The Nation June 02, 2015

Anxiety in Ado-Ekiti over Fayose, lawmakers row NEWS – Page 6

Newspaper of the Year

•EFCC grills ex-Adamawa Governor Nyako for six hours P4 •Court strikes out N2.45b fraud charges against Sylva P57 •Buhari’s role in my victory, by AfDB President Adesina P5 •NFF shocked by Flying Eagles’ U-20 World Cup loss P63

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3233 TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

•www.thenationonlineng.net

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CBN: Our N8b fraud story ‘We handed over suspects to EFCC’

HOUSE OF HORROR

By Collins Nweze, Snr Finance Correspondent

B

ANKERS were shocked yesterday to learn of the N8b currency scam for which no fewer than 22 suspects are to face trial today in Ibadan.

It was the topic of discussions in banking halls, a source told The Nation.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has spoken on the scam in which six of its officials and 16 others from some commercial banks are involved.

The suspects, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged, stole and recirculated, defaced and mutilated currencies amounting to N8b.

They include Patience Okoro Eye (Abuja), Afolabi Olufemi (Lagos), Kolawole Babalola (Ibadan), Olaniran Muniru Adeola (Ibadan), Fatai Yusuf Adekunle (Head, Security, CBN, (Ibadan) and Ilori Adekunle Sunday (Akure).

The remaining 16 suspects are from various commercial banks. They were found to have conspired with the CBN executives to swing the heist, the EFCC said.

CBN’s Director, Corporate Communications, Ibrahim Mu’azu, yesterday retraced the events that led the management of the apex bank to hand over the suspects to the EFCC for prosecution.

He said: “As soon as the Bank’s internal investigations concluded beyond reasonable doubt that some wrong doing had occurred, the affected members of staff who are middle-level officers were, depending on gravity of offence, either summarily dismissed or immediately placed on indefinite suspension on 21 October 2014, and all handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution. The CBN has also conducted a nationwide audit of all 37 branches of the Bank and found that this was an isolated scheme at Ibadan Branch. The Bank will continue to collaborate with the EFCC to ensure that affected CBN staff, as well as their accomplices in some commercial banks, are brought to justice.”

Continued on page 4

?

WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15, LAST YEAR EVER RETURN?

•Mr. Ismaila Adesina’s shrine and deity at the kidnappers’ den at Isase Village, Ajia, Ibadan ... yesterday.

Shock as police find kidnappers’ hideout in Ibadan NEWS – PAGE 6

•The entrance to one of the shrines ... yesterday

•Mr. Ismaila Adesina posing with fake currencies found in the house ... yesterday.

PHOTOS: FEMI ILESANMI

57 bodies identified as Onitsha tanker fire death toll rises to 70 NEWS – PAGE 4

•Four newspaper vendors, distributors dead •Buhari, others condole with families

•SARAKI HAS NO BLOCK SUPPORT IN NORTHWEST, SAYS ALIERO PAGE 6

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

2

NEWS

Euphoria of Jo •Residents lament one-year darkness

R •From left, Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Muhtar Usman, Team Leader, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Mr. Steven Neu and other members of the ICAO audit team to Nigeria: Mr. Karen Zadoyan, Mrs. Wenny Mueller and Mr. Nuno Miguel Fortes at the the opening of the audit at NCAA Annex, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday.

•From left: Representative of the Director, Basic Education Service, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Biodun Oni; Corporate Affairs Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc., Ore Famurewa, runner-up, Miss Aderinsola Ayegun of Pupil of Deby Niky Nursery & Primary School, Egbeda and Marketing Manager, Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria Plc., Dolapo Otegbayi at the presentation of prizes to winners of the Vision Nigeria Art Challenge organised to mark World Milk Day...yesterday.

•From left: Anambra State Health Commissioner Dr. Joe Akabuike, Director-General, National Agency for Food, Drug Administration & Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhil, Senior Vice President, Global Regulatory Affairs, Otsuka Pharmaceuticals Dr. Henrietta. N. Ukwu and ex-Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof Maurice Iwu at the third Nigeria annual clinic trial summit at Sheraton Hotel & Tower, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday.

•From left: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), MTN Nigeria, Mr. Michael Ikpoki; Corporate Services Executive, Mr. Akinwale Goodluck; Sales & Distribution Executive, Mr. Tsola Barrow and Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Olubayo Adekanmbi at the opening of 21 days of Y'ello Care tagged: “Investing in education for all” at the MTN Head Office, Falomo, Ikoyi.

ESIDENTS of Otuoke, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s hometown in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, are angry.

Their anger is not over the electoral defeat suffered by their ambassador.

It is because Dr. Jonathan finished his presidency without solving the electricity crisis in the community.

The former President returned to his country home on May 29 after handing over the reins of government to Muhammadu Buhari, who defeated him in the March 28 presidential election.

Yesterday, when The Nation visited the community, the hype and the euphoria that heralded the home-coming of Dr. Jonathan as a worthy ambassador, were ebbing.

Traces and evidence of the reception the people accorded their worthy son, stared visitors in the face. The stacks of plastic chairs used for the thanksgiving church service on Sunday were seen in the premises of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church.

An imposing statue of the former President with an inscription: “We honour you the hero of democracy” stood at the entrance of Jonathan’s palatial home.

Visitors were still milling around the gate to the expensive courtyard to have a glimpse of where the former President will live a quiet life after a five-year sojourn as a tenant in the Presidential Villa. Most of them were stranded as security operatives denied them access into the inner court.

Those struggling to enter the compound included a group of youths from Nasarawa State.

The youths, who came under the aegis of Nasarawa State PDP Youths, said they came to pay a courtesy visit to the former President, but lamented that they had been trying in vain for two days to see him.

Led by Atia A. Atia, the youths were seen sitting on a concrete pavement close to the building.

“We came to pay him a courtesy visit. We campaigned for him vigorously. Though he lost, we thought it wise to come and greet him. But for two days now, we have been unable to see him,” Atia said.

Some Ijaw leaders and freelance journalists appeared stranded at the gate as they tried to convince security operatives to allow them in.

Security around the building was still tight, though the personnel were not as stern-looking as they used to be when Dr. Jonathan was in office.

Mobile policemen in three trucks were still keeping vigil around the building. They hung their clothes and personal effects on a truck.

The patrol vans of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield and other security vehicles, including an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) belonging to the military, were stationed near the building.

Workers were putting finishing touches to some of the structures within the sprawling compound.

The fence was being redesigned and remodelled by a firm, Kakatar Ce. But, Otuoke was gradually shedding off the euphoria associated with Jonathan’s return.

A 6pm yesterday, the policemen hopped into the trucks and left, saying they had completed their assignment.

The primary concern of villagers was the darkness that pervaded their community.

A resident, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “The situation has been worse since the President returned.

On Friday when he came back, there

From

Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

was light but it only lasted for few hours.

“After the light went off since Saturday morning, we have not seen it again. We have been in darkness since this year. Before now, they only brought light each time the President visited and took it whenever he left.

“But since he came back finally, we have not had light. It is unfortunate because we expected our kinsman to address this problem before returning home. How does he feel knowing that we are in darkness while he is enjoying light in his compound?”

Otuoke: Not all about darkness The town sure has some reasons to thank Jonathan. The Federal University, Otuoke is one of such. The university has swollen the town’s population and has provided employment for many of its indigenes, so much so that the population of staff is more than those of students.

As a result of the university, more modern buildings have been built.

Hotels and guest houses have also sprung up. The federal road, linking the town from Yenegoa is also being built. Known as Kolo-Otuoke-Bayelsa Palm Road, the single-lane 20-kilometre road is already being dualised.

Otuoke, a mere 15 - 20 minutes drive from Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, has really changed into a satellite town. Driving through the narrow and bustling road of Azikoro village, one meanders the bends that lead to the community through OtuOgidi.

From the bridge, Otuoke comes alive. Shanties of a few years ago have given way to modern buildings. All the buildings on the road have either been reconstructed or renovated.

Mud houses, which used to dot the community, are gone. There is a general belief that Jonathan has empowered his kinsmen with contracts to enable them build good houses.

The hitherto narrow road has been expanded. Solar-powered streetlights are on both sides of the road; at night they cast golden glows on the neatly swept street.

Directly opposite the former President’s house are twin duplexes erected by Jonathan for his mother and his late father. Though not gaudy, their simple splendour distinguishes them from other structures around them.

Located nearby is the new ultramodern St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, a controversial building donated to Jonathan by Gitto Construction Ltd, an Italian contractor working for the Federal Government.

There is also a Skill Acquisition Centre. In addition, there is a mini “Eagle Square” built by former Governor Timipre Sylva and named after Mrs. Jonathan. The Dame Patience Jonathan Square registers its significance with two torn National Flags hoisted.

To ensure that members of the National Youth Service Corps serving (NYSC) in Otuoke enjoy the benefit of serving their country in the community, the old “Corpers Lodge” have been repainted. An air-conditioned 40-bedroom apartments with a kitchen and restrooms for each apartment are being built by the state government.

All over the city, the state government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other federal agencies strive to outdo one another in the race to develop Otuoke.

The main catalyst for the massive development in the hitherto rustic

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

3

NEWS

of Jonathan’s return ebbs in Otuoke

• Dr. Jonathan (fourth left), his wife Dame Patienie; Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson (left): Christian Association of Nigeria President Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor second (left) and clerics at the thanksgiving... on Sunday

‘

We came to pay him a courtesy visit.

We campaigned for him vigorously.

Though he lost, we thought it wise to come and greet him. But for two days now, we have been unable to see him

and out-of-the-way community is the Federal University of Technology, Otuoke (FUTO).

The establishment of the higher institution has unleashed a flurry of socio-economic activities. It is a major federal presence that has redefined the community. Independent observers believe the establishment of a tertiary institution of that magnitude in his small community was a masterstroke by Jonathan.

Directly opposite the university is Margel Resort, a hotel owned by the former President’s wife, Dame Patience. Boutiques, cosmetic shops, restaurants among others are springing up.

The wonder cottage hospital Another wonder Jonathan attracted to the community is the Otuoke Cottage Hospital (OCH). Indeed, the hospital is in a class of its own. It is a world-class cottage hospital constructed with global stand-

ard and best practice. The environment alone gives a visitor a breath of fresh air. The surroundings are clearly mapped out with landscaped lawns which are constantly mowed by the hospital management. It is further beautified with a network of roads linking the various departments and blocks to allow easy movement of persons, vehicles and equipment.

The blocks, though simple, are solid. From the reception, a visitor begins to see the difference between a kite and a hawk. The reception located within the Outpatient Department reassures any patient of the hospital’s capability.

The seats are comfortable enough for patients to relax and get documented before proceeding to the waiting room, which separated from the reception with a capacity to accommodate many patients. The Consulting Rooms and Medical Records are also designed to allow for quick re-

‘

sponse to the medical needs of the patients.

Within the Outpatient Departments are modern Pharmacy Department, Counseling Room, Compounding Rooms and Drug Store, which are located close to a five-bedded department. Each of the beds is unique. It has an oxygen pipe to enable any patient on emergency have free access to oxygen.

From the Outpatient Department, a roofed walkway opens to the wards. On the walkway is a sculptural depiction of a caring mother and her child. The wards – male, female, children and maternity – are constructed close to one another. In fact, the wards boast of sophisticated equipment and many live supports tailored to the needs of each category of patients. Unique and perhaps, the first of its kind in the country, are automated beds in the wards. Each of the wards has 10 beds. They are electronically controlled and fitted

• The ex-President’s statue in front of the house in Otuoke...yesterday.

with speakers, audio system and other adjustable buttons.

An oxygen pipe is fitted on the wall close to each of the bed. So, it is each patient to an oxygen pipe. The entire wards are piped with oxygen. The hospital has an Oxygen Plant which generates oxygen and distributes to all the wards.

Almost everything that makes a standard hospital is in OCH. The Laboratory Department is designed with state-of-the-art equipment. It is further divided into haematological and pathological laboratories.

With experienced manpower, OCH can perform all surgeries in its Theatre and anybody wheeled into the facility has a high percentage of coming out alive. The theatre is made up of two suites, one monitor and an aesthetic machine.

The hospital depends mainly on two 350KVA generators for its electricity supplies, using three drums of diesel a day.

Within the compound are two aesthetically designed buildings constructed to accommodate members of staff of the hospital.

What is this hospital lacking? It has functional water works, laundry and an equipped kitchen. But the hospital has its fair share of the 2012 flood that devastated the state. Two 4D ultra-sound scan machines worth millions of dollars and two digital x-ray machines were damaged by the floods. Also, one of the two ambulances with live support facilities was destroyed by the floods.

The foundation was laid by Jonathan in 2006 during his brief tenure in the state as the governor.

The work could not go on because of logistic problems until the office of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted and completed it when Jonathan was president.

Egypt to Buhari: deliver on your inaugural promises

T

HE Egyptian government has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to keep faith with all the issues raised in his inaugural speech.

Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sameh Shoukry who addressed a news conference in Abuja at the weekend, also spoke of the need for both countries to improve on existing economic relations.

Shoukry, who was in the country to represent the Egyptian President at President Buhari’s inauguration, said: “We look forward to the newly elected government to successfully implement all of the issues that the President raised in his statement yesterday (Friday) and I am sure that the evaluation will always be that of the Nigerian people.”

He described the inauguration as historic, stating that the Egyptian government was

•President gets Cairo invitation From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

eager to strengthen its ties with Nigeria.

Shoukry, who brought goodwill messages from Egypt to President Buhari, extended his government’s invitation to Buhari to visit Cairo as soon as possible to futher deepen ties.

“We are looking forward to the time for the visit. Therefore, we look forward to working closely with Nigeria and new Nigerian government,” he said.

The Arabian nation’s minister, however, expressed concern over the current trade volume between the two countries, which he said, was very low, compared to the size of the market in Nigeria and Egypt.

He said: “We are not satisfied with the

current level of economic relations between Nigeria and Egypt. The volume of trade between the two countries is very limited for a country of the size of Nigeria and a country of the size of Egypt.

“We represent almost 300 million individuals and this has to be taken advantage of by both sides, looking at areas of economy that we can support each other.

“This is the first matter that will be discussed more indepth when we hold the forthcoming session of the joint committee between the two countries which will be convened before the end of this year.”

He also expressed his country’s willingness to support Nigeria in the fight against terror.

•President Buhari

4

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

NEWS Anxiety in military over likely shake-up •Buhari meets NSA, heads for Chad, Niger From Yusuf Alli, Augustine Ehikioya and Tony Akowe, Abuja

T

•From left: Former Ekiti State Governor Segun Oni; National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Chief Bisi Akande; APC National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun during the National Leaders of APC’s congratulatory visit to the Lagos State Governor in Abuja ... yestarday.

PHOTO: TAIWO OKANLAWO

57 bodies identified as Onitsha fire death toll rises to 70 •Four newspaper vendors, distributors dead •Buhari, others condole with families

O

NITSHA, the Southeast’s commercial engine-room, was still in a tragic mood yesterday.

A tanker loaded with petrol on Sunday hit a house and exploded in a huge ball of fire, killing 69 residents.

The death toll went up by one yesterday.

Among the dead were four members of the Onitsha Newspaper distribution, Directors Association (ONDDA).

This was confirmed by the vice chairman of the associa-

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

tion, Mr. Emmanuel Uwakwe.

Besides, the Vice Chairman of the Red Cross Society of Nigeria in Anambra state, Prof. Peter Katchy, said yesterday that one of the drivers who was taken to the hospital on Sunday after the incident had died, bringing the death toll to 70.

Katchy said 57 of the hospitalised victims burnt beyond recognition had been identified. Thirteen are yet to be identified.

The Red Cross helmsman

said the evacuation of bodies was continuing at Toronto Hospital in Onitsha to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital for forensic analysis.

Vice Chairman of the Vendors Assocaition in Onitsha, Mr. Uwakwe, said the association lost two distributors and two vendors - Ifeanyi Nzekwe, one simply identified as “local man”, Ifeoma and a new vendor whose name he did not remember.

Uwakwe said: “We are in pains and agony. We have visited the injured ones at the hos-

pital. Honestly, what happened on Sunday was a national calamity”.

The senator-elect for Anambra Central Zone, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, has condoled with the families of those that died.

Ekwunife, who cut short her official engagement to visit the scene at Upper Iweka, was sad over the loss of lives and property.

Anambra Central Zone comprises seven local government areas, including the Upper Iweka Area where the incident

happened.

Ekwunife said: “It is unfortunate that we continue to lose our loved ones in such careless and difficult situations.

“I want to express my deepest condolences to the families that lost their loved ones in the ugly incident and pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased” “I promise to make legislation alongside my fellow senators that would put an end to such horrible incidents on Nigerian roads,” Mrs Ekwunife said.

CBN: Our N8b mutilated currency notes fraud story Continued from page 1

Mu’azu said the scam was unearthed during a routine internal audit of the bank’s cash destruction activities in September 2014. He said the CBN Briquetting Panel comprising Senior Bank Staff from various branches, noticed some anomalies at the Ibadan Branch, and immediately reported this to the Bank’s management.

He said on further investigation ordered by the CBN Governor, it was discovered that a systematic scheme, which had been on for several years, was being run in which mutilated higher denomination notes originally meant for destruction were

swapped with lower denomination currencies. This practice known as interleafing, basically labels a box with a higher value than its true content.

Mu’azu said as soon as the bank’s internal investigations concluded beyond reasonable doubt that some wrongdoing had occurred, the affected members of staff, who are middle-level officers, were, depending on gravity of offence, either summarily dismissed or immediately placed on indefinite suspension on 21 October 2014. They were all handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.

The CBN has also conducted a nationwide audit of

all its 37 branches and found that this was an isolated scheme at Ibadan Branch.

Mu’azu said the bank will continue to collaborate with the EFCC to ensure that the affected CBN staff as well as their accomplices in some commercial banks are brought to justice.

An economist, Henry Boyo, said he was not surprised when he heard about the scam, alleging that there are even bigger fraud going on within the CBN which the public take for granted. “It did not surprise me at all. It was expected. What is clear is that the institution of the CBN is fraught with fraud.

Whether it is the intervention fund or monetary policy

strategy, it is the more you look, the less you see,” he said.

Boyo said the practice whereby the CBN carries out regular mopping up of excess liquidity from the system is in itself questionable. He said over N6 trillion is mopped up from the system annually, and that the one for the first quarter has already been conducted, with N1.5 trillion taken off the system. Commercial banks were paid 10 to 15 per cent interest, which came to about N600 billion profit, he said.

Boyo alleged that the intervention fund running into billions of naira also needed to be examined just like the

Polymer note scam.

But another economist, Brown Okorie, said the mopping up of excess liquidity in the system is the statutory function of the CBN, used to bring down inflation and achieve exchange rate stability.

He pointed out that the apex bank had several tools which it could use to control the inflation rate, but emphasised that the best option at the moment would be to reduce the excess liquidity in the system. “The CBN will look at the indicators and decide what tools to use to control the inflation rate, which will all be aimed at reducing excess liquidity in the system,” Okorie said.

HERE was anxiety yesterday in the military over the impending shake-up of the country’s security apparatus

by President Muhammadu Buhari.

This was heightened after the president met with National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki. The President has summoned the service chiefs to a meeting today.

Col. Dasuki arrived at the Defence House, where Buhari is still operating from, at about 1.51pm yesterday for the meeting with the President. He left at about 3.00 pm without saying a word to anxious reporters.

But sources said the meeting was part of a debriefing on the country’s security situation. President Buhari is being briefed by the NSA and the Service Chiefs before unfolding his plans of overhauling the security apparatchik.

Yesterday’s meeting might also be to prepare the President for his visit to Chad and Niger Republic to discuss the Boko Harm challenge with the neighbouring countries.

Apart from security, fighting corruption and fixing the economy are the other priorities he listed as priorities during the campaigns.

The President will from tomorrow make his first foreign trip – a two-day visit to Chad and Niger Republic.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity), Mallam Garba Shehu, said the twoday visit will focus on “matters of security”.

Buhari, who was sworn in last Friday, vowed to crush the terrorists’ group, which he described as “mindless” and “godless” in his inaugural speech.

The sect has continued its attacks in Borno and Yobe states.

A highly-placed source said: “Apart from what is in the handover, the President is conducting a debriefing to know the actual situation of the nation’s security.

“This was why he met the Continued on page 60

EFCC grills ex-Adamawa Governor Nyako for six hours

F

OR about six hours, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) grilled a former Governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala Nyako over alleged mismanagement of about N17billion while in office.

The quizzing of the ex-governor came barely 48 hours after his return from a selfimposed exile.

The amount in question was said to be in relation with N2billion withdrawn in 181 transactions from Adamawa Joint State/ Local Government Account.

The N2billion was withdrawn by a permanent Secre-

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

tary, based on the alleged directive of the ex-governor, between 2007 and 2014.

Also, the ex-governor is expected to explain how N15billion state cash was allegedly laundered into the accounts of five companies owned by one of his children, Abdul-Aziz Nyako.

The firms are Blue Opal Nigeria limited, Crust Energy Nigeria Limited, Blue Ribbon Multilinks Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited and Blue Ribbon Bureau De Change.

According to a source in the commission, Nyako arrived

at the commission at about 9.50am having been earlier declared wanted by the antigraft agency.

Although a reception was scheduled for the ex-governor in Yola on Monday, he chose to honour EFCC’s invitation to avoid any embarrassment at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja and International Airport in his home state.

The source said: “Nyako willingly came to the EFCC for interaction with our team.

Our operatives were going after him but he beat us to the game.

“For about six hours, we have been interacting with

him based on some petitions we got in 2014.

“The allegations border on massive looting of the treasury especially Joint State/ Local Government Account, criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, money laundering.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “The issues against the ex-governor are curious withdrawals of from Joint State/ Local Government Account as follows: N2billion (August 2011 and 2012); N600m (October 2009 and February 2011); N500m (March 2008 and March 2011) among others.

“There was also suspicious transfer of N15billion belong-

ing to the state into the accounts of five companies of one of his children, Abdul-Aziz Nyako.

We had earlier arrested the son for interaction.”

As at press time, it was gathered that the ex-governor denied all the allegations against him in the petitions.

Though Nyako was yet to be released at 4.02pm when our correspondent put a call to the EFCC, there were indications that he might be granted an administrative bail.

The Head of Medai and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “Former Governor Nyako came to our commission and we are already interacting with him.”

•Nyako

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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NEWS

PDP leaders regroup in Rivers to strategise

P

EOPLES Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) leaders yesterday regrouped in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for the first time after being displaced by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to strategise for the party’s expected role as the face of the opposition.

It was at a retreat for the party’s members-elect of the Eighth National Assembly, with the theme: “The role of opposition party in facilitating development and good governance.”

The retreat was PDP’s very first major brainstorming session since it lost both the presidential and governorship elections as well as its majority advantage at the National Assembly.

Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, who ought to be the special guest of honour at the retreat, stayed away.

But some party leaders, governors, National Assembly leaders, lawmakers-elect and invited guests turned up to address the gathering.

The Acting Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, who told PDP leaders to learn from the ruling APC. He said APC was classical in opposition, with PDP’s leaders being put on their toes.

The governorship candidate of the PDP in Imo State during the April 11 election, who was defeated by Governor Rochas Okorocha of the APC, said: “APC was classical in opposition. The members of the party rattled us, put us on our toes and eventually pushed us out of government. We must retaliate and pay them back. To do that, we need teamwork and we must have character.

“With my 12 years experience in the House of Representatives, I know that opposition is always vigilant. National Assembly members must always come to the chambers. You must find fault where we need to find fault. Whistle-blowing is essential. APC members made noise at every point. You must shout. Nigerians will prefer to celebrate the failure of the PDP and its legislators.”

The Acting Speaker also stated that in spite of the individual differences of the APC’s House of Representatives’ members, they always presented a common front, lamenting that PDP leaders and members had been complacent over the years.

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt, Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

He urged the National Assembly members to be courageous.

PDP Acting National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus declared that it would no longer be business as usual in the party, while asking all PDP members to get set for the challenges ahead.

Secondus assured that the PDP had what it takes to play its new roles as opposition, thereby facilitating democracy and good governance.

He claimed that the party’s members were determined to take over the government at the centre in 2019.

He noted that to re-engineer the party, there was the need for patience, support and partnership among the stakeholders of the PDP. Secondus added that there was the need to redeem, reform, restore and reposition the PDP, thereby stopping the blame game and get ready for the challenges ahead, as the main opposition party.

The acting national chairman urged members of the party to be united, adding that discipline must be enforced, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the PDP, without fear or favour.

Secondus stressed that genuine repositioning of the PDP was non-negotiable, with the party’s primaries to be handled by the grassroots’ structures, and the best candidates that could win elections emerging.

He assured that the primaries would also be made less expensive.

The Senate President, David Mark, in his welcome address, told the National Assembly members-elect and other PDP leaders to gear up for the challenges of opposition.

Mark stressed that the first test of the PDP would be the ability of its National Assembly members-elect to stand and speak with one voice in the forthcoming elections of the principal officers of the National Assembly.

The Senate President said: “We must subject our individual interests for our group interest. In the election of principal officers of the National Assembly, we must vote in one accord. We must know that

•Fom left: Mark, Ekweremadu and Wike at the retreat.

PHOTO: NAN

•Jonathan absent as governors, others meet •Ihedioha: APC was classical in opposition united we stand, divided we fall.

“We must take our destinies in our own hands. We must be ready to provide credible, vibrant, determined and focused opposition to the party in power, in a manner that will guarantee development and good governance.

“In doing so, we must maintain a strong synergy between our members in the National Assembly and the National Working Committee (NWC).

The PDP is still a brand all Nigerians know. We just need to reinvent the wheels and move forward.”

Mark also expressed displeasure about the gale of defection from the PDP to the APC, after the elections, while urging the PDP members to remain steadfast with the ideology of the party.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who is also the retreat’s Chairman, Organising Committee, in his keynote address, stressed that the outcome of the general elections naturally placed the burden of being an effective opposition on PDP members.

Ekweremadu said: “In 1999, the PDP had a comfortable majority with 214 seats in the House of Representatives. It peaked at 263 in 2007 and dropped to 208 and 137 in 2011 and 2015 respectively. The loss of a whooping 55 seats in 2011 should have set the alarm ring-

ing in the party.

“Likewise, our performance in the senatorial elections peaked at 87 seats in 2007 and shrank to 71 in 2011 before crashing to an all-time low of 49 seats in the 2015 general elections. Thus, the loss of 16 senatorial seats in 2011 should have served as a bad omen. Even in the gubernatorial elections, the drop from 28 states, which the PDP controlled in 2003 and 2007, to 23 by 2011 was enough sign that all was not well. It should have served as a catalyst for rescue mission before it plummeted to an unprecedented 13 states in 2015.

“In the presidential election, the fact that the incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari, who hardly garnered reasonable votes in 2003 and 2007, polled a whooping 12 million votes on the platform of a brand-new party, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), in 2011, was a clear handwriting on the wall for us.

Whether or not we heeded these warnings is now a subject for sober reflections. Today, we are paying the price for failing to learn from the mistakes of others.”

He added: “Indeed, being in opposition is not a life sentence for any party. It is an opportunity for soul-searching, self-construction and providing healthy, robust, vigilant, and responsible opposition, which is critical to democratic growth

and good governance.

“The PDP lawmakers in the 8th National Assembly should hold the ruling APC accountable on each of its campaign promises. We should not only hold them accountable in terms of their list of promises, but also in accordance with the timeline they gave in the course of the campaigns.”

Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, in his goodwill message, noted that the PDP members were determined to recover, while assuring that the party would still bounce back.

Dickson, who apologised on behalf of Jonathan for his absence, stressed that being in opposition was an opportunity for PDP members to rediscover themselves.

He added that all the governors on the party’s platform were committed to staying in the PDP and that none of them would move to the APC, as being speculated.

Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dakwambo, who described himself as the only reelected PDP governor in Nigeria, stated that members of the party must effectively play opposition roles.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom, urged PDP members to come together and reposition the party.

His counterpart in Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, noted that the strength of the PDP in moving

forward lied with the National Assembly members, who were admonished to work hard and always conducting research to ensure robust debates on issues.

Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi assured that the PDP members, especially the federal lawmakers, would always do the needful and rattle the opposition.

Education Minister Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, who described the retreat as timely, stated that there must be internal democracy in PDP, credibility in producing candidates for elections must be upheld, and members of the party should always talk about issues and speak with one voice and placed emphasis on continuous and regular interactive sessions among leaders and members of the party.

A former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, stated that the National Assembly members must ensure fiscal discipline and minimise corruption, be above board, be champions of probity and transparency, slash their benefits and disclose their salaries, as well as having the courage to stand for what is right.

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, urged the National Assembly members to work hard and justify the confidence reposed in them by their constituents.

The retreat also drew resource persons from other emerging democracies around Africa such as Ghana and Kenya.

AfDB presidency: Buhari’s phone calls to global leaders shaped my election, says Adesina

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

•Adesina

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HE newly elected President of the Africa Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, yesterday spoke of President Muhammadu Buhari’s role in his election.

Adesina said Buhari made vital phone calls to global leaders in respect of the position that

resulted in his emergence as the AfDB President, noting that the outcome of the race would have been different were it not for him.

The ex-minister of Agriculture and Rural Development under former President Goodluck Jonathan administration spoke at the Oke-Mosan Governor’s Office, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, when he visited Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

He added that other notable Nigerians, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Jonathan, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and others stood behind him.

Adesina noted that the dream

and vision of African countries are one and pledged to use his office as president of the continental bank “to develop Africa, fight poverty, develop infrastructure and revive rural economies”.

He said: “I want to use this opportunity to congratulate President Buhari on his election and his inauguration. I want to thank him tremendously for the support that he gave me on the run for the presidency of the African Development Bank.

“Without that support and without him personally engaged in making calls to critical global leaders in the last days of the election, I don’t think we might have seen the result we saw today.

“I want to really thank the President tremendously for his support and for his commitment and to helping make sure we got that victory.

“Obviously, I couldn’t have also been here, except the former President, Goodluck Jonathan, nominated me. I feel tremendously humbled with that nomination and supported me tremendously by putting a lot of weight behind me.

“I want to thank particularly, former Vice President Namadi Sambo who also went with me to different parts of Africa in mobilising support. Also former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who also was in the frontline of actually pushing and helping us.

“So tremendous amount of goodwill that we had. The National Assembly was great, the press was generous, and all Nigerians, it is not about me, it is about our country and we are a great country.

He added: “I want to assure you that I as the president of the bank, by the grace of God, poverty would not be the comparative advantage of Africa and we would work very hard to develop programmes that would end poverty on this continent, that would lead people out of it and create opportunities for shared prosperity all across our continent.

“Obviously, I think critical issues of infrastructure would be important, energy for all

would be important, electricity would be important, very critical to build private sector and to create wealth all across our continent.

“We want to ensure that we are able to create jobs for hundreds of millions of our people, instead of people going across this Sahara Desert or Mediterranean to go to Europe, we want to create job on this continent of Africa and we can do that.

“Also, I believe we must revive our rural economies and lift hundreds of our rural people that depend on agriculture out of poverty. So, getting agriculture to work as a business is going to be a big one that we are going to do for inclusive growth and also into regional integration.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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NEWS

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ENATOR Adamu Aliero yesterday faulted the claim that Senator Bukola Saraki’s Senate presidency ambition has received a blanket support from some senators in some states in the Northwest.

Aliero, a former Kebbi State governor, in a statement yesterday, said there was no meeting of senators from the zone with Saraki during his visit at the weekend.

The statement said: “I have read with surprising disgust the story published in one of the national dailies in which infantile claims were made about the purported blanket support secured

by Senator Saraki from Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara in the Northwest for his Senate Presidency ambition.

“Nothing could be farther from the truth. No such meeting took place with Kebbi’s senators-elect. This is not correct.

“I want to state categorically that such a meeting never took place and thus no blanket support could have been secured as claimed by the Saraki group in a news report titled: “Senate Presidency: Saraki consolidates as Lawan’s Group hits the rock.”

The report, he described, was “riddled with innuendos, half truths and political incantations of no value.”

“The Senator Ahmed Lawan group remains in strong contention and will not descend to the level of disparaging anyone through sponsored stories that are fabrications and aimed at misleading the unsuspecting public.”

Presidential Villa’s workers turn up early From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

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ANY of the personnel working in Aso Rock reported early to work yesterday morning, probably scared of the wind of change at the Presidential Villa with the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

By 8.30 a.m., most of the workers reported at their duty posts in the Presidential Villa.

The car parks in the Villa, where staff and visitors park their cars, were almost filled up by 8.30 a.m., unlike in the past when the parks get filled up around 10.00 a.m.

But, the President and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo were yet to resume at the Villa as at the time of filing this report.

He was said to be holding meetings at the Defence House, Abuja.

Board promotes 2,749 Prison officers

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HE Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board (CDFIPB) has approved the promotion of 2,749 officers and men of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) to various ranks.

This was contained in a letter dated May 25.

According to the statement by the NPS Public Relations Officers, Frances Enobore, the benefitting officers are those on Consolidated Paramilitary Salary Structure (CONPASS) 09 – 16, who passed the recently

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

conducted promotion examination and those that were stagnated in the Inspectorate rank for several years.

Also included are junior staffers, who acquired additional qualifications for advancement to officers’ cadre.

The Controller General (CG) of NPS, Dr. Peter Ekpendu, in a congratulatory message to the affected officers, enjoined them to work assiduously to justify their new ranks.

Okorocha greets Adesina over appointment

I

MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Mr. Femi Adesina, the Managing Director /Editor-in-Chief of The Sun, as his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.

He described the appointment as a good one.

He hailed the President for the appointments he has made so far, including that of his Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.

The governor said the appointments of the two journalists into positions they fit into was a step in the right direction.

He added that the appointment of Adesina would “serve as an indication that whatever one does, there are others watching one” He asked God to give the appointees the needed wisdom.

Activist urges Buhari to revoke cooking stoves’ contract

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Anxiety in Ekiti over Fayose’s, lawmakers’ row

Saraki has no block support in Northwest, says Aliero

HE National Coordinator and Founder of Green Shield of the Nation, Dr. Kabir Abdulkadir YanMama, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to probe N9.2 billion contract awarded by former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government for importation of 750,000 cooking stoves from Germany.

Dr. Abdulkadir said aside the fact that “due process was not followed”, there was an ongoing effort under the Ministry of Environment to produce similar, but better stoves locally.

The activist said with the N9.2 billion, over three million pieces of the stove can be produced locally while over one million Nigerian youths can be employed in its fabrication.

He recalled that the whole

PDP warns against impeaching governor

T •Fayose

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KITI State Governor Ayo Fayose said yesterday that any attempt to impeach him by the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers would amount to violation of a court order.

Fayose, who spoke with reporters at the Government House following reports that the lawmakers were on their way to hold a sitting at the House of Assembly complex, warned them against setting the state ablaze.

The governor said he did not want the blame of the consequences of the “invasion to be laid at his doorstep”.

Brandishing copies of the court order, which ruled that parties in the Assembly leadership suit should maintain status quo ante bellum, Fayose advised the APC lawmakers to respect the order.

The suit was filed by the Assembly’s factional speaker, Dele Olugbemi, and six other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers. The defendants are the Inspector General of Police, 19 APC lawmakers, Clerk of the House and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He also showed reporters copies of cheques to substantiate his claim that the lawmakers were paid their entitlements.

Arguing that elections are over, Fayose said the plot to impeach him from office with barely five days to the end of the tenure of the lawmakers portend grave dangers for the state.

He accused the APC lawmakers of dropping the name of President Muhammadu Buhari in their bid to get him removed from office, saying he still enjoys the support of Ekiti people, who elected him.

Fayose said: “They are coming to town claiming that they are removing the governor.

This court order says that status quo ante bellum as at 23rd of April be maintained pending the determination of the Motion on Notice.

“At the time of the order, Omirin was not the Speaker in the face of the law. The court warns that no action should be

HE leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers in Ekiti State against impeaching Governor Ayo Fayose.

A statement yesterday by National Publicity Secretary Chief Olisa Metuh threatened to fully mobilise its members to stiffly resist the alleged plot by the APC lawmakers to impeach the governor.

The party said the move could cause confusion and trigger mayhem as a means of securing political control of the state.

“The PDP is aware that the outgoing lawmakers are desperate to wreck havoc on the state before the end of their tenure on Thursday as a final attempt in their failed heinous mission to unseat Governor Ayo Fayose”, the statement said.

The party warned the APC lawmakers to watch their steps and not to take its civility for granted, as it would not hesitate to defend the governor with all force availed by the law.

“We wish to state in very clear terms that we would not condone any more move by the rejected APC lawmakers to subvert the will of the people of Ekiti State as expressed in the mandate freely given to Governor Ayo Fayose.

“These outgoing APC lawmakers whose From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

taken until the case is determined.

“We are worried about the security of the state because there is no way their coming will not cause agitation. We have served the court order on the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, the Director General of SSS and the Director of SSS. “The IG has warned that nobody should violate the court order because we wish to maintain post-election order. There is no way their coming will not cause agitation in the state.

“The order warned that the court must not be overreached.

Omirin went back to court to withdraw the case and a N100,000 cost was awarded against him”.

The governor said the lawmakers’ entitlements have been settled, claiming that they came to the state to collect the cheques.

“They invited me to Akure and I went there to meet them at their hotel room.

“The CP went there under the permission of IG and Director of SSS under the permission of DG of SSS. At the meeting, they said they wanted me to pay their salaries and as a leader, I consented .

“They said they wanted

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja mandates have already been withdrawn by the people should watch their steps and not in anyway take our civility and Governor Fayose’s deportment for peace, unity and harmony for granted.

“We issue this as a final warning. Our members and supporters in Ekiti State are able, willing and ready to defend our mandate using all available instruments granted by the law.

“We have the capacity and will have no other option unless the APC lawmakers retrace their steps and embrace peace. Enough is enough”, the statement added.

The party underlined that the position of the Federal High Court on the status of the lawmakers and proceedings of the House regarding the “odious plot” to impeach Governor Fayose was clear, adding that it would not in any way condone or tolerate any move by the APC lawmakers to subvert the course of justice.

Commending the people of Ekiti State for their courage in standing by Fayose, the PDP urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call the lawmakers to order, especially given the olive branch already extended to them by the governor in the interest of peace and development of the state.

The party advised security agencies to be on high alert and ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order in the state.

cheques. All the 19 of them and the record is in the ledger of the Ministry of Finance. The cheques were issued and they signed for the cheques,” he said.

But, there was tension in some parts of Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, yesterday morning following reports of the plan by the APC lawmakers to hold a sitting inside the House of Assembly complex.

Some major roads in Ado Ekiti were blocked by suspected members of the drivers’ unions with barricades, but the roads were later cleared by riot policemen.

More riot policemen have been drafted to the state to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

Suspected thugs have been mobilised to the vicinity of the Assembly complex where they are ‘waiting’ for the lawmakers.

When The Nation visited some parts of the city, including the House of Assembly area and adjoining streets, “thugs” were milling around, standing in groups in some locations.

Although they were not allowed near the House of Assembly complex by the armed policemen keeping vigil in the area, the hoodlums were observing events from safe distance.

Some of the places where the thugs were found include an

uncompleted petrol station at Awedele Road junction, an uncompleted block of the State Secretariat complex at the back of the Assembly complex, under a tree beside Ekiti Parapo Square and the NUJ Secretariat near NTA Ado-Ekiti.

Many police vehicles, including pick-up vans and Armoured Personnel Carrier, were stationed around the Assembly complex.

Riot policemen deployed in the area were conducting stopand-and-search and barricaded some portions of NTA Road, State Secretariat Road and the road leading to the Judges’ Quarters.

The thugs laying siege in the vicinity of the Assembly complex were later dislodged by riot policemen.

Vehicles belonging to drivers’ unions were parked in the vicinity of the Government House with the union members standing by.

Bonfires were lit in places like Irona/Isato junction, Ijigbo Roundabout and Omisanjana junction.

Reports reaching Ado-Ekiti indicated that Ado-AramokoIlesa Highway has been blocked by thugs at Itawure junction, preventing vehicles from coming into and leaving the state from Osun State boundary area

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

idea of the alternative energy stoves was conceived during the reign of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to address deforestation owing to alarming rate of trees fell per day to provide cooking firewood.

He said aside the danger of deforestation, the ongoing arrangement for the local stoves was also capable of addressing domestic pollution, as it uses coal, while the imported stoves will merely reduce the volume of firewood consumption in cooking.

“The contract is just a parting gift to some people. And the annoying part is that the contract is generating employment in Germany at the detriment of Nigerian unemployed youths.”

•Chief of Naval Staff Vice Adm. Usman Jibrin (right) inaugurating a project in Lagos...yesterday. With him from left are: Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command Rear Adm. Jonathan Ango; and Commanding Officer, NNS Wey, Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos Commodore Celestine Odiase.

PHOTO: NAN

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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NEWS Priest, brother killed From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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CATHOLIC priest and his brother have been killed in a robbery in Ugbe-Akoko, Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Rev Father Onyeka and his younger brother,Obi, were killed when robbers shot at their vehicle.

Sources said the victims were coming from Lagos, when hoodlums waylaid them between Ose and Oba-Akoko and shot them several times.

Their vehicle was said to have consequently burst into flames.

Police spokesman Wole Ogodo said the hoodlums came out of the bush and shot the victims, who were travelling in a Toyota Highlander.

According to him, bullets hit the fuel tank of the vehicle and it burst into flames.

He said the driver was injured and is receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

Ogodo said: ”Our patrol team went to the scene to rescue the driver and deposit the bodies in a mortuary.”

Symphatisers besieged Ugbe-Akoko home of the victims’ father, who is a famous baker in the community.

Several shops belonging to the Igbo were closed as a sign of respect for the victims.

Man ‘defiles’ teenage daughters, nieces

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60-YEAR-OLD man, Tajudeen Awoniyi, has been arrested by the police in Oyo State for allegedly defiling his two daughters and nieces in Ibadan, the state capital.

Awoniyi, an herbalist, reportedly committed the evil act on Friday night at Moniya, when his two nieces slept over in his house because their mother had travelled to Lagos.

His teenage daughters alleged that their father slept with them anytime he was drunk.

His nieces claimed that Awoniyi gave them a black soap to bath around 1am and had carnal knowledge of them throughout the night.

Parading the suspect

From Tayo Johnsonjo, Ibadan

yesterday at the police command in Eleyele, Ibadan, the Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Katsina, said the man has committed an abomination.

According to him, the doctor’s report showed that the victims had STDs. “This is a warning to others to desist or they will will face the wrath of the law.

Criminals have three options in the state. One, they should abandon their acts and embrace decency.

“Two, they should relocate from Oyo or be ready to be arrested and prosecuted.

“We will not relent with our painstaking effort to fish out more criminals in

the state,” he said His first daughter said:” When our cousins spent the night in our house, my father promised to give them a black soap to bath in the midnight so that if they do anything wrong their mother will not beat them, but after using the soap, he slept with them.

“He also slept with my sister and I. This is the third time he will be doing such” But Awoniyi debunked the allegation, saying that it was a conspiracy to destroy his personality.

“I am a good herbalist and a traditionalist. I did not sleep with any of my children.

“When my nieces spent the night in my house, I only gave them a black soap to bath around 1am

so that they will not get sick.

“I prepare herbs for people to receive favour, sell very well and be successful.”

His sister, Mrs Jelilat Olayiwola, said when she returned home from Lagos, she searched everywhere for her daughters but could not find them. “ I was afraid that they may have been kidnapped. “ In the morning, my brother came to my house to ask why I sent my daughters away.

“I said I did not and urged him to ask them to return home. When they returned home, they started behaving strangely and I questioned them and they told me that he slept with them,” she said.

O

GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has re-appointed Taiwo Adeoluwa as Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

Amosun said the only reason for his re-appointment was his good performance during the first term.

He advised him to work harder to serve the people. ‘’The only reason for your re-appointment was because you worked well.

“We have to continue to demonstrate that we mean well for our people by giving them things that will make life more comfortable.

“The work we did in our first term are building blocks for second term expectation.

Your re-appointment requires more hard work as we strive to move the state forward,’’ the governor added.

Adeoluwa pledged to remain faithful and loyal to the Amosun-led administration.

‘Nigerians should be patient with Buhari’ From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

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Lagos to ban kabukabu

By Oziegbe Okoeki

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HE Lagos State government may soon ban local cabs known as kabukabu as the House of Assembly has approved the Road Traffic Law Regulation and Taxi Operations.

The Majority Leader, Ajibayo Adeyeye, said the approval was long overdue.

He reminded the lawmakers that the regulation, forwarded to the House by the Ministry of Transportation, will ensure that every cab operator gets a licence from the ministry to operate.

Adeyeye added that the ministry will be empowered to arrest any operator, who does not have a licence.

Hon. Funmi Tejuosho said the regulation was necessary so that the lives of residents would not be at risk.

The Deputy Chief Whip, Rotimi Abiru, said the definition of cab should be made clear as there were yellow, black, red cabs and kabukabu.

The Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, said the state plans to be the African model of a mega city and it will not allow sub-standard items.

“In developed countries, you see the kind of taxi cabs that convey the people.

“Thier cabs don’t endanger the lives of the people.

We need to regulate the operations of taxi cabs and this regulation will give the operators easy access to loans,” he said.

Adeoluwa re-appointed SSG

•Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode's first day in office...yesterday.

New Ondo Assembly inaugurated

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HE seventh House of Assembly in Ondo State was yesterday dissolved by its Speaker, Ms Jumoke Akindele.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ms Akindele dissolved the 2011/2015 legislature after a valedictory sitting in Akure.

“The seventh Assembly of the Ondo State House of Assembly, which was inaugurated on June 1, 2011, having completed four years, hereby stands dissolved,” she said.

Akindele said the “seventh Assembly had not only seen, but conquered”.

The Deputy Speaker, Dare Emiola (Akoko South-West 1), said: “It was a rare privilege and honour to have served in the Assembly.’’

The Majority Leader, Ifedayo Akinsoyinu (Ondo West 2), said the

Inauguration illegal, says APC From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has described as illegal the inauguration of the new members of the House of Assembly.

The party said the hurried inauguration of the eighth Assembly was a resultant effect of the fear of unknown, which has beclouded Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya, the APC said having betrayed everyone who helped him hit political limelight, Mimiko was afraid the outgone Assembly members could be used for political upturn.

He said: “How else can we describe the governor’s impatience? He could not wait till the appropriate time to inaugurate the eighth Assembly.

“The governor has all his party members in the House and yet he is jittery.”

The lawmakers are supposed to be constitutionally inaugurated on June 6. nity to serve.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure The eighth Assembly House moved 57 mowas immediately inautions and passed 19 gurated with Ms Akinbills. dele emerging as speakDele Oleyelogun (Ife- er for a second term. dore) thanked the people The new Assembly of his constituency for was proclaimed at 12.05 giving him the opportu- pm by the Clerk, Bode

Adeyelu, on behalf of Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who was absent at the inauguration.

The new assembly began business with the election of the speaker and deputy speaker .

Ms Akindele, who represents Okitipupa II, was was nominated by Olamide George (Akure North constituency).

Olotu Fatai from Akoko North East was elected deputy speaker, having been nominated by Adeniyi Coker Malachiý representing Ilaje II. The newly elected officers were sworn in by the Clerk, after which the Speaker administered the oath of office on other members of the House.

The Assembly, which consists of 26 members, has five All Progressives Congress (APC) and 21 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members.

There are six returning members.

GOVERNORSHIP aspirant in Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, yesterday asked Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said Kogi State needs a change of power in the 2016 governorship election.

Bello advised the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership to allow free and fair primaries to be able to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The aspirant, who spoke at a briefing in Abuja, said: “On March 28, change came.

I wish to appeal to all Nigerians to be patient with President Buhari and cooperate with him.

“We are in an unusual situation and it requires an unusual solution. We must all rally round Buhari.

“Kogi deserves change in 2016 because of the poor leadership it is experiencing.

Kogi State is disadvantaged; the maladministration is affecting the people.

“When you compare our infrastructural development with other states, there is nothing on ground. No infrastructure, no human capital development. This is why we believe the wind of change must blow in Kogi State.”

On the presence of heavyweights aspiring to be the APC governorship candidate in Kogi, Bello said: “As long as there will be fair play, I am not intimidated and I cannot be intimidated.

“Ex-Governor Abubakar Audu and other heavyweights have the right to contest for the governorship ticket. I also have the right.

“At the end of the day, it is the citizens who will determine who will be their governor.”

“We believe that the fairness which led to the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari as the APC presidential candidate will be replicated at the state level.”

Concerning the looming two-party system in the country, Bello said: “The constitution naturally recognises multi-party system but if we are gravitating towards that, so be it.”

8

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

NEWS

New kidnappers’ den found in Ibadan A NOTHER ritualists’ den has been discovered on the outskirts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday.

The den, located at a remote village in Isase area of Ojoku in Ona-Ara Local Government Area, consists of two bungalows, a shrine and an underground tunnel.

Fake foreign currencies, three exotic cars and fetish substances were recovered.

Commissioner of Police Muhammed Katsina led reporters and other security operatives to the den at 1:30pm.

Katsina said: “This place is a multi-criminal den that accommodates all manners of crimes, such as kidnapping, robbery and money doubling.

“Here is a place meant specifically for exploiting the public. Their victims cut across the length and breath of this country, some in Abuja, Lagos, Kogi and other states.

“This place was discovered by my men after a painstaking investigation.

“You are aware that a man was kidnapped in Kishi, although he was later released.

“But we never relented and this was the place where the man was kept for days.“

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

Katsina added that the principal suspect was arrested but others are on the run .“I want them to know that the world is a cycle, if they run, the law will catch up with them. “ I want to appeal to the public to be mindful of where they go and the people they relate with. Be you a Muslim or Christian, God is the only sustainer.

“Our war against crime in this state is yielding positive results and we will surely find more criminals, no matter where they are.

“I have launched Operation Water Icing, which is aimed at spreading our tentacles to accommodate, dominate and smoke out criminals, no matter where they are.”

The principal suspect, Ismail Adesina (43), claimed that he is not a kidnapper but a herbalist.

“I am from Beyeruka in Ibadan. I am a herbalist who treats people suffering from diabetics, blindness, stomach ache, and other diseases. “ I use herbs to heal them, but when there was no sales, I ventured into defrauding people through diabolical methods.

“We were three who use to operate here and we have

IYC suspends members

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HE Central Zone of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has suspended a group of “dissident youths” for allegedly holding a meeting where issues against the interest of Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson and his administration were discussed.

It was learnt that the youth, allegedly sponsored by persons opposed to Dickson’s second term bid, met at Emeyal, Ogbia Local Government Area, in the name of IYC. The central zone’s Deputy Chairman, Thomas Tenkiri, was said to have called the meeting without the knowledge of the zone’s Chairman, Bobolayefa Ow-

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

oupele.

The leadership of the zone reportedly suspended the youth for illegal gathering, which it said they lacked the capacity to call.

Those reportedly suspended are: Tenkiri, Emi Fiyesinkumo, Prince Okinima, Ebilade Ekerefe and Amiebi Turner.

Owoupele, at an emergency meeting at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa, the state capital, announced the suspension.

The chairman, who described the meeting as illegal and decisions taken as null and void, condemned the action of the youth.

Prelate to Buhari: fulfill promises From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

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RELATE of the Methodist Church, Nigeria, Rev. Chukwuemeka Uche yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to fulfill his campaign promises to Nigerians.

Rev. Uche ascribed the increasing youth restiveness, kidnapping and other vices to unemployment.

The cleric said getting the nation’s young ones employed could save them from crimes.

The prelate, who spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, when he visited Governor Ibikunle Amosun, named agriculture as one area of the economy that could help solve youths’ idleness.

Rev. Uche, who said he was in the state on an apostolic visit, appealed to the governor to return all Methodist schools to the mission.

According to him, the church has been in the vanguard of educating Nigerians for a very long time.

He also appealed to the governor to compensate churches affected by the ongoing construction work in the state.

Amosun promised to revisit the issue of transfer of schools to missions and also shared the Prelate’s submission that unemployment could be tackled through agriculture.

The governor solicited prayers from the church, saying the government and the country “cannot have too much prayers as it was prayers that made the last election peaceful against all evil predictions.”

customers all over Nigeria.

The names of my accomplices are Tajudeen Orji and Saheed.

“We have been in this business for four years. We have duped five people and we charge them between N150,000 to N300,000, depending on what they want us to do for them.

“Some people will come to us that they need a child, some want promotion in their office, some may be looking for favour and protection.”

The land vendor, Adegboyega Babatunde, claimed that the suspects bought two acres of land from him five years ago for N50,000.

“They claimed that they wanted to build a house for traditional medicine, until recently that we started seeing some suspicious activities.

“I will take back my land now and give them their money back because we do not want evil people in this community,” he said.

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun decorating the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, with the state’s lapel pin at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta...yesterday.

‘Legislature watchdog of democracy’

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PEAKER of the Lagos State House of AssemblyAdeyemi Ikuforiji has said the legislature is the lifeblood and watchdog of the nation’s democracy.

Ikuforiji stated this in his speech at the valedictory parliamentary session yesterday.

He called on in-coming lawmakers to take their jobs seriously and to always hold the executive to account.

His words: ”If, when and where necessary, you must hold the executive to account and ensure that governance is for the people and about the people.

“Ensure that you make efficiency and transparency your mantra; failure is not an option.

“Do not disappoint the electorate; always remember that there are many jostling to take your place.

“In the constitution, the legislature is the first arm of

•Lagos Assembly holds valedictory sitting

By Oziegbe Okoeki

government, I urge you to strive to be the best group of elected representatives.”

Speaking on the activities of the House, the Speaker added: “This world-class chamber is a testament to how far we have come as a House.

“The bills we have passed are pointers to the fact that we worked hard to earn the people’s trust.

“In the area of human resources development, we are second to none. My colleagues and the support staff have been internationally and locally trained.

This legislature has become a resource institution. We have consistently laboured to support the executive with the tools and conditions for building the Lagos of our

dreams- a safe haven for prosperity and peaceful co-existence “I have no doubt that each member of this parliament has the competence and legislative acumen to successfully steer the affairs of anyassembly.

“We saw to the implementation of the Self Accounting Law of 2001 and the establishment of the House of Assembly Service Commission and so many others “This House can always count on my support. I have no regrets whatsoever; I count it a privilege to have served in this Assembly.”

The members eulogised Ikuforiji for his administrative acumen, humility, maturity and level headedness.

Yinka Ogundimu congratulated Ikuforiji for building a strong legislative institu-

tion in the state.

Ipoola Omisore said: “History will not forget you, you have exposed us to series of comparative legislature, you are an institution man, you care for the nation and you care for the institution.”

Lanre Ogundimu said members have learnt from the Speaker’s humility, versatility, courage, brilliance, hardwork and forthrightness.

Deputy Whip Rotimi Abiru said the Assembly has come a long way and that things have changed for the better under Ikuforiji.

Sanai Agunbiade thanked Ikuforiji for making his reelection possible.

The lawmakers thanked the staff of the Assembly for making their jobs easier .

They advised the incoming lawmakers to be patient to learn.

‘Inadequate sources undermine our operations’

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have not recorded resounding successes because of inadequate whistle blowers.

The agencies spoke yesterday at a "Media Roundtable on Approaches/Strategies for Combating Impunity for Local Government Corruption: The Role of ICPC and EFCC" organised by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

They also blamed their situation on education and enlightenments of their activities by the public.

ICPC’s Head of Investigations Kayode Adedayo, who

By Adebisi Onanuga

represented the Chairman of the Commission, Ekpo Ita, said for corruption to be tackled, there was the need to strengthen the nation's institutions.

He said investigation into cases of corruption revealed that high level corruption is perpetuated at the local government level than at other levels of government.

Adedayo called for improve budgeting and budget control.

He said the fight against corruption was not that of the agency alone but that the society must also play its role.

The ICPC spokesman lamented that chief security officers who should report cases of corruption have not been encouraging whistle blowers.

"We need chief security officers who are conscientious

whistle blowers in order to win the fight against corruption."

He posited that this was the only way to ensure efficient use of funds accruable to various levels of government and agencies.

Adedayo said the ICPC is understaffed to effectively combat corruption as the agency has between 700 and 800 workers to serve about 170 million Nigerians.

The ICPC man, who also spoke on the inadequacies of the agency, said the law establishing the ICPC stated that there must be an office in the 36 states but that the Commission has offices in only 15 states.

He denied that the commission is hampered by political interference in the discharge of its duties.

EFCC’s Head of Investigations for Lagos Gbolahan Latona, who represented the

Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, lamented that the public does not take enough interest in their immediate community.

Latona argued that it was wrong for people to criticise the Commission unfairly without taking into cognizance the challenges confronting it.

He also said the Commission should not be compared to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which he argued is better equipped to investigate and checkmate financial crimes.

Latona said the investigation by the EFCC takes time to conclude because it often involves many government agencies and sometimes foreigners and foreign agencies.

He added that the EFFC is grossly understaffed as the agency does not have more than 1,000 personnel to service millions of Nigerians.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 02, 2015

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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CITYBEATS Petrol stations shun pump price directive M

OST Lagos filling stations have yet to sell petrol at N87 per litre, more than one week after marketers returned to lifting products.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) investigation showed that most stations are exploiting consumers, despite the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) warning against such acts.

The stations were selling petrol at between N100 and N150 per litre despite displaying N87 per litre on their dispensing pumps.

Attendants use calculators to determine the price.

While some motorists declined to buy, those who bought, accused the stations of sabotaging the government’s efforts to make fuel affordable and available.

Mr Segun Aribisala urged the DPR to ensure erring stations complied.

“Some filling stations in Ikorodu are capitalising on the location of the town on the outskirts of Lagos to sell at unofficial prices.

“During the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

•Queue at a filling station in Lagos...yesterday

Workers (NUPENG) strike, some of these petrol stations sold fuel as high as N400 per litre, exploiting motorists and residents who had no alternative.

“Now that the strike is over and with directive to revert to the N87 pump price, they have remained adamant,” Aribisala said.

Mr Fatai Ajetunmobi, a commercial bus driver, said: “The petrol scarcity has eased off as many petrol stations now have stock and are selling it.

“That is the reason why we

have long queues at those stations that are complying with the official N87 pump price.”

He blamed the hike in transport fares on the inflated petrol price.

NAN reports that stations owned by the independent marketers and some major marketers, are also involved in the sharp practice.

An attendant at a station at Kasolori, on the Ikorodu-Ijebu Ode road, told NAN that they were selling at N125 per litre based on management’s instruc-

Why I took to robbery, by suspect

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25-YEARS-OLD man yesterday said he was forced into robbery after his two tricycles popularly known as keke marwa were confiscated by the Task Force.

Emmanuel Godwin was paraded in Lagos yesterday by the Lagos for tricycle theft.

He said, he decided to rob to meet his financial demands.

“What made me to go into snatching Keke Marwa was my losing two Keke Marwa to Task Force from Alausa. I was doing barbing work before I joined the gang. If I am released, I will not steal again,” Godwin, 28, from Ekpoma in Edo State, said.

According to police, the suspect usually poses as a passenger and hires tricycle and on getting to a convenient place, he would push the owner out and zoom off with the tricycle, especially in black spots.

In a police parlance, “black spots” are areas of high crime rate.

The suspect steals tricycles parked on the street, in front of a compound or near a restaurant.

He was first arrested by the Zonal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (ZSARS) on January 1.

Luck ran out against him when he stole another tricycle last week and the owner reported to the police.

The police tracked Godwin down to Ijora where he planned to sell the tricycle. He was arrested when he returned to col-

tions.

“There is still scarcity of petrol and the product we have is old stock. Maybe the management might revert to the N87 pump price by next week, when fuel would have circulated fully,” he said.

In a statement by its Head, Public Affairs, Mrs Dorothy Bassey, DPR on May 25 warned operators against selling petrol above the official pump price of N87 per litre.

“While the DPR is making every effort to ensure that fuel is available and reaches every part

of the nation, it is hereby emphasised that the Federal Government has not increased the price of fuel.

“The price remains at N87. Any station caught selling above the stipulated price, will have its licence revoked.

“No station should sell in jerry cans as there is enough fuel and for safety reasons. Any station caught dispensing into jerry cans will be sealed off .

“We ask the public to exercise caution and cooperate with all guidelines and processes, for the safety of all,” the statement said.

Landlord arraigned for forceful ejection of tenant

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43-year-old landlord, Dayo Ajayi, appeared before a Surulere Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos, charged with assault on a couple while they were sleeping.

The accused, who lives at Kelani Street, Surulere, Lagos state, is facing a two-count charge of burglary and assault.

Prosecuting Police Corporal Gbenga Salami, told the court that the accused committed the offence on March 13.

He said the accused forcefully broke the door and entered into the couple’s apartment because they owed him house rent.

The prosecutor added that, “After breaking into the apartment, the accused hit the couple’ back and fingers with broken bottles when they were sleeping and ordered them to pack out of his house that night.

“Neighbours begged the accused but he refused; and an eyewitness had to alert the police who then came and arrested him.’’

Salami said the offences contravened Sections 171 and 404 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

Ajayi pleaded not guilty.

Chief Magistrate M.O. Olajuwon granted him N100,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

She ordered that the sureties must show evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government and must be residents of Lagos and have genuine means of livelihood.

She adjourned the case till June 24.

By Ebele Boniface

lect money from a SARS official, who posed as the buyer.

The suspect said: “I am a tricycle snatcher not an armed robber because I don’t use gun.

I steal from parks and when I ask a tricycle rider for a test drive and he allows me I run away with the tricycle.

“I used to sell each tricycle I snatched or stole for N60,000. I stole five tricycles and sold them to one man known as Aye at Ijora. I also sold two to one Liwan but the market price of a tricycle is N400, 000. Aye still owes me for the two tricycles sold to him while Liwan owes me for one tricycle.

“I was following one gang before I decided to be a one-man squad. I was taken to the gang by one of my friends called Babatunde now late. He died of taking hard drugs like cocaine, heroin and Indian hemp. I also smoke Indian hemp four times a day. Each wrap is N50.

“I did not know that they were tricycle snatchers until they used me five times to go and deliver to a buyer at Ijora. They used to give me N5,000 after each delivery. When I felt that they were cheating me, I decided to go solo. The first tricycle I sold I got N60, 000. I gave N25, 000 to my late colleague for helping me to get a buyer.

“I am married with two children. Till now my wife is not aware that I am arrested and I

PHOTO:ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Housekeeper ‘steals’ employer’s N4.6m jewellery 23-year-old housekeeper, Idowu Adeyeye, was brought before an AbuleEgba Magistrate’s Court in Lagos yesterday for allegedly stealing her employer’s jewellery valued at N4.6 million.

The accused, who lives with her employer at Ijaiye Medium Housing Estate, Ijaiye, a suburb of Lagos, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and causing a breach of peace.

Prosecuting Inspector Racheal Williams told the court that the offences were committed on May 28 at his employer’s residence.

According to her, the accused with others still at large stole

A •Godwin

don’t want her to know because she is hypertensive. Even my mother is hypertensive and I don’t want her to know also.

jewellery valued at N4.6 million, property of the complainant, Mrs Titilayo Ogundipe.

“The complainant got home from work to discover that the door to her room was opened and all her gold jewellery were missing.

“The housekeeper disappeared after the incident, but was later arrested following a tip-off,’’ Williams said.

The offence, she noted, contravened Sections 166 (d), 278 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

The accused pleaded innocence.

Magistrate Adenike Shonubi granted Adeyeye N2.5 million bail with two sureties in the like sum.

She adjourned the case to June 15 for trial.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

CITYBEATS Mechanic charged with N500, 000 fraud N AUTO mechanic, Sunday Ade, was yesterday charged before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly obtaining N500, 000 under false pretences.

Ade pleaded not guilty.

But the prosecutor, Etim Nkankuk, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) told the court that the accused committed the offences on February 9 at Aguda in Surulere area of Lagos with his brother still at large.

He said Ade obtained N500, 000 from one Elochukwu Peters under the pretext that he would cure his wife’s ailment.

Nkankuk said: “The

A

Labourer docked over wheelbarrow ‘theft’

A

LABOURER, Femi James yesterday pleaded guilty to the theft of a wheelbarrow valued at N15, 000, before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos.

James 21, is facing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

Chief Magistrate Olatunbosun Abolarinwa ordered that the accused be remanded in police custody till June 3 for facts and sentencing.

Prosecuting Police Corporal Cyriacus Osuju told the court that the accused stole the wheel barrow on May 26, at about 6.40 a.m., at Oyingbo Bus Stop.

He said that James in the wee hours of the day stole the wheel barrow from the electric pole it was chained to by the complainant, one Augustine Chukwu.

The accused then absconded with it, he said.

Osuju said that the offence contravened Sections 285 and 40c of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

UNILAG alumni hold Pre-Ramadan Lecture

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HE 21st Pre-Ramadan Lecture of the University of Lagos, Muslim Alumni (UMA) will hold on Sunday at the University of Lagos Main Auditorium, Akoka.

A statement by UMA President, Alhaji Akeeb Oladokun said the topic of the lecture is Public Trust: An Obligation for credible Leadership.

According to Oladokun, the topic was carefully chosen to set the agenda for the country’s political class so as to lead with the fear of God. He said Prof Tabiu Mohammed of the Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano (BUK) and Chief Imam, Daaru Naim Central Mosque Sheikh AbdulMajeed Imran Eleha, are the guest speakers.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Rahaman Bello is the Chief host

complainant was referred to Ade’s brother, who is still at large by the accused himself to cure the ailment. Peters was made to believe that the duo could help find a cure to his wife’s ailment.

“He was asked to bring N500, 000 as payment for the cure only for him to find out that he had been duped.”

Nkankuk noted that the offences contravened Sections 285, 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

Chief Magistrate A.O. Isaac granted the accused N200, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

The case has been adjourned till July.

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Robbers injured in attack on two banks OBBERS struck in Ikorodu yesterday on the outskirt of Lagos, attacking two first generation banks on Ijede Road.

The early morning attack took place at a bank in Omitoro Town, few minutes after the bank opened for business.

Eye witnesses said the robbers, who were carrying heavy machine guns, took many customers on queue at the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) by surprise as they made for the main door without anybody suspecting them.

It was gathered that they succeeded in over-powering the plain clothes men and corporate security guards.

Witnesses said the robbers blasted the security

R

By Our Reporter

door with dynamites and made away with several millions of Naira.

It was gathered that they scared the people away by firing into the air before escaping in a Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) snatched from its owner, towards Ijede before the arrival of the police.

Several customers ran for safety and some were injured in the process. Others had to climb a diesel tank and jumping over a barbed wire fence.

The robbers thereafter attacked another bank, but met a stiff resistance from the police, who had stationed themselves in readiness for them.

The police, it was said, ex-

‘

Several customers ran for safety and some were injured in the process.

Others had to climb a diesel tank and jumping over a barbed wire fence

’

changed heavy gun shots with them and prevented them from entering the bank.

Having been frustrated by the superior firing power of the police, the robbers drove to the nearby Area ‘N’ Police Command but again met with resistance from the police who had placed

themselves on alert in readiness for attack.

The robbers, according to Police spokesperson, Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), lost two of their operation vehicles, which went up in flames during the exchange of gun fire. Some of them were injured before escaping through the lagoon with their loot in a speed boat.

Nwosu also confirmed that the robbery incident at the first bank was successful; the second was foiled.

He, however, could not give the figure of the amount lost to the robbers, saying investigation was still on-going.

According to him, no arrest was made so far and that there was no casualty recorded.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

I always like to emphasise that I am never too keen on bailouts because they are always fraught with malpractices just like waivers and things like that. It’s always better to have a level playing field.

-Managing Director of Cocosheen Nigeria Limited, Henry Boyo

Intels urges Ladol, others to respect NPA

Power supply now 3,085.77Mw • TCN could not wheel 78.64Mw

By Oluwakemi Dauda

I

NTELS Nigeria Limited has urged Ports & Termi nal Operators Limited (PTOL), Nigerdock and Ladol to respect the power of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to issue directive as to the appropriate port terminal for vessels to berth.

NPA as the landlord , Intels argued, has the power to give directives to all terminals and jetties operators in the country.

Its General Manager, Legal, Mike Epelle said despite the fact that the ex-parte orders made by the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court in the suits instituted by PTOL, Nigerdock and Ladol against the NPA are at variance with an earlier judgment delivered by the Port Harcourt Division of the Court last year, he has confidence in the ability of the courts to do justice.

Reacting to insinuations by the Managing Director of PTOL, Mrs Liizzie Ovbude published in a natioanl daily (not The Nation), Epelle said in a judgment delivered at Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court, by Justice Lambo Akambi on July 8, last year, in the suit filed by Associated Maritime Services Limited (AMS) against City Real Estate & Property Management Company Ltd. with Suit No.FHC/PH/CS/74/ 2014 ruled inter-alia:“That under an by virtue of the Nigerian Ports Authority Act CapN-123 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and in particular, Sections 7(a),(b),(c) and (k); 8(1) and 32(1) thereof, the Nigerian Ports Authority is vested with powers to enforce compliance with the arrangements made by the BPE designating all Federal Ports in the country as to guarantee, among others, efficient management of ports operation.

Petralon eyes first oil from OPLs 2005, 2006

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

A

N indigenous explo ration and produc tion (E&P) company, Petralon Energy, has recorded progress in its oil block located in oil prospecting leases (OPLs) 2005 and 2006 in Rivers State. It may hit first oil in the next few months.

Petralon farmed into the Dawes Island field in OPLs 2005 and 2006 in July 2014, in partnership with Tako E&P Solutions Limited. The Dawes Island marginal field located in OPLs 2005 & 2006 was formerly oil mining lease (OML 54). The oil and gas asset is in swamp terrain about 15km southwest of Port Harcourt in Rivers State and occupies an area of 40km2.

The field was previously owned by Chevron Nigeria Limited as OML 54 but it is currently owned by Eurafric Energy Limited.

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

T

• From left; MD/CEO, Rainbow Town Development Limited (RTDL), Chima Ucheya; Group Head, Retail Banking, South, Rosemary Asiegbu; Head of Finance, FBNHoldings, Wale Ariyibi and Business Development Manager, Port Harcourt South, FirstBank, Charles Osondo at the commissioning of the completed first phase of Rainbow World Estate in Port Harcourt.

Chinese firm gets NERC’s nod to produce meters locally

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HE National Electricity Regulatory Commis sion (NERC) has granted approval to a Chinese firm, Golden Horse Co. Ltd, to begin the production of electricity meters in Nigeria.

The National Coordinator, Chief Executive Officer. Nigeria, China Business Council, Matthew Iwekwe who spoke at a press briefing in Abuja, said domestic production of meters will promote

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

economic growth and save foreign exchnage.

He said: “The Calabar Free Trade Zone is presently used for the production of the meters. The company has already started full manufacturing of the products.

“We are also using this medium to call on incoming state governors to key into this program, they should come up with a proposal and

feasibility study on what business they want to partner with the Chinese government, as investors will be brought in.

“Energy is the hub of any development in the world; we need stable energy to run any profitable business. We recently signed a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the African Development Bank (AfDB), with focus on energy, and shifting focus from oil.”

The Chairman, Golden Horse Group, Jacob Wood said the company is building a permanent and lasting bridge between the two countries, so that there will be easy trading.

Wood said the company is doing all it can to contribute its quota to the development of the country, saying: “We would also want to emphasise that we are fully in support of the government President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Oil workers invade AMCON’s office over unpaid salaries

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IL workers acting un der the aegis of Petro leum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), yesterday disrupted normal office activities at the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) headquarters in Abuja.

Dressed in their usual oil extracting uniforms with Seawolf inscribed, the aggrieved workers protested unpaid 22 months salary arrears AMCON allegedly owed them.

The angry workers were seen with placards which read: “AMCON enough is enough, pay us our money”, “Ministry of Labour and Productivity, tell AMCON to pay us our money”, “AMCON 48 hours have come and gone, pay us our money” and “Our children are out of school due our inability to pay school fees. Pay us our money”.

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

Chairman of Seawolf branch of the union, Christian Okojie while speaking with reporters lamented that AMCON agreed to attend to them 48 hours after their initial protest.

According to him, several letters and mails have been written to him including text messages seeking to have an audience with the management, adding that it was frustrated.

Okojie said: “We are here to get our terminal benefits and outstanding salaries.

AMCON took over our management two years ago.

When they came in, they assured us that they will take care of our welfares. They only paid us two months salaries, December 2013 and January 2014.

“Since then, they have refused to pay after making several attempts to get AMCON to a roundtable to

chart a way forward for the workers.

“We have gone to Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Ministry of Petroleum. In all the meetings we held, they asked AMCON to pay but AMCON has refused to comply.”

In his remark, PENGASSAN Chairman Godfrey Okoloba said members of the association resolved to remain in AMCON’s premises until the Federal Government intervenes in the situation.

“Our children are hungry, some are out of schools, in fact three of our members are in mortuary and their widows have not been taken care of for the past two months now. We don’t have anywhere to go to. We will sleep here.”

Asked if deliberate efforts were made to meet the AMCON executive, Okoloba restated that the Chief Executive Officer of AMCON Mr. Mustapha Chike-obi met

• Chike-Obi

with them and promised to attend to the situation after 48 hours. However, three weeks after, AMCON was yet to reach out to them.

However, Chike-Obi denied owing the aggrieved workers. He alleged that the workers were not genuine staff of the Offshore Management Services (OMS) but engaged through an agent.

He said: “AMCON is trying to sell the oil rigs and payback the company so the company can pay the workers. We do not owe them. The rigs have not been working in the past six months.”

HE Ministry of Power yesterday resumed the publication of its power statistics on its website after the last publication of May 11, noting that power supply was 3,085.77megawatts (Mw) on May 31.

It withheld the publication because the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) recorded an abysmal power generation, transmission and distribution over the last three weeks.

The period was characterised by no gas supply owing to an oil workers’ strike and shortage of water for the hydro power plants.

The electricity market dwindled to a record of 727Mw supply as 18 of the 21 power plants were shut down following the strike.

Former Minister of Power Chinedu Nebo had explained that the dip in power supply was inevitable, since up to 70 per cent of generation was coming from gas-fired stations, pending the harvest of electricity from the work already done by the government and private sector investors on new hydro-power plants and other renewables.

Iran holds first trade exhibition in Nigeria

By Chikodi Okereocha

T

HE Islamic Republic of Iran will hold its first trade exhibition in Lagos, Nigeria, this month.

Tagged ‘First Iran Solo Exhibition in Nigeria,’ the exhibition holds at the Landmark Center, Lekki, Lagos State, from Tuesday, June 9 to Thursday, June 11. It is in furtherance of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during the Nigeria Iran Joint Commission.

The First Iran Solo Exhibition will be declared open by the President of Iran Trade Promotion Organisation and Deputy Minister of Industry, Mr. Valiollah Afkhami Rad, supported by the Iran Ambassador in Nigeria, Mr. Saeed Koozechi.

Among other things, the exhibition will feature over 40 Iranian companies in manufacturing, oil and gas, building and construction, infrastructure, health, furniture, interior decoration, and food industry.

Sponsored by the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Trade Promotion Organisation of Iran and Landmark Center, the exhibition is organised by Pars Rastak International Conferences, Exhibition Research Services, in partnership with the Nigeria Iran Business Council (NIBC), Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Mines, Industry and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), and the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 02, 2015

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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THE NATION

BUSINESS MARITIME

F

ORMER President Goodluck Jonathan signed the law empowering the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) as interim port economic regulator two months before his exit last Friday, it has been learnt. He signed the gazette on March 27.

Under the NSC (Port Economic Regulator) Order 2015, the council is empowered to regulate tariff, rates, charges and other economic services at the ports.

The Federal Ministry of Transport (FMoT) is mandated to support the council in the discharge of its duty.

“With the law in place, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has been empowered to monitor all matters relating to the cost, standard and quality of services rendered by the regulated service providers, a FMoT source said.”

Under the gazette, NSC shall: • regulate economic activities at

e-mail: maritime@thenationonlineng.net

Shippers Council is interim port economic regulator •Jonathan signed gazette before exit Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda MaritimeCorrespondent

the ports; • set and enforce standard operating guidelines for the ports; • regulate Nigerian ports concession agreements; and • carry out other related acts that are incidental to its role as the port economic regulator.

Bello said the law would help NSC to promote competition, attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and increased business activi-

ties at the ports.

He lamented the high cost of doing business at the ports, which he said made them to be less competitive within the sub-region.

Bello said the council has appointed CPCS, Nafith and Mark Analytical to help it discharge its obligation.

Despite NSC’s new power, it was learnt that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) will continue to collect the seven per cent Port Development Levy (PDL); the distribu-

tion proceeds will also reflect the operational realities of the benefiting ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

The service providers, which NSC will regulate, over Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); seaport terminal operators; shipping companies and agencies; off dock terminal operators; cargo consolidators; logistics service providers; freight forwarders and clearing agents; inland container depot operators; stevedoring companies; Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarders in Nigeria (CRFFN) and other port service providers Some NSC junior workers told

• Bello

The Nation that they are happy that the plot to stop the council’s gazetting before Jonathan’s exit was thwarted.

They alleged that terminal operators, shipping firms, truck workers and some banks worked against the NSC being gazetted.

Buhari urged to address Apapa gridlock

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• Gridlock on Ijora bridge leading to the port ... last Friday.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

Customs, traders back ECOWAS external tariff T HE ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) will create more jobs, increase capacity utilisation of industries and boost trade among member-countries, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) have said.

CET has been adopted by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) membercountries to enhance economic integration in the sub-region.

Speaking at a workshop organised for maritime reporters in Abuja, Customs’ National Public Relations Officer Mr Wale Adeniyi said CET would create jobs and boost the country’s revenue base.

“Multilateral commitment to treaties like ECOWAS and other ones within the WTO (World Trade Organisation) is going to take a lot of tolls on our revenue base but its is good for the country.

“We are going to be talking on how to support our local industries, and think of how many industries are operating despite the harsh economic environment to create jobs for the youth.

“We are going to engage our

stakeholders on how many graduates we able to employ as a country.

“We are going to be turning to the ports and say how long does it take to process goods after declarations, how many good declarations do we received in a day?

“We need to know the amount of time it takes to discharge goods from vessel and the time it takes to move them out of the ports.”

Adeniyi urged the maritime reporters to assist Customs in enlightening the public on the importance of CET to the economy and job creation.

NANTS National Secretary Ken Ukaoha called for the implementation of CET to boost regional trade among member countries.

He said the non-implementation of the common tariff could lead to the disorganisation of the region.

Ukaoha stressed the need to put necessary measures to ensure its implementation.

“The Common External Tariff, if implemented, can help the region to grow; it can also help in achieving the distribution and redistri-

bution of wealth across the region. ‘’CET can also work towards fast tracking poverty reduction, because you are creating jobs for the people.

“It can also guarantee and help or assist consumer choice; and most importantly, it will help member countries come together and do things as one; it is an open door to common market operations in the region.

“However, if you don’t implement very well, it can also lead to disorganisation of the region and disappearance of ECOWAS. “There must be some level of carefulness in the implementation of the CET, the enforcement of the laws, because we are porous, so that we do not allow third parties to benefit, while we lose and then become a dumping ground, our industries will stifled and die away.

“There must be constant monitoring of the impact of the CET on the economy; the future is watching, history is waiting.”

According to him, before CET, there have been laws and other protocols which have not been able to promote trade in the region.

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has been urged by the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) to address the traffic gridlock on the major roads leading to the Apapa Ports in Lagos.

Its National President, Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu, said vehicular congestion, which is at the root of the gridlock, has added to the cost of clearing goods from the port, besides driving away businesses in the area.

He alleged that importers were diverting their cargoes to neighbouring countries because of the gridlock, new investors were being discouraged from going to the area and residents were looking for homes outside Apapa.

“In Apapa alone, there are about 60 petroleum tank farms for storage of petroleum products, which account for 90 per cent of the total imported products into the country. All these, as well as other maritime-related businesses like freight, clearing and forwarding easily make Apapa a hub of maritime activities.

Apapa, Shittu said, is not only reputed for maritime activities.

Manufacturers, he said, have taken advantage of the ports to site companies in the suburb for quick access to imported raw materials and for easy export.

Apart from manufacturing companies like Dangote Sugar Refinery, BUA Group, Honeywell, he lamented that other businesses

have shut down because of the gridlock.

“The real problem is that government is making a huge amount of money from the ports without the necessary infrastructural development. It is sad that many businesses have closed down because the owners cannot get to their offices.

Tanker drivers are now moving their trucks into residential buildings. The result is the chaotic situation we are facing in the area which we want the new President to address.

The Publicity Secretary of motor vehicle importers in the area, Mr Felix Ayinla, also urged President Buhari to pay attention to the rehabilitation and opening up of the roads leading to the ports and address the perennial gridlock.

He noted that the problem has impacted negatively on cargo turnaround time and the cost of doing business.

“Lagos port is the gateway to the nation’s economy and the new government must see it as such. So the changes we are expecting from President Buhari is to open up the roads leading to the Lagos ports to make it attractive for business. Why must we hface difficulties in moving goods in and out of the ports?

“The Federal government has what it takes to make our ports the hub in the sub-region and now is the time to achieve that,” he added.

Customs realises N712m at Seme

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HE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Command, generated N712.2 million revenue in April, its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Ernest Olottah, has said. The revenue is N61 million lower than the N773 million realised in March.

“In the month of April, we generated lower because there was a slight drop in trading activities but as the year progresses, the revenue will get higher,” he said.

Olottah said the command generated N9.6 billion in 2014, which was N3.4 billion less than the N13 billion targets for the year.

He assured that the command would surpass the N13 billion target set for the command this year.

The image maker said the command made 91 seizures in the month of April, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N26.8 million.

“There has been tremendous improvement in the seizures made.

“The seized items include bags of rice, frozen poultry products, vegetable oil, vehicles, amongst others,” he said.

The spokesman urged Nigerians to desist from smuggling due to its adverse effect on the economy.

“Smuggling is not good for the economy so we must work together to save our economy and embrace legitimate trade.

“Illegal trade erodes the national wealth so we must learn not to partake in such,” he said.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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THE NATION

BUSINESS TRANSPORTATION

E-mail: ynotaderibigbe@gmail.com

Wanted: Road map for transportation What will President Muhammadu Buhari do about the transport sector? Will his administration midwife a sustainable transport policy and deliver on an intermodal system? These are some of the posers by experts who set a transportation agenda for the government, writes ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE

F

OR many Nigerians, transportation begins and ends with road.

This has put too much pressure on the roads, which are carrying more than their fair share of the burden of movement.

The other less exploited modes of transportation are rail, sea and air.

The pressure and neglect of the roads have turned them into death traps, making them one of the most unsafe in the world.

State of roads The road asset is put at N8 trillion.

It accounts for over 90 percent of Nigeria’s passenger and cargo traffic.

While the yearly national autodensity is 10 percent, with most states averaging 2.5 to eight percent, Lagos’ auto density is 30 percent.

With a total road network of 193,198 km (120, 048 mi), most Nigerians travel by bus or taxi.

In 1970s and 1980s, the Federal Government built and upgraded many expressways and trans-regional trunk roads; the states upgraded smaller roads which opened up the rural areas. This intervention stopped in the last 20 years.

The immediate past Jonathan administration said 71 per cent of federal roads across the six geo-political zones were amended.

Former Minister of Works Mike Onolememen, said over N2 trillion was spent on them.

According to him, from about 5,000km of “fair roads” in 2011, Nigeria now has about 25,000km out of about 35,000km federal roads in good and motorable condition with alignments that can compete favorably with similar roads anywhere in the world.

Critics however said road contracts have become a bazaar for slush funds. Over N7 trillion may have been spent in the last 30 years on the nation’s roads.

Human rights groups said the nation’s roads construction, remain one of the most expensive in the world, (going by the World Bank estimates).

Experts enjoined the nation would do well to begin to de-emphasise road transportation for a shift to multimodal system to resolve the nation’s transportation challenges.

Besides many other outstanding road projects Nigerians expect the government to finally lay the ghost of the second Niger Bridge to rest.

The rail, road, water and air modes they argued, must be reinvented and returned to the path of efficiency.

Demand for new railway The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), a colonial creation, got its most remarkable support ever under President Goodluck Jonathan.

He believed the railway is the backbone of mass transit.

In 2011, government drew a 25year master plan for the development of the railway, and began a push that would see much of its needs met through Public Private Partnership (PPP) platform.

This is coming from the realisation that the government cannot solely fund the nation’s railway.

That was after spending N2 trillion on the relaying of the old narrow gauge tracks, and the purchase of new rolling stock over the past five years. The revamp has yielded result. Passenger traffic is projected to

• Train

• Intermodal mass transit

hit five million by year end, while over 400,000 metric tons of goods are being freighted from the Apapa Ports to Kano monthly.

Nigeria has 3,557 km (2,210 mi) of railway track. The main line, a colonial heritage completed in 1911, linked Lagos to Kano.

Transport expert Mr. Kayode Oyesiku, however said spending on the railway had been wrong headed.

He called on government to invest more on standard gauge, adding that the narrow gauge has outlived its relevance and necessity.

Oyesiku, a Professor of Transport Studies and deputy national President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), said the present trains won’t bring return on investment. He added that even at the ports, the standard gauge would increase efficiency. “For as long as the government continues to rehabilitate the narrow gauge, so long would it continue to be a wasted effort,” Oyesiku said.

Water Transportation A major arm of international trade, water transportation is seen as a major route for the shipping of goods.

However, though the nation has seven ocean ports, only two, (Apapa and Tin Can Island), in Lagos, were connected to the rail, a development which has restricted the optimisation of the railway’s freight services’ capacity. For efficiency, ports must be connected by rails.

On the local scene, the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) which was to drive local investment in the water transportation sector had made but little impact until lately.While the agency continues to navigate the harsh environment for investors in the sector, it remained encumbered by challenges such as very dirty channels, and the dreaded water hyacinth that made navigation a major issue.

Experts believed the way out remain strengthening of the laws safeguarding the waterways, encouraging the local investors and direct investment of the government in the procurement of wide bodied ferries which would not only force down commuting prices but also serve as the bench mark for investors.

Conducive air mode From four international airports in Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and Abuja about a decade ago, Nigeria now has international airports in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country. But beyond the structures that make accessibility to airline services possible, are more fundamental infractions.

Over the last two decades, fatal crashes involving commercial passenger airlines had made mockery of attempts by regulatory agencies to restore sanity to the nation’s airspace. Though this tide has ebbed, activities of some of the airlines have continued to draw attention

as they are yet to imbibe right practices that would promote safety in the air.

But the major slap remains the continued absence of a national carrier servicing the air travel needs of Nigerians, a development that has left the sector in the hands of foreign private airlines.

Experts want more proactive investment in which Nigerians would effectively drive the process.

The intermodal dream With 170 million population, growing at about three percent yearly, experts said road transportation alone cannot serve the needs of Nigerians.

In the Transportation Masterplan in Vision 20:2020, a former Minister for Transportation Mallam Yusuff Sulaiman said the intermodal dream by 2020 is imperative if Nigeria is to become one of the 20 biggest economies in the world by 2020.

At the 14th session of National Council on Transport (NCT) last year in Enugu, the then Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transport, Alhaji Mohammed Bashar, said it is a catalyst for a sustained, safe and secure transport sector.

Bashar said the top priority accorded the transportation sector by the former administration underscored its crucial role in the sustenance of the economy.

He canvassed a multimodal system of transportation that would be anchored on the private sector for

‘Besides many other outstanding road projects Nigerians expect the government to finally lay the ghost of the second Niger Bridge to rest. The rail, road, water and air modes, they argued, must be reinvented and returned to the path of efficiency’

prompt service delivery.

Transport Policy revisited Stakeholders believe even the multimodal system would fail if there is no transport policy.

The National President and Chairman of Council of Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Maj-Gen. Umar Tundunwada Usman, (rtd), said there is the need for a policy which would drive the economy.

He said: “Roads are carrying what are by far above their carrying capacity. The railway has not improved on efficiency and this is resulting in the rate of damage to the roads.”

He bemoaned the lack of professionalism in the sector which according to him is traceable to the fact that the sector has no governing laws as the National Assembly is yet to pass the bill packaged by the Institute for the purpose.

Sharper policies Stakeholders said with about 36 states interpreting transport laws and more than a dozen federal agencies doing same, there would be nothing but confusion in its implementation.

These, they said, is responsible for the lack of articulation of an enduring policy by the government and its agencies.

The Registrar/CEO Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Sir Mike Jukwe, said: “Transport is one of the greatest economic growth areas of the 20th century and a key signature to the modern society.”

Jukwe looked forward to the government doing everything to give the nation a good transportation image, a decision he said begins with planning.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 02, 2015

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Bestiality in Bata •Equatorial Guinean policeman’s assault on Nigerian diplomat is base and unacceptable

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HOUGH the rash of xenophobic upwelling in South Africa recently may have subsided, it seems the scourge is still latent, alive and well in parts of Africa. The unprovoked and unwarranted attack of a Nigerian diplomat in Bata, capital of Equatorial Guinea, mid- May is a clear pointer to the fact that the tendency of citizens of some African countries to unleash malicious attacks on non-citizens is still high and may require concerted efforts of the African Union to tackle.

The sad tale of Nigerian diplomat, Mr. Noah Ichaba, makes the case for an urgent, inter-governmental action.

Ichaba, according to reports, was brutalised in broad daylight on a Saturday morning in the heart of the capital city of Bata. Narrating the incident, Ichaba said he was in a cab which had been stopped by a traffic light at a roundabout in the city. Presently, a

‘This seemingly unprovoked and malicious assault on a Nigerian diplomat on duty in Equatorial Guinea by a uniformed policeman is no doubt an affront to Nigeria; it is a violation of Mr. Ichaba’s personal rights and a debasement of all the ideals enshrined both in the AU and UN charters on the dignity of the human person’

policeman had emerged and spoken to the driver and occupants in Spanish.

When the policeman eventually turned to him, he had explained that he did not understand Spanish but English.

The Equatorial Guinean policeman was said to have become enraged and started raising his voice. Ichaba’s fellow passengers had told him the cop was demanding his papers. He had handed the policeman his diplomatic identity card which was issued by the Foreign Ministry of Equatorial Guinea. The cop who was apparently infuriated the more, ordered the Nigerian diplomat out of the taxi.

As Ichaba tried to make him take a look at his identity, the policeman reportedly dragged him out of the cab, snatched the identity card and tried to destroy it. He then pounced on the Nigerian, slapping, butting and kicking him in the glare of numerous onlookers.

This seemingly unprovoked and malicious assault on a Nigerian diplomat on duty in Equatorial Guinea by a uniformed policeman is no doubt an affront to Nigeria; it is a violation of Mr. Ichaba’s personal rights and a debasement of all the ideals enshrined both in the AU and UN charters on the dignity of the human person. This action is also a violation of the diplomatic immunity accorded diplomats by the Vienna Convention of the UN. In a protest letter to the Equatorial Guinea authorities, against this crude and barbaric act, the Consulate-General of Nigeria in Bata has demanded that

attacks of this nature should stop forthwith. It has also demanded an apology. The letter noted further that “this unfortunate incident demonstrates the unfair treatment that even our nationals receive at the hands of (Equatorial Guinea) policemen and it is now being extended to diplomats…”

We aver that this matter is so grave that mere diplomatic protests and a demand for apologies would not be enough. The Federal Government ought to have immediately made a strong statement by summoning the Equatorial Guinean ambassador to Nigeria and insisted on an open and public apology from his home government. The message must go out clearly that Nigeria would not stand for any affront from any country. That a policeman in uniform would act in such a violent manner that the person was a diplomat or a Nigerian should be a cause for worry for the Nigerian authorities.

In the face of growing xenophobic tendencies especially in the South and Central African parts of the continent, the Nigerian government must spearhead efforts that will lead to conferences and seminars by AU member states against the incipient hate sentiments among the peoples of Africa. Nigeria must show leadership by initiating and leading the campaign to stop hate and violence by Africans against fellow Africans.

Although the harm done Mr Ichaba cannot be undone, the Federal Government should ensure that the Equatorial Guinean authorities pay for the assault.

Lesson from Israel • Jailing its former PM testifies to the power of the rule of law

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HE primacy of the rule of law as against the rule of man is quite sobering, in its fundamental import. The attribute that all men are equal before the law, without the George Orwell’s epitaph in his book, the Animal Farm, to boot: ‘but some are more equal than others’, seems to have played out in Israel last week, when former Prime Minister Ehmud Olmert was jailed for eight months, on charges of receiving bribe, fraudulent conduct and breach of trust. The possibility of jailing such a political stalwart, is a testimony to enduring democracy in Israel, and we commend it.

The former prime minister was also jailed for six years, last year, for receiving bribe over a Jerusalem real estate scandal. In both instances, the disgraced former prime minister, who was ousted in 2009, following bribery allegations, has appealed the sentences. To get at Mr Olmert, his former office manager and confidant, Shula Zaken, became a state witness, after his earlier acquittal, for lack of evidence. At his trial, it was discovered that Olmert got about 600,000dollars from a United States business man, Moris Talansky.

For us, punishment for malfeasance must be blind to political or other privileges, in any nation that lays claim to egalitarian democracy. The current practice in Nigeria where the rule of law is prejudiced by such privileges is unfortunate, and that may explain our state of underdevelopment. In our

country for now, it is perhaps farfetched to expect a former head of government to be called to account, not to talk of being sent to jail. As our experience shows, the trial of several political office holders in the courts has remained more of a circus show, than a sobering encounter with the law.

The Israeli experience of equality of all citizens before the law is common in several other prosperous nations, and it is fundamental to their national success. The primary benefit as can be gleaned is that those who are privileged to preside over the affairs of such states, particularly its resources, understand that they are exercising positions of public trust. Thus, when prudence is the hallmark of public service, the people are the primary beneficiaries, as that translates to improvement in the quality of service. Evidence clearly shows that nations that disregard the rule of law, lack improvement in infrastructure and standard of living.

So, we commend to the new administration in our country, insistence on treating all men equally. As President Muhammadu Buhari stated in his inaugural speech, our courts must wake up to their onerous responsibilities, especially when dealing with cases of corruption and abuse of office. Perhaps as a mark of such re-awakening, all cases of corruption across the country, especially those that have lasted for years, need to be justly brought to a close, within the shortest possible time.

With the assistance of the National Judicial Council, all cases of corruption should be given priority by the judges in our courts.

Again, it is heartening that the president in his address laid emphasis on treating all Nigerians equally, without fear or favour, when he said that he belongs to all, but none in particular.

We therefore expect that every Nigerian, regardless of social status, will thus be accorded the same privileges and liabilities under the law. One thing the new administration must ensure we do away with is expeditious trial for common criminals and prolonged circus show, in the name of trial, for privileged Nigerians. Once Nigerians are put on the same page before the laws of the land, many of our current challenges would be resolved.

‘One thing the new administration must ensure we do away with is expeditious trial for common criminals and prolonged circus show, in the name of trial, for privileged Nigerians. Once Nigerians are put on the same page before the laws of the land, many of our current challenges would be resolved.’

President Buhari: Mission accomplished

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IR: With a sense of awe and trepidation I watched the heart-breaking operations to rescue 33 miners trapped approximately half a mile underground in the main ramp into the San Esteban mine in Northern Chile in August 5 2010. I followed the rescue operations from the beginning to the end and when the last man was evacuated from that miraculous encounter that got millions all over the world prayerfully hooked to their TVs, I saw a sign placed inside the mine with an inscription: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED I waited like a patient dog to see the man of destiny, General Buhari mount the throne before writing this piece. I waited and waited to see the end of this drama which many thought it will never become a reality even after winning the election fair and square on March 28. I waited to see Buhari’s triumphant entry into Aso Rock to begin the process of rebuilding Nigeria. I waited to put these words down:MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Supporters of former President Jonathan never believed that an incumbent will lose elections in Nigeria. They never believed that General Buhari will beat Jonathan with all the powers at his disposal. When the former President was roundly defeated on March 28, they still believed that he may not be sworn in as President on May 29.

President Buhari is easily the most prepared president for this great job. Former President Shagari just wanted to be a senator but the scavengers pushed him to settle for the Presidency.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo never prepared to be the President whether in the military or in the civilian dispensation. The death of General Murtala Mohammed in 1976 paved way for him to reluctantly mount the saddle. In 1999, Obasanjo came out of the prison to mount the throne when nobody including himself expected it. For four years, he did not know what to do with power. The late President Umaru Yar’ Adua was never prepared also to take on Nigeria. The frail and sick man was persuaded by President Obasanjo to pick the ticket. Former President Goodluck Jonathan followed the same trajectory.

He became deputy governor, governor, vice president and later president unprepared after Yar’Adua died. Today we are living witnesses to the outcome of these costly mistakes and where it has left our dear country.

Last Friday, President Buhari defied all logic and permutations in Nigeria and created huge history for historians, academics and bookmakers. His tenacity, resilience, courage, determination, consistency, doggedness and strength have made his emergence a case study in the academic world especially, the students of political science.

Buhari has said that he belongs to everybody and belongs to nobody. Those who are still weeping should wipe away their tears and embrace President Buhari. He is a man of destiny and I know there is finger of God in this historical emergence.

This is president Buhari and it is mission accomplished.

• Joe Igbokwe Lagos

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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Will the passage of the old era mark the end of new vocabularies in political phraseology? The lexicology, in the passing era, is legion: impunity, clueless, and of course we are reminded that corruption has impeded development and progress. All of us are judges. Leaders in the dock!

The easiest thing that we can do is to accuse the past of perfidy; unrighteousness falsehood as we put the symbols of the past, these leaders, on the scale.

In Enugu, where Gov. Sullivan Chime ruled, there is commotion in the three arms of government of the state – executive versus legislature and judiciary. There is also rampage as his agents invade remaining parcels of land in the state capital, including one of a landmark, the International Conference Center, initiated by his predecessor Sen. Chimaroke Nnamani, There is also the parcelation of the legislative garden in the three arm zone by the departing government for shopping malls.

There is also battle between Chime and 15-member majority house of assembly to account for

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Enugu: End of perfidy, now work! governor’s financial recklessness especially at the twilight of the government. Chime in reaction had used ungubernatorial remarks, “stupid, foolish and the like impolite and gutter language to rebuff the legislators’ late inquisition.

These were not moments for laughter. But why did the once-accomplices parted? We can only guess, the truth is that the superior authority may compel disclosure.

The gods in the dock!

Pity the governor-elect, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, even as he intervened asking the gladiators to sheath their swords and go in peace.

The Governor-elect may be acting as an arbiter who wants the sinners to either go to confession and seek for penance for their trans-

Watching while supporting

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IR: But for former President Goodluck Jonathan’s display of courage, Nigeria would have boiled after the presidential elections.

I give kudos to Jonathan for his statesmanship decision and wish him good luck in his future endeavours.

Now, President Muhammadu Buhari has taken over the mantle of leadership. He is saddled with the responsibilities of steering the affairs of the strongest black nation in the universe for the next four years. He is to lead Africa’s largest economy and world’s most populous black nation till 2019. But the question is; will he lead us right?

The answer to this question will be determined by the way Buhari applies his leadership abilities. He made lots of promises during his campaign and now, it is time to test his ability and

integrity.

Buhari, among other things, said; he would exterminate Boko Haram and ensure the security of lives and properties of the Nigerian people.

The people’s general promised to create three million jobs annually for the people. He also said, in almost an uncountable number of times, that, he will give corruption a good fight.

The aforementioned are just few of Buhari’s promises. How far can his change agenda go? Let’s watch while we give him our support.

Congratulations to President Mohammed Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo. I wish them a successful tenure.

• Jamiu Idowu Esho Eruwa, Oyo state

gression or wait for the EFCC to take over and ask the accused to account for the allegations against them. He knows that the stable is filthy but may be trapped in good conscience not to be seen to raise alarm, otherwise he maybe seen as having uncauterised heart against a benefactor. Maybe he seems to discourage anything that would abort smooth transition of Gov Chime’s to his, even as the out – going government made him a doll: he neither had input in the state’s Transition Committee membership nor is he willing to condemn Gov Chime’s alleged last minute dubious loan, loan that observers believe will incapacitate succeeding administration.

Following these, and inpite of his pre-nomination and election appealing profile, there are doubts over his ability to assert his personality as the state’s chief steward. His clan, Enugu North Senatorial District, predominantly Nsukkas, is on the edge, feeling that the governor-elect is in the grips of Gov. Sullivan Chime and by extension the Nsukkas are likely to be the Agbaja and Nkanu vassals.

But Ugwuanyi may speak differently: a good hound is like a good gardener – patience. This may account for why he has raised no objection to the ‘insults’ Gov. Chime inflicted on him, not even the imposition of persons as key officers of the in-coming govern-

ment at a resort in far-away China a fortnight ago.

There seems to be no disquiet in Ugwuanyi’s camp, however, as shadow officers do not fear any possible editing of their members or outright rejection at the instance of the outgoing governor as a godfather.

Will the impunity continue or will the Governor –elect yank off the chain and find his bearing? Will he reel in the perfidy of the past or go out and honour his oath of office, work and show the difference?

As a successful businessman before he got into politics in 1999, he may rely on insight of achievement to build a stronger Enugu State. He was once quoted as having said, ‘ you do not go to occupy the gubernatorial seat unprepared’, insisting that he was prepared for the job ahead. This may soothe the worry of those who hang around and who fear a mid-day coup against them.

• Elder Onovo-Agu, Atakwu Akagbe, Enugu State

President Buhari, Donald Duke is not your friend

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IR: In a newspaper published on May 30, former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke claims that his relationship with President Buhari has always been ‘cordial’. There is nothing wrong with name-dropping, but in this case, as it turned out, Duke flatly lied.

In a public speech he made in Calabar in 2006 when he first indicated his interest in running for President, Donald Duke called Buhari “an uneducated autocrat now masquerading as a democrat”. He went on to say many other unsavory things against Buhari going as far as calling him “a rank Northern champion”. So, how can a man who spewed these vituperations barely a decade ago now turn around to claim that Buhari is his friend?

Some people might wonder what

my business is with Donald Duke faking cordial relations with Buhari. Well, my business is this: I am sick and tired of politicians I used to respect suddenly turning full circle to make a mockery of themselves just because they now crave appointment or relevance from Buhari.

Donald Duke has not failed to disappoint since he left office and felt left out in the cold. For the past few years, if Duke was not clandestinely working against Jonathan for refusing to make him Minister, he was attacking his successor, Liyel Imoke for all kinds of petty reasons. And now this: He has turned to claiming cordiality with a Buhari he was known to have bashed mercilessly in the past.

What will he soon call Buhari if he fails to pick a ministerial slot?

Since Buhari won, we have seen plenty of those, from some who are fisting to decamp, and now to the others like Duke who claim false friendships with Buhari. And as if that’s not enough, this same Donald Duke has been saying unprintable things about Jonathan lately. And to think that he also claimed in the past to be one of Jonathan’s best friends. It’s such a shame and so sad that Duke has come to this sorry pass.

President Buhari, Donald Duke is not your friend. Remember that he was also Jonathan’s friend, and a friend to a whole lot of other people he today makes a business of defaming, and otherwise attacking mercilessly.

•Dr Sullivan Odumegwu sodumegwu@yahoo.com

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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have been radically different ROM flag independence in 1960, for the better? Legitimate Nigeria has been plagued by a conjecture, there! series of false steps — the wrong Even with the re-advent of set of people taking over affairs at democracy in 1979, it was crucial junctures. another tale of unprepared Is that about to change? leadership. All Alhaji Shehu In a multi-national, multi-cultural Shagari wanted was to be a state like Nigeria, history is often laced senator. But the reluctant with ethnic pride, rationalisations and politician would end up the justifications. So facts, notorious facts, Olakunle first and only president of that appear to become first and grand lordbeek1@gmail.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola republic, of four years and victims. three months.

Still, some hardy facts manage to shine But President Shagari was through. only, back then, the last in a At independence, at least in popularrelay of reluctant leaders: Gen. speak, the South fought more for Yakubu Gowon became head independence. But the North, with of state after the counter-coup of 29 July 1966, not because he conspiratorial, if not outright subversive, nudge from the Obafemi Awolowo, on the other hand, made his own push departing British, gained power. led the putsch but because he was the most senior — and for the Yoruba worldview as the dominant ethos. Awo’s That, of course, was the simple “truth” from the surface. push came from his well articulated doctrine of cultural most likely acceptable — Northern officer around.

But it was far more complex.

Before President Shagari, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo had, after federalism, in which he pushed the tongue as a potent force The British were loath to quit Nigeria. They were even for development; and called for Nigeria’s three regions to be Murtala Muhammad’s assassination, taken over, as another more loath to hand over to a set of radical and irreverent reluctant leader, “against my wish and personal desire”. But further pared into “states”, with minority blocs, in all regions, successors who, with dispatch, would render them absolutely balancing out the majorities’.

Alhaji Shagari’s 2nd Republic failure would unleash a more irrelevant to their old dominion. The South rippled with virulent strain of military rule (1984-1999) which ironically, So, he argued, independent Nigeria should be carved into such. For a foothold on independent Nigeria, therefore, they cultural blocs as states; and each area should leverage on its Muhammadu Buhari, new elected president, pioneered. found the North’s “reverential advocacy” most appealing.

With Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and the late Sani Abacha, the tongue and cultural affinity to develop its own area — and The North, at a disadvantage almost on every count on the military-in-power would drag both itself and Nigeria to the may the best bloc, equal-opportunity wise, push its magic to development index, was scared stiff of southern domination. the centre, so other Nigerians could drink from its very nadir: between them, IBB and Abacha annulled Nigeria’s With the South sneering at the North’s laggardness in western freest and fairest election ever on 12 June 1993; and ensured developmental genius. That was clear from his trend-setting education despite its Arabic and Quranic scholarship, only government in the old Western Region; and his attempt to that the winner, Moshood Abiola, exercised his mandate in political power would give it life in independent Nigeria. gaol — before dramatically dying in detention, for winning move to the centre to replicate those development wonders.

Also, only a skewed political geography, of the Northern So, Nigeria at independence lacked a Kwame Nkrumah of a free election.

Region bigger than its two co-federating units, Eastern and Even the return of the current season of democracy, in 1999, Ghana, a Julius Nyerere of Tanganyika (later Tanzania) or Western regions, would sustain that power. So, quid-pro-quo, was marked by an Obasanjo theatrics of “reluctance”: “How even a Sekou Toure of Guinea, forceful characters that the North and Britain cozied up to a sweetheart deal: power approximated, for good or for ill, the collective vision of a many presidents do you want to make out of me?” he asked to the North, in exchange for continued relevance to Britain his lobbyists, with the body language of the great Julius Caesar new nation-state. in independent Nigeria.

At that crucial start, it lacked a Zik that had the panache, an who, though his whole sinews rippled to grab the Roman But the South, to paraphrase Thomas Hardy in Tess of the crown, still rejected the offer.

Awo that had the rigour or even an Aminu Kano that typified d’Ubervilles, was far from being sinned against than sinning. the talakawas (common masses). All it had was Abubakar Eventually, Obasanjo didn’t. But see where the 16 years he Nnamdi Azikiwe, acclaimed father of Nigerian nationalism pioneered, as first president of the 4th Republic, has led the Tafawa-Balewa, he of the golden voice and reported even after Herbert Macaulay, would appear not averse to shaping country — its knees; with his estranged protégé, former temper. But even he was viceroy to Sir Ahmadu Bello, the independent Nigeria in his own worldview. In a 1948 speech powerful northern leader, bent — not without good reasons President Goodluck Jonathan, almost supervising a total at the Ibo State Union gathering in Lagos, Dr. Azikiwe — on keeping the rude southern barbarians from his idyllic collapse. declared the gods of Africa had destined the Ibo to lead. realm.

So, will the second coming of Muhammadu Buhari — only To be fair, Zik made this statement in the context of ethnic the second after Obasanjo to rule Nigeria as both military That false start had been replicated at every crucial juncture, solidarity and romanticisation, not necessarily in bad faith. since the collapse of the 1st Republic (1960-1966). But if the 1st head of state and elected president — veer from this perennial Still, though Zik was born in the North, schooled in the United curse of false steps, and for once be the long-awaited blessing Republic continues to be the reference point in development, States and was well and truly cosmopolitan, the Igbo culture for long-suffering Nigerians? it is simply due to two reasons: the apogee of regional was the only one he knew. It was a crucial mark of identity, federalism; and the progressive rot, for most part of corrective For one, Buhari is no reluctant leader. He chased power for in an emergent state of conflicting and competing cultures. (which turned out, defective) military rule.

12 years, and only got it at his fourth try. It is, therefore, his bounden and patriotic duty that Nigeria veers from that After the first military coup of 15 January 1966, Chukwuma perennial curse.

Nzeogwu and co that plotted that putsch were not the ones ‘Will the second coming of that gained power. Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, a conservative But the time to make that clean break is now, at the very beginning. That is why the Buhari government must hit the was chief beneficiary of a radical coup — another Muhammadu Buhari veer from this general, ground running — in the right direction! critical failure at a crucial juncture. perennial curse of false steps?’

If Nzegwu and co had gained power, would Nigeria’s story Anything contrary is just too grim to contemplate.

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epublican ipples

Nigeria and the snag of false steps

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UCH as I am a fervent believer in the principle that which concerns one should come last, certain developments within the last two weeks in my home state of Kogi have made it necessary to as it were – return to base so soon after my piece on the deplorable state of the roads and how it has fostered in the current siege by hoodlums and terrorists.

The first is the reported abduction of a Kogi High Court Judge, Samuel Obayomi by gunmen. The judge, said to be on his way to work was, according to reports, accosted by the gunmen who ordered him, his driver, Ajayi Kolawole and orderly Usman Musa, to lie face-down; they then shot the orderly dead. The incident is said to have taken place in front of the Executive Guest Villa at Okene GRA in the Okene Local Government Area. Although his abductors are said to have demanded N150 million in ransom, the judge’s whereabouts remains unknown.

As if the early morning abduction of a judicial officer is not ominous enough, barely a week after, it would be the turn of a serving commissioner in the Idris Wada administration, Stephen Maiyaki. The commissioner, who holds the Lands and Housing portfolio in the state executive council, was reportedly kidnapped by about six people at about 8.30 a.m. in his farm at Osara in Adavi Local Government Area on Sunday.

Ordinarily, it might seem unsettling that the two events came within days of the setting up of a special antikidnapping squad by the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, following the noticeable resurgence of kidnapping in the two neighbouring states of Kogi and Ekiti.

The reality however is that this is how things have always been. Not only have hapless citizens learnt to live under the throes of insecurity, theirs is a classic case of double jeopardy in the hand of their absentee government!

Much as I hate to say this, the truth is that if ever there was a state where thinking stopped a long time ago, it must be Kogi. Yes, Kogi – my dear state is in full flight to regression!

Evidences abound. From the state capital looking more like a glorified village – with its sprawling beach-fronts looking like more like a marsh-land that have just suffered massive oil spills – which an acute sense of beauty and planning could have transformed to a world class tourist resort. Do I talk of the vast sleepy country-sides that seems a mere whiff from pre-history? From East to West, the evidence is one of no thinking! It does not matter whether the issue is the state bureaucracy – the inert public service that is at best a haven for indolents; the local government where teachers are treated as orphans and where what is left of school infrastructures have since collapsed; all across the state, you are left to wonder if locusts have taken permanent

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

Cry, the beloved Kogi residence!

I hate to talk about the roads. Last year, I wrote on this page a piece with the title Nigeria’s most dangerous road! In it, I tried to capture the living reality the state of the arterial roads traversing the Western axis of the state – particularly the Ilorin-Kabba-Lokoja, Lokoja- Obajana-Kabba roads. That was when the marauding Bororo Fulani-herdsmen ruled the highways with their deadly order firmly in place; then, armed gangs routinely sacked banks and other artefacts of modern governance with policemen taking to the heels on their approach!

The hapless citizens thought they had seen the worst - then.

In February, a new police helmsman Adeyemi Samuel Ogunjemilusi came into town with a bag full of promises.

Among others, he promised to tackle the issue kidnapping and the incessant Fulani\farmers clashes. He also spoke of the incessant armed robberies along the Lokoja-OkeneOkpella and other major roads. Four months after, the kidnappers have not only relocated their capital to the state, their armed kiths – herdsmen and robbers – are having a field day unleashing their reign of terror unchallenged! To imagine that this is happening in a state where the capital plays host to a military garrison!

Why is the state so unblest?

Once upon a time, we had a Prince Abubakar Audu as governor. A charming prince with sartorial sense and extremely good taste, his problem was attempting to play the monarch in a democratic setting. Yes, Audu loved to play god – enjoyed the fawning adulation of his horde of courtiers – but then, he also built roads, refurbished schools and medical facilities; recall that he even gave the state a

university which he named after himself! With the benefit of hindsight, I would wager that the man gave meaning to governance – far more than any of the wayfarers that have mounted the saddle in the state! I have heard that his undoing was his attempt to treat citizens as subjects!

Ibrahim Idris – Ibro was however of a different class. Of modest intellect by any standards, he was clearly a disaster as far as governance is concerned. He had neither a sense of justice nor an understanding of what it meant to government a complex, heterogeneous state like Kogi. A carpenter by profession, he apparently saw everything about governance within the prism of wood and nails – the result of which is the unprecedented experience of regression despite massive inflow of funds.

Whither Idris Wada? For an individual known to be permanently on the move, shuttling between Abuja and Lokoja, it does seem to me that not much is known about the Pilot-Governor by residents of the state capital let alone the citizens over whom he governs! Those who should know have whispered their fears about a governor, who has neither the stomach for the humdrum of governance, nor capacity for the office and yet insists on carrying on all the same.

Does anyone still wonder why the state is in such a sorry state that it has found itself? It’s hard to find kind words for a leader under whom the state has since regressed to a Hobbesian State of Nature!

The man Wada, like the state over which he pretends to preside, needs help. While the state needs rescuing from the siege of the terrorists; the governor needs to be relieved of the unwanted burden of office. Seriously, the people need to be delivered from the clueless, indifferent administration holding them hostage.

Can anyone imagine the state under the current leadership for another four years? That would be worse than disaster!

‘The man Wada, like the state over which he pretends to preside, needs help. While the state needs rescuing from the siege of the terrorists; the governor needs to be relieved of the unwanted burden of office.

Seriously, the people need to be delivered from the clueless, indifferent administration holding them hostage’

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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HE state of decay and human misery we find our country in today can be attributed to cumulative years of conflict and violence. Every part of Nigeria has now had its own share of violence and brutal killings. It started in the early 1960’s in the South West, as brother turned against brother, in the fierce battle for political supremacy.

This was followed in the mid 1960’s, when all hell was unleashed on the Igbo ethnic stock, in a collective effort by other ethnic groups in Nigeria, as a result of their perceived dominance in government and business. These perceptions culminated in the three-year civil war. This war decimated the collective psyche of Ndigbo and continues to hamper their psychological re-emergence in the political affairs of Nigeria.

The violence moved to the North Central, compounding the already delicate ethnic dissensions. The Maitatsine upheaval in the 1980’s brought economic activities in the North Central to a standstill and caused the untimely deaths of thousands of people. Despite the judicial inquiry into it and the far reaching recommendations made, reparations were not made to heal the physical and psychological wounds. The very young of those violent years, traumatized by the visuals of murder and extreme religious thoughts are adults today, bearing the scars of those events, with their distorted perception of society buried deep within them.

Further on, in the 1990’s, the Niger Delta violence emerged as a new type of guerilla war fare that threatened the livelihood and existence of the nation. Years of deprivation and oppression of the Delta region, despite their many years of peaceful agitation for a fair share of development, as the entitled region that mills the black gold for Nigeria’s prosperity, finally propelled them to a different strategy of violent agitation. The instability and loss of income compelled the

‘The pain and violence has gone full circle, stopping at the door of each ethnic group. It is time to stop this cycle and start to build a true nation nation where pain for one is pain for all’

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FTER the May 29 inauguration festivities., it’s expected that our new President, Muhammadu Buhari is up at work right now, sifting through the paperwork plucked out by the just past administration. We expect enhanced and prompt work ethics, a clear and urgent regime of administrative procedures; a stubborn devotion to tough actions; a relentless cleansing of our filthy institutions...and so on and so forth - because the helmsman is the last man in the office, and the first to arrive; because he wakes up early to listen to news (what the world is saying, apart from what is being fed him). Well, that is what we believe.

As he has said repeatedly, so much is riding on Muhammadu Buhari’s second coming in the hearts of ordinary Nigerian people. The expectations that their lives and that of their children will change for better are quite high. What he has not said repeatedly is the cause: the psyche of the Nigerian people has been thoroughly bashed and marched by wrong-headed actions, lousy lifestyles and insensitive statements of past administrations that we now throw a song and dance when elected officials stress themselves to do the simplest things we voted them to do. We hail them when they build roads and bridges (as we were expanding a village); we dance when they commission a complex of shops and renovate a thriving market.

Our people have been so severely traumatised that we rejoice when we see electricity for four hours in four days! “At all at all na him bad” has become our wailing defence of our leaders’ mediocrity and lack of vision.

It is always convenient for the critic to lay into our perennial national woes and boundless energy in pauperizing our people in spite of our embarrassment of riches. We never get tired of telling sick

Breaking the cycle of pain

By Loretta Aniagolu nation to succumb to a handsome reward to the guerillas and the number one political seat in the Nation. However, the ripples of those violent years, combined with the dearth of development in the region, created a hollowness that the cash largesse to a select few did little to assuage. Rather, it reinforced resentment, as the majority of the region were not imbued with life skills or better living conditions. The people are still left backward, physically and psychologically damaged from both the years of violence and the warped reparation made, through cash incentives, devoid of real development.

While Nigeria was yet to recover from the consequences of various forms of violence on these regions, the violence moved to the North East, in a more brutal and insensitive version of religious extremism in the Boko Haram movement. This extremist teaching resonated with the long suffering, angry, illiterate and unemployed northern youth.

These youth, who are literally invisible to the welfare statistics of the country, existing in a sort of societal oblivion, suddenly found distorted hope and relevance, within the group that cherishes, empowers and respects them and offers them a semblance of a family, however warped or distorted. The brutal killings, rape and mayhem continue as the rest of the de-sensitized country, appears to carry on normally, almost oblivious to the continuous bloodletting going on.

Regrettably, the cumulative subconscious effect of these years of violence on our collective psyche is a Nigeria, where literally, the Law of the Jungle (survival of the fittest) prevails: a fractured country, burdened with the consequences of years of greed, negative ethnicity, maladministration, corruption, mediocrity, inequity and injustice. Those are the results of our collective reaction from struggling to survive in one way or the other, from violent deprivation. The years of violence have produced Nigerians that are abusive to their own brethren and the nation at large; Nigerians with a damaged collective psyche that have lost all sense of nationhood, which was our initial course at independence; The civil Nigerian, who cared for fellow citi-

zens at independence is lost in the current version that seeks only for self. How did we let our collective mission to be defined in this cycle of pain: violence from one group being inflicted on the other, eliciting revenge and bringing back pain on one another and on our beloved country? How did we end up with Nigerians rife with wickedness, that even her very young are already exposed to violence, such that by their teenage years, they are insensitive and immune to empathy, ensuring a future generation that would reinforce this negative cycle?

This cycle has given birth to our present state of the nation, where there are deep divisions and inequality on all fronts: While the majority literally scratch the earth to make a decent living, the privileged few and their cronies, many of whom are supposed to be political representatives of their people, have dubiously and unabashedly appropriated the commonwealth of the people. The usual pride of success and wealth, derived from the genuine dint of hard work, with the experience and decorum that it commands, are lost in this system, where the speed of overnight riches can only be compared to the spoils of robbery, lottery or gambling. This is the negative message of the end justifies the means, sent to the youth, which further compounds their already fragile psychological disposition.

It is important to note that despite the riches, opulence and subversive powers of the few, they too, are also in deep pain, inadvertently manifested in the fear and paranoia that they exhibit - terrified for their lives as they are cradled in the arms of gun totting security men – prisoners in their self-made cages of affluence! Interestingly, they are oblivious of their tragic circumstances, as they misread their situations as the necessary theatre for the exhibition of their illgotten wealth, power and influence.

Between the dubiously rich and the scrounging poor, both are the products of a violent society that has lost its sensitivity and sensibilities. People walk past dead bodies and watch numerous killings on the news, over a sumptuous family dinner, drinks or vibrant conversation, without any empathy or sympathy. It is therefore, no surprise that the

people that emerge for political leadership, have also been bruised and desensitized from this twisted and warped system, making them have little or no consideration for those who have entrusted them with the management of their common wealth.

It is based on the above background that the chant for “Change” in the last elections resonated with most Nigerians. It had become clear to many that maintaining the existing status quo was going to eventually lead us to the path of a failed state. We are lucky to have this jolt of awakening, which must be managed well to bring us back on the path of real progress. The “Change” we seek must therefore not only be delivered in real, physical terms, but it must also include a complete psychological overhaul of the way we think and see one another. This “Change” must produce the rebirth of Nigeria where we understand the true meaning and privilege of citizenship and nationhood.

I believe that Nigeria’s ‘rejuvenation’ has commenced with these last elections, which despite their imperfections, for the first time in my lifetime, were indicative of the will of the people. The numbers may not have truly reflected the actual voting statistics, but in most places, the results were a reflection of the true desires of the majority of the citizens. Furthermore, the awareness has been created in the minds of majority of the youth, who are learning that the power in a democracy rests in the hands of the majority.

The pain and violence has gone full circle, stopping at the door of each ethnic group. It is time to stop this cycle and start to build a true nation nation where pain for one is pain for all; a nation where we have a level playing field to allow for effective competition to throw up our best and brightest to appointments and employment; where if one fails to win today, it is taken in good faith and proper preparations will be made for better contest for the next time.

A nation where we educate each child, each citizen, ensuring international best practices and standards; where we recognize that the backwardness of any section is to the detriment of all others; a nation where we develop every part at the pace that enhances their contribution to the overall development; where each citizen can, live and work wherever he or she chooses, without any fear of discrimination; and where love transcends all, and our differences enrich us, rather than divide us…

Now, it’s the day after!

By Femi Akintunde-Johnson stories of our repeated struggles with unending failures in leadership succession.

The circle of self-oppression has been so vicious that ordinary folks turn on each other, snatching whatever they can from the weaker ones. We have all lost it so much that some don’t care whether they die while aggressively thrashing all that their religions warn them about afterlife and hellfire. The common joke is that what we are living with here in Nigeria cannot be much worse than hell anyway. Well, perpetuation of wickedness (either from the leadership cadre or amongst the teeming followership) cannot be an excuse for survival. They push us down (perhaps because we mistake them for leaders), but we choose to stay in the mud on our own accord. People who made great nations didn’t have it on a platter of gold, or with stars guiding their efforts. No. They rose from the same mud as we are now, and clawed their ways to greatness, first in their individual capacity, and thereafter corporately. While at it, they insisted their leaders live by the same dictates and toiling that confronted them. They chose to conduct themselves and their businesses with integrity, fair-mindedness, shrewdness and self-discipline. Without an exception, they held a healthy fear of a Supreme Being whose pleasure they craved while doing thing right and proper. Call it what you may, these nation builders were no saints; they didn’t always get it right; even in retrospect some of their actions might be defined as bigotry, inhuman, self-serv-

ing, churlish, etc. In their bumbling trek to greatness, they could not be charged with docility, cowardice, frivolity, profligacy, etc.

As the new leader said in his gruelling English: “We have an opportunity, let us take it”. President Buhari has shown a resolve to turn his back on the woes of our past and the fabricators of our anguish in a colourful turn of phrase, he calls all that folly “the past is prologue”. So, let’s begin to write new chapters and fresh pages in rebuilding our nation. Let us as family units decide, like Daniel did when he found himself at the King’s succulent table while in Babylonian captivity. Let us tighten our belt, ignore the enticing lure of quick fixes and fast money, and plug our mindset into doing things right and proper... Dragging ourselves away from past deals that contributed to ruining this nation, and reverse tendencies and indulgences that needlessly gulp our finances and energies. When we seek after the common good; when we open up our hands to help and inspire others; when we desire

that nothing corrupt or improper would be seen or found in our lives and conduct; when we look beyond immediate or clannish gains and perks...when we do the right things which deep in our hearts are as clear as the November Sun; then we can justifiably expect no less from those who lead us.

We, the led and the leading, will have seized this latest opportunity to make our country stand strong and proud; her citizens well fed and protected; her children bubbling with great ideas and enterprise; her women building great homes and wonderful institutions; her men building strong structures and doing great exploits at home and abroad. In no time, the world will see the works of our hands, and give the glory to the Almighty God that we all serve in different tongues and tablets. That will be a great nation indeed.

May He bless our President, our Nation and our People.

• Akintunde-Johnson, a journalist writes from Lagos

When we seek after the common good; when we open up our hands to help and inspire others; when we desire that nothing corrupt or improper would be seen or found in our lives and conduct; when we look beyond immediate or clannish gains and perks...when we do the right things which deep in our hearts are as clear as the November Sun; then we can justifiably expect no less from those who lead us.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 02, 2015

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TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

25 agenda for decentralising the judiciary should ’beAnquickly put in place. State or Regional Courts

of Appeal and Supreme Courts should be allowed to flourish and decide cases to finality within their different spheres, zones and regions

’

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

See page 26

In his inaugural speech last Friday, President Muhammadu Buhari spoke of judicial reform to allow for the swift dispensation of corruption-related cases. In this report, ERIC IKHILAE identifies key areas that could be tinkered with to allow for the planned reform.

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INSIDE:

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, in his inaugural speech last Friday, spoke of reforms in some critical institutions, including the Judiciary.

Many Nigerians support him.

They believe that the Judiciary should be overhauled to ensure, among others, swift dispensation of justice, a major prerequisite for the success of the administration’s pledge to tackle corruption.

Although there have been attempts to reform the Judiciary, the third arm of government is still battling with challenges ranging from autonomy, institutional defects, a faulty appointment process to poor funding.

There is also the problem of archaic laws and procedural rules, requiring prompt attention.

Observers contend that any judicial reform must first begin with cleansing of the court system to eliminate bad eggs. They argue that corruption must be tackled for any reform initiative to be meaningful.

They note that judicial officers pay little regard to their code of conduct and ethics, part of which informed the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Mahmud Mohammed’s scathing remarks about judges, who write books and launch them while in service.

The CJN said it was “regrettable to note that some petitions received at the National Judicial Council (NJC) were written in respect of books launched by or on behalf of Heads of Court and being attended by litigants in their courts, who have also acted as chief launchers or indeed guests of honour on the occasion.

“Judges must understand that by launching such books while in service, they potentially submit themselves to the publishers and the so called launchers, while opening themselves up to allegations of corruption.

“It is now clear, judging from the public’s reaction to these book launches and the resultant negative media coverage of same, that our ability to be impartial and indeed honest in our judgments, is now regarded with scepticism.”

Observers said it is not enough for the CJN to condemn such conduct among judges, and that he should penalise those found wanting.

They argued that President Buhari’s pledge to ensure independence for the Judiciary within the context of the principle of separation of power must include financial independence as provided in the Constitution. This, they said, would enable the Judiciary provide for its needs, including prompt payment of salaries and other entitlements, procurement of necessary tools, the employment of qualified support staff and continuous training for

Salami, Ogunde, others urge lawyers to champion cause of society -Page 27

‘How Buhari can cleanse Judiciary’ judges and other court’s personnel.

The continued retention of old laws in the nation’s statute books has to a greater extent impeded the effective operation of the court because they no longer meet today’s requirements. Where, for instance, the penalties for some offences are no longer adequate, the judge is mostly helpless. This problem can only be solved with a review of the laws to bring them to term with current realities.

In line with the CJN’s announcement on May 14, this year of a new

procedure for judges’appointment, observers have also called for a continues review of the procedure to ensure that the Bench is populated with men and women of great learning and integrity, who are committed to ensuring justice even though the heavens may fall.

According to the CJN the new procedure, as contained in the 2014 Revised National Judicial Council (NJC) Guidelines and Procedural ýRules for the Appointment of Judicial Officers of All Superior Courts of Record in Nigeria, “will

Legal framework for prevention of terrorism -Page 37

ensure that only fit and proper persons and the most intellectually astute, morally sound, meritorious and deserving candidates were appointed as judges”.

Observers have also suggested that institutional reform in the Judiciary should extend to the review of the membership of the NJC, particularly as it relates its headship by the CJN and its membership comprising mostly of serving judge. They argued that the CJN, as a serving judge, whose conduct is subject to the supervision of the

NJC, should not be made to head the NJC, which has the responsibility to scrutinise the conduct of the CJN. They suggested that where the head and membership of the NJC were made up of retired judicial officers and complemented by notable lawyers of integrity, it would ensure an unbiased supervision of judicial activities by the NJC, This, they argued, would prevent a recurrence of the 2011 crisis between the then CJN, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu (retired) and then President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Isa Ayo Salami (rtd), which was taken before the NJC headed

by CJN. Lawyers, in also reacting to the President’s observation about the need for judicial reform, have equally identified areas requiring urgent attention in the Judiciary. They include President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Augustine Alegeh (SAN) and two of his predecessors, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

Others include Sebastine Hon (SAN), Mahmud Magaji (SAN) and Ade Adedeji.

Alegeh, in a statement on May 29, this year said the NBA expects the new administration to set out as part of its agenda, the amendment and reformation of Nigerian laws to make them meet present day challenges.

“Government policies must be backed by law and to actualise the desired change agenda, there must be reformation of our Laws to give legal backing to the change agenda. The NBA offers its unflinching support to the administration in the exercise of amending, reforming and update of Nigerian laws,” he said.

Olanipekun said the needed judicial review must begin with ensuring the independence of the judiciary, then move on to sanitising the judicial sphere.

He said his call for the sanitisation of the sector does not amount to a call for the government to pocket the judiciary.

The former NBA President, at a reception in Lagos in honour of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), said the Judiciary must be respected and recognised as an independent arm of government, just like the Executive and Legislature, because it is not and never inferior to either of the two.

“Part of sanitising the judiciary entails proper funding and making it self-financing. Thank God for majority of our Judges who shun corruption like a plague, and who would deliver judgments based on facts and law and not on extenuating •Continued on page 26

Great expectations from Buhari, Osinbajo -Page 39

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

26

LAW COVER CONT’D ‘It’s illegal to arrest relatives of suspects’

By Adebisi Onanuga

A

• Alegeh

• Hon

• Olanipekun

• Magaji

• Akeredolu

• Adedeji

‘How Buhari can cleanse Judiciary’ •Continued from page 27

over-bearings or influences.

“However, my take has always been that a single bad egg can and will always give our judiciary a bad name, and stigmatise the vast majority of excellent judges. Thus, the few bad eggs, when and where identified, should be shown the way out, while more thorough and painstaking efforts should be put in place at appointing new judges.

The judiciary itself, through some of our serving judges should stop the fanfare of randomly issuing ex-parte orders of injunction against the National Judicial Council (NJC) in the performance of its constitutionally assigned duty of putting machineries in motion at disciplining erring judges, as this practice has virtually crippled the council.

The Judiciary has been constitutionally ‘unitarised’. This is unfair and unjust. An agenda for decentralising the judiciary should be quickly put in place. State or Regional Courts of Appeal and Supreme Courts should be allowed to flourish and decide cases to finality within their different spheres, zones and regions. ‘’The Federal Government has no business establishing a federal judiciary to handle state matters, whether criminal or civil,” Olanipekun said.

Akeredolu, who spoke in an interview shortly after the President’s inauguration in Abuja, said the President’s pledge to ensure the independence of the Judiciary was welcome, saying the country’s Judiciary needs free hand to operate. He urged the President to put in place the necessary mechanism for the reformation of the Judiciary.

Hon advocated the need for any reform in the Judiciary to commence with statutory and constitutional amendments that will put the Judiciary on a good pedestal. This, he said, is because the nation has archaic laws that im-

pede the process of litigation and due process of law.

He also suggested a review of the procedure for the appointment of judges. “They will do well, especially for the appellate court, to be appointing lawyers from private practice and intermingling them with judges from the lower courts. This will allow for a find blend of people from outside and people from within, because we have had such experience before, and it produced fine result.

“There should be true independence for the Judiciary, particularly on the issue of finding. If there is no financial independence, then, we are only being academic on this issue of reform. They should discipline erring judges with dispatch. This is because it is no more a hidden fact that there is corruption in the judiciary and among judicial officers. So, they should discipline judges, who are found wanting with dispatch,” Hon said.

‘They should discipline erring judges with dispatch. This is because it is no more a hidden fact that there is corruption in the judiciary and among judicial officers. So, they should discipline judges, who are found wanting with dispatch’

Magaji, who is concerned about the need to ensure prompt conclusion of corruption-related cases, argued: “If we are to make headway in the fight against corruption, some courts should be dedicated to treating corruption related cases. And in doing that, the head of that court can devise a means, like the practice direction, to aid the quick dispensation of justice. That, I think should be the best approach.”

Adedeji argued that despite the President’s urge for reform in the judiciary, such could only be effected internally, with the Executive only making recommendations and playing some roles in law reforms, but not to be involved in the reform of the Judiciary as an arm of government.

He said the President could only achieve his aim if he is able to win the support of those within Judiciary, who possess the power to effect the needed changes.

“If Mr. President is talking about encouraging independence of the Judiciary and Separation of Powers, it will amount to conflict in terms, if at the same time he is talking of reform in the Judiciary. If the Judiciary is to be reformed, it can only be reformed by those people within the Judiciary.

“I believe the President was just being a politician. I do not believe that, as the President of this nation, he can reform the Judiciary and yet, to a great extent, encourage Separation of Power and the independence of the Judiciary. But he is not properly positioned to actually reform the Judiciary.

“Why I say the President’s suggestion of reform in the Judiciary is a contradiction is term, is that it is not his primary responsibility to reform the Judiciary. He cannot interfere in the internal affairs of the Judiciary for the purpose of reforming it,” Adedeji said.

HUMAN rights group, Access to Justice (AJ), has advised the Nigeria Police to stop arresting relatives of suspects who are at large.

The Project Officer of the group, Mrs. Chinelo Chinweze, gave the advice last week at a training by the group for senior police officers.

It had as theme “Effective implementation of the Lagos State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2011 (ACJ Law)”.

Mrs Chinweze said it was illegal for policemen to arrest relations of wanted suspects.

The training, which was organised to strengthen the integrity and transparency of the interrogation process by the Police focused primarily on specific reform provisions targeted at safeguarding crime suspects from abuse, oppression and exploitation by the IPO. “The law frowns at the victimisation of innocent citizen for crimes for which another is suspected to have committed and therefore prohibits Investigating Police Officers (IPO) from arresting a suspect’s wife, husband, brother, child, relative or acquaintance in place of the suspect,”she said.

Highlighting the key reform on law, Mrs Chinweze said Section 3 of the ACJ Law imposes a duty on an arresting officer to inform a person arrested of the cause of his arrest at the time of his or her arrest.

According to her, the section gives a crime suspect the right to be informed of the charges against him as well as the choice whether to answer question during interrogation or to write any statement until after consultation with his lawyer or right to avail himself of free legal representation from the Office of Public Defender (OPD), Legal Aid Council or any such agency.

“It is a mandatory duty placed on a police officer effecting an arrest to take inventory of items recovered or taken from the body and or premises, of an arrested person and to ensure that the person arrested retains a copy of such inventory.”

Earlier, the Director of Access to Justice, Mr. Joseph Otteh, said the workshop, seventh in the series, was aimed at equipping law enforcement officers with the necessary resources needed to ensure the effective implementation of the ACJ Law. He added that while reforms might be legislated in the statute books, the reality on the ground may be different.

“Our research on the enforcement of the ACJ Law shows that while the ACJ law may observed by a few policemen, most IPOs have yet to comply with the reforms. Some policemen still arrest relatives of crime suspects in lieu of the suspects.

“In many police stations, physical brutality is still being used to extort confessionals from detainees, and due process rights of crime suspects to have the presence and attendance of legal counsel during interrogation is still systematically denied as an intrusion in the crime investigation process.”

Otteh further said the group observed that crime suspects still endure prolonged administrative and pre-trial detention while suspects are taken to courts and get remanded pending investigations and referral to the Directorate Public Prosecution’s (DPP) office.

“During this period, the police ought to quickly complete whatever investigation they are doing and report back to the court.

“Unfortunately, for several reasons, chronic delays force the matter to be adjourned again and again. Yet the new law says that before you ask for an adjournment, you must provide justification. We hope that all these will sooner than later be things of the past,” Otteh added.

He, therefore, thanked the Lagos State Government, particularly the state, AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, for their support towards the programme.

He thanked the police for keying into the programme, adding that it is beginning to yield modest changes in police behaviour.

“We are seeing modest changes in police behaviour - some of them coming from police chiefs who simply want to do things differently. In some cases, we understand that DPOs periodically check police cells, inquiring into the cases of those who have stayed beyond 48 hours. This is a welcome relief,” he added.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

27

LAW & SOCIETY The Journal of the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin titled: ‘The Jurist’ has become a platform for honouring lawyers who have distinguished themselves and contributed to the development of the legal profession in the last 20 years. The 20th edition of the journal was presented in Ilorin last week in honour of Layi Babatunde (SAN), reports ADEBISI ONANUGA

Salami, Ogunde, others urge lawyers to champion cause of society

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AWYERS and other stakeholders in the justice sector, last week converged on Ilorin to honour one of their own, Layi Babatunde (SAN).

This was at the public presentation of the 20th edition of The Jurist, the journal of the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin.

Babatunde was recognised for his support for the legal education.

Former President, Court of Appeal, Justice Issa Ayo Salami, who was the Chairman of the occasion, in his opening remarks, berated lawyers for failing the society when their services were needed most.

Justice Salami observed that a lot of lawyers have chosen to pursue money to the detriment of the roles expected of them by the society who look up to them to champion their causes in times of troubles.

The jurist cited the recent incident of a journalist who was beaten up in Ekiti State to buttress his disappointment in the conduct of lawyers.

He lamented that not even the Chairman of the state branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) did anything to fight the abuse and infringement of the fundamental right of the victim.

“The legal profession is not all about money but a profession that bears society’s problem. Unfortunately, lawyers in recent times have not been carrying out their roles. The lawyers are not doing their role. Where are the lawyers?” he asked.

Justice Salami, however, extolled the virtues of the honouree, who he said, is honest, trustworthy and reliable and a brother who has distinguished himself in the profession.

He also commended Layi’s law publications, particularly “Supreme Court Reports”, saying it is a tool for lawyers work with and that it resolves conflicts in the legal practice.

Former Attorney-General and, Commissioner for Justice of Ogun State, Mr Wemimo Ogunde (SAN), in his speech titled: ”The three days of a lawyer” also charged lawyers and other stakeholders in the justice sector to discharge their responsibility to the society in line with their professional calling. He to constantly examine themselves with a view to reflect better a tomorrow.

Ogunde went philosophical when he said the journey of life falls into three stages;” that which is past, that which is being spent and that which to come”. He said the existence of today gives the lawyer an opportunity to begin to rectify that which was objectionable yesterday.

He said the ingredients of a legal career, character, competence and confidence are made ready for use in whichever state they find themselves.

According to him,ý “if a legal career has already started on a bad note in the sense that the lawyer in the early years if his career got himself or herself involved in some unethical behaviour, the existence of today affords an opportunity to redress that past. “ It is what is being done now that ultimately count. How glori-

ous yesterday was, the poor use of today can pollute or degrade the good of yesterday.

“The, today, law continues to use the vast reservoir of yesterday for the purpose of making law improve the society and positively affect the citizenry. It is obvious that law is a flowing river that constantly gathers the floatsam of yesterday, learns from the mistake that brought them forth and clears them away with the powerful current of today’s flow of fresh waters.

“The impact of continuing legal education is seen only in the today of the lawyer since it recognises that the application of law to conduct within the society constantly faces resistance brought about by the complexity of human activity both in the individual and in relationships. The result is that yesterday departs leaving in its wake the debris of error both from the bar and the bench. Some of these errors are costly.

“They mighty have resulted in wrongful convictions, deprivation of settled rights and some others acts of misfortune. The beauty of today is that it prevents a repetition or perpetuation of such errors bringing about new life for tomorrow which are evident in law reforms, judicial activism and intellectual reviews.”

The learned silk, therefore, counselled lawyers must be honest in self examination. “ Constant examine of self with a view to reflect on how he stood yesterday whether for good or for ill. The reflection on how yesterday was always affords a better use of today,” he stressed.

Earlier in his address,the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali, congratulated the leadership and the members of the law society on its recent acknowledgment as the best law faculty in the country by the Council of Legal Education ,Nigeria, urging them to keep the flag flying.

He also admonished the students to equip themselves “sufficiently, reading voraciously, learning vigorously and prepare seriously for the future.

“On this note, I want to urge the final year studentýs of this society to sustain the tempo and maintain the standard established by their predecessors by being better by far than others when it is their time to be in the Nigeria Law School.

“I have no doubt about it, the training you have received and you are still receiving from the University of Ilorin is such that can make you stand out among your pairs all over the world. So my charge to you on this occassion is that you should keep it up, continue to stand out and you will be outstanding.”

The vice chancellor also urged the students to emulate the honoree, Babatunde (SAN) who he described as a scholar of high repute, noting has edited and published 480 editions of the judgments of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (S.C.Report ) with 22 indexes dating back to 1972.

The Dean of the Law Faculty, Dr. Yusuf Arowosaiye, also appreciated the students for their thoughtfulness in recognising the leading

•Justice Salami (rtd) flanked by Chief Judge, Kwara State Justice S. D. Kawu (right) and Babatunde (SAN) at the ceremony.

• A. O. Mohammed (SAN)

• Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr. I. A. Yusuf

• Deputy Vice Chancellor, UNILORIN, Prof. Y. M. Fakunle (left) presenting the award to Mr. Babatunde and his wife Adejoke.

lights of character and integrity who deserved to be honoured for their contributions to the development of law profession in the country and Nigerian law and jusrispudence.

Arowosaiye said: “The Jurist, our signature students’ publication has proud 20-year-history of existence with this year 20th edition in honour of a well-deserved legal icon, Babatunde (SAN). The jurist has experienced changes in terms of quality of its content and production since it’s first issue. This a welcome development and am hopeful that very soon the Jurist will compete favorably well with other leading and reputable students publication such as Havard Law Review, Honk

Kong Law Review, The Idaho Law Review to mention but few.”

He further said: “We have a strong legal education program, we train our students to begin successful legal careers right here on campus. We offer many opportunities for students to pursue focus areas of study of law. Our legal clinics, proposed externship programmes by our law clinic are among best of any law faculty in the country.The clinical legal education offers our students realworld legal experience.

“It, therefore, no surprise that the recently released report of the Adhoc Committee set up by the council of legal education to investi-

gate the performance of students and faculties at the August 2014 Bar Final Examination adjudge Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin as best and most consistent faculty of law in Nigeria in that report, our faculty came first in the year 2014 and second position for 2012 and 2013 consecutively. We humbled by this achievement and we’ll determined to sustain this pace for long time to come.”

The dean urged the administration of the University to upgrade other facilities in the faculty, calling for urgent attention such as building of a new law library, procurement of relevant online legal databases, provision of projectors in all the classes, among others.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

LAW & SOCIETY

National development: Legal equality and Federal Character principle T

HE role of the law in en suring the development of the society can not be underestimated; law has been described as a binding force by which the society is held together as a single unit which ensures growth and development of the people.

Law should therefore respond to the yearnings and aspirations of the people at all times.

At the birth of the industrialisation era in first world countries, laws were passed to square up with the arising societal and developmental challenges created by industrialisation. This definitely has been one of the bait by which first world countries left the third world countries behind to wallow in penury and backwardness.

Law as the society is transient, dynamically fundamental to national growth and development; but is law in itself the determinant of national development? NO. Law as a tool for national development can not be functional until certain principles are religiously upheld and worshipped and to such class belongs legal equality. The concept of legal equality has stemmed out from the age long philosophy of liberalism; legal equality advocates that everyone is equal before the law.

Anatole France, stated: “in its majestic equality, the law forbids the rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, beg in the streets, and steal loaves of bread”.

This principle has received international affirmation in Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which states: “All are equal before the law and are entitled without discrimination to equal protection of law”. Thus, the law should not give regards to anyone on the basis of race, gender, nationality, colour, ethnicity, religion and disability.

Legal equality has of necessity involves creation of opportunities for all on merit and not on mediocrity. This principle definitely forms part of the basis for the creation of government as an institution to cater for all citizenry regardless of their place of birth or even economic status. Adherence to this principle should therefore not be compromised by frivolous provisions of the law, law should rather complement legal equality. Law must never be used as a tool to encourage

By Akinpelu Oluwatobi

the creation of inequalities in the society; law must promote equality, which includes but not limited to equal distribution of facilities and amenities, equal access to opportunities and equal treatment of all classes of persons.

Law must be entrenched in legal equality, which is in itself is based on merit and not mediocrity. Every society that is seriously interested in her development must ensure the entrenchment of her laws in equality and not promote any form of mediocrity in her developmental plans. First world countries seem to have long understand this age-long principle of equality and as such entrenched their laws in legal equality; putting away all forms of affirmative actions that tend to slow down their national development.

Affirmative actions was in itself designed to promote the attainment of equality of persons who had either been subjugated by other members of the society or had been discriminated against based on extrinsic factors.

Affirmative action is the policy of favouring members of a disadvantaged group who had suffered from discrimination within a nation in order to accelerate their integration into the society. This principle has been applied in different countries across the globe, from America to Europe, to Asia and even down to Africa. The United Nations through her Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CEAFRD) has given regards to this principle, Article 2.2 stipulates: “States parties shall, when the circumstances so warrant, take, in the social, economic, cultural and other fields, special and concrete measures to ensure the adequate development and protection of certain racial groups or individuals belonging to them, for the purpose of guaranteeing them the full and equal enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms...”.

This principle would, therefore, be laudable when applied in the appropriate context and not based on some frivolous pretext of ethnically discrimi-

• Oluwatobi

nation. The application of this principle should be corrective; hence once the purpose has been achieved it should be expunged from the laws. A recourse to Article 2.2 CEAFRD, continues by stating “…these measures shall in no case entail as a consequence, the maintenance of unequal or separate rights for different racial groups after the objectives for which they were taken have been achieved”.

In Nigeria, the principles of affirmative actions can be found in the federal character principle, which has also been enshrined in the constitution. Section 14 (3) Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 3rd Alteration states: “The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few state or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies.”

In applying the literal rule in interpreting this provision it would seem that the provision

was put in place to as a preemptive provision against any form of domination by any group of people in Nigeria.

However, the essence of affirmative action is curative and not pre-emptive; such that it is applied in situations where there has been subjugation of another ethnic group within a nation or in cases of gross racial or class discrimination. The purport of the principle is to ensure even development among all classes of citizens in state, after incidence of ethnically subjugation or gross racial discrimination. The provision is not intended to be a lifelong, but temporary has it loses value as soon as that par development has been achieved.

The principles of affirmative actions was never designed to encourage mediocrity has it is been witnessed in Nigeria today at all levels of the society. The composition of public parastatals, appointment into public offices, award of scholarships and even admission into public institutions is now based on the federal character or the quota system. In handing down employment to citizens, people are considered by their state of

origin at the federal level or their local tribe at the state level; the federal ministers must be appointed on the basis of state representation Sec. 143(7) CFRN 1999 3rd alteration; award of scholarship is based on geo-political zones of the applying scholars; while admission into universities is now classified into merit, catchment area, educational disadvantaged states. These are few areas where the federal character is manifestly obvious and causing more attendant problems than the intended national integration. These various forms of affirmative actions are against the provision of Sec. 15(3) CFRN 1999 3rd alteration which declares: “accordingly, national integration shall be actively encouraged, whilst discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties shall be prohibited.” This provision is in tandem with the age-long tradition of legal equality where there is no basis for any sort of subjugation and discrimination. It is obvious that sec. 14(3) and sec.

15(3) CFRN 1999 3rd alteration are in contravention of each other; sec. 14(3)CFRN 1999 3rd alteration promotes the principles of affirmative actions and the resultant effect is the federal character that has led to high level of mediocrity, bribery, corruption and national disintegration.; on the other hand, sec. 15(3)CFRN 1999 3rd alteration provides for legal equality, a merit based decision-making devoid of all forms of discrimination and extrinsic factors.

Any nation that is serious about her national development must as of necessity arise above mediocrity and ensure that decisions are merit based and not on some frivolous classifications.

There has been no incidence in Nigeria that warrants the inclusion of sec. 14(3) into the constitution of Nigeria, no ethnic group has suffered such level of gross discrimination and subjugation that warrants the provision of the federal character into the constitution of Nigeria. In the twenty-first century, this principle of affirmative action is fast becoming obsolete and coun-

tries are committing themselves to a merit system that promotes equality and national development.

Therefore, if Nigeria must make progress the federal character provisions must be expunged from the constitution, the federal character philosophy must give way and all decisions must be based on merit and consideration of national development. Sec. 15 (3) CFRN 1999 3rd alteration could read as follows: “The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the diversity of Nigeria and promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that all decisions are based strictly on merit, in fairness and in a transparent procedure by the government or in any of its agencies.” The constitution must also ensure that the provision can be enforced in the court and not just an administrative provision. If Sec. 15 (3) CFRN 1999 3rd alteration is amended to promote a merit based system that is subjected in fairness and transparency, then Nigeria would be on the path to addressing issues that has held her bound in penury, disorderliness and wanton corruption. The spirit of sec. 14(3)CFRN 1999 3rd alteration, which is currently dead would also comeback alive with a new zeal that promotes national development and integration.

Citizens would definitely perform better and believe in prowess more than in their social connection. An equal platform would have been created for all strata of the country to achieve their dreams and contribute to national development. The agelong principle of legal equality would be entrenched not just in words but also in deeds. This principle of legal equality has no doubt paid off in first world countries, who are now severing paths with affirmative actions that tend to hold down their national development. Nigeria must follow suit; Nigeria must wake up to this reality to journey into the economic development and national prosperity.

•Oluwatobi is a Lagos lawyer

Tidewater loses bid to stall suit against it over unpaid taxes, charges

A

N American oil services firm, Tidewater Marine International Incorporated, has lost its bid to stall the hearing of a suit seeking to, among others, compel it to pay outstanding tax liabilities and other statutory charges it allegedly owes some Nigerian agencies.

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, in a ruling last week, refused the firm’s application for stay of proceedings pending the determination of an interlocutory appeal it filed against an earlier decision of the judge.

The judge, who held that the application by Tidewater lacked merit and that it amounted to a gross abuse of court process, noted that the appeal, for which it sought to stay proceedings, had not been entered and that it failed to seek and obtain the mandatory leave to appeal.

Tidewater’s estranged local partner, PhoenixTide Offshore Nigeria Limited, had initiated the suit in 2013 following alleged refusal by Tidewater, who acted as PhoenixTide’s agent while their business rela-

By Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

tionship lasted, “to make full disclosure and deliver all paper trails on its management and operations, and revenue in US dollar and naira from the plaintiff’s time charter party.”

Other defendants in the suit marked: FHC/L/CS/609/2013 include Tidewater’s agent in Nigeria, Tidex Nigeria Limited, Total E & P Nigeria Limited, Total Upstream Nigerian Limited and Total E & P Deepwater Limited.

The plaintiff averred, in its supporting affidavit, that contrary to the 2011 terms of settlement and non-prosecution agreement it entered with the Nigerian government to operate in the country in accordance with existing laws and regulations, Tidex has allegedly concealed all facts on its operations with the aim of avoiding its tax liabilities and other statutory charges accruable to government agencies.

It stated that the “failure on the part of Tidewater and Tidex to honour their financial obligations, including taxes to rel-

evant agencies of the Federal Government will expose it (PhoenixTide) to the risk of being slammed with criminal charges, which will not be in its the interest.”

PhoenixTide is praying the court to, among others, compel the 1st defendant (Tidewater) to make full disclosure and provide necessary information for the assessment of its tax liabilities and other statutory charges by the relevant government agencies, and an order directing Tidewater to pay its tax liabilities and other statutory charges, as may be assessed by the relevant government agencies, in consultation with, and satisfaction of the plaintiff.

The plaintiff also wants the court to declare that it is entitled to be paid N1, 595,848,985.10 and $3,366,813.30 being payments for the performance of several contracts for the provision of vessels and logistics services entered into by the plaintiff and the 3rd to 5th defendants (Total E & P Nigeria Limited, Total Upstream Nigerian Limited and Total E & P Deepwater Limited).

It equally wants the court to

issue an order, directing Total E & P Nigeria Limited, Total Upstream Nigerian Limited and Total E & P Deepwater Limited to pay to the plaintiff N1, 595,848,985.10 and $3,366,813.30, including all future outstandings, being payment due and outstanding on the performance of several contracts for the provision of vessels and logistics services between the 3rd to 5th defendants and the plaintiff, for the purpose of fulfilling all its obligations and others lawful liabilities.

Justice Abang had in a March 6 ruling dismissed with cost, Tidewater’s preliminary objection to the suit and assumed jurisdiction to hear it, a decision the company claimed to have appealed by neglected to take the necessary accompanying steps.

“In the final analysis, the motion on notice dated May 28, 2013 lacks merit, same is hereby dismissed with cost of N25,000 awarded in favour of the plaintiff, payable by the 1st and 2nd defendants (Tidewater and Tidex),” Justice Abang held in his earlier ruling.

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON NORTHERN STATES

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

PAGE 29

INSIDE A celebration outside Eagle Square

•Displaced women from Shonong taking refuge at a primary school after the attack

Mass graves litter Berom communities in Plateau State, owing to incessant attacks spanning over 10 years. Why do the attacks persist? asks YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU reports

E

VEN as new governments were sworn in at the weekend, gunmen were killing in a Berom community in Plateau State. The attacks were not new; they have lasted over a decade, leaving loud wailing across the ethnic group.

The attackers often swooped on their victims in the dead of night, wiping out large numbers of the residents, mostly women and children.

In the latest attack in Shonong community, Riyom Local Government Area, left hundreds of houses in ruins, while their occupants fled.

In the last one month, over 60 people have been killed in such attacks in Barkin Ladi and Riyom local governments.

Mr. Samson Tsok, the President of Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM) said at a briefing in Jos, the state capital: “[A] total of two hundred and two

Why does blood flow in Berom?

(202) human lives mostly women and children have been lost between October 5th, 2014 and May 24th, 2015”.

When the attacks were becoming too frequent, the state government imposed a curfew on the affected local governments. The movement restriction was effective from 10pm to 5am. But three days after, the gunmen changed tactics and started attacking in broad daylight.

Who are the attackers?

Security agents say they are unknown. But the victims say they are Fulani herdsmen.

But why do they attack at all?

The cattle breeders say they are forced to attack in revenge for the theft of their beloved animals.

There is a heavy presence of Fulani cattle breeders in Riyom and Barkin Ladi local governments. Both local governments have three districts each; in each of these districts, the Fulani are dominant in one, while Fulani herdsmen are also found in the backyard of the other two districts in both local governments.

There are other itinerant Fulani who walk the international grazing route passing through Berom communities.

The grazing route is now a subject of controversy before the National As-

‘Cattle breeding and livestock keeping, especially cow grazing, have been the traditional business of the Fulani ethnic group. But as they coexisted, they established a symbiotic relationship, with the Berom even handing over their children to the Fulani to be trained in the techniques of grazing’ sembly. The cattle breeders are claiming rights on grazing routes while the Berom people assert that their farmland cannot be reserved as grazing routes.

Besides the claims and counterclaims over grazing routes, the Fulani and Berom have coexisted for almost a century. However, in the last one decade, they have become cats and dogs.

PAGE 31

A triumphant entry

Cattle breeding and livestock keeping, especially cow grazing, have been the traditional business of the Fulani ethnic group. But as they coexisted, they established a symbiotic relationship, with the Berom even handing over their children to the Fulani to be trained in the techniques of grazing.

The Fulani lived mostly in the bush •Continued on page 30

PAGE 36

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT

Why does blood flow in Berom?

•Continued from page 25 which is often far away from schools, which is why they also sent their children to schools in Berom communities.

In those good old days, former Bauchi State governor Isa Yuguda, a Fulani, grew up in the hands of a Berom man in Barkin Ladi. Yuguda once said, “When my father was relocating from Jos to Bauchi and I was in school, my father left me in Barkin Ladi in the hand of a Berom man. Under the custody of a Berom man, Yuguda had both his primary and secondary education at Barkin Ladi before joining his father in Bauchi.

Things have changed. Now the Berom and Fulani are sworn enemies. Today, it is either the Berom people are attacking their Fulani neighbours or the Fulani are attacking the Berom. Their frosty relationship got to a level where both of them went as far as seeking mercenaries to attack the other.

But central to the recent attacks is the issue of cattle rustling, a criminal activity that has prevailed in some parts of Plateau State in the last five years. The economic situation in Berom land is such that both ethnic groups keep livestock especially cows. Both ethnic groups rustle cows. It has also been said that that the Fulani also rustle Fulani cows, while the Berom equally steal a fellow Berom’s cattle.

On the other hand, the Berom rustle Fulani cows just as the Fulani also rustle Berom cows. The suspects arrested by security agents for cow rustling included Fulani, Berom as well as other tribes.

According to the Commander of the Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crisis, Major General David Enetie, “Cow rustling has become a lucrative business among the youths of Plateau State; youths in this state have developed the appetite in rustling cows and selling them for money. We consider that as criminal; this is different from the Jos crisis that we know, so all these attacks are no longer about Jos crisis; it is a newfound crime in the state.

So each time you hear of an attack, there is cattle rustling behind it. If there is no cattle rustling, you will not hear of attacks.”

The understanding of many in the state has been that since it is the Fulani that are always suspected to be the attackers, it then means the victims of the attacks are the ones feeding on Fulani cows. This suspicion grew in the recent attacks in some Berom communities. The STF revealed that some cattle rustlers

went to a Fulani settlement in Jos East and stole 400 cows. The criminals were reportedly in four groups. But the owner of the cows called STF distress line, prompting the security agents to respond immediately.

“STF followed the routes of the criminals and encountered them in a gun duel. We killed four of the criminals and recovered 280 cows. But then the Fulani thanked us and said they knew where the remaining 120 cows were and that they would go and look for the remaining cows. The Fulani knew the cows were taken to Foron village in Barkin Ladi LGA, that was the reason for the attack in Foron the next day” Just as the STF commander puts it, “Some people will be condemning STF for not stopping the attacks or arrest the attackers. But people are not condemning the criminality. We have prevented several attacks in these local government but people don’t know this. If we follow up and recover rustled cows, you will not hear of attacks, but if cows are rustled and they are not recovered the owners of the cows have a way of discovering those who stole his cows and they go out for them.

The Nation found out that most communities are not ready to take responsibility for their own security.

Enetie said, “We keep preaching to the people to be vigilant at all times, we encourage them to set up local community groups to guard their environment day and night, but in most cases, the natives drink in the day and sleep carelessly at night to the extent that given any attack, the people are already weak to put up any challenge considering the way they drink in the day.

“Some of people are not sensitive to their own environment; how will you know when the enemy comes and already you know you are living with the enemy?”

The STF at times, deliberately refused to respond when they got distress calls because they expected the leaders of the communities to caution their youths from feeding on Fulani cows.

The STF said they believe that when the youths are going after the cows, the leaders pretend not to be aware, but when the Fulani came after those who steal the cows, it becomes a security issue. There will be no need for distress calls if the youths stop hunting for Fulani cows. In other words it is jungle justice meeting criminality.

The Berom insist that the attacks by their Fulani neighbours have nothing to do with cow rustling. They swore the youths never hunt for Fulani cows.

The chairman of Riyom Local Government Area, Mrs. Josephine Piyo

•Displaced Shonong women at a camp in Riyom

•STF Commander Major Gen David Enetie

•Governor Simon Lalong

said, “The allegation of the cattle rustling against the Berom youths cannot be true; rather, it is the Fulani that do steal cow belonging to the natives.

Before now, a lot of Berom people bred cows, but today the Berom cannot keep cows again, their stock have been stolen by the Fulani. As if that is not enough, they attack our people without reason.”

The chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Hon Emmanuel Loman also said, “These attacks by the Fulani are unprovoked; I have spent time and resources to ensure peace reign in my local government but after achieving relative peace for a moment, we will hear another attack by Fulani. I don’t know what the Fulanis are looking for. I mean this insecurity in Berom land is becoming protracted and devastating; the federal government needs to also give maximum attention. They are giving

to North East to Plateau North Senatorial zone. I said so because since 2010, more than 10,000 Berom people have been killed by unknown gunmen; we keep crying out but the federal government seems not to take us serious. We have done within our own local power to stop these incessant attacks, the state government have equally done a lot, so what is required now is mass deployment of federal troops to the areas” said Hon Loman Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), formerly Berom Youth Movement has also said the reasons for Fulani attacks on their people goes beyond cattle rustling. The group’s national chairman, Mr. Samson Tsok while briefing press men in Jos over the crisis said, “We strongly believe that, the relentless guerrilla attacks and isolated killings that have been experienced in Berom Land since 2001

‘Things have changed. Now the Berom and Fulani are sworn enemies. Today, it is either the Berom people are attacking their Fulani neighbours or the Fulani are attacking the Berom.

Their frosty relationship got to a level where both of them went as far as seeking mercenaries to attack the other’

reveals a strategic character and placement within a wider framework designed to eliminate, displace and disposes the Berom from their ancestral and God-given land.

The Berom youth leader continued, “It has come to the knowledge of the Berom that the Fulani are assiduously and relentlessly fighting the Berom in order to violently create illegal grazing reserves and to achieve political territory in the fashion of Boko Haram. Already, the Fulani have forcibly expelled and dislodged the Berom from the boundary areas of Bachi, Gashish, and Jol (Mahanga) in Barkin Ladi/ Riyom LGAs and well as Jos East and Mangu Local Government areas respectively.

“Special Task Force (STF) personnel on ground have failed to address the problem because some of them are accomplices in the crime against the Berom people, alleging that they are sometimes hired to perpetrate the crime or bribed to turn a blind eye when these attacks are carried out.

“Mercenaries have been hired from Chad and Niger to come and fight against the Berom in their land,” he added.

He also alleged that “It is also believed that there are terrorists training camps somewhere in Gashish, Bachi and Riyom districts. The Nigerian government and indeed the world should not stand aloof or turn a blind eye to the heinous crimes being perpetrated against the Berom. BYM demand justice, peace, and security for the people living and working in Berom land and Plateau state” he concluded.

But the questions that remain on everyone’s lip in the state is, why only in Berom land we here of Fulani attacks. Apart from the issue of cow rustling, The Nation found out that the protracted violent conflict in Berom land is a struggle over land between the Berom farmers and Fulani cattle breeders. The Fulani cattle breeders have been laying claims to a grazing reserve in Berom land. The Fulani claimed there is an international grazing route which passed through Berom land. They also believed that some of the Berom communities are settling and farming on their grazing route. With this belief, any farm or human settlement seen to causing obstruction to ‘free grazing’ of the Fulanis, they will devour it.

But Hon Daniel Dem, member representing Riyom constituency in Plateau house of assembly argued that even if the cause of the violence is over grazing routes, killings cannot be the solution, it is matter that can be resolved through dialogue and mutual understanding. “In any case, in all our peace parley the Fulani leaders have never complain about grazing reserve, so I don’t think that is part the reasons why they are attacking our people.

•Cows are often rustled in Berom communities, leading to attacks

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

Page 31

•Motorcyclists celebrating President Muhammadu Buhari’s inauguration

The Eagle Square hosted a momentous event on Friday but in places far removed from the venue, residents celebrated the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari. GRACE OBIKE reports

T

HE thrill of the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari was beyond the confines of the Eagles Square where it held. There were colourful parades and the ubiquitous security personnel at the Square, but, really, wasn’t the whole event not just about speeches and more speeches?

Abuja offered more outside the Square.

Being that it was a public holiday, some people stayed back home, while a lot more queued up at the filling stations.

However, in Kubwa, for example, motorcycle riders, sachet water sellers and Almajiri boys staged their own celebration which started very early in the morning. Some screamed and

A celebration outside Eagle Square drove at break-neck speed while holding unto the Nigerian flag and brooms and screaming Sai Baba.

Over 200 motorcycle riders took over the expressway. Some stood or lay on their fast-speeding bikes, holding their flags and chanting sai Buhari. Another group from Galadima, which mostly comprised of the Almajiri, water sellers and others, brandished flags and brooms, heading for the Square. Some danced to the tune of their traditional music blaring over the radio.

At the roundabout beside the Eagle Square, over 1000 young men and women carried Nigerian and the All Progressive Congress (APC) flags and while some danced with brooms, others drove round in cars with the occupants standing out of the windows and doors, waving their brooms. Some dabbed their entire bodies with paints that may take a while to wash out. They held their brooms, danced and swept the road.

‘Today is historical because money politics has come to an end, it is going to be good for citizens to seat up and create opportunities for ourselves and make the change that we want to see but our new President on his part needs to secure the nation, we need to get rid of Bok Haram that have done enough havoc and end corruption’ The chant on their lips was Sai Buhari, with a mischievous few chanting Sai Otuoke. Even after the inauguration and the President’s departure from the Square, they still gathered at their position, causing serious traffic gridlock and preventing vehicles that where mostly driving into the Hilton for the second phase of the celebration from driving pass freely especially without acknowledging them in some

way.

The few individuals and tribes that were able to make it to the Unity Fountain also set up their banners, celebrating with a few cultural dance troops with different banners welcoming who most of them termed the people’s General.

Mariam Ikwunaye told Abuja Review that citizens of Nigeria should be ready to create the change that

we need and not just sit back and wait for the President to change us when the citizens themselves refuse to change “Today is historical because money politics has come to an end, it is going to be good for citizens to seat up and create opportunities for ourselves and make the change that we want to see but our new President on his part needs to secure the nation, we need to get rid of Bok Haram that have done enough havoc and end corruption.

“I am here because I want to be part of the citizens who are going to take what we call oat of citizenry, even though Nigeria needs a good leader, we also want good followers, so Buharian culture is here today to inaugurate all citizens who will take a pledge to be good citizens.”

The man who trekked from Lagos to Abuja, Suleiman Hashimu who have come to be known all over as the trekker and joined celebrators at the unity fountain explained that although he was at the square but was unable to meet with the President one on one, who hoped to meet with him soon because he has a lot to discuss with him. “I hope to meet with the President because I have a lot to discuss with him.”

•Continued on page 34

VIO threatens clampdown on illegal car marts, unlicensed taxis

T

HE Federal Capital Territory Directorate of Road Traffic Services has threatened to clamp down on illegal car marts and unlicensed commercial vehicles in the territory.

The Service popularly known as Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) said it will also rid the FCT

From Olugbenga Adanikin

of illegal mechanic shops in the city centre as well as illegal car park operations.

In a statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Kenneth Iloduba in Abuja, the operators of illegal transportation busi-

ness were advised to comply with the necessary requirements.

Those involved in unlawful car mart business and mechanic workshops were urged to relocate to the temporary site allocated to them by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

According to the service, commercial tricycle riders should ad-

here to route regulations to avoid wrath of the law.

“All operators of this mode of transportation are hereby advised to restrain their activities to satellite towns and area councils.

“This is important to note in mind that there will be no release of any impounded motorcycle and tricycle

impounded by officers of the road traffic service.”

The Service however urged residents to understand that it is their duty to ensure decorum and decency on the road to enable FCT achieve the 2020 global projection of an accidentfree city.

32

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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ABUJA REVIEW

Celebration outside Eagle Square •Continued from page 31 He said. “I believe that it will be possible for me to meet with him because he knows about me, to be honest, I did not trek because I wanted to be popular but because it was a promise that I made with God that if President Buhari wins, then I will trek and so when he won, I decided to fulfil the promise because of the love that I have for Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, now that he has been inaugurated, I believe that he will work on the insecurity because with security in the country, people will come to invest in this country which will provide employment and I believe that Gen. Buhari will do it.”

Elvis Yungurung told Abuja Review that it feels like Nigeria is just gaining independence.

He said, “It’s a great day, marvellous day for me personally and then for our country; it feels like we are just getting independence now because we have a very important change, in government, system and mindset and this is a change that we actualised collectively; it wasn’t given to us out of charity, it was something we fought for and then we got it and today it has been formerly handed to us.

“My belief is that the change has come and we are going to live the change and we are going to fix this country, we are going to fix our future, we are going to have a country that we are going to be proud of so I will just say to the President that he has to remain focused because, I know he has the vision, I know he knows what he is up to, so all I can say to him is to remain strong and focused and we Nigerians bear as much responsibility in fixing this country as much as the president does so we need to live up to our own end of the obligation, it is a collective effort the citizens have a role in fixing the country, it is not just the president.”

Ibrahim Ado, one of the boys carrying brooms and jubilating, said that he is excited because he believes that the President will provide him

•Residents relish the joy of Buhari’s inauguration

with a job at last, “I am here very excited because Buhari is being sworn in as President, I am just happy because it is Buhari and I have waited for this day for a very long time, now that Buhari is here, he will do us good, everyone will get a job by the grace of God, I am quite hopeful God will bring confusion to the camp of those trying to ruin Gen. Buhari’s reign I can assure you.”

State volunteer superintendent of Nigerian Youth Volunteer Service, Anambra chapter, Hon. Ruth Okeke, who is part of the group that marched to the square to support the event, told Abuja Review, that they had come to Abuja to align with the policies of the President on Youth development. Her words, “We are so excited today, we arrived since 7am and as you can see

I

‘My belief is that the change has come and we are going to live the change and we are going to fix this country, we are going to fix our future, we are going to have a country that we are going to be proud of so I will just say to the President that he has to remain focused’ people have been celebrating since then. From what can be seen from the Transcorp Junction where over 2000 people have gathered to cel-

ebrate because we believe that he is going to really make the change.

This government has to come down to the grassroots, until their is youth

development and pilot schemes for the youth, their is no way that we can move forward because the last government has stampeded the country, we want real change on the group and not lip service.”

Even though most people that went into town on that day where excited, not all of the approved of the level of jubilation that was being exhibited by some of the supporters.

Taxi driver John Adewale said that most of the boys were just risking their lives for no reason.

He said, “These boys are just risking their lives for nothing, see how they are driving around, it’s very risky, Buhari has warned them not to trek for him or do all of this. Now if they die or are injured, no one will care about them, they need to celebrate with care.”

Resettlement: Indigenes caution on omission of names

NDIGENES of Garki village in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have cautioned the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) against tampering

By Igho Oyoyo

with the original supplementary list submitted to the authority by the leaders of the community.

•Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka (middle) riding a bicycle to the last Federal Executive Council PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE Meeting of President Jonathan in Abuja

The natives, who spoke through the Magajin Garki, Joel Yazegbe, after a petition was submitted to the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), alleged that they have been reliably informed that the FCDA officials are contemplating a foul play to omit some original names submitted by the leaders, with intention to replace them with names submitted by FCDA officials.

Yazegbe said, “We write to warn the FCDA officials to desist from any act that is capable of tarnishing the image of the FCDA. We have read in recent reports of the last minutes secret allocations and racketeering business carried out by the FCDA, in conjunction with AGIS, using part of the resettlement areas to compensate the FCT minister Sen. Bala Mohammed’s friends and cronies.

“We are aware that such areas are meant to be allocated to the indigenes whose names were not captured in the last ressetlement exercise of the Garki community. On this note, we will not accept any development whereby the areas made for supplementary list in Apo Resettlement will use for personal or selfish gains.

“We will no longer tolerate further omissions of names or tempering the agreement reached by the early committee set up by the

FCTA and headed by the minister of state Olajumoke Akinjide. We advise that the record should be set straight and every documents concerning the issue of the Garki Resettlement should be properly handed over the incoming administration,” he stated.

The natives further appealed to the incoming government to carry the indigenes along in policies and decision and policies that affect them directly and the government should also revisit the idea behind the allocation of numerous estates in the FCT without human beings living inside them.

“We want the incoming administration to ignore any document that is not properly presented by the indigenes of the FCT. If the any issue concerning the Indigenes should be presented to the incoming administration, let it be by the collective agreement of the indigenes, not some crooks using the fake associations of the original inhabitants to deceive the any government in power in the detriment of our people.

The natives further advise the president-elect to beware of groups or persons who uses the name of original inhabitants to deceive any government in power against the real wish and aspirations of the FCT natives.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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ABUJA REVIEW

D

ESPITE the fuel shortage challenges, schools and other public institutions marked the Children’s Day. But to the less privileged kids at the Abuja Children’s Home, Karu, the day held no promise until members of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Abuja Chapter paid them a visit.

On arrival, Naimat Suleiman, a Nursery 1A pupil at the Abuja Children Home, caught the attention of the NIPR executives. She relies solely on help from people for her mobility. Why? The sixyear-old is handicapped. Yet, she was in a little brawl with her friend clearly because she wanted her friend to stop playing and pick her book and do her homework.

Perhaps, she felt work should precede play. But for the swift intervention of one of the officials of the NIPR, the exchange of words between the little kids would have lasted longer.

At last both parties accepted truce ushered by the NIPR executive. The crisis management was further complemented with bags of rice, noodles, biscuits, drinks brought for the children to celebrate their special day.

Among other items were detergents, clothing materials, plastic buckets, Sharpview Multisystem television with Startimes Antenna, decoder with subscription.

Abuja Review gathered that the essence of the visit was to give the children a sense of belonging and not being left out of the fun

NIPR fetes orphans

From Gbenga Adanikin

which their able-bodied counterparts would have taken for granted.

Some of the pupils were sighted at recreation field within the premises playing with their regular toys. But it’s common knowledge that Children’s Day celebration is always busy with different activities lined up to make it remarkable.

Aside from the annual students’ parade, there are also athletic events, dance, performances from voluntary organisations such as Boys Scouts, Man ‘O’ War among others. Boys Brigades also displays their artistic beats of drums. These arrays of presentations definitely create exciting but lasting memory in the mind of the children.

According to the NIPR FCT Chairman, Ohaeri Osondu in his opening remarks, the NIPR considered it necessary to visit the orphanage. He said the visit was in compliance with the principle of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which the body strongly believes such that organisations should give back to their host community. He observed that most parents would take their kids to the Zoo, amusement parks or a special place but the less privilege children have no option than to be in door. “We

‘We looked at our programme and we realise our immediate neigbour on a day like this happens to be Abuja children home. We felt the need to come with clothing, medical items. We also came with Television and decoder so that we can expand their horizon about their society and the outside world’ see it as symbolic in the sense that as we are marking the children’s day…..some of our parents have the opportunity to take their children out for recreational activities. They visit one refreshment joint or another but for us in NIPR, we hold tenaciously to the principle of corporate social responsibility. You strive to impact on your immediate neighbor.

“We looked at our programme and we realise our immediate neigbour on a day like this happens to be Abuja children home.

We felt the need to come with clothing, medical items. We also

came with Television and decoder so that we can expand their horizon about their society and the outside world.

“We came to see how we can impact on the children’s lives because we strongly believe that whatever we are doing now for our children, they should also transcend beyond our homes because nobody knows the person who will stand out as future leader of this country. It could be from this home.

“So for us in NIPR, we felt the need to do it for the good of our nation, Nigeria.” Earlier, members of the institute were con-

Remarkable day for kids I

T was not sweets and music.

On Children’s Day, kids in Gbaupe communityin the

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) got books, free health care and, of course, food and lots of other valuables.

They had a non-governmental organisation (NGO) SAM Empowerment Foundation (SEF) to thank for that.

The organisation launched a multi-million naira empowerment programme in the community with a message that encouraged the children to live exemplary lives in their community.

Founder of SEF Dr. Aishat

‘Children are gifts from God. We have the responsibility to cater for their needs and to also nurture them to maturity. We have come today as a special day to celebrate with you all in our own little way. I urge you all to be exemplary in your studies in order to be better citizens of this great country tomorrow’ From Grace Obike

Achimugu said that the dream of every parent is to see their chil-

dren excelling in various endeavours. She also urged the children to adhere to societal values as a yardstick to a brighter future.

•Executive Director, Editorial Matters, News Agency Of Nigeria (NAN) Malam Lawal Ado (right), welcoming the Executive Director, UNFPA, Dr Babatunde Osotimehin, during his visit to the agency in Abuja. With them are, UNFPA country representative in Nigeria, Mrs Ratidzai Ndlovu (second right) and Assistant Editor-in-Chief/UNFPA focal NAN officer, Muhammad Tola.

She said, “Children are gifts from God. We have the responsibility to cater for their needs and to also nurture them to maturity.

We have come today as a special day to celebrate with you all in our own little way. I urge you all to be exemplary in your studies in order to be better citizens of this great country tomorrow.”

In the course of the visit, the NGO medical personnel conducted medical screening and treatment on some members of the community with the promise to equip the Gbaupe Community Health centre to meet the modern standard.

Responding, the Etsu of

ducted round the premises to have a view of the composition of the home. They moved from the hostels to the day care center, the school, the mosque among other facilities. The auditorium is equipped with multimedia facility. So, the chairman sought the opportunity to commend the FCT administration.

“Something good is happening in this home. The environment is hygienically taken care of so that the children can have good mentoring and psychological development.”

Nevertheless, despite the commendations, more so, from the administrator of the orphanage, Alhaji Sulaiman Umar, there was call to maintain the structures.

Umar also requested for more supports asking other corporate organisations to imitate kind gesture of the NIPR. He said they were faced with challenges of power, water and some basic needs. While acknowledging the present friction in the nation’s economy, he noted that the children were innocent and should not be made to under poor living conditions.

“I am basically happy with this.

I love these children. These children are for all Nigerians. Definitely some will be in great gov•Continued on page 36

Gbaupe, Mallam Danjuma Gareje commended the gesture of SAM Foundation for reaching out to the community at a time the people are clamouring for government attention in the areas of health, energy supply, education and accessible roads.

Gareje assured that the items distributed will be channeled judiciously to meet it purposes while calling on government not to relent in the task of giving back to the people the dividend of democracy by alleviating the plight of the less privilege in the society.

There are side attractions from the children, like news casting, cultural and comical display, match pass, music interlude, dancing, cutting of cake, women empowerment and many more.

•Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Boboye Oyeyemi (left) National Chairman, Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Dr Kassim Bataiya and acting Head of Department, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Chineye Egwuonwu at a stakeholders meeting on the deadline for speed limiters in Abuja PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

36

ABUJA REVIEW

P

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo formally took over the reigns of power at the Eagle Square, Abuja on Friday and triumphantly gained entrance to the seat of power.

Buhari had to wait for 12 years from 2003 before his glorious entry to Aso Rock as the next occupant of the Presidential Villa.

He was not deterred after he lost the presidential elections in 2003, 2007 and 2011, until he won the 2015 Presidential election by beating former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Buhari said: “I am immensely grateful to God who has preserved us to witness this day and this occasion. Today marks a triumph for Nigeria and an occasion to celebrate her freedom and cherish her democracy.

“Nigerians have shown their commitment to democracy and are determined to entrench its culture. Our journey has not been easy but thanks to the determination of our people and strong support from friends abroad we have today a truly democratically elected government in place.”

He did not fail to thank former President Jonathan for displaying statesmanship in conceding defeat in the aftermath of the March 28 Presidential election.

Buhari also thanked millions of his supporters who believed in him and the All Progressives Congress (APC) by trooping out for hours in the rain and hot sunshine to register and cast their votes.

Believing that they have contributed to make Nigeria’s democratic culture truly competitive, strong and definitive, the President also thanked Nigerians who did not vote for him during the election.

Buhari thanked African and world leaders for their support to the emergence of the new government.

Reassuring that he will not witch-hunt anybody, he said: “A few people have privately voiced fears that on coming back to office I shall go after them. These fears are groundless. There will be no paying off old scores. The past is prologue.”

President Buhari has promised to introduce some economic strategies and to tackle corruption head-on, which has been eating deeply into the national treasury.

He has singled out agriculture and mining towards creating jobs for the unemployed youth who form more than 60 per cent of the population.

Buhari has also unveil his plans to seek the support of Europe, U.S. and Nigeria’s neighbours towards the country’s development, especially in the areas of tackling the unemployment and

A triumphant entry security problems confronting the nation.

“I ask Nigerians to please bear with us; a lot of damage has been done,” Buhari pleaded with Nigerians.

Recognising the role played by the Nigerian masses in the emergence of the Buhari government, the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, during the Gala Night at the Presidential Villa on Friday described them as the heroes of the moment.

He said: “Money and open privilege, despite heavy inducement to move otherwise, the people were not induced or intimidated. The people voted for their better destiny at last election. The average Nigerian, decent, hardworking, unseen and anonymous, they voted.

“They are the heroes of this glorious moment. Without their faith in democracy and belief in better future, this election would not have been had and we will not be celebrating the inauguration of a new president tonight.”

“Congratulations to millions of Nigerians at home and abroad. congratulations to Africa, Nigeria is ready to lead.” He added With the change in government, not a few Nigerians are anxiously waiting and hoping for urgent betterment of their livelihood.

There is no doubt that the cooperation and support of all Nigerians are needed to back up the new administration to succeed and de-

NIPR fetes orphans •Continued from page 35

ernment positions because they are talented. So what we need to do is to help them in the right way. They need love and perfection like every other child in this country. So I am very happy with the gesture of the NIPR. I appreciate them and I look forward to other people coming to support orphanage home or child care institution across the country.”

According to him, the donations will make great impacts in running activities of the orphanage. “There have been some hardships lately just like around the country. So they can go to school with the snacks and food items in their lunch boxes.

He commended the FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed for the renovation of the entire premises. “You can see around that the home has been renovated. The houses and everywhere has been renovated to international standard. But everything boils down to finance. We need many things to maintain this home such as human, medical, electricity, water bill, cars, staff maintenance even building.”

Members of the institute eventually took pictures with the kids as well as management of the home.

“I am privileged and humbled to be found worthy to be the Vice President of this great nation by a great leader, democrat, peace ambassador and patriot of our time,” he said.

From the Villa

Canvassing Jonathan’s return in 2019

By Augustine Ehikioya liver the goods to all.

While the new government is bringing changes on board, Nigerians themselves have been urged to also change their ways for good.

Bidding Nigerians goodbye Former President Goodluck Jonathan at almost every public function he attended before his government expired last Friday had taken the opportunities to bid Nigerians goodbye.

His cabinet also did the same during the administration’s valedictory Federal Executive Council (FEC) session last Wednesday.

All the ministers in attendance spoke and commended Jonathan’s leadership style.

They were also full of praises to him for the opportunity he gave

them to serve their country.

Speaking at the occasion, immediate past Vice President Namadi Sambo said: “His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan found me worthy to be his running mate twice, first in 2011 when we were returned with an overwhelming majority to emerge victorious at the election and in 2015 where we encountered some electoral misfortunes.

“I can recall confidently that I had neither canvassed nor lobbied to be appointed the Vice President at any point in time except that Mr. President found me worthy to support him in steering the ship of state.

This is a clear demonstration and proof of the confidence Mr. President reposed in me in the discharge of my onerous responsibility of my office to the best of my ability.

Some immediate past members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) have started drumming support for the return of former President Goodluck Jonathan to the number one seat during 2019 Presidential election.

The Minister of State for Niger Delta, Awal Bappa, during last Wednesday’s FEC valedictory session, predicted that Jonathan would return to office in 2019 following the footsteps of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari who returned to office many years after they were heads of state.

She stressed that the only difference would be that Jonathan would wait for only four years rather than decades before coming back.

Minister of Defence, Aliyu Gusau, in his contribution, also concurred with Bappa that Jonathan would indeed be back to office as president soon.

But Jonathan, when he had opportunity to speak during the session, was silent on the yearning of these former ministers.

•Right to left: FCT Chapter Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Ohaeri Osondu presenting some items to the Administrator, Abuja Children’s Home Karu, Sulaiman Sa’aid during the Institute’s Charity visit to the home to mark the 2015 Children’s day.

With them is the Vice Chairman, Tunde Oladapo

37

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

LAW & SOCIETY

Legal framework for prevention of terrorism Being the text of a lecture delivered by a Judge of the Kogi State High Court, Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye, at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lokoja Branch Annual Bar Week.

•Continued from last week

H

E remained the spiritual leader of Boko Haram until 2009 when he was killed in extra-judicial circumstances. Boko Haram came into limelight in 2009 when it sparked off an uprising by the refusal of its members in Maiduguri to wear helmets, while riding motor cycles, as required by a motorbike helmet law of Borno State. This generated a conflict between members of the sect and policemen that attempted to enforce the law. The violence that erupted as a result of this conflict left over 1000 people dead. The violence soon spread to other major cities of Bauchi, Potiskum, Kano and Wudi.

In Maiduguri alone, where several churches, a police station and a prison were set ablaze, over 700 people were killed. The uprising was eventually crushed by the police and military, leaving the sect’s headquarters and mosque in ruins.

In the aftermath of the July 2009 unrest, Mohammed Yusuf, the leader of Boko Haram was killed. He was captured by the army and passed to the police for interrogation. He died in police custody. It is alleged that he was killed extrajudicially. Upon the demise of Yusuf, the sect members went underground and resurfaced with brutal dispositions and determination.

Thereafter, Abubakar Shekau emerged the leader of the sect. Boko Haram gathered more momentum under him and became very ruthless, as it was determined to avenge the brutal killing of its leader, Yusuf. Since then, the sect has embarked on the mission of committing heinous offences such as gruesome mass killings of defenceless innocent people, including women, children and bystanders by bombing. The sect soon transformed into a terrorist organisation. The remark of President Jonathan on the activities of Boko Haram since 2009 is worthy of recapitulation here. In a speech delivered at the regional summit on security held in France in 2014, he stated thus: Since 2009, we have had to contend with many attacks and killings, which have now developed into a full-scale war targeting the stability and integrity of our nation. Boko Haram has launched a vicious guerrilla-style campaign against the government and the people of Nigeria. It has attacked schools, slaughtered students in their dormitories, destroyed villages, communities and government infrastructure and has wreaked havoc on the economic and social life of our people. This unconventional war has so far claimed over 12,000 lives, with more than 8, 000 persons injured or maimed, not to mention the displacement of thousands of innocent Nigerians’’ (n.p.)

But then, it is on record that Boko Haram was allowed to operate as a legitimate organization over the years. It was only in June 2013 that Jonathan administration, belatedly, in my view, declared Boko Haram and Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan also known as Ansaru proscribed organizations.

The brutal manner by which Mohammed Yusuf was killed has been advanced as one of the factors that stemmed up Boko Haram insurgency.

According to Sandra Ivanov (2014), the clashes that resulted in the killing of Mohammed Yusuf in 2009 marked a significant turning point which cemented Boko Haram choice of use of violence.

Yusuf was said to have been assaulted, brutalized and dehumanised before he was killed, extra judicially. Consequently, many members of the sect were determined to avenge the unfair circumstances surrounding the death. In a way, Boko Haram insurgency exemplifies the tragedy one singular act of impunity can cause a nation. The lesson to be learnt is clear: impunity should never be encouraged. Security agencies should endeavour to observe the basic tenets of the rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights in the treatment of suspects in their custody. The observation of Professor Akin Oyebode on this point is apt and instructive: “…where and when every member of society is assured of his day in court, there would be no room or justification for terrorist acts. However, denial of justice and resort to terrorist acts by the government itself could well provide muchneeded ammunition to forces that do not wish it well and who may now insist on a policy of “fighting fire with fire.”

To be sure, violence is not particularly strange to Nigeria. The history of Nigeria is replete with record of violence. There have been instances of skirmishes recorded in one part of the country or another over the years, consisting of ethno-reli-

gious clashes, inter-ethnic violence, intra-ethnic conflicts and religious crises. Interestingly, however, before the advent of Boko Haram insurgency, none of the acts of violence or anarchism perpetrated in Nigeria which caused the deaths of thousands of innocent victims was characterised as terrorism. For instance, there were the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) and the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force which held Nigeria spellbound for a period over three years by their violent acts. The militant groups killed, maimed and kidnapped innocent citizens. They attacked petroleum operations in Nigeria and engaged in other criminal activities such as guerrilla warfare, sabotage, theft and destruction of property. There were also the Maitatsine riot of 1980, Odi massacre of November 20, 1999 in which a whole village was razed to the ground and over 2,500 people died Yelwa massacre of 2014, a religiously motivated killing that claimed the lives of 700 people. Each of these violent acts was treated and described as either “militancy”, or “extremism” or uprising”, or “riots”.

Unarguably, the horrendous dimension of violence being ventilated and perpetrated by Boko Haram is novel and alarming. This has created a climate of fear and insecurity in the entire land.

2014 marked the height of Boko Haram brutalities. The frequency and fury of atrocities of the insurgents in that year have been shocking. The fundamentalists were more ruthless in their onslaughts not only on the civilian population but also on military installations and personnel. They became increasingly dangerous and daring. They also heightened the scope and sophistication of their operations. It was in that year that members of the sect kidnapped over 270 school girls at a village called Chibok on April 14, 2014. Of all the crimes the insurgents have committed, none has traumatised the country quite like the abduction of those girls. The girls, aged between 16 and 18 were preparing to write exams when they were taken from school hostels late at night. About 50 of them escaped. Others have remained in Boko Haram captivity for a period of over twelve months now. It is thought that the militants initially took the girls to Sambisa forest. Subsequent reports, however, suggest that some may have been trafficked into neighbouring countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroon, and forced to marry.

A new dimension is also added to Boko Haram insurgency as it is confirmed that insurgents in that same year embarked on a mission of conquering part of Nigeria’s territory. At a point, it is reported that about 20,000 square miles of Nigerian territory was under the firm control of Boko Haram with the main object of declaring such conquered territory a ‘Caliphate’ .

Statutory definition of terrorism in Nigeria Terrorism is one word that does not render itself to easy definition. Indeed, there is a consensus of opinions of writers, scholars, researchers, policy makers and even the media that terrorism is difficult to define H. H. A. Cooper (2013) notes that there has never been since the topic began to command serious attention, some golden age in which terrorism was easy to define. So, the debate of what terrorism is has become perennia The unalterable truth remains that there are hundreds of definitions of terrorism in existence.

Given this scenario, it is acceptable to simply say that there can be as many definitions as there are people defining terrorism. By and large, the meaning ascribed to the word is a reflection of a person’s perspectives, background and philosophy.

The definitional ambiguities embedded in the word ‘terrorism’ are encapsulated in the popular cliché; one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter, which immediately suggests the lack of consensus in determining who should be designated a terrorist or what act should be considered terrorist act. The lack of some kind of generic definition of terrorism that can serve as a common reference point for countries has created a situation in which each country has its own definition of terrorism and proceeds to determine those it wishes to call terrorists or freedom fighters.

The scope of this paper does not permit an excursion into the numerous definitions of terrorism by scholars, writers, jurists, and the media e.t.c., as I am limited by time and space. I shall, therefore, restrict myself to the statutory definition of the concept in Nigeria. The TPA (as amended) carefully avoids the definition of terrorism, as a concept. Rather, it defines ‘acts of terrorism’. I should think that the definition of

• IGP Solomon Aranse terrorism is contextually important, because only an offence that meets such a definition falls under the strictures of the law. In a sense, the definition establishes the threshold of terrorism. This is particularly so, as the word terrorism appears sixtyeight times in the TPA 2011 (as amended). While it is agreed that there is no globally accepted definition of terrorism, it is on record that many countries proceed to provide definitions in their statutes.

The statutory definition of terrorism in Nigeria remains Section 46 of the EFCC (Establishment) Act 2004. It provides: (a) any act which is a violation of the Criminal Code or the Penal and which may endanger the life, physical integrity or freedom of, or cause serious injury or death to, any person, any number or group of persons or causes or may cause damage to public property, natural resources, environmental or cultural heritage and is calculated or intended to (i) intimidate, put in fear, force, coerce, or induce any government, body, institution, the general public or any segment thereof, to do or abstain from doing any act or to adopt or abandon a particular standpoint, or to act according to certain principles, or (ii) disrupt any public service, the delivery of any essential service to the public or to create a public emergency, or (iii) create general insurrection in a state.

Any promotion, sponsorship of, contribution to, command, aid incitement, encouragement, attempt, threat, conspiracy, organisation or procurement of any person, with the intent to commit any act referred to in paragraph (a) (i), (ii), and (iii).

To me, this definition is vague and excessively broad. It is unclear, particularly, in the articulation of the elements of the crime of terrorism. For instance, what is an act “that is a violation of the Criminal Code or the Penal Code which may endanger the life of any person? In clauses (i) (ii) and (iii), any act that is calculated or intended to intimidate, put fear or force or coerce any government a body or institution e.t.c. to do any act or to adopt or abandon a particular standpoint or to act certain principles or disrupt any public service, the delivery of any essential service will amount to terrorism. By the definition of terrorism under Section 46 of the EFCC Act, it means doctors and nurses who provide essential services cannot embark on strike actions. One danger of a broad definition as contained under EFCC ACT is that it opens doors of abuse and can be utilised by oppressive regimes for political games.

Terrorist Acts

Section 1(3) of the TPA (as amended) defines an “act of terrorism” as an act which is deliberately done with malice aforethought and which may seriously harm or damage a country or an international organisation. Any act also amounts to terrorism when it is done deliberately with malice aforethought and is intended to unduly compel a government or international organisation to perform or abstain from performing any act. A

‘The truth remains that none of the penal laws mentions terrorism as an offence at all, in the way murder or culpable homicide is mentioned.

Only some aspects of terrorism are covered in the criminal law which will not give terrorism the emphasis and due attention it deserves’

terrorist act is committed when done with the requisite intent, it seriously destabilises or destroy the fundamental political, constitutional economic or social structures of a country or international organisation by intimidation or coercion. It also amounts to a terrorist act where it involves or causes an attack upon a person’s life that possibly results in serious bodily harm or death. Intimidating or coercing a government or international organisation is a terrorist act where it involves or causes: the kidnapping of a person, or destruction of a government a public facility, or private property, amongst others. This is, particularly, so where the act is likely to endanger human life or result in major economic loss.

There is an omnibus provision which criminalises and treats as terrorist act “any act or omission in or outside Nigeria which constitutes an offence within the scope of a counter- terrorism protocols and conventions duly ratified by Nigeria. An act which disrupts a service but is committed in pursuance of a protest is also a terrorist act. However, strikes and demonstration are excluded from the definition of terrorist acts, provided they are not intended to result in any harm referred to in subsection (2) (b) (i), (ii) or (iv). The harm referred to in the section include seriously intimidating a population influencing a government or international organisation by coercion intimidation.

It is curious to see that the TPA 2011 (as amended) still adopts the common law concept of “malice aforethought” which has long been jettisoned by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Terrorism offences

Basically, the consequences of terrorism affect people and property. It has been argued in some quarters that the TPA 2011 (as amended) encompasses crimes that are prosecutable under Nigerian criminal law, and which, if applied, could curb the crime of terrorism to a large extent. Indeed, it is said that the TPA Act 2011 (as amended) ...has only captioned, in one coded form, several offences in the Criminal Code of both the Federation and the States although there is no direct heading titled terrorism in the Code”. It is further stated that there are provisions in both the Criminal Code and Penal Code which criminalise acts that injure people and property which may simply be updated to deal with terrorism. For instance, it is said, that the Criminal Code Act contains provisions, inter alia, on murder. manslaughter, kidnapping as well as unlawful deprivation of liberty, offences against the safety of maritime navigation, unlawful attempts to injure by use of explosive substances, and unlawful societies. Similarly, the Penal Code provides for the following offences: culpable homicide punishable with death, culpable homicide not punishable with death, voluntarily causing hurt, wrongful confinement, kidnapping mischief to vessel, injuring and unlawful society, which are sufficient to deal with the spate of terrorism in Nigeria. As plausible as the arguments may appear, the truth remains that none of the Nigerian penal laws mentions terrorism as an offence at all, in the way murder or culpable homicide is mentioned. Only some aspects of terrorism are covered in the criminal law which, to me, will not give terrorism the emphasis and due attention it deserves. Furthermore, promulgation of anti-terrorism laws is consistent with trends in international law and practices from which Nigeria cannot isolate herself.

The following new line of offences are created under the TPA 2011 (as amended): (a) murder, kidnaps or other attacks on the person or liberty of an internationally protected person (s. 3) (b); terrorist meetings (s. 4) (c); soliciting and giving support to terrorist groups for the commission of a terrorist act (s.5) (d); harbouring terrorists or hindering the arrest of a terrorist (s. 6) (e); provision of training and instruction to terrorist groups or terrorists (s. 7) (f); concealment of information about acts of terrorism (s. 8) (g); provision of devices to a terrorist (s.9) (h); Recruitment of persons to be members of terrorist groups or to participate in terrorist acts (s.10); (i) incitement, promotion or solicitation of property for the Commission of terrorist acts (s. 11); (j) provision of facilities in support of terrorist acts (s. 12); (k) financing of terrorism (s. 13); (l) dealing in terrorist property (s. 14), (m); hostage taking (s. 15); (n) membership of a terrorist group or proscribed organisation (s. 16); (o) conspiracy to commit terrorist acts (s. 17); (p) aiding and abetting terrorist acts (s. 18); (q) escape or aiding and abetting escape (s. 19); (r) attempt to commit an offence under the Act (s. 20); (s) preparation to commit terrorist acts (s. 21); (t) unlawful assumption of character of officer of any law enforcement or security (s. 22); (u) tampering with evidence and witness (s. 23); (v) obstruction of any officer of a law enforcement or security agency (s. 24) amongst others.

•To be continued next week

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

38

LAW & SOCIETY Following the appointment of former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN) as a member of the Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT), the Head of the Department of Commercial Law of the institute, Prof. Paul Obo Idornigie examines the significance of the appointment, its jurisdiction and the procedures for the appointment of of the members of CSAT.

Significance of Azinge’s membership of Commonwealth Arbitral Tribunal

T

HIS article is meant to situate the appointment of Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN) as a member of the Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT).

In this context, to underscore the significance of this appointment and the honour done to Azinge and Nigeria, we shall examine the jurisdiction of the CSAT, the procedure for the appointment of members of the CSAT, the procedure for conducting the arbitral proceedings of the CSAT and the Rules. We shall also examine the applicable law.

The Commonwealth, established in 1965, is an intergovernmental organisation of 53 member-states that were mostly territories of the former British Empire. It is a voluntary association of now independent states. The states are in the following regions: Africa, Asia, Caribbean and Americas, Europe and the Pacific and are diverse – they are among the world’s largest, smallest, richest and poorest countries.

Thirty-one of the members are classified as small states – countries with a population size of 1.5 million people or less and larger states that share similar characteristics with them.

All members subscribe to the Commonwealth values and principles outlined in The Commonwealth Charter. The African Region has the highest number of states followed by the Caribbean and Americas.

The Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal was established by the Commonwealth Governments vide Article I of the Statute of the Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal. The Statute was adopted on 1 July, 1995 and amended by the Commonwealth Governments on June 24, 1999, 18 February 18, 2004, May 14, 2005 and May 16, 2007.

Article II of the Statute provides for the jurisdiction of the CSAT. Essentially the CSAT has jurisdiction to hear and determine any application brought by: (a) a member of staff of the Commonwealth Secretariat; (b) The Commonwealth Secretariat; (c) any other person who enters into a contract with the Commonwealth Secretariat; which alleges the non-observance of a contract in writing with the Commonwealth Secretariat and includes in relation to a contract of service the non-observance of the contract of employment or terms of appointment of such member of staff, and in relation to a contract for services the non-observance of the terms of the contract.

The CSAT also has jurisdiction to hear and determine an application involving an international or intergovernmental Commonwealth body or organisation which meets the requirements set out in Annex A to the Statute and which has addressed to the Commonwealth Secretary General a declaration recognising, in accordance with its constitution or internal administrative arrangements, the exclusive jurisdiction of the CSAT, as well as its Rules of Procedures and brought by: (a) a member of staff of that international or intergovernmental Commonwealth body or organisation; (b) that international or intergovernmental Commonwealth body or organisation; (c) any other person who enters into a contract with that international or intergovernmental Commonwealth body or organisation; whichalso alleges the non-observance of a contract in writing with that international or intergovernmental Commonwealth body or organisation, including, in relation to a contract of service the non-ob-

servance of the contract of employment or terms of appointment of such member of staff, and in relation to a contract for services the non-observance of the terms of the contract.

The requirements for an International or Intergovernmental Commonwealth Body or Organisation to be eligible to access the CSAT are stated in Annex A to the Statute.

The CSAT shall only consider an application if: (a) In relation to a contract of service, the applicant has exhausted all other remedies available within the Commonwealth Secretariat or other body or organisation eligible under Annex A including the redress of grievance procedures specified in the contract or in relevant Staff Rules; and (b) the application is filed within a period of 90 days after the occurrence of certain events like the event giving rise to the application or receipt of notice, after the applicant has exhausted all other remedies available within the Commonwealth Secretariat or other eligible body or organisation that the relief asked for or recommended will not be granted.

The CSAT may nevertheless consider an application which is out of time where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the application to be filed before the end of 90 days.

Under Labour Law, a line is drawn between ‘contract of service’ and ‘contract for services’. In this context, paragraph 5 of Article II provides that ‘contract of service’ means an agreement between the Commonwealth Secretariat or other eligible body or organisation to which the CSAT is open under Annex A to and a member of its staff for work by the staff member over a specified period of time and in relation to which the relevant Regulations, Rules and provisions apply while ‘contract for services’ means a contract for the supply of goods and services other than a contract of service.

Annex B to the Statute deals with the Procedure for the Selection and Appointment of Members of the CSAT. When a vacancy occurs or is about to occur, the Commonwealth Secretariat notifies Member Government in the Region(s) concerned, the Commonwealth Secretariat Staff Association and the Commonwealth legal fraternity and invites nominations. At the end of the specified time period, the Commonwealth Secretariat compiles a list of the nominees proposed

by Member Governments and circulates the list to Member Governments for their consideration and Commonwealth Secretariat Staff Association for its information. Member Governments then meet to select the President or member as the case may be. Member Governments carry out the selection on a regionally representative basis taking into account theneed for continuity and the maintenance of an appropriate gender balance. In selecting or re-selecting members of the CSAT, Member Governments may take into account any views expressed by the Commonwealth Secretary General and the Commonwealth Secretariat Staff Association.

The Commonwealth Secretary formally appoints the President or Member as the case may be to serve a period not exceeding four nears in

the first instance. Members are eligible for re-appointment for another term of four years only. This is also provided for in paragraph 4 of Article IV. Article IV of the Statute provides that the CSAT shall consist of eight members who shall be nationals of Commonwealth Member States and that no two members may be nationals of the same member State.

Members of the CSAT shall be of high moral character and must: (a) have held, hold or be qualified to hold high judicial office in a Commonwealth country; or (b) bejuriscon-sults of recognised competence with experience as such for a period of not less than ten years.

This is the process that produced Azinge. Appointment to the Tribunal is a great honour. Thus Members are recognised as persons of high moral character who hold or have held high judicial office in a Commonwealth country or who are jurisconsults with at least 10 years experience.

According to the provisions of paragraph 5 of Article IV of the Statute, the Tribunal hearing an application shall be composed of three members empanelled by the President. Unless the President decides otherwise, he or she shall be a member of the panel and shall preside over the proceedings. In the absence of the President, the panel shall decide who shall preside. A member of the CSAT has security of tenure and shall remain in office until the end of his/her term of appointment unless the member resigns or dies. A member may only be removed on the ground of manifest unsuitability or inability to perform the duties of a member of the CSAT following a recommendation of the majority of the other members of the CSAT and approved by Member Governments.

In terms of procedure, this is provided in Article VI of the Statute.

Accordingly, the CSAT has drawn up the Procedure for Commencing Proceedings before the Tribunal dealing with time limits, form of application, applicable law, application for oral hearing, costs, review of judgments and application by a non-staff member. The CSAT has also promulgated Rules dated 1 July, 2008. The Rules deal with the Organisation of the CSAT, Sessions, Proceedings, Remand of a Case, Intervention and Miscellaneous Matters. Decision-making is by a majority of the members of the panel which heard the case and the panel states the reasons for its judgment.

According to the provisions of paragraph 5 of Article IX, the judgment of the CSAT is final and binding on the parties and shall not be subject to appeal. However, there is provision for revision or review under paragraphs 5-12 of Article XI. Thus a party to a case in which judgment has been delivered who challenges the judgment on the ground that the CSAT has exceeded or failed to exercise its jurisdiction or competence, or has erred on a question of fact or law or both, or that there has been a fundamental error in procedure which has resulted in a failure of justice or that

the CSAT has acted reasonably having regard to the material placed before it, may apply to the CSAT, within a period of 60 days after the judgment was delivered, for a review of the judgment. A panel of five members who did not sit on the initial panel that delivered the judgment in question, is usually constituted by the President to sit as a Review Board to review the judgment. The Review Board may affirm or rescind in whole or in part the judgment of the panel which heard the application.

Considering the membership of the Commonwealth, the CSAT is a very powerful organ for resolving disputes arising from contract of service and contract for services.

The CSAT is not an organ for resolving commercial disputes but its significance lies in the standing of the 53-member strong Commonwealth in the Regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, Caribbean and Americas and the Pacific. It is an administrative tribunal like the International Labour Organization Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT), United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) and United Nations Administrative Tribunal (UNAT).

Similarly, under the provisions of the UK International Organisations Act, 2005, the President and Members of the CSAT enjoy diplomatic immunity and privileges.

What is the law governing the jurisdiction of the CSAT in relation to contract of service? Paragraph 1 of Article XII of the Statute provides that the CSAT is bound by the principles of international administrative law which shall apply to the exclusion of the national laws of individual member states. In all other cases, the CSAT shall apply the law specified in the contract. Failing that, it shall apply the law most closely connected with the contract in question.

The Commonwealth Secretariat Act, 1966 granted diplomatic immunity to the Commonwealth but was not seen as extending to the CSAT. The 1966 Act was interpreted by English courts as allowing the courts to exercise supervisory jurisdiction under the Arbitration Act, 1996 over the CSAT. However with the passage of the International Organisations Act, 2005, CSAT now has the same legal immunity as the Commonwealth Secretariat itself thus guaranteeing independence of the English Courts.

Azinge has an intimidating profile. He was born on November 13, 1957 in Aba, Abia State although he hails from Asaba, Oshimili South LGA of Delta State. He attended St. Patricks College, Asaba between 1970 and 1975 and then proceeded to the University of Lagos in 1976 where he obtained a degree of Bachelor of Laws with a Second Class Upper Division. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1980 and proceeded to the University of London for his LL.M specialising in Comparative Constitutional Law and Shipping Law in 1983 and completed his PhD in 1986 writing his doctoral thesis on “Electoral Laws in Nigeria”.

‘Appointment to the Tribunal is a great honour. Thus Members are recognised as persons of high moral character who hold or have held high judicial office in a Commonwealth country or who are jurisconsults with at least 10 years experience’

• Prof. Azinge Azinge began his academic career at the University of Benin in 1981 where he taught several courses including the Nigerian Legal System, Legal Process, Jurisprudence, Constitutional Law, Labour Law, Public International Law and Administrative Law. He also taught Information Technology Law and Law of Taxation at the University of Abuja. To demonstrate his extreme passion for education he also taught the Nigerian Legal System at the Nassarawa State University free of charge. At the University of Benin, he held several positions in academics and administration. Professor Azinge, SAN was appointed Special Assistant to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (HAGF) where he served from 1991 to 1997. During that term, he contributed to many landmark legal developments that led to the promulgation of several enactments including the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, Failed Banks Act, Advanced Fee Fraud Act, Money Laundering Act and Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act. He was a Member, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Legal Practice (2004 -2008); Member, NBA Continuing Legal Education Committee (2003 -2006); Chairman, NBA, Section on Business Law and its Sub Committee on Sports and Entertainment. He was elevated to the status of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2006. Azinge has published extensively in diverse areas in local and international journals and also editor of several books. In May 2009, he was appointed the fifth DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies where he demonstrated outstanding passion for legal scholarship and education and edited over 63 books and journals. Outside his academic career, he is actively involved in community develop-ment. He is the Founder of The Sojourners Medicate Foundation, which he personally funds to help accident victims on the highway as well as award of scholarships to indigent Nigerians.

He is a Member of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association and Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. In recognition of his academic and administrative achievements, he was awarded honorary LLD in 2013 by the Commonwealth University, Belise and National Honour - Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in 2014 by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Professor Azinge is happily married to Dr (Mrs) Valerie Azinge and they are blessed with four children.

Azinge is in good company. The President of CSAT is Mr Christopher Jeans, QC (UK). Other members include Mr Arthur Faerua (Vanuatu in the Pacific Region); Mr Justice George Erotocritou (Cyprus in the European Region);Mr Justice Seymour Panton (Jamaica in the Caribbean Region);Mr David Goddard QC (New Zealand in the Pacific); MrChelva R Rajah SC (Singapore in the Asia) and Justice Sandra P Mason, QC (Barbados in the Caribbean Region).

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

39

LAW & SOCIETY Ilupeju property: Court to rule on application seeking exclusion of two defendants

J

USTICE Ganiyu Safari of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja will on June 23, 2015 rule on a Motion on Notice seeking to strike out two defendants in a N12 million suit filed by Abdul Hafisu Bamgbala, the executor to the estate of the Late Alhaji Musa Ahmadu Bamgbala, against Nucleus Ventures Limited and two others over a property situated at 32, Association Avenue, Ilupeju, Lagos.

The application filed by their counsel, A. K. Sanni, is seeking to strike out Nucleus Ventures Limited and Olaide Fowosire who are first and second defendants in the suit filed by Bamgbala through his counsel, Dr. Dayo Amokaye.

The Motion on Notice was brought pursuant to Order 13 Rules 4, 5, 6 and 17 of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2012 and inherent jurisdiction of the court.

But counsel to the claimants, Dr. Dayo Amokaye, had opposed the motion and filed a reply that the company is one and that the third defendant is the alter ego and managing director of second defendant company.

The defendants, in their application, are praying the court to strike out the two defendants on the grounds that they have no interest in the land, the subject matter of the action filed by the claimant, Bamgbala.

They averred in an affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by one Ayodeji Naiyeju, a legal officer in the employment of the first and second defendants, that “the third defendant has been joined to this suit personally whereas to the best of my knowledge, he only acted at all material times to this action as an officer of the second defendant company”.

They had also averred that it was only the second defendant that has interest in the land, subject matter of this action as contained in the “Deed registered as No 8 at No 5 at page 5 in Volume 2259 in the Registered of Deeds kept at the Lagos State Land Registry establishing the fact that it is the 2nd defendant that has a leasehold interest assigned to it”.

But Amokaye had at the last hearing submitted to the court that from the list of directors and shareholders obtained from Corporate Affairs Commission, second defendant and members of his family are shareholders and that the companies in the suit are family businesses.

He submitted that as Managing Director, the third defendant has actual and instructive notice of all actions of the second defendant company.

In the main suit, the claimant is claiming N5million as general damage for alleged trespass on the parcel of land situated at Plot 32, Association Avenue, Ilupeju, Lagos (now municipally known and called 21A and 21B Association Avenue, Ilupeju, Lagos.

• Lagos Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade

By Adebisi Onanuga

The claimant is also asking the court for N2 million as special damage for alleged unlawful trespass on the land and another N5 million as legal fee and cost of the action.

In his amended statement of claim, the claimant claimed to have been granted legal title and management power over a parcel of land situated at Plot 21A and 21B Association Avenue, Ilupeju covered by a registered Deed of Conveyance dated October 5, 1974 and registered as no 47 at Page 47 in Volume 1470 at the Lagos State Land Registry, Alausa Ikeja measuring approximately 1,654.53 square yards and covered by survey Plan No. AL/87/ 1973 dated July 31, 1974.

In their amended statement of claim, the claimant claimed to be one of the executor/trustees and beneficiaries of the estate of late Alhaji Musa Ahmadu Bamgbala by the virtue of a will dated March 6, 1976 and Probate certificate No PHC. 16,575 dated May 15, 1992 issued to him by the Lagos State High Court.

Going by the certificate of the Probate, the claimant averred that as executor, he was granted legal title and management power over a parcel of the land situated at Association Avenue, Ilupeju and that by the clause 4 of the will, it was the testator’s wish that the land described in the will be developed and not be alienated at all.

The claimant averred that sometime in January 2013, he received a telephone call from his younger brother, one Yekini Bamgbala that the defendants entered into the property without lawful consent, authority and his knowledge .

The claimant accused the first and third defendants of allegedly damaging the existing fence, cleared the land and deposited sands, granites

and bags of cement on the land with a view to erecting structures on the land adding that he, thereby, suffered damage which cost he put at N2 million.

He said he did not get the identity of the person behind the unauthorised entry and construction on the property until recently when it was discovered to be the first and third defendants.

The claimant contended that the entry unto the land by the defendants was unlawful and unauthorised “because the executors have neither sold, assign nor transfer their estate’s interest in the land to the defendants”.

The defendants in their statement of defence filed before the court through one of their counsels, Prince A.A. Adetiloye, denied the averments of the claimants in paragraphs 1 to 10 and 12 and 13 of the amended statement of claim.

They claimed in their defence that the late Bamgbala, before his demise, executed his last Will and Testament dated March 6, 1976 which was admitted to probate by the High Court of Lagos State on March 15, 1992.

They averred that the claimant was not the only executor of their late father’s will and listed other executors to include M. A. Fari, Musa A. Balogun and Musibau A. Bamgbala as first, second and third executors respectively.

The defendants contended that at the time of admitting the will to probate, the first executor was already dead and that probate was only granted three executors including the claimant who they said was the fourth executor of the will.

While the claimant was based in United States, the defendant claimed that he was seised of the conduct of the affairs of the estate.

They averred that there was no where in the will where it was stipulated that the subject matter “shall not be alienated at all” but contended that the specific restriction in clause 4 of the will was that the land is “not to be sold”.

They claimed that the claimant wrote a letter of authorisation dated January 26, 1994 authorising the other two executors, Balogun and Musibau Bamgbala, to act in his absence as signatories for the estate until further notice.

They averred that the estate was unable to develop the land and subsequently offered same for development under development lease to the knowledge of all the executors and other beneficiaries of the estate.

They said the lease was subsequently assigned to the second defendant by Capital Trustees and Nominees Limited by virtue of a Deed of Assignment dated October 6, 2009 consequent upon which they erected a three-storey building, which is now an hotel.

Group to Buhari, Osinbajo: declare your assets publicly

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OCIO-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President in line with their anticorruption credentials.

The group contended that declaration would in the best interest of transparency and accountability.

SERAP’s request followed the declaration of assets last week by the President and Vice President to the Code of Conduct Bureau as required by the Constitution.

In a statement, the group’s Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, said: “We welcome the official declaration of assets by the President and Vice President. This clearly complies with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution as contained in Chapter VI Section 140. However, the declaration before the Code of Conduct alone falls far short of the commitment to publicly declare their assets.”

The organisation recalled that the President had said before the election

By Adebisi Onanuga

that he would publicly declare his assets and liabilities, and encourage all his appointees to publicly declare their assets and liabilities as a pre-condition for appointment.

“We now expect the President to fulfil this promise to the Nigerian people,” the group said.

The organisation “trusts that the President and Vice President will move swiftly to publicly declare their assets and to publish widely the information on a dedicated website”.

The group argued that public disclosure of assets would give the public a true picture of the assets of the President and Vice President and would send a message that it is not going to be business as usual with this government.

“This will also follow the best practice by former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, boost this government’s

• President Buhari fight against corruption and impunity of perpetrators, and fully comply with the provisions of chapter two of the dealing with Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, which among others require the government to take steps to eradicate corrupt practices and the abuse of power,” the group added.

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com For comments: 08033054939 (sms only)

Great expectations from Buhari, Osinbajo

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief, Nigeria Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria and his deputy Professor Yemi Osinbajo, (SAN), GCON, surely deserve our congratulations on their successful inauguration in Abuja, on May 29. Their ascension to the prestigious offices were momentous, consideringthe palpable fear that had overwhelmed Nigerians,prior to the last general elections. Their success also elicits excitement, because of their pedigree, particularly as persons who have never shown the predilection for ostentatious lifestyles and the concomitant corrupt self-aggrandisement. It is, therefore, hoped that their tenure will bring improvement in the material, spiritual and psychological wellbeing of Nigerians.

As we read this piece, the reverie from the inauguration parties across the country should have worn out. If it hasn’t, it should, considering the enormous challenges facing the country. While many commentators have continued to taunt the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), over their challenge in transforming from the ruling party to the opposition party; they fail to appreciate that the challenge facing the All Progressive Congress (APC), in transforming from the opposition party to the ruling party is even more enormous. The job of the opposition is to propound alternative programs, while the job of the ruling party is to execute successful programs.

So, for APC, it is time to walk the talk. I guess the first task facing the leadership of the party is to select those who have the integrity and the quality to rouse the expected change across the country. Such men and women would be required to sit down with the President and the Vice President, to share their vision for the country, in the next four years. With the presidential vision as guide, the egg-heads would brainstorm, and chart a policy direction and mission for the administration and the country. With a vision and mission in place, governance becomes a standard routine, with less stress for the leaders.

Luckily for Nigeria, between the two leaders, we have a potentially benefitting combination.While one has untrammelled bravery and force, the other possess intellectual power and methodology. If the two fail to harmonise, the presidency would be less effective, and our country would be the worse for it. But if the two and the contending forces they represent agree to work together, then there would be efficiency, just like in a new automobile or indeed any technology, which is a synchronisation of forces, to achieve a goal.That is why APC and her leaders must agree on a common vision, mission and the processes to achieve all that they hope to achieve, within the next four years.

Nigeria in many respects,therefore, represents Charles Dickens’s the Great Expectations. Also, APC, Buhari and Osinbajo figuratively represents the great expectations for Nigerians.While Nigeria is a woven tale of ‘wealth and poverty, love and rejection, and (hopefully) the eventual triumph of good over evil’ likethe Great Expectations; the new presidency represents for Nigerians, the beacon of great expectations; and if you ask many, the solution to all the problems of Nigeria and Nigerians. As the President was reported to have observed to the Vice President during their campaigns, many of those shouting ‘change’, would when their expectations are not quickly met, join to curse and complain, against them.

For this column, like many other Nigerians, that great expectations has to be met. While it will be unfair to expect magic from the new administration, I guess the presidency already know, that Nigerians would not be willing to accept excuses, for any failure.To meet the great expectation, what is needed from the presidency is to tap into the vast human capital that abound in Nigeria. I believe that once President Buhari and his government show the inflexible determination to do it right, to all manner of people without fear, favour or ill-will, the majority of Nigerians would join them, to achieve the great expectation.

Across the states, the governors must also show the willingness to join, to achieve the great expectation. When it comes to governance, it is the wish of many Nigerians that partisanship should take the back seat, particularly as the next general elections are four years away.Of note, unless there is a change in the national economic structure of the country, the Buhari administration can only make a dent, on the gargantuan economic, social and political challenges facing the country. The reason is simply because there is little or no economic activities going on in most of the states of the federation, save the monthly gathering, to share the money received from the federation account.

As this column has severally canvassed, the states across the country must be given greater economic opportunities, if we hope to have a real national rebirth. While the presidency should walk towards reducing the items in the exclusive legislative list, for the federal government, in favour of the states; the President can immediatelygrant more economic opportunities to states, willing to walk the talk. For instance, states willing to mine minerals in their backyards, build and use rail lines within their states, generate and use their own electricity, dredge and use the water ways and harbours within their domain, build highways, among other economic activities, presently tied to exclusive legislative list, should be encouraged and granted the rights by the Federal Government.

Unfortunately for Buhari and Osinbajo, most governmentsin recent years, failed to meet the great expectations of Nigerians, and the international community. The result is that Nigeria is commonly referred to as a potentially great country. Now, it is expected that all the past challenges of the country would be resolved by the twosome and their party, that rode into power, with the mantra of change.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

NATIONAL BAR

Innovative provisions of Administration Two weeks before his exit, of Criminal Justice Act 2015 former President Goodluck

tion of it in the interest of justice to the safe custody of the owner or person having interest in the property. This provision further provides that where any property has been taken from a suspect in section 10 of the ACJ Act, and the suspect is not charged before a court but is released on the ground that there is no sufficient reason to believe that he has committed an offence, any property taken from the suspect shall be returned to him, provided the property is neither connected to nor a proceed of crime.

Jonathan signed the Administrator of Criminal Justice bill into law. In this piece, Professor of law, Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), examines key provision of the new law.

Recording of Arrest

The ACJ Act makes provisions for mandatory record of personal data of an arrested Person. This is contained in section 15 of the Act. Such personal data of the arrested person shall include: (a) the alleged offence(s); (b) the date and circumstances of the arrest; (c) name, occupation and residential address of the suspect; and (d) the suspect’s identification which include his height, photograph, fingerprint impressions, or such other means of identification.

Subsection 2 of section 15, further provides that the process of recording shall be concluded within a reasonable time, not exceeding forty-eight hours.

This is intended to check prolong pre-trial detention in the guise of recording the personal data of the arrested person.

Introduction

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RIMINAL procedure in Nigeria is gov erned by two principal legislations which were handed down to us by the British Colonial Administration, namely: the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) 1 and the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC)2. Each state in Nigeria has either adopted the CPA or the CPC. These laws have been applied for many decades without significant improvement. As a result, the criminal justice system has lost its capacity to respond quickly to the needs of the society to check the rising waves of crime, speedily bring criminals to book and protect the victims of crime. The ACJA2015 responds to Nigeria’s dire need of a new legislation that will transform the criminal justice system to reflect the true intents of the Constitution and the demands of a democratic society, eliminate unacceptable delays in disposing of criminal cases and improve the efficiency of criminal justice administration in the country. Indeed the Buhari Administration should urgently commence the implementation of the ACJA to prosecute its campaign against corruption and allied crimes.

The provisions for the reform of Administration of Criminal Justice were first developed in 2005 by the National Working Group on the Reform of Criminal Justice in Nigeria. The Group which was established by the then Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation Chief Akin Olujinmi, SAN was maintained by his successor, Chief BayoOjo, SAN. The Group consisted of individuals drawn from all segments of the criminal justice sector. The immediate Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN upon assumption established the Panel on Implementation of Justice Reform (PIJR) in 2011to implement the proposals for reform produced by the National Working Group under the earlier administrations. The Panel conducted a detailed review of the proposals, brought them up-to-date and adopted an improved version.

The ACJ proposals merged the provisions of the two principal legislations, CPA and CPC into one principal federal Act which is intended to apply uniformly in all federal courts across the entire Federation. Substantially, it preserves the existing criminal procedures. But it introduces new innovative provisions that will enhance the efficiency of the justice system. In other words the ACJA 2015 builds upon the existing framework of criminal justice administration in the country. However, it fills the gaps observed in these laws over the course of several decades. The contents as revised and updated by the Panel on Implementation of Justice Reform (PIJR), with the support of the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies have now been enacted into law. The House of Representatives have turned the proposals to a Act and passed them wholly into law.

Purposes of the Act

The main purposes of the ACJ Act (ACJA) 2015 include the following: To promote efficient management of criminal justice institutions and speedy dispensation of justice, protect the society from crime, and Protect the rights and the interest of the defendant and the victim. The purposes of the ACJ Act are captured in section 1 of the Act. These indicate a deliberate shift from punishment as the main goal of the criminal justice to restorative justice which pays attention to the needs of the society, the victims, vulnerable persons and human dignity.

The general provisions of the ACJ Act apply to criminal trial in court except where express provision is made in the Act or in any other law in respect of any particular court or form of trial. Specifically, section 2 of the Act provides that its provision shall not apply to a Court Martial.

Unlawful Arrests

Unlawful arrest is one of the major problems of our criminal process and it is one of the

Establishment of a Police Central Criminal Registry •CJN Justice Mahmud Mohammed

• Prof. Akinseye-George

reasons why police stations and prisons are overcrowded. Arrests are sometimes made on allegation that are purely civil in nature or on a frivolous ground. By section 10(1) of the CPA, the police could arrest without a warrant, any person who has no ostensible means of sustenance and who cannot give a satisfactory account of himself. This particular provision has been greatly abused by the police who use it as a ground to arrest people indiscriminately. The ACJ Act has deleted this provision.

There have been several instances where the police arrested relations or friends and close associate of a crime suspect to compel the suspect to give himself up even though that person is not linked in any way to the crime the suspect is being accused of. Section 7 of the ACJ Act specifically prohibits arrest in lieu.

Apart from the police, other agencies vested with power of arrest e.g. the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), etc had abused this power to arrest and detain relatives and close associates of criminal suspect in lieu of the suspects where they had challenges in apprehending the suspects. Section 7 should curtail this kind of abuses.

pect will have the benefit of not only being informed of the offence he has committed but also an additional advantage of counsel assisting in securing his immediate release on bail and ensuring that trial is expeditious. This would in turn prevent prolonged detention of suspects and hopefully bring about decongestion of the prisons.

Notification of cause of arrest

Sections 5 of the CPA and 38 of the CPC provide that a police officer or a person making an arrest is to inform the arrested person of the reason for the arrest, except where he is being arrested in course of the commission of the offence or is pursued immediately after the commission of the offence or escaped from lawful custody. It has been argued that this provision falls short of the contemporary requirement3. The ACJ Act 2015 retains this provision in section 6. However there is a proviso which mandates the police officer or any other person to inform the suspect of his right to: (a) remain silent or avoid answering any question until after consultation with a legal practitioner or any other person of his own choice; (b) consult a legal practitioner of his choice before making, endorsing or writing any statement or answering any question put to him after arrest; (c) free legal representation by the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria where applicable.

This provision re-affirms section 35(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which provides that any person who is arrested or detained shall have the right to remain silent or answering any question until after consultation with a legal practitioner or any other person of his choice.

It is necessary to state here that the proviso in section 6 (2) is quite laudable since the sus-

Humane treatment of an arrested Person and prohibition of arrest on civil cases The ACJ Act 2015 reiterated the human right constitutional provision of the right to dignity of person. Section 8(1) of the Act provides that: a suspect shall- (a) be accorded humane treatment, having regard to his right to the dignity of his person. (b) Not be subjected to any form of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

Section 8 (2) deals with the longstanding problem whereby people employ the machinery of criminal justice wrongly for civil matters. It is not uncommon for people to maliciously instigate the arrest and detention of others for a breach of contract, failure to pay debt owed or for other civil wrongs. This provision that “a suspect shall not be arrested merely on a civil wrong or breach of contract.” is a laudable one. It is believed that it would check arbitrary arrest of persons and torture by law enforcement and security agencies.

Mandatory Inventory of Property

In order to encourage accountability and transparency, the ACJ Act introduced in section 10 a provision which states that a police officer making an arrest or to whom a private person hands over a suspect, shall take an inventory of all items or properties recovered from the suspect. The inventory must be duly signed by the police officer and the suspect. However, where the suspect refuses to sign, it shall not invalidate the inventory. This provision also directs that a copy of the inventory shall be given to the suspect, his legal practitioner, or such other person as the suspect may direct.

This provision permits the police to release such property upon request by either the owner of the property or parties having interest in the property pending the arraignment of the suspect before a Court. Where a police officer refuses to release the property to the owner or any person having interest in the property, the police officer shall make a report to the court of the fact of the property taken from the arrested suspect and the particulars of the property.

It is now entirely for the court to decide whether to release the property or any por-

‘The main purposes of the ACJ Act (ACJA) 2015 include the following: To promote efficient management of criminal justice institutions and speedy dispensation of justice, protect the society from crime, and Protect the rights and the interest of the defendant and the victim’

Section 16(1) of the ACJ Act makes provision for the establishment, within the Nigeria Police, a Central Criminal Record Registry. Subsection 2 of section 16 provides that there shall be established at every state police command, a Criminal Records Registry which shall keep and transmit all such records to the Central Criminal Records Registry.

Subsection 3 mandates the Chief Registrar of the courts to transmit the decisions of the court in all criminal trials to the Central Criminal Records Registry within thirty-days after delivery of judgment. Where there is default by the Chief Registrar to transmit records within thirty days after judgment, he shall be liable to disciplinary measures by the Federal Judicial Service Commission for misconduct.

The establishment of Central Criminal Record Registry will ensure that all arrests and judgments are well documented. This is intended to avoid a repeat of what happened in the case of Agbi v.

Ibori4. The central figure in this case was Chief James OnanefeIbori, the then Governor of Delta State. At the time of commencement of this action at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja he was a candidate for the 2003 general elections. In an action before the said High Court two persons suing as Plaintiffs began a joint action to challenge Ibori’s qualification to stand as a gubernatorial candidate for the 2003 election having been an ex-convict. The action did not succeed before the High Court, however on appeal to the Court of Appeal, the Court in a unanimous judgment allowed the appeal of the Plaintiffs, set aside the judgment of the High Court and ordered that the case be heard afresh by another Judge of the High Court.

The proceedings commenced at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory and one of the main issues was whether the record of proceedings of Bwari Upper Area Court in case N0. CK 81-95 (Exhibit A) wherein one James OnanfeIbori was convicted was sufficient to act against the 5th Defendant/Appellant (James OnanfeIbori) as an ex-convict. During the trial the Area Court Judge came to court and testified that James OnanfeIbori was an ex-convict. James OnanfeIbori on the other hand, contented that Exhibit A did not conform to section 157 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The court gave judgment in favour of James OnanfeIbori and the matter was dismissed.

With the new provision in the ACJ Act, cases like this would no longer pose a major problem as there would be sufficient information on all convicted persons which would make it easy to identify them in subsequent proceedings.

Electronic recording of confessional statement Section 15(4) of the Act provides that where a person arrested with or without a warrant of arrest volunteers to make a confessional statement, the police officer shall record the statement in writing or may record the making of the confessional statement electronically on a retrievable video compact disc or such other audio visual means. Subsection (5) of section 15 provides that notwithstanding the provision of subsection (4), an oral confession of arrested suspect shall be admissible in evidence. This provision of the ACJ Act conforms to the position of the law as contained in the Evidence Act. •Continued next week

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

43

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

HEALTH TALK with How to achieve complete health: Illnesses and their prevention

T • The triplets

After two children, all the Igwilos wanted was one more child. That plan was truncated when Mrs Francisca Igwilo was delivered of a set of triplets on May 4. They are happy with their ‘bundles of joy’, but they will be happier if they get help to train them, reports OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA.

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‘We don’t want them to be street kids’

ER plan was to have one more child and be done with it. But her calculations went awry when she was delivered of a set of triplets - all girls on May 4.

Before the triplets, she already had two children - a boy and a girl.

Though Mrs Fransca Igwilo is happy with the birth of the triplets, she is concerned about their future.

Reason: she least bargained for triplets. Mrs Igwilo, a Linguistics graduate of the Nnamdi Azikwe University in Awka, the Anambra State capital, is astonished because she wanted just “one more” in addition to the two children.

The unemployed woman is seeking help to ensure the tripletsChiamaka Chinemelum and Chigemezu turn out well in life.

Her mother has joined her in Lagos to help her cope with the stress of taking care of the triplets, who she delivered throught Caesarean section (CS).

Mrs Igwilo is shocked that she gave birth to triplets because, “even the scan was showing twins,” she told The Nation.

She said: “It has been some sort of battle making ends meet in the light of the economic situation in the country. But as an upcoming

•Mr and Mrs Igwilo

family, we are trying our best to live a modest lifestyle. We are happy because as a graduate, I have not been sitting down at home folding my hands, but the more I try the more it is difficult to break even.

“I decided to conclude procreation by having one more child, so I can have time to engage in further trainings vocationally and non-vocationally but I did not know I will have triplets. So we need help urgently now to give them quality livelihood and give them sound education. I am appealing to philanthropists, nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), government at state and federal levels, church and wellmeaning Nigerians to come to our aid.

“I am coming out to make this appeal on behalf of my family because my husband trying as a teacher. He that wears the shoe knows where it pinchies. As a teacher, he was doing his best to provide for his family, even emptying his account to settle the hospital bill because I delivered through CS. All of us are now depending on him.’

Are you willing to assist the

Igwilos? You can call Mrs Igwilo on- 07038611282. Her account details: Mrs Francisca Igwilo, Diamond Bank, A/c No- 0042771792.

Her husband, Mr Malachi Igwilo 41, a teacher in a private school, said: “As a catholic faithful, I cannot abandon my wife at this period but the experience has really been trying. Whenever I read stories like this in newspapers, I normally doubt. But now I am in the eye of the storm. “ Igwilo said: “We got married in 2009 and we were blessed with two children but now these additional three are blessings of God that I cannot shirk my responsibilities from. When I read that husbands abandon wives or children after delivery, I used to wonder why, but now that I am going through it, I understand better. It is just not easy coping financially.

Even psychologically, I have been to the limit but for the grace of God. Is it the hospital bill? But I thank God mother and children are hale and hearty. Every child is a gift from God; I am just appealing to people to please help us in any capacity because I want these children to be educated and not to be street children.”

HERE are many ways in which we can prevent death and diseases reaching us by undertaking simple procedures via our own actions. Lives may be cut short as a result of one or combination of: • Infection such as E-coli, typhoid, malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDs, • Genetic diseases: sickle cell disease •Metabolic diseases such as diabetics or even nutritional disorders such as obesity • Environmental poisoning and allergy: such as salmonella food poisoning and asthma.

• Degenerative diseases such as dementia • Cancers such as breast and lung cancer • Mental health disorders such as depression and schizophrenia • Accidents, murders and suicides •Absence of credible spiritual guidance in the manner of holistic care Let us now discuss each of the above topics so as to help us live a healthy lifestyle.

Infections: Avoid all forms of infections. No infection is a good infection.

Viral infections: Beware of herpes infection that you can contract via kissing (Herpes Type 1) and through sex (Herpes Type 2). Note that Type 1 can become Type 2 and vice versa. Human Papiloma virus (HPV) can also be transmitted by getting in contact with infected genitals (penis, vagina, cervix and their surrounding areas), anus, mouth and throat. HPV can cause cancers. On its own, HP virus can lead to cervical, throat, mouth and anal cancers. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and hepatitis B and C viruses you will remember, are a viruses commonly contacted via sex, blood transfusion, sharing of blood containing germs: such as in needles, blades, razors and of course through saliva (for HIV) or body fluids in general.

Other viral infections that you may need to be aware of include flu infections that occur sporadically such as “swine” flu and the other common cold flu. Again, this can be transmitted via kissing and inhaling infected air. Thus, you may need to protect your family against any breakout of these viruses. Other methods of contacting viral infection are by use of tools or household things that have not been disinfected but had been used by infected person. Razor blades, shaving blades are examples. For some viral diseases such as wart affecting the feet, hands and legs, they can be transmitted by sharing infected common media such as shower floors, mats and swimming pool. There are other viruses that may be a danger to new born or pregnant women and the baby: They are rubella and chicken pox viral infections. They are usually contacted if you get in contact with infected person. In early childhood, measles, polio virus are a serious threat to lives.

Dr Joel Akande Infertility Specialist and Consultant managementlease@yahoo.com Prevention: The key to it all is not to come in contact with any infection. With the methods of transmission that have been mentioned above, you can identify how to avoid them and to protect yourself from these infections. The other method of prevention is to receive vaccination against these viruses.

Some vaccinations are available for such as rubella, hepatitis B, polio (for children and adults) infections.

HPV vaccinations are available for teenagers: boys and girls. Get vaccinated. b) Bacteria infections are very common. You can live without them if you are careful. In some occasions, being infected by them has nothing to do with you but your handlers and carers including parents. Nevertheless, unlike viral infection, bacterial infection requires in most cases, a direct contact with them. In some occasions, as in tuberculosis, you can contact them via the infected air. MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) , E-coli, requires to a large extent, a direct contact with infected source. Tetanus, on the other hand, requires you to get in touch with infected and dirty earth or have the bacteria enclosed in your wounds. Getting sexually transmitted bacteria such as gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, and syphilis means you have to contact infected person to get it (through sex), although you are as good as getting it if you have infected blood or you are injected with it. Other methods of getting bacteria infection are via water and food that we eat. Examples are typhoid (Salmonella Typhi) and Cholera. They can be found in infected stools, food and water. In most cases, this is how Ecoli, typhoid and cholera get into a person.

Prevention: Always cook your food well. Wash your hands with water and soap after visiting toilets or handling earth. Wash fruits thoroughly before eating. Disinfect with simple food disinfectants.

Bathroom/toilets should be spring clean and human, animal and plant wastes should be well disposed of.

Live in a tidy environment. Ensure well ventilated living and home areas. Some infections can be vaccinated against. Example of this is TB (tuberculosis) and tetanus. But there is no substitute for good personal and environmental hygiene.

Avoid overcrowding. Needless to say that, one way to prolong life is to have all forms of infection and wounds contained and treated very promptly. Have a trusted sexual partner and stick to the person.

•To be continued next week

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

44

HEALTH

Screen for hypertension, Nigerians told

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IGERIANS have been told to undergo screening for hypertension also known as high blood pressure (HBP) to prevent heart problems and stroke, among other diseases.

According to the President, Nigerian Cardiac Society, Dr Amam Mbakwem, people need to know their numbers because hypertension has no known symptoms.

She spoke at this year’s World Hypertension Day with the theme: “Know your number”.

Hypertension, she said, places stress on the cardiovascular system.

This strain on the heart, she said, usually leads to structural changes in the arteries and the heart, adding: “As a result, it damages vital organs, such as the brain, heart and lungs as well as liver and kidney is inevitable.”

She said hypertension is the third leading cause of death globally.

“It was named the number one killer by the World Health Organisation (WHO). It causes 20 per cent of all deaths in men and 24 per cent of deaths in women, 62 per cent of

By Wale Adepoju

strokes and 49 per cent of coronary heart disease Mbakwem said there is paucity of data on the actual hypertension prevalence in Nigeria.“But, more than 27 million Nigerian adults above 25 years are hypertensive.

This figure is in line with estimations made by the WHO. Some published research studies showed that four out of every 10 adults have high blood pressure.

This is at 2008.

“The results also show a slightly higher prevalence in women than men,” she said.

The cardiologist said most hypertensives do not know they have the condition, stressing that awareness has been poor.

She continued: “In some parts of the rural north, research shows it is as low as two percent. Every adult must know their blood pressure numbers by maintaining a good habit of regular monitoring and medical checks.”

Everybody, she said, is at risk for developing high blood pressure, which has no marked symptoms.

“Mostly symptoms experienced may be attributable to the onset of end-organ damage due to undiagnosed, untreated or poorly controlled hypertension,” she said.

Although most people will experience high blood pressure at some time in their life, certain individuals are at a higher risk for developing chronic (long-term) hypertension.

She identified smoking, excessive alcohol intake, emotional stress, unhealthy diet (salt and fat intake), obesity and low physical activity are all modifiable risk factors that can play prominent roles in increasing people risk to hypertension.

“Also, individuals with a family history of hypertension are more likely to develop hypertension,” she said.

She said improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment as well as controlling hypertension can be done at the individual, hospital, regional and national levels.

“Individuals must make lifestyle

modifications, such as switching to a healthy diet, regular exercise and reducing alcohol consumption.

Others are stopping smoking and visiting the doctor regularly and measuring blood pressure regularly at home and discuss the results with the doctor.

She said the government and policy makers must improve 9the capacity of health care personnel in managing condition the condition, especially at the primary care levels to reduce the barrier of access to quality care.

This, she said, is very important considering the low doctor-patient ratio and the high patient burden at secondary and tertiary hospitals in the country.

Mbakwem charged the government to accelerate its capabilities to set up a non-communicable diseases surveillance and monitoring system across the country. Besides, we need to set policies, such as screening for high blood pressure and perhaps high blood glucose in the regular National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS).

“Also, it should produce evidence-based national guidelines for the management of hypertension in patients with different conditions and complications. This should replace the old version.

“It must also put forward and aggressively pursue preventive national health policies, for example,

•Mbakwem

that promote population-wide salt reduction since salt intake has been implicated as a leading risk factor in the development of hypertension in blacks,” she said.

Country Manager, Omron Healthcare, Abiodun Olugbenga, advised Nigerians to have a blood pressure monitors at home since it is the only way to know if their blood pressure is on the rise.

HBP, he said, has no recognisable symptoms.

“This can be performed by either a doctor or healthcare professional or at home using a portable blood pressure monitor from Omron’s line of clinically validated blood pressure monitoring devices,” he added.

Institute trains health workers on nutrition

N

ESTLÉ Nutrition Institute Africa (NNIA) has trained 50 paramedics on nutrition in the first 1,000 days of life.

The paramedics, according to NNIA, were drawn from Anglophone countries of Central and West Africa.

Tagged ‘The International Course in Applied Nutrition’ the course was organised by the NNIA for those between ages 18 and 21. It has as theme The First 1000 days of life: Early nutrition and long term health.

The company assured of its commitment to provide educational programmes for good nutrition, feeding practices and helping healthcare professionals to have a greater impact on the dietary aspects of care of future generations.

Category Manager, Nestlé Nutri-

•A facilitator putting the participants through a practical training.

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

tion, Nestlé Nigeria, Rizwan Yousuf, said his organisation was convinced that good maternal nutrition during pregnancy and exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months is the best to ensure a good start in life.

He said children who receive good nutrition in their first 1000 days are 10 times more likely to resist the most common lifethreatening childhood diseases.

“They will complete more than four more grades at school and earn 21 per cent more wages as adults,” he said.

Yousuf said they would also have happier and healthier families as adults and contribute positively to the economic growth of the nation.

Stakeholders divided over drug distribution guidelines TAKEHOLDERS are divided over when the new Mega Drug Distribution System (MDDS) guidelines implementation should begin.

The implementation date was shifted to this year, following disagreement among key players last year.

While some clamoured for the implementation, others said the guidelines should not be executed as they might cripple the sector.

The issue again came up at the bimonthly meeting of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) in Lagos.

The theme of the event was: New drug distribution policy implementation.

The stakeholders said the system should be evolutionary and not revolutionary.

The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Emma Ekunno, said there was the need to clean up the sector, adding that it should evolve with time.

He, however, said this should be done cautiously, adding that those involved are stakeholders.

Ekunno, who is the Managing

S

By Wale Adepoju and Faruk Hamzat

Director, Neimeth Pharmaceuticals Limited, said if the new guidelines took effect this year as proposed by the government, it would boost the sector.

He said though the guidelines are good, they would only reduce counterfeiting, adding: “They can never extinguish it.”

Ekunno said the implementation had to be right to clean up the value chain, which is the unwanted market.

The chairman said the new drug distribution system was wellintended, adding that the stakeholders should make it work.

Managing Director, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Dr Fidelis Ayebae, said the government and key players should address the problem of chaotic drug distribution before implementing the new guidelines.

His words: “This is needful so that we don’t start speaking from both sides of the mouth and charlatans will take advantage of the situation.”

He cautioned on disenfranchise-

ment of charlatans, adding that it would only lead to the creation of new ones.

Ayebae said 65 per cent of key players upon which the market is built are charlatans, adding that mega drug distribution companies should not revolutionise the sector by expunging the counterfeiters.

Besides, the Federal Government needs to bring drug markets under regulation.

“We need the charlatans to reach the interiors in the country because we cannot do it alone,” he said.

He said the government owe the manufacturers a lot of money, adding that charlatans could pull their resources into the sector when they are brought into the fold by regulation. “Then, there will be growth in the sector and everybody can be better for it,” he said.

Ayebae said charlatans should be encouraged to do their business legally because MDDS do not sell drugs, they only distribute.

President, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (PMGMAN), Steve Onya said his association has queried those who formulated the guidelines.

“They are professionals, but they are not technically competent,” he said.

He said fakers should be encouraged to do things rightly to regulate, adding: “There would not be a place for mega distributors to sell, if charlatans are expunged from the system.”

He warned that the industry might lose about 150,000 jobs if the charlatans were forced out.

Onya said the guidelines should not be implemented for now, adding: “If key players do something outside the regulated wholesale system, the market will die. A mega distributor cannot sell in a vacuum.”

President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Mr Olumide Akintayo said the society did not draft the document, adding that it only appraised it.

Akintayo, represented by Dr Lolu Ojo, described the drug distribution

market as a tolerated illegality.

He said everybody, including charlatans should be controlled.

He said PSN had sensitised pharmacists that there would be a paradigm shift before the guidelines were recommended.

MDDS, he said, is a good intention, which should be supported to sanitise the sector.

“It will order the channel of distribution. The integrity of pharmacists will be at stake until this is achieved,” he said.

Minister of State for Health, Fidelis Nwankwo, said stakeholders were carried along during the formulation of the guidelines.

Nwankwo, represented by a Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Health, Titus Tile, urged pharmacists to ensure appropriate implementation of the guidelines because it is in their interest.

He urged them to take advantage of the potential, which abound in the sector, adding that investors may take over their sector.

He told them not to entertain any fear as the document is renewable every two years.

45

TUESDAY JUNE 2, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

INNOCENT DURU examines the contributions of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, to the sustenance of electoral democracy.

The party unleashed its anger on Jega over his insistence that the commission would use the Permanent Voter Cards for the election and plotted to remove him.

The plot to remove him thickened when the PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PDPPCO) alleged that he was working with the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the elections.

The Director of Media of the PDPPCO, Femi Fani-Kayode, who made the allegation however, declined to provide evidence, noting that he was aware that the allegations were weighty and would expect Jega to react.

This was followed by despicable protests and call for the sack of Jega by members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, (MASSOB), in Ebonyi State, and the Gani Adams-led Oodua Peoples Congress, in Ebonyi and Lagos States.

How ’ll history remember Jega?

Failed bid to sack Jega

P

ROFESSOR Attaihiru Jega, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), proved he was an incorruptible umpire with his sterling performance during the general elections. He combined tact, political sagacity and sincerity of purpose to give the country an election that was adjudged to be free and fair locally and internationally. By this feat, he saved the country from the political conflagration that was waiting to consume it had the elections gone awry.

The successful conduct of the elections against all odds, justified the confidence reposed in him by Nigerians when he was appointed in 2010 by President Goodluck Jonathan.

His resilience and avowed commitment to making sure that the elections were free and fair, sharply contrasted with the performance of his predecessor, Prof Maurice Iwu, whose tenure was characterised by overt electoral fraud that totally diverted the country from the path of political glory and made it a laughing stock among the comity of nations. Iwu simply did the bidding of his pay masters instead of carrying out the demands of his office.

•Prof. Jega

‘

I will suggest that the Federal Government should give him national honour on October 1. With due respect, it would be degrading to compare him with Prof.

Maurice Iwu. The only person that comes close to him is Prof Humphrey Nwosu

’

Awiding Iwu’s mistakes Prince Tony Momoh, the former Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), had this to say about him during his tenure: “ Maurice Iwu will go down in history as the most controversial INEC chairman Nigeria ever had and may ever have. If Nigeria has an Iwu again, that is an embodiment of the negative part of the Iwu phenomenon, there is little doubt that his tenure would be the sharp knife that would cut that tenuous chord that had held Nigeria together over the years, come rain or shine. “ Iwu so personalised the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission chairman that his name will remain, in its negative connotation, a synonym for electoral malpractices.For five years now when Iwu took office at INEC, he has done a great deal to grow the institution, but he has done much more, in the opinion of many, to bring shame to Nigeria as a country that cannot meet the simple requirement of conducting elections by ensuring that people vote, that the votes are counted, and that their votes count in the choice of those who govern.

“The world, and Nigerians, minus Iwu and his collaborators, knew there were no elections in 2007. An election in which ballot papers were printed and delivered after the swearing in of those who are supposed to have won the election, cannot be said to be an election, nor to describe it as free and fair.

“An election in which compilation of results took place before the day of elections, on the day of the elections, and even after the day of the elections, without regard and respect for the people who were lined up to cast their votes and waited in vain to do so, cannot be said to be an election, nor can it be described as free and fair. We need someone who can look people in the face, however powerful they are or claim to be, and tell them what the law says and his responsibility to apply its provisions.

Jega turned out to be the person that Prince Momoh and Nigerians were looking forward to, to take over the commission and sanitise the electoral process in the land.

Jega’s profile Born on the 11th of January, 1957 he attended Sabon-Gari/ Town Primary School, Jega, where he obtained his Primary School Leaving Certificate from 1963 to 1969 ; and the West African School Certificate (WASC) and the General Certificate of Education (GCE) O’ Level in 1974 at the Government Secondary School, Birnin-Kebbi. On leaving secondary school, he was admitted into Bayero University College, Kano (ABU, Zaria) for his Advanced Level Certificate studies; after which he proceeded for his undergraduate studies. He graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science Degree (Hon) in Political Science.

In 1979, after the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in the then Cross River State, he took up appointment with Bayero University, Kano (BUK). He thereafter proceeded to Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA, where he obtained his Masters (1981) and Doctorate (1985) de-

grees in Political Science – specializing in Political Economy.

While at Northwestern, he also obtained a Certificate in African Studies.

Professor Jega’s rich academic career saw him serve at various times as Visiting Research Fellow, University of Stockholm, Sweden (Swedish Institute Fellowship), 1994; Visiting Research Fellow, St. Peter’s College, University of Oxford, 1996; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Bayero University, Kano, 19951996; Acting Director, Centre for Research and Documentation (CRD), Kano,1998; and Director, Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Mambayya House, BUK, 2000-2004. He attained the pinnacle on September 6th, 2004, with his appointment as Vice-Chancellor, Bayero University, Kano – a position he occupied until his appointment as the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in June 2010.

His appointment as the INEC boss was widely applauded by various political parties, professional bodies and individuals.

The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary , Prof.

Rufai Alkali, hailed Jega’s appointment believing that he would bring his wealth of experience as a professor of political science to bear in the performance of his new assignment. He did so.

Also congratulating him, the ANPP called on Jega to create a “re-branded INEC by flushing out all bad eggs” in the commission as soon as the Senate ratified his appointment. He wasted no in doing that.

The speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Hon. Onofiok Luke said the academic’s antecedents as ASUU chairman foretells a great era in the nation’s electoral system, adding that Jega’s sheer commitment to public interest, his uprightness and consistency as ASUU chairman all justified his choice.

The then president of Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), described him as a man of a high pedigree that Nigerians were looking up to, to deliver credible elections in 2011. He lived up to this expectation.

He did not only deliver credible elections in 2011, he also went ahead to successfully conduct elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states before faithfully conducting the just concluded elections.

Sanctity of ballot box The journey towards conducting the 2015 elections was, however, not a roller coaster drive for the INEC boss. For him, it could be best described as a torturous assignment as he was vilified, insulted, hounded and pushed to the point of giving up the job by the disgruntled forces that were bent on discrediting the exercise. Instead of pandering to their whims and caprices, he remained resolute to the cause of saving the country from the electoral ditch his predecessor had plunged the country into.

The PDP, which had earlier hailed his appointment, turned his arch enemy, ruthlessly attacking him at every given opportunity.

After failing in its bid to sack him before the presidential and National Assembly elections, the PDP saw the collation centre of the election results as their its opportunity to throw the blow that would break the camel’s back. Apparently acting the party’s script, a former Minister of Niger Delta, and representative of the party, Elder Peter Godsday Orubebe, hijacked the floor, provoking Jega by calling him all sorts of names without giving him the chance to respond to his allegation. Instead of losing his temper as expected by Orubebe and the directors of his script, Jega remained calm and absorbed all the insults thereby saving the country the crisis that would have followed the anxiety generated by the public show of shame displayed by the disappointed Elder.

Chief Ladi Williams, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said the INEC boss did excellently well in the manner he conducted the elections, noting that he displayed maturity and political sagacity in the way he handled Elder Orubebe’s invective during the collation of the results. He suggested that Czar of the electoral body should be given a national honour.

“Jega did brilliantly well and the nation should be grateful to him. The likes of Orubebe belong to the Dark Age and should be confined to the dust bin of history. We were lucky it was Jega who was in the steering wheel, if not; the nation would have been set on fire. Today, Nigeria can sit in the comity of nations and hold its head high.

“I will suggest that the Federal Government should give him national honour on October 1. With due respect, it would be degrading to compare him with Prof. Maurice Iwu. The only person that comes close to him is Prof Humphrey Nwosu. If we have 10 people like Jega in the leadership of the country, the nation would be better for it.”

He did not however support any idea to retain Jega for the job, saying: “ He has played his role and did his best. He should be allowed to go at the end of his tenure so that another person can take over from him. Instead of retaining him, the government should fund a programme in the university where he lectures to groom the younger ones.”

Prof Itse Sagay, a prominent lawyer, had mixed feelings about Jega’s performance. He said: “He is a highly principled person.

He demonstrated a fair degree of integrity conducting the election. His conduct of the elections were better than what we had under Iwu and Goubadia. He did well in other parts of the country but failed in the South-south and the South-east. There was no election in these two areas, yet Jega accepted it. There was no presidential election in these areas and Jega allowed it to go. He really failed in these two regions.”

Triumph of technology TECHNOLOGY played a crucial role in the success of the elections, which produced the officials taking over today; it rekindled the hope of the electorate in the electoral process in the country.

It birthed the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) and Smart Card Reader (SCR) that became an albatross for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The deployment of the devices checkmated the culture of monumental rigging that characterised previous elections in the country and gave the people a fresh hope that their votes, which previously did not count, would begin to count.

The SCR, an electronic accreditation system which verified the biometrics of voters replaced the manual accreditation of voters while the PVC that carried biometric data for each voter, replaced the Temporary Voter Card (TVC) that encouraged all forms of manipulations and electoral fraud in the past.

In the course of rolling out its plans for the elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said its decision to deploy the SCR for the election was to verify the PVCs presented by voters at polling units and ensure that they were the genuine ones issued by it. The second objective, according to the commission, was to biometrically authenticate those who presented PVCs at polling units and ensure that they were the legitimate holders of the cards.

Thirdly, the body also aimed to, through the instrumentality of the device, provide a disaggregated data of accredited voters in male/female and elderly/youth categories for local and national research and planning purposes.

Lastly, it said, the technological device was deployed for the purpose of sending the data of all accredited voters to its central server, thereby, equipping the commission to be able to audit figures subsequently filed from the polling units by electoral officials and determine if fraudulent alterations had been made.

•Continued on page 46

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THE NATION TUESDAY JUNE 2, 2015

I am very impressed by the decision of INEC to use technology in this ‘election.

The Permanent Voter Cards are very high-tech. They are more high tech than my voter card from the state of Virginia in the US ’

POLITICS

House of Reprentatives member Hon. Aliu Sani Madaki (Dala Constituency, Kano State) is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with VICTOR OLUWASEGUN, he speaks about the battle for speaker and other issues.

‘Nobody can impose Dogara on House’

T

HE party is silent on the zoning of the Speaker. What does this portend?

My take is that it is not right and proper that the party is taking this long just to bring out the issue of zoning, and that can cause problems in ways one cannot imagine. Because if someone has been campaigning for a long time and you allow it to take very long, when he has campaigned, he has spent resources , he has visited so many people,maybe when you come and say you have zonedita place that does not favour him, there is tendency that someone can say he will still go ahead will his campaign.

That is why I am appealing to the party to say please,because of the unity of this party, bring out its zoning formular. And I can assure you that we, especially the members of this party are loyal party members,we’ll do our best to abide by the decision of the party, because we are sure the party will do that which is in the interest of all.

A new member-elect from Niger State has said that, as new members, they should write their own rules.

Well my advice to the new member is to exercise some little patience, that he will very soon become a member of the 8th assembly, and when he becomes a member, after he has been sworn in then he can bring up a motion for the amendment of our rules and if it is in tandem with the wishes of the vast majority of members as it is the tradition in all democratic dispensation, then we’ll change the rules to what

he wants if it’s what the majority wants. But as somebody who has not been sworn in now, he should be mindful of the fact that he’s still not yet a member. If he says he want to write his own rule now, it means someone who is not even a member, or not even elected can come and say he wants to write his own rule. You can re- write the rules when you become a member. And very soon, he is going to be a member, and when he does that, he has every right to re- write the rule as is usually the case.

There is another member from Jigawa State who has declared his intention. The argument is that the new members are more than the ranking members...

Everybody has the right to aspire to be this or that. But I believe there are rules and regulations that guide the conduct of members into the National Assembly. And I am sure nobody will want somebody that is not conversant with the way and manner National assembly is being run, becomes a Speaker. I believe even that person if he has respect for the National Assembly will prefer that he enters the National Assembly and see how the business of the National Assembly is being run, before he aspires to be this or that. But it is, like I said earlier, the legitimate right of every members to want to be this or that, but it should be done within the confines of the rules of the National Assembly of the House of Representatives as the case may be.

•Continued from page 45

Jega, hero of 2015 general elections

In spite of these laudable reasons for which the body announced that the devices were to be deployed for the elections, some of the political parties, spare-headed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), became suspiciously critical of the plan,apparently fearing that it was going to spell doom for them.

Sensing the calamity that the deployment of the SCR could bring to its existence as a party, the PDP at various times launched hydraheaded attacks against the INEC and its chairman, Prof Attaihiru Jega on the one hand and the All Progressives Party (APC) and its leaders, on the other hand.

In its desperation to make sure that the SCR was not used for the elections, the party went beyond public condemnation of the device. It proceeded to the courts and filed plethora of suits against the INEC. The party did not do so in isolation; it also mobilized and sponsored other parties and groups to do the same with the ultimate aim of frustrating the elections.

At a point, the presidential campaign organisation of the PDP, through the Director of Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, alleged that INEC had colluded with the opposition, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to compromise the card readers.

According to him, the contract for the production of card readers was awarded to companies owned by a friend and supporter of the presidential candidate of the APC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

He alleged that: “Our concerns stem from the fact that the moving spirit and a major shareholder and board member of the company that supplied the card reader system and machines to INEC is not only a friend of but also an ardent and keen supporter of General Muhammadu Buhari and the APC.That man’s name is Sani Musa and he is indeed the main force behind the company. The company’s name is Act Technologies Ltd. and the Chairman of the company is one Engineer SK Danladi.

“How and why INEC would give the contract to supply the card readers to a fanatical APC supporter and to a man whose other company was officially blacklisted by the INEC a couple of years ago for sharp practices, needs to be explained. Sani Musa has expressed his undying support for the APC and General

Should there be zoning? Among the contestants, who are you rooting for?

I think I personally believe and know for a fact that a vast majority of members- elect into the 8th House of Representatives are rooting for the candidature of Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. And for obvious reasons. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has been the minority leader and I have been been opportune to be in the House with him in the last four years.

And he has run the affairs of the then opposition party very well. And I think it is right and proper that now that party has become the majority party, that is what is done in developed countries. In the US congress when the Conservative Party, that is the Republican Party, became the majority, automatically the Leader of the Opposition becomes the Speaker of the House of Representatives. I believe if we have developed well, we wouldn’t even be arguing today who will be the Speaker of the House of Representatives, By right, it’s Femi.

And if you’re talking in terms of capability, it should be Femi Gbajabiamila. And, if you’re talking in terms of grassroots support, by grassroots support, I mean the support of members- elect, if you’re going by that, Femi is far ahead of any other contestants. Let me say, other contestants that there names are even mentioned, with due apology are not even on grounds terms of support base. It’s just on the pages of newspapers. Or some people are being

Buhari and his hatred and virulent opposition to the PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan openly and publicly on his Facebook wall.

Reacting, the APC campaign team said the PDP’s rejection revealed a sinister plot by the ruling party to manipulate the electoral process.

Success story In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, the APC noted that, the INEC’s decision to use the card readers was borne out of the need to ensure the transparency and integrity of the elections.

He said: “Aside the huge financial investment involved in the procurement of the card readers, the PDP’s desire to hoodwink Nigerians on this anti-rigging device is not just subterranean but an affront on the independence of the electoral body.”

Thereafter, a former national Vice President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade George Turnah and five others dragged INEC to court, seeking an order to compel the commission not to conduct the 2015 general elections using the PVC and the SCR devices. They sought an order of interlocutory injunction to restrain the respondents from conducting the general elections with the use of the PVC and the SCR as the only medium for voting pending the determination of the substantive suit.

On another occasion, four other political parties; Alliance for Democracy, United Democratic Party, Allied Congress Party of Nigeria and Action Alliance, believed to have been sponsored by the PDP, also sought to use the court to restrain the INEC from using the devices for the general elections but a Federal High Court in Abuja, struck out their application.

Failed litigations In the build up to the elections, a chieftain of the party, Waliu Taiwo, feverishly ran to the

backed, quote and unquote, by a Godfather who is bent on foisting someone on us. And I’m sure the House of Representatives will not succumb to threat or intimidation from anybody.

You have been in the House since 2011. In 2011, the majority party zoned the position to the Southwest.

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal emerged victorious in rebellion. Do you see this scenario playing out again?

Let me recap your mind to what brought about that rebellion. I think it’s very important. I recall when we came in 2011, we were willing to assert our authority and tell the party, PDP then that they have done something wrong. To our understanding and based on what our leaders told us then, there was an agreement in PDP, the North will have two terms, the South would have two terms. By then, Obasanjo had done two terms, which was for the South. Yar’Adua came and started, after two years God in his infinite mercy took away Yar’Adua. It was agreed that Jonathan would complete his tenure and after he completes that tenure, someone from the North would take over as President. But when the time came, the President refused to abide by that arrangement in which he said he should be allowed to do only one term and that after that one term he would go. So, when we came as members from the North, we were aggrieved on that decision.so, when Tambuwal came out and said he

Federal High Court in Lagos to file a suit seeking to stop the use of electronic devices.

Unwilling to embrace the change which incidentally is the slogan of the APC, the plaintiff said: “This is the first time anywhere in the world where a device such as the Card Reader as proposed to be used by INEC would be used to the effect that it supersedes the content of the register of voters properly compiled by the electoral body.”

Another attempt at frustrating the use of the technological devices by the party, was to get its members in the House of Representatives to endorse the rejection of the use of the SCR and PVC. No fewer than 100 members of the ruling party in the lower chamber of the National Assembly, who were summoned to a nocturnal meeting in Abuja by the House Leader, Mulikat Akande and her deputy, Leo Ogor, stood their grounds that they would not lend their support to any move that could truncate the nation’s democracy.

The devices, rejected by the PDP, became what the international communities treasured and upheld their use during the elections. In the heat of the reinforced antagonism against the devices by the PDP led government, the United States government saw the value and importance of the devices and threw its weight behind the INEC to use them in the March 28 and April 11 elections.

The American government through its Vice President, Joe Biden, in a statement issued by the US Embassy expressed its support for the INEC and “its work to deliver free, fair, and credible elections, in part through its essential efforts to distribute PVC and help ensure that electronic voter card readers are in place and fully operational.”

Even after the elections were held, the Ambassador of the United States to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle, applauded the decision of the INEC to use the technology in the general elections.

He said the PVC involved superior technol-

‘

My voter card does not have biometric. It does not have my fingerprint. The high-tech gives the process more integrity.I congratulate INEC on taking the part of high-tech

’

•Hon. Madaki

wanted to contest for House of Reps Speaker, we said we were going to support him to tell the party that what they did was wrong, that if there was no agreement to zone the Presidency to any section,we don’t see any reason why someone would come now and say there was an agreement to zone the Speakership as it was done then, to the SouthWest. We came and rebelled against the party, but, if you could remember, e had the full support of the South- West. That was the only reason we have Aminu Tambuwal as our Speaker. Because, if you take away the vote of the ACN, we would not have Aminu Tambuwal as the Speaker.

ogy which his state of Virginia in the U.S. needed to copy. ”I am very impressed by the decision of INEC to use technology in this election. The Permanent Voter Cards are very high-tech. They are more high tech than my voter card from the state of Virginia in the US. “My voter card does not have biometric. It does not have my fingerprint. The high-tech gives the process more integrity.I congratulate INEC on taking the part of high-tech. I think we need to come and study it so that we can use it in my country,” he said.

Hiccups In spite of huge success that greeted the deployment of the devices, they were not without some hiccups. The SCR malfunctioned in different parts of the country during the presidential election. The machines for instance, could not read the finger prints of President Goodluck Jonathan, the candidate of the PDP and his wife, Patience.

Jonathan was issued with Incident Form for accreditation after five SCRs failed to read his thumbprint. The First Lady was also accredited with the Incident Form.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, among others also faced similar challenge.

The distribution of the PVCs also recorded some drawbacks as a number of the people who had the TVC could not get their PVCs before the elections and, as a result, could not vote.

Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubarkar Tsav said the hitches were expected because it was the first time such technology was used in the country. ”It was normal that such hitches would come up because that was the first time such technology was used in our elections. I believe that INEC would make it work perfectly in future elections. ”Aside from the hitches, the deployment of the devices was wonderful. It helped to check rigging. It was good that INEC insisted on using them because they made it impossible for anybody to manipulate the process. The idea of sitting down in one place to cook up figures was avoided with the use of the devices.”

47

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS AVIATION To aviation experts a master plan is what the industry requires to grow. Such a master plan, they argue, will drive policies, attract investments and create robust carriers, KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR, reports.

Experts: master plan crucial to aviation’s growth

I

N the last few years, aviation has come under criticism - scandals and controversies over uncompleted airport projects. This is an indication that managers of the sector have been acting without a clear master plan.

Former Minister of Aviation Chief Osita Chidoka last week observed that the growth of the aviation sector is stunted due absence of a robust master plan.

Chidoka said putting in place such plan would form the architecture on which aviation policies would be driven for industry development.

The former minister stated this while giving a scorecard of his tenure.

He challenged industry players and operators to push for a road map that would give an indication of what to expect in the sector in terms of planning and investments in the short, medium and long terms.

Chidoka's observation has attracted comments from some industry players. Experts say a master plan is long overdue for aviation.

The necessity of such plan it was learnt encouraged the former minister a few months ago to organize a forum tagged Aviation Business Forum in Lagos.

Stakeholders utilized the forum to examine ways and means of moving the industry forward by recommending policies that would attract investments into the sector.

The absence of such a master plan, some experts including, Mr Olu Ohunayo, head of strategy Zenith Travels and Sheri Kyari executive director Centre for Aviation Research and Safety argue, is responsible for the inconsistency in policy direction on some projects that have been designed for implementation since 1999 till date.

The experts aligned their thoughts with Chidoka who said government should work hard to ensure such a working document is put in place.

Other experts, including Captain Edward Boyo, managing director Landover Aviation Company and former Nigeria Airways spokesman, Mr. Chris Aligbe say the absence of a solid aviation master plan has impacted negatively on the growth of the aviation sector especially the airline sub sector.

They said if a solid master plan is in place, issues affecting criteria for robust domestic carriers that could compete with foreign carriers and retain huge capital flight at home could easily be sorted out.

With the high turnover of Aviation Ministers, in the last 16 years, they are worried that if there existed a sector master plan properly articulated, it would have driven the development of the industry.

According to the national president of National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Isaac Balami until a solid master plan is put in place the anticipated development and growth of the aviation sector may not be achieved.

Balami said such a master plan will bring about policies that will drive the growth and sustenance of domestic carriers.

Also speaking an airline operator said the aviation industry would have recorded more achievement if there is a master plan that would draw up on how to attract investment in the sector in a manner that would drive job creation.

He cited absence of a master plan that guides how the airport authority for instance encourage domestic carriers secure land leases around airports nationwide to set up aircraft maintenance hangars.

turing, invoicing, payment settlement and reporting of all agencies.

The aviation revenue automation project has been implemented in many airports including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano , Enugu and Calabar.

Benin, Owerri, Kaduna, Maiduguri, Jos, Sokoto, Ilorin, Minna , Akure , Katsina, Ibadan airports are scheduled for the next phase of the project roll out.

He said issues around project scope, fees and compliance were variously reviewed and mutually agreed among relevant stakeholders ."

ICAO Audit / Security

•From left: Managing Director, FAAN, Saleh Dunoma; Chidoka and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Hajia Binta Bello, during the inauguration of the enhanced security features for ground transportation at MMIA, Lagos.

Such high turnover he said has occasioned inconsistency in policy and its implementation.

Since 1999 till date, no fewer than 10 persons have been appointed as Aviation Ministers.

This high turnover in the strategic sector, experts say, is the reason for its stunted growth.

Speaking last week in Lagos while giving his scorecard, former Minister of Aviation Chief Osita Chidoka agreed with the experts affirming that the slow development of aviation is due largely to lack of a vibrant master plan and absence of institutional memory.

He said the sector is beset with a myriad of challenges, including absence of a master plan which ought to provide a template upon which all issues bordering on airport development should revolve.

Chidoka said the absence of a working document has brought about frequent changes and transfer of personnel, thus rendering the relevant units of the ministry ineffective.

As an intervention, Chidoka said a procurement process for the development of a master plan for Nigerian airports has commenced.

He said: "The ministry has moved from its policy and supervisory role to an implementing agency under the guise of airport remodelling," adding that the staff pooling system of the Federal Civil Service, limits the ministry 's ability to build and maintain a group of technical experts to manage the affairs of the civil aviation industry.

Chidoka said the pooling system should be modified to accommodate technical expertise in critical areas, pointing out that the ministry's staff strength Is skewed towards service areas as against technical aviation related areas.

He said staffing needs to be readjusted to enable the ministry beef up the staff numbers in the technical aviation areas, stating that it is the organisation's core focus.

Chidoka said government should conclude on-going procurement of consultants for the master plan to address weak policy leadership. "'Government should divest the ministry of all airport projects and return same to the implementing agencies."

Aviation Business Forum Only a few months ago, the ministry organized a forum where top executives of aviation and allied services organizations met in Lagos to design industry led initiatives to stimulate sustainable growth for the sector.

Experts at the forum observed that beyond world class airline operations and infrastructure, Nigeria needs to play a leading role in the West African economic integration that aims to remove the barriers to the movement of traffic, such as visa requirements and the rigorous Customs clearance.

The forum according to Chidoka also resolved that: "Government should not run a national flag carrier airline and that private owned airlines should not run as a national flag carrier airline.

The objective is to ensure that ownership structure that engenders corporate governance; accountability and transparency are adhered to.

That a diversified ownership that reflects a combination of institutional investors, public investors and private ownership that has an interest in going public is a major requirement in becoming a national flag carrier.

That there can be as many national flag carriers that meet the set criteria.

That the national flag carrier will espouse certain inherent national values that align with the Nigerian brand. That national flag carrier must operate an effective model.

That an economic stimulus for aviation will involve a package of financial incentives and support across the value chain.

It will involve having a robust national aviation industry strategy framework that will impact on key areas."

The former minister said if the sector must move forward, there is need to implement the strategic master plan that will address issues bordering on aerodrome infrastructure and operation, airline operations and safety, airspace management as well as manpower development.

Policy interventions Chidoka lamented the failure by previous ministers to address the recommendations of the 2006 Air Marshal Paul Dike's Report, which highlighted the challenges of the aviation industry.

The minister said if the Buhari administration implements the recommendations of the Dike Report, the aviation sector will be on the path to recovery.

He listed other interventions: "There is need for broader policy intervention that should bring about the setting up of aviation corporate governance and enterprise risk framework to reduce the likelihood of aviation corporate failures arising from moral hazard.

Additionally, Chidoka called for the creation of a more robust and conventional national/ flag carrier policy framework to develop a national aviation fleet that can rival the huge consolidated global players, as well a review of current intervention models and facilitate a more robust aviation financing framework.

He urged the creation of a robust regional hub/ aviation city model that drives commercialization, stimulate volume of funding required to leapfrog the aviation industry into the future.

Revenue Automation Project As a way of enhancing the revenue streams of aviation agencies and blocking leakages, a committee was set up by the ministry to monitor, data cap-

‘If the sector must move forward, there is need to implement the strategic master plan that will address issues bordering on aerodrome infrastructure and operation, airline operations and safety, airspace management as well as manpower development’

Though Nigeria has come under intense global scrutiny on account of the recurring incidents of stowaways at major airports efforts the former minister said are ongoing to improve on airport safety and security.

He said preparations for the ICAO a Nigerian Aviation Security audit have witnessed remarkable improvements.

He said:" We have identified gaps from the United States Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) and ICAO Needs Assessment Reviews were constituted into a gap analysis checklist and sent to the NCAA in April 2015.

The tracking team has completed its first gap closure assessment visit to NCAA and FAAN over a month ago.

After the assessment, 68 per cent of the identified gaps were closed.

However, in the gaps closure review last month remarkable improvement was indicated, which might drive the gaps closure assessment percentage to over 90 per cent."

Customer Service Enhancement In the last few months several initiatives were executed to enhance passengers' experience in the sector. Towards this end, aviation. Passengers' service portal was deployed this year to provide prospective users with up to date information on flights operated within the Nigerian airspace.

Only last week, Glo telecommunications installed wifi services at the Abuja and Lagos airports.

Other airports are billed for installation with wifi in the next few months.

FAAN The minister also spared a thought for failings by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN), which currently manages 21 out of the 25 airports in the country with a lopsided personnel of over 21 per cent technical staff as opposed to 78 per cent non technical personnel .

Such lopsidedness he said is skewed against the mandate of the authority in providing adequate facilities and personnel for effective security at all airports.

Chidoka said some interventions were put in place to whip the airport authority in line through the introduction of performance management, posting of airport managers, tracking of staff on customer service as well as refocusing of the Aerotropolis project by injecting greater transparency.

Chidoka said: "Some steps have been taken to redress the situation through review of airport remodelling projects by independent quantity surveyors, provision of navigation and air field lighting facilities as well as setting up a committee on airport charges to align charges with competition."

On the key issues confronting FAAN, Chidoka said the authority has over N30 billion pension liability which is unfunded.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

48

SHOWBIZ

Obey renovates church of his youth

J

UJU maestro-turned-pastor, Ebenezer Obey, is surely displaying an elephant’s memory by not forgotten his roots at Idogo, a border town in Ogun State.

Following the decay of Methodist Church, Idogo, a church pivotal to his musical success, Obey has paid back – redesigning and reconstructing the church which is more than a century old.

According to the Archbishop of the church, Most Reverend Luke Odubanjo, the need to renovate the church was taken seriously in 2009, during preparations for Crusades in Idogo and Oja Odan.

“I remember that my brother, Elder Olufemi Toriola called me on phone that he will like to see me on a matter of urgent importance,” Odubanjo said.

“We agreed on phone and he came to meet me in Abeokuta where he told me about the col-

lapse of the roofing of the church.

“I was deeply touched by the sad news and I asked myself how could we be holding crusades when our family church where we all grew up was in bad shape? I then told my brother that in few days’ time, I would be at Idogo for the crusade and when I came, we all visited the church to evaluate the extent of the damage. It was after this visit that God started the work on the reconstruction of the old church structure to its present magnificent outlook.”

On Ebenezer Obey’s rescue of the situation, Odubanjo said that it was at Idogo that Obey’s career flourished, a fact the musical legend himself agrees with.

“The gift of music and drumming all began here at Idogo,” said Obey.

“The name Obey which has now become part of my surname was

given to me in this school. I also remember that Standard 2 and 2 classes were moved right into the church when I was in Standard 2. It was in this church and school that God prepared me for what I am today”.

Ebenezer Obey was born in peculiar circumstances, as his mother, Mrs. Abigail Oyindamola Fabiyi was barren for about two decades as a married woman. Thrown out of her matrimonial home upon the counsel of her former husband’s family, she was advised to go to Idogo village away from the face of agony and despair.

Incidentally, it was around the time that the musician’s father, Nathaniel Olasewo Fabiyi moved from Abeokuta to Idogo in order to practice his carpentry alongside with cocoa farming. It was at Idogo that Obey’s father and mother met.

They married and shortly after, she got pregnant. Though the baby

lived only for three months, she took in again and birthed a baby girl who survived. She was named Grace Olasunbo Amoke (Keyede). After that, she had a boy that was named Ebenezer Olasupo Remilekun Aremu Fabiyi.

As a boy, Ebenezer started his musical career in Idogo by singing on errands to cover distances.

His mother enrolled him in the choir at the Methodist Church, Idogo, a move that sealed the lad’s fate in a musical career.

It was Obey’s mother’s wish that he never abandon Idogo. This wish is • Obey definitely being fulfilled as this is not the first project to be structed the community’s town commissioned for the town. The hall which was also reportedly Juju maestro, it was said, recon- abandoned for over 31 years.

Why African music must benefit larger society, by AFRIMA boss

• LR Minister of Culture and Arts, DRC Banza Mukalay Nsungu; Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mike Dada; Co-ordinator, African Re-imagined creative hub, Simphiwe Dana and Business Development an

T

HE Executive Producer, All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), Mr. Michael Dada, has said that the major challenges confronting the culture and music industries are how to sustain their growth through significant job creation and poverty alleviation.

He said this during a presentation at the 4th Pan African Cultural Congress (PACC4), on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa.

With the theme, ‘Unity in Cultural Diversity for Africa’s Development,’ the three-day

congress, organised by the African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the Department of Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa, which opened on May 25, featured different presentations surrounding African music.

Speaking on the sub-theme:

Documentary on Buhari for release

R erals Mohammed Magoro and Paul Tarfa; a friend, Dr Sule Hamman; Asia El-Rufai (wife of Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai), and Kunle Mohammed Idiagbon (son of Buhari’s former Chief of Staff,

Supreme Headquarters Major General Tunde Idiagbon).

The film, directed by Laitan Adeniji, aka Adeniji Heavywind, was earlier screened on the 26th of May in Abuja.

Frances Udukwu emerges Miss Nigeria USA

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WENTY-five year old Frances Udukwu, a graduate of Public Health and Health care Systems Management from Temple University, has emerged winner of 2015 Miss Nigeria USA pageant.

Udukwu was crowned at the event which took place penultimate Saturday at the Alvin Ailey Theater, in New York City. Representing Cross River State in the pageant, she beat 16 other young women to get the crown. She

and Kenya is in third place at $1.7 billion.

“The report projects that by 2018, these industries will have risen dramatically to $17.1 billion, $8.5 billion and $3.1 billion respectively,” said Dada.

“However, the economic growth must be transformed into economic development and thereby create a new Africa. It is the positive aspects of music, which are immense, that AFRIMA seeks to promote. AFRIMA is a combined effort to recognise, award, promote and preserve Africa’s rich music culture.

Besides, it is a platform to communicate the unique image and culture of Africa to the world for global competitiveness.”

Dada revealed that already, in preparation for the 2015 edition of the continental awards project, AFRIMA and African Union Commission held a Joint Conference/ Roundtable Discussion in Addis Ababa on April 29, 2015 under the theme: “Using Music, Culture and Entertainment

as tools for a new Africa.”

Other distinguished speakers at PACC4 included: Commissioner for Social Affairs, AUC, H.E. Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko; Minister of Arts and Culture, South Africa, H.E. Mr Nathi Mthethwa; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture, Zimbabwe, Dr. Thokozile Chitepo; Director General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization, CBAAC, Sir Ferdinand Ikechukwu Anikwe; Independent Curator, Ms. Ngone Fall; Secretary General, Arterial Network, Mr. Peter Rorvik; Executive Director, Godown Art Centre Kenya, Ms. Joy Mboka and Director General, Afro-Arab Institute, Dr. Mohamed Salem Soufi, amongst others.

The congress also featured exhibitions, music and dance as well as a celebration of the ‘World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development’- a United Nations sanctioned international holiday for the promotion of diversity issue marked on May 21 each year.

Stars converge for Mountain Black’s wedding Comedian MC Kuli Kuli EMEMBER Mountain

T

HE second premiere of a thriller, Buhari My Hero, a documentary

by Ireti Bakare-Yusuf in collaboration with Heavywind Studios, is being planned for Lagos.

The film is on Nigeria’s new president, Muhammadu Buhari, featuring interviews with his family and colleagues such as wife, Aisha; daughter, Halima Buhari Sheriff; nephew Mamman Daura, former military course mates, Major Gen-

‘AFRIMA: A tool for promoting African Culture and Identity for Development,’ Dada described music as an integral part of African culture to promote brotherhood, solidarity and the struggle for liberation.

“African musicians have also composed different songs that challenged hegemonic nations and organisations such as the United States, France, United Kingdom and most importantly, the United Nations on policies which affect Africans at home and in the Diaspora,” said Dada.

“They also support the campaign for enthronement of democracy in Africa and sing against any policy of governments that is anti-people.”

The AFRIMA President cited a Price WaterHouse Coopers (PWC)’s report that the efforts of African musicians have resulted in economic growth.

On the continent, South Africa is the biggest media and entertainment industry valued at $10.5 billion in 2013; Nigeria is in second place at $4 billion

By Joe Agbro Jr.

was crowned by Miss Africa USA 2014, Meron Wudneh.

Banky W was on hand to thrill attendees at the show.

Director of the pageant, Joy Jacob, said she started the pageant with the aim of raising the profile of the Nigerian woman.

“The Miss Nigeria USA Pageant has an enormous mission ahead,” said Jacob. “We seek to empower the young women of Nigeria and reveal

to the world their brilliance as well as their beauty. We raise their profile by expanding opportunities, illuminating their outer beauty while empowering them. MNUSA creates a forum for competition among the most brilliant and beautiful women of Nigerian descent in America.”

The Miss Nigeria USA Pageant is supported by Consulate General of Nigeria while other major sponsors of this year’s edition include Arik Air.

Black and Mad Melon of the ‘Danfo Driver’

fame?

Well, Mountain Black, whose real name is Joshua Odogoro finally quit bachelorhood on Saturday, as he married his belle, Oluwafunke Shodiya, at a colourful wedding in Festac Town, Lagos.

The wedding service which held at the Holy Family Catholic Church, Festac Town, was followed immediately by a reception at the 5th Avenue Central Primary School, also in Festac Town.

The wedding united the Odogoro family from Bayelsa with the Shodiya family from Ogun State.

Mad Melon, his partner and fellow artiste was his best man.

While the church wedding service was sombre, the reception was spiced with of musical interlude by established music stars as well as upcoming musicians who came to felicitate with Mountain Black on his wedding day.

Among stars at the wedding were Original Stereoman Ekwe, Baba Fry o, Cashman Davies, Liquid Man, Omo

By Joe Agbro Jr

Jesu, Long John and Raymond King.

The floor for the live performances was opened by the Original Stereomen Ekwe, who performed his music, Sample, with the accompanying energetic dance steps.

Subsequently, musicians such as Omo Jesu, Mr. Sid and Long John followed to entertain the crowd.

• Mountain Black with wife

was on hand to ensure there was no boring moment at the reception.

The fun of the reception was highlighted by the manner of the couple’s wedding dance, for which the MC made the couple simulate how Indians danced in movies.

The whole event got to a climax as ‘Danfo Driver’ was played to admiration of the guests present. Funke, the new bride, became ecstatic as she sang along.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

49

Sustainable improvement of crop productivity is dependent on seed varieties that have been adapted to all types of environment. This is one area that the West African Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) Nigeria has invested in to improve food productivity and turn around the fortunes of farmers. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

E

ARLIER this year, farmers in Benue State suffered crop loss attributed to the poor quality seeds. Some of them in Otukpo Local Government Area lamented that they did not get high yielding seeds, fertiliser and other inputs. They blamed the poor harvest of crops on the government agricultural representatives who, in their estimation, are not doing enough to distribute inputs through the right channels.

Despite that, the state received good rainfalls, the farmers recorded poor harvest. Some of them complained of inability to access necessary inputs for high yield production. But, the State Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Aondona HembeKule, attributed the poor harvest to lack of adequate inputs at the disposal of the commodity farmers, saying: “They (farmers) couldn’t collect their inputs this year. There was a communication gap between the commodity farmers association and AFAN. We are doing everything to bridge the perceived gap so that it doesn’t happen again.”

Of the many factors that keep small-scale farmers poor, quality of seed may be the least understood. A lot of local farmers have been given seeds that promise high yields but fail to produce enough. Sometimes, the results are disastrous.

President, Federated FADAMA Community Association, Lagos State, Alhaji Abiodun Oyenekan has experienced it.

He said there was a time he was using local seeds. Yields were very low. When new varieties came in, he took advantage of it.

To him, the huge adoption by small farmers in Lagos has resulted in very high yields. In terms of productivity, he said improved seeds can make a world of difference for small farmers. This is enough to lift farmers out of poverty.

For instance, some farmers get one to three tonnes but with improved varieties they get five to six tonnes per hectare. For him, local seeds are major barriers to agricultural growth. This is because of low yield.

While he owes his present success to improved seeds, the challenge, however, is that improved seeds are not enough to supply the millions of farmers who need them.

Presently, there is lack of trust in local seed markets even for large commercial farmers, some of whom have invested heavily to plant hundreds of acres with high yield hybrids that simply didn’t germinate.

In an interview with The Nation, the Farm Manager and Agric Technical Advisor, Kaboji Farms Limited, Niger State, Mr Kobus De Jager said the market lacked good hybrid seeds which is key to profitable commercial farming.

For watchers, poor seeds make it impossible for farmers to adopt the modern agricultural techniques that lifted millions of farmers out of poverty.

But an initiative hopes to change all that by enhancing farmers’ access to improved seeds.

With West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP-Nigeria)’ support, poor farmers will be able to purchase high quality seed of local food crops

Better seeds, better yields

•Distribution of WAAPP seeds to farmers under Abia State ADP.

The programme’s support for the nation’s fledgling private seed sector is part of its comprehensive approach to catalyzing change.

This includes supporting the national agricultural research institutions, to develop improved varieties with higher yields to reach farmers. The step offers hope for small farms by helping ensure that new seed varieties with higher yields make it through the supply chain from breeders to farmers.

Speaking in a forum in Abuja, the National Coordinator, West Africa Agriculture Productivity Programme,(WAAPP),Professor Damian Chikwendu said breeders, industry, farmers and others are involved in the supply chain, it is the first viable system for getting a top-down view of where choke points stifle seed access.

With support from WAAPP, Nigeria is strengthening its seed systems as well as its research and technology transfer systems to make farming more resilient.

With the help of the West African Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAPP), some farmers have been able to revitalize their productivity through the planting of higher yielding varieties.

WAAPP sponsors research organisations to run experiments to develop higher yielding varieties.

Farmers also benefit from training, study tours, knowledge exchanges between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) stakeholders, and equipment prototypes during exchange visits, all of which help strengthen their technical capacities.

Chinkwendu said getting improved seeds to small farmers is critical to raising agricultural productivity and reducing poverty.

He added that the main challenges facing the seed sector is equitable access to good quality seed due to poor infrastructure, poor market infrastructure and systems and a variety of logistical challenges.

To ensure farmers have access to improved and adaptable seed varieties, he said the programme was sponsoring the implementation of an effective breeding and seed systems approach across the country. He said the programme is promoting partnership to provide information and assist those who want to enter the seed trade sector.

With food demand increasing, reflecting a growing population and increased consumption, Chikwendu noted that a higher yields will be needed to meet this demand.

In a meeting with some Chief Executives of some Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs),Chikwendu said partnership with the ADPs would continue as long as WAAPP remained and expressed confidence that at the end of the programme, its impact would be felt by Nigerians.

Meanwhile, WAAPP-Nigeria has distributed over 125 bags of rice, sorghum and maize hybrid improved seeds to over 200 farmers in Gombe State for this year’s farming season.

Speaking during the distribution at Baure village in Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area, the Provost, Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin Kowa, Professor Fatima Sawa, said the seeds were freely given to the farmers.

“The seeds are improved, graded specifically for the Northeast ecological zone and from the reports we got from the farmers, the seeds

•Chikwendu

are high-yielding and of better quality than the types our farmers were using before,” she said.

Sawa called on the farmers to use the seeds judiciously. “They should use them by way of planting them and observe all the agronomic practices in order to drive the maximum benefit from the seeds.”She said the college has signed an agreement with a pesticide company to supply the chemical directly to the college, which would sell the chemical to farmers at a subsidised rate.She said doing so will solve the problem of adulterated chemicals and eliminate middle men who might increase the price.

So far, WAAPP-Nigeria has signed partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with States Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs).

The WAAPP-sponsored initiatives include Community-based Agricultural Seed Multiplication. The community-based seed multiplication initiation is aimed at con-

‘The seeds are improved, graded specifically for the Northeast ecological zone; and from the reports we got from the farmers, the seeds are high-yielding and of better quality than the types our farmers were using before’

tributing toward seed sufficiency among rural farmers in the country.

To this end, WAAPP-Nigeria has already invested in the production and supply of foundation seeds for cassava, maize, rice, sorghum, and yam to ADPs in states.

WAAPP’s commitment involves covering the cost of the agricultural seeds, the farm inputs, farmer training, technical assistance, and a mandatory inspection regime by the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), as part of the processes for the production of Certified Seeds which will be available for farmers’ during the farming season. The state ADPs are technical partners in the community-based seed multiplication initiative.

The Programme Manager, Agriculture Development Programme, Abia State, Mr Eyinnaya Elekwachi, said the local farmers are benefitting from improved seeds given by WAAPP, adding that they enhance their productivity and make farming a better business in the state.

Speaking with The Nation, the WAAPP Desk Officer , Abia State ADP, Mrs Nnenna Uche said farmers in the 17 local government areas of the state have benefitted from high yielding seeds.

These include certified rice, maize, yam and cassava seeds to enable farmers increase their productivity. The seeds, he said were made available to farmers through innovation platforms.

The seeds were freely given to the farmers and they are of better quality than the local types they were using before.

According to the Chairman, Cassava Value Chain Innovation Platform, Abia State, Kalu Iche Kalu, several new cassava varieties have come from collaborative breeding efforts supported

by WAAPP and improved varieties resulting from such works have doubled average crop yields.

Kalu said the impact is great, yielding enormous returns for agro businesses.

Consequently, he said, cassava is one of the most dynamic sub sectors in the state, helping to drive industrial development while delivering higher incomes to investors. Under the WAAPP Nigeria Programme, the mandate, he said, is root and tuber, specifically yam and cassava. The platforms are in nine states and have given small holder farmers support on farm inputs such as fertiliser and the top five cassava varieties, including the pro-vitamin A umu-cass 36,37 and 38.

Under the WAAPP assisted project, he said the target in the first phase is to reach out to 300,000 farmers, and they have reached 167,000. “This year we are providing seven processing centres across seven states of which two are almost completed. Our target is to complete these processing centres before the end of May next year.

To experts, the seed industry is growing in many ways. But the level of investment in research and development, rate of annual yield gains and overall crop and seed values should be at equal levels. All these, they believe, will help to maintain growth while sustaining the environment, creating excitement, competition, investment and change in the seed industry.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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Agric Bank rolls out Green Cash Card T

O make life more meaningful, enable access to its facilities by clients and rural farmers, the Bank of Agriculture(BOA) has introduced a Green Cash Card that will give farmers wherever they are access to its facilities.

Disclosing this to The Nation in an exclusive chat at the bank’s corporate headquarters in Kaduna, the Executive Director, Wholesale Finance, Alhaji Ahmadu Haruna Waziri, said the Green Cash will key into the cashless policy whereby any of the bank’s clients can transact businesses with minimal cash flow.

According to him, it is e-banking system whereby all the clients can do their business with the bank in a fast and secured way within a twinkle of an eye “You can use your mobile phone to

By Sina Fadare

transact all your businesses. You can also use internet transaction in addition to other e-banking businesses. It is a platform for us to provide our client a viable service at the remotest village you can get mobile telephone. People who are dealing in little flow of cash can easily be reached.”

Waziri pointed out that “This Green Cash will allow them to access their fund in any part of the country even at the remotest village. We have sent marketers to the field to sensitise the people on the need to key into this concept. Now, we are at the process of recruiting agents that will serve as intermediary between the bank and the farmers. The agents will act as outlet to the services of the bank.”

He explained that each agent will

act like a branch and any customer can visit the agent either to deposit cash or withdraw cash without going to the banking hall. “We have different level of agents and the amount they can deal with. Each branch of the bank will coordinate all the activities of the agents” The renowned agribusiness expert said the first recruitment of the agents will be between one and two per each of the 774 local governments and will be saddled with the responsibility of transacting business with the bank clients with-

out going to ATM stands.

“The idea is that cash can be transfered to our customers through their phone number. The handling of the physical cash will be minimal. Outside the eco system, all other transactions can be done on the phone. The agent will be categorized into silver, bronze and gold the amount they are handling will determine their category.

Waziri also stated that the bank is embarking on enlightenment campaign at the grassroots to sen-

sitise the people on the advantage of the Green e-wallet, adding that when the system is fully operational, it will ease the tension of carrying cash all about for businesses.

“We are backing it with the type of technology they already know like POS, ATM system etc. You can approach the agent and demand for your balance free of charge as long as you are in the Green Card system, he will oblige. It will also provide other services like buying of air time, utility bills etc”

Group seeks minister’s intervention on cassava bread grants

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HE Delta Youths For Agriculture (DYFA) has called on the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Adesina Akinwunmi, to intervene in the stalemate over Cassava Bread Out-grower Intervention Fund.

The Coordinator of the group, Mr Lucky Aruoture, made the appeal at a seminar organised by the group in Warri, Delta.

The group accused the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) and the Ministry of Agriculture of frustrating access to the fund by potential beneficiaries.

He coordinator said BoA failed to release the fund approved for Jopat Nig. Ltd under the Cassava Bread Out-grower Fund even when it had fulfilled the conditions.

Aruoture said the development had frustrated the dreams of young Nigerians on agriculture.

He said the conditions spelt out for accessing the fund in January 2014 included payment of N5,000 per hectare and a minimum of two hectares and maximum of four hectares per accredited beneficiary.

“The payment of N20,000 for four hectares as equity contribution to access the loan/grant, land preparation and all other conditions have been met. ‘’All approved beneficiaries in our group have received SMS alerts confirming approval since September 2014, so we wonder why the bank and the ministry of agriculture have not released the funds,’’ he said.

IAR&T holds mid-term project review workshop

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HE Integrated Land and Water Management for Adaptation to Climate Variability and Change (ILWAC) Nigerian team has constructed check dams and water pans for farmers.

The Director, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, Prof.

James Adediran, said this during the ILWAC Mid-Term Review and workshop held at his institute.

Adediran said since the inception of the project in 2013, the team had made a lot of progress which includes establishment of sustainable partnership for innovations in soil and water management.

“Appropriate tools for soil resource mapping were developed and promoted while technologies for soil-water-nutrient management were identified and promoted.

He noted that his institute alongside other institutions in Burkina-Faso and Cote d’ Ivoire won the grant to conduct research on the project titled ‘Sustainable soil-water nutrient management under increasing climatic change and Variability.

He however emphasized that the project was funded by CORAF/West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development

(WECARD).

The Director said the objective was to improve agricultural resilience to climatic variability through deployment of improved soil and water management technologies that will mitigate the impact of climatic variability.

The ILWAC Regional Coordinator, Dr Vincent AduramigbaModupe said no fewer than 10,000 farmers including women were empowered with inputs, climate smart soil and water conservation measures.

He said part of the objective is to provide farmers, especially vegetable farmers with water to use during the dry season.

“The project is on-going in Nigeria, Borkina-faso and Cote d’Ivoire. We plan to upscale the project to more countries in West and Central Africa.

“We also plan for production of 5000 training manuals, policy briefs and farmers guide; we have more plans but have challenge of restricted use of funds by donor, World Bank and WECARD,” he said.

The Head, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture University of Ibadan, Prof Bamidele Omitoyin , commended the donor and the stakeholders in the project for improving farmers livelihood through the ILWAC project.

• From left: Director, Humid Tropics, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr Kwesi Attah-Krah; IITA board member Roel Merckx, Director-General, IITA, Nteranya Sanginga and Chief Executive, CGIAR Consortium, Frank Rijsberman, after the meeting in Ibadan.

Professor, others get $4.5m to promote vegetables T O promote indigenous vegetables, professor of Soil Science at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife , Duro Oyedele, will receive $4,450,000 million for a project to promote indigenous vegetables.

The project, which will be in partnership with the Osun State University, University of Parakou, Republic of Benin, University of Manitoba and University of Saskatchewan, Canada, is to advance the Under-Utilised Indigenous Vegetables (UIVs) in Southwestern Nigeria and Benin Republic.

In Nigeria, according to findings, more than 1,000 farmers increase their yield and income by using improved farming practices to grow UIVs. These improved farming practices were developed during the field research carried out in Southwestern Nigeria. In Benin,

fertiliser micro-dosing and rain water harvesting techniques also helped more than 10 thousand farmers achieve equally beneficial results with other crops despite degraded soil.

The team of Nigerian, Beninoise and Canadian researchers are now combining these two innovations to bring the farmers’ practices to 50,000 farmers. The recommended farming techniques will be spread through demonstration trials, outreach efforts, supports and trainings for seed producers and marketers, by establishing local committees to address issues such as productivity and marketing.

Support to indigenous vegetables farming and processing business will increase demand and improve

income of 1,000,000 West African farmers and the University of Manitoba in Canada.This project is among the four international projects that have been collectively awarded $17 million by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada. They are part of an effort to scale up the most promising research supported under IDRC- Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (CIFSRF).

The CIFSRF is a programme of IDRC, Canada, undertaken with financial support of the government of Canadian provided through Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, Canada. The fund support research to increase food security in developing countries while fostering collaboration between developing-countries researchers and Canadian experts.

Don urges in-coming legislators to revolutionise agric FORMER Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin, Prof Abiodun Adeloye, has advised incoming members of the National Assembly to work with the Federal Government to ensure the agriculture sector is a leader in providing high quality food in the future.

He said it is crucial that everyone works together in the quest for selfsufficiency in food production.

He said the new government should come to power with a detailed and positive agenda for agriculture, to make the sector more dynamic, competitive and effective to address areas such as improving foreign direct investment, enhancing farmers’ ability to tackle animal and plant health, building safe and secure food chains.

Adeloye observed that there was a need to reverse long- term declines in farming productivity.

He urged lawmakers to develop a blueprint for future agriculture policy as many farmers are feeling the squeeze of higher production costs.

Suggestions include additional money for research and marketing for value-added products, innovation, development and extension, competitiveness and market access.

Adeloye,who is the Coordinator WAAPP Nigeria projects at the university, said the sector would need a large funding,and that issues affecting the competitiveness of the agricultural sector, within the country should be singled out for an overhaul.

He called on the government to address issues around the cost of doing agro business, regulation, access to capital and critical infrastructure improvements.

He urged the National Assembly to be proactive in engaging with Nigerians to find out what they think about agriculture, what their values are, regarding food production, and to proactively attempt to build better and more constructive relationships with community and activist groups, including those who are currently campaigning against the programmes of the sector.

According to him, achieving food security requires a commitment by leaders in all sectors to ensure a sustained and focused effort to end hunger.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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HE Lagos State Government has okayed the implementation of the revised model city plans of Ikoyi/Victoria Island, and that of Agege/Ifako Ijaye and is set to gazette them soon.

The immediate past Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Toyin Ayinde, spoke at the weekend during the sign-off for the implementation of the approved revised Ikoyi/Victoria Island Model City Plan and Agege/Ifako Ijaye Model City Plan.

The Ikoyi-Victoria Island model city plan is from 2013 to 2033. The area is bounded in the south by the proposed Eko Atlantic City and the Atlantic Ocean. In the north by the Lagos Lagoon while the Macgregor canal bounds it in the western part.

The private estates of Oniru/ Dideolu and Lekki Penninsula scheme 1 are its boundary in the eastern part.

The city’s plan has key proposals which include the proposed intracity cable car; mono rail; and shuttle bus routes. It also has provision for ferry service jetty site along Ozumba Mbadiwe; telecoms district at Saka Tinubu and environs; creation of hospitality corridor between Modupe Oshikoya and Bishop Oluwole; Alfred Rewane streetscaping; provision of both indoor and outdoor spaces that encourage and facilitate model city recreation and celebration; provision of high quality spaces for both active and passive recreations that meet the model city’s unique tastes and needs.

Agege Ifako-Ijaye model city, on the other hand, is bounded in the north by Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, in the south by Ikeja Local Government Area, east

by Ojodu Local Council Development area and in the west by Alimosho local government area.

Its key proposals are: proposed Overpass at Fagba level crossing; proposed park and walk; proposed bridge and proposed transport concourse at Agege.

Ayinde, who performed the signoff ceremony at Alausa, this said the next step would be to gazette the plans to give legal backing for their implementation, stating that “what will follow will be the gazette of those plans. One of the

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’Why we’re training artisans, others’

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•From left: Adekunle Adegboye; Ayinde, Ayodele Adediran, and Funmi Osifuye, at the signing and public presentation of the Model City Plans in Lagos.

Lagos okays revised Ikoyi, VI, Agege, Ifako Ijaye Model City Plans

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie & Muyiwa Lucas

things we were able to do within these four years was to gazette our building plans that we approved from 2007 to 2014. We also got approval to gazette the master plans and once they are gazette they become a kind of law and not something you can just change and, they become available for use by everyone at pocket-friendly prices.”

The Lagos State Government, he said, embarked on these plans to create some form of order in the state because, according to him, “Where there is no planning, there is disorder and where there is disorder people disorganised and when they are disorganised they agonise. So, you have a choice to either organise or agonise.”

The plans, if implemented, will enhance the productivity of Lagos

with corresponding increase in its GDP. It will also enhance transport connectivity and provide the population with access to adequate health care and basic education, among others, he said.

Planners in the state, according to him, have been called to duty so that people do not agonise, saying this was the reason the government embarked on planning over the years.

He said the planning the government did was to correct the disorderliness of the society from past Military administrations, explaining that in doing so the government began with specific areas instead of doing it the normal way which was planning from the general to the specific.

“We started with the specific, probably because of the challenges we had on our hands then. It is inevitable that we go back again from the specific to the general and try to look at

all we have done within that context,” he said.

He lauded indigenous planners for their contributions, saying “I have absolute confidence in the indigenous planners. One of the advantages of the indigenous planners is that they are able to relate with their environment; they live here every day.”

Indigenous planners, he said were better positioned to understand the effect of a situation like fuel scarcity on the nation’s environment that somebody from outside the country.

Ayinde also lauded former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, for understanding the compelling need for professionalism in the discharge of the ministry’s duties, stating that on account of this, they were able to take some farreaching decisions that improved the state’s physical environment.

Ex-Minister seeks more attention to housing

HE immediate past Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Dr Akon Eyakenyi, has called on the new administration to pay more attention to the housing sector to ensure that Nigerians enjoy adequate and affordable shelter.

She warned that any government that fails to pay attention to the sector might not achieve much.

Mrs Eyakenyi said housing remains the engine room of any economy as it affects communities and the environment.

At a valedictory in her honour by the ministry officials, Mrs Eyakenyi thanked the management and staff of the ministry for their commitment to their duties, saying she enjoyed their cooperation during her short tenure.

According to her, “if we did not move the way we did, we may not have achieved much and made the name we did within the period”.

She said the ministry stood out among other ministries in the past one year of her stewardship, add-

By Muyiwa Lucas

ing that in spite of the lean budgetary provision, “we were able to move to make the positive impact we made.”

The minister advised the management to do all they could, including encouraging developers to ensure that on-going projects were completed, saying it would benefit Nigerians as well as help to boost the image of the ministry.

She admitted that her drive to achieve much during her brief tenure might have warranted

some reactions to situations that came up, adding that her motherly and leadership virtues ensured that nothing was kept to heart and that she let go of issues for the good and progress of tasks ahead.

Mrs Eyakenyi admonished the management of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) to live up to the expectations of Nigerians by building quality and affordable houses for Nigerians. She urged them to do the best they could and be fair in the discharge of their duties.

She said her exit from the ministry might not be the end of her ser-

‘The minister advised the management to do all they could, including encouraging developers to ensure that on-going projects were completed’

vice but that it could only be “a bend and not an end”, adding that she would continue to remain a mother to all.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. George Ossi, who was represented by the Director, Architectural Services, Sani Gidado, commended the former minister for her tolerance and patience which was exhibited in the course of the discharge of her duties in the Ministry.

He said the management and staff of the Ministry rejoice with her as she was leaving with her head held high as well as hale and hearty, noting that some officials were either sacked or died in office.

He commended the minister for the show of friendship to all and advised that those who serve the public in any capacity must strife to make lasting friendship.

He expressed hope that it would not be her last time in the government.

FIRM, Emel Building Materials, has explained why it is training artisans such as carpenters and roof installers.

The objective is to make some stakeholders in the sector aware of some of the common errors during installations, which culminated into leakages, it said.

The Project Manager, Installation, for Tilco brand, Mr. Kevin Eneje, who is on a 30-day tour of installations across the country, said it was the only way to ensure that patrons of the Tilcor roof tiles got the best performance and value possible from the products.

The roof installation team is led by the Technical Adviser for Tilcor, Mr. Rob McMahon, who has about 30 years’experience in roof installation. He is on tour of Warri, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos, conducting training on world-class installation methods with architects, engineers, builders, property developers, installers and carpenters in these locations.

“We have noticed that the business of roofing is not just about selling tiles. It is about having the right product installed properly which requires us as a company to manage the project from start to finish. During our project evaluation, we discovered that, in order to achieve a high standard of roof installation, coordination between carpenters, project engineers and installers is imperative as they are key stakeholders in the whole chain. In order to address this, we have developed systems and processes to provide a solution to our clients and to ensure that every stage of the installation process is carried out as per the benchmarks set by us. All these matters are covered in our training sessions,” Eneje explained.

He regretted that when a house begins to leak, the home owner holds the roof installation company accountable without considering what procedure was followed in laying the roof. Therefore, he explained, instead of sounding unprofessional by playing the blame game on the carpenter or installer, Emel decided to get things right from the outset by making the best information available to artisans.

He listed some of the fundamental issues faced when laying roofs to include the improper spacing of purlins; the incorrect size of gauges used in gutters; poorly managed roof to wall areas etc. all of which make the house susceptible to leakages.

He explained that though the carpenters and installers undertake Tilcor installation jobs when engaged, they are not employed by the company full time which means that the training they receive is actually to the advantage of the roofing industry.

Corroborating Eneje’s position, Olajide Adesina, one of the installers undergoing training in Lagos, explained that the sessions have been very beneficial.

Said he: “We used to do it anyhow, but this training has shown us correct methods. We learn how to measure correctly, lay tiles, ridges, and much more. We now know that if purlins are not properly set, there could be issues. We also know what to expect from carpenters to make our job better.”

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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BUSINESS ENERGY

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Marketers get 6,000 tonnes of cooking gas to ease scarcity

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O ease cooking gas scarcity, the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas(NLNG) has supplied 6,000 metric tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas(LPG) to oil marketers.

The product arrived in Lagos at the weekend, by MT Gas Provident, which left Bonny, Rivers State, a few days ago.

Few hours after the vessel berthed in Lagos, the product was distributed to oil marketing firms such as Conoil, Mobil, MRS, Nipco and others, by the Federal Government.

The aim was to ease scarcity caused by the strike embarked upon by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of

By Akinola Ajibade

Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigerian Association of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

The strike, which was called off last week, has seen prices of cooking gas normalising because tanker’ drivers who are members of PENGASSAN and NUPENG have resumed supply of the product to marketers.

The Nation findings revealed that prices of cooking gas have reduced because marketers are no longer rationalising the product.

It was found that prices which went up by between 70 to 100 per cent has reduced to 30 per cent, de-

pending on the areas consumers buy from.

In some places, consumers now refill a 2.5kilogramme gas cylinder with between 3, 000 and N3,200, as against N4,000 they paid during the scarcity.

At Iyana- Ipaja, Egbeda, Ikeja, Oshodi, Yaba, Maryland, among other has visited by The Nation, the price of the cooking gas has reduced slightly.

Marketers said the scarcity of the product and the attendant increase in prices caused by the strike has reduced.

A marketer, who identified himself as Joshua Roland, said the scarcity of cooking gas has disappeared, adding that marketers are

getting the product to sell.

He said: “Anytime there is shortfall in the supply of gas in the country, either due to strike or technical problems from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), what I do for my loyal customers, is reserve and sell to them. “A good businessman must know the needs and mindset of his customers to stay in business,” he said.

A gas dealer in Ikeja, Moses Adeoye, said the scarcity has had untold effect on their operation. He said the problem was compounded by power supply and fuel scarcity.

He said the campaign for increased use of cooking gas by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and operators such as Oando

and Forte Oil, have not been effective because of the problems in the sector. “How can people use cooking gas for domestic and industrial purposes when they cannot get the product to buy when needed? How can the government achieve the goal of making people use cooking gas when it cannot remove the bottlenecks hindering supply of the product?

The President, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association of Nigeria (LPGAN), Dapo Adesina, said the scarcity of cooking gas and rise in price was expected, given the strike. He said the strike affected the distribution of the product across the country, stressing the situation is normalising now that the strike has been called off.

Why govt can’t improve power generation

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ack of appropriate gas pricing regime is stalling efforts by the Federal Government to improve electricity generation and supply, the Chief Executive Officer, Sahara Group, owners of Ikeja Electric and Egbin Power Plant, Mr Kola Adesina, has said.

He said natural gas, which is a feedstock in the sector, is yet to command the right price, despite the decision of the Federal Government to review the price of the product upwardly, and make it more accessible to thermal plants that rely on it to generate 70 per cent of the electricity required in the country.

He said Nigerians, especially power firms’operators, do not price gas well because they do not see it as an economic product, adding that the issue is affecting electricity generation and supply.

He said: “One of the major problems in the sector is ineffective gas pricing regime. People do not see gas as an economic product, and as such, unable to price it well. People only see gas as a socio-political product, hence their inability to price the product well and further use it to provide additional economic activities. The moment gas users such as power firms, petrochemical industries and others see gas as an economic product; they would price it well knowing they use will use it to provide more activities for the economy.

“The government should come out with an economic model where critical assumptions and frameworks relating to production, sales and pricing of gas are mentioned and made to function. I’m talking about a model

By Akinola Ajibade

in which the component part of any pricing regime is factored. The model should be able to answer these questions: “How much is the price of gas today? What is the quantity of gas made available to users? Based on this, gas users would know where, when and the amount they would buy the product for production activities. “ He said once the right price regime exists in the industry, it would be easier for government to facilitate the growth of the sector.

Adesina said people that are desirous of change in the sector must be ready to pay the price, adding that through this, the sector would record growth.

“In the telecommunication sector, some people were desirous of change; they paid the price and the economy is better for it. For instance, anybody that is going to set up a telecom company would find out whether the cost of providing services to people is good or bad, right or wrong. Having done this, he would be able to know what would happen, let’s say, in the next one, two, three or four years. Besides, he would be able to know much profit he would make. What is happening in the telecom should be replicated in the electricity sector,” he added.

The Federal Government has over the years upwardly reviewed the price of gas from less than a dollar for 1,000 standard cubic feet to $2.50, which the same quantity sells now, all in an effort to ensure that producers make uninterrupted supply to consumers.

•From left: Project Engineer, Kaztec Engineering Limited, Ayodeji Soyemi; Engineering Manager Mike Simpson; Niezner; Consultant Dr Kelley Njideka; and Head, Business Development/Communications, Dr Edwin Ndukwe, at the company's booth during the Offshore Technology Conference in the United States.

We can handle complex oil facilities, says firm

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AZTEC Engineering Limited can deliver world-class complex facilities such as offshore platforms and subsea infrastructure to the oil and gas industry, its Managing Director,Mr John Niezner, has said.

Niezner told The Nation in the United States that many people working for Kaztec have handled and delivered very complex facilities at their former workplaces and can easily do that for the operators.

He said: “Kaztec is a wholly indigenous company. It is not

‘How to curb oil theft, by stakeholders

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OW can the Federal Government curb oil theft? It is by the commitment of the Judiciary and Legislature, to enforce the law against oil theft, stakeholders have said.

The President, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Mr. Emeka Ene and the President, International Association of Energy Economics (IAEE), Nigerian chapter, Adeola Akinnisiju, said an estimated $10billion has been lost to crude oil theft, adding that it is high time the government curbed the crime.

Ene said it does not make sense to make laws that would not be implemented. He stated that laws made in the past were not well implemented, thus fueling criminal activities in the industry. “The issue of providing new laws against oil theft among other incidents is a good one. It is one thing for the government to enact a law that would help both local and International Oil Companies (IOCs) operate well, it is another thing to implement

By Akinola Ajibade

the law. I hope the law would not be one of those that are not executed in Nigeria.

“If the law is implemented, it would curb crimes in the industry. It would send signals to the perpetrators of the evil act. They would know that it is not business as usual. They would weigh the cost of committing the crime, and once they know that the consequences are grave, they would stop,” he said.

Akinnisiju said stiffer regulation is required to make the sector more vibrant and rewarding to operators irrespective of the areas they operate.

He said the industry has lost heavily to oil theft and urged the government to fully implement laws to encourage the industry’s growth. He said Nigeria has no choice than to block the loopholes through which people steal oil and ship it abroad especially now the price of crude oil globally is low.

He said the country has lost a for-

tune to the declining prices of crude oil, arguing that the problems will be compounded if the government fails to check the activities of people involved in such practices. He urged government to make laws that are effective to check the incident, and foster the industry’s growth.

“It would amount to double tragedy for Nigeria if the prices of crude oil continue to fall and people stealing oil escape the long arm of justice.

That shows that the government will lose more revenue,” he added.

The Federal Government through the Office of Attorney General of the Federation, had last year, scrutinised a bill that would provide a legal framework for companies to operate in the oil and gas sector and collect their revenues without hindrance. The bill, when passed into law by the National Assembly would help check crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other unwholesome practices in the industry.

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

owned by any foreign company.

It is not partly-owned by any foreign company. There is a great deal of interest from the operators.

What the operators are looking for is past experience. We said we can deliver, and we have delivered.

There are many people in the industry that are working for Kaztec that in their previous roles have delivered very complex facilities, which we want to prove now to the operators over the next six to nine months. Yes, there is incredible interest in Kaztec fabrication yard in Lagos and we are handling very complex projects.”

Niezner also noted that in the next three to five years, he expects to see substantial growth in the company where projects will be delivered at lower costs.

“We are looking at incredible amount of growth in Nigeria.

Once we break the problems associated with high cost, we will see a lot more opportunities for companies like Kaztec. We are looking at strategic relationships with indigenous companies because basically for one company to do all these is too much,” he added.

He stated that the focus of Kaztec in the last few years has been in offshore installation, barges, laying pipelines and installing platforms offshore. ‘’What we are diversifying into is full delivery chain of works for the operators. From concept to commission, we insist in developing solutions for offshore, utilising indigenous equipment, right

throug”, he added.

According to him, the oil and gas industry service business is not just about dependence on technology. It is reliant on effective and efficient managerial processes within the organisation. What we need to do is to address that first and the technology will underpin that in good time. We need to really address the efficiency and process in the industry, which is cumbersome and very costly, he stated.

On what he expects from the new government, he said: “Our focus is to provide services to the operators regardless of government, we will continue to provide that service and realise our vision. We hope and really trust that the incoming government will support us because we are doing the right thing that will benefit not only the operators but benefit the nation and of course, Kaztec. Niezner said his company wants the government to ensure that the Nigerian content Act is maintained fully (100 per cent) and that work is done in Nigeria by Nigerians, not by foreign companies, to encourage the establishment of Nigerian companies. ‘’The government should not only establish those companies, but also see to the establishment of capabilities within those companies to execute works to international standards. That is one of the downsides. What we are seeing is a lot of new companies coming to the surface in Nigeria that do not have the capabilities, which will have detrimental effect resulting in projects needing higher costs and longer schedules.

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 01-06-15

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 01-06-15

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MONEYLINK

Interswitch eyes IPO in London, Lagos for expansion

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NTERSWITCH Ltd., which processes payments for banks and owns a brand of debit cards in Nigeria, is considering initial public offerings in London and Lagos next year as it plans an expansion into new African markets.

The company has discussed share sales with banks including Bank of America Corp., Barclays Plc and Standard Bank Group Ltd. and may choose advisers for a transaction within a few months, Chief Executive Officer Mitchell Elegbe told Bloomberg.

“We’re looking at doing an IPO,” Elegbe, 43, who founded Interswitch in 2002, said in an interview in Lagos.

“We’re looking at the U.K. and Nigeria. Our industry is one that investors love. They understand it, especially in places like the U.K.” Interswitch, which operates in five African countries and owns Verve, a Nigerian provider of debit cards,

By Collins Nweze

would be the second company from the country to sell ordinary shares in both London and Lagos after Seplat Petroleum Development Co.’s dual listing in April last year. The London Stock Exchange has more than 120 listed African companies and expects about five Nigerian offerings over the next year, Ibukun Adebayo, co-head of emerging-primary markets, said last month.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index has gained 14 per cent over the past three months after falling 16 percent last year before elections and as sliding oil prices hit Africa’s largest crude producer. The measure fell 0.3 percent as of 1:42 p.m. in Lagos on Monday.

Interswitch is about 70 percent-held

by London-based private equity group Helios Investment Partners LLP, South

Access Bank donates N10m to UNICEF

Africa’s Adlevo Capital Managers LLC and the International Finance Corp., a unit of the World Bank, according to Elegbe. There’s no guarantee of an IPO and the owners may instead decide to sell their holdings to a company, said Elegbe, who is also a shareholder.

Helios bought 52 per cent of Interswitch for $96 million in Dec. 2010, according to its website.

Interswitch has grown rapidly since then amid a proliferation of automated teller-machines and point of sale devices in Nigeria and it may look to use any capital it raises to fund further expansion, Elegbe said, declining to disclose the company’s revenues or profits.

“We’re a very liquid company,” he said. “But that’s not to say that if we go to the stock exchange we can’t achieve things a lot faster and on a bigger scale.”

Interswitch would be the first Nigerian technology business to list in the

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•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

U.K., according to Elegbe. Local competitors include E-Tranzact International Plc, which has a market value of 14.2 billion naira ($71 million). While Nigeria is “by far” Interswitch’s biggest market, it also has operations in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Gambia, according to Elegbe. The company plans to move into Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana, he said.

Vitafoam assures investors of better returns

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HEAD of the distribution of N246 million cash dividends and a bonus share of one for five shares to shareholders this month, the management of Vitafoam Nigeria Plc has assured the investing public that it would continue to improve the performance of the foam-manufacturing company with a view to continuously grow shareholders’ value.

Addressing the investing public yesterday at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos, group managing director, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Mr Taiwo Adeniyi, said the company has the competitive advantages to sustain its performance and ensure improved growths over the years.

He outlined that Vitafoam Nigeria’s strong brand equity, strong assets base,

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

national spread of sales channels and excellent operational facilities would ensure stable growth irrespective of the inclement operating environment.

According to him, the company has economies of scale and pioneer advantage including establishment of vitapur and other subsidiaries that would continue to enhance growth in the years ahead.

He noted that the company’s success had been built on a mix of unique indices including development of strong human capital and timely execution of strategic plan.

He pointed out that Vitafoam Nigeria has the largest foam manufacturing and distribution network which facilitates

just in time delivery of finished products throughout West African Sub region.

He explained that despite the inclement operating environment, the company’s gross profit was up by 5.4 per cent to N5.4 billion while profit after tax rose by 11.8 per cent to N435 million.

He added that with professional and dedicated staff, processes and procedures, internal efficiencies, operational innovation and creativity and timely execution of strategic plan, the company has been placed on a better stead to sustain improved performance.

Adeniyi assured that the company would continue to provide the investing public with timely information in line with the post listing requirements of the NSE

He however noted the adverse impact of the insurgency in some areas of the North pointing out that that manufacturers in Nigeria are contending with persistent terrorist activities in the North, unpredictable political environment, high cost of financing operations, unstable government policies, lack of enabling infrastructures, products adulteration and volatile and increasing cost of chemicals.

Vitafoam Nigeria’s share price dropped by 3.53 per cent yesterday to N5.20 per share, substantially larger than the average decline of 0.77 per cent recorded at the stock market. The benchmark indices at the NSE indicated a low start to the new month as investors continue to wait for clear directions on the policies of the new government.

HE Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield international polo tournament came to a climax over the weekend with the presentation of the N10 million donations by the sole sponsors, Access Bank Plc to UNICEF. The donation was done at the Fifth Chukker Polo & Country Club in Kaduna on Sunday by the Executive Director, Personal Banking, Access Bank, Victor Etuokwu to support of UNICEF campaign against HIV/AIDS pandemic among Nigerian children.

Etuokwu who led other top officials of Access Bank to the grand finale, expressed delight that the Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield is achieving its main objective of reaching out to the less privileged children in the society.

He said that the Bank had maintained its yearly donation of N10million in supporting UNICEF towards its projects for orphans and vulnerable children.

In addition to that, the Bank is continually seeking avenues through which more resources can be pooled towards supporting the children “We have been working in Kaduna, in collaboration with UNICEF to elevate quality of lives. We need to do a lot more in support of these orphans and vulnerable children to enable them look forward to a better tomorrow,” he added.

UNICEF Country Representative, Jean Gough who received the donation, thanked Access Bank for the assistance, pointing out that through the donation, UNICEF would be able to provide care and support services to orphans and vulnerable children in focus areas of Kaduna State.

The cheque presentation which was witness by the Kaduna State Deputy Governor, BalaBantex was the major highlight of the closing ceremony followed on the heels of the final game of the event in which Access Bank Fifth Chukker defeated Titan Lintex 8-6 in tense final game, to win their fourth Charity Shield title.

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FIDELITY NIG FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

126.04 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1.39 1,744.73 1,104.77 112.34 121.16 1.67 1.1978 1.3117 0.7319 1.1349

125.82 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,744.73 1,104.00 111.75 120.30 1.62 1.1912 0.7203 0.7203 1.1349

VONO HONYFLOUR PORTPAINT ETERNA COSTAIN RTBRISCOE WAPIC PZ TRANSEXPR SEPLAT

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

1.69 3.72 3.64 2.75 0.94 0.79 0.54

1.77 3.89 3.80 2.87 0.98 0.82 0.56

0.08 0.17 0.16 0.12 0.04 0.03 0.02

29.18

30.00

0.82

1.20

1.23

0.03

338.00

345.00

7.00

LOSERS AS AT 01-06-15

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

TOTAL LIVESTOCK CONTINSURE FLOURMILL FO TRANSCORP STERLNBANK SKYEBANK VITAFOAM PRESCO MANSARD

174.00 2.40 1.06 36.20 176.00 3.10 2.11 2.75 5.39 35.20 3.00

C/PRICE 161.00 2.28 1.01 34.51 168.00 2.98 2.03 2.65 5.20 34.00 2.90

Inflation:April

8.5%

Monetary Policy Rate

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

$28.2b

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$67.91

CHANGE -13.00 -0.12 -0.05 -1.69 -8.00 -0.12 -0.08 -0.10 -0.19 -1.20 -0.10

FOREX RATES (NairaVs Dollar) May 28, 2015 Interbank ($/N)

199.00

$1

Black Market ($/N)

215.00

$1

London Inter-bank Offered Rates (LIBOR)

Money Supply (M2)

GAINERS AS AT 01-06-15

SYMBOL

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

16.5%

Tenor 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months

May 27

May 28

Rate)%

Rate (%)

0.1735 0.2147 0.2615 0.3841 0.6709

0.1715 0.2108 0.2626 0.3857 0.6744

Nigerian Stock Market Indices

Tenor

12-02-15 Rate (%) Rate (%) 13-02-15

Overnight (O/N)

14.683

76.583

1M

15.033

15.977

3M

15.809

17.177

6M

16.493

17.908

Transaction Dates 03/02/2015 3/12/2014 1/12/2014

Amount Offered in ($) 500m 400m 350m

Amount Sold in ($) 499.93m 399.97m 349.96m

Statistics All Share Index Mkt Cap (NGN’bn) Deals Volume (mn) Value (NGN’mn)

27 May 34,649.3 11.8 3,385 564,28 6,087.80

5 May 29,383.93 9,804.36 3,714 377,75 6,568.66

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Feb. 13, 2015

Rates

T-bills - 91

12.44

T-bills - 182

13.85

T-bills - 364

13.92

Bond - 3yrs

15.92

Bond - 5yrs

17.22

Bond - 7yrs

16.59

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

56

NEWS •Former Lagos Commissoner for Home Affairs and Culture Mr Oyinlomo Danmole (third right), former Permanent Secretary, Mrs Doyin Olusoga (second right); Director of Finance and Administration Mrs Kemi Adeoye (right), another former Permanent Secretary Mrs Amoke Olabinjo (fourth left); Permanent Secretary, Mrs Ebunola Oladimeji (third left); Director, Mr Lateef Lawal (second left) and Director, Accounts, Mrs Ajayi after a sendforth dinner Mr Danmole in Lagos PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Gunmen ‘kill’ two soldiers in Kogi

Marwa quits PDP

F

ORMER Lagos State Military Governor Mohammed Buba Marwa has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A statement yesterday in Abuja by his media aide, Bello Zubairu, said “the former military governor decided to quit the PDP on personal grounds.”

Before the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Marwa was the governorship candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Adamawa State. After the merger of the party with others to form the APC, thousands of his supporters were technically denied the opportunity to register in the new party.

Although the statement is silent on whether Gen. Marwa will return to the APC, it, however, said “the retired General will make public his next line of action in the coming days.”

“He appeal to his supporters and well-wishers, who have been calling him for direction from across the country, to await his next move,” the statement added.

Ortom resumes, appoints SSG, others From Uja Emmanuel,Makurdi

B

ENUE State Governor Samuel Ortom yesterday assumed duty at the Government House, Makurdi at 11am.

He made his first appointment with Targema Takema becoming the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). Terwase Torbunde was appointed as the Chief of Staff and Tahav Agerzua, the Head of Media and Information Technology.

The governor was received by the Permanent Secretary, Government House Administration, Eugene Ivase and senior civil servants.

He was led into his office by the Chief Security Officer (CSO), Dickson Pawa and clerics, who prayed and anointed the office.

Lalong appoints ex-colleague as SSG From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos,

P

LATEAU State Governor Simon Lalong has appointed Mr. Rufus Bature as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

Bature was the Minority Leader in the House of Assembly between 2001 and 2007 when Lalong was the Speaker.

Bature, a Berom, was also the director-general of Lalong’s governorship campaign.

The governor appointed Mr. John Dafa’an as the Chief of Staff, Government House. Mr. Yusuf Hawaja was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House.

According to a statement in Jos by the Permanent Secretary, Policy and General Studies, Izam Azi, others also appointed were Mr. Silas Vem as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s Office; Prof. John Wade, Director- General, Research; Mr. Cyril Tsenyil, Accountant-General.

Mr. Cletus Kangkum was appointed as the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor and Mr. Emmanuel Nanle became the Director of Press Affairs.

Ishaku names SSG, media chiefs From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

T

ARABA State Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku yesterday resumed at the State House, Jalingo and appointed ex-Commissioner for Agriculture, Anthony Jellason, as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

He reappointed Sylvanus Giwa and Hassan Mijinyawa as his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Publicity and Chief Press Secretary (CPS).

The duo served as media chiefs with former Governor Danbaba Suntai in his first and second terms.

Giwa is a graduate of the University of Maiduguri. He worked as a reporter/presenter with the defunct Gongola Television, Africa Independent Television (AIT), Channels Television and as the general manager of the Taraba Television.

Mijinyawa attended Times Journalism Institute, Lagos and London School of Public Relations, England. He worked as a reporter with the Weekly Scope and as the public relations manager of Firstbase Integrated Nigeria.

G

UNMEN suspected to be Agatu militia from neighbouring Benue State have allegedly killed two soldiers at Bagana in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The victims were among those drafted to Bagana last year during clashes between the Agatu and Fulani herdsmen.

A witness said trouble be-

From James Azania, Lokoja

gan when suspected Agatu militia, who came to Bagana market and were drinking and causing public disturbance, were challenged.

Soldiers were reportedly drafted to the scene to restore peace.

The source said the intervention of the soldiers angered the gunmen, who in-

vited their colleagues and fought the soldiers.

Another account had it that the Agatu militia, who accused the soldiers of being partial, ambushed them at a primary school where they were stationed, killed two and injured others.

A reinforcement of soldiers was said to have repelled the attackers.

Police Commissioner

Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi directed our correspondent to the military authorities for the confirmation of the story.

He said: “Please call the commanding officer for details.”

The clash between the militia and Fulani herdsmen last December in Bagana led to the deployment of soldiers.

NYSC to police: unravel Corps member’s death

T

HE National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) yesterday urged the Kwara State Police Command to unravel the mystery behind the death of a corps member, Idowu Shukurat Yetunde.

The corps, in a statement by the Director, Public Relations, Abosede Aderibigbe, said the deceased was last seen on May 23 when she informed her colleagues that she was going to Shoprite on Fate Road, Ilorin after which the news of her death was broken.

Aderibigbe said the NYSC handled issues concerning corps members se-

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

riously, especially when it bordered on death and would unravel the mystery behind the death of the corps member.

She said the DirectorGeneral, Brig.-Gen. Johnson Bamidele Olawumi, had sent a delegation to Ilorin, headed by the Director, Corps Welfare and Inspectorate, Mr. Michael Ahile; Head of NYSC Legal Unit, Ibrahim Tijani Ahmed and Assistant Director, Protocol & Publicity, Mr. Eddy Megwa, to, among others, express his pains about the

sudden death.

Aderibigbe urged the security agents and monarchs to unravel the mystery behind Yetunde’s death.

The statement said: “NYSC will not tolerate the abuse, harassment, intimidation and brutal killing of corps members deployed to serve their fatherland.

“The management wishes to stress that it is the responsibility of Nigerians to ensure that corps members deployed in all parts of the country for the one-year mandatory service are assisted regarding their security and well-being. Efforts should be made to protect

them.

“Having visited the State Security Service, the Police Commissioner and the Emir of Ilorin, the management of NYSC is confident that all hands will be on deck to ensure that the culprits are brought to book.

“We take this opportunity to express our heartfelt sympathy to the family and relatives of the deceased.

“We console the corps members serving in Kwara State and the entire country. It is our prayer that this unpleasant development will not reoccur.”

Civil Defence investigates suspect’s death

T

HE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Sokoto State command, has set up a committee to unravel the mystery behind the death of 38-year-old Jamilu Abdullahi.

He allegedly died in the custody of the NSCDC. Before his death, the deceased, arrested by the corps, was a graduate of the College of Agriculture, Bakura in Zamfara State and an employee of Tureta Local Government in Sokoto State.

Confirming the incident to reporters yesterday in Sokoto, the Commandant, Bello Musa, said: “I can confirm the death of the deceased after he was arrested by the operatives of the corps at the Sokoto South Local Government, following a complaint by his neighbour.

“But it is untrue that person-

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

nel of the corps killed him. Investigations will uncover the cause of his death.

“Any officer indicted by the investigations will face the wrath of the law.”

Musa said the deceased was arrested after a complaint by Amina Mohammed, “following a misunderstanding.”

The deceased’s family accused NSCDC of killing their child.

The deceased’s mother, Binta Abdullahi, a widow of a retired military officer, told reporters that the late Jamilu died at the Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, last Friday.

She said he was the bread winner of a family of nine and was referred to UDUTH from

‘He was our bread winner. He had four younger sisters and three younger brothers.

He graduated from the College of Agriculture, Bakura in Zamfara State’ the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto on May 26.

Her words: “He was our bread winner. He had four younger sisters and three younger brothers. He graduated from the College of Agriculture, Bakura in Zamfara State.

“He was working with the Tureta Local Government until his death and he was the pillar of the family after the demise

of my late husband, a military pensioner.

“All we want is justice. We need his death certificate and his autopsy report, which will reveal the cause of his death.”

The commandant said the body of the deceased, which was rejected by his family, was kept at the morgue of the Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto adding: “The death certificate will be ready today (Monday).

“We hope to take the body to the family together with the death certificate any moment from now.

“We hope they will accept it and bury it according to Islamic rites.”

The complainant, Amina, was said to have deserted her home. The place was shut when our reporter visited. The house is at Dambowa in Sokoto.

3,000 sex workers arrested in Abuja

T

HREE thousand commercial sex workers have been arrested by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Special Task Team on City Cleaning and Management in the last 90

days.

They have been handed over to the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) for prosecution and rehabilitation.

The task team also arrested 2,534 street hawkers and beggars.

One hundred and two strayed animals were removed from illegal cattle markets in Gudu and other parts of the city during the period.

From Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike, Abuja

The team impounded 4,790 commercial motorcycles, 883 Keke Napep, 645 unpainted commercial vehicles and 84 illegal commercial buses.

Assistant Director/Chief Press Secretary (FCT), Muhammad Sule, spoke yesterday in a statement. He said the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. John Chukwu, an engineer, made the disclosure after a meeting with the Chairman of the Task Team and the FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu, in Abuja.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

57

NEWS Rivers acting CJ: no room for corruption here From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

R

IVERS State Acting Chief Judge (CJ), Justice Daisy Otube Okocha, has said her administration will not tolerate a corrupt Judiciary.

Okocha spoke yesterday at a valedictory session in her honour at the State High Court in Port Harcourt, the state capital, after her swearing-in.

The state’s High Courts had been under lock and key since last June, following the inability of former Governor Chibuike Amaechi and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to resolve the crisis about who should become the substantive CJ. Amaechi reportedly sent the names of two most senior judges - Justice Peter Agumagu and Justice Okocha - to the NJC for nomination, ahead of Dr. Iche Ndu’s retirement in August 2013.

The NJC nominated Justice Okocha against Amaechi’s preferred candidate, Justice Agumagu.

Amaechi reportedly rejected NJC’s decision and swore in Justice Agumagu on a three-month acting capacity, which ended in November 2013.

The office has since remained vacant.

Governor Nyesom Wike, at his swearing-in last Friday, declared the courts open and announced Justice Okocha as the acting CJ. Justice Okocha said secret cameras would be installed at strategic places on the court premises to capture any form of corruption.

She thanked Wike for granting women the chance to serve in his administration.

The CJ promised not to bear any grudge against her colleagues over what happened.

She also pledged to transform the Judiciary to the envy of other states.

Death row man pardoned in Delta

R

IGHTS activists have said a man, Moses Akatugba, who was condemned to hanging when he was 16 because of the confessions extracted under torture, will be pardoned after spending 10 years on death row.

Nigeria’s activists and Amnesty International (AI) said yesterday former Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan signed Akatugba’s reprieve last week.

Akatugba was a schoolboy when soldiers arrested him for allegedly stealing three cell phones.

The activists said Akatugba was tortured by the police, including tearing out his finger and toe nails with pliers.

He was said to have signed confessions to armed robbery, a crime that carries a mandatory death sentence in Nigeria, though minors are meant to be exempt.

Rights groups said Akatugba’s illegal sentencing and incarceration are typical of the injustices visited on Nigerians by a corrupt system.

Wike accuses Amaechi’s men of ‘looting’ Govt House

R

IVERS State Governor Nyesom Wike yesterday led stakeholders on a tour of the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The complex was allegedly vandalised by officials of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s administration.

The governor took the leaders to the residential quarters, offices and the banquet hall where key furniture, television sets and electrical accessories were allegedly vandalised by the former administration.

But Amaechi debunked the allegations yesterday.

The former governor accused Wike of blackmail and telling lies about the facilities at the Government House.

Those on the tour with Wike included Deputy Governor Ipalibo Banigo, former Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru, former Attorney-General Frank Owhor, Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) Acting National Chairman Uche Secondus, former Sports Minister Tammy Danagogo, former Trade and Investment Minister Kenneth Kobani and the State PDP Chairman Felix Obuah.

Former Transport Minister Abiye Sekibo and Niger-

•Governor lied on ‘vandalised’ Govt House, says Amaechi From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

ia’s Ambassador to South Korea, Desmond Akawor, were also in the entourage.

Addressing reporters after the tour, Mrs Banigo berated officials of the former administration for allegedly vandalising government’s property at the Government House.

Also Ikuru regretted that officials of the Amaechi administration allegedly vandalised furniture, coat of arms, rugs and electrical fittings in the Government House.

He urged the governor to bring to justice those behind the alleged vandalism.

Obuah said: “It is unimaginable that the beds, chairs and official crested rugs in the governor’s official quarters were ‘stolen’. Even the foam they left is Mouka foam, which they used to replace the original foam.

“This level of looting is embarrassing and must not go unpunished. It is sad that officials of the last administration could go to that level in their quest to destabilise the incoming administration.”

Amaechi said Wike lied on the alleged looting and vandalism of the Government House.

The former governor regretted what he called Wike’s attempts to intimidate, threaten and blackmail officials of the former administration, including civil servants, into making false, phony and bogus claims of alleged corruption and corrupt practices against him and his wife, Dame Judith.

He described the new governor’s action as concocted claims that could not be substantiated.

Amaechi, a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisted that Wike’s provocative utterances were part of his cheap smear campaign and a ploy to siphon billions of naira from the treasury under the guise of renovating a “vandalised” and “looted” Government House.

In a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt by his media aide, David Iyofor, the former governor stressed that Wike had gone to the absurd lengths to show his imaginary claims of vandalism and looting in the Government House in the bid to vote billions of naira for ren-

ovation of the Brick House.

Wike, at a thanksgiving service at the Salvation Ministries in the new Government Reservation Area (GRA), Port Harcourt, on Sunday, said he would not move into the Government House in the next three months because of alleged vandalism and looting.

Amaechi said: “I am aware that this (Monday) morning, Wike, in company of his coterie of court jesters, took some video cameramen and photographers on a tour of the Governor’s residence inside the Government House, Port Harcourt.

He took them to the Governor’s bedroom, where he made further claims that the place had been looted.

“The question to ask is: Did Wike know what was in my former bedroom before now to conclude that the bedroom was looted? Did he speak with or review with the Permanent Secretary of Government House, who is the chief accounting officer, before jumping into such a hasty and misguided conclusion?

“Apparently, he (Wike) had already reached a conclusion before arriving at the Govern-

•Former Vice President and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Aljhaji Atiku Abubakar (right) greeting a House of Representatives Speakership aspirant, Yakubu Dogara (second left) during his visit with his supporters to the former Vice President in Abuja...yesterday. With them are: Members-elect Babangida Ibrahim (left) and Abubakar Yinusa.

ment House. All he has been saying and doing are to work towards that conclusion of looting and vandalism. It is instructive to note that on Friday, May 29, Wike barred some key officials of the Government House, including civil servants, from accessing the place.

Forty-eight hours later, he started shouting vandalism and looting.

“This does not smell right. I left the place intact. If there is any vandalism or looting in the Government House, Port Harcourt, after I left, Rivers people should ask Wike what happened.

“This is clearly a grand conspiracy to siphon the state’s funds in the guise of renovating a vandalised and looted Government House and falsely smear my image. On the latter, Wike is sparing no expense, employing all sorts of insidious tactics, to accuse me and rub me with the tar of corruption.

“I am aware that a plot is on

by Wike to harass, intimidate, threaten, blackmail and do whatever it takes to get officials, including civil servants, who served in my administration, to make false and phony claims of corruption against me personally and my dear wife, Judith, despite the fact that my wife was never an official of government or a public office holder.

“These false, bogus and illusive claims can never be substantiated, but Wike does not care. All he wants is to taint my good name with screaming headlines of corruption and corrupt practices in the media. But he will certainly fail.”

Amaechi urged the media to beware of Wike’s plot, to scrutinise thoroughly and disregard any of his wild and false claims of corrupt practices against him and his wife.

He advised the media to be weary and discard what he called Wike’s stage-managed video, purportedly showing the looting and vandalism of the Government House, Port Harcourt.

Amaechi added: “The video is a fraud, stage-managed to deceive and hoodwink the public.”

Court strikes out N2.45b fraud charges against Sylva

J

USTICE Evoh Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday struck out the N2.45 billion fraud charges brought against former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The judge, in a ruling, ordered the release of Sylva’s international passport deposited with the court since 2012 in fulfilment of the conditions attached to the bail granted him when he was first arraigned.

Justice Chukwu’s decision was informed by an application for withdrawal by O. J. Nnadi (SAN).

The lawyer appeared for the prosecution on the instruction of the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Saidu Diri.

The former prosecuting lawyer, Festus Keyamo, withdrew from the case on May 25 and the case file was handed back to the DPPF.

•EFCC distances self from DPPF’s application withdrawal From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

The hope, yesterday, was that the case would proceed to trial, as earlier scheduled by the court. But Nnadi, who presented a fiat, which he said was issued to him by the DPPF, to take over the prosecution of the case, applied to withdraw it.

The lawyer told the court that he was instructed by the EFCC to withdraw the suit.

He urged the court to strike it out.

Nnadi said: “We are ready for trial. But following the instruction this morning (yesterday), EFCC directed that this charge be withdrawn. I received instruction from Ojogbane that this charge against the defendant be withdrawn. We urge this court to strike out the charge.”

EFCC’s Assistant Director, Legal and Prosecution, Johnson

Ojogbane, who appeared with Nnadi, denied that the EFCC was part of the decision to withdraw the case against Sylva.

He said he was surprised about Nnadi’s claim that the EFCC instructed him to withdraw the case.

Ojogbane said: “I’m a little bit surprised by the submission of the learned silk (Nnadi). The instruction from my director, Legal and Prosecution of the EFCC, Chime Okoroma, is for me to appear with the DPP of the Federation, who he said would be coming to court this morning to withdraw this charge on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

“When I got to the court this morning, I did not see him (DPP), but I saw the name of the learned silk on the cause list. I approached him and he confirmed to me that he had been briefed by the Office of the AGF.

He (Nnadi) told me he has the fiat of the AGF, which is already admitted as an exhibit in this court.

“He (Nnadi) put a call through to the DPP of the Federation, whom I had the privilege of speaking with, on the learned silk’s phone. He told me that the learned silk was going to withdraw the charge. It is not correct to say that EFCC asked him to withdraw the charge. EFCC did not instruct me to come and withdraw the charge.”

Ojogbane said DPPF’s reason for withdrawing the case was that Sylva had similar charges pending against him before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the same Federal High Court, Abuja.

He added: “I can confirm that this charge is to be withdrawn this morning by the Office of the DPP. The reason given was that there are two similar matters

against the accused in this court - one before your lordship and another one before Justice A. R. Mohammed, which has progressed more than the one before your lordship.”

Lawyer to Sylva, Israel Olorundare (SAN), did not oppose the prosecuting lawyer’s application for withdrawal.

He urged the court to strike it out, as prayed by the prosecution.

The lawyer also urged the court to order the release of his client’s passport, which had been in the custody of the court since he was first arraigned in 2012.

Olorundare prayed the court to restrain the EFCC from arresting Sylva on the charges that were withdrawn.

Although Nnadi did not oppose the release of Sylva’s passport, he contended that it was impossible for the court to make any order in anticipation of Sylva’s arrest.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

58

NEWS Oshiomhole disowns group

E

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has dissociated himself from a group - Seminar Group organising a conference ‘Gatekeepers Foundation, Change Ambassadors of Nigeria and Niger Delta Media Professionals’.

A newspaper advertorial published on Sunday, May 31 by the group listed Oshiomhole as a keynote speaker in the seminar titled: ‘President Muhammadu Buhari Change Agenda and The Niger Delta Struggle for Development’, which is scheduled for today.

Oshiomhole said yesterday: “My attention has been drawn to a statement issued by an amorphous body purporting to be speaking for Niger Delta.

“This so-called group is un-

•Oshiomhole

known to me. No one met or contacted me, much less mentioned the idea of any conference or the motive behind it to me.

“For anyone to have gone ahead to advertise a seminar with my name without even the courtesy of my foreknowledge is fraudulent and unacceptable.

“By this statement, I hope this body will stop promoting themselves with my name”.

Ohanaeze youths to name corrupt politicians From Chris Oji, Enugu

T

HE Youth wing of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) said it has compiled the names of corrupt politicians and looters of the public treasury in the Southeast for submission to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The list contains names of past and present looters of public funds.

A statement by OYC’s president, Okechukwu Isiguzoro said the list would soon be made public and there will be no hiding place for such characters that brought woes to Ndigbo.

OYC also called on similar groups in other zones to follow suit so that the nation will be sanitised.

“Efforts should be made to prosecute these looters to serve as deterrence to others.

The list is very comprehensive and OYC will ensure that the loots are returned to Ndigbo and Nigerians,” Isiguzoro said.

‘Give NDDC board more time’

A

POLITICAL pressure group, the Niger Delta Voice in APC (NIDEVA) has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to give the Board of Directors and management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) more time to execute its development projects.

The group urged President Buhari to accept the recommendations of Niger Delta leaders including Chief Jasper Jumbo and Prof J.G Chinwah, that the board be allowed to complete the projects it initiated.

The group decried calls by some failed political leaders

in the region for the dissolution of the board without any genuine reasons and replace them with their cronies.

They advised the Buhari administration to conduct an audit of the various departments to enable it understand and appreciate challenges the management has in making the commission attain its full potentials instead of dissolving the board .

The group assured President Buhari of their maximum support and cooperation and extolled his qualities of discipline and zero tolerance for corruption which inspired them to work for him in the APC.

Grand Oak Limited holds distributors’ conference

T

O maintain interaction and keep channels of communication open, the management of Grand Oak Limited, a leading marketer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks in Nigeria organised a conference for its distributors.

The conference, an annual business meeting is aimed at consolidating relationship between the company and its primary trade partners, harmonising the various sales strategies and marketing activities and strengthening ties between the company and its trade partners.

There were sporting activities, free medical check-up as well as a gala and awards nite. The best performing trade partners nationwide were rewarded for their outstanding achievements with winners honoured with the Chief Ayo Rosiji Award (CARA), an award in honour of the Founder of Nigerian Distilleries, a subsidiary of Lexcel Group.

Winners carted away gifts including delivery vans, credit notes and other valued items while the star prize was a brand new Escoport Ford Jeep.

Vehicle owner gets ultimatum

T

HE Lagos and Ogun State Police Command, have warned the owner of accidented and abandoned vehicle and a Tricycle parked at SARS Ogun and Akinpelu Divi-

sions in Lagos to remove them within 14 days of this publication or lose them to members of the public.

They are: Honda Accord ABJ 578 AG and Tricycle DED 746 VS

•Ekiti State Deputy Governor Dr. Kolapo Olusola (left) and founder, Afe Babalola University Aare Afe Babalola at the opening ceremony of the 48th edition of the 48th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers (NALT) conference in ABUAD...yesterday.

Biafra Day celebration: Police arraign 62 in Imo T HE police in Imo State have arrested 68 members of the pan-ethnic militia group, Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) for alleged breach of public peace during the Biafra Day celebration in Owerri.

Thousands of MASSOB members converged at the home of the leader of the group, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike to mark this year’s Biafra Day. Police spokesman Austine

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

Evbakhavbokun said 68 members were arrested and 62 have been charged for disrupting public peace and being in possession of Biafra insignias, including flags, identity cards and military camouflage.

He warned that the Police will not watch while members of an outlawed group under-

mine the nation’s sovereignty.

“We cannot have two flags in one nation. Nigeria is a sovereign nation and the sovereignty will be jealously guided.

“On Saturday, MASSOB members disrupted public peace in Owerri in the name of celebrating Biafra Day. We will not allow the existence of

any illegal group and henceforth we are going to descend on them massively,” Evbakhavbokun said.

The arrested members include: Sunday Chigbo, Ebere Basil, Nchita Boniface, Okeke Francis Kelechi, Martin Ozodikere, John Nkemjeme and Chijioke Nhuegwu.

Others are Charles Chukwunedom, Emeka Obi, Chukwudi Otukegwu, Goddey Igbokwe, Ngobidi Livinus and Emmanuel Ugwuekemba, among others.

Okorocha approves Catholic Diocese of Orlu varsity

I

MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha has approved that land and authorisation papers be given to the Catholic Diocese of Orlu University for the takeoff of the university.

Okorocha spoke at a thanksgiving service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Orlu Catholic Diocese where he donated N145 million for the proposed University and renovation of the cathedral.

Ifeanyi Ararume, Chief Chidi Idiga (JAFAC) and Chief Jerry Chukwueke donated N5 million and N4 million each.

The governor said free education would remain a prime project and so the state government would continue to invest in education, adding that the Marine University, under construction in Ossemotor Oguta LGA, the European University in Ideato and another one under construction at Ngor Okpala/Mbaise

•Governor sacks IMSU VC Awuzie •State exco dissolved

G

OVERNOR Rochas Okorocha yesterday, announced the sack of the Imo State University (IMSU) Vice Chancellor, Prof Ukachukwu Awuzie.

He was replaced with Prof Adaobi Obasi, the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs.

Awuzie’s sudden ouster, according to findings, may not be unconnected with the recent strike by the university staff.

Another reason was his alleged support for Dr Ogbonnaya Onu to become the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

Awuzie, who is a former President of the would be the envy of many when they take off.

Governor Okorocha assured the people that his second tenure would be better, saying the rural roads project would be completed while the free education from primary school to university level will remain.

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), placed newspaper adverts to congratulate Onu for the honorary doctorate degree awarded him by the Abia State University, a development that was reported to have angered Okorocha.

Governor Okorocha has also dissolved the State Executive Council (SEC) and appointed the former Chief of Staff, Sir Jude Ejiogu as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), while the former Commissioner for Lands and the Governor’s son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, was announced as the Chief of Staff.

His words: “When I said I will stop kidnapping in the state including Orlu, people doubted me. Today, it is a success story; kidnapping is no more.

“Now I have promised industries, I am speaking based on my trust in God; I will fulfill it. This government will fulfill its campaign

promises. The 27 general hospitals, the 305 primary schools and other projects will be completed.

“The problem I had with the elite was that I didn’t carry them along but I will now carry them along. These coming four years will be better than the last four years”.

Angry youths shut airport for alleged marginalisation

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CTIVITIES at the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport, Owerri were yesterday grounded when youths from the host communities of Logara, Obiangwu and Umuohiagu, all in NgorOkpalla council area stormed the airport.

The angry youths accused the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) of shortchanging them in the ongoing recruitment.

In a petition by the President-General of Onyeagha-

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

lanwannea Youth Movement, Comrade Chukwuma Anufuro and addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Managing Director of FAAN, the youth alleged that FAAN converted the quota meant for the host communities to settle outgoing political appointees in Abuja.

The petition reads: “Nine youths from our communities were invited by FAAN for the recruitment test upon

which they incurred huge cost and at the end, they were short changed. So we are demanding that they be given automatic employment since they attended the test.

“The expenses incurred by the families of these youths cannot be quantified, hence, we resolve to seek any means within the ambit of the law, including total shutdown and occupation of the airport until justice is done.

“We want to warn that we will begin to make the airport community uncomfort-

able immediately the shortlisted names are called for documentation and orientation”.

A senior official of FAAN who pleaded anonymity said they received the petition and have forwarded same to security agencies and FAAN management.

“The recruitment exercise is still on and we don’t have the powers to recruit except at the head office. We have held several meetings with the youths to resolve the situation,” he said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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FOREIGN NEWS

Germany’s FM seeks new peace deal in Gaza

American held in Yemen freed

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N Americans held by Iranian-backed Shiite rebels in Yemen was set free yesterday, a U.S. official said, as a French hostage abducted in Yemen by an unknown party appeared in a video pleading for help.

The rebels, known as Houthis, seized the capital last year and have been the target of a U.S.-backed and Saudi-led air campaign since March 26.

The deal to release the American, who was not immediately identified, was mediated by Oman.

The released American, who had been injured in unknown circumstances, was on his way to Oman, according to the U.S. official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter because of privacy rules and spoke on condition

of anonymity.

No details on the identity of the freed captive were immediately available.A video meanwhile surfaced showing Frenchwoman Isabelle Prime, a World Bank consultant who was kidnapped in February, pleading for help.

The Associated Press viewed the video on Monday.Prime was abducted in the rebel-held capital, Sanaa, along with her Yemeni translator, who was released shortly afterward.

There was no word until now on her fate.The Houthis control the capital, but Yemen is also home to a powerful local al-Qaida affiliate that has carried out attacks in Sanaa and which has abducted foreigners in the past to trade for ransom or imprisoned militants.

Iraq: Fallujah in the crosshairs

I

N a latest report, Iraqi forces have begun an operation to retake the Sunni-dominated province of Anbar from ISIS. Falluja and the provincial capital, Ramadi, are two strategic Anbar cities currently in the hands of the militant group.

The last security vacuum in Falluja coupled with the public relations victory of having weathered the aborted American attack helped the militant groups there to thrive, including al Qaeda in Iraq, the forerunner of ISIS. Both sides had plenty of time to prepare for the major U.S. offensive to drive the insurgents out, named Operation Phantom Fury. It began on November 8, 2004, and resulted in some of the hardest, bloodiest warfare American troops had experienced since Vietnam.

“The combat came down to five yards in a flak jacket. It was seeing the whites of their eyes,” Adam Mathes, a former Marine, told CNN last year.

The weeks-long operation ultimately succeeded in clearing out the insurgents, but it left Falluja a city of smoldering ruins. Reconstruction would take years.

The hard-fought victory brought no guarantee that al Qaeda and other jihadist groups wouldn’t return to Falluja. Attacks continued in and around the city for years.

The change that did the

most to turn the tide against the insurgents came from the Sunni tribes in Anbar. From late 2006 onward, they rebelled against al Qaeda in a movement known as the Sunni Awakening. . The Awakening was bolstered by the large increase in U.S. troop levels in 2007.

In May of that year, a U.S. commander described Falluja as “an economically strong and flourishing city.

By early last year, the Americans were long gone, and many Sunni tribespeople in Anbar had become increasingly disillusioned with Iraqi’s Shiitedominated government in Baghdad.

ISIS fighters seized control of the city in January, exploiting the tensions between the tribes and Baghdad as well as the weakness of Iraqi security forces.

Four months later, the Iraqi government announced a large-scale operation to retake Falluja. But it failed to dislodge the militant group.

Like the Americans before them, the Iraqi forces found themselves facing criticism from human rights groups for causing civilian casualties in Falluja.

ISIS, which has eagerly publicized many of its atrocities, opened the gates of Falluja Dam in an effort to counter an Iraqi military advance, flooding numerous villages in the process.

92-year-old becomes oldest woman to finish marathon

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92-year-old cancer survivor rocked her way into the record books Sunday, becoming the oldest woman to finish a marathon.

Harriette Thompson of Charlotte, North Carolina, completed Sunday’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego in 7 hours, 24 minutes, 36 seconds. She was mobbed by well-wishers as she crossed the finish line.

This was her 16th Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and, by far, the hardest.

“It’s always harder but this year has been a bad year for me,” she said, adding her husband died in January following a lingering illness and she battled a staph infection in one of her legs.

“I couldn’t train very well because my husband was

• Thompson

very ill and I had to be with him for some time and then when he died in January I had some treatments on my leg,” she said. “I was just really thrilled that I could finish today.”

The oldest woman to previously complete a marathon was Gladys Burrill, who was 92 years and 19 days old when she completed the 2010 Honolulu Marathon.

Thompson is 92 years, 65 days old, according to race organizers.

G

ERMANY’s foreign minister paid a rare visit to the Hamasruled Gaza Strip yesterdaay, calling on Israel to ease a blockade on the territory and urging Hamas prevent rockets from being fired into Israel.Frank-Walter Steinmeier became the latest Western diplomat, including U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon, to tour Gaza since a 50-day war with Israel last summer.Israel launched its offensive in response to heavy rocket fire.

More than 2,200 Palestinians, including hundreds of civilians, and 73 people on the Israeli side were killed. An estimated 18,000 homes in Gaza were destroyed, and thousands more damaged.

The European Union con-

siders Hamas a terror group.

Steinmeier was accompanied by gunmen who report to Hamas during their visit, as are all VIP’s visiting Gaza.While international donors have pledged billions of dollars in aid, much of the money has not materialized and little reconstruction has taken place.Steinmeier called for more action to rebuild and improve Gaza’s troubled economy.

“This requires the opening of crossing points” by Israel, he said.Israel and Egypt have maintained a blockade over Gaza since Hamas seized control in 2007, and all reconstruction materials must enter through Israeli-controlled crossings. Israel has eased the blockade to allow more materials to enter since the war,

but officials say more are needed.

Bickering between Hamas and the rival Fatah movement of President Mahmoud Abbas has also hindered the process, since both sides have demanded control over border crossings.Steinmeier said it would be difficult to rebuild Gaza while the rocket attacks continue. “This city should not be a launching pad for rockets into Israel,” he said.

Hamas has largely honored a cease-fire that ended the fighting last August, but smaller militant groups occasionally carry out attacks, including one last week. Israel holds Hamas responsible, and it responded with airstrikes on militant training sites.Steinmeier did not meet Hamas officials.

• Steinmeier

The group nonetheless called the visit “an important step.”Steinmeier toured battered areas in eastern Gaza and inaugurated an expansion at a U.N. school. Later Monday, Steinmeier toured a southern Israeli community that was hit by rockets and mortars last year.

• Protesters hold yellow umbrellas, a symbol of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, as they attend a rally to commemorate PHOTO:AFP the 1989 crackdown at Tiananmen Square in Beijing ... Yesterday

Bangladesh murder trial begins over factory collapse

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OLICE in Bangladesh have charged the owner of the Rana Plaza complex with murder over the building’s collapse in 2013, killing more than 1,100 people.

Sohel Rana and more than a dozen government officials are among 42 people to face charges.

They are accused of ignoring warnings not to allow workers into the building the day before it collapsed.

It was the worst industrial disaster in the country’s history - and prompted criticism of global retail practices.

The 41 people accused of murder, who include owners of factories housed in the complex and government officials, initially faced charges of culpable homicide.

Prosecutors say that the seriousness of the accident meant that the charges have been upgraded to murder. If convicted, defendants face the death penalty.

Eighteen people, including 17 of those charged with murder, have been charged with building code violation.

The prosecution says that Mr Rana should now appoint a lawyer ahead of the trial process. A court hearing is due to take place on 28 June to decide further proceedings.

The fact that it has taken more than two years to bring formal charges in relation to the factory collapse has led to allegations that officers dawdled during the

investigation process.

Questions have been raised about the

government’s willingness to bring the guilty to justice.

Factory owners in

Bangladesh have political power to influence government policy.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

NEWS ‘Northwest ‘ll back Gbajabiamila’

K

ANO State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has assured members of the House of Representatives canvassing for election of Hakeem Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker that all Northwestern states are in support of his candidature.

The governor spoke when the team visited him at Kano Government House on Sunday, seeking his support.

He assured them that APC leaders in the zone were behind him.

Ganduje said:”I know the Southwest is solely behind you, the northwest where the highest number of voters is, is behind you. I am telling you

Cyberoam unveils wireless security appliances

A

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

this from the bottom of my heart.

“We need people like you and your colleagues because we are entering into an era with serious challenges and we need a very serious legislator as Speaker of the House to cope with the challenges ahead of us.”

Dr. Ganduje told the team that even former Kano State Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso and his followers are behind the candidature of Gbajabiamila in view of his experience, exposure and leadership potential.

He lamented that almost all the nation’s institutions are

•Gbajabiamila

collapsing and need surgery.

The governor stressed that there is need for experienced legislators to lead the lower chamber and work hand-inhand with the Executive arm “to put things back on the right track”.

We need people like you and your col‘leagues because we are entering into an era with serious challenges and we need a very serious legislator as Speaker of the House to cope with the challenges ahead of us.

’

LEADING global provider of network security appliances, Cyberoam, has launched CR10wiNG, the “fastest and most affordable UTM appliance” with builtin Wi-Fi capabilities for the SOHO/ROBO markets.

The CR10wiNG wireless appliance, the firm said, supports 802.11 n/b/g standards and up to eight virtual access points.

“It delivers UTM security features over WLAN to offer enterprise-level security and meet the requirement of mobility in this segment. Cyberoam CR10wiNG offers high performance with firewall throughput of 400Mbps and UTM throughput of 60Mbps,” the company added.

The firm’s Senior Vice President, Technology & Products, Abhilash Sonwane, said: “CR10wiNG is designed for small and branch offices to offer secure Wi-Fiat par with wired security. It enables a leaner Wi-Fi security infrastructure to organisations by replacing both WiFi router and firewall with a single appliance. For remote offices with limited connectivity options, CR10wiNG also offers 3G/4G USB support.”

He said the wireless networks in organisations face huge risk of information theft due to their inability to trace users, especially guest users, within the network. Additionally, lack of IT security staff and budgetary constraints make it difficult for the SOHO/ROBO segment to find security solutions that are adequate, cost-effective and easy to manage.

Also, organisations with distributed networks, remote and branch offices, especially in sectors like retail stores, logistics and transportation, and Utility distribution centres, demand mobility within the network and need network security, secure remote access, and secure Wi-Fi for walk-in customers.

CR10wiNG, based on Cyberoam’s patented Layer 8 technology, allows administrators to apply User identity-based security policies to gain visibility over user activity and also manage Guest Internet access in the network. CR10wiNG supports multiple virtual access points that create independent, segregated networks in the same physical area for separate teams like sales, marketing, guest users, and more.

Buhari condoles with Anambra, Joe Biden

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R E S I D E N T Muhammadu Buhari has expressed condolences to Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano and the people of Anambra State, over the petrol tanker acci-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

dent, which claimed the lives of 70 people at a busy bus station in Onitsha.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (Media & Publicity), Mallam Garba Shehu, the President described the incident as “a sad and unfortunate loss”.

He said: “My deepest sympathies are with you at this most trying time,” President Buhari also extended condolences to the Vice President of United States, Joe Biden, who yesterday lost his son, Beau.

“As someone who has lost a child, I understand how painful and almost inconsolable it can be. The government and people stand with you at this trying moment for your family,” President Buhari said.

He added that only God can offer comfort to both the governor and people of Anambra, and to Vice President Biden.

“I pray that God comforts you,” he said.

Also yesterday, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed “deep shock and

sadness at the horrific fuelladen tanker tragedy at Upper Iweka, Onitsha, Anambra State that led to the loss of scores of lives and destruction to properties on Sunday.”

Atiku prayed for the repose of the souls of the scores of deceased persons, while soliciting God’s protection for Nigerians nationwide.

“May God accept the souls of the departed into blissful eternity and grant the relatives and families of the deceased bearable fortitude to accept the loss.

“I commiserate with the Government and good people of Anambra State in whose abode this huge loss had taken place,” Atiku said.

He advised motorists and road safety agencies on safe and considerate driving.

He also implored Nigerians to stick together in moments of tragedy to demonstrate their national resilience to overcome tough times, while seeking more government investment in health and safety emergency measures to help forestall or reduce casualty figures in future occurrences.

Anxiety in military over likely shake-up Continued from page 4

NSA, who has been coordinating the counter-insurgency in the Northeast.

“Buhari is a leader who will not rush to judgment on tactical, military and security matters.”

A top aide of the President said: “The meeting with the NSA was one-on-one; nobody knew what transpired.”

As at the time of filing this report, there was anxiety over a likely shake-up of the military and security agencies.

Another source said: “There is suspense everywhere on how the President may overhaul the nation’s military and security systems.

“The military and security agencies have also adopted a cautious approach in reacting to recent Boko Haram challenges in Borno and Yobe states.

“Everyone is waiting for the President to unfold his shakeup plans. We hope he will do so after the debriefing session.”

Apart from the NSA, the president also met with former Interim Chairman of the APC

Chief Bisi Akande and Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.

On why Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo have not moved to the Villa yet, Shehu told reporters that renovation was still ongoing.

“They claim some renovation was going on. The place is being cleaned up for his occupation. The contractors are working probably at their own pace, if I need to know or if you need to know this, I probably we have to talk to someone.

“As it is at the moment, I am not saying he’s comfortable where he is at his rented house.

But he is operating from there and the moment the Villa is ready, he will move”.

On when Nigerians should expect the ministerial list, Shehu said “I have no idea. But it is not something anybody will rush because you know that the National Assembly will have to approve the list of ministers. So, even if he (Buhari) has the list today, it is only when the National Assembly is in place that he can forward it. Unless you are governor Fayose, you cannot take your ministerial list to the outgoing parliament”.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

NEWS

• Workers who were locked out of the Cross River State Governor’s Office,Calabar for coming late to work...yesterday

• Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Kastina (right) and his men at the ritualist PHOTO: NAN den, in Isese of Badaku Village in Ibadan...yesterday.

• Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Special Duties Dr. Aderemi Desalu (third left) presenting an Award of Excellence by the ministry to outgoing Commissioner Dr. Wale Ahmed at Alausa, Ikeja. With them are Director, Finance and Administration Mrs. Titilayo Dosunmu (left); Director, Account, Mr. Oluwatoyin Oshifowora (second left); General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), Dr. Oke Osanyintolu (third right) and Public Relations Officer Adebayo Taofiq.

PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

• President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Olumide Akintayo (left) launching a Pharmacy Estate in Eguru Community in Ogun State. With him are Permanent Secretary, Health Management Board, Ogun State, Mrs Modupe Olurin, Chairman Project Committee, Pharmacy Estate, Lolu Ojo, Chief Israel Osho Sowunmi and Bale of Eguru Land, Orile Itori Owode, Egba Land, Chief Wahab Adebare Aina.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

NATION SPORT

TRANSFER... TRANSFER... TRANSFER... TRANSFER... TRANSFER...

Chelsea leads £57m Pogba race C

HELSEA are ready to press on with efforts to sign Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba according to La Stampa (via Goal.com).

The 22 year old French international has been strongly linked with a summer exit and the Blues are now ahead of Man City and Man United in the race to sign the youngster.

Pogba has been in fine form since moving to Italy in 2012 and has seen Juventus clinch their fourth Serie A title in succession this season, as well as winning the Coppa Italia and securing a spot in the Champi-

ons League final, but a move to Stamford Bridge continues to be discussed.

Chelsea are ready to use Brazilian playmaker Oscar as bait in a player plus cash offer for Pogba as Jose Mourinho seeks to land arguably the best young player in world football today.

Rangy midfielder Pogba is a strong running talent who rarely loses the ball and can prove a real threat in the final third.

Jose Mourinho may see a move for Pogba as a real statement of intent as he seeks to make an impact in the Champions League next season.

Szczesny plans Arsenal stay

P

OLAND international Wojciech Szczesny is happy at Arsenal and wants to see out his contract.

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has emerged as a transfer target for Arsenal, who successfully defended their FA Cup crown after Szczesny kept a clean sheet in Saturday's 4-0 win over Aston Villa at Wembley.

Szczesny - out of contract in 2018 - has not played in the Premier League since he was dropped on New Year's Day, with manager Arsene Wenger favouring David Ospina.

And despite the possibility of a new keeper arriving at the

•Pogba

Alves wants Barca extension not PSG - Blanc

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ARIS Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc denied he will sign Dani Alves, claiming the Bra-

•Alves

zilian full-back wants to stay at Barcelona.

Alves' future has sparked speculation for most of this season, with the Brazil international linked with a move away from Camp Nou after he slammed club directors for saying he was "chasing money".

But while PSG are widely considered Alves' preferred destination, Blanc declared on Sunday that the French champions will not be recruiting the 32-year-old.

"I can say that Dani Alves will not come to PSG," Blanc said on beIN Sports in France.

"I don't think so. Alves' contract with Barcelona is ending and he wants to renew with them. At the end of the day, this is all a game."

Alves has claimed he will announce his future plans after Saturday's UEFA Champions League final where Barcelona face Juventus in Berlin.

Emirates Stadium, Szczesny has no plans to leave.

"I am very grateful for the manager, he has been good with me over these last couple of months and has shown all the faith in the world in me and I am very thankful for the chance to play in the cup final and am very glad of a clean sheet," the 25-year-old said.

"You [media] like to speculate, but I am happy where I am.

"I have got all the support in the world from the manager and I have fantastic relations with him, so you can stop the gossip now because I am here for good. I will stay."

Mancini wants Icardi to stay I

NTER manager Roberto Mancini was full of praise for Mauro Icardi after the striker finished the Serie A season as joint leading scorer.

Icardi struck twice for his side in their 4-3 home win over Empoli at the San Siro, though the result wasn't quite enough to see them qualify for the UEFA Europa League.

While the team's season has been disappointing as they finished in eighth position, the Argentina international has been an undoubted success.

He ended Serie A with 22 league goals, the same number as Verona's Luca Toni, and Mancini hopes Inter can now keep hold of one of their prized assets, along with midfielder Mateo Kovacic.

"He was as good as Toni, I'm happy that we have won the top scorer," the former Manchester City boss told reporters.

"He's improved week after week, tonight he could even make four [goals] for all the chances we had.

"I would like him to stay for [next season], start afresh from him again next year.

The same goes for Kovacic, tonight he did what he should do always, he must learn to be more consistent over time."

Icardi was pleased to end the campaign on a winning note - and insisted he was not looking to make a move during the upcoming transfer window.

"We had to win this game to end the season well at San Siro," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"Next year we can build on this and I am sure we will do well with the coach.

We've been working for a few months now and preseason training will help us further understand his ideas.

"Everyone wants to play in Europe, but I have always said I'm happy at Inter and next year will already be a great campaign."

•Icardi

´We´ll see what happens with my future´ - De Gea

M

•Szczesny

ANCHESTER United goalkeeper David de Gea has refused to play down reports linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

De Gea is tipped to swap Manchester in favour of a return to his native Madrid during the offseason, though the Spain international has been tight-lipped amid the speculation.

The 24-year-old offered a noncommittal response to questions over his future on Sunday - with his words likely to do little to dampen talk of a move.

"We'll see what happens with my future. Now I am on holiday," De Gea is quoted as saying by AS at an event in his home province of Toledo.

De Gea, who moved to Old Trafford from Atletico Madrid in 2011, kept 10 clean sheets in 37 Premier League appearances as United finished fourth in 2014-15.

•De Gea

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

SPORT EXTRA

NFFa disappointed with Flying Eagles’ loss •Team ‘will bounce back’

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HE General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Dr. Sanusi Mohammed has stated that the Federation was disappointed that the Flying Eagles lost their first group match at the ongoing FIFA U- 20 World Cup in New Zealand 2-4 to Brazil against all expectations.

The NFF Scribe said that their expectation fell short as the performance put up by the Nigerian lads was not bad enough to fetch them victory only that the team failed to utilise the chances that came their way in the match. He also assured that the team would bounce back to reckoning in the remaining two matches, to qualify to the next stage of the competition.

“For the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) let me start by saying that we are not happy with the outcome of the match just like every other Nigerian. We wish that we were able to get a better result than what we got in the match.

“It is our hope as Christians and Muslims in this country, that whatever happens come

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja from God. So we have to accept that God wanted us to lose and that is why we were defeated. But the prayers we have all said in this country concerning the team to do well in the ongoing FIFA U- 20 World Cup have already been answered.

“I believe that God has answered the prayers as regards our team progressing later to still play in the final of this competition. By the grace of God we will play in the final and eventually lift the trophy.

“As regards the 4-2 loss to the Brazilian team we have spoken to the players through the team’s administrator. I personally have spoken with the technical crew led by Manu Garba.

I made the team to understand that the downfall of a man is not the end of his life. This is a team that has never lost a competitive game since the Golden Eaglets class of 2013 that won the World Cup then. That is to show that any team can be beaten.

“Football is more magical and scientific. It is magical in nature. We have played Brazil

and we gave good account of ourselves is only that we couldn’t utilise our chances.

Like I told them what is left now is for the team to concen-

trate very well on the remaining two games left in the group and try as much as possible to win them. They should put the defeat behind them so that win the two matches and qualify for the next round”, Mohammed advised.

•Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, left, and Judivan of Brazil contest the ball during a Fifa Under-20 World Cup 2015 match in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

Etafia, Obada relegated with Swallows

N

IGERIAN duo of goalkeeper Greg Etafia and Felix Obada will play in South Africa's National First Division (NFD) after their club, Moroka Swallows, were relegated from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) on Sunday.

Etafia, who has spent a decade with the Dube Birds was in goal for Swallows in the pro-

motion/relegation play-off against Black Leopards which they lost 1-0 to condemn the Johannesburg club to demotion.

Swallows will be joined by Amazulu in the NFD next season as it is still unclear if the former under-23 and Super Eagles’ goalkeeper will remain

with the side.

Roggert Nyundu’s goal in the 31st minute at the Thohoyandou Stadium sealed Swallows' fate as Etafia and Obada were condemned to play in the lower division next season.

Moroka Swallows finished

the regular Absa Premiership season with 30 points from 30 matches to place 15th, one step above Amazulu who finished 16th.

Felix Obada played 22 matches this past season for Swallows scoring four goals while 32-year-old Etafia was in goal 23 times.

Winners emerge in MRS U-12 Kids’ Cup

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HIS year’s MRS U-12 and U-16 Kids’ Cup came to a climax with B.Unit of Surulere and Yomi Queens of Ajah lifting the trophies at the Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos The Surulere team won the entertaining encounter via 3-2 on penalties after playing 2-2 at full time against Solution Boys of Apapa, while Yomi Queens thrashed Pepsi Babes of Oworonshoki 4-0 to win the girls’ U-16 event.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, Managing Director of MRS, Paul Bissohong said he was excited with the skills exhibited by the teams, stressing that the future of Nigerian football belongs to the grassroots. ''I was highly impressed with the performance of the kids and urged other corporate bodies to contribute their quota to the development of football from the grassroots,” he said.

Prizes and Awards were later presented to the winners, with Egbedeyi Ahmed of B.Unit emerging the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the boys’ category, while Abidoye Omowunmi of Pepsi Babes won the girls’ MVP trophy.

The eventual winners for both boys and girls went home with N250,000 each, while the second and third placed teams got N200,000 and N150,000 in that order.

Flying Eagles lacked organisation – Akpoborie

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ORMER National Team player, Jonathan Akpoborie, has said that the Manu Garba-led Nigeria U20 Flying Eagles lacked organisation in their opening match against Brazil at the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup. The Flying Eagles had ended the first half 2-2 with the South Americans before they destabilized in the second half.

Akpoborie stated that the team was not able to soak up the pressure and that affected their performance.

“From what I saw, we lacked organization in our game,” he told PREMIUM TIMES after the match. He, however, said the team is learning despite their loss to Brazil and should not be judged based on the result of one match.

“I must say, the outcome was not too surprising. The boys are on a learning curve and they should not be judged by one game,” he said.

The ex-footballer also rose to the team’s defence by calling on Nigerians to be patient and not heap too much pressure on the boys.

“They are still in their developmental stages, that is why I kept saying they should not pile too much pressure on them, with the win at all cost attitude….and at this level, that is very important, especially in defending,” he added.

The Chile 1987 FIFA World Cup Flying Eagles squad member also advised the team to get rid of any form of negativity and be cautious when they play North Korea on Thursday.

“They just need to get rid of all the negative part of the last game, and keep and work on the positives, before the next game. And at this stage, the team cannot go all out to attack in their next game, but be cautious to see what the opponents are playing like before making decisions,” he concluded.

The Nigeria U20 team 4-2 defeat at the World Cup opener showed the team has yet to get it right despite earlier fears from the Brazilian coach.

The South Americans were able to capitalise on the weak back line and the

last line of defence- the goal keeper, to score four goals.

Even though they started well, the Nigerians lost coordination and saw their fortunes turned around in the second half.

Though a big defeat, it was not the biggest defeat the Flying Eagles have suffered at the hands of Brazilian opposition. The 11th time finalists have been whipped previously by Brazil 3-0 in 1983 and 4-0 at Chile 1987 FIFA World Cup. Despite a strong squad which has Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheannacho, Taiwo Awoniyi and wonder goal hero, Bernard Bulbwa, much could not be scored.

Head coach, Manu Garba, has also come to the defence of the team and said maybe the boys were under pressure. Indeed, they did look pressured as they played an uncoordinated match.

Nigerians are now waiting on the team to work on their defence and goal keeping in their match against North Korea and Hungary, probably make a change by introducing Dele Alampasu to replace Joshua Enaholo.nt.

•Akpoborie

Army Referral 7-Aside: Commandant hails grassroots players

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HE Commandant of the 68 Nigeria Army Refer-

•Managing Director, MRS Oil, Paul Bissohong (second left) presents the trophy to captain of B.Unit Boys of Surulere at the 3rd MRS Kids’ Cup, at the Campos Mini Stadium,Lagos

ence Hospital Yaba, Major Gen. Patrick Falola has commended the young players who took part in the maiden edition of the Army Referral 7Aside championship which took place at the field of the Army Reference Hospital, Yaba.

Falola noted that the players could get to the pinnacle of their career in the round leather game, if they continue with their excellent display of the game.

Meanwhile, Blueliners football club defeated Ferningstar FC after scoring all the 3 pen-

By Kudirat Oderinde alty kicks to emerge overall winners of the tournament.

The Championship had thirty-four football clubs across Lagos taking part in the 3-day tournament.

In a chat with the Coach of the Blueliners Coach Emeka, he expressed satisfaction at his team's performance while he wished that more corporate sponsors get financially involved in the development of grassroots football in the country.

Meanwhile, Coach Emeka got the award for the most disciplined coach of the tournament.

TODAY IN THE NATION

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.10

NO. 3233

‘Will the second coming of Muhammadu Buhari veer from this perennial curse of false steps?’

OLAKUNLE ABIMBOLA

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

W

ITH yesterday’s men and women well and truly gone, and with today’s men and women not yet settled in, this seems to be an appropriate time to touch on some noteworthy events, recent and not-so-recent, in broad strokes and short takes, lest some people feel ignored.

Time for “Matters miscellaneous,” the rubric I patented some three decades ago for dealing journalistically with the glut of occurrences in Nigeria, where there is never a dull moment.

Each time the APC faithful came out in their tens of thousands during the presidential campaign brandishing their brooms, I was somewhat conflicted. On one hand, I was glad for those who made the brooms and those who traded in them. The proceeds must have filled a gaping hole in their domestic budgets, assuming the brooms were not their sole source of income.

On the other hand, my heart bled for the environment. It is going to take a long time for the palm tree population to recover, and for the environment to regain that portion of its equilibrium supplied by palm trees.

I was also concerned about its potential impact on the supply of palm oil, palm kernels and, of course, palm wine.

If there is ever an acute shortage of palm oil or the foaming-white beverage, you can be sure that the PDP, in keeping with its new role as vigilant opposition and defender of the public interest, will not hesitate to blame it on the APC. Lai Mohammed, don’t say you were not warned.

In another picture that clings to my memory from the campaign, President (as he then was) Goodluck Jonathan is sitting, head bowed penitently in a high-backed chair, surrounded by wizened functionaries of the royal court – or maybe lesser royalty – pointing their symbols of authority at his head and chanting incantations in tongues he does not understand, the object being to bring him blessings from on high.

Since, according to a reliable source, there were no translators on hand, how could Dr. Jonathan be sure that they were blessing him and not cursing him? You don’t ask that kind of question when you are desperate. Plus, you can never tell where salvation will come from.

In whatever case, he seems to have got pretty little for all wads of dollars he dished out for that intercession. I hear there has been some murmuring in his camp about a “royal swindle.”

It is probably just as well that the valedictory summit of the African First Ladies Peace Mission that Dr. (Mrs.) Patience Jonathan was planning to host in Abuja did not take place.

RIPPLES

COURT STOPS PROPOSED INCREASE IN ELECTRICITY TARIFF– News

Hmm, it would have been EXPENSIVE BLACKOUT

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

Matters miscellaneous

•A crowd at an APC rally

It would no doubt have afforded the host a chance to show how much power and influence she wielded. If a summiteer was unable to fly in, Mrs. Jonathan would have dispatched a jetliner from the Presidential Fleet to ferry her here and back, as she did for the last summit. How she would have held court and reveled in all the attention and glory!

But the long queues for fuel, the enveloping darkness and the pervading sense of despair would have shown how her husband, with not a little help from her, and had made a hash of things. The experience would certainly have eroded whatever regard they had for her.

Of all the departing governors, none has had a more eventful exit than the Chief Servant of Niger State and Scholar of Minna,

Dr. Babangida Aliyu. Hs eight-year run was traumatic enough. On one occasion, some disgruntled elements rammed his boat as he was crossing the River Niger in an attempt to sink it and drown him. Mercifully, they failed. They had not reckoned that the Chief Servant is a crack swimmer.

There they were again, the disgruntled elements aforementioned, at the venue where the Chief Servant was to formally transfer power to his successor. They serenaded him with taunts and jeers, and pelted him with “pure water” sachets and even stones! Not even his security staff could fend off the missiles. In the end, Chief Servant had to be smuggled out of the stadium through a back door.

What a way to reward a governor who chose to be called Chief Servant rather than

HARDBALL

“C

HIEF Remilekun Adetokunboh Fani-Kayode, SAN, QC, CON,” goes the tribute on Femi FaniKayode’s Facebook wall, posted 9:01 pm on Sunday, May 30. “Balogun of Ile-Ife, Regional Minister for Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs, Deputy Premier of the Western Region of Nigeria and Deputy Leader of the Yoruba”, with RFK’s picture virtually facing you, with a roguish halfsmile, rakish beard and rakish cap.

Admirable! Toasting one’s parents, after all, is the filial nobility. Even the Bible, gives an express injunction: honour your father and your mother, so that your days may be long, on the land that your God has given you.”

So does the Quran: Chapter 31, Verse 14, instructs: “And we have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents.

His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years. Give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination.”

So, FFK did well toasting his dead dad; although he didn’t mention what the occasion was.

Still, there is a big difference between filial fealty and historical fealty.

FFK claimed RFK was deputy premier

FFK serenades RFK of Western Region — fact, under Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola’s, SLA’s Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) — Demo for short. But Deputy Leader of the Yoruba?

Which Yoruba — the one that thoroughly hated Demo for egregiously trampling on their vote, for which RFK himself was widely scorned, as the unfazed face of that brazen heist? Besides, RFK was the hated author of that notorious boast: whether or not you vote for us, we will win. And the brazen execution of that threat elicited the wetie insurrection, which tinder lit up the blaze that consumed the First Republic.

Though SLA was Western premier, he was no “Yoruba leader” outside his party’s contrived electoral “win”. So, if SLA was no “Yoruba leader”, RFK couldn’t have been deputy leader. In any case, which sane people would pelt their leader with mass hate, instead of smothered love?

RFK was probably an exceptional father in private and was, without a doubt, a brilliant lawyer, QC, SAN. But to romanticise him as a force for public good, with all due respect to the loving memory of

“His Excellency the Executive Governor” and conducted himself as such? Base ingratitude, that’s what it is.

The massive flight from the PDP has continued, and so has the blame game for its disastrous showing in the recent general elections. When the PDP brought in former Bauchi State Governor Adamu Mu’azu as national chairman, they advertised him as a game changer. Where former chairmen created the illusion of momentum, he was going to get the party moving.

He got it moving all right, but not in the direction they expected. They turned on him with such fury that he had to flee. The last we heard from him was that he was in Singapore for medical treatment. It was from there that he announced his resignation.

Others have followed suit, perhaps the most notable being Himself the Arch Fixer, Tony Anenih. When Anenih cannot even fix himself after being out-fixed by Professor Attahiru Jega and INEC, you know the game is well and truly up.

The PDP may no longer be the largest political party in Africa, but it can still claim to be the only political party not just in Africa but probably the whole world, to have a nuclear physicist, and a professor of that arcane science to boot, as its national secretary.

Physicists in that line of business deal with the smallest particles of matter. Now that the PDP has disintegrated, Professor Wale Olajide may just be the person to pick up the fragments and, in one huge leap for reverse engineering, put them together again into one formidable entity.

Fortunately, he is staying put at Wadata Plaza, not heading to a centre for advanced nuclear research.

Back in the time of military president Ibrahim Babangida when no pronouncement from on high was complete without ritual denunciation of “banned and discredited politicians,” I used to look forward to the day when I would be able at the very least to qualify him and his confederates as “discredited.”

I never had the pleasure of doing so. By the time the opportunity arrived, I had taken a break from active newspapering.

This time, as the nation grapples with the detritus of the past 16 years in particular and the last eight years especially, I am not going to let pass a chance to acknowledge at least some of the persons and institutions that have merged from the period hugely and irredeemably discredited.

Nominations, please.

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above his relations, is pure balderdash.

That was what FFK tried to do by dubbing him as “deputy Yoruba leader”. He was absolutely nothing of the sort.

But why is Hardball so concerned to set the records straight — particularly on the senior Fani-Kayode, in the context of the inviolability of the vote?

Simple: FFK has contempt for the truth, which he always tries to overthrow with cheap bluff and bluster.

At the Osun governorship election of 2014, FFK boasted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Fourth Republic Demo, was winning with thousands of phantom votes. He also bluffed, even as everyone knew PDP had lost the presidency, that by his private, mythical tally, Goodluck Jonathan was leading with at least three million votes — and “we won’t be robbed”. Both proved lies from the very pit of hell!

FFK may well be an electoral reincarnation of his father. But it is Hardball’s patriotic duty to show that he draws exactly the same mass jeers his father drew some 50 years ago.

Lest some future Fani-Kayode come tell a future generation some gobbledegook about some contrived heroism of the present.

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