’s descent into suspicion, gossip and mob mentality in the face of a tragedy. What really happened to fisherman Peter Grimes’s missing apprentice, and was he involved? As the townspeople’s mistrust grows, Grimes spirals into a downfall with devastating consequences!

Stuart Skelton, described as the ‘definitive’ Peter Grimes, takes the lead role, with Elza Van den Heever playing Ellen, Iain Paterson does justice to Balstrode’s role, while Rebecca de Pont Davies gives a spectacular performance as Auntie. Directed by David Alden and conducted by Edward Gardner, Peter Grimes features some of the most powerful and evocative music ever written and was a massive hit in the UK. International critics have given rave reviews about Peter Grimes. The London Evening Standard hails it as “a shattering evening of music theatre”, The Observer calls it “unmissable”, The Times states “Stuart Skelton’s Grimes is both ravishingly sung and fully dramatically realised”, while the Daily Telegraph praises “Edward Gardner’s masterly conducting … the orchestra plays for him as if possessed, and the result is an evening of scorching intensity”.

Peter Grimes, a ‘must see’ opera in Nigeria, is brought Altive Media and the British Council.

Nigeria to mark American Labour Day

By Uyoatta Eshiet

If you think your teenager is unaware of teenage pregnancy, sexuality and HIV scourge, you will be shocked to learn what he knows when you read My Daughters and I by Ifeoma Theodore Jnr, Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.

RE you having challenges in providing relevant guidance to your children about their fears and concerns, especially the girl child? Or you are in denial habits and too busy to spend quality time with them? Then, there are two books you must read o overcome all these challenges and be a true and responsible parent.

Last year November, social awareness consultant, Mrs Ifeoma Theodore Jnr published two books-Trapped In Oblivion and My Daughters and I as her contributions to bridge the gap between the informal and formal education of adolescents who could be misinformed by their peers. The graduate of English and Literary Studies is passionate about developing the girl-child focusing on the informal education aspect in order for her to gain confidence and grow morally.

She is a strong voice in the most challenging race to instill core values in adolescent, particularly the girl-child. In about one year, Ifeoma who is into social awareness and counseling put all her old materials together for publishing and her husband gave the first push and read through the manuscript.

“We need to start advocating for both formal and informal education of every child using

FILM

A •Theodore

because parents are in denial habits.

Unfortunately, most of the kids are informed but misinformed by their peers.”

She disclosed that writing on socio issues affecting adolescent isn’t a big challenge as she interacts freely with them while feeling their pulse. According to her, she always transports herself to when she was younger in order to do the writing. “My interaction with them gives me the opportunity to balance the choice of language to convey the message,” Ifeoma said, noting that she was impressed and fulfilled by the responses from readers of the two books.

She is however not in a hurry to write another book for now. That will only happen after she has successfully taken the books to every home.

ANNIVERSARY

GROUP, “Back to my roots Nigeria”, a group of Artists, in collaboration with “New Genesis International Promotions”, United States A, will celebrate this year’s American Labour Day . The head of the group, Mr Olawale Jordan said his group will participate in the forth coming American Labour Day Celebration and the Brooklyn Carnival holding in New York City from August 28 to September 2.

Speaking at the Obele Oniwala Community Centre, Lawanson, Surulere, venue of the group’s command performance Jordan said his group made up of 60 members, will be presenting Nigerian cultural dances and Afro music at the event. His said ‘Back to my Roots’ is a complete Nigerian group as artists are drawn from across every zone of the country.

He explained that the participation is to revive and propagate Nigeria’s rich culture which is gradually dying as a result of external influences.

The international promoter and head of New Genesis international Promotions, Mr Olawale Oyefeso said he was glad to partner Jordan and his group to revive the dying Nigerian culture and promote same internationally. He said he has been working with other groups before in other areas but that he wanted to partner Jordan to promote Nigeria and Africa. He described the command performanc e as being colourful.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

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COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

Triumph of due process

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• That is what FIFA’s lifting of its suspension on Nigeria is

UST as well FIFA, the global football governing body, on July 18 lifted the ban it imposed on Nigeria, for attempting to torpedo the Aminu Maigari-led Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), despite the country’s knowledge of the provisions of Article 12 of the FIFA Statutes.

This latest Nigerian comeuppance might be in football. But the attempt to pull down a legally constituted body is an unsavoury metaphor for the overwhelming executive lawlessness in the local polity. The big difference here was that FIFA was there to insist on the sanctity of its own laws; and took effective action to defend and preserve it.

On the local plane, however, it is archguardians of the law that do not think twice before subverting it for immediate political — or even partisan — expediency. It is the Achilles heel of Nigerian delicate democracy — if what is ongoing

‘This latest Nigerian comeuppance might be in football. But the attempt to pull down a legally constituted body is an unsavoury metaphor for the overwhelming executive lawlessness in the local polity. The big difference here was that FIFA was there to insist on the sanctity of its own laws; and took effective action to defend and preserve it’

could be so called, especially when the sanctity of laws is the subject.

Just as the attempted dissolution of the Maigari-led NFF Board is a piquant metaphor for executive lawlessness, the sudden hero-turned-villain odyssey of the board is another metaphor for the quicksand transition from heroism to villainy, that is well and truly Nigerian.

The Maigari board won the FIFA U-17 World Cup, took a pack of near-rookies to South Africa to win the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), qualified Nigeria for the Brazil World Cup, all in 2013; and made a respectable third placing in the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) in the same South Africa in 2014.

Yet, it took perhaps a change of minister — and, of course, brouhaha over money in Brazil — to demonise the same hitherto high flying board, to merit instant dissolution, even if what, in the public space, are nothing but allegations, with no guilt proven in a court of competent jurisdiction.

This line of argument does not, in any way, justify or tolerate sleaze, if any case of such is proven. If the Maigari board is guilty of sleaze, by all means let the hammer fall.

But no serious nation tries its best NFF board for many seasons on the basis of allegations; and on the emotive basis of such allegations, go ahead to find it guilty, dissolve the board, and threaten its members with prosecution.

In serious climes, prosecution ought to come first, solid case proved, conviction safe in the bag, before dissolution follows. Indeed, even before that process

runs its course, the guilty party would have honourably quit.

That brings the matter to the FIFA intervention and comeuppance. It is tribute to Nigeria’s penchant for impunity that the National Sports Commission (NSC) would feel FIFA is obliged to wave its rules, accept its NFF roasting as manifest goodness and put the Maigari board to the sword — even if Nigeria is only one of the 209 FIFA member-countries; and the other 208 members are expected to play by FIFA rules! It is good that FIFA, with no less devastation, has woken the NSC up from its reverie.

There is, of course, the emotive argument that since NSC funds NFF, it has a right of life and death over it. But the little discomfort is that NSC freely subscribed to the FIFA statutes, the moment its proxy, NFF, opted to join the FIFA family. Besides, NSC does not exist in the FIFA radar. So, if you are no member of a club, how can you, in all good conscience, badger the laws of that club and expect to have your way?

If NSC has a strong case against the Maigari NFF, let it marshal its case; and present such before the NFF congress. If the evidence is sound and the case is overwhelming, the congress would do the needful, without disrupting an already unstable football governing environment.

Let this be the last time the Nigerian government would embarrass Nigeria in FIFA court only to back down. Such allmuscle-no-brain tactics contribute nothing to the progress of the game, or earn Nigeria the respect it deserves in the global football community.

Nadine Gordimer, 1923-2014

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• One of Africa’s most formidable writer-activists passes on

HE widespread sorrow which greeted the death, at 90, of the South African activist, novelist and shortstory writer, Nadine Gordimer, is a tribute to the social benefits of personal courage and the value of politically-relevant art. In an era where literary, musical and other artistes appear to have found compromise more profitable than commitment, Gordimer represents a distinguished coterie of writers who consistently spoke truth to power.

Her life reads like the fiction for which she became world-famous. The daughter of European immigrants to South Africa, Gordimer was brought up in a social context of racial privilege which she could have accepted like millions of fellowwhites in the racist enclave. It is a tribute to her moral integrity that she refused to do so, devoting all of her adult life to exposing the contradictions of apartheid and fighting for its complete eradication.

In novels like July’s People (19810, Burger’s Daughter (1979), The Lying Days (1953), Occasion for Loving (1963), and short-story collections like Face to Face (1949) and The Soft Voice of the Serpent (1952), Gordimer explored the ways in which a system of institutionalised racism brutalised both its victims and its ostensible beneficiaries, and thus created a society in which real progress was impossible. These and other works celebrated the inner strength of individuals who found the courage to look beyond stereotypes and prejudice, regardless of the seeming justifications of race, ethnicity and social class. The courage and artistry with which she wrote were rewarded by

distinctions and honours from all over the world, culminating in the award of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1991.

Gordimer also walked her talk. She joined the African National Congress (ANC) at a time when the apartheid regime branded it a terrorist organisation, and treated its members as such. At great personal risk, she hid fugitive ANC leaders and was an outspoken advocate of its goals. She never lost an opportunity to denounce apartheid for the abomination that it was whenever she was outside the country, over time becoming one of the most respected anti-apartheid voices in the world. It is no surprise that when Nelson Mandela left prison to world-wide acclaim in 1990, she was among the first set of people that he wanted to see.

Unlike many politically-committed and socially-relevant writers, Gordimer was not an uncritical follower of the causes she supported. As an ANC member, she was well aware of its numerous flaws, but argued that it was counterproductive to criticise it while remaining outside its ranks. When President Thabo Mbeki infamously questioned the cause of HIV/ AIDS, she openly disagreed with him, in spite of his impeccable credentials as a hero of the liberation struggle. She lamented the crime and xenophobia which have come to characterise the ‘Rainbow Nation’, and was particularly scathing of the current Zuma administration’s attempt to clamp down on freedom of expression through its so-called Protection of State Information Bill.

Nadine Gordimer was, in essence, the fullest manifestation of the engaged art-

ist, one for whom art could not but function at its best within the ambit of the society that was its context. As she claimed, “To be a writer is to enter into public life.”

It is an example that recommends itself to the African writers who are her literary descendants. Gordimer did not set out to “oppose” the authorities of her day in order to obtain a reputation; she did not seek to undermine the status quo for its own sake. She chose the route she embarked upon because it was so obviously the right thing to do. It was not easy. It was not convenient or comfortable. But it was right.

Too many of Africa’s upcoming writers seem not to possess the courage of their convictions that is required to follow moral courses and causes, regardless of how difficult or unpopular they may seem. In Gordimer, they have a sterling example of what to do and how to do it.

May her soul rest in peace.

‘Gordimer did not set out to “oppose” the authorities of her day in order to obtain a reputation; she did not seek to undermine the status quo for its own sake. She chose the route she embarked upon because it was so obviously the right thing to do.

It was not easy. It was not convenient or comfortable.

But it was right’

The West needs a strategy to contain the world’s newest rogue state — Russia

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HE DESTRUCTION of a Malaysian airliner over Ukraine may not have been intended

by Russia or the militants it has supported and armed. But their behavior since the downing of the plane has been a lesson in barbarity and morally contemptible statecraft. While its proxies, commanded by some of its own citizens, did their best to cover up the atrocity, the government of Russian President Vladi-mir Putin has denied the obvious, employing a blatantly mendacious propaganda campaign.

The tactics prompted angry statements Monday from President Obama and European leaders.

But more Western rhetoric is not what is needed now.

Late Monday, rebels who control the region where the plane was downed finally appeared to be taking steps toward cooperating with the Malaysian government and other international authorities. Nothing, however, can compensate for the militants’ behavior in the four days after a Russian-supplied anti-aircraft battery on their territory shot down the airliner. According to numerous reports, they prohibited international investigators from reaching the site, haphazardly loaded bodies onto train cars and looted the personal effects of victims.

In Moscow, Mr. Putin disappeared from view after making a statement assigning responsibility for the downing to the Ukrainian government on the absurd grounds that Kiev had dared to fight back against the infiltrators dispatched and armed by his own regime. Moscow’s propaganda apparatus then swung into action, producing a blizzard of fake evidence and bizarre conspiracy theories to deflect responsibility. At a Defense Ministry briefing Monday, journalists were presented with concocted data purporting to show that the Malaysian flight could have been shot down by a Ukrainian warplane — a lie that is the more bold because of the ease with which it can be disproved.

It’s worth underlining that this rogue-state behavior is being practiced not by an acknowledged pariah nation but by an accepted member of the Group of 20 that aspires to be treated by the West as an economic and strategic partner. It follows the first forcible invasion and annexation of European territory since 1945, as well as a months-long covert campaign in which Russian military operatives, mercenaries and heavy weapons have entered eastern Ukraine.

Both the United States and the European Union have been too tactical and too tolerant in responding to Russia’s new barbarism. On Monday, President Obama was still focused on “investigating exactly what happened” — even though the evidence of Russian responsibility is already abundant. He had nothing tangible to say about consequences. He and European leaders say their objective is a “cease-fire” in eastern Ukraine , though that would likely freeze in place the men and weapons Russia has sent there and make it virtually impossible for Kiev to regain control over the territory.

What’s needed is a broad strategy for putting a stop to Mr. Putin’s aggression and, where possible, rolling it back. That begins with sanctions designed to inflict damage on the Russian economy, such as the “sectoral” sanctions Mr. Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel threatened months ago but never deployed.

Military measures are also necessary, including rapidly supplying the Ukrainian army with the material it has requested. It’s time to treat Mr. Putin’s Russia as what it has become — a dangerous outlaw regime that needs to be contained.

– Washington Post

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: I was amused when I read a news report carried by an online publication, DNA Nigeria, of one Julius Ogboru’s characterisation of the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, as a shoe-shiner in terms of development of Edo State compared to what Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has done in Delta State.

I consider this unprovoked attack unnecessary and uncalled for, particularly as it was reported that Ogboru, described as a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Uduaghan on Community Affairs, ‘’made this statement while commenting on the finishing strong slogan of the administration’’. It is evident from the report that Ogboru was not asked his opinion on the performance of the Comrade Governor of Edo State nor was he asked to do a comparative analysis of the developmental efforts of the two governors.

Julius Ogboru was quoted as saying: ‘’When you are far from the government, you feel the government is not doing anything but having started working with the state government, I now see that sometimes we stayed at a distance and start criticising the government over things we know nothing about. A close look at what the administration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has done and that of our sister state, Edo, you will agree with me that Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is shoe shiner as against the impression the people are having’’.

If Ogboru who has been living in Delta state did not know what Uduaghan of the PDP was doing in

state for close to eight years, Oshiomhole has done only five and half years in Edo State. While Uduaghan started from the foundation laid by his predecessors, Comrade Oshiomhole had the misfortune of clearing the debris left behind by PDP administrations in the state and laying a foundation for the rapid transformation and development of the state.

With a meagre monthly allocation of an average of N2 billion and an internally generated revenue of less than same amount, Oshiomhole has

maintained a motivated workforce paid as at when due; built, renovated and reconstructed primary and secondary schools across the state; rehabilitated, reconstructed and constructed health facilities; built and reconstructed roads and streets designed and completed with covered drains, walk ways and street lights; provided communities across the 18 local government areas in the state with potable water and electricity as well as flood control, environmental sanitation and beautification. Benin City, the Edo State capi-

tal, is undoubtedly a cleaner, safer, orderly and beautiful city compared to the decay of the past.

Compared with Governor Uduaghan’s huge monthly allocation of an average of N20 billion and internal revenue receipt of N8 billion, Oshiomhole by all standards qualifies to be termed a genius in financial management, prudence, accountability and transparency.

Julius Ogboru requires a lesson or two on how not to cause friction between the governments of two sister states. It is unfortunate that Governor Uduaghan chose the wrong person to do a job meant for saner minds. As it appears, Julius may well be a shoe-shiner, whose sole intent is to polish his master’s ego and bring himself into political limelight having stayed in the shadows of his more illustrious brother, Great Ogboru over the years.

• Blessing Yakubu, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

IR: The governorship election of June 20 in Ekiti State has come and gone. However, one development that lingers on in the aftermath is a new phrase that has entered into the nation’s political lexicon. This is ‘stomach infrastructure’. It refers to the practice of the electorate asking to be paid upfront the dividends of democracy, in material term.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ayodele Fayose, has become the poster boy of this tendency as reports have it that he won because he wooed the

voters with food items, especially rice. Many politicians across the land have suddenly become jittery while analysts have expressed concern on the dysfunction that is setting in the democratic process whereby factors like personality, impressive track record and performance in office may no longer determine the outcome of elections but the capacity of candidates to induce voters with food. Tarring roads and providing social infrastructure may not cut it again but stomach infrastructure.

The PDP has now wrongly pro-

the express junction to Mbano camp junction which was reconstructed recently.

Roads like School, Market, Isaiah Eletuo, Ehi, Palm Grove, Chigbu, Imo Street and numerous others are impassable. One of them, the old Aba Port Harcourt road, from Mbano camp junction to Oyigbo west is water-logged.

Because of this pitiable situation, many residents who are mostly traders have relocated to the nearby towns like Iriebe and Umuiebulu as they find it extremely difficult to break even due to low patronage. What still

remains a puzzle is that the local government field workers, despite the pitiable condition of these roads wade through them and demand for taxes and levies from the remaining traders, not minding whether they are selling or not.

This writer pleads with state governor, Hon Chibuike Amaechi to come to the rescue of Oyigbo residents to avail them the opportunity of reaping the dividend of democracy like their counterparts in other parts of the state.

• Gabriel Nkemakolam, Port Harcourt

jected this perverse tendency to the coming governorship election in Osun State and is now claiming that it would buy the election, just as it did in Ekiti. Well, Osun is not Ekiti and therefore will not produce the same outcome.

However, if the stomach infrastructure rule will also hold in Osun, then, Aregbesola is far ahead of the PDP in this department. You will recall that Aregbesola has started the stomach infrastructure campaign long before the election.

For close to three years now, the government of Ogbeni Aregbesola introduced (and has been running) the home grown school feeding programme for primary school pupils in the state. More than 300,000 pupils are now being fed a sumptuous meal every school day.

This is a rich meal containing beef, catfish, chicken, egg and fruits. In addition, a deworming exercise is carried out on a regular basis so that worms will not be sharing the food with the kids.

This programme is so successful and popular that the British Parliament recently sent a delegation to come and study it preparatory to recommending it to other states in Nigeria and other countries in Africa. The Federal Government has also reluctantly decided to

copy this programme and sponsor it in other states in Nigeria.

This programme tagged ‘O’MEALS’ is also integrated into agriculture and other empowerment programmes in Osun. These are the cocoyam farming, poultry farming and fish farming. The government gave most of these hitherto unemployed youths training, helped them to set up and buys off their produce in bulk from them.

We even have reports that the parents of the pupils were asking their wards to bring part of their food home so they can share with their siblings. This has made school enrolment to surge in Osun.

To the best of my knowledge, Omisore has no such programme.

All he’s been heard saying is that he will return schools to missionaries. When Aregbesola’s stomach infrastructure through O’MEALS clashed with Omisore’s stomach infrastructure of rice and N2,000 cash, there is no debating that O’MEALS will carry the day.

The moral here is that political victory belongs to those who have foresight and had worked in advance, not those who crash into election with worthless and subversive gifts.

• Mike Ogundele, Osogbo, Osun State

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Who’s the shoe-shiner in government?

Delta until recently when he was asked to “come and chop”, how would he know what massive infrastructural development Oshiomhole of APC has brought to Edo State where he does not live in?

There is no basis whatsoever for comparing the two governors. They govern two different states with different endowments in terms of people and places, resources and needs.

Even the platforms which brought them to office at different times are not the same. While Uduaghan has been in office as governor in Delta

S

Aregbesola’s ‘stomach infrastructure’

RVSG: Oyigbo City needs attention

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IR: Oyigbo city, in Oyigbo local government area of Rivers State could be described as a gateway city to Port Harcourt for travelers traveling from the neighbouring Abia State.

The city had been the nerve centre of the state until a couple of years ago when the volume of business there drastically declined as a result of very low patronage by its customers due to the deplorable state of the roads.

All the roads, including those in the suburbs are in a bad state. The only good road is a section of Location road that emanates from

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

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COMMENTS

Victims’ Support Fund; Happiness Factor; RSVP: ‘Let them eat rice’

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T last a Victims’/ Survivors Fund is a reality more two years late and as repeatedly recommended in this column. Too late for too many. The Red Cross and Blue Crescent Tony must be made integral Marinho parts of the boardroom of this Danjuma- headed solution. The Red Cross, Blue Crescent and Victims’ Support Fund must recruit and employ only victims and survivors to help in quick restoration of the dignity of loss of limbs and loved ones and home and landeverything. Remember the debacle of the Police Fund? Do not use smart people removed from the war. Register the first victims by work experience and place and use them to fully register all victims by job and use them for everything from record taking, evaluation, purchase of products, transportation, distribution, storage, fuelling. Empower them, not pity them. They all had jobs before –just give them back those jobs and respectability through the Victims Support Fund.

The political die is cast and the numbers do not add up to any good. True federalism is still the main bone of contention in the national plate at what unwittingly could easily become the last supper of Nigeria- the last Non Sovereign National Conference. I repeat that the northern delegates should all visit the wastelands of the oil-vomiting states and the southern delegates should visit the deserts and both Hausa and Fulani and the 100 other tribes including the teeming Christians of the North. There is a lot to blame greedy individuals for diverting the huge amounts of money actually allocates to both sides of the River Niger and the even larger sums stolen outright.

There is enough for every Nigerians need but not for anyone’s greed. The warped federal structure has truncated many opportunities, mainly due to electoral malpractices and federal feudal money and might stamping on state rights. For the correct record, Nigeria needs a Conference of Federal Fault, Failures and Fraud to document fraudulent federalism at every

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HE race to succeed Osita Chidoka, the outgoing Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, (COMACE), of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, is on. Chidoka was recently nominated as a minister representing Anambra State in the Federal Cabinet. His nomination was ratified by the Senate last week and he may be sworn in today as the country’s Minister of Aviation. In that case, he will be replacing Stella Oduah, the former minister, who was relieved of her appointment a few months ago in controversial circumstances.

Recent newspapers’ speculations say several people both within and outside the commission have thrown their hats into the ring to succeed Chidoka. Good. But my concern here is that the government should be mindful of whoever is chosen to step in as the new COMACE. The reason is that every programme of the FRSC since inception in 1988 has been on the recycling mode: drivers license, number plate etc without any new or significant idea being brought on the table. This may probably be one of the reasons why people are rooting for outsiders as those inside had not been able to guide outsiders that were brought in with new ideas or, perhaps, those inside too have no new ideas about how to remove deaths from our roads.

This is why it has become exigent for the government to make a good choice of a new COMACE, somebody who will fit in perfectly well and be able to enhance the operational capabilities of the commission. This will leave a level of confidence in the minds of road safety professionals.

I learnt that the government is

level historically to prevent a future of state servitude to federal fraud.

Bhutan is a country with under one million citizens bordered by giants India and China, and the Himalayas. Bhutan has given the world a gargantuan gift by measuring governance by the Gross National Happiness Index, GNHI, replacing the cold economic GDP, Gross National Product, which worships money and banking indices over the people’s joie de vive joy of life, the ultimate goal of selfless politics. Following the recommendation of Bhutan, March 20, is the Annual UN International Day of Happiness. Many countries have ‘Happiness Indices’ in their statistics. Happiness combats bullying, suicide and violence including cults and murder in curricula in many schools and universities. As part of a serious ‘Happiness Course’ there are ‘Happiness Classes’, ‘Positive classes’, ‘warm showers’ where students face away from classmates who say nice things about them, meditation, sharing respect for environment and interdependence.

Check ‘UN International Day of Happiness’, Happiness Classes on the web and introduce them in Nigeria. Bullying is a human rights crime against children. You may just save a life and make a bullied child happy. Nowadays youth even kill their parents ‘out of annoyance’. Meanwhile politicians play murder games for money and power.

What does this tornado of impeachments add to our happiness? None. Nigeria’s citizens can also scheme, recall and initiate clear impeachment threats to assembly members. He who impeaches can also be impeached. The voter must assert the same right! In the light of the ‘loss of Ekiti, the citizens of the surviving APC states are ‘happy’ at the ‘side effect’ -an upsurge of democratic practices, not extraordinary ‘dividends of democracy’. Traditionally, all budgets and ‘emergency contract’ revenues are legally ‘disappeared’ and ‘diverted’ to ‘preelection political electioneering’. This plunges Nigeria into a pre-election development abyss with unpaid salaries and pensions and looting all to create a political war-chest of up to N10billion to wage war in the forthcoming state elections or an illegal retirement fund. But after the shock stomach-politics of Ekiti, the political ‘hills are alive with the sound’ of money music and ‘re-strategising’ with roads being tarred,

potholes filled, and rice trailer-loads reaching political partyfriend and party-foe. The result has been ‘True UN Happiness’ for the masses –food for belly and brain. Even abandoned Bodija potholes are filled, one year late. The masses are rice-happy. Any stew for RSVP- Rice and Stew Very Plenty?

Most non-progressive governments, with an exception of a Peter Obi or two, used the politics of destruction ignoring development. This involves relying on ‘the politics of the stomach, rice, rice, rice everywhere’ to ignore or quench ‘the thirst for development’. In the tiny mind of this political section, the ‘masses’ do not need development and they echo the ill-fated Queen of France, Marie-Antoinette, who is probably wrongly accused of recommending to the poor ‘let them [citizens] eat cake’ fuelling the French Revolution. Now it is ‘Let them eat rice’ while politicians and civil servants steal their inheritance, though a Chinese Emperor said to peasants who did not even have rice ‘let them eat meat, according to Wikipedia.

So-called ‘Progressive’ governments have quickly learnt this ‘stomach politics’ of the suspected ‘fingerprint disappearing and scientifically rigged’ Ekiti election. He who has not rigged, step forward. In fact these surviving progressive states can claim both developmental and stomach politics.

• To be continued • PS: Nigerians must protest if the federal government delays revenue allocations to the non-ruling party states.

‘What does this tornado of impeachments add to our happiness?

None. Nigeria’s citizens can also scheme, recall and initiate clear impeachment threats to assembly members. He who impeaches can also be impeached. The voter must assert the same right!’

FRSC: Who succeeds Chidoka? actually under intense political pressure to outsource the next Corps Marshal. In this regard, the name of a retired general has continuously been bandied about. The truth is that the task of enforcing sanity on our roads is not a job for a military man either serving or retired. Not even for any other person outside the road safety professionals who are not in short supply in the country. That is why the government must consider merit to pick a suitable candidate for the job.

It will be a great disservice to the current crop of tested, dedicated, hardworking and highly skilful road safety professionals in the country if the government succumbs to the frenetic pressure being mounted on it by fortune seekers to take over the operation of the FRSC. In the quest for merit, the government should also consider some of the pioneering officers who may have left the organisation but are still in the profession and have garnered more experience that could move the organisation to a higher level.

For many years, the FRSC has been quite unfortunate in the choice of chief executives which seems to have been permanently brought under the vagaries of politics and politicians. If this trend is allowed to continue, it would be tantamount to the Biblical saying that “it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven”. The interpretation of this is that it will be easier for a politician who has nothing particu-

‘It will be a great disservice to the current crop of tested, dedicated, hardworking and highly skilful Road Safety professionals in the country if the government succumbs to the frenetic pressure being mounted on it by fortune seekers to take over the operation of the FRSC’

lar to offer to head the commission, than for a thoroughbred professional in the road safety sector, to aspire to lead the FRSC. In other words, it would be professionally diminishing, suffocating and even suicidal for the FRSC to be constantly brought under the leadership of neophytes and non-starters in road safety matters. I believe the time has come for the government to insulate the commission from politics and political fortune seekers who have nothing tangible to offer than the quest for filthy lucre in the guise of political patronage.

In my recent discussion with someone who is well groomed in road safety matters, he told me that there seems to be a dearth in the development of new ideas in FRSC. According to him, “FRSC has a purposeless leadership with a spineless and clueless followership”. If this is true, now is the time to reorder the operation of the commission. With a politician in charge, there is no way the activities of the FRSC would not be politicised one way or the other. If this happens, professionalism will become endangered, morale will be at the lowest ebb, while accountability will take flight. Yet a Corps Marshal is expected to lead a commission that is so richly endowed with a crop of dedicated, well-trained and hi-tech generation of young officers who are very prepared to give their outmost best in the discharge of their duties to their fatherland. It is, therefore, pertinent to allow merit to guide the choice of a new helmsman for the commission from the existing road safety professionals in the country rather than bringing just anybody out of mere political patronage.

The first COMACE of the commission at inception in 1988 was Olu Agunloye, who held sway from 1988 to 1995. He laid the building blocks of the commission under a Governing Board headed by Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, as chairman. It was under their

stringent watch that the commission took off, and rapidly became a household name within a few years of its existence. In fact, some of the present crops of senior officers were the first set of officers in the commission at its establishment in 1988. There are also some of them who have left with good records but are still very active in the propagation of road safety ideas and ideals. All of them have gone through the evolution and metamorphosis which have seen the FRSC transform to a formidable government parastatal that it is today. These officers are welltrained and properly immersed in the rudiments and complexities of road safety so much that they can stand their own in the comity of road safety practitioners anywhere in the globe.

Agunloye was succeeded by Gen. Haladu Hananiya, whose appointment was a form of political rehabilitation. It was under his watch that the commission was almost polarized along North-South divide, a situation that left a deep scar on the integrity of the commission.

Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why people are so worried and concerned about who takes over from Chidoka. It is true that Chidoka himself was an outsider when he was brought in as COMACE about seven years ago, but because of his enthusiasm coupled with his previous experience in government’s bureaucracy, he was able to learn the ropes fast. He may not have been perfect in the discharge of his duties as COMACE during his tenure, but by and large, he demonstrated an uncommon zeal and desire to excel.

Those who are rooting for an outsider to be appointed as COMACE are drawing inspiration from a section in the existing FRSC’s Act. Section 7(1) of the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment Act) 2007 says: “There shall be a Corps Marshal who shall

Dele Agekameh be appointed by the President and who shall be a person possessing sound knowledge or ability in the organisation and administration of road traffic and road safety measures”. Though this may appear to make the choice of a new COMACE flexible, fluid and at the discretion of the President, nonetheless, emphasis should be on continuity and competence if the commission is not to be turned into a dumping ground for politicians and professional misfits. Such politicians will only come to sow the seed of acrimony, witch hunt and destabilise an otherwise well-focused, well-positioned and progressive government establishment that has so far made appreciable impact on safety on our roads.

After more than 26 years of operation, during which time both the officers and men of the commission have acquainted themselves creditably well in the discharge of the onerous responsibility of keeping our roads safe or, at least, minimising carnage on our roads, it will be most appropriate for the government to appoint a professional as the next COMACE, of the commission. By doing this, the government would have done so well to sustain the gains of the commission over the years.

Send reactions to: 08058354382 (SMS only)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

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COMMENTS

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Abia 2015: Ukwa/Ngwa holds the ace

OLITICKING periods are usually interesting times. A lot of unprintable things happen. Quislings barefacedly distort facts and history at mere inducement with filthy lucre.

All sorts of illogicalities, innuendos and twisted arguments are advanced to justify people’s partisan leanings. Political jobbers and carpetbaggers float mushroom and sycophantic groups to dance to the rhythm of political vampires that don’t mean well for the people. And like in every war or crisis situation, the chief casualty is the truth but truth in this scenario, is comparable to the proverbial phoenix bird that emerges strongly from ashes of defeat and near-extinction, even when all hope is lost.

That is what is steadily but clumsily playing out in Abia today, in the build-up to the 2015 gubernatorial contest. The consensus opinion is that Ukwa/Ngwa should produce the next governor of Abia State, in the spirit of equity, fairness and the principle of ‘live and let live’. To this end, a flurry of political activities have commenced with legion of aspirants from Ukwa/Ngwa bloc struggling to take a shot at the coveted seat. Those aspirants from old Bende bloc who insist on defying the torrents of public opinion, to test political waters on governorship seat, are now battling with courage of conviction and a baggage of moral burden.

Indeed, Ukwa/Ngwa bloc has demographic strength with nine out of the 17 LGAs. They are: Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South, Osisioma, Obi Ngwa, Aba North, Aba South, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East and Ukwa West LGAs; but the bloc has never produced a governor right from the era of the East Central State, to the old Imo State and now, Abia State. Ukwa/ Ngwa bloc has been confined to the position of Deputy Governor for years, a position that lacks a clear-cut constitutional role to drive a developmental course for any people. A corollary of the foregoing is that over the years, the struggle for power shift had remained on the platform of Ukwa/Ngwa bloc. One could remember vividly that during the countdown to the governorship election in 2003, the ‘Otu Onu’ mantra which contextually means ‘a single term’ was used to rally Ukwa/Ngwa solidarity to challenge the second

‘The proponents of power shift to Abia South alone are inadvertently setting the Ukwa/Ngwa extraction against one another. The present governor of the State was elected based on the fact that he is from Umuahia and not necessarily from Abia Central’

I

N Nigeria today, there is no state or city where the menace of land speculation is as pronounced as the Federal Capital City. For want of a better expression, their activities have made land ownership a nightmare for potential investors in the nation’s capital city. The situation has become so bad to the extent that incidences of double or multiple land allocations and wanton abuse of Abuja’s master plan has become the norm rather that the exception.

That the disturbing incidence has persisted till date is not due to lack of attempts by the FCT administration to curb it. Far from it! Successive administrations in FCT have made several attempts to halt the menace with little success. Each time policies are rolled out to curb the activities of land speculators, the criminals involved would always evolve their own strategies to circumvent such government’s policies.

If truth must be told and even orchestrated, thousands of Nigerians have fallen victims to the dangerous activities of land speculators in Abuja, with scores of them losing precious properties worth millions of naira, including lives in the process.

Some became hypertensive, while others have become living corpses as a result of the rapacious greed of these elements.

That the incidence of land speculation is still very much on in Abuja is not in doubt. And that it is being fuelled by the greed of some desperadoes is equally not in contention. But what is however disturbing in the entire saga is the cutting of corners or worse still, the flouting of laws to dubiously acquire lands for amorphous land development purposes.

It would be recalled that the FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed at the 34th Leadership Forum put together by Nigerian Pilot and its sister publication, Nigerian Newsworld magazine sometime this year, had expressed serious worry about the pernicious activities of land speculators, which he said had become a cog in the wheel of progress, especially in land ad-

By Onwutuebe Hilary term bid of former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, when Ukwa/ Ngwa, which parades the highest number of the LGAs in the state had not taken at least a tenure. The campaign was spearheaded by the former Deputy Governor and now Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who sought to make a political capital from the genuine aspiration of Ukwa La Ngwa.

Though the bloc lost the fiercely contested election yet that has continued to reverberate a feeling of deprivation and a lack of fulfillment in the minds of full-bloodied Ukwa/Ngwa persons.

Unfortunately, those who championed the clamour in those days are today leading the pack of a negligible few who wants the three Ukwa/Ngwa LGAs in Abia Central shut out from the race. It is therefore preposterous and self-serving to insist that the justifiable power shift to Ukwa/Ngwa bloc should be restricted to the LGAs in Abia South, excluding the core Ngwa LGAs – Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma that were excised to Abia Central through INEC’s constituency delimitation. It would be a tactical miscalculation that would breed unforeseen backlash for Ukwa/Ngwa solidarity. It is unconscionable to shut out fellow soldiers of war during the allocation of spoils of victory. It is an injustice of monumental proportion which its fruits of victory would be ashes in the mouth. The simmering discontent arising from the mere clandestine mooting of the idea is snowballing to a tinder box and its wounds, if allowed to fester, can mar the gains of the disposition of other Abians to give Ukwa/Ngwa a chance. He that goes to equity must have clean hands. Ethnic bond maintained by the ancestors for several years should not be sacrificed on the altar of power game. The agitations for power shift in Abia have been along old Bende and Ukwa/Ngwa or old Aba blocs. The recent permutation along senatorial zones is unsustainable.

Take for instance, if a governor from Abia South decides to pick a deputy from Abia Central and he chooses him/her from one of the three Ukwa/Ngwa LGAs in Abia Central, will that be acceptable to Abians? Will it make for harmony and a good spread of political offices? Do you think that Abians will not feel short-changed? These fundamental questions that must crop up in the future are supposed to be yardstick and the building blocks of an egalitarian society which we earnestly desire. The proponents of power shift to Abia South alone are inadvertently setting the Ukwa/Ngwa extraction against one another. The present governor of the State was elected based on the fact that he is from Umuahia and not necessarily from Abia Central. The obnoxious proposal will engender instability and raise security fears.

The essence of power rotation is to give sense of belonging to every section but the inability of the handlers to market the idea with strong convictions will defeat its purpose. This first attempt to address the age-long agitations for power shift should be thrown open to all Ukwa/Ngwa or the old Aba Division people who teamed up together to fight for the plum ambition. Anything short of this position will stoke tensions and avoidable political squabbles. Those who resort to quoting Abia Charter of Equity always fail to inform the people that rotation of power along senatorial zones in Abia is not part of the document. The loud silence over this relevant information is understood. It is intended to hoodwink the unwary public and beat them into line, in order to actualize a predetermined end. Already, intelligence reports arising from Ngwaland indicate ominous signs of internal explosion among the Ukwa/Ngwa socio-political milieu. This vexed issue of lopsided application of power sharing principle becomes more unbearable, when one remembers that virtually all the plum federal appointments meant for Ukwa/ Ngwa people had gone to Abia South. Without mincing words, this unacceptable kite that is being flown, is targeted at distracting the vibrant campaign train of credible candidates like Senator Nkechi Nwogu whose towering profile, even as the only woman in the race, is sending shivers down the spines of fellow contestants, and their co-travellers in the ‘dead-onarrival’ plot. Her campaign outfit has already metamorphosed to a mass movement. Having excelled in the private sector before joining the shark-infested waters of politics, with many historic ‘firsts’ marking her footprints, she is poised to spring up surprises and be the game changer. As the only legislator in Abia State that came to the National Assembly from the opposition in 2003, the chances of emerging the first female governor in Nigeria is not an impossibility. Embedded in this path-breaking mission is the disposition of the PDP-led federal government to empower women to greater positions in government. Indeed, the groundswell of grassroot support based on the Senator’s sterling performance cannot be wished away. Abians cannot afford a greenhorn in its quest for stability. In all good conscience and to avoid sending a permanent sword of Damocles on Ukwa/Ngwa unity, the fair-minded power shift should be for Ukwa/Ngwa or the old Aba Division. When that is done, Abians can sit down and work out the most feasible power rotation formula that will take into cognizance, the nuances of our political firmament.

The Abia Charter of Equity that was written over 20 years ago, by the founding fathers should be reviewed, with a view to capture the present realities. This is the veritable path to sustainable peace during and after the 2015 transition in Abia State.

Curbing the menace of land speculators in Abuja

By Rogers Edor Ochela ministration in Abuja.

According to the minister, when he took over the driver’s seat at FCTA in 2011, land speculators were seen as the real landlords of Abuja who were doing their illegal businesses with reckless impunity; he however stressed that worried by this development, his administration decided to frontally tackle the menace with the setting up of Senator Saidu Dansadau Committee with a view to breaking their vicious stranglehold on land administration in the territory. Thereafter, he digitalized the system, which led to the enthronement of accountability in land administration in the FCT. To further prove that he meant well for the FCT, the FCT Minister deliberately decided to empower all plot owners by granting them titles, a development that has gone a long way in boosting the confidence of investors in the territory’s land administration.

The minister’s commendable efforts notwithstanding, some dubious smart alecs masquerading as land agents (read speculators) have been working assiduously to frustrate such laudable efforts, a development that has led to the avoidable friction between the FCDA and some estate developers like Minannuel Estate Developers and Saraha Estate in Galadima, along Kubwa Expressway in recent times, all of which fell under the weight of government’s bulldozers, a development that generated stormy criticisms of epic proportions from a segment of the society.

That the FCT administration is favourably disposed to having private sector ac-

quire lands for the purpose of providing houses for the people does not mean that when such developers breach the laws of the land with impunity, the authority should turn blind eyes to it. Because if such abuse of processes leading to land acquisition is allowed to persist, Nigerians may wake up to find out that Abuja has been turned into a jungle. May that not be the portion of our beloved capital city!

To forestall such possibility and further reduce the fraud associated with land administration in the territory, the FCT minister has injected transparency and good governance into Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS) as epitomized in the introduction of Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI). The transformation of the agency via computerization of ‘’spatially related work flows in selected departments and agencies and the build-up of AGIS Resource Centre’’ is a strategic effort geared towards this direction.

It would be recalled that the minister’s determination to tackle the menace of land speculation was further manifested when some of his aides were caught in land malpractices. What did he do? He promptly

fired them and handed them over to the security agencies for prosecution. That is a commendable act of seriousness on his part.

Experts in land administration and other unbiased developers are of the opinion that whatever the minister and his aides have been doing in the area of land administration is hinged on the spectacular pillar of abiding fidelity to Abuja’s Original Master Plan. Judging from his body language thus far, the minister has shown that as far as sticking to Abuja’s master plan is concerned, he is not willing to compromise. And that explains his persistent nay rugged determination to give land speculators a bloody nose and to throw them out of business once and for all.

Agreed, the administration has not totally succeeded in clinically eliminating this group of economic saboteurs from Abuja’s landscape, but it has taken the battle to their doorsteps with an all-round impressive transformation of land administration through AGIS under the directorship of Hajiya Jamila Tangaza.

• Ochela, contributed this piece from Bwari Abuja

‘That the FCT administration is favourably disposed to having private sector acquire lands for the purpose of providing houses for the people does not mean that when such developers breach the laws of the land with impunity, the authority should turn blind eyes to it.

Because if such abuse of processes leading to land acquisition is allowed to persist, Nigerians may wake up to find out that Abuja has been turned into a jungle’

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

25

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net Stories by Taofik Salako

Delta deal to bring U.S. crude to Pennsylvania Refinery

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ELTA Air Lines Incorporated (DAL), the largest United States carrier by market value, is trying to cash in on the biggest oil boom in the nation's history by bringing more domestic crude to its refinery near Philadelphia.

The Atlanta-based airline signed a five-year agreement with Addison, Texas-based midstream company Bridger LLC to supply the Trainer, Pennsylvania, refinery with 65,000 barrels of crude a day, more than a third of the plant's capacity.

Delta is hoping that greater use of domestic crude will help it turn a profit at the refinery, which it bought from ConocoPhillips in 2012 in an attempt to control prices and supplies for its fleet.

U.S. crude production has risen 55 percent since the start of 2010, making prices cheaper than in the rest of the world.

"We definitely believe domestic crude will be competitive versus foreign alternatives," Graeme Burnett, Delta's senior vice president for fuel optimisation, said by phone July 18. "We want to push the levels of domestic crude as high as we can."

Trainer is 100 miles (160 kilometers) from New York Harbor, the delivery point for gasoline and diesel futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Delta imported about 140,000 barrels of crude a day to feed the plant in April, mostly from Nigeria and Norway.

NLNG is one of the biggest success stories in our country. From what I am told, the company has invested $13 billion so far since inception, and has become a pacesetter in terms of revenue generation for the government.

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

Banks may raise N400b to boost capital base

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ANKS may raise some N400 billion in the current capital raising phase to strengthen their capital base in view of the impending implementation of the Basel II. The Basel II is the second global standards of capital adequacy issued by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision under the auspices of the Basel, Switzerland-based Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the oldest international financial organisation that coordinates central banks and standards for the international financial markets.

The Basel Committee has issued three sets of the global standards including Basel I, Basel II and Basel III, which increased stricter capi-

By Taofik Salako

tal risks and exposure management requirements from one level to another.

Basel II seeks to strengthen banks' risk and capital management through three main areas, otherwise known as pillars. The first pillar deals with minimum capital requirements, the second pillar deals with supervisory review process while the third pillar deals with processes relating to market discipline.

The pillars generally ensure that the greater the risk to which a bank is exposed, the greater the amount of capital and required supervisory framework.

After initial delay, Nigeria has set October 31, as the cutover date for the implementation of Basel II.

Investment banking sources said many banks have started the process of raising funds, a new level of activities that is expected to increase the momentum of the current phase of fund raising, which gathered pace in 2013.

Several pundits in the know of undercurrents in the capital market indicated that banks might raise some N400 billion to boost their capital base and strengthen their compliance level in view of the stricter requirements under Basel II. According to the sources, although the average capital adequacy ratio in the banking industry is high and most banks are above regulatory benchmark, banks might need to sup-

port their adequacy ratios, which are expected to fall after the cut-over.

The sources indicated that banks might combine debt and quasi-equity instruments with outright equity issues with focus on both tier I and tier II capital.

Market sources, some of who are involved in the capital raising processes, said the upwardly performance at the stock market should encourage banks to float supplementary capital issues.

Many banks, including Sterling Bank, Skye Bank, Diamond Bank, Unity Bank, Wema Bank and Zenith Bank have already completed initial phase of capital raising and have outlined further plans to raise more funds.

Several analysts' reviews on

RATES Inflation -8% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -1% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $45b FOREX CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

-0.2958 -206.9 -242.1 -156 -1.9179 -238 -40.472

‘Over 1000 police families to receive compensation soon’

By Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

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DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/ troy Sugar -$163/lb MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N11.4 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion

the banking sector have outlined capital raising as a major theme for the banking sector citing new regulations and emerging business opportunities.

Banks, under the auspices of the Bankers Committee, had decided to increase lending to the power sector.

The strategic funding plan is focused on aligning the banking system to provide adequate financing to meet the peculiarities of the power sector.

Nigeria is estimated to need more than $35 billion to meet its target of 40,000 megawatts by 2020.

•From left: Managing Director, Capital Bancorp Plc, Mr. Aigboje Higo; Head, Legal and Regulation Division, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Ms. Tinu Awe and Chairman, Capital Bancorp Plc Mr. Olutola Moboluri at the launch of Bancorp e-Trade at the NSE in Lagos.

Power sector gets 70% of domestic gas supply O improve electricity supply in the country, 70 per cent of total domestic gas supply put at 1.5 billion standard cubic feet per day (scf/d) is dedicated to the power sector, it was learnt.

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, who made this known, told The Nation that to further harness the gas resource for monetisation and development, the corporation has established a directorate to accomplish that objective.

He said: "The gas sector has witnessed commendable improvements in line with Federal Government's initiative to further monetise the gas resources of the nation. This led to establishment of the Gas and Power Directorate of the corporation, which is anchoring the gas revolution

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NERFUND: Govt may extend bidder exit date for interim managers - P 26

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

agenda launched by Mr. President aimed at enhancing gas utilisation in the country.

"We are focused on the development of and installation of new infrastructure for gas processing, transmission and distribution nationwide.

"Also as a result of the interventions, gas supply to the Nigerian market has grown from 300 million cubic feet per day a few years ago, to an all time high of 1.5 billion cubic feet per day, of which about 70 per cent is dedicated to support the power sector."

He also said gas flaring in the oil and gas industry has significantly reduced from 28 per cent two years ago to 10 per cent today, adding that in the past few years, the corporation has embarked on the most aggressive expansion of the nation's gas pipeline infrastructure for effec-

tive transmission and distribution of natural gas.

He said: "We are in the process of completing construction of pipeline connections to all gas fired power plants. Also the construction of a second 450 kilometre Escravos-Lagos pipeline system is almost completed. The EscravosOben and Emuren-Itoki segments have been completed and put into use, leaving the Oben-Emuren segment, which will be completed before end of the year. The construction of 120 kilometre East-West pipeline system has also commenced."

The NNPC lamented the unwarranted vandalism of the corporation's pipelines especially the major trunk lines through which crude oil is conveyed to the terminals for export. The development led to the intervention of the Federal Government with the setting up

Pension: Lagos is most complaint state - P38

of a committee. The actions of the committee led to improvement in oil production.

"It is pertinent to note that Nigeria's production and export is dependent on four main crude export pipelines - the Trans Forcados pipeline to the west, the Ogbanbiri/Temidaba/Brass pipelines in the centre, the Trans Niger pipeline and Nembe creek trunk line to the east respectively. When these pipelines are compromised and vandalised, over 500,000 barrels of oil per day are potentially at risk.

"Consequently, the Federal Government had to intervene with the setting up of a committee consisting members of the National Economic Committee. With the help of the committee, production increased slightly last year and is currently ramping up. We hope to see further improvement by year end," he added.

VER 1,000 families of Nigerian police officers and men who died or sustained injury during active service between 2012 and last year will soon receive adequate compensation, The Nation has learnt.

The victims are those who were not covered as a result of the nonpayment of insurance premium on the Group Life Assurance Scheme of Federal Government workers to insurers following the enforcement of ‘No premium, no cover’ policy by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) in the insurance industry.

Assistant Commissioner of Police and Head Insurance Department, Nigeria Police Force, Kayode Turner disclosed this in an interview with The Nation.

He said the Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar had been working with the Budget Office to pay the affected families.

He said following the enforcement of the ‘No premium, no cover’ policy’by NAICOM, the money to be paid to the families cannot be termed as insurance claims any longer but compensation because no premium was paid to the insurers.

Turner assured that going forward, premium on police Group Life Assurance Scheme will be paid up front.

He noted that the police presently have insurance cover running for the year, as insurance premium has been fully paid.

He believes premium should not be tied to quarterly allocation of the budget releases.

He however stated that NAICOM ought to give a special concession to the police and other security forces in paying their premium owing to the nature of their job and the time when the Federal Government budget allocation is released, knowing full well that premiums are paid from the budget which comes every January after most of these polices may have been due.

Hibiscus flower export as forex earner - P39

26

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS MONEY

e-mail: money@thenationonlineng.net

NERFUND: Govt may extend bidder exit date for interim managers T HE Ministry of Finance (MoF) may extend October deadline for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) to hands off the management of the National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND), The Nation has learnt.

The extension is to enable the interim management team complete NERFUND resuscitation.

The team was seconded last October 14 to overhaul NERFUND following a N5.7 billion loss. Its tenure is expected to end on October 13.

The team is headed by Muhammad Gidado Kollere of the NDIC as Managing Director/CEO; Ihua Elenwor of the CBN is the Executive Director, Operations.

The managers are to recover outstanding loans and reconciliate all accounts with correspondent banks. They are also expected to render quarterly reports to NERFUND’s board, headed by the Permanent Secretary, MoF. An insider at NERFUND said the

Stories by Collins Nweze

agency’s receivership is for one year, after which a substantive Managing Director will be appointed.

The source said there is intense lobbying for the job.

“You see, these managers from the CBN and NDIC may not want to quit when their tenure expires in October. They are more professional than the past managers of the Fund. They are also likely to seek extension of their tenure,” the source said.

The source said the CBN/NDIC team has been able to restructure some of the ‘political loans’ that led the Fund into incurring losses.

“Majority of the political loans that dented the balance sheet of the FUND has been restructured, and collateral secured,” the source said.

The source also faulted the N5.7 billion loss claim by the government, saying the total amount NERFUND obtained from government since inception is not up to that amount. The Fund received

N2.8 billion in 2010, and $141 million from the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) at an exchange rate of N9.9 to a dollar, in 1991.

NERFUND also got another N350 million loan from the Federal Government. The source said the cumulative funds, made available to NERFUND till date, are below N4 billion.

The source said there are also plans to restructure the operations of the Fund.

This may necessitate the merger of NERFUND with the Bank of Industry (BoI) to deepen credit access to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

NERFUND was established by Decree No. 2 of 1989 to provide medium to long-term loans to participating banks (PBs) for on-lending to small medium enterprises (SMEs) for the promotion and acceleration of productive activities in such enterprises.

The government took over the Fund following President Goodluck Jonathan’s approval of the recommendations of the CBN

and NDIC Joint Special Examination report on its books. It claimed that the capital invested in the institution by the Ministry of Finance had been eroded with the gross losses.

The Fund, it was learnt, has not been able to service loans taken for on-lending from the AfDB, the MoF and other sources. The source said the agency’s last governing board was dissolved in 1993, adding that it was being run by an Interim Management Committee headed

by Permanent Secretary, MoF before the CBN/NDIC team came on board.

The source said the firm has over time canvassed for reconstitution of its corporate governance board, recapitalisation and total restructuring. There were also previous plans to merge it with other Development Finance Institutions (DFIDs), which also failed.

Conditions set for accessing the NERFUND Micro Enterprises Credit Scheme entail that prospecting businesses must be engaged in manufacturing, mining, quarrying, agro-allied, industrial support services, equipment leasing and other ancillary services.

Besides, the enterprise should be wholly Nigerian owned and must source its raw materials for the

• CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

project locally but could source plant and machinery either locally or from abroad. The projects to be financed must be financially and economically viable, and should have positive impact especially in employment creation in the operating environment.

According to NERFUND statutes, the expected project could be a start-up, expansion, rehabilitation or diversification of existing business while the beneficiaries are expected to own 10 per cent equity of the proposed business. The prospective beneficiary must have a limited liability company or registered enterprise and can only access between N100,000 and N5 million.

Money laundering, terrorist financing threaten economy

T

• From left: Head, Inclusive Banking, Access Bank Plc Ope Wemi-Jones; Executive Director, WEConnect International Nigeria Comfort Sakoma and Ololade Raji of Accenture during the introduction to global certification seminar at Access Bank head office in Lagos.

Foreign reserves rise on dollar cuts

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HE foreign reserves have been on the rise since the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) cut dollar sales to Bureaux De Change (BDCs) from $50,000 per week to $15,000.

CBN said the BDCs’guidelines were modified to, among others, conserve the foreign reserves.

Analyses of the reserves, based on data from the CBN, showed that they have risen by over $1.2 billion since June 24, when the CBN unfolded new requirements for BDCs operations, which also led to cut in dollar sales.

The reserves which were $37.2 billion on June 24 rose to $3.84 billion on July 17. The rate of accretions to the reserves has been marginal but consistent since the dollar cut.

The reserves were $37.23 billion, on June 25; $37.26 billion, June 26

and $37.31 billion, June 27. The reserves also rose to $37.54 billion on July 1 and continued the upbeat till current position.

Further analysis showed that before the upbeat, the reserves had maintained a steady decline after closing last year at $42.85 billion.

The year-end figure represented a decrease of $0.98 billion or 2.23 per cent against $43.83 billion at the end if December 2012. The reserves dropped to $38.79 billion by March 12. Analysts said the reserves declined as imports of fuel and foods soared.

The CBN said the decrease was driven largely by the increased funding of the foreign exchange market in the face of intense pressure on the naira and the need to maintain stability. The CBN said the pressure on external reserves was deemed to be consistent with

the seasonal annual payment of dividends to foreign investors.

The CBN had on June 24, rolled out new guidelines for BDCs operation. The regulator raised the capital base for operators from N10 million to N35 million, plus additional caution deposit of N35 million to kept with the CBN at zero interest rate. The regulator also gave initial July 15 deadline for the operators to meet the requirements or close shops. The deadline was later extended to July 31.

In a circular to all BDCs signed

by CBN Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, Kelvin Amugo said the decision to extend the deadline was based on representations from stakeholders calling for it. He also said the mandatory caution deposit of N35 million would now attract interest at savings account rate.

HE danger posed to West Africa’s economy by money laundering and terrorist financing has become more pronounced over the last 10 years, according to an economic watchdog.

The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) said the “twin evils” could harm the subregion’s economy, if not tackled.

It lamented that knowledge of the “twin evils” and the various dimensions of their manifestations were low in the region.

A critical factor to this, GIABA said, was dearth of local expertise to enable the generation and deepening of knowledge money laundering and terrorist financing.

To bridge this knowledge gap, GIABA said it initiated an Annual AML/CFT Research Grant to build regional capacity for research on ML/TF by providing some funds to facilitate the conduct of shortterm studies on identified research topics.

The body, through the grant, has been empowering civil society groups in Ghana on the imple-

mentation of AML/CFT Measures; Financial Inclusion and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT) Standards in Sierra Leone; Money Laundering Through Non-Profit Organisations in West Africa, among other interventions.

The agency has also been involved in the development of effective civil society interventions for managing cross-border cash flows in the informal sector.

It said the report on Financial Inclusion and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT) Standards in Sierra Leone, which assessed the link between financial inclusion and AML/CFT, shows that while the former helps to lower ML/TF risks, a wholesale implementation of the latter without regard to the economic and financial peculiarities of the country could exclude most poor individuals and households from the formal banking and financial systems and, by extension, undermine AML/CFT efforts.

MasterCard holders get security tips

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NTERPRISE Bank Limited has called on its MasterCard holders to protect their cards against the trending internet fraudsters by subscribing to MasterCard Secure Code.

A statement from Corporate Communication Department of the lender said Secure Code provides a second level authentication of cardholder when performing on-line transactions.

This solution, it said, is supported by MasterCard in providing additional comfort and security when transactions are done on-line.

The bank said that when making an internet purchase, the

cardholder’s identity is always authenticated at the point of payment before the merchant submits an authorisation request.

The bank said customers can do online transactions from the comfort of their homes or offices by visiting its website to register all the MasterCard variants including the Debit, Prepaid (both in dollar and naira) as well as the Credit card among others.

The lender said the service restores the cardholder’s confidence while shopping online and enables the cardholders to identify phishing sites while protecting cardholders from fake web merchants.

27

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

MONEY

BVN: For a safer, better banking What is Bank Verification Number (BVN)? It is a scheme introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to protect customers’ transactions and enhance confidence in banking. It involves capturing customers’ fingerprint and signature, among others, at their banks, reports COLLINS NWEZE.

I

N banking, security is paramount to protect depositors’funds. It is in the light of this that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), through the Bankers’ Committee, Deposit Money Banks and Nigeria Interbank-Settlement System (NIBSS), introduced the centralised biometric identification system, tagged Bank Verification Number (BVN).

The BVN became imperative following the increasing incidence of compromise on conventional security systems such as password and Personal Identification Number (PIN) of customers.

The BVN involves identifying an individual based on physiological or behavioural attributes, such as fingerprint, signature and others. The customers unique BVN is accepted as a means of identification across all banks system.

For the CBN, the exercise is a continuation of the $50 million biometric project it instituted with the Bankers’ Committee, Dermalog and Charms Plc and is expected to assign unique number to every bank customer for enhanced security of transactions.

However, not until May ending, did banks start issuing BVNs to their customers mainly at their headquarters. Managing Director of NIBSS, Mr. Ade Shonubi said to ensure an efficient implementation, a phased rollout approach is being adopted, beginning from Lagos.

He said biometric data capture machines have been deployed to about 1000 bank branches in Lagos, adding that to date, over 16,000 BVNs have been issued. At full roll out, about 10,000 enrolment sets will be deployed across 5,000 bank branches nationwide.

Customers in Lagos, he said, are already enrolling to get their BVN. The Lagos project is the first phase of the countrywide roll out.

He said servers in banks’ headquarters have been configured, deployed and tested, with their staff trained to carry out the enrolment and verification of customers.

But when The Nation visited some of the bank branches of Diamond Bank, GTBank, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank, the customer services officers were not even aware of the BVN. At Stanbic IBTC Bank, Ikeja, an officer seemed at a loss, when asked about the BVN. He said he was even mistaking the BVN for Know Your Customer (KYC) for new account holders.

At Diamond Bank, Ogba, an officer said she was aware of the BVN, but has not been advised on the registration and capturing of customers’ data. At GTBank Matori Branch, an officer said the bank is working on branch rollout within a short time.

However, the BVN has already been deployed in all head offices of banks in Lagos, where enrolment began on March 31. It is expected to end the use of drivers’ licence, international passport and other forms of identification for account opening.

Shonubi explained that the BVN enables each individual to have one identification within the financial system and gives each customer maximum protection and security of transactions. There is no enrolment deadline for the public yet.

“In many advanced countries, biometric technologies have been used to analyse human characteristics as an enhanced form of authentication for real-time security processes. Biometric refers to identifying an individual based on physiological or behavioral attributes – fingerprint, signature among others. The customers unique BVN is accepted as a means of identification across all banks,” he said.

Enrolment process Shonubi said: “The enrolment process is simple and easy.” He explained those bank customers are expected to walk into any branch of their bank, fill and submit the BVN enrolment form and also do data capturing (such as Fingerprint, facial Image etc).

He said an acknowledgment slip with the transaction identity is issued to the customer.

Within 24 hours, the system confirms the application, the BVN is generated, and SMS is sent to the customer for pickup.

• A customer (left) trying to register during the exercise in Lagos.

He further explained that to ensure an efficient implementation; a phased rollout approach is being adopted beginning in Lagos.

He said a customer can only enroll once, while his BVN will be linked to all his bank accounts across Nigeria banks. “The BVN solution is to ensure accountability, protect bank customers’ account from unauthorised access, reduce exposure to fraud, check identity theft, enhance credit advancement to Bank customers, and also encourage financial inclusion,” he said.

He said the initiative addresses issues of identity theft and ensures that your bank accounts is protected from unauthorised access, thus reducing your exposure to fraud.

It will also promote a safe and sound financial system in the country, especially as it will keep records of suspected fraudulent individuals in the banking system.

“It will make life and banking operations easy for bank customers as BVN is accepted as a means of identification across all banks in Nigeria. This will improve speed of service and reduce queues in banking halls.

At the point of enrolment individuals shall be required to submit an acceptable means of identification, and update their information at the bank branch physically. Customers of banks will be required to enroll within a fixed period after which they shall no longer be able to operate their bank accounts,” NIBSS said in a statement.

Benefits to customers Biometric Project Manager at NIBSS, Oluseyi Adenmosun said BVN gives a unique identity that can be verified across the banking industry making it easier for customers’ bank accounts to be protected from unauthorised access. It is expected to address issues of identity theft, and reduce exposure to fraud in the banking sector.

The manager added that the purpose of the project is to use biometric information as a means of first identifying and verifying all individuals that have account (s) in any Nigerian bank and consequently, as a means of authenticating customer’s identity at point of transactions.

Adenmosun said the BVN would also provide a uniform industrially accepted unique identity for customers and authenticate transactions without the use of cards using only biometric features and PIN.

Enrolment requirements A statement from NIBSS explained that a unique ID number shall be issued to every bank customer at enrolment and linked to every account that the customer has in all Nigerian banks. Individuals are required to submit an acceptable means of identification for enrolment.

Equally, customers of banks are required to enroll within a fixed period after which they shall no longer be able to operate their bank accounts.

“The customer’s all 10 fingers and facial image are captured making it possible for individuals performing banking transactions like applying for loans to identify themselves using their biometric features which will be matched against information in the central database at NIBSS,” it said.

Also, update of customer information is done at their bank branches physically while lenders are prompted during account opening and credit check if a customer has been blacklisted by any lender. The BVN and unique features of an individual shall be used in conjunction with a PIN on a point of transaction.

Adenmosun said though there was no perfect system, the essence of technology and safety measures was to frustrate fraudsters.

He said the BVN would make it extremely

‘In many advanced countries, biometric technologies have been used to analyse human characteristics as an enhanced form of authentication for real-time security processes. Biometric refers to identifying an individual based on physiological or behavioral attributes – fingerprint, signature among others. The customers unique BVN is accepted as a means of identification across all banks’

difficult for the fraud perpetrators to succeed.

“It will not completely eliminate fraud, but it will cut it to the barest minimum. The biometrics cannot be easily stolen because it is based on once and once the system captures it, because it is based on fingerprints,” he said.

Adenmosun said though the chip and pin technology is deployed in Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and Point of Sale (PoS), they can be compromised, but the BVN makes that extremely difficult. He explained that for corporate accounts, the account signatories’ BVNs will be captured.

“In corporate accounts, it is only the signatory to the accounts that are captured, not directors of the company. The directors are not functional users of the accounts, and will not be captured.

“The whole idea of CBN behind fraud mitigation is to provide special anti-fraud system for banks. It is going to handshake with the BVN project, so that every suspicious account is flagged off. So, we expect that every functional account will have a BVN, and if an account that is used for fraud, does not have a corresponding BVN, then the concerned bank will face the full ambit of the law. That means the bank is allowing an account without BVN to run. That’s how we can track owners of fraudulent accounts.

“If you don’t have a BVN and the anti-fraud system throws up your account as a suspect, then that bank is also aiding and abetting you.

Because the truth of it is that we can only mitigate, we can’t stop fraud completely people will try. And when they try, the account they are trying with, has already been enrolled in the BVN, we will know. And those kinds of accounts would have been stored in what we call a watch list,” he added.

He said that for every enrollment, the system will have a watch list where suspected reported accounts, relative to BVN, will be stored. “For every enrollment, the system will check the watch list and enquire if such BVN on a watch list. If it is, it will alert the account officer,” he said.

He said the technology makes it easier for banks to know which account holder is on the watch list, and take extra precautions in handling transactions emanating from such accounts.

CBN’s position The CBN said the biometric solution is aimed at providing a central database for the country’s bank customers.

The innovation means Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and Point of Sale (PoS) machines will be biometric-based.This means the project will help fix identity challenges facing the banking system. The project, the CBN said, will be driven by satellite technology being worked on by the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NICOMSAT) and MainOne. CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, who before his appointment was, also Chairman, Bankers’ Committee Sub-Committee on Biometrics, believes the project is ambitious and will revolutionalise banking.

Emefiele said the project would lead to resetting of credit standard in the banking sector, as well as enhance consumer credit.

“It is a rare opportunity that needed to be embraced.

This project has capacity to serve over 160 million people. The good thing is that even when one forgets his/her Personal Identification Number (PIN), once the information is verified, transactions can be done,” he said at the launch of the project in February.

Former CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who launched the project in Lagos, said it would be a game changer for financial inclusion, adding that it will address issues relating to unified identity for bank customers.

Managing Director, Dermalog Gunther Mull said the company is both financially and technically competent to carry out its job. He refuted claims that the company is bankrupt, adding that it has been profitable, growing at over 15 per cent in the last 12 years.

He praised the CBN for the courage and commitment it has brought to the project, adding that in other countries where the project had been implemented, it was mainly government-driven.

28

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

THE NATION INVESTORS

Presco seeks new equity fund to offset foreign loan, overdraft

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RESCO will use the net proceeds of its equity issue to offset foreign loans and growing overdraft as the palm oilplantation and processing company seeks to rebuild its growth momentum after a major slump in 2013.

Latest audit of Presco showed that it has outstanding foreign loan of N2.02 billion obtained from its majority shareholder, Siat sa.

Besides, the company also obtained N1.07 billion loan from Stanbic IBTC Holdings under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)'s Power and Airline Intervention Fund (PAIF). It also has about N221.9 million outstanding as import finance facility from Zenith Bank and another N845.55 million from United Bank for Africa (UBA) under the CBN's Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS).

Bank overdraft has jumped by 1,015 per cent from N63.06 million in previous audit to N702.9 million in the latest audit.

Presco's interest expense on overdrafts also leapt by 608 per cent from N28.4 million to N201.4 million. Interest expense on overdraft represented about 52 per cent of the total interest expense of N390.4 million in the latest audit.

The audited report and accounts for the year ended December 31, 2013 showed that net profit dropped by 62 per cent, which partly accounted for 90 per cent slash in cash dividend to shareholders.

The outline on the new equity issue indicated that the company

might raise about N3.5 billion from existing shareholders through a rights issue. At the annual general meeting yesterday, shareholders approved the increase in the authorised share capital of the company from N500 million to N550 million through the creation of 100 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

The rights issue will be pre-allotted to shareholders on the register of the company as at July 4, 2014 on the basis of one new share for every 10 shares held as at the qualification date. Directors of the company had earlier indicated the rights would be offered at N35 per share.

However, in the event of undersubscription of the rights issue, shareholders will not have any preemptive right, paving the way for other investors to acquire the unsubscribed shares. The underwriter to the rights issue will be able to acquire the unsubscribed shares, subject to the approval of the regulatory authorities.

The additional capital, according to the resolutions, would be used to eliminate the loans with foreign exchange exposure risk, accrued interest on these loans and overdraft.

Sa Siat nv, which holds 60 per cent majority equity stake in Presco, will provide nearly two-thirds of the rights funds. First Inland Bank/ Fidelity Finance Company (TRDG), which holds 8.0 per cent equity stake, is expected to provide the second largest chunk of the funds. Presco has some 9,415

shareholders with the largest group of shareholders holding small units within the range of 1000 to 10,000 shares.

The company has struggled with declines in sales and profit in 2013.

The steep decline led to 90 per cent reduction in cash dividend. While the company had distributed N1 billion annually as cash dividends for the 2011 and 2012, the company is distributing N100 million payout for the 2013 business year.

While shareholders had received a dividend per share of N1 in 2011 and 2012, they will now receive a dividend per share of 10 kobo.

The decline in dividend payout partly reflected the downturn in the operations of the company.

Key extracts of the audited report and accounts for the year ended December 31, 2013 showed that net profit dropped by 62 per cent from N3.49 billion to N1.34 billion.

Profit before tax had dwindled from N3.88 billion to N2.33 billion.

Operating profit declined from N4.19 billion to N2.72 billion.

Gross profit slumped to N4.62 billion in 2013 as against N5.24 billion in 2012. Aggregate turnover dropped to N8.49 billion in 2013 compared with N11.25 billion recorded in 2012.

Chairman, Presco Plc, Mr. Pierre Vandebeeck, blamed the decline on the provisions of the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) and slowdown in the operating environment.

According to him, the company used the IFRS in the 2013 audited report, which required revaluation

•From left: Immediate past director, Berger Paints Nigeria Plc, Dr. Raymond Obieri; new Chairman, Dr. Oladimeji Alo; immediate past chairman, Mr. Clement Olowokande and Managing Director, Mr. Tor Nygard during the company's 54th yearly General Meeting in Lagos.

I

NVESTORS would now have the opportunity to buy shares of unlisted public limited liability companies through the over-the-counter (OTC) market, now represented by the NASD Plc. The Nation’s investigation indicated that not less than 45 unquoted public companies met the June 30 deadline for them to register their shares with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a process that brought them effectively under the jurisdiction of the apex capital market regulator.

Section 54, subsection one of the Investments and Securities Act No. 27, 2007 and Rule 279 (1) (a) of the SEC Rules and Regulations require that all securities of public companies shall be registered with the Commission. Under these rules, companies that have more than 50 shareholders or who have registered as a Plc with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) must register shares they issue to investors.

The list of unquoted companies which may be available for trade

of biological assets on the basis of international price of assets as at the year-end. While there were no decline in the price of oils in Nigeria by the year-end, there was a decrease in the world market price of biological assets and oils, which led to a revaluation loss of about N1 billion.

He said the management had an inkling that the 2013 performance might not be as good as the previous year given the changing operating conditions.

"We had a robust 2012 with high commodity prices, coupled with good production and marketing.

Management worked hard enough and achieved good result. We knew by the end of 2012 that it will be difficult to repeat the performance in terms of absolute figures and hence concentrated on achieving improved efficiencies, further value addition and consolidation of gains made in the past years," Vandebeeck said.

He noted that in spite of the obvious decline in performance, the company actually performed very well in 2013 as it achieved impres-

sive records in production, new acquisitions, manufacturing facilities, planted areas as well as business efficiency.

"We are in the plantation business and our profits come from the trees we plant. That remains the focus. As long as we take care of our plantation, ensure that we continually add to the planted area, control leakages and improve efficiencies, we have no fear. Nigeria presents a unique market wherein the buying power of its population is increasing, food grade oil is in short supply, abundant labour and land and good weather," Vandebeeck said.

He said the outlook for the company in 2014 appears brighter citing the first quarter performance.

Presco primarily engages in the development of oil palm plantations, palm oil milling, palm kernel processing and vegetable oil refining. The main products of the company included refined bleached and deodorized palm oil, palm olein, palm stearin, palm fatty acid distillate, palm kernel oil (crude and refined) and palm kernel cake.

Analysts predict 10% average return for equities

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NVESTORS in Nigerian equities may earn average return of 10 per cent in the year, according to analysts at Cardinal Stone Partners.

In a review of the equities’ market outlook for the second half of the year, analysts stated that equities could still achieve average return of 10 per cent, in spite of the lackluster performance in the first half.

According to the report, the main variables that would shape the market during the period included the expected change from a restrictive to an expansionary monetary policy, implementation of the recent addition of certain Nigerian equities into the Morgan Stanley Composite Index (MSCI) Frontier Index and the increase in weight allocated to Nigerian stocks, downside risk to crude oil price in view of renewed geopolitical tensions in the middle east and the implications for government’s revenue FX reserve, heightening political risk in the build up to 2015 elections; recent rise in insurgency, bombings and insecurity and the stretched valuations of some large capitalised counters.

Analysts noted that the expectation of deliberate policy actions to spur economic growth has positive implications for corporate earn-

ings and equity returns, hence, the re-direction of monetary policy will provide an impetus for longer term positioning in Nigerian equities starting from this second half.

Analysts said they expected the transitioning process of the MSCI frontier index to have a major influence on market activities on a number of frontier market bourses including Nigeria in two major ways – from speculators who anticipate the likely final outcome of the process and from funds tracking the index.

“A number of Tier 2 banks are significantly undervalued, trading at valuations unjustified by their underlying fundamentals.

We note that there’s a higher risk aversion to these counters, hence investors have largely been wary in taking positions, waiting for very clear catalysts. However in the second half, we expect a number of the Tier 2 names to come on investors’ radar as cherry picking for value stocks is likely to dominate market activities,” analysts stated.

They noted that though there were significant rally in a number of tier 1 banks in the immediate past quarter, Nigerian banks are still significantly cheaper than their peers.

Fan Milk, 40 others to trade on OTC market on the NASD included leading beverages companies such as Fan Milk Plc, Fumman Agricultural Products Industry Plc, Lacasera Company Plc, Dana Group and Dufil Prima Foods Plc-the maker of the Indomie brand of noodles.

Other registered unquoted companies included Acorn Petroleum Plc, Afren Plc, Air Liquide Nigeria Plc, Bam Microfinance Bank Plc, Bankers Warehouse Plc, Capital Bancorp Plc, Baton Oil Plc, City Trust Mortgage Bank Plc, Clarion Off-Dock Global Services Plc, Dala Building Society Plc, Energy Company of Nigeria (ENCON) Plc, Heritage Bank, Integrated Steel Plc, Intercellular Nigeria Plc and Kajola Integrated Investment Plc. Also registered were Lagos Building Investment Company, Lead Capital, Moukhtar and Mama Plc, Mtech Plc, NIPCO Plc, Nigerian Police Mortgage Bank

Plc, Omoluabi Saving and Loan Plc, Onward Paper Mill Plc, OPRRefining & Petrochemical Chemical Plc, Osun Sukuk Company Plc, PanAfrican Capital Plc, Sona Breweries Plc, Value Capital Plc, Tetrazzini Foods, Tower Aluminium Plc, Union Assurance Company Plc, CR Services Credit Bureau Plc, Crown Realties Plc, Grand Tower Plc, Spring Mortgage Plc and Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) Plc. A new rule being finalised by SEC would ensure that shares of the unlisted public limited liability companies can only be traded on the NASD. Formerly known as the National Association of Securities Dealers, NASD Plc is a registered OTC trading platform for unquoted securities including equities and bonds. NASD is owned by several investment and financial institutions as well as strategic investors. It is registered by

SEC as an organised trading platform for unlisted securities.

The Nation had reported that the Commission was concluding arrangements to proscribe underhand trading in the shares of unlisted public limited liability companies (Plcs).

Anyone or institution that henceforth facilitates or engages in underhand trading on securities of unlisted public limited liability company shall be liable to monetary fine and sanction by SEC, according to a new regulation being reviewed by the apex capital market regulator.

A management source at SEC had told The Nation that the new rule was meant to protect investors and enhance the integrity of the over-the-counter market.

According to the new rule, all securities of public unlisted companies shall be bought, sold or transferred only by means of a

system approved by SEC and under such terms and conditions as the Commission may prescribe from time to time.

The new rule prohibits anyone from buying, selling or engaging in transfer of securities of a public unlisted company except through the platform of a registered a securities exchange established for the purpose of facilitating over-the-counter (OTC) trading of securities.

“Any public unlisted company, director, company secretary, registrar, broker, dealer or such other persons who facilitate the buying, selling or transfers of the securities of a public unlisted company otherwise than through the platform of a duly registered securities exchange, shall be liable to a penalty of not less than N100, 000 in the first instance and not more than N5, 000 for every day of default,” the rule stated.

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHWEST STATES

WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

PAGE 29

The Ibadan Inland Container Depot, now being reclassified as a dry port, is about to spring into life six years after it was established, thanks to a renewed partnership between the Oyo State government and the Federal Government. BISI OLADELE reports that the project is set to galvanise the economy of Ibadan and provide no fewer than 5,000 jobs.

The Depot

Revival pill for moribund Ibadan dry port

IKE a sleeping economic giant, Ibadan dry port lays waste on a large expanse of land, waiting for a big shove to wake it up from its deep slumber.

One of six similar projects set up six years ago across the country by the government to reduce pressure on the existing coastal ports, but which have seemingly been abandoned, the dry port with capacity to create no fewer than 5,000 jobs and boost the economy of the largest city in Africa south of the Sahara, was set up to cater for the import and export needs of the entire south

INSIDE

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Succor for residents as Lagos unveils cardiac and renal centre •PAGE 31

west region.

At its ground-breaking ceremony on August 11, 2008, top Federal Government functionaries, particularly in the maritime sector turned up with fanfare at Erunmu, an Ibadan less city on the Ibadan –Iwo highway to turn the sod of the dry port project.

The seriousness attached to the event suggested that the project

would hit the ground running, but that was not to be. The building donated by the Oyo State Government which is standing on the large expanse of land and other physical facilities offered by the state government, have since then been abandoned while weed overgrows its frontage and the facilities depreciate.

The inland container depots (as

Ewekoro cries out over cement dust pollution •PAGE 32

originally named), one in each of the six geo-political zones, were planned to take port activities to the hinterland, decongest existing ports, improve the economy of the new cities and states as well as make the business of importation and exportation easier for importers and exporters.

Seen as a fantastic idea, stakeholders hailed the thinking and em-

Happy days here again for Osun women •PAGE 35

braced it with both hands. Relevant maritime agencies, coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Transport, swung into action and laid out step-by-step activities to realize the dream.

The Nigerian Shippers Council, one of such relevant agencies undertook the project to ensure they saw the light of the day, particularly the one cited in Ibadan for the Southwest Zone of the country.

The Ibadan dry port stirred hope in residents and the state government judging by the vol-

•Continued on page 30

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

30

SOUTHWEST REPORT The run up to the gubernatorial election in Oyo State in 2015 promises to be interesting as the major political parties gear up for the polls. The man to beat is the incumbent governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. But a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Caretaker Chairman of Ibadan North East Local Government, Mr Ladi Oluokun, says no matter the efforts of the opposition, the governor will get a second term. He spoke with TAYO JOHNSON in Ibadan.

Nobody can defeat Ajimobi, APC in 2015 W

HEN did you come to political limelight in the state?

I joined active partisan politics in 1998 and I was a strong party member of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD).Mark you, I have never cross-carpeted into any other party since I opted for partisan politics. I am a consistent individual who detest political prostitution. I joined partisan politics because I have been exposed to how it is being played in the western world. Politics is to serve the people and this is my aspiration which is to bring smiles to the faces of people who are suffering in the society. This prompted me to team up with the progressive elements who are passionate about changing the society for the better..

What is your focus in relation to development as Ibadan North East Local Government boss?

Let me first appreciate God the author and finisher of our faith. I also sincerely appreciate Governor Abiola Ajimobi and the people of Ibadan North East Local Government for giving me this wonderful opportunity to serve them. I hereby reiterate my pledge that I will not let the governor and my people down Looking back after over a month now in office, I would say that my people have been exceptionally wonderful in terms of support from them. They have cooperated with us in achieving all we have done. The journey has been so tough, rough and challeng-

‘This is a governor who is passionate about changing the face of the state which he met as one of the dirtiest states in the country. You can now imagine how Ibadan the state capital has become one of the neatest cities in Africa’ ing. I give glory to God because of the cooperation and motivation as well as encouragement of the people of the council.

There is a proverb that says uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.

•Oluokun

What are the challenges of occupying this position?

In governance, the major challenge is fund. What we are getting from the federal government is far below what should be coming to us. We only rely on internally generated revenue and Governor Ajimobi has been great in that aspect because he doesn’t touch our money but he is always concerned about the development of the council. He has given us an example of prudent management of our resources and we prioritize all our activities We must,

however, serve despite the little resources coming to us. We need to alleviate the sufferings of the people.

We are following the good example of our governor.

How would you describe your working relationship with Governor Ajimobi?

It has been very cordial, exciting and challenging. When you are serving under a hard working Governor who knows his onions, you have to be on the alert. This is a governor who is passionate about changing the face of the state which he met as

one of the dirtiest states in the country. You can now imagine how Ibadan the state capital has become one of the neatest cities in Africa. First, working with Senator Abiola Ajimobi for the development of Oyo State has been wonderful. I see the governor as somebody who puts God first in whatever he does. He also has the love of the people at heart.

Many developmental projects are going on in most parts of Oyo State.

Ibadan North East Local Government is not an exception.ý He has put in place the establishment of Ajumose football viewing centres to reduce youth restiveness. In this local government council, the distribution of eight transformers to eight communities has become a reality; namely, Oranyan, Oje, Odejayi, Idi-Ape, Aderibigbe, Sunmade, Eru-Omu and Surulere, while three police stations that got generating sets are, Agodi, Agugu and Testing ground in Iworoad.ý Also we have ongoing bridge construction at Ile-kunkun, Onipasan area among others, all within my two months in office.

The crisis in Oyo APC has taken a new turn with the defection of some of its key members to opposition parties, is this not going to affect APC in 2015?

Your question is indeed a funny one to those of us in the party. Some of the defectors have no electoral value. I am not saying all of them.

They cannot win anything even in their wards .Some of those defectors have been made to see reasons that they would be regarded as prostitutes if they insisted on leaving the progressive party but we are still trying to persuade them on why they should remain with a winning team despite their weaknesses. But let me tell you, •Continued on page 34

Revival pill for moribund Ibadan dry port •Continued from page 29

ume of containers and general import and export business that can be done in the city due to its proximity to Lagos as well as its strategic location in the heart of south west Nigeria. But that hope was dashed shortly after.

For instance, shortly after news hit the town that a depot/dry port was cited at Erunmu, investors swung into action, purchasing the landed properties around the depot covering more than 10 kilometers.

The development forced price of land up in the area as more people scrambled to get a good piece or pieces as applied. Two years later, however, they began to offload their investments because of the failure of the project to fly as anticipated.

They may have to return soon as the project is coming back to life courtesy of the Oyo State governor Senator Abiola Ajimobi who has reopened its file so to speak. Last week, the government sent a delegation led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Olalekan Alli, to the Shippers Council in Lagos to work out how the project could be made to fly.

According to the SSG, the government was aiming at joining forces with the Federal Government to ensure the success of the project, and without delay. He expressed the determination of the state government

‘We are saying that while the essence is to decongest the ports, the advantages are there.

But it will be much better to make the dry ports fully equipped, fully manned and statutorily pursued to the point of making them ports of either origin or destination’ to see to the successful take off of the project and its sustainability.

He explained that one major set-

•The Ibadan Inland Container Depot

back for the project was its original idea as an inland depot. Alli said Customs and other relevant government agencies cannot operate in a depot but only in a port, hence the need to transform it to a dry port.

“What we are looking at is the full implementation of the project as a dry port. All the government did was to set up six inland container depots in the six geo-political zones of the country. Later they said that Federal Government thought that

it should not just be inland depots.

The essence of this decentralized thing arose because of the congestion in our ports.

“We are saying that while the essence is to decongest the ports, the advantages are there. But it will be much better to make the dry ports fully equipped, fully manned and statutorily pursued to the point of making them ports of either origin or destination.

“We believe that exporters from

this country should be able to move their goods out of this country from these six dry ports, in the six zones as ports of origin without putting more pressure on existing ports.

“We are also saying further that people importing into this country from these geo-political zones will make these ports their ports of destination. In which case, even when the cargoes get to any other port in the country, they could be transported essentially by rail to these

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

31

SOUTHWEST REPORT

Succor for residents as ils cardiac Lagos unveils and renal centre N

OT a few lives have been lost in Nigeria due to unavailability of modern health facilities and competent personnel to treat certain complicated diseases. While a few who could afford it travel overseas to seek medical attention for such health challenges as heart and kidney related diseases, thousands of others, helpless, are left to agonise over their conditions either praying for miracle healing or waiting patiently for death.

One of such was Ms Bisi Oladele (not real name) a school teacher in one of the private school in Lagos State. Highly loved by the students and school management because of her hard work and commitment that had seen many students graduate from the school in good grades, her dreams of pursuing a career in teaching was cut short by a disease that was difficult to treat in our clime.

As she battled with the problem later diagnosed as cardiac arrest, she had the hope that she could live longer to realise her dream if only she has access to treatment, but this was not to be as she eventually lost the battle for lack of access to funds to seek treatment outside the shores of the country.

All that experiences by many Nigerians, observers say would be a thing of the past with the unveiling of a Cardiac and Renal Centre at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Annex in the Gbagada axis of the state.

The facility which was designed to handle heart and kidney related disease also offers out-patient services, diagnostic services, ultrasound, CT

•Cardiac and Renal Centre

The opening of a cardiac and renal centre by the Lagos State government may signal the end of overseas treatment for Nigerians suffering from heart attack and similar health challenges. MIRIAM EKENE-OKORO reports. scan, Echocardiography, Stress Electrocardiography, laboratory services, fluoroscopy, ocular investigation for complications from hypertension, diabetes and renal conditions, haemo -dialysis for acute and chronic kidney diseases with 24 dialysis machine, admission for all cardiac conditions that requires hospital stay, critical care in intensive care unit (ICU) and high dependency wards, cardiac catherization, non invasive cardiology, open heart surgery, renal surgery, nursing and diabetic services, rehabilitation services and corporate wellness program.

The contract to build the health facility was awarded in 2008 to Messrs

•Alli

dry ports from where they will be cleared.” Alli said.

He explained that the one in Ibadan would serve the Southwest as well as Kwara and Kogi states.

This means all the ports agencies will be there.

Alli also pointed out that the project was sure to generate a lot of jobs and opportunities for both import and export.

“One would like to say that, this state having worked on the tripod

programme of restoration, transformation and repositioning, it is impatient to have this port in place to further actualize the intention of industrializing the state.

“We have foreign investors coming into the state. What we are saying is that from China, Japan, USA, Britain and other parts of the world, they should be able to make this dry port in Ibadan their port of destination”.

According to him the project

Deaux project Limited, and it was completed with the capacity for 67bed centre that sits on 2,317 square metres or24,792 square feet of land.

The design provides access to all floors by two bed lifts and a wide ramp which allows two trolleys to pass simultaneously. Fire/service stairways are provided at the side of the elevator and at the back of the building.

To manage the project, the Lagos State Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Renescor Health Limited Liability Partnership to run and manage the facility under a 5-year Operation and Management (O&M) concession

renewable for another five year term subject to satisfactory performance and mutual agreement of the parties wherein the proponent will provide all of the healthcare services and total facilities management required for the value-engineering Renal and Cardiac Centre.

At the signing of the agreement, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, noted that the government considered it appropriate and timely to have a befitting cardiac and renal centre due to the increasing number of patients presenting with end stage renal failure.

Idris who explained that cardiac and renal disease constituted a

‘We are actually trying to collaborate with the Shippers Council which is the regulatory authority of the Federal Government on this particular programme. Also we are working with a concessionaire to ensure that this project succeeds.

Hence we met with the Shippers Council earlier in the week’

turn to the old practice when trains transported goods from one location to another. Apart from minimizing accidents on roads, this he said would save cost.

Alli added: “We are actually trying to collaborate with the Shippers Council which is the regulatory authority of the Federal Government on this particular programme. Also we are working with a concessionaire to ensure that this project succeeds. Hence we met with the Shippers Council earlier in the week.”

The Executive Secretary, Oyo State Investment Promotion and Public Private Partnerships, Mr Yinka Fatoki, further told The Nation that from inception, the Oyo State Government was part of the investment being a major beneficiary of the port.

According to him, the federal and state governments engaged a concessionaire on the project with the state government owning 35 per cent shareholding. The concession agreement Fatoki said was on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) where the firm would invest capital and operate it to recoup its investments within the agreed time frame. The state government shareholding, however, came in terms of the land offered for the project with Certificate of Occupancy and other titles to remove encumbrances. The state government also constructed an access road to link the port to the village and the main Ibadan-Iwo Road.

Fatoki said the state government did that as the largest shareholder which was most committed to the project.

On the efforts to resuscitate the project, Fatoki said: “One major thing this administration has done was to facilitate a working relationship between Maersk Limited and

needs a 1.5 kilometre rail facility from the train station in Erunmu to the dry port. “All the government needs to do is to extend the rail from where it is now to the port.” He said, adding that doing this will reduce pressure on Nigerian roads.

Alli emphasized that the state government was working towards a re-

‘The design provides access to all floors by two bed lifts and a wide ramp which allows two trolleys to pass simultaneously. Fire/ service stairways are provided at the side of the elevator and at the back of the building’ growing health burden globally, said there is what is called a triple jeopardy in the health sector, especially in Lagos and Nigeria which require efforts of stakeholders in State health system to address.

According to him, “We have what we call double jeopardy but now it is triple jeopardy in the sense that we do not only have problems with communicable diseases, we are now having problems with non-communicable diseases, and the third one has to do with mental health. But this project is trying to address the major aspect of the non-communicable disease burden.

“Not only that, we also do know that these two-disease burden jointly cause serious complications in people who have these problems; and once you have these problems, you have •Continued on page 34

the concessionaire, Catamaran Logistics Limited. The latter, he said, is the special purpose vehicle specifically formed to drive the project along with other private interests.

Fatoki disclosed that the haulage company, which operates in 80 countries, has a shipping line and a cargo terminal in Lagos.

“The major condition Maersk brought to the table was that the legal framework that will designate Ibadan centre as a port of origin and final destination must be perfected. Once that was done, operation can commence within one week.” He said.

Fatoki explained that the 2007 gazette of the Shippers Council needs to be amended for the depots to become dry ports. “But only the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) can designate a port. The Minister of Transport has set up a joint committee of the NPA and the Council to make recommendations.” He said, adding that the committee has already submitted its report to the Presidency for approval. Once the approval was granted, the ministry will gazette it, then, Customs and other port agents can begin to operate there.

The Executive Secretary also disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Transport through the Shippers Council has given indication that the amendment of the legal framework would be completed before the end of the year.

When the project takes off, the Ibadan dry port is expected to create multiple new businesses including haulage, hospitality, real estate, transportation and financial services firms among others. These businesses are projected to generate over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs for residents. The project will also hasten industrialization.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

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33

SOUTHWEST REPORT

‘

•Deplorable road leading to Akinbo village

F

IFTY four years after it first set up business in Ewekoro, Ogun State extracting and blasting limestone to make cement, all seem not to be well between the West African Portland Cement (WAPCO), now Lafarge Cement and its host communities.

The dozen or so communities playing host to the two giant cement plants and a host of quarries around the area are not happy with the dust coming out of the company’s plants which they claim is harmful to them and their environment.

They are, therefore, calling on Lafarge to reduce the dust emission to zero level . In addition they want a higher share of the company’s profit as well as more employment opportunies for their children and more empowerment programmes for the unemployed among them.

But Lafarge, while not dismissing the communities call for a dust free environment said it was doing its utmost to make life better for the people adding that the level of dust being emitted by the company is too low to cause any harm to the peoples health.

When the company began business in 1959 at a location few meters away from the present home of the Baale of Ewekoro community, Chief Satari Lawal, little did the largely uninformed villagers then know about what challenges lay ahead.

The villagers had not only thought it was merely a factory with small quarry occupying a negligible piece of land for their operation, but were also un-educated on the likely impacts

•Representatives of Lafarge host communities: R - L, Chief Olaleye Olalekan, Chief Satar Lawal (Baale, Ewekoro), Chief Rasheed Balogun (Baale, Akinbo) and Chief Joshua Oniyitan (Baale, Egba Ajegunle)

the company's activities would have on their environment among others.

And few years after commencement of operation, the chicken came home to roost - the deafening noise from blast at the quarry, the effect of the accompanying vibration as well as the routine plume of dust being emitted into space, soon became major sources of worries to the Ewekoro community.

It was gathered that the company, about 43 years ago, wanted members of the Ewekoro community to move to another location but the people refused, saying they would not leave their ancestral land and thus, compelling WAPCO PLC (now Lafarge Cement) to not only suspend quarry work in Ewekoro village, but also moved some kilometres away into remote locations to resume quarry/limestone extraction for its cement.

Today, Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc, has not only morphed from a small factory, to become a leading cement manufacturing company in the country, but has also built an additional 2.5 million metric tons capacity cement plant.

The new plant designated as Ewekoro II and commissioned in 2011, churned out its first finished cement for the Nigerian market September 16, 2011.

The company also went a step further to ensure a steady production without power interruption at the plant by installing a 90 MW Power Plant, that was inaugurated by the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

While these remain good news as it would enhance Lafarge's ability to be

The long standing peaceful relationship between Lafarge Cement and its host communities in and around Ewekoro in Ogun State is being threatened by complaints over dust pollution by the villagers. ERNEST NWOKOLO reports that the company is however intensifying efforts to make life and the environment better for the people.

Ewekoro cries out over cement dust pollution •We are taking steps to make life better for them, says Lafarge adding about 12,000 tons of cement to the Nigeria cement market daily, create more jobs for Nigerians among others, the company's expansion and the attendant activities are also leaving, albeit unintended, sweet - bitter taste to some.

Last week, a dozen of communities including Ewekoro which co - host Lafarge Cement WAPCO PLC called on the company's management to consider their safety and do something to mitigate the impacts of its operation on them and the environment. The 12 communities are Lapeleke, Akinbo, Oke - Oko, Egbado, Sekoni, Olujobi, Papalanto, Ewekoro, Egba -Ajegunle, Elebute, Alagunto and Itori.

According to the people, while the first eight communities are situated on areas referred to as 'limestone belt,' the four others though have limestone, but quarrying of it can't take place there as they are homes only to the Lafarge plants and chimney.

Their representatives which included the chairman, Lafarge host

‘We are known for growing vegetables and other crops but the dust from the production activities of Lafarge normally settles on them. This means we have to wash and keep washing them thoroughly before either sending them to the market or cooking.

We are appealing to them to bring the dust level to zero level’

Harmful dust:

Communities' Employment Committee, Chief Olaleye Olalekan, Baale of Ewekoro, Chief Satar Lawal, Baale of Akinbo, Chief Rasheed Balogun, Baale of Egba Ajegunle, Chief Joshua

Oniyitan and the youth leader for the 12 communities, Segun Oniyitan, want the dust and smoke emissions from the company reduced drastically to a zero level when they spoke to

‘The company admitted that it was not a big ambition for the villagers to demand a zero level of dust emission in their environment but said the amount of the dust being emitted today are not such that could pose health hazard to the people, adding that it may not be possible for someone to live near the ocean without feeling cold’ The Nation.

They also urged the company to quickly relocate the people of Oke Oko Sekoni and Oke Egbado communities to safe locations away from

quarry sites since the villagers are "prone to the effects of blasting at the quarry."

Again, they want the company to also install efficient dust collection

•Lafarge cement plant

technology at the plants to "protect residents against air pollution."

The villagers equally hinted that they are passionate about the ties with their departed loved ones, especially their ancestors.

Some of them indicated that they would not only exhume and take the remains of their ancestors along with them to the new location to be provided, but also expect that Lafarge should bear the cost of reburying their departed ones.

According to them, "our departed parents are the links to our past and we won't leave them behind even if it is only their teeth we could find when exhumed from where they are resting, we will carry such teeth along."

Interestingly, the people admitted that a dust collector equipment procured and installed recently by the company had reduced the pervasive dust in their communities by about 75 percent but said they want it eliminated totally.

It is understandable why the communities are grumbling over dust and smoke emission.

A visit to some of them like Akinbo, Ewekoro among others, revealed a people that had continued to contend with a cloud of dust and smoke constantly over their mid - sky and which often settle thickly on their roofs, inside their houses, and any personal item left in the open.

Washing and drying clothes in the open is a huge challenge as they get quickly dirtied and discoloured by limestone dust emission. The impact is more on villages near Lafarge's operational base.

Their experience is pathetic and it is being said that some parents have resorted to giving their children oil and milk to lick frequently to eliminate the effects of inhaling dust daily but there was nobody willing to confirm or deny this.

And there has equally not been any report or case of the villagers developing health challenge such as bronchial problem and though, The Nation gathered that Lafarge aside building health centres in its host communities, it also routinely send medical team to carry out random medical testing and examinations on the people to ascertain their health status, ostensibly to ensure that nobody is at risk on account its activities.

But one of the Baales told The Nation that the fact that there has not been any report of a major health challenge to the people does not mean there is none because most of the people, out of fear of what the result could be, are not going for test or coming out for test when Lafarge's medical team comes around. "This makes it difficult to conclusively say that none of the villagers has any health problem linked to the effect of inhaling the dust from the quarry/cement factory", he said.

But there are indeed health challenges associated with inhaling this type of dust according to health experts. For example, hazard assessment document on Portland cement dust published by UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regarding effects of repeated exposure to cement dust, identified some likely health challenges.

‘Call for merger of Ondo oil communities selfish’

‘Merger of Ondo oil communities justifiable’

T

ONTROVERSIES over a suspected planned merger of communities in the oil producing Ilaje local government area of Ondo state have continued to linger on.

The youths of the area have consequently charged the state government and security agencies to guard against breakdown of law and order in the communities.

Apart from this, the people have also urged the state government not to succumb to the alleged threats and blackmail of some people in the area over the merger processes, saying the move should be pursued to a logical conclusion.

The Chairman,Mahin-Aheri-Etikan (Ilaje) Youth Congress,Nelson Ololajulo and the Secretary, Babalola Solomon, condemned the recent protest embarked upon by some section of Ugbo Youths.

According to them, the protests and the comments by some Ugbo youths over the merger plan was regrettable and uncalled for as what Chevron Ni-

HE desperation of some politicians to either become chairman of Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) or Commissioner representing the State on the board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has been identified as the driving force behind the recent agitation by Mahin, Aheri and Etikan Communities to be merged with Ugbo land.

According to Ugbo communities through the Chairman, Ilaje Ugbo Think Tank Group, Mr Henry Agbude, it was the act that established the OSOPADEC and NDDC that gave the people of Ugbo Kingdom the preference above other kingdoms in Ilaje Local Government to occupy the positions being the only oil producing kingdom in the state as at now.

He said it was this law that has

over the time stirred up envy among desperate politicians from Mahin, Aheri and Etikan axis who have been eyeing the plumb positions for many years.

According to him, the same agitation came up during the tenures of late Chief Adebayo Adefarati and Dr. Olusegun Agagu as Governors of Ondo State but collapsed because it was laced with self interest, greed and inordinate ambition.

He noted that Governor Olusegun Mimiko has also seen the truth that non oil producing communities cannot be merged with oil producing communities saying that is why the merger related crisis has been lingering for almost two years now.

Agbube said it was Ilaje Ugbo Communities that signed the General Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU) with the Chevron Nigeria (CNL), advising that

the people of Mahin, Etikan and Aheri should enter into their own discussion with the company first before knowing the next step to take.

According to him “the Communities in Mahin, Aheri and Etikan axis have no GMOU with CNL. What Ugbo People are saying is that Mahin, Aheri and Etikan should first enter into GMOU with CNL in order to confirm their oil producing status”, The group also urged the merger agitators to approach relevant government agencies that give recognition to communities as oil producing ones and prove their eligibility for recognition.

It said the idea of gaining recognition from the back door through merger of the communities would not work.

“If Mahin, Aheri and Etikan should hinge the basis of their

C

•Oba Akinruntan

•Mimiko

•Oba Omowole

offshore recognition on the fact that they share the same coastline with Ugbo Kingdom, they should be informed as well that the same coastline extend to Ogun and Lagos states, therefore the reason for the agitation is not enough” The statement

stressed..

The chairman accused some government functionaries of being the brain behind the merger agitation.

He therefore called on CNL to continue its relationship with Ilaje Ugbo Coastal Communities

Development (IUCCDC). The chairman also called on the Ondo State Government of Ondo State to also see the insistence of Mahin Aheri, and Etikan’s call for Pan merger as an action that is capable of causing crisis.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

geria Limited had demanded for was for administrative convenience of the area.

The Ilaje youths however noted that the sponsors of the protests were people that had fraudulently benefited from exploration activities in the area to the detriment of the larger society.

The group argued that those behind the protest were a local cabal that wanted to prevent accountability for the funds that had been remitted by the oil company for the development of the oil producing areas of the state.

They said, “Conscious of our place and position as a people accounting for the larger population and territory of Ilaje without whose territory there is no access to Ugbo land and whose land is used for reclamation and sand filing for the infrastructural development of the whole of Ugbo kingdom.

“We shall in the interest of Ilaje common kindred spirit, treat the empty sound and fury of threats as the

usual tale. In the interest of security and peaceful co-existence of all our people and smooth business operations in Ilaje land, we only wish to enjoin all our leaders across Ilaje land, the Ondo state government, security agencies to warn those behind these careless utterances and behaviours to desist.”

The group said as oil producing people, they are keenly watching Chevron, the Ondo State Government and its agencies in their treatment of all parties and strongly advised them against succumbing to the empty threats and blackmail by any group of Ilaje, adding that they should be fair to all.

In specific terms, the youths insisted that all payments due to Ilaje from the offshore operations be paid into an escrow account, while all forms of empowerment benefits and contracts be evenly distributed across the entire coastline of Ilaje adding that the merger process be concluded without further delay.

The HSE (1994) "noted evidence that repeated exposure of humans to Portland cement has produced rhinitis, chronic productive cough (chronic bronchitis) slight abnormalities on chest radiography and impaired pulmonary function."

However, it is not clear if similar report has been documented by anybody or organisation on the Nigerian situation with regards to long term exposure to cement dust by Nigerians either living near cement factories or working there as employees. While it is not unlikely that such a report exists, the Nigerian law provides for redress for anybody affected by such fumes/dust.

An Abeokuta based lawyer Mr Kizito Robert said there are regulations governing the handling of an industrial emission and that individuals or a community has rights to sue a firm whose operation posed grave health risk to them.

Kizito noted that some fumes could be poisonous or hazardous to humans and said if there is an established case of harm - health challenge, which can incontrovertibly be traced to the emitted fumes or dust, affected persons have rights to sue the company responsible the emission.

According to him, if proven, victims are entitled to commensurate damages because it has to do with humans' safety and survival.

While the jury is still out on the effect of the company's operations on the people's health, their environment is in a terrible shape, while farming their main economic activity is being seriously hampered by the dust emission.

Their roads are deplorable, some of the villages do not have accessible roads, and where they exist, there are riddled with potholes and often flooded whenever it rains.

The Baale of Akinbo, Chief Rasheed Balogun and his counterparts in Ewekoro, Chief Lawal described the impact of the "dusts" as being "terrible."

The duo noted that their people were popular with vegetables farming, but rued that they have since waved bye to that aspect of their lives because of dust invasion.

For Satar Lawal, the affected communities would be happier if the air pollution via dust following limestone blasting and processing activities by Lafarge could be reduced totally.

Lawal said, "We are known for growing vegetables and other crops but the dust from the production activities of Lafarge normally settles on them. This means we have to wash and keep washing them thoroughly before either sending them to the market or cooking. We are appealing to them to bring the dust level to zero level."

These representatives who spoke at the Palace of the Baale of Akinbo in Akinbo village nonetheless lauded the company for its Corporate Social Responsibility which they said reflected in the areas of education, provision of portable water as well as road construction but said these are "mere drops of water in an ocean."

They also acknowledged that the company's Managing Director, Mr. Joe Hudson and the Plant Managers, have been proactive in attending to issues touching their environment, safety and welfare unlike what hitherto obtained when some Nigerians were at the helms of affairs.

For example, Chief Balogun, said work has commenced on the road being constructed for Akinbo community, he appealed to the company to expedite action on it to make the community accessible during the rainy season.

Balogun said, "the company has commenced work on the concrete 2.5km road it promised us in Akinbo, about 500 metres have been done. We want it to expedite action on it, because the rains are here and we all know the implication of that.

"We want to commend the company for its many interventions in the area of health care, education, electrifica•Continued on page 36

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

34

SOUTHWEST REPORT

Succor for residents as Lagos unveils cardiac and renal centre

‘A copulation of these factors prompted the need for us to build facilities locally, find a way of staffing them locally to provide the needed services to treat people of these ailments, reduce the number of money we are spending to sponsor people abroad, and more importantly to build local capacity’

Continued from page 31

them for live if they are not properly treated”, Idris explained.

He said government had over the years earmarked, as part of its free health policy, quite a huge chunk of its budget to sponsor people abroad on various medical problem that could not be treated in the country where the needed expertise and facilities were not available, saying that it was the copulation of these factors that prompted the government to build the cardiac and renal centre.

“A copulation of these factors prompted the need for us to build facilities locally, find a way of staffing them locally to provide the needed services to treat people of these ailments, reduce the number of money we are spending to sponsor people abroad, and more importantly to build local capacity,” he added.

Idris also opined that setting up of the facility would help bring back home Nigerian medical specialists as a way of ‘brain gain’ to defeat the ‘brain drain’ phenomenon, lamenting that over the years, quite a number of indigenous medical personnel had left the country for greener pastures due to lack of infrastructure and facilities they could exhibit their skills with.

“We have over 2,000 specialists in the United States, similar number in Europe and Canada. And this is one way of brain gain instead of brain drain because if you establish a facility with the right equipment and infrastructure, we can use that to attract the specialists abroad back home where they can exhibit their expertise and at the same time build local capacity here. That was the basic underlining reason why we decided to embark on this project.”

He noted that the need to get a suitably qualified competent con-

APC is not at all rattled with the movement of some of those members to the Accord Party or PDP, though it is clear that the few members who decamped from APC are the aggrieved.

The process of bringing them back to the APC is on course and I can assure you that they will return to the party.

History offers us a great lesson. When you look at the history of Oyo politics, there has never been a time that a new party won election. Even Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, who won election on the platform of LP utilised a lot of human resources from the Peoples Democratic Party. Even in families we do quarrel among our small members but later we will solve it amicably.

Let me assure you that they will come back to where they truly belong.APC remains a party that would strengthen their weaknesses. What is important is tolerance of one another.

The sacrifice which we are paying now will be highly rewarded later.

So, my strong appeal to them is to come back home in the interest of their people in the state.

ous relationship among the members. The executive and legislative arms have since his assumption of office, been collaborating with each other thus paving the way for all round development in the state. There is no unnecessary interference bythe executive with the legislature and the leadership of the House under the Speaker, Alhaja Monsurat Sunmonu, has been doing wonderfully well and deserves to be commended for achieving what men could not achieve. The achievements of Governor Ajimobi, honestly speaking qualified him for a second term with less campaigns .Frankly speaking,ý and without being sentimental, Neither Ladoja nor Alao-Akala should be allowed to return as governor of Oyo State because they would bastardise all the good things that this selfless and patriotic governor has put in place to sustain the Pace setting status of the state. Do you know how many speakers Oyo State had during Ladoja and Alao-Akala’s administrations? It was bickering and confusion all through with nothing concrete achieved in terms of law making and oversight functions of the House.

Now, the difference is clear Are you not aware of the popularity of Accord party in the state?

Ladoja’s Accord party is only popular in a tiny part of Ibadan and little is heard about it in other parts of the

state. So, he is no threat to Ajimobi neither is Alao Akala who has not even been picked by PDP as its gubernatorial candidate.

What is the future of APC in Oyo and Nigeria as a whole, bearing in mind that you just lost Ekiti State to PDP? Our future is bright and we are not going to give up but will keep progressing. What happened in Ekiti State was the militarization of the masses and a day light robbery of people’s mandate. Such will not repeat itself in Osun State. In Oyo State, APC is standing aright and no opposition party can shake our stand. The citizens of the state are very wise and they can see the wind of transformation blowing in all sectors in the state and they will not allow any party to come and destroy it. APC has come to rescue Nigeria from the abyss she had been flung into by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Believe you me, rescuing Nigeria was a mission that must be accomplished and the surest way of achieving this was through a merger of the opposition parties to beat PDP at the 2015 polls. We shall not be intimidated by PDP’s plan in 2015 but we shall continue to achieve our mission and vision by delivering the dividends of democracy to the people, not just on the pages of newspaper but by seeing it happening in concrete terms.

•Hitech equipment at the hospital

sortium that has the needed requirement to run the facility prompted the state to opt for a Public-Private Partnership, PPP, agreement through the office of Public-Private Partnership, adding that this aim resulted in the appointment of Renescor Health Limited Liability Partnership to run and manage the facility.

Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi said that the reason for opting for qualified competent con-

sortium of medical professionals to manage the facility through a PPP initiative was due to dearth of appropriate competent staff in this environment and the highly specialized nature of the equipment and services to be rendered within the facility.

He said that the PPP office was quite convinced of the capabilities of the private managers, as they were expected to provide quality services in line with international

Nobody can defeat Ajimobi, APC in 2015 Continued from page 30

best practices, promote medical tourism, provide training field to develop the capacity of state’s own health personnel and facilitate a gradual paradigm shift on dependence on foreigners with the skilled empowerment of local professionals.

The Managing Director of Renescor Health Limited Liability Partnership, Dr. Ladi Awosika commended the government for building the state-of-the-art facility which

he described as first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa taking out South Africa and Angola.

He added that the Cardiac and Renal Centre has been built to very good specification as attested to by the specialists that had signed up with the company, saying that the centre has facility for telemedicine which would make every procedure going on in this facility to be reviewed by colleagues anywhere in the world, thereby ensuring that training and cutting edge facility therapy would be available at the facility.

Awosika explained that Messrs Renescour comprise mainly of Nigerians specialists who had been in the Diaspora and could not get any space to work in Nigeria, noting that when they saw what was on ground, they pledged to contribute their quota through the facility.

“As at today, we have about 200 Nigerian specialists who have signed on to be a part of this. Some of them have decided that it will not even be for money, rather they will take one or two week vacation to be at this centre to impact their knowledge and skills to the people of Lagos in particular and Nigeria in general,” he said.

Awosika noted that more facilities of the magnitude of the cardiac and renal centre is required in the State to be able to satisfy the demand of its more than 21 million residents and promote medical tourism in Lagos, pledging that his company would not let the State down.

Former Governor Alao-Akala has recently joined the governorship race on the platform of PDP with other aspirants in the opposition party who have all boasted that they will win the governorship election in 2015. Is this not a threat to Governor Ajimobi’s re-election bid?

There is nobody that can defeat Governor Ajimobi in the next governorship election in the state. His achievements are unprecedented and unmatched by previous governments in the state. The first noticeable achievement of the incumbent government was restoration of peace to the state. He has brought an end to the era of brigandage and violence .Peace has been restored not only to the hitherto crisis-ridden transport union (NURTW) in the state but he has been sustaining the peace. The entire state is now peaceful bringing an end to the culture of violence. You can see the anti crime outfit called ‘’Operation Burst’’ which is being used to check mate the activities of criminals in the state .You would recall how many lives were lost because of avoidable scramble for power between factions of the National Union of Road

•Ajimobi

Transport Workers (NURTW). The governor ensured that government did not get itself involved in the affairs of the motor union.

Apart from this, roads have been widened and infrastructure generally given facelift. This was in the area of environmental beautification. The state has never had it so good. Ibadan the state capital has been completely changed and this is a credit to the foresight of this government.

As to the legislative arm of the government, you can see the harmoni-

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

35

SOUTHWEST REPORT

•Governor Aregbesola presenting a cheque of N375 million to the beneficiaries of the CCT at the occasion

Thousands of women stormed the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, Osun State Thursday last week when Governor Rauf Aregbesola launched a special empowerment scheme for women who are heads of their households. ADETUTU AUDU reports that a cheque of N375m was given out to the jubilant women.

Happy days here again for Osun women T

HE jubilant crowd mostly of women that converged on the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, capital of Osun State Thursday last week was an appreciative one. And the women had every cause to be as they showed their appreciation through singing, dancing and prayers for the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola. Their joy and appreciation were not out of place.

That day the Aregbesola administration was giving out N375 million in aid of women who head their respective households in the state.

Apart from giving the women stipend monthly, they will also be trained in vocations common to their area after which at the end of the 12th month, they will each be given a seed money to start small scale business.

The only condition attached to the beneficiary households was that they should make use of government infrastructure - meaning pregnant women in such households should make use of government health facilities while their children attend government schools.

Also, at the event, new ultra-modern hand-held ultrasound diagnostic scanners (touch screen) and mirror-3d (colour) Doppler ultrasound diagnostic scanners were launched.

Speaking at the event, Governor Aregbesola restated the commitment of his administration to making life better for the generality of the people of the state. “With all sense of modesty, I want to say that there is no household in Osun State that our administration has not touched positively,” he said.

According the governor, the programme being launched was the pilot programme assuring that it will spread to other local government areas in the state.

“You have not seen anything yet.

We want to ensure that poverty is reduced to the barest minimum in this state. That is why our programme is anchored on the development of our people,” he as-

•Aregbesola splashes N375m on them, commissions hand-held scanners sured.

Speaking on the scanners, the governor stated that they were procured to ensure reduction in maternal mortality and reduce incidence of stroke among the populace.

“The first scanner will scan pregnant women and detect the position of the unborn baby for any necessary medical action if there is need, while the second scanner detects early stroke symptoms in people for early medication,” Aregbesola explained.

The governor was emphatic on the fact that: “pregnant women and others that will make use of these facilities will not pay any money it is free”.

The programme climaxed with the handing over of a N375 million cheque to the heads of the benefitting households and the commissioning of the ultra-modern, ultrasound scanners.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Aregbesola on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Honourable Abdullah Adeyanju Binuyo, under whose office the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme was executed, described it as a win, win situation for the people.

“From whichever way you look at it, the people are the winners.

They are not only the direct beneficiaries but also all the positive multiplier effects of the programme come back as plus for the people,” the SSA said.

He explained further: “we give out N5,000 monthly to the head of each benefitting household who is a woman. That is the cash aspect.

Residents of the benefitting households must make use of government facilities that is the condition. The transfer aspect is that the money given out will be spent in the state; that is ploughing back the money into the state economy thereby con-

•Aregbesola displaying one of the scanners

tributing to its development. At the end of the 12th month, each head of the benefitting household will get N100,000 to start a small scale businesses of their own. Remember that the pregnant women are treated free at government hospitals while the children enjoy not only free education but they also get free school uniform and are fed free. So the people are the ultimate winners of

this programme”.

Explaining further, the state Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Mrs. Mofolake Adegboyega, stated that the benefitting households were not picked at random. “They were selected through a thorough research by the consultant we employed to do so and the woman is a Professor from the Obafemi Awolowo University

(OAU), Ile Ife. It took her six months of crisscrossing the nooks and crannies of this state to arrive at the list of beneficiaries,” she explained.

According to her, the pilot scheme involved five local government areas in the state with 100 from each local government. A total of 2,250 households will benefit from this programme,” she said.

‘

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

36

SOUTHWEST REPORT

•Ms Okoya with some school children at the seminar

T

O mark the annual International Day of the African Child, the Basic Education Africa (BE Africa), in partnership with other concerned non-governmental bodies, has sought urgent attention to the fate of the girl-child in the country. It was at a seminar tagged: “Basic Education for All – A Focus on Girl-child Education.”

It was held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos to raise awareness on the plight of children in Africa, and on the need for continued improvement in their education.

Seasoned speakers at the event, who were drawn by the BEAfrica founder and chairman, Ms. Abimbola Okoya, included: Director, Oando Foundation, Ms. Tokunbo Durosaro; founder, Slum2School Project, Mr. Otto Orondaam and Ms. Daphne Akatugba, The Future Project Nigeria. Mrs Olusola Adeola moder-

The girl-child needs education’

By Basirat Braimah

ated the question and answer session.

The theme of the seminar was hinged on the fragile fate of girls’ education in Nigeria as being recently threatened by the recent kidnapping of over 200 girls in Chibok, Borno State by Boko Haram.

Ms. Durosaro who spoke on “Promoting a Holistic and Sustainable Approach to Enabling Access to Quality Basic Education,” said about 10.5 million children were out of school in Nigeria, adding that in Northern Nigeria states about twothirds of primary age children are out of school.

Durosaro who said 17.21 per cent of children that are out of schools in the world are Nigerians, added that one in every six out-of-school chil-

dren is a Nigerian.

She said the barrier to quality education in Nigeria is inadequate budgetary allocation, saying that what the government is putting into education was against the international board recommendation monitoring education in Africa.

Durosaro also said that when people’s standard of living is poor, they would never have time to think of school, adding that they would rather think of scouting for daily survival. She said the way forward is to increase the private sector participation in the education sector.

Orondaam, who spoke on “Basic Education for All: Making it a Reality for the disadvantaged child in Nigeria,” emphasized that cities are more developed than communities because educational focus is more on urban areas than rural.

“Slum still exists in some communities because they have not seen a good reason why a child should go to school. All these happen due to poverty and lack of faith in Nigeria,” he said.

Ms. Akatugba, who spoke on “Education and the Future Generation: Advocating for Equality in Access to Quality Basic Education in Nigeria” said despite the country’s progress in education since 1999 in Millennium Development Goal (MDG), over seven million schoolage children still do not go to school, while at least 17 per cent of those who attend schools do not complete primary school education.

Akatugba said that in some states, poor parental view on formal education for the girl child is still high.

She said it is worsened by early marriage for girls in some areas and

Ewekoro cries out over cement dust pollution •Continued from page 33

tion, potable water, economic empowerment and offering of scholarship to our children in many communities.

But we believe they can still do more."

Also, the Baale of Egba Ajegunle, Chief Joshua Oniyitan, lending his voice, noted that about 70 per cent of Lafarge's production activities are being carried out in Ewekoro and surrounding villages, and called on the management to employ more of their youths in the company.

Similarly, Chief Olaleye Olalekan , Baale of Ewekoro, identified areas where the company had intervened to include borehole, provision of transformers, health centres, human resource development, building of blocks of classrooms and the introduction of Lafarge Apprenticeship Training School for their youths.

But now they are also making a three-point demand which Lafarge should address. They want to have a fraction of the company's annual profit, an increment in the yearly grant to each of the 12 host - communities and more employment opportunities for their youths.

According to them, what the company had been giving them as annual grants were mere palliative, considering the negative impacts of their activities on their lives and environment and what the company garner

•Borehole built by Lafarge in one of the communities

annually as profits.

When The Nation visited Lafarge Cement Ewekoro plant last week the company said it was aware of the villagers' complaints, and was also taking steps to make life better for them.

It explained that it was determined "to be the preferred neighbour to the host communities" adding that it equally "meant good" to them.

The company admitted that it was not a big ambition for the villagers to demand a zero level of dust emission in their environment but said the amount of the dust being emitted today are not such that could "pose health hazard to the people," adding that it may not be possible for someone to live near the ocean without feeling cold.

The Community Relations and Communication Manager Mr

Ogunleye Festus told The Nation they are executing many projects in the 12 communities yearly based on what each of the affected communities considered a priority need.

Ogunleye noted that the company was also actively involved in the building of schools, youth empowerment and training, scholarship, care for the elderly, less privilege and the orphans as well as building of roads and grant of financial assistance to their host communities.

According him, this is not a once in a while intervention but a continuous exercise as the people's genuine needs arise.

He assured that Lafarge was "very committed" to relocating villagers living near the quarry but said thing had to be done properly while the issues of relocating the departed

loved ones were equally settled.

He said: "It is a fact we are relocating some communities, we are very committed to relocating those people located on the limestone deposit. We have cleared the site meant for them, the process is going on and before the end of the year much would be achieved.

"It is just that they want it to happen now but there are usually issues involved with movement of people, there is going to be documentation among other things."

Regarding the quest for a fraction of the company's yearly profit, he said the communities are already benefiting and partaking in the share of it through sundry projects being executed for them, adding when the cake gets bigger, their share of it would also get bigger.

a situation where their boys and girls engagement in income-generating activities to supplement household income in the South Eastern and North- Eastern parts of the country.

She advocated the expansion of partnerships and with the civil society and ministries to stop the gender disparity.

The Baale of Omole Land, Chief Taiwo Bakare, said every community should know its role in the education of girls in its environment.

He urged traditional rulers to lay good examples by sending their daughters to schools.

He added: “Schools in the community should also encourage these girls to learn by providing suitable and conducive environment for learning.”

Ogunleye said:"profit sharing involves many stakeholders - workers, management, governments, investors and host communities. It is from profits taxes are paid, salaries and wages are also paid and the needs of the communities addressed.

"It is a continuous thing. When the cake is big, the share of it would also be big. If we didn't make profit last year, I don't know what would have happened to community projects."

Also, Dr. Taiwo Agbede, the company's training manager, said no fewer than 12 youths from the communities received specialised training in some engineering aspects of cement production.

And last week, The Nation also observed 21 youths drawn from the host communities taking lectures at company's Apprenticeship Training Centre where the beneficiaries are currently undergoing 18 months intensive training.

According to Agbede, the trainees are also given allowances throughout the training, free feeding and medical care at the company's clinic.

While all these are being undertaken by Lafarge to assuage the anger of her host communities, it is left to be seen if the beneficiaries are contented as they kept harping on their grievances.

And they expressed the hope that the company would listen to them, attend to their demand and not create a situation as was the case in the past where it would first take protests and blocking of the entrance to the quarry sites by the youths before Lafarge makes a move. How far the Lafarge Cement WAPCO Plc can resolve this only time will tell.

37

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

THE NATION INVESTORS

Seven firms get deadline to restructure capital

T

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has directed the boards of Great Nigerian Insurance (GNI) Plc, Chellarams Plc and Nigerian Ropes Plc to restructure their companies’issued share capital to dilute the existing concentrated shareholdings of the core investors and allow more investments from the general investing public.

The addition of the three new companies increased the number of companies that have been given deadlines to restructure their outstanding shares to seven. The four other companies included Dangote Cement, Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN), Wema Bank and Capital Hotel Plc. In the latest report on public shareholding status in quoted companies obtained by The Nation, the NSE indicated that three other companies were in violation of the listing requirement, which compels companies quoted on the main board of the NSE to ensure that a minimum of 20 per cent of its issued shares is in the hand of the general investing public.

The management of the NSE stated that it has notified the GNI, Chellarams and Nigerian Ropes Plc of the deficiency in its current shareholding structure. Companies listed on the Exchange are required to maintain a minimum free float for the set standards under which they are listed in order to ensure that there is an orderly and liquid market in their securities. The free float requirement for companies on the main board is 20 per cent while companies on the second board, otherwise known as Alternative Securities Market (ASEM) are required to have 15 per cent free float.

Free float, otherwise known as public float, refers to the number of shares of a quoted company held by ordinary shareholders other than those directly or indirectly held by its parent, subsidiary or associate companies or any subsidiaries or associates of its parent company; its directors who are holding office as directors of the entity and their close family members and any single individual or institutional shareholder holding a statutorily significant stake, which is five per cent and above in Nigeria.

Thus, free float’s shares do not

,

•From left: Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri; J.Streicher Adversory, Mr. Rado Lorenc; Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema; J. Streicher Adversory, Mr. Tom Brown; Head, Product Management, NSE, Mr. Dipo Omotoso and J. Streicher Adversory, Mr. Mark Burr during a training for stockbrokers by the NSE in Lagos

include shares held directly or indirectly by any officer, director, controlling shareholder or other concentrated, affiliated or family holdings.

The report indicated that GNI currently has 16 per cent of its issued shares in the hands of the general investing public while Chellarams and Nigerian Ropes has 5.20 per cent and 13.96 per cent respectively.

Capital Hotel currently has 2.23 per cent of its issued shares in the hands of the general investing public, implying that the core investors will need to sell down about 17.77 per cent to the general investing public or undertake a dilution through new capital issue.

According to the report, the management of the NSE has given

GNI a deadline of July 8, 2016 while Chellarams and Nigerian Ropes will have to complete their share restructurings by December 31, this year and January 7, 2015.

Also, Capital Hotel has a deadline of April 20, 2016 to complete the share restructuring.

The deadlines are in deference to application by the managements of the companies for some period to comply with the free float.

However, the companies are required to provide quarterly disclosure reports to the NSE on the efforts being made to fully comply by the deadline.

By the expiration of the deadline, the companies are mandatorily required to have completed partial divestments or dilution of the ‘nonpublic’ shareholdings to free 20 per

cent equity stake for public holding, unless the management of the NSE grants fresh waivers and extensions for the companies. In the extreme instance, a company with deficient public float may opt to delist its shares.

As earlier reported by The Nation, the report indicated that three other companies - Dangote Cement Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) Plc and Wema Bank Plc, are still below the 20 per cent minimum float.

The report indicated that Wema Bank is slightly under the 20 per cent free float with a free float of 19.64 per cent. Wema Bank is expected to adjust its shareholding structure to free 20 per cent of its equities for unrelated shareholders

by July 31.

Dangote Cement has up till

October while Union Bank of Nigeria has up till June 2017 to comply with the free float. The updated free float record of the NSE indicated that Dancem has a free float of 7.19 per cent, 12.81 percentage points below the minimum requirement of 20 per cent. Union Bank has a free float of 14.94 per cent, 5.06 per cent below the minimum standard.

Stock markets maintain minimum public float to prevent undue concentration of securities in the hands of the core investors and related interests, a situation that can make the stock to be susceptible to price manipulation. Besides, it provides the general investing public with opportunity to reasonably partake in the wealth creation by private enterprises.

NSE delays implementation of biometrics, direct cash settlement

T

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has deferred the implementation of its new policies on biometric identification and direct payment of cash to investors.

The NSE on Monday commenced the implementation of three other bodies of rules and regulations that were approved alongside the rules on biometric and direct cash settlement.

These rules included rules and regulations governing dealing members (amendments and additions, part II), rules and regulations governing dealing members (amendments and additions, part III) and rules governing compliance officers of dealing member firms.

The biometric policy and direct cash settlement are part of the rules and regulations governing dealing members (amendments and additions, part III).

Head, legal and regulation, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Tinuade Awe, indicated that the implementation of the rules and regulations governing dealing members (amendments and additions, part III) would be taking off on July 21 with the exception of the biometric identification, direct cash settlement and two other provisions on post trade allocation and annual fit and proper evaluation.

According to her, the policies on biometric identification, direct cash settlement and two other provisions

on post trade allocation and annual fit and proper evaluation would take off on “a later date to be communicated by the Exchange”.

Under the biometric identification, individual and institutional investors would have to submit for biometric identification before they could buy or sell shares at the Nigerian stock market.

A copy of amendments to rules governing operations and operators at the stock market showed that all stockbrokers will now be required to obtain the biometrics of all their clients in a new rule being proposed by the NSE. In what may have far-reaching implication at the market, NSE indicated biometric identifiers to be obtained “shall include finger prints and iris recognition and the information collected shall be applied towards confirming clients’ identities”.

While individual investors will have to provide biometrics on every account, corporate entities will provide corporate information as well as biometrics of the authorised signatories to their share trading accounts.

Besides, an investor will have to provide a minimum of three identifications to meet the new scorebased criteria for opening of account, under one of the new rules.

NSE is proposing a clients points system under which stockbrokers will

have to ensure that an investor score a minimum of 10 points to be eligible to hold an account.

In obtaining the data of its clients for identification purposes, every dealing member is expected to apply the “Clients Points System”, with the points awarded according to predetermined grade of the Exchange.

According to the rules, international passport caries the highest grade of five points, national identity card carries four points, driver’s license obtains two points, utility bill accrues two points, voters card entitles to a point while employee’s photo identification card issued by recognised employer with employer’s tax identification from the Federal Inland Revenue Service obtains two points.

Under the direct cash policy, net proceeds of stock market transactions would be sent directly to bank accounts of investors through the Central Securities and Clearing System (CSCS, the clearing and settlement gateway of the market.

As against the current general practice whereby the payments for investors’ transactions go into the accounts of the brokers for onward disbursement to their clients, the general practice under the ‘direct cash settlement’ will be to send the net proceeds direct from the clearing and settlement system straight to the investors’ accounts while the existing practice of payment through brokers will become exceptional cases.

The NSE has already advanced on the framework for the new direct cash payment system, with the rules setting out the framework currently undergoing review for final draft and approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

According to the new rules, brokers are mandated to provide their clients’ bank account details to the CSCS, being the agent of the Exchange for the clearing and settlement of all securities traded on the Automated Trading System (ATS) of the NSE. Settlement of each trade carried out on the ATS shall then be done by direct payment into the client’s account as provided to the CSCS. Under the proposed framework, brokers are mandated within three working days of receiving instructions from a client that settlement should be done by direct payment into such client’s account to notify the CSCS of the client’s instructions and provide the client’s account details to the CSCS. Any broker-dealer that fails to notify and provide the account details within the three-day timeline will be liable to a fine of N250,000 in addition to any other penalty which the Exchange may impose, according to the new rules.

However, a client that declines direct cash payment into its account provided to the CSCS shall notify the CSCS by completing a direct cash settlement

notification form, specially made for that purpose.

Also, settlement of transactions carried out on behalf of any client whose account details are not provided to the CSCS shall be done by payment into the account of the client’s brokerdealer firm.

As part of the new rules, where a client provides its broker-dealer firm with a written mandate to purchase securities with proceeds from the sale of other securities any payment attributable to the sale shall be made into the account of the broker-dealer firm provided the client gives its consent in that regard.

Every broker-dealer is also expected to take all reasonable steps to ensure that all details of direct settlement originate from the actual client through confirmation of the client’s details in relations to particulars contained in the ‘Know Your Client’ (KYC) provisions.

“Any broker-dealer that trades in its client securities without receiving a mandate from its client or neglects to remit to its client the proceeds from trading in such client’s securities within three working days of receiving such, shall be liable for any penalties imposed under Article 148B for unauthorised sale of securities, in addition to any other penalty which the Exchange may impose,” the new rules stated.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

38

THE NATION

BUSINESS P ENSION

Pension: Lagos is most compliant state • Contribution hits N51.6b

W

ITH a contribution of N51.6 billion to the nation’s N4.3 trillion pension fund assets, and its consistency in the payment of pension benefits to retirees, the Federal Government has declared Lagos State as the best out of the 36 states in the country.

It also praised the state for adopting and implementing the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in compliance with the provisions of the Pension Reform Act, 2004.

In recognition of this feat and to further encourage the state, President Goodluck Jonathan awarded Lagos a gold trophy in Abuja, during a dinner organised to commemorate the 10th year anniversary of the CPS in Nigeria.

The award was received by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN).

The dinner was also organised as part of the activities for the just concluded World Pension Summit ‘Africa Special’ in Abuja.

Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kushimo

The Director-General, Lagos State Pension Commission, Rotimi Hussain, told reporters that the state has from inception of the scheme in 2007 contributed N51.6 billion, being the monthly deduction of 7.5 per cent from the salary of an employee and the counterpart 7.5 per cent contribution by the state government into the Retirement Savings Account (RSA) of every employee with the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).

He said the state has also paid N26.2 billion as benefits to 4,990 retirees prior to the commencement of the scheme, adding that amendments to the new Pension Reform Act, 2014, will improve pensioners’ benefits in particular, and the scheme in general.

According to him, the repealed Pension Reform Act, 2004, which has run for 10 years, has been tested by stakeholders in the pension indus-

try, noting that there are areas in the new law that will be of great interest to the contributors.

He said: “We have run the Scheme for 10 years and I think it is enough time for us to have learnt from our experiences. Having been tested, we have found the key areas where we needed to fine-tune, change and amend.

“Drawing from the experience we have gathered, the amendments to the law are meant to improve the system. They are a few key areas that would interest the contributors more.

For instance, the increased counterpart contribution from the employer, makes it to have a larger contribution than the worker. Beyond that, there are a lot of other technical areas that are being addressed in a way that there is more transparency. The regulator has also ensured that they can enforce compliance more than it had been able to do.

“The important thing to know going forward, is that the element is to be able to ensure that we try as much as possible to bring a lot more work-

• Fashola

• Acting D-G, PenCom, Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu

ers into the net of the CPS, so that we can expand the scheme as well. As it is, the coverage is still relatively low.”

Hussain,said there is still the need for pension operators to ensure that compliance is enforced, noting that the investment climate has to improve in order to have a veritable avenue for the huge funds.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also received an award for establishing the CPS in 2004. He expressed hope that by 2024 when the scheme would be 20 years, the number of workers in both public

and private sectors under the scheme would have quadrupled. He also expressed joy that since inception, the scheme has not been associated with fraud.

Other states that received awards were Niger and Delta. Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and the pioneer Chairman of the National Pension Commission, Mr. Fola Adeola, were among individuals who received awards for playing big roles in the establishment and implementation of the scheme.

PHCN pensioners laud govt over payment of pension • Seek payment of gratuity, others

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HE Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) pensioners under the umbrella body of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (Electricity Sector) have lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for his intervention in facilitating the payment of their four months pension benefits.

The pensioners said following the appeal and promises by the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo and Coordinating Minister for the Economy (CME) and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to them to shelve their planned protest over the non-payment of their four-month pension, gratuity and other benefits, the Nigerian Electricity Liability Management Limited (NELMCO), which is the electricity workers’ pension manager, has informed them of the release of their second quarter, pension fund allocation.

The pensioners said in view of their transfer to the Pension Transitional Arrangement (PTAD) from July 1, by the CME, money should be released to PTAD to enable it pay their pension and other benefits

henceforth.

Chairman, NUP PHCN, Comrade Temple Ubani, made the request in a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan while seeking more intervention for the pensioners. The letter was sent to the President and the Minister of Power through the Permanent Secretary and Chairman, Technical Implementation Committee on the Payment of Terminal Benefits of PHCN Employees, Federal Ministry of Power, Dr Godknows Igali.

Ubaniconfirmed that some of their members have started receiving alert of payments of their pension into their accounts.

He said: “We wish to place on record our gratitude on the positive responses and interventions from the Minister of Power, Minister of Finance/CME and ultimately, President Goodluck Jonathan, for ensuring the immediate release of NELMCO second quarter of the year pension fund allocation on July 11, 2014, after our meeting with you and Nebo, the Minister of State, Power, Mohammed Wakil on July 9, 2014. NELMCO has informed us that payment for the months of March, April and May, is underway.

“Permit us to recall in particular

• Ubani

the President’s intervention in 2012, when PHCN unilaterally stopped the payment of our August 2012 monthly pension, and at the same time refused to transfer the pensioners’ records/data to NELMCO to take over the payments.

“In that instance, it was President Jonathan that used his good offices to direct the PHCN and NELMCO managements to synergise and ef-

Allianz is lead reinsurer of $97.3m jet in crash

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LLIANZ SE (ALV) is the lead hull and liability reinsurer of the Malaysia Airlines passenger jet that was shot down in Eastern Ukraine, said Bloomberg.

The aircraft’s value is about $97.3 million, London-based insurance broker Aon Plc (AON:US), which tracks the market for aviation coverage, said in a recent report. Atrium Underwriting Group Limited was the leader for war coverage, which could pay claims if the damage is tied to terrorism, Aon said.

“As leading reinsurer of Malaysia Airlines for aviation hull and liability coverage, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty stands by to support our client as fully and quickly as possible,” Jacqueline M. Maher, a spokeswoman for Munich-based Allianz, said in an e-mailed statement.

“It is much too early to comment on reports of this tragic incident while details are still being confirmed, except to extend our deepest sympathy to all those affected by this crash.” Atrium’s

Liz O’Rourke declined to comment.

The Boeing Co. 777 crashed near the town of Torez, about 30 kilometers, 18 miles from the Russian border, killing all 298 people on board.

The plane was en route to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam. The government in Kiev blamed the attack on pro-Russian rebels, an accusation the separatists denied.

The attack threatens to raise tensions in Ukraine’s civil war. Carriers including Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Air France-KLM and OAO Aeroflot are shifting planes away from the region, which sits astride some of the busiest air routes between Europe and Asia.

Atrium provides coverage through the Lloyd’s of London market. Enstar Group Ltd. (ESGR:US) purchased a majority stake in Atrium last year.

Willis Group Holdings Plc (WSH:US) brokered the coverage, said Colleen McCarthy, a spokeswoman for the company.

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fect that payment, and ensure that subsequent ones are paid as at when due. He nipped in the bud what would have caused serious industrial breach in the sector as our colleagues in active service were mobilising to support our mass protests.

“We thank the President and other relevant authorities for coming to our help this time around, at least to stem the spate of unfortunate deaths of our members, believably caused by the delayed payment of our stipends for four months consecutively.”

Ubani appealed for continuous interventions in resolving other labour (pension) outstanding liabilities, which NELMCO lacks the capacity to discharge.

He noted that the NELMCO Board’s recent decision to transfer power sector pensions to PTAD, though, a welcome development, may be confronted with challenges, if outstanding liabilities are not settled in line with the agreements reached in 2012 & 2013, between labour unions in PHCN and the Federal Government.

He said the agreements, include 120 per cent pension arrears owed some 4,909 pensioners; arrears of monetisation; arrears of harmonisation, initial pension arrears; death

VER a million of pensioner households in the UK now have a total wealth of more than £1million, according to analysis by Prudential.

The retirement company said this growth in wealth was down to a boost in the average value of pension assets, an increase in the value of savings and investments held by retired households and a rise in property values.

Examining Office for National Statistics data for 2010 to 2012, Prudential found that the number of millionaire pensioner households increased by 69 per cent compared with 2006 to 2008 when the number stood at just over 636,000.

This means that more than one in ten (11 per cent) of over-65 households in 2010/12 had a total wealth of over £1million.

Prudential retirement expert Vince SmithHughes said: ‘These results challenge a few commonly held perceptions. ‘’The figures underline the importance of

benefits owed the next of kins of dead PHCN staff and or retirees; non conclusion of the biometric capture exercise, which Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) commenced in 2012, and payment of gratuities to retirees (though on-going), but should be quickened to douse tensions.

Ubani stated that initial interactions with PTAD officials suggest that it would need the funds appropriated in 2014 budget for NELMCO to pay pensions, to discharge its responsibility with effect from July, this year.

He said that in view of the wellknown antecedents of the Ministry of Finance, especially the Budget and Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) offices’ delay in release of their pension, we solicit Presidential intervention right away, to forestall another round of bureaucratic delays and accumulation of months of pension arrears from July.

Nevertheless, the N14 billion appropriated for this year is already experiencing shortfalls arising from the implementation of monetisation, harmonisation and unpaid normal pension arrears. There is therefore, urgent need to source for augmentation early enough, to avoid crises with PTAD, he said.

‘One in 10 pensioners is a millionaire’ people saving as much as possible as early as possible in their working lives to enable then to secure a comfortable income in retirement. ‘’Even those who will fall into the growing number of pensioner millionaires when they retire need to consider their income options.’’

Prudential said the average value of private pension assets increased to £82,300 in 2010/12, up from £60,000 in 2006/06. The number of people who have private pension wealth in this period grew to 76 per cent from 73 per cent.

Less than one fifth (19 per cent) of over-65 households have savings and investments worth more than £100,000 – an increase from 15 per cent in 2006/08.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY23, 2014

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SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP Some Nigerians are taking advantage of the rising global demand for hibiscus flower, which some international beverage companies are processing into fruit tea. This has become a ready source of foreign exchange for small entrepreneurs. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

Hibiscus flower export as forex earner T

O the ordinary Nigerian, hibiscus flower is attractive because of its colour. Placed in a living room, it lights up the apartment, emitting pleasant aroma. But with technology and research, another use has been found for the plant.

This is because the plant has become a raw material for international beverage firms that process it into several flavours of fruit tea.

The development has led to a surge in global demand for the plant, with European countries, such as Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, United Kingdom, blazing the trail.

Others include Egypt, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, The Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Mexico.

But though it has become an important source of income, many Nigerians are yet to key into the opportunity offered by this plant.

The Chief Executive, Anjorin & Atanda Investment Limited, Mr. Sunday Anjorin, blames this on lack of information about the hibiscus plant’s potential in the international market and because local farmers see the plant as a low-value crop, which is not placed in the ivy league of cocoa.

Anjorin said the hibiscus flower is a product that can boost the government’s push towards commercialisation of small scale agriculture and at the same time

help farmers in the planting of the flower, so they could become suppliers of the product, thus turning their small plots of land into money-spinners.

He therefore urged the small hibiscus flower farmers to explore the opportunity inherent in the plant and be part of a global market, where they can also make good money.

In Nigeria, Hibiscus flower grows nearly throughout the year, though its peak is the dry season of November to April.

Dried hibiscus flower is what is in demand.

New entrants, according to Anjorin, have to be trained on packaging and labelling, registration and licensing, quality control measures and effective marketing strategies. This is because the market encourages export of quality hibiscus flowers.

Recently, the market has started growing at a stable rate mainly as a result of rising production levels and growing consumer awareness of the health benefits of the produce. Many farmers, after seeing the income, have started growing the plant on a large scale. Some growers enjoy lucrative deals with exporters and produce the flowers at different times of the year. For this reason, derivatives from the flower are becoming increasingly available in the major cities. In re-

•Dry Hibiscus flower

sponse, buyers are looking for it in good quality and quantity and at the right price.

But it is not only farmers that have a monopoly to benefit from this produce. Anjorin explained that the plant could be sourced from farmers in the northern region, whom he said, had been planting hibiscus for years. However, the right grade should be sourced. Anjorin assured intending suppliers of a ready market.

An average price for a kilogramme of conventional hibiscus

•Anjorin

is about $1, while organic hibiscus brings nearly twice that amount, selling at about $2. For him, mentoring is needed to ensure that the exporters are paid a guaranteed fair price, reducing risks and improving their incomes and living conditions.

But would be exporters have to be educated on how to harvest and package ‘A’ grade flowers. Overall, revenue is seasonal. There is an increasing demand for fair trade products, and having the systems in place to ensure quality produc-

tion of hibiscus. Buyers may request quotes from suppliers.

The business endeavour provides a new perspective that could lead to a rewarding small scale agricultural businesses. Bottom-up strategies are promising and young Nigerians and retirees could get better training to reduce poverty and create income.

The constraints facing the business are lack of market information, infrastructure for production, financial resources and management skills.

‘Creativity, innovation, foresight key to success’ Body cream production has gone through alot of transition, with the emergence of some herbal alternatives. One Nigerian taking advantage of this to make a living is Udenwa Benjamin, chief executive, Benchems Nigeria Enterprise. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

•Benjamin

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HE market for herbal products is expanding. This has led to a growth in low cost herbal creams that the middle class can afford.

With research indicating the harmful impact of chemically produced creams, there was need to develop an alternative herbal skin care product. Udenwa Benjamin, chief executive, Benchems Nigeria Enterprise, is earning a living doing so.

He grins when he talks about his business, which he started in 1993 following a revelation, where he got the formulae on how to prepare skin treatment creams. That gave birth to some skin products based on herbs.

The products are made to bring treatment and beauty to buyers.

He started the business at home with N5000 before relocating to a

larger residential building, which, painfully, the regulator, the National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), rejected.

He had to move into another accommodation to continue the business.

Today, he employs about seven staff.

Earlier, and understandably, the products had a slower acceptance over other brands.

But over the years, they gained attention with the rise in demand for lowchemical skin care products. This may due to the fact that the products do not have side effects and are attractive. His products have under-

gone extensive lab tests and do not have adverse effects.

Some of his products treat acne and other skin ailments. His family uses them and have attested their efficacy.

Initially, he faced the challenge of establishing a new business and making it a success.

There were some brands in the market. To carve a niche, he undertook an awareness campaign to alert the public on the dangers of chemical treatments and the benefits of natural care.

Over the years he accumulated knowledge and has never stopped learning and collecting local plants that can improve his products.

He has done a lot in acquainting himself with the practical aspects of running a small business.

He formulates the products.

One of the most things for him is that the business has brought into focus the challenges faced by micro entrepreneurs in the subsector.

For him, it is important to have a dream, because that is the starting point, with a desire to make the dream come true.

To him, an entrepreneur is one with an independence of spirit, faith and confidence in one’s abilities.

Creativity and innovation are important. Added to this is foresight, because one has to plan to predict trends.

Undergrad ventures into business Many undergraduates are learning the cardinal lessons of business by operating their own firms on campus. One of them is Amaka Nwabuisi, a 300-level student of Abia State University, Uturu.

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ANY people have gone into the business of using Ankara fabrics to make bags and shoes. One of such is Amaka Nwabuisi, a 300-level student of Abia State University.

Miss Nwabuisi knew she has an entrepreneurial passion. She loves fashion. She decided to set up an oncampus business that makes Ankara bags and shoes. Her products include ladies, bags and all manners of accessories.

The Ankara hand-made bags are made in different colours, and come in three different sizes to fit books, a laptop, tablet, and other items. For her, the campus is a good place to get noticed and attract customers.

She sells hand-made bags to students but also caters to corporates and others — who seem to find their reasonably priced bags a pretty good bet.

She started with N20, 000. Like any other start-up, she had challenges raising capital. But today, the business has grown, helping her nurture her entrepreneurial spirit and spur off many such ventures. The experience she gained has supplemented the academic knowledge to help her learn the ABC of business.

She agrees that managing an enterprise while still at school has given her enough scope to apply the theory of business. She has learnt the basics of starting up: reacting to market behaviour, creating and add-

ing variations, marketing and managing a company.

From the income she makes, Nwabuisi is able to meet her needs on campus when nothing is coming.

As a strategy, she has learnt to pay attention to what people want, marking out her target customers.

She comes up with designs she wants to make. She sew the product herself and handle the task of marketing and distributing the products to individuals and families. Fabrics are her main raw materials. She sources for locally-made fabrics.

Most materials used for production are still being imported.

For her, the journey has been interesting, very challenging and fun

all at the same time. It has been challenging to get people to believe in her brands. However, she said the business is lucrative.

For those going into business, it is passion and one must update to know what is in vogue.

Nwabuisi is not just zealous about her venture; she has a vision for it and is strategically working towards achieving this vision.

She believes strongly that young people can launch out with their viable ideas and initiatives no matter how small, and that with patience and determination; enterprises stand a greater chance at succeeding.

Nwabuisi would love to mentor up and coming shoe and bag makers.

•Nwabuisi

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

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BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

Small banks to make minimal contribution to euro zone fund

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MALL euro zone banks will need to pay a minimal annual levy into a bank back-up fund, according to European Commission plans cited by a German report.

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung said in a report that banks with total assets of less than 100 million euros were set to pay 5,000 euro a year towards the 55 billion euro resolution fund.

The payments are considered a concession to Germany, which wants to protect its Sparkassen.

EU leaders have decided to complete a banking union with an agency to shut failing euro zone banks and with the 55 billion euro back-up fund, set up over eight years. The German government has

said that the costs for its banks will be high.

“This is the position of the Commission, but discussions are ongoing,” one euro zone source told Reuters.

A Commission spokeswoman called the report “speculation” and said banks’ contributions would be a “combination of size and of other factors such as risk taken.”

Very small German banks, such as Sparkassen and Volksbanken, have argued they will not have to make use of the planned fund, since their risk profile is so low.

To protect those banks, Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has lobbied in Brussels for a threshold below which banks would not have to contribute or would only make

small contributions. He wants big banks to shoulder more of the burden.

That has put Germany at odds with other countries, such as France, which want to get the best deal for their big banks.

Reports have mentioned a threshold of 500 million euros of assets below which banks would not have to contribute to the fund. That limit is up from 300 million for Germany’s current national fund.

According to the newspaper, banks with total assets of less than 200 million euro would pay 10,000 euro a year and those between 200 and 300 million would pay 15,000 euro.

The German Finance Ministry declined comment.

India doubts WTO Free-Trade Agreement

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NDIA could yet scuttle a landmark trade deal struck in Bali, Indonesia, last year, despite widespread lobbying by other countries for it to support the plan at a meeting of the G-20 Trade Ministers forum in Sydney this week.

According to a senior trade official involved in the talks, there is no guarantee India will back the so-called trade-facilitation agreement, despite a broad affirmation of the plan by member countries this week.

There “isn’t full confidence” in India on the issue, which faces a July 31 deadline for its adoption.

Members of the World Trade Organisation are trying to ratify the deal struck in December, which would standardise and streamline customs procedures around the globe. India’s leaders have said previously they may not support the so-called trade-facilitation agreement if the country isn’t given more freedom to stockpile food.

To take effect, the new rules must first be approved by all 160 WTO member nations. The trade initiative has to be ratified by the end of this month and sets mid-2015 as a deadline for formal implementation.

Another senior trade official at the meetings, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there was a “lack of ambition” of behalf of India to deal with its concerns, amid reports its delegation was absent from the main meetings for some of the time.

At stake is the future of the first significant global trade reforms to emerge from the WTO in 20 years.

Without agreement, some delegates at the meeting questioned the future of the WTO itself.

India’s concerns deal in part with financial support for poorer countries to meet the requirement of the trade facilitation agreement, and secondly its own concerns around food security Business leaders attending a B20 conference in Sydney earlier this week, supported by the DirectorGeneral of the World Trade Organisation Roberto Azevedo, urged India to accept the reforms.

Australian Trade Minister Andrew Robb said Saturday there was strong affirmation of the Bali agreement at the meeting, saying further talks were likely with India over coming days to iron out remaining concerns.

RGENTINA and China have signed multibillion-dollar infrastructure-financing and currency-swap deals during a visit

by Chinese President Xi Jinping, another sign of the Asian country’s growing influence in Latin America.

The two governments approved 20 agreements, including a 70 billion yuan currency swap between central banks, equivalent to about $11 billion.

The deals are a rare source of positive news for President Cristina Kirchner’s administration, which is struggling with a recession, high inflation, and a possible debt default at the end of the month. But analysts are skeptical the agreements will provide much relief to Argentina’s depleted foreign-currency reserves, which the country uses to pay its creditors and defend the Argentine peso.

The swap doesn’t resolve the underlying economic problems that are draining reserves nor can the yuan be converted into other currencies, says Alberto Ramos,

senior Latin America economist for Goldman Sachs.

“If your house is on fire it’s not like buying more insurance will solve the problem. You need to address the main causes of the fire,” Mr. Ramos said.

Reserves now stand at almost $30 billion, their lowest since November 2006.

By most measures, Argentina’s reserves are very low compared with other major Latin American countries, said Claudio Loser, an Argentine economist and former Western Hemisphere director at the International Monetary Fund.

China has also agreed to lend Argentina $2.1 billion to buy railroad equipment, and finance the construction of hydroelectric dams in southern Argentina to the tune of $4.7 billion, Argentina’s Cabinet Chief Jorge Capitanich said.

Bedeviled by foreign-currency shortages at home and unable to raise money by selling bonds abroad, Argentina has struggled to find funding alternatives for capital-intensive projects.

Argentina,China sign deals

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• From right: CEO, MTN, Mr Micheal Ikpoki; former President, Nigerian Institute of Marketing(NIMN), Chief Aimiuwu; General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Mr Kola Oyeyemi (author of Kill or Get Killed) and his wife, Adenike, at the unveiling of the book in Lagos.

Global growth prospects dim as asset prices in the global financial system.

LOBAL growth prospects But as long as consumer inflation fly higher have dimmed slightly, with remains dangerously low in the the United States and Britain

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leading industrialised economies that are not generating much inflation even after years of aggressive monetary stimulus, Reuters polls found.

While China’s economic growth broadly stabilised in the latest quarter, the threat of a sharp correction in its overextended property market and any aftershocks remains the biggest danger for the world economy.

But the consensus among global economic forecasters polled over the past week was that the historic rally in asset prices spurred by money printing and cash injections from central banks in the United States, Britain, Japan and the euro zone, does not pose a threat to future economic growth.

That confidence is partly based on the knowledge there will be hundreds of billions of euros more of cheap cash on offer from the European Central Bank later this year, along with expectations for more money printing from the Bank of Japan.

“It is a risk, but it’s worse to pull the rug out from under the recovery,” said Alexander Lin, economist at BofAML, explaining the rationale for even more stimulus, which is clearly having the greatest effect on asset price inflation.

The lack of concern among forecasters has an eerie echo of the calm before the financial crisis that set in more than half a decade ago, with most at the time ignoring the dangerous imbalances building up

euro zone, trying to get it higher will remain the ECB’s focus, particularly since stable inflation is its policy remit. The euro area increasingly resembles Japan, which has been fighting deflation for a generation.

“I don’t think that cheap loans are the solution to the woes of the euro zone,” said Samuel Slama, economist at Fathom Financial Consulting. “Injecting liquidity in the system is just a legacy from the crisis and will not address the issues.”

Global growth is expected to reach 3.1 per cent this year, roughly steady versus 2013 but less than the 3.4 per cent seen in the previous poll in April. Some of that reflects a shock contraction in U.S. growth at the start of the year.

EU banks seen bowing to U. S. on Russia bans as fines rise UROPEAN banks, contending with escalating United States (U. S.) fines for sanctions’ violations, will likely bow to fresh bans imposed by the U.S. on financing Russian companies as the risks of dealing with the nation mount.

The U.S. Treasury on July 16 named Russian companies to be barred from accessing U.S. equity or debt markets for new financings with maturities beyond 90 days. Lenders elsewhere may follow the sanctions, according to two European banking officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The U.S., locked in the worst standoff with Russia since the Cold War, is enacting tougher sanctions than the European Union to force Russia to end support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. The U.S. authorities’ reach and severity with which they can punish sanctions violations became apparent last month when

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regulators fined BNP Paribas SA (BNP) a record $8.97 billion for processing payments involving banned countries.

“European banks are going to be very careful not to jump into any gaps U.S. banks leave in Russia and will probably be tempted to hold off from doing new deals there,” said Dieter Hein, a banking analyst at Fairesearch GmbH in Kronberg, Germany. “The U.S. imposed draconian fines on European banks for breaking its rules this year. I can’t imagine that the possible profits could ever justify the risk.”

Financing ‘Disintegration’ Eight of the 10 biggest lenders in Russia this year are domiciled in the EU, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. ING Groep NV (INGA), Societe Generale SA (GLE), and Citigroup Inc. accounted for the largest shares of loans extended to Russian companies so far this year, the

data show.

Andrey Kostin, head of state-run lender VTB Group, warned the measures may tip the economy into recession, lead to the “disintegration” of financing and turn Russia into an outcast of global capitalism.

“European banks might be tempted to plug in the holes for Russian corporate financing, but they are more likely to remain cautious given the uncertainty around upcoming sanctions,” said Ishitaa Sharma, emerging markets trading strategist at Citigroup Inc. (C) in London.

French lenders Credit Agricole SA (ACA) and Societe Generale, Germany’s Deutsche Bank AG (DBK) and Commerzbank AG, and UniCredit SpA (UCG), Italy’s largest lender, are among other financial institutions being investigated

by U.S. authorities for alleged sanctions-busting.

Group praises Delta for economic devt

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ELTA State has been commended for the developmental efforts in the state in the past few years, especially in infrastructure and human capital development.

In a statement in Lagos, a group Association of Delta State Journalists (Lagos), noted that the state since the inception of the Emanuel Uduaghan administration the state has witnessed massive investment in infrastructure as well as initiatives that will put the state on a sound economic footing in the future.

For example, the group noted the ‘Delta Beyond Oil’ initiative of the administration, which it stated is ‘a forward’ initiative that would help wean the state of its over dependence

on oil.

“This is a commendable policy that should be emulated by not just the Federal Government but other states as it is the only way to reposition and re-strategise the economy for a future without an exhaustible resource, such as oil,” the statement said.

It called on the state government to do more in youth employment by improving on the industrial base of the state. “The state government should create an enabling environment for investors to site industries in the state in order to create more jobs for the teeming unemployed youths as well as generating more revenue for the state through taxes,” it added.

Swedish banks mull joining $50b CoCo bond boom

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WEDISH banks, the best capitalised in Europe, are weighing the sale of bonds with more rigorous triggers protecting against financial meltdown, a market in the region that has grown to $50 billion in about a year.

Swedbank AB (SWEDA) is among lenders talking with the country’s regulator about contingent convertible Additional Tier 1 debt, which are written down or convert to equity if capital falls below a pre-set trigger. An acceptable level in Sweden for so-called AT1s could be seven per cent to eight per cent, ac-

cording to Gregori Karamouzis, the head of investor relations at Swedbank.

“Swedbank is absolutely considering issuing AT1 securities,” Karamouzis said by telephone from Stockholm. “We expect the Financial Supervisory Authority to finalise details around the capital requirements by August or September, and provide some guidance on the loss-absorption trigger.”

Sweden’s banks are facing higher triggers than lenders elsewhere in Europe amid talks on a wider context of risk and capital levels.

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The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

‘We’ll propagate domestic tourism through Osun Osogbo festival’

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OR a successful outing this year, the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs Sally Mbanefo has promised to join forces with the Osun Osogbo Festival Advisory Council to ensure a hitch-free festival.

The NTDC boss who made the pledge during the courtesy visit of the delegation of the Ataoja of Osogbo to the Director General said that the corporation will explore the festival to further propagate the gospel of domestic tourism promotion in the country.

“God brought me to the helms of affairs of NTDC for a purpose, to make a positive change, to reposition the Nigerian tourism industry, to make Nigeria proud in the global tourism world, to enable Nigeria and Nigerians benefit from the inestimable goodies of the money-spinning industry through creation of wealth and employment at the grassroots level. And these, by the grace of God, I will achieve,” she said.

Interestingly, there are so much tourism potentials in the Southwest, but many of these potentials are suffering from neglect in terms of development and patronage. A case is Moremi in Ile-Ife, Osun State. There is nothing to show the inestimable work and influence of Moremi in Yorubaland. All one could see is a statue of the virtuous woman.

“But by the grace of God, NTDC shall make a statement in this year edition of Osun Osogbo festival, exploring the opportunity of the festival to further preach the gospel of domestic tourism, which remains a viable weapon to promote tourism in Nigeria and create wealth and employment at the grassroots, to reduce urban migration, promote unity and encourage integration of culture within Nigeria,” Mbanefo said.

She described Yoruba cultures and heritage as richest in the world, noting that Sango festival is being celebrated in 43 countries of the world. She charged the organisers of Osun Osogbo festival to ensure that it is taken to other parts of the world.

Mbanefo reiterated the commitment of the

• From left: Olumoko, Mrs Mbanefo and Buraimoh

TOURISM corporation to develop one tourist site in each of the six geo-political zones in the country, noting that Moremi tourist centre will be developed to an international standard.

She gave the assurance of full participation of the corporation, saying, “We are not just coming to distribute fliers and souvenirs, but we will be fully involved.”

Mbanefo thereafter constituted a committee to ensure proper and fruitful en-

gagement of the corporation in the festival. Chairman, Osun Osogbo Festival Advisory Council, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh, lauded the efforts of the NTDC boss at promoting domestic tourism in the country, saying that is what Osun Osogbo stands for.”We are not celebrating Osun Osogbo cultural festival for the fun of it, but to promote the Yoruba culture and heritage, and to promote tourism in the country,” Buraimoh said.

The chairman of Osun Osogbo Festival Advisory Council expressed the council’s expectation of a better collaboration, saying, “We wanted NTDC as a twin in promoting

Osun Osogbo festival. And we shall continue to improve on the planning and celebration of the festival.”The Chief Executive Officer of INFOGEM and Chief Consultant of Osun Osogbo Festival, Mr Ayo Olumoko, described the NTDC boss as a stunt advocate of domestic tourism. Olumoko noted that Osun Osogbo festival is the festival that has entered into the corporate world, unlike when it used to solely rely on the government for sponsorship. ”We want to use the opportunity the Osun Osogbo festival provides to support the domestic tourism promotion initiative of the Mbanefo ledadministration,” Olumoko said.

NTDC launches Tour Abuja City •Mbanefo describes staff as core stakeholders

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HE Director-General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Mrs Sally Mbanefo has reiterated the corporation’s commitment to the promotion of domestic tourism in the country as it will flag off the Tour Abuja City project next month. This is in pursuance of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and ABC Transport on promotion of domestic tourism in Nigeria.

She spoke at the two-day NTDC staff retreat held at the Village Hall of the corporation in Abuja, recently.

The project, according to Mrs Mbanefo, is to market tourist sites in Abuja, thereby encouraging residents in the city to visit tourist sites therein.

Mbanefo disclosed that ABC Transport has assigned two sight-seeing busses to the project to take Abuja residents from one tourist destination to the other, adding that, “the busses will pick people from nine designated bus stops to 24 tourist sites/landmarks in Abuja city.”

Meanwhile, Mrs Mbanefo described staff of the corporation as core stakeholders in the Nigeria’s tourism industry, noting that neglect of the staff was why the nation’s tourism master plan never worked.

“Why all the tourism master plans we have been having in the country did not work is that they abandoned the staff, and pay no or less attention to the welfare of the staff, that are going to drive the project, direct the strategic imperative of the organisation,” she decried.

“I appreciate the fact that staff of the NTDC, the implementers of the corporation’s strategic imperatives, are the core stakeholders in the industry, hence, they must be well equipped and practically made ambassadors of the Ni-

• Some staff of NTDC at a retreat in Abuja

geria’s tourism industry to drive development in the industry. We must feed the goose that lays the golden egg.

“As a result, capacity building and staff welfare are priorities on my agenda in repositioning the Nigeria’s tourism industry and promoting domestic tourism in the country. And this, I will execute to the letter.

“Following our Memorandum of Understanding with The Gambia Tourism Board, 20 NTDC staff will be going for an exchange programme in Gambia on customer care, public relations, health and safety, administration, management, and project management. Meanwhile, the Gambia Tourism Board are inviting tourism specialists from Netherland to imbibe our staff with tourism best practices,” Mbanefo said.

The retreat, Mbanefo said, was organised to equip the staff of the corporation on how to generate revenue, as well strengthen their capacity for enhanced service delivery to tourism stakeholders.

On her activities in the first year in office, Mbanefo said:

“We want all Nigerians to recognise the importance of tourism; that is why we used the first year of our administration to create awareness and agree on implementable policy framework that would make it possible for the country to harness the potentials that abound in the tourism sector.

“Staff will be locally trained on how to involve the staff in revenue generation, and to have understanding of what role they have to play because they are my most important stakeholders in this tourism value chain.”

While reviewing her 2014 revenue generation plan during the retreat, Mbanefo stated that one of her plans was to make the corporation independent of government handouts.

“One of the reasons behind revenue generation is for NTDC to become independent of government handout. We believe that in all the country that have tourism best practices, tourism is what the nations survive on; but that is not the case with Nigeria.

“But with NTDC’s strive on tourism and the support of all the partners we have signed MOU with, we are going to generate revenue not just for NTDC alone but for the whole country, then, there would be a future, then, the desperation on oil will be reduced, there will be jobs.”

48

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

The Midweek Magazine Walker and the restitution of two Benin bronzes (I)

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Dr Peju Layiwola recalls the historic return of the stolen Benin bronzes.

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UNE 20, 2014 would go down in history as a memorable day for the people of Benin and advocates for the return of looted Benin artefacts taken during the infamous 1897 British expedition to Benin. About 4,000 objects were reportedly stolen from Benin by the British while some were destroyed during the imbroglio that occurred in 1897. The King of Benin, Oba Ovoranmwen was exiled to Calabar where he later died in 1914. This important return comes on the centennial commemoration of his passing.

I arrived at the Benin Palace at about 10am, two hours before the presentation ceremony was to begin on that fateful day. As I alighted from the car, I could hear Christian choruses blaring from the direction of the harem. It was difficult to reconcile the choruses and the shrines I just saw as I came onto the palace grounds. There was a huge tree tied with red and white cloth with chalk configurations at the entrance to the palace. I later found out that the music was emanating from a music shop located along right behind the palace. I had wondered- in a postmodern and postcolonial society, there could be many possibilities. The possibility that came to my mind was stretching the imagination too far.

As is usual of large events, the palace grounds were filled with several canopies and chairs.

From the quality of chairs under a particular canopy, it was obvious where the distinguished visitors were to sit. From afar, Segun Alile, a popular Edo musician and his band were setting up for the day. Cars were beginning to arrive. All of a sudden a black jeep arrived with armed policemen literally flying out from the doors. The car stopped close to the shelter under which the several wall plaques and cement statuary made by an Edo artist, Ovia Idah were mounted. Very gently, a tall slim ‘Oyinbo’ man, suave and impeccably dressed in a suit alighted from the car accompanied by two other men. This was the man everyone had been waiting to see in Benin, Dr Adrian Mark Walker.

In the past two weeks, television stations had been announcing the event of the return.

Posters of the event were pasted in front of the palace and around the central part of the city. The last time such an event had occurred in Benin was 78 years ago when the British returned the regalia of Oba Ovoranmwen to Oba Akenzua II in 1936. There were armed police men everywhere- understandably so.

Two priceless works of art were about to be unveiled to the pubic. It was difficult to tell if anyone had a different plan. It was safer to have these fierce looking officers around and about to scare away kidnappers or thieves in a city where the duo gangsters, Lawrence Anini and Osunbor had held sway in the mid 1980s.

History was about to be made again with the return of two looted Benin bronze works.

Amidst fanfare and emotionally-laden speeches by government functionaries, Edo personalities, the Oba and members of the Benin royal family, the guest was heartily welcomed. Dr Adrian Mark Walker is a grandson of Captain Herbert Sutherland Walker.

His grandfather was not primarily a fighter but was a Special Forces agent, otherwise known as a spy attached to the British Expeditionary forces that conquered Benin. On seeing the mammoth crowd that had gathered in the Benin palace he remarked to the King “I would like to stress how very honoured I feel to be invited here by you and how very humbled I am by the warmth and enthusiasm that my colleagues and I have been given. It makes me feel that this is a very special occasion and not just for me… I was very aware of the importance of this myself but I had no idea that it would cause so much excitement. Seeing all these proves to me that this is the right thing to do.” He presented the king with two bronze works – a bird (Ahianmwen Oro) and a bell (Egogo) looted by his grandfather. The works had been in the possession of the Walker family since 1897. He also donated a

• The returned objects were being shown to some of the chiefs at the Oba’s Palace in Benin

Walker (Right) presenting the objects to the Benin Monarch at the Oba’s Palace in Benin copy of Captain Walker’s war diary to the king.

I would be discussing Adrian Mark Walker’s return in the context of contemporary Benin history as it relates to the restitution of looted Benin artefacts. Restitution being the willful return of artefacts that have been looted, or taken by force and had been in possession of an institution, museum or individual to the rightful owners.

Adrian Mark Walker is the son of Richard Sutherland Walker. Captain Walker, his grandfather, was a specialist in discovering potential enemy strains and had spent many years in East Africa. After the Benin expedition, he went off to Ghana to continue with his profession as a spy. As a young boy, Captain Walker was born and had lived in India for 35 years.

This perhaps gave him the opportunity of living with people of different classes and appreciating them for whom they were. His own father had been a surgeon attached to the Indian army. On his return from his sojourn in Africa, Captain Walker rose to the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel and later became the Chief Constable of Worcestershire until he retired in 1902. He died in 1934 and was buried in a churchyard at Powick, Worcestershire, UK. Adrian Mark Walker is a retired medical doctor. He spent a sizeable part of his childhood in South Africa, having done his primary education in Johannesburg. After the

Sharpeville Massacre, he moved over to England where he studied at Leighton Park, Quaker School in Reading and Cambridge University.

He later studied medicine at the Middlesex Hospital in London after obtaining a degree in natural sciences from Cambridge. Inspired by the earlier donation of a carved Benin six foot tall Benin Ivory tusk his grandmother, Josephine Walker, to the Jos museum, in 1957, Mark Walker believes that the two works should be returned to Benin where they are likely to be of the greatest cultural and historical significance.

He narrates a long personal history of how he came to return the Benin objects.

‘These objects have come on a rather long journey. These objects only came into my formal possession recently with the death of my mother. I remember seeing them in my grandmother’s house 55 years ago and really coveting them. I thought I would really be proud to own such beautiful objects. However, as soon as they came into my possession, I realised that if they meant a lot to me because of their connection with my grandfather, they must mean a lot more to the people of the place from where they had come. Before my mother died I took the precaution of asking her if I could take care of them… I knew that she would not consent to my returning them at that stage because she is one from a very

‘These objects have come on a rather long journey.

These objects only came into my formal possession recently with the death of my mother. I remember seeing them in my grandmother’s house 55 years ago and really coveting them. I thought I would really be proud to own such beautiful objects’

materialist generation. My children, on the other hand, had no such materialist ambition.

I was very pleased to be in possession of them because they reminded me of my grandparents. But when I heard from my children that they were not interested in the stuff (objects), I knew that I had to do something to protect their future.”

I have quoted Walker in extenso to understand and appreciate the commitment Walker has to correct the ills of the past. Paraphrasing would lose the strength of his conviction. It becomes obvious that his urge to make peace overrode his desire to keep the Benin objects for their artistry and links to his family ties.

Furthermore, Mark is convinced that neither his children nor himself would be adversely judged by posterity since he had done the right thing by coming to Benin to return works that were stolen 177 years ago. He remarked ‘I will not be condemned as the grandson of a racist’. He went an extra mile to prove this by extracting excerpts from his grandfather’s diary. Walker remarked that his grandfather was far ahead of his time in the civil manner he referred toBenin natives. Although accounts by ‘white men’ at that time used derogatory words in describing the natives, he on the contrary, had described them as gentlemen as much as his own countrymen and women and showed them milk of human kindness particularly natives at his mercy. In welcoming Mark Walker to Benin, the Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe, remarked that by this kind gesture, he has become a friend of the city and would be welcome anytime. More importantly, he added that he was free of age-long curses the Edo people had placed on the looters. The Oba remarked: ‘Walker would now have peace having done what is expected of him’.

•Layiwola is Head of Creatrive Arts Department, University of Lagos

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

49

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Interpreting The Interpreter

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N encounter with any literary work by Prof Wole Soyinka easily provokes scholarly or intellectual curiosity. This is because as a literary giant of no mean stature, Soyinka occupies a revered space in world literature; and indeed represents a leading voice on the African literary landscape of modern era. He has equally crowned these feats (in 1986) with his emergence as Africa’s first Nobel Prize winner in Literature.

The foregoing achievements and many others expectedly prompted Hakeem Bello, a quiet but painstaking admirer of Soyinka to channel his scholarly interest in the direction of the Nobel laureate. As a young scholar in 1988 (Bachelor of Arts, Ilorin) and 1990 (Master of Arts, Ibadan) respectively, Bello focused his dissertations on the Nobel laureate, with a detailed study of his works and his utilisation of Ritual as a dramatic strategy to engender liberation and regeneration of the society. Bello’s new work, which encompasses the two essays, is entitled The Interpreters: Ritual, Violence and Social Regeneration in the Writing of Wole Soyinka.

Many years after his scholarly incursions, Bello reworked his long essays on Soyinka into a book form and got it published. And after reading through the book, this reviewer discovered refreshing angles through which Soyinka, a widely studied and criticised writer/dramatist, can be fully understood. First, Bello succeeds in analysing Soyinka’s often described difficult texts, in addition to sharing the views of many scholars on his drama. Secondly, Bello uses the book of nine chapters to produce a holistic study of Soyinka’s works in both drama and prose forms. This is a rare achievement in the sense that not many of Soyinka’s protégés or scholars have undertaken a study of their subject in both popular genres of literature in a single work.

The book of nine chapters is divided into two broad sections. The first five chapters provide an illuminating study of the plays of the Nobel laureate, while the remaining four chapters take a critical look at Soyinka’s two novels; Season of Anomy and The Interpreters.

In the first chapter, tagged “The Ritual Imperative in African Drama,” the author aptly traces ‘ritual’ to the primordial beliefs by Africans in gods, divinities and ancestral spirits, a condition which subjects people’s aspirations and existence to the mercy and will of the metaphysical entities. The fact that man’s existence or survival is always threatened by one problem or the other, makes it necessary for man to appease the higher entities (ancestors and gods) to intervene and restore harmony.

It is against this background that Wole Soyinka relates ritual to revolutionary ideals, using ritual drama as a change agent and as a tool for liberation in most of his works. The famous writer once declared that

A walk via New Testament

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LMOST belatedly, the chapters of the New Testament in the Holy Bible have been summarised in a new book, A Comprehensive Index of the New Testament. Ogunseye O. Peter’s 242-page book captures the essence of the teachings of Jesus Christ as narrated to corroborative effect.

From Mathew to Revelation, the treatment is the same: paying attention to details and sequence. If the writer cannot claim originality, he can at least claim impressive improvisation in re-telling the familiar exploits of Christ, his disciples and witnesses to the era of miracles and everlasting significance.

His direct style and grasp of subject matter appear to simplify paragraphs and verses without sacrificing the age-old purpose of narrative and plot associated with the New Testament.

The writer’s handy volume offers compelling evidence of Christian faith and instruction for more casual readers. For students of religion, it presents a test of knowledge of Biblical figures and

BOOK REVIEW Title:

The Interpreters: Ritual, Violence and Social Regeneration in the Writing of Wole Soyinka, Hakeem Bello

Author: Reviewer: Publisher:

Sola Balogun Kraft Books Limited

‘ritual is the language of the masses, and a universal medium’, hence he consciously upholds the theory of ritual drama to interpret the African world view. Bello particularly emphasises how Soyinka, in deploying ritual as dramatic form (and sometimes blending this with western theories of ritual and drama) explores the Yoruba worldview of the living, the dead and the unborn in his literary works. But most essentially, this chapter examines how Soyinka uses ritual to celebrate the ‘various ways in which communal dislocations occur in the community and the various attempts at the cosmic restoration of continuity and order.’

Chapter two; Ritual as Form and Matter in the Drama of Communal Regeneration, also lends credence to the central idea in the first chapter. But the author extends this by highlighting how his subject also uses ritual not just to create form, but to also communicate as well as showcase certain aesthetic elements through his drama. Here the author refers to Soyinka’s The Strong Breed and Death and the King’s Horseman, drawing several instances where the playwright creates or recreates certain tragic characters (such as Ewan, the carrier in The Strong Breed), or uses symbols and effigies, flashbacks and flash forwards to communicate ideas about society and the need for change.

In Death and the King’s Horseman, Bello re-

calls how Elesin Oba, the protagonist fails to perform the Promethean- Ogunnian duty of crossing the abyss to secure a smooth passage for the departed King. This betrayal of Elesin’s heroic duty however spells tragedy for the entire community and he eventually loses honour to his son, Olunde, who hastily and timely offers himself for the ritual which his father missed as a result of his request for a bride on a day he is expected to die a death of honour. Elesin’s tragic flaw also demonstrates the Ogunnian creativedestruction instinct, to which many of Soyinka’s characters always succumb.

Meanwhile in Chapter three; “Ritual as Framework in the Drama of the Returning Cycle,“ Bello examines how the playwright frowns against cannibalism as perpetrated in virtually all nations of the world today.

Soyinka in view of this global crime used his three plays – A Dance of the Forests, The Road and Madmen and the Specialists – to wage war against evils of any sort. The playwright’s mission, as espoused in these selected plays, is to remind his audience that the cobwebs of evil and carnage against humanity have spread across the global terrain over the years. The solution, however, lies in exploring ritual as a dramatic device to effect atonement and to restore peace and eradicate further bloodshed of whatever form. The playwright’s vision here becomes prophetic as the Boko Haram insurgency which is currently plaguing Nigeria (years after writing Madmen and the Specialists) has further led to wanton destruction of life and property in the Northern part of Nigeria.

And as a way of underscoring the import of Soyinka’s ritual drama in this chapter, Bello quotes Femi Osofisan; another prolific playwright, referring to Soyinka’s works as ‘a symbiosis of rhetorical and ritualistic traditions, fusing essentially intellectual preoccupation with the structural machinery of rites’. All these are manifested variously in the plays; a festival used by forest heads for expurgation of sins (A Dance of the Forests), celebration of Ogun festival which is however aborted by Professor (The Road) and the suspension of the festival as Bero’s father and brother are yet to return from the warfront (Madmen and the Specialists).

In Chapter four; “Ritual as Form in the Drama of Liberation,” the author reviews Soyinka’s only radio play, Camwood on the Leaves, stressing the playwright’s predilection for African traditional values as against the Western ones. In the same way, the author examines how in Kongi’s Harvest, Soyinka uses ritual as metaphysical, communicative and aesthetic strategy to convey messages of peace and liberation.

In the same chapter, the reader learns through Kongi’s Harvest about how most African leaders revel in elongating their tenures only to degenerate into dictators who mainly oppress and victimise the people they are expected to serve. In the play, the protagonist, Kongi usurps and consolidates the throne of Ismaland but he is daily haunted by the need for spiritual control which still resides with Oba Danlola even in his state of incarceration.

The fifth Chapter;” Technical and Aesthetic

BOOK REVIEW Title: Author: Reviewer: Publisher:

A Walk through New Testament Ogunseye Peter Olubamwo Fagbemi Christ Evergreen Publications

Pagination: 242 Year: 2013 relationships with God besides underlining the significance of quotes and context.

Going through the book, the keen reader may however experience some thirst for more information, in common with abridged editions of great books. That, to the writer’s credit, implies guaranteed interest. Once begun, the book sustains the reader’s interest to the point of complete consumption.

In common with first prints of otherwise unique literature, the writer’s aim of instruction would be better served by a more effective use of capitalisation, punctuation and appropriate tenses.

Instead of the noticeable halt in between, sentences should dovetail more for quicker assimilation. Terms could be broken down for ease of reference and understanding,

especially for those outside the realm of scholarship and faith; those basically reading for enlightenment and information.

Beyond hitches, Ogunseye’s pattern of summarisation and centralisation of text seem quite capable of projecting the events of a memorable epoch onto willing hearts.

Constants of Ritual Drama,” draws the curtain for the author’s analysis of Soyinka’s plays. Here Bello deviates from the textual account to the technical and symbolic elements. Of particular note is Soyinka’s choice of metaphysical and sociological characters as well as his eyes for graphic or cinematic presentations on stage. On one side is the choice of ancestral characters or gods such as Obatala, Ogun and Esuoro from the Yoruba pantheon while on the other, he chooses spirits and other living objects mainly to create special effects or symbolise certain dramatic actions.

Soyinka also makes generous use of choruses, music, flashbacks as well as other total theatre devices such as mask, dance, poetry, chants, mime and rhythm to evoke mood and spectacle as demanded by the play in question.

The second part of the book centres on Soyinka’s novels and Bello’s selection of The Interpreters and Season of Anomy becomes instructive. The author’s analysis of the two novels paints the ills of society in all ramifications, aside making reference to The Man Died, memoirs which Soyinka wrote after his release from prison and which equally recounts the sour tales of injustice, victimisation and oppression in the country.

In the sixth chapter, entitled “ The Anjonu Metaphor: Towards a Functional Man – Cosmos Organisation,” Bello explains how Soyinka castigates the political class for the frustration and neglect of the five promising young intellectuals in The Interpreters.

He equally highlights how the novelist condemns warfare, disorderliness, corruption, injustice and tribalism in Season of Anomy.

But the author is quick to remind the reader of how two members of Soyinka’s literary clan, Nardine Gordimer and Ngugi wa Thiong’o criticised The Interpreters. While Gordimer believes that the novel fails to suggest a re-ordering of society on political terms as solution to poor governance, Ngugi blames Soyinka for neglecting the creative struggle of the masses by his failure to create suitable characters ‘in the dialectics of the struggle.’

Nevertheless, the point is made that Soyinka remains the ‘Anjonu’ or better still, the dual or incredible/strange creature who is constantly viewed through the metaphoric slant of his creative muse- Ogun- the god of iron who exists for both creativity and destruction.

The seventh Chapter; “Aesthetics: A Dialectical Paradigm, “ presents the flip side of the Soyinka creative impulse. Here the author balances his analysis of the great writer’s works by drawing the reader’s attention to critical voices such as Ossie Onuora Enekwe, Lewis Nkosi, Eustace Palmer, J.I Okonkwo and others. Many of these critics have accused Soyinka of several offences; among which are ‘linguistic complexity,’ words of iron’, and ‘sentences of thunder’.

But a few of Soyinka’s scholars who are equally his avowed acolytes, such as Biodun Jeyifo, Niyi Osundare and Femi Osofisan hold a different view.

Bello asserts through Jeyifo that Soyinka cannot but be accused of linguistic complexity because of his choice of ‘the pantheons of gods, deities and supernatural beings and archetypal characters’. Another reason proffered by Jeyifo is that Soyinka’s novels are delivered in ‘elaborate internal, often hermetic language which yields a seemingly inexhaustible panoply of poetic symbols and conceptions.’ The implication here is that Soyinka belongs to the ‘strong breed’ of gifted writers whose language use/style of writing is considered elevated or complex, but could even be overtly esoteric.

The author, in Chapter Eight addresses “Social and Ideological Commitments: The Dividing Lines in the Novels of Wole Soyinka.” The great expectation here is to subject Soyinka’s prose works to thematic scrutiny, in addition to unravelling the source and extent of his ideological commitment as a writer. Bello again harvests diverse voices of scholars and critics of the Nobel laureate and concludes that Soyinka (as aptly observed by John Agetua, a Beninbased publisher) believes in ‘an egalitarian society uncompromisingly characterised by equal justice, economic welfare and the right of each individual to achieve maximum fulfilment.’

The author also agrees with this notion when he insists that Agetua’s views must have been the guiding principle of Soyinka in his literary and social life. However, the author recalls that Soyinka’s refusal to root his vision of society in a specific ideology has since pitched him against advocates of Marxism such as Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Niyi Osundare, among others.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

50

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Groups give hope to sickle cell patients

BSN launches book on HIV/AIDS

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RIVEN by the desire to raise funds in support of sickle cell awareness campaigns in Rivers State, Sickle Cell Interactive and ManagementAssociation (SCIMA) and the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) Rivers Stare chapter have held a twoday art exhibition.

Tagged Hope, the exhibition, which was held at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, featured artists, such as Vera Bou Tamous Farah, (a Lebanese), a painter, sculptor, dancer and interior decorator; Diseye Tantua, chairman, Society of Nigerian Artists Rivers State chapter. A huge percentage of sales of works by the two artists would be donated towards assisting SCIMA. Other exhibiting artists included Segun Aiyesan (A Lucid Day), Perrin Oglafa (Beauty in the Mood), Micheal Kpodoh (Morning Devotion), Ike Francis (Hope), Perekeme Kentebe, Charity Iyingima Ide (The Young Ones), Johnson Uwadinma (Be Thy Brother’s Keeper), Woko Joy Aguru (Circle of Unity), Ekeoma peterkingsley (Determination), Timi Kakandar (Sound of Peace),Millicent Okocha (Rhythm of the Town Crier), Uzodibie Amaka (Longing),Emeka Ifediora (A Reason to Laugh), Promise Onali (Passion), Asiegbu Uloma (Bond), Steve Ogbolu (Ibadan Roof Tops), Kenny Odili (Itwaanya) and Obiora Anamaleze (What Hope).

Farah’s 25 works, which were untitled reveal her emotions. The works also show that the artist is not scared of handling multiple colours as all is mixed by professionalism.

Her touch of realism lifts paintings that are surreal and romantic making viewers feel like being in a dreamland. Farah studied sculpture in Italy and holds a diploma in interior design, a diploma in fashion design and is founder of the Vera Farah School for painting. She also teaches dance and old artisanal art of glass and jars.

For Tantua, his pop art is distinctive and unique in content and design. His drawings like calligraphy are mostly a selection of traditional proverbs made popular by head broads, bumper write-ups on bus, taxi, tricy-

Institute inducts new members

•Farah,Ifoma and Tantua

organizsers said.

On his election as SNA Rivers State chapter chairman, Tantua said: “We have a lot of artists in Rivers who spend more time keying into the Lagos market and exhibiting more outside the country. As chairman I am looking at ensuring more exhibitions in the state, building up the hub and encouraging people to collect pieces, invest in art and appreciate their own culture and arts.

“My appointment was a month ago and it is a challenge to say. The arts appreciation in the state is low, so bringing art to the doorsteps of collectors is our key goal. We are going to be having a lot of seminars and workshops to support the organisation.

•Farah

VISUAL ART cles and street signs. His eight works exhibited included Look and Laugh (Crayon on Acrylic), No Time (crayon on Acrylic), Gele Butterflies, No Feeling Blue Wahala (acrylic on canvas), Toy Cars (Oil on canvas), But other exhibitors who are mainly members of SNA, Rivers (Chapter) had one work each for the exhibition. “We were able to raise about N15million and we had 50 per cent given to the organisation because the money was to be used for drugs, awareness campaigns and talks that would be held from time to time to aid those in need of drugs and others who had not come to the realisation of care for the ailment,” the

“We are going to work with most oil companies in the state, the government and partnering with private individuals to see how we can have once a year exhibitions since it takes a lot of planning to succeed.”

Continuing, he said: “We will be having exhibitions as a group to showcase what we are doing, not forgetting there are a lot of professors and lectures in the state.

“We have to encourage them to appreciate and study arts. From time to time we will also have visits on the schools we have over 200 newly-built ones and we will see how to nurture them to accept themselves as artists because it is a gift. There is no force to art.”

“Rivers and Bayelsa SNA were together.

As of last year, there was a division so we have Rivers and Bayelsa SNA. Since the states are close, we look forward to working together for major events from time to time.

“Galleries have come and gone. We have had a lot of showrooms which act as galleries as well but for proper galleries, we have not had a main one. Maybe because the awareness has not been pushed on, it is what we call aggressive marketing that brings art to the doorsteps of collectors.”

HE Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) has launched a book titled: HIV/ AIDS Pandemic: Conduct not Condom in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, its SecretaryGeneral, Rev Dare Ajiboye said the five-chapter book is aimed at creating more awareness about the disease among youths. He said it was wrong for some experts to canvass the use of condoms to avoid HIV/AIDS, saying this would not only encourage promiscuity, but also boost the spread of the disease.

He said the position of BSN, which is the Christian perspective, is that abstinence is the best therapy to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS. He said: “It is acknowledged that the commonest way to contract the disease is through sex. We, therefore, recommend mutual fidelity and abstinence as the right conduct. If you are married, remain faithful to your partner. Do not engage in extra marital affair. Also, if you are unmarried, do not engage I illicit sex; abstain until you are married.”

On why the organisation added Proverbs to the book, he said it was ‘’complement the recommendations on the right conduct in all our relationships in ten resource material.”

He disclosed that the book was produced with funds from one of its donors, adding that it would be distributed free in selected secondary schools across the country. He said earlier the body had published some books on the issue, titled: Take Charge, a Bible study for youths on HIV/AIDS-Related behaviour; and Where is the Good Samaritan today?

He enjoined all to join hands to tackle the spread of the disease that has claimed 3.5 lives globally, with 40million others living with it.

At the event were the group’s Assistant General Secretary (Publishing) Pastor Victor Oluwadamilare and its Deputy Manager Public Relations Benjamin Mordi.

POEM

No title

By Habib Akewusola.

Poverty gradually consume All he thinks Present you, what boko_haram Currently exhibits,

“T

HERE are unquantifiable opportunities in public relations that if judiciously explored, would earn you self reliance and put you in good stead to contribute to national development. This must be a challenge for you all.”

These were among the admonitions of Dr Isah Momoh of the Lagos Business School as Guest Speaker at the induction of 101 new members of the National Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) at the LTV 8 Multipurpose Hall, Ikeja, Lagos State, last Friday.

Directors, commissioners and top-notch operators in both public and private organisations from across the country who graced the event gave nods of affirmation as Momoh dilated on ways that the inductees and other practitioners could make more positive impacts in the practice.

Similar applause shook the gathering when Mr Frank Tamuno, who chaired the outing, gave his edifying opening remarks as well as during a presentation by the Registrar of the institute, Dr Stephen Adebayo, titled: “Orientation: Professionalism, Ethics and Networking.”

Everyone hanged on the lips of the institute’s President, Dr Rotimi Oladele, when, with enchanting delivery, he enunciated robust intellectual, psychological and practical clues that could help the

By Joseph Eshanokpe

Witches torment, any, Spiritually weak, Even my hospitals become Mistress to diseases.

•Oladele (2nd from left in front row) with the new members.

By Dada Aladelokun

INDUCTION practitioners.

Interspersed with various examples, Oladele, who said marketing and public relations complement each other as image builders, added: “You must be proactive and also endeavour to be reliable ambassadors of the institute wherever you work. You must engage your brain productively and think ahead. By these, you will convince your organisation that you know your onions.”

Affirming the relevance of the institute as the nation battles various maladies, Oladele said: “NIPR is very relevant to finding solutions for

PHOTO: DADA ALADELOKUN

the problems we now grapple with as a nation.

There is friction arising from the conflicting interests of the divisions across the country. It calls for advocacy, mobilisation, information dissemination and management as well as image building. All these demand expertise and the NIPR has it.”

It was time for exchange of enlightening views during the question and answer session with the inductees. Momoh, Oladele and Tamuno simplified the issues to the satisfaction of all.

The NIPR chief declared the new members inaugurated after an oath taking, following which he gave out membership certificates to them. “As you are inducted today, you must work well with your respective state chapters henceforth,” he advised.

Hard work fights for solid Dreams Sleep, kills every intelligent Breed, Positive pedigree is destination For riches, Open your thoughts, its a bet, She never kills.

Ethnicity only styles communities, Tribal scares ignites cultural Continuity, Pause the killing, kill extremism, Same blood in any living being Greatest success hides in collective Reasoning.

51

WEDNESDAY JULY 23, 2014

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

ADAMAWA POLITICS Adamawa State is gearing for a governorship by-election in October to elect the impeached Governor Murtala Nyako’s successor. The two major parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), have gone back to the drawing board. Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI highlights the factors that will shape the poll.

After Nyako, what next for Adamawa?

T

HE exit of Murtala Nyako as governor of Adamawa State has thrust the state on a journey towards political uncertainty.

Keen observers of Adamawa politics say it is difficult to predict what the political future of the state is likely to be. The recent impeachment has altered the political equation. As a result, politicians have gone back to the drawing board to restrategise for the proposed governorship by-election in about 90 days, to elect a successor to Nyako.

Adamawa is home to some founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The party has ruled the state since the return to civilian rule in 1999. Nyako, former Chief of Naval Staff, former Chief of Naval Staff and former military governor of Niger State, was elected on the platform of the PDP in 2007.

He dumped the party for the APC in November, last year at the height of its leadership crisis. This perhaps, explains why the ruling party at the centre is anxious to regain control of the state.

Nyako has has indicated his intention to seek redress in court. The lacunae pointed out by Nyako include the method used to serve the notice of impeachment on him. The notice was published in newspapers after the Acting Chief Judge, Justice Ambrose Mamadi had rejected the Assembly’s request for substituted service, which he declared unconstitutional, insisting they (Nyako and Ngillari) must be served personally.

The impeached governor’s camp believes the process of impeachment was marred by illegalities.

These include the contravention of court order restraining the Assembly from continuing with the impeachment. But the PDP maintains that the impeachment was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions and that no illegality was committed.

In the view of keen observers, the exit of Admiral Nyako as governor is a boost for the PDP’s aspiration to regain control and a loss for the opposition. But, analysts believe this may not the final word about which party would hold sway in the state following the unceremonious exit of Nyako. A fresh rift brewing within Adamawa PDP over aspirations for the forthcoming governorship elections, they say, may be the party’s biggest undoing. The former Deputy Governor, Bala James Ngilari, has already fallen victim of this fierce battle.

The manner in which Ngilari was shoved aside has been identified as a possible threat to the PDP . The former deputy governor is fast becoming the enemy within for the ruling party. He reportedly sent a letter of resignation to the Speaker, which was read on the floor of the House, minutes before Nyako was impeached. Unless the PDP succeeds in papering the cracks, a possible litigation over how Ngilari was sidelined could be politically damaging for the party, as it prepares for the governorship poll and the 2015 general elections.

The controversy over Ngillari’s resignation started when Nyako issued a statement, through his

• Nyako

spokesman, Ahmad Sajo, describing it as illegal because he (Ngilari) did not notify him. Nyako argues that the law requires that the deputy governor submit his letter of resignation to the governor, who will in turn transmit same to the House.

Ngilari has since confirmed, through statements attributed to him in the media, that the purported resignation letter read on the floor of the House of Assembly was obtained under duress. Less than 24 hours after the impeachment, Ngilari said: “The truth is that I have not sent any letter of resignation to the governor up till now because representatives of the House only came to my house yesterday asking me to tender my resignation and address the letter to the Speaker of the House, which I did.”

Before that, the deputy governor had gone to court to clarify whether the investigative committee constituted by the chief judge to probe him and Nyako had power to summon him. The case is still pending in court and its outcome may determine whether the whole process followed an acceptable norm or not.

Apart from the threat of litigation, another development, which may turn the hands of the clock against the PDP, if not properly managed, is the politics surrounding the deputy governor’s exit. What transpired, it is said, was the triumph of the interests of some powerful governorship aspirants who do not want the former deputy governor to become the governor, after Nyako’s exit. That the deputy governor is a loyal party man was not in doubt. He was the only key party figure standing, when the entire political structure defected to the APC along with Nyako. He refused to follow his boss to the new party.

Naturally, he should have been the main beneficiary of the intrigues and power play that consumed

•Atiku

Nyako.

According to close observers, as the plot against Nyako gathered momentum, the Presidency, which is a key stakeholder in the Adamawa impeachment drama, had penciled Ngilari down as the heir to the throne. But, powerful stakeholders including some governorship aspirants, rejected the choice, fearing that the deputy could consolidate his hold and have an edge in the governorship election.

So, the Presidency had no choice but to jettison the idea.

Observers say a man who took such a principled stand to remain loyal to the party is not likely to accept the betrayal without a challenge. “This miscalculation could cost the party immense loss in the coming elections, particularly since the deputy governor is believed to be popular in the zone, which also produced former governor, Senator Boni Haruna,” a source told The Nation.

Besides, the rift over the governorship race, it is said, may tear Adamawa PDP into shreds, if selfish interests of individual stakeholders are allowed to prevail. Indications are that powerful godfathers have already started fixing things for their candidates at Wadata Plaza and in the Presidency. Many aspirants have indicated interest in the job and some of these contenders have powerful backers. Campaign posters, according to reports, now litter the streets of the capital and other major cities. The aspirants are also competing for attention at the grassroots, engaging in consultations with relevant stakeholders.

Some of the aspirants include Dr. Umar Ardo, an academician; Aliyu Idi Hong, a former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and a protégé of Professor Jibril Aminu; Awwal Tukur, son of former national chair-

•Tukur

man of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and a former member of the House of Representatives; General Buba Marwa (retired), former military administrator of Lagos State; Marcus Gundiri, a popular politician in the state and Senator Abubakar Gurei.

These aspirants have been eyeing the governorship for a long time. So, it is likely to be a fierce battle. For instance, Senator Girei has been in the contest since 2003 when he insisted in participating in the primaries against the wish of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar after other aspirants stepped down for Boni Haruna. He also aspired in 2007 alongside Nyako.

Dr. Ardo contested in the last primaries with Nyako and challenged the result at the Supreme Court. He has been an active member of the PDP Stakeholders and Elders Forum and he was a key player in the fight to remove Nyako. Marwa and Gundiri are not new to the Adamawa governorship race, having aspired to govern the state under different political platforms.

Observers however, believe that the battle for the party’s ticket is likely to be a straight fight between Tukur and Marwa. Marwa was a former member of the PDP; he had pitched tent with the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) because he was denied the governorship ticket in 2007. He contested the 2011 governorship election in the state under the CPC platform and returned to the PDP in April 2014 when he realized that he might not get a fair deal in the contest for the party’s ticket under Nyako’s leadership of the APC in the state.

The ambition of Tukur, on the other hand, has been controversial because of the role of his father. This was a factor when he was removed as the PDP chairman. This factor was also instrumental to the recent im-

’The exit of Admiral Nyako as governor is a boost for the PDP’s aspiration to regain control and a loss for the opposition. But, analysts believe this may not the final word about which party would hold sway in the state following the unceremonious exit of Nyako’

peachment of Nyako. While the older Tukur was rooting for his son, Nyako was rooting for his own heir, Abdul-Aziz, Tukur, using his power as the national chairman, dissolved the party executive led by Nyako’s ally, Minjiyawa Kugama. This crisis generated in the wake of the dissolution compelled Nyako to defect to the APC with other antiTukur forces.

Nyako’s exit has plunged the APC into uncertain political future. Some insiders believe that the fortunes of the APC declined as a result of Nyako’s larger-than-life influence. The decision to handover the leadership of the APC to the former governor, following his defection from the PDP, did not go down well with original members of the party like Marwa, Gundiri and others. Indeed, most of the APC leaders who received Nyako when he was declaring for the APC at the height of the PDP crisis have jumped boat for the sake of their political survival.

It was the former governor’s bid to actualise the governorship ambition of his son that put him on a collision course with major stakeholders. This led to the exodus of such members to the PDP; even members of the state House of Assembly, who had earlier indicated interest to follow him to the new party, had to jettison the idea at the last minute when it was obvious that their interest was at stake.

With his unceremonious exit, the leadership of the APC has naturally transferred to Atiku, whose influence is not in doubt. A divided PDP will surely enhance the APC’s fortune. Already, the Atiku Support Group, a political group formed to actualise the aspiration of the former Vice President, has begun grassroots mobilisation across all the local government areas. The APC under the leadership of Atiku has already started talking to some PDP members who had defected from the APC as a result of alleged marginalisation by Nyako and his henchmen, to prepare ground for their return to the fold, should they find their ambition unrealizable in the PDP. How far Atiku would go in his effort to rebuild the party remains to be seen.

Aside from Atiku’s effort to rally members of the party for the byelection, the influence of former Head of State and National Leader of the APC, General Mohammadu Buhari, would also count in shoring up the fortunes of the party, ahead of the decisive governorship election. Nyako took his supporters to join the APC secure in the knowledge that the opposition party is going to be the party to beat in 2015 general elections because of the influence of General Buhari, who has a big following in the state. Nevertheless, his influence on Adamawa politics in the next couple of months would depend on who gets the party’s presidential ticket. This is in spite of the fact that Buhari has pledged to abide by the party’s choice, if he fails to get it.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY JULY 23, 2014

52

POLITICS In Nigeria, politics is taking a dangerous turn, following the militarisation of the polity. In this piece, Kunle Famoriyo highlights the ominous signs of a return to the dark days of dictatorship.

‘APGA ‘ll win more states’ From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

Dangers of militarisation of polity T

I

T is incredible, yet it is true. Need less repeating the obvious that Nigeria’s polity is becoming endangered by the day as the country moves towards the much-talkedabout 2015 general elections. From all indications, democracy, as a political lexicon is gradually but steadily being re-written in Nigeria by no other person than the Commander-in-Chief, President Goodluck Jonathan. Alas! Democracy and its attendant attributes have been altered to become militocracy.

Apart from deploying heavilyarmed soldiers and stern-looking policemen with security sniffer dogs at elections, as witnessed in the recent governorship election in Ekiti, impeachment threats on ‘unfriendly’ governors is hanging in the air and threatening the country’s political landscape. Aside from former Adamawa State governor, Murtala Nyako, who has already been axed, four other All Progressives Congress (APC) governors have been penciled down by the powers that be for a similar unsavoury music.

They include: Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Rabiu Kwakwanso of Kano State.

An elementary schoolboy will readily define democracy as ‘the government of the people, by the people, for the people.’ Democracy cannot be said to be a government put in place by the force of gun, or under any duress whatsoever. Democracy is a system that enthrones the rule of law, which protects the rights of citizens, maintains order, and limits the power of government.

Under a democratic dispensation, all citizens are equal under the law.

No one may be discriminated against on the basis of their race, religion, ethnic group, or gender. No one may be arrested, imprisoned or exiled arbitrarily. Citizens who are detained have the right to know the charges against them, and are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Anyone charged with a crime has the right to a fair, speedy and public trial by an impartial court. No one may be taxed or prosecuted, except by a law established in advance. No one is above the law, not even a king or an elected president. The rule of law places limits on the power of government.

Suffice to say that all that transpired prior to and during the recently concluded Ekiti election, where security forces virtually laid siege on the state, have become of great concern to wellmeaning Nigerians. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has defined roles for the military under any circumstance. It is doubtful if election supervision or monitoring comes under the purview of the armed forces.

Worried by the unfolding ugly phenomena in the polity, particularly the impeachment of former Governor Nyako, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cried out, saying the development would needlessly build up tension in the country.

Speaking in the same vein, former Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh declared pointedly that it spells danger for Nigeria’s democracy. He fingered President Goodluck Jonathan as the brain behind the incident. Momoh noted that it was the same script that played out in Ekiti State, all with a view to undermine and emasculate the opposition parties, so as to remain in power beyond 2015.

He however maintained that such action will constitute a stumbling block and spell doom for Nigeria’s democracy, if allowed to continue.

Another opinion leader, the President of Nigeria Voters Assembly,

• Dr Jonathan

Comrade Mashood Erubami, also described Nyako’s impeachment as an ominous sign that the electoral path that would not allow stable and fair election in 2015 had been laid. According to Erubami, the trend will set a new template for vindictive politics in Nigeria. “It could have catastrophic consequences, if not challenged early enough,” he added.

Ironically, all these are coming up at a time when accusing fingers are pointing at President Jonathan for allegedly bribing members of the Adamawa State House of Assembly with $300,000 each for the impeachment of Nyako. It is also at the period when the same President is creating an impression that the nation is cashstrapped; he is requesting for the approval of the National Assembly for a $1 billion loan to strenthen the prosecution of the Boko Haram insurgency war. Nigerians should ask the President to explain what he has been doing with the budgets made for defence in the past few years. At least, under the Appropriation Bill signed into law on May 23 this year, 20 per cent of the entire federal budget, that is, the sum of N968.127 billion out of N4.962 trillion was earmarked for defence.

Against this backdrop, right-thinking Nigerians will surely commend the decision taken recently by the APC in Osun State, which approached a Federal High Court for an injunction to restrain President Jonathan from deploying the military during the forthcoming August 9 governorship election in the state.

In the suit filed on behalf of the party by Dr. Muiz A. Banire and supported by a 15-paragraph affidavit deposed to by an APC member, Kufisile Olufemi Michael, the party is seeking for the determination of the following question on whether, having regard to the supremacy of the Constitution and the clear provisions of section 217(2) of the Consti-

‘For elections to be free and fair, all parties and candidates must have the right to campaign freely, to present their proposals to the voters both directly and through the mass media’

tution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), it is not unlawful for the President to deploy the army to Osun State for the purpose of supervision, monitoring or regulation the conduct of the election scheduled to hold on August 9, 2014 or for any other purpose whatsoever.

Prior to this, it has been widely acknowledged that the militarization of the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti was one of the reasons why the APC lost that election to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – the party at the centre, which controls both the police and the military. Security analysts are of the view that election need not be militarized. They insist that President Jonathan’s assignment of key Yoruba ministers in his cabinet to man the sensitive portfolios of Defence and Police Affairs are not for nothing. It was actually claimed that Musiliu Obanikoro and Jelili Adesiyan’s assignments to these Ministries were deliberate and premeditated, for reasons best known to the duo and their sponsors. Little wonder, therefore, the call from Chief John Oyegun, the APC National Chairman on President Jonathan to call those (his ministers) displaying arbitrary powers to order.

Meanwhile, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, Mr. Segun Agbaje, has said that the state will not be less militarized during the forthcoming governorship election as it was the case during the June 21 election in Ekiti State. He said such heavy deployment of security men might be needed in Osun due to the heightening security situation allegedly being caused by inflammatory utterances of politicians in the state.

Agbaje had raised an alarm that politicians in the state saw election as a do-or-die affair.

While maintaining that no registered voter would be allowed to vote on the day of the election without having his or her permanent voter card (PVC), the Osun REC disclosed that a total of 1,407,222 voters were registered in the state and that about 63 per cent of the registered voters had as of last week Friday, collected their PVC. However, one thing is certain. For elections to be free and fair, all parties and candidates must have the right to campaign freely, to present their proposals to the voters both directly and through the mass media.

Voters must be able to vote in secret, free of intimidation and violence. Independent observers must be able to observe the voting and the vote counting to ensure that the process is free of corruption, intimidation, and fraud. In a democracy, participation in civic groups should be voluntary.

No one should be forced to join an organization against their will.

Political parties are vital organizations in a democracy, but no one should be pressurized or threatened by others to support a political party against the other, as citizens are free to choose the party to support. Citizens are free to move about the country, and if they so wish, to leave the country. They have the right to assemble freely, and to protest government actions. However, everyone has an obligation to exercise these rights peacefully, with respect for the law and for the rights of others. True democracy depends on citizen participation in all these ways, but participation must be peaceful, respectful of the law, and tolerant of the different views of other groups and individuals. It is only thus that a nation attains deserved greatness.

Famoriyo was the Liaison/Political Assistant to late Chief Bola Ige (SAN). He is now the Publicity Secretary of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG).

HE National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh has charged members to gird their loins, saying the party will win more states in the next general elections.

He said efforts aimed at repositioning the party for the impending elections in 2015 would be intensified.

Umeh spoke in Abuja at a ceremony marking the inauguration of the 21member Caretaker Committee for Imo State by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

The APGA Chairman said: “We are working hard to make sure that we take back our mandate in Imo State. Do not allow your personal interest to hinder the job you need to do. You are to work for the party and not for any individual.

“The leadership of the party is working hard to win more state in the 2015 and we are not leaving any stone unturned. Open doors to everybody who want to join the party for progress. There are many people who were disappointed and want to join; please embrace them. If we do not win elections, the party will die and we do not want that to happen.

“Following the dissolution of the Caretaker Committee of our party in Imo State by the National Working Committee at its meeting at the National secretariat on June 24, 2014, the NWC at its meeting of July 11, 2014 reconstituted and approved the following membership of the Caretaker Committee in Imo State, pending the conduct of the next state congress.”

Former Commissioner in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Peter Ezeobi, is the chairman of the caretaker committee.

Other members of the committee include: Deputy Chairman, Dr. David Iwuagwu; State Secretary Victor Chidi Diala; Vice Chairman Okigwe; Chief Ben Ogbuehi; Vice Chairman Orlu Sir Eugene Obi; Vice Chairman Owerri Dr. Chima Nwosu; Organising Secretary Chief John Iwuala; and Women Leader, Mrs Uche Duruzoe Agbasi.

Others are: Treasurer Jerry Okoro; Legal Adviser Mr. Ikechukwu Ikeji; Assistant Secretary, Pastor Innocent Udunwoke; State Auditor, Obinna Ibe; Assistant Organizing Secretary Emeka Diwe; Assistant Publicity Secretary George Nkworji; Assistant Treasurer Uzozie Gregory; Youth leader Emeka Nwankwo; Financial Secretary Hon. Damian Oguh; Assistant Youth Leader Hon. Ray Chukwuma Metu; State Welfare Secretary Lady Bernadeh Omeiri; Assistant State Auditor Stephen Anugom; Ex-Officio Members are: Mrs. Chika Ononiwu, Evan Nwakanma, Chief Solomon Eze, Chief Eugene Nzeme and Mr. Okeke Uvhenna Cyprian.

The NWC had on June 24 dissolved the previous caretaker committee in the state.

‘LP, PDP ‘ll work for Jonathan in Ogun’

By Emmanuel Oladesu

F

ORMER Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel yesterday said that the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will work together to actualise the second term ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan in the next year’s election.

Daniel, an LP chieftain, explained that the President has performed, adding that the two parties will drum support for his continuity in office.

The President has not unfolded his second term ambition. But, some individuals and groups have asked him to declare his interest, assuring him of support.

Daniel, who spoke with reporters in Lagos, said power shift is also a priority in Ogun State.

However, a section of the party has objected to Daniel’s support for the President from outside, urging him to come back to the PDP, which he deserted during the 2011 elections.

Daniel said: “We need a better government in Ogun. If that means working with President Jonathan, PDP and LP, it does not matter. My support for President Jonathan is not surprising. I led his campaign in the Southwest in 2011.

“I am working for him becausse I have looked at the terrain. For now, within the framework of contemporary challenges, he is better supported to have a second term. If there is another reason I should not support him, let them say it and we debate it.”

The former governor added: “We need to maintain the equillibrum. Let President Jonathan have a second term and we will work for who will succeed him later. This country will not make progress, until we appreciate our responsibilities in governance. There is the need for consistency.”

Daniel reflected on his defection from the PDP to the LP, saying that it was the best option at the time. He described the LP as a child of circumstances, stressing that it became the abode of PDP chieftains who were left in the cold, ahead of the 2011 polls.

He stressed: “God helped me to build the PDP in Ogun State. My movement to other parties was not due to personal ambition. 40 PDP members, who wanted to contest elections as governor, deputy governor, and National Asembly and House of Assembly contenders, were left in the cold.

“They said I should come and take the senatorial ticket. I said no. I could not abandon them. They had to go to the PPN. I stayed in the PDP. Later, I started the reconciliation in the PDP.” Daniel spoke on his ordeals in the hands of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), warning that a dangerous precedent has been established. The former governor blamed the media for browing issues out of proportion, adding that reporters have not been fair to him. He said, henceforth, successive administrations may face the same fire, after bowing out of office.

He added: “There is a precedent in Ogun State. Therefore, if I have been arraigned in the court, successive governors will be arraigned. Some day, the cost of those roads will be explained.”

Daniel alleged that there is capital flight in Ogun State because contractors are hired from outside

by Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

He said his successor had embarked on road expansion, instead of constructing new roads.

Describing Amosun as a bold and courageous politician, Daniel said that “he does not apply that in the right direction”.

He added: “he has expanded roads than I did, but the cost is another matter.”

Daniel refuted the allegation of violence, saying that he is a man of peace.

• Daniel

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

53

BUSINESS EXTRA Lagos budget records 106% performance in Q2

L

AGOS State Govern ment has recorded 106 per cent budget performance in the second quarter of 2014, the Governor, Babatunde Fashola, has said.

Fashola, who made this known yesterday shortly after the quarterly budget review meeting held at the state House, Alausa, said this was an improved performance against the 76 per cent recorded in the first quarter of the year.

The governor however lamented that except for some payments in the last two months, the allocation accruing to the state from federal transfers, dropped in the past 14 months from about N10billion to N7billion, saying that as a result, the state was forced to rely on its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to execute projects.

He said: “Some states, regrettably are now borrowing money. So, it was a good thing that Lagos State conceived the idea many years ago to take its destiny into its hand; to get people to contribute to the development of the state.

“And as I said, if it is a common wealth, then it must be build by common contribution. And that is what our taxes have done for us,” he added.

Fashola, who commended

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

taxpayers in Lagos for striving to fulfil their civic obligations, noted that no nation in the world can thrive without taxes.

“70 per cent of what the state has spent on governing Lagos came from a common contribution from the residents of Lagos state. People who come now to appeal to residents to desist from paying tax are the real enemies of the people. If people stop paying tax, the state will go cap-in-hand to collect N7 billion.

“And people are still asking for the construction and rehabilitation of roads in the state. No economy in the world has developed without payment of taxes; this is because this is what brings participation in democracy.

If your money is in it, ones commitment will be stronger,” he stressed.

On his part, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ben Akabueze, said the focus of the government would be on the completion of more than two hundred ongoing road construction and other ongoing development projects.

“Overall the budget performance is trending in the right direction”, Akabueze said.

NASME praises BoI over review of loan processes

T

HE Nigerian Associa tion of Small and Me dium Enterprises (NASME) has lauded the Bank of Industry (BoI) over its effort to review and simplify loan processes for SME operators.

The umbrella advocacy body for all registered Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country led by its National Deputy President, Prince Orimadegun Agboade, said with the intervention, time has really come for the full emancipation of the MSME sector of the Nigerian economy.

Receiving members of the association at the bank’s office in Lagos, the Managing Director of BoI, Rasheed Olaoluwa, assured them that BoI will increase the tempo and pace of support to MSMEs across the country and accelerate the credit delivery process.

“In order to ensure that our forms are not cumbersome in any way, we will like to simplify the process so that we can get to a decision point very quickly. A credit committee has been set up to look into the processing fees excluding the legal fees, all other fees including management fees will be reviewed downwards,” he said.

The BoI boss also informed them that the development of MSMEs in Nigeria was one of the core activities of the BoI and that no stone will be left unturned to ensure that MSMEs are adequately supported to flourish. “We are also looking at the possibility of establishing BoI in every state but we will give priority to the 18 states that have existing Memorandum of Understanding MoU with us. This is the first of many meetings to come and we believe that our SMEs

By Toba Agboola

shall grow by contributing more to Nigeria’s GDP and help create millions of jobs for our teeming youths,” he said.

He approved a quarterly feedback session between NASME and BoI to review actions that will help advance the activities of members of the SME community in the country. Olaoluwa also disclosed that BoI was seeking to partner SME-friendly banks that will complement BoI’s long term fixed assets loans with short term working capital loans for SMEs. He informed the association that proposals have been called for from interested organisations to serve as Business Service Support Firms (BSFs) to BoI who will be shortlisted on a national level. The idea being to improve the quality of loans applications submitted by MSMEs. “The BSFs will receive applications from SMEs, look at it and then help them to repackage the applications so that by the time it gets to BoI it would have met the criteria of a bankable application. The value they would be adding to the process is that the chances for successful loan applications will be higher,” he said.

In his response Agboade thanked BoI for giving support to MSMEs in the country and pledged that the members will do everything possible in utilising the opportunity being availed them by the bank.

“We are eagerly looking forward to see the simplification of loan processes because most of our members get confused when they see the long list of requirements on loan application forms.

• From right: Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, addressing participants at the Monetary Policy Committee meeting in Abuja...yesterday. With him are Deputy Governor, Finance System Stability, Dr Kingsley Moghalu and Deputy Governor Corporate Services, Mr Adebayo Adelabu.

Survey indicates fiscal indiscipline in states

T

HE financial state ments of, and audit re ports of states have revealed fiscal indiscipline, according to the Head, Technical Unit on Governance &Anti Corruption Reforms (TUGAR), Ms. Lilian Ekeanyanwu .

Unveiling her findings of the ‘Mapping &Scoping Survey of Anti-Corruption and Governance Measures in Public Finance Management (PFM),’ in Abuja yesterday, she said that virement is common without appropriate procedure.

The study, which is the third phase of the project to establish a comprehensive anti-corruption database for Nigeria, covers Cross River, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Jigawa, Katsina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Ogun, Taraba and Yobe.

She noted that most of the state governments in Nigeria regularly use supplementary

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

budgeting process to adjust the original budget to accommodate extra expenditure already incurred for emergency and non-emergency issues.

Her words: “The findings indicate that fiscal indiscipline is prevalent in states in this study. The financial statements and audit reports of states reveal that same types of fiscal indiscipline: optimistic revenue projections and under collection, budgeting based on the unrealistic revenue projections, excess expenditure on some budget heads, under spending allocations on some other heads, and failure to spend at all in yet some others.

“Virement is common without compliance to appropriate procedure. Most state governments in Nigeria

regularly use the supplementary budgeting process to adjust the original budget to accommodate extra expenditure already incurred for emergency and nonemergency issues.”

In her recommendation, she urged the Independent Crimes and Public Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to, in exercise of its powers under S6 of the anticorruption policy and compliance standards for all public departments, agencies and corporations at state and federal levels in Nigeria.

She added that the anti-corruption agencies need to pay serious heed to disclosures made in audit reports of Auditor General of the Federation and States regarding affairs of the different tiers of government.

The head said that the fact that the infringements reported in this report remain

uninvestigated even where they are criminalized under the anti-corruption laws, continues to erode public confidence in these institutions and the fight against corruption.

Speaking, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Mrs. Zainab Ahmed said that TUGAR survey showed that most states recorded abysmal Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) making them totally dependent on Federation Allocation to meet basic expenditures.

She added that : “The NEITI/ FASD report also threw up similar findings: the report shows that from 2007-2011 about N23.7trillion were remitted into the Federation Account as mineral revenue of which N8.22trillion was disbursed to the states government and the 13% derivatives states.”

Africa’s pension funds hit $29b

A

FRICAN pension funds, estimated at over $29billion can play a critical role in the region's economic development, according to research conducted by the Commonwealth and other bodies.

This joint report provides information that is crucial to a better understanding and appreciation of the pensions industry in Africa.

In addition to outlining the latest data and regulatory profiles for 10 African countries, the report estimated how much capital could be available to support private equity in these countries as well as how much has already been mobilised to date.

It said global interest in the African pension industry is increasing as recent regulatory reforms in many countries have created private pension systems pooling domestic resources that can be mobilised for long-term investments.

The report indicated that Ghana's industry, for example, is expected to expand by upwards of 400 per cent in the next four years. Pension assets now equate to some 80 per cent of the GDP in Namibia and 40 per cent in Bot-

By Daniel Essiet

swana.

In light of rapidly accumulating assets, pension funds across Africa are seeking investment opportunities to meet their long-term liabilities, it said, adding that private equity offers these pension funds and their contributors an opportunity to access the growth being generated by unlisted companies across the continent.

The report made clear that overall, the development results in an outperformance potential that is uncorrelated to other asset classes, as well as the chance to contribute capital to spur private sector development in their respective countries.

Head of Finance and Development Policy, Samantha Attridge at the Commonwealth, noted that "despite the rapid rise of pension funds in many African markets, little has been done previously to study the pension fund industry and promote the exchange of knowledge across the continent and globally.”

He explained that African pension funds offer an enormous promise as a continen-

tal source of investment capital, adding that the report marks an important first step for the development of local capital sources in Africa and serves as a foundation for dialogue to continue."

According to Partnership Co-ordinator, MFW4A, Stefan Nalletamby, "The growth of African pension fund industries opens up a substantial opportunity for financial sector development on the continent and overall economic development.

“These domestic resources can fuel investment in local businesses, infrastructure projects and services desperately needed for Africa's continued transformation and growth." His colleague David Ashiagbor adds, "Regulation has long been seen as the main stumbling block to African pension funds' investment in private equity and similar asset classes; however, the reforms we are seeing across the continent offer hope for change."

Private equity is helping pension funds globally bridge the gap between targeted returns needed to meet long-term liabilities and actual median returns. As developed market pension

funds look to emerging markets for the prospect of higher returns to achieve their fiduciary goals, African pension funds can serve as a positive indicator to international investors of a local fund manager's credibility as well as the country-specific prospects of a certain sector.

According to, Partner at The Abraaj Group, Sev Vettivetpillai "Local capital participation in Africa is critical to further developing the private sector on the continent. By providing a strong signal to the global investment community that opportunities are real, and risks have been adequately assessed, investment by local pensions in private equity catalyzes additional external investment into Africa. As private equity's transformative impact has become clear, it is imperative that local institutions invest and contribute to their country's economic transformation. And as fund managers, we must do our part to provide the tools and resources necessary to inform Africa's pension funds about private equity to ultimately increase the pool of capital available to the whole continent."

54

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 22-07-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 22-07-14

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

55

EQUITIES

New Skye Bank’s chief outlines priorities

T

HE change of baton formally took place at Skye Bank Plc yesterday as the new group managing director of the bank, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, outlined key targets for his administration.

At the formal handover ceremony yesterday at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos, former group managing director, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, formally handed over the mantle of leadership to his successor, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo.

Oguntayo outlined that he would work to strengthen the position of the bank as a catalyst for economic growth by assisting and funding the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and developing specialized products for them.

According to him, the SMEs are major employers of labour in any economy and also serve as catalysts for economic growth.

He said that he would focus on reducing operating cost, starting

•Durosinmi-Etti hands over to Oguntayo Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

from the top management expenses adding that he would further motivate the workforce by rewarding performance so that the bank could sustain its growth.

Oguntayo assured that the bank would continue to draw from the wealth of experience of DurosinmiEtti while thanking him for his leadership and guidance in the past.

In his remarks, Durosinmi-Etti said the handover demonstrated the existence of sound corporate governance, which makes succession seamless and rancor-free in the bank.

He noted that having served as managing director of three different banks for a total of 11 years, he felt it was time to leave for another person to come and take the bank to another height.

He described the years he spent at Skye Bank as the hallmark of his banking career, which he described as interesting. He said with change, there would be a new way of doing things and called on the staff to support the new helmsman.

Durosinmi-Etti said he would continue to work for the success of the bank as well as serve as its ambassador at all times.

It would be recalled that Durosinmi-Etti started his terminal leave in April after giving notice of his decision not to renew his mandate to the board of the bank after four years in office.

Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of Skye Bank for the year ended December 31, 2013) showed that net profit rose from N12.64 billion in 2012 to N16.02 billion in 2013. The bank distributed N3.97 billion to shareholders,

representing a dividend per share of 30 kobo. Earnings per share had risen to N1.21 in 2013 as against N1.01 in 2012.

The report showed a profit before tax of N17.136 billion in 2013, a modest increase on N16.510 billion recorded in 2012. Other highlights of the result include growth in total assets from N1.073 trillion to N1.116 trillion, while deposit liabilities also increased from N966 billion to N996 billion. Gross earnings stood at N127.3billion in 2013 compared with N127.73 billion in 2012.

The bank’s total equity grew during the review period from 106.8 billion in 2012 to N120 billion in 2013, indicating the bank’s financial stability. Loans and receivables also rose to N549.8 billion from N540.3 billion. As a measure of its growing good loan portfolio, the bank’s net interest income shot up to N61.69 billion from N44.5 billion in 2012, an increase of 38 per cent.

Lotus Capital floats 100m Exchange Traded Fund

L

OTUS Capital Limited and its professional parties have concluded pre-offer processes for the investment company’s Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), paving the way for application list for the initial public offer for the ETF to open.

The board of directors of Lotus Capital and relevant professional parties, including Vetiva Capital Management Limited, the issuing house to the IPO, have signed off the offer documents. The signing of the documents followed the clearance of the offer documents by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Lotus Capital plans to launch the Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund, an ETF based on the NSE Lotus Islamic Index, an adjusted market capitalization weighted index currently comprising 15 Shari’ah compliant equities listed on the floors of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

The NSE Lotus Islamic Index is a collaboration between the NSE and Lotus Capital. The first index created to track the performance of Shari’ah compliant equities on the floor of the NSE, the NSE Lotus Islamic Index opens today with a year-to-date return of -4.36 per cent, worse than average equity return of -0.48 per cent.

Lotus Capital will be offering 100 million units of the Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund at the price of 1/200th of the NSE Lotus Islamic Index on the day preceding the subscription, according to the regulatory filing. The NSE has already approved the Lotus ETF. Lotus Capital recently indicated it was considering floating new mutual funds as it urged investors in its premier fund to have long-

term outlook of between five to 10 years. In an investment update, Lotus Capital said the new funds would be tailored to meet the specific needs of different segments of investors.

It noted that the new funds would provide opportunities for investors whose profiles could not fit into the long-term nature of the Halal Fund and further diversify the investors’ base of the company.

According to the company, investors in Halal Fund, which was launched in 2008, should have minimum waiting period of five to 10 years as the value of the investments could fluctuate within a short-term framework.

The Halal Fund, currently at 78 kobo, has failed to make any re-

turns to investors. The fund was offered at N1 per unit.

ETF is a security that tracks the performance of a specified security or other assets including stocks, basket of assets, indices, commodity prices, foreign currency rates, and derivatives among others. ETF is distinguished by some defining factors including fixed capital or where the company has variable capital, then the amount of the paid up share capital of the company shall at all times be equal to the net asset value of the company and its shares shall have no par value.

An ETF combines the valuation feature of a mutual fund or unit investment trust, which can be bought or sold at the end of each

trading day for its net asset value, with the tradability feature of a closed-end fund, which trades throughout the trading day at prices that may be more or less than its net asset value.

The most important type of exchange-trade products, ETF may be attractive as investment because of its low cost, tax efficiency, and stock-like features. By owning an ETF, the holder get the diversification of an index fund as well as the ability to sell short, buy on margin and purchase as little as one share.

Meanwhile, ETF does not sell individual shares directly to investors as only authorised dealers and investors are allowed to buy the usually large blocks of shares known as “creation units”.

IOSCO reviews implementation of benchmarks by interest rate administrators

T

HE International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) yesterday published its review of the implementation of iosco’s principles for financial benchmarks by administrators of Libor, Euribor and Tibor.

The review assessed the three major interest reference rates against the internationally agreed principles for financial benchmarks.

The review was prepared by a review team of IOSCO members in response to the Financial Stability Board (FSB) request to conduct a review of the three major interest rate benchmarks against the IOSCO’s benchmark principles. Consistent with the FSB request, the objective of the IOSCO review was to identify the degree to which the administrators of Libor, Euribor and Tibor have implemented these prin-

ciples.

IOSCO is the leading international policy forum for securities regulators and is recognised as the global standard setter for securities regulation. The organization’s membership regulates more than 95 per cent of the world’s securities markets in 115 jurisdictions and its membership continues to expand.

Nigeria is a member of the board of IOSCO, the governing and standard-setting organ of IOSCO. IOSCO board consists of 32 securities regulators including securities regulatory authorities of Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, Ontario, Pakistan, Portugal, Quebec, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, Spain,

Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom and the United States.

The report found that both completed and on-going reforms have raised the overall oversight, governance, transparency and accountability of the three administrators and their respective benchmarks, which has undoubtedly improved the quality and integrity of the three benchmarks.

IOSCO also noted that these reforms have occurred in the context of regulatory, operational and organisational changes concerning all three administrators.

According to the report, all the three administrators have made good progress in implementing the principles related to governance, reflecting the primary focus of the reform process to date.

Oladimeji Alo is Berger Paints’ chair

T

HE board of directors of Berger Paints Nigeria Plc has appointed Dr. Oladimeji Alo as the new chairman of the company, following the retirement of Mr. Clement Olowokande from the board.

Alo promised to work with the directors to give the company the guidance and the direction it needs to regain its leadership position in its sector.

“I consider it a great honour to have been appointed as the new chairman of this great company. I feel humbled by the appointment, considering the great strides the company had recorded under some of the best minds in corporate Nigeria in its fifty-five years of existence,” Alo said.

Olowokande said the new chairman had been very instrumental to the reengineering of Berger Paints since he joined the board in 2012.

According to him, Alo brings to the table his wealth of experience in corporate governance and human resource management which will be very beneficial to the next phase of growth which the company is currently going through. “ I have no doubt in his capacity to steer this company in the right direction, especially at this period,” Olowokande said.

Alo has had a distinguished career as a university lecturer, a management consultant and a corporate executive. He started his consulting career with Price Waterhouse Associates in 1985, from where he moved on to Coopers & Lybrand Associates in 1987. He rose through the ranks to become an Executive Director of that firm in 1990.

Alo became the director-general of Financial Institutions Training Centre, a leading training and consulting firm owned by Nigeria banks in 1996, where he contributed actively to the series of reforms in the Nigerian banking sector over a period of 13 years.

Resort Savings charts course for second half

R

ESORT Savings and Loans Plc plans to step up its efforts at alleviating housing deficit in Nigeria by creating more than 4,000 housing units over the second half of this year.

Managing director, Resort Savings and Loans Plc, Mr. Abimbola Olayinka stated this while flagging off the phase two of its Pearl Gardens Estate, Sangotedo Lekki.

According to him, with the first phase built, completed and handed over within two years of commencement, the mortgage bank has decided to commence the new housing project now.

He said the company would focus on ensuring that Nigerians have access to affordable and decent accommodation.

He noted that the mortgage bank would be providing more than 2,753 housing units in the Lagos and Ogun State alone, including the current development of the Resort Estate Ofada, with over 450 housing units which will have tastefully finished two and three bedroom terrace bungalows at affordable prices.

He added that the company’s partnership on the second phase of the Dreamville Estate on Owode- Ibese road, Ikorodu has reached advanced stage noting that the first phase with more than 120 housing units was fully sold out.

He urged Nigerians to avail themselves of the opportunities in mortgage banks so that they will be proud owners of houses.

“Nigerians have a life time opportunity in Resort Savings and Loans.

The truth is that mortgage loans are real and they are for those who reach out for it. The days when people struggle to build houses are gone,” Olayinka said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

56

MONEYLINK

‘Reduction of interest rate, is five-year agenda’

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) agenda of reducing interest rates may take five years to realise. To this end, the apex bank said it will monitor how the private and public sectors spend money before next year’s election.

Speaking at the end of the July Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja yesterday, CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele said: “We are going to pursue a gradual reduction in interest rate.

That agenda is a five-year agenda that we have made.”

Emefiele had at his maiden address as CBN governor early this month promised to bring interest rate down as soon as possible. He expressd optimism about “the mandate and the promise that we made to our people to bring down interest rate. I will like to plead and crave your indulgence that we will continue to look at all the variables; we will do everything possible to ensure that this is achieved but it has to be within the ambit and monitoring of all the parameters to ensure that we do not achieve that and create another problem in another direction.”

Emefiele said the CBN was monitoring the situation. He said: “We will continue to monitor the liquidity situation in the market; monitor the spending of Nigerians and government in the runoff towards the election and as we see that the macroeconomy variables are moving in the direction that we expect, we are going to see the reversal of interest rate in the direction of going low.”

The CBN governor said policy challenges remain which include inflation, anticipated increased spending towards the general elections

CBN to save $6b yearly from BDC policy, says RenCap

O

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

and the possible effects of US tapering on the domestic market.

The MPC he said is concerned about the liquidity level and the trending uptick in inflation which may not be unconnected with the poor harvest in some agricultural producing areas, particularly in the Northeastern and central states of the country.

“Other reform measures could dampen food prices in the short to medium term and restore inflation to a sustainable long-run path,” he added.

Overall, the Committee he said, “noted that the policy direction for inflation, exchange rate and interest rate must be seen not only in the context of price and financial stability but also in enhancing the quality of life of Nigerians and promoting employment generation.”

•Emefiele

In view of these developments, the MPC decided by a unanimous vote to retain the current stance of monetary policy. Consequently, the MPC voted to retain the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 12 per cent with a corridor of +/- 200 basis points around the midpoint; retain the Liquidity Ratio at 30 per cent; retain the public sector Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) at 75.0 per cent; and retain the private sector CRR at 15 per cent.

VER $6 billion is expected to be saved in 12 months by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over its new policy on bureaux de change (BDC) operations, an investment and research firm, Renaissance Capital (RenCap), has said.

In a report released yesterday titled: ‘Nigeria: This time may be different-Revisiting our forecasts’, the firm said it met with policy makers in Abuja last week, after which it discovered that a naira devaluation in the short term, as previously expected, is no longer feasible. It however, sees depreciation of the naira as the February 2015 elections approach.

RenCap said moves by the CBN to plug holes in foreign exchange sales to BDCs may help conserve reserves and strengthen the local currency. The report read: “We revise our year-end 2014 exchange

FirstBank, PayPal partner on online payment

F

IRSTBANK of Nigeria Limited has partnered with global payments provider, PayPal to enhance online payment for shoppers.

The partnership enables the lender’s customers to register for a PayPal account from their FirstOnline, internet-banking account.

By linking FirstBank-issued debit, prepaid or credit cards to their new PayPal account, FirstBank customers can then shop and pay on millions of websites around the world from their PCs, tablets or smartphones, without having to share their financial information with the seller.

Through this partnership, FirstBank customers gain a unique advantage

By Erekosima Lucy

as their PayPal account will receive automatic verification and increased transaction limits, making it even easier to start making online or mobile payments.

FirstBank Group Managing Director/CEO, Bisi Onasanya said the partnership will boost e-commerce evolution in the country. He said the partnership is also in line with the lender’s enhanced service solutions for its Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), e-business, mobile banking and online banking customers.

He said the acceptance of the lender’s cards for making PayPal payments is a significant boost to our

continuous initiative to drive innovation in banking services and its promise to always put customers at the heart of its business.

“We are glad to provide e-commerce transaction options for our customers and the generality of Nigerians, as we are committed to seeking innovative ways of driving the cashless policy spearheaded by the Central Bank of Nigeria,” he said.

PayPal’s Regional Director for Africa and Israel, Efi Dahan said millions of Nigerians already shop on websites in the US, UK or China, but many find their cards rejected or have concerns about entering their credit card details on the website of a seller based overseas.

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

Offer Price

AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGET FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

168.45 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.39 1,663.89 1,663.89 1,05.92 1,087.30 1.3568 1.3692 1.0300 1.1792

167.01 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.33 1,663.89 1,663.89 119.71 1,087.00

GAINERS AS AT 22-07-14

rate forecast to N165.9 to dollar against N172 to dollar previously, and our policy rate forecast to 12 per cent against 14 per cent, which we think is positive for equities and banks in particular.

“We believe the measures the CBN is taking to “plug the holes” in foreign exchange reserves, including the revision of the BDC regulations, will help conserve reserves.”

RenCap said part of the savings was because the apex bank is now only obligated to sell $15,000 to each BDC, down from $50,000 previously. Even if 1,000 BDCs comply, the CBN could save up to $6 billion in 12 months, it argued.

The research firm said it expects such measures, along with the stabilisation of oil output, to help support the naira in the short term, when the CBN plans to maintain a tight policy. “We expect a broadly stable exchange rate in 2015, with scope for a rate cut in June 2015,” it said.

RenCap said fiscal policy has been conservative relative to the preceding administration adding that the federal budget deficit narrowed to 1.9 per cent last year under the new administration.

“The conservativeness of this administration compels us to believe the fiscal laxity of the previous preelection period is not likely to be repeated in the run up to next year’s elections. We forecast a slightly wider budget deficit of 1.4 per cent of Gross Domestic Product for fiscal year 2014 against the government’s target of 1.2 per cent, to accommodate some loosening,” it said.

DATA BANK

Bid Price

1.3476 1.3692 1.0115 1.1792

By Collins Nweze

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS) Transaction Dates 7/16/2014 7/9/2014 7/7/2014

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Amount Offered in ($) 300m 300m 350m

Amount Sold in ($) 290.9m 279.08m 342.8m

CBN EXCHANGE RATES July 18, 2014

Inflation: May

8.0%

Monetary Policy Rate

12.0%

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

154.73

155.73

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

Foreign Reserves

$38.1bn

US Dollar

MOBIL

170.33

178.84

8.51

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$110.44

Pounds Sterling

264.4336

266.1426

TOTAL

186.20

195.50

9.30

Money Supply (M2)

N15.9 trillion.

CCNN

12.04

12.64

0.60

Euro

209.3652

210.7183

6.40

6.69

0.29

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N16.76 trillion

Swiss Franc

172.2668

173.3801

Yen

1.5262

1.5361

CFA

0.3001

0.3201

237.7336

239.27

Yuan/Renminbi

24.9214

25.0834

Riyal

41.2569

41.5236

SDR

238.4544

239.9955

CAVERTON AGLEVENT

1.39

1.45

0.06

NEIMETH

1.18

1.23

0.05

IKEJAHOTEL

0.76

0.79

0.03

ROYALEX

0.51

0.53

0.02

DIAMONDBNK

6.40

6.60

0.20

NEM

0.83

0.85

0.02

LOSERS AS AT 22-07-14

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

Rate (%)

Rate (%)

Overnight (O/N)

10.500

10.500

1M

12.175

12.101

3M

13.328

13.225

6M

14.296

14.-85

WAUA

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

WEMABANK

1.21

1.15

-0.06

AIRSERVICE

2.23

2.12

-0.11

29.50

28.05

-1.45

REDSTAREX

5.19

4.94

-0.25

BERGER

9.00

8.57

-0.43

PAINTCOM

1.47

1.40

-0.07

R-DAS ($/N)

157.29

157.29

ASHAKACEM

33.00

31.46

-1.54

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

162.75

TRANSCORP

5.70

5.47

-0.23

Parallel ($/N)

167.50

167.50

LEARNAFRCA

1.57

1.51

-0.06

NPFMCRFBK

1.10

1.06

-0.04

INTBREW

FOREX RATES

Tenor

Rates

T-bills - 91

10.00

T-bills - 182

10.07

T-bills - 364

10.22

Bond - 3yrs

11.37

Bond - 5yrs

11.41

Bond - 7yrs

11.86

57

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

NEWS

Abia police parade 10 suspected child traffickers

T

HE Police in Abia have paraded 10 suspected child traffick-

ers.

The exercise is part of its resolve to curb criminal activities and sensitise the public to be security-conscious.

Speaking with reporters in Umuahia on behalf of Police Commissioner Ibrahim Adamu, the command’s spokesman, Geoffrey Ogbonna, said his men were up to the task.

He said the indigenes were responding to their call for a collective security networking, adding that Chief Thomas Ekwenye of Alaukwu community in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government informed the police that youths apprehended suspected child traffickers in his area.

Ogbonna said the youths apprehended three suspected child traffickers – Chidinma Ukpai, Felicia Ahukanna and Peace Ogbonna – from the same village, for being in possession of three babies.

He said: “The twins among them were said to have been stolen at gunpoint from their parents by Lucky Ohakwe and another suspect on the run and taken to Ahukanna. We searched for the twins’ mother and after identifying the babies, she took them home.”

Ogbonna said his men on a routine patrol arrested three suspects–Blessing Oluchukwu, Promise Onyezu and Nkechi Kalu–all women, while negotiating the sale of an unborn child of Onyezu, who is six months pregnant.

He said the initiator of the business, Kalu, collected N50,000 from Oluchukwu, which was paid to Onyezu as

‘No policeman died in Ondo’ From Damisi Ojo, Akure

O

NDO State Commissioner of Police Mr. Isaac Eke has urged journalists to always conform to the ethics of the profession for the country’s development and stability.

Eke also expressed the need for media practitioners to confirm their reports from appropriate quarters before rushing to the press.

The Police commissioner, who spoke against the report that one policeman died while having a marathon sex with a woman, described the story as baseless and unfounded.

Speaking through the command’s spokesman, Wole Ogodo, the commissioner said an Inspector of Police, who was the Station Officer (SO) at Ilu-titun Osooro Division in Okitipupa Local Government Area walked into the station by himself and reported that he was sick.

He explained that the officer was thereafter conveyed in a patrol vehicle to a nearby hospital, but died on the way.

He noted that this development could happen to anybody, adding that no “Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) or any officer died as a result of marathon sex as reported.”

The police chief also denied the arrest of any woman in connection with such death.

PDP alleges opposition’s threat to democracy From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

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•A cross section of the suspected child traffickers

•Some of the suspected child traffickers

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

part payment.

Ogbonna added: “They were caught in the process and we are investigating the matter.”

The police spokesman said Amarachi Uchendu of Umuode village reported to the command the suspicious movement of three persons.

His words: “Uchendu told the police that Prince Onyeukwu Onyeze,

Chinwendu Mbogu and her sister, Uzoamaka Mbogu, residents of Adamawa State, came with two female babies aged eight months old and three weeks old.

“He said the two women claimed that they were the mothers of the babies and that they (the babies) were ill, which was why they were brought to God’s Favour Hospital, 8, Umunkwuocha Street, Umuode, Aba for treatment and after treatment they could not pay the

bills.

“Later, Prince Onyeze, who brought the purported mothers, claimed that he was Chikwendu’s husband, only to disappear, while the two women confessed that the three-week-old baby was stolen by Onyeze from Cottage Hospital, Mabelewa in Adamawa State.”

Ogbonna said the command was trailing the suspects, while contacts had been made with the families of the stolen babies in Adamawa

State to return them.

He said the police at Eziama, Aba arrested Joseph Edet Essien of Ifetai village in Calabar, Cross River State while planning to sell a baby girl of about three years old, identified as Dorcas Emmanuel Usen.

The police spokesman said the suspect confessed that he came to Eziama to hand over the child to the buyer and collect N200,000 and that he stole the girl when the parents were away.

Enugu Assembly moves to impeach deputy governor E NUGU State lawmakers began yesterday the impeachment of Deputy Governor Sunday Onyebuchi.

They directed the Clerk, Dr. Christopher Chukwurah, to serve the Speaker a notice of impeachment.

The notice, containing the allegations against Onyebuchi, was signed by 22 members of the 24.

The only member, who declined to sign, is the younger brother of the Deputy Senate President, Mr. Mathias Ekweremadu.

Moving a motion for the notice of impeachment for alleged gross misconduct, the Assembly Leader, S.K.E. Udeh Okoye, representing Awgu North, said they were exercising the powers vested in the House by Section 188(1)–(9) of the 1999 Constitution.

Two allegations – abuse of office and disobedience of lawful directives of the governor – were brought against the deputy

F

APC urges House to withdraw impeachment notice

From Chris Oji, Enugu

governor.

Okoye, outlining the allegations, said the deputy governor between February 2013 and February 2014 “wrongfully deployed the resources of his office and exercised the powers thereof to resist and ridicule the implementation of a public health policy of the Enugu State government.”

He said Onyebuchi in defiance to the resolution of the Assembly maintained and operated commercial livestock and poultry farms on the premises of his official residential quarters.

The deputy governor was also said to have “habitually refused, failed and or neglected to carry out and or perform the

functions of his office as directed by the governor pursuant to Section 193(1) of the Constitution without excuse.”

Giving details of the disobedience, Okoye alleged: “On March 11, the deputy governor was directed by the governor to represent him at the launch of the construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge in Onitsha by President Goodluck Jonathan, but he refused.

“Onyebuchi also refused to represent the governor at the Southeast Governors’ Forum held at the Lion Building, Enugu on July 6.”

He said the deputy governor’s “defiance has adversely affected and will continue to affect the smooth running of the government, and he will continue to do so if not removed from office.”

Onyebuchi was given one week to respond to the allegations.

Speaker Eugene Odoh said there would be no further debate on the notice until “we hear the side of His Excellency, Deputy Governor Sunday Onyebuchi.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) said it was outraged when it received the disturbing news that the Enugu State House of Assembly had served notice of impeachment on Deputy Governor Sunday Onyebuchi.

In a statement by the party’s spokesman in the Southeast, Osita Okechukwu, it said a closer study of the items listed are allegations, such as disobedience of the directive prohibiting the maintenance of commercial livestock in residential quarters, disobedience of lawful directive to represent Governor Sullivan Chime in the Southeast Governors’ Forum and the launch of the construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge.

HE leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has once again accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempts to truncate the nation’s democracy through the utterances of its leaders.

At a news conference yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party said criticism of the PDP-led Federal Government by opposition politicians was part of the larger plot to build a groundswell of negativity with the ultimate aim of truncating the nation’s democracy.

Metuh said: “We are therefore not puzzled that the common denominator of these orchestrated statements are weighty but baseless accusations against the Federal Government and the ruling party on the health of our democracy and the unity of the country.

“However, a catalogue of events involving these politicians and their political party indicate that they are the real causative agents of the issues they accuse the Federal Government and the PDP of.

“For over a year, the leaders of the APC have sustained attacks on critical institutions of government.

Ebonyi woman lawmaker ‘attacked’ From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

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HE lawmaker representing Ohaozara East, Nnenna Nwene, was allegedly attacked yesterday by suspected thugs.

She was reportedly attacked when driving to the home of Ikechukwu Ogbu, one of the legislators in the camp of the new Speaker.

The Nation learnt that Ogbu’s home has been serving as the venue for the 18 members loyal to the new Speaker, Helen Nwaobasi.

The lawmaker, representing Abakaliki South, was installed as Speaker on Monday by the majority.

Narrating her ordeal, Nwene alleged that she was accosted as she was approaching Ogbu’s Lawrence Onor Street home for a meeting.

She said: “They poured dirty water on me and threatened to deal with me for joining in the impeachment of the exspeaker.”

Four feared killed in Anambra, Kogi oil battle

OUR persons were feared killed on Monday night, following a renewed battle between Aguleri indigenes from Anambra State and Echeno/Odeke people from Kogi State. Many were injured.

Aguleri is in Anambra East Local Government, and Echeno/Odeke is in Ibaji Local Government.

The two border communities are claiming the oil depos-

•Many injured From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

its in the Omambala River Basin.

Their claims followed the inauguration of the Orient Petroleum Refinery at Aguleri Otu in Anambra State by President Goodluck Jonathan last year. Anambra was then pro-

nounced an oil- producing state by the Federal Government.

The casualty figures on the side of Kogi could not be ascertained, but The Nation learnt that Aguleri people were caught unawares by the Kogi indigenes.

It was gathered that sophisticated weapons were used in the clash, which occurred about 8pm.

A source alleged that the fight took place in the presence of security operatives guard-

ing the buffer zone created by the National Boundary Commission.

Another source told The Nation that one of the mobile policemen at the buffer zone informed Kogi people that Aguleri indigenes were in the area.

The source said shortly after, Kogi people came in a large numbers, armed with weapons, including automatic rifles,

and attacked the Aguleri indigenes.

The attack, The Nation learnt, came on the heels of a peace committee meeting between the communities last week at Idah in Kogi State.

Police spokesman Emeka Chukwuemeka confirmed the incident.

He declined to give the casualty figures, but said the incident was being investigated.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

58

NEWS ‘We’re not against rotation’

One killed in landslide From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

ONE person has been confirmed dead and three others injured after a landslide in Ubima,Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred when the victims were digging a fish pond.

Sources gave the names of the victims as Uchenna Amadi, Hyacinth Anthony and Onwukwe, who did not survive.

Some youths said they tried to rescue Onwukwe , but it was too late.

“We tried our best; we rushed to the site with our shovels when we heard the news.

“We were able to bring out the two inside the pond but the last person did not survive.”

A survivor, Amadi, said: “There were five of us digging the fish pond, three were inside the pond; the two were outside.

“We had dug the pond to 11 feet when suddenly sand descended on us. “ I woke up in the hospital. I want to thank the youths who rushed to save us.”

20 perm secs appointed From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

EDO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has appointed 20 new permanent secretaries.

A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, gave the names as Dan Aigbavboa; F.A. Bello; I.O. Okuo; B.E. Oiboh; M.E. Okojie; Faluyi Osarayi and V. Enebi.

Others are: O.G. Umolu; S.E. Eghomare; P.E. Aziagbemhin; O. S. Uhinmwangho; C. O. Odigie; A.C. Osunde; L.I. Obayagbona; R.E. Osaghae and S.E. Omorodion, Esq. The rest are A.C. Abbe; Ofure Eboreime; E.E. Osahon; Dan Aigbavboa and Idugboe Helen – Adesuwa.

Pa Ighodalo for burial

THE funeral programme for the late Godwin Ighodalo will begin on July 31 with a service of songs at 5 Uwoghiren Street, Off Medical Stores Road, Benin City.

On August 1, the body leaves the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for a requiem mass at the St Joseph’s Catholic Church Okaigben Ewohimi.

His remains would be interred at Ighodalo’s compound in Idinrio Okaigben Ewohimi.

•The late Ighodalo

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

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•Lt. Gen Minimah cutting the tape to inaugurate the block of offices donated by Diamond Bank to the 65 Battalion in Lagos... yesterday. With him from left are the General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Major General Tamunomieibi Dibi; the bank’s Managing Director Alex Otti and the Commanding Officer, 65 Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Haruna Dasuki.

PHOTO: PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU

We’ll chase away Boko Haram, says Army chief

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HE Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, has said the military will soon chase away Boko Haram insurgents from the land.

Minimah spoke yesterday in Lagos at the kick-off of his maiden familiarisation tour as the Army chief.

He said the army had been paying the allowances of troops engaged in the Northeast operations against Boko Haram.

Addressing troops at the 65 Battalion at Bonny Camp on Victoria Island, Lagos, Minimah said: “We are on top of the Northeast campaign. Forces of evil will be diminished when there is collaboration between the military and the society.

Terrorism is not a day’s thing because terrorists have extremists’ characters that need to be

•Warns personnel to stay off BRT lanes

By Precious Igbonwelundu

purged out.

“This requires a collective effort, and we must close ranks as a people to defeat the sect.

“I am aware that military personnel in other parts of the world are given certain preferences, such as discounts, when they buy things at the mall or given seats first in public transportation.

“We are working towards that. But we need to first chase those terrorists out of our nation. We, as soldiers, can walk on the streets and be appreciated by the Nigerian people.”

The Army chief warned personnel to avoid illegality or risk being sacked.

Minimah warned soldiers in Lagos to keep off the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) lanes, adding that the lanes were created to ease traffic and encourage people to use public transportation.

He said: “I am here to meet you, caution and appeal to you all so that we can chart a new course.

“In Lagos, you have good people, bad people and criminals. Copy the good people. Do away with the bad ones and chase away criminals. Always remember that we have a good name to protect. Be of good conduct in and out of the uniform.

Conduct yourselves very well, even during your leisure.

“It is our duty to respect BRT

lanes. Do not use the lanes, because they are meant to lessen traffic congestion and encourage public transportation. Try not to allow hoodlums to hijack anything that involves soldiers.

“Do not be associated with questionable movements, friends or activities. Respect the rule of law and state laws. Obedience and good conduct are greatest attributes of a disciplined force, like the army.

“Illegal duties, including land disputes or debt collections, are prohibited. Do not assist any of your friends to reclaim debt or anything illegal. When they call you for such things, use your brain and turn them down, instead of risking your job.

“You must be loyal to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the constitution, the President, the society and your family.”

2015: Rivers APC raises 11 strategy committees

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has set up 11 strategic committees and two ad hoc committees to ensure its victory in next year’s elections.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi said this yesterday at the inauguration of the committees at the state secretariat in Port Harcourt.

The senator representing Rivers Southeast, Magnus Abe, who spoke on behalf of members of the committees, said APC would deliver in next year’s elections.

The State Chairman, Davies Ikanya, said the APC had been advocating the politics of inclusiveness, which he said is lacking in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said the inauguration marks the beginning of change in the state.

The committees and chairmen are Research/Planning (Senator Magnus Abe); Contact (Dr. Dakuku Peterside); Electoral

•We’ll win, say Amaechi, Abe From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Matters (Ezemonye EzekielAmadi) and Monitoring (Dr. Dawari George).

Others are Finance (Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam), Political/Voters’ Education (Vikki Nyeche), Legal Matters (Worgu Boms), Publicity/Media (Ibim Semenitari), Mobilisation (Chidiebere Okwuworlu), Disciplinary (Senator Wilson Ake) and Security (Ade Adeogun).

An ad hoc committee with Allwell Onyesoh as chairman will move round the state and see what the APC is doing and report to the SWC. The other, headed by Igo Aguma, will monitor the performance of the 21 local government caretaker chairmen.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Tele Ikuru, said: “You must

adequately mobilise Rivers people, because we cannot continue to be slaves.

“Rivers State must be liberated and the only way we can liberate the state is to bring about positive change here.

“Being a member of any of these committees is not an accident. It is deliberate. It is calculated. It is planned.

“The party is in your hands, individually and collectively.

The success of this party, from this moment, is in your hands.

“The works you would do will determine if we are going to succeed or fail. Do the works as if they are the last you would do on earth.”

Abe admonished members of the committees to do their utmost. He urged the people to ignore the “ranting” of the PDP leaders of “capturing” the state next year.

The senator said: “We will

work day and night. At the end of the day, APC will be delivered in all the elections that will be held in Rivers.

“We will deliver APC in the presidential election in this state, in the governorship election, Senate and the House of Representatives, all the 32 members of the House of Assembly and chairmen of the 23 councils.

“Leaders of the APC across Rivers State are gathered here.

Those of us who have been selected for these assignments, we want to thank the party, for counting us worthy to be able to contribute to the growth of the APC in Rivers State.

“We want to assure you that we will do our best to ensure that we do not disappoint you.

“We willbring in persons who have not been named, as we need them and we recognise their potentials. We want to ask that you give us the power to incorporate extra hands, where needed.”

Stop playing politics with security, says Oshiomhole

E

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has urged politicians to resist the temptation of playing politics with security matters.

Speaking at a Security Management Workshop organised by the Department of State Security (DSS) in Benin City, yesterday, the governor said playing politics with sensitive security matters will only encourage the perpetrators to do more.

He said: “Nothing else matters when we are not safe. I also want to advise those of us who hold political office and have cause to make public statements that we must resist the temptation of politicising security issues.

“All politicians, whether of the ruling or opposition party, must not join in the madness of politicising security issues.

“If we do this, we will be encouraging kidnappers and other evil-minded people.

“We must resist the temptation and trust that the security agencies know what to do.

“Even where we have information, it is better we share it in private with the security agencies so that all of us can be on the same page.”

Oshiomhole added: “Each and everyone of us, being senior officials of government, people look at us that we should be able to educate those we come across on basic security issues.

“These people who are into violent crimes and terrorism do not live in the moon; they live with us. Sometimes they interact with us without us knowing what their intentions are.

“As we all get more security conscious, we know what to watch out for whenever we find ourselves in public places.”

He thanked the DSS for the initiative and hoped that at the end of the exercise, the participants would have comprehended basic tips on security.

The DSS State Director, Bello Bakori, said the workshop was to sensitise the people to be security conscious.

He said most of the criminals in the society live with the people and security agencies carry out their assignments based on information.

HE Ijaw in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West local governments of Delta State have expressed support for rotation of political offices among the ethnic groups in Warri.

This was contained in a communiqué by the Warri Ijaw Justice Forum (WIJF), in response to the Itsekiri Consolidated Movement’s (ICM) claim that it is the turn of the Itsekiri to produce the chairman of Warri South West council.

The communiqué by Friday Deinghan, Coordinator and Richard Koremen, Secretary, said all what the Ijaw demand is justice and equity in power sharing among the ethnic groups.

The communiqué reads: “If Itsekiri insist it is their turn to produce the chairman of Warri South West Local Government because an Ijaw man is Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman in the area; it should be the turn of the Ijaw in Warri North and Ijaw/Urhobo in Warri South to produce the chairmen.

“The Itsekiri have been occupying the Assembly seats in Warri South West, Warri North and Warri South 1 constituencies and the Warri Federal Constituencies since 1999. It is the turn of Ijaw to occupy these seats too.”

Coronation in Akwa Ibom From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

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HE Monarch of Etinan Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, Edidem Ime Dickson Umoette, was yesterday crowned as the first Uyio Ikpaisong of Uyio Ikpaisong Ibibio.

The coronation which took place at Asan Ibibio was attended by indigenes.

Speaking during the ceremony, Edidem Umoette paid tributes to past heroes, who fought to ensure that Ibibio and all minority tribes were recognsed.

The monarch said those unsung heroes advocated for the creation of states out of the regional structures left by the colonial masters.

His words: “They laid the foundation upon which the first sets of states were created in Nigeria. I salute the late Chief Effiong Okon Eyo and the late Udo Uyio Attah Akpabio.

“Their insistence on states creation led to the creation of Southeastern states from which we are now enjoying our own state. Their struggles will ever remain a watered green in our memories.

"As the crown Uyio Ikpaisong of Uyio Ikpaisong Ibibio, I am rated as the first amongst equals in the traditional setting of our organisation.

“The implication of this is that all the king makers and I will continue to work as a team to develop our common motive- sustenance of the traditional heritage of the Ibibio nation.

"I promise to be a good team leader by working with my colleagues, the other kingmakers in the overall interest of Ibibio nation.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

59

NEWS Tears as returnee-pupils recount ordeal Continued from page 4

“He promised to visit Chibok but said that he did not want to simply come and mourn with us but will prefer to visit after the girls have been rescued to celebrate with us.”

Dr Chibok added: “About three of the girls came out and told us the story of how the thing happened, the very day that Boko Haram went to their hostel, how they were kidnapped, how some of them jumped out of the vehicle and how they got lost in the bush and later were rescued by Fulani people who took them back to the village.

“About two other girls said they were even in the camp of Boko Haram in the Sambisa forest and escaped after they were asked to fetch water for cooking not minding if they would be killed because the security men looking after them among the Boko Haram were busy writing something, which enabled four of them to escape.

They told the story in the presence of Mr President. At the end of the day, they appealed to the President that they were not feeling comfortable in the village because they are scared that Boko Haram might return to take them back. So, they appealed for better schools; that when those other girls are rescued, they will also love to be taken to schools where they can feel secured.

“Because some of the girls said that they were afraid of schooling in Chibok, the President promised to put the girls in different Unity schools to enable them complete their education.

“The mothers came out and spoke in our language and we interpreted. The fathers spoke in Hausa language, which was also interpreted. It was after the mothers came out speaking that everyone started crying because we could not control ourselves. In fact, some of the ministers were shedding tears.

“The President also told us that the Service Chiefs had deployed many troops to Damboa, Chibok and other communities and I’m sure that they are there by now because we confirmed that some of the soldiers are already there.

So far, the news from people back home is that there is now security in Chibok. “|As a father, what the President told us is what we will accept. I trust that he will fulfil his promises, I see no reason why he shouldn’t, because he was speaking from his heart, if you had seen him, you would have known. It pains him just like it pains us. All the 57 girls that escaped and over 100 of their parents were present and they will be leaving for Chibok tomorrow (today) morning.”

The government barred reporters from covering the over two hours 30 minutes meeting.

The girls, their parents, community and opinion leaders were shielded from reporters.

At the end of the meeting, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said: “Mr President met with the parents of the abducted girls, community and opinion leaders of Chibok.

The parents include those of girls that escaped and those of the girls who are still in captivity, the girls who managed to escape were also here.”

“It was an interactive session during which the President had the opportunity to listen first hand to the various categories of persons. It was a very successful event and a good development because Mr President had always been looking forward to this opportunity. Before now he had met with various stakeholders on the matter but today he heard directly from the persons involved.

“Statements were made by all the representatives of people.

They spoke their minds and conveyed their feelings to the President. The girls who escaped also gave an account of what they

went through. Mr President reassured them of the Federal Government’s determination and his own personal determination to ensure that the girls that are still in captivity are brought out alive.

“That is the main objective of the government. Mr President also used the opportunity to empathise with the parents and the girls and to reassure them that everything will be done to make things easier for them, especially those who have escaped and the ones that will also be rescued, that their education will not in anyway suffer and he is convinced that evil will never prevail over good.”

Abati added: “Mr President further assured that after the battle has been won and the girls are brought back home, he, together with the parents and the state government, will focus on development, on building Chibok, on building all that the terrorists had destroyed and on ensuring that every child, either in Chibok or in any other part of the country, has his/her dream realised.

“At the end of the meeting, the parents are happy. Everybody is in high spirits. Mr President made it clear that their education won’t be truncated. The government is making efforts to place these young girls in other schools and that they should not be afraid about their future because everything will be done to protect their right to education.

“The parents made it clear that they are representatives of other parents. And you can see that we have over 200 people coming from Chibok. The girls spoke in great details about their experiences and their observations. It was an open and frank session in which everybody expressed their minds.”

President Jonathan, according to Abati, appealed for patience, understanding and co-operation.

He said: “Anyone who gives you the impression that we are aloof and that we are not doing what we are supposed to do to get the girls out is not being truthful.”

“Our commitment is not just to get the girls out, it is also to rout Boko Haram completely from Nigeria. But we are very, very mindful of the safety of the girls.

We want to return them all alive to their parents. If they are killed in any rescue effort, then we have achieved nothing.”

Jonathan added: “We solicit your maximum cooperation. Let us work together. Evil can never overcome good. We will surely overcome Boko Haram,” Governor Shettima called for more sobriety, reflection and unity of purpose in the fight against terrorism in the country.

He pledged that his state would give President Jonathan the fullest possible support for his efforts to address the problems caused by terrorism and the Boko Haram insurgency.

Dr. Pogu Bitrus presented the Chibok community’s address to the President.

Other speakers at the meeting included a district head, Mr. Zannamadu Usman, a member of the Borno State House of Assembly, Hon. Aminu Foni Chibok, parents of the abducted girls.

Yesterday, members of the releaseourgirls advocacy group that attacked the #BringBackOurGirls movement a few weeks ago returned to the

Boko Haram: 11 Chibok schoolgirls’ parents dead Continued from page 4

•Dr. Ezekwesili

protest venue.

The group, which held a vigil on Monday, ensured that the Oby Ezekwesili group, was their usual space. The group came to the Unity fountain in their hundreds and ensured that they occupied most of the space. They did nothing in particular but gathered in groups discussing at the time the usual sit out of the Ezekwesili group held forcing the group to relocate to a small part of the fountain.

The coordinator of the #BringBackOurGirls movement Hadiza Usman, said: “The Unity Fountain is available to every Nigerian who believes that advocacy is good. We call on to every Nigerian to understand what it means to advocate, the challenge that it entails and not to politicise it. Nigerians under any manner should not allow for politics to come in but you should come out of your own free violation.

“People should not pay you to protest. We have seen this movement embark on a protest like a month ago and we have seen their conduct and we call on to them to look inwards and appreciate that what we are doing is for the girls held in captivity.

So, they should be mindful of being used to disrupt the advocacy.

“We know that somebody is paying them; we do not know who, but we call them to check their conscience to the extent that, what would you do if your child was abducted? Don’t allow yourself to be paid to come and counter advocates calling for the same thing.”

PUBLIC NOTICE ORIAGHAN I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. EHIMEN ORIAGHAN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EHIMEN OKATA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE NNAJI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chinyere Bridget Chinyere Nnaji, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Chinyere Bridget Okafor. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE IDIM

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Patience Idim, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Patience Mbang Mbang. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE ONUMA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onuma Mary Chidiogo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mbaonu Mary Chidiogo. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC, Ebonyi State University and General public should please take note.

though it is the rainy season, he said.

“There is a famine looming,” he warned.

Chibok and nearby villages are targets because they are enclaves of staunch Christians in predominantly Muslim North.

The number of soldiers guarding Chibok has increased from 15 to about 200 since the kidnapping but they have done little to increase security in Chibok, said Bitrus. The soldiers often refuse to deploy to villages under attack though there is advance warning 90 per cent of the time, he said.

Last month the extremists took control and raised their black flags over two villages within 30

kilometres (18 miles) of Chibok.

Last week they ordered residents of another village just 16 kilometres (10 miles) away to clear out, Bitrus said. Every village in the neighbouring Damboa area has been attacked and sacked, and all the villages bordering Cameroon have been burned and are deserted, Bitrus said, quoting residents who fled.

The attacks continue despite the fact the military placed the area under a state of emergency in May 2013.

Residents feel so abandoned that they appealed this month for the United Nations to send troops to protect them. The U.N. has repeatedly urged Nigeria’s government to live up to its in-

ternational responsibility to protect citizens.

President Goodluck Jonathan insists his government and military are doing everything possible to ensure the girls’ release.

The Defence Ministry says it knows where they are but fears any military campaign could lead to their deaths.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau in a video released last week repeated his demands that Jonathan release detained extremists in exchange for the girls — an offer Jonathan has so far refused.

After three months, few Chibok residents believe all the schoolgirls will ever return home.

‘Bauchi hosting 2 million displaced people’ Continued from page 4

days and how long, I think we should be concerned with how much effort is being made and we should jointly pray for this struggle.

“Another important aspect is for us to emphasise the de-politisation of the issue. It is a matter of concern for all. I’m particularly more concerned that we are talking about girls and this is my area of concern. It happened in school, it happened to pupils so it is our concern that everything

should be done for those now home to continue their education.

“The meeting was intended to be an interactive session for Mr. President to listen to the parents, community leaders and, most importantly, to some of the girls that escaped from the Sambisa forest. The parents were happy to listen to the President assuring them of the commitment, of the determination of government to rescue the abducted girls and in particular assuring those of them that are now back with their parents of the continuation of their

education and protection of lives and properties.”

Those at the meeting yesterday include Senate President David Mark; Borno and Bauchi state governors, principal of the school, Asabe Kwambura.

Others were Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala; Minister of Information Labaran Maku; Minister of Water Resources Mrs Sarah Ochekpe and Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Mrs Sarah Jibril.

shelved their rally, which was billed to hold today, at the instance of the governor, who did not want the security situation aggravated.

Another source said: “The governor does not want any rally or visit that could be hijacked the people of the state who are angry with the lawmakers.

“He also said he does not want to be seen as either deploying intimidation against the lawmak-

ers or celebrating people’s revolt.

“Instead, he said he would prefer to dialogue with the lawmakers.

Al-Makura is said to be sending emissaries to the lawmakers.

In spite of the olive branch from the governor, it was learnt that the lawmakers are planning to hold a session in Abuja to compel the Chief Judge to inaugurate a panel against Al-Makura.”

Nasarawa lawmakers denied protection Continued from page 4

“Above all, the relationship between President Goodluck Jonathan and Al-Makura has been very robust.

“The President was also shocked that the lawmakers disrespected his office by passing impeachment motion on a day he went to commission a megabuck farm.”

Gen. Buhari and the others

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

60

FOREIGN U.S. and European airlines halt Israel flights

China’s President signs Venezuela oil deal

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C

HINESE President Xi Jinping has signed a series of oil and mineral deals with Venezuela.

They include a $4bn (£2.34bn) credit line in return for Venezuelan crude and other products.

The agreements came on the latest stop of a four-country visit to Latin America.

Mr Xi has already signed key deals in Argentina and Brazil. He has now departed from Venezuela and will visit Cuba next.

In Argentina the Chinese leader agreed to an $11bn currency swap providing much needed money for the government of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

Argentina has been locked out of the internation-

•XI Jinping of China and Maduro of Venezuela...yesterday.

al capital markets since a default in 2001.

Mr Xi also helped launch a new development bank alongside the other emerging powers of the Brics group - Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa - at a summit in Brazil.

The new bank is intended to create an alternative to the Western-dominated World Bank.

Chinese trade with Latin America has grown rapidly. It is now the second-largest trading partner in Argentina and

PHOTO: AP

Cuba, and has been Brazil’s largest since 2009.

China is the second-largest market for Venezuelan oil after the United States.

Analysts say the underlying purpose of the visit has been to secure more natural

resources from Latin American countries to fuel China’s long term economic expansion.

The Chinese president is now on his way to Cuba where he will meet President Raul Castro.

MH17 plane crash: Ukraine rebels give up ‘black boxes’

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RO-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine have handed over two flight-data recorders from the downed MH17 plane to Malaysian experts.

The handover came hours after the UN Security Council voted unanimously to demand immediate international access to the crash site.

EU foreign ministers will consider more sanctions against Russia on Tuesday.

The Malaysian Airlines passenger jet crashed last Thursday, killing all 298 people on board.

Western nations say there is growing evidence that flight MH17 was hit by a Russian-supplied missile fired by rebels, but Russia has suggested Ukrainian government forces are to blame.

EU foreign ministers, meeting in Brussels, are thought likely to discuss expanding the list

of Russian officials targeted by sanctions, but have so far steered clear of targeting whole sectors of the Russian economy.

Both the EU and the US imposed sanctions on Moscow following its annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of hostilities in eastern Ukraine.

‘In good condition’ Experts say the “black boxes” will reveal the exact time of the incident and the altitude and precise position of the aircraft.

They should also contain the cockpit voice recorder, which it is hoped will provide clues as to what the cause of the crash was.

The head of the Malaysian delegation at the handover in Donetsk told reporters that the recorders were “in good condition”.

The handover followed talks between the rebel commander

and self-styled Prime Minister of the Donetsk People’s Republic Alexander Borodai and the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Mr Najib said in statement.

He also said those talks led to the rebels agreeing to allow the bodies to be transported to Kharkiv and international investigators to access the area.

Pro-Russian rebels allowed a freight train carrying the bodies of some of those on board the plane to be moved from a town near the crash site to Donetsk on Monday.

The Malaysian experts and a Dutch delegation are travelling with the train to the city of Kharkiv, where it is expected to arrive later on Tuesday.

From there, the bodies will be prepared for transfer by air to the Netherlands where foren-

sic experts will evaluate and identify them.

Meanwhile a UN resolution, proposed by Australia, was passed calling for a “full, thorough and independent international investigation” into the downing of the plane over Grabove on 17 July.

It also demanded that those responsible “be held to account and that all states co-operate fully with efforts to establish accountability”.

Analysis: Nick Bryant, UN correspondent, in New York After expressing misgivings about the wording of the UN resolution, the Russian ambassador ultimately raised his hand in favour. A veto from Moscow would have provoked even more of an international outcry.

US ambassador Samantha

U.S court deals setback to Obamacare

A

US appeals court has thrown out a federal regulation implementing key subsidies of President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare law.

It means that participants in health exchanges run by the federal government in 34 states are not eligible for help.

The ruling deals a setback to so-called Obamacare, jeopardising health insurance for four million low and middleincome people.

The White House said it is confident in its legal position on subsidies.

Several hours after the decision was handed down, a US appeals court for a different

U

jurisdiction issued a ruling in a similar lawsuit upholding the subsidy programme.

The two contradictory decisions are open to multiple avenues of appeal, so nothing will change immediately.

“Our ruling will likely have significant consequences both for millions of individuals receiving tax credits through federal exchanges and for health insurance markets more broadly,” Senior Circuit Judge Raymond Randolph in his majority opinion ruling against the Obama administration’s position.

There’s no disputing the ruling in the District of Columbia Circuit case is a significant

political development, as it gives validity and momentum to what had previously been considered to be a longshot conservative case against the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. It is by no means the last word on the matter, however. The Obama administration will almost certainly request that the three-judge panel’s ruling be reconsidered by the entire 11-judge DC Circuit Court this autumn.

Once the appellate court judges decide, the losing party will then ask the US Supreme Court to issue a final ruling, possibly allowing the conservative majority on the

S.Sudan truce crumbles amid renewed clashes

S •Obama

high court to strike another blow to Barack Obama’s signature legislative achievement.

The IRS is said to have dispensed billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies through federal healthcare exchanges, or marketplaces.

Kerry urges Hamas to accept truce offer

S Secretary of State John Kerry has called on the Palestinian group, Hamas, to accept a ceasefire along the lines of an Egyptian proposal, to end the raging Gaza conflict that has already killed at least 607 Palestinians and 29 Israelis.

The top US diplomat spoke in Cairo yesterday after meeting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, whose government offered the ceasefire proposal last week, which calls for both Israel and Hamas to ac-

cept an immediate ceasefire and dispatch envoys to Cairo for further negotiations.

The Palestinian leadership has proposed to Egypt a plan for a ceasefire to be followed by five days of negotiations to stop the fighting, Palestinian official Azzam al-Ahmed told reporters in Cairo on Tuesday.

Kerry’s call comes as United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv to discuss how to stop the ongoing bloodshed and begin negotiat-

ing.

For Hamas, the root cause is the siege of Gaza, and it has consistently demanded that Israel and Egypt lift the blockade. It also wants the release of dozens of prisoners who were freed in a 2011 swap for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit but re-arrested this summer.

“The conditions for a ceasefire are... a full lifting of the blockade and then the release of those recently detained in the West Bank,” its leader in Gaza, Ismail Haniya, said on televi-

Power said it would not have been necessary had Russia used its leverage to get the separatist rebels to let international experts visit the site sooner.

Raising a hand in support of a resolution at the UN is different from lifting a finger to help, and the test of this resolution will come from its implementation on the ground.

Not for the first time during this crisis, the chamber of the Security Council felt more like a courtroom, with Vladimir Putin still very much in the dock.

There has been international outcry over the way rebels have handled the situation, leaving passengers’ remains exposed to summer heat and allowing untrained volunteers to comb through the area.

All 15 council members, including Russia, voted in favour.

HE US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has suspended all flights into Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport for a period of 24 hours after a rocket landed near the airport.

The three US carriers that fly to Israel - Delta, United and US Airways - confirmed suspension of all service.

European carriers such as Lufthansa, KLM, and Air France have also cancelled flights.

The move comes amid heightened scrutiny over flights near conflict zones.

Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority director Giora Romm said: “We are working together with the FAA to demonstrate to them the level of confidence that we have in Ben Gurion Airport and to convince them to renew flights as soon as possible.”

‘As soon as possible’ The FAA’s prohibition only applies to US airlines. The agency has no authority over foreign airlines operating to or from the airport.

However, Lufthansa which includes Swiss, Germanwings and Austrian Airlines said it had decided to suspend flights to Israel for two days.

KLM and Air France also said they had suspended flights scheduled to depart on Tuesday.

However, Air France said a flight scheduled for Wednesday is still scheduled to depart.

Delta said a flight from New York City to Tel Aviv was diverted to Paris on Tuesday after Israeli police confirmed that a rocket landed approximately one mile (1.6km) from Ben Gurion airport.

British Airways said in response to questions on Twitter: ‘We are closely monitoring the situation. Our flights are currently operating as scheduled.”

sion.

The deadliest conflict in five years between Israel and the Palestinians has killed 620 Palestinians, many of them civilians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. At least 30 Israelis, 28 of them soldiers, have died in the fighting.

According to the latest reports, a United Nations school sheltering displaced Palestinians in central Gaza has come under Israeli fire as a team was inspecting damage from a day earlier.

OUTH Sudan rebels and government troops battled over the strategic town of Nasir, the United Nations has said, with rebels launching their largest offensive since an oft-broken May truce.

Heavy shooting continued for a second day with fighting continuing in the northern town and rebel forces apparently in “firm control” of the centre, UN spokesman Joe Contreras said on Monday.

The UN said on Sunday that the fresh rebel offensive “represents the most serious resumption of hostilities” since President Salva Kiir and his former deputy, rebel leader Riek Machar, met in May promising again to stick to a January ceasefire.

We call on both parties to immediately end all such attacks and fully adhere to their ... commitments to cease hostilities.

The United States condemned the rebel attack on Nasir saying the town’s residents “have suffered from frequent and horrific acts of violence and human rights abuses since fighting broke out in mid-December, causing widespread displacement and a worsening humanitarian crisis as civilians fear returning to their homes”.

“We call on both parties to immediately end all such attacks and fully adhere to their ... commitments to cease hostilities,” deputy State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said in a statement.

More than seven months of war has left thousands dead and displaced 1.5 million people, and aid agencies are warning of famine if fighting continues.

UNMISS, the UN mission, laid the blame for the truce violation squarely with Machar’s forces.

The rebels claim to control the town, their former headquarters, located some 500km north of Juba and close to the Ethiopian border.

But the UN said that fighting was going on, with the heaviest clashes on Monday reported around the government army barracks, just west of the town.

UN peacekeepers remain in control of their base, where more than two dozen civilians are sheltering inside.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

NEWS (SHOWBIZ)

RMD, Aluwe, others in Glo new campaign

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NDIGENOUS telecommunication company, Globacom, has increased its repertoire of celebrity brand ambassadors, by engaging 34 more artistes in a new campaign tagged “Go Ahead’.

The campaign which depicts the essence of the network, has notable actor and Delta State Commissioner for Arts and Culture, Richard Mofe-Damijo, a.k.a.

RMD and Sunday Omobolanle popularly known as Aluwe among the top Nigerian artistes recently enlisted by Globacom.

The ‘Go Ahead’ which also communicates the dynamism of Glo services in voice, data and fixed lines, encourages subscribers to believe in themselves and in the uniqueness of their talents, dreams and goals.

Also in the deal is legendary Chika Okpala, Zebrudaya alias 4:30 and his telly-wife, Lizzy Eveome, Ovuleria, both of New Masquerade series.

Others are Bolaji Amusan a.k.a Mr Latin, Madam Ibidun Allison known as Amebo, an actress in rested television series, Village Headmaster and Madam Kofo

•Omobolanle

•Mofe-Damijo

Abiola who, as an actress, is popular for her sculpting of sky-scraper headgears.

The campaign also features Saheed Mohammed, a.k.a Funky Mallam, Morocco Maduka, actors Charles Awurum and Victor Osuagwu, Fuji acts Wasiu Alabi Pasuma and Saheed Osupa, former Super Eagles striker, Daniel Amokachi and King of Galala Beats, Daddy Showkey.

While the likes of John Okafor (Mr Ibu), Bishop Ime,(Okon Lagos), Chinwetalu Agu and comedienne Helen Paul are designated as brand ambassadors, Chief Executive Officer of Ovation magazine, Dele Momodu and Delta State Commissioner represent the upwardly-mobile new aristocrats on the list.

As brand representatives, the 34 celebrities are expected to motivate their followers, not only to join the Globacom network, but to

recommend its products and services to others in their circles of influence.

Also, renowned Juju artiste King Sunny Ade and his Highlife music counterpart Sir Victor Olaiya are expected to connect the network to the evergreen entertainment stars who are still savvy on the buttons.

The stars who have been appearing in television commercials, on billboards, lamp posts and flyers of the network, will complement the efforts of existing ambassadors such as Bisade Ologunde (Lagbaja), Bezhiwa Idakula (Bez), Bright Okpocha (Basketmouth), Jude Abaga (MI), Wande Coal, Chinedu Okolie (Flavour), Peter and Paul Okoye (P Square), Waje Iruobe, Omawumi Megbele, Funke Akindele (Jenifa), Chukie Edozien (Lynxx), Sammie Okposo and Ego Ogbaro.

I’ve moved on with my life, says Doris Simeon

“I

DON’T regret a n y thing because I’ve moved on to greater things and living a brand new life,” said Nollywood actress D o r i s Simeon, who cel•Simeon ebrated her birthday yesterday in the company of select friends.

Although she has not been in contact with her son, David, ever since her estranged husband, Daniel Ademinokan took him away to New York; where they now live with actress Stella Damasus, his purported new wife, Doris said she is putting all her worries behind.

“A brand new me has been born as I celebrate my birthday… and like it is written in the holy book, old things have passed away as new things are just by the corner,” she said.

Doris, who recently returned to set after a fourmonth break, said the bad times in her life only make

I

her strong. “Yes, we have some sad times, bad moments in life, which most times want to slow us down, but like I always say, these moments and times help us and make us better people. I don’t regret anything,” she said, adding that the fact that she could witness another birthday calls for thanksgiving. “It’s a wonderful feeling, adding a year in good health and with a mind devoid of hate or pain, I can’t but thank God. The actress who posted new sultry pictures on her Instagram page, also added her voice to the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, saying: “I want everyone to join me as I specially say a prayer for the missing Chibok girls. It’s sad, but we would continue to lend our voice and as I celebrate, I remember the girls again and enjoin everyone to do same.”

Looking forward, Doris said, “don’t expect me to make a movie anytime soon, but I will be featuring in productions by others. Aside the TV programme, Faaji Xtra, which I anchor, fans and industry peeps should simply watch out for something unusual and unlike me on the screen. I’ve shot some exciting movies and TV soaps and I’m still on some sets, so you would be seeing so much from me.”

Censors Board partners Ghanaian, Ugandan N its bid to checkmate operations of the NFVCB film authorities latory cross-border trafficking of as a way of improving film

illegal movies, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), has entered bilateral relationships with the Ghanaian and Ugandan film authorities.

In one of such moves, the NFVCB has sent a list of censored Nigerian films to the president of the Ghana Cinematographic Exhibition Board of Control (GCEBC).

The document, according to

Caesar Kagho, Acting Head, Corporate Affairs, contains 306 movies that were approved between January and June 2014.

The list revealed that 25 films were approved in January, while February, March, April, May and June had 66, 74, 44, 35 and 62 films respectively.

In a similar development, a three-man team of Ugandan officials were in Abuja last week, to understudy the regu-

regulatory mechanism in their country.

The group also observed the board’s field operations, as they move around some licensed movie distribution outlets in Abuja.

Kagho said “the initiatives are in line with the Patricia Bala- led administration’s efforts towards developing the Nigerian film industry and Africa in general.”

62

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

63

SPORT EXTRA 2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES BEGINS TODAY

Glasgow takes baton as tournament is set to open

Go for gold, NSA tells athletes I U NMISSABLE Incentives Limited, organisers of the Nigerian Sports Award (NSA), have advised the Nigerian Athletes to the 2014 Commonwealth Games billed to hold between July 23 and August 3, in Glasgow, Scotland to give their all.

Kayode Idowu, General Manager, Unmissable Incentives Limited disclosed that Nigerians have great expectations from the Nigerian Athletes at the competition after the not too impressive

performance of the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the just concluded World Cup. ‘’After the lackluster performance of our football team at the World Cup, Nigerians have now turned their attention to the 2014 Commonwealth Games with high hopes that our athletes will do us proud by giving a good account of themselves” he said.

Idowu stressed further that Nigeria has a good track record in Athletics, Boxing, Table Tennis, Weightlifting

and Paralympics having won several laurels at not only the African Games and the Commonwealth Games but also at the Olympics.

He declared that with the level of preparedness put in place by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), the coaching crew and the Athletes for the 2014 Commonwealth Games is unprecedented and a clear indication that the country is poised for success at the Games.

“I must admit that the Ath-

letics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has really raised the bar with good planning and preparation for this competition. At least for the first time in our history, we have a robust and well thought out programme and as such we expect the best” he added.

Nigerian Athletes will be competing for honours in different sports including Athletics, Boxing, Table Tennis, Weightlifting, Shooting, Wrestling, Power-lifting and Paralympics.

T might not have captured the public imagination to quite the same extent as the Olympic torch relay two years ago.

At times the route was a lonely path for the runners bearing the Queen’s Baton cheered on through thin knots of well-wishers on its 287-day journey through the nations and territories of the Commonwealth en route to Celtic Park and the opening ceremony of the Glasgow games.

But as housing charity worker Craig Clarke, 50, rounded the corner into Govern Road, the former shipbuilding capital of the world, the locals were out in the hun-

dreds to enjoy the spectacle and the hot sunshine.

“It was the best experience of my life,” said Mr Clarke, who was nominated for the honour of bearing the baton in recognition of his role building up a local running club. “The Games are inspiring for the youth and that is something we are trying to do too. It is a really fantastic opportunity for the city,” he said.

With 35 per cent of the population of Govan living in deprivation it is one of the poorest and unhealthiest neighbourhoods in a city already blighted by the lowest life expectancy in Britain.

Fred Evans out of Wales Commonwealth team

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ALES gold medal boxing hope Fred Evans is out of the Commonwealth Games after being refused accreditation.

The absence of the 23-year-old 2012 Olympic silver medallist follows checks by the Home Office and Games officials.

The reasons are unclear but Welsh officials have had "rigorous" talks for weeks with "all relevant bodies".

In April the welterweight was ordered to pay a total of £1,228 in fines and costs after admitting his part in a nightclub assault in Birmingham.

The news came on the same afternoon that British 100m champion Dwain Chambers, who was part of England's 4x100m relay team, pulled out of the Games to concentrate on August's European Championships.

Chambers withdraws from England’s sprint relay

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Bolt, Farah, Wiggins in quest for Glasgow gold

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LYMPIC champions Usain Bolt, Mo Farah and Bradley Wiggins headline a host of star names hoping to bury injury problems and selection snubs to strike gold at the Commonwealth Games.

The biggest ever multi-sport event to take place in Scotland will see 4,500 athletes from 71 nations take part across 18 sports.

A total of 261 medal events will take place across the 11 days of competition, including the highest ever number of para-sport events with 22 gold medals up for grabs across five sports.

The 20th edition of the Games will officially be opened by Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday with a ceremony at Celtic Park.

Attention will then turn to the action itself with Bolt looking to add Commonwealth gold to his six Olympic and eight World Championship gold medals.

However, the 27-year-old will only be running as part of the Jamaican 4x100m relay team as he missed the Jamaican championships which served as the selection meeting for the Com-

•Usain Bolt

•Mo Farah

•Bradley Wiggins

monwealth Games due to injury.

Bolt said he didn't want to take the place of any athlete who had qualified for an individual event, but would be available for selection as part of the relay team.

"I have received lots of requests, invitations and messages of support from my fans in Scotland who are looking forward to a great event," he told his official website.

Double Olympic champion Farah is confident of being fit to run both the 5,000m and 10,000m

despite pulling out of the Diamond League event in Glasgow due to abdominal pains.

Kenya's David Rudisha is the heavy favourite to claim 800m gold after running the fastest time in the world this year on his return from injury to win the Diamond League meeting at Hampden.

With two-time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also only competing in the 4x100m relay, Trinidad and Tobago's Michelle-Lee Ahye is the strong favourite for the women's 100m as she is yet to be

beaten this year.

The absence of Jessica Ennis due to the recent birth of her first child will give fellow English heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson a great chance to claim her first medal at senior international competition.

Switching from the athletics track to the cycling track, the Tour de France's loss will be the Commonwealth Games' gain as Wiggins will represent England in the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome in the 4,000m team pursuit on Thursday.

WAIN Chambers has withdrawn from the England men’s sprint relay squad for the Commonwealth Games.

Team England announced a number of changes across a variety of disciplines on Tuesday, with the inclusion of 24-year-old Jess Tappin in place of Katarina JohnsonThompson – hot favourite to win heptathlon gold in Glasgow before pulling out on Monday because of a foot problem – also catching the eye.

Chambers will focus on the individual 100m at next month’s European Championship in Zurich after pulling out of the Commonwealth 4x100m squad, with no replacement nominated

by England Athletics.

Laura Wake has been drafted in for the injured Meghan Beesley in the 400m hurdles, while Chris Thompson has been withdrawn from the 10,000m having not fully recovered from a lower leg injury.

Kate Avery will compete in the 10,000m in place of Jo Pavey, who will still contest the 5,000m.

In cycling, Russ Downing has been selected to replace Jon Dibben in the men’s road race after Dibben withdrew because of a broken elbow.

David Fletcher will no longer compete in the mountain bike event after a fall in training, with the 2006 Commonwealth champion Liam Killeen stepping in.

TODAY IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.9 NO.2,916

‘What does this tornado of impeachments add to our happiness? None. Nigeria’s citizens can also scheme, recall and initiate clear impeachment threats to assembly members. He who impeaches can also be impeached.

The voter must assert the same right!’ TONY MARINHO

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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F elections are won or lost on character and performance, as they should, Osun State’s governorship election coming up on August 9 should be a shoo-in for the incumbent, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. But then, as we saw in the June 21 Ekiti State governorship election, the almost universally hailed character and performance of the incumbent, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, seemed to have counted for practically nothing when he suffered heavy defeat at the hands of Mr Ayo Fayose, the candidate of the country’s ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In Ekiti at least, what seemed to matter most was instant gratification for the people through the so-called “infrastructure of the stomach” and, even more importantly, the use of Federal Might (with capital F and capital M) to cow any opposition (It’s only a foolhardy man who would challenge the well-armed 30,000 security agents drafted into the state for the election who, as the governor said based on intelligence at his disposal as the state’s chief security officer, had instructions to “mow down” anyone who dared raise his figure in protest at their open partisanship).

As it was in Ekiti so would the PDP like it to be in Osun. One big difference, however, is that, unlike in Ekiti, a not-so-subtle religious propaganda weapon against the governor is being added to the other two.

No less a person than the PDP governorship candidate himself, Senator Iyore Omisore, gave this game away. Asked in an interview in PUNCH (July 18) if he was sure he would win the election, he said: “Of course, yes. I mean the indices are there for all to see; the decaying infrastructure, the disrupted education system, THE RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY, infrastructural inconvenience, social malaise, impoverishment of our people.” (emphasis mine).

Omisore went further to accuse the governor of wrongly “lumping students from Islambased faith schools with students of Christianity-based faith schools together AND EXPECTING ONE RELIGION TO SUPERCEDE THE OTHER...” (Again emphasis mine). As a Christian, it is obvious Omisore is accusing the Muslim governor of favouring Islam.

Since Aregbesola dared to declare a public holiday to celebrate an Islamic New Year in the state two years ago, many of his critics have worked overtime to cast him in the image of a Muslim extremist. For many of such critics, the absurdity of the logic that what is good for one religion is necessarily bad for the other has clearly escaped them.

Not surprisingly, beneath Omisore’s apparently inadvertent betrayal of his religious animosity towards the governor, an even more insidious crude religious campaign is being waged where Christians in the state are being told that a vote for Omisore is 10 votes for Christ!

In this manipulation of religion to gain power, Omisore is only in the excellent company of our president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, for whom the Church had for a long time become his platform for issuing policy statements

RIPPLES

MIKEL STILL ONE OF OUR BESTAkpoborie

RIPPLES

That’s PAST TENSE, Now he plays in SLOW MOTION

People and Politics By MOHAMMED H ARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Osun governorship election: Aregbesola’s big challenge

•Aregbesola

•Omisore

and indirectly denigrating Islam. Even then for anyone to equate Omisore with Christ is really the height of blasphemy. But then this is Nigeria where politicians think nothing of invoking the Good Lord’s name in vain.

For someone who, at the least, is not averse to being compared to Christ, it was truly amazing how he could lie through his teeth about his relationship with the late Chief Bola Ige, whose murder several years ago he was detained for.

In the PUNCH interview I’ve referred to, the newspaper asked him point blank if he did not kill Ige. “I did not,” he replied, “kill Chief Bola Ige at all. I can’t kill anybody, anyway, not to talk of Chief Bola Ige. Chief Bola Ige was my leader.

He was like an uncle in-law to me.” He did not, he also said, instigate the removal of Ige’s cap and glasses in the palace of the Ooni of Ife, a humiliation which presaged Ige’s brutal murder in his own residence in Ibadan.

An amicable relationship between the two was definitely not what it looked like nearly 13 years ago when Omisore denigrated the chief in an interview in the rested TEMPO weekly newspaper (December 27, 2001). In that interview, he called Chief Bisi Akande, who he was deputy governor to and from whom he was estranged at the time, some of the foulest names imaginable and added Ige to the target of his diatribe.

“Recently too,” he said in the interview, “Bola Ige came on radio here to insult me and my family. THAT IS THE LAST ONE. He was beaten yesterday, the people of Ife beat him up and he was

crying like a baby as they removed his cap and his glasses...He was disgraced out of Ife, he had to be dressed like a woman to get out of town.”(Again, emphasis mine).

Asked in effect if he approved Ige’s humiliation, he said yes in effect. “He has offended Ife people. If he insults me, he has insulted my people and they have the right to react.”

Omisore concluded the interview by describing Ige as a Yoruba traitor. “Bola Ige,” he said, “is a traitor to Afenifere... He is the Akintola of our time. What Akintola did to Awolowo is what Bola Ige is doing to Adesanya and to the Yoruba people.”

It is truly amazing how the man can now turn around to say he never held anything against Ige but, instead, had always regarded the chief as his leader and an “uncle in-law”, whatever that means.

Omisore would not only tell a lie about his relationships to curry favour with Osun voters to the extent that his implication in the murder of Ige is an issue in the elections, it is also obvious he is afraid to engage Aregbesola in any debate over what each of them can offer the good people of their state.

Challenged to a debate by the governor, first he said Aregbesola was mentally unfit. When that did not seem to wash with the public he changed his tune and said in effect that the governor is a thug-in-chief. “Going to participate in a debate with violent people with array of thugs will be too much of a risk to take for us,” he said in another interview in PUNCH (July 20).

In an interview in The Guardian (July 10), Aregbesola said he was confident he would win any election in his state that was “credible, transparent, free and fair.” Therein lies the catch; an election can look credible, transparent, free and fair but the reality may be totally the opposite.

An election in which a central government squeezes the opposition by slashing revenue allocation to states under the guise of falling revenue due to massive oil thefts and delays the release of even the little that is left in order to cause disaffection between opposition states and their civil servants, an election in which

HARDBALL

I

F there was any lingering doubt about the identities of the power-hungry schemers, who determined the untidy removal of the former Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, it was certainly laid to rest by the triumphalism of the former Speaker of the House of Assembly and Acting Governor, Umaru Fintiri.

The Acting Governor’s fourth day in office was dramatically and significantly marked by a revealing closed-door meeting he had with some high-profile officials of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja. There was no question about his gloating as he spoke with reporters afterwards. “As a loyal and obedient party member,” he said, “I came on a courtesy call to my party and the National Working Committee as my first assignment after the battle to remove Governor Nyako who had stolen the mandate of the PDP under which he was elected.”

Fintiri added: “I came here to bring back the mandate and I have handed over to them the mandate. I promise that I will work together with the party, its leadership and the people of Adamawa to ensure that our party is restored to the people.”

A content analysis of Fintiri’s remarks indi-

Gloating in Adamawa cates that Nyako’s impeachment and subsequent removal were most likely inspired more by his defection from the PDP to the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) than by his alleged “gross misconduct.” This reasoning, of course, is based on the fact that the definition of the critical phrase should not reasonably include an individual’s voluntary movement from one party to another. In other words, irrespective of the veracity or invalidity of the charges against Nyako, the mission of the apparently teleguided legislators was to get rid of him by all means, including nauseatingly indecent and dishonourable methods, not to say legally-deficient processes.

It is worth observing that the accusations that fuelled the eventual removal of Nyako were not unveiled while he remained a member of the PDP, but were suddenly unearthed after his exit from the party. To a large extent,

huge numbers of security agents are deployed to intimidate the opposition, etc, such election can hardly be described as credible, transparent, free and fair.

Actually the rigging of elections can be even more cynical than financially squeezing opposition states and deploying massive force to intimidate. The other day, I received an email about the election which, on the surface, seemed too farfetched.

“Do u ever thk along this line...” it said in the arcane language of texts. “200,000 ballot papers thumb printed in Abj, CBN abj convey to CBN Ado Ekiti, CBN Ado to some selected commercial banks, some selected commercial banks to some party leaders in Ekiti land, party leaders to some ward leaders, ward leaders to 10 women per polling unit...Each woman with 10 already in their body, they pick one each and drop 11 in the box where they v bought agent.”

My instinct was to dismiss this as an outlandish conspiracy theory. But then when I remembered the memorable words of Major-General IBM Haruna, a former minister of information, in one of the most interesting interviews published by the rested Citizen, which I headed, I said to myself this may not be as outrageous as it sounds. As the general said, any time anyone tells you something is impossible in Nigeria, consider it done.

In spite of all these great odds against Aregbesola, I believe Ekiti is unlikely to be repeated in Osun on August 9. But then so many impossible things have happened in the country since 1999 that it will not surprise me if, in spite of Aregbesola’s character and performance, he loses the election.

TWO OMISSIONS...

In response to my column of last week, two readers, Chief Femi Alafe-Aluko and Olu Sangotikun, drew my attention to my omission of Aremo Segun Osoba among the country’s journalism icons who celebrated their birthdays this month. Segun, probably the country’s best reporter ever, celebrated his 75th birthday on July 15.

Another journalism icon, Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman of Thisday and President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) celebrated his 55th birthday on July 14.

Here’s wishing both Happy Birthdays and many more returns in arrears.

...AND AN APOLOGY In my column of July 2, I referred to MajorGeneral Chris Olukolade as “an army spokesman.” Actually he is the “military spokesman”, the army being only one service of the three in the military, the others being the navy and the air force.

In the same article, I gave the name of Borno State governor as Ibrahim Kashim Shettima.

Ibrahim is not part of his name. This was an error I had committed on several occasions before.

My apologies to both the general and the governor.

•For comments, 08059100107 •Hardball is send not SMS the to opinion of the columnist featured above this fact colours the allegations even if they could be proved; and the conveniently delayed pursuit of punishment is itself a strong indictment of the integrity of the self-righteous accusers.

Expectedly, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, echoed Fintiri’s remarks, and was quoted as saying that the treatment Nyako got would restore the party’s dignity and roll back the rot caused by him.

Metuh’s choice of words is amazing because it suggests that he may not be conscious of the meaning they convey. If undignified conduct is seen as having restored the party’s dignity, it is food for thought and should prompt a deeper examination, even a questioning, of the party’s values. Also, speaking of rot, what could be more rotten than the celebration of evil, which this big excitement represents?

Regrettably, this episode has once again demonstrated that the politically- powerful in the country are usually less guided by the spirit of the law and often more interested in how they can manipulate the letter of the law for narrow and short-sighted selfaggrandisement.

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