July 24, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

•We never asked Fed Govt for bailout, say governors •Buhari restricts wife from use of presidential jet •Global shipowners’ body protests ban of tankers •Tension in Niger Delta as Tompolo resuscitates MEND •Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3285 FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

P4 P4 P2 P57

Boko Haram target VIPs’ homes, says Osinbajo NEWS Page 4

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

•The scene of the fire...yesterday.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

‘We felt we were going to die’ •Photographers relive ordeal in hands of pipeline vandals

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HEY were shivering as they were ordered to say their last prayers. They kept mumbling as their captors bombarded them with questions after yanking off their shirts and covering their faces with them.

“We felt we were going to die as their leader had told them to deal with us,” The Nation photographer Solomon Adeola said yesterday.

Adeola and his The Sun colleague Omoniyi Aiyedun relived their ordeal in

By Nneka Nwaneri

the hands of vandals who have turned themselves into “lords of the creeks”, ordering their men to kill strangers they suspect to be their “enemies”.

Adeola and Aiyedun were on their way to the scene of Tuesday night’s Arepo pipeline fire that reportedly left scores dead.

Arepo, an Ogun State riverine community, is on the outskirts of Lagos.

Tearful, Adeola recalled how it all began. He said: “On

•Adeola...yesterday

•Aiyedun...yesterday PHOTOS: MUYIWA HASSAN

commanded the boys to take us to where they ‘They would kill us. They bound my hands and legs ’ getting to Arepo bus stop, bike men, popularly known as okada riders, led my friend from The Sun and I to where the pipeline exploded. We rode on separate bikes. On getting to the entrance to the place, we disembarked. The place is called ‘Beach land’.

“Then, a guy came to inquire from us what our mission was. I thought he was the one to paddle us to the place. I told him we were going to where there was a fire.

Then, more than four guys suddenly showed up, held us, collected our bags and

whisked us away. There were many canoes with people in them. At this point, I hadn’t told them we were journalists, but they saw my ID card and said I was working with the Federal Government and we were sent. They began beating us.”

“Who sent you before we kill you?” asked one of the men who led us away. I told them I am a journalist.”

As they were being led away, Adeola and Aiyedun saw some women, who were watching the scene from their home. “They were lamenting for us, biting their fingers and clasping their hands on their heads. They were begging for us because no one they take away comes alive – as we later learnt. The place is a forest and the water is dirty. Bamboo and raffia palms cover the area. The handle of my bag was used to cover my face. When I refused to cooperate with them, they brought out their guns and told us to be saying our last prayer. They transferred us from one canoe to another,” he said.

“We got to their bosses, who wore military gears, Continued on page 4

CJN bars politicians from his residence, office

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WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS EVER RETURN?

Politically-exposed lawyers to be received in security agents’ presence

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PPARENTLY to stave off pressure over electoral disputes, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmood Mohammed, has banned politicians from his residence.

His security detail from the Department of State Service (DSS) and police orderly will henceforth be part of any interaction with Politically Exposed

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

Lawyers seeking audience with him.

The CJN has since refused to accede to requests for courtesy calls by governors and legislators with outstanding petitions against them at election tribunals or with court cases generally The CJN put these measures in place

following subtle moves by some petitioners to drag the Judiciary into politics, it was learnt.

The CJN and justices of the Supreme Court were reportedly touched by the row generated by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike’s visit to the CJN’s office in Abuja.

Although the governor did not meet

the CJN, his visit almost created a political backlash for the Judiciary.

A source, who pleaded not to be named, said the CJN warned his aides and household members not to allow politicians access to him.

The source said: “Except for his fellow judicial officers, relations and Continued on page 4

•POLITICS P9 •BRAND P12 •AGRIC P16 •SPORTS P24 •INDUSTRY P47 •FOREIGN P61

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

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NEWS

Between 113 crude carriers and Fed Govt •Global shipowners’ body protests ban

•Treasurer-General, African National Congress (ANC), South Africa, Dr Zweli Mkhize speaking at the monthly breakfast forum of Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce in Lagos...yesterday. With him are (from left): Patron, Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce, Oba Otudeko; and Consul-General, South African High Commission, Amb. Mokgethisam PHOTO: NAN Monaisa.

The International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (Intertanko), one of the largest groupings in the shipping industry with 207 full members and 285 associate members, and a registered fleet of over 3,000 tankers, yesterday took on the Federal Government over the ban on 113 crude carriers

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•From left: National Retail Artiste, Rhema Akabuogu, Celebrity photographer Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Kunbi Oyelese of April By Kunbi, Mai Atafo of Mai Atafo Inspired and Creative Director, Fayrouz L'Original Competiton, Omoyemi Akerele PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU at a Fayrouz briefing in Lagos.

•From left: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Officer, Fidelity Bank, Victoria Abuka; representative of the Catholic Arch Bishop of Lagos, Rev. Fr. George Egbetu; Principal, Pacelli School for the Blind, Rev. Sis. Jane Onyeneri; Divisional Head, Marketing Communications, Fidelity Bank, Charles Odibo; and Head, CSR, Fidelity Bank, Chris Nnakwe at the graduation ceremony of Pacelli School for the Blind held in Lagos.

•Chief Executive Officer, Bestman Games, Nimi Akinkugbe (middle) receiving a monopoly board from the Head, Corporate Affairs, Heritage Bank, Fela Ibidapo during the lecture and Monopoly Tournament at the University of Lagos (UNILAG)...yesterday. With them are Chief Executive Officer, The Daisy Management Centre, Ibiai Ani.

HE key part of the document reads: “The affected vessels have also been barred from movements within the Nigerian territorial waters forthwith. Finally, enforcement of the above directives takes immediate effect pending a notice to the contrary by Government, please.”

And with these words, the fate of 113 foreign tankers lifting fuel in the country’s territorial waters was sealed.

The ban is said to have followed a directive from President Muhammadu Buhari, in what traders said could be part of efforts to crack down on illegal crude oil trading.

The vessels, which include mainly VLCC crude oil tankers, are banned from calling at crude oil terminals and also from Nigerian waters with immediate effect, said a letter circulated

by NNPC, “pending a notice to the contrary by government”.

The letter was dated July 15. Since taking office in May, Buhari has been working to fulfil a campaign promise to tackle corruption, particularly in the oil industry. He has ordered an investigation into a scheme through which the country swaps crude for oil products such as gasoline.

But some oil traders and vessel owners noted the list included ships that have not called at Nigerian ports for years, as well as several tankers, such as the Happiness, the Huge and the Diona, operated by Iranian group NITC, which has had little business for Nigeria for some time.

Some of the vessels are also listed twice, meaning the number of banned vessels could be smaller than 113.

A trader with a major oil company said there was no obvious reason for the ban, while a source close to operations at Indian Oil Corp, a key buyer of Nigerian crudes, said the refiner would definitely be impacted if the list is accurate.

“If the news is correct freight rates could go up and choice of vessels will be limited,” the source said.

India has been a top outlet for Nigerian oil in recent years as its light sweet crudes have been pushed out of the once-dominant destination, the United States, by the shale oil boom.

Bjorn Hojgaard, chief executive of Hong Kong’s Univan Ship Management, was informed of the ban by Reuters reporters.

“There are a number of Univanmanaged vessels on the list, but we have certainly not been notified,” Hojgaard said. “I don’t know what’s the story here, but will look into it,

together with our customers.”

However, crude tanker owners yesterday protested against ban, seeking assurances that the hired vessels are not on the ban list, according to the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners.

Instead, the owners want the oil companies to share their oil loading and discharge figures in case this information is sought by the Nigerian government.

“Members (say) some oil majors are attempting to introduce charterparty clauses requiring the owner to warrant that the ship is not subject to any Nigerian bans or restrictions due to failure to report any out-turn figures for prior voyages,” Bill Box, Intertanko’s manager communications and external relations, said Thursday.

Intertanko has advised its members to avoid any such clauses in the charter-party agreements, Box said.

“On the contrary, charterers should be asked to warrant that they will ensure that out-turn figures are provided in Nigeria,” he added.

The International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (Intertanko) is one of the largest grouping in the shipping industry with 207 full members and 285 associate members, and a registered fleet of over 3,000 tankers of over 270 million dwt.

On July 15, a document was issued by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation banning the tankers from entering Nigerian territorial waters and oil facilities.

Intertanko has issued a letter of protest to NNPC’s London office, with copies to the Nigerian High Commissioner and the country’s Alternate Permanent Representative at the International Maritime Organization.

“There is no reference to policies and requirements and no evidence or grounds are given for the ban,” the letter addressed to NNPC said.

“Many of these ships have not traded [in] Nigeria for a number of years and some have never been there,” Intertanko’s General Counsel Michele White said in the letter. In some cases, the ship has changed ownership since the last call in Nigeria, Box added.

These bans should be lifted with immediate effect until grounds and evidence for the ban have been given to each vessel and its owner or operator, and the owner or operator has had an opportunity to respond, White said.

The ban, said sources, has not affected the loading schedules.

“Government officials have cut all communication but so far there is no

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

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NEWS

t •A tanker ship emergency,” a source said with reference to Nigeria’s current loading program. Whatever the circumstances, as a result of the NNPC directive, these vessels will not be permitted to operate in Nigerian waters, Box added.

Also yesterday, oil and shipping sources reacted cautiously to the ban.

A report on Platts.com on their reaction to the ban reads: “”We have been informed about [the ban] and it seems terminal operators will have to take that into account,” said an active buyer and seller of Nigerian crude oil.

“Shipping and trading sources said the NNPC’s grievance with the shipping companies stems from issues surrounding outturns figures related to the crude oil exports at the port of discharge.

“Sources said there have been a few incidents between Nigerian au-

•Buhari

Some of the affected ships •Maran Callisto •Overseas Kilimanjaro •Kalamos, Eliza •Humanity •VK Eddie •Scf Shanghai •MV Tenyo •MV Astro Challenge •MV Maran Thetis •MV BW Bauhinia

•MV Dream •MV Xin Dan Yag •MV Desim •MV Eliza •MV Happines •MV Progress •MV New Harmony •MV Cosgrace Lake •MV Plata Glory

thorities and their crude oil buyers on differences between the volume of crude that was discharged, compared to the volume on the bill of lading.

“We hear it is about the outturn figures, as there are sometimes differences between the loading and discharge figures, especially with certain countries,” said a trader active in the

Terminals where they are banned •Escravos •Agbami •Pennington •Escravos LPG FSO •Escravos Gas Terminal •Antan •Okwori •Odudu •Akpo •Brass and Abo •Forcados •Bonny

West African crude oil market.

“We are currently gathering information,” said a source with a shipowner that would be impacted by the potential ban.

“A lot of market players have received the document and we have to take it seriously. The NNPC are asking for outturn figures but the receiv-

•Bonga •Sea Eagle •Qua lboe •Erha •Yoho •Usan •Bonny River Terminal •Okono •Oyo •lma •Okoro •Ukpokiti •Tulja •Ebok.

ers of the cargoes have this information, not the shipowners. They need to approach the cargo receivers, not the vessel owners,” he added.

“Other sources said the ban could be related to ‘settling dues’ such as port and maritime fees. The majority of Nigerian crude cargoes are lifted on Suezmax and VLCC tankers.

“We suspect it is part of a fallout from the level of scrutiny that NNPC is currently under,” a Nigerian crude oil trader said.

“He added this may be part of the new government’s drive to target “vessels that have not paid dues or have been involved in incidents with the Navy.” “‘In this new administration such lapses are being corrected,’ he added.

“Some sources said the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), had previously issued advice to vessel operators and owners to comply with International Maritime Organization directives to countries to phase out vessels that do not meet international standards.

“They said some of the vessels in the list might fall into the category of tankers that did not meet the IMO standards.”

Why Obama’s Kenya visit might be a turning point for African entrepreneurship

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RESIDENT Barack Obama will travel to Nairobi this week to address the sixth Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), and the first to be held in sub-Saharan Africa.

This gathering of hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors, nonprofits, and government officials, co-hosted by the governments of the United States and Kenya, will spotlight the growing importance of Africa as a center of business innovation and entrepreneurship. Likewise, it will put a spotlight on the importance of Africa’s innovators to job creation and sustainable and equitable economic development.

It is difficult to overstate the role that entrepreneurship plays in lifting people out of poverty and contributing to social wealth. It is difficult to overstate the impact on the individual which comes from feeling empowered economically through personal effort and hard work.

Entrepreneurs are connected to their communities. They have deep insights into local consumer demand and development gaps and often discover inventive ways to meet social and economic needs.

It is not unusual in the African context to hear stories of entrepreneurs whose business ideas were inspired by the struggles of those closest to them prompting them to develop, for example, new healthcare delivery units, adaptive models of agricultural processing and web-based trading platforms accessible on smartphones.

Given that 122 million young Africans will enter the labor force by 2020, and tens of millions are already unemployed or underemployed, we need to look at creative ways to generate the jobs for African youths. With luck, Africa’s critically needed investments in infrastruc-

By Tony Elumelu

ture will materialise and provide some measure of continent-wide employment. But the rest of the job gap will need to be filled from small and medium enterprises; just like it is in America and the rest of the developed world.

So our collective mission must be to create the conditions for the entrepreneur to succeed. But to do so, we must first understand the obstacles to individual success.

This week, the Africapitalism Institute, a panAfrican policy and research organization supported by the Tony Elumelu Foundation, will release a survey of 2,000 aspiring entrepreneurs across the continent, supplemented by dozens of focus groups. The findings confirm what many of us who have dedicated ourselves to this field for years have always understood: that no one can do it alone.

According to the findings, 60% of respondents indicated that it was very difficult to start a business, and 65& said they required additional skills for themselves and their workers to be successful. Nearly 90% of respondents said that obtaining start-up capital was one of their most significant challenges.

This is due mainly to the lack of credit bureaus in Africa, as well as the reluctance of banks to lend to customers with no track record. An overwhelming majority of survey respondents also cited the high costs of core inputs such as power, transportation, telecommunications, and business property as among their chief concerns. These are the costs necessary to run any business in Africa, but they are particularly burdensome for a small business in its nascent stages.

As we move into the GES in Nairobi, with the

•Elumelu and Obama.

participation of the U.S. President, we need to directly address these challenges as an integrated community of stakeholders — the private sector, African governments, non-government organizations, and other donors. We must make a commitment to put in place policies and programs that address the biggest hurdles facing African entrepreneurs.

When we look at capital requirements, we must figure out how lending institutions are enabled to make financial commitments at the earliest stages of business development, even without requisite collateral, and how to facilitate alternate sources of financing from the philanthropic sector.

Governments must commit to predictability and transparency in the process required to start up a business, employing user-friend technology solutions. Donors need to take a hard look at their own development strategies, particularly as they relate to supporting the vast need on the continent for infrastructure investment. Finally, we must invest in numerical and reading literacy, education, technical skills, we must train for the next generation of job creators.

Beyond dialogue, events like GES provide an opportunity for those promoting entrepreneur-

ship around the world to coordinate their efforts.

This coordination is already at work with the Spark Coalition, the private sector arm of the U.S. government’s global entrepreneurship initiative whose membership we hope will grow exponentially in the coming months. Spark provides a greatly needed platform for global collaboration.

On May 9th of this year, in announcing the GES, President Obama issued a global challenge to generate $1 billion in new investment for emerging entrepreneurs worldwide by 2017. Our continent must rise to this global challenge.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation is trying to lead the way by endowing its own $100 million dollar entrepreneurship support fund to assist the next generation of our continent’s innovators by addressing the biggest challenges they face including access to capital, training and mentoring.

As I said at the onset, it is difficult to overstate the role that entrepreneurship plays in lifting people out of poverty and contributing to social wealth.

•Elumelu , Chairman of Heirs Holdings and the United Bank for Africa, and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, wrote this piece for CNN.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

NEWS We never asked for bailout, say governors

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ID the 36 state governors ever approach the Federal Government for a bailout? Their umbrella platform – the Nigerain Governors’ Forum (NGF) - said no yesterday.

Rising after their late night meeting on Wednesday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, the governors said the $2.1 billion shared earlier in the month were proceeds paid to the Federation Account by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Ltd through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

The proceeds include $1.6 billion Income Tax/Education tax, dividends and others for 2014.

But the governors, through their chair, Abdulaziz Yari, said the states’ chief executives never asked for a bailout from the Presidency.

His assertion reinforced the claims of some governors who have been explaining that what they got from the $2.1 billion was their legitimate share of the national revenue.

Yari, who is the Zamfara State Continued on page 59

Buhari restricts use of presidential aircraft by wife, aides President Muhammadu Buhari (left), being received by (from second left) Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Paul Bulus; Governors Adams Oshiomhole (Edo); Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa) and Kashim Shettima (Borno), on his arrival at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja…yesterday.

Gunmen brutalise The Nation, The Sun journalists Continued from page 1

bearing riffles. I was so scared. They commanded the boys to take us to where they would kill us. They bound my hands and legs (displaying scars. Tears welled up in his eyes).

“I began to beg them, telling them that I am the only child of my parents. They said it was none of their business, that we had got to a point of no-return. We were beaten and slapped several times, as they inquired who our boss was. There was no escape. I tried jumping into the river but was hit with a gun.

“They spoke Ijaw. When asked my state of origin, I told them I’m from IkareAkoko in Ondo State. I told them my language and that we share boundary with Edo State. I even tried to speak the language which I don’t know well so that they will believe me. I was slapped for my ‘long explanation’.

“By the time we got somewhere I don’t know, about 300 of the fierce-looking men surrounded us. We were just standing in their midst.

“These men kept asking questions and interrogating us. I told them I live at IyanaIpaja and I’m the only child of my parents, that I just got married, that I’m a photo journalist, yet they insisted that I was lying and had no business covering the explosion.

“I’d died even before death came as they said our cameras should be used to take a photograph to show that our execution was successful and that my prayer should stop as it wouldn’t save me. Once again, our eyes were covered and I was asked to kneel down in the water in my trousers and bare chest. My shirt was used to cover my eyes.

“Then a slim, tall man in white shorts approached us.

He told us we were to be spared, but had no reason for doing so. We were unveiled and shown a place where they claimed to have killed many policemen and soldiers.”

Adeola sobbed as he spoke.

He went on: “I called Issac but I could not speak. They

snatched the phone from me and hung up the call.”

“The slim man promised to spare our lives if we could sing for him. I told him I was too scared to sing any song.

He insisted. I could make no sense of what I sang. I apologised, blessed him and called on God in the song.

Other guys around said in pidgin- Anybody wey reach this point no dey come back. I no wan see you here again.

“Another one said, ‘this is our only means of livelihood and the government wants to take it from us’. We were promised some money to go back. Another shirt was bought for me after I had been asked to promise never to return to the area.

“My N600, 000 camera was not returned to me, even when I told them I was still paying for it installmentally.

Our bags were given back to us and our ATM cards and other things were intact.

“Immediately we got to the shore, one fair complexioned woman was paid to give us shirts. They threw a shirt at me and gave us some money

to go back. They reminded me that I should thank God for sparing our lives as we hurriedly left the area on a bike organised for us.”

Aiyedun said his inner shirt was torn and used to cover his face. While he said his “last prayers”, he had a lot of flashbacks and regrets.

“The militants argued over our phones – whether they should release to us or not.

Neither my Samsung nor itelbranded phone I bought for N25, 000 or his N300, 000 camera was returned. I still gave them a thankful handshake as they warned us never to come there again.

“They also revealed to us that such a job they are doing was caused by Federal Government, adding that many military men had been killed. “ It was still unclear yesterday what caused the pipeline fire in which many suspected vandals reportedly died. Emergency workers had no access to the scene. The Pipelines Products Marketing Company (PPMC) has cut off supplies through the affected pipeline.

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has restricted the use of aircraft in the presidential fleet by his wife, Hajiya Aisha, and relations.

It was learnt that some members of the First Family will now use commercial flight, unless it becomes compelling for them to fly in presidential aircraft.

Apart from saving cost, the President is said to be determined to prevent abuse of the presidential fleet.

To set example for others, the President made sure that his wife and three children per-

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

formed Umrah (Lesser Hajj) to Makkah through Emirates Airline.

They also came back with the same airline.

Besides the tough measure on aircraft, the President is yet to make up his mind on whether or not his wife should be addressed as the First Lady.

Hajiya Aisha Buhari is known and addressed as the “wife of the President”.

The President was worried by the security reports on high cost of maintaining the presiContinued on page 59

Chief Justice slams door against politicians, lawyers Continued from page 1

friends, the CJN has banned politicians from visiting his residence. He has limited all transactions or relationship to his office.

“The CJN has also made it a policy to invite a member of the security operatives or aides in his office to henceforth be part of any interaction with Politically-Exposed Lawyers seeking audience with him.

“Once any lawyer is suspected to have come to solicit favour, security agents will now be called upon to witness such an audience.”

It was learnt that the CJN has

decided to limit courtesy visits by public officials.

“The new guidelines take immediate effect. The position of the CJN remains the same that the Judiciary must be insulated from politics.

“As a matter of fact, what the public did not know is that the CJN deliberately avoided meeting with Governor Nyesom Wike to avoid dragging the Judiciary into the murky waters of politics.”

The CJN has also advised judges to stay away from politicians to be able to discharge their duties without fear or favour.

Boko Haram targeting VIPs’ homes, says Osinbajo

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ICE President Yemi O s i n b a j o yesterday disclosed to the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting that plans by Boko Haram to dump refuseladen bombs in the houses had been uncovered.

This was contained in the copy of the talking point circulated to journalists after the six hours meeting.

It was only circulated by the council secretariat after a joint news conference governors Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Solomon Lalong (Plateau), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and Ifeanyi Oguanyi (Enugu).

Ambode, who spoke during the briefing did not mention

•Governors reschedule loans with banks •ECA cash now $2.07b8 From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

the issue as he did not read directly from the talking point.

The talking point also did not name the Very Important Personalities (VIPs), whose houses were being targeted but claimed that security reports revealed that scavengers were being prepared by the insurgents to carry out the evil act.

The talking point containing the Council’s resolutions reads: “The Vice President regretted that the insurgency has affected the economic life of

the Northeast and the country as a whole.

“He called on the Council to speak as a teem to put pressure on the Service chiefs to increase their effort in fighting insurgency.

“There should be increase in sensitisation and education channels, like radio, television.

“The vice president also disclosed that security report has it that scavengers are now being prepared by insurgents to dump refuse laden with bombs in the houses of VIP.” On update on intervention funds by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, it said: “Council received a presentation from the CBN governor on the update of restructuring of bank loans for the states and payment of salary arrears.

The talking point disclosed that NEC also agreed that existing loans should be restructured for minimum of 20 years while salary arrears should also be restructured for the minimum of 15 years and not exceed than 20 years.

It reads: “The governor informed the council that follow-

ing meetings with banks, it was agreed that existing loans should be restructured for the minimum of 20 years while salary arrears should also be restructured for the minimum of 15 years and not exceed more than 20 years.

“He added that states could opt for two options -the bond option, which will attract market rate; and the debt restructuring option which will attract single digit rate.”

Accordingly, the Council resolved that a four-man team made up of the governor of Bauchi, Rivers, Ondo and Osun states are to follow up with the CBN to ensure that the issues of Excess Crude Collateral for the states are sorted out by next Tuesday.

On the Excess Crude proceeds, the talking point said that the council received a presentation from the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance on the Excess Crude proceeds.

“He took the council through the summary of inflow and outflow of Excess Crude Savings account from January

2011 to 21 July 2015.

“According to the Permanent Secretary, the ECA currently stands at $2.078 billion.”

The Council also directed that the Committee on ECA should work with the Accountant-General’s office to resolve the gaps observed in the presentation.

On insecurity in the Northeast, the talking point said: “Governors of Yobe, Borno, Taraba, Kaduna, Gombe, Plateau and Bauchi took turns to inform the Council of security concerns in those regions.

“On Boko Haram issues, governors of Yobe and Borno raised the alarm of five local government areas of the two states still being in possession of the insurgents “They called for increase in military deployment and provision of sophisticated military equipment in those areas. Insurgents are still hiding in the Sambisa forest “On cattle rustling and banditry, Kaduna State Governor disclosed that most of the cattle rustlers are in Kumuku National Park and which if not

•VP Osinbajo

properly handled could result to another Sambisa forest. Security effort is being set up to deal with this.

“Osun State governor suggested that special economic angle should be introduced, in addition to military intervention to deal with Boko Haram problem,” the talking point stated.

Briefing journalists before the talking point was circulated, Ambode said that the meeting resolved that all the state governments should find ways to reduce cost of governance in their states.

The state governments have Continued on page 59

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

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NEWS

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HE Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday renewed its order stopping the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) from increasing tariff.

Justice Mohammed Idris renewed the order after striking out NERC’s preliminary objection and application to nullify the order.

Activist-lawyer Toluwani Adebiyi sought a perpetual injunction restraining NERC from implementing any upward review of tariff without significant improvement in power supply for at least 18 hours a day.

The judge struck out NERC’s motion because it did not comply with Order 29 (Rule 4) of the court’s Civil Procedure Rules.

The rule states that any preliminary objection to an originating summons must be filed within 21 days after being served with a suit. The

Court insists NERC can’t increase tariff

By Joseph Jibueze

judge said NERC’s lawyer did not comply with this rule.

“The learned senior advocate to the defendant holds the view that the provision is discretionary. I honestly and sincerely disagree with that view,” the judge said.

According to him, the rules use the word “shall”, which connotes a command, making compliance imperative and mandatory.

The judge said by his records, NERC’s objection was filed outside the 21 days prescribed by the rules.

“In the circumstances, I hold that the preliminary objection was filed in breach of the rules of court...The objection filed is therefore in my view incompetent and is

hereby struck out,” the judge held.

On NERC’s argument that the motion ex-parte was incompetent ab-initio and so the court lacked jurisdiction to grant it, the judge said the application challenging it also failed to comply with the court’s Order 26 (Rule 11).

The rule states that where a court makes an order based on a motion ex-parte, any person affected by it may apply to vary or discharge it within seven days.

The judge said the order was made on May 28 and served on NERC on June 3, 2015, but “the application to discharge the order was only filed on July 6, 2015 outside the seven days period prescribed by the rules.”

Besides, Justice Idris said

there was no relief asking for extension of time.

“It is clear that this second application was also filed in breach of the rules of court and is also incompetent.

“Both applications - the preliminary objection and motion to set aside - are all hereby declared incompetent and are hereby struck out.

“The order of court maintaining status quo remains until further order is made,” the judge held.

Adebiyi hailed the judge for the ruling, saying he did justice to all Nigerians who have been exploited and have been forced to pay exorbitant electricity bills for power not consumed.

“I will continue to be proud of this court my Lord, because this is a National

Ex-SEC chief: be patient with Buhari

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ORMER-DIRECTOR General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Dr. Suleyman Abdu Ndanusa has urged Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari on the constitution of his cabinet.

He said “strategic patience tailored towards smooth government running is not inaction”.

The ex-SEC DG spoke on Wednesday while fielding questions at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the

By Biodun-Thomas Davids

Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN).

“So far I don’t consider it (official release of new ministers) a delay. If they want to set a new system, a new set of conduct, new ways of doing things that those who are going to occupy position of leadership will abide by I think it’s fantastic,” he added.

Ndanusa, who is the president and chairman of ICSAN, expressed confidence in

Buhari’s handling of the economy, security and corruption.

He said: “He (Buhari) is a very experienced leader and of high integrity; he has headed sensitive public offices. We need him and we should give him all the support and chance to be successful.”

On the President’s visit to the United States, he said: “America being one of the key world powers and richest country in the world, the visit will add value and revamp

•Ndanusa

our relationship with America. We are hopeful that the visit will get support that will be used to bring about the needed change in Nigeria.”

Victory Stage One over electricity terrorism and exploitation,” he said.

The court had restrained NERC from implementing the new tariff which was to take effect from June 1.

Justice Idris barred the respondents, including electricity distribution companies, from effecting any increment in tariff until the suit is determined.

NERC had objected to the suit, and urged the court to discharge the restraining order.

NERC’s lawyer George Uwechue (SAN) argued that the motion ex-parte which provoked the restraining order was an abuse of court process.

He said the plaintiff’s failure to file the ex-parte application with a motion on notice was fatal to his case, adding that Adebiyi lacked the locus standi to file the suit.

Adebiyi prayed for an order restraining the NERC from foisting compulsory service charge on pre-paid meters because consumers should not be paying a flat rate of service not rendered or power not used.

The plaintiff prayed that the service charge on prepaid meters should not be enforced until there is visible, efficient and reliable power supply as in foreign countries where the idea of service charge was borrowed.

Adebiyi further asked for an order mandating NERC to generate more power to meet the country’s needs, and to develop a multiple long-term financing approach, sourced from banks, capital market, insurance and other sectors to finance the sector.

The lawyer also asked the court to mandate NERC to make available to Nigerians

within two years, prepaid meters as a way of stopping the throat-cutting indiscriminate estimated bills.

In a supporting affidavit, the plaintiff said despite NERC’s mission of “keeping the light on and to meet the needs of Nigeria for safe, adequate, reliable and affordable electricity,” most communities do not get more than 30 minutes of electricity supply daily.

“The masses are paying estimated and indiscriminate bills, ranging from N5, 000 to N18,000, while spending an average of N15,000 to N20,000 on fuel to maintain generating set weekly.

“Businesses have collapsed, industries have closed down, and residents cannot sleep comfortably at night due to inefficiency of our power industry.

“Companies and commercial houses are groaning under throat-cutting power bills which they are paying for, yet not getting the benefits of such payment,” Adebiyi said.

He stressed that the proposed tariff increase was coming amid the tangled web of poor power supply with no reasonable proof of improvement.

“The situation is self evident. It readily speaks for itself because everyone is suffering from poor power outage. Bringing further increase amid this tangled web of hardship and without any improvement in power supply will be highly unjustifiable and will be an economic burden on the populace.

“It is totally absurd and not for the good of the people, and therefore must be stopped,” Adebiyi said.

Justice Idris adjourned to September 23 for hearing of the plaintiff’s substantive motion.

Youths decry ‘campaign of calumny’ against Wada

By Oziegbe Okoeki

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•From left: Anambra State Governor Willy Obiano, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode and Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje during the National Economic Council Meeting at the Presidential Villa Abuja ... yesterday.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

OGI Transformation Network (KOTRAN), a group of youths, has decried what it called the campaign of calumny against Governor Idris Wada.

The youths, in a statement after their meeting yesterday, said some “faceless agents” want to reverse the state’s development under Wada.

KOTRAN spokesman Comrade Maximilian Tashilani, who signed the statement, said Wada had managed the lean resources of the state well.

Tashilani said: “Gone are the days when frantic agitations and concocted tales will convince the voting populace. Anybody who wants to contest should come out and convince the electorate of his sincerity of purpose and show his track record of achievements as the governance of our dear state has been elevated to a serious business by the current administration. It is no longer business as usual”.

KOTRAN advised youths against being used as tools of mudslinging and violence in the hands of some desperate elements.

Anglican hails President on fight against corruption

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ISHOP Diocese of Kubwa (Anglican Communion) Rt. Rev. Duke Akamisoko yesterday hailed the Buhari administration on its fight against corruption.

He, however, said the antigraft agencies must not use the battle as a ploy for persecuting political opponents.

Speaking during the preSynod news conference in Abuja, he said this year’s theme is: “And you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”

Akamisoko said: “We note and commend the present

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

government for the fight against corruption. The media in the last few weeks have been reporting the arraignment of some past governors over alleged money laundering.

“We commend the Federal Government for this renewed fight; we must also urge the agency responsible for the prosecution not to use the process as a means of persecuting political opponents.

“The due process of law should be allowed to take its course on anyone found

guilty of corruption, no matter how highly placed in the society.”

Akamisoko urged the leadership of the National Assembly to resolve its differences so as to enhance the quality of governance.

He said insurgency had resurfaced in some parts of the North.

The bishop urged the government to step up intelligence in fighting insurgency.

According to him, “the President should bring his experience as a military general to bear on the complete eradi-

cation of the Boko Haram sect.”

On gay marriage, he said should the President legalise it, the church would protest it.

“It is sad that America has today agreed that it is a normal lifestyle in their country. But I don’t think with the visit of Buhari to America, they will be able to compel him. Even though if they compel him and they agree, I am sure I am going to be part of the people that will lead a powerful delegation to protest in the streets against such a practice. We

will not accept it.

“We, as a church, have made our stand known; the Nigerian people, irrespective of religion, have also made their stand known. So, I am sure if Buhari wants to last long in this government and get our support, he will never agree with the U.S. to bring that into our country.“ The bishop also spoke about the church’s hospital, soon to be opened to the public, saying the hospital would have two resident doctors.

The bishop took reporters on a tour of the hospital,

which is on the premises of St. Andrew Anglican Church in Kubwa.

He said the proposed Anglican University was suspended because the National Universities Commission (NUC) refused to approve its 25 hectares at Pegyi.

Akamisoko said the commission insisted that the church acquired 100 hectares, but getting such a large expanse of land in Abuja is difficult.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

6

NEWS Security agents bar Jonathan’s wife from airport’s VIP lounge

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IFE of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience, yesterday expressed shock and sadness at the refusal by some security agents to allow her access to the VIP Lounge at the Port Harcourt International Airport on the purported directive from Abuja.

Mrs. Jonathan, who said she received the same treatment twice at the airport in the last seven days, vowed to formally protest the conduct of the security personnel to the relevant authorities.

She said she found it hard to believe that such instruction would come from the Presidency as they made her to believe.

A witness and family friend of the ex-first lady, who craved anonymity, said Mrs. Jonathan was on her way to the burial of her late Chief Security Officer (CSO), Tamuno Jacob Igbomie, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, who was allegedly shot dead by unknown assailants.

Igbomie’s corpse was found in his Honda Accord car along Airport Road, Abuja with all his phones, wallet and other personal effects intact in the car.

The source added: “Last Friday (July 17), the former first lady arrived at Port Harcourt International Airport and made for the VIP Lounge as had been the practice, thinking she would still be given her due recognition. But she made a very big mistake as she was locked out and prevented from accessing the place.

“All efforts by the former president’s wife and the few people by her to pacify the security agents were rebuffed as they stood their ground, swearing that they were acting on the orders from Abuja.”

The source added that similar snub occurred to the former first lady while coming back from the burial.

NBA chief condemns looting in oil, gas sector

•Seeks Jonathan’s trial, if found culpable

By Robert Egbe

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HE Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu Branch, Adetunji Adedotun, has condemned the looting in the oil and gas sector by the country’s past leaders.

Adedotun, who spoke on the revelation that about one million barrels a day were stolen by former oil ministers, told The Nation yesterday that the perpetrators of the theft should not be spared.

He said even if ex-President Goodluck Jonathan is found culpable in tainted deals, the law should be allowed to take its course.

He, however, conceded that the matter was up to President Muhammadu Buhari to decide.

He said: “Sparing them from prosecution will set a grave and bad precedent. This administration is known to be corrupt-free, as far as its leadership is concerned. It should not be seen to be condoning corruption. If the former president is found to be corrupt, he should face the music. There’s no issue of heating up the polity.”

On the question of whether a political solution could be found to spare ex-leaders, if they are indicted for corruption, Adedotun said: “If former leaders are found to be involved in some deals and are accosted with it and they come up to say, ‘okay, I’m sorry, I think I’m involved. This is the position of things. This is what I have with me and I’m ready to return it.’

“Well, in that case, no further charges should be pressed. That could be likened to plea bargaining, even though the matter would not have reached the courts.

“There would be no need to make it seem as if it has a political undertone. But if they say they are not involved, then they should be presumed innocent until proven otherwise. How can they be proved otherwise? By prosecution. However, it is a decision that lies with President Buhari.”

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From left: Representative of Chief of Naval Staff Rear Adm. Goddy Anyankpelle; Chairman of the occasion Dr. Tom Adaba; Chief Executive Officer, Bakka Oil Nig. Ltd Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed and author of “The Nigerian Navy: Developing Amidst Challenges” Commander Idris Yusuf (rtd), at the book presentation in Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Bailout to favour states with heavy loan burden, says Ahmed T HE expected bailout from the Federal Government has been structured to favour states with heavy loan burden, Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said yesterday.

He said the state would not benefit much from the bailout because of its small loan profile.

The governor said this in Ilorin, the state capital in a radio programme dubbed “Governor Explains.”

Ahmed explained that the N2.1 billion the state collected was its share of the dividends from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) due to federal, states and local government areas.

The state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had accused the state government of diverting the funds, instead of using it to pay workers.

His words: “The bailout is for states that have been heavily burdened by loan such that they cannot do much business. But in Kwara, for instance, our loan profile is very small compared

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

to other states. So even when these loans are structured, we will not benefit much from bailout.

“It is those states that have heavy loans that will benefit because the loans that they should have paid in four years, is now suddenly being stretched to 15 years. Federal Governor is taking over the loans from the banks and institutions that they are owing.

“Kwara State collected N2.1 billion and the local government collected N1.4 billion. The money has gone into the payment of salaries at both levels, which of course is not enough.

“What the Federal Government truly means by bailout is the restructure of existing loans that states are owing banks and other financial institutions in

such a way and manner that the pressure on the monthly repayment is lessened to create an additional headway for states to do other financial obligations.

“This bailout is just being worked on. It has not gotten to any state yet because we are just submitting the levels of debts that all states have incurred.

“The loans are now being overwritten. The Federal Government does not have the capacity to give money to states to go and pay salaries. It is not possible. Where are they going to get the money from?

“But the best it can do is to help the states to restructure the loans. The savings that come from the repayment is what is meant as bailout and that is what the states are expected to use to defray their recurrent expenditure pressure. Nobody should imagine that any

money will be given to states to pay outstanding debts.

“The money that has come to us are the money that we call the dividends under the NLNG. It is the money that should have been shared whether there is bailout or not, whether there is financial pressure or not, the money will be paid to us anyway because it is the money due to the federal, state and local governments.

“Now it depends on each state. Some that have financial pressure can use it to offset part of their financial pressure. But for us, we used part of it to defray some existing financial pressures in salaries and we met other financial obligations and why we did it was because our people who traditionally were setting for the Sallah requested to be supported and that is why we made the money available for them. The money was not meant to be used to pay salaries as it were.”

Disquiet in National Assembly over unpaid severance benefits From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

Invitation to Saraki’s wife curious, say senators

ENATORS belonging to the “Like Minds” group yesterday said they found the decision by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to invite the Senate President’s wife, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, in connection with an unknown investigation curious.

In a statement on their behalf, Senator Dino Melaye said they hoped that the invitation was not politically-motivated or linked with the leadership tussle in the Senate.

They added that the decision of the EFCC to invite Mrs. Saraki created a lot of coincidences, which any discerning mind would not want to ignore.

“Though, we do not want to make any hasty conclusion, we are surprised that about five years after the Sarakis left Government House, Ilorin, the EFCC suddenly realised the need to invite the wife. We hope this is not part of the plot we have heard about aimed at wrestling the Senate president down with different tactics.”

He added that members of the group would continue to watch developments around the invitation and would later make its position known to the public.

•Governor: Kwara ’ll not benefit

•Saraki

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HE non-payment of severance benefits to over 3,000 legislative aides, who served in the Seventh Assembly is causing a disquiet in the National Assembly.

Though the National Assembly has started paying severance package to senators and House of Representatives’ members, who did not make it into the Eighth Assembly, legislative aides who served in both chambers were yet to be paid.

But following the disquiet, the Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA) Salisu Maikasuwa, in an internal memo to ‘All Legislative Aides’ sought their understanding over the delay.

The memo, which was signed by Director, Personnel Management Department Dr. I. S. Habu, on behalf of the CAN, appealed to the workers, saying the payment would be effected once funds were release by the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The memo reads: “I am directed to inform all legislative aides to please be patient regarding the payment of their severance gratuity and duty tour allowance (DTA), as management is making concerted efforts to secure the funds from

the Ministry of Finance.

“I am to add that as soon as the monies are released, payment will commence without any delay.”

Payment of outstanding remuneration to legislative aides, who served during the Sixth Assembly has been a subject of litigation in the past as the irate workers had sued the management of National Assembly Commission.

In the suit, Sager Ahmed, who represented over 3,000 aides, claimed that officials of the National Assembly illegally deducted huge sums of money from their salaries, emolument and severance packages.

“The court should order the commission to refund the money,” he said.

However, as at the time of filing this report, it was not clear

how effective the response of the management of National Assembly was in pacifying the aggrieved workers.

A source, who pleaded anonymity, said: “While the aides waited, it is annoying that senators and members of the House of Representatives have been paid June salaries and allowances.

“All the monies under various sub-heads are usually collapsed and shared by the previous administrations. But they are afraid of the method to adopt this time, because nobody is sure of what the President may do.”

According to him, the quarterly allowance which had hitherto been paid in bulk would henceforth be paid on monthly basis, because of the desire not to draw the curiosity of the Executive over the huge disbursement.

NYSC introduces ‘self-deployment scheme’ for corps members

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NDER a new arrangement, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will henceforth allow prospective corps members to determine where they wish to serve.

The plan known as “self-deployment scheme”, according to the NYSC, is expected to curb fraud, which it said, was often associated with the earlier method of deployment of prospective corps members.

The development was part of resolutions from a workshop on NYSC 2015 Batch ‘B’ premobilisation in Kaduna.

In a communique at the end of the workshop

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

yesterday, the NYSC said: “In a bid to tackle the problem of deluge of concessional requests with which the NYSC is being inundated, prospective corps members will henceforth be given the opportunity to choose states of their choice outside their socio-cultural and linguistic areas, using ICT solution.

“Given the negative implications of assigning invalid or wrong JAMB numbers to prospective corps members during the

mobilisation process, corps producing institutions have been advised to always take advantage of the window of opportunity created by Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and regularise the admission of their graduates and advise the affected graduates to activate such numbers before presenting them for mobilisation.

“For us to bring administration nearer to everybody, complaints and issues arising from the on-line registration from prospective corps members and corps producing institutions will henceforth be lodged with Deployment and Relocation Officers at the NYSC state secretariats for onward

transmission to the ICT Department for necessary action.

“It was further resolved that pregnant women and nursing mothers and students engaged in postgraduate studies should not bother to enlist for service until they are free to participate effectively.”

Participants at the workshop included directors and heads of units at the NYSC, representatives from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), JAMB, Nigerian Army, universities, polytechnics, monotechnics as well as colleges of education.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

7

NEWS

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AGOS lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to stop financial leakages, end capital flight and illegal diversion of public funds.

Falana spoke at a lecture organised by the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Lagos State Chapter.

The lawyer noted that since the inauguration of the present administration, President Muhammadu Buhari has been under pressure to remove fuel subsidy, end further devaluation of the naira and complete takeover of the economy by market forces.

He said the call for subsidy removal was an indirect call for increase in the official pump prices of petroleum products.

Saying that the over N900 billion earmarked for fuel subsidy yearly should be saved for development, he noted that the importation of petroleum products was caused by the failure to maintain the four refineries.

He noted that the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has called for fresh bids for the setting up of modular refineries.

“If the policy is genuinely pursued, the Federal Government can establish many of such refineries within the next 12 months. According to the DPR, each of the refineries is estimated to cost between $1 million and $15

MTN gives vehicle to NDLEA

Falana to Buhari: stop leakages in financial system, others T

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

By Adebisi Onanuga

million. African countries such as Senegal, Zambia, Niger, Chad, Gabon and Cameroon operate similar refineries with capacity to refine between 20,000 and 40,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

“If such refineries are established in the country, the importation of fuel and the fraud associated with it will stop,” he said.

Falana alleged that in 2011, without any amended appropriation, former Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala paid N2.5 trillion to marketers as against the N245 billion appropriated for fuel subsidy by the National Assembly.

He said: “The illegal payment should be reviewed while the companies, which never imported or supplied any fuel should be made to refund the fund obtained from the Federal Government under false pretences”.

The rights activist lamented that the government, following the agitation against subsidy removal in 2012, jettisoned its decision to set up 30 green field refineries because of the pressure from

importers.

He claimed that the $1.6 billion loan obtained in 2013 for the maintenance of refineries was diverted, leading to a reduction in the volume of barrels earmarked for domestic consumption from 445,000 to 80,000.

Falana urged the government to recover the billions of dollars set aside for the Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of refineries since 1999 and to stop the monopoly in the importation and sale of diesel.

There is no basis for the monopolistic control of goods and services under a free market economy, the lawyer argued.

Instead, he advised government to consider the suggestion of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to import refined fuel into the country without the payment of subsidy.

On the “bailout” for states, he described the $2.1 billion shared by the federal, states and local governments from the Federation Account for payment of salaries as a tip of the iceberg compared to the “over N7

trillion provided for the members of the comprador bourgeoisie since 2008 in view of the number of workers involved in about 20 states”.

He also noted that not less than N2.1 trillion was committed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in collaboration with the government, into key economic schemes.

To prevent the states from running to Abuja for “bailout” in the near future, he suggested that the CBN should assist the non oil-producing states to develop solid minerals and agriculture.

Falana advocated cooperation between the government and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the investigation and prosecution of those who diverted public funds.

The EFCC, he added, should leave no stone unturned in the recovery of looted funds.

The lawyer said instead of liquidating the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), “those who are critical of the huge fund unilaterally deducted from the revenue generated by

the NNPC before remitting the remainder to the Federation Account should demand that the corporation’s budget be appropriated by the National Assembly”.

“Another agency of the Federal Government which approves its own budget is the CBN. The CBN believes rather erroneously that its autonomy granted by the Act setting it up does not allow the National Assembly to appropriate its budget,” he added.

Citing the Supreme Court decision in the case of Dr. Uzor Ikebudu V. Central Bank of Nigeria, he said the CBN was expected to submit its budget to the National Assembly through the Minister of Finance for appropriation.

Falana noted that since the Buhari administration embarked on the war against graft, “corruption” has decided to fight back in a vicious way.

He said those opposed to the renewed fight against corruption were beginning to accuse Buhari of waging a persecution agenda.

He urged anti-graft agencies to ignore such campaign.

ELECOMMUNICATIONS giant MTN Nigeria has donated a security patrol vehicle to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos State.

The agency’s DirectorGeneral, Mrs Roli BodeGeorge, received the MTN delegation at NDLEA’s Ikoyi headquarters.

Mrs. Bode-George said: “It takes the collective effort of stakeholders to win the war against illicit drugs. This show of solidarity is highly appreciated and will serve as a motivation to the agency.

“This is in line with the fact that security is a collective responsibility.

We are inspired that you recognise our role in promoting national peace and security.”

On the MTN team were the Senior Manager, MTN Security Unit, Sunday Ngegu and Portfolio Manager, Economic Empowerment, Ms. Foyinsola Oyebola.

Ngegu said the support project is designed to respond to issues in communities where MTN operates.

“MTN is continuously operating in a very dynamic business environment with unceasing challenges and we believe that business can only thrive when the atmosphere is favourable.”

Young Entrepreneurs Club launched

By Oluwatoyin Adeleye

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•Some graduating students of Cayley College during the College’s graduation / prize giving ceremony in Lagos

PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

NUC disclaims online degrees, Maryam Abacha University

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HE National Universities Commission (NUC) yesterday warned Nigerians against patronising online universities and degree awarding institutions operating such system.

Any certificate obtained from such institutions, it said, is not recognised.

Its Director, Information and Public Relations, Ibrahim Usman Yakasai, who spoke at the commission’s Abuja Headquarters, said degrees obtained online are not ac-

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

cepted in the country.

He said: “Nigeria will not recognise online degrees.

Online degrees are not accepted in Nigeria at the moment.”

Yakasai also warned Nigerian students and parents against patronising Maryam Abacha American University in Niger Republic, noting that the Commission has been inundated with enquiries from some Nigerian students offered admission into the university.

Yakasai added that students were offered admissions on part-time with a graduation time of four semesters for programmes, such as Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Public Health, among others.

“In Nigeria, the duration for a full-time degree programme is not less than three years for direct entry and at least six years for part-time, while professional programmes in Science, Engineering and Health Sciences, including Nursing,

Medical Laboratory Science and Public Health, are not offered on part-time basis in Nigeria.

“Also, part-time cross border education in Nigeria is not allowed,” he explained.

He lamented that the university admitted students, who did not have the basic requirements to gain admission into the nation’s tertiary institutions.

He said Ghana National Accreditation Board (NAB) had banned 53 tertiary institutions in Ghana - some of

which Nigerian students run to - from advertising and admitting students.

Yakasai said all countries were at liberty to accept or reject certificates from any foreign university they felt “is operating below their acceptable standards”.

“We wish to restate that as the only quality assurance agency for universities in Nigeria, the NUC is maintaining its stand that degrees from Maryam Abacha University will not be accepted in Nigeria,” he said.

HE Young Entrepreneurs Club (YEC) was launched yesterday in all Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) colleges.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode launched the project, a major highlight of the State Enterprise Day. He was represented by Deputy Governor Mrs. Oluranti Adebule.

This year’s theme was: “Promoting trade skills for improved productivity in entrepreneurship development”.

Ambode urged students to have a business plan before they graduate, focus their attention on its success, seek knowledge to improve and upgrade their businesses, rather than seeking big capital to start up.

He said the government would look into helping the young entrepreneurs to register their businesses before they graduate.

LASTVEB Executive Secretary Olawumi Gasper said the club would motivate and guide aspiring young business leaders to enable them fulfil their desires of owning their businesses and creating jobs.

He said the government was planning a skills exchange programme, where all trained and re-trained skilled personnel and graduates can exchange ideas and network.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

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NEWS

APC to Fayose: don’t misuse ‘bailout’ funds

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has insisted that Governor Ayo Fayose must use the “bailout” funds from the Federal Government for its intended purpose.

The party said the fund must be used to pay salary arrears, pensioners’ entitlements and subventions of the state-owned tertiary institutions, among others.

In a statement yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, the APC said Fayose denied collecting the fund after he had allegedly done so.

The party said: “The governor has persistently denied that he has collected the cash.

“He told Ekiti people that he would announce if he collects any money from the Federal Government but he didn’t do that when he collected the fund.”

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

The party debunked claims by the governor that the cash was the usual allocation from the Federation Account and not a special fund to pay workers salaries.

Olatunbosun contended that the governor’s denial was “a most wicked attitude to misinform Ekiti people and put workers at the peril of dashed hopes”.

“It is wicked, selfish and greedy for the governor to continue to deceive our people that he has not collected the bailout cash.

“We state that just as other states, Fayose has collected Ekiti’s share of the fund, which we believe should be spent on workers’ salaries.

“Pensioners are owed five months. Traditional rulers are also owed five months.

Higher institutions have not received subventions for five

months; the State University Teaching Hospital and School of Health Technology, Ijero-Ekiti, have not received subventions for five months but there is enough for frequent trips to South Africa and the United Arab Emirates,” he said.

Olatubosun decried the governor’s penchant for “misinformation and barefaced lies”.

He bemoaned the lack of transparency in the governor’s dealing with Ekiti people.

“Fayose denied ever collecting N22billion refunds on federal projects as well as N2billion Ecological Fund until we planned to go to the Ecological Fund Office to get the details.

“There is a constant pattern of behaviour anytime the governor collects money from Abuja. He would travel to the UAE and South Af-

rica where reports alleged he is building five-star hotels.”

The APC spokesman said the party was worried about the cheating in the compensation package to traders at Oja-Oba Market.

He said: “It is callous to continue to cheat the traders while claiming to be their friend.

“We have heard of the official N500,000 compensation package for the women who are losing their stalls to the planned new market, but only N100,000 and below got to the poor women.

“In the official document, N500,000 is paid to each woman, but she receives N100,000 because she doesn’t know she is entitled to N500,000.

“This is greed and callousness and we urge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to beam its searchlight on Fayose.”

Screening of pilgrims HE Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has started inoculation and medical screening for intending pilgrims. The five-day screening will end on Tuesday.

A statement by the board’s Executive Secretary, Sefiu Rasheed, said the exercise was to ensure that intending pilgrims were hale and hearty.

The statement added that information gathered during the exercise would guide the Board in offering the necessary medical attention to the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

The screening will hold at the Board’s Headquarters, Block B, New Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, from 9am daily.

The statement noted that only pilgrims who paid the N800,000 deposit should come with their original payment receipts.

“All intending pilgrims are to participate in this exercise, which is an essential aspect of the Hajj operations.”

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Ogun to buy more APCs

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GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has said his administration will acquire additional Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to assist the police fight insecurity in the state.

He said the state would work towards increasing the number of police commands and personnel.

Receiving the new Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, in his office yesterday, the governor said this was imperative due to the enormous security challenges the state has to cope with on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway and parts of Sagamu/Be-

nin Road, which he described as the busiest highways in the nation. ”I am very happy that you are coming at a very crucial time. The state has a huge task of policing some of the busiest highways in the nation. I know if we get security right, then development will take place without any hindrance.

“I want to assure you that we will buy more APCs and increase the number of our squadrons. We will see how we can increase the number of the area commands and personnel.”

Ali praised the governor for his support and sensitivity to security matters. He called for more funding of the operations of the personnel.

‘Restructure Oyo APC’ From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

T •Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (middle), Secretary to the State Government Taiwo Adeoluwa (right); Head of Service, Mrs Modupe Adekunle (left), Acting Consul-General, United States Consulate, Lagos, Ms. Dehab Ghebreah (third left), Political Economic Section Chief, Thomas Hines (second left) and Political Officers, Micheal Imbrenda and Ms Ann Hacic-Vlahovic when Ms Ghebreah visited the governor in Abeokuta...yesterday.

Ondo Okada riders protest govt policies

M

EMBERS of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) in Ondo State marched on the streets yesterday to protest “government’s harsh transport policies”.

The protest, which lasted for several hours, paralysed economic activities in the state capital, Akure.

Last week, the Ministry of Transport gave a week ultimatum to commercial motorcycle operators to obtain their commercial number plates.

The ultimatum expired

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

on Wednesday, prompting security operatives to arrest any Okada operator, who has not changed from private to commercial number plate.

Some of the protesters drove dangerously round the town as early as 8am.

Others blocked the entrance to the Ministry of Works, where the Ministry of Transport is also located.

Some aggrieved cyclists said they could not obtain another number plate since it was the State Licensing Office that issued the ones they were using.

They maintained that it was

wicked and exploitative for the government to impose on them the Residency Card, Kaadi Igbe Ayo, at N2,000.

They said they would not obtain the card since they do not know its usefulness.

A protester, Dele Oyeyemi, bemoaned the manner in which commercial motorcyclists were being treated in the state.

His words: “Last week, we heard the information on radio that any motorcycle with private number plate would be arrested. The manner in which Okada riders are being treated in the state was bad.

“What we are trying to

Eight Ekiti PDP members to join APC

E

IGHTexecutive members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State are to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), it was learnt.

The proposed defection followed the departure of former PDP Chairman Ropo Adesanya, who joined the APC with hundreds of his supporters, three weeks ago.

Former Speaker of the House of Assembly Olufemi Bamisile announced this yesterday at a meeting with APC members in AdoEkiti Local Government Area.

Bamisile said the decision of the PDP exco members was part of his efforts to weaken the ruling party and strengthen the opposition ahead of the 2018 governorship election.

The ex-Speaker, who was the state PDP vice-chairman before he joined the APC last year, said the eight PDP chieftains were swap-

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

ping their umbrellas for the brooms because they were disillusioned with the way the state was governed by Governor Ayo Fayose.

He noted that many PDP members who laboured to nurture the party when the governor defected to the Labour Party (LP) and supported him (Fayose) on his return have been sidelined.

He said:“With all modesty and support of the three former governors, I make bold to say that not less than eight members of the PDP state executives are set to join the APC, because I have personally spoken to them and they are confident that the APC is a better place.

“The PDP is not as organised as you all think.”

achieve with the protest is to make Governor Olusegun Mimiko realise that his administration’s policies are killing us.

“I was arrested yesterday at Arakale Road on the number plate issue. They’ve been seizing our motorcycles and collecting money before releasing them.”

Another protester, Akinlade Temitayo, who claimed to be a graduate of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, said: “Being an Okada man is not easy. If actually they want to ban motorcycles in Ondo State, let them go ahead. Then we will know what next to do. What we want is to be using the number plates we are already using.

“We don’t want anybody to harass us on the roads. It is not easy to go to the licensing office to collect another number at N6,500.”

Efforts by the state chairman of ACOMORON, Jimoh Obabiolorun, to pacify the protesters failed as they insisted on seeing the Commissioner for Transport, Nicholas Tofowomo.

A lawyer, Morakinyo Ogele said: “The Ondo State government has been put on notice that this order of obtaining new number plates is another way of burdening the riders”.

HE Financial Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Kayode Adanla, has called for restructuring of the state chapter.

Adanla decried the level of cooperation among the parties that merged to form the APC. He said the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leaders in the state have marginalised the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) members.

According to him, of the 36 executive positions , there are only three for ANPP members and two for CPC. “There is nothing we can call fairness and equity in sharing of positions in Oyo APC because the mentality of the members of the defunct ACN is that ACN metamorphosed into APC, which is not true.

“The defunct ACN members are playing god, because they believed the two other parties are secondary to the formation of APC. ”We want all the parties involved in the merger to have a sense of belonging so that no one will play second fiddle.”

Lagos raises alarm on fake admission

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HE Lagos State government has raised the alarm on fake Internet advertorials about admission into the state’s School of Nursing.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Modele Osunkiyesi, in a signed disclaimer notice, said: “The ministry’s attention has been drawn to the activities of some unscrupulous group of people, who place the fake advertisements on the Internet.

“These dubious people invite unsuspecting individuals to pay into their accounts.

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

“We urge the public to disregard any information on the Internet about purported admission forms. All enquiries regarding admission into the State School of Nursing should be channelled to the Coordinator, State School of Nursing Complex, Alimosho General Hospital, Igando.”

She said further clarifications can be obtained from 08176981957 or 08033061863.

Osunkiyesi advised the public to be vigilant, adding that anyone who deals with these touts does so at his or her own risk.

‘Pay our severance package’ From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

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ISENGAGED political appointees in Ogun State, who served during the Gbenga Daniel administration yesterday, urged Governor Ibikunle Amosun to pay them their severance packages.

The ex-political appointees served between December 2007 and December 2010 in the 20 local government councils.

The politicians, who spoke under the aegis of Conference of Local Government Ex-Political Office Holders, said since 43 of their colleagues were paid June last year, no other person has been paid.

Their spokesman, Akorede Oduntan, said 600 of them were yet to be paid.

“On June 24 last year, when the governor was paying some beneficiaries, he promised to pay the rest of us in batches. He said N300 million has been set aside to offset this debt monthly”.

9

FRIDAY JULY 24, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

TARABA POLITICS

Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku took over the reins of power at a time of financial difficulties. Senior Correspondent FANEN IHYONGO examines the challenges facing his administration and what can be done to bring the state back to its feet.

Tough challenges for Ishaku T

HE people of Taraba were charmed by his captivating campaign, his soothing promises and his personality. An architect by profession, Darius Dickson Ishaku seemed to be the right man for the job. This is owing to the fact that he had been a lecturer and Minister of Power, Environment and the Niger Delta Affairs.

Coming from the southern part Taraba that had not produced a governor, since creation of the state in 1991, was also a factor that endeared him to the people. Not surprisingly, the people spoke through the ballot, by giving him the mandate to steer the state away from its present socioeconomic predicament.

At his swearing-in ceremony, Ishaku gave a moving speech, saying his mission was to rescue Taraba from ruin.

At the stadium, where the historic event was held, the audience clapped with enthusiasm, in acknowledgement of the fact that they made the right decision.

But, the governor must tackle the following challenges, if he is to fulfill his campaign promises.

Debt burden Ishaku inherited a virtually empty treasury. The state bequeathed him by Abubakar Sani Danladi is one weighed down by debts running into billions of naira. Danladi was deputy to former Governor Danbaba Suntai, but was impeached under questionable circumstances. He took over the helms in November 2014, after he was reinstated by the Supreme Court. His principal had been incapacitated, following a plane crash in 2012.

A breakdown of the debts include: N9.5 billion overdraft, N5.6 billion term loan and another N2.7 billion unpaid cheques to various ministries and contractors. There is also some liabilities and claims that sum up to over N20 billion.

Before his exit, Danladi stated that his administration inherited the debts from sacked Acting Governor Garba Umar, who is still being accused of “looting Taraba blind”. Umar allegedly committed this blunder, while working desperately to succeed the ailing Suntai as the substantive governor.

In a state where the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) usually end up in private pockets and where the state relies on the statutory allocation from the federal government, there is often nothing left to develop the state. Taraba is so broke today that it is aptly top-ranked as the poorest state in Nigeria. This is despite its huge tourism and agricultural potentials and other natural endowments.

A corollary to this is that government activities have been crippled and small-scale businesses have been paralysed for about two years and nine months. So, how is Ishaku going to cope in the face of the biting financial crisis? Danladi in his handover speech described the financial status of Taraba as “very terrible.”

Danladi added during the ceremony that the task that would confront his successor is onerous. He said: “When I was away because of my impeachment and my boss Danbaba Suntai was involved in an air crash, a new government was put in place, which led to the gross misappropriation of the state’s resources for about 25 months.”

Ishaku acknowledged in his inaugural speech that the debt crisis may impede the implementation of his programme. He said: “In spite of all the potentials and natural endowments, and in spite of the promises, I see the reality of a financially indebted state. I want to work but there is no money.”

He did not say how he intends to get around the problem.

The immediate past administration had planned to access a N30 billion bond to “revamp” the economy. An approval was sought at the state House of Assembly, but it was not given express approval. For now, the prospect of that huge loan facility is still in the pipelines.

Alhassan’s election petition Taraba is one of the states in the north where the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) managed to hang on to power. But, the All Progressives Congress (APC) standard bearer, Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan, who was the runners up in the election, is fervidly challenging the legitimacy of Ishaku’s elec-

•Governor Ishaku taking the oath of office in Jalingo, the state capital.

tion in the tribunal.

Alhassan has submitted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the PDP had colluded to doctor the results in favour of Ishaku. The APC flag bearer claims that the figures that gave Ishaku the victory were falsified. She said elections did not hold in some areas, while ballots stuffing and violence was the order of the day in other areas. She is praying the court to nullify the election and order a fresh one.

With this legal suit, Ishaku may be walking a tightrope. A month after he was sworn in to take the role of avatar in steering Taraba, he is yet to get down to business. Rather, the governor has contracted a team of lawyers whom he paid huge sums of money to defend him. But, the money is not sufficient offering: his legal counsels need his inputs and his prized time which he requires to concentrate on the business of governance. Alhassan enjoys the support of Governor Jibrilla Bindo of Adamawa State, former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, Taraba’s pioneer Governor Jolly Nyame and sacked Acting Governor Garba Umar, among others. Alhassan has constituted a paucity of media aides whose job it is to hoist any perceived wrongdoing by the Ishaku administration. And Alhassan is well known for virulent criticisms. Ishaku’s fate lies in the outcome of the tribunal judgment.

Ethno - religious crisis Clearly, ethnic and religious wars have exacted a mournful toll on the people of Taraba. Greater parts of south and central Taraba have been turned into killing fields, raising widespread security anxiety. The most affected councils are Gassol, Bali and Gashaka in the central zone and Wukari, Takum and Ibi in the southern part. The worst hit settlements include Tella, Sabongida, Borno-Kurukur, Mai Hulla, Gidin Dorowa, Dan-Anacha and Wukari, which is now a ghost town. The clashes are principally between Fulani herdsmen and Tiv farmers, Kuteb and Tiv, and Jukun Christians and Hausa-Fulani Muslims who have been killing one another, displacing hundreds of thousands in addition to destroying a number of homes.

At least 600,000 residents have been forced to flee their homestead, amid continuous violence that has claimed over 200,000 lives, with many others still missing. However, the enthusiasm to cast their ballots had clearly outstripped the agony and gloom

of bloodshed. This is perhaps due to the significance of election, being the only means through which people can choose their leaders; survivors who had fled from the state summoned the courage to return to exercise their franchise in April.

During the elections, survivors found their way to polling units, some of which were located right inside war-ravaged settlements.

Some of the voters were internally displaced persons taking refuge in stuffy relief camps. Some had fled from their destroyed homes, but returned to participate in the election that threw up Ishaku as the victor. Their lives have been ripped to shreds because of the wars. Their narrative is heart-rending and Ishaku owes them: one of his pledges was to end hostilities by brokering peace in the wartorn areas for them to return. He had promised them a “torrential rain of peace” during his house-to-house campaign.

Thus, on resumption of duty, the governor met with officials of the Muslims Council and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in his office to deliberate on the way forward. He also played host to opinion leaders among the Tivs, the Kutebs, the Jukuns and the Hausa-Fulanis who have virtually turned Taraba into Afghanistan. The governor also held meetings with traditional rulers. He tasked them during the meeting to ensure that peace prevails in their domains.

He said: “Let’s go back to the old system of taking statistics of visitors coming into a chief’s domain, to guarantee security in your areas.” The implication is that a monarch would be held responsible for a crime committed in his domain.

The traditional rulers were led by the Chairman,Taraba State Council of Chiefs, the Aku Uka, His Royal Majesty Dr. Shekarau Angyu Massa Ibi, who assured Ishaku of their readiness to support his administration. The attacks and killings are a great concern to the governor, who is anxious to see Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) return to their homes. He has also sought the support of Governors Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa and Simon Lalong of Plateau on border crisis. He is to constitute a “Civilian Joint Task Force,” (CJTF), to assist in boosting security across the 16 local government areas of the state.

But, despite all these efforts, there seen to be no sign of truce in sight. Only last week, some three men were axed to death, while working on their farm in a district of central Taraba. The broad • Continued on page 10

10

THE NATION FRIDAY JULY 24, 2015

With the wind of change in the country, Kogi state ‘cannot afford to remain behind in the scheme of things.

The PDP has been rejected nationally for failing us ’

POLITICS Group rallies support for Kogi APC governorship aspirant

A

GROUP, Bello Support Organisation (BSO), has thrown his weight behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

The group said Bello would launch the state into a new era of development and empowerment, if given the opportunity to serve.

Speaking during a mobilisation visit to Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, a leader of the group, Andrew Adeniyi said this is the time to free the state from the “shackles of failure and underdevelopment.”

Adeniyi said: “BSO is an organisation that is committed to the development of Kogi State. We can’t expect a different result if we keep recycling old hands who have lost touch with modern realities of governance. We have presented to Kogi People, a 21st Century leader who is versed in development economics, a pragmatic industrialist and employer of labour, a detribalize Kogite who is a believer in the hope

Aji defects to APC •Senator blames Jonathan for PDP’s woes

S

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

for a greater Kogi state.

“With the wind of change in the country, Kogi state cannot afford to remain behind in the scheme of things. The PDP has been rejected nationally for failing us. But we must ensure the best material is used to remove Kogi from becoming the only North Central state under PDP. He added: “Alhaji Yahaya Bello has promised to reinvent our state, make it the food basket of the nation. He has pledged to use our nodal situation to make Kogi State the centre of commerce in Nigeria.

It is a shame that Kogi is relying on Federal Allocation to pay workers with all the water and mineral resources at our disposal.

“We are here today to herald the good news of hope. We are here today to present the agenda of the symbol of unity to our people. We are here today to assure our people that our Messiah has come who will

•Bello liberate us from hopelessness.”

He urged Kogites to re-enact the “Buhari phenomenon” in the next governorship election in the state, saying, “the time for change is now”.

He also hailed the people for their unalloyed support for the aspirant, saying it is an indication of the “unimpeachable resolve of the Kogi people for meaningful change”.

Tough challenges for Ishaku • Continued from page 9 daylight attacks and killings appear to be another resurgence of fierce hostilities in the land. But, more worrisome is the realisation that many homes belonging to the IDPs have been taken over by their attackers who are reluctant to vacate the homes. This means no meaningful development can be achieved in these areas, as the people cannot sheathe their swords to embrace peace. To borrow from Pope John Paul II, “violence will kill what is intended to create.”

Forming cabinet This is his formative and perhaps, most onerous huddle to cross. The calibre of people who would end up as his commissioners and advisers would make him to succeed or fail.

How many ministries will he create?

And what yardstick is he using to assemble his disciples? If his commissioners are committed technocrats in their fields, with requisite experience, he would be able to deliver good governance that would meet the aspirations of the electorate. This also depends on his blueprint, which must track on security, education, agriculture, infrastructure, youth employment and revenue generation.

Ishaku in his appointments must look beyond the idea of rewarding party loyalists who helped him to win

the election. Most of the people who had worked in the state executive council in past did not have the infrastructure of ideas to analyse government policies and advise the helmsman on the right path. Before the plane crash incapacitated him, Suntai was perceived as a modest performer. But, he crammed his cabinet with those that had nothing to offer him. One of his former commissioners, Augustine Katakata, did not know how to write a memo. He barely completed a tenure without raising any memo. When Suntai drew his attention to it, he could only talk about “cattle market.” If these are the calibre of commissioners that would populate Ishaku’s cabinet, then he is bound to fail. To succeed, as he stated in his inaugural speech, his appointments must be made on “meritocracy and not on nepotism and favouritism.” He must opt for “sincerity of purpose over bickering.” The pressure on him for lucrative appointments is now enormous. The old war horses are badly pressing for reappointment; new bloods are desperately seeking to be injected into the system too. He has a horde of classmates, family relatives and political allies, particularly those who have remained loyal during the ‘struggle,’ to recompense.

The governor is already at a crossroads; he is torn between being an independent-minded leader and be-

ing a puppet to those that assisted him to become governor.

Already, his make-to-do list is stirring up a controversy. The governor has asked the stakeholders of each local government area to forward 10 names from their councils for the appointments of commissioners, advisers and board members. There are 16 local government areas, and some politicians have faulted the idea on grounds that qualified persons did not make the list.

For now, Ishaku has made only a few appointments: a Secretary to the State Government (SSG), his Aide de camps (ADC), Chief Security Officer (CSO), Chief Details, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, as well as a Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to work with him. It is too early to criticise or to applaud the appointments.

But, morning tells the day, as the saying goes. How he starts would give an idea of how he would end up.

Degenerated bureaucracy The bureaucracy in Taraba is nothing but that of disenchanted and degenerated system. The public service here is an oversized one, where people are no longer interested in manning their posts, except in departments of accounts where the officers have created conduit pipes for draining the state’s treasury. Officially, no employment has been made by the

ENATOR Abba Aji has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Aji, who served as Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters to the late President Umaru Yar’adua, told reporters in Maiduguri after his defection that Jonathan was responsible for the failure of the PDP at the polls.

The former PDP stalwart and his supporters were received by the APC Secretary, Hon. Bello Ayuba, at the APC campaign office.

According to him, PDP is dead in Borno State, adding that, “former President Jonathan, who was the major benefactor of the PDP, chose to kill the party for his selfish interest”.

He said the PDP under Dr. Jonathan was characterised by “indiscipline, corruption and lack of patriotism, not only among members of the party, but among government officials and political appointees”. He added: “This situation made Nigerians lost hope and decided to not to give their votes to the PDP at the na-

From Duku JOEL, Maiduguri

tional level, but to massively vote President Muhammad Buhari on the platform of the ruling APC and I am sure Nigerians will never regret voting for the APC.” Aji, who unfolded his intention to contest the senatorial seat, following the demise of Senator Zanna, said he has all it takes to fill the vacuum. He prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased senator.

He blamed the Boko Haram crisis on unemployment, abject poverty and injustice.

As the fulcrum around which his machinery of government will oscillate.

His success or failure would depend on how he tackles the civil service civil service commission in the last 20 years (the state is about 25 years old). Yet, many appointments have been made through replacement and other means. Sources said the number of ghost workers on the state’s pay roll is worrisome.

On this note, Ishaku has disclosed he would overhaul the state civil service, to reposition it for functionality.

“We shall examine the staffing, the anomalies and the capacity gaps; we shall reconsider the funding arrangement of the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs),” he said.

Government always depend much on the pragmatic experience and proficiency of civil servants to succeed. If Ishaku means his words, he must “overhaul the civil service, make sure it braces up to take its pride of place” as the fulcrum around which his machinery of government will oscillate. His success or failure would depend on how he tackles the civil service.

Poor social infrastructure

At the time Ishaku was handed the truncheon of power, no health facility of government was functional as it is supposed to be. The hospitals do not have qualified staff, nurses and doctors and there are shortage of beds and drugs. The structures and facilities are dilapidated. This has sent many patients to early graves. The doctors, insufficient as they are, rarely go the hospitals; they only report for duty once or twice a week. “They spend the greater time running their private clinics. They (doctors) have been complaining that their salaries and emoluments are not motivating,” a hospital source said.

The educational sector in Taraba is another sad story. It starts with the quality of teachers, the students and of course the structures: all in dismal state. This is another serious challenge for the new governor who was quoted as saying: “I see the reality in the decline and deterioration in the quality of education and the depletion of qualified teachers in Taraba.”

Poverty •Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (2nd left), Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu (1st left), President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Ayuba Wabba and his Deputy, Comrade Najeen Usman Yasin after a courtesy visit to the Senate President at the National Assembly, Abuja…yesterday.

•Aji

“I see the reality of a swelling army of unemployed youths.” That was Ishaku’s admission in his inaugural

speech. Youth unemployment will be an albatross to his government, because excruciating pains of disease and mass poverty pervade the land.

Most of the youth are not employable; they do not have the required credentials for employment. Some graduates with credible certificates are roaming the streets, without an idea of how they would make ends meet; their poor parents are patching a desolate life at home. This has given birth to another challenge: social insecurity.

According to observers, endless groups of young men and women troop to drinking joints every evening, to while away the time.

Most of them do not buy drinks at the joints. One of such observers said: “They come with hard drugs in their bags and pockets as dinner.

Upon feasting on these drugs, a vitriolic argument is ensued and you will see them lurching at one another in senseless fights.

“High crime rate has been high in Taraba, plus teenage prostitution which often results to unwanted pregnancies and its attendant child abuse.”

Expectations The governor had seen the gloomy picture posed by these challenges.

And he was honest enough to open up on these challenges when he stated in his inaugural address: “these challenges are stumbling over each other, indicating a crisis. And with these looming crises in the horizon, it will be impossible to attain the vision, accomplish the campaign promises and rescue the state.”

The governor has said he cannot fix Taraba alone and that everyone must join hands together to surmount the challenges, which are genuine, serious and numerous.”

He added: “In the days ahead, a lot of sacrifices will be made to restore the soul of Taraba State. Emotional investment would be required of all patriotic citizens.”

For now, Ishaku, who is still searching for capable hands to bring into the cabinet, has not solved any of these problems. He is “assessing and consulting widely.” The people want him to get on the move to rescue Taraba as he had pledged during his campaign.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

11 ‘The present challenges we are facing should not deter us from growing our economy. It shouldn’t stop us from investing. It’s just a passing phase. Other countries that we refer to as developed started from somewhere’ •President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote

NLC to National Assembly: explain bloated budget • Saraki challenges workers to play their role T HE Nigeria Labour Con gress (NLC) yesterday asked the leadership of the National Assembly to explain how its annual budget jumped from N23.347 billion in 2003 to N154.2 billion in 2015.

The labour body also said the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) should tell Nigerians how it fixed the salaries and allowances of “certain political, public and judicial office holders” numbering 17,474 at N1.126 trillion yearly.

NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba stated this when the leadership of the Congress visited the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, in Abuja.

Wabba said the congress was concerned about the lack of openness and transparency in the budget of the National Assembly, adding that Nigerians are concerned and interested in knowing how the National Assembly’s budget, which stood at N23.347 billion in 2003 rose to N66.488 billion in 2007, and climbed to N104.825 bil-

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Asst.

Editor and Grace Obike, Abuja

lion in 2008.

He said under the former Senate President, David Mark, the budget of the National Assembly reached an all-time high of N154.2 billion.

Wabba said as far back as 2009, the RMAFC put the salaries and Allowances of “Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office holders numbering 17,474 at N1.126 trillion yearly, implying that the earnings of political office holders account for a big drain on the revenue of the country and are clearly unsustainable, he stressed.

He said with what is in operation, a Senator and a Representative earn more than 100 times what a graduate on grade level 8, step 15 earns yearly, pointing out that the ratio, when compared with what a level 17, step 9 officer in the federal civil service earns annually, it is more than 20 times.

On high cost of governance he said: “Your Excellency, another area in our democratic

practice that we have serious cause to worry about, is the high cost of governance – from local, states and federal levels.

Some 15 years or so ago when the RMAFC fixed salaries of councilors at N150,000 per month, then more than the salary of a university professor, many well-meaning Nigerians kicked against the unreasonableness of such a remuneration package.

“Information available to us indicates that as far back as 2009, the RMAFC put the salaries and Allowances of “Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office holders numbering 17,474 at N1.126 trillion annually.

“This indicates that the earnings of political office holders were such a big drain on the revenue of the country and were clearly unsustainable.

The level of financial expenditure is such that a Senator and a Representative earn more than 100 times what a

• From left: Area Manager, Skye Bank Plc Ibadan, Femi Feinde; one of the Winners of N100,000 category, Adebowale Sulyman Adesina and Head, Retail Banking Group, Skye Bank Plc, Nkolika Okoli at the bank’s ”Reach For The Skye” Reward Scheme raffle draw in Bodija International Market, Ibadan.

Pearson to sell Financial Times to Nikkei for $1.3b P EARSON PLC yester day said it would sell FT Group, which includes the Financial Times newspaper, to Nikkei Incorporated of Japan for £844 million ($1.32 billion).

The cash sale to the Japanese business publisher means Pearson is jettisoning one of its flagship media assets to sharpen its focus on its key education businesses.

For years, London-based Pearson—which generates about 60 per cent of its sales in North America and three-quarters of its revenue from education—had rejected talk it would sell its salmon-colored, businessfocused title.

However, Pearson Chief Executive John Fallon, said yesterday afternoon that after nearly 60 years of ownership, “we’ve reached an inflection point in media, driven by the explosive growth of mobile and social. In this new environment, the best way to ensure the FT’s journalistic and commercial success is for it to be part of a global, digital news company.”

The agreement doesn’t include FT Group’s London property at

One Southwark Bridge or Pearson’s 50% stake in the Economist Group but does include its joint venture with Russian business newspaper Vedomosti. The transaction is subject to a number of regulatory approvals and is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2015, Pearson said.

Pearson’s long-standing former chief executive, the American-born Marjorie Scardino, reshaped the company from a sprawling conglomerate that included the Madame Tussauds wax museums and a stake in a television production company into an education specialist. But during her 16-year tenure, which ran through 2012, Ms. Scardino was clear that she would reject any proposal to separate Pearson and the Financial Times, which she once said would be sold “over my dead body.”

Mr. Fallon—a company veteran who led Pearson’s education businesses outside North America before succeeding Mrs. Scardino at the start of 2013—also has repeatedly called the news group and its growing reader-

ship integral to the company’s commercial and strategic vision.

Those past statements of intent from Pearson countered calls for the London-based company to sell the units and use the capital to advance its higher-growth education businesses, either by plowing investment into new digital teaching technologies or deals in emerging economies.

The Financial Times increased its circulation in 2014 by 10 per cent year-over-year to almost 720,000 across print and online.

Digital subscriptions rose 21 per cent to almost 504,000—70 per cent of the FT’s total paying audience.

Although Mr. Fallon had openly questioned the future of Pearson’s stake in the Economist Group, which publishes the Economist magazine, the company seems committed to keeping it for now. The publisher’s 2014 performance was hurt by currency effects, but the magazine’s circulation remains robust at 1.6 million, Pearson said in February.

graduate on grade level 8, step 15 earns annually. The ratio, when compared to what a level 17, step 9 officer in the federal civil service earns annually, was more than 20 times.

Replying, Saraki said workers should play their part in the war against corruption to which the present administration in the country has committed itself, stating that the Senate under his leadership is ready to work for Nigerians despite the erroneous impression being propagated by some persons outside the Senate.

He insisted that it is time for workers to help the government to succeed in decisively tackling the corruption menace once and for all.

He noted that while the Senate has interacted with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), it also intends to engage the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to look at the areas where the National Assembly can assist to ensure that the fight against corruption is efficiently prosecuted with positive results that will be glaring for to see.

Saraki said past excuses will

no longer be tolerated since the country now has the right leadership with avowed political will to fight corruption.

He said: “We in the Eight Senate have said there will be zero tolerance for the issue of corruption. Corruption is one issue slowing down development and some of the problems we are embarking on - whether you talk about our refineries not working, you talk of the issue of fuel subsidy, you talk about the high cost of governance, everything you talked about comes back to this issue of corruption and I think it is time for all of us, those of us in the National Assembly, the Executive and the workers to show serious commitment.

“This should not be ahead linegrabbing approach because at the end of the day, you are workers, when you talk about oil theft, we have Nigerian workers at the terminals who surely must know when this thing is going on. Every where that there is corruption, some workers are there either participating or observing. We now have a great opportunity to win the war against corruption because we have a leadership led by President Muhammadu Buhari that

we believe has the political will to do the right thing.

“We are assuring you that at the executive side, we have elected the President that will do it well. I am making the commitment on behalf of the National Assembly and myself that we are committed to fighting corruption. If you remember, I was the one that singlehandedly in 2011 opened the lid on the fuel subsidy scam that everybody is talking about now.

“But at the end of the day, who are those people working in these places. They are Nigerian workers. They are not workers from anywhere else.

So, I think I will also throw the challenge, now that we are getting the message that the political leadership is ready to take on this thing called corruption. I think we need the cooperation of our workers who know it all. They see it happen and when you look at the anti-corruption agencies, with all due respect, you will find out that 80 per cent of some of the cases are cases at the state level.

“You hardly see where people who are the real engine room which is the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation or where most of these corruption cases on oil are being put on trial.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

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THE NATION

BUSINESS BRANDS & MARKETING

e-mail: adedejiademigbuji@yahoo.com /mobile line: 08131075667

NB: Star Triple X herbal beer inspired by I consumer research

NCORPORATING the ‘voice of the consumer’ to develop new product has been identified as a critical success factor for product development. However, this consumer insight is often ignored by some brands when configuring new product for the market.

In the Brewery sector, some products have been launched and their successes in the market have been connected with deep consumer insight.

Guinness Orijin and Nigerian Brewery (NB) Ace Roots continue to jostle for the market share as a result of the fact that they are developed out of consumer request for such experience. A new product has been developed by NB after a consumer research revealed that there is need for a herbal beer beyond the usual ready-to-drink herbal drink.

Branded, Star Triple X, the brewery giant considered the new offering as “Nigeria’s first beer with extra benefits”.

While industry observers do not understand the need for such product after the same brand owner had launched a herbal drink, Ace Root,

Stories by Adedeji Ademigbuji

the brewer, said the introduction of Star Triple X is borne out of consumer need discovered after a painstaking research.

The brand owners said it embarked on the research by asking consumers what else it could do for them. The Senior Brand Manager, Star, N B Plc., Mr. Chidike Oluaoha said:“We are in a consumer inspired and brand led business. At every particular point in time, we go the extra mile to ensure that we provide superior satisfaction to our consumers. And one way we try to do that is to always check with them to know what they want.

“To know if what they have currently is enough, if there is something extra they would want. We asked the question find out in our usual way of checking with our consumers, what more the consumers want. And that question elicited one answer from them and that

answer is, we want Extra! So our consumers told us that they want extra.

“They love our beer, they love the portfolio of brands that we have because Nigerian Breweries Plc is renowned for its portfolio of great brands. Our esteemed consumers love and trust our brands, but they want more, they want extra! And they also trust that Nigerian Breweries has the credibility to give them what they want.

“When we probed deeper, we got more insights into what we needed to do. And that gave birth to Star Triple X. The Triple X in the name stands for Extra Smooth, Extra Strong and Extra African Herbs. We know that Nigeria is big on herbs.

Nigerians believe that herbs have medicinal and health benefits.”

Accordingly, the herbal beer contains 14 extra African herbs, including bitter kola, kola nut and ginger. This makes it the first-ever beer brand in Africa produced

with African herbs. The innovative brew was unveiled at the Polo Park Mall, Enugu. The Star Triple X beer launch, according to the brand handlers, was dedicated to consumers as the brand constructed an Experience Centre to enable scores of visitors connect with the new brew.

Supporting the launch with activations, a gigantic mock Star Triple X bottle was also built. It measured 70 feet from the ground, making it the biggest bottle ever constructed in Nigeria. The huge bottle could be sighted afar by people approaching the Polo Park Mall and its environs.

Visitors, who witnessed the launch, were taken through the process of brewing Star Triple X at the Experience Centre. The ambience of a brewery was simulated, complete with mild sprinkling of water and bubbles, which are essential components of beer. The screen also beamed a mini-documentary, which revealed the brewing process and ingredients for the product.

The highlight of the Experience Centre tour was when consumers finally got to taste Star Triple X. Obinna Chukwuemeka, a Civil Servant, who was at the centre, described his experience as amazing.

He said: “I was in the office when

I heard on radio that one of Nigeria’s biggest brands would unveil something extraordinary this evening at this venue. It was only when I got here that I realised that the event was about a new product, Star Triple X. I just came out of the Experience Centre and, indeed, it was astonishing. More importantly, I tasted the beer and it was superb. I have switched to this new brand henceforth.”

Also, Uche Anyaebe, an aspiring Nollywood actor, described his time at the Experience Centre as unforgettable. He said: “I have been to some product launches, but the Star Triple X unveil was a brand new experience for me. We were taken through the journey of the production of Star Triple X and I felt as if I was in a brewery.

I learnt a lot about Star Triple X today, and I have also tasted it.

As they said, this beer is extra smooth, extra strong with extra African herbs.”

Shedding more light on the uniqueness and extra benefits of new Star Triple X, Oluaoha said the product is made of 100 per cent barley, which makes it extra smooth, while its 5.5 per cent alcoholic volume makes it extra strong. He added that 14 African herbs were selected for its production, thus affirming the beer’s status the first of its kind in Africa.

Meanwhile, an industry observer said the herbal beer launch would further stiffen competition in the new market, which has continued to grow in recent time.

CSR: Airtel opens adopted school

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• From left: Brand Manager, Star, Omotunde Adenusi; Sales Director, Hubert Eze and Senior Brand Manager, Star, Chidike Oluaoha at the launch of Star Triple X, in Enugu.

Nigeria’s first outdoor media specialist service ital, as we understand where and OSTERSCOPE, the world’s leading out-of-home commu- makes its debut when consumers are searching for

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nication agency, has launched its Nigerian office. Nigeria is the 32 nd market that Posterscope is venturing into globally and the third in Sub-Saharan Africa after South Africa and Kenya.

To mark its entry into the market, Posterscope hosted advertising industry stakeholders to a full day thought leadership conference at Protea Hotel Ikeja, Lagos, where Posterscope experts from around the world shared knowledge and discussed how convergence and connection are defining the future of out-of-home media.

The conference, which was endorsed and co-sponsored by the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), attracted ad-

vertisers, media owners, regulatory agencies, media independents and creative agencies.

Speaking at a press briefing held before the thought leadership session, Posterscope Worldwide’s Global Insight Director, David Gordon, said Nigeria is a significant market for Posterscope and its multinational clients, adding: “the OOH space has never been so important for communicating to the always-on connected consumers, who are empowered to comment, search and buy throughout their OOH journey. The increasing availability of location data from mobile operators is leading to greater efficiency of OOH panel selection both static and dig-

specific product categories.”

The Managing Director of Posterscope Nigeria, Mr. Dan Oshodin, said: “Posterscope’s focus on putting the consumer at the heart of OOH planning will cause a significant shift in the way advertisers consider the medium, the catalyst for this is our imminent launch of OCS, Out-of-Home Consumer Survey, our consumer insight research that enables us to look at the OOH landscape through the lens of the consumer.”

Oshodin added: “OCS will help us create optimal plans and enable us determine the most efficient format/environment mix to engage consumers at the right time, in the right place and in the right mind set.”

IRTEL Nigeria has inaugurated its newly adopted school, Iyeru-Okin Primary School 1, Offa, Kwara State, under its Adopt-a-School Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) programme.

The Telco unveiled the school’s renovated blocks of classrooms and donated toilet facilities, borehole for potable water, 400 school bags, 1,400 note books, 400 uniforms, packs of pen, among other items.

Speaking at the event, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, said the Telco recognised the interest of the state government in uplifting the standard of education in Kwara State and is therefore, pleased to partner with the government and people.

According to Ogunsanya, who was represented by the Company’s Chief Sales Officer, Godfrey Efeurhobo, education is the bedrock of development of a nation and the best place to start is at the formative stage of children, noting that the government has taken various initiatives in this direction but has often not reached the poorest section of the

society.

He added that Airtel is committed to enriching the lives of key stakeholders in the communities it operates in, noting that the telco will continue to create opportunities to uplift underprivileged kids through its various CSR programmes.

The new primary school will join four other Airtel adopted primary schools spread across Nigeria, namely Oremeji Primary School II, Ajegunle, Lagos State; St. John’s Primary School, Oke-Agbo, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State; Community Primary School, Amumara, Imo State and Presbyterian Primary School, Ediba, Cross River State.

While commending Airtel’s Adopt-a-School programme, Kwara Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Lamid Alabi, noted that Airtel’s CSR initiative connects with the state educational infrastructure development programme.

Head Teacher of the school, Mrs. Bambe Beatrice while praising Airtel for transforming the school noted that the plight of pupils and teachers in the school has been addressed by Airtel.

Agencies hold 42nd AGM in Osogbo

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HE Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria’s, AAAN’s, 42nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Congress, which began yesterday would end tomorrow in Osogbo, Osun State.

Its President, Mr. Kelechi Nwosu, said the theme: “Nigeria advertising, what next”, was to further provide a professional platform for a truly intellectual and practical discourse on the need for the tripod of the Adver-

tising practice to further understand the emerging business issues and its effect on business relationship.

New members of the Association, Interactive Media Limited, 7even Interactive Limited and Agile Communications Limited will also be inducted during the Gala Nite.

Traditionally, the association’s executive board members are usually elected during the congress.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

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Skills enhancement in agribusiness to improve productivity and attract more investment makes internships on farms important. Experts say a robust and practical farm experience, which exposes students to modern farming techniques, is vital to achieving bumper food production, DANIEL ESSIET writes.

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USUFF Gbenga is a young agro entrepreneur, who grows maize and other pro-

duce.

The skills acquired and the support he received while on internship on the farm have made him to see farming as a lucrative business.

While on internship, he was trained in best crop husbandry and integrated pest management practices. He learnt about soil testing, was exposed to vegetable and fruit farming, plant protection and soil conservation. He was joined by other students, who hope to make a living from farming.

The experience, he told The Nation, has helped him to be more professional in the field. Today, he works across farms in the South-west, helping farmers to improve their farms.

He also helps them to work on business plans and find ways to increase their production.

He got firsthand experience and training that molded him to become a better agriculturist spending almost a year on the farm as part of his agro studies internship programme.

One big drawback to the programme, according to him, was accomodation, which was not provided as he had to come from the town to work on the farm.

Describing the programme, Gbenga said students get welltrained by staying on the farms for roughly a year.

Stressing the importance of farm experience, he said there is a need for young people to see the wide range of agric business enterprise, which encompasses production and distribution of food and other agricultural products.

While colleges and universities offer undergraduate and graduate programmes to foster transformation to the sector’s workforce, he said functional farm experience offers students the opportunity to learn about the complexities of agriculture and how to grapple with its challenges.

As agriculture is creating huge opportunities across the country, he said students can take advantage of internship to gather ideas and experience that will revolutionise the country’s agriculture sector. Having taken advantage of his farm experience internship, Gbenga is succeeding, representing the new crop of young agribusiness tycoons.

He owes a great deal to farm experience and home grown models of exceptional entrepreneurship in agriculture-rooted ventures. He now stands tall among his colleagues and his next move is to control the agro production from the farm to the table. By combining their hands-on farm experience with their educational training, a lot of young agro entrepreneurs have charted phenomenal growth trajectories.

Significantly, they have succeeded in fields where many corporate bodies had failed or are still limping.

Indeed, the common denominator in all the stories are practical farming experience, which has enabled them to take complete control over production.

Programme Coordinator, Farmers Development Union (FADU), Mr Victor Olowe, said young farmers must be informed, adaptable and be aware of challenges of farming.

He said agricultural apprenticeship scheme, where farmers live within the farms, provides the skills and expertise, which form a sound foundation for a life-long learning journey.

Inspiring new generation of farmers, professionals through internships

• Young farmers at Agric Yes Estate.

Olowe said practical application of farming knowledge is what drives success and agric educators should aim to train skilled agriculturalists for the job market.

To aid this, he said emphasis should be placed on students gaining practical experience in advanced farming techniques, as this will increase the level of commercial farming throughout the country.

He believes there is great potential in agribusiness and the young agric graduates have a role to not only make money, but create employment for others.

President, Lagos State Apex Fadama Community Association, Alhaji Mufutau Abiodun Oyelekan, said building strategic synergies within the private sector, the government, researchers and financiers to build the right support for small farmers, would be crucial in turning Nigeria into an agricultural power house.

He added that transforming agriculture into a profitable venture requires a support structure with stakeholders in the sector.

According to him, there is also the need to change the mindset of people to start looking at agriculture as a business, have the right people, and the right attitude in the sector.

This, he added, requires a functional national farm experience internship programme, which enables the students to look at farming as a business that can turn around the country’s fortunes and become a major foreign exchange earner.

Farming internships, according to him, presents an effective means of training the next generation of farmers to fill the production gap that will

soon be left by many retiring farmers. In return for helping many small and organic farms remain profitable, interns receive an extremely valuable educational experience, which teaches them the skills necessary to run their farms successfully. Without such an educational mechanism, the impending loss of truly capable growers could quickly threaten our national food supply and food security.

Oyelekan said there should be a national farming internship programme to play a critical role in educating the next generation of food producers, adding that banks and local governments will have to provide technical and financial support to agricultural SMEs and farmers acquire farms that can be used as demonstration facilities.

As part of the decisive steps to breed a new generation of agro-entrepreneur, create employment and ensure food security, Lagos State created the Agriculture Youth Empowerment Scheme (Agric-YES).

Trainees at the programme are housed in comfortable hostels with three meals daily and a monthly stipend from the Lagos State Agriculture Training Institute Araga, Poka.

They spent six months of their studies on intensive practical based training, centered on various farming areas, such as vegetables farming, Poultry, Acquaculture, Bee keeping and Agric Business.

The last six months are spent on the commercial farm of Agric-YES as interns.

The programme involves learning by doing, acquiring practical hands on experience alongside theoretical studies, using the most cutting edge

agricultural technologies available in a wide variety of fields.

Head of Project (Agric)/Chief Operation Officer, Huios Global Alliance Limited, Seyi Ifelaja, who spoke about his experience, said internship is a must and should be a prerequisite to the completion of any agricultural programme degree, diploma or certification.

“This affords agric graduates and specialists an understanding of the concepts and relationships that exist between them in the market place where they are practicing the trade. The opportunity for such internship exists all across the country and more can be created and existing ones fine tuned to deliver more gains. My first internship or apprenticeship opportunity that I benefited from was a student association, which I met on campus and joined. The “Student Farm Research Foundation-SFRF. “The SFRF carried out farm projects in animal husbandry, nutrition, production and healthcare, feed compounding, post-mortem analysis, marketing of farm produce, resource management and mobilisation etc. We had member students from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, which made the learning experience broad as we shared knowledge in practice.

Looking back at the way we operated, the opportunity can be opened even to all interested students irrespective of discipline as admission was non-discriminating,“ he said.

He continued: “We had farm land and space allocated by the university authorities for our projects and source assistance of corporate spon-

sors to establish poultry farms, piggery, smaller ruminants. Some of the animal stock were donated by farming firms such as Animal Care, Livestock Feeds and Chi Ltd. And some of us graduated from university with ready appointment at this agricultural firms. This was made possible because they saw what we were doing and could trust that we came into their establishment ready to contribute value.”

SFRF, according to him, was funded by students and other agribusiness organisations that they approached for sponsorship of their activities and projects.

He said the programme also affords students the opportunity of familiarising and exposing themselves to the needed experience in handling equipments and machinery that are usually not available in their institution.

His words: “My decision to farm later didn’t meet any opposition even though I was working in the financial sector (banking) at the time. I had a rice farm, maize farm, and cultivated yam tuber in Taraba State. I also had my poultry operation for a while, raising broiler chickens. Today my understanding of developing agricultural loan products and other financial products are borne not only from my understanding of agricultural concept, but my being comfortable in the agric space due to proper foundation laying through the various internship opportunities I was able to avail.”

According to him, it is a fundamental step towards agricultural modernisation and value addition for Nigeria.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

Embrace farming, women urged

Soil map ’ll aid farmers’ T income, says expert A

DETAILED national digital soil map will impact on agricultural output and farmers’ income, an expert, Dr Olufemi Oladunmi, has said.

Oladunmi, who is Director of Studies, Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Ilorin, Kwara State, said indiscriminate use of fertiliser has deteriorated soil health. To prevent unbalanced use of fertiliser, Oladunmi said the industry needs precise soil information.

While increasing use of fertiliser will play a key role in increasing crop productivity, he said farmers’ rampant use of fertilisers could endanger the nation’s abil-

Stories by Daniel Essiet

ity to feed itself. He called for measures to help farmers make higher yields through access to improved seed varieties, irrigation and fertilisers.

According to him, soils can be ruined through overuse of fertiliser, as its mis use can led to decreasing productivity.

A harmonious use of fertiliser, he stressed, is essential to increase productivity and keep soil health in good condition.

With a national soil map in place, farmers, he said, can benefit from soil health diagnosis and advice on crop yields as it is built from samples taken from across the country

with nutrient levels analysed.

He noted that the agric sector needs an accurate information on the state of nation’s soil, farmers and researchers’ data to address soil deficient in nutrients.

The map, according to him, pinpoints areas where soils are at risk, and identify the types of mineral and organic nutrient sources needed to increase crop yields.

Besides, it display soil capacities and constraints, which characterise tropical soil.

He urged the government to look at unbalanced use of fertilisers as they deteriorate soil health, affect agricultural outputs and farmers’ income.

• People producing Palm Oil in Okubuchi-Irruan, Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State.

O boost the Federal Government’s food sufficiency initiative, Managing Director of Harvesters Farm Limited Olusola Umoru has called for more youth and women involvement in agriculture.

Describing agriculture as a lucrative venture, Umoru said many are complaining of unemployment could be engaged by turning their backyards into profitable farmland.

According to Umoru, over N200 million is locked up daily and about N1.8 billion monthly in the agricultural sector. She said a lot is being spent on feeding alone, with an average of N100 per meal, by about 20 million Nigerians.

She asked why people should be crying of poverty while there is so much money waiting to be picked in agriculture.

She charged the youth to stop searching for white collar jobs, but see the opportunities that lies in the sector.

Umoru said rather than leave agriculture to the ageing population who are tired and “on their way out,” youths should be involved in securing the food sufficiency drive.

She made the call at a business forum for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), organised by Iaspire business blog, in Lagos.

Umoru, Nigeria’s most successful female farmer and consultant to many global agricultural organisations, advised business owners to confront challenges, as most of them are opportunities waiting to be tapped.

She said successful businessmen are innovators, who succeeded by thinking outside the box.

She said: “We cannot continue to depend on the government for everything, there is a role for the government in terms of infrastructure, good environment, good policy framework, but they cannot get the work done for us so we need to get involved.”

She said people should try and do something instead of depending on free assistance. Umoru advised the youths to always find something to do and do it dili-

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

gently, adding that the world is going global and some people may have to lose their job.

Another entrepreneur and Managing Director, Quad Hydrocarbon Limited, Obilo Ogbonna, lamented the high cost of doing business in Nigeria, saying that sourcing business information through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is cumbersome.

“It is easier to register a company in Ghana and get any information concerning all the operators in any sector than in Nigeria,” he said.

He noted that data collection on businesses in the country is a major challenge for start-ups who aspire to grow.

Sourcing for such information in some other countries like the UK, US, Ghana and some other countries, he said, is easier compared to Nigeria because they have adequate data on businesses.

“Business owners do not have information on all competitors in the country and this makes it difficult some t i m e s . T h e r e s h o u l d b e more forum like this to mentor people, who want to start their business in Nigeria, so that they would understand how the system works,” he said.

Ogbonna, who lamented the continued poor state of the power sector, called for more liberalisation of the sector and a level playing field to allow more private people to come in.

The organiser of the event and founder, Iaspire business blog, Mercy Makinde, said she decided to embark on the project to provide a mentorship platform for people who want to start their own business.

She said the idea of the forum was to bring together successful entrepreneurs to mentor young people aspiring to go into businesses.

Makinde called on youths to be committed in whatever they are involved in adding that they should be involved in what ever will help drive the economy instead of complaining of the poor state of the nation’s economy.

FADAMA III: Boosting rice, generating employment

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IRST, it was the immediate past Minister for Agriculture, who is the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina, who declared at the National Assembly that about $30 billion has been lost by Nigeria due to abuse and lack of transparency in waivers on rice importation during the era of Goodluck Jonathan.

A few weeks ago, the National Assembly directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure that the said $30 billion is recovered and returned to the Federation Account by ensuring that importers of rice, who manipulated the process and evaded payment of importation duty, are made to pay the sum in full.

However, the above scenario is like scratching the problem of rice production and food sufficiency in Nigeria on the surface, just like treating leprosy with medicated soap.

What led to the waiver scandal or Ricegate was the inability of Nigerian rice farmers to meet local demand for the staple food. Rice could be said to be the most consumed staple food in Nigeria today. It is estimated that about N1 billion worth of rice is consumed daily in Nigeria.

There is no doubt that such huge level of demand provides immense opportunities for the production of rice and other activities along its

By Tayo Adewunmi

value chain. This was the opportunities that foreign countries producing rice have seen and which informed the off-loading of rice from their stores into the country, which Adesina described as “rice that has spent decades in the strategic grain reserve of these countries and that is not even fit for animal consumption”.

Adesina has been vociferous in his campaign that locally produced rice are more nutritious.

It was, therefore, a pleasant step in the right and realistic direction when the World Bank, through FADAMA, identified rice as a priority staple food for support under the $200 million FADAMA III Additional Financing (AF), which is aimed, among others, at ramping up production and increasing income of farmers operating within the catchment of the selected states and other production areas engaged in priority staple foods, namely: rice, cassava, sorghum, and horticulture in Kogi, Kano, Lagos, Niger, Enugu and Anambra states.

The details of the implementation arrangement are outlined in the amended Subsidiary Agreement of the Parent Project satisfactory in form and substance to the Association. The amended subsidiary agree-

ment has to be executed on behalf of the recipient and the participating state concerned, as a condition of disbursement of additional finance in respect of activities taking place in that state.

Lagos State has been selected for rice production under the current project because of the success stories of FADAMA parent projects in the “State of aquatic splendour”, the cooperation of the state government in prompt payment of its counterpart funding of the projects, and the establishment of Eko Rice Mills by the state government at ImotaIkorodu, with a capacity of 20, 000 metric tons per annum.

About 400 farmers are being prepared for the rice planting season in Lagos State under the FADAMA III Additional Finance Project for which the Federal and Lagos State governments recently signed a $25 million agreement.

Lagos State has a huge market, not only because of its daily increasing population, but because the states of Southwest rely mainly on the Lagos market for the sales and purchase of agricultural produce. It is, therefore, a commendable foresight for the World Bank and the Federal Government to have picked Lagos State for this special support.

A visit of the Imota factory of Eko

Rice Mills, which is producing unpolished rice, revealed state-ofthe-art equipment, in a hygiene and safety-conscious environment.

The rice being produced is very nutritious and packed in bags of five, 25 and 50 killogrammes. The mill is sourcing materials/paddy from two farm sites in Toga, Badagry and Itokin, all in Lagos State.

The AF, apart from boosting production and raising income of farmers, is also creating employment in Lagos and neighbouring states. For example, a 10,000 hectares of land has been acquired in Ogun State for rice farming to feed the Eko Rice Mills.

Lagos State government has also introduced Rice-for-Job Programme, which is a sort of empowerment programmes for youths, who are encouraged to go into rice farming. Every year, according to the Management Information System Officer for state FADAMA office in Lagos, Mr. Oladipo Azeez, the youth are trained in rice production and at the end of the training; they are supported by FADAMA with technical and financial aids, and advisory services to go into rice production and start their farms.

About 3,000 youths participate in the programme, while rice planta-

tions have been established in Itokin, Egua, Imota and Badagry on the basis of one hectare of land per farmer.

The Eko Rice Mills, manned by indigenous Engineers, has been enjoying the yearly patronage of the Lagos State government, especially during festive periods. The patronages from other individuals and organisations have increased tremendously, as the people have been educated and informed that locally produced rice are more nutritious, better and even cheaper than the imported ones.

Mr. Azeez said: “We don’t even know how many years the imported rice has spent in their stores and how many months on the sea before getting to our markets and finally the consumers. Our rice here is farm-fresh. This is last year’s harvest.”

For example, a pack 500g of imported rice bought from one of the stores, when tested, the quality was below that of Eko Rice Mills, and worse still, it was sold for N1,500, whereas the 5kg pack of Eko Rice goes for N1,000.

So, it does make a lot of economic sense to grow, patronise and consume local rice, just as FADAMA III Additional Financing for Lagos rice farmers makes a lot of development sense.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

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THE NATION

BUSINESS LABOUR

Labour threatens action over lawmakers ‘jumbo allowances’ P

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RGANISED labour has asked the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to review the compensation structure, which provides outrageous allowances for members of the National Assembly (NASS). It also called on Nigerians to prepare to occupy RMAFC office if it failed to do the needful.

The Secretary-General of the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), Comrade Issa Aremu, who spoke in Lagos, said most former governors, who are now senators, are still unacceptably collecting prohibitive pensions while still drawing on state purse, collecting salaries and allowances as serving senators.

Aremu said: “We commend President Muhammadu Buhari for the sensitivity in reducing his pay by 50 per cent. However, there is the need for sacrifices beyond this presidential symbolic pay cut. One, it is debatable if the President, who pays for nothing from toothpick to presidential jets needs millions of naira as salary’’.

He said the best way to honour Cabral, is to call on African leaders to selflessly serve their people and

Stories by Toba Agboola

that there is nowhere with self-serving leaders like Nigeria.

“The eighth NASS was inaugurated on June 9, by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

So far, they have only sat for four days in the last five weeks. Meanwhile, they have collected all the prohibitive allowances that shamelessly include wardrobe allowances for work not done in a country in which many workers are not paid for months for work done,” Aremu observed.

He pointed out that it will take a minimum wage earner about two years and five months to earn what legislators earn as wardrobe allowance of N506,600.

“We must stop multiple remunerations for few ruling elite while one legitimate pay is denied the workers,” he said.

The labour leader lamented that in variance with the 1999 Constitution, there has been illegal and unconstitutional concentration of scarce national resources in the hands of the legislators, as against Section 13 which mandated, “(a) the promotion of a planned and balanced economic development;

“(b) that the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good; and (c) that the economic system is not operated in such a manner as to permit the concentration of wealth or the means of production and exchange in the hands of few individuals or of a group.”

Aremu, who is also the Chairperson of the Industrial Global Union, Sub-Saharan Africa Region, said governorship should not be pensionable, but seen as selfless service to the nation with severance pay and honour that must go with good governance.

He maintained that if the critical issue is bridging the widening gap, then the nation must stop multiple remunerations for few ruling elite.

“Furthermore, if we can tax minimum wage, while not tax the maximum pay of the President, Vice President and the governors alike?” he asked.

While calling for the review of the minimum wage and implementation of the N5,000 poverty alleviation for the poor, Aremu insisted that more sacrifice than half pay cut is desirable from the leaders.

Fuel station workers issue 21-day strike notice

ETROL Station Workers (PSW) group of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has threatened to shut all filling stations nationwide.

Their grouse is the refusal of the station owners in the downstream sector, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) retail outlets, and major marketers’ filling stations to allow their workers exercise the fundamental human right of association in accordance with extant labour laws of the country.

The group Executive Council, after their meeting in Lagos, noted with great consternation the nonexistence of a salary structure and collective bargaining agreement for petrol station workers. This, according to the council, has left the workers impoverished.

In a statement by the group Chairman, Comrade Roland Abu, they frowned at the refusal of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria (PEDAN), Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and the NNPC retail outlets to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement

‘8,764 employees exit public service in Q1 2015’

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•From left: Evron Foods Store founder Mr. Dele Farotimi; his Brand Manager Ijeoma Olujekun and Lead Consultant, X-Ray Farms Consulting, African Farmer Afoluwa Mogaji at the launch of store in Lagos.

HE National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that 8,764 public servants of various cadres exited the service in the first quarter (QI) of the year.

It also said 5,726 were employed within the period under review.

A study of 2015 Q1 statement showed that employees, who exited due to retirement age limit were the highest with 5,507 or 62.84 per cent of the number. This was, however, closely followed by exits caused by death with 1,422 or 16.32 per cent.

Workers, who were retrenched came third with 124, representing 1.41 per cent of overall exits.

The report also indicated that male workers were more with 6,252 or 71.34 per cent, while women constituted 28.66 per cent or 2,512 of the number that bowed out of service.

“The first quarter, 2015 had a total of 8,764 staff exiting public service.

When compared with number of new employees (5,726), it reveals more people exited the public service than they came in by as much as

NLC warns employers over abuse of workers’ right • Set for showdown

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HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned employers against abusing workers’ rights.

Speaking at a forum in Lagos, NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba, represented by his deputy, Comrade Peter Adeyemi, said labour would no longer tolerate impunity.

“It is important to state that as social partners, we must be resolute in keeping a relationship that strengthens mutual respect, concerns and goals. This will easily be threatened when any employer unilaterally decides to impose policies that are legally and constitutionally anti workers,” he warned.

Wabba said organised labour is disturbed by recent directives by some employers, allegedly acting on Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA’s) advice, converting regular workers to casu-

als and contract staff, while some production lines were outrightly outsourced.

“This directive is not only unlawful, but a total violation of an agreement we had with NECA after a painstaking meeting at the instance of NECA on May 2, 2002 fundamentally to avert the planned massive picketing of some member companies of NECA,” he said.

He explained that part of the agreement was that employers, who still have casuals will regularise their employment, and in regularising , the rates to be paid will be in accordance with prevailing procedural and substantive collective agreements in the industry, which will also be taken into account in protecting the rights of the workers.

“It is expected that any current arrangement in respect of regularised workers, which does not conform to this position will also be

regularised with immediate effect.

These conclusions will be extended to all employers, who would, otherwise, have been picketed by the NLC, but for the intervention of NECA which led to this conclusion,“ he said.

Wabba insisted that the agreement is still sacrosanct, stressing that, the congress will not allow its violation and thus is prepared to picket any employer who chose to unilaterally violate it without holding dialogue with the union.

He added that if there are specific difficulties, the congress is willing to dialogue with the hope of resolving issues amicably.

He maintained that the Labour Act is very clear on such issues and the organised labour will not encourage the violation of any of its sections. He said: “Specifically, the law says any worker engaged by any employer must have his or her job regularised with a formal letter of employment stating specific duties

with the union for them.

The council lamented that members were being paid between N5,000 and N8,000 as salaries monthly by IPMAN membersowned filling stations, describing it as “modern day slavery.”

“The petrol station workers are disgusted at the outright refusal of the IPMAN leadership to negotiate conditions of service for its members, who sell fuel to consumers at filling stations,” he said, adding that it is against this backdrop that the leadership of BEC will call out the workers on a nation-wide strike,’’ Roland said .

He said after careful consideration of the above injustice being meted out to PSW across the country, the council “hereby issues a 21-day ultimatum to PEDAN, MOMAN, IPMAN leadership and the NNPC retail outlets to meet with their officials to commence unionisation of the workers, and negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement for PSW’’.

He warned that failure to comply would result in the withdrawal of PSW from their duty posts nationwide.

and conditions of employment.

“All contract employment must have the approval of the Minister of Labour, after the submission of details such as justification for such employment, names of the employer, full details of those to be recruited who must not be denied their rights to be members of the union and be covered by all collective agreements between the union and the employer, including minimum wage.

“Perhaps, we need to formally notify you here that the present leadership of the NLC is fully determined to protect and advance the rights of all workers to decent employment and membership of the union, which remains non-negotiable.”

He said the congress has already directed its affiliates to submit names and addresses of employers found to be violating workers’ rights and prepare to massively picket those employers.

3,038 personnel, translating to 53 per cent.

“Those who exited due to retirement had the highest number of 5,507 or 62.84 per cent, followed by exit through death with 1,422 employees or 16.23 per cent. Retrenched employees were the least group among those that exited, with 124 employees or 1.41 per cent of total exit. Out of the total number of employees that exited, male accounted for 6,252 exits or 71.34 per cent, while female constituted 2,512 exits or 28.66 per cent,” the report said.

SMEDAN to train 200 youths, women

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HE Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) together with a non-governmental organisation, Community Awareness on Development Network (CAWAN) have concluded plans to flag off the training of 200 youths and women in various skills acquisition as part of measures to boost job creation in Nigeria.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, the National Co-ordinator of CAWAN, Chike Adaka, explained that the organisation had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SMEDAN, which was targeted at providing training to two million young Nigerians on skills acquisition in a bid to shift them from being job seekers to employers of labour.

Adaka explained that the training, which would begin next month, would afford the beneficiaries the opportunity to be trained in vocations such as shoe making, ankara handbags, soap making, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), metal works and fabrication of doors and windows as well as installation of solar panels.

Other areas the unemployed would be trained, according to Adaka, include solar street light and traffic light installations, general hair care, make-up design, eye browning, among others.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL

LETTER

Oliseh has landed •But then, how does he make the Super Eagles to soar again?

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UNDAY Oliseh, the new Super Eagles chief coach, landed the other day, shooting from the hips.

Never again, he thundered, would Nigeria under him, be a rehabilitation camp. Whoever wasn’t playing, week in, week out, in the elite leagues of his base, should kiss Eagles bye-bye!

But the roaring cheers had hardly died down when Oliseh probably realised he just jumped into the philosophical waters of the Greek, Heraclitus, who proclaimed you could not step in the same river twice — such was the flux of life!

Does Nigeria, despite its famed foreign legion, have enough quality players to make Oliseh’s cut? Are these parlous times not different from Oliseh’s glory days as player, with the likes of Rashidi Yekini, Finidi George, Austine Jay-Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi and Samson Siasia, painting their host leagues with goals and dazzling the world with silky skills?

Times certainly have changed. Oliseh, realising he may have aimed too high, entered a caveat: fading stars, but who can still deliver at the highest level, would still be given fair time to prove themselves — fair enough.

But Oliseh’s virtual recant just underscores the tough Nigeria job — and the need to tread gingerly. Nigerians believe, rather misguidedly, they are the best in world football — and at all times. So, God save that coach who tries to mouth “excuses” — even if the “excuses” are clear facts: that, right now, the best of Nigerian players are only average by global standards.

That is why he will do well to moderate

expectation, though in truth he said he would try his best even if he was no messiah; and communicate the grimness of the present situation, even if he would not helplessly tweak his fingers.

Fortunately, he is coming to the job with good credentials. He has a UEFA coaching licence; and is regarded as a sound soccer technocrat, in the FIFA Technical Committee, of which he is a member. He is regarded no less in UEFA circles — and UEFA is global football’s epicentre.

The only dark spot is lack of coaching experience. On this score, the signals are mixed on his putative success or failure.

Segun Odegbami and Adokiye Amiesimaka, perhaps the most brilliant minds in their generation of national team players, are upbeat Oliseh is the best man for the job right now. But both Clemence Westerhoff and Johannes Bonfrere, Oliseh’s Dutch coaches when he won the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 1994 and Olympics Football gold medal in 1996, demur. Both insist Oliseh is not good enough for the national team because he lacks experience. So, Oliseh is condemned to proving himself.

But to do that, he must shun distractions. Already, there is misinformation that the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has allowed the coach to do his job from Europe. That is not true. He only got permission to go scour Europe and monitor his players for the September 4 AFCON clash away to Tanzania.

Just as well it is not true, for if it were, it would have jeopardised Oliseh’s ability to also scour the Nigerian local league for fresh and hungry talents. Therefore, both NFF and Oliseh must manage the infor-

mation they push out; lest needless controversies ensue. Controversies, of course, cause distractions — and to succeed, distractions are what Oliseh does not need.

Then, Oliseh’s fiery temper — has he tempered it as a coach? The Nigeria football management waters appear sharkprone. But Oliseh has a reputation for not suffering fools gladly. Has NFF cleaned up its acts? And worst-case scenario, is Oliseh primed?

Recall: that peculiar Nigerian terrain, for alleged indiscipline, ousted him, as Nigeria captain, Amodu Shaibu as chief coach and Stephen Keshi as assistant coach, from Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup, even after the team had qualified!

Ironically, the threesome are involved in this transition: Amodu as NFF technical director, Keshi as sacked coach and Oliseh as new coach!

From all clinical analysis, Oliseh’s success at his new job is not at all assured.

Still, we hope his coming will herald a new dawn for Nigerian football.

‘He will do well to moderate expectation, though in truth he said he would try his best even if he was no messiah; and communicate the grimness of the present situation, even if he would not helplessly tweak his fingers. Fortunately, he is coming to the job with good credentials’

Agbeyegbe: A dance at 80 •The theatre icon is truly a game changer, grand living legend and more

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N the 32 years since Fred Agbeyegbe’s perhaps best known play, “The King Must Dance Naked”, was first performed, the playwright has not only achieved recognition, but has also attracted commendation for his consistent commitment to the drama and the stage.

It is a reflection of his status that on his 76 th birthday four years ago he was honoured with an impressive award by the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Practitioners (NANTAP). His decoration as a Grand Living Legend of Nigerian Theatre was a praiseworthy reward for his contribution to the development of theatre in the country through practice.

Agbeyegbe’s role in the advancement of dramatic literature was more specifically defined by a colloquium organised to celebrate his milestone 80th birthday on July 22 with the theme “The

‘That Agbeyegbe is better known as a playwright, even though he is also a lawyer, underlines the intensity of his involvement in theatrical work. At 80, he has secured a place in the hall of heroes of Nigerian theatre’

Theatre Game Changer”. It is noteworthy that the event, accompanied by a “Theatre Carnival”, was scheduled to take place at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, where Agbeyegbe’s theatrical talent first enjoyed wide attention with the 1983 performance of his play, “The King Must Dance Naked”. When the play was staged in August last year in the context of the Legendary Plays Series, it represented a grand endorsement of Agbeyegbe.

The play’s place in the history of theatrical productions in the country was captured by Agbeyegbe himself who provided a useful insight into why he is regarded as a game changer. He said in an interview: “…Theatre was dead. There was this big edifice, the National Theatre, in which next to nothing was happening…

That was why everybody believed that Ajo Productions, “The King Must Dance Naked” and Fred Agbeyegbe, the three of them, all came to enliven the National Theatre.”

It is interesting to note that, going by his words, Agbeyegbe’s energetic enthusiasm at the time was dampened by an ironic manifestation of philistinism by the powers that be. According to him, “And thereafter, we never looked back until many years ago when the Federal Government tried to sell it off. There was the Ajo Productions play series that spanned many years.” It is food for thought that the National Theatre is still threatened by non-artistic interests and the controversy generated by reported moves to sell the cultural showpiece is far from a closure.

He further projected his devotion to drama by organising and funding a festival of arts and drama, AJOFEST, which featured performances by his theatre company, Ajo Productions. Four of his plays, “Budiso”, “The King Must Dance Naked”, “Woe Unto Death” and “The Last Omen” were staged during a month-long festival at the National Theatre in the 1980s, which was a remarkable development at the time; even today, that would be considered phenomenal. His effort to reproduce the theatrical atmosphere in Abuja was also proof of his passion.

Credited with 17 plays, Agbeyegbe’s observed use of local colour reflecting his Itsekiri roots speaks volumes about his cultural consciousness and his promotion of his cultural heritage. Interestingly, he said of the focus of his opus: “What is our leadership all about? Is this the way it is in other parts of the world? When you come to the conclusion that it is not, and you are eager to know, you ask for the Nakedness of the Leaders, and as it turned out in this particular play, it was obvious that it is not who should be on the throne that was sitting there. So, that was why the king was asked to dance naked.” The enduring relevance of this concern is a reason to appreciate Agbeyegbe’s dramatic voice.

That Agbeyegbe is better known as a playwright, even though he is also a lawyer, underlines the intensity of his involvement in theatrical work. At 80, he has secured a place in the hall of heroes of Nigerian theatre.

Still waiting for the ‘change’

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IR: The only permanent thing in life is change.

Here on earth, everything is in a state of flux.

Nothing lasts forever. Asian countries like Malaysia and Singapore were once backwater countries on the Asian continent. Today, they are economically prosperous countries. Nigerians, who are long-suffering, want their country, Nigeria, to change for the better. Nigerians are desirous of change having suffered economic deprivation occasioned by political mal-administration and military dictatorships in the past. Both military regimes and the democratic ones caused the technological backwardness of Nigeria, and the ruination of our economy.

Corruption is the cankerworm asphyxiating life out of Nigeria. Our national ills are linked to corruption which is pervasive. Consequently, nothing works here. No system of doing things is effective in Nigeria. Is our educational system not dysfunctional? Yearly, our universities churn out graduates who are found wanting both in character and learning. They are semi-literate; unemployable.

Our dilapidated roads bring back memories of thorough-fares in war-torn countries. Successive governments in Nigeria could not fix those bad roads. And our hospitals have morphed to morgues where people visit and die. That’s why well-heeled Nigerians travel to Europe for medical attention.

The insecurity of lives and property is threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria. There is no let-up in the murderous activities of the Boko Haram group.

APC, the ruling political party, promised us change during electioneering period. But change hasn’t come to Nigeria. It is too early in the life of this administration for us to be assessing this government. But, are we still hopeful of enjoying improved standard of living given the tardiness that has marked this civilian administration? Buhari’s inability to form his cabinet somewhat betrayed his unpreparedness for governance. Will he take an eternity to form a cabinet?

So far, he has taken action regarding some national issues. He gave financial bailouts to states that are in trouble. And he made some crucial appointments. I would like him to make appointments that will reflect the federal character principle that is entrenched in our country’s constitution. If every state is represented in his cabinet, it will erase the feelings of marginalization and alienation existing among us and deepen our unity.

Unity is a sine qua non for national development.

A country in political stasis cannot make progress as anarchy does not conduce to national growth.

The internal political crisis rocking the APC at the inception of this government does not augur well for our national well-being. A house that is divided against itself cannot make any meaningful progress. So, it behooves on members of the top echelon in the ruling party to resolve the crisis that has bedeviled their party in order that they will offer us purposeful and result-oriented leadership that will have positive impact on the populace.

APC should brace up to these hydra-headed and multiple national problems that have held us down for so long. Nigerians voted APC to break away from the past corrupt political order. And they are patiently waiting for the change the party promised to give them during the electioneering period.

• Chiedu Uche Okoye, Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: In the new drive, prompted by global dynamics, to replace oil as the major source of revenue in Nigeria, we must be careful to not throw away the baby with the bathwater. This danger is more glaring at the States and Local Government Area levels; where the governments have taken to increasing their Internally Generated Revenues (IGRs) by “any and all means possible” to the detriment of those they govern. This drive for increased IGR could be described as the unintended consequence of the global slump in oil price. How did we get here, and why were we caught so unprepared for such slump in oil price? Does it mean that we had no forecasting economic models that predict trend in oil price?

Oil, a hydrocarbon fuel, that has driven economies and fueled wars in the past, has been a blessing to Nigeria, but our leaders have been so busy basking in the glut of oil wealth that they perpetually relegated to the background futuristic modeling that ought to have guided our preparation for today’s realities of declining oil prices. The closest we came, and as economically rudimentary as it is, was to come up with “The Excess Crude Account (ECA)”.

I call the ECA idea rudimentary because all it does, in principle, is to warehouse money which are intermittently withdrawn from and shared among the tiers of government in Nigeria. There are no long term uses of the ECA money despite the knowledge that “warehoused money” attracts attention of those in charge; fueling imprudent spending and white elephant projects.

At the States and Local Government levels, the seeming fashionable outcome of the head-scratching and finger-wringing is multiple “Revenue Task Forces” that descend on hapless citizens extorting all kinds of levies. There are Revenue Collectors for “Business Permits; Tenement Rate; Business Premises, Sanitation, Environmental and Infrastructure Levies, etc”. Often, these collectors collude with the police, engage unemployed youths and

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Quest to replace oil as revenue source mount illegal roadblocks to collect the variety of taxes. Some make repeat visits to the same business premises wearing different uniforms to collect a different tax than the last one collected from that establishment.

Usually, they are unkempt, rude, aggressive and intimidating. If they are not paid promptly, they would confiscate televisions, computers, furniture or any movable properties that they could find. The dangers of maiming and loss of lives are ever clear and present on every occasion

when these Gestapo armies descend on business premises as fights often ensue with instances of injuries involving loss of blood, and in one case, induced labor in a pregnant woman. There is no gainsaying that this has become profitable gigs for criminal elements of all kinds. This craze is stifling sustenance businesses across Nigeria.

My take is that legitimate taxes must be paid by all that ought to pay them. And all efforts must be made, within the ambits of the law, to collect taxes that are due from

whomever to lubricate the wheels of governance. However, governments are better off thinking of tangible ways to expand business opportunities in their locales than depending on sweating and taxing barely surviving citizens to death.

Insisting on forcefully extorting N500 or N1,000 from Recharge Card Sellers and neighborhood Provision Stores is not appreciable or sustainable ways to earn IGR for any government.

Most regions in Nigeria are endowed with untapped mineral re-

sources. There are so many possible small to medium scale agricultural, manufacturing and assembly plant opportunities in different locales; there are numerous natural wonders in this beautiful country of ours that provide ample opportunities for culture and tourism that could make so many states and local government areas holiday and fun destinations for local and international tourists.

Secure environments and friendly government policies attract businesses to places where their bottom lines would be improved. In the process, they reduce unemployment, generate needed IGR and make our governments less dependent on oil as its use becomes less attractive. What is needed, in our quest for Change in Nigeria are different thinking and the right hands at the tills of governments.

• Chibuzor O. Obiakor Ogidi, Idemili North, Anambra State.

Nigeria as the new bride

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IR: This is not the first time there will be close interactions between a sitting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his United States counterpart. Going down memory lane, former President Shehu Shagari and Jimmy Carter exchanged visits in the early days of Nigeria’s experimentation with the presidential system of government adopted from America. Bill Clinton and George W. Bush Jnr. are other American Presidents that have visited Nigeria. More recently however, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan held talks with Barack Obama at the sidelines during the UN General Assembly in September, 2013.

Without doubt, Nigeria-U.S. relations have really come a long way since Nigeria’s independence in 1960. The relationship has not been devoid of strains. Under the regime of former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Nigeria was included among non-cooperating countries due to the perceived lack

of will by the government in battling drug trafficking and financial crimes. In December 2009, the relationship hit an all-time low as a Nigerian, Farouk Umaru Abdulmuttalab was arrested in the U.S. for attempted terrorism acts. The aftermath was the inclusion of Nigeria by the U.S. government in the list of countries for special monitoring for potential terrorist action. The refusal of Nigeria under late President Umaru Yar’Adua to support the establishment of African Command (AFRICOM) in Africa, also contributed to creating obstacles for the Nigeria-U.S. relations.

Furthermore, former President Goodluck Jonathan in December 2014, reportedly cancelled a plan to have the United States military train a battalion of the Nigerian army to confront Boko Haram.

Against this backdrop, the invitation of the President Muhammadu Buhari by White House is a welcome development and we must bask in its euphoria. This historic meeting

between both leaders has been referred to as an attempt to ‘reset’ the relationship between both countries.

Over the years, Nigeria has emerged as a strategic partner of the United States. In addition to the similarities in the form of government, Nigeria had been one of the major sources of oil supply to the U.S. Furthermore, Nigeria’s stature as a force to reckon with in sub-Saharan Africa and the continent at large, means that any global power must accord significant respect to the country.

One of the critical areas Nigerians expect results in the aftermath of the visit to White House by President Buhari is in the area of security, especially as regards the fight against insurgency. Hitherto, due to the frosty relationship between both countries, America has left Nigeria to tackle this raging crisis on its own.

However, the international dimension of the fight against insurgency following the pledging of allegiance

by Boko Haram to ISIS, has ensured that the need for a more concerted

international cooperation to confront this monster cannot be overemphasised. Furthermore, another fight the Nigerian government is currently engaged in and requires the support of all and sundry is the fight against corruption. Former government officials have depleted our commonwealth sacrificing it on the altar of selfish satisfaction and personal aggrandizement. The Buhari administration having pledged to recover looted fund, require the support of global powers, chief among who is the United States of America.

In the words of Professor Solomon Akinboye, President Buhari’s visit to the U.S. is another evidence of how Nigeria can be so beautiful abroad; however, the government has a lot to do to ensure that the country’s ugliness at home is corrected with alacrity.

• Ishola Ebenezer, Lagos.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015 16

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COMMENTS

Union Bank vs. Citizen Tejumade Adeyemi (2) (Trader’s savings mysteriously disappears from bank account as pensioners accuse bank of withholding their pension)

Email: tunji_ololade@yahoo.co.uk 08038551123, 08111845040 ITHOUT prejudice, there is something gnomic about banking at Union Bank; late American business executive, Sarnoff, would describe it as the art of passing currency from hand to hand until it finally disappears. It is. Ask citizen Tejumade Adeyemi.

She cried helplessly, as her account got pilfered and drained of all her savings, on the bank’s watch. This makes Union Bank look like an ordinary pick-pocket. Is it?

Adeyemi accuses Union Bank of complicity in the alleged illegal withdrawal of the sum of N251, 447 from her account with the Oba Akran, Ikeja branch of the bank. Still smarting from the vileness of the attack carried out on her account, Adeyemi threatened to take legal action against the bank if it refuses to refund her money but the bank has called her bluff.

Union Bank persists in misdemeanour riding on a wave of presumed invincibility and disdain for customers that probably fall outside its classification of deep-pockets. Not even the intervention of Lagos-based lawyer, Adejumo Omobolaji, could guarantee a refund of Adeyemi’s missing cash.

Omobolaji intervened in Adeyemi’s interest after reading the first installment of this article about three weeks ago. But despite his intervention, the situation looks bleak for Adeyemi. Union Bank has denied liability, blaming the victim for the fraud. According to the bank, Adeyemi’s savings got stolen because her account was used to make purchases online. Union Bank attributes the victim’s plight to possible compromise of her confiden-

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tial card details.

Union Bank’s reluctance to admit culpability no doubt flies in the face of reason, in the estimation of the lawyer and his client. Why did the bank refuse to suspend further transactions on the account as instructed

by Adeyemi? Was it such a hard order to carry out?

At this juncture, it becomes imperative to restate the facts, according to Adeyemi. Adeyemi allegedly received SMS alerts from the bank on May 4, 2015, notifying her of unauthorised withdrawal of the sum of N30,000 from her account through ATM. Worriedly, she rushed to the Iju branch of the bank to report the matter and was advised by officials of the branch to report the incident at the Oba Akran, Ikeja branch where her account was domiciled. On her visit to the Oba Akran branch on May 5, Adeyemi said she was shocked to discover that the illegal withdrawals actually started on May 2nd and May 3rd and that she was never notified by the bank.

She said: “On May 4, 2015, I received an alert indicating that the sum of N30,000 had been withdrawn by unknown persons from my account. I quickly went to the nearest branch of Union Bank at Iju Road, Ifako-Ijaiye, from where I was advised to visit the branch where I opened the account on Oba Akran Road, Ikeja, after I explained to the officials of the bank that my ATM card was with me and that its details were not in any way compromised by me. The next day, May 5, I visited the Oba Akran branch and I asked that further transactions be suspended on the account until further notice. When I asked for the details

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HE National Assembly’s recess ends this week. But its top ranking members ought to know that this has simply postponed the evil day. They thought they could mend the broken glass by simply taking time off. Things don’t work that way. Let me put things in proper perspective.

The major cardinal point of APC’s campaign is change. People voted for change and the real change APC clamored for is the change in attitude, change in the way we do things in the country, putting Nigeria first in all that we do. Now the question is, did we put Nigeria first in this instance? Did the Clerk of the National Assembly put Nigeria first in hurriedly conducting an election into the most sensitive posts after the office of President of the Federal Republic?

Was the Clerk impartial in carrying out his duties when he knew that the APC controlled majority membership in both houses of the National Assembly, yet conducted election into the position of the Senate presidency with only seven members of the ruling party in attendance?

If the Clerk of the National Assembly wanted to protect the interest of the nation and the dignity of the National Assembly, he would have waited for a fuller house to conduct the election and no one would have forced or faulted him. He simply acted in the old ways of impunity where individual interest superseded the interests of the nation. That is why he should not remain in that position because he is obviously compromised.

We have to begin to understand that democracy is a representative government in which the few at the Senate and House of Representatives and state Houses of Assembly are simply representatives of the people. In that context, when nearly half of the members of the Senate were schemed out of the voting process to elect the number three citizen of the country, it meant that half of the country were not represented in that process. It made the election a nullity because it did not represent the view of the totality of the people of this nation. It worries me really when people narrow the exclusion that took

‘There is hardly any other way I see in sight in this whole sordid affair than either resignation of the Senate President which is not an easy decision or the Senate taking steps to remove him.

Saraki should do the honourable thing by resigning and allowing a proper election to take place’

of the transactions, I was shocked to discover that the illegal withdrawals started between May 2nd and May 3rd, wherein about N45,747.35 had been taken from my account and no alert or notification was sent to me till date. I also discovered that there were other illegal withdrawals totaling N180, 000 made on May 4, yet the bank did not notify me.”

According to Adeyemi, she was assured by both the Manager of the bank and the Head of Customer Service that further transactions on her account will be suspended including ATM withdrawals. “By then, I was having about N25,190 as balance in my account. The money was still in my account as at May 14, when a statement of account was given to me but I was surprised to receive further notification of illegal withdrawal of the remaining balance a few days later. Immediately, I called the secretary to the manager of the branch on his mobile phone and I was assured of prompt remedy that has not been fulfilled to date. In all, N251, 447 was illegally withdrawn from my account and I strongly suspect an insider in the bank is behind the illegal withdrawals from my account.

The bank has refused to take blame for its complicity in this fraudulent withdrawal of my money and I am going to consider a legal option if the bank refuses to refund my money,” she said.

When The Nation’s Chief Correspondent that handled the story, contacted the Head of Media and Special Projects of Union Bank Plc, Francis Barde, via an email, his reply was cryptic and muddled in officialese; that is, unclear, pedantic,

verbose language characteristic of shady official correspondence.

Nothing is so fatal to enterprise as indifference to customers’ worries and pains; for Union Bank to willfully and disdainfully shirk responsibility for Adeyemi’s plight translates to a cruel and unusual sort of grotesqueness. But if you are taken aback by Union Bank’s shabby treatment of Adeyemi, you just might be mystified by the bank’s alleged mistreatment of pensioners. Amid the flurry of tragic testimonies of inconveniences suffered by customers of the bank, the case of pensioners dealing with the bank rankles a melancholic note. One such message reads thus: “Sir, I loved your write-up captioned ‘Union Bank vs. Citizen Tejumade Adeyemi’ in The Nation of June 12, 2015. We, the pensioners of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc nationwide (pensioners from 2006 to 2012 of which I am one) have been maltreated, pauperised, traumatised, dehumanised and some have been sent to their early graves.

“For over two years, Union Bank has refused to pay our legacy fund/ accrued pension rights to our various Pension Fund Administrators (PFA). It is impossible for us to access our pensions. After many entreaties to both PENCOM and Union Bank and despite the directives by PENCOM to Union Bank to payus, the bank remains adamant and un-

perturbed; this is sheer impunity. We are in a dilemma and this is our plight for you to intervene and help us. I have been making frantic efforts in this regard but to no avail...We have facts and evidences to support our claims and pursuits.”

The writer of the message subsequently called to lament the impunity by which Union Bank visits interminable hardships and financial constraints on him and his fellow pensioners. It was disheartening listening to the poor old man as he gave vent to his grief over Union Bank’s perceived iniquities and intransigence to their plight.

It is pitiful yet instructive to see Union Bank severally betray the trust reposed in it by its customers.

It is even more enlightening to note that the bank perpetrates such perfidy despite legal and moral expectations that it protects its customers from fraud committed by its agents, directors , partners in making payment orders and so on; perhaps the bank is aware of this crucial obligation, it simply chooses to flout and pervert it.

There is something seriously wrong with Union Bank’s management and operational culture. And the situation calls for the urgent intervention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

To be continued...

‘There is something seriously wrong with Union Bank’s management and operational culture. And the situation calls for the urgent intervention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’

Way out of National Assembly crisis

By Jaiyeola Ajatta place to only the number of senators that were not there to vote. Those senators actually represent millions of Nigerians.

In some cases, some states were 100 percent, totally excluded.

Can the Senate President be said to have been validly democratically elected?

To the best of my knowledge, the Clerk has plunged the nation into a political and economic darkness . Let it not be lost on anyone that while the National Assembly is on recess trying to find a way round the problem, the nation as a whole is on recess. The economy is on recess because as we speak, everyone is on a waiting game. Foreign investors are watching and waiting, the stock exchange is feeling the pinch, the free fall of the naira tells the story better and the impact on the national economy and Nigerians is there for all to see. It is time for the real change by putting Nigeria first in all that we do. In a few days time they will resume and the problem will remain there, the bickering, the distrust, the agitation for the right thing to be done and the nation will continue to suffer.

The Senate President should know that the burden of occupying that exalted office in a dubious manner is too heavy. He might have won the seat through crooked means, but he cannot succeed in it because he is leading the elites and most senior citizens of Nigeria. He can not compel anyone to respect him. To successfully navigate the stormy waters of the Senate, you must earn the respect of the senators. David Mark succeeded as Senate President because he was respected by most members of the Senate during his tenure. It is always difficult to build successfully on a faulty foundation. Sooner or later, the structure will crash on the head of the builder.

I have tried to imagine the Senate President trying to speak to Nigerians on morality, on putting Nigeria first before self, on doing the right thing for the good of the nation or even confronting the ministers or even the President when he steps out of turn. No, he cannot give what he does not have. The moral burden is too heavy for him to bear for four years in that office.

Let’s call a spade by its real name. This is a man who was trying to impress it on his party to give him the nod to represent their interest as the Senate President but failed to turn up at the meeting where the interest of the party was to be discussed but sneaked to the Senate chambers to liase with the opposition to install himself as the Senate President. By that act, he has exhibited the highest degree of moral and political bankruptcy and such person is not fit for the exalted position

of number three citizen of this great country in an era of change.

That is the moral burden the Senate president can hardly overcome unless the right thing is done.

I must remind him of one little thing; that “whoever rides on the back of the tiger will end up in the belly of the tiger”. A deity will always increase its demand for sacrifice from time to time and PDP will remain a deity to Bukola Saraki as long he wants to remain in that office.

I have, to a large extent ignored the House of Representative Speaker not because he got into office through the right door, but there was some semblance of an election even though by default. What happened at the Senate was equally designed for the House of Representatives but for the fact that information of what happened at the senate came to APC members at the venue of the meeting and they dashed down for the election, even then, the damage was already done.

As one script writer once wrote, “the only way is the hard way.” There is hardly any other way I see in sight in this whole sordid affair than either resignation of the Senate President which is not an easy decision or the Senate taking steps to remove him. Saraki should do the honourable thing by resigning and allowing a proper election to take place. If he wins, then the nation will accept and respect him. As a two time governor, and now a two-time senator, he deserves respect. But when one’s antecedent continues to put a large question mark on his head, he should take steps to show himself above board.

On the other hand, the senators should begin the process that would eventually right the wrong.The interest of the nation must supersede the interest of one manipulative individual. It is unfortunate that Senate President is not only trying to divide the APC, he has by his action put a strain on the unity of the country. The eastern part of the country is beginning to see any move to correct the political aberration as an affront on their interest because Ike Ekweremadu represents their interest. This should not have been so if the Senate President had not been blinded by personal ambition.

What worries me most is that majority of the leaders of the party are not speaking out. The elder statesmen have kept mute in the face of impunity. Evil thrives where people of good conscience refuse to speak. This is not about party, it is not about sectional interest, it is about doing the right thing and presenting the country in good light in the comity of nations.

• Dr. Ajatta, is a former member, House of Representatives representing Oshodi-Isolo, Lagos.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

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COMMENTS ”He is not wise to me whoever is wise in words only, but he who is wise in deeds.”— — Aristotle HE presidency of any nation is the apogee of political attainment that any citizen can desire in life. Thus, for anyone to have assumed the leadership position of a nation is no mean task. And to have done that thrice is even harder and more enviable. But the Eekerin of Egbaland and Balogun/Ebora of Owu land in Abeokuta, Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo, through divine grace, achieved those rare feats. He was military Head of State and twenty years after he relinquished power, he was elected civilian president in 1999 and re-elected in 2003 into the exalted position.

He could have secured a fourth shot at the presidency through tenure elongation but for the alertness of the people and divine intervention. And just because of the grace he had to rule three times, the man erroneously believes that every other living creature must worship at his feat.

He carried his hypocritical posturing to unacceptable level recently in Edo state while delivering a convocation lecture at Benson Idahosa University where he said that the perceived failure of Jonathan in office would haunt the people of South-South zone for a long time. Yet, despotic Obasanjo refused to state that the inept former President Goodluck Jonathan was a consequence of his deliberate political dictatorial plot as president when he unleashed such incompetent deputy on late President Umaru Yar’ Adua that he knew was suffering from a terminal ailment ahead of time. Why should Obasanjo now blame a whole region for his mischievous un-presidential lapses? Would the south-south people have chosen Jonathan were they to be given the option to so voluntarily pick amongst many of their better-qualified and intelligent indigenes by despotic Obasanjo? The answer is capital NO! Several months ago too, Obasanjo, at the 4th Annual Ibadan Sustainable Development Summit organised by the Centre for Sustainable Development (CESDEV), University of Ibadan (UI), held in collaboration with African Sustainable Development Network (ASUDNET), noted to the chagrin of most Nigerians, that the crop of younger generation of leaders in the country had failed the citizenry. The truth is that Obasanjo is not competent to give a talk on leadership and sustainable development because of his poor track record in that regard while he was in office. Hence, allocating such topic to him was a misnomer and an abuse of such an important platform.

The ex-president seized the platform to unleash unstatesmanly bile on his erstwhile po-

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Obasanjo: ‘Statesman’ or rabble-rouser?

litical allies and perceived opponents. He accused his former Vice, Atiku Abubakar, of betrayal, citing it as the major reason he did not hand over to him. Yes, Atiku’s presidential ambition might have actually turned him into a political harlot, but not many would easily forget how he betrayed the Action Congress (AC) that rescued him from Obasanjo’s tyranny as when the plot to impeach him was foiled through the political ingenuity of Asiwaju BolaTinubu, then governor of Lagos State. He returned to Lagos after his medical treatment abroad and was welcomed with funfare at a time that a presidential booby trap was already awaiting him in Abuja. But his political harlotry should not be justification for Obasanjo to label him a betrayer. Also, the fact that Atiku possibly alerted the world about his tenure elongation agenda should not be a good reason. Atiku was Obasanjo’s nemesis and both men are driven by nothing but their inordinate ambitions.

Obasanjo also listed names of other leaders from his prejudiced failed younger generation. He mentioned Salisu Buhari, former House of Representatives Speaker; Deprieye Alamieyeseigha, former Bayelsa State Governor; Lucky Igbinedion, former Edo State Governor; James Ibori, former Delta State Governor and Orji Uzor Kalu, the former governor of Abia State. What Obasanjo didn’t tell the gathering at the lecture and the entire world that read the reports was that it was during his tenure as leader and Board of Trustees chairman of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that his self-appraised failed leaders emerged. For the avoidance of doubt, Obasanjo should avail Nigerians of the truth about who granted Salisu Buhari state pardon despite the fact that he confessed to have forged a university degree. Let him tell us who gave

N a developing economy like ours, the government is the highest employer of labour and most workers depend on their salaries to meet basic needs. The failure of any appendage of the government to pay earned wages will therefore attract condemnation and protests. This monolithic economy of ours which depends on oil is prone to vagaries of international economic politics. Coupled with the inability of most state governments to generate adequate revenue internally, the average Nigerian worker is exposed to the vulnerability of deficit budgeting. That the state of Osun owes workers’ salaries is in no way an implication that its governor lacks any sensitivity to the plight of its workers; neither is it a result of financial recklessness or impropriety of any kind. Far from it, his zeal to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Osun is almost fanatical.

Five years ago, I was at a gathering in Ede, Osun State when the skies opened up unexpectedly and it began to rain.

Perhaps the man responsible for the presence of thousands, now soaked, should have been embarrassed by the increasing intensity of the downpour. Instead, he burst into a Yoruba song: “We are not afraid of the rain; after all, we are the owners of the clothes we wore.” The crowd responded in glee, matching the power of the rain with the enthusiasm of their singing and dancing. The audacity of Rauf Aregbesola, Governor of the State of Osun, was as infectious then, as it is today.

Governor Aregbesola, Ogbeni to his admirers, may be diminutive in stature, but he is gigantic in vision, combining in one incarnation, the virtues of Oranmiyan and Awolowo.

Deeply religious to the point where early naysayers painted him a bigot, Ogbeni has led by example, disavowing frivolities of any kind. The frequent misadventures and questionable acquisitions of some of his counterparts in neighbouring states are not found in him. Full disclosure: My bond with Ogbeni is a special one because we share some things in common. Aside from party affiliation and a strong belief in progressive governance, I have also been pleasantly surprised to find that though a devout Muslim, he acknowledges rather than avoids my Christian faith, calling me a Nazarite, because we both avoid alcohol and tobacco, wear white and keep beards. It is a mutual recognition that those who truly seek a Good God will be made better by Him, even if they do not agree completely.

The quest for the greater good also comes alive in Ogbeni’s approach to governing. The reason we were happily drenched that day was the launch of the OYES programme, ambitious

Salisu his first Federal Board appointment, worse still, in an educational and research institute, after this disgraceful act.

The ex-president who wants people to believe that he is the only saint in Nigeria’s public life should elucidate more on how the money for his first election was raised in 1999.

Yours sincerely and many other Nigerians will be interested in knowing the truth about the contributions, in cash and kind, of Orji Uzor Kalu; and at what point did Obasanjo realise Kalu to be a failed leader? On Alamieyeseigha, Obasanjo probably forgot to tell the distinguished gathering that the man during his tenure as governor stood up in Aso-Rock Presidential Villa to challenge him. Obasanjo summoned all the governors for a meeting and in his imperial display of impunity and contempt for others started talking down on the governors. But Alamieyeseigha stood up and bluntly told him that he was not his surrogate, but a governor of his state, who was duly elected by his people like Obasanjo.

Obasanjo didn’t like Alamieyeseigha’s effrontery. He merely waited to pay him back by masterminding his money-laundering problem in the United Kingdom and eventual impeachment, arraignment in court and subsequent conviction. The rest is now history, but the truth remains that Obasanjo’s acts in all these were not borne out of true leadership fervour but vindictive proclivity. On James Onanafe Ibori that he mentioned in his list of failed leaders, let him tell us how the money for late President Umaru Yar’Adua election was raised. The public needs to know the highest donor among the governors of that era when circumstances forced him (Obasanjo) to organise the 2007 general elections after the truncation of his disgraceful Third Term plan.

Obasanjo in his vindictive self seems not to

have forgiven Asiwaju Tinubu for promoting ideal democratic tenets, constitutionalism and for his advancing the values of ideal federalism. More importantly, the man is not happy that Tinubu’s name has eclipsed his own in the political reckoning of the southwest. This is why Obasanjo could still not forgive Tinubu for not allowing him to capture Lagos State, like he did in other states in the west in 2003 and 2007. Obasanjo hates being floored but Asiwaju actually defeated him at the Apex Court when he won the matter over the withheld monthly allocations of Local Governments in the state over the creation of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). Also, Tinubu rescued, like he did to Atiku, Rashidi Ladoja, former governor of Oyo State, from Obasanjo’s tyranny.

Tinubu gave Ladoja presidential treatments all through the period of his travails with Obasanjo and also got the best legal representation to challenge his impeachment. Unlike the vindictive Obasanjo, Tinubu is not begrudging Ladoja for pursuing his political aspiration in another party today.

It is obvious from Obasanjo’s reference to Tinubu in his then lecture that he goaded the Code of Conduct Tribunal to come after the latter. And Obasanjo is shamefully sad that nothing incriminating was found against the former governor. Obasanjo is currently working with an ungrateful and inordinately ambitious southwest governor in his early second term days to discredit Asiwaju. Yet, Tinubu has led a pack of reputable progressive leaders to rescue the southwest and Edo State from the claws of the ruling PDP and Obasanjo seems distressed about this fact. He should look elsewhere if he needs to vent his spleen on someone. The blame game on Asiwaju and others is nothing but a manifestation of Obasanjo’s loss of touch with contemporary reality. The public sees him more as a rabble-rouser or at best, a political jester; one that still believes in his primacy long after his magical wand had been extinguished.

Yours sincerely is using this column to let Obasanjo know that effective leadership is not about making fabulously blank vocalizations or finding ill-motivated faults. This ex-president should ask himself if his actions, within and outside power, inspire other Nigerians to dream more, learn more and do more positively. Obasanjo is a flopped leader because he could not mentor/produce effective younger leaders for the country. What he successfully did was to produce more deceitfully corrupt and incompetent followership. Most Nigerians, except the deceptive few, no longer believe him because his credibility and integrity have long taken flight.

Aregbesola’s transient challenge

By Boroface Robert in scope but absolutely necessary towards the empowerment and engagement of the state’s unemployed youth. Where others have only aspired toward “stomach infrastructure,” Ogbeni has made serious minded investments in education and capital projects since the beginning of his tenure, even as Osun State received less than its fair share of allocations from the Jonathan-led Federal Government. From “Opon Imo” to the aforementioned OYES, interfaith projects, construction and maintenance of roads and much more, his time as governor has been marked by a continuous stream of local, national and international accolades and recognition of his achievements and tireless efforts on behalf of the state of Osun.

Yet, there is no salve for money owed or song to ease the pain of unpaid wages. The employees of the State of Osun deserve to be compensated for their outstanding service. But this financial downpour of misfortune is not unique to their state and if any blame is to be laid at Ogbeni’s feet, it should be for the unfortunate timing in making the kind of farreaching, but necessary infrastructural investments his predecessors failed to execute due to short-sightedness.

Small solace it may be right now, my hope is that the people of the state of Osun can find the strength to stay the course, understanding that tomorrow’s rewards will surpass today’s pain because of these sacrifices. Those who have been affected by this crisis, while justified in raising their voice in protest, would be wise to not give in to the will and machinations of political opportunists, who care more about pulling Ogbeni down than lifting up the people of Osun. Surely, we know better than to listen to the accusations from voices that sprang up today, but were silent during the massive erosion of this country’s wealth under past administrations. We also do not have to look very far to see the type of “leadership” that emerges when progress of this calibre is truncated.

It is my earnest desire that the people instead support Ogbeni Rauf’s continual efforts to boost the state’s internally generated revenue in a way that places no undue tax burden on the working poor. While the monthly intake has grown five times from N300 Million to N1.5 billion per month under

his watch, the yield of the capital investments made in the last five years will bring Osun even further along towards self-sustainability, insulated from fluctuations in oil prices and the politics of federal allocations. The governor’s recent assurances of a better future beyond this temporary setback are more than just empty words; they carry weight because of his confidence in the groundwork of wholehearted actions that preceded them, actions few other Nigerian governors can lay claim to.

Like it did five years ago, it is raining again in Ede; indeed it is raining all over Nigeria, but the people own the government they have. I am confident that under the leadership of people like Governor Aregbesola, President Buhari, and others of similar disposition, men and women of integrity and action who believe in a government that works for all and not just for the elected, we will all rejoice once more, to the glory of God. • Senator Boroface writes from Abuja

‘Small solace it may be right now, my hope is that the people of the state of Osun can find the strength to stay the course, understanding that tomorrow’s rewards will surpass today’s pain because of these sacrifices. Those who have been affected by this crisis, while justified in raising their voice in protest, would be wise to not give in to the will and machinations of political opportunists, who care more about pulling Ogbeni down than lifting up the people of Osun’

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

23

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON SOUTHEAST STATES

Ex-NOA boss makes case for restructuring

Training leaders of tomorrow in Anambra

•PAGE 26

•PAGE 37

FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

PAGE 25

Contest for mind, medals in Imo •PAGE 40

Police in Ebonyi State have prevented scores of secondary school pupils from joining a cult group, OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE reports

•The robbery suspects

Battle against child cultists L

Why? Child cultists are a frightening perspective in the nation’s vice profile. More common is much older young men in tertiary institutions wielding dangerous weapons and causing all manner of trouble on campuses and beyond.

The police swoop on a hotel in the state capital halted the bid of some 46 secondary school pupils from being initiated into a higher cadre of a cult group identified as Vikings. The prospect of child cultists is frightening not just for their age but also what they could grow up to become, to say nothing of

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AW enforcement agents in Ebonyi State have something to show for their hectic duties lately. In May, they halted the activities of a sophisticated robbery gang in Abakiliki, whose members were bold enough to walk their victims to the automatic teller machine or ATM and have them withdraw as much cash as possible. The police have also been hard on the heels of cult groups.

Still, the prevention of secondary school pupils from being initiated into a cult group must be one of their biggest successes.

The police swoop on a hotel in the state capital halted the bid of some 46 secondary school pupils from being initiated into a higher cadre of a cult group identified as Vikings. The prospect of child cultists is frightening not just for their age but also what they could grow up to become, to say nothing of their parents’ shock upon discovery

,

their parents’ shock upon discovery.

In any case, the state police are making headway. They have also

arrested some other suspected cultists and armed robbers.

Those arrested were Ogbule Justice (aka Stone cold), Emmanuel

Oyota and Abuchi Mbuta Joshua accused of murdering one Sunday Igwe (aka Kawawa) following a leadership tussle for the control of their cult group identified as Supreme Vikings Fraternity.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Chris Anyanwu, the command’s spokesman, who stood in for the Commissioner of Police, Maigarri Dikko, when the suspected were presented, said Sunday Igwe was murdered at Umuoghara, Ezza North Local •Continued on page 26

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

26

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

•From left: Emma Atu, Prof. Wilson Onuigbo; his wife; Mr. Ibiam Oguejiofor; his wife, and Prof. Elo Amaucheazi at the third memorial lecture of Sir Chris Efobi of Dennis Memorial Grammar School Old Boys Association, Enugu

Ex-NOA boss makes case for restructuring states would have enough inherent powers to checkmate the central government.

The professor emeritus of the Abia State University, Uturu, said the need for restructuring the country has been there for a long time and was partly the cause of the civil war in 1967.

“The military dictators rather than facing the problem squarely, distorted the existing structure the more by creating minuscule and insolvent 36 states, [resulting] in a total of 774 local governments [being] created as part of federating

The military dictators rather than facing the problem squarely, distorted the existing structure the more by creating minuscule and insolvent 36 states, [resulting] in a total of 774 local governments [being] created as part of federating units of the country. This is most unusual for there is nowhere in the world a local government is a federating unit

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units of the country. This is most unusual for there is nowhere in the world a local government is a federating unit.

“The imposition of the new struc-

ture is rightly interpreted as manipulation by the Northern military leaders to ultimately hold on to power perpetually and appropriate a disproportionate share of the

federal funds,” he said. “At present, the structure has meant in effect an institution of a unitary system of government to the advantage of Northerners.”

On Sir Chris Efobi, Prof Elo Amaucheazi, said that due to his leadership qualities, he was at one time appointed chairman of the management board of Good Shepherd Secondary School, Enugu and chairman of the state health management board, pointing out that the renowned pharmacist was also involved in settling chieftaincy conflicts at his village Oraifite, Anambra State, especially those that had denominational colora•Continued on page 39

‘Buhari’s US visit timely’ From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

rorism.

“You know that the president is inheriting security challenges, corruption and economic challenges.

Mr. President was a military president, he didn’t have the best of relationships with the West and this time around, they need to see a democrat, a man that has the image of transparency that the world

is looking for. They need to see the image of a man who knows that the biggest problem that is facing this nation is corruption and collectively they will all sit together for the purposes of putting Nigeria where she belongs.

“Remember that terrorism is a global syndrome and virus and the United States has a strong posture having suffered various terrorist wars: Osama Bin Laden and his cohort. They have been victims of

various terrorist attacks and they have advanced technology in terms of international security system.

They have also the armoury and weaponry to counter and fight terrorism. So, it is a good relationship that will bring a new approach in the fight against insurgency and terrorism. It is no longer all about shooting and fighting; it is requires

•Continued on page 38

Battle against child cultists •Continued from page 25

•One of the athletes displaying his award after a competition in Owerri, Imo State

intelligent networking, some fundamental technological and communication system breaking into the process of war against terror and Nigeria needs them to assist her in the onslaught or war against terrorism that is going on in the country. ”Remember also that Nigeria is seeking for permanent membership of the Security Council and whether we like it or not, the United

Government Area of the state.

He said, Through a well-coordinated and intelligence-led operation, the said Ogbule Justice was nabbed at Timaya Bush Bar, Nkaliki with Emmanuel Oyota and Abuchi Mbuta.

“The trio was rounded up while conducting newly conscripted members at Timaya Bush Bar. On sighting the police, they opened fire and scampered for safety. After a hot chase, the trio was arrested, while a few others escaped.”

He said Abuchi Mbuta who sustained bullet wounds during exchange of fire with the police, died on the way to hospital.

The spokesman listed the items recovered from the suspects to include a potable shoulder bag, one English double-barrel gun, a locally-fabricated six-round revolver pistol, one locally made double-barrel pistol and seven live cartridges, among others.

Anyanwu disclosed that the command also swooped on a gang of armed robbers who were in

,

H

ON. Donatus Nwankpa, Abia State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Comrade Chris Akomas, a chieftain of the party and former deputy governor of the state, have described President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the US as timely because Nigeria needs to strengthen ties with the US and the international community.

They were also optimistic that the meeting between the two leaders will improve trade and investment, technological advancement, recovery of stolen funds, tackle corruption and help in the war against ter-

From Chris Oji, Enugu

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T

HE call for restructuring the country is gathering steam, with a former Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NMA) Prof Elo Amaucheazi taking the same position.

He said there is need for an acceptable and balanced federation in order to enhance national integration.

Presenting the third Chris Efobi Memorial Foundation Lecture, titled “Leadership and Nigerian Political Development”, in Enugu, Amaucheazi submitted that under a restructured federation, Nigerians would no longer have dictators at the centre, while the constituent

The trio was rounded up while conducting newly conscripted members at Timaya Bush Bar. On sighting the police, they opened fire and scampered for safety. After a hot chase, the trio was arrested, while a few others escaped

,

operation in the metropolis which led to exchange of fire between the police and the hoodlums, leading to the death of one of the criminals, Obinnna Ukpai.

DSP Anyanwu said the 46 pupils were graduating students of a •Continued on page 39

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

27

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Abia workers demand pay From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

salaries by the state government.

We don’t know what the state government is waiting for to order that the money be used to pay our salaries.

Another civil servant said, “We have been finding it very difficult to transport ourselves to the office…but they still want us to be coming to work daily and punctual too.”

The Nation gathered that the delay in the payment may be connected to the staff audit in some, if not all, of the local governments and parastatals, owing to government’s determination to address reported cases of ghost workers in the state civil service, a situation which a local government in the state confirmed.

A worker at Obingwa Local Government Area told our correspondent that they are being owed about four months in salaries, adding that they now use a log book as a means of checking truancy among staff of the council, a system the staff said was introduced by their Head of Service.

According to the staff, it was shocking that some people that have even traveled overseas like we learnt were earning salaries which the use of log book has helped the council to uncover.

A source in the state told our reporter the state got N3billion from the Federal Government but needed N6billion to pay its workers.

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The situation is so bad that some of us who don’t have money to feed our families have withdrawn our children and wards from school because not everyone has the money to pay or afford the school fees private schools demand

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BIA State has acknowledged receipt of N3b bailout from the Federal Government to clear salary arrears but that has not stopped the state workers from asking for their backlog of pay.

The civil servants are said to be owed between four and nine months in salary depending on the parastatal.

Senior Special Assistant to Abia State Governor on Media, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue said the salaries would soon be paid.

Some local government staff, who spoke anonymously with our correspondent for fear of victimization, said that they were yet to get their salaries after February payment.

A health worker said, “The situation is so bad that some of us who don’t have money to feed our families have withdrawn our children and wards from school because not everyone has the money to pay or afford the school fees private schools demand.

Some of us owe our landlords; we are yet to renew our house rent.

Some whose landlords could not show understanding have been asked to quit their flats and apartments. That is how bad the situation has gotten to and we are yet to know the position of government about our case.

“It was these problems that led the federal government to give bailout funds to states and we prayed so very hard for it to happen and since the bailout was release, we are yet to be paid our

N6b needed to clear Abia salary arrears

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HE Federal Government has provided N3 billion to clear workers’ salary arrears in Abia State but the state has said it needs N3 billion more to offset the outstanding wage bill.

The state said, however, that with the bailout cash provided, it would soon start paying the arrears.

The state government said that it will look inwards with its internally generated revenue to make up the shortfall to enable it clear the salary backlog.

Speaking with The Nation in Umuahia the Senior Special Adviser to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Media, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue, said that the government is current with the payment of salary from the time Ikpeazu assumed office.

Emezue explained that workers who have not received their May salary were being delayed by the current verification exercise going on in the state’s work force to fish out ghost workers.

He said that those who have done their verification exercise have already received their May salary and will soon get their June pay while waiting for the salary arrears for those who are being owed to be cleared.

Emezue dismissed rumours making the rounds in some quarters that Governor Ikpeazu was not ready to pay the arrears of salary owed Abia workers.

He said, “The government has received the bailout fund; it is in the neighbourhood of N3 billion; we need about N6 billion to clear the arrears which we are going to clear in no distant time.

The money is here with us though it is not enough looking at our wage bill debt, but Governor Ikpeazu is looking inwards to augment the money and clear the salary arrears”.

The Abia governor’s media aid said that the governor has made it clear that he will clear all salary arrears, but will be done after clearing the current salary of workers from June and gradually clear the backlog.

Emezue said, “Current salaries are being paid, though some agencies have not received theirs and it is because government is carrying out workers verification to fish out ghost workers.

The workers that have not completed the verification exercise are those who have not received their current salaries, those who have done theirs have since received their current salaries.

Those who have completed their verification exercise will continue to receive their salaries; Government will by then know clearly who

The government has received the bailout fund; it is in the neighbourhood of N3 billion; we need about N6 billion to clear the arrears which we are going to clear in no distant time

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From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

the genuine workers in its payroll are.”

The Nation observed that part of the problem facing the government in clearing the salary arrears is the issue of ghost workers who were planted in the government payroll by top government officials, including past commissioners, permanent secretaries, council chairmen and chairmen of boards.

Ikpeazu during a media chat vowed to fish out ghost workers and those who planted them and bring them to book.

Emezue said, “Governor Okezie

has vowed not to owe genuine workers and also demands cooperation of the workers in this direction so that those who are genuine workers will get their pay as at when due, the governor will not owe any genuine worker.”

He urged the workers who have not done the verification to do it and begin to get their salaries, pointing out that the Governor wants to build a civil service that is proactive, dynamic and compliant.

The governor’s media aid also urged the workers to ignore the rumour that Ikpeazu would not pay the arrears, saying that the Government will pay the arrears of all Abia workers.

Pools agent held on rape charge

P

OLICE have arrested a man suspected to have attempted to defile a minor in Abia

State.

The suspect, Ogbonnaya Ogbuka, a pools agent based in Uzuakoli in Bende Local Government Area of the state, was almost lynched by a mob for allegedly trying to rape an eight-year-old daughter of a student-pastor.

The father of four, believed to be in his early 60s, was said to have lured the girl into his inner office when a neighbour who saw the girl enter, raised the alarm.

The Primary Three pupil said she came to buy kerosene in the neighbourhood when the pools agent, who is said to be separated from his wife, beckoned on her to come so he would send her on an errand.

The little girl said that immediately she came into the office the man grabbed her and dragged her

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

into the cubicle in his office and started fondling and forcibly undressing her, tearing her dress and underpants.

She said that the man was trying to force himself on her when a neighbor came into the office and raised alarm.

Passersby soon flooded the pools office and saw the pair in compromising positions.

The timely arrival of police reportedly saved the man from being lynched by an angry mob.

The suspect was quickly whisked him away to Uzuakoli police station where he was detained.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ezekiel Onyeke, confirmed the arrest of the man who was said to be paedophile.

•Executive members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Enugu chapter, with the GOC 82 Div., Nigeria Army, General Shehu Yusuf and other top officers of the division during a courtesy visit by the journalists.

PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

28

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

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•The Ohaneze team with Ezeemo beside the Monarch, Igwe Ezechukwu of Umuchu

Ohaneze restates values at philanthropist’s award From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

guage the members understand is money, while those aims and objectives have been thrown into the dust bin leaving Ohaneze to rot in the hands of selfish, greedy and self centred individuals.

The group told Ezeemo that the concern of Ohaneze today is that only few Igbo leaders show concern for the upkeep of the body, because according to them, only few appreciate its important role as the Igbo voice on national issues.

Speaking with the Nation, the traditional ruler of Umuchu community, Igwe Godson Ezechukwu, said that Ezeemo has made Umuchu a tourist centre for investors and various groups because of development

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PEX Igbo socio-cultural organisation Ohaneze Ndigbo reiterated its core values in Anambra State where it honoured a businessman and philanthropist Godwin Ezeemo for his contributions to the development of the state.

Ezeemo was given the State Service Award for his gestures to the church, media and schoolchildren, among others.

It was recalled at the ceremony which took place at Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area, that the businessman built a befitting church at Umuchu, a secretariat for the state Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as well instituted an annual football tournament for primary schools in the Aguata council.

Ohaneze seized the opportunity to re-echo its beliefs, saying it is customary for the organisation to celebrate and encourage those who help the people grow.

The state president of the organisation, Elder Chris Eluemunoh, a former chief press secretary in the 70s to then Head of State Gen Olusegun Obasanjo, led the group to the sleepy community.

Ohaneze mentioned Ezeemo’s visit to the tanker fire victims in Onitsha and his generous contribution to the well-being of the victims.

Eluemunoh said, “It is the tradition of Ohaneze to identify with, and encourage our illustrious sons and daughters who distinguish themselves in their various fields of endeavour, especially, those who have contributed to the development of Anambra State.

Others who were at the community to support the Ohaneze leadership included its Deputy President, Chief Obiorah Chris and the secretary, Dr Gabby Nwankwo, among others.

The apex Igbo socio Cultural organization was formed to re-establish those core values that made Igbo man proud, including hard work, excellence, patriotism, integrity, being your brother’s keeper and faith in each other.

It was also to develop a sustainable system in which the government, the private sector and the communities will work on an agreed agenda for massive re-education of the people.

Again, to create institutions for the sustenance of democracy in the communities, thus ensuring that only men and women of tested character, persons who are worthy of trust, are chosen to contest for political offices.

But all these, have vanished into thin air in Ohaneze, the only lan-

The concern of Ohaneze today is that only few Igbo leaders show concern for the upkeep of the body because only few appreciate its important role as the Igbo voice on national issues

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he has brought in the area.

However, the monarch called on the governments at all levels to encourage local investors by granting assistance to them through

good roads to access the establishments, provision of power to make businesses grow in those hinter lands.

The award recipient, Mr. Godwin

Ezeemo, said the reason he established all his businesses in rural area like, Umuchu is to encourage the youth and give job opportunities to those in such areas to reduce crime in the society.

But he regretted that governments are not encouraging them by not providing access roads to such facilities, which according to him, has hindered marketing of such products.

Ezeemo said there were lots of jobs in the rural areas for the unemployed youths but lamented that the taste of life in the cities of Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu among others had prevented them, adding that there was need to develop the rural areas to make them to be towns, the need for establishing businesses in them.

Health workers: why isn’t local gin ban enforced?

H

EALTH experts and other stakeholders have expressed worry over the nonenforcement of the ban on locally made gin, otherwise known as ‘ogogoro or kai-kai’, which was reported to have killed scores of consumers in Ondo and Rivers states.

According to a group of nutritionists and Public Health Safety Practitioners, the incident in Rivers State has not served as a deter-

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

rent to the production or consumption of ‘ogogoro’ because of the inability of the relevant authorities to enforce the ban on the killer drinks.

In a statement issued by the leader of the group, Chief Simeon Adahni, “the inability of relevant authorities in Rivers and Ondo states to enforce the ban on these locally made gins is a serious threat to the

lives and health of Nigerians. For instance the “ogogoro” as it is popularly known has infiltrated Anambra, Imo, Enugu and other states close to Rivers and if nothing is done to check this trend, many innocent Nigerians will die.

“It is still unimaginable that you can still find these killer substances being sold openly in Rivers State after the tragedy despite the ban of the sale and consumption by government. Another place of major concern is the commercial city of Onitsha in Anambra State, where ‘ogogoro is consumed in very high quantity. The Rivers state government particularly seems to lack the political will to enforce the ban”.

He disclosed that ogogoro contains high volume of methanol which he said is “very harmful to the body especially the liver”.

In his words, “the nationwide ban on the consumption of this locally made gin will remain a wild goose chase, except if there is proper enforcement. We still wonder how these banned substances still find their ways to the market, where they are sold and consumed in public. Our advise is that all relevant

government authorities should step up action on the ban to forestall a repeat of the Rivers and Ondo tragedy.

“Apart from the recent deaths caused by the consumption of ‘ogogoro’ in Rivers, Ondo, as well as Cross River states, these killer gins have been in the markets and all parts of the country for decades and enjoy high rate of consumption among ignorant Nigerians who risk premature death as a result.

“We are also worried that regulatory bodies like NAFDAC is not doing much to rid the country of these locally made gins, which have continued to cause the death of Nigerians. We are not talking about the registered companies that distil gins in line with global best practices but we are concerned with those who go to the market and buy gallons of ethanol or methanol and go to their backyard and prepare the concoction they call ‘ogogoro or kai kai’.

“The worst part of it is that this the people keep consuming these killer drinks, despite the obvious health hazards, while the government is doing nothing about it”.

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•From left, University of Nigeria, Nsukka Vice Chancellor, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, Bursar, Dr. Mrs. Chinenyeze Obi; Librarian, Dr. Mrs. Chinwe Ezeani, and Deputy Registrar, Dr. Mrs. Odukwe at a forum ahead of the African Network of Scientific and Technological Institution (ANSTI) and Conference of Vice Chancellors, Deans and Science, Engineering and Technology (COVIDSET) PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

The inability of relevant authorities in Rivers and Ondo states to enforce the ban on these locally made gins is a serious threat to the lives and health of Nigerians

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Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHSOUTH STATES

FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

PAGE 29

Ibori’s kinsmen draw battle line with monarch over N200m oil royalties Oghara, the hometown of former Delta State Governor James Ibori, is boiling. The youths are up in arms against their monarch. The fight may get messier, reports OKUNGBOWA AIWERE

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INSIDE

LL is not well with the residents of Oghara community in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Fear of insecurity has enveloped the community of former Governor James Ibori, with residents living in mutual suspicion. The past few weeks have been tumultuous. Irate youths have barricaded its streets, setting bonfires at intersections, seeking justice for the extra-judicial murder of the community’s vigilante boss.

To further worsen the matter, the community is inexorably drawn into further crisis with a low level war being prosecuted between the youth’s group and the traditional institution.

The crux of the matter is a government’s directive lifting ban on youth activities in the twin communities of Ogharafe and Ogharaeki.

The battle line is drawn between executive members of the subsisting youth organisations jointly led

by Ejiro Efetobore and Favour Ededey and the traditional institution.

Ejiro and Ededey, the pre-ban leaders of the youth groups, want to continue in office following the lifting of the ban, but the traditional ruler (Ovie) of Oghara, Noble Oyibo Eshemitan, Oreki III, wants a new youth’s body elected based on new guidelines. The net effect of the monarch’s plan will see the removal of the executive and usher in a new group, a situation the subsisting youth group find intolerable.

Youth activities were banned in 2013 by the Uduaghan administration following allegations of rampant criminality, including kidnapping, oil bunkering and extortion of oil companies by youths in the area.

But the youth’s chairmen alleged that the king, who upon ascension in 2013 to the throne, misled the Uduaghan administration into banning youth activities, stressing that the real reason for the ban was to have unrestrained access to oil companies.

The monarch debunked such insinuations, adding that he and his council of chiefs have resolved to

•Oghara youths protesting the arrest of Ibori in 2010

put an end to the violent crimes in the area engineered by the youth’s group by electing credible youths.

He said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in a tripartite agreement between the youth, traditional ruler, and the women at a meeting with the exGovernor Uduaghan at his Warri residence, required him to set new guidelines for election into the youth’s group.

According to him, the process was close to completion, stressing that the new rules include pegging membership of the youth group to those between the ages of 20 to 40 years old and other criteria that will be unveiled soon.

He said the youth group did not meet conditions stipulated in the new guidelines, stressing that the

Odidi, Kantu communities battle NPDC over oil well PAGES 30 - 35

‘youth’ are ‘discredited men of over 50 years’.

He alleged that the current youth constituted themselves into an extortionist body that terrorised oil companies in area.

However, Ejiro Efetobore, who is the Chairman Ogharefe community, argued that it was wrong for the king to implement new conditions to elect new youth group when there is a subsisting youth executive council.

His words: “We were delighted following the lifting of the ban on youth activities by ex-Gov. Uduaghan on the 26th May 2015.

Uduaghan invited the youths, traditional ruler and the chiefs. This meeting culminated in the lifting of the ban on youth activities.

There is the assumption that the

youths ought to resume their various functions including building our secretariat, liaising with youth leadership at clan level for the good of the community. Whether you like it or not, the youth is the mouthpiece of every community.

The tradition has been that we the youths take on issues afflicting community and report to the elders.”

He traced the crisis to 2013 when three persons aspired to the kingship position, adding that since the kingship tussle had been resolved and staff of office presented to the new king, the youths had pledged their allegiance to the new monarch and are prepared to work with him.

Continuing, he said: “Some time ago after the demise of our former King the tussle for the po-

sition between three persons but some persons believed the youths were not in support of the reigning monarch. When he became King he opposed the youth body and told lies to Uduaghan who banned youth activities in the community. Some of the allegations ranged from extortion of oil companies, illegal bunkering, kidnapping and other social vices. A traditional ruler who is supposed to support the youth has turned around to fight us. We are surprised we do not know where the problem is coming from. We pledged our loyalty to him, but we are surprised that the king does not want us to function.”

SEE PAGE ON 30 - 35

Artisan battles soldiers ‘How reckless over car seizure bullion van driver, in Effurun police crippled me’ PAGES 32-33

PAGES 32-33

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

NIGER DELTA REPORT COVER

Naval officers relive Ibori’s kinsmen , monarch draw battle line over N200m oil royalties ordeal battling oil theft •CONTINUED FROM PAGE- 29

BOLAJI OGUNDELE writes about Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta’s efforts at fighting oil theft and illegal refineries, highlighting the dangers faced by personnel to bring about the success so far recorded

• Naval officers destroying an illegal fuel dump

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HE creeks, the deep recesses of the Niger Delta region of the nation are a nest of sort; it gives convenience and shield to a lot of things. The Nigerian black gold, the crude oil, is nestled in the deep creeks. It was same creeks that gave cover to youths of the oil-rich region when they were fed up enough to pick up arms against the nation while demanding for a share of the proceeds from the black gold.

The same creeks have become the shield constantly exploited by yet another breed of Niger Deltans, whose interest has fallen on making brisk business from illegally acquired crude oil, which has come to be known as bunkering. In recent times, fighting this menace of oil theft has constituted a major preoccupation for security forces, especially the Nigerian Navy and the Civil Defense Corps. Hundreds of suspects have over time been taken into custody, equipment worth several millions of dollars either confiscated or destroyed and millions of metric tons of stolen crude and illegally refined products also destroyed.

The Nigerian government has in the last few years, since the menace became a reality, not spared resources in combatting it. A particular government effort, which has constantly received negative criticism was the choice of the Goodluck Jonathan administration to vote billions of dollars to pipelines surveillance contracts, awarded to ex-militant leaders in the Niger Delta to protect strategic pipelines. It should be noted that despite the huge financial commitment to the pipelines protection course, the nation’s crude oil output continued to deplete as a result of unabated oil theft, gradually crippling the economy.

In this fight to protect the nation’s economy against oil thieves and to finally stamp out the ‘scourge’ of illegal oil refineries, officers and men of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, have shown much courage and commitment, with several operations reported and documented to the credit of the naval high command.

The media is also partner in the fight and in most cases was present on the battle front. At the end of the day, it is always left to the media to convey to the world how much progress has been made in the efforts, relying on what it must have witnessed in the operations. Figures and facts about places touched, items affected and in rare cases, arrests made. However, there have been other unreported events that most times accompany the operations.

These unreported events are the personal experiences of those who take part in the several ‘expeditions’ into the deep creeks to rid the hidden places of enclaves of oil thieves and their illegal refineries. The events, in concise description, are mostly fearsome and dangerous.

According to one of the journalists who have taken part in several anti-oil theft operations with the NNS Delta over many years, but who does not want his name mentioned, for safety reasons, “just the thought of the fact that the locations set for the activities are secluded,

not easily accessible and definitely not one you can easily escape from, in a case of threat to life, scares me.

For instance, if perchance those hoodlums decide to be daring and mete hostility back to security agents, I fear what might happen to some of us who are always unarmed and untrained in the arts surviving in such terrains as the activities take place. Thank God though, He has always protected us from dangers all along”.

Besides the dangers imagined by the journalists, other physical arms have continued, from time to time, to lay in the way of the gallant men and officers of the naval command, as well as their media companies into the dark, deep recesses of the creeks. Lieutenant Bright Eniye (not his real name) is one of the officers involved in most of the recent operations carried out by the Warri naval base in the fight against oil theft. He described details of some recent incidents, which nearly claimed lives. According to him, their mandate on the operations include to search out, locate and destroy illegal oil bunkring and illegal oil refining sites in their area of responsibility. They are to also arrest those found to be around such sites or those alleged or suspected to be perpetrators of the illegal endeavours. However, in the line of fulfilling the mandate, many of the times, the procedures had almost boomeranged as life-threatening occurrences had sadly been experienced.

“For instance, sometime in 2014, I think about July or August, we almost lost an officer; the then B.O.O (Base Operations Officer), Commander Olorundare, that was under the command of Commodore Musa Gemu. He was actually the one who led us on the operation and giving all the orders. We had gone through several illegal refining sites, destroyed them all and then got to this suspiciously narrow water path, there was a little attempt to disguise it as a disused water path, probably one that had been abandoned for a while. However, Commodore Gemu’s vigilance and experience pushed him to lead to inspect the path. We had to remove barricades placed on the access into the way and no sooner had we done that did we come into a winding hideaway, where a huge Cotonou boat, loaded with crude oil, which was definitely stolen, was quietly hidden.

“The Commander ordered that the boat, with its content, be destroyed. Before carrying the order, he asked that all boats and personnel be kept at a distance, leaving the boat of those to carry the order out just a few metres away from the Cotonou boat and its illegal content. Commander Olorundare was the one to set fire on the Cotonou boat. He lighted a substance, standing on the edge of a side of the huge container boat, threw the fire to a far end of the boat and started racing back towards the end where he could join his boat to escape.

•Continued on page 33

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N what exactly the monarch is doing to frustrate their efforts at performing their functions, Ejiro stressed, “since the ex-governor lifted the ban on youth activities we have not been allowed to function. If we gather in our secretariat for a meeting or organise a party, he instigates the law enforcement agents to disrupt the occasion”.

At the heart of the dispute, according to our investigation, is the annual N200 million royalties, allegedly accruable to Oghara community from the oil companies operating in the area.

Efetobore maintained that the monarch stopped the youth from providing labour contracts to the oil companies, while accusing the monarch of ‘appointing his chiefs to the positions of community liaison officer of the various oil companies’.

His words: “He stopped us from performing our various function to oil companies and appointed some people who reports to him all transactions between the community and the oil companies. The persons appointed by the king have side-lined the community and reports only to the king and this has not been the tradition and custom of Oghara community.

“The former monarch never intruded into community affairs, he was entitled to 40 per cent royalty from the oil companies, but we are surprised that this reigning king wants all the money and always intrudes in our activities. The custom is that the youth’s intermediates between community and oil companies including homage, appointments, labour contracts, and so on, these are passed through the youths onward to our king. The situation is that the king has direct transactions with the oil companies including yearly homage.”

On the rampant cases of criminality for which the community has become infamous, Efetobore blamed the upsurge in criminal activities to the ban placed on youth

•Efetobore

•Ededey

‘

The youth group has been terrorising the oil companies in the area, and this has impacted negatively on the community. The task given to us by Governor Okowa is nearing completion and we will make our proposals known in due course. Youths are normally from ages 20-40 years but this set of youths is over 50 years

•HRM Eshemitan

activities, adding that, ‘There has been series of criminal activities, but thank God, we have the military and the police which are work-

ing round the clock to check their activities.

“There was an upsurge after youth activities were banned as

they were no longer given chance to function, but since the lifting of the ban and with renewed collaboration with the military criminal ac-

tivities will be minimised. The youth group does not harbour criminals, when we discover any such persons we usually hand over such to the

‘

police. The vigilance group set up by the last administration had bad elements among them, some were criminals. We cannot guarantee that

they are all clean’.

Favour Ededey, co-chair Oghareki community corroborated Efetobore.

He said, ‘Our present king is really giving us hard time. During the reign of the former King, the three tier of administration were functioning in the community. After the presentation of staff of office, we have been banned from his palace.

According to him, ‘during the last meeting with Uduaghan, it was resolved that three members be drawn from among the youths, chiefs in order to fashion a proposal to guide youth activities. Since on the 28th May, the monarch and his chiefs have not put anything forward to resolve this conflict’.

He alleged that monies collected from oil activities in the area have been diverted into pockets of individuals, stressing that the monarch has usurped the activities of the youths.

He said: “In Oghareki vessels berth daily and NI million is collected, we ask where this money is going to. It is going to the pockets of individuals in the community. This has been going on since youth’s were banned, they cannot account for the money. In the past when oil companies come to the community they deal with us, but not so any longer as the king is directly in charge they give the jobs to their children and sell the other job slots.”

But, the monarch in an interview with our reporter blasted the youth body labelling its members extortionists. He said since he assumed the throne he had done a lot to curb the excesses of the youth group.

His words: “The youth group has been terrorising the oil companies in the area, and this has impacted negatively on the community. The task given to us by Governor Okowa is nearing completion and we will make our proposals known in due course. Youths are normally from ages 20-40 years but this set of youths is over 50 years. This situation will not be allowed in this community.

The youths in the community are known to us.”

Odidi, Kantu communities battle NPDC over oil well A

T some point it seemed like the cat and dog outlook that has characterised oil companies/host communities relationships had transformed to something better until lately when fresh traces of hostilities started becoming frequent again. From communities in Delta to those in Bayelsa, the inability of both sides to either come to agree on terms or failure of one side to meet agreement has resulted in constant friction, which in some cases had led to community actions and shut down of activities on site and of course, eventual shut-in of production.

One of such cases is the tripod-tango among the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), NestOil Plc and the host communities of Odidi and Kantu. NPDC is the exploration company, which employed the services of NestOil to be the administrator/executor. In fulfilling the Nigerian Content Act provisions and probably part of agreement reached with host communities, the explorer, being NPDC, decided to give some contracts to local contractors, but then the explorer mandated its administrator to execute payment to community contractors.

Things were going on fine until a hitch occurred in the payment process.

Odidi/Kantu local contractors, in a petition to the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), complained of a breach in a contractual agreement with NPDC, to the effect that they had completed a pipeline contract given them and that that they had been paid indeed, so some extent. The remaining part of the payment, they claimed, had remained a serious source of pain to them as they are also, as a result of the debt owed them by the oil company, they are now indebted to both banks and community youths and other hands who rendered services to them in the course of executing the project.

The petition, signed by seven companies; Global Plan Consolidated Company Nigeria Limited, S.Y. Mamamu and Sons

‘

There are a lot of issues we need to sort out about that OML 42; Odidi, Kantu and others. We have decided to engage them... We’ll meet with opinion leaders because some of the opinion leaders are contractors who are not in the exco. This problem between us and Neconde is causing a lot of confusion, we need to brief them thoroughly; all outstanding issues about payment will be put in proper perspectives. There’s been a lot of confusion and being the operators, they are naturally bound to be angry with us, but I think these stakeholders’ meetings will clear all issues and then they’ll know who to blame and who to hold responsible From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

Limited, Bil-Ke Corp Services Limited, Satebas Ventures Limited, Lkon Resources Nigeria Company, Odidi Integrated Services Limited and Dan Mene Enterprises, said “the contracts were executed successfully and invoices submitted to NestOil Group Plc for payment since September and November 2014. NestOil Group Plc has only effected part payment of the various contractors’ invoices. The delay in the settlement of the outstanding amount on our invoices has created indescribable hardships as we took loan facilities from banks in order to execute the subject works. As a result, high interest payment is mounting on our various facilities.

‘

“Kindly prevail on NestOil Group Plc to rise up to its responsibilities as we cannot continue to hold back local communities youths and suppliers we engaged in the execution of the contract which have not been paid since last year from going to site to stop your operation. We have engaged NestOil Group GMD severally on this issue. He has always claimed that NNPC Group has not released funds to him to pay us. Presently, he is no longer accessible to us. He does not pick his calls neither is he available for a meeting”, the communities alleged in their petition, urging in the interim that the NNPC “kindly instruct NPDC to pay us immediately as your Interface Management Contractor (NestOil Group Plc) has refused to pay us. Besides, NPDC awarded the contract to us in the first place. We do not

have a signed contract agreement with NestOil Group Plc”.

Although NestOil could not be reached for an official reaction to the development and the reported anger of the local contractors, a reliable source within the hierarchy of the company, who wished not to be named, confirmed that the company had indeed yet to complete payment for the completed contract. The source, however, pointed out that 70% of the payment had been done and that the remaining 30% is in dollars, adding that the company has not been able to pay because it has not been paid for its commitment in the project either.

Reacting to the development, the NPDC pointed out that the problem with OML 42, which the oil fields in the communities belong to have recently been a source serious confusion.

Manager, External Relations Department of the NPDC, Ugo Atugbokoh, why clarifying issues on the grouse of the local contractors, said his company had already set series of meetings with various sets of stakeholders in the OML 42 belt, where the Odidi/Kantu communities belong. He said by the time they would be done with the meetings, stakeholders would appreciate the situation and know who to blame and for what.

“There are a lot of issues we need to sort out about that OML 42; Odidi, Kantu and other. We have decided to engage them tomorrow (Wednesday) and Thursday. Tomorrow we have a meeting with all leaders of various communities then Thursday we’ll meet with opinion leaders because some of the opinion leaders are contractors who are not in the exco. This problem between us and Neconde is causing a lot of confusion, we need to brief them thoroughly; all outstanding issues about payment will be put in proper perspectives. There’s been a lot of confusion and being the operators, they are naturally bound to be angry with us, but I think these stakeholders’ meetings will clear all issues and then they’ll who to blame and who to hold responsible,”Atugbokoh said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

31

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

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N a bid to have a first-hand knowledge of the state of affairs of the hospital and also feel the pulse of the patients, the wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel recently visited the Qua Iboe Church Leprosy Hospital, Ekpene Obom in Etinan Local Government Area. She donated several food items and toiletries to inmates of the hospital.

The governor’s wife said she came to identify with the inmates because God appreciates it when the affluent in the society visits and donates to the needy. She added that because they have been confined to the health institution because of their plight, it was pertinent they do not give up on themselves because God has not given up on them either.

Mrs. Emmanuel urged the inmates not to be dejected by their plight but rather be prayerful and cultivate the ‘I can do spirit’. She promised that government would also look at measures to empower some of them who have undergone rehabilitation in order to be re-integrated into the society. She thanked the staff and management of the hospital for their continued services, praying that their labour of love to the needy would not be forgotten. The first lady also promised to be visiting them more often.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Archibong Afia, said they were thrilled to receive her. He congratulated the governor’s wife for her husband’s emergence as winner of teh last election, praying that God would grant the First Family the grace to stay focused.

Dr. Afia informed the governor’s wife that the hospital, established about 80 years ago, was administered under a tripartite arrangement between Qua Iboe Church Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State government and the Leprosy Mission, noting that it was quite unfortunate when the Leprosy Mission withdrew their staff and services in 2010 due to world economic meltdown. The CMD added that since then it had been difficult with the hospital.

He also highlighted various challenges facing the hospital to include dilapidated buildings, patients’ feeding, rehabilitation of patients, tarring of access road, water reticulation, security fencing and the ab-

• Deaconess Emmanuel dancing with a cross section of Children at the Goodnews Gospel Village, Abak during her visit to the home.

Akwa Ibom governor’s wife gives joy to leprosy patients From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

sorption of some mission staff into the civil service.

The CMD called on the government to help solve these problems.

An inmate of the hospital, Mrs. Offiong Bassey, who doubles as the President, Joint Association of Persons Living with Disabilities, Akwa Ibom chapter, thanked the governor’s wife for the visit, adding that her coming had given a sigh of relief to them. She bemoaned their lack of inclusion in the scheme of things

in government, advocating that they should also be considered for positions.

Similarly, Mrs. Emmanuel visited the Goodnews Gospel Village Community, Abak where she donated cash, food items and toiletries to the home for their upkeep. She appreciated the founder of the home and wife, Arch. Bishop and Apostle Elijah Mboho for their love and vision for the less privileged in the society, saying that what they had achieved over the years was a no mean feat. She also took time to admonish the children of the home to

be of good conduct and respect their elders adding that they have what it takes to become successful in life.

Apostle Mboho thanked the first lady for her support and donations towards the home, pointing out that they were answers to prayers. she prayed for her success and bountiful rewards. Apostle Mboho said the home, which has produced many graduates, had recorded many signs and wonders .

Commissioner of Information Mr. Aniekan Umanah, who is an indigene of the area, appreciated the governor’s wife for visiting the

home, adding that since time immemorial, the home had been doing a great job. He also thanked the founder for his consistent running of the home, praying that God would sustain him.

There children sang and danced to the admiration of all.

On the governor’s wife’s entourage was Commissioner for Women Affairs Dr. Glory Edet, her health counterpart, Dr. Dominic Ukpong as well as Science and Technology, Dr. Elizabeth Obot. Others were legislator’s wives, chairmen of board and parastatal and other government female dignitaries.

Ogbe-Ijoh youths hail Okowa over Omare Y OUTHS of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom in Delta State, under the auspices of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Urban Youth Forum, have commended the state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, on the appointment of their kinsman and Spokesperson of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Eric Omare , as his Special Assistant on Youth and Community Development.

The commendation was contained in a statement, titled: “Thank You Message to His Excellency Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa…,” which was signed on behalf of the youth body

by Godspower Bouyi and Richard Koremene, Chairman and Publicity Secretary respectively, of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Urban Youth Forum.

They said, “We the members of the above forum heartily express our infallible gratitude to His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa the Executive Governor, Delta State for the appointment of one of our own, brother and friend Barrister Eric Omare as your Special Assistance on Youth and Community Development.

“We wish to say the appointment is a demonstration of concern, depiction of love and kindness to the people of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, particularly the members of the Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Urban Youth Forum.”

The group described the appointment of Omare, a graduate of Law from the Univer-

From Shola O’Neil, Warri

sity of Benin and Law and Sustainable Development from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom, as putting a square peg in a square hole, noting that the appointee is not only capable, but someone that enjoys the respect and support of both his kinsmen and other ethnic nationalities in the state across board.

The letter noted, “Your Excellency, we are immeasurably grateful to the appointment and wish to state that the appointment is a right choice in the right direction and a square peg in a square hole. Appointment such as this can only be meaningful with someone who is competent and experienced in the management and coordination of youths. “ Eric Omare, who is the Principal Partner at E. K. Omare & Company, having being the Spokesman of Ijaw Youth Council, (IYC) a notable worldwide youth organisation on youth management and coordination particularly in the Niger Delta, is not just qualified but have the capacity of discharging his new responsibility properly.

“With this appointment, we have no doubt on his ability to tame, organise or mobilize Delta State youths for a common action.

“We thank you your Excellency and wish to assure that we shall reciprocate this kind gesture by being supportive to your admin-

•Okowa

•Omare

istration to creating an enabling environment to enable you meet your SMART objectives.

It is our prayer that the almighty God grant you the Solomon wisdom to succeed. While we thank you we plead with his Excellency to create an enabling environment for all appointees to operate so they can contribute meaningfully in your administration.”

Meanwhile, the Ogbe-Ijoh Youth group also used the opportunity to congratulate and fe-

licitate with their brother and friend “for his well-deserved appointment and promised that we are solidly behind him.

“Similarly is our appeal to all Delta youths to be law abiding and corporate with the SA by creating a conducive environment devoid of criminality, acrimony, hooliganism and youth on rest for government to bring the dividends of democracy on youth empowerment and development.”

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

‘How reckless bullion van driver, police crippled me in Delta community’ •Help save my wife’s life, says husband

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HEN Niger Delta Report visited the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, on Monday, 31-year-old Mrs Onome Akporode, a mother of four, was in pain. There was a sad look on her ebony black face; she seemed to be watching the tragic movie of her journey to the DELSUTH through her mind’s eye. Her endless gaze into space was only punctuated by occasion glance at a space on the white sheet covered hospital bed where her left leg would have been.

A week earlier the young woman was full of life. Those who know her, especially her husband of nearly a decade, Michael Akporode, described her as a hardworking, friendly woman and dream wife. But on the hospital bed, she looked drained and sullen.

“This is a woman who has stuck with me through thick and thin; she has seen by best and my worst, yet she loves me and our four children unconditionally. In between my onoff job as an offshore worker, she has managed and kept the home together. She is always up and doing to provide for the family,” her husband said during an exclusive chat with Niger Delta Report.

On that Monday afternoon, she laid helplessly on her sickbed inside a room at the ultramodern Intensive Care Unit of DELSUTH. She was without her left leg, which had been chopped by dedicated medical personnel who are battling to save her life.

“See what they have done to me; see what they have turned me into!” she muttered in response to our reporter’s greeting.

She had left her home for the Udu Road branch of an old generation bank in Orhumworun, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, on July 13, without the faintest hint of the cruel fate that awaited her.

Her husband disclosed that her mission was to send him money for his upkeep pas he was away in Port Harcourt, Rivers state where he was hustling for a job.

“I was in Port Harcourt hustling for a job and she was the one supporting the family. That day (Monday) she went to pay N5,000 into my friend’s account for me to be managing to buy food and other needs while waiting for the job hunt that took me to Port Harcourt. She had been the one sur-

Shola Oneil, South-south Regional Editor, Warri

viving me and the family since my former job ended. All I have achieved, the house I built was with her help,” her husband said with a tinge of regret in his voice.

Mrs Akporode, who spoke for the first time on that Monday, revealed that she had completed her transaction at the bank and was on her way home when tragedy struck. She was just in front of the bank when the accident that crippled her occurred.

Ironically, the harbingers of her misfortune are agents of the bank she was just coming out from. The crazy gang, comprising a bullion van and accompanying police team, was speeding towards the bank against the flow of traffic from the Udu Roundabout. Some of the policemen had their guns poised to fire; others had horsewhips with which they wiped errant drivers out of their path.

An eyewitness said: “The woman was crossing the double lane road and had to stop at the barrier at middle of the road to watch out before crossing the other lane. It was while she was waiting to make the second leg of the crossing that they came.”

A Mercedes Benz 911 lorry was also at the scene. Although the truck was on the right lane, the driver had to choose between running into the police convoy in front of the bank, which may result in him being battered by the police and probably arrested for ‘attempting to hijack the bullion van’ or veering off the road.

The driver had an infinitesimal second to think and he chose option of careering off his path, in a crazy zigzag.

A lucky pedestrian standing a few feet away from the woman on the median saw the danger early enough and dashed out of its way. He told our reporter that his primary concern was to get out of the danger and he didn’t think of shouting out a warning to others on the oncoming danger.

The driver, unable to avoid the convoy, ran his Mercedes Benz 911 truck into the median, crashing into the unfortunate woman and crushing her both legs against the concrete pavement. The sheer impact created a gory paste of flesh, bone and blood out of what used to be Mrs Akporode’s feet.

•Mrs Akporode on the hospital bed

•Mr and Mrs Akporode before the accident

It was a pathetic sight. The picture of the hapless woman smashed to the floor, blooding oozing from her mangled feet, stupefied and infuriated onlookers. Some made to assist her, others turned against the policemen and the bank officials.

In the milieu, panicky policemen drew out their gun and shot into the air to scare away the angry mob while the woman lay helpless in the pool of her blood. Various sources confirmed that bystanders who made to assist the accident victim and rush her to the hospital were stopped by the policemen.

“They brought out gun and threatened to shoot anybody who came near; they were standing over the woman but refused to help.”

The action of the policemen reportedly delayed the rescue for at least 30minutes, until soldiers were called

in from a nearby military checkpoint to calm the situation.

Cost of treatment killing She was later rushed to the Warri General Hospital, where she was turned away and referred to the better equipped and staffed DELSUTH, Oghara. At the teaching hospital, a spirited battle to save the woman started.

The first battle was to replace some of the blood she had lost. The task was made even more difficult because of her rare and finicky O- blood group, which only accepts donor from similar group.

At the time our reporter spoke with Michael on Monday afternoon, the woman was breathing normally for the first time in seven days. The oxygen mask had been removed from her face and her prospect was brighter. But

by Tuesday afternoon when our reporter returned to the hospital, she was again back at the theatre where a delicate operation to save her right leg took place.

It was learnt that a bone transplant was done to replace part of the damage bones on the leg.

However, her jobless husband told our reporter that they were not out of the wood yet. “The cost treatment, drugs and things like the bone that we just bought is exorbitant. The doctors and everybody involved in the case are doing their very best and it is impressive the efforts they are putting in, but without being able to get drugs and everything they need, there is really nothing they can do. And the cost of the drugs is very high.

“As I am talking to you, we have spent about N2million on drugs, blood and other medical supplies”, he said

on Tuesday evening.

Earlier on Monday, he explained that he had a list of drugs worth over N100,000 that he had to buy, adding, “I am going to Warri now to get at least two pints of blood. When I was leaving this (Monday) morning, I left N50,000 with my sister, that money has been spent and we are spending more. Every day I spend up to N200,000.

“I cannot leave my wife to die; God has spared her life till now, but I need the assistance of public-spirited persons, organizations and anywhere help can come from,” Michael Akporode added.

The troubled husband lamented that neither the management of the bank nor the police had given help of any sort.

Consequently, he said when he is not with his wife, he and other family

•Mr Akporode begging for alms

members are going from place to place begging for alms. He said the search for money had taken him to churches, market places and even the home of politicians.

“Hon Loveth Idisi is the only prominent person that has assisted us so far. he gave us N50,000 when he came here to see a different patient. He had pity on us when he heard my wife’s story.

“So, it has not been easy and we are doing everything in our power to raise money, because without the money there is nothing the doctors can do; they need the drugs to treat my wife.

“Please help me appeal to the State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and other public spirited persons all over the country to come to my aid because without money my wife will die.

Please tell those that want to help to go to Diamond Bank and pay anything into the account in my name (Michael

David vs Goliath: Artisan battles soldiers over car seizure in Effurun A

N artisan, Mr Abiodun Olutayo, has dragged the Commanding Officer, 3 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Effurun Barrack, Lt Col Bassey Effiong to a Delta High Court in Otor-Udu, over the unlawful and continuous detention of his Toyota Camry car.

The car, which was ‘snatched’ by gun-wielding soldiers from the battalion over a month ago, has been moved to the Ebrumede Police Station in Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.

Others joined in the suit are one Sgt Olotu Adedeji, Cpl Anthony Iyang, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the station, CSP Okoh Christopher, the state Police Commissioner and Inspector General of Police.

In his affidavit, Olutayo, a Lubricator/Wheel balancing technician, appealed to the court to order the release of the car, stressing, “Unless this Honourable Court immediately directs the Respondents to release the Toyota Camry Car to him, the Respondents would continue to deprive him the use of his aforesaid Toyota Camry Car and same would continue to cause the Applicant and his immediate family exceptional hardship and pains, hence this application.”

Earlier in a petition early sent to the Inspector General of Police by Oghenejabor Ikimi, Principal, Partner of Oghenejabor Ikimi & Co, indicated that the military using sheer brute force, hijacked the car from the home of the hapless Olutayo, a vulcaniser, around the PTI Road, Effurun, on June 5.

Consequently, Olutayo is pleading an order of the court

From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt

“directing the respondents to release forthwith his Toyota Camry Car with registration number: JJJ 84 AT unlawfully seized/compulsorily taken into possession since the 5th day of June, 2015 and kept in the custody of the Nigeria Police Station, Ebrumede, Delta State for no just cause, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application filed by the Applicant in this suit.”

He is also seeking an order of the court granting him leave to serve all the processes in the suit on the 6th Respondent through the O/C Legal, State CID, Asaba.”

Explaining the events leading to the car’s “unlawful” seizure, Ikimi, in the petition to the IGP Solomon Arase, said Olutayo and Adedeji met in April 2013, when the army personnel was posted to a military checkpoint along PTI, where the former owns a vulcaniser workshop.

It was gathered that the duo, being from the same Ondo state, became close to the extent that Adedeji later introduced a female indigene of Ogun state to his new found friend as his “lovely girlfriend”.

However, according to the petition, trouble broke out last June when the military man’s Toyota Sienna car was stolen during a visit to the “lovely girlfriend” in Effurun.

Things got from bad to worse for the lovers when Adedeji

reportedly met a prophet, who told him that his girlfriend was responsible for the disappearance of the car.

Ikimi said, “Army Sergeant Adedeji informed our client that he had earlier received a phone call from an anonymous caller asking him to beg his girlfriend and her mother in order to get back his car.”

The drama took a new dimension, according to the petition, when the girlfriend (names withheld) reportedly got a text message from the lover boy military man, denying paternity of the love child resulting from their relationship.

The denial, which was allegedly conveyed through a text message, was forwarded by the aggrieved girlfriend to Olutayo, who in turn appealed to his friend, Sergeant Olotu Adedeji, not to take such a step out of anger.

The vulcaniser said his intervention and peace shuttle was interpreted by the aggrieved military man to mean that he connived with the lady to steal his car.

“Thus on the 5th day of June, 2015, Army Sergeant Olotu Adedeji stormed the residence of our client with two other soldiers at about 9:10pm and menacingly demanded and forcefully took his Toyota Camry car with registration number Lagos: JJJ 84 AT, to the Army Barracks, Effurun.”

The vehicle was detained at the Effurun Barracks headquarters of the 3 Battalion, until the DPO of Ebrumede Police Station wrote a letter demanding that the car be forwarded to his station for investigation.

The DPO’s letter followed a formal complaint laid by the Abiodun Olutayo on the illegal seizure of his car by the military.

When our reporter contacted the Commanding Officer of the battalion, Lt Col Bassey Ekong, shortly after the incident, he was told that matter would be handed over to the police after conclusion of an investigation according to military rules.

However, Ikimi said while releasing the car to the police, Lt Col Bassey added a rider: “that the said Divisional Police Officer should not release our client’s car to him, until our client produces the missing car or Army Sergeant Olotu Adedeji’s girlfriend.”

He further disclosed that “In the course of investigation by the Police, both our client and Adedeji’s girlfriend made statements to the Police and were subsequently granted bailand till date the said Divisional Police Officer apparently acting the script of the Commanding Officer of the 3 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Effurun Barracks, have refused to release our client’s car to him or charge our client to Court if found culpable, hence this petition to your office, for your prompt intervention.”

The human rights lawyer appealed to the IG to look into Olutayo’s complaints in order to facilitate the release of the car, which is his only private source of mobility for him and his family.

At the time of this report on Tuesday, the victim and his lawyers were at the Otor-Udu High Court, where the motion exparte for the release of the car was slated for hearing.

Akporode) and account number 0067122001,” he added.

IGP gets petition Delta State based human rights lawyer and National Coordinator of the Centre for the Vulnerable and Underprivileged, Oghenejabor Ikimi Esq, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police over the fate of Mrs Akporode.

Oghenejabor Ikimi, who said he was briefed by Mr Michael Akporode, expressed disgust at the attitude of the bank and the Nigerian Police, when he spoke in a telephone chat with our reporter.

He lamented that the police and management of the bank have not deemed it fit to visit the victim and bear the responsibility for her medical bills, in spite of the devastating effect on her physically and psycholog-

ical.

Ikimi, in a petition to the Inspector General of Police, while noting that the left leg of the school teacher had already been amputated, Ikimi added that “Doctors are still contemplating on amputating the right leg for her to survive.”

He said: “Our client had spent over One Million Naira (N1million) for the medical treatment of his wife since the 13th day of July, 2015 till the time of putting up this petition, while the owners of the Bullion Van, the 911 Mercedes Lorry and the bank in question including the erring Policemen are silent on the issue.

Police Public Relations Officer, Delta Police Command, DSP Celestina Kalu, who was contacted by our reporter, confirmed the incident, adding that the matter was under investigation.

The police spokesperson however said she was not aware of Ikimi’s petition to the IG. Our independent investigation revealed that the policemen involved in the reckless driving that caused the accident are facing orderly room trial at the State Headquarters, Asaba, the state capital.

Three other suspects arrested in connection with the accident were said to be awaiting arraignment. The arraignment slated for July 21 could not hold due to the failure of police to conclude investigation.

A source at the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) told our reporter: “The VIO has not inspected the vehicles involved in the accident and the Ovwian Divisional Police Officer failed to do the needful which is a proper investigation on the case before taking the suspects to court.”

Naval officers relive ordeal battling oil theft •Continued from page 30 “But then the surface on which he was running was slippery, as a result of the fact that it was all covered with oil. He almost fell into the boat, which at this point was virtually engulfed by the fire (the fire had sped round the boat). There was panic now, even in the boats that were a distance away because the whole water had crude oil spilled all over the surface and should there be an explosion at that point or the raging fire in the Cotonou boat spilled through one means or the other into the water, all of us, including those in the boats a distance away, could have been fried. The B.O.O managed to jump into the water, some other men jumped in too to go retrieve him and that was how we managed to escape from that danger before there could be an explosion or a fire leak into the water”, Eniye narrated.

In a similar recent experience, now under the watch of a new Commander; Commodore Aliyu Sule, men and officers of the NNS Delta had been despatched to an anti-oil theft/illegal refining duty in Oteghele community, Warri South-West council area of Delta state. This time around, the operators of the illegal oil refineries have managed to device new ideas for cover; new they receded back into thicker forests, some distance from water, now using long spanning hoses to convey crude to their cooking spots.

The operation covered a stretch of illegal refineries, spanning about three kilometres, seven of the refineries in all. After discovering the sites, they had to be destroyed, all of them; the tanks, massive cooking devises and the dugout reservoirs. It was at the point of setting fire on the discovered refineries that a stark form of danger manifested. Starting from the last point

of the stretch of refineries, the fire from the tanks would not just burn the tanks and their contents, but leaped on surrounding forest and of course the the oil soaked grounds around.

At some point the whole forest seemed engulfed with personnel encircled by the burning forest. Then came the scariest of the occurrences of the day; there was that deafening explosion, which could have sounded to kilometers away and then fire entered the main hose, carrying crude from the river. It was speeding and almost spitting fire out, making such a eery noise that all on sight started running for dear life. Even as all were running to escape, it was like there was nowhere to run as the fast moving fire seemed to have trapped all inside the forest, making an inevitable end almost most certain.

The company was separated as result of the panic. Some of the personnel were soaked in oil. All were thankful to God after escaping from an imminent danger.

As a result of the several operations and the level of successes recorded, the NNS Delta, under the watch of Commodore Gemu, was severally commended by the naval higher command because they saw results in that regards. Under the current Commodore Sule’s saddle, the efforts have not relented, especially now that it is believed that needed platforms for fighting the ill would be made more available, not less would be expected.

However, the world only see the results and their beauties, only those who went through the processes can tell the dangers and the sacrifices sown into bringing fort the results.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Yenagoa...Refuse seems to be thy other name

•A road side taken over by refuse in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital. PHOTO: NAN

HE streets of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, seem to be paved with refuse these days. Not that all the roads have become dumpsites but the rate at which people dump refuse at every available space

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is alarming. It has become an eyesore and may soon assume an epidemic proportion. Government too seems to have been overwhelmed by it. But, there are fears that diseases, such as cholera, may soon find a

Seadogs donates drugs to orphanage in Akwa Ibom

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HE National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Eket chapter has donated drugs to the Nation Children’s Centre at Ikot Ibiok in Eket Local Government area of Akwa Ibom.

Donating the drugs on behalf of the association, Dr. Kalu Anyan, said the gesture was part of measures to improve the healthcare and wellbeing of the less-privileged children in the state.

The drugs donated include malaria drugs, de-worming expeller, single worm expeller, fully equipped First Aid Box. Other items donated included three cartons of Honeywell noodles, cartoons of fruit juice, rolls of toilet papers, among others.

“The programme is reaching out to the less privilege, in this case since the drive for this year had been maternal and child health, we felt we could use one opportunity to achieve two things, by reaching out to the less privilege children and helping to control this common disease among them in order to improve their health and well-

From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

being,’’ he said.

He said the outreach programme under the medical charity of the Association was targeting disease that is common and responsible for mortality and morbidity among the populace.

“We are out to help some of those we consider as less privileged people in the society.

“Today we single out malaria treatment for children because that is a big challenge, and infestation by worm is the outreach programme focus today,’’ Anyan said.

According to him, 80 per cent of outpatient consultations are due to malaria in Nigeria. “From the statistics that we have, malaria is the leading cause of death especially in young children and pregnant mothers”.

He noted that the average Nigerian adult treat malaria not less than three to four times in a year, saying that malaria had contributed to economic lost of the country.

Also speaking, Mr

Benjamin Robbert, President of the Association, Eket branch, promised to check the less privileged children quarterly.

He said NAS would be a partner to the orphanage centre.

Receiving the items, Miss Dianabasi Akanimoh, Chief Executive Officer of the centre, expressed gratitude to the Association while urging other members of the society to emulate NAS. She said the orphanage home was four years and the centre had 37 children, adding that the centre was funded by some groups of people in the state.

She said 80 per cent of the children in the centre had been stigmatised by either the parents or society.

She added that the centre provides shelter, feeding, health care and vocational skills to stigmatised children in the state.

Akanimoh said the orphanage centre is faith-based organisation committed to save life and bring safety to learning environment of children in the state.

safe ground in Yenagoa.

Streets where this bad habit is rampant include Ebi Road, Sani Abacha Road, Etelebou Flow station Road and so on.

Delta surveyors get new leadership

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HE Delta State Branch of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), has revealed plans to partner with branches and organisations in its effort to train its members at minimal costs through..

The newly elected Chairman of NIESV in the state, Chief Efe Appih, gave the assurance shortly after his election in Asaba, the state capital, last weekend. He promised to work towards securing group visas members as part of efforts to reduce the cost of training overseas.

Appih promised that his tenure would lead to the repositioning of the noble institution for greater efficiency.

In his acceptance speech, the NIESV boss said he came to serve and not to served, adding that there was so much work to be done to move the institution to enviable height.

Appih promised to inject new ideas into NIESV leadership in the state, just as he promised to open a temporary take-off office that would serve as secretariat to meet needs of members and members of the public.

Speaking further, he said current Exco would hit the ground running through provision of a website, functional e-mail accounts and a Facebook page to provide members easy access to vital information in the drive to move the institute forward.

He said: “We shall deliberately pursue and increase our membership strength and take us to our next level without unnecessary bottlenecks.”

“We shall plan, arrange and embark on field trips and vacations for Branch members with our families to places of our choice. We shall encourage the formation of Estate Surveyors and Valuers’ Wives Association as it was in the past and in other vibrant branches,” he stated.

The new NIESV boss disclosed that “Mid-year/

From Shola O’Neil, Warri

End of year Estate Surveyors and Valuers Week shall be celebrated, promising “Our meetings will be regular and there shall be sessions for lectures and interactions for, at least, 30 minutes which will afford members the opportunity to exchange ideas and prospects, offer solutions to problems (even on personal basis), discussions, etc.”

According to him, all policy decisions of the Council would be brought to the attention of Branch members for their information/contributions, adding that: “We plan to collectively source for local and national jobs for our members. We shall establish a Co-operative Society to assist ourselves and encourage savings, as obtainable in some branches.”

Chief Appih revealed that the new EXCO would partner with the media as an avenue to showcase the activities of the institution even beyond the tenure of his administration.

Those elected and inaugurated with ESV Chief Efe Appih, included: Edna Emuakpeje (Vice Chairman); Reward Ugbomor (Secretary); Clement Ugwu (Financial Secretary); Ita Davis (Publicity Secretary); Godwin Konyefa (Treasurer); Ighorodge (Assistant Financial Secretary); Sylvester Eboigbe (Assistant Treasurer) and Mudiaga Umunadi (Assistant Secretary).

Unofficial members are Chris Okolo; Richardson Osifo; R. A. Ndidi and Moses Ojor.

They were sworn in by the NIESV President, Chief James Omeru, who witnessed all the activities.

The NIESV chief promised to partner with government to actualise his 3-point agenda of change, uncommon growth and empowerment.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

36

NIGER DELTA REPORT COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

Y

OUR Excellency, permit me to use this opportunity to congratulate you on your election as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is a victory well-deserved. I pray that God Almighty will be with you and let you end well.

Sir, I write you this letter with pain in my heart. Reason: my dream is about to die. I may have to return to the creeks and become a threat to my society once again. It is a road I truly don’t want to go through again because it is laced with thorns.

Forgive my manners for not introducing myself. My name is Honourable Jack. I am not a member of any legislative arm of government. Honourable is actually my name.

But for five years I toed the dishonourable path by becoming a militant in the Niger Delta.

In our camp, we were not really interested in emancipating the Niger Delta. We were just out for the money we could get. We broke pipelines and stole crude oil. We kidnapped foreigners and demanded ransom. We were even used by politicians to harass their opponents. We were close to engaging in armed robbery at a point before we got a rich man’s son whom we abducted and got handsome ransom from his father.

Life, for us, was on the fast lane. We drank alcohol like it was going out of fashion.

Cognac. Hennessey. Moët & Chandon. Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin. Comte de Dampierre. We smoke marijuana like cigarette. Let me confess sir that we also took hard drugs from time to time. With free money came free women. Not really free though. We spoilt them with money.

Before my camp days, life was hell for me.

My mother, the only surviving of my parents, was a good friend to poverty. Yet we saw wealth all around us. What I mean by this centres around the fact that I am from the Niger Delta, where the oil of Nigeria’s prosperity is drilled. A constant reminder of this was some minutes away from our abode: the Residential Area or RA, as we are wont to call it, of the multinational the government gave the licence to drill our oil on its behalf. My house and those of others around me when compared with the RA cannot be described better than saying “heaven and hell, side by side”. Ours is hell; theirs is heaven. I guess we sinned and came short of the glory of God to be consigned to that sort of existence. Somebody said it is our leaders we actually sinned against and not God. In my part of the Niger Delta, I never saw night—no thanks to the flow station that was so close to our homes. It sent out gas flares throughout the day. So, the only way to differentiate between night and day was to check our wrist watch, something that was a luxury to many of us. It has been long I went there. So, I don’t know what obtains now.

We shouted, protested and threatened violence over our fate, yet change refused to come. We felt multinational also had a licence to send us all to our early graves. Strange diseases were killing our people. Pregnant women were developing strange allergies. Yet, we had no well-equipped health centre to take

OLUKOREDE YISHAU

ABOVE WHISPERS

•A weekly intervention on Southsouth people and matters

olukoredeyishau@gmail.com

An ex-militant’s cry to the President

‘

The sad part of it for me is that Lufthansa has decided not to have anything to do with us again because its bills have not been paid.

Now, I am afraid my dreams are about to crumble. These past months I had dreamt of flying a plane and contributing my quota to my country. All that seems wishful thinking now. And I am close to tears. Mr President, please help me to achieve my desire. Help ensure I do not go back to the creeks. The creeks are no good •Buhari

care of our health needs. We had several people with aggravated asthma. Increases in respiratory symptoms, such as coughing and difficult or painful breathing, chronic

‘

bronchitis and decreased lung function, were rampant. Premature death was not uncommon.

This was my situation before I lost my sense of reasoning. I became mad. And the madness

LAST WORD

ate into me and I started looking for easy money. That was why when I joined the militants, I saw nothing wrong in kidnapping and illegal bunkering. As far as I was concerned, we were just getting our own share of the national cake.

This was still the situation when the administration of the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was inaugurated on May 29, 2007.

That the then president was uncomfortable with the state of war in the Niger Delta soon showed. First, he created the Ministry of the Niger Delta. Pronto, the government set up a technical committee to review all existing reports on the region. The late Yar’Adua knew something urgent must be done to rescue the situation. Aside his love for peace, he also needed to save the country from international embarrassment that the arms struggle had become.

In April 2009, the then president appointed Timi Alaibe Special Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs. His major job, it turned out, was to midwife the birth of the Presidential Amnesty Programme. Two months after Alaibe’s appointment, Yar’Adua breathed life into the programme.

Alaibe traversed the creeks persuading hard-line militant leaders to embrace the programme. He did not do it alone. He got Kingsley Kuku, the Arogbo-born ex-member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, who had worked with him as Special Assistant at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC) to get our leaders in the arms struggle to sign up to Yar’Adua’s offer.

I was one of those who did not embrace the programme until hours before the deadline of October 4, 2009. No less than 20,000 of us surrendered our weapons and looked forward to a new era.

Through the programme, I am currently abroad trainee with Lufthansa to be a pilot.

There are not less than 2,000 students abroad studying for one degree or the other on the bill of the programme. A And that brings me to the purpose of my writing this letter. Since May 29 when you took over, the Amnesty Office has been without a head. What this means is that nothing is happening there again. Only the civil servants attached to the office are getting paid. Consultants to the programme and trainees like me are abandoned. All the 2,000 or so students abroad have not received their allowances for May and June. July is almost over.

The sad part of it for me is that Lufthansa has decided not to have anything to do with us again because its bills have not been paid.

Now, I am afraid my dreams are about to crumble. These past months I had dreamt of flying a plane and contributing my quota to my country. All that seems wishful thinking now. And I am close to tears. Mr President, please help me to achieve my desire. Help ensure I do not go back to the creeks. The creeks are no good.

Thank you sir as I look forward to a favourable response.

BY INIRUO WILLS

What is the value of human life in Bayelsa State, Niger Delta?

I

T is time to declare a State of Emergency on the Environment in Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta, in order to save the lives of our people and the future of our communities. For the people of Bayelsa State and especially families of the victims and staff of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, this month will go down as the July of Death, on account of the needless deaths inflicted upon our beloved ones and colleagues by Nigeria’s environmentally irresponsible oil and gas industry. In the course of a joint investigation/instant repairs visit to an oil spill site in the Azuzuama community area in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, a fire disaster occurred that claimed all of fourteen lives, including an officer each from the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment. We are grieving, but we must now also insist yet again that it is time to take decisive action to stop this perilous hazard that has

become a routine threat to life and ecology in Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta. It is time for all that are truly concerned to move from lip service to real action now!

All options must be put on the table for consideration and action, including a moratorium on oil production and the revocation or suspension of oil mining leases and pipeline licences until adequate practical arrangements, visible for all to see, are made by the oil industry and relevant tiers of Government for the protection of the environment and impacted communities. Also in need of urgent protection are the state and federal regulatory officers who despite extreme institutional and funding constraints still feel compelled to go out to oil spill sites and put their lives at risk every day just to help minimise the continuous destruction of the environment. To these unsung heroes, the under-equipped and unappreciated regulators and monitors at federal and state levels, we say thank you for your thankless daily sacrifices in attempting to protect the

environment and making it possible for oil production to go on and generate the billions of dollars in public revenues that fund our governments, public infrastructure and social services. This is the context in which one of our excellent officers, Engr Duabo Theophilus, went out to do his selfless duty on that fateful 9th of July and only returned in a body bag. We all owe you, ourselves and posterity a duty to not allow things to continue the way they are, no matter the cost.

This is a clarion call to action, a moral challenge and an SOS message to the Federal Government, authorities at all levels of Government, the international community (including the United Nations), and the national and global environmental rights movement/NGOs to finally move beyond rhetoric and take a definitive stand against the environmental crime against humanity that everybody knows is taking place in the Niger Delta. It is also an appeal to the conscience of the multinational oil corporations in Nigeria that continue to destroy our en-

vironment and our people’s lives through their reckless operations and their scandalous environmental and safety standards.

In the meantime, the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment will continue to engage with all concerned parties, including investigatory authorities, the industry operators involved (Nigerian Agip Oil Company Ltd and its contractor, Vowgas Limited) and the affected families to ensure that there is comprehensive and speedy investigation, full accountability by all those responsible for this disaster, adequate compensations, and a radical change in environmental standards comparable to international oilfield best practice.

Our thoughts remain with the families of all the fourteen souls lost in the Azuzuama oil pipeline fire disaster of 9th July, 2015.

•Will is Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

37

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Man stabs sister-in-law to death, commits suicide

A

MAN who was identified as Uba Okoroafor has allegedly stabbed his sister-inlaw to death in Aba, Abia State.

He was also said to have committed suicide after committing the crime.

The incident, according to sources, was said to have occurred at No. 209 Hospital Road in the commercial city.

Though information on the incident was sketchy at press time, it was gathered that the man committed the crime after he was resisted by the sister in-law from going out because of the state of his mental health.

A source who claimed to have been reliably informed about the incident, said that Okoroafor after stabbing his sister-in-law stabbed himself and “fell off from the building to the ground where he later died”.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ezekiel Udeviotu Onyeke confirmed the incident, saying that Ndiegoro Police Division under whose jurisdiction the incident happened, was already investigating the matter to ascertain the true picture of the incident.

In another development, Abia state police command has arrested a suspected member of a kidnapping

•The late Okoroafor

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

gang terrorising the state capital and its environs.

Ifeanyi John, a native of Obigbo, Rivers State, was said to have been kidnapped by the gang at Nsukwe, Umuahia South Local Government Area of the state, along Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway but was lucky to regain freedom at the border of Imo and Abia states after a police team from Ubakala Police Division gave them a hot chase.

It was gathered that while the police team at a checkpoint in Obowo, Imo State had flagged the suspects down for routine checks not knowing that their guests were also being trailed by another police team from Abia.

The Imo team were still with the suspects when the Abia police arrived at the scene.

While Ifeanyi was not lucky like his colleagues who drove off with the victim’s car, the Police Public Relations Officer for Abia State Command said that investigation into the matter was still ongoing, promising that they were going to collaborate with their Imo State counterparts to track down the escaped members of the gang.

‘Buhari should partner town unions’ An Aba industrialist and President-General, Association of Indigenous Town Unions, Imo State, in this interview with SUNNY NWANKWO speaks on how town unions can spur national development. Excerpts:

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W

HY are you passionate about Town Unions?

The Town Union is the only development driven identity of the Igbo man that has stood the test of time. It predates the colonial era. The Town Union structure is an exclusive product of the Igbo man’s genetic configuration of unrepentant republicanism. It is the only genuine democratic structure in Igbo land with undisputable credible leadership. It is the only structure that has total coverage in the whole of Igbo land. In fact democracy started from Igbo land in Nigeria via the Town Union leadership.

In my community, Akpulu, for instance, the first documented meeting proceedings of the Town Union was in 1936, when they produced the first person who could read and write. The modern version of the Igbo man’s ancient republican system of governance is what we are celebrating the world over today as democracy. Americans who are the father of modern democracy have just embraced the Town Hall meeting as a democratic mobilisation process under the Bush regime but Town Hall buildings and Town Hall gatherings originated with the Igbo man a long time ago. Every living Igbo man today cannot say when the Town Union meeting of his town/community started; he grew up to see it. The age grade (Ebiri), nnoko Umunna/Otu Umunna, Nze na Ozo, Umuada, etc, were all forms of Town Unionism that existed in the past which metamorphosed and developed into the present modernised town unionism.

The two most important things about the Town Union are that it

The Town Union, in addition to being an Igbo pressure group, has a statutory function. There is only one Town Union involved in the day-to-day administration of the communities to maintain peace and order via various vigilance groups

,

drives development to the grassroots mainly through selfhelp effort. Eighty per cent of rural development in any part of Igbo land is through the Town Union leadership – the schools, hospitals, roads, churches, market squares, scholarship programs, etc. Secondly, the leadership is the willing choice of the people by all democratic and credible standards. The president generals are men of integrity with credible mandate of majority of the people.

What is the difference or relationship between the Town Union and Ohanaeze Ndigbo?

Ohaneze is an elitist Igbo pressure group. I am a member too and I think all state leadership of Town Unions in Igbo-speaking states are statutory members but the Town Union, in addition to being an Igbo pressure group, has a statutory function. There is only one Town Union involved in the day-to-day administration of the communities to maintain peace and order via various vigilance groups, etc. They are the closest to the grassroots and as such, the structure is the most ef-

fective agent of mobilisation in Igbo land. Every genuine Igbo man including members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is a member of his Town Union. Any Igbo man who is not a member or is expelled from the Town Union has a questionable character. In fact, the phenomena of Town Unionism are deeply rooted in the psyche and culture of the Igbo man both at home and in Diaspora. Beside the mother Unions that are based at home, all the major cities in NigeriaLagos, Kano, Ibadan, Onitsha, Aba etc, all have branches of their various Town Union. In US, UK, Germany etc there are Igbo Town Unions too.

Are Town Unions political?

The Town Unions are political but not partisan. The Town Union is father to, and welcomes, all political parties. That is to say that the Town Union as a structure does not belong to any political party even if it has Igbo tribal coloration. Individual members and groups could belong to various political parties of their interest. However, the Union can come out and take a

definite position when the collective interest of the Igbos or that community is at stake. It can also be described as a non-governmental organisation.

What is the relationship between the government and Town Unions?

The association of Imo State indigenous Town Unions as registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is independent just like its counterparts in other states like Anambra. It is not an arm of the government. However, the structure should on mutual discretion support and partner with government in relevant areas to drive development to the grassroots. For instance, Anambra State especially under the administration of Peter Obi and Willie Obiano have partnered with the Town Union structure to develop the rural communities in the state. These Town Union structures both at the state level and zonal level in the South East are all duly incorporated with Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja with approved board of trustees and as such are legitimately entitled to function and operate as registered.

To what extent do you think the voice of the town union can be heard?

First we have established that the Town Union is a generic and indelible identity of the Igbo man. It is one language every Igbo man understands. Its administration covers all nooks and crannies of Igbo land and cuts across all political, religious, demographic barriers.

We have also established that it has a credible leadership of president generals and their various executives who are selected

•Chief Diwe

by their various communities based on their integrity profile and genuine leadership qualities. No bribery, no lobbying, no thuggish acts, and no snatching of ballot boxes. There is this genuine and patriotic willingness on the part of the leadership to serve their people and they are generally not paid. I therefore want to state without fear of equivocation that this Town Union leadership as far as Igbo land is concerned has more integrity and credibility than the political party leadership we have today. I dare any Igbo man to challenge this fact.

The only thing is that this leadership is not loud and does not have sufficient resources to be noticed; you know the Nigeria factor. Therefore, if Buhari wants to tidy up the governance of Nigeria based on integrity and credibility to fight corruption this structure of Town Unions leadership must not be neglected at least in the Igbo-speaking part of Nigeria.

There is this adage that says “Ihe yiri ite ka eji ekpuchi ite” that is you cover the pot with an identical diametric lid”. If you are looking for the eye of an ani•Continued on page 39

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

38

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

•Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu (middle), with Director of Finance and Administration, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC),Dr. Itotenaan Ogiri; Chairman, NDDC Governing Board, Sen. Bassy Ewa-Henshaw; Okezie’s Deputy, Hon. Udeh Okochukwu (second right) and Managing Director/CEO, NDDC, Hon. Bassy Dan-Abia, and others during a courtesy visit on the governor by the Commission in Umuahia.

PHOTO: IBEABUCHI ABARIKWU

Fed Govt urged to release N800b owed NDDC From Ugochukwu UgojiEke, Umuahia

projects like the students hostel, which was later commissioned by the state governor at Umudike.

He said, “In spite of this, funding remain an intractable challenge, and between 2001 and now more than N800 billion of funding due to NDDC has been withheld by the Federal Government”.

The NDDC board chairman cited Section 14, 2A and C of the NDDC Act, which has to do with funding of the Commissioned which he said have not been complied with.

He stated further that at the best of times, the Federal Government contribution to NDDC amounts to a mere 20% of her annual budget, adding that in this circumstances, progress with ongoing projects and programmes have been difficult .

The NDDC boss said, “And starting new major infrastructural development, which should be the focus of this commission, has been impossible. We solicit your help in ensuring that the Federal Ministry

,

T

HE Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has pleaded with the Federal Government to release the N800 billion it owes the organisation.

The NDDC said that failure to release the funds has hampered the Commission’s progress in pursuing ongoing projects as well as embarking on fresh infrastructural development.

Speaking in Umuahia during a courtesy call on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, the chairman of NDDC Governing Board, Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw said that there is need for the funds to be released for the board to work effectively.

Ewa-Hemshaw solicited the assistance of Governors of NDDC states, in ensuring that Federal Ministry of Finance complies with the NDDC acts as it relates to funding, adding that his Board inherited over 7,000 projects at inception.

He said this is in addition to liabilities the Commission inherited, which is in excess of N1trillion, including approved but unpaid IPCS of over N300b and still growing.

Ewa-Henshaw said that it was for this reason that they spent their first year in office pursuing the completion of ongoing

It would also be very helpful to work out a programme for the release of funds so far withheld.

These releases can be tied to specific projects on roads, rail, power and even oil refining

,

of Finance complies with the NDDC Act as it relates to funding.

“It would also be very helpful to work out a programme for the release of funds so far withheld.

These releases can be tied to specific projects on roads, rail, power and even oil refining”.

He said that the commission is already in discussion with some major multinationals to form partnerships that can bring substantial benefits to NDDC states, adding that Aba-Ikot-EkpeneCalabar roads, can be one of the first projects that can benefit from the discussions.

Ewa-Henshaw said, “With

more than three hundred quarries, two cement plants and a host of oil tank farms, all in Cross River, and the heavy commercial activities flowing from Aba southwards, there are about an estimated 7,000 or more vehicular traffic daily along that road, and about three or four thousand

of these are trucks.

It is easy to see that reconstruction and dualizing this road will be of enormous economic benefit.

I believe that this type of venture will key into your vision and complement your developmental aspirations for Abia state. This is what NDDC is set up to do and this is what we will like to be doing”.

Responding Ikpeazu promised to associate himself with NDDC boss lofty ideas, especially where it concerns road infrastructure around two major states.

Ikpeazu said that he would liaise with governors of NDDC states to assess the authorities for the release of funds that is due to the Commission, adding that if it is well with NDDC, it will also be well with the states that are stakeholders in this project.

‘Buhari’s US visit timely’ •Continued from page 26 States has a lot contribute in these areas.

“It will boost trade and investment. There will be private sector investment and opportunities. It is a way of reopening a lot of opportunities. It will also help the multi-national companies that have their parent nation as the United States and now trying to reappraise their relationship and regulation with Nigeria,” Nwankpa stated.

Akomas added that it was expected that by the end of the visit, there would be economic opportunities, hope for the recovery of looted funds, and improvement on the method of prosecuting the war against terrorism and insecurity to improve.

On the National assembly crisis, the political leaders said, “They should respect the party, accepting the party’s supremacy, and the party in taking their own decision remember Section 14(4) of the constitution which talks about geographical spread. So in whatever they are doing, every region in this country must be given a sense of belonging.”

‘No regrets endorsing Ikpeazu’ From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

T

•Expectant women rescued from Mma Motherless Babies Home in Abia State

HE factional chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prince Nnanna Ukaegbu said that he and the section of the party he leads endorsed and campaigned for Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.

Ukaegbu was fielding questions from reporters in Aba, Abia State.

He said his faction supported Ikpeazu because he was only the best candidate among the lot that were aspiring for the number one position in the state and that he believed the governor will deliver the dividends of democracy to Abians.

He also hailed Ikpeazu’s prudent management of funds.

The APGA chairman who also vied to represent Aba North and South Federal Constituency, called on Abians and other political parties in the state to support the Okezie-led administration, warning people who are disparaging the governor.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

39

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT mal, it is only in the head that you can find it. Buhari has to look beyond his nose bridge to see credible characters, remember “na only when you bend down, you go see Aba well well”.

It is only through this Town Union structure that relevant government programmes and policies could be marketed and communicated to the people and interpreted in the language they will understand.

What is your assessment of Buhari’s victory at the polls?

Buhari’s presumed integrity profile remains his greatest asset in this current political dispensation. I am personally excited by such level of integrity profile as acclaimed. Looking at Buhari’s antecedents, track record and history both as a military personnel and as a civilian, one would notice some form of defiant straight forwardness which is what Nigeria requires now and which is the only gospel I preach in my political career. If you remember his time as a military head of state, the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) and other character moulding policies then, you would understand what I am talking about. If Nigeria had continued with that policy, we wouldn’t have found ourselves in this messy corruption today. However, I hope he is still the same Buhari of the WAI fame. Buhari won the election because of this singular factor of perceived integrity.

There are fears of a possible marginalisation of the Southeast as Buhari got the least support from the zone in the last election?

Who told you the Igbos didn’t vote for him? You see, there are two types of voting and political support; one is active, the other is passive. If one deliberately refuses to vote for his brother who is your opponent, it’s a form of passive or latent support for you. If you compare the voting pattern in 2011 with that of 2015, especially in the Southeast you will realise what I am talking about. Even at that the Igbos voted for Buhari both actively

‘Buhari should partner town unions’ and passively. However, we have passed the stage of election politics; we are now in the politics of governance. Buhari has won the election, he needs to also succeed and win in governance. The two stages and scenarios are quite different. A set of people relevant for a successful election might not necessarily be the set relevant for successful governance. Buhari like himself must bluntly appreciate this obvious fact.

What are the areas you want the President to prioritise?

The other day I read in the newspaper that there are four major challenges they want to start with; unemployment, corruption, insecurity and economy. As far as I am concerned, Nigeria has only one major, mega problem; CORRUPTION. It is a killer virus that controls all other challenges in Nigeria. If Buhari can successfully develop a vaccine for this virus, he would have been the best thing to happen to Nigeria.

Why do you think Buhari can tackle corruption?

You see, the first and most effective armour to wear in the fight against corruption is integrity being corruption-free, that is leadership by example. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. Buhari is widely known for having this armour, at least when compared other human leadership options. Buhari should be very careful because most people around him are all corrupt and disqualified from participating in this war. Corruption cannot fight corruption; when corruption fights itself, the result will be compromise.

But there are Nigerians who are not corrupt or whose level of integrity is within acceptable range. Buhari must look for such people. He can take his time to do this instead of hurrying into calamity. He must look beyond his party and tribal environment. Buhari should

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•Continued from page 37

The first and most effective armour to wear in the fight against corruption is integrity - being corruption-free, that is leadership by example.

He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. Buhari is widely known for having this armour

,

constitute credible search committees at all levels so that this reformation will happen simultaneously throughout the federation. Credible and potent anti-corruption taskforces must be put in place.

Buhari has just appointed Service chiefs and no Igbo man or woman made the list. Some Igbo leaders are crying marginalisation, what is your take on that?

I think it is still not yet time for a loud suspicion. There are many other appointments yet to be made. The Presidential spokesman said the appointments of the Service Chiefs were purely based on merit. Let’s watch. Luckily the Igbos are known for merit and achieves a lot by merit. There are many appointment areas where the Igbos will excel on merit. Let’s see whether merit will turn to demerit.

Critics have described Buhari as slow. Is it about age? What do you think?

I don’t know why people harp on irrelevances. Buhari made an innocent, realistic observation about his natural limitations and some busybodies are making unwarranted issues about it. Tell

me who doesn’t have limitations? Do we prefer a young energetic but corrupt president to an old president with sufficient integrity profile? Nelson Mandela was older when he gave South Africa the best leadership in history.

Buhari, Osibanjo and some state governors have either said they won’t take salaries for now or slashed their salaries by half.

This has no impact on the economy or payment of salaries to workers. Even if you put together all the official salaries of the President, governors and National Assembly members, it won’t create any significant impact on the economy. If they want to sacrifice, let them sacrifice all the allowances including secu-

rity votes and retain their basic salaries. A labourer is worthy of his wages. That is the essence of basic salaries. We are talking of mountains of money and resources that corrupt officials stole and removed from the treasury and you are talking of salaries. Let them take their salaries, but institute an enduring solution to corruption, that is the only the country can prosper.

Even if they forfeit their salaries but do not confront corruption frontally, corrupt officials will hijack the forfeited salaries and it would defeat the essence of such forfeiture.

What is your advice to the President?

He needs to be himself and firm. He should be focused and concentrate on the war against corruption. He should look for very credible Nigerians no matter their political party or tribe to join forces with him in achieving good governance in Nigeria.

Buhari should avoid policy summersaults. That he somersaulted on his earlier decision to allow the state government sort out their workers’ salaries issue does not show administrative firmness. Is he allowing himself to be pushed around? The states should be compelled to fill-up the trenches they dug. It is not proper for the Federal Government to run to their rescue immediately after they have looted the state treasuries. I hope this is the Buhari we used to know? Well let us give him the benefit of doubt because of the civil servants’ sufferings.

Ex-NOA boss makes case for restructuring •Continued from page 26 tion, just as he threw his weight in the reconstruction of the war-battered school blocks in his alma mater, Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha.

While describing Sir Chris Efobi as a celebrated African leader, pride of Ndi Igbo, philanthropist and great Dengramite, the guest lecturer praised the organisers for honouring the late founder of popular Chris Chemist, Enugu, saying such efforts would inspire the younger ones to do good for society.

The chairman of the Dennis Memorial Grammar School Old Boys Association, Enugu Branch, Mr. Emma Atu explained that the lecture was organized in every July as a mark of honour to reward Sir Chris Efobi for his numerous contributions to DMGS, churches, schools and humanity and appealed to corporate Nigeria to support the Chris Efobi scholarship foundation.

Battle against child cultists •Continued from page 26

•Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (left) congratulates a mother and her son who underwent a successful open heart surgery at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Ituku/Ozara, Enugu State

popular mission secondary school (name withheld) in Izzi Local Government Area of the state. The school boys who were said to have just concluded their National Examination Council (NECO) were also reckoned to be members of a cult group identified as Junior Vikings.

They had gathered at a hotel in the metropolis located along old Enugu Road to be initiated into the Senior Vikings when police swooped on them following a tip-off.

As the initiation lasted, the police stormed the venue leading to the arrest of over fifteen of the students while the initiators flee.

Police spokesman, DSP Chris Anyanwu said the initiators had dangerous items which he said were arranged for the initiation, adding that the police have mounted a manhunt for the fleeing suspects.

He explained that the initiators who are members of the Senior Vikings mandated the graduating students who dressed in white hats, red shirts and black trousers to be initiated into the senior team or be ready to face difficult conditions in their lives.

Anyanwu who regretted that cult activities have increased in the state in the last few months, announced that the command will embark on a sensitisation campaign in schools in the state to enlighten the pupils on the need to shun cultism.

He noted that if not checked, cultism could lead to violent crimes like armed robbery and kidnapping, among others. He described it as a societal problem.

The spokesman revealed that the command has arrested a kingpin of a popular cult group in Ikwo Local Government Area of the state.

40

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Contest for mind, medals in Imo

•The athletes during the competition

The dearth of interest in track and field events among other sporting activities motivated the choice of the event

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From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

He urged the school management board to ensure that the students engage in sporting activities to discover talents and promote healthy living.

Madumere further commended co-sponsors of the event, Monarch

•The Deputy Governor shakes hands with one of the athletes and Company and their Managing Director in West Africa, Mr. Gerald Uche Lebechi for giving back to the society.

The state governor Rochas Okorocha, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Sir Jude Ejiogu, commended the

Deputy Governor for re-invigorating sporting activities, noting that sports once placed the state in an enviable position.

IMT teachers appeal to Ugwuanyi over unpaid salaries From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

them now find it difficult to provide put food on their family tables and to so adequately, not to say anything about fulfiling other financial obligations including payment of their children school fees and house rents.

“You know the situation in IMT. We were getting N20million monthly subvention from the state government abinitio; that was when the student population was much and when they (student) were reduced, we started getting N120million subvention from the immediate past Governor of the state; Barr. Iheanacho Sullivan Chime.

“We were paid half salary in February, in March we were paid fully

,

T

HE gale of unpaid salaries sweeping across the country is also causing havoc in the Ivory Tower, as staff of the Institute of Management and Technology, IMT Enugu have cried out to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi over the matter.

Some of the lecturers who spoke to The Nation on their plight, appealed to the state government to pay their May, June and July salaries, stressing that the inability of the state government to pay their arrears after receiving the federal government bailout puts them in a tight corner.

A member of the staff who would not want his name in print, told The Nation that efforts made by the management of the institution to see the state governor after his inauguration have yielded no fruits.

According to the staff, most of

To build young minds and healthy competition, Imo State Deputy Governor Eze Madumere co-sponsored a contest in the state schools. OKODILI NDIDI reports

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A

S they sprinted, loud cheers erupted from the crowd. It was not just their mates applauding. Their parents and teachers were hailing too.

It was the Prince Eze Madumere Athletics Championship staged at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, the state capital. The goal is to develop young minds and help the youth to aspire to the greatest heights.

The young athletes proved their mettle as they competed for the medals to the amazement of the fans, who were shocked at their speed and level of fitness. The school teachers were also caught in the frenzy as they shouted, jumped and hugged their victorious students.

The competing athletes tested their skills in ten track and field events ranging from 100 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters, 4x400 meters, 800 meters, long jump and high jump for both male and female.

In the keenly contested men’s 100 meters race, Nwachukwu Ekene of Nguru Secondary Commercial School in Aboh Mbaise Council Area of the State set an enviable record of 11:9 seconds to emerge winner, the first runner up, Amadi Clinton of Methodist High School, Egbu, Owerri, finished up at 11:59 seconds and the second runner up, Master Osuchukwu Chukwuebuka of Government secondary School, Owerri, finished up at exactly 12:00 seconds.

In the female category of the 100 meters, Agu Chidinma of Holy Rosary Model Secondary school, Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Government Area, finished up at 13:00 seconds to emerge first, while Osuagwu Chinecherem of Nguru Secondary Commercial School, Aboh Mbaise, came second at 13: 09 seconds and Uzoagba Lilian of Umuroha High School, Mbaitoli Council Area, finished at 13:11 to place third.

In his remarks, the Deputy Governor who assured that subsequent editions will be better organised and bigger in terms of the number of participating schools and prizes to be won, described the event as the beginning of the realisation of his aspiration to drive sports development in the state.

He said that his love for sports is hinged on its proven unifying factor.

According to him, the dearth of interest in track and field events among other sporting activities motivated his choice of the event.

He reminded the students of famous athletes from the state who have made the country proud, including Chioma Ajunwa, Charity Opara, Chidi Imo and a host of others.

Members of the management of our institution have made efforts to see the Governor, but their efforts we understand has proved unsuccessful

,

and since then, we are yet to receive salary from the state government. It might interest you to know that while we are waiting to be paid, one of us, though a non-academic staff with the works department died because he hadn’t the money to foot his

medical bills.

“We learnt that members of the management of our institution have made efforts to see the Governor, but their efforts we understand has proved unsuccessful.

“The situation is not a funny one.

None payment of workers salary is not peculiar to Enugu State, I agree.

But the federal government through the intervention and magnanimity of President Buhari graciously granted financial bailout to states recently and Enugu is among the states that were granted the bailout and one would expect that IMT being a state managed institution should also be able to pay her workers from the bailout fund. The situation is not funny here. Many staff has been using the IMT auditorium for prayers and in our various private praying times, it has been our praying point that God will touch the heart of Governor Ugwuanyi to come to our rescue,” the source pleaded.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24 2015

42

COMMENTARY

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HIS is supposed to be a season of festival and festivities for the Muslims all over the world. The festivities are necessitated by the completion of Ramadan fasting that lasted one full month and ended last Thursday. In a season like this, traditionally, messages of felicitations do flow across religious and ethnic boundaries as a token of tolerance and spiritual accommodation.

At Easter and Christmas for instance, Muslims often send such messages to their Christian brethren. And at Eidul Fitr and Eidul Adha, Christians do reciprocate in the like manner.

But this time around, something seemingly went wrong in Nigeria which left sour taste in the mouth and should not be repeated in future. Instead of the usual felicitations, what transpired between the two main religious bodies in Nigeria was quite different. Please, read the strange salvos as released through the mass media:

FEMI ABBAS ON femabbas756@gmail.com 08115708536

A Season of Salvos

First Salvo OLOYEDE, NIREC & MERCHANT OF LIES The attention of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has been drawn to the series of lies spewed by the Secretary-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and ex-Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, wherein, among other issues, he deceived Nigerians that: We have decided to speak because perception can be made stronger than reality. We can no longer continue to keep quiet because we are in a society that is gullible and where people swallow lies hook, line and sinker. The continuos (sic) attempt by Oloyede to mislead the public should not be allowed to succeed this time around. He has been giving an impression that every Christian leader in Nigeria, except his two friends, were dragged into the 2015 partisan politics. But good enough, he contradicted himself by saying that Muslim leaders under NSCIA decided to gang up against ex-President Goodluck Jonathan. He had claimed he is not a religious leader and this is just the problem the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) has been facing. NIREC cannot function because it is a conglomeration of religious leaders from one group and mix-grill of politicians and traditionalists on the other hand. That is the reason for all the confusion in NIREC. The likes of Oloyede have carefully, for his personal interest, with the blessing of his mentor, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar 111, refused the true composition of religious leaders, thereby making NIREC ineffective. How do we explain the exclusion of respected Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and astute Islamic preachers like Sheikh El-Zaki Zaki, an amiable President of Supreme Council for Islamic Preachers in Nigeria, Sheikh Mohammed Ahmed Ibn Nurain, from an umbrella body of religious leaders like NIREC, whereas CAN comprises all Christians in the country?

We want to appeal to Oloyede, having admitted that he is not a religious leader to honorably resign from as the National Coordinator of NIREC for the organization to move foreward. We Christians did not raise any objection to the position he has been occupying for close to 10 years. But now that it is the turn of Christians to produce the Executive Secretary of NIREC, Oloyede, with the active connivance of of the Sultan of Sokoto, who is a co-chair of NIREC, has frustrated every move for NIREC to meet in the last two years.

Yet, these same group of persons, turned around, polarized NIREC along ethnic and religious consideration, dishing out wrong impressions and lies why NIREC has not been meeting.

We are also averse to the falsehood peddled by this merchant of lies that nothing serious should come out of the National Conference because to him, the decisions were taken based on errors of composition. According to him,

some sinking elements whose usual lotus has become sour. Eid Mubarak to all Nigerians!

Femi Abbas, Media Consultant to MUSWEN

Third Salvo Incidentally, the two salvos above coincided with another, far away in Britain. ‘The Message’ also brings you the benefit of that in the following report: “In a speech in Birmingham on the government’s five-year plan to defeat homegrown extremism, Mr. Cameron set out four major areas that needed attention: countering the “warped” extremist ideology, the process of radicalisation, the “drowning out” of moderate Muslim voices, and the “identity crisis” among some British-born Muslims.

He said the focus of his speech was Islamist extremism - not Islam the religion and that moderate Muslims also hated the “sick world view” of extremists. “I want to work with you to defeat this poison,” he said and listed a number of government’s strategies to be used in tackling extremism with possible focus on tacit gagging of the generality of Muslims in Britain.

Fourth Salvo

•Sultan Abubakar the composition of delegates was antiNorth and anti-Islam. But to the best of our knowledge Christians and Muslims had six delegates each. So how does the issue of religion and ethnicity arise? When did Oloyede, from Ogun State, become a Northerner to be their spokesperson?

We are not ignorant of the plan of Oloyede and the Sultan of Sokoto not to allow the meeting of NIREC to hold, until the expiration of the tenure of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor as CAN President. This is the reason for the last minute cancellation of the NIREC meeting scheduled for March this year in Abuja by the Sultan without consulting his co-chair, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor. Till today, the Sultan has offered no apology, no explanation and has shown no remorse. Yet, Oloyede and the Sultan have been dishing out lies at if it is Pastor Oritsejafor that doesn’t want NIREC to meet. This kind of politics of deceit by politicians on religious garb is what has brought Nigeria to its knees. Our Muslims brothers from the North should be wary of characters like Oloyede who are interested in stoking fires of religious and ethnic acrimony. Perhaps, only time will tell his true mission.

Sunday Oibe, Director of National Issues, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)

Second Salvo THE RANTING OF A FRUSTRATED CLERIC The attention of the Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN) has been drawn to a Press Statement entitled ‘OLOYEDE, NIREC and MERCHANT OF LIES’ purportedly issued by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and signed by one Sunday Oibe who claimed to be the Director of CAN’s National Issues.

The bellicose press statement, quite uncharacteristic of CAN, was apparently issued by a clique of Christian charlatans who are masquerading in the cloak of religion within CAN. Ordinarily, the CAN we know very well which consists of decent gentlemen and women of dignity would not have issued such an unguarded statement, especially at this festival period of Eidul Fitr when congratulatory message from Nigerian Christian brethren to Nigerian Muslim Faithful was as usual expected.

•Oritsejafor Thus, we refuse to believe that such a reckless statement attacking the personality of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) as well as that of the NSCIA Secretary-General was issued

by CAN. Issuing such a baseless and inflammatory press statement to attack the topmost leadership of the Nigerian Muslim Ummah in the name of CAN at this time confirms the fictitious source of the obnoxious press statement. Thus, we call on the genuine CAN leaders (not charlatans) to take a second look into the contents of that press statement purportedly issued on their behalves with a view to investigating its source because we do not think that such a statement with such a vulgar language could have emanated from the CAN’s ‘Glass House’ which Nigerian Muslims hold in very high esteem.

As for using NIREC’s inability to hold meetings as the reason for issuing the belligerent statement by its seemingly frustrated issuers, MUSWEN hereby advises the NSCIA to maintain its usual cool-headedness and maturity in consigning nauseating statement to the refuse bin of nuisance without value where it rightly belongs.

What NSCIA should rather concentrate upon this time is its ongoing contribution to overcoming the pervading insecurity as well as eradication of corruption in the land especially with the recent return of Nigeria’s $15 million surreptitiously funneled to South Africa early this year for clandestine importation of illegal arms into Nigeria by those charlatans, courtesy the new era of ‘CHANGE’.

It is understandable that the perpetrators of such evil machination, having become like a beheaded snake struggling to smear the immaculate dresses around with its blood would want to pull anything with them to the abyss of oblivion. MUSWEN therefore calls on the NSCIA to ignore the ranting of such charlatans who think that by resorting to mudslinging they could divert public attention from their evil acts and draw undeserved sympathy to themselves. NSCIA is too busy now to be distracted by irrelevant noise from

In a swift response to PM David Cameron’s speech in Birmingham, Dr. Shuja Shafi, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, issued the following statement: “We support sound evidence-based measures that confront terrorism effectively. Muslims across the world and in our country in particular, find the conduct and values of ‘Daesh’ to be abhorrent. We agree with the Prime Minister that we must deglamourise the Daesh cause. It is neither revolutionary, nor cool, and it certainly is against the basic teachings of Islam. We all have a part to play in this, including the media.

We worry, however, that these latest suggestions will set new litmus tests which may brand us all as extremists, even though we uphold and celebrate the rule of law, democracy and rights for all. Dissenting is a proud tradition of ours that must not be driven underground.

Challenging extremist ideology is what we all want, but we need to define tightly and closely what extremism is rather than perpetuate a deep misunderstanding of Islam and rhetoric, which inevitably facilitates extremists to thrive.

We have heard for too long now that Muslim communities either condone, or are not doing enough to condemn the extremists who act in their name. Yet, poll after poll indicates that this is not the case.

Above all we must recognise that the paths to extremism and terrorism are complex and varied. Of course Daesh is barbaric and is based on a distortion of Islamic precepts but we must be careful not to be over-dramatic and simplistic. There is no magic solution that will make terrorism go away.

We urge the Prime Minister once again to put his words into action - a one Nation Britain will emerge through dialogue and engagement with all sections of the community including mainstream Muslim organizations and those who have differing views.

The threat of Daesh is real, as is the appeal they hold on some young people. We should not drive young people into the arms of extremist recruiters by denying them a sense of dignity and self-worth. In this sense we welcome the Prime Minister’s call for better integration and for giving young people better life outcomes. But these measures should be pursued in spite of, not because of the terror threat we face.

Above all we need to allow for real political issues to be discussed and debated robustly and not drive our youth underground for fear of being cast extremist”.

(Daesh means surreptitious indoctrination through deliberate misinterpretation of fundamental religious tenets)

Comment In a nutshell, what would have ordinarily passed for a joyous season of celebrations and felicitations ended up as one of accusations and stigmatisations along religious lines in both Nigeria and Britain.

But should this be the case? That is the big question for the readers of this column to answer. Eid Mubarak!

43

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

THE NATION

SOCIETY

For information on how to feature on this page, contact:

E-mail:societygirlontop@gmail.com Tel :08060829778

70 70 years years of of abundant abundant grace grace •From left: Chief Olanipekun (SAN); Justice Bisi Akinlade; Chief Tunde Aluko; Dr Olusola; the celebrator Mr Ogungbemile; his wife Ronke; Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi; Chief Nike Akande and Prof Ibidapo Obe during the cutting of the cake

Former Acting Comptroller-General of Customs David Akintayo Ogungbemile marked his 70th birthday last Friday with a book launch at a colourful event in Lagos, report NNEKA NWANERI

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T was obvious that the large army of dignitaries did not come to celebrate only his achievements. They came to reward a man of character. The tributes said so.

They were moving-all for former Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service David Akintayo Ogungbemile on his 70th birthday.

His autobiography, Abundant Grace: Journey of a peasant Farmer’s Son, was unveiled at the event, which was held last Friday at the prestigious MUSON Centre on Lagos Island.

But the birthday ‘boy’– to the amazement of his guests–did not look 70. His agility was remarkable.

Yellow was the colour of the day.

The tables and chairs had overlays of white cloths that glittered with silver embossments, giving the ambience a regal glow. Across the hall, long swaying white drapes hung above.

Tributes came in torrents in appreciation of a man who touched many lives. Chief Tunde Aluko, who chaired the event, said he met the celebrator in 1963, and had taught him Mathematics, General Sciences and English.

“He has done very well for himself inspite of his humble background,” he said.

He said Ogungbemile did very well in Customs, rising to the very top but was not confirmed as substantive Comptroller-General. “What mattered was that he was adjudged qualified,” he said, adding: “The political decision that denied him the substantive post was not of his making. He left Customs a fulfilled man.”

A video clip was shown in which Ogungbemile’s former bosses, associates, friends and family members paid glowing tributes to him, wishing him longer life in good health. One of his grandchildren also wished him a happy birthday online via Skype.

•Mr Foluso Jinadu (left) and Mr T.K. Jinadu

•Dr Alan Fatai Williams (right) and Chief Bintan Famutimi

•King Sunny Ade

•Chief Olusegun Osunkeye

•Prof Adebayo Williams (right) and Chief Ishola Filani

Ogungbemile’s classmate at the University of Ibadan (UI) Mrs Ayeni Adeyemo recalled their days as undergraduates from September 1969 to June 1972. She described Ogungbemile as a” easygoing fellow, studious and intelligent. “He was always around the library and was a very conscientious, noble classmate,” she said.

Eminent Scholar Prof Adebayo Williams recalled that they were both student union activists. “He is a remarkable fellow whose life should be an inspiration to many.

“His life teaches the very virtue of redemption. As a child,he was a trouble maker and old, a trouble shooter.”

Williams said the book is made of great stuff and shows that you can get anywhere in life with sheer determination.

Reviewing the book, former University of Lagos (UNILAG) Vice-Chancellor Prof Oye Ibidapo-Obe said the 207page work is well-indexed and illustrated.

He highlighted the author’s account of his birth on July 17, 1945 in Ijesa-Isu,

Ekiti State; his growing up in a polygamous home, his love for education, his father’s influence as an evangelist and a disciplinarian, his Advanced-Level studies, how he enjoyed theatre, his admission to UI and election as Vice President of the SUG, as well as his failures and tribulations.

“His life shows that the way you’re born has no relevance to what you will achieve in life,” Ibidapo-Obe said.

In response, Ogungbemile said ever since he left Ekiti to see Lagos, he had experienced a life of love all the way. “Why won’t I be grateful to God?” he asked.

He added that he spent 19 years of his career life in the Nigerian Customs Service.

Among the guests were Ekiti State Deputy Governor Dr Kolapo Olubunmi Olusola, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Akpo Ogilo; Senator Martins Jubril Kuye; former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor Joseph Sanusi; DN Meyer Plc Chair Sir Remi Omotoso;

•Mrs Adeola Yesufu (left) and Mrs Folake Lapite PHOTOS: ABIODUN ADEYEWA AND SOLOMON ADEOLA

Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; former Lafarge Cement Chairman Chief Olusegun Osunkeye and former Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Political Matters Mr Akin Osuntokun.

Also present were Senator Seye Ogunlewe; a former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN); Justice Olabisi Akinlade of the Lagos State

High Court, Chief Lawrance Ogunleye, Chief Sola Faleye, former Secretary of Health Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; Dr Olubunmi Eleka; Island Club President Dipo Opeseye; Mr Victor Awobiye and his wife, Tutu; Mr Chidozie Ogbonnaya, who represented Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu; and Mrs Nike Akande, among others.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

44

SOCIETY COMMUNICATE YOUR IDEAS

Last Saturday, Lagos businesswoman Mrs Remi Akinterinwa became the 31st president of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi at the Golden Gate Restaurant. NNEKA NWANERI writes.

Destination X

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•From right: Mr Okonkwo; Mrs Akinrerinwa; her husband Hon Wale and Chief Ajayi

•Mr and Mrs Ayorinde

•Mrs Osijo and Otunba Onabadejo

•Mrs Omatseye and her husband

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HAT happens when Rotarians meet? Some fun and a thought for humanity.

And so it was last Saturday at the Golden Gate Restaurant in Ikoyi, Lagos when the Rotary Club of Ikoyi got a new leader–Mrs Remi Akinterinwa – the 31st person to mount the saddle.

When Mrs Akinterinwa, an entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of Oakwood Cleaning Services, joined the club eight years ago, little did she know she would soon rise to occupy its highest position.

It paid off for her, having sacrificed a lot of her time, talent and treasure to the service of the club and humanity.

Those from their other brother clubs were also there to felicitate with the joy of the day.

Speaker after speaker

•Mr Kamoru Omotosho and his wife Susan PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

To serve humanity mounted the podium. First, was the District Governor Otunba Bola Onabadejo. Then, the immediate past president of Ikoyi Club, Charles Okonkwo outlined some of the projects achieved during his tenure.

He called on all and sundry to support his successor in being gifts to the world.

The guest speaker and Editor of The Nation Mr Gbenga Omotoso spoke on “Leadership”. He cited examples of leaders past such as the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo and Shehu Shagari, whose selfless

service could not be forgotten as opposed to those who promised to serve but ended up being served.

He urged leaders and the led to learn from good citizens who are doing good and making the country proud in their little ways.

Mrs Akinterinwa was invested with pageantry, surrounded by her spouse, a former Commissioner for Finance in Ondo State, their children and other special guests. At exactly 3:35pm, she hit the gong for the first time, calling the gathering to order.

She accepted the mantle of office and read out a speech, where she reiterated her pride to serve humanity.

The club’s star project for this year is the refurbishing of eight schools in Igando, a Lagos suburb. Members and guests were urged to contribute to the funding of the projects.

There was also a lucky dip session, where the star prize winner went home with a return ticket to London, among other prizes.

At the ceremony were: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Plum Insurance Brokers Mrs Laide Osijo; Chief Mobolaji Ayorinde (SAN); Sir Oladipupo Ajayi; Managing Director of JNC International Limited Mrs Clare Omatseye; Chief Bisi Olatilo.

UNION OF LOVEBIRDS

LECTURE

•Former Miss Juliet Chinazo Anyamele and Stanley Onyinyechi Onyenanu after their wedding at St Francis Assisi Catholic Chaplaincy, Owerri.

•From right: President/Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) Dr Nelson Uwaga; former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Dr Christopher Kolade and CEO Economic Associates Dr Ayo Teriba during the NIM lecture at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos.

OBERT woke up one morning feeling excited. He sang to himself as he walked from one end of the room to another, dressing up for his big day.

He had been unemployed for five years, but his luck was about to change. He looked at the mirror and smiled with satisfaction, locked the door of his tiny room, and headed out of the overcrowded compound.

On his way out, he met LANRE OLAOLU AMODU Tina. “Wow, you seem quite motivated today, Rob- (Ph.D) sospeak2lanre@yahoo.com.

07034737394 ert.” “Morning Tina,” he @lanreamodu replied, “Today is my big day.” “A job interview or something?” she asked. “Not quite. I simply have this deep feeling that something great is coming my way today, so I’m going out to find it.” “That’s good. So, where exactly are you going?” She asked. “I don’t know yet,” he answered, “but I think I will start from Victoria Island. There are very big businesses there. You know, New Year comes with new opportunities.” “VI is a pretty big place. Don’t you have a list of the companies you wish you visit?” Tina was concerned. “Nope! That will limit my scope. I need to keep my options open for my big break. Don’t worry, there is someone waiting somewhere to give me that million dollar job. I can feel it in my bones.” With that, Robert left.

After several hours of wandering around some business streets in Victoria Island, Robert saw a black Mercedes Benz SUV about to drive into a big office complex. He rushed towards it and pleaded for the attention of the occupant.

Against the better judgment of the security personnel, the middle-aged man stepped of the vehicle to find out what Robert wanted. Robert explained to him how desperately he needed a job. The man asked him what he could do and Robert said he could do anything. Shocked because anything actually means nothing, the man asked him the course he studied in school and he said Biochemistry. “Do you know what we do here?” The man asked, “This is an auditing firm!” “Well,” said Robert, “I can do that too.”

“What did you do with your time for five years, while searching for a job?” The man wanted to know. “Nothing sir. I decided not to get actively engaged in anything because my dream job may show up at any time. I had to be focused. I also couldn’t settle for a mediocre job for the same reason. Once I get my big break, the five years will be worth the wait.” The man looked at Robert pitifully and said, “When you know what you want to do with your life and you have developed your capacity in that direction, I may have a few suggestions for you.” Robert stood gaping and emotionally deflated, as he watched the man walk into the building.

What do you think about Robert and his adventure? I can imagine someone saying, “It is not fair that he didn’t get a job, after all he was so optimistic.” Someone else may say, “God save us from rich people who are unwilling to help.” Ok, let me show you a few things he did wrong that justified his fruitless effort.

•Optimism without direction: while it is a great thing to have a positive disposition towards life, you must have a direction for your life. A lot of people are excited about a new day, month or year without really having a plan. They are certain something great would happen, but they don’t have goals to reach for. Robert, in the story above, was heading for “destination X,” which simply means “no destination,” because he had no specific goal. Take a pen right now and list what you hope to achieve this year. Zig ziglar said that without fail, those who don’t take the first step will never take the next step. So, go ahead and list your goals for the year.

•Lack of vision: Robert neither knew the exact kind of opportunity he wanted nor where to find it. According to Dr. David Oyedepo, if you don’t know where you are going, everywhere will look like it. Stop making efforts without a mental picture of what you want to achieve.

•Big break mentality: the problem with “big breaks” is that many people wait without doing anything. Your big opportunity will come, but it must meet you prepared.

“It is better to be prepared and not have an opportunity, than to have an opportunity and not be prepared,” says Les Brown.

•Disrespect for small beginnings: Robert felt he deserved more than the little opportunities around him, so he waited for the big one. What most people don’t realise is that those small opportunities in life help to prepare them for greater ones. If you refuse to handle small projects because you think they are beneath you, how will you acquire the necessary skill and experience to handle the big ones? Learn to have respect for every opportunity.

Dr. Amodu teaches at the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ogun State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

45

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

Experts raise the alarm on rising stroke cases •Fed Govt urged to declare disease an emergency

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PECIALISTS in cardiovascular medicine have raised the alarm on the rising cases of stroke, a disease that affects the brain.

They met in Lagos on July 22 to fashion a way forward for better treatment of the disease.

The event was the Cardiovascular Summit 8.0, organised by the pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer with the theme: ‘’Stroke.’’

Consultant Physician and Professor of Medicine and Immunology at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Geoffrey Onyemelukwe, said the disease must be detected and treated early to prevent deaths.

He attributed the high incidence of stroke to the lifestyle of people, adding that this contributed, in no small measure, to the disease burden.

Onyemelukwe said many stroke’s risks factors are playing underground because people are unaware of them, adding: “Everybody must be awakened to know that something bad is happening. Awareness must be created. People are dying in the cities and villages, and are attributing it to nebulous causes.

This is usually the thinking when they are being hit in the head. Many died from the disease thinking it was another thing.”

Stroke, he said, is in the country, therefore, everybody should wake up to the reality.

Moreover, the disease has been identified as the second largest cause of cardiovascular deaths across the world, particularly in the middle and low income countries, in which Nigeria belongs.

People, he said, should know their blood pressure (BP) numbers because it is the leading risk factor.

“Many young people are dying because of raised BP. This is cause

•From left: Consultant Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hosiptal, Prof Ahmed Ahidjo; Onyemelukwe; Ogunniyi; Waters; Medical Director, First Cardiology Consultants, Dr. Adeyemi Johnson; Medical Director, Pfizer, Dr Kodjo Soroh; Director, Pfizer, Olayinka Subair at the event.

By Wale Adepoju, Staff Reporter

by their running around and the stress of living.

“The young and the old are having raised blood pressure. This situation is across board. People between 17 and 70 years are now developing blood pressure. Also, young people, nowadays, die of blood pressure,” he said.

He continued: “This is why doctors, healthcare providers and nurses should measure BP of patients with mercury device as the electronic machines can sometimes be deceptive. BP should be measured while sitting and standing to know the actual level.”

Onyemelukwe identified obesity, especially that of the abdomen, as another major risk factor of stroke, adding that most people now have protruded tummy, a precursor to several diseases.

“Some fat cells are stored in the abdomen. When an animal is killed, you see a lot of fat. Those fat cells are affecting a lot of hormones. Some hormones are responsible for raising blood pressure, insulin resistance, and hypertension. This makes them useless fats,” he said.

People, he said, should embrace balanced diet, stressing that food should be taken in moderation.

“Too much intake of pounded yam, cow skin (ponmo), alcohol, soft drinks or kunu, will make the tummy potrude because it has stored too much of carbonhydrate,” he said.

“Besides, protruded stomach is not a sign of affluence; rather it is a sign of ill health. The second big factor is excessive weight which people are grappling with,” he noted.

He said people should rest be-

cause they need peace of mind, adding that many are presently under stress.

This, he said, shows that high BP is a major risk factor, saying that conducive environment should be created for people to relax because ‘the country needs rest’.

He identified blood lipid as the fourth factor that must be addressed.

“Lipids are fat in the blood. These fats usually float in the blood. When they are high they get oxidised and blood vessels would pick and bury them in the blood vessel.

The blood vessels always pick them all over the body, especially from the heart and brain, which result in heart attack and even attacks the brain, thereby starving it of oxygen.

His recommendations are that exercise should be encouraged in schools, especially across primary and secondary schools and univer-

Hepatitis still public health problem

H

EPATITIS, an inflammation of the liver, has been described as a major public health problem in Nigera.

The disease, according to the Chief Executive Officer, Bolar Pharmaceuticals Limited, Mr Bolade Soremekun, is more prevalent in Nigeria than other developing countries.

He spoke at the World Hepatitis Day in Lagos.

He said: "More than two billion people are infected with HBV world-wide while some 300-350 million are chronic carriers, harboring the virus in their liver.

About two million of these carriers die each year as a result of cirrhosis or primary liver cell cancer induced by the virus.

This virus is responsible for 80 per cent of all cases of primary liver cancer, which is one of the leading causes of death in Asia and Africa."

Hepatitis, Soremekun said, can be viral, or non-infectious, adding that the latter is very common in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.

He said the former is a virus which infects the liver, stressing that it is present in the blood and body fluids of infected people.

Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses are responsible for the disease.

Soremekun said five to 10 per

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

cent of infected adults become chronic carriers.

Besides, doctors called the inflammation that lasts less than six months acute hepatitis while the one that lasts longer than six months is regarded as chronic hepatitis.

"When the acute syndrome has not completely resolved or subsided on its own after a 6 month period, the patient is generally considered to have chronic hepatitis," he said.he continued: "About a quarter of chronic carriers will die from hepatic complications of chronic infection, some remain lifelong carriers while others will clear the infection after varying intervals.

"Sub-Saharan Africa is considered to be a region which is highly endemic with an average carrier rate of 10 to 20 per cent in the population. This is quite high.

"In West Africa, it has been estimated that 40 per cent of children will be infected by age two years and above 90 per cent by 10 if not vaccinated. A chronic carrier rate above seven per cent in a population is classified as hyper-endemic.

This is the case with Nigeria.

Adults who are infected, he said, may have no symptoms or they

may become ill. Some of the symptoms are fever, abdominal pain, dark urine, nausea and jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), he added.

"After infection, most adults recover and become immune to the virus. Some people do not clear the virus, which make them become carriers and, as such, infect others," he said.

The pharmacist said chronic hepatitis B infection can cause progressive, degenerative inflammation of the liver, resulting in cirrhosis of the liver or cancer of the liver.

"Unfortunately, many of the most common prescription medications used to treat the disease are known to cause drug resistance. Newer generations of drugs are still being studied. There may be some help with natural products, or products modified from natural sources. One of these is Hepantivir," he said.

On mode of transmission, he said Hepatitis B virus is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person, adding: "Two billion people worldwide have been infected with the virus and about 600 000 people die yearly due to the consequences of the disease."

It's virus, he said, is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV. Hepatitis B and C kill more people

sity.

He said cardiovascular risk factors in Middle East and Africa are many and people are not aware of them.

Moreover, some people have two risk factors while others present with three or four.

“This is dangerous. People should know their BP status and lipid profile and activity level the way they identify their ages,” he said.

Emeritus Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, United States, David Walters said people should know their numbers, that is, the high blood pressure (HBP) also known as hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol.

He said Nigerians are stressed out, adding that this may be one reason people come down with stroke.

He said 65 percent of people who have stroke have a hypertension, adding that they do not feel bad until they come down with a stroke, a disease that can be prevented.

“It is a shame to have young people who are relatively projective suffering from stroke,” he said.

Walters said sitting in traffic all day can trigger a stroke.

A Professor of Medicine at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Adesola Ogunniyi, said no fewer than six million people die yearly from stroke.

He said stroke was first reported in Nigeria in 1961, adding it responsible for 15 percent of neurological admission in hospital.

“Hospital data, at University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, showed that stroke is the leading cause of admission,” he said.

Smoking, diabetes, obesity and abdominal obesity are factors.

He said stroke will increase as people age and population increases. “Stroke is a major diseases burden in Nigeria and it will continue as the population age,” he added.

Prevention strategies, he said, are health education and awareness.

Club donates eye glasses

•Soremekun

than HIV/AIDS." Quoting from the February edition of Annals of Internal Medicine, he said Hepatitis B and C are responsible for more deaths than AIDS/HIV. "Hepatitis B is an important occupational hazard for health workers, despite that it is preventable with safe and effective vaccine. The national childhood vaccination programme, however, only started in 2003. This leaves the majority of adults unvaccinated. Where vaccination has been widely used in some countries, it has been very successful."

By Udemma Chukwuma NO fewer than 27 pupils of the Agidingbi Grammar School, Agidingbi, Lagos, received free eye glasses after they had their eyes screened. This was courtesy of Ikeja Unique Lions Club, Lagos.

The club said it was part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR).

The Vice President of Administration, Mrs Nsaka Gladys Umebei, said: “It is a good initiative and they have touched lives.”

According to her, it is not easy for the students because some of them cannot afford glasses. Some of them have eye problem and their parents cannot afford to take them to the hospital.

Umebei urged parents to always pay attention to their children’s vision, adding that eye examination is important. She thanked the club members for the gesture, urging that they should extend it to other schools.

Also, the students were allowed to choose the frames they wanted, and they were brought to them a few weeks after the test.

The project was jointly funded by the members of District 404B-2.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

46

HEALTH

Court jails fake lab scientist six months

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N Agbor magistrate court in Delta State has s e n t e n c e d P e t e r Chukwuemeka Okafor to six months imprisonment for impersonating a medical laboratory scientist, Koru Kere Cletus.

Registrar Prof Anthony Emeribe, described the verdict as a victory for Nigerians who had been clamouring for sanity in the medical laboratory services sector.

“Regrettably, these mindless quacks have been using unsuspecting patients as guinea pigs,” he said, adding that: “it is another milestone in the council’s quest to eradicate quackery in the profession.”

Emeribe noted that with the victory, nefarious elements in the sector must be aware that it is no longer business as usual, and that they’ve no hiding place. He reassured that the council would not relent in its efforts to ensure that patients received only accurate and reliable test results when they submit themselves to laboratory investigations.

“Only well-trained personnel, recognised by the council, are authorised to practise as medical lab scientists in the country. Those who attempt to do so without council’s approval are making a mockery of the law and endangering the lives of the citizens; and we won’t tolerate that,” he said, promising that the council would

HEALTH TALK with How to avoid hepatitis

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

continue to work towards the actualisation of its mandate as enunciated in Act 11, 2003.

Narrating the journey to Okafor’s conviction, Emeribe said it was during one of the periodic inspection and monitoring by the council’s Southsouth Zonal Office Benin, in conjunction with Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) Delta State Branch, that it’s team approached one Mrs Patience Uti for verification of her documents only to discover that the 2012 practising licence presented by the addressee bearing the name Koru Kere Cletus was not the same as Peter Okafor that owns the laboratory under inspection.

Besides the difference of names on the licence, it was also discovered that it was signed by Mrs E. U Okonkwo who retired in 2010 making the authenticity questionable.

According to Emeribe, the culprit was apprehended following a written complaint forwarded by the council to the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, on the matter.

Okafor was subsequently charged to court for forgery and impersonation.

While the accused was discharged and acquitted for lack of evidence on the first count charge, he was found culpable on the secund count charge of impersonating a Medical Laboratory Scien-

T

Prof Emeribe

tist, Mr Koru Kere Cletus.

One of the Prosecution witnesses, Mrs Patience Uti, had earlier told the court that she had known the accused as Mr Koru Kere Cletus for the past three years, not knowing that his name is Mr Peter Okafor.

The accused has a Higher National Diploma (HND) qualification in Business Administration, a course that has no relationship with Medical Laboratory Science.

He was sentenced to six months imprisonment without an option of fine, to serve as a deterrent to others who think they can just wake up one day and start collecting specimen from innocent citizens while pretending to be Medical Lab Scientists.

It will be recalled that the council set up a national taskforce on inspection in 2014 which closed 15 laboratories on its first assignment in FCT.

•From left: Chief Executive Officer Amelias Organics, Titilayo Oduye; Regional Sales Director, Middle East and Africa, Mr Dan Gounden, and Professor of Ophthalmology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr Adebukunola Adefule-Ositelu at a seminar on food tolerance and celiac disease in Lagos.

PHOTO:ABIODUN WILLIAMS

Patients can overcome cancer, says expert

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SURGICAL oncologist at Apollo Hospitals, India, Dr Ajit Pai, has recommended surgeries for cancer treatment, especially those in the throat, pancreas, and liver.

According to him, surgeries can be performed on patients to remove cancerous growths in some organs because they are amenable to surgical treatment.

He spoke at a workshop for surgeons in Lagos.

Those amenable to surgeries, he said, are called solid organ cancers.

“They are distinct from those involving the blood or bone marrow elements (leukemias or blood cancer) or lymphatic glands (lymphomas),” he said.

He listed solid organ cancers as those involving the mouth, throat, voice box, intestinal system, liver and pancreas, genitourinary organs, breast, brain and bones.

Pai said surgical intervention is necessary in most cancers to obtain a diagnosis or to cure the patient.

By Wale Adepoju

He said surgical medicine is a field that is continuously evolving. “Some of the latest advances, which we have incorporated into practice, are organ preservative, minimally invasive and robotic surgeries.

He said: “In the past, cancer surgery was mutilating and associated with functional and cosmetic defects. Modern cancer treatment uses radiation and chemotherapy to shrink tumors, so that a less mutilating but equally effective operation can be performed. For instance, in rectal cancers, almost half the patients would normally require complete removal of the rectum, with a permanent bag to drain intestinal contents (colostomy). Now, we are able to shrink tumors with radiation, such that the majority of patients are able to have a normal intestinal passage without need for a bag.

“Breast cancer is another tumor wherein the majority of women do not need complete removal of the

breast. Chemotherapy can be used to shrink the tumor followed by removal of the lump and the nodes in the armpit, preserving the form and function of the breast. This is especially important as we see more women with cancers at a young age.”

Pai said cancer surgery was always open with large incisions, adding that this has changed with the invention of minimal invasive surgery.

“Numerous studies have shown that ‘keyhole’ surgery, using laparoscopic techniques, is equally effective. It has similar cure rates, is less painful and has a quicker return to normal activities than open surgery. There is minimally invasive surgery for cancers of the foodpipe (esophagus), stomach, pancreas, large intestine (colon) and rectum, and for gynaecologic cancers involving the uterus and cervix,” he said.

The latest technology for cancer surgery, he said, is robotic surgery.

HE World Health Organisation (WHO) and World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) have announced that the campaign theme for World Hepatitis Day 2015 will be on the prevention of viral hepatitis.

With 400 million people living with hepatitis B and C worldwide, 1.4 million die due to these infections every year and many more become newly infected. Transmission of this virus can be prevented through better awareness and services that improve vaccinations, blood and injection safety, and reduce harm.

The yeraly campaign, marked on July 28, aims not only to raise awareness among the general public and infected patients, but also to urgently promote improved access to hepatitis services, particularly prevention interventions, by policymakers.”

The above paragraphs were taken from the publication of World Health Organisation (WHO), in a bit to mark Hepatitis Day, which is on July 28, 2015. For this reason, I will approach the issues of hepatitis from a question and answer view point.

Where can I get more information? As part of the measure to highlight public awareness on hepatitis, Strategic Insight Healthcare is organising a free public health seminar for Saturday 1 August 2015. You may need to call them on 08108652639 to indicate your interest.

What is hepatitis? Hepatitis simply means inflammation of the liver. The liver is one of the largest organs in the body that helps us to metabolise our food, medicines and toxins.

What causes hepatitis? Hepatitis can be caused by infections due to viruses or bacteria or even parasites.

Hepatitis can also be caused by toxic substances like abuse or misuse of alcohol. For our purpose, our attention will be focused on viral hepatitis.

What is viral hepatitis? Let us return to World Health Organization to guide us: “Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by one of the five hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D and E. They are transmitted through different routes: Hepatitis A and E through contaminated food and water; Hepatitis B – through blood and other bodily fluids; Hepatitis C – mostly through blood; and Hepatitis D – serving as an additional infection in the presence of Hepatitis B. These viruses all cause acute hepatitis which is characterized by fatigue, loss of appetite, fever and jaundice. Most persons fully recover, but a small proportion of persons can die from acute hepatitis. In addition, hepatitis B and C infections can become chronic leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer. It is estimated that approximately 1.4 million persons die each year from the various forms of viral hepatitis.”

Note also that hepatitis B can C be transmitted through sexual intercourse or via blood transfusion, infected fomites. A formite is any object or substance capable of carrying infectious organisms, such as germs or parasites, and hence transferring them from one individual to another. Skin cells, hair, clothing, and bedding are common hospital sources of contamination. At home and in our daily human interactions,

Dr Joel Akande Infertility Specialist and Consultant 08188343865 managementlease@yahoo.com

common fomite will include shared razor blades, hair cutters or clippers,shared nail clippers, shared knives or anything that may help transmit one infected body fluid from one body to the other. Hepatitis B may also be transmitted to the newborn by the infected mother.

How can I prevent getting viral hepatitis? To start with, treatment of viral hepatitis is expensive and arduous. So, prevention is better than cure. Among other measures, it’s important to maintain good personal hygiene at all times. We should live in clean and tidy environment with good ventilation and we should dispose our home and human wastes carefully. Endeavour to drink clean infection-free water that has been well processed.

Our food should be well prepared in hygienic environment. Food handlers should be clinically tested and certified free from these viruses.

Since hepatitis B and C can be transmitted sexually, it makes sense that we need to be careful whom our partners are. You may need to test your regular sexual partner and yourself for these viruses. A “night stand” or sex with a stranger carries a greater risk too.

Vaccination: Provided a person is free from specific viral hepatitis, the individual can be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. There is no current vaccination for hepatitis C. Children and adult can receive and should receive vaccination as soon as possible. A viral hepatitis B-free sexual partner in whom the other partner is already infected should also be vaccinated as soon as possible.

Food handlers and concerned individuals can also get vaccination against hepatitis A. How do I know if I am infected?

You can be tested by your medical doctor to determine if you habour any of the viral infections. However, if you have ever had yellowish of your eyes with or without body itching and pain in the right side of the abdomen (liver area), then you should exclude if you are carrying any hepatitis viruses. You will need to see a qualified medical doctor as soon as possible for full assessment.

Is there any treatment if I am infected with any of the viruses?

There is treatment for hepatitis C but extremely expensive. There is treatment for hepatitis B as well. In mild cases, hepatitis infection may go unnoticed or the body may ward off the infection. However, the best approach is to get tested. Don’t make assumptions.

‘Hepatitis can be caused by infections due to viruses or bacteria or even parasites.

Hepatitis can also be caused by toxic substances like abuse or misuse of alcohol’

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

47

THE NATION

BUSINESS INDUSTRY Should bank debtors’ names be published?

No, says the organised private sector (OPS) which feels that doing so will not be good for business. But the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said there is no going back on the August 1 deadline for publishing the names, except the debtors, who are owing N13 trillion, pay up. Assistant Editor OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE reports.

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EMBERS of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) are up in arms against the Central Bank of Nigeria’s moves to publish bank debtors’ names by August 1. According to CBN, making the debtors’ identities public would force them to pay, thus reducing the huge non-performing loans in banks estimated at N13 trillion. But some OPS members think otherwise.

Noting the need for CBN to tackle the problem of mounting bad debts, they, however, argue that there are factors responsible for loan default, which must be taken into account in matters of this nature.

Others think that the move is high handed and may portray the debtors, some of who may have been forced into the situation, due to no fault of theirs, in bad light.

Members of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) were among those critical of CBN’s move. LCCI President, Remi Bello, articulated the positions of members when he pointed out that there is need for CBN to avoid sweeping generalisation and examine the context of defaults in its intention to penalise loan defaulting companies and their subsidiaries.

While urging the CBN to exercise caution in its efforts to address non-performing loans in the banking sector, Bello said rather than name and shame the debtors, the apex bank should explore best global practices in its actions, noting that loans are supposed be collaterised and a foreclosure invoked in the event that such loans are not redeemed.

Bello in a statement made available to The Nation, noted the importance of distinguishing between the categories of debtors in order to guide the choice of debt recovery strategy. According to him, many businesses defaulted in loan repayment scheme as a result of challenges in the business environment they have been exposed to in recent years.

“The LCCI recognises two broad categories of debtors. There are defaults that have arisen as a result of genuine business failure (some of which are irreversible), which affected the capacity to repay; there are defaults that have arisen as a consequence of deliberate intent not to repay. The latter borders on character quality, which is what the ‘Know Your Customer (KYC)’ concept is meant to address,” he said.

The LCCI President emphasised that it is important to distinguish between the two categories of debtors in order to guide the choice of debt recovery strategy. He pointed out that while some investors have

industry@thenationaonlineng.net

•CBN Governor, Emefiele

•Bello

•Cobham

Why debtors’ names shouldn’t be published, by industrialists been exposed to real business environment challenges that could have resulted in unintended loan defaults, the second category of debtors have deliberate plan to default, as this class took loans with an intention of not paying back.

Urging the CBN to reconsider its actions, Bello said: “Entrepreneurship is about risk taking. Sometimes profits are made, at other times losses are suffered. It will be unfair to portray business failure as an act of criminality, which is what the publication of names connotes. The reputational cost to such businesses is also very high. In any event, loans are supposed to be collaterised and a foreclosure invoked in the event that such loans are not redeemed.”

While insisting that this is the best approach to debt recovery, the LCCI chief said the private sector remains the engine of growth of any dynamic economy. To him, entrepreneurs have a very strategic role to play in wealth creation and generation of employment. “We should not discourage investors from taking risks and should refrain from actions that could undermine the spirit of enterprise in the Nigerian economy,” Bello cautioned.

LCCI also identified shocks and dislocations arising from the sudden depreciation in the naira exchange rate and the attendant shocks to business, especially businesses with high exchange rate exposure as well as default caused by import duty waivers granted by government, which put many businesses at a disadvantage, vis-avis their

competitors.

Bello also identified sudden changes in fiscal policy, especially import tariffs, import prohibitions, policy reversals on incentives, and prohibitive interest rates and charges by banks, as factors responsible for loan defaults.

However, CBN’s move appears to enjoy the sympathy of a section of the OPS. For instance, the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), expressed regrets that accountability is lacking in the country, saying CBN’s plan to publish the list of debtors is a step in the right direction.

NACCIMA President, Mr. Emmanuel Cobham, said people tend to do things as they like so there is need to checkmate them. In doing so however, he cautioned that “It should not be for vendetta, but done solely as a way to show errant debtors that they owe it a duty to repay debts and loans.

Let us instil a sense of accountability.”

He said if defaulters are allowed to go scot free, monies meant for other businesses will not go round, adding that debtors should pay before the expiration of CBN’s deadline. He however expressed hope that the policy will not attract litigations to the banks from their debtors.

Also, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Association of Small & Medium Enterprises (NASME), Mr. Eke Ubiji, does not see anything wrong with CBN’s move. According to him, the policy is in the national interest and must be complied with. He urged the debtors to engage their banks and show seriousness and see how they can reschedule their payments to avoid the shame that

‘

We should not discourage investors from taking risks, and should refrain from actions that could undermine the spirit of enterprise in the Nigerian economy

‘

will come with the planned public disclosure.

He said: “We encourage our members to engage their banks; the level of debt is unacceptable. The amount involved is huge and is made for a lot of businesses so, if a particular business holds on to the monies made for hundreds of persons, it will stall the development of other businesses. The money should go round to every business and should not be mismanaged by a certain class of people.”

Ubiji advised his members to carry their banks along in their line of duty, saying that challenges are common with businesses, but if the person is sincere and makes serious effort to pay back, or even disclose his challenges, the bank can offer help in any material way possible before it is too late.

“The pity of this debtors’ list is that once your name is published you cannot borrow money from any other bank or financial institutions,” he said.

The NASME scribe revealed that some businesses cannot access loans from the Bank of Industry (Bol) and indeed, from any other bank today because they are currently in the banks’ black books. He, therefore, advised people to always maintain integrity in business.

Ubiji spoke the minds of many whose position align with that of the CBN that businesses should learn how to maintain integrity by discharging their obligations to their banks and other financial institutions. CBN Director of Banking Supervision, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins, however said that, despite the significant non performing loan portfolios, the financial system remained stable.

Will the stability of the financial system and opposition by some OPS members force down the hand of the apex bank from making good its threat of publishing the list of debtors on August 1, 2015? The coming weeks will tell, but if that happens, the situation will certainly not be funny for debtors, as the publication will, among others, include the names of the directors, subsidiary companies and related parties, and would be quarterly. In addition, such companies and their subsidiaries will be barred from the foreign exchange market.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

48

INDUSTRY

‘Access to finance major threat to SMEs’ F UNDING remains a major threat to the growth of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Director-General, Mr. Emmanuel Cobham has said.

Hailing government for setting up a number of institutions to support SMEs, he noted that what is required is to strengthen those institutions.

“We need to implement the various government policies and ensure that intervention funds actually get to the SMEs, knowing that as at date the N220 billion Federal Government Intervention Fund for SMEs as administered by the apex bank through the commercial banks and State Governments, has not been fully utilized,” he said.

Cobham called for an enabling environment where small business financing and proper operations are taken seriously, where the manufacturing thrives and production capacities of companies are radically improved.

“Currently, we have more than enough policies and initiatives by the government for the development of the manufacturing and SMEs sector. All we need now is the harnessing and positive redirection to make the process work.

We need the political will to ensure that all the initiatives work,”

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

he stated.

On measures put in place by government to develop the non-oil sector and spur substantial development of the solid mineral sector, he maintained that over dependence on one revenue source is detrimental to the economy hence the need to develop other sources of revenue.

As strategy to make a success of the non-oil sector, he urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to evolve a systemic policy aimed at deliberately reducing the number of peasant farmers through aggressive empowerment.

“Government should increase the budget for agriculture to at least 10 per cent of the national budget; evolve a policy framework that would encourage commercial farming in order to have an easy transition from peasant farming to commercial farming. Government should also encourage farmers by buying their farm produce to reduce the attendant waste associated with that level of production,” Cobham recommended.

According to him, this proposed arrangement would ensure that buyers are compelled to buy directly from the government or its agency. He also encouraged the

adoption of the One-State-One mineral policy earlier adopted by the Ministry of Solid Minerals. He said this will increase the generation capacity to cushion the nation’s foreign exchange needs and address salient export trade mechanisms.

Cobham said government can also help the sector by giving special directives to banks to finance this sector, supply equipments, and guarantee the income of the farmers by buying directly from them.

On the issue of high interest rate raised by manufacturers, he said: “There is no denying the fact that currently many businesses are groaning under the high cost of doing business in the country and this coupled with the issue of high interest rate gives a very wrong signal to the local business man.

“I believe that tough times call for extra precautionary measures.

Given that most businesses are financed by bank loan, equity and the active involvement of most financial institutions at an agreeable interest rate, which presently hovers around 18-30 per cent, what we need to do therefore is to join hands with the regulatory agencies to strengthen the Naira as against other international currency.”

The NACCIMA Director - General further called for increase of the nation’s export for better foreign exchange earnings and reduction on import of commodities that have local substitutes.

TeamFest Africa 2015 begins August 7

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RRANGEMENTS have been concluded for the successful hosting of ‘TeamFest Africa 2015’, a first-of-its- kind business summit, which provides a platform for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to sell and connect with their customers, Olsen Decker Nigeria Ltd., organisers and marketing/TV rights owner of TeamFest Africa, has announced.

At a pre-event interactive session with newsmen and select successful entrepreneurs held in Lagos during the week, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Olsen Decker Nigeria Ltd, Joseph Adamu, explained that TeamFest Africa 2015 is an African business summit designed to provide opportunity for SMEs and budding entrepreneurs to network and build capacity.

At the session tagged ‘Seat-down with Astute Professionals,’ Adamu said the 3-day African business exhibition fair, which holds from August 7-9 at the Cricket Ground of Tafawa Balewa Square and Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, has created an ‘SME Hub’ to encourage budding entrepreneurs who cannot afford the cost of exhibition stands to exhibit free of charge.

“TeamFest Africa is an awesome project; it’s going to open doors to

J

a lot of existing and aspiring entrepreneurs. TeamFest Africa is providing the platform so, SMEs should jump on it to grow their businesses,” says stand-up comedian cum entrepreneur Atunyota Alleluya Akporobomerere, more popularly called ‘Alibaba’.

Alibaba, who is generally referred to as the godfather of Nigerian comedy, was one of the professionals on hand at the session to offer useful tips on areas that add value to aspiring entrepreneurs and working professionals who require guidance to lead their way through the tough global market.

“To succeed as an entrepreneur, the rules are the same. You must be available; you must have what people want. Make sure you know how to do what you do. Bank on recommendation based on what you’ve done before,” he counselled.

Alibaba further pointed out that innovation and dynamism are critical to the survival of any enterprise.

“You have to be dynamic. You have to be forward-thinking; you must remain on top of your game. Once you are fresh in ideas you remain relevant,” he said.

FAO urges Fed Govt to pass revised Seed Act

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From left: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Olsen Decker Nigeria Ltd, Joseph Adamu; Music producer Fliptyce; Atunyota Alleluya Akporobomerere (Alibaba), Yeancah and Fadekemi, atthe ‘Seat-down with Astute Professionals’ event for TeamFest Africa 2015 held in Lagos,recently.

By Chikodi Okereocha

HE Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on Wednesday, July 22, urged the Federal Government to ensure the passage of the revised Seed Act without delay.

FAO’s Country Representative in Nigeria, Ms Louise Lobisa, gave the advice at a stakeholders’ consultative workshop in Abuja.

Lobisa said the passage of the revised Seed Act would help develop the private sector and the community-based seed systems and by extension, guarantee food security in the country.

“We now have what we have labelled as the Seed Act. It is now with the Federal Ministry of Justice. We hope that when the new ministers come in they would also try to speed that up to make sure the Seed Act is attended to and become operational.

“The main problem that we sometimes face is that we go into all these processes of reviewing the legislation, the policy updating and they stay for several years with-

out being approved and made operational,” she stated.

Lobisa said the workshop was aimed at designing a draft strategy to strengthen private and community seed systems in the country with the intent to strengthen the national seed system.

She said: “The workshop today is to review the draft strategy on how we can support and try to develop the private sector in seed systems and also the communitybased seed systems. Over and above that, the people that we are producing the seed for particular the farmers need to know what the benefits are and how they can work more closely with the private sector and with government institutions to create a national seed system in the country.`` She further said FAO was interested in building the capacity of government institutions with seed certification, seed quality, upgrading skills as well as strengthening agro-based laboratories.

Dangote set to deliver Africa’s largest multi-dollar rice project in Jigawa State

IGAWA state government as well as the host communities have thrown their weight behind the Dangote Rice project expected to be the largest in Africa and with prospects for creation of thousand of job opportunities.

The government and members of the communities pledge their support and cooperation to the successful take off of the project and its safety during a series of town hall sensitization meeting held with them by the management of the Dangote Rice Farming Limited and officials of the Jigawa state government.

In an ambitious move to dominate the world market in rice farming, President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has said that there was no going back in his plan to invest heavily in rice farming in five states of the federation The communities expressed satisfaction and delight at the choice of

•Thousands of jobs on the way

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

their area for the gargantuan project just preparations commenced in the state which is one of the states, where the company, for a start, is cultivating 600 hectares of land for commercial rice farming by November for a start.

Jigawa state government was particularly excited at the Out-Grower part of the plan that would see Dangote Rice helping farmers with implements to cultivate and grow rice which would also be bought from them by Dangote rice, a project, the state government would compliments its agenda of job creation and poverty reduction at the grassroots in the state.

Already, multi million dollars

worth state of the arts equipment for the commencement of the rice project is expected in a location in Kaffin Hausa local government area of Jigawa state for the project with potentials of thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities.

According to the farming plan released during a sensitization town hall meetings with some host communities in the local government, the Dangote Rice farming Limited, the rice project at Kaffin Hausa has a five year plan to achieve between 175,000 and 200, 000, hectares of rice grown twice a year.

The rice project has a plan to follow a due process for the development of the 20,000 hectares of land for rice farming in order to produce and sell high quality parboiled rice

in the Nigerian market Management of the Company, led

by Alhaji Mohammed Bello said the Dangote Rice project has the objective of becoming the leaders in rice farming in the world and also boost the Nigerian economy, encourage self sustainability and import substitution in rice.

He said the that company was set to reduce importation of rice into Nigeria by investing to become the largest farming operations in the world by 2020 with excess of 150,000 hectares of land spread around three to five states.

According to him, Dangote Rice Company will produce and sell one million tons of high quality parboiled rice within the next five years and at the same time supporting and developing Nigerian rice farmers through the out-grower plan that will generate employments.

•Dangote

The management of the Company expressed appreciation to the government of the state for its willingness to come to the aid of the company to ensure a smooth the off of the project.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

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FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

50

THE NATION

BUSINESS SHOPPING

E-mail: toniaitose@gmail.com

sms : 07035302326 Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

Shoppers are becoming uncomfortable with charges they pay for parking cars in malls. They have described such charges as needless. TONIA 'DIYAN reports

•The car park of Palms Shopping Mall in Lekki, Lagos

O

NE after the other, they hopped into their cars, amid complaints. This is

crazy.

Oh ! Owners of malls are taking undue advantage of us, by collecting car park charges from us.

Why must we pay for parking space in malls where we shop regularly for our personal and corporate needs? asked some of the shoppers as they drove out of Palms shopping mall in Lekki, Lagos State.

Neither did they return greetings from the security men, who waved to them probably to collect money from them, nor offer some smiles.

Indeed, they wore a sad look, suggesting that they are not happy with the charges imposed on them by management of various malls in the state.

The above summed up the frustrations of shoppers in malls located within the Lagos metropolis. Be it malls in Ikeja, Lekki, Surulere, Ikorodu, and other areas in Lagos, it is the same story.

Being the nation’s commercial nerve centrres, Lagos has witnessing a flurry of activities which include buying and selling of mercandise, online payment for goods and services, delivery of products at the doorsteps of people who have paid for them among others. It was therefore not suprising to see people, especially the high fliers in the society going for shopping to satisfy their urge for classic materials.

At various malls visited by The Nation, in the state, shoppers are quick to their express their disappointments over what they termed illegal parking charges levelled on them by malls’ owners. To this group of people, the charges was a tool used by the management of malls to extort money from them.

Bade Suleiman, a shopper at Leisure Mall, Suruelere in Lagos Mainland, said he was not comfortable with the ways they were being charged for parking space in malls.

He said he was paying N200 per hour for using the car space provided by the mnagement of the

Angst over car park charges

‘I take this as an exploitation, I come here to patronise the mall and I am asked to pay as much as N200 for parking my car here, where should I have parked? Please tell me, she asked." Lamenting, she said, "We don't know what they are using the money for after all’ mall.

Hear him: ‘’ I do not understand the rationale behind the N200 we ( the shoppers) are being charged for using car space in thee mall. I have been shopping in the mall for long, and my car has never been stolen either or outside the mall. It is with this mindset I go to malls in Lagos and beyond. Whether I’m shopping spree or not, I always believe that my car is safe.Why must I pay N200 for using the car space provided in the mall since they are making from me.?he asked.

Another shopper, who identifed herself as Brahiyat Haruna, said it was wrong for owners of malls to charge them for using their car parks.

He said paying for car space in the malls does not guarantee the

safety of his car. While some shorpers are frowning at the charges, few others said there was nothing wrong with the levy imposed on them for using car space.

Aremu Ayo, a shopper, said it was not right to pay for a car space in a mall where he has buy goods and further help them to improve on their business.

He said he goes to malls to buy their products, and therefore, should not made to pay for parking space. ‘’ Sometimes, shoppers buy products at a far higher prices due to taxes and other government’ levies. Yet, shoppers are made to pay for car park. This is not good enough.

While this lasted, some people said there was nothing wrong in asking shoppers to pay for car

space in malls.

Nurudeen Babatunde is one of such people. A middle aged man from Lagos, Babatunde said there was nothing wrong in the charges which shoppers pay for using car parks within the malls.

He said there was nothing wrong in shoppers paying for parking space within the malls.

"After all, it costs only N200 to park a car at the mall, I think the charges are moderate.A shopper can only be asked to pay more charges if or she spend more than an hour in the mall.."

According to him, if people can spend thousands of naira to buy goods in the malls, payment for car space of N200 per hour should not be a problem to them since they are paying for the safety of their cars.

He urged people not to stay too long in the malls to avoid being charged huge amount of money for using their car parks. ‘’I do not see the need to spend more than an hour in a mall. If we do not want to pay highly for car park, then the best thing for shoppers to do is conduct their transactions as quickly as possible.’’ he added.

According to a mall administrators in Lagos,who spoke to The Nation, on condition of annoymity,

there is need for shoppers to pay charges for using car park in the malls when one considered the problems they create for other users of the malls.

He said: ‘’For instance, parking spaces are congested, making it difficult for other shoppers to enter in order to conduct transactions. On a good day, we accommodate 1000 cars because the land is almost two plots. Some park for three or four hours, while it is just 15 minutes for others. The N200 fee we charge is, however, for single entry. Once you drive out, you will have to pay again if you have any reason to come in."

Sander Norman, a Manager in Ikeja City Mall, said: "If malls do not charge for parking, people would take undue advantage of them, by leaving their vehicles for hours. If people can drive to Victoria Island to buy goods, and pay about N200 as toll gate fee, they should be able to do the same here," he said.

It would be recalled that a mall was closed in Lagos in 2012 when shoppers protested the payment for car parking. Will another mall(s) be shut against for the same reason?

Time will tell.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24 , 2015

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SHOPPING TRUE VALUE 360

GSK tackles fake drugs

Attitude to work

G

SK Consumer Nigeria Plc would assist in fighting fake drugs in the country, by ensuring that people buy only the original products, its Managing Director, Mr. Dayanand Thandalam Sriram, has said.

Speaking at an yearly training by the company and the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN) in Lagos, Thandalam Sriram said the firm is leveraging on patent medicine dealers and sellers to achieve this goal.

He said the company is training such workers, to educate consumers on how to use quality drugs.

He said dealers and sellers of drugs interact with consumers everyday, and as such, are in the position to advise them to use the right products.

He said feedback from dealers would help in reducing the influx of fake drugs in Nigeria.

GSK products, he said, are backed by research, adding that people who sell

T •From left: Chief Pharmacist, Inspection and Monitoring, PCN, Dr. Taiwo Filusi; Managing Director, GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc, Mr. Dayanand Thandalam Sriram; Director, Lagos Zonal Office, PCN, Pharm. A.C. Ezeugwu and President, Lagos State Medicine Dealers Association (LSMDA), Chief Kewiwson Emeka Opara, at the GSK Consumer Healthcare Nigeria partnership with the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN) programme to train and improve the practice of Patent Medicine Dealers and Patent Medicine Sellers in Nigeria.

Stories by Tonia ‘Diyan

drugs would be able to enlighten consumers properly, upon receiving training from the company.

He explained that unwholesome drugs are harmful to health, advising people to stop taking them.

He said: ‘’Once Nigerians can come together to fight fake drugs, deaths associated with the use of wrong

medications would reduce.

Also, the President, Lagos State Medicine Dealers Association (LSMDA), Chief Kewiwson Emeka Opara, said it was disheartening to hear that people abuse drugs a lot in Nigeria.

He said people go into drugs business to make profit, not minding the grave consequence which fake drugs is posing to consumers.

‘’Most people venture into drugs business to make money, and care less about people’s health. Often times, people don’t care about the harmful effects fake drugs may have on the health, ” he added.

Also the Marketing Manager, Wellness, GSK Plc, Mr. Ogbemi Kesiena, said GSK is in partnership with the PCN and LSMDA to help improve medical practice.

Firm re-launches anti-malaria drug

I

RB Nigeria Limited has relaunched Mortein, its anti-malaria brand in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital Speaking at the event of what the company described as Mortein Liquid Electric Device (LEDs) the Marketing Director, RB West Africa, Oguzhan Silivrili, said the idea was informed by the need to reduce malaria scourge in Nigeria and Africa.

Siluvrili, who was represented by the manager in charge of Mortein, Iku Ejiroghene, said about 300 million cases of malaria were recorded yearly globally, adding thar the development has resulted in the death of over one million people yearly.

He said about 90 percent of the death occurs in Africa, especially among chil-

dren.

Silivrili said the high malaria prevalence in Nigeria was not good enough, saying that ‘‘Malaria is responsible for 60 percent of outpatient visits to health facilities, 30 percent of childhood deaths, 25 percent of deaths in children under one year and 11 percent of maternal deaths,’’he said, adding: “Malaria can be eliminated in Nigeria though concerted efforts on the part of the stakeholders. ‘’This is main reason behind the re-launch of Mortein by RB Nigeria Limited. The firm is partnering with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), an agency mandated by the Federal Ministry of Health to eliminate malaria. Through this, we have sensitise over one million mothers on the dangers to posed to health

by malaria’ Silivrili said.

Underscoring the efforts made by the the firm to fight malaria, Silivrili noted: “Mortein has been steps ahead of other brands since 2012 when the firm started an Anti-malaria campaign with a view to create more awareness on the issue.

The fact that Mortein has been repackaged means that mosquitos, globally described as one of the major causes of malaria are going to die when the product is properly by the people.

Also, a Manager with Everyday Group of Companies, Mr. William Onyejelea, said: “We have been part of the RB Nigeria family for years because we see and believe in the efficacy of their products.

The market is ready to accept the new Mortein LEDs and we are hopeful that the the product would assist in curb-

ing the spread of malaria.

Onyejelea, whose firm is one of the distributors of RB ‘s products, said the end to malaria scourge was imminent once people are ready to use the Mortein.

Area Sales Manager, Mortein, Chris Nwanah said: “RB Nigeria is much more concerned with the welfare of consumers. This is the reason why the firm is producing innovative products. ‘’Mortein LEDs is one of such innovations introduced to to kill mosquito.

There are customers who do not have the time to spray Aerosols; Mortein LEDs would however keep them continuously protected. The retailers are excited about the re-launch of Mortein LEDs and have started requesting for the products.’’

•From left: Assistant General Counsel, Pfizer Inc, Ms. Angela Wasunna; Partner, Anadach Group, Dr. Egbe Osifo – Dawodu, Director, Global Security, Pfizer, Dr. Pierre Souverain; Director, Corporate Affairs &Health &Value, Pfizer, Margaret Olele; Partner, Anadach Group, Dr. Enoma Alade, at the intellectual property workshop at Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria island, Lagos.

HIS is a column that promises to discuss, mould and shape societal values, seeks to protect the inBy Kemi Otegbade terests of consumers, truevalue360@gmail.com citizens and other broader relevant topics, such as decadence of educational systems, unemployable job seekers, trading ethics et al under the column: 'TRUE VALUE 360'. It is an interactive column as suggestions, complaints; daily experiences are welcome.

This week's edition is ATTITUDE TO WORK. The attitude of our people to work is below international standard. Workers seek any opportunity to shirk their duties and responsibilities, yet want their pay without earning it. This is possible because of the past Nigerian problem of unaccountability and lack of or improper enforcement of law. But I say CHANGE is here. No matter how mockers or charlatans decide to misuse the word Change.

Unaccountable means: Impossible to account for, free from accountability, not responsible.

Who and who have been unaccountable in our clime? Which set of people have the wrong attitude to work? That staff member who gets to work late, sleeps on the table and who is absent at work for no tangible reason?

That public servant who lays bad examples to subordinates by turning the office to private entertainment centre during working hours; that public servant who does not know anything about work load and target etc. and does nothing day in, day out.

Wrong attitude to work persists because these personnel are allowed to get away with laxity.

The same people go abroad and obey all the rules because they will not keep their jobs if they misbehave and in the long run, they will starve or get thrown out of their apartments for non-payment.

It is obvious that Nigeria and Nigerians are undergoing a re-orientation as it is obvious that lack of discipline and accountability to basic rules have pushed the economy to a groaning level.

If a driver keeps coming late and the principal misses serious appointments, there is no justification for the driver to get paid. If he persists, he should be fired. A non-challant worker if allowed to get away with the attitude will contaminate other responsible personnel. He/she should be relieved of the duties.

Same goes for public servants and political appointees who do not live up to their responsibilities.

As long as we allow unaccountability, irresponsibility and impunity to thrive, the workforce and the various institutions will collapse.

My take: There should be a confidential methodology where erring and lazy staff can be reported unanimously to an independent inspector or even the chief executive. And appropriate punishment should then be meted out.

‘Wrong attitude to work persists because these personnel are allowed to get away with laxity. The same people go abroad and obey all the rules because they will not keep their jobs if they misbehave, as in the long run, they will starve or get thrown out of their apartments for non-payment’

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

53

MONEYLINK

Tight liquidity may force MPC to review CRR today

T

HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) led Mon etary Policy Committee (MPC) may at the conclusion of today’s meeting, review its Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) policy on both private and public sector deposits, Chief Economist at Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan, has said.

The CRR is a portion of banks’ deposits kept with the CBN to control banking sector liquidity. It has been harmonised at 31 per cent for both private and public sector deposits.

In an emailed report released yesterday, Khan said that amid pressure on oil prices, the CBN could announce its monetary policy decision today and that the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) is expected to be on hold at 13 per cent.

She said inflation accelerated to 9.2 per cent year-on-year in June and that it is expected to break into low double digits in within the second half of the year.

She said the CBN has limited scope for conventional monetary policy easing through a Monetary Policy Rate cut. “Tight liquidity is an increasing problem for Nigeria’s banking system, and

Stories by Collins Nweze

will need to be addressed. Although the CBN harmonised its cash reserve ratios (CRR) at 31 per cent in May, pressure is rising to amend the CRR, or at least ease its impact on the banking system,” she said.

She explained that since the May CBN meeting, the withdrawal from the banking system of public-sector money, representing the revenue accounts of the Federal Government and its agencies has resulted in further liquidity tightening.

She explained that the rise in the CBN’s foreign exchange reserves, reportedly up to $31.9 billion, may have been due to the withdrawal of stateowned oil company deposits from the banking system, with forex-denominated deposits remitted back to the Federation account.

“Forex reserves may be higher as a result, but this is likely to have been a one-off.

Given ongoing weak oil prices, and with Nigeria undershooting its budgeted oil output targets, forex reserves will likely remain pressured.

While a slowing economy and negative m/m money supply growth may support easing,

Stanbic Asset Management is ‘Best Mutual Fund Provider’

S

TANBIC IBTC Asset Management Limited has won ‘Best Mutual Fund Provider Nigeria 2015’ and ‘Best Non Pension Fund Manager Nigeria 2015.’ The winners were announced at a gala dinner and awards ceremony in London recently.

Organized by Global Banking & Finance Review, a reputable online banking and finance performance review platform, the awards recognize achievements and innovations by companies in the global financial community, cutting across banking, Islamic finance, hedge funds, asset and wealth management, real estate, and corporate social responsibility, among others.

Commenting on this year’s award, Wanda Rich, Editor, Global Banking and Finance Review, stated: “Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited’s dedication to excellence

throughout its investment advisory and management services is what made them stand out as the clear winner this year,” adding: “We look forward to seeing further industry-leading solutions from them in the years to come.”

Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited, Mr. Olumide Oyetan, who described the award as an incentive to work harder, stated that “the firm remains totally committed to helping Nigerians build a portfolio of financial instruments from which they canuse to meet their unique investment objective(s)’’. He also reiterated “the numerous benefits in investing in mutual funds, especially the expertise that is brought to bear in maximizing returns to investors without compromising safety”.

‘Oil sector boosts domestic capital inflow’

T

HE Vice President and Head, Energy and Natu ral Resources at FBN Capital Limited, Rolake Akinkugbe, has said that local sources of finance have risen over the past decade because of improved capitalization among African banks.

She spoke at the 2015 Oil Council Africa Assembly which held in Paris. She said the lenders will take advantage of new opportunities in the oil and gas sector.

She emphasised that the new oil price environment has had an impact on the terms and structure of funding that have become available to oil and gas companies and projects.

According to her, “The price shift is forcing renewed policy focus on those parts of the oil and gas value-chain that creating the greatest dividends in terms of contribution to economic growth. The implementation of such policies would have to be balanced with the need to keep Direct Foreign

Investors (DFI) incentivised.”

Highlighting the challenges with achieving this balance from a sector finance perspective, she said “sector exposure limits and tight regulation, as well as challenging oil price environment, have ushered in a more moderate risk appetite within Africa’s banking community. Often, their foreign counterparts try to offer more competitive rates for deals. In response however, local African banks are collaborating much more in order to build their pool of funds and match value so as not to lose too much market share to foreign banks”.

She stated that emphasis on the value-add benefit of oil and gas projects goes hand in hand with governments’ push to demonstrate the benefits of the energy sector to the broader economy. In any case the capital requirements of such infrastructure-related projects are often more than local banks can handle by themselves.

Nigeria’s forex regime does not allow easy solutions,” she said.

Having already introduced import controls, the CBN may rely more on administrative support of the naira exchange rate.

The last MPC meeting had considered that the current discriminatory CRR on public and private sector deposits has not only constrained the policy space but could inspire moral hazard by private market participants. Consequently, it was recognised that while additional tightening measures may not be appropriate now to avoid overheating the economy, a harmonisation of the CRR was imperative to curb abuses and improve the efficacy of the

monetary policy.

Khan, said although the measure has resulted in an eventual tightening, the immediate impact on market liquidity will depend on the ratio of private sector to public sector deposits in the Nigerian banking system.

Also speaking on today’s MPC meeting, Head Markets at FBN Capital, said the CBN will keep MRR unchanged. He said the authorities favour administrative measures to counter perceived forex speculators and rebuild reserves.

“In time we think that the MPC will close the gap between the interbank and parallel rates but not until later in the year. The steady pickup in year-on year inflation on a headline and, more impor-

tantly, a core basis for six successive months would normally prompt a hike in the 13 per cent monetary policy rate.

Further, the headline rate of 9.2 per cent year-on-year is now above the official target range and is projected in the latest CBN in-house forecasts to climb to 10.1 per cent yearon-year in October”.

He said the imports listed in the circular of 23 June have to be funded at the parallel market rate so we do not expect inflationary pressures to subside.

“We continue to see a policy rate increase of 100 bps before year-end. Our take on this week’s meeting is not influenced by the fact that President Mohammadu Buhari has yet to appoint a federal executive

•CBN Governor Emefiele

Godwin

council (cabinet). The committee and indeed the CBN enjoy considerable autonomy,” he said.

AfDB harps on tax transparency, resource mobilisation

T

HERE is a link between global tax transparency and domestic resource mobilisation, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has said.

It said the issue was discussed at the sidelines of the Financing for Development conference, jointly organised by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and UNDESA, which was attended

by the outgoing President of the African Development Bank, Donald Kaberuka, eminent ministers and officials from OECD member countries, and observer organisations.

The meeting sought to explore ways of improving tax transparency, an important driver of domestic resource mobilisation. The panelists at the event stressed the need for governments to give their tax administrators the

resources they need to access information flow.

This would enable them to carry out audits of crossborder transactions. Automatic Exchange of Tax Information across countries was perceived as key in clamping down on tax evasion.

There are reportedly more than 3000 tax information exchange agreements in place. These serve as tools for governments to track transfers between financial

accounts across the world.

The meeting heard that the new tax transparency standard, launched in 2014 to aid Automatic Exchange of Information, will allow authorities to access information required to track funds held overseas that were previously unknown. This can boost the tax revenues needed to invest in infrastructure and human capital that is necessary to foster sustainable development.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

56

NEWS

Knocks for Osun PDP for anti-progressive stand

M

ORE knocks came for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State for engaging in the politics of do-or-die in a bid to plunge the Living Spring state into crisis.

The knocks came from members of the Osun Progressive Left, in a text it delivered on Osun State, that rather than come to terms with the loss it suffered at the August 9, 2014 governorship election and this year’s general elections, the PDP has been playing politics with bitterness.

Spokesman of the group Wale Olabisi told reporters that the statement became important “in order to update the whole world with the politics of do-or-die with extreme bitterness and violence by which the opposition party represented by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their thugs are terrorising the state.”

The statement reads: “The basis of our support a popular organisation, are clear and are based on the pro-peoples, best practice and world acclaimed achievements of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

“These achievements in doubt touch everybody and every part of the state. This media briefing is a show of

support and solidarity for a government constituted by the popular mandate of the people through a resounding victory in a keenly contested election subsequently upheld as free, fair and credible in all the election petition tribunals up to the Supreme Court.

“We actually sympathize with the worker’s who are being owed salaries. We appeal with great concern over this national calamity which is not peculiar to the State of Osun alone but about 24 other states, in fact all states in Nigeria today either owe the salary of states, local government or pensioners, with the singular exception of Lagos. One begins to wonder why Osun and Mr. Governor are singled out for vilifications.

“The only known democratic option for change of government is victory in free and fair elections. The opposition should desist from treasonable effort of subverting a legitimate government through the back door. They are advice to embrace electoral choice by building up for the next election in 2018 when they can once again test their popularity.

“We reject in totality the so called the renegade Osun Stakeholders Summit that the PDP is putting up in the state. It is provocative, lopsided and biased.”

NAHCON urged to control ‘Lesser Hajj’ operation

A

CIVIL society organisation, Independent Hajj Reporters, has urged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to regulate and monitor activities of tour operators, who are conducting Umrah (Lesser Hajj).

The group spoke in a statement by its national coordinator Ibrahim Muhammad and publicity secretary Abubakar Mahmoud.

The statement said: “We urge NAHCON to as a matter of necessity exerts full control on the conducts and activities of tour operators on the conduct of Umrah (Lesser Hajj) to streamline the Umrah pilgrimages.

“We acknowledged that NAHCON has in the last four years trying to sanitise the Umrah (lesser hajj), where lists of licensed tour operators are published yearly in national dailies. Nevertheless, we urge it to go further than that.”

“More specifically, NAHCON should ensure that only registered tour operators are allowed to participate in Umrah exercise; punish erring tour operators to deter others, ensure that pilgrims are served according to what they pay for, put mechanism in place to eliminate the middlemen, and regulate the fare being charged by service providers. “

Rotary holds tree planting ceremony today

T

HE Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee of Rotary Club International will today at 2pm hold its Tree Planting ceremony and commemoration of the one-year without po-

lio at the Polio House, 8 Ladoke Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.

In a statement, the club said the Chairman of the committee, Dr Tunji Funsho will also address the press at the event.

Clark seeks chair for Amnesty programme From Vincent Ikuomola and Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

F

ORMER Minister of Information and Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint a chairman to oversee the amnesty programme.

Clark said the programme had been halted since the former chairman, Kingsley Kuku, left the office.

According to the Ijaw leader, the Federal Government’s inability to pay ex-militants and the dismissal of the 13 pilots undergoing training at Lufthansa Airline training school was because there was nobody to pilot the affairs of the programme.

His words: “There have been series of demonstration by the youths and their mothers because of the dismissal of the 13 exmilitant youths undergoing training at the Lufthansa Airline Training school in Frankfurt, Germany.

“This may lead to the collapse of the amnesty programme if no action is taken. The programme should not fail; we should not dent our country’s image because of this.

“I am reliably informed that funding is not the problem but the authority to operate the account. I am also informed that there is about N5.3 billion left for the execution of the programme.”

Clark appealed to the President to ensure that the programme does not fail, adding that the region must not be given the impression of being neglected.

The group noted that the Aregbesola administration has recorded landmarks in infrastructural development (including roads, schools, health); social welfare programme for the indigent senior citizens, physically challenged and school children and youth empowerment among others.

The group noted that the opposition was uncomfortable with award-winning best prac-

tices for which Aregbesola ‘is famous to the chagrin of malicious and envious neo-liberal, anti-poor constituencies, but for which he has earned the support of all well-meaning people of goodwill across the globe.

It said: “In the meantime, the roots of the temporary, diversionary salary arrears are clear, but are being conveniently ignored by electoral losers and

the doomed opposition, and their lackeys;viz: Jonathan and PDP six years of mind-boggling corruption, incredible 400,000 barrels of crude oil theft per day out of 2,600,000 barrels daily crude oil production making a 15 per cent loss, in fact, but strngely resulting in a 40 per cent loss of revenue, from mid 2013 to his inglorious exit.

“In conclusion, we are appealing to the security agen-

cies in the state to be alert to the threat posed by the PDP and their handlers in the state.

“We also call on the Commissioner of Police to rein in Mr Niyi Owolade , Mr Yinka Odumakin, Mr Bamidele Adeniyi (a.k.a Zangaruwa), Mr Alimi Sulaiman and Mr Funsho Babarinde. These people are committed to destabilising the State in their mindless pursuit of power.”

•The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe (middle); the President, Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA), Mr Uche Apakama (second left); Vice President (Finance), Chief Kevin Obieri (second right) and others at the opening of the eighth annual lecture of ONICCIMA in Onitsha, Anambra...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Adopt national monitoring and evaluation framework, ex- Minister tells states

F

ORMER Budget and Economic Planning Minister, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman has advised states to adopt the National Framework for Monitoring and Evaluation (M and E) in order to deliver transparent and accountable governance.

He gave the advice at a twoday workshop on designing and implementing a comprehensive Performance Monitoring and Evaluation System in Lagos State. It was organised by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

The workshop, which drew participants from 10 Ministries, Departments and Agencies, was aimed at equipping them with relevant, up-to-date knowledge and skills towards strengthening the state government’s Result Based Management (RBM) M and E system.

Usman, who scored Lagos high in M and E practices, and praised Ondo, Niger and Cross River states for initiating the process of implementing RBM, noted that the National Framework was modelled in line with global best practices.

On the essence of the workshop, the former Minister said: ”It is a technical workshop. All these people you see are basically monitoring and evaluation people.

“The purpose of this workshop is to teach the techniques of evaluation. Projects can go wrong for all sorts of reasons, not necessarily because there was some corruption.

“The important thing is to have a systematic process by which projects are looked at after they have been done, evaluate them and find out what happened in order to learn from it “So, this training is not just on the monitoring aspect but evaluation of policies as well.

“People concentrate much on

•Lagos trains MDAs on best practices

By Precious Igbonwelundu

projects. I will give you two fundamental policies that were done at the national level. One has transformed the telecommunications sector and the other has the potential to transform the power sector.

“It was a policy decision under former President Olusegun Obasanjo to privatise telecommunication. See what was achieved by the liberalisation of the sector.

“It is not all about spending money, he didn’t focus on just pumping money into telecoms or building stations. Sometimes the change in policy can be so overwhelming.

“So, the whole essence of what we are doing is to evaluate not just projects but policies and programmes too.”

On what was responsible for other states not at par with Lagos in M and E, Usman said it was because they are at different levels.

“I do not think there is anything wrong with states lagging behind in M and E. Just like with revenue effort and administration, states are at different levels.

“The World Bank, DFID are helping some of these states.

What I will advice is that other states adopt the global phenomenal movement towards Result Based Performance Management.

“There is a framework that has been adopted nationally.

There is called the National M and E Framework which was approved by the National Economic Council while I was Minister.

“I suggest that every state should move quickly to install the framework and catch up in some of the things they require. Lagos is doing quite well

and I think many states should copy Lagos.

“Generally, there is increasing demand for proving (accountability) and improving impact of government interventions.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Bayo Shonade said although the state has been on the forefront, there was more to be seen.

Shonade, who was represented by the Director, M and E, Dr. JMO Ekundayo said the selected 10 MDAs for the workshop must show how they can best work together to effectively utilise scarce resources.

“There must be effective M and E in place for Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP) to succeed. It should be reviewed every three years and we hope that with the participants here , experiences would be shared and positive feedback generated to enhance M and E in the state.”

He noted that 95 percent of projects executed in the state over the years were thoroughly monitored before payments made.

Asked why some of the roads went bad within short periods, he stated that it was as a result of high water table. ”I have been involved in monitoring projects for the past three years in Lagos and I can tell you that before any project is paid for, there are teams that inspect.

“Even in the governor’s office, there is the project implementation management unit, that still goes and inspect such projects so that at the end, value is delivered for money expended.

“Although it is not a perfect system, I can tell you that 95percent of projects in Lagos

State were thoroughly monitored,evaluated before payments were made.

“I can tell you that 95 percent of state projects delivered value for money. Even the world bank, DFID are ready to offer us loan even when we are not demanding for money.

“They are comparing and looking at the notes of other states and they have scored us high on the standard of projects executed.

“Let me however note that we have high water table in Lagos and M and E is trying to address such situations with respect to projects executed in particular areas.

“In certain areas of Lagos state today, surface dressing is not permitted for road construction. We have learnt some lessons in the past. It is not that these projects were not done as they ought to,since they followed specification of Bill of Quantity.

“But we have discovered that we have high water table in Lagos and most places in the state are below sea level.

“When there is heavy rain in such areas and they have surface dressing, the roads are washed off within a year or two, and people start thinking the contractor did a very bad job.

“That is why during former Governor Babatunde Fashola’s tenure, he didn’t agree unless the contractor has a crush stone based crux and covered drains.

“We were supposed to have more roads in Lagos than we currently have but he said he was interested in quality. We expended alot of money but it’s good because at the end of the day, when the surface is bad or there are pit holes, the surface can be removed and there will still be a solid stone based crux and all that will be required is to pour another asphalt on,” he said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

57

NEWS

Tension in Niger Delta as Tompolo resuscitates MEND

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HERE was concern in military circles in the Niger Delta yesterday about the planned meeting of leaders of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).

The meeting, slated for Izon House in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, is being convened by MEND leader Government Ekpemupolo.

A terse invitation, a copy of which was made available to our reporter, reads: “My dearly beloved commanders and leaders of various wings of the Movement of the Emancipation of the Niger Delta(MEND), I greet you all.

“It is my pleasure to humbly invite you to a crucial

From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt

and urgent meeting as follows: Venue: Izon House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

“Date (of the meeting is) Saturday, July 25, 2015. Time (is) 2pm Prompt.”

The letter was initiated with Tompolo’s traditional title - Izon Ibe-Ebidouwei.

Tompolo said the meeting would to deliberate on recent developments in Nigeria and the fate of the Niger Delta in the political dispensation.

Speaking through his media aide, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo, he said the MEND leaders would chart a path for the progress of the region.

However, The Nation gathered that the planned meeting is a source of concern for top military commanders in the region.

Tompolo, a known supporter of former President Goodluck Jonathan, was the founder of the deadly group that crippled oil production in the region from 2005.

It was gathered that he was placed under security watch following the defeat of Jonathan in the March 28 presidential election.

The former militant leader has maintained a low profile since after the election and subsequent inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari on May 29.

Also, Tompolo’s Ijaw kins-

men from the key oil producing areas of Delta state have given the Delta State government ultimatum on the controversial state Oil Producing Areas Commission amendment law.

Military authorities say that the conventing of MEND leaders at about the same time Gbaramatu and other Ijaw youths in Delta are spoiling for war with the state governor was troubling.

An ultimatum by youth leaders from Gbaramatu, Ogulagha, Ogbe-Ijoh, Egbema, Diebiri among others expires on Sunday night.

The youth leaders under the umbrella of Flow Station/Well Head Host Ijaw Communities of Delta State

are determined in their protests against the Amendment Bill before the House of Assembly.

The Bill is the handiwork of Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa. Yesterday, they issued a fresh warning calling on the governor to see reason with the people and withdraw the document.

Spokesman of the communities Comrade Sheriff Mulade spoke of the health challenges and deprivation bedeviling the people in the communities hosting oil and gas facilities, stating that derivation was the only way to lessen their plight, He said: ‘’Derivation as it were is simply a principle of giving back to the source of

revenue generated through natural resources and it is a compensation for the loss of fishing and farming rights, health challenges and environmental degradation caused by oil exploration and production activities in our communities. Oil and gas are not produced by ethnic groups but are produced by communities which are clearly known and which bears the brunt of oil exploration and production activities. ‘’The negative effect of this arrangement is that politicians who are not from oil bearing communities would be the ones to determine the direction of the commission to the detriment of the oil and gas producing communities.’’

Man gets three years for stealing

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N Oredo Magistrate’s Court has sentenced a 27-year-old man, Joseph Godday, to three years imprisonment for stealing and house breaking.

The convict was charged with house breaking and stealing.

He was said to have conspired with others to commit the offence on May 21 at No 1 Ambrose Alli Avenue, G.R.A, Benin.

Police Prosecutor ASP Sylvester Omor told the court that Godday and three others now at large made away with items, such as HP laptop, Tecno handset, one Nokia handset, one motor battery, imported female

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

dresses, shirt and blouses, 20 pieces of wrapper, eight new female hand bags, 60 ladies’ wrist watches, 80 pieces of necklaces and others.

The prosecutor told the court that the items belonged to Mrs Lucy Danedop, and the total cost of the items was N426,000.

He said the items were not recovered from the buyer, identified as Mr Benjamin Omoloyi who resides at No 31 on Benin Oluku road in Benin.

Magistrate Mrs C.A. Nwoha sentenced the convict to three years imprisonment with hard labour without an option of fine.

Ijaw youths urge Buhari to go after big-time oil thieves

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JAW youths yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to go after barons stealing oil in large quantities.

They spoke after an emergency meeting.

Rising from the meeting, the youth, under the auspices of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, urged Buhari to develop and implement an economic blueprint for the region as a precondition for his proposed war against oil thieves.

They said they would not stand against the President’s moves to curb oil-related theft in the region.

President, IYC Udengs Eradiri, who spoke at a news conference after the meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said: “We will support the government only when there is a clear cut economic plan that will serve as an alternative for the people.”

As part of economic rejuvenation of the region, he asked the President to send redundant vessels and those yet to berth in Lagos to ports in Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar to create jobs and empowerment for the youth.

He praised the President for his eloquent speech during his visit to the United States, saying the President made the country proud.

Eradiri said: “We want to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for his trip abroad. During then, he was able to articulate issues concerning Nigeria’s policies, especially the Niger Delta. We must commend him for the way he addressed the world about Nigeria. Truly, he is the pride of Nigeria.

“But while addressing the

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

world, he raised certain issues which we need to make input: He talked about curbing oil theft in the Niger Delta, which we support fully, his approach towards curbing the menace because the stealing of oil is actually degrading our environment.

“Also, the development is actually a crime against humanity when people carry out certain actions that in the long run destroy the people’s land and their way of life.

“But we must say that this oil theft did not start today. It is the attitude of successive governments that have led to our people struggling to survive. We want him to go after the big guns - those merchants who bring in big vessels to steal oil. They are the people he should go after.

“We are not against the stoppage of vandalism of oil pipelines but he must have an economic plan. Our people right now need to survive.

There is no more fishing in our areas and our lands can no longer produce the kind of things they used to produce.

It is our position that while Buhari is coming to fight the menace, he must come with an economic plan.

“We are saying that all those vessels in Lagos doing nothing, waiting to berth should be ordered to the ports in Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar. By so doing, a lot of economic activities would begin to spring up in these areas and support the local economies.”

He also observed that many oil-related projects in the region had been abandoned by the Federal Government.

•From left: Adviser, Ijaw National Congress, Lagos State chapter, Mr Regent Youmor; Students of Elifriulia Helicopter Centre, Ronchi Trieste Italy, Uwawah Barnabas, Laboard Innocent and Suyei David, during a 'Save Our Souls' plea to President Muhammadu Buhari to release funds for the Amnesty Programme, in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Residents protest abduction of 92-year-old ruler

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ESIDENTS in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State yesterday protested the abduction of the 92-year-old traditional ruler of Tombia community, Gbarian clan, Christian Otobotekere, by an armed gang.

Five gunmen at 8am shot their way through to the king’s palace and abducted him.

“It was like a scene from the movie. The community woke up to hear sounds of gun everywhere. There was panic. But at the end the gunmen took the king,” a source, who spoke in confidence, said.

The nonagenarian, it was gathered, is the father of Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, former Chief of Staff of Governor Seriake Dickson.

The victim is also a grand patron of the state chapter Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), which has ap-

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

pealed to the gunmen to set him free by virtue of his age.

It was gathered that the gunmen forced their victim into a Toyota car and drove him to the Amasoma/Tombia bridge.

They were said to have burnt the car and later whisked the monarch away to an unknown destination on a waiting speedboat.

A stray bullet was said to have hit a food vendor in the area during sporadic shooting by the gunmen.

Sources said the injured vendor was rushed to the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri.

Aggrieved members of the community were said to have blocked the Amassoma road leading to the Niger Delta University (NDU) in protest.

They were said to have

barricaded the road for hours and denied students and lecturers access to the university.

Their action created a serious gridlock which extended to the busy MbiamaYenagoa road.

They demanded the release of the aged monarch, describing the action of the abductors as barbaric.

Police spokesman Asinim Butswat confirmed the incident.

Butswat, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said: “Five unknown gunmen, who were heavily armed, went to the residence of His Royal Highness, Chief C.A.O. Otobotekere, in Gbarain Clan of Tombia Community, abducted the chief and forced him into a car and drove to Amassoma/Tombia Bridge.

“They burnt the car beyond recognition, took the

victim and whisked him away on a waiting speedboat to an unknown destination.

“A stray bullet from the abductors, injured a food vendor and he is receiving treatment at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri.

“Marine Police,JTF, and the Anti-kidnapping unit have moved into the creeks for rescue and possible arrest of the suspects.”

Members of the Yenagoa Book Club (YBC) expressed dismay over the abduction of the monarch and called for his immediate release.

President of the association, Ebiowei Lawal and Secretary, Princewill Sede lamented increasing kidnappings.

They said: “To us the act of the kidnappers is not only barbaric and wicked; it is an insult to the literary community in Bayelsa state and the nation at large.”

Police smash kidnap gang in Delta

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VICTIM of kidnappers, Mr Obi Okoye, has been rescued by the police in Delta State, a day after he was abducted by five armed hoodlums.

Okoye was abducted from his home on Ibusa Road, Asaba, the state capital by the gunmen who stormed his residence in a red Audi 80 car and took him to an unknown destination on Saturday.

Police spokesperson DSP Tina Kalu, who spoke in Asaba yesterday, said the kidnappers were arrested on Sunday around 11. 30am when some policemen from the anti-robbery

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

patrol team attached to Ogwashi-Uku Division rescued the victim.

Kalu said Okoye was rescued from an uncompleted building behind Aunty Bose Group of Schools in Ogwashi-Uku when the policemen who acted on tip off, stormed the den.

Also, she said while acting on a tip off on Tuesday, a patrol team from OtuJeremi Division arrested Mr Samson Aboy of Ogbe-Ijaw while he was attempting to drive a Toyota Corolla car, parked at Ekrekevei Street, Ekakpamre in Ughelli South Local Council.

Kalu said the suspect confessed that he was a member of a five-man gang of armed robbers and that his gang snatched the Toyota Corolla from a woman on Airport Road, Warri, in the previous week.

She said the suspect further confessed that his gang had used the recovered vehicle to rob a man identified as Wafera Arthur Tuwasco and others on Otokutu Road in Ughelli South Local Council on July 18.

She said effort was in progress to arrest the fleeing kidnappers, adding that a manhunt for the car snatcher’s cohorts who are on the run, had been intensified.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

58

NEWS Man, 60, commits suicide

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60-YEAR-OLD man yesterday reportedly hung himself inside a room at Oke Aro, Akure, the Ondo State capital.

It was learnt that the deceased, who was identified as Dayo, took the decision out of frustration.

Sources said he found it extremely difficult to feed his family.

His remains were discovered in the boys’ quarters of a rented apartment on Idanre Road in the state capital.

It was learnt that the father of four has been having problems with the owners of the vehicles he was driving

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

for commercial purpose.

He was said to have been sacked by two of his employers over some issues that had to do with daily remittance.

His inability to secure another job, sources said, pushed him over the edge.

It was learnt that the deceased’s wife and her late husband were living apart.

Police spokesman Wole Ogodo said detectives have begun investigation. sHe said the deceased left a suicide note instructing his wife and children not to arrest anybody over his death.

Police parade four suspected kidnappers in Ilorin T

HE Kwara State Police Command yesterday paraded four persons for alleged kidnapping in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

It said the suspects had allegedly been kidnapping people at Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government.

The suspects are Musa Kadir, Isah Salihu, Suleiman Abubakar and Abdullahi Babatunde, all of Rore village.

Police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi said the suspected kidnappers were arrested af-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

ter they abducted a Sarikin Fulani, Aliyu Harande, at Omu-Aran.

He said the victim was kidnapped while praying in a mosque behind his home.

Okasanmi added that the suspects were arrested by the command’s anti-kidnapping team, which he said, swung into action after a tip-off on

the incident.

He said the suspects, from whom the police recovered a vehicle and guns, allegedly confessed to have been responsible for kidnappings at Omu-Aran.

The police spokesman said the case was still under investigation, as efforts were on to arrest the leader of the gang.

He said three suspected cult members were arrested at Oke-Oyi on the outskirts

of Ilorin.

According to him, the suspects, whom he described as members of the Eiye confraternity, were nabbed when they were forcefully initiating members. Items, such as an axe, relics and charms were recovered from them.

Okasanmi said the police also arrested five suspects in connection with armed robberies at Gaa-Akanbi and Amayo Ganmo in Ilorin.

Boat mishap: Bodies of policemen found

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HE bodies of two policemen from Kogi State have been recovered from the River Niger, six days after the boat they were travelling in capsized near Ibaji in Ibaji Local government.

The victims, Francis Itodo and Sunday Adamu, who were attached to the Ibaji Police Division, were on a special assignment to Uje when their boat capsized.

The late Itodo was the divisional crime officer (DCO) at Ibaji Police Division.

A report by the Deputy Security Officer of the local government, Mr. Joel Ocheje, said 12 persons,

From James Azania, Lokoja

Director-General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Sam O. Worlu (right), with Director-General, Radio Deutsche Welle (Germany), Mr. Peter Limbourg (beating talking drum), after a meeting on the review of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between VON and Radio Deutsche Welle, at the Broadcasting House, Ikoyi Lagos...yesterday

including eight policemen and two representatives of the Ibaji Traditional Council were in the boat.

While others swam to safety, the two policemen reportedly drowned. Their service pistols were recovered.

An eyewitness, who survived the mishap, Mr. Ugbenyo, said the accident happened when they were returning from Uje where they had gone to mediate in a crisis between Irebu and Uchuchu communities.

He said they rescued six policemen.

Osun Stakeholders’ summit advocates true federalism •Relocates venue to Ile-Ife •Summit is non-event, says APC

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HE Osun Stakeholders Summit was held in Ile-Ife, Osun State, yesterday with participants calling for true federalism.

The conveners had scheduled to hold the summit at the Leisure Spring Hotel, Osogbo, the state capital, but relocated to an event centre in Ile-Ife because of an alleged police siege.

All Progressives Congress (APC) described the summit as a non-event.

Its spokesperson Kunle Oyatomi, said: “Their claim that the police stopped them from holding the event in Osogbo is ridiculous.

They came to Leisure Spring Hotel, the venue of the summit, where they saw police security and they fled to their hideout in Ile Ife. “If their intentions were good, why did they run away from the police? If their intentions were good, why did the police presence scare them? Did the police officially prohibit the summit? The answer is no.

The police are to provide security for the summit.

Those guys should not be taken seriously.

“We will look at what they want to offer as solution to the financial and education ‘problems’ in the state before we respond fully.”

The summit was attended by the former Head of Service and governorship candidate of the Social

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Democratic Party (SDP), Elder Segun Akinwusi, spokesperson for the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Niyi Owolade, a professor of Sociology, Tunde Lawuyi, who was the chairman and a representative of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade.

One of the active organisers of the summit, the former board chairman of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Dr. Muyiwa Oladimeji, was absent.

In the communiqué signed by Odumakin and Owolade, the summit said the federating states should not be begging for bailout from the Federal Government but should rather be allowed to tap abundant resources they have and use them to develop.

The summit urged the anti-graft bodies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to investigate the alleged financial recklessness of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Delivering his paper, Akinwusi alleged that the Aregbesola administration was manipulating the state’s salary figures.

•Members, Nigerian Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED), Ekiti State chapter protesting ‘outrageous imposition of operational licence fee by Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN), in Ado-Ekiti...yesterday PHOTO: NAN

‘Ortom’s arms recovery programmes ‘ll curb violence’

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HE United Nation’s High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has hailed the illegal arms recovery initiative of Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom.

It said if the programme succeeds, it will reduce communal clashes, thereby reducing the number of internally displaced persons (IDPS) and refugees.

The Country Representative of the commission, Mrs. Angelle Atangana, expressed the excitement yesterday when she visited the governor at the Benue Peoples House in Makurdi.

She said: “If the initiative

By John Unachukwu

succeeds it will curb the incidence of communal violence and reduce cases of internally displaced persons and refugees.”

The representative hailed the people of Benue State for hosting refugees from Cameroon and taking care of them until they returned to their country.

Mrs. Atangana told the governor that they built over 200 houses for the IDP’s in the state, provided relief materials to them along with victims of floods and sued for a more robust collaboration with the state government to achieve

more.

Governor Ortom expressed the commitment of his administration to sustain partnership with donor agencies and development partners.

He stated that as a demonstration of this commitment, he included N5 billion in a supplementary budget he submitted to the House of Assembly for approval to enable him pay counterpart funding demanded by the partners.

The governor restated the commitment of his administration to ensure peace and stability in the state and noted that it was in the light of this

that he granted amnesty to those willing to submit illegal arms as well as held meetings with relevant security operatives, among others.

According to him, at the end of the expiration of the amnesty on August 31, security agents would go after those who possess illegal arms and recover them.

Ortom, who acknowledged efforts by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees to provide shelter and relief materials for internally displaced persons, praised the commission for the assistance and assured that government would collaborate with the commission to implement more of its programmes.

59

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

NEWS Buhari restricts use of presidential aircraft by wife, aides Continued from page 4

dential aircraft and abuse by some highly-placed Nigerians, The Nation learnt.

During the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, about N9.08billion was spent yearly to maintain the 10 aircraft in the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF).

The aircraft are two Falcon 7X jets, two Falcon 900 jets, Gulf stream 550, one Boeing 737 BBJ (Nigerian Air Force 001 or Eagle One) and Gulf Stream IVSP. Others are one Gulf Stream V, Cessna Citation 2 aircraft and a Hawker Siddley 125-800 jet.

A source said: “President Buhari has adopted a strict policy on the use of presidential aircraft in order to save cost. His wife and relations have been restricted from the use of the aircraft in the presidential fleet.

“A situation where the aircraft were used anyhow by some friends, associates of the President during the administration of ex-President Good-

luck Jonathan can no longer be applicable in this dispensation.

“For example, the wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari and three children travelled for lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia on Emirates Airline.

“Buhari is determined to ensure the judicious use of the presidential aircraft to save cost. He is also setting a new template for governance. Do not be surprised if you see the President using commercial flights.”

Another source said: “Do you know that it costs about N747 million to fuel the aircraft in the presidential fleet per annum. President Buhari said his administration cannot afford such a luxury.”

“The US President, Barrack Obama uses only two Boeing jets and one helicopter. So, Buhari is determined to cut cost.

In any case, he lives an austere life. If he can ask his wife to fly a commercial jet, then other public officers must emulate his standard.”

It was not immediately clear

if the President will sell some of the aircraft in the Presidential Air Fleet as being speculated.

The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, on June 19, said he was not aware of such a plan.

The President is yet to make up his mind on whether or not his wife should be addressed as the First Lady.

A source said: “I think the President does not want the Office of the First Lady hijacked by vested interests as the case between 2010 and 2015 when Jonathan was in charge.

“So far, Hajiya Aisha Buhari is known and addressed as the ‘Wife of the President’.”

When contacted, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said: “I didn’t ask the President why he let her go on Emirates. But given the tone of his leadership, I will, however, say with all confidence that he is, by doing that, sending an important message to the country.”

Boko Haram targeting VIP homes, says VP Continued from page 4

been seeking for bailout from the Federal Government to be able to clear workers’ salaries arrears in their states, among other debts.

He said: “We have just finished the 59th economic council meeting in which a lot of issues were deliberated upon.

“We resolved that all states should find ways to reduce their cost of governance.

“We do not have a uniform template on how to reduce the cost of governance, but it’s very clear that states in the specific situations will find different ways and means of ensuring the cost of running governance is not as huge as it has always been.

“So it’s left for the states in their respective situation to find the different ways of cutting cost but what is important is that we cannot continue with the kind of huge burden or huge cost we are ap-

plying to run our government. A situation where you are having a huge percentage of your budget as recurrent expenditure is obviously not acceptable. And you must look for ways in reducing the cost of administration in the various states.”

On insurgency, Ambode said: “We also spoke about the issue of insurgency in the Northeast and the activities of Boko Haram. We spoke extensively on its implication to the whole nation, and the effect on our economy.

“We also recognised the frantic efforts that have been made by the President and even his recent visit to the US in trying to find solution to resolve the situation in the Northeast.

“We also recognised the fact that the new Service chiefs will cooperate with the President and also ensure that all the things that need to be put in place are done as quickly as

posssible.

“We resolved to support the Federal Government in all its policies direction to boost the economy of this nation.

He said that the meeting also spoke on areas to boost the revenue potentials of the country.

According to him, NEC also praised the efforts of the president and vice president on their visits to areas in the north east and also resolved that everything should be done to boost the economy of the states in the north east.

On the four-man committee set up during last NEC, he said: “The last time NEC met the issue of NNPC excess crude account was discussed and a committee was set up and it was meant to support its report today. That didn’t happen.

“The Committee is yet to submit it’s report, it is still working on it and we believe very strongly we will get that report in the next meeting,” he said

We never asked for bailout, say governors Continued from page 4

Governor, said it was necessary to inform the media that the Federal Government did not give any bailout to any of the states.

His words: “What had been shared last time were monies from NLNG and FAAC (Federation Account and Allocation Committee). And as we have been saying, we have not been looking for bailout.

“Instead, we have been looking for all monies that are in the coffers of the federation most especially we are talking about some of the monies that are hung around the coffers of government to be brought together for the purpose of sharing.”

The new position taken by the governors however contradicts the previous one they held.

After President Muhammadu Buhari’s election and before his inauguration, governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) visited him at the Defence House where they held a long meeting.

The chairman of the forum and governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha, told reporters that the governors asked for a bailout from Mr. Buhari because many of the states were cashstrapped.

Again, the APC governors asked for a bailout after their meeting at the Imo House in Abuja, insisting that without

such intervention, some states may not be able to pay arrears of salaries and meet other financial obligations.

Their counterparts on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also held a separate meeting and adopted the same position after which an enlarged meeting of the NGF on June 21 took a position to meet with the President on the issue.

The governors met with Mr. Buhari and it was announced that the Federal Government had worked out a relief package for the states.

The package included the $2.1 billion NLNG payment, provision of low-interest rate credit facility and the rescheduling of existing debts.

Yari, however, maintained yesterday: “We are not taking any bailout from the Federal Government and the Federal Government did not give us any bailout yet.

“But we are talking on how best the intervention will happen within these days so we will be able to settle the issue of salaries and other operations in government in the country.”

The NGF also expressed concern over the sliding value of the naira and resolved to take the matter up with the Presidency.

The governors described as ‘excessively’ high exchange rate of foreign currencies against the naira.

As at yesterday, the exchange rate stood at N247 naira to the dollar at the parallel market as at Thursday.

In a communique read by the NGF chair and Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari, the governors lamented the adverse effects of the high exchange rate on the economy.

Yari said: “We are going to discuss with Mr. President to seek lasting solutions to the worsening macroeconomic challenges confronting the nation, especially on foreign exchange stability.

“The forum pledges to work with Mr. President to ensure coherent policy actions that will create a clear policy direction for the country and stimulate domestic production.”

Yari also said the governors discussed health related issues, with the view to seeking areas of cooperation with the Federal Government on the implementation of the National Health Act. He said: “We will collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure that the National Health Act is operational and to agree on funding for primary health care to be provided for in the budget.

“Sequel to the presentation made by the Country Representative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the forum agreed to aggressively support the total eradication of polio in the country.”

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS

•Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria H.E.Jonathan Richardson held an interactive session with University of Lagos community on “Australia’s place in the world and its bilateral engagement with Nigeria” at the university’s Julius Berger Hall, Wednesday. From left: Deputy Dean II, Student Affairs Division, Dr Karo Ogbinaka; Dean, Student Affairs Division, Professor Tunde Babawale; Deputy Vice Chancellor (A&R), Professor Babajide Alo; Vice Chancellor University of Lagos, Professor Rahamon Bello; His Excellency Australian High Commission, Jonathan Richardson; Registrar and Secretary to Council, Dr. (Mrs) Taiwo Ipaye MNIM and Director Academic Planning, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe.

PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

Astronauts dock at the International Space Station A STRONAUTS from Russia, the US and Japan have successfully docked at the International Space Station.

Less than six hours after takeoff from Russia’s Baikonur cosmodrome, Kjell Lindgren from the US, Kimiya Yui of Japan and Russian Oleg Kononenko safely arrived at the orbital outpost.

The flight had been postponed after the April launch of a cargo rocket failed.

Manned flights to the ISS are currently only possible with Russia’s ageing Soviet space

technology.

The US retired its Space Shuttle operation in 2011.

Yesterday’s mission capsule connected to the International Space Station about 250 miles (400km) above Earth at 01:45 GMT. The three astronauts had been set to take off in May but Moscow was forced to delay the flight after the 28 April crash when an unmanned Soyuz cargo rocket had failed to reach the station and burned up in the

atmosphere before crashing back to Earth.

“It’s certainly no fun to see several of the cargo vehicles undergo mishaps,” Mr Lindgren said. “It underscores the difficulty of this industry and how unforgiving the space environment,” he told a news conference ahead of the launch.

The ISS is manned by a rotating international team For both the US astronaut and for Kimiya Yui, it is their first time in orbit.

The Japanese astronaut said he was taking some sushi along as a treat for the others.

The team has joined the existing ISS crew of Russians Gennady Padalka, Mikhail Kornienko and Scott Kelly from the US. Aside from Russia’s Soyuz rockets that largely date back to Soviet technology, two privately owned US companies flying cargo the ISS have also lost rockets in recent launch failures.

Both SpaceX and Orbital ATK currently remain grounded following accidents last month and in October last year.

Obama-mania sweeps Kenya

•Obama

O

BAMA’S visit to his father’s homeland might be a short one, but Kenyan entrepreneurs are hoping that it will have long lasting benefits on the country’s economic development.

Preparations have been in full swing for weeks, with Nairobi abuzz with excitement and anticipation.

The U.S. president will land in Kenyan capital today to ad-

dress the sixth Global Entrepreneurship Summit. The immediate consequences of the visit will be clearly felt in the city, with airways and roads gearing up for a complete lockdown.

Many will undoubtedly flock to Nairobi for the event, but some might actually want to get away from the chaos.

One travel agency has playfully capitalised on this, offering an escape route to those who’d rather dwell in calmer pastures.

“Nairobi is going crazy as we wait for POTUS to come — It’s a big deal for our country but this comes with a lot of uncertainty around traffic jams, communication, security and all these funny looking helicopters we are seeing,” Agosta Liko, CEO of Pesapal/Ticketsasa, told CNN. “That’s why we thought of #Obamigration, to offer easy ‘Get out of Town’ weekend es-

capes.”

The catchy idea seems to be paying off: “We are having a record month because of the #Obamigration Campaign.

Kenya offers a lot for travellers no matter the budget, time and country of origin. President Obama’s visit will make it easier for our tourism industry to continue growing.”

The hashtag, which first appeared last year when Obama unveiled new immigration policies, is not the only one currently re-purposed for the historic trip: the preparations in Nairobi are, in fact, being hailed as a new #Obamacare.

Filled potholes, refurbished pavements, new security cameras and — most conspicuously — newly planted grass to adorn the streets where the presidential motorcade will ride — a move that has sparked some witty remarks on Twitter: Overall, the city is spending hundreds of thousands of dol-

Syria’s main opposition groups agree on ‘roadmap’

S

YRIA’S two main political opposition groups agreed yesterday on a unified “roadmap” for a political solution to the country’s long-running civil war, representatives of the groups said.

The two parties have been trying for years to reach a common understanding on how to end the war in Syria. Their agreement came as the U.N. envoy, Staffan de Mistura, was in Damascus to press efforts to find a political solution to the country’s war.

The attack follows a suicide bombing in a Turkish town near the Syrian border on Monday which killed 32 people. Authorities have blamed the attack on militants linked to IS. Meanwhile in Brussels, where the Syrian opposition groups have been meeting, representatives of the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) and the National Coordination Body for the Forces of Democratic Change (NCB) said they would announce details of their agreement at a press

conference the following day.

Members of the SNC, the main political group in exile, have long accused the Damascus-based NCB, whose leaders have been tolerated by the Syrian government, of being too lenient and even complicit with President Bashar Assad’s government. Members of the NCB, in turn, have often accused the SNC of being bankrolled by oil-rich Arab Gulf countries.

Their disagreements have contributed to the notorious divisions within the Syrian opposition.

“Today we are breaking the parable of lack of unity within the opposition,” Khalaf Dawohd, a member of the NCB’s executive committee, told The Associated Press from Brussels.

Hadi Bahra, a senior member of the SNC, said the agreement bolsters the unity and position of the opposition.

lars on renovations, while the Kenyatta International convention centre, where the summit will be held, has received refurbishment and security enhancements to the tune of SH300 million ($3 million), according to local reports.

Particular care has been taken to clean up and secure the highways and streets that will witness the passage of “The Beast,” the armoured car that will transport the President, which has been spotted in Nairobi..

Kerry defends Iran nuclear deal2

U

S. Secretary of State John Kerry mounted a furious counterattack against critics of the Iran nuclear deal yesterday, telling skeptical lawmakers that rejection of the accord would give Tehran “a great big green light” to swiftly accelerate its atomic program.

Testifying before Congress for the first time since Iran and world powers reached the deal last week, Kerry fought back against accusations by a senior Republican that America’s top diplomat was “fleeced” by Iranian negotiators in the final round of the Vienna talks.

He insisted that those who oppose the deal, which curbs Iran’s nuclear program in return for sanctions relief, are pushing an unrealistic alternative that he dismissed as a “sort of unicorn arrangement involving Iran’s complete capitulation.”

Greek MPs pass crucial bailout reforms

G

REECE has taken a crucial step towards a bailout after its parliament passed a second set of reforms.

The passage of the measures means that negotiations on an •86bn European Union bailout can begin.

The reforms include changes to Greek banking and an overhaul of the judiciary system.

Thousands demonstrated outside of parliament as the bill was debated, with protests briefly turning violent as petrol bombs were thrown at police.

There had been fears of a rebellion by MPs but Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was easily able to muster the support required. In total, the measures received 230 votes in favour and 63 against with five abstentions.

Among those who voted against were 31 members of his own Syriza party. However, this represents a smaller rebellion than in last week’s initial vote.

Former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis was one of those rebels in the first vote who returned to vote with the government this time.

EXPRESSO A ‘drumstick’ for PMB as he returns to earth •Continued from back page

150 ways to prepare a chicken: Why do we need to urgently revive our poultry economy? First, because importation of chicken products was banned in 2000 but to no effect whatsoever. Customs men and smugglers have been the major beneficiaries of the ban.

About 1.5 million tonnes of poultry products is consumed in Nigeria yearly, but only about onequarter (350,000 tonnes) of this is produced locally.

The second reason to revive poultry is that it is one of the easiest industries to set up and it has rapid turnover. Three, the value chain is long and deep, starting from the farm end: maize and other grains; to feed production, to drugs and veterinary services. There is the hatchery end; the pen making and other implements end; the table birds

end, layer birds and eggs end; manure for fertiliser and biogas end; the processing and packaging end and the cold room end. It is a long chain and thousands of jobs are embedded at each end.

Chicken, turkey, eggs are the cheapest and most healthful sources of protein today and why should over 100 million Nigerians depend on imports of these products from other countries? Why should we allow all the jobs, hard currency and economic benefits of poultry economy to be shipped to other less endowed countries?

The health hazard and resultant medical costs are yet to be quantified. Because smuggled poultry products do not enjoy sustained refrigeration when in transit, they are preserved with chemicals that are harmful to health. Some have alleged that embalmment chemicals are actually

used for the chicken and turkey we consume. Prolonged intake of these chemical can crash one’s kidney and cause cancer.

If our borders are fixed by getting the Customs right, state governments can also help catalyse the poultry economy in their domain. Even in 2015, there are few full process poultry farms in Nigeria that run the gamut from hatchery to breeding and processing and packaging. We must set up this scale of businesses across the country.

The Lagos State-owned Aiyedoto (poultry) Farm Settlement at Agric on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway was built in 1970 by Mobolaji Johnson. Today, it is derelict with hardly any improvement on the initial idea. State governments across the land can do a lot in their domains to help rebuild the poultry economy.

But PMB must fix the Customs first.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

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TODAY IN THE NATION

FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.10 NO. 3285

‘There is something seriously wrong with Union Bank’s management and operational culture. And the situation calls for the urgent intervention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’ OLA TUNJI OL OLADE OLATUNJI OLOLADE

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

P

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) chose to exercise his constitutional power to appoint as Acting Chairman of INEC, Mrs. Amina Bala Zakari, who has been a national commissioner of the electoral institution, serving along with former Chairman Attahiru Jega. In doing so, Buhari didn’t think that he was setting in motion a whirlwind of controversy.

No sensible person would think that a simple appointment of an acting chair could be that controversial because not everyone appreciates the pervasiveness of political calculation in the mental orientation of politicians. What will a politician be without a sustained engagement with serious political calculation? Assume X is the appointee, what can we expect in political gain or loss? What else matters, seriously?

Ought a politician to think in terms of the experience of an appointee? Or why should a politician concern him/herself with the integrity of a candidate for a position? Or with the qualification and singular merit of an appointee?

What do all these matter when politics is the be-all and end-all for a politician and must therefore be the gauge for the measurement of executive actions?

If therefore PMB was taken aback by the noise from PDP about their rejection of his appointee for the acting INEC chair, it is probably because he isn’t a politician in the sense in which it matters to typical politicians.

It bears reminding ourselves about the genesis and revelation of the whole story.

Professor Jega took his well-deserved bow. Of all groups and parties that his tenure impacted, it was only the PDP and their supporters that disapproved of Jega’s performance in 2015 after they had hailed his performance from 2011 to 2015. That marks them out as the most pathetic flip-floppers of the year.

Recall that some of their intellectual vanguards had even tipped Jega for the presidency before he became their most hated villain. Does it bother then that their despised villain is acclaimed internationally and has just been announced as a recipient of the 2015 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award?

On his exit, Jega had handed over to one of the national commissioners, Mohammed Wali, in the same manner that a minister would hand over to a permanent secretary (PS). Does that confirm the PS as acting minister? Does that hold back the hand of the president from appointing a minister or a different acting minister?

The ministerial analogy is not perfect, but you get the drill. Jega would be the first person

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

Much ado about acting INEC chair

•Mrs. Zakari

to confirm that he didn’t appoint an acting chair of INEC because he knew that he had no authority to do so. The one who had the authority made the appointment and chose who he wanted for the position, pending the appointment of a substantive chair. How can anyone question his authority?

There was indeed a precedent under a PDP president. When Acting President Goodluck Jonathan directed Maurice Iwu to proceed on pre-disengagement leave in 2010, there was a tussle over who was to serve as acting chair.

Philip Umeadi stepped up in what many considered as self-appointment before the presidency directed Maurice Iwu to hand over to Solomon Soyebi, who was the longest serving

A

CHICKEN lap cast in gold: I hereby award President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) one orobo ‘drumstick’ for a highly successful trip to the U.S. of A. For those who may not know, ‘drumstick’ is the lap of a chicken; that most delectable and most sumptuous part of a chicken every chicken lover covets. There is something always spectacular about laps generally you will agree with me, but consider the goodness of the oversized, specially bred chicken lap known as orobo.

That is the size I have prepared for PMB (with all its delicious garnishing), for what was indeed a grand trip that may have signalled a new beginning for Nigeria-US relation. Let’s just say that unlike our recent experience, he made us proud. Certain things you don’t learn from school; like eminent carriage and holding down hawkish interviewers like Christiane Amanpour. It was indeed a historic visit that has already yielded a $2.1 billion soft loan from the World Bank; a mini Marshall Plan for the reconstruction of the Northeast of Nigeria.

What one may consider the down side of the trip is the fact that the US would not go beyond the rhetoric to make more concrete commitment to partnering Nigeria at this critical juncture of her journey. This is probably the best chance Nigeria has at forging a nationhood just as this may well be her best leadership since independence.

That is to say Nigeria may be starting afresh as a toddler and she would require all the genuine allies she can get. Would America stand to be counted? China knocks frantically at the door. There is also this small matter of PMB telling us about thieving the regime and threatening thunder and brimstone. He must do well to

national commissioner at the time. That was how Soyebi became the acting chair until Jega’s appointment as substantive chair.

To be fair, no one, not even Mr. Metuh, has questioned the authority of the president to appoint an acting chair. But they question his authority to appoint a particular candidate, in this case, in the person of Mrs. Zakari. But why?

Isn’t she qualified? No she is. Doesn’t she have good character? Well, she does. Doesn’t she have integrity? If she doesn’t she wouldn’t have been appointed to serve as national commissioner by a PDP President in the first place. But what exactly is problematic about this woman?

To politicos like Mr. Metuh, who operate in the Machiavellian world of partisan political calculation, Mrs. Zakari cannot be trusted to be independent because they have traced her genealogy to Buhari. In fact, Mrs. Zakari is Buhari’s daughter, they alleged. Therefore, PDP has vowed to reject any election conducted under her watch. While 13 other political parties applaud the President’s choice, PDP gave it a thumps down.

How do we approach the matter? Who is right? Who is being funny here?

I had read about PDP’s position on this matter the first time it broke. Then a few days later I read that there was an internal conflict within the party with its deputy publicity secretary distancing the party from the position of his boss, Mr. Metuh. Then, of course, the party’s NWC decided to wield the big stick, threatening the deputy with suspension because he had had the courage to call out the publicity secretary on what appeared to be a false alarm.

Mr. Metuh made a case for his position not just in print media but also on television. I think

STEVE OSUJI

EXPRESSO

steve.osuji@yahoo.com

•Columnist of the Year (NMMA)

A ‘drumstick’ for PMB as he returns to earth Lagos’ flawed okada law

J

UST as this column noted a few years ago when it was enacted, it must be reiterated now that the law restricting commercial motorcycle and tricycle movement in Lagos is flawed. The law was conceived and put to effect in a hurry with intent to vanquish and not to correct. Yes okada has become a menace to the city and must be controlled, but what’s the best way? The new governor can do better than snatching bikes from the riders.

We suggest a panel be set up to review the law and its implementation. There is need to enter into a dialogue with them; we can consider some alternatives to okada and phase the implementation. We can also consider registration and licensing for them at LGA levels.

Most of the inner roads are in disrepair, increasing the need for okada. More taxis can replace okada if the roads are better. That implementation of this law is relaxed at election times proves its inadequacy. To seize bikes would only compound the problem and could bring about more deaths than accidents cause. We have not thought through this problem enough; all we want to do is to vanquish them. eschew theatrics and hype. What is the point catching thieves you cannot name?

A bad chicken story: But the story today is not about PMB or his American trip. That was actually a digression. It is the chicken story today, which explains the symbolic chicken lap award. Come to think of it, what manner of poultry is consumed in the Aso Rock by its hundreds of staff? What is the source of poultry consumed by PMB? One is assuming he eats chicken, turkey and giz-

zards. Is Aso Rock poultry supplied by a farm in town? Is it imported poultry or is it delivered from Aso Rock poultry farm?

This question is important because if the president eats imported poultry, chances are that he consumes smuggled poultry products, which are more commonly available in Nigeria. In which case the president and the entire staff of Aso Rock may well be ingesting contaminated if not toxic poultry.

that it was on Channels TV that I saw his most vigorous defence of the party’s position. He claimed that Buhari’s appointee was really the President’s daughter; and that it is never done.

For Metuh, the President’s action smacks of nepotism and worse. Besides appointing his “daughter” into such a sensitive position, the argument appears to go; the president’s party stands to gain from his action. Metuh’s main concern was that Mrs. Zakari will be an APC sympathiser because of his relationship to Buhari.

When I heard Metuh suggest that nowhere in the world would a President give such a sensitive appointment to a blood relation, I was shocked. Surely, Metuh knows that in other climes people are not worried about blood relationship; they are worried about the integrity of the appointer and the appointee.

President J. F. Kennedy appointed his younger brother, the son of his father and mother, Robert F. Kennedy, as the Attorney General of the United States and heaven didn’t fall. But what political office could be more sensitive? Yet no one cared about the false alarm that the opposition is eager to raise here. They cared about the qualification and integrity of the appointee.

Mrs. Zakari was appointed National Commissioner in 2010. Since no one has accused the PDP president, who appointed her, of giving her the appointment on account of a relationship between them, I can only assume that he looked into her background, her qualification and character, and concluded that she was fit for the job.

For five years, the woman did the job to the best of her ability and worked with other commissioners to give the country the freest and fairest election in the history of the country to date. If there is anything in her record of service in the last five years that is of concern to PDP, that is what the party ought to bring up and share with the public. This silly talk about family relationship only diminishes the intellect of the accuser more than that of the accused.

More substantively, it also turned out, as the coalition of political parties in support of the appointment of Mrs. Zakari had taken great pains to reveal that the acting chair was the most senior in terms of time served at the commission. And the fact of her gender, which the President pointed to as a plus, cannot be brushed aside, which is why women groups have also expressed their full support. Does the PDP really want this battle?

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080 The point of this piece today is actually to point to the president that most of Nigeria’s 170 million people have been feeding on smuggled poultry products. To bring it to his notice that Nigeria’s poultry economy worth about $5 billion per annum and employing about 1.5 million people directly has been ruined by smuggled poultry. I want to inform PMB that with just one or two words, he can remedy this situation and bring that sector back to life and have it booming again by December.

Because we need to ignite other sources of revenue quickly and rescue our failing economy, let me state quickly what PMB can do to rescue our huge poultry economy in the next four months. First, he must order the Customs Comptroller-General to simply stop the massive smuggling of poultry products through our borders. It is common knowledge that poultry products (like most other goods) are actually shipped through our borders in lorryloads. The stuff coming through bush paths are really insignificant. PMB must insist that the CG does his work without excuses. When was the last time any Customs officer was fired? He may need to fire a couple of them to bring some sanity to the service.

The second step is pass another word to the Ministry of Agriculture, the Central Bank and indeed governors on the need to pay a little more attention to poultry business. Just by putting in these words, by end of this year, we would have revived our poultry economy with all its rich value chain. The reason is that it takes just 12 to 20 weeks to breed a broiler or cockerel from the hatchery to the dinner table.

•Continued

on page 60

•For comments, send SMS to 08111526725

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