The Nation July 24 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

‘Senate didn’t vote on marriage age’ •Lawmakers clear the air

‘Indicted’ firms on fuel suppliers’ list

NEWS

NEWS

Page 2

•Fuel importers now 40 up from 30

Page 4

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VOL. 8, NO. 2556 WEDNESDAY, JULY 24 2013

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

How First Lady’s mum died in car crash D

ETAILS of the accident in which the mother of First Lady Patience Jonathan died emerged yesterday.

The car on somersaulted several times before it

Yomi Odunnuga, Augustin Ehikioya, Abuja and Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt,

crashed, it was learnt.

The lone accident on the Elele-Isiokpo road involved only the Toyota Corolla saloon in which the late Mad-

am Charity Fynetaco Kalada and three others were travelling.

They were believed to be heading for Bayelsa State

when the accident occurred.

Besides, Madam Kalada, her 14-year-old relative whose name was simply given as Favour, also died in the accident.

One of the front tyres of

the car, marked ABU 153 AE was said to have suddenly pulled off when the car was negotiating a bend. The car to somersault many times.

Favour was a student of the Seventh Day Adventist

Church Secondary School, Elele, Rivers State.

The driver of the car whose name was given as Stanley Enyinnaya, and the fourth occupant, a woman, Continued on page 4

PDP governors, elders reject Dickson’s panel Tukur under fire for not consulting ‘Bayelsa governor capable’ PDP leadership believes in Is there any difference between B ‘The Governor Dickson's persuasive and ‘Dickson and President Goodluck consensus building skills which Jonathan? Is Dickson not a party to could help unite the PDP family PDP crisis, going by the face-off ’ the between Bayelsa and Rivers? ’ ARELY 24 hours after the announcement of a 30-man reconciliation committee, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, is facing bitter criticisms over its membership.

Party leaders are angry that Tukur and the Interim National Working Committee members did not consult

with key organs of the party on the reconciliation.

It was also learnt that PDP governors and leaders are more at home with a recent reconciliation mission undertaken by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT), Chief Tony Anenih, than a fresh panel.

To the former PDP governorship aspirant in Adamawa State, Dr. Umar Ardo, the reconciliation committee is capable of de-

Govt makes offers to varsity teachers From Gbade Ogunwale and John Ofikhenua, Abuja HERE seems to be no end in sight to the ongoing university lecturers’ strike, with the Federal Government saying yesterday that the 2009 agreement it signed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) cannot be implemented.

The union went on strike early in the month over what it called the failure of the government to fully implement the agreement. It vowed not to go back to work, until the government implements the agreement.

The government said the complexity of the agreement had been responsible for the continued breakdown of negotiations between the two parties.

Labour Minister Emeka Wogu stated this while briefing the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the activities of his ministry. It was at the party's national secretariat in Abuja.

Wogu, however, said the government had entered into another round of talks with the varsity teachers, making some undisclosed offers to the teachers.

"We have made offer to ASUU. It is as complex as presented. Negotiation is ongoing. The National Assembly is equally involved. We believe they will soon call off the strike. I personally and passionately appeal to them to call off the strike.

"It will not affect the negotiation, if they

stroying PDP's electoral fortunes in 2015.

Ardo said the committee was dead on arrival, unless Tukur reconsiders its membership.

Members of the committee are Governor Seriake Dickson (Chairman); ex-Governor Asheikh Jarma(Deputy Chairman); Amb. Umar Damagun

(Secretary); a former Deputy Senate President Alhaji Ibrahim Mantu; Senator Umar Gada; Dr. I. A. Obuzor; Salisu Suleiman; Senator Walid Jibrin;

Senator Hope Uzodinma; Hon. Bello Mohammed Matawalle; Mr. Niyi Fadimula; Chief Jerome Eke; AVM Chris O. Marizu(rtd); and Hon. Tijani Ibrahim Kiyawa.

Others are: Dr. Christy Silas; Mr. Jangwe Yusuf; Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme; Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Chief Onyema Ugochukwu; Yakubu Shehu; Continued on page 4

BEHOLD BRITAIN’S LITTLE PRINCE

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Continued on page 4

•The safe hands of the Duchess of Cambridge hold her son outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in London...yesterday. The baby was born on Monday afternoon weighing eight pounds six ounces (3.8 kilogrammes). The baby, titled His Royal Highness, Prince (name) of Cambridge, is directly in line to inherit the throne after Charles, Queen Elizabeth II’s eldest son and heir, and his eldest son William. Story on Page 59 PHOTO:AFP

•BOKO HARAM SUSPECT HELD IN OGUN P8 •EDO IMAMS DECRY RIVERS CRISIS P57

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

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NEWS

•Wife of Anambra State Governor Mrs Margaret PeterObi (left), receiving former Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral Chief Emeka Anyaoku who was at the Governor's Lodge...yesterday.

‘Indicted’ The Federal Government has expanded its list of fuel suppliers to include companies previously named in a multi-billion dollar subsidy fraud investigation, reports Reuters

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•From left: Director, Brands & Communication, Etisalat Nigeria Enitan Denloye; Retail Marketing Manager Haidrah Burke; Chief Executive Officer Steven Evans and Director, Retail Sales Charles Ogunwuyi, at the unveiling of the Top 10 Etisalat Geek Force Interns at the Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

• Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Dr. Paul Orhil (middle), Director, Laboratory Service Mrs. Stella Denloye (left) and Chairman, Governing Council Prof. John O. Ibu, at a news conference in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

•From left: Prof. Olufemi Bamiro, Vice-Chancellor University of Lagos Prof. Rahman Bello, Mrs. Eugenia Abu and Director, Research and Development Council Prof. Willie Siyanbola at the Council’s sensitisation workshop in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

IGERIA has expanded its list of fuel suppliers to include companies previously named in a multi-billion dollar subsidy fraud investigation, sources familiar with the matter said, while large global trading houses have been left empty-handed.

Africa’s most populous country, which relies on fuel imports because it lacks the capacity to refine its own crude oil, tried to remove fuel subsidies last year but was forced to partially reinstate them after a wave of strikes and protests.

A parliamentary investigation later found the subsidy’s administration had facilitated around $6 billion of corruption over three years, with half the approved fuel imports never arriving or being sold to neighbouring countries.

“Nigerian authorities have taken some measures to improve controls,” said Marc Gueniat of Swiss NGO The Berne Declaration which campaigns against corruption in the developing world.

“But the fact that certain companies accused of participating in the fraud are continuing to benefit from allocations raises the question of whether the political will to change is sincere,” he added.

Nigeria’s gasoline subsidy soaked up 1 trillion naira ($6.2 billion) last year, equivalent to 20 percent of the federal budget and exceeding a budgeted 888 billion naira.

The list of gasoline importers compiled by Reuters using information from five sources showed around 3.4 million tonnes was allocated for the third quarter to more than 40 companies, expanded from 30 last year.

The list showed four companies that failed to cooperate with parliament’s probe were named as suppliers. These were Nepal, Fresh Synergy, Ibafon and Techno, which the parliamentary report showed collectively claimed for subsidies of nearly $60 million.

Nepal’s website lists its CEO as Ngozi Ekeoma who has twice been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in relation to fraudulent subsidy payments.

She has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Phone calls to her company went unanswered.At least three other companies awarded third quarter allocations - Masters, Matrix and MRS - were also ordered to account for their shipments or refund falsely claimed subsidy money in another government report released last June.

Matrix provided documents to Reuters showing it had since been exonerated by authorities.

The other firms declined or did not respond to repeated requests for comment by email and telephone. It was not clear if these companies had since repaid their debts or been cleared.

The finance ministry would not

•Ms. Ekeoma on arrival at the High Court of Lagos, Ikeja when she was arraigned for alleged subsidy fraud

comment on specific firms but provided a document which showed that in total only 14 billion naira out of 232 billion in questionable claims, or around 6 percent, had so far been refunded.

The ministry has previously said importers will not be delisted so long as they paid back money owed to the state.

Effective controls?

Absent from the list are large trading houses like Vitol , Mercuria and Trafigura which have historically played an important role in supplying fuels to Nigeria but have been replaced by local firms.

However, some still provide fuels indirectly to the country or via crudefor-product swap deals.

The government has arraigned some fuel marketers and industry sources say fuel regulator the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has introduced measures designed to limit abuse of the system.

PPPRA did not respond to request for comment.

Nigeria has already spent $1.2 billion on subsidy payments this year and economists say any sign of a spike in subsidy costs could risk Africa’s second largest debt issuer spending oil savings or widening its budget deficit.

Industry sources suggested the rise in the number of importers may have been partly an attempt to stave off future supply problems, as some importers struggled to get bank loans.

“What they are doing now is giving smaller allocations to more and more companies because of the credit situation. The number is creeping higher and it could be a cause for concern if it continues,” said Dolapo Oni, oil and gas analyst at Ecobank.

The supply list showed Nigerian energy firm Oando PLC won the biggest allocation of 135,000 tonnes while Total and Folawiyo, in which global commodity merchant Glencore is a minority stakeholder, won 90,000 tonnes each.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

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NEWS

firms make fuel suppliers’ list Factsheet

$6.2b

N888b

$1.2b

The amount soaked up on subsidy payment last year

The amount budgetted for subsidy payment last year

The amount the Federal Government has spent on subsidy payment this year

N14b

N232b

$60m

The amount of questionable payment refunded by marketers

The amount of questionable claims made by marketers

The approximate amount claimed by Nepal, Fresh Synergy, Ibafon and Techno

3.4m

135,000

90,000

The tonnes of gasoline allocated for the third quarter to over 40 firms

The tonnes of gasoline The tonnes allocated to each allocated to Oando Plc of Total and Folawiyo in the third quarter

•Okonjo-Iweala

Controversy trails Fiscal Responsibility Commission For some, the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), which was established by Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007, is a sleeping watchdog, whose functions could be merged with those of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). However, other analysts insist that that the mandate of RMAFC is clearly defined, reports Ifeanyi Nwoko, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

S

OME analysts describe the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), which was established by Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007, as a “sleeping watchdog’’.

They also argue that the agency’s creation is somewhat unnecessary, as its functions could be merged with those of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

However, other analysts insist that that the mandate of RMAFC is distinct and clearly defined in the constitution.

Dr Sylvester Mordi, the Commissioner (Policy and Standards) in the FRC, said RMAFC was purely an advisory body.

“The constitution says that revenue mobilisation commission is an advisory body; it is to advise the President on the formula of sharing revenue among the three tiers of government and it should do this every five years. Ours is to monitor and enforce the Fiscal Responsibility Act, carry out financial and fiscal studies on the economy and publish the result for the public.

“We look at budget preparations, budget approval, budget implementation, and budget evaluation; we also look at the objectives — whether the government is achieving them or not,’’ he said.

Mordi said the commission had facilitated the return of N114 billion to the Federal Government’s treasury from the operating surpluses of government agencies within three years, while only N2.45 billion was allocated to commission within the period.

He, however, blamed the inability of the FRC to prosecute erring parties on the Act establishing the commission, adding that relevant provisions of the Act should be amended.

Mordi said a situation where the

commission could only ask questions and present reports to the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation left much to be desired.

“We are suggesting that the law should be amended; instead of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission being the police, sent to quell riots without guns, we should be given enough power to sanction people; the power to prosecute,’’ he said.

The former FCT Minister, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, described the FRC as a ‘sleeping watchdog’’ because of the commission’s inability to prosecute offenders.

In a recent publication, el-Rufai, quoting Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said that part of the financial problems facing the country was occasioned by the inability of relevant agencies to check government expenditure.

With particular reference to the FRC, he said: “Many of them are asleep, and if anything, they have become part of the problem. The Fiscal Responsibility Act in itself is a laudable legislation if it is implemented as conceived by the economic team. The commission was established over five years ago. But are there any achievements to show for it or is it just another drain-pipe on the nation’s resources?’’ el-Rufai asked.

Rejecting such viewpoints, Mordi stressed that the FRC had recorded some achievements.

He said apart from the N114 billion which the commission had saved for the Federal Government, it was currently investigating some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

He said the agencies included the Bureau for Public Enterprises, Presidential Committee on the Sales of Government Property and the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency.

Others are the National Sugar De-

‘

The Fiscal Responsibility Act in itself is a laudable legislation if it is implemented as conceived by the economic team. The commission was established over five years ago. But are there any achievements to show for it or is it just another drain-pipe on the nation’s resources?

‘

velopment Council, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Communications Commission and Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, among others “We will soon get our reports and where necessary, report the MDAs to the Attorney General of the Federation for possible prosecution,’’ he said.

Mordi, nonetheless, bemoaned the delay in submitting budget monitoring reports to the commission by the Budget Office of the Federal Ministry of Finance.

He also recommended that the Fiscal Responsibility Act should apply to the states as well.

“In Nigeria, the Federal Government’s share of federally-allocated revenue is not more than 52 per cent. The rest goes to the state and local governments. So, if the Fiscal Responsibility Act applies to only 52 per cent, its impact on the

•el-Rufai

economy will be reduced. Therefore, we want the states to come onboard,’’ he said.

Observers said the FRC would certainly be an indispensable tool for ensuring accountability in the management of government resources if it is properly repositioned to function effectively.

Chairman of the FRC, Alhaji Aliyu Yelwa, underscored the need for Nigerians to show considerable interest in monitoring public expenditure.

He said such approach would aid efforts to check violence, poverty, corruption and under-development which, he added, were all symptoms of bad governance.

“In the fight against corruption and financial profligacy, all hands must be on deck. We must all become whistle-blowers.

“Nigerians must take advantage of Section 51 of the Fiscal Responsibil-

•Yelwa

ity Act, which grants individuals unhindered access and locus standi to enforce compliance.

“It states inter alia: a person shall have the legal capacity to enforce the provisions of this Act by obtaining prerogative orders or other remedies at the Federal High Court without having to show any special and particular interest,’’ he said.

Yelwa said African countries needed strong institutions such as the FRC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to promote accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.

Observers note that the FRC’s service delivery, within the short period of its existence, is quite commendable.

They, however, call for the empowerment of the commission to enable it to prosecute the violators of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

4

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

NEWS PDP governors, elders reject Dickson’s panel Continued from page 1

Mohammed Kuchazi; Mrs. Adedeji Otiti Olanrewaju; Chief Dapo Sarumi; Prince Arthur Eze; Chief Emma Iwuagwu; Chief Dosu Fatokun; Mr. Harold Eze; Hajiya Fati Sabo; Hon. Wakili Mohammed; and Shittu Mohammed.

PDP governors and leaders are said to be aggrieved that such organs, like the National Executive Committee(NEC), the National Caucus and the Board of Trustees, were not consulted before the constitution of the committee.

Tukur did not table any reconciliation plan at the last NEC meeting of the party, it was learnt.

A PDP governor, who pleaded not to be named because of what he described as the sensitivity of the matter, said: "With the magnitude of the crisis in the party, do you think Governor Seriake Dickson can address it? Is there any difference between Dickson and President Goodluck Jonathan? Is Dickson not a party to the PDP crisis, going by the face-off between Bayelsa and Rivers on oil wells.

"Some of us are suspecting that the 30-man panel has a hidden mandate because some apostles of third term tenure are members of the committee.

"Governors have been going to statesmen and elders to intervene and save our democracy from collapse but the PDP leadership is playing to the gallery."

Another governor said: "I think you should count some of us out of working with the reconciliation committee.

Those of us who are members of G-19 are uncomfortable with the membership. They cannot broker peace at all in PDP. "There is no record to show that any of the organs of the party was consulted by Tukur, not even the PDP Governors Forum or the 50-member Advisory Committee (headed by exVice-President Alex Ekwueme) but established by Tukur).

"Those in charge of PDP now are managing the party as if there are no elders again.

"We should ask Tukur: what is wrong with the reconciliation mission of the Chairman of the BOT, Chief Tony Anenih, which was accepted by PDP governors?

What of Governor Ibrahim

Shema's reconciliation panel?

"Outside Anenih's committee, we will not work with Dickson's committee at all.

Some of us told Anenih that were he not involved, we would not have granted him audience."

A source in the PDP secretariat, however, defended the choice of Dickson as chair of the committee and the membership.

He said: "The Dickson committee is to painstakingly harmonise all the previous peace committees. The PDP leadership believes in Governor Dickson's persuasive and consensus building skills which could help unite the PDP family.

“The warring parties should give the Dickson Committee a chance to do justice to all the previous peace committee reports.

To a former member of the NWC, who also preferred anonymity, the list is "laughable" because the crisis is deeper than "the cosmetic approach" adopted by Tukur.

"I am aware that the NWC can take decision on behalf of NEC but the party is in a mess and it cannot reconcile its members without the input of the BOT, the National Caucus and NEC," he said, adding: "Maybe Tukur should stay action and have a broader consultations or else he will end up being reconciled himself."

But a party source said: Tukur consulted the President and some leaders of the party on his plan to reconcile those aggrieved to put the party in a better shape for the 2015 poll.

"Most of those appointed are non-partisan, the source said, adding that they have not been linked to any form of crisis in the party.

A former PDP governorship aspirant in Adamawa State, Dr. Umar Ardo, said the reconciliation committee could destroy PDP's electoral fortunes in 2015.

Ardo made his position known in a statement issued in Abuja.

He urged Tukur: "to kindly reconsider the appointment of Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State as Chairman of the Reconciliation Committee."

Senator Oluremi Tinubu (middle) after a meeting with Good Boys in Lagos Central Senatorial District at the Lagos Mainland Local Government Secretariat, Ebute-Metta, Lagos...yesterday

Ekiti PDP suspends Fayose, others

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KITI State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis deepened yesterday, with the suspension of ex-governor Ayo Fayose and three other executive members for their alleged roles in last week's bloody clash at the party secretariat in Ado-Ekiti.

Also suspended are: Secretary of the Party, Dr Tope Aluko, Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Oluwawole and Women Leader, Mrs Busola Oyebode, The party has been embroiled in crisis over who will be its torch bearer in next year's governorship election.

State party chairman Makanjuola Ogundipe said the State Working Committee took the decision "having found them culpable of anti-party activities and acts of insubordination."

Ogundipe explained that "the PDP is a disciplined party and would not tolerate any act of indiscipline from any of its members, no matter how highly placed."

According to him, last week's attack on the PDP Secretariat was "unwarranted, irresponsible and most uncalled-for,

"Other than the fact that as a governor, Dickson would have little time to devote to such an onerous and timeconsuming task. I also think that he is eminently unqualified to handle such an assignment," Ardo said, adding: "In the first place, Dickson lacks the national exposure and experience that such a task requires. Secondly, Dickson himself is a subject of conflict within the party apparatus and membership.

The way and manner in which he was brought in as governor, and the furore and controversy that it generat-

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti looking at the efforts we have made to ensure everyone within the party is given a sense of belonging." "When President Goodluck Jonathan speaks, it becomes law. Consensus is part of the ways of doing this in democracy. But the consensus is not going to be an imposition.

PDP as a party that believes in internal democracy, so we are not going to impose any candidate. The consensus arrangement would be done in such a way that everyone would be carried along and given a sense of belonging".

In respect of his suspension by seven members of the SWC for purported "high handedness and corruption", Ogundipe noted that "those who claimed to have suspended me lack the power to do so according to Section 21(9) of the party's constitution", adding that "only the National Executive Council of the party can suspend me."

He added: "Anybody sitting in Ado Ekiti and saying he has suspended me

ed across the country, drain him of all moral standing to undertake a reconciliatory mission."

Dickson is of the same state as the President, which to Ardo, will make him not to be objective and fair in his judgment.

"Given that one of the most central causes of the present disputes within the party is the inordinate ambition of the President for 2015, I cannot see how Governor Dickson can depart from this goal, should it be imperative for the Committee to do so in the course of its assignment.

must be a huge joker. Only the National Executive Council can suspend me in line with section 21(9) of the PDP Constitution.

"Where did they derive their powers. It is either those people are mischievous or ignorant of the Constitution. Our National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur still recognises me as the authentic Chairman of PDP in Ekiti".

Fayose faulted his suspension which he described as "an ignoble news." Director of Media of the Fayose Campaign Organisation Idowu Adelusi, told reporters on telephone: "you don't suspend from the top (state level) but from below (ward level).

He said: "It is news to us. It is an ignorable news. Ogundipe is not a member of Fayose's ward. He cannot do that.

"You can only suspend from the ward level. Suspending Fayose from the PDP is like suspending PDP from Ekiti. Ogundipe must learn from the past. Fayose is an institution in Ekiti politics and it will be funny for anybody to suspend him from the party."

"In fact, Dickson's appointment will only be seen as an act of nepotism aimed at satisfying the impulsive determination of the President to achieve his aspiration. This perception will automatically estrange most aggrieved members and stakeholders of the party.

The committee will thus be dead on arrival.

"I should have thought that such an important committee would be better handled by more experienced hands, such as members of the Board of Trustees of the party or by the eminent 50-member Ad-

visory Committee constituted by Bamanga himself last year when he came into office.

"If one may respectfully ask, of what significance is this Advisory Committee headed by no less a personality than Chief Alex Ekwueme, if it cannot handle issues of this nature?

"For the party to bypass such eminent personalities within its fold and go and pick Dickson who is hardly known outside his governorship office is, to me, a clear indication of how far alienated the PDP is in the nation-

How First Lady’s mum died in car accident

Continued from page 1

are receiving treatment in a private hospital at the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Port Harcourt.

A source in the Office of the First Lady said: "The First Lady is, indeed, very devastated by the sad news. We are expecting her back in the country tomorrow (today)."

Mama Sisi was in Germany for treatment on an undisclosed ailment about three months ago. The Presidency, following speculations, explained that the First Lady was not sick but went to Germany to attend to her mother.

Favour's body was also deposited along with the remains of Madam Kalada at the Kpaima Mortuary, Elechi Beach, Mile One, Diobu, Port Harcourt on Monday evening.

Two other occupants (male

and female) in the car, who are critically injured are being treated in a private hospital at the Government Reservation Area (GRA) in the Rivers State capital.

Doctors were battling to save the two survivors when our reporter left the hospital at about 3pm.

Rivers police spokesperson Angela Agabe said details of the accident were sketchy. She said investigation was ongoing.

Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC)Sector Commander Dr. Kayode Olagunju said: "We do not speak on certain cases, until all the facts are fully established."

Madam Kalada was adopted by Dame Jonathan as mother, to fill in for her biological mother, who died during her teen years.

Dame Patience left for home yesterday following the death of her mum. She was

away in Geneva when the crash occurred.

The news was said to have been broken to her in Geneva by President Goodluck Jonathan through the telephone on Monday night.

Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke commiserated with the First Family on the death of the mother of the First Lady.

Imoke described her death as painful and unfortunate.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Christian Ita, the Governor said the incident was tragic.

"It is with a sense of shock and loss that I received the sad news," he said.

He urged the First Family to find consolation in the fact that "she lived an exemplary worthy of emulation."

Imoke said she will be sorely missed.

Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson described

the death as a great blow to her family and the nation In a statement his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson Dickson said: "The death of Mama is a great blow and an irreparable loss to her immediate family and the nation as a whole. Her motherly and wise counsel will be greatly

missed by all who knew her.

"Her demise is coming at such a time when the First Lady and her family needed her support and encouragement most."

He urged the Mrs. Jonathan, the family and the Oba family of Okrika in Rivers State to accept the "unfortunate incident as the Will of

God and take it with philosophical calmness".

"The Bayelsa State, Governor, on behalf of the Government and people of Bayelsa State prayed God to strengthen and grant Dame (Dr.) Patience Jonathan and the entire family the fortitude and courage to bear the loss" he said.

We didn’t vote on marriage age, says Senate

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VERWHELMED by public reaction, the Senate yesterday said its members did not vote on Marriage Age. It said the Child's Right Act is still intact and the lawful age of marriage is 18years.

The Senate made the clarifications in a special note in Abuja by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Senator Enyinaya

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja Abaribe.

The note said: “For the avoidance of doubt, at no time did the senators vote, neither did they ever deliberate on any clause that has to do with marriage age. They also did not vote to introduce any new law on underage marriage.

“The senators only voted to amend some clauses in the

articles that were already in the constitution. What is important is for the issue to be put in its proper perspective.

“This clarification has become necessary because of the wilful and deliberate act to distort and misinform the general public on what was never discussed nor contemplated by the distinguished senators.

Continued on page 59

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

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NEWS

Why we must enforce discipline in PDP, by Tukur

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EADERS and members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must be ready to imbibe the culture of discipline if the party must make any meaningful progress, National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has declared.

Stressing the need for the various stakeholders to respect the supremacy of the party, the chairman reminded his members that “the flock would only flounder without party supremacy”.

A culture of discipline, he added, would ensure the party’s victory in any election and would also give his tenure the much desired “sound projection and recognition”.

In a statement he personally signed yesterday, Tukur added in stern terms: “So, there must be control. Authority must flow from one direction, which is the party”.

He went on: “From day one that I was elected as chairman, I have been committed to the vision and best wishes of the founding fathers, of which I am one. I did not come from any party to join the PDP. “So I appeal to our members to give us the space and the support to do the job for which we are elected and that includes taking the right decisions for the party’s progress.

“The PDP constitution lays emphasis on party supremacy.

The national secretariat would not shirk its responsibilities in taking appropriate decisions in the interest of all members.

“President Goodluck Jonathan, the PDP leader, acknowledges the powers conferred on the party by the constitution and has always been encouraging the dispensation of party supremacy for shaping the good conduct of PDP while strengthening democracy all the same”.

Tukur appealed for confidence of the entire membership of the party nationwide, saying that they should stop doubting his ability to shepherd the PDP towards the right direction.

According to him, every de-

Party chair must go, says Adamawa SSG DISTURBED by the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, the Secretary to the Government of Adamawa State, Mr. Kobeis Aris, yesterday said the only solution is the removal of the National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

He said the party had been troubled since the emergence of Tukur.

He condemned his Tukur disdain for his boss, Governor Murtala Nyako, leading to the factionalisation of PDP in Adamawa State.

But Tukur said he has restored discipline to the party and no right thinking member of PDP would accuse him of bias.

Aris, who made his opinion known in an interview with reporters in Abuja, said if Tukur From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

cision he had taken so far concerning the party had proven to be time tested, and that he had been vindicated in not a few of such instances.

The highlight of Tukur’s assignment for the day was a complaint by the leadership of the Ekiti State chapter of the

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

remains in office, PDP would die.

He said: “Tell me anything good that has come out since he became the chairman. Rather, he has brought the party to ridicule. He has reduced the party to one day, one trouble.

“Tukur, if not removed now, will lead the party to perfidy. All the state chapters are in crisis. The national headquarters of the party is in chaos.

“It is evident that Tukur, who is our father, cannot lead the party. He can however remain in office if the leaders of the party want it dead.”

Replying a question, Aris asked President Goodluck Jonathan to ignore insinuations that Tukur is in control of PDP in Adamawa State.

PDP about the arson and wanton destruction of party property allegedly by one of the party’s governorship aspirants.

Chairman of the Ekiti chapter,Chief Makanju Ogundipe narrated the details of how the said aspirant stormed the party secretariat with armed thugs and forcefully taking over the secretariat.

On the orders of the unnamed aspirant, Ogundipe said the hired thugs wounded and chased all members of the state executive away from the premises of the secretariat.

An Ekiti PDP chieftain in the entourage, Chief M. Ademuwagun corroborated Ogundipe’s tale of woe.

He urged the national chair-

man to take immediate steps to sanction the said aspirant, to serve as a lesson to others with similar inclination and to assert party supremacy.

Ademuwagun wondered how someone seeking to hold the exalted office of governor should resort to acts of thuggery and brigandage “in a civilised environment like ours” where dialogue, consultation and peaceful resolution of contentious issues are now the order of the day Replying, Tukur assured the party chieftains that the national leadership would study their grievances and their request for sanctions, with the view to restoring peace and repositioning the Ekiti chapter so as to “win” the forthcoming governorship election.

He refuted the widely reported disagreement between his office and that of the chairman of the PDP mini convention committee, Professor Jerry Gana over an alleged role overlap.

•Members of the League of Patriotic and Progressive Youths protesting the approval of ‘Lifetime pension’ for principal officers of the National Assembly in Abuja...yesterday

Why Nigeria’s power problem persists, by energy law expert

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HE nation’s power crisis persists because past administrations did not integrate electricity generation and distribution into Nigeria’s long-term development plans, an energy law expert, Mr Soji Awogbade, said yesterday.

He said the process by which power is generated is fully integrated that merely buying turbines or sacking power ministers will not solve the problem “because no minister can manufacture turbines.”

“If you put turbines there, you generate power. If there’s no transmission grid, you’re dead. If both exist and there’s no gas or fuel to power the plants, it’s the same story,” Awogbade said.

The lawyer, who is a partner at a Lagos law firm Aelex, spoke at a media briefing on the chamber’s ninth Annual Lecture, which will hold tomorrow at the AGIP Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, by 2pm. It has the theme: “In God’s name: Politics, Religion and Economic Development.”

Awogbade said power outages remain because “our leaders take their eyes off the

Govt to raise power supply to over 16hours daily, says minister

M

INISTER of Power Prof Chinedu Nebo yesterday said that the ministry is battling to achieve 16 to 24 hours of power supply daily.

Although, he said he would not give a specific time for the accomplishment of this dream, Nebo pledged that Nigeria would soon witness a power sector revolution that would outpace what happened in the telecommunication sector.

He spoke at Abuja while rendering the account of his stewardship as part of the midterm achievement of President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The minister noted that in order to achieve this target, there is already an ongoing restructuring in the ministry to fit a private sector operation.

According to him, the ministry has developed a draft of rural electricfication strategy and implementation plan.

Nebo said that in no too distant time, the

By Joseph Jibueze

ball.” He urged the government to come clean on why power crisis remains rather than making promises they can not fulfill.

“They don’t realise that we are supposed to be, and we are in fact, one of the fasted devel-

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

Rural Electricity Agency (REA) that is moribund would step up development of renewables energy and rural electricity projects.

He said REA had already carried out the survey, design, procurement and award of several rural electrification projects under 2012 capital appropriation.

On his achievement in the sector, Nebo said: “The Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act of 2005 provided the platform for the reform of deregulating the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) from the control, ownership and regulation of the sector by the Federal Government to a private sector-driven industry. The launching of the Roadmap by Mr. President in August 2010 has led to significant progress in the implementation of the structural reforms outlined in the Act.

oping economies in the world.

One prominent feature by which you measure development is per capita consumption of power, because with development you must use power.

“But somebody forgot, maybe in the 70s, 80s, 90s or 2000 that they will need to in-

clude power into development matrix. Anyone who comes in 2009 cannot correct that overnight.

“Our leaders should take the pain to explain to people about their constraints. They should stop making promises to people that they cannot keep. There are things that

need to be put in public domain for everybody to understand,” he said.

On insecurity in the country, Awogbade recommended a national dialogue to resolve the fundamental issues.

“We have never really identified the central issues to our nationhood. You must understand what it is that will to keep unit East, unit West and unit North together in a union.

You cannot take it for granted.

“We like God very much and he likes us too, but we can’t leave that to God to work out. You have to sit down and discuss the principles of your nationhood,” he said.

Awogbade said Nigeria’s leadership problems will not be solved until the people decide the type of government they want.

“The people have to be sure what they want, by the way they vote and how they react to government policies and actions. I should vote my views at any opportunity. I should make sure that my votes count. The people of Nigeria must decide.

“We have unfortunately allowed our leaders to believe that we don’t know what we want,” he said.

Nasarawa killings: Commission may visit Lakyo, others From Sanni Onogu, Lafia

•Reaffirms embargo on security memoranda

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HE judicial panel probing the killing of security personnel in Nasarawa State may visit Lakyo village and other scenes of crisis in the state, it was learnt yesterday.

This was contained in the rules of procedure for the conduct of proceedings at the panel. It was signed by the Chairman of the Commission, Justice Fola Gbadeyan.

Gbadeyan said: “The Commission shall have the power to visit locations or scenes of the crisis and assess damages done to properties and may thereat or thereafter take any evidence as may be available.”

Lakyo is the village where over 50 security personnel comprising the police and operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) were allegedly ambushed and killed by the Ombatse Militia Group on May 7.

Ombatse has denied the allegations.

The panel was setup by Governor Tanko al-Makura to unravel the sad development following the killings.

Gbadeyan added: “The Commission shall in all circumstances and situations not allow or permit any form of interlocutory application except for the purpose of presenting evidence or fact that may assist the Commission to determine the real fact in issue in relation to the terms of reference of the Commission.

“Where an interlocutory application is qualified or fit for hearing under this chapter, no technicality of any kind shall be entertained as the Commission shall be guided by the need to do substantial justice.”

He insisted that the proceedings of the Commission would be conducted with the paramount aim of doing substantial justice.

“But as for members of the Bar, you are free to come to the Secretary, go through the memoranda, jot whatever you want to jot from the security memoranda.

“That is our stand and we don’t think that will lead to breach of the principles of fair hearing or miscarriage of justice.”

Meanwhile, the Commission yesterday began the taking of oral evidence from those who submitted memoranda.

The first memoradum was presented by the Secretary to the Ipusu Community, Mr. Dennis Denen Utsa, on behalf of the Ipusu Community (Tiv) Kadarko in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

There was, however, drama when Kwakipi S. Kwakipi, a lawyer announced appearance for the Ipusu Community.

Another lawyer, E.B Asongu, opposed the taking of the memorandum, alleging that Mr. Utsa was not the secretary of the Ipusu Community as claimed.

He made a preliminary objection.

However, Gbadeyan ruled that Mr. Utsa should go on with the reading of the memorandum, saying Mr. Asongu failed to provide necessary evidence to support his claim.

He called on Asongu to submit his own memorandum.

The Commission continues sitting today.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

6

NEWS Aviation fuel scarcity disrupts airline operations

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

AIRLINES experienced delayed flights yesterday in some airports across the country following the scarcity of aviation fuel.

The Jet A-One, another name for aviation fuel airlines, caused delayed flights for some hours.

A source, who spoke in confidence, explained that in the last two days, domestic airlines had been grappling with the scarcity, which might worsen in the days ahead.

The source said the scarcity of the fuel was affecting flights into and out of the Abuja Airport.

It was learnt that most airlines went to Kano and other airports to get fuel, thereby impacting negatively on their operations.

ASUU asks NUC chief Okojie to declare assets From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

T

HE Academic Staff Union of Nigeria Uni versities (ASUU) yesterday challenged the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie, to declare his salary and assets.

The chairmen of the union in the University of Calabar(UNICAL) and the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), Dr James Okpiliya and Dr Nsing Ogar, spoke at a joint media briefing in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

They also accused the government and its agents, especially the NUC, of using propaganda against the union by publishing the salaries of academics and the releases to universities.

Activists express concerns over Rivers crisis, others

By Precious Igbonwelundu

T

HE militarisation of the nation’s polity has been described as an invitation for a change of governance and unhealthy for the country’s nascent democracy.

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), under the aegis of One Voice, yesterday threatened that if the nation’s leadership did not stop the rate at which soldiers were being deployed on the streets as well as urgently address unrest across the land, there might be chaos.

At a state-of-the-nation discourse in Lagos, the group, which comprises 11 CSOs, noted that the recurring crises within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insurgency and terrorism, “godfatherism”, large scale looting of the treasuries, political intolerance, assassination as well as the excessive use of state powers by the President and governors were undermining democracy.

CAN to protest Senate’s ‘child marriage’ law

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HE President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, yesterday expressed worry over Senate’s alleged passage of a resolution to amend the provision of Section 29 (4) (b) of the 1999 Constitution on child marriage.

The section states that “any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age”.

Orisejafor said the proposed resolution is “selfish, delusive and a contravention of all known international conventions, protocols and ethics on the rights of the child to which Nigeria is a signatory”.

The CAN president also condemned the actions of the Senate, promising that “by the grace of God, I will personally mobilise Nigerians and lead the street protest against this oppressive and dehumanising resolution”.

He added: “Why would the Senate, after voting, recoil simply because a Point of Order premised on religious basis was raised.

We Christians also have the Canon Law, which frowns on marriage of girls who are not

•Falana’s wife gives AGF ultimatum on Yerima Activists threaten mass action against National Assembly

S

EVERAL right groups in Benin City, the Edo State capital, have threatened to stage a mass protest against the National Assembly, if Chapter 3, Section 29(4)(b) of the Constitution was not expunged.

The groups include the Child Rights Advocates Nigeria; the Coalition to Save Nigeria; the Child Protection Network as well as others.

They vowed to mobilise children to sit indefinitely at the gates of the National Assembly, if the section was not expunged.

The activists said the clause violates the

By Adebisi Onanuga

of age. Christianity abhors such marriages. The protest will be soon.”

A statement in Abuja by the Special Assistant, Media and Public Affairs to the CAN President, Kenny Ashaka, said: “The President of CAN finds that argument offensive because ‘it presupposes that Nigeria, a secular state, is populated only by Muslims. “(Senator Ahmed) Yerima is, again, advertently stirring up another controversy about the

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

rights of the Nigerian child and negates every known convention and treaty which the Nigerian government is a signatory.

They added that the section contradicts the wishes of Nigerians during the constitution review sessions across the country.

The groups’ spokesperson, Mrs. Grace Osakue, said: “We, therefore, call for the deletion of Clause 29(4)(b) as it also contradicts the definition of full adults as stated in the preceding Clause 29(4)(a) which states that ‘full age’ means the age of 18 years and above.”

supremacy of Islamic Law to the Nigerian constitution after the one he raised when he introduced Sharia, the Islamic legal code, in Zamfara State. I think the problem is that people like Senator Yerima are approaching Qur’anic teachings from extremes and disturbing the balance. It makes me wonder the source of their emotions and the thoughts that nurture them.

“As a senator, whose case of marrying a 13-year-old Egyptian girl is still fresh in the memory of Nigerians, Yerima should only be seen

and not heard in matters of this nature. If now he is commenting on a case in which he has interest, it can only mean the action of a man who is frenziedly trying to get himself out of the hook through some undeserved legislation.”

The founder of the Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA), Mrs Funmi Falana, yesterday gave the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN), a month to prosecute Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima for marrying a 13-year-old

Egyptian girl three years ago.

She also urged the Senate to delete the controversial Section 29(4)(b)of the Constitution, which states that a married woman shall be deemed to be of full age, irrespective of her age at the time of marriage.

The activist spoke in Lagos at a media briefing on: Child Marriage and the Constitution.

Mrs Falana said: “Should the AGF fail to initiate criminal proceedings against Senator Yerima within a month, we will be left with no option than to obtain private fiat to initiate criminal proceedings against him.”

Mrs. Falana argued that there was no time limit for prosecution of criminal offences, adding that Yerima should be prosecuted for violating Section 23 of the Child’s Right Act by marrying the Egyptian girl.

Section 23 of the Act states that a person who marries a child or to whom a child is betrothed “commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N500,000 or imprisonment to a term of five years or both such terms and imprisonment.”

PDP is sinking, says lawmaker

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Group Political Editor

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) (second right); Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye (middle); Group Chief Human Resources Officer, Dangote Group of Companies, Mr. Paramjit Pabby (left); Executive Editor, Marketing Nigeria Limited, Mr Toyin Gbede (second left) and the Special Adviser on Commerce and Industry to the Governor, Mr. Seye Oladejo, at the launching of the maiden Lagos State Enterprise Day at the Lagos House, Ikeja...on Monday.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Constitution review: Reps defer voting over new system T

HE installation of a new voting system caused the House of Representatives to defer the voting on the amendments of the constitution till today.

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal said the shift was to allow for the new voting system, which was installed at the weekend, to function well.

He said it was important to ensure the integrity and trans-

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

parency of the process.

It was a full House yesterday. Members filled the chamber to the brim.

It was clear that lawmakers had looked forward to the voting. They could be spotted

with the collated results of the people’s public sessions as well as the copies of the clauses to be amended.

Several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and individuals were on hand to witness the House’s vote on the amendment of the constitution. But they were disap-

pointed as the voting was shifted for technical reasons.

The report of the Emeka Ihedioha-led Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of the Constitution had been considered on a clause-by-clause basis last week.

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal had assured that voting on the various aspects to be amended would be done this week.

Senate confirms Fika, 12 others for Assembly Service job

T

HE Senate yesterday confirmed Dr. Adamu Mohammed

Fika, from Yobe State, as Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission.

This followed the consideration of the report of its Committee on Establishment and Public Service on the screening of the nominees for appointment as chaiman and members of the commission.

Committee Chairman,

From: Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

Senator Aloysius Etok, presented the report for the consideration and approval of the Senate.

Others also confirmed included Alhaji Idi Adamu Ningi (Bauchi) North East, member, Senator Dahiru Bako Gassol (Taraba) North East, member, Abubakar Tuta Garba Rufai (Kano) North West, member, Aliyu Abubakar

111(Sokoto) North West, member, Mr. Stephen Yepwi (FCT) North Central, member, and Alhaji Abdulkadir Abugi (Niger) North Central, member.

Others included Rt. Hon. Chukwu Abel U. (Enugu) South East, member, Barr. Godfrey Dikeocha (Imo), South East, member, Barr.

Oluwaunmilola Lamuye (Osun) South West, member, Mrs. Riskat

Alabi Adebimpe (Oyo) member, Mr. Joseph Okpa Oru (Cross River) South South, member and Dr.Paul Oweh, (Delta) South South, member.

After the confirmation, Senate President, David Mark, urged members the commission to work assiduously to justify their appointment.

He said that there was e n o r m ous work for the commission to do.

A HOUSE of Representatives member, Oyetunde Ojo, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a sinking platform whose missiles Nigerians need to halt in 2015.

The politician said the PDP chieftains have become lazy, idle and unproductive to the polity through their political behaviour.

Ojo, who represents Efon/Ijero/Ekiti West, accused the party’s Acting National Publicity Secretary, Tony Caesar Okeke, of falsehood, fabrication and rumour mongering.

He described the PDP chieftain’s action as a dishonourable practice.

According to him, the PDP official twisted the story of his (Ojo’s) emergence as a federal legislator by insinuating that he (Ojo) was installed by his father-in-law and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on his constituency.

Ojo said he went through the electoral processes mandated by the constitution and the Electoral Act, adding that he was qualified to represent his constituency as a citizen and indigene with inalienable rights.

However, he said he is proud to have a father-inlaw who has become a political icon through his pro-democracy activities and record as politician, administrator and statesman.

Ojo recalled that Tinubu responded to his political ambition as a pure democrat, guardian and father figure, dismissing the claim that he was installed by him as a tissue of lies.

7

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

NEWS

CBN to mop up N650 billion govt deposits

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HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) is mopping up 50 per cent of government deposits in the banks, the Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has said.

Sanusi, who spoke yesterday in Abuja after its Monetary Committee Meeting (MPC), said while the committee has opted to retain the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 12 per cent for private sector deposits, it raised the CRR for public sector deposits to 50 per cent.

The implication of this policy is that less of government funds, which form the bulk of loanable funds in the sector, would be available to banks to do business.

He said the decision to impose 50 per cent CRR on government funds was taken because of the level of liquidity in the industry. “There is over N1.3 trillion sitting in banks belonging to government agencies, and this is basically at zero per cent interest rate. Banks are lending about N2 trillion to the government and charging 13 to 14 per cent. Now that is a very good business for the banks – ‘give me your money for free and I lend it back to you at 14 per cent. Why would I lend to anyone else?’” Sanusi queried.

To discourage what he called “that perverse behaviour,” he said the MPC decided to put in place a measure to take away part of that money. The 50 per cent CRR measure on public sector deposits in banks, was taken “to make sure that excess li-

From Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor), Abuja

quidity in the banks’ balance sheet is reduced,” he said, adding that only six to seven banks account for the bulk of this excess deposits, “so we are not going to put them into distress.” he assured.

Secondly, Sanusi said if they (government) continue with the current rate if spending, “we are concerned about liquidity condition, and we foresee in the future continuous increase in the CRR not only on government funds but across the board as we continue to maintain tight liquidity conditions.”

In addition, the Governor said the committee also retained the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), its base lending interest rate to banks at 12 per cent, arguing: “At the time when the government is borrowing more and saving less, you don’t expect monetary authorities to lower interest rates.”

This is the 11th consecutive time the MPR is being retained. He said the MPC decided to hold the MPR at 12 per cent and maintain the symmetric corridors round MPR at +- 200 basis points.

He said: “There are two major concerns before us now. In the first half of this year, we have drawn over N400 billion compared to just N200 billion last year. We have drawn over N700 billion from Excess Crude Account so far. The second consideration is that we have a fragile financial market, and

•Apex bank retains interest rate at 12% we have a lot of money that is in portfolio funds which means that any short-term shock, as we saw in April and May and June when the Federal Reserves talked about exiting quantitative index, you begin to have pouch flow that exert some pressure on debt and currency. And then, of course, we’ve got the elections coming up and a lot of government spending will happen in election year.”

The CBN also said: “The outlook for us would suggest that the best thing is to hold the rates and there is a higher likelihood of rates going up than rates going down in the immediate future”.

He lamented that things are always difficult in election years. “In every election year, politicians spend money and spending money means pressure on exchange rate, reserves and inflation,” he added.

The predicted that the next 12 months would be difficult, saying the apex bank “would have to respond at every stage and make sure that no matter what happens, we would not have stability threatened”.

He cautioned that the new CRR initiative was not done across the board, “it is only on public sector accounts and if the government decides that their deposit comes back to the Central Bank, there would be a CRR review on that and the CRR

MTN financial chief resigns

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HARES of MTN, the South African emerging markets mobile phone operator, slid in trading yesterday following the sudden resignation of the group’s Chief Financial Officer Nazir Patel in the wake of allegations against him, Financial Times (FT) reports.

The company announced that Patel was stepping down with immediate effect late on Monday, saying he did not want to “prejudice the company in respect of certain allegations made against him”.

The group said an internal investigation was ongoing but gave no further clarification.

MTN’s share price fell by 2.6 per cent on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange yesterday.

Sifiso Dabengwa, MTN’s

P

•Shares tumble chief executive, released a statement on Tuesday in which he said the allegations against Mr Patel were of a “governance nature”.

He said they had no impact on MTN’s financial results, “past or future”. The group would not comment further as the investigation was under way, he said.

Brett Goschen, who was chief executive of MTN Nigeria, has replaced Mr Patel. The resignation is the latest concern for the group, which spent much of last year defending itself against spectacular corruption claims made in a $4.2billion lawsuit filed by Turkcell in a United States court.

The claims by the Turkish

company related to MTN’s successful bid for a mobile licence in Iran. MTN vehemently denied the claims. In May, Turkcell, which had competed against the South African group in the battle for the Iranian licence, asked for the case to be dismissed because the US was the wrong jurisdiction.

Dabengwa said the group “continues to improve its governance processes in line with the changing nature of our business”.

“As such, we believe that our processes are robust and in keeping with international governance best practice,” he said.

MTN has grown rapidly into one of the world’s leading mobile phone operators, with more than 190million subscribers in 22 countries

PZ Cussons profit boosted by growth in UK, Nigeria but it will have a positive efZ Cussons Plc, the

maker of Imperial Leather soaps, said fullyear profit rose 16.5 per cent to 107.5 million pounds, helped by growth in the UK, Indonesia and Nigeria.

Reuters report said the British soap and shampoo maker said lower sales in the first half of the year in Nigeria its largest market - were offset by a strong showing in the south of country in the second half.

Sales in Africa were hurt

last year because of social unrest in the north of Nigeria and the scrapping of a fuel subsidy in the country. Operating profit in Africa, which accounts for about 40 percent of its business, rose 11.6 per cent. PZ Cussons said it was launching a limited edition “Cussons Ma’am and me” range of mother and baby products to mark the birth of Britain’s new prince.

“We are not quantifying,

fect on sales,” Finance Director Brandon Leigh told Reuters. Full-year revenue rose 2.8 per cent to 883.2 million pounds ($1.36 billion).

Revenue from Asia rose 8.23 per cent, helped by the restructuring of its business in Australia that the company counts in its Asia division.

The company also reported a strong growth in Indonesia, where its Cussons Baby division has a more than 40 per cent market share.

will be zero, but if it is out there, then CRR is 50 per cent.”

The 50 per cent CRR on public sector deposits, Sanusi said, would have other consequences too.

According to him, “there will be a fiscal tightening, it would help the exchange rate, and hopefully, it would also have the appropriate monetary condition when you have the right improvement.”

Sanusi noted that the MPC took the decision “without increasing the MPR and it is a cost effective way of managing money for us because it is very easy for us to just offer the banks a high rate of interest and take their money and hit our balance sheet with it.”

The CBN governor argued that “there’s got to be government spending in the right areas, on the right policies to attract the investment and create viable private sector counterpart.”

He admitted that there has been growth “but it is not in anywhere near where we like it to be. We continue to encourage the banks to lend and we continue to take measures to reduce the perverse intentions of the banks that lead to crowding out of the private sector.”

This, he said, was because

“if banks can get cheap money from the government and turn round and lend to the same government at a high rate of interest, the incentive for them to either source private sector deposits or lend to the private sector will not be there.”

Speaking on other developments, the CBN governor disclosed that the nation’s external reserve has grown to $46.99 billion by this month to finance 11 months of imports, and that the apex bank was determined to maintain a single digit inflation rate. He described the current inflationary pressure as benign, but he warned that “government finances might lead to borrowing.”

When asked about the news making the rounds concerning the Financial Repirting Council (FRC) and the accounts of the CBN, Sanusi said the “FRC does not approve our accounts.

The Board of the Central Bank has approved our accounts”.

The Financial Reporting Council, he said, “is there to set Accounting Standards and make sure that there are improvements, that we meet international best practices.”

He noted: “If we (CBN) publish accounts and FRC has comments about the ac-

counts, they will make those comments and we will bring on board whatever recommendations they have made because they are the regulators as far as accounting standards are concerned. Just like banks respect our own regulatory arena, we respect FRC in its own regulatory arena. But there is no question at all of a non-approval of our accounts and I am not even aware of any issue or queries that have been raised” he said.

On the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Academy, Sanusi said: “The CBN has been pushing for banks to move to IFRS, and we are also aware that there is a dearth of skills around the IFRS Accounting. We encouraged the banks to make contributions towards building the academy.”

He said the academy money “is still there and would be used for the purpose of that academy. So, the CBN strongly supports IFRS Accounting and strongly support building capacity in the industry for compliance.”

He corrected an impression, stating: “The FRC did not force the banks to make that contribution. We (CBN) were the ones who encouraged the banks to do that.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY JULY 24, 2013

8

NEWS Amosun urges consultants to shun politics of exclusion

Oyo ACN to Ladoja: you’re a prisoner of inordinate ambition

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GUN State Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun has urged the newly-sworn in consultants on local government affairs to rise above parochial politics and become unifying agents in their constituencies.

He said the responsibility of developing Ogun “now rests on your shoulders.”

Amosun spoke yesterday at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta during the swearing in of the 20 consultants on local government affairs.

He said: “The appointment of the 20 consultants have been made to meet the critical emerging challenges in the actualisation of our mandate. We seek to deepen and broaden our presence at the grassroots where most of our people live.”

The governor said the consultants would monitor ongoing projects in their localities, assess the impact of the projects and other programmes, give feedback to the government and complement the efforts of local government chairmen, among others.

He enjoined the consultants to eschew the temptation of seeing their elevation as a weapon to be used against real or perceived rivals.

Governor Amosun said they should not regard their appointments as “job for the boys” or an opportunity to malign the office of elected chairmen of local governments.

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the Consultant on Ewekoro Local Council Affairs, Mr. Gbenga Ademosun, promised to justify the confidence reposed in them.

Crowds rush to see strange fish

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HE police in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, are holding in protective custody, a woman who claimed to have bought “a strange fish”.

A huge crowd thronged yesterday the Gege, Ibadan South West Local Government Area home of the middle-aged woman, Mrs. Ramota Salawu, to see the fish.

Hundreds of residents struggled to catch a glimpse of the ‘miracle fish’ in a brown bucket in the home of Mrs. Salawu at Akindele Compound in Gege.

The fish has a long white hair. The face has semblance with that of a baby and the trunk bears the body of a fish.

Mrs. Salawu said: “I went to where we usually buy fish at Kola Eleja, Oke Ado,

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

Ibadan to buy fish. After buying, I boarded Okada to my home. Before bringing the fish out of the iced-pack, we used knife to remove them and used water to defroze. I was shocked to see the frozen fish change to a human being in the water. It has half human body and half fish body. I called my father and some alfa to see the strange fish.”

The woman’s father, Pa Rauf Salawu, a retired civil servant, expressed surprise at the ‘miracle fish’. He said he had not seen such a thing before.

There was a heavy presence of policemen from the Mapo Station at Mrs. Salawu’s home to control the crowd and maintain orderliness.

T

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Oyo State chapter, has lambasted former governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, for his renewed diatribe against Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

It described him as a prisoner of inordinate ambition to return as the governor in 2015.

The party, in a statement in Ibadan yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dauda Kolawole, said the former governor had allowed his ambition to becloud his sense of reasoning, thus making him to stand the truth on its head in a desperate attempt to pull down the house.

Ladoja on an Ibadan radio programme, a text of which was reported in the media, levelled allegations against Ajimobi, boasting to team up with “a group of likeminded politicians” to vote out the governor in 2015.

But the ACN, congratulating Ladoja on his journey to

self-destruct, said it would be waiting for the former governor and his so-called group of like-minded politicians on the field.

It said they would meet their waterloo.

The party said: “It is unthinkable that Ladoja, whose reign, alongside his erstwhile deputy, Adebayo Alao-Akala, was characterised by violence and brigandage, and who set Oyo State ablaze with his and his co-travellers’ guns and cudgel-wielding lieutenants and bootlickers, will think in his wildest imagination to stage a comeback to power.

“It is also absurd that someone who, in a saner society, should bury his head in shame for taking the people of Oyo for a ride and for taking the state backward on the path of development, would now assume the position of a messiah, speaking on behalf of the same people. In saner societies, Ladoja, who has been dragged to court for stealing over N5

billion of our state money would be too busy explaining his roles in the theft of our patrimony.”

ACN said it was not disappointed with Ladoja’s attack, adding that he could not have said otherwise “as he used the almost four years he spent as a governor to dream of the developmental projects Ajimobi is now executing.”

Reminding him that nobody celebrates a dream but an actualiser, which Ajimobi is, the party said only like-minded dreamers like Ladoja would team up with him to launch senseless attacks on the Ajimobi administration and choose to close their eyes to the modern Oyo State which he (Ajimobi) has created.

“As the people of Oyo State are rejoicing over the ambience of peace created

by Ajimobi and the achievements of his administration, Ladoja and his cohorts should continue in their selfdestruct mission. Let them

be assured that they will meet their Waterloo on the field of contest in 2015.”

ACN noted that while the Ajimobi government has built markets and is still building more for the traders removed from the streets, Ladoja never built a market for the traders he displaced during his reign.

The party stressed that the former governor had exhibited his lack of depth in his approach to issues requiring intellect, particularly on the newly-built Mokola flyover. It described his argument about the bridge as not only warped but also grossly illogical.

“How can a person in this century claim that a fly-over is substandard simply because it has a barrier on it?

In Lagos, there are at least five bridges with barriers, including the recently-built Millennium Bridge. It shows the quality of the man, who ruled this state and why Oyo was where the ACN took delivery of it in 2011,” the party said.

Ikuforiji hails Supreme Court justices AGOS Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji has hailed the Supreme Court justices, who last weekend ruled that only the state government has the right to register and control hotels, restaurants and other tourism outlets.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Adebayo, the Speaker said: “First, let me, on behalf of my honourable colleagues and indeed all Lagosians salute the sagacity of the justices of the Supreme Court, who gave a unanimous victory to the Lagos State Government in the case brought against our state by the Federal Government to prevent us from implementing the Hotel Licensing Law of Lagos State and the Restaurant Consumption Law of Lagos State, passed by the Lagos Seventh Assembly and signed into Law by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola.

“With the latest victory handed over to the Lagos State Government by the apex court, the issue of clear separation of powers between states and Federal Government has been finally settled in our favour.

By our victory, states can now share in our sweet victory at the Supreme Court.”

According to him, the Supreme Court has been proactive and consistent in the discharge of its enormous statutory responsibil-

L

By Oziegbe Okoeki

ity of ensuring that everyone in the polity toed the line of constitutionality and obedience of the rule of law in the polity, since the nation returned to the path of popular democracy in 1999.

“A unique example of that was when the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Lagos State Government was right to have created additional local governments, and that it was wrong and illegal for the Federal Government to have withheld statutory monthly allocations accruable to the state’s councils during the second term of former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Ikuforiji said.

•From left: Deputy Osun State Governor, Mrs Titi-Laoye Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salam; and Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, at the inauguration of the newly-appointed board members of the Governing Councils of state-owned tertiary institutions, in Osogbo.

Police arrest fleeing Boko Haram member

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HE police yesterday arrested Giraima Umaru Suri, a fleeing Boko Haram member, who took refuge in Ifo, Ogun State.

Suri, who confessed to the police that he participated in some of the killings carried out by the sect in parts

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

of the North, said he fled Maiduguri in Borno State to the Southwest following the declaration of a state of emergency in three northern states, including Borno, by the Federal Govern-

ment, following “a robust intelligence gathering” and “a tip- off”.

He said the Police Commissioner Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye has reassured the public of the protection of life and property as well as confidentiality of information supplied.

ment.

Police spokesman Olumuyiwa said Suri, 22, who hails from Bulunkutu Kasuwa Maiduguri, had confessed to being a member of the Boko Haram.

He added that the suspect was apprehended at Isheri Kara, Ifo Local Govern-

Controversy over Arigidi stool rages

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HE dispute over the stool of the Zaki of Arigidi in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State is yet to be resolved.

One of the contending parties, the Irara Ruling House, has threatened to sue the dethroned monarch, Yisa Olanipekun, to court for contempt.

Members of the ruling house are plaintiffs in the ongoing legal tussle, which led to the restraining of the embattled monarch from parading himself as the traditional ruler of the town.

Two of the princes, Tunde

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Olanipekun and Mallam Gani Ashiru, said the action would be based on the Court of Appeal ruling that removed the monarch.

They said it was wrong for the embattled monarch to parade himself as a ruler after the appellate court had faulted the approval of his selection and had restrained him from parading himself as a monarch.

Speaking through their counsel, Francis Wale Omotoso, they said Yisa Olanipekun had not filed any appeal before the Supreme

Court to challenge the ruling of the Court of Appeal.

They said he had not secured any leave of the court to appeal the judgment of the Appeal Court, adding that he had also not secured any stay of execution on the judgment.

The lawyer said since there was still a valid judgment of the appellate court that had not been appealed at the Supreme Court, it was wrong and amounted to contempt of court for Olanipekun to parade himself as a traditional ruler.

Said he: “By the content of the judgment delivered by

the Court of Appeal, the approval given by the state government was declared null and void. The consequential order was that he should stop parading himself as the Zaki of Arigidi pending the determination of the suit at the High Court. It was later reaffirmed by the Court of Appeal.

“But we are surprised that instead of observing and adhering to the sacred order of the Court of Appeal, the then Zaki, Olanipekun, has started parading himself and holding himself as the Zaki of Arigidi in violation of the order of the court.

“Appealing against the judgment of the court does not mean you should not comply with the order in the judgment. Without a stay of execution pronounced by the court it will be tantamount to treating the order of the court with contempt.

“The appeal he claimed to have filed cannot be called an appeal because you cannot file an appeal on a judgment of the Appeal Court on law and fact without the leave of the court, or the leave of the Supreme Court. He has not got the leave to appeal, so has not got any valid appeal. It is a misconception on his part.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY JULY 24, 2013

9

NEWS

Urban renewal is for Osun’s prosperous future, says Aregbesola

Ekiti Deputy Governor, Ajimobi’s wife decry underage marriage O

E

KITI State Deputy Governor Prof.

Modupe Adelabu has decried the underage marriage law, which the Senate has denied passing.

She said it was unfortunate that those saddled with making laws that would guarantee the future of the country passed a motion to mortgage the future of the girl-child.

Mrs Adelabu said she wondered what guided senators in passing a motion to legalise child marriage when the constitution recognises those below 18 as children, who cannot vote during elections.

She spoke in Ado-Ekiti at a public presentation of a book, titled: ‘Regaining Academic Excellence’. She was the guest of honour.

Her words: “It is unfortunate that the senators, who were voted for to make laws that will move this nation

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

forward, are endorsing child marriage, a law that would terminate the future of children.”

Prof Adelabu said the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration has been doing its best through legislations from the House of Assembly to keep children in school.

She cited the free education policy in the state.

Wife of the Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, yesterday condemned the underage marriage law proposed by the Senate.

She described it as a danger to the girl-child.

Mrs. Ajimobi spoke during her investiture as a patron of the Girls Guide of Nigeria, Oyo State chapter, held at the Government House Lawn

‘It is unfortunate that the senators, who were voted for to make laws that will move this nation forward, are endorsing child marriage, a law that would terminate the future of children’ Tennis Court, Agodi, Ibadan.

She said those who voted for the child marriage law acted in a despicable manner.

The Oyo State First Lady urged women to decry the law.

Her words:” The girl- child has faced a lot of challenges.

We must rescue her from the

•Prof. Adelabu

looming danger.”

Mrs. Ajimobi enjoined older women to serve as a role model to the younger ones.

The leader of the Western Zone of the Girls Guide, Mrs. Ansa Uko, advised the governor’s wife to be a mother to all women.

Police arrest six robbery suspects

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IX members of an armed robbery gang terrorising Osun State residents have been arrested by the police.

Commissioner of Police Mrs. Dorothy Gimba said at a news conference yesterday in Osogbo that the suspects, Adeti Tosin, Idris Adeleye, Kola Olufemi, Oladipo

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Wole, Olabode Waidi, and Lateef Kazeem Sherif were arrested in locations in the state following a tip-off.

The police boss said items, including automatic pistols, cutlasses, axes, charms, blackberry phones, Nokia

phones and others were recovered from the suspects.

She said the suspected robbers operated in Osogbo, IleIfe, Ilesa and other major towns of the state, adding that they were apprehended because of the police determination to ensure a secure environment.

Mrs. Gimba, who said the

suspects would soon be charged to court, noted that 18 robbery cases were reported to the police command between June and July.

On the four persons nabbed by the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree authority for alleged cultism, the police commissioner said they would soon be arraigned.

Fayemi: Ekiti has no room for tax evaders

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KITI State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has said his administration would no longer condone tax evasion by citizens and agencies.

The governor spoke yesterday when he opened a two-day retreat for the officials of the Judiciary and the Internal Revenue Service at Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort.

According to him, the move is necessary if the state must generate more funds to execute more capital projects.

Fayemi said laws would be invoked to ensure that the state is not robbed of the taxes due to it.

He said his administration had increased the internallygenerated revenue (IGR) from the N109 million he met on assumption of office in 2010 to over N600 million monthly.

The governor went on: “This was possible because of the mechanisms put in place to plug the loopholes through which the money due to the state illegally found its way into private pockets.”

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

He said his administration had not increased taxes.

Fayemi urged individuals and corporate organisations doing business in the state not to shirk their civic responsibilities of paying taxes.

Fayemi explained that the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) criticised by the academic staff of the state university was not the making of his administration but was passed by the National Assembly, stressing that he was duty-bound to enforce it.

He described as unacceptable, a situation where a professor at the Ekiti State University (EKSU), who earns

over N500,000 monthly, pays N9,000 as tax and his counterpart at the nearby Afe Babalola University AdoEkiti (ABUAD) pays an amount that is almost four times more.

According to Fayemi, failure to enforce the PITA would give him away as a lawbreaker, but he would not be a party to breaking a law duly passed by the parliament elected by the people.

The Chairman of the State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Isola Akingbade, said the enforcement of the law was needed to ensure tax payment.

He noted that social amenities could be provided when people pay their taxes

regularly, adding that allocations from the Federation Account are not enough to meet the needs of the indigenes.

The Chairman of the occasion and founder of ABUAD, Chief Afe Babalola, said there was need for collaboration between the judiciary and the state Revenue Service to block the loopholes exploited by tax fraudsters.

Babalola, who was represented by Prof. Adewale Alawiye, hailed the Fayemi administration for the transformation of the state, saying it is ironical that tax evaders also benefit from the amenities provided by the government.

One dead, five injured in accident

O

NE person died and five others were injured early yesterday in an accident on the Akure\Ilesha Road.

According to an eyewitness, the crash involved a taxi and a truck carrying yams.

Residents of the area woke up to see the auto crash that claimed one life. Five others including the driver were lucky

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

to narrowly escape death.

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) confirmed the accident. They warned motorists to be cautious when driving.

The Head of Operations of the FRSC, who led officials to the scene, said the injured have been taken to hospital.

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has said there is no going back in his administration’s urban renewal programme.

He said it was meant for a prosperous future of the state.

Nine cities, including Osogbo, Ikirun, Ile-Ife, Ilesa, Iwo, Ejigbo, Ede, Ikire and Ila-Orangun have been listed for the urban renewal project of the Aregbesola administration.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is criticising the government urban renewal programme, saying the ongoing demolition of structures along the major roads in the nine cities was inhuman.

Speaking at the Iftar (breaking of Ramadan fast) with reporters in Osogbo on Monday night, the governor said he would not be distracted by the “tantrum” of the opposition, which he said was working against the progress and development of the state.

Flanked by his deputy, Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, members of the state Executive Council and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftains, Aregbesola said his administration was determined to make life better for the indigenes.

The governor, who said he shared in the grief of the affected residents, said there was no gain without pain.

Said he: “We will not be distracted in our determination to give our cities a befitting outlook no matter whose ox is gored. We will not leave any stone unturned to accomplish what we think is the best for the people.”

Governor Aregbesola said the preoccupation of his government is to ensure that the people live comfortably and in a befitting environment.

He said with improved and enhanced infrastructure, the state would soon become a conducive and an ideal investment destination for domestic and international investors.

Aregbesola said the efforts of government have started paying off. He disclosed that three investors, namely RLG Communication (a telecommunications/electronic company), Omoluabi Garment Factory and a Chinese company that would produce Opon Imo, have been attracted to the state.

“Our efforts are boosting the economy of the state as well as creating employment opportunities. I enjoin the people to bear and cooperate with our policies and programmes, especially the ongoing urban renewal programme.

“What we are doing is in the best interest of the state. We are only removing and shifting illegal structures along major roads,” he said.

Governor Aregbesola said his administration’s intervention in education has started yielding dividends, as the state now has the highest rate of primary school enrolment in the country, adding that the state leads 35 others with the highest number of female enrolment in the same tier.

He said the policies of his government have also reduced poverty to a meagre 3.0 per cent, the lowest in the federation according to a figure released by the Federal Bureau of Statistics.

Aregbesola said an airport is being built in the state, which would be the first in West Africa with helicopter hanger facility.

ASUU strike: UI students go spiritual

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TUDENTS of the University of Ibadan (UI) yesterday went spiritual, seeking God’s intervention in the strike by their lecturers.

They gathered for prayers at 11:30am.

Many of them, who were making efforts to heed the directive of the university to vacate the halls for a two-week break following the strike, assembled on the first floor of the Sultan Bello Hall to ask God to touch the hearts of leaders for the government to honour its agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The students converted their cups and spoons to bells and created emer-

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

gency drums, singing spiritual songs and seeking God’s intervention in the education sector.

The prayer points include: “Let God intervene in Nigerian education”; “God should touch the heart of President Goodluck Jonathan to honour agreement with ASUU”; “May God not delay our lives because of bad leadership”; “May this strike not last more than two weeks.”

They left the campus in a sober mood as the directive to leave the premises lapsed by mid-day. Parents were seen helping their children to move their luggage out of the halls.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

10

CITYBEATS

Liberian refugees return home

WITH the joint efforts of the Highlife Church, Nigeria; Liberian Ambassador AlHassan Conteh and the Union of Liberians in Nigeria (ULN), 30 Liberian refugees in Nigeria have returned to their country.

The ULN's president, Mr Dube Samson, said: "Liberia is now peaceful and stable, hence the decision of the United Nations (UN) to stop taking care of the Liberians here."

Dube, who said the refugees lacked the resources to fund their journey back home, said help came through the ULN; Ambassador Conteh, who was represented by Protocol Officer Mr Cliff Nzerum, and the Highlife Church.

They gave necessary travel

By Sampson Unamka documents of the 30 refugees to Pastor Carlton Williams of Highlife Church, Lekki, Lagos. The church offered to transport them home, footed all their expenses and gave them 100 dollars each. The Liberian Embassy, it was learnt, gave them the needed cooperation.

Dube said: "The union is out to bring Liberians together because we are no longer refugees in this country; we have been reintegrated into the Nigerian society because we are lawabiding citizens."

One of the Liberians, Richard Archie, praised the Embassy, the church, Nzerum and the union for "assisting us back home."

Rotary Club gets new president ROTARIAN Kayode Owolabi has assumed office as the 10th president of Rotary Club of Omole Golden District 9110. He was inaugurated at the club's breakfast meeting at Excellence Hotel, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos.

The club's immediate Past President (IPP), Rotarian Adebayo Oladipo, charged the new president to uphold the tenets of the club and promote the concept of community development, borne out of genuine desire to serve humanity.

Rotarian Owolabi, pledged: "I will provide leadership that will inspire people to achieve their utmost potential. I will keep in mind the club's mission to promote the concept of service as a worthy endeav-

our, and see to the advancement of ethical practices that will serve the common good."

He emphasised the club's theme for the year, 'Engage Rotary, Change Lives,' explaining that the club was determined to achieve milestones in the various focal areas including maternal and child welfare, poverty alleviation, literacy, water, sanitation and peace, as well as conflict prevention and resolution, through renewed dedication to humanitarian services.

He said the club would explore more opportunities for partnerships with both local and international bodies, with a view to rendering improved services to the society.

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

Four years after, court frees victims of 'injustice'

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LTHOUGH their cases were heard before different courts, they shared similar fate. Both victims of alleged police injustice, spent four years at Ikoyi Prisons for crimes they didn't commit.

However, early in the month, luck smiled on the young men, Olumide Ogunteluwo, 35, and Timothy Nwoji, 22. Two courts set them free.

While Nwoji was arraigned before an Ikeja High Court at the age of 18 for alleged murder, Ogunteluwo was docked for alleged armed robbery.

In tears, Nwoji gave his testimony at his church, Dominion City, Okota, recalling: "I was arrested and locked up for four years for a crime I did not commit. I had just finished secondary school and was awaiting my university admission examination result when the incident happened.

But for the intervention of a good-spirited lawyer, Mr Giwa-Amu, who came to the prisons to celebrate his birthday with us and picked interest in my matter, I would still be in prison custody.

"I was a chorister at the prison. I was asked to sing a birthday song for him (GiwaAmu). After, he called me, asked for my age and what brought me there. I narrated to him how I had gone with one Emmanuel to his friend's house and the friend died in a curious manner. His family

‘The cases suffered five adjournments because prosecution was unable to produce witnesses to substantiate its claim ... at a point, the prosecution could not even locate the defendants' case files’

By Precious Igbonwelundu said we were the last visitors who took their son away. I was terribly beaten by the police, even after pleading innocent.

That was my first time at a police station. After beating me for days, we were charged to court and remanded in prison custody."

He spoke further: "The police kept adjourning the matter and I could not afford hiring a lawyer to argue my case. But God sent lawyer Giwa-Amu. When he promised that he would come to court on July 5, I hardly believed him. Surprisingly, when I was brought to the Ikeja High Court on July 5, I saw him

seated. When my matter was called, he appeared for me. At last, the judge discharged, acquitted and ordered me to go home."

Ogunteluwo's messiah came in Mrs. Grace Adenubi of the Legal Aid Council (LAC). He was arrested in his father's house around Onipanu and charged to court for alleged armed robbery.

Ogunteluwo, a driver, told The Nation that he was arrested in December 2008 and kept in police custody till March 3, 2009 when he was arraigned before a Magistrates' Court, Lagos with a stranger, Imole Mustapher.

He said his case file was sent to Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), from where the matter, LCD/68/2011 was transferred to the High Court, Igbosere in 2011.

Ogunteluwo said in December 2008, he had carried a passenger who seemed to have earlier had a fight with someone. After he had dropped the passenger, the police came to arrest him and charged him to court for armed robbery.

When the matter got to the court, Ogunteluwo could not afford the services of a counsel; his file was transferred to LAC, where Mrs Adenubi was

•Mrs Adenubi assigned as his counsel.

Adenubi spoke with The Nation: "The second defendant, Mustapher, was produced on July 9, 2012 and was represented by a private counsel.

Both defendants were arraigned on January 28. The cases suffered five adjournments because prosecution was unable to produce witnesses to substantiate its claim.

"At a point, the prosecution could not even locate the defendants' case files. Having waited in vain for them to present their case against the defendants, Justice Balogun struck out the matter for want of diligent prosecution on July 11. Ogunteluwo was released to his family after he had spent four years and four months in prison custody," she said.

•L-R: Hon Kazeem Ademola Alimi; Hon Obafemi Durosimi, Chairman, Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, and Mr Ugwore Maximus of the Ministry of the Environment, at this year’s tree planting day in the area.

Land: Family seeks Fashola’s intervention

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HE Onibeju Family of Okun Ibeju in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, comprising the Banjoko, Oyetubo and Okunade branches, yesterday appealled to the state government to intervene in the family's lingering land matter to prevent bloodletting.

Members of the family, at a meeting yesterday, alleged that a few of them had connived with an agent, Madam Shade Ogundare, to administer the land, measuring approximately 494.2 acres, situated at Sangotedo in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lekki

By Uyoatta Eshiet Penisula sub-region of the state for ten years now without the family's approval. The manner of the administration, they said, "is detrimental to the good of the generality of the family."

Spokespersons for the three branches were at the parley Alhaja Ajimo Ashakun Adisa, Damilola Raji and Iya Alalubosa for Banjoko; Saheed Balogun and Alhaji Akeem for Oyetubo; and Racheal Tokede for the Okunade.

The family said it had employed peaceful means to get

the issue resolved but "the rebellious family members and the land agent refused to allow a peaceful resolution."

Alleging that they were being threatened by assassins, they urged Governor Babatunde Fashola to intervene before the matter gets out of hand.

Meanwhile, the family, through its lawyer, Monzor Owoyemi, had written to Madam Ogundare, informing her that she is not its recognised agent, and that the family had revoked the Power of Attorney given to her as a Donee, to manage the land.

Committee partners Customs on challenges

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HE Customs Consultative ommittee (CCC) has initiated a partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to ensure interborder transactions that conform with global practices.

Speaking during a visit to the Comptroller, Seme Command,Othman Abdu Saleh, CCC's representative, Sir Jude Maduka, said: "Part of our mandate is to ensure that all obstacles to trade are removed to ensure seamless transactions

Biodun-Thomas Davids in line with global best practices. CCC also wants to know the problems of the Seme Command and solve them."

The Chairman, Progressive Auto Dealers Forum, Comrade Chinedu Ukatu, said that clearing of vehicles at the border was a great challenge that the committee was mandated to address.

"CCC will help in strengthening the synergy among the

Customs, importers and agents, including monitoring and compliance with rules governing international trade, and promote awareness campaign about Customs’ policies," Ukatu added.

Saleh listed temporary officers, non-carriage of firearm, paucity of space, insecurity, and road, which he said, the government was looking into, as major challenges confronting the command.

11

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013 CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

Reckless driver kills parishioner

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F he knew death was awaiting him, the late Mr Thomas Eremosele, a member of the St Augustine's Catholic Church, Lagos-Ikorodu Road, Ikorodu, would have delayed his relocation to the community.

Up till a year ago, he lived in Shomolu. At a point, he felt the need to move close to his church, thus he relocated to Pashoko, Aga, Ikorodu. Finally, he moved opposite the church in Okeria along the Ikorodu-Lagos Road. It was about four months ago.

However, he did not live his dream. Reason: A reckless bus driver cut short his life on July 7 in a hit-and-run scenario. He was on his way to a morning mass about 6.15 am. His remains were said to have since been interred at his Edo State home.

His parish pastor, Reverend Father Augustine Medayedo, told The Nation: "The news came to us as a rude shock. We all ran out and when we got there, we could not identify the perpetrator of the evil act. Eremosele loved to attend all programmes of the church. The man's wife and four children are quite devastated. Now, something must be done."

He expressed his worry: "Sometimes, about

Man held for alleged incest Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta THE Ogun State Police Command yesterday arrested a 45year-old man, Toyin Sodimu for allegedly defiling his 16year-old daughter. He was arrested at his Temidire,Akomoje, Abeokuta home.

Sodimu was arrested by operatives attached to the Adatan Divisional Police Headquarters, following a report by the victim that the accused, last Saturday around 2am, forcefully had sexual intercourse with her.

It was gathered that the girl had been taken to the General Hospital, Abeokuta, by the police for examination and treatment.

Commissioner of Police, Ogun State, Mr Ikemefuna Okoye, said the suspect would face justice at the conclusion of investigations.

Bill on sexual harassment

By Oziegbe Okoeki A bill to address sexual harassment in places of work has scaled through second reading at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The "bill for a law to prohibit acts of sexual harassment in the work place and for connected purposes" is being sponsored by the Deputy Leader, Hon Lola Akande, representing Ikeja Constituency 11.

Under Section 7 of the bill, any person found guilty of sexual harassment when it becomes law, shall be liable to a fine of N250,000 or six months imprisonment and dismissal from work.

It also states that any employer who fails to curb or punish sexual harassment culprits when reported to him, and confirmed by the employer, shall be liable and on conviction, compensate the victim as the court may determine.

•Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly Adeyemi Ikuforiji

By Joke Kujenya, Assistant Editor 5.30am, most of the bus drivers ply the roads without their head lamps. So, commuters who often cross the roads would not know that a bus is approaching. They just get hit and killed.

Therefore, we want the state government to give Ikorodu people a pedestrian bridge to arrest unwarranted killings of our people.

"Yes, we appreciate the ongoing dualisation of the Lagos-Ikorodu Road, but the major problem is the danger being faced by residents who cross the roads. Already, our church has become like a passage for those living on the other side of Ikorodu, especially those behind it. They pass through here to hit Lagos Road or connect neighbouring communities. Now, people are being killed; how do we cope when the express lanes are fully operational? This is why we need government's help. We cannot continue to lose people."

Another parishioner, Mr Thadeus Aderemi Amusa, narrated his narrow escape on the route, saying: "I had a similar encounter just after my 61st birthday on November 21, last year. I was almost killed by one of the reck-

less drivers while going for the morning mass. I had looked at the road carefully in my estimation and then, moved to cross. It was a little before 6.30am. It was God that saved my life. I spent two weeks at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), before I began to regain consciousness. It was later I learn that the church picked me up in a pool of my blood. I lost a set of teeth. My left eye remained shut for several months. And till date, though wide open, it sees nothing; its visibility is zero."

Reverend Medayedo added: "The greatest challenge we are facing is the recklessness of the commercial bus drivers (danfo) and that of the officers of the state who are supposed to control traffic flow and ensure safety, but are failing woefully in their assigned duties.

"It is sad that traffic wardens including policemen are always there to extort money from road users. Between the Agric end and our church, God save you if you try to cross the road. We have lost a number of lives due to carelessness of danfo drivers on this road since work began even though the residents chose to fight their battles privately."

CITYBEATS

•The late Eremosele

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

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NEWS RAMADAN KAREEM

SOLAT TIME (Bornu) Fajr Zuhr Asr Magrib Ishai

Group to feed, clothe two million people

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N ISLAMIC group, Jama’atu Izalatil Bidi’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunna (JIBWIS) has promised to provide foodstuff and clothes to two million orphans and prisoners in various states in the spirit of the Ramadan.

The National Chairman of JIBWIS, Sheikh Abdullahi BalaLau, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Yola.

Bala-Lau said the aim was to show love and give the beneficiaries a sense of belonging.

He said the group had directed all its preachers and members across the country to mobilise for the programme and ensure that 5,000 orphans and prisoners benefited from the gesture in each state of the federation.

He also said that the group would sponsor the enrolment of school-age orphans into primary and secondary schools.

“Taking care of the needy is a big Jihad and that is why I want to appeal to all stakeholders, including government authorities, to do something about the growing number of destitute and the culture of begging in the country.

“We need to address the problems to promote peace, security and prosperity,’’ Bala-Lau said.

He disclosed that JIBWIS was on the verge of concluding formalities to set up vocational training centres to complement government’s empowerment programmes.

– 4:32 – 12:15 – 3:36 – 6:35 – 7:49

(Ebonyi)

(Kwara) am pm pm pm pm

Fajr Zuhr Asr Magrib Ishai

– – – – –

5:10 12:47 4:09 7:03 8:15

am pm pm pm pm

Fajr Zuhr Asr Magrib Ishai

– 5:01 – 12:35 – 3:58 – 6:47 – 7:59

am pm pm pm pm

Ramadan 15th, 1434AH

(Source: Islamicfinder.org)

Fayemi breaks fast with Muslims

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday joined scores of Muslims to break their fast at the Government House mosque, Ado-Ekiti, capital of the state.

The faithful, who gathered at the mosque as early as 5pm in the evening also listened to sermons and exhortation from the State Missioner, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Liadi Adebayo The governor thanked God for sparing everyone’s life to witness another fasting period.

According to him, it is a primary duty for people to give thanks whatever the situation.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

He acknowledged the support of the religious leaders in the state, especially from the Grand Imam of the state, Alhaki Jamui Kewulere and Sheikh Adebayo.

The governor noted that “prayers, more than anything else, had been responsible for the achievements of the administration.

According to him, people must be grateful to God, whatever the situation, noting that Ekiti needs peace more than anything now.

Earlier, Sheik Adebayo

spoke on the faithfulness of Prophet Ibrahim, saying his truthfulness was responsible for his elevation and success.

He said people should refrain from worshipping the devil, saying “this was the only way to escape the punishment of God.” According to him, “delivering the message of God requires patience, adding “it was this patience which Governor Fayemi demonstrated while seeking office.

“He asked and waited patiently; Fayemi is an example of patience. He adopted patience in seeking the post and the post eventually became

his own. May you succeed as Abraham has succeeded; As you have given time to God, May God continue to give you time and answer your prayers.”

Other Muslim leaders at the event included the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi; President Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in the state, Alhaji Afolabi Ogunlayi; Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Affairs, Alhaji Jinadu Ayodele; the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Mojeed Jamiu, and the Special Assistant on Research and Strategy, Alhaji Hakeem Jamiu.

Lawmaker urges Muslims to embrace unity, tolerance

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LAWMAKER, Farouk Lawan has urged Muslims to use the Ramadan period to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and unity to build a united country.

Lawan, who is representing Bagwai/Shanono federal constituency, said “Muslims should use the period of Ramadan to seek forgiveness from others and forgive those that have offended them in order to receive Allah’s blessings”.

“As Muslims, we are all aware of the importance of Ramadan as a holy month when Allah forgives his ser-

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

vants of all their misdeeds. I urge Nigerians to use this period to also forgive one another of all misgivings that must have happened in the past,” he said.

He said “time has come for us to unite and embrace one another as brothers and sisters.

Lawan admonished Muslims to attune their minds to the messages of love, brotherliness and peaceful co-existence, inherent in Islam, urging them to always be their brother’s keeper in whatever they are doing.

RAMADAN GUIDE WITH FEMI ABBAS

e-mail: femabbas@yahoo.com Tel: 08122697498

Neighbours’ rights

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ENERALLY, neighbours are neighbours, Ramadan or no Ramadan. They are the people with whom one interacts on a daily basis in the same vicinity. Neighbours are co-inhabitants in the same residence, area, office, farm or market. Some of them are permanent. Others are temporary.

In Islam, neighbours are as important as the next of kin.

And, Islam attaches so much respect to them that two learned Muslim scholars, Bukhari and Muslim reported Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) to have sworn by Allah three times in what became Hadith saying: “he does not believe in Allah whoever creates fear of atrocity in his neighbours” In another Hadith also reported by Bukhari and Muslim, the Prophet was quoted as saying that “Whoever believes in Allah and the last day let him be nice to his neighbours and respect his guests”. He did not distinguish among such neighbours in terms of race, tribe or religion. Rather, he saw a neighbour in terms of living organism which may be human, animal or plant. Thus, kindness to neighbours is an obligatory tradition in Islam.

In the month of Ramadan a good Muslim is expected to wear a new toga of sobriety and repentance. He doubles his good deeds to his neighbours, extending generosity to them and cultivating a new atmosphere of friendliness and trust with them. He genuinely gives them as much impression of love and brotherhood as he does with his consanguine relatives. And this must continue after Ramadan as any good character cultivated in Ramadan must not be allowed to diminish after the sacred month.

It does not matter whether the neighbours are Muslims or non-Muslims. Neither does it matter whether they are tribesmen or non-natives. The Prophet did not discriminate in his Hadith when he was admonishing Muslims on neighbours and neighbourhood. And that is the inalienable position of Islam on neighbours.

Therefore, whoever, might have quarrelled with his neighbours before Ramadan should go and settle it henceforth.

Besides abstaining from foods, drinks and sex during the days of Ramadan, a good Muslim must mind his relationship with people around him especially neighbours. Fasting in the month of Ramadan cannot be taken in half measure. Whoever wants to receive full rewards for his religious activities in the month should treat his neighbours well. And, when Ramadan is over, the good gesture must be sustained.

•From right: Alhaji Jubreel AbdulKareem; Alhaji Mafe; Alhaji Hakeem Bamgbola and Alhaji Idris Muse-Ariyoh at the event.

Don, lawmaker bemoan govt ineffectiveness

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AGOS State University (LASU) senior lecturer Dr Saheed Timehin and Member, House of Representatives Lasun Yusuf have attributed the socio-economic crisis in the country to the ineffectiveness of government.

The duo believed that Nigerian government has failed the society.

They spoke during the Ramadan Lecture and Quranic Competition organised by AbdulRasheed Mafe Quranic Foundation in Lagos.

Lasun, who represents Irepodun/Olorunda/Orolu/ Oshogbo Federal Constituency in Osun State, declared that there is no government in Nigeria.

He said the basic functions of government have not been met, hence it ceases to exist.

“What I mean practically is that when you look at the constitution, Nigeria has a very good constitution, no doubt about that, but government has ceases to perform its basic functions which are the security and welfare of the people; that is why I find it difficult to agree that government exists,” he said.

He restated the need for Nigerians, nay Africans to look inward and fashion out the way forward.

“I don’t know the problem of black man and I have always tried to find out from scholars what is wrong with black man; it looks like we don’t like others and we don’t like rules and God in his infinite mercy created this world with rules and order; as human beings, when you refuse to follow rules and

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

order, then you can’t have a good society. Government needs to appreciate the benefits of orderliness and do its utmost to ensure people obey rules and regulation,” he said.

Dr Timehin said the major challenge facing the country is insecurity.

“We find ourselves in this mess because government has failed in providing social welfare packages for the people.

One of the essences of governance is that the government should put in place structures to guarantee the total well be-

ing of everybody; when a certain section or a considerable portion of the society suffers, then there is going to be a problem.”

According to him, nobody feels the positive impact of the government.

“We only feel the negative impact of the government people suffer on a daily basis and unemployment increases on a daily basis. As a result of these, it is better to just admit that there is no government metaphorically,” he said.

Founder of the foundation, Alhaji AbdulRasheed Mafe blamed the centralisation of

government for the crisis.

He canvassed decentralisation of power.

In advance countries, Mafe said, the power to police the populace lies with state and local governments, saying the Federal Government should be more concerned with external security.

He called for the creation of state police to curb the growing insecurity.

Mafe, who is the chairman of Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area dismissed the argument of politicisation of the force if created at state level.

•From left: Wife of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Legal Adviser Mrs Jemeelah Olufunmilayo Banire; members, Lagos State House of Assembly Hon Adefunmilayo Tejuoso and Hon Ramota Akinola-Hassan during Iftar (Breaking of fast) hosted by the Banire family at PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN GRA, Ikeja, Lagos

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

FACILITY

INCENTIVE

JOBS

Residents relish infrastructure upgrade

Lawmaker donates fertilisers to farmers

Foundation to train youths in brick-making

Ibadan

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Adamawa

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

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HE Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) has cheered up youths in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.

How? It provided over 900 of them with work kits to enable them lead independent lives, apart from contributing meaningfully to the economy of the state.

The distribution of the tools took place at Otorho-Agbon, headquarters of the local government area.

The benefiting youths were spread across the 11 wards in the council. Others also gained from the programme.

Itemspresentedwereclippersandgenerating sets to 100 barbers, hair-dryers and generating sets to 100 hair-dressers, sewing machines and generating sets to 200 tailors, while tricycles were distrib-

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Nasarawa

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Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

SURE-P kits youths, others in Delta From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

utedto30personsformasstransport.Eight persons got tricycle trucks for transportation of farm produce.

Two hundred and thirty women were given N50,000 each to recapitalise their mini-trades and mass transit businesses.

Some, like the elderly, needed the cash so they could buy blood pressure apparatus.

In addition, 60 women were linked up with a consultancy, Dibof Enterprises Limited based in Lagos to train them in different areas of micro-enterprises. such skills include soap and detergent making, printing of recharge cards, production of confectionaries, air fresheners, among others.

Speaking at the event, Ethiope East Council Chairman, Sunday Eromedoghene Onoriode said the SURE-P, which cuts across political parties, is in compliance with the directive of the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to implement it in the 25 councils.

Onoriode explained that Ethiope East received N70,670,280,006, being its share of the subsidy proceeds for the period covering from May, 2012 to January 2013.

He said it complemented the wisdom of the state and Federal Government, which deemed it necessary to align with the programme, to bring succour to impoverished Nigerians.

Onoriode explained that the Federal Government in January, 2012 approved the partial withdrawal of oil subsidy from the Nigerian petroleum market, though added that the dividends of the subsidy will be reinvested in the welfare of th people.

Represented at the programme launch by the Commissioner, Directorate of Local Government Affairs and the Accounting Officer of the SURE-P Mr. Neword Safugha, Governor Uduaghan said the programme was in line with the three-point agenda of his administration.

Dr Uduaghan advised beneficiaries

to make judicious use of what they received under the programme.

The Political Adviser to the Governor and Deputy Chairman, Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ighoyota Amori; Director-General of Federal Budget, Dr. Bright Okogu, the Ethiope East leader and party chairman, Chief Bernard Edewor and Dr. Kings Okpako hailed the council chairman, Sunday Onoriode for his initiative in ensuring that the empowerment benefited the down-trodden.

They said that the programme was one of the best in the country.

I

T was a pleasant surprise to all of them. None thought help was coming when it did or that it would be so consequential to their health.

Many suffer from high blood pressure; some are diabetic. But living in remote villages compounded their worries. They are financially weak, some even hopeless. Their situation looked precarious.

The picture has changed. They have had free medical tests while drugs were distributed without charge.

Things are looking good at Neni and its environs in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Their benefactor is the Hypertension and Diabetes Awareness Foundation (HADAF) which stepped up an awareness campaign on the two diseases. Their theme was saving life through early detection.

Apart from the initial drugs earlier distributed to the patients, Nkechi Ogbuefi, organiser of the event, said the foundation spent over N100m to the programme.

At the Dan Dollars filling station in Neni, more than 500 persons, comprising the young, old, male and female, the poor and needy, the physically challenged were all gathered to be tested while drugs were given to them.

Newsextra gathered that it was not the first time such a thing was happening in the area, facilitated by an indigenous person, Chief Patrick Chidolue.

Before now, the foundation was involved in free distribution of drugs to flood victims in 40 communities.

Also, free tests and drugs had been distributed in communities in Nnewi and Orumba by the foundation.

The director of the foundation who spoke with Newsextra, said more than 50,000 persons have received free tests and drugs since the foundation came into existence in 2012.

The foundation visits communities with five medical doctors and over six nurses and nuns who assist in distribution of the drugs.

One of the medical doctors, Dr.

•The patients

Succour for the weak NGO treats hypertensive, diabetic patients in Anambra From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Obijiofor Timothy said they are assisting the foundation in reaching out to the communities in detecting diseases.

He added that about five per cent was caused by a disease in the body system, explaining that before the tests and drugs distribution, the patients were engaged in more than an hour’s talk on the diseases.

He spoke further: “They do not give signs and that is why we call it silent killers and the number of persons that attend our sessions

had been awesome.”

Mrs. Ojukwu Florence, a nurse, told Newsextra that the awareness has already solved the people’s problem.

She said they check their blood pressure and level of sugar of the patients to help the medical doctors administer the right drugs.

The foundation director, Ogbuefi said they did a similar thing in Abuja and its environs before coming to Anambra State.

“We are not going to end here; the foundation plans to go round Anambra State and beyond in time

to come to help alleviate the suffering of some homes.

“This foundation which is a nongovernment organisation (NGO), found out that hypertension and diabetes are two of the silent killers in the society and if nothing is done many lives will be lost in the society.

“So, what we are doing is not eradicating it but to reduce it by running free tests on those who cannot afford tests and give them drugs free of charge which will be a continuous thing depending on the resources available to us.”

Some of the beneficiaries in the community relieved their experiences to Newsextra during the event.

Mr. Uzochukwu Lawrence, 75, from Obeledu in Anaocha council area, hailed the foundation for the gesture and prayed that God would bless the organisers of the event.

Also, Igwemadu Georgina, a 61-year-old housewife from Neni said: “We are happy with the exercise, we appreciate it and pray that other people will have interest in the less privileged like this foundation.”

For Jacinta Iloegbene, 45, said: “Nobody expected this; we came to the venue because announcements were made in markets, churches and schools and when we came to the ground, behold it was true. God will protect those who came out with this idea for us.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

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A

MEMBER of the House of Representatives, representing Yola North/Yola South/Girei Federal Constituency, Hon Aishatu Dahiru, has donated fertilisers to small-scale farmers in the constituency to boost agriculture.

Speaking at a ceremony to present the fertilisers in Yola, Dahiru said that the gesture was to assist poor farmers in the constituency.

The lawmaker advised beneficiaries not to sell the commodity but to use it boost farming, restating her commitment to providing quality representation to the people.

She told the farmers to continue to be peaceful and law-abiding in the face of the current state of emergency imposed on the state.

In their remarks at the occasion, Alhaji Salihu Hamid and the Chairman of Yola North, Alhaji Ibrahim Njobdi, lauded the lawmaker for the gesture.

Borno to get healthcare agency

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•Governor Shettima

HE Borno State government has said it has plans to establish a Primary Healthcare Development Agency in a bid to fast-track the implementation of its healthcare programmes.

Governor Kashim Shettima stated this shortly after he was presented with an award as the 2012 North-East Best Performing Governor in Polio Eradication.

Shettima said the objective was to prepare ground for the provision of comprehensive healthcare services to the people, especially those at the grassroots.

He said the state House of Assembly had already passed the bill for the setting up of the agency.

‘Al-makura committed to development’

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HE Nasarawa State government is committed to execution of development programmes, Mr Innocent Lagi, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, has said.

Lagi stated this while addressing members of Ambaka community in Farin-Ruwa Development Area that paid him a courtesy visit in Lafia on Sunday.

He said that the state government would accord priority attention to social justice and fairness in the execution of development projects to lift the state to greater heights.

“This administration is on a rescue mission to save the people of the state with a view to enabling the citizens enjoy the much needed dividends of democracy,” he said.

The commissioner said everything would be done to provide good roads and other infrastructure.

According to him, water supply, roads and electricity in rural areas are some of the basic amenities that the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) administration is providing.

Nasarawa Lagi stressed the need for all stakeholders to collaborate with the government to ensure rapid development of the state, and assured communities of equal opportunity.

He said the governor had planned to appoint capable Transitional Management Committees (TMC) members that would reflect on the aspiration of the people.

The commissioner also assured the community that he would liaise with his colleagues in the Ministries of Health and that of Works to facilitate the establishment of healthcare centres in the area.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Mr Bala Adams, told the commissioner that they were in his office to congratulate him on his appointment and to enumerate the problems facing the area.

He listed the problems to include lack of access roads, potable water, modern primary healthcare centres and political appointment

“I want to state, without fear of contradiction, that Borno is committed to improving healthcare delivery to its people especially in the area of improving maternal health “The State House of Assembly has just passed the bill for the establishment of the state Primary Healthcare Development Agency,” Shettima said.

He added that the state government had put in place machinery for the take-off of the agency.

“We are putting in place structures for the take-off of the agency in a very short while,’’ the governor said.

He said the target was mainly to eradicate maternal mortality in the state by 2015.

Shettima however thanked the Federal Ministry of Health for the award, and praised the state’s Commissioner for Health.

“I think the credit should go to the Commissioner for Health, Dr Salma Kolo, for her hardwork and dedication to duty,’’ she said.

Presenting the award, Dr Mohammed Pate, the Minister of State for Health, said it was in recognition of the governor’s efforts in the campaign against polio in the state.

“We wish to commend your successes in polio eradication in the last two years. This commendation is more essential when you consider the security challenges facing the state,” Pate said.

He urged other state governors to emulate Shettima by striving hard to eradicate polio from Nigeria.

•From left: Micheal Onagbola, member, Management Committee CHI Limited Foundation, Oba Liasim Olumuyiwa, Onilekki of Lekki Land with Oluranti Odubogun, Group Head Administration Chi Limited Foundation and Ogidan Mukandasi Olaitan, Chairman Lekki Local Council Development of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Lagos State at the commissioning of community borehole to Lekki village donated by CHI Foundation, Lagos.

PHOTO: NIYI ADENRAN

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Council to boost education

HE Chairman of Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State, Mr Emmanuel Momoh, has reiterated the determination of his administration to give education due attention.

Momoh told journalists in Fugar, the council’s headquarters , that emphasis would be placed on building the children up “aca-

Embrace tree-planting, council advises pupils T HE Chairman of Ikoyi/Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA)in Lagos State, Hon. Adewale Adeniji, has urged the pupils of primary and secondary schools to indulge in the habit of planting trees, to build a healthy environment.

Speaking at the 2013 Tree Planting Campaign held at the Ikoyi Nursery and Primary School, Osborne Offshore, Ikoyi, he noted that if pupils imbibe the idea of planting trees right from schools, it would grow up with them after leaving their institutions of learning.

He said: “We have decided to take the tree planting to schools because we discovered that the message has not been properly translated to them, that is why we have to take it to schools and let them see the importance.

“This will inculcate the habit into our pupils that they should learn to be friendly with nature and plant trees for their own good. By what we have done, they would have it in their manners as they grow up to plant trees.”

Adeniji stressed that the tree planting campaign was launched about seven years back

by Governor Babatunde Fashola to forestall the hazard of nature due to climate change.

“In the few years into the campaign, there has been tremendous change, especially last year when there was serious flooding in the

By Musa Odoshimokhe

country. Lagos State was spared due to its resilient effort in tree planting. The ecosystem was able to prevent the hazard done by Mother Nature.

“We want to encourage all Nigerians to enshrine this in their culture, such that every year they could plant trees to prevent hazards likely to befall their environment when nature revolts. There is need for us to plant a tree and we must endeavour to plant at least two trees for every one we remove.”

The council chair stated that apart from the protection that it offers to mitigate the hazard of nature, it also offers oxygen to refresh the ecosystem. “There is too much of carbon emission into the ecosystem and there is the need to adjust the situation through the oxygen we get from trees,” he added.

He called on the people of the council to protect the trees planted so far and reminded them that it would add to their health and well being if they live in environment surrounded by trees.

•Representatives of the Lagos State government and members of the Ikoyi/Obalende LCDA during the tree planting at Ikoyi Nursery/Primary School, Osborne, off Shope Road, Ikoyi.

• From left: Head, Human Resource, Lagos Channel Management (LCM), Prince Falade Oyekan; Head, Finance and Adminstration, Lagos Channel Management, Mr. Haruna Ibrahim presenting some sewing machines to Acting Chairperson, Police Officer Wives Association (POWA) Railway Police Command, Ebutte Metta, Mrs. Faith Onyebo. With them (third left) is Head, Humility Communication Nigeria Limited, Mr. Dele Aderibigbe.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

Council chief backs Amosun for second term

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HE Chairman of Ipokia Local Government Area in Ogun State, Hon. Isiaq Wale Aderounmu, has thrown his weight behind the second term ambition of Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

A press statement issued and signed by the council’s Director of Information, Mr. Oloyede Oyeniyi, quoted the council chair as saying that the monumental achievements of Governor Amosun’s administration had covered every aspect of human endeavours such as infrastructural development, education, youth and women empowerment, capacity building, security, healthcare and poverty alleviation.

Others are: sports development, staff welfare, tourism and a new road map in investment that paves way for genuine local and foreign investors.

The council chief described Governor Amosun as a good manager of human and material resources, wondering how he gets the money he uses to execute all the various projects in the state. He, therefore, urged residents of the state to support his administration.

His words: “If you look at the pages of newspapers or listen to radio, you will see that for some time now, our governor has been embarking on or inspecting one project or the other. So much is happening in Ogun State to-

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day. As he exe c u t e s projects in Egba, he does it in Yewa. As he inaugurates projects in Remo land, he does same in Ijebuland.

It has been a long time we witnessed this kind of massive development in the state last.

We have seen some administrators in •Governor Amosun this state who commissioned some bogus projects. But the same cannot be said of Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun.”

According to the council chief, there is justification for the encomiums being showered on the governor because so much has been achieved within a short period of time, adding that residents in the state should identify with the re-building mission of the governor in his genuine effort to make Ogun State fulfil the dreams of its founding fathers.

Aderounmu further described Governor Amosun not only as an epitome of probity, accountability and hard work but also as a reincarnation of legendary Obafemi Awolowo, the first Premier of the defunct Western Region. He added that the last time such massive development took place in any part of the Southwest was during Chief Awolowo’s era.

demically, morally, as well as socially”.

He said that to achieve this, the council had concluded plan to undertake massive renovation of primary schools and purchase instructional materials for the schools.

Momoh noted that putting in place a beautiful edifice as schools, without moral regeneration, would not change the child and the society positively.

He urged the people to be in the vanguard of ensuring that “every child in the council area is brought up morally, culturally and socially”.

According to the chairman, discipline must be the watchword in the process of training children to be responsible citizens and leaders of tomorrow.

He urged teachers and parents to be role models to their children, and that they must carry out this vital role through their conduct, mode of dressing and mannerism.

He also expressed his administration’s willingness to improve the welfare of teachers in the local government.

“Parents/Teachers Association (PTA) of various schools must reinforce to support the management of the schools, to ensure discipline and human capacity development,” he said.

Local govt donates N2m to communities HE Moro Local Government Council in Kwara State has donated N1.9 million to two communities for the completion of their self-help projects.

The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Shuaib Jimoh, presented the money at Bode-Saadu, the headquarters of the Local Government Area.

Jimoh said that the council decided to donate the money to encourage communities in the area to embark on projects.

He assured the benefiting communities that the council would provide more incentives to encourage the execution of more self-help projects.

T

S

OME residents of Dutse in Jigawa State have expressed disappointment over the ongoing demolition of structures in the state capital by the Dutse Capital Development Authority (DCDA).

Some of the residents, whose houses were demolished, said they were not given any notice before the exercise began.

The said that some of the houses on the main road were pulled down to pave way for the ongoing construction of township roads within the city.

One of the residents affected by the demolition, Babangida Muhammed, told newsmen that he was invited to the District Head’s residence on Saturday night and was told that his house would be demolished.

Mohammed noted that less than 24 hours after, he saw a bulldozer which pulled down his house.

“As I am talking to you now, five rooms were

Lawmaker donates fertilisers to farmers Adamawa They stressed that the commodity was not for sale and that anyone caught selling the fertilisers would be arrested to face the full wrath of the law.

The lawmaker also present five canoes to

•Governor Nyako people of Rugange Village, a riverine community in the constituency.

Dutse residents rue demolition affected while 70 of my students (Almajiris) have no place to sleep,” he said.

Another resident, Amina Iliyasu, said she was neither informed nor compensated before the commencement of the exercise.

Iliyasu said that the house belonged to her father who just retired from the state civil service.

“My father built the house before his retirement, I am worried about where we are going to live if we are not compensated and my dad is now a pensioner,” she added.

Iliyasu said that he was not given any notice

before his house was demolished.

According to him, officials of DCDA came to evaluate his house and in less than 24 hours, they came back to demolish without speaking to anybody.

Another victim who pleaded to speak under condition of anonymity described the action of the government as callous.

Efforts to speak with any of the officials of DCDA failed as the chairman of the authority, Alhaji Bashir Aminu, did not pick his calls or respond to Short Message Service (SMS) sent to him.

Briefly

‘States to blame for nation’s ills’ HUMAN rights activists, civil society groups and members of the public have been urged to also hold state governments accountable for shortcomings in Nigeria.

The Director, Action Aid Nigeria, Doctor Hussaini Abdu, said this during a public lecture entitled: Rethinking National Peace, Stability and Progress, organised by the Lagos Zone of Rosicrucian Order, Amorc.

Abdu who spoke on: Nigeria’ Stability and Development – How Far, What else? noted that states government were not often blamed for insecurities and other shortcomings bedeviling the country.

He submitted that there would be desired improvement in national development if state governments could show greater commitment and responsibility in federal issues.

While the event lasted it as well featured: John Idiodi, Professor of Solid State Physics, University of Benin,speaking on: The Mystical Nigeria: what is it? While Otunba Franscis Meshioye, Executive Director, JMG Limited and Johnson Ikube, Managing Director, JI Global Solutions Ltd, among others, spoke respectively on: National Integration: What Role For Mystics. Understanding God: Imperative for Individual and National Peace.

•Chairman, Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Hon Adeyemi Olabinjo (right) presenting a GCE form to one of the beneficiaries

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DO Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Miss Jemitola Aanena, has promised professional entertainers that the Edo State government would ensure protection of their intellectual property.

She also said that the government was planning to propose a bill which would make mandatory the sponsorship of activities of entertainers to safeguard local content in the tourism sector.

Aanena said this during an interview with journalists in Benin.

“We are already working on a bill about sponsorship and increasing local content of what entertainers do here.

“This government acknowledges that there are challenges encountered by our local artistes, especially in the area of sponsorship by multinational companies.

Commissioner to protect intellectual property “The interests of the Edo youth and upcoming entertainers are in our heart as a government,“ she said.

Aanena, however, advised entertainers to be determined and have self confidence in their chosen profession.

“A person can be blessed with intelligence and talent, but lacking self-confidence can be an obstacle to achieving success,“ she said.

“There is need for entertainers in this state to be unique and stand out as heroes and pace setters in the global industry.“

Fed Govt’s relief materials for Boko HE Federal Government has inauHaram victims gurated the distribution of food

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From left: Mr. Osahon Amenaghawon, Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) Edo State Chapter; Dr. Pius E Odubu, Deputy Governor, Edo State; Agele Alufohai, President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS); Ifeanyi Anago, Chairman, NIQS Fellows Forum and Chief Isaac, Ekioba Pioneer Chairman NIQS Edo State Chapter at the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) Edo State Chapter seminar/ workshop in Benin City

items to the victims of Boko Haram crisis in Borno.

The Minister of State for Agriculture,Alhaji Bukar Tijani, performed the ceremony on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan at the Shehu of Borno’s palace in Maiduguri.

President Goodluck Jonathan said that a total of 300 trucks of assorted grains would be distributed during the exercise.

He said aside from the grains, other relief materials would be distributed to other victims in all the 27 local government areas of the state to cushion the effect of the crisis.

Borno Jonathan expressed delight at the progress made in restoring peace to Borno.

He praised the state government, the Shehu of Borno and other leaders in the state in ensuring restoration of peace to the state.

Also speaking, Alhaji Gaji Galtimare, the chairman Distributing Committee, thanked the Federal Government for the gesture.

He promised to be “fair and just” in the distribution of the items to the victims.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

FROM OTHER LANDS

Next steps with Iran

Looting the loot?

• Retrieved properties must be tied to certain projects to prevent their being looted again

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HAT exactly are we doing with stolen public assets either recovered or seized from convicted persons by the country’s various anti-corruption agencies? When such assets are retrieved, so much publicity is done to the delight of a people who are simply numbed by the scale of the massive looting of the treasury at various levels.

However, an increasingly cynical public is beginning to wonder if the country derives any benefits at all from the recovery of such loot. Since nobody ever gets to know what ultimately happens to the funds, the impression is created that it is a case of loot recovered simply to be re-looted. It is to address this critical issue that the House of Representatives

‘What is the point in spending scarce public resources to recover stolen assets only for such property or monies to either go to waste or be stolen by a new set of looters?

Indeed, it would be better for recovered funds to be expended on specific, identifiable and beneficial projects so that the public will become more enthusiastic in their support for the anti-corruption war’

Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes organised a three-day public investigative hearing to verify the status of all assets seized and recovered specifically by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since inception.

Declaring the hearing open, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, made the startling revelation that assets recovered or seized by the agency between 2003 and now are valued at approximately two trillion Naira.

These include over 200 mansions, large sums of money through 46 forfeiture court orders, landed property, business concerns, bank accounts, shares in blue chip companies, exotic vehicles, fuel stations, holdings, ware houses and shopping malls, among others.

It is alarming, as the Speaker sadly noted, that most of these properties have fallen into disrepair as a result of vandalism, improper care, abandonment or sheer waste. We agree with Tambuwal when he declared that “We cannot allow a situation whereby over 400 cars seized through the diligence of the EFCC, for instance, continue to rot away. We have a vicarious responsibility to ensure that assets seized through forfeiture court orders are prudentially and carefully managed to avoid waste and to ensure they are maximally disposed of for the benefit of the public”.

The Federal Government announced with fanfare in 2011, the recovery from the family of the late General Sani Abacha of the sum of 22.5 million pounds (N6.18 billion) stashed away in

the tiny Island of Jersey, off coast of Normady in France. Millions of dollars and pounds had been reportedly recovered from the Abacha family during the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration. The question is: what happens to such funds? Are they returned to the treasury? Are they captured in the budgetary process or a dedicated account?

The fact that we are asking such questions is a reflection of the opacity that characterises the handling of recovered or seized assets and the opportunity created for such assets to be re-looted.

Given the gargantuan scale of corruption in the country, Nigeria needs a fundamental, well thought-out policy on retrieved assets. When such massive assets are allowed to lie idle with anti-corruption agencies, it creates a source of temptation for members of such agencies to also enrich themselves at the expense of the public.

Beyond this, what is the point in spending scarce public resources to recover stolen assets only for such property or monies to either go to waste or be stolen by a new set of looters?

Indeed, it would be better for recovered funds to be expended on specific, identifiable and beneficial projects so that the public will become more enthusiastic in their support for the anti-corruption war.

The House of Representatives should ensure that the EFCC and other anticorruption agencies have a proper, transparent, accountable and structured system of handling seized or repatriated properties.

Mastering malaria •Africa must take its destiny into its own hands

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HE welcome news that an anti-malaria vaccine could be in operation in Africa as soon as 2015 must be tempered by the fact that it is essentially a nonAfrican initiative, sponsored by foreign funds, and directed by foreign agencies.

Malaria is the continent’s most ruthless killer, accounting for about 900,000 deaths a year, most of them babies and children.

This is far in excess of any other disease, and its crippling effect is widely regarded as a major factor inhibiting the continent’s growth.

The new vaccine, designated “RLTSS,” is aimed at fighting the virulent falciparum strain of malaria. It is undergoing trials in seven African countries, including Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania, and covers about 16,000 children. Previous trials conducted in 2008 have shown the vaccine to be about 53 per cent effective in young children and about 65 per cent effective in infants.

Most of the research is being conducted by multinational pharmaceutical firms like GlaxoSmithKline and agencies like the World Health Organisation (WHO), especially its Global Malaria Programme. It is hoped that RLTSS will be the harbinger of even more effective second-generation vaccines, which will have up to 80 per cent effectiveness.

The tragedy is that Africa is almost nowhere to be found in all of these laudable initiatives. The continent’s clinicians, clinical epidemiologists and other researchers are involved in the trials, but very few nations appear to have taken up the fight against the disease as their own. Most of them are handicapped by dilapidated in-

frastructure, poor funding and administrative incompetence. Many have forgotten valuable strategies previously developed to curb the spread of mosquitoes, improve general hygiene and accelerate public enlightenment. The continent’s numerous wars and outbreaks of instability have further worsened the capacity of African governments to deal with the malaria plague, and the global economic downturn has shifted resources away from effective treatment of the disease.

Nigeria features prominently in this alliance of under-achievers. The country accounts for more malaria deaths than any other nation on earth. About 97 per cent of its total population resides in malariaprevalent areas. It witnesses about 100 million malaria cases annually; 300,000 of these are fatal. The disease accounts for 11 per cent of maternal mortality.

African nations can no longer look on as outsiders continue to take the initiative in combating a disease that continues to decimate their citizens. It is not enough to beg for assistance; a true understanding of sovereignty implies that the continent must take deliberate measures to ensure that it assumes a more significant role in fighting malaria to a standstill.

The first step in achieving this aim must incorporate a return to the fundamentals of public health policy: functioning healthcare facilities, increased sanitation, well-developed early-warning systems, and a vigorous programme of public enlightenment. The sanitary inspector must return to Africa’s streets. Unhealthy practices must be exposed and discouraged.

More resources should be devoted to social infrastructure, especially the holy trin-

ity of immunisation, nutrition and education, without which any sustained campaign against malaria will be meaningless.

Indigenous pharmaceutical firms must be encouraged to carry out research into malaria, with an emphasis on modernising the many traditional remedies which have demonstrated their efficacy in the past. They can be encouraged by government grants and subsidies aimed at reducing the financial risk involved in such undertakings.

Perhaps most importantly, the attitudes of Africa’s governments have to change.

The callous indifference displayed by the continent’s ruling elite to the deaths of thousands of their compatriots annually cannot continue. Countries like Nigeria, where government officials rush abroad at the slightest ailment, should channel their resources into ensuring that their healthcare facilities are better-staffed and equipped.

‘African nations can no longer look on as outsiders continue to take the initiative in combating a disease that continues to decimate their citizens. It is not enough to beg for assistance; a true understanding of sovereignty implies that the continent must take deliberate measures to ensure that it assumes a more significant role in fighting malaria to a standstill’

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HE closer the world gets to serious diplomatic engagement with Iran on its nuclear program, the more hardliners in Washington and abroad will push military action if the effort fails. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, for one, has tried to goad the Obama administration to show Hassan Rowhani, Iran’s newly elected president, that “the military option which is on the table is truly on the table.”

Until the United States and Iran invest in diplomacy, there is no way to know if a deal is possible. But we cannot think of a faster way to sabotage this fleeting moment than to force Mr. Rowhani into a corner. President Obama has said he will not tolerate Iran’s acquiring a nuclear weapon and has repeatedly warned of a “military option.” Both he and Mr. Rowhani need courage, creative ideas and the skill to manage their domestic politics for the two nations to enter into a meaningful dialogue.

Both sides have made some reassuring comments since Mr. Rowhani, a relatively moderate cleric, beat out more conservative challengers to succeed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The major powers are eager for more concrete action. Mr. Rowhani could send signals by choosing a moderate cabinet and nuclear negotiator, and by agreeing to early talks, even a bilateral meeting with the Americans.

Sanctions have helped push Iran to the negotiating table, and the ones in effect should be enforced. But adding new ones, as some in Congress want, would reinforce Iran’s view that the Americans’ goal is to crush the mullah-led government, and would make negotiations impossible.

The United States should reach out to Mr. Rowhani, and with its other partners — Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany — it should put together a broader nuclear proposal. That should include a process for acknowledging Iran’s right to pursue nuclear energy for peaceful purposes under safeguards, limiting uranium enrichment and gradually lifting sanctions under tight conditions.

On Monday, Mr. Rowhani painted a bleak picture of the Iranian economy, with rising unemployment and falling currency rates.

On Thursday, the World Bank said Iran had not paid any of its loans for six months. But there are also weaknesses in the sanctions regime that could erode this economic pressure. Some companies sanctioned for involvement in Iran’s nuclear program are successfully challenging the sanctions in European courts because European governments have refused to disclose evidence linking companies to the nuclear program.

This will be a testing time for Mr. Obama and Mr. Rowhani. Failure to make progress on a deal could be catastrophic for the entire Middle East.

– New York Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile •Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon •Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) Yomi Odunuga •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu •Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The drama that took place between President Goodluck Jonathan and the four northern governors in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital is an ominous sign of what to come.

Both actors in the scene arrived in the capital city separately to be anointed by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo. But the show got twisted when the four governors decided to hide in order to avoid their own President who was holding secret meeting with the same Obasanjo they came for. The drama got more interesting when Nyako said “we have come to greet the most accomplished Nigerian and to consult him for very important matters”.

President Jonathan also visited the Hilltop to greet the “Father” and of course, for consultation as well while Obasanjo remain the consultant.

The irony here is that both actors are from the same PDP and at the same time dribbling themselves using hide and seek tactics to achieve their ambition. It is obvious from their desperation that the actors at Obasanjo’s house are working towards presidency come 2015.

Why the hide and seek politics if both actors are working towards pushing Nigeria from political and economic doldrums? Why is everybody working in different directions? In the National Assembly, Speaker Tambuwal is accused of playing double standard. In Rivers

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When politicians play the hide and seek game State, Amaechi is seen as a traitor and a betrayer simply because somebody wants to achieve a personal goal. 2015 is still some miles away, but the political atmosphere is heavily pregnant; the North singing war tune to take over power; President Jonathan is hanging on by all means even though there are clear evidences that he is struggling. But the stark reality is that all these individuals are seeking

sectional agenda, not the interest of a decaying generation.

The quest for personal agenda is our problem. A United States report has just warned Nigeria’s leaders to beware of another civil war.

The report says that “parochial interests, cultural, ethnic, economic, regional and political secessionist tendencies are endemic in Nigeria”.

The birth of the insurgent in the north that is now spreading like

wild fire is not accidental. The fact remains that the youths that transformed into the terrorist group in the North and other parts of the country today were used by politicians to outsmart their perceived opponent or enemies, but dumped thereafter.

Can we ever win the war against the menace called selfishness, the disease that has eaten deep into our marrow? Isn’t the more reason

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• Sunday Alifia, Ibadan, Oyo state

Injustice to the Tiv in Taraba IR: What is democracy if people’s preference do not matter, their expectations crashed, their voices not heard and their needs and aspirations not adequately cater for? Democracy is of no relevance if appointments and employment opportunities are skewed in favour of some particular interest groups or tribes, while some are left to wallow in miseries and frustration.

Beginning from 1999 when the new dispensation began, the indigenous Tiv people of Taraba State

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have neither produced a local council chairman, state assembly member, commissioner, adviser or Senator to mention only few.

Now the Tiv people are asking some pertinent and reasonable questions like; are we really the indigenous people of Taraba State?

If we are then, why is that the key positions in the state are dominated by other interest groups or tribes? While we grope in darkness?.

The Tiv people are the single largest ethnic group in southern Taraba

State. And they are predominantly in seven local government areas of Takum, Donga, Wukari, Ibi, Gassol, Bali and Gashaka. The 1947 census put the Tiv as the undisputable majority ethnic group in the defunct Wukari Federation with a total population of over 40,400, representing 34%.

It is unfair that other ethnic groups in the state have not considered the Tiv for any of the strategic posts in the state they pioneered its creation through one of their illustrious sons, Hon. David

Strike: FG, ASUU should consider the students

IR: One of my prayer points in 2011 when I gained admission to University of Ibadan (UI) was that there should not be strike throughout the duration of my four-year course. But this prayer has been rendered ineffectual by both the federal government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) who seem to be fighting every year. I have spent two sessions in school now with two strike actions. By prognosis, I pray I still don’t experience two

why human beings are slaughtered like Christmas chicken across the country? Governors conducting minor election among themselves only to have the result disputed; a member of parliament using the mace as a weapon against fellow lawmaker?

How do we move the country beyond where we are when our thoughts and permutations are on how to milk available resources while leaving the masses in the grave yard of poverty? Nigeria is rich; the God-given resources can simply go round if it is not left in the hands of few insatiable and greedy individuals.

more before completing a four-year programme.

Since ASUU embarked on its total and indefinite industrial action on July 1, it is really having negative impact on us. We are at home idle, only just to roam about the streets; this is not too good for us as an idle hand is the devil’s workshop. Do not let the devil engage us into prostitution, internet fraudsters etc before you decide to call off the strike.

I don’t want to believe that the

government is lackadaisical about this issue because their children are not schooling in Nigeria or because their children are attending private universities. We are regarded as leaders of tomorrow, would it be good to see the leaders of tomorrow engage in all nefarious activities just because ASUU is on strike.

Government, ASUU, strike a balance and call off this strike.

To my fellow colleagues at home, please irrespective of our religion, let us take this case to God in

prayers so that the Almighty God would intervene and that FG and ASUU would come to meaningful conclusions. And also let us all engage ourselves in activities that can add value to our lives. ASUU, Government, for posterity sake, consider the students and resolve the crisis as we are at the receiving end.

• Saanu Grace Damilola Department of Communication and Language Arts University of Ibadan

H.Gba’Aondo of blessed memory who move motion in the Federal House of Representative Lagos in 1983 for the creation of the state.

The big question is; are there no qualified persons from the Tiv who can function very well in these offices?

The marginalization of the Tiv people in Taraba State needs to be addressed so that we can move the state forward. The other tribes must change their attitude towards the Tiv. They must be more willing to give than to take. They must see their position in the state as a privilege not as right. Political and traditional leaders from Tiv must united in their goals, eschew selfishness and treat sectionalism as a taboo. Educated Tiv sons and daughters should not be afraid of speaking out against political, economic, social and every form of marginalization in the state. Silence sometimes is taken as agreement or compromise so the Tiv people of Taraba State must speak out now.

• John Akevi Bauchi

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

21

COMMENTS

JB/ RCC: ‘4 year Contracts of Urgent National Impotence Vs Emergency works; Ogere FRSC

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ULIUS Berger (JB) and RCC have the ball squarely in their court over the former Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The Jonathan Goslow causing opening in Tony Friday revealed that the Marinho contract will cost N167billion or $1,113,333,333 or $1.1billion for 127km ie N1,314,960,629 or N1.3b/ kilometre. In foreign exchange that is an amazing $8,766,404, $8.7million/kilometre. Wow!!! Talk about the streets of Nigeria being paved with gold for some people. At current crude oil prices at a guestimate of $100/ barrel, the figures are also interesting. The total cost of the contract is 11,133,333 barrels of crude. That does not sound much to oil rich Nigeria -just 5+days of oil deliveries at two million barrels per day or, according to media bunkering outcry reports, just a month of bunkered oil.

Someone with internet savvy should please compare and publish the price of a kilometre of road worldwide to see if we are getting a competitive price. We may respect JB as builders of fine roads and bridges and are forced by authorities to tolerate RCC. Can we blame RCC for the Ibadan-Ife Road? We have thousands of Nigerian engineers doing a lot of nothing due to lack of patronage and payment for past contractual projects by governments –the so-called internal debt calculated in trillions of naira. What is the terrain that will cost this amount of money? Widening the long bridge to six lanes?

But even more importantly, why on earth should the job take four long years or 1460 days or 1252 working day excluding weekends? The Chinese are building the tallest building in the world in just six months. This contract has long since been a deadly laughing stock among Nigerians like the East West Road, the Second Niger Bridge and the ‘Power Failure Projects’ which have all rightly been called ‘Contracts of Urgent National Impotence’!

With millions of lives affected by the Expressway daily, surely it should be an 18 months or even under a year ‘Con-

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HERE is no doubt that the meteoric rise in crime and criminal conducts in the country is as a result of a breakdown in societal values, norms and morals. And of course, Nigeria may not be alone in this loathsome path. This is because the economic downturn in recent times has really led to family dislocations everywhere as many young couples now seek divorce soon after walking down the aisles. Not only this. The lack of economic power has led to avoidable squabbles in many a matrimonial home. In most cases, these quarrels have resulted regretfully in both parties going their separate ways at the slightest jolt. This way, many couples have been torn apart.

When two elephants lock horns, it is the grass beneath them that absorbs the pain and anguish. Major cities in Nigeria are today brimming with children who cannot readily point at their family homes. Some have lost touch since they were toddlers. They probably were born without anybody standing in as a father.

In many instances, the women, who are usually at the receiving end of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies, have fallen victims of abandonment and neglect from the men they thought were their lovers. These women are abandoned right during the pregnancies or shortly after putting to bed either because of poor financial power of the men or some other irreconcilable differences. And the society has no clear-cut way to address these issues or ameliorate the unfortunate situations.

Today, the rise in juvenile delinquency, drug addiction, criminality and other dangerous vices that are inimical to law and order in the society is due to the fact that many youths who roam the streets have

tract of Urgent National Importance’. Why no urgency, day and night work, 24/7 work with 10 different teams doing 10km each on each side? There are millions unemployed ready to be recruited and trained. Even the army of NYSC professionals can be deployed to participate in the work.

Enough is enough. Four years or not, the first assignment for the contractors should be ‘Emergency’, to quickly inspect the road and fill all potholes, of which there are about 1000 serious life-threatening ones and fill in jagged road edges in over 500 spots. This palliative strategy is not a joke but life-saving and time saving and should be implemented now, this week and completed in seven days. Let the contract begin! There should be no more road deaths due to potholes and jagged road edges which cause vehicles to swerve and crash. Let no Nigerian die on the expressway from today. This burden we place on Julius Berger and RCC management, chief executives and shareholders. They have not get a contract with Nigeria but with Nigerian travellers –men, women and children who simply want to get from A to B, Lagos to Ibadan safely. ‘JB/RCC, come over to Macedonia and save us.’

Will the Federal Ministry of Works again be rightly or wrongly accused of devilish delays, diversions, placing greed over service to the nation, corruption and all manner of machinations to cause obstruction? We must remember that there was already an approved design and work on the third lane had successfully gone from Lagos to beyond the Redemption Camp before Obasanjo revoked the World Bank contract in order to concession it. And what a disaster that decision was for Nigerian travellers. Do Nigerians not deserve an apology for having been forced to suffer for so long and being so shoddily treated by those supposed to act in their greater interest-politicians and civil servants? How much was the World Bank contractor paid by Nigeria as compensation for that unnecessary termination of very good work-in-progress? Left alone the entire Expressway would have had three lanes on reach side more than four years ago, now we must wait for four more years. Note that General Gowon says the original plan was for three lanes. Who chopped the third lane- financially or politically thus con-

demning us to 30+ years of misery? We should all pray that the Federal Ministry of Works behaves with the above-board moral rectitude and dispatch required in this urgent matter.

Just recently on July 6, I witnessed a 9.00am four lane deep, 15km long, about 10,000 vehicles with maybe 100,000 citizens, at a standstill on the Lagos Ibadan side. And on July 21, there was a disastrous 25km four lane wide line of static traffic from Ibafo to well beyond ‘Redeem’. Simple maths tells us that 25km of four lane traffic, with a lane on either side of the two lane road should actually be a 50km two lane traffic jam. Is that not a disaster in evolution? While this disaster was unfolding all the FRSC could do was to stop me at the permanent Ogere FRSC check point for driving licence and fire extinguisher check for the sixth time in my short life.

Coming back to Ibadan on July 7, there were two accidents and the unrepentant extortion of one FRSC vehicle with its officers endangering their lives and reducing the road lanes from two to one in order to randomly select victim vehicles.

• To be continued

‘Will the Federal Ministry of Works again be rightly or wrongly accused of devilish delays, diversions, placing greed over service to the nation, corruption and all manner of machinations to cause obstruction? We must remember that there was already an approved design and work on the third lane had successfully gone from Lagos to beyond the Redemption Camp before Obasanjo revoked the World Bank contract in order to concession it’

Poor Riliwan! no guardians or parents to call their own. They simply find their ways to bus-stops, vehicles’ loading points, depots, den of criminals and other innocuous dungeons as they search for the elusive daily bread.

Take the case of one Riliwan, whose plight was recently brought to the fore by a national newspaper.

Seventeen-year-old Riliwan was said to have run away from his father’s house in Abuja to Lagos because he (his father) threatened to kill him.

Riliwan narrated his story to a reporter who encountered him in a bus en route Abuja to Lagos. He said that he ran away from home at Tungamade, Abuja, without the knowledge of his father, who he described as a disciplinarian. Riliwan was described as ‘looking scared and tired’ when the reporter met him. The reporter said, though Riliwan claimed to be going to Church Street in Idumota, Lagos Island, to meet his mother, his description did not show that he knew his destination. According to Riliwan himself, he decided “to run away from home due to maltreatment and death threats from his father.” Hear him: “I left home without the knowledge of my father. He has always maltreated me. He is always threatening to kill me. Each time I needed something from him, he would turn me down. I am not feeling the fatherly love and I am not happy to be with him any longer.

That is why I decided to run away to meet my mother in Lagos. I was told that my parents divorced since I was three years old. I had to abandon my education at Junior Secondary School One (JSS1) because my father

‘We must understand that, without lending a helping hand to the needy, especially the downtrodden in the society, we can never attain the much-sought-after peaceful co-existence’

refused to pay my school fees. Each time I came home to tell him that his attention was needed in my school, he would not go.”

In Riliwan’s estimation, he was vulnerable to abuses and disdainful treatment in his father’s hands because his mother had left him many years ago. He rightly or wrongly believes that all will be well with him by the time he sets his eyes on his mother. “I believe that things will turn out for the better in Lagos when I see my mother, although she is not also aware that I am coming,” he said.

Riliwan added that he learnt that his mother was married to another person. Unknown to this poor soul, that could also be another source of trouble for him if the mother’s new lover is the intolerant type. Riliwan also said that before he left his father, he worked as an assistant in a bakery to survive. He said: “I feed myself because nobody cares.

Anytime my step-mum gave me food, we had to sneak into the house because my father must not know. So the bakery became my life.

I earlier tried to apply as an apprentice with an engineer but he requested to see any of my parents.

When I informed my father, he ignored me.”

When the reporter later visited Church Street, Idumota, a few days after the encounter, he could not locate Riliwan. Residents of the house where his mother supposedly lives could not confirm Riliwan’s arrival in the house or the area. What this means is that, Riliwan, possibly did not arrive at his initial destination safely or he might have changed his mind to go elsewhere on a second thought. The implication is that Riliwan could now be a potential area boy, armed robber or drug peddler prowling the streets of Lagos anytime soon.

The pathetic case of Riliwan is symptomatic of the appalling situation many youths of today are con-

fronted with. Riliwan, like other children in his shoes, out of lack of care from their parents, simply abandoned school and their families. As soon as they bolt out of their parents’ abode, they are embraced by the waiting arms of hardened criminals, drug addicts, drug peddlers and other social misfits who employ their services to ply their ‘lethal’ ware or commit crimes of unimaginable proportion against innocent and lawabiding citizens. The issue of abandoned youths, therefore, becomes a good preying ground for criminals who are perennially looking for new recruits to their nefarious ways of life.

Let us look at the rise and spread of Boko Haram in the northern part of the country. Most of the converts to Boko Haram’s stupid and destructive doctrine are easily children and youths who have no parental or guardian control. The havoc they have wreaked on the economic and social fabric of the society, especially in the North-East of the country reverberates all over the globe. Today, Nigeria features prominently in terrorists’ map everywhere. No thanks to these misguided and abandoned youths who are hypnotised and brainwashed into taking arms against their fellow men.

Though the governments at both the federal and state levels are now trying hard to curtail the excesses of these bad elements in the society, the havoc has been done. Now it is a sort of stick-and-carrot approach to end the regime of bombs and deaths. The federal government has since May this year imposed emergency rule on three most volatile states in the North-East. They are Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. The military are prowling every nooks and cranny in these states, smoking out insurgents from their various hideouts.

In this month of Ramadan, Kashim Shettima, the governor of Borno

Dele Agekameh State, has gone a step further. Just last week, Government House, Maiduguri hosted some unusual visitors. The visitors, numbering 50, were made orphans through the satanic activities of the Boko Haram sect. They were guests of the governor who invited them for the traditional iftah (breaking of fast). In addition to the cosy meals they had with their host and other dignitaries in attendance, they all bagged scholarships to pursue their education. The scholarships are designed to cut across orphans from both Muslim and Christian homes, as the government has promised to also host orphans from Christian homes during Christmas. The governor then impressed it on government officials, wealthy residents and charity organisations to assist the orphans in their midst.

Like Shettima said, it is now the duty of other arms of government, charity organisations and wealthy Nigerians to take a cue from this gesture. We must understand that, without lending a helping hand to the needy, especially the downtrodden in the society, we can never attain the much-sought-after peaceful co-existence. Even in the Scriptures, it is clearly written: “Be your brother’s keeper”.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

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COMMENTS ‘Its been 20 years now but you seem to nurture the general disaffection of June 12 to personal bitterness.

Castigating IBB everyday will not reverse the tide of history. Do you ever scrutinise the roles played by OBJ and others? Please grow up, after all, MKO was no saint. I hope you will be courageous enough to publish this text. From Suleiman Nwobasi, Port Harcourt’ For Olatunji Dare

•M.K.O. Abiola

For Segun Gbadegesin Good morning sir, your article this morning is commendable but Mr. Governor should not relent on his transformation agenda.

Thanks! From Kolawole, Ibadan Thank God for your observation of this good work going on in Oyo State cum West in general. Please do access other states and zones.

From Myke, Enugu “Anikura baba omokomo, Akanmu baale jibiti.” The days of the hirelings are over in the West. Something good is happening in Oyo State. God bless Ajimobi and his fellow Southwest governors. From Akande, Ojoo, Ibadan Re: I see; therefore I know. Although before now, my flair was for Chief Rasheed Ladoja in sympathy for 2006 impeachment saga! With dramatic and sporadic infrastructural explosion by two year old administration of Governor Isiak Ajimobi, I am anxiously waiting to cast my vote for him and his candidates in the next elections; no controversy. From Lanre Oseni “I see; therefore I know” is reasonably encouraging to provoke further development of Oyo State.’yinni yinni,ki a le se mi in’. But the government must not rest on false glorification of acclaimed performance. We must continue to push him beyond limit, and above his vision or dreams. This will surely benefit, not the indigenes alone but all and sundry.

From Alhaji Hon. ADEYCorsim, Oshodi, Lagos I cannot wait to read the good strides in terms of performance by some PDP governors analysis like this by you. From Fryo, Jos Not for publicity, Dr., l agree with you, it is very customary with the highly placed Nigerians attemping the distortion of facts weather deliberately or falsely, but the record will not lie, IBB or anyone can say anyting, but the record is there. Thanks for refreshing our memories, bravo sir! From Omo Oba, Lagos Dear Segun, to be candid, the Yoruba people are very wise for rejecting PDP. We in the South-south are hoping that INEC will register APC so that APC will deliver south south from the grip of the PDP. From Chuks, Delta State Opalaba would do well to visit our State of Osun and see wonders. Here is a state that has little or no financial resources, but is still being able to embark on monumental projects all across the state. It is indeed, ‘Government Unusual’, going by our indefatigable Governor’s slogan. May God continue to guide him.

Anonymous Good day, sir. I read your interesting piece on the backpage of Friday’s edition of The Nation Newspaper. It was a good testimony about the good work embarked upon by the Ajimobi administration. However, I want to enjoin you to take a look at greater projects going on in neighbouring Ogun State where the entire state has been turned to a huge construction site with 17 major roads being reconstructed and expanded. Each of these roads have six lanes and about 10 overhead bridges are ‘growing up’ simultaneously. The first overhead bridge to be constructed by the state government in 37 years of existence had been commissioned in January with a six lane 2.4 kilometre road having all accompanying road furniture. I will be happy anytime you are chanced if you come around to see this massive reconstruction being executed under the Mission to Rebuild Ogun State of the Ibikunle Amosun administration. From Yusuph Olaniyonu

Its been 20 years now but you seem to nurture the general disaffection of June 12 to personal bitterness. Castigating IBB everyday will not reverse the tide of history. Do you ever scrutinise the roles played

by OBJ and others? Please grow up, after all, MKO was no saint. I hope you will be courageous enough to publish this text. From Suleiman Nwobasi, Port Harcourt.

The truth of the matter was that IBB was not prepared to vacate office, but was forced by the Nigerian people. He cannot run away from the fact that he annulled the best election ever held in Nigeria and he created the foundation for the current political crises in the country. From Abdullahi Danja, Abuja Dare, good morning and thank you for your piece. What an apt title! But for your piece the self acclaimed evil genius would have succeeded with blue murder. All of us cannot be afflicted with collective amnesia. Anonymous Buhari and his northern parasites will still treat Asiwaju and his southern brothers, the way they treat Abiola and Awo. Dare, tell me what did Awo did not do to please these people? May history not repeat itself. Anonymous We have learned a lot from the annullment of June 12. As we all know, nobody is a custodian of knowledge except God. The deed had been done by the then military government headed by IBB, and consistently we keep on dragging on the same issues which is very dangerous to the unity of our nation. The man said he has taken responsibility of all that happened, so in that respect, let us forgive and forge ahead. If a man is running and he is looking behind, he is bound to fall. IBB is human not God, He is bound to make mistake. Let us forgive him. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa Lagos Thanks for your comment “IBB: A tormented mind at work”. If IBB has nothing new now Nigerians know better he should shut up. Anonymous Why does IBB think Achilles, the sleek Greek God- Man is most remembered for his heel? It is because that was his greatest weakness that ended his life. Insatiable love of power is IBB’s greatest weakness (Achilles’ heel), which was his reason for the annulment of June 12. That was his greatest offense against Nigeria as a nation. He will, forever, be remembered for June 12. From Jerome A. Adie, Calabar Your piece “IBB: A tormented mind at work” was another arrow well pieced at the man right at his heart if he has one at all. He is lucky he can be talking so sensely only in a nation like ours. For if it was like the Middleeast, one bad guy would have blown his head with just a bullet for what he has caused Nigerians. But let arrows like this continue to pierce through his heart. From Ayoga Obemnkpang I used to be an ardent and strong supporter of IBB before the anulment of June 12, 1993 Presidential Election. But, despite all the appeals and counsels from different quarters for him to de-annul the election, he refused, we need to pray to God on his behalf for forgiveness and failure to do that, posterity will judge him. From Laide Oguntimehin, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Uncle Dare, reading through your article, “IBB: A tormented mind at work” reminds me of what my History teacher said in my class one as,”History is the record of important events which has taken place in the past.”

June 12 can never be wished away from Nigeria as generations will hear and read about it. From Akinlade Esther, Lagos.

For Kunle Abimbola ‘Presidential anarchy’ has been the order of our govermental pattern. Our constitution intends a tyrannical democrat for our president. In Nigeria, the president, directly or indirectly appoints INEC, IG, CJN, COAS, and

other notable appointments. So what do we expect? The National Assembly should rise up to her responsibities and save the nation.

From Alhaj Hon. ADEYCorsim, Oshodi, Lagos Re: Presidential anarchy. Dear Abimbola, you raised some topical issues in your essay.

President Jonathan, Mrs. Jonathan, Onyesome Wike, Mbu should tread carefully. Like every other things on earth, power is transient. They should tread carefully. Jonathan is moving to the wrong side of history so fast. Today is not for ever. Who will deliver us from this monster call PDP? Anonymous Olakunle, your Republican Ripples on presidential anarchy, hit the point. But, the jonathan presidency is suffering pschopatic lunacy, neurotic disorder inherited and political hallucination. But hear the prophetic truth; Jonathan’s presidency is doomed. It will keep sliding down until it expires in complete disgrace. Mark my words. From Samuel Kunle, God bless you for today’s. We are watching where this lunacy we take us to.

This is just the first stanza of a story of perfidy that can easily destroy a nation. From Tunde Akingbade A Master piece Abimbola even though you took a swipe at one of our revered elderstatemen Balewa. Dele Giwa timeless quote in one of his incisive article is still apt to this day: “power will serve as a burial ground for those who misuse it”. And to Gulak, Abati and co., a review of Ola Rotimi’s play may teach a lesson but truth is they never learn as those whom the gods will sacrifice will first make them mad. From A. A. Umar I hope the press will certainly save this country from sliding into anarchy. The press today has become trhe conscience of the natiom.

It seems the President and his Dame have learnt nothing. Anonymous Sir, there is no other word that captures the heading other than presidential anarchy. You speak in metaphor which makes it an interesting reading. All what that are said therein are facts and facuals. Keep it up brother.

Anonymous Dear sir, I enjoyed your write-up on presidential anarchy. There is no other word to describe it other than that. The truth is that Jonathan and his wife are very desperate for 2015 forgetting that no amount of compulsion or intimidation can earn him re-election if rigging is ruled out. He has performed so absmally bad that he does not deserve a reelection. Only time will tell. Anonymous You cannot be in Lagos and claim to feel the heat than we the Rivers people, leave Jonathan out of this! The truth is that we are tired of the tyrannical nature of Ameachi. He should stop using our allocation to water your likes! From Daboye Briggs esq., Port Harcout Re: Presidential anarchy. The Presidential rascality as being displayed in Rivers State’s issue must not be allowed to go unchecked.

The President, his wife and some worthless politicians are the harbinger of the crisis. The Rivers’ issue is a replica of Bayelsa’s. The President is suffering from power madness/ intoxication. 2015 and States elections are around the corner hence his excesses must be curtailed. The IG is a robot and ever prepared to play the script of his master and the reason the President is against state police. He must not be allowed to continue with his numerous undemocratic and insensitive actions, stop this monster. From Past Odunmbaku For Tunji Adegboyega Re: ‘The tragedy of victory’ (The Nation on Sunday of July 21). I commend General AlabiIsama (rtd) for putting the records straight on the Civil War. However, why did he wait till now since ‘My Command’ was written? Hatred, envy and unnecessary cheap publicity which have made Nigeria to retard? A plus for the book. Finally, on the publicity for great contributors to Nigeria who linger in suffering – General Adekunle and Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi, I hope Mr Senate President and

•Gen. Isama Alabi Speaker, House of Representatives read their story at the book launch. Please help. From Lanre Oseni.

Tunji, notwithstanding Brigadier-General Alabi-Isama’s misgivings about Adekunle and Obasanjo’s military exploits during the Civil War, the duo remain war heroes for their sagacity and military prowess. Please let the south-west governors come to the aid of General Adekunle before it is too late. From Barr.

Moronkeji.

You spoke our minds on Alabi-Isama’s book. But I wonder why the author failed to invite Obasanjo to the occasion; that aspect is faulty if he wants the public to believe him.

OBJ is not a fool; he will reply him at the appropriate time. We need to appeal to Generals Gowon, Danjuma and Akinrinade to release their own memoirs and not go to their graves with the stories like Ojukwu. It is a shame the way the Federal Government treated Pa Akinkunmi and General Benjamin Adekunle. How do they expect to abate corruption? Let’s give kudos to Alabi-Isama for bringing one of the ills of the society- injustice - to the fore. Anonymous.

I agree with you and I also said it at the book presentation that the real tragedy of the civil war victory is the neglected heroes. To the war veterans, it is survival of the fittest; it’s a nation’s waste of fine skills rather than opportunity for them to impart it. This used to be the desire of my late husband and war commander, Col Edet Utuk from Ikot-Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. General Alabi-Isama should lecture young military personnel.

They need what he carries. It is well. From Mrs Grace Utuk.

The real tragedy of victory in war also includes the opportunity for opportunists to make egocentric distortion of facts. That, as I understand is the spur for Alabi-Isama’s pictorial account. From Kuteyi, R.R., Ondo.

Your article on ‘The tragedy of victory’ is an interesting piece. However, I am surprised by your claim that Gen Benjamin Adekunle fought gallantly to preserve the country whereas he had been adjudged to have fought gallantly on both sides by killing …! My dad was a soldier under the 3 Marine Commando; was it not the same Adekunle that was quoted as saying he will shoot anything that moves in Biafra, including women, children the Red Cross, etc! A soldier without care for unarmed civilians! Gallantry indeed! As a journalist, you have access to information; so, correct me if I am wrong. Alani Akinrinade was a gallant soldier who demonstrated great gallantry to the extent that the Biafrans nicknamed him “Chinese” because they felt he was a hired Chinese mercenary. I am disappointed that Obasanjo abandoned his men.

It’s a shame. Anonymous.

Well done, Tunji for putting a soft side to the hard facts in your column last Sunday.

Please help list out the ‘lies’ in My Command as exposed by Alabi-Isama’s new book on the Nigeria Civil War. From A. Oyeniyi.

Your piece on Alabi-Isama’s Civil War memoirs is thought-provoking. It was a bourgeoisie war and not a class war which could have produced a society without the existing striking poverty. Nigeria under the present socioeconomic order is a paradise for the bourgeoisie and an abyss of pain and penury for the toiling masses. From Amos Ejimonye, Kaduna.

It is not in our leaders’ character to remember or take care of past heroes. They are only after how to enrich their own pockets. From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

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Life

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

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Text only: 08023058761

•United States Consul General in Nigeria, Hawkins receiving his portrait from Mr. Ife Okorare, an artist.

‘My greatest regret is not meeting Achebe alive’

– SEE STORY ON PAGE 26

Senate pledges to work with Arts Gallery

Camera rolls for Soyinka’s Ake

– Page 27

– Page 37

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United States Consul General in Nigeria Jeffrey Hawkins is a committed promoter of the arts. He may not be an arts expert but he is a lover of arts. Hawkins believes it is a good thing to invest in the arts. His only regret he says is not meeting the late literary icon, Prof Chinua Achebe. He shares how US partners Nigeria through the arts in this chat with EVELYN OSAGIE.

‘My greatest regret is not meeting Achebe alive’

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HEN you walk into a room and you see artworks adorning the walls, what impression does it give you?

Obviously, it says so much about the person. And there are all kinds of art. I mean if you go into an office and there is a corporate art that can say, “We are sleek or we are sophisticated”. And if you go into a room and you find an artwork, it says a lot about the individual(s) too. We have some friends who collect Nigerian art and in fact their houses are filled with them. And it says a lot about them that they appreciate the aesthetics and that Nigerian culture means a lot to them. That is the idea we are trying to promote here: Nigerian culture, particularly Nigerian culture with an American element means a lot to us.

We held an art salon recently in my house involving some young Nigerian artists and had a visiting American artist and founder of the Mbari Institute for Contemporary African Art Mimi Wolford under the U.S Department of State’s Travelling Speaker programme. She is from a well-established tradition of artists: her parents, Richard Wolford and Jean Kennedy having graduated from the Cleveland School of Art were involved in the world of art from an early age. We’ve done a number of such exhibitions like this in the past.

How potent is art in shaping the society?

There is so much that you can say; it is like the cliché that “a picture is worth a thousand words”. Art can provide a conscience to the society; art can provide excitement, upliftment and education. Art is very powerful things that can help right the ills and wrong that are in society. Art can also say very powerful things about higher aspirations, even the spiritual. So, it is huge. Most importantly, as a diplomat, my job is building bridges; and I don’t think there is any better way to build bridges between people and cultures than promoting the arts. Aside exhibitions, we also had folks back to the United States and people like Mimi for all sorts of events. For example, we also had a Nigeria-American artist and professor from Chicago come out; and she worked at UNILAG and had a couple of shows of her artworks. They also show our country’s support for growth of the arts sector, as part of capacity building, job creation, skill acquisition and confidence building in the youth of Nigeria. The goal is to foster the development of the arts in the community. They not only serve as platform where future artists can get publicity but also present tremendous opportunity for ignorant Americans as myself to gain more comprehensive understanding and greater appreciation of the Nigerian arts and culture. It was really wonderful having the artists showcase their talents. We also intend to recognise artists and applaud them for their creativity and their courage in portraying their sentiments and their views and aesthetic.

And in a wider sense, we are celebrating the tie of cultures between Nigeria and United States.

What inspired the building of bridges through the arts?

The genesis was when I met an artist recently at an art show who has just come back from the United States and was talking about the influence that the experience had on him, artistically. And so we were very interested in replicating it on a wider scale and that led to Mimi’s visit

•Hawkins and wife, Annie (left) and Mimi

INTERVIEW who has a lot of history with arts and Nigeria and bridging that cultural gap.

So, what is your scorecard like in your attempt at bridging cultural gap particularly through the promotion of the arts?

The arts is a hard thing to quantify but there are other ways of quantifying: we also have a lot of exchange-type programmes: for example, the number of exchange educational programmes that we’ve have such as the Fulbright, which is one of the premier educational programmes. And there is something like 7000 Nigerian students studying in the United States – there are more Nigerians studying in the US than from any other African country. And when you talk about work, there is a huge number of NigerianAmericans and Nigerian citizens living and working in the US. And when you talk about the arts: one of Nigeria’s great novelists, the late Prof Chinua Achebe, was teaching in the US. And these are all some kind of scorecard.

And we are very happy to do what we can to encourage them from our side.

Did you meet Achebe when he was alive?

You know, it is my greatest regret that I did not – some-

‘It is my greatest regret that I did not – something I really wanted very badly to, and because I was in Nigeria and he was in America, it is regrettable that it didn’t happen and I am really sorry about that...Nigerian art is very hot right now. And I think people are really interested in it.

And although the price is not as high as others, it is a good place to get in because the prices look like they are about to go up’

Osun braces for Osun-Osogbo festival as Arugba undergoes tutelage

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SOGBO, the Osun State capital will be agog next month as the indigenes brace for the annual Osun-Osogbo Festival. Mr Makinde Olakunle, Curator, Osun-Osogbo, said the Arugba (calabash carrier), the symbol of the festival, was currently undergoing tutelage after being selected by the oracle.

Arugba is usually a female virgin saddled with the responsibility of carrying “igba” (calabash), who often undergoes spiritual cleansing, after being selected by the oracle.

Stories from Bukola Amusan, Abuja

He said there was a new “arugba” who would carry the calabash for the 2013 edition of the festival, adding that she was currently going through the rudiments.

“There is a new arugba now and she is undergoing tutelage and some other spiritual cleansing, after she has been selected by the oracle.” Makinde said that the new “arugba” was selected in December 2012 after the last one retired and decided to get married.

T

thing I really wanted very badly to, and because I was in Nigeria and he was in America, it is regrettable that it didn’t happen and I am really sorry about that.

Would we see more of the promotion of young talents?

Absolutely! Actually, we did an event recently where we did have a poet come up and recite Nigerian poetry.

Some say art lovers and promoters are mostly of the elite class, what say you?

There unpopular art and other forms of art. And those who collect art because they love it; others collect art as an investment. There are some who collect art because they recognise something before anyone does. That is where you really want to be. And you can choose what group you really want to be in; and you don’t have to belong to the elite to appreciate art.

Which group do you belong to?

I am certainly part of the “Wannabes”. There was an art auction recently that my wife and I bid on four pieces and we didn’t get a single one. This goes to show how popular Nigerian art is. We have to wait until next time and bid a little higher.

On the popularity of the Nigerian art: is it internationally acclaimed and perhaps highly priced?

I’m certainly not an art expert. But my general sense is that in the US and other art markets, I think West African art, particularly Nigerian art is very hot right now. And I think people are really interested in it. And although the price is not as high as others, it is a good place to get in because the prices look like they are about to go up.

What kind of art lover are you?

I do not make any claims to be a good one but I am a musician; I play the guitar. And as a matter of fact, my wife and I had a little deal that I am going to lose weight and she is going to take piano lessons.

Where would you regard your favourite places in Nigeria?

Osogbo is actually one of my favourite places in Nigeria.

HE National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Federal Fire Service (FFS) have reached an agreement to implement new strategies for promoting fire safety awareness at the grassroots, one of which is a grassroots and zonal roundtable training on fire disaster prevention and management.

Director General of NOA, Mr. Mike Omeri gave this indication when he received the FSS Comptroller General, Engineer Olusegun Okebiorun in his office on a courtesy visit.

Mr. Omeri said the decision to embark on the sensitisation campaign was informed by several letters from rural communities across the country requesting NOA to intensify

NOA, Fire Service to sensitise Nigerians on safety efforts towards creating sufficient awareness on fire safety and safe use of generators at the grassroots. He observed that the risk of poisoning from generator fumes were also on the increase across the country and the agency’s campaign was being designed to cover awareness on the issue.

The NOA boss said the Agency was working together with the FFS, the National Emergency Management Agency and other stakeholders to achieve the mitigation of disasters in the country as well as enhance

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Achebe’s Things Fall Apart to be translated into Nupe Stories by Evelyn Osagie

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ITH the over 50 language translations of the late literary icon, Prof Chinua Achebe’s epic novel, Things Fall Apart (TFA) from across the world, Niger State government is set to add languages in the state to the list.

The Niger Book Development Agency is set to translate the classic novel into Nupe and certain other indigenous languages.

The move, according to the Agency Director, Mallam Baba Muhammad Dzukogi, is part of efforts by the government to position the state as a major literary hub in the country. The Nupe language translation is been done by Nupe renaissance advocate, Isyaku Bala Ibrahim.

Ibrahim lamented the fact that in spite of the number of translation, many Nigerian languages are yet to make the list aside Yoruba.

This, he said, is also part of efforts of advocates of Nupe renaissance and writers in the state to encourage literary and creative endeavour in indigenous language across all spheres, especially among the young.

“In Niger State, writers are not resting on their oars in a bid to re-energize the almost forgotten Nupe Language Project set up by the then Niger State Military Administrator, Colonel Ola Oni. “For that reason, we have devised means of furthering the development of the indigenous languages in the state, most especially the Nupe language.”

While commending the efforts of the Niger State government through the book agency in promoting literacy and reading culture, especially in indigenous languages across the state, he added that the translation would be ready by the end of year.

Chimamanda gets American prize

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WARD-WINNING Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s has received one more recognition to her award list.

Her latest work entitled: AMERICANAH has been named the 2013 Chicago Tribune Heartland Prize for fiction, according to her publicist.

The novel got the prize for its avid treatment of American issues, causes and concerns, the literary editor of the Chicago Tribune, Elizabeth Taylor has said.

The Heartland Prize is a literary prize created in 1988 by the Chicago Tribune Newspaper. The prize, according to Taylor, is awarded yearly in two categories, fiction and non-fiction, to books that are concerned with American issues, causes and concerns.

Of the novel, Taylor wrote: “We loved AMERICANAH. It’s a powerful, resonant novel and we would be delighted to celebrate it and try to share it with a wider audience.”

“I’m very pleased,” Adichie said on receiving news of the prize. “You never know what will happen when you write a novel.

And for me, a Nigerian, to have written this book which is partly about America, and to receive this quintessentially American prize means that I have said something about America as seen through Nigerian eyes that Americans find interesting. I take that as a wonderful compliment. It reminds me of the ability of literature to make us become briefly alive in bodies not our own.”

Past fiction winners of the Heartland Prize include Jonathan Franzen for his novel Freedom and Marilynne Robinson for her novel Gilead The prize will be awarded on November 3 at an audience-attended event hosted in partnership with the Chicago Humanities Festival in Chicago.

•Chimamanda

•A dance-drama presentation at the lecture

Senate pledges to work with Art Gallery

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HAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Senator Ahmed Hassan Barata has urged the National Gallery of Art (NGA) to create an enabling environment for artists to thrive.

The Senate, he said, would work closely with the NGA to ensure quick passage of laws that would facilitate the growth of modern art and its funding.

“We have been common passengers in the boat of art development and now that the boat is sailing safely and steadily, we cannot but extend our cooperation as partners in progress to the National Gallery of Art,” he said.

Barata noted that technological development is dependent upon full engagement of the tenets of the arts, adding that art is capable of becoming an alternative source of revenue for the country.

He spoke at a lecture entitled Our future lies in children art, and national children art exhibition in Abuja organised by the National Gallery of Art. Tourism, Culture and National Orientation Minister, Chief Edem Duke described today’s child art as the assurance of the virility of tomorrow’s creative industry renowned for its independence and generation of employment. He said the exhibition as a pointer to the possibility of self-reliance and near indispensability of art and creativity in the overall sustainability of the nation’s culture and tourism industry.

“Indeed, our future is bright with the strong beam lighting our path to the greatness of our future-artistically speaking. Our history has often been distorted due to lack of documentation.

As we all know, any documented events becomes a history that cannot be distorted because the documents are there,” he added.

He charged the participating children not to rest on their oars saying ‘the embers of creativity placed on your lap will be sustained to burn endlessly thus leading to a future laced with better creative

Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

LECTURE ingenuity and better artistry that will further boost the future creative industry.’

Duke’s counterpart at the Ministry of Youth Development, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir said a good upbringing prepares the child for the needed roles of patriotism, loyalty, good governance and appreciation of family values. He noted that apart from the self discipline on the part of the children, parents equally have a vital role to play. Abdulkadir stressed that as parents, ‘we owe the children every responsibility to bring them up, instill in them the fear of God that will later in life provide quality leadership. This step is an assurance of a robust future; and I so advocate.’

NGA Director-General Mr Abdullahi Muku

‘Today I fear that technology is virtually disgracing us because we did not learn the art of doing at an early age, which has left Nigeria a talking rather than a doing nation…We need to accomplish our physical build-up ourselves. That is why attempts to buy technology have not led to our imbibing technology’

described the exhibition is an opportunity to savour the creative impulse thoughtfully articulated on various media by Nigerian children. He noted that the gallery has constantly used such instrumentalities and apparatus to accelerate the progression of children’s urge for art and creativity.

Muku disclosed that the gallery has been able to engage the children to explore and interrogate themes on children and national developments through its Saturday Art Club programmes as well as the children day exhibition series. According to him, the exhibition is aimed at discovering and consolidating on the artistic creativity of Nigerian pupils and students.

The guest speaker, renowned artist and architect, Prince Demas Nwoko who spoke on Our future lies in children art, said children art has not been given due attention in the nation’s educational system, saying now is the time to redress the situation. He warned that should the poor state of art education continues, the nation might be unable to reach the promised land of technological development in 2020. He urged government to put something concrete and positive on ground so that in 10 years time, ‘we will realize our first firm step to true technological growth.

On how Nigeria can achieve technological development through art, he said: “Today I fear that technology is virtually disgracing us because we did not learn the art of doing at an early age, which has left Nigeria a talking rather than a doing nation…We need to accomplish our physical build-up ourselves. That is why attempts to buy technology have not led to our imbibing technology. If you get addicted to buying, you will not develop the self-confidence to create or think.”

Among dignitaries present at the lecture included the Director-General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Mrs Sally Mbanefo, representative of Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyat Rufai, Executive director, National Council for Arts and Culture, Mr Maigwi Maidugu, Prof Ola Oloidi, Mr. Jimoh Akolo, Dr. Helen Uhunmwagho, Prof. Tonie Okpe and Dr. Ken Okoli.

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A night of toasts to Achebe There was music. There were recollections, tributes and a lot of champagne. Writers, literary enthusiasts, book lovers and fans raised their glasses in honour of the late literary legend, Prof Chinua Achebe, in Lagos.

EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

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OME young men were riding from Onitsha to Ogidi when an interesting comic drama took place.

As the vehicle got close to Ogidi, the hometown of the late literary legend Prof Chinua Achebe, the travellers came across a crowd who were there for the legend’s funeral and, then an argument ensued.

“What is happening?” one asked. “It’s like someone died,” said another.

“Who died: is he a film actor?” asked a third. “It is the Nollywood actor Pete Edochie,” someone who thought he knew, answered with confidence by this time the journey had come to an end for the critic and poet Uzor Maxim Uzoatu who had arrived at his destination.

Uzoatu relived this comic moment last Thursday among dignitaries consisting of writers, literary enthusiasts, book lovers and others from within and outside Nigeria in Lagos. The event, tagged: Toast to an Extraordinary Life - Chinua Achebe, meant to honour the writer post-humously, started with highlife music by music maestro like Osita Osadebe and the likes playing at the background.

Some shook their head in sober reflection. Others, like Uzoatu, with glasses of Moet & Chandon Champagne in hand, recalled fond memories and personal experience with the legend and his works with much zest at the Gallery of the Old Prison Ground now Freedom Park, Lagos.

Once again, his life, times, works, politics, romance, humour, achievements and contributions particularly in the development of African literature, among others came on the spotlight. Some called him a “subtle revolutionary”. To others, he was “pen freedom fighter”, “honest story teller”, “eagle on the iroko”, “mentor”, father and so on.

Even though it was the day was also the birthday of Nobel laureate and revolutionary Nelson Mandela, guests chose to celebrate the late literary legend Prof Chinua Achebe. The event, which was organised by Moet & Chandon Champagne, curated by award-winning journalist and writer, Tolu Ogunlesi.

Uzoatu recounted his experiences with the late author while he was alive, observing that Onitsha-Ogidi the incident was a pointer to the faceless nature of writers compared to screen personalities. He added that it also showed the humility of the author who despite his achievements refused to throw them at people’s faces.

According to him, from the beginning Achebe took his art seriously. Achebe’s life, he said, was a challenge for contemporary writers. “Achebe was such a humble person who took our proverbs and idioms that are commonplace and elevated them.

He believes that we all have a right to tell our stories and should be allowed to tell our stories. It is a lesson to us, writers - don’t be a dancer of fortune that would only take you to appoint,” he said.

In attendance were Forbes Africa, Business Development Manager, Patrick Omitoki; former Editor of The Guardian on Sunday, Jahman Anikulapo; Managing Director of Mirror, Steve Ayorinde, award-winning authors such as Igoni Barreti, Eghosa Imasuen and Ake Literary Festival Director, Lola Shoneyin, Kemi Adetiba, Ebi Atawodi, Segun Adefila, Temi Dollface, Ayeni Adekunle, Chris Ihidero,Ann Ogunsulire, Brand Manager, Moet Hennessy champage, among others.

Imasuen said he first encountered Chinua Achebe in his parents’ library. “Arrow of God is my favourite because it is ridiculously funny. In fact most of his works are. After reading his works, I wondered how someone could be an honest storyteller and that was when I said this is what I was going to do with my life,” he said before reading chapter one of A Man of the People.

While reading from Achebe’s work entitled: John Conrad: Africa Writes Back, literary critic and Director of CORA, Toyin Akinosho, took guests into how Achebe was launched into the international literary clime with Things Fall Apart, the long, awkward and hectic continental voyage his Things Fall Apart manuscript underwent before it was published, his effort at mentoring generation of writers the younger than his like Ngugi Wa’Thiongu, among

T

•Anikulapo and Ayorinde toasting to Achebe

•From left: Shoneyin, Ogunlesi (right) and other guests at the event

CELEBRATION others. Akinosho’s reading left behind a disturbing question of which the compere, award-winning author, Ogunlesi’s later voiced, asking: “What if his manuscript had got lost between London and Nigeria?”

From the pages Akinosho read, guests saw the trouble that writers in the generation without internet, GSM and limited number of publishing houses went through to get their manuscripts published; and appreciated their determination and dedication to their passion.

Aside from being a night of reflections, tributes and reading, it was one of symbolism mixed with strings of metaphors. To ignite the imaginative essence of guest, Ogunlesi’s recollected of a quote by Madiba in which he (Madiba) described Achebe as: “A writer in whose company the prison walls fell down”.

Speaking of “prison” at a former “Prison Colonial Ground” now “Freedom Park”, he added fire to imaginations and left unanswered questions in the minds of guests over the “freedom of the African” and “identity crisis” in the face of globalisation and teeming problems such as bad leadership, corruption, poverty and racism with regards to the case of Zennaputa and Puta in the United States.

Over 50 years of its independence Africa is yet to be free, guests enthused. “Unfortunately, many are constantly being harassed despite of the wealth that abounds in the continent and in the country,” it was said. Madiba and Achebe were described as revolutionaries and “true Africa’s sons” whose lives should be emulated by Nigeri-

ans, particularly the political class.

Guests also likened Achebe to the Afrobeat maestro and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, saying both men has some things in common.

They described them “as revolutionaries who fought injustice with their arts”. “While Fela fought with his music, Achebe fought with words and his pen,” poet and social critic Ralph Tathagatha. According to him, one was subtle while the other was aggressive with his activism.

In the same vein, they lamented that the vicious circle in the leadership, noting it is unfortunate that the issues which their art and lives advocated against are still very much around and unaddressed.

During the author’s latter years, the late author was confined to the wheelchair due an accident caused by the pothole-infested roads. In death, Achebe still challenges our nationhood at 53, according to the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Lagos branch, Marxist exponent Dagga Tolar. “Our roads are burial grounds. Many are constantly becoming silent victims. His accident caused by bad roads still raises the fundamental questions of nationhood that should be addressed,” he said.

Reinstating Tolar ‘s words, Anikulapo observed that Achebe missed the opportunity of being celebrated as a hero because of the way younger writers painted him by narrowing him to a level that he did not have any meaning in some part of the country, making reference to the debate that bedevilled his last publication.

According to the organisers, the event is meant to celebrate the author’s “sterling contribution to the development of African literature especially the genre of prose”.

Why we are training NICO staff, by Executive Secretary

HE Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, has said the institute is keen on making culture workers more responsive and effective in the sector.

Speaking at a workshop titled: Repositioning cultural workers for improved productivity organised for staff of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation,

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

he said the training would be a platform for people to current trends in cultural application.

He reiterated that the purpose of the workshop was to train workers who will appreciate the fact that the culture sector is relevant in national development as well as

contribute to revenue generation drive of the country.

He hinted that NICO was discussing with states on the programme and would also organise similar workshop in Lagos where workers of the various state cultural agencies would participate. He added that NICO as the training arm in the cultural sector is working towards special packages to organise such training in various states.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

29

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Forecasts Niger Insurance Gross Premium - N2.73b Profit after tax - N212.95m Mutual Benefits Gross Premium - N2b Profit - N885.633m Regency Alliance Gross Premium – N812.596m Profit after tax – N256.437m Learn Africa Turnover - N1.06b Profit after tax - N58.336m Total Nigeria Turnover - N46.676 b Profit after tax - N942.1m MRS Oil Nigeria Turnover - N51.20b Profit after tax - N712 m Eterna Turnover - N27.64b Profit after tax - N563.834m Okomu Oil Palm Turnover - N2.667b Profit after tax - N1.044b Stanbic/IBTC Bank Net operating income N16.805b Profit after tax - N2.737b ASL Turnover - N1.084b Profit after tax - N101.355m GT Assurance Gross Premium - N3.892b Profit after tax - N710.62m Cornerstone Insurance Gross Premium - N1.223b Profit after tax - N80.01m Oasis Insurance Gross Premium N562.500m Profit after tax - N79.868m African Alliance INS Gross Premium - N1.215b Profit after tax - N107.213m Berger Paints Turnover - N976.303m Profit after tax - N88.258m SCOA Nigeria Turnover - N835.0m Profit after tax - N18.200m Dangote Sugar Refinery Turnover - N38.251b Profit after tax - N3.49b Studio Press Nig. Turnover - N3.375b Profit after tax - N20.422m Julius Berger Nig. Turnover - N80.125b Profit after tax - N2.55b Intercontinental Wapic Ins Gross Premium - N1.41b Profit after tax - N250.450m Equity Assurance Gross Premium - N2.45b Profit after tax - N287.283m Standard Alliance Insurance Gross Premium - N2.142b Profit after tax - N475.964m Continental Reinsurance Gross Premium - N6.917b Profit after tax - N805m PRESCO Turnover - N2.60b Profit after tax - N800.9m RT Briscoe Turnover - N4.553b

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

Passengers’ rights: NCAA to penalise erring airlines

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TRINGENTpenalties await domestic and foreign carriers that violate the rights of passengers, the Director-General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Folayele Akinkuotu, has said.

In an interview in Lagos, NCAA boss said the authority would no longer allow carriers to abuse the rights of passengers without any redress.

He said the NCAA is set to implement the new passengers’ bill of rights, which would become effective this month.

Akinkuotu,therefore, called on airlines to be selfregulatory to reduce infraction on the rights of passengers.

While harping on the need for airlines to establish consumer protection units, he urged those that have not to do so, warning that any failure to deal with abuse of passenger

•Authority to open complaint centres

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

rights if reported to NCAA, would attract sanction.

Akinkuotu said Nigeria could not afford to lag behind in the comity of aviation nations in pursuit of protecting the rights of passengers, because their patronage is key to the survival of any business.

Besides, he said the NCAA would establish a portal and other electronic avenues through, which passengers could channel their compliant. This, he said, would be treated with dispatch.

The NCAA boss said the era where airlines could threaten passengers without dignity is over, emphasising that the authority would deploy its personnel in airports nationwide to interact with passengers on the level of service delivery.

He said many service points would be opened around the airports, from where passengers could lodge their complaints on possible maltreatment by airlines or other service providers.

He said apart from airlines, other aviation agencies, including ground handling companies, would be monitored to ascertain their level of service, such that the customer is given value for the money paid for any service.

Akinkuotu said compliance with the passengers’ bill of rights would be process driven, such that in good time, passengers’ complaints are addressed by the relevant personnel.

He absolved NCAA officials of any complicity in resolving complaints lodged by passengers in the past, saying that any

compliant would be examined on its own strength given the circumstances surrounding the incident.

He said airlines and other service providers would be invited to give evidence before any matter is resolved.

Besides, he said the NCAA would also address issues affecting stakeholders covered by the bill of rights.

He said baggage damage and pilferage would attract the attention of the NCAA as passengers have been affected by this ugly trend, which he said, affects not only the airline, but also the ground handling companies.

Akinkuotu said: ”There would be enough consumer education to drive this process through. But, we must sound this, the consumer or passenger should also fight for his or her right.We would en-

sure that all sharp practices by both foreign and domestic airlines are addressed.

“The era when airlines do not abide by the prescribed time frame for promotional fares are over.

“Our desire is to see that passengers have a good travel experience from the airlines. The motive is to see that airlines are thinking about good experience for passengers.

“The passenger has a right to ask questions about good services from airlines, this is the global practice, and Nigeria should not by different.”

He listed possible infraction that warrants passenger violation of rights to include, delayed or cancelled flights, loss of as well damaged luggage.

He said airlines must be ready to embrace change by raising the bar in service delivery to enhance good customer service.

•From left: Chairman, Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Ernest Nwapa; MD, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Gbenga Kuye and Chairman, Heirs Holdings Limited, Tony Elumelu, at the Nigeria-China Business Investment Forum in Beijing, China.

PHOTO: AYODELE AMINU

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WAGPCo loses N26.6b to vandalised pipeline

EST African Gas Pipeline Com pany (WAPCo) has lost N26.6billion revenue to the vandalism of its pipelines, it was learnt.

The Managing Director of the company, Mr Charles Adeniji, who made this known in Lagos, also said over $40 million was spent on repairs of the vandalised pipeline.

He said: “Repairs of the vandalised gas pipeline cost the company about $40 mil-

Automatic agent licences for banks, MfBs, says CBN - P 32

•Spends $40m on repairs

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

lion, but we are yet to know the final figure because we are still computing the cost.

We have completed repairs of the line and operation has commenced normally as at July 12, 2013. We have delivered gas to the sub-region in accordance to the gas transportation contract with our shipper.”

The sub-regional pipeline, which traversed four West African countries, including Nigeria, Togo, Benin Republic and Ghana, was vandalised in August, last year at Lome, capital of Togo.

Adeniyi lamented the huge revenue lost to the vandalism, which stalled operations, explaining that from August 28, 2012 to July 11, this year, when the company shut

Foreign investors repatriate N38b dividends - P33

down, it lost about N26.6 billion.

He said: “The company was shut down for 344 days; that is, 10 months and 14 days.

During the period, we lost supply and services to our clients and on each day we didn’t work. We lost about$500,000. So, the number of days we didn’t work, multiply that by that amount, would give you the opportunity of knowing the money we have been denied because of the vandalised pipeline.”

The WAPCo boss said that the gas pipeline, which was vandalised in August, last year, resumed gas transportation to their clients in July, last year - a year after the incident.

The pipeline that was shut immediately it was cut into two at Lome, was severed by a ship’s anchor in Togo. To ensure that it was repaired to international standards, the owners of the company, including Chevron Nigeria Limited, hired experts to do the job and also followed industry procedures.

95% insurers yet to comply with IFRS requirement’

- P34

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

30

MONEY

Banks begin foreign lenders’acquisition

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EPOSIT Money Banks (DMBs) desirious of expanding offshore are exploring mergers and acquisitions.

This stemmed from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) directive for lenders not to guarantee deposits of their offshore subsidiaries.

The CBN Director, Banking Supervision, Mrs Agnes Martins, said the banking watchdog would not permit any further capital outlay from parent banks to augment the capital needs of foreign subsidiaries, but would rather encourage banks to consider mergers and acquisitions with other local and or foreign banks in the host country.

She said also under no circumstances are parent banks allowed to guarantee the deposit of their foreign subsidiaries.

In line with the above policy, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) last week announced that it had entered an agreement with the shareholders of Fina Bank Limited, Kenya for the acquisition of 70 per cent shareholding in Fina Bank.

Based in Kenya, Fina Bank also operates in Rwanda through its 92 per cent-owned subsidiary Fina

• May rethink Ghana, Zambia subsidiaries Stories by Collins Nweze

Bank Rwanda Ltd and in Uganda through its subsidiary Fina Bank (Uganda) Ltd. Based on its unaudited consolidated financials as of March 31, this year, Fina Bank had total assets of $338 million, gross customer loans of $184 million and customer deposits of $285 million.

“GTBank will acquire the 70 per cent shareholding in Fina Bank through a combination of a capital injection in Fina Bank, and an acquisition of shares from the current shareholders. The total consideration to be paid by GTBank is estimated at $100 million and is subject to closing adjustments and exchange rate movements,” a statement from the bank said.

Also, GTBank and the other shareholders of Fina Bank will enter into an agreement to ensure a transition of the governance and operations of the bank. There is also the possibility of acquiring further shares in the future.

Access Bank Plc said last year that

it would cut to 49 per cent its stake in its Zambian unit after the southern African country raised capital requirements.

Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, admitted that the requirement to increase funding for foreign units had exerted enormous pressure on the capital base of most parent banks.

The CBN policy became exigent when some African countries, specifically Ghana and Zambia central banks, raised their minimum capital requirement for banks. The policy is making some of the banks to consider either pulling out or reducing their stakes in subsidiaries in these countries.

The banks said the measure would help mobilise additional resources for their economies and enable the banks to contribute effectively to their national economic growth as well as provide more funds for flow of credit.

In the case of Ghana, whose financial market had been undergoing some restructuring since the dis-

covery of oil in the country, the Bank of Ghana had directed banks to recapitalise to GH¢60 million ($31.7 million) by the end of last year, from the $5.28 million it used to be.

Similarly, the Zambian government recently hiked its minimum capital requirements for foreign commercial banks to K520 billion ($98.52 million), from $2.27 million, while that of local commercial banks was raised to $19.69 million within same period.

Mrs Martins said the increases in the capital of the banks’ offshore subsidiaries, reflect efforts to strengthen the banking sectors in those countries even as global banks have also been seeking ways to boost capital adequacy ratios in their home countries to meet increased capital requirements under Basel III, and one option they have explored was the disposal of international subsidiaries.

She said these capital demands are not in tandem with the level of growth in business in these lenders, adding that it would not allow banks to continue funding their subsidiaries from parent companies, but would encourage them to consider mergers and acquisitions with other local or foreign banks in host country.

Head, Market Risk, Greenwich Trust Limited, Babatunde Obaniyi, said the CBN is being proactive to ensure that the funds that would have been used to develop Nigeria’s economy are not channelled to other economies.

He said for a bank to operate offshore, it has to raise its capital base to the required N100 billion ($635.72 million). This means that a bank, such as UBA, which has 18 offshore branches, may see its funds depleted trying to recapitalise all its branches abroad, where such cases arise.

He explained that though there

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido

are some African countries, especially The Gambia where investors cannot just bring hot money to fund banks, but polices in many African countries show that more countries want foreign banks to recapitalise their subsidiaries with funds from home countries even as some of the banks have learnt to share risks with local banks to reduce the economic risks that come with foray into new markets.

“The level of aggression most Nigerian banks exhibit in venturing into new markets, if not checked, will raise their operational risk level. Besides, I do not see the restriction of these banks into foreign countries as having the capacity to deplete their group’s performance because some of these markets are smaller than Nigeria’s,” he said.

He said most of these banks are expected to develop their own products and services to meet the needs of the people.

He added that there was no justification for the level of capital requirement imposed by the central banks of those countries and so banks would decide if they could continue with the subsidiaries.

Stanbic IBTC strengthens retail lending

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• From left: Managing Consultant, Stern and Kay Consulting, Mrs Kate Iketubosiu; Sekibo and Deputy Director, Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Mrs Nneka Okekearu, at the launch of the Heritage Bank’s Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Clinic in Lagos.

Heritage Bank to assist MSMEs

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ERITAGE Bank plans to provide funds for the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sub-sector of the economy.

Speaking at the bank’s MSME Clinic in Lagos, its Managing Director, Ifie Sekibo, pledged the lender’s commitment to assist MSMEs to become large organisations that can be quoted on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) in the next three years.

He said the lender likes growing small firms and that it wants to create, preserve and transfer wealth from one generation to the other.

He said big opportunities exist in the electronic banking for MSMEs to tap from.

He explained that the bank was looking beyond deposit mobilisation to assisting the sub-sector to realise the participants’goals, by identifying and solving problems that affect their businesses to provide the solution to make them function better.

The Executive Director of the

bank, Mrs Mary Akpobome, said those in the MSME sub-sector need to properly structure their businesses to make to banks’ funds attractive to them.

“Over the last six months, we identified 60 MSMEs and studied their operations to see where we can help them. But we discovered that many of them had no business plans and are owned by one person who does all the work and usually has no business plan,” she said.

She said the bank has stepped up its support by advising such firms on the need to properly structure their businesses to ensure that banks fully understand what they are doing.

Mrs Akpobome noted that the bank would ensure proper training on basic cash flow, forecasting and analysis skills for customers to overcome some of the challenges that come with faulty reports.

She added that an adequate structure was in place to make them trans-generation organisations.

“We are work in progress. We are

here to hear from you to know where we can come in. We are committed to this project,” she said.

She explained that under the arrangement, MSME operators could open current accounts, sole proprietorship, joint/partnership, corporate, fixed deposit, savings or domiciliary, in any of the bank’s branches.

She listed the special features on the accounts to include zero Commission on Turnover; free e-business transactions and concessionary interest rate on loans and overdrafts.

The bank also offers credit facilities for working capital, secured overdraft, temporary overdrafts; finance leases; invoice discounting and local purchase order financing.

To strengthen the partnership, the bank is collaborating with Enterprise Development Centre, Fate Foundation, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on training MSME operators.

TANBIC IBTC Plc is strengthening its retail lend ing to support Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs).

Speaking at the opening of a new branch of the bank in Gbagada, Lagos, its Regional Head, Nigeria, Lincoln Mali, said it would adopt the Standard Bank, South Africa’s approach to retail lending in Nigeria.

He said the bank is not yet strong in retail business in Nigeria, but that that would change soon “In Nigeria, we are not all that known for the retail part of the business and that is what my team and I are bringing into the country. In South Africa, we are strong in retail lending. We will be strong in Nigeria as well. We have started to lend in the retail part of the business,” he said.

Mali, however, said to succeed in retail lending, there should be more people bringing in deposits than the loans that are given out.

Also, there is need to understand the transaction history and balance turnover with demand for loans, he said.

He said the bank would also focus on lending through credit cards and will ensure that its products and services are visible in every commercial part of Nigeria.

“We can’t be in the business of risk avoiding. We have to be in the business of risk management. To avoid risks, then you should not be in banking. You need to understand the risk, price the risk and manage the risk,” he said.

He further said the lender would serve both the local and international customers to ensure that its brand essence as international bank with eye for local business

environment is retained.

He said, like in South Africa where the bank has been lending to the real sector, such effort would also be sustained in Nigeria. “We have done a lot, especially in South Africa, in trying to help the real sector. But to us, the biggest focus at the moment is also targeting a lot of salaried employees, middle income employees, government employees and high-earned employees,” he said.

Mali also said the bank is also committed to getting more of the unbanked into the financial system. “We have been thinking of how to get the unbanked into the banking system. We want to make it easier for the unbanked to get into the banking system through our products and services. We have some plans here to do more of agent banking, mobile money and so on. For now, our priority is to get the retail part of our business structured in the quickest possible time. We are also looking at high net-worth individuals,” he said.

He said the bank can’t compete with other lenders that have been in the country for years by doing the same thing. Stanbic IBTC, he added, wants to convince the customers that it is different and will do so through innovation centered on how best to satisfy the customer.

He said the bank has what it takes to compete with other banks. “We are here to compete.

We have over 180 branches and will ensure that we remain not the biggest branched bank in Nigeria but the best branched bank,” he added.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

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MONEY

Automatic agent licences for banks, MfBs, says CBN C

OMMERCIAL banks and microfinance banks (MfBs) will get automatic licences to run agent banking when the guideline is reviewed soon, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has said.

He spoke in Lagos during the launch of the Geospatial mapping of financial institutions in Nigeria in conjunction with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).

He said it was important to do the review and make it clearer because of initial challenges in banking.

Sanusi said agent banking is part of the CBN’s determination to enhance financial inclusion in the country and that the target is 80 per cent adults, with about 70 per cent from in the formal sector.

According to him, there will be specific targets for services, such as payments, savings, credit, insurance and pensions outlined.

Sanusi said: “Achieving these targets will require the collaborative efforts of stakeholders in the financial industry. And with this in mind, the Central Bank of Nigeria has approved a number initiatives centered on improving inclusion some of which include the development of Agent Banking Guidelines, and tiered Know-Your-Customer (KYC) requirements to encourage financial institutions to reach underserved segments, the development of a Consumer Protection Framework under

Stories by Collins Nweze

a newly set up Consumer Protection Department and a National campaign to promote Financial Literacy.”

According to the CBN, the agent banking guideline is in line with the powers conferred on the banking watchdog by Section 2 (d) of the CBN Act, 2007 and Section 57 (2) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA), Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The law empowers the CBN to issue guidelines for the maintenance of adequate and provision of reasonable financial services to the public.

The objective of agent banking, it said, is to provide for its minimum standards and requirements, enhance financial inclusion and provide for this special banking as a channel for offering banking cost effectively.

Agent banking is the provision of financial services to customers by a third party (agent) for licensed deposit taking financial institution and/or mobile money operator (principal).

The agent banks are expected to receive cash deposit and withdrawal, carry out bills payment (utilities, taxes, tenament rates, subscription etc.), payment of salaries and funds transfer services (local money value transfer). They are also expected to check balance enquiries, generate and issue mini-statements, collect and sub-

mit account opening and other related documentation, among others.

They are also to carry out cash disbursement and repayment of loans, payment of retirement benefits, cheque book request and collection, collection of bank mail/correspondence for customers, other activities assigned by the apex bank.

The applications for licence will be accompanied by board’s approval.

The document will outline the strategy of the financial institution, including current and potential engagements, geographical spread and benefits to be derived among other factors.

Under the guideline, super-agents are agent networks that will establish a collection of outlets or franchise in its wide network of outlets that will be under its supervision and control.

The sole agent is expected to be an agent, who does not delegate powers to other agents, but will assume the agent banking relationship/responsibility by himself while the sub-Aawill be under the control of a super agent as may be provided in the agent banking contract.

Also, licensed institutions are advised to renew agent agreements biennially except otherwise required while the CBN will, at least, yearly, monitor financial institutions/agent relationships, compliance with laid down guidelines and regulations.

Ecobank expands to South Sudan ECOBANK Transnational Incorporated has announced the opening of its South Sudan banking affiliate. In a statement, the bank said the new banking affiliate, the 34th on the African continent, offers the opportunity to support the youngest African state in addressing the challenges in regards to its development.

It said Ecobank South Sudan offers products and services of the Group to individuals, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), multinationals and institutions.

The Group Chief Executive Thierry Tanoh said the bank is very excited to have obtained the authorisation of South Sudanese authorities to operate in this country which holds a huge potential for financial intermediation.

“Our presence in four of its six bordering countries, namely Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic, is a unique advantage to contribute to the development and integration of South Sudan young republic,” he said.

Diamond Bank, Rivers hold summit DIAMOND Bank Plc has partnered with the Rivers State Government to host the Wealth Creation and Poverty Reduction (WCPR) summit.

It had as theme: Developing an effective comprehensive framework for wealth creation and poverty reduction in Rivers State.

In a statement, the bank said the event, which held in Port Harcourt, was an initiative of the state government, through the Rivers State Office of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA).

Diamond Bank said it is committed to supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) to grow businesses through capacity building, under its BusinessExpress Enterprise Series.

The bank said it is supporting the growth of SMEs because it recognise that the future of a nation lies in the hands of entrepreneurs, so any energy expended in building up that sector cannot be wasted. It is something that is going to benefit the economy in years to come. ‘’The seminar is a complete package of everything a bank could provide to a small business to enable it grow. The BusinessExpress Enterprise Series is an initiative of the Diamond BusinessXpress Account (DBXA). It is a current account designed to meet the needs of MSME such as hotels, supermarkets, businessmen, professionals, travel agencies, trading outfits, schools, churches, fast food outlets, restaurants, clubs and entertainment outfits,” the statement added.

UBA inaugurates World MasterCard UNITED Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has introduced the World MasterCard, which is the most exclusive card in the MasterCard staple.

In a statement, the bank said this is consistent with the bank’s focus of providing appropriate product to every customer segment, including high net-worth customers who cherish rare and exclusive privileges.

Head, Cards, UBA Plc., Adédèjì Olówè, said the card programme, which is available by invitation only, can be tied to any of Naira, US Dollar, Pounds Sterling and Euro domiciliary account.

He emphasised that the product offers benefits such as travel accident and inconvenience insurance; extended warranty; purchase protection; concierge services; and emergency cardholder services. The card, Adedeji stated, is exclusively made from a rare alloy of Silver Nickel, only a few materials of which exist.

“The heft of the material is its signature. The recognition of the programme has afforded it the highly coveted MasterCard premium hologram. In addition, there is a great security service protecting our esteemed customers everywhere they shop with Fraud Protection and MasterCard Zero Liability,” he added.

According to Adedeji, UBA also offers a dedicated lounge for its premium cardholders at the Head Office supported by 24/7 private banking customer support.

Skye Bank to train exporters, importers

•From left: MD, Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nnamdi Udoh; Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah and MD, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), George Uriesi, at the recently concluded Nigeria-China Business Investment Forum in Beijing, China.

PHOTO: AYODELE AMINU

Mobile money agents advocate clear rate for services C

ONSUMERS, merchants and other agents of mobile money are demanding a clear pricing structure for the effective implementation of the process.

In a survey conducted by Visa Incorporated, the parties said individuals are price sensitive and evaluate alternative options meticulously. The survey analysed the financial services’ needs and expectations of mobile money among about 2,500 consumers, mobile money agents, and merchants in Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and Pakistan.

According to the survey, 90 per cent of consumers expressed interest in making use of these services in the future, but cited cost of calls as the primary reason for choosing a mobile network operator.

Also, lack of prevalent accessibility to mobile money agents was also ranked as a key barrier to the adoption of mobile money. It said to drive adoption, cash and cus-

tomer service will need to be readily accessible to meet expectations even as 54 per cent of consumers cited quick and easy access to cash as a key benefit of mobile money.

The study also found that security concerns associated with carrying cash and the need to quickly send money to family members living far away are among the key drivers for mobile money adoption.

The study suggested that the success of mobile financial services is determined by how deep a mobile money provider understands its customers and tailors the service to the needs of consumers and mobile money agents – from service menus, to marketing and education.

It also found there is high awareness of mobile money services and capabilities among consumers in developing economies.

“Eighty- one per cent of consumers surveyed intend to use mobile money to send money to family members, 56 per cent to pay utility bills and 52 per cent to save money for their family. The primary driver to adopt mobile financial services is the need to protect funds from theft and the ability to more easily send funds and pay bills.

“Not having prevalent accessibility to mobile money agents is ranked as a key barrier to the adoption of mobile money. To drive adoption, cash and customer service will need to be readily accessible to meet expectations. Fifty four per cent of consumers cited quick and easy access to cash as a key benefit of mobile money,” it said.

The study included both in-depth qualitative and quantitative research on money management needs, habits and practices as well as factors that need to be addressed for the adoption of mobile money services.

SKYE Bank Plc has said it will organise capacity building workshops for its international trade customers. The training, it said, in a statement, is on how they can conduct their businesses and ensure proper documentation of trade requirements.

Head of International Operations of the bank, Mr Ade Busari, who disclosed this, said in addition to organising periodic workshops for the businessmen, the bank would continue to train account officers in the various branch locations on trends in foreign trade requirements for transmission to the exporters and importers.

He said the bank would continue to ensure that its customers’ ‘Forms M’ are not rejected by inspection agents, which has the implication of delaying transactions.

“We will continue to ensure that our customers know what they need at every stage and what they are supposed to do to make their business easy, convenient and fast,” he said.

Busari said the bank had organised a forum each in Lagos and Ibadan for importers and exporters to explain trade issues, documentation requirements, as well as providing solutions to some of their perceived misgivings and uncertainties concerning international trade.

Bond tab for biggest economies may decline by $220b THE world’s leading economies will have $220 billion less sovereign debt to refinance in the year, cutting supply after every major government bond market rallied for the first time since the 2008 financial crisis.

According to Bloomberg report, the amount of bills, notes and bonds coming due for the Group of Seven nations plus Brazil, Russia, India and China will drop to $7.38 trillion from $7.60 trillion last year. It said Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and Brazil will see a decline, while the United States, Canada, Russia, India and China will face an increase.

“While high debt loads are blamed for curbing global economic growth, bond investors are encouraged by signs that some nations are starting to rein in spending as they extend the average maturity of their obligations. Instead of rising, borrowing costs are falling as supply decreases, inflation remains in check and central banks from the United States to Europe cut interest rates to record lows,” it said.

Deutsche Bank expects German bonds to outperform French debt even as it forecasts German 10-year yields will probably reach 2.25 percent at the end of 2013, from 1.32 per cent at the end of December and compared with the average over the past five years of about 2.85 per cent.

32

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

THE NATION INVESTORS

Foreign investors repatriate N38b dividends

F

OREIGN core investors in Nigeria’s major quoted com panies earned about N38 billion as cash dividends in the immediate past business year as improved earnings enabled several companies to increase cash payouts to shareholders.

The Nation’s Market Intelligence Report indicates that foreign majority shareholders with almost controlling stakes in 20 quoted companies received 55.4 per cent of the total cash dividends declared by the companies for the immediate past year ended 2012.

Total dividend payouts by the 20 companies for the 2012 business year amounted to about N68.3 billion, out of which foreign core investors received about N37.81 billion, The Nation’s report has shown.

With the exception of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria, Sterling Bank and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, which hold less than majority shareholdings, other foreign investors hold more than 50 per cent controlling majority equity stakes.

Also, with the exception of some three companies, all the companies operate the 12-month Gregorian calendar as their business year, with the latest year end as December 31, last year.

The foreign investors are spread across dominant sectors of the economy with large concentration in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs) sector. These major multinationals include Unilever Plc, GlaxoSmithKline, United Kingdom (GSK UK) Plc, PZ Cussons, Nestle SA, Lafarge SA, Heineken NV, Mondelçz International, Berger Bilfinger, BOC Holdings, Standard Bank Group, Leventis, Total SA, Mobil Oil Corporation, Siat nv, Affelka SA, State Bank of India and Greif International Holdings B.V. Cash dividend in the Nigerian market is subject to a 10 per cent withholding tax, implying that

By Taofik Salako

N3.78 billion would be deducted from the foreign investors’ dividends, leaving them with net dividends of N34.03 billion.

Nestle SA, which holds 62.3 per cent in Nestle Nigeria Plc, earned about N9.95 billion in cash dividends for the 2012 business year out of a total of N15.85 billion declared by the company. Unilever, United Kingdom Plc; with 50.04 per cent stake in Unilever Nigeria, received about N2.65 billion, the same amount it had received in the previous year. GlaxoSmithKline UK Plc, which holds 46.4 per cent stake in GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc, received N577.7 million out of total dividends of about N1.25 billion. GSK UK on Tuesday withdrew its bid to acquire additional equities to increase its controlling equity to 75 per cent.

Another United Kingdom’s core investor, PZ Cussons got N1.18 billion out of total payouts of N1.71 billion. Also, Mondelçz International, which owns 74.99 per cent equity stake in Cadbury Nigeria through its acquisition of Cadbury Schweppes UK, recorded its first payout of N1.18 billion from gross dividend of N1.57 billion. BOC Holdings, which holds 60 per cent equity stake in BOC Gases Nigeria Plc received about N49.95 million from the gross dividend of N83.25 million. Leventis, one of Nigeria’s oldest foreign investors and majority shareholder in AG Leventis (Nigeria) Plc; where it holds about 88 per cent, received N326.15 million out of total dividend of N370.62 million. AFFELKA SA, which holds 72.2 per cent equity stake in Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, received N924.2 million cash dividends out of gross dividend of N1.28 billion.

In the banking sector, South Africa’s Standard Bank Group, which holds about 50.8 per cent in Stanbic IBTC Holdings, received

N508 million as cash dividends out of a total payout of N1 billion.

Also, the main foreign investor in Sterling Bank Plc, State Bank of India, received N370.95 million for its 11.81 per cent equity stake in the Nigerian bank. Sterling Bank paid a gross dividend of N3.14 billion.

In the construction sector, Bilfinger Berger AG that holds less-than-majority controlling stake of 39.87 per cent in Julius Berger Nigeria Plc received cash dividend of N1.20 billion from the company’s total dividend of N3 billion. France’s Lafarge SA, the largest foreign core investor in Nigerian cement industry, received N2.16 billion from its 60 per cent stake in Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria and N472.17 million from its 50.2 per cent equity stake in Ashaka Cement. Lafarge Cemen Wapco Nigeria distributed gross dividend of N3.60 billion while Ashaka Cement paid out a total of N940.57 million for the 2012 business year.

In the petroleum sector, France’s Total SA and Elf Acquitane, the foreign investors in Total Nigeria Plc received, altogether received N1.68 billion from the Nigerian subsidiary’s gross payout of N2.72 billion. United States’ Exxon Mobil Oil Corporation that holds 60 per cent equity stake in Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc earned about N1.08 billion from total dividend of N1.80 billion. In the breweries subsector, Heineken NV, the major foreign investor in Nigerian Breweries, received a whooping N12.27 billion for its 54.1 per cent equity stake. Nigerian Breweries distributed a total of N22.69 billion as dividends for 2012. The foreign investor in International Breweries will receive N533.59 million from total recommended dividend of N815.63 million as shareholders meet to consider board’s proposals.

In the agriculture sector, Belgium’s sa Siat nv, which holds

60 per cent equity in Presco Plc got N600 million from the company’s total payout of N1 billion.

In the packaging subsector, Greif International Holdings B.V, which holds 51 per cent equity stake in Greif Nigeria, received N6.52 million out of N12.79 million paid by the small-cap company.

Also, the foreign core investor in Beta Glass received N102.1 million for its 60.05 per cent equity stake.

Beta Glass paid N170 million as total dividends for the year.

The Nigerian capital market has large foreign investments and it is considered as one of the most attractive emerging markets for above-average returns. Besides block shareholdings by foreign core investors, foreign portfolio investors account for nearly half of total market turnover at the stock market.

According to recent report on foreign portfolio investment by the Nigerian Stock Exchange, foreign investors, which had dominated the market in the previous two months, reduced their total proportionate contribution to trades at the stock market to 48.68 per cent in May, down from 64.48 per cent in April.

The report showed that foreign portfolio inflows stood at N45.73 billion while foreign portfolio outflows rose to N46.13 billion, leaving a negative of N0.4 billion.

The earlier four-month report ended April 2013 had shown renewed interests by foreign investors. The report had indicated that while investments from Nigerian investors had slowed considerably since January, foreign investors had gradually increased their stakes.

Foreign investors accounted for 64.48 per cent of total transaction value at the NSE in April as against 52.78 per cent they recorded in March when they displaced domestic investors as the most influential investment block.

Besides the dominance of foreign portfolio investors, the report underlined increasing retention of

foreign capital in the stock market. While total foreign inflow for the four-month period stood at N191.78 billion, total outflow was N148.76 billion.

Breakdown analysis of the flows showed that inflows stood at N40.96 billion, N39.34 billion, N43.13 billion and N68.35 billion in January, February, March and April respectively as against outflow of N20.50 billion, N36.63 billion, N37.01 billion and N54.62 billion within the same period.

After they orchestrated massive decline at the NSE and created the ripples that sent the market to its longest recession ever in 2008, foreign investors had gradually flowed in more funds than they were taking out over the past four years.

Foreign investors had taken out N360 billion in 2007 as against inflow of N256 billion, initializing the first worries that set the stage for the massive scramble for exit in 2008. In 2008, FPI outflow stood at a staggering N634 billion as against inflow of N154 billion for the year.

However, as the domestic investors caught the panics and were pushing the market further downward, foreign investors increased their inflow gradually from N229 billion in 2009 to N382 billion in 2010 and grew this to N513 billion in 2011 before trimming down to N451 billion in 2012. Over these years, FPI outflows were lower than inflows at N196 billion, N195 billion, N335 billion and N357 billion in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively.

NSE’s data indicated that total foreign portfolio transactions-inflows and outflows, increased from N615.6 billion in 2007 to N787.4 billion in 2008. These trimmed down to N424.6 billion in 2009 before rising consecutively to N577.3 billion and N847.9 billion in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Foreign portfolio trades stood at N808.4 billion in 2012.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

33

THE NATION INVESTORS

Wema Bank, Eterna, AIICO, 48 others T risk N90m NSE’s fines HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has identi fied some 51 companies that are technically due for fines for failure to meet the deadlines for submission of their earnings reports, even after the extension of such deadlines.

Up-to-date lists of companies in default of earnings filings obtained by The Nation indicated that some 30 per cent of quoted companies have failed to meet the final extended deadlines for the submission of their audited reports and accounts. This implies that more than two-thirds, 70 per cent, of quoted companies submitted their earnings reports within the extended window for earnings reports.

It was showed that more companies might be sanctioned for failure to file their audited reports this year than the previous year.

In its latest compliance status report, the NSE had reported that it slammed some N60.2 million as fines on 34 firms for failure to meet deadlines for 2011 audited reports. With a range of N3.8 million and N100, 000, average fine for the previous year was N1.77 million.

The companies currently tagged for failure to submit their annual reports within extended deadlines included Wema Bank, the only banking stock with such tag; AIICO Insurance, Eterna, Union Homes Savings & Loans, Omatek Ventures, Vono Products, Resort Savings and Loans, DN Meyer and Beco Petroleum.

There was also large concentration of defaulters in the troubled insurance subsector with not less than 25 insurance companies penciled down as defaulters. Besides AIICO, other defaulting insurance companies included African Alliance, Continental Reinsurance, Cornerstone Insurance, Custodian and Allied, Equity Assurance, Goldlink Insurance, Great Nigeria Insurance, Guinea Insurance, International Energy Insurance, Lasaco Assurance, Law Union and Rock Insurance, Linkage Assurance, Mutual Benefit Assurance, NEM Insurance, Niger Insurance, Oasis Insurance, Prestige Assurance, Regency Alliance Insurance, Sovereign Trust Insurance, STACO, Standard Alliance, Unic Insurance, Unity Kapital Assurance, Universal Insurance Company and Investment and Allied Assurance.

Other defaulters included Nigeria Energy Sector Fund (NESF),

Stories by Taofeek Salako

Nigerian-German Chemical, Rak Unity Petroleum, PS Mandrides & Co, FTN Cocoa Processors, Big Treat, UTC Nigeria, Fortis Microfinance Bank, Conoil, Royal Exchange Nigeria, Starcomms, MTI, IPWA, Nigerian Wire & Cable, Capital Hotel, Ikeja Hotel, Daar Communications and MTECH Communications.

The NSE usually sanctioned earnings report defaulters in line with the provisions of Section 14 of Appendix 111 of the Listing Rules of NSE. Most of the firms tagged were also fined in the previous year.

The lists also indicated that nearly three-quarters of quoted companies failed to meet the deadlines for their first quarter earnings reports for the year. However, NSE had not applied sanctions on defaulters for interim reports, although it maintains a deficiency tag on each stock that defaults to alert investors on the corporate governance and compliance status of the company.

Post-listing rules at the NSE require that quoted companies should submit their reports, not later than three months after the expiration of the period.

Most quoted companies including all banks, major manufacturers, oil and gas companies, breweries and cement companies use the 12-month Gregorian calendar year as their business year. The business year thus terminates on December 31.

NSE’s regulatory filing calendar indicates that the deadline for submission of annual report for companies with Gregorian calendar business year is March 31. However, the NSE provides that where a filing due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the filing will fall due on the next business day.

March 31 fell on Sunday while April 1 was a public holiday in commemoration of Easter Monday, thus the due date for the deadline was Tuesday, April 2, 2013.

However, the NSE had extended the regular deadline for all quoted companies by 30 days as a general concession in recognition of challenges being faced by companies, especially with regards to adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

British dividends hit £25b high in Q2

B

RITISH corporate dividends hit a record total in the sec ond quarter of 2013, although underlying growth is slowing compared to previous predictions, a study has shown.

Second quarter payouts by United Kingdom (UK) companies hit £25.3 billion, about $38.61 billion, the largest ever quarterly total, with media, financial services and food producers all exhibiting double-digit dividend growth, research by Capita Registrars showed.

Although underlying dividend growth accelerated by 9.5 per cent, its fastest in a year, it was not enough for Capita to maintain its full year target, reducing it to 7.7 per cent growth from 8.6 percent, a 500 million pound reduction.

“A record quarter is well worth cheering, and second quarter’s £25 billion total is a staggering amount. It is however part of a wider picture that is seeing the pace of dividend growth slow

down as we warned earlier this year, following a profit squeeze on UK firms,” Justin Cooper, chief executive of Capita Registrars, said.

“Dividends are not falling, they are merely growing more slowly, but slow enough for us to further trim our underlying forecast for the year,” Cooper said.

Special dividends came in stronger than Capita expected, at £1.2 billion in the second quarter due to Antofagasta, Standard Life and cash rich ITV, although still down on last year’s quarterly figure of £1.5 billion.

Reuters reported that Capita forecasts a total dividend payout of £81.4 billion for 2013, with the changes to underlying and special dividends taken into account.

This is a 1.1 per cent year-on-year rise compared to 2012, the slowest headline and underlying growth rate in three years. But at the end of the first quarter Capita had said that year-on-year growth would be flat.

The extension had came a day after The Nation exclusively reported that banks’ results might fell below earnings report due date of April 2, due to issues around IFRS and Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) approval.

According to the NSE, the extension was an intervention to ensure listed companies present their audited and interim reports accurately as well as provide assurance to businesses and advisors affected by the early adoption of IFRS and levels of regulatory approvals which now includes Financial Reporting Council (FRC).

The NSE had indicated that it would not apply the tag of Below Listings Standard (BLS) on the names of the companies nor impose fines on them during the extended period.

“While we believe that the timely disclosure of financial information is critical to stakeholders in the capital market as well as investors, the challenges which the entities are facing are germane. It is in view of the extenuating circumstances that the Exchange is granting all listed companies an extended filing date of 30 days from the due date of the required periodic financial submissions,” General Manager, Legal and Regulation Division, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Ms. Tinu Awe, had said.

NSE tags and applies fines on companies that fail to meet earnings reports’ deadline. Under the corporate governance and rules compliance assessment report known as X-Compliance Report, NSE identified four different

kinds of tags or symbols to alert investors about the status of each quoted company. These included below listings standard (BLS), the first degree alert level indicating a company that has not complied with post listing rules such as late submission of financial statements, unauthorised publication, management failures among others.

Also, financial services companies such as bank and insurance companies awaiting regulatory approval will carry the appropriate symbol of awaiting regulatory approval (ARA). Companies that are undergoing a capital reconstruction exercise including supplementary issue, share buyback, split, share reconstruction among others will be tagged with capital reconstruction exercise (CRE) while companies that have indicated that they will be delisting or companies that are being delisted at the instance of the regulator would be flagged with delisting in process (DIP) symbol.

•

•From left: Mr Raj Magtani, Mr. Oladimeji Alao, Dr. Raymond Obieri, Mr. Abi Allison Ayida, all directors of Berger Paints Nigeria Plc; Professor Chinedo Nebo, Minister of Power; Mr Olawale Akinpelu, director, Berger Paints; Mr. Clement Olowokande, Chairman, Berger Paints; Mr Tor Nygard, MD, Berger Paints; Ambassador Godknows Igali, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power and Chief Musa Danjuma, director, Berger Paints, during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Power by the Board of Berger Paints in Abuja.

Investors Protection Fund finalises draft rules

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HE Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Investors Protection Fund (IPF) of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is finalising the draft rules for the IPF. It would be recalled that the board of IPF had prepared a new set of draft rules governing the operation and effective management of the fund on June 11. These rules were made available to stakeholders on June 14, this year.

Head, Public Relations, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Dante Martins, said the Exchange has received comments from stakehold-

ers and has made necessary amendments to the rules.

He said the final draft will soon be presented to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its approval in line with the provisions of Section 201(b) of the Investment and Securities Act 2007.

According to him, a lot of work is going into ensuring that the rules of the IPF are well-structured given the importance of investors’ protection in the Nigerian capital market.

Part XIV of the Investment and Securities Act 2007 requires the Nigerian Stock Exchange to establish

and maintain an investors protection fund to compensate investors with genuine claims of pecuniary loss against Dealing Member firms resulting from insolvency, bankruptcy or negligence of a Dealing Member firm of a securities exchange or capital trade points; and defalcation committed by a Dealing Member firm or any of its directors, officers, employees or representatives in relation to securities, money or any property entrusted to, or received by the Dealing Member firm in its course of business as a capital market operator.

Reporting Accountants brainstorms on OTC market

I

SSUES bordering on Over-theCounter (OTC) transactions will take the front burner at the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Reporting Accountants in the Capital Market (ARACAM). The meeting is scheduled for July 26 at the Muson Centre, Onikan in Lagos.

According to a statement by the

Secretary of the association, Mr Sola Oyetayo, the Chief Executive, National Association of Security Dealers (NASD), Mr Bola Ajomale, will make presentation to the general meeting.

He added that other highlights of the meeting will include election of new executive members of the association as well as ap-

pointment of auditors.

ARACAM was established to promote the practice of reporting accountancy under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It seeks to protect members’ interest while ensuring high professional accounting standards and ethics.

34

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

I NSURANCE

95% insurers yet to comply with IFRS requirement

Problems with insurance?

Send text: 07080735854 e-mail: omobola_m@yahoo.com

•Oasis gets NAICOM’s approval

U

NDERWRITING firms are in a race to meet up with the requirement by regulatory authority, the National Insurance Commission’s (NAICOM’s) on the 2012 International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) account.

Oasis Insurance Plc has, however, joined the league of firms that have passed their 2012 IFRS test, two weeks after the June 30 deadline.

The Nation learnt that out of 59 insurance firms, 54 are yet to pass the test. Out of these, 16 have submitted their accounts but have not got approval, while 38 are yet to submit their account to the regulator.

According to NAICOM spokesman, Rasaaq Salami, as at July 1, only Mansad Insurance, Adic Insurance, Consolidated Hallmark

Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

Insurance and Wapic Insurance Plc, have been able to get approval on their financial accounts which are IFRS compliant. Oasis made the league recently.

Salami explained that the accounts of First Bank Life Assurance, Continental Reinsurance Company Plc and Law Union and Rock Insurance, were queried, saying their responses are being awaited.

He said accounts of AIICO Insurance, UBA Metropolitan Life, Custodian and Allied, NEM, Crusader General, Crusader Life, Zenith General, Zenith Life, FIN Insurance and Standard Alliance Life, are being reviewed.

On the development, Managing Director, Consolidated Hallmark

Insurance Plc, Eddie Efekoha, said NAICOM approval of its IFRS 2012 account was a positive development, attributing it to the determination of the management, Board of Directors and the entire staff of the company He said the transition to the IFRS reporting was not as seamless as envisaged in the industry, noting that subsequent years would be less problematic for the players because of lessons learnt.

He added that the company remained committed towards ensuring that compliance issues with all regulators, both industry based and capital market, would be continually adhered to.

The Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel, warned that the regulatory body would not approve any account that fails to meet the re-

Tips before, during and after flood

P

REPARATION for flooding can help minimise damage and save money even if your home isn’t located in a high flood risk area.

•Daniel

quired standard.

He assured that the commission will maintain strict reporting standard in the financials of insurance firms, adding that the inability of the operators to meet the set deadline for accounts’ submission would attract sanction of N5000 per day, in accordance with the provision in the Insurance Act.

•From left: President, Chartered Institute of Insurance of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr F. K. Lawal; Dr. Saheed Timehin, Guest Lecturer; Dr Surajudeen Junaid and Mr Shakiru Oyefeso and Alhaji N. O. Adiro during the institute’s Ramadan lecture in Lagos.

Insure your health, not cars, Minister urges

T

•Prof Onyebuchi

T

HE Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, has urged Nigerians to pay greater attention to insuring their health, as against the importance placed on their cars, Chukwu, who spoke in Umuahia while inaugurating a Dialysis Centre built by the Abia State Government, urged Nigerians to give priority to their health by enrolling in the National Health Insurance Scheme NHIS, stressing that the scheme has developed a laudable programme that accommodates all categories of persons in our society.

He listed the programmes to include the Community Based Health Insurance Programme (CBHIP), Voluntary Contributors Social Health Insurance Programme (VCSHIP) and Tertiary Institutions Social

Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP).

He urged Nigerians to take advantage of the services designed by the Scheme, adding that the Community Based Health Insurance Programme (CBHIP), is targeted at people in the informal sector of the economy, particularly those living in rural communities.

While making a case for the effectiveness of the scheme, the Minister stressed that “NHIS is the only tool through which Nigerians can access qualitative healthcare services at an affordable rate and at a low cost, saying the Scheme established under Act 35 of 1999 by the Federal Government, is aimed at providing easy access to healthcare for all Nigerians at an affordable cost through various prepayment sys-

tems.

He said: “NHIS is totally committed to securing universal coverage and access to adequate and affordable healthcare, in order to improve the health status of Nigerians, especially for those participating in the various programmes/products of the scheme.

He explained that the contributions cover healthcare benefits for the employee, a spouse and four biological children below the age of 18 years, saying that more dependants, or a child above the age of 18 would be covered on the payment of additional contributions from the principal beneficiary.

However, children above 18, who are in tertiary institutions, will be covered under the Tertiary Insurance Scheme, he said.

Nigerian Risk Awards to test insurers, bankers, others

HE measurement index targeted to test Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) adoption and practice among firms has become more critical, since industry regulators, particularly banks and insurance received tightened regulations on risk management, the Chief Executive Officer, Conrad Clark Nigeria (CCN), Joachim Adebayo Adenusi, has said.

Adenusi explained that based on this, organisations making huge investments in ERM on her people and infrastructure, will soon be celebrated at the Conrad Clark/BusinessDay rating

coming up this year.

He said the Nigerian Risk Awards, will celebrate those very special organisations and individuals that are pioneering best practice of ERM in Nigeria across a variety of industry sectors, adding that nominations for this year’s awards have opened on-line.

He said: “Over the recent years, Nigerian firms have gone the extra mile in the management of risks, and many of them have employed innovative and practical strategies to embed risk management to drive cultural change and influence decision making.

He said the successful Risk Manager of the Year would have an allexpense paid trip to attend one of the international yearly risk management conferences, 2014, in the UK, or US, adding that the submissions for the Nigeria Risk Awards will be independently assessed and judged by a panel of distinguished individuals, drawn from within and outside the country, many of whom are international leaders in the field of risk, corporate governance and leadership.

He listed them to include, Dr. David Hillson (UK), regarded globally as The

Risk Doctor, Ahmed Babatunde Popoola (Nigeria), Managing Director/CEO of CRC Credit Bureau Limited, Prof Peter Young (United States), Principal Adviser to (and co-creator of) the University of St Thomas’s University Actuarial Science programme, among others.

The awards will be presented in the following categories: Risk Manager of year (for the best CRO/Head of Risk across sectors), Banking and Financial Services, Insurance and Pension Services, Telecoms and Media Services, Manufacturing and Industry and Oil and Gas Services.

Before a flood Have a written inventory of your household possessions. While an electronic copy may be convenient, be sure to have a hardcopy in a safe place in case your computer is damaged or destroyed.

Use a water-resistant safe or cabinet to store valuable documents and irreplaceable items, such as photos and videos.

Ensure your insurance policies are up-to-date. In addition to homeowners insurance, you will need a separate flood insurance policy to cover water damages. Confirm that you have enough coverage to make repairs, or rebuild your house if needed.

Move valuable items and furniture upstairs if you have a second story.

Install a sump pump in your basement. Make sure you have a generator or a submersible portable sump pump that can be used in case the power goes out. If you have a city water supply, water pressure sump pumps that do not require electricity can be installed as a back-up.

Remove leaves, dirt and debris from your downspouts and gutters.

Adjust the height of electrical components in your home. Ask a licensed electrician about moving circuit breakers, switches, sockets and wiring to at least 12 inches above the projected flood elevation on your property.

Increase the height of furnaces and water heaters if possible. Use masonry blocks or concrete to bring them at least 12 inches above your property’s estimated flood elevation.

Move your washer and dryer if they are in the basement. Masonry blocks or pressure treated lumber can be used to elevate these appliances at least 12 inches above the flood elevation. For appliances that can’t be moved, use a polyethylene film to wrap them, and secure the film with a rope or other cord.

Create an emergency plan for your family. Children should know how to dial emergency numbers. It should be posted on or near your phone. Designate one out-of-state friend or family member to be a “family contact.” In the event of separation, this person will be your family’s point of contact. Finally, have a flood-evacuation plan and practice it routinely, especially with children.

During a flood Once a flood is imminent, fill empty jugs as well as your bathtubs and sinks with clean water in case the water supply becomes contaminated.

Follow news reports on the radio or television for storm updates.

If instructed by local or state authorities, close your main gas valve and turn off the main power switch for utilities.

Evacuate immediately if the order is given.

If you are unable to evacuate before water begins to rise, move to the second floor. Go to the attic or roof if necessary.

Flood water can contain raw sewage and chemical waste that may spread disease. Avoid contact with the water, but if you do touch it, wash your hands thoroughly with soap or hand sanitiser.

In addition to the potential for disease, as little as six inches of moving water is enough to knock you over.

Avoid walking through even seemingly shallow floodwaters.

Do not drive on a flooded road. Turn around and find an alternate route. It only takes two feet of water to float and carry away a car.

•Culled from insure.com

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

35

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENUERSHIP

How I built up my skincare businesses Mrs Abosede Daniel, a Lagos based entrepreneur, has taken advantage of opportunities in skin care business to establish an income creating venture. DANIEL ESSIET reports

S

KIN care is a fast growing business in Lagos and other parts of the country.

This has driven Mrs Abosede Daniel, Chief Executive, Booseh Nigeria Enterprise, into the production of BB petroleum jelly.

She saw a gap in the market and latched onto it.

She found that there was a huge gap in the market for skincare products at a more affordable price. Having spent a lot of time learning how to make suitable skincare products, it soon became clear that there was a niche in the market ready for what she was producing.

She had help from friends and family. Words of mouth and recommendation have also been vital to her growing a strong customer base. Over the years, she has learned a great deal about natural skin care and she is happy to share her

knowledge. Running a business involves many more challenges. Looking back she said she has been on an event journey. Her product is targeted at the burgeoning skin care products’market.

In an already saturated marketplace, the focus of manufacturers has been towards premium products highlighted by new formulations with natural ingredients. She said she is aware of this.

According to her, petroleum jelly is a strong product in the skin care segment and a strong component of the skin care market. This is because consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the damage caused by exposure to the sun’s rays. Awareness of these effects is responsible for the rates of adoption of sun care products.

Mrs Daniel started the busi-

ness in 2008 with N5,000. Today, the business is worth N500,000. She has employed three staff. Many of the latest products have been designed to treat multiple problems with faster acting formulations. She has built a successful business and did something even more remarkable.

As a result, over the years, she studied skin care and mastered the care of her own skin. She has enhanced her skills on how successful people in the business attracted clients.

For most business people, earning fortune and fame are the ultimate goals, but not for her. The Booseh Nigeria Enterprise boss had to do something that would bring greater meaning to her life. She has ventured into olive oil production. Growing interest in organic products has boosted the branding of ol-

ive oil, which is carving a niche in the edible oil market.

For her, success is setting a goal and reaching it. Whether it’s learning a trade, or keeping one’s business afloat during hard times, as long as it’s a goal and one meets it, one has been successful.

Today’s world is not one that encourages anyone to sit with arms folded. She wants young school leavers to acquire entrepreneurial skills, which can be used as a means of generating extra income.

Booseh Nigeria Enterprise boss has got rewards for the fruits of her labour, which is very important to her. It gave her a sense of accomplishment to be part of the people encouraging entrepreneurship.

She works long hours, and she is happy and fulfilled.

What keeps her focused is con-

• Mrs Daniel

tinuous positive energy, the right attitude and knowing that she has to be patient.

Even then, she has a problem.

Funding is a biggest challenge for her to expand. But she does not allow it to weigh her down.

Becoming an entrepreneur is a choice, sometimes a risky one. But if well planned, it can be very rewarding.

From cloth selling to making jewelry

F

OR Mrs Monsurat Oladunmi Adesanya, Chief Executive, Ladylad Venture, Lagos, using wireworks to design jewelry is good business.

She sells her products to those who appreciate them and are willing to pay more for the unique pieces.

She started her business last year, after a sojourn in clothing trade.

Since then, she enjoys the freedom of being her own boss and earning more cash than she she did in her previous occupation.

Armed with a six- month training, she started the trade with N70, 000; but today, the business has grown and is worth N700,000.

She said she went into the business because she loves designing. She has created gorgeous wire wrapped jewelry which are acceptable in the market.

However, the biggest challenges, she said, are the people who wire wraps and sell them at ‘ridiculous prices’. Her work is an art and most artists don’t know much about the business and how to make a profit, or even to pay reasonable wages.

She claims she can make knots and simple wire ‘baskets’ that could contain treasures, such as pebbles or stones. She practises the techniques and perfects them with different styles. With wire works, she can work on earrings, rings, pendants, chains, necklaces, bracelets, necklace sets and bangles.

Interestingly, the fortunes of the industry is driven by the fact that the sector is growing globally. The business is built on polished lower size and quality wires. In Lagos and other parts of the country, there is an at-

•Mrs Adesanya

tempt to build a large pool of skilled artisans with vast traditional knowledge and expertise in jewelry making and wire works.

Some have transformed from family owned to professionally managed businesses.

For a beginner, no special equipment to bend and shape the wire is required except two-three pairs of pliers. There are a lot of gadgets that will bend the wire for one and make it perfect, she added.

But Mrs Adesanya said she does

T

•Fire side wireworks

not duplicate other people’s works. Instead, she tries to make her own designs refreshingly unique.

The secret of her success, the Ladylad Venture boss disclosed,

is that she focuses on not only learning different techniques, but also mastering and using them to develop a look that is truly unique.

This dedication to mastering

wireworks techniques has enabled her to find a carve niche in the market.

Besides, making jewelry, she also runs courses in wiireworks for young Nigerians.

Conference on youth unemployment coming

HE International Federation of Training and Development Organisations (IFTDO) will hold a conference at the Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers from November 18 to 19.

Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Rev. Tunde Salawu, disclosed this at a briefing in Lagos.

He said the confab, which is sequel to the one held a decade ago, would address youth unemployment and proffer solution to it.

By Yinka Aderibigbe

The theme of the conference is, “Skills acquisition as panacea to youth unemployment in Africa”.

Salawu said the effects of youth unemployment were multi-dimensional and required the commitment of stakeholders if the continent must make progress in its quest for development and global relevance.

He added that the confab sessions have been selected and

would include the economic and social impact of youth unemployment in Africa, strategies for embedding entrepreneurship into the education curriculum and public-private partnership options for addressing skills development and employment crisis in Africa, among others.

Also, resource persons from other countries would share their experiences at the event.

The conference will be cohosted by the Nigerian Institute

for Training and Development (NITAD), the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), the Lagos State Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC) and their partners, including Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC), Centre for Management Development (CMD), Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPMN).

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

36

INTERVIEW With credit to the agricultural sector rising to 3.7 per cent last year, banks, including Sterling Bank, Plc have been bullish on keying into the Federal Government’s agric transformation agenda by developing special products to drive this initiative. In this interview with the Managing Director of Sterling Bank, Mr Yemi Adeola, whose bank is in the market to raise N12 billion via rights issue, spoke to a select group of journalists on many issues in the industry and the economy. Group Business Editor AYODELE AMINU was there.

‘Scale plays key role in positioning of banks’ T HE primary market has been inactive for several years, and Sterling Bank is the first bank to undertake equity issue in several years. What gives you the confidence to come to the market at this time?

As you know, investors’ confidence took a big hit following the 2008/09 financial crisis. However, recent reforms by the capital market authorities have begun to yield dividends, restoring confidence to the market which has witnessed a resurgence of key indices to precrisis levels.

On what gives us the confidence to approach the market at this time? We have never been in doubt about the value of the franchise. Rather, we have been mindful of the need to get a good valuation for the stock in order to preserve shareholders’ value. We believe that stock valuations are closer to their true values than they have been for some years and companies with good fundamentals would be rewarded appropriately by the market.

Sterling Bank has a compelling business model that is resilient.

The bank continues to post high returns despite its limited capital.

In the last three years, the bank achieved an average Return on Average Equity (RoAE) of 18 per cent. We have our shareholders’ backing that this is the appropriate time to raise the additional capital for the franchise’s development plans.

Beyond the rights issue, what’s the extent of your capital raising exercise and how are you going to achieve these?

The Rights Issue is part of our overall capital raising programme: • $200 million (N30 billion) in tier 1 capital comprising $80 million through Rights Issue and $120 million through Private Placement by September 2013.

• $200 million in tier 2 capital through multicurrency debt issues expected to come through by Q1’ 2014 How will the additional capital impact on the performance of the bank?

These funds would be deployed to key areas of our business to deepen our retail penetration and fast-track our expansion plans.

Specifically, we would be enhancing our technology infrastructure, expanding our branch network and our alternative channels as well as remodelling our existing branches to capture a more retail appeal. The bank also plans to increase its lending in the corporate banking and agric space, which is limited due to capital restraints.

These investments should positively impact our retail footprint and profitability. We are keen to build a franchise that would outlive the managers.

What attractions are in this rights issue for shareholders?

With an average RoAE of 18 per cent over the last three years, we believe that there is a compelling

business case for discerning investors to take part in the programme. The financial year also appears very promising with a RoAE of 23 per cent in the first quarter, and we are on track to close the year with a RoAE of at least 20 per cent. We expect to sustain this performance in the coming years.

You have made quite ambitious forecasts for this rights issue.

What assurances can the public count on these?

On the contrary, we believe that the forecasts are conservative, driven by realistic assumptions.

Moreover, the bank has an experienced management team with a proven track record of performance.

How immune is Sterling Bank to industry policy variations? Can we count on the bank to survive any major policy changes in future?

We must commend the monetary authorities for the excellent work they have done to stabilise the financial system. The industry has, indeed, come a long way and we believe that lessons have been learnt by key stakeholders to forestall drastic policy changes that could reverse the positive strides in recent years, which have received global acclaim.

However, we understand that factors beyond the immediate industry environment could also impinge on industry fortunes and without sounding immodest, we can say definitively that we are prepared for these as well. We have a resilient business model that is designed to withstand a challenging business environment. You would recall that Sterling Bank was one of the first 10 banks adjudged to have passed the CBN’s 2009 stress test at the height of the nation’s financial crisis.

How has the divestment from your previous non-commercial banking subsidiaries impacted on the bank?

Our divestment exercise was managed in a professional manner and at a profit to the bank. Indeed, the bank’s 2011 financials was positively impacted by the sales of the subsidiaries. However, we retain very robust and mutually beneficial relationships with these companies as we see

• Adeola

continuing value in our relationship.

You had recently leveraged on acquisition. Will you consider further acquisition?

Historically, inorganic growth has played a significant role in the emergence of Sterling Bank as a significant player in the banking industry. We have also built internal capacity to rapidly translate the gains from such exercises into enhanced profitability for shareholders’ benefit. Consequently, while we are on track to achieve our medium and long-term objectives without the need for an acquisition, we would remain open to such opportunities in the near to long term.

Beyond the general shareholders’ acclamations at the annual general meeting, do you have firm assurances of your core shareholders on this capital issue?

We have no doubts about the willingness of the bank’s shareholders to exercise their rights as they see immense opportunities for enhancing the value of their stakes in the business.

What are the strategic goals of Sterling Bank in the medium to long-term?

We believe that scale plays an important role in the competitive positioning of any player in the banking industry. Consequently, we have set for ourselves a target of at least five per cent market share (measured by assets) by 2016.

What is Sterling Bank doing to support small and medium scale enterprises (SME)?

We have several success stories in this respect and we are strengthening structures to deepen our engagement with SMEs. We have also recently launched products

‘We have a resilient business model that is designed to withstand a challenging business environment. You would recall that Sterling Bank was one of the first 10 banks adjudged to have passed the CBN’s 2009 stress test at the height of the nation’s financial crisis’

aimed at providing solutions for players in this market segment from the SUPA account to specific product programmes tailor made to the unique funding requirements in specific markets.

In the next five years, where do you see Sterling Bank in terms of industry ranking?

As I stated earlier, our target is to achieve a market share (measured by assets) of five per cent by 2016.

How robust and sustainable is your corporate governance structure?

Sterling Bank’s Board of Directors is composed of competent individuals with diverse professional backgrounds and management experience. Indeed, our corporate governance structure is one of the strengths of the organisation and has been invaluable in building institutional resilience and focus.

On a personal note, what kind of leader are you?

One of Sterling Bank’s core values is team work. At Sterling Bank, we believe in a participatory and consultative management where employees are allowed to air their views on issues affecting their productivity in the workplace as well as those of our customers. It is this kind of environment that aids ideas generation and transforms average organisations into world-class institutions.

I am conscious of this and recognise my role as the rallying point for staff and customers to express their views and ideas.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

37

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

•Scenes from the production

The ground-breaking production of Ake Wole Soyinka’s childhood memoir adaptation, has begun in the ancient city of Abeokuta, reports DAPO ADENIYI

T

HE production of the feature film adaptation of Wole Soyinka’s childhood memoir Ake began last week at various locations in Abeokuta, the birth place of the Nobel laureate. On July 13, the birthday of the famous writer, the film crew started rolling the camera in what is set to be a groundbreaking movie production.

The film’s cast are already expressive of the seriousness and the epic dimension of the project. Initial scenes relating to the formation of the Egba women’s movement led the late Mrs Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, the mother of the late musical icon, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, was taken. On the set at the first phase of the production’s schedule was Mrs Taiwo Ajai-Lycett , starring as Madam Amelia, also nicknamed as “Kemberi”, a prominent Egba women’s leader. Amelia is also a fire-breathing public speaker, who took the stage in her captivating rendition during the historical encounter with the Alake, in the wake of the Egba women’s riots. The riot which temporarily deposed the powerful monarch took place in 1945 and ultimately earned Nigeria the abolition of the poll tax

Camera rolls for Soyinka’s Ake FESTIVAL on women and the institution of The Universal Adult Suffrage (meaning that women could also vote at local and federal elections), laws still in force today.

The film is scheduled for an international premier in 2014. That will be in time for two outstanding events: the centenary celebration of the Nigeria Amalgamation of 1914 and the 80th birthday of Professor Soyinka.

Also on ground at the early stage of the shoot were such theatre and movie sensations as Ben Tomoloju, (who is playing the role of Essay, Soyinka’s father), Yinka Davies (playing Mrs Kuti) and Akin Sofoluwe (Soyinka’s grandfather).

The film’s Executive Producer Dapo

Adeniyi said, “one of the things that was envisioned was to try and tackle a number of scenes at the inaugural phase of the shooting. There were a number of operational difficulties however which came up, which are not unusual at major production locations.

A delivery vehicle suddenly developing a fault and holding things up, for example. We also had to face some unusual challenges that will face an equally unusual production of this size”.

The important thing is that, we have been able to face up to the work and now we are trying to build a realistic momentum. The production is scheduled to last until December 2013 and the post-production until March 2014. One of the aspects of production that

many had looked forward to was the revelation of who and who are cast for the all-tooimportant children’s roles. The part of Wole will be played by four different children from years 2½ to 11. We finally are able to meet and actually feel Wole at 11 in action. His identity? Oluwamayokun Olumoroti, a student of Maverick High School, Ibadan.

The Director of the production Yemi Akintokun revealed that: “Yes, it is obvious from the first day on set that we got the choice right. He is able to deliver his lines and is convincing in his role. His previous experiences in drama was on stage. Making the transition to electronic acting is what we have to help him achieve. The voice level, his pitch, but he is alright and will do just fine”.

There are many locations in Abeokuta, a number in Ibadan and one in Lagos. The Ake parsonage is relocated from the original site in Ake to the old and disused parsonage in Iberekodo. There is the iconic school hall of the original AGS (Abeokuta Grammar School) which was the original hub of the women’s movement formed by the Kuti’s.

The place where the original riots began and spread out.

Dr. Paul Obadare, son of the late evangelist and founder, World Winning Evangelical Mission (WOSEM), spoke with Adegunle Olugbamila on why he cannot step into his father’s shoes, among other issues about the church

H

Obadare’s unfinished projects, by son

AD he lived longer, the great evangelist and founder, World Soul Winning Evangelical Mission (WOSEM) Prophet Timothy Obadare, would be pursuing his ‘big’ dream for the ministry.

He wanted WOSEM to be in virtually all countries in Africa and beyond, and despite his ripe age (Obadare died on March 21 this year at 83), he had kick-started crusades in some West African countries before death came calling.

The late Obadare’s first son, Dr Paul, recounted his father’s last moment, saying the deceased always underscored the major task of WOSEM- soul winning. “He (Obadare) not only told me, but demonstrated the ministry through his practical life,” said Dr Paul. He said it was his father’s intention to reach larger part of the nations of the world as he visited and preached in countries such as Ghana, Cote d’ Voire and Searia Leone towards the end of his ministerial activities.

“Obadare as a father was a man of integrity. He does not compromise his belief for anything. I love his boldness to declare God’s messages. As a leader, Baba put into practice his convictions. His

messages are demonstrated by his practical life lived here before his followers. I love his boldness and the grace given him a spiritual mentor,.”

He added.

On Obadare’s final moments, Dr Paul recalled that said his father was initially full of life, singing with them and engaging in conversations until towards the end when he suddenly turned passive and showed little interest in church activities.

His father’s death did not hit him like a thunderbolt. Paul who is the president of WOSEM USA, said while in the US, he was aware of his father’s condition and was being briefed on development until his younger brother who came to relieve him just as he was completing WOSEM;s annual ministers’ conference, broke the sad news.

He disclosed that the choice of mausoleum already prepared at WOSEM Conference ground on Ilesha-Ife expressway which is to be Obadare’s final resting place on August 16, was not a mistake. He said it was foretold by the fiery cleric before his death.

Also, there were countless revelations on Obadare’s imminent death by members of the

•Dr Paul Obadare

World Soul Winning Evangelical Mission (WOSEM) as well as the Christ Apostolic Church in general which the late prophet was once a strong member.

According to him, the late Dr Obadare identified three key signs that put paid to speculations about the evangelist’s imminent departure.

Continuing, he said: “I remember shortly before my father’s death, one man of God called me on phone and said he got divine inspiration from God that Baba (Obadare) should not be buried

elsewhere but at WOSEM ground. Second, members of WOSEM come here (Wosem Conference Centre) from time to time to pray and there were great revelations in the course of their prayers on my father’s imminent departure. Third is that three days before my father’s death, his wife who incidentally was my mother was seeing signs of an invisible being following her all about. It was after my father’s departure that my mother realised it was his (Obadare) spirit that was following her about, giving her final guidance before final departure.”

When asked if he can confidently step into his father’s shoes, Paul said that Obadare’s shoes are different from his.

“God gave Baba the shoes, which is called the prophetic and evangelistic office. In as much as it is God’s ultimate decision, we leave that for him.

I believe, with His grace, what God has for the ministry will not be short of it. The Lord will fulfill His own desires in the ministry. Whatever He wants me do, regarding the ministry will be done.”

In his lifetime, his father’s name, Paul stressed, is like a master key, which has opened up countless doors of opportunities in many high places for him and his siblings.

Explaining how the children coped with Obadare despite his visual challenge, Paul said: “This (blindness) was no problem at all. Love is above limitations of any kind. We love our father, period! We just don’t see what people see.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

38

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

T

HEY are two of the most towering intellects of our contemporary age. They are both Germans. One is a foremost physical scientist, the other a path-breaking social scientist. At the turn of the century in Y2000, they were adjudged the most influential intellects of the last millennium. I refer to Karl Marx and Albert Einstein. In an opinion poll conducted by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in 2000, Einstein emerged as the pre-eminent intellectual of the millennium with Marx coming a close second. Yet, they belonged to two different worlds. Karl Marx demonstrated unprecedented insight into the inner workings and internal contradictions of capitalism while Einstein is noted for his revolutionary scientific findings on the nature and evolution of the universe. Karl Marx lived from 1818 to 1883 and Einstein from 1879 to 1955. In Y2000, I personally cast my lot with Marx as man of the century. His scholarship had cast a shadow on virtually every sphere of knowledge in our student days. Little did I know that there was a significant confluence between the thoughts of Marx and Einstein on the contentious of socialism.

Einstein developed the general theory of relativity that won him the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1922. Karl Marx was a first class philosopher, sociologist, economist and revolutionary intellectual. Yet, both thinkers were of kindred sociological and ideological affinity. I refer here to a unique article by Einstein in the very first edition of the ‘Monthly Review’, a Marxist magazine published in May 1949. By the way, Monthly Review, a unique magazine that has been associated over time with such great Marxist thinkers as Paul Baran, Paul Sweezy, Leo Huberman, Harry Magdoff and Samir Amin to name a few, is still being published today. It analyses politics, society and economy from a radical Marxist perspective even if is not doctrinaire in its approach to ideology. This magazine, which can be accessed free of charge online, is surely not where one would expect to

I

Segun Ayobolu sms to 07032777778 segunayobolu2@yahoo.com

Albert Einstein, Karl Marx and socialism find an article by Albert Einstein. But the great physicist’s article in its maiden edition is titled ‘Why Socialism?’, it is an article in which Einstein undertakes a penetrating critique of capitalism, which even at that time was in the throes of another of the cyclical crises that have become a permanent feature of this mode of production and makes a compelling case for a planned, socialist economy. Given the current crisis in which capitalism is embroiled worldwide, the views of Einstein in this article are still of abiding relevance.

Since he is a natural and not a social scientist, Einstein begins by asking if it is “advisable for one who is not an expert on economic and social issues to express views on the subject of socialism”. In other words, should economic issues be left strictly to economists who supposedly have the requisite scientific and technocratic knowledge to tackle such issues? Einstein’s answer after examining the character of economics as a scientific discipline and the inability of science to determine ethical ends like socialim is that “we should be on guard not to overestimate science and scientific methods when it is a question of human problems; and we should not assume that experts are the only ones who have a right

RECALL our first encounter in 1985. I had gone to see his eldest child, Lawunmi. After being ushered into his Ikeja GRA sitting room, there, on a brown sofa, was a bald, chubby man, wearing a pair of white vest on blue shorts. It was my first visit. I wasn’t expecting to meet him so informally dressed. “Good evening sir”, I managed to greet him with a bow as I had seen lawyers greet judges. He looked at me sternly, toes to head, and answered “Good evening” in return. “I’m here to see Lawunmi sir”, I added. He kept looking at me and after a while, he waved me to a seat. He took a sip from a cup beside his seat, watching me as I lowered my gaze. Shortly after his daughter breezed in and introduced me as her friend, the Honourable Justice Moronkeji Omotayo Onalaja excused himself and made for an adjorning room, which I later found out, was his study.

He was to remain there until I took my leave about an hour later. Soon after, I learnt that the shorts and vest were his preferred uniform when writing judgments at home.

Lawunmi, who would be my wife two years later, informed me afterwards that her father had asked her if I wasn’t a Yoruba boy. “Why did he say that?” I asked. “I think he expected you to prostrate in greeting when you met him”, she replied. I smiled, saying that was a small thing. I had only been startled to see him so casually dressed that I forgot my manners.

Since then I have learnt that whilst “Me-Lord” may come across as stern he is a warm soul, wonderful ally in worthy causes, and witty conversationalist whose face always lights up whenever the subject veers to law, the church or a new book he has just read or heard about. Indeed, his life is governed by four forces: the church, his family, the rule of law, and a deep notion of friendship. All his life the church has occupied a special place in his heart. From his boyhood days as a chorister at Holy Trinity, Ebute Ero to his role as one of the founding members of St. Anne’s Church, Ibadan in 1961 and his tenure as Vicar’s Warden, Justice Onalaja has always been available for laudable causes in God’s church. For many years, he also served as Chancellor to both the Diocese and the Ecclesiastical Province of Ibadan. Last year, he was installed as the Deputy Lay President of the Diocese of Ibadan.

His stewardship in the Lord’s vineyard is aptly captured in the third stanza of the hymn, “Jesus my Lord, my God my All”, which reads: “Jesus, what didst Thou find in me That Thou hast dealt so lovingly?

How great the joy that Thou hast brought, So far exceeding hope or thought!

Jesus, my Lord, I Thee adore; O make me love Thee more and more”.

This personal devotion to please God and ask for His direction have shaped a regimen of fasting which his children felt was injurious to his health and needed moderation. Two years ago, on observing a drastic weight loss, an appointment was arranged with a doctor in Lagos. Listening to their conversation, you would think Justice Onalaja was the doctor and the

to express themselves on questions affecting the organization of society”.

Having settled this issue, Einstein goes on to examine the biological and social nature of man and the implication of these for the organization of society. In opposition to the assumptions of neo-classical economics that society comprises isolated, atomistic individuals each pursuing his or her selfish interest and that an invisible hand will magically regulate the free market in the collective interest, Einstein contends that the society is superior to the individual as the latter can only exist within the context of the former. In his words, “The individual is able to think, feel, strive, and work by himself; but he depends so much upon society – in his physical, intellectual, and emotional existence – that it is impossible to think of him, or to understand him, outside the framework of society. It is “society” which provides man with food, clothing, a home, the tools of work, language, the forms of thought, and most of the content of thought; his life is made possible through the labour and the accomplishments of the many millions past and present who are all hidden behind the small word “society”.

Implicit in this perception of the relation between the individual and society is

•Justice Onalaja

Salute to Justice Onalaja at 80

By Lanre Idowu

TRIBUTE doctor, his patient. He did not agree his fasting routine was injurious to his health nor his workload too heavy. He has never spent a day in hospital in his adult life and he didn’t plan to do so now. If he needed any medical opinion, he would consult Professor Ladipo Akinkugbe, his friend, golf teacher and elder by one week. He had only agreed to see this Lagos doctor to please his children. After much persuasion and of course consultation with Prof. Akinkugbe, he agreed to embark on the course of treatment, and to the glory of God he is much better now. Today, he praises his children for their love, forgetting that his own lifelong commitment to their welfare far outstrips whatever they are doing.

Born July 24, 1933 to the family of Tekumo, a World War II veteran, and Susanna Onalaja of Ijebu Ode, Omotayo Onalaja is a study in industry. He earned his LL.B and LL.M degrees

Einstein’s opposition to the excessive individualism characteristic of capitalism.

Thus, he laments that “Our whole educational system suffers from this evil.

An exaggerated competitive attitude is inculcated into the student, who is trained to worship acquisitive success as a preparation for his future career.

Denouncing the ‘economic anarchy’ of capitalist society, Einstein contends that “The profit motive, in conjunction with competition among capitalists, is responsible for an instability in the accumulation and utilization of capital which leads to increasingly severe depression. Unlimited competition leads to a huge waste of labour and to that crippling of the social consciousness of individuals which I mentioned before”.

In the light of the collapse of communism and the world wide triumph of neoliberalism, is Einstein’s advocacy for a planned, socialist not now anachronistic?

Surely not. In the first place, capitalism itself remains severely in crisis plunging millions across the world into poverty and misery despite the ever increasing affluence of a tiny minority. With the technological attainments of humanity, the level of global poverty is inexcusable. Even more interestingly, Einstein with remarkable prescience had as far back as 1949 identified the problems that would confront any effort to build a socialist society and these were the very factors largely responsible for the ultimate collapse of the communist bloc decades later. In his words, “The achievement of socialism requires the solution of some extremely difficult socio-political problems: how is it possible, in view of the far-reaching centralization of political and economic power, to prevent bureaucracy from becoming all-powerful and overweening? How can the rights of the individual be protected and therewith a democratic counterweight to the power of bureaucracy assured?” The inability of the communist states to successfully solve these problems is responsible for the current global triumph of capitalism.

in 1956 and 1958 respectively at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Called to the English Bar in Inner Temple on June 16, 1959, he was enrolled as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on June 14, 1960. As a private practitioner, he distinguished himself. He was the counsel to Prof. Soyanwo who was charged with obstructing the convoy of then Premier of Western Region, Chief S. L. Akintola. Prof. Soyanwo was discharged on the ingenious defence put up by Lawyer Onalaja that a moving vehicle could hardly constitute an obstruction. He was also part of the legal team that successfully defended Prof. Wole Soyinka in the Mystery Gunman case in 1965.

While in private practice he was the founding editor of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports, Nigeria’s first privately sponsored law reports from 1964 to 1980. Little wonder that today he sponsors the Judicial Reporting category of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME). His industry in legal practice earned him a seat on the Bench as he was appointed a judge of the Lagos High Court in September 1980. On the Lagos Bench he was a renowned judicial activist, who protected the citizen’s fundamental human rights from official persecution. In 1993, on account of his hard work, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal where he served in the Port Harcourt, Lagos and Ibadan divisions. Law reports and journals attest to his erudition on the Bench. His judicial record was untainted and he bowed out of the Court of Appeal on July 29, 2003 at age 70 to great adulation.

A prodigious scholar, he authored Commentaries from the Bench, a wellspring of legal scholarship, published in four volumes. Two books on Law (The Pursuit of Justice and Development and Legal Issues for Contemporary Justice in Nigeria) have been published in his honour. He holds the LL.D degree (Honoris Causa) of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye where he served on the Governing Board for 19 years. An appreciative Law faculty of the university also organises an annual lecture in his honour. He was Chairman of the Council of Legal Education 2003-2011. In 2004 he was conferred with the national honour of the Officer of the Federal Republic. Today, he is the independent ombudsman of the Nigerian press, a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, a chartered arbitrator, whose doors remain open to a horde of mentees needing his counsel on issues of law and the church. Above all, he remains a vessel unto God’s honour.

He couldn’t have achieved all he has without God’s who blessed him with a good marriage, a peaceful and loving home. His marriage to late Folasade Onalaja (nee Ogunsanya) provided the perfect vessel to bring into the world six children who are successful in their chosen fields. To God’s glory, he has coped fairly well with her loss since 2002 and for him at 80, it can be said that his eyes have seen the glory of the Lord.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

•Idowu is CEO, Diamond Publications and Trustee of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

39

The Midweek Magazine A combatant’s chronicle of the Nigeria – Biafra War

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

I

T IS feeting and quite thoughtful that General Godwin Alabi – Isama has chosen Nelson Mandela’s birthday to present his book, The Tragedy of Victory.

For Mandela, in so many ways, exemplifies the generosity of spirit which you will constantly encounter as you read this sprawling book. In Long Walk to Freedom.

Nelson Mandela’s engrossing and deeply moving chronicle of his extraordinary life, he shares the honour and glory of the successes of the anti-apartheid struggles, not only with all the comrades with whom he served long jail terms, but also with many others who supported the struggles. For instance, on page 601 of that fascinating book, Mandela pays the following tribute to one of his comrades: “In Plato’s allegory of the metals, the philosopher classifies men into groups of gold, silver and lead. Oliver Tambo was pure gold; there was gold in his intellectual brilliance, gold in his unfailing loyalty and in his tolerance and generosity, gold in his unfailing loyalty and self-sacrifice. As much as I respected him as a leader, that is how much I loved him as a man”.

Gratitude matters. Appreciation of the good contribution of others humanises us all. When you recognise the goodness of others, you’re actually laying the building blocks of what will make humankind endure and survive. It doesn’t diminish you; the world is incredibly richer for it.

The total lack of this kind of generous spirit in General Olusegun Obasanjo prompted General Alabi-Isama to write The Tragedy of Victory. Three years ago, when General Godwin Alabi – Isama turned 70, he came to Nigeria from the US to celebrate his birthday. His close friend, General Alani Akinrinade who attended the ceremony, gave him two copies of General Olusegun Obasanjo’s My Command.

By that time Alabi-Isama had heard about the book but had never read it. Akinrinade had told his friend that the book would turn his belly. It surely did. General Alabi-Isama discovered that there were so many distortions of fact in the book, and he immediately dismissed it as a tapestry of inaccuracies. As he read it, he marked out not less than eighty two passages in My Command where General Obasanjo simply told outright lies to massage his ego and damage the reputation of his colleagues. Alabi-Isama then thought that since he was still a moving encyclopaedia on the 3 Marine Commando Division it was time to tear the painted mask of Obasanjo’s lies.

In My Command, the achievements of gallant officers like Benjamin Adekunle (The Black Scorpion), Alani Akinrinade, Godwin Ally, Ayo Ariyo, Ola Oni, Isaac Adaka Boro, Ahmadu Aliyu, Roland Omowa, Sani Bello, SS Tomoye, Yemi Alabi, Philemon Shande, Musa Wamba, Mac Isemede, Sunny Tuoyo, Audu Jalingo, Ignatius Obeya, and their informants like Ndidi Okereke – Onyiuke, Margaret Eyo, Florence ItaGiwa and many other women who made the 3 Marine Commando Division such a formidable force, are tainted and belittled. Blessed with very good memory, General AlabiIsama, in Tragedy of Victory, offers a ferocious and damning critique of General Olusegun Obasanjo’s vainglorious claims of his gallantry. He sets the mangled records straight with absolute passion, precision and indignation. To him, history matters because it is meant to inspire and instruct posterity. He shares George Santayana’s view that those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it. And because Nigerians have been made cynical by many decades of lies, all claims that Alabi-Isama makes he supports with abundant evidence. If this book is a 671-page tome it is in part because the memoirist illustrates his story with 450 pictures, 36 maps and 20 documents. It is also partly because the author meanders. He repeats himself many times.

By and large, his responses to General Obasanjo’s claims show that he was a more competent soldier, military strategist and theorist than OBJ, who tends to mistake good luck for profound gift and talent. Alabi-Isama simply did his duty and left politics in the army for all the crafty war profiteers who have been described by Wole Soyinka in Jero’s Metamorphosis as DGS – Desk Generals. As Chief of Staff of 3 Marine Commando Division, he was very demanding of everyone – he was hard on his men and women without ever losing tenderness. Deep knowledge was central to his strategy and tactics, so he sought for it everywhere. Indeed, one very important duty of the 3 Marine Commando women was collecting vast data about Biafran soldiers and their operational orders. The 3 Marine Commando Division operated in a very difficult terrain of creeks and mangrove forest comprising the present Rivers, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States. Those young men and women fighting for the unity of a country that would later abandon them demonstrated uncommon patriotism. Consider the courage of a young officer who just got shot in the war front, and as he was about to die he asked his commander, Alabi-Isama, who was carrying him, “Have I tried?” Those young men were brave people. Consider the immense talent and heroic move of captain Gbadamosi King, the Nigerian Air Force pilot whose air-to-air operation was the first, not only in Nigeria’s history but was the first in Africa. Consider also the exploits of those ladies who cheered up the troops when their morale was down. The book is dedicated to AlabiIsama’s mother who solidly supported the war efforts of her only son.

U S A V L I

BOOK REVIEW

Title:

The Tragedy of Victory

Author:

General Godwin Alabi – Isama

Reviewer:

Kunle Ajibade

Pagination:

671 Pages

This was war at the Atlantic theatre. A very difficult place to fight to keep Nigeria one. Each time situations became intractable and confounding, it was either Akinrinade or Alabi-Isama who were ordered to go and sorts things out.

Many of the troops died of malaria, dysentery, cholera, cold and snake bites. One soldier was swallowed by a 50-footlong snake. The troops had to kill the snake with the soldier still inside.

As the troops were getting tired, the Biafrans redoubled their efforts. Helped by France, they launched deadly attacks. With the capture of Port Harcourt by the 3 Marine Commando in 1968 and the capture of Enugu and Umuahia in April 1969, Biafrans had lost three of its major capitals.

Uli-Ihiala then became its centre of gravity. But Colonel Benjamin Adekunle, the commanding officer, did not see Uli-Ihiala that way. Missing the point completely, he ordered that OAU (Owerri, Aba and Umuahia) be captured as an October 1 1968 as Independence gift to General Yakubu Gowon. It was a complete disaster. General AlabiIsama says he warned his commander against the operation but Colonel Benjamin Adekunle did not listen. The 3 Marine Commando Division that had given a good account of itself in Bonny, Calabar, Warri, Ugep, Obubra, Oron, Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Itu, Eket, Abak, Etinan, Opobo, Bori, Okrika, Port Harcourt, Degema, Buguma, Abonema, Finima, Nembe, Brass, Ahoada and part of Midwest now became a butt of joke in other divisions. Other blunders followed. Suffering from stress, all those who criticised Benjamin Adekunle constructively he regarded as cowards.

The case became so bad when he decided to get both AlabiIsama and Akinrinade killed in an ambush. They escaped to Lagos where they reported to General Gowon the crisis of confidence in the 3 Marine Commando. But Gowon was very reluctant to remove Adekunle thinking that, with the Agbekoya riots and protests in Ibadan, many people would shout, “ethnic cleansing” if a non-Yoruba officer was brought in as a commander. He therefore asked Akinrinade and Alabi-Isama to suggest a Senior Yoruba Officer he could use. Akinrinade suggested Obasanjo—not Oluleye, not Sotoye, not Olutoye because Akinrinade and his friend were simply desperate to have a commander who would listen to them and implement Alabi-Isama’s operation Pincer 2, a plan that they were sure would end the war in 30 days.

Obasanjo was not an infantry officer, he was in the Army Engineers Corps, but Akinrinade rooted for him because he thought he was his friend. General Gowon, who suspected that Obasanjo would not want to go to the war front, asked Akinrinade and Alabi-Isama to go and persuade him which they did. Of course, General Gowon was right. General Obasanjo was furious that they suggested his name. He thought these men wanted him dead. While Akinrinade was civil in his dealing with him, Alabi-Isama was impatient; he told him off, wanting at a point to walk out after several hours of talking without any food or drink from their host. Alabi-Isama would soon pay the big price for doing that to Obasanjo who obviously has what the medical experts call pachydermatous memory for slights and insults.

When General Gowon gave the order that all divisional commanders at the war front, who had been there for two years, should be replaced and the then Colonel Obasanjo

was made the commander of the 3 Marine Commando Division both Alabi-Isama and Akinrinade thought they had won but their victory is part of the tragedy recounted in this book. General Olusegun Obasanjo’s did not take over the 3 Marine Commando until 16 May 1969. As soon as he did, he simply sidelined Akinrinade and Alabi-Isama . He went after all the members of the dream team of the Commando with vengeance. The winning force that was being praised for fighting gallantly to keep Nigeria one was now fighting a war of attrition. George Ininh who knew how to play the politics of genuflection which Obasanjo wanted rose meteorically during and after the war.

Four days after he resumed duty, Obasanjo’s first battle experience as a commander of 3 Marine Commando Division was a disaster. In what Alabi-Isama describes as a complete disregard of the sound advice of his sector commanders he ordered Godwin Ally to attack Ohoba, a town 40 kilometres south of Owerri. The Division lost over 1,000 troops. This loss still enrages Alabi-Isama who suggests that in a saner society Obasanjo should have lost his commission on account of that tragedy. Why would he be bothered?

Did the high command in Lagos ever sanction Murtala Mohammed of 2 Division for ordering an Asaba – River Niger crossing, against the advice of Akinrinade in which about 2,000 troops died by drowning and bullet wounds in the River Niger? Alabi-Isama reminds us many times that Obasanjo, the blundering Commander of 3 Marine Commando Division “had no battle experience and had never fought at any of the three fronts of the war. He had never commanded a battalion or a brigade, now he had to command a division in battle. That was why his military administration and logistics placing was that of a cadet”.

It was because of his tactical error as a commander that he was almost killed in an ambush when he visited Col. Iluyomade’s unit. He had to flee from the ambush and got shot in the bottom. Alabi-Isama’s take on that is that true generals do get shot in the chest, not bottom. Before Obasanjo was posted to 3 Marine Commando Division, Alabi-Isama, in consultation with Adekunle and other officers, had three plans – Pincer 1, 2 and 3, strategies and tactics which their division knew would win the war. Pincer 1 would be a monstrous operation that was meant to level many towns in Biafra. As if to impress those who were doubting his ability, Obasanjo wanted his troops to settle for that. If the 3 Marine Commando had used that plan, Alabi-Isama argues, the charge of genocide that Chinua Achebe raises in his book, There Was a Country would have been justified. Thankfully, reasons prevailed. The commander finally listened to his officers. Pincer 2 was used. And it took only 23 days for the 3 Marine Commando Division to put an end to the NigeriaBiafra War. Biafra surrendered, not to Obasanjo who was not at the war front, but to Alani Akinriande who was very much there.

It was a triumphant and self-centered Obasanjo who rushed to Lagos with Effiong and some of the Biafran officers. And the real heroes of that war were then forgotten. But AlabiIsama was not only forgotten he was later persecuted and dismissed from the army by General Olusegun Obasanjo who was then the head of state. Alabi-Isama was accused of stealing money which he did not know anything about. He was even accused of being part of the Dimka coup. The two officers who refused to implicate him suddenly died mysteriously. But as James Frederick Green would say their organised slaughter did not settle the dispute, it merely silenced an argument which The Tragedy of Victory has now brought to the front burner. Before his unjustified persecution, General Alabi-Isama was the likeable Principal General Staff Officer of the Nigerian Army. He was a well-decorated officer. He gave the Nigerian Army his best shot. And he was a role model. It is important to remember that our history is full of this kind of bad behaviour. Let me explain that with just one example. In 1980, Chief Bola Ige accepted to review My Command because he thought General Olusegun Obasanjo was a good friend. But since Ige’s assassination, has the general not been dancing on his grave?

Of course, The Tragedy of Victory is not only about the civil war and the 3 Marine Commando Division even though it is the major plank of it, its centre of gravity. There are other interesting stories. The story of his humble early life, how he joined the army after his secondary school at Ibadan Boys High School, his military training in Zaria and England, his peace keeping mission in the Congo where he helped to kill a huge and notorious hippopotamus that had been terrorising a village for many years. There is a sense in which the story of the Nigerian Army mock battle in Ibadan which he and his troops won foretold the victory of the Nigeria-Biafra war in the Atlantic Theatre. We are told of how he was captured by the Biafrans, how he was sent to Kirikiri prison for wrong accusation. We are moved by the story of Azuatalam the wonderful swimmer who was later recommended to be recruited into the Army by General Alani Akinrinade. The reader is told of how Alabi-Isama and his officers arrived at their strategies and tactics like the dilemma strategy. As Generals Yakubu Gowon and Adeyinka Adebayo write in their introductory remarks, this is a book about military strategies, tactics and campaigns. There is the interesting story of the visit, in 1993, of Stella Obasanjo to his American home where Stella stayed for a pleasurable week. You will not miss the story of how he saved General T.Y. Danjuma and Domkat Bali from being killed by the Dimka coupists.

Finally, it is clear from our reading of this book that when we yield our hallowed ground to clueless people, they will grow and nurture their weeds on it, thereby suffocating the flowers of the land. May our country have the good sense to always choose good people who will reproduce their goodness in others.

•Mr. Kunle Ajibade, Executive Editor of THENEWS.

40

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Okada overload!

Commercial bike,aka Okada, on Airport Road, Lagos.

PHOTO: ISAAC AYODELE JIMOH

C

Adieu grandma A lawyer, Chief Richard Oma Ahonaruogho, pays tribute to his grandmother, Anirejuoritse Elizabeth Olugbo, who died on June 24 at 100

G

ROWING up in Warri 1961 to 1969, Grandma was MAMA to me.

Aponto, Asameighor, Oritsegbubemi and Johnbull were the early names by which I was fondly called by Mama depending on whether I was being good or naughty, or a combination of both! Richard, given by my parents who were then sojourning in England, came much later, when I was to be enrolled in primary school.

Aponto was when she was happy with me. When she called Aponto, I replied Apontoto, and she would be very happy and laugh heartily.

Asameighor was for when I was dressed, usually in wrapper and shirt on Sundays for church, and in suit with tie for Christmas and New Year celebrations with brand new shoes from Bata (which one had to remove and walk bare footed soon afterwards). I was known to walk “majestically” and for “showing off like a lawyer!” Mama would then hail me – “Asameighor, O lori edema”. God knows, Mama knew I was born to be a lawyer!

Oritsegbubemi was when Mama could not readily decide whether to be happy or angry with me. Usually, you hear “Gbu-bemiiiiiiiiiiiiiii”, I answered

“maaaaaaaaaaaaaa”. Then you hear her favorite English language expression – “damn silly can’t you”, meaning whatever you are doing, you stop immediately. I usually did, failing which I was spanked.

Then comes Johnbull. This usually came with a question – “what has Johnbull done (again)?” Often, when I got into trouble from fights; the reason for the fights, I cannot readily recall, I would be brought home.

Upon seeing the manner in which I had been apprehended by the collar, Mama would shout “J-o-h-n-b-u-l-l, you no go kill me o”. I never did.

My father returned to Nigeria in 1968 and my mother in 1969. I was brought to Lagos by Mama in 1969 to live with them. But Mama was always there for me, though out bringing me food at the University of Benin and praying for my success. She fondly called my wife Mojisola, “Egude meje”, literally meaning a beautiful woman seven times over! An “apuja” reserved for a woman that is precious, presentable, dependable, respectful, dignified, trusted and honourable.

Mama was full of love for everyone. She nursed her father, Pa. Olugbo till the very end. She was there for her senior sister, Mama Kano and indeed for her entire sib-

•The late Mrs Olugbo

lings and other relatives. She spoke very warmly and affectionately about her late mother, Mewe.

Her home was a home for all. She was kind but strict and prayed several times daily. She loved God and His Church. She was exceedingly happy when she was made a Deaconess of the Christ Apostolic Church, the only Church that she attended throughout her lifetime.

Mama was a beauty and very neat.

She was very proud of her trade and content to be a trader in the dry fish business selling “kaka” (a.k.a.”bonga fish”) and crayfish, amongst others.

Born to Pa. Olugbo Ofuyaekpone of Ekurede Itsekiri and Madam Mewe Olugbo (Nee Owe) of Urhuoku Quarters in Eku, Mama was “posted” to her husband, Pa. Thomas Erikowa where she begat her only child, my mother, AJUA ONIYEYONE JOSEPHINE AHONARUOGHO some 74 years ago.

OMMISSIONER for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Joe-Martin Uzodike has assured pensioners from the Anambra State Broadcasting Service (ABS) and National Light Newspapers that prompt payment of their entitlements would be made by the state government.

Uzodike stated that as soon as the structures and equipment of the radio and newspaper outfits are put in order he would face the human element in the two organisations to give them a sense of belonging like other civil servants.

Uzodike who spoke while inspecting the new corporate office of the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), Onitsha said the office would be ready in two weeks.

He said the Governor Peter Obi led administration has approved N65million.

According to Uzodike, the new building will cost the government N20 million while another N45 million is meant to connect the station’s transmitters for better connection to the public in the state and South east zone.

“With this support in less than two weeks now ABS Radio and Television would be received everywhere in South east and no other station would swap ABS from the band because we would be knocking them off. N45 million is for equipment as I said earlier and the equipment has arrived.

“The best thing here is that we are

Anambra reassures pensioners of prompt payment From Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

not doing these projects as government contracts but on direct labour, so that the little money we save from it could be re-channeled to construct a sleep over five-roomhouse for the staff as well as a canteen,” he said.

It was learnt that the ABS relocated from GRA Onitsha to Awada Obosi following the building of an international shopping mall in its former location by the Anambra State government.

The Information Commissioner assured that before the end of 2015, ABS would be fully digitalised and informed that N30 million has been spent on upgrading and re-equipping of the ABS and with the additional N45 million the station would be the best around here.

“Governor Peter Obi has assured me that the pension and gratuity of National Light staff and ABS would be paid. And once I am through with this building and equipment, I will go back to the Governor and start presenting the case of the ABS and National Light Pensioners because he has assured to intervene.

The Managing Director, ABS in Awka, Reverend Alphonsus Ginikanwa, thanked Chief Uzodike for championing the welfare of staff and development of infrastructure in ABS and other offices under his ministry.

42

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

POLITICS

43

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

• Ngige

• Ekwunife

• Ubah

• Uba

• Ezeemo

The governorship election will hold in Anambra State on November 16. Correspondent NWANOSIKE ONU writes on the preparations for the poll by the major parties.

Anambra PDP, APC, LP, APGA set for battle

I

T is four months to the governorship election in Anambra State. Who takes over from Governor Peter Obi next year?

The battle line is drawn among the mega All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) andPeoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Two of them-PDP and APGA - are swimming in unending leadership crises The major contestants for the seat have taken their consultation to the grassroots.

They are Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, the only woman in the race, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, representing Anaocha, Njikoka, Dunukofia federal constituency, Sen. Chris Ngige, Dr Tony Nwoye, former President of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), and Dr Chike Obidigbo, the Chairman of Southeast Manufacturers Association of nigeria (MAN).

Also, the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has made his intention known recently in Abuja. Sen. Andy Uba and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu are still playing hide and sick game.

Already, those whose fliers and posters have taken over the streets of Anambra are over 25, with some of them acting as spoilers for some of the big guns.

But another person who seems to be serious in the governorship project is Sir Godwin Ezeemo, whose philanthropy has endured him to the people.

The secretary to the state government in the state, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, is said to have

made his intention known to some stakeholder. But his seriousness may be in doubt.

The aspirants have gone round the 21 local government areas in the state to seek support from the grassroots. Others are displaying the siddon look attitude Ekwunife, Uba, Ngige, Ezeemo, Obidigbo, Nwoye have made impact on the electorate having traversed the length and breath of this state, appealing to the masses.

The six have been to the 177 communities in Anambra including 327 wards to meet with the traditional rulers, stakeholders and the rural women to seek support.

In APGA, it is going to be a battle royale between Ekwunife, Obidigbo and Obaze, but the former secretary to the state government, Chief Paul Odenigbo is also expected to make up impact.

Many people believe that they have what it takes to govern Anambra State. But the problem they are facing is from the party that has been in leadership crisis onn their party for the past one year.

The factions that exist in the APGA are holding Ekwunife back from visiting the party secretariat in Awka to officially announce her ambition. The woman does not need any introduction in the political scene.

But she does not mince words in telling anybody that Chief Victor Umeh is the National Chairman of the party, adding that the problem in the APGA the is a family affair that will end soon.

Obidigbo said that his desire to contest is not motivated by any selfish interest.

He said he has the solution to the social, economic and political problems of the state.

Obidigbo’s reason for choosing to run under APGA is that the party mirrors the Igbo spirit of enterprise and brotherly love.

He said the party is a platform that wakes up the collective determination of every Igbo person to challenge the limitations and persecutions suffered by the group.

Besides Obidigbo and Ekwunife, another person that has strong aspiration is the Capital Oil and Gas mogul, Ifeanyi Ubah, who joined the race over a year ago.

His dilemma has been the crisis in the party. Ubah has visited the Labour Party Office in Awka to make enquires. One of his aides said recently in Awka that the oil magnate has decided to pitch his tent with LP. The APGA crisis has thrown him off balance as his major backer and supporter, Chief Victor Umeh, is fighting for the leadership of the party.

LP, the Nation gathered, is battle ready for the contest. Some of the gladiators, including Senator Andy Ubah, Oil guru, Ifeanyi Ubah are also holding talks with the party.

The chairman of the party, Hon. Sam Oraegbunam, told reporters that some of the people claiming membership of the party are not card-carrying members.

He said that Labour Party was not a place for buying and selling, adding that the party would not to give its ticket to the highest

bidder. He said that the party will give its ticket to a competent candidate who can win the election.

However, the fear of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has become the beginning of wisdom. The three heavyweights in the party are Senator Chris Ngige, Senator Annie Okonkwo and Sir Godwin Ezeemo.

Ezeemo has relied heavily on his philanthropy that has endeared him to the people.

Ngige has pedigree and legacies as a former governor. He ruled between 2003 and 2006.

But the surprise package could be the former NANS President, Dr Tony Nwoye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He is not leaving any stone unturned to get the ticket.

Nwoye is an advocate of open and democratic primaries. He has vowed to resist the imposition of candidates.

Nwoye has visited all the local government areas and some communities to inform them about his willingness to serve them.

He was the backing of the chairman of PDP in the state. The party installed Andy Uba as governor in 2007. But he was deposed by the court.

More aspirants may still join the race before the deadline.

The battle for who succeeds Obi is the focal point now in the state and one of the aspirants from Labour Party, All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic party (PDP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is likely to succeed Obi.

‘Ngige is best man for Anambra governorship’

By Musa Odoshimokhe

• Igbokwe

A

HEAD of the Anambra gov ernorship election billed for November, the spokesman for the Lagos State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr Joe Igbokwe, has tipped Senator Chris Ngige as

the best man to take over from Governor Peter Obi. Igbokwe hinged his recommendation on the need to sustain the tempo and raise the stake of good governance in the state.

The ACN spokesman, who recalled how his preference for the incumbent over Ngige in 2010, pitted him against party members, explained that his position was informed by the trauma Obi went through to reclaim the mandate freely given to him by the Anambra people.

He listed such hurdles as the denial of his well-deserved mandate, the controversial impeachment by the state Assembly and the tribunal/ judicial battles he fought to before he was restored as governor.

“I wanted Governor Peter Obi to get a second term because of all the

troubles he went through to reclaim his mandate and all the troubles he suffered going through criminal impeachment and through courts and tribunals to reclaim his mandate,” Igbokwe explained in the statement.

Though Igbokwe said the supporters of the senator reported him to former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu, alleging that he was engaging in anti-party activities. He said Obi has justified his mandate with the landmark achievements of his administration.

Igbokwe noted that those who took his case to Tinubu leveled the allegation against him in the presence of the party’s National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande and Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who was then the Lagos Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure.

According to him, the time has come for Ngige to take the mantle

of leadership and add more value to the politics of the state.

He said: “The rest is now history but it was an excruciating and daunting experience for me. I have never regretted it.

“I will appeal that we put this matter behind us and move on. We have a target and that is to make 2014 a memorable year. We will join the teeming and enthusiastic Anambra voters to elect Dr. Ngige as the governor of Anambra State. So, let us all move forward with that spirit until victory is achieved.”

He expressed confidence that the All Progressive Congress (APC), which will field a progressive candidate for the November 16 election will succeed Obi, whose two-term tenure of eight years expires next year.

Igbokwe said: “All the energies at our disposal will be deployed to make this a reality. We will put our

hands, our feet, our eyes, our brains, our strengths, our human and material resources to make the dream come true. “This support would not be based on flimsy grounds but the best interest of Anambra at heart. We will work hard to elect for ourselves a man best suited to continue the progressive march.”

He noted that Ngige during his first stint as governor, was the architect of the historic liberation of Anambra politics from the shackles of godfathers and minions, adding that the liberty paved the way for Obi’s success.

“For the avoidance of doubts, the template of Anambra renaissance we all are benefiting from today was set up by Ngige when he damned the hawkish demands of the godfathers to free Anambra and its resources for the people of Anambra,” Igbokwe said.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

POLITICS The National Chairman of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, spoke with AUGUSTINE AVWODE in Lagos on the activities of the party and other issues.

There will be suprises in 2015, says Okorie H OW do you see the future of Nigeria politics given the current developments in the

polity?

The future of Nigeria politics is very bright. Nigeria will survive its travails and hiccups. Most Nigerians have faith in the country; the only thing that has kept us down is the fact that we have not been lucky with a purposeful leadership. We have always had great leaders that never were. For instance, the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He would have provided Nigeria with good leadership. Unfortunately, it is in the realm of ‘would have been’. And we have many others like that. So, the problem with Nigeria is that of sincere leadership. But we wouldn’t have to go and import any one from heaven, we have very good people among us. The only way they can come about is through a free, fair and credible election. Those who go and patronize money bags thinking they will win elections will be disappointed in the next general election. There will be political surprises in 2015, not only at the presidential level but all over. Once an election is free and fair, you will see big men being overthrown. All we are praying and hoping for is that INEC would do the right thing. If it does the right thing, Nigerians are rational; they never opted for this kind of leadership. It was imposed on them through rigging. But give Nigerians the assurance that their votes will count and you will see the type of leadership they will elect, from councillor to president.

Seven months after the registration of the United Progressives Party (UPP), how has it been?

It has been a wonderful and exciting experience for me. Without being immodest, one is no longer a local champion on the political scene.

I now play in the first league of Nigeria politics. Secondly, my travails in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have attracted nationwide sympathy to me. From the feedback that we are getting, the general impression out there is that, this man has been persistent, consistent and dogged. So, the UPP immediately began to attract attention on the basis of the background of its leadership.

In specific terms, how would you describe the reception of the UPP by the people?

It has been very encouraging. In the Southsouth, for example, for a long time, there has not been an alternative platform. The APGA was supposed to provide that platform before it was engulfed in crisis. Now, the UPP has come in to fill that void in the lives of many politicians, who were either denied the opportunity to contest, or denied the platform for the purposes of contesting election in the region. The truth is that there are some politicians who cannot but contest elections. If you deny them that opportunity, they are like fish out of water. So, for this set of people the UPP has provided that platform.

In the Southwest, the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has also worked for the good of the UPP in a way you won’t believe. The Southwest is, historically, progressive in nature. They have never been known to cooperate with the conservative elements in the North, politically. This is the first time we are seeing this and it is strange to some of them. So, this set of people, who I won’t mention here, are already looking in the direction of another southern progressive party for possible alignment. For

this set of people, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not an option.

So, the UPP has provided a safe haven for them.

In the North, the UPP has come to be the party of the minorities. The question is who are these minorities? They are not the traditional minorities, but also include them. For instance, the Igbo man in the Southeast is a majority but in the North, he is a minority. The Yoruba in the Southwest is a majority, but in the North, he is a minority. And the same is applicable to all other groups that are outside their region and zone. Of course, there are indigenous minorities in these areas. All over the world, just as it is in Nigeria, the problem of the minority is the same – the oppression by the majority, most times to the extent that they are not even allowed to contest elections because they do not have the platform that is sympathetic to their aspirations. So, when the minorities come together, they constitute a veritable political force that can challenge the status quo in any place.

The UPP is making available its platform to this group of people.

How would you react to the call

by President Goodluck Jonathan for a two-party arrangement?

The truth is that Nigeria is getting close to that state. If we get to three, it will be a major improvement from the initial 67 that we used to have at a time. Of course, using the provisions of our law, the numbers have now been cut down to 25. Then, the merging of the three major opposition parties to form the APC is a major development in that direction.

You can see that the case of the APC is a case of natural political evolution that is borne out of the interest of the parties that are involved. You would have observed that the PDP, just now, is experiencing and implosion that is reducing its octopus size to what is not as intimidating as it used to be. In the USA, you don’t have the majority-minority dichotomy the way it is here. Today, the Presidency of Jonathan is seen largely as an anathema by some people, just because of the area where he comes from as a minority.

Now, in the presidential election of 2015, I see the APP presenting a northern candidate that will be formidable, and the PDP would present the incumbent in a bid to remain in office. The UPP has zoned its presidential ticket to the Southeast. The massive votes that Jonathan got in the Southeast can no longer be available. In fact, he would be lucky if he gets 10 per cent of the votes in 2015.

The truth is that the Igbo are sentimental people and they always rally round their own. The moment you bring in an Igbo presidential candi-

‘Those who go and patronize money bags thinking they will win elections will be disappointed in the next general election.

There will be political surprises in 2015, not only at the presidential level but all over. Once an election is free and fair, you will see big men being overthrown’

• Okorie

date, he will get massive support from Igbo people, home and abroad.

So, I see three major political movements in the 2015 general election – the APC, PDP and the UPP. The others will be there at the periphery just as you have some parties in America at the periphery. When you now get down to three, you are already approaching a two-party system. So, let us work hard at it and we will achieve it.

How would you describe the performance of INEC since the 2011 general election? Has the umpire improved by your reckoning?

Under the present leadership of the INEC, the commission has been improving on subsequent elections.

There has been remarkable improvement on previous ones. I can tell you that I have been involved in a few interactive sessions with INEC, where political leaders, prodemocracy organisation and donor agencies have been sponsoring seminars and workshops. In all these these interactive sessions, INEC has been stressing the necessity of making the 2015 election more credible, transparent, more participatory. I am happy to tell you that the future is bright. I can tell you that once we get to where the votes of Nigerians count, we would have reached a point of accountability. INEC has a big role to play in helping Nigerians achieve accountability. We can never achieve accountability by elected people except the people are directly responsible for the emergence of their leaders, and who can also in turn removed them from office, should any of them fail to live up to expectation.

How do you see the prospect of your party as we march toward 2015?

Before now, I have been laying the foundation for a major movement and with the indices I have already pointed out the other time, it can be seen clearly that we are well focused.

If we were looking for big names, we would have been sending delegations to those who have been there, but these are people that would rather contaminate the party that we have set up to challenge the status quo. So, the people we are reaching out to are those that are hungry for change. UPP is a change agent and really hungry for change.

We are not here to dissolve into the status quo, no; we want real change that will bring the best out of the average Nigerian and make the country a place worth living. We have come to challenge the status quo and over throw it, and that was why I said the UPP is a change agent.

Why I want to govern Ekiti, by aspirant Former Ekiti State Deputy Governor Adebisi Omoyeni, has kicked off his aspiration to contest the governorship of the state in the 2014 election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He unveils his mission to Assistant Editor DADA ALADELOKUN. “MY mission for our dear state, Ekiti, is to take it to a level it has not attained since, its creation 17 years ago.” With this statement, former Deputy Governor Adebisi Omoyeni disclosed why he yielded to pressures “by lovers of genuine development of Ekiti”to run for governorship in the coming election.

He added: “I also have a vision of putting Ekiti State on the world map of industrialised states and make it self-sufficient and economically viable.

“I realised that our people had been suffering from acquired poverty in the midst of plenty. God has endowed us with stupendous natural resources which if harnessed, can empower us to kill poverty in the state. Infrastructure and basic amenities like pipe-borne water, good roads, and electricity among others, are painfully in short supply. This shouldn’t be allowed to go on.”

He linked the situation to unemployment among the youths, saying: “Any right-thinking person will be touched by the level of unemployment among Ekiti youths today. I am personally touched.

I have therefore developed a programme of action that would aggressively create jobs for all our youths and unemployed graduates. I will create 4,000 job opportunities annually during my tenure. I did it in Wema Bank and will do it in Ekiti State.”

Linking job creation to industrialisation, Omoyeni said: “Government has no business in business. Government would only provide enabling environment for them to strive. We will encourage entrepreneurs, both local and international, to come to Ekiti and establish industries under Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. My experience in the private sector and connections will be brought to bear in this regard. Industrialisation will be an avenue to create jobs. Our youths will be adequately trained to work in these industries.”

Maintaining that unemployment breeds insecurity, the bankerturned politician said: “Peace and security are essential for development. Our government shall take every measure necessary to ensure that residents of Ekiti, carry out their legitimate businesses in a secure atmosphere. Apart from tackling poverty through reduction in hunger, we shall support all security agencies in the discharge of their responsibilities.”

The aspirant said his administration would appraise the mineral resources available in the state and ensure they are exploited for the benefit of its people.

On education, he said that bursary and scholarships would be given to students in tertiary institutions.

“As a trained teacher myself, teachers will be highly motivated; all their entitlements, including the Teachers’ Peculiar Allowance (TPA), will be paid. No teacher will be humiliated. Rather, our administration will train and re-train them to acquire modern methods of teaching to enhance their output. Infrastructure will be provided in our schools, while our tertiary institutions will be adequately funded to attain world class status. As a former lecturer myself, I will ensure that lecturers and members of the academic community are well motivated. We shall institute a tax regime with a human face for our lecturers and other categories of government staff,” he stated.

“Our government,” he assured, “will mechanise agriculture for improved output by providing necessary equipment and enabling environment. Food-processing industries will be encouraged to process farm produce into value added products for export and local consumption.”

Saying that only a healthy population can be productive, Omoyeni promised to pay attention to health-care at all levels, with adequate attention to health institutions.

Describing civil service as an integral part of any government, he said his administration would accord civil servants their pride of place in the scheme of things, with adequate care for their rights and benefits with the ambit of available resources. “Local Government Areas shall be guaranteed their independence, and their workers shall be accorded full benefits as obtained in the state civil service. There will be no discrimination in the conditions of service at the state and council levels,” he promised, adding that “those that have been unjustly eased out of service shall have their cases reviewed and justice done.”

To Omoyeni, the party is supreme.

He said: “I have demonstrated this with my total support for the current State Executive. I will create every opportunity for the party to grow stronger and maintain discipline.

“Building a new Ekiti State cannot be done by one man alone.

The labour, civil servant, teachers, artisans, students, academics, farmers and professionals have roles to play. My government will motivate everybody, including Ekiti sons and daughters in the Diaspora, to partake in a new dawn for prosperity, peace and progress in Ekiti State.”

•Omoyeni

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R

ESIDENTS of Ibadan, capital of Oyo State, have continued to applaud the infrastructure upgrade.

There is a predominant feeling that the ancient city is undergoing a massive makeover, the latest effort being the inauguration of the Mokola fly-over bridge.

A day to the launch of the historical facility, residents of the city were in high spirits. They had waited to see the bridge commissioned so that the difficulties experienced on the ever busy road will come to an end. To show their eagerness and preparedness for the event, all the traders, artisans, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), motorcycle operators popularly known as Okada, and members of the business community declared a work-free day to be part of the epoch-making event which attracted both the high and low in the society.

All the major markets in the city were closed, while the traders in these markets came out en masse to attend the event. Some were decked in Ankara uniform, others donned peak caps and T-shirts bearing the portrait of Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

Their city was changing and they were happy about it. Some have been converted to dual-carriage ways and beautified. Jobs are created. The state capital is looking neater and healthier. There is better access to quality health and education. Transportation and commerce have improved, while peace and order have been restored.

The amazed audience was wondering how the governor was able to achieve these feats within two years in office when past governors failed to accomplish much in four years or more. Some have asked “where did the governor get the money to execute this project”. But that is the kind of governor they have been yearning for after many years of stagnation and bad governace.

The commissioning of the flyover was accompanied by two other multi-million naira projects; the ultra modern market at Scout Camp, and the new Garage Modern Motorpark, Ibadan.

The people’s faces glowed in appreciation for the good work of the governor. Now, there is unfettered

•The Mokola fly-over

Ibadan residents relish infrastructure upgrade From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

movement of people, goods and services in most areas of the city as a result of a good road network.

That the Mokola fly-over bridge, the first to be accomplished in the last 35 years by any civilian administration was successfully constructed and completed within a span of two years was still a like a dream to many.

Indeed, for an average motorist, Mokola Roundabout was a no-go area most especially during peak hours, with a journey from Dugbe

to Ojoo which should not take 20 minutes, taking not less than two hours. A commercial motorist, Kazeem Adelaja, said he always prayed in the morning not to be hooked up in the vehicular bottleneck so as not to waste precious time and fuel in the process.

He said: “The Mokola Roundabout is a problem to an average motorist in this city, and we often find out that the bottleneck is caused by impatience on the part of the road users. On my part, I always tried everything to avoid the place so that at the end of the day I would not waste my money burning fuel unnecessarily.”

Senator Ajimobi who described

the road as critical in the transportation network of Ibadan in terms of commerce, education and overall well-being of the citizens, said the flag-off of the construction of the bridge on the ever-busy SangoMokola-Dugbe Road, was a testimony of his administration’s commitment to ensuring that the citizens of the state live a better life.

The governor who visibly expressed joy to be a vehicle of transformation, said: “It is a testimony to the fact that we desire good and robust life for the people of Oyo State.

This particular flyover was conceived as part of the overall vision and mission of this administration to restore, reposition and transform

the state and her citizen’s transportation to higher efficiency and effectiveness.

“The completion of the bridge is expected to translate to less stressful journey for her citizens, especially the people of Ibadan and visitors to the state capital.”

As early as 7.00 am, a large crowd of ordinary people thronged the Mokola area with most of them singing and drumming to celebrate what they called a “monumental and unprecedented achievement” in the history of the state. Twisting their bodies to the sweet drum-beats by local drummers who thronged the venue of the event, the people could not hide their excitement.

N10m tools, gifts for Kwara constituents

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MEMBER of the House of Representatives representing Ilorin East/South Federal constituency in Kwara State, Dr. Ali Ahmad has spent N10 million on youth empowerment and Ramadan gifts to his constituent members and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders.

All the 23 wards in the constituency benefited from the gesture in Ilorin, the state capital. Items distributed as Ramadan gifts included bags of rice, sugar, milk, among others.

Speaking at the event, Dr Ahmad who chairs the House Committee on Justice, added that he had empowered 120 youths in his constituency to engage in mechanised farming.

He said that each beneficiary of the scheme, which is in partnership with some commercial farmers, could make as much as N3m annually if they are serious about it.

He said the gesture was to assist the less privileged during the holy month of Ramadan, adding that the empowerment programme would contribute in reducing youth unemployment.

The lawmaker implored the beneficiaries to embrace the Ramadan fast and pray fervently for Nigeria to overcome its numerous challenges.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Two indigenes from Ilorin South and East Local Governments who were sponsored by Ahmad to learn shoe-making were presented with the working tools to effectively put the knowledge to practice to earn a living.

Said he:” We implore our people to embrace Ramadan as it has approached and to involve in fervent prayers for all the ills bedevilling our nation in current times.

“We have two empowerment programmes for the youth. We are doing it in phases, this one is for the youths. We have empowered 120 youths in a job that would fetch them between N1million and N3million a year. It is a mechanised commercial farming project in association with some commercial farmers. We have perfected the plan.

“With the 120, there would be other additional phases for others.

Basically it is about commercial farming and we are trying to encourage our youths to engage in farming because this is the employer of labour. We are just leveraging on it and we thank God that it has culminated in the employment of 120 youths.”

As for artisans, the legislator added that “for those who are arti-

•Dr Ali Ahmad (middle) with participans and the Ramadan largesse sans, you are seeing what we have done in the past six months.

“We engage them as a trial, as a model and it has succeeded. So, we have empowered these youths, we have given them all the implements they need to go to the market and I am sure you can see the enthusiasm of other youths. So, we would enrol more youths in this and other artisan work that can benefit them.

“The advice I have for them is

that they have been carefully chosen; they have been enamoured. So, it is for them to now go to the field and you can see the quality of works they do and these shoes are very cheap.

“It is for them to go further and conquered the world so that they would now be an example for other upcoming youths. And through all these composite programmes, we can keep on to address the unemployment problem

that we have.”

At the event were PDP Chairmen in the two local governments, party leaders, supporters, women and youths who also got their share of the Ramadan package.

A PDP chieftain in the constituency, Alhaji Oba Bolanta, in his remarks, commended the lawmaker and urged other wealthy Nigerians to always remember the less privileged who live from hand to mouth.

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The TY Foundation is training them in collaboraion with the Centre for Women, Youth and Community Action (NACWYCA), a non-governmental organisation based in Lafia

•Participants at the workshop

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OMPRESSED earth bricks are catching on in Nasarawa State, thanks to organisations like the TY Danjuma Foundation.

The raw materials are sourced locally and the bricks are durable, even fashionable.

Now, the TY Danjuma Foundation has added job creation to the advantages by undertaking to train 40 youths in compressed earth bricks or CEB. The 40 able-bodied youths among whom is a lady, have accepted to be trained in the techniques of making CEB. They said they took the decision in order to enhance their economic power, rather than waste their youth

Foundation to train youths in brick-making From Johnny Danjuma, Lafia

looking for inexistent jobs.

It is also said now that the 40 youths are already role models for others.

The TY Foundation is training them in collaboraion with the Centre for Women, Youth and Community Action (NACWYCA), a nongovernmental organisation based in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital.

It has been agreed that the foundation, solely owned by Danjuma, a former Minister for Defence, will

provide the funds for the project while NACWYCA, headed by Managing Director Nawani Ezekiel Aboki, will implement it.

The NGO will ensure its continuity as well as source materials for the success of the project. Monitoring is another brief of NACWYCA. The idea of training the 40 persons who are going to be pioneer trainees cutting across three council areas in Nasarawa State is not only to serve as source of empowerment to the youths but also encourage others to learn a trade and earn a decent

livelihood.

The state Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mr Emmanuel Yaji who was at the opening ceremony of a workshop at which the plan was launched, promised to patronise the intending trainees.

He also saluted their courage to learn a trade in order to make life more meaningful not only for themselves but also their families and the society.

The commissioner said everybody stands to benefit from the

laudable initiative of the T.Y Danjuma Foundation and NACWYCA. Speaking at the opening ceremony at NACWYCA’ headquarters office in Lafia, the Commissioner said: “I must commend your courage to go into bricklaying venture in this era where most youths are seeking unavailable ‘white collar’ jobs” Yaji added that: “We shall keep track of the programme to see how government would partner to bring more youths into it.

Council boss mounts tree-planting campaign

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HAIRMAN of Oto -Awori Local Council Development Area, Hon. Kayode Robert has mounted a safe environment campaign.

Speaking at this year’s tree-planting ceremony in the council, he appealed to residents to endeavour to plant more trees and flowers.

The council boss explained its numerous advantages, some of which include cleaner air and a healthier environment.

But Robert also left no one in doubt that a compelling reason to plant and nurture trees is in order to scale back global warming and other hazards of climate change.

The chairman was speaking at Community Nursery and Primary School, Ajewamiwa where he planted a tree.

He urged the people to develop a culture of planting trees and flowers which also enhance the beauty of the environment.

Robert said a tree planting campaign team has been set up to monitor the plan. This year, over 100,000 trees will be planted, he said, adding that people have embraced the initiative.

“We will continue till our environment is restored,” he said.

In an address, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, represented by Mr. Omotosho Oni, said that tree planting is one way the

By Emmanuel Udodinma

state government is effectively combating the menace of erosion and other ecological problems.

The Commissioner said: “One of the remedies we have admirably deployed is tree planting. The more trees we plant, the more we reclaim our forests, beautify our surroundings and environment. Trees at maturity act as shelter for rare and endangered animals; they act as storm and wind breaks and also as deflectors of sun rays and other adverse weather,” ”Trees serve as breeding ground for some animals. Medicines are also produced from stems and leaves of some plants.”

He revealed that so far the administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola in six years has successfully planted not less than 4.6 million trees and more are still, as a matter of routine, being planted on a daily basis.

“Our government not only engages in this symbolic annual event but has put in place institutional structures to ensure that the achievements of the past are ingrained in the system.

“His Excellency has graciously approved the establishment of the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) to advance the cause of sustainable environment and further see to the improvement in the state’s environment aesthetics through nu-

•Hon. Bolaji Roberts (right) plants a tree, assisted by Mr. Omotosho Oni (second left), who represented the Commissioner of Environment merous beautifications and landscaping projects, which have made our state the positive envy of others in the federation.” he said.

Governor Fashola in his keynote address read by the council chairman, said that this year’s event which had the theme “Green is peace,” is in rec-

ognition of the fact that the absence of enough green, especially trees, is a threat to the survival of all creatures that depend on oxygen.”

He added: “We need trees to absorb the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to prevent us from suffocating.’’

The Oto-Awori council leadership

instituted a competition in which residents plant and nurture trees and flowers. The Robert administration duly rewards the winners with a view to instilling a greener environment culture in them.

Traditional rulers, baales, were among the dignitaries at the event.

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 23-07-13

Why we stepped down 75% acquisition bid, by GSK

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LAXOSMITHKLINE Consumer Nigeria (GSK Nigeria) Plc yesterday explained that the offer by its foreign core investor, GlaxoSmithKline United Kingdom (UK), to acquire additional shares from Nigerian shareholders to increase its controlling equity to 75 per cent was withdrawn to pave the way for further discussions on the appropriate price, means, proportion and other knotty details of the deal.

Chairman, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria (GSK Nigeria) Plc, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, formally told the scheduled court-ordered meeting in Lagos yesterday that GSK decided to step down the acquisition bid to consider appropriate amendments that will make the offer more acceptable to shareholders.

GSK UK was seeking to acquire 273.46 million ordinary shares out of the Nigerian shareholders’ holdings to add 28.58 per cent to push its post-acquisition holding to 75 per cent. It had retained

By Taofik Salako

a below-the-market price of N48 per share, in spite of substantial rally since the deal was first announced.

At a media parley after indefinite suspension of the court-ordered meeting, Osunkeye said GSK UK and GSK Nigeria were ready to renegotiate everything and come up with a win-win transaction that would be beneficial to all stakeholders.

According to him, the company will go back to the drawing board to work out a fair and persuasive deal that offers better price and remove element of compulsory purchase of shareholders’ holdings.

“We withdrew in order to further consultations, we believe further consultations and arrangements are necessary before we come back,” Osunkeye said.

He said the company would in the meantime, engage GSK UK on the retention of the trademark rights to produce and market Lucozade and Ribena brands.

GSK UK has decided sell the two brands.

He stressed the importance of mutually beneficial relationship between the foreign core investor and the Nigerian shareholders. He noted noting that the steady growth of the company over the years has been due the commitments of the management, staff and technical supports from GSK UK. He said while the company would be anxious to return with a new proposal, it would not put a timeline for the new deal.

SGK Nigeria’s share price rallied further yesterday at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as investors appeared to be positioning ahead of the expected higher bid price.

GSK Nigeria added N1.50 to close at N60, an increase of 2.56 per cent. It had risen by 6.36 per cent on confirmation of the withdrawal of the controversial bid on Monday.

GSK Nigeria had added N3.50 per share to close at N58.50, the second highest gain in a bearish market.

Honeywell Flour posts N2.8b net profit

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ONEYWELL Flour Mills Plc recorded a net profit of N2.6 billion in the year ended March 3, 2013, according to key extracts released yesterday.

The report indicated that turnover rose by 20 per cent to N46 billion in 2013 as against N38 billion recorded in 2012.

Profit after tax rose marginally from N2.6 billion in 2012 to N2.8 billion in 2013.

Earnings per share thus increased to 36 kobo as against 34 kobo recorded in the previous year. The company showed considerable growth in total assets, which rose by 16 per cent to N55.4 billion when compared to the N47.9 billion in 2012. The board of the company has proposed a gross dividend of N1.3 billion to shareholders.

Commenting on the results, chairman, Honeywell Flour Mills, Dr. Oba Otudeko, said the results have shown again the readiness and ability of the company to thrive in challenging economic conditions due to its committed team of professionals who demonstrate willingness to pursue and achieve the company’s long

term vision of sustainable growth.

According to him, an improved performance is expected in the coming years as activities are underway at a rapid pace to develop and complete the Honeywell Integrated Foods Complex in Ogun State.

He noted the coming on stream of additional milling capacity occasioned by the recent completion of the food producer’s ‘E and F Mills’ with a combined flour production capacity of 1,000MT per day, thus bringing the overall capacity to 2,610MT per day.

He added that the company completed this expansion project towards the end of the financial year and it full impact will be felt in the 2014 business year.

He outlined that Honeywell Flour is taking its expansion drive several notches further as it had recently acquired about 64 hectares of land along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway from the Ogun State Government within the newly created industrial zone known as Flowergate Scheme in the Sagamu Local Government Area, Ogun State.

Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Office , Honeywell Flour Mills, Mr. Babatunde Odunayo, explained that the company will continue to produce bread flour and other wheatbased food products at its existing factory located at Tin Can Island, Apapa, Lagos because of its proximity to the Port. He added that the Honeywell Integrated Foods Complex at its Sagamu site will situate several food production and processing factories.

He said emphasis at the new manufacturing site will be on manufacturing of value-added human and animal food products, which utilise significant quantities of locally sourced raw materials such as maize, cassava, soybeans and sorghum. This will help us to meet consumers’ increasing demand for Honeywell brand of quality food products.

“A key thrust of our foods expansion strategy is to support local farmers to grow larger quantities of grains and crops via out grower programmes for which we shall guarantee produce offtake. In this manner, we will be supporting the realisation of the Government’s Agriculture Transformation Agenda, which is aimed at achieving food security and creating thousands of jobs for Nigerians,” Odunayo said.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 23-07-13

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MONEY LINK

CBN begins Chief Compliance Officers’ audit T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has commenced audit of the status of Chief Compliance Officers of commercial banks, discount houses and development finance institutions. This is in line with its plan to ensure that only substantive Chief Compliance Officers occupy such position.

Stories by Collins Nweze

In a letter to commercial banks, discount houses and development finance institutions, the CBN Acting Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, Nwaoha I.T directed the institutions to forward the particulars of their current Chief Com-

cupy such position in these institutions are doing so in acting capacity. They have also occupied that sensitive position in that capacity for a long period of time.

Nwaoha said that these practices have negated the policy of the CBN on the appointment of the officers.

He said the banking watchdog is

pliance Officers and letters of approval of same obtained from the Banking Supervision Department within the next two weeks. He said a nil submission is required in cases of non-compliance.

He noted that, these institutions lack substantive Chief Compliance Officers and the officers who oc-

also committed to its stand, directing the affected financial institutions to appoint Chief Compliance Officers, not below the grade of General Manager. The institutions also need to going forward enforce the provisions of the relevant Acts and circulars on money laundering at various levels of their firms.

Fed Govt floats mortgage refinance firm

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HE Federal Government has established a mortgage company, which will make it possible for Nigerians to own houses at affordable rates.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said this in Abuja yesterday.

The company will be launched by President Goodluck Jonathan between August and September this year.

She noted that currently, the country’s total housing deficit stands at 17 million units.

The mortage firm, she explained,

•Okonjo-Iweala

Minister of Housing, Ms. Ama Pepple, to fashion out appropriate and effective means of addressing the housing challenges in the country.

According to her, the World Bank had already bought into the emerging refinance institution with a soft loan of $300 million under the bank’s International Development Association (IDA) concessionary lending window.

She added that plans were underway to develop the required policy and legislations to support the proposed reforms in the housing sector.

The minister said the federal government was also working on mass

From Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor), Abuja

will be known as ‘Mortgage Refinance Company’ and it will be promoted by the Federal Government with majority private sector ownership to help address the acute housing challenge in the country.

The Minister said the institution is a key part of President Goodluck Jonathan’s vision to ensure that Nigerians have access to cheap mortgage funds from housing finance lenders.

Okonjo-Iweala said President Jonathan had directed her and the

FirstBank inaugurates new money transfer service

F

IRST Bank of Nigeria Limited yesterday, partnered with Trans-Fast Remittance, a global money transfer company and owner of Trans-Fast money transfer brand, to provide money transfer services to families and friends.

Speaking at the partnership launch in Lagos, Group Managing Director, First Bank Nigeria Limited, Bisi Onasanya said Trans-Fast will help in fostering the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) driven cashless and financial inclusion poli-

cies. He said self-service money transfer service enables senders to transfer money directly using the internet, thereby eliminating the use of agents in the process.

He explained that this will occur through over 700 branches of the bank in the country, adding that the new partnership, brings to four the number of international money transfer platforms offered by the bank. Others are Western Union money transfer, MoneyGram and Ria money transfer.

The new agreement signed between both parties showed that Trans-Fast Remittance has over 20 years experience in money transfer and operations in over 90 countries. The partnership will allow beneficiaries of international money transfer to get money directly into their accounts in any currency through any of the FirstBank branches nationwide.

According to Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communication, FirstBank, Mrs. Folake Ani-

Mumuney, the platform will make it easier for customers to have the options of sending money directly to the receivers’ accounts, online transfers as well as cash pick-up at any of the bank’s branches.

Chief Executive Officer, Trans-Fast Remittance, Samish Kumar, said the partnership with the bank joins two industry leaders with mutually complementary and formidable qualities that will enhance the quality of services provided Nigerian remitters around the world.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 23-07-13

SYMBOL FO CONOIL MRS CHAMPION PAINTCOM VITAFOAM COSTAIN CONTINSURE RTBRISCOE PRESTIGE

O/PRICE 32.73 27.83 25.05 8.54 1.66 4.41 1.31 1.37 1.59 0.53

C/PRICE 36.00 30.61 27.55 9.39 1.82 4.82 1.40 1.45 1.66 0.55

CHANGE 3.27 2.78 2.50 0.85 0.16 0.41 0.09 0.08 0.07 0.02

TRANSEXPR IHS VONO THOMASWY PZ WEMABANK ABCTRANS IPWA IKEJAHOTEL UAC-PROP

O/PRICE 1.80 3.42 1.54 0.98 48.50 1.16 1.21 1.17 0.94 15.99

C/PRICE 1.62 3.08 1.39 0.89 44.30 1.07 1.12 1.09 0.88 15.00

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

July ’12

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

CHANGE 0.18 0.34 0.15 0.09 4.20 0.09 0.09 0.08 0.06 0.99

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

LOSERS AS AT 23-07-13

SYMBOL

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

OBB Rate Call Rate

T

HE Federal Government is projecting retained earnings of N4.1 trillion for the year 2013, a report by FBN Capital has said.

It quoted data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) monthly report for May showing that government retained revenue was at N348 billion, the second highest outturn of the year. However, the revenue was 14.7 per cent below the 2013 budget estimate for the month although 8.9 per cent above the collection in April.

The year to date figure for Federal Government retained revenue of N1.6 trillion, represents 41 per cent of the full-year projection.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

N4tr retained revenue projected by govt

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

housing schemes with a rent-toown option for workers to reduce the housing deficit in the country.

The target of the first stage of the mass housing scheme the finance minister said “is to increase the number of completed mortgages from the current 20,000 housing units to 200,000 units in three years.”

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 9.08 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE INVE 141.00 140.50 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 160.28 160.19 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.80 0.78 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.17 1.17 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.12 1.11 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 100.00 100.00 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,000.00 1,000.00 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,826.97 1,826.26 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 13.66 12.99 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 1.33 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 1.80 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 11.694.57 11,344.90 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUNDARM AGGRESSIVE • OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

NEWS Amaechi to speak in London today

Senators visit Zik’s mausoleum

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

R

IVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi will deliver a speech, “Reform and Resource Governance in Nigeria”, today at Chatham House London.

Amaechi will also discuss his administration’s strategies and efforts to improve governance and transparency.

Chatham House is a world-leading membership based policy institute which sources independent analyses on interesting international affairs and provides forum for open and impartial debate on how to build a prosperous and secure world for all.

•Okonjo-Iweala urged to release funds

S

ENATE Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development yesterday visited the mausoleum being built by the Federal Government for former President Nnamdi Azikiwe in Onitsha, Anambra State.

The four-man committee, led by Senator Abba Bukar Ibrahim, comprises Senators Gbenga Ashafa, Simeon Ajibola and Aisha Alhassan.

Ibrahim said Azikiwe deserved the best the nation could give him. He urged Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to release funds for the project to be completed.

He said of the N30 billion allocated to the Ministry of Housing, only about 12 per cent had been released, adding that this has delayed some projects.

Zik’s mausoleum and library were re-awarded to BouyGues Nig Limited at N1.49 billion; it is to be com-

•Senator Ibrahim (middle), Senator Ashafa (second right) and Senator Ajibola (right) listening to a contractor at the Secretariat.

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

pleted in 13 months.

The initial contract, which

was awarded to a local firm, Benconbau Limited, was terminated due to non-performance.

Other projects visited by the committee, included the Federal Housing Secretariat in Awka, which was awarded

Stop hauling suspects to court without thorough investigation, AGF tells EFCC

APGA crisis: Clerics reconcile Obi, Umeh

•Says govt will no longer accept weak case that can’t sustain conviction

T

HE Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke(SAN) yesterday asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to stop hauling suspects before court without painstaking investigation.

He said the Federal Government will no longer accept weak case that cannot sustain conviction.

Adoke, who gave the warning in an address at the inauguration of the board of the EFCC, urged the antigraft agency to respect the rule of law and due process.

The Minister said: “Let me use this forum to further reiterate the need for professionalism in the discharge of the mandate of the Commission.

“You must ensure that cases are painstakingly investigated before suspects are charged to court. Government will no longer tolerate cases where suspects are hurriedly charged to court only to be confronted with a weak case that cannot sustain a conviction.

“Equally important is the need to ensure that the Commission discharges its functions within the confines of the law. I therefore enjoin you to ensure that respect for the rule of law and due process, should at all times, be your guiding principle.

“Finally, I wish to assure you of Governments continued support and my personal commitment in your determined effort to make a success of your assignment.

Considering the pedigree of the appointees to the Commission, supported by the Management team, I have no doubt that the Commission can deliver on its mandate.”

Adoke urged the board

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

members to lead by example and sustain their personal integrity.

He added: “The Commission to be inaugurated today has the task of ensuring that the EFCC discharges its statutory mandate effectively and efficiently in line with Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).

“The composition of the Commission, which cuts across all relevant Ministries and Agencies, is to ensure harmony as well as enable the Commission to benefits from the inputs of all agencies relevant to its mandate.

“This Governing Council has been carefully chosen to ensure that the Commission is provided with the right policy direction needed for improved performance in line with the governing statute and relevant extant policies.

“I, therefore congratulate the Chairman and members of the Commission on your well-deserved appointment.

You will be expected to lead the Commission by example and bring your wealth of experience and expertise to bear on the work of the Commission.

“In this regard, your personal integrity, commitment and dedication are essential tools for success and the Government will not demand less from you.

“There is no doubt that Nigerians have long come to the realization that high prevalence of economic and financial crimes is anti-thetical to our developmental ob-

jectives as a nation.

“Government has therefore enacted appropriate legislation and approved Policies and programmes designed to tackle the menace of economic and financial crimes in the country. These are the enactments and policies that you will be expected to rigorously implement to enable us achieve the desired objective.

The Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, said the board will not disappoint the nation.

“We will try to discharge our responsibility to the best of our knowledge. To whom much is given, much is expected,” he said.

Members of the newly inaugurated board are Emmanuel Adegboyega Aremo, Secretary to the Commission; Emmanuel Ibitolu; Uwasomba Udochukwu; Ismaila Mohammed Dukku and Michael Ebong.

to Cosco Investment Nigeria Limited at N2.5 billion and will be completed in 72 weeks.

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

•Obi

T

HE crisis that has paralysed the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) may have come to an end, following the intervention of Anglican and Catholic priests in Anambra State.

It was gathered yesterday that the major combatants, Governor Peter Obi and the National Chairman, Victor Umeh, have agreed to reconcile.

A source said clerics reconciled the duo at a midnight meeting held on Monday outside the state.

The source added that the duo agreed to work together to ensure that APGA retains Anambra State in the November

16 governorship election.

This was corroborated yesterday by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Joe Martins Uzodike, at a briefing in Awka.

Uzodike said: “The governor and Victor Umeh are not quarrelling; they have not quarrelled and I don’t think they will quarrel.

“I am sure that in recent times they have hugged themselves on different occasions like the ones we had at the weekend.

“But if what you mean by reconciliation is whether the APGA crisis has been resolved, well that is for the governor to say and not me because right now the governor is in Abuja and I am here in Awka.

“But let me tell you the APGA family misunderstanding is not a problem.”

Imo bishop saga: Jubilation as Onaiyekan ESPITE came yesterday holds maiden mass for Catholic faithful in

R

Ahiara Diocese of Imo State as His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, held his first mass amid jubilation.

The Cardinal, who was appointed administrator of the Diocese by the Vatican after Bishop Peter Okpalaeke was rejected, was received by jubilant priests and the parishioners at the Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral Parish, Ahiara, Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area.

He assured the congregation that he would do his best to discharge his duties within the confines of his mandate, thanking the church for the warm reception.

Speaking after the mass, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, assured Cardinal Onaiyekan of his support and that of the Diocese.

•Ihedioha assures cleric of support From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

“I want to join my brothers and sisters to warmly welcome and indeed assure you of our support and cooperation as you discharge your duties as the Apostolic Administrator of this Diocese.

“There is no better way to express our heartfelt joy than the way and manner our people have shown gratitude and welcomed Your Eminence.

Therefore sir, please convey to the Holy See our gratitude for sending you to this place,” he said.

Ihedioha added: “I indeed bear testimony to my people that in you they will find a true father and brother and we are sure that your presence will

address the crises that have recently engulfed the diocese.”

The Deputy Speaker, who is a Knight of the Anglican Church, said he was trained in a Catholic School and has a strong affinity with the Church, which he said is the traditional church of most people in Mbaise, where he comes from.

An address presented by the President of the Diocesan Priests, Rev Benedine Ekechukwu, assured Cardinal Onaiyekan of the diocese’s cooperation to make his assignment easier.

It urged him to look critically and appreciate deeply the issues that led to the crises and find a solution that will be accepted both by God and the Diocese.

Trial of Leadership journalists: Defence urges court to withdraw subpoena on Jonathan From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

THE Leadership newspapers, whose staff - Tony Amokeodo and Chibuzo Ukaibe - were charged with alleged forgery yesterday applied to an Abuja High Court for withdrawal of a subpoena issued on President Goodluck Jonathan to appear before the court and testify.

Amokeodo and Ukaibe are accused of forging a presidential bromade containing the President’s directive on some opposition figures.

The subpoena was issued recently by the court, upon an application by the defence that it sought to invite President Jonathan as its key witness.

Yesterday, defence lawyer, Femi Falana told the court presided over by Justice Usman Musale that he applied for the subpoena in error.

He said the court, having issued the subpoena in error, should set it aside.

“We pray the court to set aside the subpoena while we wait the end of the tenure of President Jonathan to enable him come and testify in this case.

“We urged the court to grant our application in the interest of justice and fair hearing.”

Falana claimed that by virtue of Section 308 of the Constitution, the President could not be summoned to court to testify.

He asked the court to suspend further proceedings in the matter indefinitely (sine die) to await the end of the term of the President, so that he could be called as a witness.

Falana hinged his request on the grounds that the accused persons’ fundamental right to fair hearing would be denied because the President was excluded by Section 308 of the Constitution from attending court to testify.

“By virtue of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, this honourable court lacks the vires (powers) to issue and cause to be served, a subpoena ad testificandum (summons to testify) on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR to testify as a witness for the accused persons in this case. .Justice Musale adjourned to July 26 for ruling.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

57

NEWS

Bayelsa raises alarm on arms influx

B

AYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson yesterday raised the alarm on alleged arrangements by disgruntled politicians to reopen destroyed militant camps in the state.

He said those behind the plot had started acquiring arms to actualise their scheme.

In a tacit indictment, Dickson said “neighbouring states” were behind the plot to destabilise Bayelsa.

Delta and Rivers states share boundaries with Bayelsa. While Delta is relatively calm, Rivers has been enmeshed in a violent power

I’ll run in 2015, says Akwa Ibom SSG

•Govt: neighbouring states responsible From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

play.

He insisted that desperate politicians and their collaborators from neighbouring states were behind some of the street protests in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The governor alleged that such disgruntled elements, who are bent on unsettling the state, had gone underground to organise what he referred to as “sponsored mass street protest”.

According to him, the

looming protest was part of the group’s campaign of calumny and propaganda against the government.

Dickson, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said politicians from neighbouring states had unleashed their anger on Bayelsa.

He said: “In recent times, we have seen deliberate attempts by this group of desperate power seekers sponsoring some gullible graduates to take to the streets.

“They were behind the recent protest by pensioners. It

is sad to note that they are now on a planned mission to incite unsuspecting youths to take to the streets to protest against the government.

“As a responsible government, we will not watchwhile these persons continue to threaten and undermine the peace and security that our government has worked so hard to put in place.

“Hence, we wish to warn all and sundry that government will not hesitate to bring down the full weight of the law on anybody who

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

T •Dickson

breaches the existing peace.

“To this end, Governor Seriake Dickson has directed security operatives to be on the alert and deal with trouble makers within the ambit of the law.”

APC to be active in two weeks, says CPC From: Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

O

PPOSITION’s new baby, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be registered in two weeks, national chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Prince Tony Momoh said yesterday.

Momoh spoke at the CPC’s National Executive Committee ( NEC) meeting held at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.

Momoh, who expressed confidence that the opposition coalition has met every requirement for registration of APC, said at the expiration of the mandatory 30 days deadline provided for in the Electoral Act (2010) as amended, the new party would have been deemed registered.

“It is true that we are winding down but there is no APC, until we have the certificate which should out in two weeks . So INEC’’s role is administrative and to do its work to ensure that the party is registered, “ he said.

He said even after the registration, all the existing interim party positions will still be harmonised and more party organs inaugurated.

The organs include national convention committee, board of trustees, NEC, National Working Committee (NWC), Zonal Committee, State Congress, State Working Committee.

Other party organs are State Executive Committee, Senatorial District Committee, Local Council Area Congress Committee, Local Government Area Executive Committee, Ward Committee, Ward executive Committee and Polling Unit Committee.

•Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (left) talking to Chief Jackson Umewe when the governor inspected the level of destruction of Itsekiri communities in the communal clash in Warri North Local Government Area... yesterday. With them is the Secretary to the State Government, Ovuozorie Macauley (right) and security officials.

Islamic clerics condemn Rivers crisis

I

SLAMIC clerics in Edo State, under the auspices of League of Imams, have described the crisis in Rivers State as a shame on democracy and a civilian coup d’état.

The Imams, who noted that evil people would continue to prosper when good people refuse to do anything, took a swipe at the Presidency for recognising the Jonah Jang faction of the Governor’s Forum and a factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

They spoke when they visited Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the Government House.

Their Chairman, Mallam Abdul Fatai Enabulele, said: “Nigerians are watching governors come under assault, supported and sanctioned by the powers-that-be. We need not just watch. Those of us living in other states should not be indifferent.

“What is happening in Rivers State can happen in any other state. An attack on the governor who is the chairman of the governors’ forum is an attack on all governors.”

The Imams, who hailed the governor for frowning at same

‘It’s a slap to democracy’ From Precious Igbonwelundu

A GROUP, Asiwaju Total Loyalty, has described the crisis in Rivers State as a slap to democracy. It accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of giving prominence to democratic rascality.

Its president, Oluwatoyin Balogun, accused President Goodluck Jonathan of acting out a political script. He decried the hatred and bitterness Governor Rotimi Amaechi has been subjected to.

He said: “That the ruling party could be so cruel and mean to one of its own is enough to be worried about. Only God knows what could have happened if Amaechi was to be from another party.

“What was Amaechi’s undoing remains a question. Refusing to conform to the powers that be? Trying to protect the interest of his people in the land tussle with Bayelsa State?

“We believe that Mr. President is acting out a political script.

We are living witnesses to what happened in Oyo, Plateau and Bayelsa states. We can no longer condone the political bitterness and hatred.”

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

sex marriage, said they backed the recent execution of condemned criminals in the state.

They said it was in accordance with the laws of God. Enabulele said: “Recently, when the comrade governor signed the warrant for four convicted criminals in the

state, there were criticisms from some quarters.

“We the League of Imams took a look at the gravity of the crime they committed. After carefully studying the briefing of the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General on the issue, we were all satisfied that the Edo State Government did the right thing at the

right time.

“Even the Almighty God will not be happy if the governor had not signed the death warrant. Apart from the constitution, the Holy Books support that those who kill by the sword shall die by the sword.

“Those criticising your action should study the constitution properly and seriously evaluate the seriousness of the crimes committed by these fellows. They were grievous crimes committed against innocent souls, nobody has the right to take another person’s life,” he noted.

Oshiomhole thanked the League for the courage to speak the truth.

“In Rivers State it is clear that one side behaved irresponsibly and it is that side that should be called to order and they are rightly identified as the five men who chose to assume to be more than 27 men.

“If men are afraid of the truth, God will uphold the truth and that is what keeps some of us going and I am fortified by the determination to stand by the truth whether it is sweet or bitter,” the governor added.

Dickson to Sylva: you are a drowning man

B

AYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson has described his predecessor, Timipre Sylva, as “a drowning man”.

The duo resumed hostilities, following the non-payment of pensions to retirees for five years.

The governor set up a judicial panel of enquiry to probe the Sylva administration, to which Sylva told his

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

successor to resign.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Dickson said he would not join issues with Sylva, describing him as a drowning man.

The statement said Dickson’s competence was not in doubt as “it is very much

evident for all to see”.

The statement said the decision to establish the panel was to address the rot and systematic failures of some civil servants and political leaders.

It said: “These persons have, over the years, siphoned the N5billion meant for pensioners.

“Concerned about the plight of these pensioners,

Governor Seriake Dickson paid N1billion to the pensioners to clear the backlog.

“Instead of hiding their faces in shame, these people have chosen to embark on a campaign of calumny and propaganda against the government by inciting some of the pensioners to protest.

“To this end, the government decided to set up a judicial commission of enquiry

to probe why pensioners were not paid for five years.

“It is laughable that some people, who may have perpetrated the scam, are questioning why the governor limited the period of the investigation to five years.

“Those who were responsible for the payment of pension and gratuities during the period should be ready to provide answers.”

HE Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Umana Okon Umana, has ended his silence on his 2015 governorship aspiration.

Umana, who spoke with reporters in Uyo, the state capital, yesterday said he would contest the 2015 election.

He said it has become important to make known his position to assuage the wishes of Akwa Ibom people, who urged him to take a position on the matter.

“I have decided to make public my intention to run for the office of governor in response to the overwhelming pressure from the people of the three senatorial districts of the state for me to declare my interest in the race. I wish to assure our people that I will run for governor in 2015.”

When asked why it took him so long to officially make a pronouncement on the matter, Umana said: “I had to consult widely on the issue.

“I was also mindful of the fact that I had a job to perform, which I needed to give my all.

“But as you can see, 2015 is just by the corner and I have to begin the normal consultations, while waiting for the official flag-off of campaigns by my party.”

He called on the people to continue to support the Godswill Akpabio administration, adding that the administration will continue to justify the enormous confidence the people have in it.

Petroleum products destroyed From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

T

HE Navy in Warri, Warri South-West Local Government of Delta State, yesterday destroyed petroleum products worth millions of naira in Delta State.

Naval officials destroyed boats, popularly known as Cotonou vessels, and engines.

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Sidi Usman, vowed to end all illegalities being perpetrated in the creeks and waterways.

Admiral Sidi, who was in company of the Commanding Officer, NNS Delta, Cmd Mohammed Garba and other officers, said no effort would be spared in dealing decisively with illegal bunkerers.

He said: “We will continue to raid areas where illegalities are being practised and the evil doers are no friend of the country as their nefarious activities are destroying the nation’s economy and the war against illegality has just started.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

58

NEWS Benue denies death of pigs From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

THE Benue State Government has denied the reports that the exotic pigs Governor Gabriel Suswam imported from the Iowa State University in the United States have been dying because of the change in weather.

The government said the report was the work of those who were bent on discrediting the administration and score cheap points through blackmail.

It stressed that the ploy was to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it.

The Special Adviser to the Governor of Agriculture and Food Security, Emmanuel Atser, spoke with The Nation on the matter.

He said of the 80 pigs that were imported over a year ago, only one died in transit while the remaining 79 are doing well.

Atser said: “It is not true that the number of swine is depleting because of change in weather. The Iowa State University has the same weather with Benue State.

So, it is not true, because the pigs have spent almost one year and some months in Nigeria and none of them has any illness.

“They are doing well to the best of my knowledge; they are physically fit. I encourage you to visit the farm and look at the animals yourself. That is the only way you will know whether they are dying or not.”

Our children still missing, weeks Fulani/farmers’ clash: Ex-minister begs Fed Govt after attack, say Plateau women A

S

EVERAL mothers in Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State have said their children were still missing, weeks after the attack on their communities by gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia.

Mrs Julcit Musa, chairperson of Tarok Women Association, spoke yesterday in Mabudi, Langtang South Local Government Area, when the peace committee set up

by Governor Jonah Jang visited victims of the attack.

Other members of the committee are: the Commissioner for Information, Yiljab Abraham; the member representing Langtang South in the House of Assembly, Joyce Ramnap; the Special Adviser on Labour, Samuel

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

Kumakur, among others.

In tears, Mrs Musa told the delegation that over 30 women could not find their children or their bodies since the attack.

Some armed men, suspected to be Fulani, attacked three communities in the local government early this month. They killed 30 members of the communities and burnt several homes.

Following the attack, Jang constituted the peace committee to dialogue with the stakeholders and restore peace in the areas.

When the committee, chaired by the Deputy Speaker Johnbull Shekarau visited the area yesterday,

scores of women trooped out to express their agony over the attack.

They told the committee that several children were still missing.

Mrs. Musa said: “We were sleeping when the attackers came in the middle of the night. We ran at various directions for safety. We are now in camps but many of our children are not here with us. We could not even find their bodies, to confirm that they are dead. The government should please help us to find them.

“We also want the government to protect us by making sure those who attacked us face justice. This is because we never offended them to warrant the attack.”

Commissioner for Water

Resources Idi Waziri said the crisis and attacks have reduced the population of the state.

He said recent statistics showed that the rate of births in the state has decreased as a result of the crisis in parts of the state.

The Chairman of the local government, Narman Darko, said the residents were ready to dialogue and ensure that peace returned to the community.

He urged the government to bring to justice the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

“My people in Langtang South are still surprised why we were attacked. My people are peace-loving. My people still live in fear. Our people hardly go to farm because of the fear of the unknown.”

Taraba group shows support for senator From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

A GROUP in Taraba, Kuteb Youth Forum (KYF), yesterday passed a vote-of-confidence in Senator Emmanuel Bwacha for “selflessly and credibly” representing them in the National Assembly.

The group addressed reporters at the Teachers’ House, Jalingo, the state capital.

Bwacha is the chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development.

A group from his Taraba South constituency, the Southern Taraba Youth Forum (STYF), recently sought his recall.

But KYF President, Comrade Ande Apollos, and the Secretary, Mr. Rimamnyangs Luka, yesterday said the STYF was “a collection of idle fellows” who were allegedly sponsored by opponents of the senator.

They described those seeking Bwacha’s recall as a “hatched group” and asked them to “pull it off” or face the law.

Apollos described STYF’s act of “monkey business” as insalubrious, adding that their action was creating discord in Taraba South.

He said: “Our decision to pass a vote-of-confidence in Bwacha was taken on Monday at the end of our meeting, following recent uncanny moves by some unpatriotic and disgruntled elements or a collection of idle fellows sponsored by perceived opponents of Senator Bwacha.

They have been making empty noise that Senator Bwacha be recalled.”

•Wife of Oyo State governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi (left), being decorated as Patron of the state chapter of the Nigerian Girls Guide by Deputy Chief Commissioner B-Zone (Western Zone), Mrs Ansa Uko (second right), supported by the state’s Girls Guide Commisioner, Mrs Folashade Brown (second left) and the guide’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mrs Elizabeth Oladunni.

Abuja group plans protest over Mayoral status

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HE umbrella body of Abuja indigenes will today organise a million-man protest march to the National Assembly on the rejection of the proposed mayoral status for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by federal lawmakers.

The Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja (OIDA), in a statement yesterday by its President, Danladi Jeji, said about 1,000,000 FCT indigenes and

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

other Nigerians would attend the mass protest at the National Assembly.

OIDA said they would march against the “Senate’s rejection of the proposed mayoral status for the FCT and the non-inclusion of FCT issues for debate by the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution”.

It said the protest followed

the decisions taken at an enlarged meeting of FCT indigenes, last Saturday, which resulted in a communiqué, known as “Kuje Declaration”.

The group said the communique contained the people’s demands.

OIDA also said the nation’s federation has rendered them second-class citizens without a state as well as socio-political and economic rights, like other Nigerians.

It spoke of plans to “insti-

‘EU to spend N40b on water projects in 14 states’

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HE European Union (EU) has earmarked N40 billion for the provision of potable water in 14 states in the next six years.

The EU Programme Manager, Dr Martin Mbonu, spoke at the inauguration of Water Supply and Sanitation a Sector Reform Programme II (WSSSRP2) in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital.

He said the projects were part of the collaboration in water and sanitation projects between the EU and affected states.

The programme manager explained that N16 billion had

From Ahmed Rufa’I, Dutse

been released in the Phase Two of the Water Sanitation Reform Programme in six states: Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Osun, Anambra and Cross River.

Mbonu said: “EU earmarked 176 million Euros (equivalent of N40 billion) on various water projects in 14 states from 2012 till 2018.

“About N12 billion will be spent on safe water intervention projects in five states in the Niger Delta region.”

The programme manager also said N8 billion was set aside for the Phase Three of the water supply and sanitation

sector reform in Adamawa, Ekiti and Plateau states.

He explained that the remaining money would be used to fund non-governmental organisations (NGO) and community-based organisations in the water sector.

Mbonu said the fund was meant to support various institutions in the water sector to ensure that the people get clean and safe water.

He added that good water supply and sanitation would boost the health of the people.

According to him, N17 billion was spent on Phase One of the WSSSRP projects in six states between 2005 and 2011.

tute a legal case against the Federal Government ...to challenge the forceful usurpation of our ancestral lands through Section 297 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) without prompt payment of compensation or due process, as outlined in Section 44 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended)”.

OIDA added: “We shall also institute another legal case against the Federal Government to challenge the interpretation of Sections 299, 300, 301, 302 and 304, which have rendered us in the captivity of statelessness and secondclass citizenship.

“In light of the pervasive oppression of FCT original inhabitants in their ancestral homelands, we shall have recourse to the assertion of our universal right of self-determination in a formal petition to the United Nations General Assembly.”

The group urged Nigerians residing in the FCT to “brace themselves for a wave of mass protests and civil movements against the Nigerian system, which has refused to give a voice or representation to FCT indigenous people throughout the years”.

FORMER Aviation Minister, Hassan Hyat, has urged the Federal Government not to rely on the leaders of MiyettiAllah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) following the clash between Fulani herdsmen and farmers.

“The government should stop relying on MACBAN leaders over Fulani issues because a lot of them do not own cows and do not even know what the rural Fulani go through.

“The government should rather deal with the Ardo, who are the local leaders of rural Fulani communities because it is only that group that knows the real issues,” Hyat told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), yesterday in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

Hyat, a farmer and former Secretary to the Kaduna State Government (SSG), said experience had shown that MACBAN leaders were usually more interested in what they would gain rather than how they could help their rural folk.

He said it was the Ardo who were in a position to know how cattle were being rustled and give a correct clue about the suspects.

“It is also the Ardo that know the usual causes of the clashes between the nomadic herdsmen and the host communities and could proffer solutions without injecting any political or other ulterior motives.

“The Ardo can also suggest ways roving cattle could be protected from rustlers because they know the hazards associated with every particular grazing routes.

“The MACBAN leaders should not be allowed to hijack the Fulani/farmers’ peace process; they should only be encouraged to limit their roles to policy issues which border on production and marketing of livestock,” Hyat said.

Niger SURE-P to spend N.5b From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

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HE Niger State Committee on the Subsidy Re-investment Programme (SURE-P) will spend N500,000 million in three critical sectors.

Chairman of SURE-P and Commissioner for Works and Infrastructural Development, Alhaji Bawa Rijau, addressed reporters yesterday in Minna, the state capital, after the State Executive Council (Exco) meeting.

Rijau said the intervention would bring youths into the transformation and developmental programmes of the Babangida Aliyu administration.

The areas of intervention will encompass youth development, transport, education, health and agriculture.

The SURE-P chief said N58.8 million would be spent to build a ferry on River Niger in Rofia, Agwara Local Government Area, to aid transportation service between Niger and Kebbi states.

When completed, the ferry will be managed by a private concern and its proceeds will be handed over to the state Transport Authority (NSTA).

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NEWS William, Kate present baby prince

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HE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge last night emerged from St Mary's Hospital in west London with their new baby boy.

Walking out with their baby to cheers from well wishers, the Duchess said it was "a special time for any parent".

Prince William said they were "still working on a name".

The couple then went back inside the private Lindo Wing and placed their son in a car seat. A few minutes later they came outside again and the Duke drove his family home to Kensington Palace.

Speaking to reporters, the

couple both said the experience was "very emotional".

They appeared relaxed and smiled broadly in front of the world's media as they walked out on to steps of the hospital in front of a photographers.

William later held his son and walked forward with his wife to speak to reporters.

He said: "He's got a good pair of lungs on him, that's for sure.

He's a big boy, he's quite heavy. We are still working on a name so we will have that as soon as we can."

He added: "It's the first time we have seen him really so we are having a proper chance to

catch up."

The Duchess, smiling as she held her son, said: "It's such a special time. I think any parent will know what this feeling feels like."

Speaking to the waiting crowd, Prince William said: "I'll remind him of his tardiness when he's a bit older.

"I know how long you've all been standing here so hopefully the hospital and you guys can all go back to normal now and we can go and look after him."

They also revealed William had done the first nappy change.

We didn’t vote on marriage age, says Senate Continued from page 1

“At no time was marriage as a section of the constitution discussed or voted for.”

The Senate gave details on what transpired at its plenary last week during the consideration of proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution.

The Senate said: “It is pertinent for the public to know that the section up for amendment had to do with persons qualified to renounce Nigerian citizenship.

“The 1999 constitution as amended in Section 29, (which has suddenly become a hot issue for both informed and uninformed interpretation in the press and social media) states in Section 1 S29(1): ‘Any citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration in the prescribed manner for the renunciation". S29(4): ‘For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, (a) 'full age' means the age of 18 years and above; (b) 'any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age' “The prevailing view of the committee before the initial vote was that Section 29(4) (a) was gender-neutral but with section 29(4) (b) specifically mentioning ‘woman’, it now looked discriminatory and, as such, is in conflict with Sec-

tion 42 of the constitution, which prohibits discrimination of any form. The committee thus sought for it to be expunged from the constitution.

“Senators therefore voted earlier to expunge that sub section and it scaled through by 75 votes. Note that under the constitution, to amend any clause you will need 2/3 of the members of the Senate, which translates to 73 votes.

“However, the revisiting of the voting on that section was to take care of objections raised by distinguished Senator Ahmad Sani Yerima, among others. He pointed out that removing the clause 29(4) (b) contradicts section 61 of the second schedule of the constitution which restricts the National Assembly from considering matters relating to Islamic and Customary law.

“Revisiting the section was pure and simple a pragmatic approach. It had to be so, considering that the Senate as the representative of the people, represents all interests and all shades of opinion.

“Therefore, a fresh vote was called and even though those who wanted that section expunged were more in number, they failed to muster the needed votes to get it through.

What it meant was that majority of senators voted to re-

move it, but they were short of the 2/3 majority or (73) required to alter an article of the constitution.

“Had voting in constitutional amendment not been based on the mandatory twothird or (73) votes of senators at the sitting, perhaps the issue would have been rested by now, but be that as it may the outcome of the voting remains the position of the Senate. S29 (4) (b) still remains part of the constitution.”

The Senate insisted that by the provision of The Child Rights Act, the lawful marriage age in the country is still 18 years.

It said: “The National Assembly in 2003 had passed ‘The Child Rights Act’ which specifically took care of the fears being expressed in a cross section of the media. The Act clearly states in Section 21: "No person under the age of 18 years is capable of contracting a valid marriage and accordingly, any marriage so contracted is null and void and of no effect whatsoever."

22. 1. "No parent, guardian or any other person shall betroth a child to any person."

2. A betrothal in contravention of subsection (1) of this section is null and void.

“Therefore under the Childs Right Act, the lawful age of marriage is 18 years.

ASUU, Govt pact difficult to implement, says minister Continued from page 1

call off the strike. It is better for them to be inside than outside. Students have equally appealed to them."

The minister added: "I inherited an agreement signed by the Federal Government with ASUU and that agreement is practically impossible for any administration to implement. We are still discussing with them. If I leave here, I am going to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) where we are meeting with them. I hope that very soon, we will resolve it."

Wogu expressed the government's reservations about the agreement it earlier signed with ASUU, which has necessitated the setting up of yet another negotiation team, headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

The nine-point agreement the government entered into with ASUU include: funding requirements for the revitalisation of Nigerian universities; Federal Government’s as-

sistance to state universities; establishment of NUPEMCO; and progressive increase in annual budgetary allocation to the education sector to 26 per cent between 2009 and 2020.

Other components of the agreement are: payment of earned allowances; amendment to the pension/retirement age of academics non professorial cadre from 65 to 70 years; and reinstatement of prematurely dissolved Governing Councils.

Also included in the agreement are: transfer of Federal Government's landed property to the universities and setting up of research development councils and provision of research equipment to laboratories and classrooms in the nation's universities.

On job creation efforts of the government, Wogu told the PDP leadership that the Community Service Scheme Women and Youth Empowerment Programme of the Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) of the Federal Government had already engaged 120,000 persons out of

the 185,000 targeted for employment this year.

He said since social security is an evolving structure, Nigeria is still basically trying to grow the concept to an acceptable international standard.

"We are at the stage of putting in place a social security policy that would reflect the nation's needs and level of economic development, taking into consideration the traditional as well as the modern socio-cultural values and norms," he said.

With the passing of the Employee Compensation Act in 2010, he said the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund was resuscitated and currently functioning, adding that it has the new mandate to provide social security services to the disadvantaged and vulnerable members of the society.

Wogu said the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) was in the fore-front of job creation, especially in skills acquisition and empowerment of unemployed people.

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FOREIGN NEWS Rio prepares for World Youth Day as Pope speaks at opening

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ORLD Youth Day is a week-long celebration of the Catholic faith.

Hundreds of thousands of Roman Catholics have gathered at Copacabana Beach in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro for the opening of the World Youth Day festival.

The highlight of the festival will be a visit on Thursday by Pope Francis.

The Pope arrived on Monday for his first trip abroad since becoming head of the Roman Catholic Church.

His visit is taking place under tight security, after weeks of protests against the government and corruption.

Tuesday’s evening mass at Copacabana Beach will be led by Rio’s Archbishop Orani Joao Tempesta.

He will welcome pilgrims to the five-day festival, which is expected to draw about 1.5 million people from around the world.

On Wednesday, he will be visiting to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Conception of Aparecida and to the St Francis of Assisi of the Providence of God Hospital in Rio On Thursday, a visit to Visit to the Varginha community in Rio, welcoming ceremony at the World Youth Day on Copacabana is scheduled.

Meeting with young prisoners and a Way of the Cross ceremony on Copacabana Friday, while he will meet with Brazil’s leaders in Rio and a prayer vigil with young people.

Holy Mass for the World Youth Day in Rio, farewell

Madagascar arrests opposition leader

P

•Pope Francis greets the crowd of faithful from his popemobile in downtown Rio de Janeiro.

PHOTO: REUUTERS

ceremony and departure for Rome will be on Sunday.

The Pope, who is from neighbouring Argentina, has no public events scheduled for Tuesday and was spending time at a private residence.

Correspondents say Brazil is reviewing security around

North Korea halts rocket launch-pad work

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ORTH Korea has stopped construction work at a site meant to launch bigger and better long-range rockets, a possible sign that Pyongyang is slowing or even halting de-

velopment of larger rockets, according to a new analysis of recent satellite imagery.

The sight of unfinished roads and grass growing from the foundation of a large new rocket assembly build-

ing could be welcome news for Washington and others who see Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile work as a threat - though it is unknown if the work stoppage is only temporary.

Egypt: Nine killed in Cairo clashes

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INE people have died in Cairo in overnight clashes between supporters and opponents of ousted President Mohammed Morsi, officials say.

Most of the victims were killed at a sit-in held by proMorsi demonstrators near Cairo University.

Mr Morsi’s family earlier accused the military of abducting him.

He has been held at an un-

disclosed location without charge since army chief General Abdul Fattah al-Sisi announced his removal on 3 July.

Mr Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood movement has refused to recognise the new military-backed administration and continues to hold almost daily street protests.

Demonstrators, many of them from the Muslim Brotherhood, have been staging large rallies across

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PASTOR OLUBUNMI AFOLAKE BUSARI

- CHAIRMAN - Member - Secretary - Member - Member

Egypt.

The violence has claimed at least 100 lives since Mr Morsi was deposed.

Pro-Morsi supporters claimed they had been shot at by snipers on rooftops during the clashes at the sitin, the BBC’s Quentin Sommerville, in Cairo, reports.

They alleged the gunmen had received protection from security forces, our correspondent adds.

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General public please take note.

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the 76-year-old pontiff after he was mobbed by adoring crowds following his arrival in Brazil on Monday.

Many were able to stop the Pope’s motorcade as it travelled through Rio and reach their hands inside his car’s open window.

“The Pope’s secretary told me he was terrified, but the Pope kept smiling,” Vatican

Venezuela, Colombia agree to mend relations

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HE presidents of Colombia and Venezuela have agreed to work to improve relations, two months after a row erupted between the two neighbours.

Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia and Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro met for talks at a border town in Venezuela.

They agreed to set up high level groups to discuss security, energy and trade.

Relations had been strained since Mr Santos agreed in May to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles in Bogota.

Mr Capriles had been seeking Colombian support for contesting his defeat by a narrow margin to Mr Maduro at Venezuela’s elec-

PUBLIC NOTICE I, Pastor& Mrs Adebayo Olorunjo of block 34,Flat 5, LSDPC Estate,Ebute-Metta,Lagos notify the general public that I have applied to the LSDPC for its consent to change ownership of a property at block 47,flat 8 LSDPC Medium Income Housing estate.Ebute-Metta which was originally allocated to Ambassador Peter Layi Oyedele. I have made series of efforts to contact Ambassador Peter Layi Oyedele the assignor from whom I brought the property, but all efforts have proved abortive.

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tion in April.

Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Elias Jaua said at the time that the meeting would “derail” good relations between the two countries.

Venezuela had threatened to stop acting as a facilitator in peace talks between the

Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).

But at the meeting on Monday, Mr Maduro said Colombia could count on the full support of his government in the talks, which are taking place in Cuba.

•Santos (left) and Maduro at the meeting ... on Monday

South Sudan to shut down oil industry next week

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OUTH Sudan’s oil minister said yesterday the country would shut down its oil production by next week ahead of the deadline Sudan set for companies in its territory to stop receiving South Sudan’s crude.

The stoppage - a crippling blow to South Sudan’s gov-

S

Signed: IDOWU OLABOREDE Esq

spokesman Federico Lombardi told reporters.

The Pope was officially welcomed at the state governor’s palace by President Dilma Rousseff. However, police outside later fired tear gas to disperse people who were protesting against the government, but also against the cost of the papal visit.

OLICE arrested an opposition leader in Madagascar on charges of holding an illegal rally yesterday, compounding the island nation’s political crisis.

Laza Razafiarison’s small Avotr’i Madagasikara party has called for the departure of the country’s interim president who came to power in a 2009 coup and has since fallen out with African and Western powers over planned elections.

Police fired teargas at the opposition party’s supporters when they held a small rally on Monday and officers said they moved in to arrest Razafiarison after he organized another unauthorized gathering yesterday.

The former French colony has been in chaos since Rajoelina seized power with military support, ousting former President Marc Ravalomanana and creating turmoil that scared off investors and tourists.

ernment budget - will be the second shut-down of the country’s only real industry since South Sudan peacefully broke away from Sudan in July 2011. The stoppages are evidence of the lingering bad blood between two countries that fought a decades-long civil war.

Sudan notified South

Sudan in June of its intention to stop receiving, processing and transporting South Sudan’s crude within two months. Khartoum says it will only allow Juba to transport its crude through Sudanese territory if South Sudan stops supporting rebels fighting to topple the government in Khartoum.

Hezbollah: Syria opposition hails EU’s pressure from the YRIA’s main Westernblacklisting diplomatic U.S. and Israel, which conbacked opposition

group yesterday welcomed an European Union decision to place the military wing of Hezbollah on the bloc’s terror list as a “step in the right direction,” and called for the Lebanese militant group’s leaders to be put on trial for their role in the Syrian civil war.

Hezbollah, a staunch ally of the Syrian regime, has sent its fighters to bolster President Bashar Assad’s forces in their assault on rebel-held areas in Syria. The group was instrumental in helping government forces seize the strategic town of Qusair near the Lebanese border last month, and its members are believed to be fighting alongside regime forces in the central province of Homs.

The Shiite group’s role is

highly divisive in Lebanon and has outraged the overwhelmingly Sunni rebels fighting in Syria to topple Assad.

The EU’s 28 foreign ministers placed Hezbollah’s military wing on its terror list on Monday after prolonged

sider the group a terrorist organization.

Some European countries had pushed for EU action, citing a terrorist attack in Bulgaria’s Black Sea resort of Burgas last year that killed five Israeli tourists and a Bulgarian.

European court fines Malta for migrant detentions

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UROPEAN Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has told Malta to pay thousands of euros in compensation to two African migrants whose rights were violated.

A Somali woman who had a miscarriage during her detention in 2011 is to receive 30,000 euros (£26,000; $40,000), plus 3,000 euros in costs.

A man alleged to be from Sierra Leone is to receive 27,000 euros in total.

The court said the woman’s prison conditions were “degrading”. Malta is a target for boatloads of migrants.

Earlier this month Malta cancelled flights it had booked to return migrants to Libya, after an emergency intervention by the ECHR.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2012

62

DISCOURSE

‘Attack on governor is an attack on others’ Text of an address presented by Chief Imam of Benin, Mallam Abdul Fattah Enabulele on behalf of the League of Imams in Edo State on the State of the Nation to Edo State Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole...yesterday

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E the League of Imams will like to use this opportunity to commend the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, for the bravery and courage he displayed recently by once again, reiterating his commitment to abide by the dictates of the Nigerian constitution which he swore to and not the laws of any European country, and also his readiness to support and uphold the African values system.

Recently, when the Comrade Governor signed the death warrant of four (4) condemned criminals, there was criticism from some quarters. We decided to take a look at the gravity of the crime which the fellows committed that warranted such punishment. After carefully studying the briefing by the Honourable Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General of Edo State, Barr. Henry Idahagbon on the issue, we were all satisfied that Edo State Government has done the right thing at the right time. Even the Almighty God wouldn’t have been happy, if the Comrade Governor had not signed the death warrant. Apart from the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Holy Books (the Bible and Glorious Qur’an) support the action the Governor has taken. Those who kill by the sword shall die by the sword. Those criticizing his action should study the Nigerian constitution properly and critically evaluate the seriousness of the crimes committed. It was a grievous crime committed against innocent souls.

Nobody has the right to take another person’s soul because the sanctity of human is sacred.

Also, Comrade Governor’s stand on the Same Sex-Marriage is highly commendable and very encouraging. Like he said recently at a oneday seminar on the Role of the Public Complaint Commission in Nigeria, there is so much hypocrisy by the international community on the issue of Human Rights and Superiority of Values. Now the Europeans are canvassing for an ungodly act that made the Almighty God to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. If they truly think it is right for a man to marry a man in their countries, we Africans think it is a crime and abomination

against GOD. Africans must continue to support and uphold the African values because they are superior to European values.

When the good people refuse to do nothing, evil will continue to prosper in that society.

The latest drama emanating from Rivers State is not an issue one should shy away from addressing.

It is not only a show of shame and a slap on democracy, it was a civilian coup d’etat which is treasonable in nature. The abracadabra dance in Rivers State House of Assembly poses grave danger to peace, security and democracy.

Nigerians are watching an elected Governor come under incessant illegal assault, sanctioned by the powers-that-be. But we need not just watch. People with good conscience must speak up now.

Those of us living in other States should not be indifferent. What is happening in Rivers today can happen in any other State tomorrow if care is not taken. It has happened before. An attack on a State Governor who is the Chairman of Nigeria Governor Forum is an attack on all the State Governors in Nigeria.

If a serving State Governor can be so treated in such a manner what about common people like us? On several occasions the Rivers State Governor’s security has been withdrawn.

Just like the scenario that played out during the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Election when 16 became greater than 19 and the Presidency recognizing the loser as the Chairman of the respectable Forum, again the Presidency has once more demonstrated its tendency to identify with illegality, rascality and sheer lawlessness. Fully aware that the ridiculous attempt of a minority faction of the Assembly to impeach the majority had been effectively foiled, Aso Rock Villa still received the self-proclaimed ‘speaker’. The presence of the rebellious speaker at the Villa, in the false and illegal capacity of ‘speaker’ was a desecration of the country’s highest office and raises serious questions as regards our leadership’s democratic credentials.

We are shocked at the role of the police in Rivers State and condemn its clear partisanship in the show

‘The latest drama emanating from Rivers State is not an issue one should shy away from addressing. It is not only a show of shame and a slap on democracy, it was a civilian coup d’etat which is treasonable in nature.

The abracadabra dance in Rivers State House of Assembly poses grave danger to peace, security and democracy’ of shame that took place at the Rivers State House of Assembly.

With the way the police are being misused and abused, I think there is need for State Governments to reconsider their position on the financial contribution of the States towards the funding of the police that has become very antagonistic.

Instead, the call for State Police as a constitutional provision has become a necessity.

This event has brought forward the question of true federalism and the need for institutions derived from constitutions are allowed to function without undue interference.

We commend the House of Representatives for its proactive leadership in the crisis and appreciate the Senate committee’s thoroughness in addressing the matter, and we acknowledge the great work Governor Amaechi and his teams are doing in Rivers State and commend his maturity and calm disposition even in the face of apparent persecution.

We join well-meaning Nigerians to call on all political actors to defuse tension and stop all actions capable of overheating the polity and derailing our nascent democracy.

We must all work together to build one united and indivisible nation

•President Goodluck Jonathan (left) greeting Royal Canon, The Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom Delta State, Ogoni Oghoro 1, when the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) visited him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja...on Monday. With them are President-General of the group, Maj Gen. Patrick Newton Aziza (second left) and Ogbaburhon Austin.

and strengthen our democracy.

One of the greatest blessings that Almighty Allah has bestowed upon His slaves is the great acts of worship during this noble season that He has prescribed for us, through which our souls may be purified and filled with goodness, righteousness, blessings and abundance of rewards, that we may be filled with light and radiate the brightness of purity.

This period of Ramadan fast is a school which represents the best opportunity for learning. Ramadan is a school in which people can learn goodness, righteousness, forbearance and patience. It is a beacon of faith and means of healing wounds, and a restraint for desires and urges, a source of motivation, a cleansing for the heart and mind, a means of bringing about harmony, love, mutual compassion and cooperation in the society. It is indeed a great opportunity for righteous believers and for sinners too to seek for sincere repentance so as to re-mould, renew, reshape and reform their physical and spiritual disposition and behavour in order to meet the aspiration of our creator as laid down in the Glorious Qur’an.

It is also a period for sober reflection, a period to practicalize all that is good and avoids all that is evil.

And a period to show act of kindness and generosity towards your fellow human beings particularly, the less- privileged ones in the society, like the poor, needy, sick, orphans, widows and those who are facing precarious situations. And most importantly, Ramadan is a revival and an anniversary to commemorate the beginning of the revelation of the Glorious Qur’an which is the complete exposition of Allah’s laws.

In one of the teachings of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), He says that there are three persons whose supplications are not rejected

by Almighty Allah.

•The supplications of a Just Ruler; •The supplications of an oppressed person; • The supplications of one who is observing fast until he or she breaks his or her fast.

This is one of the best periods where one’s prayers and supplications are quickly answered. It is as

a result of the importance of this Ramadan period that the League of Imams has decided to use this period to offer Special Prayer for the Comrade Governor, his Deputy and Members of the State Executive Council for long life, good health and so that you all will be able to carry out and fulfill you election promises.

As he continues to pilot the affairs of this State to a greater height, may the Almighty God who has given him this opportunity to govern this State continue to stand by him and his team every second of their lives.

May He grant the Governor the power, energy, strength, increase in knowledge and wisdom, the understanding and tenacity, courage and bravery, the determination, zeal and enthusiasm, long life and good health so that you will be able to complete all the good work he has started and actualize his dreams for Edo State.

May He continue to protect you and all that you have against the evil manipulations of the devil and his agents.

May HE continue to direct all your activities in the right perspective.

May HE continue to guide you with those He has guided.

May HE continue to support you with those He has supported.

May HE continue to bless you in what He has given you.

May HE not leave you with any problem unsolved.

May HE not leave you with any promise unfulfilled.

May HE not leave you with any ambiguity uncleared.

May HE not leave you with any positive dream unrealized.

May HE not leave you with any affliction unrepelled.

May HE not leave you with any debt unpaid.

May HE not leave you with any ailment unhealed.

May HE not leave you with any iniquity unforgiven.

There is no security away from Him except with Him. And may HE continue to bless you and members of your cabinet abundantly with all the good things of this life and a better one in the hereafter. Amen.

•Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Southwest, Archbishop Magnus Atilade (third left) being presented with a plaque by Mrs Theresa Maku of the Christian Welfare Initiative (CWI) of the Mainland Deanery of the Catholic Women’s Organisation during their Day...last weekend. With them are Chairman, Lagos State CAN, Monsignor Bernard Okodua (left); Rev. Fr. Vitalis Ekemiri receiving his award from CWO members.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

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TODAY IN THE NATION ‘We must understand that, without lending a helping hand to the needy, especially the downtrodden in the society, we can never attain the much-sought-after peaceful co-existence’

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

DELE AGEKAMEH

VOL.8 NO.2,556

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

B

AR possibly the entertaining but tragic spectacle that has been running for a while now in Rivers State in the apparent face-off

between the presidency and the state’s governorship, no story has grabbed media and public attention this month like the acquittal and discharge two Fridays ago of Major Hamza al-Mustapha, the chief security officer of the late head of state, General Sani Abacha, following his nearly 15-year prosecution for complicity in the murder on June 4, 1996 of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, wife of Chief M.K.O. Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 1993 presidential elections.

Certainly even more than the tragi-comedy playing out in Rivers, al-Mustapha’s acquittal and discharge has generated more emotion than any other story in recent times. The 53 odd texts and a few emails I received in reaction to my column last week on the subject captured the varied sentiments expressed about the judgment. The reader will find the sample of those reactions published below interesting and certainly, in the case of the longest one I received by email, quite thought provoking, not least because the writer gave himself the answer, perhaps inadvertently, to his charge that alMustapha’s prosecution was selective – far from being a mere “pawn in a complicated national chess game for which IBB and OBJ are the major players” al-Mustapha was the only CSO (or ADC) of a head of state in this country’s history that chose to make himself its “de facto head of state,” to use the author’s own words.

Sir, It is trite to say that one can be viewed as a hero in some quarters and villain by others at the same time, because that is the nature of human behaviour.

Al-Mustapha cannot be different - he is only human.

The question is no longer that of culpability or otherwise of Mustapha in the heinous crime for which he was charged, since he has been exculpated by a court of competent jurisdiction, unless, of course, a superior court of law rules otherwise.

What rankles is the barely concealed verdict of guilt that permeates the articles of virtually all those who have written on the subject. Whatever happened to the time-worn dictum of being innocent until proved otherwise?

Agreed, Mustapha’s swashbuckling and devilmay-care persona, combined with a tendency for loquaciousness, can rub people the wrong way. But, does that make him a criminal? Like they say, the cloak does not make the monk, or put it more appropriately, a broken tooth does not make a thug!

Let truth be told. Mustapha is a victim of circumstances. As de facto head of state during the Abacha regime, almost every top ranking official, whether in government or out of it, and top echelons of the private sector, kow-towed to him in order to get to Abacha. In our kind of economy where fortunes are made or lost purely from how close you are to the seat of power, one could easily understand the desperation with which some of the richest (I will not use respected) men groveled before this young major for favours.

Therefore, by the time Abacha died it was payback time. They say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Well, that is only true when you have not faced the wrath of a man forced to swallow his manhood in the pursuit of economic gains. They swarmed Mustapha, each with a dagger as sharp as a dragon’s tail and a cudgel fitted with spikes, demanding to cut their pound of flesh. They did

People and Politics

Y

Sir, I am a frequent reader of your Wednesday column. But I’ve never agreed more with you on any issue as I did on al-Mustapha’s release. Even if he was innocent, I hope through his imprisonment Allah has touched his heart and rid him of his widely believed heartlessness and ruthlessness.

Mustapha +2348033037936

By MOHAMMED H ARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Re: al-Mustapha -now that the ‘canary’ is free brigandage and economic profligacy, the type never seen before.

These Siamese twins are the two gentlemen who need some investigating. Mustapha is just a pawn in a complicated national chess game for which IBB and OBJ are the major players.

Manjadda Iman, Sokoto.

•al-Mustapha not quite get their pound of flesh (death), but they got something close to it - a fifteen year detention in a maximum prison that will surely leave some psychological and physical scars.

We must all engage in some serious soul searching before making judgment. This is why.

Some high profile murders were committed during Babangida’s regime, with Dele Giwa’s murder as the most touching. In addition to this, he set us on the path to perdition by annulling an election won fair and square. And yet Babangida, his ADC, and CSO are all free men.

Obasanjo’s case is worse. Political heavy weights were killed as if they were cockroaches, culminating in the murder of irrepressible Bola Ige. Not done with us yet, he imposed an invalid with a terminal illness on us, knowing full well the political repercussion. Then the coup de grace - he manoeuvred a starry-eyed, bare feet school teacher, into a position of power. Today, Obasanjo struts the political landscape like the conceited peacock that he is, insulting our sensibilities with what he calls ‘successful mistakes’. Neither his ADC nor his CSO were ever charged.

OBJ and IBB are two peas in a pod, each trying to occupy a larger space in the pod, at the expense of the Nigerian state.

If anyone should take the blame for Abiola’s murder, IBB should be liable for setting in motion events that culminated in Abiola’s death, even though he never physically murdered or caused Abiola’s murder. OBJ, on the other hand, should be held responsible for imposing political

Sir, Your article today is a radical departure from your usual harsh tone against the major. I do not begrudge your loyalty to Gen. Abdulsalami, but you should be objective enough. Maybe you never imagined the poor major would be released in your lifetime. Now you are writing like the coward and hypocrite that you really are. Now we know those who are really afraid of freedom for the major.

Joseph Kolo, Minna. +2348035550445.

Sir, Your write-up on al-Mustapha was good and unbiased. It is heartening to know you can engage the nation in such a serious discourse without ethnic or religious colouring. Your prediction on Mustapha throwing his hat into the ring sooner than later is equally apt. But will he have the space to operate as his billionaire traducers are still the ones dictating de pace of Nigeria and Africa?

Sam Madugba, Owerri +2348037110950 Sir, Your dislike and hatred for al-Mustapha is clear. Remember your mentor Abdulsalami cannot do any favour to you on the day of judgement. +2348026891730 Sir, The piece on Al-Mustapha is thoughtprovoking. Nigeria is still a neo-colonial state and al-Mustapha represents a neo-colonial army. What, I think, should bother social scientists is the future of Nigeria under moribund capitalism which is based on self-interest.

Amos Ejimonye, Kaduna +2348039727512 Sir, The canary has suffered enough from your boss and from your pen. To you and your boss

HARDBALL ESTERDAY, Hardball in considering this irksome matter of 400,000 barrels per day loss of our crude oil, described the Federal Government’s attitude as some form of ‘weird ignorance’. But upon further reflection, I have found that eminent American historian, Barbara Tuchman, who had long interrogated the question of mediocrity and lack of wisdom in governance had a better grounding on what is going on in Nigeria today. She could have had Nigeria in mind while writing her essay, “An Inquiry into the Persistence of Unwisdom in Government.”

She likened our current situation to what she described as “suicidal incompetence”.

She writes: “A problem that strikes one in the study of history, regardless of period, is why man makes a poorer performance of government than of almost any other human activity. In this sphere (government), wisdom – meaning judgment acting on experience, common sense, available knowledge and decent appreciation of probability – is less operative and more frustrated than it should be. Why do men in high office so often act contrary to the way that reason points and enlightened self-interest suggests? Why does intel-

he is a villain but to us it is otherwise. +2348037657033

Sir, How about Jonathan/al-Mustapha ticket, come 2015?

Zakaria Ismail, Kano.+2348037878033 Sir, From the evidences made public right from the start linking al-Mustapha to Kudirat’s murder, not a few Nigerians had expected that he was going to be convicted at the end of which a presidential pardon or amnesty could be expediently considered.

That way, anybody who is or will be in the position al-Mustapha was with Abacha regime and did what he was said to have done can be certain a day of reckoning must surely come. But to be so discharged and acquitted with impunity even with so many evidences that implicated him in the murder is no less an encouragement to his likes that may still be found in our government any day. This portents a very bad omen for the country.

Emmanuel Egwu. +2348037921541 Sir, Celebrating such a character is wrong. He should not be a worthy role model to any youth in the North. +2348036972332 Sir, By al-Mustapha’s acquittal, it is not yet uhuru as God’s judgement will surely come.

Omololu Joshua, Akwa-Ibom. +2348052134277 Sir, Anybody who is not ethnically motivated knows who killed Kudirat. With our conscience we see him every passing second. The one that pulled trigger is different from the one that directed the act that drips of infamy.

Chris Arukwe, Awka. +2348034704286 Sir, Alhamdullilah, Haruna your master Abdulsalami yaji kunya’. Allah is great. Please help me tell him.

Maina Bukar +2348036424319 Sir, A worldly Judge may deliver a verdict the way he likes BUT, the evil that men do will forever live after them.

Oni Olayinka, Ogba. +2348052324941

•For comments, send SMS to 08059100107

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Oil theft: Suicidal incompetence ligent mental process so often seems to be paralysed?”

Why is the Goodluck Jonathan administration apparently suffering mental paralysis in solving a problem that is critical to the very life of the country? Why is it crying out and feeling helpless in a situation that requires drastic and decisive action? If thieves either from within or without could steal this quantity of our most prized product; something as bulky and difficult to contain as crude oil, only heavens know what else is being stolen from this country? Why would a Federal Government that possesses all the might to tackle miscreants no matter how organised they may be, continue to cry out in frustration as if it were a victim of some conspiracy?

It is this mindset of victimhood that must have informed the confounding calls for help from abroad. The late president, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in calling for help, described stolen oil as “blood crude”. At two different fora, Presi-

Sir, That was a good piece - balanced, reportorial and advisory. al-Mustapha might have got justice courtesy the prosecution’s fumbling and bumbling.

However some questions remain: will Kudirat ever get justice? Will the question of who killed Kudirat ever be answered like similar ones in the past; those of Dele Giwa, Uncle Bola Ige, Harry Marshall, et al?

Muyiwa Makinwa, Ile-Ife. +2348058475238

dent Jonathan had called on Western countries to come to the aid of Nigeria prompting members of his cabinet like Erelu Olusola Obada (Minister of State for Defence) and Gbenga Ashiru, (Foreign Affairs Minister) to join the chorus. Obada speaking at Chatham House in London last week, parroted the ‘blood crude’ banality while passing all blames and responsibilities to foreign governments. She said that crude oil theft posed dire consequences to Nigeria’s economy stating that the vessels deployed in hauling the illicit cargo were foreign just as the refineries that patronised them.

How her British audience would have laughed her to scorn. Why are we making such fools of ourselves, how thoroughly embarrassing! They would have marveled at the stark illogicalities of her submission and the sharp incongruities of her position and the ineptitude she had dramatised for her international audience. As Minister of Defence, how could so many crude laden vessels

pass under her nose unnoticed; how come they ship out so much unrefined crude? Which is easier: barring rogue vessels from Nigeria’s territorial waters or checking thousand of private merchant ship on the high seas going about their business? Who bears the cost of policing the high seas and the refineries?

This mind-blowing crude oil theft going on in Nigeria today is the most eloquent testimony to the failure of leadership and government in this country. It is not and it will not happen in any other country in today’s world of sophisticated metering and surveillance technology. It is symptomatic of the incompetence and irresponsibility that Nigerians have had to put up with in all spheres of public life today. Our leaders love the kitchen but they hate the smoke; they love power but they don’t understand the work and rigour that go with it.

Hardball admonishes that if the Federal Government doesn’t know how to quell the ongoing brigandage, if it seeks foreign help it must be willing to hand over the powers too. Yes, our incompetence has simply reached a crescendo, a self-destruct level.

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