The Nation July 5 2011

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

News One dead as two-storey building collapses in Ibadan P9 Sport Rivers tops table with 86 medals at National Festival P63 Business CBN not promoting Islamic bank, says Sanusi P11 http://www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 6, NO. 1811 TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

SSS arrests Boko Haram ‘commanders’ in six states 12 bombs defused Gunmen snatch workers’ salary

A

MASSIVE security crackdown on Islamic fundamentalist group Boko Haram has begun, with the State Security Service (SSS) arresting 100 “cell commanders” in six states.

Also yesterday, the Military Task Force said it arrested six suspects in connection with Sunday’s explosions at the Wulari Mammy Market in Maiduguri.

Amid the clampdown, gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members killed one policeman and three others in Borno State yesterday, unconfirmed re-

How N18,000 minimum wage was agreed upon •ASUU strike notice From John Ofikhenua, Abuja and Jide Orintunsin, Minna

From Sanni Ologun, Abuja

ports said.

The victims were Shani Local Government Area workers. They were reportedly on their way to Shani, carrying with them the local government’s workers’ June salary.

The gunmen allegedly attacked them between Marama and Mbulatawiwi along Numan road, snatching the cash, it was learnt.

SSS spokesma Marilyn Ogar said the suspects were arrested in Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Yobe, Borno and Adamawa. But, according to her, the SSS has no intention

T •Photograph of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted under a rail track in Kaduna shown PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE by the SSS ... yesterday

of prosecuting the suspects – in line with the “carrot and stick” policy adopted by President Goodluck Jonathan in dealing with Boko Haram.

The position of the SSS is, however, at variance with

that of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, who said on Sunday that anyone caught with explosive materials by the Army would be tried in accordance with the recently -

signed Anti-Terrorism law.

The SSS said 12 home-made bombs planted by insurgents in Kaduna State within the last two months had been Continued on page 2

Jonathan tackles protests •Okonjo-Iweala for screening today From Yusuf Alli and Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

W

ORLD Bank Managing Director Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will face the Senate today for screening as a would-be minister, sources said yesterday.

The former Finance Minister, who helped negotiate debt relief in 2005, is expected to return to her old position, but with more powers over economic management, sources close to the negotiations said.

“She will appear before the Senate tomorContinued on page 2

•Lagos State Governor Babatunder Raji Fashola (right) congratulating Commissioner for the Environment Mr Tunji PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES Bello after his swearing in at Alausa ... yesterday. See also page 9.

HE report of how N18,000 was agreed upon as the minimum wage between government representatives and the labour movement emerged yesterday.

The amount, it was gathered, was what state governments proposed during negotiations.

Also yesterday, the Academic Staff Union of Nigeria Universities (ASUU) backed the twoweek ultimatum given the government by labour to pay the minimum wage or face a strike.

According to a report on the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage, which our correspondent obtained from the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Headquarters in Abuja, Abia State proposed to pay N46,700, Kebbi proposed N30,000, Imo proposed N30,000 and Kwara N30,000.

Bauchi proposed N16,585.50, the Federal Capital Territory N25,000, Zamfara N15,000, Jigawa N20,800, Plateau N10,000, Anambra N25,000 and Ebonyi proposed N10,000.

Akwa Ibom proposed N13,333.12 and Kano N11,022.17. The average of the various proposals by representatives of state governments, came to N21,800. N18,000 was adopted as the uniform monthly minimum wage for workers across the country.

The document was jointly signed by representatives of the Minister of Continued on page 2

•SPORTS P13 •POLITICS P17 •PROPERTY P25 •ENERGY P39 •AVIATION P41

2

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

NEWS SSS arrests Boko Haram ‘commanders’ in six states Continued from page 1

defused, thus preventing them from causing havoc.

Mrs Ogar said: “On 23rd May 2011, security operatives discovered and successfully demobilised eight Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) concealed in small and medium size tins beneath a staircase in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

“On 29th May 2011, an IED planted at the post office area of Gonin Gora, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State was discovered and successfully demobilised.

“On 10th June 2011, an IED concealed in a sack placed under a kerosene tank along Engr. LD Abubakar Road, off Kaduna-Abuja expressway by central market Gonin Gora, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State was also discovered and demobilised.

“Information from patriotic citizens, on 14th June 2011, led to the discovery of an IED wired with nine volt battery concealed under the railway track behind Dambo International College, Barnawa, Kaduna South Local Government Area. It was also demobilised.

“Also, on 27th June 2011, information received from patriotic members of the public assisted in the recovery of some components of yet to be assembled explosives. The items include: a camping gas cylinder with a pin, detonating cables, a bottle of distilled water, plier, masking tape and clips. These were found in a hotel, and were meant to be used to bomb a shopping

•A gridlock of traffic jam along Mararaba –Yanyan road as a result of stop-and-search by security operatives in Abuja yesterday. Story on page 8.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

mall in Kaduna.”

Responding to a question on the arrest of el-Rufai, the SSS spokesperson said “the matter has ended on a good note” and declined further comments.

“Successful security operation have led to the arrest of some identified key cell commanders and members of the dissident group in Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Yobe and Adamawa states,” she said, adding: “For strategic operational reasons, details of those arrested will remain classified as they are still undergoing the process of deradicalisation, perception management and also trying to win their confidence back

to society.”

Mrs Ogar said the suspects were also working with the service in its bid to mitigate the menace of the sect through the information they were providing, hence they would not be prosecuted.

She explained that since President Goodluck Jonathan had decided to use the “carrot and stick approach” with the suspects, the Service would not go contrary to the strategy.

She said members of the public gave information that led to the arrest of the suspects.

“Nigerians must continue to give the needed support to security agencies by reporting suspicious activities and

movements around their environment.

“The successes so far recorded can be credited to the patriotism of some concerned members of the public. It is appropriate at this point to apologise to peace loving citizens, especially residents of the FCT and its adjoining communities for the temporary inconveniences they are experiencing,” Mrs Ogar said.

According to her, the inconveniences caused by the wide security deployment is for the good of all.

“It is appropriate to apologise to peace loving citizens, especially residents of the FCT and its adjoining communities, for the tempo-

The road to N18,000 Continued from page 1

Labour and Productivity Ministry, Chief Emeka Wogu; the former Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Remi Babalola; Nigerian Labour Congress President Abdulwahed Omar, President of Trade Union Congress, Peter Esele and representatives of the states and other stakeholders.

Wogu said yesterday that in a country where true federalism is practised, it would have been improper to dialogue with the state governors on the minimum wage.

He spoke during a visit to the NLC President in his office in Abuja.

Wogu however said since the minimum wage issue could trigger a national crisis, he could intervene.

“The issue of talking to the governors or intervening, the President of NLC alluded to the fact that we will discuss issues but he would appreciate if I can intervene. But usually in my own thinking, it wouldn’t have been proper for me to intervene if federalism is practiced in its true form.

“But because we have a crisis in our hands, it is a national crisis that is looming; I think if it gets to my point of intervening at that level, I am fit to intervene.

But we are just beginning to look

at the issues and I think I will be more proactive now.”

The minister said it would take a mutual dialogue to resolve the labour crisis by coming to deliberate on it with sincerity instead of “them versus us.”

Omar said the Federal Government ought to have implemented the national minimum wage to set example for the states but it has not shown the example.

Rising from its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna, ASUU urged “all Nigerians to say ‘No’ to this betrayal by participating massively in mass actions that may be called by the labour and patriotic organisations to fight the betrayal.”

ASUU National President Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, said the union was in full support of the ultimatum given federal government by NLC and TUC, adding that the union would mobilise its members across the country to support the strike.

ASUU observed with sadness that the situation in the country was worsening. The union is also worried by what Awuzie called over bearing influence of international financial institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank on the country’s economy.

ASUU said the policies of the

two international bodies “do nothing but destroy the economies and societies of the third world countries”. The union lamented that rather than waking up to this reality, the federal government seems intent on continuing with the liberalisation of the economy and privatisation of the economy in line with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) demands.

The ASUU President berated the Nigeria Governors’ Forum for calling for the removal of subsidy on oil products. According to the union, the governors’ position is “wicked, insensitive and a ploy to avoid assuming responsibilities on behalf of the Nigerian people.”

The union also took a hard look at the federal government’s upward review of electricity tariff from N8:50 per unit to N10:00.

Decrying the development, ASUU said, “this quantum increase is most insensitive and callous”, alleging that the increase is to prepare the ground for the privatisation of the power sector.

According to Awuzie, “The huge amount being squandered on failed private sector enterprises should be used in building public sector enterprises and providing for a leadership role for government in the development process. We want to insist that government and not the private sector should lead the development effort in Nigeria.”

rary inconveniences they are experiencing. This has become necessary in the interest of our collective safety.

We must all continue to remain conscious of the fact that security procedures should be considered as part of the little sacrifices we all have to pay for our collective safety,” Mrs Ogar added.

In Maiduguri, the military task force on “Operation Restore Order” spoke on how it arrested six suspects in connection with Sunday’s explosion at the Wulari Mammy Market, in the Borno State capital.

Maj.-Gen. Jack Nwogbo said: “We went into action immediately after the incident and ransacked some

flash points. We arrested about six suspects, and we have already begun screening them to determine whether they have cases to answer or not.”

He said eight people died at the blast which occurred in the evening.

“I counted eight dead bodies at the scene; about 15 other persons were also injured by the blast and have been rushed to the hospital for help,” he said.

It was learnt that another explosion took place around Tashar Kano (motor park) in Maiduguri, about the same time, but without any casualty as the military patrol team targeted was not there at the time of the blast.

Okonjo-Iweala, others for screening today

•Okonjo-Iweala Continued from page 1

row as her name has already been sent to the Senate President’s office,” a presidential source told Reuters.

The State Security Service (SSS) gave Mrs Okonjo-Iweala clearance to be screened by lawmakers after a meeting at SSS offices in Abuja yesterday, another source said.

The intrigues over ministerial nominees are yet to stop.

President met with the Vice President Namadi Sambo and other members of the Appointment Committee at the Villa.

The power game in Kaduna State has led to the dropping of a hitherto cleared nominee, Yusuf Hamisu Mai Rago for the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Mrs. Zainab

Shamsuna Ahmed.

The President met with the VP and others for hours on issues raised on some ministerial nominees from Taraba, Borno and the Northeast.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We still have a serious challenge in Taraba over the preferred ministerial nominee, Dr. Obadia Ando from Takum, who has been the choice of a former Minister of Defence Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma.

“Some stalwarts of the PDP opposed the return of Ando, a former Minister of Water Resources, for allegedly working with the opposition during the April general elections.

“They claimed that giving Ando a ministerial appointment will amount to condoning anti-party activities.

“The PDP leadership and Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai are in favour of a Deputy Director in the National Assembly, David Kente from Wukari, to replace Ando.

“In Borno, some party leaders are just opposed to Bukkar Tijjani for no justifiable reasons. Some of them alleged that he has never been committed to PDP’s cause as expected.

“On the nominee from the Northeast, the battle for the slot is between Adamawa and Gombe states.

“While some PDP leaders are still mounting pressure on the President to consider the immediate past Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong from Adamawa State, Gombe PDP leadership is seeking the slot with the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Prof.

Rufai Alkali, as a leading contender.”

Rago was dropped following the tension his choice generated in the state, it was learnt.

Another source said: “The initial nomination of Mai Rago hurt the political camp of ex-Governor Ahmed Maikarfi, who some party leaders wanted as Kaduna State’s representative in the cabinet.

“The choice of Mai Rago degenerated to the extent that it was about to rekindle the old rivalry between the VicePresident and Makarfi.

“With the influence of Makarfi in the Senate, the government got security reports that Mai Rago may not scale through the screening hurdles.

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

3

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

NEWS

SSS shelves plans to arraign el-Rufai From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

• From left: Mrs Onakpoma Ngozi Blessing (Oshodi, Lagos), Mr Ojo Francis Abiodun (Shagamu), Mrs Bashir Yetunde (Orile, Lagos), Mr Adewale Sangowawa, Globacom's Executive Director; Mrs Oladele Modelelayo (Ile-Ife), Mr Alalade Felix Olaolu (Ibadan) and Mr Adekoya Jubril Ademola (Iju-Ishaga, Lagos), at the launch of Glo Zone in Lagos, a new customer care shop to be run by franchisees across Nigeria...yesterday

Two UNAD students held for alleged rape of colleague

She had every reason to feel safe and secure in the company of a friend.

But the outcome of an outing with a ‘trusted’ friend left a sour tale in the mouth of a pre-degree student of the University of Ado-Ekiti (UNAD), who was gangraped by male colleagues, reports SULAIMON SALAWUDEEN

F

OR the duo of Cosmos Betiku and Tope Adeniyi, both 500 Level students of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of AdoEkiti (UNAD), yesterday seemed a day of reckoning. They were apprehended by detectives from the OkeIla Police station in the state capital for allegedly raping a 17-year-old pre-degree student of the Faculty of Education.

They were brought into the police station at about 5pm where they were interrogated.

The police reportedly combed the university before they apprehended the suspects while writing an examination at 3pm.

According to the victim, the unfortunate event happened at Ade-

hun, Ado-Ekiti around 7pm on Friday when she was invited out by a friend, she identified as Sadiat Hassan. According to the victim, the impression she had was that they were going to ‘’just see a friend in our area’’.

The victim claimed to have expressed reluctance before she eventually consented to going out as she did not suspect any foul play. However, when they got to the gate of the house, she claimed to have waited at the entrance with a GSM recharge card seller while her ‘friend’ went inside.

She said: “When she came back barely two minutes after she went inside, she said I should come with her inside the house. I did, again with reluctance.

“Inside a sitting room in the apartment, I met two guys who are living in the same area with me and another girl and we exchanged greetings. Almost immediately, one of the guys said Sadiat should buy him something outside and I made to follow her but she (Sadiat) appealed that she would come back very soon and that I should not follow her.’’

The victim said immediately , went on the supposed errand, Tope invited her into a room in a forceful and commanding language.

She, however, sensed that a game was acting out as the other guy (Cosmos) and the girl (of unknown identi-

ty) were just looking the other way.

She followed Tope into another room where he told her that being in a separate room with him should tell her what to do. He ordered her to undress lest she would not find it funny.

Her words: “At that point, I knelt down and begged Tope. I actually told him I was a virgin and that I would experience pain, if he slept with me. But rather than allow me to go, he said after the count of five he would deal with me. He then started counting and after the count of five, while I was still begging, he dealt me a slap, which sent me off my feet.

I fell down in a corner of the room and he removed his belt and started beating me. I cried but he did not stop.

“When he sensed that I had been subdued, he sat on me, unbuttoned my trousers, unzipped it and then told me to remove my top which I did.

Then he brought out his blackberry handset and took my photographs after which he mounted and raped me.

“When he was through with me, he opened the door and called the other guy named Cosmos Betiku, who promptly came in and had his turn as well.

“When he too finished, I appealed to them that they should allow me

go to the toilet to clean up to which they consented. I was, however, in the toilet when I heard Tope discussing with some others on the phone, saying that they should come as he had finished.

“At that point, I started pleading with Tope to allow me to go, but Cosmos told him not to release me as he had not had his fill. It was at that point that Tope said if the other guys should meet me there, it would be brutal for me and that I should be allowed to go.

“They eventually released me around 8.30pm but all through the assault, Tope kept taking my photographs with his telephone and he did that about six times while the assault lasted.’’

The victim added that she did not see her friend all through the experience, suspecting that “she was a partner to the conspiracy to rape me”.

The father of the victim said he had tried to give her a ood upbringing.

“But see what these animals did to my daughter,”, he said.

The Divisional Police Officer told The Nation that the suspects had confessed to the crime, stating that Tope actually took the lead while Cosmos followed in ‘’the show of shame’’ that was staged in Cosmos’ room. He also said the case had been reported to the Commissioner of Police, Mr Olayinka Balogun, who directed that the suspects and the victims be brought to the State Headquarters today.

New states likely in 2013, says Tambuwal

N

EWS states are likely to be created within the next two years, House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal said yesterday.

Also, a former Federal Permanent Secretary, Dr. Hakeen BabaAhmed, accuse-election violence of laying a ground for another round of crisis in the country.

He asked the old brigade of Northern leaders to give way for the younger generation so as to chart a new direction for the region.

Tambuwal spoke at the first Kaduna Nigeria Union of Journalist(NUJ) Chairman Round Table Discussion. He said the House would reintroduce the bill on internal party democracy as a way of addressing numerous election petitions at the various tribunals across the country.

Represented by the member representing Jaba/Zango Kataf Federal constituency, Hon. Godfrey Gaiya, the Speaker said though theHouse intends to begin work on the amendment of the 1999 Constitu-

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

tion on time to avoid the pitfalls that characterised the last amendment.

He said a committee to handle the constitution review has been inaugurated and will soon begin its assignment, adding that the issue of state creation and revenue sharing formula will be handled by the committee.

According to him, the house will do its best to ensure that states that are viable and can stand on their own are created before their midterm report, saying “of course the sixth Assembly tried their best and were not able to do anything. Of course this time around, we are starting early and I am sure that before the middle of our tenure, we will be talking of states that feasible and states that are not feasible”.

According to the Speaker, the House is determined to ensure that the nation conducts a free and fair election by giving the parties and INEC the autonomy to handle electoral matters.

He said even though the controversial bill on internal democracy

within the parties could not scale through the last assembly, the House intends to reintroduce it, adding that “in the last assembly, we started a bill that talk about internal democracy and this time around, we are revisiting that bill that will introduce internal democracy within the set up.

Baba-Ahmed said that the Presidential panel led by Sheikh Ahmed Lemu was going round giving the people the impression that the federal government was going to pay compensation to victims of the crisis.

“I want to say that what is going on right now is not in our interest.

The Lemu panel is going about making the people believe that the government is going to pay them compensation. Because of that, people are being asked to go and cost churches, mosques and houses and bring to the panel.

“I am afraid that is laying the ground for another round of crisis because the people are expecting to be compensated and I do not see

THE State Security Service (SSS) may have shelved plans to arraign a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai for sedition, it was learnt yesterday.

But el-Rufai has said that he will not relent in engaging in discourse that promotes democracy.

Investigation by TheNation revealed that el-Rufai, who arrived at the SSS headquarters at about 9am, spent about an hour with the Director-General of the agency, Mr. Ita Ekpeyong.

At the session with el-Rufai were his wife, Hadiza; his counsel, Mr. A.U. Mustapha; the President of the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, who is also the Publisher of ThisDay, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena; the Chairman of the Editorial Board of ThisDay, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi and the Media Advisor to the ex-Minister, Mr. Muyiwa Adekeye.

After a brief stay at the waiting room, el-Rufai was ushered into the office of the SSS DG accompanied by Obaigbena and the counsel.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The session was cordial and the former FCT Minister and his team appreciated why the SSS had to act to avert any threat to the nation’s security.

“The SSS is not out to breach the rights of any citizen or freedom of expression but whenever such a right is exercised, it must be based on facts and figures.

“Following the mutual dialogue, the SSS decided to drop charges on sedition against el-Rufai and this decision was communicated to the ex-Minister on the spot.

A statement by the Media Advisor to the former Minister reads in part: “Mallam Nasir elRufai visited the SSS headquarters today. This was at the instance of the security agency which requested that he report to them at 9am today, following his arrest on Saturday.

“Mallam el-Rufai had a chat with the SSS Director-General, after which he returned home. He was accompanied by ThisDay publisher, Nduka Obaigbena, and AU Mustapha, El Rufai’s lawyer.

“El Rufai wishes to thank Nigerians for their support and kind words following the arrest. He intends to continue to play a robust role in promoting the type of informed discourse that promotes democracy.”

Ex-Minister sued over N7.7m house rent From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

•Tambuwal

how the government is going to pay compensation to anybody. You pay compensation for what you are responsible for.

A FORMER Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Mohammed Kaoje Abubakar, has been taken before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory( FCT) by a company, SVL, over an outstanding N7.7million rent charge.

But the ex-Minister said he has no case to answer because he was never indebted to the company in question.

According to the company, the rented 5-bedroom duplex in dispute is at 18, Ona Crescent, Maitama in Abuja.

In its application before the court, the affected firm alleged that the “request of the ex-Minister to rent the duplex through the second defendant (an agent called Alhaji Yahaya Baba) was accepted at a rental value of N14million for two years and with payment of 10per cent professional fee of N1.4m to the plaintiff’s solicitors.

But SVL claimed that the exMinister through his agent paid M1.7m down payment with a promise to pay the balance of N7.7m in four weeks.

4

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

NEWS

How to rescue Nigeria, by Soyinka •Nobel laureate, Mimiko salute Okei-Odumakin at 45

N

OBEL laureate Prof Wole Soyinka yesterday urged Nigerians to motivate themselves for change. He said collective efforts driven by strong determination is what is required to rescue the nation from its woes.

The Nobel laureate, who lauded the ‘revolutionary efforts’ of the Syrians and some Arab countries against bad leadership, said change cannot take place when a few Nigerians are working for it.

Soyinka spoke during a symposium to mark the 45th birthday anniversary of humans rights activist, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, in Lagos.

He described the celebrator as an epitome of faithfulness to the fight against injustice in Nigeria, adding that he would be fulfilled when he retires from public life, because the likes of Mrs Okei Odumakin are there to carry on.

Soyinka, who said he was looking forward to sharing

By Sunday Ogundugba

endearing achievements with her, said China attained enviable achievements because the country is always ready to replicate whatever good things produced by other countries.

“When the Chinese see something good from other countries, such as electronics, they bring it home, break it down and study the make-up and then go ahead to replicate it. We must motivate ourselves for change and replicate good ideals by other countries,” Soyinka said.

The symposium themed: Tomorrow on the toil of our heroes ,attracted dignitaries including the Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko; Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Vice Presidential candidate, Pastor Tunde Bakare and National Coordinator of Odua People’s Congress (OPC) Otunba Gani Adams.

Others are the representa-

•Dr. Okei-Odumakin being assisted by her husband Yinka (second right) and Mimiko to cut her 45 birthday cake... yesterday.

With them are Mrs. Amosun, Prof. Soyinka and Pastor Bakare.

tive of Lagos State Governor, Rev Tunji Adebiyi, Chief Jimi Agbaje, wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs Funsho Amosun and Hafsat AbiolaCostello.

Bakare said for the nation not to be a wasted generation and for the labours of Nigeria’s heroes not to be in vain, leaders must learn from the past to build a better future.

He described the celebrator as a dogged fighter, saying ‘she has no tribal or ethnic colouration but puts others first’ Mimiko said Nigerians need to challenge its leaders to do more and celebrate

‘He would be fulfilled when he retires from public life, because the likes of Mrs Joe Odumakin are there to carry on’ leaders who have made significant achievements.

Mimiko,who congratulated

NECO ready for July 9 SSS entrance exam

T

HE National Examinations Council (NECO) is set o conduct the 2011 entrance examinations into the unity senior secondary examination, an official said yesterday.

Mr Abimbola Afolabi, Lagos Zonal Coordinator of NECO, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos yesterday that the examination would be conducted on July 9 nationwide.

He said the examination would take place in 73 centres in Lagos State. He could not give the number of exam-

ination centres across the country.

A folabi said that personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) would be attached to all examination centres to maintain peace and order.

He said that NECO set up measures to detect examination fraud, and advised candidates to desist from all firms of malpractice.

Afolabi also urged parents to discourage their children from examination malpractice which he said, was retarding education development.

“My appeal to parents is for them to explain the implications of examination malpractice to their children; we all know that it is our collective responsibility to raise leaders of tomorrow of repute,” he said.

He told NAN that parents in Lagos State could check the result of the common entrance examination into the junior component of the unity colleges at the zonal office.

The NECO official said that the result could also be obtained from candidates’ schools of choice as well as

Mrs. Okei-Odumakin and her husband, Yinka, said when he assumed office; he was worried by the statistics from many international bodies on maternal and infant mortality “I made a promise that the situation must change in Ondo State.I swung into action and I believe that with proper medical facilities and incentives in the state, Ondo State is getting close to the level where no mother would lose her life because of poor medical facilities.

Adams praised Okei-Odumakin, saying he was surprised that she has been de-

tained for 17 times. “Not many women are ready to go that far for activism. Do not be discouraged because history will judge you for what you have done,” he said.

Mrs Okei-Odumakin, who is also the founder of Women Arise, said she felt fulfilled because of the support from her husband and the likes of Professor Soyinka.

“I believe that it is only through collective efforts that corruption would be stamped out of Nigeria. For our democracy to thrive, there must be eternal vigilance against misrule and injustice,” she said.

Two ministers get portfolios From Vincent Ikuomola Abuja

•NECO Registrar Prof Promise Okpala

the Lagos State Ministry of Education.

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has approved the assignment of portfolios and deployment of two ministersHajiya Zainab Maina is to take charge at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development while Mrs. Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi, was assigned to the Ministry of Aviation.

The two Ministers were among the 14 nominees cleared by the Senate last week and sworn-in by the President at the weekend.

The 12 other returnees have resumed in their respective ministries in line with the President’s continuity agenda.

Jonathan meets PDP leaders as Southeast insists on PDP chair

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan is consulting Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, governors and other stakeholders on the choice of party national chairman.

The battle for the job is between the Northeast and the Southeast, with most party leaders having preference for the Northeast.

It was learnt that to pacify the Southeast, there is a proposal before the presidency to concede more ‘juicy’ ministerial portfolios and strategic agencies to the zone to pave the way for the emergence of a new chairman from the Northeast.

A presidency source said: “The President has started consultations with our leaders in the Board of Trustees, governors who are influential members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and members of the Expanded National Caucus.

“The next 72 hours will provide insight into the direction of the party. A series of meetings between the President and party leaders and organs

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

will hold on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Abuja to conclude the talks.

“The emergence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal (Northwest) and deputy, Emeka Ihedioha (Southeast) is causing a lot of problems for the party because its zoning formula is now distorted.

“Some of our leaders are saying that since the VP, the Senate President and the Speaker are from the North, the National Chairman of the PDP cannot come from the North again.

“The Southeast is insisting on its right to occupy the post in the light of Article 14(5) of the PDP Constitution.

The Article reads: “Where a vacancy occurs in any of the offices of the party, the NEC shall appoint a substitute from the zone where the officer originated pending the conduct of election to fill the vacancy.

“Ordinarily, if the Southeast goes to court, it will win the case based on the interpreta-

NORTHEAST ASPIRANTS

RECOMMENDED

•Dr. Hassan Adamu •Alhaji Bamanga Tukur •Prof. Jibril Aminu • Amb. Idris Waziri •Alhaji Shettima Mustapha •Alhaji Gambo Lawan • Adamu Mu’azu •Danjuma Goje

•Chief Ojo Maduekwe •Hon Mao Ohuanbuwa •Senator Ike Nwachukwu •Chief Olisa Metu • Chinwoke Mbadinuju •Hon. Jerry Ugokwe •Sam Egwu •Senator Emma Azu Agboti •Senator Sylvanus Ngele •Jim Nwobodo •Chief Vita Abba •Frank Nweke Jr •Ikedi Ohakim •Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu •Hon. Jeff Ojinika.

tion of the PDP constitution.

But the President has initiated dialogue to avoid recourse to litigation.

“The Southeast that is complaining has also usurped both the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives meant for the Northeast by the party’s zoning formula.

The source confirmed PDP leaders’ preference for the Northeast and the cards being laid on the table for the Southeast whose right is being abridged.

He added: “The truth is that the presidency is tired of bitter politics among Igbo, which has led them to produce two

national chairmen in three years. So, everyone wants a change of taste.

“The odds favour either a former Governor of Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur or and a former National Chairman of the defunct The Grassroots Democratic Movement, (GDM), Alhaji Gambo Lawan (Borno).

“To resolve the impasse over Southeast’s demand, a proposal is already before the presidency to concede strategic ministries to this geopolitical zone in lieu of the office of the

national chairman of PDP. A strong PDP leader, who confided in our correspondent, said: “We met in Enugu and resolved to pursue this demand to its logical conclusion.

“They are joking with whatever proposal is in the offing.

Our position is that the Southeast must complete its fouryear tenure which began in 2008.”

In line with zoning realignment in PDP, the office has been slated for the Northeast but the Southeast renewed interest at the weekend to retain the post.

Before the renewed interest of the Southeast, eight leading aspirants had emerged from the Northeast.

They are from the Northeast are Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Hassan Adamu, ex-Governor of the defunct Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammed Tukur; ex-Minister of Petroleum, Prof. Jibril Aminu (Adamawa); ex-Minister of Commerce, Ambassador Idris Waziri (Taraba); ex-Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Shetti-

ma Mustapha and a former National Chairman of the defunct The Grassroots Democratic Movement, (GDM), Alhaji Gambo Lawan (Borno); ex-Governor Adamu Mu’azu (Bauchi) and ex-Governor Danjuma Goje, who was recently elected a Senator from Gombe State.

But in a petition to the President and top leaders of the party, PDP Stakeholders Forum insisted that the slot should go to the Southeast, which has no single representation in the party’s National Working Committee at present.

Those recommended are: Chief Ojo Maduekwe; Hon. Mao Ohuanbuwa; Senator Ike Nwachukwu; Chief Olisa Metu; ex-Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju; Hon. Jerry Ugokwe; Ex-Governor Sam Egwu; Senator Emma Azu Agboti; Senator Sylvanus Ngele; ExGovernor Jim Nwobodo; Enugu State PDP Chair, Chief Vita Abba; Ex-Minister Frank Nweke Jr.; Ex-Governor Ikedi Ohakim; Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu; and Hon. Jeff Ojinika.

5

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

NEWS Onaiyekan to Nigerians: Call corrupt politicians thieves From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

C

•Enugu Agidi section of the express road

Death trap of the East S

INCE the end of the civil war in 1970, Southeasterners have never had it so bad.

The state of the federal roads in the nation’s most commercially active geopolitical zone is nightmarish. Travelling across Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi states is like going to war.

The roads have become death traps. Hundred have died.

The Onitsha – Enugu Express way, Oba- Okigwe road and the old Nkpor - Awka road are the worst examples of what a road should not be.

In 2009, over 70 persons lost died at once at Umunya. An articulated vehicle conveying petrol fell on the bad road and caught fire. Eighteen vehicles were burnt in the accident.

While casualties continue to grow, the contract awarded to the Consolidated Construction Company (CCC) to fix some of the roads may have been abandoned.

Only the state roads being fixed

by Governor Peter Obi’s administration are motorable. The federal roads are bad.

The Obi administration has embarked on the reconstruction of Nkpor- Awka old road. It will cost over N5 billion.

Most private vehicle owners have abandoned their vehicles for public transportation especially those travelling to Aba and Umuahia in Abia State to preserve the life span of their vehicles.

•Umunya junction along the expressway From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

One of the drivers plying the Onitsha-Enugu Express road, Tobias Ezike, recalled the nightmare on the road.

He said: “We have no Federal Government at all; they told us that the contract for the road was signed but what we saw were equipment on the roads before the elections. But the equipment have been withdrawn. Nothing is working.”

The Oba to Okigwe road contract was awarded on May 28, 2009 with the completion date of May 27, 2012. It was to cost N3.79billion.

The contract was awarded to Consolidated Construction Company (CCC), which has not completed its own part of the Onitsha to Owerri road. Julius Berger complet-

ed its own part of the contract from Imo to Anambra within one year.

The CCC is equally handling the Onitsha to Enugu Expressroad, which was awarded to it at N8billion. The Enugu to Onitsha bound lane was awarded at N4.5 billion. Both contracts were awarded in 2009.

The controller of the Federal Ministry of Works in Anambra State, Mr. Joseph Nwachukwu, said in Awka that what the Federal Government needs to complete the federal roads is about N3.3 trillion.

He said 33,000 kilometres of federal roads are under rehabilitation and reconstruction nationwide.

Nwachukwu said the Oba to Nnewi-Okigwe road is 49 per cent completed.

The Controller said work stopped on the other roads because

PHOTOS: NWANOSIKE ONU

of poor budgetary provision in 2010.

He said contractors were being owed about N60 billion for 2010 while the amount budgeted for the ministry in the 2011 appropriation is about N70 billion.

He said the Oba- Okigwe road is being handled by two contractors, CCC and Bulletin Construction, under a special team from Abuja, not the Federal Ministry of Works Controller in Anambra State.

Bulletin, a Lebanese construction company, is handling the 34 kilometre road.

Nwachukwu said the budgetary provision for the road was poor, adding that the Federal Government has started liaising with banks, bonds, State Management Offices and Private Public Partnerships (PPP) for help.

Farmer discovers two AK 47 police rifles buried on farm

A

PEASANT farmer in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Sunday Adeleye, has founded two police AK 47 rifles hidden in green leaves on his farm.

Bolanta, the farmer was said to have reported the strange discovery to the Police Area Commander.

State Commissioner of Police Mr. Adisa Baba Bolanta hinted of the discovery the hints yesterday in Ibadan while parading some suspects arrested in connection with various crimes in the state before reporters.

•Oyo Police arrest father, son for alleged robbery From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

Among the suspects were a middle-aged man, David Olatubosun and his son, Abiodun, who allegedly cars, stole.

The said Olatunbosun and his son were arrested at Mikky Spot, Randa, Ogbomoso, following the discovery of a stolen Toyota Camry car with registration number CV 756 MUS at the suspects’ home. It was recently snatched at gun point in Lagos.

Bolanta said his men also discovered eight other vehicles in the house at Iyalode’s compound.

Bolanta said the recovered vehicles included; a Nissan Jeep (CE 434 KSF), Toyota Camry (CF 256 RSH), Toyota Corolla (EM 562 ABJ), Honda Accord (AJ 681 LRN), Toyota Corolla (BV 848 APP), an unregistered CRV Real time Sport Utility Venicle (SUV), a Toyota Sienna Bus (BK 259 KUJ)

and Honda Jeep CRV (DD 201 LSD).

The police boss, who paraded all the vehicles alongside the suspects, also vowed to track down those who buried the police rifles on the farm.

The two rifles are numbered; 535653 and 3604188 with their magazines containing 30 and 28 rounds.

The rifles painted in police colours, according to the police boss, are still serviceable.

ATHOLIC Archbishop of Abuja, Dr. John Onaiyekan yesterday has urged Nigerians to stop glorifying corrupt politicians.

The cleric, who asked Nigerians to treat corrupt politicians as thieves, stated that most of the problems the country is battling with are self-inflicted.

Delivering a homily yesterday at the 40th ordination anniversary celebration of Archbishop Felix Alaba Adeosin Job, the archbishop of Ibadan Archdiocese, at Saint Mary Catholic Cathedral, Oke Padre, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the cleric identified the problems as corruption of people in high office, insecurity from armed robbers, religious fanaticism and ethnic militias.

He noted: “What is worrisome to me is that we refer to corruption as endemic as if to say we are born with it. I think it is better to call a spade a spade by referring to corrupt people as thieves because that is what they are.”

Dr Onaiyekan was of the view that “corruption can only be eradicated if we all look inward and fight it within ourselves individually.”

He referred to Job as a child of destiny who like Jeremiah was called before he was formed in his mother’s womb.

His words: “This was a typical story of many a young boy born into a fervent Catholic home , deeply influenced by priests and missionaries who from very early years were clear in their minds that they wanted to be priests”.

The cleric enjoined parents not to discourage their children as being too young if any of them (children) told them at a very early age that he wanted to be priests.

Dr Onaiyekan advised parents to always encourage their children and instill in them the desire to heed God’s call.

Rev. Job was full of praises to the Almighty God for being on the front burner of his achievements, which include the increase in the number of priests from two to 85 while serving in Ibadan as well as the increase in the number of parishes from 10 to 35 He expressed his gratitude to his subordinates for the cooperation and sacrifices they made to enhance the discharge of his duties since his ordination 40 years ago.

At the ceremony were the Deputy Governor of Oyo State Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, senior Catholic ministers, relations and well-wishers from all walks of life.

INEC shelves summit

T

HE two-day post-election retreat organized by the Independent National Electoral Commissions (INEC) at the Tinapa Resort, Calabar, Cross Rivers State for political parties could not begin yesterday as scheduled.

INEC called the summit, facilitated by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), to review the April general elections and draw lessons that could be applied to improve the conduct of future elections.

But the chief Press Secretary (CPS) to INEC chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, Kayode Idowu, said the summit was suspended because of some demands from the political parties.

Idowu said: “Unfortunately, representatives of some political parties within the Inter-Parties Advisory Committee (IPAC), upon arrival in Calabar, have made demands on the Commission that are rather unreasonable and unfortunate. These demands were made on the floor of the meeting, without any prior case being made to INEC. “Therefore, the Commission could not accede to these as preconditions for the retreat.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

6

NEWS FCT minister reappoints Chief of Staff From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

FEDERAL Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Senator Bala Mohammed yesterday reappointed Alhaji Musa Umar Yashi as his Chief of Staff.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Hazat Sule, the minister said the reappointment takes immediate effect.

Yashi, a 1982 graduate of Political Science from the University of Sokoto (now Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University), Sokoto, was born in 1957 in Yashi, Alkaleri Local Government of Bauchi State.

He retired as a director of Planning, Research and Statistic in the Federal Ministry of Education on January 1, last year.

He held various positions in the State Civil Service before crossing to the Federal Civil Service.

• Workers of Nigeria Dockyard, Apapa, Lagos, protesting their unpaid allowance... yesterday.

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

Retirees urge Fed Govt to pay gratuities, others

We’ll advise Jonathan to implement our findings, says Lemu

C

HAIRMAN of the Presidential Panel on the Post-Election Violence, Sheikh Ahmed Lemu, yesterday assured Nigerians that the committee would advise President Goodluck Jonathan to implement its recommendations.

Lemu spoke in Kano at the opening of a public hearing on the post-election violence in the North.

He attributed the cause of violent crises in the country to the failure of the Federal Government to implement the recommendations of previous committees.

Lemu said the committee would advise Federal Government to implement the recommendations of the

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

committee to end violence in the country.

He said: “We are studying the causes of the post-election violence very deeply, very broadly and extensively. We are here to hear from various people, various communities and various stakeholders and from them, we believe we would come up with a lasting solution to the problem.

“We are very conscious of the failure of the Federal Government to implement committee recommendations in the past and even and many people are talking about that. That is why we

are including in our task the need to feed the Federal Government with enough facts and figures on the necessity for government to implement our recommendations.

“We would make that point to government, because the failure to implement various recommendations by previous committees is the primary cause of the unfortunate situation we find ourselves today.”

Lemu assured Nigerians, especially those affected by the post-election violence not to lose faith in the committee. He said the committee is made up of men and women with the fear of God, who would not in any

way compromise their integrity.

The Kano State Governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, who declared the public hearing open, said the state government would support the committee with logistics and present a position paper that would assist the committee in its assignment.

Kwankwaso, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, hoped that the committee would come up with acceptable recommendations to entrench peaceful and harmonious co-existence among the various ethno-religious groups in the state and the nation.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

T

•Jonathan

Thousands of victims of the post-election violence, including the Presidential Aspirant of the ANPP, Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa and the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Umar Ghali Na’abba besieged the venue of the public hearing to submit their petitions.

Boko Haram threat cripples social activities in Kogi

B

EER sellers in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, are experiencing low patronage as rumours of a possible Boko Haram attack spread in the town.

It was gathered that security reports at the weekend indicated a possible relocation of some members of the sect to Lokoja.

Sources said Boko Haram

From Mohammed Bashir, Lokoja

planned to bomb Jamata and Itobe bridges, linking the North, South, East and Southwest.

A text message purportedly sent by the sect to some top security operatives in the state said Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger may soon be invaded.

Security operatives have re-

portedly tightened security at strategic points, particularly the two main bridges linking the town with other parts of the country.

In Lokoja, some areas noted for night social activities have been deserted.

Our correspondent went round some of the night fun spots in the town, discovering that only beer sellers

were seen around their business premises, as their customers could not be seen around.

Madam Agnes, a beer seller, told The Nation that her customers used to visit her shop as early as 6:30pm.

“But since this news of Boko Haram started going around the town, I don’t even sell up to one carton per day.

“When I called my custom-

ers to know why they won’t come to relax in my shop again, they said they would prefer drinking at home.

Some of them told me they won’t come because of the news of Boko Haram coming to the state,” she said.

Security situation is tense as people treat one another as a suspected Boko Haram member.

Suswam wants to kill me, ACN governorship candidate alleges

T

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate for Benue State, Prof.

Steve Ugbah, has alleged that Governor Gabriel Suswam and his “cohorts” are planning to assassinate him.

Suswam was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the April governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him winner of the poll but Ugbah is challenging the declaration at the tribunal.

Ugbah said the threat to his life would not deter him from pursuing his suit at the

•Allegations baseless, says governor From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

election petitions tribunal.

Addressing reporters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Ugbah said he was sure of victory at the tribunal.

But Suswam described the allegations as baseless and part of ACN propaganda against him and his government.

The Benue State governor, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Dr. Cletus Akwaya, alleged that Ugbah had

run out of ideas.

Suswam said: “Prof. Ugbah has to accept the fact that he lost the election and must allow peace to reign in Benue State. The baseless allegations are part of the orchestrated propaganda against Suswam by the ACN in Benue State.

“The elections are over.

There was no assassination during the elections. Why would anybody seek to assassinate Prof. Ugbah? The ACN governorship candidate has run out of ideas.

He should face the criminal charges hanging on his

neck for criminal breach of peace and incitement to cause public disorder, among others, and stop the most unfounded allegations and smear campaign against Suswam.”

Ugbah said the “Broom Revolution” in Benue State is real, adding that the electorate voted massively for him and other ACN candidates in the April polls.

He promised to pursue the petition to its logical end, saying abandoning it would amount to irresponsibility.

The ACN candidate expressed delight that through the last election he brought

about the desired change in the state with the electorate “solidly” behind him.

According to him, the governorship election was massively rigged in favour of the ruling PDP with multiple thumb-printing, intimidation of voters, thuggery, violence and snatching of ballot boxes, among other alleged malpractices during the poll.

Ugbah said there was enough evidence to back his petition that the election was rigged, adding that the electoral malpractices perpetrated during the April polls were “unprecedented” in the nation’s electoral history.

HE Association of Federal Public Service Retirees yesterday cried out over the non-payment of gratuities and pensions of some of its members, who retired after 35 years of service as a result of right-sizing and down-sizing in 2006.

The retirees, who are from eight states, urged the Federal Government to address the anomalies discovered in the payment of their pensions and gratuities.

They were represented by delegates from Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Kogi, Kwara states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, at an emergency meeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by development officers from the eight states, the union said the few pensioners, who were lucky to be paid, were short-paid with over one year outstanding payment.

Alhaji Folorunso Aborishade, the Ekiti State Development Officer, who read the communiqué on behalf of others, said most members of the union, who retired on grade levels 10, 12 or 13, received N2,400; N3,200 and N4,200 per month.

He said this had aggravated the suffering of federal retirees.

Aborishade, who was flanked by his colleague from Ondo State, Mr. Michael Olorunda, lamented that pension arrears from June 2010 after the data capturing exercise to June this year, have not been paid to members across the eight states The communiqué reads in part: “The plight of the retirees and pensioners of Federal Government from ministries, departments and agencies is becoming worrisome and require the attention of the Federal Government.

“Uncountable retirees, who served their fatherland meritoriously, have died for lack of money to eat decent food and access to urgent medical attention.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

7

NEWS Fashola praised

Demanding voters’ cards for jobs mischievous, says ACN From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

T

HE Kwara State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has described as mischievous plans by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to make job seekers present their voters’ cards as prerequisite for employment.

The Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed-led government had promised to provide jobs to 2,000 youths within its 100 days in office.

In a statement, ACN Chairman Kayode Olawepo said the PDP move was “illegal and sheer mischief”.

The statement reads: “At a time when unemployment is at a record high nationwide, any effort to positively engage the youth deserves commendation. But this effort must be seen to be devoid of illegality, mischief or attempts to manipulate or punish the people in whatever way.

“The decision to have a voter’s register is personal even as it is constitutional, but it is not in any way criminal not to have one. We gather that applicants are in some cases being asked to submit their voters’ cards to be qualified for job offers. That applicants are also being sought from individual polling units across the state gives us another cause to worry about the intention of the PDP. “We demand an explanation for this suspicious demand. We have cause to suspect foul play, given the antecedence of Kwara PDP and its government in wanting to foul the democratic space.

“This exercise raises many questions about the real objective of the so-called employment drive. The recurring shameful actions of Kwara PDP, now being inherited by its government, is giving Kwara a bad name in this country and this must stop.

“It is a fact that our own Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has successfully engaged 20,000 youths within a space of three months of assumption of office without making such suspicious demand.

“We, therefore, urge the people of Kwara to reject any employment drive targeted at further restricting their democratic right, while imploring the long-suffering masses that we remain committed to the liberation struggle. There shall be light in Kwara.”

Group alleges plot to discredit tribunal MONITORING group, Justice for All (JFA), yesterday raised the alarm over alleged plot by a political party to discredit the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

In a statement by its chair-

A

‘Niger south not marginalsied’ From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

NIGER State Governor Babangida Aliyu yesterday described as untrue the allegation of marginalisation by the Niger South Senatorial District from the scheme of things in his administration.

Aliyu was reacting to an allegation by Nupe Foundation, a socio-cultural and political association, that his administration had marginalized the zone in the sharing of key positions.

He said he had been guided by the principle of fairness to the three senatorial districts in the distribution of appointments.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo, the governor said he was aware that one of the factors that had sustained peace and stability Niger had enjoyed, was his respect for and recognition of the multi-ethnic composition of the state through the zoning of the key political posts and amenities.

man and Secretary-General, Godwin Ndubuisi and Aminu Busari, the group said the plot was to tarnish the tribunal’s image.

It warned the party to desist from unconstitutional activities that could discredit the tribunal’s reputation.

It said: “Don’t abuse the freedom of speech as anshrined in the 1999 Constitution.”

The group said with the fact available to it, it would soon expose the party’s members who were allegedly behind the plot to discredit the tribunal.

•Mustapha (middle), inspecting Alapa-Moro Bridge with some expatriates and PHOTO:NAN residents…yesterday

Six die in Kwara collapsed bridges O fewer than six people have died as a result of the collapsed bridges at Moro and Ohan in Asa Local Government of Kwara State, the residents have said.

Goods worth millions of naira have reportedly been lost due to the bad portion of the bridges that are 25metres wide and 35metres long.

The residents relieved their harrowing experiences when the member representing Ilorin West and Asa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mashood Mustapha, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), inspected the bridges.

They said since the bridges became unusable, the two Kwara communities of Kaiama and Baruten, in Kaiama and Baruten local governments, have been cut off from the rest of the state.

It was gathered that passengers to and from Kwara alight from their vehicles, leaving only the drivers, to cross to either side of the bridges.

Hoodlums have cashed in on the situation

N

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

to unleash a reign of terror on commuters and residents.

The Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alapa, Jimoh Orelope, narrated the hardship the residents faced as a result of the bad bridge.

He said between last year and now, members of the union had spent about N7million to build wooden planks to link the communities.

Mustapha also inspected the dilapidated Moro bridge in company of some expatriates.

He urged the Federal Government to repair the collapsing bridges to prevent further carnage on them.

The lawmaker promised to move a motion at the House today on the urgent need for the Federal Government to direct relevant agencies to expedite action on the rebuilding of the two bridges.

Mustapha urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works, to rescue the area from the bad bridges.

Sambo to lay foundation for NUJ secretariat, Journalism school

V

ICE-President Namadi Sambo will next week lay the foundation of the national secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Mabushi, Abuja.

He is also expected to lay the foundation of the proposed International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), also in Abuja.

At the fund raising for the secretariat last week in Abuja, Sambo said the Federal Government would support the NUJ to overcome its challenges in building its national secretariat.

He said: “No one needs a reminder about the basic fact that government exists strictly for the people. We, therefore, advocate a brand

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

of substantive, economising, participatory Journalism and encouraging exchanges of ideas, comments and dialogue among all segments of the society to enhance balanced, political and socioeconomic development.”

Sambo noted that for the media to be effective, journalists should have a modern secretariat from where they can perform their constitutional duties.

He said as an architect, he would have designed a beautiful structure for the NUJ, for free, had he been contacted earlier.

The Vice-President con-

gratulated the union and Nigerians for the passage of the Freedom Of Information (FOI) Bill into law.

He said: “This, we believe will support the fight against corruption and will promote good governance, transparency and genuine democracy.

We are resolute in our resolve to always defend a free media as a precondition for promoting democratic principles and resolutions, ensure popular participation and good governance, protection of human and peoples’ rights and other relevant human right instruments.”

House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal

Experts urge attention to children’s mental health

E

XPERTS in Psychiatry have urged governments to pay more attention to child and adolescent mental health.

They decried the neglect of child and adolescents’ mental health, saying the neglect transcends national and regional levels to the global level.

The Acting Medical Direc-

By Oyeyemi GbengaMustapha

tor of Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, Dr. Oluyemi Ogun, spoke at the opening ceremony of the third set of a two-week certificate course in Child and Adolescent Health organised by the hospital in conjunction with West African College of

Nursing (WACN).

She said the neglect had made the hospital to start the Child and Adolescent Unit in 1999, with the help of the West African College of Nursing.

Ogun said: “With the assistance of the college, and many partners, the hospital has been able to send out professionals to preach the

gospel of non-neglect of the mental health of our children, and bring succour to many children and adolescents and families.”

The Executive Secretary, WACN, Mr Solomon A. Adeleye said the essence of the training is to enable participants update their knowledge and skills in specialised areas.

said the House would approve the funds appropriated by the executive for the NUJ secretariat.

NUJ President Mohammed Garba regretted that at 56, the NUJ was still operating from a rented apartment.

He said: “Almost all the former presidents of NUJ are here (at the fund raising dinner), an indication that we are really worried that NUJ at 56 is still managing a rented apartment.”

LAGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola has been praised for appointing technocrats and people of integrity as commissioners.

Addressing reporters in Lagos, the Igbo Community and Non-Indigenes Association praised the governor for appointing competent men and women into his executive council.

Chairman of the association Eze Uchechukwu Nwachukwu said: “We, the Igbo community and nonindigenes in Lagos, hereby commend Babatunde Fashola (SAN), our party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), for the reappointment of our son, the former Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Pastor Ben Akabueze.”

Nwachukwu, who was the chairman of the 15-man mobilisation committee for Fashola’s re-election, added: “We thank God for the reappointment of Akabueze because he is a dynamic technocrat, a detribalised Nigerian, who has been loyal to the cause and aspirations of the Lagos State Government in the past four years.

The Igbo and non-indigenes in Lagos have implicit confidence in his ability to deliver, just like he has done in the past, because he is a man of integrity, accountability who believes in the rule of law…”

Aganga remains our nominee, says Lagos PDP THE Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has restated its support for the nomination of Olusegun Aganga, the former Minister of Finance, as the state’s choice for President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet.

The party’s Secretary Tunji Shelle said Aganga was the key facilitator for Lagos PDP before and after the April polls.

He said Aganga was the major link between Lagos PDP and the Federal Government in the last one year.

Shelle said: “Aganga performed these roles creditably well and has been commended at different times by the party. Mr President has also been made aware of his outstanding performances and contributions to the party.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

8

NEWS Court sentences unrepentant drug peddler to 10 years imprisonment

A

N unrepentant drug peddler, Ejiro Henry, has been sentenced to 10 years, imprisonment for attempting to export about 2.45 kilogrammes of cocaine.

He had been arrested last year for a similar offence and tried by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), but absconded mid-way into the trial, jumping bail.

He was rearrested last October at the Murtala Mouhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

Justice Okechukwu Okeke of the Federal High Court, Lagos, said it was unfortunate the convict failed to de-

By Eric Ikhilae

sist from the commission of a crime for which he had been arrested.

He said: “You are not a serious man. You claimed to be a student, but by the time I send you to prison, you will sit down and rethink your future.”

Justice Okeke held that the term of imprisonment was without any option of fine and that the sentence should start from the day of the judgment (yesterday). He held that the punishment was intended to serve as deterrent to others who may want to venture into illicit drug business.

Ogun PDP to forge common front HE elders and stakeholders of the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun East Senatorial Zone have resolved to forge a common front and work for the unity of the party.

The elders, met in IjebuIgbo at the weekend under the auspices of Ogun East Elders Forum, whose patron is exCommerce and Industry Minister, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye. It issued a SevenPoint communiqué at the end of their meeting.

A chieftain of the party, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the elders resolved to promote peace and stability within the party.

Other highlights of the communiqué include members’ resolve to ensure that the party promotes transparency and accountability in its dealings.

The Chairman of the State PDP Harmonised Exco, Bashorun Dayo Soremi, and other leaders of the party were mandated to promote discipline and cohesion in the party.

The elders also urged the Presidency to revisit the list

T •Fayemi signing the bills...yesterday. With him are Omirin and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Ganiyu Owolabi.

Fayemi signs FoI, eight other bills

E

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday signed the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill passed by the Assembly into law.

The FOI bill was signed

by President Goodluck Jonathan in April after scaling through the National assembly.

Fayemi, who assented to the bill with seven others, said the signing of the FOI Bill, which was among the 13 executive bills he forwarded to the Assembly on June 6, has demonstrated the commitment of his administration to entrenching transparency, probity and accountability

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

in governance.

Fayemi commended the Assembly, led by Speaker Wale Omirin, for setting many records within the first month of its inauguration, by passingnine bills.

He assured the people that the new laws would be faithfully implemented to better their lot and add value to their existence.

Other bills signed into law included Ekiti State Change of Official Logo Law; a Law to revive and restore the Law establishing the College of Education, Ikere-

Ekiti and other matters connected therewith.

The rest are Local Government Administration (Amendment) Law; Ekiti State Public Works Corporation Law; Ekiti State Bonds, Notes and other Securities Issuance Law and Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (Amendment) Law and Ekiti State Education Trust Fund Law. The first bill passed by the Fourth Assembly to be assented to by Fayemi was the Ekiti State Consolidation of Universities Law. Fayemi said: “Today,

eight bills that touch the critical areas of governance have been considered and passed by the state assembly and are now here for assent.

“It may interest you to note that one of the bills to be assented is the Freedom of Information Bill. Again, this is the first state to pass the FOI to demonstrate our commitment to transparency in governance.

“Let me observe with satisfaction that bills being assented to today are very fundamental to all sectors of the state’s social, economic and political lives. Now armed with relevant laws, the pace of development in these sectors will be accelerated.”

Aregbesola to judiciary: deliver justice

O

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday told the judiciary to deliver justice to the people.

He said: “I am particularly interested in substantive justice that is in harmony with natural justice.”

The governor spoke at the swearing-in of Mrs. Kudirat Morayo Akano as a judge of the High Court in Osogbo.

Aregbesola said all over the world, jurists are embracing substantive justice and discarding the intellectual gymnastic of technicalities and formalism that is capable of defeating the ends of justice.

He reminded the audience that his administration

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

is a product of justice, saying the decision by the Godfearing men and women of the judiciary to uphold justice culminated in the emergence of Governors Adams Oshiomhole ( Edo ); Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo).

He urged the judiciary to remain impartial.

“Let me ask this, where would we have been today without justice? If we consider how the April general elections would have gone in Osun State , the siege would have been greater.

“More people would have been killed with impunity

for asking for electoral justice; more arrests would have been made; more people would have been sent on involuntary exile.

“Of course, more of our youths would have been thrown into unemployment and sentenced to a future of hopelessness and uncertainty,” he said.

The governor, who attributed the festering violence in many parts of the country to the fall out of social injustice, said when there is disharmony between social justice and universal laws, chaos and disorder ensue.

In his speech titled: “Where Would We Have

Been Without Justice”, Aregbesola said frustrations caused by lack of justice and economic inequality were responsible for the many cases, such as bomb explosions, mindless killings and others.

“Poverty, ignorance and diseases where might is right; where the gap between the haves and the have-nots is increasing; where law serves the interest of the few and where the most people are hopeless, can only but encourage such sundry acts of terrorism capable of regressing man into the Hobbesian state of nature where there is war of all against all and the life of man is solitary, nasty, brutish and short.”

Abuja residents groan under induced traffic

I

T was a long journey to work for workers living on the border towns of the Federal Capital Territory yesterday.

They spent more than half of the day’s work hours on the road due to security check points mounted by soldiers to curb the incursion of the Boko Haram militants into the capital city.

Those with the worst tales were workers living on the border towns of Mararaba and Masaka axis in Na-

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

sarawa state.

Due to high cost of accomodation in the FCT, many workers live in those areas which cost of living is also soaring by the day.

Many workers spent almost five hours on the road for a journey not more than 30 minutes under normal situation.

Many missed their sched-

ules owing to the unpalatable situation.

Many were forced to abandon their cars on the road as a result of over heating and mechanical faults that developed.

There was palpable tension everywhere as motorists tried to manouvere their way through the gridlock.

Those who resorted to commercial cyclist to beat the situation were stopped by soldiers. Okada riders

have been banned from the city centre.

The soldiers compounded the security checks yesterday by extending into the deep heart of the highway in Kugbo.

Confused motorists were wondering if the checks without sensitive equipment would actually make a difference as what was witnessed yesterday was random checking of suspected vehicles.

of ministerial nominees from Ogun State.

“Without prejudice to the Presidency’s decision, it is of utmost importance that reliable, responsible and credible people are appointed to represent the good people of Ogun State in the Federal Executive Council (FEC),” the communiqué reads in part.

The elders said they were glad that the efforts of the party to reconcile aggrieved members were yielding fruits.

Those at the meeting were: the Chairman, Ogun East Senatorial Zone, Engr. Bayo Dayo (Ijebu North); ViceChairman, Alhaji Agboola Alausa (Ijebu Ode); Chief Duro Otesanya (Ikenne), Hon. Olayide Odusanya (Odogbolu), Hon. Dele Odulaja (Ijebu Waterside) and Alhaja Mujidat Oluaye (Sagamu).

Others included Dr. Doyin Okupe (Ikenne), Hon. Gbenga Osinowo (Odogbolu), Prince Niyi Akinsanya (Remo North), Hon. Fatai Sowemimo (Remo North), Chief Kofo Odugunwa (Sagamu) and Chief Tola Odulaja (Odogbolu).

9

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

NEWS

•Members of the state executive council after the inauguration...yesterday

PHOTOS: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Ondo to implement minimum wage

O

NDO State Government has finally agreed to implement the N18,000 minimum wage.

The Head of Service, Ajose Kudehinbu, made this known at the opening of an E-Audit training programme by JK Consulting Company Limited in conjunction with Ondo State Government.

Kudehinbu said the state was bound to pay the minimum wage.

The workers and the government reached an agreement a few days ago that N14, 000 would be paid.

The agreement was sequel to series of meeting held by

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

the government and union leaders after public servants had gone on strike.

His words: “The Ondo State government will pay the N18, 000 minimum wage because it is a law of the federation.

“We are currently paying the N14, 000 to the least paid worker under the relativity agreement, as a stop-gap.

“The implementation of the demand of the workers as it affected the N18, 000 minimum wage would start once the Federal Government increased allocation to states.

We will definitely pay.”

Court orders bank to pay govt N57m

A From left: Jakande; Tinubu; Fashola; Mrs. Orelope-Adefulire and Ajomale...yesterday

Fashola inaugurates executive council

A

T a colourful ceremony jammed by party supporters, Lagos State commissioners took their oath of office yesterday.

They swore before Governor Babatunde Fashola and a host of party executives, including the National leader of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; former Governor Lateef Jakande; Deputy Governor Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; State Chairman of ACN Chief Henry Ajomale, to uphold their oaths.

At the event held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium were dignitaries including Oba of Lagos Oba Riliwan Akiolu 1; Oba Akaran of Badagry Ahonu- Menu- Toyi 1; party chieftains; House of Representatives members; traditional rulers; party sup-

I

By Miriam Ndikanwu

porters among others.

Those sworn in include Olaranwaju Babalola (Chief of Staff); Mrs. Oluranti Adebule(Secretary to the State Government).

They were also Abiru Adetokunbo (Finance Commissioner); Ahmed Wale (Special Duties); Akabueze Benjamin (Economic Planning and Budget); Ayinde Olutoyin(Physical Planning and Urban Development); Tunji Bello( Environment); Danmole Oyinlomo(Home Affairs and Culture); Hamzat Obafemi (Works and Infrastructure); Holloway Oladisun (Tourism); Idris Jide( Health); Ipaye Ade (Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice); Ibirogba Aderemi (Information and Strategy); Jeje Bosun (Housing); Kuye

Ademorin(Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs); Lawal Gbolahan( Agriculture and Cooperatives); Adebiyi Mabadeje (Science and Technology); Mrs Oguntuase Florence (Establishment and Training); Ojelabi Cornelius (Rural Development); Oniru Adesegun (Waterfront Development) and Infrastructure; Mr Opeifa Kayode, Transport; Mr Oshodi Enitan, Youth Sports and Social Development; Mrs Oworu Senakpon, Commerce and Industry and Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye (Education).

The special advisers are Jimoh Ajao (Housing); Dolapo Badru (Youth Sports and Social Development); Mrs. Yewande Adesina(Health); Mrs Aderinola Disu, (Central Business District); Oladiran Folami (Environment); Ayo Gbeleyi (Public Private

Partnership); Ganiyu Johnson (Works and Infrastructure); Babatunde Hunpe (Rural Development); Olukoga Fatai (Education); Lateef Raji (Information and Strategy); Taofik Tijani(Mineral Resources); Seye Oladejo (Commerce and Industry); Adebayo Salvador (Parastatals Monitoring); Mrs. Abimbola Sodipo (Taxation and Revenue).

Fashola said: “You have been chosen to hold one of the most sought after offices in our country today. I advise you to diligently work to earn and justify your place in the Lagos State Executive Council.

“This new team must resist the temptation to dwell on successes of the last team. We must see whatever they achieved as challenges to us to do better. That is the only way we can reward and appreciate their sacrifices and service.

One dead in Ibadan building collapse

T was a gory sight in Oleyo, Odo-Ona Elewe, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday as one person died and five others trapped when a storey building collapsed.

Four others were injured.

It was learnt that the building went down at 10:30am while workmen were busy on the structure.

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

Shortly after the incident, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NCSDC); Federal Road Safety Commissions (FRSC); Oyo State Fire Service and other sympathisers swarmed the building to rescue the trapped workmen.

Only one man, identified as

Baba Ibeji, was rescued as at press time yesterday.

The rescue workers were hindered by lack of tools to clear the debris. Baba Ibeji said other workmen were still trapped in the building.

Moved by the disclosure by Baba Ibeji, an NSCDC official, Olujide Akindele, crawled through a narrow opening in the debris only to return and

confirm that he sighted another trapped person, who was already dead.

Among the rescuers was the former Chairman of the local government, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan.

Olaosebikan said the rescue workers should focus on how to rescue the victims. He said it was not yet time to apportion blame.

HIGH Court in Akure, Ondo State, yesterday ordered WEMA Bank Plc to refund N57, 223,920.34 to the Ondo State Government over an illegal deduction.

Justice O. A. Adegbehingbe said the money was the excess and arbitrary bank charges on government’s accounts and should be refunded.

Justice Adegbehingbe said the bank was liable to pay 10 percent interest per annum on the sum, until its final liquidation.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the bank to comply with the

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

order.

He said government would enforce the judgment, if the bank declined to pay.

The state’s counsel, Rotimi Olamide; Owoseni Ajayi, Deputy Director and the Public Prosecutor, Steve Adebowale, had prayed the court to order the bank to return the arbitrary charges/ debits of N57, 223,920.34 in addition to N2billion as special and general damages.

They argued that the bank illegally deducted the money from the accounts opened for federal allocation and teachers.

Agbani Darego is Arik ambassador

By Kelvin Osa- Okunbor

A

RIK Air yesterday unveiled former Miss World Ms. Agbani Darego as its brand ambassador on a one year renewable contract.

At a ceremony yesterday at the Arik Air Centre, Lagos, Managing Director Chris Ndulue said the decision to make Ms. Darego was because of her success in modeling.

Ndulue said the carrier would soon unveil its other ambassadors.

He said: “We started with Ms.Agbani Darego, who was Miss World and a Nigerian who has distinguished herself in the international community.

Ms. Darego said: “I am really glad to be here, I am very glad to be part of the Arik Air family; I feel proud to be appreciated by the Arik Air family, this is another first for me, to be the first Arik Air brand Ambassador.”

Gunmen kill Lagos car dealer NKNOWN gunmen yesterday killed a popular car dealer, Alhaji Jabita Fafiu, at his home in Ikeja, Lagos.

It was gathered that the 48year-old was stabbed several times by the assailants. He died at a private hospital where he was rushed to by his family.

Jabita reportedly bled to death because the hospital de-

U

By Jude Isiguzo

manded a down payment of N2 million.

According to sources, five masked assailants stormed the deceased’s home at 3am.

They reportedly entered the building after tying the guard and cutting the iron bar protector of the main entrance leading to the sitting room.

10

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

NEWS

Funding may stall Niger Delta development, says Orubebe

‘My swearing-in in order’ From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

FORMER Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Media, Eseme Eyiboh has defended his inauguration by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sanni Omolori.

Speaking with reporters in Abuja, Eyiboh said the Clerk’s action was in conformity with the order of Justice Abdul Kafarati of a Federal High Court, Abuja, which declared him as the candidate for Ibeno/ Esit/Onna Federal Constituency.

Eyiboh said: “The decision to swear me in as a member of the House of Representatives in the seventh National Assembly was in compliance with the order of court and Section 75(2), of the Electoral Act, 2010.’’

F

UNDING may stall the economic and infrastructural development of the oil-rich Niger Delta even as the Federal Government explores alternative means of funding the Niger Delta project, it emerged yesterday.

From N155billion budget estimate of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, N55billion was appropriated for its projects and other sundry activities.

The ministry’s debt to contractors handling the EastWest road project runs into billions of naira. The project is meant to open up the region’s economic activities The Federal Government has concluded plans to issue a definite blueprint for the region as the inability of the current arrangement could

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

not define or delineate duties and functions of all establishments set up to address the needs of the region.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, spoke yesterday at a briefing with reporters.

He said with inadequate funding, there was little contractors handling various projects in the region could do.

Citing the East-West road and skill acquisition centres projects; Orubebe said the ministry took over the road project from another ministry with just about 10 percent job done on it.

He noted that the project that is currently 50 per cent completed could have been about 70 per cent completed

but for paucity of fund.

He said: “The framework and structure of the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry is ready, what is probably lacking is the funding of the project and the programmes of the Ministry. If we have the funds available now, that job would have gone up to 70% or 80%.

“A lot of the contractors are not working today because the funds are not there for the project to go on. If you look at 2011 budget, that East-West road, there are contractors we owe over N7billion to N8billion but the budget has a provision of N1.5billion, so how do they work?

“If we look at our skill centres, we have nine skill centres that are under construc-

tion, one skill centre on completion will cost up to N5billion in furnishing and equipment and the entire budget for the work is just N2billion.

“When the budget is out, every contractor is aware of it, so no contractor will put his money in the project when he is not sure of when he is going to get his return and these are the serious problems that we are facing” He pointed out that government is exploring alternative means of funding the development of the region, “because the issue is beyond the annual budgetary provisions moreover there are too many competing demands for available resources at the disposal of the government.”

Drug suspects arrested From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Rivers State has arrested Friday Ogbolu(25) suspected to be in possession of 116kg cannabis.

The State Commander, Jude Ekure, said this when he paraded the suspect in Port Harcourt yesterday.

He said Ogbolu, from Kwale in Delta State, was arrested in a village in Nonwa, Tai Local Government at the weekend.

He was allegedly conveying the cannabis to another destination.

In another raid, Ekure said his men arrested seven men who were alleged to possess substances suspected to be cocaine and heroine.

Ekure said the men were arrested at different locations.

Urhobo leaders angry over ministerial slot From Shola O’neil, Warri

I

NDICATIONS emerged yesterday that all is not well between the Urhobo group in Delta State and President Goodluck Jonathan.

This followed the group’s fate in the recent ministerial appointments made by the President.

It was learnt that top Urhobo political leaders were not happy that the President ‘used up’ their ministerial slot to satisfy his long-time friend and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Godsday Orubebe.

It was gathered that the alleged insistence by Jonathan that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan nominated Orubebe did not go down well with the group, which rallied support for his ambition.

A source said: “The nomination of Orubebe all but shut out every other candidates but the surprising thing now is that Olorogun Gbagi has been completely dumped with the emergence of a Southsouth governor’s candidate for the region’s slot.”

Edo NIPOST retirees protest From Osagie Otabor, Benin

W

•Newly appointed High Court Judge of Osun State Justice Kudrat Morayo Akano signing the register before Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Deputy Governor Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori at the Local Government service commission… yesterday

ORKERS of the Nigeria Postal Services (NIPOST) in Edo State were yesterday chased out of their offices by protesting 2005/2006 retirees of NIPOST, Edo Territory, over non-payment of 60 months pension benefits.

The retirees locked up the entrance to NIPOST head office in Benin.

Their spokesman, Joseph Ekunwe, accused the NIPOST management of playing a cat and mouse game with them since they retired in 2005.

Ekunwe urged the Federal Government to probe the financial management of NIPOST to ascertain whether funds meant for the payment of their pensions have been misappropriated.

How suspects were lynched in Warri

F

RESH facts emerged yesterday on how four robbery suspects, who were lynched by a mob in Warri, Delta State on Sunday, met their end.

It was gathered that four persons were injured during the chase to ‘arrest’ the suspects.

An eyewitness, who identified himself as Tobore, said the victims were stabbed by the fleeing robbers before they were caught in front of

From Shola O’neil, Warri

the God’s Kingdom Society Church on Warri–Sapele Road.

Tobore said the suspects, included a bus driver and two conductors.

They were alleged to be members of a gang, terrorising Hausa Quarters, Igbudu community and other parts of the city.

Another resident said the hoodlums were going about

their normal activities, when a hapless resident escaped and alerted the police.

Two of the suspects were killed by the police; the other two were caught by the mob, which meted instant jungle justice on them. Civil rights groups have condemned the spate of lynching in the state.

One resident said: “If these human rights people have fallen victims to these criminals before their songs would be different.

“They can say whatever they want but I, for one, and other residents of Igbudu, Warri, are very happy because these are the boys that have been terrorising the area as they like.

“They call themselves fine boys, one of them had no job but he dresses better than Shell workers; uses the best GSM handsets and they have a lot of girlfriends and eat what they want and when they want it.”

Delta rerun: Tribunal throws out Uduaghan’s application

T

HE Delta State Election Petitions Tribunal yesterday threw out an application by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan challenging its powers to prescribe a time limit for parties to prosecute their cases.

Uduaghan’s counsel Ken Mozia said Paragraph 41 (10) of the Electoral Act precludes the tribunal from limiting the time for parties to call witnesses and take evidence.

He argued that limiting the time to call witnesses and take evidence would “deny us the right to fair hearing and justice. We are

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

demanding for our full 10 days as required by law”.

He said Paragraph 18 (2B, 2D) of the Electoral Act are general provisions on the issue of time while Paragraph 41 (10) prescribes only the maximum number of days.

But Democratic Peoples Party (DPP)counsel Mogbeyi Sagay (SAN) said the tribunal has “limitless powers to give directions as to how the proceedings of the tribunal shall be conducted”.

He argued that “if any

party fails to attend a prehearing session, the tribunal shall enter judgment.

“If the respondents are not prepared to go on, the tribunal gives judgment.”

The Justice Uzoamaka Ogwurike-led tribunal held that “the tribunal cannot be challenged on the issue of time so long as it complies with the law. So two days each have been allotted to both parties to present their witnesses and take evidence before the tribunal.”

DPP said it intends to call three expert witnesses in respect of the tribunal ordered joint inspection.

Sagay named the experts to include David Goodwin, fingerprint analyst, London, Nat Cole Forensic Analysts, and Ahmed A.I fingerprint expert, Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Alagbon Lagos.

He said DPP will call 25 witnesses.

Counsel to Uduaghan, Ken Mozia said it will call four expert witnesses. He said two are fingerprint experts, adding that their names are not available.

He said the others are a handwriting expert and an Information Technologist (I.T) expert.

11

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Naira slumps against dollar on supply shortage

By Collins Nweze

T

HE naira weakened against the dollar at the interbank market yesterday after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) failed to meet all the demands at its bi-weekly Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS), traders said.

The naira eased to N152.90 to the dollar from N151.10 at Friday’s close after a sixmonth appreciation against the dollar.

The CBN sold $150 million at N150.90 to the dollar at its auction, short of the $192.33 million demanded and down from $183 million sold at 151.79 to the dollar at Wednesday’s auction.

Traders said the market was trading below the apex bank’s rate before yesterday’s auction and that failure to meet all the demand put pressure on the local currency.

“The unmet demand at the official window was channeled to the interbank, putting pressure on the naira and causing the naira to depreciate,” one currency trader told Reuters.

The Nigerian currency firmed last week after the regulator announced it would impose a maximum weekly dollar sale limit of $250,000 from banks to foreign exchange bureaux, a move which traders said was aimed at combating money laundering and controlling capital flight.

The apex bank also lifted a requirement that foreign investors hold government debt for at least one year, a move expected to attract new offshore inflows, boosting dollar supply and increasing demand for the naira.

COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$112.3/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

-N8.1 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -11.3% Treasury Bills -2.64% Normal lending -24% Prime lending -18% Savings rate -3% 91-day NTB -6.99% Time Deposit - 6% MPR -7.50% Foreign Reserve -$32.5bn FOREX CFA 0.281 • 220.9 £ 253.5 $ 153.59 ¥ 1.5652 SDR 245.85 RIYAL 39.3

Our people to whom we remain eternally grateful, remain a top priority in our drive for surpassing exceptional performance, hence we will continue to place very high premium on staff quality, welfare and training, a strategy that has enabled us to attract and retain some of the best and brightest in the industry –GODWIN EMEFIELE

CBN not promoting Islamic bank, T says Sanusi HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is neither promoting nor establishing an Islamic bank in country, Governor of the apex bank, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said yesterday.

He also said Standard Chartered Bank Plc has applied for an Islamic banking licence, while Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, a unit of Standard Bank Group Ltd., got an approval from the CBN to provide Islamic banking services in Nigeria.

Sanusi made these disclosures in Abuja, at a two-day International Conference on Non-Interest Islamic Banking.

“The Central Bank is not promoting or establishing Islamic bank, the CBN is simply licensing and regulating an institution that is allowed to exist under the law.

“To the extent that this bank is not allowed to deny anyone the opportunity to be a stakeholder and to the extent that they do not deny anyone to set up his own

• Confirms StanChart, StanbicIBTC

• Prelate, Islamic council differ

By Nduka Chiejina and Collins Nweze

bank.

“There is absolutely no discrimination. We have to continue making that point, hopefully, people will get to understand with time,’’ he said.

Islamic banking, also known as non-interest banking, is a banking system consistent with principles of Islamic law and Islamic economics. It prohibits the collection of interest, commonly called riba, although revenuesharing arrangements are generally permitted.

Since the announcement that the apex bank has given the go-ahead for JAIZ Bank

International Plc to operate as an Islamic bank and the subsequent issuance of final guidelines on Islamic banking, criticism, especially from Christians have continued to trail the planned introduction of Islamic banking.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor, Financial Systems Stability (FSS) of the CBN, Dr. Kingsley Moghalu, has said some banks are interested in applying for non-interest banking windows.

The CBN has already given approval to Jaiz International Bank Plc, a local lender with international investors, to open the country’s first Shariah-compliant bank, Moghalu said. Stanbic has a license to begin operating Is-

lamic banking branches within six months and if it fails to do so within that time, the lender will need to reapply for approval, he said.

In a related development, the Secretary-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr. Abdul-Lateef Adegbite and Bishop Chidi Colins Oparaojiaku of the Anglican Diocese of Ohaji/Egbema in Imo State, have differed on the planned introduction of Islamic banking.

While Adegbite justified Islamic Banking, saying “it is constitutional and legal,” Bishop Oparaojiaku called for the resignation of the CBN governor.

Adegbite advised critics of the Islamic Banking system to be “objective” in the way they go about it instead of resorting to “uninformed and unobjective” approach that reeks with “religious intolerance,” stressing it is not a “ploy to short-change Nigerian Christians.”

In a statement issued yester-

day in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, the NSCIA Secretary-General, noted that the Islamic Banking is a global phenomenon, and said over 75 countries across the world have embraced it because of its interest – free opportunity to patrons.

Similarly, the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Ogun State Chapter enjoined Nigerian Christians to read religious meaning into the introduction Islamic Banking, advising them to the system opportunity to thrive in Nigeria as in other countries.

But Bishop Oparaojiaku said the CBN governor should not use his office to advocate for religious banking system in the country otherwise he ought to have vacated his office.

Speaking during the Trinity Diaconate and Priesthood ordination church service of the Diocese, he condemned Islamic banking, saying that it is not acceptable to Nigerians.

Nigerian Eurobond yields reach record low

N

• Former Miss World Agbani Darego being received by Managing Director, Arik Air, Mr Chris Ndulue, during the unveiling of Agbani Darego as Arik Air Brand Ambassador at Arik headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed, Airport, Ikeja, Lagos ...

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE yesterday.

Why NITEL can’t be sold, by former M-Tel GM

F

ORMER General Man ager, Operations, Nige rian Mobile Telecommunications (M-tel), Mr Ibrahim Shehu-Gusau, yesterday said sabotage and the inability of qualified bidders to pay was responsible for the unsuccessful attempts to sell the Nigerian Telecommunication Plc (NITEL) Shehu-Gusau, who represents Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency, Zamfara State in the House of Representatives, however, insisted that there was nothing wrong with NITEL. The Federal Government under the auspices of Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) has made several attempts to sell NITEL without success.

The lawmaker advised the government to shelve the idea of selling NITEL if it has become impossible to get

From: Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

bidders to buy the company.

He noted that the advice became necessary when it was recognised that most countries still operate and maintain their telecoms companies.

He said that it could be a possibility that some Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication companies, which were afraid that NITEL could swallow them if it comes alive, were working to ensure that the proposed sale of the company did not succeed.

He said: “Companies come in and they get qualified as investors and as bidders.

When it comes to the issue of payment, it becomes a problem. They cannot get the fund to pay the government

for what they had bid. So these are the issues. But NITEL is a very good company. It is a workable company. It has got investments.

With a very good investor, NITEL will bounce back.

“I think maybe some companies are afraid that NITEL will swallow them up if it comes alive. That could be a possibility. But I can tell you that NITEL is a very good company. Given the right investor, they will do well.

“Up till now, I am aware of most of internet services that NITEL still provides to banks.

Their interbank communication is serviced by NITEL. So you can see that without NITEL a lot of services would have been down because banks rely on supply of broadband issues.

“If it is not possible to sell NITEL, why not leave it and operate it. After all, most coun-

tries still operate their telecoms companies and still maintain them.

“I still have the belief that we should not leave everything open. You know, the inflow and outflow of information were still managed even when companies were operated by government.”

Insisting that there was actually nothing wrong with NITEL, he noted that to operate a business successfully, “you need to have an idea of the operational cost.”

He said the government was not only allocating funds to NITEL at a point, but subscribers companies were not also paying their bills hence the collapse of the company.

Shehu-Gusau recalled that when he was GM, Operations at M-Tel, “the companywas generating about N4billion in a month”.

IGERIA’s dollar bond yields fell to a record low as demand for higher-yielding assets rose after officials approved an aid payment to Greece to prevent a default and the naira gained after an inflow curb was lifted.

The yield on the 6.75 per cent Eurobonds of Nigeria due 2021 fell nine basis points, or 0.09 per cent to 5.963 per cent, the lowest level since the debt was issued in January, as of 11:23 a.m. in London, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The bonds’ price gained 0.6 per cent to 105.667 cents on the dollar. The $500 million of bonds are Nigeria’s only international notes.

“We see the ongoing rally of the Eurobond as the result of a rebound in global sentiment as well as an improving consensus view on Nigeria,” Alan Cameron, an economist at CSL Stockbrokers Ltd. in London said in an e-mailed response to questions yesterday.

“The recent removal of the one-year holding period on foreign investment into the bond market is an important factor, as is the recent appreciation of the naira.”

The naira has appreciated 2.7 per cent to 152.5 per dollar since June 23 after Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Lamido Sanusi announced that the nation would lift a requirement for foreign investors to hold local-currency investments in government securities for at least one year from July.

Europe’s finance ministers authorised an 8.7 billion-euro ($12.6 billion) loan payout to Greece by mid-July and said they would aim to complete talks with banks on maintaining their Greek debt holdings within weeks.

12

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

BUSINESS NEWS UNIDO, BOI renew partnership

Flight Schedule MONDAY - FRIDAY LAGOS – ABUJA Departure Arrival 1. Aero 06.50 08.10 2. Associated 07.00 09.30 3. Air Nigeria 07.00 08.20 4. IRS 07.00 08.20 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 14.00 Arik Arik 16.30

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

T

• From left: Winner of the star prize of the FinBank Plc Savings promo, tagged, FinSplash, Mr Tanimu Muhammed, flanked by the Group Managing Director/CEO of the bank, Mrs. Suzanne Iroche; Executive Director, North/Retail Banking, Mr Adam Nuru; Executive Director, Finance & Strategy, Mr Godwin Ize-Iyamu and Senior Business Executive, Jos, Mr Idris Egena, during the presentation of the car to the winner in Lagos ... on Monday.

Fuel subsidy: Tanker drivers seek palliative measures

T

HE Tanker Drivers (PTD) arm of the Nigeria Union of Pe troleum and Natural Gases Workers (NUPENG) has called for palliative measures to cushion the effect of fuel price increase, should the Federal Government insist on fuel subsidy removal.

The General Secretary of the union, Comrade Adebayo Atanda, in an interview with The Nation, listed such incentives to include the building of new refineries and Turn Around Maintainance of the existing ones.

The Federal Government had signed the N18,000 National Minimum Wage Act last March, but it is yet to be implemented. The delay in implementation has led to restiveness of the various trade unions as most of the states insist on review of revenue sharing formula to enable them implement the new wage.

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

But labour said the Minimum Wage Act is a law that stands on its own and needs not be attached to any condition.

Atanda said if the Government has any other ways of cushioning the effect of hardship that the removal of fuel subsidy will bring, it should do it. Akanbi said it is a shame for Nigeria, which is an oil producing nation to be wallowing in poverty.

He lamented the state of living of the average Nigerian, wondering how people would cope with any fuel price increase with the ripple effect on food, education and health care services.

Chairman of the union, Alhaji Rasak Akanbi, also said fuel subsidy removal may cost tanker drivers their jobs, because if the price of petroleum products are in-

creased, some of the marketers may restructure their businesses and lay off their drivers.

Similarly, Chairman, O&I Contact, Lagos, a marketing firm, Mr Isaac Osaikhiwu, said the Federal Government should ensure the availability of refined petroleum products by refining them in the country before thinking of removing fuel subsidy.

If it is done otherwise, the effect would be terrible on all sectors.

Osaikhiwu said petroleum products drive the economy. Noting that big busineses use diesel to power their engines, he said Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is also needed to power the vehicles needed in marketing the manufactured products.

“Businesses and movements in Nigeria are tied to fuel. Besides, prices of food stuffs and other things always soar with any fuel price increase. The poor will further be thrown into hopelessness,” he said.

Experts alert on imminent food inflation

F

OOD inflation in the country could hit five to eight per cent this year aided by rising food prices, two eminent experts have warned.

The experts said there was a rising trend in prices of consumer food goods.

Speaking with The Nation, a former Executive Secretary of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU now A.U.), Scientific, Technical and Research Commission (OAU/STRC), Prof Johnson Ekpere, said a rising trend has been witnessed in food inflation owing to rising oil prices in the international market and rising food prices in the domestic market.

He said food inflation may move

By Daniel Esiet

to the upper end of the five to six per cent target range sooner than expected,adding that the problem is likely to persist in the months to come.

Ekpere said inflation will steady at five per cent, mainly due to increase in prices of food items and petroleum products.

He noted that rising oil prices and firming up of domestic food prices is having a significant impact on inflation outlook.

Ekpere said rising oil and food prices is having impact on inflation this year.

What worsen the situation is that while the oil and food prices are rising, there was also strong con-

sumer demand which makes it difficult to contain inflationary pressures.

Because of increasing earning power, he noted that more Nigerians are able to purchase oil, food and things that are more than basic essentials.

According to him, further increases in food inflation are in prospect following recent rises in global commodity prices.

Ekpere called on the government to support small scale farmers to produce more food to place pressure on food prices.

According to him if nothing is done to support the local food industry, food prices will soar later in the year, intensifying national inflationary pressures.

Ex-secretary Odah may sue NLC

T

HE former Secretary General of the Nigerian Labour Con gress (NLC) Comrade John Odah, yesterday said if the congress declines to reinstate him, he may take a legal action against the NLC for removing him “unlawfully” from office.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja yesterday, Odah noted that the congress had put a disclaimer on him in some national dailies.

He said: “What I decided to do is to write to the National Executive Council of the NLC and hope that it will reconsider this unjust decision to terminate my appointment. Why I am making this press briefing is

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

because of the resort the leadership of the congress to demonise me. “ I am also putting it on record that while serving the NLC, I didn’t commit any crime. I challenge the NLC leadership if I have committed any crime to come out with it.

If the disclaimer is intended to test my ability to challenge this unjust decision, it will fail. I do hope that I will not be forced to have to take other measures, including the possibility of going to court,” he said.

Odah noted that although the congress has informed him that it terminated his appointment, it was yet

to give him reasons for the decision.

Responding to the matter, the Acting Secretary General of the NLC, Owei Lakemfa, said the congress has the right to terminate Odah’s apppointment in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution and the UN convention.

He added that should Odah consider his sack unjust, he has the right to reject it.

Lakemfa, however, acknowledged that Odah had written a letter with the congress letter head after his sack was communicated to him, stressing that this warranted the disclaimer.

HE UNIDO and the Bank of Industry (BOI) agreed on Monday to fast-track the development of the country's industrial sector in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda.

UNIDO Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr Patrick Kormawa, said after a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos that UNIDO would partner with Nigeria to assist the country to achieve its Vision 20:2020.

Kormawa said that the aim was to boost wealth creation and job opportunities.

NAN reports that the UNIDO and BOI had earlier signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 1987 to develop the industrial sector in the country.

The UNIDO chief said that power supply was very crucial to the nation’s development and for its products to be competitive at the global market.

He said that UNIDO had concluded plans to set up two centres of excellence in the north and southwestern parts of Nigeria to promote the garment industry.

“Today’s meeting is not only to review the MoU, but also to expand areas of collaboration.

“This includes our activities in developing hydro-power generation for industrial activities,” he said.

Customs unit impounds 1,516 vehicles

T

HE Federal Operations Unit of Nigeria 1Customs Service in Lagos said it impounded 1,516 vehicles valued at N1.2 billion imported illegally in the first quarter of 2011.

Mr David Dimka, Acting Comptroller of the Unit, told journalists in Lagos on Monday that 259 persons were arrested in connection with the vehicles.

He said that five of the suspects had been sentenced to various jail terms.

Dimka said that N269.5 million was the total duty value of those vehicles while the Duty Paid Value was about N1.5 billion.

Dimka said that the service would meet its revenue target for 2011 and also ensure effective monitoring of the nation’s border posts.

S&P warning adds default threat to Greece’s bailout

G

REECE would likely be in default if it follows a debt rollover plan pushed by French banks, S&P warned yesterday, deepening the pain of a bailout that one European official said will cost Athens sovereignty and jobs.

European politicians and bankers had expressed confidence last week that the French proposal would not trigger a default, but ratings agency Standard & Poor’s said it would involve losses to debt holders, most likely earning Greece a “selective default” rating.

“It is our view that each of the two financing options described in the (French banks’) proposal would likely amount to a default under our criteria,” S&P said.

French banks, major holders of Greek sovereign debt, proposed voluntarily renewing some of the bonds when they fall due, but on different terms.

S&P cut Greece’s sovereign rating to “CCC” last month, from “B,” on a view that any restructuring of the country’s massive debt load would count as an effective default.

The euro fell from around $1.4550 to a session low around $1.4510 after the latest S&P comment.

NFF chides NSC over F/Eagles Portugal trip suffers hitch Dream Team V

Pg. 51

Pg. 14

Nation Tuesday, July 5, 2011

FREE COPY

PAGE 13

•Lagos State contingents at the Opening Ceremony of the National Sports Festival. INSET: President Goodluck Jonathan acknowledging cheers from spectators, flanked by Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi (r) and Director General of the National Sport Commission (NSC) PHOTOS: Bola Omilabu

NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL

Jonathan canvases for corporate sponsorship N

IGERIA President, Goodluck Jonathan has appealed to corporate organisations to show interest in sponsoring National Sports Festival from the next edition of the biannual event.

In his address at the opening ceremony of the 17th edition of the National Sports Festival held at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt, President Jonathan believes with the number of athletes, officials and states involved in the event, it will be a profitable

From Akeem Lawal and Florence Nkem, in Port Harcourt investment by any organisation.

“The National Sports Festival also affords us the opportunity to celebrate tomorrow’s leaders and showcase our people’s un-rival passion for sports. I understand that Port Harcourt is playing host to over 12,000 athletes and officials of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory at this festival. It is a

clear indication that the number of participants at this game will inspire organised private sector to get more involved in the sponsorship of the event. It is in my expectation that subsequent festival will attract corporate participation to the extent that they will not only be self-sustained but also a profitable enterprise.

“I’m informed that the Nigerian Academicals for schools which I have earlier

directed the National Sports Commission (NSC), to revive has started to receive appreciable support from the organised private sector, this is quite commendable. I’m convinced that this initiative will no doubt try to revolve grassroot sport participation and provide the strong impetus in discovering and nurturing of talents as well as the development of sports infrastructure at all levels.

TUESDAY, JULY 05, 2011

14

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

Mourinho considering replacement for Casillas

•Mourinho

REAL Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is considering dropping goalkeeper Iker Casillas and appointing an outfield player as the club's captain in 2011-12, Marca reports.

Mourinho sees the position of captain as an important means of communication with the referee on the pitch, and for that reason is thinking of replacing the Spain international.

The Portuguese has always worked with outfield players as his leaders in the past, with centre-back John Terry his Chelsea skipper, while Javier Zanetti wore the armband when Mourinho was in charge at Inter.

No final decision has been made about who will be handed the position if Mourinho indeed decides to remove the experienced shot-stopper, but defender Sergio Ramos and midfielder Xabi Alonso appear prime candidates for the role.

Mourinho is wary of the consequences of dropping Casillas as club skipper, however, and is ready to hand him a position in charge of internal affairs such as negotiating bonuses, meaning that he would effectively only lose his captaincy status on the pitch.

NFF chides NSC over Dream Team N

FF Technical Committee Chairman Christopher Green has accused the National Sports Commission led by Patrick Ekeji of deliberately working against the qualification of the Dream Team V for both the Olympic Games and the All African Games.

Green who spoke on a telephone conversation said that the football

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja

house is doing everything humanly possible to ensure that the team qualify for the two important fiesta, but the egg heads in the Sports Commission are working internally to ensure that Nigeria did not make it “look at the situation on ground now, we are trying to reposition the

Gyan sweeps Ghana awards ASAMOAH Gyan swept the two biggest awards in Ghana's sports at the weekend when he clinched the MTN Sports Personality of the Year award and Ghana Footballer of the Year award.

The Sunderland striker won the top awards in the 36th edition of the MTN Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) awards held in Accra on Saturday.

Gyan fended off competition from international team-mate Richard Kingson and IBF bantamweight boxer Joseph Agbeko to win the top prize.

The Black Stars attacker also beat competition from national teammates Andre Ayew and Richard

Clichy set for Manchester City medical GAEL Clichy is set to undergo a medical at Manchester City, Sky Sports sources understand.

The French left-back looks set to leave Arsenal and a number of clubs had been showing an interest.

Liverpool were understood to be leading the chase, but now City look set to land his signature after making their move last week.

It is now believed City are close to agreeing a £7million deal for the 25year-old, who has made over 250 appearances for Arsenal.

The France international is now due in the North West ahead of a medical with City as a move to Eastlands looks increasingly likely.

•Clichy

Kingson to win the Footballer of the Year at the colourful ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of the State House.

Despite grabbing both top awards, Gyan says his Black Stars team-mates must also take the credit for his success.

"I was not in this alone because without the support of my teammates, the prayers of Ghanaians and the entire continent of Africa we would not have achieved this," Gyan told MTNFootball.com.

"This award will spur me on to do more for my country and for the continent of Africa. I love Ghana and Africa so much."

The 25-year-old gained international recognition for his exploits in 2010, the year under review.

His three goals helped the Black Stars to an unprecedented 2010 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals berth – equaling the African record in the tournament in the the process.

Gyan, also known as 'Baby Jet', led Ghana’s attack by scoring three of the four goals that sent the Black Stars to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola in February.

His exploits at the World Cup earned him a £13m move to English side Sunderland where he became an instant hit with the fans at Wearside.

•Kastina State in display at the opening ceremony of the National Sport Festival PHOTO: Bola Omilabu

GARDEN CITY GAMES

Wrestling Federation expels two coaches •We won’t condone indiscipline – President

T

HE Nigeria Wrestling Federation has expelled two coaches, Olawale Akala from Rivers State and Godwill Tiebiri from Kaduna for their inability to follow the rules and regulation of the game at the on-going 17th edition of the National Sports Festival.

Revealing this to NationSport is the President of the Federation, Chief Austin Edeze (MON) who said the federation will not condole any act of indiscipline at the Garden City Games.

Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...

Djokovic confirmed as world No.1 WIMBLEDON champion Novak Djokovic was confirmed as the new world No.1 when the ATP rankings were released on Monday.

Djokovic, who beat Rafael Nadal in Sunday's final, was already guaranteed to move ahead of the Spaniard following the Serb's semi-final defeat of Jo-Wilfrid Tsonga.

It ends Nadal's 56-week rein since he took over from Roger Federer on June 7, 2010.

Advertisement: Story continues below Not since Andy Roddick in the week of January 26, 2004 has anyone other than Nadal or Federer been ranked number one.

"This is an amazing achievement to get to the top spot, especially with rivals such as Rafa and Roger," said Djokovic.

"They made me work so hard and made me improve every day. There are no words to express how good they are but I always thought that I could become number one one day. Both the belief and the hard work took me there."

•Djokovic

From Akeem Lawal and Florence Nkem, Port Hacourt “We won’t condone indiscipline –You can’t expect us to go backwards, it’s all about improvement and improvement.

If you check the standard where we are now, the standard we are using this year, you can’t compare it with the one we used last year. There are lots of improvement in the standard, in the discipline, comportment, a lot of improvement in every aspect of wrestling activity and we are happy about it.

“In this regard, two erring coaches who could not display the normal sports man spirit and when their athletes lost, they went beyond the roof were immediately suspended out of this festival. This is to maintain the standard and we are not joking about it.

The wrestling boss said the federation will continue to encourage the coaches by sending them on refresher courses.“We’ve been encouraging the coaches. For example, coach Usman is just one step from becoming an international referee and we’ve gotten coach Kali to the level of an African referee.

We are training them for every outside competition and there is always provision for them. What we always do is that apart from the normal training we organize, we make sure that for every competition we go for outside, be it world championship or continental championship we go with the coaches, who would few days to the competition attend coaching courses. There are also regular coaching courses organized by FILA, our international sponsor. So anytime the opportunities come we make sure we send one or two coaches because you can’t give what you don’t have. If this referees and coaches are not brought up to current standard, then you can’t expect much from them”, he told NationSport.

national teams, and they are trying to make it difficult for us. They are bringing various types of distractions to make sure we lose focus. I want Nigerians to know that what we are doing is exactly what they wants us to do, but those are who are supposed to be in charge are working against us”.

He assured Nigerians that the Football body would not lose focus, but will continue to work to ensure that Nigeria football regain its lost glory.

He also revealed that no concrete agreement was reached in the proposed friendly match between Super Eagles and the Argentine national team in September.

Quoting his words, the River State FA Chairman said “I can confirm to you that in the August FIFA free day, we would play the Black stars of Ghana in Watford, England. We have several offers for the September window, but we are carefully considering them before arriving at one. We have not signed anything for the re- match against Argentina, and I want to tell you that no concrete agreement has been raised to that effect, so nobody should be talking of paying fine or what have you if the did not hold. All is the imagination of the writers” he said.

F/Eagles Portugal trip suffers hitch

T

HE pre-World Cup plans of the Nigerian men’s Under-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, suffered a setback after the team could not fly out of the country due to visa hold-up, SuperSport.com can report.

As at Monday morning, our correspondent was informed that the team was lodged in an undisclosed hotel in Lagos after it emerged that some of the players were unable to secure travelling visas before last Saturday when they were scheduled to leave Nigeria for Faro in Portugal for camping ahead of the FIFA Under20 World Cup in Colombia.

However, head coach of the team, John Obuh, spoke to SuperSport.com on telephone and confirmed that there had been a delay in their travelling plan necessitated by a hitch in securing travelling documents for some players.

Obuh, who is also head coach at Nigeria Premier League (NPL) side,

C

F

EDERAL character may be used to determine who would eventually emerge as the chief Coach of the National U-17 team (Golden Eaglets) in the next dispensation.

According to NationSport impeccable source at the Glasshouse secretariat of the NFF, the two names that have been peddled as possible candidates may not get the job after all.

Quoting the source, “we have heard that some members of the technical committee are comfortable of handing the team over to two ex-international Emmanuel Amuneke and Nduka

it post strings of good results and that should not be our story we must remain focused and finish this task in style” Cerezo charged his players during Mondays training session in Benin. He warned that there is no room for complacency as victory remains the ultimate target in Kumasi. “ It does not matter were they are taking us to play, victory for us is the ultimate target and now is the time for us to show the winning spirit because this is the week were all our efforts since the beginning of this camp would be put to test”.

Nigeria takes a 3-1 first leg advantage to Kumasi in a winner takes all encounter for the 10th All Africa games in Maputo next September.

Injury knocks out Chukwumerije FTER winning his first two fights in quarterfinal convincingly, a knee injury

during the second round forced Nigeria’s Chika Chukwumerije to withdraw from the quarterfinal tie against Greece’s Alexandros Nikoladis at the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF)organised 2012 London Olympic Games Qualifiers held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Chukwumerije, who has been described by taekwondo experts, as one of the best fighters in the world, was at his best in the first round when he overcame India’s 7 times national champion, Kundu Sandeep 8-2.

In the second round, he confirmed his status, as he also overwhelmed Austria’s Christoph Decker 7-2 to berth in the quarterfinal stage.

But during the second round encounter, Chukwumerije dislocated his knee but he managed to hold on against the Austrian.

After examination by the medical experts, the 2007 All Africa Games gold medalist was advised to withdraw, as he could not stand with the knee. And this prevented Chukwumerije from avenging his semifinal loss at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in China against

YO State Government has finally paid outstanding sums in the way of entitlements and bonuses owed the players and officials of Nigeria Premier League sides, Shooting Stars Sports Club, popularly known as 3SC, and those of Crown Football Club of Ogbomosho.

NFF may apply federal character

2012 OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS

A

O

By Innocent Amomoh Greece’s Nikoladis in the quarterfinal stage. Hence the Greek progressed to the last four and berth in London 2012.

With this development, Chukwumerije has to wait for another opportunity to make it to 2012 London Olympics when the African qualifiers hold in January in Egypt.

While in the men’s -80kg category,Temidayo Jegede failed to move beyond the first round of the .

Meanwhile, 24 spots were secured at the Baku World Qualification Tournament in Azerbaijan with 15 countries taking at least one ticket to the taekwondo competition of the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Korea grabbed four tickets while six countries – host Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia, China, Croatia and Chinese Taipei – won two berths each for the 2012 Olympic Games, while eight countries – Thailand, the Dominican Republic, Sweden, Turkey, Brazil, France, Italy and Greece – took one spot to the London Olympic Games.

Hopefully we pray that everything is sorted out today (Monday) so that we can leave and begin full preparation for the World Cup.” Nigeria are drawn in Group D of the 18th edition of the Under-20 World Cup alongside Croatia, Saudi Arabia and Guatemala.

The Flying Eagles will start their campaign against Guatemala on July 31st in the city of Armenia in Colombia.

Oyo State pays players’ salaries

GOLDEN EAGLETS JOB

Eguavoen charges U-23 players ahead Nigeria / Ghana clash HIEF Coach of the National U23 team otherwise called the Dream Team V, Austin Eguavoen has charged his wards to stay focus ahead of the second leg second round All Africa game qualifier against the Black Meteors of Ghana in Kumasi this weekend.

Eguavoen who has refused to be ruffled by the seeming unavailability of some key players maintained that “Any Nigeria Team can hold its own against any African side if it is determined and focused regardless of the players paraded”.

“We have started this qualifying series on a great note and we are going to end it in style, I have observed that our national teams lose concentration when

Sharks, expressed disappointment at the delay but refused to apportion blames for the development.

“It is one of those things I have come to accept. As a coach I am always braced up for these kinds of situation.

So I cannot blame anyone because this is a situation I have learned to adapt to,” he said.

“We are in Lagos and we will continue to train as we have done while in Port Harcourt before we travelled.

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja Ugbade. But I want to tell authoritatively that that may not hold waters because this is a national assignment and federal character as embedded in the constitution would have to be respected. The chief Coach of the Super Eagles Samson Siasia is from the South-South, chief Coach of the U-23 team Austin Egueavon is from South-South, Chief Coach of the U-20 John Obu is from South East and the Chief Coach of the Super Falcons Uche Eucharia is also from the South East. So there is no way the Chief Coach of the U-17 or his assistant can come from these zones again. Other geo political zones would also have to be accommodated” the source concluded.

It would be recalled that the NFF Acting General Secretary Musa Amadu at the weekend said that immediately after the Women World Cup in Germany, that the technical committee is expected to name the new head coach of the Golden Eaglets to enable them begin preparation in earnest, as Nigeria did not qualify for the on-going championship in Mexico after emerging as runners up in the last edition held here in Nigeria. The two candidates who are in top contention are former home based Coach Erasmus Onuh Olota (North Central) and Manu Garba (North East).

According to Dr. Festus Adebayo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Communications, the State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi approved the payments of subventions to the clubs to help the teams ably battle and avoid relegation as the League winds down.

“The State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has approved the payment of all 3SC and Crown FC subventions till sate. The Governor recognised the social responsibilities of the stte-ownwd football clubsides and did not at any time turned deaf ears to the neeeds of the two clubs as widely speculated ,” Adedayo noted, promising the state government’s unfliching support to both clubs.

As at the kick off of the Week 30 round of matches, the Oluyole Warriors that were placed 15th on the log, but were beaten 2-0 by Niger Tornadoes at Bako Kotangora Stadium in Minna, Niger State.

Crown FC, on their part, are placed 18th on the log, just ahead of bottom– placed Jos clubs, JUTH FC and Plateau United. Their performance so far this season has been giving fans nightmares over their chances of surviving the season in the Premier League.

The government is hopeful that the payment would boost the morale of the players and help them battle against relegation as the second stanza of the Nigeria Premier League races towards the end of its tether.

It would be recalled that there were grumblings recently among players and officials of the two clubs who are the state’s standard bearers in the Premiership over unpaid sign on fees, match bonuses, allowances and other entitlements. This has not helped the clubs’ performance in the League and has been a source of concern to fans.

Chelsea to offer Drogba new contract

Gold medal excites Samuel Eto’o

S

AMUEL Eto’o, who won gold medal in golf with his team mate Samuel Achale for Akwa Ibom at the on-going National Sports Festival, tagged Garden City Games has express excitement over the feat.

Eto’o, who hails from Esiene Udom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, shares the same name with Cameroon soccer international, Samuel Eto’o Fills. He believes his name meant ‘God’s Sword and his name sake has brought lot of pressure on him to perform better “The name has brought a lot of pressure on me to be as successful

From Akeem Lawal and Florence Nkem, Port Harcourt

as the world renowned football star.This victory at the sport festival will motivate me to win future laurels in sport and attain global recognition”, he said.

He however expressed the hope to meet the Cameroonian player soon and recalled that he had won several laurels in the sport.

“I've always dreams of meeting him (Eto'o) one day and I will be very happy if I could get to meet him in person. I won in one of the categories of the Nigeria 50 Golf Tournament played at the IBB Golf and Country Club, Abuja in 2010.”

Ronaldo Plans future with Los Blancos CRISTIANO Ronaldo is one of the world's best players and at 26-years old there are few players that rival his talent and marketability.

Real Madrid currently gets to reap the benefits of the Portuguese star's image, but it wont stay that way forever.

According to a report from Mirror Football, Ronaldo plans to return to the English Premier League someday, but not today: I think if I went from Spain it would be to the Premier League – but not now. First we have to win the Champions League. If I went back to the -Premier League it would have to be with a club in the north west. I don’t like London.

The two biggest clubs outside of London happen to be his former team, Manchester United, and the club that offered him an exorbitant amount of money this summer, Manchester City.

Ronaldo was dominant this season for Los Blancos scoring 53 goals in 54 games. He's scored 86 goals over the past two seasons and is arguably the most dominant player in the entire world.

And for now he's doing all this with Real Madrid, for now: It’s flattering to be offered like £20m a year – it’s very good, but I spoke to my agent and I think it’s better to stay in -Madrid because this year we’re going to be the best. This -season we

K

AFTER taking a shocking lead in the second half thanks to a clever goal by Edivaldo Rojas, substitute Sergio Aguero fired home a cracking volley 15 minutes from time as Argentina salvaged a 1-1 draw with Bolivia in the opening game of the Copa America.

"We played in Argentina with a lot of grit, a lot of personality," Rojas said.

An uninspiring effort by the home side in the first half was dampened by Rojas' goal three minutes into the second half. Aguero, after a few minutes on the field, saved Argentina from more embarrassment, drilling home a volley in the box after Nicolas Burdisso chested it at the far post.

"It's the first game - every game is going to be difficult," Aguero said.

"Bolivia did well defensively. The important thing is that we didn't lose."

Two years and three months after falling to Bolivia 6-1 in World Cup Qualifying, the host nation could not down its neighbors to the north on a frigid night in La Plata.

The home side started off the game with the majority of the possession, looking to go right at the Bolivia

are going to be a big force. Jose Mourhino is staying at Madrid so I stay. If he went to Chelsea then I would have left. I would have gone to Manchester City. But now he’s staying, I’m -staying.

And Los Blancos couldn't be happier with it.

Real will be one of the top teams in the world this season and Ronaldo will be a big part of it. When he does go back to England it will be on his terms and at an older age, but for now he's going to dominate in Spain with Los Blancos.

defense.

For the first 30 minutes, both teams were plagued offensively by numerous fouls in the centre of the field.

Argentina were the better side in the early going, playing through Ever Banega up the middle, who found Lionel Messi several times to start the attack.

Looking to play through Carlos Tevez on the left as well, the home side could not break through the last line of the defense to scare goalkeeper Carlos Arias. Ezequiel Lavezzi and Tevez both had a couple chances from odd angles inside the box, but could not convert.

The 15 remaining minutes of the opening half passed with Argentine players showing their frustration at the 0-0 scoreline. Bolivia remained poised for the first 45 minutes, not making many mistakes.

Esteban Cambiasso, Javier Mascherano and Banega, all who tend to be more defensive, forced Messi to return to midfield to look for the ball as failure in the connection between the midfielders and forwards hurt the host nation in the opening half.

Cole: Villas-Boas is right man for Chelsea job

ASHLEY Cole believes Chelsea has chosen the right man in Andre VillasBoas if it wants further success at the club.

The England defender has seen an average of more than a manager a season in his five years at the club, but says Villas-Boas is the ideal choice if they want to challenge both domestically and in Europe.

•Team targets more From Akeem Lawal and Florence Nkem, Port Harcourt

medals as the festival progresses.

“We are still very hopeful in other sports especially badminton again.

They are just starting the individual events, the single, double and mix doubles. So we are still very hopeful of more medals by Gods’s grace,” he said.

•Ronaldo

Aguero saves Argentina

Kwara grabs first gold medal WARA State has joined the list of gold medal states at the Gaden City Games after winning the Badminton Women’s team final at the Gymnasium of the University of Port Harcourt.

Earlier, the team won 3 bonze in Darts, Paralympics, and badminton, all in team events.

In a chat with NationSport, the acting Director of Sports, Kwara State Sports Council, Tunde Kazeem expressed confidence of the state getting more

51

•Cole

As a former opposition scout at Chelsea, Cole knows his new boss well, and is impressed by how meticulous he is in his preparation.

"Honestly, it was amazing how thorough he was,” Cole told The Sun. “He would brief Jose on all the players we were facing to the point where we knew which foot they favored, whether they liked to go inside or outside, preferred to cross deep or short, their stamina levels, the lot.

"If we'd wanted to know what they had for breakfast I'm sure he could have found out for us.”

At just 33 years of age, Villas-Boas becomes the youngest ever Premier League manager, but Cole does not believe it will be a hindrance for the club.

He continued: "People say they are surprised he's Chelsea manager because he's so young but since he left us he's won everything he could at Porto.

“We already know how enthusiastic he is so hopefully it will all come together and we can start winning trophies again."

And it is not just the new manager's age which has come under the media spotlight of late, with people beginning to question the aging Chelsea squad.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

15

NATION SPORT

TRANSFER...TRANSFER...TRANSFER...TRANSFER Chelsea lining up £10m bid Mulumbu won't discuss rumours Evra: United are still hungry YOUSSOUF MULUMBU is MANCHESTER United fullyou don't have the hunger, for 30-year Gonzalez keen to avoid transfer back Patrice Evra has you will get the hairdryer ACCORDING to The Sunday Express, Chelsea are keen to take Marseille midfielder Lucho Gonzalez to Stamford Bridge next season.

One would have thought

•Gonzalez

that Chelsea would have looked for a younger player considering the age of Frank Lampard, but new Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas will have his own plans and he may well be one of those that likes to crowd the midfield with experience.

Gonzalez sure brings experience, he has played at the highest level in France with Marseille, Portugal with Porto and Argentina with River Plate, he has also represented Argentina 43 times and has now decided that he wants to leave Marseille, thus the interest from Chelsea.

Gonzalez cost Marseille roughly £17 Million back in June 2009 and a £10 Million fee can be viewed as a fair price, but questions will be asked about the wisdom of buying a 30 year old when the Chelsea squad is already rather aged.

speculation as he readies himself for a return to preseason training.

The West Brom midfielder continues to find himself at the centre of rumours suggesting he will soon be on his way to Italy.

Serie A outfit Fiorentina are understood to have expressed an interest and are planning an imminent raid.

Some reports suggest Mulumbu has already been in contact with the Viola and is waiting on an agreement to be reached with West Brom.

The Baggies, however, have stressed on a regular basis that they are reluctant to discuss a

Arsenal to make shock £20m bid for Aston Villa's Downing ASTON VILLA midfielder Stewart Downing is reportedly about to be subject to a £20 million bid from Arsenal, according to The Daily Mirror.

Liverpool are yet to complete the transfer of the England international, and it is this that has prompted Arsenal’s interest, together with fears that Samir Nasri will leave the Emirates this summer.

Wenger seems determined to sign a player with Premier League experience who will go straight into Arsenal’s starting eleven, and the signing of Downing - plus an experienced defender - would mark a definite shift in the Frenchman’s recruitment policy.

Downing is apparently keen to join a club that will challenge for silverware and play in the Champions League, while he knows that his chances of playing for England in the 2012 European Championships will improve at one of England’s top clubs.

Liverpool have reportedly

had an offer for Downing accepted by Aston Villa, and while no deal has been concluded it seems unlikely that Villa's new manager Alex McLeish will be able to stop him leaving if the top clubs are interested.

Spurs set to offload unwanted striker to Bolton TOTTENHAM striker Robbie Keane, freshly returned from an unsuccessful loan spell at West Ham, could be on his way to Bolton, who are considering making a bid for the Irish International.

Keane has never really settled back at White Hart Lane after he left the club voluntarily for Liverpool, Keane returned to White Hart

•Robbie Keane

Lane just a few months later with his tail between his leg, his Liverpool experience was a disaster, however, since his return, the fans have never really taken him back in to their hearts and it was always a matter of time before Keane left Tottenham.

The interesting aspect of any Bolton interest is that Tottenham are very interested in the Bolton defender, Gary Cahill, now, Arsenal were turned down when they tried to offload Nicklas Bendtner and cash for Cahill, maybe Tottenham will have more luck, especially with Bolton being the ones that are interested in Keane and not being a case of Tottenham offering Keane as a part of a deal.

Tottenham have really not been too active within the transfer market to date, the sale of Keane to Bolton could be the start of what is expected to be a busy period for Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp.

deal, with Roy Hodgson confident the DR Congo international will stay.

Given snubs Albion for Villa number one Joe Hart.

Celtic were linked with a loan move for the 35-year-old but City are keen on a permanent deal in order to lower their wage bill.

Reports today suggest Roy Hodgson's West Brom made an offer for the former Newcastle star, but the player turned down the deal as he prefers a move to Villa Park.

The sticking point on any transfer could be the fee, with new Villa chief Alex McLeish valuing the player at £3million while City rate him closer to £5million.

Bellamy ‘frozen’ as Mancini names his chosen ones MANCHESTER City "outcasts", including Craig Bellamy and Wayne Bridge, will be kept apart from teammates when the pre-season training starts tomorrow.

Manager Roberto Mancini is planning for the players he wants to leave City this summer to either work separately from his first-team squad or stay away altogether.

Emmanuel Adebayor and Shaun Wright-Phillips are among others not considered

by Mancini as members of his first-team group ahead of the club's pre-season tour to America later this month.

City's stance underlines their desperation to offload players before they name their 25man squad for the Premier League.

Goalkeeper Shay Given has turned down a move to West Bromwich so he can join Aston Villa once they have agreed a fee with City, while Jerome Boateng, Roque Santa Cruz, Aleksandar Kolarov and Jo may also go for the right price.

Strikers Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli are all staying at the club.

Mancini last night claimed to have wrapped up a £6 million (Dh35 million) deal

from Ferguson!"

•Evra

Luiz looking forward to new attacking system under Villas-Boas

•Given

MANCHESTER City keeper Shay Given has reportedly snubbed the chance to join West Brom in the hope of pushing through a move to Aston Villa.

The Midlands rivals are both on the lookout for a new number one following the departures of Scott Carson from The Hawthorns to Busaspor and Villa's loss of Brad Friedel to Tottenham.

Irishman Given is set to leave Eastlands in order to seek first-team football after spending the last campaign second choice behind England

•Downing

•Mulumbu

promised the same desire to win ahead of their Premier League title defense next season.

United claimed an unprecedented 19th league title last term, surpassing Liverpool as England's most successful club.

Speaking to the Daily Star Sunday, the Frenchman warned their rivals the Red Devils will be just as determined to add to their tally of victories next season.

He said: "We have won the Premier League 19 times but it does not lose its excitement.

"That is the curse of Manchester United. It is never enough to win the trophies.

"That's why United are a big club and we want to stay on the top.

"And next season we are going to have the same hunger to win every game. If

for 21-year-old Montenegro defender Stefan Savic, who impressed against England in their Euro 2012 qualifier at Wembley last season, while club officials also hope to complete a £7 million move for Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy in the next week.

•Bellamy

CHELSEA defender David Luiz admits he is looking forward to manager Andre Villas-Boas' new attacking style of play next season.

The Blues recently welcomed back Villas-Boas, who was part of Jose Mourinho's team during his time at the club, as the newly appointed manager at Stamford Bridge.

The former Porto man will be seeking to ensure Chelsea

•David Luiz

do not suffer another trophyless season, whilst also attempting to implement a more adventurous and attacking approach in contrast to the often cautious football of his predecessor, Carlo Ancelotti.

After a remarkable managerial debut season at Porto which attracted widespread praise for the entertaining brand of football played, both Blues fans and players will welcome the change and David Luiz admits he is relishing the opportunity to work with Villas-Boas.

"I have spoken to my friends back in Portugal and I hear the same thing from everyone," he told The People.

"They all say how Andre is very hands-on with the players and he gets his point across from day one.

"That is very positive at a club that dreams of titles. I've not worked under Mourinho, but my friends say Villas-Boas is more attack-minded.

"Perhaps that signifies a change in system for Chelsea in the new season."

Dalglish speaks about Red’s transfer targets IT may not be quite what we wanted to hear from Kenny Dalglish with regards to Liverpool’s transfer activity this summer when he spoke to Liverpoolfc.tv. No manager would come out and tell us which players we are after or whom we want to sell. All that information should be kept behind closed doors and we only hear of the players when they have signed. But we as the fans just love to know who we are after.

“I wouldn’t mention anyone as a target for us,” Dalglish said. “We are obviously trying to bring people in and people are trying to take players from us. We are not going to speculate and be disrespectful and talk about other people at other clubs.

Every manager I’ve seen interviewed on television has said exactly the same thing.

That’s the way it should be.”

If you are to listen to every rumour that is other, you would lose your mind.

Liverpoolfc.tv had an article yesterday where they listed

66 players that we were linked with in the month of June.

Some of the players on that list are realistic prospects for Liverpool whilst some are just laughable.

•Dalglish

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

16

NATION SPORT

TRANSFER...TRANSFER...TRANSFER...TRANSFER

Sanchez to Barcelona, nearly done ACCORDING to Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo, Udinese star Alexis Sanchez is on the verge of completing a move to Barcelona for •37m.

Sanchez has always favoured the Catalan club, making it public last week that if he could not join the Blaugrana, then he would stay in Italy, thus rejecting the advances of Manchester City.

According to the newspaper, the deal is worth •26m plus •11m in performance related bonuses, and now only details seperate the Chilean from plying his trade at Camp Nou next season.

Sanchez is currently in Argentina for the Copa America, and could well be catching a plane to Spain after the tournament.

•Sanchez

Getafe signs Pablo from Madrid GETAFE have confirmed the transfer of winger Pablo Sarabia from Real Madrid, with the 19-year-old signing a contract until the summer of 2016, according to a note

• Pablo

on their official website.

Details of the fee has not been mentioned by either of the two clubs, but a report last week suggested that Getafe were willing to pay •3 million for the Spain under-19 star.

Real Madrid meanwhile revealed that they have inserted a buy-back clause in the deal.

Getafe were looking to add some more creativity to their squad ahead of the 2011-12 campaign and head coach Luis Garcia has now been given the reinforcement he requested.

Sarabia was considered to be one of the most promising youngsters to have come through the ranks of the Real Madrid youth academy in recent years, but he failed to secure regular first-team action at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The starlet follows in the footsteps of players such as Ruben de la Red, Esteban Granero and Dani Parejo, who all moved from Real to Getafe in recent years.

Danilo happy to consider Benfica switch SANTOS' wing-back Danilo says he is open to the possibility of moving to Benfica, though he stressed that he would have no problem staying in Brazil.

Danilo, 19, has been on Benfica's radar for some time but the Portuguese giants have as yet been unable to thrash out a deal for the highly-rated Brazil Under-20 international and discussions about a possible fee are thought to be ongoing.

Santos are likely to demand top dollar for the teenager, who scored in the Copa Libertadores final last month, while rumours abound that both the player and his club are holding out for a bigger club to come in.

However, Danilo did not dismiss the prospect of playing for Benfica out of hand, saying: "Benfica is a good club to start with in Europe. But it must be something irresistible, taking into account everything I want.

"I would stay here without a problem. But if it is a good deal for all parties, I see no problems that could hinder my departure."

One problem that has been mooted is a conflict between Santos and investment froup DIS, who part-own Danilo

between them. But the youngster insists that no problem exists.

"We'll work with ease without getting into any conflict," Danilo said. "I just make a good relationship with the directors my goal."

Inter looks to Palacio, Alvarez Alves wants Neymar for Barca INTER are looking to Argentina under new Coach Gian Piero Gasperini, with Genoa’s Rodrigo Palacio and a battle against Arsenal for Ricky Alvarez.

The team is being restructured with Gasp’s arrival and there will be a distinctly Argentine flavour to the Nerazzurri next season.

Genoa have already stated talks are on-going for Palacio, but the striker will only be released in part-exchange for Goran Pandev.

Another target is Velez Sarsfield trequartista Alvarez, who was of interest to Roma and Palermo, but now seems very close to Arsenal.

Inter have reportedly intercepted those negotiations with an offer of •9.25m, including performancerelated bonuses.

It is suggested Alvarez would also favour Serie A over the Gunners.

“I did meet with two Inter emissaries and we need to see

each other again soon, but I think there could be what’s required to complete the deal,” declared Velez President Fernando Raffaini.

“Alvarez to Inter is certainly possible.”

•Palacio

to be at my side rather than lined up against me," said Alves, 28.

Neymar, just 19, has come to the Copa on the crest of a wave after landing the Copa Libertadores with Santos.

Brazil start their Copa campaign on Sunday against rank outsiders Venezuela at La Plata, east of Buenos Aires.

•Dani Alves

Mensah mulls French move Milan joins Roma in race for ITALY international Claudio Marchisio THE Black Stars defender, who year-old's performances in a Marchisio could be set for a previously enjoyed a spell in the South African PSL with Free State Stars, is believed to be a transfer target for French outfit Evian Thonon Gaillard.

The Lique 1 newcomers have been impressed by the 20-

•Mensah

Udinese shirt and have made him one of their top targets this European summer.

Mensah, who dons the name 'Jonathan' on his back when playing for his country due to a clash with veteran campaigner John Mensah, is expected to entertain any offers from clubs who can guarantee him first-team action.

"Udinese have been very good to me and I am very happy to be at this club," he said.

"Football can be a strange workplace, though, and you can move any time two clubs agree terms."

Mensah admits a move could do his career the world of good after failing to break into the Serie A side's first team as yet.

"I have heard about a French team being interested in me," added Mensah.

"Nothing is done at the moment."

Dortmund's Rangelov joins Energie Cottbus on loan DIMITAR RANGELOV has re-joined Energie Cottbus on a one-year loan deal, according to the 2. Bundesliga club's official website.

After falling far down the list of Jurgen Klopp's available strikers at Dortmund, the 28year-old spent last season on loan at Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he scored two goals in 22 appearances.

Rangelov had managed just

one goal in 10 appearances in his first year at BVB. The Bulgaria international now returns to Cottbus, where he played between 2007 and 2009. In his previous spell with the East German side, he scored 15 goals in 49 Bundesliga appearances. He now moves to the German second division, where he will hope to help the club achieve promotion

•Rangelov

•Danilo

BARCELONA full-back Dani Alves said on Saturday he would sign his Brazil teammate Neymar from Santos for the Catalan club if only he had the money.

Neymar, under contract for another four years at Pele's old team, has long been coveted by Chelsea but seems set on staying put in his homeland for now.

However, Alves has other plans for him, as he revealed at the national side's Copa America training camp at Campana in Argentina.

"If I had the money, I'd sign him up for Barca because he's one of the best players in the world right now. And he's a close friend," said Alves.

Real Madrid are also reportedly interested but Alves is clearly not relishing the idea he might one day have to face the young starlet as a rival at club level.

"I have a very special relationship with Neymar and he's a person I'd want to advise

Juventus exit this summer as AC Milan have joined Roma in the race for the holding midfielder's signature, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports.

The reigning Italian champions are eager to add some fresh impetus to their

•Marchisio

midfield in the summer transfer window because of the departure of Andrea Pirlo to Juventus, and they see the 25-year-old as a valuable addition to their squad.

Marchisio has also attracted the interest of Roma, as the Stadio Olimpico side are hopeful that Juve will include the highly-rated creator in the proposed deal that would see striker Mirko Vucinic move to Turin.

Marchisio signed a new contract until 2016 with Juventus back in May, but his future at the club is in doubt following the arrival of new head coach Antonio Conte.

The tactician reportedly prefers the likes of Pirlo and Felipe Melo, while Conte has also asked general director Giuseppe Marotta to make a move for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Arturo Vidal, thus further reducing Marchisio's chances of getting regular playing time.

Andrew Taylor to join Cardiff MIDDLESBROUGH defender Andrew Taylor has confirmed he will be leaving the club to join npower Championship rivals Cardiff.

The 24-year-old, who had the option of staying at the Riverside Stadium, spent time on loan at Watford last season and has jumped at the chance to work under Malky Mackay again.

"I have chosen Cardiff City because of the manager and because I believe this is the best move for my football," Taylor told Wales on Sunday.

"I am looking forward to playing for him again.

"People will think this is about money, but that has never been the case.

Another club offered me better money. " L e a v i n g Middlesbrough is the hardest decision I have had to make in my life. It is an upsetting thing to leave my home club.

I have been there

since I was nine. It is probably the right time to move on."

Taylor added: "I am in Cardiff (on Monday) for my medical and hopefully it will go well. It should do. Then I will be a Cardiff player. This is the time to move on and look to progress my career."

•Andrew Taylor

17

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

SOKOTO 2012

Wamakko, opposition in renewed rivalry

• Wamakko

• Yabo

• Maigari

Four major parties-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and Democratic Peoples Party DPP) are warming up for next year’s governorship election in Sokoto State. Correspondent ADAMU SULAIMAN examines their strengths and weaknesses.

I

N line with the declaration last week by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, five states - Sokoto, Kogi, Bayelsa, Adamawa and Cross River - are gearing up for next year’s governorship elections.

Governorship polls were not held in the states in April owing to some subsisting court orders that favour the serving governors of the affected states. With the announcement

by Jega that election would hold in the states in March next year, major political parties in Sokoto State in particular, have since making frenetic moves to spring surprise at the polls.

After a protracted legal tussle, the governor of the state, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) eventually survived the bid to unseat him as Governor by the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and its governorship candidate, Alhaji Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi.

Now that the coast seems clear that election will hold in the state alongside others, it is expected to be a keen contest among candidates of the leading parties.

Four political parties - the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN); Congress for Progressive Change (CPC); DPP and PDP - seem to be at the forefront with varied ratings in preparation for the state governorship race.

Not ready to leave any stone untouched in their bid for total success at the polls, they have wholly taken their campaigns to the grassroots, including hamlets, with convincing political structures.

Obviously, there is seeming apathy by ACN, DPP and CPC over the state’s councils’ election scheduled for July 23, 2011 which, of course, would have been an opportunity to testrun their strength ahead of next year’s governorship race.

The scenario in Sokoto has further prompted the emergence of four leading candidates for the major parties for the state governorship race next year with Alhaji Isah Bajini Galadanci (ACN); Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (PDP); Engineer Aliyu A. Yabo (CPC) and Senator Ila Gada (DPP) who decamped from the ruling party in the state.

The emergence of the candidates have shown that the four major parties have resolved to tally interest within their respective platforms by picking tested hands with political clout for candidature ahead of the governorship polls.

Though fresh primaries are likely to hold, the outcome may still favour them owing to the strength of their political antecedents.

With the exception of one of the leading parties, the CPC, the three other major parties participated in the 2007 polls where the ruling PDP overwhelmingly mopped the votes in

the state as it swept the governorship, National Assembly seats and went further to control the state assembly with 22member majority against eight members of the DPP, thus becoming the main opposition party anchored by former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa.

Governor Wamakko clinched the governorship after beating his arch-rival of the DPP and former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi by 392,258 votes against 296,419.

Accordingly, 14 petitions were received by the five-man tribunal under the chairmanship of Justice Mudashiru Nasiru Oniyangi out of which 12 were for the national and state assemblies while two were for governorship respectively.

Two governorship candidates in the race - DPP’s Alhaji Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi and Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Farouk of APGA - filed separate petitions before the tribunal, challenging the results and candidature of PDP’s Wamakko.

In his petition, Maigari Dingyadi claimed that Wamakko ha double nomination by both the ANPP and PDP for the same governorship seat hence prayed the tribunal among other things that the 392,258 votes scored by his opponent (Wamakko) was a wasted vote cast calling for fresh election.

The second petitioner and APGA governorship candidate, Umar Farouk in his submission also prayed the tribunal to nullify the said election for wrongful fielding of the PDP candidate.

However, in its ruling, the Justice Nasiru Oniyangi-led tribunal upheld the election of Wamakko, after striking out the petition filed by DPP’s Maigari Dingyadi declaring that “by the evidences before the tribunal, Wamakko lawfully

‘Four political parties - the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN); Congress for Progressive Change (CPC); DPP and PDP seem to be at the forefront with varied ratings in preparation for the state governorship race. Not ready to leave any stone untouched in their bid for total success at the polls, they have wholly taken their campaigns to the grassroots, including hamlets, with convincing political structures’

left ANPP and joined the PDP before he was nominated as the party’s flag bearer.’’

According to Justice Oniyangi, Wamakko was duly nominated by the PDP to contest the election which is contrary to claim by Dingyadi that the former had double nomination by both ANNP and PDP for the same governorship seat.

“The issue of double nomination to contest election was strictly a party affair and that the DPP candidate ought to have challenged such wrongful nomination at the federal or state high court which has power to adjudicate the case at the pre-election stage,” the tribunal chairman had ruled.

Not satisfied by the outcome of the tribunal which upheld Wamakko’s election, the DPP’s candidate took the matter to the Appeal Court in Kaduna under Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, challenging the judgment of the tribunal on same grounds.

However, the Appeal Court said amen to Dingyadi’s prayer and nullified the elections on grounds of irregularities, flouting the electoral process and failure to meet the mandatory minimum years of membership in the party as pre-qualification for contest before nomination. Thus, the court ordered a fresh election be conducted by INEC for all the candidates that contested in the 2007 elections. A date, 24th May 24, 2008 was fixed for the election, where the same ten candidates for the race in 2007 participated in the re-run and the PDP candidate, Governor Aliyu Wamakko emerged again after returning 562,395 votes against Dingyadi’s 124,046.

The strength of the major parties in the state after the 2011 polls where tension, anxiety and fear were let loose at every point of political activities across the state is still unpredictable, even as the ruling PDP’s strategic steps towards consolidation has further placed it strides on course.

However, the ruling party has continued to spread across the scene with unending defections by members of the opposition, all in a bid to join the mainstream to further stamp their political authority against major opposition parties which are planning to unseat Wamakko.

Wamakko too is not leaving things lying low. He has been working on measures to ensure the implementation of strategies towards cementing the cracks and closing ranks to pacify aggrieved party members who fell apart at the 2011 polls ahead of next year’s race.

Feelers from the state, however, hinted that it may not be a landslide for Wamakko as both the CPC and ACN are making spirited moves to announce their presence as much as possible at the polls.

In fact, it is rumoured that some of the opposition parties are currently working round the clock with collective voice to join forces against the ruling PDP in the state so as to wrestle power from Wamakko at long last.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

18

POLITICS National Assembly tasked on widows Challenges before Lagos commissioners, special advisers M

By Dada Aladelokun, Assistant Editor

EMBERS of the National Assembly have been called upon to ur gently enact a law that will address the worsening plight of the Nigerian widows and save them from further poverty and depri-

T

HE first term of Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) ended on May 29. On the same day, his second term began.

Many Nigerians applauded him for the feats he achieved, which made him a model for other five governors.

Eyes are on the administration more than before. Will Fashola relax in this second term or sustain the tempo of achievements to the delight of Lagosians?

Immediately after their swearingin yesterday, members of the Executive Council went to the chambers for their meeting. Their supporters, who jammed the venue, Adeyemi Bero Hall, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, had to tarry for a while.

By the time the meeting dispersed, the reality dawned on the new members of the cabinet that governance is not a tea party.

For the governor, the corridor of power in Lagos is not an avenue for private accumulation. Since the watchword is service, the new team is expected to buckle up and rise to the challenge of erecting lasting legacies in all the sectors.

A lot of challenges would confront the new commissioners and special advisers. For the Commissioner for Works, Obafemi Hamzat, there is much to be accomplished. Many roads are still bad in Lagos, despite the spirited efforts made to fight the infrastructure battle. His task becomes more challenging owing to the financial problems facing the local governments. Since these councils cannot tar many local roads, the people look up to the state government to fix them.

Lagos should continue to be a huge construction site. The burden is beyond what the state can cope with. However, since its request for a special status is still hanging, Fashola Administration should continue to allocate the scare resources judiciously, with the provision of infrastructure as a core priority.

Some of the roads requiring immediate attention are JakandeAbesan road, Ayobo-Ipaja road, IjuPen Cinema-Agege road, KetuIkorodu road, which is a federal road, Isolo-Ejigbo Road and Apapa Roads.

Former Environment Commissioner Tunji Bello is back on a familiar terrain. He has come back during the raining season when erosion is threatening roads,

• Orelope

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

drainages, culverts, and residential apartments. Apart from enlightening the public about the danger of indiscriminate dropping of refuse in gutters, environmental sanitation and refuse disposal should be pursued with vigour.

In the days of Jakande, it was possible to construct 14 housing estates within four years. Subsequent governments have not surpassed this feat. Former Governor Michael Otedola did his bit. Later, former Governor Bola Tinubu improved on the housing situation. In the last four years, Fashola has made concerted effort to construct low cost housing. It is a far cry from the efforts of Alhaji Lateef Jakande.

The new Housing Commissioner, Hon. Bosun Jeje, is a banker, businessman, investor, lawyer and property developer. His is an acclaimed politician, who had worked closely with the masses, especially at party level. As the population of Lagos State soars in geometric proportion, housing need becomes more challenging.

Will the middle class, which is just rising from the dead like a phoenix, and poor have access to affordable housing under his tenure as commissioner?.

Former Transport Special Adviser Kayode Opeifa is now commissioner. BRT and LASTMA are miracles. Will there be new corridors for the buses? Will more buses be procured? Will water transportation be improved? How would the programme of expansion look

like? LASTMA has restored sanity to Lagos roads. But there are complaints against the officers and men, ranging from high handedness, extortion of money from drivers and car users who flout the rules and clashes with security agents. The achievements of the first term should be sustained. But the ministry should not be blind to new ideas and innovations.

Local Government Commissioner Ademoorin Kuye is the former chairman of Somolu local government. Two challenges would confront him. Many Obas and Baales are agitating for elevation to their next status. This should be approached with a sense of fairness, equity and justice. His ministry should also be in a position to monitor the activities of the pre-existing 20 local governments and 57 local council development areas. To make the councils work, targets should be set for them.

Another challenge that will confront him is the challenge of delivering the councils to his party at the next council elections.

Despite the investment in the education sector, the new commissioner, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, will still find herself on a hot the seat. Lagos is a mini Nigeria providing for the educational needs of all Nigerians resident in the city state. More schools, classrooms and educational infrastructure are needed. Government may want to build new primary and secondary schools, but land is a constraint. Tertiary institutions have their peculiar problems and, if the entire budget is devoted to them, there will still be gap. The new commissioner should learn to manage inevitable industrial conflicts between the academic unions and his ministry.

On the shoulder of the Special Adviser on Political and Legislative Matters rests the challenge of being a good liaison officer between the executive and House of Assembly at this time of increasing awareness about the practicality of separation of powers and checks and balances.

He is yet to be named. Majority of state legislators are party men nurtured on the creed of party supremacy and accompanying code of party discipline. It is incumbent on the Special Adviser to also be a good bridge between the party and government to avoid unnecessary tension that may be triggered by gap between party that midwife the government.

From left: Wives of governors of South-West, Mrs. Funsho Amosun (Ogun); Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola (Osun); Dame Abimbola Fashola (Lagos); and Erelu Bisi Fayemi (Ekiti), at the WOG maiden meeting aimed at rallying support for the governors to contribute their quota to the development of the states, in Lagos

vations.

The group, Grassroots Widows & Orphans Improvement Initiative (GWOII), a non- governmental organisation, which threw the challenge, said that the need for the Senate and the House of Representatives to fast-track the law had become more expedient now in view of the social and economic plights of widows across the country.

According to the organisation, by so doing, the legislators would not be found wanting at the end of their tenure, because it is part of their oversight functions to ensure improved living for the widows among such Nigerians.

The Founder/President of the organisation, Alhaja Fausat Hassan-Olajoku, while speaking with The Nation, lamented: “Many Nigerian widows die due to hunger, poverty, loneliness and illnesses. Therefore, we call on all tiers of government, including the Presidency, legislature and the judiciary to work towards the improvement of widows because we are critical to the development of the country.”

Hassan-Olajoku, a widow and current Vice-Chairman, Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, also advised state and local governments in the country to set up agencies and departments that would address the issues and challenges facing widows in their respective jurisdictions.

She lamented that, owing to the neglect widows suffer, many of their children lack parental care; become wayward and are targets of rapists, with the consequence of contacting various sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. • Mark

Ministerial appointment: Lagos PDP leaders back Aganga

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

L

AGOS State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders yesterday sup ported the nomination of former Finance Minister Olusegun Aganga for a ministerial appointment.

The chieftains under the umbrella of the ‘PDP Renewal and Electoral Mandate’, claimed that the former minister is an active supporter of the party in the state.

The leader of the group, Prince Abiodun Balogun, told reporters at the party secretariat, Ikeja, that Aganga deserved another chance in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) because he had lived up to expectation as a public servant.

He said the protest against his candidature by some people in Lagos was unfounded, stressing that Aganga was nominated on merit.

Balogun said: “The former Finance Minister, Mr Olusegun Aganga, deserves his cabinet slot because his re-appointment can only be for the greater good of the nation because his efforts have impacted positively on the economy of the nation”.

The PDP chieftain absolved Aganga from the blame over its electoral failure in the last elections, saying that the governorship candidate failed to seize the moment.

Balogun said that the flag bearer approached the poll half-heartedly, adding that his priority was to become a minister in post-election period.

He said: “Aganga is not a politician, but a technocrat, who did all that was expected of him for PDP in Lagos. The party leadership should blame itself and not the minister”.

ASLA: ACN congratulates Tinubu

By Emmanuel Oladesu,

A

CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Publicity Secretary in Lagos State, Comrade Joe Igbokwe,has congratulated the National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for the African Servant Leadership Award (ASLA) conferred on him by the Ghana Graduate School of Governance and Leadership, Accra.

Also, Mainland ACN chieftain, Hon. Olajide Jimoh, described the award as a deserved recognition, stressing that it would spur the recipient to rededicate his life to the service of humanity.

Jimoh, chairman of Yaba local council told our correspondent: “Asiwaju Tinubu is a selfless leader. He is passionate about the common man on the street. His eight years in office as governor attested to his mega capabilities as a political leader, mobiliser, philanthropist, democrat, reformer and true federalist.

“It is gratifying that, under him, our party, ACN, is growing in leaps and bounds. The award has shown that people from far and near are watching us. Our names travel farther than our physique. Foreigners are appreciate of the great man. Why should those of us at home not honour him? He is a true leader”.

Igbokwe, who accompanied Tinubu to Ghana for the ceremony prayed to God to grant him more strength, energy, vigour and time to serve the country.

He described the ACN leader as an exemplary politician and man of the people, who is now leading bthe way in raising the fundamental questions of our time.

He said his advocacy of the rule of law, sovereign national conference, true federalism, restructuring, devolution of power and state police has cast him in the mould of progressive opposition leader proposing the needed alternative route to better governance.

Igbokwe said: “Asiwaju Tinubu has carved out a good name for himself in Africa as a staunch administrator, astute politician, party builder, and leading opposition leader in Nigeria. It is our prayer that God, in his infinite mercies, will continue to guide and be with him as he leads us on the right pathb to progress”.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION COMMENT

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

The cloud darkens

Realistic wage •No justification for NLC’s disagreement with states that renegotiate a new deal

N

IGERIAN workers may have won the battle to get the new N18,000 minimum wage passed into law, they are fast learning that the war to ensure its implementation is a different ball game altogether. Aside the headache posed by the antics of obdurate state governments – there is a new enemy within to contend with – states in which the workers have broken ranks with their umbrella body by settling for less than the stipulation of the 2011 Minimum Wage Act. Two states lead the pack among those known to have tempered their demands with the realism of the political economies. The two states are Ondo and Kogi where the workers finally settled for N14,000 instead of the N18,000 prescribed after protracted negotiations. This

‘We see nothing wrong with workers soft-pedalling on the basis of new information availed them by the state governments. Why should there be a problem where the workers were led to the conclusion that their collective interests were best served in entering into further negotiation to save their jobs, which may likely be axed in the event of the full implementation of the new wage?’

has set them on collision course with their umbrella union – the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) which accuses them of breaking ranks. The NLC itself has served a two-week notice of strike to press for the full implementation of the new wage.

The twist hardly comes as surprising.

There is nothing in the development that cannot be explained by the logic of federalism. While the minimum wage may be pragmatic and even reasonable, abilities of employers are not the same; so long as the differences in the abilities of the states to shoulder the burden of the new wage persist, so long will there be individual approaches to the problems.

The states as different entities – as opposed to being vassals of the centre – would seem entitled to some prerogative in the matter.

It is of course true that the development poses grave threat to the traditional solidarity of the labour movement in the sense that what collective bargaining joined together is now being torn asunder by the reality of the political economy.

But that also can be explained by the unitarist disposition of the labour movement – particularly its lack of enthusiasm to embrace the challenge of change.

We perfectly appreciate the apprehensions of labour; the likelihood of “bandwagon effect” arising as more states opt out of the agreement, thus practically rendering it of no effect. After all, a law can only be said to be, only if it is obeyed, at least by the majority.

One obvious lesson from the development must be seen in the limit of the law in the wage matter. We agree with NLC that the cynical manner with which the leadership of the workers in the two states appears to have repudiated the agreement does no justice to the spirit and the letters of the Minimum Wage Act. But the question subsists as to whether the states can shoulder the burden of the new wage without doing grave injuries to their local economies, such as rationalising the workforce or even sacrificing the implementation of other priority projects of government.

That leads to the other matter – which is, whether the states can validly re-negotiate the new wage. To that we say – why not? First, we have no evidence that the workers in the two states were coerced to sign the new agreements; indeed, we would have been alarmed if there were such reports. We see nothing wrong with workers soft-pedalling on the basis of new information availed them by the state governments. Why should there be a problem where the workers were led to the conclusion that their collective interests were best served in entering into further negotiation to save their jobs, which may likely be axed in the event of the full implementation of the new wage?

Far from suggesting that the two states should become the template on the wage issue, the point of course is that their position deserves some understanding. The future is to make the issue of wage determination a truly federal issue.

Cuddling coruption •Jonathan must act fast before his presidency crumbles under sleaze

T

HERE is a surfeit of it. No day passes without the media headlining cases of serious financial fraud and abominable ethical issues in high and even low places. It has become so commonplace and so palpable that former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, had to cry out recently that corruption in the system has become so entrenched that the government in power can’t try to fight it.

That sounds tragic, considering Obasanjo’s very poor record as an anticorruption crusader. The situation is indeed worrisome. Obasanjo’s two terms of eight years almost epitomised corruption; for him to express such dim view of the situation today puts the problem in the realm of tragedy.

The cases are too numerous to be counted. Apart from such high profile ones concerning the trial of former Speaker Dimeji Bankole and his deputy, Usman Nafada, the matter of Mr James Ibori, a former governor of Delta State currently facing trial in faraway London adds an international dimension to our case. The sums at stake run to tens of billions.

A former Federal Minister of Works is being tried for allegedly embezzling over N45 billion. Recently, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) revealed in a report that 10 senior Customs officers contrived to divert 10 containers worth N15 billion. In the same report by ICPC, two federal ministries and 10 agencies of the Federal Government were found to have their hands deep in the sordid pie of corruption. The case of the National Pensions Commission (PENCOM) in

which a clerk had access to, and warehoused over half a billion naira in her bank account is still fresh.

The private sector too has not been a model of accountability and prudent management of resources, either. The banking sector particularly, where some managing directors, directors and senior managers have been exposed to be more than common thieves helping themselves to other people’s money, is particularly mind-boggling.

Our worry is that the society is almost becoming inured to the daily barrage of news of heavy lifting of public and private funds. It is almost becoming the norm to steal, especially in billions. It seems as if the bigger the sum stolen, the better for the thief, as the best lawyers quickly rally to defend the accused in court. They throw all sorts of legal spanner in the court proceedings to make sure that what is surely a criminal case of fraud and embezzlement is mired in legalese.

We have also seen recently, a rise in the use of legal instruments like plea bargaining and nolle prosequi and outright judicial rascality to grant reprieve to big time criminals. The case of Ibori in which 170 charges of fraud were all thrown out by a judge, only for him to be tried and sentenced in a foreign land is a historic precedence in the annals of Nigeria’s judiciary.

The immediate past attorney-general and minister of justice, Mohammed Adoke, must also have made history as the AG who used his veto power the most to nullify serious cases of fraud and stymie court processes. Adoke, in spite of these reckless actions and criticisms by

the public, has been returned as a minister. So are some other members of the President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet who are reeling under serious and plausible allegations of imprudence in their previous ministries and who are returning to office.

When public officials and politically exposed people who are suspected to have been involved in serious misdemeanour and abuse of office are rewarded with more appointments, we are breeding a culture of impunity and damaging whatever vestiges of decency and decorum that remains in our society. It portends grave danger.

If President Jonathan is serious about curtailing corruption, he must activate the various systems of checks in public service which have been perverted over the years.

‘When public officials and politically exposed people who are suspected to have been involved in serious misdemeanour and abuse of office are rewarded with more appointments, we are breeding a culture of impunity and damaging whatever vestiges of decency and decorum that remains in our society. It portends grave danger’

T

HE Internet is getting scary. In recent weeks, hackers known as Lulz Security attacked the Web sites of Sony, the United States Senate, the C.I.A., PBS, among others. They stole names, e-mail addresses and passwords of millions of users and published them online. Then, last weekend, they regrouped under a new name.

These attacks are among the hundreds of online security breaches this year alone, compromising data of more than 22 million people, according to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. Targets have included Citigroup, Lockheed Martin and even RSA Security, which makes password tokens that big companies use to protect themselves from intrusion. A survey earlier this month by the Ponemon Institute found that 9 out of 10 companies had suffered an online attack in the last 12 months.

Companies and the government are unprepared.

Citigroup didn’t track patterns of activity on its credit card site and failed to notice immediately when hackers took data on more than two million card users, said Avivah Litan, a security expert of Gartner. Sony didn’t encrypt the data of users of its PlayStation network — phone numbers, passwords, e-mail addresses and account histories.

Recently, for several hours, Dropbox, a popular service for storing documents and other files in the so-called computing cloud, allowed anyone to log into any of its 25 million user accounts using any password. The company tried to keep the glitch quiet but was exposed by a security researcher. No wonder concern about Internet security from Americans has jumped sharply in the past few months. Technology professionals are getting cold feet about moving more operations onto the cloud when poor corporate security practices are exposing customers to devastating identity theft and fraud. This vulnerability could stymie the Internet economy.

There is no fail-safe technology that is immune to hacking. Online security will evolve as hackers and security experts work continuously to outwit each other. Still, current standards are too low.

Companies — and the government — must devote substantially more resources to security, making it integral to every new application, rather than patching it on as an afterthought.

There are some signs of progress. Security experts are deploying a new worldwide system to identify Internet addresses that will make it very difficult to forge or spoof a Web site. In May, the Obama administration proposed legislation with sensible provisions to ensure that companies running critical infrastructure — like the nation’s power grid — have adequate systems to reduce the risk of an attack online.

The proposal would standardize 47 state laws on breach reporting, requiring notification of customers whose accounts were compromised. This could be a powerful incentive for firms to take security more seriously.

Other tactics are also needed. The Federal Trade Commission wants rules to force companies to minimize the information they collect from customers and to dispose of such data as soon as possible. The stolen Sony data, for example, had been on dormant servers for years.

We are putting our lives in the cloud, as companies and consumers store everything from family photos to corporate business secrets on remote servers. Beefing up online security is of paramount importance.

– New York Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi

• Controller (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu • Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho

•Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Group Political Editor Bolade Omonijo •Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu •Abuja Bureau Chief Yomi Odunuga •Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

•Pre-Press Manager Chuks Bardi •Press Manager Udensi Chikaodi •Manager, Corporate Marketing Hameed Odejayi • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

IR: The creation of NYSC was a good idea but as it is, it is standing on a bad foundation.

Arguments have continue to rage on why it should be reviewed or scraped; however, the military, which establsihed the scheme wanted to have a legacy in governance the time. Nobody is denying this fact but then, it has outlived its usefulness.

Truth is, a prospective corper is best tapped at school certificate level or about the age 15 years. This is what happens in other parts of the world. The level is the best time for charting the course of a youth in life.

At this age they are amenable to whatever programme you have for them. At this age, you can catch them young and there is no escaping the program.

NYSC can best be structured as follows: one year program spread out thus: six months in their area of locality, then three months in three different locations in the North, East and West; return back to base to spend the last three months and wind-up the program. This is a plain level situation. This proposal is far better than the old system where you visit one place and you claim to know Nigeria. Nigeria has three regions and six geo-political zones. In

S

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

NYSC needs urgent review the proposed change, corpers would be made to visit the three regions of Nigeria.

The Present NYSC is not well structured as it is standing on the exploitative side. Thirty per cent of the corp members are on federal, state or local government scholarships. In some places a student may have the

federal state and local government scholarships together while thousands of them don’t have a single scholarship.

Why should those have gone through thick and thin to go to higher institution make the same sacrifice as those who enjoyed government sponsorship? Some parents have

been known to sell their properties such as houses, land, cars, jewelries etc to send their children to school.

Those that have nothing to sell go to money lenders using their “credibility” and name with the understanding that when their ward graduates and starts to work, he or she will pay back the loan and the

Lagos ACN salutes Tinubu on Leadership Award

S

IR: The Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria congratulates the National Leader of ACN and the former governor of Lagos, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the African Servant Leadership Award conferred on him by the Ghana Graduate School of Governance and Leadership. The award is an intercontinental recognition of Asiwaju’s re-

doubtable leadership qualities, which points the way to the future of leadership in the country as well as in the continent.

Tinubu has shown true leadership, which is fast gaining recognition beyond the shores of Nigeria.

Tinubu is a great asset to the country and its democracy. We urge him to remain steadfast and committed to the onerous task of harnessing

the right leadership potentials for the growth of the country.

We welcome the lofty award with great joy as it shows the increasing potentials of our great leader in an emerging and turbulent democracy such as ours. We see it as yet an added feather to the great leader of men and political strategist of our time. We want the Asiwaju to be firm and resolute in his determina-

Candid advice to President Goodluck Jonathan

S

IR: Congratulations on your recent election as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

There are few things I will advice you, our dear President to consider as you begin the challenging business of leading the most populous black nation of the world.

Your first year in office should be dedicated to tackling among other infrastructures: road and power. These two will boost your government and touch the lives of many Nigerians. Talking of road, a directive from your office to senior government officials that nobody travel by air to their state

family will be relieved.

Compelling these categories of youths to serve in the NYSC to the detriment of the indebtedness is exploitation.

The worst scenario is that after the one year NYSC and the corp members have been used, they are abandoned to the unemployment camp, leaving the parents in the cold to continue with the struggle and poverty-stricken life. The president has promised that the time for transformation is now. The issue of NYSC is a small fry that should be dealt with outright. Let the government address the problem of equity in the ranks of the youths as a step forward.

• Engineer S. O. Arigbabu Mende, Maryland, Lagos.

within the first four months will reveal to you the condition of our roads. Sir, set up two assessment committees who will cover the roads throughout the federation who will report back to you within three weeks because of the urgency of the matter.

On the issue of power, frankly speaking there is improvement on generation, but we are still having serious problem with distribution.

I will humbly counsel my President to procure mass transformers that will be distributed to all states and F.C.T. To encourage states in this venture, cost of transformers should be highly subsidized to get

it to all areas within the first year in office. My prayer is that before we celebrate your one year in office in May 2012, no part of Nigeria will not be enjoying light, at least 20 hours daily or 140 to 150 hours per week. When we achieve this feat, all and sundry will celebrate you.

Please avoid all entreaties to drag you into 2nd term preparation when you have not started the first one.

At party level, have serious dialogue with our national parliamentarians, their budget and constituency allowances should be reduced to reflect the economic real-

ity of the time. A situation where 25% of the nation’s resources is expended on less than one thousand people, leaving over 150million Nigerian depending on the 75% will not be acceptable.

Sustaining the existing peace in Niger Delta will create an atmosphere for rapid development of the region. Multinational corporations who are making money in Niger Delta should follow the blueprint of Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC) and make substantial social contribution to their host communities.

Rev. (Dr) Vincent Akin Alaje Assemblies of God Nigeria

tion to ensure that our country returns to the paths of true democracy anchored on the principles of social justice, rule of law and true federalism.

Asiwaju has become a lodestar in the Nigerian political firmament through his solid democratic credentials and his achievements as Governor of Lagos State. He had shown commitment to freedom, democratic growth and rule of law and has employed this to deepen the concept and practice of democracy in Nigeria. That his leadership qualities are being recognized outside Nigeria shows his soaring profile in leadership and we are sure that the sky still remains his limit.

We join other well meaning Nigerians to rejoice with the Asiwaju, who is a great asset to the country and a positive brand for the country’s fledgling democracy. We salute his enduring democratic credentials and assure him of our flinching loyalty as he shows the way to the future of democracy, not only in Nigeria but beyond the shores of this country.

• Joe Igbokwe.

Publicity Secretary, Lagos ACN.

21

THE NATION TUESDAY,JULY 5, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

W

R

ITH the rumble of Kiriji War II last week, it is still not yet quiet on the Western political front. Ondo State, land of Olusegun Mimiko, sitting governor and resident political Iroko, seethes with rumours of war. That is no surprise, for the gubernatorial election is less than Olakunle two years away.

Abimbola Flush with the crushing judicial lordbeek@yahoo.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) victory over Olusegun Agagu and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vote robbers in February 2009, Dr. Mimiko fired public imagination with his rather war-romantic moniker of Iroko. Iroko, of course, is the mighty, magical and magisterial tree in the Yoruba cosmos that never forgives, never forgets but that stalks its enemies for platforms. But it is especially true of LP, so much so that no matter how long it takes. the practice seems its electoral growth area.

Unlike the tortoise who, in the Yoruba folklore, squanEven Mimiko, the Iroko himself, may not exactly be the Ludered public sympathy because he was judged high-handed cifer of John Milton’s Paradise Lost, that proclaimed he would with his thieving in-law, the Iroko’s cause, thanks to its imrather reign in hell than serve in heaven. But it is clear to all pregnable moral platform, is always just. So, when the Iroko he is staking out an independent third way for himself: neifinally crushes its enemies, no matter how long, the deed ther in the ACN “heaven” (as the new political masters of the comes with resounding public approval.

South West); nor in the PDP “hell” (who, at least for now, And so it was when, after two years of illicit and illegal have sunk without trace in their fraudulent mainstream). rule, Dr. Agagu was shooed away in opprobrium, the vicPut another way, Iroko would rather be a big fish in a small tory whoop was Iroko ti wo pa won (Iroko has finally crushed LP pond; than be a small fish in a big ACN pond. Some ACN them)! It was the new governor’s finest hour. partisans, particularly at the local Ondo front, are not at all The Concert of Victors, basically Mimiko’s Labour Party amused!

(LP) and the Action Congress (AC, now Action Congress of That accounts for the seething anti-Mimiko temper, with Nigeria, ACN), not to talk of a phalanx of other free the locals working themselves into lather, grimly remind“progressives” united in their distaste for then ruling South ing Mimiko that even the mighty Iroko could come a sad West PDP’s political mainstreaming fraud, had their day in cropper: “Iroko to gbabode,” they warn rather direly, “Koni the sun. The theory of “my enemy’s enemy is my friend” r’ewe bora!” [A compromised Iroko risks tragic withering!]. was never truer in this victorious phalanx!

Of course, all of the excitement would make sense in the But now, things have changed. The ruling PDP, no thanks to context of the claim, by ACN partisans, that there was an the April 2011 elections, has vanished from the South West, “agreement” that in return for the support ACN gave Mimiko not unlike the dew at the first touch of the sun. in the course of his mandate-retrieving legal battle, he would LP itself, from its conduct over the past few years, has cross over to the ACN. The Iroko has allegedly reneged on morphed from its textbook ideology of social democracy that “agreement”. ala Labour Party of Britain, to an ideologically neuter mass, That sense of hurt and betrayal has triggered, from the free-wheeling, free-dealing and comfy with any malconACN camp, a not-so-flattering history of Dr. Mimiko as a tent, from PDP to ACN, needing an electoral platform. Sure, shifty political player who has neither permanent friends that could be true of almost all of the parties, given the nor permanent foes in politics but only permanent (many fluidity with which politicians criss-cross parties, shopping insist, selfish) interests.

Back in the Second Republic (1979-1983), Dr. Mimiko was among some young Turks that allegedly supported the rebellion of Chief Akin Omoboriowo against the iconic Chief Adekunle Ajasin and his party, the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN’s choice, for re-election as governor in 1983.

Back then, Chief Omoboriowo and his new National Party of Nigeria (NPN) mates stole the vote in a brazen rigging that triggered hideous violence. That stolen mandate was judicially retrieved. But Iroko’s adversaries claim that after the

bubble burst, he quietly made his peace with Chief Ajasin, leaving Chief Omoboriowo in the lurch! Ironically now, leading the antiMimiko charge in Ondo State is Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose, the late Ajasin’s daughter and ACN state chairman! Some payback time afoot?

Even in this present Fourth Republic, the Iroko broke ranks with his Alliance for Democracy (AD) over the disputed gubernatorial ticket of 2003 with then sitting governor, Chief Adebayo Adefarati. That was 20 years after the Ajasin-Omoboriowo imbroglio.

Still, the setting was eerily similar: the Iroko teamed up with the federal ruling party to trounce his own party. But this time the mandate held, with Dr. Mimiko even emerging secretary to the state government; and later a minister in the central government. But while his political enemies screamed “umpteenth betrayal”, Dr. Mimiko maintained, and not without some justification, that he dumped AD because the party rigged its machinery against his gubernatorial ambition.

But the PDP revolution would start consuming its own children when the Agagu establishment, just as the Adefarati AD establishment before it, stonewalled Mimiko’s gubernatorial bid in 2007. That marked the beginning of the end for the Ondo PDP: the pseudo-elections of 2007, the two-year legal saga, the judicial reclamation of the stolen mandate and the inauguration of the Iroko Labour government.

Still, for Dr. Mimiko, the story is not ending merrily ever after – as they say in the tales. On the contrary, the Iroko is on the brink of making the most decisive decision of his political career. It is crunch time!

On one hand, ACN seems to have lost all patience with the political Iroko. Claiming alleged serial betrayal, it appears to have abandoned all pretence at constructive engagement and drawn the line en route to the Ondo gubernatorial elections of 2013.

On the other is a defiant Iroko, who just went on a media blitzkrieg to challenge anyone, ideological friend or foe, to dare ogle his democratic kingdom of Ondo and feel the crushing weight of the Iroko!

The PDP waits in the wings. Though a segment of it would not give a hoot whatever fate befell Mimiko, the party would merrily cash in on the situation, for some political resurrection. Of course, the PDP card would, for Mimiko, appear a potent threat. Hopelessly trapped in a hostile ACN territory, would Mimiko not play the federal ruling party card – as he did in 1983 and 2003 – just to stay afloat, ideological affinity or no?

And if that happened, what becomes of the ACN trumpeted South West integration, with the Iroko, for sheer survival, handing the PDP a rare foothold in Yorubaland, a scant two years to the 2015 general elections? But even that is a double-edged sword: success means survival. Failure? Instant political death!

It is crunch time, indeed! So Iroko, what next?

O

all security is said to be everybody’s business.

Of course, we are talking of the way to go. That is where the new thinking comes in. Amnesty is of course out – there can be no question about talking to a group whose ideology seems such a contrast with modernity. They need to be confronted – if need be by force of arms. Clearly, if one accepts that the Boko Haram menace took root in the first place because of a fatal defect in the business of cultural transmission and that it festered in the environment of indifference by the larger society, the option of investment more in what Governor Babatunde Fashola once described as the soft infrastructure of the human mind would seem particularly sensible. Without that vital infrastructure, no meaningful security superstructure can be erected.

Sending a battalion of soldiers will certainly avail some gains – no doubt short-term. But a more enduring environment of security is one in which the citizen is actively involved. Of course, asking the citizens to step forward to give information seems a risk particularly not worth taking at this time. But surely, the government can start with getting the telecommunications companies to provide simple toll free lines for the citizens who have information to pass across and a crack team to process such information when they come. After all, that is what obtains elsewhere. Such a facility would certainly guarantee anonymity and most likely help remove the fear of retribution.

A more holistic strategy will certainly involve the empowerment of the people. The difference between what is happening here and what obtains in more advanced societies is that whereas a ten year old would have internalised the basic elements of security as an element in collective security, here, the citizen think of self and self alone. That is why the rich have the American fence and their body armours; for the ordinary citizen, it is to thy tents.

Surely, you do not build the security infrastructure of the 21st century on individualism and open display of brawns.

epublican ipples

What next, Iroko?

‘Iroko would rather be a big fish in a small LP pond; than be a small fish in a big ACN pond. Some ACN partisans, particularly at the local Ondo front, are not at all amused!’

NE good that the insurgency of Boko Haram seems to have done to us a people has been the elevation of the discussion on national security to new levels. With the dread of the infamous Boko Haram now constituting the beginning of wisdom, and with nation’s security agencies at their wits end in fashioning a strategy to deal with the mindless terror from the group, the hitherto indifferent nation seems to have been presented an opportunity to re-think the entire framework of its security infrastructure.

Understandably, the federal government seems resolved to confront the menace with iron-fisted knuckles. Proof is the reported deployment of the 3,000 crack Joint Task Force to the north east – the theatre of the insurgency – the latest signal that the expansion of our fledgling domestic security- industrial-complex is well on course.

As always for the military, theirs is nothing but a call to duty. It is to their credit that they didn’t pretend that the Boko Haram challenge is anything but an entirely different order in the ever growing list of internal security operations that their institution has been called upon to confront.

This is after all, no Gbaramatu, where few dozen camps of obdurate militants can be targeted for strafing by lethal bombs hurled from helicopter gunships to produce an amnesty. Neither is it Operation Flush that can be suborned to terminate the reign of a colony of kidnappers in some swift ground assault as we saw in the South east.

The Boko Haram doesn’t present such soft targets. The group is amorphous – and they are far too embedded in the communities to allow for conventional assault by the military or any other agencies of security for that matter.

This is perhaps the reason why fellow citizens in North east live in mortal fear of the group.

While the latter renders the prospects of cooperation between citizens and security agencies challenging, it has also brought on the imperative to rethink the whole framework of national security given the dimensions to the threats. Of course, there has been much of talking about the situation of late; what clearly seems to be in deficit is the thinking of the phenomenon and the resolve to constantly update the infrastructure of engagement in the battle against the blatantly crude form of terror.

Citizens’ clamour for action is understandable. The latest tough talk from the federal government, which has since been followed by the show of muscles, would seem equally appropriate. But here, it seems obvious that the government is only showcasing its fixation with old, outmoded notions of security –confusing the militarisation of the environment with securing the lives of citizens.

That quick-fix approach unfortunately, is unlikely to do the nation any good in the long run.

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

Talking or thinking security?

A pointed way to address the issue is to ask whether the citizens feel more secured with the presence of a large army of gun-toting security agents either in the neighbourhoods on the highways. The citizens have since learnt that the presence of large numbers of security men portend nothing but ill omen. Rather than allay the fears of the citizens, their sight often reminds the ordinary citizen of how unsafe the environment is. Whether it is the military or the police, their ubiquitous presence have become citizens’ index to gauge the state of insecurity.

I’m reminded of an innocuous question asked by my son some years ago. The boy, then barely five years old had asked on sighting nearly dozen policemen wielding automatic weapons on the highway whether the stern looking men were actually expecting armed robbers along that route. Merely from the look on his face, it was easy to tell that the boy expected me at that point to make a Uturn in the face of such open advertisement of danger.

That was the government put up as security to reassure the citizen – the poor boy included!

Obviously, the question can longer be evaded: why would citizens readily surrender in what is evidently a murderous complicity to the Boko Haram or other criminal groups on rampage even when the dangers they constitute to individual and collective security seems so obvious to all to see? Fear, benign acquiescence or outright indifference?

To put it on the failure of the Nigerian state would seem spot on. But then, to ignore what seem the failure of citizenship and its many correlates – particularly the slow regression to the famed Hobbesian state of nature is to deny that citizens have a role to play in securing their own space. That would be costly – indeed tragic – after

‘The difference between what is happening here and what obtains in more advanced societies is that whereas a ten year old would have internalised the basic elements of security as an element in collective security, here, the citizen think of self and self alone’

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

ELLO Uncle Waheed. I don’t know why we chose people we call leaders if we can’t enjoy anything in this country. We pay PHCN for light we did not use and they want to increase it (tariff) again.

We pay for security guard in our neighbourhood, no good road, no job, now they want to stop subsidy on fuel again. Tell the government to go ahead. I think the wind of change is about to switch to Nigeria (won se bi ode ni wa. They think we are fools).

Uncle Jonathan should beware of traps on his way. Nigerians are angry.

08070789957 Honestly I don’t know what to make of the above from an anonymous reader other than to agree with him/her that Nigerians are angry. The reason for their anger? Plenty. Too numerous to mention. And the solution to the problem? Not too clear. This is where the problem lies. We all know (may be not all) there is a problem in this country. In fact plenty of problems. Ordinarily, by conventional wisdom, the realization of the existence of these problems should have halfsolved them, but in Nigeria things don’ work out that way. First there is no unanimous agreement on what these problems are, so there can’t be a unanimous solution.

Our individual appreciation of the problems is different and often tainted by ethnic or religious consideration. So also is the solution(s) to them. Take for instance the problem with our constitution. We can’t seem to agree on the kind of constitution to govern ourselves and our affairs. While we call our country the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the 1999 constitution is half-hearted on federalism. The operators, especially the ‘Federal’ Government of Nigeria would rather run the country like a unitary state, dictating to the rest of the so called federating units.

The second tier of government, the states, would also want to lord themselves over the local government. And yet this is supposed to be a federation.

While the few that are benefiting from this warped federalism naturally want it to continue, some of the champions of true federalism who claim to be representing the silent majority don’t seem to know what they want, or rather they want to eat their cake and still have it. Take for instance the Nigeria Labour

H

Shape of things to come Congress (NLC), the central labour body that purportedly acts in the interest of all Nigerian workers and it’s sister organization, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), that acts on behalf of who? These two organization have rightly been at the forefront of the agitation for improved wages for their members (how many are they?) and are currently locking horns with the three tiers of government over the payment of the N18,000 national minimum wage.

These same organizations together with other civil society groups are known to harbour sympathy for the call for true federalism in Nigeria, including fiscal federalism.

To achieve true federalism the powers and responsibilities of the central government in certain areas must be whittled down and devolved to the states and in some cases the local governments. In the same vein, some of the powers and abilities vested in the government in Abuja to raise revenue and control both natural and mineral resources across the country, would have to be whittled down and devolved to these other tiers as well in order to be able to discharge those additional responsibilities which only the states/local governments are best suited to perform.

Now if Labour subscribes to this why would it then insists that Abuja should determine what the states and the the other federating units pay their workers? Is this not standing true federalism on it’s head? A case of do what I say and not what I do; eating your cake and having it? Why should the NLC/TUC behave like the federal government, holding on to all the powers and refus-

ing to devolve to the federating units? The NLC is made up of so many trade unions some of which are in a better position to appreciate the environment in which they work in and negotiate an equitable condition of service and living wages for their members.

Why should the NLC stay in Abuja, negotiate with Abuja and expects the agreement to be binding across then federation. Even within the NLC’s structure there’re state councils who ordinarily should be able to negotiate on behalf of it’s affiliates in the states, but this is not the case. The councils must take dictation from Abuja. Why? Where is the spirit of federalism here?

If a state council in the process of negotiation believes or discovers that the national minimum wage benchmark could be injurious to the wellbeing of it’s members, it should be free to review it. And if it believes it can get a better deal, why not? The NLC as the umbrella body for labour unions should allow it’s affiliates to do all the negotiations. It should only intervene when agreements are being breached. To expect everybody(state) to the pay as agreed with the federal government without regard to the earning power of each state would amount to dictatorship on the part of Labour. And to go on strike or threaten to do as both the NLC and TUC have said they would, would be unfair on the rest of us, the majority, who are not government workers.

Similarly, for the state governors to call for the withdrawal of petrol subsidy by the federal government in order to enable the states to pay the minimum wage is a betrayal of the

trust reposed in the governors by the people.

Why add to our problems if they, as leaders cannot solve them? Why do we have leaders anyway if they can’t add any value to our lives?

I’ve not heard any convincing argument from Labour on why every state should be able to pay the minimum wage other than the unsubstantiated claim that the states waste so much money on governance especially the huge security votes allocated to the governor, that could be used to pay the new minimum wage. Whereas the states are saying only a few of them can afford it. The most sensible thing to do here is for both sides to sit down together with the facts available to them and iron out their differences. And if Labour feels so strongly about its position it should come to the public with the facts and let everybody judge. Threatening the interest of the rest of us with a strike action because of the interest of probably less than a million government workers is unfair. Both the state governments and Labour must exercise restraint in this matter and behave more responsibly otherwise we might be forced to one day carry placards against both the government and Labour. Who says the Arab spring can not take place here.

‘If a state council in the process of negotiation believes or discovers that the national minimum wage benchmark could be injurious to the wellbeing of it’s members, it should be free to review it. And if it believes it can get a better deal, why not? The NLC as the umbrella body for labour unions should allow it’s affiliates to do all the negotiations.’

Supreme Court as victim of oil politics

A

UNITED States Supreme Court Justice once observed dourly “we seem to have tied up Uncle Sam in a hard knot.” In Nigeria, the shoe is on the other foot as can be discerned from the recent Supreme Court’s ruling which ordered transfer of some 86 oil wells from Akwa Ibom to Rivers State - a development that has attracted comments from diverse quarters. For two consecutive Sundays (June 5 and June 12) it was the focus of Dr. Dele Sobowales’s influential column in Vanguard Newspaper.

Before Sobowale came on board, a number of other people had commented on the same issue. They included Governor Godswill Akpabio and his Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr. Umana O. Umana. Unfortunately, His Excellency and the SSG seem to hold divergent views on the issue. Who, between them, should we believe?

What the world is anxious to know is whether there is an agreement written and signed by Dr. Peter Odili and Obong Victor Attah on the oil wells. If there is, someone should get it published straightaway otherwise propagandists should desist because this is supposed to be a matter that should for once unite the people of Akwa Ibom State who should be speaking today with one voice. Based on a number of reasons I want to disagree with those who believe that this is a matter that should not concern non- indigenes of the states directly involved.

First and foremost, as Dele Sobowale rightly observed “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Two, any crisis affecting the oil industry - an industry that accounts for about 80% of our foreign exchange earnings- should naturally be of national concern even when it is one oil well that is involved. Yet here we are looking at about 86 out of 172 or even more. Three, coming from a state which was an integral part of the former East Central State that lost many oil wells to the Justice Mamman Nasir boundary commission in the 70s, one should know how it feels under the circumstances in which Akwa Ibom State will be put by the Supreme Court order. Of course, since

By Godwin Nzeakah

Ambard v. Attorney- General of Trinidad (1936) when Lord Atkin declared that “Justice is not a cloistered virtue. She should be allowed to suffer the respectful, even though, outspoken comments of ordinary men”, the right to comment on judicial decisions has remained sacrosanct.

I believe that no greater administrative tragedy can befall a nation than a situation where its Supreme Court perennially falls victim of judicial orders that cannot be legitimately obeyed. Although it has been argued that the ultimate guarantee against usurpation of powers in a democracy is a politically conscious society that is jealous of its rights, it is doubtful to what extent such a society could withstand the manipulative prowess and devices of an overbearing president without the necessary limiting influence of an independent, courageous and activist Supreme Court. Up till today it would appear that the Nigerian court is yet to grasp the centrality of oil in our politics.

Oil was at the centre of our civil war. The issue of oil nearly dead-locked our political reform conference. Oil is clearly at the centre of the Niger Delta crisis. Oil was behind the gruesome hanging of Ken Saro-Wiwa and his kinsmen. Of course, oil was behind Obasanjo’s attempt to sell us the dummy of dual littoral boundaries in Nigeria: the one, “low water mark” for the states and the other exclusive economic zone for the federation.

And as long as the Supreme Court refuses or is unable to come to terms with all this for so long will the apex court continue to be misled by meddlesome rulers.

The Supreme Court of any country is not only a palladium of freedom, it also represents, as Justice Holmes would say, “a great ganglion in the nerves of society.” At every stage, every phase of national development, the Supreme Court should be there for the people and for them only. In the words of Professor Alpheus Mason, of University of Princeton, “the function of the Supreme Court is not to determine what decisions can be made by political processes but to prevent the mechanism from breaking down.”

Then, my question is whether our system won’t break down one day if our Supreme Court continues in this way? Looking at the American scene, Masson explains that “the court’s firm command over the hearts and minds of Americans is not unrelated to the contemplative pause and the sober second thought its restraining power entails.” According to him, “the justices inform by both precepts and example. They articulate and uphold the ideals and values that might otherwise be silenced…”

Coming back to Nigeria, does our Supreme Court have a firm command over the hearts and minds of the people? Has the Supreme Court always been there for the people and the people only? Or has it mostly tended to affirm the will and prejudices of any government in power? Can it be truly said that our court has a reputation for judgments imbued with courage, contemplative pause and sober second thought? These and similar questions wouldn’t have come up today had that body lived sufficiently up to the challenge of Obasanjo’s vindictive politics which had viewed the historic resource control struggle in Nigeria as war by other means - a war led by Obong Victor Attah on behalf of Akwa Ibom and other littoral states and for which he must be punished. Even though Attah won that war and ought to have been allowed to savour its spoils, a vindictive president did not forgive him and by extension his state. Hence the second skirmishes against Akwa Ibom state which had resulted in seizure of her oil wells by presidential fiat; hence this queer situation in which we find ourselves today.

What manner of democracy is ours if our president can do what he likes and get away with it? Make no mistake about it; however, this is one issue that should for once unite Governor Akpabio and his former boss. But did Akpabio accept the need to consult his predecessor and boss in the entire process?

As they say, united we stand, divided we fall. Of course, this matter represents a veritable but avoidable distraction. Our Supreme Court has no history of reversing itself. Therefore President Goodluck Jonathan having inherited the bogey of Obasanjo’s

“political solution” should expeditiously put in place a process for an equitable resolution of this matter, taking in his strides the plight of Cross River State, which by no means can be truly declared landlocked. Of course, the dramatis personae in this matter namely Gen Olusegun Obasanjo, Peter Odili, Donald Duke, and last but not the least Obong Victor Attah as statesmen should speak up on this issue today. If Odili and Duke faced any problems as governors certainly none of them was a quest for more oil wells. They must therefore have been thoroughly surprised and embarrassed by Obasanjo’s Greek gift. Dictatorship has done its worst, now is the time when rational leaders should undertake restitution. Long live the fatherland.

• Nzeakah, a former Editor of Sunday Punch, writes in from Lagos.

It has been argued that the ultimate guarantee against usurpation of powers in a democracy is a politically conscious society that is jealous of its rights, it is doubtful to what extent such a society could withstand the manipulative prowess and devices of an overbearing president without the necessary limiting influence of an independent, courageous and activist Supreme Court.’

23

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

MARITIME

HALF YEAR REVIEW

Operators challenge govt on roadmap The maritime industry is facing challenges on many fronts. This has resulted in revenue loss. To address the issue, operators want the government to redirect attention on the training of professionals. OLUWAKEMI DAUDA reports.

Minister and shipping policy

T

HE re-appointed Minister of Transport, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, has been urged to prepare the country for challenges facing the maritime industry.

Stakeholders said great commitment is needed on his side in terms of policy formulation and implementation to move the industry forward.

One of the operators and the Managing Director, Best Logistics, Mr Rufus Olanipekun, said the country needs a functional shipping policy that would identify the challenges of the sector and would be proactive in response.

Olanipekun said the performance of the Federal Government based on trade facilitation, high port charges, infrastructure, safety at sea, protection of the marine environment and enhancement of maritime law and security, fell below expectation in the last six months and urged Suleiman to improve on it before the end of the year to justify his re-appointment.

Best practices in port security Government must ensure port workers and emergency services workers are fully prepared for effective response by all the terminal operators

Commercial regulator Operators in the maritime industry bemoaned the absence of commercial regulator at the sea ports even though they said they were happy with the port concessioning programme of the Federal Government.

The operators said, they want the Federal Government to create commercial regulators who would curb arbitrary port charges and see to the rapid growth of the industry.

Oil lifting One of the major expectations of maritime stakeholders from government in the last six months is their involvement in oil lifting business.

They want the law makers at the National Assembly to assist local ship owners formulate and implement policies that would enable them participate in crude lifting

T

HE Federal Government has been urged to fix port infrastructure and the rail system.

Speaking with reporters on trade facilitation, President, Ogun State Council of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Alhaji Sakirudeen Labode, said government agencies at the port should be reduced to boost trade facilitation.

Before the formation of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in 1978, Labode said the maritime sector was characterised by deterioration in the quality of shipping services and unmitigated increase in ocean freight rates which were dictated by foreign ship owners who operate scheduled liner services to Nigerian ports.

He noted that the formation of the shippers’ council in the developing countries over three decades ago, was to act as a countervailing force against the excesses of foreign ship owners and other pro-

Minister of Transport, Suleiman

•Akpobolokemi

• Suleiman

•Shittu

which has been denied them.

provisions of the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003 was brought to the front burner by the Director-General of NIMASA, Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi, when he met with reporters a few months ago.

It is hoped that Federal Government would compel the banks that were involved in the management of the fund to disburse it before the third quarter of the year.

within and around the port.

NPA has also purchased ultra modern multi-purpose fire fighting trucks to safeguard the multibillion naira investment in the port, protect lives and make the port customer friendly.

covered N1 billion through operations of its Cargo Defence Fund.

100 % cargo examination It is difficult for Customs to completely inspect thousands of containers entering the country everyday. Inspecting each thoroughly would bring commerce to a halt, and generate serious reactions from importers and their clearing agents.

Seafarers Although, the country joined other maritime nations to mark Seafarers’ Day a few days ago, Nigeria with almost 150 million people, has not tapped up to 40 per cent of its potentials in the maritime industry.

In terms of human capacity, the country has the potential to supply more than 30 to 40 per cent of the world’s requirement for seafarers.

The country, operators said, needs over 40,000 seafarers to man vessels operating on Cabotage and urged the President to develop manpower and the nation’s capacity in the maritime industry.

Maritime training school The Federal Government approved the establishment of additional maritime training school during the months under review. The Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Adeniran Aderogba, dropped the hint.

Cabotage issue The strict implementation of the

Collaboration among security agents Collaboration between security agencies at the port still fell below expectation in the last six months.

Operators urged them to collaborate and work together in the interest of the nation.

NPA The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) did creditably well in the last six months in terms of channel management, wrecks removal, liquid and solid ship waste disposal, marine craft maintenance, cargo tracking note and ship repairs.

NPA Managing Director, Omar Suleiman, stakeholders said, merited his appointment.

He reacted positively to the outcry of port users over the bad state of the access roads within the Lagos ports. The authority has commenced fixing of all the access roads to attract massive investment and promote ports operations.

NPA has installed solar street lights from the Apapa port exit gate to a reasonable distance on Creek Road to stem the cycle of crime

NIMASA and CVF Fund Maritime activities at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) was very low in the last six months because the Director-General of the agency, Mr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi is still new in the industry.

Akpobolokemi, however, said a lot of progress has been made on the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund (CVFF). The appointed Primary Lending Institutions, he said, have recommended six organisations to NIMASA for issuance of Certificates of Disbursement (COD).

NIMASA, Akpobolokemi said, is determined to implement the provisions of the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Marine Pollution (MARPLO) 73/78 Convention, as it relates to the management of the nation’s marine environment.

Shippers Council The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Adamu Audu Biu, urged the Federal Government to enforce the provisions of the Act that established the council.

The Act stipulates that for the running of the council, it is expected to charge one per cent of freight, in and out of the country.

But the council, he said, has re-

Chambers urges govt to revamp sector

By Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

viders. He said NSC was also established to empower Nigerian shippers, who were the cargo owners but could not organise themselves to challenge the excesses of foreign ship owners.

Labode said NSC had been discharging its functions to Nigerian cargo owners in international trade by giving them limited protection from abuse and exploitation, coupled with the need to ensure that cargo structures are fair, equitable and reasonable stable.

“However, the shippers’ council still needs to upgrade machinery to checkmate the abuse of our Carbotage Act and short-changing of Nigerian owners by foreign shipping lines,” he said.

He called on the Federal Government to ensure that the Cabotage

ISAN splits This is not one of the best of times for the leadership of the Indigenous Shipowners Association of Nigeria (ISAN), as some of its key members said they were set to split the association into two by forming another association to be known as Indigenous Offshore Marine Vessel Owners and Providers Association (IOMVOPA).

Members of the group decried the absence of qualified local seafarers. The country, they said, has little or no experience in Deep Offshore Marine Operations, as it relates to seafarers.

Freight forwarding During the months under review, the leadership of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), accused Customs of aiding and abetting corruption and urged the Federal Government to relieve the three service providers operating at the nation’s seaports and borders of their jobs.

The service providers are the Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited, SGS and Globalscan. The clearing agents said the essence of engaging them in the process of Customs duty collection and cargo clearance had been defeated by the activities of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). At a press briefing in Lagos, the National President of the association, Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu, called for the cancellation of the Risk Assessment Report (RAR).

Act is fully implemented, saying it is regrettable that Nigerian ship owners were not being encouraged to play key roles in the transportation of Nigerian cargoes, especially petroleum products which is still being dominated by foreign shipowners. “Sadly, this should not be, as the present trend is against the objectives of the cabotage act,” Labode said.

‘Nigeria represents Africa’s maritime future’

T

HE President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu has described Nigeria as the future destination for African maritime activities.

Speaking with The Nation in Lagos, the ANALCA chief said Nigeria has infinite possibilities for economic opportunities in the maritime industry.

By Uyoatta Eshiet

The opportunities in the maritime industry, he said, included Ship building and repairs, human capacity development, ship breaking and recycle facilities amongst others.

Shittu advised investors who had converged on Abuja from various Commonwealth countries across the world to explore available windows based on Pub-

lic- private , Private-Private and Government to Government partnership.

While noting that Nigeria accounts for over 65 per cent of the total maritime trade traffic in volume and value within the West and Central African sub-region, Shittu said President Jonathan administration is also committed to transforming Nigeria into a regional mari-

time centre and hub for maritime services events.

Shittu ,however, stressed the need to increase the participation of indigenous players in the maritime industry to boost the economy.

He urged the Federal Government to invest in the maritime industry to generate employment for the jobless youths.

24

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

MARITIME

Seme Customs combats smugglers

S

MUGGLERS are now finding it difficult passing through Seme border.

Their illegal activities have been curtailed by the Customs Area Command (CAC), The Nation learnt last weekend.

Some of the smugglers, who intended to be importers, said they were now finding it difficult to make ends meet.

One of them said 6,000 bags of rice and other items were seized from them by Customs.

The value of the seized items, he said, was over N100 million, adding that majority of the smugglers were on the run.

He said: ‘‘The truth of the matter is that majority of our members have lost their life investment. Many of us can no longer feed our families. ‘‘If I tell you the problem facing me as a person, if you have money, you will assist me. I took a loan to buy most of the goods that were seized

by Customs few weeks ago.

Both the capital and the loan have gone. Where I would get the money to pay the

•Customs ComptrollerGeneral, Abdullahi Dikko Storeis by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

loan back is one of the challenges I am facing, another is the school fees of my children and the house rent.

“My landlord has started troubling me that I should leave his house. I now owe the man over four months’ rent,’’ he said.

Another smuggler, who simply gave his name as Legan said since the Federal Government prohibited the importation of rice through

• Sadiq

the land borders, he has been finding it difficult to feed and pay his house rent.

He said: “We are no longer finding it easy to smuggle rice, chicken, turkey and other products because of the measure the new Comptroller has put in place.

“This is a very difficult time for us. Customs is making things difficult for us. So many bags of rice were seized from one of our agents that helps us in crossing the rice.

The goods and the vehicle were seized by the Customs.

“Therefore, many of our

members have abandoned the business and that is why the price of rice has gone up in Lagos and across the country.”

Contacted, the Area Controller, Sahabi Sadiq said he decided to wage war against smugglers because of the negative impact of smuggling on the economy.

Sadiq said rice smugglers almost crippled importers because they evade duty and taxes and sell at cheaper prices.

He warned Nigerians against the activities of smugglers who attempted to import expired products that are dangerous to human health.

Several bags of the expired rice, he said, were destroyed by the command in the past.

Some of the items seized by the command, he said, include African Print (Ankara), steel poles, heavy duty trucks, buses, government vehicles and cars that were used in perpetrating the illegal activities.

On the measures to check smuggling, Sadiq said the steps became necessary in order to generate more revenue; woo importers and agents to the ports.

Lawyers urge operators to promote arbitration

L

AWYERS in the maritime industry said the vision of the maritime community in the country should be to promote domestic and international arbitration,

Presenting a paper entitled Arbitration in the Resolution of Maritime Disputes in Nigeria at a seminar organised by the Agenda for Good Governance, a non governmental organisation(NGO) in

Lagos last week, a maritime lawyer, Mr Dipo Alaka said the courts, arbitrators and maritime institutions should work together to position Nigeria as a neutral and favourable forum for

maritime arbitration nationally and internationally.

According to him, the government has a duty to share in the vision by providing a secured environment with first rate infrastructure.

Alaka said this would position the country as an attractive place for international arbitration activities.

“Nigerian legislation is supportive of arbitration.

Nigerian courts overtime have shown a tendency to set a high bar for interfering with the findings of an arbitral tribunal,’’ he said.

The maritime lawyer said Nigeria has a viable maritime arbitrators association, adding that it had built up capacity in the field with the availability of highly trained and skilled arbitrators and counsel who appreciate the nature of arbitration proceedings.

Speaking on the issue, the image maker of the group, Mr Alaba Arogundade, said the dream of transforming the country into a renowned arbitration centre is well on course.

“The past decade in the country has witnessed a remarkable awareness and interest in not only arbitration, but in the other alternatives to dispute resolution in the courts. We are also glad that courts are performing their roles,’’Arogundade said.

In his paper entitled Piracy and Armed Robbery At Sea, Mr Louis Mbanefo, Arogundade said there was the need for capacity building for effective maritime security.

The image maker said if piracy is to be eliminated totally, the Federal Government should provide employment for the youths.

“If those with maritime aspirations are sent to the maritime academy at Oron and trained to become merchant seamen, a potential source of piracy might be eliminated,” he said.

Maritime Watch High cost of rice Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

RICE consumers have urged President Goodluck Jonathan and other relevant agencies to review the duty payable to Customs with a view to bringing down its landing cost to make the commodity more affordable to Nigerians and reduce poverty.

The market price of rice, the consumers said, has increased geometrically since the Federal Government banned rice importation through Seme, Idiroko and other land borders.

Some of the consumers who spoke with The Nation attributed the high cost of rice to the new tariff regime introduced by the Federal Government.

A rice merchant at Alaba Rago Market in Lagos, Alhaji Sheu Yahya told The Nation that when the ban on rice importation through the land borders was lifted earlier last year, the landing cost of 600 bags was put at N2,700,000 and was later increased to N2,800,000.

Yahya told The Nation that, the same 600 bags of rice now stands at N3,650,000 which the importers considered as too expensive.

He said he had been in the rice business for over 20 years and afraid that the price of the commodity may not come down except the Federal Government reduces the tariff payable on the item.

Investigation conducted by The Nation revealed that rice importation activity through the land borders has stopped totally while rice smuggling has reduced drastically due to the high landing cost of the commodity because of the surveillance put in place by Customs.

A consumer, Mrs Sola Ayeni also lamented the high cost of rice and low quality rice being imported through the Lagos ports.

Tin-Can Customs OFFICERS and men of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Tin-Can Island command have been praised for protecting the nation’s seaport with their adoption of unique approaches to combat illegal containerisation and shipment of dollars into the country.

The leadership of the Agenda for Good Governance, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), gave the commendation in Lagos last Friday.

The group said the command is living up to expectation based on the seizure of the $1,106 concealed in a container and the arrest of the agent of the importer who wanted to clear the goods from the port.

The Executive Secretary of the group, Mr Rotimi Onakoya said the command’s performance under the out going Area Controller, Mr Austin Warikoru, who has been redeployed to the Customs Headquarters in Abuja, was an indication that the nation was adequately endowed with committed and patriotic Customs officials who have the country’s interest at heart.

To him, the command led by Warikoru, a has performed well having recorded numerous successes in the interception of contraband from selfish and lawless importers and their agents.

Onakoya also said the achievements were recorded based on the various staff motivational policies introduced by the Comptroller General, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko .

He described Dikko as a man laden with professional ideas and experience, attributes which he said has now manifested in the improved services of the NCS. Describing the commands’ achievements under Warikoru as outstanding, the scribe praised the Customs leadership for its ability to source capable and reliable personnel for the highly sensitive assignments and urged the new Area Controller Ebiporwei Edike to emulate Warikoru in terms of trade facilitation, revenue generation and anti-contraband importation.

Capacity building THE essence of developing capacity in the maritime sector came to the fore last week, as maritime lawyers urged the Federal Government to put all the necessary policies in place to promote the industry.

Speaking with reporters in Lagos, the lawyers said the dearth of human and material capacities has been a source of worry in the maritime sector.

They called relevant government agencies at the port to complement stakeholders’ efforts in capacity-building, noting that businesses blink first in the event of any government policy breakdown.

Speaking on behalf of others, a maritime lawyer and consultant in the industry, Mr Frannk Simpson, said the dream of the youths who are seeking employment is only realisable through job creation via the sector and human capacity building.

The consultant said the country can be the number one maritime nation in Africa if human capacity building is taken seriously.

He said proper training of seafearers, officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other government functionaries is key to the success of the scheme.

Another lawyer, Mr Kabiru Adebanjo, observed that until relevant agencies in the transport sector brace up to the challenge of building human capacity, there will still be dearth of manpower in the industry.

25

PROPERTY

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes *Real Estate

email:- property@thenationonlineng.net

•City Mall, Onikan, Lagos

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

The City Mall in Onikan, Lagos Island has been redesigned to match the taste of its clients - the upscale segment of the society. It has a good tenant mix and a beautiful ambience, which make shopping a convenient and lasting experience, writes OKWY IROEGBU.

The remaking of City Mall •Shopping recreation is fun

•STORY ON PAGE 26

•N2b Lekki Platinum Rows •Lagos allays fear of flooding Estate gets Sept date - PAGE 26

•Govt challenges donors on water, sanitation projects - PAGE 28

- PAGE 28

26

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

N2b Lekki Platinum Rows Estate gets Sept date

P

LATINUM Rows Estate sits pretty on 1.7 hectares of land on the Lekki/Epe Expressway. It is located at Igbokusu village ensconced between upscale estates such as Nicon Town, Femi Okunnu, Victory Park and Beach Resort estate.

It comprises 46 terrace houses of four-bedroom, plus one room boys’ quarter built with ‘Form Work,’ an American technology in alternative housing production against the conventional mortar and bricks.

This technology is also different from the pre-cast system as all walls are load bearing and auto reinforced with no differential in settlement.

The Managing Director, Ibile Holdings Limited (IHL), Adeyinka Onigbanjo, owners of the estate, said they chose Form Work technology because it guarantees the benefit of speed and low cost. He said the concept cuts costs between 15 and 20 per cent in discounted construction process.

He revealed that his firm detoured into real estate business from their age long investment and presence in the capital market as a result of the burst in 2008-2009, to create wealth for their owners.

On infrastructure, he said all mechanical and engineering works are embedded which means that all cables, street lights and street furniture are discreet.

Onigbanjo said they have plans to build an Independent Power Plant (IPP) if they can secure the co-operation of the management of other surrounding estates.

Facilities and amenities in the estate include high grade finishing materials, fitted kitchens, upscale sanitary fittings, recreation space, tarred internal roads, drainage and underground utility ducts.

Others are exquisite landscaping, central borehole, waste and sewage management plant. Infrastructure provided are high grade as we cannot but take a queue and

•Top Management Staff of IHL Properties Limited, Tri-City group and Wall Tiles ... on Wednesday Stories by Okwy Iroegbu, Asst Editor

excel on what our neigbours who are in the same market segment have already, he stated.

Emphasising their choice of contractors for the project, he said: “We chose Tri-City Contractors due to their over two decade’s expertise in concrete and American form Work technology, while another firm MC Global our infrastructure consultants and Crimson & White our quality control consultant were chosen in quest to panache to our upscale estate based on their antecedent.”

He said the target market are high net-worth individuals and cooperatives of multinationals, add-

ing that the estate was financed internally, devoid of term loan or facility. Onigbanjo, said each housing unit has a conservative price of N50 million on them.

On payment schedule, he said the firm accepts initial 30 per cent commitment fee, another 30 per cent in the process of construction and 20 per cent at roofing stage, while a prospective buyer is expected to have paid 80 per cent, with a commitment to pay the balance before the key is handed over on completion.

On the challenges of the access road, Onigbanjo said that they will liase with the management of four nearby estates to complement government’s effort in constructing the drains leading to the estate.

Speaking on security provisions in the state, the MD IHL maintained that the estate will have a full complement of security provisions such as CCTV and perimeter fencing in addition to security men and women that would be employed.

In his contribution the country manager of Wall Ties the American firm with the Form Work technology, Mr. Martin Shoemaker told The Nation that the concept has been in use in housing development in the United States for over 40 years.

He advised the nation to embrace the technology totally in her quest for mass housing as it takes 5 days to do a complete house unit.

He said: “People get into their houses a lot easier as it takes just

about five days to do a house unlike the conventional houses which takes much longer to build.

An added advantage is that of making use of considerable labour force which takes people out of the labour market and the government can harness this to check the unemployment market.

The technology can withstand stringent weather conditions, the building after construction stands strong without differentials just as the Form Work can be used repeatedly at construction sites.

For instance, what we are using here has been in use in America in the last 20 years and can still go for years as it is aluminum based” he said.

The remaking of City Mall

•Continued from page 25

W

HEN City Mall took up residence some years ago in its present location, it was a relief to its top level clientele.

Its location is just appropriate to serve the needs of the upscale segment of the shopping class. It provides an ideal shopping environment, with good tenant mix and an ample car park.

With the injection of a N250 million redevelopment and rebranding grant into the shopping mall, its owners, Stephanael Holdings Nigeria Limited, and managers, Ibukun Efuntayo & Company, are promising shoppers an exciting time.

The Principal Consultant, Ibukun Efuntayo & Company, Efuntayo Emmanuel, said the package is meant to improve the facilities and utilities in the City Mall.

He said: “ We have acquired an additional 100KVA generating set to the existing ones already in use to ensure that energy doesn’t constitute a challenge in the mall.

“We have also attracted a good tenant mix that enables would be shoppers transact all their business under one roof in a most conducive and secure environment.”

On some of the facilities they are working on, he said they are constructing a separate sewage plant, an alternative parking lot, although the current one, he stated, can take as many as 300 cars. Efuntayo, stated that the management is making sure that the lifts and escalators are in top grade at all times, adding that the mall has a lot going for it in

terms of location and customer mix which makes it a good place to be after work, with the incorporation of entertainment and leisure in its concept.

He said: “Our target is to increase ‘foot traffic and foot fall’ and be in touch with the complexities of managing a modern and upscale shopping mall to ensure customer satisfaction.” He said the objective is to host well over 5,000 shoppers per day.

“We have some good brands such as KFC, Goodies, Haviva,

Emyways, with more international companies indicating their interest.”

Efuntayo said there are two cinema halls and a 25-room hotel, which is under a new management.

The concept, he explained, is that of a pleasurable shopping experience where every member of the family finds something of interest in either the fashion shops, kiddies, unisex outlets the bar or cinema.

The City Mall a powerhouse in terms of store mix. It has a total

lettable space of 7,280 square metres with least shop size measuring 50 sqm and up to 300 sqm.

On what has kept the mall going these years, Efuntayo said the management of the mall has always leveraged on the principle of best practices as obtainable overseas and customer perceived value, in addition to listening to customers’ suggestions, especially in terms of security which has led to the over hauling of the security arrangement.

On the key features of the mall,

‘The management of the mall has always leveraged on the principle of best practices as obtainable overseas and customer perceived value, in addition to listening to customers’ suggestions, especially in terms of security which has led to the over hauling of the security arrangement’

Efuntayo stressed its ideal location and nearness to the upscale residential abodes such as Victoria Island, Ikoyi and other parts of the city centre, the ample car space for over 300 cars, relatively modest prices of the shops, escalators for easy movement, excellent security surveillance with camera and uninterrupted water supply.

He encouraged shoppers and entrepreneurs who have been making inquires to take advantage provided by the repositioning to take up spaces to showcase their goods and services to earn huge returns.

He also promised an exciting outing for the upwardly mobile young people who have kept faith with the City Mall on Thursday’s and Fridays, saying, there are better days ahead.

Plateau residents lament erosion threat

R

ESIDENTS of Longwa, a set tlement near Solomon Lar Amusement Park, Jos, Plateau State,have expressed fear over the threat of gully erosion.

A resident of the area, Mr Fom Gyan, who spoke in Jos, expressed concern that the contract awarded by the Federal Government to check the erosion had not been completed. ``The erosion control project, which is expected to bring relief to the community, is ``lingering for too long. ``When the Federal Government awarded the contract to check the erosion, we were all happy because

the threat was real and scary. ``We had hoped for relief in no distant time. But five years after, the work is yet to be completed. ``The situation is worsening as the erosion has reached our houses.

Many of us cannot sleep at nightdue to the fear that our houses may soon be eaten up.''

Gyang appealed to the authorities to come to their aid by ensuring that the project was completed.

However, The Nation learnt that observed that Sky Technical Construction Company, the contractor handling the project, had returned to site after work had stopped for several years.

Workers at the site who refused to speak, were seen working on an embankment that was being erected to shore up soil over affected areas.

The Project Manager at the site, who gave his name simply ``Engineer Avons’’, revealed that the supervisor had travelled out of the country, but acknowledged that the project had been delayed. ``I don’t know why the project has taken this long, but now that we have resumed, I assure you that the project will be completed in no distant time. ``We are stone-pitching for the embankment; the gabion work is also progressing and finger drains are being constructed before the

terracing will be done,’’ he explained.

The engineer rejected the suggestion that the work was of very poor quality.

He said that he could vouch for the quality of the work being carried out and allayed the fears that the items being used were below standard. ``For the time I have been in charge, I have made sure that we use the best quality materials; we will never compromise standard.’’

Efforts to reach the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority failed.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

27

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

28

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Lagos allays fear of flooding

T

HE Permanent Secretary, Of fice of Drainage Services, Lagos State, Mr Muyideen Akinsanya, has expressed confidence that flooding will be controlled in the state to avert a recurrence affected of what happened to some communities on the Ogun River banks last year.

He expressed this view after inspecting Oyan and Ikere Gorge dams.

He said that there was enough room to contain more storm water from the expected rainfall.

Akinsanya, who led a team of the Lagos State Government on a visit to the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (O-ORBDA), managers of Oyan Dam, Abeokuta and Ikere Gorge Dam in Iseyin, Oyo State, last Tuesday told newsmen that the inspection to the dams was to see the level of water in the reservoirs to enable experts to plan ahead in view of the expected high intensity of the rainfall this year.

He said: “We have experienced intense rain in Lagos as predicted by NIMET. “The trip was to see the effect of the rain on the river and possible overflow to Lagos.”

He said that the Joint Committee of O-ORBDA and Lagos State Government could monitored the rise in the level of the rivers and issue informed Early Warning statements to

By Okwy Iroegbu, Asst Editor

the public and advised concerned governments on steps to take to avoid casualties. He added: “Oyan Dam has three metres buoyancy capacity and as such, there is no cause for alarm at least for now.”

The Permanent Secretary appealed to members of the public to adhere to warnings to avoid disasters.

He revealed that the flood in Ajegunle last year did not claim any life because of the proactive measures taken by the Lagos State Government.

According to him, what we have been experiencing in Lagos is flash flood which disappears in less than one hour unlike in the past when the flood would last for one week or more on roads.

He appealed to the public to always desilt drains and desist from dumping refuse in the drains to avoid drainage blockage which is a major cause of flooding.

Executive Director, Engineering, O-ORBDA, Mr Bayo Alayande, an engineer, said: “Oyan Dam was built to keep the flow of Oyan River a tributary of Ogun River in check.

The dam’s reservoir has water storage capacity of 270 million cubic meters. It has a length of 27km, width is six kilometre while the surface

Agency seeks technical support on oil spillage

C

OLLABORATION between technical stakeholders has been identified as a key to impacting on the environment.

The imperativeness of the technical partnership, according to the Director-General of the National Oil spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Mr Peter Idabor, would reposition detection and response mechanism in the country.

Idabor spoke in Abuja while receiving a delegation of the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) led by its National President, Mr Uche Agbanusi.

According to Idabor, in a statement

by Mr Henshaw Ogubike, Head, Public Affairs, the agency that was set up

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

by an Act of Parliament in 2006 requires technical input from tested institutions on the remediation of the environment.

He said though NOSDRA has been involved in various tiers of oil spill management, it still requires partnerships in remediation and capacity building, noting particularly that NES has a role to play in all environmental matters.

In his response, Agbanusi who pointed out that NES pioneered the legislative Bill for the regulation and control of the practice of Environmental profession assured of the group’s commitment to the protection, development and sustenance of the environment as well as promotion of the profession of Environmental Science.

•Ikere George Dam Iseyin, Oyo State

area is 40 kilometre square. The dam if explored for electricity generation can generate maximum capacity 9,000 kilowatts.

Alayande noted that the Federal Government has procured four Flood Early Warning Systems to tackle flood.

Out of the four procured, two are located in Alamutu, Ogun State and Eruwa, Oyo State. The Early Warning System, which components include rain guage, radar for reading, solar panel, has a satellite linked to computers in the office to monitor the rising level of water in the river.

The nearest of the equipment to Lagos which is in Alamutu is expected to trigger an alarm whenever the water level rises up to 3.4 metres.

Contrary to the belief that the dams cause flood, Alayande noted that they were primarily built for

flood control, provision of water to water corporations and electricity generation. According to him, during the dry season water is released to increase capacity for storage during rainy season; if the excess water was not held in the dams reservoirs, it would flow freely and would have caused a lot of damage on its route to the downstream. He added that the amount of water being released from the dam is insignificant compared to the volume that is being held back in the reservoir At the Ikere Gorge dam, the Project Manager, Mr Babatunde Ojo told the team that the Dam which has a capacity to store 555 million cubic metres has many purposes which include power generation, water supply, flood control and tourism. “The dam is capable of generating 3,750

megawatts of electricity,” he noted.

The Project Manager said: “Ikere Gorge Dam has ungated design and they can do little to water releases except carrying out systematic release to downstream to create space to contain excess water during the rainy season with a spill barrier where water flows at a particular level.”

According to him, the level of Ikere Gorge Dam is 262 million cubic metres with spillover taking place around the end of July which however, depends on intensity and frequency of rain. He said it only spills over to Ogun River and then flows to Lagos when it gets to 266 metres.

On the need for the reservoir, he said it is to ensure that water is available during the dry season and to control excess during the rainy season.

Ex-HOS, Perm Sec criticise Fed Govt on sanitation

F

ORMER Head of Service (HOS) of the Federation Ms Ebele Okeke and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Mohammed Bashar, have accused the Federal Government of not keeping the environment clean enough.

Bashar said poor and inadequate funding of the sanitation sub-sector in the country caused the poor state of the country’s environment.

Bashar spoke in Abuja during the commemoration of this year’s National Environmental Day where he deplored poor sanitation in the

From: Dele Anofi, Abuja

urban areas around the country.

He pointed out that the implementation of the National Sanitation Policy at various levels of government has not impacted much on the environment.

He said: “So far, poor environmental sanitation is still a major problem in our urban centers and communities. Heaps of refuse have continued to assault our visual senses in many cities across the country.

“This poses serious threat to tourism and thereby undermines the diversification of the economy which

government is promoting."

“Worrisome is the poor funding of the sanitation sector by the government and the lack of skilled manpower that the sector needs.

In line with global demand and requirement to attract support and enhance the sector, the government at all levels must act and invest in sanitation.”

Though he pointed out that the government was doing all it could to keep the environment clean and habitable, Bashar however, noted that these efforts have not yielded much result.

Govt challenges donors on water, sanitation projects

T

O avoid the duplication of projects, the Federal Government has urged donor agencies to synergise with the Ministry of Water Resources on the implementation of water and sanitation projects.

The Ministry Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Godknows Igali, made the call in Abuja during a Donors Coordination Meeting on Water and Sanitation.

Igali said regular meetings and deliberations between the government, civil societies and NGOs were pertinent for monitoring projects of donor agencies. ``Regular meetings to harmonise policies and approaches are necessary for common approaches to achieve set targets, and not duplicating efforts and projects. ``In the water and sanitation sectors, there must be synergy between government and donor agencies.

``Resources deployed must be perfectly used. We must ensure that projects are well designed and not wasteful,’’ he said.

He tasked the different donor agencies operating in the country to make proper management of projects a priority in all the areas of their operations.

The Permanent Secretary said that all agencies, government and donor alike, must learn to promote performance, evaluation and monitoring of projects for continuity and sustainability.

While commending the development partners’ commitment in improving the sanitary lives of Nigerians Igali called for collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources and the National Population Commission for better achievement.

He noted that such co-operation would boost dialogue to ascertain the

challenges faced by the agencies and government’s input in addressing them. ``Collaboration is important because the development partners are putting in a lot of resources into the water and sanitation sector, and, therefore, must be well guided,’’ he said.

He, however, noted that the development partners had yet to instill a sense of projects’ ownership in the communities they impact. ``There is the need to create more awareness for communities to own projects done in their localities. That way, they would be able to manage the projects even when the donor agencies pull out,’’ he maintained. It would be recalled that the last Donor Coordination Meeting which tackled critical challenges of the water and sanitation sector was held in February.

29

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

•From left: Odinkalu, Ekpu, Shehu, Azinge and Akinola

The people’s right to know •Analysing security implication of FoI Act The debate on striking a balance between national security and the public’s right to know is still raging.

Some experts are of the view that the media must exercise restraint in reporting issues that could undermine national security. Others want a line drawn between government protection and national security.

To them, the public’s right to know is non-negotiable, but the question is: Must the public know everything? JOSEPH JIBUEZE highlights the views expressed at a roundtable organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) in Lagos on Press Freedom and National Security.

T

HE press is central to the sustenance of democracy and good governance. This is underlined by the duty imposed on it by the 1999 Constitution. Section 22 stipulates: “The press and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the…responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.”

Section 39 states: “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.”

But is this right to know absolute? Indeed, there have always been efforts to curtail press freedom in the name of national security. But should it override public’s constitutional right to know “without interference”?

Speakers at a roundtable on Press Freedom and National Security organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) in Lagos said the right balance has to be struck between press freedom and national security, especially now that the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act has been enacted.

To them, national security should be properly defined, because sometimes what is presented as being in the nation’s interest are most times what benefits a few. The government could attempts to hide ‘dirt’ and illegalities in the name of national security.

It is therefore the media’s duty to act responsibly and strike a balance between publishing what is in the public’s interest and what could pose national security challenges, they said.

Those who spoke include NIALS Director-General, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN); Chief Executive Officer of

Newswatch magazine, Mr Ray Ekpu; activist-lawyer, Mr Bamidele Aturu; and journalist and activist Mr Richard Akinnola.

Others are Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Prof Chidi Odinkalu; former Plateau State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Prof Clement Dakas; former chairman, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mallam Garba Shehu and a university don, Azeez Sesan.

Ekpu, who spoke on Press Freedom and Good Governance, noted that security officials sometimes consider every piece of

‘Our government must show tolerance for the public. Even if you don’t like what the public is saying, you cannot change it. You cannot remove the Nigerian population and send them out of the country and import a new set of people so that they will be more amenable. They need to give life to the idea of servant leadership. We need to see it in action not just by way of pronouncement’

material in their possession as security information. Others, he said, have twisted view of national security which derives from their inability to appreciate what is national interest.

“The reason is not far to seek. Our security personnel mistake government interest for national security because they are regime maintenance officers.

Government interest is not coterminous with national interest. At times they may be the same but often times they are not.

“If you look back at the various changes of government over the years you would notice that each time a new government came into office the perception by security officials of national interest and national security would change.

“And sometimes their perception of national security may change even within the same government once there is a problem between the dramatis personae,” Ekpu said.

According to him, the press seems to have a dilemma. Having participated •Continued on page 31

Okotie-Eboh’s daughter loses bid to stall dispute over father’s estate - P.33

Effective enforcement of court’s decisions – P.35

At the Nigerian Bar, Centenary Class comes of age – P.37

30

LAW & SOCIETY

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

31

LAW COVER CONT’D

The people’s right to know •Continued from page 29

in a robust fashion to drive the military out of governance, should it be acutely critical of the foible, follies and foolhardiness of politicians and of the processes of democratic engineering?

If it does, according to some analysts, it would give the impression, wittingly or unwittingly, that democracy is not working, that the old familiar and discredited alternative – military rule – is better.

Or should the press report the nation’s affairs uncritically, even in a sycophantic fashion, which can mislead people into thinking that all is well?

“The best way, perhaps the third way, is for the press to do its duty in a fair, balanced, professional and ethical manner,” Ekpu said.

He deplored secrecy in government.

“The problem of security in our country is not so much the fact that the press reveals too much as the fact that the authorities conceal too much,” he said.

For instance, he said Nigerians do not know how many soldiers died in peacekeeping mission in Liberia, unlike the United States which updates the press on their military casualties wherever they fought.

Ekpu noted that security matters are not handled by officials in any orderly and consistent fashion, so whoever gets a story that affects security decides whether or not to publish it. To him, the press must be supported to do its work utilising its rights to publish, not to disclose source of information, have access to information, and the right of conscience. “Every journalist must have the right to act according to his conscience,” he said.

Akinnola said the country needs a clearly-defined national security doctrine that should be based on the legitimacy of democratic institutions.

According to him, there are categories of secrets. Illegitimate secrets, he said, are those government officials try to shield from public scrutiny, such as their incompetence or criminality.

Another is legitimate but newsworthy government secrets. For example, the publication of secret information that the nation’s nuclear power plants are inadequate might endanger as well as further the national interest. “In such situation, it is often difficult to know which effect predominates,” Akinnola said.

The others are legitimate but non-newsworthy secrets, which further no legitimate public interest.

“To provide a reasonable guidance to the press, avoid chilling the publication of information that is important to the public interest. We need clear, simple, straightforward rules.

“Such rules, by definition, will be imperfect. They will inevitably protect either too much or too little expression, and they will inevitably protect too much or too little secrecy. This is a dilemma. The argument continues,” he said.

Aturu said journalists and the civil society should start making good use of the FoI Act to achieve a better society.

“A number of the shortlisted ministers have committed crimes against this country and their names should not be on the list sent to the Senate, yet journalists are not writing about them. We need to look at how to use the Act. “If a man has been accused of corruption, he should not be given so much space in the newspaper. Information is useless until we can use it to develop ourselves,” he said.

Shehu said the press has largely been circumscribed by the excesses put in place by operators of national security schemes.

“They don’t seem to know where to draw the line between that which is per-

sonal interest or the regime interest. They are not able to rise above the sense that they are basic regime protectors to put the citizens at the hallmark of their activities.

“Our government must show tolerance for the public. Even if you don’t like what the public is saying, you cannot change it. You cannot remove the Nigerian population and send them out of the country and import a new set of people so that they will be more amenable. They need to give life to the idea of servant leadership.

We need to see it in action not just by way of pronouncement.”

Prof Dakas noted that the right of the press is not absolute, saying that the media has to ensure that it acts responsibly.

He however said: “We must proceed from a prism that favours a presumption that there is a right to know.”

He added: “There is sometimes the tendency on the part of our leaders to mistake regime survival for national security.

And it’s critical that we draw that clear distinction and ensure that our conception of national security is one that is anchored on the welfare of the Nigerian people. Then the people can buy and key in to the government’s vision in terms of moving our country forward.

“You have some of the issues that have been generated by Wikileaks and the explosion on the information super-highway. It reinforces the need for all of us to stay engaged actively, constructively, but it is also important for journalists to strike a balance between freedom of expression on the one hand and national security on the other hand.

“I think it’s critical that balance is struck, but it’s also important that our judiciary plays a very constructive role in striking that balance as well, ensuring that at the end of the day, there is synergy between national security and press freedom or indeed more appropriately the right to know.

“On a larger scale, I think that the passage of the Freedom of Information Act is a landmark achievement inspite of its imperfections. It is critical that the passage of that law in turn engenders a change in our attitudes and our minds so that we readily make information available without having to be coerced to do so through the judicial process.

“Ultimately, if the Nigerians citizens can access information, process such information in a constructive way, the country will be the better for it and indeed our democracy will not only be deepened but will be enhanced” On how to know what amounts to national security, he said: “Part of the responsibility is that of government to ensure that it provides a platform for the articulation of our national security in informed manner. I know that journalists also have their own codes of ethics. And part of it is to filter information.

“It’s not every news that you print. It’s only the news that is fit to print. So there is a sense of social responsibility on the part of the media as well.

“If for instance the publication of a news item would bring this country down, I think that journalists should exercise their discretion wisely and ensure

•Dakas

•Aturu

that this is not simply sensational reportage or that it is journalism that is one of the gutters.

“I think that a properly trained journalist will know how to strike that balance, but ultimately I would rather that journalists sensor themselves through internal mechanisms of self-censorship than for the state to bring to bear the weight of the law on journalists who are trying to do their legitimate duty in most cases Odinkalu called for the revamping of the security system for efficiency, adding that beyond assumptions that the Boko Haram sect is behind the recent bomb attacks, there is no forensic proof yet.

He also noted that the Official Secret Act is not yet repealed, and is only superceded in certain respects.

“I think in today’s world national security is not the preoccupation of some people employed in uniforms. National security is the responsibility of everybody.

I think it is important that we underscore that distinction between the preoccupation of a few and the responsibility of everybody.

“Everything has more than one news, and it’s easy to convert a camera into a missile. You could convert a fertilizer for farm use into an explosive. Unless we begin to relocate the site of responsibility for national security for security protection from just a few individuals to everybody that lives within Nigeria, I think we’re going to continue to have problems.

“You cannot do that relocation without understanding that stakeholding in a country involves promoting the best interests of the people of the country and also promoting the best cultures of citizenship.

So, there’s a linkage between legitimate governance and national security.

“We do have a huge national security challenge and I would agree with you that the safety and security of everybody within the territory of Nigeria is the first duty of government and indeed the first duty of everyone of us.

“I’m not so sure everybody would agree necessarily that biggest security problem we have got is boko haram. First, you have got to cross an evidentiary threshold. The fact than explosives go off everywhere and people are saying boko haram does not necessarily mean it is.

“I think we’ve got to understand that there is got to be a forensic process, and it’s got to take time. The security agencies

have got to win the confidence of the people to be able to get the information they need to undertake that forensic process successfully.

“A year before last, when you had the extermination of hundreds of people in Borno State, how many of those people were boko haram and how many were not? We don’t know. Why? Because people did not allow an investigative process to take place. People were exterminated and then labeled boko haram, just as a lot of people get exterminated and labeled armed robbers. So, I think we’ve got to be careful.

“The second thing is that, even assuming that the issue is boko haram, and quite clearly nobody will support the bombing of locations within our country by people whatever their cause may be, is boko haram cause or consequence? Is it a symptom or a disease?

“And somebody could argue that the biggest national security problem is not boko haram, but it is the fact that we states in which you’ve got less than 28 per cent basic education. Now when you’ve got 28 per cent basic education enrolment, that is a national security crises.

“When you’ve got one in five mothers dying at childbirth, that is a national security crises. We’ve got actually think carefully and examine carefully what our national security pathology is. Is it the symptoms that we want to treat, so people say I look like boko haram and I get exterminated, or is the causes that predispose us to this pathologies?

“That’s really the challenge and the security agencies have got to show that they have got the capacity to address that.”

Azinge said: “It would appear that people are confused and the necessary agencies are not coordinating properly in trying to proffer solution as to how to grapple with challenges before. If there’s a need for further legislative pronouncements on the issue, possibly a proposal will be forwarded to the National Assembly in form of a bill.

“Freedom of the press will help to ensure that there is good governance. The Constitution is also clear that in as much as there is freedom of expression, which freedom of the press is a part of, there is also an overriding principle that there comes a time when national security will override freedom of the press.

“The major challenge is how do we draw the line and when do we draw that line? As has already been articulated, is national security tantamount to the pronouncement of the government of the day or its interest? National security may not necessarily be the same as the interest of the government of the day, but is it coterminous with the interest of the public?

“Can we say that national security and public interest will always be the same at any point in time? For us the major and overriding issue is national security. How do we ensure that lives and property are protected and preserved.”

‘I think it’s critical that balance is struck, but it’s also important that our judiciary plays a very constructive role in striking that balance as well, ensuring that at the end of the day, there is synergy between national security and press freedom or indeed, more appropriately the right to know’

32

LAW & SOCIETY

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

33

THE NATION TUESDAY,JULY 5, 2011

LEGAL OPINION LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

•From left: Former Assistant National Publicity Secretary, NBA, Ike Uko; Secretary, NBA, Lagos branch, Sunday Onu; his wife, Gladys; Mrs Ijeoma Uhie and her husband, Ebenezer at the dedication of Master Chijindu Michael Onu at the Presbytarian Church of Nigeria, Ejigbo, Lagos

Okotie-Eboh’s daughter loses bid to stall dispute over father’s estate

A

DAUGHTER of the First Republic Finance Minister, the late Chief Festus OkotieEboh, Mrs Alero Jadesimi, has lost her bid to frustrate the hearing of a suit that questions her right to dissipate her late father’s assets without her sibling’s consent.

In a judgment last week, Justice James Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Lagos dismissed her application seeking to strike out names of the late Minister’s companies Afro-Nigeria Export and Import Company Limited and Afro- Nigeria Export and Import Properties Limited - from the suit instituted by her 13 siblings.

The judge held that the application lacked merit and that it was wrongly filed. The court also held that the application was defective in that averments in its supporting affidavit offended some provision s of the Evidence Act. Justice Tsoho further held that the averment contained in paragraph 3(b) of the affidavit violated the requirement of the Evidence Act because the deponent failed to state the place and time he got the information he deposed to.

Mrs Jadesimi had argued in her application, that the plaintiffs failed to secure the authority of the companies before instituting the case on their behalf. She also challenged her siblings’ claim of being directors in the company.

The plaintiffs, in their counter affidavit, described the application as a ploy to frustrate the hearing and determination of the case. They argued that the suit was authorised by majority of the companies’ directors.

They said six out of the companies’ seven directors authorised the institution of the suit. They urged

By Eric Ikhilae

the court to give effect to the said authority by dismissing the application and determine the case.

The plaintiffs, led by Adolo and Bawo are, in the substantive suit, praying the court to among others, restrain Mrs. Jadesimi from further selling the deceased’s assets held in the name of the companies.

The suit has Mrs. Jadesimi (sued for herself and on behalf of the estate of her late mother, Mrs. Victoria Okotie-Eboh) her children, Sarah and Jide, as defendants.

The plaintiffs said their request for a restraining order was informed by their alleged discovery that the defendants have sold a property on 1 Milverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos belonging to their late father, without their knowledge.

They alleged that the said property with an actual value of N800 million was undervalued and sold by the defendants to a companyGrove Crest Property limited for N600 million. They alleged that defendants were planning to sell more of the late Minister’s properties held under the name of Afro-Nigeria Export and Import Properties Limited.

They listed the properties include houses 41A and 41B Bourdilon road, Ikoyi (valued at N1.6billion); 29A and 29B Moloney, Lagos valued at N800 million and 16 Olowu Street, Lagos whose value was put at N300 million.

The plaintiffs accused the first defendant (Mrs Jadesimi) of assuming unilateral ownership of the two companies that manage the exminister’s landed properties. They also accused her of fraudulently transferring the companies’ ownership to herself and her children.

•Chief Okotie-Eboh

Mrs Jadesimi has filed a counterclaim in the suit, in which she prayed the court to among others, restrain some of the plaintiffs, recently appointed as directors of the companies from acting in that capacity.

She urged the court to set aside the appointment of Mr Jude Ngbobili as Company Secretary of both companies and be restrained from further acting in that capacity.

She also prayed the court to set aside the appointment of Mr Clara Akele and Mr Bawo Okotie-Eboh as chairman and director of the companies.

Mrs Jadesimi contended in her statement of defence that Afro-Nigeria Export and Import Company Limited is not a family company and that the late minister was neither a minority nor majority shareholder in the said company.

She said the late minister never named any of the plaintiffs as a beneficiary of his will. She also argued that since the ex-minister died in 1966 neither his estate nor the 13 children exercised membership right in Afro-Nigeria Export and Import Company Limited.

Mrs Jadesimi further argued that the properties in dispute are not part of the late Okotie-Eboh’s estate, and that the suit was incompetent having not been filed with the consent of the said companies.

LEGAL DIARY Belgore lecture THE Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) will hold the S. M. A. Belgore chair lecture.

Topic: The right to life under Nigerian constitution: The law, the courts and the reality.

Date: Today Venue: Gurara Hall, Rockview Hotel, Wuse II, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja Time: 11 a.m.

Chairman: Justice Musdapher Dahiru (JSC) Special Guest of Honour: Justice S. M. A. Belgore (rtd) Attendance: Free

NBA holds Criminal Justice Reform Conference THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) will hold its maiden Criminal Justice Reform conference.

Theme: Transforming the Criminal Justice System in Nigeria – A reform agenda.

Date: July 17 to 20 Venue: NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja Time: 9 a.m. daily Keynote address by Bryan Stevenson, Director, Equal Justice Initiative, Montgomery, Alabama, Georgia, US. Special guest of honour: President Goodluck Jonathan Chief host: Joseph Bodurin Daudu (SAN), President, NBA.

PHCN as a praying ministry T

HE Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) is surely undergoing changes. It has added another feather. Obviously overwhelmed by its multifaceted problems, the public corporation has turned into a praying ministry. The General Overseers of the new ministry must be the national chairman of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), and that of the Senior Staff Association; while the Abuja chapter chairman of NUEE, Mr Lamee Obadaki, is a key ‘pastor’.

The prayer points are legion, but the major one is that Prof Barth Nnaji, the world renowned robotics engineer, who has been championing a road map over our national electricity malady, should not be appointed a Minister of Power, by President Goodluck Jonathan. Another major matter on their list is that their request for a 50 per cent salary increase, in addition to a 13 per cent earlier agreed to by government in 2009 should be delivered intact, and that any thought of chopping off part of the largesse should be met by fire from yonder.

According to Mr Obadaki, obviously a ‘prophetic pastor’, the union has been using prayers in its war with the Federal Government since 2006, and as clearly evident, they have never been disappointed. According to The Punch newspaper of Wednesday, June 29, Obadaki was reported to have thundered apparently from his pulpit that, ‘from now, we are giving them (the ‘them’ is probably the Federal Government) between 14 and 21 days as we used to do and if action is not taken, then we will withdraw our services’.

To show how serious and urgent the praying sessions have become, all PHCN workers are requested to gather at the PHCN headquarters in Abuja daily for 21 days, where they will pray for rainstorms and firestorms and tornados and earthquakes and other maladies to befall those opposed to their well being. Most likely their enemies would include those who have been openly campaigning for a new order in PHCN, and of course the ungrateful public who believe that the corporation should be scrapped and its workers dispersed for their monumental incompetence.

The ‘pastor’ indeed claimed that Prof Barth Nnaji has been responsible for their poor performance and has been the cause of their problem with the Federal Government. He prayed that God will touch President Jonathan so that he will not appoint him a minister in the power ministry, and that the counsel of the professor should turn to foolishness. As was also reported in the press there are other key points of the new prayer ministry, mostly bordering on the welfare of the workers, and their retention of their positions in PHCN. On his part, Nnaji has rejected the claims of the workers, insisting they are merely resistant to the needed change in that abused sector.

As for me and l guess most Nigerians, the PHCN prayers for increased welfare and maintenance of the status quo is a bigger threat than the appointment of Nnaji to the power ministry. So, I will help them to reorder the prayer requests, so that their prayers and that of about 150 million ordinary Nigerians will harmonize; so that jointly they can hope for an answer from God. The first prayer point is that the dead woods and corrupt members of PHCN staff should be consumed by the transformation agenda of President Jonathan. These dead woods of course include those who are playing politics with the needed transformation in the power sector. Also any PHCN staff who is not agonising with Nigerians over the generation of less than 3,000 mega watts of electricity, despite the investment of more than N2 trillion in the last 12 years, according to official statistics of Federal Government agencies. Again the members of PHCN who live on the award of bogus contracts for equipments not needed and at inflated costs, should be flushed by the rainstorm.

The next prayer point is for fire to consume the perpetrators of the official bottlenecks in the form of civil servants, politicians and their offspring whose stock in trade is to embezzle the resources earmarked for power generation, through kick backs and other sundry means. These include those who made it an official policy that more darkness is generated as more money is expended by the Federal Government. That of course includes any one of them in whose pockets the N2 trillion already spent to generate more darkness is unlawfully found, and their prayers should be that such pockets should be raised by fire.

The third prayer point should be against the contractors who have been sucking the nation dry, and of course the generator and diesel merchants, I mean those who have ever worked against the improvement in the power supply. Here, the prayer is against those of the merchants who have been lobbying the staff of PHCN to play politics with the power reform and to frustrate steps to any meaningful progress. Also, the contractors who sell the dummy to the public that any transformation in the power is a ruse; so that they can continue with their lucrative business of diesel importation at our collective detriment, while they smile to the banks.

Finally, the workers must pray for the spirit of discernment so that they would know when their leaders have turned the struggle to a retirement plan. Any of their leaders telling them that PHCN will not be reformed while they are in charge must likely be collecting retirement benefits in advance. Those who also insist that the reformation will be over their dead body may as well pay in advance for proper burial arrangements, as anything short of that would mean that we have all acquiesced to dying instead of reforming.

34

LAW & SOCIETY

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

35

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

NATIONAL BAR

•Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tanbuwal (left) with Daudu

•National Publicity Secretary, NBA Emeka Obegolu; Elechi Agada and first Assistant Secretary, NBA Steve Abba

Effective enforcement of court’s decisions

Text of a speech by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Bodunrin Daudu (SAN), at a training workshop in Lagos jointly organised by Access to Justice (AJ) and the NBA on Effective enforcement of court orders and judgments: Getting around the obstacles.

E

NFORCEMENT of court orders and judgments in Nigeria is an integral part of our adjudicatory system. When parties submit themselves or are brought before an adjudicatory body, the end result is not the sentence, judgment, order or award made by that body. The process can only be described as concluded when there is compliance, enforcement or execution of the judgment or order of the said adjudicatory body. However, since the parties are human or even superhuman (as some individuals, government agencies and functionaries see themselves) there is usually a great reluctance to obey judgments, orders and awards. I don’t think the essence of this workshop is to explore the reasons behind the psychological basis for the dishonourable attitude of failing to live up to ones constitutional responsibilities. I am of the view that this flagrant disregard for the Rule of law through the frustration of adjudicatory process by those who disobey court orders poses a greater threat to the society in many ramifications. Even in premodern societies, painful as it may be, society was kept together by the strict obedience or compliance with the judgments and decisions of the tradition adjudicatory system which today some would consider barbaric.

Now that we live in a ‘constitutional democracy’ and certain freedoms are guaranteed, it is imperative that we fine tune our systems to ensure compliance with judgments, orders and awards, which are the products of our adjudicatory system. This means that as things stand, there is compliance by government in particular, more in the breach than in its observance. The reasons are not difficult to fathom. Firstly, there is little or no information about government assets by way of accounts, property and chattels. One hopes that this fundamental obstruction to the enforcement of judgments will be ameliorated when the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act is fully understood and implemented by the agencies that hoard crucial information.

Secondly, government and civil societies such as the NBA and Access to Justice (AJ) must step up their enlightenment programmes on hot and vital topics such as the Rule of law, due process and good governance. There cannot be too much

advocacy on these topics. People who hold themselves above the law because of transient political power or authority must realise that there is greater benefit in obeying or subjugating themselves to the rule of law because it is the culture of obeying the rule of law and due process that will guarantee them stable lifestyle when they have left office and their subordinates who they must have taught well continue with the reins of power. Thirdly, there is a need to cause an overhaul to the existing legislations on the subject matter of the enforcement of judgments.

For instance, the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act is an anachronistic and pre-colonial legislation that is not in tune with the advancements in justice sector delivery envisaged by the 1999 Constitution as amended. It will be necessary for workshops and other deliberative fora such as this initiative to think out ideas that will be the basis for change in existing legislations.

Conclusion It is hoped that this seminar will sow the seeds for a culture of obedience to judgments and orders of courts and other adjudicatory agencies.

Failure to do so will drag the nation into a world or sphere that most nations avoid. The consequences of a society perceived to be steeped in the culture and ethos of disobedience to court orders and judgments are legion. Foreign investment will become scarce, internally generated investment too will flee our shores.

(That is why there is a noticeable increase in investment by foreigners and Nigerians in countries such as South Africa and Ghana as an alternative to Nigeria where the perception is that hard as you try, you can never get any form of justice, be it criminal, punitive, reformative or compensatory justice. Nigeria faces a bleak future if we do not mend our ways. This terrible negative culture will come to haunt us, when this generation is no longer around and our wealth has been frittered away.The question to ask today is whether we wish to go down this route. I dare say no. We must, however, reverse the trend of impunity and lawlessness, be it executive, corporate or individual. As they sayA word is enough for the wise. I wish you a fulfilled deliberation as this worthwhile workshop takes off.

36

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

37

LAW & SOCIETY

At the Nigerian Bar, Centenary Class comes of age The job of every generation is to discover the flaws of the one that came before it. That’s part of growing up, figuring out all the ways your parents and their friends are broken. So, pity the first people to reach puberty after a zombie apocalypse, who would have some truly heavy lifting in this department...You become whatever they fear the most.

Now THAT’S evolution.

- Justine Larbalestier, Zombies vs. Unicorns (2010)

I

N 1988, the Nigerian Bar marked the Centenary of its establishment, the evergreen Alao Aka-Bashorun was the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and a new generation of young lawyers took their first tentative steps on the ladder of the vocation of the law. For the Nigerian Bar, the 1988 generation was the Centenary class, enrolled 100 years after Christopher Sapara Williams became the first lawyer to be admitted in Nigeria in 1888.

It was also the Silver Jubilee year of the Nigerian Law School.

Babatunde Ibironke was the Director of the School. The teaching staff included Amina Augie, now a senior Justice of the Court of Appeal and Folake Doherty, now, like Ibironke, also of blessed memory. The avuncular D.V.F Olateru-Olagbegi, then the Secretary of the Council of Legal Education and a much loved civil procedure teacher, was several years from fulfilling his destiny as the Olowo of Owo. Franz Fanon left us all with the insight that “each generation must discover its mission, fulfill it or betray it…” At the Nigerian Bar, successive generations have grappled with defining their niche, some more coherently than others. An earlier generation struggled, albeit inarticulately, to give us Independence.

Obafemi Awolowo, Jerome Udoji, Jaja Wachukwu, and Simeon Adebo were leading members of this generation. The succeeding generation (topped by the 1978 set), whose civic consciousness began to crystallise at Independence, for instance, has grappled wholeheartedly with the challenge of building a profession.

The 1978 class have excelled in this, producing a succession of towering leaders of the Bar including Gboyega Awomolo, Onueze Okocha, Olisa Agbakoba, and Rotimi Akeredolu, all SANs; as well as Amina Augie and Walter Onnoghen at the Bench.

For most of the members of the generation admitted and enrolled 10 years later in 1988, our civic foundations were forged under military rule. Our early contact with law was dominated by military jurisprudence. In the university, this was taught as “revolutionary” jurisprudence, a perversion if ever there was one. The year of the fifth anniversary of our professional life coincided, first with the annulment of the Presidential elections in June; followed five months later in November 1993 with the assumption of power in our country by the ruinously misguided Sani Abacha.

Unsurprisingly, the defining challenge of our generation easily crystallised as the re-establishment of our civics, the affirmation of law as civic virtue and the effort to re-claim our country form the blight of normalising a martial aberration.

In addressing this challenge, the Centenary class and generation has come of age. In the period since Nigeria returned to civil rule in 1999, the Centenary class has become a trusted supplier of the principal architects in of new ethos in public service and lawyering in the public interest. Notable members of the Centenary class in this league include Pius Anyim, a former Senate President and current Secretary to the Federal Government. Raji Fashola (SAN) and Governor of Lagos State sets standards in Executive performance and Liyel Imoke, his

By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu

counterpart in Cross River State is not much far behind in showing that it is possible to achieve results even with meagre resources. In Akwa Ibom State, there is Godswill Akpabio. They were all in the Centenary Class.

Solomon Ewuga, now a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic and former Deputy Governor of Nassarawa State was also in our class as was Nnia Nwodo, whose public service record includes Ministerial stints. Olisa Metuh and Vincent Okpaleke are charting a path in building political parties, the necessary foundations for competitive democratic politics. They are indispensable engineers in re-building our civics.

Joy Emordi, also a former Senator, fought path-breaking battles on her way into and out of the Senate. She is now a Presidential Adviser. In the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwauche served a memorable term as Deputy Speaker of the House. Awwal Tukur, Aminu Shagari and Muraina Ajibola represent a sampling of a steady supply of federal legislators from the Centenary class.

In Ekiti State, Deji Daramola, another member of the Centenary class, is today the Chief Judge.

In an age in which induction into the Inner Bar has become mired in both controversy and vocal suspicions of up-ended mediocrity, members of the Centenary Class have begun to make their mark with quiet distinction and credit. Babatunde Fagbohunlu (SAN), a member of the Centenary class arguably epitomises the determined skill with which this generation has addressed the challenge of public service lawyering. Better known as a commercial litigator, Tunde has also litigated some of the most far reaching public interest matters in Nigeria from the outer limits of refugee law to the limits of capital punishment and was the principal drafts-person of the recentlyenacted Freedom of Information Act. Others members of the Inner Bar from the Centenary class include Yele Delano, Bisi Soyebo, George Oguntade, Sina Sofola, all SANs. Colleagues such as Caleb Dajan in Jos, Chijioke Okolie in Lagos and Iniruo Wills in Port Harcourt are emerging as a new generation of Bar leaders. Iniruo’s footprint has also extended to community lawyering and institution building in the Niger Delta where he’s been instrumental in developing the institution of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

This is also the generation whose members cut their professional teeth in the transition from the Analogue to the Digital age. The seamlessness of this transition has produced lawyers from the Centenary class with a footprint in public service and new practice frontiers that straddle territories within and beyond Nigeria. Boma Ozobia, a leading member of the

‘This is also the generation whose members cut their professional teeth in the transition from the Analogue to the Digital age. The seamlessness of this transition has produced lawyers from the Centenary class’

Centenary Class, has become a pioneering female President of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA), a first from Africa. Lanre Fagbohun, currently the holder of a Professorial Chair at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), has pioneered new frontiers in international environmental law; Yemisi Wada is pioneering a new humanism in effective advocacy for street children; and the present writer has beaten a path in international economic and human rights laws and activism. We are all members of the Centenary class.

It was Anthony Kronman who pointed out that the good lawyer is ultimately a “good citizen” who “cares about the public good” and is distinguished by their “special talent for discovering where the public good lies and fashioning those arrangements needed to secure it.” For an earlier generation at the Nigerian Bar, the public good lay in the challenge of attaining Independence. For the generation that succeeded them, it was to our economic vocation as a formidable profession. As that generation beholds the onset of the foothills of its professional Autumn before undertaking the inevitable journey, a generational baton change could be in the offing. For the Centenary class, our challenge is how to build public service ethics for a serviceable country, a country in which our children can strive equally to be the best that they are each and all capable of.

On July 6, 2011, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, the members of Centenary Class propose to converge to renew faith in the pursuit of this challenge and affirm the worth of confronting it. Gladly, this is not the kind of military “revolution” some of our Constitutional Law teachers flippantly spoke about when we were under-graduates a little over a quarter of a century ago. Hopefully, however, it is the kind of necessary evolution our country needs.

•Odinkalu, a member of the Centenary Law Bar Set of 1988, works with the Open Society Foundation.

Civil damages: Lagos warns law officers against negligence

MULAN hails verdict on Islamic law

A

N Ogun State High Court has ruled that the Constitution recognises Islamic law.

The ruling was on a dispute between the Muslim Community in Ila-Oragun town of the state over the succession to the office of a Chief Imam.

The Muslims said that states in the Southwest should put in place a Sharia Court of Appeal for the Muslim community.

The Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN) has praised Justice O.F. Oloyede, who delivered the ruling, for what it called “a brilliant ruling in a recent case on the application of Islamic Laws and the jurisdiction of the Court to adjudicate over the matter.”

President of MULAN, Alhaji Tajudeen Olaseni Oladoja, described the ruling as a landmark, especially coming from a judge who is not a Muslim.

“The ruling gives hope that in the nearest future states in the Southwest of Nigeria which have not establish Sharia Courts shall do so for Muslims in such areas to be judged and guided by the Islamic Laws,” he said.

•Anyim

By Joseph Jibueze

•Pedro

L

AW officers in Lagos State will be held responsible for any action or inaction that results in avoidable liabilities and judgment-debts against the government.

The Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), said a situation where the state is exposed to paying heavy damages and liabilities due to the negligence of its law officers would no longer be tolerated.

He spoke at a workshop entitled: Justice Agenda towards reducing state government li-

abilities and judgment debts, organised by his ministry’s Directorate of Civil Litigation for the Ministry of Land and its agencies.

He said: “When government enters into business or contract with the private sector, its officers must play by the same rules that apply to its citizens. When service is being rendered to residents of Lagos, public officers must comply with due process and best practices to avoid litigation and attendant consequences.

“But there will be sanctions for law officers who due to negligence or error on their own part cause avoidable liabilities to government. They will be liable. We’re not saying the government must win all the cases, but a law officer must put in his best.

“When you’re expected to go to court, and you don’t; you’re expected to file a paper, and you don’t file it, and judgment is given against the government, such an officer, for his or her negligence, and lack of diligence, will have to be sanctioned. And there will be no compromise about that.”

Lagos Head of Service, Mr Adesegun Ogunlewe, noted that the state government has been losing cases even between it and its employees due to the administrative lapses by

Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

This, he said, is due to the mishandling of disciplinary matters, improper documentation, inadequate briefing of state counsel as well as absence of witnesses and legal officers in court.

Ogunlewe added: “The state government is also aware that there can be no development where rights and wrongs are not determined in a fair, transparent and efficient manner and where inefficiency, delay and frustrations abound in the legitimate quest of the citizens to seek and obtain justice.”

Justice Deborah Oluwayemi of the Lagos State High Court, said state counsel sometimes face challenges of lack of response from the ministries and agencies being sued, while some lack basic material to work with, such as computers.

She, however, observed that there is also “mass employment of untrained officers,” some of who are politically-appointed and “can’t even write.”

“I admonish our law officers to work hard, abstain from careless talks or making comments on official matter to parties who are not entitled to such information. Whatever you embark upon, do it cheerfully, with honesty and dedication and the reward lies in your stride,” Justice Oluwayemi said.

38

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

ENERGY THE NATION

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

• From left: Ernest Nwapa, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Content Development Monitoring Board; Chima Ibeneche, President,Nigerian Gas Association; Saidu Mohammed, Managing Director, Nigeria Gas Company; Charles Osezua, Chairman, Owel-Linkso Group and Bolaji Osunsanya, Managing Director, Oando Gas & Power Limited, at the launch of Nigerian Gas Association capacity building/training programme, tagged NGA learning solution, for oil and gas professionals in Lagos.

Oil &Gas: Nigeria risks $78b in capital flight A

BOUT $78 billion might be lost to capital flight from the oil and gas industry in the next five years (2011-2015), if appropriate steps are not taken to meet the local content targets set by the content board.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Ernest Nwapa, disclosed this while presenting a keynote address at the launch of the Nigerian Gas Association’s Learning Solution in Lagos.

He highlighted the need for a gradual and sustainable bridging

INSIDE •Successes, controversies trail energy sector •••Page 39

•‘Renewable energy, Africa’s hope for power supply’ •••Page 40

Stories by Emeka Ugwuanyi

of the skills gap existing in the industry currently.

Nwapa listed out new projects that are ongoing, their costs and the anticipated part of the cost that can be retained in-country if substantial Nigerian skills and materials are used.

For instance, he mentioned the Brass Liquefied Natural Gas (BLNG), in which the industry expects to spend $20 billion in the next five years. He pointed out that as the industry stands currently is in terms of local skills and materials, $18 billion out of the $20 billion would be spent on foreign skills and materials. He said the board has targeted to domicile $10 billion of that amount within the period under review.

Nwapa, who solicited the support of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) and other stakeholders to support the development of capacity in-country, also said the same issue applies to Egina project, Gas Revolution and other impending projects.

The NCDMB chief said the expected industry spend on Total’s Egina project in the next five years is $10 billion and with the current skills gap and others, about $8 billion will leave the country as capital flight. He said in the estimated $30 billion budget for the Federal Government’s gas revolution, $27 billion would be spent on foreign skills and materials.

On other impending projects in the industry, Nwapa said the esti-

mated cost is put at $30 billion with $25 billion to be spent on import of skills and materials. He, however, said the Board has set milestones if when achieved would retain at least $3 billion from Egina, $10 billion from gas revolution and $5 billion from other impending projects.

From the data, it shows if the Nigerian content is substantially advanced, about $78 billion would be frittered away as capital flight.

Nwapa noted that the development of in-country capacity is the

Source: Rigzone.com

the jobs. We have asked all the IOCs to give us a list of their original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

He expressed delight that rig repairs in Nigeria is developing fast, noting that dry-docking is carried out at Niger Dock, Starzs and WAS, among others.

He said that currently all rigs are repaired in Nigeria except for where there is draft challenges.

Nwapa said that the board plans to renew its capacity gap analysis for employment.

IPMAN constitutes 23-man committee on product allocation • Tells NNPC to allocate products through members

T

HE Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Ni geria (IPMAN) has set-up a 22man committee to oversee allocation of petroleum products from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The group also urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to ensure strict allocation of products through legitimate members.

Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo, Chairman, IPMAN products allocation committees made the plea at the weekend in Lagos after their inaugural meeting held at Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO).

Okoronkwo said that the essence of

OIL PRICES JUNE 24 - JULY 1

Light Crude

only sure way to create employment adding that government, ministries, Department, Agencies (MDAs) put together, cannot employ Nigerians looking for jobs, hence the need for allhands to be on deck to develop the capacity in Nigeria.

He said that it is mind-boggling that Nigeria pays much for equipment, which is one of the reasons for the ministerial 60 percent indigenous ownership of marine vessels. “It is in machinery and equipment that we create much of

Brent Crude

the meeting was to ensure that allocation of products is strictly given to members to ensure effective distribution of products by members in other to avoid diversion by some marketers.

“NNPC should allocate IPMAN products strictly to its members to avoid been diverted by some unrecognized marketers.

“The only way to checkmate mischievous marketers is when all allocations follow due process by our umbrella body,” he said.

The chairman said that the IPMAN is ready to partner with NNPC/PPMC in ensuring issues associated with products scarcity is completely addressed in the country.

He warned NNPC and PPMC to desist from giving undue recognition to Alhaji Musa Felande led group, adding that the official and constituted National President of the association is Alhaji Abdulkadir Animu.

“We want NNPC/PPMC to detach themselves from factionalising the association and deal strictly with constituted executive members.

“We are ready to partner with them in making the country ease products scarcity provided we are duly allocated product through recognized of IPMAN,” Okoronkwo explained.

The Secretary of the committee, Mr Olumide Ogunmade, said that the reason the committee was set-up by the National President is to ensure equitable distribution of products to mem-

bers.

Ogunmade said that members who signed bulk purchase agreement with NNPC where not given due consideration on products allocation rather allocate to non-members.

He however assured NNPC/PPMC of their total support in ensuring that issues associated with scarcity became things of the past if they follow due process.

“We are not fighting NNPC but rather set record strength so that our valued members who have invested their money in products will get it adequately.

“If we are given 76 per cent allocation, what we are witnessing today on kerosine won’t have occurred because we are widely spread in terms of retail outlets,” he said.

Ogunmade said that the committee resolved that all products allocation and distribution through NNPPC/ PPMC should come though the members for effective monitoring.

IPMAN had severally complained of inadequate allocation of petroleum products to its members by the PPMC and NNPC. The products allocation committee chair, Chinedu Okoronkwo, has been empowered by the National Executive Committee of IPMAN to take charge of products allocation.

The committee was mandated to report their findings and solutions to the lingering crisis over products allocations to the association’s secretariat.

39

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

ENERGY HALF YEAR REVIEW

Successes, controversies trail energy sector The energy sector (oil and gas, and power) in the first half of the year was a bit turbulent with allegations and counter-allegations of untransparent assets transfer and partnership deals. It also a recorded kerosine scarcity and price hike, which hit all time highs of N140 per litre. The power sector didn’t fare any better as electricity supply dropped abysmally after the elections, EMEKA UGWUANYI, Assistant Editor (Energy), examines activities in the sector in the first six months of the year.

T

HE first half of the year was really a mixed grill with the good and ugly. Early part of the first half recorded some achievements from the government and the operators.

The Federal Government took steps toward the implementation of reforms in the oil and gas, and the power industries in the first quarter of 2011. In partnership with joint venture operator companies, there were renewed efforts at creating improved and sustainable community relations with host communities of oil producing Niger Delta region to enhance oil production. The government for the first time exercised the political will to privatise the power sector by handing over two generation plants (Egbin and Olorunsogo) to private investors. Government also went into some collaboration to explore development of the gas sector in a manner that would retain substantial value in-country.

Although the impact of some of the decisions government took, currently, cannot be felt, operators are of the opinion that such steps were bold enough to bring a change.

However, at the tail of the first half, what seemed like minor kerosene scarcity turned out to be scandalous shooting the price of a litre of the product to N140. The oil marketers were fingered to be responsible for the scarcity as NNPC claimed the corporation had enough supply but distribution was faulty as the marketers were diverting and adulterating the product with diesel to make more profit.

Within the period, the stakes owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in the Shell’s divested oil blocks were enmeshed in controversy following allegations that some transactions were shoddy.

Upstream The inability of the National Assembly to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law was a major setback in implementation of the reform in the upstream sector of the petroleum industry. Despite efforts of the executive arm of the government to persuade the National Assembly pass the bill into law before the general elections, the legislators could not pass it. However, it is still expected that the bill be passed into law before the end of this year but it there are some doubts over that because the bill had to be re-tendered as a fresh bill.

Most of the reforms expected in

• Diezani Alison-Madueke

the upstream sector and their implementation processes are tied to the bill, hence activities in the sector seemed to be at a standstill.

Exploration activities in the first half just like last year were at zero level as international oil companies (IOCs) were skeptical on embarking on such risks. Since some inputs in the bill became contentious especially the fiscal regime and the issues on acreage development, which after several meetings between government and the IOCs, remained unresolved, the operator companies have refused to budge in their decision not to invest in exploration, which is the only way to find new oil, increase production and reserves. The IOCs claim the fiscal aspects of the bill if passed into law in the present state, would make exploration and production business very un-commercial and unprofitable.

However, oil production improved within the first half on the heels of sustained amnesty programme of the government, rising to 2.4 million barrels per day, despite a couple of security issues from the militants.

In the second quarter, Shell Petroleum Development Company, embarked on routine maintenance of the Bonga floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, which is used to produce oil from Shell’s biggest oil field, Bonga field in Oil Mining License (OML)

• Austen Oniwon

118 with daily oil production in excess of 200,000 barrels. Industry operational requirement demands that such a floating vessel be put out of work for maintenance after five years of continuous operation.

The Bonga FPSO commenced work in 2005 and in compliance with the requirement was shut down for maintenance. The FPSO is currently full operational.

In the first half, Shell continued with the divestment of its onshore assets in Nigeria in line with Shell Group’s programme of streamlining assets and focusing on core competence and profitability.

Within the first half, Shell was able to successfully sell its asset in oil mining licences (OMLs 30, 34, 40 and 42, which have been put on sale since last year. In the first half, the government continued its search for oil and gas in the Chad Basin with renewed vigour. However, no positive result has been recorded despite the huge investment that has gone into the project.

Based on advice from its consultant, Prof. Deborah Ajakaiye, that oil can be found in the basin, government through the Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL), a subsidiary of the NNPC in partnership with a Chinese company set out for another round of exploration and hydrocarbon mapping. Ajakiye, a renowned geophysicist and consultant to the United Nations, is on the frontline for oil search in the

• From left: Yunusa Yahaya, Deputy Manager, Insurance, NNPC Retail Limited; Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, NNPC and Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Capital Oil and Gas Limited, at the presentation to the media of NNPC-Capital Oil mobile vending of kerosine to consumers in Lagos.

basin.

Downstream Apart from the kerosene scarcity, which is gradually abating, the downstream operation particularly in the area of products marketing, was substantially stable as government and other operators of the sector were able to sustain PMS supply, which checked scarcity. Besides, insignificant scarcity occurrence in the first quarter, which didn’t last a day, the market was flooded with products, although almost 100 per cent of the supply was import-dependent. The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and depot owners have asked the NNPC to give them more products(petrol and kerosene) than the major marketers because they control about 86 percent of the total retail outlets in the country.

Midstream Government still maintains it is continuing with the construction of three new Greenfield refineries, a project it initiated last year.

The government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had last year agreed to go into partnership with China State Construction Engineering Corporation, CSCEC, state governments of Lagos, Kogi and Bayelsa for the construction and operation of Greenfield Refinery in the three states.

The refineries were designed to have a combined refining capacity of 750,000 barrels per day, able to employ about 7,000 workers and planned to be jointly financed by NNPC, the state governments were they will be sited and the CSCEC. The joint venture said it would seek debt financing from Chinese banks for the funding and construction of the refineries. Government aggressively spearheaded moves for the take off of the project in first quarter but throughout the quarter and the second quarter, nothing was heard of the project. Considering the seriousness given to the project last year, which involved signing of MOUs, and some milestones marked to be achieved within the first, second and other subsequent quarters this year, industry stakeholders were surprised that nothing was said or heard of the project in the first quarter. The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, said the cause of the delay was to enable the stakeholders carry out proper feasibility studies on the projects.

The existing refineries, according to the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Austen Oniwon, operate at 60 per cent installed capacities except Warri that operates at 63 percent. He noted that even if the refineries work at full capacities, Nigeria must still import at least 12 million litres of PMS to meet national demand.

The story of private refinery is a sad one. The only one that was billed to come on stream in the first quarter of this year – the Amakpe refinery in Akwa Ibom State, has gone to sleep and nobody knows when it would wake up.

ERHC clinches three oil blocks in Chad

E

RHC Energy Inc. has said that the government of the Repub lic of Chad has formally awarded the company three oil blocks for exploration and development.

The company expects to announce a concluded production sharing contract (PSC) in respect of the blocks possibly this week.

According to Rigzone newswire, ERHC’s financial officer, Mr. Sylvan Odobulu, has led a team of legal, technical and financial experts in negotiating the production sharing contract on behalf of ERHC. The specific blocks in the award are Block BDS 2008, Manga and Chari-Ouest Block 3. The award of these blocks follows several months of negotiations between ERHC and the government of Chad.

“This is another significant milestone in the remarkable history of ERHC,” said ERHC Chief Executive Officer, Peter Ntephe. “Among the independents operating in Africa, we are already one of the largest holders of exploration acreages in terms of number and size of blocks. This new award increases our holding considerably while

also strategically diversifying our portfolio beyond the Gulf of Guinea.”

The West African nation of Chad is one of sub-Saharan Africa’s significant crude oil producers. It shares borders with Cameroun and Sudan, which both produce oil, and Nigeria which is Africa’s largest oil producer. Chad has proven oil reserves of 1.5 billion barrels with studies establishing the prospect of more discoveries.

Apart from the new award, ERHC currently holds working interests in six blocks in the Nigeria-São Tomé & Príncipe Joint Development Zone (JDZ).

ERHC also holds 100 percent of blocks 4 and 11 of the São Tomé & Príncipe Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) with an option to acquire up to 15 percent working interests in two other EEZ blocks.

ERHC management will host a live online chat at 5:00 p.m. Central Time tomorrow, the report said. The ERHC chief, Ntephe will respond to questions posted live at company’s website. Those unable to participate live will be able to review the online interaction afterward, the report added.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

40

ENERGY

‘Renewable energy, Africa’s hope for power supply’

T

HE development of renew able energy has been de scribed as a greater and effective tool to fight poverty, social unrest and stimulate peace on the African continent.

German expert on renewable energy and author of Power for the world, Prof. Wolfgang Palz, said renewable energy would discourage emigration from rural to urban centres while providing reliable and new electricity, survival needs, clean water supply and alleviating unsustainable use of biomass.

He spoke in Lagos at a lecture organised by the Goethe Institut, the General-Consulate of Germany in Lagos and the delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria to round off an exhibition of 26 stand-alone panels presenting facts on renewable energy

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

sources, technologies and systems.

He noted that 80 per cent of Africa is without electricity supply, saying time to change the situation is now.

The exhibition covers background information on German’s technologies for energy security, climate change mitigation, political and legal framework for its success and its financing options.

The exhibition, which features six major kinds of energies derivable from renewable (wind power, photovoltaic, solar thermal, bio-energy, hydropower, and geothermal energies), provides answers to questions like what are the advantages of the different renewable energy sources and technologies, how do they work, and under which conditions can they be used?

Palz disclosed that 600million people in Africa use wood fuel for cooking, which is unsustainable.

He, therefore, enjoined investors in Africa to develop and mass produce solar systems for home use.

“This is a great opportunity to produce wood pellet which Europe does not have. African countries will be solicited to share the global markets for wood pellets and bio-mass. Sustainability indicators, environmental and labour standard are more than ever important to be followed,” he said.

He explained that every African country is capable of developing its local content and sourcing of other components in line with the demand of renewable energy plants. He hinted that European Union bank is willing to partner with investors on renewable energy, as it has official priority for renewable energy funding.

On the fear of domination by the West, he said: “It is not a dependency issue. Europe is not making Africa to depend on it in energy sector because Africa can produce it for itself. The module can be produced here for instance, and which is the most important component of the photo-voltaic energy.” Photovoltaic energy, he said, could replace electricity supply that is unreliable.

According to a report by the German Energy Agency (DENA), are two billion people from across the world lack access to public power grid. Stand-alone power units based on renewable energy can therefore provide electricity wherever it is technically difficult or not economical to construct a grid. The report says energy from wind, sun, earth and biomass is disposable locally all around the world and can deliver a crucial contribution to en-

ergy security and prevention of conflicts due to diminishing fossil and nuclear fuels. These energy sources, according to the report can be combined very successfully together.

The report states that EU member states have set a target of 20 percent share of its final energy consumption must come from renewable energy sources by 2020.

Germany has set itself the goal of producing at least 30 percent of its electricity from renewable by 2020.

Sharing the Germany experience Palz disclosed that by 2020 Germany would realise 35 per cent renewable energy for its use, an objective that is binding. Interestingly, the Kano office of Goethe Institut, runs on electricity powered by solar energy. The three-city travelling exhibition has moved to Kano and later to Abuja, the federal capital territory.

Oil price dips below $95

O

IL dipped below $95 per barrel on Friday after China reported manufacturing rose at the slowest pace in over two years in June, pointing to a possible slowdown in energy demand.

According to Associated Press Benchmark crude for August delivery dipped $1.06 to $94.38 per barrel in late Bangkok time on the New York Mercantile Exchange after rising $4.16 per barrel over the previous two days. The contract settled at $95.42 per barrel Thursday.

In London, Brent crude for August delivery was down $1.43 cents to $111.05 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.

The China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing said its monthly purchasing managers index fell to 50.9 in June, the slowest pace in 28 months. The report said the trend likely augurs a further slowdown in growth brought on by inflation-fighting curbs on credit.

The price of crude eased back from Thursday, when lawmakers in Greece approved final details of a plan that will bring sweeping financial reform to its beleaguered economy. That eased concerns about a spreading financial crisis in Europe, resulting in a strengthening euro against the dollar. That, in turn, gave oil a boost, since it tends to rise as the dollar falls and makes crude barrels cheaper for investors holding foreign money.

Crude has dropped from near $115 early last month amid concerns about slowing global demand.

The 28-nation International Energy Agency, which includes the U.S., remained worried enough about oil’s impact on the global recovery that it pledged last week to release 60 million barrels of crude and refined products onto the market in an effort to prevent another price spike.

Oil plunged after the IEA announcement. The group said it should more than make up for the loss of Libya’s 1.5 million barrels of daily exports. The release is only a temporary fix, however, analysts say world supplies will continue to tighten, pushing prices higher, unless IEA loosens the spigot again.

In other Nymex contracts on Friday, heating oil lost 3.3 cents to $2.9132 per gallon, gasoline fell 2.8 cents to $2.941 per gallon and natural gas fell 5.5 cents to $4.32 per 1,000 cubic feet.

• From left: Mr. Joshua Ariyo, Executive Director (Finance & Admin), Conoil Plc, Mr. Biodun Wahab, Executive Director, Special Duties, Conoil Plc, Sir Sunny Nwosu, the National Coordinator of the Independent Shareholders Solidarity Association, Mr. John Vasikiran, Managing Director, Conoil Plc and Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Ikwue (rtd), Chairman, National Coordinating Committee, Zonal Shareholders Association, at the 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Conoil Plc, held in Ibadan recently

Shell, UKTI summit set stage for Nigerian, British firms

O

VER 60 Nigerian and Brit ish companies explored op portunities for business at a three-day session in Abuja, jointly organised by Shell Nigeria and United Kingdom Trade and Investment (UKTI).

A statement by Shell’s Corporate Media Relations Manager Tony Okonedo, said the oil and gas industry-targeted session brought together 65 companies, 30 of them British, holding detailed discussions on partnerships in well engineering, drilling, engineering, materials and offshore logistics support.

The networking and discussions at the summit are expected to result in 10 new partnerships in key oil and gas growth areas including; drilling and wells engineer-

ing, equipment and component manufacture, fabrication, logistics, and capacity development. Some 17 Nigerian companies also requested assistance to identify suitable British or other foreign partners.

“The session takes Nigerian content development a step further,” said Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Ernest Nwapa, in a speech at the opening session.

“We commend Shell for the initiative.” His remarks were echoed by the President of the Petroleum Engineering Technology Association of Nigeria, Shawley Coker, and Laurie Schmidt, Contracting and Procurement Manager, Shell SubSaharan Africa.

In a presentation on business op-

portunities in deepwater operations, Austin Uzoka, Head of Nigerian Content Development in Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), said: “Shell companies in Nigeria have recorded significant achievements working with Nigerian service providers in land and swamp operations. We are keen to do the same in offshore activities and encourage Nigerian companies to partner with British counterparts to develop skills and source financing.”

The Abuja business summit is the 5th in the UK/Nigeria Oil & Gas Supply Chain Engagement Programme since 2009. Another session is planned for Aberdeen in September this year, for which 20 Nigerian companies have already registered to attend. The Executive Director,

Upstream International of Royal Dutch Shell Malcolm Brinded, said: “Shell is committed to continuing to further develop local content in its Nigerian operations. I wish this programme every success.”

Shell companies in Nigeria encourage Nigerian content development by promoting the use of locally manufactured goods as well as community and Nigerian service companies in production operations, projects and well engineering. Last year, Shell-run companies in the country awarded contracts worth nearly $947 million to Nigerian companies. This represented more than 96 percent of the overall number of contracts, and amounted to over 94 percent of the total amount spent on these transactions.

Schneider head office bags world’s first ISO 50001 certification

S

CHNEIDER Electric, the glo bal specialist in energy man agement, has scored another first as its head office in Paris, known as The Hive (Hall of Innovation and Energy Showcase), has become the first building in the world to earn the new ISO 50001 certification standard for energy management systems.

The new ISO 50001 standard defines the requirements for the development, implementation, maintenance and improvement of energy management systems. It is

designed to help organizations to continuously improve the energy performance of commercial and industrial buildings, optimize their use and reduce their operating costs.

Speaking on the achievement, Country President of Schneider Electric Nigeria, Marcel Hochet, said: “This latest certification recognises our commitment to energy efficiency and our expertise in this field. More than ever, we are aiming for the highest standards in energy management for both our

customers’ buildings and our own.

The Hive provides valuable feedback that we can leverage to develop efficient, operational energy performance solutions that create value for our customers in Nigeria.”

Hochet explained that before the recent milestone, The Hive was the first building in France to be certified for compliance with High Quality Environmental (HQE) Exploitation, ISO 14001 and NF EN 16001 standards since Schneider Electric moved to the site in January 2009.

The Hive’s compliance with ISO 50001 has also been recognised by AFNOR, the French National Organisation for Standardisation.

He said Schneider Electric is pursuing its commitment to continuously improving the energy management of its buildings, reducing their environmental footprint and enhancing user comfort. To meet the new standard’s requirements, Schneider Electric began adapting its energy management system in late 2010, based on the various drafts.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

41

AVIATION

NAMA to recruit more air traffic controllers T

HE Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) will recruit more air traffic controllers (ATCs) at airports across the country.

Its Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, has said.

Baraje said the recruitment was part of the human capacity development programme of the agency.

He said about 150 other personnel were engaged in different units of the agency to boost its operational capacity to add value to air traffic management services.

The Federal Government, he said, was committed to the continued safety and security of the airspace, as evidenced by the huge investment in safety equipment such as the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) inaugurated in September last year and other facilities.

Baraje told reporters that

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor Aviation Correspondent

in the past few years, the airspace has witnessed significant strides.

According to him, there has been no serious accident or incident, compared to a few years ago, when airplanes were falling from the skies.

He added that aviation has contributed its own quota to the transformation programme of the present administration, adding that Nigerian airspace is one of the safest in Africa.

Safety and security at the various airports, he said, had been enhanced, adding that the government provided personnel, facilities and huge capital to ensure that our Nigerian airspace is safe.”

He said NAMA has one of the most sophisticated equipment in the world, stressing

that all these equipment contribute to the safe and secured airspace that travellers are now witnessing.

Speaking on the debts owed the agency by some of the airlines and efforts to recover them, he said some airlines have agreed to pay substantial amount of the debt they are owing but that the ‘Pay as You Go’ that was introduced by NAMA last year to ensure that the airlines do not accumulate more debts is still very much operational and that airlines are responding.

He disclosed that two airlines are responding to the agreement the agency reached with them. He hinted that it is when airlines pay their debts that the agency can service its equipment scattered across the country and also provide quality services to them, a situation which according to

him will further make the airspace safe.

On the Very High Frequency (VHF) coverage, Baraje said it is on the pilot stage of efficiency of the project, adding that three months ago the agency carried out testing of assessing performance of VHF and because of the hiccup experienced; the agency has invented back- ups that could last for 18 hours.

He said the agency has also invested huge sums in the provision of solar panels to provide power to NAMA navigation equipment scattered at airports and other locations across the country.

Baraje explained that the alternative of solar panels became imperative as a fall out of the unreliability of the primary source of power from the Power Holding Company ob Nigeria (PHCN).

Briefs FAAN boss gives reasons for airport survival THE Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun, said there have been significant improvements in airports across the country through the introduction of various programmes aimed at keeping the ageing airports functioning.

Aisuebeogun, who made this known in his office in Ikeja while speaking to reporters, explained that without the salvaging programmes carried out in the last two and half years some airports would have crumbled by now.

According to him, the country once had airports that airlines refused to fly into because there was no fire cover before now in those airports the expressed joy that there was no airport in the country today that has no brand new fire truck. Aisuebeogun remarked that long period of neglect of airports across the country resulted in the wear and tear of the facilities which eventually led to system collapse in some cases adding that the organisation was fast overcoming all these problems.

The FAAN boss said it will take time to get these problems solved because the facilities across all airports were decaying. “It cannot take us two years to replace them, renew them and sustain them, it will take us a longer time to do it and that is what we are doing now.”

According to Aisuebeogun, the airports will get better with the current level of attention being given to the airports by ensuring that with the limited resources available, what to be done will be carried out to ensure passengers comfort.

AFARN lauds NCAA’s stance on safety A GROUP, under the aegis of Association of foreign Airlines Representatives in Nigeria (AFARN), has commended the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on its stance on safety and security issues in the aviation industry, saying its members would continue to work in line with the approved standard practices in the aviation industry.

The association made the commendation when the leaders of the body had an interface with the Director-General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren on their activities and how to chart a way forward for the growth and development of aviation in Nigeria AFARN is a professional body that provides aviation support services in the industry.

While calling for the support of the association by the NCAA, the president of the group, Mr.Okey Ikeri, explained that the organisation was not resting on its oars towards working harmoniously with relevant agencies in the sector.

He further explained that AFRAN has introduced a Bio Metric type of identification, designed to ensure total compliance by its members to security and safety related issues “AFARN remains strongly committed to standard practices in aviation which NCAA has continued to champion over the years. As a professional body we also welcome the idea of regular stakeholders’ forum to keep abreast with the changes and developments in the system.”

It will be recalled that AFARN was formed recently to provide a common front for its members in dealing with issues that affect them and the aviation industry in general.

• L-R: Former British Defence Secretary and Executive Senior Vice-President of International Business (AgustaWestland), Mr Geoff Hoon; Managing Director (Caverton Helicopters) Mr Sola Falola and Chairman (Caverton Helicopters) Mr Aderemi Makanjuola, at the Paris Air show.

Fed Govt adopts measures to curb bird strikes

T

HE Federal Government has adopted measures to curb bird strike at airports. It has developed a policy on bird/ wild life hazard management to check the menace.

Among the measures established is the setting up of bird hazard control units at all airports.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Ms Anne Ene Ita, made this known while declaring open an international conference on the hazards of bird strikes in Africa.

She said: “The policy thrust recognises the hazards posed by birds/wild life to airport operations and puts in place measures to alleviate these hazards whenever they are detected.”

She said the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has entered into management service agreement with the International Civil Aviation Organisation

(ICAO), with a view to procuring specialised bird control hazards equipment. She said the government was propelled to establish these measures as a fall out of the threat when the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), threatened to drag the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to court to compel it to pay for costs incurred in repairing damaged aircraft as a result of wide life incidents.

Ms Ita said the government has adopted the integrated approach in tackling the hazards using aircraft flight schedule modification and, habitat modification and exclusion as well as repellent and harassment technique with wide life removal.

She listed them to include pyrotechnics, tranquilising projectors, chemicals and ungulated animal restrain drugs.

Ms Ita explained that as

part of the measures a three phase programme for airports has been worked out including airports in Abuja and Kano.

The second phase of the implementation of wild life hazard management action plan has also commenced at airports in Calabar, Enugu, Owerri, Benin, Ilorin, Kaduna, Jos and Maiduguri.

She listed the programmes to include: Merlin Aircraft Bird Strike Avoidance Radar System( ABARS), for the Abuja airport, cordless land air wild life system for the Owerri Airport, as well as patrol vehicles for the completion of the control programme.

“For the third phase FAAN has conceived an action plan for Yola, Sokoto, Minna, Makurdi, Katsina, Ibadan, Akure and Zaria airports, which implementation will commence in 2012.

Also speaking, the Direc-

tor-General of NCAA, Dr Harold Demuren, said: “The menace of bird strike is real.

It is befitting to dedicate a discussion such as this to efforts to minimise both the occurrence and associated damage. Bird strike poses serious danger to flight safety which can result in accident with loss of life and property.

“There are several dimensions of this threat that make it of particular importance to the aviation industry.

“First is the threat to aviation safety and the others being the huge cost to the airlines. We must remember that our airlines are working hard to reduce operational cost and the damage occasioned by bird strikes and the potential implication for coverage and insurance premiums if our skies and airports are considered particularly prone to bird strikes need special atten-

Continental Airlines launch US service

U

NITED Continental Holdings, has said tickets for Con tinental Airlines’ daily, non-stop service between Lagos and Houston, Texas, are available for sale.

According to a statement, the service, Continental stated, is due for launch on November 17, 2011. It would be the first scheduled, non-stop passenger service between Africa and Texas.

The flights will link Lagos with Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, the new United’s largest hub, with 663 daily non-stop flights to 167 destinations in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe and Asia.

Continental will operate the approximately 6,500-mile flight with a Boeing 777 aircraft, with a total of 276 seats. Delays in delivering the Boeing 787 Dreamliner means it is not possible to launch the service with the 787 as originally planned.

Flying times will be approximately 12 hours 30 minutes for westbound passengers and 11 hours eastbound. The new flight will reduce travel time between the two cities by over four hours by eliminating any connection en route.

The flighs will be timed to provide convenient connections at United’s Houston hub to more than 100 other cities throughout the US, Canada, Latin America and the Pacific.

Peacock Travels SATSA member

P

EACOCK Travels and Tours Limited South Africa has been granted approval to become a member of the prestigious tourism body, Southern Africa Tourism Services Association.

It has bagged Delta Airlines’ Platinum Award.

The travel management

company said the award was given at a ceremony hosted by the airline in Lagos.

The said the award was a testimony of the firm’s market leadership and innovative services. The award followed the firm’s clear market leadership in terms of volume of ticket sales.

42

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

According to the National Institute of Health (NIS), cirrhosis is the 12th leading cause of death by diseases. It is associated with excessive consumption of alcohol. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA writes on this disease that is jocularly called disease of the rich.

Health conference to hold in Lagos

By Wale Adepoju

Causes, treatment of liver cirrhosis M

T

HE liver weighs about three pounds and is the largest solid organ in the body. It is central to the manufacturing of blood proteins that aid in clotting, oxygen transport, and immune system function. It stores excess nutrients and return some of the nutrients to the bloodstream and manufacturing bile, a substance needed for food digestion.

It also helps the body store sugar (glucose) in the form of glycogen; rids the body of harmful substances in the bloodstream, including drugs and alcohol, as well as breaks down saturated fat and produces cholesterol.

Cirrhosis is a slowly progressing disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, eventually preventing the liver from functioning properly. The scar tissue blocks the flow of blood through the liver and slows the processing of nutrients, hormones, drugs, and naturally produced toxins. It also slows the production of proteins and other substances made by the liver.

But then, this organ can be impeded from functioning maximally. When the liver is scarred excessively, the condition is called Liver Cirrhosis.

Putting this in proper perspective, a Professor of Public Health and an Epidemiologist, Prof Akin Osibogun, said liver cirrhosis is excessive scarring of the liver, “Just as we have scar formation on the skin after an injury, the liver suffers scar formation following injuries from any of several sources.

Scars in any part of the body consists more of fibrous tissue replacing the normal cells of the particular organ and once the normal cells are replaced by fibrous tissue, the functions of the organ will become compromised.”

Wondering how a liver can get damaged, Osibogun said injuries

and assaults on the liver occur from: “Infections, particularly viral infection which is a famous Hepatitis B virus. It is estimated that Hepatitis B infection prevalence in Nigeria may be higher than the HIV prevalence. This has informed the efforts of the government to include Hepatitis Immunisation in the National Programme on Immunisation. Excessive use of alcohol is also a factor.

“Ingestion or absorption of toxic substances including excessive doses of drugs (which may be accidental or intentional). Excess copper or iron in the liver also cause a form of damage referred to as siderosis and this compromises the ability of the liver to perform its functions.

“Blockage of the biliary system from whatever cause can also prevent the normal flow of bile and its damming (going) back into the Liver with the consequent pressure resulting in crushing and death of liver cells.”

This is different from renal (kidney failure). Osibogun said that some of the common differences between renal failure and liver cirrhosis are that the former is not accompanied by jaundice while the latter may be. Liver Function Tests (LFTs) are deranged in liver cirrhosis while Renal Function Tests (RFTs) are deranged in renal failure. Please the extent of the liver cirrhosis will determine the level of derangement of the LFTs. Massive liver cirrhosis resulting in liver failure may also be accompanied by renal failure. It is thus possible for a patient to suffer from both conditions.

Other issues for consideration in liver cirrhosis are when does it start and what are the symptoms to watch out for.

The Epidemiologist said: “The liver does have some reserve ca-

pacity and symptoms may not necessarily show up immediately there is damage. Of course this also depends on the extent of the damage. Exposure to all the causes earlier listed may cause temporary damage which if quickly arrested may not necessarily result in cirrhosis. However, persistent abuse to the liver will result in liver cirrhosis.

“Some of the common features are - tiredness, lethargy, yellowness of eyes and urine (mild jaundice), swollen feet, excessive itching and anemia (low hemoglobin).

As the cirrhosis becomes more advanced, the patient may have life threatening complications such as haematemesis (vomiting of blood), abdominal distension due to water accumulation (ascites) which may be further complicated by serious infection, mental deterioration and coma, deep jaundice and kidney impairment.The most important strategy in the prevention of liver cirrhosis is health education”, said Osibogun.

But is the condition preventable. To this, the Professor of Public Health gave an affirmative reply, “From the listed causes above, some of the preventive measures are obvious.

Top on the list are measures to prevent transmission of hepati-

•Osibogun

tis virus. The hepatitis vaccine is one measure. Education of the public is also very critical as hepatitis virus can be transmitted through body fluids and can also be sexually transmitted. Educating the public on use of drugs and exposure to toxic agents and effects on the liver is equally important.

Education on early signs and symptoms is also important so that patients can seek early medical review and treatment before extensive and irreversible damage is done to the liver. Awareness is the Key,” Osibogun said.

‘Cirrhosis is a slowly progressing disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, eventually preventing the liver from functioning properly. The scar tissue blocks the flow of blood through the liver and slows the processing of nutrients, hormones, drugs, and naturally produced toxins. It also slows the production of proteins and other substances made by the liver’

EDICAL and health care organisations in Asia, Europe, America and Africa have been enjoined to participate in the sixth edition of West African Health, an international health care exhibition and conference.

According to the organisers, Global Resources and Projects Nigeria Limited (GRPNL), the event would attract local and international healthcare practitioners and businessmen.

The event themed Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Health care would hold at the New Expo Hall, Eko Hotel and Suites between September 5 and 7.

It would afford decision makers to fashion a way forward for the industry, the company said.

Expected are experts among who is Dr. Naresh Trehan, the Chairman and Managing Director, Medanta the Medicity, the 10th largest hospital in the world. He will be the guest speaker.

The event is endorsed and supported by Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria (HMCAN), Health Care Provider Association of Nigeria (HCPAN), Federal Ministries of Health in the sub-region, United States Commercial Service (USCS), International Society of Urban Health (New York) among others.

Do you know:

M

OST people who drink large amount of alcohol harm their livers in some way; but not all of these people get cirrhosis of the liver. Women who are heavy drinkers are at higher risk than men. People who have hepatitis B or hepatitis C are more likely to suffer liver damage from alcohol.

Parents urged to avert drug abuse in children

P

ARENTS have been called upon to monitor their children for early signs of drug abuse.

A Consultant Psychiatrist, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr Olugbenga Owoeye gave the advice at an awareness programme organised by the hospital to mark this year’s International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

The event was held at Sura market in Lagos to sensitise mothers on the dangers of drug abuse.

He said the hospital witnesses daily rising cases of drug abuse, especially by youths.

Owoeye said: “Parents should

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

observe their children and wards.

Early signs include lying, licking more sweets at once to cover up offensive odours such as cigarette, disappearance of personal effects in the house such as jewelleries, hanging out longer with friends and if asked why, giving no tangible reasons or answers.”

The Chief Nursing Officer, Mrs Deborah Ladeji, said from experience, people abuse drugs out of ignorance and perpetual habit. “Such that the arbitrary eating of kolanut, bitter kola and coffee has had negative effects on their body. Another area is abuse of chemicals such as sniffing of

•From left: Head, Department of Nursing, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital (FNPH), Yaba, Lagos, Mrs Olabisi Olowookere, Iyaloja of Sura market, Mrs Afusat Jimoh-Awayewaserere, Dr Owoeye and the Registrar, School of Occupational Therapy, Mr Lanre Akeredolu, at the event.

polish, adhesives, petrol and paint.”

There was a drama

presentation by some staff of the hospital to buttress the reality of the situation in homes.

The parents expressed appreciation to the hospital for the programme.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

43

HEALTH

NAFDAC introduces e-clearance at ports I N line with global practice, the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has initiated electronic clearance of goods at the ports.

NAFDAC Director-General, Dr Paul Orhii said the step was in fulfillment of the 48-hour clearance mandate through automation.

Orhii, represented by the Director, Laboratory Services, Mrs Stella Denloye, said the sensitisation workshop was aimed at providing stakeholders the basic knowledge of e-clearance operations as it concerns NAFDAC-regulated products at the ports of entry and land borders.

“This is an important step NAFDAC is taking towards attaining a 48-hour clearance of goods at the ports, facilitating trade and ensuring port decongestion in line with the mandate of the Federal Government.

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustaphas

“The agency has streamlined clearing process, controls for all regulated products with International Harmonised System for commodity classification (HS code) and has also harmonised clearing transaction controls to maximise efficiency while effectively safeguarding the health of the nation.”

He added that the implementation of e-clearance for NAFDAC regulated products to ensure a reduction in the service time for clearing transactions with NAFDAC. “The e-Reg portal for the Registration and Regulatory Affairs Directorate of NAFDAC is being employed. This will ease registration process for our client, as well as, provide the necessary automation to manage our clients and their

products data more efficiently.

“The procedures for obtaining and verifying necessary documentation as relevant to import and export activities, among many others, will also be automated upon full deployment of the e-Reg portal.”

It is on record that the deployment of novel technologies to boost NAFDAC’s operation and the various process automations is making NAFDAC a technologically driven organisation and equipping the agency in fulfilling the mandate of safeguarding the health of the nation.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council, Otunba Kunle Folarin, who gave the key note address, commended the initiative. He said: “Given the various steps to be taken from the discharge to the delivery of cargoes, it is nearly impossible to achieve the 48-hours clearance mandate in purely manual and administrative process.

E-clearance procedure is mandatory.”

•Chairman, Technical Committee, Association of Food and Beverages and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), Mr Fred PHOTO:ABIODUN WILLIAMS Chiazor and Mrs Denloye at the event.

‘31 million youths future threatened’

T

HE future of 31 million Nigerians with ages between 10 and 19 is at risk except they are catered for in policy formulation and development, Prof.

Pai Obanya, has said.

Obanya, who was the Chairman of Presidential Task Force on Education, made this known at a workshop organised by United Nation’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for health reporters and editors in Benin, Edo State.

He, however, underscored the imperative of parents taking more interest in the affairs of their adolescent children.

While presenting his paper on adolescence, he said the uncertainties facing the Nigerian adolescents were caused by the country’s gloomy economic outlook and pauperisation or intergenerational transmission of poverty.

According to him, other factors including lack of opportunities and requisite skills that have contributed largely to unemployment, emerging effects of globalisation as well as armed conflicts have contributed to the emerging negative disposition of the youth.

From Oyeyemi GbengaMustapha and Dele Anofi in Benin He berated the government for disregarding the importance of growing children and their possible contribution to nation building.

Obanya said: “This vibrant part of the population has always been taken for granted as if they have nothing to contribute to the development of the country. This is why they have never been involved in the formulation of policies that affect them directly.

“What we fail to realise is the fact that, it is these growing children that would definitely take over the mantle of leadership at a certain point in time. For instance, there is no health data on early adolescents (1014 years) in the National Demographic Health Survey of 2008 to direct policies and programmes for such people. “ Obanya noted that the neglect of the needs of the Nigerian adolescents was contributory to their early exposure to drug abuse, cultism, sexually transmitted diseases and violence, adding that concerted efforts are required to redirect the energies of the adoles-

cents to positive endeavours.

He suggested enhanced participation of the adolescents in matters affecting them including the need to integrate their needs in the national transformational process.

“The government must also address the root cause of poverty and that is corruption. If poverty is addressed, the pressure of economic survival on adolescent would have eliminated some other pressures on the adolescents.

“The government must also provide a favourable environment for them to thrive, improve information gathering on the conditions of the adolescents and special attention must be given to the needs of the adolescent girls.

“Self-actualisation must be guaranteed while deliberate efforts must also be made to address their holistic development and I must say that quality and responsive education must be in place if we are to protect our future.

“Whatever affects the world affects the world’s adolescents. The adolescents are the first to notice the mistakes of the adults and the first to react,” he said.

Health Tourism With Dr Dheeraj Bojwani e-mail: indiasodel@gmail.com

Hysterectomy surgery in India

H

YSTERECTOMY, one of the most commonly performed gynaecological surgical procedures, is an operation wherein the uterus is removed through an incision made in the abdomen or in the vagina. It is the perfect solution for gynaecological cancers and tumors.

Hysterectomy surgery is also known as removal of the uterus/ womb and its types are supracervical hysterectomy, vaginal hysterectomy, abdominal hysterectomy and radical hysterectomy. This surgery is essential for women suffering from problems which involve their reproductive system or ovaries.

A hysterectomy surgery is usually performed for disorders occurring within the uterus, or affecting the entire female reproductive system.

Conditions most commonly treated via hysterectomy include: • Uterine fibroids • Endometriosis • Uterine prolapse • Adenomyosis • Heavy or abnormal menstrual bleeding • Advancer cervical or ovarian cancer • Hyperplasia Bojwani said: “Before going in for a hysterectomy surgery procedure, it is important to discuss other possible treatments with your health care provider. A hysterectomy will stop your periods and you will no longer be able to conceive. Also, the removal of both ovaries would mean menopause. It is recommended that you consider opting for a hysterectomy, only as the last option or, if you have no issues, if the above mentioned happen.”

All hysterectomies are major operations involving removal of at least the uterus. Some types of hysterectomies involve removing other organs as well. It is important to talk with your doctor about the kind of hysterectomy recommended for you. We can distinguish hysterectomy surgeries as follows: • Subtotal hysterectomy - Only the body of the uterus is removed.

• Total hysterectomy - The body of the uterus and cervix are removed.

• Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy - The body of the uterus, the cervix, one or both the Fallopian tubes are removed.

• Radical hysterectomy - The body of the uterus, cervix, ovaries, Fallopian tubes, the top portion of the vagina, lymph nodes and channels, and pelvic cavity tissues surrounding the cervix are removed.

How is a hysterectomy performed?

Hysterectomy is a major surgical procedure and is performed under general anesthesia. In addition to the different types of hysterectomy, there are various ways by which a gynecologist might perform the operation. This will be influenced by the reason for performing the hysterectomy in the first place, the size of the uterus and the experience and preference of the individual gynecologist.

• Abdominal hysterectomy is the

most common method and is performed through an approximately six inch scar made across the lower abdomen.

• A vaginal hysterectomy is performed through the vagina and will leave no visible external signs that the woman has had an operation.

• In a laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) the gynaecologist uses keyhole surgery in combination with surgery through the vagina to complete the operation Bojwani said: “After hysterectomy, discomfort and pain from the surgical incision are greatest during the first few days after surgery, but medication is available to reduce these symptoms. By the second or third day, most patients are up walking. Normal activity can usually be resumed in four to eight weeks. Each patient is an individual, so the pace of recovery will vary.

Sexual activity can usually be resumed in six to eight weeks. Many women find that special exercises can help them recover faster and feel better. You can discuss both presurgical procedures and your recovery, including useful exercises, with your doctor.”

The hysterectomy benefits are great in case of uterine cancer. The symptoms of discomfort and bleeding related to fibroids, uterine prolapse and endometriosis can be relieved easily after the surgery. Hysterectomy benefits you from severe infections of the uterus, uncontrollable bleeding and an effective and efficient treatment for the cancer of the pelvic organs. Other benefits include prevention of ovarian cancer. It is a life saving step because it removes effectively the malignant cells causing the cancer of the ovaries. You can also have hysterectomy to cure as well as avoid fibroid tumors. Hysterectomy completely eliminates the tumors. It is considered as a life saving measure as it is used to stop the heavy placental bleeding at the time of child birth or for eliminating cervical cancer as well as uterine cancer.

Hysterectomy surgery in India Travelling to India for hysterectomy gives you access to top quality health care quickly and cheaply.

With high quality treatment and conscientious medical professionals available, India has rightfully catapulted itself as one of the most sought after destinations for all types of medical treatments in the world. In India, the cost of a hysterectomy is significantly lower than the west and other developed countries, with almost no waiting period for the patients seeking medical treatment. Undoubtedly, India is a leading country today, promoting medical tourism in the world, a noble industry which is growing by 30 per cent per year.

Offering some of the best medical facilities and a team of highly skilled surgeons, Indian centers are hygienic, and the hysterectomy procedure costs 40 to 50 per cent less, depending upon the type of surgery required.

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

44

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

HEALTH High blood pressure: facts and figures

H

•Mamora (middle) flanked by President, National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) Dr Olanrewaju Ekunjimi (right) and President of ARD, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi Dr Itakpe Shopekhai.

PHOTO: WALE ADEPOJU

Mamora urges doctors to be more caring

F

ORMER Deputy Senate Leader Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora has urged resident doctors to be more caring when treating patients.

According to him, doctors must truly be resident in the minds of the patients.

Mamora said doctors must be relevant and ensure active participation at all levels of care.

He was one of the speakers at the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) held at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos.

The theme was Influencing national policy for better health care delivery while the sub-

By Wale Adepoju

theme was the doctor in the eye of the public: the past, present and the future.

He said: “Resident doctors must go beyond apparent medical and health issues. He must also be alert and bold and participate in public hearing. Resident doctors should also enter into sociopolitical area to ensure that they participate in government,” he said.

Deputy Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Newspaper, Mr Femi Adesina, urged doctors to redefine their position and be awake to their responsibility.

He said medical practice has been affected by the attitude of doctors lately,

adding that the “Physician himself needs healing.”

Adesina, who was the guest speaker, said a survey by the Royal College of Physician (Mori) poll showed nine out of 10 British adults trust medical doctors to tell the truth than they trusted other professionals.

He said the opinion of Nigerians is that doctors are no longer sacrificing and civil like they were in the past, adding that all doctors of today want is money. “Doctors lack scientific data and are always on strike.

They are prone to medical errors such that they forget instruments inside their patients after surgery,” he said.

10 tips to curb fatigue

W

HEN we are tired we can become ill, as we can’t be bothered to look after ourselves. When we are tired we can get down and become bad tempered and irritable. Tiredness can also kill. Car accidents, workplace accidents, mishaps at home and so on, can all be caused by tiredness. So here are ten tips to help you stop tiredness and fatigue and to build your energy and stamina.

Slow down: Go, go, go ... being on the go all day long can feel envigorating until you stop! Then the tiredness can knock you out so you feel exhausted. Don’t be on the go all day. Slow down. Take tea breaks. Take lunch breaks.

Have a stretch break. Have a rest break. Alternate activity with rest and you might find your tiredness stops.

Stop trying to do everything: Each one of us can only do so much in a day. Tiredness can occur when we do too much. We can become depleted when we drive ourselves to perform, achieve or please everyone. If you want to stop tiredness, then stop trying to do everything. Be selective.

Know your priorities and do them. When you are doing your priorities your stamina will last longer, as your stamina gets recharged

along the way.

Get a good night’s sleep: Ah! The luxury of a wonderful cosy bed, in a nice dark and quiet room, feeling peaceful and sleeping well. Good quality sleep recharges our batteries, it rejuvenates us, it stops tiredness, fatigue and exhaustion. Do everything you can to sleep well, every day. Get regular, good quality sleep to stop fatigue and overcome exhaustion.

Reduce your stress: Stress and tension can eat away at your energy at an alarming speed. When you worry, fret and get anxious about things you are chewing up your energy. To stop tiredness and fatigue therefore, take care of yourself and reduce your stress and tension. There are many ways to relax. A relaxed contented person usually has healthier energy levels and more stamina than a stressed and tense one.

Eat well for you: The food you eat has a high impact on how you feel and how high your energy levels are. Eat the foods that don’t leave you feeling tired after eating. Choose to eat the foods that leave you feeling alert and vital. Often high fat foods, for instance, can clog up your whole system, and once the initial ‘yummy’ taste has passed you are left feeling tired and worn-out.

Choose your social activities carefully: Are your social activities leaving you tired?

Partying all night can leave people on a shortterm high and long-term exhaustion. Constantly being stimulated and excited, and interacting endlessly with people, can run down energy and make people tired and exhausted. Driving around from one place to another, propping up the bar in the pub or being with negative people can make you tired and use up your stamina quickly. Pick a good balance of social activities that re-charge your energy and give yourself time to rest as well.

Say ‘no’ to your children: If you have children or teenagers there is always the danger that you will run yourself ragged if you give into their constant demands to be driven or taken “here, there and everywhere”. Sometimes you might have more energy if you say ‘no’ to some demands.

I know one single mum, of three children, who says ‘no’ to running her children around on Sundays, for example, so she has one day of rest. Six out of seven days as a taxi driver seems more than fair. Her stamina gets recharged on Sundays!

•Culled from www.consultpivotal.com

How to treat constipation

C

ONSTIPATION is one of the most common digestive complaints. The normal frequency of bowel movements varies widely from person to person, from once or more a day to three times a week. In general, however, you are likely constipated if you pass a hard, dry stool less than three times a week.

Constipation can also make you feel bloated and uncomfortable and you may find yourself straining during bowel movements.

Although constipation can affect anyone, it’s more common in women and in people over age 65. It also tends to occur during

pregnancy, after childbirth or surgery, with certain medications such as opioid pain relievers, and with some conditions such as multiple sclerosis.

Natural remedies for constipation • Fibre A diet low in fibre may play a role in constipation. Insoluble fibre, which passes through the body almost unchanged, gives stools bulk and a soft texture, making them easier to pass.

Foods that are high in insoluble fiber include whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Try wheat bran, brown rice, or whole grain bread.

Soluble fibre dissolves in water and forms a gel-like substance in the intestines. Prunes and figs can be added to breakfast or eaten as a snack.

Another option is to sprinkle one teaspoon of ground flaxseeds over any meal. They can be found in packages at the health food store or some grocery stores. They have a mild, nutty taste.

Fibre supplements are also available, the most popular being psyllium husk supplements such as Metamucil. Add fiber to your diet gradually to avoid bloating and gas. Also, be sure to drink enough water otherwise fiber can have the opposite effect

IGH blood pressure is the main risk factor for stroke and a major risk factor for heart attack, heart failure and kidney disease.

There is also increasing evidence that it is a risk factor for vascular dementia.

•High blood pressure is a level consistently at or above 140mmHg and/or 90mmHg. •Approximately 16 million people in the UK have high blood pressure.

•30 per cent of women and 32 per cent of men have high blood pressure.

•Up to the age of 64 there are higher rates of men with high blood pressure than women.

•People with high blood pressure are three times more likely to develop heart disease and stroke and twice as likely to die from these as people with a normal blood pressure.

•Approximately 62,000 unnecessary deaths from stroke and heart attacks occur due to poor blood pressure control •High blood pressure rarely has any symptoms, the only way for people to know if they have the condition is to have their blood pressure measured •Approximately one third of people with high blood pressure do not know that they have it.

•More than 90 per cent of people with high blood pressure who are receiving treatment are not controlled to 140/90 mmHg. •Most people with high blood pressure who need to take medications, will need to take two or more to ensure that their blood pressure is lowered down to a target of 140/85mmHg •Among women, levels of high blood pressure increase as income decreases.

•The risks increase as blood pressure rises, whether you have high blood pressure or a normal blood pressure – between the age of 40 and 70, for every rise of 20mmHg systolic or every 10mmHg diastolic the risk of heart disease and stroke doubles; for the range 115/75 up to 185/115mmHg. •Culled from www.bpassoc.org.uk

‘Milk essential to life’

M

ILK in powder or evaporated forms are suitable for human consumption as it helps to revitalise man’s body for an enduring living.

From childhood, the baby is fed on its mother’s breast milk because of the nutritional value and the help it does to build the body mechanism. Infants that are not breast-fed are prone to health hazards.

In retrospect, every breath of air by the child is regarded as poisonous because the child body mechanism may not be able to resist such germs that are invisible to it.

Viju Industries Nigeria Limited stated during activities to mark the World Milk Day. The five year-old company said in the past, most families in Nigeria relied on only Lactogen milk powder for their children and they were not really feeling good because most companies were not using the present modern scientific method in the production of milk. However, in the present dispensation milk production has gone scientific with its attendance benefits to man.

and be constipating.

• Fluids Making sure you drink enough fluids such as water may help some people with constipation.

Fluids make bowel movements softer and easier to pass. Watch your consumption of alcoholic beverages and caffeinated beverages such as coffee and cola drinks, which can be dehydrating.

• Stimulant laxatives Many herbal laxatives and ‘dieter’s teas” are called stimulant laxatives, or anthranoid laxatives.

•Culled by www.mayoclinic

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

45

46

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

47

48

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

49

NATION SPORT

Woods taking his time in comeback

WIMBLEDON TRIUMPH

Best day of my life, says Djokovic N

OVAK Djokovic hailed his first Wimbledon triumph as the best day of his life as the Serb snatched the men's crown from Rafael Nadal with a 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 victory in the final on Sunday.

Djokovic produced some sensational play in the first two sets to take complete control against the defending champion and then held his nerve after dropping the third set to clinch his third Grand Slam title.

Although Djokovic has twice won the Australian Open and learnt earlier this week that he will take over from Nadal as world number one when the latest rankings are released on Monday, the 24-year-old had no doubts that winning Wimbledon was the greatest moment of all.

Djokovic, who fell in love with the sport while watching Wimbledon on television back at home in Serbia, told the BBC: "It is really hard to describe with any words apart from that this is the best day of my life. I always dreamt of winning Wimbledon."

The Serb has now beaten Nadal in five finals this year the other four were Masters events at Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Rome and he admitted he had to produce his very best to end Nadal's 20-match winning run at the All England Club.

"When you are playing the best player in the world, Rafa, who has won two of the last three Wimbledons and always beaten me in the Grand Slams, I had to be at the top of my game and I think I played my best game on the grass courts ever," he said.

Victory over Nadal was the perfect end to a dream three

• Djokovic

Haye to make decision on future 'in next few weeks' D AVID Haye has told the BBC he will make a decision on his boxing future "in the next few weeks" after losing to Wladimir Klitschko in Saturday's heavyweight unification clash.

"My cut-off date is in three months [13 October when he turns 31], which in boxing terms is not a long time," the Briton told BBC Sports.

However, the 30-year-old also said he would "love a

rematch" with Klitschko.

"He said he can knock me out and I'd love him to give it a go," added Haye.

The Londoner battled for the full 12 rounds before losing by a unanimous decision after the judges scored the fight 117-109, 118108 and 116-110 in favour of the 35-year-old Ukrainian.

Haye praised Klitschko,

Contador loses more time to key rivals

T

HREE-TIME Tour de France champion Alberto Contador's disappointing start to the defence of his yellow jersey continued Sunday when the Spaniard lost more time to key rivals.

A day after losing 1min 14sec to Luxembourg's Andy Schleck and 1:17 to Australian Cadel Evans when he got caught up in a crash 9km from the stage finish, Contador dropped more time on the 23 km team time trial.

Norwegian Thor Hushovd took possession of the yellow jersey from Philippe Gilbert of Belgium when his GarminCervelo team dominated the race against the clock in a time of 24min 48sec.

Contador's Saxo Bank team could only finish eighth at 28sec, leaving the Spanish all-rounder 75th overall at 1:42 adrift of Hushovd.

Reigning world champion Hushovd is not a contender for overall victory but Evans -- the runner-up in 2007 and 2008 -is. He benefited from a strong display by his BMC team and now sits third overall at 01sec off the overall lead.

The Leopard-Trek team of Schleck, who has finished runner-up to Contador the past two years, were also strong,

A

days for Djokovic after he went top of the rankings following his semifinal victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Friday.

"It's a couple of good days at the office," he said. "This is the most beautiful moment of my career."

While Djokovic has now won two of the three Grand Slams this year, Nadal will have to regroup after losing his grip on the Wimbledon title and also surrendering top spot in the rankings.

The Spaniard showed great dignity in defeat and congratulated Djokovic for his performance.

"First of all congratulations to Novak for victory today and his amazing season," Nadal said.

"Wimbledon is the most special tournament.

I remember how I felt when I won it for the first time in 2008 and emotions were running high.

"I can imagine how Novak feels today. It is a very special day and I'd like to congratulate him."

finishing just four seconds adrift to leave the Luxemburger 10th overall at 4s and 1:38 ahead of Contador.

Contador admitted in a statement from Saxo Bank that he was out of contention, but with all the key mountain stages ahead he had not given up hope.

"My opponents are still ahead of me in the GC (general classification) and I might not even be the biggest favorite to win overall anymore, but there's a long way to Paris and we will do everything to gain time to get back," said Contador.

Given that most of Contador's team has been hand-picked to help pace him and counter attacks from rivals in the mountains, their result -- in an event which usually favours the peloton's big engines -- was not such a surprise.

Team manager Bjarne Riis insisted: "They did a great team time trial and finished in an impressive time. We entered the Tour de France with overall victory as the main objective and we will stick to our plan.

"Today, we demonstrated that we are able to ride as a team and we did an even greater time than I had hoped for."

• Contador

stating he was a "brilliant fighter", but said the reason for his own poor performance was a broken toe.

He also said that other factors had affected him at Hamburg's Imtech Arena.

"There were a lot of shenanigans," added Haye, who lost his WBA title to IBF and WBO title holder Klitschko.

"We had a dodgy referee that let him get away with all sorts of infringements.

They also sent me down [to the ring] through the crowd instead of down a barricaded ringwalk. I was getting trampled by people. There were loads of little things behind the scenes.

"But I thought, even if the ref is dodgy I'll find a way to win somehow. But he was too good on the night."

Haye's manager and

trainer Adam Booth also vented his anger at Chicago referee Genaro Rodriguez.

"I'm disgusted with the referee," he said. "Absolutely disgusted. Counted him [Haye] when he got pushed to the canvas instead of saying something. I let my feelings be known to him at the end," said Booth.

Bermondsey-born Haye, who had planned to fight once more before his retirement in October, said he would consider a rematch.

"Listen, will he want to give me a rematch when I'm 100% fit? I don't know," Haye said. "If not, then I don't know. I really don't know.

I'd love him to give me a rematch.

"If he couldn't knock me out on one leg, pretty much, then how about when I'm fit?

"I think it would be interesting. I think I hurt him more than he hurt me but that's boxing."

Irish Swimmers continue HE third day of good form competition at the 2011 Scottish Gas

T

National Open Championships provided many reasons to be impressed with the state of Irish Swimming.

The event, taking place at Tollcross Park Leisure Centre in Glasgow saw Ireland win two medals and reaching 9 A and B finals.

The highlight of the evening came from Clare Dawson (Bangor SC) who won a silver medal in the Women’s 400m Freestyle, finishing in a personal best time of 4:16.16. Dawson, based at Stirling University in Scotland, had qualified for the final comfortably in the morning heats. Setting a new

best time is an encouraging result at this stage of the season, as she prepares for the World Championships at the end of the month in Shanghai, China.

Aisling Cooney (ESB SC) also took to the medal podium following the final of the Women’s 100m Backstroke. Cooney finished in 3rd place to take bronze in a time of 1:02.66. Cooney will now focus on her preparations for the World University Games in Shenzen, China later this summer.

Emma Cassidy (Sunday’s Well SC) also featured in the final of the 100m Backstroke, finishing 8th in a time of 1:06.49.

FTER playing through injuries and pain too many times in his Mount Rushmore of a career, Tiger Woods is determined to do it another way.

Maybe that's what being 35 is all about. Supposedly, you grow from the missteps, make better choices.

On the course, as well as away from it.

That was the message he delivered last week at Aronimink Golf Club, where the PGA Tour's AT&T National was being held. It proceeded without him, while his left knee and Achilles' tendon continue to mend. He's played nine holes since the Masters in April.

He's no longer wearing a boot or using crutches, but the only club he has hit is his putter. And he emphatically discounted the notion that more surgery might be required.

Woods doesn't know whether he's playing in the British Open in two weeks, but it wouldn't appear likely.

Tuesday was his first news conference since the media day here on May 24. At this point, he doesn't have all the answers. But he is confident he'll be back, maybe even better than ever, hopefully sooner than the alternative.

He's just not going to push anything, although he did insist he'd be "very surprised" if he didn't return this year.

"Probably, in retrospect, it was a borderline call on whether I should have played at The Players (Championship, in early May)," Woods explained. "I wasn't quite 100 percent.

Unfortunately, I hurt myself there. Now, this time around ... I'm setting no timetable.

I'm just going to learn my lesson and apply it and come back when I'm 100 percent. I don't know when that's going to be. That's kind of the frustrating thing about it right now. I am getting stronger, starting to get more explosive again and going to eventually start practicing and playing.

"I'm just playing it by ear.

That's hard for me. I've always been very goaloriented about ... how I'm going to peak, how I'm going to get ready. I've played hurt before. That's just part of playing sports. And I felt (this physical setback) was the same thing. I'm not going to do that again.

• Woods

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

50

NATION SPORT

MARTIN PALERMO

I owe the game so much C

AN you put your finger on the exact moment you began thinking about hanging up your boots?

Martin Palermo: It happened in the months before the (2010) World Cup, after I’d started to get called up again

by Diego [Maradona]. I felt like it was the last thing my career was missing: getting back into the national squad, captaining the side in friendlies, playing in the odd World Cup qualifier. After the World Cup, since we came back without the Trophy I thought I’d play on for another year to be able to sign off in a Boca shirt.

That’s when, with the help of the club’s psychologist, I started to prepare myself for retiring.

Football as a whole hasn’t always welcomed the use of psychologists at clubs, so how did you find the experience?

I started seeing a psychologist back in 1999, when I suffered my first serious injury. It was good to be able to express how I was feeling, such as the fears I experienced before making my comeback. I stopped going in 2000 because I went to play in Spain, but when I came back to Argentina I started again and it’s been a huge help.

I’m not someone who thinks there should be a psychologist on the coaching staff itself, but I do think they can really help players with their personal issues.

What about your dealings with the media? How have you coped with all the attention for so many years?

I always try to do my bit for everybody, as I understand that journalists have a job to do too and certain things they need. Talking to them is important, so you can tell the fans what you’re going through, what you’re like off the pitch. That said, you can’t let it get in the way of doing your job. It gets a bit tiring if you’re interviewed Monday through Friday and you end up getting bored of saying the same things over and over.

The media have had a vast number of different opinions on you over the course of your career. Mentally speaking, how do you handle those swings in popularity?

You’ve got to be strong. Some people might say 'I don’t let what they say get to me', but that’s impossible.

You’re never short of people coming and telling you what such-and-such journalist said about you. Personally, I don’t buy any papers or magazines, unless I’ve been interviewed and want to save it in a file I have. At the start I used to follow the marks out of ten I was given and what people said, but not anymore. What matters is distinguishing between constructive criticism and stuff that’s simply spiteful.

It dogged me for a long time. You ask yourself ‘why did it have to happen like that?’ and ‘why’d I have to go through something like that?’

Martin Palermo on infamously missing three penalties against Colombia Do you think those who write spiteful criticism have a hidden agenda?

There’s a lot of jealousy and envy in football. Some people feel they’re somehow below others and so wait for an opportunity to strike. But that goes on everywhere: among journalists, between players and in the dressing room. I’ve always said that you have to be transparent in all your dealings. In the long term, what goes around comes around and people end up where they deserve to be.

Let us now turn to some of the standout moments of your career.

Thanks in large part to a tally of 306 goals in a professional career that spanned 19 years, 37-year-old Martin Palermo has etched his name in indelible ink in the annals of the Argentinian game.

Mere hours prior to his last ever match for his beloved Boca Juniors against Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata on 18 June, the fifth-highest goalscorer in the history of Argentinian professional football honoured FIFA.com with his last interview as a player.

True to form, El Loco spoke fully and frankly on a wide range of issues including his finest goals, worst injuries and imminent future in the dugout. over in Spain, but it’s not the same. I got injured just when I was starting to settle and after that everything became twice as hard.

What about your vital last-gasp winner against Peru in South Africa 2010 qualifying?

That’s right up there with the goals against Real Madrid. There were 15 sets of legs in the box, plus the rain, the mud and wind. The ball was soaked, there was water everywhere and we were set to miss out on the World Cup. Just as you mentioned the missed penalties against Colombia before, this was another of those instances that somehow happened to me. The ball landed right at my feet! I was stood there and the ball came straight to me. If the people who say my career’s been like a movie are right, then that goal deserves to feature.

Where would you rank your goal against Greece at South Africa 2010 in that case?

It was the ultimate in every way. In national-team colours, at a World Cup, at 36 years of age and having only been on the pitch for ten minutes – I couldn’t have asked for any more.

One can’t help thinking about Diego Milito, given that he was on the pitch for 80 minutes that evening and no chances came his way.

That’s why I say that it seems like I’ve been touched by a magic wand on certain occasions. For example, I only played a few minutes that day.

But then again, Diego scored the goals that won the Champions League (in 2010), something that I never experienced. I think that we all have certain things that are marked out for us to go through in our lives and, though you still have to go out looking for them, they’re destined to happen. The most important thing is not to sit there with your arms folded, waiting for them to happen to you.

• Martin Palermo

First of all, how much did it mean to score twice against Real Madrid in the final of the 2000 Toyota Intercontinental Cup? They were the two most important goals I scored in a Boca shirt. That was one of the three biggest moments of my playing career.

What about the three missed penalties against Colombia in the Copa America 1999?

That was a really tough blow which taught me how to overcome negative

situations. It dogged me for a long time. It’s replayed on TV every so often and it makes me feel like, I’m not sure how to explain it. You ask yourself ‘why did it have to happen like that?’ and ‘why’d I have to go through something like that?’ But anyway, we could list ten positive instances that I still can’t quite get my head round either.

Would you have taken a fourth penalty that night, had the chance arose?

No, no, at least I don’t think so! I wouldn’t have even gone near the ball.

Well, I say that now...

Tell us about the injury you suffered during your time in Spain, when a concrete section of the stand fell on your leg.

That was terrible, I found the rehabilitation period really tough. At least when I injured my knee when at Boca I had my people around me and they fussed over me, kept me company. They didn’t treat me badly

“There’s a lot of jealousy and envy in football. Some people feel they’re somehow below others and so wait for an opportunity to strike. But that goes on everywhere: among journalists, between players and in the dressing room. I’ve always said that you have to be transparent in all your dealings. In the long term, what goes around comes around and people end up where they deserve to be.”

SLIDING TACKLE

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

52

David Haye: I didn't walk the walk

D

AVID Haye conceded he had failed to back up his big pre-fight boasts after surrendering his WBA heavyweight title to Wladimir Klitschko in Hamburg.

The Londoner had promised to destroy the Ukrainian in front of his adopted German fans, but

ended up complaining about a broken little toe in the wake of a unanimous points defeat.

The 30-year-old sustained the injury in training three weeks before the fight but said the physical pain was small in comparison to the mental side of defeat.

"It is my ego and pride that is hurting more than anything else," admitted Haye. "You can live with the physical pain but it is the emotional pain that cuts deepest.

"You know what I'm like before the fight, I give it all the big mouth. I talk the talk

and normally I walk the walk.

On Saturday night I didn't walk the walk and I'm gutted about that.

"I feel like I've let a lot of people down. I feel like I've let myself, family, everybody down," he told Sky Sports News.

• Haye against Klitschko last

Saturday during their WBA heavyweight title fight.

"It is my ego and pride that is hurting more than anything else."

David Haye lamenting is WBA heavyweight title loss to Wladimir Klitschko as emotional cut deep than physical pain.

Mike Powell backs life bans for doping

F

ORMER world longjump champion Mike Powell called on Monday for drug cheats to face life bans, as he visited India on behalf of the world athletics body days after six Indian athletes failed doping tests.

"I think if you are using drugs, you should be banned for life," the 47-year-old American was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India news agency.

Powell, who broke compatriot Bob Beamon's 23year long-jump world record at the 1991 world championships in Tokyo, is currently in Mumbai as the brand ambassador of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

Six Indians failed dope tests last week, including Mandeep Kaur and Sini Jose, who were members of the women's 4x400m relay team that won gold medals in 2010 at the Delhi Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.Related Articles "It shows we are taking this seriously. Athletics is one of the few sports which is willing to burst its stars," said Powell.

"As of now, if you try to use something now, you are

taking a big, big risk.

Athletics is at the forefront of any sport in the world as far as taking control to eliminate performanceenhancing drugs. It's a necessary evil."

India have never won a track medal at the Olympics and just missed out in Los Angeles in 1984, when P.T. Usha narrowly failed to take a bronze in the women's 400m hurdles.

Milkha Singh was also edged into fourth in a photofinish in the men's 400m in the 1960 Rome Games.

Doping has afflicted Indian sport over the last decade, with weightlifters the chief culprits.

• Powell

Nadal admits mental block

Woods running out of time for Open T IGER Woods still does not know whether he will be able to compete at this year's Open Championship, which gets underway next Thursday.

Last week the 14-time major champion retained hope of being able to tee it up at Royal St George's, as he continues to recover from a sprained knee and strained Achilles tendon in his left leg. But, with only ten days until the third major of the year gets underway, the 35year-old is still unsure whether he will be fit enough to compete.

"I don't know and that's the hard part," Woods said. "That's

what is killing because I don't have a timetable. I'm just taking it one day at a time and that's kind of hard.

"As of right now I've got to go day by day in my training sessions. We push it each day to see how it is, and the next day if I recover right we push it a bit harder.

"The deal is to get it strong enough so I don't have to worry about [aggravating it again], I can just go play."

Woods laughed off

suggestions his left knee might never return to full strength, after it was put to him that it had been operated on so many times in recent years it was "basically Joan Rivers at this stage".

"That's one way of looking it!" he laughed. "But it's about getting the strength and explosiveness back into it and making sure everything is fine in the sequence."

Tiger Woods remains 17th in the latest world golf rankings, while Martin Kaymer has moved back ahead of US Open champion Rory McIlroy to reclaim third spot after a solid finish in the Open de France.

Elsewhere, AT&T National champion Nick Watney moves into the top ten for the first time in his career, as runner-up KJ Choi jumps two places to No. 14.

The week's other notable riser is Australian Jason Day, who moved two places to seventh at the expense of Matt Kuchar and Graeme McDowell.

WORLD RANKINGS 1. Luke Donald (ENG), 2. Lee Westwood (ENG) 3. Martin Kaymer (GER), 4. Rory McIlroy (NIR), 5. Steve Stricker (USA), 6. Phil Mickelson (USA), 7.

Jason Day (AUS), 8. Matt Kuchar (USA), 9. Graeme McDowell (NIR), 10. Nick Watney (USA), 11. Charl Schwartzel (RSA), 12. Dustin Johnson (USA), 13. Bubba Watson (USA), 14. KJ Choi (KOR), 15. Paul Casey (ENG), 16. Ian Poulter (ENG), 17. Tiger Woods (USA), 18. Adam Scott (AUS), 19. Robert Karlsson (SWE), 20. Hunter Mahan (USA)

McLaren boss: Hamilton will stay

M

• Woods

ARTIN Whitmarsh is confident Lewis Hamilton will be a McLaren driver next season claiming the 2008 World Champion loves the team.

Hamilton has been linked to a move to Red Bull, with the rumours fuelled by reports of a meeting between the Brit and team boss Christian Horner at the Canadian Grand Prix.

Hamilton, though, has already distanced himself from the speculation - with Whitmarsh happy to accept his word over his future plans.

"Lewis loves this team and he knows the car is capable of winning races," he told The Independent.

"He's sat with me in the last 10 days and explained his passion, enthusiasm and desire to remain part of this team.

"I've known him since he was 11. I don't think he would look me in the eye and say that if he didn't mean it."

Whitmarsh also defending the 26-year-old in the wake of criticism - most notably from Niki Lauda - over his driving style following a series of race incidents.

R

AFAEL Nadal admitted his Wimbledon final defeat against Novak Djokovic was forged not just on the grass of the All England Club but also on the hard courts of Indian Wells and Miami and the clay of Madrid and Rome.

Sunday's 6-4 6-1 1-6 6-3 loss was Nadal's fifth of the year to the Serb, who on Monday morning takes his rightful place as world number one. Nadal took a 20-match unbeaten run at Wimbledon into the match against a man playing his first final but, when the crunch moments arrived, it was Djokovic who held his nerve.

"When I was 100% to play, I lost against him five times. The rest of the year I won almost every match. So I'm doing things very well, but probably not against him. That's what I have to change," said Nadal.

"Probably the mental part is a little bit dangerous for me, because when I was at 5-4 (in the first set), I played a bad game from 30-0. When I was 4-3 down in the fourth set, I played another bad game with my serve. To win these kind of matches, I have to play well (at those moments). These kind of points can change the match.

"When I had the break point in the first game of the fourth set, I didn't play that point well. That was a big moment for me. Because I came back with the 6-1, if I start the fourth with a break it can change everything.

"To change things I probably have to be a little bit less nervous, play more aggressive, and all the time be confident with myself. That's what I'm going to try next time.

If not, I'm going to be here explaining the sixth."

Djokovic's win made it 48 victories from 49 matches in a phenomenal season that has also brought him the Australian Open and six ATP World Tour titles, with his only defeat coming against Roger Federer in the French Open semi-finals.

The 24-year-old, who secured the number one ranking with his semi-final win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Friday, said: "I managed to achieve a lifetime goal and I managed to make my dream come true, all in three days.

"It's just an incredible feeling that I'm never going to forget.

This is the best day of my tennis career.

• Nadal

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

53

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

54

NEWS Sokoto expands roads to tackle floods

T

HE Sokoto State Government has started expanding some roads and gutters to prevent flooding in Sokoto, the state capital.

Special Adviser to the governor on the state Urban Planning and Rural Development Agency (SUPRDA) Alhaji Sanusi Tukur Faru said one of such roads links Mabera and the eastern bypass.

He said the road would be provided with modern drain-

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

ages to control flood.

Faru said lack of good roads has contributed to flooding in Sokoto.

Speaking on a local radio programme, Lokacin Abu, Faru said Mabera is always flooded during the rainy season.

He attributed this to to improper planning of houses and other structures and

promised that SUPRDA would ensure that people comply with regulations.

Faru said: “This is to avoid a situation where structures are constructed on waterways or passages, because such is the common dangers responsible for some of the flooding.”

He said the agency had put in place mechanism to check this form of obstruction and urged the public to cooperate with the government.

PDP chieftain apologises to Oba of Benin

A

SENATORIAL leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State and an ally of the Chief Tony Anenih faction, Owere Dickson Imasogie, has apologised to the Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa, over comments that the traditional institution influenced the outcome of the April elections in the state.

Imasogie had, in an interview, alleged that the state Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) won the elections because the monarch directed

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

the people to vote for the party.

The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) last weekend gave Imasogie seven days to apologise for making “such utterances against the palace of the Oba of Benin”.

In a letter to BTC, Imasogie said he was a loyal Edo man, who understands what “our Oba expects from us”.

He said: “I am to the Oba

what a good Catholic is to the Pope. That the Pope cannot err and our Oba cannot err. I can now see that the Council did not look at the interview the way I saw it and I do not have any option than to render the apology as requested because every Edo man is loyal to the Oba of Benin.

“I hereby apologise to the Benin Traditional Council and the Oba for my comments in the interview, which the council feels are offending.”

Yuguda appoints special adviser

B

AUCHI State Governor Isa Yuguda has appointed Bappah Azare as Special Adviser on Finance, Economy and Treasury Matters.

In a statement yesterday by the Permanent Secretary, Special Services in the

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

Office of the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Abdul Aliyu Ilelah, the government said the appointment takes immediate effect.

Until his appointment, Azare was the state accountant-general, a position he held for almost seven years.

He was first appointed by the Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu administration during its second term.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

55

MONEY LINK

Cash limit: Banks to roll out 100,000 PoS in 2012 •16 mobile payment firms involved T THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said the 24 Deposit Money Banks would out 100,000 Point of Sales (PoS) terminals by June 1, 2012, to cope with pressures in the cash limit set by the apex bank. The banks would also increase the PoS terminals to 350,000 before December 2015.

Section 47 of the CBN Act empowers the apex bank to promote and facilitate the development of efficient as well as effective systems for the settlement of transactions. The apex bank had in June, limited cash transactions to N150,000 for individuals and N1 million for corporate organizations to reduce the cost of cash management in the banking sector.

Implementation of the policy is strategically phased and complementary reforms are progressing on alternative payments channels through the retail payments trans-

Stories by Collins Nweze

formation programme, CBN Director, Currency Operations Department, Muhammad Nda, has said.

Speaking during a Cash Management Seminar in Lagos, Nda, said the Bankers Committee has agreed to an aggressive deployment of PoS terminals by banks. The apex bank, on the other hand, has made progress in addressing the infrastructural challenges in aid of the planned changes.

Part of the steps taken, is the signing of agreement with telecommunication network firms to provide dedicated channels for PoS transaction data, he said, adding that 16 Mobile Payment Service Providers were issued approval in principle

and they had piloted the service for three months.

Final evaluation of the pilot schemes is commencing with eventual licensing and strict rollout target which will be closely monitored, he said, stating that the agreement reached with telecommunication networks to provide dedicated channels for POS transaction data will eventually be extended to mobile payments.

In order to drive down the cost of cash operations and engender healthy competition among DMBs, CBN is promoting the use of shared facilities. The process will be private sector-driven to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of currency management, among others.

The apex bank has also com-

menced the process of registration of companies providing cash-in-transit and currency sorting in the country. In addition to enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of currency management, the policy is aimed at facilitating the generation of fit notes for payment and ensuring product quality, integrity and standardization.

So far, two companies, Bankers Warehouse Limited and Integrated Cash Management Systems Limited, have been registered as Cash-InTransit companies and given approval-in-principle as currency sorting companies.

Nda, said the objective of the present policy on cash withdrawal is different as it is targeted at the reduction of cash transactions in the

Capital inflows dip market rates, lift liquidity

A

FRINVEST West Africa Limited has attributed the rise in liquidity level in the past one week to increase in capital inflows arising from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s removal of the 12 month restriction on foreign debt holders.

The firm also attributed the market condition to credits from the excess crude account, personnel cost and Joint Venture Companies (JVC) cash calls.

On the average, interbank rates, such as Call, Nigeria Inter Bank Offered Rate and Open Buy Back rates for banks dipped further last week from 11.1 per cent to 10.6 per cent, compared to a 140 basis points (bps) loss the week before. The Secured

Open Buy Back rate closed at 9.4 per cent, 141 bps above the Monetary Policy Rate, while the Call Rate and 7-day NIBOR dropped by 5.5 per cent and 3.5 per cent to close at 10.8 per cent and 11.6 per cent respectively.

The report, contained in the investment company’s weekly report, is expected to cause market rates to remain steady this week with the possibility of a marginal dip.

Afrinvest, said it does not envisage any significant debits to reduce the system’s liquidity.

In the official market, the CBN’s imposition of a maximum weekly limit of $250,000 in forex sales by commercial banks to foreign exchange bureaus, significantly re-

Western Union targets $1b takeover of Travelex WESTERN Union is in talks to buy a division of Apax Partners LLP’s Travelex foreign-exchange business for about $1 billion. Western Union, based in Englewood, Colorado, may announce an agreement to acquire Travelex’s global business-payments unit as early as next week.

A deal would help Western Union’s Chief Executive Officer, Hikmet Ersek, to add revenue from corporate transactions overseas. Consumerto-consumer services provided 84 per cent of the firm’s $1.28 billion revenue in the first quarter, according to the company’s financial report.

Travelex described its businesspayments unit as the world’s largest

W •MD, Afrinvest, Ike Chioke

duced weekly demand for the dollar at the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) as demand decreased by 92.1 per cent down from $954.9 million demanded in the penultimate week to $497.1 million last week.

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 ($) Demanded ($) 400m 467.7m 400m 452.3m 500m 499,8m

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 4-7-11 SYMBOL CAP CHAMPION NAHCO FIDSON COSTAIN CAPHOTEL OCEANIC JAPAULOIL LAWUNION ETI

O/PRICE 34.12 4.25 7.50 1.83 2.46 3.50 1.40 1.05 0.55 14.40

C/PRICE 35.82 4.46 7.87 1.92 2.58 3.67 1.46 1.09 0.57 14.89

CHANGE 1.70 0.21 0.37 0.09 0.12 0.17 0.06 0.04 0.02 0.49

LOSER AS AT 4-7-11 SYMBOL GLAXOSMITH UBN AIICO NASCON GTASSURE PLATINUM INTERCONT AFRIBANK NIGERINS UPL

O/PRICE 26.94 2.83 0.81 5.40 1.50 0.86 1.08 1.30 0.65 5.23

C/PRICE 25.60 2.69 0.77 5.14 1.43 0.82 1.03 1.24 0.62 5.00

non-bank provider of foreign exchange and risk solutions.

Founded in 1976, Travelex, processes international payments for more than 35,000 corporate clients and distribution partners, according to a May statement on its website. It also serves consumers through a network of more than 950 stores and 450 automated teller machines. It handles about 20 billion pounds ($32 billion) of foreignexchange transactions annually.

“This business does have good margin characteristics. It certainly has the potential to be more lucrative than the consumer. The fee per transaction is really huge,” said James Friedman, an analyst at Susquehanna Financial Group in New York told Bloomberg.

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

banking industry in favour of electronic means of payment.

“The directives of the Federal Government in January 2009 on its e-payments policy has had positive impact on efficiency in the provision of financial services as payments infrastructure has undergone enhancement and Nigerians are more comfortable with e-payments options,” he said.

Government’s e-payments directive, in addition to the Money Laundering Act and Nigeria’s active involvement in the Inter-Governmental Action Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) with our commitment to FATF will be further served through the new cash policy, he said. For him, the Nigerian banking industry is resolute on its decision to transform the National Payments System to drive efficient banking and payments services at a reduced cost to Nigerians, banks and the economy.

CHANGE 1.34 0.14 0.04 0.26 0.07 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.03 0.23

Amount Sold ($) 400m 400m 499.8m

Exchange Rate (N) 153.59 153.4 153.45

Date 25-5-11 23-5-11 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

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

239.4810 212.4997

244.0123 207.9023

245.6422 209.2910

-2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

04-07-11 N7.845tr 24,536.96

Name

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%

NIBOR

7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

01-07-11 N7.896tr 24,696.81

% Change 0.7% 0.7%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS

DISCOUNT WINDOW

Tenor

NSE CAP Index

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%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 117.49 122.45 0.84 1.00 1,575.41 10.12 1.39 1.87 8,793.29 193.00

9.08 1.00 117.03 121.55 0.81 1.00 1,567.25 9.62 1.33 1.80 8,567.25 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 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

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous

Current

04 MAR, 2011

07, MAR, 2011

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

56

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 04-07-11

Equities hit new low

2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name SMART PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded 2 1.04 3,000 2 3,000 AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC 1 0.50 1,000 LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC 5 0.50 804,000 PRESCO PLC 9 8.00 47,593 Sector Totals 15 852,593 AIR SERVICES Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC 2 2.63 6,000 NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC 5 8 7.87 479,173 Sector Totals 60 485,173 AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC 1 0.50 193,000 R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC 10 2.10 86,260 Sector Totals 11 279,260 BANKING Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded ACCESS BANK PLC 163 7.10 28,628,965 AFRIBANK NIGERIA PLC 27 1.24 395,200 DIAMOND BANK PLC 138 5.00 10,256,837 ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC 19 2.90 148,927 FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC 41 7.05 922,681 FIDELITY BANK PLC 482 2.61 11,728,958 FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC 526 12.13 12,337,923 FINBANK PLC 47 0.54 2,139,716 GTBANK PLC 503 15.13 25,493,724 STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC 45 9.22 750,950 INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC. 160 1.03 33,546,298 OCEANIC BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC 108 1.46 5,070,407 BANK PHB PLC 33 0.82 10,627,817 SKYE BANK PLC. 143 7.65 2,681,638 SPRING BANK PLC 2 0.85 3,210 STERLING BANK PLC 11 1.79 1,028,581 UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. 183 5.50 6,612,081 UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC 141 2.69 9,382,679 UNITYBANK PLC 27 0.84 865,289 WEMA BANK PLC 25 0.96 1,710,968 ZENITH BANK PLC 318 14.60 8,006,863 Sector Totals 3,142 172,339,712 BREWERIES Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded CHAMPION BREWERIES PLC 1 4.46 100,000 GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC 58 245.00 46,655 INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC 5 6.39 2,281,211 JOS INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC 1 2.37 500 NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC 154 8 9.89 738,526 Sector Totals 219 3,166,892 BUILDING MATERIALS Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded ASHAKA CEMENT PLC 85 2 2.08 630,466 CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC 17 9.30 165,881 DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 52 123.00 4,635,378 LAFARGE WAPCO PLC 34 47.00 1,660,126 Sector Totals 188 7,091,851 CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC 3 10.43 1,100 CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC 39 3 5.82 572,869 DN MEYER PLC 1 1.38 500 Sector Totals 43 574,469 COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded COURTVILLE INVESTMENTS PLC 5 0.50 1,585,000 RED STAR EXPRESS PLC 27 2.70 990,200 TRANS NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC 2 5.78 2,263 Sector Totals 34 2,577,463 COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. 6 3.25 530,216 TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC 2 3.25 3,000 Sector Totals 8 533,216 CONGLOMERATES Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded A. G. LEVENTIS (NIGERIA) PLC 1 2.09 500 JOHN HOLT PLC 2 7.21 41,238 PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC 45 3 8.10 200,486 TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIG PLC 22 1.03 1,503,993 UAC OF NIGERIA PLC 53 39.00 1,279,109 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC 41 2 7.00 541,472 Sector Totals 164 3,566,798 CONSTRUCTION Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded COSTAIN (WA) PLC 33 2.58 611,902 JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC 13 6 2.26 16,155 ROADS NIGERIA PLC 1 3.47 26,098 Sector Totals 47 654,155 ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded CUTIX PLC 5 2.18 106,574 NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. 5 0.54 35,570 Sector Totals 10 142,144 FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC 9 4 5.00 17,251 CADBURY NIGERIA PLC 35 1 8.00 954,084 DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC 115 16.00 3,170,110 DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC 62 12.32 1,048,043 FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC 109 95.00 1,791,412 HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC 18 4.25 533,717 MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC 1 1.78 8,000 NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC 12 5.14 148,200 NIGERIAN BOTTLING COMPANY PLC 25 4 1.50 206,570 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC 61 400.00 117,803 NORTHERN NIGERIA FLOUR MILLS PLC 6 2 6.36 12,043 TANTALIZERS PLC 2 0.50 26,000 UTC NIGERIA PLC 2 0.68 20,745 Sector Totals 457 8,053,978 HEALTHCARE Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC 17 1.92 260,000 GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC 13 2 5.60 516,220 MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. 21 3.70 54,092 NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMA PLC 3 1.70 18,000 PHARMA-DEKO PLC 1 3.87 4,000 Sector Totals 55 852,312 HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded CAPITAL HOTEL PLC 11 3.67 1,015,020 IKEJA HOTEL PLC 16 1.46 1,297,800 Sector Totals 27 2,312,820 INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded B. O. C. GASES NIGERIA PLC 1 7.45 1,000 FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC 6 0.50 126,725 VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC 17 6.00 155,774 VONO PRODUCTS PLC 3 2.88 1,000 Sector Totals 27 284,499 INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded CHAMS PLC 1 0.50 2,000 STARCOMMS PLC 3 0.50 1,937,232 Sector Totals 4 1,939,232 INSURANCE Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 82 0.77 2,831,431 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 24 1.14 28,110,500 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE CO. PLC. 1 0.50 12,320 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC 7 3.01 157,250 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC 3 0.50 963,310 GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC 30 1.43 1,390,000 GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. 1 0.50 1,000 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COM PLC 1 0.50 1,000

Value of Shares (N) 3,000.00 3,000.00 Value of Shares (N) 500.00 402,000.00 379,328.00 781,828.00 Value of Shares (N) 15,000.00 3,768,454.72 3,783,454.72 Value of Shares (N) 96,500.00 173,919.00 270,419.00 Value of Shares (N) 203,174,057.98 492,618.10 51,486,574.26 428,059.34 6,504,803.34 30,679,659.51 151,661,434.28 1,156,091.64 389,790,204.53 7,056,360.00 34,767,018.85 7,136,016.38 8,897,178.66 20,507,878.79 2,600.10 1,833,895.31 36,665,005.55 25,522,217.43 726,309.90 1,649,481.60 117,237,335.04 1,097,374,800.59 Value of Shares (N) 446,000.00 11,230,973.52 14,571,259.29 1,185.00 65,793,941.53 92,043,359.34 Value of Shares (N) 14,057,380.66 1,526,034.45 570,460,963.92 77,903,826.09 663,948,205.12 Value of Shares (N) 10,901.00 20,513,967.58 660.00 20,525,528.58 Value of Shares (N) 792,500.00 2,667,187.00 12,446.50 3,472,133.50 Value of Shares (N) 1,723,202.00 9,270.00 1,732,472.00 Value of Shares (N) 995.00 282,480.30 7,634,211.00 1,549,112.79 49,903,065.53 14,616,882.28 73,986,746.90 Value of Shares (N) 1,480,405.21 962,399.65 94,996.72 2,537,801.58 Value of Shares (N) 232,331.32 19,207.80 251,539.12 Value of Shares (N) 809,911.05 17,158,115.18 50,721,760.00 12,919,916.75 170,497,885.81 2,272,885.93 13,600.00 763,155.00 8,527,825.50 47,133,856.16 318,093.48 13,000.00 14,106.60 311,164,111.46 Value of Shares (N) 491,047.24 13,215,340.00 199,660.51 29,160.00 14,720.00 13,949,927.75 Value of Shares (N) 3,717,185.70 1,894,788.00 5,611,973.70 Value of Shares (N) 7,200.00 63,362.50 934,669.00 2,880.00 1,008,111.50 Value of Shares (N) 1,000.00 968,616.00 969,616.00 Value of Shares (N) 2,211,608.80 33,009,035.62 6,160.00 472,626.00 481,655.00 2,072,700.00 500.00 500.00

•NSE lifts suspension on six firms

T

HE Nigerian stock market started the week with a hard-hitting downtrend as sustained depreciation in shares’ prices of many market-determining stocks, pushed key benchmarks yesterday to their lows in recent period.

The All Share Index (ASI), which measures the changes in prices of all quoted companies and serves as benchmark for return in the Nigerian market, hit its lowest index point of 24,536.96 yesterday.

This represented a decline of 1.95 per cent from the recent highest index point of 25,023.83 and 1.2 per cent down from the average index point of 24,832.29 points.

The ASI dropped by 0.65 per cent during the trading session yesterday, elongating the downtrend that started the second half last Friday. Aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted companies dropped by N51 billion to N7.845 trillion, compared with its opening index of N7.896 trillion.

Market operators said many investors were cautious the decline may persist and were locking their funds into bonds.

Dangote Cement, Nigerian market most capitalized stock, led the losers yesterday with a loss of 200 kobo to close at N123. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria dropped by 134 kobo to close at N25.60.

Ashaka Cement lost 92 kobo to close at N22.08. Lafarge

Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

Wapco Cement Nigeria slipped by 50 kobo to close at N47, while Dangote Sugar Refinery dropped by 48 kobo to close at N12.32 per share.

On the upside, Nigerian Breweries topped the gainers’ list with addition of 189 kobo to close at N89.89. CAP added 170 kobo to close at N35.82, while Nigerian Bottling Company gained 50 kobo to close at N41.50. Ecobank Transnational Incorporated gathered 49 kobo to close at N14.89, while Nigerian Aviation Handling Company rose by 37 kobo to close at N7.87 per share.

Turnover stood at 255.846 million shares worth N2.420 billion in 5,484 deals. Banking stocks led the activity chart with a turnover of 172.340 million shares worth N1.097 billion in 3,142 deals.

This was followed by insurance sector with 38.153 million shares worth N40.882 million while the food and beverages, building materials and maritime sectors recorded 8.054 million shares, 7.092 million shares and 6.945 million shares respectively.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday lifted technical suspension on seven quoted companies out of the 48 companies which movement in their share prices were suspended last Friday.

NSE said subsequent to the suspension Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), SCOA Nigeria, LASACO Assurance, Linkage Assurance, Oasis Insurance, Staco and Crusader Plc submitted their annual report and were removed from the suspension list.

An officer in the Listing Compliance Unit of the NSE, Bona confirmed the submission of reports and lifting of suspension on the companies.

NSE had on Friday placed 48 companies on technical suspension for failure to submit their audited report and accounts as required by the Code of Corporate Governance and best practices of the NSE. By the technical suspension which took effect from the Friday’s trading session, there could be trading on the shares of the companies but there would not be any price change, holding investors from benefiting from any potential capital gain.

The technical suspension would also limit the liquidity of the stocks as they would not be able to respond to market forces.

The NSE in a statement made available to The Nation said the companies would be on technical suspension for the one month; after which the Exchange might take further action against those companies that still then fail to comply by submitting their annual reports.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 04-07-11 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. 4 0.50 LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. 6 0.57 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC 1 0.50 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC 4 0.50 N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. 9 0.53 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. 6 0.62 OASIS INSURANCE PLC 2 0.50 REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 1 0.50 SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC 1 0.50 STACO INSURANCE PLC 2 0.50 STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC 1 0.50 UNIC INSURANCE PLC. 2 0.50 UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC 1 0.50 UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 2 0.50 INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC 3 0.54 Sector Totals 194 MARITIME Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC 106 1.09 Sector Totals 106 MEDIA Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC 2 0.50 Sector Totals 2 MORTGAGE COMPANIES Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) ABBEY BUILDING SOCIETY PLC 4 1.37 RESORT SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC 1 0.50 UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC 15 0.55 Sector Totals 20 OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) CRUSADER NIGERIA PLC. 2 0.50 NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC 2 1.11 ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC 1 0.50 Sector Totals 5 PACKAGING Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC3 0 8 2.56 BETA GLASS CO. PLC 1 12.71 GREIF NIGERIA PLC 3 13.97 Sector Totals 312 PETROLEUM(MARKETING) Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC 4 72.00 CONOIL PLC 14 36.10 ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. 4 4.52 FORTE OIL PLC 13 19.28 MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. 19 157.50 OANDO PLC 201 40.71 TOTAL NIGERIA PLC 10 195.50 Sector Totals 265 PRINTING & PUBLISHING Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) ACADEMY PRESS PLC. 1 3.50 LONGMAN NIGERIA PLC 3 5.60 UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC 18 5.00 Sector Totals 22 REAL ESTATE Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC 8 20.00 Sector Totals 8 ROAD TRANSPORTATION Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC 1 0.57 Sector Totals 1 THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCOR 36 14.89 Sector Totals 36 Overall Totals

5,484

61,000 3,025,571 5,000 18,940 647,600 359,884 1,200 1,000 66,984 3,000 1,000 201,000 1,000 11,800 281,300 38,153,090

30,500.00 1,723,444.09 2,500.00 9,470.00 343,278.00 223,285.40 600.00 500.00 33,492.00 1,500.00 500.00 100,500.00 500.00 5,900.00 151,639.00 40,882,393.91

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 6,945,228 7,247,615.16 6,945,228 7,247,615.16 Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 12,000 6,000.00 12,000 6,000.00 Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 13,469 17,644.39 200,000 100,000.00 588,314 324,480.40 801,783 442,124.79 Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 5,000 2,500.00 78,500 87,135.00 2,000 1,000.00 85,500 90,635.00 Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,576,245 3,994,523.79 100 1,208.00 56,378 826,156.48 1,632,723 4,821,888.27 Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,347 92,490.89 16,290 561,297.00 46,600 200,380.00 17,029 328,319.12 24,458 3,813,620.00 1,377,062 56,041,928.58 4,508 898,597.65 1,487,294 61,936,633.24 Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 20,000 66,600.00 2,450 13,720.00 390,180 2,080,654.16 412,630 2,160,974.16 Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 16,375 311,125.00 16,375 311,125.00 Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,000 550.00 1,000 550.00 Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 588,550 8,704,732.00 588,550 8,704,732.00 255,845,740

2,420,019,700.39

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

57

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

58

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08022664898

ACROSS 1.Sign (5).

3.Mineral(3) 6.Baking Chamber(4) 7. Avarice(5) 9.Plus(3) 10.Musical note(2) 11.Skill(3) 12.Drinking Vessels(4) 16.Mother(2) 17. Appropriate (3) 18.Urge to do(5) 21.Vigilant (5) 22.Square(4) 23.Golf Score (3)

44

DOWN 1.Labels(4) 2.Crawl (5) 3.Precious stone(5) 4.Hire (4) 5.Final (3) 8.Burst out (5) 13.Move Smoothly (4) 14.Frend(3) 15.Challenge (4) 16.Dispense (4) 19.Encountered (3) 20.Before (3) 21.Single (2)

ALPHA-NUMERIC PUZZLE

Fill the grid to ensure that every row, column and 2 by 3 box contains the letters A, B, C and the numbers 1,2 and 3.

No one number or letter must appear more than once on each row, column and 2 by 3 box.

Celebrity Nook Carl Lewis Wins N.J.’s State Senate Primary

SIMPLY WEIRD POETRY Broken Broken hearts, love’s deceit, pieces fall down to my feet.

Broken promises, love’s a lie, puddles form from tears I cry.

Broken dreams, love’s illusion, sorrowed cause of your intrusion.

Broken hope, love’s a game, doesn’t last, ends the same.

Broken sleep, love’s the cause, digs at me with sharpened claws.

Broken spirit, love of sorrow, stolen now is my tomorrow.

Broken life, love is lost, Broken now and that’s the cost. - Rachel RTVW

Hope is the Thing with Feathers Nine-time Olympic gold winner Carl Lewis is now officially a Democratic state Senate candidate—for now. He won an uncontested race in the New Jersey’s Eight District and could face his Republican opponent, Rep. Dawn Marie Addiego, who also was uncontested.

It’s all up to a federal judge to decide whether Lewis can keep running or will be stopped in his tracks. State Republicans have challenged the former track star’s eligibility to run for elective office, charging that he does not meet the state’s four-year residency requirement. A federal judge allowed his name to appear on the primary ballot although a final ruling on whether the residency requirement is constitutional must still be made.

Lewis was born in New Jersey and owns a home there, but he has lived and worked in California for the past several years and it also is where he last voted. He didn’t register to vote in New Jersey until just before he announced his bid for office.

Pep Talk

“Hope” is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul And sings the tune without the words And never stops at all, And sweetest in the gale is heard; And sore must be the storm That could abash the little bird That kept so many warm.

I’ve heard it in the chillest land And on the strangest sea, Yet never, in extremity, It asked a crumb of me.

- Emily Dickinson

Gitanjali In desperate hope I go and search for her in all the corners of my room; I find her not.

My house is small and what once has gone from it can never be regained.

But infinite is thy mansion, my lord, and seeking her I have to come to thy door.

I stand under the golden canopy of thine evening sky and I lift my eager eyes to thy face.

I have come to the brink of eternity from which nothing can vanish—no hope, no happiness, no vision of a face seen through tears.

Oh, dip my emptied life into that ocean, plunge it into the deepest fullness. Let me for once feel that lost sweet touch in the allness of the universe .- Rabindranath Tagore

HUMOUR The teacher came up with a good problem. “Suppose,” she asked the second-graders, “there were a dozen sheep and six of them jumped over a fence. How many would be left?”

“None,” answered little Norman.

“None? Norman, you don’t know your arithmetic.”

“Teacher, you don’t know your sheep. When one goes, they all go!”

A man needing a heart transplant is told by his doctor that the only heart available is that of a sheep. The man finally agrees and the doctor transplants the sheep heart into the man. A few days after the operation, the man comes in for a checkup. The doctor asks him “How are you feeling?” The man replies “Not BAAAAD!” A man goes to his doctor for a complete checkup. He hasn’t been feeling well and wants to find out if he’s ill. After the checkup the doctor comes out with the results of the examination.

“I’m afraid I have some bad news. You’re dying and you don’t have much time,” the doctor says.

“Oh no, that’s terrible. How long have I got?” the man asks.

“10...” says the doctor.

“10? 10 what? Months? Weeks? What?!” he asks desperately.

“10...9...8...7...”

BRAIN TEASERS If seven people meet each other and each shakes hands only once with each of the others, how many handshakes will there have been?

If you were to put a coin into an empty bottle and then insert a cork into the neck, how could you remove the coin without taking out the cork or breaking the bottle?

What is the longest word in the English language that consists entirely of vowels (excluding Y)?

The fact is, that to do anything in the world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can. - Robert Cushing

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

59

FOREIGN Syrian Army enters city of Hama SYRIAN troops are raiding houses and arresting people in the central city of Hama, reports say, after massive anti-government protests on Friday.

Residents had set tyres on fire and blocked roads to delay the movement of troops, who were arriving in busloads and “firing randomly”, residents said.

Meanwhile, tanks that were surrounding Hama have moved towards villages in the north, sparking fears of clashes there.

And in Damascus, two protesters were reportedly shot dead on Sunday.

The killings took place in the Hajjar al-Aswad suburb of the capital amid ongoing arrest campaigns there too, human rights activists said.

The latest deaths and detentions come at a time when the government is pushing for a national dialogue next week, says the BBC’s Lina Sinjab in Damascus. The opposition has refused to take part in any dialogue while the violence continues.

Turkey recognises LibyanTransitional National Council TURKEY has recognised the rebel Transitional National Council as the true representative of Libya’s people.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said it was time for the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to go.

Turkey has pledged a further $200m in aid for the rebels in addition to $100m announced last month.

In another development, the rebels have rejected an initiative by the African Union to sponsor talks between them and the government in Tripoli.

Rebel spokesman Abdel Hafiz Ghoga said: “We have rejected it. It did not include the departure of Gaddafi, his sons and his inner circle.”

But TNC head Mustafa Abdul Jalil has conceded that Col Gaddafi is welcome to live out his retirement inside Libya as long as he gives up all power.

Morocco’s vote on King Mohammed’s reforms ‘corrupt’

T

•Russian President Dmitry Medredev (right) Anders Rasumussen shake hands in Russia... yesterday

NATO defends Libya’s operation in Russia talks N ATO’S chief has staunchly defended its operation in Libya during a meeting of the NatoRussia Council in the southern Russian resort town of Sochi.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the campaign was being undertaken in “strict conformity” with the UN Security Council resolution authorising it.

Russia earlier said deep differences over the operation were hindering efforts to build deeper ties.

Nato-backed Libyan rebels have rejected the latest peace plan put to them.

That initiative was drawn up by the African Union, driven in part by the efforts of South African President Jacob Zuma, who has joined the talks in Sochi to add his voice to Russian concerns about the Nato operation.

Pressure has been growing

to find an end to the conflict in Libya, where Col Muammar Gaddafi continues to resist calls to stand down despite a three-month Nato bombing campaign.

This is a routine meeting of the Nato-Russia Council which has been given special significance amid the divisions over Nato’s campaign in Libya.

Russia has criticised the bombing of Libya, saying the mission has lost its original focus on protecting civilians, and is now about removing the Libyan government. It abstained from the UN Security Council vote which authorised the action in Libya.

In a statement, Russia called for an “immediate ceasefire” and talks “with support, but not interference, from outside the country”.

But during a break in the

meeting Mr Rasmussen defended the Nato operation.

“The Russian side has voiced some concerns related to our operation in Libya,” he told reporters.

“We have stressed that we are carrying out this operation in strict conformity with the UN Security Council resolution.

“We have been mandated to take all necessary means to protect civilians against attacks and so far we have been very successful in protecting civilians,” he said.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said differences over the war in Libya and missile defence were hindering efforts to build a strategic partnership.

The issue is likely to come up again when Russian President Dmitry Medvedev meets

Mr Rasmussen for talks later.

On Sunday Libyan rebels rejected an AU peace initiative, with rebel spokesman Abdel Hafiz Ghoga saying: “We have rejected it. It did not include the departure of Gaddafi, his sons and his inner circle.”

Later, the head of the rebel Transitional National Council Mustafa Abdul Jalil signalled what appeared to be a significant policy shift, saying Col Gaddafi would be welcome to live out his retirement inside Libya as long as he gave up all power.

Libyan relax on the beach in the rebel-held Benghazi, Libya, on Saturday The fate of Col Gaddafi’s regime is a key sticking point in talks on the future of Libya That was later contradicted

by Mr Ghoga and Mr Jalil has now confirmed there is “absolutely no current or future possibility for Gaddafi to remain in Libya”, reports AFP news agency.

Libyan forces target NATO bombers, says Gaddafi’s son

T

HE son of Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi has warned the Western powers currently bombarding his country that they could become a target if they continue to support the forces

trying to oust his father.

In an interview on French television, Seif al-Islam Gadhafi also said Libya is ready to call a cease-fire, adopt a new constitution and hold democratic elections.

But he warned that, by sup-

porting the Libyan opposition, Western countries “are going to be a reasonable target for us.”

In a separate newspaper interview published Monday, he said Libya is “ready to put in place a transition

government” for three or four months.

A coalition including France, Britain and the United States are striking Gadhafi’s forces under a U.N. resolution to protect civilians.

Ex-Tunisian leader Ben Ali convicted of drugs charges

Senegalese President’s son Wade denies ‘monarchy plans’

T

HE son of Senegal’s President Abdoulaye Wade has strongly denied that his father will hand him power in the style of a monarch.

Karim Wade issued the denial after widespread speculation that his 85-year-old father was grooming him as his successor.

Mr Wade has ruled Senegal for more than a decade.

Last month, he was forced to drop plans to change electoral rules after riots broke out.

The opposition said the changes were aimed at helping Mr Wade win elections in 2012, before handing power to his son.

Karim Wade heads a “super ministry” in his father’s government, which includes the transport and energy

UNISIA’S ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali has been convicted on charges of possessing illegal drugs and weapons after a one-day trial in Tunis.

He was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in jail.

Ben Ali and his wife Leila were last month sentenced to 35 years in prison for embezzlement and misuse of state funds.

He fled to Saudi Arabia in January following weeks of protests - the first leader be ousted in the “Arab Spring”.

Saudi Arabia has so far failed to extradite Ben Ali, despite a request by Tunisia’s new interim government.

In court, his lawyer, Hosni Beji, described the drugs and gun-running charges as “irra-

tional”.

He said he had a list of witnesses to prove Ben Ali never owned or kept drugs.

“How can we imagine that a president holding power can have two kilogrammes of cannabis resin of mediocre quality [with intentions] of selling it,” the AFP news agency quotes him as saying.

Mr Beji also said most of the weapons found at Ben Ali’s palace after he fled were gifts from foreign leaders.

Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister Prince Nayef Ben Abdel Aziz gave Ben Ali weapons, Mr Beji said, AFP reports.

Reuters news agency reports that members of the public in the courtroom heckled Ben Ali’s lawyers, shout-

T •Ben Ali

ing: “Get out! You have betrayed Tunisia by defending Ben Ali!” and “You should have defended the young people killed by Ben Ali’s weapons!”

Ben Ali’s lawyers walked out of the courtroom after the judge refused their request to delay the case so that they had more time to prepare their defence.

The case was due to have started last week, but was postponed because of a strike by judges.

portfolios.

He denied in an open letter that he intended to inherit the presidency.

“I repeat and will repeat as long as is necessary - it is an insult to the Senegalese to talk of a plan for monarchic devolution.

“Such a plan has not, is not, and never will be the intention of the president or myself,” Karim Wade said.

He said he was the victim of a hate campaign.

“This confusion must be ended. This spin-doctoring must finish. This injustice must cease,” he said.

Last month, the president dropped proposed changes to the country’s constitution after police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at thousands of protesters outside parliament.

HE official figures showing that 98% of voters backed Morocco’s reform referendum are “unbelievable”, a democracy campaigner has told the BBC. Mountazar Drissi said there were numerous cases of multiple voting, while people were bussed in from the countryside to vote in cities.

He was speaking after thousands of people took to the streets on Sunday to demand further political changes.

Mr Drissi says that King Mohammed VI still wields too much power.

“He can control everything - we want the power to belong to the people,” he told the BBC’s Network Africa programme.

The demonstrators marched through cities such as Rabat, Casablanca and Tangier, chanting slogans such as “The interior minister is a liar,” Reuters news agency reported.

They carried empty boxes to symbolise that they thought the turnout was far lower than the 73% announced by election officials.

There were also pro-government protests, which officials said outnumbered those organised by Mr Drissi’s 20 February Movement.

The king announced that he would give up some of his powers following previous protests but his constitutional reforms have been dismissed by some as “windowdressing”.

The concessions come after protests inspired by the socalled Arab Spring.

King Mohammed VI of Morocco King Mohammed VI has promised greater democracy for the people of Morocco Popular uprisings have toppled Presidents Zine alAbidine Ben Ali of Tunisia and Hosni Mubarak of Egypt.

All the country’s main political parties, unions, civic groups, religious leaders and media urged Moroccans to vote in favour of the new constitution.

East African leaders urges for sanctions against Eritrea

E

AST African leaders say the African Union and United Nations should impose sanctions on Eritrea’s mining sector.

The leaders who met in Addis Ababa for a summit of the East African bloc this weekend said in a communique yesterday that Eritrea’s mining sector is believed to be used for support of extremist groups in the Horn of Africa.

East Africa’s Inter Government Authority for Development, also known as IGAD, called on the U.N. Security Council to “take all appropriate measures to ensure the regime in Asmara desists from its destabilizing activities.”

The leaders also urged the AU and U.N. to fully implement existing sanctions and impose additional sanctions to target Eritrea’s economic sectors, particularly its mining.

Eritrea, which borders Sudan, Ethiopia and Djibouti, has a population of about 5 million

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

60

FOREIGN NEWS Actress Anna Massey dies at 73 ACTRESS Anna Massey, who starred in a string of screen dramas, has died at the age of 73, her agent has confirmed.

Massey won many awards during her acting career, including a Bafta for her portrayal of a lonely spinster in a 1986 TV adaptation of Hotel du Lac. The star also appeared in the film adaptation of AS Byatt’s Possession, opposite Gwyneth Paltrow and was in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1972 movie Frenzy.

She was awarded a CBE for services to acting in 2004.

The child of Canadian actor Raymond Massey best known for his role as Dr Gillespie in the TV series Dr Kildare and West End actress Adrienne Allen - Massey was brought up in London but saw little of her father after her parents divorced when she was a year old.

Massey began her career on the stage, making her professional debut at the age of 17 in The Reluctant Debutante.

Her film debut was in 1958 in Gideon’s Day, directed by her godfather John Ford.

Edith Hope Anna Massey played lonely spinster Edith Hope in Hotel du Lac Her TV roles included notable costume drama turns as Mrs Danvers in Rebecca (1979), while she also appeared in an 1983 adaptation of Mansfield Park.

Her film credits include 1960’s Peeping Tom, comedy The Tall Guy in 1989 and The Importance of Being Earnest in 2002.

CHANGE OF NAME ADEKOYA I formerly known as Miss Adekoya Simbiat Omowunmi, now wish to be known as Mrs Adepoju Simbiat Omowunmi. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

ADENUGA I formerly known as Miss Adenuga Tumininu Adeyinka, now wish to be known as Mrs Okutimiren Tumininu Adeyinka. All former documents remain valid. TASUED, Ijebu-Ode, NYSC and general public should please take note.

ABASS I formerly known as Miss Abass Kikelomo, now wish to be known as Mrs Emida Aishat Kikelomo. All former documents remain valid.

TASUED, Ijebu-Ode, NYSC and general public should please take note.

Strauss-Kahn faces new sexual assault suit in France A

FRENCH novelist will file a criminal complaint today accusing Dominique StraussKahn of attempted rape, her lawyer said, throwing fresh uncertainty into a fierce national debate about whether the former International Monetary Fund chief can return to his country’s presidential race.

A sexual assault case against Strauss-Kahn in New York has been badly weakened by questions about his accuser’s credibility.

As a result, France was consumed Monday by the question of whether the longtime Socialist Party politician

would revive his dream of running against unpopular conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The political world was hit by a new shock when the lawyer for writer Tristane Banon announced she planned to file the complaint in Paris within a day.

Banon came forward after Strauss-Kahn’s May 14 arrest in New York to accuse him of wrenching open her bra and trying to unbutton her jeans in 2002.

Lawyer David Koubbi said

Banon had been dissuaded at the time from filing charges by her mother, a regional councilor in Strauss-Kahn’s Socialist party.

Koubbi also had said his client had no intention of pressing charges while the American prosecution was going on because the two cases should be kept separate.

Now, Banon is pressing forward, Koubbi told The Associated Press.

Before Koubbi’s announcement, the country was split on whether it wanted Strauss-

Kahn back in public life: Two polls showed an almost even division between those who thought he should return, and those who believed his political career was over.

The former IMF chief’s reentry to politics would be a tectonic shift in a campaign already shaken by his arrest on charges of attacking a New York hotel maid.

The Socialist had been widely seen as the leading contender in the 2012 election, leading polls in the months before his arrest.

German parliament pleads for detained journalist

T

HE speaker of Germany’s parliament has appealed to his Iranian counterpart to release an Iranian female sports journalist arrested a day before she planned to leave for the women’s soccer World Cup in Germany.

Norbert Lammert’s office said yesterday he wrote a letter to the president of Iran’s parliament, Ali Larijani, denouncing photographer Maryam Majd’s arrest “not only as an attack on media freedom but also as a striking breach of internationally guaranteed freedom rights and human rights.”

Lammert called on Larijani to shed light on what happened to Majd and urging him to support her swift release.

Iranian officials have made no comment on the arrest.

The foreign ministries in Berlin and London last week also denounced the arrest and called for her release.

Seven die in Mexico boat mishap

O

•Chavez’s supporters jubilating over his return...yesterday

Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez returns home

V

ENEZUELAN President Hugo Chavez has arrived back in his country after receiving medical treatment in Cuba.

Mr Chavez has been in Cuba since June 8, where he underwent an operation to remove a cancerous tumour.

His return comes a day before Venezuela celebrates the 200th anniversary of its independence from Spain.

As he stepped from the plane wearing a blue-andwhite tracksuit, Mr Chavez raised his arm in greeting and then embraced VicePresident Elias Jaua, his brother Adan Chavez and other officials.

“I’m fine. I’m happy,” he

PUBLIC NOTICE HEART TO HEART FOUNDATION The general public is hereby notified that the above mentioned foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: i. Mrs. Bosede Olubowale Gabriel ii. Professor Adebayo Babatunde Aromolaran iii. Pastor Ebenezer Oluwayomi Adelowo iv. Mrs. Margaret Romoke Adewumi v. Mrs. Tinuade Adewale AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: i. To counsel widows based on bible principles ii. To organize seminar and workshops iii. To give succor to widows through widows welfare scheme iv. To train widows acquisition of skills.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent District, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Mrs. B. O. Gabriel

said. “A perfect landing.”

In a telephone interview later, Mr Chavez told state television he was having breakfast and “devouring everything”.

Venezuelans woke to the news that President Chavez had arrived at Maiquetia airport in the early hours.

After that pre-recorded message from Havana, many thought he would not be returning to Venezuela for some time.

In a telephone interview with state TV, the president said his first priority was to arrange his treatment schedule.

Chavez supporters are expected to gather outside the presidential palace later on

Monday to see him appear on the balcony and to shout their now familiar slogan: “Pa-lante comandante!” (“Forward my commander!”)

He said he had spent “very difficult days” in Cuba but that his recovery was going well.

A post in Spanish on his Twitter account said: “Here I am, back home and very happy. Good morning my beloved Venezuela! Good morning beloved people.

Thanks be to God. It is the beginning of the return.”

Mr Chavez, who survived a coup attempt in 2002, told state TV he was under very strict medical supervision “with medication, rest, meals controlled”.

He said he would not be able to take part in Tuesday’s independence day parade but would follow it from the presidential palace.

State TV said Mr Chavez, 56, was due to make an appearance on the balcony of his presidential palace at 1600 local time (2030 GMT) Monday.

“We are delighted the president is home,” said Vice-President Jaua.

Some Chavez supporters in Caracas appeared on the streets cheering and singing as news of the president’s unexpected return filtered out.

Supporter Pedro Alizu, 61, described it as “amazing”.

Ratko Mladic, ex-Bosnian Serb general X-Bosnian Serb army sent out of court head Ratko Mladic

E

has been removed from a hearing at The Hague war crimes tribunal after quarrelling with the judge.

Gen Mladic was ordered out after continually interrupting the proceedings.

The court entered a plea of not guilty on Mr Mladic’s behalf, after he refused to do so.

Mr Mladic is charged with crimes including genocide in connection with the 199295 Bosnian war.

He attempted to speak several times at the beginning of the hearing, but Judge Alfons Orie asked

him to remain silent until he was allowed to speak.

He was reprimanded by the judge for speaking out of turn and communicating with the public gallery.

Mr Mladic then refused to enter a plea after his request to change his lawyer to one of his choosing rather than a court-appointed one was denied, because he had not made his request in time, the judge said.

When Judge Orie began to read out the charges, Mr Mladic shouted: “No, no, I’m not going to listen to

this without my lawyer,” removing his translation headphones.

“Who are you? You’re not allowing me to breathe,” Mr Mladic snapped.

Shortly before guards escorted Mr Mladic from court, he shouted at Judge Orie: “You want to impose my defence. What kind of a court are you?”

After he was removed, the judge read out all 11 charges, including murder and genocide, and entered pleas of not guilty on Mr Mladic’s behalf.

NE tourist drowned and at least six others are still missing after a fishing boat capsized during a fierce storm off the Mexican coast.

The 155ft (35m) boat, carrying 27 US tourists and 17 crew, went down in heavy conditions in the Gulf of California, the Mexican navy said.

The United States Coast Guard will help search for those still missing, said to include one Mexican crew member.

The boat, the Erik, had operated out of San Felipe since 1989, reports say.

The town, located on Mexico’s Baja California peninsula and with access to the Sea of Cortez, is a popular centre for windsurfers and sport fishermen.

Mexican officials said the weather was clear when the Erik set out on Saturday, but deteriorated quickly and unexpectedly on Sunday.

Capt Benjamin Pineda Gomez of the Mexican navy said the Erik capsized at in the early hours of Sunday morning some 60 miles (100km) south of San Felipe.

Two giant waves hit the boat, causing it to tip over less than two miles (3km) from shore.

No-one knew about the accident until the middle of Sunday afternoon, when another fishing boat rescued three people, he added.

The US said its helicopter would begin helping the search for those still missing from early on Monday morning.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

61

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011

62

SPORT EXTRA From Florence Israel and Akeem Lawal in PortHarcourt OHAMMED Aminu, the permanent secretary of the Kaduna Ministry of sports has said that the failure of a fall-back plan caused the embrassment that almost marred the world class opening ceremony of the 17th nationals sports festival held on Sunday night.

Lamenting about the incident, the permanent secretary who spoke extensively with NationSport on the issues affecting the Garden City Gmes noted that Kaduna made sure of a fall back plan in every issue in the festival and he also went ahead to advise Lagos on how to avoid a repetition of what is happening in Port Harcourt right now. "At Kaduna, we had two main venues, the Murtala square and tha Ahmadu Bello stadium.

At Murtala square, you could watch more than ten events and at the stadium, it was football and athletics events but am sorry to say that with the traffic problems in this state, and also the diversity in location of venues, it creates alot of problems to face and I feel that if they had managed the traffic situation well, it could have eased the pains being experienced by the athletes and officials.

"And you wish to recall that the issue of the torch that happened at the opening ceremony, Kaduna happened to be almost opposite the tractor that could have been used for the torch.

When the Chinese man was trying to demonstrate how it will work, I and the other delegates were skeptical on how it would work and unfortunately it did not work.

And another thing is that there was no plan B. You cannot rely on just one plan in this kind of uncertainty. In Kaduna, there was not single plan of facility that we did not have a fall back. Even in terms of accommodation, even in terms of venues, we had a fallback even if it means travelling out of Kaduna to ther short distant venues around but all our facilities were supplied on time".

He noted that Lagos may be more chaotic than Port Harcourt given the traffic situation of the state.

"They have to watch their arrangements because Lagos could also be choatic. If they can have majority of their venues almost at one place, they would have taken care of the most difficult aspect of organization.

"Then the issue of accommodation as well, if the accommodation is also scattered, Lagos will also have the same problem. But if it centred on place, since they already have a lane dedicated to tthe BRT buses, it could also work.

I also advise them to have plan B. It would be better for them if the are able to have a fall back".

M

UNLIGHTED FESTIVAL TORCH

Sports Festival will continue to unite Nigerians — Amaechi

Rivers has no G alternative — Kaduna

OVERNOR of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi believes the National Sports Festival will continue to live up to its billing by fostering unity among Nigerian in respective of tribe, religion and ethnic differences.

Amaechi made this known at the opening ceremony of the 17th edition of the National Sports Festival, held at the Liberation Stadium, Elekahia, on Sunday.

“The keen competition, sportsmanship and camaraderie at these games are the fuel on which our youth can run very long distances. We must galvanize these potentials and must develop our sports in order to provide the right opportunities for our people.

Truly we must redirect the energies of our people towards self-development as a precondition for the development of our country.

“Since its inception in 1973, therefore, the national sports festival has remained a beacon and a reminder of our common destiny. With its twin objectives of promoting mass participation in amateur sports from the grassroots level and encouraging sportsmanship and friendly interaction, the National Sports festival is a definite tool for strengthening our nationhood. And Rivers State is proud to again help foster this unity. “

From Florence Israel and Akeem Lawal in PortHarcourt Governor Amaechi believes the Garden City Games is one of the best in the history of the country.

“When we hosted in the games in 1988, we raised the bar and set standards that I can proudly say no one has been able to beat. As we host the games again we are mindful of the fact that we can only do better. It is this spirit and the desire to that propelled us to embark on the building of a brand new stadium for these games.

The Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium complex, in the Greater Port Harcourt City is indeed a phenomenal facility, the first of its kind in our nation, and we are delighted that we are able to showcase a bit of this magnificent infrastructure during these games.”

•Amaechi

Team Rivers sweeps cycling gold medals

T •Team Lagos on yellow jersey in action against team Bayelsa in the game of basketball at the 17th Sports Festival in Port-Harcourt PHOTO: Bola Omilabu

Swimming records joint gold medalist

H

ISTORY was made in the swimming events of the 17th edition of the National Sports Festival as joint gold medal finish was recorded in some of the event held at the Adokie Amasiemaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

The 200m Men’s Breast Stroke and 50m Women Butterfly produced 2 gold medalist in each of the event after the athletes involved finished at the same time.

In the 200m Brest Stroke Men, Rivers States’ Ifang Nwana and

From Florence Israel and Akeem Lawal in Port Harcourt Tosan Boyo of Kaduna finished at the same time of 31:67 to become joint winners. However, they were unable to break the time record set in 2007 by Eric Williams of Rivers State. Amakadi Oduni of Delta State won the bronze medal in that category.

Also in the 50m Butterfly Women, Akinna Kpiliboh of Ondo and Doutimi Gagbe of

Rivers could not be separated after finishing at the same time of 31:84, despite falling short of time record of 30:39 set in 2007

by Esther Omosehin of Ondo.

Faith Edorodion of Edo was left with the bronze medal after finishing at 32:37.

The only event that produced just a single gold medalist is the 200m Breast Stroke Women, where Dotun Gabe lead the pack finishing with the time 2:59:19 to clinch the gold medal. He however failed to break the 4yearold record set by Blessing Forcados of Delta State in 2007.

But fellow Delta athlete, Deborah Tona won the silver medal after finishing 3:03:94, while Oyinbo Justine won the bronze medal with the time 3:08:80

EAM Rivers Cycling is oneteam that took time to prepare for the 17th national sports festival.

Ranging from the 6th Garden City Cycling competition in which ten states competed to tour du Niger delta in which about ten states also participated, the team continued to maintain that it was all in prepartion for the national event and its already paying off as the team continues to sweep the gold medals of the event.

NationSport spoke with Emmanuel Onasanya, the chief coach of Cycling in the state and his joy knows no bounds.

"I feel great in this competition because I already have seven gold medals. Infact it is nine now but they have not declared it officially, the problem is that they are still trying to determine who took the second and third position in the event. It does not affect us, we already have the gold and it makes what we have nine and I still hope to get more.

The coach noted that this is the first time in cycling in Nigeria where a particular state is sweeping medals and there seems no stopping them.

"If you remember in April, we

From Florence Israel and Akeem Lawal in Port Harcourt went to Calabar on Tour du Niger Delta and I said it that this tour will really help my boys because it will have alot of impart on their legs and it is reflecting in this festival and we are seeing the results. It has never happened before that either a hosting state or a particular state is just taking the gold medals consecutively.

Seven at a time and out of the seven gold, no one crossed them, they are just winning the gold clearly. And sometimes gold and silver like in the 500meters and one kilometer pursuit."

The coach is so marveld at the achievement of his team and also hopes to get more medals.

"It marvels me, am Amazed.

Currently we have seven gold, six silver and one bronze. The other two, we've counted it to the one we have already and its about nine now. Am looking forward to five more gold to make it fourteen out of the seventeen that we are fighting for.

We have really distinguished ourselves among the riders and we are happy about that."

Asaah set to deliver seven gold medals in Abula

O

•Team Rivers during the opening ceremony

PHOTO: Bola Omilabu

NE of the traditional games, Abula is another game that has gained popularity amongst the sports family in Nigeria.

Watching the game at the national sports festival, it can be seen that more and more people are beginning to get excited about the game.

NationSport spoke with the last gold medal winning coach of the event at Kada 2009 games, coach Paul Asaah of Team Rivers said he is on the verge of delivering

another medal to the state.

"God has been so faithful to us in all our games. All the teams we've played with, the lowest has been three - zero winning.

We have qualified for the male and female finals and am going to play this afternoon and I hope to qualify as well for the mixeddouble.

“Am believing that by the grace of God, am going to clinch the three gold medals for the state because six festivals, six gold

medals for this state that I have given and I hope to give three this year to crown it all and to show that we have prepared enough for this very game."

He sounds so confident and true to his words, he may be delivering today if he is permitted by his opponents in the finals at the Spiff Diete Sports compex in Port Harcourt.

He faces Ondo for the male finals today and Delta for the female finals also today.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2011

63

SPORT EXTRA

NIGERIA/CANADA TONIGHT

We are playing for pride—Eucharia •Players to spot white jersey •Team arrives Nigeria Wednesday

T

HE Nigeria women national team are on a redemptive mission as they tackle Canada in one of

•Eucharia

From Ejiro Femi-Babafemi in Germany the last matches of group A today in the on-going FIFA

Serena ranking drops to 175

W

I M B L E D O N champion Novak Djokovic rose to No. 1 intheATPrankingsforthefirsttime yesterday, while Serena Williams dropped to 175th on the WTA list, her lowest spot since 1997.

Djokovic officially moved up from No. 2 one day after beating previously top-ranked Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 for his first title at the All England Club. It's the first time in nearly 7? years that a man other than Nadal or Roger Federer is ranked No. 1.

"Timesarechanging,"the24-yearold Djokovic said yesterday. "It's good for the sport, I think, to have some new faces."

Federer first took the top place on February 2, 2004, and he or Nadal had been No. 1 every week since then. Federer spent a total of 285 weeks there, one week short of Pete Sampras' record. Nadal's latest stay

began on June 7, 2010, the day after he won last year's French Open.

"They have made me improve," Djokovic said. "They have made me a better player."

Djokovic had been No. 2 since March. But he surged past Nadal by going 48-1 with eight titles so far in 2011, including grand slam trophies at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. when you know that you're the best, it's just an amazing achievement."

Nadal is now No. 2. Federer remained at No. 3, followed by Andy Murray and Robin Soderling.

The man who upset Soderling in Wimbledon's third round before losing to Djokovic in the quarterfinals, 18-year-old qualifier Bernard Tomic of Australia, leaped from 158th to a career-high 71st in the rankings.

New P/Harcourt Sports Complex for Nigerians –Amaechi

R

IVERS State Government has challenged sports administrators in Nigeria to use the world class sporting facilities at the new games village in Port Harcourt, to harvest more sports glory for the country.

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi stated this Sunday while speaking at the opening ceremony of 17th National Sports Festival, tagged Garden City Games, at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt.

Governor Amaechi, who called on the National Sports

Commission (NSC), various sports Federations, corporate organisations and schools, to utilize the facilities at the Sports Complex to discover new talents, as well as enhance those that would represent the country in national, and international sporting competitions, said the facility was for the good of all Nigerians.

The Governor remarked that the sports festival provides a platform to reinforce friendship and unity among the various ethnic groups in the country.

“The keen competition, sportsmanship and comradeship at these games are the fuel on which our youths can run the long distances, we must galvanize these potentials and develop our sports in order to provide the right opportunities for our people”, Governor Amaechi stated.

He explained that the desire to develop sports propelled the state government to embark on the building of a brand new stadium for the games, Christened Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium Complex, in the Greater Port

Harcourt City, and is the first of its kind in the country.

Declaring the 17th National Sports Festival opened, President Goodluck Jonathan announced a cash prize of N20 million for first position, while the second and third positions would go home with N15 million and N10million respectively.

Dr. Jonathan said the aim of the sports festival is to foster love, friendship and unity in the country as well as provide an opportunity to discover hidden talents that would win laurels for the nation.

Women's World Cup in Germany. The match will be played in Dresden.

It is a battle of pride for both teams who have crashed out of the competition, yet to secure points having lost two of their previous matches. Nigeria is third on the log with Canada in the fourth based on goals difference.

For Falcons chief coach, Eucharia Uche a win would give them three points and place them in the third position of the group.

'We know that we have disappointed Nigerians with our performance. However we do not want to end our campaign without getting a win. So this is the only match we have to win," she told NationSport.

The team has been training under terrible weather conditions since arriving in Dresden on Friday.

Yesterday morning and evening, the players were freezing in training. The match is scheduled for 7.45pm (Nigeria time).

The last time both teams met at the 1995 edition in Sweden the tight tie ended 3-3 at the preliminary stage.

Falcons will be on all white while Canada will wear their traditional red jersey.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian players are expected back in Nigeria on Wednesday.

MEDALS TABLE (As at 4pm July 4, 2011)

SN 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33 34.

35.

36.

37.

STATE Rivers Delta Edo Akwa Ibom Bayelsa Ondo Ogun Benue Plateau FCT Cross River Kano Imo Lagos Oyo Abia Bauchi Anambra Kaduna Nasarawa Osun Jigawa Niger Katsina Kogi Ekiti Ebonyi Yobe Adamawa Borno Kwara Enugu Gombe Kebbi Sokoto Taraba Zamfara

GOLD 55 26 12 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

SILVER 17 30 13 2 4 12 9 3 7 6 5 4 9 6 6 3 7 4 3 0 0 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

BRONZE 25 32 16 12 13 15 17 11 4 8 6 2 18 10 6 4 4 5 7 3 3 2 2 1 6 5 2 2 0 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 97 88 41 24 26 35 33 20 16 18 15 10 30 19 14 9 12 10 11 4 4 4 4 3 7 6 3 3 1 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0

http://www.thenationonlineng.net

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 6

NO.1,811

TOMORROW IN THE NATION ‘What President Jonathan and Nigeria must first do is to introduce legislation and make local and national laws or guidelines to allocate compulsory dedicated amount of airtime daily to life skill messages aimed at ‘Urgent Ignorance Elimination Campaigns – IEC’ throughout Nigeria’ TONY MARINHO

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

R

EVIEWING the case of the billionaire and the hotel maid in this space two weeks ago (June 21), I wrote that I did not envy the woman in the story, identified thus far only as an immigrant from Guinea (Conakry), and a Fulah.

When she takes the witness stand, I wrote, she is going to be subjected to cross-examination of the most ruthless kind by the sharpest attorneys that money ever bought. Nothing would be off-limits. Every record in which she figures will be dissected in a bid to shake her faith in her own memory and to create serious doubt about her honesty and integrity.

That is precisely what has happened.

As soon as the story broke, representatives of the suspect in the case, Dominque StraussKahn (hereafter DSK), hired a global firm with CIA connections, to dig into the hotel maid’s background and connections for any dirt they could find on her.

But it is the prosecution that has, in a stunning reversal of roles, shot the case it had advertised as iron-clad so full of holes that the case now seems incurably damaged, In this new portrait, the complainant comes across as a shabby character who had lied on her asylum application, her tax returns, on her income so as to qualify for subsidised housing, and about having been subjected to genital mutilation and gang-rape in her home country.

She had gone to clean another suite after her encounter with DSK, the prosecution says, before reporting to the authorities, and was recorded the very next day assuring an incarcerated drug suspect in the Fulah language, Fulfulde, that she hoped to profit financially from the Sofitel incident. She has not just one phone as she had deposed but three phones, for which she pays hundreds of dollars every month in bills.

Based on these and other leaked findings, DSK is now widely perceived as the injured party. He has been freed from house arrest, and his bond has been lifted. He cannot leave the United States yet; other than, he is under no legal disability.

The only question remaining is not whether the prosecution will withdraw charges of sexual assault and attempted rape against DSK but when, based entirely on the supposition that if the complainant had lied before on certain issues, she must be lying on this particular one.

It does not matter that the issues on which she has reportedly previously told lies bear little or no relationship to the substance of the matter at issue.

In the frenzy, it is being overlooked that, at the very least, a sexual encounter took place between DSK and the hotel maid. The DNA evidence, the police have said, is “unambiguous.” DSK now says the encounter was “con-

RIPPLES

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

The billionaire and the hotel maid revisited

•Strauss-Kahn sensual.”

If it was consensual, why did DSK claim in a deposition that he was having lunch with his daughter at the time it was reported to have occurred? Why did he depart the hotel so hurriedly for the airport to fly back to France that he left his cell phone behind?

The hotel maid says the encounter was coerced. If it was, why did she not report immediately? Why did she take her time cleaning another room before complaining to the authorities? Was she too traumatised, or too afraid of the consequences in a setting in which the suspect had everything going for him – race, gender, money, class, and power? . Strauss-Kahn will most likely never be prosecuted. That is not to say that he stands exonerated. In principle, nothing stops the hotel maid from launching a civil case against him – a case in which she needs only to estab-

HARDBALL

•For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Al-Qaeda’s accommodation problems

Minimum wage: TUC insists on N18,000

T

Only N18,000... that’s just $120, price of two TYRES!

lish a preponderance of evidence to prevail, as against establishing her case beyond reasonable suspicious in a criminal trial.

With her credibility fatally assailed, she will have a hard time doing that. However, considering the damage that even the testimony of a tainted witness may do to what remains of his reputation, DSK may not be averse to cutting a deal to forestall civil proceedings.

Before the case took this bizarre turn, I was reflecting on an analysis of the responses from readers to my June 21 column on the matter.

Those who read that piece came away believing, rightly, that my sympathy lay with the hotel maid. That sympathy, I should explain, derived not so much from the villainy for which DSK is notorious, as from concern about the mauling the hotel maid is likely to suffer in the witness box.

Now, I always suspected that Nigeria has its own fair share of misogynists. All of us venerate motherhood; we call mothers the most adorable names. But when it comes to women, we are conflicted.

In music lyrics and novels and plays and movies, in the funeral rites widows are made to perform, and in pepper soup parlour talk, we demonise women and call them the most odious names.

We adore motherhood but cannot stand women.

Still, until I finished analysing the responses to the column under reference I did not know that misogyny was so deep-seated in Nigeria.

There were those who excoriated DSK for exercising what they said amounted to a droit du seigneur, and there were also those who judged his alleged conduct disgraceful and lacking any redeeming grace.

However, for every correspondent who

expressed sympathy for the hotel maid, there were five who asserted flatly or insinuated that she was either complicit in her own degradation, or was engaged in an extortionate scheme.

Samples, slightly edited: “I can appreciate your sympathy and fears for the Guinean woman, but have you considered that French Intelligence could have planted the woman, paid her to ruin Khan’s chances? How much was she promised? How did she get the Sofitel job?”

The way another correspondent framed it, you would think it is the hotel maid that is on trial.

“What took her to the room when the guest has not checked out or left his key at the counter to confirm he’s not in the room to guarantee her entry?” he wrote.” On entry and noticing that the guest is very much around and in the bathroom, why continue with the cleaning? Again, while keeping the room, why close the door. . .?”

Note that my correspondent was not concerned to know why DSK had not hung a “Do Not Disturb” sign on his door, nor why, on noticing that the hotel maid had entered the room to do her chore, he did not ask her to leave and return later..

Another correspondent pointed a finger even more unerringly at the hotel maid.

“Can this lady really be telling the whole truth?” he asked. “How could she have easily been overpowered by a 62-year-old man?

I feel there was a deal struck and maybe he treated her like a whore. She knew the identity of the occupant and just wants to be famous.”

For what seemed to me like misogyny of the most unadulterated form, I would award the eagle’s feather to the correspondent who wrote: “The maid should have quietly demanded for compensation from the man.

After all she is not a virgin. If she was not planted, she certainly must prefer a wad of dollars to all this fuss.”

To one correspondent, the damage to DSK’s career is more to be lamented than what the hotel maid said she went through, and her bleak prospects. “Pity old Strauss-Khan,” he wrote. “His potential, career and ambition must have attracted booby traps to his path.”

The mail I have cited at such length may not amount to conclusive evidence of misogyny. But I am not persuaded that it qualifies as evidence of the profound psychological insight and the hard-headedness of its authors, as against the sentimental, “woman wrapper” disposition of those softies, this writer included, who still hold, in spite of recent developments, that the hotel maid is more likely the wronged party.

HE agenda they have sworn to prosecute means that leaders of the terrorist network, Al-Qaeda, are condemned to living in the shadows all their lives. Before he met an anti-climatic demise in an anonymous bolt hole in Pakistan, Osama Bin Laden, had not shown his face in polite society for years.

Even now, his Egyptian-born successor, Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri, has no fixed address to which the Americans can send their guided missiles.

Such is the embarrassment suffered by the Pakistani military establishment over the manner in which swashbuckling US marines swept into their country unchallenged to silence Bin Laden, that they are not about to roll out the welcome mat for more high profile leaders of the network.

In Afghanistan, the group has virtually been wiped out. The US invasion of the country following the 9/11 attack on New York, put its leaders to flight and led to the obliteration of its training camps. Its erstwhile allies, the Taliban, are now more interested in toppling the incumbent government and restoring theocracy than in providing a haven for Al-Qaeda – something they now regard as a costly diver-

sion.

Over in the Middle East, the so-called “AlQaeda-in-the-Arabian Peninsula” has been operating relatively undisturbed in remote areas of Yemen. Nigerian terror recruit, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, reportedly received training and ordinance here. But with the country torn apart by the popular struggle to overthrow President Ali Abdullah Saleh, there must be concern as to whether his successors would continue to turn a blind eye to Al-Qaeda’s presence.

Given that the likes of Afghanistan and Pakistan have become too hot for Al-Qaeda, it is no surprise that they are taking keener interest in Africa as suitable ground to relocate their operations. Until now, the group seemed content to operate out of war-torn Somalia.

Now, it appears they are looking further a field. The British Sunday Mirror newspaper claims intelligence chiefs have told Prime Minister David Cameron of plans by Al-Qaeda to make Nigeria their operational headquarters from where attacks targeting Europe can be launched.

Such reports, if they are true, only confirm similar intelligence from other Western na-

tions over the last decade warning that Nigeria was vulnerable ground that the terrorists could be targeting.

Last year, an Al-Qaeda cell in North Africa offered to give Nigerian Muslims training and weapons to fight Christians. “We are ready to train your people in weapons and give you whatever support we can in men, arms and munitions to enable you to defend our people in Nigeria,” the statement by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) said.

While this British report could be useful to Nigeria authorities in their fight to shore up the nation’s defences, we suspect that it may have come too late. The question is not whether Al-Qaeda has designs on this country; it is whether they are not already here.

The increasing sophistication and boldness being exhibited by the extremist Boko Haram sect suggests they are getting financial help and technical assistance as well as psychological support from a bigger organisation. To suggest that such aid could be coming from AlQaeda may have sounded outlandish in the past, but not any more. The question is whether Aso Rock would take this “newspaper” intelligence report seriously? Don’t bet on it.

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos.

Telephone: Switch Board: 01-8168361. Editor Daily:01-8962807, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302.

E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO