The Nation June 10, 2014

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20 women abducted near Chibok

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•APC warns against plunging country into crisis •Afenifere, CDHR condemn attack on governor •Jega, six RECs to supervise election •AND MORE ON PAGE 10

Jonathan cancels Kano trip as police seal off palace Sanusi gets letter, staff of office Four feared dead in clash

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Clampdown on media enters day four From Joseph Jibueze, Lagos, Jide Orintunsin, Minna and Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

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From Yusuf Alli, Abuja and Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has shelved his planned trip to Kano following the emergence of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as emir.

The police yesterday sealed off the palace, fueling reports of a plot by the Federal Government to stop Sanusi from ascending the throne.

Sanusi got his letter of appointment and staff of office from Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso at Government House yesterday.

The President was expected to pay a condolence visit to Kano yesterday, but the trip, sources said, was cancelled on Sunday night following Sanusi’s emergence.

A source said: “The President wanted to be in Kano on Monday (yesterday) but the emergence of Sanusi and the protests that accompanied it made the President to stay away from any controversy.

“I think the President may find a more auspicious time to be in Kano. He loves the people of the state; he shares their pain on the loss of the WHERE ARE late emir.”

It was gathered that the THE CHIBOK protest that greeted Sanusi’s GIRLS KIDNAPPED choice on Sunday was instiON APRIL 15?

Continued on page 4

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•Emir Sanusi receiving his letter of appointment from Governor Kwankwaso...yesterday

HE assault on the media by Federal Government agents continued yesterday.

Soldiers kept vigil at newspaper distribution centres, while waiting to arrest The Nation’s sales representatives.

Attack on vendors also continued; many of them were beaten up in Lagos.

Those who displayed The Nation were the target.

The newspaper’s Sales Manager Mr Olaribigbe Bello said: “We got reports from some vendors in Lagos that soldiers attacked them and seized copies of The Nation in their possession.

“It was more pronounced in Ikotun area of Lagos. On Sunday, it was at the Abule Egba area that they attacked vendors who displayed The Nation and seized all the copies they had.

“We also got reports that soldiers were at newspaper distribution centres in various parts of the country searching for our sales Continued on page 4

Police attack is assassination attempt, says Fayemi

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•Dr. Fayemi...yesterday

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday described Sunday’s attack on his convoy by a police team as “an attempt to assassinate me”.

He said the police action which led to the killing of an All Progressives Congress (APC) member, Taiwo Akinsola, was disrespectful of his office as the “Chief Security Officer of the state.”

The Commander of Police Mobile Force in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital,

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja and Suleiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

Gabriel Selenkere, allegedly fired the shot that killed Akinsola during the symbolic sweeping of roads that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members passed through during their rally last Saturday.

Fayemi spoke to reporters in AdoEkiti before leaving for Abuja to take the case against Ekiti police’s conduct to Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar.

He also spoke to reporters in Abuja after meeting with the police chief.

Ekiti State Commissioner for Integration and Inter-government Affairs Mr. Funminiyi Afuye, who was assaulted by policemen and driven away from the scene on Sunday, has been transferred to Zone 8 Headquarters in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, it was learnt.

His offence was not disclosed and effort to get Ekiti police spokesman Victor Babayemi’s reaction failed yes-

terday.

Fayemi said: “My immediate interpretation of what happened yesterday (Sunday) is that there was an assault on the government and the people of Ekiti State and if one were to be extreme in one’s interpretation, we could go on and say it is an assassination attempt against the governor of Ekiti State.

“That is why I am going to Abuja this morning to see Mr President and the Continued on page 4

•FUNDING THREATENS 2015 POLLS, SAYS JEGA P5 •EXPLOSION AT PORT HARCOURT COURT P56

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

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NEWS

•From left: Chairman, Tiger Brands Andre Parker; President, Dangote Group Aliko Dangote and Africa Group Chief Executive, Tiger Brands Peter Matlare, during Tiger Brands’ management’s visit to Dangote in Lagos.

How Boko H Boko Haram's recent attacks are notable for the expensive military hardware on display. Where is it getting funds to acquire these hardware? The Independent reports on the sources of this money, from wealthy Middle Eastern backers to the black market

I

• Chief Executive Officer of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2), Lagos, Mr. Christophe Penninck (second right), cutting the tape to inaugurate the automation of the airport's MultiStorey Car Park...yesterday. With him (from left) are the Chief Operating Officer Ms. Adebisi Awoniyi, Group Managing Director of Interswitch Nigeria Limited and project contractor Mr. Mitchelle Elegbe and the Chief Financial Officer of BASL Mr. Olusola Olayinka.

• Executive Director, UBA Plc, Femi Olaloku (middle), TV Presenter Ebuka Obi-Uchendun (right), Ehime Eigbe (left), Akanni Oluwaseyi (second left) and Ibrahim Oritoke during the launch of UBA Next Generation(Next-Gen) Account in Lagos...yesterday.

•From left: Head, Amuwo Odofin Local Government’s Climate Change Unit Mr. Kamorudeen Ogunbadejo, Managing Director, Recycle Points, Mrs. Chioma Ukonu; Council Manager Mr. Segun Ajayi and the Secretary, Climate Change Unit Miss Modupe Salawu during the World Environment Day celebration in Lagos.

F there was an exact moment that the international community understood the breadth of Boko Haram’s evil, it came last month, when the group’s leader grinned and announced that he would sell more than 200 kidnapped schoolgirls in his “market of selling human beings”.

Behind Abubakar Shekau, a man who rose to the top of Boko Haram through unmatched brutality and religious fanaticism, loomed several armoured vehicles. Local experts said the video was likely to have been filmed in the remote Sambisa forest in north-eastern Nigeria. The juxtaposition between rural land and advanced machinery made a jarring contrast.

Despite the poverty of northern Nigeria – where 70 per cent of people live on less than 60p a day – the Boko Haram terrorist group has at its disposal a seemingly limitless amount of heavy weaponry, vehicles, bombs and ammunition that it uses to kill with unfathomable wantonness. The Islamic militants, masquerading as members of the military, raided three villages in north-eastern Nigeria this week and killed 400 villagers “from house to house” using “sophisticated weapons”, one local leader told Bloomberg.

Dozens more Boko Haram members arrived at another village, Bargari, disguised as preachers and assembled all those living in the village, ostensibly to teach Islam.

Once they had gathered, another “large number of terrorists” arrived and “opened fire on the congregation”, one resident told Nigeria’s Daily Post. “The gunmen numbering 20 ambushed the village with four Toyota Hilux vehicles, AK47 rifles, improvised explosive devices, and petrol bombs,” the paper said.

Saleh Mohammed, a member of Civilian JTF – one of a number of vigilante groups that have sprung up to fight the militants – told Reuters: “Boko Haram wreaked havoc in the villages. They burned houses and killed people mercilessly after tricking the residents.”

The expensive equipment on prominent display soon prompted questions about who was funding Boko Haram’s campaign of slaughter.

According to a survey of academic, governmental and journalistic accounts, Boko Haram funds its escalating acts of terror through black market dealings, local and international benefactors, and links to al-Qa’ida and other well-funded groups in the Middle East.

•Shakau

Analysts say its fundraising apparatus is intricate and opaque.

“The actual source of the funding is as elusive as the militants themselves,” Heather Murdock wrote for Voice of America.

The story of Boko Haram’s fundraising began after the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon. The group’s original leader, a charismatic cleric named Mohammed Yusuf, who was later killed, founded the group in 2002 pushing an alternative to Western education, which he claimed undermined Nigeria’s development.

(The group’s Hausa name translates as “Western education is sin”.)

Around that time, Osama bin Laden sent an aide to Nigeria with about £1.8m in local currency to dispense among groups that shared al-Qa’ida’s mission to impose Islamic rule. One of the “major beneficiaries”, the International Crisis Group said, was Boko Haram.

EJ Hogendoorn, the International Crisis Group’s deputy programme director for Africa and an author of the report, told The Daily Beast: “What I can tell you from talking to lots of conservative Muslims in Nigeria is that there was a lot of money coming into northern Nigeria.

There are many sources of that money. One of those sources was from al-Qa’ida.”

The connection between Boko Haram and al-Qa’ida – and its money – perhaps deepened when Yusuf fled to Saudi Arabia to escape one of Nigeria’s first crackdowns on the terrorist group. It remains unclear what happened while he was in Saudi Arabia, or who he met, but Boko Haram leaders have later said that much of their funding comes from alQa’ida. A Boko Haram spokesman said in 2011: “Al-Qa’ida are our elder brothers. We enjoy financial and technical support from them.

Anything we want from them we ask them.”

But even such alleged financial connections with al-Qa’ida cannot explain Boko Haram’s money. The group reportedly also gets cash from Islamic terrorist groups such as alShabaab in Somalia and local alQa’ida affiliates.

Then there’s the black market money. Beyond a hatred of Western education, economic motives may have also driven Boko Haram’s recent abduction of the schoolgirls. A robust and terrifying slave market exists in

THE NATION

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TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

ko Haram sources funds for terror

•Pupils from Eti-Osa Local Government Area and some parents calling for the release of the Chibok girls.

Nyanya bombing: Fed Govt begins extradition process for prime suspect •DSS arrests suspected fraudster fronting for Boko Haram, says Omeri

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HE Federal Government has begun the process for the extradition of Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, the suspected mastermind of the April 14 bomb blast at a bus terminal in Nyanya, Abuja.

It has lodged a three-count charge against him before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The charge filed for the government under the name of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) was mentioned yesterday before Justice Adeniyi Ademola.

The Nation learnt that the charge was required by the Police to carry through its request for the Interpol to help extradite Ogwuche, who is being held by the Interpol in Sudan.

The charge, it was learnt, will serve as evidence to support the police’s claim that Ogwuche, 29, is wanted in the country to face trial.

He is said to have been the brain behind the plot and execution of the blast in which over 100 people died, before escaping to Sudan, where he was arrested with the assistance of the Interpol.

According to count one of the charge filed for IGP by DSP Oloye Torugbene (a Deputy Superintendent of Police) Ogwuche was alleged to have conspired with others said to be at large, to commit an act of terrorism by detonating improvised explosive devices at Nyanya Motor Park which resulted in the death of 75 persons and injuring over a hundred other persons.

Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

The Combating Terrorism Centre at West Point, the US military academy, said: “Kidnapping has become one of [Boko Haram’s] primary funding sources, a way to

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From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

Count two of the charge reads, “that you, Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, Male, and others now at large, on the 14th of April, 2014 at Nyanya, FCT, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did facilitate the activities of persons engaged in an act of terrorism; by detonating improvised explosive devices at the Nyanya motor park which resulted in the death of 75 persons and injuring over a hundred other persons.”

The alleged offences are said to be punishable under sections 1 (2) (d) and 17of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act of 2013.

Justice Ademola has adjourned to July 1 for mention.

The Coordinator, National Information Centre, Mr Mike Omeri, yesterday said the Department of State Services (DSS) had arrested a suspect fronting for the Boko Haram sect.

Omeri spoke at a joint news conference in Abuja that the suspect was extorting money from some influential Nigerians allegedly to protect them.

The coordinator, who is also the DirectorGeneral, National Orientation Agency (NOA), said the suspect was being interrogated.

“This is, therefore, an advice and warning signal to Nigerians to be vigilant on the activities of such characters using Boko Haram as a franchise,’’ he said.

extract concessions from the Nigerian state and other governments, and a threat to foreigners and Nigerian government officials.”

Experts now estimate that kidnapping is worth “millions of

He appealed for understanding on some of the measures being adopted by security agencies in addressing the current challenge.

The coordinator said the action was meant to guarantee safety and not punitive measure.

Also, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, Director, Defence Information, said the military had no problem with the media and would not for whatever reason hamper their activities.

Olukolade said the current check on vehicles conveying newspapers to different areas of the country from their production point was not a clampdown.

“But, please bear it in mind; this is not a military clampdown. Whatever check you see is not aimed at disturbing the business of the media; that’s why we will like to correct the remarks being made on what is going on.

“What we are doing are checks; It is informed by intelligence report on the need to enhance our safety,’’ he said.

According to him, the checks will prevent that channel (vehicle) from conveying anything that will be of danger to the rest of us.

“One of the inconveniences we have to face is the check we go through; these checks are not normal things, they are imposed by the situation we find ourselves.

“And we will request our colleagues in

dollars in ransom money” to the militants.

What experts agree on is that one of the best ways to stall Boko Haram is to cut off its funding. But how to do that remains unclear. The group

•Ogwuche the media to understand it as such and not refer to it as if it is targeted to embarrass them.’’

Olukolade said the military had benefited from press freedom and would ensure that the freedom was guaranteed.

is an entrenched part of life in northern Nigeria, possessing control and influence, and even collecting taxes.

Next week, Foreign Secretary William Hague will host a meeting

of African and Western officials in London aimed at stepping up efforts to defeat the militants. Its effectiveness may hinge on the West’s ability to cut off the group’s funding

UN urges Nigerians to close ranks for safe release of Chibok girls

NITED Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative to West Africa, Mr Said Djinnit, yesterday urged Nigerians to close ranks and work toward the safe release of abducted Chibok school girls.

A statement by Mr Oluseyi Soremekun, National Information Officer, UN Information Centre, quoted Djinnit as also calling on stakeholders to collectively work and address insurgency in the Northeast.

The statement said Djinnit had on May 7, consulted with stakeholders in Nigeria over the abduction of the schoolgirls and related issues with government officials, prominent

Nigerians and civil society organisations.

The statement added that others consulted by the Representative included former Heads of State, regional and international partners.

The meeting, according to the statement, was to complement Nigeria’s efforts at securing the safe release of the abducted girls

by Boko Haram, and also address related challenges.

It stated that the UN team would work with Nigerian authorities as well as the affected communities to secure the release of the abducted girls.

The statement stressed the pivotal role Nigeria had played in promoting regional peace and security, while reaffirming the commitment of the UN to its stability and consolidation of its democratic achievements.

He said: “In the face of the threat of terrorism and insecurity posed by the activities of Boko Haram, the Special Representative urged all national stakeholders to close ranks and work together. This is with a view to overcome this daunting national challenge.”

The statement reiterated the sympathy of

the UN and the Secretary-General with the abducted girls, their families, communities and the people and Government of Nigeria.

It also renewed the UN’s commitment to support ongoing efforts by the government of Nigeria to secure the quick and safe release of all the abducted girls with the assistance of its partners.

The statement also stressed the importance of coordination and joint efforts by countries of the region with the support of international partners to comprehensively address the security threat in the Lake Chad area.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

NEWS Police attack is assassination attempt, says Fayemi Continued from page 1

Inspector General of police. I won’t like to jump into conclusions because I have spoken to the relevant people in authority and I believe appropriate steps will be taken”, Fayemi said.

The governor said democracy needed the support of everyone to thrive, adding “The only way you can protect this democracy is to ensure that the security agencies, the electoral body and all state agencies must ensure that there is level playing field for all players. We don’t want a situation in which unprovoked attacks are levelled against innocent citizens.

“The death of Taiwo Akinola was entirely avoidable. It was an avoidable death. It ought not to have happened at all and I am saddened that this has taken place. It’s very unfortunate.

However we must learn lessons from this. It is two weeks to the election so we can not be back to the era of one day, one blood letting, in Ekiti State.

“The peace that this state has

enjoyed in the last three-and-ahalf years must be sustained and I will like to think that all relevant authorities right from Mr President who is the chief of the security agencies will not want the peace reigning in Ekiti State in anyway disturbed.

“We are not particular about any police officer being removed from Ekiti but when you have a situation when a police officer exhibits consistent bias in the discharge of his duty, then clearly the police authority should do the needful.

“In the case of the O.C mobile who was there yesterday, directing his men to tear-gas my convoy, I believe the police authority will take action on that because I don’t want to dwell on an individual. I think it is the structure of the police arrangement itself we should look into”.

Fayemi, who arrived at the Force Headquarters at 2. 15pm and was granted audience by the IGP almost immediately, protested the assault on his person, members of his executive and

APC supporters in Ado Ekiti.

Speaking with reporters after lodging his complaints with the IG, Fayemi said: “I have lodged a complaint with the IG and I believe the IGP will look at it dispassionately. He will investigate and take appropriate action.

That is the least I expect .

“I think officers have to be restrained in their conduct. I don’t think any officer is paid by the tax payers to shoot and behave in an irresponsible manner.

“It is just not an assault on the collective cause that we have to deepen this democracy; it is also a denigration of the institution the officer represents. I do not believe the OC MOPOL ought to have behaved the way he did. He wasn’t professional.

“It was a peaceful rally; it was a traditional thing APC does.

Anytime there is a rally by the PDP, we come out the next day and sweep. That is our tradition, it’s a very innocuous, harmless thing, you could see them just sweeping. They are sweeping off whatever dirt remains.

“The IGP was courteous enough to receive me and to also ask me to please expect him to act on the matter. That is the least one could expect from him.

He is not going to take any precipitate measures until he has found out what exactly transpired.

“If a governor is not protected, then ordinary citizens should not even expect the police to act in their interest”.

Commenting on the matter at a parley with reporters yesterday, members of the Ekiti caucus in the National Assembly urged the immediate re-deployment of Selenkere from Ekiti.

At the meeting were Senators Babafemi Ojudu (Ekiti Central); Olubunmi Adetumbi (North); Tony Adeniyi (South); Hon. Oyetunde Ojo (Ekiti Central 2), Ife Arowosoge (Ekiti South 1); Bamidele Faparusi (Ekiti South 2); and Bimbo Daramola (Ekiti North 1).

Their leader Senator Ojudu, who spoke on behalf of others, Continued on page 59

Clampdown on media enters day 4 Continued from page 1

representatives.

“Soldiers were at the centres in Ibadan, Warri and Makurdi.

We are still expecting reports from other parts of the country.

“In Ikotun, they not only beat up the vendors, they seized all copies of The Nation in their possession.

“Three of the vendors who had 45 copies between them on display had them all seized by the soldiers,” Bello said.

In Niger State, armed soldiers laid siege to the distribution centres, impounding copies of some newspapers and stopping the distribution of The Nation, Daily Trust and Leadership.

Despite denial by the defence spokesman, Major General Chris Olukolade, that the military found nothing wrong with the editorial content of the affected papers, officers and men of 31 Field Artillery Brigade stopped the three titles from Continued on page 59

Gunmen kidnap 20 women near Chibok

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USPECTED Boko Haram gunmen have reportedly kidnapped 20 women from a nomadic settlement near Chibok in Borno State where the Islamic militants abducted 276 schoolgirls on April 15.

Only 57 of the girls have reunited with their families leaving 217 in the custody of Boko Haram.

The international community led by the United States, the United Kingdom, France and China have sent military experts to support the search for the girls.

Alhaji Tar, a member of the vigilante groups set up to resist Boko Haram’s attacks, said yesterday that the men arrived at noon last Thursday

From Duku Joel

in the Garkin Fulani settlement and forced the women to enter their vehicles at gunpoint. He said they drove away to an unknown location in the remote stretch of Borno state.

Tar said the group also kidnapped three young men who tried to stop the kidnapping. No group has claimed responsibility but the abduction bore all the trappings of Boko Haram.

Sources confirmed that the gunmen stormed the villages of Bakin Kogi, Garkin Fulani and Rugar Hardo along Damboa road in Chibok local government and abducted nearly 20 young women when Continued on page 59

Rivers condemns grounding of Amaechi’s aircraft in Kano

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•Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako paying homage to Emir Sanusi...yesterday. With them are Kwankwaso and other officials

IGERIA has become tyrannical, the Rivers State Government declared yesterday.

It condemned Sunday’s grounding of the aircraft chartered by Governor Rotimi Amaechi at the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano by the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

It also alleged that the governor was imprisoned.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, told reporters yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, that the refusal of NAMA authorities to allow Amaechi’s charttered aircraft to leave the Kano airport, was sign of tyranny.

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Amaechi, a former National Chairman of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, and a fromer Governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje, were in Kano to condole with Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on the death of Emir Ado Bayero.

Semenitari said: “I got to my counterpart in Kano State. I could not get the Commissioner for Information, but I got the Commissioner for Home Affairs, who briefed me and told me that the charttered aircraft Continued on page 59

Jonathan cancels Kano trip as police seal off palace Continued from page 1

gated.

A source said one of the contestants for the stool may go to court to challenge Sanusi’s emergence. Yesterday, Sanusi waved the olive branch, urging his fellow contestants to join hands with him in running the emirate.

Some forces are pushing for the maintenance of the status quo once the dispute over the stool is in court to deny Sanusi access to the palace.

The source said: “The police have deployed some of their men in the palace to protect it for security reasons. These policemen were drafted to the palace on Sunday night after the emergence of the new Emir.

“The police said they were acting on intelligence report including the invasion of the Emir’s personal room in the palace by some people who stole some items. They said they are investigating the theft.

“There is however a strong suspicion that the policemen were brought to the place to stop Sanusi from having access to the palace following protests.

“They are under stern instruction not to allow any person, including the new Emir, from en-

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Sanusi gets appointment letter

MIR of Kano Sanusi Lamido Sanusi waved the olive branch yesterday, calling on other contestants to join him in running the emirate.

Speaking after receiving his letter of appointment and staff of office from Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, the emir promised to carry everybody along.

Sanusi, who made his first appearance at the Government House, with members of the Emirate Council, District Heads, and sons of the late Emir Ado Abdullahi Bayero, paying homage to him, urged the people to live in peace and harmony.

He said: “I urge Kano people to always have the fear of God in all their undertakings so that peace and harmony would continue to reign in the state.”

Sanusi said there should be no acrimony after the contest once “there is a winner and a loser.”

The late Emir, he said, was his father, adding that he grew up under his (the late Bayeros’s) tutelage. Sanusi said: “Let me tell you that I am married to the first daughter of the late Emir who is my first wife at home and more so the Turaki Kano, Nasiru Ado Bayero is my bosom brother.

tering the palace until all issues surrounding the appointment are resolved.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “The police might have got wind of plans to go to

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

We slept together on the same bed for about 10 years and at this time, why should we go against the same family’’.

He promised to be fair and just in carrying out his responsibilities as the father of all, saying: “There is a winner and loser, so the loser should take the outcome of the result in good faith because power is given by God’’ He condoled with the late emir’s family, saying he would continue with the deceased’s good work.

Kwankwaso thanked the people for their understanding and cooperation in Sanusi’s emergence.

He said whatever must have happened, the people should take it as an act of God, referring to speculations that the process was politicised. ‘’I stand to say that such notion is wrong in the sense that three names were presented to me by the four king makers of which some people said the new Emir’s name was not included, let me be categorical, he (Sanusi ) was top on the list and as such, I called the king makers as my witnesses.”

Kwankwaso spoke of the need to take

court by some people to stop the installation of Sanusi.

“They said they expect all stakeholders to stick to the status quo.”

Findings also revealed that a

•The letter

adequate care of the late emir’s family. He donated houses to the family, handing over the keys to the Wali Kano, Alhaji Mahe Bashir Wali.

The Wambai Kano and the Senior Councillor of the Kano Emirate Council, Alhaji Abbas Sunusi, expressed happiness over Sanusi’s appointment.

In a show of support, sons of the late Emir paid homage to Sanusi at the Government House.

tight security ring had been woven around the four kingmakers, Alhaji Yusuf Nabani (Madakin Kano); Alhaji Sarki Abdullahi (Makaman Kano); Alhaji Bello Tuta (Sarki Dawaki

Mai-Tuta); and Alhaji Mukhtar Adnan (Sarki Bai).

Another source added: “Some riot policemen have been provided for the kingmakers to protect them from any harm.

“Virtually everyone is besieging the kingmakers to know what really transpired at their session on Saturday and Sunday.

“So, these kingmakers are central to the appointment of a new Emir and aftermath in Kano.

This is why they are being protected.”

The plot to stop Sanusi’s installation is believed to have been hatched by some aggrieved princes and bigwigs in Kano.

A third source added: “Those aggrieved have perfected their papers which they would file a court in Kano any moment from now.”

Youths barricaded the gate of the Palace and some streets leading the to the turbaning of Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the new Emir of Kano yesterday.

Fierce-looking soldiers and riot policemen have been drafted to prevent the irate mob from vandalising the Palace.

Some youths said they have been there since Sunday.

“We have been sleeping here for the past two days since the Continued on page 59

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NEWS

APC accuses PDP of inciting violence in Kano

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of inciting the violence that followed the emergence of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano last Sunday.

The PDP’s action was an attempt to destabilise the state, APC said.

It urged the Kano State Attorney-General to prosecute all PDP officials involved “in this act of destabilisation”.

DHQ: we killed 50 terrorists in Borno From Gbade Ogunwale and Bukola Amusan, Abuja

By Olamilekan Andu

In a statement yesterday in Lagos by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC condemned a statement by PDP’s Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh congratulating one of the contenders “long before the Kano State Government announced the new Emir”.

The party said the action was premeditated and calibrated to incite violence.

It wondered why PDP, which has access to Kano or any state government, would rush to the media to congratulate a contender who had not been selected, without even contacting the

selecting authority to ensure the veracity of whatever news it might have heard.

“What is so urgent about congratulating the new Emir that could not have waited for a few hours for the appropriate authority to make an official announcement?” APC queried.

The party said when the announcement was eventually made and the contender, who had already been congratulated lost out, “it is only natural that his supporters would feel shortchanged”.

APC said: “It is, therefore, obvious that the PDP, through its National Publicity Secretary, went out of its way to stoke the fire of vio-

lence in Kano.

“Since we live in a country which is being governed by the rule of law, the best option open to the Kano State Government is for the Attorney-General to immediately initiate criminal proceedings against PDP and its officials for incitement. Whatever explanations they have for their irresponsible and premeditated actions, they should reserve for their defence in court.”

But the PDP said APC’s statement was an attempt to blackmail the ruling party.

Its spokesman, Olisa Metuh, acknowledged that he “made a mistake” on the announcement.

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HE Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday said its troops at the weekend killed 50 suspected Boko Haram terrorists in a counter-offensive at Biita, a boundary community in Borno State.

A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade said the suspected terrorists were ambushed by troops when they attempted to raid some communities in Borno and Adamawa states.

The statement said: “The terrorists, who were on their way to attack selected communities, were ambushed by troops at Biita, Borno State, on receiving intelligence report of the terrorists’ intention.

“The attack was launched on the terrorists as they filed out of the forest to embark on their mission at about 10pm on Saturday. Over 50 terrorists died in the fierce encounter that ensued, while 30 rifles, 36 hand grenades, seven machine guns and 11 rocket-propelled grenade tubes were captured by the troops.

“Also recovered from the terrorists were over 3,500 rounds of ammunition, six smoke grenade canisters and locally fabricated guns as well as four vehicles used by the terrorists in the foiled attack.”

Delegates may ask for more time From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Dele Anofi, Abuja

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HERE were indications yesterday that the National Conference may request for further extension of time to conclude its assignment.

This emerged as the chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi, told the delegates yesterday that the conference had only five weeks to turn in its report to the Federal Government.

Justice Kutigi, who repeatedly informed delegates that the conference was running out of time, explained that the information became necessary so that delegates would do the needful to save time.

The chairman also told delegates that the conference had debated and adopted reports of four committees with about 17 reports still outstanding.

Marketers urgecourt to quash charge

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WO oil marketers Mahmud Tukur and Alex Ochonogor have asked an Ikeja High Court to quash the N1.8 billion fuel subsidy fraud charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

They filed the request via a preliminary notice of objection.

Charged alongside with them is Abdullahi Alao, the son of Ibadan-based business mogul, Aare Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao.

They are facing a nine-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and use of false documents.

Also to answer charges before the court is Tukur’s company, Eterna Plc. The EFCC alleged that the defendants obtained N1.8 billion from the Federal Government for purported importation of 80.3 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol).

By Adebisi Onanuga and Toyosi Babatunde

Moving the objection application, their counsel, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), said the proof of evidence did not support the offences alleged against his clients.

Oyetibo said the criminal charge preferred against the accused was an abuse of court process, which should be struck out in the interest of justice.

EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said Section 260 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State prohibited the court from entertaining such applications.

He said: “A company, on its own, cannot commit an offence. It has to use human beings to do so.”

Jacobs urged the court to dismiss the application for being premature and lacking in merit.

Justice Lateef LawalAkapo adjourned the matter till June 27 for ruling.

2015: Jega blames Presidency, National Assembly for paucity of funds

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•President Jonathan (left) welcoming the visiting President-elect of Guinea Bissau, Mr Jose’ Mario Vaz, in Abuja...on Sunday night.

PHOTO: NAN

Govt arraigns suspected abductors of Ozekhome, others

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HE Federal Government yesterday arraigned three men for allegedly kidnapping some public figures and killing some security officers.

Kelvin Oniarah Eziegbe, Frank Azuekor and Michael Omonigho were accused of kidnappings and terrorism in Edo and Delta states between 2010 and 2013. Among their victims are Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof Hope Eghagha, who were kidnapped last year.

The accused were said to have also kidnapped Attanasius Ugbme and his friend, Emmanuel Maka Omorogbe, and killed five policemen and two prison officials.

The 13-count charge on which the three were ar-

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

raigned said they allegedly made about N75 million from Ozekhome, Eghagha, Ugbome and Omorogbe before their victims were released.

They were also alleged to have compelled Ozekhome to pay N40 million (in US dollars), Eghagha paid N7 million, Ugbome paid N20 million, while Omorogbe paid N3.5 million.

The prosecution gave the names of the policemen allegedly killed during the kidnap of Ozekhome and Eghagha as: Paul Sunday Ajaka, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP); Sunday Ewanshiha (Inspector); Michael Akpada (Inspector); Bakary Kong (Inspector) and Innocent Odoh (Sergeant).

The prison officials allegedly killed by the accused are Lawrence Edore (Inspector) and Oyibo Okoye, Senior Prison Assistant (SPA).

The accused pleaded not guilty.

Following their plea, their lawyer, Bala Dakum, made an oral application for bail.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola ordered that the accused be remanded in the Department of State Security (DSS) custody.

He also ordered that the defence file a formal bail application adding that the necessary processes be served on the prosecution before July 1.

They police, last year, arraigned the three before a Magistrate’s Court in Wuse 2, Abuja, but the case was later withdrawn.

HE Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has said the commission is doing its best to avoid the mistakes of the past in preparing for the 2015 elections.

He said the elections may be jeopardised by paucity of funds because of the style the Presidency was using to fund the commission and the lack of sufficient appropriation from the National Assembly.

The INEC chairman spoke in Abuja at a two-day National Dialogue/stakeholders’ forum on Transparent, Credible, Free and Fair 2015 elections with the INEC, media, civil society groups, political party chairmen, political analysts and the public.

The forum was organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Reform of Government Institutions, headed by Matthew Omegara.

In a presentation, titled: 2015 Elections In Nigeria: Preparations and Challenges, Jega said the challenges ahead of the 2015 elections include “funding, in-

security, attitude of the political class,” and an “apathetic and inactive citizenry”.

Others, he said, are “delay in amendment to the legal framework, completion of the review of electoral constituencies and polling units and prosecution of election offenders”.

He added: “In 2012 and 2013, the funding declined. As I speak with you, there is funding gaps to do the 2015 elections. But I know Mr President and National Assembly are doing their very best to address the funding gaps. There is appropriation challenge. Ideally, when we say INEC is independent, we should do everything possible to make it really independent.”

The INEC chairman said there is need for adequate budgetary allocation that would enable the commission to perform its statutory responsibilities without constraint.

Jega also complained about inadequate staffing and situating INEC’s state offices on local government premises.

‘Okah fit for terrorism trial’

A

N Abuja Federal High Court yesterday declared that Charles Okah, suspected mastermind of the October 1, 2010, twin bomb blasts at the Eagle Square in Abuja, was fit to stand trial.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Okah and Obi Nwabueze were arrested and charged with terrorism following the bombings.

Mr John Ainetor, Okah’s counsel, however, brought an application that the accused was not mentally fit to stand trial.

The lawyer urged the court to allow a private medical doctor to examine him.

The court had ordered that a medical test be conducted on Okah at the National Hospital, Abuja. But Ainetor insisted on having a private doctor’s report besides it.

Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN), prosecution counsel, had urged the court to dismiss the

application, describing it as an abuse of court process.

He argued that it was a ploy to delay the matter, which had yet to make any progress since 2010 when the suit was instituted.

Ruling on the matter, Justice Gabriel Kolawole held that Ainetor’s application was an abuse of court process and dismissed it.

“The request for a private medical evaluation of the accused person is an abuse of court process. Its aim is to ensure that the trial does not proceed.

“There is no merit in the applicant’s motion on notice and it is hereby dismissed,” he said.

Justice Kolawole ordered that the accused be remanded in Kuje Prisons, Abuja, and be produced in court for accelerated trial.

The judge adjourned the matter till July 8 and 9 and October 7, 8 and 15 for the trial.

6

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

NEWS

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (middle), the new state Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Roqeeb Adeniji (on governor's left) and other members of the State Executive of the party during their inauguration at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta...yesterday.

Bid to change opposition leadership won’t work, says Gbajabiamila From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

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HE Minority Leader in the House of Representatives and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caucus Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said the attempt by some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party (LP) and Accord (A) members to change the minority leadership of the House is “wishful thinking”.

The lawmaker described last Tuesday’s attempt to change the status quo, spearheaded by the Deputy House Leader Leo Ogor, as laughable and a twisted logic aimed at undermining existing House rules.

Gbajabiamila, in a statement yesterday in Abuja by his aide, Wasiu OlanrewajuSmart, rejected the efforts of some PDP, APGA, LP, and Accord members to alter minority leadership of the House.

He said: “That is wishful thinking. There will be no such thing. They should read the House rules intelligently.

Besides, who is fooling who?

APGA and LP make partisan democracy in Nigeria a joke.”

The lawmaker said the move to change minority leadership in the House, following the merger of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and a faction of APGA into APC negates provisions of the House Rules.

“Besides, the rules are very clear: the minority elect their leaders from among themselves as an opposition group and not on individual party basis. “There were six minority parties in the House prior to now and only four minority positions. By their twisted logic, two extra positions should have then been created for the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and the Peoples ?????

(PPN), which had only one member each. It’s laughable.”

Gbajabiamila referred the PDP, APGA and LP members to what he earlier called “strange judgment” that stopped the House from changing its leadership.

T

NSCIA, Buhari, Atiku, Akume, others hail Sanusi's appointment as Emir of Kano

HE Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has congratulated the new Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

The umbrella Islamic organisation described his choice as "God-made".

A statement yesterday in Abuja by NSCIA's SecretaryGeneral, Prof Is'haq Oloyede, said "Sanusi's appointment convinced us that a good choice has been made".

It noted that Sanusi's enviable record in public administration and his erudity, especially in Islamic law, was an added advantage for him as the new Emir of Kano.

"NSCIA congratulates Sanusi Lamido Sanusi on his appointment as the new Emir.

His reputation as a public social commentator and unequivocal support for the emancipation of the poor and the deprived is well known.

His unambiguous programme for the advancement of our great country and nationalistic disposition and clear understanding of contemporary issues and known commitment to God, convinced us that a good choice has been made," Oloyede said.

The NSCIA spokesman said Nigeria's Muslim community "wishes His Royal Highness Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, a

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna, Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja, Olamilekan Andu and Tajudeen Adebanjo

long, fruitful and productive tenure in the advancement of Kano emirate, the nation and the humanity".

Former Head of State and chieftain of the All Progressives Party (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has urged the new Emir of Kano, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to join forces with the government in the fight against insurgency in the Northeast.

In a congratulatory letter to the new Emir, Gen. Buhari also advised Sanusi to use his wealth of experience for the economic revival of Kano State and Nigeria.

He urged the new Emir to know that his choice was ordained by Almighty Allah.

The former Head of State advised him to exhibit the fear God and treat Kano residents as his people under his care and supervision.

"You should cultivate all and exclude none," Buhari said.

The respected statesman recalled that "after attending the burial of the late Emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero, I am renewing my condolences to the new Emir, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and the people of Kano and the country on the death of Alhaji Ado Bayero.

"I am forwarding my congratulations to you for assuming the office of Emir of this historic land, a position once occupied by great historical figures like Muhammadu Rumfa, Ibrahim Dabo, Abdullahi Bayero and Muhammadu Sanusi. I hope you will be a worthy successor to those great men."

Also, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar advised Sanusi to build on the enviable legacies of his predecessor, the late Alhaji Ado Bayero.

In a congratulatory statement yesterday, Atiku said the new Emir had worked strenuously to fulfil a life-time ambition.

The former vice president urged the new Emir to unite the ruling houses and Kano residents.

He urged Sanusi to do justice to all the people in his domain, adding that the new Emir's greatest and immediate challenge is sustaining the late Bayero's passionate commitment to tolerance, unity and peaceful co-existence.

Atiku wished the new Emir God's guidance and wisdom for a successful reign.

Senate Minority Leader George Akume yesterday congratulated Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi for his coronation as the new Emir of Kano.

In a congratulatory message by his Special Assistant on

Media, Ms Beckie Orpine the distinguished senator said: "It is a thing of immense joy to me, and on behalf of my family and the good people of my constituency, I wish to felicitate with you, the royal family and the Kano Emirate on your coronation as the Emir of Kano.

"Your choice as the Emir of one of the most prestigious Emirates is a mark of your many achievements. It is also an honour well deserved that you are considered for this esteemed position, particularly at a time the nation, especially the North, is in dire need of reorientation and rebirth.

"I am aware that you possess the requisite qualities and, therefore, have no doubt over your candidature.

"You have indeed shown that a man can be first in everything he does, and you have been exemplary and a role model to the younger generation, courageous in times of difficulties, transparent and unwavering when others cower in fear. Therefore, it is an honour for me to associate and rejoice with a man of truth and conscience like you at this hour that truly calls for celebration.

"It is my earnest prayers that the Almighty continue to keep you in sturdy health, give you a longer life as well as provide you the strength

and wisdom to continue the good work you have undertaken and to lead the Kano Emirate in the direction that it is known for."

Also, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has congratulated former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, for ascending the throne of his forefathers as the Emir of Kano.

In a statement yesterday, the former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president noted that Sanusi was destined to become a monarch.

Akeredolu said Sanusi’s enthronement as the new Emir of Kano, after the demise of the great Alhaji Ado Bayero, “confirms the axiom that nobody can prevent the sun from rising”.

He added: “The fact that this is coming immediately after tenure of office of SLS as governor of CBN, officially, should be a lesson to the ephemeral holders of transient power...

“We must, however, hasten to admonish the new Emir to join other well-meaning Nigerians in the current fight against the Boko Haram insurgents, who are bent on wrecking our collective peace.”

reason of national economy, the nays have voted correctly. Even though the illegal refineries operators are my boys, the national interest should come first.”

The delegates also voted against the establishment of a National Trust Fund for science and technology to be funded through a mandatory contribution of between two and five per cent of the gross earnings of local and multi-national companies.

The fund was recommended to be managed by a Presidential Council on Science and National academies, including the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).

Rejecting the recommendation, the delegates said existing funds should be used to develop science.

They said further contributions into such fund would amount to double taxation with current contributions to the Education Tax Fund (ETF).

Among others, the delegates adopted the recommendations on the development of science clubs in schools, compulsory computer education and provision of equipment in primary schools.

The conference also voted for the deployment of highspeed broadband in primary and secondary schools.

The committee’s recommendation for total ban on export raw materials to encourage industrial growth in the country was rejected.

The recommendation that public broadcasting organisations be restricted to a limited amount of commercials in a favour of private broadcasting organisations was also rejected.

Also rejected was a suggestion that Colleges of Technology should be upgraded to the status of universities.

The delegates adopted the recommendation that it was expedient for the Federal Government to censor social media by deploying legal guidelines for internet usages.

National Conference rejects adoption of modular refineries

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HE National Conference has rejected an official recognition for illegal crude oil refineries.

The delegates also unanimously rejected the idea of the government setting up a development programme for crude technology, besides rejecting a recommendation for the setting up of a trust fund for the development of sciences.

But the delegates adopted a recommendation to censor social media.

The decision of the delegates followed the adoption of the recommendations of the Committee on Science, Technology and Development yesterday.

While the Committee recommended a development programme for crude technology, rather than being rejected by the government, the delegates, through an amendment to the recommendation, believed there was no need for illegal refineries to complement the consumption and export of oil

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Dele Anofi, Abuja

products.

After the question was put to the delegates and the voice vote taken, His Highness, Dr Edmund Daukoru, the Amanayabo of Nembe, a delegate on that platform of traditional rulers, said crude oil refining had gone beyond technology.

He said the rejection was beyond personal consideration, adding that national interest should supersede sectional or personal interests.

The monarch said many of his “boys” engaged in illegal refining of crude oil, yet he had to vote against the committee’s recommendation, he said.

Dr Daukoru said: “The nays are not a matter of sentiment, as I see that the matter is being reduced to sentiment; for or against is beyond sentiment.

“We have been considering mini-refineries for a very

long time and now we are talking of micro-refineries.

The reason the policy is not being implemented is because without the cracking capacity, you recover just about a third of crude oil stock being put in.

“Also, what is being put out, in terms of quality, is not very friendly with the kind of usages it is being put to whether into generating sets or sophisticated automatic engines. They actually destroy your engines.

“So, even in terms of quality and the percentage of crude oil being utilised, the mini-refineries technology is too crude.

“The new technology is not like if you put the mini-refineries together in a place, they can easily acquire the latest technology. The world has moved on to cracking capacity where the entire crude stream is maximised, not just a small percentage of it and the rest thrown away.

“For that reason and the

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

7

NEWS

Lagos APC group protests ‘imposition’ of candidates

•Fashola: primaries’ll be conducted •No candidate has been chosen, says Ajomale

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GROUP within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, New Lagos Movement, besieged yesterday the House of Assembly to protest the alleged imposition of candidates for the 2015 general elections.

The protesters carried placards reading: “Autocracy is not democracy, internal democracy must prevail”; “Practice what you preach, let us be democrats, allow the voice of the people”; “No to imposition”; “Let us build institutions, not oligarchies masquerading as democrats”; “No absolute power for politicians in Lagos”; “No to autocracy”; “No more Oga sope”; “Direct primaries is in our constitution” and “Leaders are not rulers”.

The protesters were received by Deputy Speaker Kolawole Taiwo and some other lawmakers.

Mr. Niyi Akinsiji said: “We are demanding the restoration of our right to elect our candidates.”

He urged the lawmakers to “talk to people who have de-

By Oziegbe Okoeki and Miriam Ekene-Okoro

cided to steal our rights that all candidates for all elective office should emerge through direct primaries, not indirect primaries. We want to exercise our right to elect our candidates to all elective positions”.

Akinsiji said: “We no longer want anybody to tell us who they should be. We shall resist this through every legal and possible means. We do not want anybody to steal Lagos. Lagos is too beautiful to be stolen by anybody; we are taking back our power.”

Taiwo, who represented Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji, hailed the protesters for conducting themselves peacefully.

He said he would have directed them to the APC secretariat, but since every member of the House was a delegate to the party’s National Convention, this made them stakeholders as well.

Taiwo assured them that the House would take their complaints to the appropriate quarter, adding: “We are pro-

‘We will ensure that every man and woman who has the right to contest the elections is allowed to do so.

No one would be imposed on you’ gressive minded people. We do not only listen to complaints; we resolve them.”

The protesters also went to Governor Babatunde Fashola’s office in Alausa.

Speaking through the Commissioner for the Environment, Tunji Bello, Fashola said the party would look into their complaints, adding: “We will ensure that every man and woman who has the right to contest the elections is allowed to do so. No one would be imposed on you.”

Lagos APC Chairman Otunba Henry Ajomale said he was surprised that some people were protesting over who should be the party’s governorship candidate.

Speaking at the APC secretariat on Acme Road, Ogba, Ajomale said: “We have not made any arrangement in Lagos. Like any other state, we have to adhere to the guidelines issued by the party’s national secretariat. I am not aware that there are directives from the national secretariat on how the governorship candidate should emerge.

“Maybe the protesters heard rumours which do not represent the party’s position. We have our machinery in selecting the candidate and individual opinion does not affect the party’s decisions. When the time comes, we will decide democratically on who will be the party’s candidate. We cannot afford to do anything less.

“We must be careful about who carries the party’s flag.

Individual interest is not accepted. The overall interest of the party is paramount in the selection of its flag bearer.”

Ajomale urged aspirants to continue to solicit support, adding that the party would decide its flag bearer when the time comes.

Amosun preaches unity in Ogun APC

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GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has sued for peace in the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said he would continue to reach out to aggrieved members, particularly those loyal to former Governor Olusegun Osoba, in order to unite the party.

Amosun spoke yesterday at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, the state capital, at the inauguration of the 36-member APC Executive Committee.

He said uniting members requires “a lot of work”, urging the State Chairman, Alhaji Roqeeb Adeniji, to devise strategies to bring everybody together.

The governor said: “Please, we have a lot of

•Exco inaugurated •20 faint at ceremony From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

work to do. We cannot afford to lose one member, so the challenge I put to the executive committee and our leaders is that we must find a way to unite everybody.

“We are all winners, so we should see ourselves as such. When you get home, please talk to one another and let us find ways to unite everybody. I thank Almighty Allah for making this day possible in terms of the gift of life and sound health. We all recall that the party has recently been through sequence of events that threatened to divide us.

“But the huge number of

CHANGE OF NAME

Bereton Academy, a frontline co-educational Day and Boarding School, situated at No. 19 kwuru-Kwuru Rd, Off Okporo Rd, 1st Artillery, Port Harcourt, announces a rebrand with a change of the school name to TiTaRE ACaDEMY in line with the continued pursuit for excellence in grooming notable stars for Nigeria’s future with a new focus of embracing the e-learning environment.

Consequently, Bereton Old Students Association (BOSA) is renamed Titare-Bereton Old Students Association (TBOSA).

Accordingly, all former documents of Bereton Academy remains valid. The Ministry of Education, Related Agencies, and the Public should please note the new development, as the school is renamed TiTaRE ACaDEMY. Tel: 0803-302-5383, 0706-479-2453 Email: titareacada@yahoo.com Like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/ titareacademy Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn: @titareacademy Visit our website: www.titareacademy.com TiTaRE ACaDEMY building a better nation one student at a time…

Signed: FOR: TiTaRE ACaDEMY Her Majesty, Barr (Dr) Josephine Diete-Spiff, JP Chairperson/Proprietress

party faithful here today is a clear testimony of how we have collectively navigated that treacherous path and came out united and stronger.”

The event almost turned tragic before the governor delivered his speech, as some party members fainted in the congested hall.

The crowd competed for the air coming out of the air condition and the doors had to be opened to let in fresh air.

Over 20 people were rushed to the state hospital.

Amosun said: “I told them to open all the doors after I was told that over 20 people were rushed to the hospital because of the crowd outside. My apologies. We will not hold such an event here again; we will go to the stadium.

Please do not be annoyed with me.”

Adeniji urged APC members to work in harmony to build a formidable party, adding: “The task before us all is the 2015 elections and all hands must be on deck. Tendencies that undermine our

•Amosun

efforts should be halted forthwith in the interest of the party.

“We cannot build the party with one hand and destroy it with another. I appeal to members who feel aggrieved in one way or the other to join this new process. There is no victor or vanquished, as we all are winners in the APC. “The APC is an open platform for anyone to realise his/her ambition and no one will be excluded. I assure you that the processes that will produce our candidates will be open, free, fair and merit-based. More than ever before, the time for true leaders to emerge is now via a clear and participative process and that is non-negotiable.”

Youths are unemployable, says Ibadan Poly Rector

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From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

ECTOR of The Polytechnic, Ibadan in Oyo State, Prof.

Olatunde Fawole, has attributed the high rate of unemployment in the country to lack of skills by youths.

Speaking yesterday at the opening of the National Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation organised by the institution’s Faculty of Science, Fawole said: “It is a known fact that technical skill can only be acquired through acquisition of the knowledge of applied science and technology, which will engender creativity, innovation, production and employment.”

He said unemployment was one of the causes of insecurity, adding that the conference would proffer solutions to it.

The rector said: “The papers that will be presented and discussed will address issues of capacity building through acquisition of applied science and technology skills, which can be used by local entrepreneurs in their production industries, thereby generating employment.”

In his lecture on “Science, Technology and Innovation: The Nigeria Experience”, the Guest Speaker, Prof. Ayo Odunfa, said despite the nation’s abundant human resources, Nigeria’s agricultural and industrial growth were still low.

Odunfa said: “Nigeria has a patent office, however, the patents filed are not examined for novelty. As of now, any report can be filed and the patent granted. It is not the first destination for innovation. Despite that, it is difficult to obtain the number of patents filed in a year. Obtaining the number of patents taken is even more difficult.”

The don said Nigeria needs to attract skilled and experienced staff in some of its projects to have a breakthrough in technology and innovation.

Badagry demolition: Court restrains police, others from building on land

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HE Lagos State High Court sitting in Badagry yesterday restrained the police and other defendants from developing the Atinporomeh Community land in Badagry.

Justice Yetunde Adesanya gave the order following an application by Mr Sunday Onuya on behalf of the claimants, who are members of the community.

They claimants sought an order to maintain the status quo ante bellum until the substantive suit is determined.

The judge granted their prayer and ordered accelerated hearing of the suit.

The court will rule on an objection filed by the police challenging its jurisdiction to hear the suit at a later date.

The preliminary objection follows a suit filed by residents of the community, who challenged the demolition of their homes by the police.

The plaintiffs are Charles Adu; Joshua Medepo; Godwin Ogungbe; Oluseyi Adeleye; Alao Alapanla;

By Joseph Jibueze

Johnson Adebiyi; Justice Ovemurai; Afolabi Olukoya; Ibrahim Adedeji; Kolawole Adewumi; Edun Talabi; Joseph Onwueka and Joseph Ibukun.

Others are: Adebayo Oke; Olanipekun Ayanleye; Sylvester Enebeli; Shittu Abdullahi; Afolabi Kehinde; Ahmeed Alade; Iwueze Emmanuel; Oladimeji Oluwaseun and Martha Adeogun.

The Inspector General of Police; Lagos Commissioner of Police; Area Commander, Area K Police Command; Ministry of Police Affairs; and Lagos Task Force on Environment and Special Offences Unit are the respondents.

The rest are Lagos Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development; Lagos Lands Bureau; Lagos Attorney-General and the Attorney General of the Federation.

The plaintiffs are demanding N100 billion for the “wrongful demolition” of their homes.

Two ‘robbers’ killed in Ogun

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From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

WO robbery suspects were killed yesterday when robbers engaged the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Ogun State Police Command in a gun battle.

Three others, who were injures, were arrested.

It was learnt that policemen yesterday stormed the robbers’ hideout in Epe, Lagos State, following the arrest of a member of the gang, Ahmed Yusuff.

Yusuff was arrested on April 25 at Dalemo-Otta in Ogun State after allegedly snatching a Benz ML Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi named those arrested as Adeyinka Olajuwon, Isiaka Salawu and Jumoke Odukoya. He said others escaped with bullet wounds.

Be wary of rumour mongers, Ajimobi tells residents

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has urged residents to be wary of rumour mongers.

Condemning the activities of some “unscrupulous elements” who had been trying to cast aspersion on his personality and administration, he called for the practice of developmental politics as against mischief and character assassination.

Ajimobi spoke yesterday in his office in Ibadan while hosting members of the state branch of the Union of Tippers and Quarry Employers of Nigeria.

He said his administration would continue to provide security and ensure the state’s growth.

Pledging the government’s support to the union, the governor said contrac-

tors handling road and building projects had been directed to patronise its members.

He urged the union to continue to maintain cordial relationship with other unions, advising it to form a cooperative association to enable its members benefit from the government’s interest-free loans.

Ajimobi said efforts were

ongoing to repair feeder roads across the state.

Commissioner for Transport Prof. Nureni Tanimowo hailed the union for contributing to the state’s growth.

The union’s Chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Akinola, prsised the Ajimobi administration for building roads and bridges, and its urban renewal programme.

THE NATION TUESDAY JUNE 10, 2014

8

NEWS EKITI 2014

APC, ARG, others to Jonathan: don’t plunge Nigeria into crisis

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC), Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) yesterday led other groups and individuals in decrying the violence unleashed by the police on the party members in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Sunday.

The APC alleged that indications showed that the police are acting out a script written by the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to foment trouble in the Southwest ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday, blamed the Presidency and the PDP for the violence.

Besides, the Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar has been urged to redeploy the Ekiti State Mobile Police Commander, Gabriel Selenkere Michael, out of the state.

A political pressure group, Ekiti Youth Emancipation Movement (EYEM) said Selenkere, by his attack on Governor Kayode Fayemi on Sunday, had demonstrated that he was “out to either maim or assassinate the governor, hence the call for his redeployment.”

EYEM President, Mr. Taiwo Olatunji, in a statement, said: “Ekiti people no longer trust the OC MOPOL and are prepared to defend their governor against Abuja onslaught.”

Also yesterday, the APC in Osun State said the killing of APC member was the actuali-

•Groups ask IG to transfer OC MOPOL from Ekiti From Bisi Oladele (Ibadan), Adesoji Adeniyi (Osogbo), Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti and Adekunle Jimoh (Ilorin)

sation of Vice President Mohammed Sambo’s promise to go to war in Ekiti and Osun states in order to seize political power in the two states.

According to a statement by the party’s State Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi, Sambo was still in Ekiti when police from Abuja allegedly shot the APC member and injured many others.

“This callous and barbaric action of the police mobile unit, under the command of a Bayelsa-born officer, one Gabriel Selekere, signifies the Federal Government’s opening of a second war front in the Western part of the country, in addition to the war against Boko Haram in the North.”

But Mohammed, in his statement, wondered why the police, who are paid by taxpayers to maintain law and order, would turn their weapons on the same defenceless citizens they are paid to protect.

The statement reads: “But for the action of the police, led by the head of Mopol in Ekiti, Gabriel Selekere, the peaceful procession by the APC members would not have degenerated into violence, during which a harmless citizen was apparently shot dead by the police.

“Our members were carrying brooms, not weapons, and

were singing and dancing as they marched through the streets in the best tradition of political rallies. Their procession was peaceful and carnival-like until the police unleashed teargas and live bullets on them without provocation, killing one person and injuring many. Even the governor of the state was not spared by these trigger-happy policemen. This is unacceptable in any civilised society and must be condemned by all Nigerians,” APC said.

The party, however, said it was not surprised at the ferocity of the attack by armed policemen on the peaceful members of the APC, as it fits perfectly into the desperation of President Goodluck Jonathan and his party to capture Ekiti State at all cost as a leeway to entering the South-west ahead of 2015.

“The President, who said his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian, has apparently forgotten he ever made such a comment.

Otherwise, how does he explain the bloodied body of a peaceful protester who was apparently shot dead by policemen acting out a script? How does he explain that the blood-thirsty policemen, who behaved more like hooligans, were led by an officer (Selekere) who has consistently been hostile to the state governor?

“Is it by coincidence that the killer policemen were led by no other than Selekere, who once unilaterally transferred all mobile

policemen attached to the governor simply because he could not compromise them to set up the Governor, until he was overruled by the IG? “Is it also a mere coincidence that a new Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Momoh, whom they believed to be pliable and willing to do their hatchet job, has been posted from Minna to Akure ahead of the Ekiti elections, to replace Brig.-Gen. A.B. Dikko who refused to be compromised and allow the PDP to rig the recent bye-election in Ondo State?

“The Presidency and the PDP should know that Ekiti people will not allow a blood-thirsty and compromised Mopol Commander, a Brigade Commander or even the Presidency to pick their governor for them on June 21st. They will defend their votes to the hilt, whether or not the FG floods the state with security personnel in an attempt to intimidate and harass the people,’’ it said.

APC said the orchestration of violence in Ekiti on Sunday, a day after President Jonathan hinted that he had deliberately stifled development in the state by saying he would develop the state once the PDP is voted into office, has shown that the Presidency and the PDP have no qualms about plunging the country into chaos just to realize their ambition of capturing the state and the region.

“It is for this reason that we appeal to all the good people of Ekiti State in particular and all

Nigerians in general to be vigilant in the days ahead. Whatever happens in Ekiti before, during and after the forthcoming election will be a barometer for measuring the desperation or otherwise of the Presidency/ PDP ahead of the August election in Osun State and the general elections in 2015.

“On our part, we will closely monitor and expose all the shenanigans of the Presidency and the PDP to set Ekiti ablaze, destabilise the Southwest and indeed plunge the entire country into crisis just because of an unbridled desperation for power. We urge our members in Ekiti to remain peaceful despite the provocation from the PDP and its cohorts,” the party said.

The ARG, in a statement by its Programme Officer, Segun Balogun, said the police officer was alleged to have boasted that “he was carrying out orders from above”.

The ARG said it had warned earlier that the President has a bounded duty to all Nigerians to ensure that the elections in Ekiti State and in all states of the federation are free and fair.

“Our doubts regarding his capacity for fairness however deepened when Alhaji Namadi Sambo, the vice president, stated that his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was going to war in the Ekiti gubernatorial election.

“Yoruba people would however not allow anyone, including the suppressive and oppressive central government, whose recent attack on the me-

dia nationwide, signals the return of the worst days of the Abacha military dictatorship, to subvert their will.

“We stood in collaboration with other well-meaning Nigerians to see to the end of military rule in Nigeria. We will not under any circumstance allow the subjugation of any part of Yoruba land and space again. We demand free and fair elections, and we will join the good people of Ekiti State in resisting the planned subversion of their will,” the ARG stated.

The CDHR also condemned the killing and use of state apparatus against APC members during their rally.

CDHR urged the officer-incharge and the Police Commissioner of the state to be brought to face the consequences of their actions against defenceless people.

In a statement, the National Vice- President of the committee, Comrade Taiwo Otitolaye, said: “It is not surprised at the turn of events in Ekiti State over the governorship elections coming up on June 21, 2014.

“The emergence of Ayo Fayose as the PDP candidate would have ordinarily thrown an atmosphere of violence to an average intelligent person, given Fayose’s antecedence.

“We condemn the act of banditry, killings and the use of state apparatus against the All Progressive Congress members during their campaigns at AdoEkiti. This is the height of provocation and primitive acts of lawlessness in the polity.”

•Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi addressing reporters over Sunday’s attack on his convoy by mobile policemen in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital ... yesterday.

Jega, six commissioners to supervise election

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THE Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega and six commissioners would lead the team to supervise the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Halilu Pai, who disclosed this yesterday during the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) peace initiatives on the election, said the INEC chairman would be supported by

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

all the Resident Electoral Commissioners in the six states, which border Ekiti.

Pai said: “Jega’s decision to be in the state for the election was borne of his commitment to a thorough exercise”.

He disclosed that aside leading the team to Ekiti, Jega and his officers would supervise the exercise across a number of places in the state. According to him, all logistics arrangements had been concluded to ensure that case of elec-

toral materials arriving venue of voting late does not arise.

Pai said the commission appreciated the contributions of various interest groups as well as non-governmental organisations in seeing to the promotion of democracy in the country.

Earlier in his address, the leaders of the two groups, Mr. Laolu Omosilade who doubles as Chairman of Ekiti State chapter of the NUJ and his NBA counterpart, Mr. Omodele Olawumi, promised to recommit themselves to ensuring success of the election.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

10

CITYBEATS

Customs seizes 107 bags of Indian hemp

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•Destroys N15m frozen products

HE Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday seized a white Ford Chevrolet bus loaded with 107 bags (963 kilogrammes) of Indian hemp (cannabis sativa).

Addressing newsmen at the command headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, the Customs Area Controller, Mr Oteri Richard, said the bus was intercepted around 4.30am at Igboora in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area of the state.

He said the command‘s Crack Team led by Alajogun J.A, a Deputy Superintendent of Customs (DSC), arrested the bus marked, XW 193 GGE. He said nobody was arrested as the culprits abandoned the bus when they saw men of the command, but assured that through the vehicle documents found in the bus, further investigation would be made to arrest those involved.

Oteri, who handed the substance to the state Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mrs Omobolade Faboyede, called for synergy among security agencies in combating insecurity in the

S

country.

Also, the command seized about 2,000 cartoons of imported poultry products worth about N15million along the Agbe-Olodo axis of Osun State.

The seizure, according to Oteri, was effected through the renewed commitment to bringing down to the barest minimum, the incidence of smuggling within the command.

He disclosed that on June 6, an anti-smuggling team of the command led by Efetobor R.O, intercepted a black Mazda 3 Volkswagon Passat and another bus loaded with 2,000 cartons of frozen poultry product.

Oteri explained that the arrest was made possible with the professional expertise of his men.

Destroying the seized poultry products in the presence of newsmen at the Arapaja dump site in the Oluyole area of Ibadan, Oteri warned those importing contraband products to dump the trade.

He warned that the command is battle-ready to spoil “business” for them.

‘Singles, get it right’

INGLES aspiring to get married have been admonished to get the right spouses for virile families that would develop the society.

The advice was given by experts at a seminar for singles, which was organised by the Treasure Neighbourhood Development Foundation (TRENDEF) in Lagos. Its theme was: “Get it Right.”

The seminar was among the programmes designed for Nigerians to bring back normalcy and national pride, it was learnt. Youths were taught on methodology of selection and the dynamics of healthy marital life.

President of the foundation, Mr Joseph Obude, a career expert, said the event was aimed at arresting the negative trends in the society through attitude enhancement and character

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From: Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

By Nneka Nwaneri

building by educating the young ones on the core values of life.

He said it was also aimed at enlightening the public on personal development and how to uphold the core values of life, urging homes to have the right cultural values that will help to develop the society.

A motivational speaker, Mr Samuel Adelaja, who chaired the event, said: “Handle this transitional part of life with all care and seriousness to avoid broken homes. This goes a long way in affecting the society and future generations. Making the right decision now will guarantee blissful homes.”

The keynote speaker, Mr Chikezie Emebuze, also contended that getting it right begins with getting the right partner and making the right choices.

Estate gets new exco

ESIDENTS of the Millennium Housing Estate (MHE) in Ojokoro-Ijaiye area of Lagos State have been advised to pay their monthly levies and other charges promptly.

The estate’s newly elected chairperson, Mrs. Florence Lawal, who gave the advice at the inauguration of the newly elected executives of the estate, said prompt payment of levies and other charges would enable the estate’s leadership to provide basic amenities in the area for meaningful development.

While thanking government for its efforts on the estate over the years, she urged government to establish a primary healthcare centre in the estate. “We need a medical centre here.

We have about 634 flats here; so, it is usually agonising that when our women want to give birth and we start running

helter-skelter to take them to Agege or Alimosho. Government needs to do this for us,’’ she added.

Outgoing chairman Gbayesola Akin, who urged the new executives to imbibe the spirit of togetherness, enjoined them to always consider other people’s opinions before taking any decision, adding: “In every human group, there must be misunderstanding, but the ability to resolve same amicably is what matters most.”

Saying that leadership should be seen as a sacrifice, Akin added: “The state and local government should help us in the implementation and enforcement of laws guiding every resident in the estate. This is important because we understand that everybody has a fundamental human right.

But if there are laws in place, people will act accordingly.”

O

PERATIVES of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ogun State Police Command, have killed two suspected armed robbers in Epe area of Lagos State.

The operatives engaged the gang in a fierce gun duel early yesterday. Three of the suspected robbers who were eventually arrested, sustained bullet wounds.

It came barely a day after anti-robbery operatives attached to Mowe Division killed one robber during a gun battle with members of his gang near the Redemption Youth Camp along the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

A snatched vehicle was said to have been recovered from them.

Police said one of the gang members, Ahmed Yusuff, was arrested on April 25 at Dalemo-Otta in Ogun State after snatching a Mercedes Benz ML Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) from the owner.

It was gathered that Yusuff, in the course of police investigation, agreed to lead the SARS operatives to their hideout at Epe in Lagos State. However, when operatives arrived the hideout, there was resistance from his gang members, leading to a shoot out.

Ogun Police Command’s s p o ke s m an M u yi w a Adejobi, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), gave the names of the arrested suspects as Adeyinka Olajuwon, Isiaka Salawu, and Jumoke Odukoya.

He said that others escaped with bullet wounds, adding that efforts were in top gear to apprehend them. Adejobi said one as-

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• The three suspects ... yesterday

Police kill two ‘armed robbers’, arrest three

By Jude Isiguzo

sault 06 rifle marked 07003808, two magazines loaded with 18 rounds of ammunition, three cut-tosize single-barrel pistols, two cut-to-size double barrel guns, 10 live cartridges, one axe and some assorted c h ar m s w e r e r e c o v e r e d from the suspects.

Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye praised the teams for a good job done, particularly the follow-up on the case.

He also urged the public, particularly medical practitioners, to be on the alert for the fleeing injured robbers who may come to them for treatment.

Okoye also directed the

officer-in-charge of SARS, Ogun State, Mohammed Tijani, a Superintendent, to ensure the arrest of fleeing suspects with their arms recovered.

The police chief assured Ogun people of adequate protection of their lives and property in every nook and cranny of the state.

said the structure was built by residents in 1990 to stop them from going to lagoon, which he said, had claimed lives as a result of water surge.

Odedeogboro, who spoke on behalf of Oba Adewale, described the lawmaker’s gesture as impressive, saying: “The renovation of the laundry house is a proactive measure by the lawmaker to prevent loss of lives in the community. It will not only serve Bado Isale alone; it will be beneficial to other communities in Epe. We are grateful for this gesture and I urge him not to relent.”

Ashafa said he would make resources available to the community for the next

six months to ensure that the facility remains functional. He handed it over to the Community Development Committee (CDC) for its maintenance.

The house is equipped with a motorised borehole and accessories, a submersible machine and power generator.

Ashafa said he had facilitated several other constituency projects in the council area, including the provision of 300KVa transformer for Eid Street; construction of ambulance point at Otunba Shile Shifau Crescent and the ongoing construction of three classroom blocks fitted with dining room and VIP toilets in Ipesu, among others.

Senator’s gesture excites residents

ESIDENTS of Bado Isale community in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, have praised the lawmaker representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Gbenga Ashafa, for inaugurating their laundry centre.

The senator unveiled the renovated facility on Edu Street before a crowd of residents led by Olu of Epe, Oba Shefiu Adewale, who was represented by Otun Seriki of Epe land, Chief Kadiri Odedeogboro. The Iyaloja of Epe, Alhaja Mulikatu Onibon was also there.

Ashafa praised Afeez Arogundade, a member of the community, for facilitating the renovation of the house, saying: “In February,

By Wale Ajetunmobi

one of my followers on Facebook, Afeez Adeola Arogundade, notified me that the community’s laundry house in Ward A4 at Bado Isale, was rotting away. e claim and it was found to be true. A week after, we began the renovation of the facility and in less than three weeks, the renovation was 90 per cent completed. Today, the laundry house is alive again to serve the community.”

A leader in the community, Chief Mogaji Edu, who said the facility was abandoned owing to lack of funds and maintenance, praised Ashafa for giving the building a facelift. He

• Senator Ashafa(right) at the inauguration. With him are a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Wasiu Odeyemi(left) and Odedeogboro

BUSINESS

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

SURE-P spends N280b on projects From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

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ROJECTS being implemented by the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) have hit N280 billion accros the country since its inception in the past two years.

This was disclosed to State House correspondents yesterday by a member of SURE-P Board, Mazi Sam Ohuabuwa, after meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja.

Stressing that the N280 billion was spent on rojects including road and railway, he said the sum was part of the N360 billion allocated to the programme while the remaining N80 billion was rolled over.

He said: “It is important to know that in two years of our existence, we have spent less than N300 billion. Out of the N360 billion that was allocated to us, we rolled over N80 billion, so we spent about N280 billion.

“That’s what we used to get the East-West Road to where it is, the rail line running from Kano to Lagos, and all the works that have been done.

“So, you can imagine if the over N1trillion that was spent on subsidy is released for this kind of work, Nigeria will get the best of services.”

SURE-P Chairman, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd.) said beside intervening in the Abuja-Lokoja Road, the programme has done well in the area of maternal health by upgrading 500 health centres while work was ongoing on another 700 health facilities across the country.

According to him, through the SURE-P projects, deaths due to child births have been reduced by almost 60 per cent.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/ barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/troy Sugar -$163/lb MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N11.4 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -8% Treasury Bills 10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -1% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $45b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

11 ‘The June deadline is by the corner; Mr. President’s word is a bond. We must generate more power; we are prepared to assist all our agencies in making sure that the ball keeps rolling. We can’t afford to fail in our duties.’

•The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo

Money transfer operators to pay beneficiaries via bank accounts T HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has mandated opera-tors of money transfer services to pay beneficiaries through their bank accounts only.

In a draft guidelines released at the weekend, the CBN said all in-bound money transfers to Nigeria would only be disbursed to beneficiaries through bank accounts.

It stipulated that where the beneficiary does not have a bank account, payments would only be made upon the provision of a satisfactory reference from a current account holder in a bank, confirming that the beneficiary is the bona fide owner of the funds.

The regulator said an outward payment transaction would henceforth be executed in a convertible currency agreed between the parties;

By Collins Nweze

and where a currency conversion service is offered before initiation of a payment transaction, or at the point of payment, the money transfer services operator must disclose all charges, as well as the exchange rate to be used for converting the payment transaction.

“A money transfer operator shall make payment to customers only in Nigerian currency in line with CBN regulation; use the prevailing exchange rate on the day the transfer is received, and declare in the receipt/certificate of transfer that the money paid to the customer is not counterfeited. All money transfer operators shall comply with the guide to money transfer charges as provided

by the CBN from time to time,” it said.

According to the regulator, the provider must equally make refund where wrong, inappropriate or disproportionate charges or fees are identified internally by provider.

Also, a money transfer service operator is not expected to allow or process a transaction that appears to have been deliberately split into small amounts to avoid the reporting requirements under the provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML/ CFT) Act. “An approved money transfer service operator may conduct its business through an agent, in line with the provisions of these guidelines. An agent is a suitable entity en-

•From right: Vice-President Muhammad Namadi Sambo; Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport Senator Sahabi Yau; Board Chairman, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and Managing Director/CEO, Adeseyi Sijuwade, on arrival at Ikeja railway station after a ride on the new NRC trains in Lagos ... yesterday.

PHOTO: ADEOLA SOLOMON

BPE seeks buyers for NITEL

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GAIN, Nigeria is looking for buyers for the assets of the moribund former state-run telco, the Nigeria Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) and its mobile arm, MTel. The National Council on Privatisation (NCP) appointed, liquidator-the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) said it will adopt what it described as “guided liquidation” to minimise the losses that will occasion its sales.

Its Director-General, Benjamin Dikki told The Nation that the agency is avoiding selling the asets of the former national carrier as scraps.

The BPE placed an advert announcing its intention to sell the telco and inviting fresh bidders that must possess five years of cognate telecom experience and a net worth of at least $200 million.

Business activities of NITEL and MTel were rounded off in March after several failed attempts to get it sold to inves-

By Lucas Ajanaku

tors.

Nigeria’s mobile subscriber base is about 130 million while teledensity is over 90 per cent.

It said bids must be submitted by June 30, adding that the assets while the preferred bid will be handed over the assets

by December this year.

Dikki said: “Why should we put government to revive NITEL when NITEL is no longer a critical infrastructure in the Nigerian economy. If NITEL doesn’t come up again at all, Nigerians will still survive in terms of access to telecommunications. So, NITEL has ceased to be a critical asset. Government then looked at all the options. What are the benefits of putting money?

The option of Private Public Partnership (PPP) and other options in resuscitating NITEL but all of them have investment implications for the government. Telecom is not a priority area for government

now. It is better taken care of by the private sector. We should focus on other areas that are critical-bad roads, we need to improve our health, we need to improve our education. So government decided how do we even minimise our obligations to get that $1 million.

“That is why we now decided to take advantage of the Company and Allied Matters Act. What the Americans call chapter 11. You go and file for the liquidation of NITEL, and we did not want it to be liquidation, the typical liquidation style, where you sell one building, one cable to different parties. We call it guided liquidation because we want whoever buys Nitel and MTel to still continue to run the telecom and not to extinguish NITEL from business.”

NITEL owes creditors mostly suppliers - around N400 billion with creditors taking a loss if the proceeds from the sale are not enough to repay all the debt.

gaged by a money transfer service operator to provide money transfer service on its behalf using the agent’s premises, staff and technology,” it said.

The new guidelines also require that a money transfer operator holds all customer funds for transfer in an account designated as “customers’ account” domiciled with any deposit money bank in the country. This account, the CBN said, would be separate from all other accounts maintained by the operator.

The operators are also to maintain complete and accurate account records, produce, upon request by the bank, all documents pertaining to the account activity, including, but not limited to, bank statements, cheque books, deposit slips and reconciliations or

•CBN Governor, Godwin Emefeile

other comparable account records.

“A money transfer service operator shall keep accurate and up to date records and ensure that the records are verified on a daily basis. A money transfer service operator shall submit its returns to the Director, Trade & Exchange Department, CBN as may be prescribed from time to time,” it said.

All money transfer operators in Nigeria shall comply with the provisions of the CBN Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism in Banks and Other Financial Institutions Regulations 2013" and all other applicable laws and regulations.

A money transfer service operator shall disclose to its customers details of applicable exchange rate, commission, fees and any other amount that may be charged by banks/agents involved in a transfer. The meaning of any technical terms and acronyms used that it neither accepts deposits nor lends to the public prevailing exchange rates at all times and in all locations it conducts business.

12

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

NEWS (SHOWBIZ)

34 birthday: D’banj gets bank’s support for agric project th

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ELEBRATED music artiste, Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo, a.k.a D’Banj who clocked 34 yesterday has secured the support of a bank, to launch another significant aspect of his career path - a strong entrepreneurial initiative focusing on agriculture and agro-economic enterprise.

Tagged ‘Koko Agropreneur’ initiative, the project is hinged on ‘Nagropreneur’ (Nigeria Agricultural Entrepreneur),

D

R Chukwuma Amuta, first son of veteran actor, Mr. Romanus Amuta, alias Natty, has debunked media reports, that his father was dead. “I am surprised to hear such a fallacious rumor,” he told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, yesterday.

The actor, who played the character of ‘Natty’ in the now-rested New Masquerade TV drama, has been suffering stroke since 2009.

The purported death of Natty hit fans like a bad news at the weekend, until the actor’s son quelled the rumours on Monday.

“It is true that my dad had stroke some five years ago, that’s

a national socio-economic transformation agenda, championed by the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adeshina.

The high profile event held at the Four-Point hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, amidst pomp.

Interestingly, D’banj, who is a notable youth brand, is aligning his ambition for farming with the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) support policy, to provide practical leadership and

encouragement to the massive youth population, to embrace the agricultural revolution.

It would be recalled that earlier in the year, D’banj made a donation of N50 million to Nagropreneur, after he was appointed brand ambassador for the scheme.

In recent times, the artiste has been active in the area of agriculture, by partnering with institutions such as the African Union (AU), to promote the agriculture

industry in Africa for 2014.

Following this strong advocacy, the artiste was crowned ambassador of Agriculture by the Agric Ministry.

A notable entertainer, D’banj, last month, won an award as ‘Best Selling African Artiste’ at the World Music Awards in Monaco, where he performed alongside Maria Carey, Miley Cyrus, Flo Rider and others.

That was not the first time the artiste would reaching such international acclaim; D’banj, who is Nigeria’s first United Nation’s Youth Ambassador for Peace, was signed onto Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music and Mercury in the U.K. His hit single Oliver Twist, an uptempo dance fusion of Afrobeat and electronic dance music went on to top the African charts 2011, and also a Top 10 hit in the UK singles chart in 2012, reaching #2 on the UK R&B chart.

‘Natty’ is alive, says family in 2009. Presently he is clinically stable and he is recovering well.”

“That was why I was very surprised when I heard about such information being spread in the media.

“The report saying that he is dead obviously makes every other thing false. He’s very much alive,” Amuta said, apparently disappointed that people could think his father could have died lacking medical attention.”

He said: “I am a medical doctor, and by the grace of God; I take care of my dad to the best of

my ability; so, that is obviously false; he’s improving gradually; every day you see improvement.

“There is a physiotherapist that comes to the house and takes him on every day. So, he is improving gradually. He goes for checkup. He’s okay. Natty is still alive. He’s doing well.”

He told NAN that Natty had contributed to the growth of the movie industry in the country through his pioneering roles, and urged members of the public to disregard the information saying that it was unfounded.

MTN Project Fame returns

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ITH an unusual bang, MTN Project Fame reality show returned with a spectacular music concert, announcing organisers’ readiness for a 7th edition, last weekend.

The star-studded show featured artistes such as Banky W., Timaya, Iyanya, Dr. Sid, Praiz and other superstars, who took turns to serenade music lovers at the popular Emporium, GRA, Benin City, Edo State.

With the pomp that heralded this year’s edition of the West African talent hunt show, there are indications more surprises await fans.

Iyanya’s enthralling dance steps and voice was exciting to thousands of Project Fame’s fans who attended the concert. So was the energetic performance put up by Timaya, and Banky W’s resounding lyrics. Both artistes, who were recently unveiled as two of several high-profile MTN ambassadors lived to their billings.

According to Iyanya, “It’s amazing how fame and fortune come quickly. I was just like everyone here in

the audience some years ago, but see what Project Fame and MTN has made of me,” he said, recounting his journey to fame and success.

The concert at Emporium, paved way for a two-day audition, organised to enlist music hopefuls at the Constantial Hotel, located on Airport Road. The event witnessed thousands of youths, who sang before the screeners, in order to get a slot for the next stage.

Before last Saturday’s event, auditions were held in other West African countries, where thousands of youth, seeking to build a career in music, stormed the various venues.

Organisers say the rate of participation at the subregional level has created high expectation in Nigeria.

This expectation may not be short of the fact that the Project Fame Academy has been known to produce stars who have in the last seven years, dominated music industries across West Africa.

Other performers at the Benin concert include MMMG artistes, comprising of Emma Nyra, Selebobo, Bacci, Teckno, and the Project Fame’s past contestants led by Roy.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

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TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT Climate change is a global phenomenon.

While many countries have taken steps to mitigate its consequences, Nigeria appears not to be doing enough.

At this year’s World Environmental Day celebration, experts warned that if the nation fails to take proactive steps, it may lead to the collapse of its oildriven economy.

MUYIWA LUCAS writes.

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes * Real Estate Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com 08062722507

property@thenationonlineng.net muyiwalucas2002@yahoo.com

‘Tax unoccupied buildings’

By Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

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•Oil rig... threatened by climate change

The other side of climate change A

CROSS the country last week, all stakeholders focused in one direction - the need for the preservation of the earth to make it continually habitable for the human race.

It was on the 2014 World Environment Day (WED) celebration.

From the rising sea levels in the coastal states of Lagos, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo, Ondo, Cross River, to the desertification in the northern states of Bornu, Sokoto, Kebbi, et al, to the erosion and landslides in the eastern states of Imo, Anambra and Enugu, the stark reality of a degraded environment stares the country in the face.

It was, therefore, not surprising when the Minister for the Environment, Mrs. Laurencia Mallam, noted at the WED celebration that the changes arising from the human actions on the earth were already impacting and are likely to continue to impact on societies.

She called for practical actions, through the reduction of emissions and other vices that may affect the environment and make it inhabitable.

“We need to plan for the changes that are expected to occur. Our processes, our practices and our structures must be properly aligned to reduce the impacts of, and vulnerability to climate change now as well as increasing the social, economic and environmental resilience to future impacts,” she admonished.

In Abeokuta, Ogun State Commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning Mr. Gbenga Otenuga said man as the beneficiary of developmental activities needed to ensure that he creates an environment which is livable, healthy, friendly, efficient and economically viable.

In a paper presentation entitled, “Physical Planning: A panacea to environmental sustainability”, Otenuga said the environment, physical planning and sustainability were symbiotic, interwoven, mutually related and, indeed, mutually beneficial to all.

He noted that the world has been much concerned about the efficacy of man’s utilisation of natural or biospheric resources due to the detrimental consequences of lack of good physical planning to curtail and manage the excesses and or failure to nip the negative externalities in the bud.

“The realities of these neglects or lack of comprehensive land use plan or physical planning by tokenism are now dawning on us in form of tsunami, gulley erosion, flooding, greenhouse effect, climate change, coastal erosion, sea surge, famine, unplanned ruralurban migration, pollution and a host of others,” Otenuga said, adding that urban planning has a central role to play in achieving sustainability by providing a lead system which is fundamental to the attainment of sustained control and development of the environment.

In Lagos State, Governor Babtunde Fashola observed that the theme of 2014 WED, which centered on “Small Island Developing States (SIDS) “ was important to the state because of its status as a coastal state. He noted that the state has been resilient and innovative in tackling the challenges confronting its development as a coastal megacity.

Fashola said to address climate change in the state, his administration has institutionalised the tree planting campaign, and has planted over five million trees so far; accelerated landscaping and beautification of open spaces, held an international summit on cli-

mate change and established climate change clubs in schools.

“We are not only renewing our environment, we are saving lives, livelihoods and properties,” Fashola said.

Environment advocate and Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Nnimmo Bassey, warned that the Small Island States are very vulnerable to sea level rise and unless the world agrees to take action to tackle global warming these States are as good as sunk, including Nigeria, which has a lowlying and vulnerable coastline. He explained that such development could even kill the country’s economy if not properly handled. “If you consider that most of Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure are either offshore or close to the coastline it becomes very clear that threats of sea level rise pose very crucial challenge for the country. Climate change can wreak havoc on Nigeria’s oil-dependent economy,” Bassey cautioned, saying that the fact that the Niger Delta is naturally subsiding adds to the net sea level rise in the area, whose risks are huge and cannot be ignored.

Already, he explained, coastal areas have suffered long term neglect and generally require urgent action by stabilizing and protecting it. Besides the coastal erosion caused by tidal action, there is the other problem of salt water incursion promoted by creation of canals by oil companies to take their equipment inland.

Sea level rise naturally means higher salinisation, but the artificial canals created by oil companies compound this problem and degrade fresh wa-

‘If you consider that most of Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure are either offshore or close to the coastline it becomes very clear that threats of sea level rise pose very crucial challenge for the country. Climate change can wreak havoc on Nigeria’s oil-dependent economy’

ter systems. This has implication for fisheries and overall ecosystems and livelihoods. Indeed, the impacts of climate change is already obvious in Nigeria, even as man has continued to engage in activities that compounds the challenge. In this regard gas flaring, the deforestation going on in the country, cannot be overlooked. Deforestation is also a major contributor to the stock of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, including the degradation of the Savannah.

Engineer Lateef Kolawole, lecturer, faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, is concerned that the effects of climate change are already being felt through desertification and drying up of the Lake Chad in northern part of the country and flooding of low lying areas such are Lagos Bar Beach and Victoria Island. The Eko Atlantic City in Lagos state, he said, are premised on the philosophy of climate change mitigation, even as he reiterated that the coastal protection work of Lagos state are essentially climatic mitigation activities. Like Bassey, he warned that about 700 kilometre4 long coastal area housing significant oil production infrastructures is at grave risk of being flooded or submerged.

Although he said inter-basin transfer programme was being considered to re-flood the Lake Chad using River Congo, he regretted that the country had not really prepared for most environment challenges starring her in the face.

“At the end of every disaster we only wait for another disaster to occur. I will score the country low, obviously not a pass mark for its preparedness efforts. If there exist a plan, it is not likely to be implemented with seriousness unless we want to deceive ourselves,” Kolawole said. For him, beyond the policy and institutional structures which appear being laid at various government level, there is a need to go beyond just the documents and implement with commitment and good intentions.

HE Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers has advocated the imposition of special taxes on unoccupied buildings. This is aimed at forcing down the prohibitive cost of rent. The Second Vice President of the institute, Mr Rowland Abonta stated this in Abuja during the official commissioning of the office complex of Ayeye and Company Estate Surveyors and Valuers.

Abonta who lamented the high rate at which completed buildings remained unoccupied in some parts of the country especially in Abuja as a result of the high cost of rent placed on houses, argued that the additional tax which would be imposed on such property after one year that it remained vacant would force the owners of such buildings to bring down the costs. He said “there are quite a number of vacant houses in Abuja yet rent is high. The reason is that there is pressure from the low and middle income earners and lots of people in that category can’t build their own houses because they depend on rented houses.

“So many of these houses are built by very rich people who didn’t suffer so much for the money and so they can afford to lock up the houses when they build the houses. “But there is a way out, government should start imposing taxes on such accommodation when these houses are built and they remain vacant for a year. “They should be able to pay government such taxes and this could be used to put pressure on them to rent the houses and serve this as a panacea to this problem.”

Abonta also said the current attacks by terrorists in some parts of the country are affecting the real estate sector, particularly in the North-East. He said, “Security affects every aspect of the economy particularly residential and office accommodation and the effect is serious especially for real estate business.

NIQS holds seminar on procurement

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HE Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors shall be organising a 2-Day National Seminar titled: “Procurement of Construction Works and ServicesAdapting to Contemporary Challenges for Enhanced National Development.”

The seminar, according to the Secretary, Marketing and Corporate Affairs of NIQS, Mr. Jide Oke will hold in Gombe, Gombe State from Wednesday, 11th to Thursday, 12th June 2014.

Sub-themes of the seminar include Underlying Principles, Policies and Procedures of Procurement Management; The Challenges of Power and Politics in Public procurement in Nigeria and Thinking Security in Procurement Management.

Honourable Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development would be the Guest of Honour.

The seminar is one of the Continuous Professional Development programmes of the Institute which attracts a weighting of 18 units.

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BUSINESS AVIATION

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Operators fault govt ’s directive on royalties

HE Airline Operators of Nigeria ( AON ) has faulted the Federal Government’s directive stopping foreign carriers paying royalties to it from October 27.

Its Executive Chairman, Captain Nogie Meggison, said the directive was another step towards undermining domestic carriers.

Meggison said the measure would cause significant revenue loss to the government, which needs such funds to bridge the critical infrastructure gap in the industry.

Stories by Kelvin Osa-Okunbor Aviation Correspondent

According to him, the utilisation of Bilateral Air Services Agreement ( BASA) funds and royalties assisted in funding major aviation projects across the country.

He lamented that the decision of the government was taken unilaterally, adding that experts ought to have been conculted before such a major decision is taken. He said the government hurriedly cancelled the agreement and communicated same to foreign carriers.

Meggison said the government,

through the Ministry of Aviation, only informed the group after it had cancelled the payment of royalties to the country.

He said the Ministry of Aviation violated the industry regulation of notice of ‘rule making’ which requires that stakeholders be given 90 days notice to make their input on any matter before it becomes law.

The AON boss said though the stoppage of payment of royalties by foreign carriers was in line with the Open Skies Policy, the country was not ripe for such a policy that

throws its airspace to foreign carriers to the detriment of indigenous carriers.

He said the move was another attempt to devalue the domestic aviation market after the multiple entry policy, which had adversely effected the carriers.

“If something drastic is not done to correct these anomalies, the domestic carriers of today will be out of business in five years,” he warned.

Meggison wondered how government would raise substantial funds to liquidate its over N174 billion borrowed by the Ministry of Aviation given the stoppage of royalties by foreign carriers.

How would the government pay back the loans used to fix the airports without funds accruing from royalties paid by foreign carriers.

About two years ago, Senate President David Mark urged the Federal Government to authorise relevant agencies, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA), to compel some foreign airlines to pay over $249 million accruing from fines and royalties.

Last year, the Ministry of Aviation spent over N7.5 billion on the rehabilitation of airports out of the $80 million BASA funds domiciled with the NCAA. The Federal Government se-

cretly signed the agreement on the abolition of commercial agreements and royalties by foreign carriers a month ago.

According to industry sources, about N150 billion is said to be collected as royalty from the foreign airlines annually.

The BASA money is the royalty foreign airlines pay to Nigeria as charges for the extra rights they requested for and got outside the original bilateral agreement between their countries and Nigeria.

Currently, Nigeria has 78 BASAs worldwide of which about 30 are being utilised.

The cancellation of the collection of the BASA charges, according to sources, is borne out of the position of the International Civil Aviation Organisations (ICAO) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) that airlines should be allowed to operate into each others’ countries without paying royalty.

While countries from Africa and many other developed countries are slow to embrace the policy, Nigeria rushed to approve the decision without, despite its economic implications on the industry.

With the approval for the abolition of the BASA fund collection, the foreign carriers may have now actively taken over the country’s aviation sector with no competition from the domestic carriers, a sectro analyst said.

‘Poor planning causes airline collapse’

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• From right: The acting director general of NCAA, Benedict Adeyileka, Director of General Aviation, Dele Sasegbon; General Manager, Airworthiness, Kayode Adeboye; General Manager, Legal, Chukwuma Dubem ; General Manager, Administration, Tony Meduoye and the chairman of Discovery Air , Babatunde Babalola signing the Air Operators Certificate of the airline at the headquarters of NCAA in Lagos.

NCAA urges domestic operators to train pilots, aircraft engineers

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HE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA), has urged domestic airline operators to invest in the training of pilots and engineers, as well as other industry professionals .

The Acting Director-General of NCAA, Benedict Adeyileka who made the call, said it is only such investment that would enhance indigenous capacity in the sector.

He told The Nation that a situation in which most of the airlines have foreign flight crew because indigenous professionals do not posses the requisite experience and training to close the manpower gap in the industry, is undermining the growth of the aviation industry .

He said the criteria placed by some domestic operators to engage young pilots is too high to attract some category of pilots, who are yet to get enough flying hours to be in command of an aircraft .

He said the over 500 flying hours set by a certain operator to engage pilots is too high, even as he urged the affected carrier to review the flying limit so as to give room for budding pilots .

Adeyileka, said the NCAA will convoke a meeting with domestic operators to consider ways of engaging young indigenous pilots , so as to reduce pilot

unemployment in Nigeria .

He said there are over 300 unemployed pilots who were trained both at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology ( NCAT), in Zaria, Kaduna State and other training institutions across the world.

He explained that on graduation, the young pilots only acquire 25 flying hours, while most airlines require between 250 to 500 hours to engage some category of pilots .

Meanwhile, the Managing-Director of Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Limited, Captain Akin Oni, has attributed the pilots predicament inability to pass competence tests, and low quality training from overseas training institutions as part of the reasons why many indigenous pilots are unable to secure employment in the aviation sector.

Oni, who spoke last week while unveiling the 20 cadet helicopter pilots to be sent to the United States by Bristow Helicopters for a one year training at the academy run by the firm in America, said the 20 cadet helicopter pilots trainees would cost the airline over $ 500 million, adding that it costs about $250,000 each to train cadet pilot for the one -year ab initio training programme.

Bristow Helicopters, Oni said has

trained over 300 helicopter pilots in the past thirty years, as part of its capacity building programme in the aviation sector.

Oni said Bristow Helicopters will continue to invest in the training of indigenous pilots, as part of its contributions to improve indigenous competence and competitiveness reduce the number of expatriate pilots in its employ.

He said the airline is carrying out the manpower development programme in compliance with the local content policy of government meant to create job opportunities for qualified Nigerians to run critical sectors of the economy .

Oni said airlines incur more costs to engage foreign pilots, for which they pay more to guarantee their security in view of kidnapping, huge costs of accommodations , travel expenses, salaries and other incidentals associated with foreign employees .

The Bristow Helicopters boss said some of the 20 cadets would spend some time at the Nigerian College Of Aviation Technology ( NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State and the International Aviation College , Ilorin for ground studies and basic flying rules , before they travel to the United States.

HE Managing Director, Discovery Airlines, Captain Mohammed Abdulsalam, has identified poor planning in the management of operational costs and schedule of aircraft maintenance as one of the reasons many domestic carriers collapse.

He said many airlines failed in the past because their managers did not draw robust plans to ensure all operating aircraft are not due for maintenance about the same time.

Such poor planning in the schedule of aircraft maintenance, he said, puts pressure on the operator in an environment where funds are not easy to come by.

He said the new carrier would learn from the lessons of the previous carriers in ensuring that it runs a profitable model in an industry where capacity still remains a critical issue.

He said competitive fares were not enough incentives to attract passengers but excellent pre-flight and other customer-centric services.

Abdulsalam argued that if any airline was able to structure its insurance policy, acquire aircraft

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under convenient terms, and structure its aircraft maintenance, such a carrier would survive the harsh economic environment.

He said the major aim of the airline was to enhance passengers’ experience without compromising safety as it planned to begin flight operations this week.

He said: “We are not coming into the system just like any other airline; we want to make a difference in the industry. Over the years, I want to categorically say that passengers have not been enjoying value for money, but with our entry into the sub-sector, passengers would experience a difference.

“We want to raise the bar in the industry and make our services be competitive with what we have abroad. Without the passengers, there can never be the airlines.”

Abdulsalam noted that unlike Europe and America where there are finance companies willing to lease aeroplanes to operators, Nigeria is seen as a high-risk country and operators are, therefore, forced to pay upfront, making them to grapple with limited resources.

SAHCOL bags award

HE Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited ( SAHCOL) has bagged the “Outstanding Aviation Provider in Africa”, in the maiden Leadership Awards for African Achievers (LAFAA 2014).

The award was presented to SAHCOL last week in Lagos.

According to the organisers of the awards, SAHCOL was picked “based on its world-class services and sterling performance in the aviation sector in Nigeria.

“It was also based on its contributions to the task of making air travel safer in Africa.”

The award is a ‘pan African plat-

form instituted for the purpose of identifying, honouring and encouraging extra-ordinary men, women and institutions of African origin across the globe, deemed to have distinguished themselves in various fields.’

Since its privatisation and handing over to the SIFAX Group in December 2009, the firm has developed business modules geared towards ushering in efficient and speedy service delivery.

SAHCOL is investing in personnel development, state-of-the-art equipment, fleet replacement, and massive infrastructural development, with the goal of meeting, and exceeding customers’ expectations.

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BUSINESS MARITIME

e-mail: maritime@thenationonlineng.net

Shippers’ Council goes tough on arbitrary port charges

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HE Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the Federal Ministry of Transport are poised to stop arbitrary charges at ports, The Nation has learnt.

The NSC, sources said, is to close the gaps created by the Federal Government during the concession of the sea ports to private investors about eight years ago as the economic reguator of the ports.

The council, it was learnt, has expressed its readiness to improve the operational performance of the ports by regulating charges and making the ports more cost effective. It will ensure that arbitrary charges by shipping companies and terminal operators are tackled, it was learnt.

A senior official of the Federal Ministry of Transport, who craved anonimity, told this reporter at the weekend that the management of the council and the officials of the ministry had embarked on the journey to achieve efficiency at the seaports.

The era of imposing arbitrary charges, that have often been described by importers, exporters and clearing agent as uncharitable, the source said, has gone.

Shippers’ Council, it was learnt, is going tough because during the concession, the agreement was that the terminal operators were not to increase charges without observing due process. Part of the agreement, the source said, was to call a stakeholders’ meeting at which such

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda Maritime Correspondent

charges would be discussed and approved before implementation.

The terminal operators, the official alleged, introduced new charges in the past without calling a meeting.

“It was this that prompted the agitation for the appointment of a commercial regulator to oversee the activities of stakeholders, including providers and receivers of shipping services. The freight forwarders had on many occasions gone on strike to protest the action of the service providers in increasing charges and for other deplorable conditions in the system. They had argued that this was so because there was no regulator to check the activities of the terminal operators and shipping companies, most of whom are sister companies of the terminal operators. It was based on this problem that stakeholders applauded the Federal Government when it approved the Shippers’ Council as the Economic Regulator,” the official said.

The council, it was learnt, has started regulating the activities of operators, including the terminal operators and shipping companies as service providers and consumers of shipping services, importers, exporters and clearing agents, among others.

The NSC, it was gathered, has vowed to check excessive charges against importers to reduce prices of imported goods and make the ports competitive and attractive for busi-

ness.

Its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Hassan Bello expressed optimism that the council would deliver on its new mandate.

The council, Bello said, is consulting and restrategising to meet the expectations of Nigerians.

According to him, all irregularities and arbitrariness in the ports system will be addressed. The NSC, he assured, will look into the high cost of doing business at the ports, and what is responsible for the diversion of goods meant for Nigerian ports to neighbouring ports of Cotonou.

The President, Association of Nigerian Customs Licensed Agents (ANLCA), Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu, urged the council to review charges imposed on importers.

Sometimes, the terminal operators and shipping companies force importers to pay demurrage even when it was their fault that the importers could not take delivery of their goods on time.

Shittu urged the National Assembly to assist the Ministry of Transport by ensuring that the bill to empower the council on its new role is passed into law to avoid litigation that can scuttle its good intention.

He said Nigerians and the international trading partners were full of expectations that such necessary legislations should be put in place quickly in the interest of the nation and it’s economy.

Navy to boost security on waters NIGERIAN Navy has promised to sustain security patrol on Calabar-Akwa Ibom waterways to prevent piracy and oil theft.

Speaking during the Nigerian Navy fleet review evacuation exercise in Calabar, the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Obiora Medani, said there was an improvement by his men in providing security on Calabar-Akwa Ibom waterways.

“The present Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Usman Jibrin, has said that oil theft would no longer be business as usual.

“This is because he has put in a lot of resources in place to ensure that our water ways are free from criminals.

“The Chief of Naval Staff lead-

ership has brought a lot of changes; and that is why you can see that everywhere is calm and peaceful,’’ he said.

He described the exercise as a success, saying that there was no breakdown of any ship during the process.

“The exercise has gone very well, 10 ships and two helicopters participated, and we don’t have any breakdown.

“The gun-ray exercise, anti-piracy operation and helicopter operation, among others, have gone very well,’’ he said.

He assured stakeholders in the maritime sector that the Navy would continue to provide adequate security for ships coming and going out of the country.

Protect waterways against pollution POLLUTING of territorial waters, illegal fishing and dumping of hazardous waste are on the increase, The Nation has learnt.

Sources at a shipping company working on the Nigerian waters told The Nation in Lagos, last week.

The sources said the country needed to work with foreign partners to develop the capacity to tackle the crisis caused by pollution, hazardous waste dumping and illegal fishing He said the dumping of toxic wastes in the maritime domain and increasing crimes in the coastline required the commitment of the Federal Government and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to provide capability and cooperate with foreign partners.

The source pointed out that security experts around the Horn of Africa have developed theories

over the increasing hazardous wastes dumping and piracy He said Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand had set the stage for cooperation between states, both in information exchange and mobilisation of resources.

He observed that the insecurity in Africa’s waterways had forced insurers to hike rates for ships passing through the region.

Specifically, coastal and inland states had seen their vital trade links threatened by pirates, a situation that led to rising costs that their populations must bear.

“As at now, there are no clear answers as to the best ways to ensure maritime security, nor are there clear answers as to what percentage of resources nations should allocate to maritime security to best facilitate the goal of furthering development,” he said.

‘Ban importation of rickety trucks’

• From left: Chairman Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA) Chief Isaac Jolapamo and Secretary Captain Niyi PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA Labinjo at a briefing on oil lifting in Lagos.

NIMASA uses satellite to rescue fishing vessel

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HE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has launched its satellite surveillance system in conjunction with the Nigerian Navy and the Air Force, and successfully rescued a Ghanaian fishing vessel Marine 711 from suspected hijackers last week.

The vessel, NIMASA sources said, was hijacked off the coast of Ghana and sailed across Togo and Benin Republic to Nigerian waters when the Embassy of the Republic of Korea contacted the agency to help rescue the vessel owned by its national.

The Ghanaian Fisheries Authority and the operators of the fishing vessel requested NIMASA to end the attack.

In an operation coordinated by NIMASA’s Director of Shipping Development, Capt. Warredi Enisuoh, the source said, the new surveillance system with Cloud

penetrating radar capabilities was brought to bear and the incident was resolved within six hours.

NIMASA, working with the Nigerian Navy through the sea and the Nigerian Air Force through the air, it was gathered, attacked the hijackers who abandoned the vessel and fled.

The 24-hour surveillance centre, NIMASA said, has the capability to detect boats, ships and objects of predefined cross-section floating on the waters. These include any aircraft that ditches and remains on the surface during satellite over-flight.

The Director-General of NIMASA, Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi, expressed satisfaction with the cooperation of the Ghanaian Authorities, Navy and the Air Force in the operation and said the agency would continue to utilise cutting-edge technology and partnership with the military to secure the waters to facilitate trade.

This, according to NIMASA, is the

first regional cooperation between NIMASA, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force and the Ghanaian Authorities in the anti-piracy war in the Gulf of Guinea, which is hinged on the provisions of the Bilateral Agreement on Regional cooperation on anti-piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

Nigeria, as a signatory to the International Safety of Life and Sea (SOLAS) and Search and Rescue (SAR) Conventions, is obliged to intervene and provide co-ordination during safety and security-related incidents on her territorial waters and beyond.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) designated Nigeria as one of the five Regional Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (RMRCCs) in Africa. Nigeria therefore provides SAR and Security Co-ordination on the waters of Benin Republic, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Sao Tome & Principe and Togo, in addition to its own territorial waters.

THE Federal Government has been urged to scrap the importation of rickety trucks and to reduce the age of trucks coming into the country.

The Chairman, Labintan Logistics, Mr Muyiwa Olabitans said there was an urgent need for the government to reduce the age of trucks and discourage the importation of old and rickety ones into the country because they constitute a problem on the raods.

He said the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), had always

stressed the need for truck drivers to bring their trucks up to standard but that the same government through the Nigeria Customs Service is collecting duties on imported old and rickety trucks.

But Alhaji Kayode Odunowo said the general standard of trucks coming into the ports to pick cargoes has been improved up to 70 per cent.

“We thank God that in spite of all odds, the general standard of our members’ trucks today is on the average, unlike what the situation was some years back”, he stated.

Seminar for judges holds today THE Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI), will hold the 13th Maritime Seminar for Judges today at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Abuja.

The theme for this year’s Seminar is “Sustainable Development in the Maritime Sector in Nigeria” the conference will focus on different aspects of maritime activities in the country including: Introduction to maritime law and admiralty jurisdiction; piracy; armed robbery at sea and maritime boundaries in Nigeria; charter parties; issues on lay time and demurrage; an overview of Section 20 of the Admiralty Ju-

risdiction of the Federal High Court, liability of terminal operators and marine insurance in relation to oil and gas.

Speakers and commentators at the event will include: Dr. Wale Olawoyin, former Chief Judge, Federal High Court, Justice Abdullahi Mustapha (rtd), Prof.

Akin Oyebode, Chidi Ilogu (SAN), former Director-General, NIMASSA, Mrs. Mfon Usoro, Executive Secretary and CEO, NSC, Mr. Hassan Bello, Mrs. Vicky Haastrup, Prof. Ademun-Odeke, Funke Agbor, and Mrs. Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore among others.

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BUSINESS

TRANSPORTATION

E-mail:ynotaderibigbe@gmail.com

Fed. Task Force restates right to federal roads

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HERE seems to be no end in sight in the tussle between the security agents with Lagos State government and men of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SUREP) Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) SURE-P/FERMA Federal Task Force on who has the right to control federal roads in the state.

The FERMA Federal Task Force last Thursday said it has the power by law, (going by a subsisting Federal High Court ruling), to man all federal roads anywhere in the country, including Lagos State.

FERMA Task Force National Director of Publicity, Mr. Olawale Oyeboh said though LASTMA has been doing a great job in getting the state moving, the federal agency is by law empowered to manage traffic on all federal roads.

Lagos, being the former nation’s capital, has 117 federal roads. It has the largest federal road network in the country after Abuja.

On May 12, men identified as officers of the FERMA Federal Task Force, took over Ojota, Alausa interchange, and ikorodu road among other federal roads in the state in an operation that took •Some of the arrested officials the state government by surprise.

Men of the Lagos State Traffic Stories by Adeyinka Aderibigbe Management Authority (LASTMA) had to withdraw from The FERMA Federal Task Force such roads to avoid a possible returned to the office of the SUREclash.

P/FERMA at the Lagos end of the The Federal Task Force, how- old toll gate where they continued ever, retreated following a rebut- with their training. tal by the Lagos State government Matters, however, got worse on which described the outfit as May 28, when men of the state “faceless and unknown.”

Special Task Force on Environ-

ment, Sanitation and other offences headed by Bayo Suleiman, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), stormed the SURE-P/ FERMA office of the Federal Task Force in a reprisal attack for the alleged attack on some of its men when FERMA’s task force attempted to arrest a driver who illegally used the dedicated BRT

Fashola endorses ongoing road projects

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HE Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, last Thursday, expressed satisfaction at the pace of work at the ongoing rehabilitation of EjigboIsheri-Osun-Ijegun road and bridges. Fashola, who monitored the progress with members of the state executive council, said despite the complex nature of the project, the contractor has carried on with a good measure of speed.

According to him, when completed, the road and bridges which connect Ejigbo LCDA and IgandoIkotun LCDA, would reduce journey time spent by residents around the area.

He said: “We are in Ijegun and in Ijedodo and this is the service that we are providing by trying to link Ejigbo to the other parts of Alimosho, Pipeline, Aboru and all

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of those long winding journeys.

This road would significantly reduce journey time by a really long stretch when it is finally finished and we are inching along and making progress.”

The governor explained that the last time he checked the details on the road, it was really a bed of swamp, hence it required piles that were driven as long as 34 metres deep with about 1,022 piles driven into the depths to ensure an enduring bridge.

He described the construction process as a complex engineering work spread over a length of six kilometres and about 1.2 km of a network of bridges. He then sought to know from critics if the IsheriOsun-Jakande Estate Road located in the innermost parts is also for the elites.

lane at Ketu.

In the melee that saw the SUREP/FERMA offices vandalised, no less than 200 Federal Task Force officers undergoing training were arrested and taken to the Lagos Task Force office, from where they were transferred to the Lagos State Police Command.

Suleiman told reporters that he

Lagos accountants join advocacy for effective traffic management

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•Fashola The governor was accompanied

by Commissioners for Works and Infrastructure, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Ben Akabueze; Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye; Establishments Training and Pensions, Mrs. Florence Oguntuashe and Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure, Engineer Ganiyu Johnson, among others.

HE Lagos State Public Service chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has advocated for effective implementation of the state’s Traffic and Environmental Laws.

Its Chairman, Mr. Odunsanya Olutope, while speaking at the fourth annual lecture of the Institute, said effective implementation of the the law in a megacity such as Lagos will restore order to the society.

This year’s topic: “Effective implementation of Traffic and Environmental laws: panacea to an orderly society”,according to him, was chosen to identify the challenges ahead of managing traffic and environmental issues in a megacity such as Lagos.

“The topic is also chosen to display our commitment to other sectors of the economy that are not accounting,” he said.

The guest lecturer, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, said several factors contributed to the effective implementation of the amended road traffic law.

LASU-Iba road to be partially closed

OR 56 days, the LASU-Iba Expressway would be partially closed to traffic following the construction of four culverts by the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC) Nigeria Limited, the Lagos State Government has said.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Kayode Opeifa, who disclosed this last Wednes-

day, said work has started on the first two locations- Olorunfemi and Elero-Akesan Bus-Stops, for the first 30 days. It started on June 4, to end on July 3.

The other two locations are at NYSC and Ologbonla Bus Stops and construction activities, which will last 26 days, would begin on Friday July 4, to end on July 29.

Opeifa said all vehicles going

in both directions would be restricted to one lane in alternate sessions at these locations on the road.

Traffic re-routing, he said, would be carried out around these corridors, to facilitate seamless traffic flow.

He called on motorists to use alternative routes to avoid delays, urging them to obey traffic regulations during the period.

swooped on the task force’s office to avenge the attack on his men. “If this attack is not rejected now, it may degenerate,” he said.

In a telephone interview last Thursday, Oyeboh said the arrested men regained their freedom at about 10 pm the same day, on the orders of the Inspector -General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar .

Oyeboh, who lamented the degree of violence by the Suleimanled task force, blamed ignorance for the high handedness of the state against the federal agency.

A Federal High Court in a judgment in 2004, Oyeboh said, ordered states’ owned traffic management outfits such as men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) out of federal roads.

The Federal Task Force spokesman said the judgment, which is yet to be appealed by any government including Lagos, gave FERMA the sole right, not only to maintain all federal roads, but to manage traffic on such roads anywhere in the country.

He said the agency has lost millions of naira worth of property in the “sponsored attack on its office,” as thugs invaded the office to loot.

According to him, policemen accompanying the state officials willfully damaged properties in FERMA office.

He said the National Coordinator for SURE-P/ FERMA Task Force Alhaji Abdulrazak Rafiu Otto has directed men of the agency to continue with their training ahead of their assignment to federal roads later in the year.

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By Miriam Ekene- Okoro

He said the law has been in existence, but lacked the required structure to make it effective.

He said in repealing the old law, the government took these factors into consideration and consulted different stakeholders.

Opeifa said over 90 stakeholders’ fora were held before the passage of the law, adding that the implementation has “changed the way we live and do things while behind the wheel”.

Its implementation, he said, has reduced death and decreased cases of violation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes.

Professor Babajide Alo, in his presentation, said environmental legislations have to be efficient and effective.

He said the laws must be reasonable, practical and people-oriented.

“Fulfilment of legal requirements starts with effective compliance measures and improved administrative control and participation,” he said.

Railway workers appoint new Secretary

HE Nigeria Union of Railway Workers (NUR) has appointed Mr. Timothy Olusegun Esan as its new SecretaryGeneral. Esan, who has since resumed office, took over from Comrade Martins A. Akinyanju who has retired.

Esan graduated in Journalism and English Language Studies from Nigerian Institute of Journalism and Lagos State University respec-

tively. He practiced journalism for many years before joining the service of Nigerian Railway Corporation, as a Public Relations Officer in September, 1999. He served as PRO in Nigerian Railway for 14 years before his appointment as the Secretary-General of the union. He has a deep industrial knowledge of the rail transport industry.

He is happily married with children.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

FROM OTHER LANDS

Out on a limb

• 75,000 Nigerians studying in Ghana yet our education administrators don’t seem perturbed

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HE polity may be in all-round rapid decline but it becomes grave when the education sector is seen to be running on auto-pilot for a very long time.

It gets even more troubling when the authorities remain obdurate and unconcerned, seeming to bury their heads in the sand or bereft of any clue as to how to rescue a precipitous slide into the dark ages.

A recent release from the World University News which states that about 75,000 Nigerian students are studying in tertiary institutions in Ghana is at once a wake-up call and an indictment.

It is indeed a sad reversal of roles which should worry any right-thinking Nigerian.

In the 70s and 80s, students from across Africa converged in Nigeria’s top universities in search of quality education. Even the best of dons from Africa and USA needed the validation of the Nigerian educational environment and they were here in large numbers. It is heartening to note that both foreign students and expatriate

‘A recent release from the World University News which states that about 75,000 Nigerian students are studying in tertiary institutions in Ghana is at once a wake-up call and an indictment. It is indeed a sad reversal of roles which should worry any rightthinking Nigerian’

lecturers were not disappointed as Nigeria’s first generation universities were the intellectual hubs of the continent. But that was a glorious era that has long vanished.

Today, Nigerian students are scattered all over the world in search of the proverbial Golden Fleece. Sadly, most of the backwoods institutions in the United Kingdom and USA are filled with hapless Nigerian students.

If you think that was atrocious, the entire west coast of Africa, especially Ghana, has in the last decade, become haven for Nigerian youths seeking tertiary education. A recent report showed that many of the so-called universities Nigerians pay very high tuition to attend in Ghana are make-shift and substandard. Some departments and administrative units of these institutions are in portacabins and madeover containers. Unfortunately, Nigerian students reportedly spend about $1 billion annually in tuition and upkeep. This is in stark contrast to the $751 million annual budget for all federal universities in Nigeria.

We do not need any expert knowledge to recognise that what ails the system is failure of leadership. Over the last four decades, successive governments at all levels have failed to plan for the future of education, just like in everything else. After the first set of tertiary institutions were established at independence, there were hardly any new ones for over two decades.

Yet population grew rapidly and conversely, the need for tertiary education. The result is that the holding capacity in Nigerian universities is so disproportionate that at least, over 1.2 million Nigerian youths cannot gain admission annually.

Further, sundry intractable crises that arise from corrosive corruption, lack of a grand vision and low quality leadership have combined to almost grind the system to a halt. There is poor regard and even poorer remuneration for teachers and workers in the education sector across board. This has necessitated incessant shutdowns and breach of the education calendar perennially in the last two decades. For instance, Federal Government technical colleges, polytechnics and colleges of education have been shut for nearly one year. Nowhere in the world would any serious government allow this to happen in such a critical sector as education.

There has also been what one may call curriculum crisis which has skewed education in Nigeria to mere acquisition of certificate. Vocational and other hands-on tertiary education as obtainable in technical and polytechnic institutes have been downgraded and even derided by misguided administrators. Coupled with these is the fact that education which is the bedrock of the modern society has been politicised and devalued in Nigeria. Managers of the sector are appointed and dismissed without the requisite care and sensitivity.

For instance, the Federal Ministry of Education has had no substantive minister for nearly one year. No modern nation treats her education with such levity in today’s knowledge world.

As it stands, Nigeria is out on a limb. We advise that if we ever needed a thoroughly reformative state of emergency in any sector, it is in education and it must be done NOW if we still wish to be counted among the world community.

A matter of principle

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• Unlike here, people in high offices resign when they err

ERTAIN developments on the international scene hold significant lessons for Nigeria on the place of principle in public office. Prominent among these morally instructive happenings is the impressive resignation of South Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong-won over his government’s handling of the April 16 sinking of a passenger ferry that caused the death of more than 100 people. More than 300 were said to be missing as a result of the tragedy involving the Sewol passenger ferry that capsized with 476 people on board; many of the passengers were schoolchildren.

Not only did Mr. Chung apologise for not preventing the tragedy and for not being able to respond properly to it; he movingly declared that the “cries of the families of those missing still keep me up at night”.

He said: “I offer my apology for having been unable to prevent this accident from happening and unable to properly respond to it afterwards.”

It was striking that the PM chose resignation in the face of severe criticism of the government for poor handling of the rescue operation, and despite the fact that all 15 surviving crew members responsible for sailing the vessel were arrested and charged with criminal negligence and abandoning passengers. He was really not under pressure to leave, but he said, “I believed I, as the prime minister, certainly had to take responsibility and resign.”

According to him, the right thing “for me to do is to take responsibility and resign as a person who is in charge of the cabinet.”

At the level of parallelism, it may not be out of place to reflect on the situation in Nigeria, particularly the ongoing Chibok

crisis involving the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls by members of the Islamist terror group Boko Haram and the passionate public campaign for government intervention that is yet to yield the desired result. It is noteworthy that there have been calls for the resignation of President Goodluck Jonathan for alleged tardiness and ineffectiveness, which is a most unlikely event in the circumstances, given the reality that the politically powerful in the country hardly ever give a thought to the possibility of quitting office even in the messiest of scandals.

Deserving of notice is another story of resignation in high places, this time in the United States of America where Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki resigned amid a scandal over delayed care and falsified records at the agency’s hospitals. A recent report found veterans at an Arizona hospital waited an average of 115 days for an initial appointment, prompting an uproar that resulted in the voluntary exit of Mr Shinseki, a retired four-star general wounded in Vietnam. Shinseki said, “I apologise as the senior leader of Veterans Affairs,” referring to the US veterans’ health system which serves about nine million former US military service members, but with resources strained by the ageing population of Korean and Vietnam War veterans as well as the great influx of wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

It is food for thought that he reportedly told President Barack Obama that the organisation needed “new leadership” to address its problems. It is worth mentioning that although he was facing a storm, he could have chosen to stay on, which he evidently considered dishonourable.

Significantly, there is an example from Africa. In Malawi, economic planning minister Goodall Gondwe resigned over treason charges against him and 10 others in connection with a 2012 suspected coup plot against incumbent President Joyce Banda. He said: “I have resigned from cabinet today for obvious reasons. I can’t continue to serve in cabinet when I am facing charges.” This instance is also especially relevant to Nigeria where top ranking government officials treat serious accusations against them as amusing distractions. Specifically, in recent times former aviation minister Stella Oduah, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Ngozi OkonjoIweala, and Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, have displayed condemnable arrogance of power in response to grave allegations of official misconduct. The country’s power elite obviously need lessons in principled perspective.

‘Specifically, in recent times former aviation minister Stella Oduah, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani AlisonMadueke, have displayed condemnable arrogance of power in response to grave allegations of official misconduct. The country’s power elite obviously need lessons in principled perspective’

The fixer offense in Soccer

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HE passionate rivalries of World Cup soccer will soon be enthralling sports fans across the globe, along with throngs of fanatic gamblers placing untold millions in bets.

As the opening matches in Brazil on June 12 draw near, there are rising doubts that FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, has enough security and personnel to protect the quadrennial competition from the threat of match fixing that has been bedeviling the sport.

The results of an estimated 680 global matches from 2008 to 2011 — including some World Cup qualifying matches — were found to be suspicious, according to Europol, the European Union’s police agency, which counted more than 400 officials, players and criminals involved in match fixing.

The agency increasingly has its eye on gambling syndicates that exploit the vast and largely unregulated Asian gambling markets, where an estimated hundreds of billions of dollars in bets are wagered each year.

According to an investigative report by Declan Hill and Jeré Longman of The Times, fixers have found teams and referees from impoverished countries to be particularly vulnerable to bribery. FIFA promises that the Brazil matches will have tighter security and more rigorous screening of referees and players. But gambling on global soccer is booming, and the syndicates are experienced at beating the game with protection muscle, locker-room infiltrators and businessmen capitalizing on fixes.

FIFA already has a backlog of 90 cases of suspected fixing it deems worthy of investigation, but it has had only six investigators responsible for assorted security needs. The investigators have no subpoena or criminal law authority in an area that needs a considerably larger staff devoted full time to investigations.

“There are no checks and balances and no oversight,” Terry Steans, a former FIFA investigator, warned after a notorious exhibition match four years ago in South Africa in which a syndicate fixer later bragged he paid $60,000 to a referee to influence the score.

Global gambling is so frenzied and lucrative that fixers have even staged a tournament in a largely empty stadium devoid of television coverage, all the easier to guide bribed referees and players to the desired result — with no shortage of electronic bettors ready to be fleeced.

No games are watched as intently as World Cup games. FIFA owes it to the world to strengthen its watch so soccer fans can cheer without any doubts.

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh

• Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •General Manager (Abuja Press) Kehinde Olowu •AGM (PH Press) Tunde Olasogba

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•Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) •Press Manager Yomi Odunuga Udensi Chikaodi •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Legal Counsel John Unachukwu •Group Business Editor Simeon Ebulu • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye •Group Sports Editor Ade Ojeikere •Acting Manager (sales) •Editorial Page Editor Olaribigbe Bello Sanya Oni

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: Is Nigeria not a blessed country what with its affable weather conditions, arable land, natural resources and humungous population? Unlike Europe, Asia, and America that are devastated by acts of Nature, earthquake, cyclone and other natural disasters do not happen in Nigeria. Nigeria is a beautiful country with rolling hills, verdant greenery and rivers. Millions of Nigerians living in the Diaspora are contributing to the growth of their host countries. So, Nigeria is called the giant of Africa. Is Nigeria truly the giant of Africa? No, she isn’t. The truth is, Nigeria has the potentialities to become the true giant of Africa. It is not the giant of Africa.

Unity has eluded Nigeria since its inception. We are distrustful of one another. Our disunity becomes manifest during national elections.

Nigerians root for people who belong to the same ethnic group and religion. Nigeria is polarized along ethnic and religious lines. The Nigeria-Biafra war that raged between 1967 and 1970 was partly caused by ethnic hatred and religious intolerance. Millions of people were killed in that gratuitous civil war.

Now, the North-east has become a hot-bed of violence; it is a river of blood. Borno State has become a theatre of asymmetrical warfare.

Yobe and Adamawa states have become valleys of wailing, as the murderous Boko Haram group have laid siege to them. Members

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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

The coming cataclysm gency in the north-east, some misguided oldies are resurrecting the dead Biafra in Enugu. Some days ago, Ben Onwuka with other members of the Biafra Zionist movement stormed the Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) to broadcast their speech regarding secession. They were repelled and defeated by the police, however. A sister group to the Biafra Zionist

movement, MASSOB, is still agitating and making demands for a geographical space that will be called Biafra.

Are these eruptions of pockets of violence in Nigeria not portents of an impending doom? Some northerners are sabre-rattling with regard to the next year’s presidential election. They are threatening to cause political trouble in the

IR: At a time when Nigeria is at crossroads in all fronts, when young innocent girls are in captivity because of irresponsible leadership, a woman of great virtue was snatched away by death. It is not as if other notable women have not died in Nigeria, but this death affects both the poor and the rich, freeborn and slave. Before she assumed office as the Director General of National Agency for Food and Drugs and Administration (NAFDAC), every person, every home and every family was in dilemma as to whether a drug was fake or original. Many persons have died of counterfeit drugs that were either locally manufactured or

imported. At a time, all hope was almost lost about knowing whether Nigeria would ever be freed from clusters of fake drugs. Behold, a woman of humble background came to the rescue, she took the bull by the horn, fought the fake drug barons at the expense of her life. Indeed, Dora was an incredible Ambassador at home and abroad - to see her laughingly correcting the ills that have befallen our drugs and foods was a joy to behold. The charming face, the hallmark smiles and charismatic look are now gone! The loquacious rebranding agent has succumbed to the cold hands of death.

While we mourn Dora and commis-

erate with her family, there are issues that should interest government and concerned individuals.

If Dora was denied education as a girl, if she was abducted and kept away perpetually and the government did not act to bring her back in time, we would not have known an anti-drug Czar who delivered Nigeria from fake and adulterated medicines. Undoubtedly, among the Chibok School girls is a Dora, who will play vital role in our nation building in the nearest future. The government cannot continue to be sleeping over these girls, real and timely efforts must be made to rescue them and reduce the grief of our

where they stay. Another told me he does not stop because VIOs have no guns and none of the officers is willing to risk his life for the job.

And another advised me to use my SUV whenever I am going out.

There is also a general consensus that the presence of VIO on the streets of Benin-City is for revenue generation not vehicle safety.

I have also observed that they do not stop buses or taxi drivers. Vehicles in these two categories hardly meet up to the standards they expect from me. Majority of them do not have lights, side-view mirrors or even spare tyres and they get by the VIO without any caution. These vehicles convey passengers and one would have

expected that if the aim was vehicle safety, such vehicles should be made to meet the standards. I have been made to understand that there is an informal agreement between the commercial vehicle drivers and VIOs. It has been alleged that several VIO officials were former commercial drivers/conductors and would not want to hurt their former colleagues.

The Edo State VIO has in my opinion chosen a difficult way to monitor vehicle safety. Every year, the car owner is supposed to renew his Roadworthiness Certificate. This piece of paper is given without inspecting the vehicles. All one needs to do is to pay double the official N500 price to the revenue officials

who will then settle VIO. Can the Edo State VIO not set up several offices in town? These offices must have enough space to take several cars as anyone who wants to renew the Road-worthiness certificate must bring his car for inspection.

Hopefully, vehicle owners will fix the lights and other things before showing up or they may just settle VIO directly.

In all my encounters with them, they are yet to find a fault with my car. So it is very refreshing to see the frustrating look on their faces when they ask me to drive off. “Bad Market!”

• Nehemiah Sokponba Medical Store Road, Benin-City.

of the Boko Haram group have devastated the north-east. Thousands of their young men were cut down in their prime; their girls are prevented from acquiring western education. Have members of the Boko Haram group not turned the north-east to a benighted and blighted land?

As the Federal Government is battling the Boko Haram insur-

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•Chiedu Uche Okoye Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State

Akunyili: painful exit of a heroine

Edo and the menace of VIO

IR: Within three days I was stopped six times by six different teams of Vehicle Inspection Officers in Benin City. Each time, the officials introduced themselves and say “Sir we are the VIO. We are on vehicle inspection to ensure safety and reduce accidents”.

Thereafter, they request for my particulars, drivers’ licence, fire extinguisher and inspect my spare tyres. They conclude the checks by asking me to switch on my lights; head lights, brake lights, reverse lights and blinkers (trafficators).

I kept asking why me? Is it because I drive a 1990 Nissan model car? None of my friends has had the same experience. One told me to avoid the slow lane on the roads

country if power fails to return to the north in 2015. And, the Ijaw would want their son, President Goodluck Jonathan, to continue ruling Nigeria beyond 2015. So, now, Nigeria’s peace is very fragile; it can easily snap, and the country will be thrown into a fratricidal war.

How can our leaders address these issues that are threatening to dismember Nigeria? Those with political power who are busy lining their pockets may wake up one day and discover that Nigeria has descended into the abyss of a civil war.

nation. Beyond policy-making, a more concrete attention must be given to the education and safety of girl child in every nook and cranny of the nation. The President should show leadership by applying the rules to punish those whose negligence led to the abduction of the Chibok girls in the first instance. He should take a further step by bringing succour to the traumatized parents who only feel the pain.

That Professor Dora died of cancer is not as pitiable as the fact that she could not receive treatment in Nigeria where she laboured hard to give a better image. Thankfully, Akunyili had the grace and means to treat the illness abroad. However, there are number of unknown people suffering in silence who could not afford diagnosis not to talk of treatment. The government should be ashamed that in spite of billions of naira being wasted daily, as a nation, we could not boast of state of the art cancer treatment centres. What a shame! It is high time the government woke up and embark on aggressive campaign of awareness, screening and diagnosis. Nigeria can afford to treat her citizens afflicted with cancer free of charge.

Dora Akunyili’s death is a big loss to Nigeria, she will be remembered for forthrightness, selflessness, patriotism and efficient service delivery.

To me, she was a heroine who should be celebrated even after death!

• Tola Osunnuga Ago-Iwoye

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

COMMENTS

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own pocket coup. How low can a purported democratic government sink into infamy? But an anti-media war is one neither the Jonathan presidency nor its misguided army could ever win.

Still, President Jonathan and his court must pardon the media for ignoring their body lanOlakunle guage to forget about the lordbeek1@gmail.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola Chibok girls, so that the president can formally declare his second term transformation from anomie into anarchy.

Tony Anenih had earlier snorted: Is Jonathan expected to go, gun-blazing into Sambisa With Dr. Okupe’s attempt at implausible deniability, how will cause Antigone hanged herself to escape being buried alive — forest himself, to free the Chibok girls? the Jonathan presidency navigate this latest constitutional abomianother cruel decree by King Creone. He also lost his wife, Mbu Joseph Mbu has pressed into service his notorious lawnation?

Queen Eurydice, who killed herself when she learnt of her son’s lessness: by the police muscles conferred on me, I, with immeShame that, as there are no bad soldiers but bad officers in the suicide. Ironically, as at the time of the twin-loss, of son and diate effect, ban any further #Bring back our girls protest! army, the commander-in-chief is so derelict his soldiers brawife, Creon had reversed himself!

Hired thugs had tried to alter the offensive #bring back our zenly attack the press, one of the key pillars of democracy, free Tragic — but just? — desert for a human playing god? girls Chibok battle cry. speech and free society — and in flagrant breech of the ConstituAs Creon over-reached himself in Antigone, the Nigerian miliAnd the president himself had virtually abdicated: telling protion? tary is over-reaching itself in the current grim drama against testers to direct their message to Boko Haram, and not to him, the Still, on constitutional violations, Jonathan logs an abominathe Nigerian media. president of the Federal Republic. ble record of assaults on democratic institutions.

Never, even with Nigeria’s seedy political history, has the But sorry: that the Jonathan presidential court is shirking its A National Judicial Council (NJC)-Presidency combo, willyarmy dared, under a civil dispensation, to launch a brazen war duty — for which it is paid at a premium — does not mean the nilly, got rid of Justice Isa Ayo Salami, for nothing but doing his on the media, as it started on June 6 and continued till June 8 — Nigerian media would shirk theirs. The president and his men job. Now, with the development in Rivers, the same NJC is and beyond?

— and women — can get testy, grumpy and irritable all they resorting to self-help, after failing to have its way in court.

On the highways, soldiers waylaid newspaper vans, like some like. But as long as the Chibok girls are still in terrorists’ den, When Jonathan’s cronies lost out in the Nigerian Governors’ armed robbers in uniform, impounding newspaper parcels and the media will tell them to do their work.

Forum (NGF) election, the presidential brigade decreed the nuwilfully subverting legitimate businesses. That is a crime unAs for the velvet-rank military wayfarers, cooking anti-demomerical supremacy of 17 over 19. The result: an NGF split. Since der our laws — and that some thugs in uniform committed the cratic brews or simply obeying unlawful orders to “deal with then, it has been lose-lose in the NGF camp. States get 40 per crime does not make it less so. the press”, it is time to pry into painful institutional memory. cent less their due allocation. Yet, there is no united governors’ True soldiers, during armed enforcement of outlawry called Back in 1966, the first set of coup makers alleged some milirank to fight this grave injustice. military regimes, often descended on journalists; and even tary rednecks were politicians’ tools, obeying criminal orders, Rivers Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, battled a federal armada closed down media houses. But even during those bandit reparticularly concerning the Tiv riots. Some of those officers of impunity to a standstill, finally forcing the Abuja aggressor gimes, the press never laid down to be slaughtered. It chalwere felled in the first coup. and Mbu Joseph Mbu, its viceroy, to flee. Mbu and his masters lenged and fought the barbarians every inch of the way, culmiBut the military was the worse for it. That initial self-destruchave gone on to further disgrace by attempting — but failed — nating in their eventual defeat, and a march-back to the barracks tion, coupled with toxic government takeovers, had brought to ban continued public protest for the release of the Chibok in 1999. down the military down from its high heights to its present girls.

The military velvet ranks can tell, to the marines, their realow, leaving many to doubt if it could even curtail Boko Haram.

But Mbu’s misadventure would appear to have galvanised sons for the clampdown: that some unintelligent intelligence As for President Jonathan, Frederick Lugard’s adventure is another felon-in-uniform in Ekiti, as a Mobile Police unit rehas indicted newspaper vans as new carriers of Boko Haram ordiinstructive. At the very beginning in 1916, Lugard got James portedly tear-gassed Governor Kayode Fayemi, tried to disarm nance.

Bright Davies, publisher-editor of Times of Nigeria, gaoled for his security details and the MOPOL leader, in the reported presDoyin Okupe, a presidential spokesperson, has also weighed what even the colonial government’s Chief Justice said was ence of Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Felix Uyanna, dein: his boss, the president, knew nothing of the crime. But in any “justifiable journalese.” By that, Lugard felt he would pocket clared (as reported by The Nation of June 9): “Who? I mean what case, he added, for security, citizen’s rights to free speech and the press. governor? Who is governor when VP is in town? I don’t know legitimate business must crash. But of course, it was the usual But the media did not only vanquish Lugard, it also defeated any governor.

I have order from above.

That is all.”

Okupe-istic cant! his vicious native power successors. The Nigerian press will Call it the voice of Jacob and the hands of Esau, and you probnot defeat colonial despotism and military dictatorship only to are not wrong. Vice President Namadi Sambo was quoted ‘There is fascism at the door. But like ably succumb to civilian fascism. to have threatened war, as regard the Ekiti and Osun governorAntigone’s Creon, the seed of its self-de- ship elections.

There is fascism at the door. But like Antigone’s Creon, the seed of its self-destruction is in its rash actions. Nigerians must Now, two weeks shy of the Ekiti polls, a local MOPOL comstruction is in its rash actions’ push Jonathan’s fascism to self-destroy. mander is threatening war against a sitting governor, in his HEN soldiers, in a democratic republic, start waylaying newspaper vans and seizing newspapers, the tragic story of Sophocles’ Antigone comes to mind. Antigone is the classic folly of raw power bringing selfruin.

Creon, king of Thebes, played god by decreeing a dead man must not be buried because he was a traitor. Antigone, the dead Polyneices’ sister, defied the king and buried his brother, because the order was contrary to natural laws.

In the ensuing grim drama, Creon lost his son, Haemon, who was Antigone’s fiancé. Haemon committed suicide be-

epublican ipples

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IGERIAN media may yet have cause for thanksgiving. In a country where 276 school-girls could vanish into the vast forest of Sambisa without trace, call it the tiny droplets of mercy that the Jonathan administration has not denied responsibility for the latest wave of clampdown on the media. For no matter how much we detest or even deplore the antediluvian tactics unleashed

by Jonathan’s Military High Command on newspapers distribution crew in the last few days, it seems no one would again dare to describe the administration as an absentee one. If anyone still harboured doubts as to whether Jonathan was in charge, the onslaught ought to have settled that.

Let me begin recall here that when the news first filtered late last week that this newspaper’s distribution vans couldn’t reach their destinations because some men in uniform had intercepted them, my first instinct was to put it to either the work of fifth columnists who mean nothing well for the Jonathan administration, or the administration’s arch-nemesis – the Boko Haram – the throng which the President had claimed infested his government. In the weeks following the abduction of Chibok girls and the barrage of global media spotlight it spawned, I thought I could at least credit the administration with sufficient gumption left to resist opening another flank of battle – not least with the local media – and not while the girls are still in captivity.

How wrong I was.

By even time on Friday, the question of whodunnit had been fully answered. Lo and behold, it was Jonathan’s federal government. An administration sworn to promote civil liberties, free speech and constitutionalism was the one on the prowl. Soldiers, for whatever reasons, had been issued strict orders to prevent newspaper vans from reaching their destinations. The nebulous statement from Defence Spokesman, Major General Chris Olukolade would confirm our fears. He would claim that: “security agencies had received intelligence reports indicating movement of material with grave security implications across the country, using the channel of newsprint related consignments”. He would add on Friday that “the exercise has nothing to do

‘Couldn’t things have been done differently if indeed it was true that terrorists had actually sought to use the vans to move their deadly wares around? And why not go about the job in such a way as to lessen the disruptions to media operations?’

Fascism at the door?

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

Media Haram? with content or operations of the media organisations or their personnel, as is being wrongly imputed by a section of the press”. How very convenient.

Were the political authorities aware of the clampdown – given the dire implications on the constitutional responsibility of the media to keep the citizens informed on the activities of their government, and of course the image of the administration?

Doyin Okupe, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs would on Saturday supply the answer. While he would not expressly deny that his boss, the President was in the know of the onslaught which had paralysed media operations for two days running, he would instead offer the administration’s sympathy for the discomfort suffered as a result of the curious security checks!

While the rationalisation(s) would have been laughable were they not to be so tragic, everything about the plot would appear to add up. Just as it seems given that the media would not necessarily the best of friends with the bungling administration, the tenuous relationship appears to have been exacerbated in the wake of the Chibok affair. Today, the media’s cup appears filled to the brim and hence running over with their rather generous coverage of #BringBackOurGirls campaign.

For a country that is supposed to be in a state of war, we are expected to accept the ‘mild’ operational discomforts of the past week as nothing extra-ordinary. How mild?

The issue of course goes beyond the question of whether President Goodluck Jonathan can pretend to have played fair with the media to one of whether indeed he has not abused his authority as commander-in-chief.

It is beside the point that no one would dare again to accuse him of lacking the balls to take on his enemies. We have certainly seen enough of the acute symptoms of persecution complex to help understand the current situation in which

friends and foes are banded together as enemies to be fought to a standstill. At the moment, it seems a question of how far down the shrunk Presidency would go before full anarchy is loosed upon our firmament.

My grouse really, is whether the brazen abuse, or if you like, subversion of the military institution is tolerable under any circumstance. Here, I do not mean to be uncharitable, but the reality is that the military has no business doing the administration’s dirty work for it.

I understand that no questions are supposed to be asked about the nature of the “intelligence” that would dare to present sheaves of newsprint as probable purveyors of death.

I also understand that the Military High Command would rather be spared the hard, probing questions as to why, after interrogating the drivers and subjecting each of the distribution vans to a most rigorous search in the circumstances they had sought to paint, the poor drivers would still not be allowed to proceed on their mission after.

Couldn’t things have been done differently if indeed it was true that terrorists had actually sought to use the vans to move their deadly wares around? And why not go about the job in such a way as to lessen the disruptions to media operations?

By the way, would it have hurt the intelligence were the media executives to be taken into confidence? Questions.

More questions.

Answers to the questions, as difficult as they appear, are obviously critical to the larger quest of salvaging the image of the military in these difficult times.

Did Nigerians ever swallow the yarn spun by the military?

Doubtful.

Did they believe their government’s we-are-not-involved tale? Even more doubtful. Bad enough that both didn’t even think it necessary to summon the rigour to press their case; but worse is that the storyline put out would be incredibly infantile!

Now, considering the state of the war on terror, it ought to be seen as truly tragic that Nigerians neither believe their government nor trust their armed forces. Trust Nigerians, they may appear timid, they are no fools; they have lived with budding tyrants for far too long not to recognise one when it shows up with a sneer while adorning the bowler hat. I guess they perfectly understand the plot; the desperation to label the fourth estate Media Haram – good enough for mass slaughter.

Seems the perfect way to say that one Haram is as good as the other!

Trust Nigerians; they know enough to affirm that this too shall pass away!

My understanding is that this is no prophecy; it’s something as sure as daylight.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

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COMMENTS

O

NE of those things every student of Mass Communication is taught in school is how to navigate the dangerous terrain called state security.

In Nigeria it is more dangerous, in fact very dangerous because the security of our leaders and their families is often confused to mean security of the state. And quite often you find journalists and media houses being harassed by overzealous, in most cases, illiterate gun-toting security personnel for publishing stories they consider embarrassing to their principal (or the spouse/children) the fact that such stories are true notwithstanding.

And when mistakes or gaffes of our leaders are reported or the media try to hold the government accountable in line with the duties assigned to the Nigerian Press by the constitution, such journalists or media houses get harassed, abused and treated as enemies of the administration who must be punished one way or another. And there are one thousand and one such punishments in government’s arsenal, including the use of the security forces that will conveniently cite breach of state security when meting out whatever punishment they deem fit on the ‘erring’ journalist/media house.

Over the years the Nigeria Press has had to contend with series of such punishments from our security forces acting on the orders of our political leaders. One of the laws they often use to carry out this harassment/punishment is the Official Secret Act, enacted by the British colonialists to keep every government document away from the prying eyes of the media/public. Even after inde-

‘Our soldiers and other security agents I believe are doing their best but to win the war, they need other Nigerians and they are not likely to get everybody on board if they continue to act in the way they have done in this latest clamp down on the media’

T

Press and state security pendence, the legislation was still retained in our laws until not long ago when a high court nullified it. But even after that security agents have not ceased harassing the media, though I must admit the scale has dropped since the advent of this democracy.

But while the Nigerian Press has over the years gotten used to this type of punishment on account of what was published or intended to be published, getting punished on account of what somebody else is doing, has done, plan to do or could do has never been the case, until last week.

The Nigerian Armed forces in an unprecedented manner prevented some major national newspapers including this newspaper from circulating for three days last week on suspicion that the terror group Boko Haram and similar organizations may be planning to use the transportation networks of these newspapers to circulate their weapons of terror and destruction.

To say that the media and indeed all right thinking Nigerians were shocked was an understatement. Initially nobody could understand what was happening as the Nigerian military in the typical Nigerian style felt it owed nobody any apology or explanation for its action. But I think somebody reminded the soldiers almost twenty four hours later that this is a democracy, and in a democracy you don’t behave that way, and so belatedly, General Chris Olukolade, the military spokesman gave one of the most laughable reasons you can ever think of, for the seizure of the newspapers, now in its fifth day today.

Granted the fact that the fight against terror is a new territory and experience for members of our armed forces, looking for Boko Haram’s bombs and ammunitions in

newspapers’ circulation vans looks so amateurish and smacks of a Boys Scout operation.

If there was any intelligence report suggesting there could be a plan to infiltrate newspaper distribution business by Boko Haram or any such terror organization, an intelligent application of such report would have been for the security agency concerned to approach the media owners, take them into confidence to the extent that it would not compromise or threaten state security and seek their cooperation. As Nigerians they would readily cooperate.

There is no way the military will understand the business more than the people running it. Except the military are saying they don’t trust other Nigerians and if that is the case then it would be difficult for them to win the war against terror.

Our soldiers and other security agents I believe are doing their best but to win the war, they need other Nigerians and they are not likely to get everybody on board if they continue to act in the way they have done in this latest clamp down on the media.

Since the clamp down began last Friday nothing incriminating has been found in the circulation vehicles or even with newspaper agents and vendors from whom the newspapers were snatched and yet the soldiers have continued to disrupt the circulation of some newspaper, especially The Nation. Is there anything more than we are being told by the military? Is there a deliberate attempt to cripple the businesses of those newspapers considered ‘unfriendly’ to the government?

These are some of the questions the military and indeed the government would need to answer to remove any iota of doubt as per

the reasons given for this war on free press.

Foolishly, some of Federal Government’s propagandists have indicated that the administration knew nothing about the clamp down and didn’t order it; meaning, the President and Commander-In-Chief does not know what his commanders are doing on the field. If this was the situation then what does the Commander-In-Chief know? And we want to win the war on terror? This is rather grave, if that was the case.

If the clamp down is a sign of what is to come from the administration, then the people at the Villa in Abuja need to be reminded that the Nigerian Press is resilient and would fight to the last. And if history is anything to go by it will come out triumphant at the end of the day no matter how long it took.

The media fought for then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to be installed acting President when President Shehu Yar’Adua was incapacitated by illness, the Press was largely on his side in 2011 (because we felt that was the right thing to do in the name of equity and fairness) in order to give our compatriots in the South-south a fair chance of also ruling this country which after all belongs to all of us (and in case anybody wants to forget, the wealth of the country for now comes from there), and the Nigerian media have been fair to his administration even in the present dispensation; so for him to declare war on the Nigerian Press would be a fatal mistake. It is uncalled for.

MBU JOSEPH MBU

Since the Commander-In-Chief doesn’t seem to know what his field commanders are doing, would it also be right to say the Inspector General of Police does not know what all his commissioners are doing? Or how do you explain the order given by the Commissioner in charge of the FCT Police Command, Mbu Joseph Mbu banning public protests, especially the #Bring Back Our Girls protest in Abuja that was denied and rescinded the following day by the police high command?

Well whatever was the truth of the matter, Mbu Joseph Mbu should know that his days are numbered in the Nigeria Police and when that time comes he will have to answer for all his actions.

Countering the crisis of credibility

HE United States has worked with Nigeria to strengthen democratic institutions for decades, and will continue to do so. As the citizens of Ekiti and Osun prepare to go to the polls in the next few months to elect their governors, Nigerians and Nigeria’s friends in the international community will be watching carefullyfor peaceful elections and results that uphold the will of the electorate.

It is undoubtedly important and interesting to see who the winners and losers in Ekiti and Osun will be, and how the outcomes will affect the national political picture in advance of next February’s elections. Beyond that, however, the Ekiti and Osun elections are crucial because of what they will tell us about Nigeria’s preparations for February 2015 – specifically, whether those elections will be, and be seen by Nigerians as, credible.

I have been in Nigeria for nearly two years now, and visited each of the 17 states in southern Nigeria, almost all of them on multiple occasions. I have spoken with hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Nigerians about democracy, elections, and the history of your country as it relates to both. Some of the lessons I’ve learned from these conversations are particularly relevant as we approach Election Day in Ekiti and Osun, and head into the national elections next year.

These conversations make clear that elections in this country suffer from a crisis of credibility. There have been a few contests, particularly M.K.O. Abiola’s aborted election in 1993, that have been widely viewed by Nigerians to represent the will of the people. The international community, and in particular the United States, have gone on record as saying Nigeria’s 2011 elections represented a significant improvement over some earlier contests. But Nigerians have been disappointed – at the LGA, state, and national levels – by many of the electoral cycles in the country’s past. There are many reasons for such disappointment, some historical and some highly relevant to this day. Much work remains to be done — by INEC, by the nation’s security services, and above all

by Nigeria’s political class – to build more trust in the electoral process.

Besides undermining voter faith and interest, this crisis of credibility has an additional, pernicious side-effect: it allows some politicians to refuse to accept an electoral result that was not in their favour by affirming that the election in question was “illegitimate,” and to threaten and/or employ violence as a result. The electoral system’s shortcomings have thus helped to provide cover for rhetoric and actions by some politicians that only further subvert the interests of Nigerians as a whole. Beyond broad systemic changes – stamping out corruption, improving transparency, enhanced internal democracy in Nigeria’s political parties – fighting this trend is also a key element in ameliorating Nigerian democracy.

It is time that Nigerians begin to hold elections that ALL

By Jeff Hawkins believe produce the “correct” result.

I am constantly struck by the degree to which Nigerians, on all sides of the political spectrum, assail elections which they believe were not credible, that didn’t produce the result that represented the will of the voters. It seems to happen after virtually every election, regardless of whether a particular election was generally perceived to have been credible or not. While the United States strongly supports the notion that challenges to election results should be resolved through legal mechanisms, has there been an election in the last decade in Nigeria that did not result in a legal challenge by one or more of the losers? I’m sure there has been, but my point is this: Nigerian elections are almost never considered legitimate by all the participants.

I’d argue that there are lots of similarities between politicians in the U.S. and Nigeria in their conduct leading up to Election Day: the desire to champion one’s own accomplishments and/or policy proposals; an equivalent desire to diminish those of an opponent; and the projection of confidence that “the voters are with me” that is often accompanied by bold predictions of victory.

But it seems to me that the day after the election the similarities between U.S. and Nigerian politicians diverge. With very few exceptions, by the day after the election, a losing candidate in the U.S. has called his/her opponent to congratulate them; has publicly conceded defeat (at least for those elections that garner media attention), and has begun to close up their campaign offices and operations. In most cases where this hasn’t happened by the day after the election, it’s because the vote is too close to determine the winner without a careful recount. Otherwise, the day after the election, for losing candidates it’s about “going back to normal life.” In Nigeria, by contrast, for defeated candidates, the day after the election almost seems like the beginning of the real contest – that of the legal challenge to the election’s announced result.

I would like to raise two questions: when will Nigeria reach a point where the system has enough credibility that losing candidates no longer regularly challenge their losses?

And more importantly, what can each Nigerian do to move Nigeria closer to that moment? The latter question is especially salient. Nigerian elections are not going to be perfect this year or next year, but they have to continue to improve, and every Nigerian has to do his/her part.

For those who are stakeholders in the election process, I have three points to make as Nigeria works towards that

end: First, the sponsorship of violence and intimidation, and the rhetorical threat thereof, are utterly unacceptable in a democratic society, and need to be expunged once and for all from the Nigerian polity and discourse. The U.S. has been deeply troubled by some of the rhetoric that has been thrown around in recent weeks and months as these elections have drawn closer. It is perfectly acceptable, and even praiseworthy, to seek to defend your vote and that of your fellow citizens who share your support for a particular candidate. It is not, however, productive or reasonable to threaten violence, even when you perceive others have been guilty of misconduct.

We were deeply troubled by the threat of “rig and roast” issued multiple times by a major political figure in recent weeks. Who benefits from that type of violent rhetoric, we wondered? And why would any ordinary Nigerian accept such provocative language, especially considering the history of post-election violence in Nigeria, and the truly horrific carnage that this country has been suffering at the hands of Boko Haram? If a candidate believes an election is threatened, then that candidate should be doing everything possible to see that the rules of the game are enforced properly – by having party agents in the numerous locations where they are permitted, for example, to bear witness to what happens – or doesn’t happen. That is part of the painstaking work of participating in, and building, a democracy. Drawing on or threatening violence is an attempt to short-circuit that process for the benefit of a few, but to the detriment of many.

Second, Nigeria’s politicians must accept that they undermine the democratic process when they systematically deny even the possibility of defeat in a free and fair process. These politicians should repeat to themselves the following sentence, either now or sometime before Election Day: “It is possible that I can lose this election if it is conducted credibly.”

Third, and finally, Nigeria has a well-established set of rules for elections – produced by INEC, in concert with the Electoral Act, and guided by the Nigerian Constitution. Abide by them. There is no process, democratic or otherwise, that can survive when its basic foundation is undermined by those seeking to use it. The Nigerian electoral process is only as good as Nigerians make it. That doesn’t mean only worrying about what the other parties are doing – it means worrying about what you and your allies are doing. The fundamental question is this: does what you’re doing help build and sustain an electoral process that you want your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to take part in?

• Hawkins is Consul General, United States, Nigeria

TUESDAY, JUNE 10 , 2014

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When any government, particularly civilian, becomes embarrassingly tyrannical and ruthless on press freedom, you can begin to sing Nunc dumittis of such a government.

’

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See page 26

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

It has been a smooth ride for the media in the past 15 years of democracy. But, things changed last weekend as the Jonathan administration unleashed a war on the press. Soldiers, acting on “orders from above” intercepted distribution vans across the country, seizing their contents under the guise of searching for explosives. None was found, yet the vehicles were not released until it was too late to distribute the newspapers. Who should bear this huge loss? The government, say lawyers, who advised the media to seek legal redress. ADEBISI ONANUGA, JOSEPH JIBUEZE and PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU report.

•A newspaper stand

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Challenge Jonathan in court, lawyers tell media houses

NTIL last weekend, the media had enjoyed smooth operation in the past 15 years of democratic rule. Last Friday, the bubble burst as the Jonathan administration clamped down on the media.

Soldiers in different parts of the country stopped the circulation of newspapers. They intercepted distribution vans under the guise of searching for explosives.

The clampdown entered its fourth day yesterday, with soldiers and State Security Service (SSS) men storming newspaper distribution centres in Abuja and other parts of the country. They claimed to be acting on orders “from above”.

In several places on Sunday, vendors were beaten up for displaying The Nation, copies of which were seized. Vendors rejected this

newspaper for fear of being beaten or arrested by soldiers.

The affected media houses lost millions of naira in revenue. The public’s right to information was gang-raped.

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos last Friday, The Nation, Punch, Daily Trust and Leadership percels were confiscated. The wrappers and cover pages of The Punch were damaged.

Leadership reported that soldiers intercepted and destroyed its parcels at the Kaduna toll gate. In Benin, the Edo State capital, soldiers stormed the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre to disrupt distribution activities.

The Nation’s operational vehicles and newspaper parcels were arrested by the army. A statement by the Managing Editor, Lekan

Otufodunrin, said: “As early as 3.10am on Friday, June 6, drivers of our distribution vans began filing reports of arrests and seizures of our vehicles and consignments of newspapers for the day by soldiers across the country. Areas of our operations affected are Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Jos, Lafia, Okene, Lokoja, Markurdi, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Warri, Benin, Asaba, Auchi, Akure, Ikare, Ilorin, Ado Ekiti, Ondo, Ore and Ibadan.

“The soldiers, who stormed our offices, arrested the drivers after searching the vehicles and the consignments. Although nothing incriminating was found in any of the vans searched, our vehicles and drivers were detained.

“In Abuja, the vehicles heading for Jos, Bauchi, Makurdi, Minna and other towns in the North were detained and they were not released until about 9am. The Jos-bound vehicle was again

detained by another team of soldiers at Riyam Local Government area about 40 kilometres to Jos and was not released until 4pm.

“On arrival in Kaduna, the circulation vehicle with the consignment was detained till late afternoon. In Warri, where the vehicle from Port Harcourt, conveying our papers to Benin, Sapele and other towns in Delta and Edo states was held, the driver was not released until 4.pm.

“The vehicles conveying our parcels to Akure, Ondo, Ikare from Lagos were seized at Ore and moved to Okitipupa Army Barrack where it was detained till 5pm. The parcels from Ibadan, Ilorin and Ado Ekiti could not be delivered also as the vehicles conveying •Continued on page 26

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

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LAW COVER CONT’D •Continued from page 25 them were released late yesterday.

“It is necessary to point out that the seizures of the editions of The Nation and Sportinglife of Friday, June 6, has caused the company huge losses. The soldiers prevented us from carrying on our legitimate business. We call on the military authorities to release unconditionally all our operational vehicles and newspaper parcels still in their custody.”

Army’s position Critics have condemned what they called a brazen assault on press freedom, which, to them, signposts the rapid descent of a shamed government and its security agencies into open tyranny.

The army’s reason, which was not backed by evidence, is that the “materials with grave security implications” were concealed in the vans.

A statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, said the onslaught was launched after security agencies received “intelligence reports indicating movement of material with grave security implications across the country, using the channel of newsprint related consignments.”

The army’s position raises posers: If the operation had nothing to do with the content, operations and personnel of the media organisation, why were distribution vans seized and newspapers not released for distribution after searches?

Condemnation has continued to trail the military action. The Nigerian Guild of Editors said: “We reject the label of bearer of arms or any other form of ordinance, to do mischief against our own country. If the siege arose out of the need to call the dog a bad name in order to hand it, Nigerian editors roundly and soundly reject such negative profiling.”

•Uwensuyi-Edosomwan

•Fagbohungbe

•Agbaje

•Ogala

A return to the past?

Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin of Women Arise, a nonprofit outfit, said the military’s action was a sad reminder of the past.

“It is disheartening to know that our security agents would descend on law-abiding citizens of this country. Honestly, these unruly security agents should have been seconded to the war zones where they can use their overzealous muscles against terrorists and not against peaceful drivers who were just conveying papers,” she said.

This is not the first time the government would vent their frustrations on the media. Instances abound. Founding editor of Newswatch magazine, Dele Giwa was murdered during the Ibrahim Babangida regime through a letter bomb, two days after being interrogated by security officials.

In 1984, Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor of The Guardian were jailed by the Muhammadu Buhari administration after the Decree No. 4 was introduced.

In April 1990, during the Babangida regime, the Punch was forcibly shut for its story on the Gideon Orkar coup. Under Sani Abacha, several journalists were locked up without trial, while the editors of Weekend Classique, Chris Anyanwu and Ben Obi, as well as Kunle Ajibade and Femi Ojudu of TheNews were jailed for life by a secret military tribunal.

In June 1994, Concord, The Sketch and The Guardian and Punch were closed over reports on the annulment of the presidential election won by the late Moshood Abiola.

Lawyers seek court action How can an assault on free speech be prevented in a democracy, and what legal options/remedies are available to the newspapers?

To lawyers, the military/SSS action is inexcusable and unacceptable; it only threatens democracy and fundamental freedoms.

They said not only was the right to freedom of expression and the press guaranteed in Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution violated, the right of the newspapers to conduct their lawful business was encumbered, not to mention the right to freedom of movement of those who were detained.

Former Lagos State Assembly member Babatunde Ogala said the newspapers involved are distinct legal personalities with Constitutionguaranteed rights and could individually seek legal redress.

“By this brazen act of lawlessness and assault on our democratic ethos and freedom of the Press, the affected media houses can sue for a breach of their fundamental human rights to freedom of expression and the Press which is a right freely given by virtue of Section 39 of the Constitution.

And they will be entitled to damages for the said breach by the courts.

“Furthermore, I also think that the drivers of the vehicles and any persons therein can also sue for the breach of their fundamental rights to freedom of movement for the unlawful restriction of their movements in the process of

Challenge Jonathan in court, lawyers tell media houses impounding the vehicles and detaining or stopping them from continuing on their journey.

This can be founded on section 40 of the Constitution.

“These rights are also guaranteed under the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights which is an applicable law of the country. So I think the media houses and their personnel that were caught by the act of the Nigerian Army should explore these possibilities.

“Suffice to say that the Nigerian Army is not vested with any powers to enforce the laws or investigate crime beyond providing security against external aggression. The only body so empowered is the Nigerian police,” Ogala said.

Chief Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN) said it is very unfortunate that the Federal Government, through the military, wants to complicate the insecurity in Nigeria by the onslaught on the press.

To him, the print media have been of assistance to the government by making it realise areas it needs to do more. Antagonising the press could only lead the government’s downfall, he said.

“It is the beginning of down-fall of the military, because once they confront the press, they are confronting the entire country and it is going to be worse for them. My advice to President Jonathan is to stop this kind of action against the press and warn the military and all the security agencies not to attack the press because any government that attack the press, its downfall is near.

“Those who advice the president to clamp down on the press are only misleading him.

The president can’t clamp down on the press.

The press has brought down many military governments in Nigeria. It is a very, very unwise step and unwise action and is unreasonable,” Fagbohungbe said.

The senior lawyer urged the media organisations to take legal action against the government, saying: “They should go to court to take injunction against the Federal Government, against the military and all other security agents.”

For a former Edo State Attorney-General, Chief Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan (SAN), it

was wrong for the government to yield to such harsh methods.

He said rather than trying to suppress the press, the government should carry them along through positive actions that would give hope to citizens that the battle against terror is going in the right direction.

“I do not think that resorting to seizure is the way to go. Even where they are aggrieved, the Attorney-General should bring charges, or whoever is aggrieved can sue. I do not think seizing newspapers and burning them is the solution,” he said.

The on the army spokesman’s claim, Uwensuyi-Edosomwan said soldiers should have carried out “stop and search” operations if truly they have intelligence report that the vehicles bore dangerous materials.

“Where you find something incriminating, you seize it. If you do not find something incriminating, you let them go on with their work. What did the intelligence report say? Are there shipments of arms? Where you find illegal arms, you seize the vehicle and prosecute their owners but not on the basis that you have intelligence report and you go and start burning newspapers. Something quite did not fit there,” the lawyer said.

Chief Ladi Williams (SAN), said the military “owes Nigerians an explanation” on why such high-handed assault was executed.

Constitutional lawyer Fred Agbaje said: “Let me tell you honestly, when any government, particularly civilian, becomes embarrassingly tyrannical and ruthless on press freedom, you can begin to sing Nunc dumittis of such a government. No democratic government wanting to survive will ever trample on press freedom.

“Any government that suppresses press freedom as done in the military era is indirectly preparing its own political demise. In fact, it is only an unpopular government that can transgress on press freedom. Such acts are anticivilisation and wholly barbaric. It shows the government is unpardonably jittery, avoiding its on shadow and insensitive.”

Rights activist Bamidele Aturu said unless

‘

It is a rape of the right to freedom of information. The government should look within itself and face the serious insurgency of Boko Haram and use the military there instead of using them against the media

‘

Nigerians stand firm and protect their democracy, there are many government officials who are out to scuttle it. “We won’t let them do that because we fought for this democracy,” he said.

According to him, the military officers who gave such orders should be disciplined.

“Whoever did it should be fished out and punished. The action is against freedom of expression. We saw it earlier when Mbu gave a directive that people should not protest any more against the abduction of the Chibok girls.

Now we are seeing newspapers being harassed, may be at gun point. It is condemnable,” he said.

Vice-President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) Comrade Taiwo Otitolaiye said the Federal Government should concentrate on using the military to tackle the raging insurgency in the Northeast instead of using soldiers to try to muzzle the media.

“It is a rape of the right to freedom of information. The government should look within itself and face the serious insurgency of Boko Haram and use the military there instead of using them against the media. We call on Nigerians to be vigilant and fight for their rights because freedom is never won on a platter of gold,” he said.

An Akure-based lawyer and activist Titiloye Charles said: “We are in a civil rule, government and the governed should seek recourse in court and refrain from any act of self help like this.”

Activist-lawyer Festus Keyamo said: “It is a breach of the provisions of the Constitution, especially Chapter Four, which guarantees freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

Such acts curtail free speech and pose a danger to the sustenance of democracy because it is free speech that sustains democracy.”

Another lawyer, Mr Jiti Ogunye, said the military action is a sad pointer to the fact that constitutionally guaranteed rights are still under threat.

“Not even the belated, weak, incoherent and disingenuous explanation given by the Defence Headquarters can make Nigerians to believe that the right to freedom of expression is not under assault.”

He said the Nigeria Army and the government owe the Nigerian media an unreserved apology and must vow that such flagrant assault would not happen again.

Presidency reacts Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, told reporters in Abuja at the weekend that the clampdown on the print media is in order because the country’s security is at stake and “you cannot neglect security threats because we are living in trying times.”

He claimed that President Jonathan has no hand whatsoever in the continuing assault on the print because as he said, the soldiers’ action runs contrary to his principal’s political belief.

He said the clampdown is a temporary measure and appealed to the media houses and affected stakeholders to view the action in the light of the security challenges confronting the nation.

“If the security of the country is at stake, some segments may have to undergo some discomfort. This is what we have to face because our country is under siege”, Okupe stated.

Okupe, however, could not say when the ongoing military clampdown on the media would stop, saying that the exercise would be relaxed as soon as there is “significant reduction in the level of security alert.”

“We live in very trying times which may necessitate that some section or sectors of the society might experience some temporary discomfort in the overall interest of ensuring that the ideals of freedom, peace and security which we all hold dear will not be compromised by a few unscrupulous elements in our midst.

“The media, as the fourth estate of the realm is held in very high regards by the President and this has been practically demonstrated in various ways by this administration in the last three years. Recall that it was President Goodluck Jonathan who signed the very contentious Freedom of Information Bill into law immediately on assumption of office.

“While we sympathise with media houses which might have suffered one discomfort or the other as a result of these security checks, we assert, for the avoidance of doubt, that the President has not and will never give any order capable of hampering the smooth running of any media organisation or harass media practitioners in the lawful performance of their duties.

“This government will neither engage in nor encourage any acts that will constitute an assault on any media organisation or infringe on the freedom.”

27

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

FROM THE COURT Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Phillips has sworn in 12.

She advised them to respect their new office and mind their conducts.

ADEBISI ONANUGA reports.

Mind your conduct, CJ tells magistrates

A “

t this point, you must realise that you have moved to the Bench. You have left the Bar. Those lawyers you used to gossip with, about the magistrates and about the judges, are now going to gossip about you. So, remember all you said about us when you were on that side. Now they would say those things about you. You just have to pray that they have good things to say about you and not bad things.

“From this moment on, the clock starts to tick for you and your reputation is beginning to get formed and if you start off either as lazy or indolent or on a good note , that exactly is going to be your stigma until you retire. So you have been warned. So, you are expected to be mindful of your conduct and utterances henceforth and be dedicated to their new job.

“I implore you, therefore, to ensure prompt and regular sittings at 9am, comport your self in a dignifying manner suited to your job template and ensure that your social activities are regulated and suited to your new role. “ With these words , the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, swore into office 12 new magistrates in the state judicial system.

Justice Phillips further said: “The standard expected of a judicial officer as espoused by the Code of Conduct for judicial officers would therefore, be embraced and observed by your honours. You must therefore familiarise yourselves with the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers as this would serve as your steering wheel as you navigate the often turbulent judicial terrain.

“The Code of Conduct specifically applies to all categories of judicial officers in the federation, including magistrates and provides standards for judicial activities, social relationship, administrative duties, occasional activities etc. The knowledge of the rules of this law book would prove invaluable in the years to come. You would also soon come to realise that your reputation would precede you as court users easily tagged law officers as knowledgeable, incorruptible, trustworthy, efficient, rude, indolent or corrupt,” the Chief Judge stressed.

The new magistrates comprise 10 women and two men. Their addition has increased the number of magistrates in the state to 119.

They are: Feyikemi George; Abimbola Davies; Adenike Onilogbo; Funmilayo Dalley; Oluwatosin Ojuromi; Adenike Adepoju; Olanike Olagbende; Oluwabunmi Osibajo; Kofoworola Ariyo; Adeola Erinle; Mr. Owolabi Lateef and Mr. Atanda Layeni.

The swearing-in, which held penultimate week at the court room of the Chief Judge in Ikeja, had in attendance the Head Judge, Justice Funmilayo Atilade; the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission, Mrs. Ayo Odugbesan; former Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Yemi Osibajo and his brother who once served in Ogun State, Mr. Akin Osibajo; Lagos State Commissioner for Youth Hon. Waheed Oshodi; the State High Court Chief Registrar, Mrs. Olamide Akinkugbe and

her deputy in-charge of Administration in Ikeja, Mrs. Abisola Soladoye, among others.

Justice Phillips told the new magistrates that they were being sworn-in at a time when the work-load of magistrates have increased tremendously. “I dare say you would have a lot of work to do because there has been an increase in your jurisdiction to try tenants and landlord cases and criminal matters up to N10million,” she said.

According to her, Section 28(1)(b) of the Magistrate Court Law 2009 particularly support the expansion of their jurisdiction adding, “this section provides that magistrates shall exercise jurisdiction in landlord/tenant matters where the annual rent overload does exceed N10million, but the claimants may in addition claim arrears of rent in respect of the fact that the total claim does not exceed N10million.”

She said their appointments would help to decongest the courts and ensure speedy and prompt dispensation of justice especially as it relates to pre-trial and awaiting trial syndrome in the prisons. “This is one area where I hope your honours would pay particular attention as quite a lot of work is in progress in ensuring a minimum number of awaiting trial inmates in our courts,” she said.

Justice Phillips told the new magistrates that Section 3 of the Magistrate Court Law 2009, provides a long list of offences triable under 17 various legislations in the state.

She said: “These cases in addition to your regular jurisdiction would keep you extremely busy to justify your appointment at this time.”

The new magistrates, she said, were selected from the best crop of the learned minds who applied for the position. She expressed confidence that they would excel as magistrates in the state because they were picked from the best of the crops.

To build their confidence in themselves about their new assignments, Justice Phillips recalled some of the best jurists who were also magistrates at some point in their career and rose to the exalted offices of the Chief Justice of the Federation.

She listed them to include Justice (Sir) Darnley Arthur Alexander, retired state Chief Judges such as Justice Joseph Adetunji Adefarasin, Justice Olusola Thomas and Justice Adesegun, who were magistrates before they were elevated to become Chief Judges.

“So, you see, the sky is the limit for you if you apply yourself to your job.

I urge you therefore, to be above board.

Section 2(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), provides that judicial powers shall be vested in the courts,” she said.

She said the section which relates to Section 6(c) of the Constitution provides that the House of Assembly shall make laws. The combined effect of these two sections, according to her, is that magistrate courts being one of such courts, where House of Assembly makes laws, fall within the purview of this Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution.

According to her, this fact is further re-

•From left: Mrs. Soladoye; Mrs. Busola Okunnuga and Mr. Adeola Hundeyin

•From left: Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Mr. Akin Osinbajo and Mr. Waheed Oshodi

•From left: Mrs. Adepoju; Mrs. Ojuromi; Mrs. Dalley and Miss Onilogbo

•From left: Mrs. Fimisola Azeez; Mr. Adekunle Isaac and Mr. I.O. Ogundare

inforced by the Lagos State Magistrate Court laws, Section 4(2) thereof, which provides that all magistrates in Lagos State shall serve as judicial officer to the exclusion of other functions except as may be provided by law.

The Chief Judge said the state judicial service commission has developed a training curriculum for the new magistrates to afford them the opportunity of learning skills required for their new office. She also enjoined them to empower themselves with the requisite skills for the job including, but not limited to the Lagos State Magistrate Courts Law 2009,

the Administration of 2011, the Tenancy law as well as the Evidence Act and the Constitution, stressing that a mastery of them would ensure a hitch-free and smooth transmission from the bar to the bench.

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Mr. Lateef thanked the Chief Judge for finding them worthy of the appointment.

He assured that they would do their utmost best to ensure fair and speedy dispensation of justice in the state and would not erode the confidence reposed in them.

He said they would be worthy examples of the magistrates in the state.

NBA Ikeja: new officers take over on June 23

T

•From left: Lagos State Attorney-General, Mr. Ade Ipaye; Director of Legislative Drafting, Mrs. Tola Abisanya; member, Land Use Charge Appeal Tribunal, Mr. Tunde Seriki and the Chairman of the tribunal, Mr. Ayodele Odunlami during the swearing-in ceremony of the tribunal’s members at Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja

HE new executives of the Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), will be sworn-in on Monday, June 23. The branch will now be led by Mr. Yinka Farounbi, who will take over from Mr Monday Ubani-led executives whose tenure expires after two years of stewardship.

The handing over ceremony, according to a release, will take place at the Bar Centre, Old Secretariat, GRA, Ikeja.

Other new officers of the branch are the first Vice Chairman, Mrs. Gloria Nweze; second Vice Chairman, Mr. Lateef Abdulsalam; General Secretary, Mr. Seyi Olawumi; Assistant General Secretary, Mt. Adeyemi Abijo; Treasuer, Mrs. Derin Kappo; Financial Secretary, Miss Thelma Coco-Bassey; Welfare Officer, Miss Folashade Owolabi; Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Nkechi Onyenso and Auditor, Mr. Gbenga Ajayi.

•Ubani

28

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

LAW & SOCIETY Media aide to the Chief Justice of Nigeria Mr. Ahuraka Yusuf Isah, examines the recommendation of the Committee on Law, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Reforms of the National Conference and raises issues about some positions taken in the report.

National Confab’s mixed message on judiciary reform

T

HE 2014 National Conference’s Committee on Law, Judiciary, Human Right and Legal Reforms has turned in its report for the conference plenary debates and adoption on May 15th, 2014.

Members of the 25-member committee include retired Justices G.A.Oguntade, T.F.Tabai, HRH Lawal Hassam Gumi, Abdullahi Mustafpha, Peter Akere, Adamu Aliyu, Baba Alkali Ba’aba, Adamu Bello and Veronica Ngozi Umeh.

There are also two law professors Auwal Yadudu and Onje Gye-Wado and five Senior Advocates of Nigeria, namely, Charles UwensuyiEdosonwan , Olisa Agbakoba, Femi Falana, Mike Ozokhome and Bayo Ojo. Other members are HRH Alh. Abdullahi Ibn Muhammad Askira 111, H.E Senator Kofowora Buknor-Akere, Dr Magadalyne Mbadzeridan Dura,Hajia Bintu Ibrahim Musa, Bar. Igberi Nweme, Ms Hauwa Evelyn Shekarau, Hon Olawale Oshun, Barr.

Zubair Muhammad Umar and Chief Goddy Uwazurike.

Curiously, when the committee paid a visit to the current Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar to seek her contribution on Judiciary reform debate, she did not waste time by reminding them that some wise men have recently taken their time to research into the same matter.

Justice Mukhtar presented a copy of the report of the 28 wise men constituted by her immediate predecessor, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, with four former CJNs namely, Justices Muhammadu Uwais, S.M.A. Belgore, Idris L. Kutigi and A.I. Katsina-Alu as members.

She told the Confab committee that the report was pending before the National Assembly for constitutional amendment.

The Justice Uwais panel had three

other retired Justices of the Supreme Court -Justices Kayode Eso, A.G. Karibi-Whyte and Umaru A. Kalgo.

Justices Mamman Nasir, Mustapha Akanbi and Umaru Abdullahi who were former President of the Court of Appeal (PCA) were also members.

Others are Justices R.P.I. Bozimo and Rose N. Ukeje (who participated as former Chief Judges). Justice Lawal Hassan Gummi (then Chief Judge of Fderal Capital Territory) and two former Attorneys General of the Federation - Chief Richard O.Akinjide (SAN )and Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim were also members.

Former NBA Presidents - T.J.O. Okpoko (SAN), Wole Olanipekun (SAN), O.C.J. Okocha (SAN), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Oluwarotimi O. Akeredolu (SAN) and Prince Lanke Odogiyan and Joseph Daudu (SAN) who was a serving NBA President then – were also involved.

Other Senior Advocates on the panel were Dr. A.G.F. AbdulRazak, Anthony O. Mogboh and A.B. Mahmud, Hajiya Hairat Balogun, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (Director-General, NIALS), Dr. Mamman Tahir (Director-General, Nigerian Law School).

The terms of references of the confab committee and Uwais panel may differ in the language or expression used, but it is all about Judiciary reform, aimed at having transparent, quick dispensation of credible justice and above all, having a judiciary peopled by men and women of integrity and honour. It is about having a Judiciary devoid of corruption, with little or absence of executive interference.

A cursory glance at the Confab’s Judiciary committee’s report gives the impression of boardroom or tea-room exercise on the grounds that neither public hearings were held nor memoranda received from members of the public. Besides, there is no record of wider consultations with stakeholders, pressure groups (like the NBA and

CSOs) and members of the academic community, except the visit to the CJN by the committee members on April 28th, 2014. However, the exigency of time and space constraint won’t make it practicable to place the Confab’s Judiciary committee report side by side with the Uwais panel report for detailed analysis in this discourse.

Though, the Confab’s Judiciary committee, which was chaired by a former Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice G.A.Oguntade spent 23 days to arrive at its decision, made far reaching recommendations capable of moving Judiciary forward, it equally made some recommendations capable of levying collateral damage on the Judiciary if allowed to prevail.

For instance, the committee recommended that a retired Justice of the Supreme Court should be appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Chief Justice of Nigeria as the Chairman of the Federal Judiciary Service Commission (FJSC).

The functions of the commission, as contained in the Third Schedule (Part 1, Section E) of the 1999 Constitution states that the commission shall have power to advise the National Judicial Council (NJC) in nominating persons for appointments to the office of CJN, PCA, Justices of the Supreme Court and the Appeal Court.

It also advises the NJC in choosing the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, a Judge of the Federal High Court, and the Chairman and Members of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The confab committee said that the CJN should continue to chair the NJC. In other words, a retired Supreme Court Justice is now empowered to superintend over a CJN in the process of appointment of judicial officers including that of succeeding CJNs.This sounds somehow, and could breed confusion and anarchy in the system.

The right to hire goes with the right to fire.

The Confab’s Judiciary committee also recommended that “retired Justices should preside over Election Tribunals as against serving Justices.’’ This recommendation failed to take historical account of the fact that electoral dispute, since the advent of democracy in 1999 has led to heavy casualty in the judiciary. The temptation associated with adjudicating electoral dispute is so high to the extent that the possibility of being caught and sanctioned by NJC is not mitigating enough. Besides, retired Justices are not immune to corruption as well.

The former NBA president, Mr J.B.Daudu had once said some eminent retired Justices do midwife between serving Justices and litigants to sell judgments. Daudu, on February 17, 2010 had, during a valedictory court session held in honour of the late Justice Anthony Nnaemezie Christopher Aniagolu, vowed to expose how politicians used “consultants” to buy election cases with “incredible sums of money.”

“We are no doubt aware that some of our colleagues including very senior counsel and at times eminent retired judicial officers go about offering their services as ‘consultants’ particularly in election cases for incredible sums of money so as to act as conduit between his client and the election court. The end result is to facilitate ready-made justice for the persons they are acting for’’.

The question is, can the NJC that is in-charge of disciplining erring judges also sanction retired Justices if found to be corrupt while presiding over electoral dispute? The answer is no.

Take for instance the incident that happened after the 2003 general elections where two Justices of the Court of Appeal - Justice Okwuchukwu Opene and Justice David Adedoyin Adeniji - were dismissed by the NJC. This was in respect of the appeal filed

by Dr. Ugochukwu Uba against the Anambra South Senatorial Election Tribunal which confirmed Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu as the winner of the Anambra South Senatorial District election of 2003. Uba had been sworn in then as a Senator.

The Second instance was the Akwa

Ibom State Governorship Election Tribunal set up after the 2003 governorship election. There were five members of the tribunal. Whilst the proceedings were still pending in the tribunal, the petitioner, on the July 10, 2003 petitioned NJC, complaining that four of the five members of the tribunal had been compromised with large sums of money as bribe by the state governor.

NJC investigated the complaints through a committee set up for that purpose and found that the allegations were true and that some members of the tribunal received bribes during the sitting.

They were accordingly dismissed from the judicial Bench. One judge, who was not a member of the tribunal, was also dismissed for corruption and abuse of office because he was found to have associated with one of the contestants in a corrupt manner.

Even the feud between the former CJN, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu and the former president of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Isa Salami which almost left the judiciary prostate was borne out of the electoral dispute.

One also hope that if the Confab’s Judiciary committee’s recommendation for review of the composition of NJC sails through, such laws will not turn the council to theatre of the absurd whereby the CJN will begin to lobby council members before judges can be appointed or disciplined..

The committee is also of the view that ’’the system that requires judges to turn in a certain number of cases/ judgments quarterly without regard to the quality of the judgment should be discouraged’’, appears counterproductive. Curiously enough, it is the same body that dwell on the matter of ‘’delay in administration of justice’’.

Even before we sat for Common Entrance examination in our primary school days, we were warned that our successes would depend on ‘’speed and accuracy’’ If a target is not set in a system, what then becomes the measure to determine the level of productivity in that system?

• Isah is the Media Aide to CJN

Proprietor charged with breach of public peace

H •From left: Welfare Officer NBA, Kelvin Ejelonu, 3rd Vice president NBA, Francis Ekwere, General Secretary NBA, Emeka Obegolu and Publicity Secretary Afam Obi at SBL conference in Lagos.

Court dismisses transporter’s motion

A

N Ikeja High Court has dis missed an application chal lenging its jurisdiction to-

day.

Chairman of Cross Country Limited Chief Bube Okorodudu for an alleged N82.8 million theft charge.

Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo, in his ruling on the preliminary notice of objection filed by the transporter, dismissed it for lack of merit.

Justice Lateef-Akapo held that the court had the jurisdiction to entertain the matter and that the charge against the defendants was competent.

The trial judge further held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had

By Adebisi Onanuga

the power to prosecute criminal proceedings at the Lagos State High Court with or without a fiat from the state’s attorney-general.

The trial judge consequently adjourned the matter to June 27, 2014 for their arraignment.

The defendants are facing an eight-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, forgery and altering.

The EFCC alleged that they stole the money through the fraudulent sale of 17 units of Volkswagen transporter buses belonging to AG Moeller Limited and Mr Adeloye Olukemi.

Their counsel, Chief Robert Clarke (SAN) and Chief Ladi Wil-

liams (SAN), had argued that the EFCC lacked the power to prosecute them before a state high court.

They maintained that the EFCC needed to obtain a fiat from the state’s attorney-general before they could prosecute the defendants for the alleged offences.

Responding, the EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to dismiss both applications and order the defendants to take their pleas.

Oyedepo said the Court of Appeal, in the case of Erastus Akingbola and Federal Republic of Nigeria, had held that the EFCC had the power to prosecute cases at state high courts

EARING will continue on June 17, in a case brought against the proprietor of Payne Group of Schools by the Police at a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

The police had arraigned the school proprietor, Mr. Babatunde Payne, before Chief Magistrate A. Adelaja over the allegation that he conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of public peace. It was further alleged by the Police that Payne, whose school is on the first floor of a building owned by one Kazeem, said to be his relation, allegedly used his dog and thugs to chase and threaten others coming to rent the second and third floors of the building.

The one-count charge stated: “That you Payne Babatunde on February 27, 2014 at day time at Adewale Kazeem house, Imowo along Ibadan Express Road, Ijebu Ode magisterial district did, being a tenant in the above house occupying the first floor of the building, using it for Payne Group of School, conducted yourself in manner to cause breach of public peace by using dog and thugs to chase and threaten other tenants who were coming to rent the second and third floors and also lock the gate preventing both the landlord and prospective tenants to have a chance of

By Adebisi Onanuga

inspection and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 249(d) of the Criminal Code Cap 29, Vol. 1 Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.”

The defendant, however, denied the charge. Speaking through his counsel, Adebayo Adebanjo, he said the trouble with his landlord started when he declined to occupy the second and third floors of the building contrary to his request. He said he was also not owing on the two floors.

He applied for bail and was granted N100,000 bail and Mrs Adelaja adjourned the matter till June 17.

•IGP Abubakar

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON NORTHERN STATES

TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

PAGE 29

‘Democracy can build or destroy a nation’

•PAGE 30

Free eye screening for journalists •PAGE 32

100 new buses for residents

•Governor Ahmed gives a certificate to a QuickWin beneficiary

•PAGE 32

Kwara savours infrastructural upgrade

M

AY 29 was more than an anniversary in Kwara State. To the people, there were far more crucial issues than merely witnessing another Democracy Day. It was a time to relish upgraded infrastructure: roads, hospitals, schools, electrification, and the peace among the state’s three million people. To their governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, it was an opportunity to tackle fresh challenges and deliver on other promises made.

That Thursday, Ilorin, the state capital, was abuzz. But nowhere was the excitement as pronounced as on the open field of the Government House, where a crowd was waiting for the state’s number one citizen.

In the crowd were the various ethnic groups that make up the state. Traditional rulers sat calmly, clad in their royal gear.

Traditional dancers were un-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

mistakable in their colourful costumes. Student groups made their presence felt, not just with their boisterous solidarity chants but also their giant banners.

When the T-shirt-clad governor rose to his commanding height to address his people amid loud cheers, he wasted no time in telling them that he was conscious of his mandate and the obligation of leadership.

“Three years ago when I became your governor,” he began, “I made a solemn pledge to prioritise youth empowerment in all government programmes.

That commitment was driven not by political expediency or the euphoria of victory. Rather, it was propelled by the urgent need to empower this largest component of our population.

‘With the flag-off of QuickWin and the engagement of 5200 youths, this administration has employed 10,200 youths since inception and will engage an additional 3000 by the end of the year’ “Today, as we formally employ the single largest number of youths, I make bold to state that we have significantly fulfilled our pledge in this regard.

With the flag-off of QuickWin and the engagement of 5200 youths, this administration has employed 10,200 youths since inception and will engage an additional 3000 by the end of the year.”

The QuickWin scheme, the state government’s response to youth unemployment, means a lot to the governor. As the jobs plan took off with the employment of 5200 youths, a number added to the initial 5200 youths earlier taken off the labour market, Ahmed said his administration was working on employing •Continued on page 30

Another estate demolished despite court injunction •PAGE 33

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

30

THE NORTH REPORT Anthony Sani, spokesman of the northern delegates at the National Conference, in this interview with TONY AKOWE, speaks on a number of national issues, including the positive and negative ways democracy could be put. Excerpts:

‘The rising insecurity across the country is a cause for concern to every Nigerian. This is because it makes socio-economic development hard. What is more, instead of coming together and confronting the monster, there is spirited effort to associate them with religion, with region and ethnicity despite the observation that terrorism transcends national boundaries’

‘Democracy can build or destroy a nation’ T

he nation just celebrated 15 years of democracy. Any gains, pains or losses?

Fifteen years of democracy has brought about some gains in terms of liberty and freedom that includes the choice of those who rule us. We also have alternative views which is good.

We can now blame our judgement when we elect wrong leaders.

What do you think the future holds for Nigerian democracy?

Somehow I believe the future of our democracy is bright despite current challenges that are temporary. We will learn from the mistakes and correct ourselves. Presently, our youths are frustrated because they believe their empowerment, their opportunities and future have been stolen by the corrupt politicians.

But they feign ignorance of the truism that democracy affords them the opportunity to make judicial use of their democratic rights to ensure that their votes count so that the ensuing leaders will be accountable to the people and make Nigeria feel young again with promise of glory days ahead.

So just as unemployment, poverty, ignorance and disease are used as weapons of mass destruction because they are directed at the heart of liberty and freedom; and the same poverty, unemployment, ignorance and disease are powder keg waiting to be ignited by indifference of leaders, so it is with democracy.

Democracy can be used to build or to destroy the country, depending on how we apply it. I have always maintained that democracy may differ in forms but when it comes to its elements of liberty, justice and common decency, democracy is universally the same. I agree with Prof Godini Dara that those who wish to redefine the three elements of democracy can as well reinvent the wheel or redefine the truth.

What do you think about the rising insecurity in the land especially in the North?

The rising insecurity across the country is a cause for concern to every Nigerian. This is because it makes socio-economic development hard. What is more, instead of coming together and confronting the monster, there is spirited effort to associate them with religion, with region and ethnicity despite the observation that terrorism transcends national boundaries.

Consider the two conspiracy theories: one says northern leaders brought about Boko Haram in order to make the country ungovernable for President Jonathan on account of his faith, ethnicity and region despite the knowledge that it was a northerner who used force and killed about 700 members and the leader of the sect in 2009 when Dr Jonathan was not the political issue as well as the fact that northern leaders cannot reasonably kill

•Sani

northerners for power they know is transient. The other conspiracy theory is that Boko Haram is orchestrated by the presidency in order to destroy both the population and economy of the north for political reasons despite the trite that no presi-

dent would like to preside over a divided people or nation. So let us not generalise but stick to what we know by coming together to unleash our synergy against the common monster. I believe the situation is not beyond redemption, given purposeful

leadership at all levels and the best in all Nigerians.

What is your opinion on amnesty granted to members of Boko haram by the President?

•Continued on page 31

Kwara savours infrastructural upgrade •Continued from page 29

and empowering another 3000 by the year’s end.

Providing jobs and skills is a clearly thought-out plan in Kwara. For instance, the Ahmed administration voted N640m for revolving soft credit facilities to 41,000 small and medium-scale enterprises or SMEs and skill acquisition centres “for the benefit of our youths,” as the governor put it. There are also mechanisms in place to check misuse of the credit lines and ensure that beneficiaries pay back promptly and brighten other clients’ chances of obtaining the soft loan.

The governor spoke about his administration’s efforts in health, mentioning the expanded Community Health Insurance Scheme, the supply of drugs and equipment to hospitals and the remodelling and expansion of Ilorin, Offa, Share, Kaiama and Omu-Aran hospitals, fitting them with state-ofthe-art facilities.

In Ilorin, the story is told of one of those health facilities once taken over by the state University Teaching Hospital. But on relocating to its permanent site, the tertiary hospital left a glorified carcass behind, a health facility that was no longer worth

•They keep Kwara clean

the name. The Ahmed administration stepped in and breathed new life into it. Practically, dry bones took on new flesh and not only did the hospital come alive, it also became a model health facility.

The Kwara Advanced Diagnostic Centre (KADC) or Harmony Advanced Diagnostic Centre (HADC), to give it its preferred new name, is one example of the state government’s solid health plan. The facility located at Asa Dam Road in Ilorin, is a public private partnership out-

‘The governor spoke about his administration’s efforts in health, mentioning the expanded Community Health Insurance Scheme, the supply of drugs and equipment to hospitals and the remodelling and expansion of Ilorin, Offa, Share, Kaiama and Omu-Aran hospitals, fitting them with state-of-the-art facilities’ fit. In keeping with the spirit of excellence, its management believes in attracting the best

from its modern equipment, it is fair to say the Ahmed administration, a major partner, clearly knows what the state and its people deserve.

At the Centre are various scan machines of varying sizes and capacities, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) facilities, manned by some of the best personnel in the sector.

Bolanle Mariam Oladapo, HADC marketing manager, said a celebrity turned up one day at hands to run the Centre, the rea- the Centre. The august visitor, said son many staff are not indig- the trained nurse, would reveal enous to Kwara. Still, judging that he searched in vain in the

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

31

THE NORTH REPORT ‘Democracy can build or destroy a nation’

Governors’ wives rise against insurgency “

•Continued from page 30

W

ITH the abduction of over 200 secondary schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, insurgency has reached its peak and must be brought to an end.”

These were the words of wives of northern governors as they met to seek a solution to the menace of insurgency in northern part of the country.

This resolution was reached at the 14th meeting of the Northern Governors’ Wives Forum (NGWF) held at the Nasarawa State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja. Wife of the Nasarawa State Governor, Hajiya Salamatu Almakura hosted the governors’ wives.

They maintained that the abducted girls must be returned by “all means,” adding: “Since the terrorists have caused sleepless nights for mothers and the country, we must ensure members of this terrorist group and their sponsors are brought to justice.”

In attendance were the forum’s chairperson, Dooshima Yemisi Suswam (Benue), Hajiya Adama Dankwambo (Gombe), Hajiya Jummai Aliyu (Niger), Hajiya Asmau Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara) and Hajiya Fatima Yero (Kaduna), Hajiya Halima Wada (Kogi) and Hajiya Salamatu Almakura (Nasarawa), among others.

Mrs. Suswam said mothers in Nigeria have been saddened and heartbroken since 2009 when the insurgency began. Their agony, she said, worsened with the news of the

•Some of the women at the meeting

‘Since the terrorists have caused sleepless nights for mothers and the country, we must ensure members of this terrorist group and their sponsors are brought to justice’ From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

dreams of innocent children terminated while asleep in their school dormitories in Buni-Yadi in Yobe State.

“Our agony went deeper with the news of the abduction of over 200 girls of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

“It is our sincere prayer that the insurgency has reached its climax with the abduction of the school girls,” Mrs. Suswam said.

The forum condemned terrorism and described the abduction of the Chibok school girls as “cowardly, inhuman, uncivil, heinous and ungodly,” adding “insurgency must be stopped.”

Mrs. Suswam commended Nigerians and the international commu-

nity for their unwavering support and resolve to see the abducted girls brought back alive.

She praised the unity being demonstrated by Nigerians in condemning the girls’ abduction, even as they demanded an end to insurgency. She urged Nigerians to bury their pride and differences for the good of the country.

“We should maintain the momentum and support our security personnel as they go about the task of finding the abducted girls.

“The acceptance of help from the international community by the Federal Government is highly commendable,” she said, explaining that the rural people who are largely farmers are the most affected by insurgency, having fled their homes and farmlands.

If Amnesty to Boko Haram will cut the Godian knot and put an end to the killing of innocent Nigerians, so be it.

The issue of resource control appears to be dividing the National Conference. What is the situation of things?

I do not see how resource control by constituent parts of this country can further the cause of one united Nigeria since resource control amounts to a confederation with weak centre. That was why solid mineral, oil and gas have been on the exclusive list of the 1960,1963,1979,1999 constitutions. And that explains the Land Use Act. Land is about the only common patrimony for all Nigerians. Nobody has worked for it. And so the only institution that can hold land in trust for Nigerians is government. People should not use managerial imperfections and failure of leadership to discredit the soundness of the Land Use Act. After all most of our good laws are observed more in the breach.

The problem is not with the soundness of the law but failure of leadership to implement the letter and spirit of the law. So Resource Control should be discussed in the context of building a united virile nation with balanced development, and not building a nation where some sections live at cutting edge while some others live at knife edge of survival.

What can the National Conference achieve for Nigeria?

The conference will achieve something by bringing issues into the open where they will not be forgotten or not ignored. It will set the road map and help leaders know how to think and do things right.

The 2015 elections are around the corner. Do you think INEC has the capacity to conduct credible elections in 2015?

It is the responsibility of INEC to conduct credible elections so that Nigerians can hold themselves responsible for the quality of leaders who emerge.

Once people do not hold themselves responsible for the leaders that emerge, then there is problem of legitimacy with dire consequences for the democracy.

We still believe INEC can conduct all the elections on the same day in order to reduce cost, reduce band wagon effect and prevent multiple voting that are associated with multiple voting. If Kenya can do it, Nigeria can do it.

The debate on local government autonomy has not ceased. What is your thinking on this?

As long as there is federation account where local governments get their funds; and as long as number of local governments are used for planning purposes and they are used for party delegates to party conventions, national government must have a say in their creation. It is not possible to leave out national government in creation of LGAs. And finally, I wish to plead that our current security challenges, mutual mistrust and frustrations should not be allowed to set a new national agenda for us. Nigeria holds a lot of promise, given purposeful leadership and the best in all of us. The good things of life are not natural order of things. )These things come about by consciously directed efforts to make desires possible and then actual by an honest leadership.

What is your comment on agitation for power to return to the North in 2015?

The North has never canvassed for politics of identity, rotation, power-shift or zoning. But because a northerner annulled the elections of June 12, 1993, the South morally blackmailed the North into accepting politics of rotation now defined as access to national resources should be turn by turn. But when it was time for the North after demise of President Yar’Adua, the South started politics of meritocracy and constitutionalism. Nigerians pandered in 2011.As democrats we accepted the verdict and said so be it. So if the North will aspire for the president, it will not be based on politics of rotation but on democracy premised on triple foundation of liberty, justice and common decency. The requiem for politics of zoning was written by the South and the funeral has come and gone.

•Governor Ahmed (fourth left) launches the QuickWin jobs scheme

United Kingdom for a cure to his health condition, only to discover that the answer was in Ilorin.

Governor Ahmed himself said his ultimate plan is to ensure that nobody in Kwara would have to go beyond 500 metres before finding a credible health facility.

A few things have pleased the governor, one of them electricity, another road network.

“More communities,” he said, “are now powered with electricity through our rural and urban electrification programme under which we have procured and installed transformers across the

‘More communities are now powered with electricity through our rural and urban electrification programme under which we have procured and installed transformers across the state. We have also demonstrated the benefits of continuity by completing all but a few inherited roads while a similar proportion of those started by this administration have been completed state. We have [also] demonstrated the benefits of continuity

by completing all but a few inherited roads while a similar propor-

tion of those started by this administration within and outside the state capital have been completed, such as the Oro-Ijomu Oro Road which I commissioned yesterday.”

In education, Ahmed said, “more of our children now receive functional education as we have upscaled reforms, enhanced primary and secondary school infrastructure and structured skill acquisition training in the state.

The governor is also conscious of the challenges. Despite his administration’s efforts in providing jobs for Kwara youths, Ahmed

was in no mood to exult that Thursday. He pointed out that “many more youths remain cut off from jobs not because they are unwilling or incapable of work but because the opportunities are limited.”

Is there any solution? Yes. Ahmed said after a careful study, his administration found out that it was best to reintroduce skill acquisition in an academic environment. The result is the International Vocational Centre in Ajasse, where students will learn skills and receive a City and Guilds certification. The school offers courses in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, welding, air conditioning and electrical fittings, among others.

Graduates in those fields will easily key into the global market, Ahmed said.

That will further help to scale back the unemployment profile.

Ilorin was clean-swept, the effort of a corps of youths engaged to keep the city clean and green. Residents have other things to be happy about too. One is the peace they enjoy and the fact that the current terrorism challenge has somehow spared the state.

There is love and respect for one another in the state, despite its ethnic diversity and the employment and entrepreneurship drive may also be helping. But Ahmed is in no doubt that it is only God who has kept the violent elements from Kwara.

On another anniversary, the people will like to thank God again for His guiding hand.

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THE NORTH REPORT

Free eye screening for journalists M

EMBERS of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Plateau State council took time out of their busy schedules to participate in a free eye screening exercise organised and sponsored by the Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in the state.

The one-day health programme, which was organised in conjunction with Vision 2020 Support Programme, was held at the Conference Hall of the NUJ, Jos, the Plateau state capital.

State chairman of SWAN, Taddius Yilmen, in his remarks, said: “As journalists, we struggle all day to deliver on our beats and so we hardly have time to go for eye check-up. Our eyes are our job and our eyes are our life as well.

Apart from that, the primary responsibility of union leadership is to embark on a programme that will enhance our work and our welfare. So, after our election last year, we thought of giving back to members for giving us their mandate by offering this health benefit.

“Secondly, in journalism, our eyes are all we need to be professionals. We read a lot and we write a lot. Hence, SWAN chose to invite the eye specialists to NUJ secretariat to help us correct our sights to enhance our inputs and for us to deliver objectively and ethically.”

Chairman Plateau State Council of NUJ, Katdapba Gobum in his remarks said: “I’m always proud to be associated with such programme for my colleagues because our eyes are our job. You cannot perform well if your eye is defective. Our jobs are so taxing that we don’t have time for ourselves to attend to our health needs as expected.

“I therefore wish to appreciate SWAN executive for sponsoring this eye screening and for bringing eye specialists to our door step.

•Yilmen

•A member of SWAN Jos being screened during the programme From Yusufu Aminu, Idegu

I am very optimistic that at the end of the exercise, a lot of members will have their eye problems sorted out for them to practice the profession conveniently.”

Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Olivia Dazyem who was represented on the programme by Director for Research and Planning Mr. Williams Audu, called on all journalists to avail themselves of the opportunity and have their eyes screened so as to get any defect corrected.

The commissioner said: “Journalists need to check their eyes regularly for them to effectively discharge their social responsibilities to members of the public. A journalist with defective eye sight can constitute serious abuse of the profession or conveyed the wrong pieces of information to the public.

Hence, the ministry takes this health programme very seriously. There

‘I’ve noticed that almost all the journalists have eye problem. Some are age-related, but most of them have to do with consistent eye contact with light ray. This is why most journalists are at risk of eye problem. They expose their eyes to light and this has some effects on the eyes…I have attended to 98 journalists in the course of the screening.

Only three of them are with no eye problem’ should be a regular organisation of such health programme for journalists serving in the state.”

Mr. Dazyem expressed his appreciation to journalists in the state for the way and manner they have re-

‘How to strengthen healthcare delivery’

I

N a bid to guarantee effective and efficient primary healthcare delivery, the National Council on Health (NCH) has directed the 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory to establish Primary Healthcare Development Agency that will drive quality healthcare delivery at the grassroots.

Explaining the importance of the agency when established, Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Abdul K. Isa said: “The establishment of Primary Healthcare Development Agency by states of the federation would go a long way in strengthening healthcare delivery.”

The 54th National Council on Health (NCH) held in Abuja which recommended that states in Nigeria should establish such agency for effective and efficient delivery of quality health at the primary level.

Speaking at the formal handing over ceremony of the Primary Healthcare Department of Kwara State Ministry of Health to the newly established Primary Healthcare Development Agency which has former Commissioner for Health, Hajia

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Asiata Ayinke Saka as the chairperson, Isa noted that it was supported by an edict to formally hand over the assets and liabilities of the department to the agency, stressing that the state stands to gain much from the development.

He added that the state government had complied with all the eight steps required to hand over the unit to the agency as recommended by the 54th session of the NCH. “With over 400 primary health centres put together to be domiciled in the Primary Health Care Development Agency, Kwara State has been able to key into the national health structure. We should now afford ourselves the opportunities embedded in the National Primary Health Care programme for the benefit of the people of Kwara State,” he said.

He commended the state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed for doing the needful on the establishment of the agency. He urged members of staff of the agency to be more committed in the task of disease prevention.

In her remarks, Hajia Saka de-

•Kwara State Commissioner of Health Alhaji Abdul Kayode with former commissioner Hajia Asiata Ayinke Saka

scribed the handing over as novel and what had long been expected. She assured that the

agency would further improve primary health care delivery to the people.

ported government activities, even as he urged them to continue in that spirit.

Dr. Danga Lohjem, an eye specialist and co-sponsor of the programme said: “So many citizens are ignorant on how to care for their eyes. All parts of the human body have cover, but the eyes don’t. This made the human eyes vulnerable to danger on daily bases. The nakedness of the eye requires regular eye examinations so as to safeguard it from foreign bodies.

“Apart from that, as you grow in age, you need to be conscious of changes that you experience in your sight so as to seek necessary medical assistance needed to correct it.”

At the end of the screening exercise, Dr. Lohjem said: “I’ve noticed that almost all the journalists have eye problem. Some are age-related, but most of them have to do with consistent eye contact with light ray.

This is why most journalists are at risk of eye problem. They expose their eyes to light and this has some effects on the eyes.

“I have attended to 98 journalists in the course of the screening. Only three of them are with no eye problem. Most of them required reading glasses which we have given them according to specification.

Some has myopia, cataract and so on. Some only required eye drops.

There is no case of eye surgery, which means there is no major damage to the eyes. Their major problem is job-related problem,” he said.

‘With over 400 primary health centres put together to be domiciled in the Primary Health Care Development Agency, Kwara State has been able to key into the national health structure.

We should now afford ourselves the opportunities embedded in the National Primary Health Care programme for the benefit of the people of Kwara State’

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Page 33

•A demolished part of a building in the estate

Another estate demolished despite F court injunction

OR those familiar with Abuja, demolition is not a new trend.

Buildings and other structures have been pulled down and reduced to rubble for many years in the city.

But is there no end to the incident? Residents have no clue as nto whether it will end or when.

This fear has caused many residents to remain tenants rather building their own houses for fear of demolition.

The demolition exercise does not take hours, as it only requires the driver of the bulldozer who looks for structures with red marks as a sign for demolition.

Residents under the aegis of Saraha Homes Landlords’ Association at Life Camp Extension of Abuja had a taste of the Federal Capital Development Administration’s (FCDA) bulldozer as it knocked down their structures in spite of court injunction restraining the defendant from interfering on the land.

The residents of the 263 duplex and bungalow buildings situated at Plot 55, Cadastral Zone Co5 in Kafe District, an area of 20 hectares of land belonging to the Saraha Homes Estate, were shocked when they re-

From Faith Yahaya

ceived calls from their servants, gatemen, maids and relations that their houses were about to be demolished by the FCDA demolishing squad.

According to the residents, the land in question was allocated to another person for the construction of golf course.

When our correspondent visited the estate, residents were seen in groups discussing in hushed voices while some were packing remnants of their belongings which were destroyed by the demolition exercise.

Some who spoke to our correspondent said the demolition squad began their exercise around 11:00 a.m. when parents and children were off to work and school.

The plaintiffs are Incorporated Trustees of Saraha Homes Landlords’ Association, Life Camp Extension Abuja, Saraha Homes Nigeria Limited and Lias Consult Nigeria Limited while the Defendants are the Minister of the

Residents under the aegis of Saraha Homes Landlords’ Association at Life Camp Extension of Abuja had a taste of the bulldozer as it knocked down their structures in spite of a court injunction restraining the defendant from interfering on the land.

Federal Capital Territory (FCT), The Federal Capital Territory Administration, The Federal Capital Development Authority and Cityfest Development Co. Limited.

The residents, represented by the chairman of the association, described the demolition act as evil and contempt of court which could attract imprisonment.

The structures worth millions of

Naira were reduced to rubble in a matter of minutes.

According to the court order which was made available to our correspondent, holden under the rule of Justice Y. Halilu at the Kubwa High Court ordered the defendant to restrain from the plot pending the determination of the case.

“That interim injunction is hereby

granted to the Plaintiffs/Applicant restraining the defendants, their officials, servants, agents, and privies from demolishing, attempting to demolish any of the 1 st plaintiff/ Applicant’s two hundred and sixty three duplex and bungalow buildings situate at plot 55, Cadastral Zone Co5 in Kafe District, Abuja containing an area of 20 hectares and known as Saraha Homes Estate, Life Camp Extension, Kafe District” within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, occupied by members of the plaintiffs and their families pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed in this matter.

“An order of interim injunction is hereby granted to the plaintiffs/applicants restraining the defendants, their officials, servants, agents, and privies from or interfering in any manner whatsoever with any part or portion of Plot 55, Cadastral Zone Co5, in Kafe District, Abuja containing an area of 20 hectares and known as Saraha Homes Estate , Life Camp Extension, Kafe District including the portion referred to as plot 140 within the said Plot 55 in the peaceable and exclusive possession of the Plaintiffs/ •Continued on page 34

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

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ABUJA REVIEW

Another estate demolished despite court injunction •Continued from page 33 Applicants, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed in this matter,” the injunction stated.

With this order, residents of Saraha Homes Estate were shocked at the action of the Federal Capital Development Authority and its demolition crew who disobeyed court order and embarked on a demolition exercise.

The residents have, however, maintained that they will take the matter yet again to court.

The Counsel to the plaintiff, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), who was represented by Barrister James Odiba, described the action as unfortunate.

He said: “This is most unfortunate.

This should not happen where there is respect for law and order. They are fully aware of the order that the court has given and the court has not vacated that order. There can be no reason whatsoever for anybody to take •???????????????????????????????? law into his or her hands and roll in bulldozer to demolish properties of you see here to Saraha Homes for dethis nature. You can imagine the kind velopment of an estate. Years later, of pains and agonies people are going they came up to say that a portion of through. the land has been designated as a green “Of course, the FCDA was served area but this was after people have the court order; the Honourable Min- developed their property and even ister was served and the letter was moved in.” delivered to his office, so was the Continuing, he said: “When our firm FCTA, Federal Capital Development got this, we argued that the paper we Authority and they were in court at were given earlier had nothing like the last adjourned date. So, how could green area and by the time we went to they have gone ahead to do this? court because they were threatening “Well, when one disobeys in such a demolition of the properties, the court flagrant manner and embark on this gave an injunction restraining all parkind of willful destruction in disobe- ties to maintain status quo and what is dience to court order, the long arm of happening here is flagrant disregard the court will be there to catch up with to the order because during the penone. We are returning to court; com- dency of such matter; they have come plaining that they have disobeyed despite the court injunction restraincourt order and during the pendency ing any party, they have come here to of this injunction and they have gone pull down structures. It is most unforto the extent and carried out this demo- tunate. lition which is completely unlawful.

“We are going to court stating that “First and foremost, those that are the court order has been violated and behind this must be called to order the property of the people living in and called to answer for their action this estate have been destroyed despite and they must restore the facilities that the court had ordered that all parback to its original state. ties must maintain status quo and that “This action is condemnable. It is an is very obvious. You don’t just disobey affront to the rule of law and it should the order of court and go free. not even happen at all. They are also “The court has the power to hold threatening to come back after this fla- them responsible for their action. In grant disobedience to court order. fact, when you criminally disobey “The demolition ought not to have court injunction of this nature, it is a happened because the FCDA ap- serious contempt that you can imprisproved and allocated the whole land oned for.”

While condemning government’s policies, the Chairman of the Saraha Homes Landlords’ Association, Mr. Fred Ohwahwa described the present state of the estate as unsafe.

Mr. Ohwahwa said: “This morning, we got to know that some people came in to demolish the estate. Some of us ran down here from our offices. We came here and saw the leader of the demolition squad and asked why they were doing this. He said they had instruction from above. We further asked which instruction because the matter is in court.

“There has been an injunction since December restraining all the parties from carrying out anything that will be injurious to the parties involved.

We pleaded but they did not listen.

They went ahead and demolished the gates, houses and fences and few things in various houses. They also promised to come back to complete the exercise.

“For us, we are surprised because we thought we are in a civilised society where people obey the rules of the game, especially when the case is in court. We bought this place as far back as 2009/2010 through the Mass Housing Scheme that was initiated by elRufai. It was sometime in June last year that somebody came to lay claim to a part of the estate and when he laid claim, we were wondering what was

happening.

“We went to meet the development control people and they claimed that they allocated the land to the man. We asked how they could do that considering the fact that we had already developed our property. They showed us a paper indicating that the land was allocated to the man in 2012 as Golf Course.

“By 2012, this place was already built and people were already living here.

We went to court and they came to mark the place for demolition and we took them to court. On December 16 last year, there was a court order restraining them. They are in court with us. So, that is why we are surprised at this action. ”This action shows that government policies and systems do not believe in continuity. Government is a continuum. Government comes and goes but its policies remain. In any case, government is there for the purpose of securing the properties and lives of people and to secure people, you must have a roof over their heads but the people cannot even go back home to sleep peacefully. This administration’s activity negates what government is supposed to be about.

He further explained: “It is not fair.

It is wrong and if I am asked, I will say it is evil because you should not derive pleasure in destroying what oth-

‘This is most unfortunate. This should not happen where there is respect for law and order. They are fully aware of the order that the court has given and the court has not vacated that order.

There can be no reason whatsoever for anybody to take law into his or her hands and roll in bulldozer to demolish properties of this nature. You can imagine the kind of pains and agonies people are going through’ ers have laboured to build and you are not doing it because of any overriding policy.

“It is a disgrace to this government which has not proved itself to be a people’s government because more of these things have happened overtime.

“People did not just wake up one day to construct these structures; it took them time and resources. When they were building, Development Control were coming and were even supervising the work to instruct them on the kind of materials to use and the building plan was even given to us by the developers.

“We submitted all the documents to them but they just dumped them in their office because they have other interest they are pursuing.

FCTA to spend N334b on Jabi Lake Resort From Gbenga Omokhunu

I

N its efforts to boost tourism in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), in partnership with private investors, has begun the development of the ultra-modern Jabi Lake Resort in the Phase II of the Federal Capital City. The FCTA will spend the sum of over N334 billion on the project.

The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed revealed this while receiving executive members of Nigeria Young Professionals Forum that paid him a visit.

Senator Mohammed said the resort, when completed, would take Abuja to the next level in promoting tourism and by extension, generate the required revenue to augment budgetary allocation from the Federal Government.

He said the Federal Government has made a lot of investments in the Federal Capital Territory by providing seed money, saying time has come for the FCT Administration to create institutions, structures in terms of legal framework to leverage on private funding by way of competition to take Abuja to the next level.

The minister assured that the leadership of the FCT Administration is determined to set standards and benchmark on how things ought to be done for the betterment of all residents of the Territory without recourse to government funding.

He said the FCT Administration has received marching order from President Goodluck Jonathan to build human capital and institution as well as partnership in accordance with the global best practices.

Senator Mohammed urged the forum to use its contacts across the globe to woo investors to invest in Abuja; saying that Abuja is a haven for genuine investors.

Conscious of the need to promote tourism, the FCT Administration gave priority to the ongoing construction of the Abuja Millennium Towers at the Central Business District where work at the site has reached an appreciable stage of completion.

•Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Solomon Adeola, (left), Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Auwal Jattau, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Education, Hon. Aminu Suleiman and member, House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Pally Iriase, during the capacity building for the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, at the National Assembly Abuja.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

ABUJA REVIEW

•President Goodluck Jonathan receiving a document from the Head of the Tinaiya Sect, Khalifa, Sheikh Ahmad Tijani during a meeting between the President and Islamic clerics from Cameroon at the State House in Abuja. With them is a member of the delegation, Sheikh Mansur.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

•Minister for Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke (right); DirectorGeneral, National Commission for Museum and Monuments, Mallam Yusuf Abdallah, and National President, Artefacts Rescuers Association of Nigeria, George Agbo at the presentation of cheques to members of Antiquies Vendors’ Association in Abuja.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

•From left: Minister of Education, Nyeson Wike; Special Adviser to the President on Legal Matters, Alhaji Jamil Arabi, and FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed during the Federal Executive PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN Council Meeting at the State House Abuja.

•From left: The new Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele; CBN Deputy Governor Monetary Policy, Serah Alade and Deputy Governor Financial System Stability, Adebayo Adelabu during the Governor’s maiden press conference on New Vision of the Central Bank of Nigeria in PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN Abuja.

•Secretary-General, Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC), Eyad Ameen Madani in a handshake with President Goodluck Jonathan during his visit to the State House, PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN Abuja.

•President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Olumide Akintayo (left); Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; Chairman, Joint Health Sector Unions, Dr. Godswill Okara and Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu during a visit by the Joint Health Sector Unions on the leadership of the House at National Assembly, Abuja.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

•From left: Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan during the meeting of oil-producing states at the State House, Abuja.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

•Chairperson, House of Representatives Committee on the Diaspora, Abike Dabiri Erewa (middle); Actress Kate Henshaw (right) and Partner, Millennium Strategic Consultant, Hubert Shaiyen at a programme to galvanise support for female candidacy in Abuja.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

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ABUJA REVIEW

M

ANY Nigerians must have felt somewhat relieved on this year's Democracy Day when it was announced that the Federal Government had offered amnesty to members of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

Their thinking was that the killings and bombings that have sent thousands of innocent Nigerians to their early graves in the past few years will come to an end, thanks to the reprieve.

They want the country to experience peace and harmony once again as soon as possible and at any cost.

Unfortunately, they may now have to wait a little longer as their hopes were dashed when the Presidency, 48 hours after the offer, denied ever offering 'amnesty' to the sect.

At an elaborate function at the International Conference Centre, Abuja tagged "A day with Young Leaders of Nigeria" to mark the nation's Democracy Day, Minister of Youth Development, Boni Haruna had announced that the President had offered amnesty to the insurgents in order to bring the ongoing violent attacks to an end.

He said: "President Goodluck Jonathan has also declared amnesty for members of the Boko Haram sect. Series of integration programmes have been lined up for the members of the sect who would surrender their arms and embrace peace.

"Let me use this opportunity, on behalf of the Federal Government, to call on the members of the Boko Haram sect to embrace the government's gesture and key into the amnesty programme."

The programme, where the amnesty was announced, was carried live on many television and radio stations.

The President, who spoke after the Minister at the occasion, did not make any reference to the Minister's remarks.

Despite the offer of amnesty, the insurgents, as if rejecting it killed the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idris Timta, in an ambush involving three traditional rulers in Borno State barely 24 hours after the offer was made.

To probably save government's 'face', the Presidency, after the fresh attack, denied ever offering 'amnesty' to the sect.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, 48 hours after the offer was made, said: "Let me refer you to the speech by the President.

If you read the speech line by line, you will see that it contains the

Presidency and amnesty for Boko Haram ‘Some observers believe the sect may not really be interested in accepting the offer for peace to reign but are rather bent on causing more havoc in a bid to bring the country to its knees…If the aim of the insurgents is to destroy Nigeria, many Nigerians are definitely in full support of President Jonathan's directive to the security agencies to apply maximum force within the law to crush its members’ very message that the President wanted to put across and in that speech if you look at it, I don't think the President used amnesty, instead

From the Villa

By Augustine Ehikioya he spoke about those who are willing to renounce terrorism, those who are willing to embrace peace, opportunities have been created for them through the fact-finding committee, through the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolutions of Conflict in the Northeastern part of Nigeria.

"So, I will refer you basically to the speech by the President."

Some online responses to the latest development maintained that it was another incompetency on the part of the government.

Also some political analysts be-

lieved that if the minister had erred about the offer of amnesty and the President in error of omission also forgot to correct the minister at the event, government's response, they say, should have come as soon as possible the same day and shouldn't have waited for 48 hours to elapse.

There are still some Nigerians who believed that what played out was aimed at testing the waters in order to find out if the sect will actually lay down their arms and embrace the amnesty.

This category of Nigerians believes the development could be

part of a grand plan to find lasting solution to the crisis.

Apart from the sect's killing of the Emir after the offer of amnesty, other attacks have taken place in the country, including the killing of about 40 Nigerians when the sect bombed a football viewing centre in Mubi, Adamawa State on Sunday last week.

On the same day, suspected members of the Boko Haram burnt down many houses, shops and two churches in Gwoshe town in Gwoza.

Some lives were also lost on Monday last week as the terrorists attacked church worshippers in Attagara Village in Borno State.

With all these latest attacks, some observers believe the sect may not really be interested in accepting the offer for peace to reign but are rather bent on causing more havoc in a bid to bring the country to its knees.

If the aim of the insurgents is to destroy Nigeria, many Nigerians are definitely in full support of President Jonathan's directive to the security agencies to apply maximum force within the law to crush its members.

But everything must first be done to truly know the motives of the insurgents.

Minister threatens to sue online publisher From Gbenga Omokhunu

M

INISTER of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed has begun the process of suing an online media organisation (Pointblanknews.com) which he said has been publishing false and libelous reports against him, his children and administration.

He said the media organisation had, in recent weeks, alleged that two of the minister’s children whose names it gave as Ibrahim and Shamushdeen, had stashed away a staggering N35 billion in the Unity Bank and UBA Plc as well as an unnamed offshore account.

The minister, according to the statement, issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Nosike Ogbuenyi, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police calling for an investigation of the allegations which he dismissed as nothing but criminal fabrications by the authors.

“For instance, the minister said contrary to the claim of the online publication, he has no son called Ibrahim. Again, he said his children had no domestic or offshore accounts with Unity Bank or UBA contrary to the claims of the online newspaper. He added that even the name of his first son, Shamsudeen was wrongly spelt as ‘Shamushdeen’ in the hatchet stories. Against the backdrop of untruths and contradictions in the stories, he appealed to the Inspector– General of Police to interrogate the publisher.

“The minister urged the police boss to prevail on the media organisation to disclose the full identities of the ‘Ibrahim’ and ‘Shamushdeen’ it referred to in its reports so that the public would be better informed.

“They should also be made to provide credible evidence of the bank account numbers to enable you carry out your investigation. I am insisting on these processes to prove my family’s innocence even though I know that the publishers have nothing to buttress their claims because the information upon which their stories were predicated is totally false, malicious and unsubstantiated,” the minister said.

“He recalled that appeals to the online media organisation to desist from publishing further negative reports against him and his children were rudely ignored. The publisher has not only failed to heed wise counsel to retract the malicious story but has also continued to do more false reports against him and his children,” the statement added.

•The Church Pastor Rev. Timothy Akanbi (right) and his wife, Grace (left) jointly being presented with their portrait during the Nigerian Baptist Convention Youth Week at Lugbe in Abuja. Others are the Youth Matron and Patron Grace Bolarinwa and Joseph Oroye.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

37

LEGAL OPINION Text of the lecture delivered by Prof. EPIPHANY AZINGE (SAN) on the eve of his bowing out of office as the Director-General of NIALS.

Law and transformation: NIALS forensic empiricism and legal pragmatism

N

IALS have contributed to this pro cess by producing two major books to guide the law makers. The first titled “Legislative Drafting and Transformative laws”5 is easily the most authoritative scholarly work on the subject. In addressing critical issues like Transformative legislation and public interest promotion, legislating for institutional transformation; legislative methodology in developing economies, policy legislation and national transformation towards transformation evidence-based legislation; legislative efficiency and democratic change, the book confronts all agents of transformation agenda with enough information for effective and transformative legislation.

But over and above all, the book exhaustively examined Cost-Benefit Analysis of Legislation. It posits that there are no formal indications that a systematic cost benefit analysis is conducted by the legislature in Nigeria. It is argued that the well-farist tenets of the constitution, by implication, demands that a cost benefit analysis is conducted to determine if a legislative project is a sound one.

The second NIALS book project that clearly endorses transformative laws is titled “Legislating for Good Governance”6.

Issues like “Legislation and Economic Prosperity; Perspectives on Administration of Criminal Justice Bill For Nigeria, Good Governance and poverty reduction: The legislative Agenda “ Taxation Law and Good Governance; and Human Rights Legislations and Good Governance, are critically examined as ingredients for achieving good governance and national transformation.

NIALS followed up with effective participation in public hearing in most of the bills that are tangentially relevant for the transformation process. Specific mention must be made of Electoral Act Amendment Bills.

Same Sex marriage bills, terrorism prevention bills, Freedom of Information Bill, Discriminating Against Persons with Disability Bill, NDDC Appropriation Bill, Personal Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, Pension Reform Bill, National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Bill, Fiscal Responsibility Commission Bill, Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Bill What this means is that legal scholarship in NIALS recognises the critical role of law as an instrument of national transformation and keys into that vision by diligently researching emerging areas of law, engaging in comparative studies and more importantly advising on cost-benefit analysis as it relates to legislative process.

As is common knowledge, Legislative Drafting is NIALS major area of expertise.

Drawing from the skills of its faculty, NIALS in the last five years have drafted the following bills in its effort to draw attention to bills that may well be considered as transformative. They are as follows: Compensation Of Victims Of Road Accident Bill, Enforcement Of Education Of Children And Young Persons Bill, Destitute Protection Bill, Rehabilitation Of Widows And Protection From Exploitative Cultural Practices Bill, Protection Of Employees From Unfair Treatment Bill, And Parental Rights And Child Control Bill From the perspective of doctrinaire re-

search, NIALS have also impacted positively on the Law/Transformation correlation by the depth and breath of legal scholarship that have charted new course as far as jurisprudence is concerned and made original contribution to knowledge.

The seminal works in question include: Competition Law and Policy in Nigeria, (2012),7 Deregulation: Law, Economics and Politics (2012) 8, Intellectual Property And Development: Perspectives Of African Countries, (2013), Judicial Reform And Transformation In Nigeria, (2012) 9 , Freedom Of Information Law And Regulation In Nigeria, (2013)10, Plea Bargaining In Nigeria, (2012),11 Law Of Domestic Violence In Nigeria, (2012)12, Legal Regime Of Free Trade Zones, (2013)13, NIALS Dictionary Of African Customary Laws (2013) 14, NIALS Journal Of Health Law And Policy, (2013) 15, Corporate Governance And Responsibility, (2014) 16 , State Of Emergency In Nigeria: Law And Politics, (2013)17, Code Of Good Governance (2013)18, NIALS Supreme Court Review, 2011, 2012,2013,201419, Legal Empiricism and Writing Skills, (2014)20, Mutual Legal Assistance (2014)21, Nuclear Law, Policy And Regulation (2014)22, Annotation Of Evidence Act, (2014) 23, Annotation Of Electoral Act (2014)24, Annotation Of Company And Allied Matters Act, (2014)25, Law Of Wars And Use Of Force (2014)26, Nigeria: A Century Of Constitutional Evolution 1914-2014, (2013), 27 Money Laundering , Law And Policy (2014)28.

Forensic empiricism: The NIALS approach Legal scholarships in the past five centuries have focused more on doctrinaire research and philosophical postulations. Jurists and legal scholars have never bothered to grapple with socio-legal research.

This was generally considered the exclusive preserve of social scientist. The challenge for legal scholars is obvious lack of skilled expertise for analysis of data collated. This glaring deficiency has remained the major obstacle militating against the involvement of legal scholars in socio-legal research. In the last five years, NIALS through its strategic action plan made empirical studies the foundation of its research activities. The thesis is that NIALS cannot claim to be the apex institution for research in law and related discipline without adequate capacity to engage in socio-legal research. Furthermore as an Institute dedicated to policy formulation, it is indisputable that the integrity of NIALS research findings can only be anchored on empirical data flowing from socio legal research.

Consequently, NIALS have perfected its socio-legal research and have progressed to build capacity of Research Fellows to the extent that most of them can conveniently be referred to as legal statisticians.

What I propose to examine henceforth are specific socio-legal researches conducted by the Institute in the last five years.

In this regard, emphasis will be on findings, deductions and impacts of such study.

I also propose to highlight the emerging jurisprudence from forensic empiricism of NIALS socio-legal research and finally underscore NIALS major contribution to legal research in Nigeria and the new phi-

•From left: Former General Secretary, NBA, Lawal Rabana (SAN); Secretary SBL, Olu Akpata, Funke Adekoya (SAN), Chief Charles Edosomwan (SAN) and Chief Joe Agi (SAN) at NBA NEC meeting in Abuja.

losophy of Law inextricably intertwined with evidence-based research.

Nigeria’s judicial performance evaluation 2008-2011 29 This empirical study of judicial performance over a period of four years will go down in history as the most expansive and intricate socio-legal analysis ever conducted by the Institute. That we deployed over 30 Research Fellows to grapple with the project over a period of 3 years is a clear indication of the massive undertaking that confronted NIALS. Altogether NIALS produced 7 volume report each spanning 1,000 pages. Each state judiciary was analysis against the background of returns per year of each judge. The data collected per year covered the four quarters of the year and the analysis was compartmentalized between civil and criminal cases. This presented a summary of case distribution and disposal in all state High Court jurisdictions. With the support of charts and graphs, our legal statisticians presented a flawless, compelling and incontrovertible data on judicial performance in all courts of superior of record in Nigeria between 2008-2011. This research project was handed over to the incumbent Chief Justice of Nigeria in a well documented ceremony wherein she made her now famous statement that any judge that fails to deliver 4 judgments in a year will be shown the way out.

This 7,000 pages project is now a reference point in evaluation of judicial performance in Nigeria and its impact on quick dispensation of justice in Nigeria cannot be overemphasised. Credit goes to NIALS philosophy and belief in forensic empiricism.

Restatment of Customary Law30 NIALS research work on restatement of customary law of nigeria will go down in history as the most authoritative restatement exercise in africa. Indeed it has redefined the concept and nature of Customary Law Article 1-69 of the Restatement has provided an escape from proof of customary law.

The project is a culmination of four years of massive research undertaking involving desk review; field research covering four geo-political zones in Nigeria, collation and analysis of field research findings; testing of field research findings in a stakeholders consultative conference, further desk review to fill in gaps in the literature, and the core restatement work by a select committee of reporters.

The idea of a restatement is to identify common principles or trends in a particular area of law with the objective of unifying the further development of the law. It is not a codification of law although it reads like one. The project set out to establish the common law of Nigeria’s customary jurisprudence by identifying commonalities in customary practices in four thematic areas: Chieftaincy/Traditional Institutions; inheritance/succession; Land; and Marriage.

The mandate of the committee of reporters in each of the thematic areas was to distil through a massive welter of research findings in the desk reviews and field work and identify what represented commonalities across the four geo-political zones in each of the thematic areas of the research.

By and large, the restatement work represents a major contribution to legal scholarship in this area.

It is also a testament of NIALS commitment to empirical socio legal research as a vehicle for enduring contribution to the development of law.

Traditional administration of justice in Nigeria31 T angentially related to the field work on Restatement of customary law is the equally engaging interrogation of traditional administration of justice in Nigeria.

This is another research undertaking that was designed to produce authoritative and empirical research findings that can be considered as flawless.

Although the traditional justice system does not form part of the Nigerian legal system, it however continues to gain mo-

•Azinge

mentum in all parts of Nigeria in terms of traditional dispute resolution and resolution of conflict especially within the rural areas. The research undertakings by NIALS which was a field research was carried out throughout the country. It explored the laws administered in the traditional system, the courts and mechanisms in place for adjudication and enforcement. Also frequency of cases handled was explored as well as the time frame in which disputes are resolved in the traditional justice system.

The project identifies the high merits as well as the shortcomings of the traditional justice system. It recommends among others that the traditional justice system be streamlined into the Nigerian legal system by the means of legislation as is done in some African countries.

Political financing and expenditure ceiling for 2011 election32 An aspect of the electoral process which is crucial and an area of likely violation or manipulation is the aspect of political financing and election expenditure. This spans the whole gamut from fund raising to the expenditure returns political parties are expected to make to the electoral body before and after an election.

Conscious of this and determined to strengthen the Nigerian Democratic process for sustainable growth and development , NIALS embarked on a research for stocktaking of the 2011 election – the research project was preceded by a literature review designed to do a comparative analysis of other jurisdictions which will give insight into what transpires in those jurisdictions. The jurisdictions examined include United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada and Ghana. The field research work covered FCT(Abuja) NorthCentral, Plateau North Central, Borno Maiduguri, North- East, Kebbi (Birni Kebbi) North West, Lagos -South West, Enugu South West; and Rivers South South.

The research work did not only look at the expenditure from the point of view of stakeholders, it also looked at it from the vintage point of the electorate on their opinion about how much was spent during the 2011 elections, some quoted figures ranging from millions to over a trillion.

Others were of the opinion that it is difficult to estimate due to lack proper accounting by political parties and candidates.

Generally there was a consensus that political financing poses a danger of long term systematic corruption, undermines accountability and hinders the democratic process.

Unregulated political money can influence the results of running for an office and can make political parties or candidates to accept money from unacceptable sources.

The role of costs and adjournments in expeditious dispensation of justice33 In our attempt to address delay in administration of justice, NIALS initiated a research project on the effect of award of costs and unnecessary adjournments in the expeditious dispensation of justice in the Nigerian Courts. Our methodology was to determine whether there was indeed a visible link between routine grant of adjournments and non deterrent cost awards on one hand and the slow disposal of cases in the Nigerian courts on the other. If yes, would a punitive cost system be the long awaited solution?

•To be continued next week

38

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

LAW & SOCEITY

How to prevent untimely deaths, by judge

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HIEF Judge (CJ) of Benue State Jus tice. Hwande has urged lawyers to go for regular medical check up to prevent untimely deaths.

He spoke at a valedictory court session in honour of the late Mr. Terwase Akpen, a lawyer, at the Benue State High Court, Makurdi.

The CJ said: “This is yet another sad and painful moment for me to be called upon to preside over the valedictory court session of a young lawyer, Terwase Akpen. My sorrow is deepened much more because of the frequency of death of lawyers in Benue State.

“Not too long ago, precisely on May 9, 2014 at Otukpo, a similar court session was held in honour of Anthony Abah Egli, a Chief Magistrate. Before him, the jurisdiction had lost Edwin Amedu Arii, Terence Ezekiel Dechier Aese, Chief O.G. Obande and more recently, Gabriel Tersoo Igba, all in quick succession.

“Even though we know from the Bible in Ecclesiastes Chapter 7 verse 2 that ‘.... death is the destiny of every man’, however, the death of young lawyers that appear unabated should be rejected. This is, however, not to suggest that we endorse the departure of older lawyers.

We pray that lawyers should live their ages to at least, three scores and 10,” he said.

“The testimonies of the learned Attorney-General and the NBA show that the late Terwase Akpen was God fearing and dedicated himself to serving God and humanity. He was hardworking, friendly and honest in the practice of his profession. He was determined to make it to the pinnacle of the legal profession, but for the cold hands of death that snatched him from his dreams prematurely,” he said.

The late Akpen was born on the January 17, 1975 at Tse Akpen Village, Mbahundu, Mbaduku in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.

He attended RCM Primary School JatoAka and obtained the First School Leaving Certificate in 1984.

He proceeded to Turari Community Secondary School, also at Jato-Aka,

By John Austin Unachukwu

where he completed in 1989 and obtained his GCE 0' Level.

The late Akpen also attended College of Education, Katsina-Ala where he graduated in 1994. His thirst for education took him to Benue State University Makurdi between 1998 and 2003 where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LL. B Hons.) Degree after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Bar and registered at the Supreme Court of Nigeria as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court in 2005.

He worked with the Law Firm of J.S. Okutekpa (SAN) & Co. Makurdi, between May, 2007 and May 2010 from where he moved to the Law Firm of Joel Drisu Umaru & Co, also in Makurdi where he continued his private Legal practice till May 5.

The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Hon. Alex Adum, who was represented, said: “One can not tell whether it is by divine design or a mere coincidence that Terwase Akpen started his active legal practice in the month of May and also stopped in the month of May by virtue of his demise.

“During his life time as a Legal Practitioner, he was very active and versatile in his private legal practice and was based in Makurdi.

“During his school days, he once served as the President of the Christian Religious ·Studies Students Association of Nigeria, College of Education KatsinaAla Branch,” he said.

NBA Makurdi branch Chairman, Mr. Theophilus Igba regretted the frequent death of lawyers.

He called for prayers against premature death of lawyers.

J. S. Okutepa (SAN) described the late Akpen as a very intelligent and hardworking man. He urged young lawyers to always find time for regular medical check ups.

NBA Second Vice-President Steve Abar said: “We should all unite and pray that this ill wind of untimely death stops.

“We should seek the face of God so that this ill wind will give us temporary relief, temporary because all men must die,” he said.

•From left: Justice Ijohor Jenifer; Justice Aondoaver Ka' Kaan; CJ Benue State, Justice I. Hwande; Justice Kpojime Elizabeth and Justice Itodo S.O.

•From left: Chairman, Gboko branch NBA, Pius Iorzua, Bauchi; NCE Rep, Mathias Tsuwa; 2nd Vice President NBA, Steve Abar; Chairman NBA Makurdi branch, Theophilus Igba and Secretary Makurdi branch, Mike Assoh

•From left: J.S. Okutepa (SAN); former Chairman (NBA) Makurdi branch, T.T. Hundu; Chief S. O. Agbo; Chief M.A. Agber and S. T. Sule

LEGAL DIARY NBA Calabar holds law week The Calabar branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) holds her law week.

Venue: Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar.

Time: 10 am daily.

A statement from the branch chairman Mrs. Nkoyo Amah says the Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State is the guest of honour while the former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Kanu Agabi (SAN) will be the guest blecturer. The highlight of the event is the groundbreaking ceremony and laying of foundation for the branch Bar Centre.

•From left: Peter S. Chaha, Cecilia S. Bakare, Josphine M. Ayua and Fidelis Iorter.

Ayim, Okorocha, Akpabio, Imoke to get NBA awards

F

•Enamhe

ORMER National Financial Sec retary of the Nigerian Bar Asso ciation (NBA) and Chairman, Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) Seminar and Award Night Committee, Mr. Marc Enamhe, said the forum would honour some of its prominent leaders because they have contributed significantly to the development of the country.

The award, which would hold at the forum’s seminar and awards night, is slated for June 13. It will hold at Newton Hotel Owerri, Imo State. The topic of the seminar is “Whither Nigeria” and the keynote speaker is the former President of the NBA Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), while the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese and Dr. Rev. Fr. Okweze Ode will present papers.

Those to be honoured include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim; Chairman, Senate Committee on Ploice Affairs, Senator Polycarp Igwe

Nwagu; Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Anayoterparts, Seriake Dickson, Godswill Akpabio and Liyel Imoke. .

Others are former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi; Justice Kate Abiri; Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN); Chief Tony Mogbo (SAN); Chief Mike Ikenna Ahamba (SAN); OCJ Okocha (SAN); Olisa Agbakoba (SAN); Prof. Ernest Ojukwu; Bayelsa State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kemasuode Wodu, who is the immediate past chairman of the forum and Marc Enamhe.

Two corporate bodies that have contributed to the development of the old Eastern Region, are to be honoured.

They are Innoson Industries Nigeria Limited and Moni Pulo Limited.

Those to be given posthumous awards are the late Justice Udo Udoma and the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.

In a chat with The Nation , Enamhe said: “The time our committee submit-

ted its report, Oputa (JSC) was still alive. We decided to honour him because he was an erudite Justice of the Supreme Court, a former Chief Judge of Imo State, and the Chairman of the famous Oputa panel.

Justice Udo Udoma, according to him, was the first lawyer from the old Eastern Region to bag a PhD in law in the 40s.

“He was appointed the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital in Lagos. He was the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly and a former Chief Judge of Uganda,” he said.

He added: “We decided to honour Anyim Pius Anyim because of the stability of the Senate under him when he the Senate President. While OCJ Okocha (SAN) was one of the founding fathers of EBF.” Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) and Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, he said, are being honoured because of their policy of inclusion. “If not for them the minorities would have left the EBF,” he said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

39

LEGAL OPINION

Court urged to void PDP’s zoning policy

A

HIGH Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has been asked to declare unconstitutional the zoning policy of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The prayer is contained in a suit by a governorship aspirant of the party in Akwa-Ibom State, Leo Ekpenyong, marked: CV/1471/ 2014.

The plaintiff’s main contention is to the effect that the policy, contained in the PDP’s Constitution, is not only discriminatory, it negates the constitutional provision for the right of every citizen to contest election without being discriminated against, regardless of his place of birth.

He stated, in a supporting affidavit, that the suit was informed by a recent publication by the AkwaIbom chapter of the party, in The Nation newspaper of April 24, 2014 (at pages 59 and 60), indicating that it has zoned the governorship position to Eket Senatorial District of the state.

Ekpenyong said he is a member of the PDP, an indigene of AkwaIbom State, from Etinan Local Government, in Uyo Senatorial District.

He contended that the party, by the publication, which it said formed the communique from its state’s Executive Committee meeting of April 22, was determined to discriminate against him and frustrate him in his aspiration for the gover-

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

norship position.

He stated that the party’s indication that its decision to zone the position to Eket Senatorial District did not preclude other aspirants from other districts from pursuing the aspirations, was insufficient to assuage the disadvantage the party’s publication has placed his aspiration in the context of the state’s governorship primary election.

The plaintiff urged the court to decide whether he or any other aspirant to the governorship position in Akwa-Ibom State could be excluded from contesting the party’s forthcoming primary elections or placed at ant disadvantage on account of his Senatorial District, Local Government or ethnicity.

He also wants the court to decided whether the resolution of the Akwa-Ibom State chapter of the party, published in The Nation newspaper is not unconstitutional, null and void.

In resolving the questions, the plaintiff wants the court to declare that he or any aspirant to the governorship position in the state can not be excluded from the primary elections or placed at any disadvantage on account of his Senatorial District, Local Government or ethnicity.

He also seeks a declaration that the Akwa-Ibom PDP’s resolution,

published in the newspaper on April 24 is unconstitutional, null and void.

Ekpenyong argued that the fact that the zoning policy is contained in the PDP’s constitution, is unhelpful to the position taken by the PDP in AkwaIbom because such policy violates the provisions of sections 14(2) (a), 15(2), 42(2), 42 (2) of the country’s Constitution and Section 87 of the Electoral Act. He contended that in view of the various constitutional provisions against discriminatory practices by political parties, the PDP in AkwaIbom State or any other party “has no choice but to maintain the principle of equality of opportunity for all aspirants regardless of where he comes from in the state.”

The plaintiff noted that the PDP constitution did not recognise bodies like “Town Hall meetings, the Body of Chapter Chairmen, the Body of Local Government Chairmen/ Vice Chairmen,” among others, listed as having endorsed the communique published by the party in Akwa-Ibom.

When the case came up on May 26, Justice A. S. Umar granted the plaintiff’s application for amendment of the originating summons to enable him include the complete copy of the PDP constitution as exhibit.

The judge ordered service of all processes on the defendant (the PDP) and adjourned to June 26 for hearing.

•From left: Seni Adio; former General Secretary NBA, Dele Adesina (SAN); Pioneer Chairman, Section on Business Law, George Etomi; Chairman, Skye Bank, Tunde Ayeni; Chairman, SBL, Gbenga Oyebode and Ziggy Azike at the SBL Conference in Lagos.

London arbitrators to hold global conference in Lagos

O

FFICIALS of Arbitration London have arrived in Nigeria to educate legal practitioners and emerging arbitrators on the rudiments of the fast developing Practice.

An international conference on arbitration organised by Arbitration London will hold in Lagos on June 19.

The conference which will hold at Four Points Hotel by Sheraton, Lekki, Lagos is themed, “A Practical Introduction to Oil and Gas, Construction, Trade and Maritime disputes” and is targeted at professionals and others who are specialized or may want to take up arbitration as an area of specialization.

International acclaimed arbitrator and mediator, Mr. Kadiri Momoh of the London based Mitchell Simmonds Solicitors who is leading the group, told journalists in Lagos last week that the conference will take an international perspective on current, emerging trends, issues on oil and gas, construction, and maritime disputes.

Momoh said particular emphasis would be paid on international Construction, Trade and Maritime Arbitration; Aspects of Interna-

By Adebisi Onanuga

tional Oil and Gas Arbitration: Practical Tips on how to draft an arbitration clause and how to conduct arbitration.

He said that another internationally acclaimed arbitrator, Mr. Paul Bugden, a fellow of the Chartred Institute of Arbitrators and Principal Partner of London based Bugden and Company Solicitors would also be a facilitator at the conference.

Momoh disclosed that another I n t e r n a t i o n a l CommercialArbitration Conference has also been scheduled to hold in London between July 16 and 18, 2014 to cater in addition for those who might miss the Lagos conference.

He said Federal Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Mohammed Adoke(SAN) will deliver the keynote address at the London arbitration cionference.

Although , he declined to give names, Momoh said a number of Justices of the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court would be in attendance at the conference.

He said that the London conference scheduled for Hilton Hotel, is

•Adoke (SAN)

targeted at those involved in international arbitration in West Africa sub-region and will explore the London International Commercial arbitration with particular emphasis on the perspective of the West African Arbitration usr in the transport, trade, infrastructure and the energy sector.

Aside from himself and Bugden, other resource persons include a former Commercial judge, Justice Nicholas Chambers(QC); Harry Matovu(QC); Mr. Olumide Sofowara(SAN); Stephen Ruttle(QC);Arshaf Ghaffar and Mahnaz Malik of the English bar.

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com For comments: 08033054939 (sms only)

Dora Akunyili departs amidst unremitting insurgency

T

HIS week I had wanted to examine whether the Russian President, Vladimir Putin has morphed into a putative Adolf Hitler, consid ering his war exploits in Ukraine, amidst the resort to scaremongering by the United States and her western allies. But an emerging putative industry, at home, drew my attention. It is the resort to insurgency by youths, as the best way to gain national prominence.

Even as I contemplated the trenchant intervention by the Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM) in the insurgency industry, the news of Professor Dora Akunyili’s departure broke. So, I decided to put Putin on hold, while I pay tribute to Dora, and sparingly examine the turning of insurgency to a cruel joke.

Before her departure on June 7, at 59, Dora Akunyili, former Information Minister, and former Director General NAFDAC, had become a national folk hero. Intriguingly, the road to her heroism was fraught with roses, the thorns and flowers in equal measure. Growing up, she survived some near death experiences, which she unabashedly proclaimed as a sign of the glory of God on her. One, was when as a child, leaving with her grandmother in rural Isuofia, Anambra state, she lost consciousness and was later diagnosed with pneumonia. Another was when she suffered from pancreatitis, and neither ate nor drank for three weeks, living only on infusion. Again, while serving as the Zonal Secretary of the Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund (PTF), she suffered a strange stomach ailment, which was diagnosed locally, as requiring surgery abroad.

In Dora’s divine trajectory, the local diagnosis, was upturned when she travelled to the United States, where she was treated, and asked to go home. Interestingly, it was her exceptional display of pious integrity, by refusing to appropriate to other use, the 12 thousand pounds, given to her for the surgery that propelled her to national fame. Despite encouragement from hospital officials and colleagues, Dora opted to return the money to the coffers of her employers. It was this story, which was relayed to General Mohmmadu Buhari, then Executive Chairman of PTF, that recommended her to President Olusegun Obasanjo, who in 2001, was in search of ‘a man or woman of honour to lead a crusade in the much beleaguered food and drug sector of the national economy’.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) was at her nadir as a regulatory agency, when Dora took over. Already by 1990, Professor Adeoye Lambo, a former WHO Deputy Director, had reported that 54% of drugs in every major pharmacy in Lagos were fake drugs. By 2001/2002, a study by NAFDAC showed that 68% of drugs in circulation were unregistered. It was this monster, that Dora was recruited to confront. And she did, at great costs to her family, her staff and NAFDAC as an institution. In pursuit of her vision for a fake-drug free country, Dora, suffered several personal attacks and even an assassination attempt, on December 26, 2003.

Her performance at NAFDAC was revolutionary. She succeeded in drastically reducing fake drugs in circulation, as the Agency established the capacity to ensure that all drugs complied with laboratory standards and inspection requirements before they are registered. The Agency also insisted that all drugs must renew their registration every five years, while all regulated products must bear NAFDAC registration number on its label, to enable the public to indentify drugs certified by the agency. The Agency furthermore established the National Pharmacovigilance Center, and coordinated with international organizations to tame the scourge of fake drugs importation into Nigeria. For her dogged efforts, to save the lives of Nigerians from the adverse effects of drugs, in spite of treats of grave danger to her and members of her family, Dora, a distinguished academia, mother, grandmother, and politician worn over 400 national and international awards.

Dora was loved, respected and promoted by the press. To tap from that, late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, invited her to join his cabinet, as the Minister of Information. Dora was one of the major personalities whose performance in public service, was celebrated in the book, Service Above Self, which I co-authored with Emeka Agbayi. Indeed, the book formed a good resource for this tribute. I must say that I treasured the personal encounters I had with Prof, while I researched for the book.

As Dora, the epitome of self-sacrifice is called home by her creator, here is wishing her dear husband, Dr. J.C. Akunyili, their children, her innumerable admirers and Nigerians, the grace to celebrate this Icon of our time.

Insurgency as business The news report last week, that the Police has repelled an attempt by a breakaway faction of the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB); known as Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM), from overrunning the Enugu state government house attracted my attention. According to the report, a 20 member BZM members led by one Ben Onwuka, strangely a United Kingdom based lawyer, armed with a CD Rom for a broadcast to declare a Republic of Biafra were arrested, after the escapade. According to the report, this bizarre group of emergent insurgents was banking on hosting a flag at the Lion Building, and making a broadcast, to propel young men leaving around the government house to troop to the street, to claim their Biafra.

No doubt, Ben Onwuka and his group must have opted to join several other young and women across the country, to poke a cruel joke on the authority of President Goodluck Jonathan and the tottering Federal Republic of Nigeria. With the social and economic benefits accorded those who have successfully taken the authority of our Republic for a ride in the past, Insurgency has turned a burgeoning enterprise; which is sad.

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LAW REPORT Supreme Court has no direct appellate jurisdiction on LPDC’s decisions IN THE SUPREME COURT HOLDEN AT ABUJA ON FRIDAY 16TH MAY, 2014 Before their lordship MAHMUD MOHAMMED, J.S.C. IBRAHIM TANKO MUHAMMAD, J.S.C. JOHN AFOLABI FABIYI, J.S.C. SULEIMAN GALADIMA, J.S.C. MARY UKAEGO PETER-ODILI, J.S.C. MUSA DATTIJO MUHAMMAD, J.S.C. KUDIRAT OLATOKUNBO KEKERE-EKUN, J.S.C. Between ROTIMI WILLIAMS AKINTOKUN Appellant And LEGAL PRACTITIONERS DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE (LPDC)...

Respondent Lead Ruling by Justice Muhammad

I

N his brief of argument and further oral adumbration thereof, the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, as an Amicus Curiae made submission that the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to hear any appeal including the instant appeal filed directly against the direction of the LPDC despite the recent decision of the court in Jide Aladejobi v. Nigerian Bar Association. He conceded that under section 12 of the Legal Practitioners Act 1975 (Decree

No.15 of 1975 (Principal Act), an appeal against the direction of the LPDC could only lie to the Appeal Committee of the Body of Benchers.

That was the law also under the 1990 LFN. The position, he stated, changed when the Legal Practitioners (Amendment) Decree No.21 of 1994 was promulgated.

In its presentation both written and oral, before the court, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) represented by its Chairman, Mr. Okey Wali, SAN, as an amicus curiae, made a comprehensive submission that the question raised in the issue under consideration must be answered in the affirmative, that the court has jurisdiction to hear and determine appeals from the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) as the law stands presently and going by the decision of the court in Okike’s case (supra) which was predicated on the provisions of Section 12 subsections [6] and [7] of the Legal Practitioners Act, Cap 207 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990 as amended by the Legal Practitioners (Amendment) Decree No 21 of 1994.

On the whole, the Court held that it finds it very difficult to depart from or overrule its earlier stand on Aladejobi’s case. The Court further held that no two laws or provisions of an enactment or enactments on same subject which are in conflict that shall be allowed to co-exist. The Court held further that the view that the provisions in the 2004 Laws of the Federation relating to the disciplining of erring Legal Practitioners as contained in Cap L11, LFN, 2004 are the ones that will regulate appeals from the directions of the Legal Prac-

titioners, Disciplinary Committee of the Body of Benchers. That if the Appeal Committee is not in existence as argued by some of the counsel involved in the appeal, it is for the concerned Body, i.e. the Body of Benchers to respect and implement the provision(s) of the 2004 LFN, relating to appeals emanating from the LPDC. The Court still held that the Supreme Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain appeals direct from the directions of the LPDC. The issue raised suo motu by the court on 22nd October, 2013, and now fully addressed by learned counsel for the respective parties and the amicus curiae, in relation to whether it has jurisdiction to entertain appeals direct from the directions of the LPDC in view of its earlier decision in the case of Jide Aladejobi v Nigerian Bar Association, decided on 12th

July, 2013, now reported in (2013) 15 NWLR (PT.1376) 66); (2013) LPELR-20940 SCs, and in some other Law Reports, was resolved, in line with the decision taken in ALADEJOBI’s case, that is the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain appeals direct from the Directions of the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), pursuant to the provisions of the Legal Practitioners’ Act, Cap L11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, (LFN), 2004.

Consequently, the pending appeal in the court, filed by Mr. Akintokun was regarded as a dead horse. The appeal was held to be incompetent and it was stuck out.

Edited by Lawpavillion LawPavilion Citation: (2014) LPELR22941(SC)

•From left: Chief Stell Ugboma, Dr. Ikpeze Ogugua and Princess Olufumilayo Oluyede at NBA NEC meeting in Abuja

Lagos NBA faults election guidelines •Branch demands implementation of Odogiyan report

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ARELY a month to the delegates’ con ference of the Nigerian Bar Associa tion (NBA), members of the NBA, Lagos branch, have faulted the election guidelines released by the Electoral Committee. The guidelines, they said, are fraught with irregularities that imperil the wishes of the electorate.

Following a lengthy debate arising from a motion by an octogenarian lawyer, Pa Tunji Gomez, and seconded by former NBA General Secretary Afro Fayokun, members of the branch unanimously rejected stipulations in the guidelines requesting branches to submit bank tellers “as evidence of payment of annual practicing fee as at April 1, 2014.”

The electoral committee, headed by Mr. Okey Amaechi (SAN), had directed that “all registered branches shall attach to their delegates’ lists receipts or bank tellers showing evidence of payment of annual practicing fees and other branch dues and levies by their delegates as at April 1, 2014, by the delegates as well as all such members that qualified (sic) any Branch for additional delegates under Article 7 (e) of the Constitution.”

The guidelines also banned pasting of posters, billboards, hand bills “or any form of campaign materials whatsoever” as well as campaign tours and visits by candidates and their agents.

Many lawyers have criticised them as containing too many “decrees.”

The NBA NEC had at its meeting in Abuja resolved that the Delegates’ Election will hold on 14 and 15 of next month in Abuja.

In a resolution signed by Lagos branch chairman, Alex Muoka, and Publicity Secretary Abdulrasheed Ibrahim, such requirement is unnecessary “as full and detailed information of all lawyers and all branch members who have paid practising fee as at March 13, 2014 is already in the custody of the NBA national secretariat” The members are piqued by the requirement which mandated every NBA registered branch to submit receipts as evidence

•NBA president Okey Wali (SAN)

By John Austin Unachukwu

of payment of branch dues and levies as at April 1st, 2014.

The requirement, they said, is not only “unconstitutional” as it is not contained in NBA Constitution 2009, but a ploy to “disenfranchise branches and voters.”

The branch also took a swipe at the emergence of some new branches during the election period, warning that “no branch inaugurated in 2014 shall be allowed to send delegates to vote at the 2014 NBA Elections.”

They are worried that the guidelines concerning the publication of the Delegates’ Register will touch on the integrity of the electoral process and jeopardise credible elections.

They then resolved that not only should evidence of payment of practicing fee be published and made available to branches and the Electoral Committee, “the entire list of qualified voters (should) be published by the Electoral Committee at least a week before the date of the election.”

To ensure credible elections and that the wishes of the electorate are not truncated, the members insisted that “independent auditors be engaged to conduct the elections.”

They also demanded “immediate implementation” of the report of the Prince Lanke Odogiyan Election Review Committee which had been adopted by the NBA National Executive Committee (NEC).

Odogiyan was the chairman of the Electoral Committee that conducted the highly controversial 2012 NBA Elections .

The report, which was signed by Lanke odogiyan and Lady Debbbie Obodoukwu, chairman and Secretary respectively stated that:

•Amaechi

•Muoka

“For future purpose, we must re-visit our electoral process. The areas to be looked into include the following: “The first issue we must address is that of a very important stage in the election process. That is the compilation of the Delegates’ List. The list of delegates from the branches should be in duplicate, one copy should be submitted to the Electoral Committee, while the second is sent to the NBA Secretariat. The compilation of the list should be the responsibility of the Electoral Committee.

“The Committee itself should always be made up of members with high sense of the integrity and honour, who cannot be compromised. Our elections must not only be free and fair, they must be seen to be transparent, free and fair. To achieve that, the process leading to the elections must be seen to be transparent.

“The way our campaigns are conducted and the role of money in our electioneering process, must be urgently discussed and addressed. The situation is intolerable, embarrassing and unacceptable. Elections into key offices in the NBA have become highly monetized and scandalously expensive. The truth must be told and we must face it. We cannot continue this way. We must courageously address the problems and find solutions to them.

“Another issue is that of the Regional Fora. They must be re-visited and properly structured. They must function, if they must continue to exist and function, as Regional, not tribal bodies. As where you practice determines your branch, your branch should determine your Zonal Forum, not your place of birth. These bodies are degenerating seriously to tribal bodies. We must arrest the drift .

“We recommend that for future elec-

tions, non-NBA staff should be used not only for accreditation, but also for the elections, to ensure that no manipulation can occur.

“Also, we need to look seriously at our voting procedure. We need to improve on the present process. Can’t we vote electronically? Can’t we decentralize our voting to the States-level even without States bars? The abuses of the present delegates system must be looked into and solutions preferred.

“Finally, we must look at our National Offices and National Officers. There must be a Body of National Officers which must meet periodically, but at least once in a quarter.

We must look at the manner of electing our President. Why can’t our President emerge the way it is in a number of other professional bodies? The Vice Presidency should be the entry point, from which one would move up and eventually become the President. That way, we would have known our would be President. We would have tested them and know whether they can be trusted. Such Presidents-to-be would also have had the opportunity to understudy the office, know what is involved and what is required. The pressure that we have at the moment on the election of the President would be diffused.

“In conclusion, we recommend that the incoming Executive should as a matter of urgency set up an Electoral Review Committee, among others, to thoroughly examine our elections, processes and make recommendations for its over-hauling.

“These should become part of the amendments to be carried out to the NBA Constitution, the NBA needs complete overhauling. The NBA cannot be the watch dog of the society without watching itself. The watch man must now be watched, lest we become hypocrites.”

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TUESDAY JUNE 10, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Former Minister of Aviation Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party he left one year ago for the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to analysts, his exit was not entirely surprising. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines Fani-Kayode’s critic of Jonathan Administration against the backdrop of his defection.

Fani-Kayode: Tale of a rabble-rouser

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HAT manner of politician is former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode? His decision to return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), one year after he dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC), has put a question mark on his credibility as a politician.

Fani-Kayode berated the ruling PDP, when he switched loyalty to the APC, saying he had no confidence in the party and that the situation had become “irredeemable.” He also expressed doubt about the party’s ability to turn the country around good governance to Nigerians. He said the autocratic nature of its national leadership and the high handedness demonstrated by President Goodluck Jonathan in the political feud with Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State suggested that the party had lost its focus.

The former Aviation Minister’s defection to the APC was celebrated by the opposition party, because it came at a time the party was wooing prominent members of the ruling party to come to its fold. Fani-Kayode, who is well known for his sharp tongue, did not dissappoint.

He had described Jonathan as a weak President, whose lacklustre performance in curbing the insurgency in the Northeast allowed it to fester and put the lives of innocent Nigerians in jeopardy.

His words: “The greatest error that we have made and the worst tragedy and misfortune that has ever befallen us as a nation is the fact that a meek lamb ended up taking a throne that was designed and prepared for a lion. The unfortunate consequences of that tragic error and misfortune are there for all to see.

The shedding of the blood of even the youngest, the most innocent and the most vulnerable in our society by the Boko Haram on a daily basis is an eloquent testimony to that unsavoury fact.”

But with his return to the ruling party, at a time the security situation in the country has deteroriated, FaniKayode’s credibility has sunk to a very low ebb. Analysts contend that Fani-Kayode’s observations about the President’s performance in the war against the Boko Haram insurgency still subsists. Given the deteriorating security situation in the country, what explanation has the former minister to convince Nigerians and the whole world that the Jonathan administration is committed to

‘I was amazed when Fani-Kayode described himself as a leader and founding member of the APC. What role did he play in the merger of the legacy parties that transformed into the APC? In which committee did he serve?

Probably, the mere fact that he followed our leaders on visits to eminent Nigerians to inform them of what our party stands for that is why Fani-Kayode has ranked himself as a party leader. It is a misconception. I think the man was on ego trip’ • Fani-Kayode

the war against terror?

Fani-Kayode did not tell Nigerians that he was going back to the PDP because the security situation in the country has improved or that Nigerians can sleep with their two eyes closed. Neither did he explain whether the inept leadership has changed before returning to the PDP. Reacting on the ex-Minister’s defection, a chieftain of the APC said the party never trusted the defector hence, he was kept out of the happenings in the party. The party leader, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said the APC leaders were cautions about dealing with him with open hands because of his antecedents.

“We know him very well. He has been attending some of our meetings, but because we didn’t trust him and for the fear that he might betray us, we were dealing with him with caution. He went to visit President Jonathan without informing anyone about the

outcome of his visit. So, such a character has to be cleverly avoided.

“I was amazed when FaniKayode described himself as a leader and founding member of the APC. What role did he play in the merger of the legacy parties that transformed into the APC? In which committee did he serve? Probably, the mere fact that he followed our leaders on visits to eminent Nigerians to inform them of what our party stands for that is why Fani-Kayode has ranked himself as a party leader. It is a misconception. I think the man was on ego trip”.

The APC chieftain said the party leaders were not enthusiastic with Fani-Kayode’s presence in their midst. “We knew he was on a mission. We didn’t allow him access to strategic meetings and discussions. He is a kind of politician that is always seeking relevance by making noise in the media. From all what he said about Jonathan and the

PDP will you ever contemplate that he would go back to PDP? “The Fani-Kayode’s so called exit has not removed a strand of hair from us. We don’t even regard him as a registered member of the APC. Otherwise, he would have been sanctioned for misleading the public that the APC was planning a MuslimMuslim ticket for 2015,” he added.

A social critic, Edmund Ejiofor, said he was not surprised that Fani-Kayode has gone back to the PDP. According to him, politicians in Nigeria act like prostitutes, who are always available to whoever is willing or ready to dole out cash.

“The moment he met, President in Aso Villa, I know FaniKayode has dumped the APC. But, he was not brave enough to tell State House correspondents who asked him about his mission. Rather than tell them that he was returning to the PDP, he said “the step I will take will be made known to Nigeri-

‘Fani-Kayode did not tell Nigerians that he was going back to the PDP because the security situation in the country has improved or that Nigerians can sleep with their two eyes closed.

Neither did he explain whether the inept leadership of the Jonathan Administration and incompetence of his aides have changed before returning to the PDP’

ans at the right time”.

Ejiofor wondered why people like Fani-Kayode should be in the APC in the first instance, considering his background and antecedents. “I know there are more of the Fani-Kayodes in the APC, who were planted there for mischievous purpose,” he said.

The social critic recalled that Fani-Kayode during his declaration for APC last year, stated that he left the PDP to be with those his spirit has been with long ago. But, while stating his reasons for rejoining the PDP, the ex-minister said his decision “was based on the APC’s intolerance of divergence, sympathy for Boko Haram and the insistence of its leadership to field a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in the general elections”.

At what point did Fani-Kayode realise that the APC has sympathy for Boko Haram? Has he also redeemed the respect and confidence of members of the PDP he said he lost while declaring for the APC? Ejiofor faulted the claim by FaniKayode that he was now comfortable returning to the PDP, since its former Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has been removed. He noted that Fani-Kayode, while dumping the PDP for the APC, never said that one of his reasons was because Tukur had sympathy for Boko Haram. Why is it now that he realised some people are promoting a religion above others?

Obvio u s l y , s o m e p e o p l e criticise to attract attention and the moment they are noted, they turn coats,” Ejiofor remarked.

A lawyer, Mr. Gbade Adejare said Fani-Kayode, like other Nigerians, has the right to belong to any political party of his choice at any moment. To him, the former minister’s defection is not surprising, given his recent romance with the presidency. “We should also remember that Fani-Kayode is facing trial for money laundering, which he once described as a smear campaign orchestrated by the Federal Government. It is common knowledge nowadays that politicians having criminal cases hanging on their neck patronise government for safe landing,” he said.

Adejare said that the APC will not losing sleep over FaniKayode’s defection. Otherwise, the party should have made a statement on his exit.

“This suggests that the party is not feeling his absence. The fact that nobody is making an issue out of his defection suggests that it is a non- issue. I think our politicians should be consistent and stop jumping ship, irrespective of whether they share the party’s ideology or not,” he added.

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POLITICS

‘Nyako can’t be impeached’ PDP, a party of wolves, says Atiku F T From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State is divided over the plot to impeach Governor Murtala Nyako.

A group within the crisis-ridden chapter has vowed to resisit the plot, saying that it is uncalld for.

A PDP chieftain, Dr. Umar Ardo, who has opposed the governor for six years, is leading aggrieved members to challenge the basis for the plot. He told reporters in Yola, the state capital, that the state required peace and stability to grow. The politician advised the House of Assembly to support the governor to achieve greater success.

Ardo described the impeachment as a waste of time, stresing that it will throw the state into political crisis. He said the plot is counterproductive because Nyako is about to complete his tenure.

The politician urged the lawmakers to ponder on the implications, adding that the impeachment cannot be meaningful, if it paves the way for the deputy governor, Bala James Ngilari, to assume the reins.

He reasoned that the plot is baseless at this time when the governor, who was the leader of the PDP), has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with a huge number of supporters.

Ardo said, although the deputy governor has not defected to the APC, that is not enough to catapult him to the number one seat.

He recalled that the House of Assembly had begun the impeachment of the governor July 2008, but the plan was dropped in controversial circumstances.

He said the people were not carried along by the lawmakers when the pplot was dropped six years ago.

Ardo, who is the former political adviser to former Vice President

A

•Nyako From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

Atiku Abubakar, took a swipe at some PDP governorship aspirants warming up for the primaries. He said they were building their ambitions without building the party.

He advised the aspirants, including Markus Natina Gundiri, an engineer, and Gen. Buba Marwa, a defector from the APC, to shelve their aspirations. He said they should toil for four years before aspiring for any elective position in the party.

Ardo said: “ Markus Gundiri and Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa should not think of declaring their ambition now, but they should remain loyal party men for four years before they will think of contesting for the governor.

“Iam advising them to build the PDP first before they start to reap from where they did not sow, if they

want to be taken seriously. But, if they want to contest now, they will never get any weaver from the PDP.” Ardo contested against Nyako in the last controversial PDP primaries.

He challenged the outcome in the court. He urged members to learn from his steadfastness and resilience.

He aslo warned the PDP lawmakers not to set the state ablaze over the impeachment plot.

Ardo stressed: “Any attempt by the lawmakers to impeach Governor Nyako will be resisted by all stakeholders in Adamawa. Nyako’s impeachment at this period will destabilise the politics of Adamawa State and throw it into confusion.

“If Governor Nyako is impeached, it will give one of the governorship aspirants and the deputy governor, Bala Ngilari, an added advantage.”

The PDP chieftain explained that, unless Nyako and his deputy are impeached, there cannot be any new begining in Adamawa State.

He maintained that, since the House has dropped the impeachment process in 2008, there is no justification for it again.

Ardo said: “We will never accept the impeachment of Nyako because the Nyako\Ngillari Administration is the same. How can you impeach Nyako and leave Ngillari?’’

He maintained that, if the intention of the House is to spare the deputy governor, it will not work.

Ardo said the challege that will face the PDP in Adamawa State is the selection of a competent governorship flag bearer.

He said many aspirants warming up for the election are not popular.

Ardo added: “ Hon. Jerry Kumdisi recently joined the PDP. He is not qualified to contest under the platform of the PDP.”

Group calls for credible poll in Ekiti

GROUP, ‘Igbimo Ure Ekiti,’ has called for a credible and transparent poll in Ekiti State.

The group charged the stakeholders to adhere strictly to the electoral laws and shun unruly behaviour capable of tarnishing the image of the state. It also urged party chieftains and their followers to promote the virtue of peaceful co-existence.

Igbimo Ure Ekiti is made up of Ekiti sons and daughters devoted to the upliftment, progress and advancement of the Ekitiland economically, politically and socially.

Berating the do-or-die politics of some indecent citizens and political stalwarts, the group warned the political class against the use of unemployed youths for thuggery before, during and after the election. It noted that violence, chaos and other in-

decent acts could wreck havoc on the state.

Urging the electoral commission to be above board, the group said that it is dangerous to manipulate elections in Ekiti State. It enjoined the people to reflect on the political crisis of the Second Republic triggered by the rigging of the governorship election against the late Governor Adekunle Ajasin by the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

The group added: “Ekiti has a reputation that should not be tarnished. For our state to develop, we must avoid acts capable of throwing the state into confusion.

This must remain our priority in our search for a virile economy and peaceful co-existence at all times.”

The members of the group recently concluded a two-day advo-

cacy tour. During the tour, they visited Kayode Fayemi, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Hussaini Halilu, the State Security Services (SSS) Director, Mr. Samuel Tamuno, and the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Felix Uyanna.

Prominent members of the group include former Minister of Health, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, the Chairman of Chartered Standard Bank, Sir Remi Omotoso, former Registrar, Chartered Institute of Bankers, Chief Esan Ogunleye, Dr. Christine, a World Health Organisation (WHO) Consultant, Funke Adebajo, Chief Dr. Ola Ogungbemile, former Acting Comptroller-General Nigeria Customs Service, Princess Bisi Ogunneye, Chief Samuel Bolarinde, Mr. Dele Adesina, and Bishop Michael Ipinmoye (rtd).

•Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi listening to Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi during the visit to the governor at EdoEkiti, the state capital.

ORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reiterated his determination to fight against oppression, impunity and and poor governance by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, who described the PDP as a party of wolves, lamented that the ruling party has destroyed the country. He spoke with reporters in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State, on partian issues, after witnessing the inauguration of a political association, the Atiku Support group, led by a journalist, Alhaji Abdulrazak Namdas.

He said, for the country to move forward, the oppression of the masses by the leaders must stop.

Abubakar said the PDP has failed the nation and betrayed the confidence reposed in it by the people.

The eminent politician refused to speak on his future ambition. But, he said the APC is determined to win power at the centre next year.

He said the opposition party will put an end to oppression, bombings,

• Atiku

kidnappings and insecurity, if voted into power.

The Director-General of the Atiku Support Group, Namdas, said the primary purpose ofthe group is to mobilise the people of Adamawa State to support the APC. He said the party will bring change to Adamawa and Nigerians in general.

Namdas said the group believed in the ideas, vision and philisophy of the former Vice President.

He added: “The group is to propagate the ideals of the strongman of Nigerian politics, the former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who is the pillar of democracy and whose judicial travails has enriched Nigeria’s democracy.”

Lagos 2015: PDP begins mobilisation

By Raymond Mordi

L

AGOS State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and former Minister of Communications, Major General Tajudeeen Olanrewaju (rtd) has said that the troubled chapter required a strong leadership to make an impact in the next general elections.

He spoke at this year’s Democracy Day Colloquium organised by the chapter in Lagos. Speaker at the event, which held at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, also advised the party to embrace internal democracy, if it intends to make good its threat of winning the 2015 governorship election.

The chairman of the chapter, Captain Tunji Shelle (rtd), called for unity and understanding, stressing that it is critical to political success.

The colloquium was a platform for dialogue on governance in Lagos State between members of the PDP and civil society groups. Its theme was: “Fifteen Years of Democracy in Lagos State: What Level of Dividends?”

Rights activist Yinka Odumakin, who was the guest speaker, said beating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos requires the right formula and a concrete agenda that can exploit the weakness of the ruling party. He said: “There is need for change in Lagos, but the change must be real change, not a cosmetic one.”

Olanrewaju, who chaired the lecture, said the Lagos PDP must field a selfless leader, who should be ready to provide genuine leadership. He added that a strong leadership and responsible followership offered the best hope of political success.

The former minister said the Lagos PDP has had its fair share of instability, rivalries, and internal dissent, which were exploited to the party’s peril and that it must stop behaving like a permanent opposition and see itself as a potential government in the making come 2015.

Olanrewaju advised the state leadership of the party to reach out to residents in all the divisions that make up the state, particularly the low income earners.

He said: “We cannot continue to do things in the same way and get a different result,’ he noted, adding that recent opinion poll indicates that 60 per cent of the registered voters in the state are undecided and that the PDP could work hard to bring this class of registered voters to its side.

Prominent PDP bigwigs, including former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, and former Deputy National Chairman, Commodore Bode George (rtd), who were billed to grace the occasion, stayed away. The Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro was represented by his son, Gbolahan Obanikoro.

However, the governorship aspirants in the PDP have not publicly declared their interests, unlike their counterparts in the ruling APC. Party sources aid that about five aspirants are warming up. They are Obanikoro, Mrs. Remi Adikwu-Bakare, Chief Tunde Daramola, Mrs. Modupe Sasore, and Mr. Deji Doherty.

The sources said that, although the Bode George camp has been wooing the Lagos politician,. Mr. Jimi Agbaje, he refused to join the party.

Analysts contend that the events in the APC may shape the preparation for the election by the PDP. In the APC, 12 aspirants are warming up for the selection process.

They are Akin Ambode, Obafemi Hamzat, Fowler Gbeleyi, Leke Pitan, and Ganiyu Solomon.

Others are Yemi Ikuforiji, Gbolahan, Femi Gbajabiamila, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Muiz Banire •Shelle and Gbenga Ashafa.

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THE NATION TUESDAY JUNE 10, 2014

POLITICS

‘Nyako can’t be impeached’ PDP, a party of wolves, says Atiku F T From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State is divided over the plot to impeach Governor Murtala Nyako.

A group within the crisis-ridden chapter has vowed to resisit the plot, saying that it is uncalld for.

A PDP chieftain, Dr. Umar Ardo, who has opposed the governor for six years, is leading aggrieved members to challenge the basis for the plot. He told reporters in Yola, the state capital, that the state required peace and stability to grow. The politician advised the House of Assembly to support the governor to achieve greater success.

Ardo described the impeachment as a waste of time, stresing that it will throw the state into political crisis. He said the plot is counterproductive because Nyako is about to complete his tenure.

The politician urged the lawmakers to ponder on the implications, adding that the impeachment cannot be meaningful, if it paves the way for the deputy governor, Bala James Ngilari, to assume the reins.

He reasoned that the plot is baseless at this time when the governor, who was the leader of the PDP), has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with a huge number of supporters.

Ardo said, although the deputy governor has not defected to the APC, that is not enough to catapult him to the number one seat.

He recalled that the House of Assembly had begun the impeachment of the governor July 2008, but the plan was dropped in controversial circumstances.

He said the people were not carried along by the lawmakers when the pplot was dropped six years ago.

Ardo, who is the former political adviser to former Vice President

•Nyako From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

Atiku Abubakar, took a swipe at some PDP governorship aspirants warming up for the primaries. He said they were building their ambitions without building the party.

He advised the aspirants, including Markus Natina Gundiri, an engineer, and Gen. Buba Marwa, a defector from the APC, to shelve their aspirations. He said they should toil for four years before aspiring for any elective position in the party.

Ardo said: “ Markus Gundiri and Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa should not think of declaring their ambition now, but they should remain loyal party men for four years before they will think of contesting for the governor.

“Iam advising them to build the PDP first before they start to reap from where they did not sow, if they

want to be taken seriously. But, if they want to contest now, they will never get any weaver from the PDP.” Ardo contested against Nyako in the last controversial PDP primaries.

He challenged the outcome in the court. He urged members to learn from his steadfastness and resilience.

He aslo warned the PDP lawmakers not to set the state ablaze over the impeachment plot.

Ardo stressed: “Any attempt by the lawmakers to impeach Governor Nyako will be resisted by all stakeholders in Adamawa. Nyako’s impeachment at this period will destabilise the politics of Adamawa State and throw it into confusion.

“If Governor Nyako is impeached, it will give one of the governorship aspirants and the deputy governor, Bala Ngilari, an added advantage.”

The PDP chieftain explained that, unless Nyako and his deputy are impeached, there cannot be any new begining in Adamawa State.

He maintained that, since the House has dropped the impeachment process in 2008, there is no justification for it again.

Ardo said: “We will never accept the impeachment of Nyako because the Nyako\Ngillari Administration is the same. How can you impeach Nyako and leave Ngillari?’’

He maintained that, if the intention of the House is to spare the deputy governor, it will not work.

Ardo said the challege that will face the PDP in Adamawa State is the selection of a competent governorship flag bearer.

He said many aspirants warming up for the election are not popular.

Ardo added: “ Hon. Jerry Kumdisi recently joined the PDP. He is not qualified to contest under the platform of the PDP.”

Group calls for credible poll in Ekiti

A

GROUP, ‘Igbimo Ure Ekiti,’ has called for a credible and transparent poll in Ekiti State.

The group charged the stakeholders to adhere strictly to the electoral laws and shun unruly behaviour capable of tarnishing the image of the state. It also urged party chieftains and their followers to promote the virtue of peaceful co-existence.

Igbimo Ure Ekiti is made up of Ekiti sons and daughters devoted to the upliftment, progress and advancement of the Ekitiland economically, politically and socially.

Berating the do-or-die politics of some indecent citizens and political stalwarts, the group warned the political class against the use of unemployed youths for thuggery before, during and after the election. It noted that violence, chaos and other in-

decent acts could wreck havoc on the state.

Urging the electoral commission to be above board, the group said that it is dangerous to manipulate elections in Ekiti State. It enjoined the people to reflect on the political crisis of the Second Republic triggered by the rigging of the governorship election against the late Governor Adekunle Ajasin by the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

The group added: “Ekiti has a reputation that should not be tarnished. For our state to develop, we must avoid acts capable of throwing the state into confusion.

This must remain our priority in our search for a virile economy and peaceful co-existence at all times.”

The members of the group recently concluded a two-day advo-

cacy tour. During the tour, they visited Kayode Fayemi, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Hussaini Halilu, the State Security Services (SSS) Director, Mr. Samuel Tamuno, and the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Felix Uyanna.

Prominent members of the group include former Minister of Health, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, the Chairman of Chartered Standard Bank, Sir Remi Omotoso, former Registrar, Chartered Institute of Bankers, Chief Esan Ogunleye, Dr. Christine, a World Health Organisation (WHO) Consultant, Funke Adebajo, Chief Dr. Ola Ogungbemile, former Acting Comptroller-General Nigeria Customs Service, Princess Bisi Ogunneye, Chief Samuel Bolarinde, Mr. Dele Adesina, and Bishop Michael Ipinmoye (rtd).

•Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi listening to Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi during the visit to the governor at EdoEkiti, the state capital.

ORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reiterated his determination to fight against oppression, impunity and and poor governance by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, who described the PDP as a party of wolves, lamented that the ruling party has destroyed the country. He spoke with reporters in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State, on partian issues, after witnessing the inauguration of a political association, the Atiku Support group, led by a journalist, Alhaji Abdulrazak Namdas.

He said, for the country to move forward, the oppression of the masses by the leaders must stop.

Abubakar said the PDP has failed the nation and betrayed the confidence reposed in it by the people.

The eminent politician refused to speak on his future ambition. But, he said the APC is determined to win power at the centre next year.

He said the opposition party will put an end to oppression, bombings,

• Atiku

kidnappings and insecurity, if voted into power.

The Director-General of the Atiku Support Group, Namdas, said the primary purpose ofthe group is to mobilise the people of Adamawa State to support the APC. He said the party will bring change to Adamawa and Nigerians in general.

Namdas said the group believed in the ideas, vision and philisophy of the former Vice President.

He added: “The group is to propagate the ideals of the strongman of Nigerian politics, the former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who is the pillar of democracy and whose judicial travails has enriched Nigeria’s democracy.”

Lagos 2015: PDP begins mobilisation

By Raymond Mordi

L

AGOS State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and former Minister of Communications, Major General Tajudeeen Olanrewaju (rtd) has said that the troubled chapter required a strong leadership to make an impact in the next general elections.

He spoke at this year’s Democracy Day Colloquium organised by the chapter in Lagos. Speaker at the event, which held at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, also advised the party to embrace internal democracy, if it intends to make good its threat of winning the 2015 governorship election.

The chairman of the chapter, Captain Tunji Shelle (rtd), called for unity and understanding, stressing that it is critical to political success.

The colloquium was a platform for dialogue on governance in Lagos State between members of the PDP and civil society groups. Its theme was: “Fifteen Years of Democracy in Lagos State: What Level of Dividends?”

Rights activist Yinka Odumakin, who was the guest speaker, said beating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos requires the right formula and a concrete agenda that can exploit the weakness of the ruling party. He said: “There is need for change in Lagos, but the change must be real change, not a cosmetic one.”

Olanrewaju, who chaired the lecture, said the Lagos PDP must field a selfless leader, who should be ready to provide genuine leadership. He added that a strong leadership and responsible followership offered the best hope of political success.

The former minister said the Lagos PDP has had its fair share of instability, rivalries, and internal dissent, which were exploited to the party’s peril and that it must stop behaving like a permanent opposition and see itself as a potential government in the making come 2015.

Olanrewaju advised the state leadership of the party to reach out to residents in all the divisions that make up the state, particularly the low income earners.

He said: “We cannot continue to do things in the same way and get a different result,’ he noted, adding that recent opinion poll indicates that 60 per cent of the registered voters in the state are undecided and that the PDP could work hard to bring this class of registered voters to its side.

Prominent PDP bigwigs, including former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, and former Deputy National Chairman, Commodore Bode George (rtd), who were billed to grace the occasion, stayed away. The Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro was represented by his son, Gbolahan Obanikoro.

However, the governorship aspirants in the PDP have not publicly declared their interests, unlike their counterparts in the ruling APC. Party sources aid that about five aspirants are warming up. They are Obanikoro, Mrs. Remi Adikwu-Bakare, Chief Tunde Daramola, Mrs. Modupe Sasore, and Mr. Deji Doherty.

The sources said that, although the Bode George camp has been wooing the Lagos politician,. Mr. Jimi Agbaje, he refused to join the party.

Analysts contend that the events in the APC may shape the preparation for the election by the PDP. In the APC, 12 aspirants are warming up for the selection process.

They are Akin Ambode, Obafemi Hamzat, Fowler Gbeleyi, Leke Pitan, and Ganiyu Solomon.

Others are Yemi Ikuforiji, Gbolahan, Femi Gbajabiamila, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Muiz Banire •Shelle and Gbenga Ashafa.

HEALTH

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

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THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

Cancer is no respecter of persons. It attacks the priviledged and the less priviledged. On saturday, former Information and Communications Minister Dr Dora Akunyili succumbed to cancer after a two-year battle. She became the latest among people of status to fall victim of the ailment. How can this disease be tackled? OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA reports that its prevention, early detection and treatment are important to check the disease.

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Curbing the cancer menace

ROF. (Mrs.) Dora Nkem Akunyili, a former Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administra-

tion and Control (NAFDAC) and former Minister of Information, has joined the list of Nigerians who died of cancer. She was aged 59.

She died in a Specialist Cancer Hospital in Indian on Saturday, June 7, at 10 am, Nigerian time, after a two-year battle with cancer.

Her death last Saturday underscored one fact:, the disease knows nobody or class. It can kill the high, the mighty, the rich and the poor.

The type of cancer she died of is yet to be disclosed.

The list of prominent Nigerians whose lives have been cut short by this dreaded disease is increasing by the day. Wife of former military Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd), Maryam Babangida, died of ovarian cancer at the age of 61 In Los Angeles. The late Funmilayo Olayinka, former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, also died of breast cancer just as the late Cassandra Gabriel, popularly known as Sisi Caro in the rested Nigerian Television Authoritry (NTA) soap, the Village Headmaster, died of breast cancer.

Likewise, the 48-year-old wife of the eldest son of former governor of Edo State; Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, Roseline , died of cancer.

The same fate befell the philantropist and sister of former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose, Evangelist Bimpe Oluwayose-Sorinolu.

The duo of Roseline and Bimpe just like Akunyili, battled breast cancer till death. While the former died in a hospital in India, the latter, who had been treating the ailment since 2011, died in a London hospital.

Another victim, the late Mrs Elizabeth Kafaru, a frontliner herbal medicine practitioner died of cancer just as Clara, wife of Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole died of cancer on December 8, 2010, eleven days to her daughter’s wedding.

Second Republic Senate Leader, the late Dr. Olusola Saraki, battled the ailment for five years. Also, the late 51-year-old fashion designer, Remi Osholake, a popularly known as Remi Lagos, and the late Sam Ojebode, ex-Green Eagles football star, died after futile battle with cancer.

A Nollywood personality, Taiwo Bello, also succumbed to cancer last year. She was a movie producer and director. She co-wrote the movie, Jenifa, with Funke Akindele, produced and directed the 2010 movie, Omije Mi. In December, 2010, Yusuf Jibo, former Zonal Director of the NTA, died of colon cancer. So also were the ace journalist, Sele Eradiri and the civil rights activists, Dr Beko RansomeKuti.

On September 5, 2009, Human Rights lawyer and activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, lost the battle to cancer. Remi Abiola, actress and wife of the late business mogul and politician, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, as well as Alaere Alaibe, wife of the former helsman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaibe, died of cancer.

NTA ace broadcaster, Yinka Craig, 60, died on September 23, 2008 as a result of cancer of the blood (leukemia), so was the Information Specialist, World Health Organisation, Oghide Austin, while musician-turned evangelist, Sonny Okosun, lost the battle to cancer of the colon on May 24, 2008 at the age of 61.

The list is inexhaustible. Mrs Comfort Ponnle, of MicCom Cables and Alexander Ibru, Chairman and Publisher of The Guardian Newspaper, died of cancer. Chief Sub-Editor, Vanguard Newspaper, Dayo Aminu, died of cancer as well.

The former Chairman of the Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria (APCON), Dr May Nzeribe, died of Prostate Cancer.

Former President of Performing Musician Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Mustapha Amego, fondly called Musky, died of colon cancer; Mrs Kofoworola Orija of the Bloom Cancer Foundation also died of breast cancer.

In Nigeria, cancer incidences are common.

No week passes without a Nigerian dying of the dreaded disease. Hundreds of thousands are dying silently. There are a few survivors though. This shows that it can be treated. Head of Department, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Idi Araba, Prof Olukemi Odukoya, is a survivor.

It is a class of disease characterised by out-ofcontrol cell growth. There are over 100 different types, and each can be classified by the type of cell it initially affected.

Cancer ultimately, is the result of cells that uncontrollably grow and do not die. Normal cells in the body follow an orderly path of growth, division, and death. Programmed cell death is called apoptosis, and when this process breaks down, cancer begins to form. Unlike regular cells, cancer cells do not experience programmatic death, instead they continue to grow and divide. This leads to a mass of abnormal cells that grow out of control.

If the balance of cell division and death is disturbed, a tumor may form.

How cancer spreads

Scientists reported in a publication, Nature Communications (October 2012 issue), that they have discovered an important clue why cancer cells spread. According to them, it has something to do with their adhesion (stickiness) properties. Certain molecular interactions between cells and the scaffolding that holds them in place (extracellular matrix) cause them to become unstuck at the original tumor site; they become dislodged, move on and then reattach themselves at a new site.

The researchers said this discovery is important because cancer mortality is mainly due to metastatic tumors; those that grow from cells that have traveled from their original site to another part of the body. Only 10 per cent of cancer deaths are caused by the primary tumors.

Signs or symptoms of cancer

Signs and symptoms are both signals of injury, illness, disease, or that something is not right in the body. A sign is a signal that can be seen by someone else-maybe a loved one, or a doctor, nurse, or other health care professional.

For example, fever, fast breathing, and abnormal lung sounds heard through a stethoscope may be signs of pneumonia. A symptom is a signal that is felt or noticed by the person who has it, but may not be easily seen by anyone else. For example, weakness, aching, and feeling short of breath may be symptoms of pneumonia.

Symptoms depend on the type and location of the tumor. For example, lung tumors may cause coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain. Tumors of the colon can cause weight loss, diarrhea, constipation, iron deficiency anemia, and blood in the stool.

Some tumors may not have any symptoms.

In certain tumors, such as pancreatic cancer, symptoms often do not start until the disease has reached an advanced stage.

A few patients show no signs or symptoms until the cancer has far advanced. However, there are some signs and symptoms, although not specific, which usually occur in most cancer patients that are fairly easy for the person to detect.

There are over 200 types of cancer. Anything that may cause a normal body cell to develop abnormally potentially can cause cancer.

Why Nigerians are dying of cancer?

According to a professor of Radiation, Prof Moses Aweda, radiations have been proven to impair human cells thereby causing cancer.

“I have proven with mice that when the human system is exposed to a certain degree of radiation, cancers can occour. Food cooked with Microwave should not be eaten at all, because it has been denatured and same can lead to

cancer as well,” he said.

According to a Public Health Physician, Community Health Department, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, Dr. Nasir Ariyibi , another cause of cancer is late presentation to the hospital, “a lot of people go late to the hospital despite improvement in diagnosis.

“Cancer is an abnormal increase in the number of cells in the body. It could affect a particular organ of the body, where the organ begins to increase in size, due to unregulated cell division. Normally, every cell undergoes growth. For example the skin sheds off old cells as news ones grows. This mechanism is being regulated. But when it becomes uncontrollable, that means the regulatory mechanism is off,” Dr. Ariyibi said.

Causes

He continued: “There are two types of abnormal growth, benign and malignant. Either can exert pressure on immediate or extended organs. But the most dangerous is malignant growth. That is cancer. It disrupts the organs around that area and grows uninhibited. It can leave where it started off, attack other organs of the body and causes further damages. It is the organ it affects that it is named after. The commonest among women in Nigeria are breast and cervical cancer; leukemia in children while prostate is common among men.”

Dr Ariyibi said experts are of the view that cancer is on the increase in Nigeria because, “there is improvement in diagnosis. “The statistics we are working with now, from the World Health Organisation (WHO) said 250, 000 new cases are seen annually, with 10, 000 deaths per year. Unlike other non communicable diseases (NCDs) that you can say these are the causes, you cannot say that about cancer. We only have predisposing factors,” he said.

Ariyibi continued: “In some types of cancer, way of life is a predisposing factor. For instancer, cancer of the lung resulting from smoking unlike breast cancer that you cannot put your hands on, except perhaps the genes resulting from hereditary; or women who have not sucked in their life or women do not suck adequately.

“When you look at some of these factors, we say they are non modifiable. Non modifiable are factors that cannot be influenced, such as breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. Not that some men don’t have breast cancer, but the female genders due to presence of hormones such as Estrogens are at higher risk.

Age is also a non modifiable factor. Genetics/ hereditary, i.e. a person’s make up; race like being a Caucasian for instance are non modifiable factors.

“The modifiable risk factors are the ones we can change or influence or play a role in.

Lifestyle is a major risk factor. Smoking, drinking alcohols or abusing drugs; do you eat junk, i.e. empty calorie food; do you over eat or eat less. Are you predisposed to germs, for instance Hepatitis B that can be contracted from sexual partners, and which manipulate lung cancer growth? Exposed to multiple sexual partners or engaging in early sexual activities that can aid contracting papilloma virus which causes cervical cancer. Every two minutes, a woman develops cervical cancer.

“Diet is a huge predisposing factor. How healthy are we eating today? Noodles and pasta, fizzy drinks Do we take fruits that contain anti oxidants that mop up free radicals?

Free radicals, also known simply as radicals, are organic molecules responsible for aging, tissue damage, and possibly some diseases.

These molecules are very unstable, therefore, they look to bond with other molecules, destroying their health and further continuing the damaging process. Antioxidants present in many foods, are molecules that prevent free radicals from harming healthy tissue. Exercise is also good for the body. But how many do

•Late Prof Akunyili

that these days.

Prevention

According to Ariyibi, prevention through the modifiable factors is important in preventing cancer. “As physicians, we do now create awareness on best way out. We now educate on lifestyle changes. Making the right life choices in diet, living, and existence. In short, healthy lifestyle. “We want to get to the level where people will be empowered with the right information. And also be involved in their health management. Avoiding injurious substances like Energy drinks. The basic ingredients are sugar and caffeine. Sugar can trigger diabetes while caffeine triggers the body to work excessively,” he said.

He added: “It is good and in order to ensure that good policies are put in place by the government. Nothing stops the government from having a policy on all local government areas to have cervical cancer screening and treatment centres.

“You see, most non communicable diseases do not give signs. They are just there developing. Because they are asymptomatic, screening and testing for them are the best way to pick them up easily.

“For instance, breast cancer can be detected through mammogram, cervical cancer through pap smear. For changes would have been taken place at a cellular level. And if detected at that level, it can be treated. At least, one can do Self Breast Examination (SBE) in picking up breast cancer. Any lump that is detected can be further examined.

He said people should educated on the advantages of going to the hospital early when they feel any illness or abnormality in their body. “They should not be going to spiritual homes or traditional healers. First come to the hospital, get the condition diagnosed and treated. People need to know that it is not arrow from the enemy,” he said.

He added: “We have the facility and expertise to detect, treat, manage and rehabilitate cancer cases in Nigeria. There is no need to travel overseas to treat cancer. We have measures like mammogram for breast cancer; papsmear at our Community Out clinic at LUTH.” “Assuming cervical cancer is detected, we have Obys and Gyn department. Radiotherapy at its advanced stage is available in the hospital. Do not put a cost to your health.

Just have an aim- to get well. People may want to stay away because they consider some of these treatments expensive, but no money can replace a lost live. With a N3, 500, papsmear can be done,” he said.

He, however, noted that people spend more on Aso Ebi and drinks at Beer parlous and other frivolities. “Mammography is below N50, 000. People should know that the treatments are available and are so cheap. They should not wait till things get worse. Because even at the best of centres, advanced cancer is not treatable.

“Screening is essential. People who are passive smokers should avoid cigarette smoke.

Both active and passive smokers are liable to developing cancer; even passive smokers are at greater risk. Government policy of not smoking in public places is commendable, but implementation is important. People should adhere to the law,” Ariyibi said.

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MONEYLINK

Fed Govt earns N922b in April, says CBN

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HE Federal Government earned N922.08 billion in April, an economic report for the month released yesterday by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has shown.

The figure represents an increase of 5.3 per cent above the receipts in the preceding month. Also, at N622.9 billion, gross oil receipts declined below the level in the preceding month.

The decline in oil receipts relative to the preceding month, the CBN said, was attributed to the shortfall in receipts from exports due to pipeline vandalism, resulting in drop in production.

It said non-oil receipts, which stood at N299.18 billion (32.7 per cent of the federally collected revenue), was 60.6 per cent higher than receipts in the preceding month, but was 0.4 per cent lower than the provisional monthly budget estimate.

The CBN said increase in non-oil receipts (gross), relative to the level in

Wema Bank gives kiddies Account holder award

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the preceding month was attributed, largely, to the growth in Independent Revenue of the federal government.

It said the federal government estimated retained revenue in April 2014 was N403.84 billion, while total estimated expenditure was N493.26 billion. Thus, the fiscal operations of the Federal Government resulted in an estimated deficit of N89.42 billion, compared with deficit of N205.6 billion recorded in the preceding month.

The dominant agricultural activities in April 2014, included preparation of land for the forthcoming cropping season and harvesting of cassava and vegetables. In the livestock subsector, migration of livestock, particularly cattle, to the southern states; and restocking of broilers and layers to replenish sales during the Easter festive season, were the predominant activities.

Crude oil export was estimated at 1.45 million barrels per day (mbd), or 43.5

million barrels during the month. The average price of Nigeria’s reference crude, the Bonny Light (370 API), was estimated at US$110.19 per barrel, indicating an increase of 0.6 per cent above the level in the preceding month.

The CBN said foreign exchange inflow and outflow through the CBN in April 2014 was $3.78 billion and $4.16 billion, respectively, and resulted in a net outflow of $0.38 billion. Foreign exchange sales by the CBN to the authorised dealers amounted to $3.46 billion, showing an increase of 27.7 per cent above the level in the preceding month.

EMA BANK Plc has announced the premier winner in its Royal Kiddies Account Award targeted at children and the youths. The award winner was Aderonke Anthonia Adeyanju who went home with N250, 000. Another customer, Joyce Godwin Umoren was the first runner-up and got N150, 000, while the second runner-up, Oluwafitayo Oyindamola Ayomipe, got N100,000. The bank also gave N50, 000 each consolation prize to other 10 kids.

The bank’s Head, Retail Products and Small and Medium Enterprise, Dotun Ifebogun, said the Royal Kiddies Account, was introduced less than two years ago to acquaint the youths with banking techniques.

He said the account would be solely and wholly operated by the kids alone, and it is targeted at the children of school age. He said the award was carried out to commemorate the Children’s Day, apart from early exposure to financial manage-

The bank’s Executive Director, Treasury and International Banking, Femi Olaloku, who represented the bank’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Phillips Oduoza ,said “Next Gen” is about capturing and engaging the next generation of educated and enlightened professionals, employees, entrepreneurs, self employed persons, from all walks of life, early in their financial life cycle.”

He said the account is designed to appeal to the educated and enlightened teenager and young adult from ages of 13 to 34 years.

The product comes with features that fit into the unique needs of customers based on their age.

“This is a product that grows with the customer from his or her teenage years to when he or she becomes a young adult. Next Gen is unique in the banking industry because it is not really a product.

It is a partnership where the bank is taking on a mentorship role to guide customers into a future life of prosperity.” Olaloku explained.

He also said that the Next Gen account has been designed to take care of every young person’s

unique needs from when he or she first breaks into his or her teenage years at 13 to when he or she is on the border of full adulthood at 34.

“It takes care of the unique needs of teenage customers when they are in secondary school through university to when they get their first job, start a family and even consider building their first house. At each of these critical stages in their lives, the Next Gen account provides financial options and opportunities to make life more comfortable for them and their family.”

Stories by Collins Nweze

• CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

ment.

He said the Royal Kiddies Account targets children below the age of 13 as at the time the account was opened while account holders from 13 years and above are categorized as the youths. He revealed that the award would be done on yearly basis to encourage more children to open the account, which he said also runs insurance policy concurrently, adding that the award was a fulfillment of the bank’s promise from the onset, irrespective of development or challenge.

“Most of the beneficiaries of the award today have opened the account more than a year ago or thereabout. In some cases, we have those who opened the account not too long ago. And we thought it would be a good thing to have this done in commemoration of Children’s Day,” he said.

For the purpose of transparency, he stressed that the winner was not handpicked but the draw was carried out through an electronic exercise. And out of the more than five hundred customers that currently operate the Royal Kiddies Account, thirteen “lucky winners” emerged, some of whom were present at the event.

He said, “Basically, as we said, it was a promise in our product package that every year, among all our account holders, we would do an educational award. That award is to encourage our customers who are kids, to continue to safe. The accounts are open in the names of the kids who.” He disclosed that the kids, of their own volition, are at liberty to maintain the account up to their university education and thereafter,” he said.

UBA targets new generation of customers with ‘Next-Gen’ account

U

NITED Bank of Africa (UBA) Plc is set to build a new generation of loyal customers with its new suit of products tailored to meet the unique needs of teenagers and young adults.

The “Next-Gen” account, launched yesterday in Lagos, is a suit of personal current accounts designed to offer special privileges and opportunities to account holders.

Though the product is designed as a current account, holders have the opportunity of automatically being enrolled for savings accounts as well.

DATA BANK

FGN BONDS Tenor

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year

35m 35m

11.039 12.23

19-05-2014 18-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 400m 400m 400m 400m 400m 400m

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33

NIDF

OBB Rate

Price Loss 2754.67

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day

Amount 30m 46.7m

Rate % 10.96 9.62

Date 28-04-2012 “

GAINERS AS AT 9-10-14

SYMBOL GUARANTY JBERGER PORTPAINT CONOIL TRANSCORP BERGER CUSTODYINS NAHCO WAPIC CONTINSURE

O/PRICE 30.00 67.50 4.74 52.00 4.39 8.61 3.36 4.80 0.72 1.04

C/PRICE 31.50 70.87 4.97 54.50 4.60 9.00 3.50 5.00 0.75 1.08

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD NGN GBP

147.6000 239.4810

149.7100 244.0123

150.7100 245.6422

-2.11 -2.57

NGN EUR 212.4997 NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) 149.7450 (S/N) Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N)

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

CHANGE 1.50 3.37 0.23 2.50 0.21 0.39 0.14 0.20 0.03 0.04

DISCOUNT WINDOWx Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00%

SYMBOL

O/PRICE 1.12 2.00 20.91 1.23 2.90 2.31 0.85 27.36 0.90 118.00

C/PRICE 1.02 1.90 19.88 1.17 2.76 2.20 0.81 26.13 0.86 113.50

CHANGE -0.10 -0.10 -1.03 -0.06 -0.14 -0.11 -0.04 -1.23 -0.04 -4.50

Exchange Rate (N) 155.75 155.8 155.7

Date 2-5-14 2-3-14 1-29-14

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

NSE

6-2-14

28-10-11

% Change

CAP Index

N13.07tr 40,766.16

N6.617tr 20,903.16

-1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name 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 HERITAGET FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FIDELITY NIGFUND INTERCONTINENTAL INTEGRITY FUND KAKAWA GUARANTEED INCOME FUND

Offer Price Bid Price 157.99 157.07 9.17 9.08 1.09 1.08 1.18 1.18 0.68 0.68 1.39 1.33 1,664.78 1,661.81 1,087.24 1,086.78 119.02 118.19 1,087.30 1,087.00 1.67 1.62 1.05 1.03

LEGACY FUND NIGERIA INTER DEBIT FUND PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND STANBIC IBTC ETHICAL FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

LOSERS AS AT 9-6-14

NPFMCRFBK CUTIX NNFM COSTAIN FIDSON TRANSEXPR ABCTRANS ASHAKACEM IKEJAHOTEL WAPCO

Amount Sold ($) 399.9m 399.9m 399.9m

143.11

142.62

0.78 1,944.64 13.62 1.07

0.76 1,936.31 13.28 1.05

1.3379 1.3544 1.0146 1.1770

1.3271 1.3544 0.9967 1.1770

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000

8.5000

Movement

54

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 09-06-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 09-06-14

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

55

EQUITIES

T

Nigerian equities open with N26b gains

HE Nigerian stock market opened this week with a cautious optimism as investors sought to lock into bargain stocks and readjust their portfolios in line with expectations for the first half performance.

Transactions at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed strong rally within the top-stock segment, although there were widespread bearish sentiments.

With 30 gainers to 28 losers, equities recorded a modest day-on-day return of 0.19 per cent yesterday, implying a gain of some N26 billion.

The upswing yesterday boosted the average year-to-date return at the stock market so far this year to 0.68 per cent. The uptrend rein-

•Average return climbs to 0.68% Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

forced optimism that the market could close the first half with a positive return as against negative return recorded in the first quarter.

Aggregate market value of all quoted equities on the NSE rose from its opening value of N13.713 trillion to close at N13.739 trillion. The All Share Index (ASI), the common value-based index that tracks all equities, also appreciated from 41,529.11 points to close at 41,608.50 points.

Market turnover remained on the average with 5,157 deals for 299.33 million shares valued at N3.61 bil-

lion. Financial services sector also continued to drive activity at the stock market, accounting for more than 64 per cent of aggregate turnover.

Julius Berger Nigeria topped the gainers’ list with a gain of N3.37 to close at N70.87. Conoil rose by N2.50 to close at N54.50. Cadbury Nigeria added N2.44 to close at N81.89. Guaranty Trust Bank chalked up N1.50 to close at N31.50. Guinness Nigeria rose by 50 kobo to close at N179. Berger Nigeria gathered 39 kobo to close at N9. Oando rallied 36 kobo to close at N20.34. Stanbic IBTC Holdings rose by 31 kobo to

N25.31. Ecobank Transnational Incorporated added 30 kobo to close at N16.70 while Portland Paints and Products rose by 23 kobo to close at N4.97 per share.

On the downside, SEPLAT Petroleum Development Company recorded the highest loss of N25 to close at N650. Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria followed with a loss of N4.50 to close at N113.50. Nestle Nigeria dropped by N2.99 to close at N1,080.01. Nigerian Breweries lost N1.60 to close at N176.80.

Ashaka Cement declined by N1.23 to close at N26.13. Northern Nigeria Flour Mills slipped by N1.03 to close at N19.88. Dangote Cement dropped by 99 kobo to N229. UACN Property Development Company dwindled by 52 kobo to close at

Oduoza calls for collaboration on economic growth

G

ROUP Managing Director, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, has called on chief financial officers (CFOs) of banks to find common ground for non competitive collaboration to advance economic growth.

Oduoza, made this call in an address presented during the Finance Week, West Africa 2014 held in Lagos.

Speaking during a session on ‘Corporate Finance Excellence – Creating a World Class Finan-

G

cial Environment’, Oduoza urged the CFOs to create a platform where banks as major stakeholders would interact on a non-competitive but cooperative and collaborative basis alongside other stakeholders to promote value oriented partnership, which is pivotal to economic growth and development.

The UBA boss, who was represented at the occasion by the bank’s Head of Consumer Banking, Ilesanmi Owoeye, said Nigeria remained one of Africa’s fastest growing, economies with expanding financial services, communica-

tions, technology and entertainment sectors. He explained that all the sectors of the economy play significant role in the economic development.

Oduoza also called on all “professionals in the Banks and the CFOs across various segments of the economy, to work harmoniously for the improvement of their respective stakeholders’ fortune and ultimately the Nation’s.”

“Due to the importance of finance in the lives of organisations, the CFOs are the

central figures in all the organizations, so, there is no “debating” the need for fostering value oriented partnership, which is pivotal to growth and development,” Oduoza said He urged that the banks and the CFO organisations must work as partners. “The CFOs must drive the banking relationship by working with their bank to drive the organisation’s visions. They should clearly articulate the organization’s needs and their banking requirements with a focus to create value for all stakeholders.

World stock markets up near record high

LOBAL equity markets traded higher on Monday, although they pared gains from levels close to an all-time high, as low interest rates bolstered sentiment even as United States (US) Treasury yields rose.

Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500, which had been poised to post its seventh record close in eight trading sessions, retreated and traded flat. The Dow and Nasdaq were higher in late trade.

Reuters reported that Asian stocks touched their highest levels in nearly three years. Europe also advanced as Spain, Italy and Portugal spurred regional indices on bets those markets would benefit most from last week’s European Central Bank stimulus mea-

sures.

Peripheral European bond yields set record lows, with S&P’s upgrade of Ireland’s credit pushing it to a record low of 2.39 percent. Spanish 10-year yields fell below those of US Treasuries for the first time since April 2010, and Italian five-year yields were also below US equivalents.

The low European yields highlighted the policy divergence between the ECB and the Federal Reserve, which is reining in its monetary stimulus. But with US yields low, some investors prefer equities over bonds.

“The support is coming from extremely low bond yields and action in Europe, so it gives investors no real alternative, no real reason to sell stocks,” said Rick Meckler, president of LibertyView Capital Management in Jersey

City, New Jersey, who also cited merger and acquisition deals.

MSCI’s all-country world share index .MIWD00000PUS, which gauges stock performance in 45 countries, was up 0.08 percent at 426.87, just shy of its November 2007 peak of 428.63.

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index advanced 0.38 per cent to close at 1,393.71, near a January 2008 high.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 12.89 points, or 0.08 percent, at 16,937.17. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index was up 0.29 points, or 0.01 percent, at 1,949.73. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 8.54 points, or 0.20 percent, at 4,329.94.

US Treasuries prices fell, pres-

sured by this week’s $62 billion sale of new coupon-bearing debt and increased risk appetite after Friday’s strong US jobs report.

Benchmark 10-year notes were last down 5/32 in price to yield 2.6131 percent. Among major currencies, the dollar continued to benefit from rising US Treasury yields. The dollar index was up 0.29 percent.

The euro drifted as low as $1.3583 as the dust settled after last week’s ECB activity. The euro last traded down 0.40 percent at 1.3587 against the dollar.

Brent crude rose as strong Chinese and US data pointed to healthy economic growth and higher demand from the world’s top two consumers. Brent rose $1.38 to settle at $109.99 a barrel.

US oil rose $1.75 to settle at $104.41.

N17.34. Beta Glass dropped by 22 kobo to N16 while Cement Company of Northern Nigeria declined by 15 kobo to close at N10.40 per share.

Further analysis showed that the financial services sector accounted for 192.13 million shares valued at N1.92 billion in 2331 deals. On stock-by-stock basis, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) was the most active stock with a turnover of 54.04 million shares valued at N246.21 million in 540 deals. United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc trailed with a turnover of 50.49 million shares worth N391.34 million in 280 deals.

Skye Bank placed third with a turnover of 32.3 million shares valued at N109.26 million in 146 deals.

CSCS appoints acting MD

T

HE board of Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) has appointed Dr Joe Mekiliuwa as acting managing director of the company. Mekiliuwa will lead the management in the absence of Mr. Kyari Bukar, the substantive managing director, who has taken a medical leave of absence.

The appointment of Mekiliuwa, who is currently a deputy general manager and the head of operations at CSCS, takes effect yesterday.

In a statement made available to the media, chairman, Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), Mr. Oscar Onyema, said the board has a great deal of confidence in Mekiliuwa and the entire management team to manage the company’s operations until Bukar’s return.

“We are assured that CSCS will continue to meet the financial and safety objectives of the company, while maintaining great service to all our stakeholders,” Onyema said.

Dr. Joe Mekiliuwa, joined CSCS in 1997, as a pioneer staff member involved in the implementation of the CSD System of the Central Securities Clearing System Plc. He has played strategic roles in many Capital Market initiatives and implementations.

He is currently the Deputy General Manager and Head of Operations. He earned bachelors and masters degrees in Computer Science from University of Benin and University of Lagos respectively. He also holds a Doctorate Degree (Ph.D) in Business Administration from Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica (Business University). He is a Chartered Stockbroker (ACS) and an active member of the Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers (CIS).

56

THE NATION TUESDAY JUNE 10, 2014

NEWS Explosion rocks Rivers High Court From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

AN explosion has rocked the High Court in Ahoada, the headquarters of Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, barely six months after a similar blast.

The latest explosion led to burning of some property in the court presided over by Justice Charles Wali.

The January bomb blast occurred on a day in which the case involving the selfacclaimed speaker of the House of Assembly, Evans Bipi, was to come up.

The matter was to be heard yesterday on who is the speaker between Bipi and Otelemaba Dan Amachree.

Police Commissioner Tunde Ogunsakin and the anti-bomb squad were at the scene of the explosion and they later visited Justice Wali.

Ogunsakin said the Ahoada court was invaded by hoodlums.

He said the anti-bomb team collected some samples for analysis.

His words: “In the samples, no trace of IED (Improvised Explosive Device) was found.

“And from the analysis of samples collected so far, none of the features of explosion was present and at the scene.

“There was no evidence of explosion, no shockwaves and no bang.

“We, however, observed burning, that resulted in conflagrations.

“Justice Wali confirmed that he was to preside over some cases yesterday.

“The police command has made conscious efforts to reinforce security in courts and judicial officers’ quarters in the state to prevent a recurrence.

“The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and the police bomb squad have been mandated to arrest the perpetrators.”

Ogunsakin urged residents to go about their businesses.

Edo Deputy Speaker, three others suspended

E

DO State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Festus Ebea and three other lawmakers were yesterday suspended indefinitely for alleged misconduct.

The others are Friday Ogieriakhi (Orhionmwon South), Jude Ise-Idehen (Ikpoba-Okh) and Patrick Osayimwen (Oredo East).

They were suspended under Section 38 (3) of the House Rules.

Apart from the Deputy Speaker, the other lawmakers have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Abdulrasaq Momoh (Estako West 11), who also moved to the PDP, was spared the suspension hammer.

There was a drama after the suspension when three of the suspended lawmakers stormed the Assembly.

Ebea was heard telling Speaker Uyi Igbe that “You have suspended me, you have suspended me. You have created more problems for yourself.”

Eleven members were present at the sitting.

Paul Ohonbamu, who moved the motion for the suspension, said the lawmakers’ actions constituted misconduct.

The motion was seconded by Majority Leader Philip Shaibu.

Addressing reporters after the sitting, Chairman, Committee on Youth,

We’re not disturbed, says Oshiomhole

E

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole said yesterday that the government was undisturbed with the shenanigans of the defected lawmakers.

Oshiomhole spoke when he addressed youths who were protesting at the Government House.

His words: “I thank you for recognising that we all went round to campaign for these people who have decided to sell their mandate.

“What is sickening is that they are young men who should be anxious to break away from the past.

“Obviously, I think it is important that if democracy is going to survive, each promise must be kept because in the last election, I had to go and do a television advert when

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia and Osagie Otabor, Benin

the PDP people said this election is not Oshiomhole’s election, therefore vote for individual candidates.

“I had to do that because Edo people were not going to accept some of these people and I had to remind them that if they do not vote for them they would create problems for me.

“As far as I am concerned, there is no cause for alarm. A lot of these people cannot win election on their own merit in their ward.

“They were voted for as ACN with the broom. If you were voted for with the broom, how can you now go and replace it with an umbrella that is torn and abandoned?”

•Youths call for lawmakers’ removal

•‘I’m unshaken’

ship is aimed at destabilising the House.

“These suspended members have constituted themselves into marketers that have been given target to meet.

“They approached us to join the PDP. They disturb us daily. What they do is to dangle carrot before us and that is not what we were elected to do here. Their activities constitute misconduct.

“We decided to suspend them until they deem it fit to do what is right.

“It is the tradition and rule that if any member takes the House to court, that member is to be suspended, until the matter is

resolved by the court.”

Thousands of youths, led

by Tony Kabaka Adun, stormed the Assembly calling for the sacking of the defecting lawmakers.

Adun said they could not watch the lawmakers trade off the mandate and votes they protected under the sun.

He said: “The people we trusted with our votes have sold our mandate.

“We want to know who they are now representing.

We suffered in the sun to protect their votes. It is better they resign and vacate their offices.”

Also, thugs invaded the Assembly and tried to prevent the suspended lawmak-

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Sports and Information, Kabiru Adjoto said their suspension was not because the lawmakers joined the PDP. Adjoto said the suspended lawmakers had allegedly approached other lawmakers to join the PDP. He accused the deputy speaker of forming a parallel leadership aimed at removing Igbe and Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

His words: “The Deputy Speaker has become so arrogant and dictatorial that he no longer sees the party and the Speaker as one.

“He has created parallel leadership and that leader-

Benin monarch prays for Chibok girls From OSemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

PRAYERS for peace in Nigeria and the release of the abducted Chibokgirls were held yesterday in Benin City, the Edo State capital, by the Benin Monarch, Oba Erediauwa.

Declaring the session open, Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council Frank Irabor, who represented the monarch, said the session was necessitated by the need for peace in Nigeria.

Ohen-Osa Harrison Okao of the Holy Aruosa Cathedral, in his homily, admonished attendees to imbibe equity, fairness and justice as part of processes to allow peace reign in the state and the country.

•Chairman, Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), General Martin-Luther Agwai (rtd), speaking PHOTO: NAN after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa in Abuja ...yesterday

T

UNIPORT students protest fee hike

HOUSANDS of University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) students protested yesterday what they described as “an inhuman increase in school fees and poor infrastructure” at the university.

The students, who assembled at 6am, blocked the East-West Road, leading to a traffic jam at Chioba Axis.

The protesters marched on the city with their plac-

•Block East-West Road From Precious Dikewoha and Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

ards with various inscriptions, such as “Cut down our school fees”; “Federal university is not a state university”; Hike in school fees, we no go gree”; “We don’t have good class rooms”.

The students locked the main gates of the universi-

ty’s three parks-Choba, Delta and Abuja/University.

The protesting students took over the main gate of the Choba Park and barricaded the strategic NTAChoba Road.

Banks and businesses in the area were hurriedly shut.

The students, at 8:40 am, moved to Choba Junction

on the East-West Road and later to the university’s main gate.

The police stormed the area in many patrol vans but did not harass the students.

UNIPORT’s spokesman Williams Wodi said the protesters were not students, insisting that bona fide students are on break after their second semester examinations.

Wodi said only N5,000 was added to the fees.

ers from leaving in their official cars.

Ebea described his suspension as an action “in error”.

He said he remained unshaken.

The suspended deputy speaker said he had not committed any offence to warrant being suspended.

His words: “Edo people are watching and they know what the truth is. “ I am a lawmaker and a bona fide All Progressives Congress (APC) member.

“I have not defected and even for my colleagues who defected and are being punished, what offence have they committed.”

The House will set up a committee to investigate the allegations against the four suspended lawmakers.

Adjoto said the suspended lawmakers would be made to vacate their lodges at the legislative quarters.

Controversy trails demolition of houses in Warri From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

C

ONTROVERSY has continued to trail the demolition of 65 residential buildings in Ifiekporo community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State by the government.

The special sanitation committee set up to rid Warri, Uvwie and Udu local governments of filth and illegal structures, led by Commissioner for Environment Frank Omare, pulled down the buildings, which it alleged had been built on government land.

An activist, who is Executive Director of the Centre for the Vulnerable and Underprivileged (CENTREP), Oghenejabor Ikimi, described the government’s action as oppressive and a failure of its responsibilities to the people.

Ikimi said the government did not inform the people of its intentions, adding that it has not compensated the people.

He said most of the victims obtained approvals from the Ministry of Lands and Survey before developing their property.

His words: “We are not oblivious of the fact that over 200 families were rendered homeless without notice or due process as a result of the above inaction of the government.

“We call on the government to adequately compensate the victims without delay as the demolished structures were duly covered with approved building plans.”

The commissioner said only Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) could authenticate anybody as a genuine property owner, who would be considered for compensation.

Omare said more houses standing illegally on any government land would suffer the same fate.

He debunked Ikimi’s claim that no notice was given to the people before their houses were brought down.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

56

NEWS

APC accuses PDP of inciting violence in Kano

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of inciting the violence that followed the emergence of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano last Sunday.

The PDP’s action was an attempt to destabilise the state, APC said.

It urged the Kano State Attorney-General to prosecute all PDP officials involved “in this act of destabilisation”.

DHQ: we killed 50 terrorists in Borno From Gbade Ogunwale and Bukola Amusan, Abuja

By Olamilekan Andu

In a statement yesterday in Lagos by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC condemned a statement by PDP’s Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh congratulating one of the contenders “long before the Kano State Government announced the new Emir”.

The party said the action was premeditated and calibrated to incite violence.

It wondered why PDP, which has access to Kano or any state government, would rush to the media to congratulate a contender who had not been selected, without even contacting the

selecting authority to ensure the veracity of whatever news it might have heard.

“What is so urgent about congratulating the new Emir that could not have waited for a few hours for the appropriate authority to make an official announcement?” APC queried.

The party said when the announcement was eventually made and the contender, who had already been congratulated lost out, “it is only natural that his supporters would feel shortchanged”.

APC said: “It is, therefore, obvious that the PDP, through its National Publicity Secretary, went out of its way to stoke the fire of vio-

lence in Kano.

“Since we live in a country which is being governed by the rule of law, the best option open to the Kano State Government is for the Attorney-General to immediately initiate criminal proceedings against PDP and its officials for incitement. Whatever explanations they have for their irresponsible and premeditated actions, they should reserve for their defence in court.”

But the PDP said APC’s statement was an attempt to blackmail the ruling party.

Its spokesman, Olisa Metuh, acknowledged that he “made a mistake” on the announcement.

T

HE Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday said its troops at the weekend killed 50 suspected Boko Haram terrorists in a counter-offensive at Biita, a boundary community in Borno State.

A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade said the suspected terrorists were ambushed by troops when they attempted to raid some communities in Borno and Adamawa states.

The statement said: “The terrorists, who were on their way to attack selected communities, were ambushed by troops at Biita, Borno State, on receiving intelligence report of the terrorists’ intention.

“The attack was launched on the terrorists as they filed out of the forest to embark on their mission at about 10pm on Saturday. Over 50 terrorists died in the fierce encounter that ensued, while 30 rifles, 36 hand grenades, seven machine guns and 11 rocket-propelled grenade tubes were captured by the troops.

“Also recovered from the terrorists were over 3,500 rounds of ammunition, six smoke grenade canisters and locally fabricated guns as well as four vehicles used by the terrorists in the foiled attack.”

Delegates may ask for more time From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Dele Anofi, Abuja

T

HERE were indications yesterday that the National Conference may request for further extension of time to conclude its assignment.

This emerged as the chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi, told the delegates yesterday that the conference had only five weeks to turn in its report to the Federal Government.

Justice Kutigi, who repeatedly informed delegates that the conference was running out of time, explained that the information became necessary so that delegates would do the needful to save time.

The chairman also told delegates that the conference had debated and adopted reports of four committees with about 17 reports still outstanding.

Marketers urgecourt to quash charge

T

WO oil marketers Mahmud Tukur and Alex Ochonogor have asked an Ikeja High Court to quash the N1.8 billion fuel subsidy fraud charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

They filed the request via a preliminary notice of objection.

Charged alongside with them is Abdullahi Alao, the son of Ibadan-based business mogul, Aare Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao.

They are facing a nine-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and use of false documents.

Also to answer charges before the court is Tukur’s company, Eterna Plc. The EFCC alleged that the defendants obtained N1.8 billion from the Federal Government for purported importation of 80.3 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol).

By Adebisi Onanuga and Toyosi Babatunde

Moving the objection application, their counsel, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), said the proof of evidence did not support the offences alleged against his clients.

Oyetibo said the criminal charge preferred against the accused was an abuse of court process, which should be struck out in the interest of justice.

EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said Section 260 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State prohibited the court from entertaining such applications.

He said: “A company, on its own, cannot commit an offence. It has to use human beings to do so.”

Jacobs urged the court to dismiss the application for being premature and lacking in merit.

Justice Lateef LawalAkapo adjourned the matter till June 27 for ruling.

2015: Jega blames Presidency, National Assembly for paucity of funds

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•President Jonathan (left) welcoming the visiting President-elect of Guinea Bissau, Mr Jose’ Mario Vaz, in Abuja...on Sunday night.

PHOTO: NAN

Govt arraigns suspected abductors of Ozekhome, others

T

HE Federal Government yesterday arraigned three men for allegedly kidnapping some public figures and killing some security officers.

Kelvin Oniarah Eziegbe, Frank Azuekor and Michael Omonigho were accused of kidnappings and terrorism in Edo and Delta states between 2010 and 2013. Among their victims are Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof Hope Eghagha, who were kidnapped last year.

The accused were said to have also kidnapped Attanasius Ugbme and his friend, Emmanuel Maka Omorogbe, and killed five policemen and two prison officials.

The 13-count charge on which the three were ar-

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

raigned said they allegedly made about N75 million from Ozekhome, Eghagha, Ugbome and Omorogbe before their victims were released.

They were also alleged to have compelled Ozekhome to pay N40 million (in US dollars), Eghagha paid N7 million, Ugbome paid N20 million, while Omorogbe paid N3.5 million.

The prosecution gave the names of the policemen allegedly killed during the kidnap of Ozekhome and Eghagha as: Paul Sunday Ajaka, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP); Sunday Ewanshiha (Inspector); Michael Akpada (Inspector); Bakary Kong (Inspector) and Innocent Odoh (Sergeant).

The prison officials allegedly killed by the accused are Lawrence Edore (Inspector) and Oyibo Okoye, Senior Prison Assistant (SPA).

The accused pleaded not guilty.

Following their plea, their lawyer, Bala Dakum, made an oral application for bail.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola ordered that the accused be remanded in the Department of State Security (DSS) custody.

He also ordered that the defence file a formal bail application adding that the necessary processes be served on the prosecution before July 1.

They police, last year, arraigned the three before a Magistrate’s Court in Wuse 2, Abuja, but the case was later withdrawn.

HE Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has said the commission is doing its best to avoid the mistakes of the past in preparing for the 2015 elections.

He said the elections may be jeopardised by paucity of funds because of the style the Presidency was using to fund the commission and the lack of sufficient appropriation from the National Assembly.

The INEC chairman spoke in Abuja at a two-day National Dialogue/stakeholders’ forum on Transparent, Credible, Free and Fair 2015 elections with the INEC, media, civil society groups, political party chairmen, political analysts and the public.

The forum was organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Reform of Government Institutions, headed by Matthew Omegara.

In a presentation, titled: 2015 Elections In Nigeria: Preparations and Challenges, Jega said the challenges ahead of the 2015 elections include “funding, in-

security, attitude of the political class,” and an “apathetic and inactive citizenry”.

Others, he said, are “delay in amendment to the legal framework, completion of the review of electoral constituencies and polling units and prosecution of election offenders”.

He added: “In 2012 and 2013, the funding declined. As I speak with you, there is funding gaps to do the 2015 elections. But I know Mr President and National Assembly are doing their very best to address the funding gaps. There is appropriation challenge. Ideally, when we say INEC is independent, we should do everything possible to make it really independent.”

The INEC chairman said there is need for adequate budgetary allocation that would enable the commission to perform its statutory responsibilities without constraint.

Jega also complained about inadequate staffing and situating INEC’s state offices on local government premises.

‘Okah fit for terrorism trial’

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N Abuja Federal High Court yesterday declared that Charles Okah, suspected mastermind of the October 1, 2010, twin bomb blasts at the Eagle Square in Abuja, was fit to stand trial.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Okah and Obi Nwabueze were arrested and charged with terrorism following the bombings.

Mr John Ainetor, Okah’s counsel, however, brought an application that the accused was not mentally fit to stand trial.

The lawyer urged the court to allow a private medical doctor to examine him.

The court had ordered that a medical test be conducted on Okah at the National Hospital, Abuja. But Ainetor insisted on having a private doctor’s report besides it.

Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN), prosecution counsel, had urged the court to dismiss the

application, describing it as an abuse of court process.

He argued that it was a ploy to delay the matter, which had yet to make any progress since 2010 when the suit was instituted.

Ruling on the matter, Justice Gabriel Kolawole held that Ainetor’s application was an abuse of court process and dismissed it.

“The request for a private medical evaluation of the accused person is an abuse of court process. Its aim is to ensure that the trial does not proceed.

“There is no merit in the applicant’s motion on notice and it is hereby dismissed,” he said.

Justice Kolawole ordered that the accused be remanded in Kuje Prisons, Abuja, and be produced in court for accelerated trial.

The judge adjourned the matter till July 8 and 9 and October 7, 8 and 15 for the trial.

THE NATION TUESDAY JUNE 10, 2014

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NEWS

Bomb scare rocks Jos

J

OS, the Plateau State capital, was shut down for several hours yesterday by security agencies in a joint military operation.

The military operations, which lasted from 1am until 2pm, was in response to the alarm that explosives were planted at strategic spots within the city.

Security agencies took over the city centre and cordoned them off, working to locate the explosives.

The situation caused heavy vehicular traffic jam on the few streets left for motorists and pedestrians.

The development also created panic as most schools, banks and offices could not operate.

Residents, who went to resume work, were ordered by security operatives to return home.

Affected streets include Murtala Mohammed Way, Ahmadu Bello Way, Beach Road, Bank Road and some parts of Central Bank Road.

The Special Task Force

•STF close down streets for explosives Ibrahim Junction by ‘We had to block Ahmadu Bello Way, Ahmadu Bello Way (includsome areas to make ing Hamaz and Unity Bank Junction), Murtala Mohammed Way (University of Jos sure that residents old campus), and Beach Road by Zenith Bank.” don’t get caught up in The statement advised the public to keep off the closed the line of fire’ streets and use alternative

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

(STF) said it closed the streets for military operations.

Its Media and Information Officer, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, in a statement, said: “The Task Force had been conducting operations around the affected areas since 1am yesterday.

“We had to block some areas to make sure that residents don’t get caught up in the line of fire.

“Once we are through, we will open the roads so

that people can go about their business.

“The attention of the public by this release is drawn to an ongoing military operation in the heart of Jos. “The operation, which began at 0145 hours, is to prevent any loss of lives and property.

“To this end, the following roads are temporarily shut down.

“These include Yantaya Junction, ECWA Goodnews Road, Old Bukuru Junction, Terminus Junction, Rwang Pam Street, Kashim

routes.

Capt Iweha said residents can go about their businesses “as adequate security arrangements are in place to protect them.

“While the STF will not relent in ensuring that peace is achieved and this phase passes quickly, it relies on the provision of prompt information to ensure that no group of terrorists will harm the populace.”

Though the security agencies refused to disclose their findings, it was learnt that some explosives were evacuated during the exercise.

SSS arrests Boko Haram impersonator

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HE Department of State Security (DSS) yesterday confirmed the arrest of a person, claiming to be a member of Boko Haram.

The Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mike Omeri, who spoke at the daily briefing on the security situation, said the suspect has been extorting money from some influential Nigerians as a source of protection.

“The Department of State Security (DSS) has apprehended someone masquerading as a front for the terrorist group, Boko Haram.

“The suspect, who is be-

•Army kills 50 insurgents in Adamawa, Borno From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

ing interrogated, has been extorting money from some influential Nigerians as protection money,” Omeri said.

He advised Nigerians to be vigilant.

Omeri said the Army has killed over 50 terrorists and averted a massive raid in parts of Adamawa and Borno states.

He said the terrorists were on their way to attack selected communities.

Omeri said 30 rifles, 36

hand grenades, seven machine guns and 11 rocket propelled grenade tubes were recovered.

“No fewer than 3,500 rounds of ammunition, six smoke grenade canisters locally made guns and motorcycles were also recovered.

“During the operation four soldiers were killed and some injured.

“The attack was launched on the terrorists as they filed out of the forest to embark on their mission at 10pm on Saturday.

Olofa: Kwara denies aiding deposed monarch

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HE Kwara State Government yesterday denied receiving a petition from a ruling house to the Offa monarch.

The petition accused the government of aiding and abetting the deposed Olofa of Offa, Alhaji Mohammed Mufutau Gbadamosi.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kamaldeen Ajibade, said: “I don’t have their petition before me.”

The counsel to Olugbense ruling house, Toyin Oladipo, in the petition, alleged that the government was aiding Gbadamosi to disobey an Appeal Court order by still parading himself as the monarch.

Last July, the appellate court declared Gbadamosi’s installation as illegal.

Olugbense and Anilelerin are the two ruling houses in the ancient town.

Ajibade said: “They have not complained to any quarters. They could not complain to the state High Court because the case is yet to be concluded.

“If they say somebody is disobeying a court order the next thing to do is for them to file a contempt proceeding at the high court.

“The contempt proceed-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

ing is like a normal case, where evidences will be taken.

“When the other party filed a motion for stay of execution at the Court of Appeal in Ilorin, parties joined issues, but they were the same people that frustrated the hearing of the motion.

“If they have any complaint as to why the man is still parading himself as the Olofa of Offa, it is not by at-

tacking the Attorney General. I am not an attorney general to the Olofa. The Supreme Court has the final say.

“I am maintaining that I have no record of the latest petition from the counsel to the Olugbense ruling house.

“This is a matter before the court and should not be taken to the media.

“We have submitted to the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court; so they should wait for court to decide on the issue.”

Globacom to partner UniIlorin From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

A

TELECOMMUNICATIONS company, Globacom, is to partner the University of Ilorin (UniIlorin) for the optimisation of the institution’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) structure.

This, according to the telecoms giant, will improve the university’s triple mandate of teaching, research and community service.

Globacom’s Chief Commercial Director Dr David Ehikhuemen made the proposal when he led a team to visit the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali.

The Head of Globacom Mobile Money, Esaie Diei, praised the university, saying “you are ahead of your time, just as Globacom is the first telecommunication company to support the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) cashless policy. We will like to start a pilot project with you.”

Prof Ambali acknowledged the contribution of Globacom to the development of ICT in Africa.

“Over 50 terrorists died in fierce encounter that ensued,” he said.

He said the injured soldiers are receiving treatment in the military medical facility.

Community leader killed in Plateau

A

COMMUNITY leader , Iliya Vomagai, was killed yesterday in Shonong, Plateau State.

The victim, according to eyewitnesses, was working in a garden behind his house, when some gunmen invaded his home and shot him several times.

The gunmen later returned to attack the community but were repelled by men of the local vigilance group.

The villagers alleged that the gunmen were armed Fulani herdsmen, who may have been training behind the forest near Rim village.

The community raised the alarm two weeks ago that a group of suspected armed Fulani were training in a forest near Rim in Riyom Local Government.

An eye witness David Agwong said: “The villagers alerted security agencies but they neglected our calls. Yesterday,

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

the gunmen attacked us.

“The Special Task Force (STF) soldiers are conniving with these Fulani to kill us.

“They are aiding the Fulani to chase us out of this village and take over our community.

“We called them and they refused to respond and protect us.

They want them to kill many of us as they did in February, when they killed over 30 people in Shonong.

“The gunmen would have killed several people, if not for the youths who repelled them.

“The soldiers were rather pleading with the gunmen instead of arresting them.”

The lawmaker, representing Riyom in the House of Assembly, Daniel Dem, said: “I am aware the gunmen invaded part of my constituency in Shonong, the same village they killed about 40 people in the last attack.”

Yobe empowers 6,000 youths

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HE Yobe State Government through the SURE-P programme has empowered over 6,000 unemployed youths in the last two years, the Chairman of the State Youth Empowerment Committee, Kati Machina, has said.

Machina said 6,572 youths with diploma in various fields have been employed by the government.

He said each youth receive N15,000 monthly, adding that some of the beneficiaries are working as teachers while others are posted to the Hospital Management Board and the

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

National Population Commission (NPC).

His words: “This programme is one of the silent but most important ones being carried out by the Ibrahim Gaidam-led administration.

You can’t imagine how these stipends have changed the beneficiaries’ lives.

“Our choice of beneficiaries is not based on tribe or party affiliation. For your information, poverty does not respect any party or tribe. We try as much as possible to be fair to all applicants.”

58

THE NATION TUESDAY JUNE 10, 2014

NEWS Ohanaeze, Umeh, others mourn Akunyili

Fashola meets with drivers

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From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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HE death of former Information and Communications Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili, has continued to elicit reactions from members of her community at Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Her brother-in-law, Mr. Cyril Akunyili, said yesterday that her death was shocking. He prayed that God should grant her eternal rest.

Cyril is the immediate younger brother to Dora’s husband, Chike.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, said the death of Prof. Akinyili was a great loss to the Igbo nation and Nigeria.

Umeh’s message was contained in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Stan Okeke.

He said it was unfortunate that at a time Nigerians were praying for her and expected her to return, she succumbed to death in an Indian hospital.

Vehicle owner warned THE Lagos State Police Command has warned the owner of an abandoned vehicle parked at Idimu police station to remove it or lose it to members of the public through auction, two weeks after this publication. The vehicle is a Ford Saloon car marked AC 959 MAP.

•Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha greeting the Archbishop of Owerri Anglican Province, Rev B.C.I. Okoroafter receiving an award from the church during its synod at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Umuaka... recently.

Igbo leaders warn Biafra group T HE Concerned Igbo Leaders of Thought led by Prof.

Ben Nwabueze has joined the South East Governors Forum in condemning an attempt by the Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM) to declare the Republic of Biafra.

In a statement by the deputy secretary, Evang. Elliot Uko, the group warned BZM and others not overheat the polity.

It said the act of seizing a broadcasting house to announce a republic is not the proper way to express anger and frustration.

The group said: “Such an action will only overheat the polity, which is the last thing any wellmeaning Nigerian will pray for at this time.

“We appeal to those who feel

•Police intensify investigations

From Chris Oji, Enugu

aggrieved over the condition in the country to channel their grievances through the proper channel, including the ongoing National Conference.

“Actions capable of leading to a breakdown of law and order must be discouraged.

“We warn Igbo youths preparing for or planning whatever demonstrations to shelve the idea, as such action will only encourage our already misguided folks, who er-

roneously believe that secession or disintegration will help the situation.

“We advise those indoctrinating them along these lines to retrace their steps.

“Finally we reiterate that Ndigbo believe in a united Nigeria where equity and justice reign, where no man is oppressed. We believe in a restructured country where every section is treated fairly.”

Police have intensified investigations into the activities of BZM and have arrested more members.

The group attempted to declare the Republic of Biafra at the Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS). A policeman and one of the group’s members were killed.

Thirteen BZM members, including their leader, Benjamin Igwe Onwuka, were arrested after the invasion and paraded by the police.

Police spokesman Ebere Amaraizu said yesterday that investigations were ongoing to get to the root of the matter.

“As soon as we conclude investigation, we will make it public and charge the suspects to court,” he added.

Okorocha: why I dethroned monarchs

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MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha said yesterday that the dethronement of the two traditional rulers, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya of Obinugu and Eze Cosmas Onyeneke, followed the recommendation of the House of Assembly.

The governor in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said the action was not a personal matter but a discharge of his constitutional obligations under the Traditional Rulers, Autonomous Communities and Allied Matters in Imo State Law No. 6 of 2006.

He said: “Following series of petitions to the House of Assembly against the traditional rulers by the indigenes, the Assembly constituted a-five man

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committee, which investigated the petitions and indicted the monarchs.

“As a responsible government, we appreciate that the two people involved are indigenes of the state. So we won’t go the whole hog to discuss the findings of the committee. But at the end of the investigations, the committee passed resolutions 376 and 377 that the governor should without delay, remove the duo.

“But the government kept the resolutions of the Assembly in abeyance and did not dethrone the monarchs as recommended. Before then, Ilomuanya stopped attending state functions in breach of Section 14 of the Imo State Traditional Rulers, Autonomous Communities

Law and since three years ago relocated to Abuja where he functioned more as a politician.

“It is also important to state that by the virtue of the removal of Ilomuanya as the traditional ruler and state Council of Traditional Rulers member, he can no longer parade himself as such because to do so is tantamount to impersonation.”

The traditional rulers have defied the order of the government, insisting that they remain monarchs.

A statement by Eze Ilomuanya, who is also the chairman of South East Council of Traditional Rulers, said the announcement by the government purporting to have withdrawn his certificate of recognition was ridiculous and laughable.

Lagos to decide on LASU fees today

AGOS State Government yesterday said it is yet to decide on the recommendation by the committee set up to look into the agitation by the students of the Lagos State University, (LASU) on the hike in tuition fees.

The State Executive Council deliberated on the issues for several hours but could not reach

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

conclusion on the new fees to be paid by the students.

Information and Strategy, Lateef Ibirogba and Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Raji, who briefed reporters said logical conclusion on the new fee would be reached today.

Ibirogba said: “The Exco meeting on the decision of the recommendations made by the committee on LASU, has been adjourned till tomorrow (today). After the committee submitted its report, we had a five hours deliberation on it. And during the deliberation, all the issues raised were looked into.

Our government is a government that has solid structure and we feel that everything must be thoroughly checked based on its merit.

On the hope of reducing the tuition fees, Ibirogba said: “Perhaps when we reach the final conclusion on the recommendations made, that is when we will be able to decide if the tuition

fee will be reduced or not. At the moment, we are yet to reach agreement on the issues. For us to have spent five hours deliberating on the issues showed that we are ready to address the issues immediately.

“It will be premature to reveal what the committee recommended because we are yet to reach decision on their recommendation”.

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday met with the leadership of the state branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on ways of ensuring security at the various motor parks and roads.

The Governor, who spoke at the Banquet Hall of the Lagos House, Ikeja said the meeting became necessary because of some developments at the last Security Council meeting.

He said while it is the primary responsibility of government to ensure the protection of life and property, government alone cannot carry it out, as it requires the support of the populace to make the state safe and accident-free for the people is why everybody must be involved in the process.

He, however, said the task would only be halfway done if government performs its task of protecting life and property, while the citizens themselves must be up and doing in terms of securing themselves and their immediate environment.

The meeting was attended by members of the Executive Council including the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye, Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Kayode Opeifa, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Tunde Sobulo, Assistant Director of Operations at the Department of State Security (DSS), Chairman of the NURTW, Mr Tajudeen Agbede and leaders of the union.

‘Ajimobi’s victory certain’ From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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HE Caretaker Chairman of Ibadan North East Local Government, Mr Ladi Oluokun has expressed his confidence in the ability of Governor Abiola Ajimobi to defeat the opposition in the forthcoming elections.

He spoke on Sunday shortly after a familiarisation tour of the 11 wards within the council areas.

Oluokun explained that all the citizens of the state are impressed by the monumental achievements of the present administration with virtually all the sectors of the economy, particularly the urban renewal programme, education, health care delivery, massive infrastructure development and youth empowerment.

The council boss emphasised that it was only if the governor wins again in 2015 that Oyo state could continue to witness good governance and the good work he had started.

Oluokun said: “it will be very usual to see a human being that can record a 100 per cent success in a behavioural or performance assessment test.”

Uwangue of Warri joins ancestors

•The late Otuedon-Okome

T

HE death has occurred of the Uwangue of Warri kingdom, Chief Bernard Edema Otuedon-Okome. He died in his sleep on June 2. He

was 103.

Second in the hierarchy of chiefs of the Warri kingdom, Chief Otuedon-Okome was conferred with the Uwangue of Warri by the Olu of Warri— Ogiame, Erejuwa II in 1986 after his predecessor, Chief Ogbemi Newe Rewane.

A successful businessman regarded as a gentleman, he was loved and respected by his people.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

59

NEWS Rivers condemns grounding of aircraft Continued from page 4

that conveyed the Rivers State Governor to Kano was denied take-off from the Aminu Kano International Airport, by a fellow, who identified himself as the Commandant, acting on orders from above.

“That was the only information he was willing to share, when the governor inquired about what offence he or the aircraft operators committed.

“Yesterday (on Sunday), my counterpart in Kano State told me that the people at the airport said they were directed not to allow all non-scheduled aircraft to take off or land. So, while the governor was there,

I was also told they began to lock all the gates to the exit of the airport and they locked the gates with the governor inside the aircraft. For the governor to exit the airport, somebody had to break the padlock of the gate. So, the governor and his team could leave. That amounts to imprisonment without charge.

“More seriously is the fact that this does not portend well for our democracy. It does not portend well for us as we enter into the next elections. A situation where newspapers are seized, consignments of newspapers are seized, it is the beginning of stifling Nigerians.”

Semenitari wondered why an aircraft that was cleared before the time of arrival, would not be allowed to take-off with the same passengers it landed with. The development, she said, indicated that some people wanted to intimidate Nigerians ahead of the 2015 general elections, which she said must not be allowed.

Already, Rivers State aircraft remains grounded at the Port Harcourt airport on the orders of the aviation authorities.

An official in the aviation agency yesterday said for security reasons, aircraft were prevented from entering and leaving the Kano Airport for sometime.

Jonathan cancels Kano trip as police seal off palace Continued from page 4

•Amaechi

The official, who said he was not authorised to speak, added that the restriction was lifted yesterday afternoon.

Clampdown on media enters day four

Continued from page 4

being displayed on the news stands.

On Sunday, a team of armed soldiers impounded copies of The Nation as the Circulation Officer was about to start distributing copies to vendors at the popular “Fleet Street”.

The military men also warned the distributors and vendors in Minna not to sell any of the three newspapers, saying anybody caught would be ruthlessly dealt with.

To put force to their threat, a man who was found with a copy of Leadership that he bought from Suleja was harassed and asked to disclose where he got it from when he was stopped in Minna by some soldiers.

As early as 6:00 am yesterday, parcels of Leadership were impounded at Kilometre 10 military check point in Minna, while another set of armed soldiers stormed the distribution centre at “Fleet Street”, searching for any of the three titles.

The armed men stationed at the distribution centre later left for their barracks at about 11:42 am when they were satisfied that no no newspaper was coming for the day.

Efforts by the Commissioner for Information, Malam Danladi Ndayebo and the Secretary to Niger State Government, Idiris Ndako Kpaki, to get the military to release the impounded newspapers were still in progress at the time of filing the report at about 2:00 pm yesterday.

When contacted on phone, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Captain Salisu Mustapha, assured our correspondent that he would look into the matter.

He said: “You may have to call back in an hour’s time. I will meet my boss. I know something is being done to normalise the situation.”

Distributors and vendors were apprehensive and were reluctant to sell the newspapers for fear of being harassed or beaten up by soldiers.

Chairman Niger State Newspaper Vendors and Distributors Association, Mr. Festus Elijah confirmed his members’ fears.

“We are ready to sell any paper but you have to help us extract assurance that no member of the association will be harassed by the soldiers.

“We have been warned since Friday and we are powerless, you may say they will not

come again and they are here.

The sad thing is that it is only Niger State that military are still laying siege.

Thousands of youth in Okeogun area of Oyo State, under the aegis of Vanguard For Justice and Good Governance (VAJAG) expressed indignation over the onslaught against The Nation, describing it as “bestial, barbaric and an affront on human rights and democratic governance.”

The group’s spokesman, Mr. Kingsley Alaranse, said: “They (the military) need to be told in unmistakable terms, or better still advised to go back to the school of history, in order to be properly tutored on how not to muffle or gag the media. No one, no matter how powerful, even more than the former Idi-Amin of Uganda, can win the battle against the media because it is the soul of any country and fourth estate of the realm.”

An activist-lawyer, Mr Morakinyo Ogele, threatened to sue the army if it does not explain within seven days why the newspapers are being seized.

He said seizure of newspaper and invasion of distributing centres by the military personnel is not only barbaric, but

a pose danger to democratic cultures as well as amount to a breach to section 39 of the 1999 Constitution.

“It is unconstitutional for the military to impound and disrupt the distribution of a newspaper, thus denying people from receiving information as stipulated by Constitution.

“The most worrisome of this unconstitutional act is that the Federal Government has not condemned the illegal act of the military, which suggests they are acting on the script of the government.

“The military authority should come out and inform whether journalists or editors are a security risk to justify their action.

“In a descent society where rule of law is in full operation, soldiers are only to defend citizens and not to breach the Constitution. Our army should learn how to respect people’s opinion as stop harassing the media.

“The Nigerian Army is hereby put on notice to explain within seven days why they are impounding newspapers; otherwise I will initiate court action against military authorities at the law court,” Ogele said.

announcement of Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the new Emir

by Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso’s government”, they said.

Security men blocked the gate leading to the Palace with their vehicles to prevent the protesters from entering.

Contacted on telephone, Kano State Commissioner of Police Adenrele Shinaba said: “Ours is to take control of security and that is what we are doing.”

The family of the late Emir Ado Bayero is still living inside the Palace contrary to reports that they have been relocated.

Our reporter learnt that four people may have died and several others injured during a clash between Sanusi’s supporters and those who opposed his appointment.

Both groups made bon fires on the road leading to the Emir’s palace and Kofar Nasarawa. The police put out the fire and dispersed the crowd. But they regrouped for another free-for-all.

Police attack is assassination attempt, says Fayemi Continued from page 4

described the assault on the governor an insult on the people of the state.

He said: “It is so sad that we are dealing with people who are not ready for democracy. Those who are not ready for free, fair and credible election. But we want to sound a note of warning that the APC is ready to accept the verdict of a free and fair poll, but for anyone to impose his will

on us, we will not accept that.

“We are aware of their plans, but an attempt to cow or intimidate us will be resisted not only in the Southwest but across Nigeria. We are sending a petition to Mr President, Senate President, Senator David Mark, Speaker, House of Reps, Hon Aminu Tambuwal and the Inspector General of Police on the plan to humiliate our governor and the people of the State”.

Gunmen kidnap 20 women near Chibok Continued from page 4

the men were away tending to their cows in the bush.

Another source from the village said the women were evacuated from the villages in vehicles by the attackers at gunpoint .

“They came when all the able-bodied men were out with cows in the bush. They only took away young women and left the old men and women behind”, a source from the village said.

“I bet you the Fulanis are now mobilising the villages around to go and rescues their wives from the hands of the attackers and I’m sure they would bring back their wives

“We got the information that they went there and took away the women at the time none of the men were there; the three young men they met there could not help the women as the gunmen also ordered the three of them to enter the Hilux vans and took all of them away”, said Tanko.

Security agents were reluctant to speak, saying the details of the attack were still sketchy.

A local hunter Abdullahi said: “We tried to go after them when the news got to us about three hours later, but the vehicles we have could not go far and the report came to us a little bit late”.

Your Sexual Health & You: Novelty Tips, Questions & Answers

H

i Uche, why do women cry during sex as if it is painful? Sometimes it makes intercourse uncomfortable and I feel like a beast or a rapist – Ganiyu Hello James. Yes this can be very confusing but it is quite simple really. The neuro sensors and transmitters in the female brain that respond to pain are the same ones that respond to sexual pleasure. So women moan when they are sad and also moan when they are enjoying intercourse. This female reaction to sexual pleasure is totally natural and involuntary. I know it is weird but remember that there are people who cry when they are happy. That is why they call it tears of joy. So don’t worry about it. If the intercourse is painful for her, she will tell you to stop for sure - Uche My problem is that I don’t reach orgasm anymore. I don’t know if it is because my boyfriend’s penis is small or because he cannot be erect for long. Should I get a vaginal tightener to tighten my vagina to fit his penis or should he get one of your products for erection?

Thanks – Chioma Chioma if your boyfriend is experiencing erectile dysfunction, then that explains your inability to enjoy intercourse. Erectile dysfunction affects women as much as it affects men because if the man cannot get the required erection, the woman cannot have the anticipated enjoyment. Let him get help for a start. For stronger erections and sustained performances, he should take Dragon 2000 which is both a penis enlarger and an erection enhancer. Lucy you will need to be patient as well but I can promise you that as soon as he starts taking this medication, you will see an improvement in his sexual abilities which will in turn help you enjoy intercourse again. But in the meantime, get a vibrator while he gets treatment. This will enable you get some satisfaction while you wait – Uche I am a 27 year old man with a small penis and a bad case of premature ejaculation. This has made me shy

and has reduced my confidence when I am with a lady.

What do I do because emotionally I am not finding it easy – Ronald Dear Ronald, a product that can have an instant impact on both your ejaculation problems and penis size is the Nasstoy Penis Extender. This product for men controls quick ejaculation and also makes the penis look considerably bigger and longer which lifts a man’s selfesteem. The Nasstoy Penis Extender is worn like a condom and is reusable too. In extreme cases of premature ejaculation, you can combine this sleeve with a premature ejaculation control cream such as the Rock Hard Delay Cream – Uche What do you have for a recently divorced lonely woman who wants to be happy again? Shelia Sheila I will recommend a nice toy for you but you also need to start dating again. No sex toy can replace a human being. Humans need that contact with one another. So go for the Love Angels Diva Vibrator. It is new, beautiful and gives a lot of pleasure. Use it with the 69 Arousal Gel for maximum enjoyment. If you want to make the experience even more real, I recommend the adult movies Duality and Blind Date. We also have a dating service.

Visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com and register. You might be lucky enough to meet someone – Uche I had sex for the first time this weekend and we did it three times. I am 58 years old and I have not had an erection in three years. I want to order three more bottles of Exploding Thunder supplement. Please I need it soonest as I don’t want to hear that it is finished – Chief Ejike You are welcome. Exploding Thunder is a good erection supplement – Uche That’s it for today. Adults in need of these treatments/ novelties can reach us on 08051924159 or 08027901621to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com. - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

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THE NATION TUESDAY JUNE 10, 2014

FOREIGN

Karachi airport ‘revenge’ attack leaves 28 dead

A

T least 28 people have been killed after gunmen disguised as police guards attacked a terminal at Pakistan’s Jinnah international airport in Karachi.

Militants armed with automatic weapons, a rocket launcher, suicide vests and grenades stormed the airport and were involved in an intense six-hour firefight with the airport’s security force, police, paramilitaries and commandos.

Ten of the dead were the attackers, according to Pakistan’s paramilitary Rangers.

Also killed were 11 airport security workers, civilian airport employees and four Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) staff. Another 26 people were injured.

The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was in revenge for their late leader Hakimullah Mehsud, who was killed in a US drone strike in November.

“We have yet to take revenge for the deaths of hundreds of innocent tribal women and children in Pakistani air strikes,” spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said.

“It’s just the beginning, we have taken revenge for one (Mehsud), we have to take revenge for hundreds.”

He also dismissed the possibility of a new round of

‘Las Vegas suspects were white supremacists’

P

OLICE reportedly find swastikas at the home of a couple who killed three people and then themselves in a suicide pact.

The pair who fatally shot two Las Vegas officers and a civilian before killing themselves were reportedly white supremacists who targeted police.

The two suspects were married, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

They killed themselves in an apparent suicide pact.

Their identities have not been released but their home was being raided by police.

The Review-Journal said investigators had found paraphernalia associated with white supremacy theories as well as swastikas.

The attack at a CiCi’s Pizza restaurant on Sunday killed Officers Alyn Beck, 41, and Igor Soldo, 31, who were both husbands and fathers.

One of the shooters yelled: “This is a revolution”.

The two suspects, a man and a woman, then fled to a Walmart across the street, where they gunned down a person just inside the front door and exchanged gunfire with police before killing themselves.

The officers were “having lunch when they were ambushed”, Las Vegas police said in a statement.

P

Airport reopens after Pakistan Taliban assault

AKISTAN’s largest airport has resumed operations after an assault by militants which left 28 people, including all 10 attackers, dead.

The Pakistani Taliban have said they carried out the raid as revenge for the killing of their leader last year.

The government said a full investigation was under way.

Asif Kirmani, a spokesman for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, also praised the security forces for their response.

Analysts say the latest violence has further undermined Sharif’s attempt at initiating peace talks with the Taliban.

The negotiations have made little headway since February. Critics have argued that they could allow the militants to regroup and gain strength.

The Karachi airport attack comes against the backdrop of a major split in the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) - and threats of retaliation following limited military operations against foreign militants in North Waziristan.

Given the violence, it seems clear that any pretence at a peace process is now over. Few seriously thought that recent talks between the government and militants were getting anywhere anyway. peace talks with the Pakistan government.

Television footage showed what appeared to be a major fire and plumes of smoke floating across the runway near parked aircraft.

Pakistan’s military spokesman Maj.-Gen. Asim Bajwa said after the operation had ended: “Update: Area cleared. No damage to aircraft, fire visible in pics was not plane but a building, now extinguished. All vital assets intact.”

Video grab of Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud sitting with other millitants in South Waziristan

Hakimullah Mehsud was killed by a drone strike last year Maj Gen Bajwa added that ammunition, rockets and grenades were recovered from the dead attackers.

“Precautionary sweep after daylight. Airport will be cleared by midday for operations, handed back to CAA (Civil Aviation Authority)/ ASF (Airport Security Force). Pakistan Zindabad (long live Pakistan)!” he tweeted.

Heavy gunfire and multiple explosions had been heard coming from the airport as authorities scrambled to secure the area.

Eurofighter jet crashes in Spain

A

SPANISH air force Eurofighter jet has crashed at Moron de la Frontera Air Base, a military base near Seville, killing the pilot.

The air force captain, 30year-old Fernando Lluna Carrascosa, was the only person on board when the plane smashed into the runway as it returned to the base around 2pm.

The cause of the accident is still unclear.

The Moron de la Frontera Air Base is used by the Spanish and US air forces.

The Eurofighter is built by British defence group BAE Systems, European aerospace group Airbus and Ital-

I

•Pilot dead ian defence contractor Finmeccanica.

This consortium faces fierce competition from fighter-jet makers, such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Dassault Aviation.

Airbus said last month the consortium would stop making the Eurofighter in 2018 if it does not win new export contracts for the jet.

Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Malaysia are all in talks about buying the jet, the company added.

Spain agreed to buy 87 Eurofighters just over a decade ago, and has an option to buy 16 more between 2003 and 2018.

Italy rescues 5,000 migrants

TALY has rescued more than 5,000 migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in overcrowded boats over the weekend.

Calmer seas have led to a wave of migrants leaving north African shores in the last three days, according to Italian navy officials.

Three migrants have died while attempting the crossing. Their bodies were recovered by the crew of merchant tanker Norient Star from one of the boats.

Officials in Sicily, where most of the migrants are taken, have called for more European support.

Italian authorities have called for EU support. Mayor of Porto Empedocle said on Sunday: “Europe can’t just turn its back on us.

“This isn’t just Sicily’s border, but it’s Europe’s border too.”

Italy has asked EU countries to assist with its naval mission called Mare Nostrum - but so far only Slovenia has provided help.

The mission began in October after 366 migrants drowned when their boat capsized a mile from Sicily.

The EU provided •30m (£24m) in emergency funding, mostly for immigration facilities on land.

Merchant tankers also aided the rescue operation.

So far this year, the number of migrants who have reached Italy by boat has already surpassed the 40,000 for the whole of 2013.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

SPORT EXTRA

61

BRAZIL 2014 WORLD CUP...BRAZIL 2014 WORLD CUP...

Deschamps urges Benzema to ‘be himself’ for France

Suarez filled with renewed optimism

H

F

RANCE coach Didier Deschamps has asked striker Karim Benzema to “be himself” when he plays for his nation at the World Cup. The Real Madrid striker played an important role as the Spanish giants claimed their 10th European Cup this season, though he has rarely hit such heights with the national team.

There is, however, a fresh weight of expectation on the former Lyon star’s shoulders following the news that Franck Ribery will miss the trip to Brazil due to back problems.

“It would serve no purpose to ask more of Karim,” Deschamps told the media ahead of Sunday’s friendly against Jamaica. “When you are trying to score at all costs, any player can lose some of their natural instinct.

“He must play like he can do and does at Real Madrid. You know Karim; when he scores he is very happy.

“I just want him to be himself.

When he is at the peak of his abilities, of course he is a player who pulls the whole team up.”

Benzema has not featured in either of France’s two previous warm up games for the World Cup due to his participation with Madrid in the Champions League final, but has enjoyed strong form with Les Bleus in recent games, scoring in four of his last five outings.

•Yaya Toure

Toure: We can make Ivory Coast proud

E

•Benzema

Pre-tournament injuries a ´wake-up call´ for FIFA—Ayovi

E

CUADOR defender Walter Ayovi says the number of preWorld Cup injuries to major players serves as a “wake-up call” for FIFA. Franck Ribery and Marco Reus are among the stars who have been forced to withdraw from the tournament after picking up injuries in the build-up to Brazil.

And Pachuca full-back Ayovi says players need more of a break between the end of the domestic season and the beginning of World Cup preparations. “(The injuries before the World Cup) are a wake-up call for FIFA,” he is quoted as saying by El Universo . “Players need rest, and rest is not only 10 days.”

Ecuador are suffering injuries of their own, with question marks over the fitness of both Segundo Castillo and Christian Noboa.

“The team is very good, the only concerns are Noboa and Castillo,” continued Ayovi. “We’re a few days (away from the World Cup) and we are anxious, but we must consider what the coach puts in place will be best.”

Ecuador have been drawn in Group E alongside Switzerland, France and Honduras.

IVORY Coast midfielder Yaya Toure has said he knows how much is riding on their FIFA World Cup performance back home.

The Ivorians are preparing to compete in their third successive World Cup finals after a debut appearance in Germany eight years ago, but they have yet to reach the knockout stages.

Since 1999, two civil wars have broken out in the west African nation, and Toure feels the fortunes of the national side have been instrumental in helping Ivorians in their homeland.

“For many years, football has played a big part in the lives of the people,” the Manchester City man told the Mirror.

“Life during the war was so difficult for everyone. Conditions were bad, life was tough, and we just wanted to

give our people some happiness.

“The aim of the team has always been to play together and to make the people of the Ivory Coast feel happy and proud about our country.

“We say to them, ‘enjoy the way we play football, don’t think about the war’. Of course, that is good. It makes you feel proud. But it also puts you under a lot of pressure every time you play for your country.

“Because you know how important it is, you are desperate to do well.

You can’t always win in football.

Sometimes there are disappointments – and we have had too many disappointments.

“That’s when, sometimes, it can get too much for the people and they show the negative side of their passion.”

Toure said the time is now for Ivory

Coast to display their potential, and also hinted his international retirement could come soon.

“We have an amazing squad of players and we all think it is about time we reach our full potential,” Toure said.

“When I look around and see players like (Didier) Drogba, (Salomon) Kalou, (Wilfried) Bony, Gervinho and (Didier) Zokora, I can only be filled with c “Why we haven’t gone on to win a trophy is something I can’t understand.

“We want and we hope we make it soon because some of us haven’t got a lot of time left to be winners.

“It won’t be long until we have to step aside and let the younger generation come through.”

approach that saw them finish the match with 10 men.

Roy Hodgson’s England are FIFA World Cup-bound after playing out a disappointing scoreless draw against Honduras in a feisty game in Miami on Saturday.

England had to contend with a 45 minute delay after an electrical storm forced play to be suspended in the first half, as well as an overly physical Honduras outfit, who were reduced to 10 men just past the hourmark when Bryan Beckeles saw red for an elbow on Leighton Baines.

Speaking to ITV post-game, Gerrard was clearly upset by the tactics adopted by the Hondurans: “I’m quite frustrated. I thought the ref was poor, the game was interrupted.

“There was a big one in the first

half and they were doing stupid fouls.

There was no rhythm, we’re frustrated but relieved at no injuries.

“I thought there were some horrific tackles for a friendly. I got caught with a bad one.”

Gerrard was particularly upset by a first-half incident involving teammate Daniel Sturridge, who had a ball kicked into his chest by Honduras defender Emilio Izaguirre while he was on the ground.

Izaguirre escaped with a yellow card.

“I don’t understand refs seeing balls slammed into players’ chests...it’s a clear red card,” Gerrard said.

“But we came through with no injuries. We’re frustrated but we got a clean sheet and no injuries.”

England open their Group D campaign against four-time world champions Italy on June 15.

Gerrard aggrieved by physicality

E

NGLAND captain Steven Gerrard voiced his disapproval over Honduras’ physical

•Gerrard

ONDURAS coach Luis Fernando Suarez said his team can achieve ‘something important’ at the FIFA World Cup after drawing against England.

Suarez’s men played the final 25 minutes with 10 men following Bryan Beckeles’ red card but they still managed to hold England to a goalless draw at Sun Life Stadium in Miami on Saturday.

The result ended a run of back-toback defeats for Honduras, who were beaten by Israel and Turkey in the lead up to their final pretournament match before heading to Brazil.

Speaking to the media post-game, Suarez claims Honduras are now ready to go head-to-head with Switzerland, France and Ecuador in Group E at the World Cup. “This result makes me think that Honduras can achieve something important,” Suarez said.

“I think I can now say that we are ready for the World Cup because we are eager to start the match on June 15 against France.

“With all due respect to Turkey and Israel, but against the strongest opponent of the three, England, we were much better.

“I think we come from less to more, and that tells us that things were done incorrectly before and that’s why we lost (our previous two matches).”

Another positive to come out of the match was the up-front pairing of Carlos Costly and Jerry Bengtson.

Saturday was the first time Costly and Bengtson, who have scored 50 international goals between them, had started a match together since November’s 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Brazil.

While the partnership failed to produce a goal, Suarez was just pleased to be able to call upon them from the outset.

“I am very calm because it is the first game they have almost completed together (for a while),” he said.

“I see very well and I know that at the time both will be just two major players and become the best scorers of the team.”

Costly is fourth on Honduras’ alltime scorers list with 31 goals in 70 appearances, while Bengtson has netted 19 in 44.

•Fernando Suarez

62

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014 USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY Council endorsed the useful phone numbers submitted by the security agents in case of any emergency on the metropolitan Roads. Accordingly, the public may easily contact KAROTA for: Breakdown of Vehicle(s), Traffic Congestion, Accidents, and Illegal/Wrong Parking on – 08091626747. Similarly, the State Police Command could be contacted on – 08032419754, 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can also be contacted on – 07051246833, 08191778888.

152TH KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

PREPARED BY COUNCIL AFFAIRS DIRECTORATE, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, KANO.

T

he Kano State Executive Council held its one hundred and fifty second (152nd) sitting today Wednesday, 4th June, 2014 (6th Sha'aban, 1435 A H) under the Chairmanship of Governor Engr.

Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. This sitting, like the previous ones, continues with the implementation of Governor Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso's promises and campaign resolutions. Surely, volumes on the epic achievements recorded for the benefits of the citizenry in Kano State under the present administration are indelible. This explains the total support given to the Government by the citizens during the May 17, 2014 Local Government Elections. Surprisingly the PDP failed to comprehend the reasons behind this overwhelming support leading it to dispute the election results. It is astonishing and surprising to us and all political watchers that the PDP, despite its media campaign and claims of having the support of Kano electorates, could only muster the courage to challenge only the results of 4 Chairmen and 2 Councilors seats. This decision alone is a confirmation that the PDP is aware that Kano voters are not supporting them and have, therefore, lost its base, the peoples' votes. This is recognized by its Court action. It, therefore, does not surprises us a bit to see such a comedy being played by a party that has no electoral value in the State. A party that claims to have majority but can only contest for 4 out of the 44 Chairmanships and 2 out of 484 Councillorships seat is indeed astounding and beyond belief. It is indeed a big surprise and laughable. It is also astonishing to say the least.

Be that as it may, one cannot call himself a democrat and ignore the votes of the people. After all, the right to vote and be voted is the core symbol of democracy. Election results bring to the fore the strength, popularity or otherwise, of political parties. In fact, the May 17, 2014 Local Government Elections were one of the few that were conducted freely and fairly in the political history of Nigeria. It is the most credible and the most peaceful ever. This was confirmed by the 15 Independent Election Observers and the 24 members of the State Independent Electoral Commissions that monitored the elections. The elections were adjudged as having met international and regional standards for being properly organized, monitored, well thought-out and conducted freely and fairly. Thus, the votes received by the APC during the May 17, 2014 Local Government Elections bring out clearly the citizens' major message to the PDP that it has no followers in Kano State. The votes are a blunt and resounding 'NO' to the PDP deception, corruption, and mismanagement of the nation's resources. Therefore, we are justified to say that those people with electoral value have already left the party for the APC and those who remained in it are Lilliputians and paper weight politicians who have no following whatsoever. This explains the resounding defeat of the PDP by the APC. The 2,370,000 votes cast for the APC candidates against the PDP's 200,430 indicated the fact that the citizens have faith in this Administration's commitment on its delivery of the dividends of democracy. In fact, studies have shown that leadership quality is associated with both intents of citizens to vote and even their actual voting behavior. Purposeful and focused leaders motivate their citizens to vote and support them because of their ability to deliver and foster development. Governor Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso's Administration is purposeful and is successfully transforming the State to become a shining example to other States. The high quality of Governor Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso's vision of service, his exceptional performance, and his untiring effort in fulfilling the peoples' expectation translated into the citizens' support for his Administration and the APC in the May 17, 2014 Local Government Elections.

In fact, the effort of this Administration in stabilizing the State could only be comprehended by reminding ourselves that Governor Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso took over a State whose citizens were disillusioned, dissatisfied and dismayed. The citizens held the previous regime's political leadership in shockingly low regards. Towards the end of the regime, the situation in the State had reached the saturation point ready to pour forth at the slightest chance, which led to the overwhelming votes received by Governor Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso at the 2011 General elections.

The success of this Administration at the Local Government elections could be linked with the ability of the leadership to understand the voices and aspirations of the citizens. People are now witnessing good governance characterized by the respect of human rights, effective delivery of services, transparency and accountability, better access to education, political and economic empowerment, etc. The State now has a leadership whose attitudes and values foster responsibility and sincerity of purpose.

Since this Administration did not crash into governance without adequate preparation and focus, the progressive and positive trends of this Administration have been maintained today by the Kano State Executive Council during its one hundred and fifty second (152nd) sitting at which ten (10) MDAs submitted thirty six (36) memoranda for deliberation. Council approved the execution of twenty seven (27) of the tabled memoranda with an expenditure of One Billion, Two Hundred and Twenty Million, Five Hundred and Thirty Eight Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty Four Naira, Eighty Seven Kobo (N1,220,538,354.87) covering twenty one (21) projects as follows:

1. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION The Ministry of Education submitted seven (7) memoranda for deliberations by Council of which five (5) were approved for execution as follows: a) Presentation of Request for Funds for the Third (3rd) Phase of the Establishment of Boarding Primary School at Minjibir Town, Minjibir LGCA:The Hon. Commissioner for Education submitted the cited presentation/request for consideration by Council. Specifically, Council was reminded of its approval granted for the release of the sum of N38,501,105.07 to enable the execution of the third (3rd) phase of the establishment of a Boarding Primary School in Minjibir Town, Minjibir Local Government Area. This had a shortfall of N12,000,000.00 as the actual request was for the release of the sum of N50,501,105.07 according to the details presented.

As such, Council was requested to consider and approve the release of the shortfall of N12,000,000.00 to enable the execution of the stated purpose. Council approved the request. b) Request for Funds to Enable the Installation of Solar - Powered Panels and Submersible Pumps in Two (2) Water Boreholes at Jan - Baki GGSS:The Pioneer students of GGSS Jan-Baki that transited at GGSS Jogana are currently in their permanent site located at Yadakunya. The contents of this memorandum notified Council that, the permanent site of GGSS Jan-baki is faced with serious potable water supply problem due to lack of electricity supply from PHCN to power the two (2) installed boreholes, which are currently mechanically (menially) operated.

Details on the requirements to solve the problem were presented to Council for consideration along with the following two (2) prayers: i. Council to consider and approve the installation of Solar - Powered panels and submersible pumps to two (2) water boreholes in GGSS Jan-Baki at the total Contract sum of N2,045,372.22. ii. Council to consider and approve the release of the sum of N775,750.00 to enable the replacement of two (2) pilfered (stolen) submersible pumps.

The relevance of the two (2) projects were considered as Council approved the release of the aggregate sum of N2,821,722.22 tothe Ministry of Education to enable the execution of the two (2) projects cited at GGSS Jan-baki. c) Request for Funds to Enable the Establishment of One (1) Model Primary School and One Girls' Junior Secondary School in Tarauni Local Government Council Area:Cognizant of the resolve by the present administration to establish new Schools, as well as, build more classrooms in existing ones in order to solve the congestion problem in public owned schools across the State, the cited request was presented to Council for consideration.

The old Hockey Playground located along Massallacin Murtala Road was identified by SUBEB as the most suitable site for the stated purposes and presented to Council for consideration, through the contents of this memorandum. Details on the requirements were summarized and presented to Council for consideration along with the financial implications to the tune of N211,627,161.73, which was requested for release to cater for the building and provision of furniture in respect of the two (2) Schools. Council noted, considered and approved the request. d) Presentation of Information Memorandum (IM) on the Establishment of Schools of Islamic Studies

(SIS) and Technical Colleges across the 44 Local Government Council Areas in Kano State:The Hon. Commissioner for Education reminded Council, through the contents of this memorandum that, approval was granted for the establishment of forty four (44) Schools for Islamic Studies (SIS) and twenty two (22) Technical Colleges across the State. Approval for the execution of the projects was granted in June, 2013 and works have attained advanced stages at the various project sites. Details were presented to Council for perusal as an update. Council acknowledged the presentation appreciatively. e) Request for Funds to Enable the Reimbursement of Funds Used for the Procurement of Two Hundred and Fifty (250) Sewing Machines:Two hundred and fifty (250) women recently graduated from the Jakara Women Skills Acquisition Center (re-

Rabi’u Musa Kwankawaso

named as Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso Women Skills Acquisition and Continuing Education Center).

The contents of this memorandum established to Council that, the 250 graduates were promised to be allocated with a brand new sewing machine each as take - off package to enable them practice the skills acquired.

Responsibly, the Ministry of Education had already procured and distributed the sewing machines to the beneficiaries at the aggregate sum of N5,064,000.00, which was requested for release by Council as reimbursement for the already incurred expenditure. The amount was expended on the procurement of 203 Units of brand new Butterfly Model Sewing Machines (N18,000.00 x 203 = N3,654,000.00) and 47 Units of brand new Embroidery Machines (47 x N30,000.00 = N1,410,000.00) amounting to the total sum of N5,064,000.00. Council acknowledged the request and approved the release of the stated sum.

2. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT The Secretary to the State Government submitted seven (7) memoranda on behalf of the Chairman and some MDAs for deliberations by Council. Four (4) were approved for execution as follows: a) Presentation of Progress Report from the Screening and Verification Standing Committee on Civil Servants in Kano State:This report is the findings of the Committee after completing the screening exercise. Twenty one (21) summarized items were presented to Council for consideration along with eight (8) recommendations as follows: o All Staff not present for screening without authentic reasons to be deleted from the Staff list of the Organization concerned. o All over aged Staff should be retired from the Service. o Comprehensive list of all Civil Servants due for retirement in the year 2013 to be presented along with adequate arrangements for their prompt retirement. o Respective MDAs should apply contents/provisions of a circular from the Head of Civil Service on Contract Staff engaged for non-essential duties. o The details on the Staff list advanced by the Committee should be adopted as verified beyond doubt. o The Staff list should be adopted as standard for the State Data Bank. o That the findings in this report should be used as an update for the collection of information during the State Biometric Data Capture. o MDAs should report the health status of their Staff and disengage them if proven unfit.

Council acknowledged the presentation and approved the execution of all the eight (8) recommendations/ prayers presented. b) Presentation of Proposal to Establish a Sanitary Inspection Unit Tagged 'Kwankwasiyya Improved Sanitary Initiative' (KISI) Under EH4 Law of 1984:This proposal was submitted by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Sanitary Inspection for consideration. Details on the requirements for the effective implementation of the proposal include the provision of One (1) DC Toyota Hilux Pickup, Two (2) Toyota Coaster Buses, Office fully furnished and take-off grant of the sum of N4,124,000.00.

Council acknowledged the presentation and approved the provision of one fairly used Bus, N2,004,000.00 for publicity and an office accommodation to be provided by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. c) Presentation of Request for Funds to Supplement Initial Approval for the Sponsorship of Fifty (50) Kano State Indigenous Students to Study BSc. Nursing at Al-Mansura University, Egypt:The contents of this memorandum submitted recommendations from Kano State Government Officials that visited the Al-Mansura University Egypt, through the Ministry of Health.

The need to review the content of the entire programme to suit the expectations of the Kano State Government was the main issue. The students are expected to graduate with the required qualifications within a period of two (2) years so as to return and fill the available gap in the teaching manpower at the State owned Colleges of Nursing without compromising the quality expected from the programme.

The authorities at the Al-Mansura University Egypt forwarded two (2) options from which one could be adopted for the reviewed programme. Viz: o Option 1 The course is to be completed in six (6) condensed semesters (2 years) by March, 2016. The students to graduate with BSc. Nursing along with certificates in Nursing Education and Specialties at the additional cost of $11,200.00 per student over the initial approved payment made (or $560,000.00 for the fifty (50) students). o Option 2 The course is to be completed in eight (8) semesters (2 ½ years) by September, 2016. The students to graduate with B Sc Nursing and a Diploma in Nursing Education at the additional cost of $12,400.00 per student ($612,000.00 for the fifty (50) students) over the initial approved payment made.

After due deliberations, Council approved the adoption of option 2 of the reviewed course at the total cost of $612,000.00 for the fifty (50) students. And to ease their studies Council approved the provision of one (1) Laptop Computer to each of the students. c) Presentation of Report from the 2 - Member Committee on Thirty (30) Kano State Indigenous Students Sponsored to Study Medicine at International University of Africa, Sudan:The cited report was presented to Council for consideration on the return of the two (2) Member Committee from Sudan where they visited the thirty (30) Kano State Indigenous Students sponsored to study Medicine at the International University of Africa (IUA) in Khartoum, Sudan. The contents of the memorandum recommended that the 30 students be transferred to El-Razi University for the 2014/2015 session to continue with their studies from the International University of Africa, Sudan.

3. MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT The nine (9) memoranda submitted for deliberations by Council from this Ministry were approved for execution as follows: a) Request for Funds to Enable the Re-Instatement of the Collapsed Gindiwa Bridge and Kalgo Culvert at Kibiya Local Government Council:The Hon. Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport submitted the cited request for consideration by Council in response to a report received from Kibiya Local Government Council. The site was visited and the problem assessed while the scope of works required were estimated at the cost of N55,814,184.05.

Council approved the reconstruction of the collapsed bridge at the stated sum. b) Request for Funds to Enable the Provision of Additional Number of Uniforms for Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) Personnel:-

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014 The positive performance of KAROTA personnel in the discharge of their assigned duties needed no emphasis leading to the request for the provision of working materials, equipment, uniforms, etc. This memorandum requested the provision of uniforms to 1,500 personnel of the agency at the sum of N12,165,000.00. Council approved the request. c) Presentation of Request for Funds to Enable the Engagement of Additional Number of 294 Youths as KAROTA Personnel and Commencement of their Training:Cognizant of the important role played by KAROTA personnel in the enforcement of road traffic rules and regulations on the major roads of Kano Metropolis and beyond, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport submitted the cited request for consideration by Council.

Details on the twelve (12) requirements (paramilitary training inclusive) were presented to Council for consideration regarding the engagement of 294 additional youths as KAROTA Personnel. The financial implications were totaled to the aggregate sum of N4,172,000.00 and requested for release by Council for the stated purpose. The project was considered as appropriate by Council and approval was granted for the request. d) Request for Funds to Enable the Replacement of Worn - Out Tyres of Operational Vehicles Used by KAROTA Personnel:Flexibility and prompt response to emergency situations characterize the day - to- day operations by KAROTA personnel. As such, the operational vehicles used require regular change of tyres for effective utilization. The request was summarized and presented to Council for consideration. Thus: S N Description of Size of tyre Quantity Rate (N) Total cost (N) vehicle/truck i. DAF 11R22.5 10 45,000.00 450,000.00 ii. MACK 1100 - 24 1 0 75,000.00 750,000.00 iii. FORD 8.5R17.5 0 6 26,000.00 156,000.00 iv. RENAULT 1100 - 225 0 6 45,000.00 270,000.00 v. HILUX 205R160 4 8 18,000.00 864,000.00 vi. DYNA 8.5R17.5 1 2 26,000.00 312,000.00 vii. SLIZER 8.5R17.5 0 6 26,000.00 156,000.00 Total = N2,958,000.00.

Council was requested to approve the release of the sum of N2,958,000.00 to enable the replacement of ninety eight (98) worn - out tyres required by seven (7) different models of motorized vehicles used by KAROTA personnel in their operations. Council approved as requested. e) Request for Funds to Enable the Provision of Prohibitory and Mandatory Signs on Our Roads:The cited request was submitted by KAROTA for the procurement of 500 each of No- Parking sign and Keep moving/No tracking at the total sum N3,250,000.00. Council approved the request. f)Request for Funds to Enable the Provision of Twelve (12) Additional Number of Operational and Monitoring Bikes for use by KAROTA Personnel:Challenges encountered in the day-to- day operations of KAROTA personnel require enhanced flexibility for which the cited request was submitted to Council for consideration. The memorandum recommended for the procurement of 6 Kawasaki G Y - French Model Operational/ Patrol Motor - Bikes for Operations and deterrence at (N750,000.00 x 6 ) N4,500,000.00 and 6 Jincheng Model Motor - Cycles for Surveillance and Monitoring Operations at (N100,000.00 x 6) N600,000.00. The total sum ofN5,100,000.00 wasapproved for the procurement. f) Request for Funds to Enable the Provision of Two (2) Additional Slider Toying Trucks and Five (5) Additional Pick Up Motor Vehicles for use by KAROTA Personnel:Need to enhance the commendable operations by KAROTA personnel on our roads instigated the submission of the cited request for the provision of 2 Slider Towing Trucks at the total sum of N9,500,000.00 and 5 Pickup vehicles at the sum of N17,750,000.00. Council considered, appraised the request and approved the release of the sum of N9,500,000.00 for the procurement of two (2) fairly used Slider towing Trucks for use by KAROTA personnel in their operations. g) Presentation of Request for Funds for the Installation of Streetlights within the Entire Road Network in the Permanent Site of the Northwest University, Kano:The Task Force Committee on the Installation/Repairs/Reactivation of Street and Traffic Control Lights identified, assessed and estimated the scope of works required for the installation of streetlights at the Northwest University Permanent Site at the cost of N73,963,038.90. This was vetted and scaled down to the tune of N56,991,988.70 by the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport. Council approved the request in view of the relevance of the project to the security of the residents at the site. h ) Request for Funds to Enable the Renovation of Doka - Riruwai Road:The Hon. Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport notified Council, through the contents of this memorandum of the need to execute the renovation of Doka-Ririwai road through 50%:50% joint arrangement funding formula between the State Government and Doguwa Local Government Council.

The scope of works required were assessed and estimated to the tune of N230,852,604.37 which was requested for release by Council to enable the execution of the stated project. Council approved the proposal.

4. MINISTRY OF HEALTH Two (2) of the five (5) memoranda submitted for deliberations by Council from the Ministry of Health were approved for execution as follows: a) Presentation of Request for Funds for the Sustenance of the Kwankwasiyya Mobile Medical Outreach Health Services Programme for the Year 2014:Cognizant of the achievements recorded since inception of the Kwankwasiyya Mobile Medical Outreach Health Services Programme, the Ministry of Health submitted the cited presentation/request for consideration by Council.

The contents of the memorandum informed Council that the programme operates at an average of 60 - 70 visitations to villages per week at which an average consultations and free of charge health services were delivered to more than 500,000 patients in the year 2013 alone.

This presentation/request was submitted to Council for consideration so as to enable the sustenance of the laudable programme in the year 2014 by granting approval for the release of the aggregate sum of N67,487,300.00 disaggregated for release at N16,871,825.00 rate quarterly. Council approved the release of the N50,615,475.00 for the remaining part of the year 2014. b) Presentation of Request for Funds for the Procurement of Laboratory Equipment, Working Materials, Provision of Furniture and General Renovation at the Government Health Office and Occupational Health Services Units:The contents of this memorandum substantiated to Council that, the Government Health Office and Occupational Health Services Units are ideally scarce revenue generating units expected to perform creditably in the generation of revenue. Unfortunately, the two (2) Healthcare Delivery Facilities perform woefully.

For example, the Government Health Office was only able to generate the paltry sum of N400,000.00 in the entire 2013. On the other hand, the Occupational Health Services Units was only able to generate the total sum of N1,827,000.00 in two (2) years (2012 and 2013).

As such, the cited request was submitted for consideration by Council so as to improve the activities and Service Delivery of these important revenue generating units. Details of the requirements were listed to include laboratory equipment, working materials and furniture. The sum of N8,990,107.85 was requested for release for their procurement. Council approved as requested.

5. MINISTRY OF LAND AND PHYSICAL PLANNING Of the three (3) memoranda submitted for deliberations by Council from the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning, only one (1) was approved for execution. Thus: Presentation of Request for Funds to Enable the Demarcation of 950 Plots in Three (3) Medium Density Layouts:The Ministry of Land and Physical Planning reminded Council of the directive issued to process the relocations of AKTH Cooperative Groups from Kwankwasiyya City site to a more appropriate site. Based on that, a medium density layout of about 950 plots was designed at Fari in Gurjiya Village, Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area. The need to demarcate these plots physically to be shown to the beneficiaries prompted the submission of the cited request to Council for consideration.

Details on the items required for the demarcation were presented along with the request for the release of the aggregate sum of N8,447,000.00 to enable the execution of the stated project. Council approved the released of the trimmed down sum of N5,447,000.00 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to enable the execution of the stated purpose.

6. OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR/HON. COMMISSIONER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS The only memorandum submitted for deliberation by Council from this Office was approved for execution.

Thus: Presentation of Information Memorandum (IM) on the Meeting held on 22nd May, 2014 Among the Task Force Committee on Polio Eradication Programme; Interim Management Officers (IMOs); Newly Elected Local Government Council Chairman and District Heads:The cited presentation was submitted to Council for consideration by the Deputy Governor/Hon. Commissioner for Local Governments in his capacity as the Chairman of the Task Force Committee on Polio Eradication Programme. Details of the accomplishments of the programme, challenges being faced and recommendations were forwarded for Council deliberation. To solve the challenges Council accepted the

63 need to release funds in time, Ward Heads to assign capable, mature and responsible people to represent them when they cannot perform, ensuring that key Local Government officials participate in the programme , which should be protected from political interference, and Village and Ward Heads to conduct regular meetings on the programme for its betterment.

Again, Council was informed that at the stakeholders review meeting the performance of respective Local Government Council Areas were assessed and trophies awarded to the best performing Local Government as follows: o First (1st) Position (Governor's Cup) Bagwai, Garko, Madobi, Shanono, Takai and Tsanyawa. o Second (2nd) Position (Deputy Governor's Cup) Karaye. o Third (3rd) Position (Hon. Commissioner's Cup) Kumbotso, Tudun Wada and Fagge. o Fourth (4th) Position (His Highness, Emir's Cup) Municipal.

The worst performing Local Government, Rimin Gado was highlighted for reprimanding. Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation.

7. MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES The Ministry of Water Resources submitted three (3) memoranda for deliberations by Council. Two (2) were approved for execution as follows: a) Request for Funds for the Procurement and Installation of Eight (8) Raw Water Pumps and Control Panels for the New Challawa Intake No. 2:The Hon. Commissioner for Water Resources reminded Council, through the contents of this memorandum, of the approval granted to his Ministry for the construction of a new lagoon at intake No. 2 for the extraction of raw water to the Challawa Water Works/Water Treatment Plant.

The cited request was presented to Council for consideration sequel to the completion of the construction of the new lagoon at which effective operations require the installation of eight (8) new raw water pumps and their control panels.

Accordingly, the required due process was adopted in the selection of a reputable contractor for the project that agreed to provide the requirements at the most responsive contract sum of N304,402,211.00, which was requested for release by Council to enable the execution of the highly required project. Council approved as requested. b) Request for Funds to Enable the Laying (Burying) of 33.6KM Length of 400MM Ductile Iron Water Pipes from Watari Treatment Plant (WTP) to Tsanyawa Town in Tsanyawa Local Government Council Area:The contents of this memorandum informed Council of the fact that the contract awarded for the procurement/supply of 400MM Ductile Iron Water Pipes and fittings to cover a distance of 33.6KM from Watari Treatment Plant (WTP) to Tsanyawa was completed by the contractor. The pipes were delivered at the site waiting for laying/burying. Thus, the Ministry of Water Resources submitted the cited request for consideration by Council. Details of the requirements were presented along with the most responsive contractual estimates at the sum of N178,752,000.00, which was requested for release by Council to enable the execution of the project. Council approved the request.

8. MINISTRY OF COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, COOPERATIVES AND TOURISM Only one (1) of the two (2) memoranda submitted for deliberations by Council from this Ministry was approved for execution. Thus: Presentation of Official Invitation and Request for Funds for the Participation of Kano State Contingent at the Fourth (4th) Arewa Festival of Arts and Culture (ARFEST) (23rd - 27th June, 2014) at Murtala Muhammad Square Kaduna:The Hon. Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Tourism notified Council, through the contents of this memorandum, of receiving an official invitation from Gamji Events and Conferences Ltd. for the Kano State Contingent to participate at the cited event.

Importantly, Council was informed of the fact that, the Festival was designed to re - awaken the nineteen (19) Northern States of Nigeria on a common platform with a view to promoting peaceful coexistence through cultural heritage events among the region's diverse ethnic groups in Nigeria.

The Festival is appropriately premised under the main theme tagged as "Supporting Government Peace Initiative by Utilizing Culture for Inter - Ethnic and Inter - Religious Understanding". The Festival aims at: o Promoting National Unity through Regional Integration. o Promoting Private Initiative. o Showcasing our Diverse/Unique Cultural Heritage. o Promote potential employment opportunities, wealth creation and generating of income from our Local/Indigenous Cottage Industries, etc.

The sum of N9,865,200.00 wasrequestedto enable the History and Culture Bureau cater for the participation of the Kano State contingent at the Festival. Council approved the release of the sum of N6million for the festival.

9. MINISTRY OF FINANCE The only memorandum submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Finance was approved for execution. Thus: Presentation of Information Memorandum (IM) on a 2 - Day Workshop Organized in Collaboration Between the Kano State Ministry of Finance and the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, Kano State Branch:The contents of this memorandum tacitly intimated Council that the cited workshop was organized with multi - focused intentions which included the following: o Consolidation of the monumental achievements recorded by the present administration in Kano State under the leadership of the second (2nd) incumbency of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. Emphasis was placed on fiscal discipline, prudence, accountability and transparency which remain the cardinal guiding principles since inception of the second (2nd) tenure. o Drive at instilling moral rectitude and civil sanctity in the discharge of official responsibility. o The modern public sector accounting standards, processes and procedure were also focused upon.

Importantly, the workshop was premised on the main theme tagged as "Financial Prudence, Transparency and Accountability "Sine Qua Non" for Good Governance and Service Delivery".

The participants declared their profound gratitude to Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSEfor supporting conduct of the workshop morally, materially and financially. Council acknowledged the presentation appreciatively.

10. OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE Council deliberated upon the only memorandum submitted from the Office of the Head of Civil Service.

Approval was granted for its execution. Thus: Presentation of Request for Funds to Enable the Conduct of the Fifth (5th) Retreat for Kano State Top Government Functionaries in Kaduna (19th - 22nd June, 2014):The Kano State Head of Civil Service submitted the cited request for consideration by Council. Details on the genesis and reasons for the retreat were presented to Council for consideration along with the request for the release of the discounted sum of N51,975,500.00 to cover for accommodation, feeding, etc. for the successful conduct of the August Retreat. Council acknowledged the presentation and approved as requested.

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF 152TH EXCO - SITTING 1. THE END OF THE MONTH ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION EXERCISE Council appreciatively acknowledged the effort of the Ministry of Environment for the successful and smooth conduct of the Environmental Sanitation exercise held every last Saturday of the Month. Council appreciated the support of Kano Citizens, Emirate Council and Community leaders.

2. COURTESY VISIT TO KANO BY THE TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA Council acknowledged the courtesy visit paid to Kano State on 2nd June, 2014 by the Ambassador of Turkey to Nigeria. During the visit issues discussed included the following, among others: i. Collaboration between the Kano State Government and that of Turkey on Agriculture and Education with a view to enhancing the performance of the two (2) sectors, and ii. Discussion on the need for the establishment of Turkish University in Kano State.

3. VISIT OF THE MINISTER OF STATE (FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH) TO KANO STATE Council acknowledged the visit of the Minister of State (Federal Ministry of Health) to Kano State in company of the Executive Director, Primary Healthcare Development Agency on 3rd June, 2014. The DeputyGovernor/Honorable Commissioner for Local Governments received the visiting team. The team expressed satisfaction and appreciated the efforts of the State Government in its fight against Polio virus.

Signed: Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports andCulture www.kn.gov.ng/new

TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.9

NO. 2875

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘Our soldiers and other security agents I believe are doing their best to win the war, but they need other Nigerians and they are not likely to get all hands on board if they continue to act in the way they have done in this latest clamp down WAHEED ODUSILE on the media’

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

I

AM writing these lines at 7:30 in the evening of Thursday, June 10, 1993, just 48 hours to the presidential election. But it is by no means clear that the election will actually take place.

The High Court in Abuja is yet to determine whether the National Electoral Commission (NEC), Federal Attorney-General (Clement Akpamgbo) and Military President Ibrahim Babangida have furnished compelling reasons as to why the election should not be stopped, as demanded by Arthur Nzeribe’s Association for a Better Nigeria (ABN). The association has followed up its petition with a huge demonstration in Kaduna, urging Babangida to stay on for four more years.

S. G. Ikoku’s self-styled Council of Elder Statesmen is still busy calling for what amounts to a scuttling of the transition process. Curiously, its advocacy, dripping with contempt for the two official political parties and their presidential candidates and indeed for the entire political class, is described not as a proposal but a “Report.’’

The ‘’Report’’ is received in Abuja with all the pomp and circumstance of a commissioned job.

Newspapers are awash with unsigned advertisements excoriating the SDP candidate, Moshood Abiola, and the NRC candidate, Bashir Tofa, for all manner of misconduct, ranging from alleged purloining of an opponent’s letter to religious fanaticism. The country is awash in rumours of dark plots and dire warnings.

From his base in London, fugitive Second Republic minister Umaru Dikkko, no longer fearful of being shipped home in a crate, is reported to have written to the Kaduna Mafia, warning that under no circumstance should a Southerner be allowed to win power.

As if to add poignancy to the rumoured Dikko epistle, allegations surface that Abiola and a conclave of Yoruba elders have completed plans to transfer the federal capital back to Lagos if Abiola won the election.

And if he did not, Igbo property in Yorubaland was marked for destruction.

Such were the doubts and distrust sowed in the week before the election and watered assiduously every passing day. Long and disorderly queues formed by panic-stricken motorists in the wake of a strike by petroleum workers strengthen doubts about the election. A breakdown in electricity and water supplies further reinforces the doubts.

NEC Chairman Humphrey Nwosu comes on the television screen as I write these lines, ebullient as ever, and reeling out in a singsong, combative voice, a trainload of things that must not be done on election day and assuring a national audience that all was set

RIPPLES

CHURCHES SHOULD PAY TAXCONFAB

Yes, because the PASTORS have enough MONEY for PRIVATE JETS!

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

“June 12”: An infamy

•The late MKO Abiola, winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election

•NADECO chieftain Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd.)

for the historic poll.

I am immediately reminded of what someone who should know told me long ago: Never mind the histrionics. Good old Humphrey is not actually in charge, and does not know what is really going on.

At any rate, no polling booths have been erected, and no voters’ list has been put on display in Lagos 48 hours to the poll. It requires a degree of credulity bordering on naiveté to wager that the poll will indeed hold on June 12.

NTA’s network news has just ended. There is no indication at all of developments in the ABN’s legal battle to scuttle the election. The doubts remain. The electoral laws state categorically that no court action can stand in the way of the election. If this means anything at all, it means that no court can entertain any petition that seeks to stop the election. The Abuja High Court has not only entertained the petition, it allows it to drag on for one full week, and to cast grave doubts on whether the election will be held.

At this point, I break off and go to bed, hoping to complete this piece the next day, Friday, June 11, to meet my copy deadline.

At 11:05 p.m., the doorbell rings.

Who can it be at this late hour?

It is Femi Kusa, The Guardian’s director of publications and editor-in-chief. He has a message, and it is for my ears only, the night guard tells me. I go downstairs to meet Kusa.

Without the slightest trace of agitation or surprise, Kusa tells me, first, that the Abuja High Court has ruled that election scheduled for Saturday, June 12, must not hold as demanded by the ABN; second, that the court has reserved ruling for one month on NEC’s counter-motion, and third, that the police had granted the ABN a permit to stage a Babangida-Must-Stay rally in Abuja. He says he thought I should not have to read the newspapers the next day before learning of these developments.

Even those of our countrymen (and women) who have maintained all along that the transition programme bears the markings of a cruel hoax and of a prologue to tragedy could hardly have believed that matters would come to such a desultory pass. But such, alas, is the level of triviality to which the final phase of the transition programme has been reduced.

No sooner were thepresidential primaries concluded than rumours spread that the candidates of both parties would be disqualified. Damning dossiers on both candidates were said to have been compiled, with generous help from the intelligence services of Western nations. Since then, it has been one dark hint of gloomy portents after another.

Was this the ‘’hidden agenda’’ finally unravelling?

A hidden agenda exists all right, weighs in Vice President Augustus Aikhomu. But it belongs to the self-appointed messiahs and their confederates who held a widely publicized meeting at General Olusegun Obasanjo’sfarm the other day, not to the Babangida Administration.

As I conclude this piece at 1:05 a.m. on Friday, June 11, 1993, NEC has not indicated whether it will go ahead with the election as planned, the Abuja injunction notwithstanding. The authors and managers of the transition programme have made no statement.

Perhaps they are satisfied that the transition is still ‘’on course,’’ and that the ‘’solid foundation’’ they have been laying for de-

T

mocracy these past seven years is, if anything, stronger than ever. Or it may well be that they regard the latest developments as just another phase of the “learning process’’ that is the transition.

Others of a different cast of mind cannot be blamed if, on waking up today and hearing the news, they felt, like Jacob in the Old Testament, that they had for seven years been sleeping with an illusion.

For the next 16 hours or so after Justice Ikpeme’s ruling, there is no clear indication that the election will hold. It is well past lunchtime on Friday, June 11, when NEC finally announces that the election will go on as scheduled, Justice Ikpeme and the ABN notwithstanding.

The Federal Government’s affirmation that the election will hold comes only indirectly, in response to a statement issued by the United States Government through the United States Information Service in Lagos to the effect that any postponement of the election would be “unacceptable” to Washington.

The election holds as scheduled. Minor hitches are reported here and there, the type that can be expected even in the best-ordered poll. For the most part, NEC and everyone connected with the election gets high praise for a job superbly executed.

Nine days later, when results already proclaimed or authenticated and only awaiting official release indicated that the SDP ticket of Moshoold Abiola and Babagana Kingibe had swept the poll, the regime of military president Ibrahim Babangidawhich had been thrown into panic by the results finally dropped all subterfuge to announce through an unsigned and undated memo issued on plain paper by Nduka Irabor, chief press secretary to Vice President Augustus Aikhomu, that it had annulled the election.

Why? “To rescue the judiciary from inter-wrangling . . . to protect our legal system and the judiciary from being ridiculed and politicised both nationally and internationally,” according to the memo, and to ensure that a judiciary built on sound and solid foundation was not “tarnished by the insatiable political desire of a few persons.”

By that instrument, the Babangida regime terminated all court proceedings on any matter touching on the June 12 1993 presidential election, and for good measure repealed all laws relating to a political transition programme that had been eight years and some N40 billion in the making.

The consequences of this brazen evisceration of the sovereign will of the Nigerian people, executed with the active complicity of the political class, sections of the judiciary and the news media, political merchants, revanchists and quislings, live with us still.

This piece, slightly revised, was first published in this newspaper on June 11, 2013. It is adapted from my June 15 and June 22, 1993, columns for The Guardian, where I was editorial page editor and chair of the Editorial Board.

Desperate censors at work

HERE is a strong chance that patrons of the paper edition of The Nation may never get to read the Tuesday issue in which this column is scheduled to appear.

For three days running, military officials claiming to be acting on orders have blockaded the routes of newspaper vans across the country and taken over the distribution points, resulting in late deliveries and sometimes no delivery at all.

The officials said they were acting on intelligence that some unidentified persons were going to use newspaper distribution vans to carry explosives to areas of Boko Haram activity.

Could the officials not have alerted the newspaper houses and urged them to ensure that their vehicles were not employed for subversive activities? The Abuja office of ThisDay was severely damaged some two years ago in a bomb explosion. If the security services have forgotten, the news media have not. It cannot be in their interest to be witting or unwitting accessories to any plot to employ their vehicles for terroristic purposes.

Besides, the selective nature of the blockade, especially after the first day, suggests powerfully that what is unfolding is not a scheme to frustrate the designs of potential terrorists but to paralyse a section of the press and prevent Nigerians from receiving the news and information so vital to making informed decisions and choices in a democracy.

In whatever case, why detain the vans after searching them and finding nothing compromising? Why impound their cargo?

This shamefully disingenuous recourse harks back to the darkest chapters of military rule in Nigeria.

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