The Nation July 26, 2011

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

Ogun, firm row over expressway

SEC gets banks’ merger plans

NEWS – Page 4

BUSINESS

Page 11

•Intercontinental, Access give notice

•Dispute over construction site

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TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

VOL. 6, NO. 1833 TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

N150.00

BOKO HARAM VIOLENCE

Amnesty: troops killed 23 in one day attack Rights group seeks probe No evidence, says army

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MNESTY International yesterday accused security agencies of killing 23 people after last Saturday’s bombing by the Boko Haram sect in Maiduguri, the beleaguered Borno State capital.

The rights group asked President Goodluck Jonathan to stop unlawful killings in the state.

The bomb, allegedly planted by the Islamist group, went off in the Budum market in central Maiduguri. Three soldiers were injured.

But the AI, in a statement by its Deputy Director for Africa, Tawanda Hondora, claimed that security forces, in retaliation, killed 23 people. The military denied it all.

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The government must now investigate these heinous crimes and put on trial those found to be responsible for the killings.

Allowing troops to go on the rampage will not bring to justice those who carry out these terrible bomb attacks on civilians.

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

The AI statement said: “The Nigerian authorities must immediately put a stop to unlawful killings by security forces. At least, 23 people were killed by police following a bomb blast on Saturday in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri.

“According to reports received by Amnesty Interna-

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One needs to ask Amnesty International whether there was any killing at all, let alone talking of unlawful killings. Are they providing names and identification of those illegally killed as they claimed or what?

tional, the Nigerian Joint Military Task Force (JTF) responded by shooting and killing a number of people, apparently at random, before burning down the market.

“One human rights defender told Amnesty International ‘soldiers went on the rampage. They shot several people and burned all their shops and properties and

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burned their cars.’

“President Goodluck Jonathan must get a grip on the Nigerian armed forces and immediately prevent them from carrying out further human rights violations and unlawful killings “The government must now investigate these heinous crimes and put on trial those found to be responsible

for the killings. Allowing troops to go on the rampage will not bring to justice those who carry out these terrible bomb attacks on civilians.

“While staying within the law, the government must step up efforts to bring to justice members of Boko Haram who wreak untold suffering on people in the middle belt.

“One wing of Boko Haram has reportedly disowned the bomb blast, saying it may have been carried out by a splinter group.”

Amnesty International also pleaded with the Federal Government to check the activities of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State.

The statement added: “The JTF was set up by the federal Continued on page 2

How EFCC chair, 12 others got AIG

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RESH facts emerged yesterday on the row over Mrs Farida Waziri’s rank.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chair and 12 others were promoted to Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in 1999 by former In-

Continued on page 2

News Page 53

Eagles list okay, says Siasia

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UPER Eagles coach Samson Siasia has boasted that he stands by the team he in unleashing on the Black Stars of Ghana next month.

Siaone told sportswriters at the NFF secretariat in Abuja on Monday that the team he picked can withstand any team in the world at any point in time “I have full confidence on that team. We are still rebuilding ...

Sterling Bank’s Q2 profit hits N3.2b

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TERLING Bank Plc strengthened its balance sheet and improved on profitability in the first half, surpassing the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) five percent industry target for nonperforming loans and increased total capital by 39 per cent.

Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

•Mrs Waziri in her AIG uniform

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) believes the Clerk of the National Assembly Salisu Maikasuwa and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Mr Sanni Omolori, are conspirators in the alleged N38 billion loan obtained by the former leadership.

Sports – Page 24

From Yusuf Alli, Managing

spector-General of Police M.A.K. Smith, according to documents obtained by The Nation.

The promotion enabled Mrs Waziri to wear the AIG rank and manage police formations reserved for those in the rank.

But the absence of the Police Service Commission (PSC) at the time of promotion affected her confirmation on the substantive rank of AIG. The details are contained in police records.

According to the Nigeria Police Force Orders of June 30, 1999 issued by the Office of the IGP, 13 senior police officers were elevated to AIG between May 26 and June 4, 1999.

The Force Orders was

EFCC: clerks aided Bankole

BUSINESS – Page 12

Gunman expects life in prison

N •An octogenarian prays for Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole during his inspection of Akpakpava, a popular Benin City road being rehabilitated after years of neglect ... at the weekend

ORWEGIAN police are investigating claims by Anders Behring Breivik, who has admitted carrying out Friday’s twin attacks in Norway, that he has “two more cells” working with him. Mr Breivik made the claim at the first court hearing ...

FOREIGN – Page 60

•POLITICS P17 •SPORTS P24 •PROPERTY P25 •ENERGY P37 •AVIATION P43

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

NEWS Norway rampage culprit expects life in jail •Dad: he should ‘ve killed himself

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•Prof. Sylvester Monye, Special Adviser to the President on Performance,Monitoring and Evaluation; Dr. Yerima Lawal, Minister of State for Finance; Dr. Nwanze Okidegbe, Chief Economic Adviser to the President; and Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holdings; during the swear-in of Professors Monye and Okidegbe as Special Advisers to the President in Abuja ... yesterday.

Amnesty: troops killed 23 in reprisal attack Continued from page 1

government in June 2011 to restore order in Borno State.

“In recent months, Amnesty International has received numerous reports that security forces in Borno State have resorted to unlawful killings, dragnet arrests, arbitrary and unlawful detentions, extortion and intimidation.

“Following a bombing in Maiduguri two weeks ago, members of the JTF reportedly threatened to shoot residents if they failed to report planned attacks.

“House to house searches, brutalisation, unlawful arrests, killings and disappearances have been the operating practice in Maiduguri for some months now.

“Unless steps are taken to

Army: no evidence of killings

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HE Nigerian Army last night said it has not received reports of killings by its men in Maiduguri following the said attack.

Director Army Public Relations (DAPR) Brig.-Gen. Raphael Isa spoke on AI’s statement on the telephone.

He said: “Up till this moment (last night), there has not been any report of killings coming from Maiduguri by the JTF after the attack.

“One needs to ask Amnesty International whether there was any killing at all let alone

ensure security forces operate within the law and respect human rights at all times, the next time Boko Haram attacks or kills a soldier, we are likely to see the same thing happen again.

“Thousands of people liv-

talking of unlawful killings. Are they providing names and identification of those illegally killed as they claimed or what?

“One only hopes that they are not trying to introduce some negative concepts and statement used in other places here because the kind of whatever is meant by unlawful killing is unclear. Are they saying that the soldiers that were deployed were illegally deployed or what?

“The crux of this matter is that I do not understand what the AI meant by unlawful killings but as I said earlier, there was no such report of killing”

ing in Maiduguri have already left the city; and many more continue to do so.

“The JTF has also been accused of raping women during their operations in recent months.

“Allegations of rape of

women by members of the JTF have to be investigated and perpetrators brought to justice.

“Survivors of rape and sexual violence must be provided with appropriate support and aftercare.”

HE self-described perpetrator of the mass killings in Norway told authorities yesterday that he expects to spend the rest of his life in prison but two other cells in his terror network could still launch attacks, officials said.

Anders Behring Breivik has admitted bombing Norway’s capital and opening fire on a political youth group retreat, but he entered a plea of not guilty, saying he acted to save Europe from Muslim immigration.

Prosecutor Christian Hatlo told reporters that Breivik was very calm and “seemed unaffected by what has happened.” He said Breivik told investigators during his interrogation that he never expected to be released.

Breivik alluded to two other “cells” in a network he describes as a new Knights Templar, the medieval crusaders who protected Christian pilgrims in the Holy Land. At one point, a manifesto he released shortly before the attack briefly refers to an intention to contact two other cells — a term he says refers to “small, autonomous groups” led by individual commanders.

Police have said Breivik used two weapons during the rampage — both of which were bought legally, according to the manifesto. A doctor treating victims told The Associated Press that the gunman used illegal “dumdum”-style bullets designed to disintegrate inside the body and cause maximum internal damage.

The court ordered Breivik held for eight weeks while prosecutors investigate, four of which will be in isolation, saying Breivik could tamper with evidence if released. Typically, the accused is brought to court every four weeks while pros-

ecutors prepare their case, so a judge can approve his continued detention. Longer periods are not unusual in serious cases.

Reporters and locals had thronged the courthouse ahead of the hearing, hoping for their first glimpse of Breivik since the assault. When one car drove through the crowd, people hit its windows and one person shouted an expletive, believing Breivik was inside.

But Breivik appeared to have been taken through a back entrance, and the judge closed the hearing, denying him a platform to air his extremist views.

Breivik made clear in an Internet manifesto that he planned to turn his court appearance in theatre, preparing a speech for his appearance in court even before launching the attacks, then requesting an open hearing in which he would wear a uniform. Both of those requests were denied.

The judge also denied his request to wear a uniform, saying, “allowing him to do so ... would be an affront to everybody’s dignity, and would seem unnecessarily distracting, provocative and offensive.”

The suspect said he staged the bombing and youth camp rampage as “marketing” for his manifesto calling for a revolution that would rid Europe of Muslims.

In an interview with Swedish tabloid Expressen, the suspect’s father said he was ashamed and disgusted by his son’s acts and wished he had committed suicide.

“I don’t feel like his father,” said former diplomat Jens David Breivik from his secluded home in southern France. “How could he just stand there and kill so many innocent people and just seem to think that what he did was OK? He should have taken his own life too. That’s what he should have done.”

Police records show how EFCC chair, 12 others got AIG Continued from page 1

signed by AIG W.O. Kassim, who was then the Head of ‘A’ Department at the Force Headquarters.

Those promoted were Mr. W.O Kassim ( AIG ‘A’ w.e.f.4/6/99); Mr. T. Akeredolu (AIG ‘B’ w.e.f. 4/ 6/99); Mrs. A.J. Ojomo (AIG ‘D’ w.e.f.26/5/99); Mrs. F.V.M. Waziri (AIG ‘F’ w.e.f.

26/5/99); Mr. A.E. Oyakhire (AIG Zone 1 Kano-4/6/99); Mr. M. Alkali (AIG Zone 2 Lagos- 26/5/99); Mr. Musa Yahaya (AIG Zone 3 Yola-4/ 6/99); Mr. B. Ahmadu (AIG Zone 4 Makurdi-26/5/99); Mr. D. Gololo (AIG Zone 5 Benin-4/6/99); Mr. A. Oyakhire (AIG Zone 6 Calabar-26/5/99); Mr. Ekundayo Aina (AIG Zone 7 Abuja-4/ 6/99); Mr. S. Oduoye (AIG Zone 8 Lokoj-26/5/99); and Mr. O.O. Onovo (AIG NDLEA-4/6/99).

A letter to the Police Service Commission on August 5, 2010 by the Force Secretary gave further details on Mrs Waziri’s status before retirement in 2000.

The letter said: “Mrs. Farida Waziri was born on 7th July, 1946 and enlisted into the

Police Force with AP NO. 4046 on 28th February 1965.

She progressed through the ranks of the Nigeria Police Force, serving in various Commands and Formations and rose through the Rank to Acting Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police.

“She was posted to head ‘F’ Department at the Force Headquarters, Abuja on 26th May 1999 and AIG Training on 19th July 1999 respectively.

“The absence of the Police Service Commission during the early stages of democratic rule led to her retirement on 28th February 2000 without being confirmed on the substantive rank of AIG. “However in view of the fact that she is a fellow of the National War College having successfully attended the managerial course in addition to several other national assignments and postings with clean records, it is expedient that the acting appointment be made substantive and formalised by the commission.”

In a separate memo NO: PSC/PROM/2010 on the status of Mrs. Waziri, the Police Service Commission made

the following observations and comments.

“The Department of Police Promotion had scrutinised the IGP’s recommendation and observed the following: “The officer enlisted into the Force on 28th February, 1965 and rose to the rank of Commissioner of Police with effect from 1st July, 1992.

“The officer was subsequently given Assistant Inspector-General of Police in acting capacity before her retirement in February 2000 without being confirmed due to the absence of Police Service Commission then.

“The officer was due for promotion to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police before her retirement having spent eight (8) years as Commissioner of Police instead of the stipulated period of four (4) years.

“The ratification should be in recognition of the officer’s excellent handling of several national assignments and postings such as the Federal Fraud Unit, X-Squad, IGP’s Secretariat Annex, Lagos and, above all, her present office of the Chairman of EFCC. “In the light of the forego-

ing observations/comments, the Commission is invited to consider and approve the ratification of Mrs. Farida Waziri (rtd), fwc, to the rank of substantive Assistant Inspector-General of Police with effect from 01/12/1996.

Another memo by the Police Service Commission of September 13, 2010 said: “It has been 11 years that these officers were retired but till date the retirement has not been formalised. Consequently, the officers have not been able to process their retirement benefits and, as such, yet to collect their gratuities and pensions.

“Sharing the same fate with the officers is Mrs. Farida Waziri, the present Executive Chairman of EFCC, who was advanced in rank to Acting AIG and posted as AIG Training, FHQ on 19th July 1999.

“As of 28th February 2000 when she was retired, having completed the mandatory 35 years in service, the Police Service Commission was yet to be constituted, as a result her promotion to the substantive rank of AIG was not ratified.”

There were indications

last night that security agencies have started probing those behind the plot to blackmail the EFCC chairman.

A source said: “The matter is being attended to by higher authorities because the issue being raised amounted to nothing.

The source said: “The plot against the EFCC chairman is being looked into by security agencies. Mrs. Waziri herself has raised the alarm and no one will ignore it.

“Already, she has implicated a top government official and some corrupt elements. Her alarm calls for investigation by security agencies.

“Going by the EFCC Act, the chairman of the commission is expected not to be below the rank of an Assistant Commissioner of Police.

“What they are trying to do is to portray Mrs. Waziri as being dishonest by claiming to be an Assistant Inspector-General of Police.

After the blackmail, they will start agitating for her removal.”

A former Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Abubakar Tsav, however,

said the allegations against the EFCC chairman were part of a grand conspiracy to shield some corrupt elements from prosecution.

He said: “The allegation by the Centre for The Rule of Law against Mrs. Waziri is a grand conspiracy to shield corrupt politicians from prosecution.

“All along, no one complained about Mrs. Waziri’s rank, no one complained that she was powerful and no one thought of merging the EFCC with ICPC, until a former Speaker was arraigned for high-profile corruption.

“Many more politicians may be waiting for their turn of drilling by the EFCC. “The President has assured that his government will have zero-tolerance for corruption. If this is true, then the President must discountenance this conspiracy and attempt to frustrate the war against corruption.

“What matters is performance. Ribadu was ACP whe -0n he headed EFCC. Mrs. Waziri is doing a great job. She has earned convictions and recovered stolen cash.”

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

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

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NEWS

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T a time like this when Nigeria has slipped further in the Failed Nations Index, when there are so many issues crying for legal illumination and constitutional clarification, snooper remembers with profound respect and affection, the great avatar and legal Spartacus. Gani Fawehinmi would have been darting in and out of the law courts, screaming blue murder and muttering in his guttural Ondo dialect: “Nwon ma kan mi siwere” (They are all insane) In a sense, and with retrospective hindsight, death has been very kind to Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi. There is a limit to which a single individual can carry the burdens of a lawless elite afflicted by post-colonial political cretinism. Nigeria loves to see its real great men in great distress. After the great electoral scam of 2003, Gani wrote a letter to his compatriots indicating how he wept himself silly that such a nasty heist could take place in his life time.

By the time he finally succumbed to the grim reaper, the great attorney was a broken man. If he had thought that military despotism was the ultimate in nation-sapping misadventure, the new cockroaches were even more voracious and omnivorous than uniformed leeches. The messiahs of the people ate until the men and women of the people came to dinner. If there is any change, it is in the size of their pregnancy.

This week while Nigeria is mired in murky controversy about how to pay its work force a minimum of wage of less than a hundred and fifty dollars a month, Brazil is looking for ways of lifting a further sixteen million of its underclass out of the poverty trap to join its ever expanding mid-

At Bay in Abuja

The late Fawehinmi

dle class. As it is happening in India and China, about 105.5m Brazilians out of a total population of 190million have already had their hitherto miserable existence dramatically transformed by purposeful and patriotic governance.

It is a huge re-routing and rebalancing of national resources which owes even more to a just and humane vision of society than to mere economic wizardry. A great economist without a great vision is only a sterile statistician. Not even modern America can boast of this re-permu-

tation of societal dynamics based on an egalitarian conception of the human community. Fuelled by a democratised access to education, hordes of the wretched of the earth are literally jumping out of the slums and the inner-city hell into middle class respectability.

According to a survey published in last week’s Financial Times: “Incomes are growing more (quickly} in traditionally excluded groups of Brazilian society, such as nonwhites, women, those living in the poor north-east, in the favelas (slums) or in the outskirts of Brazilian cities”. Having formally abolished slavery in 1888, Brazil is finally abolishing poverty based on race and class.

The descendants of those former slaves who left Brazil for the Nigerian coast around the same time must be cursing their fate.

The middle class, it needs to be stressed, are the bedrock of national stability and democracy. The middle class is the buffer and safety net between the filthy rich and the filthy poor. As it so happens with the ever changing dynamics of human society, on their way down, the super rich can be contained without a precipi-

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nooping around With

Tatalo Alamu tate fall into cantankerous penury. On their way up, the once poor can be accommodated before they threaten the entire system.

The middle class serves as the guarantor of peace and prosperity in the modern society. Without them, there can be no democracy or national stability. It is the armistice zone which prevents the underprivileged from openly colliding with the over-privileged. A nation which destroys its middle class has killed the capacity of the people to dream of a better tomorrow and has added a dispossessed intellectual class to its list of mortal and implacable enemies.

When people talk about the problems of democracy in Nigeria, they have forgotten that democracy cannot survive where people are stuck at the level of sub-human subsistence and where the ordinary folks obsess with how and where to find the next meal. What on earth will prevent them from selling their votes to the highest bidder, or prevent them from being herded to the polling booths like miserable donkeys loaded with the dividends of democratic tyranny?

It is lamentable to note that while

A Beggars’ Opera for Gani A

S the royal send off for Nigeria’s fallen legal idol reached its kingly crescendo, reports reaching snooper spoke of a glorious exit spectacle in honour of the great man somewhere on the outskirts of Ikotun Egbe. We were informed that the whole place was crackling with verbal fireworks and antiestablishment wisecracks. This was departure brilliantly enacted as opera by Nigeria’s multi-ethnic underclass.

There were reports of an old man singing ancient Suberu Oni tunes in honour of Gani in the deep, guttural Ondo dialect of the master crooner himself. Of course, snooper immediately fingered the old radical contrarian, Baba Lekki. It has been a long time we heard from the scourge of the Nigerian ruling class.

Not since he was arrested for going prematurely public with the comprehensive list of notable bank debtors including former heads of state. He subsequently walked out of jail when his gaolers fled upon being informed that ferocious kidnappers from old Biafra were on the way to settle accounts.

The old crook promptly resumed the distribution of the subversive documents, daring anybody to stop him.

While the Gani royal departure rites lasted, snooper was worried about official attempts to deny his real constituency a say in the farewell of their noble benefactor. State narrators, with their fulsome praises and pathetic panegyrics, have taken over what is essentially a life lived at the behest of the masses. Snooper has been furious with this risible rodomontade. Once again, the poor subaltern cannot speak; once again, the hegemonic tale has swamped the counter-hegemonic narrative.

And so to Ikotun Egbe we headed on a drizzly September morning after a rather heavy breakfast of pounded breadfruit and partridge from Ifewara. Due to the digestive emergency, a lot of blood seemed to have been withdrawn from the brains leaving one drowsy and torpid like a sated crocodile. But Ikotun Egbe changed all that.

It was a huge carnival and the crazy old man was there pounding away at

an ancient manual guitar with lyrics dripping with venomous wit and vitriol. He was surrounded by a posse of ruffians, ragamuffins and the casual riffraff on the margins of society.

There were cut-throats and cut-purses on the loose. The whole place was crawling with beggars, cripples, the deaf, the dumb, the destitute and a thousand victims of the epidemics of dereliction.

There were several huge pots of aromatic pepper soup and massive primitive grills hissing and dripping with fat and curd. Snooper saw with own eyes the celebrated beggar, Aminu Petrol, a.k.a mayor of Carter Bridge, who runs a racket of divine extortion at the Idumota end of the old bridge. With his retinue of mendicant hangers-on and colourful harem, the blind man who was also an employer of blind labour, was as dashing and dazzling as ever.

The blind master sidled towards Baba Lekki with his walking stick probing the air and an explosive sound of wild desire coming from his flared nostrils.

“Baba, duallah bani nama gabadaya”, his mendicant majesty bellowed with authority.

“Aminu, your head don kaput. Am I now your mai-suya?” the old man answered with a crooked smile as he pointed at the roiling grills.

“Yoruba people good for Suya and kilishi” the blind wag noted in halting English as one of his aides brought him a huge slab of meat surgically carved and dripping with much fat and oil, His royal blindness gobbled a chunk and spat it out with bitter disgust “Allah, haram nama ne”, he screamed at Baba Lekki.

“Haramu ko, kalamu ni” Baba Lekki trumpeted with malicious relish as the deflated beggar-king retreated with his retinue but not before a final round of hell raising.

“This one, this Dan Iska, Babanbarawo ne, no be him come dey thief my money for under bridge?”, he screamed, directing his walking stick at a lame youth who sat by the old man mumbling some fiendish nonsense about authority stealing.

“Ha Aminu, your Sigidi wan dance for heavy rain. If you are blind how come you can see thief?”” Baba Lekki crowed.

“Shut up, blind man dey see when area boys come steal him money.

Even dumb man sef if you come step hard on him toe, he go talk”, the blind nobility noted with flourish and began to sing praises of the great Gani.

As soon as the old man sighted snooper, he became uncontrollable with wild excitement and started dishing out lyrics in praise of Gani in the inimitable manner of Suberu Oni, the old Ondo juju maestro.

A-Guinea Roger sebe o lo, akinkanju omo won L’ondo egin K’ato r’erin odigbo, kato r’efon o d’odan, ekun oko awon Baseje Ekimogun omo alagbede, omo Lisa Alujonnu, omo Seriki Tugbogbo Anjonu agbejero ti fi adajo nakanakan, Jafojo, ako niwaju soja Ogbona bi elegun soponna, soponna o gbona elegun re l’ogbona It was at this point that the mad Calabar boy, Okon, emerged from nowhere leading a crowd of mourners dressed in black suits like the Nation of Islam fanatics. Snooper’s heart missed a beat. It was obvious that the mad boy had not come for any civil proceedings. His conduct was rowdy and threatening, and it was obvious that the crazy loony had been drinking local wine. Baba Lekki viewed the impudent rogue with wary bemusement.

“Baba, abi your head no correct again? Wetin be dis yeye business?

And why you dey call Gani Egin?

Gani na Ganiyu. No be Egin at all. He be like if say dem police don pull your front teeth for detention”, the boy scowled.

“Okon, you are a big fool. Egin is Ondo word”, the old man said as he burst into a deranged smile.

“Hen na dat one you for say. All dis yeye lawyer who come dey cry as if dem like Gani, dem be useless people. If dem support am true true, Gani no fit die like that. I dey go Ondo for dem funeral and if I come see any lawyer dey cry, I go beat am well well. Dem all be yeye people. Dem

be Senior Advocate of Nothing sam sam”, the mad boy exploded.

“Okon na so we see am oo,” the old man grunted with relish.

“He get one of dem yeye Yoruba lawyers who dey talk say him dey wear silk since 1970. Wetin be big deal for silk? My grandfather, Okon Ekanem Okon, don dey wear silk robe for Calabar for 1940 and he no even go school,” the mad boy snorted.

“Ah that one na Senior Advocate of Nabi”, Baba Lekki sniggered “Baba wetin be nabi?” Okon demanded.

“Nabi na Hausa word for karuwa” the old man replied.

“Wetin be karuwa?” Okon asked in alarm.

“Karuwa na Hausa word for Ashewo or Agammo for ancient Yoruba”, Baba croaked.

“Kai kai, baba, your head don pafuka patapata”, Okon exclaimed, considerably awed.

“That is what they call satanic synonyms”, the old man noted as he reverted to perfect Queen’s English. “ Baba, you no say dat dem Anthony General, him head no correct at all?” Okon raved.

“Ah you mean Malam Ribadun?”

Baba noted with a mischievous wink.

“Baba, he is not Ribadu”, Okon protested.

“I said Ribadun. Get that into your blockhead”, the old man suddenly snapped.

“Baba, but him name na Andooaaka, and na Tiv man”.

“Okon, greet the Tiv for me.”

“Baba, I come notice say all dem lunatic dogs come vamoose when Gani died. Mad dog sabi im owner, abi no be so?” Okon retorted.

“Mad dog dey soup, dem don become pepper soup”, the old man replied with a sneer.

“Baba, Make una no tell me I don dey eat 404 meat for here!!!” Okon screamed.

“Na lokili, dat be wetin dem Ondo people call am. Now dat Gani don quench, you go see dem real mad dogs for this dem Obodo again”, Baba Lekki sneered as he dismissed Okon.

“Baba, dis one na real parable of dem mad dogs”

this fundamental social re-engineering is going on elsewhere in the developing world, nobody is actually talking about how to grow the Nigerian economy. As ancient infirmities conjoin with recently diagnosed ailments, Nigeria remains a classic study in modern medical miracles; a walking rebuff to learned prognosis and prognostication. As one of its recent military miracle workers famously wondered about the economy, it is a surprise that the whole thing has not collapsed.

Nothing epitomises this hardy indestructibility more than the current presidency. Despite the unmistakable echoes of national chaos all around him, Goodluck Jonathan remains his cheerful, unflappable and imperturbable self. As if the problems of the country are not legion, he has now fallen prey to the hidden persuaders who seem to have convinced him that a “short” tenure is the problem. Having dropped hints here and there that unelongated tenure is the tragedy of our epoch, he has now set about working on the constitutional abracadabra to achieve this patently unconstitutional pursuit.

Two remarkable facts emerge from this looming fiasco and they speak not just to the perfidy and hypocrisy of the Nigerian political elite but to the longer term unviability of Nigeria as it is currently configured. First is the fact that Equatorial despotism in Nigeria is not just a military phenomenon. Second is the fact that the closure of the Nigerian state is not an ethnic or religious matter but a function of the ascendant cabal at a particular point. Those who are calling for an inquiry as to how a cabal could foist a terminally incapacitated president on the nation should for the sake of equity broaden the terms of the inquiry to include how another cabal could now attempt to foist an obviously challenged president on the nation in perpetuity.

As it is always the case with Nigeria, significant sections of the political elite are already queuing behind this new power project. The emerging stars of the impending democratic curfew make an A-grade list of failed statesmen and metropolitan flunkies who believe that Nigeria owes them a royal pension. They have failed to read history correctly particularly the micro-pluralism of power configuration in Nigeria, the dispersal of authority and the mutually exclusive and violently contending notions of the nation.

In the final analysis what stares us in the face is the fact that without a real state, there can be no real statesmen. A brigand state can only produce grandees of political brigandage. What makes the whole thing so sorry and remiss is not the obvious fact that the entire project will collapse under the weight of its own contradictions but the fact that by the time they have finished with Jonathan, they would have destroyed the last shred of his honour and credibility. Having convinced him to short-change the nation electorally, they are now about to convince him to short-change himself. A man cannot be more careless in his choice of friends.

This is a time when the Nigerian presidency in general and Jonathan in particular needs a worthy antagonist like the late Gani Fawehinmi.

This morning, snooper republishes a tribute to the great man.

•This article, first published on Sunday, is being rerun due to technical errors.

Editor

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

NEWS

After many years of ‘stunted growth’, the Southwest is thinking of an economic revival. Eminent citizens assembled in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, at the weekend to draw up a blueprint for the journey, writes BISI OLADELE

‘How Southwest can develop’

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ANY Yoruba who fancy the developmental initiatives of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, may begin to hope for a renaissance in the Southwest.

The ray of hope is coming from the assemblage of a fraction of the intellectual capital of the region after a retreat at the University of Ibadan, where they put finishing touches to what they described as “implementable policy roadmaps” for the development of the region.

The mix is as diverse as the volume of the outcome. From agriculture, manufacturing and trade to power, sustainable environmental and education, professionals lined up for free services as members of this new think tank, which succeeded in producing a multi-sectoral ideas that are capable of resuscitating the economic strength of the region.

Leading the pack was the Chairman, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), Hon. Wale Oshun. Oshun, who emphasised at the retreat that the new initiative would accommodate ideas from people across different parties as the focus is the region and the well-being of its people.

PDP flays ACN over comment on Jonathan From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

THE leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday condemned the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for allegedly dictating to President Goodluck Jonathan how to prosecute his transformation agenda.

The ACN’s National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, had criticised the number of Ministers and aides appointed by Jonathan, saying the President cannot possibly achieve his transformation agenda with the huge amount that would be required to keep the government functional.

The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof.

Rufai Ahmed Alkali, wondered why the ACN could suddenly arrogate to itself the powers to dictate to Jonathan the content and direction of his transformation agenda.

According to Alkali, President Jonathan has already committed himself into putting the country in its rightful place in the comity of nations as witnessed by the flurry of economic and diplomatic activities in the past weeks and advised ACN not to distract him.

Alkali said: “Our attention has been drawn to the ranting of the Action Congress of Nigeria over the recent appointment of ministers by President Jonathan.

“We find it rather funny that the ACN at this point in time having lost out during last general election is now trying to dictate to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan the content and direction of his policies.”

Explaining the thinking behind the initiative, Oshun said the need to evolve a developmental agenda for the West became imperative in view of the expectations of the Yoruba people from modern governance. This, he said, spurred the Yoruba Academy, a nonpartisan institution set up by the ARG to pursue knowledge and accumulate intellectual capital, to champion the initiative that would be of tremendous value to the Yoruba race in particular and the humanity in general.

Emphasising the essence of the initiative, Oshun said: “In recent times our people have spoken of the cyclical governance model that sees us through a short spell of growth under progressive regimes and a very long spell of retrogression under manipulative and retrogressive regimes. The sum total is that of negative growth and this we see all around us. The mainstreams had always contended mainstreaming would enhance the growth of our region, it perhaps, enhanced the growth of their pockets. What mainstreaming has done for the people of the Western region is to stagnate their

•Mr. Oshun speaking at the inauguration...at the weekend PHOTOS: FEMI ILESANMI

•Mr. Femi Orebe (left) and Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje

growth. Please look around you, broken down infrastructure, falling standards, and a dispirited people.

“We seek to reverse this trend. We can only do this if we continuously remind and encourage the mandate hold-

ers, the office holders that our people deserve the best. Those who held office before them in the Western region of old, the Western region of Chief Obafemi Awolowo did their best, and some of us here seated are the products of those efforts.”

Secretary, Governing Board of the Yoruba Academy, Mr Dipo Famakinwa, noted that many professionals ventured into politics these days for the need to improve on Awolowo’s legacies. Now

that progressives are in the saddle, Famakinwa said the intellectuals must find a way to build knowledge base to support them to change the society.

“We are working out how people in the region can synergise to make regional development work,” he said.

Famakinwa pointed out that users of the outcome were anxious to receive it, stressing that the team must come out with a bold framework.

Bi-Courtney accuses Ogun of stopping work on asphalt site

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ROW has broken out between Ogun State and Bi-Courtney Highway Services – the concessionaire to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

It is over the ownership of a site the company claimed it acquired for its asphalt plant.

The management of BiCourtney yesterday alleged that the state government has stopped it from working from the site.

The company’s spokesman, Dipo Kehinde, in a statement, said the move came less than 24 hours after the Federal Government gave the company a 60-day ultimatum to complete palhative work on the expressway.

He described the action as a wrong move.

But the state government has defended its action.

Kehinde said: “Since the grant of the concession, Ogun State government was taken as a major partner, given that 80 per cent of the highway falls within the state.

He said: “Ogun State was to give us land as its own contribution to the project. The former RCC yard was identified, visited and allocated to us by the Ogun State government.

The process entailed joint visit, and assessment before allocation, following all due process.

“To buttress this fact, we duly settled the land owners, promptly, to demonstrate our

State defends acquisition of land

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HE government of Ogun State yesterday defended its action over the acquisition of a portion of land on the LagosIbadan Expressway.

A statement by Information and Strategy Commissioner Yusuph Olaniyonu said: “The story circulated (today) by Bi-Courtney Nigeria Limited over the parcel of land formerly occupied by RCC Construction Company on the Sagamu exchange is nothing but total falsehood being peddled by a company, which ordinarily should be offering apologies to Nigerians on why over two years after it signed agreement with the Federal Government on the rehabilitation of the strategic Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, it has done virtually nothing.

“The company had alleged that the Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun led policemen to stop its work on the installation of a so-called $6.5 million asphalt plant. The fact of what happened is that on July 23, 2011, Lekan Adegbite, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure had sent some construction workers to the disused site of the RCC to commence work on its conversion to a trailer park for the purpose of easing traffic congestion on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. On getting to the site, policemen acting at the behest of the company stormed the site to dislodge the construction workers. In order to protect themselves from harm’s way, the workers reported the matter to the nearest police station.

“It is pertinent to note that as at the time the construction workers arrived to begin EarthFrom Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

commitment to the site. The payment to the landowners was done, after due consultation with the state govern-

works, all they met on site were three 40 ft containers and an abandoned shed formerly used by RCC. We wonder if all these can be taken to be the so-called $6.5 million asphalt plant the company claimed to have installed.

“On arrival at the site, the commissioner for works had stated his mission to one Mr. Stephen who claimed to be the assistant the engineering team. The commissioner then asked him to inform his superiors that if they have any claim to the said land, they should report to the Governor’s office on Monday with all their relevant documents. Up till now, there has not been any response.

“For the records we would like to state that there was no asphalt plant on site and that His Excellency Senator Ibikunle Amosun was nowhere near the site as claimed by Bi-Courtney and as such could not have led a detachment of Policemen to the site.

As earlier stated Bi –Courtney is embarking on this smear campaign to distract attention for the company’s inability to deliver on the palliative works on the Lagos Ibadan Expressway. With the ultimatum given by the Federal government, the company is now looking for excuses for its non-performance.

“We like to restate that the parcel of land in question is situated within 2km global acquisition along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as allowed by law. It is also already under government acquisition and therefore its being designated as a trailer park is in public interest.”

ment and confirmation of the landowners at a joint stakeholders meeting with officials of the Bureau of Land. The State Government actually brokered the meeting with the

family land owners.

“A search was also conducted at the Ogun State Survey Directorate, and the search report revealed that the property is unencumbered.”

The Ogun State commissioner for information, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, had, on Sunday, issued a statement confirming that the state government had approved the site for Bi-Courtney, after the company submitted application for the use of the site on April 20, 2011.

The Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen, an architect, had, on Saturday, visited the RCC yard as part of his assessment tour, to see what Bi-Courtney has been doing, and how government could assist the company in making an early delivery of the project.

During the inspection tour, which began from the Old TollGate office of Bi-Courtney at 9a.m., the Minister pledged to give all necessary support to hasten work on the reconstruction of the road.

Chairman of Bi-Courtney, Dr. Olawale Babalakin, had earlier raised the alarm, during a visit to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye that some powerful interest groups are trying to frustrate the company’s efforts to deliver the project on time.

“Most people in Nigeria don’t know what concession is all about. There’s no road that has been done through concession in Nigeria before, apart from the Lekki-Epe Expressway, a 45-kilometre road that took the concessionaire five years to start the construction.

Court acquits ex-Nnamani’s aide of corruption charge BOUT five years after she was charged with corruption related offences, a Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday acquitted Mrs. Sylvia Onwuebemeli, a former senior aide to Enugu State Governor, Chimaroke Nnamani.

Justice Charles Achibong

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By Eric Ikhilae held, in a ruling that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against her, having failed to provide enough evidence linking her to the crime for which she was arraigned with Nnamani and 10 others in late 2007.

They were, in a 124-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accused of diverting public funds estimated at about N5 billion and involvement in money laundering and related economic crimes.

Mrs. Onwuebemeli, who

is still in service was recently nominated by Enugu State Government for a senior personnel course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

Justice Achibong held that the charges preferred against her were unknown to law and that she has no case

to answer. The judge consequently struck her name from the charge, discharged and acquitted her.

The ruling followed an application filed in November 2008 by Mrs. Onwuebemeli in which she prayed the court for an order striking her name from the charge.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

NEWS FROM THE TRIBUNALS 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Finger-print CPC senatorial 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 petition thrown 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 experts barred in Yobe out in Nasarawa 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 From Duku JOEL, Damaturu From Johnny Danjuma, 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Lafia 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 HE election petitions 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 THE Election Petition tribunal sitting in 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Tribunal sitting in Lafia, the Damaturu, Yobe State, 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 has thrown out a motion by Nasarawa State capital, 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 the Peoples Democratic Paryesterday threw out the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 ty (PDP) senatorial candidate petition filed by General 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Ibrahim Aboki, the senatori- 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 for Zone C, Alhaji Hassan 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Kafayos Hussein, to bring in al candidate of the Congress 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 finger- print experts to examfor Progressive Change 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 ine the ballot papers used for (CPC), against former last elections.

Governor Abdullahi Adamu 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 theRelying on all averments for non compliance with 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 to support his application as paragraph 18 (1) and 47 (2) 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 as adopt the written brief of the 1st Schedule of the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 well 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 filed along with the applicaamended Electoral Act. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 tion, Hussein’s lead counsel, Delivering a two-hour 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 R. O. Yusuf, urged the tribujudgment, tribunal Chair12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 nal to grant the prayer. man Justice Steven Okon 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 The lead counsel to All Niexplained that the panel had 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 geria Peoples Party (ANPP) no other option than to 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 El-badewi and Dr. Wahab dismiss the case, due to non-

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compliance with the above paragraphs.

The tribunal also awarded N30,000 to the respondent. The judge had earlier ordered the refiling of the petition before it was finally struck out yesterday.

Speaking shortly after the judgment, the PDP legal adviser in the state, Hassan Yakubu, cited a similar case between Kano’s former Governor Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and Suleiman Riruwai, which was also dismissed for non-compliance.

Yakubu, who commended the tribunal for the judgment, described it as a landmark achievement.

The state chairman of the PDP, Yunana Iliya, described the judgement as the good side of democracy at play, saying it showed how genuine the cases of the PDP members in the state. statestate.have been.

Jang’s application against Tallen rejected From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

THE Plateau State Governorship Petition Tribunal in Jos yesterday struck out an application by Israel Olurundare (SAN), lead counsel to Governor Jonah Jang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against his former deputy Mrs. Pauline Tallen of the Labour Party (LP), on the grounds of late filing of the petition.

Olurundare urged the court to throw out the suit on grounds that it was filed out of time saying the petition filed by the LP was not timely and was not in accordance with the 2010 Electoral Act. Tribunal chairman Justice Joseph Jella, who struck out the application, said the petition filed by Mrs Tallen was timely and in accordance with the 2010 Electoral Law, urging all counsel to reply today and prepare their matters for hearing in the case adjourned till tomorrow for pre-hearing.

According to Olorundare, “The case is not on technicality but we are only facing the law. The law by paragraph (15) sub paragraph (1) of the Electoral Law says one can apply within seven days after being served by the respondent.”

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (right), his Chief of Staff Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola and guest speaker Sheik Amada Salam Bamidele at the founder, Islaudeen Arabic School of Nigeria, Sheik Abdul Baaqi Muhammed of Iwo,at the School premises in Iwo, Osun State…yesterday

Benue tribunal members allege security challenges F ACED with serious security challenges, members of the Benue State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal have relocated from their base in Makurdi to Abuja.

Their mission is to consult with the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami.

Tribunal chairman Justice Munir Ladan raised the alarm at yesterday’s sitting in the case involving Governor Gabriel Suswam of the Peoples’, Democratic Party (PDP) and Prof.

Daniel Saror of the All Nigeria peoples’ Party (ANPP). Saror is challenging the former’s election on the grounds of certificate forgery.

“We are facing security challenges and have to go to Abuja to sort things out with the President of the Court of Appeal.

We will put counsel on notice when this issue is cleared.

Meanwhile, all preliminary objections will be heard on the adjourned date of 3rd August 2011”, Justice Ladan said while

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•Panel relocates to Abuja

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

announcing the adjournment.

Counsel to all the parties were taken aback by the announcement, wondering what the challenges could be.

A member of the tribunal, Justice .N. Gume, while delivering a consolidated ruling to grant the 1st and 2nd respondents an enlargement of time to regularise their replies to Saror’s petition, had earlier shocked everyone when he muttered a prayer against evil machination of men.

The tribunal had gone ahead to grant the respondents’ application for extension of time even as the coast was clear to take the preliminary objections of the 1st to 5th respondents, challenging the petition as well as the competence of the court to hear the suit before the

shocking revelation.

The fear expressed by the panel members came barely two months after their first chairman, Justice Daisy Okocha, resigned over insecurity. She had alleged that some unknown persons deflated her car’s tyres at Royal Choice Inn in Makurdi, the state capital.

The members were escorted out of the court premises by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Benue Police Command.

A former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, expressed concern over the alert raised by the tribunal, noting that it complicated issues as well as gave the state a bad image.

Tsav accused the panel members of trying to overheat the polity and cause anxiety in the state, which he noted has no

record of bomb blasts or gun attacks.

He urged them to openly diclose those behind such threats and how they are being threatened, either by telephone or text messages His words: “People who administer should not be cowards. They should say who and how they are being threatened.

If they feel frightened by the large crowd of supporters of the PDP and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) at the tribunal or if they do not have confidence in the Benue police, then they can request for police officers to be brought from other states.

“The President of the Court of Appeal can not provide security for them. They have a constitutional responsibility to look into the matter and Benue people are very eager that it is dispensed with.”

The former police chief also called for an investigation into the resignation of the former tribunal chairman.

Egbewole, however, filed a 13-paragraph affidavit, objecting to the motion.

According to him, as buttressed in the counter affidavit, “especially paragraphs 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, there was no leave of the court sought to file the present application, as required in extreme cases as produced for via paragraph 47(1) of 1st Schedule to the Electoral Act 2010 (as Amended) and petitioner’s counsel did inform the court that he has only 15 witnesses”.

Delivering her ruling, tribunal chairman Justice Pat Onajite Kuejubola, noted that the petitioner did not mention the motion at the prehearing session eralier held by the tribunal.

She said: “Having carefully listened to all arguments canvassed for and against this application, the first question is to see if the applicant sought leave of the court to seek the reliefs nor been sought as provided in paragraph 47(1).

“No motion shall be moved and all motions shall come up at the pre-hearing session except in extreme circumstances with leave of tribunal or court. “

Forensic experts arrive in Port Harcourt for Omehia’s case

ORESONIC experts, called by the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Sir Celestine Omehia, in the April 26 election are in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.

They are to assist the APGA flag bearer in proving his case against the election of Governor Rotimi

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Amaechi before the election petition’s tribunal.

Omehia and APGA hadfiled the petition against Amaechi and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleging that the governorship election was marred by multiple thumb-printing,

snatching of ballot boxes, intimidation of voters, among other irregularities.

A source close to Omehia, who would not want his name in print, said the APGA’s governorship candidate was determined to pursue the petition before the Justice Amina Wambai-led tribunal to its logical conclusion.

Asked why Omehia is insisting on getting justice at the tribunal, when his counterpart Dr. Abiye Sekibo of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) , had three weeks ago, withdrawn his petition, the source stated that Omehia saw it as payback time, since Amaechi also pursued his cases in 2007 up to the Supreme Court,

which abruptly terminated his tenure as governor.

Maintaining that he won the election, Amaechi has urged his opponents at the election to join him in moving the Southsouth state forward.

Twenty nine political parties participated in the April 26 governorship election in Rivers.

Delta tribunal throws out Ogboru’s petition

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HE Delta State Election Petitions Tribunal, headed by Justice Doris Ogwurike, yesterday dismissed the petition by the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) candidate, Chief Great Ogboru, in the January 6 governorship rerun election Ogboru challenged the victory of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in the election.

But Justice Ogwurike held that the 1st petitioner “failed to substantiate any of his allegations and consequently failed to prove his case”.

On whether the 1st petitioner (Ogboru) or 1st respondent (Uduaghan) scored the highest number of lawful votes in the election and fulfilled the re-

•DPP candidate: we’ll appeal From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

quirements of the Electoral Act 2010, the judge said: “In view of the foregoing, it is our considered opinion that the initial burden of proof in the petition rests on the petitioner’s allegation that no voting took place in the disputed local government areas.

“Due to the fact that the petitioner could not substantiate his allegations of irregularities in Ika North/East, they are deemed to have abandoned their averments.

“Notwithstanding the failure of the petitioner to adduce

evidence in their pleadings, the respondents’ tendered results from all the contested local government areas by the petitioner.

“With due respect to the senior counsel, we disagree because the petitioner did not plead that the ballot papers were not referable to the wards or units. It is not the duty of the tribunal to assume responsibility for a party when that party has not done so.”

On the competence of the tribunal to hear the case by the 1st and 2nd respondents, who contended that the petition was defective, incompetent and academic, Justice Og-

wurike saidthe Electoral Act does not say that the documents must be heard the same day of filing the petition.

“It is of no moment and does not affect the competence of the petition”, she said, holding that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted the election in compliance with the rules of the Electoral Act. “The petitioner did not score the number of lawful votes in ¼ of 2/3 the 25 local government areas and this petition is hereby dismissed,” it said.

Uduaghan described the judgement as a “cast-iron” vic-

tory for truth and an expression of the electoral wishes of the electorate.

Ogboru said: “We must commend the dexterity and attitude of judges that took part in the re-run election.

“It is for INEC to show how they conducted an election with ballot papers not traceable to any units or wards or Local Government Areas. This INEC could not show. We consider this very narrow issue as a mistake and wrongful placement of a burden on the petitioners.

“We will appeal this judgment. Nevertheless, this will not take away the standards set by the justices during the hearing. We must commend them.”

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

NEWS Lawyer disowns client in court From Mohammed Bashir, Lokoja

THERE was drama yesterday at the Federal High Court, sitting in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, when a lawyer, Ayo Mohammed, announced that he was stepping down from representing Dr Abdullahi Baba Abdul, a Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) candidate for the April National Assembly elections.

Abdul had sued the CPC and others over the imposition of another candidate, saying he was the right candidate for the party’s House of Representatives ticket for Lokoja/Koton–Karfe Federal Constituency.

Abdul was said to have been unruly in the court during the court sitting.

Mohammed said though he was not in court during the last sitting, he was surprised when he was briefed by his junior counsel about what transpired in court.

Abdul told reporters that he was not told that his counsel would withdraw from the case.

Another counsel to the plaintiff, Okoewa A. Eyim, prayed the court for a short adjournment to enable him know the details of the case.

Kwara ACN to PDP: we’re for constructive criticisms

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HE Kwara State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has said its criticism of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was constructive.

The opposition party regretted that the reactions of the PDP to its criticisms were misplaced and disparaging.

The PDP reportedly accused ACN of a desperate attempt to smear its leaders and discredit the programmes and policies of the state government through misinformation and falsehood.

ACN urged the PDP-led government in the state to “challenge us on the facts or shut us up with good gover-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

nance”.

In a statement by its Chairman, Kayode Olawepo, the ACN noted that the PDP government in Kwara “is equally well within its rights to counter our positions with facts of its own, but it cannot deny our democratic and constitutional rights to freedom of speech, especially on matters of public interest.

“It also cannot sidetrack the issues with disparaging language or attempt to dodge the issues by drawing attention to irrelevant matters.”

The statement reads: “If

the Kwara PDP government offered good governance in an open and transparent manner, based on accountability and due process, we would have no basis to speak out.

“We are in a democracy and we are exercising our legitimate rights based on actions and circumstances that the Kwara PDP governments, past and present, have created.

“In the last three months, we in ACN Kwara have spoken out about certain matters of public interest. Some of them are but not limited to the needless and tragic deaths of over 70 Kwarans at the Mandate Campaign Head-

quaters of Saraki/Abdulfattah Ahmed in May. “The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal ordered on May 11 that the petitioners be allowed to inspect and take copies of electoral materials used during the last elections as part of evidence for their petition.

“This is an exercise which should not have taken more than four weeks to conclude.

However, due to the PDP’s obstructive and delay tactics, which have frustrated the exercise, it is now over eight weeks and the exercise has not yet been concluded.

“For instance, on one oc-

Emirate council suspends community leader

NAFDAC seeks Interpol assistance on fake drugs

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HE Federal Government has enlisted the services of the International Police (Interpol) to check counterfeit drugs.

The global market for drug counterfeiting annually is put at between $75billion and $200billion.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at a two-day workshop on combating pharmaceutical crime, Director-General of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Dr. Paul Orhii said the agency took the step to curb drug counterfeiting.

The workshop was organised by the Interpol, in collaboration with NAFDAC.

From Dele Anofi and Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

Orhii noted that drug barons have redirected their resources to manufacturing and distributing counterfeit products through the Internet.

He said fake drugs have become more sophisticated, globalised and militarised, adding that NAFDAC needed to adopt a global approach against it to checkmate counterfeiters.

The NAFDAC chief said the agency would adopt sustained public enlightenment campaigns, national and international collaborations and cooperation with government enforcement agen-

cies to fight the menace.

Other measures, he said, included the adoption of new technologies, such as the “truescan” hand-held device used at borders and medical stores to detect counterfeit products.

Orhii said: “In the US and other advanced countries, up to 50 per cent of the medicines purchased through the internet are found to be counterfeit. So, we have to adopt different approaches to fight counterfeit medicine in Nigeria. We have to act globally to be more effective locally, because counterfeit drugs have become more sophisticated, more globalised, and more militarised.

“Former drug barons have now diverted their resources

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• Orhii

to manufacturing and distributing counterfeit medicines. So, the global market for this unlawful act is worth between $75 and $200 billion annually. Even Europe, which we thought had no counterfeit medicines, has been discovered with a fake drug market worth 10.5 million Euros.”

Minister urges youth council factions to end crisis

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HE Minister of Youth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has given the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NCYN) factions two weeks to resolve their differences.

Abdullahi spoke yesterday in Abuja when he met with the executive of the council.

He said he would not involve any of them in the activities of the ministry until they have resolved their problems and withdrawn their cases from the court.

Abdullahi said: “Go and sit down and resolve the matter and return to us with your terms of resolution. Until that is done, I will not have any meeting with any of you.”

The council has been rocked by crises for years with two factions claiming legitimacy over the others.

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

One of the factions is led

by Mr. George Shotade and the other by Comrade Wale Ajani.

The crisis led to court cases, which affected the smooth administration of the council.

The minister said the Federal Government would harness the potential in Nigerian youths for national transformation, adding: “You cannot help people to develop without young people.

They should lead the development process.”

He said he would work with the NYCN to deliver key youth agenda, warning that he might sideline the group if it continued with its bickering and divisions.

Flooding: Lagos to close erring markets

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AGOS State government has threatened to close down markets with blocked drainages.

Commissioner for Environment Tunji Bello said markets that flout environmental sanitation rules risk a three-month closure, warning that pleas for immediate re-opening would not be entertained.

He said more houses would be demolished to allow for the construction of more drainages.

Bello said the state’s building code would be enforced.

He said victims of flooding

casion, the exercise was delayed for about a week by the PDP on the ridiculous claim that the brand new Cannon scanner we were to use had been pre-programmed to doctor the documents it was going to copy! We spoke against these obstructive tactics.

“We spoke against the Kwara PDP’s request that youths applying for employment on its Kwara State Bridge Empowerment Scheme (KWABES) should, as a precondition, produce their voter’s registration cards. We said this is a violation of the constitutional rights of such applicants...”

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

would not be abandoned by the government, adding that the government would fulfill its promise of palliatives to them.

The commissioner expressed concern over blocked drainages, especially in Ladipo markets, Mushin, Mile 11 and Yaba.

Bello alerted Lagosians to more rains, urging families and organisations to prepare the drains for heavy down pour.

HE Bauchi Emirate Council has approved the suspension of Alhaji Yusuf Bulama, the Hamlet Head of Maigama Arewa in Toro Local Government, for allegedly selling plots of land allocated to displaced persons in his domain.

The suspension was contained in a letter by the Emirate Council Secretary Alhaji Maidawa Kafi to the Toro Local Government Chairman Alhaji Isa Kufai and made available to The Nation in Bauchi yesterday.

The letter reads: “The suspension of the traditional ruler followed a complaint from the council, which found that the hamlet head was involved in selling plots of land allocated to displaced persons in Maigama village.

His action has caused untold hardship to the displaced persons.”

The emirate directed the District Head of Toro, Alhaji Adamu Waziri, to summon Bulama before him and investigate the matter while he remains suspended.

Toro Local Government Council Chair Isa Kufai said: “What happened is unfortunate, but we had warned all community leaders in the area to desist from any act that will tarnish their image.”

Ki-Moon praises FCTA over health care From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

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HE United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon has praised the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for its efforts in primary health care to women and children in rural areas.

Ki-Moon stated this in a commendation letter to the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Muhammed, after his visit to Maitama District Hospital and Comprehensive Primary Health Care, Dutsen Makaranta, a suburb of Abuja.

The UN chief said he was satisfied with Nigeria’s implemention of its Primary Health Care Programme, especially the achievements of the FCT Administration in supporting women and children’s health.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

7

NEWS Ogun courts grounded

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UDGES, magistrates and litigants were yesterday locked out of the courts by the Ogun State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).

JUSUN had embarked on an indefinite strike to demand salary increment and better working condition.

The striking judiciary workers went on strike yesterday after the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum, vowing “never to end the strike until the government meets our demands.”

The judges and magistrates who resumed yes-

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

terday were locked out by the aggrieved workers.

The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Chairman, Abeokuta Branch, Akintoye Akinbade, urged the government to attend to the demands of the workers.

JUSUN State Secretary Idowu Dada said:“The new administration should pay the allowance, it is in consonance with the agreement the union entered into with the government in May last year.”

Afenifere seeks devolution of powers

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FENIFERE Renewal Group (ARG) has described the activities of the Boko Haram sect as a manifestation of a failed state.

In a statement by its spokesman, Kunle Famoriyo, the group said only devolution of powers can resolve the challenge confronting the nation.

He said: “Boko Haram is about all that had failed in Nigeria, unemployment, class discrimination, inequitable distribution of wealth,

By Emmanuel Oladesu

where public office holders amass billions and citizens starve for lack of food, injustice in which billionaire thieves walk away, while petty ones rot in jail. Boko Haram is about us; it requires firm political decisions and solution.

“Our leaders should stop playing games. The issue of devolution of power should be a legislative agenda at the state and national level.”

Ex-police chief indicted in Oyo NURTW crisis F ORMER Commissioner of Police in Oyo State Baba Adisa Bolanta has been indicted in the crisis rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

An Ibadan High Chief, Lekan Balogun, said Bolanta turned the state into a dumping ground for all sorts of uninvestigated crimes during his tenure.

He also fingered the administration of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala as a mastermind of the bloody clashes that polarised the NURTW, following his scuttled second term ambition.

Balogun said Alao-Akala fortified hoodlums materially and financially and provided them with weapons.

He spoke yesterday while testifying at the panel set up

by Governor Abiola Ajimobi to look into the crisis.

The chief recalled how NURTW hoodlums, led by the late Alhaji Lateef Salako (Eleweomo) and his deputy, Lamidi Mukaila (Auxiliary), attacked him. He said he lodged a complaint with

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CP resumes

HE Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Moses Onireti, yesterday assured the Chairman of the proscribed National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW), Lateef Akinsola (Tokyo) and Mukaila Lamidi (Auxiliary) that they would be treated well if they make themselves available for questioning at the state Police Command .

Onireti, who was addressing reporters at the Police Headquarters yesterday, took over of Adisa Baba Bolanta.

The commissioner, formerly from the Airport Police Command , Lagos, declared that Tokyo and Auxiliary were still on the command’s list as wanted persons, irrespective of the change in leadership.

He said: “When I was the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command Lagos, I was aware that the duo was declared wanted and they are still declared wanted. “ If they don’t have any skeleton in their cupboards, then they should come to the state Command Headquarters , I can assure you that they will be treated well.”

Stories by Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

Bolanta, who only handled the cases with levity.

Balogun said the unprofessional handling of the cases by Bolanta led to his inability to get justice in the matter till date.

The Ibadan chief described

Bolanta as an unprofessional policeman and a man with no conscience.

Balogun said for peace to reign in the Oyo NURTW, the union must be insulated from politics.

His words: The scenario in which the leadership of the union was hobnobbing with

the former Governor Akala called to question the integrity of the government.

“Auxiliary has been going to Bolanta’s office in the evenings and having drinks with him, while Bolanta continues to say he is looking for him.

“Bolanta has no conscience.

He is unprofessional. He should be investigated for all his professional misconduct.”

Two former members of the House of Assembly Abiola Ayorinde and Ademola Adejumobi accused Akala of masterminding the June 8, last year’s invasion of the hallowed chambers by sponsored hoodlums.

This, they alleged, was to frustrate the planned investigation by the lawmakers of how the former governor spent the N8.3billion accrued oil revenue, which was supposed to be used in developing the 33 local governments.

The former lawmakers told the panel that it was during the commotion that Ayorinde was thrown down from the third floor, leading to his admission at the University College Hospital (UCH).

‘We won’t tolerate corruption’

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GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday assured that the administration would not tolerate corruption.

He said it would be “zero tolerance to corruption”, adding that the scourge of the social and economic vice is a battle that should be fought and won.

The governor said this when members of Course Six from the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS),Kuru, Jos, visited his office in Abeokuta. The team was led by the institute’s Director of Studies, Tim Imodighe.

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

“We are sincere about our commitment to rebuild Ogun State, including its infrastructure. We are determined to make our mark and prepared to be judged by our performance. Consequently, we will have a zero tolerance for corruption.

“Successful fight against corruption will ensure availability of resources for development. Reducing or eliminating corruption is synonymous with developing the infrastructural base of the country,”Amosun said.

Fake Cameroonian doctors held

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HE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested three fake Cameroonian doctors for operating illegal clinics at St. Mary Catholic Church, Ekemgbo, and Hon. Samuel Nwali Hotel, Agubia in Ikwo Local Government of Ebonyi State.

According to the DirectorGeneral, Dr Paul Orhii, Nana Patrice and Penda George, popularly called ‘doctor’, were arrested with six bags of assorted fake

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

drugs, labelled in Chinese language.

The third suspect, Andre Capoel, had a bag of assorted fake drugs, also labelled in Chinese.

“The three suspects claimed to work for Christian Gmipibio, a Cameroonian based in China, who sends them the fake drugs to sell.”

The agency warned Nigerians to be wary of any product that does not have its label written in English.

Seminar for Lagos councils

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HE Lagos State House of Assembly has decried the unpleasant relationship among principal officials of local governments.

It described them as unpalatable, worrisome and disheartening.

To curtail this, the House organised a five-day seminar on Institution Building and Policy Review for Local Government Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and councillors.

The theme of the programme, which started yesterday, is “The Challenges of Good Governance and Development in Local Government Councils of Lagos State”.

By Oziegbe Okoeki

The Deputy Speaker, Kolawole Taiwo, who represented Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji, urged the local council officials to start constructive programmes for the people.

He frowned at the friction that has characterised local councils in the past few weeks. ”We can’t stand aloof and watch things fall apart, chairmen and councillors should work together because unnecesary friction retard progress.

“We should see ourselves as partners in progress”, Taiwo said.

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (middle) and Deputy Governor Mrs. Adejoke Orelope Adefulire (right) with Akpakpan (second right) and his cabinet members at the Lagos State House Alausa Ikeja, Lagos…yesterday PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

One day governor advises boys

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AGOS State one day Governor, Master Jones Akpakpan, has advised boys at the state Correctional Centre to see their stay at the reformation centre as an opportunity for development.

Akpakpan, who assumed office yesterday, won the year’s Spelling Bee competition.

He urged Governor Babatunde Fashola to improve facilities at the Baptist High School, Obanikoro.

The one day Governor was accompanied by his cabinet mem-

By Miriam Ndikanwu

bers, which include one day deputy governor, Ikumelo Kayode, Commissioners for Information John Okolie; Transportation Temilade Adesanya, Education Miss Adeyemi Oluwatoyin.

He urged the boys to follow the guidelines and instruction of their teachers.

“I urge you not to see your stay at this centre as a punishment, but for you to understand that you are brought here to be corrected of your mistake and become better citizens.”

Ondo workers suspend strike

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HIRTEEN days after workers in Ondo State began a strike, the leadership of the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) yesterday suspended the action.

It subsequently ordered all striking workers to resume immediately.

The suspension coincided with the third year anniversary of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

At a briefing in Akure, the JNC Chairman, Solomon Adelegan said they took the decision following appeals from eminent personalities in the state.

Adelegan said the intervention of traditional rulers,

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

top clergymen and others, made the government withdraw the circular stalling the implementation of the salary relativity agreement.

“The intervention of major stakeholders in the crisis had made the governor to withdraw the controversial circular.

“The circular, which was issued by the government, had nullified the agreement it reached with the workers on the payment of N14, 000 salary relativity structures across board for all civil servants.

“Now that the governor, who we all hold in high es-

teem, has agreed to withdraw the circular, I hereby urge all civil servants to go back to their duty posts immediately.”

Adelegan said the July salary would be based on the N14, 000 salary relativity structure for all workers in the state.

The Senior Special Assistant to the governor on union matters, Dayo Fadahunsi, hailed the workers for their patriotism.

He assured the people that the workers would cover lost grounds after resumption.

NLC Chairman Mrs. Bose Daramola said the workers would soon resume talks with the government on the imple-

mentation of the minimum wage law.

She added that the NLC leadership was yet to start discussions with the government.

The government said the decision of the unions to call off their strike was in line with its expectations.

In a statement yesterday by the Commissioner for Information, Ranti Akerele, the government said the decision showed that labour was conscious of the determination of the Labour Party to run a government that places premium on the citizens without sacrificing workers’ interest.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

8

NEWS ‘Boko Haram criminalised’

Two killed in Yenagoa

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

A LAWMAKER, Bamidele Faparusi, yesterday condemned Nigeria's security agencies for criminalising the Boko Haram sect.

The lawmaker, representing Ekiti Federal Constituency II, said the sect never started out on a bloody note.

He said findings showed that it was security agencies that killed some leaders of the sect, which inevitably sent the sect on a revenge mission.

"The North has been peaceful before these recent bombings. Even the Boko Haram had been in existence pursuing its agenda in peace without taking into criminality until the security agencies went after it and killed some ofits leaders".

"We have to admit that Boko Haram is a new challenge, which we have to brace up to. We also can look at it from the angle of unemployment. Most of the foot soldiers are graduates who lack hope. The bloody insurgencies in the country offer a challenge for the government to create jobs.

Faparusi said the amnesty could only work for the group if the leaders are identified by the security personnel.

Delta to build $10b company A CONSORTIUM, led by Saudi Arabian company Xenel Limited, yesterday visited Koko, Warri North Local Government of Delta State. It is to build a $10 billion petrochemical company.

The project is part of the $16 billion investment attracted to the state by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Uduaghan said the investments for the Koko export free zone is expected to create about 500,000 jobs.

Uduaghan yesterday said the team also included an Indian company, which will set up a fertiliser plant.

He said the investments were part of the gains of the Federal Government/Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Master plan.

Conference in LASU

By Adegunle Olugbamila

LAGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola will today declare open an international conference organised by the Department of African Languages, Literatures and Communication Arts of the Lagos State University (LASU).

The conference is themed: Traditional Religious Festivals in Yorubaland and In Dispora: Documentation for Preservation and Protection, and will hold at the university’s main campus.

The conference, according to the Head of Department, Dr Adeniyi Harrison, is to honour Professor Olayinka Folorunso, the first Yoruba professor in the department.

Other guests expected are: The Olowu of Egbaland, Oba Gboyega Dosumu; Akran of Badagry De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi (Royal Father of the Day); Dean, Faculty of Arts Prof M. Muhibbu-Din and Vice-Chancellor Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji Bello.

From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

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•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (middle) when he inspected the Bodija Market...yesterday. With him from left are Chief Environment Officer, Ministry Of Health, Taiwo Sunday; Deputy Governor Moses Alake and Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Akin Olajide

Senators inspect flooded Lagos

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IXTEEN senators yesterday visited Lagos State to access the impact of damage caused by the massive flood.

Fifteen are from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Senator Abu Ibrahim (Katsina South) of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

They are Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu; Babatunde Ojudu; Ganiyu Solomon and Chris Ngige, among others.

They said it was expedient for the Federal Government to assist the state with ecological fund to address its environmental challenges.

Addressing reporters shortly after a visit to the governor at his office in Alausa, Senator George Akume said they are concerned senators who felt the state should not be left alone in its

•Flood ravages Calabar metropolis

By Miriam Ndikanwu and Kunle Johnson, Calabar

present predicament.

He said the team had gone round the state and agreed that the only way out of the problems of flooding and environmental degradation is for the Federal Government to assist the state with ecological fund.

Akume sympathised with the government and assured that they would present their findings to the Federal Government and pressure it to assist the state government with funds to solve its environmental problems.

Fashola said the state is overwhelmed by problem of ecological disaster, adding that it needs Federal Government assistance to solve the

problem.

The governor said the state needs special status, given its role as former capital and home to many Nigerians from different parts of the country.

He said the government had concluded plans to demolish illegal structures built on drainage channels.

Several houses were destroyed as a result of heavy downpour in parts of Calabar, the Cross River State capital at the weekend.

The flood displaced many residents.

Also affected are early morning worshippers at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Navy Barracks Akim, who were trapped as a result of the flooding forcing many of them to swim to safety.

The Assistant Priest, Rev. Fr. Godwin Idoko, lamented that the disaster had created a terrible situation in the church and that property worth millions has been lost.

A victim, Daniel Etim Robert, said the water which flooded his three- bedroom flat destroyed his property and displaced 15 persons.

Another victim, Moses Odili Chukwu (65), who was injured when the fence of his sixbedroom flat collapsed on him, said it was a miracle that he survived.

The Director-General Cross River State Emergency (SEMA) Vincent Aquah sympathised with the victims and assured them of government willingness to address the problems.

UNILAG workers begin warning strike

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HE Non Academic Staff Union of Universities and Allied Institution (NASU) at theUniversity of Lagos, Akoka, yesterday began a seven-day warning strike.

The union is protesting the management’s refusal to implement some components of the 2009 Agreement, which it signed with the Federal Government.

The protest, which began at noon yesterday, was led by the union's Chairman

By Adegunle Olugbamila and Kemi Runsewe

and Secretary Ganiyu Adeshina and Folorunsho Alabi.

NASU members stormed the Senate, Sports Centre, the Works and Services units as well as the Department of Social Sciences, among others.

They sang solidarity songs, and threatened to flog anyone who refused to symphatise with them. Members forced their way into offices

hauling out tables and chairs.

Adeshina said the union had exercised enough patience.

He said the union last month embarked on a threeday warning strike after the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum to the management.

Adeshina said the union eventually shelved its planned strike for the sake of the students.

"The agreement has been signed by the union and the Federal Government in 2009,

and will be due for re-enhancement next year, still nothing has been done. Other universities have commenced paying but we don't know what's happening here."

Alabi accused the university’s management of double standard, saying it gave some allowances to some select unions when such allowances should have been given across board.

The University's spokesman, Seth Adebisi, declined to comment.

Ex-militants refute report on alleged cash mismanagement

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HE Chairman of the Amnesty Phase II, Delta State chapter, Mr. Kingsley Muturu, refuted media reports credited to a group, Association of Phase II Amnesty Followers that leaders of the Phase II of the amnesty programme mismanaged allowances meant for their followers.

Addressing reporters in Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government, Muturu said those protesting were not ex-militants.

He said the Federal Government had discovered that the temporary identity cards issued by the amnesty board to ex-militants in Cross Riv-

From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

er State had been copied by some of the boys.

The ex-militant said Phase II leaders did not connive with

the amnesty board to shortchange their followers.

The spokesman of the Phase 11 leaders, Augustine Ogedegbe, said the money paid to the leaders was disbursed to their followers.

Ogedegbe alleged that the protesters were mischief makers, who were not known to them.

He urged the police and the JTF to arrest them to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

Free health programme begins in Ekiti HE Ekiti State Government yesterday launched its free health Programme.

Governor Kayode Fayemi said this was to provide free health care services for citizens to increase life expectancy.

The governor said the feedback from the more than 200,000 beneficiaries of the mobile free health mission had encouraged government to commit more resources to ensure that free healthcare gets to the grassroots.

The free health programme, according to him,

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would cater primarily for children under five, pregnant women and the physically-challenged as well as the aged.

The governor said this is"critical and very foundational to his goal of transforming the state.” He assured the people of quality service in 34 Primary Health Centres spread in the 16 local governments.

The facilities have solar powered freezers; motorcycles for data monitoring and routine immunisation ; stock of essential drugs; among others.

LANDLORD and a police warden were killed in Akemfa Community on the outskirts of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, yesterday.

Sources said unknowngunmen entered the compound of the late landlord and shot him.

It was learnt that the traffic warden, a tenant, tried to rescue his landlord and was killed.

A stray bullet reportedly injured a youth, who was around the scene of the incident.

Police spokesman Emokpae Egwavon confirmed the incident, saying it was not unconnected with cult attacks.

He said the traffic warden was trying to help the landlord when he was killed.

"They came for the landlord but the traffic warden was also killed in the process."

Edo PDP spokesman resigns From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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UBLICITY Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State (Chief Tony Anenih faction) Nosa Adams yesterday resigned.

Adams said he was resigning due to "intractable and unending crisis" within the leadership of the party.

Addressing reporters yesterday at Egor Local Government, Adams said he hoped to join the progressive train.

He said the nomination of Mike Onolememen as minister had further polarised the party with a new faction emerging as a result of the criticism and opposition that greeted the nomination.

He noted that notable governorship aspirants like Prof Julius Ihonvbere and Ken Imansuagbon were being frustrated to drop their ambitions to contest in next year's governorship election in the state under the PDP.

Alumni network launched From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

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IGERIANS in the Diasporas have been assured of their participation in future elections.

A member of the House of Representatives, representing Ikorudu Federal Constituency, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the House is working towards amending three sections of the Electoral Act. This is to enable the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) send officials abroad to take charge of the process, when the bill is eventually passed to law.

The lawmaker was speaking at the official unveiling and launching of the Nigeria Diaspora Alumni Network (NiDAN), Abuja Chapter.

She said the bill will soon go through second reading.

She commended the conveners of NiDAN for the initiative.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

9

NEWS PDP wins 23 seats in Sokoto council polls

Aliyu to appointees: perform or get fired From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

•·ACN wins councillorship seat From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won all the 23 chairmanship seats in Saturday’s local government elections in Sokoto State.

The results have shown the strength of the ruling party in Sokoto ahead of next March governorship election.

The results of four wards in Tangaza, Isa and Gada local governments were cancelled because of violence and ballot box snatching.

Also affected were the results of some polling units in Sokoto South and Goronyo local governments.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) won a councillorship seat in Karfen Sarki in Gudu Local Government of the 244 wards in the state.

The ruling PDP won 239 seats with few other results are still pending.

Declaring the results in Sokoto yesterday, the state Indepenedent Electoral Commission (SIEC) Chairman Usman Abubakar said the results for the few affected polling units in Sokoto South and Goronyo councils were not announced because of electoral malpractices that occurred there.

He said: “After conducting a free and fair local government poll, I wish to confirm the results for the Saturday exercise, based on the powers conferred on the commission by Section 197 in line with the Constitution.”

The affected polling units are: Dallatu Primary School’s polling unit in Sokoto South and Shinaka, Boyijo/Bajeka and Kagara in Goronyo local governments.

Five council chairmen were returned. They are: Abdullahi Maigwandu Danjeka, (Shagari); Shehu Buda Badau, (Bodinga); Bala Kokane, (Kebbe); Yusuf Isah Kurdila, (Gudu) and Abubakar Altine Kyadawa, (Gada) local governments.

Ex-NNPC chief installed Wali Adamawa From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

THE former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, has been installed the Wali Adamawa by the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Mohammad Barkindo Musdafa.

The Lamido Adamawa also turbaned two other eminent sons of the emirate, Alhaji Ahmed Dahiru Waziri, a former Personnel Manager of the NNPC, as Dan Amar; and Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed Babatu, as Jakada Adamawa.

At the ceremony was VicePresident Mohammed Namadi Sambo, who was represented by the Minister of Transport; with Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako; President, Africa Round Table, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; senators’ Members of the House of Representatives, Adamawa State Government officials; and top officials of the NNPC.

•Aliyu

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IGER State Governor Babangida Aliyu yesterday urged his commissioners, special advisers and members of the newly

constituted Board of Internal Revenue to deliver or resign their appointments before he sacks them.

The governor ordered his commissioners and special advisers to win their local governments for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the October 8 local government elections or resign.

He gave members of the Board of Internal Revenue Board nine months to meet the N1 billion monthly target for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Aliyu spoke in Minna, the state capital, at the inauguration of the board of three gov-

ernment agencies in his office.

The boards are: Private Schools Management Board; Niger State Commodity and Export Promotion Agency; as well as Niger State Board of Internal Revenue.

The governor said some residents had been pressurising him to endorse their candidates for the council elections.

Aliyu said he had no preferred candidates.

“I have said it over and over again that I have no councillorship or chairmanship candidates for the forthcoming local government elections. All I want is for my political appointees and party leaders to give me credible and winnable candidates for

the elections.

“I have told my commissioners and special advisers to do all they can to give me winnable candidates and I have told them that if I lose a local government, they should drop their resignation letters the day the election results are released.

“I have been telling those who approached me to go and work and ensure that viable, acceptable, credible and competent candidates emerge as the party’s standard bearer for each of the 274 ward councillors and the 25 local government chairmen,” he said.

He urged members of the Board of Internal Revenue to meet the N1billion monthly revenue target or be sacked.

Aliyu said: “We are giving the Board of Internal Revenue six to nine months probation time to meet our N1 billion monthly target or we will not hesitate to dissolve the board.”

The governor said the government’s efforts to meet the monthly target had failed, adding that this had made it difficult for development partners “to understand why we cannot meet our target”.

For the board to meet the target, Aliyu urged its members to furnish his office with monthly revenue profile of each local government.

Chairman of the revenue board Mohammed Abbas said the board would meet the revenue target.

Ogun PDP welcomes defected members

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (right) cutting the tape to flag off the state Free Health Programme in Ado-Ekiti. With him are Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wole Olugboji (middle) and General Manager, Central Medical Store, University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Mr. Bamisaye Sunday...yesterday.

Policeman kills bank robbery suspect in Niger

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MEMBER of a fiveman robbery gang was yesterday shot dead by a policeman in Minna, the Niger State capital, during a raid on a micro-finance bank in Maikunkele.

The gang injured three people in the melee that ensued.

The raid reportedly lasted about 30 minutes.

An expectant mother and a bank worker fainted from the shock of the robbers’ invasion.

One person was reportedly shot in the leg and some others injuried.

The injured were taken to Minna General Hospital.

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

An eyewitness said the gang stormed the bank at 10.30am.

Three of its members were stationed outside while the others entered the bank.

The three inside the bank ordered the workers and customers to lie face-down and demanded the keys to the vault.

They were given the wrong keys, the witness said, adding that they shot at the vault’s lock when none of the keys worked.

The robbers reportedly stashed the money in the vault into a “Ghana-MustGo” bag and fled.

It was gathered that the gang members waiting outside attempted to snatch the gun of the policeman attached to the bank.

The witness said the gun shot attracted the gang members inside the bank, adding that they started shooting as they ran outside with their loot.

They took the gun of the policeman, carried the body of their colleague in a seized taxi cab, and drove towards Zungeru.

It was gathered that the robbers dumped the body of their colleague at Kuyi village, near Kampalla, a 10minute drive from the scene

of robbery.

They also abandoned the taxi cab in the area before escaping to an unknown destination.

Villagers at Kuyi reportedly told the state Anti-Robbery Squad that they saw the robbers when they were fleeing with a bag and a gun.

The chairman of the bank confirmed the robbery.

He said Police investigation had begun, adding that the injured had been treated.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPPRO) Oguche Richard Adamu, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), could not be reached for comment.

‘No community walked out on our panel’

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HE Chairman of the Kaduna State Judicial Commission of Enquiry probing the April post-election violence, Justice Mohammed Lawal Bello, yesterday said no community walked out during any of its sittings.

He said contrary to reports, only two groups, which did not like the commision’s mode of operation, walked out during its public sittings.

Justice Bello spoke in Kaduna, the state capital, at the close of the commission’s

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

public sittings.

He said despite the walkout, the commission had enough evidence to conclude its work.

Justice Bello said the commission received 313 memoranda.

He said the commission would ensure justice to all.

Justice Bello denied the report that 24 communities walked out on the commission, saying those who did were ignorant of its mode of operation.

He urged lawyers to be honest in their final submissions, saying the commission would not prosecute or convict anyone but would only make recommendations on how to prevent future crisis.

“We thank God for the opportunity to conduct the public hearing and the opportunity to serve the good people of Kaduna State and, by extension, the country. We want to assure the people that we will do our best to make sure that Kaduna State has peace now

and always.

“It (the riot) was an unfortunate situation, but we refuse to react because it could lead to other things, which will not be good for the commission and the state. We condemn the act as it was not done in good faith. The commission wants all to work to restore peace in Kaduna and the country as a whole.

“The people should be aware that our work is not half-baked. We did a thorough job.”

LEADERS of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun East Senatorial Zone of Ogun State have said they would absolve members who defected to the opposition parties before the April elections.

They reached the decision at the end of an extra-ordinary meeting held at the senatorial headquarters of the party in IjebuOde. The meeting was attended by some former members of the opposition parties, who left the PDP before the April polls.

They included a former PPN chieftain, Otunba Tunde Olowu, from Ijebu North-East Local Government.

A statement by the Vice-Chairman of the Ogun East Elders’ Forum, Alhaji Agboola Alausa, said the elders urged PDP members to embrace the returnees without grudges.

The statement said funds were released to the party’s chapter in the zone’s nine local governments to reimburse the executive councils for the expenses they have incurred.

It said the party’s elders sought collaboration of members with the returnees to enhance mobilization for the forthcoming council election.

The statement said the elders hailed the counsel to the PDP, Ajibola Oluyede, for his professional service to the party, attributing the success of the party at the state Election Petitions Tribunal to his “dexterity and his uncommon touch”.

The statement reads: “We praise our counsel, Oluyede, for his dexterity and uncommon touch. We recall that he has been with us since we began the struggle to liberate our people over two years ago”.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

10

NEWS Senator condemns late release of funds for Southeast From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

T

HE Senator representing Owerri zone of Imo State, Chris Anyanwu, has decried the delay in releasing the appropriation fund for federal institutions in the South-

east.

Anyanwu spoke in Owerri at the Southeast Federal Budget Monitoring Committee meeting organised by the Association for Public Policy Analysis (APPA).

The Senator, who was represented by her legislative aide, Johnbosco Nnawuihe, said the fund, even when released, is inadequate for completion of projects.

Mrs Anyanwu said this situation affects the development of the state and local governments where the projects are located.

She advocated for synergy between the contractors and MDAs for the effective execution of projects.

Describing the meeting as crucial to the development of the Southeast, she said the meeting would be beneficial to the zone.

Aynanwu advised the organisers to forward data on capital budget implementation in federal institutions to her for presentation to the Senate for deliberation.

Elechi swears in new EBSIEC members

T

HE Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi has urged the new Chairman and members of the State Independent National Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) to be fair, transparent in the local government election.

Swearing in the members at the Government House in Abakaliki, Elechi urged them to be above board in the discharge of their duties.

Elechi said: “In your present position, you have no friends and enemies. You are being instituted by a government put in place under the platform of a political party, but you have equal obligations to all recognised politi-

From Ogbonnaya Obinna,

•Enugu State indigenes after their return from Maiduguri, Borno State, following the Boko Haram sect violence...yesterday PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

Abakiliki

cal parties.

“When the time comes for you to discharge your responsibilities, don’t remember that you were put there by the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), but only remember that you are there to perform your duties according to the oath you took here this morning. That I ask you to do with all sincerity.”

The governor urged them not to favour any party. Don’t favour any person or party because you are our last umpire. The responsibility assigned to all of you is not an easy one, but I urge you to carry it out passionately.

‘Why helicopters cannot operate in Nigeria at night’

Abia shooting: Family demands N550m ransom T

HE family of Corporal Clement Amachi, who was killed last Tuesday at Abia State Government House by his colleague, Corporal Umaru Mohammed, has demanded N550million ransom from the government.

Family spokesman Francis Ubani said the money would be used to take care of the late Amachi’s family.

The demand was contained in a letter to Governor Theodore Orji.

By Kelvin Osa- Okunbor

D

IRECTOR- General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) Harold Demuren yesterday explained why helicopters for offshore operations cannot operate at night in Nigeria.

He gave reasons for the concentration of communication masts littering the flight pathway, obstruction to air safety and the inability to switch on to the new performance based navigation as the reasons.

Demuren, who spoke yesterday at the launch of the road-map to the implementation of performance based navigation ( PBN) for Nigeria, explained that request for night operations by operators would not be met until such obstacles were taken care of. He said major telecommunication companies would be engaged on how the installations of masts constitute a threat to air safety.

He also cited poor weather as another hurdle that militate against night operations. But he explained that the implementation of performance based navigation would enhance flight safety and save aviation fuel.

Demuren said : “The PBN operational approval process is currently being defined. Assessment of this process, once available, will further clarify the standards and qualifications required for future implementation.

PBN offers helicopter operators and pilots many potential advantages, such as the ability to develop nonlinear, helicopter-specific flight paths that avoid obstacles, terrain, and fixed-wing traffic routes. Relative to circuitous IFR-based patterns, these helicopter-specific PBN routes can link airports, hospitals, government facilities, and oil rigs to save operators time and fuel while also enabling the vertical approaches and departures for which helicopters are suited.

“Helicopter implementation considerations include the following: Helicopter operators conducting flights below 3,500 feet MSL under visual flight rules (VFR) are not affected by the implementation milestones in the PBN Roadmap.

Heliport route arrivals and departures based on basic RNP navigation specifications will enhance operational safety and efficiency.

“Helicopter operations are anticipated to become an increasingly important element of Nigeria’s economy and air transportation system.”

He further explained : “To the greatest extent possible, NCAA will segregate air traffic according to the navigation capability of the aircraft, and grant preferred route access to aircraft with the greatest PBN capability.

“Nigeria’s ANSP will adopt new flight-plan procedures that will accommodate a mixture of conventional and PBN operations.“

E

•Govt: They can’t hold us to ransom From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

The letter was signed by U b a n i .

The family, among other things, is demanding a full investigation of the circumstances that led to the death of its son and punishment of Corporal Mohammed.

Ubani said the family

should be allowed to see the body of late Amachi.

The family said neither the state government nor the police had visited them ,adding that they were embarrassed by the media report that Orji had condoled with the family.

The family spokesman said the late Amachi’s family had made futile efforts

to see the governor.

Orji’s Media Adviser Bonie Iwuoha said the family cannot hold the governor to ransom. He said the government is awaiting the outcome of police investigation.

Iwuoha said the police officer was an employee of the Police Service Commission and cannot, therefore, become a liability to the government.

He assured that the governor would assist them at the appropriate time and described their demand as frivolous and funny.”

Nsukka heist: Vigilance group arrests kingpin in Ebonyi forest

BONYI State Police Command has said the Ohaukwu vigilance group has arrested the kingpin and one other member of the robbery gang that stole N68 million from a first generation bank at Nsukka,Enugu State.

The gang leaders were arrested in an Ebonyi forest.

Poice spokesman, John Eluu, spoke at a news conference in Abakiliki yesterday. He confirmed the arrest of the suspects. Eluu said their arrests followed a tip off at the weekend.

He said: “Following a tip off, two members of the armed robbery gang that robbed a first generation bank on Friday are now being interrogated by the police at the headquarters in Abakiliki. The armed rob-

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakiliki

bers were arrested in a forest at Ohaukwu local government.

“After the exchange of fire with the police, those who ran into the forest did not know their way out. They were still in the forest when some women who were farming in the forest discovered one of them and informed the vigilance group of Ohaukwu local government. The group arrested the suspects and handed them over to the police,” he said.

Eluu said confessional statements had been taken from the suspects, adding that they would be handed

‘The decision is to hand over the two suspects to the Enugu State Police Command because that is where investigation would take place’ over to Enugu State Police Command since the robbery took place in the state.

“The decision is to hand over the two suspects to the Enugu State Police Command because that is where investigation would take place.

“Everything concerning

the incident had been handed over to Enugu, so the suspects too would be handed over to Enugu for further investigation.”

Eluu said one of the suspects had confessed that they were involved in the robbery.

He said the police and vigilance group had placed surveillance in the forest.

“We have placed surveillance there and we have also asked the group to assist. We want them to go further into the bush because we suspect that most of them will still be hiding inside the bush, since the area is new to them.

We hoped that with the assistance of the vigilance group, more arrest would be made,” he said.

Abaniwonda died in freak accident, says family

F

AMILY of the late Lagos politician Mustain Abaniwonda, who drowned in the lagoon last week, yesterday refuted insinuations that he committed suicide.

It described his death in a statement as “an unfortunate freak accident and nothing more.”

Chief Tunde Odanye who signed the statement on behalf of the family said “investigations including several inspections of the site of the accident support this conclusion and anyone who knew the deceased or interacted with him during his days would collaborate this.

By Adline Atili

Furthermore, most people who have suffered the inconvenience and in-equilibrium nature vents on us when it comes calling sharply and suddenly and without notice whatsoever, would understand that what happened on that fateful day could have happened to the best of us.”

The statement said the late Abaniwonda “was diabetic, asthmatic, hypertensive and survived two mild strokes in his lifetime,” saying in spite of that he still rose to become a General manger in the former Habib Bank plc and later managing Director of Crystal Bank plc.

It warned media organisations to steer clear of false speculations that might necessitate legal altercations.

“We request media houses that have chosen to go overboard in their reporting thus far, to henceforth, steer clear of wild and specious speculations and limit themselves to facts within their knowledge, thereby staying within the ambit of fair comment as prescribed by law.

“We sincerely hope this request would be given the serious consideration it deserves to save all concerned needless legal entanglements.”

•The late Abaniwonda

11

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

BUSINESS

We have been trying as much as possible to institute professionalism. The right way of obtaining an insurance policy is to go through a registered broker.

Failure to do this means that, one would fall into the hands of fake practitioners.

–Mr Adegboyega Adepegba, Director-General, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN)

THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Obasanjo seeks sanction for Procurement Act violators • Jonathan promises to fix infrastructure

F

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo yes terday gave the Federal Government a wake-up call in its battle against corruption, saying violators of the Public Procurement Act must be sanctioned to stop others.

He spoke at the Fourth Anniversary of the Bureau of Public Procurement in Abuja.

Obasanjo, who was expressing his concern about the procurement process in the country, said for the law to be implemented to the letter, it must be effective.

He said his administration had begun the system and it should be sustained.

He sought the collective efforts of both government and the citizenry for the sustenance of the Act. Obasanjo added that the Federal Government assigned the World Bank to review the Nigerian procurement process and the bank came up with two reports for analysis.

He said the government embarked on a comparative analysis of the procurement process of other countries with Nigeria and the outcome was that Nigeria lacked a modern law for procurement sys-

• Obasanjo (left), Chief Anyim and Ezeh at the forum...yesterday.

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

tem.

Obasanjo recalled that there was also the challenge of finance and fiscal responsibility, which had paved ways for bribery and corruption because of the proliferation of the tender boards.

Ezeh pointed out that most of the challenges in the implementation of the Act is that “the power that resisted the reform is still around, but with government’s support we are doing the much we can.”

Speaking, the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan noted that many challenges confront the implementation of the Act. Jonathan said the Federal Government has also received reports of collusion between civil servants and contractors and cases of contractors abandoning projects after receiving advance payments.

Besides, the President said there was also the problem of name dropping

in attempts to intimidate officials of the BPP. Meanwhile,President Jonathan yesterday restated the commitment of his administration to strengthening the economy and fix major infrastructure.

He said this at the swearing-in of his Chief Economic Adviser, Prof.

Nwanze Okidegbe and Special Adviser, Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Prof. Sylvester Monye.

During the ceremony at the State House, Abuja, Jonathan said his adminis-

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

tration was aware of the critical nature of the nation’s economy and would do everything possible to strengthen it.

The President said he was careful in selecting his economic team by focusing on people with background experience and not “learners” He told the appointees, both from Delta State, that they were selected not for political reasons, but to play key roles in supporting the Economic Team.

S’Africa’s Telkom loses $1b in Nigeria, says minister

S

OUTH African parastatal phone com pany Telkom’s Nigerian unit has lost more than $1billion as it struggles to establish itself in the highly

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

-N7.82 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -10.2% Treasury Bills -2.64% Normal lending -24% Prime lending -18% Savings rate -3% 91-day NTB -6.99% Time Deposit - 6% MPR -8% Foreign Reserve -$34.4bn FOREX CFA 0.281 • 210 £ 241.00 $ 150.00 ¥ 1.5652 SDR 241.5 RIYAL 39.3

By Adline Atili with agency report

competitive market, South Africa’s Communications Minister, Roy Padayachie, said yesterday.

Telkom has lost 7.4 billion rand ($1.1 billion, 760 million euro) on its Nigerian unit Multi-Links since taking it over in January 2009, Padayachie said in a written reply to South African lawmakers questioning Telkom’s “failed efforts to

gain ground”in Nigeria.

“Telkom underestimated the highly competitive nature of the Nigerian telecommunications market and also failed to build and manage appropriate distribution channels,” he said.

He said Multi-Links had an operating loss of 522 million rand for the 2009 financial year and one billion rand for the 2010 financial year.

Telkom was also forced to cut the Nigerian unit’s estimated value by 5.8 billion rand, he

said.

The South African government owns a 38 per cent stake in Telkom. Padayachie said the state had “raised its dismay” over the write-off at the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting in 2010.

Telkom bought a 75 per cent stake in Multi-Links in 2007 and took over the remaining 25 per cent of the cell phone operator two years later, paying $130 million.

At the time, it touted the buy as a landmark deal that would

diversify its revenue stream under pressure at home from private cell providers - and expand its footprint on the continent.

But Multi-Links has struggled using a technology that has little share in the Nigerian market, code-division multiple access (CDMA). Nigeria is dominated by global system for mobile communications (GSM).

CDMA phones won’t work on a GSM network and vice versa.

Oando grows first half profit by 33%

O

ANDO Plc grew its pre-tax profit by 33 per cent in the first half as the turnover of the energy group rose by 55 per cent.

Unaudited report of Oando for the six-month period ended June 30, 2011 showed that the group’s profit before tax rose from N9.6 billion in first half of 2010 to N12.8 billion in 2011. The group had recorded a gross profit of N33.23 billion, representing an increase of 20 per cent on N27.7 billion posted in the comparable period of 2010.

By Taofik Salako

Key highlights of the report showed that turnover grew by 55 per cent to N267.8 billion compared to N172.9 billion in 2010 while profit after tax rose by 25 per cent to N6.7 billion as against N5.3 billion in previous week.

Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, Mr Wale Tinubu, said the half-year results underline the group’s focus on building and developing the higher margin upstream and midstream divisions while sustaining its performance in

the downstream division.

He said the company focused on the development of its exploration and production assets to ensure that it can increase its production and benefit from the favourably high crude oil prices.

“Our energy services business maintained a 98 per cent rig up time on drilling operations and we are finalising the refurbishment of the third rig, which has already been awarded a drilling contract by an international oil company. We completed the con-

struction of our second pipeline franchise in the East, which will soon be operational and we look forward to additional customer connects from the expansion of our Lagos gas pipeline,” Tinubu said.

Tinubu noted that group approached the second half of the year with the promise of a renewed drive in the promotion of an enabling environment for indigenous participation in the oil sector, ultimately, resulting in superior value creation for the shareholder.

Naira firms at interbank, down at auction

T

HE naira firmed slightly against the dollar on the interbank market yesterday after two energy companies sold dollars to selected lenders, traders said.

The naira, according to Reuters, traded at N152.30 to the dollar on the interbank compared to N152.35 at Friday’s close and in spite of a slight depreciation at the official window.

At a bi-weekly auction, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold $400 million at N150.26 to the dollar, less than the $545.5 million demanded but higher than the $250 million sold at N150.11 to the dollar at its previous auction.

Traders said the market failed to react to the unmet demand at the official window due to some inflows from energy companies.

French oil company Total sold about $25 million, while Royal Dutch Shell is expected to announce the result of winning bids for its $120 million sales on today.

“The market remained calm and failed to react to the unmet demand of over $145 million at the CBN auction as a result of some inflows from monthend dollar sales by oil companies,” one currency trader said.

SEC considers Intercontinental, Access Bank merger

T

HE Securities and Ex change Commission (SEC) yesterday said it was considering a merger application between Access Bank and Intercontinental Bank, paving way for the rescued lender to be recapitalised, an official told Reuters.

Intercontinental was one of nine banks rescued in $4 billion bailout by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) about two years ago. It said in March it would combine its operations with Access Bank, to meet minimum post-bailout capital levels.

The deal was subject to obtaining regulatory and shareholder approvals. Details on the merger were not disclosed and both Access and Intercontinental could not be reached immediately for comments.

“We have received a premerger notice regarding the combination of Access Bank and Intercontinental Bank and it is being considered,” Lanre Oloyi, spokesman for the SEC told Reuters.

Access Bank Chief Executive Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede told reporters in March the two institutions were a perfect match.

He said Access was active in corporate banking while Intercontinental had a strong retail brand, creating an ideal business model combination.

Access Bank, a mid-sized lender, has a market value of around N120 billion ($787.9 million), while Intercontinental Bank, which had 86 per cent of its shares free float and 14 per cent held by directors at the end of last year, is worth around one-sixth of Access.

12

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

BUSINESS NEWS Coke bottler CCH to buy out Nigerian arm

Flight Schedule MONDAY - FRIDAY

G

REEK Coke bottler Coca-Cola Hellenic (CCH) has won shareholders approval to buy out the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) and turn it into a wholly-owned subsidiary in a deal worth $136 million, its local unit said yesterday.

CCH, the world’s second-largest bottler of Coca-Cola, which already holds 66.4 per cent of the NBC, said it will de-list the local unit from the stock exchange on September 7, according to its scheme document.

CCH bottles and distributes Coke, Sprite and Fanta in 27 countries in Europe and in Nigeria, which accounted for 16.6 per cent of its total sales volume last year, Reuters said.

Shareholders in NBC, which holds the Coca-Cola franchise in Africa’s most populous nation, will receive N47 ($0.31) per share under the deal.

Shares in NBC closed at N43 after the announcement, representing an 11 per cent premium.

Industry sources say CCH plans to invest about $300 million in the local business to expand operations over the next two years to fend off competition.

• From left: Group Managing Director, Sterling Bank Group, Mr Yemi Adeola; Chairman, Bhushan Poner and Steel India, Sanjay Singal and Vice Chairman, Bhushan Poner and Steel India, Mr Aniket Singal, during a courtesy visit to Sterling Bank Head Office by the Bhushan Poner and Steel executives in Lagos.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

Union protests over Maritime Bill

T

HE Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) yester day threatened to shut seaports to protest the planned establishment of the Maritime Security and Safety Agency.

The threat came on a day officers and men of the Maritime Guard Command domiciled with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), arrested five stowaways aboard an Argentina bound vessel, MV New Glory.

In a petition signed by its President, Mr Tony Nted and Secretary-General, Mr Aham Ubani, and sent to President Goodluck Jonathan, the union claimed that the Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and Security (PICOMSS) planned to establish another agency, which it said, was unacceptable.

It described such an agency as a duplication of the existing Federal Government agency, NIMASA.

• NIMASA evacuates five stowaways

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

Copies of the petition were also sent to the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Minister of Transport.

It said that the draft bill captioned “Maritime Security Bill 2009’’ was first presented to the National Assembly in January 2010.

‘The draft was presented to the National Assembly and public hearing on it was held on January 13, 2010.

The bill is slated for another public hearing on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the operation for the rescue of the stowaways, according to a statement from NIMASA, came shortly after distress signals were recieved at the Regional Maritime Rescue Cordination Centre located

in Kirikiri, Lagos last Friday night.

The Captain of the Vessel Mr Kagogiannis Georgios, according the statement, informed NIMASA officials on watch at the radio room that he had noticed some strange people on Board his vessel, which was supposed to have only 23 Philipino crew members.

In line with the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, which provides for timely evacuation of stowaways from merchant vessels, officials of NIMASA Search and Rescue team and the Maritime Guard Command acted swiftly as boats provided by Global West Maritime Services were mobilised for the operation. In the early hours of Saturday, the NIMASA team used its Global Maritime Distress Safety System and the Long Range Identi-

fication Tracking System to locate MV New Glory about four miles South of Lagos Fairway Buoy and boarded the Vessel.

“The operation, which lasted over three hours led to the discovery of five stowaways of Nigerian nationality who were found in the compartment directly above the rudder head, which opened to the vessels blowerroom. They are from Kwara, Anambra, Enugu, Delta and Adamawa states.

“The stowaways were immediatly aprehended and were handed over to officials of the Nigerian Imigration Service for further prosecution,” the statement said.

MV NEW GLORY is a Merchant Vessel, which brought bulk cement to Nigeria and the stowaways were discovered midstream after setting sail for San Lorenzo Port in Argentina.

Sterling Bank’s Q2 profit hits N3.2b

S

TERLING Bank Plc strengthened its balance sheet and improved on profitability in the first half as the bank surpassed the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) five per cent industry target for non-performing loans and increased total capital by 39 per cent.

Interim report and accounts of Sterling Bank for the first-half ended June 30, 2011 and approved yesterday by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), showed that the underlying profitability of the bank’s core banking operations improved during the period with a net interest margin of 48 per cent in 2011 compared with about 47.6 per cent in comparable period of 2010.

The increase in profitability during the period was significant given impressive improvement in assets quality with the proportion of non-performing loans to total loans and advances to 4.9 per cent as against about 12 per cent in December 2010. The bank had grown net loans and ad-

By Taofik Salako

vances by 20 per cent to N124.3 billion compared with N103.8 billion in December 2010.

Key highlights of the report showed that gross earnings rose by 11 per cent to N18.2 billion as against N16.3 billion in the comparable period of 2010, while operating income rose by 12 per cent to N11.6 billion from N10.3 billion in the comparable period of 2010, reflecting improvement in noninterest income.

The report indicated that profit before tax and allowances for risk assets grew by 24 per cent to N3.2 billion while profit after tax stood at N2.6 billion.

The bank achieved a generally healthy and liquid balance sheet with increase in deposits, reduction in bad loans, rise in total assets and appreciable growth in ordinary and total capital during the period.

Net loan-to-deposit ratio stood at

69 per cent while liquidity ratio and capital adequacy ratio closed first half at 43 per cent and 14 per cent. Total assets had grown by seven per cent to N296 billion from N277.1 billion in December 2010 while deposits rose to N209.1 billion as against N203.1 billion in December 2010. Net loans and advances increased to N124.3 billion as against N103.8 billion in December 2010.

The bank increased total capital to N36.22 billion to put itself well ahead of the minimum capital requirement of N25 billion for its banking operations. Ordinary equity funds had increased from N26.12 billion in December 2010 to about 29 billion.

Speaking on the performance of the bank during the period, Group Managing Director, Sterling Bank, Mr. Yemi Adeola, said the bank’s priority in the second half would be to accelerate the creation of risk assets, pursue deeper market pen-

etration of its products to gain a larger share of customer wallet and sustain growth of the retail share of its deposit mix for enhanced margins.

He said the board and management have adopted a long-term view of Sterling Bank’s appropriate strategic objectives and are aligning operations and investments to accomplish these in a manner that delivers shareholder value.

The Sterling Bank boss noted that to ensure adequate resources are available to pursue the objectives in the short-term, the bank has successfully raised N7.5 billion in non-convertible debenture stock from a local investor group, which signified investors’ confidence in the bank’s growth agenda.

He assured that the bank would continue to explore opportunities to improve services and products to customers and improve returns to shareholders and other stakeholders.

Why helicopters can’t fly at night, by NCAA chief

T

HE Director-General of Nige ria Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren, yesterday gave reasons why helicopters including those for offshore operations cannot operate at night.

He said helicopters cannot move at night because the communication masts that litter the flight path-

way obstruct air safety and the inability to switch on to the new performance-based navigation.

Demuren, who spoke at the launch of the road-map to the implementation of Performance-based Navigation for Nigeria (PBN), explained that request for night operations by the major helicopter operators could not be approved until these

obstacles are taken care of.

He said the major telecommunications companies would be engaged on how the installation of such masts constitutes a major threat to air safety.

The NCAA boss also cited inclement weather as another hurdle that militated against the approval.

He explained that the implemen-

tation of performance-based navigation will enhance flight safety and save the costs of aviation fuel for operators.

PBN offers helicopter operators and pilots many advantages, such as the ability to develop nonlinear, helicopter-specific flight paths that avoid obstacles, terrain, and fixedwing traffic routes.

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

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

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

1.

2.

3.

4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1.

2.

3.

4.

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

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

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

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

2.

3.

4.

5.

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

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

1.

2.

3.

4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

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

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

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

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 11.15 13.15 15.50 18.00

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

08.00 18.00

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

13

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

MARITIME

Dredging of Lagos channels boosts traffic T

HE Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and other stakeholders have expressed satisfaction with the berthing of the WAFMAX vessel No 2340 at Apapa port.

The WAFMAX is the largest container carrying vessel to visit the ports following the dredging and maintenance of the Lagos channel.

The 249.12-metre long vessel has a capacity of 4,500 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs). It is H.H.P. type with model number KT-157B5 and its weight is 10, 575kg. The grade is GR 3 and the thrust is 17.7 tonnes.

Stakeholders said they were happy because the Lagos channels are accommodating vessels of higher draught without marine accidents on the nation’s waterways.

The WAFMAX vessel, named after Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, was inaugurated on March 5, with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) number 9525302 and berthed at Apapa port last week with 4, 500 containers.

Speaking during the official inauguration and naming of the ship at the Lagos Port Complex,Apapa, last week, the Vice-President, Africa Services of Maersk Line, Anders Boenaes, said the vessel was built by the world’s leading ship builder, Hyundai Heavy Industries in Korea and is on her maiden voyage.

He said more than $2 billion was spent on building the 22

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HE Importers Association of Nigeria (IAN) has asked the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, to take steps to curb cargo diversion to ports of neighbouring countries.

It said importation is being stalled because the policies being implemented by agencies at the ports were not importers-friendly.

Speaking on behalf of other importers at the Tin Can Island port in Lagos, a member of the group, Samuel Johnson, said the Federal Government has failed in its responsibility on cargo diversion and urged the new minister to ar-

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

WAFMAX vessels.

Managing Director of Maersk Nigeria Limited, David Skov, said the vessel was purposely-built to provide Maersk Line’s Asian customers with direct services to West African ports.

Managing Director of NPA Omar Suleiman and the wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Mrs. Obioma Imoke, who is also the Godmother of the ship, said the successful berthing of the vessel has given hope to the dream of Nigeria to become the hub in the West and Central African sub-regions.

Suleiman said the successful berthing of the vessel at Apapa was as a result of consistent government dredging of the Lagos channel.

The visit by the vessel, Suleiman said, was an indication that the nation’s waters can now accommodate bigger vessels and that the berthing would go a long way to solidify the nation’s position as having one of the leading ports in Africa.

Suleiman said the vessel was brought into the country through the ports concession efforts of the Federal Government and Private, Public-Partnership (PPP) with one of the leading global shipping lines, Maersk Nigeria Limited.

He said the port concession is a step towards the actualisation of Nigeria’s dream of a hub port status in the West and Central African sub-region.

• From right: Captain Amol Anant Ogale; Suleiman and Chief Enginer of the ship Ken K. Thet, at the event.

PHOTOS: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

•Mrs. Liyel-Imoke at the event.

According to him, vessel traffic into the Lagos Ports has been on the increase since 2007, when the

Federal Government concessioned the port and transferred marine services, one of the primary responsibilities of the NPA to the international shipping community, to the private sector.

The increase, he said, was as a result of constant maintenance dredging of the Lagos Channel and improved pilotage services to vessels calling at the port.

In his speech Boenaes said the vessel was built by the world’s leading ship builder, Hyundai Heavy Industries in Korea and is on her maiden voyage.

A member of Importers Association of Nigeria, Mr Frances Adepegba, told The Nation that the government used the port concession programme to turnaround port operations in Lagos, saying that the government took

Minister urged to curb diversion rest the situation.

He said the government has not carried out its duties effectively and urged Umar, to take his appointment seriously by finding solutions to why Nigerian ports are so unattractive to importers.

He said: “Nigerian ports are under–utilised. The ports in Ghana, Cotonou, Belgium and Togo are all beneficiaries of the poor port system in the country.”

Johnson attributed cargo diversion to cumbersome and multiple

tariff regimes at the ports and urged the minister to review the tariffs.

Another importer, Sesan Owolabi, said Nigerian importers prefer to use the ports of neighbouring countries, not because they are not patriotic, but because of bad policies.

Owolabi said Customs agents should not be blamed for all the woes at the ports because their assignment and job is not to kill trade, but boost it “One of the major functions of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS),

is to collect revenue for the government and Customs officials should stop behaving as if they are the managers of the ports,” Owolabi said.

He added: “We have port managers; Customs is directly under the Ministry of Finance, so why must importers continue to blame Customs? They are there to implement government policies.

They don’t formulate the policies, but they are agents of implementation. But the reason why some

a good decision to concession ports operations and marine services within the nation’s maritime industry.

WAFMAX vessels are one of the most fuel-efficient, using 30 per cent less fuel per container moved than the industry average on the Asia-Africa trade.

Those at the event included former Head of Interim National Government (ING), Chief Ernest Shonekan; Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke and his wife; Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Senator Isaiah Balat; wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola; President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Chief Kola Jamodu; Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council, Captain Adamu Biu among others.

of our members prefer to use neighbouring ports to bring in their cargo is to maximise profit, which is the major goal of every businessman.

“You have the service providers that prepare RAR (Risk Assessment Report) and that RAR is what gives Customs insight into the duty they are going to collect. Remember that the duty of Customs at the port is to collect revenue for the government but the practice whereby shipping companies have formed themselves into a cartel for exploitation is bad and we want the new minister to address it.”

Agbakoba challenges govt on shipping policy

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ARITIME lawyer and human rights activist Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) has urged the Federal Government to fashion out a comprehensive shipping policy to promote the maritime industry.

He was speaking with reporters in his office in Apapa, Lagos.

Agbakoba said the maritime industry, is a N7 trillion industry that needs to be protected by the government to boost the economy and generate employment for millions of Nigerians.

He said the Nigeria could be the number one on maritime in Africa if good policies are put in place by the government.

The human rights activist called for a comprehensive policy that would transform the maritime sector to international standard.

In most developed countries such as America and Britain which the

•Minister of Transport, Idris Umar

• Agbakoba

country is trying to emulate, Agbakoba said there exists a ministry of shipping. He urged the

President to create a similar ministry in the country to attract local and foreign investors.

He praised the transformation programme of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Agbakoba said agencies, such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), should be transformed to an executive regulator status to enable them to carry out their oversight functions outside the bureaucracy of the ministry supervising them.

He said he was not happy that the minister of transport is vested with the power to give waivers on issues that basically need to do with NIMASA and called for the review of the Cabotage Act and the law that established NIMASA. The management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Agbakoba said, should be empowered to carry out its regulatory functions without interference from the Ministry of Transport.

Agbakoba also bemoaned a situation where the nation’s shipping industry is dominated by foreigners and urged the Federal Government to formulate policies that would make it mandatory for Nigerians to carry out 80 per cent of the jobs in the maritime sector.

He, however, advised operators and stakeholders in the maritime industry to key into President Jonathan’s agenda so as to move the county and the sector forward.

President Jonathan, Agbakoba said, has a laudable agenda for the maritime industry that needs to be supported by every patriotic Nigerian.

He was not happy because most terminal operators have not fulfilled their port concession agreement and urged the government to make the agreement public so that Nigerians would hold them accountable.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

MARITIME

Customs seizes N400m goods, arrests two suspects H

ARD times await smugglers around Seme border as officers and men of the command, are doing everything possible to curb smuggling.

The Customs Area Comptroller, Sahabi Abubakar Sadiq, said over 7,500 bags of rice, vehicles, textiles, vegetable oil and poultry products were seized by the command in the last few weeks.

Other items seized by the command, included narcotics, soap, second hand clothes, bags and shoes among other illegal items.

Sadiq said the value of the goods and the narcotics, was over N400 million. He put the revenue generated by the command between January and June this year at N2.759 billion.

He said his officers arrested two suspects who were involved in illegal exportation of two giant industrial concrete mixing machines valued at over N8.87 million.

The machines, Sadiq said, were imported for local engagement but later diverted for export to Ghana before Customs officials intercepted them.

The attempt, Sadiq said, was a clear case of capital flight as it violates the country’s ex-

T

• Sadiq displaying one of the seized vehicles.

By Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

port regulation. The two suspects, including a foreigner, the Customs chief said, have been taken to court.

Sadiq said the seizure and prosecution of those involved

in the illegal activities, became necessary so as to serve as deterrent and warning signals to other potential smugglers using the Seme border, stressing that anyone caught would be made to face the wrath of the law, no matter

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

how small the quantity of prohibited goods involved.

He said the intensification of the anti-smuggling drive became necessary to generate more revenue; woo importers and agents to the nation’s ports.

By Uyoatta Eshiet,

the cost on importers.

His organisation, he said, has not been able to get all stakeholders to agree on the best way to do this. “We have, therefore, decided to go with a second option which will still involve moving the containers into our own trucks to the scanning site and passing them through the scanners, so we will reduce transaction time and eliminate waiting time at the scanner,” Hampton

said.

“Trucks had to wait several days in the past to take turns through the scanner, a situation which added to the cost incurred by importers in terms of truck hire and which also elongates transaction time.”

Hampton said even though the factors which led to the delay in scanning containers prior to the new logistics arrangement were not within the control of his company, APM Terminals had to step in to proffer a solution.

Currently, less than 100 containers are scanned at the terminal daily but with the new system, Hampton said, up to 200 containers can be scanned daily, adding that his firm would reduce the burden of importers and agents.

Hampton praised the Apapa Area One Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the service provider, Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited for cooperating with APM Terminals in driving the new initiative.

Tin-Can Customs complies with CG’s directives

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HE Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) com mand, Tin-Can Ports complex, has denied reports that the command is flouting the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi on cargo examination and release at the ports.

In response to complaints of extortions and delay in cargo clearance, Abdullahi had directed that only the Customs units directly involved with cargo examination should do

By Uyoatta Eshiet

so, but freight forwarders groups complained that the Command flouted the directive.

Agents operating at the Tin-Can Ports Command, alleged that the agreement reached between the Comptroller-General and the freight forwarders group regarding timely clearance of cargo was not fully implemented. They alleged that other units, such as enforcement, valuation and gate of-

ficers were still conducting examination.

Speaking with The Nation in his office, the command’s Public Relation’s Officer, Chris Osunkwo, who spoke on behalf of the command’s Comptroller, Eporwei Edike, said the allegation is baseless.

He said the Comptoller, being a responsible officer, has just presented certificates of examination which he designed to make the examination and clearance processes faster.

The certificate, Osunkwe ex-

plained, has a provision where the officer involved in the process will append his signature and service number. In the event that anything goes wrong, the officer involved will be held accountable.

Regarding the CG’s directive, Osunkwo, said only the resident officer of Customs intelligent unit should take part in examination of cargo.

The enforcement and valuation unit now relies on the certificates duly signed by the officer authorised to do so.

Security agents urge to collaborate

S

ECURITY agencies at the port have been urged to collaborate and work in the interest of the nation as the country faces security challenges.

The General Manager, Sean and Land Ventures, Mr. Festus Adeleye, has advocated strong cooperation among the various security agencies operating at the nation’s ports to aid the shar-

NPA tasks bomb experts on safety Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

MANAGING Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Omar Suleiman has charged the Commissioner of Police, Explosives Ordinance Disposal Unit, Mr Ambrose Aisabor Ogbemudia to ensure better security, by assigning more vigilant bomb experts at the gates to monitor vehicles coming into and going out of the ports as well as smaller boats operating along the channels.

Speaking when he received the Commissioner of Police in his office, Suleiman declared that the NPA will assist the command to procure some of the necessary equipment as part of her corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.

The NPA boss assured that he will consult with the Nigerian Customs Services to see whether it could deploy scanners to the gates so that it would be easier to discover explosives and ensure a safer port.

Ogbemudia stated that NPA is strategic and synonymous with the nation’s economy and as such the Federal Government is interested in her affairs.

He added that with the new dimension of security problems in the country, the police is doing a lot to put the situation under control with emphasis on prevention rather than cure.

While assuring the NPA of the provision of Manpower from the Anti-Bomb command, he solicited the support of NPA in the provision of some of the equipment needed.

Customs decries poor revenue allocation

APM Terminal to fast-track delivery HE management of APM Terminals, operators Apapa, Container Terminal, has concluded arrangements to take over logistics for scanning of containers at the terminal.

Its Managing Director, Dallas Hampton, said the arrangement would increase output in terms of the number of containers scanned by up to 100 per cent.

The arrangement, he said, was borne out of concern to reduce bottlenecks associated with clearing procedure at the port, while reducing

Maritime Watch

By Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

ing of security information.

He said such an improvement in the management and dissemination of securityrelated information should be worked at to reduce the tension that sensitive security information often generated among members of the public.

The call, Adeleye said be-

came necessary with the spate of violence and the recent bombing in the country.

In order to check the reoccurrence of such ugly incidence, he said government agencies at port should intensify efforts to realise the objectives of the pre-shipment inspection scheme.

This, he explained, would ensure that the contents of all imported cargoes coming

into the country were predetermined even before their arrival.

He said, “We will continue to intensify the realisation of the pre-shipment inspection scheme. Through the efficient implementation of the scheme, all the contents of imported cargoes into the country will be predetermined even before their arrival into the country.”

THE Nigeria Customs Service has decried poor revenue allocated to it.

With about N206 billion budgetary allocation approved for it in the last 10 years, the Service said it was looking up to the collection of four per cent of freight on shipment of crude oil and other goods exported from the country on Free on Board (FOB) basis.

Free on Board is a trade term whereby the buyer determines the carrier of the products, thereby depriving indigenous shipping companies of participation in the lucrative oil lifting business.

The Comptroller-General, Alhaji Dikko Inde Abdullahi, said in Abuja, that the service was looking for a better system of funding, besides the seven per cent cost of revenue collection granted it recently by the Federal Government.

“The management has no doubt positively touched the fortunes of the service through its vision on Customs reforms. And you can see this more conspicuously in the area of our budgetary allocation, which during the period granted the agency N205,971,417,465.70 as budgetary allocation.”

IMO agrees on energy standards THE International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has agreed on energy efficiency design standards for all new ships.

Apparently this is going to be done to help cut greenhouse gas emissions.

However, it does appear that more “developing” countries will more than likely delay this implementation by using a waiver.

Reports show that some 48 countries have voted in favour of this new energy efficiency design index for ships.

There were only five countries against it and 12 abstained.

The committee met in London at the weekend.

Reports already suggest that this new regulation is going to be in force by 2013.

Right now the European Commission said that they believed that this was a step in the right direction.

A spokesman for the Commission said that that did not mean that the Commission would not propose anything for maritime next year. Overall, they are looking at options and trying to find ways that the maritime sector could be improved and have its emissions reduced.

People already know that the aviation industry is all set to be included in the Energy Saving Trust (EST) by 2012.

Pirates’ attacks rise THE number of pirate attacks on ships the world over has gone up to 266 this year.

According to Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) of International Maritime Bureau (IMB), the figure for the same period last year was 196.

The report released late last week pointed out that more than 60 per cent of the attacks were by Somali pirates, and majority of the piracy and armed robbery against ships were in the Arabian Sea area. As of June 30, Somali pirates were holding 20 vessels and 420 crew, and demanding ransoms of millions of dollars for their release, it added.

“In the last six months, Somali pirates attacked more vessels than ever before and they’re taking higher risks,” said IMB director Pottengal Mukundan. Although Somali pirates are more active - 163 attacks this year up from 100 in the first six months of 2010 - they managed to hijack fewer ships, just 21 in the first half of 2011 compared with 27 in the same period last year. This, the report says, is both thanks to increased ship hardening and to the actions of international naval forces to disrupt pirate groups off the east coast of Africa. “It is vital that this naval presence be sustained or increased,” he asserted.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

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TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

•ACN Senators yesterday paid a courtesy visit to Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola. (L-R) Senators Chris Ngige, Lawali Shuaibu, Fashola, Oluremi Tinubu, Ganiyu Solomon and Gbenga Ashafa on front row.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Niger: Aliyu swims against rough tides Against all odds, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu’s second-term attempt as Niger State governor got voters’ nod in April.

JIDE ORINTUNSIN takes a look at the style he has adopted since May 29 when his fresh mandate took effect.

I

N 2007, the hope of the people of Niger State was high. Their expectations were reinforced by the pedigree of the then newly elected governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, a technocrat. He was expected to bring his vast experience to bear on governance of the state.

Having served as Permanent Secretary in nine Ministries, including the Cabinet Office, the electorate in the state overwhelmingly voted him in as the fourth civilian governor of ‘The Power State’ for four years. The mandate was renewed in an election that surprised even the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state as it was preceded by a much touted, ‘Hurricane CPC’ in April.

Accepting the mandate, Aliyu assured the people of the state of his resolve to continue his pragmatic and people-oriented programmes which he started in 2007. But, he also vowed to aggressively prosecute an urban infrastructural development scheme, ensure improvement of the rural areas and revive the agricultural base of the agrarian state.

The two-term governor also pledged to improve on the social sector of the state.

Aliyu, who is fondly called ‘Chief Servant’, pledged to build on the foundation he laid four years ago, to transform the state into one of the best three economies in the country, via his ‘Vision 3: 2020’.

The pace at which Aliyu intended to achieve these set goals left many political watchers in the state wondering if the civil servantturned-politician meant business. They were quick to point out to his inability to form a cabinet weeks after Justice Jibrin Ndajiwo, the state chief judge, swore him in for the second term.

Besides the appointment of Mr. Daniel Shashere, a serving Permanent Secretary as Secretary to the State Government (SSG), he retained his former SSG, Dr. Mohammed Yahaya to the office of Chief of Staff and appointed Danladi Ndayebo as the Chief Press Secretary.

Unlike in 2007; when Aliyu placed merit above political considerations in appointing his commissioners, a proportionate mix of the two prisms was adopted this time to form a new 21-member cabinet. This explained why his nominees had a smooth sail but for the nomination of Hon. Ndako Idris Kpaki,

who was initially rejected by his people from Mokwa local government area. Youths in the area blocked the only road linking the Southwest with the North at Mokwa, protesting Kpaki’s nomination. The party had to wade in to save the governor’s nominee.

With the swearing in of the new commissioners on last week, Aliyu looks set to continue where he paused on May 28. The retention of nine of the former members in the new cabinet is expected to help in consolidating the past achievements, while the injection of new blood will further rejuvenate the council. The retention of Dr. Babamini Sule as the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Development was seen by political watchers as the best decision in view of the achievements that the gynaecologistturned-politician recorded when he first took over the ministry in 2009.

Sule, an alumnus of the prestigious National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPS) Kuru, added value to the infrastructural development drive of Aliyu and is expected to see to the completion of the 10-kilometre local/state joint road construction in each of the 25 local government areas and all the bond-funded roads in the state.

The retention of Dr. Peter Saraki in the Education Ministry and posting of Dr. Mustapha Lemu to Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Technology are expected to give the needed drive to the education sector. The two appointees will bring their vast experience to bear in giving the sector to the envisioned third best in the country.

Politically, Aliyu who is fondly called by his traditional title, “Talba Minna,” may not be having turbulent times with the legislature. With the dominance of his party (PDP) in the state House of Assembly, with 23 of the 27-member legislative House under the same ‘umbrella’ with him, political watchers noted that Aliyu’s second term may experience less fiction. The expected cordial relationship between the executive and the legislative arms became evident with the smooth approval of all Aliyu’s nominees for executive council appointment.

Aliyu may also cash in on the virtual nonexistence of a formidable opposition in the state. But this will be at the expense of democracy because in the state, opposition only

• Aliu

comes alive during election years. Except for David Umaru, a lawyer, of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), who, as gathered, may be quitting politics, no personality or party is set to provide any opposition to Aliyu.

Hurdles to scale As the administration settles down to work, Aliyu will have to contend with the poor economic base of the state. With a paltry monthly revenue of N2.7 billion from the federation account N1 billion internally generated revenue, the N6 billion infrastructural development loan (partly being repaid), and the new N18,000 minimum wage, the second tenure of the governor may be sailing against stormy tide.

Top officials of his administration, including the state Head of Service, Alhaji Ahmed Matane, were ready to open their books to

anybody who cares to see. The state, according to Matane, will require over N3.6 billion monthly to pay the minimum wage bill of its 32,000 workers. The revenue available to the state is grossly inadequate to meet payment of salary of civil servants and political appointees, let alone the cost of running government and executing capital projects.

The financial plight of the state is further encumbered by the mandatory ‘Irrevocable Standing Order’ monthly deduction from the state allocation to service the N6 billion bond and some projects executed under its Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects.

The financial condition of the state further puts to doubt, the possibility of Aliyu’s administration to commence some of the projects proposed during his first term. These projects include the multi-billion-naira Garam City, Suleja Twin City, the contentious Five-Star Hotel in Minna, on which the state has so far expended N500 million and the Minna Airport City project.

Other projects that are still being incubated in files in various Ministries include, Minna City Towers, construction of world tallest building on the legendary Zuma Rock and the construction of the 3000 housing units, being the shortfall of the proposed 4000 units made in 2008. Fears are also expressed by some concerned citizens in the state over the construction of a new stadium in the state capital.

Aside from this, majority of jobless youths that stuck out their necks to vote in Aliyu during the April general elections are anxiously waiting for employment, especially those who have gone through the ‘Graduate Engagement Scheme’ with their names on the ‘waiting list’ in the Civil Service Commission.

If Aliyu had attempted to transform the urban centres in the past years, those at the grassroots are clamouring for similar transformations in the rural areas in the next four years.

Hopes are high, promises are flying. Will Aliyu be able to deliver? By May 2015, will the Nigerlites be able to say that their investment in Talba’s second term brought them the much-desired dividends of democracy?

All eyes are focused on Aliyu, the claim man of the North’s 19 governors..

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

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POLITICS

Five aspirants for Lagos PDP chair

F

ORMER Works Minister Prince Adeseye Ogunlewe, former Presidential Assistant on Ecology Chief Bode Oyedele and frontline medical practitioner Dr Yomi Finnih are among the gladiators jostling for the chairmanship of the Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The guidelines for the party congress is not yet out, but aspirants for the party offices have begun underground campaigns across the three senatorial districts.

A source also said that the former House of Assembly member Hamid Olorunoje, former caretaker chairman Adebayo Williams and Hon. Rahman Owokoniran, a former commissioner in Lagos State may join the race.

Apart from losing the recent general elections, Lagos PDP has been divided over the ministerial nominee list sent to President Goodluck Jonathan, who picked Dr Segun Aganga, an indigene of another state, who was not recommended by the party leadership.

Hit by post-primary crisis, scores of chieftains, including former Minister of State for Agriculture Demola Seriki, former Transport Commissioner Lanre Rasak, former secretary Wale Mogaji, Publicity Secretary Dr Wale Ahmed and former House of Representatives member from Epe Constituency Hon. Tunde Salau, dumped the party for ACN. Their grouse was that the party

• Ogunlewe

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

leader, Chief Olabode George, has personalised the machinery of the party through an alleged stooge, Hon. Setonji Koshoedo, who is the chairman of the divided chapter. Koshoedo, who tried in vain to unite the various caucuses, is not expected to run at the congress.

Ogunlewe, sources said, has been holding consultations with the various caucuses led by High Commissioner to Ghana Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, former Presidential Adviser Mrs Modupe Sasore, Senator Wahab Dosunmu and Chief

Rafiu Jafojo.

A vocal politician, Ogunlewe, who retired as a Permanent Secretary in Lagos State Civil Service, was a senator on the platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD). When he defected to PDP and contested for the senate, he was defeated by the former Speaker of House of Assembly, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora.

However, he was appointed as a minister by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who later asked him to leave the cabinet following his refusal to actively support the third term agenda.

After leaving the federal cabinet, he contested for the governorship. However, he does not enjoy the support of George camp.

Oyedele is the PDP strongman in Ibeju-Lekki area, where he succeeded in installing a House of Representatives member during the rerun parliamentary poll. He is a grassroots politician held in high esteem by his constituency. Although he aspired for a ministerial slot, he was not considered by the President.

Finnih is an eminent Lagosian who takes pride in his noble birth and career success. He is rich and highly connected. A socialite, he has played his politics without hostility and bitterness. He is passionate about the growth of the party in the state.

He is a good organiser and mobiliser, especially in the social circle.

Adebayo proved his worth as caretaker chairman. He is bold, brave and articulate.

Rep seeks reduced cost of governance

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O reduce the controversial cost of governance in the country, a member of House of Representatives representing the Ekiti South Federal Constituency 11, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, has charged government to make the training and retraining of civil servants a priority.

The lawmaker who reasoned that the move would improve workers’ productivity gave the charge during a chat with The Nation after his thanksgiving ceremony at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, OdeEkiti in Gboyin Local Government area.

He called on government to refocus on the productivity of civil servants in the country, adding that government must ensure that civil servants are

By Dada Aladelokun, Assistant Editor

productive to justify what they earn.

According to the lawmaker, he said: “The cost of governance will go down considerably if civil servants are productive and essentially, if government avoids spending money on ghost workers and trances. The situation in which we are, calls for prudence and judicious use of the available resources in the country.

Specifically, he charged government to ensure retraining and regular verification of civil servants as priority to checkmate wasteful spending of the government, adding that they contribute to the development of any nation.

“Workers constitute an inte-

gral part of the soul of any nation that aspires to be great. This is why they must be taken care of by way of enablement. However, the government must be circumspect enough to avoid waste by doing everything possible to forestall wasteful expenditure,” he said.

Faparusi who was elected on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) lamented the way civil servants’ matters were being handled in the country, even as he called for the abolition of constituency allowances for lawmakers, saying that it amounted to duplication of efforts since the executive is saddled with project implementation.

‘Why corruption remains stubborn in Nigeria’ Benjamin Atebe, a lawyer bares his mind on burning national issues in this interview with SUNDAY OGUNTOLA.

H

OW would you rate the fight against corruption vis-à-vis performance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)?

The truth is that the EFCC has not been that effective. Apart from the MD/CEO of the five banks issue and also the debtors to these banks that they are still prosecuting, nothing much has been done in fighting corruption. It was not really their effort per se that led to those cases. It was the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). What I think of the EFCC is that it prepares charges and takes the people into custody. But after granting them bail, that is the end. One cannot really say that the EFCC has been able to prosecute any high-profile political/economic matter effectively to send jitters into the hearts of Nigerians. The only person you could say they have been able to prosecute successfully is the former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Southwest, Bode George. But even those charges were quite straightforward, so they’ve not really done much in terms of trying to fight corruption. I think even the EFCC officials themselves are gradually becoming victims of what they are constitutionally set up to fight. Nigerians are highly corrupt, so EFCC has to be determined or else they will not achieve anything. EFCC has not shown enough determination and seriousness. It can’t fight corruption from the pages of newspapers alone. And corruption is not only about those who owe banks. It consists of a lot such as economic sabotage; we don’t have electricity in Nigeria despite the policies of government. Who are those responsible? One individual controls a particular commodity, product and therein preventing competition so the person dictates the price etc. This is corruption too. Those who frustrate government policies from working are all part of corruption.

Sources of wealth need to be investigated and where in doubt such people should be made to be answerable. A man comes from obscurity without any meaningful means of livelihood and he spends over N500 million to contest a senatorial seat; he should be investigated.

But they recently took former Speaker Dimeji Bankole to court. Is that not a good sign that the agency is working?

The recent issue of Bankole appears to be a plus for EFCC and a show of some zeal and determination. But they should do more than charging him to court. They should set out for a proper prosecution. I have read and heard those sympathetic to Bankole say it’s the powers that be that are after him. I don’t understand that. While I may not be impressed with the effort of EFCC so far in fighting corruption, we should also not rubbish the little effort made. I feel disappointed in Bankole’s actions; it is sad because I sincerely believed that the young person and with the exposure he had would be different from the average Nigerian politician. He has sealed the clamour for generational change in our politics and made the youths look unprepared for governance. When he was voted as the Speaker considering his exposure, educational qualification, I was quite impressed. And I said to myself here comes our own Obama.

When I heard him speak for the first time, I wished he was our President.

It is unfortunate he allowed himself to be consumed with the system and he decided to be part of the system instead of being above it and I feel very sad for him. The EFCC is now the winner.

How can corruption be really tackled in the nation?

Like a former president once noted, government alone cannot fight corruption because it’s endemic, it’s in the system. The truth is that corruption cannot really leave Nigeria but it can be minimised. It’s more of an • Atete attitudinal disposition.

Criticism trails council chairmanship aspirant’s declaration

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GROUP known as Likemind Democratic Movement has decried the actions of council chairmanship aspirants in Isolo Local Council Development Area, condemning them for flouting the directives of the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) on the forthcoming council elections in Lagos State.

Speaking at a media parley, the leader of the group, Chief Adetola Okunnu explained that the leadership of the ACN in Lagos State had warned that no caucus should endorse any flag bearer for the council elections.

He said: “We frown at the declaration by one Shamsideen Abiodun Olaleye, who declared himself a candidate of the ACN

By Kunle Akinrinade

under a caucus called “The Crusader” when our political leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stated clearly that there should be no more caucus or splinter group before the election. We are therefore surprised that there still exist such groups in flagrant disregard for the directive by our party leaders.”

Okunnu explained further that the existence of such caucuses portends danger for the party if not checked.

“We strongly condemn the despicable action by the so called caucus and its ‘annointed’ candidate because this portends a danger for the elders and Aworis in Isolo.”

From left: Chairman, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice AbdulFatai Adeyinka; LASIEC Secretary, Mr Adeyinka Jeje and Head of Operation and Logistics, Hon Musbau Oyefeso during Stakeholders Meeting with Political Parties on Electoral Guidelines held at LASIEC premises, Sabo, Lagos.

PHOTO: TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION COMMENT

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Welcome probe Senate is right in wanting to beam the searchlight on the BPE, but will it bring results?

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HAT the call for a probe into the activities of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) is coming from the leadership of the Senate may be persuasively pleasing, but the credibility profile of the legislative chambers is suspect.

For the record, back in 2009, under the leadership of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation announced the planned probe of the apparent stalled efforts of the BPE to sell the Nigeria Telecommunication Limited (NITEL) and its mobile telecommunications arm, Mobile Telecommunication Limited. The committee, which was headed by Mr. Abbas Braimah, called for a public hearing on the state of affairs of the company, as part of its oversight function, and to shed light on countless stalled

‘These overwhelming testimonies of failure are indeed worrisome. For instance, if this is what the nine years of BPE could offer Nigerians, then, may be the Federal Government made a huge mistake with the policy initiative that established the bureau ab initio. It is not only that the BPE has been most unsuccessful in its primary responsibility; it has failed at great costs’

efforts by the bureau to resell it. Besides, the committee claimed to have “numerous petitions” in its possession on previous failed privatisation deals.

To the chagrin of Nigerians however, this singular effort of the lawmakers, and perhaps, other ‘behind-the-scene dealings’ resulted in the alleged sale of NITEL building to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Dimeji Bankole, by proxy. The present Senate may therefore begin to understand the reason for the little or no applause for its seemingly noble initiative to probe the BPE. The Federal Government owes Nigerians explanations on why the BPE could not deliver as anticipated. It is not about NITEL alone; nearly every other government parastatal privatised or schemed for privatisation has one tale of woe or the other to tell. The testimonies from the privatisation of NITEL, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Ajaokuta Steel Company and other government parastatals are sad reminders of how government and its agencies can bungle any initiative that could impact meaningfully on the lives of Nigerians.

The Daily Times story is particularly distressing. Rather than the core investors turning one of the foremost Nigerian newspapers around for the better, they merely stripped off its assets, particularly the landed properties, and sold them off.

As such, Daily Times was killed; not only were the dreams and aspirations of the founding fathers buried, the anticipated

and much-touted hopes of privatisation in terms of employment, economic reflation,etc., were also dashed.

In 2008, the Federal Government reversed itself at the last minute in its decision to return the management of NICON and Nigeria Re-insurance to Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim. These overwhelming testimonies of failure are indeed worrisome. For instance, if this is what the nine years of BPE could offer Nigerians, then, may be the Federal Government made a huge mistake with the policy initiative that established the bureau ab initio. It is not only that the BPE has been most unsuccessful in its primary responsibility; it has failed at great costs. For instance, when Orascom’s bid was rejected, Nigeria paid $800,000 to KPMG through BPE for a due diligence examination and other handling charges.

The Obasanjo administration spent eight years canvassing the merits of deregulation and appealed to Nigerians to endure the ‘little’ economic pains that might accompany the policy. At the end of Obasanjo’s tenure, Nigerians are left with the pains, while the gains or canvassed merits remain elusive. Curiously, the BPE, being the bureaucratic machinery statutorily empowered to midwife the privatisation processes of mismanaged public equities remains intact.

The probe therefore is a welcome development; but it must not go the way of other probes. This is the only way public trust and confidence can be reposed in the legislature as a public institution.

Three titans •Awo, Akintola and Adelabu deserve the honour bestowed on them by Ajimobi

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HE sad tale was recently told of some primary school pupils in Ogun State, who readily demonstrated their familiarity with the name of the soccer star, Obafemi Martins, but drew a puzzled blank when asked if they knew who Obafemi Awolowo was. We cite this only as a reflection of how as a country, we have sadly neglected the positive role history can play in moulding the character and outlook of present and future generations of Nigerians.

What percentage of today’s secondary school students or even university graduates are properly educated as regards the historical roles of such legendary figures as Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ahmadu Bello, Aminu Kano, Mbonu Ojike, Anthony Enahoro, Michael Imoudu, Femi Okunnu, Joseph Tarka, Solomon Lar, Abubakar Rimi, Yakubu Gowon, Tunji Otegbeye, Murtala Muhammed, Alfred Rewane, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and M.K.O. Abiola, among scores of others, at different phases of Nigeria’s socio-political and economic development?

A country without heroes and positive role models is most likely to breed youth who lack any driving motivation to delay immediate gratification and imbibe the necessary discipline and vision to actualise their potential and add value to society. This is certainly one of the root causes of the high rate of moral delinquency and destructive social vices rampant among contemporary Nigerian you It is against this background that we commend the decision of the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, to

commission the Ibadan Polytechnic to construct the statues of three eminent leaders of the old Western Region, namely Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Ladoke Akintola and Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu. The statues are to be erected in front of the Government House at Agodi, Ibadan, and the existing round-about will be re-named ‘Heroes Square’.

Governor Ajimobi’s decision will help put to rest the controversy that had arisen ever since the demolition in 2003 of Chief Awolowo’s statue erected by Alhaji Lam Adesina’s government to replace that of the ‘unknown soldier’ put up during the military dispensation. That rash, destructive act, which took place during the tenure of Senator Rashidi Ladoja, illustrates how badly politics had degenerated in a state that once set the pace of development in Nigeria and Africa.

Senator Ajimobi’s decision to honour the three political titans shows a mature broad-mindedness on his part, as well as sensitivity to the fact that he is governor of all, irrespective of their political or ideological inclination. Awolowo, Akintola and Adelabu made immeasurable contributions to the socio-economic and political development of the southwest in particular, and Nigeria as a whole.

Intellectual and political titans in every respect, the trio played active roles in the struggle for Nigeria’s independence.

They were all charismatic politicians, each with his distinctive style. Awo was the consummate planner and actualiser whose tenure as Premier of Western Ni-

geria witnessed the rapid transformation of the region into one of the fastest growing in Africa.

A gifted multi-lingual orator, Akintola was a shrewd political tactician who contributed his quota to the development of the West when he succeeded Awo as Premier. A fervent nationalist, Adelabu’s astute role as Leader of Opposition in the West was a key factor in ensuring good governance in the region.

It was only natural that such strong personalities would have political and ideological differences. Unfortunately, the poor management of these was allowed to degenerate uncontrollably. They were certainly no saints and we have as much to learn from their strengths as well as their weaknesses. But that they are eminently deserving of this honour is beyond dispute.

‘Senator Ajimobi’s decision to honour the three political titans shows a mature broadmindedness on his part, as well as sensitivity to the fact that he is governor of all, irrespective of their political or ideological inclination.

Awolowo, Akintola and Adelabu made immeasurable contributions to the socio-economic and political development of the southwest in particular, and Nigeria as a whole’

Getting Kadafi to leave is Libya’s best option

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ITH Moammar Kadafi holding out despite NATO bombing and rebel successes, a negotiated settlement of the conflict would be in the best interests of the Libyan people.

A meeting between representatives of Moammar Kadafi and a senior U.S. diplomat has not produced a breakthrough in ending Libya’s civil war and the NATO bombardment of the country. But it suggests that the possibility remains for a negotiated settlement of the conflict. Four months into the campaign against Kadafi’s regime, that option is worth exploring.

The U.S. account of the meeting was that there was no negotiation and that Jeffrey Feltman, assistant secretary of State for the Near East, simply delivered the message that Kadafi must step down. But that seeming ultimatum could in fact form the basis for an agreement that would include Kadafi’s departure and a transition between the current regime and the Transitional National Council, the rebel coalition recognized by the United States and more than 30 other nations.

A settlement seems to have been made more likely by continued bombing and rebel successes on the ground, which have put pressure on Kadafi even if they haven’t toppled him. At best, he can look forward to ruling over a fraction of Libyan territory. He also is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, a deterrence to travel. The prospect for the dictator is a life of being holed up in his capital, hoping that North Atlantic Treaty Organization bombs won’t strike him along with “command and control” centers.

U.S. protestations to the contrary, it makes sense for this country to explore ways in which Kadafi could give up power. Although the United Nations mandate for the no-fly zone in Libya was to protect civilians, the mission has evolved into a campaign for regime-change.

(U.S. and other officials insist regime-change is part of a political, not a military, process, but that distinction is disingenuous.)

And yet, while military power has ratcheted up the pressure on Kadafi, he could hold out for a long time, subjecting his country and its people to more ravages. That’s why a negotiated settlement makes sense. Kadafi might be willing to give up power in exchange for a haven elsewhere. Such an arrangement would end the war in Libya and remove a cruel dictator.

The problem with this scenario is finding a place for Kadafi to go. That task is complicated by the International Criminal Court’s decision to accuse him of crimes against humanity.

Although the indictment is defensible, it may make some countries unwilling to receive Kadafi. In an ideal world, he would both leave and be brought to justice, but both outcomes might be impossible. In this world, the cost of removing Kadafi may be sparing him from a deserved judgment. The interests of Libya’s people should come first.

– Los Angeles Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

IR: Nigeria is often described as a deeply religious society where most if not all persons profess religious beliefs without qualification. Nigeria is often portrayed as a country where the religious demography is staticeverybody is religious, everybody belongs to one faith or the other.

Everybody professes religion, nobody renounces religion.

Nobody is critical or sceptical of religious dogmas. Non religious and freethinking Nigerians are so insignificant.

This is a misrepresentation of the religious demography and dynamics in the country. The time has come for us to rectify this misrepresentation.

No doubt, most Nigerians profess belief in God and identify themselves with one of the three main faiths- Traditional religion, Christianity and Islam. But there are many Nigerians who profess minority faiths and spiritualities or some forms of religious syncretism embracing elements of more than one religion.

Generally, in Nigeria there is a lot of social pressure on individuals to be religious and to remain religious from cradle to the grave.

Remove this social and political pressure on Nigerians and the religious dynamics will radically change.

A very important and largely ignored aspect of Nigeria’s religious demography is the non believing folk.

These are those who renounce their ‘family religion’. They see no existential value or meaning in the religion which they were born into.

They live their lives without professing a belief in God, without belonging to any religion. They are called humanists, atheists and

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Leaving religion and living without religion freethinkers. They exist in Nigeria.

They live in Nigeria. But anyone who understands the intensive religious upbringing and bombardment every Nigerian child goes through will understand why most non religious people are in the closets.

So Nigerians are made to believe that professing religion is a mustand not a matter of choice. Hence so many Nigerians who were born into one religion or the other and who grow up to question, challenge or reject religious myths and superstition cannot express their thoughts and sentiments openly in the public. Many Nigerians are non believers in private and believers in public. They leave religion and

live without religion but still remain in the closet.

Unlike religious folks, non believers do not want to be murdered or ‘martyred’ because the so called afterlife, which believers imagine they will inherit in the hereafter, is an illusion. In our families and communities, there is a heavy price on leaving religion and in living without religion.

Those who renounce their faith in God are hated, persecuted and discriminated against. They are treated as enemies of the society.

They are ostracized. In some communities those who openly denounced their faith can be murdered in cool blood otherwise

the person loses the support, sympathy and solidarity of the family and community including the government. So because of the risks involved many Nigerians who leave religion or live without religion do not want to openly admit it.

Until believers abandon force, intimidation, violence and persecution of those who leave religion or live without religion, religious statistics will remain false and artificial.

Still there are Nigerians who have taken the bull by the horn.

They have, in spite of the risks involved, openly denounced or rejected the faith of their fathers and

Islamic banking and Islamisation myth

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ANUSI Lamido Sanusi’s pursuit of his predecessor’s lofty initiative of plugging Nigeria into the new bride in global finance – Islamic banking – has let hell loose! The introduction of Islamic banking, critics allege, is a grand attempt to Islamize Nigeria.

In a country whose nationals are almost equally divided into Muslims and Christians, I find it unthinkable that anyone will think a leader, political or economic, will

Islamize Nigeria.

Islamic banking is a banking model that, though derives from Islamic Religion, is fast gaining momentum around the world, including in western countries, which many Muslims believe, quite wrongly in my opinion, are anti-Islam. This is why a global financial powerhouse like HSBC will have Islamic banking window.

The issue with us in Nigeria is that a lot of people are only literate and technology-savvy; we know

little about developments on the global stage, and even practically nothing beyond politics.

Otherwise, one would not expect the issue of Islamic banking to generate this kerfuffle.

Sanusi perhaps also overrated Nigerians by assuming they are aware of Islamic banking as one of the emerging models in global finance. Even if one ignores the fact that Nigerians would not have read any ulterior motive to Islamic Banking if the CBN boss was a non-

Why the strike should not have been aborted

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IR, after 12 years of democratic experience and 50 years of independence, Nigerians are yet to enjoy the fundamentals and basic facilities needed for human survival and existence despite the huge natural and human resources embedded in this country. Our rulers have derailed from the path of our heroes (the likes of late Chief Awolowo, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, Nnamdi Azikiwe).

All sectors of the Nigerian structures are not working, rather they have been subjected to degradation due to improper management and corruption. The basic amenities needed for human survival in the country are yet to be provided by the government.

What then is the essence of the tax

confirmed their non religious identity. Names that easily come to mind are Tai Solarin and Wole Soyinka. But they are not the only Nigerians who have said farewell to religion. There are many freethinking non religious individuals out there in our schools, colleges and universities, in the rural and urban areas. They are living rational faithless life are doctors and nurses, teachers and students, carpenters, tailors, drivers and mechanics, wives and mothers, brothers and sisters, husbands and fathers. They may not be as organized as our religious folks but the fact is that they are, and are going about their lives in a rational, ethical and lawful manner.

The time has come for use to acknowledge the non religious dynamics in our society. The time has come for us to recognize that there are Nigerians who have left religion and are living a happy and meaningful life like other human beings.

• Leo Igwe Ibadan.

being paid by Nigerian workers?

These are issues that should be holistically looked into by the Nigerian Labour Congress and other trade unions.

The country’s electricity supply is epileptic, while our leaders are not ashamed to announce the fruitless expenditure in billions of naira on these projects. Our educational system has collapsed; our roads have been converted to death traps and grave holes; there are no industry to create employment; the few multi-national companies are shutting down and heading for neighboring countries; prices of goods have been on the increase; the country’s refineries is on the verge of total collapse;.

How has NLC and other unions intervened? Of what importance are

the civil societies and human right groups, if we continue to gnash our teeth and lament while the suffering goes on.

Last week’s planned strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress was viewed by some Nigerians as a mere bark of a toothless dog. Of a truth, there are fundamental and vital issues needing a quick reaction from all and sundry, if the current government only wants to bore Nigerians with words instead of actions as dramatized by our past rulers, then labour unions, civil society groups and the media should propagate and pressurize the government to attend to these issues till they become realities.

Unlike the highly rigged and infiltrated selections, the April elections revealed that Nigerians

voted for these leaders at all levels, howbeit, restructuring and reshaping the country needs the input of all. If Nigerians could massively cast their vote for their choices, then Nigerians can massively dictate the tune of how the country should be governed.

Strike actions, peaceful protests, and other legitimate means seems to be the only language understood by our rulers from inception.

Nigerians should demand for what is best for all. Nigerians should wake up from their slumber and challenge the government at all levels through every legitimate and civil means.

Akinyanmi Joseph S. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.

Muslim, just as it did not generate any hoopla when Soludo kickstarted the process, Sanusi would still have done better by enlightening Nigerians on this model.

Nigerians should learn to assess national policies on merit rather than first looking at the tribe or religion of the initiator and fabricating some mythical motive to it. Even a global professional Accounting body like the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants of the United Kingdom(ACCA) has introduced Islamic Finance into its recently updated syllabus for prospective accountants to be informed about this principle.

Islamic banking is nothing but Islam’s contribution to the field of economics, just as many other already established principles in economics and other fields of human endeavour have origins that can be traced to other religions, ideologies and philosophies.

This is why a world class development economist like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will not see any problem with it. Other Nigerians too should rise above sentiments and see what Islamic banking has to offer for the economy, bearing in mind too that the new model is not supplanting conventional banking system that is already in place.

Suraj Oyewale Victoria Island, Lagos

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THE NATION TUESDAY,JULY 26, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

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HAT are Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s image makers projecting him to be: a born-again democrat or a born-again dictator?

A born-again democrat after a Pauline conversion from a military autocrat? Or a born-again dictator whose temper suggests the Olakunle old scowling Saul is livid as ever, Abimbola lordbeek@yahoo.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) despite a grand democrat’s garb?

These posers come to mind after Yinka Odumakin, Gen. Buhari’s spokesperson as the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) presidential candidate, made public the former military head of state’s suit-threatening letter, written by his lawyer, Tope Adebayo, LLP. In the letter, Gen. Buhari threatened to start legal proceedtoday, after a 26-year marathon transition from military Jeruings, for alleged defamation, against Reuben Abati, formerly salem to democratic Damascus.

Editorial Board Chairman and columnist with The Guardian, Surely, Buhari the Soldier could not threaten the media with but now President Goodluck Jonathan’s special adviser on harsh imprisonment during his tenure as military head of state media and communications.

(January 1985-August 1986), only to rebrand as Buhari the DemoThe alarming thing about that letter was not the threat of crat to threaten the same media with even harsher litigations? legal proceeding per se (that is the legal right of a damaged But apparently, Mr. Odumakin does not think so – from the citizen), but the harshness of its demands. Gen. Buhari would triumphant finality of his press release accompanying Gen. go to court, the letter literally thundered, if after seven days, Buhari’s letter. “The orchestrated campaign of calumny by Dr. Abati did not retract his piece in four newspapers of agents of the ruling PDP after the April elections against Gen. equal weight as The Guardian, apologise also in these four Muhammadu Buhari goes before the courts,” he literally newspapers and credit the General’s account with N1 bilpouted, “as authors of libellous publications are going to sublion! stantiate their criminal allegations or face the legal conseA Draco, in holy rage, determined to shake out decadent quences. Attached is the letter from Gen. Buhari to Dr. Reuben Athens of his time? Or more cynically, a Shylock in ShakeAbati, one of such writers” – he added with dark flourish! speare’s Merchant of Venice, sworn to exacting his pound of But Buhari, The Guardian, Dr. Abati – isn’t there some grim flesh from a wayward columnist, allegedly gone ga-ga with his irony, some haunting déjà vu, underlying the whole drama: pen? dating back to 1985?

By the way, why was this letter made public – not by the Mr. Odumakin would have sounded less cavalier had he pondefendant to curry public sympathy, but by the plaintiff? To dered history and the ruinous parallel Gen. Buhari is about put the fear of God in other rascally columnists that Gen. Buhari repeating. was in no mood to brook further opinionated rascality from At the height of his military power in 1985, Gen. Buhari others with wayward pens? thought he would crush the press by teaching the self-acclaimed That is clearly no way to refurbish the CPC presidential canflagship and its uppity reporters a bitter lesson; despatching to didate from the dour general of yore to the suave democrat of jail, under Decree 4, two of its brightest editorial flowers, Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor. But it was a Pyrrhic victory that would signal the beginning of the end of his power.

Now, 26 years later, he is moving against another ex-Guard‘Surely, Buhari the Soldier could ian, who did the allegedly offensive piece as chairman of the not threaten the media with harsh newspaper’s Editorial Board and columnist. He may well get a glorious result. After the judicial crushing of Abati, he could imprisonment during his tenure as well gallop in triumph over others using their columns to military head of state, only to spew combustible and seditious stuff, and impugning the golden character of the ramrod general. rebrand as Buhari the Democrat to But the omens are hardly good. Even if he pacifies his media enemies, and sends them screaming and squirming for mercy, threaten the same media with even how can he possibly win the peace of projecting himself a harsher litigations?’ democrat, capable of suffering fools gladly, just to underscore

his democratic credentials?

Now, this is no defence of any wayward columns or unctuous columnists, who think little of turning sacred newspaper space into vengeful partisan tools; and hawking their God-given intellect in the mart of the highest bidder. If such run afoul of the law, by all means, let them carry the can!

It is rather a defence to hold and express public opinion on matters of collective interest, without being cowed by some savage suits hanging over your head. That, of course, is hardly new, for authoritarian sans authoritative rascality has been part of Nigeria’s troubled government-media rumpus.

In 1916 Lord Frederick Lugard, the British military ruffian who doubled as newly amalgamated Nigeria’s colonial administrator, insisted James Bright Davies, publisher-editor of Times of Nigeria, must be charged for sedition, for a piece even the colonial government’s chief justice felt was “justifiable journalese”. He got his wish and the 68-year old Mr. Davies got thrown into the slammer.

Gen. Buhari himself, as military head of state, underscored that military rule was only an extension of Lugardian harshness, the way he, with Decree 4 of 1985, jailed The Guardian Two, over a story that was substantially true. Now, as bornagain democrat, is Alhaji Buhari invoking that spectre of Lugardian intolerance, even if the setting is neither colonial nor military, but a fledgling democratic Nigeria?

It is his right, of course, to seek legal redress when damaged. It is sure better than self-help. But the cost to the image of the General is humongous – and that is the point his media handlers, with all due respect to them, are missing.

True, Gen. Buhari has been cruelly hit. The terrible presidential heist of 2007 was shoved down his throat by a suspect 4-3 Supreme Court decision. The “free and fair” structural rigging of April 2011 has given the presidential diadem to Goodluck Jonathan. Worse, Abati’s opinionated rascality (at least in the opinion of Gen. Buhari and his legal advisers) has heaped on the General’s hurting shoulders the post-election Northern mayhem, after Jonathan had raced off with his celebrated “pan-Nigeria mandate of Southern Nigeria and the Middle Belt”!

But that is no reason for the General to create Buhari Agonistes, after John Milton’s dramatisation of the blind rage of the Biblical Samson, in his Samson Agonistes; which led to Samson’s happy self-destruction, though with his Philistine tormentors in tow!

Gen. Buhari should instead look in the direction of Pericles, the Athenian naval general, who endured democratic banishment before storming back to be the greatest ruler in Athens’s democracy.

Otherwise, the General would stand legitimately charged with an instinctive recoil to his military default setting, at the slightest touch of the democratic heat.

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financial environment, the fact is it can be the answer anymore than it can claim to be a cure to the greed which drives global financial transactions across the spectrum. We have since heard from those who should know, that while “usurious” charges may be repugnant to the Islamic banking practitioner, there are indeed other transactional charges (call it interest by another name) along the chain to make lending worth the trouble of the lender!

The issue really is, how can we ever make comparisons when the baby already has a sentence of death pronounced over its head even before the opportunity to make a bid for life?

For me, if only for the sole merit that it presents the consumer of banking products with an alternative to what is currently on offer, I believe it is worthy a go. Moreover, it does not attempt to supplant the conventional model; rather, it adds to the array of products from which any interested Nigerian can choose from – although governed by Islamic jurisprudence since it does not pretend to be anything other than Islamic!

Can anything be wrong with that since ultimately someone gets to make a choice?

Why the insistence that other Nigerians cannot have what they do not want – more so, in a sector as liberalised as the financial services sector whose strength is said to reside in competition, and thrives best with innovations? The only explanation is the manifest intolerance currently ravaging the polity.

Talk about the pious being perennially averse to change and innovation, are we not all witnesses to how the Nigerian zealot once branded television sets as evil boxes to be shunned? Today, the proverbial stone once rejected has since transmuted to an efficacious instrument for the propagation of the message!

Guess how time changes things!

At this time, we should worry about how China managed to lift 100 million out of poverty; how Brazil performed the miracle of lifting some 105.5 million out of its 190 million population out of poverty. Why should it be my headache where a Nigerian chooses to invest his or her money - after all, it is nothing more than a business proposition? Why?

epublican ipples

IGERIANS – it is generally acknowledged – love to debate, even if as it is oftentimes the case, their presentations lack rhyme and reason. Just by the volume of written matter pushed out since the matter of Islamic Banking, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s controversial offering into the nation’s financial services industry broke out, we ought to have reached the point where every Nigerian from the kindergarten to our decaying mud towers should be able to claim basic of understanding of the subject matter on which an informed judgment could be made.

Alas, such has been the deliberate obfuscation to the extent that the silent, hapless majority of Nigerians are nowhere near gaining understanding on the principles, let alone the practice of what is said to be that novelty called Islamic banking.

That is clearly unfortunate, since no matter how intrinsically good a policy pretends to be, one imagines that those in charge would at least take on the responsibility of educating the populace on the imperatives. The potentially controversial policy was delivered not just ex-cathedra by Sanusi’s Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); even the ordinary process of bringing it about had all the airs of the institutional arrogance that is typically Sanusi’s CBN. That failure alone must be held as responsible for the current situation in which zealots and all manners of religious proselytes have taken over the debate to the point of distorting the idea almost beyond recognition.

It must be said also, that our revered clerics are no less complicit for stepping into the fray without the benefit of information on the policy while assuming the typical ostentatious air of being “the good shepherds” to the flock.

At this point, I guess I need to “declare my interest”. I am Christian – though hardly a front-liner among the throng that insist on wearing the emblem of their faith on their coat lapels – whose car stickers proudly project loud religiosity but whose practice actually project false content. I consider myself as a practising one.

I start with the basic question; how does Islamic banking affect me? How does it injure my rights as a Christian? What advantage does it confer on the adherents of the Islamic religion to the exclusion of followers and practitioners of other faiths?

Does it really – as claimed by some undermine the nation’s so-called secularity?

Let me phrase my response this way: the myth being peddled on the Islamic banking merely supplies feed for the religious paranoia that is dangerously becoming a staple by those who read motives into nearly every public issue.

Adorning the apex bank with the Sharia-compliant tag of course extends the theatre of that mischief – it is akin to charging the hospital midwife of culpability in determining a baby’s DNA! As regulator of the financial sector, it is primarily the responsibility of the apex bank to set out the guidelines for the operators in the industry. Now, the CBN is not a primary lender but a guardian angel of sorts to banks –which itself is derived from its responsibility as lender of last resort with unques-

Buhari Agonistes

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

Islamic banking; why not? tionable and near absolute jurisdiction over monetary policy matters. But the burden of the regulator isn’t just to regulate but to deepen the sector, to promote inclusiveness without which the various policy instruments for regulating the sector would remain ineffectual.

Presently, even with the best of the efforts of the 25 banks currently operating, it is a notorious fact that the country is currently under-banked. Therefore, one of more obvious challenges facing the regulator has been how to deepen the financial services industry not just to boost the efficacy of monetary policy instruments but as strategy for poverty reduction. That is one way to look at the development.

The other way to look at the matter is in the overall context of further liberalisation of the industry – to enable the provision of the widest possible range of products for the industry.

Why Islamic banking? The direct answer would be – why not? Of course, so long as there are demanders for the products, so long would there be need. Moreover, Islamic banking is new only in these parts. Has anyone yet questioned the operations of the hundreds of thousands of unregulated thrift and savings schemes doing their little bits in lifting the poor out of poverty?

Why should anyone quarrel with the introduction of a product with the potential to bring about inclusiveness for no other reason that some people cannot stand the label “Islamic”? And this in a country where adherents of the two major faiths are almost evenly spread? The answers are to be found in the politicisation of religion.

Now, I have not dwelt on the touted merits of the Islamic banking model, which, frankly speaking, appears to me overhyped. Just as one is not in the least surprised that “new” is being projected as “better”, could the case have been made for innovation if one was entirely satisfied with the present?

Of course, tried as the proponents of the Islamic model have, to present the model as the answer to the chaos in the global

•This column goes on vacation from next week

‘Why the insistence that other Nigerians cannot have what they do not want – more so, in a sector as liberalised as the financial services sector whose strength is said to reside in competition, and thrives best with innovations? The only explanation is the manifest intolerance currently ravaging the polity’

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

ROWING up as kids in Ibadan in the late 60s/early 70s we were terrified by stories of the exploits of armed robbers most of whom operated with ease in spite of the presence of the police, that we all thought they were spirits with supernatural powers.

There was a particular one (called De Peroo, I think) who we were told had a magical singlet or undershirt that allowed him to disappear at will once he sensed danger or in real danger like being in police detention or even prison. All he needed to do was lean on a wall or any hard surface and he’s gone.

How he acquired his powers we were not told but all fingers pointed at his mum, who as we were told, warned him never to operate in their neighborhood in order not to bring shame on her. The boy heeded the advice and became almost invincible. But one early morning, he needed some cash and ignoring his mum’s advice, dashed to a nearby provision store in the neighborhood and robbed the store. That was his last. The people arrested him and handed him over to the police who promptly detained him.

And as is customary of the Nigeria Police, his clothes were removed leaving him with only his undershirt and short. Confident that he could disappear as long as he had his singlet on, the notorious robber waited patiently for the right time to lean on the cell wall so that he could disappear, but his mum had a different idea. Annoyed that his robber son had disgraced her, she quickly contacted the police and gave out her son’s secret. ‘Remove his undershirt’ she said ‘and his magical powers would be gone’. The police acted quickly on this information and did as they were told. That was the end and for De Peroo the terror he unleashed on the society.

I’ve labored this hard to recall the story of this notorious criminal in order to illustrate the crucial role the general society, especially the family, the building block of every society, could play and has to play in the battle to rid our society of crime, terror and other evil acts that have held us down for so long.

In the not too distant past, another notorious criminal Lawrence Anini and his gang terrorized Benin City, the Edo State capi-

G

B

OKO Haram means a failed Nigerian state. Boko Haram will not afford nationals of this country the luxury of sitting around a table for partitioning. Boko Haram will mock forever all those who misdirect themselves and their hapless followers into believing that the violent sect is an instrument for sating the dreams of vested interest. Boko Haram is sculpting a second Somalia out of the African continent.

Only a failure to deploy thought will question the four declarations of this opening paragraph.

There are many other countries of Africa and, indeed, of the world that face their challenges and glories as events in national life, as against events with significance only for selected sections of their entity. This throws up Nigeria as a country wobbling precariously on the precipice, perpetually battling without real resolve to prevent that last and, possibly, imperceptible tilt guaranteed to send it hurtling to shattered, mangled and bloodied bits of woeful history.

The most pathetic aspect of Nigeria’s curse resides in the realization that it is country that could, with positive leadership at all levels, shirk tension and turmoil to embrace a glorious dawn as a society in the forefront of light and civilization in the world. The futility of all the compounded crisis points, the pointlessness of the willfully induced religious tensions holler from this scenario: there are at least 50 million Christians in this country and, at least 50 million Muslims also.

What weapons of mass destruction are to be deployed to make Nigeria Muslim-free? To what Supreme Being will the destroyer of 50 million Christians look up for eternal reward? The point therefore, is that as long as Nigeria exists it will continue to be peopled by adherents of the two main religions in the world.

Those foolish and irresponsible enough to assume or pretend that it is possible to run Nigeria by sectarian dictation do no more than reject a natural phenomenon, which is that when it hits, it reverberates. The Nigerian civil war of 1966-1970 may have led them into behaving like a child that witnessed a fisticuff mercifully separated before it got out of hand. The child looks forward to another round of flailing arms. In the Biafran war, the secessionist territory was at the one end and had ranged against it the combined strength of the rest of the country. And there

What manner of elders are these? tal, and it’s environs. They robbed and killed at will and disappeared into thin air and the people kept quiet, leaving the victims alone to lick their wounds. But when the cries of the victims reached the heavens so to speak, the same society that had been harboring the gang gave the group up and Anini & co became history. From the Oba down to the last man in Benin, it was operation flush out these criminals. The people voluntarily gave information to the police and other security agencies drafted into the battle by the then Federal Military Government. We did not hear of any Elders’ group in Benin or elsewhere appealing to the authorities to take it easy with the gang.

As Nigeria move into the next stage of her battle with the terrorist group called Boko Haram, a group of self serving Borno elders are calling for the withdrawal of soldiers deployed in Maiduguri the Borno State capital by the Federal Government to maintain law and order and flush out the terrorists. A group of federal lawmakers from Borno State under the aegis of Borno State Caucus in the National Assembly has also made a similar call in addition to urging the federal government to dialogue with the terrorists and even grant them amnesty.

Their argument against the soldiers centred on the excessive force being employed by the troops and their erroneous belief that force cannot bring peace to Maiduguri.

While I am not persuaded by their argu-

ment and at the same time not in support of any unnecessary show and use of force by the Joint Military Task Force, the fact that soldiers were deployed at all was an indication that the problem was more than what the police could handle. Remember Gowon misread the Biafran crisis initially when he described it as a police action, only for it to get out of hand? When soldiers were called in, what were the Borno elders and the Abuja lawmakers expecting, a bear hug of the terrorists by the soldiers or a Kun Fu fight?

The arrival of the soldiers should have signaled to these so called elders that the situation on ground in Maiduguri would definitely change and the innocent likely to suffer. As ‘wise’ old men and ‘good’ community leaders, one would have expected these elders to put on their thinking cap and organize their society well such that information about the activities and where about of the Boko Haram killers could be given to the JTF, instead of calling for the withdrawal of the soldiers.

If the Binis had not given the police information about the Anini gang, the terror they unleashed on the Benin society would have lasted longer. Same with the De Peroo saga in Ibadan mentioned earlier. Were it not for his mum, this king of the underworld would have reigned longer. The point is that the Maiduguri and indeed the entire Borno society are guilty of harbouring and protecting Boko Haram. If they don’t want the

terrorist organization they should push them out of their midst and give them up to the military, after all they live amongst them and probably pray in the same mosque. So they can’t claim that they don’t know where the Boko Haram terrorists are.

May be the elders even know. I am not joking about this. If the respected Shehu of Borno is fully in charge of his domain, by now he should have information from his subjects about this group which he can then pass on to the JTF. The Niger Delta militants didn’t just end their fight with the Nigerian government because of the amnesty programme, the Joint Military Task Force in the region also played a significant part in the carrot and stick method adopted by the federal government, even against the wishes of some equally self serving Niger Delta elders.

So, instead of the elders and the Abuja lawmakers asking for the JTF to leave, they should rather collaborate with the military to get these terrorists off our land so that we can all live in peace. Boko Haram is a threat to all, not just Borno or the north east alone. The elders should live up to that name and act as such. Thank God Governor Kashim Shettima is not listening to them.

The military should also act more professionally and be reminded that genocide and crime against humanity would eventually be punished.

It is a good thing that President Goodluck Jonathan has said no for now, to the elders call for withdrawal of the JTF. It is equally good that the military high command has and is taking note of the excesses of some of its men and has promised to punish any of them found guilty of any offence against the innocent. We also have the assurances of the president to that effect.

That Boko Haram has split into two as reported in the media is a good development, perhaps it is an opportunity for security agencies to move in now and widen the gulf between the splinter groups. May be it is time also to dangle the carrot before the group that has offered a cessation of hostility during Islam’s holy month of Ramadan. It won’t be a bad idea also to use the sledge hammer on the other group.

The meaning of Boko Haram

By Chuks Iloegbunam were Russian MIGs bombing and strafing civilians in the blockaded territory, and British guns saturating battlefronts and adjoining areas with heavy artillery concentration, while starvation was a legitimate instrument of warfare. That experience is distinct from Boko Haram.

The tsunami of Boko Haram will not, in its sweep, skip the homes and interests of its promoters, active and passive. Boko Haram has been leaving bombs around churches and other places with clusters of the innocent. If it is remembered that previous arsons on mosques or churches immediately elicited reprisals, it should be obvious that, before long, the country will be on a bombing tit for tat. The illegal proliferation of small arms is directly responsible for the national insecurity seen in incessant armed robberies, kidnappings and assassinations. Where can the democratization of the bomb lead but to a failed state? In a failed state, as Somalia has amply demonstrated, you may be a warlord, you may control private territories, you may hold people’s lives in your hands, but you won’t have peace yourself, your eyes will never know sleep. In the event of a failed state, all those Nigerians pretending to possess two heads, and currently cruising around in limousines and jetting about the globe will be grounded. Agents of other warlords will routinely be sent after them, while all that belongs to their sense of possession and covetousness will come under the sledgehammer of desecration, demolition and devastation. A failed state is a boiling cauldron; hardly anyone inside it will escape the contingency of scalding.

Why can’t we live in peace? If peace is pronounced a chimera, why can’t we go our separate ways by amicable agreement? Boko Haram may have its origins from wherever it likes. Currently, however, its wild excesses are essentially a reaction to the presidential ascendancy of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

It has its sponsors and financiers. There is nothing spontaneous about its operations.

For the criminal organization to stop, their impetus must see reason. Otherwise, only the

passage of time will make the incensed respond in kind to the wildness of Boko Haram and, inch by inch, the inexorable march to anomie will continue. Many Nigerians will remember Patrick Wilmot, a Jamaican academic who taught at Ahmadu Bello University until his deportation in 1989 by the Babangida junta. Dr. Wilmot presented a paper in response to the April 1980 massacre of 386 peasants in Bakolori who protested the building of a dam on their land. Said Wilmot: “The northern faction of the ruling class that currently dominates the political scene has no tradition of managing social change. Their only answer to dissent or rebellion is the massacre.”

Bear in mind that the domination of a political scene is irrespective of wielding or not wielding constitutional power. That is why, early in 2006, the country nearly went up in flames because a Danish cartoonist decided on some thoughtless strokes. Let me quote from No Basis for Unity, my response to that development, published in my Perspectives column in the Vanguard of February 28, 2006: “A Danish cartoonist produces an impression. And massacres follow in Nigeria. Denmark is not the fountain of Christianity. So why should a cartoon by a white man who lives 5000 miles away lead to the killing of Christians and the burning of churches in Nigeria? No one ever accused Ndigbo of Scandinavian affinity. No one ever charged them of Nordic ancestry.

So why did northerners lay into Ndigbo in a renewed massacring spree? In Niger, 99 percent of the population is Muslim. But you never hear that non-Muslims there who constitute the overwhelming minority are attacked and killed. Some 94 percent of Egyptians are Muslims. Only 6 percent are Coptic Christians. You never hear that the Egyptian Christian minority is systematically subjected to periodic pogroms. Tunisia is 98 percent Muslim, with 1 percent Jews and 1 percent Christians. Tunisian Jews and Christians are not subjected to massacres by the Muslim majority. Libya has a 97 percent Muslim majority. No one kills Christians in that country. Morocco is nearly 99 percent Islamic. Christians live in that country unmolested for their faith. Algeria is 99

percent Islamic. Christians and Jews who make up the remaining 1 percent are never victims of massacres. In all the countries mentioned above, only in Libya did the controversial Danish cartoon lead to deaths.

Casualties ensued when protesters intent on storming the Danish Embassy in Tripoli were engaged by the police. Saudi Arabia is the centre of the Islamic faith. Yet, there was not even a single anti-cartoon demonstration in that country. So, why the latest massacres across northern Nigeria? Why the massive destruction? The fact is that the current killings and devastations are nothing to do with religion. If they had to do with religion, the proponents will cite portions of the scriptures to support their wickedness. The orchestrated upheaval is against President Olusegun Obasanjo’s third term bid, period.”

The offending Danish cartoon was never published in Nigeria. Those led into wanton destruction of lives and property because of the cartoon never saw it. They were egged on by ranks of the elite who seize on every development unsavoury to them to foment mayhem. These were the same people who orchestrated the massacre of National Youth Service Corps members in reaction to Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential victory.

These were the very people who organized riots that took nearly 200 lives, simply to force the cancellation of the Miss World beauty pageant in Abuja in December 2002.

Not one of the disturbances had anything to do with religion. With Boko Haram, however, these northern dominators of the political scene have created a Frankenstein monster, a monster that often hits across class, ethnic and religious lines. These hypocritical bigots have continued through decades on their murderous path because political authority has never found the courage and the good sense to kick them where it hurts.

They must now come to their senses very quickly and join hands with mainstream Nigeria to destroy this rampaging monster of their creation. Otherwise, everyone will have to take a card and stand in line.

• Iloegbunam was Chief of Staff to Anambra Governor Peter Obi

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

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TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

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NATION SPORT AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS

NFF allays fear over Flying Eagles

Eagles can still qualify –Okocha F ORMER Nigeria captain, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, believes Super Eagles can still qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to hold in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Nigeria currently trail their Guinean counterparts by three points in Group B of the qualifying after the round of four games.

But Okocha, 37, is optimistic that the chances of his countrymen reaching next year’s African Mundial remain

Baseball team departs for Burkina Faso despite Logistic problems From Florence Nkem Israel, Port Harcourt

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IVERS state Baseball team departed Lagos for Burkina Faso on Monday morning where they are billed to represent Nigeria at the 2011 West African Baseball Championship.

The team left Port Harcourt on Sunday by bus without any source of funding for the trip by their authorities as players and officials had to contribute their own money to make the trip possible.

The coach of the team, Jacob Albert Dede said shortly before leaving Port Harcourt that despite the lack of funding, they were psychologically prepared for the championship.

He said: "We don't have monies for allowances of these players.

Provision should be made available before such tournaments come up because most times when they come, the bereaucracy of the government for you to pass your files and get finances are always difficult.

"My humble appeal is that not just for Baseball but for other growing sports associations that they should earmark some funds so that could any such competition come up, they can fall back at something.”

"If athletes co uld come out to work without allowances, if they could squeeze themselves, about 18 of them into one bedroom flat, if they could accept to travel to Lagos and from there to Burkina Faso by roaad, I have told them that it’s not just going to play but we should be able to get something after the suffering, so we are going to get the trophy,” he enthused.

The 2011 West Africa Baseball competition runs from July 28 to August 3 and will have the eight teams of Ghana, Togo, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin Republic, Ivory coast and Nigeria.

The winners of this competition will join the champions from the South African Regional tournament to represent Africa at the World Baseball Championship in Canada later this year.

bright though with a “mathematical” dimension.

Okocha’s submission comes on the back of Nigeria’s failure to beat Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on June 5.

The Super Eagles held their Ethiopian opponents to 2-2 draw while Guinea ran over Madagascar by 4 – 1 on same day.

The former Paris St Germain and Bolton Wanderers playmaker added that the Eagles are now left with no option than to win their two games against Madagascar and Guinea to ensure a straight passage to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

“Mathematically, the Nations Cup ticket is still in Nigeria’s hands. But we will need to beat Madagascar and at least defeat Guinea by 2 – 0. At the same time, we will need to take our chances first,” Okocha, now on the Technical Committee of the Nigeria

Football Federation (NFF), said.

The Super Eagles will play their Madagascar counterparts on September 4 at the Mahamasina Stadium in Antananarivo.

In the weekend of October 7 and 9 Nigerians will play hosts to Guinea in their last game of the qualifying series at the National Stadium in Abuja.

However, the permutations are that Guinea will qualify for the finals if they defeat Ethiopia and Nigeria do not defeat Madagascar.

The Guineans could also reach the African championship with just a draw against Ethiopia if Nigeria lose to Madagascar.

But a win for Guinea and Nigeria will mean that the group will be decided when both sides meet in Abuja in October.

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IGERIA Football Federation (NFF) Technical Committee chairman, Barrister Chris Green has allayed the fear that the Flying Eagles will not excel at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Colombia.

Following the team’s poor performance at the just concluded Copa de la Republic tournament in Panama City, Nigerians have expressed fear that the reigning

Ideye doesn’t fit into my plans –Siasia insists

D

•Ideye

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri against Ghana for that crucial match except little adjustments here and there.

The match against Ghana is a friendly match and we just want to go there and have fun and make sure that tactically we are very sound and better ready for our tie in Madagascar,” Siaone said.

Meanwhile, another ex Eagles’ star and member of the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Victor Nosakhare Ikpeba has beckoned on Dynamo Kiev striker, Brown Ideye not to be demoralized by the national team snub but should keep on with his impressive form for his club until the Eagles’ selectors would look towards his direction.

He stated that the Technical Committee does not know the players the coach wants to select for the tie in Madagascar and that based on the myriads of players and proven scorers the country has it would be difficult for all of them to be invited in one swoop but that if Ideye continues to excel for his club, invitation will definitely come his way soonest. “ We in the Technical Committee we don’t know actually the players the coach wants to select but we should not forget that Brown Ideye will have his chance and he should continue to do well for his club. We should not forget that Nigeria is a very big country and there is a lot of talent everywhere so we cannot bring everybody to come and play international matches some will still have to give way.

“If you look at the list of players released by the coach recently you cannot say that the like of Osaze, Nsofor, the Uche brothers and Anichebe are not quality players. I think his time will come and he is sure to be invited. You never know he was not invited against Ghana but maybe he might be invited against Madagascar you never know,” Ikpeba assured.

African champions may further fumble at the global tournament.

Green told SuperSport.com that the team did not disappoint since the aim of the tournament was not to win.

“I am happy the way they played, we never entered into the event to win, we only agreed that the event will help them further prepare for the World cup.

“The team played safe to avoid injury,

we did not give it our best shot. The team are ready for the world and I think the purpose has been achieved.”

The Rivers state FA chairman who admitted that the coach John Obuh’s wards need to sharpen the attack hinted that he sees the nation’s campaigners topping their group.

“Flying Eagles will beat Guatemala on July 31. In fact, I see them coming out top

of Group D and progressing to the next stage.

“Yes, the attack is suspect, I expect the coach to make the attack sharper, re-shuffle the defence and inject a few players in the midfield,” he said.

The biennial football fiesta starts on Friday with Nigeria grouped together with Croatia, Saudi Arabia and Guatemala.

They will kick off their title chase on Sunday against Guatemala.

August 9 Friendly: Siasia defends Eagles list

NIGERIA V MADAGASCAR

ESPITE consistent plea from Nigerians and the media, the chief coach of the Super Eagles, Samson Yebowei Siasia has insisted that Dynamo Kiev of Ukraine new signing, Brown Ideye does not figure in his plans for the all-important African Cup of Nations (ANC) Qualifiers against Madagascar in Antananarivo in September.

Siasia in an interview with journalists at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri last Sunday opined that he would be relying majorly on the Eagles’ players he has called up for the international friendly tie between Nigeria and the Black Stars of Ghana on August 9th at the Vicarage Road, Watford, England.

Even though the match against Ghana is a friendly encounter the Super Eagles’ handler said that it would be used to see how tactically they will be ahead of the battle of Antananarivo in just over one month from now. “ No I will not be reviewing my list before the match against Madagascar and Ideye will not be invited for that match in Antananarivo. We will still be using those we have invited for the match

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The former Ocean Boys of Yenagoa and Under 20 star at Canada 2007 FIFA World Cup is currently topping the goal chart in Ukraine in that country’s threweek old league with four goals in two matches. He had a stint with French Ligue 1 side Sochaux whose 15 league goals helped catapult to the Europa League last season.

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UPER Eagles Head coach Samson Siasia has boasted that he stands by the team he is unleashing on the Black Stars of Ghana next month.

Siaone told sportswriters at the NFF secretariat in Abuja on Monday that the team he picked can withstand any team in the world at any point in time "I have full confidence on that team.

We are still rebuilding, and everything is still in the right

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja direction. We would continue to use these friendly matches to perfect the team until such a time when our dream team would emerge. The match against Ghana is a step to that all important match against Madagascar in September. We have full respect for the Black Star team, but we are not

scare of them," Siasia said.

The former international said he is not enthusiastic about the match against Argentina, saying that he has no information about the match.

Siasia maintained that the Super Eagles have all it takes to qualify for the African Nations Cup holding in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea next year. He said though the Super Eagles may disadvantaged now,but the end would justify the means.

COLOMBIA 2011

Nigeria, first team to hit Armenia

•Get heroic welcome

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HE Flying Eagles, Nigeria's representative at this year's FIFA U-20 World Cup, have emerged the first team to arrive Armenia among other teams in Group D, and they were immediately booked into the sprawling and exotic Las Camelias Hotel, which is about half an hour drive from the airport.

Security has been the major concern among plans to make this edition a success, and it was therefore not surprising that security around the team has been very tight.

After landing Colombia, the team later connected a local flight to Armenia, which lasted about 40 minutes. It was a scary experience for most of the team as the Fokker 50 tossed about in the cloudy skies several times.

Soon after lunch, the players were ordered into the swimming pool for a quick dip.

The John Obuh tutored side had arrivrd

in Bogota when Colombia’s national police put up a super show for them Sunday morning. The musical assemble of the Colombian police sang and danced in honour of the African champions for about an hour at the Bogota airport.

Such was the warmth of the presentation that before long the players and officials also joined in with some even suggesting that the music was very similar to that of the Tiv in Benue State of Nigeria.

It was therefore little wonder that defender Terna Suswan, a native of Tiv, seemed to enjoy the welcome the most.

However, the shaken nerves of the team were soon relaxed by another singing welcome party led by a blind, beautiful girl at the Armenia airport. And again the team joined in the fun.

In 1999, Armenia was completely destroyed by an earthquake and so the city of about 300,000 people had to be rebuilt from the scratch.

Nigeria will play two matches in Armenia, against Guatemala on Sunday and versus Croatia three days later.

Moyes relishes Anichebe's form

D

AVID MOYES believes Victor Anichebe could play a big role for Everton this season after the striker helped the Blues end their US tour on a high note.

Anichebe’s fourth-minute strike set Moyes’ side on their way to a convincing 3-1 victory over DC United

in Washington’s RFK Stadium on Saturday night, with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Magaye Gueye completing the scoring in the American capital.

And Moyes believes the Nigeria striker’s potential could be a big asset as his side prepares for the Premier League’s big kick-off on August 13.

“Victor has got great potential,” said Moyes. “A lot of people in the USA seeing him for the first time will have said ‘wow, what a player’.

“We know all about him. He is a very good player. He has had a few injuries, but if he can get rid of those injuries then he has attributes which you cannot buy. He has great strength, great pace, power, athleticism. And he took his goal really well. He has had a bit of a sore back, which is why he didn’t play (against Philadelphia Union) on Wednesday, but we wanted to give him some minutes on the pitch here.”

Moyes was left disappointed after a 10 defeat to Union in midweek, but witnessed a much-improved display here. Everton were two up inside 16 minutes, and though they conceded early in the second-half, they were never genuinely threatened, wrapping up the win through Gueye late on, amid soaring temperatures.

The manager admitted his side’s improvement in the final third was particularly pleasing.

“I was pleased that we got a result, and I thought it was a good game,” added Moyes. “They had a few chances and plenty of shots, and we did as well.

“The conditions played a part, but all credit to both teams for making it as entertaining a game as we could.

“The opening goal gave us a bit of a lift, and gave the players a lift, because we didn’t look like scoring on Wednesday really.”

Crown FC cheat death, again •Team in another road accident

T

HE management of Crown FC of Ogbomosho had cause to thank God after escaping another major mishap for the third time this season from Ilorin, the Kwara State capital after their 2-2 draw against 3SC of Ibadan on Sunday.

It could be recalled that the club suffered similar fate while returning from a league game against Kano Pillars and another one happened on its way to Port Harcourt to honour a match against Dolphins recently.

The media officer of the club, Kunle Oyeleye, informed NationSport that it was

By Akeem Lawal God that spared their lives as some of the players and official that sustained various degrees of injuries were quickly rushed to the hospital, thanks to assistance from 3SC officials.

“The accident occurred at about 6:41 pm at Gambari, few kilometers to Ogbomosho on the new Ilorin-Ibadan express way. Though the road mishap did not claim any life, but there were high degrees of injuries sustained by the players, supporters and management of the team and they are being treated at

Bowen University Teaching Hospital in Ogbomosho. Some of the players and officials including myself, the technical adviser, the coaches and the welfare officer, were all involved. Though I can not ascertain the number of injured person as I’m talking to you, I will make their numbers available to you as soon as possible,” he said.

On the assistance rendered by the management of 3SC, Oyeleye said, “The management of Crown FC expressed sincere appreciation to the management and supporters of the Oluyole Warriors for their prompt effort and assistance at the scene of the accident, we prayed for God continuous protection on us.”

•Anichebe, right, controls the ball from Wigan Athletic's Antolin Alcaraz during their English Premier League match last season

•Moyes

NATION SPORT Chibuzo’s brace sinks Bukola Babes From Tunde Liadi, Owerri

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UPER Eagles’ of Nigeria right full back, Chibuzor Okonkwo’s brilliant performance was what Heartland of Owerri needed to defeat hard fighting Bukola Babes 2-0 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Sunday.

Okonkwo ballistic-like shot in the 22nd minute put the Naze Millionaires ahead after a clever pass from Home Based Eagles' midfielder and teammate, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu and he increased the goal further about three minutes later when he was fed by his teammate off an infringement very close to Bukola's vital area. His cleverly executed freekick was helped into the net by Ayeleso Suraj in goal for Bukola Babes.

There was no further goal in the second half with the teams contented with holding on to the ball and long distance shots.

Bukola were reduced to ten men in the 58th minute when Seun Sogbeso received the marching orders after a bad tackle on Stanley Ohawuchi of Heartland.

The win kept Heartland a step higher than Bukola Babes as they now boast of 46 points from 33 matches while the Saraki Boys have 45 points from 34 games.

•Chibuzo

Wikki returns to Premier League

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AUCHI-BASED Wikki Tourists have returned to the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) after their 1-0 victory over Nasarawa United.

Wikki emerged leaders of Division A with 49 points.

The team lost its Premier League status last year, but bounced back in style after one term in the Nigeria National League (second tier of football in Nigeria).

Wikki’s promotion bid almost suffered a hitch when former coach, Justin Tenger, headed for Premier League side, Niger Tornadoes.

However, the club contracted former Zamfara United boss, Hassan Abubakar, to continue the quest for promotion.

Abubakar expressed satisfaction with the team’s return to the NPL. “It wasn’t easy, but we succeded in the assignment due to hardwork and dedication. I’m proud to have achieved this feat. The team was third on the log when I was employed and I promised to ensure the team returns to the top flight.

“I’m a rescuer because I’ve done this in the past with Zamfara United.

Besides, I even ensured Sunshine avoided relegation,” he said to SuperSport.com.

The former Golden Eaglets coach told SuperSport.com that the away victory over El-Kanemi gave his side the edge.

25

PROPERTY

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes *Real Estate

email:- property@thenationonlineng.net

Why buildings collapse, by experts

•A collapsed building at Mile 12, Lagos

Hardly a day passes without news of one building collapse or the other. It has become a recurring decimal in virtually all parts of the country. Many reasons have been adduced for its frequency, but the Council for the Registration of Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), in whose purview the dynamics of building rests, puts the blame on planning and regulatory authorities, development control lapses and patronage of quacks. OKWY IROEGBU writes •Continued on page 26

•Housing: Lagos targets low income group - PAGE 26

•Drainage: Bayelsa warns developers - PAGE 28

•Lagos moves against 645 distressed buildings - PAGE 30

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

26

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Housing: Lagos targets low income group L AGOS State Government has come up with strategies to deal with housing shortages by targeting the low and middle income groups in its housing scheme.

The scheme is exploring timetested technologies in mass housing that would yield over 500 houses in less than a year, the Commissioner for Housing Olatunbosu Jeje, has said.

He said the state mortgage scheme, Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (HOMES), was positioned to enable subscribers to access houses of their choice with a long gestation period of payment at an interest of six per cent. He also revealed that over 700 houses have been acquired

by Lagosians through the mortgage system.

Jeje said the government was not unaware of the challenges confronting the public, especially on housing, stating that it was determined to address them.

He encouraged people to form co-operatives to fully enjoy the benefits of the mortgage in terms of equity contribution.

He said the government would tax the rich through the provision of houses in high brow areas of Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lekki and Ikeja GRA and use the proceeds to subsidise the houses of the not-so-endowed financially in satellite towns of Iba,

•Jeje

By Okwy Iroegbu, Asst Editor

Badagry, Ikorodu and Epe. This, he said, is to decongest the city centre.

Jeje said the government had set the ball rolling with the provision of good network of roads, electricity, water and effective

transportation, but regretted that the biggest challenge in housing and infrastructure delivery remained funding.

On allegations that some contractors abandoned their sites without completion, he said they have moved back to site as all grey areas had been sorted out, especially in the case of Egan in Igando.

On how the state has been able to sort out the litigation pertaining some estates by subscribers, Jeje noted that what the public failed to understand was that there are covenants binding any contract which must be abided by parties as any breach has penalties attached to it.

He disclosed that the ministry would work extensively with the private sector to deliver the current administration’s vision on mass housing and, subsequently, ensure that those who need them actually get them.

The commissioner, however, confirmed that the ministry has been refunding money to those who desire it without invoking the penalty clause as obtainable in the private sector when contracts and agreements are broken.

On the rent edict which forbids landlords from asking for or receive more than three months rent or tenants to pay more than

‘The commissioner, however, confirmed that the ministry has been refunding money to those who desire it without invoking the penalty clause as obtainable in the private sector when contracts and agreements are broken’

three months’ rent, he maintained that the ministry would work with the House of Assembly to ensure its passage and implementation.

Why buildings collapse, by experts •Continued from page 25

T

HE building industry is not supposed to be the terrain for all comers. As a specialised area, it requires the skills of trained personnel for the sector to grow and excel. Unfortuately, quacks now abound in the industry. The result: collapse of buildngs.

The government’s lukewarm attitude to enforcement of town planning and building control laws has also taken its toll on compliance and enforcement in the sector.

The rains have exposed the fragility and structural instability of many houses which could not withstand the torrents leading to the failure of many with attendant consequences.

Avoidable building collapse and preventable deaths are some of the effects.

In a chat with The Nation, Chairman, Council for the Registration of Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), Prof. Akin Akindoyemi, said the frequency of building collapse in the country, with many recorded cases yearly, has made a mockery of the sector and may slow down the implementation of the policy on direct foreign investment.

He said there seemed not to be any deterrent for those responsible for the failure in all the cases.

Nobody has been prosecuted, nor compensation paid to the estates of the dead or injured.

He urged the National Assembly to pass into law the National Building Code (NBC), which was approved by the National Executive Council and the Council of State in 2006.

He said: “The Code stipulates the procedure and minimum practice requirements for the development of various types of buildings required for human occupancy in Nigeria. It also stipulates who does what in the process of producing buildings as

well as the indicative performance evidence that each activity has been performed.”

Akindoyemi regretted that only Lagos has passed the code into law, while Adamawa and Ogun states have submitted their draft planning law to their houses of Assembly.

The implication, he observed, is that, except for Lagos State, anyone can submit development applications for any building and also start and possibly complete the building, without any input by a registered professional and without any kind of development control.

He cited Auchi in Edo State, where a particular developer went against professional advice and built. The building collapsed shortly after, resulting in the death of 12 people.

The CORBON chief also berated the government for making no positive move to eliminate untrained people from operating in the sector. He criticised the practice of engaging foreigners who are not as qualified as indigenous professionals.

He said: “There are lots of multinational companies and other Nigerian corporate citizens who have employed non-Nigerian professionals without ensuring that they are suitably registered to practise in this country.

“This is contrary to the provisions of the laws establishing the various professional regulatory bodies, such as Town Planning Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC), Surveyors Registration Council of Nigeria (SURCON), Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria (COREN), Quantity Surveyors Registration Body of Nigeria (QSRN) and Estate Surveyors Registration Body of Nigeria (ESVABON).”

•From right: Akindoyemi and other CORBON members.

Akindoyemi called for the review of the laws establishing the councils, to empower them to sanction contravention of their laws and to prosecute offenders.

A developer, Ismail Ibrahim, attributed the collapses to the high cost of cement, poor quality workmanship and usage of substandard materials.

He also blamed the government for ignoring safety considerations in favour of monetary benefits.

He called for more site supervisions by regulatory agencies to ensure that what was approved in

the planning offices is built by owners.

A member of Habitat 2011, a group of professionals from the seven construction bodies who were part of the team that delivered Lagos State’s Town Planning and Building Control law, Kunle Awobodu, advised the government to collaborate with relevant professionals and statutory bodies, as done elsewhere, to assist them in monitoring and supervising buildings under construction.

President, Nigeria Institution of

PHOTO: OKWY IROEGBU

Structural Engineers (NIStructee), Mr Victor Oyenuga, emphasised the quality of rods used for construction and asked the government to do more surveillance on manufacturers of these products to ensure that only quality and standard rods are either manufactured locally or imported.

He further urged the government to compel manufacturers of these products to imprint their names and logos on the products for easy identification in case of a failure.

‘There are lots of multinational companies and other Nigerian corporate citizens who have employed non-Nigerian professionals without ensuring that they are suitably registered to practise in this country’

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

27

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

NEMA tackles Climate Change, disaster management T

HE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has embarked on sensitisation of the public on Climate Change and disaster risk management.

The campaign may have been informed by the recent floods in Lagos and some other parts of the country in which scores died and multi-million naira properties lost.

The incidents elicited the concern of stakeholders in disaster management,who are collaborating with NEMA .

To address the problem of flooding, NEMA, earlier in the year, convened a meeting, based on data released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) in Abuja.

Director-General, NEMA, Alhaji Muhammed Sani Sidi, said the use of weather forecast for early warnings and action is no longer an option, but a compelling necessity.

NEMA, in its desire to mitigate the effects of flooding, has followed NIMET rainfall predictions on 2010 with similar meetings to digest the predictions and obtain a conscientious warning system to put the agency on top of rescue measures.

Sidi said there was need to go beyond the multi-disciplinary stake- holders’ meeting to monitoring the forecast and engage in joint evaluation to improve on last year’s achievements, adding that the Federal Government is desirous of making Nigeria safe.

NIMET, on its part, explained that predictions above normal rainfall for this year resulted in flash floodings over the north, particularly in the Northeast.

The agency stated that wet spells and flash floods could occur in areas of normal or abnormal rainfall. It also said this could lead to damage to crops, equipment and dams.

Last year’s rains came with excessive floods which affected the following states: Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Sokoto and Yobe.

NIMET charged NEMA to go a step further by looking at the negative implication of rains’patterns in neighbouring countries as water flowing from them may contribute to causes of floods within the country. Having accessed the massive flooding around the country, Sidi said the reality of Climate Change is no longer in doubt.

He said: “We must, therefore, do every thing possible to build the resilience of the people and communities, sensitising them to

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

the realities of the negative impact of flooding.

“Emergencies and natural disasters are on the increase globally.

We have witnessed the increased intensity and frequency of hydrometeorological incidents such as flood, windstorm, drought and fire. The government is desirous of discharging its obligations to the citizenry, by establishing Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) which are saddled with the attainment of the ultimate objective of making Nigeria safe.

“It is imperative for all relevant MDAs to play their statutory roles in ensuring a safer society. The major cause of the flooding was excessive rainfall, with dam breakages and blockage of drainage systems exacerbating the problem as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).

“I wish to draw your attention to the rainfall forecast for 2011 for Nigeria. The forecast indicates that the onset of rainfall may be earlier than normal. In addition, the forecast points to negative impact on the agricultural, infrastructural, hydrological and health sectors of Nigeria with attendant socio-economic consequences.”

He further said: “The communities in the Southsouth are particularly vulnerable and the stakeholders will look at their peculiar situation to come up with the best measures to build their adaptive capacity and enhance their resilience to the impact of climate change.

“With the collaboration of our stakeholders at the federal, state and local government and the communities, we can mitigate disaster and safeguard our development gains.”

Going down memory lane, he said: “Before the recent flooding in Lagos State that claimed about 12 lives, the Kano State flooding

claimed six lives while 276 people sustained various injuries.

“This has set stakeholders into action with NEMA leading to create awareness round the country.

This is to ensure that communities located along flood plains adopt necessary precautionary measures following increased rainfalls and dangers of being affected by the disaster.”

He advised: “Communities in flood prone areas must be on the alert and relocate temporarily to safer higher ground where necessary to avoid being affected by the disaster.

The director-general said NEMA was concerned about the dangers from Climate Change. As a result, it has flagged off a regional sensitisation workshop aimed at creating awareness on how communities could adapt to the problem.

He called on the state and local governments to assist the endangered communities in their areas, as many urban cities including the nation’s commercial centre, Lagos, have also been experiencing heavy flooding.

In view of global rise in natural and man-induced disasters, NEMA urged local government councils to be more committed to disaster management to reduce losses and destruction.

The agency has taken up the training of 200 local government officials and emergency volunteers in each of the country’s six geo Political zones.

Sidi said: “When disasters occur, the impact is usually felt in a locality. We will increase the awareness of local government officials to disaster management and disaster risk reduction.

“Available records have shown that the communities need to be involved in the management of risks that may threaten their wellbeing and the efforts geared towards disaster management should be targeted at the communities. Unless these efforts are sus-

tainable at individual and community levels, it will be difficult to reduce the losses and scale of destruction from disaster-related emergencies. Communal efforts are the backbone of every society in Nigeria.”

“The traditional institutions had effective methods of managing various problems and emergencies that arose from time to time.

The communities were fully aware of the risks inherent in their localities and mobilised themselves to prevent such hazards before they escalated to disasters.”

He said there was the need to train people in the six geo-political zones on what to expect, how to react and chart ways to mitigate the effect of flooding. “Response to disaster does not just happen. It is planned. No one responds to disaster without knowledge. If NEMA takes additional risk in expanding to local government, it will go along way in their awareness creation.

While on the awareness tour for states, NEMA during a courtesy call on Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, asserted that Climate Change is a reality and the impact are already telling on Nigerians in many ways.

He said extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and storms have become both more frequent and severe. They occur in places where they are either previously unknown or extremely rare. Dry areas are becoming extremely dryer and wet areas are getting worse.

These and other unknown changes in the world’s climate would increase the risk of climaterelated disasters, he added.

To address these challenges, the states must have functional State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) which are wellfunded and provided for in terms of logistics, finance and legislation, he stressed.

“The world is struggling to cope with the negative impact of Cli-

‘This has set stakeholders into action with NEMA leading to create awareness round the country. This is to ensure that communities located along flood plains adopt necessary precautionary measures following increased rainfalls and dangers of being affected by the disaster’

•Sidi

mate Change through mitigation, adaption, technology and finance.

While the world is struggling to agree on how to pursue the four building blocks, we, as a nation, need to look more inward and situate the building block within the context of containing the adverse effects of Climate Change in Nigeria.

To identify the challenges of Climate Change and develop simple implementation and communitybased action plan for adaption, NEMA has lined up six stakeholders workshop on Climate Change and disaster risk management in the countryto be held in the regions of the country and one national workshop in Abuja, while the agency is kickstarting the workshop from Delta State.

Governor Uduaghan, in his address at the event, assured that he would support the SEMA to ensure disaster reduction in the state.

He said: “We have decided as a state to see what we can do in Delta State to curb disaster. A lot of the Climate Change issue has been caused by developed countries, while the developing countries are the ones bearing the brunt.

“I am happy that NEMA is dealing with the situation, as we all know disaster comes most times without warning. Very key to the success of whatever NEMA will do is orientation. We need to orientate and re-orientate our people.

“The people are supposed to know that building houses across the waterways is not good for them. As a state, we have put up a committee to ensure that no house is built on waterways.”

Bayelsa warns developers against building on drainages

P

ROPERTY developers who build houses on drainages, especially in Yenegoa, the Bayelsa State capital have been warned to desist or face the wrath of the law.

The state Commissioner for the Environment, Chief Robert Enogha, gave the warning during an interview in his office in Yenagoa last week.

He expressed concern over the frequent problems of over flooding that have affected some parts of the state capital and its environ as a result of blocked drainages.

He warned that no one would be spared, no matter how highly placed. He added that the state’s environmental laws would be implemented without fear or favour.

He said this is one of the ways drainages in and around Yenagoa would be opened to re-

FROM Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

duce the perennial flooding that has damaged properties in the state.

An immediate past law maker, he noted that he would deploy his experience in enforcing some of these laws now that he’s serving as a commissioner.

“The environmental laws will be implemented to the later, subtly and effectively,” stated Enogha, who blamed most

highly placed personalities for flaunting the environmental laws.

“Buildings on drainages will be demolished. Most problems are manmade because many houses are built on drainages by people who know the law, houses on drainages won’t be spared,” he added.

“Drainages, especially in Yenagoa, will be given a face-lift and this will be followed with en-

lightenment for members of the public,” he added.

He said as a result of the heavy rains that have increased flooding in most parts of the state capital, the government has started opening up some drainages.

“This shows that the government is aware and on top of the situation that has been a problem,” he said.

The commissioner said he would ensure that most of the wrongs would be corrected dur-

ing his tenure in the ministry.

“We, as a government, are committed to the opening of blocked drainages and the removal of man-made problems of flood. It will be a terrible thing for some persons to build on drainages and we do nothing. No matter high the profile of marked buildings are, we will demolish them.

It is a process that will not be stopped. If there were wrongs done before, this administration would make it right.”

Contractor gets ultimatum on N2.26b Apo-Karshi road

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EDERAL Capital Territory Minister, Senator Bala Mo hammed, has given the contractor handling the Apo-Karshi road four months to speed up work on it to meet its opening by December.

The minister, who inspected the

14-kilometre road, said when finally completed, it will reduce the daily traffic congestion on AbujaKeffi road.

Mohammed, while charging the contractor to expedite action on the project, said the alternative road is very important to FCT residents

and Nigerians,to forestall further loss of lives on it.

"Our people are dying on the other road daily because it is highly congested. The only option we have is to open up more roads to ease the problem facing commuters on that road," he said.

Investigations revealed that the project was awarded by the Federal Government last December.

Project Engineer, Oduche Obiefuna, said the project which is expected to cost N2.26 billion, will be a one carriage way with two bridges and culverts.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

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PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT Agencies to collaborate on oil spill, erosion in Niger Delta

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•Dove court, Abuja

Durban conference on Climate Change: Task before Nigeria

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Y October, Nigeria is expected to join other countries in Dur ban, South Africa for the global Climate Change conference. As usual, it is expected to push the position of the continent and other developing countries.

Key on the agenda is the knack to benefit from the over $30billion set aside by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, (UNFCCC) for the developing countries under Voluntary Emissions Reduction (VER) programme.

Meanwhile, the would-be benefitting country have to prove its worthiness. Nigeria does not seem to have a tangible programme to prove that it is ready to access the fund that would have provided the needed leverage for the government as it tackles the effects of Climate Change in the country.

Secondly, while other discerning countries that are acquainted with the benefits of the conference would have perfected their strategies or on the brink of completing the process, Nigeria is yet to get off the ground in matters of preparation. Negotiations would dominate the conference and experts from Nigeria, who are supposed to be wellinformed with the Federal Government’s position on each proposal, are far from chosen.

With this development, how would Nigeria deliver on the burden placed on its shoulders by the rest of the developing world?

Having all countries in a round table to negotiate in what was termed a conference of parties for negotiations on Climate Change was borne out of necessity. The conference became imperative on the discovery that no single country, no matter how developed, can solely tackle the effects of global warming induced largely by human activities.

Furthermore, the rest of the world have come to realise that notwithstanding that developed countries are the highest contributors to global warming, the consequences are borne mostly by the poor ones that even have less resources, technical or financial to mitigate the effects.

In view of this, irrespective of who is at the receiving end, international co-operation is central in an effort to reduce the impact of Climate Change, emissions and the dangerous gases that cause climate change.

One of the major issues that will form the fulcrum of discussion at the Durban meeting is the ongoing negotiation on how to make up for the loss suffered by the developing countries.

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

The joint agreement is expected to lead to a mechanism through which international funding will be provided to address the loss and damage that Climate Change causes, especially in agriculture.

However, while most countries, particularly the West are bracing up by initiating various programmes that would give them a strong footing to gain from the international process, the case may not be so with Nigeria.

Less than five months to the conference, it is not clear if Nigeria has a national position. It was gathered that Nigeria’s programme that would enable her to benefit from the over $30billion set aside by the UNFCCC for theVER programme is still vague.

Theses arguments were, however, countered by Dr Adejuwon, Head, Climate Change Unit of the Federal Ministry of Environment, who said, an approval has been given for the composition of the Durban conference.

“This time Nigeria will not go with the crowd. Rather, a team of experts that are well-ingrained in matters on the table and astute in negotiations would be representing the country. He also waved off insinuations of Nigeria’s inability to draw from the $30b, VER grant.

“Where is the money, it is only pledges and where the money is available, conditions that would accompany it would make it impossible for any developing country to access it.”

To buttress Adejuwon’s assertion on the importance of the Durban conference, Executive Director, International Centre for Energy, Environment and Development, Mr Ewah Eleri who said the opportunity of

hosting the conference in Africa for the first time should not be missed, noting that if well handled, the negotiations would greatly enhance Nigeria’s efforts at combating the negative impact of Climate Change.

Besides, he also noted that the negotiations would help the country to develop mechanisms, including finance to meet the cause of adapting to Climate Change.

He said: “We need strong international co-operation to meet the challenges of Climate Change in Nigeria. As you are aware, Climate Change is directly linked to poverty reduction. There is no sector where we have a clear manifestation of the effects of global warming than in agricultural sector.

“International negotiations will also help us in our quest to develop mechanisms, including finance to meet the cause of adapting to climate change, especially in the area of agriculture.”

On how best Nigeria can leverage on its position as the leading country in Africa at the meeting, Ewah said time is of essence and that Nigeria by now is expected to have researched into the various aspects of the negotiations to come up with a clear national position.

As part of the preparations for the top event, he said the country needs an arrowhead with the level of expertise and leadership quality of the former Minister of Environment, Mr. John Odey, to drive the process of negotiations at the forum.

“At this point we need someone with the commitment and leadership offered by the likes of former Minister, John Odey at such international negotiations. Over the past two years, Odey ensured that we have an inclusive process of developing national position ahead of international negotiations.

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

He said this would avail planners and administrators in the oil exploration and exploitation to plan ahead against oil spill.

Idabor spoketo The Nation in Abuja during a visit to the Director-General of Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) where he revealed that his agency is set to launch a National Oil Spill Contingency Plan.

He said: “It is pertinent for agencies such as these to collaborate since we have a common ground talking about the environment and weather. A lot that happen to the environment depend on the prevailing weather condition.

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

“We want to be abreast of information, which a sister agency such as this to enable us to carry out our work more effectively. This is an issue that bothers on data sharing and data gathering.”

Idabor noted that equipped with adequate information and data, his agency’s detection and response mechanism would be strengthened.

“Not only this, prevention of oil spill would also be encouraged which means that less resources

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

would be expended on detection and response. To the farmer, fisherman and others that use the environment for their livelihood as well as the economy of the country would be better for it.

“Individual and state resources that would have been spent on remediation would be better channelled elsewhere.”

“Providing information on the prevailing weather and climatic condition periodically would ensure proper and adequate response strategy during oil spill incidents, key is weather emergencies equipment and early warning systems,” he added.

In his response, NIMET helmsman, Dr Anthony Anuforo, said the proposed collaboration cannot be overemphasised going by the effects of climate change on the country.

“For instance, with scientific evidence, the kind of strong storm and thunder storm from the Gulf of Guinea is beginning to pose a threat of coastal erosion to the 850km low lying coast of Nigeria because it is now getting more violent.

“Though we don’t have tornadoes in this part of the world, the kind of storm from the Gulf of Guinea is getting to be like it. So, the coming together of agencies with related mandates is becoming more imperative by the day if we are to safeguard our coastal areas, especially the Niger Delta region,"Anuforo stated.

He further said NIMET would offer every support requested by NOSDRA against oil spills in the country.

Collapsed buildings: Jang tasks engineering council on ethics

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LATEAU State Governor, Jonah Jang has called on the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) to check the infiltration of quacks into the profession to achieve high standard.

The governor stated this yesterday in Jos at the inauguration of Engineering Regulations and Monitoring (ERM) Inspectorate in Plateau State.

Decrying the incessant cases of collapsed buildings in the nation, the governor, represented by his deputy, Mr Ignatius Longjan, said these were happening in the midst of qualified engineers, architects, geologists, and other experts who should relieve the society of such tragedies.

Jang said it grieved him that “while our tertiary institutions churn out graduates in various fields of endeavour, we continue to face such inadequacies that put us at risks whether at home, outside or in our offices”.

He said the government has made provision for engineering in-

From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

frastructure, yet it was not reflected in the quality of works done in road construction, bridges, dams or even houses.

Jang, who said the government has put machinery to check the unfortunate incidents, charged COREN to rise up to the challenge of providing safe structures for the society.

Earlier, the Chief Inspector, Jos Zone Inspectorate, Sam Audu, in his welcome address said the inauguration took place in Jos this year despite COREN's existence since 1997 due to the disturbances in the state.

Audu added that the Council is repositioned to curtail the influx of unqualified engineering personnel into the nation in the guise of 'experts' and called on the government to eliminate engineering and technological dependence on foreign countries as this means creating jobs for foreign economies at the expense of its citizens.

NNPC depot to build N3.5m computer training centre

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EMBERS of the Independ ent Marketers Branch (IMB) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Ilorin depot, have laid the foundation stone for the construction of a N3.5million ultra-modern computer training centre.

IMB is a branch of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).

It also inaugurated a N500,000 bore hole project constructed by the Comrade Tajudeen Balogunled administration.

Chairman of IMB Ilorin unit Balogun used the forum, which was his second anniversary celebration, to reel out some of his

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

achievements, which, according to him, include “general renovation of the IMB secretariat by providing furniture to all the offices; general tiling of the secretariat and procurement of S195/7.5KW generator to serve as back-up to the existing complex.”

His words: “Members’welfare remains a cardinal programme as the union is up to date in terms of commitment to their welfare.

“In the years under review the union sponsored members to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) training programmes and semi-

nars to widen their knowledge about labour unionism. Our desire is to meet up with the reality of our time necessitated the laying of a N3.5million IMB of NUPENG ultra-modern computer training centre today.

“It is our resolve that we shall once again invite you to the inauguration of this project before our tenure lapses through your contributions and support.

The provision of a functional bore hole due for inauguration today is to ease the water problem occasionally encountered by members and the community as a whole.”

At the event were Zonal Chair-

‘It is our resolve that we shall once again invite you to the inauguration of this project before our tenure lapses through your contributions and support’ man of IMB, Lagos zone, Comrade A.M.A. Wahab and Vice Chairman, NUPENG Lagos Zone, Comrade Olaleye Elisha.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

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PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Stanbic IBTC okays N1b for waste management in Lagos

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TANBIC IBTC Bank has stepped up waste manage ment in Lagos State in with the financing of 100 new compactors under a deal with the state government.

The N1billion deal involves the purchase of 100 units of new TATA LP 1618 compactors for the use of PSP operators.

The Nation investigation revealed that the repayments of the loan would be made through deductions from the revenue the PSP operators generate and pay to the Lagos State Waste Management Authority ( LAWMA) while LAWMA would pay Stanbic IBTC via its monthly subvention.

Through this strategy, default is reduced to the barest minimum. It will also open up the window for the expansion of the facility to cover even more operators.

Describing the deal as a milestone, the Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Sola DavidBorha, said the collaboration dovetails into the bank’s commitment to Nigeria’s economic development as well as building a sustainable environment for people and businesses.

She said the main motivation for the lease was the high interest charges that commercial loans normally attract, making it almost impossible for individual PSP operators to purchase new trucks.

“Stanbic IBTC Bank has continued to partner the Lagos State Government in a variety of ways and our ability to commit about N1billion towards the procurement of 100 new garbage trucks for LAWMA is a testimony to our commitment to sustainable economic development.

“We will continue to look for opportunities to finance infrastructure projects in Lagos State. We strongly believe that infrastructure is the foundation on which socioeconomic development is built. We look forward to providing finance for the outstanding 150 garbage trucks in the second phase of this

•LAWMA trucks

project,” assured Mrs. DavidBorha.

The bank’s gesture, it was learnt, is in support of Lagos State Government’s vision to have only new trucks in the fleet of the PSP operators to ensure a clean and healthy environment.

LAWMA Managing Director, Ola Oresanya, said financing the acquisition of new trucks became necessary following complaints by the PSP operators that their fairly used trucks were inefficient and costly to maintain, thereby limiting their turnaround time and profit. “The garbage truck acquisition financed by Stanbic IBTC Bank

is another successful partnership conceived by Lagos State between private sector investors and LAWMA,” he added.

Observers say the enthusiasm displayed by the boss of LAWMA at the handover of the new compactors is not misplaced. With more new trucks on their way for other operators, they added, waste management may likely be far more efficient than it has been in the history of the state and the country.

Noting that Lagos has the largest number of people in the federation, the total waste generated by

Lagosians – from their homes, offices and factories – is massive, indeed. Rather than see it as a problem, the government and indeed, Stanbic IBTC, see this as an opportunity that could lead to the generation of employment and wealth creation as well as a cleaner environment. The state waste management sector employs about 10,000 people.

“We have gone some steps further to use the outfit (LAWMA) as a means of empowerment and make Lagosians happy. Our refuse management is second to none in Africa as other African nations come here

to understudy what LAWMA is doing,” said Mr Oresanya.

Reiterating the impact of an efficient waste management system and the role of the private sector in helping the government drive its vision of a cleaner environment for Lagos, Governor Fashola expressed delight about Stanbic IBTC Bank’s partnership with the state.

He described the synergy as a remarkable milestone to actualise the dream of a refuse-free Lagos. He commended the bank, saying its partnership with the state government would drive infrastructure development in the state.

Gulf property market excites African investors

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FRICAN investors are in creasingly looking to the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) property market.

This follows predictions by the Middle East’s largest independent developer, DAMAC Properties, that $452 billion of government’s spending on GCC infrastructure projects would impact on regional property markets in the next 12 months.

The energy producing nations of Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar account for 80 per cent of the total value of investment in projects, already announced in the GCC, according to research specialists Ventures Middle East.

Spendings on infrastructure has been used by GCC governments as an economic instrument to diversify oil-based economies for sustainable long-term growth.

“Government spending on infrastructure has a multiplier effect on the overall economy. Major projects require an impetus of resources and skilled labour. The more money spent, the more skilled

T

Okwy Iroegbu with agency report

labour required to execute those projects, which attracts new people to the GCC countries, boosting demand for residential properties, both to rent and also to buy” said Senior Vice President, DAMAC Properties, Niall Mc Loughlin.

African investor Mohamed Jeneby has purchased property in Dubai, and believes infrastructure is the key to the Emirates’ future growth: "When you look at airport passenger numbers, when you look at Jebel Ali Port, the Metro, you can see that the infrastructure is in place. Dubai will grow, it's only a matter of time" he commented.

While there are already over $450 billion worth of projects in the pipeline, rising energy prices may be a strong catalyst for regional governments to further increase expenditure on infrastructure.

The crude oil price has risen to its highest level in two and a half years, and that is delivering additional

revenue to the governments of oil producing nations within the GCC. Converting surplus oil revenues into major infrastructure projects has long been a strategic objective of regional economic policy makers in the Middle East region.

Investment in infrastructure can have the effect of stimulating nonoil sectors of the economy including transport and logistics, health services and education.

“Property investors should be taking note of macro-economic developments across the region for two reasons; firstly, new projects attract more labour which creates more demand for housing, and sec-

ondly government funding on public amenities such hospitals, schools and rail networks it can revitalise entire areas and leverage property values higher,” Mc Loughlin commented.

Of the scheduled projects, rail infrastructure accounts for nearly a quarter of all government spending. This includes the highly anticipated Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) railway project, linking GCC member countries. The 2,117km-long network, starting in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, is likely to take a little over five years to complete.

Qatar is also investing heavily in

‘While there are already over $450 billion worth of projects in the pipeline, rising energy prices may be a strong catalyst for regional governments to further increase expenditure on infrastructure’

infrastructure following its FIFA 2022 World Cup bid. Key industry analysts are estimating that Qatar will need to invest at least $90 billion over the next decade on housing and infrastructure.

The country has pledged to allocate 37 per cent of its budget to major capital projects.

“We predict the wide-scale government spending on infrastructure will begin to have a significant impact on GCC property markets over the next 12 to 18 months.

“There is a lag-time with any fiscal stimulus, and with infrastructure projects in particular, it takes time for the injection of funds to resonate in the real economy,” said Mc Loughlin.

DAMAC Properties is the largest independent developer in the Middle East, with almost 9,000 units under construction across the MENA region.

The award winning developer is continuing to focus on construction and delivery of high quality developments across the region.

Southsouth leaders appeal to govt to build coastal roads

RADITIONAL rulers in the Southsouth geo-political zone of the country have urged the Federal Government to expedite action on the construction of coastal roads in the Niger Delta region.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the 23rd National Conference of Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities

of Nigeria (TROMPCON) in Effurun, Delta, the monarchs said the roads were needed to link communities.

The communique, signed by the National Chairman, Oba Lawrence Omowole III and Secretary, HRH Bokumo Orukari, explained that the roads would help in poverty alleviation and reduce the transportation challenges of the people.

TROMPCON also called on the Federal Government to restructure the NYSC scheme to enable graduates to serve in their zones of origin.

It condemned the killings of some youth corps members in some parts of the North and described the action as ''mindless'' The monarchs also appealed to

the Boko Haram sect to give peace a chance, adding: ''peace is a requisite for co-existence and development.''

They pointed out that no meaningful development could take place in an atmosphere of rancour.

The rulers congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan and VicePresident Namadi Sambo on their victory in the Presidential Election.

They said there was no conflict between traditional institutions and democratic values, and those grassroots leaders, traditional rulers remained the custodians of the cultural heritage of the people.

They also commended Delta Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, for his support and assistance toward the successful hosting of the conference.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

30

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT BUILDING MATERIALS PRICES

•Ayinde (middle) and other members of staff of the Physical Planning and Urban Development ministry.

PHOTO: OKWY IROEGBU

Lagos moves against 645 distressed buildings

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HE Lagos State govern ment has devised meas ures to deconstruct over 645 houses identified as stressed.

Earlier, the state government had distressed discovered some buildings in the metropolis and advised their owners to bring them down to avoid not only penalties, but loss of lives and properties.

The Commissioner of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Toyin Ayinde, said the government had advised owners of such buildings to bring them down themselves or the government would do for them, but they would bear the bill.

He said in line with the state’s policy, henceforth owners of collapsed buildings would forfeit such to the government and also face prosecution. He recalled that the two-floor building that collapsed in Alapere, Ketu last week was an existing building that the developer decided to increase its height and expand with substandard materials.

He urged the public to report questionable developments in their area noting that this might be potential danger to its neigbours.

He said his ministry has started sealing up distressed

Stories by Okwy Iroegbu, Asst Editor

buildings, bringing the total to 34. He said there are more of such buildings on the Island to ensure the safety of city dwellers.

He regretted that some people now convert residential premises to commercial or unauthorised uses contrary to Section 64 of the Physical Planning and Development Regulations of 2005.

Recognising that the government is handicapped in mobilising the workers needed for monitoring development in the metropolis, he said: "We realise that we do not have the required personnel to inspect construction sites and monitor developments. So, we have come out with a strategy to collaborate with the relevant professionals in the built environment sector to effective monitor development. Our objective is to ensure that people live

‘We realise that we do not have the required personnel to inspect construction sites and monitor developments’

in a safe and planned environment."

He said the government is poised at monitoring every stage of construction to ensure that it is certified and any abuse of physical laws is dictated early and discouraged by the agents of government.

Ayinde hinted that a building control agency would be established and empowered to monitor the environment.

On the need to liberalise the encumbrances associated with planning approvals and by extension checking the collapse of building, he said that the government intends to reduce the time in obtaining approval documents.

The 30-day period, he said, will be reduced to ensure that people obtain approvals before building their structures.

On complaints by some landlords on wrong assessment of their buildings, he said there is an appeals’ committee where people lodge complaints to, or better still, the set of people can obtain the services of the material testing laboratory of the government to have a second opinion.

The commissioner confessed that not all buildings marked would be demolished, adding that some are for renovation.

He advised people to always see the government as working in their best interest.

UNEP refutes media attack on Ogoni land T

HE United Nations En vironment Programme (UNEP) has refuted media claims against it by the Dutch media.

In a statement the UNEP spokesperson, Nick Nuttall, said the forthcoming launch of its Independent Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland report is on track and its release not delayed as a result of security concerns.

He maintained that the report contains the findings and recommendations of its twoyear assessment of the environmental and public health impact of oil contamination in Ogoniland, conducted at the request of the Federal Government.

He said: “An extensive peer review of the findings has been carried out by external scientists. The study represents an unprecedented effort to examine the location, nature, extent and implications of oil contamination in Ogoniland”.

He disclosed that they informed the relevant authorities in Nigeria that the report will be ready for publication this week and also proposed

that the launch takes place in the capital Abuja.

Nuttal said that once the report is released, it will be made available to the public and the national and international media via the UNEP website.

Claims that the independent report either exonerates some stakeholders or blames others for the oil spills are wrong - as has been previously published he stated.

UNEP hopes the report and its findings will catalyze cooperation and a response to decades of oil-related environmental challenges and provide for the people of Ogoniland the opportunity for a sustainable future, he added.

The UNEP spokes person revealed that during the 14 months of fieldwork in Ogoniland and its surrounding creeks, UNEP teams collected samples of soil, water, sediment, air and plant and fish tissue for analysis. The samples have been tested for more than 400 substances, or

analytes, such as petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals.

He stated that community input and assistance was a key element of the project which they deeply appreciated including the widespread contribution of local knowledge of oil contamination stretching back over several decades.

On their level of involvement, he said: “UNEP had Community Liaison Assistants liaising closely with local communities in Ogoniland, and as part of the project, extensive consultations and discussion groups were organised with the main local academic partner as the Rivers State University of Science and Technology.”

He also said at the project's peak, some 30 local staff were employed with UNEP's project team based in Port Harcourt, who worked alongside international experts supported in the field by voluntary community representatives.

He, therefore, said the publications by the media especially the Dutch media should be disregarded

Materials

Market Prices

Blocks 9x9 6x6 Cement per bag Cement per tone (20) Doors 33x81 Malzonia 33x81 Teak 33x81 Omo 33x81 Unpolished Omo 33x81 Maliana Polished 33x81 Maoghany Earthwork wash gravel (5tons) Unwashed gravel (5tons) Granite per lorry load(30 tons) Sharp sand per lorry (5tons) Sharp sand per lorry (10 tons) Laterite filling sand per lorry (15 tons) Hardcore per lorry load (30 tons) Electrical cables 1mm 2 single core per roll 1.5mm 2 single core per roll 2.5mm 2 single core per roll 4mm 2 single core per roll 1mm 2 twin cable per roll 1.5mm 2 twin cable per roll 1.5mm 2 three core per roll 2.5mm 2 three core cable 4mm 2 three core cable per roll Galvanised Mild Steel/Electrical Conduct Pipes 20mm diameter pipe 3.60m length (dignity) 25mm diameter pipe 3.6m length (dignity) Glass 6x24 plain 5mm 6x36 plain 5mm Louvre carrier UNIC 8 blade carrier UNIC 6 blade carrier Nails 1" Ordinary per bag 11/2 Ordinary per bag 2" Ordinary per bag 4" Ordinary per bag 5" ordinary per bag 1" UK per bag 2"UK per bag 3" UK per bag 5" UK per bag Plywood ¼ white imported plywood ½ white imported plywood ¾ white imported plywood ¼ Mahogany veneer plywood ½ Mahogany veneer plywood ¾ Mahogany veneer plywood ¼ particle board ½ particle board ¾ particle board PVC Electrical Conduct pipes 20mm diameter pipe per 3m length 25mm diameter pipe per 3m length Reinforcement 25mm full standard Ukraine hit imported rod per ton 20mm full standard Ukraine hit imported rod per ton 16mm full standard Ukraine hit imported rod per ton 12mm full standard Ukraine hit imported rod per ton 10mm full standard Ukraine hit imported rod per ton Roofing and ceiling sheet Super light weight 31/2x8feet Super light weight 31/2x6feet Super light weight 21/2x6feet 31/2x8 feet s.t.

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Tiles 20x30 Viaeny wall tiles 20X30 wall tiles (carton)

N 150 130 1700 32,000 15,000 4,000 7,000 5,000 7,000 12,000 27,000 25,000 165,000 17,000 26,000 23,000 200,000 2,000 1,900 2,800 4,800 2,000 4,000 6,000 7,500 18,000

K 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

150 160 90 140 600 450

00 00 00 00 00 00

6,000 6,000 4,600 5,000 5,500 6,000 4,600 4,600 5,500 1,200 2,300 3,400 1,700 2,700 3,750 700 1,500 1,900

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

100 120

00 00

165,000 155,000 150,000 145,000 145,000

00 00 00 00 00

1,200 1,500 800 2,000 1,600

00 00 00 00 00

700 1,500

00 00

TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

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E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

•Daudu (SAN)

For an efficient criminal justice system Ahead of the National Assembly’s passage of the various criminal justice bills, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has held the first-ever conference on criminal justice reform. The sector has for long been dogged with inefficiency and delay. To the NBA, urgent clinical surgery is required to transform it. JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU spoke to some lawyers on steps to be taken to achieve this all-important objective.

•STORY ON PAGE 33

•Port Harcourt ready to host lawyers - P.32 •Drama of a trial - P.34

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

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FATIONAL ROM THEBC OURT N AR COUNTDOWN TO NBA CONFERENCE: 26 DAYS TO GO

NBA holds NEC meeting

Port Harcourt ready to host lawyers

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ITH 26 days to the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the body has declared its readiness host about 10,000 lawyers who would attend the conference.

At a briefing in Lagos, NBA President Joseph Daudu (SAN), said the Conference would be a huge success using Lagos 2009 and Kaduna 2010 as benchmarks.

Daudu said this year’s conference will be modelled after the International Bar Association (IBA) and American Bar Association (ABA) models, where different sessions hold at different venues simultaneously.

They include Section on Business Law (SBL), Section on Legal Practice (SLP), Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SBL), Young Lawyers Forum (YLF), Women Forum and Lawyers in the Media Forum (LIM).

The NBA chief noted that adequate arrangements have been put in place to ensure the security and safety of lawyers who would attend the conference.

He commended Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, for his support.

One key feature of this year’s conference would be the absence of the usual free meals and dinner that hitherto characterised NBA Conferences.

Stories by John Austin Unachukwu

However, Friendship Centres would be easily and readily available to attend to lawyers, Daudu said.

He also stated that facilities have been put in place to ensure maximum enjoyment and relaxation of lawyers in the Garden City.

He advised lawyers wishing to attend the conference to complete their registration making their payments at the appropriate banks, adding that the NBA would not collect cash at the registration point in Port Harcourt.

Those attending were are advised to pay to the appropriate bank account, bring their letters to the conference venue and collect their conference materials.

The topic of this year’s conference is: Sustaining an Enduring Democracy in Nigeria.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is expected to declare the conference open while Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka will be the keynote speaker.

Conference venue is the Civic Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt while the State House of Assembly, the High Court, hotels and others will serve as Conference Venues.

•Okey Walli (SAN) Alternate Chairman, Conference Planning Committee

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HE National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) will hold on Thursday, July 28, 2011, at the Conference Hall, State Secretariat Complex, Katsina.

A statement by the Welfare Officer, Usman Sule, says that arrangements have

been concluded and buses made available to convey members from the airport and bus stations to the venue of the meeting.

NEC members are, therefore, requested to arrive Katsina on Wednesday to meet the welfare officer at the Katsina Motel for necessary briefing on arrangements.

The NBA team will also on Wednesday, pay a courtesy call on the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Kabiru Usman and will be hosted to a cocktail party by the Chief Judge of the State at High Court Complex the same day. There will also be an all night party for members that Wednesday night at Fadama Hotel.

Katsina State Governor Dr Ibrahim Shehu Shema will declare the NEC meeting open on Thursday while the branch Chairman, Kabiru Umar Yallilu will present a welcome address.

The governor will host members to a dinner party after the NEC meeting on Thursday. Adequate Security arrangements have been put in place to ensure the safety of the Bar leaders in Katsina.

Committee submits report

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HE Eminent Persons Committee set up by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to look into the cause of the faceoff between the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Aloysius Katsina-Alu has submitted its report to the president of the NBA, Joseph Bodunrin Daudu (SAN).

The committee, chaired by former NBA President, T. J. O. Okpoko (SAN) was set up by the NBA at Awka NEC in February 2011 to look into the causes of the rift between two key helmsmen ofthe Nation’s Judiciary and report to the Bar. The committee has finished it’s assignment and handed over its report to NBA chief.

Daudu thanked the committee

for its efforts. “We intend to circulate it as widely as possible to NEC members so that they can take a decision on it in Katsina. It will be thoroughly debated and at the end of the day, the NBA will make its recommendations to the powers that be on the issue.

“But, at least, we have indicated that our process works. I will read the report in the next few days. It is a very bulky report and our constituency will, as stakeholders in the legal profession, have their say.

Secretary to the Committee, Mr Ebenezer Obeya said: “It was a call to duty. It was tasking and challenging, but the committee was able to finish the assignment and submit the report on time.”

•Committee Secretary Ebenezer Obeya handing the committees’ report to NBA President, Joseph Bodurin Daudu (SAN) as NBA Publicity Secretary, Emeka Obegolu, watches

Life and times of Justice Aniagolu

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N Tuesday, June 28, 2011, news filtered in that Justice Anthony Nnaemezie Aniagolu passed on. Usually when the earthy life comes to an end those who know the deceased and indeed all humanity mourn.

An English poet opined that when the final bell tolls (death) it tolls not just for the dead but for all humanity for we are all one in death. In this write up I intend not to mourn the dead but to celebrate him for what he was while on this earthly plane.

Some questions may come up.

People may want to know his background as to birth, education, career, interests and how he impacted on his environment. It is only when we know the soil a tree is planted that we can understand it better.

Justice Anthony Nnaemezie Aniagolu was born on October 22, 1922 at Eke in the then Udi division of Eastern Nigeria to Aniagolu Onwusi. It was at the height of the reign of his uncle, the legendary Chief Onyeama Na Eke, (Onyeama

By Ike Uko

Onwusi) the warrant chief whose influence was on most of what is today Enugu State and parts of Ebonyi and Kogi States.

His cousin, Justice Daddy Onyeama of the World Court attended Empire Day Celebration in London with the warrant chief father in 1924 aged 8 years. It is no wonder that the cousin, Daddy Onyeama, who was 8 years older, was called to bar in 1940 and both started Secondary School at Government College, Umuahia. There was no secondary school in their native Enugu State (the then Udi division, Awgu division and Nsukka division) as at then and up to 1940.

For primary education, Aniagolu attended St. Paul’s Catholic School, Eke (1931-1938) and finished at St. Thomas’s Elementary School, Udi in 1938. For secondary education, he followed the senior cousin Justice Daddy Onyeama’s step to Government College Umuahia in 1939.

The next year he left for Christ the

King College, Onitsha where he obtained his Cambridge School Certificate in 1944.

His cousin Daddy Onyeama left Government College to King’s College Lagos for the reason that when his father, legendary Onyeama, went to Government College Umuahia to inquire of the principal whether they were offering latin and the principal said no, he took his boy to King’s College Lagos where they were offering latin for he had plans to make a lawyer of his lad!

After a brilliant school career, Aniagolu was retained to teach science at his alma mater. As was common those days, he read Intermediate Law degree as an external student and having passed it in 1947, he was admitted to read law at Bristol University in the United Kingdom (Britain). He passed all his examinations and was admitted as a member of the Grays Inn, London on July 9, 1952.

He enrolled as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Ni-

geria on July 19, 1952. Other lawyers enrolled with him were: • Justice Fred O.Anyaegbunam, former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

• L. Achike – former Magistrate and father of Professor Okay Achike, former Justice of the Supreme Court.

• M.O. Oseni, former Treasurer of then Nigerian Bar Association and father of Barrister Mrs. Fehintola Okunola of a senior member of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos branch.

• Professor (Justice) Akinola Aguda, former Chief Judge of Ondo State and pioneer Director General of Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.

Justice A.N. Aniagolu practiced in Enugu and rose to become the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Enugu branch, between 1962 and 1965. He was a member of the Federal Electoral Commission and Eastern Nigeria Electoral Commission between 1958 and 1965 (precursor to the present Independent National Electoral Commission)

and also member of the Federal Delimitation Commission (forerunner of National Population Commission) between 1963 to 1964.

His passion for education and first job as a tutor at the great Christ the King College, Onitsha he became the chairman of the Board of Proprietors, Christ High School, Abor, between 1958 and 1967. As a reward for his service to humanity he was awarded the national honour of Order of the Federal Republic in 1964.

To whom much is given much is expected. In 1965, Anthony Aniagolu was invited to become a judge of the High Court of Eastern Nigeria. He left his busy and lucrative private practice where he was lawyer to the then Standard Bank of Nigeria Enugu, Nigerian Construction and Furniture Company Limited (NCFC), among others.

Between April and September 1973, he became acting Chief Justice of former East Central State (now Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Abia •Continued on page 34

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

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LAW COVER CONT’D

•From left: Keynote speaker, Prof Bryan Stevenson; General Secretary NBA, Olumuyiwa Akinboro; Chairman CJRC, A.B. Mahmoud (SAN) and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi

For an efficient criminal justice system

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ANY Nigerians, including lawyers, are not happy with the Criminal Justice System. So, many things are wrong with the system. It is bedeviled by corruption, delay and inefficiency, among other factors.

It is a well known fact that the sector needs reform for the nation to boast of a good Criminal Justice Administration System that is not dysfunctional.

It neither effectively deters criminality nor brings perpetrators of heinous crimes to justice. Instances of unresolved high-profile killings abound.

Also, innocent persons sometimes spend several years behind bars due to an unjust, inefficient and corrupt system.

The criminal justice system involves deterring and mitigating crime, or sanctioning those who violate laws through penalties and rehabilitative efforts.

In recognition of this problem, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) held a three-day conference on justice sector reform in Abuja last week. There, it said a reform of the criminal justice sector was overdue.

The conference had the theme: Transforming the criminal justice in Nigeria: a reform agenda. It was held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja and the first of its kind.

NBA President Joseph Bodunrin Daudu (SAN) noted that Nigeria is richly and immensely blessed. What it lacked was a little order in its affairs, sincerity and a purposeful anti-corruption drive that could reverse the dire situation, he added.

Daudu added: “The next stage involves harmonising what this conference says and seeking how we can implement the agreed positions on this. We have an idea of where we are going to, but it will involve the cooperation of the legislature. So, as it unfolds we will definitely carry the media along. We thank God that the process is on course and shall give us the desired results”.

Corruption was identified as a major problem in justice administration. Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri, restated the agency’s commitment to fighting graft, even in the justice system.

She said: “Our mandate is to arrest, investigate, prosecute economic and financial crimes and we rely completely on the judiciary to do the rest.”

She called for a reform of archaic laws in the criminal justice sector, including the Evidence Act, the Penal Code, and the Criminal Procedure Code, among others.

“When those laws were in place we had minor offences like someone stealing a goat or chicken, burglary and theft.

“Nobody envisaged the kind of mind-boggling economic crimes, such as stealing, and looting of public treasury to the tune of billions of naira that we have today,” she said.

Mrs. Waziri said a more helpful legal re-

gime was required. “We are looking forward to the amendments and the putting in place of appropriate legal frameworks and the right laws.

“We are now in a world of high technological advancement where we have cyber crimes, internet fraud; and we have electronically-generated evidence which some courts say is not admissible.

“So, this conference is timely, and with the current leadership of the NBA, they will see to it that this is implemented immediately.”

Fielding questions on allegations of nonperformance of the EFCC, Mrs. Waziri said: “People just sit down there and say the EFCC has failed; that the EFCC Act was enacted in 2002 yet corruption and economic crimes persist.

“That is not how to judge it. Our problem is attitudinal. The day the average Nigerian says no, this country belongs to all of us, we can’t be second-class citizens in this country; we must fight economic crimes and corruption, that will definitely be the end of it.

“So, it is a question of everybody’s hand being on deck, not just the EFCC alone. This corruption is endemic, it has been with us for such a long time to the extent that our value system has deteriorated to abysmal level. We now come to adore wealth and worship wealth.

“The people that are stealing are the ones you adore, even when you go for trial, you see people clapping and dancing for them and booing us. So, attitude has to change as well”, the EFCC boss stated.

Activist-lawyer Mr Femi Falana faulted aspects of the conference: “I have looked at the entire programme, there is no session devoted to the role of lawyers in the fight against corruption.

“And I have said it repeatedly that we need to address the real questions; there is no country in the world where a criminal case will remain in the docket for 10-15 years, it is not possible, you can only do that in a Banana Republic.

“When the colonial masters left us, we had the jury system. Of course, you cannot lock up people in an hotel, to take the facts of a case for 11 years. The state will be bankrupt because you will have to pay them.

“In 1975, we abolished the jury system in which case the judge is the judge of the fact

and the judge of the law’’, Falana said.

He went on:“What has worsened our situation is that senior lawyers who have no commitment to the administration of justice in our country were allowed to smuggle in civil procedures such as stay of proceedings and the rest of them into our legal system and so, today, in our country, this is beyond EFFC or the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) .

“Today, in our country, it is only the poor or the disadvantaged segments of our society that are railroaded into jail either for stealing a cellphone or for stealing a tuber of yam.

But, for the rich, it is a different ball game, even the language of the law is stupidly discriminatory. Somebody has stolen billions of naira, you say it is money laundering and the maximum punishment is two years. But a man who has stolen a cellphone, is accused of stealing and the punishment is seven years.

“So, we have allowed the rich, the bourgeoisie to make a mockery of our criminal justice system. Instead of addressing the real problems, we are chasing shadows as to which powers have been exercised by the Attorney-General of the Federation.

“The point I am making, therefore, is that we are simply wasting our time. I haven’t seen any indication or the political will to fight corruption, it is definitely not there”, he added.

Falana continued: “The second point is to get lawyers to act as prosecutors and defence counsel and to believe that we need a criminal system in our country that will guarantee law and order, not a criminal justice system that only sends poor people to jail while the rich continue to walk the streets free.

“If you charge a big man, the first thing a lawyer does is to file all manner of applications, no matter how frivolous. He files appeals and asks for stay of proceedings.

“When the EFCC was set up, the human rights community suggested and Section 40 was included in the law, that there was no stay of proceedings once a trial has commenced with respect to prosecution by the EFCC. “But, today, that is no longer observed by anybody, yet that provision has been held

‘We need to challenge the hijack of the criminal justice system by the rich and powerful people in our society. There is no country that can make progress without a functional criminal justice system’

•Falana

to be valid by our courts. Today, lawyers ask for stay of proceeding. They go on appeal. The appeal may take five to seven years.

By the time you come back, the witnesses can no longer be found, the Judge might have been promoted or retired, and so you start the case (denovo) afresh. You cannot get justice through this approach”, he maintained.

Falana said he was glad the President has signed the Evidence Act Amendment Bill, which has been with the National Assembly since 1999, into law.

He said further:“We need to challenge the hijack of the criminal justice system by the rich and powerful people in our society.

There is no country that can make progress without a functional criminal justice system.

“You cannot talk of the rule of law; you cannot talk of law and order if criminals are allowed to walk around freely which is the situation in Nigeria today. We also need to carry lawyers along.

“What is the commitment of the Bar to the eradication of criminality in our country?

When lawyers make applications that are designed to frustrate the trial of criminal cases, what do we do to them like it is done in some other countries?

“Is the Bar committed to the promotion of the rule of law or is the Bar simply interested in maintaining the status quo? These are the issues before us that we must address.

The first one is political commitment, the second is to have the laws amended to reflect our local peculiarities”, Falana said.

The Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Mr A. B. Mahmond (SAN), said the need to reform the justice sector is now.

He added that the ideas synthesized to help shape policy.

THE NATION TUESDAY,JULY 26, 2011

34

FROM THE COURT A Lagos High Court, sitting in Ikeja, has ordered the arrest of the Anosike brothers for their alleged involvement in the unlawful sale of the assets of Daily Times which, their company, Folio Communications Limited, bought from the Federal Government.

The order came on the heels of their stalled trial at the Federal High Court. ERIC IKHILAE examines the twists and turns of the case.

Drama of a trial

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HEIR trial was stalled at the Federal High Court, Lagos.

Now, they have again been

charged before Justice Habeeb Abiru of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, who last week, ordered their arrest and production in court on September 28.

The accused are Fidelis Anosike and his brother, Noel whose company, Folio Communications Limited, bought the Daily Times from the Federal Government in 2003.

The Anosike brothers are accused of stripping and selling the assets of Daily Times.

For almost a year, the Anosikes, their associate, Nicholas Okoye and others named in the earlier charge before Justice Pat Ajoku of the Federal High Court, failed to appear in court.

Rather than to come to court, the accused, represented by the law firm of Olisa Agbakoba and Associates, secured an order to quash the charge, from the Justice Charles Achibong also of the Federal High Court.

Justice Ajoku ignored the order

by Achibong, insisting on the appearance of the accused before her.

They appealed Justice Ajoku’s decision and secured an order, staying proceedings at the Federal High Court pending appeal.

But the story changed before Justice Abiru.

In a ruling on July 21, the judge held that “There is evidence that the defendants (the Anosikes) have been served with the information

in this matter. The request of counsel for the issuance of a bench warrant succeeds.

“A bench warrant is hereby issued and directed at the InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP), Nigeria Police Headquarters, Abuja ordering the arrest and production of the defendants before this court on the next adjourned date.” The judge later adjourned the case to September 28 this year.

It is not clear if the IGP will give effect to the court’s order as a similar directive issued earlier this year in a letter by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN) was not carried out.

Adoke had in the letter signed on his behalf by a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Akin Akintewe, reminded the IGP that the case was initially investigated by Police personnel attached to the Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi Lagos, following which a 21-count charge was filed against them before the Federal High Court, Lagos.

Part of it reads: “A particular aspect of the investigation was omitted, that is, obtaining the statements of the accused persons. This particular aspect of the investigation is central to the spirit and letter of Section 36 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“It is in the light of the above that the Nigeria Police, by this letter is requested to re-arrest the accused persons with a view to obtaining

T

By Joseph Jibueze

order to vacate a four-bedroom bungalow at 10 (Plot 688), Redemption Close, Omole Estate Phase II, Ikeja, Lagos.

Olatunji was said to have moved out of the house and has handed possession to Mrs Aderinola, but is yet to pay rent arrears. He promised to prepare draft terms of settlement indicating how he intends to settle the debt before the next adjourned

P

(AGC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

The lead speaker for the session will be the CShairman, Silverbird Group, Ben Murray-Bruce.

Discussants include Special Ad-

T •Adoke

their statements to enable us to file fresh charges against the accused persons.”

Spokesman to Folio Communications Ltd, Ayodeji Seriki, has denied claims that his bosses (the Anosikes) were aware of any charge against them and their company. He said they have not been outside the country for sometime now.

Seriki, in a statement, said nobody had served the Anosikes any court process, requesting them to be in court at any time. He added that the directors were law-abiding citizens who have respect for the court and would be prepared to honour any court invitation brought to their attention.

date.

Mrs Aderinola told The Nation that the lawyer is yet to give her lawyer the terms as agreed. The lawyer was also not in court on the last two occasions the case was to come up.

The plaintiff said she is entitled to the bungalow with its two living rooms, two-bedroom boys’ quarters and an orchard.

She said the house was let to the defendant at N500,000 per annum, but he allegedly refused to pay rent since January 1, 2009.

viser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati; Dean Faculty of Law, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) Port Harcourt, Mrs Bunmi Akaakar, and US-based Attorneys Mrs Muyiwa Sobo and Kayode.

Life and times of Justice Aniagolu •Continued from page 32

and Ebonyi States) With the creation of old Anambra State in 1976, he became the pioneer Chief Judge until January 1978 when he was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria and sat there till his retirement at 65 years of age on October 22, 1987. His erudite judgments are in the law reports for eternity.

Outside judicial duties, Justice Aniagolu was Chairman, Kano Religious Riots Inquiry (Maitasine Religious Riots) between 1980 and

1981. Later, he served as Chairman, Constituent Assembly between 1988 and 1989. He was appreciated by the Federal Government of Nigeria with an award of Commander of the Order of the Nigeria (CON).

Justice Aniagolu was a practicing Catholic. He was legal adviser to the Catholic Diocese of Enugu and Ogoja before he became a judge. In appreciation of his service to God, he was conferred with the Knight Papal order of St. Sylvester. In 1967 and Knight Commander Star of the Papal Order of St. Sylvester (Kt. CSSS)

gabriel AMALU

President Jonathan should do more

Adejumo chairs LIM Session in Port Harcourt RESIDENT, National Industrial Court (NIC) Justice Babatunde Adejumo, will chair this year”s session of the Lawyers (LIM) in the Media forum during the Annual General Conference

with email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

Magistrate’s absence stalls journalist’s wife’s suit HE absence of Magistrate A. O. Komolafe last Friday stalled the hearing of a suit by wife of former Daily Times editor, Mr Dapo Aderinola, Olufunsho, against a lawyer, Mr Moses Olatunji.

The magistrate was said to be indisposed. August 23 for has been fixed for the hearing.

Mrs Aderinola sued Olatunji for allegedly failing to obey a quit notice after being served with an

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

in 1977. His hobbies include badminton, lawn and table tennis, golf and hunting. No wonder he was a member of the Enugu Sports Club, Ridge Club, Umuahia, Ikoyi Club 1938, Lagos.

He was a good husband to his wife, Maria Chinyelu Aniagolu (Nee Igbo) who he wedded in 1955 and their five sons and five daughters who would miss him.

• Uko, Notary Public for Nigeria is former National Assistant Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Bar Association. ikeukoco@yahoo.com

HE news that President Goodluck Jonathan has backed a review of the current revenue formula is a welcome development, though Mr. President needs to do more to get the country out of the current wage crisis. At present, the sharing formula of income in the federation account is 52 per cent for the Federal Government, 26.72 per cent for the states and 20.60 per cent for the local governments. So the Federal Government has more money in it’s confers than the other two tiers of government. Conversely the governors have proposed through Governor Fashola’s committee, 35 per cent for the Federal Government, 42per cent for the states and 23 per cent for the local government.

While our leaders dither over the years, the new minimum wage crisis has added an urgent dimension to the question of resource distribution in Nigeria. At present, most of the Governors have effectively relocated to Abuja to beg the federal authorities, particularly the President for a new revenue formula. Some are also lobbying their colleagues to stall the application of the new minimum wage in their states, so that the whole states would be seen to be all poor and incapable of paying the new wage. But they can only run, as there is clearly no hiding place for the pretentious states, which are not any different from the local governments in terms of internally generated revenue.

So what happens when August salary bets on their tables for signature in a few days from now, and lo and behold they have no money anywhere to pay; though they have promised the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) and, indee, the entire nation that they would be ready by to pay the new wage by then? Definitely, the lie that most of them live, that they are governors of their states would soon catch up with them, as they may have to grovel before a mighty federal authority to have resources to pay. As executive authorities, what executive powers do they have to seek means and ways of raising internal income to meet their obligations?

Unfortunately, most of the politically powerful governors are economically no different from castrated he goats; of little or no economic value, in terms of regeneration. So l have been wondering why they can not use their political power to further an economic regeneration and an organ transplant to restore the dignity of their manhood. What do l really mean? Many of the states, particularly in the north, have enormous minerals that if commercially exploited will wean them from the federation account. But, of course, they are afraid that if they ask for economic autonomy over those minerals, the oil region will also ask to keep their oil.

Still more unfortunate; though the civil war was fought by the federal authorities to keep the oil in the then Eastern Nigeria, for the entire country, if we are to believe former President Olusegun Obasanjo; any present bystander can appreciate the national predicament that has led Nigeria into. Having worn the war to keep the oil from the rebelling Ibos, the original owners in the Niger Delta area, started a new rebellion, and because the world has changed, it is not easy to keep the oil and shut up the owners all at the same thing. So, the country is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, in a manner of speaking.

But should we all be slaves to a hegemonic plan gone awry? I think we should not, because if the potpourri of political economy changes, the diplomatic templates of suzerainties also should. The brilliant bill presented by Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) for a reordering of Nigeria’s political economy, through the amendment of the 1999 constitution, tells vividly this predicament. He proposed a new ownership structure of all minerals in the country save the insidious crude oil, that binds us together as a nation and which also makes the glue very ineffective because of the disenchantment as only a few steal the revenue.

I think the time has come for those who pretend to have the sagacity of political engineering to come forward to save our country from avoidable hiccups. The flashes of brilliance in the northern power bloc, talking of a few governors and statesmen must realise that the time to negotiate an orderly devolution of the economy of Nigeria has come. Their counterparts in the south, particularly the currently advantaged oil bearing states should also get ready for real politic with an eye on their other limitations. Moreso since the current oil revenue is not even enough for turn the Southern region around. So, the challenge is to create more wealth, through constitutional devolution of the ownership of the wealth in the country.

That is why l said Mr President must do more than agreeing to a more equitable sharing of the generated revenue. The real text is how to increase the economic base of the country, and this can only happen when there is more economic activities across the over bloated bureaucracies in the country. When states and local governments are helped to become centres for economic activity as different from sharing outposts, then there is a chance that the majority of Nigerians that are locked out from the dinning area could just allow the feasting going on in the name of governance to continue.

Nothing short of restructuring to empower themselves economically to effectively govern would save the governors from the looming anger and aghast of the deprived Nigerians in NLC, TUC and at large. Considering the power they weld in their states, they could ask the Senators and Honourables from their states to sit tight in Abuja until the Agbakoba proposals are enacted into law.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

35

FROM THE COURT The Election Petitions Tribunal in Akwa Ibom State has dismissed a petition by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its governorship candidate over the outcome of the election. Dismissing the petition, the tribunal held that the petitioners “erred” by not seeking its leave to apply out of time, for the issuance of pre-hearing notice. Did the tribunal do justice? Will the appellate court upturn the verdict? ERIC IKHILAE, who witnessed the tribunal’s proceedings, asks.

Akpanudoedehe v Akpabio:

Will the election tribunal’s verdict stand on appeal?

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O many, proceedings at the Akwa Ibom Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal ended in anti-climax. This is because of the interest it generated among the residents, who anxiously awaited the “full” trial of the petitions filed before the tribunal, particularly the one by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

They always turned out in large number at every sitting, filling every space in the courtroom. To secure seat, most of them arrive at the venue by 7am for a tribunal that sits by 9am. Their zeal did not wane even when, on July 14, the tribunal dismissed the petition by the Progressive Action Congress (PAC), on technical ground.

Despite that ruling they continued to throng the tribunal. They believed that with the legal personalities assembled by parties in the ACN petition, the tribunal would have no choice but to work in ensuring that justice is not only done, but seen to have been done.

The people’s hope crashed on July 18 when the tribunal dismissed ACN’s petition because it failed to seek leave to apply, out of time, for the issuance ofpre-hearing notices.

The ACN, its governorship candidate, Senator John Akpanudoedehe and his running mate, Ime Umanah in the petition, challenged the emergence of Godswill Akpabio and his deputy, Nsima Ekere as winners of the election. They accused the Independent National Electooral Commission (INEC) of, among others, falsifying results in the respondents’ favour.

Named as respondents to the petition were Akpabio, Ekere, their party - the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and INEC. Before the ruling, there were hot argument on the applications filed by Akpabio, Ekere and INEC, seeking among others, the dismissal of the said petition. The applicants had argued that the petitioners did not comply with steps stipulated in the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) for the application for the issuance of pre-hearing notice.

The application by Akpabio and Ekere, which was argued by their lead lawyer, former Attorney General of the Federation, Bayo Ojo (SAN), was hinged on the provisions of Paragraphs 18 (1), (2), (3), (4) and 47 (1), (2), (3) of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act (EA) and Order 26 Rule 11 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rule 2009.

It was the applicants’ main contention that the petitioners failed to comply with the provision of Paragraph 47 (1) and (2) of the EA as it relates to the application for the issuance of pre-hearing notice and service of the motion for such application on the respondents as provided in Paragrph18 (1) and (2).

They stated that the petitioners initially

wrote a letter to the tribunal for the issuance of the notice as in Form TF 007 and that it later filed a motion ex-parte for the same purpose, on allegedly realising that it did not comply with the rules.

They argued that the motion filed by the petitioner and which was heard by the tribunal on July 5 and granted same day, for the issuance of pre-hearing notice, was heard and granted without jurisdiction as its leave was not sought for the hearing of the motion out of time.

It was also their contention that having failed to serve the respondents with its application (motion), as required under Paragraph 47 (2) and having also failed to seek the tribunal’s leave to move the said application filed and argued outside the seven days prescribed by Paragraph 18 (1) the petitioners could not claim to have been in order.

They prayed the tribunal to set aside the pre-hearing notice issued on them on June 29 based on an earlier letter by the petitioner; the proceedings of July 5 during which the petitioners’ motion ex-parte was heard and granted and the order made pursuant to the motion.

Akpabio and Ekere further prayed the tribunal to dismiss the petition and treat it as being abandoned as contemplated in Paragraph 18 (4) of the Electoral Act. Former Attorney-General of Lagos State Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), who headed the petitioners’ legal team preferred counter arguments, noted that the respondents’ applications were incompetent and premature.

He insisted that the petitioners have fully complied with the requirements of the Electoral Act in all steps taken so far particularly, their application for the issuance of pre-hearing notice. He contended that the respondents, by their applications seek to set aside a mandatory obligation of the tribunal as imposed by Paragraph 18 (1) of the EA. Arguing that there was no basis for such application since the petitioners have complied with the requirement of the law, Osinbajo observed that the respondents’ intention was to invite the court to exercise its discretion where the law does not permit.

On his argument that the applications were incompetent, Osinbajo relied on Paragraph 47 (1) of the EA which provides that motions should only be heard during the pre-hearing session except on extreme circumstance. Citing Paragraph 18 (7) of the EA, he observed that the petitioners’ application was the type envisaged in Paragraph47 (1).

He argued that since the respondents’ applications were filed in violation of the provisions of Paragraph 18 (1) having been filed outside the provided period of seven days after the close of pleadings.

•Akpabio

•Akpanudoedehe

Osinbajo said the applications could not be heard because the applicants failed to first seek leave of the tribunal and also have not laid foundation for extreme circumstance which made it imperative that the applications be heard outside the pre-hearing session.

He further attacked the competence of the applications on the ground that they were brought under the wrong rules. Osinbajo argued that an application can only be made under Order 26 Rule 11 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2009 (under which the applications were brought) where an order ex-parte is first obtained and served on the party.

The petitioners’ lawyer further argued that it was wrong for the applicants to apply for the setting aside of an ex-parte order not served on them, noting that under Paragraph 18 First Schedule of the Electoral Act, the order made is not served on anyone.

On whether or not application for pre-hearing notice could be made by motion on notice or motion ex-parte, Osinbajo, relying on the decision of the Appeal Court in the case of Riruwai versus Shekarau (2008) 12 NWLR (pt 1100) at page 164 paragraph C, argued that such application could be made either by motion ex-parte or motion on notice.

On the applicants’ argument that leave of tribunal was not sought before the motion for the issuance of pre-hearing notice was heard and granted, Osinbajo countered that the petitioners are not required to seek leave in applying for the issuance of pre-hearing notice. He also argued that Paragraph 18 (4) of the First Schedule of the EA is premature and cannot be exercised in the circumstance of the case.

In its ruling on July 18, the three-judge tribunal, headed by Justice Adam Onum of the Benue Judiciary, upheld the applicants’ argument to the effect that the petitioners acted in error by not seeking its leave before moving

its motion ex-parte on July 5.

It relied heavily on the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Okereke versus Yar’Adua (2008) 12 NWLR (pt 1100) 95 and further held that the application for the leave of the tribunal before moving an application for the issuance of pre-hearing notice was fatal to the igniting of the tribunal’s jurisdiction to entertain and grant such application.

The tribunal held that the petitioner’s failure to seek its leave robbed it of the jurisdiction to conduct the proceedings of July 5. It, consequently, set aside the proceedings and the order made ex-parte for the issuance of prehearing notice.

It dismissed the petition as prayed by Akpabio and Ekere and affirmed their emergence as winners of the election.

The tribunal upheld the petitioners’ argument that the application for the issuance of pre-hearing notice could be by either a motion ex-parte or motion on notice as per the Court of Appeal’s decision in the case of Riruwai versus Shekarau (2008) 12 NWLR (pt 1100) 142 at 164.

It discountenanced argument by the first and second respondents that they were not served with the motion for application for pre-hearing notice. It held that it was not the business of the petitioners to serve the respondents.

The tribunal struck out a similar application by INEC on the ground that it was incompetent. It held the application was not filed at the appropriate time to challenge the procedure adopted by the petitioners.

With the dispute now at the appeal state, the petitioners having appealed the tribunal’s decision last week, the question on the lips of the people ofAkwa Ibom now include: Was it mandatory that the petitioners must seek leave as held by the tribunal? Was the tribunal in error in affirming the disputed election when there was no prayer to that effect? Would the petition ever be heard on its merit?

Fashola, others task young lawyers on diligence

G

OVERNOR of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola and some law experts have advised young lawyers to be focused, disciplined and hardworking if they wish to succeed.

Fashola, Justice George Oguntade (rtd), Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) and Seyi Akinwunmi of the law firm of Akinwunmi and Busari spoke in Lagos at the second edition of the Young Lawyers Conference, with the theme: Young lawyers: Learning today, taking ownership tomorrow.

Represented by the state’s Solicitor General, Lawal Pedro (SAN), Fashola advised young lawyers to be more committed to

By Segun Olaniyi

their profession and not be carried away by the quest for instant reward.

He urged them to start thinking of how they could serve as agents of change in the face of many challenges that would confront them in their profession, describing them as the leaders of tomorrow.

“The young lawyers should make sure they practice the law profession making sure they visit courts and chambers in order to have knowledge and experience, adding that they should contribute meaningfully to the development of Nigeria” he

said.

Justice Oguntade advised young lawyers to work hard and prove their mettle in the profession, saying that was the only way they could compete with their colleagues in the outside world.

Awomolo, who chaired the event, advised the budding lawyers to be committed, diligent and ensure they practice their profession with high integrity. He said any lawyer that wants to succeed must exhibit these three things as an ethical standard in the profession.

Akinwunmi urged young lawyers to give their best to their practice. He said: “The

aim of the conference is to create a constructive and meaningful avenue for young lawyers to feel a sense of belonging within the legal profession in Nigeria, enable them to interact with one another, give them access to local and international mentors as well as to enable those in need of such to have access to potential employers.”

He noted that the conference served as an opportunity to young lawyers to achieve their aim of being mentored by bringing accomplished senior lawyers, partners of law firms and corporate business lawyers to speak to them and interact with them.

36

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

37

ENERGY THE NATION

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Shell to spend $6b on gas gathering facilities • 30 investors jostle

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

• Mutiu Sunmonu, Country Chairman, Shell Companies, Nigeria

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HE Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited (SPDC) said it would spend $6 billion on infrastructure to gather associated gas that is currently flared from at least 90 percent of its operations across the country.

Shell, like other oil majors operating in the country, is making efforts to stop gas flaring from its oil fields in compliance with the directive of the Federal Government.

The government had ordered the oil companies not to produce oil from new fields with associated gas except there are associated gas gathering (AGG) infrastructure to harness such gas. The idea is to encourage oil companies to embark on projects that would check unwarranted flaring.

Shell in a report on gas flaring,

said: “SPDC and its joint venture partners are committed to ending the routine flaring of gas as soon as possible and are working towards that goal. To that end we have designed all new facilities since 2000 to have no continuous flaring.”

In the report, Shell also said the remaining assets from which routine flaring are being carried out, which constitutes about 10 percent of its operation, are being worked upon. The company said it is in partnership with the Federal Government and the World Bank to find investors that would collect the gas for small scale local projects.

The report said: “”In 2010, Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited (SPDC) JV began an ongoing multi-year programme to install equipment to capture gas from its facilities.

This programme has been delayed by events outside SPDC’s control, such as funding shortfalls from NNPC (the government-owned majority shareholder of the JV); security concerns which meant it was not safe for staff to work in large parts of the delta for long periods of time; and delays in NNPC contract approval processes.

Despite the delays, between 2000 and 2009 SPDC installed associated gas gathering (AGG) infrastructure at 33 sites, covering over 60 percent of its associated gas production. Unfortunately, 18 of these facilities were either vandalized or

not commissioned because of the crisis in delta in recent years.

“In total, SPDC flaring dropped by more than half between 2002 and 2010 from over 0.6 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) to less than 0.3 bcf/ d, although production losses contributed to this decline.

“In 2010, security improved in the delta and funding became available.

This allowed the SPDC JV to resume work on many delayed projects and start new ones. By mid January 2011, three of these additional sites had been completed (bringing the total number of SPDC with AGG facilities to 36) and work was underway at a further 17. When complete, these projects will extend AGG coverage to more than 90 percent of the associated gas produced in our operations. SPDC estimates the entire AGG programme will cost around

six billion dollars when complete.

“SPDC is working to find alternative solutions for the remaining facilities, which represent less than 10 percent of SPDC associated gas production potential. It is partnering the Nigerian government and the World Bank to identify suitable Nigerian investors that would collect associated gas from flare sites for small scaled local projects.

Over 30 potential investors have indicated their interest in this associated gas development scheme and SPDC is supporting the screening and selection processes.

“In addition, SPDC is providing financial, logistical and technical support to the Living Earth Foundation in a pilot project for smallscale projects that will use gas to provide power to communities living near flare sites.”

INSIDE • Distribution:

PEF, Conoil test e-transaction efficiency •••Page 38

• ‘IPMAN ready

• From left: Xinmin Phillip, Managing Director, Addax Petroleum; Ed Skene, Chief Financial Officer, Seplat Petroleum; Yannis Korakakis, Deputy Managing Director, Addax Petroleum and Dorothy Atake, General Manager, External and Government Affairs, Addax Petroleum, at a forum in Houston, Texas, recently.

to partner NNPC on product distribution’

Indigenous E&P firms to become oil majors, says Chevron chief

•••Page 39

• Kerosene:

NNPC, Capital Oil supply 150,000 litres to Lagos

•••Page 40

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HE Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Andrew Fawthrop has said he foresees one or two Nigerian exploration and production (E&P) companies joining the current big five International Oil Companies (IOCs) - Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Total and Agip, in the near future.

Although the production and reserves levels of the indigenous companies are low because most of them operate marginal fields with daily productions put at between 2,000 and

10,000 barrels, Mr Fawthrop expressed optimism that with the right fiscal and legislative provisions and support from the IOCs, one or two of the local firms would grow to join the IOCs in future as they would grow their daily production substantially.

Fawthrop, who delivered a paper entitled Onshore/marginal field development: Challenges, opportunities and prospects for the future, at the Society of Petroleum (SPE) annual Oloibiri Lecture & Energy Forum held in Lagos, said: “Today there are only 30 producers.

OIL PRICES JULY 15 - JULY 22

Light Crude

Source: Rigzone.com

Brent Crude

There are probably 150 oil companies in Nigeria. In the future I see one or two indigenous companies joining the big five IOC’s. I see several other indigenous companies growing to the 50,000 - 100,000 barrels of oil per day size.

“I see the number of smaller producers growing. The list of companies in 10 years will not be the same as today. I see multiple service providers growing to material sizes. I see a larger number of suppliers available to the producers.”

He said there are opportunities for the local E&P to grow. He said there is acreage available, there are changes going on in the industry to turn over acreage to the locals, there is legislation being discussed to enable and enhance indigenous opportunities.

Besides, he noted that the IOCs are the for the indigenous firms to offer technical and operational support required to develop capacity but advised that the local firms should leverage on partnerships to build financial strength to be able to develop the fields.

With the planned lower taxes imposed on indigenous operators as well

as attractive fiscal regime enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which is before the National Assembly, the Chevron boss believes the indigenous companies can grow from small to medium sized E&P firms, which would not only increase the reserves and production of the companies but that of Nigeria as a country and would contribute to job creation.

On challenges, he said: “Finding, developing, producing and selling oil is not easy. Gas is even more difficult.

Many technologies have to be assembled. Finance has to be arranged.

Reliable markets have to be found.

This is great - because of these challenges there are opportunities available for innovative companies with solutions.”

Some of the fields farmed out or transferred to Nigerian firms by Chevron include Oghareki, Aro, Yorla South to National Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Ajapa field to Britannia U, Akepo field to Sogenal, Ogede field to Bicta Energy, Ororo field to Guarentee/ Owena, Oriri field to Goland Petro• Continued on page 39

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

38

ENERGY

Distribution: PEF, Conoil test e-transaction efficiency

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HE Petroleum Equalisation Fund Management Board (PEFMB)) is partnering with Conoil Plc, for the implementation of its new electronic-loading and payment device called ‘Project Aquila.’

The test-run of Project Aquila with Conoil will last for about three months, terminating on October 4, when the electronic transactions would be applied to trucks of other oil marketing companies.

With the test-run, PEF would be able to evaluate the efficiency and transparency, among other objectives targeted to be achieved through the project.

The Executive Secretary of PEFMB, Mrs. Adefunke Sharon Kasali, said Project Aquila is a hitech electronic transaction processing system aimed at ensuring seamless fuel distribution across the country. It will replace the manual processes hitherto used in the verification of fuel supply and distribution data that was subject to abuse and manipulation.

The successful implementation of the project is expected, among other advantages, to reduce to the barest minimum, recurring strikes in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

Speaking at the official launch of the project’s pilot scheme, which took place at Conoil Apapa Depot in Lagos, Kasali revealed that the company was chosen because of its vast retail network across Nigeria, and its organisational efficiency in the management of the huge number of trucks in its fleet.

“Given its wide spread of retail network, efficient management of its fleet of trucks and the company’s openness in its business operations, we are delighted to have chosen Conoil as our pioneer partner for the scheme,” Kasali said.

She said the agency required a company of high integrity with huge storage capacity for a wide range of different petroleum products under one roof to efficiently and proactively pioneer this unique project. “As a foremost indigenous marketer with a rich history and pedigree, Conoil is a good brand that would lend credibility to the project,” Kasali added.

Giving the time-table for the full implementation of the project, which would be in its pilot stage till October, Kasali said: “Aquila would be used only on the trucks bridging products owned by Conoil Plc between mid July and October 4 when the project would be formally launched. From October 4 to December 31, all other marketers would use Aquila concurrently with the manual system and from January 3, 2012, the manual system of claims processing bridging claims would be completely phased out.

She said the board has tagged 2,000 trucks with our RFID tags and all those trucks were tagged in seven Lagos area depots and storage facilities. “Project Aquila is software written to work on RFID technology. RFID is considered by experts to be one of the most effective technologies in use for this type

of transactions.”

Project Aquila is meant to check fraud and fictitious claims, which occur following connivance of fraudulent PEF workers and transporters and has resulted in loss of billion of naira over the years.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Mr. Femi Olawore reiterated Conoil’s capability and ownership of storage capacity for various petroleum products which would in turn provide PEF the opportunity to solve the teething problems arising from the introduction of project Aquila.

In his remarks, the Managing

Director of Conoil Plc, Mr John Vasikaran expressed the company’s delight in having the honour of partnering with PEF. He described the system as a noble attempt to further ensure availability of petroleum products nationwide, adding that this was consistent with the objective and vision of the company.

“We are prepared and always ready to support the Federal Government’s effort at ensuring constant supply of petroleum products across the country. We will do all within our powers as members of MOMAN to make it a success,” he said.

The project take-off was wit-

nessed by top management of PEF, national executive members of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) and Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).

Conoil’s expansion initiative also saw it build a massive depot in Port Harcourt, Rivers State which complements its depot in Apapa, Lagos. Located near the free zone of Onne, the ultramodern facility has been providing easy access to fuel imports thereby easing the pressure on available jetties and other port infrastructures in Lagos.

LUKoil, Nigerian firm seal deal offshore Sierra Leone

L

UKOIL said it bought a 49 per cent stake of a Nigerian oil firm - Oranto Petroleum, in an offshore block in Sierra Leone, as the company moves to build its portfolio of African oil assets. LUKoil, which replaced only 84 per cent of its 2010 production with new reserves, is pinning its hopes on overseas ventures, including offshore exploration and production in another West African country, Ghana, and a major oil project in Iraq.

According to Reuters, with global on-land oil supplies becoming scarcer, other global majors are also scrambling for contracts to explore the waters off the coast of West Africa for oil.

Chevron said earlier this month that it plans to drill its first deepwater well off the coast of Liberia in the fourth quarter of this year.

“LUKoil has already drilled several wells in the Gulf of Guinea as part of a joint venture with Vanco and Ghana’s National Petroleum Corporation. It hopes to find reserves of 150 million to 250 million barrels of oil.

“LUKoil bought the majority stake in the offshore Sierra Leone block with an area of 4,022 square kilometers from Nigeria’s Oranto Petroleum.

“The framework of agreement provides for the drilling of one exploration well before 2013,” the company said in a statement.”

Oil price climbs over Greece’s bailout

O

IL prices rose toward $100 a barrel on Friday in Asia after European leaders reached an aid deal aimed at solving Greece’s financial crisis.

On the contrary, oil price fell below $98 a barrel Thursday in Asia as a stalemate dragged on among US lawmakers over raising the country’s debt ceiling and a survey showed a contraction in China’s manufacturing.

According to Associated Press, benchmark oil for September delivery was up 53 cents to $99.66 a barrel at late afternoon Singapore time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Crude rose 73 cents to settle at $99.13 on Thursday.

In London, Brent crude rose 45 cents to $117.96 per barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.

European officials agreed to give Greece a second rescue package worth euro109 billion ($155 billion) at an emergency meeting in Brussels on Thursday.

Investor concern that Greece’s debt crisis would spread to other European countries such as Ireland, Portugal, Italy and Spain has weighed on markets this year.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 1.2 per cent Thursday and most Asian stock indexes gained Friday.

Crude prices were also given a boost by the International Energy Agency’s decision not to release more oil.

The IEA said June 23 that it would release 60 million barrels of oil in a bid to lower prices, and traders speculated this week that the group was planning to send more barrels to the market.

“Greater optimism on containing sovereign debt issues, combined with an apparent backing away on the part of the IEA from an immediate further stock release, offers the opportunity for prices to break out of their recent range to the upside,” Barclays Capital said in a report.

• From left: Alhaji Lawal Isah, Coordinator, NARTO; Mrs. Sharon Adefunke Kasali, Executive Secretary, PEFMB and John Vasikaran, Managing Director, Conoil Plc, at the event.

Shell clears oil workers allegation on allegations that ongoing HELL Petroleum Developdivested assets debunked sale of some of its onshore assets ment Company of Nigeria

S

Ltd (SPDC) has said divestment of its equity from some oil blocks in the Niger Delta is in compliance with its contractual rights and regulatory frameworks which guide the oil industry in Nigeria.

The oil company was accused by the oil workers under the umbrella of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) of selling its onshore oil blocks, flow stations, wellheads and other facilities in the country without following due process and carrying along its workers.

The union also demanded that Shell regularise the services and employment of workers said to have worked as casuals for the company for several years despite having the requisite qualifications and expertise.

The President of the union, Comrade Achese Igwe, had in view of the allegations, threatened that the their members would embark upon a nationwide strike to paralyse oil activities until Shell and its joint venture partners reverse such sales and do the right things.

The workers also called upon the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Alison-Madueke to review such transaction considering the alleged lack of transparency in the deal.

Shell in reaction to the allegations, said the company also rejects any suggestions that its divestment exercise is illegal, non transparent or done to undermine the interest of any stakeholders.

Shell Corporate Media Relations Manager Tony Okonedo in a statement said the company has reassured stakeholders including staff and communities that appropriate consideration would continue to be

given to their interests, within the scope of the joint operating agreements (JOAs), while all memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and other agreements would be respected.

The Vice President for Safety, Environment, Sustainable Development and Communications, Shell Sub Saharan Africa, Tony Attah, said: “This is in support of government policy of encouraging the growth of Nigerian companies in the oil and gas sector and will deliver many opportunities for them.”

Attah said: “Suggestions that the company’s actions are driven by ulterior motives and being done secretly and illegally to the detriment of stakeholders are untrue.

Since we commenced the process last year, we have been open and transparent and have given equal opportunities to all interested buyers. We went through very rigorous regulated processes, often spanning several months, before possibly reaching any agreements which are also subject to requisite government approvals.”

SPDC has repeatedly made it clear that the planned divestments do not mean it is leaving Nigeria, but a strategic refocusing of its portfolio, including investment and necessary asset sales aimed at strengthening “our long-term position in the country.”

Consultations are continuing and SPDC will share information as necessary.

The Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and Country Chairman of Shell companies in Nigeria, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu had at several forums

in Nigeria were not conducted transparently.

Sunmonu said those spreading such allegations were people who don’t see any good in transparency, may be because they lost out in the bid.

Sunmonu said: “All I can tell you is that this whole transaction was rigorously managed in strict accordance and compliance with our business principles. This is a process that was managed by a central group and for which they have a decision of review both in Nigeria and overseas. The whole activities were subject to very clear guidelines.

“I am aware of some of the complaints by some people but frankly speaking what I found out is that we as a country always find it difficult to accept defeat. You can see the same thing in elections. This is from people who lost the fight believing they have been treated unfairly but I can I assure that the process we went through is auditable, and strictly in accordance with our procedure.

“Some people might interpret our procedure differently but we are very clear in our mind how we are going to do the selection for our preferred bidders.

Sunmonu also explained that the reason for the divestment was primarily to empower capable indigenous companies to start to become good players in the oil and gas industry.

The proposed strike has been shelved following dialogues between the Federal Government and the union, which resulted in a truce. The government promised to correct all the alleged anomalies in the operation of oil and gas industry.

39

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

ENERGY

‘IPMAN ready to partner NNPC on product distribution’

T

HE Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has restated its readiness to collaborate with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on making petroleum products available to consumers provided the national oil company exhibits some level of sincerity and forthrightness in the distribution of the products.

The association said it is shameful that after 50 years of oil production, the country still contends with making petroleum products available and affordable to consumers as a result of undue bottlenecks created by the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of NNPC in the supply and distribution of petroleum products.

The association’s chairman, Western Zone, Comrade Olumide Ogunmade, stated this during a monitoring tour of some of its members’ stations in Lagos.

He said it’s high time the government understood that for petroleum products to be available to consumers, all marketers especially the independent ones who are closer to the people would have to be given special consideration in the supply and distribution of the products.

He said NNPC for long, has not fared well in the distribution and supply of the products like kerosene to independent marketers, a development which has made kerosene an elusive product at the stations of these marketers.

He said: “We are pained by the fact that independent marketers are not accorded the due recognition they deserve in the supply of petroleum products. This body of marketers has been treated with kid gloves for a long time. We have always been down the pecking order when it comes to supply and distribution of petroleum products in the country.

“For instance, the kerosene being supplied recently by the NNPC,

By Bidemi Bakare

the association was only given 45 trucks each containing 33,000 litres of the product which were to be distributed among 700 memberstations. Is that not a far cry from what we should have been given?

“Before now, many of our members had made up their minds not to engage in the sale of kerosine because they refused to buy from a third party depot at cut-throat price and later sell to the consumers at exorbitant prices. Should it be like that?”

Ogunmade said independent marketers are ready to partner NNPC in finding a lasting solution to the problem of scarcity urging the corporation to directly engage the association’s platform in the distribution and supply of petroleum products including kerosine “IPMAN is prepared to go into partnership with the government to end this scarcity once and for all.

We believe what is required is for the government to show some of level of sincerity in distribution and supply. With such partnership IPMAN would not have to go through a third party to get petroleum products again. We want a situation where we can deal directly with NNPC in the distribution and supply of petroleum products.

“NNPC should realise dealing with us directly would relieve it of some of the rigors of distribution and supply. As a matter of fact it is by dealing with us that the issue of hoarding of petroleum products can be tackled. We must understand that it is the inadequacy of a product that breeds hoarding.

Revealing that the scarcity of kerosine does not only affect the consumers, he said marketers too feel the brunch considering the fact they collect loans to invest in the business only to end up remaining idle for lack of product.

“One thing we must understand that anytime there is scarcity of

‘Oil prices may weaken’

T

HE Bank of America-Merrill Lynch (BofAML), says the prices of crude oil would drop in the second of half of this year. According to an assessment

by Bank, the global energy market should expect crude oil prices to weaken in second half of 2011, thanks to some recent shifts in demand and supply.

According to Commodity Online, the resumption in Libyan supplies will take place much later than earlier forecasted by BofAML in second half of 2012 but Saudi Arabia and non-OPEC members are expected to bring additional supplies while European and US data paint a gloomy picture regarding global economic recovery and hence creating near-term downward pressure on prices.

BofAML has maintained its Brent crude forecast at $110/ per barrel (bbl) for third quarter of 2011 and revised upward its forecast for fourth quarter of 2011 to $102/bbl from $94/bbl forecast earlier.

“WTI crude will average $92/bbl in third quarter while it will fall to $88/bbl in fourth quarter. However, global oil markets remain structurally undersupplied relative to the expected pace of economic growth. “As such, we see global oil demand growing at a rate of 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) or 1.7 percent in 2012 underpinned by a global real GDP rate of 4.8 percent.

“Growth in global oil demand will once again come mostly from emerging markets, while we project outright declines for Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) demand. As a result, we see Brent crude oil prices

averaging $114/bbl in 2012, compared to a projected average of $109/bbl this year. Meanwhile we see room for WTI prices to trade near $102/bbl in 2012, although we do acknowledge some downside risks to this forecast if shale oil output in the Midwest surprises to the upside,” BofAML said in its report.

Following three years of abovetrend growth of 850 thousand bpd on average, non-OPEC supplies are set to fall in 2012 at 466 thousand bpd, as output from Russia, world’s largest oil producer declines next year. “The key problem remains a severe lack of investment in productive capacity among most of the top oil reserve holders in the planet.

Rent-seeking behaviour, as opposed to market-based rates of return on investment, is the key challenge to expanding production in most parts of the world.

Oil prices gain strongly during second quarter of every year as the oil market typically prepares every year to absorb a big seasonal swing in demand between second quarter and third quarter. Thereafter, prices ease in the September/October shoulder season before they pick up again on Northern Hemisphere winter weather.

“In our view, the seasonal change in global consumption this year has been exacerbated by Electricity bottlenecks in China, Japan and Saudi Arabia. Once oil use in power generation in these countries normalises again, oil prices will likely be negatively impacted in second half of 2011.

In a similar way, we also see room for demand, and hence prices, to move lower in the next months on a cyclical basis.

• Kaduna refinery

product, the consumers are not the only people affected. Even marketers too like us are affected. This is because some of us have had to borrow money from the banks with huge interest to pay to start the business. Tell me how we can pay back these loans when the busi-

ness upon which these loans are ploughed lie idle due to lack of product. So in a way, one can categorically say we are even the worse hit,” he said.

Ogunmade also praised the National Assembly who as part of its oversight function took it upon

itself to investigate the immediate cause of the scarcity of kerosene in the country so as to find a way out of the embarrassing situation. He urged the assembly to continue to institute laws that would further free up the downstream oil sector.

Firm advises govt on power

A

N indigenous power engi neering firm, Toptech Engi neering limited, has urged the government to sensitise Nigerians to make prudent use of the inadequate power supply.

This, according to the company, would help in making the available supply to reach more consumers.

The Deputy Managing Director, Toptech Engineering limited, Mr. Mathew Ogunyeye, gave the advice in a chat with The Nation.

He said before the power sector reform starts yielding fruits through increased generation and supply, the consumers would need to exploit a strategy that ensures that the small quantum of power still available is efficiently utilised at little or no cost.

The strategy, which he describes as Integrated Power System (IPS), is a way of adding value to power supply. The system, he said, ensures that power is completely and efficiently utilised without loss or wastage.

He said: “While we all complain of inadequate power, the fact that the little power generated and supplied is being wasted has not helped matters.

Owing to the wastage, the small quantum of power that could have served many people ends up serving just few. And that is why I think we need a concept like integrated power system to help address this problem. With this strategy we would be able to serve the number of consumers that is required.

On how the integrated power system works, he explained: “If for instance you have a 100KVA trans-

By Bidemi Bakare

former and you only need 50KvA power what happens is that an intelligence system is exploited to generate the 50KVA required while the remaining 50KvA can be distributed for others to use.

“What this means is that with integrated power system it is possible to segment power thus making it easy to serve the right quantity of power required while also avoiding wastage.

“With the integrated power system you can integrate as many generating systems as possible. You can schedule it such that as the load demand is increasing you can increase the power by synchronising two or more generators in array. So one can actually generate according to the load demand and as a result avoid spending a lot generating more than what is required. It is more like matching value with requirement, he said.”

Ogunyeye said the integrated power system also comes handy in the effective and successful completion of several flow processes in many industrial plants.

“In most industrial plants several flow processes can not afford to break. So, in other word anytime power goes off from the main source the generator must have to start quite immediately and automatically within that split second of outage. More like saying you make without break,” he added.

Illustrating how the system works with the flow processes, he said: “Im-

mediately electricity goes off from PHCN, the intelligence of the integrated system makes way for an automatic switch to the generator without necessarily breaking the process.

So there is little or no break. And when there is little or no break there is no loss of the process”.

He said the system also operates with the uninterrupted power supply (UPS) thus ensuring that vital data are protected from loss during outage and minimising cost as well.

“The UPS system can be akin to Information and Computer Technology (ICT) processing. Most times when you are processing your system say in a bank and power goes out abruptly you lose everything you are processing including the memory and some components of the equipment “As a result you have to start all over again. But because you have already incorporated a UPS when power goes off there is a back up system. That means you would be able to work without any anxiety of losing vital data due to power failure.

“The same thing applies to inverters. If you have an inverter integrated to your system it would be difficult to witness power failure.

When there is power the inverter can be charged so that when light goes off one can revert to the inverter for power. Even when there is no light and the inverter is getting weak one can put on the generator to charge the inverter for use later. This no doubt helps to save cost.”

Indigenous E&P firms to become oil majors • Continued from page 37 leum, Ke field to Del Sigma and Dawes Island field to Eurafric, among other producing assets in located in a couple of oil mining licenses (OMLs).

The Director of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr Andrew Obaje, who also delivered a paper titled: Balancing the oil industry productivity with the safety and the environment, listed several Acts and other measures put in place by the government to ensure safety and protection of the environment in the process of producing oil.

He identified some of the challenges to include the sensitivity of our environment, the sensibilities of the citi-

zenry, the global practices (thinking globally and acting locally), the monoproduct nature of the economy and the dearth of scientific information on the operating environment.

He said the DPR, however, has started having some useful information of our environment especially on the physical effects of environmental discharges; withholding of permits/approvals of defaulting companies and would soon invoke sanctions for unauthorized activities and also charge waiver processing fees to discourage business-as -usual and have funds for environmental research and management.

He said: “Safety and environmental regulations, guidelines/standards and enforcement mechanisms had

evolved and will continue to evolve in line with the dynamic nature of oil and gas operations. The essence is to have fit-for-purpose regulations and guidelines based on our peculiarities and sound science in order to guarantee sustainable development.

“We evolved from the era of lack of environmental/safety control in the 70s through partial control in the 80s and full control in the 90s. We aim to move from prescriptive regulations to risk-based as soon as we gathered enough scientific data/information.

The objective is to achieve self-regulation by 2020. The challenges are however enormous especially in a monoproduct economy, fragile environment and sensitive citizenry but not insurmountable.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

40

ENERGY

Kerosine: NNPC, Capital Oil supply 150,000 litres to Lagos

T

HE direct sale of kerosine to consumers, an initiative of the NNPC Retail and Capital Oil and Gas, tagged Kero-Direct has supplied 150,000 litres of the product to five local governments in Lagos, which should be enough for about 5,000 households at 25 litres per household.

The local governments include Isheri/Ikosi Local Council Development Area, Kosofe, Surulere, Amuwo-Odofin and Apapa local government areas.

The local government chairmen, who spoke to our correspondent during the sale at the various council headquarters on Saturday, said they were delighted over the initiative, which they noted brought succour to the people.

The Personal Assistant to the Chairman of Ikosi/Isheri LCDA, Alhaji Kamaldeem Ashafa, who stood in for the chairman, said: “It is good, fantastic, everybody appreciates it. The programme started today in our local government and that is why you see the large crowd.”

He said the volume brought to the council according to Capital Oil is 25 litres per household and would serve at least 800 people.

The Chairman of Kosofe LGA, Hon. Ademuyiwa Adedeji said: “I am highly delighted. When I got the message, I quickly moved around the local government by setting up a kind of information dissemination machinery to make sure everybody is carried along. As you can see the number of people, they turned out en masse to buy. I have been here since 6am.

“The essence of governance is to add value to life and the people, which is taking place now. The quantity of kerosine brought to my local government is over 35,000 litres. To ensure orderliness, we

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

select them in batches of tens and ensure that no household collects more 25 litres. If the supply will continue like this for weeks to come, it will crash the price of kerosine and eliminate exploiters who hoard the product.

At Surelere LGA, the Chairman, Dr. Razaq Folami said: “It is a nice one. Many of the people in our community are poor and besides, they make use of kerosine a lot for their activities like cooking food and other energy needs. With the scarcity of kerosine, which shot the price to between N120 and N130 a litre, they suffered because they didn’t have alternative.

“They need the product for their daily purposes. So this initiative by the Surulere Local Government, NNPC and Capital Oil is a welcome development, my people are happy that they are getting the product at N50 per litre. When they told us of this initiative, we went out and made a motorised sensitization of our people.”

The chairmen of Amuwo-Odofin and Apapa corroborated the same and urged NNPC to continue the supply weekly as promised to crash the price of the product to N50 per litre.

The Kero-Direct started two Saturdays ago where 88,000 litres of the product were sold to residents of the area.

The sale took place at the council’s head office and the Chairman of the local government, Comrade Ayodele Adewale said it started as early as 7am.

Adewale said over 300 people had bought the product as at about 4pm.

“They pay and are issued receipts,” he said.

He also noted that the council was discussing with partnership on how

Eni signs MoU with Sinopec

E

NI has confirmed it signed a Memorandum of Understand ing (MoU) with China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec), as Italy’s biggest oil and natural gas company strengthens its ties with Chinese hydrocarbon firms.

Eni confirmed an earlier report from Italian newswire ANSA on the accord.

Eni is particularly interested in the development of shale gas in China, said Chief Executive Paolo Scaroni, according to ANSA. The deal “signed today allows us to analyse together a series of opportunities in China and outside China,” said Scaroni, according to ANSA. “I believe that if shale gas is found in China, its development will be strong.”

ANSA wrote details of the deal will be announced in the coming days.

Once the companies move from assessing the situation to an operational phase in China, Eni will sign deals in which it become the owner of gas produced, said Scaroni, wrote ANSA. Chinese companies are interested in expanding abroad through deals with Eni, especially in Africa, said Scaroni, according to ANSA. Eni and Sinopec are no strangers as they have some joint deals, such as Angola’s 15/06 block.

Eni, which entered the Chinese market in 1984, is a small player is the world’s number two economy with a daily output of 12,000 barrels of oil equivalent.

The Italian company is seeking to tap into China’s gas market, which is still in its infancy when compared with coal. At the start of the year, Eni signed a deal with China National Petroleum Corporation or CNPC, as part of this strategy.

to build a filling station in Amuwo-Odofin wholly dedicated to kerosine.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Mr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, said the NNPC/ Capital Oil Kero-Direct Scheme is meant to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians by taking the product to their doorsteps at affordable and regulated price of N50 per litre and would be supplied to them every Saturday.

He said: “Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited have been

very much concerned about the sufferings of our people in the recent past in getting kerosine for their domestic use. It is in response to this that the company came up with this innovation of deploying mobile filling stations with standard dispensing pumps to deliver kerosine at the official price of N50 per litre to the citizenry.

“This scheme will afford our people greater and easy access to the product with a view to reducing the use of charcoal and firewood which more of our people,

• Capital Oil staff selling kerosine to some residents in Lagos

Schlumberger records $9.62b Q2 revenue

S

CHLUMBERGER has reported second-quarter 2011 revenue of $9.62 billion as against $8.72 billion in the first quarter of 2011, and $5.94 billion in the second quarter of 2010 reflecting an increase of $0.9 billion over first quarter and $3.68 billion over second quarter of last year.

The company, in a statement, said income from continuing operations attributable to Schlumberger, excluding charges, was $1.18 billion - an increase of 22 per cent sequentially and 45 per cent year-onyear. Diluted earnings-per-share from continuing operations, excluding charges, was $0.87 as against $0.71 in the previous quarter, and $0.68 in the second quarter of 2010.

“Schlumberger recorded charges

of $0.05 per share in the second quarter of 2011 and $0.02 per share in the first quarter of 2011.

“Oilfield Services revenue of $8.99 billion increased 11 per cent sequentially and 51 per cent yearon-year. Pretax segment operating income of $1.75 billion was up 20 per cent sequentially and 56 per cent year-on-year.

“Distribution revenue of $637 million increased six per cent sequentially. Pretax segment operating income of $24 million improved eight percent sequentially.

Schlumberger Chairman and CEO Andrew Gould: “Second-quarter results showed strong growth worldwide. All Product Groups grew at double-digit rates. In North America, a prolonged Canadian spring break-up and poor weather

Energy prices

Domestic prices of petroleum products Energy & Oil Prices OIL ($/bbl)

Companies

PMS

AGO

DPK

Conoil

65.00

160.00

140.00

AP

65.00

160.00

140.00

Total

65.00

160.00

140.00

Oando

65.00

160.00

140.00

Mobil

65.00

160.00

140.00

Texaco

65.00

160.00

140.00

PRICE* Nymex Crude Future Dated Brent Spot WTI Cushing Spot OIL (¢/gal) Nymex Heating Oil Future Nymex RBOB Gasoline Future NATURAL GAS ($/MMBtu)

160.00

140.00

Fagbems

65.00

160.00

140.00

Nipco

PRICE*

CHANGE

% CHANGE

TIME

312.80

2.88

0.93%

07/22

313.01

3.06

0.99%

07/22

PRICE*

65.00

160.00

140.00

0.75% 0.55% 0.74%

07/22 07/22 07/22

CHANGE

% CHANGE

TIME

0.00 -0.12 -0.27

0.09% -2.62% -5.29%

07/22 07/22 07/22

CHANGE

% CHANGE

TIME

Mid-Columbia, firm on-peak, spot 36.11 1.93 5.65% Palo Verde, firm on-peak, spot 43.53 -0.13 -0.30% BLOOMBERG, FIRM ON-PEAK, DAY AHEAD SPOT/ERCOT HOUSTON 82.83 18.87 29.50%

Source: Bloomberg.com

TIME

0.74 0.65 0.73

PRICE*

65.00

CHANGE % CHANGE

99.87 118.29 99.64

Nymex Henry Hub Future 4.40 Henry Hub Spot 4.46 New York City Gate Spot 4.83 ELECTRICITY ($/megawatt hour)

INDIGENOUS Energy

in recent times, have resorted to for cooking.

“Suffice it to say that all arrangements have been put in place to ensure continuous availability of the product. The choice to use local government headquarters as point of sale is deliberate, as it will ensure that the product gets to the end-users. To avoid the scheme being hijacked by middlemen who will turn round to exploit the masses, the sale of the product has been restricted to 25 litres to each household.”

07/22 07/22 07/22

in the northwest were offset by very strong growth in the rest of US land and a significant contribution from deepwater operations as the rig count increased and renewed interest in exploration activity in the Gulf of Mexico led to high multi-client seismic data sales.

“Internationally, the trend towards higher deepwater rig count, and higher exploration spending continued. This activity was coupled with a surge in development and workover activity as producers moved to compensate for reduced Libya barrels and to profit from higher prices. As a result, all Groups had standout product lines in the quarter and technology sales showed good progress. Strong advances were made in all technologies linked to deepwater exploration and complex development drilling including WesternGeco, Drilling & Measurements, M-I SWACO, and openhole Wireline and Testing services. The Drilling Group continued to record strong synergistic revenue with the legacy Smith Bits and Drilling Tool businesses in many areas of the world.

At Reservoir Production, in addition to the strong North American stimulation market, high growth rates were experienced internationally as operators moved to improve production and to test unconventional gas plays in several markets.

“Pricing power in North America pressure pumping remained robust, but more importantly towards the end of the quarter it became clear that pricing traction for certain other services - particularly those related to drilling high-risk deepwater plays or other complex developments was in place both in North America and internationaly.

42

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

43

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

AVIATION

Passengers, terminal operator disagree over service charge W

HY was service charge raised from N1,000 to N2,500, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos Terminal Two? The operator of the facility, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services (BAS) Ltd., said it was increased because of the astronomical cost of managing the terminal.

Passengers, however, disagree, saying the fee amounted to “double charges.”

They said they have paid for the charge in their flight tickets.

The fee is collected from passengers before boarding. Many have missed their flights because of inability to pay.

They described the arrangement between the airlines and terminal operator as “untidy”, alleging that the charge has been factored into their fares.

Airline operators, they said, did not brief them about any other payment after the purchase of tickets.

Some passengers with tickets issued via electronic mail with their travel details, including the passenger reference number (PNR), said they were not happy paying additional N2,500, before boarding.

The passengers accused the terminal operator of unilaterally raising the charge without the government’s approval.

They noted that such charge is not collected at the old terminal.

But the operator claims to have the approval of the Ministry of Aviation.

Reacting, Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Dr Harold

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UFTHANSA, will today launch a six-month biofuel trial run on regular scheduled flights. A Lufthansa Airbus A321 with registration D-AIDG will fly the Hamburg-FrankfurtHamburg route four times daily.

One of its engines will run on a 50/50 mix of regular fuel and biosynthetic kerosene.

The biofuel for jet engines has been approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Since biokerosene has simi-

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor Aviation Correspondent

Demuren, described the charge as unacceptable, saying the agency has made its position known on the matter.

Demuren said: “I don’t see why the government should collect navigational and terminal charges besides the five per cent passenger service charge that domestic airlines pay. Government should look at the issue of terminal charges because the future of Nigerian aviation is paramount.”

Passengers, who spoke to The Nation, on condition of anonymity urged the terminal operator and airlines to sort out how to remit the charge, to save them last-minute hitches in their travel plans.

Airlines operating from the MMA2 include Air Nigeria, Aero Airlines, IRS Airlines, DANA Air and Chanchangi Airlines Limited.

The operator of the facility, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, told reporters that the increase became imperative because of the astronomical cost of maintaining the facility.

It said since the terminal became operational in 2007, the cost of running it has been increasing phenomenally and was reflective of the economic situation in Nigeria.

Bi-Courtney said it has held meetings with airlines and stakeholders to sensitise them on the development, while assuring travellers of its readiness to improve its services across the airport.

A statement, signed by the Chief Operat-

A

• Demuren

erator as and when due, a situation which made it difficult for the management to maintain and upgrade its state-of-the-art facilities.

The official, however, noted that he did not expect the direct fee collection of PSC by the MMA2 management to lead to increases in airfare. A source to one of the airlines operating from the terminal who did not want his name in print, emphasised that the direct collection of the PSC fee by the airline would not lead to reduction of airfare by N1,000 by the airlines.

Lufthansa launches scheduled flights using biofuel lar properties to those of conventional kerosene it can be used for all aircraft types without any need for modifications to the aircraft or its engines. The first flight of the six-month trial, operating under flight number LH013, will take off today from Hamburg at 11.15 hrs (CET) bound for Frankfurt. During the six months test run period, the use of biofuel will reduce CO2 emis-

Ibom Airport hangar ’ll reduce capital flight, says Akpabio

KWA Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio has made a case for the take over of Ibom International Airport’s hangar by the Federal Government.

The Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, he said, should be acquired by the government as Nigeria’s first national hangar.

Akpabio spoke in Uyo, the state capital, when he received the Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah- Ogiemwonyi and the Director-General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, in his office.

“The Federal Government may want to take over the running of the Ibom International Airport and the state government is looking forward to signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

With the MRO facilities which we are building, the Federal government should jump at the chance of declaring the hangar as the first Nigerian hangar to stop capital flight,” Akpabio said.

He said the MRO facilities at the airport when completed, “can be used as a centre for research and rescue in the case of any eventuality and will be for the benefit of all Nigerians”.

Akpabio said his administration followed global standard in the quality of facilities at the airport.

ing Officer of the company, Femi Kolawole, affirmed that: “Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) which operates other airports in Nigeria has actually increased its Passenge Service Charge (PSC) by 186 per cent for all domestic air tickets in Nigeria irrespective of the location or state of the various airports.”

It went on: “The increase proposed by BASL represents a 150 per cent increase from the current rate of N1,000, per ticket.”

In May, 2009, the BASL management informed airline operators in its terminal that it was increasing the Passenger Service Charge (PSC) from N350 to N1,000 based on the agreement it had with the government before commencing operations in 2007.

It identified the high cost of operating the terminal as the reason the ministry approved the increase of the PSC to $15 (about N2, 300). The increment at the initial stage drew the ire of operators as many passengers were embarrassed by the BASL management, which opted for direct collection of the charges from the passengers.

It argued that the airlines, which collected the charges from passengers on its behalf, did not remit the charges to it In 2009, then Head, Corporate Affairs and Communications of BASL, Olugbenga Odugbesan, told reporters that the PSC, which was increased from N350 to N1,000 on June 1, 2009, was included in ticket prices and collected by the airlines on behalf of BASL. He explained that the airlines were not remitting the charge to the terminal op-

Earlier, Mrs. OduahOgiemwonyi praised Akwa Ibom for the quality of facilities provided at the airport.

She said: “We want to ensure global standard and we must prioritise customer safety.

Speaking in Asaba, where she also visited Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Mrs OduahOgiemwonyi expressed satisfaction with the high standard of facilities at the Asaba International Airport.

The airport, she said, could be compared to some of the best in the world.

She said: “I am very, very excited over this airport. It is wonderful and meets global standards.”

Uduaghan promised to ensure that the airport was commercially viable.

He underlined the importance of the airport in opening up the state capital for economic growth, saying he was poised to make the airport one of the best.

Uduaghan, who also pledged to ensure that more airlines operated in the airport, announced that work was in progress on the second runway at the Osubi Airport near Warri.

The governor said when completed bigger planes would land at the airport, explaining that it would improve air transport in the state.

sions by up to 1,500 tonnes.

Christoph Franz, Chairman and CEO of the Lufthansa Group, said: “Lufthansa is the first airline worldwide to use biofuel in scheduled daily flight operations. We are thus continuing to steadily implement our proven and successful strategy for sustainability.” As air transport is the only mode of transport that will remain dependent upon liquid fuels for the foreseeable future, the aviation industry and the research community must develop and test alternatives. “Fossil raw materials are finite”.

The biosynthetic kerosene used by Lufthansa is derived from pure biomass (biomass to liquids – BtL) and consists of jatropha, camelina and animal fats of the sustainability of their processes and meet the criteria stipulated by the European Parliament and the Council in the Renewable Energy Directive.

Lufthansa guarantees that the production of its biofuel is not in direct competition with food production and that no rainforests are destroyed.

The fuel used by Lufthansa is produced by Neste Oil, a Finnish oil

•Akpabio and Mrs. Oduah-Ogiemwonyi during the visit.

company. Neste has extensive experience in the production of biofuels and has been a successful partner of Lufthansa for many years.

Lufthansa puts the total costs of conducting the biofuel project at about 6.6 million euros. The German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology has awarded 2.5 million euros in funding for this project, which is part of a larger project known as FAIR (Future Aircraft Research) set up to examine other issues besides the compatibility of biofuels, including new propulsion and aircraft concepts and other fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG).

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

Signed:

MR. HAKEEM MURI-OKUNOLA

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P er manent Secr etar y, Lands Bur eau Per ermanent Secretar etary Bureau

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

ITF TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR AUGUST – NOV., 2011 Maingo Road, P.M.B. 2199, Jos – Plateau State

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AUGUST

DURATION DATE COURSE FEE PER PARTICIPANTS VENUE 3 days N40,000.00 Ijebu-Ode 23rd – 25th August, 2011 15th – 19th August, 2011 5 days N30,000.00 Ogere 3 days N30,000.00 23rd – 25th August, 2011 Offa 1st – 5th August, 2011 5 days N25,000.00 Benin 22nd – 26th August, 2011 5 days N25,000.00 Jos 22nd – 26th August, 2011 5 days N25,000.00 Ekiti 1st – 5th August, 2011 5 days N25,000.00 Kano 8th – 12th August, 2011 5 days N25,000.00 Uyo 15th – 19th August, 2011 5 days N25,000.00 Kafanchan 8th – 12th August, 2011 5 days N25,000.00 Isolo 15th – 19th August, 2011 5 days N25,000.00 Yanegoa 8th – 12th August, 2011 5 days N25,000.00 Keffi 10th – 12th August, 2011 3 days N25,000.00 Jalingo 15th – 19th August, 2011 5 days N35,000.00 Minna 23rd – 25th August, 2011 3 days N25,000.00 Gusau 22nd – 24th August, 2011 3 days N25,000.00 Keffi 15th – 19th August, 2011 5 days N25,000.00 Okene 22nd – 26th August, 2011 5 days N25,000.00 Sapele 8th – 12th August, 2011 5 days N25,000.00 Ikeja 8th -12th August, 2011 5 days N30,000.00 ISTC Ikeja 22nd – 26th August, 2011 5 days N25,000.00 Otta 22nd – 26th August, 2011 5 days N30,000.00 Otta 8th – 12th August, 2011 5 days N30,000.00 Calabar 15th -19th August, 2011 5 days N30,000.00 Ibadan 15th – 19th August, 2011 5 days N30,000.00 Makurdi 22nd – 26th August, 2011 5 days N30,000.00 Sokoto 22nd – 26th August, 2011 5 days N30,000.00 Eket 8th – 12th August, 2011 5days N30,000.00 Warri 8th -12th August, 2011 5 days N30,000.00 Ikeja 29th August-2nd Sept, 2011 5 days N30,000.00 Abuja 22nd – 26th August, 2011 5 days N25,000.00 Owo 8th – 12th August, 2011 5 days N30,000.00 Kumbotso 15th – 19th August, 2011 5 days N50,000.00 Abuja 8th – 12th August, 2011 5 days N40,000.00 Ikeja SEPTEMBER 20th – 22nd Sept, 2011 Excellent Customer Service Workshop 3 days N30,000.00 Awka 26th – 28th Sept, 2011 Executive Stress & Time Management Workshop 3 days N30,000.00 Gusau 26th – 30th Sept, 2011 Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Management & Development Workshop 5 days N20,000.00 Ibadan th th 12 – 14 Sept, 2011 Performance Management Workshop 3 days N25,000.00 Asaba 26th – 30th Sept, 2011 Purchasing & Supply Management Workshop 5 days N25,000.00 Epe 5th – 9th Sept, 2011 Stores & Materials Management Workshop 5 days N25,000.00 Ikeja th th 5 – 9 Sept, 2011 Stores & Materials Management Workshop 5 days N25,000.00 Toro 20th – 22nd Sept, 2011 Supervisory Management Course 3 days N25,000.00 Abak 5th – 9th Sept, 2011 Leadership & Team Building Workshop 5 days N25,000.00 Gboko th th 26 – 30 Sept, 2011 Work Ethics & Organization of Clerical & General Duties 5 days N25,000.00 L/Island 26th – 30th Sept, 2011 Work Ethics & Organization of Clerical & General Duties 5 days N25,000.00 Bori 20th – 22nd Sept, 2011 Workshop on Effective Management & Administration in Public Service 3 days N25,000.00 Toro th th 26 – 28 Sept, 2011 Workshop on Effective Management & Administration in Public Service 3 days N25,000.00 Katsina 7th – 9th Sept, 2011 Workshop on Organization of Clerical & General Duties 3 days N25,000.00 Zaria 13th – 15th Sept, 2011 Accounting & Finance Course for Non-Financial Managers 3 days N25,000.00 Ikeja th th 12 – 16 Sept, 2011 Accounting Course for Accounts & Audit Personnel 5 days N25,000.00 Okigwe 27th – 29th Sept, 2011 Basic Course for Cashiers & Revenue Officers 3 days N25,000.00 Kontagora 12th – 16th Sept, 2011 Workshop on Fraud Prevention & forensic Auditing 5 days N30,000.00 Keffi 5th – 9th Sept, 2011 Driver Mechanic Technical Skills Workshop 5 days N25,000.00 Yobe 5th – 9th Sept, 2011 Electrical/Electronic Equipment Maintenance 5 days N30,000.00 Isolo 19th – 23rd Sept, 2011 Electrical/Electronic Equipment Maintenance 5 days N30,000.00 Abuja 26th – 30th Sept, 2011 Machinery & Equipment Maintenance Workshop 5 days N30,000.00 Kano 26th – 30th Sept, 2011 Machinery & Equipment Maintenance Workshop 5 days N30,000.00 Enugu 12th – 16th Sept, 2011 Application of Welding Maintenance Welding Workshop 5 days N30,000.00 ISTC Ikeja 26th – 30th Sept, 2011 Operation & Maintenance of Electrical Generating Set Workshop 5 days N20,000.00 Otta 5th – 9th Sept, 2011 Systematic Approach to Electrical/Electronics Troubleshooting Course 5 days N30,000.00 Ibadan 26th – 30th Sept, 2011 Systematic Approach to Electrical/Electronics Troubleshooting Course 5 days N30,000.00 Apapa 12th – 16th Sept, 2011 Welding Skills Development Workshop 5 days N30,000.00 Ikeja 20th – 22nd Sept, 2011 Crime Prevention & Security Management Workshop 3 days N25,000.00 Dutse 26th – 30th Sept, 2011 Industrial Safety Training Workshop 5 days N25,000.00 Lafia 5th – 9th Sept, 2011 Occupational Health & Safety Workshop 5 days N30,000.00 Omoku 26th – 30th Sept, 2011 Occupational Health & Safety Workshop 5 days N30,000.00 Itakpe 26th – 28th Sept, 2011 Coaching & Mentoring Course for Performance Enhancement 3 days N25,000.00 Ado-Ekiti OCTOBER 3rd – 7th Oct, 2011 Culinary & Service Skills Development Course for the Hospitality Industry 5 days N25,000.00 Kaduna 24th – 26th Oct, 2011 Effective Report Writing Workshop 3 days N25,000.00 Kano 25th – 27th Oct, 2011 Excellent Customer Service Workshop 3 days N30,000.00 Ibadan 24th – 28th Oct, 2011 Information & Records Keeping Workshop 5 days N25,000.00 Lagos Marketing Techniques Workshop for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Operators Kano 10th – 14th Oct, 2011 5 days N25,000.00 Planning for Life After Retirement Workshop 24th – 28th Oct, 2011 5 days N25,000.00 Makaurdi Planning for Life After Retirement Workshop 24th – 28th Oct, 2011 5 days N25,000.00 Ibadan 24th – 28th Oct, 2011 Production Management Workshop 5 days N25,000.00 Tarauni 4th – 6th Oct, 2011 Skills Development Course for Administration & Personnel Officers 3 days N25,000.00 Otta 10th – 14th Oct, 2011 Accounting Course for Accounts & Audit Personnel 5 days N25,000.00 Maiduguri 18th – 22nd Oct, 2011 Accounting Course for Accounts & Audit Personnel 5 days N25,000.00 Ibadan 10th – 14th Oct, 2011 Electrical/Electronics Equipment Maintenance Workshop 5 days N30,000.00 Idah 24th – 28th Oct, 2011 Electrical/Electronics Equipment Maintenance Workshop 5 days N30,000.00 Port Harcourt 10th – 14th Oct, 2011 Maintenance Supervisors Course 5 days N30,000.00 Agabara 10th – 14th Oct, 2011 Maintenance Supervisors Course 5 days N30,000.00 Otta 24th – 28th Oct, 2011 Maintenance Supervisors Course 5 days N30,000.00 Abuja 10th -14th Oct, 2011 Operators Performance Improvement Course 5 days N30,000.00 Uyo 24th – 28th Oct, 2011 Operators Performance Improvement Course 5 days N30,000.00 Apapa 24th – 28th Oct, 2011 Plant & Equipment Maintenance Course 5 days N30,000.00 Bida 10th -14th Oct, 2011 Occupational Health & Safety Workshop 5 days N30,000.00 Ikeja 25th – 27th Oct, 2011 Coaching & Mentoring Course for Performance Enhancement 3 days N25,000.00 Isolo 3rd – 7th Oct, 2011 Advanced Computer Course for Secretaries 5 days N30,000.00 Abuja NOVEMBER 2nd – 4th Nov, 2011 Advanced Human Resource Management Workshop 3 days N40,000.00 Epe 22nd – 24th Nov, 2011 Defensive Driving Skills Course 3 days N25,000.00 Epe 7th – 11th Nov, 2011 Building Service Maintenance Workshop 5 days N40,000.00 Otta 14th – 18th Nov, 2011 Advanced Human Capital Development Workshop for Training Personnel 5 days N40,000.00 Minna th nd Kaduna 28 Nov – 2 Dec, 2011 Computer Application Workshop for Middle Level Managers.

5 days N30,000.00

S/N TRAINING PROGRAMMES 1. Advanced Human Resource Management Workshop 2. Effective Administration Course for Nurses & Midwives 3. Excellent Customer Service Workshop 4. Interpersonal Skills Workshop for Middle Level Managers 5. Interpersonal Skills Workshop for Middle Level Managers 6. Interpersonal Skills Workshop for Middle Level Managers 7. Middle Level Management Workshop 8. Middle Level Management Workshop 9. Planning for Life After Retirement Workshop 10. Stores & Materials Management Workshop 11. Stores & Materials Management Workshop 12. Work Ethics & Organizational Productivity Workshop 13. Workshop on Effective Management & Administration in Public Service 14. Workshop on Fundamental skills in Protocol Event & Travel Management 15. Workshop on Hospital Administration 16. Accounting & /Finance Course for Non- Financial Managers 17. Accounting Course for Account & Audit Personnel 18. Accounting Course for Account & Audit Personnel 19. Agricultural Machinery & Equipment Maintenance Workshop 20. Air Conditioning & refrigeration Maintenance Workshop 21. Driver-Mechanic Technical Skills Workshop 22. Electrical/Electronics Equipment Maintenance Workshop 23. Industrial Engineering Maintenance Workshop 24. Maintenance Supervisors Course 25. Maintenance Supervisors Course 26. Maintenance Supervisors Course 27. Maintenance Supervisors Course 28. Plant & Equipment Maintenance Workshop 29. Plant & Equipment Maintenance Workshop 30. Plant & Equipment Maintenance Workshop 31. Productivity Improvement Workshop for Industrial Operators 32. Systematic Approach to Electrical/Electronic Troubleshooting Course 33. Workshop on Emergency & Disaster Management 34. Advanced Human Capital Development Workshop

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

51

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

‘How to live long’ T HE low life expectancy rate in the country can be increased by individuals through balanced diet.

The Medical Director of Lagoon Hospital, Dr ‘Banjo Kale, said this at a public lecture organised by the City Club, Lagos.

It has as theme: Physical Wellness-Healthy Living.

According to Kale, who was the guest lecturer, Nature has provided all that man needs to stay healthy, “But problems set in when man does not abide by nature’s design, especially life style choices.

“A fish cannot survive outside water; birds fly in certain directions and aircraft obey certain design rules for them not to crash. But most humans do not obey these laws and they either fall sick or die. Everything should be in moderation.”

He said there are three factors that determine the health of man, vis a vis, life span. He listed them as physical, mental and social components. The last two depend on the first. Hence, “The sudden death syndrome (SDS), which is as a result of the big diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and malaria.”

Dr Kale, the first Nigerian Pathologist member of the British Society for Clinical Cytology (BSCC), said it amazed him the manner youths gulp energy drinks and patronise eateries.

“Energy drinks have no nutritional value and most consumers, like our school mates in the olden days, who depend on caffeine crashed, these youths will end up same way. The active ingredients chap the body of its nutrients. Junks foods from time immemorial give no nutrients as well to the body. That is why cancer, which is a failure of the

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

immune system and renal failure, is on the increase in Nigeria.”

The German Academic Scholar said Nigerians should embrace preventive medicine compared with curative ones noting: “It is cheaper that way.

A lot of money can be saved through prevention. Nigerians have geriatrics, even in their 8os.

The younger generation should learn from the older, the secrets of longevity such as exercise and moderation in everything.

A common eating plan is the food pyramid, named so because the foods at the top should be eaten sparingly,

Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate high, says doctor

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ITH four years to the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) deadline, Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate (MMR) of 800 per 100,000 live births is one of the highest in the world.

An expert, Dr Alero Roberts, said the alarming health outcome pose a great risk to Nigeria’s chances of meeting the MDGs. According to her, building capacity into health care workers through training and re-training and provision of infrastructure would help to achieve the MDGs. She spoke at the launch of the United Nations (UN) Every Woman, Every Child in Africa initiative. The event was organised by the Well-being Foundation, the UN Foundation, Every Woman Every Child and The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Roberts, who is the Director, Public Health, Well-being Foundation, said about 1,000 women die daily from preventable causes re-

By Wale Adepoju

lated to pregnancy and childbirth, adding that 99 per cent of maternal deaths occur in developing countries.

She said adolescents face a higher risk of complications and death as a result of pregnancy than older women.

Roberts said maternal mortality is higher in rural areas and among poorer and less educated communities.

She said skilled care before, during and after childbirth can save the lives of women and newborn babies.

Maternal mortality worldwide dropped by one-third between 1990 and 2008, Roberts added.

Quoting from an African Regional Workshop last December in Nairobi, Kenya, she said: “In subSaharan Africa, existing data is limited for reliable maternal mortality estimates. Considering the limitations of available maternal mor-

tality data, it is crucial to support national capacity for improved generation of reliable and valid data to facilitate future estimates of MMR, especially in the countries of subSaharan Africa.”

Roberts also said the global strategy to reduce MMR is by reducing poverty, improving economic growth and development.

She said the strategy is cost-effective and affirms fundamental human rights, adding that simple strategies are better implemented to achieve desired result.

Roberts said lifetime risk of dying in pregnancy is one in 7,300 in developed countries and one in 75 in developing countries.

“Daily 1,500 women die from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications. Most of these deaths occurred in developing countries, and most were avoidable. The usual suspects could be one or the combination of sepsis, haemorrhage, obstructed labour, eclampsia,” she said.

whereas those at the bottom should be eaten more often.”

Speaking extensively on the Food Pyramid, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr Sonny Kuku, Medical Director, EKO Hospitals, said carbohydrates are the best class of food. As 65 per cent of meal should be carbohydrate.

It has much fibre. Whole grains are the best source of carbohy-

drates for the body because they take more time to digest and provide lasting fuel to sustain the body. In short, they keep hunger at bay longer. Try to stay away from refined grains such as white bread, over processed and filtered garri, also called olowonyo in Ijebu land. Good sources of whole grains include oats, whole wheat bread, brown rice, quinoa, whole grain cereal (such as bran) and whole grain pasta.

“Oils such as butter and margarine should be used sparingly, if used at all. All healthy eating pyramids recommend getting your fats from fish, nuts, and mono-saturated fats such as olive; canola and avocado oils. The dairy group includes milk, yogurt, cheese, and milk-based deserts such as ice cream and puddings. Opt for low-fat or nonfat versions of dairy. A general rule about choosing milk-based items is to include foods which retain their calcium (e.g., cheese and not butter); although calcium-enriched soy milk and soy milk products are other alternatives.

“Protein is the most expensive class of food and the most dangerous. It is wise to choose lean cuts of meat, fish and chicken, as well as beans and legumes, for protein. Since most proteins come with additional components—fat, carbohydrates and other nutrients—it is important to choose quality sources, such as those with a small amount of fat. Fish and beans contain beneficial oils and nutrients, such as omega fatty acids in fish and fibre in beans.

“For fruits and vegetables, they provide vital fibre, nutrients, vitamins and minerals and are a major source of antioxidants, which help rid the body of toxic waste through our organs. Aim to have two to three servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables daily.

Easy-to-find fruits and vegetables include oranges, apples, bananas, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, red peppers, spinach, cabbage, carrots and corn,” said the Olor’ogun of Ijebuland.

How to lose pot belly A POT belly is a collection of fat around the abdominal area. If you’re tired of having those extra pounds hanging over your jeans or are getting sick of beerbelly quips from friends and relatives, you may want to take steps to reduce (or hopefully even lose altogether) this unwelcome pudge. Here are some tips for how to lose a pot belly.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging Instructions •Limit your intake of beer and other alcoholic drinks.

•Develop proper posture.

Stand erect, walk tall, sit straight and avoid slouching.

•Eat dinner at least two to three hours before going to bed.

•Add exercise to your daily routine. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

•Walk as much as you can.

Brisk walking is considered the best exercise for all age groups.

•Do abdominal crunches and stomach exercises to tone your

muscles and help trim the area.

This won’t get rid of the fat, but it can start to improve your stomach profile.

•Sign up for an appointment with a fitness specialist or personal trainer to set up an exercise schedule designed especially for you.

•Improve your eating habits.

Minimise fat intake. Eat out less.

Avoid junk foods and fried foods; instead, choose salads, lean proteins, whole grains and fruits. Drink lots of fluids (8 to 10 glasses of water a day) while avoiding sugary carbonated sodas.

•Tell a trusted friend or family member about your efforts.

Once you tell someone else, you’ll feel more committed to making a change, and you can check in that person with progress reports as your belly shrinks.

•Culled from: www.ehow.com

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 27, 2011

HEALTH

Health Tourism With Dr Dheeraj Bojwani e-mail: indiasodel@gmail.com

Prostate cancer: An African male’s problem

P •From left: Registrar, Pharmacy Board of Sierra-Leone Wiltshire Johnson; Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Dr Paul Orhii and Head, Drug Regulation Agency, Gambia Mrs Marquieu Kaira, during the Regulation Summit of Heads of Drug Agencies in West Africa in Lagos PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

Idris promises cheap health care

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HE Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, has restated his resolve to provide affordable health care delivery service in the state.

The governor gave the assurance when he visited a team of Medical personnel from Cedio Outreach Ministry at the General Hospital, Kabba who were in the State to offer free medical treatment to citizens of the state across the three senatorial districts.

Idris praised the joint free medical partnership programme between the state and the Outreach, describing it as the most beneficial to the people.

He commended the medical experts for their humanitarian services, stressing that health is wealth and a laudable project that his administration would continue to pursue with vigour according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs Mallam Zakari Adamu.

Idris disclosed that his administration since its inception in 2003 had lived up to expectation in the provision of health institutions and medical equipment to meet the health needs of the citizens.

He called on the stakeholders in the health sector to join hands with the administration in its effort to

•Idris

ensure effective health care delivery service to the grassroots.

Idris noted that the sector is the most essential, stressing that government’s effort in this sector needed to be complemented by more non-governmental organisations across the world.

Surgeons learn advanced surgery

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O improve capacity building in health care, surgeons have been trained on minimal access surgery - an advanced treatment method.

The Association for Academic Surgery (AAS), the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) have trained doctors and medical students on the new treatment technique.

It was at a workshop on Fundamentals of Research and Career Development and Minimal Access. The yearly workshop is the fourth by the group on surgery.

According to the Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Prof David Adewale Oke, the hospital deems it necessary to organise the workshop to update surgeons with recent advancement in the practice because expertise is required in the surgery.

He said minimal access surgery is a new method of surgery which al-

By Wale Adepoju

lows only a small incision instead of opening a patient up. This kind of surgery reduces funds, saves time, reduces risks and overall health of the patient is improved, Oke added.

He said the hospital value excellence in clinical practice using evidence-based medicine. “As research is an important part of our practice, and training, which we are keen to fortify locally and make LASUTH the number one hospital in Nigeria,” he said.

Oke said inclusion of medical students for mentoring was unique because it would form a needed guide in the choices in career development.

He said the information from the workshop would be put to immediate use in clinical and academic practice.

Oke said funding and infrastructure are the major problems affecting the practice in the country, add-

ing that Federal and state governments need to ensure these to ease the jobs of doctors.

He said if necessary tools are made available, surgeons would be able to carry out difficult surgeries, and the people could stay in the country to receive treatment than going abroad.

On why patients go to India, he said, lack of adequate facilities had been responsible.

“India is an emerging country in medicine with high-tech technology similar to what is obtained in the United States and Europe, adding that it is cheaper to have surgeries there than elsewhere across the world. India shares the same technological know-how with the rest advanced countries across the world,” he said.

He said most of the resource persons are of Nigerian decent though in Diaspora and some of them had been in the country two or three times to impact our surgeons here on latest inventions.

More equipment for tertiary hospitals

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HE Federal Ministry of Health has claimed the N1.5 billion medical equipment trapped at the Lilypond Area Command, Apapa Area Command and Tincan Island Port, Lagos.

The equipment could not be taken by the Ministry since 2009 due to duty charges. Beneficiaries of the equipment are tertiary hospitals in the six geo-political zones.

The handover was done by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Linus Awute. About eight more are expected to arrive from countries of source: Europe, Japan and the

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

United States.

The possession of the equipment was as a result of the intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan, who granted the Ministry duty waiver.

Said Awute: “The fact remains that the equipment were originally exempted from duty charges when the order was placed in 2009.

However, when the goods started arriving Nigeria ports in 2010, an import duty regime had been placed on importation of many things which affected the equip-

ment, hence the need for the presidential intervention that promptly approved the waiver based on that consideration.

“We are happy to take delivery of the quantum of diagnostic and therapeutic medical equipment, as well as support equipment and emergency response equipment procured by the ministry based on need assessment of our health system.”

The Comptroller of the Command, Mrs Grace Adeyemo, restated Customs’ readiness to continue to serve the nation and wished the ministry well.

ROSTATE is a gland in the male reproductive system just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The size of the prostate varies with age. There are several types of cells in the prostate, but nearly all prostate cancers start in the gland cells.

Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may spread from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly the bones and lymph nodes. Prostate cancer may cause pain, difficulty in urinating, problems during sexual intercourse or erectile dysfunction. Other symptoms can potentially develop during later stages of the disease.

Prostate cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in men today. It is the most common organ cancer in men, and is the source of much confusion. While it is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, only about five per cent of men with early stage prostate cancer will die from it! According to the American Cancer Society’s most recent estimates that deaths from Prostate Cancer has tolled to 27,360 yearly in the country.

It is very difficult to find people who haven’t heard anything about the disease called Prostate cancer nowadays. It has become a very common illness. Many people may not become aware of the disease from the onset. If you are experiencing pains in your prostate gland or you are having any unusual warning sign, visit your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

There are many treatment options, including surgery, radiation therapy, hormones, castration, and even just “watching” it. It is crucial for a man to understand his options in dealing with his prostate cancer.

The cause of prostate cancer isn’t fully understood at present. But there are certain factors that make prostate cancer more likely: age greater than 50, family history of cancer, Race i.e. If you are AfricanCaribbean or African-American you are at highest risk and/or a high fat diet. Prostate cancer often has no symptoms, particularly in the early stages.

Some men may never have any symptoms or problems from the disease. Some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may not become a serious threat to your health.

Whereas others are faster-growing and aggressive form and can be more harmful.

The issue of prostate cancer is multifaceted, involving speculations, illusions, differing experiences, rigid dogmas, as well as new horizons. Being knowledgeable may help one preserve his potency, continence and even his life. There are many types of prostate cancer and the condition is often present in many different parts of the prostate. Although there are many different kinds of prostate cancer the vast majority, (around 95 per cent) are of the type known as adenocar-

cinoma. As this is the most wide spread from it has become synonymous with the term prostate cancer.

•Adenocarcinoma - The most common site of origin of prostate cancer is in the peripheral zone (the main glandular zone of the prostate).

•Small Cell Carcinoma - This kind of cancer is made up of small round cells, and typically forms at nerve cells. Small cell carcinoma is very aggressive in nature and harder to detect than adenocarcinoma •Squamous Cell Carcinoma - This is a non glandular cancer, like small cell carcinoma there is no increase in prostate specific antigens when this is present. Squamous cell carcinoma is very aggressive in nature.

There are other, more rare, forms of prostate cancer these include sarcomas and transitional cell carcinoma; the latter rarely develops in the prostate but derives from primary tumors present in the bladder or urethra.

If you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, don’t feel that your life has to be over. Even if you are in the latter stages of the illness, there are ways to increase your chance of survival. Prostate Cancer Management are numerous and depend on many factors including the stage and grade of the cancer, along with the risk to the patient and the patient’s wishes. The treatment of organ-confined prostate cancer to date has involved cutting out, radiating, or freezing the gland in trying to cure the disease. Earlier diagnosis and improved treatment techniques in recent years have certainly led to better results. Following are the various types of Prostate cancer surgery available in India for cure and proper management of your diseases: •Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy •Radical Perineal Prostatectomy •Laparoscopic Prostatectomy •Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) •Pelvic Lymphadenectomy •Laser Surgery for Prostate Cancer •HIFU ( High Intensity Frequency Ultrasound) •Green Light Laser (PVP Technology) •Brachytherapy ( Seed Guided Radiation) Deciding on a prostate procedure can be difficult as there are multiple types available for the treatment of prostate cancer. Each surgery has unique benefits and risks.

Some of the less invasive procedures have a quicker recovery time. However, the choice of surgeon is the most important decision you make, even more so than the type of procedure. The more skilled the surgeon, preferably with extensive experience performing hundreds or even thousands of procedures just like yours, the less likely you are to experience erectile dysfunction due to nerve damage.

Dr. Bojwani is the Chief Executive of Forerunners Healthcare Consultants Pvt Ltd, India’s Pioneer Medical tourism organisation.

Local contact: 07042394040, 07090830097, 08191462542, 07037065779, 08023051420

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

53

NEWS 13 suspected robbers held in Lagos HE police in Lagos yesterday said it had arrested 13 suspected armed robbers who were allegedly terrorising residents along the Lekki axis of the state.

Mr Samuel Jinadu, spokesman for the command, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the suspects were arrested following the response to a distress call by residents.

He said the suspected robbers were picked up in a hideout in the aftermath of a house-to-house robbery attacks on residents of Abule Folly in Ibeju Lekki.

According to the police spokesman dangerous weapons such as guns and machetes were recovered from the suspects.

He said that the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Panti for investigations.

T

•The Zulu dancers

When arts, culture united for Mandela N

NIGERIANS had a feel of ex-President Nelson Mandela’s 93rd birthday anniversary celebration in Lagos at the weekend.

The virtues and values of the legendary South African former president were extolled at Silverbird Galleria, on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, where the arts mixed with culture to celebrate the man widely known as ‘Madiba’.

The event featured a photo exhibition by Mattson Creations on behalf of South Africa High Commission in Nigeria, a documentary film – “Viva Mandiba: Hero for all seasons”, produced by Anant Singh, series of performances by the Zulu Dancers, music performances by Minisaa and the Triple Treasure Band, art and craft, exhibition of selected books on the ‘Mandiba’ and tasting of South African wines.

It was supported by the South African Tourism, and South Africa Airline, that facilitated the branding of the hall and airlift of the Zulu Dancers from South Africa.

Beside the cultural performances, there were talks on the values of Mandela by the Minister Counselor, South African High Commission, Abuja, Mr. Godfrey Mulaudzi, who represented the South Africa High Commissioner as Head of Lagos, South Africa High Commission, Thandi Mgxwati and Ben MurrayBruce of Silverbird Group.

Mulaudzi acknowledged the critical role Nigeria played in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, saying; “if not for the role Nigeria played in the fight against

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

apartheid, we would not have been here today celebrating Mandela. We are grateful.”

Declaring Nigeria as South Africa’s strategic partner, he said that without Nigerians in South Africa, ‘we don’t see any African.’

He disclosed that the United Nations (UN) has supported the proposal to declare July 18 every year as Mandela Day. Mulaudzi said: “We can’t find words to describe how delighted we are as you join us to celebrate t h e icon, Nels o n

Mandela.

Mgxwati, who spoke on the role played by Mandela in the struggle against apartheid, the existence of other icons in the struggle and the misconception that Mandela alone liberated South Africa, noted that ‘Mandiba’ was never alone in the struggle as there were other South Africans around him.

“One mistake the people make is that they see Mandela as one person who liberated South Africa as an individual. Mandela will tell you I was not fighting alone, as there were other people around me”, she added.

She explained that Mandela o n l y served o n e term as president of South Africa, because there are lots of young men a n d women w h o c a n

carry on from where he stopped.

Mgxwati: “We will not like to see him go, but it does not mean that if he passes on, the country will crumble. We have committed South Africans, all that is needed is political will…You can only have one Mandela. There are lots of people that were involved in the struggle.

“Even students were also part of the fight then. Everybody recognises the fact that Mandela was key player in the struggle, but it does not necessarily mean that if he is gone, there are no other icons of the struggle in South Africa.”

On the significance of Mandela Day, she said: “We are here and we stand for the values of Mandela. The significance of Mandela May is to share with people and express his values which are humility and kindness to one another. Now, we are saying for each year, everyone should spend 67 minutes doing what Mandela believes in doing.”

Ben Murray-Bruce, who identified himself as a big fan of Mandela, said people like Mandela and South Africa for many reasons.

According to him, despite spending 27 years in prison, Mandela was still full of forgiveness in his heart.

Among the historic photographs of Mandela’s journey in the struggle for freedom included; photograph showing Mandela receiving applause after addressing the UN in New York in June 1990, urging it to maintain sanction against South Africa until apartheid was aborted. There was also the photograph of Mandela and Moses Kotane outside the Pretoria Court in October, 1958.

Facelift for Ibadan roads, markets

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FTER inspecting major markets and some roads in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday spoke of plan by his administration to comprehensively rehabilitate roads.

Ajimobi, who also expressed displeasure with the poor state and unhygienic condition of the environment of some places he visited, said concerted efforts are already being made to clear drainages and fix all damaged roads with immediate effect.

“This government is going to make sure that we clean the state, repair the roads and provide a healthy environment for the people,” the governor said.

While appealing to traders to desist from displaying their wares by roadsides and stop discharging refuse into drainages, Ajimobi promised to establish neighbourhood markets for the street traders, thereby preventing road traffic snarls and accidents.

“We are committed to ensuring safety of lives and property.

Adequate security will also be provided for the people,” he assured.

The governor visited Bodija, Dugbe market, Sango markets as well as Mokola and Adamasingba roads.

Speaking at Sabo and Iwo road inter change, Ajimobi urged health officials to ensure a clean and healthy environment in the areas.

N38b loan: National Assembly, Reps’ clerks are conspirators, says EFCC •Bankole, Nafada: they should be charged •Keyamo: it is not a must

T

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), believes the Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Mr. Sanni Omolori, are conspirators in the alleged N38 billion loan obtained by the former leadership.

The anti-graft agency spoke yesterday at the resumed hearing of the 17-count charge slammed against former Speaker Dimeji Bankole and his erstwhile deputy, Bayero Usman Nafada, before Justice Suleiman Belgore of an Abuja High Court.

The court was referred to documents bearing the signatures of Maikasuwa and Omolori, which were used in the final approval for the controversial loan.

Meanwhile, the court has ordered the EFCC to release the International Passport of Nafada to facili-

From Kamarudeen Ogunde, Abuja

tate his trip to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj.

Bankole and Nafada are charged with criminal breach of trust by agreeing to approve the allowances and/or “running costs” of representatives in violation of the approved Remuneration package, dishonest use of house of representatives account to obtain about N38 billion loan to augment allowances and “running costs” of members in violation of the extant rules and felony to wit: theft.

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

The alleged offences are contrary

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

At the resumed hearing yesterday, Bankole’s counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), said the man that is liable to be charged for criminal breach of trust that his client is facing is the one who has the control of the fund.

Referring to a memo from Omolori, Awomolo said “There is no where the accused said I approve.

If the accused is the authority to approve the money, the clerk of the House of Representatives will not go to the National Assembly clerk for approval.

“The man to be liable to crimi-

nal breach of trust must be the one who has the control; it is the clerk of the National Assembly”, he submitted.

The EFCC lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo, agreed that all those who appended their signatures for the approval of the loan are conspirators, also admitted that the signatures of the National Assembly clerk and that of the House of Representatives appeared on the documents seeking approval for the controversial loan.

Asked by the Judge why the two are not charged, Keyamo replied “It is the discretion of the prosecution.

Nobody can query the power of the Attorney General”.

He added that the prosecution reserves the right to either prosecute a person or make him a witness in a case depending on the circumstances.

Awomolo, who also argued that Keyamo has no legal authority to prosecute the case, said what the

EFCC compiled against Bankole are at best “figment of imagination to punish him.”

He told the court that Keyamo already had a biased opinion about his client, adding that he cannot be an impartial prosecutor, judging by the animosity he bears against Bankole.

Nafada’s counsel, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), urged the court to disqualify Keyamo from prosecuting the case.

Besides, he said, there was no Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in office at the time this case started asking, “Who could have issued him a fiat”.

Since Keyamo had recently accused Bankole of fraud, Oyetibo argued that there was no assurance that the accused will get a fair trial.

But Keyamo, who asked the judge to dismiss the submission of the defence counsel, insisted that he has the fiat to prosecute the case.

54

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

55

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

56

MONEY LINK

Money supply hits N12.2b in June, says CBN

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Stories by Collins Nweze Senior Correspondent

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), yesterday released June statistics, which saw the M2 Money Supply rising to N12.2 billion, indicating a 12.3 per cent increase from a year earlier.

Money supply or money stock, is the total amount of money available in an economy at a particular point in time.

It measurs the different degrees of money in the financial services sector which can serve as legal tender. The narrowest measure, M1, is restricted to the most liquid forms of money such as currency

in the hands of the public; travelers’ cheques; demand deposits, and other deposits against, which cheques can be written.

However, private sector credit declined by 1.3 per cent to N9.9 billion, while average interbank rate stood at 7.45 per cent.

According to the data, inflation slowed to 10.2 per cent year-onyear in June, from 12.4 per cent in May. Food inflation also dropped from 12.2 per cent year-on-year to 9.2 per cent but increased by 1.3 per

the first half of 2011,” Yvonne Mhango, Sub Saharan economist, Renaissance Capital, said.

Inflation fluctuated from 12.1 per cent to 11.1 per cent to 12.8 percent to 11.3 percent and to 12.4 percent in January, February, March, April and May respectively.

The foreign reserve stood at $33.5 billion as at July 22; $34.5 billion on July 13, from $31.5 billion a week earlier.

A higher rate of retention of oil revenues should facilitate the efforts at maintaining exchange rate stability as an antidote to imported inflation without excessive reli-

cent month-on-month.

Industry watchers say they had expected inflation to soften in June to around 11 per cent due to base effects; however it came down by more than expected.

The slowdown was broad based, as both food and non-food inflation moderated. “As the strengthening of the naira occurred in July, the slowdown of June’s inflation cannot be attributed to a stronger currency. At this stage we are not of the view that June’s softer inflation is indicative of a sustained slowdown given its volatility in

•Lamido Sanusi, CBN Governor

ance on monetary tightening measures, the apex bank stated.

Survey shows improved adoption of enterprise risk management

A

cent claimed enhanced risk culture and better balance of risk and rewards and 72 per cent favoured improved perceptions by the regulators; 63 per cent – improved perceptions by the rating agencies; 59 per cent- improved reputation and transparency for shareholders; 59 per cent agreed there has been

DOPTION of enterprise risk management (ERM) pro grammes has continued to grow, as 79 per cent of all respondents said they were currently implementing an integrated ERM programme against the 59 per cent two years ago. It also revealed that “the perceived value of ERM is also on the rise.”

The survey solicited responses from chief risk officers or their equivalents at financial services firms around the world. Participating institutions totaled 131, with aggregate assets of more than $17 trillion.

Moreover, the scope and frequency of risk management related reporting to Board of Directors has substantially increased. That was part of the recent findings of the 7th edition of Deloitte Global Risk Management Survey.

In response to a question, as to how much value the organisation has received from its ERM programme or its equivalent in each of the areas? “81 per cent of the respondents said there has been an improved understanding of risks and controls; 76 per cent said increased ability to quality escalate critical issues to senior management; 73 per

Also, in response to a poser on “which of the following types of risk information does your organisation currently report to the Board of Directors?,” 73 per cent of the respondents suggested risk concentrations; 73 per cent - operational failures; 72 per cent favoured stress testing; 67 per cent said

reduced losses due to risk events; 54 pe r cent- improved risk-adjusted returns; 53 per cent – improved capital allocation; 40 per cent improved earnings quality; 40 per cent- lowered requirement for economic capital; and 18percent observed there have been reduced insurance premiums.

Access Bank unveils online forex services

A

CCESS Bank has announced the launch of Nigeria’s first online foreign exchange dealing service to support its growing corporate and institutional client base.

Access FX is an innovative product that provides corporate and institutional customers online access to executable foreign exchange rates across

a wide range of currency pairs in spot, swap and outright forward contracts.

The service is delivered to the bank’s customers via secure Internet straight to their browser and allows the Bank’s customers to trade their foreign currencies from the convenience of their homes and offices anywhere in the world.

Announcing the new service Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Group Managing Director/CEO, Access Bank said: “With the launch of Access FX, we are continuing to deliver on our promise of service excellence and innovation to our esteemed customers. We believe this product also affirms our reputation as the dominant trade fi-

FCMB reports 92% growth in Q2 PBT

F

IRST City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc yesterday released its financial performance for the first half of the year ended June 30, 2011 with the bank group recording significant improvements across

Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), 2011 shows a N5.3 billion group Profit After Tax representing a 92 per cent growth from the N2.8 billion reported for the same period in the previous year.

major lines of the income statement and stronger growth in the overall financial position.

The unaudited result for the six months released on the floor of the

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES OBB Rate Call Rate

7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 25-7-11 SYMBOL FIDSON SKYEBANK FCMB CADBURY UBA STARCOMMS COSTAIN STERLNBANK REDSTAREX DANGSUGAR

O/PRICE 1.80 6.46 6.06 17.01 5.27 0.61 2.66 1.47 3.15 11.65

C/PRICE 1.89 6.78 6.36 17.85 5.53 0.64 2.79 1.54 3.30 12.20

CHANGE 0.09 0.32 0.30 0.84 0.26 0.03 0.13 0.07 0.15 0.55

LOSER AS AT 25-7-11 SYMBOL INTERCONT GUINNESS HONYFLOUR NEIMETH PAINTCOM OCEANIC ETERNAOIL INTBREW ACADEMY UPL

O/PRICE 1.00 243.00 4.25 1.62 1.42 1.22 4.30 6.38 3.33 5.00

nance bank in Nigeria.”

He added that the introduction of Access FX is a demonstration of the bank’s quest to continuously elevate its service standards.

The bank was recently admitted into the membership of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA).

It is is the first Nigerian and indeed African bank member of the elite of association (excluding South Africa). Membership of the association includes world's major institutions such as JP Morgan Chase and Co., Deuctshe Bank AG, Goldman Sachs Group Inc amongst others.

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

new and emerging risks; 64 per centutilisations vs. limits; 58 per cent new products and business; 53 per cent favoured risk exceptions reporting; 41 percent – code of ethics violations; 31 percent- system risk; 31 per cent shareholder/customer complaints; 3 percent- other; and 1percent chose none.

C/PRICE 0.95 230.85 4.04 1.54 1.35 1.16 4.09 6.09 3.17 4.76

CHANGE 0.05 12.15 0.21 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.21 0.31 0.16 0.24

Amount Sold ($)

Exchange Rate (N)

Date

400m

467.7m

400m

153.59

25-5-11

400m

452.3m

400m

153.4

23-5-11

500m

499,8m

499.8m

153.45

16-5-11

EXHANGE RATE 30-05-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD NGN GBP

147.6000 239.4810

149.7100 244.0123

150.7100 245.6422

-2.11 -2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

(S/N) Parallel Market

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

22-07-11 N7.650tr 23,925.72

25-07-11 N7.689tr 24,046.65

% Change +0.51% +0.51%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N)

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW January ’11

February ’11

May ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

8.00%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.3%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 117.62 1,586.00 0.81 0.99 0.98 1,586.00 9.55 1.39 1.87 8,827.74 193.00

9.08 1.00 117.16 1,576.75 0.78 0.99 0.98 1,576.75 9.09 1.33 1.80 8,557.25 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 04 MAR, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 24, MAY, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 MAR, 2011

07, MAR, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

57

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 25-07-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name CAPITAL OIL PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 10,000 5,000.00 10,000 5,000.00

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Company Name FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1 3 5

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.50 7.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 11,364 5,682.00 20,000 10,000.00 115,000 862,500.00 146,364 878,182.00

Quotation(N) 2.50 7.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,000 4,760.00 409,927 2,885,682.04 411,927 2,890,442.04

Quotation(N) 2.07

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 76,801 155,733.28 76,801 155,733.28

Quotation(N) 6.72 0.83 5.25 2.83 6.36 2.32 12.20 0.56 14.90 9.32 0.95 1.19 0.68 6.78 0.87 1.54 5.53 2.60 0.77 0.93 15.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 3,742,713 25,139,339.81 3,841,885 3,192,636.47 2,724,696 14,154,778.03 285,128 825,372.16 7,209,134 45,499,604.20 2,589,018 5,965,841.39 13,886,586 170,062,399.02 3,988,928 2,233,045.58 11,103,058 166,623,391.28 554,160 5,181,527.20 10,860,947 10,543,036.43 4,824,017 5,701,231.48 4,088,567 2,833,662.13 3,397,958 23,022,469.24 1,204,875 1,111,267.02 14,485,692 21,145,400.45 9,955,073 54,973,036.42 3,232,626 8,416,195.70 3,220,687 2,551,011.47 327,141 306,586.13 5,428,696 81,321,567.91 110,951,585 650,803,399.52

Quotation(N) 230.85 6.07 90.30

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 127,092 29,416,550.56 229,825 1,399,352.25 831,761 75,083,557.64 1,188,678 105,899,460.45

Quotation(N) 21.09 8.54 119.51 46.10

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 457,708 9,480,880.69 35,755 302,970.32 1,537,474 183,722,907.30 109,283 5,033,246.60 2,140,220 198,540,004.91

Quotation(N) 8.96 28.00 1.38 0.91 1.35

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 71,361 609,869.89 3,031,785.80 104,481 500 660.00 25,588 23,285.08 1,441,000 1,945,350.00 1,642,930 5,610,950.77

AIR SERVICES Company Name AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 49 50

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 9 9 BANKING

Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC AFRIBANK NIGERIA PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC FINBANK PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC. OCEANIC BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC BANK PHB PLC SKYE BANK PLC. SPRING BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 154 32 52 19 31 80 455 41 534 48 92 113 58 72 25 74 306 103 33 17 251 2,590 BREWERIES

Company Name GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 51 14 108 173 BUILDING MATERIALS

Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 33 9 92 20 154

Market strengthens position, starts week on green

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No of Deals 11 16 1 2 10 40

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 15 15

Quotation(N) 3.10

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 467,700 1,496,410.00 467,700 1,496,410.00

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name OMATEK VENTURES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 15,000 7,500.00 15,000 7,500.00

Quotation(N) 38.06 1.03 39.03 28.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 441,318 16,872,575.02 162,868 167,754.04 51,967 2,030,186.00 232,241 6,470,406.87 888,394 25,540,921.93

vestment purposes.

In terms of volume of transaction, GT Assurance was the most traded stock with 53.419 million shares valued at N80.158 million in 19 deals.

Other equities that recorded significant volume on Monday are Sterling Bank, First Bank, GT Bank and Intercontinental Bank.

On the price movement tables, 54 traded companies recorded price change with 35 appreciating, while the remaining 19 equities had their price value reduced.

Fidson Healthcare emerged the highest gainer of the day

‘In all, investors traded 202.332 million shares worth N1.438 billion across 4,369 deals. The banking stocks contributed the highest volume of 110.952 million share worth N650.803 billion in 2,590 deals’

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 25-07-11 GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC 19 CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC 1 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 4 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. 2 LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. 4 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC 3 N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. 22 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. 17 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. 14 SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC 1 STACO INSURANCE PLC 1 STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC 1 UNIC INSURANCE PLC. 1 Sector Totals 124

CONGLOMERATES Company Name PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 27 5 26 35 93

No of Deals 18 14 1 33

Quotation(N) 2.79 50.82 3.47

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 244,800 671,521.14 504,209 25,518,483.30 40,000 145,600.00 789,009 26,335,604.44

Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 11 11

No of Deals 3 1 4

No of Deals 47 47

No of Deals 10 44 19 124 65 15 16 16 29 1 1 340

Quotation(N) 2.30 0.54

No of Deals 13 13 15 17 2 60

Quotation(N) 45.00 17.85 16.00 12.05 85.00 4.04 4.94 43.25 402.09 0.50 0.68

No of Deals 1 2 3

Quotation(N) 1.10 1.89 25.10 3.88 1.54

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 409,000 448,789.65 257,714 468,231.11 87,809 2,181,028.35 75,591 296,160.83 64,500 99,330.00 894,614 3,493,539.94

Quotation(N) 6.53 1.46

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 20,000 124,200.00 120,440 175,842.40 140,440 300,042.40

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name B. O. C. GASES NIGERIA PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 17 18

Quotation(N) 7.45 6.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 14,160.00 2,000 239,000 1,433,627.85 241,000 1,447,787.85

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name e-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 21 22

Quotation(N) 4.97 0.64

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 100 497.00 1,173,103 750,555.92 1,173,203 751,052.92

Quotation(N) 0.69 1.05 0.50 2.77 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 467,645 321,088.60 2,100 2,247.00 410,901 205,450.50 21,790 59,451.20 705,000 352,500.00

INSURANCE Company Name AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE CO. PLC. CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC

No of Deals 18 2 4 8 2

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 525,784 506,373.28 525,784 506,373.28

Quotation(N) 1.02

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,861,476 1,909,842.20 1,861,476 1,909,842.20

No of Deals 3 3

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 42,000 21,000.00 42,000 21,000.00

Company Name UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 19 19

Quotation(N) 0.55

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,184,492 643,441.47 1,184,492 643,441.47

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 8,122 359,265.02 399,430 7,044,085.02 153,595 2,457,520.00 3,085,186 36,862,207.11 461,872 39,217,816.01 147,558 597,991.90 156,300 779,995.00 103,913 4,464,862.80 225,421 90,646,979.64 20,000 10,000.00 900 585.00 4,762,297 182,441,307.50

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name CAPITAL HOTEL PLC IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N) 0.99

MORTGAGE COMPANIES Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 7,061 16,240.30 60,000 32,400.00 67,061 48,640.30

HEALTHCARE Company Name EVANS MEDICALPLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Sector Totals

80,157,568.00 2,500.00 50,000.00 525,000.00 155,090.00 224,000.00 4,395,492.00 357,658.66 477,929.50 25,000.00 25,000.00 50,000.00 1,000.00 87,386,975.46

MEDIA Company Name DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Sector Totals

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NIGERIAN BOTTLING COMPANY PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC TANTALIZERS PLC UTC NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

53,419,108 5,000 100,000 1,050,000 298,250 448,000 8,139,800 671,924 235,870 50,000 50,000 100,000 2,000 66,177,388

MARITIME Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name CUTIX PLC NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. Sector Totals

1.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.52 0.50 0.54 0.53 2.01 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

LEASING

CONSTRUCTION Company Name COSTAIN (WA) PLC JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC ROADS NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

in percentage term with maximum five per cent price or N0.09 upward rally to close at N1.89. This was followed

by Skye Bank, FCMB, Cadbury and UBA with price increase of N0.32, N0.30, N0.84 and N0.26.

On the losers table, Intercontinental Bank and Guinness shed maximum of five per cent of their opening prices to emerge the highest losers of the day.

These stocks dropped N0.05 and N12.15. Others on the top five losers were Honeywell Flour, Neimeth and Paint Company with price drop of N0.21, N0.08 and N0.07 respectively.

In all, investors traded 202.332 million shares worth N1.438 billion across 4,369 deals. The banking stocks contributed the highest volume of 110.952 million share worth N650.803 billion in 2,590 deals.

This was followed by the insurance with 66.177 million shares worth N87.387 million in 124 deals.

Other actively traded stocks were Food Beverages, Petroleum Marketing and Packaging with 4.762 million shares, 2.629 million shares and 2.604 million shares.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC DN MEYER PLC I. P. W. A. PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC Sector Totals

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

T the close of business yesterday, the market retained the momentum that pervaded on Friday last week even as log of advanced stocks had a lead on the total volume traded yesterday.

Stocks with price increase, pooled 65.63 per cent of the volume and equally commanded 76.1 per cent of the total transaction’s value.

Market momentum remained upbeat and based on strong bid sizes logged-in yesterday, the tendency for the market to close up today is apparent.

According to analysts from GTI securities, the momentum sustained the NSE ASI at the beginning of the week with 120.93 basis points gain representing an appreciation of 0.51 per cent above its opening figure to close at 24,048.25 points. Similarly, the Market Capitalization of 194 first-tier traded equities gained N39 billion to close higher at N7.689 trillion.

However, analyst said First Bank, Oando, Dangote Sugar, GT Bank, UBA, Access Bank, NAHCO, UACN, Skye Bank, Zenith Bank, among others, are attractive for both medium and long term in-

Company Name ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 9 9

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 120,000 60,000.00 120,000 60,000.00

Quotation(N) 2.39 1.10

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,600,579 6,221,353.06 2,989 3,272.90 2,603,568 6,224,625.96

PACKAGING Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC POLY PRODUCTS (NIGERIA) PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 192 3 195

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) Company Name MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 7 12 14 21 215 15 284

Quotation(N) 67.22 36.01 19.28 157.50 40.71 195.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 13,913 892,516.18 18,590 636,960.35 54,310 1,047,096.80 86,225 13,521,231.76 2,420,336 99,106,789.62 35,500 6,940,715.00 2,628,874 122,145,309.71

PRINTING & PUBLISHING Company Name ACADEMY PRESS PLC. UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 10 11

Quotation(N) 3.17 4.80

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 100,000 317,000.00 124,729 600,323.00 224,729 917,323.00

Quotation(N) 19.25

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 104,915 2,013,475.75 104,915 2,013,475.75

REAL ESTATE Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 13 13

ROAD TRANSPORTATION Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 5 5

Quotation(N) 0.55

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 100,100 55,055.00 100,100 55,055.00

Quotation(N) 0.59

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 82,362 48,593.58 82,362 48,593.58

TEXTILES Company Name UNITED NIGERIA TEXTILES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 6 6

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

No of Deals 31 31

Quotation(N) 14.90

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 669,381 9,864,647.26 669,381 9,864,647.26

4,369

202,332,292

1,438,442,642.92

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

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THE NATION TUES DAY, JULY 26, 2011

FOREIGN NEWS

‘Norwegian gunman has accomplices’

N

ORWEGIAN police are investigating claims by Anders Behring Breivik, who has admitted carrying out Friday’s twin attacks in Norway, that he has “two more cells” working with him.

Mr Breivik made the claim at his first court hearing since the bombing in Oslo and massacre at an island youth camp.

Police have now revised down the island killings from 86 to 68 but increased the bomb death toll by one to eight.

At least 100,000 people have gathered in Oslo for a vigil for the victims.

Earlier on Monday, a minute’s silence was held across the country.

Mr Breivik was remanded in custody for eight weeks.

Oslo police asked for Mr Breivik to be held in full isolation for the first four weeks.

Judge Kim Heger agreed,

PUBLIC NOTICE KEKERE-EKUN

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Raliat Adenike KekereEkun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Raliat Adenike Giwa. All former documents remain valid. Lagos State Government and general public should take note.

saying Mr Breivik could not receive letters or have visitors except for his lawyer.

Judge Heger said police must be able to proceed with the investigation into Mr Breivik’s claims without the accused being able to interfere.

Mr Breivik had earlier said he had acted alone.

Prosecutor Christian Hatlo said police could not rule out that someone else was involved and confirmed an investigation was underway into Mr Breivik’s claims that he had worked in a cell, or group, and that there were two other cells.

Mr Breivik has been charged under the criminal law for acts of terrorism. The charges include the destabilisation of vital functions of society, including government, and causing serious fear in the population.

The judge said that Mr Breivik had admitted carrying out the attacks but had not pleaded guilty to the charges.

Mr Hatlo said the accused was very calm at the hearing, appeared “unaffected” by the events, and was willing to explain his motives. He said Mr Breivik was allowed to do this to a certain extent by the judge, but when he started reading from his manifesto he was stopped.

PUBLIC NOTICE

BETTER LIFE ROYAL EMBASSY INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY This is to inform the general public that the above named ministry has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1) PST. ISRAEL OLUSEGUN AKINSANYA 2) PST. (MRS) MEG AZIMEYE AKINSANYA 3) ADEYEMI AYANDOKUN 4) MOSES OLATUNDE AKINSANYA THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: (1)To bring about a new awakening of revival for the body of Christ through the Holy Ghost filled message of better life and Hope World wide.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: PST. ISRAEL OLUSEGUN AKINSANYA.

Mr Hatlo also said that Mr Breivik expected to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Norway’s maximum prison sentence is 21 years, although those who continue to pose a danger to society can be detained longer.

Two psychiatrists have been assigned to assess Mr Breivik’s mental health.

Judge Heger had earlier ruled that the hearing should be held behind closed doors amid security concerns and fears that Mr Breivik would use it to deliver a speech seeking to justify his actions.

Instead Judge Heger summarised Mr Breivik’s words in his post-hearing statement.

The judge said Mr Breivik had argued that he was acting to save Norway and Europe from “Marxist and Muslim colonisation”.

•Breivikbeing escorted from court..... yesterday

The gunman had said his operation was not aimed at killing as many people as possible but that he wanted to create the greatest loss possible

to Norway’s governing Labour Party, which he accused of failing the country on immigration.

The bomb in Oslo targeted

buildings connected to the Labour Party government, and the youth camp on Utoeya island was also run by the party.

IMF calls for action on US debt

T

HE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called on United States politicians to act urgently to raise the country’s debt ceiling.

The IMF also called for a “comprehensive solution” to reduce the US deficit over the medium term.

Without this, IMF directors warned, the markets could lose confidence in Washington’s ability to pay its debts.

The US risks default on its $14.3tn (£8.7tn) debt without a deal to raise the borrowing limit by 2 August.

“These risks would also have significant global repercussions, given the central role of US Treasury bonds in world financial markets,” the IMF said.

“Directors [on the IMF

board] highlighted the urgency of raising the federal debt ceiling and agreeing on the specifics of a comprehensive medium-term consolidation programme,” the IMF said as part of its review of the US economy.

It went on to call for specific actions to reduce spending an area of intense debate between the Republicans and Democrats over how to cut the deficit.

“The strategy should include entitlement reforms, including additional savings in healthcare, as well as revenue increases,” it said.

But warning that US growth was likely to remain subdued over the medium term, the IMF advised against fast cuts which could impact on consumer spending.

Later yesterday, Republican House Speaker John Boehner and Democratic Senate Majority leader Harry Reid are to unveil separate deficit reduction plans with their respective House and Senate caucuses.

Aides said Mr Boehner’s

plan included $1.2tn (£736tn) in cuts and spending caps, a $900bn debt ceiling increase, and a congressional committee charged with producing close to $2tn in additional cuts.

Mr Reid’s proposal was said to include $2.7tn in spending cuts.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn accuser speaks out

T

HE New York hotel maid who accuses former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn of attempting to rape her in a hotel suite has given her first interview.

Nafissatou Diallo told Newsweek magazine that she has told the truth about the incident on 14 May. The move comes as authorities consider whether to drop charges against him amid doubts over her credibility.

The French politician, 62, who resigned as head of the IMF to defend himself, vigorously denies all the charges.

He has said that what happened with Ms Diallo was consensual, and his lawyers have described the maid’s interview as “unseemly”.

Ms Diallo told Newsweek magazine: “I want him to go to jail. I want him to know there are some places you cannot use your power, you cannot use your money.”

Malawi’s activists ‘in hiding after Mutharika threat’

K

EY organisers of last week’s anti-government protests in Malawi have gone into hiding amidst fears that they will be arrested.

“I will smoke you out,” President Bingu wa Mutharika warned six organisers on Friday.

One of them, Rafiq Hajat, told the BBC he had gone into hiding and was leading a “solitary existence”.

Nineteen people were killed during two days of protests last week against the high cost of living in Malawi.

Mr Mutharika deployed the army in the capital, Lilongwe, the biggest city, Blantyre, and Mzuzu in the north to quell the protests.

The president accused the protesters of committing treason.

We are challenging a very fundamental Malawian cultural perspective where you do not dare to challenge authority” “If you go back to the streets, I will smoke you out. Enough is enough,” Mr Mutharika said, after naming six of the organisers in a speech to policemen.

They include Mr Hajat, the director of the Institute for Policy Interaction advocacy group, who told the BBC from an unknown location that he feared for his safety.

Egypt’s ex-interior minister to be tried with Mubarak

A

COURT in Cairo has ordered Egypt’s former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly to stand trial next week alongside deposed President Hosni Mubarak.

Both are charged with ordering the killing of protesters in February, a charge which carries the death penalty.

Mr Adly, has already been sentenced to 12 years for corruption, appeared in court wearing a blue prison suit.

For the first time, broadcast live on state TV, Egyptians saw one of the most senior Mubarak-era figures on trial.

The move comes amid growing confrontation between protesters and the ruling military council.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011

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SPORT EXTRA

Kalu Uche close on T Almeria exit

HE future of the Nigerian international Kalu Uche could be decided in the next few days.

The Almeria forward did not travel with the rest of his team-mates for a training camp on Monday.

Almeria in an official statement said the player has a slight complaint, and is exercising with one of the club's physios in Cuevas del Almanzora. But in reality, the club don't want him injured before he is sold in this summer market.

The ex Enyimba attacker has offers from several clubs at home and abroad. Uche has many admirers especially in Turkey. Allnigeriasoccer.com understands the 28-year-old was heavily courted by Karabükspor General Manager Seyit Içgül. His transfer fee could not be met by the Turkish club, attention had to be shifted to the Warri Wolves striker Ekigho Ehiosun, who ridiculously snubbed the club's advances.

Two other clubs in Turkey Bursaspor and Besiktas - are monitoring Uche's transfer situation. Wisla Kraków will pocket 20 percent of the player's transfer fee if the transfer materializes.

•Kalu Uche

3SC gets new jerseys next season

A

S the Ibadan darling Shooting Stars Sports Club 3SC continue its battle to maintain a premier league status, the traditional clubside has taken delivery of new sets of jerseys for the next soccer season.

The kits were manufactured by an indigenous sports wear outfit, OWU Sports Wear who signed a three years sponsorship deal with the Club

that first won continental laurel for Nigeria in the 70s last year.

The chief executive officer of OWU Sports Wear, the official kit supplier of the club, Bar. Olatunji Brown told newsmen in Ibadan that 3SC management expressed satisfaction on the quality of the jerseys while receiving it at Akinola Maja, Ibadan office of the Club.

Saying the team will don the

FIFA UNDER-20 WORLD CUP

Flying Eagles get accreditations IGERIA’s Flying Eagles were Monday morning given accreditations for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup at their hotel base in Armenia, Colombia.

FIFA officials processed the accreditations of all 21 players and 10 officials.

A plaque of participation was also presented to coach John Obuh by the venue co-ordinator.

The players were also issued a certificate of participation as well as $100 each by FIFA. A refereeing session led by retired top Zimbabwean referee Felix Tangawarima was equally attended by both players and officials.

During the session, Tangawarima with the aid of video clips stressed the need for fair play, respect for opponents as well as for match officials.

Top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) led by president Aminu Maigari are due in Armenia Thursday.

The Flying Eagles first match of the tournament will be against Guatemala on Sunday.

N

•Obuh Flying Eagles coach

new colour to the admiration of all its teeming fans during its last home match this season to pave way for fans interested in purchasing the replicas of the beautiful jerseys.

“The development is a continual process to bring back spectators to our stands, as we will not stop on the awareness campaign we had embarked upon by making the jerseys available to all and sundry to purchase, so that soccer fans can be wearing shooting replica jerseys to stadium as against wearing European clubs’ colour to watch our league matches”, Brown noted.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net

TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 6

NO.1,832

TOMORROW IN THE NATION ‘The NTA does not show faces of arrested suspects. It is not legally wrong or human rights abuse to show them. If the IMF exPresident Strauss-Kahn, was seen worldwide wearing handcuffs on arrest in New York, Nigeria’s arrested suspects should enjoy similar publicity’ TONY MARINHO

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s run of good luck has been so phenomenal that it was bound, sooner or later, to spill beyond Nigeria’s borders, And so, there he was the other day in the Liberian capital, Monrovia, being conferred with its highest honour, the Grand Cordon in the Most Venerable Order of the Pioneers of the Republic of Liberia while, back home, a controversy was brewing as to whether he had replaced the Seven-Point Agenda with a Nine-Point Agenda, or had dispensed altogether with an agenda.

The honour, said Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, was “in appreciation of the outstanding and selfless contributions of the leaders and people of Nigeria to the restoration of peace and continued development of Liberia.”

While those “selfless contributions” were being made, Jonathan was probably still gripped with dissertation jitters at the University of Port Harcourt, where he was enrolled for a doctorate in zoology. But he was the one to whom it fell to receive on behalf of Nigeria the grateful thanks of the Liberian nation, not those who had conceived, pursued and sustained the intervention that helped restore peace to Liberia after more than a decade of horrendous civil war, however impure their motives.

Once again, our Jonathan has manifested his uncanny habit of being in the right place at the right time.

The intervention was one of the most divisive issues in Nigeria’s domestic and external relations in the past two decades.

On the one hand, there were those who believed, as its sponsors claimed, that it was a high-minded effort by a well-endowed big brother to help restore law and order in a beleaguered sister nation. On the other, there were those who insisted that it was a misadventure born of a delusion of might that furnished, withal, a pretext for looting the public treasury.

Long after it ended, the intervention continues to rankle because there has been no proper accounting for the men of Nigeria’s armed forces as well as resident civilians who perished in the conflict.

General Victor Malu said on record that the bodies of as many as 800 Nigerian soldiers killed in Liberia during his stint as commander of the intervention force ECOMOG, were flown home and buried secretly for fear of stirring up public indignation.

By contrast, President Jerry Rawlings personally received at Accra airport the remains of Ghanaian soldiers killed on ECOMOG duty and presided over public ceremonies at which they were buried with full military honours.

Malu, it is necessary to emphasise, was speaking only of the casualties consigned to such indecent burials during his command.

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

Liberia: Some unfinished business

•President Goodluck Jonathan

The practice did not begin or end with him.

His predecessors and successors must be keeping their own macabre secrets. The overall casualty figure has got to be much higher.

For example, in parallel operations in Sierra Leone, 700 Nigerian troops serving with ECOMOG in Sierra Leone were killed in January 1999, according to Professor Ibrahim, one of the Nigeria’s discreet senior public servants. Until Gambari made this disclosure three years ago, in a lecture at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, few Nigerians had any inkling of this grisly statistic.

Nobody knows the actual number of Nige-

RIPPLES

rian soldiers who fell in Liberia or Sierra Leone, and nobody knows their names. No monuments stand in their memory. They are mourned, remembered and honoured only by their families, not by the organisation to which they belonged, nor by the country in whose name they were sent to war, for causes they probably did not understand.

Casualty figures detailed in the military’s secret records most certainly do not include Nigerian civilians killed in vengeful reprisals by Liberian warlord Charles Taylor’s irregulars in the belief that Nigeria constituted the one obstacle preventing their principal from marching to the Executive Mansion and taking power. Such civilians number in the thousands, according to informed sources.

In a single night, hundreds of Nigerians who had fled to the abandoned Nigerian Embassy in Monrovia for safety were rounded up by one of the Liberian factions and massacred. They did not have to suffer such a cruel fate.

As Taylor’s forces closed in on Monrovia from the bush and it became clear that Samuel Doe’s beleaguered forces could not hold the capital, Western countries evacuated their nationals. So did other countries whose nationals had no reason to feel threatened.

Not Nigeria. Military president Ibrahim Babangida claimed that any move to evacuate Nigerians from Liberia would only cause “unnecessary panic,” in a situation that, it must be supposed, called for the utmost calm.

With that contrived confidence of which he is a master practitioner, he declared that if an evacuation became necessary, it would be executed swiftly and smoothly.

When he finally roused himself to send a rescue fleet, the designated flagship, one of the finest in the Nigerian Navy, could not

HARDBALL

even steam out of port on its own and had to be towed. It broke down several times on the high sea. Other vessels in the flotilla were hardly more serviceable. By the time the fleet finally weighed anchor in Monrovia, hundreds, perhaps thousands of Nigerians who could have been saved by prompt evacuation had been killed.

Nor was that all. Officers and men wounded in Liberia were flown home and warehoused in derelict military hospitals to waste away. It took the caring and compassionate intervention of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter to bring them some relief through a special airlift of medical supplies.

The military authorities couldn’t care less.

While the returnees were confined to hospital beds in various stages of decrepitude, they could not be recruited for coups. And the longer they remained in that condition, the better for the regime.

It is a measure of the cruel neglect to which wounded veterans of the Liberian expedition suffered that, when the military authorities finally decided to rehabilitate them, it was to a hospital in Egypt of all places, they sent them, only to abandon them there. They received no stipends until they staged violent protests.

This, then, is the shameful record that President Goodluck Jonathan ought to move quickly to repair if there is to be any closure to Nigeria’s misadventure in Liberia.

A first step toward closure would be to accord the soldiers who fell in Liberia proper burials with full military honours.

Those who achieved one distinction or another in service should get posthumous recognition. All their earned benefits should be passed on without further delay to their designated relations.

In one of his National Day broadcasts, President Obasanjo announced that a fitting memorial would be built in honour of Nigerian soldiers who fell in Liberia. Unfortunately, he got mired in the “third term” scheme and never again addressed the issue.

Dr Jonathan should launch the construction of that monument at the earliest opportunity, well before he gets sucked into his own tenure-elongation designs.

Finally, a way should be found also to memorialise the thousands of Nigerian civilians killed in Liberia, casualties of the hubris and the folly of those who rushed Nigerian troops into the Liberian civil war without planning, and to help their survivors repair their broken lives.

A similar kind of accounting will have to be done for the Sierra Leone expedition as well.

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A Norwegian tragedy shocking even to Ibsen

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TUDENTS of literature will recall that the 19 th century iconoclastic Norwegian playwright and poet, Henrik Ibsen, challenged many dominant themes about life in his conservative society. In the process, and on the way to becoming one of Europe’s most respected playwrights, he shocked his people by caricaturing their foibles and pretences. One of his memorable plays, An Enemy of the People, which faintly lampooned his countrymen for their disinterestedness in one of his early plays, challenged societal mores and gave a vigorous kick to assumptions people had taken for granted. The play’s odd message was to show that an individual acting alone is often right while the mass of people, whom he portrayed as ignoramuses, are often wrong.

How would he see his 32-year-old countryman, Anders Breivik, the ironically coherent and even bright extremist and Islamophobe who murdered nearly 100 of his countrymen, many of them young, in a shooting spree last Friday in Norway? It seems that by its sheer scale and horror, this Norwegian tragedy would shock even Ibsen. The pacesetting playwright and father of modern drama could never Don’t forget... if GOVT says YES, it means No! have fathomed, in his thematic exploration of

the dark and surreal secrets humanity often hides behind pleasant facades, that one fanatic claiming to be fighting for Christianity would unleash such incomprehensible violence against his own people. Now, with its innocence seemingly destroyed and its low crime rate rendered farcical, Norway will have to contend with the jarring aftermath of joining Britain in hosting and dealing with home-grown terror.

But far beyond a nostalgic consideration of Ibsen’s plays and their relevance to the present, and beyond the talk of how Norway would grapple with the distressing questions certain to follow the tragedy, is the recurring decimal of intolerance that has dogged humanity for eons. Here, Nigeria should learn a lesson or two, if it is capable, and if its self-destructive political behaviour would let it. In Breivik’s eclectic 1,500-page ‘hate manifesto’ can be found pieces of the disorientation of his background and youth, how right-wing groups in United States and Britain shaped his worldview, and subtle hints of the violent denouement that was to follow his loss of restraint and rationality.

Tolerance is formed at the family level, reinforced at the peer level, and consolidated

according to the mores and culture of the larger society. Nigeria’s recent experience shows clearly that intolerance is bred at home before it is foisted on the country, and in some instances, on the world.

Somalia is a homogenous country lost to clannish intolerance; South Sudan is in large parts a product of religious intolerance concocted by irresponsible Sudanese national leaders; Iran is sowing the wind of intolerance, and will reap its whirlwind; and Nigeria is today gripped by intolerance and poised on the edge of disaster. It is unlikely that the paradox of killing scores of Christians, ostensibly to champion their fight against Islam, will ever occur to Breivik. Extremists are usually incapable of making fine distinctions. And as the Jacobin reign of terror during the French revolution showed, the irrational exponents of hate and intolerance often end up victims at the point when terror runs its full circle.

Norway is likely to learn a few lessons from the tragedy of last Friday. What is not certain is whether other countries like Nigeria in the grip of hate and terror have the courage to face the sordid truth about themselves, as Gregers Werle did in Ibsen’s most accomplished work, The Wild Duck.

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