The Nation June 09, 2015

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Saraki dumps APC to run with Ekweremadu Bloc votes plan collapses Ex-Kwara governor shuns Ndume, Goje, others From Yusuf Alli, Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

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LANS to get Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators-elect and members of the House of Representatives-elect to vote en bloc for principal officers during today’s inauguration of the Eighth National Assembly collapsed yesterday.

There was also a split among the PDP governors on who to support between Senator Ahmed Lawan and Senator Bukola Saraki for Senate president.

But The Nation learnt this morning that at a meeting of PDP Senators-elect in Abuja, 28 agreed to back Saraki/Ike Ekweremadu ticket; 17 agreed to back Lawan/Akume ticket.

That was after Saraki decided to work with PDP in a desperate move to win the race.

Some senators and members-elect rejected the suggestion by Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose that PDP senators should vote Saraki.

Lawan at the weekend emerged the choice candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after a mock election by the party’s senators-elect. But the Saraki camp rejected the straw poll and vowed to contest for the position on the floor today.

The APC is the majority party in the Senate, with 59 senators-elect. The PDP has 49 senators.

It was learnt that at a meeting held by the PDP caucus on Sunday night in former Senate President David Mark’s residence in Apo, Abuja, the divided PDP senators-elect and their governors were said to have threatened to draft one of them into the race if the APC failed to agree on a consensus candidate.

Continued on page 4

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

•From left (front row): Obama, Hollande, Buhari, Cameron. Behind them (from right): World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, International Monetary PHOTO: REUTERS Fund (IMF) President Christine Largarde and others...yesterday

is clearly no religious basis for the actions of the group. Their atrocities show ‘There that members of the group either do not know God at all or they don’t believe in Him ’

G7 leaders back Buhari’s battle against Boko Haram

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Obama, Hollande, Cameron, Merkel want terrorism to end fast

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

2

NEWS

Party supremacy: APC

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (second left) with lawmakers after the inauguration of the Eighth State Assembly at the Ogun State House of Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta...yesterday.

Ahead of today’s inauguration of the National Assembly, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has picked Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila as its consensus candidates for the Senate presidency and House of Representatives speakership. But, other aspirants to the two offices are kicking. They have vowed to contest the positions in defiance of the party’s directive to stick with its position. Will party supremacy count today on the floor of the National Assembly? Asks Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI.

T

•From left: Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Skye Bank Plc., Mr. Timothy Oguntayo; Chairman, Mr. Tunde Ayeni and the Executive Director, Corporate Services/Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Mrs. Abimbola Izu at PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI the bank's Ninth Annual General Meeting in Lagos...yesterday.

•From left: Sterling Bank Plc. Chairman Asue Ighodalo; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Yemi Adeola and Delta State’s ex-Chief Justice, Mr. Chris A. Ajuyah at the Nigerian Bar Association's Conference on Business Law sponsored by the bank in Lagos...yesterday.

•Head, Relationship Management, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Ms. Anita Dele-Dickson; (third right) Chairman, SmartCity Resorts Plc, Sir Demola Aladekomo and members of Galactic Team from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife who emerged as national champions at the Nigerian finals of the CIMA Global Business Challenge in Lagos...at the weekend.

HE rancour generated within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) by the race to elect the National Assembly leadership will perhaps be the first test for the party that has just been voted into power to give the country a new direction. As a party that rode to power on the ‘change’ mantra, the APC, according to observers, must do things differently if it must deliver on its preelection promises. It must get all the issues pertaining to leadership, responsibility and discipline right from the starting point.

Officially, the party has ruled out the application of a zoning formula in the election of leaders in the Eighth National Assembly. It has stated that merit will be used in determining the outcome of today’s contest.

The Northeast and the Northcentral are locked in the battle to produce the Senate President and the fight for the House of Representatives speakership is between the Southwest and the Northeast. The battle, which is reminiscent of the party’s presidential primaries, has seen the powerful caucuses within its fold scheming to determine the principal officers in the Red and Green Chambers.

There are divergent views between President Muhammadu Buhari and the party leadership. The President has not left anyone in doubt that he does not want to repeat the mistakes made by previous governments, by insisting on particular candidates.

But, the party leadership feels that such an important matter cannot be left to the whims and caprices of influential caucuses within the legislature.

At the weekend, it moved to ensure that its members go into the chambers undivided. It selected its consensus candidates at a mock contest, where Senators Ahmed Lawan (Yobe State) and George Akume (Benue State) emerged as the APC’s candidates for the positions of Senate President and Deputy Senate President.

Former House Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos State) and Mohammed Mongonu (Borno) were also picked for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker. But, the contests were boycotted by supporters of Senator Bukola Saraki (Kwara State) and Yakubu Dogara (Bauchi State).

They alleged marginalisation in the process.

Following the fallout, the APC has asked its members to abide by the party’s consensus decision and stick with Lawan and Gbajabiamila. It reminded all party faithful that the two legislative chambers are part of the vehicles for the delivery of the muchdesired change to Nigerians.

According to political scientists, party supremacy presupposes that party members must be subordinated to it. The party, they say, makes the rules or policies and that any member elected on its platform is dutybound to implement same within his/her own sphere of authority.

This, they argue, is because a political party is a body organised for the purpose of influencing or controlling the policies and conduct of government through the nomination and election of candidate to offices.

In fact, under the 1999 Constitution, nobody can be elected into any public office without being sponsored by a political party.

Ideally, for the relationship between the party leadership and members to be cordial, the party leadership is obliged to be above board in its decision-making.

Undiluted loyalty from political office holders As National Chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Bisi Akande said for the party to fulfill its campaign promises and also provide quality governance to the people, all its members must strictly abide by the tenet and ideals of the party.

Chief Akande, who spoke in Lagos at an induction training, organised by the party for elected members of the Houses of Assembly on May 24, 2011, reminded the lawmakers of the supremacy of the party. He told them that an undiluted loyalty was expected of them.

In his keynote address, Akande maintained that without any attempt to gag or deprive the members of their right, it would be of immense advantage for the party’s position if they build their legislative policies on principles since the party was progressive and development-oriented.

He told his audience: “ACN as a party of ideas which is built on principle, must be seen as a channel of control. No one, according to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, one of the foremost Nigerian political thinkers, however highly placed, is above the party, or the discipline and sanctions which the party might care to impose.

“Once the party takes a decision, it is expected that all loyal party members must abide by it because nobody is elected independently. So, once you are elected on the platform of this party, you are expected to be loyal and live by its principles.

“In your own right as a member of the House of Assembly, you have now become a leader-very important part of the party structure.”

Party greater than individual Ex-Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Tonie Iredia, had in an article, argued that no individual should be greater than the party.

His words: “The case of citizen Ifeanyi Araruame is germane. In 2007, Araruame, then a serving senator of the Federal Republic, aspired to govern his state (Imo) and applied to his party – the PDP – to sponsor him for the election. He was enlisted among party members for a governorship primary election to enable the party choose the best candidate.

“At the end of the exercise, the party

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

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NEWS

C faces acid test over National Assembly leadership

‘ Once the party

•President Buhari

• Chief Odigie-Oyegun

• Lawan

•Gbajabiamila

declared him as the winner of the contest after certifying that he scored the highest number of votes. On the basis of what no one understands till date, his victory was later swapped by the party. He went to court and his plea was upheld but his party, in order to show party supremacy, worked against him and he lost the election, suggesting that the party believes in the rule of law minus some court judgments!

“A unique convention of the PDP is its expectation that its members would operate by consensus. Anyone who breaches it can be in jeopardy.

On this score, political analysts who follow the party’s activities must have been taken aback the week before when it was revealed that some PDP governors failed to vote for Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State – the party’s anointed candidate for the post of Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).

“It is in earnest strange that the signatories to the consensus agreement turned out to be more than those that obeyed the party decision. If the party punishes some and not all the transgressors, the envisaged strong walls of party supremacy would inevitably become weakened by the lack of uniformity in handling members. Thus, for party supremacy to be credible, it cannot be used as a tool for discrimination.

Iredia said party supremacy can only thrive when no one is bigger than the party. He said the PDP was in order when it compelled its former chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, to drop his Chief of Staff because the party constitution did not provide for such a post.

Iredia said: “Yet again, a purely advisory body, led by a distinguished Second Republic Vice President, Dr.

•Akume

• Saraki

•Monguno

•Dogara

SEN-AHMED-LAWAN

Alex Ekwueme, to help the chairman generate ideas and strategies on how to move the party forward was similarly opposed by the members because such a committee was unknown to their party’s constitution.

“One way of upholding party supremacy is to ensure that members elected into public office like governors are subordinated to the party.”

Former Works Minister Prince Adeseye Ogunlewe was of the view that a political party was virtually unquestionable and as such, any of its members who could not abide by a decision of his party should be shown the way out.

Party leaders and elected officers are equal partners who should work together for the success of their party at the polls. The main duties of party leaders, according to political scientists, are to broaden the party’s support base and lead the party to victory at the polls. Also, the rights of party members and the dictates of democracy must be paramount in all their dealings and as a result party leaders must create conditions for the party’s success and viability by observing democratic values, steering the party away from trouble and making members to feel vested in the party.

They are of the view that the tensions and conflicts inherent in the relationship between party leaders and elected officials cannot be minimised without attitudinal adjustments by both sides.

As a result, the APC has been warned not to fall into the trap that eventually led to the fall of the PDP. Under its 16-year rule, elected officials of the PDP sometimes acted against the party’s interest in the name of politics. Take governors, for instance, they are regarded as leaders of the

party in their respective states. This may not be a bad in itself if such governors themselves abide by the party’s rules and prevail on others to do so. But, in most cases, the governors are the laws in themselves; they dictated to the party leadership, by determining who became a minister and who got the ticket to contest one position or the other.

One of such observers, who pleaded for anonymity, blamed the APC leadership for the present crisis over who emerges in today’s National Assembly leadership election. His words: “From day one, the party leadership told everyone that it would not abide by zoning and that members from all zones are free to contest and that the matter would be decided by merit. It is on this premise that Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara started canvassing for support for top positions in the chambers.

“It was clearly foreseen that this might lead to unnecessary division and rancor within the rank and file of our party, but the party leadership allowed the situation to fester. But, at the eleventh hour it started the move to come up with consensus candidates. If the party had made it clear from the beginning that the matter would be decided in-house, as it is now doing, there would have been no problem.”

The first and second republics According to scholars, party supremacy was the order of the day during the First and Second Republics, because individual members of political parties were subject to the decisions of their party leaders. This was why Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, preferred to remain the leader of the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) and Premier of Northern

takes a decision, it is expected that all loyal party members must abide by it because nobody is elected independently. So, once you are elected on the platform of this party, you are expected to be loyal and live by its principles

Region, instead of becoming the Prime Minister. Under the parliamentary system, then practised in the First Republic, the Sardauna automatically ought to have become the Prime Minister, as his party won the majority seats in the parliament. Rather than occupying the position, Bello conceded it to Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, deputy leader of the party.

Similarly, during the Second Republic, Chief Obafemi Awolowo was both the leader of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and the party’s presidential candidate in the 1979 general elections. Awolowo justified such arrangement, saying that while he was the party chairman, he was “just an applicant’’ for the presidency. The two frontline politicians stuck to party positions because at that time, no one dared challenge party directives, while the parties dictated the momentum of political processes.

There was no struggle for supremacy between elected political office holders and party leaders because the lines of duty were clearly defined and religiously followed.

However, the situation has changed dramatically in recent times, such that elected political office holders now call the shots.

The rancourous relationships in the political parties have been blamed on the pattern of party formation.

The argument is that there was party discipline in the first and second republics because parties were not “owned’’ by the moneybags, who did not only see themselves as bigger than the parties, but took the funding of parties as investments.

It was perhaps the need to eschew “personalisation’’ of political

‘

parties compelled the regime of military President Ibrahim Babangida to decree National Republic Convention (NRC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) into existence. Babangida dissolved all the political associations jostling for registration and created the NRC and the SDP to foster a situation where everybody will be equal members of the parties.

Analysts, however, opine that the dynamics of change will restore party supremacy in the country, as democracy cannot thrive without party supremacy. Nevertheless, they argue that party supremacy would be difficult to attain if over 50 per cent of the politicians are into politics just because they have no other job to do.

A simple majority of 55 votes of the 109 members is required for a Senate President to emerge. As at last night, the Lawan/Akume ticket was sure of 35 APC Senatorselect support, leaving Saraki with 24.

For Lawan to win, he will need 20 votes from the PDP and for Saraki to win, he will need 31. Both camps were busy at the weekend wooing their colleagues from the PDP. But the PDP Senators-elect want to vote as a bloc and they met severally to agree on who to back between Lawan and Saraki. The meetings were deadlocked. They could not agree.

Some PDP members broached the idea of one of their ranking members running. Top among those being tipped to run is former Senate President David Mark.

Should the APC leadership fails to prevail on Saraki to step down, party supremacy would have been disrespected.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

NEWS G7 backs Buhari’s Boko Haram battle

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•Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (second left), House of Representatives Speakership aspirant Femi Gbajabiamila (second right), Chief of Staff to Kebbi Governor, Suleiman Arugungu (right) and member-elect Ahmed Dayyabu during Gbajabiamila’s visit to the governor in Birni Kebbi ... at the weekend.

How Senate President will emerge

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ODAY is the D-Day for the inauguration of the Eighth National Assem-

bly.

President Muhammadu Buhari has issued a proclamation for the inauguration of the National Assembly today.

The Presidential proclamation was forwarded to the Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA) last week.

The two chambers are set to elect their presiding officers, the President of the Senate and the Deputy President of the Senate as well as Speaker and Deputy Speaker House of Representatives.

The Clerk to the National Assembly will begin the inauguration from the Senate before going to the House of the Representatives to conduct he same ritual.

On the first sitting of a new Senate pursuant to the proclamation of the first sitting by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senatorselect shall assemble at the time

From Onyedi Ojaibor, Abuja

and place so appointed.

Senators-elect, having assembled, the Clerk to the National Assembly shall first read the Proclamation for holding of the first session of the Senate.

The Clerk will call the Senate to Order and proceed to the roll call and confirmation of writs of election as well as declaration of assets and liabilities of Senators-elect in alphabetical order.

After the roll call, but before their swearing in, the Clerk will preside over the election of the President and Deputy President of the Senate.

Each Senator-elect called shall present the writ of election and receipt for the declaration of assets and liabilities which shall be laid upon the table by the Clerk.

Presiding Officers: A Senator-elect may, before taking the Oaths prescribed in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria, take part in the election of the President and Deputy President of the Senate.

Election of the President of the Senate: The election of the President of the Senate shall be conducted in the following manner. (a)A Senator-elect, addressing the Clerk, shall propose another Senator-elect to the Senate to be President of the Senate and shall move that such Senator-elect “do take the chair of the Senate as President of the Senate.” (b) A Senator-elect when nominated and seconded shall inform the Senate whether he or she accepts the nomination. (c) The person so nominated and seconded may then proceed to address the Senate. (d) The Clerk shall then ask “Are there any further nominations?” and if there are no further nominations, the Clerk shall say “I declare the nominations closed.” The Clerk shall then declare the

Senator-elect so proposed and seconded elected as President of the Senate. Such Senatorelect shall be conducted to the Chair by the proposer and seconder of the motion, and shall take the Chair of the President of the Senate. (e) If more than one Senatorelect is proposed as President of the Senate, the Clerk shall after the second nomination ask “Are there any further nominations?” and if there are no further nominations, the Clerk shall say “I declare the nominations closed.” (f) When only two Senators-elect are nominated and seconded as President of the Senate, the election shall be conducted as follows: (g) The Senate shall divide with the proposers and seconders as Tellers.

Voting: Voting shall be conducted by the Clerk at the table using the Division List of the Senate with the Tellers in attendance.

Continued on page 60

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari’s battle to finish off Boko Haram got a crucial support yesterday from key industiraliased nations after a meeting in Germany.

President Buhari met with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollade.

Buhari told them that Nigeria will welcome greater support and cooperation from France and other friendly nations for its efforts to overcome Boko Haram and restore normalcy to areas affected by the group’s atrocities.

He said his administration is already taking concrete action to build a more efficient and effective coalition of Nigeria and neighbouring countries against Boko Haram.

Nigeria, Buhari said, would appreciate more intelligence on the terrorist group’s links with ISIS, movements, training and sources of its arms and ammunition to facilitate the perfection of fresh tactics and strategies being evolved to overcome terrorism and insurgency in the country and its sub-region.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

President Buhari reiterated at the talks that there was absolutely no link between religion and the atrocities of Boko Haram.

He said: “There is clearly no religious basis for the actions of the group. Their atrocities show that members of the group either do not know God at all or they don’t believe in Him.” President Hollande commended President Buhari’s concerted efforts to galvanise Nigeria’s armed forces, security agencies and neighouring countries for more decisive action to eradicate Boko Haram.

The French leader assured Buhari that France will give Nigeria and its coalition partners greater support against terrorism and insecurity, including military and intelligence cooperation, to help them overcome the security challenge posed by Boko Haram and its global terrorist allies as quickly as possible.

He also called for greater bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and France in other areas, including trade, economic and cultural relations.

The president is due back in Abuja this morning.

Military moves command centre to Maiduguri

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ITH the military relocating its Command and Control Centre from Abuja to Maiduguri yesterday, the anti-Boko Haram war is for more steam.

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered military chiefs to embark on “no retreat, no surrender” tactics against the insurgents.

Some top military chiefs from Niger Republic, Chad and Cameroon are expected in the country today for a strategy meeting to firm up the war.

A statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, said the Chief of Army

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, gave a directive for the relocation of the command centre from Abuja to Maiduguri.

The statement said Gen. Minimah acted in compliance with the mandate of President Buhari.

The statement said: “In compliance with the Presidential pronouncement and the Chief of Army Staff’s directive, a reconnaissance and advance team for the establishment of Military Command and Control Centre (MCCC) for OPERATION ZAMAN LAFIYA for Continued on page 60

Saraki dumps APC to run with Ekweremadu Continued from page 1

Some of the PDP senators said to be rooting for Saraki allegedly suggested that they should forge a vibrant opposition on Tuesday by voting against the APC consensus choice as a signal of what form of opposition to expect in the Senate in the new dispensation.

The PDP senators were said to have contended that voting against APC’s preferred candidate would signpost a resolute stand to keep the PDP alive.

A source at the meeting said a former principal officer in the Seventh Senate was the brain behind the proposal.

The source said most of the senators disagreed vehemently with the suggestion.

Those opposed to the suggestion, it was learnt, averred that toeing the line of action would only serve the interest of a few, particularly the governors, rather than that of the PDP as a party.

The source noted that most of the senators agreed that “we should wait and see what the APC senators will come up with”.

He said: “The surprise of the night was that some of the governors who former President Goodluck Jonathan laboured

Respect party decision, Oyegun appeals to APC lawmakers

A

LL Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has urged members of the party in the National Assembly to respect the views of the party on the leadership of the Eight Assembly.Addressing reporters at the party’s national secretariat, OdigieOyegun said even though the party was aware of the fact that it cannot provide leaders for the lawmakers, what it did was to guide them.

He said that the party was aware that the lawmakers, comprising APC and non-APC members, would elect their leaders, pointing out that it only felt that it should provide them with a platform to express their preferences.

This, he said, they did willingly.

Odigie-Oyegun said: “I want to appeal to APC members of the National Assembly, both Senate and the House to install were those at the vanguard of the Saraki project, a man who practically destroyed PDP. “Most senators at the meeting viewed supporting Saraki as robbing Peter to pay Paul.

“They contended that it will be bad politics to reward a man who took up arms against his party, destroyed it and moved to build another one.”

The meeting was said to have ended without the Senators taking a final decision on

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

of Representatives, to please respect the party, the views of the party and the decision that they themselves took in selecting the persons that will be presented to the National Assembly as presiding officers.

“At the House of Representatives level, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and at the Senate level, Distinguished Senator Ahmed Lawan. I want to make it quite clear that all the party did was to provide the platform for all elected members of the party only. No other person joined them in stating their preferences.

“It is still left for the House itself to elect their own leaders and the House is made up of both APC and non-APC members. But we the APC thought rightly in my view that we should pro-

who to back for Senate president.

A former acting National Publicity Secretary of PDP Chief Bode Ojomu, yesterday warned the party against supporting any of its defectors from either being the Senate President or the Speaker.

Another source said: “At the end of the day, we could not agree on bloc votes for any of the candidates for the Senate and House of Representatives.

Governor Fayose pleaded with

vide a platform for our members of the National Assembly to state their preferences for the key offices in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. This they have freely done by themselves in the presence of the party leadership and almost the entire NWC. “But it seems that some of the aspirants are not satisfied with the preferences of the majority of the members either of the House or the Senate. So, for me and the NWC, this is an appeal that no individual interest should be allowed to over ride the interest of the party as a whole.

“Members contested on the platform of the party; the party did not contest on the platform of members. So the party’s views and method of doing

party leaders to see the battle as one between the PDP and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He begged the party to ‘clip’ Tinubu’s wings.

“But some senators-elect warned Fayose against going personal. They queried the morality behind PDP supporting candidates who defected from the party to the APC. They alleged that their defection led to the defeat of PDP at the polls.

“The governors were also

Continued on page 60

split on who to back for the National Assembly offices.”

“At the end of the day, we could not reach a consensus on casting our votes en bloc for either of the candidates. I can tell you that everyone is on his own.”

The difficulty in arriving at a consensus has created an upset in Saraki’s camp.

It was gathered that those who are pro-Saraki were trying to strengthen the accord between their candidate and

•Odigie-Oyegun

the immediate past Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu.

The latest plot will lead to Saraki dumping Senator Ali Ndume as his favourite for Deputy President of the Senate.

Another source added: “They will continue to sell a dummy to Ndume that he will be Deputy President of the Senate if Saraki gets the ticket.

“But as soon as Saraki wins, Continued on page 60

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Why public universities may collapse, by UNIPORT VC

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HE outgoing ViceChancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Prof.

Joseph Ajienka, has stated that inadequate funding may kill public universities.

Ajienka also said the murder of four students of the institution at Omuokiri-Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, brought the university so much anguish and negative publicity.

The vice-chancellor spoke yesterday during a news conference for the convocation and carnival for UNIPORT at 40, which took place at the Convocation Arena of the university.

He said: “I envisage a situation in which public universities are likely to collapse on account of inadequate funding. It is a curious situation to note that while many parents are willing to pay outrageous school fees for their children in universities outside the country, they are the first to kick against the introduction of some form of charges at the tertiary level of education in the country.

“It is inexplicable that we are prepared to pay huge sums to sustain quality education in other countries, while treating our own university system with utter contempt. Nothing can explain this untenable situation, and this is putting it rather mildly.

“This whole scenario no

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

longer makes sense, as the university system in this country continues to strain under the weight of underfunding from statutory sources and indifference from society. The truth is that statutory federal allocations alone can no longer be relied upon to run the universities, as little or nothing is left to embark on meaningful research and infrastructural development, after payment of salaries.

“The plain truth is that we can no longer shy away from giving serious consideration to the issue of introducing some form of school fees or charges in the Nigerian university system, if we hope to dig it out of the deep morass into which years of unrealistic tuition-free education has placed it. Parents can and should pay a little more to sustain the Nigerian university system, if they still hope to see public universities in the next ten years. The situation is that critical and it re-

quires immediate remedial measures.”

Ajienka also stated that unless something drastic was done on university funding and quickly too, the hope of attaining the indices of true national development would continue to be a mirage, while suggesting that an education bank should be created to grant loans to indigent students.

He revealed that UNIPORT was facing severe difficulties in having unfettered access to the land acquired by the Federal Government for the establishment of the university in 1975.

The vice-chancellor expressed displeasure that the university was compelled to enter into hard bargaining processes with relevant host communities, for every metre of land earmarked for developmental purposes and being compelled to correspondingly pay for economic trees and cash crops on such lands, before taking possession, while not being successful in some instances, with the

people of the host communities becoming increasingly non-cooperative.

Ajienka stressed that the type of institutional relationship with the host communities on land matters was not conducive to the accelerated development of UNIPORT in the short, medium and long terms, while pleading with the government to come to the aid of the university.

He also disclosed that in the undergraduate category of UNIPORT’s 30th convocation holding on Friday and Saturday, covering 2011/2012, 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 academic sessions, 41 graduands earned First Class (Honours) Degree, while the 40th anniversary of the university’s establishment had also commenced.

The incoming 8th vicechancellor of UNIPORT, Prof.

Ndowa Ekoate Sunday Lale, 59, an indigene of Ebubu in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, was also presented at the carnival.

Lale, who would hold office

•From left: Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Saudi Arabia envoy Mallam Ali Naji, Mr. Kola Kola Wasiu OmotundeYoung and former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Kolapo Alimi during a prayer for stability in Osun State in Osogbo.

NCAA ‘probing Aero incident’

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

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HE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said yesterday that it would investigate the diversion of Aero Contractors Lagos -Kaduna flight to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, last Friday.

Its director-general , Captain Muhtar Usman, spoke yesterday in Lagos.

The Boeing 737 – 500 series with registration no.

5N – BLE and Flight no. NG 181 departed Lagos at 5.

35pm with 102 passengers on board.

According to him, the NCAA has received the Mandatory Occurrence Report (MOR) from the airline and has commenced immediate investigation into the incident.

He said :” Our Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) designated to the Airline are already critically studying the report which will assist in the requisite investigation.”

for a single tenure of five years, would assume office on July 12 this year.

Ajienka, who hails from Okrika in Rivers state, while speaking on the convocation, noted that a total of 18,363 students would receive first degrees, postgraduate diplomas, master’s and doctoral degrees from 55 departments in 16 faculties. Undergraduate convocation would hold on Friday (June 12), while postgraduate diplomas and higher degrees would be conferred on deserving persons the next day (June 13), the grand finale of the convocation.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, a alumnus of UNIPORT, who took all his three degrees from the institution, would also be honoured as a distinguished fellow of the university, during the convocation, in honour of his “exemplary” leadership of Nigeria and contributions to his alma mater, being the first to be so honoured, while the third Chancellor of UNIPORT, since its establishment in 1975, HRH

Mohammad Iliyasu Bashir, the Emir of Gwandu, would also be installed during the convocation.

The outgoing vice-chancellor also disclosed that over N20 billion worth of projects were attracted to UNIPORT in the last five years.

While speaking on the Aluu mob action, Ajienka said: “The gruesome murder of four students of UNIPORT at Omuokiri-Aluu on October 5, 2012 brought to the fore the state of insecurity facing the entire country at the moment.

The scar left by that unfortunate incident is a constant reminder of how a civilised society can very easily slide into chaos, in the absence of an inbuilt mechanism for regulating its conduct.

“It is on record that authorities of the university and security agencies did an admirable job in containing the situation that brought us so much anguish and negative publicity.

Since the matter is now pending before a court of competent jurisdiction, I can only add that a lot of work has gone into making the university’s neighbourhood safe for our staff and students, since the ugly incident happened.

“Since the unfortunate Aluu incident, we have initiated several confidence-building measures, aimed at bringing about peaceful co-existence between the university and its immediate host communities.

“It is our prayer and hope that such horrendous incidents would not befall either this (UNIPORT) or any other university in the country. We have full confidence in the capacity of the judiciary to dispense justice on the distasteful Aluu-4 incident.”

The vice-chancellor also expressed profound gratitude to the Rivers Government, security agencies, the people of the host communities and others who stood by the university and its officials in their moment of grief.

APC governors meet over National Assembly leadership

G

OVERNORS elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were locked in a meeting last night over today’s election of the leadership of the National Assembly.

Many of the governors, including Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, were spotted at the Imo State House venue.

The outcome was being awaited at press time.

•Osinbajo’s parley with federal lawmakers fails to hold From Tony Akowe, Abuja

But the scheduled meeting between senators-elect and House of Representatives members-elect on APC’s platform could not hold.

The lawmakers who converged for the meeting left the venue in high spirits at about7.00pm when it was obvious that the Vice President would not make it to the venue.

It was gathered that National Chairman Chief John

Odigie-Oyegun, who arrived at about 6. 20p.m, addressed the lawmakers. He appealed to them to allow the party and national interest over ride personal interest Hon. Parry Iriase, representing Owan Federal Constituency (Edo State) said the legislators had already conducted a mock-election, pointing out that the meeting was to ensure unity among members.

He said: “We have met at various levels and we have

been meeting. The essence of this meeting is for the Vice President to address all the lawmakers, including those who are not happy with the mock elections.

“For those of us in the House of Representatives, we believe that out of the about 209 elected APC members, we have over 70 per cent on our side and we are confident that when we get to the House, we will muster enough members to get the position of Speaker.”

Asked why they were dispersing before the arrival of the Vice President, he said: “We were told that the Vice President was coming to address us. But we have waited and he is not here. We are told he is airborne and that he will come. But we have other things we need to iron out before tomorrow.

“Nigerians should expect a united APC at the end of tomorrow because we are a family and we believe that this is democracy in action.

We are confident that things will work out well.”

Alleged bribery: Chief Magistrate knows fate today, 12 years after

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HE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday said the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello, will today deliver judgment in a bribery matter against a former Chief Magistrate and Director of district courts, Mohammed Ali Balogun.

The judgment is coming 12 years after the ex-Chief Magistrate was arraigned in court for allegedly taking N100, 000 bribes.

A statement by ICPC said:

•ICPC to arraign Jonathan’s campaigner in court From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

“The matter, which was instituted in 2003 by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), had been prolonged due to series of events, especially on the side of the accused, who filed some interlocutory applications stating that his statement wasn’t voluntary alleging coercion, and his no case submission.

“Both applications were turned down by the court and even at the appellate which finally gave the ICPC a go ahead with the trial.

“Ali Balogun was alleged to have demanded for gratification in the sum of N100, 000 from a lecturer at the University of Abuja, who had a matter before his court so as to quash the contempt charge against him.

“Since the complainant

could not afford the amount, he reported the matter to the ICPC and consequently the ICPC set up a sting operation during which Balogun received N50,000 and was caught in the act.”

ICPC will also arraign a businessman and Chairman of the Goodluck Support Group, Aminu Abubakar, for alleged blackmail before Justice Ishaq Bello of the FCT High Court 1.

The statement said: “Abubakar was said to have been in possession of some documents relating to some officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, with the intent to implicate them if they do not part with the sum of N50million.

“It was gathered that, having sensed danger in what the officials later realized to be blackmail, they reportedly petitioned the ICPC through

an intermediary.

“As expected, the investigative team of the commission swung into action, coordinated a sting operation where the N50million earlier solicited for by Abubakar was negotiated downwards to N25million.

“Abubakar was eventually arrested with his accomplice at a garden in Abuja, after he had received just N5million out of the negotiated N25million.

“The culprits are being charged on a 3 count under the penal code, for extortion and conspiracy to extort.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

6

NEWS Balarabe Musa canvasses for Unity Govt

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ORMER Governor of old Kaduna State Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa has canvassed for the formation of a Government of National Unity by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The former governor also advised Buhari, Senators Ahmed Lawan, Bukola Saraki, and other National Assembly members involved in the pursuit of leadership positions in the 8th National Assembly to be driven by national interest.

Alhaji Musa told The Nation that President Buhari would need the support of credible Nigerians across all the political parties to enable him rebuild the country.

He urged Nigerians to be patient with the President as he takes his time to settle down and assemble members of his cabinet. He urged President Buhari to choose among the pools of honest, credible and tested Nigerians who are prepared to make selfless service for the country as Ministers.

He said the President should hit the ground running with a socio-economic development agenda that has zero tolerance for corruption and the culture of impunity, stressing that under the new dispensation

Forum seeks Nigerians in Diaspora Commission

By Remi Adelowo

N

IGERIANS in Diaspora have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign into law the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Bill.

Speaking in a chat with our correspondent, Coordinator of Nigerians in Diaspora Leadership Forum, Mr. Alistar Soyode, said the bill, which was among the 46 bills passed by the 7th Senate last week, would “provide the engagement of Nigerians in Diaspora in the policies, projects and participation in the development of Nigeria and for the purpose of utilising the human and material resources of Nigerians in Diaspora towards the overall socio-economic, cultural and political development of Nigeria.”

Soyode, who expressed optimism that the president would assent to the bill, added that the Commission would be run by a board of distinguished Nigerians with impeccable record, with a three-year renewable tenure.

When the Commission becomes fully operational, Soyode, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of UK-based BEN TV, said it would comprise of representatives from each of the 36 states of the federation.

He said the Commission would have a comprehensive data base of Nigerians in Diaspora.

From Blessing Olaifa, Assistant Editor, Abuja

the states should play pivotal roles in the development of the economy.

According to the former government, President Buhari besides fighting corruption headlong should consider a leading role for states government in the development of the economy especially as enshrined in section 30 of the 1999 constitution.

He said the government should reverse the idea of wholesale privatisation of Nigeria economic assets for the sake of posterity, justice, equity, fairness and rapid development of the country.

“In privatisation of public assets, states should not be relegated to the background in favour of the private sector, in fact, the states should play a leading role in view f their closeness to the masses,” he submitted.

He criticised the current system of privatisation of public assets where only the federal authority carried out the assignment without contribution from states and other stakeholders, saying the country cannot achieve the desired growth when public institutions are managed in such a way.

On the choice of the leadership of the National Assemble, Alhaji Musa said: “The Senators have the right to choose who to lead them irrespective of the party position or the national leadership. The most important thing is for them to put the interest of the nation above personal interest.

“There should be no need for acrimony among the contenders for the various positions. The independence of NASS would also depend on how their leaders emerge. I don’t think their quest to get leaders of their choice should hit up the politics. I don’t see how.”

•From left: Comptroller of Immigration, Bayelsa Command, Mr Wunti Sule; Assistant Comptroller-General, Zone G, Mr Emmanuel Guuga and Zonal Comptroller, Benin-City, Mr Nbesis Jacob, at an interactive session by Nigeria Immigration Service, Bayelsa Command, in Yenagoa...yesterday.

Obasanjo: Ribadu was once poisoned

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ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has said ex-chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was once poisoned in the course of his duties as anti-corruption czar.

Obasanjo disclosed this at an international forum on Third Tana High Level Forum on Security in Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

He also revealed that Ribadu created enemies for him because of the ruthlessness with which he carried out his responsibilities of tackling corruption.

Obasanjo, who spoke from the floor following a presentation on Illicit Financial Flow and Governance of Natural Resources made by Ribadu, affirmed that he had known from experience that the fight against corruption attracts a lot of enemies.

The former president declared that he had no fear of anyone still living in Nigeria, adding, “it is rather them

that fear me.”

Saying that Ribadu took on a lot of highly connected people in his fight against corruption, Obasanjo said that the former anti-corruption chief was once poisoned, causing a scare in concerned quarters.

“It was a matter of life and death” the former president said. He gave no details of the incident.

Obasanjo said that once Ribadu was appointed, he gave him a free hand and that Ribadu investigated him, his late wife and several persons close to him.

He also narrated a story of how a serving minister, who was his senior in secondary school, was indicted and prosecuted by the EFCC, adding that when the minister was found wanting, “there was no issue of seniority again.”

On leadership, Obasanjo, who is also the chairperson of the Tana Forum, re-echoed Ribadu’s submission that at the centre of the anti-

corruption fight is the need for willing political leadership at the highest level.

He, however, added that the leader also needed legislations to work with.

Obasanjo recalled narrating his experience with the bill establishing ICPC which, he said, was whittled down by lawmakers, who felt they could be victims of the law.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn thanked Ribadu for his presentation, which, he said, highlighted many good things about Nigeria, different from what is portrayed in the media.

Ribadu listed measures African countries can take to tackle illicit financial flow and repatriate money already illegally taken out of the African countries.

He said Africa needed honest and committed leaders who will set examples with themselves by eschewing corruption and closing avenues of illicit financial flow.

•Obasanjo

According to him, it is the seriousness and commitment showed by the political leadership that will convince other foreign countries to work with them towards recovering looted monies stashed abroad.

Ribadu also emphasised the need for concerted effort among countries and a synergy among law enforcement agencies so that looters could be caught.

Alleged N275m scam: It’s all blackmail, says Okiro From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

•Okiro

T

HE chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Sir Mike Okiro, has dismissed the N275 million scam allegedly perpetrated by him, saying it was all blackmail.

A staff member of the PSC, Mr. Aaron Kaase, had petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), accusing the PSC chairman of misappropriat-

ing the said amount.

Kaase had stated in his petition that the money was part of the N350 million collected by the PSC for monitoring, conferences and training of staff ahead of the March/April general election.

But at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Okiro said the PSC spent N217.3 million of the money and that the remaining N132.6 million was returned to the Commission’s project account.

“Because the approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement came late, we were able to conduct only one day training. The PSC staff were paid their allowances and DTA for the on day training and their entitlements for the journey to the states for the monitoring.

“The total amount paid was N217, 383, 154. 00. The remainder N132, 611, 845. 99 is still in the PSC project ac-

‘

I didn’t steal government money and have nothing to fear, President Buhari is not coming to witch hunt or punish innocent people’

’

count”, Okiro stated.

The petitioner also accused the chairman of inflating the numerical staff strength of the Commission in Abuja, Kaduna and Kano to 900 whereas the entire staff strength of the PSC nationwide was 400.

The chairman however denied the allegation, saying it

was a plot hatched by the petitioner, in cahoots with the publisher of an Abuja based newspaper to blackmail him.

According to Okiro, Sami had approached him on April 2, 2025, through an SMS demanding N10 million from him to stop the publication of the alleged scam, a demand which he said he turned down.

“On April 8, at 03.39 pm, he sent me his bank account number by text to pay the money in case I change my mind to avoid shame and embarrassment. This man would not let me rest.

“Therefore, on April 10, at 10.58 am, I sent him this text; ‘I received your bank account number where I should pay N10 million to stop you and your group from publishing a damaging report against me. Sorry, I can’t succumb to your blackmail.

“I didn’t steal government money and have nothing to fear, President Buhari is not coming to witch hunt or pun-

ish innocent people. You have visited my house several times and called my phone uncountable times threatening and demanding N10 million. I have had enough. Please give me a break. If this persists, I will report you to the Guild of Editors”.

The PSC chairman said Kaase’s action was as a result of his redeployment from the protocols unit, where he was later discovered to have perpetrated a number of criminal acts.

According to him, the petitioner was eventually arrested by the police for obtaining N1 million from someone under the pretense of helping him obtain a United States visa.

Omits added that police later wrote to the PSC on May 13, informing the commission that Kaase was facing a criminal charge, as a result of which he was suspended in compliance with Rule 030406 of the Public Service.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

7

NEWS Ogun Assembly passes False Evidence motion HE eighth Ogun State House of Assembly yesterday passed four motions, including “False Evidence” motion, at its first sitting less than an hour after its inauguration by Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

The motion empowered the House to “move with severity” against any person or group found to have given false evidence in respect of matters under investigation by the House or any of its committees.

The Speaker, Suraj Adekunbi, who was elected unopposed presided over the maiden plenary.

Olakunle Oluomo (Ifo1) emerged the Deputy Speaker,

T

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

Protest rocks Akure over Deji’s appointment

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•Regent ‘not aware of any process’ •Aladetoyinbo to get staff today From Damisi Ojo, Akure

selection violated Akure culture and tradition.

He said: “We want Mimiko to temper justice with mercy because we believe that Adesina’s sin is pardonable, considering that such happened in Owo when the late Olagbegi was deposed and Oba Ogunoye was enthroned as king.

“But after Ogunoye’s death, Olagbegi was reinstated by former Governor Bamidele Olumilua.

“The Osupa ruling house has a pending case in the Court of Appeal, Akure, challenging his deposition and banishment.”

No government official was available to address the protesters but the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of A Division, Adekimi Ojo, appealed to them to return home and promised to deliver their message to the governor.

The spokesman of Akure kingmakers and Asamo of Akure, Chief Rotimi Olusanya, insisted that nothing could stop the installation and performance of traditional rites for the new Deji.

The deposed Deji, at the weekend, sought a court in-

junction to restrain the kingmakers from selecting a new Deji.

He claimed that he was still entitled to contest for the stool, as according to him, he was wrongly removed by the government.

The government dethroned Adepoju on June 10, 2010 for allegedly battering his wife, the late Mrs. Bolanle Adepoju Mrs. Adepoju, who died in 2012, said the incident that led to her husband’s banishment was exaggerated.

The development led to the installation of the late Oba Adebiyi Adesida from Ojijigogun ruling house, who was installed in 2010 as the 46th Deji of Akure.

He died on December 1, 2013.

His daughter, Princess Adetutu Adesida, was installed the Regent of Akure kingdom.

Princess Adesida has said she was not aware of the selection.

She said it would not be in the interest of peace and tradition to be caught unawares by the installation process being embarked upon by the kingmakers and the government.

Princess Adesida said the

kingmakers should have informed her about the process so that she could be psychologically prepared for her exit from the palace.

She said traditionally it would be a taboo for the new monarch to meet her in the palace.

Although she admitted that the regent has no role to play in the selection and installation of the monarch, she however said she deserves the right to be carried along as a critical stakeholder in the town.

Princess Adesida said: “The process, to me, is vague. I was not informed initially. Of all that has been done so far I am not aware of anything.

“The kingmakers did not carry me along. I am a major stakeholder and I should be informed. I want due process to be followed. Things should be done in a proper manner.”

The State Executive Council has approved Aladetoyinbo’s appointment.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, the Council gave the approval yesterday at its meeting.

He said the approval followed the unanimous decision of the kingmakers.

Aladetoyinbo will be presented with the staff of office today.

Police ‘arrest Adinimado masquerader’ in Ibadan

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HE police in Oyo State yesterday paraded the custodian of Adinimodo Masquerader of Ogunmola compound in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Sikiru Ojewale, for allegedly inciting his followers to destroy properties in Ayeye, Mapo on Sunday.

Commissioner of Police Muhammad Katsina summoned a peace meeting at the beginning of this month with the organisers of Egungun festival to interact on how to ensure peace during the festival.

Katsina lamented that despite the signing of an undertaking to be of good conduct during the festival, it is sad that a masquerader along with his followers caused total breakdown of law and order.

The commissioner, who was represented by the police spokesman, Adekunle Ajisebutu, reiterated that no individual or group of persons would be allowed to threaten to the public peace and order during the Egungun festival.

He also declared the other

Yinka Mafe (Sagamu 1) is the Majority Leader. Olawale Alausa(Ijebu-Ode) is the Minority Leader.

Other key officers are Idowu Olowofujah of Abeokuta South 11 (APC Chief Whip) and Jemili Akingbade of Imeko/Afon state constituency(PDP Chief Whip).

The False Evidence Motion was moved by the lawmaker representing Odeda state constitution, Yetunde Sogbein Adekunbi, and passed after it was subjected to voice vote at the floor of the House by the Speaker, Suraj Adekunbi.

Oyo Assembly for inauguration

•The protesters...yesterday.

ESIDENTS of Akure, the Ondo State capital, yesterday marched on the Governor’s Office to protest the kingmakers’ choice of Kole Aladetoyinbo as the Deji of Akure.

Kingmakers, led by the Lisa of Akure, High Chief James Olusoga, on Sunday picked Aladetoyinbo.

He emerged the best of the 13 contestants from the Osupa ruling house.

As early as 8am, the protesters walked from Akure City Hall to the Governor’s Office, calling for the reinstatement of the deposed Deji, Oluwadare Adesina Adepoju.

They said the installation should be discontinued to prevent undue instability in the town.

The placard-carrying protesters stormed the Governor’s Office, shouting invectives against the Deji-elect.

Some of the placards read “Mimiko: bring back our Kabiyesi”; “Kole Aladetoyinbo is a bald headed man: he can’t become Deji”; “Iroko save Akure from Fasonranti, Falae, kingmakers”, among others.

One of the protesters, Mrs Adero Adebayo, said market women would not accept anybody except Adesina.

The spokesman of Osupa ruling house, Prince Dapo Adepoju, lamented that the

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

•Three declared wanted From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

members of the Adinimodo masquerader wanted, urging them to report to the nearest police station in their own interest.

“All law abiding citizens are advised to exercise their right of traditional religion as the police would provide adequate security for them,” Katsina said.

But in his defence, Ojewale claimed that he was at home when the incident happened, stressing that he was eating when he received a call from the police.

“The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Mapo police station called me. I came, thinking I was to collect security escort for my masquerade outing. It was then t I was accused of vandalising some

vehicles at Ayeye with my followers but it is a lie because I was at home all day,” he said The police boss said the Ambush Squad has arrested two members of a syndicate at Ogbomoso, which specialised in duping unsuspecting the public by pretending to offer them spiritual assistance.

According to him, Adetayo Saheed and Bello Mustapha were caught with a human skull, human hair, fake $900 and some charms.

Oyo students disown OYSFI

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HE Federation of Oyo State Students Union (FOSSU) and Federation of Ibadan Students Union (FIBSU) yesterday disowned the group, Oyo State First Initiative (OYSFI).

The students described the group as faceless and unrecognised.

They said the people behind it should desist from attacking personalities.

OYSFI, in an advertorial, said a member of the House of Assembly, Segun Olaleye, is not an indigene of Ibadan.

The group added that Olaleye had “sabotaged” some of Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s work.

A statement by the National President of FIBSU Olalekan Alao and the Senate President of FOSSU, Adewunmi Rufai, the group challenged OYSFI leadership to tell the people its antecedents.

The Statement read;” the attention of our nobel associations has been drawn to the publication of one faceless structuless and none existing gang of falsehood peddlers by the nomenclature Oyo State First Initiative on the 7th June, 2015 edition of Sunday tribune wherein the personality of one of the major contenders for the post of speakership of the Oyo State House of Assembly was ingloriously attacked.

O

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi will tomorrow inaugurate the eighth Assembly.

A statement by the Permanent Secretary/Clerk of the House of Assembly, Deacon Gbola Akinyanju, said the inauguration will hold at the House of Assembly , Secretariat, lbadan.

The statement called on the newly elected lawmakers to be punctual.

“All invited guests are enjoined to be on their seats at the appropriate time.”

‘Let Fayose be’

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LECTED House of Representatives members from Ekiti State have warned the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop fighting Governor Ayo Fayose and the people.

A statement by Ayo Oladimeji, Segun Adekola, Akin Awodumila, Olamide Oni, Thaddeus Aina and Kehinde Agboola, said APC and its leaders in Ekiti State were admonished to let peace reign in the state.

“Having fought for 12

months trying to get what they lost at the polls through the backdoor, the most sensible thing for the APC leaders to do now is to allow Governor Fayose to run his government.

“Telling lies and engaging in childish criticism is no doubt a sign that the APC won’t relent in its evil opposition against the people of Ekiti State, and our advice is that they should stop fighting Fayose, because he is God’s anointed.”

Obasa emerges Lagos Speaker

M

UDASHIRU Obasa, a fourth term lawmaker from Agege 1 Constituency, has emerged the Speaker of the eighth Lagos Assembly, which was inaugurated yesterday by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Obasa was the sole candidate. He was nominated by Moshood Oshun (Lagos Mainland 2) and seconded by Shola Giwa (Lagos Island 2).

Wasiu Sanni Eshilokun (Lagos Island 1) is the Deputy Speaker. He was nominated by Yishawu Gbolahan (Eti Osa 2) and seconded by Solaja Nurudeen (Ikorodu 2).

Others are: Sanai Agunbiade (Majority Leader); Rotimi Abiru (Chief Whip); Olumuyiwa Jimoh (Deputy Majority Leader); Omotayo Oduntan (Deputy Chief Whip).

The Minority Leader position, to be filled by one Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker, was put on hold.

Ambode told the lawmakers that they have a great task ahead.

He sought their support and commitment in ensuring that all government policies are given legitimacy by the House.

The governor urged them to be close to their constituents.

“Great opportunities beckons with the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the center. “ I intend to take advan-

By Oziegbe Okoeki

tage of this opportunity and engage the Federal Government on issues that will bring the best to Lagosians”, Ambode said.

Obasa thanked his colleagues for electing him.

He urged all fellow contenders for the position “to set aside all our differences”.

“We must all come together in the interest of Lagosians.

“We are stewards, our employers gave us the mandate to keep Lagos working and make life better for all.

“My job is to coordinate efforts to fulfil that desire. Our people want to see a prosperous state full of opportunities, let us work to achieve goals desired by our constituents”, Obasa said.

The Clerk, Ganiyu Abiru, reminded the members that the mandate given to them is a sacred trust which must not be compromised.

•Obasa

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

8

NEWS

Ikere-Ekiti women protest planned imposition of monarch •Tension rises in community

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OMEN of IkereEkiti in Ekiti State yesterday trooped out to protest the alleged plan by the government and kingmakers to impose Jimi Adu as the next Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti.

The women, who began their protest at 9am, gathered at Odo Oja Roundabout singing abusive songs against the government, kingmakers and some prominent indigenes.

The placard-carrying women condemned the government’s alleged directive that the new Ogoga should be decided through voting by kingmakers.

They insisted that the next Ogoga must be determined

by Ifa oracle in line with the town’s customs and traditions.

The women also alleged that most of the kingmakers have been bribed, expressing fear that should the process be subjected to voting, the right candidate may not emerge.

Some of their placards read: “Money should not determine the next Ogoga”; “Don’t choose Ogoga over stomach infrastructure”; “Mr. Governor, don’t approve Jimi Adu as the next Ogoga”; “Don’t use voting

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

to select new Ogoga”; “It is not in our tradition to choose Ogoga”; “Consult Ifa oracle, no voting”, among others.

One of the protesters’ leaders, Mrs. Funmi Adegbesan, said they are protesting against the selection process, which she said was against tradition.

She said: “We want them to begin the process afresh and they should consult the oracle.

“We don’t want the Ogoga to be chosen through an election by the kingmakers, who have been compromised. “ Ikere women are angry at the kingmakers for collecting bribes and we have lost confidence in most of them. They should choose the next Ogoga through the oracle.”

Mrs. Anike Obasoro said the women would not allow Adu enjoy his reign, warning that there would be terrible consequences, if he is imposed.

Mrs. Obasoro said: “We will not allow Jimi Adu to reign in Ikere, he can become king in Lagos but he will not become king in Ik-

•The protesting women...yesterday.

ere because he is not a prince.

“If they impose him on us, there will be trouble and the town will not enjoy peace.

We are warning them not to impose him on us because the government will not be able to control what will happen thereafter.”

Security agencies- police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and Department of State Services (DSS)- were on hand to ensure that the protest was not hijacked by hoodlums.

Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola, who arrived at the scene at 9.50am, appealed to them to maintain peace.

On arrival at the palace at 10.05 am, Olusola, who is an Ikere indigene, met with the

Regent, Princess Ayooye Adegboye-Oyinlola and other chiefs for over one hour.

Emerging from the private meeting at 11.16 am, Olusola denied the allegation that the Ayo Fayose administration wanted to impose a candidate.

He said neither he nor the governor has any interest in who becomes king.

The deputy governor revealed that there were lots of petitions on the crisis.

The deputy governor expressed regrets that a youth insulted Governor Ayo Fayose at a meeting with stakeholders after which he was detained for his unruly behaviour.

Olusola said: “Somebody abused the governor on this matter and he was detained.

“People pleaded for his release but I said he should remain there because there was nothing the governor has done to warrant being insulted.”

The deputy governor said the matter is in the hands of the kingmakers as government cannot impose any candidate but the law allows them to use voting to choose the monarch.

Olusola’s explanation that the law allows kingmakers to choose the Oba-elect by voting triggered shouts of disapproval from the crowd as they continued to heckle the deputy governor.

Olusola continued: “Of all the candidates, it is one of them who will be picked and the government’s guidelines allow voting.

“If we want peace, let us be patient and we should not encourage violence.

“We should allow peace to reign and nobody should disrupt the peace of Ikere.

“I want you to remember that there is a government in place and no government will fold its arms and allow people to take the law into their hands. I beg all of you, let us allow peace to reign.

“The governor has no candidate among the contestants and if anybody is saying that he is lying.

“The governor has warned me and the attorney general not to interfere with the selection process.

“It is not the function of the government to say this one is a prince and that one is not a prince.”

Police arrest three ‘internet fraudsters’ in Ondo

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HE police in Ondo State have arrested three suspected internet fraudsters in Akure, the state capital.

The suspects, according to the Police Commissioner, Isaac Eke, have allegedly defrauded unsuspecting victims across the country.

Ike, who spoke through the command’s spokesman, Wole Ogodo, gave the names of the suspects as Wale Ayeni, Fisayo Adetoro and Emmanuel Omole.

The police boss said detectives arrested the suspects at a motor park and a hotel in Akure.

He said Ayeni and Omole are expelled students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA); Adetoro claimed to be a 300Level student of Computer Science at Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State.

Ogodo said: “The syndicate in April through online contact requested for six Iphones, valued at N984,000,

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

from Ajiboye Adeyinka Kabir of Oyekunle Street, Ajegunle, Lagos State. They lied to Ajiboye that they were working at Government House, Akure.

“Ajiboye brought the Iphones to Akure as requested. On arrival at Ondo Garage, Akure, the suspects took him in their operational vehicle, a Nissan Armanda with Registration Number JS-28-EKY, and pretended to be heading for the Government House, Akure.

“On the way, they made a detour to Fiwasaye-Ijapo Road, Akure, where they forcefully took the I-phones from Ajiboye, and pushed him out of the vehicle.

“Ajiboye was taken to the Police Clinic, Akure, for treatment. The syndicate also contacted Akinola Segun of Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos, and placed an order for another set of five Iphones from valued at N820,000.

“They lied that they were lecturers at the Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin. On arrival in Akure, they conveyed Akinola to a hotel on Ondo Road, where they drugged his food and made away with the phones.”

The police spokesman said nemesis caught up with the suspects when they unknowingly contacted Akinola Segun on a different website and ordered for five I-phones, and deceitfully presented themselves as lecturers from the College of Agriculture, Akure.

He said Akinola immediately contacted the Akure Area Command’s office where the Area Commander, Edward Ajogun, with his team of detectives employed best professional tactics leading to their arrest.

Their operational vehicle valued at N2.5 million has been impounded. Also recovered from them were three gold rings, necklace and earring valued at N667, 000.

Lagos APC cautions tanker drivers

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has cautioned tanker drivers to be mindful of the lives and properties of Lagosians.

The party said the two tanker accidents are worrisome. It urged tanker drivers must take extra precaution to avoid a recurrence.

A statement by its Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, said: “We deeply sympathise with the victims of the

Iyana Ipaja and Idimu incidents. We feel their pain and see their loss as a loss to Lagos.

“We are alarmed that Lagos witnessed two horrific accidents in a space of a few days and we believe something deliberate must be done by both the government and the tanker drivers to prevent a recurrence.

“We applaud Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his quick and prompt re-

sponse to the incidents but we feel that the state cannot continue to experience these tragedies.

“We are happy that in both incidences, no life was lost but we regret that several properties were destroyed.

“Lagos APC calls for stricter regulation of heavy duty vehicles plying Lagos streets, in view of the recurring cases of tanker accidents in Lagos.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9 , 2015

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Ambode raises panel on tanker explosions AGOS State Governor Akinwumi Ambode yesterday raised a committee headed by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Tunji Bello to investigate the remote and immediate causes of tanker explosion in the metropolis.

Ambode, who raised the committee after a meeting with stakeholders in the transport sector, said government could no longer tolerate the untold hardship the recurring incident had inflicted on Lagosians.

Members of the panel are: Permanent Secretaries in the Transportation and Special Duties ministries, Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Others are: Director, Fire Service, Chief Executive Officer of the Drivers Institute, representatives of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS).

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•Ambode flanked by his Deputy Dr Idiat Adebule and Mr Bello ... yesterday.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

The committee, he said, has two weeks to determine the causes of the tanker explosions that occurred in the last eight days and also prepare guidelines on ethical conducts for tankers and other articulated vehicles.

He said: “The committee will engage the insurance industry and relevant stakeholders to meet and work out appropriate insurance policy that will protect the masses against whatever havoc caused by future tanker explosions in the state.

“I believe that we have created the platform to provide immediate relief for those who are affected by the inferno even as we wait for the final report on the Ipaja and Idimu tanker explosions on which we will take appropriate action to provide further relief to those affected.”

Ambode urged drivers to comply with the state traffic law, noting: “I know it is in the interest of everybody to extend the enforcement of traffic law to all drivers in the state. It is not only the tanker drivers that are offenders. We

will not wait until another incident occurs before the government takes action.

“Our simple purpose in government is to make life simpler for the residents. And we will do that with all the strength God has given us.”

Earlier, some stakeholders identified driving under the influence of alcohol and lack of proper training for tanker drivers as causes of accidents.

They added that overcentralisation of depots in Lagos has over-stretched the road network and left most roads deplorable.

Lebanese arrested for hiding cocaine in boxers

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23-YEAR-OLD Lebanese, Yves Awad, has been arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos with 260 grammes of cocaine.

His arrest was facilitated by intelligence supplied to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) The arrest occured during the outward screening of passengers on a Middle East Airline flight.

NDLEA Airport Commander Hamza Umar said Awad hid the drug inside his boxers and thanked FAAN for assisting the agency to arrest the suspect.

“When the drug was fieldtested, it proved positive for cocaine. The suspect holds a dual citizenship of Nigeria and Lebanon. He was found to have travelled to Nigeria from Lebanon six times since January this year. The case is under investigation,” Hamza said.

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cate.

The gang leader, Waziri Akinyemi, 35, and two of his men, Muyiwa Adewunmi, 38, and Lamoni Osoko, 32, told the police that they did not know they were committing an offence.

Akinyemi said his master, who taught him printing, did not tell him the difference between printing genuine and fake documents.

He described Adewumi and Osoko as his “mere errand boys” hustling to survive.

A source said the syndicate had been operating for years until their victims reported them to the police.

The police recovered the

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AGOS State Police Command yesterday arrested seven persons in connection with the killing of five persons said to be returning from a naming in Ajah last week.

Its spokesman, Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), told The Nation that the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (State CID) at Panti, Yaba, Lagos.

It was gathered that the victims belonged to rival street gangs working for the Lagos Island Branch Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on Lagos Island.

They were ambushed and shot dead by a rival gang.

Nwosu said: “We have spread our dragnet and we are set to arrest them (those still at large). We would not hesitate to charge them to court once they are found. As it is now, we are studying the root cause of the crisis with a view to bringing those involved to book. It would serve as a deterrent to others.

“Lagos State Police command does not give opportunities for hoodlums to reign supreme and we are

By Medinat Kanabe

committed to safety of lives and property of every Lagosian.”

Some residents of Lagos Island are blaming politicians for creating room for hoodlums to thrive.

“Before this killing, one Azeez Otun (A.k.a Ashake) was killed the day former President Goodluck Jonathan came to campaign in Lagos. Another, Jide Dosunmu, (A.k.a Mados) was also murdered before the election. This is because there are too many arms in the hands of the hoodlums on Lagos Island who are now jobless. They use the guns for robberies and other vices,” a resident said.

Another resident said they were returning home in a hired bus when rival gang members opened fire on their bus, killing five of the occupants except the driver who pretended to be dead.

The deceased whose names are Samson (a.k.a Songa), Ganiyu (a.k.a.

Asaro), Idris (a.k.a. Aloma), Ladi and one other youth whose name could not be obtained were returning to Lagos Island.

Court restrains police from arresting two directors

By Ibrahim Adam

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•The substance

•Awad

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

In his statement, Awad said a friend asked him to buy the drug for him.

“I was born in Lagos and I attended Lebanese Commu-

nity School, Yaba, Lagos.

After my secondary education in Nigeria, I got admission to study my ‘A’ levels at Notre Dame University in Lebanon. My friend in Lebanon gave me money to buy

cocaine for him.

At the airport, the drug was detected and I was arrested and taken to NDLEA office. The drug was tested and it was found to be cocaine”.

Police smash fake driver’s licence syndicate HE police have smashed a fake driver’s licence syndi-

Seven held over Ajah killings

Suspected sex worker docked for N17, 800 theft

By Ebele Boniface

machine used for the illicit operation, including fake official documents.

Akinyemi, who hails from Ado-Odo in Ota, Ogun State, said: “When I left secondary school, I started working for my senior brother in his Video Game Centre at Iyana Ipaja in 2012. It was while working there that I met my area brother simply addressed as Ismaila. He used to send me on errands whenever he finished printing any document, though I did not know that the documents were fake.

“Whenever I returned after delivering the printed material to the owners, he would give me a token. Most of the documents were the old

USTICE Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained the police from arresting two company directors over an alleged N100million bank debt.

The judge also ordered that the passports of Godwin Adamolekun and Jimi Bademosi, who are directors of Euro Flow Designs, a oil service firm, be released to the court’s deputy Sheriff.

Justice Saidu was ruling on a fundamental rights enforcement suit brought by Adamolekun and Bademosi against Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Attorney-General of the Federation, Inspector-General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, Superintendent of Police Shola Oketunji, Asorp Petroleum Limited, Tola Okusanya of GTB and some unknown persons.

The order of interim injunction will subsist until the determination of the substantive suit.

Justice Saidu also restrained GTB from presenting for payment a N100million cheque allegedly issued to it by Euro Flow under duress to free the firm’s directors from police custody.

The applicants are contending that they were forced by the police to issue the cheque while in detention to defray the N100million allegedly owed GTB. Their counsel, Michael Akinyemi, said his clients were forced to issue the cheque in Asorp Petroleum’s name and paid into the company’s account with GTB. The police, he claimed, prevailed on the bank to demand a letter that Euro Flow’s banker should transfer the money to Asorp’s GTB account so that it will not go through clearing as stipulated in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulation.

Justice Saidu adjourned the case till June 18.

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•The suspects...yesterday

driver’s licence. After one year with him, I started my own business in 2013. I got a software that costs N520,000 from him; it is called Fago Printer. We used it to print identity card. We have HP Scan Jet 300 for scanning. We have HP Laptop which we use for the job.

I used to charge N2,000 for every work my errand boys bring and their commission is N500 per job. I know that the product is fake, but we are trying to help ourselves to survive. We did not get much

money from the job.”

Adewunmi, who is from Ife in Osun State, said: “I was hustling to feed myself. I was doing errand boy for Akinyemi. Initially, I did not know that the errands were illegal. It was when people started complaining that I discovered that the work was unlawful and that the documents were counterfeit.”

Osoko also claimed to be an errand boy working his daily bread. He said he did not know that what he was doing was illegal.

33-year-old woman, Blessing Uche, was yesterday arraigned before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for alleged theft of N17, 800 and stripping herself naked in public to resist arrest.

The accused, who is facing a three-count charge of assault, stealing and resisting arrest, however, pleaded not guilty.

Prosecuting Corporal Cyriacus Osuji, told the court that the accused committed the offences on June 6, at the Railway Line in Otto area of Lagos.

Osuji said that Uche, an al-

leged sex worker, stole the sum of N17, 800 from one Shaibu Umoru.

The prosecutor told the court that the accused stripped her naked when the police came to her arrest, thereby frustrating them from doing their lawful duty.

“She stripped herself naked in public and caused public nuisance and disturbance,’’ he said.

Chief Magistrate Olatunbosun Abolarinwa granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Abolarinwa adjourned the case till July 8 for mention.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

CITYBEATS

11 CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

•Mbu opening the building

Mbu opens SARS building

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SSISTANT InspectorGeneral of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos Mbu Joseph Mbu has opened the new Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) building.

The building, which was, completed by former Lagos State Police Commissioner

By Ebele Boniface

Umar Manko, has a modern cell deemed to be of international standard.

Mbu thanked Manko for giving him the opportunity to commission the building.

He warned that he would not hesitate to arrest those who helped the police to erect the

building if they commit offence.

The officer in charge of SARS, Peter Gana, a Superintendent of Police (SP), thanked the stakeholders for assisting to make the project a reality.

Mbu hailed Mbu and other senior officers for supporting him in the discharge of his duties.

Expert seeks sustainable environment

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RENOWNED environmentalist, James Chibusi, has said a clean and safe environment is key to the fundamental development of any society.

Chibuisi, the founder of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) on environment in Festac Town, Lagos, noted that the beautification of the environment is necessary for sustainable development.

He said: “Beautification of the environment starts with the planting of trees. This attracts

good things and people willing to be a part of the green field. This is a project that will involve the youth.”

The environmentalist urged Festac Town’s residents to protect the environment.

Chibuisi noted that the environment “is all we have got and we have to protect it jealously”.

He added: “We cannot leave it in the hands of the government alone. We have to make Festac Town, and indeed Lagos State, a better place for all.”

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THE NATION

BUSINESS MARITIME

e-mail: maritime@thenationonlineng.net

Importers abandon over N10b goods at Lagos terminal I MPORTERS have abandoned goods worth over N10 billion at the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal (ILT) in Lagos, The Nation has learnt.

The goods, it was gathered, were moved to the terminal to decongest the Lagos Ports.

Most of the goods, sources at the Federal Ministry of Finance said, were declared by the officials of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as overtime cargoes.

No fewer than 7,000 over time cargo (containers), the official alleged, were transferred and abandoned by the NPA and Customs at the ILT in the last three years.

To move the goods to Ikorodu, the ministry official claimed, NPA spent over N300 million.

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda MaritimeCorrespondent

The bulk of the containers were evacuated from the Lagos port complex, Tin Can Island Container Terminal (TICT) and others.

A senior Customs official, who craved anonymity, said in 2013, over 2,500 containers were declared unclaimed at TICT. Over 4,500 unclaimed containers were moved to Ikorodu in 2012.

The movement, the official said, was caused by a response to complaints by terminal operators about the choking facilities at their terminals based on the refusal of

importers to clear their cargoes months after their arrival in the country.

The Customs official also alleged that the worth of goods at the ILT may be well over N10 billion, adding that there was nothing wrong if the Buhari administration decided to take an inventory of goods.

“From all intent and purposes, this government is new and it is an administration that based its campaign on change. So, part of the benefits of the change is for the new government to take stock of all abandoned cargoes in our ports and terminals to prevent un-

• From right: Akpobolokemi, Prof Etebu, Prof Onwuliri and Mr Otuaro at Okerenkoko.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

NIMASA committed to capacity growth, says DG N

IGERIAN Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General (DG) Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi has reiterated the agency’s commitment to human capital development.

Sources at the Federal Ministry of Transport told The Nation last weekend that he made the pledge at a meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan before his (Jonathan’s) exit on May 29.

Jonathan summoned the NIMASA boss to a meeting attended by other senior government officials to present his plan for the industry.

Akpobolokemi, it was gathered, told the former President of the need to protect the territorial waters against oil theft and pirate attacks; the need for a maritime university to bridge the gap in human capital development that is affecting the industry and the need for the agency to build a shipping/dock yard since the private sector was yet to key into the project as requested by the Cabotage law.

To improve training in the industry, it was gathered, Akpobolo-kemi also proposed a commitment to training and the need to build NIMASA’s Science and Technical College to train youths.

Since Akpobolokemi took over, the official said, NIMASA has stepped up the Federal Government’s commitment in the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) by sponsoring many Nigerians locally and internationally who would have found the cost of the training too expensive to afford.

“Most of the people being trained

under the full sponsorship of NIMASA are teenagers and youths in their early 20s, desirous to take up the challenge of a sea going career to reduce unemployment and the human resources challenges facing the country. ‘’ I can also say that with the way and passion Akpobolokemi is going about it, NIMASA is almost set to fully address our dearth of maritime manpower in the short, medium and long term. The Nigerian Maritime University in Okerenkoko is one of the long-term projects embarked upon by the agency to address the problem.

“More than 2500 Nigerians have benefited from the overseas training, including the last batch of 655 cadets sent to Philippines, India, Romania and Egypt,” he said.

The official said the NSDP programme is the Nigeria’s proactive response to the declining number of seafarers across the globe which was identified by the International Maritime Organision (IMO).

“The IMO started a ‘Go To Sea’ campaign, which was launched in 2008 by then Secretary-General, Admiral Efthimious Mitropolous, and it was aimed at attracting new entrants into the global seafaring community that was hit by serious reduction that was not commensurate with recruitment,” the official said.

Addressing over 4,000 host communities at a town hall meeting at the week-end in Okerenkoko by the newly appointed Management of the Nigerian Maritime University,

Akpobolokemi said NIMASA has been a champion of training in the sector through its various laudable education, research and training programmes, to develop corps of qualified seafarers to man the ships.

“As manpower training indigenisation strategy, NIMASA decided to establish the first Nigerian Maritime University and the Shipyard/ Dock Yard facilities, both at Okerenkoko, Delta State. The former President Goodluck Jonathan performed the ground-breaking ceremonies of these facilities and the flag off of activities at the temporary site of the university at Kurutie in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. Academic studies will begin at the temporary site in September. The College of Science and Technology, Okoloba in Delta State, which has resumed academic studies at its temporary site was established to serve as a demonstration school for the Maritime University,” Akpobolokemi said.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Ongoebi Etebu, assured the host communities of the Federal Government’s commitment to the university, urging that peace be given a chance in the area so that the university could take off in September.

Those at the town hall meeting included the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council Prof Viola Onwuliri; a member of the Council Mr Leke Oyewole; the Deputy Governor of Delta Sate Mr Kingsley Otuaro, principal officers of the university; Mr Government Tompolo, and community leaders in the area.

necessary leakages,” the official said.

The National President, Association, Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu, said importers abandon their goods for two main reasons: the ports are the most expensive in West Africa; and the unstable exchange rate.

Banks, Shittu said, have stopped lending to importers because of the instability of the naira in the last few years and the increase in the prices of goods at local and international markets.

The National Public Relations Officer of Customs, Mr Wale

• Shittu

Adeniyi, did not reply to a text message sent to him before going to press.

Customs intercepts N319.7b textile materials

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HE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted over N319.7 billion textile materials concealed in 75 warehouses in Kano.

The goods were seized by the Comptroller-General Anti-smuggling Task Force, led by Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Hassan Shalangwa.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi, who visited Kano to assess the situation, expressed shock, lamenting that the amount, could build many standard textile factories.

He vowed that the four Chinese allegedly involved in the deal and their collaborators would be arrested.

“We are investigating the suspects and in only one warehouse, the duty value of the goods in the warehouse we have checked is N4.263, 556 billion. You can imagine that this only one warehouse and we are talking about 75 warehouses. You can imagine such a huge amount and we said we are looking for money to run the affairs of government,” he said.

The clampdown, Abdullahi said, was carried out based on a tip off.

The Customs boss, however, added that the NCS has devised the means to curtail smuggling, and that at the Comptrollers-General of Customs in West Africa’s meeting in Abuja recently, they discussed ways through which their officers and men could be made more effective in fighting smuggling.

He hinted that the Customs Service has concluded plans to organise a forum where traders, local producers and the Customs would meet from frequently to foster relationship and reduce smuggling.

Abdullahi said he was sad over the invasion of Nigerian markets by some Chinese business men when he visited the Adhama Garments Factory at Bompia, stressing the need for the government to resuscitate ailing textile industries in the state not only to create jobs, but also discourage the importation of sub-standard and contra-band textile materials, adding that the country has human and other re-

From Kolade Adeyemi Kano

sources to produce textiles for local consumption and exportation.

While conducting the CG round the factory, Saidu Dattijo Adhama, lamented the sorry state of his factory established over 20 years, and others in the state which have been closed due to the influx of foreign business men that have taken over the jobs of Nigerians by importing sub-standard and contra-band products, such as textile, biscuits, juice, sweet and confectionaries which are supposed to be produced locally.

He said this has contributed to the closure of some factories in Kano in particular and others in the country.

Adhama further said though the Entrepreneurial Protection Act, specified the kind of jobs Nigerian businessmen are entitled to, the law is not being enforced. He said if executed, it would encourage the indigenous business men to flourish.

Meanwhile, the Customs said it has seized goods worth N65 million in Idi Iroko.

The customs’ headquarters’ monitoring team, which is based in the Idiroko axis, reportedly seized the items. They include vehicles, poultry product, and bales of used clothing.

In a statement the Public Relations Officer (PRO) Federal Operations unit Zone A, Mr Uche Ejesieme, told The Nation that the goods came into the country through unapproved routes and were seized, following a tip off.

The image maker said the team led by the Deputy Comptroller Yahaya Biri Usman, fought with the smugglers before the seizure.

“Sequel to the renewed vigour of the Nigeria Customs Service to sustain the ongoing campaign through intelligence led anti-smuggling operations, the Headquarters Monitoring Team Idiroko Axis, on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at 1525hrs, while acting on a tip off intercepted vehicles, poultry products, 413 bales of used clothing and other general goods, suspected to have been smuggled through unapproved routes,” he said.

Udom okays Technical Committee for Ibom Deep Seaport

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KWA Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has ap proved the constitution of a 10-member Technical Committee on the Realisation of Ibom Deep Seaport. Mrs. Mfon Usoro, a former Director-General of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is the chairman.

The members are Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Mr. Chidi Izuwah, Mr. Idongesit Udofa, Ekong UmoOtong, Rear Admiral Francis

Akpan, Mr Aniekan Ukpanah, Mr. Charles Udonwah, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi and Etido Inyang.

In a statement in Uyo at the weekend, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ekerete Udoh, said the terms of reference include working on the various phases of the project and ensuring that it is delivered on time.

The governor congratulated the members on their appointment.

He expects them to bring into the job their competence.

TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

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BUSINESS TRANSPORTATION

E-mail: ynotaderibigbe@gmail.com

LASTMA launches 23 tow vehicles to tackle gridlock

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HEN the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) went on a road show with its 23 tow trucks, the intention was not to scare motorists, many of who dread the agency’s officials.

Rather, it was to demonstrate its enhanced capacity to decongest traffic and get motorists moving in record time.

The vehicles, which are of various capacities, will help reduce the 40 million manhour said to have been lost to accidents, traffic gridlocks and delays, last year.

LASTMA’s Deputy Comptroller Mr. Philip Ogunlade told The Nation that the agency would key into the vision of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who on Wednesday, urged it to stop harassing motorists.

He said the trucks would assist the agency to improve on traffic flow by the speedy removal of broken down vehicles, adding that this would enhance the implementation of traffic laws.

According to Ogunlade, LASTMA has also embarked on reforms to reposition the agency.

He said the agency has continued to improve its human and institutional capacity for an accident-free and unimpeded flow of traffic in the state.

The agency had been incapacitated in the past in this area because of its relevance on privately owned tow trucks which were often ineffective and inadequate.

That was why former Governor Mr Babatunde Fashola invested in the rehabilitation of the vehicles which had been grounded for years.

The LASTMA chief said the agency has embarked on human capacity training to ensure seamless traffic flow.

He said: “Our personnel have undergone local and overseas trainings in order to improve traffic management efficiency and service delivery. This is coupled with other trainings on good conduct; inter-personal relationship, quick response to road safety and emergency and having a knowledge of

• LASTMA’s tow trucks’ fleet. Inset: LASTMA officers at a training.

Stories by Adeyinka Aderibigbe

the law.”

These trainings were responsible for the new found relationship between the agency, stakeholders and motoring public and an improved motorists’ voluntary compliance with traffic laws.

LASTMA’s Provost Marshal Mr Biliamin Apena said many departments have been reorganised, repackaged, upgraded and equipped with state- of- the- art facilities to improve their efficiency.

Apena, who confirmed that the agency’s image is still being soiled by some of its officers, said LASTMA has sufficient rules to deal with bad eggs.

He said: “At all our trainings or seminars, the attention of our men are drawn to the state traffic laws, the criminal code and the Nigerian Constitution. We have also being sanctioning our men and between 2003 and last year, over 400 LASTMA officers were either disciplined, sanctioned or prosecuted.”

Apena said adequate provisions are in place to take care of the welfare of all its officers adding that they now work in a serene work environment to boost officers’ morale.

The government, he said, have also placed premium on traffic officers’ safety and security through the provision of insurance and welfare package while an annual award was instituted to appreciate dedicated staff. He

Tapping into water transport goldmine Of 10,000 kilometres of inland waterways, 3,00 km are navigable, leaving 7,000 km spanning 28 states for the picking, CHIKODI OKEREOCHA reports.

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ITH Nigeria boasting of over 10,000 kilometres (km) network of inland waterways, out of which 3,000 km are navigable, it is easy to see why Bras Marine and Yacht Services Limited, a new player in the inland waterways, thinks it is for the picking.

The authorised representative of United States-based Sea Ray Boats and Cruisers in Nigeria, Bras Marine, which started operations 18 months ago, has carved a niche for itself in the sales, lease, and servicing of luxury boats and cruisers.

“The market is huge and the potential in our waterways enormous,” Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Bras Marine and Yacht Services Limited, Mr. Abayomi Sonuga, told The Nation during its “Annual Boat and Yacht Exhibition,” at Bay Lounge, Lekki, Lagos, last week.

To underscore the huge opportunities in the business, Sonuga said his company, a subsidiary of Bras Ventures Limited, which also encompasses Bras Motors Limited, would go beyond the sale of luxury boat brands and cruisers.

“We intend to go into marine transport. We are also looking at patrol boats for the Police, the Navy, and oil and gas companies, including charter services to cater for those who wish to celebrate on the lagoon, or take their families out for a weekend cruise,” he explained.

The company’s next plan, Sonuga said, is to expand to Port Harcourt.

He said the company’s ultimate plan is to hit the entire West African market.

According to him, the company has

started getting enquiries from Ghana, and Sea Ray is aware. He said Bras Marine has signed a partnership deal with Sea Ray Marine, a Knoxville, USbased globally renowned luxury boat and yacht builder with 30 per cent market share.

Describing Sea Ray as “a good technical partner,” Sonuga said the company encouraged Bras Marine by offering it incentives to make it competitive.

“It is those incentives that we are passing on to consumers that these boats are cheaper than bringing in used boats,” he said, pointing out that about 90 per cent of boats in Nigeria are used boats.

The partnership, The Nation also learnt, gives Bras Marine and Yacht Services Limited access to genuine parts and accessories produced by Brunswick Marine, makers of Mercury engines. Brunswick Marine owns Mercury and Sea Ray. Already, as part of the partnership, Sea Ray has sent technical personnel to train Nigerians.

“It’s cheaper for us if they train us here, than having to always fly out for trainings. They will also train quartermasters,” Sonuga explained.

General Manager, Business Development, Sea Ray and Median Yachts, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Mr. Marcel Rijnbeek, confirmed that the firm controls 30 per cent market share in the US, and that its services are backed by good after sales service. He also said the company has presence in countries such as Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, and South Africa, among others, as well as over 200 dealers across the world. He said Sea Ray, which de-

signs, builds, supplies and maintains a range of luxury boats, has over the years built its reputation on quality and reliability matched with superior design and innovation. The boats have elegant styling and superior technology and craftsmanship, ensuring that once in water they surge with matchless strength and performance.

Sonuga said: “The lifestyle of the rich and famous in Nigeria is changing. For the same amount they used in buying cars, they could as well buy boats for relaxation, family outings and tourism. We want to take the pressure off these class of people.”

He said the company is determined to ease the pains of transportation in Lagos and across the country. The idea is to change the perception of Nigerians that boats and yachts are meant only for top business executives.

Sonuga said Nigerians who cannot afford outright payment for any of the boats and cruisers can lease. Some of the eye-popping, state-of-the-art boats on display at the exhibition are Sundancer 310, a 31-feet boat with $250, 000 price tag; Sundeck 240, a 24feet boat that costs about $111,000, with capacity for 10 passengers; Sundeck 270, a 27-feet boat that costs about $134,000 with 20 people on board, a bed and storage compartments.

Also on display were Sundancer 310, a 31-feet boat that cost $200, 000 with a cabin, two refrigerators, kitchenette; Sea Ray Venture 370, a 37-feet boat that costs $400, 000 with two kitchens, bedroom, and dinning set.

It accommodates about 25 people.

said many were dismissed for various acts that were at variance with the state Civil Service rules and regulations.

The Head of Recovery Department Mr Henry Akintomide said the refurbished tow vehicles would boost the agency‘s capacity to remove broken down vehicles from the roads, help ensure safety, free flow of and improve service delivery.

He urged public to respect traffic law and cooperate with traffic officers.

He also urged aggrieved motorists to make use of LASTMA’s feedback mechanism to lodge complaints against any infraction against any LASTMA officers. “Such would be treated with despatch and without fear or favour,”Akintomide said.

‘Stop pleading for traffic offenders’

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HE Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) has urged monarchs, political leaders and other dignitaries to stop pleading for motorists and motorcyclists arrested for breaking traffic rules.

According to Ota Zone II Commanding Officer Adekunle Ajibade, pleading for traffic offenders is like promoting indiscipline among road users.

He was briefing reporters in his office on the crashes in Ado Odo/ Ota Local Government Area of the state in which some lives were lost.

Ajibade described those who drive against traffic as killers who are not worth pleading for, but should be made to face the law.

“Pleading for traffic offenders gives them more confidence to continue flouting traffic laws. It gives them assurance that someone will plead for them after committing an offence, he said.”

Such pleads, he said, made it difficult for the agency to curb reckless driving.

Giving instances where reckless driving had resulted into fatal accident, Ajibade said one person was killed last Friday by a motorcyclist otherwise known as okada rider, who rode against the traffic at late hour. He said the two Okada riders had a head-on collision because one of them had no headlight and was over-speeding.

Also at Abestos Bus Stop on Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway, he said a Peugeot 504 saloon car with registration number BG 719 BEN, also rammed into an abandoned blue Mercedes Benz Cabstar truck

with registration number APP 345 XF, due to overloading and overspeeding.

A girl believed to be about 10 years old, who sat in the front of the car died instantly while several others were injured.

According to him, there was another accident on Owode-Ijako Road, after Sona Breweries also in Ota, involving a Ford bus marked FKJ 885 XF, which rammed into a damaged MAN Diesel truck parked on the road, killing a woman and injuring several others.

Ajibade asked motorists to be safety conscious, urging them to stop parking indiscriminately on the road.

According to him, any illegally parked vehicle will be impounded and the driver/owner prosecuted.

He advised motorcyclists to use crash helmets and obey traffic rules.

The Corps Director of Operations, Prince Olaseni Ogunyemi, also reiterated the need for road users to be safety conscious.

He appealed to motorists and commercial cyclists to avoid speeding and to ensure they use safety helmets, avoid overloading and reckless driving.

According to him, enough public campaigns and enlightenment had been done by the traffic managers. The next stage, Ogunyemi said, is enforcement, adding that the Corps will no longer tolerate indiscipline from riders and drivers.

He said anyone flouting traffic rules would be prosecuted and undergo psychiatric test.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: Nigeria has never been in lack of leaders since she became an independent nation.

However, Nigeria - like many other countries of the world - has been in lack of what Dr. Myles Munroe describes in his book, The Power of Character in Leadership, as “genuine leadership in their leaders”.

No leader, no matter his level of educational attainment, oratory ability, charismatic prowess, giftedness, spirituality, or what have you; can ever go far and achieve meaningful and remarkable results in his period of leadership if he lacks in the right dose - the moral force of a noble and stable character - which makes it possible for such leader(s) to exhibit a huge of sense of morality and conscientiousness in their dealings; a high sense of decisiveness in their decisions making; as well as lead the people with humility, empathy, integrity and with the desired resilience needed to lead them unto the path of development and palpable growth in their economic, social, political cum cultural and otherwise well-being.

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net

Letter to new leaders Nigeria has over the years been mired in the muddy waters of corruption, nepotism/favouritsm, economic backwardness, ethno-religious crises, crimes and a high spate of moral decadence, infrastructural decay, youth unemployment, burgeoning insecurity of lives and property, just to mention but a few. And over this period of time, the country has also had leaders who had made lofty promises of tackling and/or ameliorating these challenges, all to no avail.

If there’s really any aspect that our leaders need to work on, it is their moral character. Overtime, there seems to be a total negligence of the place of morality and sound

National Assembly Nigerians deserve

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IR: As the Eighth National Assembly is being inaugurated today, Nigerians want to see blunt, wise, brave, intelligent, thorough and courageous lawmakers.

Those who will not spare even their party members and colleagues who choose a wrong path to the detriment of the citizens; those that will be unmovable when they reach a conclusion about the right thing that ought to be done, those that have sense of details and deep knowledge of policy, especially given their roles as monitors of federal agencies.

Nigerians expect lawmakers that will not be the proponents of ‘take a bow and go’ during the screening of nominees for appointments; those that will consider congressional and committee hearings as critical part of their jobs, those that will not compromise committees and probe panels, those that won’t

allow evasive witness to outwit them.

We need those that will fight for the working class, health care, education; those that will penalise discriminations and those that will shun playing religious, ethnic, tribal and regional cards for the betterment of our country.

As one of the highest paid legislators in the world, we expect various legislative committees to employ Professors, Ph.D holders, retired career civil servants, analysts and professionals as technical /special/legislative assistants who are more update with the current global challenges and trends. The change Nigerians are yearning for will not come to be without the dedication, patriotism and scarifies from the legislative arm of government.

• Ibrahim Muye Yahaya Muye, Niger State.

character which has really been the brain behind the obvious endemic corruption on every facet of nation and our lives.

It’s no news that, in spite of the huge budgetary provisions and investments so far made, for instance, in the power sector, all we’ve had is everything but desirable power supply. As President Muhammadu Buhari puts it in his inaugural speech; “it’s a national shame that an economy of 180 million people generates only 4, 000MW, and distributes even less. Continuous tinkering with the structures of power supply and distribution, and close

to $20b expanded since 1999 have only brought darkness, frustration, misery, and resignation among Nigerians. We will not allow this to go on.”

The above statement by our President is a true pointer to the fact that the leaders that who had managed the funds meant to make our power sector work lacked the moral force of a noble and a stable character to help make all the financial investments made on this very crucial aspect of our economy bring to fruition. The same is the case with every other aspect of the economy.

Our leaders in this new dispensa-

tion must bear it in mind that leadership is a privilege given to them by we, the followers. It’s never a right! And this is the nature of a genuine moral character in leaders which entails that they must adhere to all the ethics of their offices.

My dear newly elected leaders, now that the die is cast and the battle line of leadership drawn, would you want to go back on the campaign and otherwise promises you made to us, your followers, and mar your image and our trust in you? Wouldn’t you rather stick to the moral force of a noble and stable character and dispatch your functions in that line? Wouldn’t you rather stick to the ethics of your offices and conduct yourselves in most ethical manner? Well, you can choose to do or become whatever you want in the next four years this dispensation will last.

• Daniel Ndukwe Ekea, Umuahia, Abia State.

Halliburton: A good start for PMB

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IR: In line with his electioneering campaign promises, President Buhari a couple of days ago, directed that an investigative committee made up of representatives of all the security agencies should complete the investigation into the much-publicized Halliburton bribery case.

The Halliburton bribery case was a bribe-for-contract scandal which ravaged the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) projects. In the scam, billions of dollars of the nation’s money were wasted resulting in contract inflation and bribes for the leaders who supervised the deals on behalf of Nigeria and Nigerians. Even though, the trial conducted in the United States resulted in convictions, fines and forfeitures, the United States government has been reluctant to help Nigeria recover the funds, because of the failure of the government to prosecute the big-wigs behind the scam, as an Abuja high court struck out the case

against six Nigerians who were arraigned in connection with the bribery scandal that took place between 1994 to 2004.

Looting and collection of bribes has almost become a legitimate endeavor in Nigeria, especially If you are one of the “big boys” and you belong to the “looters club” or the “eating-class”. Being a member of the “club” provides free access to the treasury, lots of opportunities for looting, and also immunity and freedom from prosecution. It’s the small-time fronts who are usually arraigned and prosecuted by the anti-corruption agencies in the law court, while the “big-fishes” are left alone to enjoy their loots, living lavishly and cruising in choice exotic and flashy cars.

Even when the big criminals are finally caught and taken to court for prosecution, many of the corrupt judges use the opportunity as privilege to collect their own share of the loot. The integrity of the ju-

diciary has come under intense questioning from Nigerians, as a result of the ways corrupt public officers and officials were virtually given a pat in the back through sentences and fines that are far from being commensurate with the millions and billions they looted.

Nigerians are waiting to see how the Halliburton bribery case unfolds as this will be used as a ‘litmus test’ to measure the sincerity, political will, the resolve and the commitment of this administration to fight corruption. We hope to see more of the abandoned high-profile cases of corruption revisited by the Buhari administration, not only with the aim of bringing offenders to book and getting them to return their loots, but to serve as deterrent to others who may be willing and planning to dip their hands into the collective resources and wealth of Nigerians.

• Hussain Obaro, Ilorin, Kwara State

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

21

COMMENTS

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Between Tinubu and Fashola KINWUNMI Ambode, the new then, a biblical parallel. Tinubu Lagos governor may, Bible-speak, was the David that built the have gained a “settled kingdom”, kingdom from scratch: and where much seems to work. fought all of the wars, politics Everybody perhaps would remember and policy.

Babatunde Fashola, SAN, immediate past Fashola was the neargovernor, who bolted off the starting Solomon. A relatively settled blocks, zoomed through an eight-year polis provided a launch pad for gubernatorial marathon like a sprint, and his brilliant policies, vaulting breasted the tape hardly betraying any Olakunle Lagos as a national poster boy fatigue. lordbeek1@gmail.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola of sane governance, though But perhaps a little less would Fashola’s Solomon-like policy remember Bola Tinubu. Back in 1999 and harshness, in some areas, would 2007, Asiwaju Tinubu’s power advent and make many wish he was exit were much less dramatic — and much imbued with higher emotional more traumatic. intelligence. Still, he brilliantly In 1999, he was transitional governor applause; orchestrating the swift reaction to the Dana Air crash, from the military, that collapsed about everything. True Buba fulfilled his moniker of the “Actualiser”. gifting victims immediate relief; imposing the governor as Marwa, Tinubu’s immediate predecessor and retired Army So, where comes Mr. Ambode in all of this? That is a tough passionate environmental freak, creating numerous gardens and brigadier-general, proved his own mettle. But all was ad hoc, one. parks all over the metropolis; staging the yearly Lagos Black “military standard” that could hardly be built upon. So, Governor Not for him the strategic lethargy of Tinubu’s entry and exit.

Heritage Festival — on the surface a Brazilian-like carnival, but Tinubu’s starting point was much slower and less dramatic.

Not for him the blistering brilliance of Fashola’s gubernatorial really a practical report card of state-trained artisans in varied In 2007, Tinubu’s exit was no less sluggish. sprint. Just a humdrum entry — less to do with his own putative skills, who design and sew the carnival costumes; and nearOn the politics front, he was emerging from the bruising battle brilliance, but more with the joyful sadness that things appear magically reclaiming Oshodi from a den of traders, staking their with a bully Federal Government, under President Olusegun settled and placid. democratic right to corner a major highway as illicit mart.

Obasanjo. Obasanjo illegally seized Lagos council funds, to Just as well Mr. Ambode has prayed for the wisdom of You bet nobody now remembers the notorious Oshodi bring Tinubu’s government to heel, over its creation of Solomon during his tenure. Indeed, he would need some gridlock, that virtually closed down the vital Agege-Motor road additional 37 local governments. But the council funds battle Solomon complex to make his own mark in post-1999 Lagos.

— pit black at night, where muggers, petty robbers and was under a wider war, by the then ruling Peoples Democratic Still, a Solomon syndrome is a double-edge sword. Solomon pickpockets made hay!

Party (PDP), to crush the opposition, of which Tinubu was chief was the wisest man in history, who drove unprecedented Just as even less remember those bad, bad days, back in 1999, irritant. prosperity in a secure Israel. But his idolatry and policy harshness when Lagos was a mountain of refuse, a rubble of broken On the policy front, the Lagos metropolis was a vast work-inalso tore up the kingdom of David. infrastructure, a bastion of crime and epitome of sheer paralysis, progress. Yes, much of the Lagos Business District (LBD) The comfort though — and that comfort is not at all cold! — is which former President Obasanjo once infamously dismissed as infrastructure renewal had been completed, with the out-going that Ambode has been pretty much an insider, in the renascent a “jungle”!

Governor Tinubu commissioning the Tinubu Square fountain post-1999 Lagos. As Lagos accountant-general, he was key to Why, a populist attempt at security almost backfired! The new and adjoining works, at the very dusk of his governorship. But the financial re-engineering of the Bola Tinubu years.

Tinubu government changed the Marwa elite crime busting much of Lagos was still dug up for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Indeed, during the fierce council funds war, he was there, a squad from Operation Sweep to Rapid Response Force, only for tracks. From exiting Tinubu to Lagos then, it was a trauma of dutiful civil service technocrat, helping his political masters to somebody to realise you could not have another force inside the rebirth. create an adequate fiscal response to the dire emergency. police force! So, the new name became Rapid Response Squad And with trauma, there is less drama.

But there is a gulf between stepping out to call the shots and (RRS).

But the BRT offered Mr. Fashola his proverbial low hanging orchestrating things from the hot comfort of the policy room.

That prompted many an impatient media analyst to dismiss fruits, with which he hit the ground running. In virtually no So, Mr. Ambode’s power-entry strategy could well be ensuring the Tinubu government — just as not a few, even in the informed time, he would make his signal presence on the environment, those Fashola-era policies click even more tick-tock: inviolability media, are already dismissing the new Buhari presidency — as greening the hitherto grey Lagos Marina; and in the night, of BRT tracks, keep suicidal Okada riders off the highways, a zero long in sloganeering but painfully short in innovative ideas. dressing it in a blaze of lighting, to Lagosians’ lusty cheer but tolerance for crimes, a special eye on Oshodi and its trafficEven, Tinubu’s starting billboard ad, likening him to the Indian criminals’ dire gripe. subversive traders, further greening and clean-up of Lagos — Mahatma Gandhi and the great Chief Obafemi Awolowo, He would later stamp his inimitable persona of governor as generally consolidating the old order. playing on the similar shape of the pair of glasses the trio wore, rigorous thinker: lighting up major highways at night; birthing Then, an aggressive tackle of inner-city roads, an area many a became a butt of jokes. a landmark public-private sector security innovation that made critic insists Fashola did not do so well.

That jeer would last for no less than two years, during which Lagos a safe haven, in a desert of violent crimes; spearheading But Ambode’s entry big-bang may well be the delivery of the the Tinubu government dug deep and came up with new the Ebola rapid response and curtailment that earned global light rain mass transit, which Tinubu conceived and Fashola sustainable developmental paradigms: the Oracle been working on.

“Ambode’s entry big-bang may well be computerisation to plug leaks in the salary bill, the public- had On that, President Muhamadu Buhari owes Lagos. His first private-participation model in waste management and, of course, the delivery of the light rain mass transit, the revolutionary tactics to drive up internally generated revenue coming as military head of state scrapped the Jakande-era Lagos which Tinubu conceived and Fashola had (IGR), that would lay the foundation for Lagos’ partial financial Metroline project. Governor Ambode must leverage on party amity and Lagos’ special status to ensure Buhari’s second coming independence, while most other states succumbed to the financial been working on” rights that historic wrong. profligacy of the Goodluck Jonathan presidential years.

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epublican ipples

Ambode and King Solomon’s complex

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HE ongoing struggle for Oil Mining Lease (OML) 42 acreages between Neconde Energy Limited and the National Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) has appeared in the media often, lately. The NPDC has in recent time tried to deny Neconde the operatorship of the OML 42 it acquired in 2012. NPDC’s persistent call for the reversal of the award of the operatorship of OML 42 which was acquired by Neconde Limited is indeed suspect. Still, it brings to focus, a need to explicate NPDC’s excesses, as it appears incapable of coping with best practices among local players in the oil industry.

Neconde, the company being dragged into dispute by NPDC, is a Nigerian Exploration and Production (E &P) firm which started its operations officially in December 2011. Its current joint venture with NPDC on OML 42 is a large license, containing previously discovered oil fields in the Niger Delta area. This lease was acquired from Shell Petroleum Development Company in November 2011. OML 42 is 814 square kilometre lease originally awarded in 1962. Initial production commenced in 1969 and aggregate production from the five fields discovered within OML 42 reached a peak of approximately 250,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (bopd) in the 1970’s. Production, which was primarily oil, continued until the first part of 2005 when the producing fields were shut-in due to security issues in the Niger Delta. Production at the time of the shut-in was more than 50,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) and more than 80 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/ d) of natural gas.

On OML 42, there are five fields and numerous wells. Some of the fields located in OML42 include; Odidi Field, Jones Creek, Batan Field, Egwa Field and associated facilities. The current production from OML 42 is approximately 10,000 bopd, and still growing. Noteworthy is that, output in OML 42 was 15,000BOPD when the Sales Purchase Agreement was concluded between Shell and Neconde in mid-2011. As of April 30, 2013, roughly two years after, the production was 13,241bopd. It is evident that the relationship between companies it entered into partnership has not been smooth.

Recently, the NPDC branch of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) embarked on a limited two hour per-day strike between May 4 and May 11.

The strike action was supported by arguments through advertorials on the pages of some newspapers on Monday, May 11. It expressed that Neconde was not competent to operate OML 42 which it bought for a purchase price subject to closing adjustments of $585 million from Shell, of which $435 million was paid by consortium partners, with the rest of the $150 million of the total purchase price funded through Neconde debt financing.

How does anyone compare the commitment of NPDC to that of a private investor, who after scouting around the world to buy acreage with such a huge amount, would not want to perform well? The truth is, if NPDC potentials were to be

Local players and best practices in Nigeria’s oil industry

By Olaolu Olaleye optimal, the likes of Neconde, Seplat and others would not opt for operatorship, as it would imply reduced cost on staff overhead. Mindless of the several arguments being propagated by NPDC in the media, even a layman understands the culture of lack of ownership prevalent in the Nigerian public sector. It is only imperative that Neconde and other private investors will invest in the best competent technological advancement, as its business profit has to be won. This contrasts NPDC with nothing at stake, but a management whose major interest is to find contractors that will allot rewards from awarded contracts.

During the strike action by the NPDC branches of PENGASSAN and NUPENG over the transfer of OML 42 to Neconde Energy, about 100,000 b/d of NPDC’s oil production was shut down. This shows a flippant handling of national assets. The strike even resulted on a near blackout in the nation, because they also shut operations of the very important Trans Forcados Pipeline (TFP), where the vital associated gas, needed for processing and distribution to the nation’s many thermal power plants.

Evidently, NPDC appears not to have lived up to its responsibility of “development” – which the dictionary explains as, “improving by expanding, enlarging or refining.” Rather the recent fight over easing operatorship is unsettling, and ironic, regarding that its ineptitude was the reason the government had earlier withdrawn operatorship from NPDC and offered Joint Operatorship Model (JOM), based on a recommendation by the DPR to the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

For instance, its underproduction is evident in the Shoreline Natural Resources acquired OML 30, which has nine flow stations with a conglomerate production of capacity of 395, 00 barrels of oil per day (bopd). It include the flow stations Afiesere, 60,000bpd; Eriemu, 30,000bpd; Evwreni, 30,000bpd; Kokori, 90,000 bpd; Olomoro- Oleh, 60,000bpd; Oroni, 30,000 bpd; Osioka, 15,000bpd; Oweh, 30,000bpd and Uzere West, 60,000bpd. Under NPDC, the current operatorship is around 53, 000bpd, with 342, 000bpd largely unexploited. The entry of indigenous private firms was suggested as a way to bolster

production and exploration.

In 2011, NPDC was assigned 55% equity assets divested by Shell, while it retained operatorship of OMLs 4, 26, 30, 34, 38, 40, 41 and 42—which is most of the assets. Yet, the corporation underutilised all oil fields under its control, which in effect caused a downturn in the nation’s oil and gas industry. The emergence of local players like Seplat, Neconde, Elcrest, Sapetro, is very vital to the process of injecting new competitive edge in the upstream and increase production.

As it appears, NPDC prefers to act as a clog in the wheel of this partnership. It is indeed interesting that NPDC which operated OML 42 unproductively until the Neconde takeover would be the candidate to point out underproduction, which is rather incongruous.

Currently, 10 per cent of Nigeria’s gross production is still local, and this number will increase, with the increasing production of indigenous companies. Seplat for instance, which fortunately was not dragged into the partnership with NPDC has reported about 60, 000bpd of production from OML 4, OML 41 and OML 38, formerly owned by Shell, which include the Oben, Ovhor, Sapele, Okporhuru, Amukpe fields. Before the divestment, these assets produced 30,00bpd. The company continues to increase its production in each operation. Earlier in the year, despite industry downturn, it added 40 percent working interest in OML 53 and an effective 22.5 percent working interest in OML 55 in February. These assets will, in the future, add materially to the company’s production base and provide options for further development.

To make accusations that Neconde seeks to place national assets in a few private hands is ironic, especially as NPDC is well-known in the industry for its management which benefits from contract awards as operators of OML. On close study, it appears NPDC’s little impact in the increment of production and efficient management of Nigerian oil wells and facilities makes it dread that its incompetence might become even more glaring, should Neconde take full responsibility of OML 42, hence the recent mudslinging.

It is imperative to note, that NPDC’s clamour for a reversal of the OML 42 award might not be in the best interest of the nation, and it should be not be allowed to undermine the possibilities and success achievable by private investors. NPDC must not be left to use its position as a “national” auxiliary to intimidate a legal company which underwent a transparent screening for a business deal, so that the continuous rise of best practice local player in the Nigerian oil and Gas industry, can bring about the awaited revolution. Also, this might be the time to examine the rot and inadequacies which is prevalent in NPDC, and review the resulting effect on the economy, from the expansion of indigenous technological expertise to the creation of new and local financing opportunities in Nigeria.

• Olaleye, an Oil and Gas expert writes from Abuja.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

22

COMMENTS

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ITH the dawn of Super Tuesday for the election of the Senate President and Speaker House of Representatives, we have seen party discipline fall by the way side as many leading members, driven by over ambition are willing to work against the ruling party in other to satisfy their narrow political interest. The refusal of the Saraki and the Dogara camps to line up behind the candidates picked by the party, APC, is an affront on party cohesion and discipline.

This is what we are been confronted with within the APC as we choose our senate President and Speaker of the House today. Let no man however deservedly placed in the party misunderstand the opportunities at play and the fundamental significance of unity in the power play that will determine who becomes Senate President or Speaker of the House.

Politics is the study of human behaviour and interaction. Politicking is the intervention of forces beyond commonsense and a display of an amalgamation of who secures both power and authority. Power and authority is one tool in the methodology of politics that help develop and shape cohesion in the development of the state and the furtherance of democratic ideals for peace stability and good governance. Power sometimes is transient and is sought after at all cost to make possible authority governance peace and progress.

Today within the APC, there is power play in the quest for authority. Authority determines how power is and can be used, for one without the other makes the doctrine of separation of powers intangible. Personalities help wield power, authority vindicates power and creates conformity and cohesion. Party leaders are trusted in the determination and formation of government. The essence of democratic government lies solely with the nomination of trusted party faithful into positions of authority to legislate, implement party policy and manifesto and deliver dividends of democracy to the people. The sacri-

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S the nation continues to groan under chronic power supply shortage which has regressed from epileptic to comatose and defied all projections for improvement despite massive injection of public and private funds, it is appropriate to examine the power sector reform in order to identify the problems militating against attainment of the desired goals.

The major drivers for reform and privatization of the power sector were inadequacy of funding and non-judicious management of the resources available which is better known as corruption. The sector suffered unprecedented neglect under successive military administrations. Attempts to revamp it under the fourth civilian administration were bungled by over-bearing political influence. Political administrators muzzled the technocrats and usurped their roles in the conception and award of contracts leading to shoddy execution of projects and protracted delays. We are witnesses to power projects being uncompleted more than 10 years after contract award! The doctrine of urgency with which they were conceived without detailed planning and awarded did not translate into expedition in execution. Project completion costs bear no comparison with prices on award!

Although President Obasanjo initiated the reform process as far back as year 2000, he could not get the much needed support of the legislature to push through the power sector reform bill during his first term in office. The Electric Power Sector Reform Act was eventually passed in April 2005 when the much needed legal backing took effect. Rather than continue where his predecessor left off, President Yar’Adua back-pedalled on the reform process and re-appointed two sacked directors of PHCN who turned the hands of the clock backwards by re-integrating unbundled PHCN entities.

Nudged on by the doggedness of his minister of power – Prof. Bart Nnaji, President Jonathan, in a rare display of courage, demonstrated the political will to get it running again. Thus a clear road map was launched in August 2010 in anticipation of completion of privatization by mid-2011. However, external and internal entrenched interests determined to frustrate the process manifested their opposition through the various workers unions and caused untold delays to the privatization exercise which was finally concluded two and half years later in November 2013.

The privatization of the power sector has therefore come a long way having met the

Saraki and the limits of over ambition

By Babanmutum Abdullahi fice is huge and so a consensus ad idem must be met to create a primus inter pares at both houses of assembly. The Senate President must have the confidence of the party in and out of the National Assembly and so must the Speaker.

The Speaker of the federal house of assembly in the APC has secured such assent.

Hon Femi Gbajabiamila has the support of the majority albeit a few dissents (though negligible and good for any democratic process) have had their voices heard. The senatorial presidential race is however portending danger. A disgruntled Bukola Saraki is looking to the opposition party to help him secure a majority in his quest for victory in the race for Senate President. What if he gets his way and he becomes Senate President will ambition be made of sterner stuff or will ambition have planted a seed of discord within the party? How does he forge ahead in leadership? Will his power have authority or will he have authority and his powers eroded? As an experienced Young Turk, is his ambition, like Julius Ceaser’s or unlike it? Will he scuttle the change ideals and programmes he deserted the PDP for or will he have compromised his ideology and so become an unreliable leader and third most powerful Nigerian?

The party is now being polarised and huge sentiments are rumoured within the ranks and file of leadership as to the value of such an admired person who brought hope and drive to their leadership being young vibrant agile intelligent and full of promise. As in the tale of Shakespeare’s Julius Ceaser, is ambition going to deal the APC a deadly blow?

We must all wrestle with our conscience in this common sense revolution built solidly from scratch to overcome tyranny, oppression, victimisation, repression, want, stagnation, insecurity, corruption and many ills to develop a new nation. Will the race for Senate President destroy our humble beginnings or will common sense prevail?

I am a believer in party supremacy. Towing the party line can never be to the detriment of a minority group or individual. On the contrary, it creates strength from the dissenting voice. Working outside of the party is blackmail and as a defector sends a wrong signal. The position of Senate President is sacrosanct and many have voiced and opined privately the raison detre of a former defector being considered to such powerful sensitive position. The wanton disregard for party supremacy begs this question on the lips of party faithful and the inability of Senator Bukola Saraki to conform leaves sour grapes on the lips and minds of the leadership. Trust is key. What is his hurry and why can’t he wait for why must he be Senate President at all cost? If he wins within the APC caucus, then his ambition has been made of sterner stuff but if he goes outside the APC in parliament and secures victory from his former colleagues, he throws a clog into the wheel of change and compromises the new executive in its quest to build a transparent viral incorruptible government. His ambition challenges the doctrine of separation of powers ....his ambition rubbishes the whole efforts garnered to bring about change. He becomes a liability so incalculable and undemocratic he deserves expulsion from the party.

Let no observer of the 8th Assembly formation doubt the unscrupulous behaviour of this intelligent promising Young Turk and find justification in what political feat he is

Power Sector Reform: What went wrong?

By Oye Eribake key internationally recognized success factors. Why, then, have we not enjoyed the benefits?

The ownership of power assets changed hands on the premise that the private sector is able to mobilise funds and use them more efficiently that the public sector.

Two different models were employed in the privation process. The overriding objective for the DISCOs was system upgrade and improvement. The prices were pre-determined, bidders were required to showcase their experience, understanding of the assets on sale and business plan for improved service delivery. For the GENCOs, pricing was an added competition criterion.

The attempts by the bidders to go beyond the data room to verify the state of the assets was frustrated by the electricity workers unions. They depended largely on information packaged by evaluators appointed by the seller - BPE. Even if the evaluators’ assessments were of acceptable quality, degradation of the assets as a result of continued use during the protracted interlude between the time of assessment and asset transfer was obviously not captured in the transactions. It was therefore not surprising to hear complaints from the buyers of the appalling condition of most of the assets. The implication is that the business plans needed to be revised ab initio. More funds are needed than projected. Payback period is jeopardized.

Additional loans are required etc. The capacities of local lenders, on the other hand, are known to be stretched. Power is not the only sector sourcing for financing, the oil & gas sector is witnessing massive divestments!

To further compound the situation, the GENCOs are paralysed by shortage of gas.

This is a national self-inflicted perennial problem which has its roots in lack of appropriate pricing of the commodity. For decades, policy makers failed to appreciate that gas gathering and processing is capital intensive. Seeing that gas was being flared in the oil fields, they expected it to be delivered to government owned GENCOs at give-away prices.

The creation of a Gas &Power Division in NNPC and the formulation of a national gas

policy have now tilted the balance towards more realistic pricing which of course has not motivated the IOCs sufficiently to invest in gas field development projects, the situation is further compounded by their systematic disengagement from onshore activities.

Even when they are reluctantly willing to do so, JV funding is an ever present clog in the wheel.

The solution of this age-old problem demands flexibility on the part of the government with respect to pricing policy and JV funding.

Rather than holding on tenaciously to the present price regime of US$2.50 per 1,000 scft of gas, policy makers will do well to harmonise the price with the going supply price to the Bonny LNG which may just not be substantially higher than US$2.50. The variability of that price vis-à-vis crude oil price is believed to be favoured by the IOCs against a regulated fixed price.

Public ownership of generation and distribution assets has failed us. The government reluctantly yielded to the option of reform and privatization when it became clear that it could no longer meet the financial requirements needed to maintain existing facilities not to talk of further investments towards meeting the ever growing demand. The per capita power consumption of Nigeria ranks among the world’s lowest.

The capacity of the private sector to raise funds and out-perform the public sector has been demonstrated in the telecom sector and also in the acquisition of the power assets.

The buyers have only recently mounted the saddle. Time was needed to appraise the acquired assets and revise whatever business plans they bidded with. Unlike what happened in the telecom sector, the power companies cannot start on a clean slate and the acquired assets have suffered from many years of neglect.

The government should by no means yield to calls for reversal of the privatization exercise under any guise or pressure to do so.

Firstly, such a major policy somersault will generate ripples beyond our borders and the loss of credibility will be difficult to recover from. There is nothing wrong in reviewing the performance of GENCOs and DISCOs

trying to achieve. The doctrine of collective responsibility should be strictly adhered to at leadership levels. Decision into an exalted office of the Senate President should not be a matter of discord, acrimony, individual ambition or selfish jingoistic pride. The price for ambition beyond reason is high. Julius Caesar paid with life; let the lessons of Caesar be learnt an adopted to build a viral vibrant democracy devoid of personal interest ambition or self absolutism. Humility must prevail, pride buried and hope garnered for opportunity beckons on all selfless contributors into positions that will create great chances that will propel our new Republic to heights for the common good of all. Let our common sense revolution be our benefit. Let our party be united for the common good.

There should be a limit to ambition or is it over ambition. Saraki’s over ambition seeks to bring down the house. It has exposed Saraki as a desperate power monger who cares only about the room he occupies not the foundation that holds the building.

‘Let no observer of the 8th Assembly formation doubt the unscrupulous behaviour of this intelligent promising Young Turk and find justification in what political feat he is trying to achieve. The doctrine of collective responsibility should be strictly adhered to at leadership levels’ especially within the context of the covenants in the sale agreements and where there are defaults, sanctions should be applied. Such an exercise falls within the purview of the regulator and should not be politically engineered.

The government should concern itself with policies that will ensure success of the privatization and promotion of investments especially relating to hydro development and harnessing of coal for power generation.

Consumer protection is non-existent; such needs to be institutionalized. Many consumers both small and large complain bitterly about crazy/arbitrary bills imposed on them by the distribution companies. This is a fallout of the estimated billing approach practised by PHCN; this option was flagrantly abused when the distribution companies were given high revenue targets and the only way they could meet such was imposition of punitive charges on the consumers. The new DISCOs have an obligation to install pre-paid meters under the terms and conditions of the asset sales agreement; in the meantime, they continue to take advantage of the inherited estimated billing system to the disadvantage of the electricity-starved consumers. NERC has to wield the big axe and put a stop to this unwholesome practice. Such a measure will force the DISCOs to i) ensure installed meters are read and reflected in billings and ii) fasttrack installation of pre-paid meters rather than bloat their recurrent budget on account of engagement of meter readers.

• Eribake writes from Lagos.

‘Rather than holding on tenaciously to the present price regime of US$2.50 per 1,000 scft of gas, policy makers will do well to harmonise the price with the going supply price to the Bonny LNG which may just not be substantially higher than US$2.50. The variability of that price visà-vis crude oil price is believed to be favoured by the IOCs against a regulated fixed price’

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JUNE 9,

TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

25 in any country in the scheme of separa’tionTheoflegislature powers is the second most important after the executive, followed by the judiciary, and its mandate is to make laws in accordance with the constitution in order to further aspects of our constitutionalism that is meant to benefit the polity

’

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

See page 26

While handing over to President Muhammadu Buhari, former President Goodluck Jonathan urged him to implement the National Conference report. Will Buhari heed Jonathan’s advice, considering that the conference was born in controversy? PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU reports.

Whither National Conference Report?

A

GAINST all odds, former President Goodluck Jonathan on March 17, last year, inaugurated National Conference to discuss and proffer solutions to all issues affecting peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.

Critics of the conference described it as a jamboree since it has no legal backing.

Coming at a time of ethno-religious conflicts, political tensions, insecurity, massive unemployment and poverty, observers described the former President’s action as a ploy to win public sympathy.

Wondering why Jonathan never implemented any part of the recommendations including those that did not require the National Assembly’s approval, sceptics have insisted that the conference was meant to shore up support for him ahead of the last elections.

To them, the conference was a waste of resources, since its report is not binding nor can it be implemented without constitutional amendment, a duty which the legislature may not consider worthy.

There are two ways by which the conference’s recommendations can become effective this either through a constitutional amendment or a referendum.

For a constitution amendment, at least two-thirds majority of the states must be in support, aside the National Assembly, whereas, for a referendum to come into effect, all eligible voters would be required to participate to arrive at the final binding decisions.

the revenue allocation formula be amended such that 42.5 percent will be the Federal Government’s share, 35percent for the state government and 22.5 percent for the local government, with the percentage assigned to population and equality of states in the existing formula reduced to the benefit of the Social Development sector.

Also recommended was that the country adopts modified presidential system of government, tailored to its peculiarities with the President picking his vice from the Legislature; appointing not more than 18 ministers from the six geo-political zones with not more than 30 percent of his ministers picked outside the Legislature, as well as pruning down the number of political appointees so as to reduce cost of governance.

The issue

• President Buhari

THE 7th Senate passed 46 bills into law within 10 minutes on the eve of the end of its tenure. It attempted to justify its action by citing some standing orders, but constitutional lawyers condemned its action. They described what the defunct Senate did, as legislative recklessness and laziness, writes ADEBISI ONANUGA

Passage of 46 bills: It’s legislative recklessness, say lawyers

The recommendations

INSIDE:

Among its 633 recommendations were part-time legislature at all tiers of government; rotational presidency around the six geo-political zones of the country; the scrapping of joint State/Local Government account; the scarping of State Independent Electoral Commission, SIECs, and the removal of immunity on criminal charges for President and Governors.

The conference recommended that elected officials should automatically vacate their seats if they defect to another party; most of the responsibilities undertaken by the Federal Government be shifted to states and the central government should concern itself with issues of defence, foreign relations, monetary/economic policy and any issue affecting the entire states, and life imprisonment for persons convicted of raping minors.

It encouraged the creation of state police for states who desire it; the establishment of constitutional court as well as an anti-corruption court; the creation of 19 new states, with four allocated to

From law firms to executive mansions -Page 28

• Dr Jonathan

J

UST by voice vote, the defunct Senate, in an unprecedented manner, passed 46 bills after their introduction on the floor of the House. The bills, which were not debated by the Senate, had been passed to the upper chamber by the defunct House of Representatives several months ago for concurrence. But the senators chose not to do anything about the bills until the eve of the its exit.

The Senate adopted a special procedure for its concurrence on the bills. It invoked Order 1 (b) of the Senate Standing Order 2011 , as amended and also suspended Order 79 (1) of its Standing Orders. The Senate deemed all the bills as having passed first, second and third readings and passed them.

The Senate justified its action. It said since enough resources had been expended in processing the bills, there was the need to pass and forward them to the President the southeast for equity, and that creation or dissolution of local governments should be the business of states, by extension, suggesting a two-tier federal system; discouraged the sponsorship of pilgrimage by government and recommended that churches and mosques should pay

for his assent. The ‘’ayes” had their way when former Senate President David Mark called for voice votes. The development led to an uproar as some senators, including Domingo Obende, Edo State and George Sekibo, Rivers State, opposed the passage of the 46 bills done in less than 10 minutes without debate.

The 46 bills are the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Establishment etc) Act (Amendment), 2015; Office of the Nigerian Financial Ombudsman Bill; Institute of Chartered Trustees of Nigeria Bill; National Convicts and Criminal Records (Registry) Bill, 2015; Community Service Bill; People’s Bank of Nigeria Act (Repeal) Bill and Nigerian Bank for Commerce and Industry Act (Repeal); National Commission for Rehabilitation Act (Repeal) Bill; Maintenance Orders Act (Repeal) Bill, 2015; Federal Saving Bank Act (Repeal) Bill 2015; Loan (State Devel-

tax.

Others include compulsory military service for all Nigerians; approval of independent candidacy; appointment of 18 ministers with at least three from each of the six geopolitical zones; merger of states; and establishment of Independent Grand

Legal framework for prevention of terrorism -Page 38

•Continued on page 26

Jury to investigate impeachable offences against a sitting President.

On resource control, derivation and fiscal federalism, the conference recommended that government should set up a technical committee to determine the appropriate percentages for the issues. Confab resolved that

Double subsidy for fuel importers -Page 39

At the end of its four months, the confab made far reaching recommendations and presented its report to Jonathan who in turn forwarded same to the National Assembly for their review. Although many Nigerians expected the former President to implement those outcomes that did not require legislative backing, nothing was done.

Rather, Jonathan used the conference report as a campaign agenda, promising Nigerians of full implementation if re-elected.

However, that was not to be as the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the presidential election and at the moment, run the Federal Government.

Having handed over the report to Buhari with a request that it be implemented, many have wondered what the fate of the report would be, especially in view of the stance the APC took on the confab.

Some have wondered if the report would ever see the light of day, describing the exercise as a jamboree and wasteful venture initiated by the Jonathan administration to score political point.

But should the Buhari administration implement the report?

What should be done?

Lawyers react

Despite the shortcomings, lawyers say the current government should not abandon the report since crucial and burning issues affecting the nation were deliberated on.

They believe Buhari should with objectivity and national interest at heart, pick some of those important issues and ensure they are implemented while the frivo•Continued on page 26

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LAW COVER CONT’D

Whither National Conference Report?

•Continued from page 25

lous ones should be discarded.

Constitutional lawyer, Itse Sagay said it does not matter whether the confab was conveyed under any particular law, adding that the most important thing was that it was a gathering of Nigerians to discuss the future of the country.

He said the current government should not discard the recommendations as there were very useful issues among them that will enhance the country’s federalism.

According to him, the President Buhari administration should put together a team of seasoned constitutional lawyers to analyse the 633 recommendations of the confab with a view to separating the wheat from the weed.

He said: ‘‘The recommendations are worth considering. I think the incoming National Assembly should go through the report and select the appropriate recommendations such as the issue of state police, removal of labour and railway from the Exclusive Legislative List, attributing more power to the states. ‘‘But recommendations like creation of more states is absurd and senseless and should be discarded because I think it was pursued by people who want to suck this country dry. ‘‘After the National Assembly must have selected those recommendations that will improve our federalism and ensure rapid development and adopted by two-third majority, the process will then start all over again because it would have to be sent to all the State Houses of Assembly in the country. ‘‘The confab was not a waste of resources. How can we quarrel over N7 billion expended on discussions

aimed at moving our country forward when politicians are looting hundreds of billions? I think the money was well spent and for a good reason.’’

To Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), the confab was a complete waste of resources but its recommendation should not be thrown to the dustbin.

He accused the former president of not implementing even the part of the report that did not need the approval of the National Assembly, adding that the conference was convoked for political reasons. ‘‘Jonathan, who initiated the conference, did not implement a single recommendation, not even those that required presidential action. It was only during electioneering campaigns that he promised to implement the confab recommendations if re-elected. ‘‘It is obvious that the conference was set up for political advantage.

But I would not advise President Buhari to discard it. The current government can set up a committee to look into the desirability or otherwise of the report. ‘‘I think the confab was a waste of resources because delegates were not elected but handpicked by politicians. Also, it was not backed up by any law and their report was mainly advisory. What happened was that we put the cart before the horse. ‘‘This government should focus on reforming electoral process in order to get the right calibre of people at far less expense. If that is done, we will end up having a legislature that will enact laws that meet the aspirations of the people. ‘‘No matter how good the recommendations of the confab are, it will still pass through the legislature, at

•Sagay the moment made up of people with no business in lawmaking.

There is no way such calibre of people will enact laws that will benefit the society, while their motive is to recover the money they spent during election’’.

Similarly, former Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana advised the current administration to implement those recommendations that will enhance true federalism and national unity which prodemocrats have always clamoured.

He noted that what the Jonathan government did was to convoke a national conference with a sinister motive, but their opportunism did not stop the few credible delegates, who attended the confab from highlighting the major issues facing the country, ‘‘The point to be made is that the idea of a national conference predates the Jonathan administration.

It did not originate with the Jonathan presidency because it has been the people’s clamour for a very long time.

•Obayuwama ‘‘What the Jonathan government did was an attempt to score some political points. In trying to give the confab some credibility, it selected some credible people across the country. Although there was some measure of opportunism, some credible personalities canvassed those burning demands of the Nigerian people, such as restructuring, state police and true federalism. ‘‘There is nothing wrong with the current government picking some of those important issues and addressing them. The issues need to be attended to because they remain relevant in our national life. ‘‘Jonathan never intended to and did not take steps to implement the confab’s recommendations. No matter the shortcomings with the conference, those who attended were Nigerians and there were majority, as well as minority views on all issues. ‘‘I do not see the need for another National Conference, whether sovereign or not. All that is needed is for the current government to be guided with objectivism and national inter-

• Ngige est in dealing with issues affecting this country.’’

Another constitutional lawyer, Jonathan Iyieke said a constitutional amendment is not a mandatory requirement for the implementation of all the recommendations.

“It is spurious to think that without constitutional amendment to the 1999 Constitution, we cannot implement the recommendations of the national confab.

“The Buhari administration should establish a distinguished committee with men of proven integrity to critically look at the recommendations with a view to implementing them seriatim.

“By sections 8 (1) paragraphs a (iiii), b, c and d of the 1999 Constitution, there are abundant provisions on what to do in state creation.

“The recommendation should be implemented, local government fiscal autonomy with check and balances should be in place and state police put in abeyance until attainment of a reliable political system with attendant changes in the faculties of our corrupt politicians.”

Passage of 46 bills: It’s legislative recklessness, say lawyers •Continued from page 25

opment) Act (Repeal), 2015; Nigerians in Diaspora (Establishment) Commission, 2015; Electronic Transactions Bill, 2015; and Chartered Institute of Statiscians of Nigeria, 2015.

Also others are the Nigerian Metallurgical Industry Bill, 2014, Federal Audit Commission Bill, 2015, National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation Act (Amendment,) Bill, Nigerian International Financial Centre (Establishment, etc) Bill, Investment and Securities (Amendment) Bill and Nigerian Communications Satellite, Bill, Federal Capital Territory Education Resources Centre (Establishment) Bill; Labour Institutions (Establishment); Witness Protection Programme Bill; Institute of Mediators and Conciliators Bill; Legal Education Act (Establishment) Bill; National Health Insurance Commission Bill; National Economic Intelligence Committee (Establishment) Act (Repeal) Bill.

They also include Federal College Dental Technology and Therapy Bill, Federal Capital Territory College of Nursing and Midwifery Bill, Oaths Act (Amendment) Bill, Federal Capital Territory Hospital Management Board (Establishment) Bill, Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Bill, Chartered Institute of Management Accounts of Nigeria.

Also passed are Federal Capital Territory Water Board (Establishment) Bill, Institute of Local Government and Public Administration Bill, Whistle-blower Protection Bill, Family Economic Advancement Programme (Establishment, etc) 2015, Family Support Trust Fund Act (Repeal) Bill, Nigerian Industrial Development Bank (Guarantee) Act (Repeal) Bill, Treasury Management Bill

•Mark

•Edosomwan

2015; Legislative Powers and Privileges Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, Anti-Torture Bill, 2015; Lobbyist (Registration and Regulation) Bill, National Hospital for Women and Children, Abuja (Establishment, etc) Act (Amendment) Bill, Nigerian Prisons Act CAP, P29 LFN 2004 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2015 and Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill 2015.

Senator Ita Enang had tried to explain the exercise away by saying that they had to do what they did because that day was the only day they had left as the life span of the 7th Senate was about to expire adding, “if we do not, all the Bills would have become rubbish. These bills will be transmitted to the President

for assent.”

Much as plausible as Senator Enang’s explanation appeared to be and accepted, pundits however saw what the defunct Senate did in a different light because of the intricacies and complex nature of laws.

Observers are worried on the hastiness with which the bills were passed and the fear that the laws may be lacking in quality. They are more worried that the bills, since they were not debated, might fall short of the expectation of the larger society. They wondered why it took up to the last day of the life span of the 7th Senate assembly before coming to terms on the need to pass the bills all in one fell swoop.

•Fagbohungbe

Reactions Constitutional lawyers who reacted to the development include Chief Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan, Chief Felix Fagboungbe (SAN), Yinka Farounbi, Wahab Shittu, Abayomi Omoyinmi and Ikechukwu Ikeji. They described the action of the just ended 7th Senate assembly as legislative recklessness and laziness.

Chief Uwensuyi-Edosomwan, a former Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, condemned the hurried passage of the 46 bills as the session at which it was done lacked seriousness. To him, “ legislation is a serious business. The legislature in any country in the scheme of separation of powers is the second most important after the ex-

ecutive, followed by the judiciary, and its mandate is to make laws in accordance with the constitution in order to further aspects of our constitutionalism that is meant to benefit the polity. It is a very serious business and not one to be triffled with or one to be treated with casualness”.

Edosomwan argued “ if the out-going assembly had spent four years doing all it saw fit or considered important to it, without bringing these bills to pass in good time, in a situation where the country will see it as being debated; in such a process that the country would be part of the debate because comments would be made in the press and public place, then I fear for the seriousness with which those bill had been carried on”.

For passing 46 bills at a go, Shittu described the action of the just ended 7th assembly of the Senate as ”hasty and also amounted to trivialising the serious business of legislative governance. What were they looking for before now? Why wait until the last hour before they could pass the bills?

For me, it is just an attempt to play to the gallery so that they would say, oh, this is part of their business of the 7th assembly”.

Shittu argued that “ the fact that the bills have been passed by the Senate, whether hurriedly or through due process, it is not conclusive that they would automatically become laws. It remains to be seen whether the president would assent to the bills. In assenting to the bills, the president may decide to raise objections and one of the grounds of the objection could be that the bills did not follow due process or that it was not thoroughly debated and that the •Continued on page 27

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LAW & SOCIETY

Passage of 46 bills: It’s legislative recklessness, say lawyers •Continued from page 26

bills may have arisen out of political exigency. I think they passed those bills in order to add it to their Curriculum Vitae (CV) that they passed 100 bills in their time. But the President assented to those bills that were passed, in the coming weeks or days remains to be seen. One other important thing is that they do not constitute laws until they are assented to by the president”.

While insisting that former President Jonathan may not have assented to the bills, he recalled that Jonathan raised objections to the bill on constitutional amendmends for lack of due process and reasoned that he may have refused to assent to those bills also on similar ground. He said the president has the right to determine whether any of those bills deserves to be assented to or returned the bills back to the Senate that due process has not been followed Farounbi, who is the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja Branch said what the lawmakers did showed that they were never worthy of being there in the first instance. “How can they give us half baked laws that they themselves did not believe in? Can they in good conscience defend their action? Passing 46 bills as if they were counting numbers”, he asked adding that they wasted useful opportunities at their disposal to thoroughly examine and debate the bills on frivolity. He said when they resurrected, they should have attended to the bills that they could and give us the best rather than insulting Nigerians with numbers.

“What the Senate has done in passing 46 bills to law in about 10minutes is nothing but a disservice to Nigeria and Nigerians. By the slimness of imagination, the laws so passed can never meet the quality expected and desired by the people of this nation. Debate is an essential and fundamental ingredient of quality law and a single bill could take hours, if not days, of debate to get a workable legislation from it.

Now that we have 46 without any debate whatsoever, your guess of the quality of the laws is as good as that of other reasonable Nigerians in particular”, he said.

Omoyinmi, a member of the Ogun State Judicial Council contended that the passing of 46 bills in 10 minutes by the Senate is very questionable under the circumstances at which it was hurriedly done, and having considered

• Shittu the fact that no meaningful debate was carried out by the senate on the bills as was expected. To him, “the Senate has made the passage of the bills subjective in that they have had to pass all this bills without taking into consideration what the ordinary man on the street may feel about the time it took them to pass bills numbering 46 and whether quality discussions on the bills can be said to have taken place before the bills were passed, regardless of the fact that the senate can invoke certain standing order to adopt a special procedure on bills for concurrence.

“The question is why have they waited for this long up to the last minutes to pass the bills? This singular approach in hurriedly passage of bills without quality debate on the issues may affect its substance and what it is suppose to achieve”, he stated.

Ikeji, an activist and Lead Advocate, Constitutional Rights and Peoples Development Advocacy Initiative (CRAI), said the action of the 7th assembly of the Senate marked “legislative laziness and indulgence”. “The question to ask is, why the hurry? My own answer is that it may simply be a ploy to validate and justify their huge salaries and allowances. Even though some of the bills are good bills, they are such laws that required detailed study and deliberation before being passed into law. They even failed to pass the PIB, an important Bill that ought to have been taken as priority”, he noted.

According to him, it was improper

• Omoyinmi for the Senate to pass a law without debate. “It is risky because it defeats the very essence of bicameral legislature that Nigeria runs today. It is not for nothing that we have different stages of legislation to ensure serious debate and thorough examination of the issues in the law. This is all lost to the Senate abdication of their duty”.

He contended that the attitude of the law makers portends serious danger to the quality of our laws stressing, “we do not need laziness by our senators. Thankfully though, their era is past and we hope this should not be repeated again”.

Fagbohungbe, however, aligned with the explanation by Senator Renah that the passage of the bill was properly done and that due process was followed. It was proper under the rules. ‘’They followed the rules of the NASS, they wouldn’t have done so if it contravene any of the rules,’’he said.

He argued that the time it took the 7th assembly of the Senate to pass the 46 bills is irrelevant in the matter if it passed through the due process. ”If it passed through the right channel, it does not matter what was done on that day was not important. However, what is important is that they work through committees and the committees would have looked into it, they would have been satisfied with it. They just bring it into plenary session for official passage. It is not what they are doing in the ple-

• Farounbi

• Ikeji

nary that is the real work. The real work is in the committees”, he said.

Way forward Chief Edosomwan said he would not give a blanket advice to the president not to assent to them. “What I would advise is that he should set up a committee of highly intelligent, highly discerning Nigerians to assess these bills. It could be small committees to assess the several bills, so that they would be able to give him advise if any of the bills in their content as they presently stand would be of much benefit to Nigerians. If they are not, he should not assent to them. If they are, he should assent to them. It is possible that some serious work may have been done on some of them during committee work before they were passed in the process that seemed casual. In other words, they may not have been casual at all because they dust them up in their last days of their session”.

The incoming assembly should learn from this. It is not just a matter of remuneration, pecks, persequites and advantages for the legislators. It must be more of about realising the mandate of the people, the call to duty would be answered by the cost of being elected, carrying out the trust of the people by being serious minded from day one, by bringing bills that would push the advantages in the way of the people rather than

their own advantages.

Omoyinmi also counseled the incoming 8th assembly of the Senate to face legislative issues with utmost seriousness especially because of the changes that will take place in the new assembly considering the number of the senators of the ruling party and the opposition.

Ikeji, on his part, counseled that “the incoming 8th Senate to should serve as a proper sounding board and alternative platform for legislation in Nigeria. They should resist any attempt at being rubber stamp to legislative and executive actions. They should serve as a proper check on both the powers of the executive and judiciary as well as its fellow legislative House, the House of Representatives”.

Farounbi urged the President to take a deep and critical look at the bills passed before assenting to them; and where desirable the bills could be sent back with necessary observations with the view of being repassed.

“I equally advise the new National Assembly to be business like in the discharge of its duties. The members should concentrate on their major duties of law making rather than pursuing jumbo allowances and relegate law making functions to five minutes to mid night. The electorate repose so much confidence in them and I urge them not to betray the confidence. They will be adequately judged in four years time”, he said.

From left: Abdullahi Zed, Haruna Lukas Musa, Junaidu Abubakar, Steve Abar, Mela Nunghe, Governor Abubakar, Gadzama (SAN), Garba Gajani Mohammed and H.D. Mohammed

Arewa lawyers express confidence in Abubakar

E

LDERS and leaders of the Arewa Lawyers Forum (ALF) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have in Bauchi, Bauchi State, expressed confidence in the leadership of its Chairman, Mohammed A. Abubakar, the governor of Bauchi State.

The Arewa leaders and elders,

By John Austine Unachukwu Legal Editor

led by Chief Joseph–Kyari Gadzama (SAN), visited Abubakar in the Government House to congratulate him on his victory at the polls and subsequent inauguration .They

urged him to provide credible, responsible and responsive governance for the state just like he had provided for the Arewa Lawyers Forum.

Replying, Abubakar thanked Arewa elders for the support they provided him in his

leadership of Arewa and assured them that he would provide same for the state and will regularly call for its meetings within the limit of his time schedule. He noted that the forum will not in any way suffer any set back because of his recent

election and inauguration as Bauchi State governor.

Abubakar stated that the welfare of the people of Bauchi State is the topmost priority of his government and that he will provide leadership and justice for both the rich and the poor in the state.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

28

LAW & SOCIETY Following the inauguration of new administration in the country the vice president and four state governors are distinquished members of the legal profession. Legal Editor JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU examines their profiles and track record.

From law firms to executive mansions

‘’T

HE greatest joy you can have in life is to develop a skill and go out into the world and use it to help people who need it; and for the satisfaction of helping them, not for the money.” Justice O’Connor.

The successful completion of legal education qualifies one to become either a lawyer, a solicitor, an advocate or both depending on the country and jurisdiction involved. In Nigeria, there is a fusion of the profession and on call to the Nigerian Bar, one automatically becomes a solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court.

After the call to Bar, the traditional place for the young lawyer or New Wig as they are popularly called is the Law firms or chambers where the young lawyer begins to ply his trade.

By his training, the lawyer acquires not only advocacy and litigation skills, but also other qualities that enhance his values and contributions to the socio-economic and political development of his country. Little wonder, many lawyers have distinguished themselves as leaders across the globe.

Some of the world’s most famous and effective leaders have been lawyers: Abraham Lincoln; Mahatma Gandhi; Margaret Thatcher; Bill Clinton; Tony Blair; Thomas Moore. Even if they aren’t all equally admired by history, all of them were lawyers. Barack Obama is just one in a long line.

In Nigeria notable figures like late Chief Obafemi Awolowo (SAN) , TOS Benson, Bode Thomas, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and in recent times, lawyers like Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) Godswill Akpabio,Ibrahim Shema and Sullivan Chime were shining examples of excellent leadership.

Last week, five other ambassadors of the legal profession were inaugurated as follows: Prof. Yemi Osinbajo was isworn in as Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mohammed A. Abubakar inaugurated as Governor of Bauchi State, Prof. Ben Ayade as the Governor of Cross River State, Simon Bako Lalong became Governor of Plateau State, Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike as Governor of Rivers State and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal took oath of office as the Governor of Sokoto State.

These great leaders and sound legal minds have taken over the leadership of the country and their respective states at a very critical moment in the history of the country. Many, if not all inherited empty treasuries, huge foreign and domestic debts running into, several billions of Naira. These notwithstanding, the expectations from them remain very high at all levels.

Therefore, they are expected to deploy their legal skills and knowledge to find solution to the problems.

That is why the great American Sociological Jurist, Roscoe Pound described law as an instrument of social engineering and that lawyers as social engineers, use law to find solution to social and political issues of their tim.

By ‘social engineering’ Pound means a balance between competing interests in society for the greatest benefit of the greatest number.

From the law firms Prof. Yemi Osinbajo was born into the family of Adeyemi Osinbajo on March 8, 1957, at Creek Hospital, Lagos. He is married to Dolapo (née Soyode) Osinbajo, a granddaughter of Obafemi Awolowo. They have three children . Prof. ‘Yemi Osinbajo is also Pastor.

Education

Yemi Osinbajo was educated at the Corona Primary School, in Lagos.

Between 1969 and 1975, he attended Igbobi College Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.

From 1975 to 1978, he studied at the University of Lagos and obtained his LLB degree in Law. From 1979 to1980, he attended Nigerian Law School. In

• Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) during his inuaguration in Abuja.

• Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong during his inuaguration in Jos

1981, he was awarded a Master of Law degree after attending the London School of Economics.

Legal career

From 1979 to 1980, Osinbajo served the compulsory one year youth service as a legal officer with Bendel Development and Planning Authority (BDPA), Bendel State, Nigeria.

In 1981, he was employed as a legal lecturer at the University of Lagos, ,Nigeria. From 1983 to 1986, he was Senior legal lecturer at the University of Lagos. From 1988 to1992, he was appointed as an Adviser (Legal Advice and Litigation), to the then AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Bola Ajibola.

From 1997 to 1999, he was made Professor of Law and Head of Department of Public Law, University of Lagos.

And from then till 2007, Osinbajo was Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

From 2007 to 2013 ,Osinbajo was once again employed as a Professor of Law, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos. In 2007 Osinbanjo became Senior Partner, Simmons Cooper Partners (Barristers and Solicitors), Nigeria.

Political career

After the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013, Yemi was tasked, with other notable Nigerians, to design and produce a manifesto for the new political party.

This culminated in the presentation of the “Roadmap to a New Nigeria.”

On December 17, 2014, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Retired General Muhammadu Buhari announced him as his running mate and vicepresidential candidate during the 2015 General Elections.

On March 31, 2015, General Buhari was confirmed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the Presidential Elections. Thus, Professor Osinbajo became the Vice-President Elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They were both sworn in on 29 May 2015.

M. A. Abubakar

Abubakar, born on December 11, 1956.

He attended Native Authority Primary School, Jos and Tudun Wada Primary School, Kano, from 1963 to 1969; Government College, Kano, 1970 to 1974.

In 1974, he enrolled for the one year programme of the School of Basic Studies, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, after which, upon successful completion of the programme, gained admission into the institution to study law in 1975.

The governor completed his law studies in 1978, attended the Nigeria Law School from 1978 to 1979, had his mandatory National Youth Service Corps and joined the services of Bauchi state government as a Pupil State Council, Ministry of Justice. ·Key positions he held while serving with the state government were Head of Legal Drafting Department, Bauchi State House of Assembly (1983), Director, Public Prosecution, Ministry of Justice (1988) and Commissioner of Justice (1990 to 1993.

He was also the Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association, Bauchi State,from 1996 to 1998.

After leaving the services of the state government, Abubakar was at different times, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kogi, Delta, Plateau and Rivers , and afterwards elevated to the position of National Commissioner in charge of Borno, Jigawa and Yobe.

Prof. Ben Ayade

Benedict Bengioushuye Ayade was born on March 2, 1969. He studied at the University of Ibadan, Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma and Delta State University, becoming a Lecturer. An environmental consultant, he was appointed Chairman of the Ecological fund, Chairman of the International Institute of Environmental Research and a member of SPAC. He worked on Groundwater Remediation in Nigeria, and invented a sewage treatment plant based on solar energy. He won an award from the government of Japan for outstanding research into Global warming in Africa. He became a member of the Nigeria Association of Petroleum Engineers and the Cross River State Poverty Alleviation Board.

Simon Bako Lalong

Simon Bako Lalong- the Governor of Plateau State was born on May 5, 1963. He is a native of Ajikamai in Shendam Local Government Area of the state. He had his Primary School Education at R.C.M. Primary School Shendam obtaining his First School Leaving Certificate in 1977.He went further with his Secondary Education at G.S.S Shendam obtaining his O’ Level Certificate in 1982. He attended S.P.S Keffi for his A’ Level in 1986.

Simon Bako Lalong thereafter studied Law at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree in 1990. He went to the Lagos Campus of the Nigerian Law School and was called to Bar in 1991. He obtained his Masters Degree in Law(LLM) from the University of Jos in 1986.

Simon Bako Lalong started his professional career in 1992 with T- Obot & Co. Legal Practitioners, Jos immediately after serving the mandatory

National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) in the Legal Unit of Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Abuja. He also worked with Victor Fomwul & Co. Jos from 1997 to 1999 as a Managing Partner. He later established his own chambers and was the Principal Partner of Simon B. Lalong & Co. Legal Practitioners.In 1999, he harkened to the call of the people of Shendam constituency to contest election into the state House of Assembly, which he won on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) He was subsequently made the Speaker of the State House of Assembly in October 2000.

As a Speaker, Simon Bako Lalong’s rare leadership qualities earned him the record of the longest serving Speaker in the history of Plateau state legislature (2000 – 2006) Also, while serving as a Speaker, his leadership qualities endeared him to his fellow Speakers across the 36 states in Nigeria who elected him twice as; Chairman, Nigerian Conference of Speakers (i.e. forum of all the 36 Speakers of the federation) from 2001- 2002. He was the National Chairman, forum of All former Speakers of Nigeria and also Chairman of former State Legislators, Plateau State Chapter.

Simon Bako Lalong’s outstanding qualities also made him to win the 1999 and 2003 elections into the State House of Assembly representing Shendam Constituency. As a Member and a Speaker who has served longer than those before and after him (at least as at date), he is proud to be associated with the following landmark enactments leading to: the Establishment of Plateau State University (now Solomon Lar University) Bokkos, Establishment of College of Agriculture Garkawa, Establishment of College of Arts, Science and Remedial Studies, Kurgwi, Creation of additional/new chiefdoms and districts, Creation of additional State Wards, Private Bill on establishment of structures in Local Govt. Councils.

Simon Bako Lalong contested for the Governorship in Plateau state in the April 2015 elections under the Platform of the All Progressive Congress(APC) and won.

Aminu Tambuwal

Early life and education Governor Aminu was born on January 10, 1966 in Tambuwal Village in Sokoto State to Waziri Tambuwal.

He attended Tambuwal Primary School, Tambuwal, Sokoto State, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1979 and Government Teachers’ College, Dogon-Daji, where he obtained the Teachers Grade 11 Certificate in 1984. He then proceeded to Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, where he studied Law, graduating with an LLB (Hons) degree in 1991. He completed his one year compulsory legal studies at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, obtained his BL and was called to the Bar in 1992.

Besides studying for his law degree, he has also attended several courses abroad, among which are the following: Telecoms Regulatory Master Class, Bath UK, 2004; Lawmaking for the Communications Sectors , BMIT, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2004; Regulating a Competitive Industry UK, Brussels, 2005; Tulane University – International Legislative Drafting, 2005; Stanford Graduate School of Business – Influence and Negotiation, 2008 and KSG Harvard – Infrastructure in Market Economy, 200

Professional Affiliations

Among his professional affiliations, Tambuwal has been a very active member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), over the years. He started off as the Public Relations Officer of • Continued on page 37

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON NORTHERN STATES

TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

PAGE 29

INSIDE

PAGE 30

New deal for Benue people

PAGE 30 •The Rwang Pam Township Stadium, venue of the event

Cultures, colours at Lalong’s inauguration For 16 years, the people of Plateau State endured lack of good governance. They ardently prayed for quality leadership. The 2015 general elections provided them with the opportunity to elect Governor Simon Bako Lalong who they believe will offer them the leadership they desired. He was inaugurated on May 29 as the fifth governor of the state who wrestled power from a ruling party. YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU reports that the event was a celebration of cultures and colours

T

HE people of Plateau State had endured lack of good governance for a decade and six years. They literally became accustomed to the kind of leadership that alienated them from the scheme of things, even as they had yearned for a man who would offer them quality leadership.

They prayed and waited for 16 solid years for a leader whose policies and programmes will impact positively on the people, even as they longed for a leader who would not be disposed to nepotism.

God heard their prayers as He heard those of Israelites when they were in bondage in Egypt. So, during the governorship and House of Assembly elections on April 11 this year, God provided them the kind of leader they most wanted.

‘The political party that didn’t provide them with what they expected is now in the opposition in the political equation of Plateau State...the transition of power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC to have the semblance of an independence celebration’ Simon Bako Lalong was their choice.

He defeated former Governor Jang’s candidate from Berom at the polls.

On May 29, Lalong was inaugurated as the fifth governor of the state cre-

ated in1975. The colourful event held at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium.

It was an incident they never expected, at least for now. But that was

real; the political party that didn’t provide them with what they expected is now in the opposition in the political equation of Plateau State.

Any wonder the people heartily celebrated the coming of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its standard bearer in whom they believed would provide them good governance.

The event was akin to a carnival.

The razzmatazz that was the feature of the inauguration in Plateau State made the transition of power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC to have the semblance of an independence celebration.

The people prepared for the inau•Continued on page 30

Corps members and policy of posting

PAGE 31

Buhari’s first week in office

PAGE 36

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT

New deal for Benue people

M

OST often, great men are born poor or had deprived backgrounds.

That could be said of the current governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom who hails from Guma Local Government Area.

Though he had his primary school at St. John’s Primary School Gboko and St Catherine’s Primary School Makurdi and his secondary education at Idah Secondary Commercial College Idah, in the present Kogi State, he dropped out in form two in 1979 when his father who was retired from service could not pay his school fees. But he was resolute to forge ahead.

Governor Ortom told our correspondent that out of the will to succeed in life, he moved into Gboko garage as a tout.

He said: “Refusing to be frustrated in life, I had to go to Gboko garage and became a tout to earn a living. It was in that garage that a good-spirited Nigerian taught me

•Governor Ortom, assisted by his wife, Mrs. Eunice Ortom, decorates

his Chief Security Officer (CSO), Dickson Orlu Pawa; a Superintendent of Police (SP) Governor Ortom enrolled at the From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and obtained both the Interim Joint Mahow to drive because I was very dedi- triculation Board Certificate, in 1995 cated to duty. Another person also and Diploma in Journalism in 1998. gave me some money to obtain a He also attended the Benue State driving licence, after which he was University where he obtained the employed as a professional driver. Advanced Diploma in Personnel On recommendation, he became the Management in 2001 as well as Masdriver and confidant of a prominent ters of Public Administration in 2004.

Gboko-based Christian leader and He crowned his educational purpolitician, Pa Samu Ihugh. suit with a PhD from the Common-

wealth University, Belize, through distance learning. His working experience spans the private, public as well as political spheres. He rose from Salesman to Sales Manager with Gyado Foods Company Limited, before his election as Executive Chairman of Guma Local Government Area from 1991 to 1993 on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

He told our correspondent that since 1992, he had nursed the ambition and vision to be the governor of Benue State and has diligently worked towards the vision.

He, however, said the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) attempted to frustrate the vision but only delayed it. “ I contested the governorship position on the platform of the PDP, but was rigged out. Having lost the PDP primaries, some people called and advised me to join the APC. “They told me that the APC constitution as amended allowed any one to join the party and contest election, I asked the leader of the party Senator George Akume and he confirmed it.

So, I resigned from PDP and joined the APC. “The people of Benue State supported me massively because they believed in me and the God I serve. I have been around them for long; I’m

a grassroots politician and have set up industries which employed over 400 people. So, they believed I can create job and wealth if elected as governor,” he said.

Priority

Governor Ortom revealed that his main priority is to create wealth, encourage micro-businesses for our people, rule with the fear of God and tackle security; this is because, without security, there is nothing one can do, especially with regard to attacks on farmers

by Fulani herdsmen.

My coming to Government House Makurdi is by divine arrangement. So, I will never disappoint neither God nor man. I will rule with the fear of God and I will work hard to eradicate poverty among the people.

There will be fairness, equality, transparency, love and unity. At the same time, quality would be entrenched into the system of government.

Those who will serve in my administration should forget about making money. They are coming to serve the people.

Rule of law shall be observed by all. I will use government organs to fight corruption. My administration would not tolerate corruption.

Cultures, colours at Lalong’s inauguration •Continued from page 29 guration ceremony as if they were preparing to celebrate a new state.

But this is not the first civilian governor of Plateau State; Governor Lalong is the fifth civilian governor of the state. This apart, the jubilant Plateau citizens said: “We are celebrating our emancipation from a second slavery. We are celebrating for defeating an incumbent government that wants to run a fourth term in office. We are celebrating the departure of PDP after taking us for granted for 16 solid years.”

A day to the inauguration, people started moving en-masse from all the 17 local government areas of the state to Jos, the state capital for the ceremony. Also, on the day of the inauguration, the people started moving to the stadium as early as 6:00 in the morning. By 10:00 a.m., the stadium was filled to capacity.

The Plateau Police Command deployed not less than 500 policemen to the venue of the inauguration, aside from those deployed by other security agencies. Yet still, it was taxing for the security agents to control the huge crowd.

The APC supporters came in their droves to witness the transfer of power from the PDP to their party and their governor-elect, Simon Lalong. They were so enthusiastic, and genuinely so.

But their enthusiasm was informed by the fact that it was the first time in 16 years that an opposition won an election in the state.

Different cultural groups were present at the celebration. The Tarok people came with their cultural dances such Nzem-Zur cultural group and Nzem-Shir traditional dancers. The Shargindim traditional dancers from Garkawa in Mikang Local Government Area were also present. The Berom people were there with their Vwanna, a female dance group.

People of Pankshin Local Government Area were not left out of the carnival; they came with Veku dancers from Chip and Jingla women dancers also from Chip.

The Mopung people came with their Fer group, Bhwel dancers and Chier dancers. The Amo ethnic group from Bassa Local Govern-

ment Area also came with their Iwana dancers as well as Izara dancers.

The people of Dengi in Kanam Local Government Area paraded their Ngyal-Nzam traditional dance, Ngyal-Lyang as well as Ngyal-Lak. Some cultural groups that had no space to display inside the stadium were outside the stadium entertaining some crowd.

The people had enough reason to celebrate. Most people believed that the last eight years of Jonah Jang administration could be likened to military rule. The conduct of the former governor, Jonah Jang in his eight years in office made the people develop hatred for the PDP as well as the Berom ethnic group.

The Berom people never had the opportunity to govern the state since its creation in 1975. But in 2007, the opportunity came for the people of Plateau North Senatorial zone and the Berom ethnic group was favoured to produce Jonah Jang.

However, many believe that the former governor had disappointed them with the policies and programmes which his administration enunciated.

One of the elder statesmen, Ambassador Yahaya Kwande said: “Jang ruled us for eight years within which period he brought several infrastructural developments. He built roads and so on, but he messed us up. Jang’s tenure was full of bloodshed; he inherited that insecurity but he failed to manage it. He also helped to damage the image of Plateau people outside by the way and manner he played his politics at the national level.

“Remember his role in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum where he claimed 16 votes was higher than 19. Such action brought shame on Plateau people and it almost became a global embarrassment.”

Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu said: “Former Governor Jang brought some development to the state, but he over-rated himself and started playing God. He became a tribal warlord and failed to carry all Plateau people along. He believed more of his Berom kinsmen than any other ethnic group in the state. Some of his attitudes made him lose popularity in the state.”

Mr. Daniel Manjang, a Berom indigene said: “I am not surprised that

•Geomai cultural dress during the carnival in Jos

‘The people teamed up and selected their own candidate to face that of Jang.

Eventually, the people won and Jang lost...The people are merely celebrating their victory over an incumbent governor...It was a popular view that Jang had challenged the people’s power by bringing a governorship candidate from his own ethnic group’ the people are celebrating the APC’s victory in a manner akin to a carnival. It was because the people have succeeded in defeating the candidate imposed on them by Jang and the PDP. Some of us from Berom told Governor Jang then not to impose governorship candidate on the people, but he refused and thought he will do his wish in the state without hindrance.

“So, the people teamed up and selected their own candidate to face that of Jang. Eventually, the people won and Jang lost. So, the people are merely celebrating their victory over

an incumbent governor.”

It was a popular view that Jang had challenged the people’s power by bringing a governorship candidate from his own ethnic group. They believed that voting for Jang’s candidate as governor was like giving Jang a third term in office.

A former commissioner in the state, Dr. Patric Dakum had said: “Voting for Jang’s governorship candidate is like voting Jang for a third term because Jang does not believe that any other ethnic group in the state can produce a governorship candidate apart from his Berom kinsmen.

“So, the plan of Jang was to impose another Berom man on the people and after another eight years in the hand of Berom, he would have made one of his own sons the governor and no other ethnic group will occupy the Government House.

That was why the people rose up against him and voted against his candidate.”

The PDP had ruled Plateau State since 1999. Within the period, the PDP held sway. The opposition battle in vain to displace the PDP government.

However, with the birth of APC in 2013, the people were resolute in their resolve to effect a change. They saw in the APC a formidable front to achieve their long political desires.

An APC supporter, Alhaji Idris Musa said: “We rolled out drums to celebrate the end of PDP, the end of tyrant rule, the end of impunity, the end of imposition and the end of bloodshed on the Plateau. And most especially, we rolled out our drums to welcome the new party; the APC. That is the only way we can express our state of mind. We are happy that the will of the people has finally prevailed. At last, our votes counted. This is a liberty carnival.”

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

Page 31

•Youth Corps members

With the new policy evolved by the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) in posting corps members in batches, majority of them have expressed their concern that the Stream One members who had already been through with their orientation exercises might take over positions meant for them, while some are not bothered.

GRACE OBIKE reports

I

N the past few years, the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) has enunciated some policies that aimed at posting corps members to different parts of the country in three different batches to serve their father land during the mandatory one year national service. However, there was a twist in the policy this year during the just-concluded general elections.

Instead of going ahead with the Batches A, B and C policy, only a

Corps members and policy of posting Batch A has been posted so far which was divided into streams I and II. Those in stream one have concluded their orientation exercise and have been posted to their places of primary assignment while those who comprise stream two are currently in camp.

That there are two streams of corps members indicates that there are more corps members whose posting to their places of primary assignments will depend on who comes first.

Some of those who constitute the stream II are worried that those who make up stream one might take over positions meant for them.

As for the stream II corps members posted to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who are currently in camp, most of them claimed not to be worried about where they might eventually be posted to, while some even have the dream of being posted to the Villa, National Assembly, banks, oil companies and the civil service.

Some who are still in the orientation camps are still worried about where they might be posted to for their primary assignments.

One of the corps members from Ekiti State, Oluwaseun Babajide said:

‘No Nigerian who suffers any form of incapacitation while in service to this great country will be abandoned. Our goal is to comprehensively address youth empowerment, insecurity and other social vices prevalent among our youths…With collective will and the determination of your vibrant generation, I am confident that we shall, in time, redirect and steer the course of our country on the path of sustainable progress and development’ “I’m honestly not bothered about where I am posted. I will be satisfied with anywhere that God decides for me because I believe that wherever God chooses, I will have a way of going there and succeeding. Even though the stream one have gone ahead of us to secure most of the positions, I am not bothered because I know that it is going to be easy for

me. I believe that everywhere is going to be perfect for me. But I would like to be posted to a place that will change my personality; such as the Immigration, United States (US) Embassy and other places. I still hope in God and have faith that everything is going to work out fine for me.”

Another corps member, Ndidi Okoye from Enugu State said she sees

herself as lucky because so many of her mates in school worked so hard and even went as far as paying money to people to influence their posting to Abuja, but she had not done such because she had depended solely on God. She added that when all her friends saw that she had been posted to Abuja, they didn’t believe that it was God’s doing.

Okoye ardently believes that God sent her to Abuja for a reason and she will find her breakthrough after her orientation.

She said: “As far as I am concerned, I have refused to be preoccupied by the thought of where I will be posted because since God was the one that sent me to Abuja without my contribution, I believe that He has great plans for me and will ensure that I received my own breakthrough in Abuja.

“A lot of my school mates paid money to be posted to Abuja but a lot of them were disappointed at the end of the day. I simply asked God to take control and He did.

•Continued on page 34

Civil servants warned against lateness to work

C

IVIL servants in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and all the Secretariats under it have been warned against lateness to work or closing at inappropriate times, even as they have been urged to show commitment to work at all times.

Permanent Secretary FCT Mr. John Chukwu advised all the Directors of Administration and Fi-

From Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike

nance (DAF) in the FCT Administration to take charge of their respective secretariats and agencies, cautioning that the system must work.

He stated this at a meeting with the committee of DAFs in Abuja. This was revealed by the Assistant Direc-

tor/Chief Press Secretary to the ministry Muhammad Sule in a press statement.

He advised the DAFs to move into action immediately in order to ensure compliance. He also advised all departments and agencies to carry out their statutory duties with dispatch while ensuring a smooth running of the administration.

Mr. Chukwu further warned that

it’s no longer business as usual and therefore all members of staff must report to work early and close at the appropriate time. He therefore directed the Department of Monitoring and Inspection to immediately move into action by ensuring that all mandate Secretariats, Department and Agencies carryout their statutory duties with dispatch.

“I will, however, advise the DAFs

to carry along all Technical Directors and staff in their respective Secretariats, Department and Agencies to ensure a smooth running of the administration. Let’s manage FCTA very well. It’s not business as usual as the system must work. No vacuum must be allowed to exist in the entire FCT •Continued on page 36

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

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ABUJA REVIEW

CAN urges co-operation with new administration

T

HE Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) Guzape zone in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has called for the involvement of indigenes of Kpaduma communities and the entire FCT communities in the development process of the incoming administration in order to have a peaceful and cordial relationship with the people.

CAN chairman of Guzape zone, Mr. Eboh David, said the Federal Government should come to the aid of members of the FCT communities and the original inhabitants of Kpaduma who are demanding their rights and compensation for their farmlands acquired by government.

David made the call at a thanksgiving service organised at the Kpaduma village where he said the essence of the thanksgiving was to glorify God in their lives despite several challenges that the people experienced when the last administration was in power.

His words: “The Federal Government should come to the aid of people the FCT communities and listen to the cries of original inhabitants of Kpaduma communities that are demanding their rights and compensation for their farmlands acquired by government.

“The essence of the Thanksgiving Service was to glorify God for the protection of lives and property in Kpaduma communities during the last administration, despite several challenges. God should continue to grant peace and unity to people in the FCT and entire Nigeria,” he said.

Leader of Kpaduma communities, Hon. Bala Iyah, explained that the main reason for the thanksgiving service was for the event that almost took place on May 14, this year when officials of Development Control, in company of armed military personnel in six vehicles were about entering the community to mark houses for demolition.

“If not for the divine intervention, only God knows what would have happened, because our youths were

‘The Federal Government should come to the aid of people the FCT communities and listen to the cries of original inhabitants of Kpaduma communities that are demanding their rights and compensation for their farmlands acquired by government’ From Grace Obike

ready for anything when they heard the plan of Development Control Department. We will continue the dialogue with the FCT authority and how to stop the demolition of houses in our communities.

“We are appealing to the incoming FCT administration to consider the original inhabitants in their policies and carry them along. If they have anything in our communities, we should be informed before any action is taken. There should be proper compensation for farmlands that were taken from our people.

“We are also appealing to the incoming administration to consider us in any appointment to be made in the FCT. In all the parastatals in FCDA, no indigene is carried along; even positions for chairman and Permanent Secretary of various Boards, not one indigene is given position.

“We want to be incorporated in the Master Plan of Abuja. We are assuring the government that we are not terrorists; we are mankind like them and we should be treated as such.

That is why we have been supporting the development of the FCT. They should also consider original inhabitants on scholarship from primary to higher institutions,” he said.

•Crossing the Kafin Hausa Bridge earlier destroyed by terrorists

Corps members and the policy of posting

•Continued from page 31 Even if stream I corps members secured all the positions in Abuja, I will still leave the orientation camp for a good ministry.”

Abigail Hassan from Kaduna State on the other hand has a different mindset to the issue. She loves to teach and believes that she has a lot to give to the country. She is of the

•

belief that she will be more useful when posted to the area councils where she can impart her knowledge and wealth of experience to the younger ones.

“The truth is that I love to teach and I believe that I will find myself

more useful, imparting my wealth of experience to the younger generation. So, I would actually love to be posted to a school. I don’t mind if it is in the village or inside the city of Abuja; as long as I am able to serve my country,” she said.

For the swearing-in ceremony, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mr. John Chukwu who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the occasion informed that no corps member that becomes incapacitated or disabled in the course of his or her service to mother land will be abandoned by the Federal Government.

He said: “ýI commend the management of the scheme for its initiative on the NYSC Hope Alive Programme (NYSC-HAP). This initiative, which is aimed at giving succour and hope to corps members who become disabled or incapacitated during the service year, is indeed laudable.

“I therefore use this opportunity to state that no Nigerian who suffers any form of incapacitation while in serviceý to this great country will be abandoned.

“Our goal is to comprehensively address youth empowerment, inse-

curity and other social vices prevalent among our youths.

“With collective will and the determination of your vibrant generation, I am confident that we shall, in time, redirect and steer the course of our country on the path of sustainable progress and development.

“The true change that we desire must start with every one of us, especially you, the Nigerian youths.

We must all embrace attitudinal change. We must exercise self and personal discipline and the courage to always do the right thing. Corps members must fully join hands with all Nigerians to fight the scourge of corruption and insecurity in the country and I will also want to commend the NYSC for its part in the just-concluded general elections where your members served the nation truthfully. I welcome you all; you are the first corps members to be sworn in by my administration.”

‘The true change that we desire must start with every one of us, especially you, the Nigerian youths. We must all embrace attitudinal change. We must exercise self and personal discipline and the courage to always do the right thing.

Corps members must fully join hands with all Nigerians to fight the scourge of corruption and insecurity in the country’ •Cows at a farm in Daura, Katsina State

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

35

ABUJA REVIEW Monarch wants fishing festival revived From Grace Obike

T

HE Etsu of Yaba community in Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, has called on the incoming administration of the FCT, to re-activate the annual fishing festival in the community that had always been their tradition for years.

He said if taken seriously, the fishing festival will serve as a tourists’ attraction that will bring financial benefits to the incoming administration and the people. It will in turn generate revenue for the area council.

The monarch, who spoke with reporters in Abuja, expressed concern over the abandonment of the festival by the FCT Agricultural Secretariat, adding that the festival, which holds in March and April every year began over 200 years ago.

“The last time fishing festival was held in this village was in 2008. Since then, the government has abandoned it. I am appealing to the incoming FCT government to re-activate it so that it will yield revenue to the council,‘’ he said.

While commenting on some challenges which he said the community is experiencing the monarch, also appealed to the incoming administration to rehabilite the 14 kilometer Dangara-Yaba road, which he said was in deplorable state.

He further said the road, which links Yaba and Niger State, was constructed over 20 years ago, and has become a nightmare to residents, especially motorists eand farmers that convey their farm produce to Abaji and Kwali markets.

The monarch commended the immediate past FCT ministers, Senator Bala Moahammed and Minister of State for the FCT, Mrs. Oloye Olajumoke, for identifying with the indigenes, especially the traditional rulers in the FCT. He wished them success in their future endeavours.

T

HE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Special Task Team on City Cleaning and Management has said it has impounded about 4,790 commercial motorcycles and 883 tricycles also known as keke napeps in the last 90 days.

Also impounded by the task team were 645 unpainted commercial vehicles, as well as 84 illegal commercial buses during the period under review.

The FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. John Chukwu disclosed this during after meeting with the chairman of the Task Team and the FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu in Abuja.

The release was made available by the Assistant Director/Chief Press Secretary to the Minister, Muhammad Sule.

According to him, 3,000 commercial sex workers had also been arrested by the Task Team and handed over to the Abuja Environment Protection Board for prosecution and subsequent rehabilitation.

Chukwu noted that the Task Team also embarked on city

FCTA impounds 4,790 okada, 883 keke napep ‘Eight illegal sand dredging and quarry sites, 205 shanties, 89 illegal markets, seven illegal car marts and 98 food vendor kiosks and furniture workshops all located in unauthorised places within the city have been closed down’ From Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike

cleaning activities, which culminated in the closure and removal of 52 illegal car wash sites and 83 illegal auto mechanic work-

shops.

“In addition, eight illegal sand dredging and quarry sites, 205 shanties, 89 illegal markets, seven illegal car marts and 98 food vendor kiosks and furniture workshops all located in unauthorised places within the

city have been closed down.

“Similarly, a total of 2,534 street hawkers and beggars had been arrested by the FCT Administration and 102 strayed animals were removed from illegal cattle markets in Gudu and other parts of the city during the same period,” he said.

Chukwu therefore directed the Task Team to redouble its efforts to rid the FCC of all environmental nuisances, stressing that it is not business as usual.

He further directed all operational departments in the FCTA to be committed to ensure that their statutory responsibilities are carried out, insisting that they must be proactive in city management in line with the vision of a new Nigeria.

He called on the residents of the FCC to be law-abiding and remain their brothers’ keepers, urging the residents to report any suspicious movements to the law enforcement agents.

Indigenes demand inquest into land allocation

I

NHABITANTS of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have urged the incoming minister of the FCT to eradicate corruption in Abuja by setting up a panel of inquiry to investigate the massive fraudulent activities in the resettlement and allocation of lands by the last administration.

Speaking on behalf of the natives, Magajin Garki, Mr Joel Yazegbe said the indigenes of Abuja believe in President Buhari and his ability to take the country to a greater height which is why they are appealing to his government to correct the abnormalities in the FCT, which is mostly in the allocations of land by the immediate past administration.

According to Yazegbe, when the last administration started the issue of resettlement, the houses built for indigenes were like those of refugees, which were contrary to their expectations. He further said if the government is resettling people from their original places, they should make the places comfortable for them and

‘Most of the resettlement houses were acquired by them and many indigenes could not get them. We do not even know how they got the detailed numbers to acquire those houses. As a staff of the FCDA, they have the responsibilities to work for the government, not to work for themselves. The question is how they got the resettlement houses when they are not indigenes?’

From Grace Obike

their families.

“When you go to Apo resettlement area, you will discover that there is no way we can expand our houses to accommodate our children. That is why we are appealing to the incoming FCT minister to set up a panel to investigate all the atrocities that were committed in the Federal Capital

•All Progressives Congress Women Leader River State, Evangelist Caroline Nagbo and Chief Mrs. Angela Akukalia during the Presidential inauguration in Abuja.

Development Authority (FCDA) and the resettlement department.

“This is because most of the resettlement houses were acquired by them and many indigenes could not get them. We do not even know how they got the detailed numbers to acquire those houses. As a staff of the FCDA, they have the responsibilities to work for the government, not to work for themselves. The ques-

tion is how they got the resettlement houses when they are not indigenes?” he said.

The Magajin Garki further explained that indigenes of the FCT are law-abiding and peace-loving people, who believe that, under the leadership of President Buhari, things will go well because he is going to govern Nigeria the way the people want.

“The former FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed committed a lot of fraudulent acts in the area of allocation of plots of land in the FCT and the issue of resettlement has been pending for a long time. We discovered that members of the FCDA are not sincere in doing anything for the indigenes.

“We also do not understand why in Garki village, the construction of road leading to the Chief’s palace, in-between Enugu and Lagos streets was stopped halfway by the FCDA. We want to know who the contractors are so that we call them to order and even ask why they have not completed the job,” he said.

•From left: Permanent Secretary FCT, John Obioma Chukwu, Head of Civil Service Danladi Kifasi and Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo during the Gala Night in celebration of Environmental Day in Abuja.

PHOTOS: AKIN OLADOKUN

QUOTE

Most of the re houses were a them and m genes could them. We do know how th detailed num quire those ho staff of the F have the respo to work for th ment, not to themselves. tion is how th resettlemen when they ar genes?

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

36

ABUJA REVIEW

T

RUE to his declaration against the terrorists, Boko Haram, on his administration’s inauguration day, President Muhammadu Buhari as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been at the drawing board designing new strategic plans to defeat the group.

Apart from devoting at least four out of the five weekdays last week towards securing every part of Nigeria, almost all his hours in the week, which was his first first week in office as a civilian President, were focused on Boko Haram.

He has vowed to defeat Boko Haram, whose attacks appear to be on the rise since May 29, when his administration was inaugurated.

While former President Goodluck Jonathan had tried his best possible against the terrorists as a civilian, Buhari is handling the issue with the advantage of his military background experiences.

Before becoming Head of State in 1983, President Buhari had been member of Supreme Military Council in July 1978; General Officer Commanding, 4th Infantry Division, August 1980; General Officer Commanding, 3rd Armoured Division, November 1981; Platoon Commander, 2nd Infantry Battalion 1963; Battalion Adjutant/Commander, 2nd Infantry Brigade 1966; Brigade Major, 2nd Sector, 1st Infantry Division, April 1967; Brigade Major, 3rd Infantry Division, August 1967; Acting Commander, 4th Sector, 1st Division, November 1968; Commander, 31st Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, February 1970; Assistant Adjutant-General, 1st Infantry Division Headquarters, July 1971; Colonel, General Staff, 3rd Infantry Division Headquarters, January 1974.

Determined not to handle Boko Haram with kid gloves, Buhari has also promised to unmask the sponsors of Boko Haram.

On Monday last week, which is the first working day after the Friday, May 29 inauguration, Buhari started work against Boko Haram at the Defence House, Abuja by holding meeting with the man who has been coordinating the activities of the security agencies in the past years, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

The following day, Tuesday, the NSA also led the service chiefs to the Defence House for about four hours to brief President Buhari on what they have been doing and plans ahead against the sect.

Still on Boko Haram, President Buhari left Nigeria on Wednesday on visit to President of Niger Republic, Mahamdou Issoufuo to have talks on ways to defeat the sect.

President Buhari, who had described Boko Haram as a mindless, godless group who are far away from Islam during the inauguration ceremony on May 29 in Abuja, had said to Issoufuo: “As I highlighted during my inaugural speech, my administration will bring new impetus and a renewed commitment to the efforts to wipe out the men-

Buhari’s first week in office ace of the Boko Haram insurgents.

“I wish to re-assure that with the new impetus and resolve to seek for closer collaboration with our neighbouring countries of Niger, Chad and Cameroun, Boko Haram insurgency will soon be defeated, insha Allah.”

He left Niger Republic to hold similar talks with the Chadian President, Idriss Deby Itno on Thursday in Chad.

Speaking in Chad, he said: “It is for this reason, that I have committed myself to work for the security, peace, prosperity and stability of our region. In this regard, I cannot overemphasise the importance of co-operation and collaboration in tackling our common challenges, particularly in the areas of security and economic development. This is because security and development are mutually reinforcing.

“Your Excellency, permit me to note that our security is intricately linked.

This compels us to co-operate fully on security issues in a robust and sustained manner.

“To this end, we must redouble our efforts to operationalise the multinational Joint Task Force with its Headquarters in Ndjamena. I believe the Task Force will stabilise the areas that have been ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency when it becomes fully operational. I am very confident that, Insha Allah, this insurgency will be brought to an end soon.”

With these new moves and other plans in the pipeline, it is hoped that the bloodshed and attacks carried out by the terrorists over the years will come to an end soon.

This prayer also goes for all the crimes in the country including kidnapping and armed robbery.

Civil servants warned against lateness to work •Continued from page 31 Administration.

“I urge the Directors to share information and experiences for the interest of the administration. When you see anything going wrong in another department or agency, it beholds on us all to quickly draw the attention of the schedule director.”

The Permanent Secretary emphasised that anything that affects a part of the FCT Administration affects all. We are one big family entrusted by the government to provide infrastructure and services in the entire 8,000 square kilometers of the Federal Capital Territory and we cannot afford to fail the country. He called for utmost co-operation among all the mandate Secretariats, Departments and Agencies as well as the entire staff of the administration. The DAFs must pass this information to all the members of staff of the FCTA.

From the Villa

Shocker for Villa staff

By Augustine Ehikioya

Surrendering to God Before embarking on any official function in his new position, VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo, on Saturday last week took everything back to the feet of Jesus Christ.

He not only thanked God for making him emerge as Vice-President under President Muhammadu Buhari, but also surrendered his new office to Almighty God and sought for His grace to carry out the assignment efficiently.

As the celebrator at the service, he led his wife Dolapo, other members of his family, friends and well-wishers to dance to the altar in thanksgiving.

Speaking during the service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja entitled “Thanksgiving Service for the Swearing-in of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as Vice-resident of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, Osinbajo said: “I thank the Lord Jesus Christ, the creator of heaven and earth, the one who controls time and season, the one who

created time and season himself, the one who controls and rules time and chance, the one who controls luck, who controls fortunes, the one who rules absolutely in the affairs of men, the one who is governor among the nations, King of kings.

“I bless the name of the Great Redeemer, the one who is all powerful and the one whose purposes must come to pass. I thank Him especially for His great purpose for this nation demonstrated by his choosing, at this time, President. Muhammadu Buhari as President of Nigeria.

“The Lord, who determines time and season, knew that the time has come for the healing of this nation, the time for setting things right will be in 2015.

And so after three previous attempts, the Lord caused it to be that in his fourth attempt, he will be President of this country.

“I also thank the great and mighty God, who has chosen me at this time

by Himself to assist the President of this nation to fulfill His plans and purposes for this country.”

Many members of staff at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, who turned up early in their offices most days last week were surprised that President Muhammadu Buhari did not resume at the Aso Rock Villa.

Most of them, who did not want to draw the wrath of the new President, reported to work as early as 8:30 a.m. on Monday last week, which was the first working day after Friday, May 29 inauguration day, with the belief that the official residence and office of the President was ready for President Buhari’s use.

But that was not the case as President Buhari resumed duty at the Defence House Abuja last Monday and worked there till Friday.

Some key civil servants, who had worked with former President Goodluck Jonathan had to storm the Defence House in order not to have their jobs taken away from them by the time President Buhari resumes at Aso Rock.

It is still unclear if they succeeded in their rush to the Defence House as only time will tell if they will keep their positions when the President resumes at Aso Rock Villa.

But for now, President Buhari will not resume at the Aso Rock Villa, according to his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, until renovation works are completed.

With the way things are going, let’s pray members of staff of the Villa who want to be in the good book of the new President, will not be caught unprepared since the President can move into the Villa at anytime.

•R-L President, Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa; Court of Appeal Jos, Justice R. Abdullahi, Deputy Chief Registrar, Barr. Hafiz Isah during the workshop for Secretaries and Assistant secretaries on election petitions at Court of Appeal, Abuja.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

37

LAW & SOCIETY

From law firms to executive mansions • Continued from page 28 the NBA, Sokoto State chapter between 1996 and 1997. He was a member of the Constitution Review Committee of the NBA (1997–1998). He was the Sokoto branch Secretary of the Association (1997–1998) and Assistant National Financial Secretary of the NBA (1998–2000) From 2000 to 2002, he was the first Assistant National Secretary of the association. He is also a member of the Body of Benchers, Nigeria; International Bar Association, and the American Bar Association among others.

Political career

Tambuwal started learning the legislative ropes from 1999 to 2000, while working as Personal Assistant on Legislative Affairs to Senator Abdullahi Wali, the then Senate Leader.

In 2003, he decided to run for a legislative seat as representative of the Kebbi/Tambuwal Federal Constituency. He was elected into the House of Representatives on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

Few months to the 2007 general elections, he defected to the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), alongside the former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa. But when the DPP denied return tickets to former ANPP legislators, Tambuwal swung back to the ANPP, where he eventually succeeded in picking up a ticket for the election.

But then again, when the ANPP governorship candidate for Sokoto State in the 2007 election, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko dumped the party for the PDP, Tambuwal also followed suit.

Tambuwal has held several offices in the House. In 2005, he became the Minority Leader of the House until he defected to the PDP. Upon his re-election to the House in 2007, he was also elected the Deputy Chief Whip.

At various times, Tambuwal has been a member of several committees including the House Committees on Rules & Business, Communications,

Judiciary, Inter-Parliamentary and Water Resources. He was also a member of the House Ad hoc Committee on Constitution Review.

He was chairman of the ad hoc committee that reviewed the report of the controversial power probe committee headed by Ndudi Elumelu; chairman, House Sub-Committee on the Bill for an Act to Amend the Land Use Act, and acting chairman, House Committee on Power.

He was leader of the Nigerian delegation to African,Caribbean, Pacific & European Union Parliamentary Assembly (ACP-EU) and served as Vice-Chairman, Economic Committee ACP-EU, held in Prague,Czech Republic in April 2009.

On October 28, 2014, Tambuwal formally defected from the ruling PDP to the opposition APC and few days later his security details were withdrawn by the Inspector General of Police a move that has been criticised by a lot of well meaning Nigerians as being barbaric and undemocractic.

The legal luminary, Dr. Olisa Agabakogba (SAN) was of the opinion that the police authority goofed in withdrawing Tambuwal’s aid as police is not meant to interprete and apply the law.

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike An outstanding administrator, lawyer, leader and politician, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike was born to the family of Reverend and Mrs. Nlemanya Wike of Rumuepirikom community, Rivers State.

Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike holds degrees in Political and Administrative Studies as well as Law. After a brief stint with private legal practice, Chief E.N. Wike was elected twice as the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. He served his two terms in office from 1999 to 2002 and 2004 to 2007. While in office, Chief E.N. Wike also served as Deputy President, Association of Local

• Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal during his inuaguration in Sokoto.

• Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike riding a van during his inuaguration in Port Harcourt

Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, in 2004 and was later elected the President of ALGON. He also represented Africa as a member of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Local Governments Forum.

Chief Wike distinguished himself as the best performing local government council chairman in Rivers State. As council chairman, he embarked on iconic projects that re-defined council administration and set the right example for his colleagues. As ALGON National President, Wike played a pioneering role in national security and primary healthcare, leading all local councils to commit themselves to high level grassroots development across the country.

Between October 26, 2007 and May 28, 2011, Chief Wike served as the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt and was appointed the Director-General of Governor Amaechi’s re-election Campaign Organisation. On July 14, 2011, Chief Wike was subsequently appointed and sworn-in as the Honourble Minister of State for Education.

Following a cabinet shakeup, Chief (Barr.) Wike emerged the nation’s Supervising Minister of Education on September 12, 2013.

As the Minister of State for Education, Chief E. N. Wike made remarkable impact in the basic education sub-sector, spear-heading a nationwide reform of the nation’s education system.

The fundamental programmes that were driven by the former Minister of State for Education include the creation of access to quality education for nine million Almajiri children in Northern Nigeria through the construction of

• Abubakar

dedicated schools in affected states, construction of basic education vocational training schools for out-of-school children in Southern Nigeria and Special Girl-Education Schools for less privileged girls in 16 states of the country.

The former Minister of State for Education also championed the free distribution of books across the nation. Over 60 Millions of textbooks and library resource materials have been distributed since 2011.

Determined to ensure that teachers have the capacity to deliver on the Transformation Agenda of the Jonathan administration, the former Minister initiated the training of close to 500,000 basic education teachers and school administrators.

As the nation’s Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Wike took proactive measures to resolve key challenges in the basic and tertiary education levels. Under his watch, the Federal Government established four new Federal Polytechnics, with one sited at Bonny, Rivers

• Prof. Ayade

State. Wike facilitated the N1.3trillion Intervention fund for public universities in Nigeria, the very first of its kind aimed at reviving university education in Nigeria. He facilitated the revival of infrastructure in 51 State and Federal Polytechnics and ensured the construction of micro-teaching laboratories in Colleges of Education in Nigeria.

His efforts have been recognized by stakeholders within and outside the shores of Nigeria. He was conferred with the Best Performing Minister, 2011 by the Nigerian Pilot Newspapers, African Network Campaign on Education For All, ANCEFA, awarded him the Policy Champion Award for Africa to recognize his roles in the creation of quality access for Nigeria Children. The Abuja Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, conferred on him a “Recognition Award for Reviving Basic Education in Nigeria”,while the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), conferred on him “Award of Per-

formance in the Education Sector”. The former Minister of State for Education has received several other awards from reputable stakeholders in the education sector who appreciate his investments of energy and intellectual resources in the system.

On December 8, 2014, PDP delegates from the 23 local government areas of Rivers State voted for Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2015 election in the state.

A holder of several traditional chieftaincy titles, Chief E.N. Wike is happily married to Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, a High Court Judge with the Rivers State Judiciary, and blessed with three lovely children; Jordan, Joaquin, and Jazmyne.

These men who moved f rom Law Chambers to executive chambers are definitely grea achievers, whatever the level of their challenges in the current democratic dispensation.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

38

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.

courts.

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF)

•Continued from last week

W

HERE an entity is convicted of an of fence under the TPA (as amended), such as entity is liable to the forfeiture of any assets, funds, or property used or intended to be used in the commission of the offence and the court may issue an order to wind up the entity or withdraw the licence of the entity and its principal officers or both. (s.

25 (ii). Where the court orders the entity to be wound up, its assets and property shall be transferred to the Federation Account. (s.

25)(3).

Terrorist Funding

Terrorist funding is defined as “providing or collecting funds, by any means, directly or indirectly, with the intention or knowledge that they will be used to carry out an act of terrorism” (72). A distinction must be made very quickly here between terrorist funding and money laundering. Money laundering presumes that there is a crime which generates proceeds that have to be disguised in order to conceal the illicit source which in the case of terrorist financing, money would be from either legitimate or illegal sources. (73).

Section 13(1) of TPA 2011 (as amended) prohibits making available funds, property or other services by any means, whether legitimate or otherwise to terrorist organisations or individual terrorists with the knowledge or having reasonable grounds to believe that such funds or property will be used in full or in part in order to connect or facilitate a terrorist act. No person or body corporate shall also solicit, acquire, provide, collect, receive or posses such funds. The Act prescribes life imprisonment for a convict of such an offence (section 13(2)(b).

Section 14 of the Act imposes an obligation on financial institution or designated non-financial institution to report suspicious transaction relating to terrorism to the Financial Intelligent Unit (FIU). The Nigerian F.I.U. was established in 2005 by the EFCC. It draws its powers from the money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004 and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (Establishment) Act 2004. It is the central agency for the collection, analysis and dissemination of information on ML and TF.

Human Rights Issues and the TPA 2011 (as amended)

The enactment of the Principal Act in 2011 generated concerns from human rights circles as some aspects of the Act were seen as constituting serious threats to some of the fundamental rights guaranteed in chapter 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). For instance, the Act gave broad and sweeping powers to security and intelligence officers without any judicial oversight. In section 25 (now substituted) the National Security Adviser or Inspector General of Police may enter and search any place, persons, or vehicle “without warrant” if he has reason to suspect that an offence is being committed. He may also search, detain, and arrest any person if he has a reasonable suspicion that the person has committed or is about to commit an offence under the Act. Section 26 (now substituted), authorised the Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Security Adviser or the Inspector General of Police to use communication service providers in intelligence gathering as he may deem fit. Section 28 (now substituted) also allowed the detention of a terrorism suspect for 24 hours by security officers without access to any other person except the suspect’s medical doctor and the detaining agency’s lawyer.

The wide powers conferred on the government to proscribe organisations were also of a great concern as such powers were considered as capable of being abused, particularly in declaring opponents as terrorists.

The 2013 amendment of the Act brought

• IGP Solomon Aranse

about some changes to address some of the human rights issues. Nevertheless, some of the amendments still leave much to be desired. For instance, section 27(1), which provides that “[t]he court may, pursuant to an exparte application, grant an order for the detention of a suspect under this Act for a period not exceeding 90 days subject to renewal for a similar period until the conclusion of the investigation and prosecution of the matter that led to the arrest and detention is dispensed with” is potentially contrary to the right to personal liberty under section 35 of the Nigeria Constitution, especially against the backdrop of a community reading of subsections (1) (c), (4) (a) (b) and (5). While sub-section (1) (c) permits deprivation of a person’s liberty, in accordance with a procedure permitted by law, “for the purpose of bringing him before a court in execution of the order of a court or upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed a criminal offence, or to such extent as may be reasonably necessary to prevent his committing a criminal offence”, subsection (4) provides that such a person shall be brought before a court of law within a reasonable time, and if he is not tried within a period of: (a) Two months from the date of his arrest or detention in the case of a person who is in custody or is not entitled to bail; or (b) Three months from the date of his arrest or detention in the case of a person who has been released on bail, he shall (without prejudice to any further proceedings that may be bought against him) be released either unconditionally or upon such conditions as are reasonably necessary to ensure that he appears for trial at a later date. According to sub-section 5, the expression ä reasonable time” means. (a) In the case of an arrest or detention in any place where there is a court of competent jurisdiction within a radius of forty kilometres, a period of one day; and (b) In any other case, a period of two days or such longer period as in the circumstances may be considered by the court to be reasonable.

The new section 28(1), which provides that “[w]here a person is arrested under reasonable suspicion of having committed any offence under this Act, the relevant law enforcement or security officer may direct that the person arrested be detained in custody for a period not exceeding forth-eight hours”, potentially contravenes section 35(4) (5) of the Constitution “in the case of an arrest or detention in any place where there is a court of competent jurisdiction within a radius of forty kilometres”.

The new section 28(4), which provides that where a person arrested under the Act is granted bail by a court within the 90 days detention period stipulated by the Act, “the person may, on the approval of the Head of the relevant law enforcement agency be placed under a house arrest and shall – (a) be monitored by its officers: (b) have no access to phones or communication gadgets; and (c) speak only to his counsel until the conclusion of the investigation.”

House arrest, without a valid court order or, in this case, in defiance of a court order, is illegal and undermines the authority of the

The sweeping powers conferred on the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police and the State Security service under the Principal Act are now curtailed and reposed in the Attorney General of the Federation who is now designated as the authority for the effective implementation and administration of the Act. He has the responsibility to strengthen and enhance the existing legal framework to ensure conformity of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism laws and policies with international standards and United Nations Conventions on Terrorism. He shall also maintain international cooperation required for preventing and combating international acts of terrorism. It is the further responsibility of the Attorney-General to ensure the effective prosecution of terrorism matters. (s.1A (2) (a) (b) and (c).

The Attorney General of the Federation reserves the power to delegate his power to any agency charge with responsibility of terrorist investigation to instituted criminal proceedings. (S. 30(1)). A special power is conferred on the AGF to initiate a judicial process for the reduction of sentence imposed on a convict where such a convict has before any proceedings, made possible or facilitated the identification of other accused persons and their sponsors or who, after commencement of the proceedings has made possible or facilitated the arrest of such persons. The court has the discretion to reduce the sentence as it may deem fit. Also the attorney-General may under Section 32 of the TPA – 2011 (as amended) apply to a judge in chambers for an interim Order to attach or seize the assets of any person who has been charged or is about to be charged under the Act.

The Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA)

The office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) is now the coordinating body for all security and law enforcement agencies in matters relating to terrorism. The office also has the mandate to ensure the effective formulation and implementation of a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy for Nigeria, build capacity for the effective discharge of the functions of all relevant security, intelligence, law enforcement and military services under the Act or any other law on terrorism in Nigeria. It is further conferred with the omnibus power “to do such other acts or things that are necessary for the effective performance of the functions of the relevant security and enforcement agencies.

(See s.1A (a) (b) (c) & (d). For the avoidance of doubts, law enforcement and security agencies are identified as the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Security Services, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, National Intelligence Agency, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, defence Intelligence Agency, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Nigerian Armed Forces and Nigeria Prisons Service and any other agency empowered by an Act of the National Assembly (s 40).

It is pertinent to state here that pursuant to the provisions of section 1A, a Counter Terrorism Centre (CTC), the Joint Terrorism Analysis Branch (JTAB) and the Behavioural Analysis and Strategic Communication Unit were established to enhance the effective performance of the role of ONSA in coordinating the law enforcement agencies, intelligence sharing and cooperation amongst the agencies. The effectiveness of these bodies is not very pronounced. The ability of the terrorists to plan, develop and execute their attacks without detection clearly exposes the weakness or ineffectiveness of these bodies.

Jurisdiction

Section 32 of the TPA 2011 (as amended) vests the jurisdiction to try and punish terrorist offences on the Federal High Court “located in any part of Nigeria, regardless of the location where the offence is committed”. And as a corollary of the jurisdiction to try offenders under the Act, the FHC is

empowered to impose sentences of varying degrees and fines to individuals found culpable (S. 32(2). In addition, a convict under the Act may be required to forfeit any asset used to commit the offence or connected with it. In order to forestall delay in hearing terrorism cases, the Act empowers the FHC to “adopt all legal measures necessary to avoid unnecessary delays and abuse in the conduct of matters. (s. 32(5). And, one measure prescribed by the Act itself is for the court to refuse to entertain applications for stay of proceedings until judgment is delivered (s.

32(6). My observation here is that, by the time judgment is delivered, it is doubtful if there would be any proceeding to be stayed.

And, in any event, the court would have become functus officio. The point was well made by Kabiri –Whyte, JSC (as he then was) in Sanusi v. Ayoola [74] that a court, on disposing of a cause before it renders itself functus officio as it ceases to have jurisdiction over such case. My apprehension about the jurisdiction of the FHC, nevertheless, is that the court is already overloaded, especially, having regard to the long list of items contained in section 251 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and other statutes over which it has power to exercise jurisdiction.

One of the amendments effected in respect of the jurisdiction of the FHC is the power of the court to try terrorist offences “whether or not the offence was committed in Nigeria and completed outside Nigeria”(75). This provision must have been influenced by the decision of the South African High Court in The State v. Okah SS94/2011 in which the accused, who was resident in South Africa, was tried and convicted for his involvement in the planning and organising of two car bomb attacks in Nigeria wherein several people were killed and many injured. The South African Court predicated its authority to hear and determine the case upon the fact that “South Africa is a member of the United Nations and therefore committed to executing its obligations in terms of international instruments dealing with terrorism and related activities.” (p3). Nigeria is signatory to all the relevant Conventions and Protocols.

Conclusion

Terrorism remains a major threat to Nigeria’s peace and security. Terrorism is not peculiar to Nigeria but a feature of modern society. The absence of, or insufficient legal framework and the inertia of Nigerian authorities in the early days of Boko Haram contributed immensely to the escalation of the insurgency. The efforts of the military at recovering Boko Haram’s ‘conquered territories’ in the last few weeks are commendable; although, it is disheartening to read in the pages of newspapers, statements credited to the President-elect, Mohammed Buhari, that the much that has been achieved by the military has been through the instrumentality of South African mercenaries! [76]. There is no doubt that, effective police action or military action, within the precincts of law, can certainly reduce terrorist threats, as it is evident from the on-going military action. We should, however, not operate under the illusion that military action alone can eradicate terrorism completely. Unless terrorist groups themselves decide to abandon armed struggle, it may be difficult to overcome them by force, having regard to the asymmetric nature of their approach.

The enactment of TPA 2011 (as amended) can be regarded as a right step, albeit, it came a little bit late. Again, it must be stated here, that law can only be a means to an end. Legislation alone cannot end terrorism. Boko Haram might end up being defeated but that may not put an end to terrorism. Until the root causes that make Nigeria a fertile ground for terrorism, such as poverty, joblessness, unresolved conflicts, social injustice and corruption are addressed, we may have to contend with the monster for a very long time to come.

OUR ERROR On page 27 of our last edition, one of the photographs in the story was wrongly captioned A, O. Mohammed (SAN). The correct name should have been P. A. O. Olorunnisola (SAN). The error is regretted.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

39

LAW & SOCIETY

Court orders Nigerian company to pay Swiss firm $12,064,435

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FEDERAL High Court in Lagos, has ordered Westcom Technologies and Energy Services Limited to pay $12,064,435 to a Swiss firm Transclear S.A. as accrued demurrage on bulk cement bought on credit by the defendant company.

Justice Musa Kruya was delivering judgment in a suit filed

by Transclear S.A. company through its lawyer Olumide Sofowora (SAN).

The Managing Director, Mr Attila Paulovits, while being led in evidence by Sofowora said on September 7, 2009, his company agreed to supply five cargoes of bulk cement to Westcom on credit adding the company was supposed to pay for the consignment as per the terms of the said agreement.

Paulovits said the cement was delivered as agreed but it was not discharged from the vessel by the defendant as and when due.

He said the failure to discharge resulted in the accrual of a demurrage of $8,500,000.

Paulovit said the defendant company pleaded with the plaintiff to continue supply it with cement based on the terms and agreement between them and promised to defray the outstanding demurrage.

He claimed that thereafter, additional four ship loads were supplied, adding that the state-

By Adebisi Onanuga

ment of account of the demurrage accrued on the nine vessels showed the defendant was indebted to the plaintiff to the tune of $12,063,435.

The witness said the defendants promised to pay the debt but till date has failed to do so.

Paulovits tendered seven documents as exhibits to support his claim.

The defendant company Managing Director, Kola Sowande, while being led in evidence by his counsel, C.H. Nwuke, adopted his witness statement on oath and tendered six documents in support of his case.

Under cross examination, he admitted that $12,063,444,96 is being owed the plaintiff.

He, however, contended that the plaintiff’s claim is not truly a claim for demurrage as to confer the requisite jurisdiction on the court to entertain the case.

The plaintiff did not establish any agreement of carriage of goods by sea between both parties, there was no shipping agreement adding that from which a demurrage claim could ensue. The claim, he said, could only be for a simple debt over which the court has no jurisdiction.

Sowande said the $12,064,435 claimed by the plaintiff under the agreement was not sup-

ported by any consideration since the acknowledgement agreement of the debt was not made under seal.

In his judgment, Justice Kruya said “I have reviewed the facts of this case, in civil actions the standard of proof on the preponderance of evidence, consequently, it is the duty of the party to an action to adduce evidence which ought to reasonably satisfy a court that the facts sought to be proved is established. ‘’In conclusion, I am of the firm view that based on the admission of the defendant’s witness under cross-examination alone, the plaintiff has proved his case preponderance of evidence entitling it to judgment.

“I am of the further view that the agreement dated October 25, 2011, which was tendered as, exhibit the debt acknowledgement agreement is valid in law to create an obligation on the defendant to pay the sum of $12,064,435 to the plaintiff since it was voluntarily signed by the defendant first before sending same to the plaintiff for execution. ‘’Consequently, judgment is hereby entered in favour of the plaintiff against the defendant as per the writ of summons and interest on the said $12,064,435 at the rate of three percent per annum from September 29, 2011 till the whole amount is paid.’’

• Alegeh (SAN) (middle) and some members during the unveiling of the visa card.

NBA launches visa affinity cards

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RESIDENT of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Mr. Augustin Alegeh (SAN) last week in Sokoto, during the quarterly National Executive Committee meeting of the NBA in Sokoto unveiled lawyers Visa affinity Cards for the members.

The cards were produced by the association’s official banker Access Bank.

By John Austin Unachukwu

Alegeh said: “The benefits of this Visa Card cannot be overemphasised.

The NBA Visa Card will serve the dual role of an Identification Card as well as a payment card that serves all online payment portals; ATMs and POS terminals.

“The NBA Visa affinity card will also

afford lawyers the opportunity to access the various discounted welfare packages of several service providers negotiated on their behalf by the NBA. “Most importantly the NBA Visa Card when used for payment on the NBA online platform for NBA Conferences, programmes and seminars will attract a certain level of discount”.

FIDA Lagos holds Law Week June 16

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HE International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Lagos will hold its 2015 Law Week between June 16 and 19.

The opening ceremony of the Law week has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 16 with a lecture at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos at 10.30am. The Theme of the program is: Women in Power and Decision.

Chairperson FIDA Lagos State Branch, Eliana Martins said the programme is designed to explore the obstacles to and opportunities for women participation in all spheres of public and private life, address the challenges of legal reforms in eliminating all kinds of discrimination against women, project programmes that will encourage women’s access to decision making and participation in

leadership and to project ways that the dignity and rights of women can be showcased in the media.

Martins said FIDA Lagos, in striving to pursue its objective of enlightening and sensitising the vulnerable members of our society including women and children, is promoting the enhancement of their welfare and celebrating the international day of African child during the opening programme.

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com For comments: 08033054939 (sms only)

Double subsidy for fuel importers

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari’s government should quickly determine its policy direction on the much abused petroleum products’subsidyregime, which currently has gifted the importers of Petrol Motor Spirit (PMS), a double-subsidy; from the government and the masses. As things stand, the licensed importers openly and joyously sell PMS to the retail-end marketers, at prices well above the PPPRA’s approved price, under the subsidy regime. Yet, because officially we operate a regulated regime, the Federal Government would be compelled to pay the importers their phantom subsidy-claims, willy-nilly. The deals are akin to the criminally operated kerosene-subsidy regime through which our country has been fleeced of billions of dollars,particularly under the Jonathan’s presidency.

We recall that under former President Jonathan, the Federal Government operated an opaque and murky kerosene subsidy-regime, which allowed the importers to claim subsidy, even when the product was deregulated as far as the price paid by the end-users at the dispensing point, were concerned. What we had then, and probably still has, is a system which officially pegged the retail price of kerosene at 50 naira, thus entitling the importers to claim subsidy, even when they supply to retailers far above the regulated price.For kerosene users, there is no filling station, save those orchestrated for television cameras, were the product ever sells less than N130, since the importers on their part sell the product, above N100, to retail-end marketers.

As far as this column is concerned, the kerosene subsidy-gate under the Jonathan’s administration, is perhaps the most brazen officiallyorganised crime by state authorities, against the poorest of the poor, in ourcountry’s history. The difference between that officially organised heist and grand larceny, and the on-going double subsidy for fuel importers, is that for the present, the unfair trade benefits is as a result of the delay in taking a stand, on fuel-subsidy, by President Buhari’s regime.Of course, the choices before the new regime is not an easy one, but President Buhari has been elected to make tough choices, and the earlier he starts making them, the better for all of us.

The choice before the present government is either to deregulate the industry, so that market forces will determine the prices or to allow regulation by state agencies; after a thorough clean-up of the relevant bureaucracies that has fed fat on the blood of Nigerians.The latter option, most probably, would be more preferable, for majority of Nigerians. But the challenge will be how to ensure that the new faces which the present government will introduce,to man the regulatory agencies, will not merely sharpen their proboscis and plug same into the blood vessels of Nigerians and continue were their predecessors stopped. This challenge perhaps explains why many see deregulation as the only way, to reign in the criminality going on in the petroleum industry.

To show how insincere the present regulatory agencies are, the so-called stake-holder’s met last week, but were mum on who bears responsibility for the run-away prices of PMS, in the past three weeks. As if we were running a rogue nation, petroleum products’ importers who are entitled to subsidyclaims from the government, so that petrol could sell at N87 per litre, openly sold the product to the retail-marketers between N95 and N115 per litre, depending on the fancy of the importer, and how severe and harsh the orchestrated scarcity was biting. The retailers on their part, sold first at N130, and now N100 per litre, to Nigerians, while the so-called black-marketers sell at N150 per litre.

Now the same rogue importers are already telling the Federal Government that their subsidy-claims, which they have claimed through the back-door from Nigerians is mounting, and should be paid.Because the Federal Government is yet to take a stand, the rogues have agreed among themselves to form a new cartel, called a task-force, to ease the supply of fuel, which they orchestrated. Even without any advice, the Federal Government should know that a combination of the present headship of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Department of Petroleum Resources, Petroleum Equalisation Fund, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, Petroleum Products Pipelines Marketing Company and their private sector collaborators, the Major Oil Marketers, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigerian, the National Road Transport Owners Association, Petroleum Tanker Drivers union and the host of others, would only bring more misery and hardship on Nigerians.

It is important that the Federal Government do not put their hope of salvaging the petroleum products’ crisis in the country, on the so-called task-force, championed by the present leadership of these groups. Their combined force can only give rise to a powerful force that will be used to blackmail the current government, to pay the dubious and duplicitous subsidy-claims, outstanding and accumulated with their collaborators. Considering their importance in the importation and distribution of petroleum products, the Federal Government would require the Wisdom of Solomon to extricate itself, and the people of Nigeria from their vice-grip. The ruthlessness shown by these men and women,in the dying days of the Jonathan’s administration, shows clearly the extent they can go to bring any government to its knees.

In the coming days, President Buhari’s government would need to open a dialogue with Nigerians on the way forward. It is expected that as soon a new national assembly and state assemblies set down to business, our political leaders would show an example, by unilaterally cutting down on their several bogus emoluments. Also, it is hoped that transparency would become the watchword of our new nation, across board. Hopefully then, can the government call on Nigerians, to make the necessary sacrifice, to end this man-eating petroleum subsidy regime.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

NATIONAL BAR Two weeks before his exit, former President Goodluck 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.

Innovative provisions of Administration ofCriminalJusticeAct2015 • Continued from last week

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HE electronic recording of con fessional statement was aimed at ensuring that the police do not use torture and other involuntary means to extract confessional statements from suspects. But it was observed that most police stations in the country do not have electronic recording machines. Even if such machines are provided, a suspect could be taken into a room where there are no recording equipment and tortured there. He could thereafter be taken to another room with the recording equipment to make a confessional statement as if he has not been tortured. It was further observed that practical problems of implementation as these are already being experienced in Lagos State where electronic recording of the making of confessional statement is already provided for. The final provisions of section 15(4) and (5) of the federal proposals took cognizance of the observed practical problems.

Recording of statement of suspect Section 17 of the ACJA stipulates that where a person is arrested on allegation of having committed an offence, his statement shall be taken in the presence of a legal practitioner of his choice, or where he has no legal practitioner of his choice, in the presence of an officer of the Legal Aid Council, official of a Civil Society Organisation, a Justice of the Peace or any other credible person of his choice. The legal practitioner or any other person mentioned in this provision shall not interfere while the suspect is making his statement.

Where a suspect does not understand or speak or write in the English language, an interpreter, shall record and read over the statement

to the suspect to his understanding and the suspect shall then endorse the statement as having been made by him, and the interpreter shall attest to the making of the statement.

The interpreter shall endorse his name, address, occupation, designation or other particulars on the statement. The suspect shall also endorse the statement with his full particulars.

Monthly report by Police to supervising magistrate Section 28 of the ACJ Act provides that an officer in charge of a police station or an official in charge of an agency authorised to make an arrest shall on the last working day of every month report to the nearest magistrate the cases of all suspects arrested with or without warrant within the limit of their respective stations or agency whether the suspect has been admitted to bail or not. Such report is to contain the particulars of the persons as prescribed in section 15 of the ACJA. Upon receipt, the magistrate is to forward the report to the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee. The Committee shall analyze the report and advice the Attorney-General of the Federation as to the trends of arrests, bail and related matters. This provision is quite commendable as it will serve as a form of check and balance on the activities of law enforcement agencies.

In addition to the above provisions, Section 34 of the Act provides that the Chief Magistrate or where there is no Chief Magistrate within the police division, any magistrate designated by the Chief Judge for that purpose, shall conduct monthly an inspection of po-

General of the Federation of all persons awaiting trial held in custody for a period beyond 180 days from the date arraignment. The returns shall be in a prescribed form and shall contain such information such as: (a) the name of the suspect held in custody or Awaiting Trial Persons, (b) passport photograph of the suspect; (c) the date(s) of his arraignment or remand; (d) the date(s) of his admission to custody; (e) the particulars of the offence with which he was charged, (f) the courts before which he was arraigned (g) n a m e of the prosecuting agency, and (h) any other relevant information.

Upon the receipt of such return, the recipient shall take such steps as are necessary to address the issues raised in the return in furtherance of the objectives of the ACJ Act.

•CJN Justice Mahmud Mohammed

• Prof. Akinseye-George

lice stations and other places of detention within his territorial jurisdiction. During the visit, the magistrate may: (a) call for and inspect the record of arrests; (b) direct the arraignment of the suspect (c) where bail has been refused, grant bail to any suspect where appropriate.

geria. Subsection (1) of section 29 of the Act also mandates the Commissioner of Police of a State to remit to the office of the Attorney-General of that State a record of all arrests. Such record is to contain the full particulars of the person arrested as prescribed in Section 15 of the Act. Section 29(5) empowers the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation to establish an electronic and manual database of all records of arrested persons at the Federal and State level.

Quarterly Report of arrests to the Attorney-General of the Federation Section 29 of the ACJA provides that the Inspector General Police and heads of every agency authorised by law to make arrest shall remit quarterly to the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation a record of all arrests made in relation to federal offences or arrests within Ni-

Returns by Comptroller-General of Prisons By section 111 of the ACJA, the Comptroller-General of Prisons is to make returns every ninety days to the Chief Judge and the Attorney-

Right to Bail Sections 30, 31, 32 and 158- 164 of the ACJA make an elaborate provision on rights of an arrested person to be admitted on bail. It permits an oral application in non-capital cases5.

The Act also made specific provisions on bail where a person is charged with a capital offence. Such a person can only be admitted to bail by a High Court Judge under exceptional circumstances. Such circumstance may include: (a) ill health of the applicant which shall be confirmed and certified by a qualified medical practitioner employed in a Government hospital; (b) extraordinary delay in the investigation, arraignment and prosecution for a period exceeding one year; or (c) any other circumstances that the Judge may, in the particular facts of the case, consider exceptional.

•Continued next week

As all newly elected officials settle down for business having survived the challenges of electoral contest, ERIC IKHILAE examines the case of the Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Geidam, who is faced with multiple court cases.

Geidam: A governor’s many legal hurdles

• Geidam

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LONG with other governors, who were victorious at the last governorship election, Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State took his oath of office on May 29, heralding the commencement of another four years in the saddle.

But, unlike some lucky ones, whose elections are not contested, Ibrahim’s renewed mandate is being attacked on many fronts by his adversaries.

At the last count, not less than three cases have been instituted against his re-election; two pending at the Federal High Court, Abuja, while the others are before the state’s Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, also sitting in Abuja.

While the two before the Federal High Court are challenging his eligibility to contest the last election, the one before the tribunal is querying the outcome of the election.

Geidam was deputy governor to the late Mamman Ali, but assumed the governorship position following the governor’s death in January 2009. He won the 2011 governorship election.

Again, he emerged victorious in the April 11, 2015 election as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress

(APC).

One of the cases before the election tribunal was instituted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the April 11 election, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri. He hinged his challenge on the outcome of the election primarily, on allegation of electoral malpractices.

Waziri, a former Minister of Police Affairs, who reportedly told a crowd of supporters after the election results were announced that: “I have not conceded defeat or congratulated Governor Ibrahim Geidam for the simple reason that I have some disputes to settle with the result of the election.” He claimed in his petition, that the INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state was induced three days to the election.

Pending before Justice Ademola Adeniyi of the Federal High Court, Abuja is a suit by Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, in which he claims that Geidam was also not qualified to have stood for election, having allegedly presented forged academic certificate.

He contended in part, that Geidam presented a school certificate dated December 1969 whereas there was no Borno State Government of Nigeria in existence in 1969 because the Borno state was created February 3, 1976 as Yobe State was created out of Borno State August 27, 1991.

Maihaja further contended that there was no Local Government Education Authority (LEA) in existence as at December 22, 1969 under the North- eastern region, which was the legal entity at that time that purportedly issued the certificate.

He wants the court to declare, among others, that Geidam was not qualified to have contested the 2015 Governorship Election in Yobe State either under the

All Progressives Congress (APC) or any other political party.

The plaintiff equally urged the court to nullify and void the nomination of Geidam as the “APC governorship candidate in Yobe State for the 2015 governorship election in the event it agrees with his submissions.

Justice Ademola reserved ruling, last month, in an ex-parte application filed by the plaintiff for leave to serve the governor court processes in the suit, through substituted means.

Maihaja hinged his application on the ground that he had encountered difficulties in his attempt to serve Geidam, as security personnel attached to the governor allegedly made it practically impossible to effect personal service on him.

Two politicians, Ayuba Sabo and Ahmed Abubakar, who were governorship aspirants and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), like the governor said they have also filed a petition before the tribunal, aside the pre-election case they filed against him before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The plaintiffs are by the suit, challenging Geidam’s eligibility to contest the April 11 governorship election.

They argued that if Geidam was allowed to contest in the election and declared winner, he would be spending the third term in office, contrary to the provisions of the constitution.

The plaintiffs relied on the provisions of Sections 180(2)(b) and 182(1)(b) 191(1) of the constitution, arguing that Geidam, having taken the oath of office on two occasions, was no longer eligible to contest the April 11 election.

In a supporting affidavit, they averred that with Geidam’s re-election he “will end up spending three terms

of a period of 10 years and four months, against the provision of the 1999 Constitution which allows for two terms of a period of eight years, with each term being just four years”.

The plaintiffs, through their counsel, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), submitted 10 issues for determination.

Their prayers read: “A declaration that having regard to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) it is not unconstitutional, unlawful, illegal and not permissible for any person to occupy the office of a governor of a state of Nigeria for more than a cumulative and or aggregate period of eight years when it is practicable to hold election into the office of the governor of Yobe State.”

“A declaration that by virtue of section 180(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the tenure of office of Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, the 1st defendant herein, as the governor of Yobe State, began on May 29, 2007 when he took the oath of office as the deputy governor alongside the last holder of the office, the late Mamman Ali, thus making his two terms terminable on May, 29, 2015, having won the second term in May 2011.

“An order of injunction restraining the first defendant from contesting or attempting to vie for the office of the governor of Yobe State, or occupying same after 28 May, 2015, when his tenure, compromising two terms of eight years shall by the constitution would have come to an end.

“An order directing the second defendant not to countenance the name of the 1st defendant submitted to it as a candidate in the forthcoming governorship election of Yobe State slated for April 11, 2015.

“An order of perpetual injunction, restraining the first and second defendants, their servants, agents, privies whatsoever or howsoever called, from presenting or accepting as a candidate, for the elections to the office of the governor of Yobe State, the first defendant as an aspirant, having been caught by extant provision of the Constitution with regard to the ‘two previous elections’ limit and two terms of eight years.”

On May 11, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, while ruling on the plaintiff’s exparte application for leave for substituted service, ordered that the governor and the Independent National Electoral Commission (defendants) be served through newspaper publication.

The judge also ordered that Geidam and INEC to respond to the suit within seven days after the publication.

There is also a similar suit by a researcher and public affairs analyst, Nkemjika Nkemjika and a politician from Yobe State, Sheik Musa. They argued, in an originating summons, that Geidam exhausted the two-term limit allowed by the Constitution on May 29, 2015 having assumed office in 2009 when the then governor died before the completion of his tenure.

Nkemjika and Musa want the court to declare, among others, that Geidam was not qualified to stand for election under any political party “having regards to the provisions of Section 180 (1) (b) and 180 (2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended to stand for the 2015 Governorship Election in Yobe State either under the platform of the APC or any other political party.”

Geidam and other defendants in the cases were yet to respond as and when filing this report. Time however, will tell if the governor will successfully navigate these legal hurdles.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9 , 2015

43

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

HEALTH

Lagos, agency partner on grassroots health T HE hall of the Eti-Osa Local Government Secretariat, IgboEfon, Lekki, Lagos was packed full. The participants comprised mostly women- expectant and nursing mothers, babies and toddlers and men, especially community leaders.

They had one mission: to witness the launch and take off of the Pro-poor Community Health project in Lagos State. Their local government is the first beneficiary.

It consists of Ikota Bamboo; EbuteAjiran; Jakande (Ilasan community) and Ebute-Ikate-Gbame community.

The Marwa Association/Keke NAPEP members were also in attendance. They are in partnership with the project, with the understanding to transport any woman in labour in any of these communities to place of delivery round the clock; or anybody that needs medical attention.

The pro-poor community health project is an initiative by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Health that focuses on strengthening outreach services in communities and encouraging members of the community to take advantage of health care services provided at the primary health centers (PHCs) close to them.

The Chief Resident Representative of JICA, Mr. Hirotaka Nakamura, said JICA’s activities in the health sector is hinged on maternal, newborn and child health and strengthening the health system in Nigeria.

Nakamura said the project was not the first in the state as the agency’s activities are evident by past projects

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

which include the project for improvement of maternal, newborn and child health from 2010 to 2014.

He explained: “JICA’s first phase of health project was aimed at providing intervention to health care providers through midwifery skill trainings on antenatal care, delivery management, and training on activities to improve operating environment which aims to promote the efficiency of routine works conducted at target PHCs. “The phase also aim at providing intervention to community through capacity building for ward health committee, health education for male and community needs assessment, stressing that one of the outcomes of the first phase revealed that more women had enrolled for antenatal care adding however that a number of women still prefer to deliver at home rather than health facilities. ”It is against this background that the current phase of the project focuses on encouraging members of the community to take advantage of the health care services provided at the primary health centres close to each community.”

Nakamura expressed optimism that access could be achieved by strengthening outreach services in communities, increasing awareness about health and environmental health in community, initiating activities that help community members engage in matters concerning their health and

mapping out possible solutions to challenges to access health care services and strengthen capacity of health care providers; as he solicited the support of the local government authority and community leaders for successful implementation of the project adding that cooperation and understanding for the project will no doubt, ensure the effort of health workers will be worth a lot and yield the desired result.

The Medical Officer of Health, Eti Osa, represented by the Apex Nurse, Mrs Stella Adesiyan explained to the audience that the pro-poor community health project sponsored by JICA commenced in 2014 and is expected to end in 2018. The aim is to expand and improve the concept of universal health coverage, reduce child morbidity and mortality and improve maternal health.

He said: “Aside this, it will also strengthen the health services being rendered; ensure sustainability of the health services and establish health services for the poor. The effective implementation, with your cooperation will reduce child morbidity and mortality rate and improve maternal health as envisaged in the Millennium Developmental Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5.

“We expect the community dwellers to take advantage of this project by ensuring the increasing utiisation of healthcare facilities; encourage early registration by pregnant women at the health facility and increasing participation of community dwellers in health activities and programmes.”

•A cross section of participants at the launch.

Scientists canvass more clinical trials

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CIENTISTS and medical experts have called for more clinical trials to advanced healthcare in Nigeria and the West African region.

The forum was the Third Nigerian Annual Clinical Trial Summit in Lagos.

It had as theme Advancing global clinical trials in West Africa Sub-region.

A Professor of Pharmacognosy, Maurice Iwu, said clinical research and associated clinical trials (CTs) are important for advancing public health and development of evidence-based medicine.

Iwu, whose paper was on Leveraging bilateral and multilateral opportunities in clinical research, said the era of electronic digitalisation, internet and cloudcomputing applications demand a re-

By Wale Adepoju

view of extant methodologies used in clinical trials to fully take advantage of global clinical resources and assets.

The former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) boss, said the registration of clinical trials in the public would enhance transparency, adding: “It will also increase trust in research, improve participation and safeguard against public bias.”

The Chairman, Association for Good Clinical Practice in Nigeria (AGCPN), Prof Ifeoma Okoye, said clinical trials are essential to move healthcare forward as it aims to promote indigenous drug development and health.

She said the ability of Africa to tackle her double burden of diseases has been

severely hampered by lack of infrastructure and experience in clinical research. okoye, who is a professor of Radiology at the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State, said the country is presently making inroad in clinical trials, especially as research are ongoing on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) drug.

“What we have is a vaccine. But some experts are working on EVD drug,” Okoye said.

She urged stakeholders to collaborate with one another and be committed, stressing that all sectors of Nigeria must have a strong sense of ownership, and as such support clinical trials.

Firms boost maternal health in North

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IRTEL Nigeria has renewed its partnership with Millennium Promise (MP) and the Earth Institute at Columbia University to provide quality healthcare to expectant and nursing mothers, and children under five years in Pampaida, Kaduna, Northern Nigeria, under Millennium Villages Project.

The project, an initiative of The Earth Institute at Columbia Univer-

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

sity, is a science-based bottom-up approach to lifting rural villages out of the poverty trap that afflicts more than a billion people worldwide.

The community-driven initiative operates in 12 sites in 10 sub-Saharan African countries where it tackles challenges related to health and nutrition, education, agriculture, livelihoods, gender equality

and other vital issues.

Under the new agreement with Millennium Promise, Airtel is leveraging on its robust 3.75G Network to deploy a sophisticated mobile-phone platform dubbed CommCare to help support Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Home Based Care Providers to provide better, more efficient healthcare to the targeted beneficiaries.

HEALTH TALK with How to achieve complete health: Illnesses and their prevention 9

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ARASITES: Malaria. Be wary of parasites causing such illness as malaria. Malaria kills over 600,000 people every year in the world. Most of these deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa which includes Nigeria. Female mosquitoes transmit malaria when they bite the person to suck blood.

In return they leave plasmodium parasite in our blood. To some extent, people living in places like Africa and Asia that have malaria problems are little protected (semi-immune) from the disease. That is illness in semi-immune persons may not be as deadly in the people as those from outside malarious zone such as in Europe and America. Except you are semi- immune or live in the area where malaria or mosquito is a daily contact, you will need a long and vigilant preventative measure to combat bites and prolong your life. Children and pregnant women are at higher risk of serious malaria and they need good protection too. For everyone who may come in contact with mosquitoes, you may require medications on daily or weekly basis to protect you against malaria.

Window netting, use of suitable insecticides within the house and appropriate insecticide without the house, clean and clear drains are necessities as is general tidy environment with good ventilations are means of preventing this deadly disease. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that you should be aware of peak exposure times and places.

Carriers of malaria are most active in twilight periods (dawn and dusk) or in the evening after dark. Avoiding the outdoors or focusing preventive actions during peak hours may reduce risk. Wear appropriate clothing. You can minimise areas of exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long trousers. Repellents or insecticides, such as permethrin, can be applied to clothing and gear for added protection. Use Bed nets. When accommodations are not adequately screened or air conditioned, bed nets are essential to provide protection and to reduce discomfort caused by biting insects. If bed nets do not reach the floor, they should be tucked under mattresses. Bed nets are most effective when they are treated with a pyrethroid. Pre-treated, long-lasting bed nets can be purchased or nets can be treated after purchase. Nets treated with a pyrethroid insecticide will be effective for several months if they are not washed. Long-lasting pre- treated nets may be effective for much longer.

There is good news on the horizon.

While it’s not a substitute for good personal and environmental hygiene, there is positive evidence now that vaccination against malaria disease is possible. Tests are now being conducted to make the vaccination usable in human beings. The vaccines will in future be available globally.

Insecticides and spatial repellents.

An increasing array of products to be used as spatial repellents (containing active ingredients such as metofluthrin and allethrin) is becoming commercially available.

These augment the aerosol insecticides (You can use “Raid” “Mobil” or other branded products), vaporising mats, and mosquito coils that have been available for some time. Such products can help to clear rooms or areas of mosquitoes (spray aerosols) or repel mosquitoes from a circumscribed area (coils, spatial repellents). Insecticides and repellent products should always be used with caution, avoiding direct inhalation of spray or smoke.

Dr Joel Akande Infertility Specialist and Consultant 08188343865 managementlease@yahoo.com

Other Parasites: There are other parasites like guinea worms, intestinal worms, skin worms and urinary bladder worms such as Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia that can be prevented by clean drinkable water, clean food and hygienic environment and by taking precautions when operating in infected areas and water. Often these parasites including malaria are not contagious.

Please note that parasites and other infections may be transmitted to another person through blood transfusion.

Fungus Fungus such as thrush in the mouth or vagina and indeed athlete’s foot are opportunistic infections that take advantage of moist and humid environment. Like warts, it can be contacted where there are mass of people using same facilities such as swimming or bathroom areas.

Prevention: What has been advised above should be noted. In addition, de-worm yourself and your children as may be required from time to time.

For fungus, it just must be cleared with anti-fungal medication. For all forms of infection, please get medical attention as soon as you feel unwell or you believe you have contacted any of the germs and parasites.

Genetic diseases There are many genetic diseases, some of which are yet to be discovered. However, at the current level of knowledge, you may not be able to remove your genetic disease if it’s already established in you but you are in position to prevent your disease from occurring in your children and forth-coming generations. Even at that, genetherapy is making wave these days and giving hope to otherwise incurable diseases. Examples of genetic diseases that you can prevent are: Down’s syndrome and in some families, cancer of the ovary, cancer of the breast, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, some forms of diabetic mellitus (inherited) some dementia to mention the common ones and a few. Just for completion, some diseases, such as Turners, intersex and other gender variations may have genetic origin.

Prevention: Get tested. The test may require little blood sample from you or just a sample of your saliva or scrape of your inner cheek. Work through your family genetic history before you marry or before you starting to have children. Know yourself too. What genetic diseases are you carrying without you knowing? Ask your doctor to carry out some genetic testing to discover your real you. You can plan your life and live healthy around some of these diseases.

Metabolic Diseases There are many diseases that relates to the organs or the way our body works in general.

Commonly, metabolic disease may be due to our lifestyle. The commonest example is diabetic mellitus (More later) which sadly like genetic disease can be inherited.

•To be continued next week

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9 , 2015

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TUESDAY JUNE 9, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

At 80, he could be described as one of the last surviving icons of the Awolowo political family. He was Vice President of the radical Action Group (AG) Youth Wing. He was a Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) senator in the Second Republic.

Now, the Chairman of the US-based Oodua Foundation, a pan-Yoruba think-tank, Professor of History Banji Akintoye left Nigeria about 30 years ago. He returned a few days ago. After a tour of the old Western Region, including a visit to Chief Dideolu Awolowo, the Ooni of Ife, the Alaafin of Oyo and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he rounded it off with an interview with The Nation, speaking on his fear and hope for a greater Nigeria. ADEWALE ADEOYE met him.

‘Why Yoruba must push for regional autonomy’ Y

OU are 80, almost a century of existence. How was life in Nigeria when you were growing up?

Things have changed. Ours was a beautiful tradition. We all belonged into a nuclear family, growing up together, playing together, and eating together in a kind of communal harmony. We saw ourselves as one family growing up in Ado Ekiti, a lot of communal children playing, fighting and sharing the good things of life. The tradition of the Yoruba people and Itsekiri has been like that for over 1000 years. My father was a warrior and took active part in the various wars of liberation fought across Yorubaland. He fought for Ado-Ekiti. He was famous. He died 7 years before I was born. My grandmother was of the royal stock in Ado-Ekiti. When I was a child, she was the oldest living princess. Every family had one history behind that make you proud.

Which primary school did you attend?

I attended one of the oldest primary schools in Western Nigeria, Emmanuel Primary school which was later split into two, St Savior and Emmanuel School at Oke Orojuda, Ado-Ekiti. I later went to Christ School in 1951. In my time, the tradition was that Christ School would sponsor you up to the University level. I was the best student in English. I received the price on several occasions. The tradition of Christ School was that when you are the best in English, you would be made the school librarian. I later went o the University College, Ibadan where I saw that a revolution was going on in the study of Africa using new methods of collecting oral tradition; new books and I was excited. I decided I’d rather study history and be part of the revolution. I didn’t join a political party for a start.

I was President of various students groups, the United Nations Students Service, I was also elected into the Students Representative Council. I was appointed delegate to various International conferences in Germany, Sweden, Hong Kong, Tunisia amongst many others.

How did you get involved in politics of the then Western Region?

In 1959, when the election was approaching, a lot of us became interested. Chief Obafemi Awolowo was offering us a lot of opportunity to attend their programmes during vacation. I was attending the AG meetings in Ado-Ekiti. People were demanding for more of schools, water and I saw what politics was all about.

In 1958, the Action Group Students Association invited Awo to come and address us. In 1959, our AG students association was given the opportunity to send a delegation to the AG

Congress. I later became the Vice President of the AG Youth Movement while Ayo Fasanmi was the Chairman. One day, I was in my hall of residence at Tedar Hall, Ibadan, I saw two people from Ado. They have come to lure me to come home and contest the 1964 election. I was also leading the AG Students association in Ekiti. I saw the two people, one is dead now, one of them called me few days ago, he is still alive. He said Ado people wanted me to come home and contest. In that 1964 election, I was too young, had no money, I was just a student. They said I should not complain of that when I got home.

The election was Saturday, and it was already Wednesday. Someone with a University degree, a lawyer was also contesting with me. Surprisingly, Saturday came and I won with a landslide. I was the youngest contestant in the country. Out of 64 votes, I won 57.

It was newspaper headlines, being the youngest candidate in the whole country. There was crisis thereafter. We boycotted the election which led to the 1965 election which was rigged in the same way that elections have been rigged in the North. Chief Ladoke Akintola split the AG and his group, the NNDC announced they had won.

It was a long, painful story. We the youths said we would not take it. I was the VP of AG Youth Wing. We met and said we were never going to accept it. There were soldiers deployed by the Northern leaders. At Ibadan, the number of soldiers was almost equal the number of the civilian population, but we remained undeterred.

We travelled under the cover of the night, mobilized across the Yoruba territories and sensitized the people. They had arrested many of our leaders and put them in detention.

What were the consequences?

Of course, that led to the first military coup, the January 1996 coup and then the counter coup of July 1996.

The soldiers came to destroy the federation and to ensure the North controls the centre and controls the country. This fueled autocracy, corruption and the destruction of the country’s fabric. It was a means of subverting the Yoruba and the Igbo to make it easy for the North to control Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Awolowo was charged for treason. We used to send delegation to prison to see Awolowo.

Is it true that the first coup led by Major Kaduna Nzeogwu was aimed at handing over power to Awo? No. It’s not true. They were never out to hand over power to Awo. People will say things to justify anything.

Did you think Awo and your group made a mistake for going to the centre instead of consolidating on the Western Region?

I think it was a mistake. We were open-minded. We were making progress in the Western Region. The

• Prof Akintoye and Senator Babafemi Ojodu

civil servants in the Western Region were the best paid. We were competing with Japan and many European countries. We used to borrow other regions loans. They were all coming to the Western Region to learn one or two things. We had the best and we felt we should share the goodness with the other regions. That has been the tradition of Yoruba. We wanted other groups to develop. We have a rich tradition of political economy and knowledge acquisition that you can compare with any country in the world. Take for instance, when Bishop Ajayi Crowther came to Niger area, he did not develop the alphabet for Yoruba alone, he did for the Igbo language, he did for Nupe, Hausa and Efik, though a Yoruba foremost scholar. He created a number of Igbo vocabulary to fit the tradition of the bible. So when we say Chief Awolowo made a mistake, yes, but as a Yoruba man, it is our tradition to open our doors, that’s our nature.

Now, people rush in and stamped in our land. I was a boy when Awo used to tell us that the Western Region is different. We were the first in Africa within about 7 years of self rule. The civil service in the Western Region was of world class, better paid than all the other three regions. We had free education, the first industrial estate in Africa. We were competing with Spain, Portugal and even France. When Awo built the Liberty Stadium, he said every city in the Western Region would have

its own Liberty stadium. That was the plan. Some of the roads constructed in the 1950s are still standing. In our days, you don’t rig elections in the Western Region. We used to hear of rigging in the North, not the Western Region. We were also a democratic people, with a deep sense of fairness.

For instance when Awo stood up to contest, I remember someone, Sofola from the same place with Awo, would also stand up against him without any violence. At times we would be afraid he would defeat Awo. At Ado Ekiti, Chief Akinyemi Abidoun rose up and at a time he would win the entire Ado-Ekiti for the NCNC. In the 1954 election, NCNC defeated the AG even though we were in power. That is the liberal democratic culture of the Yoruba which dates to several centuries. We as Yoruba people have a great civilization left for us by our forefathers.

Between 14th and 15th century, Yorubaland was urbanized. Ife had a population of about 70,000 people, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Ado-Ekiti, Owo, Itsekiri were all urbanized. As at 1852, Oyo Ile was about 150,000 people. Between 15th and 18th century, Ibadan had soldiers in the range of 100,000, Ketu 50,000 soldiers. Owo (Ondo State) was manufacturing military weapons and had about 30 to 40,000 soldiers. So, there were about half a million soldiers in the pre-colonial Yoruba nation. That tells you the tra-

WHO SAID WHAT

‘The contrasting state of our allocation from the federation account is

highlighted by the peak of our allocation of N5 billion we received in February 2013 against the N466million we just received for April.

’

—Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola in an address at the inauguration of the House of Assembly

dition and strength of a people. As it is, we need regional autonomy for Yoruba rebirth.In all, Yoruba should push for regional autonomy. Nigerians must push for regional autonomy.

What do you think was the main factor responsible for the political crisis at the time?

The root was planted at independence. The Northerners were afraid of the North. Ahmadu Bello wrote it in his book, My Life. He wondered “how are we going to cope with these people in the South, that even with the British who are fare-minded, we could not compete with them.” So at a time, the Northern leaders wanted to opt out, they didn’t want to be part of the federation. The British concocted the census and the election, telling them that “if you are rulers, there is nothing to fear.” What they have done ever since was to hold on to power. The Northern rulers were strongly incensed against the AG because the Western Region was moving ahead, superior in management, democratisation and human development compared with other regions. With collaboration with Easterners, they decided to subdue the West and in 1962, they got Akintola to get into the plot.

Why did you think Akintola made that error?

He was brilliant and I think a maestro of the Yoruba language that no one could compete with him.

Akintola didn’t think they wanted to subdue the Yoruba, he wanted an alliance. I think it was too late for him to get out of it. Yoruba is too sophisticated to be subdued that was why we fought Akintola from town to town, village to village, street to street. We fought him and his tendency until they gave up.

How do you see the political relationship between the Igbo and the Yoruba over the years?

Awo actually preferred the Yoruba should have alliance with the East, the Igbo. In 1959, he offered Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe the position of the Prime Minister through an alliance.

What position did Awo offer himself and why didn’t Zik accept to be Prime Minister?

Awo was to be Minister of Development and Zik to be PM. It was a honest request from us. Zik refused.

Why would Zik refuse such an offer?

I think the Igbos were determined not to give the Yoruba any advantage. They preferred to align with the North. There were series of honest offers to the Igbo

by Awo. In 1979, Awo produced Philip Umeadi as the Vice Presidential candidate. It was a great deal of argument among us in the UPN then, but finally, we agreed on the polished gentleman.

Awo also produced Chief Mrs •Continued on page 46

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THE NATION TUESDAY JUNE 9, 2015

Most of the women in Jonathan’s government failed the country. Much ‘was expected from them after being given the opportunity to serve in sensitive federal ministries in the government, but they failed woefully ’

POLITICS

Adeleke: Back to the Senate with dignity

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THE first civilian governor of Osun State (1992-1993), Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, is a good team player in politics. A rallying point for various classes of people in Osun State and beyond. He has over the years, remained with his people, through the thick and thin, offering them his wide shoulders to lean on. He identifies with their yearnings and aspirations and offering solutions to their problems. Senator Adeleke political structure has remained solid ever since. His kind gestures cut across tribe, creed, religion and sex. He is for all. No wonder, all are for him as demonstrated in the massive votes he got during the March 28, 2015 Senatorial election in Osun West District, thus returning to the Senate as a ranking Senator with intimidating credentials.

What is working for “Serubawon”?

What are his magic wands? This could be premised on his various seen and unseen positive contributions to individuals and communities since he was elected the first executive governor of Osun State in 1992 at the young age of 35. Such were the spontaneous nostalgic recollections of a large number of people in Osun West District of Otunba Isiaka Adeleke contributions to their well being as evidence during the 2015 Senatorial campaigns. They were true testimonies, coming from grassroot people twenty-two years, after he left office as governor.

Senator Isiaka Adeleke is going back to the Senate, with dignity and very sense of commitment and dedication, to join forces with other distinguished Senators to salvage our dear country from various political and economic ills, that has plagued it for so many years. The Asiwaju of Edeland, has determined to throw himself seriously into the tasks ahead.

He intends to use his God-given robust talents, native wisdom and charismatic virtues, that has over the years, endeared him to the people with a view to breaking new grounds in the red chamber.

Realizing, that the tasks ahead are not easy ones, the first executive governor of Osun State, has resolved to assert and exert himself fully, in fulfilling the cardinal policies of CHANGE, that has brought the All Progressive Congress (APC) to power at Federal and State levels. He is desirous in the pursuit of those things, that will enable Nigeria, returns to her position of eminence as obtained in the past. He is prepared and passionate to forge co-operation with all and sundry in areas of common political interests, with the aim of strengthening multilateral understanding for the emergence of a strong platform, that will help in moving Nigeria forward and for the

•Row of APC Senators during the APC Pre- election that led to the emergence of Senators Ahmed Lawan and George Akume as the Senate President and Deputy Senate President of the 8th Senate respectively held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja...at the weekend.

Buhari Support Group holds victory party

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By Olumide Lawal

All Progressive Congress, to fulfill its various promises to Nigerians and the international community. It is a challenge, which Senator Adeleke said, all noble men and women in All Progressive Congress, should commit themselves to without fail.

In the 8th Senate, Senator Adeleke would be a ranking member, who was also an elected governor in 1992, while most of other returning and fresh Senators were still cutting their teeth and learning the rope in the political firmament. He has contemporaries in this regard in the 8th Senate, in the likes of Senator Kabir Gaya of Kano State and Bukar Abba of Yobe State. The National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odige Oyegun and Dr. Ogbonaya Onu were also his contemporary governors in 1992. This infers, that Senator Isiaka Adeleke, is a senior ranking Senator, perfectly entitled to be given prominence of place in the affairs of the 8th Senate. It is his inalienable right to be accorded such respect and recognition. This is an unassailable fact. In Osun politics, he is primus interpares. First among equals.

He should be deferred to as the political leader in Osun State.

He should henceforth assert himself fully as such, because he has paid his political dues over the years, particularly at a time Nigeria went through political turbulence in the Babangida/Abacha years. Asiwaju Isiaka Adeleke, enjoins all members of All Progressives Congress to ensure, that they do everything possible to provide selfless services for the benefits of Nigerian at home and in diaspora.

It is a challenge, he said, which the Senators should always bear in mind and work to achieve. Senator Isiaka Adeleke is of the opinion, that the tasks ahead are tough and the road may be rough. He believes, that with God, nothing is impossible, for those with strong political will and love of the fatherland at their hearts. Adeleke is confident, that this resolve could be achieved, by members of APC, doing those things, that will enable Nigerians trust in them in their quest for a better life, which they richly deserve. He advised distinguished Senators to promote those bonds, that will hold them together as members of one family, while they draw closer to the executive arm of government to fashion out laws and programme, that are of immense values to the common people back at home.

Senator Isiaka Adeleke, is also of the opinion, that gone are the days, when politicians and political office seekers, could use their political parties as toilet papers and discard them.

APC, he said is supreme, even than

•Adeleke the President. Hence, the need for absolute loyalty to the party as a unit chairman of any political party is powerful than a local government chairman. History, according to him, will not forgive members who abadon the set goals of APC in making life more abundant for the less privileged Nigerians, who are living below the poverty line for no fault of their own, other than inept and purposelss leadership in the past.

Like good agricultural experts, the Senator is of the view, that APC members should remove all “weeds”, which may impede its growth, and if necessary apply ‘fertilizer’ to enable the party blossom and bear bountiful fruits. APC, Senator Adeleke stated, has a rosy future beckoning at it, if only its members will shelve selfish interest and self-aggrandizement. Left to Otunba Adeleke, the APC has called for CHANGE. It has got it. It remains for its members, to give poor Nigerians positive changes, that will put in the back-burner, the attitude of a few super-rich, that lord it over them. Poor Nigerians whose hope is fading, whose pain is excruciating.

For Senator Adeleke, twenty-four hours are not enough for all those who are now saddled with the responsibilities of running Nigeria affairs at various levels, if they must be seen, to have learnt from the experience of other parties, that fell by the wayside in the 2015 general election.

With benefits of hindsight, Senator Adeleke is of the conviction, that Nigeria electorates are a lot wiser and ready to show any unperforming President, Governors, Senators, members of the other legislatures and Local Government Chairman, the way out with their votes, without batting an eyelid. All elected senators Asiwaju Isiaka Adeleke affirms, should identify closely with their constituencies as a matter of duty. In the 8th Senate, Senator Isiaka Adeleke is itching to re-introduce his earlier bill on criminal justice, such as parole, plea bargain among others. The bill was sent to the ‘cooler’ after his exist from the Senate in 2011.

Lawal is a Special Adviser (Media & Public Affairs to Senator Adeleke

HE Buhari Support Group has held a victory party to celebrate the triumph of President Mohammadu Buhari at the election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The victory party, which was held in Lagos, had in attendance representatives of the group from the Southwest states.

According to the leader of the group, Chief Yetunde Babajide, the 7000-member organization, “purposefully set aside the day to jubilate with our mentor, General Mohammad Buhari, over his victory at the election. We are happy that the General was able to secure the ticket to Aso Rock, thereby giving all Nigerians an opportunity for change.

We already can feel the change coming, so we decided to roll out the drums and celebrate because our campaign efforts were not in vain.”

Babajide enumerated the challenges that the group surmounted during the campaign. In her speech, which members applauded, she said: “I am delighted that the General won and

By Paul Ukpabi

that Nigerians won. Also important is that all of us that started this support campaign are all in good health and alive today to celebrate our effort. We give God the glory. Today, we have here in our midst members from all over the Southwest states, committed peopled of integrity. This group has been a voluntary group, an agent of change. We have been self-sponsored and I am happy that we have made it today.”

The group lamented the sad role that women played in the failed of the Jonathan administration. “Most of the women in Jonathan’s government failed the country,” Babajide said, adding: “Much was expected from them after being given the opportunity to serve in sensitive federal ministries in the government, but they failed woefully.”

It therefore, called on Buhari to appoint people in the grassroots who are more familiar and ready to serve into his government.

‘Probe is diversionary’

A

group, the Coalition for Right Judiciary and Equal Rights (CRJER), has called on President Muhammadu Buhari not to probe the activities of agencies under the past administration.

This call was contained in a statement signed by the group’s President and Secretary, Taiwo Somoloju Akeja and Hassan Maishanu Dandoma respectively. They described the probe of misdeeds of the past government as, “diversionary and feeble excuse for failure to perform.”

The group, which condemned in stronger term, stealing in whatever form, said “no probe in Nigeria has ever yielded desired result,” adding that, “what has ever come out of any probe has been waste of resources, waste of energy as well as waste of

precious time that could have been expended on useful ventures for the citizenry.”

They added: “The group prefers guiding all the institutions towards becoming stronger and durable with a view to making them to be able to discharge their required responsibilities, warning that, “delving into checking their books may cause disruption of their smooth running and thereby lead to financial crisis in the country.”

Citing an instance when the former Central Bank Governor Mallam Lamido Sanusi was abruptly removed post before the expiration of his tenure, the group said, his ascendancy on his forefathers’ throne in Kano watered down the crisis, pointing out that, “if not, the crisis would still be on till today.

‘Why Yoruba must push for regional autonomy’ •Continued from page 45 Odinamadu as Vice of the UPN in 1979.

How can the deep division between the Igbo and Yoruba be resolved?

The roots of the problems are deep.

Nigeria when put together was a collection of different nations at different stages of development. One was far ahead of the rest in terms of historical development, highly urbanized, while some others were in pre-urban development. When one nationality does anything, it ensures the other is being destroyed in the process. Look at the crowd of traders, peddlers, selling wa-

ter or peanuts compared with a family rich in industrial enterprise. Migrants in the Western Region should be grateful to the Yoruba people. I understand that sometimes the way the Igbo behave is also not their fault.

Nigeria fought on their land, so with a push, they run out to the North, to the West. There is a lot Igbo and Yoruba can achieve if we work together, the two nationalities are the largest in Africa and they are the most dynamic, if they are to collaborate, they can pull Nigeria up.

How do you see the dynamics of the new alliance between the old Western Region and the HausaFulani North as the new bloc emerge in the post May 29 era?

There are different perspectives.

Mohammadu Buhari had won votes in the past without any positive result. The Yoruba regard him as a decent human being. He is courageous. He can act against what the Northern elite want. He stepped forward to demolish the corrupt Shehu Shagari government. I think Buhari is capable of running a government that the Yoruba people will feel comfortable with. I think at this point in time, he is the best we can pull out of the crowd. Secondly, we have those who will step forward and say now is about Northern domination, a chance to further Northern interest, that Northern domination has returned. How safe we are depends on Buhari and I hope he can prevent such a slid.

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THE NATION

BUSINESS AVIATION

Operators to Buhari: Design growth policies Domestic carriers are groaning under the high cost of doing business. Many cannot break even. To ensure their survival, they are appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari to design policies for sustainable growth. KELVIN OSA-OKUNBOR reports.

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VIATION is in dire straits. Domestic airline operators say if the government does not move fast to address the operational challenges, their airlines may soon soon be grounded.

They lament that returns on their investments are falling.

Worried over this, operators have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to design policies that will accelerate the growth of airline business.

They said the government should divest from aviation, create the appropriate policies create and conducive environment for private sector investors to create jobs and develop the sector.

The operators said the president should, among others, consider aviation fuel hedging as an interim measure to help domestic carriers offset possible losses in the short term while efforts are on to fix the refineries.

Speaking in separate interviews, the Managing Director, Dana Air, Mr Jackie Hatharamani, the Executive Chairman of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogie Meggison, and the country representative of Germania, an aviation logistic and consulting company, Mr Olarenwaju Bamgbose, said the president should call a meeting of airlines and stakeholders to establish a blueprint that would be the driver of aviation sector development.

Fuel hedging, according to experts, is one of the risk mitigation strategies taken by airlines.

It involves exposure to risk relating to the volatility of fuel prices, currency fluctuations and interest rates widely hedged by airlines using different types of financial instruments.

The experts described fuel hedging as a contractual tool some large fuel consuming companies, such as airlines, use to reduce their exposure to volatile and potentially rising fuel costs.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects airlines to post a collective global net profit of some $25 billion this year if they implement aviation fuel hedging.

They said the flunctuating price of aviation fuel is having huge impact on airlines’operating costs, insisting

•Buhari

•Hathiramani

that unless something urgent was done, some carriers could go under.

They want the availability of aviation fuel which could be achieved through local refining and transportation through pipelines and fuel hydrants into the airport.

They said there was the urgent need for the government to stabilise the price of aviation fuel to reduce the cost burden on domestic carriers.

With aviation fuel constituting over 40 per cent of airlines’ operating costs, its hedging would mitigate losses.

Hatharamani said he had designed a blueprint to develop the sector through investment attraction and infrastructure development.

He urged Buhari to appoint technocrats to run the various aspects of the economy, including the sector.

He maintained that the government should also consider aviation fuel hedging for the domestic airlines to help them offset any possible losses in the short term while efforts are on to revamp the refineries.

But, Meggison, Bamgbose and the Chairman, Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, disagreed with Hatharamani’s model of fuel hedging, saying it is strange to Nigeria.

They said fixing the refineries and transporting aviation fuel through the pipelines and hydrants would eliminate the challenges in the supply chain of aviation fuel as well as stabilise the product price.

Specifically, Onyema said the government should give licences to domestic operators that have the capacity to import aviation fuel.

He urged President Buhari to review the multi-designations approved for foreign carriers as most of them operate without reciprocity to various cities and that instead, the government should encourage the international carriers to form alliances with the domestic operators to strengthen the sector.

He said President Buhari should fulfill his promise to appoint technocrats to run the various aspects of the economy, including aviation.

He expressed optimism that the administration would build on positive achievements of successive governments to deliver well-designed aviation network with potential huge benefits for users, as well as for growth and investment in the wider economy.

Hathiramani further emphasised that the government need to urgently build an aerospace Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) facility to safeguard capital flight.

Absence of a functional MRO facility, he said, is depleting the nation’s foreign exchange reserve given that airlines periodically take aircraft in their fleet to far flung countries for heavy maintenance.

While decrying the taxes paid on tickets, he called for provision of special intervention funds at single digit in-

•Meggison

terest loans for airline operators.

The initiative, according to him, will aid availability of working capital for the airlines and improved liquidity.

Domestic operators, he said, have consistently called on the government to create business-friendly aviation industry as high cost of aviation fuel, increasing interest rate, high cost of aircraft lease, high insurance cost and imposition Value Added Tax (VAT) on air transport is making the industry less attractive and lucrative.

Bamgbose said: “As good as hedging could help in protecting the airlines from the volatility of oil prices and also help deliver lower fares which will excite the travelling public, we cannot dissociate the practicability of hedging from the state of petroleum sector. Until the government can adequately or substantially address the system collapse in the sector, we may not be in a position to see hedging work in Nigeria.

“For instance, with the oil prices at the lowest in the recent history, how has that reflected on the prices of petroleum products in Nigeria?

“Furthermore, how many of these airlines have the balance sheet that can sustain hedging?

“As much as I believe hedging can work, the fundamental issues of the petroleum sector and the capacity of the airlines that sustain that remains will matter.

“My other worry with this is also

the very famous subsidy matter being introduced into this supposed deregulated sector under the guise of government creating a framework for fuel hedging.

“I will recommend Buhari administration meeting the airlines industry and establish a blue print mutually agreed to be the driver of enabling environment for aviation development, because government has no business in fuel hedging but the users and suppliers of course with other risk management elements that goes with it.

He said he would not subscribe to government getting involved fuel hedging but rather address the capacity in the petroleum sector through wholesome deregulation and support for local capacity building. He said the airlines will deal with the situation based on their respective capacity given that hedging is risk management.”

Meggison said: “For me, the proposal for aviation fuel hedging is personal as canvassed by the Dana Air managing director.

“It is based on your priority and analysis of the market. Hedging is optional, depending on the way you look at the market. As an airline it is based on your analysis of the market.

“I am convinced that what many operators want is for government to make the price of aviation fuel possible.

“The major problem operators are going through is the high cost of aviation fuel. Government should assist operators to make up for the margin in any price increase. That is my idea of hedging. Government should assist by making the price of aviation fuel stable by taking a position on the matter.’’

Onyema said: “Fuel hedging cannot work in Nigeria. What I think government should do is to allow airline express permit to import their own aviation fuel if need be.

“Any airline that could afford to import their aviation fuel should be given the license to go ahead. Such airline could import directly to resolve the supply chain challenges that has capacity to rock the operations of airlines.”

NCAA insists on mandatory timeline for aircraft maintenance

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IR Peace Chairman Mr Allen Onyema has urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) to review the mandatory 18month timeline for operators to do Ccheck on all aircraft flying in the country.

But, the NCAA insists that it will not reduce the minimum standards to ensure that aircraft are airworthy and stick to their scheduled date for major aircraft maintenance.

An official, who confided in The Nation, said countries that are signatories to global regulations are allowed to fix their specific regulation as it affects timeline for aircraft maintenance.

C-check is the third category of major maintenance carried on aircraft every 18 months whether the plane was flown or not.

It is different from line maintenance checks carried out on the aircraft either every month or after some flying hours.

Onyema suggested that instead of the 18 - month maintenance, the regulator should adopt the 4,000 flying hours timeline obtainable in the United States (U.S.).

He said the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration requires major air-

craft to go for C-check after they have flown about 4,000 hours.

The airlines chief said a situation in which an aircraft is forced by the NCAA to undergo C-check every 18 months even if the aircraft has not been flying is making both scheduled and charter operators lose hundreds of millions of dollars.

Operators, he said, spend not less than $500,000 per aircraft anytime the plane is taken overseas for heavy maintenance.

Worried over the huge capital flight, he said it was time the government granted approval to some domestic carriers to set up their aircraft maintenance hangar to create jobs and enhance indigenous skills in aeronautical engineering.

Such prospective players he said should show evidence of partnership with foreign aircraft repair centres.

Onyema said the government should initiate a deliberate policy to make land available at the airport at affordable rate for interested domestic carriers that want to set up aircraft maintenance centre.

With an estimated 300 aircraft both charted and scheduled operating in Nigeria the industry will be losing

•Onyema

over $150 million every 18 months for C- check at aircraft maintenance centres overseas.

If an aircraft maintenance centre is set up in Nigeria, such huge funds Onyema argued would be retained to create jobs for teeming aviation professionals .

He said: “The NCAA regulation makes it mandatory to go for C-check every 18 months.

“This is only mandatory in Nigeria

that an aircraft whether you operated it or not must go for C-check.

“No other country in the world is doing this. This regulation is too strict.

In America it is four thousand flying hours.

“America is the owner of civil aviation and they are utilising the four thousand hours regulation before an aircraft can go for C- check. But, Nigerian civil aviation rule says 18 months.

“While the American model is preferable is because you could attain 4,000 flying hours in about two or three years.

“This is not good, it is capital drain on the country. Every 18 months you have to fly your aircraft abroad for C-check. It is huge expenditure for airlines. Imagine the number of planes in the fleet of Arik , Aero, Air Peace, Medview, AZMAN, Discover, Overland, Dana Air. The number is huge.

“Every 18 months, Nigeria loses several millions of dollars to other countries for aircraft maintenance.

We are losing this huge sums because we do not have the infrastructure locally to carry out major repairs on aircraft.

“This is contrary to what obtains in

other countries of the world.”

He said in America , which is number in aviation, the 4,000 flying hours model is still the requirement for carrying out C- check, stressing that the situation is due for review.

“It is not every part of the aircraft that would be due for change. On every C- check you spend not less than five hundred thousand dollars on a single airplane.

“If you have several aircraft , whether you fly the aircraft or not you will have to spend over N500,000.

“Anytime, we take the aircraft aboard people at the maintenance centre used to laugh at Nigerian operators asking them why are you people wasting money. Even, the 22 years age limit on aircraft is no more fashionable in America planes over 50 years are still flying . “ It is only in a Nigeria you see things like this. No country can run aviation like this . Nigeria must review this regulation of insisting that aircraft be taken abroad every 18 months for Ccheck .

It is heavy financial drain on the country and I think the NCAA should consider doing something about this regulation,” he said.

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SHOWBIZ

Sound Sultan in celebration mood

Waje serenades fans

By Joe Agbro Jr

T

OP female Nigerian entertainer, Waje, on Sunday serenaded her supporters to an evening of fun at Bogobiri House, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The private event which had an audience of about 50 people drawn from the singer’s select personal friends, corporate supporters as well as some journalists was a cosy affair. Stars like Timi Dakolo and Omawunmi also graced the event.

Leading a live band, Waje, who confessed to being a fan of reggae music, dished out a medley of old school songs as well as tracks from her self-titled debut album, Waje.

From close range, her high octaves captivated fans.

Looking chic in Ankara short jump suit and high heeled slippers, Waje, in the course of her performance waltzed across the hall, interacting with the audience. The atmosphere was a relaxing one and midway into the parlour show, she got rid of her high heels, freeing her for more twisting and dancing.

In between the rendition of songs, Waje, 34, whose real name is Aituaje Iruobe, also told parts of her life story.

She started singing as a child in the choir, in Benin City, Edo State and signed her first contract at age 18. It was not, however, till 2013 that she released her first album, Waje, which has garnered her critical national and international acclaim. Prior to that, she told of how being nominated for a reality TV show spawned a meeting with Wyclef Jean in South Africa. From then, Waje said it’s been a success story after the other.

A supporter of feminism, she and two other Nigerian female artistes are foremost in the ONE campaign, which focuses on women empowerment.

According to her, the Sunday event was to say a ‘thank you’ to everyone who has supported her, especially the media.

“I just want a situation where I call my friends and just

• Waje

have an exclusive evening for them and sing,” Waje said. “Not just only the media, but a few other friends and corporate bodies that have supported me.”

The event was presented by Trace TV, and supported by Beat 99.9FM, and St Remy among other brands.

Charly Boy defends Bruce Jenner • Charly Boy

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T is no longer news that Bruce Jenner, former Olympic athlete, Chris Jenner’s soon-to-be ex husband, and father /step father to the Khadarshian/Jenner clan has undergone gender reassignment surgery, and is now transiting into a woman.

His decision has however spawned a deluge of reactions across the globe.

In the Vanity Fair cover line in the June edition of the magazine, titled Call me Caitlyn, the 65-year-old grandfather and patriarch of the Khadarshian/ Jenner clan says “Call me Caitlin”.

Jenner goes on to say “If I was lying on my deathbed and kept this secret,

By Jane Kolade

and never ever did anything about it”, I would be lying there saying “You just blew your entire life”.

Even though Jenner only just had the surgery, it was a long time coming. As far back as 1972, he had considered having the procedure as confirmed by his first, now ex wife, Chrystie Scott. Scott admits that his desire to change his sex was not a factor in ending their marriage, although it was in the second. His second wife Linda Thompson confirmed that he suffered from gender

dysphoria Jenner is the first celebrity to openly admit being transgender, and this has led to an avalanche of reactions from his country, the United States, and all over the world. He garnered an outpouring of support from a majority of U.S. residents, many congratulating him for having the courage to follow his dreams and become what he wants to be.

The story is however very different in Nigeria. A large majority of Nigerian respondents on Facebook and Twitter showed their aversion to Jenner’s choice. Save for the self acclaimed Area Fada, Charly Boy. Charly Boy, real name Charles Oputa, who claims to have a female side called Linda. He wrote, “I must ask you this question. In our pursuit for (sic) happiness, do we focus on the dictates of life based on our social environment, or on our own personal need of what makes us individually happy?

For the past few days the global social media has been agog with Bruce Jenner sex change story, he now wishes to be called Caitlin. Surfing through some of our local blogs, I have read some yahoo yahoo comments from Nigerians who feel that their yeye comments are of any importance in the decision taken by this great Olympian, now gender bender . . . My take. It is not ones masculinity or feminity alone that defines ones identity. It is the harmony between the two that determines how comfortable and integrated ones identity is going to be. In other words, shocking as this may be to the more macho in our midst, inside some men lies an unexpressed woman.“

British Council plans contest for young Nigerians OURTESY of the British applicant’s work, and include creative Council, young Nigerians images, text and music. The

C

between the ages of 18 and 30 who are interested in pursuing a career in film, fashion, music, animation and visual arts can apply for the ‘Creative Hustle Competition.’

Youths in other sectors such as architecture, Interior design, Urban design and planning, marketing and advertising and me-

By Joe Agbro Jr

dia and publicity are also eligible to apply.

To qualify, interested participants are required to submit an original 30 second video that ends with the line, ‘that’s my creative hustle.’ The video may cover any aspect of the

video should also declare the applicant’s preferred sector and describe how to make the hustle profitable.

Applicants have until June 22 to upload the videos which should be of high resolution on Twitter with the Hashtag #MyCreativeHustle and copy @ngbritisharts.

By Dupe Ayinla-Olasunkanmi

N

AIJA Ninja lead act, Sound Sultan, who recently renewed his endorsement deal with telecommunications company, MTN, was also returned as brand ambassador of Sunfit Spa and Hotels, last Friday.

Announcing the deal via his Instagram page, Sound Sultan showcased pictures of the signing ceremony.

The artiste, who has been consistent as a music artiste, hit the studio with Olamide days back to record verses for the latter’s new song, in collaboration with Kcee, Harrysong, and two other acts.

Born Olanrewaju Fasasi, Sound Sultan is a Nigerian rapper, singersongwriter, actor, and recording artiste. He is regarded as one of the pacesetters of modern hip hop music in Nigeria.

• Sound Sultan

I’m back for change, says African China

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OPULAR for Conscious music, African China, who appears to have gone under af-

• African China

By Dupe Ayinla-Olasunkanmi

ter his London sex scandal release, says he is back for a change.

The artiste, who recently released a single titled Amen, for the 2015 elections, noted that the last political activities offered him the opportunity for a smooth return.

On his short hiatus, he said it was necessary to get fresh inspirations.

“African China has been a hit make.

There is need for fresh ideas. Also, there has to be a time when you have to give chance to up and coming ones. That is what I did.”

He, however, added that, “There is no champion forever. You can only remain there, but you cannot be there forever. I have made history a couple of times over the years, so it is time for other to make theirs too.

“Change is here now. Someone tried four times before winning, and he has won. So I want to try again,” he said.

Mercy Johnson turns producer

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ERCY Johnson, who recently held a Child Dedication service for her son, says she is set to produce her own movie.

The actress, who has been in the film industry for over a decade and who is said to have acted in over 300 movies, appeared on Jara for the first time, where she spoke on her career journey so far. “I have lost count of the number of movies I have featured in. But I am working on my own movie, with Obi Emelonye, which will be previewed soon.”

The mother of two stated that she loves what she does, and that is the reason she does not reject roles nor get tired of being in front of the camera. “I love what I do. Some see it as being stressful, but I don’t.

The key word is grace, passion, and lots of practice.

“People hardly complain about my work, but I don’t take it as compliment, rather, I strive to do more.

I’m privileged and that is the reason I don’t select roles. That is because I can put myself into any character. But I sometimes overdo it, because I don’t like to disappoint,” she added.

On how she has been able to maintain her curvy shape, she reveals, “I eat less, and exercise every day before the kids wake up to do my other chores.”

Mercy Johnson made her acting

By Dupe Ayinla-Olasunkanmi

debut in the movie, The Maid, in which she played the role of a possessed house help. Her performance in the movie shot her into the limelight.

• Mercy Johnson

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Telephone penetration now 103%, says NCC

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IGERIA’S telephone penetration now stands at 103.91 per cent, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said.

The teledensity is contained in the commission’s Monthly Subscriber Data, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, yesterday.

According to the data, the country’s teledensity stands at 103.91 per cent as at the end of April, with active telephone lines now 145,476,326.

NCC said the teledensity was calculated based on population estimate of 126 million up till December 2005, and from December 2006 it was based on a population estimate of 140 million.

It said from December 2001 to 2006, teledensity was based on connected subscribers and from December 2007, it was based on active subscriptions on mobile networks.

The data showed that industry teledensity stood at 92.42 per cent as at April 2014, and that increased by 11.49 per cent to reach 103.91 per cent by April 2015.

In May 2014, it moved up to 93.70 per cent; 94.84 per cent in June and at the end of July, the figure declined to 94.42 per cent, adding that in August, September and October, the figures moved to 95.20 per cent, 96.08 per cent and 96.87 per cent, respectively.

In November and December, the telephony penetration increased to 97.60 per cent and 99.39 per cent, respectively.

The teledensity reached 100.59 per cent in January 2015, and increased to 101.85 per cent in February, and 102.81 per cent in the month of March 2015.

The teledensity increased by 1.10 per cent to attain 103.91 per cent in April.

The proportional growth in teledensity showed that access to telephone services is getting deeper in the country.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil Cocoa

$58/barrel $2,686.35/metric ton

Coffee

¢132.70/pound

Cotton

¢95.17pound

Gold

$1,396.9/troy

Sugar

$163/lb RATES

Inflation

8%

Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending 30% Prime lending

15.87%

Savings rate

3%

91-day NTB

15%

Time Deposit

5.49%

MPR

13%

Foreign Reserve

$34.5b

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

seeks ‘CBN’s 31% harmonised CRR BENUE SMEDAN’S partnership results in N142b debit’ T T HE Central Bank of Ni geria’s (CBN’s) pre ferred tool for monetary policy adjustment over the past three years, the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) has become the biggest drag on banks’ profits, with N142 billion net weekly debit across sector, Renaissance Capital (RenCap) report released yesterday said.

The CRR is a portion of banks’ deposits kept with the CBN as reserves and was harmonised to 31 per cent for both public and private sector deposits.

Its Head, Equities Market, Adesoji Solanke said the combined CRR for banks under its coverage moved from 11 per cent in 2012 to 27 per cent last year before the current harmo-

By Collins Nweze

nised rate.

“We note that subsequent to the hike in the private sector CRR to 20 per cent late November 2014, the CBN conducted a special check across the sector to ensure public sector deposits were properly classified. The CRR hike, coupled with this audit (which found some banks erring), led to significant leaps in effective CRR by 2014 across board,” he said.

He said the tight monetary policy environment and punitive CRR computation implemented by the CBN in first quarter, led to a margin squeeze in most banks’ first quarter results.

Solanke said foreign ex-

change income is likely to be weaker this year, as the CBN’s operational controls continue to stifle interbank trading. He said most banks have reduced their commission on turnover (CoT) further to 0.1 per cent, which is also negative for revenue.

“With a new government in place, there has been much talk of broad, deep-reaching reforms, though with few specifics at this stage. We think Nigerian banks are unlikely to remain unscathed, as weaker fiscal revenue could put the banks’ tax exemptions on government and corporate securities at risk; oil sector reforms could lead to asset quality surprises,” he said.

Solanke said after evaluating

the implications of potential changes to the banks’ effective tax rate, it was concluded that higher rates could significantly weaken the sector’s investment case, as only Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) and probably Stanbic IBTC in RenCap’s coverage universe would be able to deliver returns to match their cost of equity.

“We also establish each bank’s breakeven cost of risk and deduce a ‘pain buffer’ that calculates how much room we think the bank has to take on additional impairments before moving into a loss. Based on our 2015 estimates, GTBank, Stanbic, Zenith Bank and UBA have the highest pain buffers in the sector,” he said.

•Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom (right) receiving the Federal Government’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises policy from DirectorGeneral, SMEDAN Alhaji Bature Umar Masari when he led the management on a courtesy visit to the governor in Abuja ... yesterday.

N245b generated in May, says FIRS

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HE Federal Inland Rev enue Service (FIRS) yesterday said it generated about N245 billion last month, an improvement on the N198billion made in April.

Its Executive Chairman, Samuel Ogungbesan spoke yesterday in Lagos at the annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Business Law (SBL).

Speaking during the Improving Nigeria’s Ease of

By Precious Igbonwelundu

Doing Business session, Ogungbesan said the agency was better positioned to ensure revenue drive is pursued.

He said despite the fact that the nation has 37 tax authorities, efforts were being made to ensure that the states move at the same tempo and step with the Federal Government for greater efficiency.

He said the FIRS has in the

last three months, concentrated more efforts in three areas- tax administration, field operation and compliance and enforcement- to achieve results.

Although he said the revenue for last month has not been recorded, the FIRS boss was confident that the agency made about N245 billion.

Also speaking, the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Bello Mahmud stressed the

need for the amendment of the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) of 1990, to meet modern day realities as well as empower the body to enforce its regulations.

He urged stakeholders to take advantage of the commission’s online registration procedure for faster and more efficient process, just as he disclosed that the agency’s target was to get 20,000 small businesses migrate from the informal to the formal sector.

HE Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, yesterday solicited partnership with the management of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) in order to empower the citizens of the state economically.

He spoke when the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Alhaji Bature Umar Masari, led directors to pay him a courtesy call at the Governor’s Lodge, Abuja.

He said the times dictated that leaders must think outside the box to create massive employment, wealth and opportunities.

He said: “It’s only when the private sector comes in form of micro, small and medium enterprises that we can surmount challenges of poverty and unemployment because government at all levels cannot provide the needed jobs.

“My administration will be working closely with your agency so as to be able to tap the opportunities that we have in SMEDAN to be able to support our people to empower themselves economically.”

The governor requested a position paper and details on areas of the partnership as soon as possible.

“I worked with you in the Ministry, therefore my people are looking up to me to unveil a comprehensive programme in this area,” he stressed.

Responding, Masari assured that the agency would launch its programmes in Benue State.

He said: “We’re willing and ready to partner with you so that we can help your government attain its target of poverty reduction and developing its economy.

“Benue is a state that is hugely blessed and we’re willing to tap the resources and talents in transforming the potentials into economic benefits.”

He expressed optimism that with Ortom’s background and experience, he would steer the state in the right direction.

Masari presented copies of the Federal Government’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises policy to Governor Ortom.

Oil workers want AMCON’s chair, Chike-Obi, sacked

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IL workers acting un der the aegis of Petro leum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSN) SEAWOLF Branch, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mustapha Chike-Obi. The spokesperson of the association,. Femi Akpata who spoke on behalf of the oil workers, said for the past 22 months, their salaries have not been

From: Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

paid.

Akpata said since Chike-Obi cannot keep his promise of paying their salary arrears after buying the company (SEAWOLF) from its owner, he should be sacked.

He said the AMCON chief entered into agreement with the workers that all liabilities should be shifted to AMCON, lamenting that for 22 months now, the workers have been waiting and nothing has hap-

pened.

He said: “We have had several meetings with the Ministry of Petroleum, Labour and Productivity; the Ministry of Finance had to intervene insisting that AMCON should pay the claims. AMCON even called us to say they will pay since last year, yet nothing has been done.

But AMCON has denied owing the workers any salary areas. AMCON spokesman, Kayode Lambo, said it is SEAWOLF that is indebted to

AMCON. He said the people agitating for salary areas were not engaged by SEAWOLF, but employes of another firm, called OMS. Lambo said AMCON is at the moment looking for ways to recover its money SEAWOLF which entered into a contractual deal with First Bank that it is unwiling to pay.

He urged the workers to approach the appointed liquidator, Mike Igbokwe for their salaries. .

•Chike-Obi

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MONEYLINK

PwC challenges internal auditors on efficiency

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RICEwaterHouseCoopers (PwC) Nigeria has challenged internal audit professionals in the country to reinvent themselves and ensure stronger alignment of their function with businesses.

A Partner at PwC Nigeria, who Rob Newsome.who stated this at a meeting in Lagos, said such practice would make them remain relevant in this period of rapid business transformation.

He said findings of PwC’s 2015 State of Internal Audit Profession (SOTP) survey presents the views of over 1,300 respondents, including Chief Audit Executives, Internal Audit Managers and nearly 400 stakeholders among which are Board and Audit Committee Members, Chief Finance Officers, Chief Risk Officers, Chief Compliance Officers, among others.

Stories by Collins Nweze

The report among other things, provides insights into how internal audit must advance its capabilities and skills in order to add value and examined the growing influence of Data Analytics and strategies for advancing its uses.

Newsome noted that the survey identified the macro and market forces creating the biggest challenges as regulatory complexity, data security & privacy and cost pressures.

“The results of the survey also show that 11 per cent of Chief Audit Executives characterised their current function as providing value added services and proactive advice for the business while 60 percent believe they will need to be doing this within the next five

years. Also, 45 per cent of stakeholders expected the internal audit function to extend its traditional assurance provider role into a more proactive trusted advisory role,” he said.

He advised that the internal audit function reinvents itself by being involved in initiatives, taking proactive perspectives on risk, making preventative recommendations and ensuring stronger business alignment and better supply chain focus. We also strongly recommend that the Internal Audit function in every organisation should aim to be “part of the surgery, and not the autopsy”.

Also, Senior Banking Supervision Manager, Central bank of Nigeria (CBN), Christian Okoye, reiterated the responsibilities of the banking supervision department of CBN, as well as their expectations of banks’

Internal Audit functions.

He listed some of these expectations to include the existence of an approved Internal Audit (IA) mandate, clear reporting lines, defined methodology and practices, audit plan, etc. He noted that the CBN also assesses the extent to which IA findings are accepted by management, follow-ups done by IA on its audit findings, as well as how it ensures that resourcing within the organization is adequate.

He provided a general rating for banks’ internal audit on a scale of “Acceptable”, “Needs improvement” and “Weak”. He wrapped up by saying that the Internal Audit function must be seen to be independent and objective in their dealings and must ensure that they add value to an organisation.

Ayeyemi is new Ecobank Group CEO

E

COBANK Transnational Incorporated, parent company of the Ecobank Group, has appointed Ade Ayeyemi as its new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) with effect from September 1.

According to a statement from the pan-African bank Ayeyemi, 52, would replace Albert Essien, who would be retiring on June 30, after 25 years of service with the Group.

It said an interim arrangement would be made by the Ecobank Board for the management of the Group during the period July 1 through August 31, pending the resumption of the new GCEO. The bank described Ayeyemi, a Nigerian, as a highly experienced banker who has had a long and successful career with Citigroup.

He is currently Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Citigroup’s subSaharan Africa division, based in Johannesburg.

“He is an accounting graduate of the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, South-west Nigeria, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree with First Class Honours.

“He also studied at the University of London and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Programme.

“Ayeyemi is also a trained UNIX Administrator and Network Operating Systems Manager,’’ it said.

Ecobank Group Chairman, Emmanuel Ikazoboh, said after a thorough and extensive search throughout the African continent, they were able to secure such a per-

son.

“We are delighted to have secured Ayeyemi as the person to lead Ecobank through the next phase of its development and beyond as a world-class pan-African bank.

“Ayeyemi is a truly outstanding individual with deep knowledge of banking across Africa, and we welcome him to the Board.

“At the same time, I should like to thank Albert Essien for his 25year career at Ecobank and for his stellar service as Group Chief Executive Officer over the past year.

“We wish him well in his retirement,” Ikazoboh said.

Reports quoted Ayeyemi as saying that he was delighted to have been offered the opportunity to lead the institution.

He also commended Albert Essien

•Adeyemi for his legacy work of helping further the premier pan-African financial institution.

CITN elects new President

T

HE Chartered Institute of Taxation (CITN) has elected Dr. Olateju Abiola Somorin as its new President.

She replaces Chief Mark Anthony Dike, whose two-year tenure has elapsed.

With her election as the 12th President, Dr. Somorin becomes the second woman to ascend the leadership position of the Institute.

Dr. Somorinwas was elected the 12th President of the Institute at an Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting held at the Secretariat of the Institute. Other elected officers of Council included: Chief Cyril Ikemefuna Ede -Vice President, Ms. Gladys Olajumoke Simplice Deputy Vice President and Mr. Adesina Adedayo who returned unopposed as the Honorary Treasurer.

Somorin popularly started her academic career at the prestigious Methodist Girls High School, Yaba, Lagos (the oldest secondary school for girls in Nigeria, founded in 1879), where she graduated as the Best Form V Student (1968 in Arts Class) and also served as a School Prefect.

In 1975, she obtained a B.A. (hons) Degree in English from the University of Lagos. She is one of the first Nigerian females with an M.TAX degree in Tax Administration (1983), obtained from the University of Paris. She joined the then Federal Inland Revenue Department, FIRD, (now Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in 1976 and rose to the position of Co-ordinating Director (Ag.) (first female to attain the position) before she retired in 2010 as No 3 in the management hierarchy of FIRS, where she worked for 34 years, seventeen of which were on the Directorate level.

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

PZ TRANSCORP UBA UBCAP LIVESTOCK WAPIC VITAFOAM DANGSUGAR NASCON WAPCO ETI

O/PRICE 29.20 2.83 5.15 1.40 2.25 0.51 5.38 6.60 7.00 99.00 21.70

C/PRICE 30.66 2.97 5.33 1.44 2.30 0.52 5.45 6.65 7.04 99.50 21.78

CHANGE 1.46 0.14 0.18 0.04 0.05 0.01 0.07 0.05 0.04 0.50 0.08

LOSERS AS AT 08-06-15

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

NAHCO TRANSEXPR BETAGLAS CILEASING HONYFLOUR OKOMUOIL OANDO GUINNESS SKYEBANK RTBRISCOE FIDELITYBK

6.11 1.28 44.00 0.70 3.98 30.40 17.87 155.00 2.59 0.75 1.87

C/PRICE 5.81 1.22 42.00 0.67 3.81 29.21 17.20 160.00 2.52 0.73 1.82

Inflation:April

8.5%

Monetary Policy Rate

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

$28.2b

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$67.91

CHANGE -0.30 -0.06 -2.00 -0.03 -0.17 -1.19 -0.67 -5.00 -0.07 -0.02 -0.05

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 08-06-15

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 9, 2015

56

NEWS Commissioner: Ganduje sends 13 names to Assembly

K

ANO State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje yesterday presented to the House of Assembly, the names of 13 commissioner-nominees, for approval.

The newly-sworn in House Speaker, Mr. Kabiru Alasan Rurum, who spoke in a letter signed by the governor and read on the floor of the Assembly, said among the nominees were Comrade Mohammed Garba, the national president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and former state Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Rabiu Bako.

Others are the ex-Commissioner for Agriculture, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna; former Special Adviser to the ex-governor, Dr. Ali Haruna Makoda

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

and former Executive Secretary of the Scholarship Board, Usman Sule Riruwai.

The rest are Dr. Faruk B. B. Faruk, former special adviser (protocol) to ex-Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; Murtala Sule Garo, chairman, Kabo Local Government; Garba Haruna Lawal, former special adviser; Kabiru Isa Dan Dago of Bayero University, Kano; Dr. Kabiru Ibrahim Getso, senior registrar, CMD department, AKTH; Mrs. Aisha Mohammed Bello, assistant general manager, First Bank Plc; Garba Haruna Lawal; Zubaida Lawal and Haruna Naagoma Falali.

The Speaker said the House would expedite action for the approval of the list.

APC governorship candidate urged to allow tribunal do its job

A

GROUP, the Southern Taraba Forum for a Just Society (STFJS), yesterday urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Taraba State, Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan, to allow the election petitions tribunal do its job.

Its Coordinator, Mr. Caleb Agyu and Secretary, Hajiya Talatu Ibrahim, a lawyer, accused Senator Alhassan of “talking too much” on the election result, “instead of allowing the tribunal to do its job.”

Darius Dickson Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defeated Alhassan, the only woman candidate in the governorship election, in 10 local governments, with 369,318 votes.

From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

The APC standard-bearer trailed the former Niger Delta Affairs minister with 275,984 votes, got from six councils.

She petitioned the tribunal, suing Ishaku, the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for rigging. She accused security agents of being partisan.

Senator Alhassan has been calling for the cancellation of the election. She said a fresh poll should be held.

Agyu and Ibrahim at a news conference in Jalingo said: “Alhassan’s utterances in public portend disrespect for lawyers and law, her profession.”

APC suspends Waku, Jime others for anti-party activities B ENUE State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has suspended Senator Joseph Waku, Emmanuel Jime and Justice Ustaha for anti-party activities.

The Chairman, Comrade Abba Yaro, in a statement made available to The Nation after a meeting of the working committee, said the

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

members disobeyed the party’s order to withdraw their cases from courts.

Jime was an APC governorship aspirant and is in

court to challenge the emergence of Governor Samuel Ortom.

Waku is also challenging Ortom’s emergence in the last primaries at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Yaro said at the end of this month, their suspension would be reviewed and if the directives were not complied with, the party would have no choice but to expel them.

Kano Assembly Speaker, deputy emerge

K

ABIRU Alasan Rurum from Rano Constituency has emerged as the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly.

Hamisu Ibrahim Cidari representing Makoda Constituency is deputy speaker.

Rurum, 45, who took the oath of allegiance and oath of membership yesterday at the Assembly with other members, said he would operate an open-door policy that would ensure a vibrant House where members would contribute meaningfully on the floor for the betterment of the people.

He pledged to fulfil the campaign promises made to

•Pledge to work with executive From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

the people.

Said he: “I accept this honour and call to service with sincere appreciation. Each one of us is capable of leading this House. We thank Almighty Allah, who in his infinite wisdom has destined through you that my humble self will be the speaker of this honourable Assembly.”

Rurum assured the executive and the judiciary of his commitment to work together with his colleagues as a family and team within

the tenets, principles of democracy and rule of law in line with the oath of membership.

His words: “I assure Kano people and our teeming supporters of our commitment to the fulfilment of the promises made during our campaign. As the representatives of the people, we shall be resolute and focused in delivering the dividends of democracy in the passage of sound resolutions. All these shall not be in vein.

“High standard legislation shall be paramount in the affairs of the 8th legisla-

ture through the improvement of the general wellbeing of our people and will be targeted at all times towards the improvement of the welfare of our people, to ensure good governance.”

He urged members to cooperate to achieve the desired goals.

Cidari, the former deputy speaker of the 7th Assembly, has returned as the deputy speaker of the 8th Legislature. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, representing Fagge Constituency and Baffa Babba Dan Agundi emerged as the majority leader and deputy majority leader.

Kogi offers N5m for information OGI State Governor on kidnappers Idris Wada yesterday

K

announced a reward of N5million for any person with useful information that could lead to the arrest of kidnappers.

The governor, who was addressing officers and men of the police at the command headquarters in Lokoja, said the action was taken to tackle kidnapping.

Wada, who hailed Inspector-General of Police Solomon Arase for the deployment of 350 policemen in the state and the provision of 31 Hilux vans to assist the command in the fight against criminals, announced the donation of five Hilux vans by the state government to the police.

He said the government had released N2.4million as compensation to the families

From James Azania, Lokoja

of the 12 police officers, who died in service.

Each family is to receive N200,000.

The governor said the government would assist the police to renovate the A Division Police Barracks in Lokoja, adding that it would allocate land to the command to build a secretariat, a police nursery/primary school and a police housing scheme.

Waku, who hailed the renovation at the command headquarters embarked on

by Police Commissioner Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, promised to provide a conducive environment that would enhance quality and effective policing.

NDLEA arrests 72 suspects

T

HE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Jigawa State command, has arrested 72 suspected dealers and users of drugs in the first quarter of this year.

The Commandant, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdul, who addressed reporters yesterday in Dutse, said the command seized 72.2737 kg of drugs from suspects.

He said: “Among the suspects prosecuted, 17 were sentenced to jail terms ranging from one to two years

•Seizes 72.237kg of drugs From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

and above, depending on the gravity of the offence.”

Abdul added: “This time, we’ve succeeded in arresting one notorious dealer, Idi Santana, of Sabon Gari in Taura Local Government Area, who has been on our wanted list for long.”

The commandant noted that the rate of drug abuse had dropped compared to the previous years.

•Police Commissioner Fagge (middle), briefing reporters yesterday. With him are the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. PHOTO: NAN Sanusi Lemu and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Gabriel Acheneje.

Police arrest two robbery suspects in Sokoto

T

HE police in Sokoto State have killed one and arrested two members of a notorious armed robbery gang during a gun duel.

The robbers have been terrorising residents of Malagam and Gidan-Daji villages in Tangaza and Wurno councils.

The command recovered exhibits, including a rifle with 22mm calibre of ammunition, three rounds of live ammunition, a cutlass and a stick.

The police also arrested Nasiru Mijinyawa of the newly-established Sokoto State Marshal Agency and two others, Uche Opkara

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

and Ndubuisi Okafor, for alleged car theft.

They were alleged to have specialised in removing cars from parks with the connivance of Mijinyawa, who allegedly provided them with a master key for the operations.

“Okpara and Okafor, who hail from Delta State, live at Diplomat in Sokoto.

“The duo removed a Toyota Camry with registration number JR394KJA from where it was parked and took it to Asaba where they were arrested.”

The command recovered exhibits, including a rifle

with 22mm calibre of ammunition, three rounds of live ammunition, cutlass and stick.

Briefing reporters yesterday in Sokoto on the success by the command, Police Commissioner Salisu Fagge Abdullahi said the gang was led by Abdullahi Mamman, “a notorious robber and they killed Ladan Mohammed.”

He went on: “Other members of the gang escaped during the attack. Mamman was arrested last June.

“The police launched a manhunt for the escapeemembers and it paid off on June 4 when the gang struck again at Gidan-Daji village during which the police at-

Almakura appoints press secretary

N

ASARAWA State Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura yesterday appointed a press secretary.

He is Ahmed Tukur, who has been practising journalism for about 15 years.

The announcement

From Johnny Danjuma, Lafia

brought to an end, the tenure of Yakubu Lamai, who took over from Iliyasu Yakubu.

Lamai, according to the announcement, has been

moved to serve as the governor’s senior special adviser.

Tukur was the bureau chief of the Blue Print and served as the secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nasarawa State council.

tacked the robbers. One of them was killed in a gun duel and the leader, Yanta Garba, was arrested.”

According to him, two other members of the gang, Bami Shehu and Shehu Abdullahi alias ‘Dan-Illela’, who is the armourer, have also been arrested.

Fagge said the command has arrested Jamilu Ahmed, a member of a group of miscreants terrorising people at Rijiya in the Sokoto metropolis.

“The robbers attacked a dealer of mobile phones and accessories. Two people were injured and dispossessed of their phones. One of the suspects was arrested through information.

“He assisted the police in the arrest of four othersKasimu Abubakar ‘alias’ Timaya, Mudassiru Umar ‘alias’ Black, Ibrahim Abdullahi and Tsalha Ibrahim ‘alias’ Dansharri. Four members of the gang are still at large.

Exhibits recovered from them are Gienee P3 phone, two Sim cards and a sword.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

57

NEWS

Rivers ogogoro death toll rises B •Three deaths reported in Port Harcourt T •Source of poisoned drink traced to Akwa Ibom

HREE fresh deaths were recorded yesterday in the Rivers State intake of the local gin, ogogoro.

This happened as findings linked the source of the contaminated drink to Akwa Ibom State.

As at Sunday, 38 people were confirmed dead, following the consumption of the local gin, which reportedly contained methanol.

Though the fresh cases had not been confirmed at the time of filing this report last night, the Director-General of the National Agency for Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii, warned that similar cases were becoming widespread in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

Hitherto, only three local government areas of the state were affected.

Orhii, who addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja on the incident, alongside the Director-General of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Prof. Suleiman Nasidi, said samples from Rivers State had been sent to laboratories for further analysis.

Orhii said the preliminary investigations showed that the deaths were not different from

what happened in Ode Irele in Ondo State, where 18 people died after consuming a similar local gin.

He warned that people should henceforth abstain from the drink for their safety.

Orhii added: “The figure may be more than what was reported as many people continue to take the product.”

The NAFDAC chief also urged Nigerians to report and evacuate to the nearest tertiary health institution as quick as possible anybody who exhibits such symptoms

as voting, abdominal pain, blurred vision, headache, dizziness and loss of consciousness.

Prof Nasidi said the dog meat had nothing to do with the deaths because investigation had so proven.

The NCDC chief said the investigation was carried out in three categories: first, those who took the ogogoro without the dog meat; secondly, those who took the dog meat and the ogogoro and, thirdly, those who took only the dog meat.

He added that the result from those who took ogogoro alone was higher.

AYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson yesterday urged a former governor and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timipre Sylva, to forget his ambition to return to the Government House in 2016.

Dickson described Sylva’s first term as the darkest days in the history of Bayelsa.

In a statement yesterday in Yenagoa, the state capital, by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel IworisoMarkson, the governor urged Sylva to consider his ambition to return to the Government House as an illusion, “because the people of Bayelsa now know better”.

Dickson was reacting to comments credited to Sylva, who accused him of govern-

CAC to pray for Buhari

T

HE Christ Apostolic Church World Evangelistic Outreach has announced one day prayer for the Muhammadu Buhari administration and the revival of the nation’s economy for Friday, June 12. The venue is Babalola International Miracle Camp, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State.

According to Pastor Johnson Ayo Olabisi, the Chairman of the Church’s Evangelical Committee, organisers of the prayer: “All lovers of Nigeria should join us to pray for this nation. He will answer our prayer because He is a faithful God. “We called on God when there were ominous signs that the elections had evil forebodings for the nation and He answered, the elections were not only peaceful, they were generally adjudged to be fair. Now that we have had new government in place but with our economy in the doldrums and the security situation so gloom, we have to go back to that same God in prayers. He is a prayeranswering God, we are sure God will bring a miraculous turn-around to our economy and put an end to the activities of terrorists and criminals”.

Pastor Olabisi who is also the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Oyo State branch said many anointed ministers of God billed to minister at the one day prayer programme would be led by the President of Christ Apostolic Church, Worldwide, Pastor Abraham Olukunle Akinosun and the Church’s General Evangelist, Prophet Samue Abiara.

Dickson to Sylva: forget your governorship ambition From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

ing Bayelsa by intimidation and fear.

He said: “Sylva’s remarks epitomised those of a man who has lost focus, and is not in touch with the realities on the ground. It is heart-warming that he (Sylva) is not accusing me of multiple crimes and criminality, secret killings, cultism, large scale corruption and brigandage, which were the hallmarks of his tenure as governor of Bayelsa State.

“Sylva’s era as governor of Bayelsa State was the darkest days in the history of the state. Bayelsans have become wiser and would not be cajoled or hoodwinked by his antics.

“If Sylva is a wise man, he would have seen the handwriting on the wall, that Bayelsans have since rejected him by voting massively for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in all the recent elections.”

Wike dissolves RSIEC, judicial commission From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

R •Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole (right) congratulating Lucky Wasa, after he was sworn in as a Permanent Secretary in the state’s civil service...yesterday.

Police probe surveyor’s killing in Bayelsa land dispute T HE Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Bayelsa State Police Command is probing the circumstances that led to the killing of a surveyor, Kolu Eddy, in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Eddy is said to be a victim of the prolonged land dispute between Okutukutu and Opolo suburbs of Yenagoa.

He was allegedly killed

by Opolo mobs from Okutukutu when he was supervising the demolition of buildings in the land dispute.

One of the landlords, identified simply as Joseph, whose house was demolished, said Opolo indigenes brought bulldozers to the controversial piece of land and brought down some

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

houses.

He said the people of Opolo claimed ownership of the piece of land sold to developers by Okutukutu indigenes.

Joseph said: “The people of Opolo were many. They came to the disputed land with armed policemen and two bulldozers. They demolished houses in a section of the land.

“The surveyor was supervising the exercise. He followed one of the bulldozers into an unprotected area.

Unknown to him, angry youths from Okutukutu

were monitoring his movement.”

The landlord recalled that the youths were armed with machetes and other weapons to trail the surveyor.

According to him, they caught and “butchered” Eddy with cutlasses.

Joseph said the operator of the bulldozer sustained a deep cut on his head as he attempted to escape from the mob.

He said: “The surveyor was not fortunate enough.

He was deeply and severely attacked with cutlasses. They abandoned him in the pool of his blood and ran away following police interven-

tion.

“The surveyor was still breathing when help came his way. But the only problem was that the nearest hospital was at Okutukutu and the people of Opolo were afraid that the mob would come after them, if they took him to the nearby clinic.

“They decided to take Eddy to another hospital. But he died before they could get to the hospital.”

Police spokesman Asinim Butswat, an Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the police arrested one suspect in connection with the incident.

He said the police looked forward to arresting more suspects before referring the matter to the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

IVERS State Governor Nyesom Wike yesterday dissolved the boards of the State Judicial Service Commission (RSJSC) and the State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

This followed the resolution of the House of Assembly, which empowered the governor to sack members of both commissions.

The governor announced last night that the dissolution was with immediate effect.

A statement in Port Harcourt, the state capital, by his Special Adviser on Publicity, Mr Opunabo InkoTariah, said the governor sacked the members of the two commissions for their alleged misconduct during the tenure of former Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

The decision followed the votes by the lawmakers after an interactive session between the Assembly members and those of the two commissions.

Members of the RSJSC were led by the commission’s Secretary, Mrs Kate Baridor, who is also a Chief Magistrate Grade I; those of RSIEC were led by their Chairman, Prof Augustine Ahiazu.

Speakership tussle divides Akwa Ibom lawmakers

A

FTER a lot of drama and intrigues, members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly yesterday elected a first-timer, Aniekan Uko, their Speaker.

Uko is from Ibesikpo Asutan.

Effiong Bassey, from Oron, emerged the Deputy Speaker.

The Clerk of the House, Mrs. Mandu Umoren, who was earlier rumoured to have been kidnapped, made

•First-timer elected Speaker From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

a triumphal entry into the chamber.

She said: “I want to plead for the understanding of all for starting this event now. It was due to some unforeseen occurrences.”

The emergence of Uko has divided the House of Assembly.

The tussle over the Speakership generated intense heat

ahead of the inauguration of the sixth Assembly.

The Assembly yesterday witnessed an unprecedented crowd, comprising unemployed youths, women, traditional rulers and government workers.

They filled the spaces in and around the Assembly’s complex.

The tussle for the speakership was earlier between the member representing Nsit

Ubium State Constituency, Onofiok Luke, and his Ibiono Ibom State Constituency’s counterpart, Ime Okon.

The lawmakers, it was learnt, supported Luke, being an independent-minded lawmaker. But former Governor Godswill Akpabio and his loyalists in government backed Okon.

There was speculation that Akpabio got the understanding of eight lawmakers-elect to elect Okon as Speaker.

Akpabio was said to have

summoned the lawmakerselect to Ukana (his village) in Essien Udim Local Government Area on Sunday evening with the aim of securing their loyalty against Luke, the preferred candidate.

It was learnt that the former governor had planned to disrupt the inauguration of the sixth Assembly, if he did not have his way.

A source said Governor Udom Emmanuel had been away from the state, adding that he too was not sure of the

inauguration.

The source said: “Reports from the House of Assembly’s complex on Sir Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, have it that the former governor, in his determination to control the sixth Assembly, has ordered the deployment of officers of the Department of State Service (DSS), the Army and dangerously looking and heavily armed policemen to block some members-elect who they perceived would not support their proposed speaker...”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

58

NEWS

•Bishop, Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion (Church of Nigeria), Rev James Odedeji (middle), his wife Lydia (fourth right) after the presentation of cheques to six indigent mothers – Ikpeme Margaret (left); Olaposi Faith; Tochukwu Faith; Ikechukwu Ukwuda; Ndubuisi Ogechi and James Joy at Ilogbo Central Hospital, Ajangbadi, Lagos...yesterday. PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

Nwifuru emerges Ebonyi Speaker From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

O

GBONNAYA Nwifuru, representing Izzi West has emerged the Speaker of the 5th Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

This followed the proclamation of the House by Governor Dave Umahi.

Odefa Obasi Odefa, representing Onicha East nominated the Speaker and it was seconded by Joseph Nwaobasi (Ezza North East).

He was immediately sworn-in by the Clerk, Mrs. Rose Nwokporo.

Obasi Odefa was also elected Deputy Speaker.

Other principal officers as announced by the Speaker include: Joseph Nwobasi (Majority Leader); Chike Oguji (Deputy Leader); Kingsley Ikoro (Chief Whip); Frank Onwe (Deputy Chief Whip) and Maria Nwachi (PPA) as the Minority Leader.

Okorocha swears in SSG, CPS, others

I

MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday swore in the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Sir Jude Ejiogu, and four others. The others are: the Chief, Uche Nwosu, Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Emma Ibediro and Senior Special Assistant on Assets and Liabilities, Elthel Ibebuchi and the Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo,.

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

Okorocha advised the officials to settle down to wirk for the people. Okorocha tells SSG, others: “A moment like this calls for sober reflection; it is not a time to be carried away by the euphoria of the moment. To whom much is given, much is expected. Today’s responsibility has fallen on your shoulders;

the people expect much from us and we must hurry to deliver the dividends of democracy.

He urged their friends and family members to refrain from making unrealistic demands, adding: “Corruption in public offices is often as a result of pressure from family members”.

Responding on behalf of others, Ejiogu described their appointment as a mark of hon-

our.

He said: “Since our appointment is a mark of acceptance, I pledge on behalf of my colleagues that we will do you proud. Imo is in critical times because we are moving into a period of consolidation.

“We are determined to follow you to ensure that we achieve the industrial revolution, which is the main thrust of your second term”.

Court nullifies arrest warrant on Kashamu

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GUN East senator-elect Buruji Kashamu won two orders at the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday.

One overruled the provisional warrant of arrest secured by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seeking to extradite him to the United States to face drug-trafficking charges.

Another court ordered that the extradition proceedings should be halted.

Kashamu secured the orders through Justice Okon Abang and Ibrahim Buba. on Monday through his lawyers, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN) and Mr. Ajibola Oluyede, secured separate orders from both Justices Okon

Abang and Ibrahim Buba of the Lagos Division of the court.

Justice Abang quashed the extradition proceedings and the provisional warrant of arrest issued by another judge of the Federal High Court. Justice Buba restrained the NDLEA from arresting and arraigning Kashamu in furtherance of the extradition charges.

Kashamu’s lawyer Ajibola Oluyede yesterday took a new application before Justice Buba seeking an order to nullify the provisional warrant of arrest obtained by the NDLEA against his client.

Oluyede, in a motion on notice, asked the court to nullify the NDLEA’s application to commence extradition pro-

ceedings against him in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS /479/ 2015 at a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The lawyer said despite an earlier order made by Justice Buba last Thursday, the NDLEA had not suspended action on the move to arrest, arraign and extradite Kashamu.

He said it would be in the interest of justice to grant the fresh application.

But NDLEA’s lawyer, O. Ichakpa, maintained said the agency had not taken any step to undermine the processes before the court.

Justice Buba ordered that the NDLEA “shall not in the face of subsisting judgment, orders of the court and proc-

esses filed and pending, enforce or put to effect the warrant of arrest dated April 25, 2015.”

The judge quashed the move to arraign Kashamu on the extradition process filed by the NDLEA on April 28.

The judge adjourned till June 19 for further hearing of all applications including the committal proceedings instituted by Kashamu against the Attorney General of the Federation and NDLEA Chairman Ahmadu Glade.

Justice Abang, in a separate application argued by Alex Iziyon (SAN) quashed the extradition proceedings and arrest warrant secured by the NDLEA on Kashamu.

Meat sellers, thugs clash From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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EAT sellers, under the aegis of Chisom Butchers Association, Amansea, in Awka Local Government Area of Anambra State clashed with thugs yesterday. The thugs were allegedly hired by Awka North council area, Chairman Cosmos Okonkwo.

Briefing reporters yesterday, the association’s chairman, Christian Nwankwo, who was injured in the fracas alleged that the hoodlums wielded dangerous weapons including guns and machetes.

Nwankwo said the chairman wanted them to pay revenue to the council, which according to him, was against the directive of Governor Willie Obiano.

Nwankwo, surrounded by his executives including Theo Igwe (patron), Emma Nwagu (vice chairman), Ifeanyi Ezeonu (treasurer) and Akuchi Israel (member), alleged that the association paid N30,000 weekly before Obiano directed that all revenues be paid into the state account, which they complied with.

Stakeholders canvass improved investment rules, regulations

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TAKEHOLDERS have urged the government to emblace better legislations and regulators for Nigeria to step up its ranking in the World Bank’s ease of doing business index.

This position was made known at the 9th annual Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Session on Business Law (SBL) conference, which began Sunday in Lagos and themed: “Regulators as Catalysts for Economic Growth”.

Speakers at the three-day event highlighted the need to simplify and streamline the roles of regulators to avoid bottlenecks in investments that will grow the economy.

By Precious Igbonwelundu

Participants noted that asides providing security, government must ensure a level-playing field in its critical sector to create room for healthy competition.

According to them, Nigeria’s 170th ranking suggests that the regulators were not doing their jobs effectively, just as they urged the current administration to liaise with the legislature to review and harmonise all investment laws to create an enabling environment for diversification.

Participants also canvassed adequate funding for the regulators, just as they advised the regulatory agencies to take advantage of technology to fasten their proc-

esses.

Among the participants were Vice President, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Ghana’s Trade Minister, Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah; former Head, Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; NBA President, Augustine Alegeh (SAN); former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Bayo Ojo (SAN); Chairman, NBA SBL, Asue Ighodalo; former Executive Chair, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Ifueko Okauru and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Mawuena Trebarh.

Others include RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Bello Mahmud; CEO Nigerian

Shippers Council, Hassan Bello; CEO, Central Securities Clearing System Plc. (CSCS), Kyari Bukar; Prof.

Gbolahan Elias (SAN) and Wale Goodluck.

Osinbajo, who attended the opening dinner allayed fears that terrorist sect, Boko Haram ýwere resurfacing, just as he said the government was leaving no stone unturned towards containing them.

He noted that the government was not all knowing, nor does it have all the solutions, ýbut promised that government will create a more investor-friendly environment.

The Vice President said the problem in Nigeria was the absence of strong regulatory and enforcement

mechanisms to ýhold the system accountable.

He decried the absence of a composite market legislation that targets market abuses, just as he noted that the current administration would take steps to improve the situation.

“Businesses look upon government to ensure they are treated fairly. Fair competition and enterprise, even among companies, is a basic requirement of an efficient and productive market economy.

“Again, fair enterprise does ýnot come naturally to the market place, it has to be established with the right government policies within the regulatory environment,” Osinbajo said.

Keynote speaker, Spio-

Garbrah said Nigeria could become a huge power house if right investments were made in the energy sector.

He said no country can become industrialised without meaningful improvement on power, advising Nigeria to invest in critical infrastructures.

She said a national strategic decision on investment must be emplaced such that both Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and domestic investments are given same priority.

For Okauru, a lot is to be done in taxation, especially with respect to the existing laws, just as she noted that multiple taxation was still a major issue that needs political consensus of the Federal and state governments.

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FOREIGN NEWS Iraqi forces takes over Baiji city

Obama restates strategy on Iraq

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HE US does not yet have a “complete strategy” for helping Iraq regain territory from Islamic State (IS), President Barack Obama has said.

He said the Pentagon was reviewing ways to help Iraq train and equip its forces.

But Mr Obama said a full commitment to the process was needed by the Iraqis themselves.

He had earlier met Iraqi Prime Minister Haider alAbadi on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Germany.

IS has recently made gains in Iraq despite US-led coalition air strikes.

In May the militants seized Ramadi, the capital of Anbar, Iraq’s largest province, as well as the Syrian town of Tadmur and the neighbouring ancient ruins of Palmyra.

US officials cited a lack of training as a major factor in the fall of Ramadi.

But Mr Obama said that

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the 3,000 US service personnel in Iraq sometimes found themselves with “more training capacity than we’ve got recruits”.

“We don’t have, yet, a complete strategy, because it requires commitments on the part of Iraqis as well about how recruitment takes place, how that training takes place,” Mr Obama told a news conference.

The Iraqi government is turning to Shia militias to hold back the IS advance “We want to get more Iraqi security forces trained, fresh, well-equipped and focused and (Mr) Abadi wants the same thing so we’re reviewing a range of plans for how we might do that.”

Mr Obama said all countries in the international coalition were ready to do more to help train Iraqi security forces.

Last month, US Defence Secretary Ash Carter said the loss of Ramadi was, in

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RAQI forces with the support of the U.S. are now in control of Baiji city, military and militia sources told CNN on Sunday.

“Forces have cleansed and are in control completely of government complex, city center, Fatah mosque (main mosque) and surrounding neighborhoods,” said Brig.

Gen. Tahseen Ibrahim, a spokesman for the Iraqi defense ministry.

He credited the U. S. with “a significant role supporting” Iraqi ground forces in the assault. He did not provide

Turkey ruling party may lose majority’

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•Obama

part, due to the Iraqis’ lack of a “will to fight”.

Iraq has become increasingly reliant on Iranianbacked Shia militias to take on IS in recent months.

The move has raised fears of worsening sectarian tensions as the militias try to drive the jihadist fighters out of predominantly Sunni areas like Anbar.

Turkey: Erdogan’s governing party in major URKISH voters shown that the majority of electoral loss delivered a rebuke on Turks are opposed to the

Sunday to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as his party lost its majority in Parliament in a historic election that thwarted his ambition to rewrite Turkey’s Constitution and further bolster his clout.

The results represented a significant setback for Mr. Erdogan, an Islamist who has steadily increased his power since being elected last year as president, a partly but not solely ceremonial post. The prime minister for more than a decade before that, Mr. Erdogan has pushed for more control of the judiciary and cracked down on any form of criticism, including prosecuting those who insult him on social media, but his efforts appeared to have run aground on Sunday.

The vote was also a significant victory to the cadre of Kurds, liberals and secular Turks who found their voice of opposition to Mr. Erdogan during sweeping antigovernment protests two years ago. For

the first time, the Kurdish slate crossed a 10 percent threshold required to enter Parliament..

Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party, or A.K.P., still won the most seats by far, but not a majority, according to preliminary results released Sunday night. The outcome suggests contentious days of jockeying ahead as the party moves to form a coalition government.

Already, analysts were raising the possibility Sunday of new elections if a government cannot be formed swiftly.

Many Turks were happy to see Mr. Erdogan’s powers curtailed, even though the prospect of a coalition government evokes dark memories of political instability and economic malaise during the 1990s.

With 99 percent of the votes counted, the A.K.P. had won 41 percent of the vote, according to TRT, a state-run broadcaster, down from nearly 50 percent during the last national election in

specifics on what kind of support the forces received.

“We can announce that Baiji city is completely liberated and the Iraqi flag was raised over the governor building,” said Muhammed al-Eqabi, a spokesman for the Hash alShaabi Shia militia.

ISIS forces, who had seized the city, fled back toward Mosul and were under air attack while retreating, according to Ibrahim.

ISIS forces had left booby traps throughout the city, he said, and there are still small pockets of resistance.

2011. The percentage gave it an estimated 258 seats in Turkey’s Parliament, compared with the 327 seats it has now.

Mr. Erdogan, who as president was not on the ballot Sunday, will probably remain Turkey’s dominant political figure even if his ambitions have been curtailed, given his outsize personality and his still-deep well of support among Turkey’s religious conservatives, who form the backbone of his constituency. But even among those supporters, including ones in Kasimpasa, the Istanbul neighborhood where Mr. Erdogan spent part of his youth, there are signs that his popularity is flagging.

Turnout was 86 percent for the elections, which were seen as a referendum on Mr. Erdogan’s tenure, especially his plan for a presidential system that would have given him more power.

Polling had consistently

change.

The People’s Democratic Party, known as H.D.P., was able to broaden its base by fielding a slate of candidates that included women, gays and other minorities and appealed to voters whose goal was to curtail Mr. Erdogan’s powers.

The Republican People’s Party, the main secular opposition party, came in second with 25 percent of the vote, but it was the Kurds whose surge positioned them as kingmakers in the next Parliament. It also highlighted the evolution of the Kurdish movement, from the battlefields of the southeast, where a bloody insurgency raged for nearly 30 years, to the halls of power in Ankara, the capital.

Turkey, a member of NATO, has seen its relations with its Western allies deteriorate, mainly over Syria and the fight against the Islamic State, the militant group that controls vast areas.

URKEY’s governing AK party appears on course to lose its parliamentary majority, early projections suggest.

With two-thirds of the vote counted, the AKP had 43.6% of the vote, according to Turkish TV stations.

They also suggest the proKurdish HDP is set to cross the 10% threshold, securing seats for the first time.

If confirmed, the result would end the AKP’s 13-year singleparty rule, and upset President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s plans to boost his office’s powers.

President Erdogan, who first

came to power as prime minister in 2003, has been seeking a big enough majority to turn Turkey into a presidential republic.

The BBC’s Mark Lowen in Istanbul says Sunday’s election was the biggest electoral challenge for the AKP since it came to power, with economic growth stalling.

The result may have ramifications beyond Turkey’s borders.

The country is a vital Nato member in a volatile Middle East and a rare mix of Islam and democracy, our correspondent says.

Syria : ‘Dozens die’ in govt air strikes

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T least 49 civilians, including six children, have been killed in air strikes by government forces in north-western Syria, activists say.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that missiles had hit a public square in the rebel-held village of al-Janudiya.

Many people had gathered there to go shopping, the group added.

Al-Janudiya is situated in the west of Idlib province, which is now almost completely controlled by rebel forces.

An alliance including alQaeda’s affiliate in Syria, the al-Nusra Front, seized control of the provincial capital at the end of March, and the major town of Jisr al-Shughour, near al-Janudiya, a month later.

The rebels are now advancing on the Mediterranean coastal province of Latakia, a stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad and his Alawite sect.

The Syrian Observatory and

the Local Co-ordination Committees (LCC), an opposition activist network, both said government aircraft had attacked al-Janudiya on Monday.

The LCC put the death toll at 60 and warned that it was likely to rise because some of the dozens of wounded people were in a critical condition.

Syrian government officials have so far not commented on the reports.

The LCC also reported that several people had been killed on Monday in a government air strike in the town of Taftanaz, in eastern Idlib, and that four others had died when government helicopters dropped barrel bombs in the town of Tal Rifaat, in neighbouring Aleppo province.

The UN says more than 220,000 people have been killed since the uprising against Mr Assad began four years ago. Almost 12 million others have been displaced.

Parole board to recommend Pistorius early release

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• Winners celebrating after the election yesterday in turkey

PHOTO: AFP

parole board is set to recommend that the disgraced athlete Oscar Pistorius, convicted in the killing of his girlfriend, be released from prison in August, South Africa’s Department of Correctional Services told CNN on Monday.

Pistorius, 28, was sentenced in October to five years in prison for culpable homicide in the killing of Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013. In South Africa, culpable homicide means a person was killed unintentionally but unlawfully.

Pistorius acknowledged

firing shots through the bathroom door in his home, but said he thought there was an intruder in the bathroom rather than his girlfriend.

Pistorius’ fall from grace was one of the most dramatic since that of O.J. Simpson, the American football player turned sports announcer and movie star, who was charged with murder in the 1994 deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.

Simpson was acquitted in a criminal trial but found responsible for the deaths in a subsequent civil suit.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

60

NEWS Saraki dumps APC to run with Ekweremadu Continued from page 4

they will nominate Ekweremadu who is expected to deliver the bloc votes of the Senators-elect from the SouthEast in collaboration with Senator Andy Uba.” Uba and Ekweremadu could not be reached for comments last night.

It was gathered that the collapse of consensus by PDP has created a serious setback for Yakubu Dogara who is seeking to contest for Speaker of the House of Representatives with the party’s candidate, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Dogara could only garner support from 55 out of the 209 APC members-elect for the House of Representatives.

Another source said: “Dogara had banked on permutations that 120 PDP members-elect will vote for him but his hope was dashed last night by the split in the party.

“In fact, to earn the support of PDP, he was mandated to mobilise at least 70 memberselect from the APC. But Dogara is stranded as he could only secure the backing of 55 members-elect from the APC. “As it is now, the moves to frustrate Gbajabiamila’s aspira-

tion have failed. This is why they have resorted to blackmail and wild-chase in the court.

“Some pro-Dogara memberselect were also last night whipping up religious sentiments to set the core North against the party’s candidate.”

Ojomu warned the PDP against supporting any of its defectors from either being the Senate President or the Speaker.

He said those who defected from PDP to APC could not turn back to the party they decimated for succour.

Ojomu, in a statement, warned the PDP against playing politics of “pay back time” against the APC. The statement said: “It is worrisome to observe that many of those who walked out were former PDP members who joined the APC and are acting out exactly the same script of ‘give a dog a bad name to hang it’ adopted as strategy to exit from the PDP for their safe landing in the APC. “Today, by their actions and inactions alongside, other several factors left PDP comatose and one wonders if everybody acted like them who will be PDP senators and House of

Representatives members to be now courted to defend their interest for victory at all cost against their ruling party’s official position.

“They decimated the PDP and now want to rely on it as strength to climb to number three and four in our nation.

That’s crass opportunism and the PDP leaders in the Red and Green Chambers should not provide themselves as ready tools for self-serving pursuits.

“Strengthening party supremacy, party discipline, national stability and cohesion in government are the gains of PDP in National Assembly, standing firm that any political party official position or policy shall stand.

“Nigeria needs men of stable character. After all, those who stand for nothing fall for anything. The men and women that constitute the Nigeria’s Legislature must stand for something and in these circumstances it is principled position on party supremacy, notwithstanding that the former A.C.N botched that principle in the choice of speakership in 2011.“ Ojomu said the APC had the right to put forward those who should be on its platform in the

National Assembly leadership.

The statement said: “Let it be noted that if the party was ever right to sponsor senatorial/ House of Representatives candidate for election, it must also be right to determine who to put forward on its platform.

“No responsible political party in a democratic process that outlaws individual, independent candidate for elective offices will abdicate its historical and natural responsibility to present a sole candidate for each of the NASS Principal Offices.

“It will be unconventional for APC to watch helplessly for its members to contest in a free for all manner in the Red and Green Chambers.

“The gladiators need to drop sophistry in their argument and be educated that there is nothing undemocratic in the ruling party adopted open balloting process as opposed to secret balloting that was preferred by contending parties. Option A4 adopted in the Third Republic with SDP and NRC was adjudged one of the best democratic processes this country has ever witnessed. You queue behind your preferred candidate or party.”

Respect party decision, Oyegun appeals to APC lawmakers Continued from page 4

things should be respected.

All we did was to provide the platform. We recognise and accept that we cannot impose leaders on them.

“Of course we can provide guidance as to how things ought to be done and the kind persons we think they should look for and that is all we have done. My appeal is that they respect the arrangement that has been made by the party, that they respect the views expressed in a secret vote that the majority of the members of the

House of Representatives and their senior colleagues, the Senate and let peace be.

We have preached change and you cannot undertake change with a flip.

“The change must start with the conduct of members of the party themselves. The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, will also address members of both houses and I hope that, thereafter, peace will prevail.

“This is the first stage of the distribution of the spoil of office. The APC has survived a lot of predictions in

good shape and this too shall come to pass.”

Also yesterday, OdigieOyegun assured Nigerians of the APC’s resolve to restore their hope and confidence in governance. He regretted that for 16 years the government was spending money and instead of making progress, it was moving backward.

The party chair who spoke while receiving Mrs. Eunice Orji Kalu, the mother of former Abia State Governor Orji Kalu, said that while the Jonathan administration inherited

about 4,000 megawatts of electricity, it left behind less than 2,000 megawatts after spending several billions of dollars in the power sector.

How Senate President will emerge Continued from page 4

The Clerk of the Senate shall submit the result of the division to the Clerk of the National Assembly.

The Clerk to the National Assembly shall then declare the Senator-elect who has received the greater number of votes elected as President of the Senate.

When more than two Senators-elect are nominated and seconded as President of the Senate, the division shall be conducted in the manner prescribed above and the Senatorelect who has received the majority of votes shall be the President of the Senate.

In the event of no Senator having received a majority of votes in the division, the name of the candidate having the smallest number of votes shall be excluded from the subsequent division. A further division shall take place.

Equality of votes In the event of an equality of votes, the Clerk shall cause a further division to be held.

This division shall continue until one candidate is declared elected as President of the Senate by such majority.

At any time after the result of the first division is declared, but before the commencement of a second or subsequent division, a candidate may withdraw his or her name from the election, which shall then proceed as if such Senator-elect had not been nominated.

Whenever at any stage a withdrawal leaves only one candidate remaining, such a candidate shall, without further division, be declared elected as President of the Senate.

No debate or question of privilege During the election of a President of the Senate, there shall be no debate and no question of privilege may be raised.

Eligibility for office All Senators-elect shall participate in the nomination and voting for President and Deputy President of the Senate.

Election takes precedence over other business The election of President of the Senate shall take precedence over all other business and no motion for adjournment nor any other motion shall be accepted while it is proceeding and the Senate Shall continue to meet if necessary beyond its ordinary daily time of adjournment, not withstanding any Standing or Special Order, until a President of the Senate is declared elected.

Other officers The dominant party in the two chambers are also expected, after the election of the President of the Senate and Deputy President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, proceed to announce the Senate and House leaders. Deputy Senate Leader, Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip.

Military moves command centre to Maiduguri Continued from page 4

the fight against terrorism and insurgency has moved to Maiduguri, Borno State.

“The team, which is led by a Two-Star General, has already commenced work in earnest and it is comprised of elements of the Office of the Chief of Army Staff, all the relevant Army Headquarters Departments and other combat support components.

“The Centre will serve as a forward command base for the Chief of Army Staff and other Service Chiefs. ”The Centre is essentially an elaboration of an already existing Army Headquarters Command and Control arrangement.

“From now on, the fight against terrorism and insurgency would be monitored, coordinated and controlled from this centre. “ I wish to inform you also that its establishment would not create another layer of command structure but would add impetus and renewed vigour to OPERATION ZAMAN LAFIYA, all aimed at bringing terrorism and insur-

gency to an end.

“An alternate command centre is also being established in Yola.”

As at press time, it was gathered that the President has ordered military chiefs to mobilize troops for a “no retreat, no surrender” attacks against Boko Haram insurgents.

A top military source said: “The order given to all of us now is no retreat, no surrender until Boko Haram insurgency is suppressed.

“We are set for a long-drawn battle with the insurgents. We are getting into a near total declaration of war against Boko Haram any moment from now. Wherever the insurgents are, we have been directed to smoke them out.

“The President has also told us that his administration will no longer condone desertion of battle fields by troops. This is the new shape of the battle against Boko Haram.”

It was learnt that top military chiefs from Niger Republic, Chad and Cameroon might arrive today for strategy session with their Nigerian counterparts on how to curtail the insurgency.

“The meeting is a follow-up to talks between President Buhari and his counterparts in Chad, Niger Republic and Cameroon. I think this Abuja session will firm up new approaches to tackle the insurgents,” another source added.

A statement by the Director of Defence Information, MajGen. Chris Olukolade, said the Chiefs of Defence Staff and heads of intelligence agencies of the affected countries will hold talks on how to put in place combined operation against terrorism.

The statement said: “A conference of Chiefs of Defence Staff of member countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission will tomorrow Tuesday, hold in Abuja.

“The meeting which is to be hosted by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff is to work out the processes for the operationalisation of the strategic directive for the immediate take off of the combined operation of the modified version of the MultiNational Joint Task Force in the campaign against terror in the region.

“The meeting is Preparatory to the Extra-Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Governments of the LCBC member countries in furtherance of the multilateral discussion on counter terrorism operations in the sub region.

“Military delegation led by the Chiefs of Defence Staff as well as intelligence and security of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad are to participate in the meeting along with Benin Republic.

“The meeting will later brief the Ministers of Defence of the LCBC countries towards subsequent decisions on the immediate take off of the mission.

“The development is sequel to the recent parleys and contacts between Nigeria’s President and his counter-parts in the sub-region in the move to step up the fight against terror.”

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NEWS

Speaker: Judge rejects move to stop Gbajabiamila

H •Gbajabiamila

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FEDERAL High Court in Abuja yesterday rejected moves by a group to stop a leading member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Femi Gbajabiamila from standing for House of Representatives Speaker election.

The Registered Trustees of Social Justice and Civil Rights Awareness Initiative brought before the court, a

‘Why we‘re backing ex-Minority Leader’

OUSE of Representatives’ member-elect Bello Abdullahi yesterday said majority of All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers-elect are supporting former House Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, as a reward for his loyalty and achievement.

Abdullahi told The Nation in Abuja that APC members will vote for Gbajabiamila on the floor of the House today.

He said the members-elect are behind Gbajabiamila because he supported former Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

On why majority of the APC members in the House decided to elect Gbajabiamila as their consenFrom Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

motion ex-parte for an order of interim injunction restraining the House of Representatives from accepting

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

sus candidate, Abdullahi said: “Gbajabiamila is an emerging outstanding leader in this country when you look at his antecedents as the leader of opposition in the Seventh Assembly.

“He has done very well. In fact, he is one of the major pillars behind the emergence and success of APC as a party.

“In addition, he gave all the necessary political cover to Tambuwal to the extent that throughout the tenure of the former Speaker, Gbajabiamila was 100 per cent committed to the struggle to ensure that the leadership of Tambuwal was not truncated. But

the nomination of Gbajabiamila as an aspirant for the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, pending the determi-

left to PDP alone, they would have messed Tambuwal up.

“Having done that and coming to the Eighth Assembly, we need to reward him and encourage achievement as against ascription.

“We need to thank him for deepening the course of democracy in this country. It is based on serious and absolute conviction that he has done well and we need to reward him.”

Abdullahi, who is the former Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, added: “This insinuation that Gbajabiamila is being imposed on us is not correct. Most of us that are rooting for him are doing that to establish the culture of rewarding those that have done well.”

nation of the motion on notice it filed along with it.

Although the motion was heard in the judge’s chambers, the group’s lawyer,

Mike Ozekhome (SAN), said the judge, Justice Abdulkadir Abdulkafarati, refused his client’s prayer as contained in its ex-parte ap-

plication, but ordered the applicant to serve the defendants with court documents and for them to show cause why the prayer sought exparte by the group should not be granted.

He adjourned the matter till June 18.

Defendants in the suit include Femi Gbajabiamila, the House of Representatives and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

The plaintiff, in a supporting affidavit, said it discovered, after a background check on Gbajabiamila, being a leading candidate for the office of the Speaker, was a lawyer who practised in the United States, particularly in the State of Georgia.

The plaintiff also filed a motion on notice for interlocutory injunction for a similar order.

230 African military officers begin joint training in Kaduna From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

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WO hundred and thirty military officers from some African countries have started an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Combined Joint Exercise, as part of efforts to ensure greater integration among military forces of African countries.

The exercise is concurrently taking place in the Armed Forces Command and Staff Colleges (AFCSC) of Nigeria and Ghana.

Inaugurating the exercise in Jaji, Kaduna State yesterday, Commandant of Nigeria’s AFCSC, AVM John Chris Ifemeje, said its aim was to train officers at the operational level in a joint multinational and inter-agency environment to promote synergy between ECOWAS Command and Staff Colleges.

He urged the participating officers who are undergoing senior course in Nigeria, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire to take advantage of the exercise.

The college commandant added that it will promote better understanding of the challenges involved in planning and coordinating complex multinational Peace Support Operations (PSO).

“The exercise will also promote understanding of the African Union (AU) and African Standby Force procedures and forge a critically important professional and social links among ECOWAS military personnel.

“I, therefore, urge you to maintain the contact you will establish during this exercise and make it a life-long relation that should enable you operates with ease when you find yourselves deployed as members of ECOWAS Standby Force,” AVM Ifemeje said.

Make impact in your communities, U.S. Consul General tells youths

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HE United States (U.S.) Consul General Jeffrey Hawkins has urged members of Carrington Youth Fellowship Alumni Network (CYFAN) to continue to promote community service in the spirit of the programme.

Hawkins spoke while inaugurating CYFAN at the weekend at a reception for youths, community and business leaders at his home.

“CYFI exemplifies the way in which the United States (U.S.) and Nigeria fit together. I have no doubt that the alumni network’s energy and enthusiasm will allow the programme to continue its success,” said Hawkins during his remarks.

CYFAN is an association of young leaders, who previously participated in the Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI), a year-long programme in which outstanding young Nigerians are selected as fellows and grouped into teams to design and implement a project with social impact.

The alumni network is now mobilising to support CYFI and continue community service in the spirit of the programme.

But CYFAN President Rhoda Williams, while explaining her vision for the organisation, said: “We have pulled our collective energy into the alumni network to create a platform, where young Nigerians can access support and build their capacity in addressing society’s development challenges.”

CYFI Board member and Political Officer Erica Chiusano added: “Youth can be the world’s greatest innovators. Ask Carrington alumni, and they will tell you about a time they solved a problem in their community. And if no organisation existed to solve that problem, they created one.”

CYFI, a programme named after former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington, is a dynamic youth-based initiative launched in 2011 by the U.S. Consulate General, Lagos.

It brings together Nigerian youth of exceptional vision, skills and experience to design and implement projects that have a positive impact on Nigerian society.

Carrington was a champion of civil liberties, democracy and closer ties between the U.S. and Nigeria.

The accused persons and security agents in court ...yesterday.

PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI

Alleged N8b currency fraud: Court returns eight OPE of an early bail The accused, however, accused persons to prison pleaded for the eight bankers not guilty to the

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accused of an N8 billion fraud was dashed yesterday for the second time.

The judge ordered that they should be returned to prison following failure by counsel to complete service of processes on one another before arguments for their bail could be taken.

Justice Adeyinka Faaj of the Federal High Court, Ibadan took the action because prosecution and defence lawyers were yet to receive all counter and further affidavits in the two cases to set the stage for arguments for their bail applications.

They are to return to court on Thursday to argue applications for bail after all processes are expected to have been served on the counsel in the two cases heard yesterday.

The accused persons were disappointed.

Though the majority of defence counsel indicated their willingness to proceed with pending applications as well as to abandon their counter-af-

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From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

fidavits to pave the way for argument for bail, Justice Faaj insisted that arguments for all applications for bail must be taken together.

He noted that hearing of some before others could be prejudicial to the rest since the charges emanated from the same transactions.

After the accused were arraigned last Wednesday, affidavits and counter affidavits were prepared and sent on Thursday and Friday. Consequently, the prosecution lawyers were only able to file their replies in court on Friday and could not reach all the defence counsel the same day.

Some were only served in the courtroom yesterday.

The eight accused persons are among the 22 bankers being arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They include six officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and commercial banks.

They were arraigned on a 28-count charge bordering on forgery, misrepresentation and self-enrichment as part of the N8 billion mutilated currency fraud at the CBN. The others are concealing of property, fraudulently acquiring assets in excess of their legitimate and provable income and causing economic adversity to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The accused, the court heard, acquired assets in Nigeria and Pretoria, South Africa.

The CBN employees are Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Adeola and Togun Kayode Phillips. Their alleged accomplices are Isiaq Akano, Ayodele Festus Adeyemi, Oyebamiji Hakeem, Ayodeji Alese and Ajiwe Adegoke.

The EFCC, in the charge, claimed that the CBN workers conspired with the First Bank employees to recycle N10 billion mutilated currency notes meant to be destroyed.

charge. Request for bail for the eight persons was brought to the court yesterday.

Explaining the situation for delay of bail hearing in an interview with reporters, Mr. Nathaniel Oke (SAN), counsel to Isiak Akano, said: “The order of the court last week was that all processes in the case should be served by Friday.

“But some parties were served late, which necessitated further reaction. And some came to court this morning for the purpose of filing additional processes, which have not been served on one another.

“Before we can go on, all the processes must have been received so that parties can have ample opportunity of either reacting or not reacting. You cannot react to what you did not see.

“So, it was on that basis that the matter was adjourned till Thursday. By then, all parties will have been in possession of documents to be used against one another.”

Gunmen kill Nigerian businessman in South Africa

WO gunmen at the weekend killed a Nigerian businessman in Johannesburg, South Africa, Mr. Emmanuel Onyekaozuru.

The President of Nigeria Union in South Africa, Mr. Ikechukwu Anyene, yesterday told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Pretoria, South Africa, that Onyekaozuru, 50, was shot by two gunmen.

“The union has received a report that

Onyekaozuru was shot in his business premises at 9.00 p.m. yesterday (June 7).

“The report said the gunmen shot the deceased and escaped in a car.

“The incident has been reported to the police and the Nigerian Consul General in South Africa,’’ he said.

Anyene said the union would work with the consul general and the police to ensure that justice is done in the case.

“Mr. Onyekaozuru is the only son of his

parents. He was married and had three children.

“He was an indigene of Abatete in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State,’’ he said.

The president of the union added that the gunmen did not remove anything from the business premises of the deceased. ‘’This is one death too many and we are not happy that a Nigerian has been killed,’’ he said.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9 , 2015

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 9 , 2015

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